[center][h1][color=92278f][b]Niko VS Kyro[/b][/color][/h1][/center]

He was shocked, even after the blow landed, and for two good reasons.  Once again, Niko was surprised by the ease in which this match had gone.  In comparison to his last Preliminary Match, this should not have gone the way it did.  And the second reason was, [color=92278f][i]'Oh crap!  I didn't mean to hit that high!'[/i][/color].  He'd been aiming for the small of Kyro's back and he got him in the neck.  If he'd been hitting harder, he could've broken it.  As it stood, it just put his lights out and dumped him on the ground.

The crowd's reaction kind of mimicked his own.  He wasn't sure what the right one [i]was[/i] yet.  The medical staff took Kyro away.  Niko watched as Michael went over to inspect him, practically ignoring the announcer at his side.  Michael faced him and he'd see it clearly on Niko's face: He did not want to lay him out like that.  Win, sure, but that was still a bit too brutal.  Even as the Champion bowed to him and the crowd cheered, Niko felt he should apologize for that...in due time.  He left the fighting ring silently to allow the Tournament to continue.