章 3: Chapter 3 - Pathetic

The Two Students stood on opposite sides of the tatami mat, both in fighting stances ready to pounce at one another at a moment's notice. "BEGIN!" as soon both of the boys heard that word they knew their opponent would not hesitate to attack. Donatello -always headstrong and overcofident- was the first to make a move. He lunged at Mikey aiming a right-handed palm strike at the center of his chest, Mikey saw the attack and prevented it by catching Donatello's wrist. Mikey having stopped Donatello saw an opportunity, he launched a low calf kick that he was sure would land. Donatello's next move shocked Mikey. Donatello performed a "check", a move where he raised his left shin to meet Mikey's oncoming Calf Kick. Donatello successfuly blocked Mikey's Kick, shortly hitting hit him with a palm strike that sent him back a few meters. Donatello had just gained some distance, exactly what he needed to perform his taekwondo moves.

Mikey had just been pushed back towards the edge of the tatami mat, and he was so far out that he could not perform any of his devastating strikes. Donatello was a Prodigy, who fought as well in both short and long-range fighting, Mikey however had only been able to effectively focus on short-distance strikes and kicks. There was no doubt about it, Donatello was using Mikey's weakness in long-range fighting to his advantage. "Dammit! I need to get into Close range!" Mikey thought, steadying himself to block an attack from his opponent.

The Attack came in the form of a spinning back kick, that was aimed directly at his stomach. Michalengelo evaded the attack turning his body in the same direction Donatello's kick was aimed in, before coming through with a straight punch that landed on Donatello's face. Donatello caught Mikey's fist with his face, causing him to recoil onto the ground from the sheer pain it brought him. Mikey was shocked at the sheer impact his punch had on his opponent, "Did I hit him too hard? Is he knocked out already?" Mikey had become distracted by his own thoughts, and that gave Donatello a chance to attack.

With Mikey distracted, Donatello took the opportunity to launch his counterattack, hitting Mikey with a leg sweep that brought him tumbling down. Michalengelo was now the floor. He looked and up saw Donatello standing over him, reeling his arm back to punch. Donatello threw the punch aiming it at his opponent's face, But Mikey stopped the attack by catching Donatello's before using the momentum to bring him down onto the floor. Mikey grabbed his opponent's right arm with both of his hands, placing his legs over Donatello's neck and chest, before squeezing his legs towards his body and pulling his arm towards himself. Mikey had just performed a devastating move, a jiu-jitsu arm bar! He had Donatello pinned down and only need to wait for Jim to tap ou-

"WAIT! WHAT!?" Mikey was stunned, he had no idea this could've happened. Donatello had used all of his raw strength in his right arm to lift Mikey above his own head. Mikey was at a standstill, he could attempt to cause more damage to Donatello but that would mean he incur the same amount of damage. "He has me raised up in the air" Mikey thought noting how furious Donatello looked "I don't wanna risk him smashing me into the ground". Mikey released his hold on his opponent's arm, allowing himself to land down onto the floor on his own hands.

[Xu-Sensei's Pov]

Xu-Sensei stood in the room, watching his two prized students spar against each other. One was by far the strongest student in his dojo, the same student he himself had proclaimed as a Prodigy, the same student he believed could oneday surpass him and gain the title of 'strongest in the world'. The other was MUCH less talented, albeit still possessing immense potential and unbreakable determination. This student, Michalengelo, had been brought to him by a former-student of his, the same former-student he made a promise to, the same former-student he failed when it meant the most- "Ughh, There I go rambling on and on again" Xu-Sensei thought to himself, willing away all of the emerging dark thoughts. Dee had promised to forgive him if he were to take Michalengelo in as his own student. Technically, he had earned Dee's forgiveness when he took in Michalengelo, but, this turn of events had no effect in elevating his sense of guilt- in fact, it did the opposite. "Did i truly earn Dee's forgiveness or did I simply take the easy way out?" Xu-Sensei pondered while stroking his beard, returning his focus to the Sparring Match.

[End of Pov]

Michalengelo attempted to roll away from Donatello, hoping to gain some distance. "Donatello is furious!" Mikey thought "I can't let him get close or he might use his Zantetsu out of anger!". Donatello pounced at Mikey, arms outstretched reaching to his neck, hoping to initiate a chokehold. Michalengelo ducked to the ground, let his opponent fly past him and then land on his face. Donatello was now PISSED, and everyone in the room knew. "Woah. Mikey's gonna die!" One of the students observing the match said, "Yep. His chances just went to 0%" another student said, his words being agreed upon by all the other students watching.

"Just give you lousy Mutt. You'll never be able to use Zantetsu" Donatello said to Mikey, as he activated his Zantetsu Art. Vibrant Orange, Petal shaped flames emanating from his right fist. Donatello bolted towards Mikey, Right arm blazing due to his Zantetsu Art, aiming to swiftly end the fight. "You really are Pathetic, Mikey" Donatello said, his fist connecting to Mikey's face.

End of Chapter 3.