{"sf1_id":1818894,"sf2_id":"r17rX7jn","title":"King of the RIng 4: Chaos","author":"King_Degen","words":48222,"posted_at":"2022-02-12T16:36:42.000Z","tags":["Anon","Boy","Bunny","Couple","Doe","Fight","Fighting","Girl","Greentext","HMOFA","Heterosexual","Highschool","Human","Rabbit","Young Romance"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1818894-king-of-the-ring-4-chaos","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/r17rX7jn","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/a4/97/a4970ab7-9edd-424d-9d77-721efdf546c0","description":"An old friend returns as a new adversary. To breach your ramparts, invade your kingdom, and steal your Queen's throne. All in order to gain your attention, and essentially throw your world into chaos. Well, all you can think to do, is fight this chaos, with a bit more chaos.","content":"\\\u003eAnother day. Another chance to punch some poor idiot until they black out..\n\n\\\u003ePurely for fun, of course.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou're headed to the Circle, driving your brand new Doge Challengur.\n\n\\\u003eIf you didn't have a girlfriend by this point, it's ninety-five percent certain this machine would've got you one.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily you didn't have to wait this long, because you've already got the only woman you'll ever want in your passenger already.\n\n\\\u003eThe Champion of the Circle and your first love, Mirabelle Dunwick.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a good thing you've got her with you because honestly, if you would've had to show up to the Circle and hang out all by your lonesome, you probably wouldn't have had as much fun.\n\n\\\u003eYou're pretty cool with everyone who goes, but that's more of an acquaintanceship than true camaraderie.\n\n\\\u003eNot like your boys, who have departed for brand new adventures.\n\n\\\u003eIt's been several months since you graduated, and unsurprisngly your friends decided to get started on the rest of their lives immediately.\n\n\\\u003eWell. Unsurprising in Lewis and Mikael's cases. You expected Verne to be chill about it.\n\n\\\u003eBut after Lewis found him an art school where he could take some kind of creative writing course, he was surprisingly excited about getting started.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys hung out as much as you could before you had to go your seperate ways, and before the final days, you decided to send them off in the only way you knew how.\n\n\\\u003eWith food.\n\n\\\u003eYou pulled out the grill, had your parents load you up with as much food as you could make, and went to town.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, you didn't neglect to get some not meat stuff for Lewis.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't invite Mirabelle to that one, because that. That was a day for the boys, and the boys only.\n\n\\\u003eTo celebrate and bid farewell to four long years of brotherhood.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then they went on their ways, to college and the military, leaving you behind.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, you'll be going to college too soon, so it's not like you're the black sheep wasting his life away or anything.\n\n\\\u003e. . . Not that there's anything wrong with black sheep.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, you just wanted to relax for a bit before you get back to work, there's nothing wrong with that.\n\n\\\u003eSo you're on your way to relax in the best way you've got.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, before you do that, you're actually on your way back to Towngrove High to pick someone up.\n\n\\\u003eA highschool freshman who has finally decided that he was ready to take his first trip to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up and park in the loading area at what should be a few minutes after the bell has rung to release the students.\n\n\\\u003eAnd in a few moments a familiar dual colored rabbit bounds out of the front doors in similar fashion to his older sister.\n\n\\\u003eYou honk your horn to get his attention and roll the passenger window down to show him who it is.\n\n\\\u003eHe notices and walks over with a motion of excitement that he's trying to control.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle gets out and lets the seat forward to let him in the back.\n\n\\\u003eHe is going to be very uncomfortable back there with his long ass legs.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's up Blake?\" you say after he settles in.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Anon.\" he replies.\n\n\\\u003eKyle, Andy, and Joey are freshmen too, but they don't seem to want to go to the Circle yet.\n\n\\\u003e\"Not like any of us could get the Champ spot while Mirabelle's there anyway.\" they said. \"And it wouldn't be cool being sized up to the current Champ if we weren't as good so we'll just wait till you two run off to college.\"\n\n\\\u003eBlake didn't really care though, he found his fire and is ready to set the battlefield ablaze.\n\n\\\u003e\"Are you excited?\" Mirabelle asks after she gets back in.\n\n\\\u003e\"Eh, a little.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm excited.\" you say. \"This is gonna be good. Can't wait to see what you got.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd so you take off.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, now that you have a car, that you now named Rosaria, because those FrumSoff games still hold a special place in your heart, the trip there takes even less time from the school to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou park and get ready to hang around for a bit, while people still funnel in from wherever they're coming from.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk up and Mirabelle takes a seat on her milk carton throne. You stand at her side, and Blake stands next to you.\n\n\\\u003eWell, it's more like he's slightly bouncing next to you, in anticipation.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou look around as you watch people showing up, and as you do you happen to catch line of sight on this female lion you've never seen before looking in your direction.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks like she recognized you though, even though you're sure you've never met.\n\n\\\u003eWell you're about to find out why that is because she starts heading your way.\n\n\\\u003eYou get a good look at her as she approaches, and she looks like the type to ride a Horley in a biker gang or something.\n\n\\\u003eBlack leather jacket, black shirt, dark faded jeans with gashes at the knee, boots.\n\n\\\u003eShe's even got a lip ring pierced into her bottom lip.\n\n\\\u003eAnd of course, whenever you think piercings, you think of a particular doe that practically ceased to exist.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey uh.\" she starts as she reaches you. \"Are you Anon?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes I am.\" you reply. \"And are you, from out of town?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh uh. Yeah?\" she replies curiously.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh my God I've done it.\" you say. \"People from other towns know me, I'm famous!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou revel in a pride you never expected to feel.\n\n\\\u003e\"So, who are you? How'd you hear about me?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Name's Cleo.\" she starts. \"Just moved to town a few days ago with my older brother. And while I was looking for something fun to do today, I ran into this little weasel in front of a convenience store that told me to come this way, and I quote, 'go look for this ugly monkey with an equally ugly flannel shirt named Anon. He's the posterboy for what everyone in this town loves to do', and so here I am.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou stand still, stunned and slightly wounded. Not only because you are not actually famous, but because you just got dissed so hard your ancestors might be cringing.\n\n\\\u003e\". . . Not to say you're ugly or anything, that's not what I meant.\" she tells you, attempting to soothe your wounded pride. \"I just figured the 'monkey' thing meant a human, and you're the only one here with a flannel shirt, so I just figured it was you. Sorry if that was offensive, I probably shouldn't have said it word for word like that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nah, it's cool.\" you say waving it away. \"I've got a very good idea on who said it like that, so it's not a big deal. He's kind of a dick.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, alright cool.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"So. I've got another question for you Cleo. What do you think about getting into fights?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Like what? Fistfights?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Exactly\" you say. \"See this right here. This is the Circle. And in here we throw down purely for the sake of honor and glory. As much honor and glory as everyday teenagers can give to each other.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou go through explaining every facet of the Circle that comes to mind. The rules, the fights, the referee, the danger of the mass of bodies that is the Circle itself, and everything else that would seem important.\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn.\" Cleo says. \"So it's like a fight club.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Pretty much.\" you say. \"You're free to join if you want, there's no admission or anything. Just step up and punch somebody. Or you can feel free to simply watch if you just want a show.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh hell yeah, I want in. So I can just fight whoever I want?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"To a degree.\" you explain. \"There are a lot of dudes out here who fight and not as many girls, so you might not have as easy a time getting a same gender bout. But if you're cool with knocking a dude into the dirt, feel free. Just know that uh, he can do the same to you. Equal fights, for everyone. Also don't forget that to fight the Champ you have to win three fights in a row.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe nods. \"Are you the Champ?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nope.\" you say. \"That would be this one right here.\" you point to Mirabelle sitting beside you.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle gives a smile and a little wave.\n\n\\\u003e\"Really?\" Cleo asks, giving you a look\u0026nbsp; like you're bullshitting her.\n\n\\\u003eYou simply give a serious nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"You have this look, like we're joking,\" Mirabelle says, with that smirk of hers. \"But I've fought and beaten people a lot bigger than me.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod in agreement. \"It's true. She absolutely demolished this bison guy a while back.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"That was the both of us together.\" she corrects.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well yeah, but you finished him off.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh you've got group things too?\" Cleo asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Kind of.\" you say. \"That was kind of a spur of the moment thing we threw together but some of us were talking about making them more regular.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay okay.\" Cleo says. \"So. That weasel guy called you the posterboy for this event, so even if you aren't the Champ. You must be pretty good. So can I fight you?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, you can, yes.\" you say. \"But I'll be honest you may not want to.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well why not?\" she asks\n\n\\\u003e\"I was Champoion and undefeated for three years straight before Mirabelle came and took it from me. Besides her and the champion who was undefeated for four years before me, I have not lost a fight to anyone else. So what I'm saying is, you may wanna try a beginner course first. Y'know to test the water.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What, so you think just because I'm new around here, I can't stack up to you?\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eAs you try to explain to Cleo the folly of immediately challengeing the Old King, more people continue to show up, and your eye catches the approach of a familiar adversary.\n\n\\\u003eYour 'rival' Caesar shows up oozing pride like always.\n\n\\\u003eYou cast your gaze between Caesar and Cleo for a while.\n\n\\\u003eAn idea to escape this predicament, and poke some fun at Caesar prresents itself.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hold that thought.\" you tell Cleo. \"Hey Caesar!\"\n\n\\\u003eCaesar hears your call and finding where you are, approaches.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's up Anon?\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Caesar, this is Cleo. Cleo, this is Caesar.\" you say, introducing them both. \"Caesar here is the lion that considers himself my rival. We have fought way too many times\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh I see.\" Cleo says, reaching out to shake Caesar's hand, which he reciprocates. \"So you're saying I should test myself against your rival to see how I compare, before I try to challenge you?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I didn't say anything of the sort.\" you reply, with your hands up in false surrender. \"But it might be a good idea.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Caesar and a wicked grin crosses your face before you can get it under control.\n\n\\\u003eYou're sure he doesn't appreciate it considering the way his brow furrows.\n\n\\\u003e\"Caesar, how good is your human history?\" you ask him.\n\n\\\u003e\"What? I mean. I passed, so.\" he answers.\n\n\\\u003eNot the prideful answer you were expecting.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Did you know that a long, long time ago, this emperor named Joolius Caesar, dated this egyptian queen named Cleo Patra?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003eYou look between the two of them before your gaze lands on Caesar again.\n\n\\\u003e\"What a coincidence huh? Take that information how you will.\" you shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't like where you're going with this Anon.\" Caesar says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah man, that's not a very clever way to try and set us up.\" Cleo adds. \"Besides. What kinda crazy guy would be into the girl, who's about to kick his ass?\"\n\n\\\u003eThat question shuts you up quickly.\n\n\\\u003eHowever Mirabelle heard it clearly and must now engage in her sole purpose for living, which is teasing you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah Anon. What kind of crazy guy would do that, huh?\" She nudges her elbow into your side. \"Why don't you tell our new friend Cleo what kind of guy that is? Only you would know.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou remain silent, staring at the clouds in the distant sky.\n\n\\\u003eBlake is next to you trying desperately to keep from bursting out laughing.\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh. I feel like there's something going on that I should maybe like to know about.\" Cleo says, attempting to put pieces together.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon kissed Mirabelle after she fucked him up in a fight and now they're dating.\" Caesar spills the beans.\n\n\\\u003eBlake loses it now and lets out a howling laughter that might even put Wayne to shame.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at Caesar with all the fury of an ancient human who has to kill a lion for a coming of age ceremony or something.\n\n\\\u003eHis response is to grin at you in revenge for the awkward spot you put him in.\n\n\\\u003eCleo is staring at you both with eyes wide as dinner plates.\n\n\\\u003eYet before she can say anything, a bright and cheery voice grabs everyone's attention.\n\n\\\u003e\"Good afternoon everyone!\" Elodi starts, not an ounce of cheer lost to her yet. \"Let's make it another good day. So let's waste no time, and get right into it! Who is stepping into the Circle first?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nudge Cleo, to give her the cue.\n\n\\\u003eShe raises her hand. \"Over here!\" she shouts, taking a step forward. \"And I wanna fight this big lug right here.\" she finishes, gesturing to Caesar.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh wait hold on, we're actually doing this?\" Caesar asks, not actually expecting to have to follow through with your successful bait.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why not? Should be a good time, right?\" Cleo asks back. \"Unless, what, you're scared or something?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm never scared.\" Caesar remarks quickly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well c'mon then.\" she says, making her way to the center of the Circle. She turns and faces Caesar, then beckons with her finger. \"Prove that you got some courage from good Ol' Oz.\"\n\n\\\u003eCaesar gives you one last look, to which you respond with a goofy grin and a thumbs up. Then he stands opposite Cleo.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay then.\" Elodi starts. She looks at Cleo. \"Welcome to the Circle, miss. I assume you've had an explanation of the rules already?\"\n\n\\\u003eCleo nods. \"Yep, let's get it started.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, we'll do just that. What do you two have to say to each other?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I've never really had to come up with insults before a fight.\" Cleo starts. \"But looking at you, I guess I won't need to. Your face is already the meanest insult out there.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn!\" you heckle from the crowd. Caesar glares at you for a quick second before turning back to Cleo.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah well, not for long. Your face is about to be twice as worse as mine after stepping in here with me.\" Caesar counters.\n\n\\\u003e\"Dude, I could run my entire face through a roll of barbed wire and it still wouldn't be nearly as bad as yours.\" Cleo returns without missing a beat.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah okay. Shouldn't you be leaving soon, I'm sure your Suns of Anarky are looking for you right now.\" Caesar says.\n\n\\\u003eCleo shrugs and rolls her eyes. \"I sure hope you fight better than you talk smack, guy. That was just sad.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well okay now, let's move on.\" Elodi interjects. \"Caesar, are you ready?\"\n\n\\\u003eCaesar rolls his neck before throwing his fist into his open palm, then assuming his fighting stance. He nods to Elodi.\n\n\\\u003eElodi turns to Cleo. \"And are you ready?\"\n\n\\\u003eCleo however does something you would not normally expect from someone getting ready to fight. She puts her hands into the pockets of her jacket.\n\n\\\u003eThen, maintaining her balance with her left leg, she brings her right leg up with her knee bent and just about at her stomach height.\n\n\\\u003eThen she gives a quick \"Yep\" to Elodi.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay then.\" Elodi says, staring curiously at Cleo's assumed fighting stance. \"Then let's. Fight!\"\n\n\\\u003eThe match starts and. Neither of them move.\n\n\\\u003eLooks like they're both waiting for the other to do something.\n\n\\\u003eThat is, until Cleo removes a hand from her jacket and brings it to her mouth.\n\n\\\u003eShe lets out a loud and exaggerated yawn, then cocks her head to the side with a look that might be disappointment, or boredom.\n\n\\\u003eAnd of course it goads Caesar into action.\n\n\\\u003eHe approaches and rears his arm back for one of his ever constant, calculated Caesar punches.\n\n\\\u003eBut Cleo moves first and lashes her leg out, kicking him right in the side of his torso.\n\n\\\u003eThen she retracts her leg and returns to that same standing pose.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar, not learning his lesson, approaches in the same manner, and receives the exact same kick to the side, yet this time she throws her leg the opposite way, and pivots around, before almost coming full circle and throwing a decent straight kick right into the center of his chest.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar backpedals a bit, and that's when Cleo drops her stance to walk forward toward him, like she's just taking a casual stroll through the park.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar throws a punch as she approaches, but she sidesteps it and throws her knee into his gut with such force that he buckles forward and looks like he's ready to spit out a lung.\n\n\\\u003eThen Cleo steps back then kicks her foot up and into Caesar's chin.\n\n\\\u003eBut her leg keeps going up until the sole of her boot is pointing straight at the sky.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like she's doing the splits, but vertically.\n\n\\\u003eThen she brings her leg down and drives her heel straight into Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eHis head or his shoulder, you aren't sure, but he hits the ground.\n\n\\\u003eThen Cleo takes a few steps back and resumes her weird Crane style leg up pose.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar gets up though, but he's got a look in his eye that says he should probably put his pride to the side and stop underestimating people all the time.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, finally estimating his opponent does nothing to help him do signifcantly better against her.\n\n\\\u003eHe gets soundly kicked around by this lioness, and knocked to the ground with the quickness.\n\n\\\u003eThe only time he managed to land a hit was when he pulled this sneaky move and went from whiffing a right hook, into a spinning backhand with his left.\n\n\\\u003eIt knocked Cleo to the ground but she recovered quickly.\n\n\\\u003eAnd her recovery, was honestly unsettling.\n\n\\\u003eShe laid herself prone, then bent her knees and planted her feet straight onto the ground.\n\n\\\u003eThen she somehow managed to lift off the ground with her legs and slink straight up as if her spine did not actually exist inside her body.\n\n\\\u003eA lot of people around the crowd give a disturbed look, but Caesar actually brings his fingers up and places them in the shape of a cross to ward off whatever unholy demon he must be fighting.\n\n\\\u003eHowever the action does not deter Cleo and she responds to it by leaping forward into a cartwheel, smacking Caesar with both her feet, before landing, then throwing her foot straight out and making sweet music with Caesar's chin.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar collapses, and does not get back up this time.\n\n\\\u003eElodi walks over to inspect his lack of perseverance and asks if he's done.\n\n\\\u003eHe affirms that he is, to Cleo's dismay.\n\n\\\u003e\"Done already? C'mon.\" She looks to you. \"I thought he was supposed to be good. You said y'all were rivals.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh, I said he considers himself to be my rival.\" you tell her. \"Whether everyone else here, including me would agree with that statement is a different subject.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Man, you played me.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"No no, I baited you. And you took the bait.\" you correct.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, now I'm unsatisfied, I wanna go again.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou pause, and look at the nearby Caesar, pulling himself off the ground.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn Caesar, bet you never thought you'd hear a girl say that about you.\" you tease.\n\n\\\u003e\"Y'know what, Anon?!\" Caesar shouts. \"I hope you get a really long but insignificant scratch on the side of your car there.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou gasp like he just cursed your entire family. \"You monster.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe walks away and you turn your attention back to Cleo. \"Anyway, you're free to get a new fight tomorow. The usual idea is only one fight a day. So, feel free to challenge me if you want tomorrow, or whatever. That is, if you think you'll be back.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Bet.\" she says. \"Seems like a pretty fun pasttime, as long as you don't mind getting roughed up.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"So.\" you continue. \"You're actually a pretty good fighter. Which is good, you'll fit in real well here. But what I wanna know. Is what the hell that creepy get up move was that you did.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh that.\" she says as she scratches behind her head. \"Well. I am extremely flexible. And that's all I'm going to say about it right now.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well now I feel like I need more information.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Maybe you'll get it. Once you give me the fight that you now owe me.\" she shrugs.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well I guess you got me.\" you shrug back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, who would like to step up next?\" Elodi calls out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Right here!\" answers the call from right next to you.\n\n\\\u003eBlake walks up, emanating pure excitement.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then he turns to face you, and you half expect him to challenge you.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily (for him), someone else takes the place of his opponent.\n\n\\\u003eAnother freshman it looks like.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well well., look who finally decided to show up.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, hey Allen.\" Blake says. \"Yep, I'm finally here.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let me give you your welcome to the Circle, bud.\" Allen says, throwing his fist into his palm a few times.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mkay.\" Blake responds.\n\n\\\u003eThis Allen kid looked a little hyped to beat up on Blake, but judging how Blake seems cool with this matchup, these two must be friends, or at least amicable classmates.\n\n\\\u003eWhich is good, because if some random kid was about to give your unofficial little brother flak, you would have no qualms about putting him in his place.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh boy, another new arrival.\" Elodi says, joyful as always. \"Welcome to the Circle to you as well.\"\n\n\\\u003eBlake returns her greeting with a big ol' smile.\n\n\\\u003e\"So, let's go right ahead, and get into it. What do you two have to say?\" Elodi asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"So Blake.\" Allen starts. \"Maybe you should think about trying to find the rest of your color before you think about trying to fight, ya know?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't think that was particularly grievous, but Blake apparently thinks differently, because his excited smile drops instantly.\n\n\\\u003eHe rubs his hand against the fur on his cheek\u0026nbsp; right about where the brown fur fades into pure white.\n\n\\\u003eYou even catch him glance in Mirabelle's direction for a split second.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her too and see her face scrunch in annoyance for a moment before she's back to nuetral.\n\n\\\u003eThinking about it, being the only one of his family to be two toned could definitely be an insecurity.\n\n\\\u003e\"Whatever man.\" Blake says after he recovers. \"Why don't you go find summadeez?\"\n\n\\\u003eAllen pauses for a moment, trying to translate the quickly spoken word before he seals his own doom by repeating \"Summa deez?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" Blake says calmly. \"Summa deez nuts.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe stares straight at his friend. And then dabs.\n\n\\\u003eA lot more guys laugh than they should, proving that guys never truly outgrow their immaturity.\n\n\\\u003eEven you try and fail to contatin a few chuckles.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle shakes her head at you and seemingly Blake, but you don't care, it was funny.\n\n\\\u003eAllen however, deflates, does a perfect about face and walks to the edge of the Circle like he's already given up.\n\n\\\u003eOf course once he actually reaches the end, he about faces again and walks right to where he was standing before.\n\n\\\u003e\"You're a bitch.\" Allen says, and brings his hands up to fight.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well then.\" Elodi follows. \"I guess you're ready?\"\n\n\\\u003eAllen nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"And are you ready?\" she asks Blake.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, yeah one sec.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003eThen he reaches into his pocket and pulls something out.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eHe pops them into his ears, so you're guessing they were earbuds.\n\n\\\u003eHe doesn't pull any devices out to turn music on, so whether it's already on or not, you aren't sure.\n\n\\\u003eProbably wouldn't be the best idea to bring your devices into the Circle anyway. Nor is it a good idea for his earbuds if he happens to get slugged a little too hard and they manage to dislodge from his ears.\n\n\\\u003eYou thought he just popped them in to keep focused or something, but you look on curiously when he starts bobbing to whatever music he's playing.\n\n\\\u003eThen he starts swaying left and right a bit and brings his arms up, one placed horizontally against his chest, and the other brought up with his hand posed in front of his face.\n\n\\\u003eHe almost looks like he's about to do that Jon Seena \"U can't see me\" taunt.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks over at Elodi and gives her a thumbs up., then keeps his gaze mostly in her direction, likely to see her give the signal since he might not be able to hear her.\n\n\\\u003eShe brings her hand up, and throws it straight down, calling for them to fight.\n\n\\\u003eAnd so, Blake is currently attempting to take over as posterboy for the next generation of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eThrough skill, and hype, at the same time.\n\n\\\u003eOnce that fight started, Blake went sicko mode and proceeded to groove crusade all over this poor kid.\n\n\\\u003eLike literally, Blake is breakdancing while whooping Allen's ass.\n\n\\\u003eNot like Jerome's capoeira thing, not at all. It's like he took a bunch of martial arts movements, and decided to add some flair to them by throwing breakdancing moves into it.\n\n\\\u003eHe must've pulled this from some anime, no other explanation.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eAnd Allen here is not having the best time at all trying to fight against this unorthodox style.\n\n\\\u003eBlake will slide out of the way of a punch and do this fancy shuffle with his feet, and Allen will think that's an attack coming so he'll keep his focus low to get ready to dodge.\n\n\\\u003eOnly to get popped in the mouth\u0026nbsp; for looking the wrong way.\n\n\\\u003eAt some points he simply tries to ignore the feet.\n\n\\\u003eBut you know from a multitude of experience not to ignore a rabbit's legs.\n\n\\\u003eAllen swings for a few hooks and Blake bends himself straight backward to avoid it, then continues his bend and lashes upward with his foot, kicking Allen in the chin and posing himself in a handstand.\n\n\\\u003eThen he bends his legs in damn near perfect splits and starts spinning, his legs slamming into Allen, like he just became some sort of buzzsaw.\n\n\\\u003eNow that move is definitely from an anime, you're sure you've seen it before.\n\n\\\u003eThen Blake rights himself back up and goes back to his idle breakdance shuffles.\n\n\\\u003eHe doesn't look like he's getting tired either.\n\n\\\u003eYou're sure every martial arts trainer that complains about wasted movements would be having anuerysms right now.\n\n\\\u003eEventually, Allen takes a few steps back, but can't keep himself up and falls on his ass.\n\n\\\u003eHe throws his hands up and waves them erratically to get Blake to see that he's done.\n\n\\\u003eThen Blake stops grooving and throws up this unbelievably cocky shrug, then removes his earbuds, to receive a chorus of cheers and screams of hype.\n\n\\\u003e\"Here is our winner.\" Elodi says, holding her hands toward Blake. \"Whose name is.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Blake Dunwick.\" he responds.\n\n\\\u003eAnd when they here his name, a lot of people nod in affirmation, as if the reason he clapped his opponent's cheeks so easily lies in his last name.\n\n\\\u003eThe Dunwicks man, it just doesn't seem fair.\n\n\\\u003eThat was pretty damn cool though, even you have to admit.\n\n\\\u003eYou really want to watch Blake and Jerome throw down after seeing that. Even though you're sure Jerome wouldn't appreciate going against this made up anime style.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Mirabelle, stunned.\n\n\\\u003eShe's looking at Blake, just as stunned as you are.\n\n\\\u003e\"Did you know he could do this?\" you ask her?\n\n\\\u003eShe shakes her head.\n\n\\\u003ePeople from the crowd run up and clap Blake on the back, shake him by the shoulders, congratulating him and heaping praise on his dope ass performance.\n\n\\\u003eAnd he eats it up.\n\n\\\u003eHis smile is so wide his cheeks are about ready to split open.\n\n\\\u003eEven Allen walks up and you watch them shake hands.\n\n\\\u003eEven in the new generation, good sportsmanship is important.\n\n\\\u003eThen Blake is finally freed from the mass of new fans he made and he walks up to you and his sister.\n\n\\\u003e\"The hell was all that?! you fire before anything else.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's not what Dad taught you.\" Mirabelle follows.\n\n\\\u003e\"No, I took what Dad taught me, and made it cooler.\" Blake shrugs.\n\n\\\u003eYou lean forward, attempting to be intimidating. Which doesn't work since he's just about the same height as you.\n\n\\\u003e\"What anime did you get all that from?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"C'mon Anon. I know I like anime and all, but not everything I do has to be centered around it.\" he says, feigning hurt at your remark.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmm. I guess you're right.\" you shrug. \"So what video game was it then?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe pauses. \"Well. You see that's a completely different subject.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh huh.\" You turn your nose up and smirk at him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well anyway.\" you continue. \"Congrats on your first win. May you have many more. Just don't think you're gonna beat me.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe points to Mirabelle, still sitting in her place as the Champ. \"I think that's already been done, chief, I don't think I need to.\"\n\n\\\u003e. . . Well, he's got you there.\n\n\\\u003eAnd so the fights in the Circle continue for a while longer.\n\n\\\u003eYou get into a fight, to display what you can do, and because watching Cleo and Blake lit a fire in you.\n\n\\\u003eThat fire burned so bright you almost considered challenging Mirabelle just to get the greatest challenge you could.\n\n\\\u003eBut you decided against that.\n\n\\\u003eYou have been challenging her a bit more often, after she told you a while ago that your fights are peak enjoyment for her.\n\n\\\u003eBut of course, try as you might you can't seem to pull a win off.\n\n\\\u003eThough you do feel like you're getting closer, it always seemed like there was just something missing.\n\n\\\u003eAs if she knew your style about as well as you knew it.\n\n\\\u003eThat's where the adaptability would come into play, where you would try and switch things up to get a jump on her.\n\n\\\u003eBut you still can't seem to push hard enough to find that victory.\n\n\\\u003eWhich is why you figured that you should add something completely new to your repertoire.\n\n\\\u003eSo. You went to your father, Isaac, a Circle goer in his own time, to give you a few new moves to use.\n\n\\\u003eAt some point in his life, as a form of anger management (that you never would have guessed he needed), your Dad started learning Wing Chun as a way to calm his rage, and because he absolutely loves the Ib Man movies.\n\n\\\u003eSo since he's been at home more often, you asked him to impart a bit of his sage wisdom to you when he had time.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you've been picking it up pretty quickly, even though you've only been at it for a few months.\n\n\\\u003eAccording to him, you're a fast learner, which would make sense considering all the techniques Mirabelle's dad imparted to you that you learned fairly easily.\n\n\\\u003eBut even though you're getting it down pretty well, you still want to give it some more practice before you attempt to surprise Mirabelle in combat with it.\n\n\\\u003eSo you've been holding off on fighting her for a while.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, after your fight, that you win easily of course, you have another chat with Cleo, because she doesn't seem done with you yet.\n\n\\\u003eShe asks you about your relationship with Mirabelle, which you are more than happy to answer any questions about.\n\n\\\u003eShe admits that even though she knows people and anthros that get along on mostly friendly terms, she never really expected there to be relationships between them.\n\n\\\u003eAt least, there were none that she noticed back in her hometown.\n\n\\\u003eBut hearing about how well you two get along seemed to be a welcome experience for her.\n\n\\\u003eAnd after a while of chatting, it's about time for the Circle to come to an end.\n\n\\\u003eYou say your goodbyes and head to your car.\n\n\\\u003eThen you take Blake and Mirabelle back home.\n\n\\\u003e\"You wanna go again tomorrow, Blake?\" Mirabelle asks him before they get out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure do!\" he exclaims. \"It was fun, I had a good time.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Just don't get salty when you lose.\" you add.\n\n\\\u003e\"Did you get salty when you lost?\" he asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Of course I did.\" you admit. \"Imagine being undefeated for years just to lose to someone you never expected to lose to.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Then just don't lose, forehead.\" he quips.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn completely around in your seat, and glare at him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Outta my car.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe laughs and shrugs.\n\n\\\u003eThey get out, but Mirabelle peaks back in to leave you with some sweet sugar.\n\n\\\u003e\"See ya tomorrow.\" you tell her.\n\n\\\u003e\"See ya.\" she returns.\n\n\\\u003eAnd after they have walked into the gate and let themselves in to their front door, you turn around and take yourself home.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm back.\" you call out as you enter.\n\n\\\u003e\"Welcome back.\" returns your call from the living room.\n\n\\\u003eAnd like always, there's your dad on the couch, watching movies, snuggling up under a nice, comfy blanket with your mom.\n\n\\\u003e\"How'd it go today?\" your dad pulls his attention away from the movie long enough to ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Pretty good, like always.\" you answer. \"Saw this new girl fight, she was pretty good. Also saw one of Mirabelle's younger brothers fight, and he was pretty good too.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe nods. \"Sounds like it was fun.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure was.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"There's food in there if you're hungry.\" your mom says, pointing toward the kitchen.\n\n\\\u003e\"Cool, thanks.\" you say, before moving to the bathroom to wash your hands and get yourself whatever glorious meal your mom has prepared.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't have much longer before you'll be taking off to college, so you want to have as much fun with it as you can.\n\n\\\u003eLet's hope there are many more amazing fights like the ones you saw today and you'll be perfectly content with all you've done by the time it's time to bid farewell.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the next day was just about as entertaining as the previous day was.\n\n\\\u003eThough it came and went kind of quickly.\n\n\\\u003eNo one has any better ways to spend their Friday nights in this town besides knocking each other out, or going to the TIM.\n\n\\\u003eBut small communities are fine, there's more of a kinship here.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, you went back to the Circle with Mirabelle and Blake.\n\n\\\u003eAnd of course Cleo Hart was waiting there, ready to get it in again.\n\n\\\u003eAnd when it was starting time, she wasted no time challenging you.\n\n\\\u003eYet though she was pretty good, she was no match for you.\n\n\\\u003eShe relied more on evading strikes, since she for whatever reason, liked to keep her hands tucked into her jacket while she threw primarily kicks.\n\n\\\u003eSo once you found an oppurtunity, you grabbed her in your ever famous Clinch and proceeded to body her.\n\n\\\u003eShe gave up after you threw some knees and tenderized her flanks for a while, but she was a good sport about it and all.\n\n\\\u003eYou chatted with her while you watched Blake breakdance beatdown someone else.\n\n\\\u003eShe came out this way with her brother Liam because he got a job another city over.\n\n\\\u003eThey came to Towngrove because it's apparently a little cheaper here than where he's working, and he liked the area a bit better.\n\n\\\u003eCleo wanted to get out of her parents' house so she went with her brother, but she just graduated highschool and isn't sure if she wants to just get a job or continue on to college.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eHer brother's letting her stick around rent free, because he thinks it's best to take the time to really think about what you'd want to commit to, since it will influence the rest of your life.\n\n\\\u003eSounds like a chill dude.\n\n\\\u003eAlso, because you had to ask. She told you her freakish flexibility came from her doing ballet as a kid, and then gymnastics up through highschool.\n\n\\\u003eShe took taekwando classes sometime between her ballet phase and her gymnastics phase.\n\n\\\u003eThat was information you never would have expected.\n\n\\\u003eBut it just shows that there are all kinds of people, with all kinds of hobbies.\n\n\\\u003eAmyway, after Blake B-Boys himself to victory, Mirabelle gets a challenger.\n\n\\\u003eThis scraggly looking jackass. Or uh, donkey. Mule?\n\n\\\u003eWhat's the proper name for those guys?\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, you've seen him hanging out with Freddy recently, so they could be in the same grade.\n\n\\\u003eThat should make him a junior.\n\n\\\u003eHe doesn't have anything fancy going for him, just your everyday streetfighter.\n\n\\\u003eBut he managed to get three in a row, and your focus was on stopping the streaks of more seasoned challengers.\n\n\\\u003eSo he made it to the top.\n\n\\\u003eOnly to be dropkicked right back down.\n\n\\\u003eLike honestly, Mirabelle kicked him in the chest once to push him back, then followed with a dropkick that folded him like a lawnchair, and that was the end of that.\n\n\\\u003eAnd that apparently impressed Cleo just as well.\n\n\\\u003eSo now she looked excited to try her hand against Mirabelle too.\n\n\\\u003eGood, ignite the embers of her warrior's heart.\n\n\\\u003eYet the end came all too quickly, and another day at the Circle came to a close.\n\n\\\u003eYou herded your rabbits back to their burrow, and went off to your home as well.\n\n\\\u003eHowever before you departed you didn't neglect to remind Mirabelle to be ready tomorrow, to which she told you she would be.\n\n\\\u003eSaturday is a very special day for the both of you.\n\n\\\u003eSome people may argue differently, maybe, but hey.You're young and in love, there's no reason not to celebrate, just because you can.\n\n\\\u003eAnd so Saturday came.\n\n\\\u003eAnd once it was time to head out, you followed the steps you did exactly one year ago.\n\n\\\u003eShower, teeth brushing, mouthwash, all for double the length of normal.\n\n\\\u003eButton up shirt with black pants, a dab of that smell good stuff.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab all your things, as well as a secret extra item, that you stash in the armrest of your car.\n\n\\\u003eUnlike last time, you're going to pick Mirabelle up before your date, because so long as you have this mighty chariot, ye shalt not allow thine Queen to walk.\n\n\\\u003eIf it was unclear, it's been one whole year since you started dating Mirabelle, to the day, so you're going out for your one year anniversary.\n\n\\\u003eSome people might call that cringe, but the people who would, are the people who can't get dates to begin with, so fuck them.\n\n\\\u003eYou're choosing to recreate your first date, by going to the same places you did back then.\n\n\\\u003eYou got the idea from your parents. They recreated their first date every anniversary while they were dating, and then recreate their honeymoon every anniversary while they're married.\n\n\\\u003eSo you take off and arrive at the Dunwick manor minutes later.\n\n\\\u003eYou text Mirabelle and she comes out after a few moments in the same outfit she wore on your first date.\n\n\\\u003eStill absolutely adorable.\n\n\\\u003eShe gets in, you take off.\n\n\\\u003eBack down to the shopping center near TIM.\n\n\\\u003eYou find yourself a park and head straight to Carrol's.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, unlike your first date, you walk to the diner hand in hand.\n\n\\\u003eNo one said it had to be recreated perfectly.\n\n\\\u003eYou step in, Brandy the waitress catches your entrance.\n\n\\\u003eAnd what a coincidence, the booth you sat in the first time was available.\n\n\\\u003eYou two chat about nothing in particular, order the same things you did last time, and you even have Brandy bring you a milkshake.\n\n\\\u003eYou two share it with significantly less embarrassment.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't even get any disapproving looks from any of the other patrons.\n\n\\\u003eAfter you pay the check and leave, you take your date to the arcade in the TIM and play games with each other just like last time, competitively first, then cooperatively.\n\n\\\u003eYou have a good time again, but you always have a good time when you're in Mirabelle's company.\n\n\\\u003eLikewise she of course seemed to enjoy herself as well.\n\n\\\u003eTo finish off, you head to the prize counter.\n\n\\\u003eYou ask if Mirabelle wants another prize.\n\n\\\u003eAnd surprisingly she picks something.\n\n\\\u003eBut after she does, she hands it to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"This one is yours.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at it.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a plush of a rabbit, reminiscent of some kind of street justice type of superhero. Hoodie, bandana mask, and a baseball bat.\n\n\\\u003eWeird, you don't think you've seen any movies, or video games or the like with this character, but it seems. Kind of familiar.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why this?\" you ask her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Now we can both have something to remind us of each other.\" she answers.\n\n\\\u003e\"So you get a king that may or may not vaguely look like me. And I get. . . A rabbit that can very likely kick my ass.\" you drone, turning the plush this way and that.\n\n\\\u003eShe shrugs. \"That''s what you like isn't it?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Fffuck.\" you mutter.\n\n\\\u003eShe's not wrong but you don't like to admit it!\n\n\\\u003eAnd once again as you prepare to depart, the lanky bastard\u0026nbsp; manning the counter hits you with that \"okay\" hand signal and two clicks of his tongue.\n\n\\\u003eYou make your way back to your car, and take Mirabelle home.\n\n\\\u003eA simple date, a fulfilling date.\n\n\\\u003eOnce you pull up, you pop open your armrest and hand your mystery box to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"For you.\" you say simply.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks between the box and you for a moment, but you urge her to take and open it.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's honestly probably not your style, but I just wanted to get you something, to thank you.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Thank me?\" she asks. \"For what?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"A little over a year ago, you showed up, whooped my ass and somehow got me to fall for you. A year ago on this day, we had our first date. And every day since has been the best days I've ever known. So thank you. For agreeing to go on a date with me, and for choosing to put up with me for an entire year.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't say anything back for a while, but she's got this big smile on her face.\n\n\\\u003eAnd even though her face is covered with fur, you think you can see her blushing.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well thank you too.\" she says. \"For being interested in me back then. I really am glad I got to be with you.\"\n\n\\\u003eNow it's your turn to grin and blush.\n\n\\\u003eShe finally decides to open her gift.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a silver bracelet, with little charms attached to it that show a few of the events that you figured were pretty important in the building of your relationship.\n\n\\\u003e\"This looks expensive.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Girl you live in the Hills.\" you say. \"If anything I would probably have to take out a loan from Sly's Uncle to satisfy your tastes.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh please.\" she rolls her eyes. \"Do I seem like some rich princess?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Absolutely not.\" you say quickly and decisively.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks ready to slug you in the arm before you say, \"You're a Queen. You're my Queen. And I will continue to try and treat you like such until you get sick of me.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou gaze into those perfect sapphires of hers.\n\n\\\u003eYou lean into each other and share a kiss that reminds you of your (second) first kiss.\n\n\\\u003eEventually you break away, and you get out to open her door, like a gentleman.\n\n\\\u003eYou unite your lips one last time, before she heads home.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch until she's safely inside before you make your own way home.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you get to your room you set your edgy antihero rabbit plush on your computer desk.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle sure is great..\n\n\\\u003eEverything just feels so perfect.\n\n\\\u003eWhich obviously means that you're just about due for some turmoil, right?\n\n\\\u003eNothing this amazing remains so forever, right?\n\n\\\u003eYeah, right.\n\n\\\u003eThere's absolutely no force on this planet or any other that could sunder the blessed union you have with Mirabelle Dunwick.\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zghmrD5ltY\n\n\\\u003eYet of course because you can't get enough of hanging out with her, you went to Mirabelle's house like you normally do on Sundays.\n\n\\\u003eEven though you don't really need any more practice in perfecting your fighting style. But it's a habit by now.\n\n\\\u003eYou questioned William on if he heard about how Blake was fighting in the arena.\n\n\\\u003e\" I'm not too sure what he's doing.\" he told you. \"But if he's winning, that's all I care about.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou guess results mainly are what matters most of the time.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, after a perfectly calm Sunday, Monday rolls around, and because you have nothing better to do, you went with the Dunwick siblings to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eAnd of course, you see Cleo, ready and waiting.\n\n\\\u003eInterestingly, she's chatting with Caesar, who has also arrived early.\n\n\\\u003eWell well well.\n\n\\\u003eYou stride up, ready to do some more taunting. Before somebody intercepts you and nudges you more than a little forcefully.\n\n\\\u003e\"Look who's still hangin' 'round here.\" this deep, creepy voice says to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou recognize that horrible pitch immediately.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn to look up at a giant behemoth of green scales, and horribly gnarly teeth.\n\n\\\u003e\"Lenny?\" you ask, though you don't really need to.\n\n\\\u003e\"How ya been?\" Lenny says, putting all his teeth on display in a big grin.\n\n\\\u003eLenny Lagrange, an alligator, and an absolute monster.\n\n\\\u003eHe was real fierce during his days in the Circle, but not brutally so.\n\n\\\u003eHe was the guy with true Heel energy.\n\n\\\u003eHe liked to use his size and strength to benefit him more than anyone else.\n\n\\\u003eHe was a big guy back when you were in the same grade. Apparently that was not his peak.\n\n\\\u003eHe also had a decent intimidation factor to him, not only because he looks like he could be somehow related to Godjilla, but because of the creepy aspect to his voice.\n\n\\\u003eIt sounds like it's got this dry raspiness, but also this warbling wetness to it. As if he has gravel and bayou muck trapped in his throat at the same time.\n\n\\\u003eLenny here, was the person you had to fight first, during that tournament to become the Champ, all those years ago.\n\n\\\u003eYou were surprised you won, but Lenny at the time was more of a glass cannon, big and strong, but surprisingly soft in the tummy, which you don't think is characteristic of gators, with a chin made of glass itself.\n\n\\\u003eIf he''s still that way though, you don't know.\n\n\\\u003eBut he's here so, maybe you'll get to find out.\n\n\\\u003e\"What are you doing here?\" you ask. \"Thought you and your family moved farther east for your dad's job.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yep. But they offered Pop a foreman spot at the base nearby, so we're back.\" he explains. \"I just came to help move 'em back in and maybe spend a bit of time 'round the old 'hood before I take off to where I was. Got myself a good thing out there.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah, that's cool man.\" you say. \"So what brought you this way?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Just wanted to check out the old spot, y'know.\" he shrugs. \"See what new blood's gettin' spilled out here.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod. \"I see. Well. Seeing as you're here, why don't you step on in? If I remember correctly, you did want a rematch, but you had to move away before you ever got it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Did say that, huh? You still Champ?\" he asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head.\n\n\\\u003e\"No shit? Who dropped ya?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou gesture to Mirabelle, sitting in her Champ's seat.\n\n\\\u003eHe laughs. And laughs. . . And laughs some more.\n\n\\\u003e\"No seriously, who got ya?\" he asks again.\n\n\\\u003eYou repeat your gesture in the direction of one white rabbit.\n\n\\\u003eHe stares between you and her, mouth agape.\n\n\\\u003eHe begins laughing, even louder this time.\n\n\\\u003eIt makes you think that's how dragons would sound if they existed and had a sense of humor.\n\n\\\u003e\"I could prolly throw her clean across the arena!\" he continues to laugh.\n\n\\\u003e\"You could probably throw a lot of people, Lenny!\" you say, patting the cinderblocks he stuffed into his biceps.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well if what you're sayin's true, I don't gotta throw down with you, I should be goin' for her.\" he says, gazing at Mirabelle like a predator would eye helpless prey.\n\n\\\u003eHe is severely mistaken if he thinks that's gonna be easy pickin's.\n\n\\\u003e\"That is correct.\" you admit. \"But y''know, to get to her, you gotta go through me. And uh, like two other people. Three wins in a row, remember.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"True.\" he nods. \"But I won't be around for too long, remember. I should grab some easy marks.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh c'mon dude, is that what you want your comeback to be built on? Easy wins?\" You shake your head in disappointment. \"Thought you were better than that.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you. Dead in your eyes. And wags his finger. \"Is that bait?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Course not.\" you reply quickly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Cuz it seems like bait.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Look man.\" you put your hands up in surrender. \"I'm not gonna force you to fight me right now. But. If you win two in a row, I will fight you for your third. Ending streaks is kinda my thing now.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Is that so?\" he chuckles. \"I'm just playin' I ain't gonna pick on no fresh meat. I wanna hunt big game. Like the lion dude over there, what was his name, Cecil?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You mean Caesar?\" you correct.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. That should be fun.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Just uh. Don't massacre him too hard.\" you tell Lenny. \"He's finally getting some female attention, it would suck if you butcher him and ruin it before he's even had a chance.\"\n\n\\\u003eLenny looks over to Caesar and Cleo, then to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm 'bout to end this man's whole career.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Lenny no!\" you plead. \"Don't do it to him, he needs this!\"\n\n\\\u003eLenny's no longer listening, he's chuckling to himself like a movie villain.\n\n\\\u003eWelp, you hope Caesar puts up a good fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk over to Mirabelle and Blake.\n\n\\\u003e\"Another friend of yours?\" Mirabelle asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's Lenny.\" you explain. \"He used to come to the Circle before he moved a few years ago. Guess he's back in town for a while.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You gonna fight him?\" Blake asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nope. He's not interested in me.\" you shrug. \"He's hunting bigger game, he says.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou're a bit let down, but you're sure you'll get a chance to duke it out with Lenny before he leaves.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle forms up and Elodi calls for challengers.\n\n\\\u003eSo of course Lenny saunters his way right into the center.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wow, another new arrival. We're just getting all kinds of fresh starts aren't we?\" Elodi says, looking pleasently surprised.\n\n\\\u003e\"I ain't new, just ain't been round my hometown for a few years.\" Lenny corrects. \"Joined up a bit before Anon there did, back in the day.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh I see. I apologize.\" Elodi says.\n\n\\\u003e\"No worries. Might as well be new wit' how long I been gone. Anyway.\" Lenny looks to the crowd and finds Caesar. \"Ayo, big guy. Come catch these hands.\" He points in Caesar's direction and beckons him forward.\n\n\\\u003e\"What the hell?\" Caesar says. \"Why's everyone wanna fight me recently?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You have a very puncheable face, Caesar!\" you shout.\n\n\\\u003e\"What did you say this time Anon?!\" Caesar shouts back.\n\n\\\u003e\"I didn't say anything, he just doesn't like you!\" you return.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar looks to Lenny, who responds with a shrug and a nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"Goddammit.\" Caesar huffs as he makes his way into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay then. What do you two have to say?\" Elodi asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"If you don't wanna fight, it's cool.\" Lenny says. \"I'm sure I can get ya a ball of yarn to bat around instead.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Whatever you overgrown gecko, don't you have some muck to bathe in or something?\" Caesar returns.\n\n\\\u003e\"Aww c'mon man, at least try. Someone must notta got his bowl 'a milk this mornin'.\" Lenny counters, with a chuckle.\n\n\\\u003e\"All that swimming in swamps, sounds like you got a frog stuck in your throat.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ya know, this may not be the best matchup. I'm sure there's a mouse around that's more your speed, yeah?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey, is your tail gonna grow back when I tear it off?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, that's plenty said.\" Elodi interjects. \"Now. Are you ready?\" she says, looking to Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eHe shrugs, but brings his hands up and nods.\n\n\\\u003eShe repeats the question to Lenny who manages to pop the joints in his fingers by tensing them into a fist, then brings his hands up and nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let's. Fight!\" Elodi kicks off the match.\n\n\\\u003eAnd Lenny begins to lumber forward.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar marches forward to meet him in the middle.\n\n\\\u003eThey both reel back for a big opening strike, but Lenny's comes out faster than Caesar's, and hits him so hard he has to backpedal to keep his balance.\n\n\\\u003eHe already looks stunned, but he shakes his head a bit and moves back in.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar swings for Lenny's jaw, but Lenny simply lifts his head and avoids the swings then counters with a jab to Caesar's face.\n\n\\\u003eThen Lenny starts swinging both his arms in two piece attacks.\n\n\\\u003eA right hook, then he'll throw his arm in reverse and do a backhanded swing into a left hook, then another backhanded swing into a right hook.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a very repetitive motion that he continues to repeat. Caesar attempts to block, but it looks like Lenny is swinging with two tons of concrete in his fists, so each hit damn near breaks Caesar's guard and opens him up for the followup strike.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar attempts to dodge, but if he dodges the first strike, he can't avoid the second in time. And if he blocks the first to try and dodge the second, it knocks him too far off balance to properly dodge, so he'll get slugged.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar's been effectively put on the defensive, but his defense is faltering.\n\n\\\u003eThen when it looks like Caesar had no chance of coming back, the onslaught stops.\n\n\\\u003eLenny pauses, looks at Caesar, and tilts his chin outward and upward.\n\n\\\u003eHe's giving Caesar a free hit.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar takes it, and checks Lenny's chin as hard as he can.\n\n\\\u003eLenny gets tossed back. But as he turns himself to look back in Caesar's direction, he's grinning and chuckling.\n\n\\\u003eSo, it may be safe to assume that he has since tempered that glass jaw now.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar looks visibly unsettled, which is understandeable. He's just had to fight monster after monster these past few days.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar throws himself back to get some breathing room, but Lenny pursues.\n\n\\\u003eHe crouches low and throws himself forward, tackling Caesar, then pushing him forward with all his might into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar's a big guy, so it takes the combined effort of several people in the front row and a few people behind them to muster the strength to toss him back in.\n\n\\\u003eBut when they do , Lenny reels back for a big punch. Caear blocks high trying to guard against it, but at the last moment Lenny pulls his arm lower and slams Caesar in the gut.\n\n\\\u003eCaear huddles over and heaves like he's about to cough up a hairball.\n\n\\\u003eThen Lenny leans back and places his left hand on Caesar's shoulder, before he taps his right fist to his chest and holds it skyward like a prized weapon.\n\n\\\u003eThen he opens his hand and bends his fingers like he's about to claw Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eThat gets a reaction out of you. He better not, Lenny knows better.\n\n\\\u003eBut then he throws his open palm into Caesar's face and forces Caesar to the ground on his back.\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't quite sure what he's doing, but judging by Caesar's kicking and struggling as he attempts to pry the hand loose, he's probably putting the squeeze on his temples.\n\n\\\u003eWhich after a few moments, the struggling slowly fades until Caesar goes limp.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar's flailing stops and he lays there, unmoving.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't believe Caesar just fucking died.\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes up, and manages to turn his head enough to check on him, and she even looks worried for a moment..\n\n\\\u003eBut after checking him and confirming that he's just in an unconscious state, she looks relieved.\n\n\\\u003e\"He is very done.\" she confirms. \"The winner is, um.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Lenny Lagrange.\" he answers, since he hadn't given her his name earlier.\n\n\\\u003eHe stands and rolls his shoulders and neck as the people cheer and clap.\n\n\\\u003eHe walks back over to you and notices the weird stare you're giving him.\n\n\\\u003e\"What?\"\n\n\\\u003eThe hell did you do to him?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Clawhold.\" he says casually.\n\n\\\u003e\"Clawholds don't normally do that to people!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Does when I do it.\" he shrugs.\n\n\\\u003e\"I told you to have mercy, why'd you have to kill him?\" you say, like you actually witnessed a murder.\n\n\\\u003e\"He ain't dead, you think I never done this before?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head as you peer around Lenny and look to Cleo, who scrunches her face up as she watches a couple of goons carry Caesar to his favorite resting spot, the nurse's station.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns and looks your way, and shakes her head as your eyes meet. All you can offer is a simple shrug.\n\n\\\u003eA few more fights for the day.\n\n\\\u003eBlake gets a win, fueled by the cheers of his new fanbase.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle defends her title again.\n\n\\\u003eThe day's winding down, so if you want to get a fight in, you might have to do it next.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, we should have the time for one more.\" Elodi says.\n\n\\\u003eJust like you thought.\n\n\\\u003eAnd like you usually do, you mentally recount which poor fools are close to getting their three in a row so you can put an end to it.\n\n\\\u003eElodi calls for the day's last challengers, and as you're about to step up, someone beats you to it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Right here.\" they say.\n\n\\\u003eSounded like a girl, and one you aren't too familiar with.\n\n\\\u003eWait. . . Yes you are. You've heard that voice calling your name for several years.\n\n\\\u003eIt can't be.\n\n\\\u003eBut as they make their way through the crowd, and step into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou are. Concerned. Confused.\n\n\\\u003eYour brain actually hurts for a moment as you try to make sense of what you're seeing.\n\n\\\u003eStanding in the middle of the Circle, apparently ready to challenge somebody.\n\n\\\u003eIs Bree Willshire, the doe who used to chat you up every day after school.\n\n\\\u003eYour number one fan, at least until some point in senior year where she practically disappeared.\n\n\\\u003eAt some point she grew her hair out, and it looks like she got herself a few more piercings in her ears and brow.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare. Because that's all you can think to do.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like seeing a ghost. Or maybe, seeing someone you thought was dead, show up at your party as if nothing even happened.\n\n\\\u003eShe grew her hair to cover one of her eyes, but with the one still visible you can tell, she glances in your direction.\n\n\\\u003eYou continue to stare blankly as Elodi once again expresses her joy at a face she has not seen yet.\n\n\\\u003eYou're asking yourself a dozen questions. Like: why is she here? Where has she been? Why is she fighting? Didn't she say she wasn't into going in the Circle, just watching? What the hell happened to her?\n\n\\\u003eAs you formulate all the questions you want to ask her, but currently can't, she's found an opponent.\n\n\\\u003eThis short, stocky badger girl, who you've seen around but can't accurately remember the name of.\n\n\\\u003eWendy, you think, but you could be wrong.\n\n\\\u003eShe was a freshman when you were a senior, so she should be a sophomore now.\n\n\\\u003eShe just started participating in the Circle her sophomore year.\n\n\\\u003eBree takes a small hairband and pins the section of her bangs that cover her eye back, so that she can see with both.\n\n\\\u003eThe way her hair hangs backward almost reminds you of a horn.\n\n\\\u003eYou're pretty sure only female reindeer can grow antlers, and Bree is not one. But the sight of the almost horn attempts to brings a chuckle to you. However the look in her eyes shift.\n\n\\\u003eSo it reminds you less of a reindeer horn and more like a demon horn.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay well. What do you two have to say?\" Elodi asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll be honest, I'm not too good at this part so I don't have much to say, can we just skip it?\" Bree requests.\n\n\\\u003eHer voice doesn't sound like it quite used to. Like a joy she used to have died and left her hollow.\n\n\\\u003e\"Lookin' at you, I bet you're not too good at the fighting part either.\" Wendy goads. \"But alright.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well alright then.\" Elodi accepts. \"Then. Are you ready?\" she says to Wendy, who nods.\n\n\\\u003eShe repeats the question to Bree, who gives one more split second glance in your direction, and then nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let's. Fight\" Elodi says.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you watch intensely, you haven't been this invested in how a fight unfolds in a while.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch as Bree brings her guard up in a very familiar stance.\n\n\\\u003eWendy stalks around the Circle, sizing up Bree, and Bree does the same, keeping her focus right on Wendy.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle catches the intensity in which you watch this fight.\n\n\\\u003e\"You alright?\" she asks, but you're so disconnected that you don't even register that she spoke to you.\n\n\\\u003eWendy rushes forward and throws a swing that goes wide.\n\n\\\u003eBree dodges and counters with a left jab, that she repeats a few times as she sidesteps around Wendy.\n\n\\\u003eThen she lifts her leg and kicks Wendy right in the gut.\n\n\\\u003eWendy bends but doesn't break. She holds onto her wind and swings wildly, but Bree evades it easily, and begins to lay into Wendy with kicks.\n\n\\\u003eVery familiar kicks.\n\n\\\u003eVery kickboxer-esque kicks.\n\n\\\u003eAnd she's landing everything easily. Partly because it looks like she's been practicing for quite a while, but also because Wendy damn near refuses to guard.\n\n\\\u003eShe's attacking like a berserker and getting messed up as a result.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, despite all the hits she's taking, she soldiers on.\n\n\\\u003eShe swings for a haymaker and Bree dodges. As she does though, it looks like she sticks her leg in Wendy's path, tripping her.\n\n\\\u003eWendy doesn't fall at least, but she has to step to catch herself.\n\n\\\u003eAs she turns around to get line of sight on Bree, however, Bree throws her hands up, and around Wendy's neck, locking them together.\n\n\\\u003eIs she about to...? There's no way.\n\n\\\u003eWendy brings her hands up to Bree's, trying to pull them from around her, and Bree reels her leg back.\n\n\\\u003eAnd fires it forward, giving Wendy a swift knee to the gut.\n\n\\\u003eShe is.\n\n\\\u003eBree throws kicks into Wendy's legs, over and over again, then throws knees into her gut.\n\n\\\u003eWendy tries to defend against them, but if she brings her hands down to block her body, Bree will drop half the clinch and throw a few punches to her face, then relock when Wendy brings her hands back up to guard her face.\n\n\\\u003eIn the same style that you like to do to keep your opponent unsteady.\n\n\\\u003eWendy looks like she's getting gassed, you can see her guard failing.\n\n\\\u003eAnd to finish her off, Bree reels Wendy's head down and throws a knee straight up into her face.\n\n\\\u003eThen as Wendy looks like she's about to collapse right there anyway, Bree reels back and hits her with a haymaker.\n\n\\\u003eSame straight punch, same body weight applied, same leg coming off the ground as her fist collides with Wendy's face and turns her lights right out.\n\n\\\u003eYou were shocked before, but now you're dumbstruck.\n\n\\\u003eBree just fought like you.\n\n\\\u003eLike you, right?\n\n\\\u003eWell there's nothing saying it was like you, you like kickboxing, maybe she just learned the style too?\n\n\\\u003eBecause, she was a fan of yours and wanted to fight like you?\n\n\\\u003eWhich once again returns the question of why she is fighting.\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes up to Wendy on the ground, to confirm what everyone could tell.\n\n\\\u003e\"She is done. Our winner here is.\" She brings her hand up to point to Bree and get her to introduce herself.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Uh, Bree. Willshire.\" she answers, as she unpins her hair and lets it curtain the side of her face again.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks in your direction, fully though, not with those little glances she'd been doing.\n\n\\\u003eShe grins, and brings her hands up.\n\n\\\u003eAnd she poses, for a fraction of a second, so short you almost didn't register it.\n\n\\\u003eBut she posed like you would do whenever you won most of your fights.\n\n\\\u003eThen when she stops, she shifted her gaze to your side, and her little grin shifted to a gaze of uncharacteristic animosity.\n\n\\\u003eOnce again, for such a short moment in time that you almost didn't notice it.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, the person to your side here is Mirabelle, planted immovably in her seat.\n\n\\\u003eYou look down, wondering if Mirabelle noticed that glare and what her reaction is, but you find her looking up at you, expression about as confused as you feel right now.\n\n\\\u003eYou share a glance at each other for a moment, before you turn your gaze back to Bree.\n\n\\\u003eAnd find she is no longer in the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou get a jolt of panic, she had better not be gone!\n\n\\\u003eYou have questions to ask, and you're damn sure gonna ask them!\n\n\\\u003eYou try to push your way to the outside of the Circle to hunt her down, only to get accosted by other Circle goers who had their own things to say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bro, she kinda fights like you.\" \"Did you train her?\" \"That was that girl who used to record your fights, yeah? Where's she been?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou don't have answers for them, because you don't have your own answers, so you say nothing.\n\n\\\u003eYou force your way to the outside of the Circle and scan the area.\n\n\\\u003eTo find no doe.\n\n\\\u003eShe can't have gotten away that fast right? Maybe she's biding her time in the Circle, trying to hide from you?\n\n\\\u003eWait, why even would she want to hide from you in the first place?\n\n\\\u003eYou were friends at one point, right? Until she, stopped coming to talk to you like she used to.\n\n\\\u003eYou still aren't sure why that happened, and you once again think that you did or said something to upset her.\n\n\\\u003eYou're deep in your thoughts, until you get a gentle nudge from behind. You turn to see Miabelle, and even Blake, standing there with worried looks.\n\n\\\u003e\"You okay?\" Mirabelle is the first to ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"You didn't look too good when that girl came up to fight.\" Blake follows. \"You know her?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod slowly, as if telling them that you knew Bree was some sort of grave news.\n\n\\\u003eYeah that was Bree.\" you say. \"We. Used to be friends at one point, I guess.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Used to be, huh?\" Blake repeats. \"What'd you do?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Why do you assume I did something?\" you ask. \"Well I mean, I can't confirm that I didn't do anything, she just, stopped hanging out with me randomly, last year. In fact, it was just about a full year ago, now that I think about it.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Exactly one year ago?\" Mirabelle asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a moment to think, and confirm with a nod. \"Yup, last time she spoke to me was, during Jeremy Wheeler's party last year. I don't remember saying anything that would've made her upset with me. Least I don't think I did, so I'm not sure what happened.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well that sucks.\" Blake says with a shrug. \"But, well, maybe you can find out, now that she's apparently decided to come to the Circle. And beat people up using your style.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I wouldn't really call it my style. Just cuz I like kickboxing, doesn't mean other people can't like it too.\" you explain.\n\n\\\u003eBlake shrugs again, and you answer his shrug with one of your own.\n\n\\\u003eHe's right though. Hopefully you will at the very least, get to ask Bree what the hell happened.\n\n\\\u003eTry as you may though, you don't catch any sign of her as people break to leave.\n\n\\\u003eYou scanned the area as best you could, but she blended in to the crowd and faded away like a white robed assassin.\n\n\\\u003eSo you gave up, and figured that you would see her again another day.\n\n\\\u003eYou took the Dunwicks home, and spent the rest of your ride in silence, pondering on when Bree could've got so good at fighting, if she was never into getting into the fights.\n\n\\\u003eLike, you know it's October, and you've heard that spook month makes the goths stronger, but Bree has Punk aesthetic, the same rules don't apply for them. Right?\n\n\\\u003eRegardless, you got home, and decided to share with your friends over your group chat because you felt like this was info to be shared.\n\n\\\u003e\"I just saw Bree Willshire in the Circle after a year of being MIA.\" you send.\n\n\\\u003eVerne is the first to respond, with a meme of a horribly weathered being smoking a cigarette with the caption \"haven't heard that name in years\".\n\n\\\u003eThen he adds, \"She finally came back to watch more of your fights huh?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No, she was in the Circle. Like she fought.\" you clarify.\n\n\\\u003eVerne once again sends another meme, this time that wiggly Vault Boi saying \"hold up\".\n\n\\\u003e\"Since when does Bree fight?\" Verne asks.\n\n\\\u003eLewis shows up and voices his concern as well. \"That, right there. Since when was Bree a fighter?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I dunno.\" you say. \"She showed up today, punched some girl's lights out, and disappeared into the crowd.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Show's up, beats someone down, refuses to elaborate, leaves.\" Lewis concisely chronicles Bree's events. \"What a flex.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Here's the real kicker.\" you add. \"She kinda fought like me, even used a clinch and everything.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well I can see that.\" Verne says. \"She was a big fan of yours, you should be glad. Mimicry is flatery and all that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah sure.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well keep us up to date on that.\" Lewis says. \"Kinda curious now to know how that's going to turn out.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Will do.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eShame Mikael didn't pop in to say Mikael things and give his input, but he's probably doing military things and can't get to his phone or whatever.\n\n\\\u003eToo bad.\n\n\\\u003eWell, nothing to do but see how this continues to play out. Maybe she'll be back tomorrow.\n\n\\\u003eYou drove a little faster than normal today on your way to the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eIt's not like you expected to see Bree before anyone else had shown up, but a sense of urgency sped you forward today.\n\n\\\u003eYou kept your eyes peeled for any sign of her in the crowd while the matches went on, but of course that was a pointless task.\n\n\\\u003eYou hadn't thrown your lot in to fight today because you were so focused on trying to find her.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, when Elodi calls for the last round of the day, that doe makes herself known and steps up to fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare intesnely, like you're trying to read her very thoughts. But if she notices that you're trying to bore holes into her skull, she hides it very well, casting no glances in your direction.\n\n\\\u003eA moment passes as everyone waits for an opponent to challenge Bree, but as no one jumps at it this time, Elodi gets ready to choose someone.\n\n\\\u003eUntil Cleo slides herself to the front.\n\n\\\u003eWell, this should be good, seeing how Bree does having to fight against a larger opponent.\n\n\\\u003eOnce again Bree opts to skip the smack talk segment, so Cleo does a few quick leg stretches to warm up and gets into her fighting stance.\n\n\\\u003eOnce they're both sufficiently prepared, Elodi asks if they're ready to which they nod, and calls for the fight to start.\n\n\\\u003eAnd Bree is the one to start off, stepping up to Cleo.\n\n\\\u003eCleo waits for a moment and throws out a kick once Bree gets into range, but Bree ducks completely under it then fires upward with a punch into Cleo's side.\n\n\\\u003eCleo tries to bring her leg back and roundhouse, but Bree blocks it with both arms, then pushes forward and tags Cleo in her side again.\n\n\\\u003eCleo tries to set herself right but Bree steps in and throws a kick into her shins, which causes Cleo to set her leg down to avoid toppling over.\n\n\\\u003eBree throws more kicks to soften Cleo's legs and probably lessen the effectiveness of her attacks.\n\n\\\u003eOr maybe it's just an easier target because of their difference in height.\n\n\\\u003eCleo kicks, Bree defends and counters surprisingly well.\n\n\\\u003eCleo looks like she's having trouble staying on her feet. Her knees buckle and she bends down to steady herself.\n\n\\\u003eBree moves in to get a clean hit on her face. But Cleo turns the tables, by taking her hands out of her jacket and punching Bree right in the cheek.\n\n\\\u003eIt was a surprisingly hard surprise hit, Bree falls onto her back, but she scrambles back up to a standing position.\n\n\\\u003eHowever Cleo pursues and soccer ball kicks Bree and sends her rolling farther toward the edge of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks like she's about to kick her again, but Bree rolls on the ground toward Cleo, meeting her before Cleo could throw out her kick.\n\n\\\u003eCleo stumbles over Bree and ends up barreling into the Circle. She writhes against the ravenous mass holding her hostage, but they refuse to yield.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, Bree doesn't capitalise on their hold, and instead raises herself to a knee.\n\n\\\u003eOnce the mob concludes that Bree isn't going to get her free licks in, they release Cleo, who goes stumbling backward from the group toward Bree.\n\n\\\u003eYou expected Bree to use Cleo's momentum against her somehow, but she ends up crouching lower to the ground, letting Cleo stumble over her and onto the ground.\n\n\\\u003eThat's when Bree seems to use this moment to her advantage. She rushes toward Cleo, who turns over toward her stomach to push herself up off the ground.\n\n\\\u003eBut Bree comes over and quickly yet decisively, plants her foot on Cleo's back.\n\n\\\u003eShe brings her hands up, bends her knees, then springboards herself off of Cleo's back.\n\n\\\u003eShe twists backward in the air and her knees continue to bend\u0026nbsp; until she descends. Ands drives her knees directly into Cleo's unguarded back.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd groans in mock pain as Cleo exclaims in real pain, but you strangely can't seem to register any of those sounds.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare dumbfounded at the thing you just witnessed happen.\n\n\\\u003eBree just used your King's Guillotine.\n\n\\\u003e... So that's what it looks like from a viewer's perspective.\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes to check on Cleo, but Cleo can't even seem to get the words out, writhing in pain as she is.\n\n\\\u003eUntil she eventually rolls onto her side, lets out a long, drawn out \"Fuck\", then limply collapses.\n\n\\\u003eElodi proclaims Bree the winner of the match and a few people help haul Cleo to the tent.\n\n\\\u003eYou can tell a couple of others are glancing intensely between you and Bree, but you can't even see them with all the question mark pings flooding your immediate eyesight.\n\n\\\u003eThat was your move, there's no coincidence about that!\n\n\\\u003eThat just confirms it, Bree really is fighting like you.\n\n\\\u003eYou manage to bring yourself back to clarity long enough to remember your initial idea of questioning her.\n\n\\\u003eBut of course, she's gone again.\n\n\\\u003e\"Goddamit.\" you mutter to yourself.\n\n\\\u003eWhat the hell is the deal with her showing up, beating someone up with your moves, and then hitting the peace sign disappear?\n\n\\\u003eNope, not again. That was the last fight of the day, so the Circle should be disbanding any second now.\n\n\\\u003eYou take off toward the outside of it and scan the vicinity.\n\n\\\u003eNo Bree yet, but you won't let her get away this time.\n\n\\\u003eSo you glare like a hitman hunting for his target among the many bodies making their way home.\n\n\\\u003eBut Blake and Mirabelle come up to you, slightly distracting you from your hunt.\n\n\\\u003e\"Did that doe lady do the fancy move that Pete made up with you?\" Blake asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes.\" you say simply.\n\n\\\u003e\"Did you, teach her that? Or something?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No.\" you reply again.\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh. Well. She must really like you.\" he says with a grin.\n\n\\\u003eThat breaks you out of your death gaze.\n\n\\\u003e\"What?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe shrugs. \"Yeah. I mean, I got my moves from a character I like. Our dad did the same thing. And you said your dad did too as well, right? So she must really like the way you fight to want to emulate it. People emulate their icons pretty often.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh.\" you say as you run your hands through your hair. \"I mean I guess. I never thought my fighting style was that iconic.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"If you were Champ for several years I think that's as good enough a reason to copy you.\" He punches your arm playfully.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah but Mira here beat me, if anything people should be copying her.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"All I do is dropkick, Anon. There really isn't much to copy with me.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eAs you're having this conversation, it occurs to you that your focus has been thoroughly spoiled, and as you look around, you see most of the crowd has dispersed and Bree is nowhere to be found.\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head and turn to leave, before you catch Cleo coming out of the tent, hunched over and hobbling like an old lady.\n\n\\\u003e\"You gonna be okay, Cleo?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003eShe waves your concerns away. \"Yeah, I'll be fine. Didn't expect that little doe to be so good. Or so heavy. They sure do build 'em tough in Towngrove, huh?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. Apparently.\" you say, once again surprised at how skilled Bree turned out to be.\n\n\\\u003eYou bid your farewells to Cleo, noticing her walking to and receiving help from a certain rival of yours, you then take the Dunwicks home.\n\n\\\u003eYou'd be fretting over what Bree's got planned, but you can't presume to know her mind, so you opt to not bother with thinking about things with no current answer.\n\n\\\u003eThough you do have one idea as to what she's doing, though you don't quite know why.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eWell. Perhaps tomorrow will bring some clarity.\n\n\\\u003eAnd tomorrow is now today.\n\n\\\u003eOnce again you are waiting for Bree Willshire to mosey on in.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, you will not be allowing her to escape this time.\n\n\\\u003eYou've purposely held off on having your own match today for that reason.\n\n\\\u003eIt's not what you would have initially chose to do, but if she shows up today, you're going to challenge her.\n\n\\\u003eCan't run away from you if you're the one to fight her.\n\n\\\u003eYou'll get your answers one way or another.\n\n\\\u003eBesides. She's at two wins. And the King of Ruin you still are, so the streak you must end.\n\n\\\u003eAnd of course, to bring up the last match, Bree comes forward when Elodi calls for the final combatants.\n\n\\\u003eYou already find yourself drifting forward, ready to enter the Circle and oppose the tiny doe.\n\n\\\u003eAnd she seems to notice your approach, because she twitches and betrays a hint of panic in her uncovered eye.\n\n\\\u003eHowever. Before you can commit to being her opponent, something latches onto your shirt and keeps you from continuing forward.\n\n\\\u003eYou pause and look back to find Mirabelle is the one holding onto your shirt.\n\n\\\u003eShe stares at you wordlessly, but the gaze emanating from those azure lights makes her intentions fully known.\n\n\\\u003eShe wants to see if Bree will win this next fight. Because if she does, she'll have the three wins needed to challenge the Champ.\n\n\\\u003eAnd Mirabelle wants to fight Bree, it seems.\n\n\\\u003eYou want to counter her gaze. If she can't beat you, she can't beat Mirabelle, so that would be a pointless endeavor.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eBut you relent and step back, folding your arms and shrugging to noone in particular.\n\n\\\u003eYou do catch what looks like a sigh of relief from Bree, but she quickly rights herself and goes back to avoiding your direction.\n\n\\\u003eSince you've been denied your master plan, you glance around the crowd to see if anyone else is going to take your place.\n\n\\\u003eYou come eye to eye with Blake, witnessing your call to action being denied.\n\n\\\u003eHe gives you a big ol' grin, like he's ready to laugh at you for being told by his sister that you can't fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou side eye him menacingly, and he cuts it out.\n\n\\\u003eBlake already had his fight for the day, but you're sure he would've tried to take your place just to mock you.\n\n\\\u003eLikely Mirabelle would hold him back too though.\n\n\\\u003eBlake's well on his way to becoming like, the Prince of Ruin or something, so it probably wouldn't be the fairest matchup. Just like fighting against you.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn your attention to the Circle to see Freddy making his way in.\n\n\\\u003eFreddy, the dude you fought before you graduated. Who went berserk and almost slugged you into the middle of the next week.\n\n\\\u003eLet's hope he's got that in check now.\n\n\\\u003eFreddy cracks his knuckles and his neck, then nods to Elodi.\n\n\\\u003eOnce Elodi confirms that they're both ready, she signals the fight to start.\n\n\\\u003eAnd Bree is right out of the gate, throwing consecutive blows against Freddy in an attempt to gain the upper hand.\n\n\\\u003eFreddy defends decently well though, but can't currently land any counter offensive.\n\n\\\u003eShe fights just like you, so if Freddy has been paying attention to your fights and knows your moves, he knows Bree's moves too.\n\n\\\u003eAnd she doesn't seem to be the type to be able to adapt and psych people out like you do.\n\n\\\u003eSo all he has to do is find his opening and counter.\n\n\\\u003eBree seems to be aiming purely for body shots though.\n\n\\\u003eWhich means she was probably there for that fight where you bloodied his nose and sent him on a rampage, and so she's trying to avoid that situation.\n\n\\\u003eWhich makes you think. If she was there to see that, how long has she really still been coming without you noticing?\n\n\\\u003eAnd why did she choose now to finally step in?\n\n\\\u003eMaybe she never joined herself because when you were the Champ she didn't think she'd have a chance?\n\n\\\u003eBut by that logic, she might have less of a chance now that Mirabelle holds the spot.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe she's getting ready to go off to college, same as you, and she just wanted to try her hand at actually fighting before she left?\n\n\\\u003eThat could make sense, always a spectator and never a participant might leave some regrets behind.\n\n\\\u003eBut that still doesn't explain her avoiding you.\n\n\\\u003eSo once again, you have no answers to your questions, and the only way you'll get them is by asking the woman herself. Which is as difficult as winning the lottery right now.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you bring yourself back to reality and focus on the match, you find Bree's got Freddy in a difficult postition.\n\n\\\u003eSpecifically, she's got him in a clinch, and is firing knees into his stomach.\n\n\\\u003eBut Freddy's more of a powerhouse than his stocky nature reveals, so he manages to push his arms out and force Bree to release her grip on him.\n\n\\\u003eHe steps back to get some breathing room, but at the very last moment, Bree shoots her leg out and sweeps Freddy's ankle.\n\n\\\u003eSo he trips and falls backward.\n\n\\\u003eAnd no sooner has his back touched down, than Bree is launching herself forward, with a short hop and her elbow extended.\n\n\\\u003eThe combination of Freddy hitting the ground and Bree hitting him with a well executed elbow drop, knocks the wind out of his sails, tears down the sails, and capsizes his boat, all at once.\n\n\\\u003eLike seriously, that elbow drop was stunning, you're impressed.\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes to check on Freddy, but he manages to give her the signal stating he's done.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree is the winner.\" Elodi tells the crowd, and Bree gets her own slew of fans cheering for her victory.\n\n\\\u003eShe seems to soak it in for a moment, until she turns in your direction.\n\n\\\u003eBut. She's not looking at you, not this time.\n\n\\\u003eHer gaze is hard and focused at your side.\n\n\\\u003eGlaring one thousand degree daggers into Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eYou check Mirabelle's reaction.\n\n\\\u003eAnd see a big grin of anticipation etched across her face.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance between Mirabelle and Bree as they stare each other down in wordless conflict\u0026nbsp; for a while, then Bree exits stage left and takes off into the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eThat was, quite the intense look coming from Bree.\n\n\\\u003eShe went right passed praying to a god of war for assistance and jumped into summoning a demon of hatred to invade her body.\n\n\\\u003eHowever Mirabelle either missed the tone of that glare, or just doesn't care. She's all smiles and hype right now.\n\n\\\u003eOf course she is, interesting opponents excite her, same as you.\n\n\\\u003eWell, it's clear that there's going to be a fight for the Champ spot very soon.\n\n\\\u003eYou just hope Mirabelle doesn't beat on Bree too badly.\n\n\\\u003eShe may fight like you, but she's half your size, she may not be able to take one of those doom dropkicks and come out whole, like you would.\n\n\\\u003eAfter you take the Dunwicks home, you decide to send a quick message to your friends to keep them up to date with the situation.\n\n\\\u003e\"So. Bree won three matches in a row back to back. Probably gonna go for the Champ fight soon. Let y'all know how that goes.\"\n\n\\\u003eMikael messages back this time, although he only replies with a single pogchamp emoji and nothing else.\n\n\\\u003eNothing from Verne or Lewis though, so maybe they're busy.\n\n\\\u003eTime to finally find out what the deal is.\n\n\\\u003eOr so you thought, but Bree didn't show up at all on Thursday.\n\n\\\u003eAfter all the buildup too.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle waited and waited and was visibly upset when Bree didn't come to challenge her.\n\n\\\u003eYou were a little let down too, you really thought that was the direction this was going.\n\n\\\u003eBut the Circle proceeded as it does normally. A few fights here, a few fights there.\n\n\\\u003eNothing for Mirabelle though.\n\n\\\u003eA surprisingly uneventful day came and went.\n\n\\\u003eSo now it's Friday, and you're ready to work out some more of the pent up aggression you accumulated from several days worth of missing out on fights.\n\n\\\u003eAnd who else but a prime specimen, the hulking bayou behemoth, Lenny, returns to hopefully be the one to sate your bloodlust.\n\n\\\u003e\"Look who's back.\" you say as he saunters his way up to the front.\n\n\\\u003e\"You know how it is. Had to come see if there were any prime pickin's today.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at him.\n\n\\\u003eHe glances down at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm right here!\" you shout, throwing your arms wide open.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, you are.\" he comments casually.\n\n\\\u003e\"Fight me, Lenny!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Chill Anon.\" he says, patting your shoulder with unnecessary force. \"We'll get to that eventually. Gotta have my appetizers fore I fill up on the main course.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou roll your eyes and turn your attention to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe is bouncing her leg in unrestrained anticipation, likely hoping that Bree shows up today.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't see what's got her so riled up. Bree is copying you, she's just a smaller copy.\n\n\\\u003eBut Mirabelle likes fighting you, so maybe having a different form of you to fight is an interesting bout to her?\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, Elodi comes forward and gives her normal introductions, still no current loss of pep and cheer.\n\n\\\u003eElodi calls for combatants to step forward.\n\n\\\u003eAnd for the first time in who knows how long, no one steps up for a while.\n\n\\\u003eThere's an odd tension, like everyone is waiting for someone else to move first.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Lenny, who seems to be scanning the crowd for worthy adversaries.\n\n\\\u003eBlake is jamming to his music, likely trying to hype himself up.\n\n\\\u003eCircle's kind of lackluster today.\n\n\\\u003eAh well, let it fall to you to get people's blood boiling.\n\n\\\u003eNow who would be a good fit?\n\n\\\u003eYou get ready to step up.\n\n\\\u003eBut someone else beats you to it.\n\n\\\u003eThere she is.\n\n\\\u003eBree Willshire.\n\n\\\u003eHer gaze is hard and fierce. Her body tense and determined.\n\n\\\u003eShe's. Actually wearing the flannel shirt that she usually keeps tied around her waist.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eShe's got a jacket on of course, these being the cold months, but that's a detail you notice immediately.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't say a word.\n\n\\\u003eBut she stares straight at Mirabelle and beckons her forward with a nod of her head.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle can't jump up fast enough as she practically throws herself into the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the already dead Circle falls away to a dead silence.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone seems to have gained a collective understanding of the intensity in this moment.\n\n\\\u003e\"W-well.\" Elodi stammers. \"It uh, seems ourt first match of the day is a fight against the Champ! This is sure to be exciting.\"\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle is practically bouncing.\n\n\\\u003e\"Still uh, nothing to say?\" Elodi asks Bree. Bree responds with a slow shake of her head, gaze never leaving Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, she whispers something. You can't really catch the whole of it, but you do hear the tail end of it and what sounds like \"-take what's mine.\"\n\n\\\u003eWhat's that supposed to mean?\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle seems to catch it too, by the slight tilt of her head. But she shakes it away.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Are you alright with that, Mirabelle?\" Elodi asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Perfectly fine with me.\" Mirabelle responds.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay then. If you're both ready.\"\n\n\\\u003eThey both give nods of assent.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let's. Fight!\"\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-drnt1AKRfw\n\n\\\u003eThey both lunge at each other in an effort to get the first strike, and end up trading blows to the face.\n\n\\\u003eWhich surprises you, because they both moved so fast you almost didn't catch it.\n\n\\\u003eThat's normal for Mirabelle, but you didn't expect Bree to be that quick too.\n\n\\\u003eThey both recover from their trade, but Mirabelle is first to engage with her offensive.\n\n\\\u003eShe throws speedy punches and swift kicks, yet Bree is just as quick to defend and throws out her own counter swings to which Mirabelle defends.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle seems to be a lot more aggressive in her approach than normal.\n\n\\\u003eWhich could just be a facet of her having an opponent that's closer to her size than most others, so she doesn't have to play as defensively as she would against them.\n\n\\\u003eBut Mirabelle is fast. Deers tend to be a particularly speedy type too, but you're surprised at how well Bree is keeping up with Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eOr is she keeping up?\n\n\\\u003eOnce you look a bit closer, you can kind of see that it's less like she's reacting to Mirabelle's movements, but more like she's anticipating certain movements and moving accordingly.\n\n\\\u003eAs they rotate around the Circle, you catch a glimpse of Bree's eye, darting up and down Mirabelle's person rapidly, like the tiny scanners of a machine analyzing the item before it.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then she'll inch toward a certain direction and commit to her dodge or block once she can confirm the attack coming.\n\n\\\u003eAlmost as if she's studied Mirabelle's movements, inch by inch and can predict what she's about to do and deal with it appropriately.\n\n\\\u003eBlows and blocks are coming out from the both of them, yet the only clean shots landed were the ones at the immediate start.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like watching those movies where the opponents are evenly matched.\n\n\\\u003e. . . Evenly matched? Bree and Mirabelle?\n\n\\\u003eThat can't be it.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe Mirabelle's just toying around, having fun for now.\n\n\\\u003eIt doesn't seem like she's struggling, so it can't be an even fight already.\n\n\\\u003eTwo simultaneous right hooks and they both tag each other in the cheek.\n\n\\\u003eBree throws out a mid kick but Mirabelle grabs her leg and pulls her to the ground.\n\n\\\u003eShe approaches but Bree recovers and tries a leg sweep.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle jumps over it and kicks her leg out and down as she descends for a jumping axe kick, which catches Bree in the shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eBree drops to her hands and knees. But then lashes forward and tries to tackle Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe sidesteps it and Bree goes charging away, yet not into the danger zone of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eShe does however, use that gap in distance to right herself and shake off the pain.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle's gaining the advantage though. She decides to push and rushes Bree down to engage again.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle runs forward and plants her feet on the ground, drifting along the floor, before throwing a strong punch with her added forward momentum that catches Bree unaware.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle continues to throw punch after punch and sprinkle in a kick or two.\n\n\\\u003eBree dodges and defends, but Mirabelle seems to be catching her right at the edges of her dodge and making contact, or just barely finding some gaps in Bree's defense.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle throws two more punches to the midsection, then lifts her leg high and throws a kick into the side of Bree's head, rattling her skull.\n\n\\\u003eBree backpedals for a few steps. And Mirabelle crouches down like she's ready to end this with her signature.\n\n\\\u003eBut Bree pauses. Recovers her balance and all at once throws herself forward with sudden force.\n\n\\\u003eIt catches Mirabelle off guard, but she still brings her arms up to defend.\n\n\\\u003eBree throws her hands around Mirabelle though and brings her into a clinch.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, Mirabelle catches this and folds herself up into that full block move that she did during your first fight when you tried the clinch.\n\n\\\u003eYet Bree doesn't do anything for a moment, just stands there.\n\n\\\u003eThen inches her head forard and. Whispers something to Mirabelle?\n\n\\\u003eYou can't hear her say anything from this distance and especially not over the roar of the crowd, but Mirabelle's back is toward you, which means Bree is facing your direction.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you could definitely at the very least, see her mouth moving, forming words.\n\n\\\u003eAnd whatever it is she said, it gets Mirabelle's attention. Her ears launch up against their pinned back position, and her full block stance falters a bit.\n\n\\\u003eAnd when Bree sees this, some primordial demonic fire bursts to life in the piercing amethysts that are her eyes.\n\n\\\u003eBree pulls her leg back terrifyingly far, and throws her knee into the unguarded stomach of Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eWith malicious intent.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle shrivels as it connects, But Bree does not relent.\n\n\\\u003eShe reels back and fires, again and again.\n\n\\\u003eThe ferocity reminds of you of something.\n\n\\\u003eYeah, it reminds of you of what you did to Marty. The desire to cave his grimey skull clear in, just because you really don't fucking like him.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch in a mix of horror and anger.\n\n\\\u003eThis is unfair. She said something to Mirabelle during the fight to get this advantage, that's gotta be cheating. Right?\n\n\\\u003eWell, there's no clear rule that says you can't say anything during fights. But smack talk is usally reserved for the beginning and Bree hasn't had anything to say.\n\n\\\u003eSo was it smack talk? You don't know, but you do know that Mirabelle is currently getting her stomach bludgeoned because of whatever was said.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle's knees are shaking, she looks ready to collapse right there.\n\n\\\u003eIs there anything you can do?\n\n\\\u003eYou take a deep breath. And shout her name.\n\n\\\u003eAnd as you do, she seems to stand a little taller.\n\n\\\u003eSo maybe that put a little fight back into her.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately, it sets the fire in Bree's eyes to a raging inferno.\n\n\\\u003eBree releases her clinch on Mirabelle, and lightly pushes her backward, using the same foot hooking motion that she used on Freddy.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, she didn't push Mirabelle hard enough to make her hit the ground, just lose her balance.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle stumbles a slight bit, but regains her footing and shakily stands on her feet.\n\n\\\u003eBut. It might have been a saving grace had she not.\n\n\\\u003eBecause as you look at Mirabelle with pride as she stays standing, you glance over to Bree to see her, reeling back.\n\n\\\u003eLeaning backward with her leg raised, right fist tucked into her left hand.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then she jets forward, with unnatural speed, and decks Mirabelle dead center in the chest with your inherited Mountain Buster.\n\n\\\u003eThe force of that punch was unholy, and the sound made when it connected was like smashing a full sandbag with a cinderblock.\n\n\\\u003eIt sends Mirabelle off her feet and skidding on the ground, almost right at your feet.\n\n\\\u003eYou recoil in horror, as if you had to watch behind glass as she was run over by a train.\n\n\\\u003eShe twists and writhes on the ground before you, unable to even eke out cries of pain.\n\n\\\u003eShe clutches her chest in agony.\n\n\\\u003eYou instinctually move to place your hands on her, but stop.\n\n\\\u003eSlapping the fighters around is fair game, but any deliberate assistance of a fighter will get them disqualified.\n\n\\\u003eAlthough. Looking at her squirm on the floor, you're almost sure you know what the verdict will be.\n\n\\\u003eYou look up and around, to see everyone in the crowd staring in shock.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Elodi, hand over her mouth and holding herself like she also just witnessed murder.\n\n\\\u003eYou whisper Elodi's name twice. Then whistle sharply when she doesn't notice.\n\n\\\u003eThe whistle catches her attention though and she carefully walks over to Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mirabelle? Are you done?\" Elodi asks, gently tapping her back.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle says nothing, just now regaining the ability to receive precious oxygen.\n\n\\\u003e\"Are you done, Mirabelle?\" Elodi asks again.\n\n\\\u003eMore writhing, more clutching at her chest. Still no words.\n\n\\\u003e\"If you can't confirm that you will continue, I have to assume that you cannot, and therefore call the match.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd still, not a word is said.\n\n\\\u003eSo Elodi does, what she has to do.\n\n\\\u003eElodi turns and addresses the crowd. \"Mirabelle cannot continue to fight, so I have to conclude that she is done. Everyone, your winner and new Champion of the Circle. Is Bree Willshire.\"\n\n\\\u003eThen she turns to you, and says. \"Now take her to the infirmary.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd you need no other instruction.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance quickly at Blake, as you bend down to gently scoop up Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks like he's halfway between crying and passing out at what he witnessed.\n\n\\\u003eYou gently take Mirabelle in your arms in a bridal carry and carefully but expediently carry her straight through the Circle over to the nurse's station.\n\n\\\u003eAs you do, you pass by Bree, who begins walking passed you to where you just were.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle opens up to let you through, and as you pass, you cast your gaze back one more time, to see Bree turning around, and slowly planting herself , in the Champ's Seat.\n\n\\\u003eWatching your retreat the entire time.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eWhat. The fuck. Just happened?\n\n\\\u003eWell for now, focus.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring Mirabelle into the nurse's station and set her gently on the cot.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, well this doesn't look good.\" Grace, the tiny fox says as she notices you come in. \"What happened?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"She got punched really hard dead center in the chest. Like. Really hard.\" you explain. \"Can you, make sure she's alright and everything?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Don't worry, that's why we're here.\" Hannah, the well endowed cow answers.\n\n\\\u003eThey come over to Mirabelle, and grab a few medical tools.\n\n\\\u003eThey reach over to inspect Mirabelle. And stop, pivoting to see you watching them intensely.\n\n\\\u003e\"Go on, get out.\" Grace says, shooing you. \"Give the girl some privacy.\"\n\n\\\u003e\". . . I mean. It's not like I haven't seen-\" you start, but your inner gentleman forces you to silence yourself for the sake of decency.\n\n\\\u003eSo you throw your hands up and retreat out of the tent, to which they close the flaps behind you.\n\n\\\u003eGuess you have to wait for a while to make sure she's alright.\n\n\\\u003eWhich means this is the perfect time to get some goddamn answers.\n\n\\\u003eAs is customary with the Circle, the crowd has begun christening their new Champion with a minor festival of sorts.\n\n\\\u003eCheering, music and a mosh pit of bodies crowded around.\n\n\\\u003eGuess there won't be any more fights for the day.\n\n\\\u003eYou force your way through, and head straight for Bree.\n\n\\\u003eShe sees you approach and puts on her best smile. The same smile she would have whenever she would chat with you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\" she says as you approach.\n\n\\\u003eShe says it so casually, like nothing's changed. Like she's still been doing it all this time, and the year she's been gone was more like just a few days of her being absent.\n\n\\\u003eTo be honest, the line sounds so natural in your ears that it almost disarms you. But you deny that comfortable feeling.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh so we're on speaking terms again, are we?\" you ask pointedly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm? Why do you say that?\" she asks innocently.\n\n\\\u003e\"Considering the fact that we haven't talked in a year. I thought something bad happened to you, or you were mad at me or something.\" you explain.\n\n\\\u003eShe glances away for a second, and under her breath mutters \"I kind of am.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nothing, don't worry about it.\" she says, returning to her same joyful self that she's always been. \"I needed to take some time to myself. To think about some things, and get my mind right. If it makes you feel better, i haven't talked much with Rocky either and she's my best friend.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at her blankly. For a good long time.\n\n\\\u003e\"I have so many questions for you.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"And I would be glad to answer them.\" she responds. \"Later though. I am a bit tired after all of that, you know.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah sure.\" you roll your eyes. \"You're just gonna take off and disappear again.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I won't. That was all just, me trying to keep my intentions a secret. Or something of the sort. I wanted to surprise you. And I think I did. But I promise, I'll gladly answer your questions.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou fold your arms, unconvinced.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hold on, I have an idea. I already know the first thing I want to use my brand new Champion's Right for.\" she says as she takes out her phone. \"Anon. I'd like your phone number.\"\n\n\\\u003e. . . That's a strange request. Using her Right for that of all things.\n\n\\\u003eBut well, you can't really refuse(well you could but that's dishonorable), so in accordance with the Right, you give her your phone number.\n\n\\\u003eAfter she saves it in her phone, she stares at it. Silently, unmoving. Before she whispers \"I've wanted this for a long time.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What?\" you say, tilting your head to the side.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nothing! Don't mind me.\" she says in a panic, remembering that you're satanding right in front of her. \"I'll text you. I promise.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Right.\" you say. Then you turn to walk away.\n\n\\\u003eGotta go find Blake, who is no longer standing in this area.\n\n\\\u003eAs you walk away, Bree shouts at you, \"Hey Anon! I just became Champion of the Circle. Aren't you gonna congratulate me?\"\n\n\\\u003eGood sportsmanship is important. Remember that.\n\n\\\u003eSo you turn around and walk back up to her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Congratulations Bree.\" you say, and reach your hand out.\n\n\\\u003eShe takes it in her own and shakes your hand, smiling warmly at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou never would've guessed that she had a fire to rival the sun beaming out of her eyes just a few moments ago.\n\n\\\u003eShe holds your hand, and you slide it up and backward until she has no choice but to let go.\n\n\\\u003eThen you exit the Circle to find Blake.\n\n\\\u003eOn your look around you find Cleo, who asks if Mirabelle is alright.\n\n\\\u003eYou tell her that she's being checked on right now and you'll let her know when you know.\n\n\\\u003eYou find Blake at your car, staring up at a mass of clouds.\n\n\\\u003eHe no longer looks ready to cry or faint, but he does look worried.\n\n\\\u003eYou tell him the same thing you told Cleo, and he nods silently.\n\n\\\u003eSo you stand together and wait in silence for a good few minutes.\n\n\\\u003eThen you decide to make your way back to the tent.\n\n\\\u003eThis should be long enough of a wait, right?\n\n\\\u003eYou walk back up, and shake the tent flaps.\n\n\\\u003e\"Everything good in here?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003eThey undo the flaps to let you in.\n\n\\\u003e\"She alright?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003eHannah looks at you.\n\n\\\u003eHer stare is almost grave.\n\n\\\u003e\"She has a minor contusion.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eFear strikes you immediately.\n\n\\\u003e\"A what?!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"She has a bruise.\" Grace clarifies.\n\n\\\u003eYou relax immediately. \"Oh. Why didn't you just say that?!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Because I'm a nurse and I want to use medical terrms!\" Hannah counters.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well don't use 'em for people that don't know 'em!\" you counter back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway.\" Grace interjects. \"She'll be okay. She just needs the normal bruise related treatment. Ice and rest. Maybe a few painkillers.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"But of course.\" Hannah says, looking between you and Mirabelle. \"No fighting until that's all healed. At least two weeks or longer as needed, just to make completely sure. Wouldn't want to make it worse or anything.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Honestly, I'm surprised it isn't worse.\" Grace says as she sits in her chair and folds her arms. \"Looks like she was hit with a decent amount of force, and considering Mirabelle's size and normal rabbit physiology, it could've done some real damage. Good thing you're such a tough one, Mirabelle.\"\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle doesn't reply.\n\n\\\u003eBut Grace is right. Bree hit her with your Mountain Buster, which is one of your tricks for beating opponents that are bigger than you.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eSo if Bree has still been watching, she would know that.\n\n\\\u003eAnd yet she deliberately used it on an opponent within her similar weight class.\n\n\\\u003eOnce again you think there was something malicious in that.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway.\" Hannah says, breaking you from your mental deductions. \"Get her home quick, so she can rest up, alright.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Will do.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk up into Mirabelle's line of sight. \"Let's get you home, then.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe'd been staring vacantly at the tent top during your conversation, but as you approach, her gaze shifts to you. And a tinge of worry crosses her face.\n\n\\\u003eThat look worries you in turn, but you keep quiet.\n\n\\\u003eShe's physically hurt, and probably emotionally hurt as well. So you won't say anything unless she does.\n\n\\\u003eYou bridal carry her to your car. On the way, you pass by Cleo and inform her that Mirabelle will be okay.\n\n\\\u003eYou're standing close enough to your car, that the door will unlock just by gripping the handle, so you have Blake unlock the door and get in. Then you set Mirabelle inside.\n\n\\\u003eYou take one more look at the Circle and the revelry going on, before you get in yourself and drive off.\n\n\\\u003eMost of the ride is spent in silence.\n\n\\\u003eUntil you get closer to the Dunwick's house.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Mirabelle, who still has that look of worry on her face.\n\n\\\u003e\"That girl. Bree.\" she continues. \"You said she was your friend right?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Yeah, she was. We didn't really do much, but we talked pretty often during school.\" you answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"Is that. All she was. Really?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah?\" you say, a bit confused. \"Why?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"She wasn't, your girlfriend before me, or something?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What? Of course not. She was literally just a friend. Remember, I told you that you were the first girl I'd ever had a crush on. That is irrefutable fact.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"So there was nothing going on between you two?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nothing at all.\" you assure her. \"That's a really strange thing to even consider.\"\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle doesn't say anytthing else.\n\n\\\u003e\"Aww wait. Is that what she said to psych you out at the end there?\" you ask. \"C'mon hun, there's no way you should've let her trick you with that.\"\n\n\\\u003eThat probably wasn't the thing to say. She probably feels bad enough. No need to pile on that she was just baited into a loss.\n\n\\\u003e\"But.\" you continue. \"I guess that just means you like me so much, that a blatant lie you heard still managed to upset you.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou reach over and gently rub her shoulder.\n\n\\\u003e\"It'll be alright. Once you heal up, you'll come back and get your throne back. And you won't let her get to you next time.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up to her house.\n\n\\\u003eYou jump out to help her out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Think you can walk up to your house, or you want me to carry you?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll be alright.\" she says weakly.\n\n\\\u003e\"You sure?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe nods in affirmation.\n\n\\\u003eOnce she's out, Blake gets out.\n\n\\\u003eHe keeps near her to help her up in case she stumbles or anything.\n\n\\\u003e\"Might wanna let your dad know what happened.\" you tell him.\n\n\\\u003eHe nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll see you later.\" you say as they walk away.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch them take their time up to their front door.\n\n\\\u003eBut once they're inside, you hop back in your car and head home.\n\n\\\u003eAnd of course, once you're home you inform your brothers of this major upset.\n\n\\\u003e\"So. Bree beat Mirabelle and is now the new Champion.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Excuse me?\" Verne says.\n\n\\\u003e\"How the actual hell did that happen?\" Lewis asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"INCONCEIVABLE!\" Mikael exclaims.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bro I can't even conceive it, and I watched it happen.\" you say\n\n\\\u003e\"Who woulda guessed Bree Willshire was Champion material all this time?\" Verne ponders.\n\n\\\u003e\"Maybe you would've had a chance, Verne.\" Mikael says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Naaah.\" Verne replies.\n\n\\\u003e\"So how'd Mirabelle take the loss?\" Lewis asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh. About as well as I did when I lost.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh oh. \"Mikael sends. \"Better be careful. Or else Mirabelle will fall in love with Bree, and you'll be screwed.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You better fuckin' cease.\" you tell Mikael.\n\n\\\u003eSo what're y'all gonna do about this?\" Verne asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Get it back duh.\" you reply. \"Mirabelle got a bit beat up, so she's gotta have some rest before she can get back in. But between her and me, one of us will win, and then everything will be right back to how it was before long.\"\n\n\\\u003eLewis sends a thinking emoji. \"I get the feeling it won't be that easy. But, what do I know. Good luck man.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree Willshire, Champion of the Circle.\" Verne sends. \"Just doesn't sound right.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You know. If she used your technique, then vicariously, you are the Champ again. Kinda.\" is Mikael's silver lining.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright I'm off.\" you send before you toss your phone on your desk.\n\n\\\u003eYou hope Bree gets back to you, so you can get the answers you crave. You need them more than ever now.\n\n\\\u003eYou get up and ready to face whatever this Saturday morning has for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your phone to send a text to Mirabelle and check on her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Morning. Just checking on you, seeing how you feel.\" you send.\n\n\\\u003eShe gets back to you pretty quickly.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm alright. Still kinda hurts but it's not too bad.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. How about the other thing?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"What?\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"The loss.\" you answer.\n\n\\\u003eNow it takes her a while to respond.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm alright.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mhm.\" she responds.\n\n\\\u003eWell, you can't be sure. But something tells you, she's not quite alright.\n\n\\\u003eBut there probably isn't really anything you can do about it. Just gotta let her go through the motions.\n\n\\\u003eShe'll bounce back.\n\n\\\u003eWith not much else to say, you opt to leave her be.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, just wanted to check in on you real quick. I'll let you be for now. Talk later.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe responds with 'kay\" and with that you set your phone down.\n\n\\\u003eNow, what to do for the rest of the day?\n\n\\\u003eMaybe, cruise the town on your scooter? Just because you have a car doesn't mean you have to let Yulia collect rust.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand up to throw some clothes on, and your phone goes off.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe Mirabelle had something else to say?\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your phone and it's from a number you don't recognize.\n\n\\\u003eCould it be...?\n\n\\\u003eYou open the message.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou can practically hear that sentence with acute clarity.\n\n\\\u003eShe even wrote it out with the extra vowel in the same way she speaks it. So weird.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Bree.\" you respond.\n\n\\\u003e\"Already knew it was me, huh? Guess it is kinda obvious, lol. Was thinking we could talk today.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, great.\" you send.\n\n\\\u003eFucking finally. Answers.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why don't we meet up somewhere?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e... Why.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wasn't the whole reason for getting my number so we could talk over the phone?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No way.\" she says. \"Wanna talk face to face.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou drag your hand down your face in aggravation.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright fine. Where, when?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Let's say, TIM, at noon.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at your clock. In about three hours.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright fine.\" you send.\n\n\\\u003e\"See ya then.\" she responds.\n\n\\\u003eYou put your phone back down.\n\n\\\u003eSo you guess there's your plan for the day, made for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou hang around and idle your time until it's about time to meet.\n\n\\\u003eYou get dressed and head downstairs.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm heading out for a bit.\" you say as you pass the living room.\n\n\\\u003e\"Get a jacket, it's cold out there.\" your dad says as you reach the door.\n\n\\\u003eHow cold can it be?\n\n\\\u003eYou open the door and immediately close it.\n\n\\\u003eGoddamn. You're surprised there's no snow on the ground or something.\n\n\\\u003eWhy is it so cold today? It's not even close to Winter yet.\n\n\\\u003eYou about face and walk back to your room to grab your zip up hoodie.\n\n\\\u003eThat you seem to have outgrown, because it feels kinda small.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe your flannels and a few t-shirts aren't the best universal protection anymore, you should probably buy a new jacket.\n\n\\\u003e\"Can I borrow one of yours?!\" you shout down the stairs.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hall closet!\" reaches you from the living room.\n\n\\\u003eSo you check the closet.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't spend much time searching to see what matches, just pick what fits and forge onward.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab one that looks pretty warm.\n\n\\\u003eCovered in this puffy cotton material around the wrists, neck and lined on the inside, with the outside looking like a leather type material.\n\n\\\u003eReminds you of those WW2 jackets you see on t.v and media, but like, without all the patches.\n\n\\\u003eThis'll work.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk downstairs and stop in the living room doorframe.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm taking this one.\" you inform your dad.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks over to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" he says, with a strange somber look on his face. \"Forgot that one was up there.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"This yours?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nope. It was my father's.\" he explains.\n\n\\\u003eYikes\n\n\\\u003e\"Was grandpa in the military?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003eYour dad shrugs. \"No idea, honestly.\"\n\n\\\u003eAh, right.\n\n\\\u003e\". . . I'll choose a different one.\" you say as you turn to go back up the stairs.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's fine. Wear it.\" he assures you. \"Looks good on you. Much better than those damn flannel shirts you always wear.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou pause. And unzip the jacket, then pull it open to reveal you are in fact, still wearing your flannel.\n\n\\\u003eHe shakes his head, like your choice of attire offends him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Going out with Mirabelle or what?\" he asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"No I'm. Meeting a different friend, that I haven't seen in a while.\" you say, avoiding getting into particulars.\n\n\\\u003eThough why, you aren't sure. It's not like you're trying to be sneaky.\n\n\\\u003e... It's not like there's anything to be sneaky about.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Alrighty then, have fun.\" he says, and returns his attention to the t.v.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk out.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eTo your car, because like hell you're riding your scooter when it's this cold.\n\n\\\u003eIt is unseasonably chilly. Like even nature is strangely salty at the major upset of the Circle yesterday and has to showcase its disappointment.\n\n\\\u003eAh well. You get in your car, and take off toward the TIM.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach it and park.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk right in to get out of the weather outside., but it occurs to you that you didn't exactly confirm where you would be meeting at the TIM.\n\n\\\u003eYou grab your phone to text Bree.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eJesus, she startled you!\n\n\\\u003eYou turn around to find her staring up at you, same pleasant grin and big violet eyes, like always.\n\n\\\u003e\"Did I spook you?\" she asks with a taunting tone.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nope.\" you say quickly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure I didn't. Hey, I like your jacket.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou glance down at the jacket you're wearing. \"Thank you, it's apparently my grandpa's.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ooh, vintage.\" she says, as she reaches out and touches your arm.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand still for a moment. Until she starts running her hand up and down your arm, then you take a step back.\n\n\\\u003e\"So are we here to talk or nah?\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well of course, but. Y'know what's the rush?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's the whole reason we're here!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, but. Once we talk, you're just going to go home. And that seems like a waste.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, well, I didn't really plan to spend my day at the mall, 'yknow. I figured we were just gonna chat for a while then leave.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"See, that's no good. So you have to stay. I want to spend some time with you.\"\n\n\\\u003e... Well. That. Was a thing, that she just said. Kind of odd for her, considering most of the time you ever spent consisted of talking for a few minutes and then going your seperate ways.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well whose fault is it that we haven't had the chance to hang out?\" you say with a bit of a taunting smirk.\n\n\\\u003eYou expect her to catch on to your teasing because she's the one who disappeared suddenly. But her pleasant smile fades and she turns away with a slight glare of resent.\n\n\\\u003eYou think you hear her mutter something under her breath. The only word you can reliably catch is \"her\".\n\n\\\u003e\"What?\" you ask, to grab her attention.\n\n\\\u003eShe focuses, and laughs a bit. \"Nothing, don't worry, you're right. Anyway. Let me make up for that today. I'm kind of hungry, are you hungry, how about some food?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at her. A long, measured, unflinching gaze.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't break. Nor bend. She doesn't even waver as you attempt to pierce her shining amethysts with your cutting gaze.\n\n\\\u003e\"I dunno, Bree.\" you say, scratching your chin.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well I didn't want to have to do this.\" she starts. \"But I'm willing to use my brand new Right to have you stick around, if I must.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You would be using it for the second time in as many days. You really shouldn't abuse it, y'know.\" you warn.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well don't make me and I won't have to.\" she grins.\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug. \"Alright fine. After you then.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd so you end up following Bree to the food court.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys get lunch, and she ends up paying for your meal. Even though you vehemently attempted to refuse. But her reasoning was that she was the one who called you out here, and if you didn't plan to hang at the mall, then you didn't plan to spend money here either.\n\n\\\u003eSo you begrudgingly allowed her to pay.\n\n\\\u003eAfter that, with full bellies, you expected to at least broach the topic of your meeting, but she jumps up and practically drags you deeper into the mall.\n\n\\\u003eYou continue to follow her, as she enters store after store.\n\n\\\u003eA lot of it is her looking at clothes for herself, and asking your opinion. But when you say it all looks fine, she'll get more in depth and ask what you like better.\n\n\\\u003eSo then you have to make a choice. Which usually means she'll try it on, then ask your opinion again.\n\n\\\u003eThen she'll transition to picking out clothes for you.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately for her, you have, and will always have a singular style, so nothing really interests you.\n\n\\\u003eShe buys a few things, but has you carry them. Which you don't mind because your inner gentleman approves.\n\n\\\u003eYou half expected her to go into one of those two infamous shops. But she didn't, she skipped right over both of them.\n\n\\\u003e\"I figured you would go into one of those two.\" you say jokingly as you point them out.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you, like you just insulted her, her family, and just about everyone on the planet.\n\n\\\u003e\"Just joking, I'm sorry.\" you apologize quickly.\n\n\\\u003eShe continues walking, so whether or not you will leave this mall alive remains to be determined.\n\n\\\u003e\"I might get my accessories from there though.\" she says quietly, but not quietly enough to hide it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Speaking of accessories, I see you updated yours.\" you say. \"Changed your hair up and got some extra piercings, huh?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Yeah.\" she says, pinching the edges of her bangs. \"I felt like I needed a bit of a change. They say something as small as a change in your hair can give you the confidence you need to do certain things.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah?\" you mumble.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eShe sure found some confidence, so it must've worked.\n\n\\\u003eShe laughs. \"And as for the piercings, I think I'm addicted.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Gonna keep getting more huh?\" you comment.\n\n\\\u003e\"Maybe. I have a lot already. Maybe I should stop.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What? The few in your ears, your brow, the one in your tongue right? That's not a lot.\" you say with a shrug. \"Could be worse.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe pauses on your walk. And looks at you. Likewise you stop walking and glance back at her.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks you dead in the eyes. She smiles. And says. \"I have a few more than that.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd her tone of voice when she said that.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your finger up and open your mouth to comment. But no words come out.\n\n\\\u003eWhich might be for the best. It would probably be a good idea to turn your brain off and delete what you just heard.\n\n\\\u003eLest you seek answers to questions you shouldn't be asking.\n\n\\\u003eWhen you don't comment, she continues walking, so you once again follow.\n\n\\\u003eMore stores entered and more window shopping.\n\n\\\u003eA game shop, a comic store, you never would've guessed that Bree passes through these kinds of stores.\n\n\\\u003eBut as you continue on, you remember that in the direction you're walking, you're going to come up on the arcade.\n\n\\\u003eYou check the time, and surprisingly, you've already been here for a good couple of hours.\n\n\\\u003eSo before you get all the way to the end and somehow waste even more time in the arcade or something, you decide that now is as good a time as any.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright Bree. We've spent a good amount of time already just wandering. I think it's time I got some answers.\" you say as you stop walking.\n\n\\\u003eBree stops a few paces ahead of you, but doesn't turn to meet your gaze.\n\n\\\u003e\"Are you sure? It's still early and the arcade's right there, why don't we play a few games first?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree, c'mon, I know stalling when I see it.\" you huff. \"What's the problem, it's not like what you're gonna tell me is gonna kill me or make me hate you, right? I just wanna know what happened to you, and what made you decide to enter the Circle. Simple stuff.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"That's what you think but. When I explain this stuff. Things really will change between us.\" she says quietly.\n\n\\\u003e\"What could you possibly have to say that you think would do that?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well let's just start at the beginning then.\" she says, finally turning to face you. She steps to the side and sits down at a nearby bench, and you follow.\n\n\\\u003e\"You want to know why I left you alone a year ago, right?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou give a firm nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"It was because of you.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e... wat\n\n\\\u003e\"You. And her.\" she almost spits that last word out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Her?\" you parrot.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mirabelle.\" she answers.\n\n\\\u003eYou listen intently, because you don't really have a comment to make at the moment.\n\n\\\u003e\"I watched you kiss her during your rematch, and that upset me. And then you started going out with her. And that upset me even more. So I stopped coming to see you.\" she explains, avoiding your direction.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait. So. What? You were like. Jealous?\" you ask. \"Do you-... Bree, do you...\"\n\n\\\u003eShe turns to you now, tension and determination on her face. \"I like you, Anon. I've had a pretty big crush on you for a while now.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... ... Oh.\" is all that escapes you.\n\n\\\u003eIt's kind of difficult to form proper sentences with all the t.v. static filling your brain.\n\n\\\u003e\"I, um. Had no idea. Bree. I'm... I'm sorry?\" you stumble.\n\n\\\u003eAre you supposed to apologize for this?\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't reply and you have no idea what to say.\n\n\\\u003eThat's some pretty big information though!\n\n\\\u003eBree was crushing on you and you had no damn clue!\n\n\\\u003e\"So. Well then. Why, uh. Why not, y'know, tell me, back then?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"If I were brave enough to do it, I would have.\" she says. \"But I was nervous. And afraid. I didn't know what you would think about going out with a girl like me. And if I had asked and you said 'no', I probably would've been too embarrassed to even talk to you anymore. And I didn't want it to come to that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ahh.\" you nod. That's understandable, of course. \"But you managed to tell me now.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" she says, gripping the edge of her bangs. \"Confidence.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Right.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou both sit in silence for a moment while you attempt to process what you've been told and she gives you the time to think.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"So. If you were satisfied with just, cutting ties and letting things be, then why'd you come back. And to fight in the Circle no less? You told me you didn't want to fight in it, before.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"See that's the thing.\" she sighs. \"I wasn't satisfied. I didn't think it was right. Or fair. That she got to be with you, when I had feelings for you first. So at the time the only thing I could think of, was to fight her.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Fight her? For like, revenge?\" you question.\n\n\\\u003e\"Not quite.\" She looks up at you, but averts her gaze when she meets your eyes. \"Instead of just crying about it, I figured I should do something about it. So I got a gym membership and started toughening up, because I figured you seem to like tough girls.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod a bit, more to yourself than her. Because well, she's not quite wrong. A girl that can throw hands with you, sure. Although a girl who can break diamonds on her abs, might be a bit much.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod at Bree, to allow her to continue.\n\n\\\u003e\"So I thought, you probably fell for Mirabelle, because she managed to beat you in a fight, right? So my idea was, if I go one step further, and beat the girl who beat you, you might, show some interest in me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, I have to admit that I was surprised and impressed, yeah.\" you tell her. \"It sure was interesting to see my own techniques being used by someone else.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe smiles as you grin and nudge her with your elbow.\n\n\\\u003e\"However I don't see what winning in the Circle was supposed to do for you, besides earn you my respect.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well... You see.\" she starts. Althouigh she has difficulty continuing, so you give her time to form her thoughts. \"I. was maybe hoping, that you would...\" And she stops.\n\n\\\u003eYou know that kind of pause. That's the pause of someone getting ready to ask for the impossible.\n\n\\\u003e\"Don't you dare suggest that I break up with Mirabelle.\" you say slowly, and a bit more gravely than you may have intended. \"Even if you had feelings for me first, Bree, I'm sorry but I can't-\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No!\" she interjects, but remembers your public setting. \"I wasn't going to say that. I mean, I figured that would be pointless to even consider. I know you like Mirabelle a lot. But.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou wait for her to continue.\u0026nbsp; When she doesn't you repeat her last word.\n\n\\\u003e\"But...?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"But, I was hoping,\u0026nbsp; maybe you could like me too?\" she poses, as more of a question than a statement.\n\n\\\u003eYou try to make sense of what she said, but these dots just aren't connecting.\n\n\\\u003e\"What are you suggesting, Bree?\" you ask with as much confusion your voice can bring to bear.\n\n\\\u003e\"Maybe you could go out with me too.\" she says, quickly and decisively.\n\n\\\u003e... Well there's that t.v. static again. Louder this time.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't compose proper thoughts, you can't keep your vision focused, it takes physical willpower to remain stable.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a deep breath, hold it, and let it out agonizingly slowly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree.\" you say calmly as you look her in the eye. \"That's a terrible idea. I'm sorry.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe returns your gaze, unflinching. Like your rejection didn't phase her.\n\n\\\u003e\"But like, what could you expect?\" you continue. \"I'm not that kind of guy, I can't do you like that. And like, there's no way Mirabelle would be into that. What kinda girl is just, okay with suddenly sharing their significant other? That only happens in movies. And like, the anime that Blake watches.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou lean to the side of the bench and rest your head in your hand, trying to think of what else you may need to say to get her to put this silly idea to bed.\n\n\\\u003e\"She doesn't have to know.\" assaults your ears like gunshots.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn to her, slowly and mechanically.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's even worse!\" you shout, public space be damned. \"That is an even worse proposition.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Am I not your type?\" she asks, as if that's the big problem here.\n\n\\\u003e\"It has nothing to do with you being my type or not!\" you exclaim. \"We actually get along pretty well I think, but that's not the point. The point is, I will die. Mirabelle will notice, if I stopped spending time with her to spend it with you. And once she notices, she'd find out because she's clever. Then, she will kill me.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou pause to see if she understands. But you continue to reinforce your concern.\n\n\\\u003eShe'll kill me, her brothers will kill me, and then somehow Mikael will hear about it, he will swim off of whatever boat they put him on, and he will kill me, because he doesn't tolerate two-timing surprisingly. So you'll have me! But for a very short amount of time.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou rub your temples firmly to keep from blowing a gasket. Bree sits there calmly, taking in everything you're saying.\n\n\\\u003e\"Look Bree.\" you say, after you've calmed down a bit. \"I can't quite tell you that I get it. I mean, I had an empty heart for a long time, until a severe dropkick broke the dam and filled it up. I don't know what it's like to have an unrequited love. But I don't think what you're suggesting is the right thing to do about it. I think you're just gonna have to accept it and find someone else.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't want anyone else, I want you.\" she says. She looks like she might just cry.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm sorry. It's just. Not gonna happen.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe puts her hand on your arm. \"There has to be something I can do to make you reconsider.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head firmly, words being lost on her.\n\n\\\u003eAlright, well. Time to get the hell outta here.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand. but she grips your arm before you can take off.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon. Just give it some thought.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look back at her, drained of mental energy.\n\n\\\u003eShe stands up after you, and holds your arm with both hands. \"Just, take some time and think about it, please. I know it's odd, and difficult. But I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think it was possible.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look into her eye, and besides looking like she's still ready to shed tears, there's a deep, almost pleading desperation in the one you can clearly see.\n\n\\\u003e:Just, give me a chance. Please.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou don't know what else to say. What else is there to say?\n\n\\\u003e\"I really do, lov-\"\n\n\\\u003eAh! Mm!\" you cut her off before she can finish that sentence.\n\n\\\u003eThat's a powerful word, one that you can't allow to be spoken.\n\n\\\u003eA crush and love are very different levels of affection.\n\n\\\u003eYou breathe deeply,gently pull your arm from her grasp and walk away before anything else can be said.\n\n\\\u003eThe static returns in full force as you try to piece together everything that just happened.\n\n\\\u003eBree likes you. A lot. And she has for a while. She went to extreme lengths to impress you, to get you to notice her. And now she wants you to date her alongside Mirabelle, or worse, date behind Mirabelle's back?\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eAlright, no more brain anymore.\n\n\\\u003eThinking comes later. Get home now.\n\n\\\u003eYou reach your car and take off toward home.\n\n\\\u003eYou park and walk in.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't announce yourself as you enter, but your dad still catches your return.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003e\"How was your hangout? Do anything fun?\" he asks. Before he notices the odd expression on your face. \"Uh oh, what's wrong?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... It seems. That the girl I went to go talk to today. Actually likes me. So I may have actually been on a date.\" you say idly.\n\n\\\u003eYour dad stares at you. He stands and takes off his glasses, approaches you, and places his hands on your shoulders. He inspects every inch of your face.\n\n\\\u003e\"Valerie!\" he shouts, and your mom comes running down the stairs.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's wrong?!\" she shouts, full of worry.\n\n\\\u003e\"Take a look at our son. This may be the last time you get a good look, his final days approach.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Why would you say that?!\" you exclaim.\n\n\\\u003eYour dad turns to you. \"Mirabelle is going to kill you.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh God I know!\" you bury your face in your hands.\n\n\\\u003e\" Well what on earth is going on?\" your mom asks.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you get to explaining what happened today.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmm.\" your dad murmurs. \"Well what're you going to do?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nothing.\" you answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"You have to at least tell Mirabelle.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well yeah of course.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Wish I could advise you but. Can't help you with something I've never dealt with. Maybe that friend of yours that's good with girls can help.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug. Might be best to keep this on the low for a bit, before you decide to tell everyone you know.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm going to bed.\" you exhale, devoid of all energy now.\n\n\\\u003eYou go up to your room and throw yourslef into your bed.\n\n\\\u003eShit's about to get real chaotic, isn't it?\n\n\\\u003eYou wake up.\n\n\\\u003eFeeling rather shitty because your mind didn't let you sleep peacefully.\n\n\\\u003eYou're gonna have to have a talk with Mirabelle today.\n\n\\\u003eHopefully she won't be mad with what you have to tell her. But it's not like you really did anything wrong at the moment, so things should be okay.\n\n\\\u003eRight?\n\n\\\u003eIt's about the time you contact her to confirm that you're coming over anyway.\n\n\\\u003eSo you call her up and it takes a bit before she answers.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey. Morning.\" she says with a clear lack of energy.\n\n\\\u003e\"Good morning.\" you reply. \"Listen, we gotta chat, so is it cool if I still come over today?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Actually.\" she starts. \"Think I'm just gonna relax, have a bit of alone time. Y'know?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ahh. Yeah I get it.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eYou didn't really feel like hanging out after your loss too, so you understand.\n\n\\\u003e\"What do you need to talk about though?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mmm. Probably something we should talk about face to face.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003eAt least, it seems like a conversation you should have in person.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Okay then.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah it'll be alright. I'll just wait till you feel better then.\" you assure her. \"Rest up, make sure you\u0026nbsp; follow your nurses' instructions, and I'll talk to you later.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Mkay. Later. Love you.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... Love you too.\" you whisper, with a slight hesitation.\n\n\\\u003eNot that you had any reason to hesitate. But the L-word, made Bree flash through your mind for a second, and it caught you off guard.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle hangs up, so you put your phone down.\n\n\\\u003eGoddammit, what was Bree thinking trying to rope you into this craziness?!\n\n\\\u003eHow long has she been into you, you wonder?\n\n\\\u003eYou met her around the end of your sophomore year, when she just happened to start talking to you. So if it started then, then about a little over two years.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you did not notice for the life of you.\n\n\\\u003eIf you could've guessed, or if she had found the courage to ask you out back then, you wouldn't be dealing with this right... Now.\n\n\\\u003eBut that train of thought derails onto a seperate train of thought.\n\n\\\u003eIf Bree had managed to ask you out way back when, would you be dating her right now?\n\n\\\u003eThe you of today believes no, but that's only because you currently have Mirabelle.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eYou sit up in your bed. And assume a meditative posture.\n\n\\\u003eYou clear your mind, and mentally place yourself back in time.\n\n\\\u003eBefore you were dating Mirabelle, before she kicked the dam in your heart open, before you even knew who she was, and the only girl who gave you much attention was Bree Willshire.\n\n\\\u003eYou replay her trademark \"Heeey Anon\" in your head, but instead of asking if you're going to the Circle today, she asks \"Would you go out with me?\".\n\n\\\u003eIf she asked that question then, what would your answer be?\n\n\\\u003eAttempting to be honest with yourself, you think about the answer.\n\n\\\u003eBree is pretty attractive, you think, and you get along with her decently well. You don't know about many of her hobbies, but early stages of dating are there to figure out your compatability, right?\n\n\\\u003eYou wouldn't have a reason to turn her down.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the fact that she is a deer, doesn't bother you in the slightest, obviously.\n\n\\\u003eSo with all of that information compiled, your answer would be... Yes. It's very possible that if things had worked out, you would be dating Bree right now if things were different.\n\n\\\u003eSo. Completely writing her off just became a bit more difficult now.\n\n\\\u003eSo that means... What? That it actually isn't entirely fair that you're currently dating Mirabelle?\n\n\\\u003eLife isn't fair, sometimes things don't go your way.\n\n\\\u003ePeople miss their chances, Lewis told you that when he was explaining what you should do with your feelings.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's not your fault that she didn't have the confidence to let you know how she felt.\n\n\\\u003eBut is it your fault that you didn't notice how she felt? No way, how could it be?\n\n\\\u003eYou aren't clairvoyant. How would you even begin to know that?\n\n\\\u003eSo what if you turn her down and she does something drastic depending on how stable her heart and mind are afterward?\n\n\\\u003eYou remember reading a reedit post about some random who said this girl he used to hang out with ended up being in love with him and almost offed herself when he got a girlfriend.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, you think someone said the op just stole that from some dating sim he played.\n\n\\\u003eBut there was another one you read about some girl in Japan actually stabbing a guy she was in love with because he wouldn't go out with her.\n\n\\\u003eThere were news pictures too, so if they weren't ripped from some movie or something, that could be true.\n\n\\\u003eBree doesn't seem like a psychopath though.\n\n\\\u003e... She's not a psychopath, right?\n\n\\\u003eShe's not gonna chop you into bits and scatter them in random boxes or something, will she?\n\n\\\u003e... Now why does that sound familiar?\n\n\\\u003eAnyway!\n\n\\\u003eAs she requested, you've done some thinking. And your answer remains as it was.\n\n\\\u003eThere's just no conceivable way you can bring Bree into your relationship, or even consider the alternative that she suggested.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod to yourself to bring your mental tirade to a firm and decisive end.\n\n\\\u003eGood job, you. Such executive decisions deserve rewards.\n\n\\\u003eSo you get up to throw some clothes on, because you're gonna go buy yourself some snacks from the EZ Mart down the road.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eYou open your window to check the weather, and it's not as cold as it was yesterday, but it's still kinda chilly. So you grab the jacket you wore yesterday, and head out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Not going on another date, I hope.\" your dad comments as you pass the living room.\n\n\\\u003e\"God no. Just gonna go get myself some snacks. You want anything?\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"I really want, a glass of champagne right now.\" he answers.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uhhh. I can't help you with that. Not for another two years at least.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Just use your fake ID, I know you have one.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003eYou scrunch your face in a moment of pure bewilderment. \"Excuse me? No I don't.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe pulls his gaze from the t.v. to you. \"That's lame, son. I had one at your age.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe bewilderment only increases, as he stares at you unflinching, and then goes back to the t.v.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003e\"You're messing with me, right?\" you have to ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sure I am.\" he responds.\n\n\\\u003eOkay well, you walk right out of the house.\n\n\\\u003eYour own father just told you he was a straight up hoodlum.\n\n\\\u003eWhich, well, you aren't much different technically, but it's still strange that he just came right out and told you that.\n\n\\\u003eYou drive yourself down to the convenience store and walk in.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey welcome.\" someone greets you and-\n\n\\\u003eHey hold the fuck up, you know that whiny voice!\n\n\\\u003eYou slide around the displays and glare at the cashier counter.\n\n\\\u003e\"Marty?!\" you yell.\n\n\\\u003eMarty looks up from his shitty cell phone to you. \"Aw what the fuck?!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Why the hell are you here?!\"\n\n\\\u003eHe looks down\u0026nbsp; at himself standing behind the counter. \"Bitch I work here!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"No one told you you could work at my shop, get out!\" you yell as you hook your thumb at the door.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yo, just cuz you used to be the King, doesn't mean you run shit! Especially now, loser!\" he yells right back.\n\n\\\u003e\"You live in the Valley, how the hell do you even manage to get up here?\" you ask, like the Valley is some distant land unreachable by normal means.\n\n\\\u003e\"The bus, asshole. Not all of us have parents that'll buy 'em a thirty thousand dollar car just cuz we're a good little boy.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look out the window to your car. \"It was actually twenty-five, but.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe stares at you, with the most zero fucks given face anyone has ever managed. \"Just get your shit and get out.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Is everything okay out here, Martini?\" the original clerk comes out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey April.\" you say. \"We're good, I'm just hazing my good ole buddy, Martini.\" you chuckle as you say his real name.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" she says. \"I didn't know you were friends with Anon, Martini.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003e\"We ain't.\" He tries to put some bass in his whiny voice.\n\n\\\u003e\"So why's he here April? You runnin' the show now?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Haha something like that. It really just means I have a buttload more work for just a few extra dollars.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah well, you took it. Gotta deal with it.\" you chuckle.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk around as you grab whatever snacks you're in the mood for, and throw it all on the counter.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ring me up, Martini.\" you chuckle.\n\n\\\u003eHe does so wordlessly and you pay with a twenty you had in your wallet.\n\n\\\u003eDamn, what you would give to just have a mass of coins to pay in right this second.\n\n\\\u003eAfter he hands you your snacks and change, he mutters under his breath \"Now fuckin' bounce.\"\n\n\\\u003eBut April hears this and gasps in genuine shock. \"Martini!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I mean. Anythin' else for ya, sir?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I dunno man.\" you say, attempting to keep it together. \"What happened to customer service with a smile? I dont feel very appreciated for my business.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe gives this \"are you fucking serious\" glare, and gives the same look to April.\n\n\\\u003eBut she seems to encourage you getting what you want, so he turns to you and turns the sides of his face up in a horrible weasely grin.\n\n\\\u003e\"Have a good day, sssssshhhitheel.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Martini!\" April exclaims angrily.\n\n\\\u003eYou can't hold it now, you burst out laughing.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh man. April don't fire him or anything. I'm gonna have so much fun, whenever I come back in here from now on.\" you say as you turn to leave.\n\n\\\u003eBut you stop right before the door and turn around.\n\n\\\u003e\"By the way I got a question Marty.\"\n\n\\\u003eGoddammit, what now?!\" he screeches.\n\n\\\u003e\"Did you send this lioness to come hang out at the Circle?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" He snorts. \"Maybe. She looked bored and she seemed like the meathead type, so I figured you'd enjoy havin' another idiot to smack around.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well lookit you, helping to keep the Circle alive. Who woulda thunk?\" you laugh.\n\n\\\u003eHe points to the door. \"Get yer ass out.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd so you leave to head home.\n\n\\\u003eThat sure did brighten your mood, a welcome surprise.\n\n\\\u003eMarty's still a shitlord, but not quite as big of one as he was. Maybe that's the effect of that ass whooping he got. Or maybe it's April's influence, you don't know.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, with nothing else to do on this Sunday, you lay around, eating your snacks and perusing the internet for the almighty meme.\n\n\\\u003eAnd so Monday comes around as it surely does.\n\n\\\u003eThe weather decided to relax is tundra takeover, so it's back to normal October levels of cold.\n\n\\\u003eWhich means no more use for your grandpa's jacket at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou are currently on your way, to pick up Blake. Minus one Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe didn't feel like coming to the Circle, even just to spectate as she recovered, so you'll be going with just Blake today.\n\n\\\u003eShe said you guys could talk once you dropped Blake off, so that's what you plan to do.\n\n\\\u003eYou pick him up, and he gets to sit in the front, good for him and his long ass legs.\n\n\\\u003e\"Didn't see you yesterday.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, your sister wanted some alone time, so I figured I'd give her some.\" you tell him. \"How is she?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Eh, bummed but alright. Been laying in bed a lot. Dad almost cried when he heard she lost. Was a little spooked too when he heard about her getting hurt. But he knows that it's just how it could be out there.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, I'm sure he gets it. He did get his leg broken there at one point.\" you nod.\n\n\\\u003eYou make your way to the Circle, park and get out to hang around.\n\n\\\u003ePeople are slowly trickling in. But already there and sitting in the Champ's seat, is Bree.\n\n\\\u003eNo use putting things to the side, might as well talk to her.\n\n\\\u003eI'll be back.\" you tell Blake. \"Gotta go talk to somebody.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou walk right up to her. But of course, owing to her ancestry, she practically senses you heading right for her and turns to meet you before you can say anything.\n\n\\\u003e\"Heeey Anon.\" she greets you like always.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Bree.\" you greet her casually.\n\n\\\u003e\"You know, I never ever thought that I would be one of the people to be sitting in this spot.\" she muses. \"I always figured it was going to be you here. Sitting right here, until it was time for you to pass it on.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah I thought the same too.\" you agree. \"But it just wasn't meant to be.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I liked it better when it was your seat.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou share a glance for a moment. You open your mouth to speak, but she jumps ahead of you.\n\n\\\u003e\"S-so, um. Did you, happen to give any thought. To what we talked about?\"\n\n\\\u003eStraight to the heart of the matter, right.\n\n\\\u003e\"I-I mean, not that I'm rushing you. I just, was wondering, if you'd had the chance.\" she says, a bundle of nerves.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. I did, Bree.\" you say plainly.\n\n\\\u003e\"You did?! Really?\" she almost shouts.\n\n\\\u003eWell shit. The look in her eye. That tiny gleam of hope. The silent prayer that what she's about to hear is a word of acceptance.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't have the stones to break this poor girl's heart. You've apparently already done it once, and that was when you didn't know.\n\n\\\u003eTo knowingly do it, and for the second time at that. That's tragic.\n\n\\\u003eBut tragedy you must bring, so you silence your heart and steel your resolve.\n\n\\\u003e\"I thought honestly about it. I did some deep diving, and came to the conclusion that, if things were different, if Mirabelle hadn't been around, and things went well. It is likely that it could have been you and me.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe starlight of hope in her eye only gleams brighter.\n\n\\\u003eYou prepare yourself for the death of a star.\n\n\\\u003eBut as a man of science, you know that the deaths of stars are very often violent and chaotic.\n\n\\\u003e\"However, Bree.\" you continue. \"That's not what happened.\u0026nbsp; It's not us, and so it can't be us. I'm sorry, but I just can't in good conscience honor your request.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Did- but. Did you, talk to Mirabelle about it? If you do she might-\"\n\n\\\u003eYou hold your hand up to stop her right there. \"Even if I do, you gotta know the answer is gonna be the same. Like. I don't claim to know a lot about open relationships, or dating multiple people. But I'm pretty sure that's a thing you have to already be predisposed to in order to entertain the idea. Like you have to go in knowing that you'd be willing to share, and that's not what happened. I'm really sorry, I hate to do it to you. But it's not gonna happen.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe hangs her head. Deeply, heavily. There is nothing left but soul crushing heartbreak.\n\n\\\u003eBut it had to be done. Better this than giving her false hope.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'd uh. Suggest that we can still be friends. But I understand if it's a little dificult to do that and you wanna cut ties or something.\" you offer, because it's all you can.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll be okay.\" she drones.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't sound okay, not in the least.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's my own fault. I should have just... Rocky was right, you do miss all of the shots you don't take.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou expect tears, but strangely none come.\n\n\\\u003eShe lifts her head and sure enough they're on the verge of falling. But she ignites the flame behind her eyes and the tears evaporate.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks up at you and smiles. But it's so fake not even the world's most gullible man would buy it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Of course, I can't lie and say I'm not upset, even though I figured this is how it would turn out.\" she tells you. \"So I hope you don't mind if I act a little selfish and petty for a moment.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"If you wanna beat me up a bit, I will receive your ire with honor and dignity.\" you bow your head like a knight of old.\n\n\\\u003e\"I just want to see you fight again.\" she says. \"It's been a long time since I've gotten to watch you from the front row like I used to. So I'd like to be able to see that again.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah?\" you say. \"Heh, why not step against me yourself? It might be fun to have a mirror match against my own techniques, and going against your icons is pretty inspiring. I fought Jayce a few months back, and he may have slapped me around a bit, but it was quite the experience.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe shakes her head. \"I could never.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug. \"Alright then. Anyone in particular here you wanna see me knock around?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"How about Caesar?\" she asks. \"That's always a classic.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003e\"Alright then. One lion for your sacrifice table, to appease the deep magic.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou head back to Blake and wait around a bit until it's time to for the Circle to start.\n\n\\\u003eOf course you can't stand around where you used to, considering Bree is now the Champ and you want to give her some space after you just ripped her heart out for the second time.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, Elodi comes forward to start today's activity.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hello everyone! It was a bit cold this weekend, but let's hope it didn't do anything to cool your heat of battle!\"\n\n\\\u003eOoh, clever. Lewis never had fancy lines like that.\n\n\\\u003e\"So let's have another great day, and waste no more time. Who's stepping into the Circle?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou found Caesar in the crowd a little while ago, having a pleasant chat with Cleo. TIme to ruin that.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hand up and step forward.\n\n\\\u003eYou pivot and face Caesar's direction. \"Caesar get the hell in here.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe throws his hands up in confusion. \"What the hell, why's everyone been bullying me these last few weeks?!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Cuz you deserve to be bullied, now get in here!\" you yell.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks to Cleo. Who pats him on the back and then pushes him forward.\n\n\\\u003eHe reluctantly steps forward, but step forward he does.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well okay. Looks like our first fight is set up.\" Elodi says to the crowd. \"So let's get into it. What do you two have to say?\"\n\n\\\u003eAs soon as you're about to sling some particularly choice words, Bree, from her seat speaks up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Actually. Before you guys start, can I say something?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well um. This is a bit irregular.\" Elodi says with a hint of confusion. \"But. I'll allow it, go right ahead.\"\n\n\\\u003eYeah, you're kinda confused but interested as well.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, Caesar.\" she starts. \"You lose to Anon, kind of a lot right?\"\n\n\\\u003elmao get bodied\n\n\\\u003eYou can't hold your laughs.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks around embarrassed before he says \"I wouldn't say a lot.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Caesar the count is like twenty to zero, you wouldn't call that a lot?\" you say still laughing.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway.\" Bree continues. \"Not just you, but a lot of other people have some difficulty standing up against Anon, right? And it may be a difference in skill, but. Don't you all think that it's a bit unfair that you really seem to have no chance of winning against him? Not to sound rude.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes, absolutely!'\" someone in the crowd shouts.\n\n\\\u003e\"Especially when you work hard to earn your three wins in a row, and he just comes up and ends it in a few quick kicks?\" she goes on. \"It seems like the only person who can beat him, is Mirabelle. And I just think that's not fair. So! Why don't we, put a limiter on him so to speak, in order to give you guys a fighting chance? Like a handicap?\"\n\n\\\u003eOkay wait hold up.\n\n\\\u003eYou were interested but you don't like where this is going.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree wait hold on!\" you jump in. \"That's just how the Circle is. Like Jayce! People who are better are just going to-\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon shut the fuck up, I'm tryin' to hear what the new Champ has to say!\" Caesar chimes in and shuts you down. \"Continue, please.\" he says, giving Bree the floor again.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well how about this?\" she poses to the crowd. \"What if, whenever Anon challenges you, or you have to fight him when you're paired against him during the random choices, I give him some sort of challenge to deal with, that'll make the fight more difficult for him? Therefore giving you a better chance of actually winning against Anon? Of course, it'll act like a regular win or loss, so it would advance or reset your streak if you win or lose respectively. And would also do the same for him.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I love that! That's genius!\" Caesar cries out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah! Uh huh! I agree!\" comes even more voices from within the crowd.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait wait wait wait!\" you scream. \"Don't I get a say in this?! You can't just do this to me!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Elodi, the Lady of Rules, to back you up.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks around in a bit of a panic, before she takes a deep breath and clears her throat.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uhhh. Well. If you would like this new rule to be implimented, let's get a show of hands.\"\n\n\\\u003eA myriad of hands shoot up from all around the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eIt somehow makes you feel, very small.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around in pure dismay.\n\n\\\u003eHow dare these peasants consign their old king to these foolish challenges?\n\n\\\u003eThey dare bind the hands that blessed them?!\n\n\\\u003e\"Well shit.\" you mumble to yourself.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sorry Anon.\" Elodi tells you. \"That looks like the majority, so I have to say this is about to be your life from now on.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Fuck yeah!\" Caesar exclaims. \"Go on then Champ, what kinda handicap are you placing on him?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait we're enforcing it right now?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn right! Let's go!\" Caesar yells some more.\n\n\\\u003eGeez, he's never been this excited to get to a fight with you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, hmm.\" Bree thinks for a moment. \"Let's start with something simple to test it, I guess. How about, Anon has to fight. Without using his legs? By which I mean, no kicks, knees, or other strikes As well as no blocking strikes with the legs. How's that?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug. \"Nothing that utilizes my legs, huh? I'll take that.\" You turn your attention to Caesar. \"Lest you forget you big dummy. I used to knock you around perfectly well before I ever started using real kicks.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay. Well. With that out of the way.\" Elodi says, bringing focus back to the main event. \"Do you two still have anything to say?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp; \\\u003e\"Not a damn thing.\" Caesar says, bringing his hands up. \"Let's fuckin' do this.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou do the same, getting into your usual stance, before you pause and shift around a bit, trying to recreate how you used to stand before you started practicing your kickboxing.\n\n\\\u003eIf you kick him, you lose, and you damn sure aren't gonna lose to Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eThis was indeed kind of petty, just like she promised so you take a single glance at Bree before the fight starts.\n\n\\\u003eThe sadness has fled, the hope has died.\n\n\\\u003eThere's only one thing left that you can see in her visible eye, and it's a kind of hollow emptiness.\n\n\\\u003eShe's not even focused ahead, her gaze is off to the side and downcast.\n\n\\\u003eBearing witness to her pain seems to wound you as well, but you can't allow it to ruin you.\n\n\\\u003eIt's not your fault, it isn't really hers either. It's just how things ended up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. If you're both ready.\" Elodi says, bringing her hand up. \"Then let's. Fight!\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd unnaturally, Caesar comes right out attacking aggressively.\n\n\\\u003eYou guess the prospect of finally getting a win on you has hyped him up.\n\n\\\u003eHow misguided he is.\n\n\\\u003eBecause he's still the same old Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eHis strikes are easy to dodge and leave him wide open.\n\n\\\u003eYou avoid his punches and retaliate whenever an opening presents itself. Getting some solid strikes in his exposed torso and even a few chin checks.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, a few minutes of this, you figured he should be reeling a bit, since you've beat on him for quite a while.\n\n\\\u003eYet he seems to be taking everything you'e throwing and chugging along without losing much momentum.\n\n\\\u003eSo either he's managed to get tougher.\n\n\\\u003eOr you're losing a bit of your touch.\n\n\\\u003eThat can't be it. But then again. You have fun with your kicks so much that it might be possible that you've neglected keeping your upper arm strength on point.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the stuff your dad was teaching you feels more like form and not any real strength training.\n\n\\\u003eYou swing at Caesar's face, but it comes out a bit late, and he manages to step backward out of range of it.\n\n\\\u003eHe kicks his leg out at yours though and catches you in the bend of your knee, so it causes you to buckle a bit.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, when you right your posture he comes forward and throws a hook at you which you take right to the jaw.\n\n\\\u003eIt hurts, but not terribly.\n\n\\\u003eYou come forward and throw a few of your own punches after dodging a few of his.\n\n\\\u003eHowever you trade your punch to his plexus with his hook to your temple, and he ends up winning that trade.\n\n\\\u003eYou hold your hand over the space he just punched and press down to dull the throbbing.\n\n\\\u003eHe lumbers toward you slowly, and instinct takes you as you begin to raise your leg to throw a side kick at him.\n\n\\\u003eOf course you can't do that, so you plant your foot back down. Yet he takes that momentary lapse to swing out and hit you right in the flank, which causes you to drop to a knee.\n\n\\\u003eGoddamn, this is the most Caesar has ever been able to hit you in a single fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw yourself up and back before he has the chance to punish you while you're on the ground.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately you didn't gauge how close you were to the edge of the Circle and someone from the crowd gives you an unfriendly boot right back into the center and directly into a giant fist that lands right against your nose.\n\n\\\u003eYou drop to your knees and bring your hands to your face, cradling your nose.\n\n\\\u003eIs it bleeding? You pull away to find out, no, not at the moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel some heavy hands latch on to you and drag you to your feet. Before they throw you with relative ease into a mass of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eTwo humans latch on to you and hold your arms apart, while Caesar approaches, ready to hit you like a punching bag.\n\n\\\u003eYou once again on instinct, bring your foot up to kick at him, like Mirabelle once did when you threw her into the Circle. But again you cannot.\n\n\\\u003eSo you put your foot back down and tense your muscles for the incoming onslaught.\n\n\\\u003eHe slams his fist into your gut twice, and then finishes with another hook to your jaw.\n\n\\\u003eYour captors release you and you slump to your knees again.\n\n\\\u003eAre you... Losing to Caesar?\n\n\\\u003eYou're actually losing a fight to Caesar!\n\n\\\u003eThat actually pisses you off a bit.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your gaze up at him long enough to see him smiling like a madman.\n\n\\\u003eOh that's it.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw yourself up on to your feet, and slug him before he can react, catching him right in the chin.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't allow him the chance to realize what even happened as you throw punch after punch into any part of his body that he leaves exposed.\n\n\\\u003eYou're frustrated now, so you let your frustration fuel the fire in your fists, and unload on him.\n\n\\\u003eHe throws his arms up parallel to each other to block his face and torso, so you attempt to throw hooks around and under the giant tree trunks he's defending with.\n\n\\\u003ePunching him in the arms is kind of like actually punching tree trunks, but you don't stop.\n\n\\\u003eYou hammer his upper body with a flurry of machine gun blows, ready to put him right to sleep with a good strong haymaker when the chance comes.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you see it. His arms start to fall slowly from his blocking stance.\n\n\\\u003eYou lean back with your leg up and arms behind you, ready to clock him with your Mountain Buster.\n\n\\\u003eAnd he attempts to counter, by weakly swiping his leg at your leg that's still planted on the ground, to try and trip you.\n\n\\\u003eWhat a joke.\n\n\\\u003eYour frustration peaked, you answer that farce the only way you can.\n\n\\\u003e\"Get that weak shit outta here\" your body language practically screams as you kick his weak leg away from you with the bottom of your foot and come jetting forward, blasting him dead center with your Buster.\n\n\\\u003eHe takes several large steps backward and falls flat on the ground.\n\n\\\u003eYou're breathing heavily. Not from exhaustion, but from aggravation.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk up to him, ready to beat on him some more if you need to.\n\n\\\u003eBut as you approach you notice. He's got a big goofy smile on his face.\n\n\\\u003eThe hell is he grinning for?\n\n\\\u003eHe opens his eyes and looks at you, his grin growing even bigger.\n\n\\\u003e\"You used your foot Anon.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e...\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eFUCK\n\n\\\u003e\"What, no I-\" you start.\n\n\\\u003eBut you did.\n\n\\\u003eYou kicked his leg away with your foot in frustration.\n\n\\\u003eA simple mistake. But in typical Circle fashion, a man who is angry is a man who makes mistakes.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait. No hold on wait I-\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I fucking WIN!\" Caesar stands and bellows to the sky.\n\n\\\u003e\"No I want a do over!\" you cry out. \"Elodi, gimme a do over!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm sorry Anon.\" she shrugs at you. \"But in accordance with the brand new rule, you were given an objective that you failed to comply to. Therefore I have to conclude that Caesar is the winner. By technicality.\"\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd roars and howls at Elodi's decision and you slump to your knees in utter defeat.\n\n\\\u003eYou lost. To Caesar of all people.\n\n\\\u003eNever will you recover from this embarrassment.\n\n\\\u003eTime to become a shut-in, never to see the light of day or touch grass ever again.\n\n\\\u003eCaesar is over there living it up though, trotting around the Circle in victory.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand up. \"Come off it, Caesar. You won on a technicality.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"A technical win is still a win!\" he laughs heartily.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, so you won. So now it's twenty and one. You still have a long way to go, bro.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh don't worry. With this new rule, I think it can be done.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe's having too much fun with this.\n\n\\\u003eWhatever. Let him have his one. It's the only one he's ever going to get.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk back over to Blake. He gives you this long look and then shrugs.\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug back.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over at Bree.\n\n\\\u003eShe's looking in your direction. Though with her empty gaze, you aren't sure if she's actually looking at you. Or seeing much of anything at that.\n\n\\\u003eYou have to turn away, the guilt might eat you alive if you look any more.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel your face, which is a bit sore. Caesar sure can hit hard, y'know, when his attacks actually connect.\n\n\\\u003eYour nose and jaw in particular are sore, maybe you should grab some ice from the tent.\n\n\\\u003eYou tell Blake you'll be back and walk off.\n\n\\\u003eAs you do though, a big heavy hands claps you on the back.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, I showed up at the last minute there, but did you actually lose to that big ugly cat?\" Lenny asks you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, by technicality.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Technicality? Since when do we have those?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Since today apparently.\" you inform him.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks confused so you explain.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wow. They need handicaps to win huh? Pussies.\" he scoffs.\n\n\\\u003e\"Look Lenny, it's different for the alphas like us. The smaller people need every chance they can get sometimes.\" you whisper mockingly.\n\n\\\u003eHe nods knowingly. \"Oh yeah, speakin' of smaller people. 'Sup with you and that rabbit? Carryin' her around and stuff the other day?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh that's my girlfriend.\" you say plainly. \"Did I not tell you that?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh. Nah.\" he says blankly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Weird. I tell everybody that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"And that's been workin' out for you huh?\" he asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"Not bad man. Good to see folks gettin' outta that closed mindset. Not like my old man. 'Don't you dare mess 'round with them pinkskin girls, they'll tan yer hide for a handbag'.\" He imitates the deep southern drawl of what you assume is his father.\n\n\\\u003eHe shakes his head.\n\n\\\u003e\"I didn't think people really still thought that badly.\" you muse.\n\n\\\u003e\"Parent to child man, it's taught. And my gramps. Hoo boy. Kinda glad he's gone, if ya don't mind me sayin'.\"\n\n\\\u003eKind of makes you wonder about your own grandfather. And what, or who the fit of anger that claimed his life was directed towards.\n\n\\\u003e\"That's why I'm kickin' rocks and tryin' to bail from home.\" Lenny continues. \"Found myself a dime back where I was stayin' so we're tryna shack up. That's that 'good thing' I was tellin' ya about.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Good stuff dude.\" You nod in respect and bring your fist up. He bumps it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway, just wanted to stick my nose in yer business a bit. I'll let ya go, I'm kinda peckish, so I'ma go find some pickin's to munch on.\" he says nodding toward the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eHe walks off and you return to getting an ice pack from Hannah and Grace.\n\n\\\u003eYou stick around for a bit and watch a few fights. Lenny wins, Blake wins. No one challenges Bree.\n\n\\\u003eYou kind of wonder how she'll do in her empty hollow state. But also there's the question of, will she fight with the same ferocity that she used to obtain the Champ spot now that her reason for having it is gone?\n\n\\\u003eYou'll just have to see.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle comes to an end, so it's time to head home.\n\n\\\u003eYou hop in your car with Blake and drive to the Dunwick's place.\n\n\\\u003eSince you won't be staying long, you upt to just park next to the sidewalk instead of pulling in the driveway.\n\n\\\u003eYou walk through the footpath gate with Blake.\n\n\\\u003eHe opens the door and yells out \"I'm home! Anon is with me!\" before he waves to you and wanders off.\n\n\\\u003eThe lady of the house pops in from wherever she was. \"Oh Anon. Missed you Sunday, so you came today, eh?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Kinda. I'm just here to check on my wounded warrior.\" you say with a light laugh.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh? She wasn't hurt too badly, from what I was told. Just a little bruise.\" she says, wondering if she was told the truth.\n\n\\\u003e\"Not that, Mrs. Dunwick.\" You hold your hands over your heart. \"I mean the wound to her pride.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh I see.\" she nods. \"Well aren't you just a sweetie? She should be up in her room.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod and make your way up the stairs to Mirabelle's room.\n\n\\\u003eYou knock on her door and after a few short moments she opens it.\n\n\\\u003e\"Why hello.\" you greet.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey there.\" she replies.\n\n\\\u003e\"Still in your jammies huh?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe shrugs.. \"It's just one of those days.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I get it, I've been there.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe lets you in and crawls back into bed. You sit at the foot of her bed.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well what are you doing over there?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to her, not sure what she means.\n\n\\\u003eShe nods to her side, showing that she has made space for you.\n\n\\\u003eOh.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance to the open door of her room. But ignore your apprehensions and slide over to lay by her side.\n\n\\\u003eLying on your back, looking up at her ceiling.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance down and just so happen to notice that she's wearing the little bracelet you got her.\n\n\\\u003e\"You're wearin' that around the house?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"What I do with the gifts you give me, should be up to me, don't you think?\" she shrugs and gives you that taunting grin.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod in acceptance.\n\n\\\u003e\"So what do we need to talk about?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003eOh boy here it is.\n\n\\\u003e\"So. Uh. I'm gonna start off by apologizing. Because it seems that the reason you ended up losing your Champ spot is, indirectly kind of my fault.\" you begin.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well what does that mean?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well you see. Umm. It turns out. That, uh Bree has actually had a crush on me for a while now.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her to check her reaction.\n\n\\\u003eShe stares at you.\n\n\\\u003e\"See that's what I thought.\" she says quietly, like she finally found the answer she was seeking.\n\n\\\u003e\"You, could tell?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"It seemed a bit obvious, especially at the end there. And when you told me that nothing was going on between you two, it was the only other possibility.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Makes sense.\" you nod. \"Yeah, but. I guess the reason she fought you, is because she thought that if she could beat you, it would somehow make me interested in her.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmmm.\" she hums. \"She should've just went for you then. You like girls who can kick your ass.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Look. You are correct. But it's not that simple.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah?\" Why not?\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Cuz I have you.\" you answer. \"And I don't want anyone else. That would be foolish of me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well don't I feel special.\" she laughs.\n\n\\\u003e\"You should. Because you are.\".\n\n\\\u003eShe's taking this well. You expected some jealousy or some anger or something.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah.\" you speak idly. \"And she knew how strongly I felt for you, so she. Well she didn't try to ask me to break up with you or anything. But she was so. I don't wanna say desperate, but she wanted to be with me so bad that she wanted me to consider trying to date you both at the same time.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head at the ridiculous notion and turn to Mirabelle, who has an eyebrow raised sky high and her attention squarely on you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah?\" she says. \"And what did you say to that?\"\n\n\\\u003eOkay, so she might be a bit angry now. But in the interest of being completely transparent, you have to divulge all present information.\n\n\\\u003e\"I told her no obviously!\" you throw it quickly to avoid any semblance of doubt. \"I can't even entertain the thought. It just seems wrong to me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh yeah?\" she says, the essence of tease flowing through her voice. \"Having two girlfriends? Most guys would love that wouldn't they?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Well you see. As we have established, I'm not like most guys. The men of the world might praise me, the women of the world might despise me, but I care about how people would see you. And her, I guess. How would they react if they saw me with her on these days, and me with you on these other days? Or both of you on my arms at the same time? That's crazy. Imagine how people would act.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at her again, and the teasing look is gone, replaced with a serious one.\n\n\\\u003e\"Also. I would not like to die. For fear of you, your brothers, and even Mikael finding out about that and coming to hunt me down like a criminal.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe laughs. \"Well I'm glad you have your priorities straight.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe sits up and leans over to give you a kiss, which you gladly accept.\n\n\\\u003e\"You're not mad or anything, right?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"I don't know. This is the first time I've had to deal with this. I don't feel mad, should I be mad? I don't think there's any real reason to be mad.\" she says, actually looking like she's wondering if she should be angry or not. \"You didn't do anything wrong. And it's not like I can be mad at her for liking you. If anything, I kinda feel bad. I stole that girl's crush.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah, I feel bad too, but that's just the way it is.\" you mumble.\n\n\\\u003e\"Just cuz that's the way it is, doesn't mean it's not mean. It really, wasn't fair to her I guess. Huh. I'm less bummed out about my loss now for some reason.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah well regardless of what's right or fair, or how we feel about it, there's not much we can actually do about it, I think.\"\n\n\\\u003eNow she turns over on her side and faces you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd in a split second, her serious look morphs into the most taunting, most teasing grin she's ever planted on her face.\n\n\\\u003e\"What do you mean? You just said a while ago what we could do.\"\n\n\\\u003eWhat are you talking about?\" you ask warily. As if each word spoken could set off a volatile trap.\n\n\\\u003e\"We just have to turn our couple into a triple.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at her dumbfounded, like she just told you to off yourself with complete sincerity.\n\n\\\u003eYou shake your head. \"You're messing with me, right?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Messing with you? When have I ever done that?\" she responds.\n\n\\\u003e\"Of course you're messing with me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What makes you think I'm messing with you?\"\n\n\\\u003eI can hear it in your voice.\" you fold your arms.\n\n\\\u003eShe lifts her free shoulder in a half shrug. \"This is how I always talk to you, Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nope, not hearing it.\" You turn away from her and face her wall.\n\n\\\u003eShe bursts out laughing, having all the fun in the world. She scoots closer to you and rests her chin on your upper arm.\n\n\\\u003e\"I am messing with you. To be honest, I can't really say for sure, but I think I could probably be the jealous type. So it's a good thing you made all these right choices... Or else I might have actually had to kill you.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou turn your head to look at her, and she's looking right at you. No teasing evident in that face.\n\n\\\u003eUntil she smiles big and wide and pats your arm before rolling back away.\n\n\\\u003e\"Which I'm glad I won't have to do, because I would be lonely without you. I might never find love again if you were gone.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou chuckle a bit as you return to laying on your back as well.\n\n\\\u003e\"So. The next thing to figure out would be, what to do next.\" Mirabelle ponders. \"If she won the Champ spot to try and get to you, she doesn't really need it or probably even want it anymore. So one of us just has to take it back, and all will be mostly right again.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Good luck with that. It might be a bit more difficult for me now. And you, if she decides to add you to it.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"What's that mean?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003eSo you explain the new handicap rule that was just set up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wow.\" she says. \"Honestly. That sounds like it could be fun, y'know.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You think so?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Definitely. A challenge or two to keep your fights fresh and exciting. Could be a lot of fun, don't you think?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou think about it. \"Yeah, I can see that. Guess I just didn't see the appeal cuz the first one I had to do was against Caesar and well.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You lost to Caesar?\" she gasps.\n\n\\\u003e\"On technicality, yes.\" you deflate as you confirm the worst news you've ever had to tell someone.\n\n\\\u003eShe pats your arm to comfort you. \"It's okay. It was just a fluke, you won't let it happen again.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod to her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway. Keep a handle on things until I feel good enough to come back, okay?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Will do.\" you say giving a small soldier's salute.\n\n\\\u003e\"And don't. Don't let Bree do anything odd to try and mess with you okay?\" she warns. \"I've only read it in books, so I don't know how real it can be. But I'm told people can sometimes do very crazy things to try and get what they want. Especially when it's like, matters of the heart.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll be careful.\" you assure her. \"Though she looked pretty defeated when I shut her down. I don't know how crazy she could even get like that.\"\n\n\\\u003eAfter your talk has concluded, it's time to go home.\n\n\\\u003eBelle invites you to stay for dinner, but you don't want to impose when it wasn't a day that you had planned to come over for, so you politely take your leave.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel a bit better about the whole situation after chatting with Mirabelle about it.\n\n\\\u003eYou still feel bad about Bree, but it is what it is.\n\n\\\u003eYou focus your thoughts on the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou could probably beat Bree, and take the Champ spot back, as long as you can manage to circumvent these crazy handicaps.\n\n\\\u003eBut if you think of it like Mirabelle did and consider them a fun bit of extra challenge, it might not be too bad.\n\n\\\u003eYou get home and there's one final thing you need to do.\n\n\\\u003eTell the boys of course.\n\n\\\u003eThey're gonna lose it when they hear about this.\n\n\\\u003e\"So homies. Turns out Bree had a crush on me for years now. Wild isn't it?\"\n\n\\\u003eLewis replies first with \"Oh. Finally figured that out huh. Only took two years.\"\n\n\\\u003ewat\n\n\\\u003eVerne pops in next with \"Yeah man, even I could tell she had a thing for you.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You're shittin' me.\" you respond.\n\n\\\u003e\"Dude. Did you never hear how she said 'hey' to you? There were like. Three e's in there, that's the telltale sign.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well it would've been nice if you stupid bitches had told me!\" you send.\n\n\\\u003e\"tbh I just thought you weren't into her. Like she wasn't your type.\" Lewis says.\n\n\\\u003e\"What he said.\" Verne follows.\n\n\\\u003eThese motherfuckers.\n\n\\\u003e\"How'd you find out?\" Lewis asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"She told me.\" you send. \"Her whole master plan for fighting in the Circle was to try and get me to either date her alongside Mirabelle, or date her in secret.\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd the gigachad senses this mention of proposed betrayal and pops up out of nowhere. The only thing he says is \"Anon. Don't.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I ain't.\" you say. \"I already shut it down. I wouldn't dare.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Good.\" he says. And nothing else.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ya feel better for knowing?\" Verne asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Not at all no.\" you reply. \"I would have preferred to remain blissfully ignorant. The knowledge has caused me physical pain.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe sends an emoji dying of laughter.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway. I expected you dummies to fall over yourselves in surprise, but apparently you bastards already knew. So y'know. Fuck you.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou toss your phone on your desk and lay in bed.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over at your vigilante rabbit plush.\n\n\\\u003eTime to spend the next few days acclimating to the handicaps you'll be given, in an effort to see if you can take the Champ spot.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately, you did not acclimate very well.\n\n\\\u003eWell, a lot of the challenges that you got weren't terribly difficult.\n\n\\\u003eFight without using kicks. No clinch. No other fancy moves.\n\n\\\u003eThose are doable.\n\n\\\u003eBut then when you manage to win twice in a row, she'll throw out some crazy one like, fight without throwing any punches with your left hand, don't get hit more than ten times or the worst, win in five minutes or less.\n\n\\\u003eYou always hated time trials.\n\n\\\u003eSo you've been at this for about two weeks and are absolutely no closer than when it started.\n\n\\\u003eBut the lack of consistent victory isn't what irks you. It's the fact that not a single person has challenged Bree since she won.\n\n\\\u003eWhat kinda conspiracy is this.\n\n\\\u003eShe still sits there, hollow and empty. But yet she still comes back to sit in the Champ's seat.\n\n\\\u003eAnd no one has had the desire to challenge her. Which is odd.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle should be going back any day now, since she should be healed up.\n\n\\\u003eYou needed a reprieve to take your mind off the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily it was time to free your skeleton from its flesh vest, because Halloween rolled around.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle's parents had her take little Annabelle trick or treating.\n\n\\\u003eThey dressed her up like Alice from Wunderland.\n\n\\\u003eThey also gave Mirabelle a Queen of Heart costume.\n\n\\\u003eShe looked upset but she dealt with it for her little sister.\n\n\\\u003eToo bad that means you also had to deal with it as they whipped out a surprise Mad Hadder costume for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou had to suffer for your love.\n\n\\\u003eBlake went with you guys, dressed as his own thing.\n\n\\\u003eHe was King Kazna from Shummer War.\n\n\\\u003eIt disturbed you that you instantly knew who he was and from what anime.\n\n\\\u003eIt's getting worse, the sickness is spreading.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, you had fun.\n\n\\\u003eAnnabelle usually has this vacant poker face, but she had a big adorable smile on that day.\n\n\\\u003eSome random lady mistook you and Mirabelle for Annabelle's parents somehow.\n\n\\\u003eWhich either means you look older than you are. Or she was messing with you because of the joint costumes.\n\n\\\u003eKinda made you happy though, you won't lie.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway. After Halloween came and went, you went right back to trying to make some people go to sleep, Jeff style.\n\n\\\u003eIt still isn't working out in the best of ways.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle told you to head to the Circle today and she'd meet up with you, so you are here with Blake, currently deep in your mind before the day starts.\n\n\\\u003eNo one's still challenged Bree, and it's becoming concerning.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon.\" someone calls.\n\n\\\u003eWhat is she doing, paying them off? Nah that's ridiculous.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anoon.\" they say again.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe it's just because she looks so damn sad. Who can put the screws to someone so miserable?\n\n\\\u003eAnon!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh what?!\" you shout, startled out of your musings.\n\n\\\u003eElodi is the one who had been calling you for a while.\n\n\\\u003e\"I've been trying to talk to you.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Sorry, what's up?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well um. A few people have been asking me. And I didn't know so I figured I'd ask you. When you plan for the next event to be?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Event? What?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Like the thing you did almost a year ago. That double's tournament? They were wondering when you were going to plan something like that again.\" she explains.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh. Why me, I don't have any real control here.\" you shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well you're the one who organized the first one, so maybe they just expect you to do it again? Maybe it's like a respect thing as well.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmmm.\" You actually think about that. \"Well, I didn't have anything planned, no. We could always just do another double's tournament, make that like an annual thing.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. I guess that could work.\" she nods, though she looks like it's not what she was expecting you to say.\n\n\\\u003e\"What? You got something better?\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh no, it's not my decision or anything.\" she says.\n\n\\\u003eYou fold your arms. \"You're right. Doing the same thing over may not be too exciting. So let's just ask the crowd what they'd be into.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou got the idea for a double's tourney from Kayo anyway. You don't come up with the ideas you just pitch them.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay, that sounds fine.\" she agrees.\n\n\\\u003eSo after everyone shows up, and Elodi does her introductions, she beckons you forward.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright you wiley bastards, settle down!\" you yell. \"I hear most of you are waiting on me to announce some new event for the Circle, for whatever reason. But I'm here to tell you!\" you throw your hands up in an exaggerated shrug. \"I ain't got shit.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Aww booo!\" you hear from the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eAnd a lot of others voice a similar disappointment.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright settle down!\" you roar.\n\n\\\u003eAfter the people calm themselves, you continue.\n\n\\\u003e\"So I'm here to ask you. What would you be interested in having? Gimme your ideas, and if they're good we might just be able to turn it into something.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou scan the crowd quickly. \"Or else we're just gonna have another double's and no one likes repeat performances.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou wait, as you hear the collective mumbling of people discussing amongst themselves.\n\n\\\u003e\"Come on, just spit something out!\" you bark.\n\n\\\u003e\"Like a battle royale!\" your almost a younger brother shouts out.\n\n\\\u003eYou point to him. \"I like where you're going with that, but it might be a bit too. Chaotic...\"\n\n\\\u003eHey hold on he's onto something.\n\n\\\u003e\"No. No wait. That's genius. A free for all!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Elodi, then back around the crowd.\n\n\\\u003e\"Picture it you dummies! Four combatants enter. No friendships, no allies. Only one person left standing at the end.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou glance around and see the eyes of a couple people widening in interest and the nods of approval.\n\n\\\u003e\"We have a few seperate rounds, and each winner will move on to the next. Culminating in one final free for all battle, where the best of them will fight. And of course, the prize for that one true victor, would be none other than everyone's coveted desire.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou hold your hand in Bree's direction. \"The title of Champion.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou wait and gauge the reaction of the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eAnd wait. And wait some more.\n\n\\\u003eSomeone towards the back yells out a thunderous \"WHOO!\" and the entire crowd goes ballistic.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around, nodding fervently at the bloodthirsty monstrosities you have birthed.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Elodi and make the motion for the airhorn. Which she retrieves and hands to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou let the airhorn blare to calm these madmen and women down.\n\n\\\u003e\"So I take it we're good with this idea?\"\n\n\\\u003eThey pretty much all voice their agreement.\n\n\\\u003e\"Excellent. Well thought up Blake, we'll dedicate the tournament to you. We'll call it something crazy like 'Blake's Beatdown Bonanza'. Actually. He needs a more tangible reward.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look over at Elodi. \"Elodi, you're cute, smooch his face.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait what?! she shouts, blush flooding her face. \"Why me?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou turn your head up and glare at her from the corner of your eye. \"You dare question your king?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou glare for a while and she shrinks under your gaze.\n\n\\\u003e\"We'll come back to this. Anyway. I'll hash the details out, but for the meantime. Hey Sly, you still have a bunch of those name cards from the last event?!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes I do!\" she shouts. \"More than enough I'd say!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Great! Welp. If you're gonna sign up, go sign up.\" You blare the airhorn one more time, and a mass of bodies scatter and line up at Sly's table.\n\n\\\u003eYou hand the airhorn back to Elodi.\n\n\\\u003e\"D-Do I really have to-\" she starts.\n\n\\\u003e\"I was just joking, I'll buy him a snack or something, you don't really have to. I mean unless you want to.\" you tell her and walk away.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand back toward where the edge of the Circle starts.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a look at Bree, who is looking at you, but with a gaze not as hollow as it has been.\n\n\\\u003eBut you don't know what to say or do about that, so you do nothing.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle arrives after a while, and immediately notices the line of people at Sly's table.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey, what's going on?\" she asks you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh my dear.\" you say. \"What would you say to the idea of fighting three other people at the same time, while they are also trying to fight you and each other?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"What are you planning?\" she asks quickly.\n\n\\\u003eFree for all tournament.\" you reply just as quickly.\n\n\\\u003eShe stares at you, blue eyes practically shimmering in adoration.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon I love you.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eLove you too, baby.\" you pull her toward you and lay a smooch on her forehead. \"Though I gotta be honest, it wasn't my idea per se, Blake brought it up. I just pitched it because I have authority it seems.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"This is gonna be good. Maybe even better than the double's thing. I'm gonna go sign up, did you already?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nah, not yet. I'm gonna bring up the rear, like last time. Go right ahead though.\" you point her towards the line. \"Let's just hope we don't get put together in the first round. That'd be embarrassing. For me.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"You had better not lose until we do get matched up.\" she says as she runs off.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch the line shrink as people put their names down and come back to reform the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eOut of the corner of your eye, you watch that giant gator who has made himself known approach you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon. Had to let you know that I'll be takin' off soon. So. Y'know if you wanted to get that rematch in today, I'd be down.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Aww man you're leaving, Lenny?\" you say feigning disappointment. \"That's a shame man, but I get it. Gotta finally get back to your girl. It's just a shame you're gonna miss the free for all tournament.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... I'm sorry the what?\" he asks, confusion plain as day.\n\n\\\u003e\"The free for all tournament.\" you explain. \"It's a new thing we've been doing. Last event was a two on two tournament. This time, we're throwing teams away and going free for all. Shame you gotta go home though.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe pulls out his phone. \"I'm cancellin' my fuckin' flight right now.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou reach up and pat his shoulder. \"Good man I'm sure she'll understand.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou watch Lenny step lively toward the sign up line. You scan the line to see who's still waiting to sign up.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you catch Mirabelle. Talking with Bree.\n\n\\\u003eOh God no.\n\n\\\u003eThat can't be about anything good.\n\n\\\u003eThe conversation looks civil enough, but who knows if it'll stay that way.\n\n\\\u003eBetter intervene just in case.\n\n\\\u003eYou start walking over.\n\n\\\u003eBree is faccing away from you, but Mirabelle is facing your direction. So she sees you approaching out of the corner of her eye.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns and glares at you with a look so dire it threatens to stop your heart.\n\n\\\u003eSo you about face and walk right back to where you were standing.\n\n\\\u003eYou slav squat and subtly glance around hoping no one saw you cowed into submission.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's not just her brothers that can invoke the eyes of death, she can actually do it too.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch them intently as they converse.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't know what they're talking about. But apparently it's positive.\n\n\\\u003eAt least for Bree, because she's been hunched over and crestfallen ever since you stepped on her heart. But at this point she stands straight up, and by the not so gentle rustling coming from the back of her jacket and waist tied shirt, Mirabelle must have said something nice to her.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle grins, but it's that taunting, challenging grin that she uses so often.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns around and goes back to waiting in line.\n\n\\\u003eBree turns and looks at you.\n\n\\\u003eHer gaze is no longer hollow. Those violet flames are rekindled and blazing.\n\n\\\u003eWell that's interesting?\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eThe hell was that about?\n\n\\\u003eYou watch Mirabelle, slightly bouncing up and down in anticipation.\n\n\\\u003eYou're distracted by Blake passing in front of you and standing at your side.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your fist up to him. \"Good job Blake. You just made the Circle like twenty five percent more interesting.\n\n\\\u003e\"Thank you, thank you.\" he says as he bumps your fist. \"I aim to please.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou wait a bit longer as the line starts to trickle down.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle makes her way back to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Everything alright over there?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Everything is just fine.\" she replies with that grin of hers.\n\n\\\u003e\"Should I be worried?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Of course not.\" she reaches down and pats your head, smoothing your hair back. \"Just don't lose.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh-kay.\"\n\n\\\u003eThat's odd. You should probably be worried.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon!\" Sly shouts from her table. \"You're the last one, chief, waiting on you!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou jump up and hustle over to the table and write your name down.\n\n\\\u003eYou beckon Elodi over. \"We'll give it a day or two, just in case anyone who isn't here but is interested can sign up. Get a few people to pass the word around school. No need to rush like last time.\"\n\n\\\u003eElodi and Sly both nod.\n\n\\\u003eFree for all.\n\n\\\u003eThis is gonna be fun.\n\n\\\u003eIf only Kayo were here for this one, that would be a sight to see.\n\n\\\u003eActually.\n\n\\\u003eYou text your group chat.\n\n\\\u003e\"Free for all tournament.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Pardon?\" Lewis sends.\n\n\\\u003e\"We're having a free for all tournament at the Circle.\" you clarify.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yooo, that sounds dope.\" Verne replies.\n\n\\\u003e\"Sounds chaotic.\" Lewis comments. \"Hope Elodi can handle that.\"\n\n\\\u003eNo reply from Mikael, so he must be busy.\n\n\\\u003e. . .\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eOr so you think, because after the day ends, and you're about to head to bed, he did not neglect to send you several choice viking words detailing his current feelings about the fact that you're having a dope ass tournament without him.\n\n\\\u003eHis fault for getting ready to get on a boat.\n\n\\\u003eThe day has come.\n\n\\\u003eThe heat of battle, as Elodi so eloquently put it is burning fiercely today.\n\n\\\u003eWhich is a good thing, because it's right back to being oddly chilly.\n\n\\\u003eNature just can't decide what to do with its weather right now, can it?\n\n\\\u003eYou took a few days to get the word out about the free for all.\n\n\\\u003eThere were a few more sign ups from some more people who don't go to the Circle every day, but were still plently invested in the free for all idea.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's got quite the turnout.\n\n\\\u003eIt's a fresh new start of the week right after school is out, and a lot of people arrived earlier than they ever have.\n\n\\\u003eAll the participants are squirming in anticipation of the event's beginning.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily they don't have to wait long, because Elodi comes front and center to start it up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hello everyone!\" she starrts. \"Thanks to our very own Anon and some worthwhile suggestions from some particpants, we have a brand new event for you. So welcome to our very first Circle Free For All!\"\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd cheers louder than they ever have before.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey!\" you cut through their cheers. \"That's not the name. Say the name Elodi.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you, ready to protest, but you stare her down with all the malice of a tyrant.\n\n\\\u003e\"Welcome to Blake's Beatdown Bonanza.\" she drones.\n\n\\\u003eDamn, she really channeled all the soulless emptiness of Lewis with that one.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Blake with a big grin. He facepalms, but you can see a grin on his face as well.\n\n\\\u003e\"Now, with that bit of silliness out of the way, I hope you're all ready!\" she restores her energy and calls out.\n\n\\\u003eElodi grabs the box with name cards in them and shuffles them before calling out four names for the first fight.\n\n\\\u003eBlake is the absolute first name she calls, and you have to believe it's some sort of divine providence.\n\n\\\u003e\"The event is named after you Blake. Don't lose in your own event during the first round.\" you tell him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Ye of little faith. Don't you know us Dunwick's don't lose?\" he counters as he steps in.\n\n\\\u003eYou have a counter to that statement considering the fact that there is currently a small deer in the Champ's seat across from you. But you don't want to psych him out, so you remain silent.\n\n\\\u003eLooks like Blake is up against a fox, a canine, golden retriever it looks like, and a scrawny human kid.\n\n\\\u003eThe fox and human don't look too tough, but the dog looks like he could do some damage.\n\n\\\u003eBlake musics up and gets in his groove.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. Just like last time, in the interests of time constraints, we're just going to jump right into the fights.\" Elodi informs. \"So if everyone is ready.\" She glances around to get the nods of confirmation, except for Blake who gives a confident thumbs up after seeing his opponents nod. \"Then let's begin the first round of this free for all tournament and. Fight!\"\n\n\\\u003eThe fox and the human start things off by rushing each other. Which leaves the dog to come to Blake.\n\n\\\u003eThe dog runs up to Blake and in an awful display of offense and no defense, he throws a wild punch.\n\n\\\u003eBlake slides to the left and punches him in the cheek.\n\n\\\u003eThe dog throws a punch vertically trying to clock Blake on the dome, but Blake slides to the right then kicks him in the side\n\n\\\u003eThe dog hooks and Blake ducks. Then practically Looigi green missiles the dog by throwing the top of his head into the dog's chin.\n\n\\\u003eBlake looks fine, the dog steps backward.\n\n\\\u003eBlake gives some leeway as the dog recovers.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eToo bad he's remembered a little too late that's there's more than one opponent.\n\n\\\u003eThe scrwany kid sees an opportunity and runs forward, throwing a big punch at the dog.\n\n\\\u003eThe dog pivots at the last moment toward the oncoming danger, and catches that punch right in his gut.\n\n\\\u003eHe steps backward and Blake takes a page from his sister's book, coming forward and hitting the dog in the back with a dropkick.\n\n\\\u003eThe dog launches forward and right into the scrawny kid. The fox was approaching to get in on some of that easy money, but stepped back as his original opponent gets flattened under a golden corpse.\n\n\\\u003eBlake however ran forward, and frontflipped over the bodies on the ground, before throwing his foot out and clocking the fox right on the head with an overhead heel crush.\n\n\\\u003eIt threw the fox right into the dirt where he did not get back up again.\n\n\\\u003eThe scrawny kid managed to throw the dog off of him, to catch a glimpse at the obliteration of that fox's skull.\n\n\\\u003eHe looked at Blake from his vulnerable position on the ground, then to the unconscious dog and the fox writhing in pain.\n\n\\\u003eBlake seems to remember that he exists and looks back. He takes a few steps toward him but the kid waves his hands seeking mercy and surrenders.\n\n\\\u003eElodi looks at this situation a bit stunned, because two opponents just dropped before she could even say they were done, and the third gave up.\n\n\\\u003e\"Blake Dunwick is our first winner.\" she manages to find enough sense to say though.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd looks shocked at how quickly Blake just ran through three opponents. But they still clap and cheer for him.\n\n\\\u003eHe removes his earbuds and bows to his adoring public before going to stand next to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"See, when I told you 'just don't lose' all those weeks ago, I meant that.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod to him with an ever growing respect.\n\n\\\u003eHe made that quick and easy. But he's a Dunwick, so the game was of course rigged.\n\n\\\u003eSo of course Blake set the bar for the rest of the event with his first ever free for all win.\n\n\\\u003eA bunch of challengers began participating in some unspoken challenge by trying to win their round faster than he did.\n\n\\\u003eBut of course, those were a lot of the non constant attendees who weren't really aware that Blake is on a different level.\n\n\\\u003eSo those poor misguided fools dug their own graves when they got matched against the more proven fighters.\n\n\\\u003eThere are also a lot of rounds. With the plan being four rounds a day, the entire first week is about to be comprised of the preliminary fights.\n\n\\\u003eBut that's fine, there's no chance for the excitement to dwindle just yet.\n\n\\\u003eThe first day ends successfully. Though none of the other challengers you're keeping an eye out for had a bout today.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle, Lenny. You aren't sure if Bree signed up. Not like she seems super interested in keeping the Champ spot now.\n\n\\\u003eBut she did seem motivated during those sign ups, so maybe she did.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, the second day of the first set of rounds comes through.\n\n\\\u003eFighters are called, and you watch their battles with interest, clapping and cheering whenever something interesting happens since you aren't placing your bets on any one individual.\n\n\\\u003eThat is, until the fighters for the next round are called. And going up against each other are Clyde, the horse, a boar quite a bit larger than Gus, and another dog, this one looks like a Husky.\n\n\\\u003eThe last name called is of that gargantuan green-scaled gator, Lenny.\n\n\\\u003eHe walks in slow, back arched, fingers curled like a monster. He looks between his opponents and wipes the back of his palm against his mouth.\n\n\\\u003eThis dude really likes to play up the hungry monster angle.\n\n\\\u003eElodi looks around and asks if everyone is ready. Everyone nods.\n\n\\\u003eShe calls for the fight to start, and the boar throws himself toward the dog.\n\n\\\u003eWhich would leave Clyde to contend with Lenny.\n\n\\\u003eThat probably isn't the best idea but Clyde doesn't seem to care, he rushes forward to meet Lenny.\n\n\\\u003eLenny does the same, charging at Clyde.\n\n\\\u003eThey meet in the middle and throw their bulks against each other. However Lenny's got more bulk to throw around and Clyde's advance is stopped and pushed back.\n\n\\\u003eLenny follows up by throwing his foot dead center at Clyde, with a kick that looked like he was trying to bust down a reinforced door.\n\n\\\u003eClyde gets launched back and hits the dirt already and you expect Lenny to follow up on that.\n\n\\\u003eBut he turns his attention completely away from Clyde and walks casually up to the dog and boar duking it out.\n\n\\\u003eHe stands behind the boar, radiating violence. The dog stops and looks up, which causes the boar to stop and turn around.\n\n\\\u003eYou can clearly see the fear permeate his being as he glances up at that reptilian styled reaper.\n\n\\\u003eLenny reels back and clocks the boar in the side of the head.\n\n\\\u003eThe boar drops to his hands and knees, only to be treated with a kick to the gut that sends him rolling into the edge of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eWthout missing a beat, Lenny turns on the dog and punches him twice in the chest.\n\n\\\u003eThe dog blocks the first two strikes, but Lenny follows with his backhand into hook combo and catches the dog in the jaw.\n\n\\\u003eClyde comes up to hit him with that fancy side kick, but Lenny catches his whole leg, then throws it straight down, disrupting Clyde's balance.\n\n\\\u003eLenny grips Clyde's skull with both his hands. And then throws one, two, three powerful knees into his chest, then practically throws him into the ground.\n\n\\\u003eClyde hits the deck and manages to huddle and clutch his torso before lying unmoving on his side.\n\n\\\u003eLenny stands to his full height and casually rolls his neck. Until he gets a look of surprise when the dog punches him a few times in the back.\n\n\\\u003eLenny turns. Slowly, ominously, and faces him.\n\n\\\u003eDog shoulda just played dead.\n\n\\\u003eWhich is probably what he's thinking right now as Lenny smiles wickedly and bares all his teeth.\n\n\\\u003eHe throws his hand onto the shoulder of the dog, then pulls him forward and adjusts his hand until it's clasped around his neck.\n\n\\\u003eThen Lenny heaves, and lifts the poor pooch right into the sky with one hand.\n\n\\\u003eThe dog struggles and kicks at Lenny while trying to pry the death grip from his throat.\n\n\\\u003eBut Lenny chuckles. And you could swear the temperature just dropped another ten degrees.\n\n\\\u003eLenny takes his right fist and blasts the dog's exposed stomach twice. Then he sets him back on the ground onto his feet.\n\n\\\u003eThe dog falls right over, no life left to hold him aloft.\n\n\\\u003eLenny looks around at the carnage he brought,\u0026nbsp; as a few helpers Elodi brought in are attempting to quickly drag Lenny's victims away to get them out of the match's center after they were pronounced done.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Uh. Lenny Lagrange is the winner.\" Elodi squeaks out.\n\n\\\u003eLenny throws his head back and roars to the sky in triumph. And you honestly think a few of the scales on his back might start glowing or something.\n\n\\\u003eSo he plays up that hungry monster shtick because he, in fact, is one.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around the crowd and see several people silently praying that they never have to get matched up against Lenny in their lifetimes.\n\n\\\u003eLenny's fight yesterday was a hard match to follow.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003ePeople had to give Lenny a wide berth on the way out, and are doing the same today. He really shocked everyone with that impressive and kind of terrifying display.\n\n\\\u003eBut the third day has arrived, and you're getting a bit nervous.\n\n\\\u003eThe closer it comes to the end, means the closer it gets to you being matched against Mirabelle in the first round.\n\n\\\u003eAnd that would just be no fun.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily it won't seem to come to that, because Mirabelle gets called to fight.\n\n\\\u003eShe's going against a female maned wolf. Which seems more like a lanky fox than a wolf. Although surprisingly, they're actually not considered either.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eThere's an aardwolf guy who looks nervous but excited. Aardwolves are actually related to the hyena family.\n\n\\\u003eAnd the last challenger is this strange breed of almost zebra called an okapi. Although they have zebra stripes, they're actually more closely related to giraffes.\n\n\\\u003e... It's definitely just a product of school learning and scientific coincidence that you know what species of animal family these people are related to.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, the okapi was swaying to and fro in this sort of ditzy airheaded way. But once Elodi came up and asked if everyone was ready, she nodded and shifted into murder mode.\n\n\\\u003eElodi called for the fight to start and the okapi blitzed past and tackled that unsuspecting aardwolf right to the ground.\n\n\\\u003eIt's always startling to see such ferocity from the herbivores and those who would be considered prey species.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, that left the maned wolf to either get involved with those two, or engage Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eUnfortunately, her choice was made for her as Mirabelle bounds forward and jumps up, grabbing the wolf by her shoulders and knocking her off balance.\n\n\\\u003eThe wolf falls backward and Mirabelle tucks her knees, driving them into the chest of the wolf as they hit the ground.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle then rolls forward and is right back on her feet.\n\n\\\u003eHowever the wolf fights through her pain and twists on the ground, then sweeps Mirabelle's legs from under her.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle hits the ground and the wolf rolls into her and jumps on top of her before she can recover.\n\n\\\u003eThe wolf throws punch after punch, but Mirabelle defends against most of it.\n\n\\\u003eGranted the wolf is so offensive that all Mirabelle can do is defend.\n\n\\\u003eYou glance quickly at the other side of the Circle, and that okapi has that aardwolf in an armbar.\n\n\\\u003eWhat do you know, another submission user.\n\n\\\u003eYou also think you can hear her slightly giggling to herself as she gets ready to rip that guy's arm right off.\n\n\\\u003eBack to Mirabelle, she's still pinned under the wolf.\n\n\\\u003eShe tries to wriggle herself forward in an attempt to reel her foot back and kick the wolf off, but the wolf hovers right over her, not allowing it.\n\n\\\u003eShe keeps punching, Mirabelle keeps blocking.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle throws a punch or two, but that lanky broad weaves right out of Mirabelle's range and goes back to swinging.\n\n\\\u003eYou hear a quick \"He's done.\" from Elodi and look up to see the aardwolf already tapping out.\n\n\\\u003eThe okapi stands up and gently dusts off her shirt before she turns to the other side of the fight.\n\n\\\u003eShe could theoretically wait it out and take on whoever is left, but she doesn't seem too interested in that logical thinking.\n\n\\\u003eShe trots over to get involved.\n\n\\\u003eThe wolf glances over her shoulder for a second, but doesn't seem to do anything against the approach of another enemy.\n\n\\\u003eAt least until she twists and throws her arm backward and catches the okapi in the stomach.\n\n\\\u003eBut with her attention divided, Mirabelle manages to slide a leg from beneath the wolf and kick her backward and away.\n\n\\\u003eRight into the arms of the okapi, who turns the tables by dragging her to the floor and pinning the wolf.\n\n\\\u003eThe wolf throws a punch. The okapi responds by catching her wrist. The wolf tries again and is met with the same tactic.\n\n\\\u003eThe okapi spreads her arms apart, and then throws her head down, headbutting the wolf right across the forehead.\n\n\\\u003ethe wolf cringes and clutches her skull when the okapi releases her arms.\n\n\\\u003eBut quickly has her lack of guard taken advantage of as she's placed in a kneebar.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch the wolf protest and struggle greatly. But after being unable to escape for a few moments, the pain seems too great and she taps out.\n\n\\\u003e\"She's done.\" Elodi calls, and the okapi releases her hold.\n\n\\\u003eShe rolls over and poses on the ground like she's in a cabin, lying sensually in front of the fire. Before she giggles to herself and stands up.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle stands in awe. And rightfully so, considering the double down this girl just acheived.\n\n\\\u003eThe okapi walks up casually, brings her finger up. And boops Mirabelle's button nose, to get her attention.\n\n\\\u003eShe even says \"boop\" as she does it.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle shakes her head to recover her focus.\n\n\\\u003eThe okapi waits for Mirabelle to make a move.\n\n\\\u003eWhenever Mirabelle tiries to strike, the okapi will attempt to block and grab Mirabelle's arm or leg.\n\n\\\u003eShe tries to tackle Mirabelle a few times, but Mirabelle dodges those. During one dodge, she pivoted and kicked the okapi right in the butt, in order to demonstrate that her tactic wasn't working. However she just laughed it off and kept trying to go for the grabs.\n\n\\\u003eSo her only offense seems to be the submissions.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle comes up and throws an obvious straight kick.\n\n\\\u003eThe okapi catches it right out the air.\n\n\\\u003eBut Mirabelle jumps off of her foot that's still grounded and brings it all the way up to kick the okapi right under the chin.\n\n\\\u003eShe releases Mirabelle, takes a good few steps backward and then falls to the ground.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle jumps up and is ready to pursue but.\n\n\\\u003e\"Kay. I'm done.\" the okapi says. \"I got two, that's more than enough for me.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe stands up and murder mode goes off. Then she trots out of the center of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Mirabelle Dunwick is the winner.\" Elodi confirms.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eThat was. An event.\n\n\\\u003eWho knew there were all these bloodthirsty monsters just hiding out?\n\n\\\u003eYou figure Mirabelle's fight might just be the last important one for the day and that you could get ready to focus on your own.\n\n\\\u003eBut Elodi calls for the last fight of the day and who else would it be but Bree?\n\n\\\u003eSeems she signed up after all.\n\n\\\u003eShe glances at you and Mirabelle briefly as she steps in.\n\n\\\u003eBree gets put against that puma and jaguar(cheetah, leopard) from the double's tourney.\n\n\\\u003eThey must actually be friends because they shake hands and wish each other luck as they step in.\n\n\\\u003eThe last opponent is this bighorn ram who's about a foot taller than Bree and real round in the belly.\n\n\\\u003eHe seems to curse his luck as he's put against two big cats and the current Champ.\n\n\\\u003eHe still nods when Elodi asks if he's ready though. As do the the others.\n\n\\\u003eThe fight starts and the two cats share a wordless agreement.\n\n\\\u003eThen they rush Bree.\n\n\\\u003eBree however doesn't move. More because of surprise than confidence it seems.\n\n\\\u003eThey close in, ready to bully her into submission, but. They stop.\n\n\\\u003eBree stares right at them with those big, innocent doe eyes of hers.\n\n\\\u003eThe puma and jaguar don't move. Until the puma raises his hand, and suddenly slugs the jaguar right in the jaw.\n\n\\\u003eThe jaguar looks betrayed until the ram shows up and throws himself right into the back of the puma.\n\n\\\u003eSo then the jaguar changes targets and tries to throw a few punches at the ram.\n\n\\\u003eHowever he didn't forget that random cheap shot his buddy hit him with and throws a punch or two at the puma as well.\n\n\\\u003eThe ram looks like he just got into a fight for his life as he blocks and counterattacks to the best of his ability.\n\n\\\u003eSo now it's a triple threat match, with Bree standing on the edge, profiting.\n\n\\\u003eAll without throwing a single punch, what a move.\n\n\\\u003eShe makes her way around the edge of the Circle, trying to find a better vantage point.\n\n\\\u003eThe jaguar throws a punch at the ram, but the ram turned his head to face the puma. So the jaguar ended up punching the ram in his horn, and eating the backlash that came with it.\n\n\\\u003eHe takes a few steps backward to shake off the pain.\n\n\\\u003eToo bad he stepped backwards toward where Bree was waiting.\n\n\\\u003eShe steps up behind him, strafes around his side and kicks him right at the bend of his knee, dropping him down. Then in one fluid motion she reels back and launches forward, cracking him in the jaw with a Mountain Buster.\n\n\\\u003eThat puts him down. He hits the ground flat, tries for a moment to push himself up, but sputters and collapses.\n\n\\\u003eElodi quickly assesses him and confirms that he's done.\n\n\\\u003eOver on the other side, you catch the ram held in a dangerous position.\n\n\\\u003eHis head is between the puma's legs, and you immediately think that the puma is about to facebuster that ram.\n\n\\\u003eTurns out the ram is in the dominant position here, because he bends his knees and lifts the puma right into the air, with his arms wrapped around his legs.\n\n\\\u003eThe puma flails and wiggles a bit, but suspended in the air as he is, he doesn't seem to feel too safe.\n\n\\\u003eThe ram then bends forward quickly and the puma falls backward, thrown onto the ground, back first.\n\n\\\u003eKind of like an altered version of a powerbomb.\n\n\\\u003eThe ram takes a couple steps back, the puma tries to raise himself up. The ram runs forward and leaps over the puma, curling himself like he's about to cannonball into a pool, before falling right on top of him back first and knocking his wind and will to fight right out.\n\n\\\u003eThe ram rolls over. Elodi confirms the puma is also done and her assistants move quickly to retrieve him.\n\n\\\u003eThe ram stands to his feet and looks to Bree who is stood still.\n\n\\\u003eShe gives the ram a little golf clap though.\n\n\\\u003eHe smiles and bows deeply. And uses that deep bow of his to try and fake Bree out, charging straight at her.\n\n\\\u003eShe dodges to the side though and he stops right before he reaches the edge of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eHe turns and she's right there, reaching her hands out to grab onto him.\n\n\\\u003eAnd reminiscent of that time you fought Benji, she grabs him by the horns and yanks down on his head, throwing knees into his mushy face.\n\n\\\u003eHe however, manages to retaliate, throwing punches at her as she devastates his face.\n\n\\\u003eA knee, a return punch, a knee, a return punch.\n\n\\\u003eAnother knee, and the return punch is too weak to be considered such, so Bree stops.\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes up and crouches down, trying to peak up into his eyes.\n\n\\\u003eShe asks if he's done. He doesn't respond but flails his arms like he's trying to grab the space around him.\n\n\\\u003eShe peaks a little closer at his face and after seeing whatever in his eyes that she sees, or doesn't see, she concludes that he's done as well.\n\n\\\u003eBree gently releases his horns and the ram slumps into the waitng arms of Elodi's assistants.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree Willshire is this round's winner.\" Elodi says to the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eThe people cheer, you clap in congratulations.\n\n\\\u003eNot a bad fight, not bad at all.\n\n\\\u003eThat was the last fight, so everyone gets ready to head home.\n\n\\\u003eSomething compels you to talk to Bree for a moment.\n\n\\\u003eYou probably shouldn't. But well, she didn't state that she didn't want to be friends anymore or anything. So just a casual chat should be okay, right?\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you can ask what her and Mirabelle were gabbing about while you're at it.\n\n\\\u003eYou hand Mirabelle your car key and tell her that you have to go talk to Elodi about something real quick.\n\n\\\u003eShe accepts that and walks with Blake to the car.\n\n\\\u003eAfter they're gone you quickly step up to Bree.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey Bree.\" you say as you reach her.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns toward you with almost alarming speed. \"Oh, heee- ah, um. I mean, hey Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Didn't expect you to join the tournament. To be honest, you looked a bit, under the weather I guess.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh.\" She shrugs and nods. \"Yeah, I guess I was a bit down in the dumps. You understand. But I have to defend my Championship, don't I? Besides, I feel. A bit better now.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah. You seemed to perk up a bit after you had a talk with Mirabelle?\" you prod. \"What was that about?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"She. She helped me.\" Bree says. \"Gave me a good reason to feel better... And that's all I have to say about that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, what did she say that-\" you start but.\n\n\\\u003e\"See you later Anon.\" she cuts you off and walks away.\n\n\\\u003eHuh.\n\n\\\u003eWell. Long as she's feeling better, you feel better.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eSeeing her so downtrodden was an ordeal.\n\n\\\u003eTime to focus on the bigger things. Like your fight.\n\n\\\u003eBecause the wait is driving you mad.\n\n\\\u003eToo bad the powers that be decided that you weren't mad enough, because it's not until the absolute final round of the first set that your name is called.\n\n\\\u003e\"Finally!\" you shout at the peak of your rage as you step into the Circle. \"Start the fight! Right now. I crave violence!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou're practically seething with wrath as you glance between your opponents.\n\n\\\u003eBrandon, that black furred cat that partnered with Caesar a while ago. There's also another fox who looks like he stepped out of a cartoon. Squinty eyes, shifty gaze. The last one is that badger chick, Wendy. She doesn't look too thrilled.\n\n\\\u003e\"It's not my fault you didn't get picked until now, blame the cards.\" Elodi says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Start. The fight.\" you respond.\n\n\\\u003e\"Fine fine. Is everyone ready?\"\n\n\\\u003eEveryone nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let's. Fight!\"\n\n\\\u003eYour opponents look between each other.\n\n\\\u003eThen simultaneously, all three gazes snap to you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd before you have the chance to guess at their thoughts, all three of them rush you.\n\n\\\u003eThis is. Exactly what you were hoping they would do.\n\n\\\u003eThere will be no mercy. You are more Furious than a Rajong in all of its golden frenzy.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou stare down Brandon as they run up to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou reel back in preparation for your Mountain Buster right from the get go.\n\n\\\u003eSince Brandon thinks you're aiming for him he halts his advance.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, that was just a feint. You plant your foot back down and balance yourself just in time to avoid a punch from the fox.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou counter his punch with a hook so fierce it spins him and causes him to step away from you.\n\n\\\u003eBrandon resumes his approach and throws a punch at you now too.\n\n\\\u003eYou catch his hand right out of the air and squeeze like you could shatter every bone in his hand.\n\n\\\u003eThen you pull him in and lash your fist out, battering him right between the eyes.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw another into his gut, trying to get him to cough up a hairball.\n\n\\\u003eYou drop his hand and grab him by the collar of his shirt, then pull and toss him into the fox, who was just now recovering and making his way back to you.\n\n\\\u003eThe force of Brandon colliding with him causes the fox to backpedal and fall backwards. But Brandon managed to remain upright.\n\n\\\u003eThat's a shame, because as he attempts to keep his balance you clock him right in the cheek with a haymaker full of blood boiled wrath.\n\n\\\u003eBrandon goes down, out like a light, but you're already setting yourself on the fox.\n\n\\\u003eHe tries to stand back up but you kick him right back down.\n\n\\\u003eYou pin him down with your hand on his chest and another on his leg.\n\n\\\u003eYou kick your legs skyward and suddenly you're basically doing a handstand right over this fox.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait wait wait please!\" he screams out, but you disrespectfully refuse.\n\n\\\u003eYou descend back down and drive your falling knee right into his squishy malleable flank.\n\n\\\u003eHe flips and rolls and squeals like you just stabbed him with a hunting knife.\n\n\\\u003eHe rolls himself right into the edge of the Circle, then tries to crawl between the people standing at the edge.\n\n\\\u003eSo he's obviosuly done too.\n\n\\\u003eYou look around and realize that Wendy never continued her advance.\n\n\\\u003eYou glare at her as she stares in trepidation.\n\n\\\u003eYou sniff the air twice. \"Is that. Fear I smell?\" you ask with as tyrannical a voice as you can acheive.\n\n\\\u003eShe stands frozen as she casts a quick glance at the two guys you just massacred.\n\n\\\u003e\"Fight. Or kneel. Your king commands.\" you say, as you open your arms wide, and stick your cheek out. Offering her one free hit.\n\n\\\u003eShe has a look. Like it's not worth it. But no one likes to pass up on freebies. So she musters every last bit of strength she can and belts you across the cheek with a clean hook.\n\n\\\u003eAnd imitating Lenny from his fight against Caesar. You grin, and chuckle, as you turn to face her again.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hand back to offer your own strike in kind.\n\n\\\u003e\"Nope, never mind I'm sorry, I'm done!\" she steps backward and shouts quickly, attempting to be spared your revenge.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well it looks like An-\" Elodi starts.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hand up to pause her. \"No.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Wendy, and tilt your head questioningly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003eShe doesn't seem to understand. Until she remembers what you said just a moment earlier.\n\n\\\u003eShe sits on her knees politely.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm done.\" she offers.\n\n\\\u003eYou shoo her away like a regal figure tired of his jester.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wish I was born a honey badger.\" Wendy mutters under her breath. \"Hey uh. Elodi, maybe uh. Maybe you should, like let Anon go first next time. Or something. Just a thought.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe walks away and a few people in the crowd seem to share her final sentiment, as evidenced by the vigorous nodding.\n\n\\\u003e\"He's almost as bad as that gator dude.\" someone in the crowd says.\n\n\\\u003eOh so suddenly you're a monster huh?\n\n\\\u003eAs if you haven't always been this way.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well, regardless. Anon is the final winner of our first set of rounds. Which means next week our winners will be moving up and facing each other now!\" Elodi informs the crowd. \"We hope to see you all here once again!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou walk up to Mirabelle and Blake feeling like a pipe has burst and relieved you of the chaotic pressure of combat that was building within.\n\n\\\u003e\"Geez Anon, you're kind of a bully, huh?\" Blake comments.\n\n\\\u003e\"What? Nah.\" you say. \"I just happened to wake up and choose violence today.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Isn't choosing violence like, the whole reason you come to the Circle?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm. Guess you're right. So I guess I chose ultraviolence then.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou brush the nonexistent dust from your grandfather's jacket.\n\n\\\u003eYour grandpa's jacket. Owned by the man who lost his life to wrath.\n\n\\\u003e...\n\n\\\u003eThe spirit of his blood red rage persists through his garb, and flows now through you!\n\n\\\u003ePfft, yeah right, this ain't one of Blake's animes.\n\n\\\u003e\"Let's try and bring that down a bit, maybe.\" Mirabelle says. \"Can't have much fun if you just knock your opponents out in the first thirty seconds.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Tell that to Blake.\" you say, pointing at the breakdancing bruiser.\n\n\\\u003eYou guys get ready to go home. The prelims for the free for all are done. So now the next round will pit all of the first round's winners against each other.\n\n\\\u003eThings are about to get a bit more difficult, but also a lot more entertaining.\n\n\\\u003eOnce the Dunwicks are dropped off you head back home, and are greeted by your dad.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hey son.\" he says. \"How'd it go today?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Finally got my turn. And I won, of course.\" you answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"Cool, congrats. Man. Free for all. That sounds fun.\" he comments idly.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod. \"It's cool. You should come watch, no reason you can't.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe shakes his head. \"Nah. That chapter's long closed. Leave it to the new generations.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou shrug.\n\n\\\u003e\"You don't look too beat up for someone who was just in a free for all.\" he says looking you up and down.\n\n\\\u003e\"Course not. My contenders weren't the toughest, not to be rude.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hmmm. Sounds like you've got some energy to spare then.\" he says standing up. \"And in my book, that means it's time to train. Might need what you've been learning sooner than you think.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright sounds good.\" you say, as you follow him.\n\n\\\u003eSo, it looks like practicing with your dad is the plan for the rest of your night.\n\n\\\u003eAnd he's right, it may just come in handy sooner than you know.\n\n\\\u003eBack at the Circle on Monday, rested and ready to throw down.\n\n\\\u003eAlready time for the semi-finals. Four rounds of this and the final four winners are moving to the end.\n\n\\\u003eAs people are filing in, you head over to Tisha to get yourself a drink.\n\n\\\u003e\"Whadda ya got today, Tisha?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"Since it's been kinda cold, got hot drinks if you're into that. Coffee, tea, cocoa.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Ooh, cocoa, hook me up. How much?\" You reach for your wallet.\n\n\\\u003e\"First cup's on me.\" she says, grabbing a cup and filling it from this big jug.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh? It ain't my birthday.\" you tell her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Dude, I'm makin' out like a bandit cuz of you and this event.\" she explains and hands you your cup. \"Well you and Blake over there.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod and take a sip.\n\n\\\u003eMmm, cocoa.\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait Tisha, how do you normally haul all this stuff down here?\" you wonder.\n\n\\\u003eShe hooks a thumb behind her. \"Dude, my pickup.\"\n\n\\\u003eThere's a big ass Furd right behind her, how is this the first time you've noticed.\n\n\\\u003e\"You drive a pickup?\" you ask with a slight chuckle.\n\n\\\u003e\"That funny cuz I'm small?\" she tilts her head as she asks.\n\n\\\u003eMight not be the best idea to anger the woman who sells you drinks.\n\n\\\u003eYou sip your cocoa quietly.\n\n\\\u003e\"My aunt drives a big rig for work.\" she comments.\n\n\\\u003eDamn now you really have nothing to say.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily you don't have to stand here awkwardly anymore because Elodi begins the daily introduction.\n\n\\\u003eYou get back into place near your family right as names are called.\n\n\\\u003eAnd who would've guessed, you're the first name called this time.\n\n\\\u003eCoincidence? Not a chance.\n\n\\\u003eSo you step up to stand against Tyrell, along with Lee and even Wayne.\n\n\\\u003eTyrell comes up to you before he takes his place though.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yo waddup Anon.\" He brings his hand out and you shake it.\n\n\\\u003e\"How you been, Tyrell? Everything good?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Yeah yeah, just wanted to say 'wassup' before we got to it.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Cool. Well good luck, dude.\"\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Yo, well. Look.\" he lowers his voice a bit. \"Y'know, Aria came to watch me. But goin' against you, ain't gonna look too good for me. So like, any chance you can take it easy so I can look good for my girl?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou lean back and scan the area until you find that siamese cat that he's dating. You look back at him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Tyrell. You wanna look good, you go do it on that football field.\" you say, pointing down the road in the direction of the school. \"This is my battlefield. You want glory here you gotta earn it. No handouts.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn. Aight.\" he hangs his head for a moment, then nods in understanding and goes to take his place.\n\n\\\u003e\"Good luck.\" you say again.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright! Is everyone ready?\" Elodi asks.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then let's start the first round of our second set for.\" she looks at you. \"Blake's Beatdown Bonanza.\" she comments emptily.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod happily.\n\n\\\u003e\"Fight!\" she yells.\n\n\\\u003eDisappointingly, everyone does not rush you this time.\n\n\\\u003eTyrell charged Wayne of all people. So you shrug and turn your attention to Lee.\n\n\\\u003eHe curses under his breath as he seems to gain your enmity, but still squares up, ready for you.\n\n\\\u003eYou approach him but he throws a few swings at you as you step into range.\n\n\\\u003eHe swings at your face, but you lean backward to avoid it and manage to kick him right in the gut.\n\n\\\u003eHe leans forward a bit and as you bring yourself forward you punch downward and smack him right on the top of his nose.\n\n\\\u003eHe takes a knee, but you reach down and pick him up by his collar, then immediately transition into your clinch.\n\n\\\u003eBut Lee. This motherfucker.\n\n\\\u003eHe takes his arms and threads them between your arms, effectively reversing your clinch.\n\n\\\u003eBefore he can capitalize on his uno reverse card though, you lift your leg and push it forward, kicking him away from you.\n\n\\\u003eNobody saw that right?\n\n\\\u003eYou glance around quickly, and just in the nick of time see Wayne abandoning his fight to run toward you.\n\n\\\u003eYou make the assumption that he's heading for you, and assume correctly as he throws a big advancing punch at you.\n\n\\\u003eYou had the foresight to dodge to the side, and kick him right in the back to keep his forward momentum going, so he bounds right into the edge of the Cricle.\n\n\\\u003eTyrell takes over and starts boxing up Lee, so now you get to smack Wayne up a bit.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle flips Wayne around to face you and holds him steady.\n\n\\\u003eYou tsk at Wayne's unfortuante situation. But you take full advantage of it, throwing a fist right into his gut, then landing a fierce uppercut when he doubles over.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a few steps back and bring your leg back.\n\n\\\u003eThe ones holding Wayne push him forward and you throw your leg up and right into the side of his head.\n\n\\\u003eHe hits the ground like a fallen tree, but surprisingly, he's still awake.\n\n\\\u003eYou come up to his head and squat next to him, searching for any fight left in him.\n\n\\\u003eHe raises his hand limply, weakly toward you.\n\n\\\u003eYou rudely smack his hand back down, then stand and take a few steps away.\n\n\\\u003eYou're just filled with big heel energy right now, aren't you?\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes over and asks if he's done. He nods once.\n\n\\\u003eAlright one down.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn to Tyrell and Lee.\n\n\\\u003eThey're trading blows, completely focused on one another.\n\n\\\u003eMust be a pretty even fight.\n\n\\\u003eTime to uneven it.\n\n\\\u003eYou step lightly and carefully as you strafe around to Lee's back, trying not to alert him.\n\n\\\u003eYou close the distance, and wait for just a few moments.\n\n\\\u003eYou lunge forward and loop your arms underneath his arms and behind his head in that one hold that used to be named after a wrestling move but has since been ruined by the internet.\n\n\\\u003eLee struggles to get out of it, but owing to the sudden influx of villainy that you've attained, you angle your legs and throw knees into his sides.\n\n\\\u003eAt about the same time, Tyrell sems to be infected by your villainy, and proceeds to use Lee's midsection like a punching bag.\n\n\\\u003eSo Lee gets absolutely decimated between the two of you, and can do nothing to defend himself.\n\n\\\u003e\"I give, I'm done!\" he shouts. So you finally let him go.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a few steps back to let Lee slink away in defeat as you dust your hands, in the \"job well done\" fashion.\n\n\\\u003eThen you turn to face Tyrell. He looks a little gassed, after dealing with Wayne for a bit, and then Lee.\n\n\\\u003eGuess fighting takes a different kind of stamina than sprinting down a field.\n\n\\\u003eYou however, are still primed and ready to go.\n\n\\\u003eYou spread your arms in the same way you did to Wendy, essentially issuing Tyrell the same choice.\n\n\\\u003eHe raises his hands in his fighting stance. So his choice is made.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod at him, then return to your own fighting stance.\n\n\\\u003eYou both step closer to each other.\n\n\\\u003eHe throws a punch to your face and you take it.\n\n\\\u003eYou return the favor by throwing one at him, and he takes it, but less enthusiastically.\n\n\\\u003eYou both trade solitary blows for a while, until Tyrell seems to find his second wind and picks up the pace.\n\n\\\u003eYou up the tempo as well and match his speed with yours, until you're both slugging each other with reckless abandon.\n\n\\\u003eThis isn't just a fight anymore, it's a battle for dominance. A show of pride and strength. For nothing more than the bestowal of glory.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, it's not much of a contest, everyone knows you would beat Tyrell six ways from Sunday.\n\n\\\u003eBut as a kindred spirit, you can't help but want to give him some good grace. Show his girl that even if he isn't going to beat you, he at the very least can keep up with you.\n\n\\\u003eBut after a while of this back and forth, he starts faltering a bit.\n\n\\\u003eYour punches knock more out of him than expected.\n\n\\\u003eHe starts to slink to his knees. But forces himself back up.\n\n\\\u003eHe gets hit again, and drops to both knees, yet once again he rises.\n\n\\\u003eHe refuses to kneel. And so he fights.\n\n\\\u003eBruised and a bit bloody, he stands defiantly.\n\n\\\u003eBut he just stands there.\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes up to him. \"Tyrell. Are you done?\"\n\n\\\u003eHe stays silent. But.\n\n\\\u003eHe brings his hands back up.\n\n\\\u003eGoddamn what a chad.\n\n\\\u003eHe sure earned that glory, you gotta say.\n\n\\\u003eYou feel an overwhelming amount of respect for Tyrell right now.\n\n\\\u003eYou'd let him have this win, if you had a different kind of heart.\n\n\\\u003eBut that would probably be looked at more as pity than respect huh?\n\n\\\u003eYou step closer to him, but he can't even muster the strength to attack you.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hand up and pat him on the shoulder.\n\n\\\u003e\"Respect.\" you say firmly and clearly.\n\n\\\u003eThat word of acknowledgment seems to free him. Like a man cursed with immortality finally being granted the sweet release of death.\n\n\\\u003eHe collapses to the ground and spreads out like a starfish.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well it seems Tyrell is done. So Anon is our winner!\" Elodi cries out.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch as Elodi's assistants come to scoop up Tyrell, and even Aria comes over to check on him.\n\n\\\u003e\"Aria. Honor this man.\" you say to her, as if Tyrell just died gloriously on the field of battle. \"He's a good dude. For real.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou walk away before she says anything, but she looks at Tyrell with a gleam in her eye. Like she's a princess and he's the silver knight slaying dragons to defend her honor.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand next to Blake and Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay.\" Blake says. \"So you're less of a bully. And more of a sadist.\"\n\n\\\u003e... Well. You can't really deny that, you did kind of enjoy these fights a little more than normal.\n\n\\\u003e\"If I'm a sadist, what does that make Lenny?\" you ask, pointing to the hulking behemoth across the way.\n\n\\\u003eBlake thinks. Like he's trying to find an honest answer. \"A demon?\" he offers.\n\n\\\u003e... Yeah ou could see that.\n\n\\\u003eThe adrenaline of the fight swiftly fades and you realize that your face is now perfectly sore.\n\n\\\u003eThat blow for blow thing might've been the kind of thing you would do for the final battle, not the semi-final.\n\n\\\u003eTime for an ice pack.\n\n\\\u003eThe next round arrives, and you are momentarily glad that you already went.\n\n\\\u003eLenny strides in against Benji, Caesar, and Jayce's younger sister Elise.\n\n\\\u003eBig bruisers aplenty.\n\n\\\u003eElodi calls for the fight to start. And it seems Lenny is the target of everyone's ire, because everyone suddenly rushes him.\n\n\\\u003eOf course there's no coordination in their movemets, so everyone's getting in everyone else's way.\n\n\\\u003eElise can't pull off any of her fancy moves with bullheaded Benji swinging like a madman.Not like she could manipulate Lenny of all people anyway.\n\n\\\u003eLenny reels Caesar in and uses him like a meatshield as Benji throws a big punch. Then Lenny kicks Caesar from behind right into Elise.\n\n\\\u003eLenny kicks Benji right in the shin and knocks his foot right from under him. Then as Benji takes a knee, Lenny uses his own knee and slams it into Benji's chin.\n\n\\\u003eYou'd think that'd be more than enough. But to really finish him off, Lenny steps to Benji's side. And lifts his foot like a sumo wrestler before stomping right down on Benji's gut.\n\n\\\u003eBenji sputters and gasps like a dying fish, and it doesn't take long for Elodi to pronounce him done.\n\n\\\u003eElise and Caesar however, have fallen into their own altercation.\n\n\\\u003eElise has her legs around Caesar's head, about to pop his skull like a watermelon or something.\n\n\\\u003eYou've seen Mikael do that one before, you think it's called a head scissor lock.\n\n\\\u003eLenny could let that play its course. But he is not at all interested in doing that.\n\n\\\u003eHe walks up to them both.\n\n\\\u003eAnd as if Lenny is in the mob and Caesar is a man that refuses to pay what he owes, Lenny starts stomping Caesar out.\n\n\\\u003eThat's cold blooded. But well. Lenny's a gator, so it makes sense.\n\n\\\u003eElise doesn't even let Caesar go so he can deal with the vicious stomping he's getting.\n\n\\\u003eSo faced with this dual assault, Caesar taps out.\n\n\\\u003eElise finally lets go then, and stands up.\n\n\\\u003eLenny takes a few steps back to let Caesar scurry away.\n\n\\\u003eHe beckons Elise to come at him. And she does.\n\n\\\u003eShe charges him down and tries to spear him.\n\n\\\u003eHe takes it, but there's small groan and a flash of pain on his face for a moment.\n\n\\\u003eShe tries to push him back, but he's a little too bulky. It's like trying to push a boulder uphill.\n\n\\\u003eHe spreads his arms out wide then drives both his fists into her sides.\n\n\\\u003eThat loosens her grip. He takes that time to grab her arms and pry them from around him.\n\n\\\u003eHe steps back and throws her to the side, she hits the ground but gets up quickly.\n\n\\\u003eLenny takes two steps in her direction. leans forward, then pivots on his heel.\n\n\\\u003eAnd smacks Elise right across the cheek with his fucking tail.\n\n\\\u003eElise stares into the distance and cups her cheek, like she was just hit with the rudest gesture ever conceived by living creatures.\n\n\\\u003eLenny grins like he just delivered the rudest gesture ever conceived.\n\n\\\u003eElise has some kind of existential crisis right then and there. Then eventually decides that she's done as she throws her hands up and walks away.\n\n\\\u003e\"Um. It seems, Lenny is the winner.\" Elodi announces, surprised at Elise's sudden and random forfeit.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe it actually is some kind of rude gesture. Or she could just be upset at the fact that Lenny may be one of the only people able to hit someone with his tail and do damage.\n\n\\\u003eEither way, he wins and you only slightly regret giving him an invite.\n\n\\\u003eIn the interest of spreading the matches out a bit, you split the semis to seperate days.\n\n\\\u003eIt's the second day and the first match is already underway.\n\n\\\u003eYou're currently watching Bree fight against Eddie, Blake's friend Allen, who you were actually surprised made it this far, and that donkey that you saw fight Mirabelle some time ago named Romero.\n\n\\\u003eWell, though you're \"watching\" you aren't totally invested right now.\n\n\\\u003eBecause the fact that those three are in there, means the final round will consist of Mirabelle and Blake having to face each other.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle doesn't seem too put off by this knowledge. And truthfully neither does Blake.\n\n\\\u003eBut. He's got his earbuds in, yet you know for a fact there's no music playing on them. And he's tapping his foot anxiously.\n\n\\\u003eYou lay your hand on his shoulder to try and calm him down.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks at you and smiles confidently. Whether that confidence is genuine, you can't really tell.\n\n\\\u003eBack to the fight though, it looks like Allen is the first to fall, after being put down by Romero, but now Romero is trapped directly between Eddie and Bree.\n\n\\\u003eIt's like they're playing ping pong with him.\n\n\\\u003eEddie will kick at Romero, causing Romero to take a step back. Then Bree will throw some particularly strong punches at him, causing him to step forward.\n\n\\\u003eThen, whether by coincidence or instinct, they both throw big kicks into both of his sides and he crumples like a paper bag.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks done and after a quick check Elodi confirms it.\n\n\\\u003eRomero is dragged out, leaving Bree and Eddie.\n\n\\\u003eEddie wastes no time and throws kicks at Bree.\n\n\\\u003eShe dodges. And dodges, and dodges some more.\n\n\\\u003eEddie kicks at her and she dodges, but seems to step over herself and lose her balance.\n\n\\\u003eEddie pushes that advantage and winds up for that big axe kick that he loves.\n\n\\\u003eBut it looks like the balance issue was just bait, because as he brings it down, Bree rights herself and catches it right over her shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eShe quickly pulls Eddie forward and sweeps his standing leg, causing him to fall onto his back.\n\n\\\u003eThen without wasting a moment, she throws herself over him and punishes him with that spectacular elbow drop of hers.\n\n\\\u003eSeriously those things are majestic.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you aren't one to elbow drop, so that has to just be something that Bree enjoys.\n\n\\\u003eAnyway, she slams into him with enough force for him to shrivel and heave.\n\n\\\u003eElodi asks if he's done, and he tries to sit himself up. But can't seem to find the strength.\n\n\\\u003eSo he accepts his defeat.\n\n\\\u003e\"He's done.\" Elodi calls. \"Bree is this round's winner!\"\n\n\\\u003eGotta give her props, she's really not a bad fighter.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Blake, who is taking subtle deep breaths.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright, with that done, it's time for our final matchup for the semi-finals!\" Elodi tells the crowd. \"Please step up, Mirabelle, Cleo, Blake, and Karliah!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou give Blake a quick pat on the back as he steps up.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at his opponents. He's up against all ladies.\n\n\\\u003eThere sure were a lot more female participants this time.\n\n\\\u003eHe might do well against Cleo. And Karliah is that grey wolf that challenged you for the Champ spot long ago.\n\n\\\u003eShe's also the wolf that was grinding on Lee at that party, but that's not important.\n\n\\\u003eBlake does some stretches to loosen up.\n\n\\\u003eThen he notices Cleo doing stretches too.\n\n\\\u003eShe grabs her left leg and lifts it straight up, doing one of those standing splits. Then sets her leg down, grabs her other leg and pulls it behind her in another kind of standing split.\n\n\\\u003eShe catches Blake staring, and gives him a cool little shrug.\n\n\\\u003eBlake drags his hand across his forehead like he's wiping the sweat from his brow.\n\n\\\u003eHe better not get any ideas, he's too young and that's too much woman for him.\n\n\\\u003eBlake gets into his groove as Elodi checks for readiness.\n\n\\\u003eShe calls the fight to start, and both Blake and Mirabelle zoom.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle launches herself at Karliah and kicks off her first strike of the round with her deadly dropkick.\n\n\\\u003eBlake heads for Cleo, leaps into the air and kicks his leg at her head.\n\n\\\u003eCleo just barely ducks under it. Blake hits the ground and immediately attacks before she can get her bearings.\n\n\\\u003eYou try to keep your attention effectively split between both Dunwicks.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle uses her usual tactic of dodging and counterattacking.\n\n\\\u003eAnd Blake throws his mixture of martial arts and breakdance moves that he's altered for combat.\n\n\\\u003eHe backflips and spins, and does handstands while kicking at Cleo.\n\n\\\u003eHe throws his attention to his sister and sees the gap in space that\u0026nbsp; her opponent has created.\n\n\\\u003eHe breaks from his own throwdown and charges Karliah.\n\n\\\u003eAnd poor Karliah, takes the second deadly dropkick of the day.\n\n\\\u003eDropkicks must be a Dunwick specialty.\n\n\\\u003eShe gets hit so hard the Circle has to catch her.\n\n\\\u003eCleo runs up while Blake is on the ground to punish him for the audacity of turning his focus from her.\n\n\\\u003eBut Mirabelle slides in. Literally. She leaps forward and slides across the ground, kicking at Cleo's feet before she reaches Blake.\n\n\\\u003eSo she loses her balance, Blake rolls out of the way and Cleo accidentally shoulder checks Karliah being held by the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eGirl never stood a chance, she hangs limply in the grip of the people holding her.\n\n\\\u003eCleo looks a bit apologetic since she didn't mean to do that. But she gets her mind right and turns to face her other opponents.\n\n\\\u003eCleo actually does a pretty decent job of attacking and defending against both Blake and Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe's got long legs so she outranges Mirabelle, and she can step out of the way of Blake's more dangerous moves.\n\n\\\u003eBlake takes a step back. Then starts spinning in flares.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle comes up and holds Cleo's attention. Cleo kicks and kicks. Mirabelle dodges and dodges some more.\n\n\\\u003eThen Blake starts approaching Cleo while still spinning in his flares.\n\n\\\u003eIt looks like he's managing to pick up speed as he does\n\n\\\u003eCleo notices him steadily getting closer, and takes a step backward out of range.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle answers that by running right at her.\n\n\\\u003eCleo kicks and Mirabelle slides again, passing right under her.\n\n\\\u003eShe spins on her back and kicks out at the bend of Cleo's knee.\n\n\\\u003eCleo stumbles and takes a few steps forward but doesn't quite drop down.\n\n\\\u003eBut that stumble was enough for Blake to be in range of whatever he was planning.\n\n\\\u003eBlake transitions to one single powerful chair flare and as he pops up off the ground he kicks Cleo right in the mouth with the force of a one ton hammer.\n\n\\\u003eCleo falls backward and that's the end of her fight.\n\n\\\u003eBlake stands up and steadies the world around him from that severe amount of spinning.\n\n\\\u003eElodi confirms that Cleo is done for and he looks a bit proud. For all of three seconds before Mirabelle locks eyes with him.\n\n\\\u003eShe grins and throws her fist into her hand a few times.\n\n\\\u003eBlake looks like he's already foreseen the ending of this fight and wants to save himself the time and energy.\n\n\\\u003eSo you wave him down to get his attention. When he notices you, you make the motion of pulling earbuds out of your ears.\n\n\\\u003eHe sees the gesture and does so.\n\n\\\u003e\"Just don't lose, forehead!\" you yell at him.\n\n\\\u003eThose words empower him like you just spoke a ritual chant to grant him peerless strength.\n\n\\\u003eHe smiles big and wide, before he shrugs and throws his earbuds back in.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle looks glad that his fighting spirit is renewed, she casts a quick look over to you and smiles.\n\n\\\u003eThen she focuses on Blake. She runs forward and kicks. He dodges, then kicks back. She dodges.\n\n\\\u003eSo it's a mass of striking and avoiding each other's strikes for a while.\n\n\\\u003eUntil Blake feints a kick and manages to transition into windmills.\n\n\\\u003eHis foot caught Mirabelle in the chin once, and she took a few steps back.\n\n\\\u003eBlake manages to pursue, still spinning in those deadly windmills.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle can't seem to find a point of attack. It's like trying to dive through spinning helicopter blades.\n\n\\\u003eSo she walks backward slowly as she stares intensely at him.\n\n\\\u003eShe brings her leg back. And launches it forward, meeting his shin with her own.\n\n\\\u003eBlake's windmills stop instantly and he fumbles, clutching his shin.\n\n\\\u003eHe's simultaneously laughing while whining in pain.\n\n\\\u003eHe stands up, but that bonked shin gives him some trouble, so he's shaky on his feet.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle however, does not seem to have the same problem.\n\n\\\u003eShe takes one, two, three steps, and launches herself forward.\n\n\\\u003eBlake knows what's coming and tries to step out of the way, but the weakness in his leg betrays him.\n\n\\\u003eHe takes a Dunwick Dropkick right to the mid and is launched backward. Right into you.\n\n\\\u003eYou catch him before he hits the ground, and gingerly pluck an earbud from his ear.\n\n\\\u003e\"You can do it Blake, don't give up.\" you encourage him.\n\n\\\u003eHe shakes his head. \"I'm done. Good luck with that, Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003eElodi comes up. \"Did I hear Blake say he's done?\"\n\n\\\u003eYou look at him, he looks at you. You both look at her and nod.\n\n\\\u003e\"I see. Blake is done, so Mirabelle is the winner!\" she shouts to the crowd.\n\n\\\u003eBlake's b-boy fanclub express their profound sadness instantly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Which brings an end to our semi-finals as well.\" Elodi continues. \"Which means we now have our finalists. Best of luck to them during the last round!\"\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd whoops and hollers, excited for the final round already.\n\n\\\u003eYou, Mirabelle, Bree, and Lenny.\n\n\\\u003eSomehow, you kind of figured this is how it would end.\n\n\\\u003eA few days to let the final combatants rest and recover, and now it's the end of the week.\n\n\\\u003eThe spirits are high, the hype is real.\n\n\\\u003eMembers of the crowd are chanting the names of the people they expect or want to win.\n\n\\\u003eYou wonder how the bets turned out at Sly's table.\n\n\\\u003eThe Circle is already formed up and the final match is ready to begin.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone's already in the Circle, waiting for Elodi to start the fight.\n\n\\\u003eYou're hamming it up, throwing your fist in the air and beating on your chest like the king of monkeys you claim to be.\n\n\\\u003eOf course it's all for show, Mirabelle's still going to drop you.\n\n\\\u003eAt the very least, maybe you can take Lenny down.\n\n\\\u003eYou and Lenny are taunting and gesturing rudely to each other.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle and Bree however are of stone faced determination.\n\n\\\u003eThat's a score that needs settlin' it seems.\n\n\\\u003eFinally Elodi comes up.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003e\"Welcome everyone, to the final round of our free for all tournament.\" she says with an almost serious tone.\n\n\\\u003e\"I know we're all excited, so let's waste no time and get into it. Is everyone ready?\"\n\n\\\u003eEveryone nods.\n\n\\\u003e\"Then. Let's. Fight.\"\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk-U8ruIQyA\n\n\\\u003eThe word barely leaves Elodi's mouth before Bree and Mirabelle are rushing to tear each other to shreds.\n\n\\\u003eYou really want to just watch them, but you can't afford to.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over to Lenny to see him watching them. Their single minded focus calling out for him to disrupt.\n\n\\\u003eHe looks to you and says \"I'ma have myself an appetizer 'fore I come back to the main course.\" then begins walking toward Bree and Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eYou jump in front of him, blocking his path. \"Like hell you are.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright then. I'll just have my main course first, and take dessert after!\" he shouts, bringing his full focus to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou squint at him. \"You just call my girlfriend dessert?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Now look, that's not what I mea-\"\n\n\\\u003eYou don't allow him to finish as you slip forward and jab him with strength and precision right in his gut.\n\n\\\u003eIt seems to hit him a little harder than you expected because he groans and buckles forward.\n\n\\\u003eSo he's still uncharacteristically soft in the belly, excellent.\n\n\\\u003eHe throws his backhand at you, you block it. Which was a mistake because goddamn this boy hurts.\n\n\\\u003eThen he starts up with his one two combo, swinging then following into a backhand and another swing.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily you've gotten pretty good at dodging, so you weave underneath his swings and counter attack during the pause after he lets loose the hook.\n\n\\\u003eHe lifts his leg and tries that big door breaching kick of his. You dodge that easily, and kick him in the gut as hard as you can.\n\n\\\u003eHe steps back a few times and holds his hand over his stomach. But shrugs off the pain and pops the joints in his neck before approaching you.\n\n\\\u003eHe swings down with a double axe handle, you step to the side of it and punch him in his tempered glass jaw.\n\n\\\u003eHe responds by tanking through it and backhanding you again in your own jaw.\n\n\\\u003eIt dazes you long enough for him to grab onto your sides and begin to lift you.\n\n\\\u003eYou retaliate by kicking him in the spot you've been landing your punches for a while now.\n\n\\\u003eHis grip loosens, but before he drops you he flings you backward.\n\n\\\u003eSo you hit the ground in a backward retreat and fall right into the arms of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eThey don't hold you down, but they do push you right back toward this ravenous monstrosity.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eHe throws his giant fist right into your stomach as revenge for all the gut shots you landed.\n\n\\\u003eYou collapse to your knees clutching your gut. He reaches down and picks you up around the back of your neck.\n\n\\\u003eHe holds you still and lets loose his one ton hammer of a fist, decking you dead center in the face.\n\n\\\u003eYou go backpedalling across the entire arena and finally hit the ground face up.\n\n\\\u003eYour vision is blurry, but you think you landed right between the squabble happening between Bree and Mirabelle. Judging by the blurs of white and brown you see at your sides.\n\n\\\u003eThen a mass of green approaches from below you.\n\n\\\u003eLenny reaches forward and grabs you by your ankle, and begins dragging you to the center of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYour vision clears up just enough for you to see him take a knee, and hold his right hand aloft. Like he did to Caesar.\n\n\\\u003eHe brings it down right over the front of your face and his fingers dig into the sides of your skull, right into your temples.\n\n\\\u003eOh shit now you understand how this put Caesar to sleep, it feels like the pressure is about to get your brain to stop working.\n\n\\\u003eYou kick and flail and attempt to throw punches at his squishy belly, but he grabs onto your fist with his free hand.\n\n\\\u003eSo uh. Real shit, Lenny might just take home the win here.\n\n\\\u003eIs what you think before his grip suddenly releases you and he backs off.\n\n\\\u003eYou catch a flash of white diving into him and knocking him away.\n\n\\\u003eToo bad her forward momentum stopped right over you and she collapses into your proned form.\n\n\\\u003eGood thing she doesn't weigh much.\n\n\\\u003eBree also attacks Lenny, throwing punches into his gut, because it's the best spot to attack that she can reach.\n\n\\\u003eLenny swings at her but she's way too fast for him to hit.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle gets up and joins in the onslaught, throwing punches and leaping kicks whenever she has an opening.\n\n\\\u003eYou sit still for a moment, letting the pain and lightheadedness of haiving your brain squeezed to mush fade away.\n\n\\\u003eAlright that's enough of that, time to get involved.\n\n\\\u003eBut how, those two kind of took right over.\n\n\\\u003eNow that you think on it, they kind of came to your defense huh?\n\n\\\u003eWell that's not the soundest of free for all tactics.\n\n\\\u003eLenny does that broad tail sweep again, but Bree ducks right under it and Mirabelle leaps clear over it, before shooting her legs out in her favorite move.\n\n\\\u003eAn idea comes to you.\n\n\\\u003eWhile Lenny focuses on Bree and Mirabelle you strafe around to get behind him.\n\n\\\u003eWith his back turned to you, you run up, dive onto his back and grab him in a headlock.\n\n\\\u003eTo fight a big reptile, you gotta be a big reptile. Specifically in this moment, a big ass viking snake.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eYou mimic the headlock that Mikael put Kayo in.\n\n\\\u003eNow let's just hope Lenny doesn't manage to fall back and squish you.\n\n\\\u003eHe swings his body wildly, trying to get you to fall off, but you are locked and ready to squeeze the life from his throat.\n\n\\\u003eHe throws punches behind his head, but can't get them out very well.\n\n\\\u003eHe grips your arms and tries to pry you off.\n\n\\\u003eHowever the girls assist by keeping him occupied, punching him now that he's vulnerable.\n\n\\\u003eAnd as if giants only know one way to remove pests from their backs, you feel Lenny begin to descend.\n\n\\\u003eUnlike Mikael at the time though, you didn't wrap his waist with your legs to stay rooted, so you quickly abandon your lock right at the moment where he has to commit to falling.\n\n\\\u003eYou kick off of his back and he hits the ground alone.\n\n\\\u003eYou take one step back. And launch forward into the air, Slamming into his gut in imitation of Bree's magnificent elbow drops.\n\n\\\u003eLenny groans and\u0026nbsp; heaves upward, before collapsing flat onto the ground.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand and scan him for any signs of resistance.\n\n\\\u003eHe laughs. And holds his arms over his gut, like laughing causes him pain.\n\n\\\u003e\"Aight. I'm done.\" he says.\n\n\\\u003eYou huff in exhaustion. You managed to take Lenny down.\n\n\\\u003eWell. Y'know. With some help.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to the other two combatants.\n\n\\\u003eBree's looking at you with recognition. So she could obviously tell that the elbow drop you used was in mimicry of her.\n\n\\\u003eYou smirk and give a tiny shrug.\n\n\\\u003eBut now you're at an impasse.\n\n\\\u003eYou could let them go back to settling their dispute.\n\n\\\u003eBut to honor the avatar of chaos that you had to put a hole through, you opt to follow his process.\n\n\\\u003eYou step forward.\n\n\\\u003eAnd throw both your fists at Mirabelle and Bree at the same time.\n\n\\\u003eThey probably didn't expect you to swing at them both, so they both took those punches to the shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eWas drawing both of their enmity the best idea? Probably not. But it sure is the more fun idea.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\\\u003eSo they both turn to you, ready to mess you up.\n\n\\\u003eYou bring your hands up, and throw yourself into an offensive.\n\n\\\u003eHowever, you quickly learn, that this was indeed a terrible idea.\n\n\\\u003eThe problem, is that Mirabelle and Bree both know your fighting style to a perfect T.\n\n\\\u003eSo they dodge you with no problem, and counterattack you effortlessly, because they know when you open yourself up.\n\n\\\u003eSo you're quickly pushed into a losing fight.\n\n\\\u003eWell.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\\\u003eAlright then.\n\n\\\u003eIt seems that it's time for your trump card.\n\n\\\u003e\"Forgive me father. But I'll have to go all out, just this once.\" you whisper to yourself.\n\n\\\u003e... Okay no seriously, you might wanna stop watching so much anime with Blake.\n\n\\\u003eYou take a deep breath and slowly transition into the wing chun stance your dad taught you.\n\n\\\u003eTrue mastery takes years upon years.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't need true mastery right now, just enough to throw your opponents off their game.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Mirabelle. She's wide eyed and there's a tinge of excitement in her face.\n\n\\\u003eMore of that adaptability she loves so much.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Bree. She's wide eyed and extremely confused.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks like she's searching every memory she has of you to see if you've ever stood like that in a fight, and comes up empty.\n\n\\\u003eYou grin and attack, throwing small but effective strikes at Bree before she can react.\n\n\\\u003eThey weren't big strikes so she thought she could block, but you slip through and around her blocks and land your hits.\n\n\\\u003eBefore Bree can react to what just happened you switch to Mirabelle and throw strikes at her.\n\n\\\u003eShe instead tries to evade. However you don't leave yourself open enough to follow counterattacks, and you pursue her evasion quickly.\n\n\\\u003eIf they try to attack you parry their punches and throw some of your own. If they try to kick you halt their leg like a beam of metal and unbalance them before throwing your counter.\n\n\\\u003eBack and forth, back and forth, you alterante between them like you're a real kung fu master.\n\n\\\u003eOf course any real master would stomp you into dust, but it's good enough for teenagers just dicking around.\n\n\\\u003eBree tries to slip you up by throwing a haymaker, but instead of blocking or redirecting this one, you simply pivot out of the way and almost directly behind her.\n\n\\\u003eHer punch comes forward though, and catches Mirabelle in the mouth.\n\n\\\u003eSo Mirabelle's enmity has shifted targets.\n\n\\\u003eNow Bree is the one on the chopping block, stuck between Mirabelle and you.\n\n\\\u003eAnd once again it's like playing ping pong.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle attacks and pushes Bree backward, but all you do is throw your palms forward and essentially push her forward, keeping Bree from really escaping.\n\n\\\u003eBree tries her best to counter. But getting pressured by you and Mirabelle seems to wear her down.\n\n\\\u003eIn one act of desperation, Bree takes a hit and pivots, brings her fist up and throws it at you.\n\n\\\u003eBut it had the speed of a Caesar punch and none of the power so you catch it in your palm mid flight.\n\n\\\u003eShe looks up at you. And once again there are those flameless hollow eyes.\n\n\\\u003eHer arm goes limp in your grasp so you let it go.\n\n\\\u003eShe wordlessly turns away from the both of you and walks toward the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eNothing needs to be said, the Circle opens up and frees her, since it's obvious that she's done.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Mirabelle who seems apologetic, but only for a few moments.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns back to you.\n\n\\\u003eYou resume your wing chun stance and reengaage.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw punches, she throws punches.\n\n\\\u003eShe surprises you by bouncing up, grabbing you by the shoulders and kicking her legs straight out in some kind of\u0026nbsp; close range grappling dropkick.\n\n\\\u003eIt hurt and you take a moment to compose yourself. But she takes a little longer than normal to get up off the ground.\n\n\\\u003eSo the end is in sight for either of you.\n\n\\\u003eYou don't really have anything yet from what your dad's taught you that you can use to end the game.\n\n\\\u003eWell there's the one inch punch thing but you haven't really got that one down yet.\n\n\\\u003eSo. It's time to use something else that you learned on your own.\n\n\\\u003eBlake isn't the only one to get cool moves from video games.\n\n\\\u003eYou grabbed a few from that FrumSoff game about the One-Armed Wolf.\n\n\\\u003eYou step up to Mirabelle and throw more attacks until you can find an opening.\n\n\\\u003eBut your arms are getting heavy, so is your breathing.\n\n\\\u003eIt's gotta be now.\n\n\\\u003eYou reel back and grip your fist in your palm. Then you throw your elbow forward in a jabbing motion.\n\n\\\u003eShe blocks it with her arms, but you put your body weight behind it so it pushes her back a bit.\n\n\\\u003eYou follow up with a palm strike that you aim dead center of her chest. She blocks that too, but only barely.\n\n\\\u003eThen to finish you step forward and twist your body sideways, bashing her with your shoulder.\n\n\\\u003eThat essentially breaks her guard, and she steps backward, but can't keep her balance.\n\n\\\u003eAlright there it is.\n\n\\\u003eYou take one step back to prep momentum. Then step forward. You pivot in a circle and leap up.\n\n\\\u003eAs her rear end makes contact with the ground you extend your leg outward, ready to drop it down on her in what was essentially a tornado kick.\n\n\\\u003eTime seems to slow down. You manage to look her in the eye as you descend.\n\n\\\u003eResigned to her fate, her eyes pose a question that you've asked yourself about her many times.\n\n\\\u003e\"When did humans learn to fly?\"\n\n\\\u003eAnd your leg drops, crashing across her chest like the blade of an axe through a log.\n\n\\\u003eYou shakily stand up and take a few steps back.\n\n\\\u003eYou watch Mirabelle struggle against her pain, then flip onto her side.\n\n\\\u003eSlowly, slowly, she fights onward and forces herself to rise.\n\n\\\u003eShe stands right back up.\n\n\\\u003eOh goddammit.\n\n\\\u003eWelp, you got nothin' else. Might as well let her deck you and call it here.\n\n\\\u003eShe turns to you. Takes a step forward. Before her legs give under her weight and she collapses to her knees, then faceplants on the ground.\n\n\\\u003eNot a sound is made.\n\n\\\u003eEveryone stands still.\n\n\\\u003eElodi manages to come forward.\n\n\\\u003e\"M-Mirabelle? Are you. Done?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe remains quiet for a while.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Yeah. I'm done.\" is the muffled answer that comes forth.\n\n\\\u003eOh.\n\n\\\u003e\"Mirabelle is done.\" Elodi says. \"Anon. Is the winner of our free for all, and once again, the Champion of the Circle!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou actually won.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd blows your eardrums out as they cheer.\n\n\\\u003eElodi's assistants quickly sccop up Mirabelle before the crowd rushes you.\n\n\\\u003eThey shake you, knock you around, and then lift you up on their shoulders.\n\n\\\u003eYou're overcome with emotion.\n\n\\\u003eBut you have the strong urge to pass out right now.\n\n\\\u003eThey cheer you on for what feels like hours.\n\n\\\u003eThey set you down but the congratulations come in waves.\n\n\\\u003eFrom participants, spectators.\n\n\\\u003eSomeone hands you a water and you inhale that shit.\n\n\\\u003eLenny pushes through to you.\n\n\\\u003e\"Congrats dude.\" he shakes you by the shoulder, then offers you a handshake.\n\n\\\u003eYou shake it. \"That coulda been your win man, for real. You're still kinda soft in the belly though.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe nods. \"Yeah, that wound I got never did heal right.\"\n\n\\\u003eUh wait what, wound?\n\n\\\u003e\"Anyway. Now that it's all over, I really will be catchin' ya around. Can't put off my return trip anymore.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Thanks for the fun Lenny.\" you tell him.\n\n\\\u003e\"I ever come back in time. We have that one on one, I guarantee you I walk away the winner.\"\n\n\\\u003eHe heads off down the road then.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod.\n\n\\\u003eNow. There's one important thing you've gotta do.\n\n\\\u003eYour throne awaits you.\n\n\\\u003eYou part the crowd as you walk over to the Champ's seat.\n\n\\\u003eFinally. Where you belong once more.\n\n\\\u003eYou get ready to take your place. And.\n\n\\\u003e\"Anon\" you hear Mirabelle call from behind you.\n\n\\\u003eYou turn. And. She's with Bree, standing side by side while Bree clutches some ice to her face.\n\n\\\u003e\"We need to talk.\" Mirabelle adds.\n\n\\\u003e\"Uh. Alright. Let's do it then.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Somewhere. Just us.\" Mirabelle corrects. \"Maybe like your friends' old hangout.\"\n\n\\\u003eOh shit, a talk upon sacred land, this is serious.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. I mean, if we talk there I gotta bring siegbrau, that's just tradtion.\"\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle nods. \"Alright then, do it.\"\n\n\\\u003eSo your first order of business as the recrowned king is to acquire beer!\n\n\\\u003eBut from who?\n\n\\\u003eA lot of the people you used to have get it for you have long since gone.\n\n\\\u003eMarty works at a store that sells it. But he's not old enough you think. Also he hates the Circle... And you.\n\n\\\u003eLuckily the answer to your prayer arrives in all her edgy biker style glory.\n\n\\\u003e\"Good stuff Anon, congrats.\" Cleo says flanked by her new best friend, Caesar.\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm? Oh thanks.\" you comment, slightly distracted.\n\n\\\u003e\"Damn. You act like you winning was just a matter of fact or something.\" she chuckles.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh no, I'm just thinking about something.\" you tell her.\n\n\\\u003e\"What about?\" Caesar pipes up and asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'm trying to figure out, which one of these older goons, would be willing to buy me, a minor, alcohol.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Can't believe you're such a criminal Anon.\" Caesar shakes his head.\n\n\\\u003e\"Come off it Caesar, you go to Jeremy Wheeler's parties.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I gotchu dude.\" Cleo says.\n\n\\\u003e\"Huh?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"I'll get your beer for you. It is beer, right?\" she explains.\n\n\\\u003e\"... You're not twenty-one are you?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Nah, but remember I got an older brother who's pretty cool, and buys the stuff for me like, all the time. I'll say it's for me, then come back and hand it off to ya. Think of it as my way to congratulate you for your win.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"God bless you Cleo. Caesar you better treat this woman right.\" you give Caesar a mean mug.\n\n\\\u003eHe does not comment, but he and Cleo share a look.\n\n\\\u003eYou go to grab your wallet and give Cleo the money for your dubious actions. She gives you a place to meet her, then takes off.\n\n\\\u003eFirst thing you do is take Blake home.\n\n\\\u003eBree is riding with you in the back seat, since you're all heading to the same place anyway.\n\n\\\u003eAfter Blake is dropped off, the next thing to do is secure a bag of ice.\n\n\\\u003eYou probably don't really need ice, since you won't have a lot to drink, or be spending much time at the hideaway, but tradition states that the entire process must be followed.\n\n\\\u003eYou head to the convenience store you frequent.\n\n\\\u003eLucky for you, Marty is still there to make your life better.\n\n\\\u003eYou tease him a bit as you buy your ice, April gets upset whenever he curses at you.\n\n\\\u003eAfter that, you head to the spot where Cleo told you to meet her.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up and there she is.\n\n\\\u003eShe walks up to your car, you roll down the window and she passes your twelve pack into the passenger's window, where Mirabelle takes it.\n\n\\\u003e\"You sure that's all you need, man?\" she asks. \"You look like you could go through the whole pack on your own.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"That may be so. But I have two small women with me, they aren't gonna drink much.\" you answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright then. Have fun.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe waves you off as you drive down the road.\n\n\\\u003eYou pull up at the hideaway.\n\n\\\u003eYou let Bree and Mirabelle go ahead as you grab the pack and the bag of ice.\n\n\\\u003eIt takes you two trips up and down the ladder, but you get it all up to the top.\n\n\\\u003eMan how does Mikael carry those ice bags up this ladder so easily?\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle sets the beers in the cooler and you pour the ice.\n\n\\\u003eThen over to the edge of the building you go, beckoning Bree to follow you.\n\n\\\u003eYou sit down. You stare out into the distant expanse for a while.\n\n\\\u003e\"... Um.\" Bree says.\n\n\\\u003eYou and Mirabelle shush her politely. Then go back to the silence.\n\n\\\u003eAfter a while you check the time and nod to Mrirabelle.\n\n\\\u003eShe gets up, grabs three bottles and hands them out before taking her seat again.\n\n\\\u003eYou pop the top like you've done dozens of times before. Mirabelle does the same.\n\n\\\u003eYou look to Bree to find that she has watched your motion intently and recreated it effortlessly.\n\n\\\u003eBecause her biggest strength seems to be copying you.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle looks a little jealous that Bree figured it out first try.\n\n\\\u003eYou raise your bottle to the sky silently, as does Mirabelle. Bree mimics the motion.\n\n\\\u003eThen you bring the bottle back and take a long sip.\n\n\\\u003eDamn that's good.\n\n\\\u003eBree throws her head back and almost drains the entire bottle.\n\n\\\u003eDamn girl.\n\n\\\u003e\"Alright. \"Mirabelle starts off. \"I guess I should start by apologizing, Anon.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Hm?\" you mumble.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. I had originally just wanted to talk to Bree. But then when I got to the Circle, you told me about the free for all.\u0026nbsp; And then I started talking to Bree, and I still felt really bad. So. I may have made a deal with her.\"\n\n\\\u003eMhm?\" you hum while taking a sip of your drink.\n\n\\\u003e\"So I kind of told her, that if she had managed to win the free for all, or at least make it farther than we did, that I would convince you to date her too.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou choke and almost waste good siegbrau.\n\n\\\u003eYou cough and pound your chest to clear your airway.\n\n\\\u003e\"\"What?! Why?!\" you shout. \"You told me you agreed with me and that I made the right choice and that you would kill me if I hadn't!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Because I spent several nights after you told me being eaten by guilt!\" she shouts back. \"And then I talked to Bree and she told me that you were her first crush and then I felt even worse! I may be tough on the outside but my heart is frail!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Wait hold on.\" you comment. \" Her 'first'?\" You look to Bree. \"You didn't tell me that.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"She shrugs. \"I didn't think mentioning you being first or not was going to make much of a difference.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Well. Like. That's kind of\u0026nbsp; a big difference.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"See now you feel even worse don't you?\" Mirabelle asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yes I do!\" you yell. You drain the last of your beer and yeet your bottle into the street in a surge of emotion.\n\n\\\u003e\"See. So it's like, put yourself in her shoes.\" Mirabelle says.\n\n\\\u003eYou look over to Bree. Then immediately down to her bare hooves.\n\n\\\u003eA laugh escapes you before you can corral it.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle jabs you in the arm. \"Be serious.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Okay I'm sorry.\" you say. You turn to Bree. \"I'm sorry.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe waves it away.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand quickly and retrieve your next round of beers, and pass them out.\n\n\\\u003e\"Continue.\" you tell Mirabelle.\n\n\\\u003e\"Imagine how you would feel, when you learned that you had a crush on me, if you had suddenly found me kissing some other guy.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"... Yeah I'd probably be heartbroken and also wanna kill him, so I see your point.\" you say, as you pop the cap to your beer and take a swig.\n\n\\\u003e\"So I just wanted to make things a little more fair. I figured, if Bree could manage to beat the both of us, or at least get to a point that we failed to get to, that she had the conviction to obtain her desires and deserved the chance to have what she wants.\" Mirabelle explains. \"But I kind of went behind your back to do it so I'm sorry.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou nod in understanding while you continue to drink.\n\n\\\u003e\"So what do you want me to do?\" you ask. \"Cuz like I said, this really doesn't seem like the best idea. Seriously, imagine the kind of shit you two would get dating the same guy.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"It's okay, don't worry about that.\" Bree says. \"I'm just going to do my best to accept the fact that it isn't meant to be. Like, it's really my fault at the end of the day. I had feelings for you Anon, but I didn't act on them. I can't blame Mirabelle for that, and I can't blame you for choosing her. I was just. Y'know, a bit jealous, and upset. But in the end, I'd rather try and find happiness in the fact that you're happy with who you're with, instead of trying to take my own happiness at the cost of stealing it from you and Mirabelle. Plus, we made a deal and I lost. I have to respect the consequences of the deal we made.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe punctuates her thoughts with a long sip of her beer.\n\n\\\u003e\"These are really good.\" she comments idly.\n\n\\\u003e\"Bree.\" Mirabelle says. \"I think I'd like it if we could at the very least, become friends.\"\n\n\\\u003eBree looks a bit taken aback. \"R-really? You sure?\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Of course. As two girls who somehow fell for this goof,\" she says with another jab at your arm. \"I think we might get along well... Also I really like your style.\"\n\n\\\u003eBree inspects herself for a second. \"Oh! Well thank you. And. Okay. Being friends might be nice.\"\n\n\\\u003eWell that's nice.You think? You finish off the last of your beer. Bree touches your arm, so you look at her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Is it. Okay if we stay friends, Anon?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003eThose big round violet lights beseech you deeply.\n\n\\\u003e\"Course it is Bree. If you're okay with it, I am more than okay with it.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks happy.\n\n\\\u003eThat's the best look for her. Much better than unbridled rage or hollow vacancy.\n\n\\\u003e\"But you gotta do one thing.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh? What is it?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou hook your thumb toward the cooler. \"More beer. It's your turn to get the next round.\"\n\n\\\u003eShe laughs, but does as you ask.\n\n\\\u003eYou pop the cap to your next beer and raise this one to the sky.\n\n\\\u003e\"To your valor. To my victory. To our friendship\" you dictate.\n\n\\\u003eThe girls raise their bottles as you do and take a drink.\n\n\\\u003eYou're glad that's all resolved, that was too much to deal with.\n\n\\\u003e\"Also Anon.\" Bree says suddenly. \"What the fuck was that?!\"\n\n\\\u003eYou almost choke on your goddamn beer for the second time.\n\n\\\u003e\"What was what?\" you ask in a slight panic.\n\n\\\u003e\"That martial arts looking thing you started doing at the end of the fight. That was super cool.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Oh, the wing chun.\" you answer.\n\n\\\u003e\"The wing what?\" she asks.\n\n\\\u003e\"My father is a legendary wing chun master!\" you shout to the sky. \"He granted to me his ancient forbidden technique that I may acheive victory against my greatest adversary!\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Am I this 'greatest adversary'?\" Mirabelle asks.\n\n\\\u003eYou nod. \"Yep.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"I also noticed.\" Bree adds. \"That the elbow drop you finished off Lenny with, happened to closely resemble the one I like to do.\"\n\n\\\u003e\"Correct. I figure your elbow drop for my entire repertoire of moves was a fair trade, don't you think?\" you grin at her.\n\n\\\u003e\"Yup. Definitely fair.\"\n\n\\\u003eYou all share a laugh as you continue to chat and hang out and finsih off the last of the beer.\n\n\\\u003eIt seems the real victory today was the friends you've made along the way.\n\n\\\u003e... Okay seriously, no more goddamn anime with Blake.\n\n\\\u003eFinally, right back where you belong.\n\n\\\u003eSeated in your throne, crowned as the King once again.\n\n\\\u003eOf course, Mirabelle is with you and upset that now she has to stand. So she refused to stand, and is now seated in your lap.\n\n\\\u003eBlake is there, moving to the groove that only he can hear.\n\n\\\u003eAnd even Bree is here. Though she has confirmed that she is retiring and returning to being a pure spectator.\n\n\\\u003eWhich you think is kind of a shame, but as long as she's happy with her chocie.\n\n\\\u003eThe weather is once again returning to its comfortable brand of seasonal cold, so you retired your grandpa's jacket back to its dark and dusty tomb.\n\n\\\u003eAt least until Winter arrives. Maybe you'll wear it again.\n\n\\\u003eYou told your friends how the free for all ended up.\n\n\\\u003eThey congratulated you.\n\n\\\u003eYup. Feels good to be King.\n\n\\\u003eAt least until Mirabelle takes it back again.\n\n\\\u003e\"Don't get too comfortable there.\" she told you. \"You know I'll be there to take it right back.\"\n\n\\\u003eBut for the moment she seems to be content with letting you hold on to it for a little while.\n\n\\\u003eSince you're the Champ, you don't have to follow that handicap rule anymore. Since it would be dumb to make the Champ fight at half his capacity.\n\n\\\u003eYou weren't sure whether to abolish that rule flat out though. It was kind of fun and challenging at times.\n\n\\\u003eBesides. Your time at the Circle is coming to an end not too long from now.\n\n\\\u003eMaybe you'll just let it be and continue to have Bree impose challenges for you, since it was her idea.\n\n\\\u003eEither way. You can't wait for the next person to come challegne you, so you can once again demonstrate the power of a true King.\n\n\\\u003eYou barely duck under the swing of a huge furry fist.\n\n\\\u003eYour opponent is pretty big, but kinda slow.\n\n\\\u003eAt least that's how he used to be just a few fucking weeks ago!\n\n\\\u003eHe shed his old self and has been reborn as an actually competent competitor.\n\n\\\u003eHe swings with newfound speed and precision, while still managing to retain all that power.\n\n\\\u003eHe even fucking kicks at you, and his kicks are actually formidable.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you know exactly where he got those kicks.\n\n\\\u003eA biker styled lioness who in such a short time seems to have trained him to be better than himself.\n\n\\\u003eIt's just a shame that you continued to grow just like he did, which means even though his skill has improved, he's not much closer to beating you.\n\n\\\u003eEspecially now that you've incorporated your father's techniques into your fighting style, so parrying, deflecting and countering his new attacks are just as easy as dodging and countering his old ones were.\n\n\\\u003eYou even figured out how to do the move that was giving you trouble.\n\n\\\u003eYou place your hand about and inch away from his chest, and fire it forward, hitting him with the infamous one inch punch.\n\n\\\u003eHe folds like a lawn chair and takes some large retreating steps, but he doesn't look done yet.\n\n\\\u003eThat's okay. You've given up on trying to teach him a lesson. He's the definition of insanity, repeating the impossible.\n\n\\\u003eAnd you are too, repeatedly slamming him into the dirt time and time again, and hoping he would finally learn.\n\n\\\u003eYou close in and fire those rapid punches into his chest, before smacking him across the jaw with a hook.\n\n\\\u003eYou twist to the side and check him with your entire shoulder, sticking your foot behind his so that he trips and falls to the ground.\n\n\\\u003eThen you launch yourself into the air and crash into his chest with an expertly crafted elbow drop.\n\n\\\u003eYou've gained techniques from a tiger, a bear, some rabbits, a bison, a giant viking snake, and now a deer. All culminated within the shell of a monkey.\n\n\\\u003eYou're like some horrible chimera.\n\n\\\u003eNot really. You're just Anon. King of the Circle.\n\n\\\u003eYou stare at your opponent, the lion Caesar, as he struggles for breath.\n\n\\\u003eYou prepare to knock him right back down if he even considers the audacity of standing back up.\n\n\\\u003eAnd he has the audacity, because he finds his breath and rises once more.\n\n\\\u003eSo you must put him back down. You take one, two, three steps, and then rocket forward.\n\n\\\u003eBefore he has the chance to register what you're doing you're in the air. And before he can conceive any way to save himself from this incoming assault you blast him in the chest with all the strength your legs can muster, and dropkick him right in the chest.\n\n\\\u003eHe returns to the ground.\n\n\\\u003eHe wiggles and writhes.\n\n\\\u003e\"Are you done?\" Elodi asks him.\n\n\\\u003eHe doesn't speak. But he does nod his head.\n\n\\\u003e\"Caesar is done. Anon is the winner!\" she yells.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd cheers, impressed with this new display from Caesar and the way you handled it so well.\n\n\\\u003eBlake cheers. Mirabelle cheers. And Bree standing next to her cheers as well.\n\n\\\u003eMirabelle was right, they are getting along.\n\n\\\u003eYou throw your hands up in the pose you've done a thousand times before. But it just feels so much better to do so when you have your crown again.\n\n\\\u003eYou look at Caesar as he recovers enough to sit up on his elbows, then sit completely up.\n\n\\\u003eCleo walks up to him.\n\n\\\u003eShe bends down at almost ninety degrees and plants a big ole smooch right on him.\n\n\\\u003eThe crowd whoops for a different reason now.\n\n\\\u003e\"Whoa whoa hey, Cleo!\" you shout. \"Where do they do that at?! Since when do the losers get smooches?\"\n\n\\\u003eShe looks at you. \"That was just a consolation prize. He woulda got something a lot better had he won.\"\n\n\\\u003eoh\n\n\\\u003eOnce again the crowd whoops.\n\n\\\u003eYou stand there shaking your head until you feel a hand at your back.\n\n\\\u003eThe hand pulls at your shirt, tugging you backward, but a foot in your leg's path causes you to trip and fall on your ass.\n\n\\\u003eAnd then Mirabelle is there in fornt of you\n\n.\\\u003eYou look at her with a bit of confusion but she wordlessly leans forward and gives you a big ole smooch as well.\n\n\\\u003eWhooping intensifies.\n\n\\\u003e\"Well if that's what I get for winning, what woulda happened if I lost?\" you ask.\n\n\\\u003e\"I slug you, duh.\" she answers quickly as she raises her fist.\n\n\\\u003eYou laugh and look up at her.\n\n\\\u003e\"I love you.\" you say.\n\n\\\u003e\"I love you too.\" she responds.\n\n\\\u003eIt sure is good to be king.\n\n\\\u003eLong live the king.\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hv0OG1L1Ag\n\n~The End\n\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\n\nAuthor's Notes:\n\nIt's done. It's over. With this last chapter I bring an end to my King of the Ring series. Unless I'm somehow struck with a powerful inspiration that reels me back in. But with the conclusion of a free for all, which was the last big event I wanted to have, I can say that this may just be a good place to leave off at.\n\nHowever I have to say that I gave myself headaches all over the place with this one. I barely know what I'm doing trying to add romance, who the hell thought it was a good idea for me to show up and add a goddamn love triangle?\u0026nbsp;\n\nOh wait. It was me. Attempting to reach beyond myself. I guess if you don't try you won't grow.\n\nAnyway, with this being the end, I hope you've all enjoyed everything I had to offer. Though the sun sets across this horizon, it will rise on another, so I hope you'll continue to stick around to give me your attention and support.\n\nAs always let me know how you feel, and I will see you around.","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1769009-king-of-the-ring-3-blood.json"}