Chapter 132 - Backup Plan

Shun spun his scythe around, his expression turning more melancholy. 

Shun: I don't know what's up with you, but I guess getting a good show out of you isn't worth it.

Minh turned to Shun, his eyes widening. A slight shiver went down his spine as he saw how much colder his opponent's expression had turned.

Minh's thoughts: What the hell?

In the blink of an eye, Shun had disappeared. Minh fell to one knee, blood spilling to the ground from a wound that appeared on his left side. The cut didn't seem deep, but it burned like hell to Minh. He heard footsteps approaching him from behind as a scythe's blade entered his line of sight. In the reflection, he could see Shun's eyes stare back at him.

Shun: There's a world of difference between us. I don't know where or how you came up with the idea that you had any chance against me. Did beating Mike give you that much of a power trip? Pathetic.

Minh's thoughts: This isn't going at all as Gerald planned! What the hell is with this tonal shift?!

Minh's head dropped, Shun raised an eyebrow at his opponent's sudden change in body language. 

Thong: Beating Mike is something very impressive, don't try to make it sound like it isn't.

Shun: What?

Thong: And you think you're any better? You're using a weapon against someone without any. A world of difference? That only exists because you want to pick on your opponents. You're no fighter, you're a coward!

Thong turned around, showing his frightened face to Shun, who was now entirely confused by his opponent's entire shift in personality. Thong grabbed the bottom of his mask, pulling it up back over his mouth and nose. He grabbed onto one of the tonfa handles that remained on the scythe of the blade. He held it tightly, staring down at Shun the entire time. Tico let out a laugh, having everyone turn his attention over to him.

Vector: What's so funny?

Tico: I think I know exactly what Thong is trying to do here, and I can't help but laugh. That newbie has some guts, I can't deny that.

Bruna: W-What's so impressive a-about it? I-I-Isn't he just complaining?

Cero: I think he's trying to play to one of Shun's downsides. Something that a normal viewer wouldn't have picked up originally.

Shun stared at Thong's trembling eyes. His eyes twitched, feeling every set of eyes lay down on him. Hiroto crossed his arms, letting out a sigh. Sudu and Yussuf turned to him.

Yussuf: Something the matter?

Hiroto: Shun is playing right into his hands.

Sudu: Yes, this is something Shun does far too often.

Simon: He's never done that in an assassin mission. What do you mean he does this often?

Hiroto: Shun takes his confidence very seriously. So being told he's hiding behind something like his weapon starts to affect him negatively. 

Magnus: And that's why he didn't pick up his weapon to finish Tico faster!

Yussuf: I thought Tico was just forcing him too much away from it.

Hiroto: With Flash and Godspeed, he easily could have picked it up whenever he wished to do so. But it looks like someone did their research.

Carrie: Yeah! Get him, Thong! 

Angel: Shun isn't wrong, though. This tactic really is pathetic….

Shun's face turned into a twisted frown as he stared down at Thong. Thong could feel the frustration that built up in Shun. His body tensed as Shun opened his mouth. Thong stood up, quickly throwing a kick to Shun's thigh before throwing the next to his stomach. He pulled on the tonfa's handle, pulling the scythe out of Shun's hand. Thong spun around before throwing the scythe as far as he could. Mike leaned forward with a confused look on his face.

Mike: What the hell was that?!

Gerald: The backup plan. I was hoping we wouldn't need to use it, but Shun was better than I hoped. Looks like Thong can't expect to get off easy because Shun is going to be pretty pissed about this.

Thong turned to Shun before taking a quick punch across the face. Thong staggered as Shun swung his left fist from below, sending Thong's head back up. Shun focused all of his strength on his arms, throwing several quick punches across Thong's body. Thong put up his guard, taking the unrelenting barrage of strikes as best as he could. Shun's barrage was fierce, pushing Thong back through the pure number of attacks being thrown. Thong's eyes shot open as he reached out, placing both of his hands over Shun's strikes. The sudden reaction took Shun by surprise, but he refused to let up. He continued to strike, but Thong's arms moved with the strike. Each pulling and thrusting of Shun's arm was met by Thong's. Each attack being read and reacted to.

Hugo: What the hell is that?

Li: That's Fook Sau. He's reading Shun's moves and reacting accordingly. Basically, he's refusing to let Shun take the lead with hard-to-read strikes.

Mike: It's his best bet now that he's being overwhelmed… But how long will that last?

Thong's eyes wavered. As he looked at his opponent, he could see the raw determination on his face. He lost his weapon, but he didn't seem the slightest bit discouraged.

Thong's thoughts: This is the guy that beat Tico with hand-to-hand combat. I can't expect to win easily…

Thong's head shot up as Shun shifted his hands, landing a quick uppercut. 

Sudu: He's finally using Sun Ray! 

Hiroto: When his opponent is using a technique to help him read techniques faster, he needs to use the right principles to get through that obstacle.

Angel: It's a bit like my ninjutsu.

Magnus: Yeah, but waaaay better.

Angel: Don't make me get over there and give you a rematch!

Magnus: With that injury on your arm? I think I'll win pretty easily.

Angel scoffed, turning back to watch the match. Shun's arm flew past Thong's right bicep, a cut forming as his fingers flew by. Sun Ray allows Shun to throw a variety of quick strikes from any position. Even when his opponent begins to defend, he will quickly be able to overcome that obstacle.

Shun's thoughts: I won't step away from the Raijin Style for even a moment. I'll take you down and show you that acting like a child is not meant for a place like this! 

Thong's eyes shifted color, turning into a bright red. Shun struck forward, Minh pushing the attack down with Gum Sau before throwing a powerful left straight to Shun's face. Shun staggered back as Minh charged forward. Minh grabbed onto one of Shun's arms, pulling him forward before swinging his arm to his neck, sending The Hush to the ground. Shun let out a gasp, Minh's eyes in full effect.

Minh's thoughts: How the hell did you do that?

Thong's thoughts: I can't outstrike Shun, I'm not good at it… But you can. I can take hits and you can throw them. I need you to help me here or we'll lose! 

Minh stood silent, looking down at Shun. Shun's eyes darted to Minh before he jumped into the air and back on his feet. Shun used Flashpoint, spinning on his heel and aiming an elbow directly at Minh's head. 

Shun's thoughts: Thunder Kata - Fire Blossom

Minh quickly ducks, seeing Shun's elbow fly overhead. Shun smiled as Minh's eyes opened wide.

Shun's thoughts: Thunder Kata - Dragon Blossom

Shun's rotation suddenly changed, turning back towards Minh with a low kick. Minh's eyes quickly changed color as he raised his arms in defense. Thong slid back with the blow, his shirt dirtying up as the ground beneath it grinded against him. Shun stood back up, noticing Thong was able to respond to both techniques.

Shun's thoughts: This guy is good. He reacted to both of those well, and in different ways too. Maybe this fight won't be as boring as I thought…

Zachary: What a back and forth!

Zenzo: Despite how utterly one-sided it seemed a minute ago, Thong refuses to give up! 

Thong picked himself back up, breathing heavily as he put up both hands. His eyes quivered, feeling his heart beating faster than it had before.

Thong's thoughts: You threw me in on such short notice?!

Minh: There was no way I would be able to dodge that, so I hoped you'd be able to block it. Which you did, so stop crying about it.

Thong's thoughts: I could've died! 

Minh: The kick wasn't that strong. The sudden change in rotation weakened what could have been an instant kill. We need to play it safe.

Thong's eyes turned to a bright red, Shun picking up on this fact. He widened his stance, letting out a heavy breath.

Shun's thoughts: Thunder Kata - Raging Thunder

Shun shot toward Minh, clenching his fist. His eyes darted to Minh's open right side, aiming to land a right hook to the liver. Minh's eyes squinted before shooting open. He swings his elbow at Shun's punch, moving it away before landing a powerful straight to his face. Shun's face flew back as Minh rushed forward. Shun's eyes looked down towards Minh, noticing the intent on his face. He tensed up the lower half of his body, waiting for the moment he needed. Minh entered Shun's range, causing his body to move like lightning.

Shun's thought: Thunder Kata - Dragon Blossom

Shun's right-foot shot off the ground, kicking Minh's chin and sending his opponent's head upward. Minh staggered backward, his mind rattled. His movements hesitated as he fell to the ground. Shun let out a heavy breath once more.

Shun's thoughts: Lightning Kata - Demon Cat

Shun spun on his heel, landing safely on both feet from the momentum he was falling from just a moment ago. He placed both fists up, staring down at Minh who struggled to move up.

Shun's thoughts: This guy is no Tico, but he somehow annoys me even more. No showmanship and a dirty fighter. I guess I couldn't hope to live up to Daymond's fight. 

Minh's eyes changed color, Thong hacking up a cough. His eyes darted to his left, raising his left arm in defense. A quick kick sent the man flying back, rolling across the ring floor. His arm left with a bright red bruise as it trembled.

Thong's thoughts: The power behind that was insane!

Minh: Give me control! 

Thong's eyes changed red, jumping up from the ground and placing himself in a stable position. Minh's body tensed up, every single hair on his body standing at attention. His open palm shot forward, grabbing Shun by the face. The sudden power against Shun's rush sent the speedster's body into the air and quickly onto the ground. Shun quickly turned around and jumped away from his position, Minh's fist colliding with the ground. A few cracks began to form, and Minh raised his fist to face Shun.

Minh: Can't you stay still for a moment?

Shun: That kind of goes against my whole nature.

Minh: Then I'll just need to beat that out of you.

Minh widened his stance, his eyes burning with passion. Shun slid his right foot back, squinting his eyes as he looked over Minh's form. 

Minh's thoughts: I need to slow him down… quickly!