Title: Winning
Category: Cartoons » Hero: 108
Author: Cahaya Sidur
Language: English, Rating: Rated: K+
Genre: Friendship/Suspense
Published: 02-04-14
Words: 2,881

Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108.

AN: One of my longer one-shots - information is NOT accurate, so excuse me for any sort of errors! Basically, in case you can't tell, Lady Green is from Britain while Lin Chung is from China.

Elena Green, or, as she was usually called, Lady Green, moved forward. Representing Britain in two areas in the Beijing Olympics was considered a great honour. She had been practically trained from birth to participate in the Olympics, and it was her first time.

She smiled at her team members, before turning to leave.

Fencing was one of the first matches, and she had to get ready. Her coach, Latifah, led her away from the chattering group to the training rooms, where only one or two rooms were left available.

She tied her hair back, and picked up the Foil offered to her first, and began with her first position.

About three hours after she began, her coach finally allowed her to rest. Lady Green took off the helmet, wiping the sweat off her head. Latifah had been more harsh than usual, but that was to be expected.

After all, this was her first match at the Olympics!

She moved out of the room with Latifah, who was going over strict tactics with her, talking animatedly about her opponents, and what each one was going to do. The new ones, of course, her coach had no idea of knowing, but still.

They passed by several training rooms, all of them locked and some covered with drapes. But others weren't, and this was something that she noticed as she approached the canteen.

She looked into the room in curiosity, noticing a sharp bark.

The person training was wearing a helmet, and so, she couldn't see who it was. But she couldn't help but stare as the person moved gracefully and confidently. Each step was carefully calculated, yet it seemed effortless. The movements were relentless as the coach shouted out orders to the person.

"Impressive, isn't it?" she jumped, turning to Latifah.

"Who's that?"

"That's the Chinese representative, if I'm not mistaken. Lin Chung."

Lady Green's eyes widened. "He was trained in fencing?"

Latifah nodded. "Trained ever since birth by his parents. Some say that he was bred to be in the Olympics." She nodded towards the still training figure. "He won the last Olympics - gold, in almost everything he did."

Lady Green frowned. "I thought he was only trained in shooting?"

Latifah shook her head. "He's a special case. Like yours. But he focuses on shooting and fencing, while you focus on diving and fencing." she turned to look at the coach as he barked out another sharp order. "18 now, if I'm not mistaken. Same age as you. Since fencing this year is going to be mixed, you might end up against him." Latifah looked closely at the figure. "You might want to up your game with him. Because that's what you need to get through if you want to win."

"18?" Lady Green frowned. That would mean that he was 14 when he first participated in the Olympics. "So he was 14 when he first came in?"

"Yeah."

"Which one did he focus on then?"

"Same as this time - shooting and fencing."

"Oh."

They watched as he executed a complicated move perfectly, and Lady Green's eyes widened. She could only dream of having that sort of ice-cold perfection, yet the coach barked a reprimand out at him.

Lin Chung relaxed from his position even as he lowered his head from the reprimand.

Another bark of orders in Chinese, and the coach left the room, leaving Lin Chung in there. He removed his helmet, pushing aside his hair.

Lady Green took the opportunity to examine him. He had dark grey hair and light skin. His face was angular, overall expression soft. He put the sabre down carefully, before taking up a bottle of water and drinking it.

"If you want to meet him, now's the time." Latifah's voice cut through her. She turned, surprised. "I recognise that look, Green. Go and meet him, clear your mind of him, and then win the match tomorrow."

Lady Green laughed lightly at her coach's tone, before nodding.

"I'll meet you in the canteen." Latifah turned and strolled away.

Turning, Lady Green knocked on the door, before opening it slowly, poking her head in. Lin Chung turned, tensing briefly as he put down his drink.

Lady Green was the first to speak, offering him her hand. "Hello. I'm Elena Green."

Lin Chung's posture relaxed as he shook it. "Lin Chung. I've heard great things about you."

"Likewise." Lady Green smiled.

"Good things too, I hope." Lin Chung returned the smile. "First time Olympics?"

Lady Green nodded. "Yeah. Hope I can do well on it."

"You should." Lin Chung noted. "Two things at once. Quite impressive. Diving and Fencing, no?"

"Yes." Lady Green tilted her head. "How do you know?"

Lin Chung smiled bashfully. "My coach tends to get a little…" he shrugged, expression making Lady Green laugh as he continued. "About future opponents. So…"

"He did a little paranoid searching spree?"

Lin Chung's surprised laughter joined hers as the words sunk in.

"Not as impressive as you, though. 14?"

Lin Chung smiled, though it looked a little strained. "Yeah. Apparently, I was a 'special case', so I was allowed in for both."

"That is more impressive than me already."

"But yours is also a water-based activity." Lin Chung noted. "Mine are both land-based."

Lady Green shrugged, but couldn't help but smile. "Are you done here?" Lin Chung was interesting, to say the least. Especially after she had mentioned his age when he had first joined. That was an odd reaction.

Lin Chung nodded. "I just need to change and eat."

"Then would you like to join me?" Lady Green asked. "I'm sure my coach won't mind."

"Speaking of which, who is your coach?"

"Alpha Girl Latifah."

"Ah." Lin Chung let out a small smile.

"You know her?"

"She's my coach's rival ever since she decided to 'defect'" air quotes were used "to the British."

Lady Green laughed. "I trust those aren't your words?"

"My coach's, actually."

"Was that your coach just now?"

Lin Chung's posture stiffened. He forced it to relax. "No. My father."

"Oh." Lady Green dropped the subject quickly as Lin Chung turned to head to the showers. "Are you going to take me up on my offer then?"

Lin Chung turned back, a smile playing on his lips. "I might."

Lady Green quickly learned that Lin Chung wasn't exactly the most social of people, though he got along well enough with other people.

The small group he usually hung around with consisted of some Chinese legends - Mighty Ray, the weightlifter; Mystique Sonia, the gymnast; Jumpy (so nicknamed), the pole-vaulter; and NoHands, their coach.

Lin Chung's parents were both Olympic legends, and it seemed that as a result of the one-child policy, Lin Chung had a lot more pressure on him because of that.

Much like herself, the Chinese had been trained viciously since birth, especially because of his parents. While Lady Green had had natural talent and had been scouted earlier on, Lin Chung had been, it seemed, (Latifah had not been joking) practically bred to win the Chinese victories in these sort of competitions.

Lady Green grinned as she finished her round. The buzzer sounded, signalling the end of the match, and Latifah, along with many other British present, screamed in joy as the referee announced Lady Green the winner of the match.

Even with the screams and announcements around her, Lady Green couldn't help but feel anticipated.

She won this round. Meant that she was moving on to the last round of the whole thing.

It took a moment to sink in.

She just claimed second place in the Fencing round. Even if she wasn't able to claim gold, she earned a silver the first time at the Olympics!

She shook her head as Latifah hugged her tightly. "You're going onto the final round!"

"Who am I against?" she asked as they led her back to the showers. Even still, she knew the answer.

Latifah's mood was dampened. "Lin Chung." It was widely known that even good as Lady Green was, Lin Chung had almost been brutal in his matches, winning quickly and efficiently. "You have your diving competition - congrats again - then you have your last Fencing match with him. If you win your diving thing, you'll go on the next day, and then the winners are announced."

"Got it." Lady Green's answer was distracted as Latifah repeatedly shot her down with tactics on how to try and gain upper hand in Fencing and how to improve on her diving, before she looked up.

Lin Chung was approaching, also getting the same treatment by NoHands.

Their eyes met as they passed by each other in the corridor, and each exchanged a quick grin before they each rounded the corner, urged on by their coaches, who were glaring at each other hatefully.

Well done, he mouthed to her.

She grinned back at him. You too.

Good luck. That was all he managed to talk to her, before he turned and left.

Lady Green smiled as she walked out of the showers. A few hours in the pool was all she needed to improve her mood drastically. She walked past Lin Chung, who seemed, for once, alone without any of his friends, coach or father around him.

"Lin Chung!" she called to the Chinese athlete.

He turned to see her, face lighting up in a smile. "Lady Green. It is good to see you again."

"You just finished training?"

Lin Chung nodded.

"Shooting?"

He shook his head. "That match is two days after the Fencing match."

"Oh." Lady Green noted. "Do you want to come to my diving match then?"

It was odd, inviting him there. They were, technically until one won the competition the day after tomorrow, still competitors from two different countries. And it wasn't a big secret that the Chinese dominated swimming and diving.

"Of course."

Lady Green gulped as she saw the Chinese diver. She was good. God help her.

As she took her place on the diving board, she looked down, spotting Lin Chung among the audience. He gave her a smile, one which seemed to be between both of them. Returning it with a quick smile, she turned back around, ready to dive in on cue.

The results were quick.

She had…won?!

Latifah tackled her in a furious hug, screaming at the top of her lungs.

Cameramen were everywhere, while the audience surged around her.

Everything turned into a blur until the audience left and she was left alone to get ready for an early night before training early tomorrow morning for the Fencing match.

She headed to her room, suddenly wondering when she had gotten there. She blinked, trying to acknowledge that she had won the diving competition, before there was a knock on her door. She opened it, seeing Lin Chung standing there.

And seeing Lin Chung there suddenly made it all real. "Did I?"

"Sure did."

As soon as the words left her mouth, her knees buckled. Lin Chung lunged forward and caught her, as if he had been expecting this.

She blinked once more, wondering when she had gotten in her bed. Lin Chung was looking at her worriedly.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine." she responded automatically. "Just…just…oh my God, I won the diving event."

"Yep." Lin Chung seemed amused, but still serious. "You're an Olympic winner, whether you win or lose tomorrow at the Fencing match."

"Oh my god. Oh my god."

"Are you sure you're ok? You want me to get Latifah?"

"I'm good." Lady Green managed. "Why'd you come again? I don't think I caught it."

"I certainly did." Lin Chung laughed. "I was coming to see your reaction. You didn't react when you were sent to shower, so the most likely thing you would've done is collapse in your room."

"Is it always like this?" Lady Green asked, still shaken. "Was this how you felt like?"

Lin Chung laughed again. "Probably worse. Didn't do anything at my shooting, since that was first. After I beat my opponent in Fencing who had more than 20 years of experience, I collapsed on the spot. Nearly gave my mother a heart attack."

"Oh yes." Lady Green remembered. "Peter Ramovnich. He was the Russian that was trying to win the Olympic Games twice in a row?"

"Yep." Lin Chung sighed. "He wasn't very happy about that. Tried to call on a rematch, but after the drug incident with the other Russian, immediately backed off."

Lady Green smiled. "He should be. You were what? 14? when you won? Beat his winning streak and humiliated him in front of his colleagues - beat him by a long-shot?"

"That sounds so serious." Lin Chung kept a straight face. "My father used the words 'crushed him so badly that he wouldn't ever return again'."

Lady Green burst out laughing.

Lady Green looked at Lin Chung, who walked onto the mat. Both smiled at each other, before their expressions turned serious. On cue, they put down their masks, held up their sabres, and got in position.

This is it. Lady Green thought. Only one walks away.

Cheering surrounded him. Lin Chung knew the expectations of his father and his mother. He wanted to lose just once, just to see how they would react to the press. Him, Lin Chung, who had supposedly never lost a match in his life.

But he couldn't do that.

He had sworn to his grandfather, his long deceased grandfather, that he would win the second Olympic Fencing tournament for him. His grandfather had supported him, had cheered the loudest when he came home to China with the medal. Had comforted him when his father's lessons became too much.

Twisting Lady Green's blade, he stabbed her.

The buzzer sounded.

And then, the crowd was roaring.

He had won.

He had won the Olympics - twice in a row. The youngest to do so.

He had fulfilled his promise to his grandfather.

He dropped the blade, noticing Lady Green put it down gently. She removed her helmet the same time as him, grinning broadly at him. She approached him, the area still blocked by the restrictions. When Lin Chung felt something sliding against his cheek, her look turned concerned.

"Are you ok?" she approached him, ignoring the crowd that was trying to get past the Olympic guards.

Lin Chung laughed incredulously as he covered his mouth. "I swore to my grandfather. I would win this one for him."

"Your grandfather?" Lady Green asked, head tilted.

"He was the one who taught me everything I knew. He's dead. Stroke last year."

Lady Green's face shifted to understanding, and she grinned, more broadly now. "Then I'm happy that you won."

Lady Green shifted in her seat, looking in shock with all of the spectators at the smug Russian that had fired. He had shot…wow.

She looked at Lin Chung. His eyes were wide as the broadcaster shakily announced that the Russian, Highroller, had managed to snag himself a new record. One that beat even Lin Chung's mother's previous shooting - one which had held the world record for nearly 16 consecutive years - 4 Olympics included.

Lots of pressure there, then.

"Do you think he'll make it?" she asked NoHands.

NoHands shook his head. "I trust in him, but to beat him, Lin Chung has got to set a new record."

Taking a deep breath, Lin Chung walked to the shooting gun. He arranged the eye-protection that he was wearing, and made sure his ear mufflers were on properly. The judge nodded at him, giving him permission to shoot. Taking another deep breath, he aimed.

He had three shots.

Three shots. Lady Green looked at him nervously.

Three shots to defeat the Russian. To win.

Three shots. Lin Chung's mother watched him, hands clenched into tight fists.

Three shots to defend her honour. To win.

Three shots. NoHands looked at the boy he had been partially responsible to training.

Three shots to set a new world record. To win.

Lin Chung grinned at Lady Green, who gladly returned it. Both had managed to snag themselves a win. Lady Green was the winner of the Diving competition, and had earned a silver in Fencing. Lin Chung had won the Fencing, and the shooting.

After the Olympics, there had been a few days, which Lady Green had taken advantage off.

She had practically demanded for Lin Chung to be her tour-guide, and he had accepted, laughing at the expression on her face, before bringing her to the places that he could - The Great Wall, Forbidden Palace, Bird's Nest, and a lot more.

They involved lots of walking, but Lady Green was fine with that.

But it had to end eventually, and, so, Lady Green found herself at the departure gate of the airport. Lin Chung was there, waving at her and her friends. Grinning, she returned the wave. After much persuasion from Lady Green, Lin Chung had finally agreed to go to Britain to visit her.

But, for now, they had to part ways.

"Goodbye." Lin Chung murmured, seeing her enter the gate, turning back only once more.

"Goodbye." Lady Green murmured, turning to join her friends to go back to Britain.