There is a plateau in fighting. As the fists fly and the kicks land, your body will eventually reach a stage where it is neither adrenaline nor instinct that will drive your attacks forward. It will instead consist of what is left in your body. Emotions, muscle memory, perhaps what you ate for lunch. We will use what is left in the tank to fuel the desperate need to survive and win. And for you... well, you knew this all too well.

Announcer: (L/n)'s assault only continues despite his left eye sustaining injury! How can he keep going?!

Your right fist collided with Mori's list, his knee recoiling back only to crack you across the nose with one of those kicks you have grown to know. Your left side was slowly failing you as you tried desperately to keep up with the agile Mori. He was the better fighter of course but you managed to beat Dawei so maybe you could pull this off too. It was as another kick connected with your right ear that you couldn't help but stumble back. All the sound that had blasted against your ears was now replaced by a loud ringing. The lights seemed to grow brighter as well as your mind was utterly rattled.

This wasn't a fight you could win. How many times could you say that before you understood it? You wanted so desperately to prove a point that you could win but Mori is a monster in human form. The mounting frustration inside you met with another powerful compound. The envy that had built up inside. Like a sickness, you had begun to resent your lack of power in comparison to these people. Why were you invited? You made it to the finals but you're a total failure! A loud sigh escaped your lips as you managed to pull yourself back into a fighting stance only for your left arm to fall to your side. Stupid! Stupidstupidstupid! Get back up! Why are you such... Another hot breath escaped your lips, the feeling of goosebumps grew under your sweat-coated flesh as you gazed up at Mori, your faulty depth perception reeling as he approached with a punch.

Mori knew you were on your last legs. Hell, he wasn't much better off. The initial scuffle with Dawei had taught him a lesson on fighting. It only further encouraged him to stand his ground until the very end. So he hoped with this punch he could finally tick your Hp to zero and end the bout. As his arm extended, his fist exploded forward like a bullet. However, he wasn't expecting what you did next. 

Your right arm shot forward and coiled around his elbow. Like a snake around prey, Mori attempted to dislodge his arm by throwing a kick but you pulled him further in. Here he caught a look in your eye. Your usual bright (E/c) eyes were dull, almost on the verge of rolling back from exhaustion but ignited with a desperate fire. Cocking your own head back, you returned to an old favorite and landed a devastating headbutt to Mori's nose. The other male reeled back but was once more caught in your snare. Defying logic, you poured your energy into your ruined left arm and pulled it back. The punch you launched from it wasn't anything special but your speed picked up faster and faster.

One. Two. Three.

Your punches simply landed where they did, your numbing fingers taking note of Mori's eye, forehead, and cheekbone as the targets they hit. Your feet decided to join the party as well. Your leg lifted and delivered a kick to the male's stomach in time to you releasing his arm.

(Y/n): What happened Mori?!

You called out as your hearing slowly returned. The male stumbled back only for you to grip his wrist and pull him forward into a gutting knee strike from your right leg. 

(Y/n): I thought I told you...

Your right hand coiled once more delivering an uppercut to his chin before pulling back to elbow the side of his neck.

(Y/n): Not to go easy on me!

In a desperate move, your arms shot out and pushed the male back. Mori let out a hacking cough as he stumbled back into the ropes of the ring. The momentum caught up with him though as he took a step forward only for your right hand to be waiting. You attacked his stomach once more, landing a punch so strong that you managed to pick the male off the ground softly before tossing his back weakly.

(Y/n): That punch... it was weak. You wanted me to fall over like a house of cards. 

A cough escaped your lips before you continue with your rant. Lifting your hand to your lips, you already knew that a familiar red liquid would be seeping out from the punishment from Dawei's wave attack.

(Y/n): Don't... Don't you dare look down on me! You didn't look down on Dawei! 

In a fit of rage, you stomped forward toward the male. It was then you took notice of it. A strange heat built inside your legs starting in your calves. You could feel the spread through your nerves and through your veins as the rest of your body was seemingly filled with a strange new sense of fuel. Your arms lifted and landed two punches against Mori's jaw simultaneously, holding him in place with your bruised knuckles. With a final sweeping motion, your head swung back like an executioner's blade and released landing against Mori's face. The contact was misplaced causing both of you to stumble back. Mori was now in the middle of the ring while you were backed against the ropes.

Mori: I never...

(Y/n): What...

Mori: I never once looked down on you, (L/n). This is some of the most fun I've had fighting you and Dawei! But I think... you're the one holding back. 

(Y/n): How can I hold back against someone like you?

Mori: You haven't used any of those moves on me yet. You're just blindly attacking like a wounded animal. Where is that technique and viciousness you used on Dawei?

He... He was right. You had reverted back to your brutal strikes on sheer instinct. But you couldn't have... You were so tired that your brain was seemingly losing control of yourself. But the sheer insanity of the situation brought a chuckle out of you. Then a laugh... then you simply couldn't stop. Maybe it was the various chemicals pumping through your brain, the pain, or the exhaustion but this was the single funniest thing you had ever heard.

(Y/n): If that's what you want... Hah... I'll stop holding back so you stop too.

Mori: Of course. Let's finish this properly!

Mori tapped that same foot from before against the rin twice. The foot that Dawei injured huh... You meanwhile sunk back into the stance you had stood against Dawei with. Your knees nearly buckled as you lowered your stance, sliding your foot against the ring while planting your right underneath you. Your tired fingers on your right once more took the form of a tightly coiled fist as your left finger's stood ready to provide what little protection they could in their state. This was it... Time to finish this battle once and for all.

DING DING DING DING

Announcer: Ahh and that's the end of the second round! With three rounds left, who will claim victory in this vicious battle?!

Your muscles almost gave out right there. You could have collapsed into a puddle if it wasn't for the figure of a nurse quickly entering the ring to help you stumble into a corner. There wasn't much she could do but whatever she was doing helped immensely. 

???: What are you doing out there?!

You jumped softly, turning your attention to the side only to find... Her... I-It was Mira! She was out of the hospital! You wanted to turn to her fully but the nurse tugged you to stay still so she could finish treating.

(Y/n): M-Mira! I can't believe you're here! Have you been watching the fight because-

Mira: I thought I told you not to do anything reckless!

(Y/n): Huh?

The girl let out a sigh as she took a step closer to the ring so you could see her better out of your still functional (E/c) right eye.

Mira: I told you that those two are freakishly strong and yet you still allowed yourself to get all messed up like this.

(Y/n): W-Well... to be fair I didn't know the wave attack thing would do that. But... I can't win.

Mira: Why not? You've already come this far.

(Y/n): Mori is... on another level. I guess finally getting to say it out loud really makes me understand the difference in our abilities. I can't win, but I can make sure I'm in much better shape than he is afterward!

Mira: Hah... little late for that don't you think? You know that you don't have to do that. Don't give up of course! but you've already proven to everyone here that you can keep up. I mean you made it to the finals for crying out loud! You just need a little faith in yourself like the faith I have in you, ok?

You couldn't help but feel a bit rattled by her words. You... you had proven it, huh? You didn't have to fight so brutally for recognition in this match anymore. You could give Mori and yourself to a certain extent what you wanted. A proper fight to end things off.

Nurse: Alright! Good luck in the rest of the fight, honey~

The nurse spoke in that mature tone of hers before softly walking off, leaving you to finally turn to Mira. Your (E/c) gaze met her chocolate gaze for a moment before you looked away with a light chuckle. 

(Y/n): I... Thank you, Mira. I really needed that. But... one more thing... About the present, you left for me.

Mira: Oh did you like it?! It took me a while to think of it but I think it turned out good in the end.

(Y/n): I well... I definitely liked it I will say that but... Don't you think it was a little appropriate to give a young man something like that?

Mira: Eh? What's wrong with drawing a picture?

(Y/n): Picture? You gave me a pair of used tights.

Mira: EH?!

The girl slapped her hands onto the ring in surprise. You almost swore that she dented the material softly as she inquired further.

Mira: I left you a picture of me giving you a thumbs up!

(Y/n): H-Hey don't get mad at me! I opened the box the note said you left and the tights you had at your wedding thing were inside!

Mira: EH?! Give them back, you perv!

(Y/n): Perv?! You gave them to me!

Announcer: Contestant (L/n) please get ready for the next round!

Mira: We are not through talking about this perv! 

As the girl walked off, you couldn't help but hang your shame. If anything you may have won in the hearts and minds of the audience... but you lost the battle that really mattered.

(Y/n): She... thinks I'm a perv...

You quietly mumbled as you made your stand and returned to your practiced fighting position. You would have to figure this out later but for now, you had to give Mori and the audience the fight they deserved to see. The announcer called for the start of the new match and Mori struck forth with vigor.

He landed a kick with his uninjured foot but you managed to swat it off before your left foot slid further to lock in place against Mori's ankle. The two of you then pulled back your arms and threw forward destructive punches. Both of your attacks landed at the same time, pushing your faces back as the two of you stumbled apart from the force. You wouldn't allow yourself to stay stunned for long as the same left foot that had shot out before used its momentum to hook behind Mori's foot and pulled forward. Mori stabilized quickly but this brief backward stumble gave you time to move in closer to cancel out Mori's kicks. Your right hand was a viper ready to strike as you planned to use a similar technique you used on Dawei on Mori. Your knuckles came into contact with the middle of his chest first followed by the full force of your first. 

Mori: Kah!

The male coughed out in pain as he readied your next strike. You swung your leg back as if playing a sport and launched a devastating kick against the male's hurt foot, kicking it out from under him as he fell forward. The pieces of your puzzle were starting to fall into place as your right knee coiled back and landed another assault on Mori's knee as he fell. Now off balance, you took the time to topple on top of the taekwondo fighter to try and secure him don't he ground to take legs out of the equation. Mori however thought this might happen. He rolled his hips and almost looked like he was beginning to breakdance as one of his legs swung upward and hit you twice in the temple before you could even react. You barely managed to stumble backward into a standing position by the time Mori reached his feet.

Mori: You two are the best... I've learned a lot from this fight. Thank you... You two gave me a lesson.

Mori began to speak and somewhere in your mind, you knew this was it. The final close to a grand fight that you could say you managed to plant a stake in. In a desperate attempt to stun the male, you punched forward, ready to deliver any type of blow to prolong this fight. Mori however was ready for it to end. A black aura began to swirl around the male's foot. As you took your last step toward Mori, he lifted his foot and you were stunned.

(Y/n): That looks like... N-No!

You managed to cry out, planning to use an old tactic. Your right leg lifted as you planned to balance out the force of Mori's kick with your own! Your leg was in the air as Mori fired off his strange new move, a dragon-like aura racing toward you with a blinding light...

As the smoke cleared everyone's eyes landed upon the two of you. Mori stood with his foot still in the air, reeling from his own attack as his eyes watched your movements. You too were frozen in time, your eyes covered by the shadows of your sweat-drenched locks. Your foot was also in the air but was still bent at the knee as your planned high kick had failed. Slowly... you managed to lower your foot to the ground. It was then you felt it.

Numbness. 

You took two steps closer to Mori before looking over your shoulder. Yep... the ring was gone. Devastated by that strange attack. You really were no match for him... were... you... And with that you fell forward, falling past Mori who tried to catch you to hit the ground of what was left of the tournament ring. Your eyes looked at the ground as the sounds of the audience going absolutely ballistic filled your ears. However, it was your eyes that proved the most interesting find. as your eyes opened once more, you glanced up in time to see Mori kneeling next to you with his hand extended.

(Y/n): What... are you doing? Why...

Mori: Helping you up cause we're friends now!

Friends...

You couldn't help but let out a strained laugh as emotions flooded back into your body. a few tears of exhaustion, pain, and happiness rolled out of your eyes as you were suddenly lifted up. not by Mori... but Dawei. You turned to the right to see the male slinging your arm around his shoulders. He didn't say anything but nodded in a silent understanding. Your other arm was lifted by someone else, Mori taking the place as Mira approached you.

(Y/n): Why does this feel so familiar...

Mira: Yeah I bet it would familiar, huh?

(Y/n): Haha ow ow... I still think it's your fault.

Mira: Eh?

Mori: Come on guys! Let's get healed up then get something to eat!

It was Dawei who seemed to be the calmest about this. He had spoken with Mira before the match ended. He... knew about his friend. But he wasn't sad. He gave his all against you and Mori and that was all he could ask for. But now as he watched the three of you squabble he couldn't help but laugh, a smile growing on his face.

Dawei: We really are a bunch of fools...