[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/240315/de039f859a0f7ed86c79f6d4265d3386.png[/img]

[b]Word Count:[/b] 1,648
[b]Level 5 Captain Falcon:[/b] 37/50
[b]Exp Gained:[/b] +3
[b]NEW EXP Balance---[/b] 40/50

[H3]Forbidden Kingdom ~ Esaka’s Lower Tier[/h3][/center]

At Terry’s advice, Captain Falcon spent several minutes wandering Esaka’s lower tier in search of the Psycho Dojo, but had no luck in finding it. The closest the Captain came was a run down dojo called [i]Saikyo Ultimate Style[/i], but he quickly found out that it was not run by Terry’s friend, so it couldn’t possibly have been the dojo the hat-wearing bruiser was referring to. Besides, the name of the dojo was different anyway.

Of course, the bounty hunter had no idea that this was indeed the dojo Terry was referencing. But due to his own ignorance of the bruiser’s misspelling, Falcon walked away and continued his search. After several more minutes of searching for a dojo that he technically already unknowingly found, Captain Falcon was ready to give up. But that was when he spotted one of the other dojos that Terry had mentioned.

[color=1f66b2]”Breakers, eh?”[/color] He mused, rubbing his chin in thought. He knew there was only so much time for new fighters to sign on with dojos so the Captain decided it had to be this one or bust. [color=1f66b2]”Well, if Terry says they’re good, then I have no reason to think otherwise.”[/color] Cap concluded with a shrug as he approached the dojo’s doors and pushed his way inside.

The building was a bit run-down, but it was clear that someone here was at least trying to maintain the upkeep despite lacking what the higher tier dojos had. It was almost like this place collectively had something to prove and an aura of determination to prove it. Or maybe that was just Falcon’s imagination. Either way, he found he quite liked the look of the place despite its humble nature. Inside, students practiced against wooden dummies and sparred against each other. As Falcon’s eyes scanned the surroundings for whoever might be in charge, his gaze noticed faded posters and trophies referencing something called the “FIST Tournament”, likely some other fighting tournament that probably fell off due to the high prominence of the Four Kings and their specific tournaments of choice. He also spotted two unfurled scrolls hanging above that each displayed kanji that read the names of the dojo’s top two pupils, however the Captain was unable to read the language so the names remained unknown to him.

And there, instructing a row of pupils in basic kata exercises, was the man Captain Falcon had to assume was in charge here. He was a [url=https://www.arcadequartermaster.com/br/win_sho.png]karate master wearing a distinctive yellow dogi[/url], a tight white undershirt beneath the top and guards on his shins. He had sunkissed skin-tone and dark brown hair that he appeared to keep cut short save for some lengthy bit on the top that was swept aside. After a moment, the instructor's gaze caught Falcon’s and he paused his teaching to greet him. “Welcome!” He said, leaving the pupils to practice on their own while he approached Falcon, “I am Jin Sawamura, and you’re currently standing in the Breakers Dojo. How can I be of assistance?”

[color=1f66b2]”I’m looking to take part in the King of Fighters Tournament.”[/color] Cap said with a grin, [color=1f66b2]”And I was hoping your fine school was accepting applicants.”[/color]

“The King of Fighters, you say?” Jin said, appearing to size the Captain up, “Hmm, yes, perhaps we could take you in… if you’re willing to take a small test, er…?” He never caught Falcon’s name.

[color=1f66b2]”Falcon.”[/color] Cap said politely, [color=1f66b2]”Captain Falcon. As for your test? I’ll gladly take it. What do I have to do?”[/color]

“You’ll be sparring against one of my pupils.” Jin explained, “Full contact, and the goal is simple - land a single solid hit, unblocked. Do this, and I will accept your entry into Breakers.”

[color=1f66b2]”Simple enough.”[/color] Falcon said, already loosening and rolling his shoulders, [color=1f66b2]”Who am I up against?”[/color]

“Me.” Came an unfamiliar voice belonging to a [url=https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/5d48aa5e-b9cd-4925-84a0-f0c93cffea71/dfrkxnl-fa0729ae-4e0b-4a99-8616-17c0147ada5b.png/v1/fill/w_1024,h_1735/breakers___dao_long_by_franjogutierrez_dfrkxnl-fullview.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTczNSIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzVkNDhhYTVlLWI5Y2QtNDkyNS04NGEwLWYwYzkzY2ZmZWE3MVwvZGZya3hubC1mYTA3MjlhZS00ZTBiLTRhOTktODYxNi0xN2MwMTQ3YWRhNWIucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEwMjQifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.JXxzCGRunHQqlTQcwNdnONWQmNH21G-ppCILsRH1Evc]confident young martial artist[/url] wearing loose blue pants, small black shoes, and a white long-sleeved jacket over his torso. He brushed aside a strand of his blue hair and cracked his knuckles. Either he had only just entered the room, or Falcon simply hadn’t noticed him before now. “Let me be the one to test him, Sensei.”

“As you wish, Lee.” Jin said with a nod, “This is Lee Dao-Long, one of the two star pupils of the Breakers Dojo. There is no one better to test yourself against than him.”

[color=1f66b2]”Then let’s not waste anymore time.”[/color] Falcon said, already joining Lee in one of the sparring rings. He bounced on the balls of his feet, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck joint to loosen up.

“One more thing.” Jin said calmly, “You’ll find that the Tournament fights in Esaka are typically done within strict time limits. So a time limit rule applies here as well.” A pause, “You have 30 seconds to pass the test.”

That was certainly going to make things more challenging. But Captain Falcon only smiled. A challenge like that was exactly the kind of thing a man like him relished. As soon as Jin gave the signal to begin, Falcon was already on the move. With his blistering speed he circled around Lee and then slid forward along the ground, his leg ablaze with fire. [color=1f66b2]”Falcon Kick!”[/color]

But Lee was no slouch. With a lightning fast crouch he pushed himself into a straight jump that allowed Falcon’s sliding kick to slide harmlessly beneath him. The second his feet touched the ground, Lee’s hand reached for his white jacket and he tore it off and threw it aside, revealing a form-fitting sleeveless shirt that matched the color of his pants as well the blue bracers on his wrists that depicted golden dragons coiling along them. “Kou Ryuuga!” Lee chanted, thrusting his open palms forward which appeared to conjure a blue blast of chi in the shape of a dragon’s head that flew toward Falcon.

[color=1f66b2]”Ryuugeki Sen!”[/color] The bounty hunter chanted as he quickly whirled his body around and swung his arm, focusing chi into an orange disk of flame that flew forward to intercept the incoming chi attack. The two blasts collided and canceled one another out, rendering Falcon and Lee exactly as they were when the match started - evenly matched with neither landing a blow yet. The fighters lunged at each other and the match began anew.

It was a blur of punches, kicks, and palm strikes that were blocked or redirected. Falcon noted the unique empty-handed strikes that Lee prominently fought with and how it wasn’t an exact match for the karate being used by the other students in the dojo. This had to mean he trained under more than one discipline. After a few short seconds of evenly matched exchanges, Falcon decided to go on the offensive again. [color=1f66b2]”Raptor Boost!”[/color] He called as he lunged and threw his flame-wreathed uppercut. Lee pivoted to the side and then dived at the bounty hunter with arms making a circular swinging attack that carried his momentum forward. Falcon’s response to raise his defense and let his bubble shield block what could have been a bad hit had it gone through unobstructed.

“15 seconds!” Jin’s voice, reminding Captain Falcon of the time limit and warning him that half of that time limit had already passed.

That made the Captain realize that he couldn’t afford to continue cautiously testing the waters with Lee. Either he needed to start taking risks or he’d be timed out of passing the test. At that moment, Lee’s voice shrieked as he channeled another chi attack. This time the dragon head was slightly larger and appeared to be actively chomping as it flew toward Falcon. With no time to think, the Captain spent one of his built up Power Gauge stocks and charged up his chi. [color=1f66b2]”Haoh Shoukou Ken!”[/color] He thrust his open palms forward and unleashed the fireball that clashed with Lee’s chomping dragon head. They canceled each other out again, but this time the fireball created a temporary poof of smoke that partially obstructed vision within the ring.

And while Lee coughed and struggled to keep the smoke from his eyes, Captain Falcon needed no such protection thanks to the visor of his helmet guarding his eyes. He moved through the temporary smokescreen until he was right on Lee with fire and electricity charging in his fist, [color=1f66b2]”Falcon…!”[/color] He began, as if he was about to unleash his signature Falcon Punch technique. Lee responded accordingly by preparing to block. But the punch never came. It turned out to be a feint, a ruse Falcon used to get Lee to block in one direction so he could pivot around to strike from another angle. And that’s exactly what Falcon did jumping upward into a backflip kick that brought his leg up against Lee from his flank. [color=1f66b2]”Ryuuzanshou!”[/color]

Lee grunted as the kick launched him upward and staggered him back. He tightened his stance as if ready to go on the attack again, but Jin’s sharp voice stopped him.

“Enough!” Jin gave a nod of acknowledgment to Captain Falcon, “A solid hit, and in under 30 seconds. Exactly as requested. Congratulations, Captain, you pass. And… welcome to the Breakers.”

Falcon breathed a sigh of relief as he approached Lee and extended a friendly hand. [color=1f66b2]”Good match.”[/color] He complimented, giving a friendly grin.

Lee paused a moment before taking the bounty hunter’s hand, “Yes, I suppose it was.” He agreed, almost begrudgingly. “But don’t think this means we won’t finish what we started eventually, Captain.”

[color=1f66b2]”Wouldn’t dream of it.”[/color] Cap agreed, [color=1f66b2]”I’d love to find out how a full match between us would have gone.”[/color]

“Agreed.” Lee said with a small smile, “But first, let’s get you better acquainted with the dojo.” With that he took Falcon on a tour of the dojo and explained where its facilities were, allowing the two to chat and get better acquainted.