Chapter 46: Close Combat Showdowns!
At exactly 2pm, everyone returned to the stadium as Bruce and Coach Spruce resumed their commentary.
"We've finished the sporting events in the morning. And now, it's time for the afternoon events! First, we have the Close Combat Showdowns!" Bruce announced.
"That is right brother! Here's how it works, 32 fighters will engage in eight 4-way fights with one advancing to the next stage! There, the remaining 16 will do more 4-way fights until 8 fighters remain to face each other in a one-on-one showdown! This will go on until the last 2 face each other and the winner will get the grand prizes!" Coach Spruce commentated. "Also in the finals, awakened power is allowed so yes, they'll fight with all their skills and powers!"
Everyone cheered as Bruce explained some more. "We will first begin with the Female category followed by the Male Category. Those that have signed for this event. Please suit up in your ninja outfits and be in the arena in 10 minutes!"
As he finished, the arena opened up and large, rectangular pool appeared and then, a circular platform arose from the water followed by 4 small circular platforms designed to bring the competitors up to the arena.
Now it cuts to the group as Hongfa stood up. "I'll be there fighting."
"Alright. All the best." said Damien.
"Show them your badass moves!" Elena called out.
"Interesting. We might get a chance to see Hongfa in action. Especially in her awakened power should she reach the finals, who knows?" Kappei thought and Gumchi is drinking a 1.5 litre bottle of orange soda.
Girl's Close Combat Showdown
In the first stage, there are 8 rounds of close combat matches between the girls as various scenes shows some of them delivering punches, kicks and other martial art moves as the crowd cheered for them. Some girls are already falling off the platform and into the pool. This also applies to the next stage.
In the next one, the remaining 8 girls are paired up to fight each other and wow, they sure kick ass as all cheered for them. This goes on all the way until the finals.
And yes, it is starting now as, "We have arrived at the final stage! 32 girls fought with all they've got and in the end, these 2 ladies made it this far! Let's introduce them!" Bruce announced as a hovering platform on the left hovered up and a female ninja is seen standing on it.
"First, we have the tough female fighter who can take plenty of punishment and dodge and attack with maximum swiftness like an Amazoness! Olga!" A tall girl with short blonde hair appeared on a hovering platform as it stationed itself beside the main platform and she stepped into it.
"Based on the data, she's representing the ninja high school in Greece and her Unique-Ranked Awakened Power is Extreme Agility." Jeong explained via his holographic webpage.
"You really get all the information easily through your power." said Billy.
"And how does this awakened power work?" Heart asked.
"This power enhances her reflexes to superhuman level to the point that she can dodge attacks and unleash a barrage of swift attacks with ease." Maeve answered as she ate an Oreo cookie.
"And second, we have the martial arts expert with the moves so badass she can pummel 50 bad boys without a scratch and deliver devastating disasters in battle, we have the honourable Ninja Martial Artist, Hongfa!"
All cheered as a hovering platform brought her to the arena as she leapt in and did the 5 Kung Fu styles.
"Tiger style, Snake style, Monkey style, Crane style and Praying Mantis style!" Alec observed. "Amazing..."
"In addition, she has a Legendary-Ranked Awakened Power called, Superpowered Martial Arts. It's more advanced than Energy Fist and Energy Kick for these 2 are ranked common." Jeong added.
Now on the platform, a ninja stood in the center as the 2 female participants approached each other. They took a bow and then, fighting stance. For the ninja, he lowered a red flag between and once ready, he raised it up and the fight begins!
They charged at each other as Hongfa powered up her fists and feet with yellow energy while Olga vibrated a bit and once Hongfa delivered a jab, she dodged it! Surprised, Hongfa threw 5 more but Olga dodged them all at a rapid pace and, "Gotcha!"
"KSH! KSH! KSH! KSH! KSH!"
"A 5-hit combo with extreme agility! Olga is fast in dodging and deadly in fighting!" Coach Spruce commentated as Hongfa switched to her feet. She delivered energized kicks but Olga still dodged them all easily. "So much for the martial artist." She taunted.
"Ugh! Never expected her agility to be at a different level..." Hongfa thought as she switched to a defensive stance. Olga smirked at this. "Agility Booster!"
She vibrated herself some more, charged close to her and unleashed a flurry of attacks ranging from her fists to her feet. Although Hongfa did a lot of blocking, she couldn't keep up to her agility and got a few hits. She then got dropkicked by her as she crashed near the ledge.
"C'mon Hongfa! Stand up and fight!" Damien called out.
"We know you can win this!" Elena called out as back there, Hongfa was able to stand up on her feet. "I'm impressed you can take plenty of punishment. What are you going to do now?" Olga asked.
"Fight. Fight with everything I've got!" Hongfa shouted a warcry and energized her fists and feet and suddenly, "The colour yellow is turning into gold!" Dia called out.
"Is this a new awakening of her power like some sort of level up?" Shane asked.
"Precisely..." Kappei thought to himself with a smile as back at the arena, Hongfa performed a few martial art moves before her opponent as Olga just zipped to her for the elimination but this time, "Furious Tiger Palm!"
A energized palm strike on her stomach caused her to flinch. "What the...she knew I was coming for her..." Olga thought as Hongfa jumped up to another attack. "Furious Crane Kick!" She landed an energized flying kick on her face as she fell. "Dammit!" Olga jumped up on her feel and delivered some agile attacks with Hongfa blocking them all. "Furious Monkey Low Kick!"
Hongfa dropped onto the ground with her back facing it and then, used her hands to halt herself as they touched ground and, "KSH!"
An energized low kick on the thighs took Olga by surprise as Hongfa got up on her feet and, "Furious Viper Strike!" She energized her fists and hit Olga on the joints stunning her a bit. "Furious Mantis Thrust!" She delivered an energized finger thrust on her neck stunning her some more in mantis style.
During those moves, "She's...amazing...she's...incredible...wonderful..." Alec doesn't know why but his eyes became hearts as back there, "This fight is over! Furious Dragon Fury!" Hongfa delivered an energized uppercut sending Olga flying up as she jumped up and delivered an overhand punch that slammed her down and near the ledge. The impact bounced her a bit which resulted in her falling into the pool. "SPLASH!"
"Those golden moves rock and roll! Hongfa has won the match and is the winner for the girl's category!" Bruce commentated as cheering took place. Hongfa smiled and celebrated by performing more martial art moves.
After that...
"There she is!" Damien called out as Hongfa rejoined them as all cheered for her.
"You really kicked ass out there despite her agility." Elena stated.
"Thanks. This battle was difficult but as soon as I hyped myself unexpectedly, I feel more powered up and with that, I'm able to seize the victory, Kung Fu Panda style!" Hongfa spoke up when, "Your moves are epic!" Alec suddenly approached her grasping her hands. "Can you teach me those moves?"
Hongfa can only blush in shyness on the outside but on the inside, she's touched by his request and feels the opportunity to experience a strong relationship between herself and him.
"Dudes. Alec might be the first in our class to get a girlfriend." Tobias whispered to the bros.
"Yeah. Never thought he's fond of that hot, martial artist girl." said Kanisuke.
"Ryotarou, what does the future say about them?" Draco asked.
"It's very simple. It will grow into something very special...that is all I can predict." He replied with a smile as he fanned himself with his ritual fan.
"Okay! Now it's time for the boys to get heavy and wreck them all! Those participating, suit up in your ninja outfits and be there in 10 minutes!" Coach Spruce announced and it appears that Sisler and Tyler are among them as they stood up. "I am so gonna dominate the entire competition!" Sisler declared.
"We shall see. I'll gonna win this and show my dad how much I'm improved!" Tyler declared and at the sky box, he is there watching his son.
"So you think you can take the crown huh? Prove it then." Sisler dared him as they left to get ready. "Oh man. Hope they don't pulverize each other." said Anais.
"Relax. Tyler is calm and level-headed enough to deliver the blow when the timing is right." Dan assured to her.
"Sisler may have some brutality but knows the limits in fighting head on with safety." Sheila assured also even beaming in excitement to see her boyfriend in action.
Boy's Close Combat Showdown
Same as the girls as numerous battles took place with boys being thrown out and down into the pool and others using various moves to attack and defend.
After the many stages, the final one is on. "We've seen so many boys swing their fists and deliver kickass moves with their feet!" Coach Spruce commentated. "And now it's time for the final stage and let's introduce the finalist!"
"First, we have a tall and buff ninja who had a history of mauling a bear with one hand! Behold! Sisler!" Bruce introduced him as Sisler was brought to the arena via the hovering platform. There, he flexed his muscles as many cheered for him.
"And for his opponent, he's calm and collected in the way of the shinobi and not to mention he's also tall and buff. We have the terrific Tyler!" Bruce introduced him and he's already arrived as he just looked at the audience calmly.
Both competitors then walked forward facing each other as they took a bow with Sisler grinning excitedly. "So do you have what it takes to be on par with me at least?"
"You may be my senior but a true ninja must remain calm and seize the victory without giving an inch and at the right timing." Tyler replied as he got ready.
"Heh. Like I said just now, prove it. Even though I'm all set to win this." Sisler dared him as he got ready.
Once the ninja raised the flag, the 2 boys underwent a transformation!
"What the heck? I saw Sisler morph into Grizzly Bear!" Cluv exclaimed.
"And Tyler morphed into a Silverback Gorilla!" Emma exclaimed also.
"A battle between 2 predators sounds epic." said Shane.
And back at the arena, the fight begins as they charged at each other as Sisler unleashed a flurry of claw attacks but Tyler moved swiftly dodging them and when it's time for a counterattack, he unleashed a flurry of gorilla fist attacks only for Sisler to also dodge them all. For sizes, they're larger in their animal forms though Sisler is larger than Tyler.
"Those predators are ferocious! It's a wild fight if you ask me!" Bruce commentated as returning to the fight, "I have plenty of moves that will make you un-bear-able!" Sisler warned Tyler, "Bear Claw Twin Slash!"
Using his 2 claws, he slashed them down at Tyler. "It is but 2 scratches. Gorilla Double Punch!" Tyler used his 2 gorilla fists and punched Sisler on the chest followed by, "Gorilla Dropkick!"
"KSH!"
Sisler was kicked back but used his claws and feet to resist the impact and was near the edge. "I'm just getting warmed up." Sisler then pounced onto Tyler pinning him and bopped his face a lot. "Take this! And that! And some of this!"
Tyler growled and then, was able to sit up and head bash him! "KSH!"
"OW!" Sisler didn't see that coming as he backed away and growled. He then charged and unleashed more bear attacks. Tyler charged also on his fours and unleashed more gorilla attacks. Both fighters clashed with rage and ferocity as the majority of the audience went wild in excitement.
"Look at them Bruce! The fight sure is epic!"
"Yeah Spruce! They're giving us a real fight! Yeah!"
After a while, Sisler grabbed Tyler and threw him on the ground followed by, "Grizzly Stomp!"
"KSH!"
Tyler felt his guts stomped as, "Now I win. Bear Claw Maul!"
"No...I've won!" Tyler sprang up and embraced him hard and he felt his body cracking under pressure. "OW! OW! OW! What are you doing?!"
"I told you just now. A true ninja knows when to strike at the right timing." Tyler then lifted the bear and, "Gorilla Power Slam!"
"BAM!"
"The bear is broken!" Coach Spruce commentated as Sisler tried to stand up but ended up with one knee on the ground. "It was an honour to battle you. Gorilla Barrage!" Tyler unleashed a barrage of gorilla punches and the last punch sent Sisler out and he took a splash in the pool.
"The silverback gorilla has dominated the grizzly bear! Because of that, Tyler is the winner for the boy's category!" Bruce announced and the gorilla beat his chest several times and shouted a warcry of victory as many cheered for him. Even his dad nodded with a smile.
After that...
"Tyler, you're the man!" Dan congratulated him as they fist bump each other.
"Ugh...he almost crushed my ribs..." Sisler groaned as Sheila massaged his back. "Oh yeah babe...I always need this every time I finish a workout session with my bros..."
"You did your best Sisler. At least both of you put up a good fight." She assured to him as he grinned at this. Even so, Sheila planted a kiss on his right cheek as Hades, Gaia, Caribou and the muscular triplets whistled gleefully at their relationship. And then, "Hey Tyler! If ever we brawl again, I won't lose to you!"
"Heh. I'll be watching for the rematch Sisler!" He called out and they fist bump each other with respect.
"And now, all that's left is the Swordplay event. This is gonna get more exciting than ever..." Ryotarou thought and he fanned himself by using his ritual fan.
I always have a knack for learning various moves on the internet. I check out the moves in the videos, try them out and wow, it's effective!
It'll someday come in handy. And I do research a lot on the many martial arts to utilize in this chapter.
Character of the Chapter
Name: Hongfa
Profile
As her name speaks, she's from China and was scouted and enrolled into the WNA Academy in Eagle City. She's one of the most proficient fighters in the academy being able to reach the Ninjala Tournament Finals and the Ninjala Battle Festival Finals thanks to the various martial arts she's been learning and honing for some time.
Initially, she's crushing on Burton but later got over it in her teen years. She likes Chinese Food and enjoys watching martial art movies most notably, the Kung Fu Panda movies.
Right now, she's attending the Advanced WNA High in China, is friends with Damien and Elena, is a member of the Mixed Martial Arts Club and now, she's developed a crush on Alec and likewise, he's fond of her awesome moves.
Awakened Power: Superpowered Martial Arts
All these years of learning the ninja arts, kung fu and other Chinese martial arts awakened this power in Hongfa. With her fists and feet empowered and imbued with energy aka chi, Hongfa can devastate her foes with powerful close combat moves enough to send them flying, deal massive damage and destroy obstacles with little effort.
Even so, she created her own power moves through her awakened power and the various martial arts while dominating the battlefield. A force to be reckoned with.