Hunter pumped his fist. "Woohoo! That's my girl."
Mr. K smacked us all with his branches. "Wait, wait, wait. Is this fight with para-powers or without?"
Luke jabbed Hunter in the gut in a mostly friendly way. "The bastard has no powers."
Lucy felt Hunter's eyes on her, and her brow wrinkled in thought. She doubted his lack of powers—there was more to him than he let on. Still, she didn't say anything. Not without proof. Besides, he probably had a reason for not telling anyone.
"Okay," Mr. K said. "No powers? I'm going with Hunter."
Luke scowled. "What?"
Hunter laughed.
"Come on." Mr. K whipped his branches around and knocked them both gently in the head. "Let's get this show on the road. Hunter, show this kid why he shouldn't have skipped class back in the day."
Hunter saluted. "Yes, Sir."
"Lucy and I have placed our faith in you."
Lucy nodded. "Yup." She shifted uncomfortably and battled the guilt she felt about last night. Mr. K either didn't remember anything that happened, or this was his way of smoothing things out between them. Either way, she'd play along for now.
"Ready," yelled Lucy, with a finger raised in the air like a gun, "set, go!"
They resumed their fight.
Hunter and Luke both jabbed at each other, clearly just feeling each other out. From the set of their eyes, Lucy could tell that the fight had gotten serious.
Tired of the quick jabs, Luke took the fight to the next level with a right cross that just missed Hunter's chin.
Hunter blocked a series of aggressive blows, but refrained from counter-attacking, trying to figure out Luke's patterns.
Luke must have noticed because he changed up his style, relying more on kicks now.
Hunter blocked low, then threw a few jabs back, but didn't really connect.
"Come on," Luke swung wide, trying to taunt him, "is that all you got? The old woman and the tree will be disappointed."
"If I could walk," Mr. K said, "I'd be over there right now, kicking your ass."
Luke threw a few more jabs but spared a glance at Mr. K. "Stick to drawing."
Hunter blocked, but Luke didn't let up in his attacks—jab, punch, uppercut—a relentless push to tire Hunter out and land a blow. His persistence paid off with a direct punch to Hunter's cheek.
Lucy winced as if he'd hit her. "Ouch." She could imagine the pain all too well and hoped it didn't bruise. It would be a pity to mar such.... oh blah! This isn't some sappy romance novel. Besides, a guy with some bruises could also be hot. She put her mind back on the fight and not the one sexy fighter.
Luke continued to rain blows, but as he tired, he began to favor his uninjured foot, based on the subtle shift in his body weight.
Even through Luke's relentless attacks, Hunter seemed to compose himself and gain strength. His back straightened and shoulders squared as he dodged blows with more speed. Ten points to Luke for enthusiasm, if nothing else—though he did keep impressive form. They circled each other, and Luke's limp became more pronounced. Hunter could take advantage of that—trip Luke, or get him off balance. Luke had to be getting tired after his jackhammer approach.
But Hunter didn't do any of that. He just kept pulling his punches.
Uh-oh. Lucy figured out Hunter's tactic. Luke was getting too comfortable, too complacent. When he leaned in for another punch, Hunter countered by blocking and then landed a hard punch on Luke's ribs.
Luke stumbled back, and braced himself against a rock to keep from falling.
Mr. K didn't miss the chance to taunt Luke. "Ooh, the tree thinks that hurt. Maybe I'll draw a picture of the big bruise you'll get on your face."
Luke laughed it off, then focused and charged Hunter.
He tackled him, and they tumbled to the ground. Luke put Hunter in an arm lock, but Hunter gave Luke one good kick in the ribs, and knocked him off.
They both scrambled to their feet. Luke charged again, but Hunter countered and scored a hit on the chest.
Luke retaliated with a pair of vicious kicks.
Hunter dodged one, but the second swept his leg and planted him face-first in the dirt. He spat and wiped his mouth. "Is this what you eat, Mr. K? I feel sorry for you." Hunter hopped back onto his feet, again adapting a purely defensive posture.
Lucy felt the fatigue radiating from both of them. This had gone on too long; they needed to end it.
Something about Hunter's stance shifted, and a new heat came from him. He closed his eyes as if meditating.
Luke attacked with the last bit of speed he possessed.
Hunter dodged to the side and opened his eyes. He'd clearly seen Luke's bad leg, and could have easily tripped him up and won, but he didn't. He just stood there.
Luke, oblivious to the subtle exchange, twisted and landed a hard punch on Hunter's jaw.
Hunter fell to the ground and stayed down.