Max and Luke: Huh!?

Tiffany: Hmph. I agree. This match is over.

Luke: But I...

He turned to the boulder he was about to throw, and then, as well, to Max.

Luke: (sighs) ... Heh... good job.

Max: Thanks...

While Luke seemed wounded here and there, Max had only a few scratches on him.

But whereas Luke didn't seem tired at all, Max was already sweating.

In fact, right after that, he wiped the sweat out of his face.

Max: (panting) Phew. that was tough.

What could he say? Luke was a tough opponent. No matter what he did, he just wouldn't go down.

He was proud of the win, sure, but Luke was the kind of opponent that made him have to use everything he could throw at him, not so much in terms of arsenal, but rather, in terms of power.

Luke and Max made their way back to Tiffany and Ken.

There was one pressing thing in their minds.

How and why did Max win?

Ken: Well, that was not too shabby of a performance for the both of you, especially Max. You both have my congratulations.

Tiffany: Yeah, good job.

Max: Thanks!

Luke: Yeah... thanks... Anyway...

Ken: Yes, yes, why did I decide that Max had won? Well... to explain that, you'll have to watch this video.

Luke: Hmph. Ok.

Max simply smirked.

Ken's eyes projected a screen, and he began to play a video.

Ken: Right there...

It started at the point during which Luke started throwing boulders around the room to restrict Max's movement.

Ken: To begin with, your idea to restrict Max's movement with rock shards was an impressive one. In fact, it was quite effective, considering that super speed is one of Max's fundamental abilities.

Luke: Yeah, continue....

The next clip was Max struggling to figure out what to do next, as he was surrounded on every side.

Ken: In fact, even more effective, was crushing them just enough that the rock pieces would break even more on impact. The result being, That if you'd tried to attack Max, he would have a hard time escaping, while you, because of your invulnerability, would simply walk at anormal pace, unharmed and unhindered.

Luke: Hmph.

Ken: And so... you decided to approach him to land the finishing blow. 

Luke: Yeah, then...

The next clip showed Max dodging him at close range, avoiding him, stepping back and forth, and zapping him in return.

Ken: But then Max took advantage of the situation and electrocuted you.

Luke: Yeah... and....

The last clip showed Luke preparing a thunderclap, but in a clip by clip fashion, with Max standing right behind him.

Ken: And then you attempted to thunderclap Max. However....

And then it happened, Max zipped behind Luke, dashing unhindered in super speed.

Luke: Huh!?

Ken: Max just so happened to have taken advantage of the crushed rocks you'd left behind when walking towards him.

Luke: Hmph.

Ken: And he used those crushed rocks....

Luke put a hand behind his head and scratched his hair.

Luke: ... to pull one over my head.

Max simply cockily smiled. He was very proud of himself for coming up with that strategy.

Luke: Well... what can I say? Good job, Max.

It wasn't like loss meant nothing to Luke.

Luke: (sigh) Anyway, I'm headed to the bathroom.

He waved his hand and walked upstairs.

Luke: I need a wash. See ya.

Ken: Hmph.

Tiffany's eyes turned to look at him, slightly worried about him.

After he'd left...

Max: I was pretty awesome, wasn't I?

Ken: Oh, yes. What you did was most interesting? (thinking: And to think, he'd pulled that strategy off in the heat of battle.)

Max: Yeah...

His eyes turned fiery, like he was psyched up.

Max: You know.......

His face turned to a somewhat mischievous countenance.

Max: If I beat you in a fight, that would make me.... (proudly)  the strongest member of the team!

Ken: Hmm?

Max: Hmph! How about the next match?

Tiffany sighed and walked away from him, only slightly perturbing Max.

Ken: Sure. But you should know something. We were sparring.

Max: Hmm?

Ken: After Luke had filled the battleground with pebbles and rock shards, why do you think he didn't just start throwing boulders at you?

Max: Huh?!

Ken: All things considered, if he threw a rock at you, you'd have a hard time dodging it, wouldn't you?

Max: Well.... I.....

It suddenly occurred to Max that had he done that, he would have lost.

Ken: Luke didn't throw it at you because we were sparring. Had it been a real fight....

And the sudden reality hit Max hard. Had he just won because he was going easy on him?

Ken: Of course, you were holding back as well. But.... I figured I'd let you know.

Max: Oh....

The very thought made Max doubt himself more.

Was he really that weak?

Max: Well... whatever!?

Ken: Hmm?

Max: I'm still gonna kick your butt. Hmph!

He then foot stompingly walked upstairs.

Ken: (sighs) (thinking: Maximillian Hunter. Always full of surprises. And also...)

He flashed back to Max, smiling right as Luke approached him.

Ken: (thinking: ... you're not a very starightforward opponent, are you?)

He turned to look at Max once more.

Ken: (thinking: To think that you'd already decided that you'd won at that point. No, maybe you hadn't figured that out. If so, what was going on in your mind, Max?)