Surprising Defeat

Kinder Gym, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA…

Paul Phoenix: "YYYYEEEEAAAAA! I'M #1!

Nina made a huge mistake while fighting Paul Phoenix. She nearly submitted him in one of her signature armbars. However, Paul did not want to lose another fight. Losing to the likes of Gigas, Kazumi, Miguel, and Lars, Paul would not allow Nina her chance to stay unbeaten. With determination, the veteran broke out of Nina's armbar hold and shoulder tackled her by the side. The attack stuns Nina, giving Paul enough time to use his signature punch Burning Fist! The impact was so strong that Nina could not block it by herself! The impact was too strong so Nina slid back 15 feet until she bounced off the wall hitting her head first. Her body rolled around eight times until she stops moving. The official came over to check on Nina. She was seeing stars, literally. The official knew this match was over.

Paul: "HA HA! I win! Numero Uno baby!"

The next day, Sunrise Hospital, Las Vegas, NV…

The media was in a frenzy over hearing that Paul Phoenix won against the undefeated Nina Williams. Nina was sent to one of the local hospitals owned by the Zaibatsu for concussion protocol. Paul was told by his friend, Marshall Law, that he was being butchered by the American media, especially from feminists claiming Paul enjoyed his victory over Nina entirely too much. It's not that Paul enjoyed beating up Nina, he really needed that victory since he was losing so many fights while competing in this seventh tournament. To make amends and let bygones be bygones, Paul felt that he should visit Nina as she recuperated in the hospital.

Letting his hair down, putting on shades, and putting on a suit without a tie, Paul entered the hospital hoping nobody would recognize him. He was able to get the front desk to tell him where Nina's room was located. Nina stayed in room 319 all alone with the blinds closed. Nina's head was wrapped around because of the gash over her forehead. She was still sleeping before a knock could be heard at the door. It was Paul knocking. He slowly opens the door and turns on the lights to see Nina. The bright lights made Nina open her eyes very slowly. She had no idea who this guy was entering her room without permission. Giving her condition, Nina got nervous and cautious at the same time.

Nina (Waking up): "Wha? What are you doing here? Who are you?"

Paul (Takes off the shade, pulling his hair back): "It's me Nina! Chill!"

Nina: "Huh? Paul?" (Angered) "Get out! I thought I told the doctor no visitors!"

Paul: "Relax! I just wanted to see how you were holding up. I'd take it you are feeling better right?"

Nina: "Tsk." (Turns her head in shame, lying down again.)

Paul (Thinking) "Man. And here I thought I took losses hard." (Speaks) "Look, I am sorry for giving you a concussion during the fight. I have to admit, fighting you brought back a lot of memories. When was the last time we fought? The fourth tournament? Or the third?"

Nina: "It was the 4th tournament." (Still not facing him.)

Paul: "Oh yea, that's right. You actually beat me that time at the mall. Not one of my best fights." (Laughing)

Nina: "Are you satisfied with this? Getting one back at me? If you are then you can leave now. I don't appreciate the sentimental treatment you are giving me!"

Paul (Pleads): "Nina come on! You were always feisty, but not like this? The world wants us to hate each other, but I'd always liked ya as a competitor! Remember the first time we met? I think your sister was there too right after registration. You remember what happened next after I introduced myself?"

Nina: "No!"

Paul: "Well you kicked me right between my jewels! Your sister Anna laughed at me and so did everyone else watching us. But you didn't laugh. You just smiled and walked off. I gotcha back after our first fight though. Wanna know what happened next?"

Nina finally looks at him again, but she wanted to know more. It was weird that she had a hard time remembering her earlier encounters with Paul. After her cyrosleep, Nina remembered Paul as being an overbearing, arrogant, drunken moron who just so happened to be a powerful martial artist. She still stared at him, but Paul got another big grin on his rugged face.

Paul: "I tried to help you up after I beat cha but then you kicked my jewels again!" (Laughing even louder) "But I wasn't mad at cha! I guess when it came to me for some reason, kicking my junk was one of your go to moves!"

Nina: "Hmph. When we fight next time, I will do just that."

Paul: "I wore my cup in the last fight, I learned my lesson with my matches against you."

Nina: "Tell me something Paul." (Looking at the ceiling, avoiding eye contact)

Paul: "Yeah?"

Nina: "I still have a hard time remembering things 23 years ago. What was I like back then?"

Paul (Thinks): "I guess the rumors were true after all. She can't remember a lot of things after her cyrosleep or whatever she did to stay young. Well here it goes." (Talks.) "Let's see. When I first saw ya back then, I was thinking "What's a babe like this doing in a martial arts tournament full of buff tough guys right?" I thought I could ask you out on a date or something but right off the bat, you got irritated and attacked me when I had my guard down. Not gonna lie, I wanted a piece of you in our first match because of that. Later I found out about your occupation as a contract killer. Even after hearing that, I'd still wanted to know more about cha. I didn't fight you in the 2nd tournament, but you kept your distance from me. Just like you are doing now. In the 3rd tournament you were acting really weird. You were still staying away from me, but it was like you didn't even know me. By the 4th tournament, we fought again and you beat me. I was too drunk before that fight though. Totally underestimated cha. Then you left me hanging without saying a word. I saw footage of the fight, so that's how I know. I'm not gonna lie, I thought I wouldn't win against cha after our 4th match. But this time I got lucky I guess. In my opinion you are about as badass as I ever known ya Nina, but back then you were at least approachable and not as bitchy."

In a surprise, Nina started laughing. Hysterically at that.

Paul (Confused): "What's so funny?"

Nina: "So I am bitchy now?"

Paul: "Well…uh…I…"

Nina (Laughing): "The way you described me just now, it is not off the mark Paul Phoenix. I live a dangerous life. If a guy like you comes around and follows me all the time then you know what comes next."

Paul: "What comes next?"

Nina (Stops laughing and without emotion): "Bang." (Points at him)

Paul (Got scared holds his heart): "Agggh!"

Nina (Smirking, puts her finger down.): "Now you get the message."

Paul: "Yeah, I gotcha! I didn't come here to rub in your face Nina, honest!"

Nina: "Hmph. Even if you didn't I can't let anyone get too attached to me. I won't make you leave anymore, but if you try to talk with me again, I will not hesitate to kill you."

Paul (Swallows): "Um…yea."

After pausing for 1 mintues, Paul breaks the silence…

Paul: "Can I get you something? Need to go to the restroom?"

Nina (Turns her body to the side under the covers): "No. I should be getting out of here today I hope. So for now, I want to keep sleeping."

Paul: "Alright, but eh can I turn on the TV?"

Nina: "Knock yourself out. Just keep the volume low please."

Paul: "Cool."

As Paul started watching the news on TV, Nina drifted back to sleep. She did not tell Paul that her head was still hurting due to its aching. By the time she would wake up again, either A the doctor will let her out of the hospital or B Paul is out of the room. Out of the blue, Paul's rental phone buzzed. It was his pal Marshall Law. Paul wisely goes out of the room and talks with him.

Paul: "Yea!"

Marshall Law: "Paul? It's me again."

Paul: "Oh hey Marshall, what's up buddy?"

Law: "Hey did you actually go visit Nina? I was curious."

Paul: "Yea, I'm at the hospital now. Nina went back to sleep, but I think she's gonna be fine now."

Law: "Wow! So you actually got inside her room? In a Zaibatsu owned hospital nonetheless. You couldn't have done that by yourself man, who helped you?"

Paul: "Nobody helped me. All I was did put on some glasses and let my hair down. It was a damn good idea."

Law: "I see. Yea man these trolls online are not letting up on your victory against Nina. You should go on the forums like at Reddit and Yahoo to see this bullsh*t they are spewing about you. It's sickening!"

Paul: "Ah F*ck em Marshall. If they think I'm a woman beater then let em, but I know me and Nina are cooler than that."

Law: "Really? What was her reaction when you revealed yourself?"

Paul: "She wasn't too happy to see me, but she calmed down a little bit. Scary part is that she said she'd kill me if I try to talk with her again."

Law: "Aw man. That's a bummer. I'm not surprised though. The lady is antisocial."

Paul: "Yeah."

Law: "Well my fight is tomorrow against a guy I have never heard of before."

Paul: "Who is it?"

Law: "His name is Claudio, forget his last name. Apparently he is still undefeated, so I've heard."

Paul: "You got it Law. At least you are doing better than me."

Law: "I hope your right Paul. I'm about to do some meditation, so I won't show an ounce of doubt in this match."

Paul: "Do what cha gotta do buddy. I'm rooting for ya!"

Law: "So who do you fight next?"

Paul: "Oh I dunno yet, but I will tell ya once I'm out of this place."

Law: "Alright. Stay sharp Paul and lay off the booze!"

Paul: "I am buddy I am. See ya."

Paul hangs up and decided to return inside Nina's room one more time. Paul knew Nina was brutal but honest in her words when she said she would kill him in their next encounter outside of competition. No longer interested in what was on TV, Paul reluctantly felt it was time to go. Those soldiers from the Zaibatsu may not want somebody like him hanging around their boss in close quarters like this. He could still beat their asses but Paul could not risk an early DQ from the tournament. As a parting gift, Paul had a pen under the pocket embedded within his coat. He writes a small note using a tissue as paper. When he was finished, Paul carefully places it on the side of the bed so Nina could take a look. Being the daredevil that Paul was, he snuck a pecker on Nina's cheek with a wide grin of his face afterwards.

Paul: "See ya around Nina."

Sometime later…

A knock was given on the door. The doctor came with the paperwork so Nina could sign it and then she was free to leave the hospital. Nina woke up as her headache finally went away. The doctor noticed a tissue falling down on the ground as Nina rose up. He picks it up and gives it to her. Nina saw handwriting on it, but first she signed the paperwork with her initials. When the doctor finally left, Nina examined the written tissue again.

"I didn't wanna rub in your face by coming to visit. Just checking up on an old rival of mine. Even if you don't care here is my address. No matter what people say, you always got a friend in me!" *Thumbs up* Paul Phoenix

Nina found herself blushing over the thoughtful note, but quickly snapped out of it by slapping her face. It hurt her head momentarily. However, Nina still had no room for admirers. She definitely could not have Paul find out she would eventually leave the Zaibatsu or find her infamous bathroom pictures.

Nina: "Don't push your luck Paul!"

At that moment, Nina made up her mind. She threw the tissue in the trash. Why? Because she did want not to kill Paul deep down. Whether by her own hand or by Heihachi and his followers.