Surprise for Thunderxtw in this chapter! The story is nearing its end, and I hope I can make it good!

Chapter 22: Training Practice

"Can we have your attention please? This announcement is to notify all fighters that Peter Antuma has been taken out of the tournament due to medical injuries." Said Heihachi as he held a microphone. Some of the fighters gasped in shock, others laughed.

Elsewhere, King's fist landed against the red punching bag, creating small ripples of force. He was angry, and he felt as if nothing could stop him. 'Marduk will pay for this' he thought to himself. He was upset because Marduk could not be disqualified. He thought back to Lei Wulong's words…

"Listen, I'm really sorry about Peter I really am. But Peter came at Marduk first with a knife. He could go to jail for this but the fact that he was beaten so badly lets him off the hook." Said detective Lei Wulong. King growled with anger as he replied, "Marduk was going to attack him first!"

"I'm sorry, I believe you and all…but there is no proof of him having any intent-" His words were violently cut off. "HE WAS GOING TO ATTACK MY SON TO GET TO ME! I don't know why I came to you. I thought you would understand, but I guess I was wrong." With that, King took off down the hall and towards the gym to let off some steam.

And so, here he was, beating the life out of a punching bag. 'It's not fair, it's just NOT FAIR!' he screamed mentally to himself. Tomorrow was his match against Marduk. He had easily downed his last few opponents, Christie, Bryan Fury, and Malana the Chinese mixed martial arts champion.

Finally, he slammed his foot into the bag, rattling the chain as he did so. Becoming satisfied, he left to go check up on Peter. He walked with his hands in the pockets of his sweatpants, the strings to his black sweatshirt bouncing playfully against his well-built chest as he moved quicker.

When he arrived at the hospital wing, he was surprised to see that Peter had two visitors. One was shocking to him. It was Paul Phoenix, the man that Peter defeated in the last tournament. Paul didn't recall the battle due to injury and he thought that he made it to the finals to fight Ogre. The other was a young white male that he did not recognize.

He watched as Paul began to leave after some encouraging words. "You did well in the tournament and I'm sorry about what happened to you. I know we didn't always get along, but I've stopped judging you. You've already proven your worth."

"Thanks Paul…I really don't know what to say. I'm just glad that we can be friends now." Peter replied. Paul turned around with a smile and a wave and the two exchanged goodbyes. Walking past King, Paul stopped for a second and looked up to him. "I had a son once…you're lucky." With that, Paul looked away as almost in a trance and took his leave. His last words left King in shock.

Shaking himself out of his own trance, King walked slowly into the room. Peter looked up and saw him as he was talking to his other friend. "Hey King! We were just talking about you. This is my friend. I don't believe the two of you have met."

King offered his gloved hand to the young man, and he accepted, shaking his hand with a firm grip. "My name is Joe. It's nice to officially meet you King." King smiled and looked to Peter, who was looking as if he felt better, despite the obvious physical damage he had sustained.

"Well, I'd better get going. I'm going to be late for my fight. Bye Peter, and it was nice meeting you King."

"You too, thanks. I'll see you around." Said King with an honest smile as he began to turn back around to Peter. Once Joe left, King began to speak as he sat down in the chair next to the bed.

"So you look like you're feeling better." He said. Peter nodded and replied "Yeah, they've got me on morphine so I'm not really feeling too much." King looked at Peter's cuts and bruises, feeling regret as well as disgust for Marduk. How could a grown man beat down on a young child?

"Some people just have no morals." Peter said, causing King to react in shock. "You're wondering how I knew what you were thinking, right?" Peter said before King nodded. "It's obvious, you're thinking about Marduk."

"You have no idea how upset I am with him Pete. It was bad enough that he did what he did, but to beat you to the point of near death?"

Peter looked at King with curiosity, wondering what he would say next. King continued, "I know I told you I wouldn't kill Marduk…but he's gone too far."

Peter flinched in shock, realizing that there was NOTHING that he could do. Starcain was gone, and Peter himself had already tried his best. It was all up to King now. "King…"

"I'm sorry Pete. I'm going to do this. But for now, I'm here for you." He said.

Peter would have swelled up with tears, but he couldn't. He was just too numb with reality to realize what King was saying to him. "I'm here for you too." He replied. King looked over and smiled, patting Peter's head as he said "Thanks."