The stadium lights beamed brightly upon the climactic match of the 57th Kung-Fu League, unfolding in the futuristic year of Time 32. Taichi Hamasaki sat composed in front of his long mahogany bag, immersed in contemplation and muttering incantations to himself. He could hardly wait to finally seize his fourth major championship title at last. With his rectangular electric lime green eyes fixated and resolved, he mentally rehearsed potential tactics. His lengthy chestnut hair, spiked at the crown, cascaded halfway down his back, amplifying his daunting presence. Towering over most youths his age, Taichi’s ivory skin radiated under the vivid lights.As he anticipated his opponent's arrival, Taichi donned his teal Gi with a silver belt studded with five gold stars and ten notches. The lion emblem on the reverse of his Gi denoted strength and dominance. Each notch on his belt symbolized a year of discipline as a warrior."Congratulations on a good match, Taichi," remarked a fellow fighter approaching him, "I was certain I would finally best you this time and grasp that trophy." "Thanks, no trouble," returned Taichi coolly, "but you just need to refine your sweep maneuver." "Good fortune in the final match," pronounced the fighter before departing. In the opposing locker room, Sumiko Inoue cinched her gloves as she readied for her fifth-ever Kung-Fu league tournament debut. Her expansive amber eyes gleamed with grit, and her navy blue hair with blond streaks cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Average stature for a female, her chiseled cheekbones intensified her fierce countenance. Her creamy skin appeared to glow beneath the vivid lights. Sumiko also wore a jade Gi with a sky-blue belt studded with five gold stars and ten notches, emblematic of her years of discipline as a warrior. On the reverse of her Gi was a hawk emblem, signifying her penetrating eyes and nimble reflexes. "Are you prepared for a battle of the ages?" proclaimed the announcer to the roaring spectators as he strode towards the stage's center. "Let's welcome Taichi Hamasaki and Sumiko Inoue to the central platform," summoned the announcer, gesturing towards their opposing tunnels. The two fighters materialized from their respective tunnels and progressed toward each other at the stage's center. The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers and applause. As Taichi waved and flipped for his admirers, Sumiko simply bowed and smiled. "Please bow to display the respect that you will conduct a clean match," directed the announcer. Taichi and Sumiko respectfully bowed to one another before assuming their fighting stances. "Please go easy on me," jested Taichi with a grin and a wink. Sumiko chuckled and retorted, "Perhaps I will, perhaps I won't. You'll just have to perceive." "Well, if that's the circumstance I will try my utmost," declared Taichi with confidence. But before they could commence, Taichi had one final appeal. "Before we fight, I want to make a wager with you." "What is it?" asked Sumiko playfully, feigning confusion. "If I win, I will escort you on a date and perhaps to my dojo," stated Taichi with a flirtatious glance. "And what's in it for me?" countered Sumiko. "Aghhhh!" exclaimed Taichi as he contemplated it. But before he could devise a response, Sumiko nimbly punched him in the face. With a thud, Taichi collapsed to the floor, his face skidding across the tiled surface. "I suppose I deliberated too long on your side of the bargain," apologized Taichi as he arose while cradling his face. "Sorry, but you dawdled too long," stated Sumiko with a solemn expression. "Alright, I guess the amorous deal didn't sway this lady," conceded Taichi. "I can discern that," remarked Cloud. "Cloud the Water Lion" was the designation of Taichi's spirit guardian, a formidable and sagacious entity that inhabited him and guided him in battle. "You must put up a worthy fight against her, so she can perceive you are worthy," Cloud pronounced to Taichi. "I comprehend, I was just examining her, this isn't my inaugural time confronting her," replied Taichi. "It appears that way," remarked Cloud. "Don't provoke me," Taichi cautioned. "He's perpetually been attempting to eclipse me since we were children," Sumiko interjected. "I remember one occasion he even presented you flowers during our sparring session by the official Kung-Fu league Dojos challenges," Faye, Sumiko's Hawk Spirit Guardian, supplemented. In their tenth skirmish together, Taichi executed a palm strike at Sumiko but she parried with a potent punch and they were both propelled back, causing the crowd to feel the impact too. "Not bad for our tenth altercation," remarked Taichi. "I know, right? It materializes I'm prevailing," retorted Sumiko. "I can modify that," challenged Taichi. Sumiko couldn't suppress her laughter at his bravado. Suddenly, Taichi charged up into a cobalt aura and transformed into a lion while still preserving his human form. "I am Cloud the Water Lion!" he proclaimed proudly. Not one to be outshone, Sumiko declared her own maneuver: "Special Move: Solar Wild Wind!" A robust gust of wind hurled Taichi in all directions until Sumiko sprinted over and clobbered him in the abdomen as he was plummeting back down towards the floor. Taichi rolled around on the floor, conceding defeat as he reverted to his human appearance. "It seems that kitty has had enough of me already," joked Sumiko. "Someone's not exerting enough effort to gain a date with me," she appended coquettishly. Taichi knew he must execute something extraordinary to earn a date with her and the only means to accomplish that was to fight in his ordinary form. "Oh, I am trying. Just need to warm up," he uttered confidently. "I don't comprehend why all men articulate that," Sumiko sighed. "Nor do I," supplemented Faye. Taichi then teleported directly before Sumiko with lightning pace and unleashed some fierce punches and kicks, causing Sumiko to roll and tumble on the floor. "Perceive? I informed you I was just warming up," bragged Taichi. "How charming. I was becoming so bored on this inaugural date; I was anticipating it would become more engaging," teased Sumiko. "First date!?" exclaimed Taichi in confusion. "Yes, our first rendezvous," confirmed Sumiko. "Wait, how is this our first date if we haven't even conferred it?" Taichi scratched his head in bafflement. "Remain focused, boy!" shouted Sumiko as she persisted attacking him. "Ouch, that genuinely hurts," complained Taichi. "I can't determine if you're acting dense or playing games with me," remarked Sumiko. "We are in the grand finals of the most substantial tournament of the year, let's conclude this," she stated. With her supreme maneuver, "Master Move: Solar Wind of Komi!", Sumiko conjured two gusts of wind and fused them into one formidable sphere that struck Taichi with tremendous force, shoving him nearly off the stage and causing him to drag his feet to linger on the platform. "If he genuinely desires me, he must overcome my ultimate move," pondered Sumiko triumphantly. "Umm, Cloud, I could really employ your assistance again," pleaded Taichi as he struggled to stand up after being assaulted by the wind attack. "Very well, but I require some respite too after all of this," replied Cloud begrudgingly before morphing into his lion form. "I am Cloud the Water Lion!" he roared. Taichi utilized his sharp claws to repel the cloud, causing the entire glass ceiling to shatter and rain to cascade into the room. "It's my turn now," stated Taichi. "Master Move: Hyper Hydro Claws!!!" His lion claws transformed from plain white to solid water as he slashed Sumiko twice in the chest and swept her legs out from beneath her. As she started to spin, he stabbed her in the center of her body and she tumbled out of the ring, but not before seizing Taichi's arm and harnessing his momentum to flip him over so he was underneath. She then kissed him, hindering him from rotating her form. "Ring out, Sumiko Wins," declared the referee. "What? How did we both conclude outside the ring?" questioned Taichi. "Technically, Sumiko's two legs are still within the ring," indicated the referee. "Are you serious?" exclaimed Taichi. "I am a virtuoso of manipulation," smirked Sumiko. "So, no date then," sighed Taichi. "What are you mentioning? This was our date," retorted Sumiko. "How about a second rendezvous?" asked Taichi hopefully. "I'll contemplate it after I obtain my trophy," replied Sumiko with another kiss. "I think she might fancy me after all these years," mused Taichi. "You're an idiot, she exploited you," scoffed Cloud. "We'll observe about that," shrugged Taichi. "Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the victor of the 57th annual Kung-Fu League tournament...Sumiko Inoue!" cheered the announcer as he proffered her the trophy. Suddenly, all the lights deactivated and the crowd grew agitated. "What's transpiring?" wondered Taichi, peering around in confusion. A deep voice above them chuckled, "Mwahahahaha." A man with emerald robes materialized, seeking reprisal. "Sekel? What are you undertaking here? I ousted you in round two," stated Sumiko. "Yeah, and you also banished the love of my life," sneered Sekel. "It was your own culpability that I absconded you," retorted Sumiko. "Now, I am here to exact my vengeance." Sekel revealed his genuine form as Anubak the Lightning Anubis and directed thunderbolts towards Sumiko. "Cloud!" yelled Taichi for assistance. "No way, you're on your own this instance," replied Cloud icily. "Very well." Taichi charged towards Sumiko to shield her from the lightning assaults. The intensity was so formidable that it shredded Taichi's gi in two and smoke swirled around him. Sumiko dropped her trophy and raced towards Taichi in tears. "Now you comprehend my agony," gloated Sekel. Sumiko's eyes blazed crimson as she transformed into Faye the Cosmic Hawk. "Solar wave stream," she shrieked, discharging a robust gust of wind at Sekel. But he just chuckled it off, pronouncing, "Is that all you possess?" Suddenly, one of the Kung-Fu league commissioners obtained a message from Chancellor Zogohr Academy, cautioning them that a child would be spawned from Sumiko and Taichi's union and they necessitated protection from Sekel. They teleported to where Sumiko and Taichi were battling against Sekel. "Well, well, if it isn't the commissioner who sealed my destiny in this tournament," taunted Sekel. "You discern what you did to Sumiko was illicit," charged the commissioner. But Sekel discharged another thunderbolt and formed a protective orb around himself. "Time to exile you to the other realm," stated the commissioner, squeezing his fist and harnessing his powers to banish Sekel. The commissioner's body was irradiated with a vivid white light as he extended his hand towards Sumiko and Taichi. Suddenly, they were pre-enveloped in the light and vanished from the arena. When they re-materialized, they were standing in a lush, emerald forest in Japan. The trees towered above them, forging a canopy that shielded them from the sun's rays. The forest floor was blanketed in a layer of soft, vibrant jade moss, and colorful flowers dotted the landscape. The forest in Japan was lush and verdant, with lofty trees swaying in the gentle breeze and vibrant flowers flourishing all around. The commissioner stood tall and noble in his Kung-Fu league uniform, while Sumiko and Taichi appeared relieved, but also bruised and weary from the fight. Taichi's gi was shredded in two, an emblem of the potency of the lightning assaults. The commissioner's hand irradiated with a vivid azure light as he waved it towards Sumiko and Taichi, transporting them away from the arena. They discovered themselves in a lush forest, with towering trees stretching towards the firmament and a tranquil stream flowing nearby. "Ok, you two should be secure and Sekel should be sealed up in another realm, he shouldn't be back here ever," uttered the Commissioner. "Thank you, I will inform him once he is conscious," said Sumiko. "No trouble, later." Then the Commissioner disappeared. Two years later. Taichi opened the front door, proclaiming his arrival with a cheerful greeting. As he strode inside, he heard dishes shattering on the floor and an infant's cry. It was Kiyoshi, their son who had inherited attributes from both Taichi and Sumiko. In addition to their child's wails, Taichi heard another voice that resounded familiar - it was the same man he had come across at a tournament two years prior. The man, Sekel, menaced to injure their child and disclosed that he had escaped from another realm by conquering five formidable guards. Without hesitation, Taichi pounced at Sekel and commenced pummeling him relentlessly. But Sekel managed to kick him off. With urgent ferocity, Taichi yelled for Sumiko to take Kiyoshi and flee the house straightaway. She swiftly obeyed and raced as far as she could, but not before hearing a thunderous explosion behind her. Apprehension and distress consumed her as she transformed into Faye the Solar Hawk and soared to a nearby orphanage where she embraced Kiyoshi tightly and wept. She knocked on the door with immense force before hastily departing the scene anticipating someone would discover him soon. Meanwhile, a few miles away from the orphanage, Sumiko was sobbing when abruptly Sekel materialized before her. He accused her of deceiving him for the final time and avowed that she would pay the supreme price. Refusing to retreat, Sumiko stated she would annihilate him first. But Sekel reminded her that she would always be "that foolish girl" who had deserted him and seized his bliss away. With a snap of his fingers, he unveiled a lightning sword and pierced her in the abdomen, causing her to spew blood as she collapsed to her knees. As Sumiko lay perishing, Sekel taunted her further by pronouncing that their son would be next to perish. But Sumiko smiled through her anguish and uttered confidently that their son would eventually conquer him in battle. Enraged, Sekel kicked her in the head with a swift roundhouse kick before vanishing into thin air. Sumiko had expired, abandoning a son who would one day seek retaliation for his parents' tragic fate.

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Fifteen Years Later

. . .

Kiyoshi Hamasaki gazed at his reflection in the mirror, taking note of his oval-shaped face with its non-angular cheekbones and well-rounded chin. His eyes, slanted like rectangles, glimmered in a shade of golden yellow. Thick, bushy eyebrows arched imperfectly above them, adding a touch of ruggedness to his appearance. A pointed nose sat atop his small mouth, giving him a slightly regal air. Long strands of chocolate brown hair cascaded down to his shoulders, tied back in a messy ponytail. Two rebellious locks refused to stay put and fell over his shoulders instead. Kiyoshi's tall and lean frame was accentuated by his choice of clothing - a worn-out white shirt that hung loosely on his body and torn jeans that revealed hints of tanned skin beneath. He walked barefoot, feeling the soft grass tickling the soles of his feet with each step he took. "Help!" The cry pierced through Kiyoshi's mind like a sharp dagger. He peered through the window and saw a group of menacing teenagers picking on a defenseless kid. Without hesitation, Kiyoshi sprinted down the stairs, leaped out of the open window, and bolted towards the commotion in the backyard. "Hey man, cut it out," Kiyoshi growled as he forcefully shoved one of the bullies away from the small child. "Are you okay?" Kiyoshi asked with concern etched on his face. "Yeah, I'm fine," the kid replied with a shaky voice. "Oh look, it's our little prince and savior," scoffed the tallest boy, his ginger hair in a bowl cut and freckles dotting his face. "I'm so scared of a poor kid." He sneered, eyeing Kiyoshi's tattered clothes. "Grab him, boys!" The tall boy commanded. Two burly teenagers grabbed Kiyoshi from behind, rendering him powerless. "Let me go!" Kiyoshi roared as he struggled to break free. But it was no use. The tall boy landed blow after blow to Kiyoshi's stomach and face, causing him to crumble to the ground. "This will teach you not to butt into my business," the bully jeered before delivering a final kick to Kiyoshi's face. Darkness consumed him as he blacked out. But just as quickly as he had lost consciousness, he was jolted back into reality by a thunderous scream echoing throughout the house. An enormous woman stormed out of the door and grabbed Kiyoshi by his neck - it was Ms. Stoneheart, the cruel orphanage mother who had tormented him for years. She lifted him off the ground and threw him back into the basement where he lived. As he stumbled down the steps and hit the hard concrete floor, Kiyoshi's head throbbed with pain. But he couldn't rest for long, as Ms. Stoneheart had already shut and locked the door behind him. In the darkness of the basement, Kiyoshi's mind raced with fear and anger towards his cruel caregiver. But then, he heard a noise coming from the small window in his room. He looked up to see a nearby dojo - something he had never witnessed before. People were bowing and practicing martial arts moves, their bodies moving fluidly as they danced in unison. Kiyoshi's eyes widened in amazement, but also in desperation. He wanted to escape from this hellhole and learn how to defend himself. So he attempted to mimic the movements of those across the street but only ended up injuring himself further. "Ouch!" Kiyoshi winced as he wiped blood from his forehead. He then punched at the wall, causing his knuckles to bleed as well. But he didn't care, he was determined to become strong and fight back against his oppressors. However, his training was cut short by heavy footsteps approaching above him. "Knock it off," Ms. Stoneheart barked at him through the closed door. "You've lost your supper for tonight." "It's not like I was going to eat anyway," Kiyoshi muttered under his breath. But then, a voice caught his attention from the dojo across the street. "Do you want to learn kung-fu and how to fight?" asked a man on the screen. Kiyoshi's heart leaped with hope and desperation. "Yes," he replied with determination in his voice. "Anything to escape this hellhole." The screen displayed a message that read, "If you answered yes to both, then join us on the cruise ship departing on May 29th." Kiyoshi realized that tomorrow was the 29th. He had been looking at the calendar earlier and today was only the 28th. He knew he couldn't get on the cruise ship because the door leading outside was always locked from the outside. The only way out was through a small window, but it seemed too risky. However, around midnight, Kiyoshi made up his mind and hurled his pillow at the window, breaking the glass without waking anyone up. He fashioned a rope out of paperclips and used it as a grappling hook to climb out of the window silently. It was the first time he felt truly free. He jumped over the gate and ran out of the city neighborhood, shouting in excitement. After hours of searching, he finally heard a loud horn sound from a nearby ship. He knew he must be close to it now. When he arrived at the docks, there was a long line for signups. People started to notice him and whispered behind his back, covering their noses. It had been months since Kiyoshi had last taken a bath. Finally, it was his turn to sign up and get a ticket before boarding the boat. As soon as he stepped foot on the ship, a man named Felix Warner greeted him with a warm welcome.