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>You throw your fist straight into this huge bastard's gut.

>Like the twenty times you've hit him before, he takes it and doesn't even flinch.

>In fact, whenever you throw a punch, he pulls his hands to his sides and puffs his torso out, like he's the man o' steel, and you're just a common thug, plinking puny bullets off of him.

>Where the hell did Buffalo Bill here even come from?

>He's damn near an immovable object.

>You've come up against a wall, and he.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMmXCKxwa0k

>Is the fucking wall.

>You weave quickly to the side to avoid a heavy jab.

>You know from watching this guy's previous fights today that you had better avoid those punches like they've got plague.

>He literally two or three hit comboed the last three opponents he fought. Which is why you are currently fighting him.

>But every time he won, he didn't look like he enjoyed his win.

>Like it was just a matter of fact, or wasn't as exciting as he thought it would be.

>Someone else was excited though.

>Probably the one who was the whole reason this guy showed up.

>You were excited, as one should be when new opponents show themselves. But Mirabelle was just as excited as you were.

>You were moments away from begging her to let you fight in place of her.

>Luckily, this big ass bison's honor saved your own honor.

>He said he hadn't ever fought a girl before, his momma had taught him not to hit girls, so he would definitely not be at his best, and wouldn't be a proper challenger.

>Mirabelle relented and said you could fight, but warned you like she always does, to not lose.

>You don't intend to lose, but then again, you didn't intend to lose your title to her, yet here you are.

>He went through his three fights to get to the Champ bout all in the same day, so every fight today has been his.

>Lewis wanted to tell him that most fighters usually only go through one fight a day, but he retaliated with the fact that he wasn't going to be in town for long and wanted to get the full Circle experience before he left.

>Which didn't sound quite true, the way he said it reluctantly, but everyone around decided to allow it, so he blew right through the competition and stepped up.

>Now it's up to you to put him down.

>You throw a straight kick as hard as you can but he does that big bellied earth stance of his and stops your kick with his solid flesh.

>Maybe if you soften up his legs, he'll be less stable.

>You kick him in the shin and-

>Well fuck that was a mistake.

>It's like kicking a tree trunk.

>Why is this dude so solid?!

>You've fought big opponents before, but none of them were carved from fucking stone like this guy.

>Your only saving grace in this fight is that he's about as slow as Caesar, but without the whole wind up before the giant fist.

>You get in close and throw a hook to his jaw.

>That actually does something, as the behemoth's face actually yields in the direction your punch knocked it.

>Ladies and gentlemen, the immovable object can be moved.

>You press what you think is an advantage and try to uppercut him.

>However he looks like he doubles down in his weird stance and his chin completely denies any yield this time.

>You take it back, that lucky punch was just you knocking some pebbles loose from the mountain you're currently in combat with.

>You're actually at a loss, no one else has been this indomitable.

>You try to take a step back to give yourself a bit of distance and think about whatever you can do.

>This bison takes a step back too. Kind of.

>His front leg comes off the ground and he rears back a bit.

>He holds his right hand in his left.

>He kind of looks like he's about to pitch a baseball at you.

>And then his entire body rockets forward, faster than any living creature his size should move.

>He throws this big step haymaker at you, with even more forward force than the haymakers you throw.

>You should've moved to the side, but you were already moving backward to gain a bit of distance, so you dodged backward.

>However his range is a lot longer than you expected, it's like his arms grew a foot longer or something.

>Luckily he didn't seem to be aiming at your face.

>His punch lands square in your chest, right at the sternum.

>But damn, it hits with so much force it practically lifts you off your feet and launches you back, like getting hit point blank with a shotgun shell.

>Oh dear lord this dude hits with the strength of like, ten gorillas.

>You fall to your back and scramble to at least get to your feet as you struggle to catch your breath.

>Everyone in the Circle is cheering you on, shouting at you to get up.

>Mirabelle's voice is especially loud.

>You will yourself to rise.

>You will not allow this foreign usurper to stride into your land, lay low your home's greatest combatants, and steal your queen's throne.

>You rise back up, the thunderous applause of your allies booming in your ears.

>But through that another sound enters your ears as you stare at your deadly enemy.

>He huffs.

>Like he just carried a three-hundred pound bag up ten flights of stairs.

>What, did that punch exert all his energy or something?

>Or was that a huff of disappointment?

>Like that punch is about to lay you down and he's upset that all his fights have ended in so few attacks from him?

>Who does this Yakkity Yak looking motherfucker think he is.

>You're a bit confused but whatever, you won't let it shake you.

>You bring your hands back up, ready to start round 2. Well, round 2 for you.

>But then he does something else that confuses you even further.

>He looks to Lewis, whose trademark mask of boredom is replaced with a controlled awe.

>"Hey, uh buddy. I think I'm good here. I'm gonna give up, or whatever." the bison says, as he runs his hands through his thick, wild dreadlocks.

>...Wat.

>The look on everyone's faces says they're thinking the exact same thing.

>"You uh. You sure, dude?" Lewis asks with all the confusion of everyone around filling his words. "I'll be honest, you were doing really well. You wanna just, give up like that?"

>"Yeah." he says. "The idea is cool and all, but I'll be honest, I'm not having as much fun as I thought I would. So I'd hate to actually take the Champ spot or whatever, when I'm not enjoying. Seems kind of like a dick move."

>"What the fuck are you doing?!" a loud, whiny voice cuts through this strange moment.

>You know that voice.

>Fucking Marty.

>Marty was always cheering like a lunatic and laughing like one too whenever this bison guy won a fight.

>So you can only guess Marty's the one who brought him here.

>Martini Browning. A.K.A. Marty.

>"Goddammit Kayo, we were right about to fuckin' profit!" Marty screams. "Why'd you go and blow it right at the end?!"

>"I wasn't havin' fun I guess." the bison, whose name is apparently Kayo, says.

>"Who cares about fun?!" Marty replies. "I told you what we coulda had! And we were almost there, goddammit!"

>'We, we', what is this 'we'?

>What the hell did Marty say to this guy to get him to throw down in the Circle?

>If you were to hazard a guess, it was something about being the Champ and the Champion's Right.

>Marty likes what being the Champ brings, but doesn't care about anything else.

>Marty's a fucking weasel.

>Like literally he is, but also in spirit.

>"Get back in there and fuck Anon up!" Marty screeches.

>Lewis butts in, "He uh, technically gave up, so he'd have to win his three again to fight Anon or Mirabelle for the Champ spot, Marty."

>"FUCK!" is Marty's reply as he stomps out of the Circle, throwing a little tantrum.

>God, why do you all even let Marty come?

>You wish you could get him in the Circle so you could knock him around a bit, but he doesn't fight.

>He just tries to get other people to do it so he can use them apparently.

>You want to go talk to Kayo, get his take on what Marty's deal with him was, but as you look over, he's already trotting out of the Circle and down the road.

>You stand there, a bit dumbfounded.

>Eventually Mirabelle walks over to you, looking just as confused as you feel.

>You resist the current urge to find solace in her lips for a moment, but you do pull her in by the shoulder close to you.

>You look to Lewis, a bit lost as to what should be done next.

>He catches your gaze.

>"Well uh." he says. "I guess, this is where we're calling it for today? Good fights everyone."

>Everybody grabs their things and scatter in relative silence.

>Apart from the occasional remarks of confusion that you would expect.

>Well this was an odd day, you have to admit.

>That Kayo guy was pretty good.

>He wasn't flashy or anything like you are, but he definitely got results.

>You've got questions. Like: where is he from? And: what kind of fighting technique is that?

>You've never seen anyone use their entire torso region as a shield before, but holy shit was it strangely effective. It was like punching stone, for real.

>But the biggest question you have is: why wasn't Kayo having fun?

>For a guy with that impeccable defense and the ability to punch someone into next week with two well placed shots, you're surprised that he wasn't enjoying himself.

>He could've been the Champ for a really long time, if he was local.

>Which is a thought that concerns you.

>You collect your things and trot over to your scooter, Mirabelle right next to you.

>"Well that. Sure was. An event I guess?" she says to you.

>"Yeah you got that right." You say back, "And whatever the hell it was, it was all Marty's fault."

>"Yeah, who was that?" she asks. "I've never seen him around before. Well I've never seen the big guy either, but."

>"Yeah the big guy, I don't know where he came from, but Marty was the fucking weasel that was screaming his head off. Marty wants to be the Champ, but only because he wants the free shit and discounts that come with being the Champ."

>Marty doesn't care about the sport, or entertainment, or fun, or glory or anything else that comes with the spirit of the Circle.

>He tried to slide up to you with some propositions when you first became the Champ.

>You more or less told him to get bent.

>So he's kind of got beef with you, but he won't settle it himself.

>"And the big guy just gave up because he wasn't having fun or something?" Mirabelle questions. "Guess Marty picked the wrong guy to use huh?"

>"No he picked a great guy." you say truthfully. "If Kayo had more heart, he could've stuck it out until he laid me flat. And honestly hun, he was about one or two more solid punches away from doing just that."

>"Oh come on now. How are you supposed to be my king if you get knocked out by little taps like that?"

>"Those 'little taps' were equal to like three of your dropkicks!" you exclaim.

>"... Well that's an exaggeration." she shrugs. "My dropkicks are far superior. Or do you need a reminder?"

>nope.jpeg

>"Naah, I'm alright." you laugh a little wryly.

>You two are far enough away from the Circle and the the police car that patrols near it that you can put her on the back of your scooter and give her a lift home now.

>You take off toward her house, and one peaceful drive later, basking in the warmth and closeness of her body pressed against yours, you pull up to her house in the Hills.

>She jumps off.

>"Thanks, as always." she tells you.

>"You are welcome, as always." you tell her.

>"You still gonna come over on Sunday?"

>"Absolutely. I got some things I wanna run by your dad anyway, just in case Kayo does come back. He might have some good ideas."

>"Mkay." she say, punctuating her sentence with a kiss. "See you then."

>"Yep." you reply. "Love you."

>"Love you too." she replies before heading home.

>You turn around and head home yourself, but your mind returns to the events of the Circle today as you ride in silence and solitude.

>Your Saturday came and went.

>Verne had to help his parents with some things and Mikael had to take his little sister somewhere for the day, so there was no Saturdays for the boys hangout.

>You spent your time playing video games, watching Yewtube and devouring meme content like a bloodstarved beast.

>Which is what you always do on solitary Saturday nights.

>Man, you really don't do anything constructive when you're alone, do you?

>Not like you do anything constructive when you aren't alone either.

>Either way, it's Sunday now, and you are waiting for Mirabelle's dad to get home.

>While you wait, you're sitting in her living room, throwing back "healthy snacks" that Mrs. Dunwick made.

>They were technically something she made for her younger boys, but she offered them to you and Mirabelle too.

>And hey, you won't say no.

>However Annabelle is sitting in your lap stealing your snacks so you aren't even getting to eat them.

>Blake is in the living room with you, showing you this anime he's really into.

>Gogo's Bizarrest Adventures.

>You've seen it before of course. You can't scroll down a thread for two seconds without someone making a Gogo reference, so you decided to watch it a while ago.

>But you said no when he asked if you'd ever seen it and he refused to let you move from your seat until you watched it.

>You weren't sure what the easier option would be, so you figured having him show it to you would be more simple than having him talk to you about it.

>Blake even quotes that entire approaching segment right before Deo and Gogo fight each other.

>He's making you watch the anime subbed too, so he just said all those lines in fluent Japanese.

>You look to Mirabelle and smile a bit.

>She's smiling too, likely struggling to suppress the urge to laugh and call her own little brother a weeb, just like you are.

>The urge dies away as the man of the hour finally arrives.

>Man, working on a Sunday, how wild.

>But your dad does the same, so you can understand.

>William drops his keys on a table, kicks off his shoes and practically jumps into his recliner.

>"How are ya, Anon?" he asks with a bit of exhaustion in his voice.

>I'm good Mr. Dunwick, how about you?" you return.

>"Eh, it's no fun getting old, you know how it is." he shrugs.

>You don't, but you nod like you do.

>William looks to the t.v.

>"Man Blake, you're watching this show again?"

>"Anon's never seen it!" Blake exclaims.

>William looks over to you.

>"I have never seen it." you say with the blankest monotone you can manage.

>He nods.

>"So what're you in the market for today?" William says. "Just let me catch my breath for a bit and we can get started."

>"Great." you tell him. "I'm actually at kind of an impasse and was hoping you could give me some advice.

>"Advice huh?" He scratches his chin. "Let's hope it's something I've dealt with before."

>Some life returns to his face, and he looks over to you, really taking stock of what's going on.

>He sees his youngest daughter, currently eating the last of your snacks.

>"Come to papa, Anna." he says to Annabelle as he holds his arms out toward her.

>She stares at him for a bit, then promptly shakes her head.

>He visibly deflates like a gambler who bet everything and lost it all.

>"How could you steal both of my daughters from me Anon?"

>You look down, then to the right.

>"I have no answers for you, I'm sorry." you say truthfully.

>"Hmph. Yes. You will be." He hits the recliner lever and leans back, chuckling like a movie villain.

>Why's he gotta do that all the time?

>You're in the Dunwick's home gym throwing punches and kicks that William calls out into a punching bag.

>You throw a wheel kick that you think comes out pretty good.

>"Do it again. Higher." William says.

>You kick again, but not much higher than the last time.

>"Terrible. Mirabelle. Show 'im how it's done."

>Mirabelle jumps up from her seat and walks up to the punching bag.

>She shoulder shunts you out of the way, with that oh so seductively taunting grin on her face.

>She sharply twists her body and delivers a fantastic wheel kick.

>The punching bag is knocked back and sways to and fro from the force she unleashed on it.

>She walks back to her seat.

>You look over to William.

>"Again." he instructs.

>You kick.

>And kick.

>And kick some more.

>You finally get to a height that William finds acceptable.

>He makes you repeat it a few more times, just to make sure you've got it down.

>"Pretty good. Let's take a break."

>"Dope." you say.

>You take a seat in the chair next to Mirabelle and take a sip of water.

>William pulls up his own chair and sits across from you two.

>"Alright." he says. "What was this advice you needed?"

>"Okay cool. So!" you start. "How do you, absolutely obliterate an opponent that's like ten feet tall and six thousand pounds?

>William pauses.

>He looks at Mirabelle.

>"How hard have they been hitting this poor kid out there?"

>"Too hard apparently." she replies, casting a worried look at you.

>"... Okay maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration." you say.

>"Just a bit?" William and Mirabelle say at the same time.

>"Okay, a very large exaggeration! But the point of the question is what's important. What's the best way to beat opponents that are like a lot bigger than you?"

>You pause to wait for his answer, before you remember an important point.

>"Also this big opponent takes every punch or kick you try like you're throwing bags of cotton candy at him."

>William looks interested when you add that last point.

>"What do you mean, he's just taking everything you throw and chugging along?"

>"No I mean like, he squares up and it's like throwing my fist into a damn brick wall, or kicking oak trees." you explain.

>"He does this weird belly block thing and refuses to budge once he does." Mirabelle follows up. "And then once he tires you out, he'll two hit K.O. you with a few solid punches."

>"Two hits. Wow." William looks impressed, and concerned. "Though what do you mean by 'belly block'? That's not something you would want to block with, normally."

>"Look. I can't do it like him, but I'll show you." you say as you stand up.

>You turn and pose just like Kayo does, arms tucked in a bit , legs spread and bent, torso forced out as far as you can.

>Your gut isn't as big as his so it looks a bit jank.

>"Mirabelle punch me." you say, holding your breath.

>Not one to miss a chance at free violence, she jumps up with no hesitation and slugs you as hard as she can right in the solar plexus.

>You sputter like a deflating balloon.

>You crumple to the ground like one too.

>William tries to hold back his laughs but he isn't doing well at all.

>"Okay, so I'm going to assume that's the belly block thing, but without the whole, getting folded thing that Anon did."

>"Yeah, pretty much." Mirabelle confirms.

>"Okay, well uh." William starts. He thinks to himself for a while, before saying "I'll be honest, I've never seen anything like that. It honestly looks like it shouldn't work. Well, it does remind me of some martial arts stances, I guess. But as for just letting yourself get hit, can't compare that to much."

>He thinks a bit, before he laughs a bit and says "Well, there was this stupid internet video with some guy letting people hit him below the belt and not flinching, but I doubt that's what this opponent of yours is going for."

>You're finally recovering from Mirabelle's random reminder of who's the boss.

>You sit up, and look to William.

>"So whadda we do?" you ask him.

>"Well I have a few pointers on taking out larger opponents." he says, scratching his chin. "I've had to teach Mirabelle a lot of it since... Well. But getting through that weird block, if it is as effective as you say, may take some work."

>"I'll take anything you got."

>"Alright then." he says. "Let's get to it."

>You jump up. "Oh wait. I have one more question for you."

>"What's up?"

>"Do you have any idea why someone who seems to be a good fighter would say they weren't enjoying themselves in a fight?"

>William poses a question of his own.

>"Does he fight because he wants to, or because he has to?"

>Huh.

>That's a good question.

>He continues. "Maybe if he always has to, he wouldn't enjoy it. Maybe there are reasons that bring him to fight, but not enjoy it. Though I think, everyone who participates in the Circle should be fighting for fun and not out of obligation."

>"Of course, I think so too." you say. "Maybe he said he wasn't having fun, because Marty basically coaxed him into it."

>"This the same guy?" William asks.

>You nod.

>"Hmm." he says. "Maybe you'd understand him better if you have a talk with him. See what he's about. Ask him yourself what the problem was."

>"Yeah. Probably." you nod again.

>But that may not be possible. He's from out of town and you have no idea where's he staying.

>He apparently won't be around for long, and it's not like you'll see him at school.

>You damn sure aren't gonna ask Marty, not like he'd tell you anything anyway.

>"Alright!" William claps and turns back toward the punching bag. "Let's get back to it."

>You practice for a while longer and William gives you his giant slaying tips.

>But it's about time to start heading home.

>Mirabelle walks you to the gate and plants her lips on yours like she always does.

>And like always you wish you didn't have to break away.

>You take off on your way home, replaying William's tips in your head, for lack of practical use at the moment.

>But you probably won't get to use them.

>Well there are a few people you can use them on, but you've never had much trouble with them before, so.

>But Kayo probably isn't coming back, so your whole reason to be David is pointless with no Goliath.

>But oh well, you won't let it bother you too much.

>You think about that big wind-up haymaker he threw at you.

>You liked the look of it, right before it almost blasted you into a different time zone.

>Since he may not be coming around anymore, maybe you can lawfully acquire it for yourself.

>To the victor goes the spoils, and all that.

>Though if video games have taught you anything, it's that the acquisition of someone else's special move should only come once you knock them out at least once.

>Twice if they're like a special boss or something.

>You turn a corner on the way back to your house.

>You catch something vaguely familiar out of the corner of your eye.

>Dark brown and almost black fur.

>Wild, unruly dreadlocks.

>The absolute unit that is Kayo walks down the road in the same direction you're headed.

>Damn, what a stroke of luck.

>Some higher power out there has blessed you today.

>You pull over and stop a few feet ahead of him.

>"Hey hey, Kayo!" you shout, a bit louder than necessary considering he is right in front of you.

>"Oh. Hey, ummmm. Anon. Right?" he says.

>You don't blame him for almost forgetting your name. He met you once and heard your name just as many times.

>Whereas you've had him on your mind for a few days.

>... No homo or anything.

>"Yeah man. Hey look." you tell him. "I'll just come right out with it, because I'm curious. You said you weren't having fun during our fight. But you were doing well during the previous three. Any reason why that is?"

>He chuckles. "Care that much about the feelings of a dude you don't even know?"

>You look at him with dead seriousness. "You came into my Circle and left underwhelmed. I have a right to know."

>It's not technically yours anymore. Or ever. But whatever.

>"Damn." he says. "My bad man, I didn't mean to offend."

>He's pretty polite for such a bruiser, isn't he?

>"Nah man, I wasn't offended." you tell him. "I just don't want you to go back home and tell your friends something like 'yeah man that thing they do over there in Towngrove? It's whack', and then they think we're pansies over where you're from."

>"Haha, don't worry. Where I'm from everyone thinks everyone else is a pansy. Even the people in their own city." he says.

>He pauses for a moment, like he's getting ready to tell you his life story.

>"I'm from over there on the west coast. Live in a city called San Vanargrand."

>... Never heard of it.

>"Anyway," he continues, "There's a lot of gang garbage out there. Like, idiots our age, dressing up in colors or symbols, making their own gangs, and being nuisances all the time."

>So it's already more chaotic than out here.

>"And you know, gang idiots don't play fair, so if you don't wanna be a bloody mess on the side of the road, you learn to fight two or three people at a time. So when I walk with my bros and we get into some shit with some of those idiots, they usually aim for me first, since I'm so."

>"Swole?" you offer?

>"I woulda said 'fat', but I appreciate your alternative. But yeah. That's what I've grown with, so that's what I'm used to, I guess."

>"Sooo?" you begin to pose your question, attempting to piece his information together. "You prefer to have fights that aren't one on one?"

>"Well... Yeah." he admits. "Ya know, when Marty was explaining things, he didn't really give me all the information."

>"Yup, that sounds like Marty." you roll your eyes.

>"And he said a few people throw down in the ring. And that there were two people who kind of hold the Champ spot, and that I may have to fight them."

>Withholding information, and misinformation. Just like that goddamn weasel.

>"So yeah." Kayo scratches his head. "I wasn't expecting like, a mosh pit of people slugging each other. But. Ya know. Like. Maybe doubles?"

>"Doubles?" you repeat?

>"Like at least a two on two? That would've been cool." he clarifies.

>Doubles.

>Two on two.

>This new information floods your brain like a tsunami.

>That's the greatest fucking idea you've ever heard!

>Why has no one else thought of this?!

>It took a random bison from the other side of the country to instill this genius within you.

>"Hey Kayo." you say.

>"Wassup?" he responds.

>"When are you going back home?"

>"Oh. Uh." he sniffles. "Next Monday I believe."

>"You should come back to the Circle tomorrow." you say slowly, like you've been possessed by a braindead spirit. "You might have fun before you go back home."

>"Man, that Circle must be really important, if you're willing to do something for some outsider who's gonna be gone in a few days." he chuckles some more.

>"Well, yes. But actually no. I wanna fight you again, cuz it was fun. But like, I don't wanna jump you to do it. That's not really how we settle things out here."

>"Wait wait wait." he says. "You tellin' me that throwin' punches that weren't workin' and almost gettin' laid out in one hit, was fun to you?"

>"Listen. I was the Champion of that Circle for three years. Almost everyone who fights there, I have fought." you stare at him and pour every drop of malice into your voice as you can. "Sometimes you need new victims."

>That gets a hearty laugh out of him.

>"Alright man, I'll come through one more time."

>"Cool man. I'll see you there." You jump back onto your scooter and get ready to take off.

>"Oh wait!" you pause.

>You turn around slowly.

>"Make sure you bring Marty with you. If you can."

>He tilts his head in confusion.

>"Marty wants to be the Champ but won't fight for it. As an outsider, he was trying to use you to get it. I feel like if he wants to be the Champ, he should have to work for it. Ya feel me?"

>He gives you a solemn nod of understanding and a sly grin.

>Excellent.

>You take off back home.

>Oh, this coming week is going to be fun.

>You texted your brand new, very unique, very original idea to your friends.

>Mikael is the first to respond with "Anon. I love you and I am going to steal you away from your lover."

>"Whoa, how bromantic." Verne follows up with.

>"I didn't know vikings loved their brothers like the Greeks did." you send.

>"I love this idea and I must express to you how much I love it." Mikael replies.

>"I have to admit, it wasn't initially my idea, I'm just trying to pitch it and hope it works." you tell them.

>"Could be cool." Lewis finally says. "You're trying to have it during this coming week?"

>"Yup." you say. "It's soon, but people shouldn't take long to be ready."

>"You gonna have Mirabelle put up the Champ spot?" Lewis asks.

>"If she's down." you say. "If not, I'll have to think up a new prize."

>"If it's doubles, who's gonna get the Champ spot?" Verne questions.

>"Make the team who got to the end fight each other for it!" Mikael says.

>"Not a bad idea." Lewis replies. "Today's friend, tomorrow's enemy. I'll start trying to put things together. Lemme know if Mirabelle is cool with the idea and we'll go from there."

>"Alright." you say. "Gonna text her now, see what she thinks."

>Verne, partner with me!" Mikael sends.

>"Hell. No." is Verne's simple reply.

>You close the group chat and text Mirabelle.

>"Hey, I've got a cool idea for the Circle, but you have to put your title on the line. You in?"

>She responds. "I mean, I put it on the line every time I fight, or you fight for me, so I guess I must not have a problem with putting it up."

>True. True indeed.

>"What's up?" she sends.

>"Doubles tournament." is all you send in response.

>There's a pause in her reply.

>...

>A long pause.

>You think she's compiling a strongly worded text that describes how ridiculous that idea is and how much of a dummy you are for even wasting her time with it.

>"I'm in." she finally sends.

>Oh. Well never mind.

>"Don't you want more information first?" you ask.

>"I'm. In." she sends back.

>Okay, no further discussion is necessary.

>"Awesome. Love you!" you say.

>She sends a gif of some old ass cartoon with a robot waddling out of a courthouse with the caption 'shut up baby, i know it'.

>You laugh and switch back to your group chat.

>Mikael is spamming it with all kinds of hype pictures and telling Verne to partner up with him, to which Verne simply says 'no'.

>"Mirabelle's in." you say.

>Mikael sends a gif of that Yewtube memelord Krit1cal shouting in jubilation.

>You put your phone on the charger.

>Man you're excited.

>You haven't been this excited for the Circle since...

>Since Lewis brought up that secret challenger all those months ago.

>And then you fought Mirabelle.

>And then you started dating Mirabelle.

>Man, you can't believe that was only like six months ago.

>But a fantastic six months they have been.

>You still get that filling warmth when you see her smile.

>You still get lost in those big blue eyes.

>This is a random time to be reminiscing.

>But it seems to happen whenever Mirabelle passes through your mind while you're alone.

>You wonder if you're going to feel like this forever.

>You sure hope so.

>You get into bed.

>Doubles tournament.

>This is gonna be good.

>You spent your free time during school walking around with Lewis pitching your crazy idea and getting people on board with it.

>Some people were impressed.

>Others asked why it took so long for this to be a thing.

>Even more thought it may not be the best idea, thinking it might get too hectic.

>Or that you shouldn't change what the Circle has always been.

>You explained that it wasn't a change, so much as an event, and that the Circle would return to its normal one v. ones right after it was over.

>They accepted that and jumped on board your crazy idea ship.

>And then the end of the day arrived and you began walking to the Circle.

>Grinning like a madman.

>Mirabelle was a bit concerned at how excited you were, but your infectious mood rubbed off on her a bit.

>You wouldn't say she's as pumped as you are, but you can tell she's definitely looking forward to whatever you've put together.

>When you got to the Circle, you began looking around for Kayo, to see if he actually came.

>Luckily a being of his size and stature is hard to miss and he is swiftly located.

>And located, right next to him, in all his stubby, shifty glory, is one very confused and pissed off Marty.

>You give silent thanks to Kayo for coming through on this. With any luck, things will go exactly as planned.

>All that's left is for Lewis to make the announcement and see how things go.

>Once it looks like everybody who's going to show up has arrived, Lewis moves to the center of the Circle.

>"Welcome everybody." he starts off. "Like always, let's make it a good day. However, before we get into it, we've got something going on that some of you might be interested in."

>He looks around, gauging people's reactions as he brings in this new addition to his normal startup.

>"Have you ever been interested in fighting more than one opponent? Do you believe that you could fight better if you had someone backing you up? Do you think that with an ally by your side, you could even defeat the past King and current Queen? Or are you just up for breaking the monotony of the Circle?"

>Some people look interested in what he's saying, a few look surprised.

>"Well, lucky for you, an idea was proposed to do just that." he continues. "We're doing something we haven't done before, and starting up a doubles tournament this week. Apologies for the sudden announcement."

>At the mention of the actual plan, the Circle's attention is thoroughly snared.

>Lewis pauses for a moment to give people time to digest his words, before starting up again.

>"Some special circumstances have brought this idea before us, so it's happening this very week. Consider it a testing ground for the idea. However, it does still come with the prize you all seek. The Champion title. And while this rule can't be changed, there is technically only one Champ. At the very least, I don't have the authority to change it. There will be an extra prize, devised by our very own Anon to the one who wins the tournament but does not take the crown.

>...Hold on. Wait a second.

>You were supposed to come up with a prize?

>Was that a part of the conversation? Were you just too excited to catch that part?

>"Or, if you aren't content with relinquishing what you worked so hard for, you could always turn on your ally after all is said and done and duel them for it." he adds.

>You look around.

>Most of the Circle looks about as excited as you think you did when Kayo first proposed the idea to you, so the Champ title and extra prize are probably just icing on this cake.

>Basically, he had 'em at doubles tournament, just like you.

>"It's a little rushed, again, we apologize for that." he throws out, to anyone still listening. "But, if your attention and desire to fight as a team of two has been peaked enough to want in, grab a partner and go jot your names down with Sly over there, so we can see how many are participating, get brackets made, and get things started. We're trying to get this tournament done and dusted by Saturday at the latest, so."

>He claps his hands twice and points them both over to Sly's table.

>It only takes a few moments before a wave of people break from the Circle to first try and find someone willing to partner with them and then hit Sly's table.

>The Circle has effectively been broken, but through it you once again attempt to spot Kayo.

>He's still standing where you saw him last time, wide eyed and observing his surroundings.

>He catches your gaze.

>You grin and throw your arms up in a shrug.

>He grins back, so you guess the gesture you made will be appreciated.

>You look to his left to see Marty, unmoving and a pissy little scowl on his face.

>You catch Kayo's gaze again and point your eyes at Marty a few times, hoping he catches the gesture.

>He follows your gaze, and in an instant understands what you want him to do.

>He gives you a single nod, then turns to Marty and says something to him.

>You can't catch what he's saying from here.

>But you sure can hear Marty.

>"No no NO! FUCK NO!" he's screaming.

>That whiny voice is grating on your good mood.

>Should've known it wasn't going to be easy.

>You think about what you can say to help it along, but you actually manage to catch a line from Kayo that seems to hit Marty somewhere in the black void that is his heart.

>"Man the fuck up." Kayo tells him, leaning down to grasp him by the shoulders.

>Marty's eyes are wide.

>You can't hear anything else that Kayo is saying, but whatever else it is seems to stir something in Marty.

>That west coast boy has some kind of way with words if he's managing to persuade Marty that easily.

>Eventually Marty seems to calm down, and throws his hands up violently like he's done.

>He starts walking toward Sly's table, with Kayo right behind.

>Kayo gives you a discreet thumbs up as he passes.

>If you weren't determined before, you sure as hell are now.

>Someone shoves you from behind and you have to take a step to keep from falling forward.

>You turn to find Mirabelle looking at you.

>"Are we signing up or are you just gonna stand there zoning out?" she asks.

>"Ha, my bad. Let's go."

>People are forming up at the table, and luckily you had a couple of others to keep things calm and orderly.

>You walk over to the line at Sly's table.

>Sly is a raccoon who is exactly like her nickname suggests.

>Her name is actually Sally, but everyone calls her Sly.

>Someone joked that she sold the extra letters in her name for a profit.

>She is very money motivated.

>Which is probably how she manages to take bets at the Circle and honor them all.

>Sly is shifty, but not in a bad way.

>Like, she's the type of person to call someone cousin and sell them something at a family discount, only for them to find out that what they paid, is the basic market price.

>They got conned, but not detrimentally.

>The line reaches the front pretty quick.

>Sly hands you a card and you put down Mirabelle's and your name on it before handing it back.

>People are joining, sign ups are almost done.

>Phase one is complete.

>Phase two is where it's at.

>It takes a bit longer for everyone who's joining to pair and sign up, but once that's done, the number of participants are counted.

>"Alright." Lewis says. "We got quite the turnout already, so it looks like we'll have to split the first round of matches into a few today, and a few tomorrow. If we do it that way, we can be done by Friday."

>It pains you that your first ever event like this had to be so rushed, but certain company needed to be included, for several reasons.

>So what must be done, was done.

>"So we're going to draw teams from the name cards we have, that way we can keep things a bit random." Lewis explains. "No working on strategies because you know ahead of time who you're going to be fighting or anything like that."

>Yup, that sounds pretty fair.

>"Also since there'll be a bit more to watch out for I'm going to need a bit of help, so Elodi. If you would."

>A sophomore who looks like a smaller version of everyone's local librarian walks up to the Circle, opposite the side where Lewis stands.

>Elodi is going to be the next referee when Lewis is done, she already volunteered to take the place. So she's getting her practice in now.

>"Okay great. With that settled, it looks like we're as ready as we'll ever be." Lewis says, glancing around. "Let me welcome you all to the Circle's first ever Double's Tournament. At least I think it's the first."

>The hype is growing. People are whooping and hollering, excited to get into it. The spectators excited to witness a whole new activity in the Circle.

>"Let's not waste anymore time, and get right into it." Lewis continues, pulling a name card out of a box without looking at it. "First team stepping up is... Well well. Mirabelle and Anon.

>Oh damn, already?

>You were hoping to go soon, but you weren't expecting to go first.

>You look to Mirabelle.

>She has her trademark taunting smirk on her face.

>She looks up at you, right into your eyes.

>You look back.

>No words need be shared, because they've been said time and time again.

>"Don't you dare lose."

>And there is absolutely no way you will.

>With your queen at your side, no usurper will stand before you for long.

>You two step into the Circle to the chorus of cheers from the crowd.

>You throw your arms up in the pose you've done a thousand times before, and Mirabelle simply stands, hands on her hips, proud and confident.

>"These two will be going against..." He grabs another card and reads the names. "Hm. Benji and Clyde."

>Well. Two big boys, right out the gate.

>Benji Blackrock the bull, and Clyde Bleasdale the horse, step up and into the Circle, giving each other dap as they do.

>Look at these barnyard bruisers, thinking they're coordinated already.

>"Which one you want?" you ask Mirabelle.

>"Hm. I'll take tall, dark and long faced." she says.

>You look at them both, before you turn back to her and shrug. "That doesn't help."

>"I'll take Clyde." she explains.

>"Kay." you say.

>"Alright." Lewis says. "We have quite a few fights we gotta get through, so in the interest of time constraints, and the fact that there would be a lot of smack to talk with two extra opponents in the Circle, we're going to cut straight to the fight. So. Anon and Mirabelle. You ready?"

>You crack your knuckles, Mirabelle stretches her legs. You look to each other once more, then to Lewis and nod simultaneously.

>Lewis looks to Elodi, for her to ask the other team.

>"Benji, Clyde. Are you ready?" she asks.

>Benji rolls his shoulders, Clyde pops his neck. They both nod to her.

>"Then let's." Lewis and Elodi say at the same time, bringing their hands up, and holding them in the air, before throwing them straight down. "Fight!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g45Va0gCwQ4

>As soon as those words come out, Clyde is out the gate, charging at Mirabelle.

>Clyde's pretty quick for such a big guy, but you don't worry.

>Mirabelle effortlessly dodges his opening attack and counterattacks with two of her own.

>He's pretty tall so you don't think she's going to have too easy a time landing anything particularly devastating, unless he opens himself up.

>But you have your own opponent to worry about at the moment.

>You look to Benji.

>You grab the edge of your flannel shirt, and while it's not red, you bring it up and wave it as best you can like a matador cape.

>Apparently long ago, men(and women, you think) would fight bulls in the Spanish countries.

>Like a Circle itself, but it usually ended in serious injury or death.

>"Toro, motherfucker." you goad.

>His simple mind has been effectively baited because he charges you, head down like he plans to spear you.

>He's not actually going to.

>Not with those nubs, anyway.

>But it does make you look like you're about to do a dance with death against wrath given flesh.

>However, unlike those bullfighters of a bygone age, you don't flourish or dodge out of the way in a grandiose fashion.

>He brings his fist up to swing at you, but has too much forward momentum.

>You slip to the side and belt him right across the cheek as he passes you right up.

>He slows himself down and turns his body toward you, following with his fist to increase the momentum of his hook.

>You duck down and lean forward to close the gap, then throw your own fist up into his chin.

>You follow with a straight to the solar plexus.

>At this point you would normally back off a bit to throw some kicks at him while he tries to refill his lungs with air.

>But you want to practice the tips Mr. Dunwick gave you.

>Specifically the first one, which is sticking close.

>If you give a bigger opponent too much room, they'll outrange you because they have more strike distance than you.

>If you stick close as well, they can't hit as hard because there's a sweet spot most punches have after a certain amount of forward momentum that gives them their power.

>Punches won't hurt as much.

>You keep up on him, holding your guard up high, and throwing knees into his torso.

>He tries to grab you, probably trying to give you a back-cracking hug, but you angle your leg and kick him in the side of the knee which causes it to buckle and bring him down.

>His hold on you releases and you punch him dead on in the nose.

>He falls onto his back, but he doesn't look done yet.

>You get ready to pile on more hurt but the sound of an impact and a yelp of pain grabs you.

>You don't know exactly what happened but Mirabelle comes skidding into your field of vision.

>You throw your gaze toward Clyde, to catch him bringing his leg down.

>So you're guessing he kicked her.

>Which means he managed to make contact with her.

>Being in the Circle means people are bound to get hurt.

>And as the Champ, she gets into fights often.

>She's fast, but not immune to still getting hit every once in a while.

>But seeing Mirabelle clutching herself in pain as she slowly attempts to rise to her feet while you're in here with her awakens some horrific beast of darkness within you.

>"Let go. Let go of everything." it calls out to you.

>And you willingly heed the call.

>...Now that you think of it.

>This really isn't two separate one on one's.

>It's a two on two, like it was stated.

>So this. Is perfectly within the confines of the game.

>You move. Faster than you think you've ever moved in your life.

>You're also suddenly about a foot off the ground.

>You deliver what is typically referred to as a Superman Punch.

>Straight to the side of Clyde's big ass head.

>He was probably so focused on Mirabelle that he didn't notice you coming.

>Or maybe you just moved too fast for him to register that you were coming for him.

>Either way he takes the full force of that punch.

>It staggers him pretty heavily, he looks like he would've fallen over if he didn't drop to a knee to steady himself.

>You show him that falling over would have been the correct choice.

>With his height significantly lowered, you bring your leg behind you, and deliver the wheel kick you've been practicing and devastate his poor equine skull.

>He almost falls, throwing his hands out to catch him before he hits the dirt.

>You want to lay him out, but the steady thudding of an approaching mass stops you.

>Without even turning around you can tell that Benji is charging you.

>It's like all he knows is how to charge straight ahead.

>You give it one more second before you pivot on your foot to face him and bring one leg up.

>You look like you're about to straight kick him, but that wouldn't do anything against his momentum and size.

>You're taking a page from Mirabelle's book.

>With the first leg up, you kick off with the leg still on the ground, and bring them together.

>He's in the perfect range as you kick both legs out and into his chest in a dropkick, not only stopping his advance but managing to push him backwards a good couple of feet.

>You hit the ground splayed out in essentially a t-pose.

>To establish dominance, even while on the ground!

>The Circle cheers, absolutely enthralled at your display.

>You sit up and look to see how Mirabelle is doing.

>She's back up, but her attention is on you.

>She's wide eyed and very impressed.

>She's got a look on her face that you would compare to what you probably look like whenever Mirabelle does something amazing.

>So now you know what it's like to be looked at with adoration, considering all the times you've looked at her in that way.

>You stand and look to your opponents.

>Clyde is regaining his composure, although he's clutching the side of his head that you decimated.

>Benji sits straight up from his prone position like the Undermaker does on t.v.

>Still kicking are they?

>Them barnyard boys sure can take a beating.

>You look over to Mirabelle, who has her wind back and looks ready for the next round.

>You guys lay into your opponents once again.

>When Benji gives you too much space, you switch targets and go throw a few punches at Clyde.

>Sometimes, while you handle Clyde, Mirabelle will switch up, and keep Benji busy, while you press your advantage on your unsuspecting opponent.

>At one point, you uppercut Clyde and lay him on his back.

>Elodi comes over to check and see if he's done.

>But you don't wait to hear if he is or not.

>You dash over and hook Benji in the side of his gut.

>He brings his arm up and hooks you with it.

>Not like a punch, but with his forearm.

>Like a lariat, but with no forward movement.

>Mirabelle takes that chance where he's exposed and hits him with that bunny hop uppercut and when you recover you slide around him and kick him in the back of the knee.

>He tries to force his weight up to keep from falling on to it, but you give him an elbow drop right on the shoulder to bring him down.

>Mirabelle is already setting up and in these moments where you really question if gravity affects rabbits like everyone else, she is in the air delivering a game ending kick to the side of Benji's head.

>His head bobs violently for a moment and then he kind of just collapses, like a robot who's power supply ran out mid motion.

>He falls over, unmoving.

>You circle around him toward Mirabelle to give some space but as you turn back to see what was up with Clyde.

>Oh. He's right in front of you.

>At least he doesn't charge like his teammate, but you didn't expect him to be so sneaky at his size.

>He's lunging and you try to guard against whatever he's doing.

>But he's kicking out with his foot and you don't guard in time.

>He manages to kick you dead center in the stomach.

>You stay upright, but you slide on the tips of your feet backward.

>And then collapse to your knees, clutching your stomach.

>The sudden onslaught to your malleable flesh threatens to force a putrid mass of bile from you.

>But you clench and hold it down.

>Sweet Mother Mary, if that was the kick that hit Mirabelle earlier, it's a wonder she got back up after that.

>You're ready to lose your lunch and your will to fight.

>Oxygen is denied to you right now.

>And standing up is like trying to lift ten tons.

>That was a good move on Clyde's part you admit, it may just take you out and bring it to a one v one.

>You focus your gaze just enough to see Clyde side stepping to you, like he's about to hit you with that special Shaun Mikeals kick and lay you out.

>But before he gets to you, you feel a weight bound onto and straight off of your back.

>Your gaze is high enough that you can see a figure launching through the air, tucked into itself like a cannonball.

>Alright it's official, rabbits can fly.

>Maybe the big ears make them aerodynamic.

>Mirabelle dropkicks Clyde, who was mid step toward you and couldn't dodge it.

>She hits him so hard, he actually rolls backward before coming to a stop and slumping to the ground.

>Then she lands on the ground as gracefully as a gold medalist gymnast.

>Air is starting to return to your lungs and she walks over to help you up.

>You accept her help humbly and look to your opponents who are both currently taking a nap in the sun.

>The referees look at your unconscious opponents.

>"Anon." says Lewis.

>"And Mirabelle." Elodi follows.

>"Are the winners." they both say simultaneously.

>The crowd erupts in cheers and excitement.

>The few teams you see standing in their pairs are excited to get their turn.

>You see Mikael jumping and can vaguely hear him shouting something in his viking speak, but of course you don't know what.

>You look and see Kayo, pumping his fists and nodding vigorously.

>So you guess this is what he wanted.

>He'll have fun with this.

>Hell, you're already having fun with this.

>So at the very least, even if he isn't satisfied, the rest of the regulars here sure look like they will be.

>You're glad this idea was presented to you.

>Not bad for something you came up with on the fly.

>After Clyde and Benji get dragged over to the nurse's station, Hannah and Grace having those two younger nurses in training assist them, there are three more fights.

>You recognize some people, and some you didn't expect to team up with who they did, but as they go on, you're impressed with how well some people work together.

>They take to the two on two idea wholeheartedly, throwing down between opponents, switching targets, or throwing a cheeky attack to one before going back to the opponent they were focused on.

>Unfortunately by the end of the fourth fight for the day, Lewis calls for it to be wrapped up.

>So Kayo didn't get to fight today, and you were hoping to see how well Mikael was going to do.

>Mikael likes his submissions, so if someone runs over to break him out of it, he won't do too hot. So hopefully his partner will keep that in mind.

>You walk over to Kayo before you get ready to leave, apologizing for his lack of a fight today.

>"Eh. It was all random, right? I'm not too hung up on it." he says. "There's tomorrow. And getting to watch the throwdowns was pretty cool. Gotta thank you for putting this together just for big ol' me."

>He brings his fist up and you bump it.

>"Hope you get to have that fight you wanted." he says as he walks away.

>You also catch Marty walking past you.

>He gives you this accusatory scowl, but you shrug innocently.

>You want to save the best for last, but a part of you hopes the fight with Kayo comes sooner, rather than later, just so you can give Marty what he deserves.

>But those are thoughts for another day.

>You're ready to go home and empty your brain.

>The excitement and euphoria from today are weighing on you.

>However, you do not neglect to escort your dear queen to her castle.

>Just because you are a fighter, does not mean you are not also a lover.

>You take her home, but you don't part ways immediately.

>You guys chat in each other's presence for a while on your new event and how it went.

>Mirabelle had a lot more fun than she thought.

>She said she was impressed with that dropkick you did, even if it was super amatuerish.

>You shrug and tell her she should be honored. Mimicry is supposed to be flattering.

>You then ask her when she learned to fly.

>She said it isn't flying, it's falling with style.

>She also said she had a very handy springboard to get her to that level, giving you a playful jab in the arm.

>It is a school day, and you do have homework that must be done, like it or not.

>So after some(not so) quick sugar you finally decide to take your leave.

>There are four more days of this, and you hope each one is as exciting, if not more so, than the last.

>Tuesday rolls around and the school day has never been more of an obstacle for the main event that comes after.

>Everyone who's participating makes their way to the Circle.

>You spot Kayo again very easily.

>And once again Marty is here, excellent.

>He looks jittery, nervous and fearful.

>Like an innocent civilian placed in front of a firing squad.

>Kayo probably got him fired up yesterday, but after he's had a day to cool down, he likely understands that he is actually about to step in the Circle for the first time.

>And that thought has to scare him.

>But it's too late to back out now. If he really wants to be the Champ, he'll have to earn his way today.

>After the Circle forms up, Lewis and Elodi both do the every day introductions.

>Elodi puts a bit more energy into it, but that's only because she's just started.

>Give it a year, she'll probably have as blank a face and tone as Lewis does.

>Once intros are all done, names get drawn from the box.

>Surprisingly, Mikael is up first with his partner Lee Anders, the timber wolf.

>You didn't expect Lee to be Mikael's choice of partner.

>But then again, you don't really know who else Mikael hangs out with besides you guys.

>And all the girls, but you don't think he's gonna bring one of them to a fight.

>Mikael and Lee's opponents step up, two humans who look pretty solid. Maybe they play a sport or something.

>Lewis and Elodi ask if everyone is ready.

>They all affirm that they are.

>The fight begins and Lee jumps on the shorter of the two opponents.

>Like damn, he's basically mauling this guy with all the punches and kicks he's already landing.

>The taller guy attempts to back his buddy up, he moves to deal with Lee.

>Unfortunately this seemed to be all according to plan as Lee pushes his opponent back and balls himself up on the floor.

>Mikael comes diving at the bigger guy from behind and the guy goes tripping over Lee's form.

>The big guy almost faceplants and before he can recover Mikael has him in a headlock on the ground.

>Welp, this fight is already over.

>Whenever his partner tries to get close enough to help, Lee is already in front of him and pushing him back and out of range to give any assistance.

>The bigger guy puts up a decent struggle, but like always.

>Once someone gets caught in a submission from Mikael, they're already dead.

>He taps out.

>And then there was one.

>Seeing how easily his teammate was slaughtered, the shorter guy's morale definitely drops.

>He tries to fight off Lee for a bit longer, but once Lee gives him a leg sweep into straight punch combo and Mikael dives in for another submission hold, he taps out right away.

>Lewis and Elodi announce them as the winners, and the crowd gives them their props.

>Of course many of the girls who are around cheer for Mikael as if he single handedly won this fight on his own.

>Of course he sucks it up for a bit, but he walks over and lifts Lee's arm into the air and holds his hand toward him as if presenting a fine specimen.

>"I did not do this alone." seems to be what the gesture is implying.

>A few girls then add Lee's name to their chants. Probably just to appease Mikael and not for any real feelings of acknowledgement.

>But at least Mikael knows how to share the spotlight.

>Lee looks a little embarrassed though, but happy.

>Two more fights go on, but while they are interesting and you pay attention to them, just to see how the teams work together, they aren't what you want to see.

>After they're done, the only teams left are Kayo's team and the team of a puma and a jaguar.

>Or is he a cheetah? Maybe a leopard?

>It does get kind of hard to spot the differences between those spotted cats.

>Hah, spot the difference.

>But if you're not wrong, he's a jaguar.

>...Anyway, they're about to fight!

>Lewis and Elodi ask if everyone is ready.

>Everyone affirms but Marty.

>Marty is shaking like a leaf in a storm.

>You kind of feel bad for him, but you reassure yourself that he kind of has this coming.

>Elodi has to ask one more time if he's ready.

>Marty takes a deep breath, probably deeper than necessary.

>Like he's trying to burst his own lungs in an attempt to avoid the predicament he's in.

>Then he lets it out, and nods, with a respectable look of determination on his face.

>Lewis and Elodi call for the fight to begin.

>The jaguar(?) approaches Marty while the puma heads to Kayo.

>And Marty's look of determination immediately shifts to a primal terror.

>He reflexively backpedals away from his approaching opponent.

>But he retreats too far and is launched a few steps forward by the Circle.

>He looks back, obviously having forgotten that he is long passed the point of no return.

>He brings his hands up but he does not look ready for a fight.

>Luckily for him, Kayo steps over and throws his weight right into the jaguar, halting his ominous advance toward Marty.

>The jaguar looks at Kayo confused, like Kayo just walked up, slapped him, and continued on his way.

>Nevertheless it successfully baits him into forgetting about Marty and focusing on Kayo.

>But the puma is still focused on Kayo as well, since he was the initial target.

>So now Kayo is duking it out between both opponents at the same time.

>But he has a look on his face like it's exactly what he wanted.

>He blocks in that spectacular full bellied way that he does before throwing a punch at one of them, then returning to his block stance.

>He's not hitting as hard as he did in his other fights, likely because he doesn't have the time to commit to a full strength strike before he has to go on the defensive again.

>But he's managing to keep both of them occupied, though it looks like neither side is gaining much ground.

>He's not taking much damage you think, but he's not dealing enough with his strikes to win.

>He's also whiffing a bunch because he's against two decently speedy individuals.

>But within his scowl of focus, you think you momentarily catch a grin of enjoyment.

>You look to see if Marty is still cowering in the corner.

>But you're surprised to find that he's on the move.

>He's tiptoeing around the edge of the Circle like some sort of sneak thief.

>Then he runs forward and with a screechy battle shriek he lunges and latches on to the back of the jaguar like some sort of gremlin.

>It distracts the jaguar, and while he flails trying to remove Marty, Kayo in one fluid motion, blocks an attack from the puma, then leans back in that baseball pitch and rockets forth with that big haymaker, aimed straight for the jaguar's face.

>It connects with shocking force and the jaguar has to be done.

>He falls straight backward like a freshly sawed down tree.

>Marty feels the slow descent and scrambles to remove himself from the timbering log.

>He makes it away before he's flattened underneath.

>The puma looks shocked, but regains his composure and tries to break through Kayo's renewed guard.

>Marty is crouched low on the ground, looking excited.

>Like it was his move that just felled the jaguar.

>He helped, but not by much, you gotta say.

>The puma steps back, gaining some distance from Kayo.

>He's probably trying to get some time to think.

>Kayo breaks his stance and walks toward the puma.

>At that point the puma gets ready to rush forward.

>But his legs don't obey.

>Because there's a tiny furry bastard currently latched onto them, holding on for dear life.

>Marty doesn't look heavy, the puma could probably lift his legs fine and move with zero problem.

>But it was just so unsuspected (and probably borderline pathetic) a maneuver that he actually just stands there, rooted to the ground.

>Before Kayo reaches him and delivers a final two piece in the form of an uppercut to the jaw with a heavy straight punch to the chest.

>The puma descends in similar fashion, but he's not unconscious like his partner.

>Nevertheless he gives the signal that states he's done.

>Lewis and Elodi declare Kayo and Marty the winners.

>And the crowd cheers.

>Marty gets up with a look of wonder on his face.

>He's probably understanding for the first time, what it feels like to receive glory in the Circle.

>Of course, more likely than not, the crowd is cheering for Kayo, because Kayo did all the work.

>But hey, let Marty feel pride for once in his life.

>Lewis and Elodi brings the first round of the tournament to a close.

>Everyone who won will be moving on to the second round.

>You're ready to get back in there.

>The Circle is dismissed and you make your way home with Mirabelle.

>You discuss with her the possibility of devising a kind of tag team move.

>She asks when you would even be able to practice it.

>She's got you there.

>You tell her you wouldn't need to practice because your minds and hearts are one.

>She tells you you''ve been hanging out with Blake too much.

>She's got you there, again.

>You take her home, and engage in your daily parting ritual, before you make your own way home.

>You woke up feeling pretty good today.

>The school day went pretty well.

>You ended up passing Mirabelle in the halls today during passing period, a rare occurrence.

>You took that a a good sign for the day ahead.

>Unfortunately your classes were in very different directions, so you didn't have time to really enjoy each other's company.

>Oh well, that's for later.

>Verne actually had a bunch of his homework done for once.

>The rest of the day proceeded as normal, and its blessed end has come.

>You and Mirabelle walk for a bit before her friends call out to her.

>Jane the fox, and Kim the red panda. She introduced you to them a good while ago, and they're good people.

>Jane is on the tennis team and Kim is in the art club, so they don't tend to all hang out after school.

>And you've been stealing all her time otherwise so they really don't hang out any other time.

>And they were quick to let you know how they felt about it.

>However you could surmise that it was all playful and in jest.

>Kind of like how Verne used to act.

>Anyway, they're standing with a girl you don't recognize.

>Maybe a sophomore, or a junior.

>"Mirabelle, this is Marie." Jane says.

>"She's in my club." Kim follows. "She said she wanted to ask you something."

>"Oh yeah?" Mirabelle asks. "What is it?"

>Marie looks shy. Like very shy.

>If she could curl into a ball and cease to exist she probably would have done so long ago.

>Through her long ass bangs that you wonder if she even has vision through, she looks up from the ground to Mirabelle, then quickly at you before casting her gaze down.

>"Anon go away, you're scaring the poor girl." Jane remarks.

>"What?" you say. "I'm just- I'm just standing here."

>"Yeah, but we need you to stand like, over there." Kim says, pointing all the way down the hall.

>You have no words, so you look silently to Mirabelle.

>"I'll meet you at the Circle, okay?" she tells you.

>You shrug and nod, then mosey off.

>You meet your friends at your lockers.

>Mikael watches you approach and stares like he doesn't recognize you.

>"There seems to be a problem." he says. "There's no rabbit attached to your side."

>"Man we're not fused." you say.

>Verne leans around Mikael. "Coulda fooled us."

>"We don't- ... We aren't- ..." you started. But you realize that you do spend a lot of time together.

>So he shuts you up.

>But whatever, you've spent a lot of time with these jokers too.

>"Anyway, she's up to something with her friends, so we'll just meet at the Circle."

>"She's gonna make it today right?" Lewis asks. "Would suck to be disqualified without your partner."

>"She'll make it I'm sure."

>You all walk toward the Circle together.

>As you do, you got the sneaking suspicion that someone was watching you, but your observations returned no evidence.

>You put it out of your mind.

>And deal with the hazing your friends are giving you.

>"What is an Anon without a Mirabelle?" Verne asks.

>"What was Anon before Mirabelle?" Mikael questions.

>"Is it the same man, or a different entity entirely?"

>They continue to remark upon your existential form without the presence of your girlfriend.

>You can't do anything about Verne, but you kind of hope Lewis picks you to fight Mikael today.

>You have the desperate desire to knock him around for this silliness.

>You all arrive at the Circle.

>A few people see you arrive sans Mirabelle, but they at least don't egg you on about it.

>Luckily, there isn't too much time for them to question it as she comes bounding down the road with maddening speed.

>She comes skidding to a perfect stop right next to you.

>"Miss me?" she asks you.

>"Oh absolutely." you reply.

>There's still some time before things get started for the day so you idle together.

>"What was up with that girl your friends brought to you?" you ask.

>"Hmm. I'll tell you later." is all she says.

>Well that's no fun.

>Eventually Lewis and Elodi step up into the Circle.

>"Hello everyone!" Elodi starts, still cheery. "And welcome back to our first ever, probably, Doubles Tournament."

>"Let's make it another good day today." Lewis follows, the antithesis to Elodi's cheer.

>With no beating around the bush, names are drawn.

>First up is Kayo and Marty against Caesar the lion and a black furred cat named Brandon.

>Caesar and Brandon were your average speed and strength tag team.

>Brandon would dish out dozens of punches, then Caesar would come up to knock 'em down when they got gassed from tangoing with Brandon.

>However that's not what happened this time.

>Brandon was fast and managed to get one good, clean hit on Marty.

>Marty laid down and refused to move.

>He basically, y'know, played possum.

>But Brandon wasn't having it, he approached him, ready to knock him out for good.

>Until Marty jumped up and started booking it around the Circle.

>Which caused Brandon to instinctively chase after him.

>Until Marty ran towards Kayo and slid between him and Caesar.

>Which put Brandon right up against the titan, who proceeded to knock him right between the eyes with a solid punch and put him to bed.

>Which left Caesar to deal on his own.

>Caesar has some good strong punches, he just has some difficulty landing them.

>Well on you at least, apparently he can hit enough people that he wins fights to challenge the Champ.

>But Kayo does not dodge at all, so he takes everything on the chin, so to speak.

>And surprisingly, you can witness the stone stance buckle under the onslaught of the one who proclaims himself your rival.

>He also blocks Kayo's strikes efficiently.

>If this was a one on one, you would think Caesar might actually have a chance at winning.

>Of course Marty the distraction was there to make himself known.

>He throws all his weight into a leaping shoulder shunt at Caesar's back.

>Caesar barely even registers it.

>But then Marty does it again. And again.

>On the fourth attempt Caesar pivots and catches him out of the air, before tossing him like a potato sack into the Circle.

>As he turns back to Kayo, with his guard up in order to block any surprise attacks, he takes that weird baseball pitching bison punch that Kayo does, right to the plexus.

>He gets the air knocked out of him and doubles over, receiving a huge left hook right after.

>Caesar's lights are still on though.

>He's crawling, trying to push himself up.

>But Kayo does something hilariously disrespectful.

>He trots over to Caesar on the ground, and takes a big ol' seat, right on the lion's back.

>Caesar struggles for a good ten seconds, but he likely can't breathe at all anymore, so he taps the ground in an effort to be released.

>Lewis and Elodi call the fight and Kayo releases Caesar from that undeserved punishment.

>You'd be more concerned, but watching that was kind of funny.

>Anyway, after that Mikael and Lee have their fight against some people you aren't too familiar with and win of course. Then Wayne the hyena and his partner have their fight against some anthros you aren't too familiar with.

>Wayne's not bad when he isn't laughing his head off and similarly getting it punched off because of it.

>So they win their fight too.

>Then it's finally your turn.

>You have to fight Eddie, the kid in the sweat suits with the fancy martial arts kicks, and Jerome, the dance club kid who fights with capoeira.

>It's funny, this is literally a fight for the kids with predominantly kick based combat.

>Some song lyrics strangely come to mind, albeit you tweak them a bit.

>All the other kids, with their fancy kicks, better run better run, faster than my bunny.

>... You're not creative, that's Verne's thing.

>Lewis and Elodi ask if you are all ready.

>You all nod.

>With affirmation, they give the signal for the fight to begin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi-\_yUD6aiY

>You bring your hand up and point at Eddie.

>Give him the chance to test his kicks against yours.

>As if he were on the same wavelength, he points at you too, at roughly the same time.

>This gets a grin out of you both.

>Jerome's doing his capoeira shuffle thing, waiting for someone to make a move.

>Mirabelle makes the first move, crouching low like a track racer, then taking off toward Jerome.

>She's a lot faster than he expected and he gets a face full of foot for his dulled reaction time.

>You take that as the symbol to close in on Eddie, lest he change his mind and focus on the rabbit that is now dangerously close to the both of them.

>You take a few large steps, and his focus shifts to you enough for him to kick at you.

>You bring your leg up and your arm down to block, then kick out yourself.

>He blocks it in a similar fashion.

>So you two spend some time kicking and blocking each other.

>You take split second glances over to make sure Mirabelle is doing alright.

>She's fine.

>In fact she looks like she's having fun at Jerome's expense.

>When he kicks high she ducks right under it.

>When he kicks low she jumps right over it.

>Like she's playing jump rope or something with the poor kid's kicks.

>When she jumps over another leg sweep, she kicks her legs out and dropkicks him.

>He recovers decently though.

>So yeah, she's doing fine for now.

>You bring your attention back to Eddie.

>Kicks you may enjoy, but you don't neglect the fact that you have fists too.

>So after he blocks a kick of yours you bring your weight forward and follow through with a punch to the jaw.

>He takes it and it almost spins him the opposite way.

>However he turns back and returns a punch of his own.

>Of course you expected that, since everyone loves to use that kind of counterattack.

>You bring your forearm out to stop his hook dead in its tracks, then lay into his stomach with a punch.

>He doubles over.

>It's time for the win button.

>You push him up and grab him behind the head.

>clinch.mov

>You knock him in the side of the head twice to get him to bring his hands up.

>He brings one up while the other is still wrapped around his stomach.

>Fine with you, you lay into his legs now.

>As you do, you peer over again at the other side of the fight.

>Mirabelle literally looks like she's dancing with Jerome now.

>He's got a rythym and even though he can stop on a dime and alternate his legs, he's stuck to whatever rhythm he's got going on.

>And once she found it, it was basically GG, he's not hitting her with anything.

>So maybe if she's done playing with her prey, she can help you out here.

>You whistle, hoping to get her attention.

>You see her ears twitch in their pinned back position and she glances over at you, still gracefully dodging Jerome's attacks.

>You send a few big knees into Eddie's gut, then angle yourself toward Mirabelle and Jerome, eyes still trained in her direction.

>You see her break from her dodging rhythm and take a running start toward you.

>Exactly what you wanted.

>As she takes off you pull on Eddie and throw him in her direction.

>As soon as he's passed you, Mirabelle launches into the air.

>His forward momentum coupled with hers means the dropkick that collides with his chest is doubly devastating.

>He goes from walking forward to immediately backpedaling.

>He backs up all the way into the Circle and they have to catch him as he collapses into them.

>Elodi goes to check on him.

>He's done she confirms.

>You look at Mirabelle who did not land on her feet this time.

>She's flat on the ground looking up at you.

>She gives you a thumbs up and a smile.

>You smile and go to pick her up.

>But you remember you aren't done.

>You fell for this last time too.

>You catch Jerome in the middle of a cartwheel.

>You don't know what he's going for or who he's aiming for so you crouch low, ready to intercept.

>He flips from the cartwheel into a big backflip, likely aiming to crash his foot down on the currently prone Mirabelle.

>You bring your arms up and parallel over your head to block his foot as he comes down.

>You block it, but he comes down with a lot more force than you expected and his leg still bops you in the head.

>It wasn't too bad though.

>You throw your weight up and he slips forward off balance.

>You lunge forward and flip him over by the shoulder, keeping him held down with one hand as you throw punch after punch into the side of his face.

>He blocks you as best he can but he's only got the use of one arm at the moment.

>So after a minute of this beating he waves his hand in the air, signaling that he's done.

>Lewis and Elodi pronounce you two the winners.

>You bask in the cheers of the crowd.

>Mirabelle walks up to you, smiling.

>You smile at her, this big goofy thing.

>She responds to it by lightly punching you in the arm.

>Yours was the final fight for today.

>Lewis and Elodi bring it to a close.

>"Congratulations to all of this round's winners!" Elodi exclaims.

>"We hope to see you all tomorrow for the semi-finals." Lewis drones.

>You collect your things with Mirabelle and walk down the road.

>You walk in silence for a bit, allowing a brief tranquility after today's excitement.

>Before Mirabelle breaks it.

>"Oh yeah, about that thing earlier at school."

>"Oh yeah." you say, having almost forgotten. "What was it?"

>"That girl Marie, asked if I would be a model for her painting."

>Oh... Is that so?

>"Finally." you say as you look to the sky. "Someone other than me has recognized your beauty."

>She chuckles. "I don't know about all that."

>"So what did you tell her?"

>"I said I didn't mind, it would just have to be after this week since I had some important things going on."

>"Well that's cool. You have an admirer." you say with a grin.

>Well. Admirer, you say. That does beg the question.

>"So why do you think she asked you?"

>She shrugs. "She said I was pretty."

>"See so I was right." you tell her.

>"Pretty and beauty are two very different words."

>"Potato, potato." you say, in the exact same form of potato.

>"That's the same word."

>"Exactly." you wink at her.

>She rolls her eyes, but laughs anyway.

>"... So. What kinda painting is it gonna be?" you ask. "Cuz if she's trying to paint you like a French girl, there may be problems."

>"I'm pretty sure it's not like that." Mirabelle assures you. "You don't have to be worried. Or jealous."

>"Worried? Jealous? I am neither of those things. Besides, she's another girl, it's not like you-"

>You don't finish the sentence, because you don't feel the need.

>But you look at Mirabelle.

>She's looking at you.

>"It's not like you-" you start and stop again, hoping she understands without you bringing the thought to finality.

>She raises an eyebrow.

>You look at the road.

>You're far enough away now.

>You hop on your scooter.

>"Who says I don't?" assaults your ears.

>You stop dead and look at Mirabelle who is giving you the sauciest, most tauntingly smug grin she's ever given you.

>It sets your heart ablaze and simultaneously makes your blood run cold.

>She's bluffing.

>"Pfft. You're messing with me."

>"Am I?" she says, grin still plastered on her face.

>"Y-yes. You are. You have to be."

>"Hm. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not." She jumps onto the back of your scooter. "We may never know."

>She's just messing with you. you're certain.

>You are very aware of the ways she likes to tease you.

>You take her home.

>She leans up to kiss you and as much as you want to pretend pout at her earlier joke, you love her too much to refuse a taste of her lips.

>"I love you." she says in a singsong voice.

>"I love you too." you say drily.

>You've gotta figure out a way to tease her back one of these days.

>You watch her walk into her home, and after the door closes you head home yourself.

>Tomorrow is the semi-final round.

>The numbers are dwindling.

>Each of those fights tomorrow could be tough.

>You could get the final boss easily tomorrow.

>It's also likely that you could get Mikael, who you've still yet to fight.

>Or Wayne, who is actually a threat when he gets into it.

>Guess you'll find out tomorrow.

>And Thursday arrives after a particularly slow day.

>It's like the closer you get to the finals, the longer the days begin to take before they set you free.

>Nevertheless, you are here, excitement building.

>The crowd also seems excited, ready to see who's about to throw down for the semi-finals.

>No matter who goes up against who, it's bound to be a good show.

>Lewis and Elodi walk up, ready to kick things off, and the crowd gives a cheer as they do so.

>"Alright, welcome back once again." Lewis says.

>"It's time for the semi-final rounds!" Elodi exclaims.

>The crowd whoops and hollers.

>Lewis moves his hands in the 'settle down' motion. "Alright alright. Let's not waste any more time."

>He grabs the four cards with the names on them, and shuffles them for a while.

>A little longer than necessary.

>Then he holds them out for Elodi to pick.

>She grabs one.

>"The first pair is... Mirabelle and Anon!" she announces.

>So this is it. You feel your heart beating a little faster, waiting for her to announce your opponent.

>"And they will be facing." Elodi says as she takes another card.

>She flips it over oh so slowly and stares at it for a long time before saying "Wayne and Tyrell!"

>You vocalize your frustration.

>This won't be a bad matchup since they made it to the semi's, but you were really hoping for one of the others.

>You dramatically fall to your knees, crestfallen.

>"Damn, I mean I know we ain't much of a challenge to you Anon." Wayne shouts from the other side of the Circle. "But do you really gotta look so disappointed about who you're fighting. Hurtin' my feelin's over here."

>He's smiling and chuckling, so he doesn't look all that hurt.

>He does get a few of the crowd to laugh with him, just to ease his pain.

>Mirabelle gently pats your back in mock consolation.

>You stay on the ground for a bit longer, before you jump back up.

>"Anyway, that means Kayo and Marty will be fighting Mikael and Lee." Lewis tells the crowd.

>Mikael cheers to the heavens, probably for no other reason than to display the opposite reaction to yours.

>"So with that all out of the way, let's get things going!" Elodi exclaims

>She really does have a lot of boisterous energy. Completely unlike her librarian look.

>"Mirabelle, Anon, Wayne, Tyrell, step on up!" she calls to you all.

>And you do.

>You're still excited to see what Wayne and Tyrell have.

>Tyrell is the kid on the football team who fights like a boxer.

>Which makes you think, is he ditching practice to come here?

>Verne is ditching his club to spectate, but that's just a club.

>Shouldn't a team sport be more important?

>Oh well, you're here to punch, not question his choices of which event is more important.

>Wayne leans forward, one hand on his waist, the other dropped loosely in front of him, with that big hyena grin on his face.

>Tyrell cracks his knuckles and pops his neck like a street thug.

>Trying to look intimidating.

>You point in their general direction, before dragging your thumb across your neck then throwing it toward the ground in a thumbs down.

>You look at Mirabelle to see if she's going to get in on these pre-fight taunts.

>She's. Not paying attention, doing some quick leg stretches.

>Maybe taunting is just a silly thing for the boys.

>Now that you think of it, no other girls joined the tourney, did they?

>Which is understandable, not a lot of them fight, and they would have had to go up against a bunch of overhyped dudes.

>The odd woman out is right next to you, and she's got no fear.

>You think about the prospect of an event that's a little more all inclusive.

>As your mind wanders you gaze out into the crowd.

>And catch the sight of familiar brown fur, nestled between some larger obstacles.

>...

>Is that who you think it is?

>You can't get a good look.

>And unfortunately you have no time to think about it further as you hear Lewis speak.

>"Mirabelle, Anon. Are you ready?"

>You snap back to the objective at hand.

>No time for distractions.

>You and Mirabelle nod together, then get in your fighting stances.

>"Wayne, Tyrell, are you two ready?" Elodi asks them.

>They both nod and bring their hands up.

>"Then let's. Fight!" Lewis and Elodi beckon the start of the round together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8LhMaLkDMQ

>Surprisingly, you aren't the first one to make a move this time.

>Wayne is already running up to you, and Tyrell is closing in on Mirabelle.

>You get ready to block or dodge whatever Wayne's planning to throw.

>So when Tyrell turns on a dime and rushes you too, you're caught off guard.

>Tyrell throws two quick jabs at you followed by a hook.

>You manage to block it all, but he was aiming high.

>So Wayne manages to catch you with a hook to the side followed by a straight punch to the chest.

>Mirabelle kicks out at Tyrell, but he seemed to be ready for it and dodged backward and out of range of her.

>Wayne however is still on you, so you throw your fist at him, trying to return a blow for his blow.

>He deflects it with his forearm then shoots a swift uppercut right at your chin.

>You stagger back a few steps, but he follows, not intent on letting you get away.

>He swings at your chest twice more.

>You block the first one but the second one catches you right under the ribs.

>Then he pauses.

>For like half a second.

>Then he clocks you in the side of the head with a punch you didn't even see coming.

>You almost can't comprehend what happened.

>It's weird, like he just lag switched, in real life.

>>As you try to recoup, you try and keep your guard up as best you can.

>You're playing the defensive game now, but you just need a good few moments to find an opening.

>You glance over to see how Mirabelle is faring.

>She doesn't seem to be doing much better.

>Tyrell is fast too, and he's got long reach, so he's basically outranging her at the moment.

>He doesn't seem to be landing anything, but whenever Mirabelle tries to counterattack, she has to move in closer, instead of already being in the range to attack.

>Which lets him anticipate her attack and move out of her smaller range.

>Wayne is still pressing his advantage on you, hitting you a few times and then pausing.

>You're not sure now if you should attack during those pauses or wait for the next strike to come out so you can try to block or dodge it.

>You test it, by throwing a fist at his face during his pause.

>He blocks it and counterattacks.

>You wait for it again, then try with a knee this time.

>He steps to the side and you have to come forward a bit to catch yourself.

>He retaliates with a clean punch to the nose.

>You backpedal after that surprising attack and hold your nose.

>A hand on your back tells you that you have nowhere left to go.

>They luckily don't beat you while you're down but you are pushed forward, losing your balance and coming to a knee on the ground.

>You don't think your nose is broken but you check.

>No blood(yet), no broken feeling, just the ache of a solid blow to it.

>Wayne looks ready to smack you up some more, since you're still kicking.

>But he snaps his head to the left, like a predator eyeing better prey.

>He better fucking not.

>But he does.

>He changes targets and rushes to back up Tyrell.

>So now they're ganging up on Mirabelle.

>You stand up.

>For a split second your eyes lock with Mirabelle's as she attempts to avoid the honorless heathens jumping her.

>That split second is all that was needed to set the beast inside to howling for blood.

>You rush at Wayne, who is currently angled away from you.

>He hears you coming and pivots, blocking high.

>He probably expected you to do what you did the last time you ran to the rescue of your bunny.

>He did not expect you to throw your shoulder dead into his gut in a spear.

>>You almost launched straight into Tyrell but he took some big retreating steps backward, as if you two just spontaneously combusted, and he wanted to be as far away as possible.

>You look over at Mirabelle who is looking at you like you just killed Wayne.

>Wayne is shriveling like a dead bug in the sunlight.

>You turn your wrath on Tyrell.

>You push yourself up and charge at him.

>He panics, unsure of whether to block or dodge.

>You jump at him.

>He freezes like a(pardon the expression) deer in headlights.

>You latch onto him, perched on his left shoulder, arm swung around his neck.

>You rock your legs back then immediately forward, throwing your weight down to the ground and him with it.

>You slam him into the ground with a DDT.

>He goes limp as he collapses in a semi unconscious heap.

>His only movement is that of his arms coming up to clutch his bruised skull.

>You casually, and a bit angrily, roll him away from you.

>You stand up and look over at Wayne who is recovering and standing up.

>You saunter up to him.

>He notices your approach and raises his hands for defense.

>Until he also raises his gaze.

>He gives you a look that says if his tail were longer, it would be between his legs.

>"Well fu-" escapes his mouth before you throw your fist into the side of it, with enough force to return him to the ground.

>You kick him in the side to flip him onto his gut, then step over him and unceremoniously drop yourself onto his back.

>You grab at his pants legs then drag them back to grip his ankles.

>You pull straight back with the intent to snap him straight in half.

>You don't even notice he's vigorously tapping out until Lewis shakes you loose.

>You drop his legs and stand up like you were just jolted awake from a trance.

>You blink rapidly, trying to establish where you are, and where you went in the last 30 seconds.

>"Well uh. Mirabelle and Anon are the winners." Lewis says.

>You look at Tyrell, Elodi is helping him to his feet.

>Wayne is lying on the ground.

>"My uh. My bad you guys. I think I was a little harsh." you say to them both in apology.

>"A little huh?!" Wayne howls from his place on the ground. "We really fucked that one up, Ty. Shouldn't have went to focus Mirabelle"

>Tyrell walks over to offer a helping hand to his partner. "Yeah, you right. Thought she was the one to really look out for, her bein' the Champ and all. Didn't expect Anon ta go John Vick on us when we did though."

>At this point Mikael walks up to you, pretending to measure you for something.

>"What're you doing?" you ask him.

>"I think I'm going to get you fitted for a suit of green armor." he says with a giant grin. "You turn into a whole different creature when your bunny is threatened."

>... You won't completely deny that.

>"That may be true... But fuck you."

>He laughs in response before he says "Also I liked that Boston Crab." and then walking away.

>Oh is that what that submission is actually called? You wouldn't know.

>Television wrestling has ruined you.

>You turn towards Mirabelle, who is staring right at you.

>She clasps her hands together and places the back of her palm against her cheek.

>"My hero." she says in a mock fawning tone.

>You aren't sure what to say in this situation.

>So you don't say anything.

>As you step out of the center of the Circle, Tyrell walks up to you.

>"Yo good fight, dawg." he tells you, bringing his hand up for a shake.

>"Good fight." you tell him as you shake his hand. "Sorry if I got a bit more heated than I should've."

>"Nah, don't trip. Should expect a dude to get rowdy when his girl's involved." he says. "That's our fault, we just gotta take that L."

>"Right right. Glad we're all good then."

>"Actually." he says. "While I gotcha, I wanted to ask a question."

>"Go for it." you say.

>He looks around, then beckons you as he makes his way through the crowd to the outside of the Circle.

>You look back to the center.

>Lewis and Elodi are calling for Kayo and Mikael's teams.

>You don't want to miss anything, hopefully this doesn't take long.

>But it's not every day that someone comes up with a question just for you.

>You'll at least give him your attention.

>You move toward where he is.

>He's pretty removed from the Circle, so it must be quite the private question.

>However you're pretty sure a lot of the bystanders would still be able to hear, if they so chose to eavesdrop.

>"What's going on?" you ask him, with a hint of worry.

>"Yeah so, I'll just come right out with it." he says, looking around a bit for any notice of eavesdroppers. "What's it like. Y'know, dating an anthro?"

>... Huh?

>That's not the kind of question you expected.

>A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

>However you don't really think you have a good answer to give him.

>So you're going to give him an answer, embellish the fuck out of it, and hope it causes him to join the team.

>"It's amazing. It's the best thing ever. Mirabelle is fantastic and every day I spend with her is a God given blessing."

>Okay you may have laid it on a little thick there.

>You thought you were over these spaghetti moments, but there it is again, all over the floor.

>However Tyrell ignores it, or at least pretends to.

>"That's dope. Is it like, any different than dating a human girl?"

>"Well." you start, with a hand behind the neck to accentuate your sheepisshness. "Never actually dated anyone besides Mirabelle, so, can't tell you that."

>"Wha, forreal?" he says. He looks genuinely shocked.

>"Yes." you admit. "I am not like Mikael. I am not just rolling in it."

>"Damn. But like, everything is going fine? No problems out in the streets?"

>You think for a second.

>"No not really. A few people looked at us like we were crazy when we first started, but nothing beyond and there were very few of them. Same as like, a human guy of this race, dating a girl of another race."

>"Yup, I know that feel, bro." he says with a nod. "And y'all parents were cool?"

>"Oh absolutely. Her dad was apparently best friends with a human in his younger days, so he was cool. My parents were just. Glad I had a girlfriend, I guess. But it's all fine."

>That's cool, that's cool." he says, nodding to himself, like he's really processing all the knowledge he's received.

>"... So if I may ask my own question, what made you bring all this up?" you say to him.

>You get the feeling you know the answer, but it never hurts to confirm.

>"Well. I got my eye on an anthro girl on the cheerleading squad. So, I was thinking, if I asked her out, and she said yeah, I just didn't want there to be no extra complications and shit."

>You can understand that.

>"I mean you might not be able to see it." he continues. "But hate is all around us, y'know. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't, y'know, here."

>"I'ma keep it real with you chief. I don't think hate lives here anymore. If it did, I don't think we'd be able to do shit like that." You throw a thumb over your shoulder at the Circle. "And still be able to keep it peaceful."

>"Damn. I guess you right. Good lookin' out, Anon, I appreciate it, dawg." Tyrell holds his fist out and you bump it.

>"No problem dude. Good luck with that girl." you tell him before you about face, and push your way back to the front of the Circle.

>You come up to the front and squat down next to Mirabelle.

>The match is underway.

>"What'd I miss?" you quietly ask her.

>"Lee was fighting Marty until just a moment ago. He caught him, practically threw him at Mikael, and now it's what you see here." she says, briefly bringing you up to speed.

>Kayo is taking on Lee and Mikael is taking on Marty.

>And by that you mean, Mikael currently has Marty in a guillotine.

>You don't know how long he's been in that submission, but you're impressed he hasn't immediately tapped out yet.

>Or maybe Mikael is going easy on him.

>Marty's actually throwing little jabs into Mikael's sides.

>They definitely aren't doing anything to help.

>Lee has a good repetition of throwing a few punches then getting out of range of Kayo's strikes.

>But if Kayo tries to go get Mikael off of Marty, he'll dive in and block his advance.

>Kayo hunkers down and Lee runs up to get his strikes in.

>But Kayo breaks his stone stance and lunges forward.

>Lee didn't expect that, and tries to stop his forward momentum, only to slide forward.

>Kayo grabs him.

>Or more specfically he hugs him, and lifts him off his feet.

>And proceeds to squeeze the life out of him.

>Oh. Well. This is new.

>Everyone is just pulling the surprises out today, huh?

>Lee is kicking his legs, trying in vain to escape.

>Kayo isn't letting up.

>Mikael looks over and notices the peril Lee is in, and seems to redouble his effort to get Marty to tap.

>But he looks like he's trying to apply a good amount of force without completely snapping Marty's tiny neck.

>Marty tries, but no one gets trapped by the World Serpent and survives.

>He taps out.

>A quick shout of "He's done." from Lewis, let's everyone who couldn't see it know.

>Mikael drops Marty and runs toward Kayo.

>And Kayo loosens his death hold on Lee.

>To fucking yeet him straight into Mikael.

>Lee is not a small dude, to lift him would take strength.

>To throw him like a child's doll would take monstrous strength.

>What the hell are they feeding these boys out there in San Vanargrand?

>Mikael and Lee hit the ground hard.

>That collision knocked the wind out of Mikael and the fight out of Lee.

>He's rolling over, trying to find a good vantage point to bring himself up.

>He looks like he's having trouble.

>And Kayo swaggers over confidently, ready to finish him off.

>He towers over Lee, then brings his arm up and taps his elbow twice.

>Oh damn.

>You can't believe you're about to watch this timber wolf fucking die.

>Lee sees the gesture and holds his hand up to prolong his death.

>"Nah nah nah I'm done, have mercy." Lee spits out.

>The behemoth heeds his plea for mercy.

>He turns his attention to Mikael, who is back up, but a bit wobbly.

>Mikael looks at a loss.

>He seems to lack a definite plan, but the viking pride won't let him give up.

>The shouts of the female spectators also give him the energy to perservere.

>But he's likely not getting Kayo in a submission from this nuetral position.

>If Lee had survived, there would've been a better chance.

>Kayo attacks, and puts Mikael in the defensive game.

>He's trying to wait for Kayo to slip up somewhere, so he can get a submission, or try to.

>Unfortuantely, Kayo is pushing him back.

>Quite literally.

>Mikael is backpedaling.

>...Right towards you.

>If he comes any closer, he'll be within Circle range.

>...

>You slowly stand from your squatted position.

>You hold your hands up, wiggling your fingers like a creep.

>This may cost Mikael some ground, but the oppurtunity is far too good to pass up.

>Kayo punches Mikael, Mikael blocks it, but the force causes him to take very large steps back to stay upright.

>And he lands right in your range.

>You throw your hand onto his right shoulder.

>"Hey buddy." you say to him, right before punching him in the kidney area, then pushing him back into the Circle.

>Mikael is shouting like he just lost his arm.

>Probably more from the shock and betrayal than the pain.

>But hey, thems Circle rules, no favorites to be played here.

>You squat back down.

>Some of the ladies give offended looks at you.

>Worth it.

>Mikael is taking small steps forward, back toward Kayo.

>Kayo is reeling back for his signature punch.

>And here comes the giant fist.

>Mikael moves however, like the pain was all an illusion, and combat rolls right passed Kayo, arriving close to his back.

>Then he springs up and wraps his arms around Kayo's neck in a headlock.

>Kayo looks surprised, as he should be.

>Mikael puts the squeeze on him, and even with all his strength, Kayo has difficulty removing Mikael's arms.

>You can see the strain in both their faces.

>Kayo is flailing, trying to shake Mikael loose.

>Mikael wraps his legs around Kayo in an effort to remain on.

>Kayo is faltering, the lack of air is getting him.

>He falls to a knee and Mikael's face goes red from the pressure he's applying.

>You find yourself rising to your feet again.

>This could be it.

>Mikael could be the one to win.

>Kayo tries to throw elbows into Mikael, but the Jormungandr refuses to release his prey.

>>Kayo's eyes are drifting.

>Both refs are moving closer, ready to call it if Kayo passes out.

>Mikael looks ready to pass out himself, but he refuses to give even a smidgen of leeway.

>Kayo's hands come off of Mikael's arms and plant onto the floor.

>He looks ready to fade.

>But then his eyes shoot open with a renewed fire.

>He regrips Mikael's arms.

>Then shoots up from his kneeling position.

>He stands tall.

>Before he falls straight backward.

>Oh.

>Oh no.

>Kayo falls on top of Mikael like a boulder.

>His arms release and Kayo rolls over quickly.

>The refs come over to the pancaked Mikael.

>He's still alive, you think.

>He waves his arms limply, like he's trying to grab hold of the space in front of him.

>You hear Lewis ask if he's done.

>You don't hear an answer, but you see Mikael go limp on the ground.

>Aw fuck.

>"He's done." Lewis confirms. "Which means Kayo and Marty are the winners."

>There's a fusion of different emotions coming from the crowd.

>Cheers, jeers, tears.

>A lot of Mikael's fanclub are torn up, understandably.

>You are too, just a bit.

>At this rate you're never going to get to fight Mikael.

>Granted you may have ruined the chance to fight him with your own hand.

>Still worth it though.

>After the crowd settles down, Lewis speaks again.

>"So with our two semi-final teams moving on, we'll see who comes out on top in the Finals tomorrow."

>That gets all of the crowd cheering.

>"We'll see all of you here tomorrow for the thrilling conclusion!" Elodi shouts.

>"With that said, we do still have some time, so if anyone's blood is pumping and they need to blow off some steam, feel free to step in for our everyday one on ones. Of course, no title fights yet." Lewis concludes.

>You watch a few people carry Mikael to the nurse's tent.

>You make your way over there.

>Marty's not here so he must be fine.

>Lee is laying face down in a cot with some ice on his back.

>They lay Mikael down and he starts coming to.

>You don't want to get in Hannah and Grace's way, so you decide to make it quick.

>"Psst." you whisper at him.

>He looks at you poking your head into the tent.

>He wags his finger at you. "That was a dick move."

>"I'm sorry." you say. "It was just the free-est real estate I've ever seen, I had to."

>"Understandable. "He says. "I would've done the same. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to get you back for that."

>"I accept my fate."

>He nods. "Now leave me. These fine ladies are about to feel on my bruised body and I don't want you to witness the terrible things they may do to me now that I can't defend myself."

>They chuckle good naturedly.

>You groan.

>But you do notice that Hannah in particular does seem a little excited to get her hands on Mikael, so to speak.

>You step away, quickly.

>You make your way, back over to Mirabelle.

>"You wanna stick around for a while longer, or head home?" you ask her.

>"I'm ready to go." she says. "Get rested and ready for tomorrow."

>You go to retrieve your things.

>Kayo is nearby, buying something to drink.

>He looks over at you.

>You glance at him.

>No words are exchanged.

>He nods slowly.

>You return the nod.

>"Good luck tomorrow" is the general translation for the gesture.

>You grab your scooter and head off with Mirabelle down the road.

>"What did Tyrell want with you?" Mirabelle asks.

>You begin to answer honestly, but stop.

>"Apparently his older sister is some kind of fashion designer, and he asked me if I would be interested in helping model her male fashion line."

>You glance quickly out of the corner of your eye to see if she buys any of that.

>"Apparently I'm a 'good looking dude'" you say, with emphasis.

>She looks dead at you.

>"I can't believe he would just lie right to your face like that." she says, cracking her trademark smug ass grin.

>You hang your head in shame.

>"So what did he really want?"

>"He asked me how things have been since I started dating you." you tell her. "He''s got his eye on an anthro girl himself, and was wondering if we had run into any hardships in our relationship, so I did my best to quell his doubts."

>"Oh well that's nice. I hope it works out for him."

"I do too." you say, nodding.

>"You're about to pioneer human/anthro relationships in Towngrove, look at you." she says, playfully punching your arm.

>"That's not true, Mr. Warburton is married to an anthro." you inform her.

>She looks surprised. "Is that true?"

>"Sure is. Happily married."

>"Huh. I never would've thought. Though now that I think about it-"

>She ruminates on the new informnation you just graced her with for a while.

>You take her home, like always, and seal the final moments of your day together with a kiss.

>You wait for her to reach her house, and once she's inside you take yourself home.

>Tomorrow is the grand finale.

>The rematch you've been waiting for.

>That you totally didn't ruin Mikael's chance of winning just to have.

>You'll also be able to smack the whiny bitch out of Marty too, so that's an even bigger plus.

>You can't wait for tomorrow.

>"It's finally Friday." Lewis says.

>"Yes. Finally here." Verne follows.

>"Friday night." You and Mikael conclude.

>Mirabelle looks at you all like you're clowns.

>Well you aren't.

>You're actually the entire circus, but that's beside the point.

>"And Anon and Mirabelle are about to go whoop that giant bison's ass!" Mikael shouts.

>"Whoo!" you cheer, throwing your fists into the air.

>"Never mind the fact that Anon almost lost the last time they fought?" Lewis says, ruining your hype.

>"Look!" you start. "At the end of the day. He gave up, so I won."

>Well I don't think you're gonna get that lucky this time." Verne says.

>"Yeah, he gave up last time because he wasn't enjoying himself." Mirabelle reminds you. "This time however, he's having fun. And he's really tough. So what're you gonna do if he actually wins?"

>Honestly, you were a little distracted from the possibility of anyone else winning.

>"Well, he can't go home with the title, so I guess we'll just have to. Hold a tournament to acquire it, like what happened with Jayce?" You look up to Lewis, who shrugs.

>"And what if Kayo actually listens to Marty, and like, uses his Champion's Right to give the title to Marty, or something crazy like that? Verne brings up.

>That doesn't sound very likely, but there's a simple answer to that.

>"Then I'll just whoop Marty's ass and take it!" you say.

>"But what about this whole proxy thing that you and Mirabelle ended up bringing in?" Mikael asks. "What if he just starts using proxies to fight for him? And gives them incentive like access to the Right?"

>"I don't think anyone is going to stand against my shotgun knees or her ballistic missile dropkicks." you say. "However! We're going to make sure, that we don't have to deal with that, by winning."

>You nod vigorously, convincing yourself of your imminent win.

>"Well alright." Lewis shrugs. Let's get going then."

>"Anon. Mirabelle." Mikael says with a serious tone. "When you two win. I say, to honor this successful tournament. We celebrate."

>You know exactly what he means when he says 'celebrate'.

>Siegbrau.

>"Fuck. Yes." you say.

>Verne whoops down the hall.

>Lewis says, "Yep, I'm in."

>You look to Mirabelle.

>She doesn't say anything.

>"Give us your answer, dear heart." you goad.

>"Yeah sure, I'm in." she finally accepts.

>Excellent.

>It's been a while since your last siegbrau session.

>Now you're doubly excited.

>You're filled with the power of love, determination, and the promise of booze.

>Defeat is not an option.

>You come up to the Circle.

>The crowd is coming in and already forming up.

>They're excited to see the final round too.

>You can see Kayo and Marty walking up the road from the way you take to go home.

Marty looks like he's ready to turn around and go straight back the other way. But some strange sense of pride is spurring him onward.

>Kayo just looks, ready.

>"Hey Mirabelle." you say to her. "Do you think you'd be able to keep Kayo busy for a minute? I wanna have 'words' with Marty when we start."

>"Pfft," she scoffs. "I can probably take him out before you're done doing what you need."

>God you love that confidence.

>This is it.

>Nothing else needs to be said.

>You look at Mirabelle.

>She looks to you.

>She smiles.

>That blessed smile soothes you.

>It empowers you.

>You would move mountains to see it.

>And there is a mountain ahead that must be moved.

>Kayo and Marty are let into the center, and stand across from you and Mirabelle, ready and waiting.

>Lewis steps forward.

>"I see no words are needed. However, I have a question to pose to you Kayo. You said before that you weren't too comfortable with fighting women, even though this is a sport-like setting and not done in violence. Will that still pose a problem?"

>Kayo looks to Mirabelle.

>"I've been working on it. Seeing it more as a sport here. There have been a few girls who straight up broke my ankles playing basketball, so I'm trying to use that as the basis for being able to fight."

>Yeah, being able to transition into hitting a lady is the hardest thing in the world.

>But they arrive willingly, the Circle is all inclusive.

>Equal rights, equal fights, or something like that.

>"Anyway, all I can say is I'll do my best." Kayo says.

>Lewis nods at his answer.

>"Then let's waste absolutely no time. And get right into it. Mirabelle. Anon. Are you ready?"

>You both nod.

>Elodi steps up next. "Kayo. Marty. Are you two ready?"

>Kayo nods, Marty fidgets a bit, pulling his short hair back a little violently before letting go.

>He nods.

>"Then," Lewis and Elodi say together. "To bring the final round of our Doubles Tournament to an end. Let's. Fight!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob57p68bvO0

>You casually make your way toward Marty.

>Kayo casually steps in front of him.

>He knows what you want, but he's not going to make getting it easy.

>You continue your advance though.

>He moves into that stance of his.

>But there's a rabbit circling around the edge of the Circle at a wild speed.

>And as is her signature, she dropkicks him in the side with full force right at the start.

>It actually causes him to lose his balance and take a few recovering steps to the side.

>There it is folks. The unstoppable force that makes immovable objects moveable.

>Kayo looks shocked that he was actually moved.

>Mirabelle presses forward with a few quick strikes before he can recover and get back into his defense.

>You look down at Marty.

>He stares at you with trepidation.

>"Time to man up, Martini." you say.

>You can see his jaw clench tighter.

>He brings his hands up.

>Even if he knows he wouldn't be able to win this fight, he looks intent to cause you some damage before he drops.

>You move in close.

>You allow him to punch you in the chest once.

>Just to get his confidence up.

>Everything else, he'll have to earn.

>You swing back with malicious intent.

>You crack across his jaw with so much force he almost does a complete 360.

>Still a little loopy, he swings at you.

>It comes nowhere close to you, as you step to the side, and follow with a low kick to his legs.

>You look at Mirabelle and Kayo.

>He's trying to get to you, but whenever he drops his stance to advance, Mirabelle keeps him from going anywhere.

>And she's far too fast for him to land any punches.

>Or maybe he's still got that hesitation, so he won't land anything.

>You come back to focus on Marty, just as he launches at you and grapples onto you like a gremlin.

>He throws punches into the side of your head.

>But this is a worse position for him than it is for you.

>Because his torso is completely exposed.

>You throw punch after punch into both of his sides until he's tenderized like meat on a butcher's table.

>His grip loosens substantially and you pry him off.

>Then take a few steps and throw him into the Circle.

>They grab onto him, holding him by the arms.

>You look over at the other fight.

>Kayo is completely focused on Mirabelle right now, and is attempting to be more offensive than defensive.

>You wind up for a big knee and throw it into Marty's stomach.

>He folds forward, and the Circle releases him.

>He collapses to the floor, and you grab him by his shirt collar and drag him toward the center.

>You flip him over and lean in close, right above him.

>His eyes are shut tight and there's a big grimace of pain on his face.

>"If you can't handle this much Marty, how do you expect to hold the Champ title?" you ask him.

>He doesn't respond.

>"Cuz people are gonna want to fight you. And if you can't fight you won't stay Champ for long. And you can't think people are going to want to defend you, when you act the way you do. They'll stab you in the back with the quickness."

>He still has nothing to say.

>What the hell are you even talking to him about?

>Are you trying to get through to him with this or what?

>Maybe you're trying to get him to open up, so that you can understand why he's such a little shit all the time.

>You look over in time to see Kayo lunge to grab Mirabelle and spectacularly whiff.

>"I get it Marty, you've got a shitty situation."

>Marty lives in the Valley with his mom.

>No dad, apparently, and rumors are that his mom is quite the drinker, which is why his name is Martini.

>If that's true that's pretty rough.

>"But you're carrying your situation with you, and now you've got no love here, cuz all you do is try to fuck other people over."

>You think from the movement of his jaw, he's grinding his teeth.

>"So if you just-" you start.

>You don't get to finish as his fist shoots up and belts across your cheek.

>"Shut the fuck up!" he shouts, throwing his other fist into your other cheek next.

>"You think you know anything about my 'situation', my life?!"

>He punches you at every pause in his words, and you take them, mainly because they don't hurt terribly.

>"What do you know?! You live good, you got friends, you got love! You don't know shit about how I live. Fuck you."

>He stops swinging and lies back, eyes smoldering with hate.

>You look at him.

>...

>"You know what." you say. "You're right. I don't know. And I don't really care. All that bullshit I was just spouting, we can forget I ever said any of it. I don't really care about your situation, or how you act about it. You're kind of a bitch, and so I wanted to fuck you up. And I'm gonna."

>You glance around.

>The Circle has that air of shock.

>Kayo and Mirabelle are still fighting, but you can see the focus in their movements is dulled due to the outburst on your side.

>You look back at Marty.

>This may be cruel, violent, sadistic.

>But you really don't like Marty, so you're going to enjoy this.

>You return the hail of blows that he offered you.

>Like you did to Jerome, you hold him down with one hand and throw punch after punch to his face.

>He blocks but you don't even bother adjusting your strikes and punch him in his noodle arms until they go slack, then you return to his face.

>So this is what it's like to strike someone with the intent of violence.

>You understand for the first time what it actually means, to hate.

>Not hate of a race or species or anything psychotic like that, but hate of a single, awful individual.

>Is this contempt even warranted?

>Does Marty deserve it? He's done nothing besides be a dick most of the time, but does he really deserve to get his ass beat so viciously?

>Maybe, maybe not.

>You manage to keep enough clarity to stop yourself after his arms fall limply to the side.

>The side of his face is swollen and bruised to hell.

>Let's hope this either wisens him up, mellows him out, or keeps him from bringing his negative ass back here.

>Lewis checks him and quickly has some people carry him out.

>You take a deep breath and look over to Kayo and Mirabelle.

>At some point they stopped their whole fight to watch you bludgeon Marty.

>You stare at Kayo and crack your knuckles.

>The gesture causes you pain.

>You look down and notice you busted them open at some point.

>Oh well, it won't stop you from running Kayo's fade.

>"Sorry 'bout that." you offer to Kayo, and pretty much everyone around. "That was a special case around here, kind of personal."

>A few people nod with understanding.

>A lot of people don't really like Marty.

>Kayo shrugs. "Wasn't really my friend, so. Can't say I'm torn up about it."

>He glances from you to Mirabelle.

>And takes a few big bounding steps in your direction, swinging with a big forward punch.

>Muscle memory causes you to duck.

>That's right, there's still a fight, even if it's now a 1v2.

>His knee follows up into you as you duck under his punch.

>It pushes you back a few steps but you're alright.

>Now that personal events are out of the way, it's time to return to business.

>How are you going to crumble this mountain?

>You look to Mirabelle.

>She's looking at you too.

>Guess you'll just have to figure it out.

>You inch forward. Mirabelle is doing the same.

>Then you burst forward and get a quick punch in before Kayo can block.

>Mirabelle does the same but he turns to her and enters his stance.

>That's where it begins.

>You throw back to back punches into his side while he's turned away, hoping to soften him up.

>Once he breaks his stance he'll swing at you then go back to defending.

>You keep in close and focus on dodging, then move in to strike, so that he focuses his defense in your direction.

>Once he's in his stance Mirabelle will land a flurry of blows on his other side.

>And with her speed, she can hit him a lot more times than you can, even if they don't come out with similar power.

>You repeat this pattern of striking then taking his enmity for a while.

>It's a great defense, you've noticed. But at the end of it, he's still blocking with a vital part of his body, and doing it for prolonged amounts of time will wear down on him.

>Like he said, he's basically the tank, but if the mobs beat on the tank enough, eventaully they'll still go down.

>You can see the strain beginning to build on his face.

>If you two keep this up, you might gain a decent advantage on him.

>He breaks his stance while Mirabelle is tenderizing his sides, and reels back for a big punch.

>Not the cool one he does, but a big punch nonetheless.

>You fire forward with a haymaker of your own.

>You're faster, so you should be able to hit him and halt it before it comes out.

>You reach him first and deck him right in the face.

>Unfortunately, even though his face yields, he pushes forward and throws his fist into your face in retaliation.

>You step back a few times before your legs give way and you slump to the ground.

>Alright, which life hacker decided to give this man hyper armor on top of his regular armor?

>If he's got a full circle command grab, you're just done.

>Oh wait, he kind of does, doesn't he?

>You aren't done yet, you push yourself onto your elbows.

>Just in time to see him coming to game end you, elbow extended.

>He drops but you have the sense to roll sideways and jump to your feet before he has the chance to slaughter you.

>He's on the ground now, recovering from his botched elbow drop.

>You hear a whistle.

>You look to Mirabelle.

>She's gained some distance and is posing, low to the ground like a track runner.

>Understood.

>You crouch down low as well.

>As Kayo rises to his feet, you both run at him in a V formation.

>He barely has time to register the twin assault coming for him before you both jump and dropkick him on opposite sides.

>Mirabelle lands on her feet, you land on your side.

>Kayo goes backpedaling into the Circle.

>It takes a lot of people, but in his dazed moment, they latch onto him like the spectral arms of Death.

>You stand up as quickly as you can.

>You step forward toward him.

>And in mimicry of his big ass punch, you bring your left foot back, turning your torso almost completely away from where you're going. Your left arm comes horizontal across your chest, and your right arm pulls back.

>You throw your weight back in his direction, and rocket forward with the heaviest haymaker you've ever thrown.

>He sees what you did, a mix of surprise and confusion on his face.

>You slam right into his face with the desire to put this big beast to sleep.

>The crowd releases him and he takes a few uneasy steps forward before collapsing to his hands and knees.

>He doesn't look done yet.

>So you're not going to wait for him to recover.

>This is a usurper who must be put down switftly, and without mercy.

>You step up and plant a foot on his back.

>With no buildup however, you bring both feet up and springboard off of his back.

>You twist in a backflip and come crashing down with your knees driving into his back.

>The King's Guillotine descends once again.

>You stand.

>He rolls over and over, coughing and sputtering.

>Lewis comes to check him and ask if he's done.

>You look to Mirabele.

>She's breathing a bit heavily.

>The middle of your face is numb.

>But this has to be it.

>You wait for Lewis to say the words that will bring this to an end.

>...

>But they don't come.

>In fact he returns to his normal standing place.

>And Kayo, very slowly begins to rise.

>This guy will not quit.

>He's the terminater, here to take your flannel, your shoes, and your scooter.

>You walk up to him, glancing at Mirabelle as you pass.

>She's stepping backward.

>You throw a punch at Kayo.

>He takes it and throws one back.

>You block it. It doesn't come out with much strength, but this fight has been going for a while so you're losing momentum.

>You punch each other back and forth, he doesn't even use his stance anymore.

>You give him another solid punch to the nose, and he takes a step back.

>Another whistle from behind you catches your attention.

>You turn to see Mirabelle, posed like a runner again.

>She throws her head and eyes up to the sky.

>She's going to fly. Or fall with style.

>And you're the springboard.

>You turn back toward Kayo.

>He's coming back toward you.

>You take a step back now, and squat low.

>The gesture stops him in his tracks.

>But then he notices Mirabelle running at him.

>As she reaches you she bounds up onto your shoulder and you launch yourself up with all the force you can muster.

>Then you look up.

>She is. Very high up.

>You look down at Kayo. If he has the sense to dodge, she might hurt herself.

>But he's standing there, awestruck.

>Like he's watching an angel descend.

>One of the biblically accurate ones to be precise.

>Be not afraid.

>She comes crashing down, driving her feet into his chest region.

>He smashes into the ground, like he was just hit with a meteor from space.

>Mirabelle colllapses to the side, spent of energy.

>Everyone is frozen from that display.

>You included.

>That was dope.

>Elodi at least garners the sense to come to Kayo.

>"Are you done?" she asks.

>He says nothing for a while.

>Then answers with a quick "Yee."

>That's it.

>You did it.

>You fucking won!

>"Kayo is done." Elodi reveals. "The winners of the Doubles Tournament are, Mirabelle and Anon!"

>The crowd cheers.

>You cheer along with them.

>Goddamn this was amazing.

>You're filled with a myriad of positive emotions.

>You look at Mirabelle, who is standing up and smiling wide.

>You told her you'd relent with the public displays of affection.

>But this is a good enough reason to ignore that right?

>You walk up to her.

>However you're caught off guard when she bounds up, launches herself into your arms and kisses you first.

>You don't let your confusion last long as you wrap your arms around her tightly and reciprocate the affection.

>Now the crowd is cheering for a reason beside your win.

>You share your passionate embrace for a moment longer before you break.

>You gaze into those beautiful blue eyes.

>The sight of her joy filled smile brings a peace to your aching form.

>She loosens her grip and you set her down.

>Kayo has picked himself up off the floor.

>You walk over to him.

>"Good fight, Kayo. I hope you had fun." you tell him, extending your hand.

>He takes it. "Good fight, Anon. I sure did, y'all got a good thing goin' out here. It's definitely more fun than what we do back home. Hope that rematch was what you wanted too."

>You release his hand and nod.

>You're pleased with the outcome.

>"By the way." Kayo says. "Did you fuckin' punch me with my own damn Buster?"

>"Oh." you say. "yes I did. It's mine now."

>"Uhh. I mean, I guess you won, so to the victor go the spoils and all that. But why?"

>You shrug. "I thought it looked cool. You know what they say. 'Monkey see, monkey do'."

>He laughs. "Well alright. Go right ahead and use it."

>He checks the time.

>"I'm gonna get going. I think my family has plans for us tomorrow, so I''m gonna go sleep this ass beating off. Probably the last I'll see of you, so take care."

>"See you around man." you say. "It was cool getting to meet you and knock you around a bit."

>"Ha, same to you." he says, offering a fist that you bump.

>Then he takes off down the road.

>Damn you're tired.

>You want to collapse right here and now.

>"Well. Congratulations Anon, Mirabelle." Lewis says. "Mirabelle remains the Champion... Or does she? You've both been put through the wringer, but this might be the perfect time to take back what's yours. Here and now."

>Oh shit.

>Is this what he meant when he was talking about fighting your partner for the Champ spot?

>Directly after the finals?

>... That's kind of devious, you have to admit.

>He's got this villainous smirk on his face.

>You look at Mirabelle.

>She's staring dead at you, wondering what you're going to say.

>She cocks an eyebrow at you.

>"You really wanna do this?" she asks.

>NOPE.png

>You shake your head vigorously, continuing to shake as you look over at Lewis.

>"Of course not." he says, like he already knew what your answer would be.

>"Good boy." Mirabelle says as she walks over and pats your arm.

>She would probably only need one good kick to get you to fold like an omelette anyway.

>Mirabelle goes to sit on her box and you sit down on the ground next to her.

>The other contestants who were knocked out of the tourney earlier and a bunch of the spectators come over to congratulate you two.

>After that, you two just sit for a while.

>"... That was fun." you say idly.

>"... Yep." she returns.

>"I'm glad we won."

>"Me too."

>"... Love you."

>"... Love you too."

>Verne buys you and Mirabelle drinks with another round of congratulations, which you practically inhale.

>"So what else did we win?" Mirabelle asks.

>"What?" you ask in return.

>"Lewis said you had a prize besides the Champ spot for the winner. What is it?"

>You shrug.

>"You mean you didn't actually have a prize planned out?"

>You shake your head.

>She sighs.

>"Well now I want a prize, so I'm holding you to the promise of a prize." she says.

>"...Kay." you say.

>You two decide that it's time to get home.

>Mikael says he'll text you about the celebration and you nod.

>You walk in silence for a while.

>"So Anon." Mirabelle says, suddenly breaking the silence. "You kind of, really put the screws to Marty there."

>"...Yeah." is all you say.

>"You think you needed to go that far?"

>"...No." Another one word answer.

>"So you understand that you did go a little overboard with that?"

>"Yep."

>"So it isn't going to happen again, right?"

>You want to say 'right'.

>But can you?

>You don't think you have anger problems.

>Nothing like that has happened before in your years at the Circle.

>But you went half ballistic against Wayne and Tyrell when they ganged on Mirabelle.

>And you were ready to beat on the front of Marty's skull until you reached the back of it.

>"Right?" Mirabelle says again.

>"I won't go that far again." you say.

>"Good." she says, looking appeased. "I just don't want you to get in any trouble or something if you were to actually irreversibly hurt someone."

>You nod.

>You haven't seen any deep wounds or injuries, but you do wonder what would happen if someone did get seriously hurt.

>If it happened enough times, would someone try to put an end to the Circle?

>You won't think about that.

>You take Mirabelle home, you smooch her , then watch her slog her way up to her home.

>You head home yourself.

>Once you get back, you immediately jump into the shower, change clothes and collapse onto your bed.

>It's way too early to sleep, but the exhaustion washes over you.

>That was fun.

>So much fun.

>...

>Fuck Marty.

>Mikael texted the group bright and early Saturday morning.

>He said that for such a momentous occasion, just siegbraus wouldn't be enough.

>So he said you should meet up early and have more of a small party.

>You grabbed your Smitch and controllers, setting them in your backpack.

>You went to the supermarket and grabbed a couple of supermarket subs.

>Then you went to pick up Mirabelle.

>You get to her house and see some of the kids running around.

>William is also outside, wiping his car down, shining it or something.

>Nice BNW.

>Aren't those really expensive?

>... Oh right. Hills.

>You text Mirabelle to let her know you're here.

>"Anon!" some of the kids call.

>You wave.

>William notices and puts his task on hold to walk over to you.

>"Afternoon, Anon." he says.

>Afternoon, Mr. Dunwick." you respond.

>"You comin' in?" he asks, motioning to the gate control.

>You shake your head. "Nah, we're heading off."

>He nods, then leans up against the gate.

>"I heard about that doubles thing you guys had. Sounds like it was fun."

>"It was so much fun." you answer.

>He nods, relishing the entertainment vicariously.

>"That's pretty rad. We didn't have anything like that back when I was young. I bet my Blood Brother and I could've won if we did."

>You know, that blood brother guy that William always talks about interests you.

>You kind of want to hear more about him.

>So you give voice to your interest.

>"So who was this-"

>You're interrupted by a surprise Mirabelle casually pushing her dad out of the way, who was blocking the footpath gate.

>"'Scuse me." she says, passing through the gate and hopping on to the back of your scooter.

>William laughs. "Alright, you two have fun. Be safe, don't stay out too late."

>He returns toward his car.

>You think you hear him mutter "Don't drink too much", but you aren't sure if that was in jest or serious advice.

>Does he know?

>You look back at Mirabelle, who has the same questioning look. But she shrugs and shakes her head.

>Well, if she's not going to worry about it, neither will you.

>You pull off and head to the hideaway.

>Still standing, still ugly as sin.

>The gang's all here, with cars parked around the back today, since you're here in broad daylight.

>It's abandoned yes, but it may or may not still be considered trespassing, so better to avoid being spotted while it's light out.

>When you arrive, everything is pretty much all set up.

>Drinks and food set up, lawn chairs are brought up.

>Mikael brought a twenty-something inch t.v(that he surely managed to carry up the ladder effortlessly) for the games and Lewis had a portable power supply to hook up to.

>There's a random wooden box that you use for the stand.

>The Smitch gets hooked up, controllers get passed out.

>Sandwiches and soda, a bit of music on Verne's phone and mini speaker.

>Celebration.

>Lewis whoops everybody's ass in Smash Bruhs.

>It doesn't help that you go for the Skewer every conceivable chance you get.

>Which works some times, or leaves you horribly open at others.

>But you don't care, Space Dragon go brr.

>But Lewis' Captain Falcone is a hurricane of pain. And knees.

>Oh god the knees.

>You make it a personal goal every match to bully Mirabelle's Sheek.

>And she is quick to showcase her disapproval upon your innocent arm whenever you take a stock.

>Even if everyone else were the ones to get her to kill range.

>Verne plays Poc-Man for memes.

>Mikael plays Snek, because Snek is a chad.

>Lewis reads you all like books.

>Even when you play dangerously off stage.

>No one expects the off stage kills for the sake of hype.

>But Lewis does.

>After you've had enough of getting dunked by Lewis, you switch over to Mareo Kart.

>You and Mirabelle take turns between each other because one console only allows up to four players.

>Lewis is still the one to beat here, but everyone else has their positive moments.

>You slide up next with Mareo Party.

>Because apparently you've all grown tired of your friendships.

>And in an effort to keep each other civil you bring up a silly game you downloaded a while ago.

>Ultima Chickin Hoarse

>Hell, this game might be even more spiteful than Mareo Party.

>Eventually it starts getting late, the sun is setting.

>So the consensus is that the main part of the celebration can begin.

>You come to the edge of the motel and sit down.

>Mikael grabs five bottles of siegbrau and passes them out, then sits at your left.

>Mirabelle sits to the right of you.

>Verne to the right of her and Lewis at the end.

>In almost perfect synchronization, you all pop the caps from your botttles on the lip of the building.

>"To a successful event, to Mirabelle and Anon's win." Mikael says. holding his bottle up to the sky.

>Everyone follows suit, and after a silent moment you bring the bottle to your lips and take a hearty sip.

>Long may the sun shine.

>You all drink, chatting about nothing in particular and making silly jokes, until you're three rounds in.

>Mirabelle is keeping pace with you guys.

>You've taught her well, you villain.

>Verne passes out the fourth round.

>This one is drank in relative silence.

>Until Verne says out of nowhere "I been thinkin'.

>Everyone groans.

>"Well fuck you guys too!" he says. "I ain't been thinking anything deep, just wondering. What're you all doing after high school?"

>Damn. This talk was bound to come up eventually. You just didn't know when.

>But it is getting closer and closer.

>You just didn't want to think about it, because you knew.

>When it does come, you'll likely be saying goodbye.

>"I'm going to college." Lewis speaks first, taking another sip of his beer as he does. "Tremorton U."

>That's a good school, as expected of Lewis.

>It's like two and a half hours away, so he won't be completely gone at least.

>"I'm gonna go to college too." you say.

>"So am I." Mirabelle says.

>"Yeah?" Verne says. "I dunno if I wanna go or not. I'm not too good with class, I might just work at my dad's mechanic shop 'til I figure out my game plan."

>"That''s a waste." Lewis says. "You're creative, you should find something you can do that will allow you to use all that heart and the way with the written word you have."

>"Yeah but." Verne shrugs. "Like what?"

>"That's what you'll have to look for. I can help, if ya want."

>Verne chuckles. "Thanks man."

>That's good. Verne isn't book smart like Lewis, but he's got his own kind of intelligence. He shouldn't have to give up just like that.

>... Someone hasn't answered yet.

>You look to Mikael.

>"What about you?" you ask him.

>"I'm gonna enlist." he says, draining the rest of his beer.

>Say again?

>You stare at him as if he just told you that he was not actually descended from vikings.

>"But!" you start. You're gonna have to cut your hair! And your beard! And I dunno what the lady situation is in the military but I don't think there's a lot! There's gotta be something else."

>"Relax, I don't plan on the active combat branches." he assures you. "I'm going Navy. You know us vikings like boats."

>He grins and it disarms you.

>You guess you won't fight him on it.

>He didn't say he "might" enlist, he said he's "going to", so he must've already thought about and confirmed what it was he wanted to do.

>"Besides," he starts again, an even bigger grin on his face. "People in the military get to travel, so I will get to meet a lot of different ladies. I will expand my worldliness."

>You laugh, he's got you there.

>You bring your bottle back to your lips and take a sip, before the sound of heavy sniffling makes you pause.

>You look over and Verne is the cause, rubbing his eyes with his sleeves and sniffling.

>Oh no. No no no.

>He better not.

>"Fuuuck, I'm 'unna miss you guys." he says with a warbling sadness.

>Verne is too chill to drunk cry, what happened to him?

>You look passed him and see Lewis, turned away from the group.

>You don't hear him, but his back has those slight hiccups that say he is choking back tears.

>Goddammit Verne.

>Mirabelle is looking between everyone, hand over her mouth.

>She looks at you and tears are pooling in the corners of her eyes.

>"Not you too!" you cry out.

>You look to your left.

>"Mikael you better not-"

>Mikael is a being of singular determination.

>His entire body is rigid and he's staring at the the road like he's trying to get it to combust with his mind.

>You hold your head up to the sky, watching the stars come into existence at the fading of daylight.

>You won't cry, you push yourself to stay strong.

>But Verne is right. One of you will be gone, for who knows how long. The other will be several hours away, but busy as hell.

>That's half the squad already.

>If Verne doens't go to school you won't see him.

>And even if he does, what if you choose different ones?

>Where's Mirabelle going to go?

>If she goes to a different school than you, like somewhere far away, what would you do?

>Would you two have to, brea-

>You kill that thought before those final syllables are manifested..

>But it's too late, the sadness has crept in.

>The alcohol has amplified it.

>A few tears fall silently from your eyes.

>This is not a vibe.

>"Goddammit Verne!" you yell, trying to keep your voice controlled.

>"My baaaaaad!" he whines.

>This continues for a while.

>Fuck.

>What happened.

>You open your eyes.

>At least you think you do.

>It's still very dark.

>What time is it?

>You wiggle to grab your phone but your right side does not respond.

>Your eyes adjust and you find an adorable white rabbit nestled into your side, sleeping peacefully.

>The sight is similar all around you.

>Mikael is on his gut.

>Verne is spread out like a starfish.

>Lewis sleeps like he was just placed in his coffin, hands folded on his stomach and everything.

>You guys attempted to drown the sad with more booze it looks like.

>Doesn't seem to have worked in the way you intended.

>At least everyone is okay. More or less.

>You worm and scoot yourself until you can manage to slide your phone out of your pocket with your left hand.

>That was an ordeal.

>The time is.

>Oh lord it's almost midnight.

>You think about what to do before a softly playing ringtone and a quick buzz alerts you.

>That's not your phone, yours is in your hand.

>So it's Mirabelle's.

>She doesn't look like she's in a state to answer it.

>But at this time it's probably her parents.

>Not answering would make them worried.

>Let's hope your voice is fine enough to play this off.

>You reach for her phone.

>Your hand grazes her butt as you take it from her back pocket.

>What's up with girls keeping their phone back there, don't they worry about sitting on it?

>She doesn't notice the device sounding off her possibly impending doom, but she somehow caught the minor contact of your hand and her posterior.

>Judging by the fact that when it happened a small smirk crossed her face and she nudged even closer to you.

>Or maybe it was coincidence.

>... There are no coincidences.

>You finally free her phone, the bright screen reflecting the word "Mom" on it.

>Here goes.

>You clear your throat and answer.

>"Hello Mrs. Dunwick."

>"Oh, Anon? Is that you?" she says. Are you alright? We didn't expect Mirabelle to still be out this late."

>"Uhh, yeah. I take the blame for that. We've been here( you neglect to mention where 'here' is) eating and playing games(you neglect to mention the other activity you were engaged in). At some point I guess we all just conked out. I'll be getting Mira home soon, I promise."

>You hope that's enough and no further information is required.

>The line is silent for a moment before she says "Okay. I guess you are young adults, I know you understand the importance of responsibility. Just try to get Mirabelle home quickly okay? If you're with a group it should be okay, but it is getting very late."

>"I understand." you tell her. "Again, I'm very sorry. I'll have her home soon."

>She lets you go and you hang up.

>You take a moment to mentally inspect your current status.

>You'll be fine, you've done this before.

>You gently get Mirabelle to awaken.

>It takes a moment but she's up.

>She looks more sleepy than inebriated, so she should be fine as well.

>You ungently get your friends to wake their asses up.

>Mikael and Lewis rise with an alertness.

>Verne's body refuses.

>You explain the situation and let them know that you have to go.

>They nod and wish you safe travels.

>The trash can stay where the hell it is, but you remember to grab your Smitch.

>You climb down, getting ready to help Mirabelle if needed.

>She gets down fine.

>Your foot actually missed a bar on the way down, but you recovered well enough.

>And if nobody saw it, it didn't actually happen.

>You start your scooter, let Mirabelle on to the back, and take off toward her home.

>She nestles in close to you.

>It takes a very stern berating from your inner gentleman to keep you from taking her straight to your house instead.

>Consciously falling asleep next to Mirabelle is guaranteed to bring you the sweetest dreams ever seen.

>But no, you have to take her home, as you promised.

>A while later, you arrive in front of her house.

>You let her off.

>"You have a key?"

>She nods in the affirmative.

>"Okay. Before you go. Just in case, swish with this."

>From your backpack you take a tiny bottle of mouthwash and pour a bit into the cap, before handing it to her.

>She takes it without questioning and does as you ask.

>After she spits it out and hands the cap back she says "I used to just get into fights. Now I'm doing things that would be considered illegal. All because of you."

>You freeze up. Guilt sets in.

>But she looks at you and grins tauntingly. "I'm not gonna wait for you if you ever get arrested or something."

>Oh she's just messing with you, like she always does.

>"Well you see. To arrest me, they gotta catch me." you tell her.

>She shakes her head and turns toward her home.

>"Text me when you get home." she says.

>You nod, then watch her go until she is inside.

>You head home yourself.

>Once you yourself are home, you shoot Mirabelle a text, then one to your goon squad.

>Lewis sends the 'okay' hand emoji.

>Mirabelle replies with "okay good".

>"Any problems?" you ask her.

>"Nope. Just shouted out that I was home and went up to my room."

>"Okay cool." you send her. "If any problems show up, you have my permission to throw all of us under the bus."

>"Wasn't going to need your permission, but thanks bud." she says.

>That gets a laugh out of you.

>She follows up with "good night."

>You reply the same.

>Time to collapse.

>...

>You really are going to miss your friends.

>... No you won't.

>You won't allow yourself to miss them.

>You'll force these bastards to keep contact if you have to.

>This is the future, there's a million different ways to keep in touch.

>You won't let distance erode your friendship.

>Mikael, Verne, Lewis.

>These are your blood brothers.

>You won't let that brotherhoood die.

>And you're going to stick with Mirabelle until she gets sick of you.

>Maybe there's a way to have her stay with you forevver.

>... The easiest way to do that would probably be to marry her, right?

>...

>Whoa whoa whoa, slow down there buckaroo.

>Yeah you love her, but it's a little soon for the M-word here.

>Let's give it a few more years or whatever before you start throwing that around, even mentally.

>Entertain that thought after college maybe.

>But if you're just using your imagination here.

>That might not be too bad.

>You drift off to bed with an imaginary future that you kind of hope could one day be reality, flowing through your mind.

>Back to your regularly scheduled everyday proceedings.

>Sunday came and went with no complications.

>But you stayed home for no other reason than you were just tired.

>However Mirabelle didn't say anything about her dad and brothers ready to run your fade for making her a delinquent or something, so you think you're safe for now.

>With nothing exciting to look forward to, the day slogs on.

>But it's over now and Circle time begins.

>You expected Mirabelle to be making good on her promise to be a model for Marie's painting, but apparently Marie had to go home early so it's not happening today.

>Oh well, more Mirabelle for you then, you won't complain.

>Some everyday fights go on.

>Unfortunately the special event caused you to forget who is close to finishing their streak.

>No one challenges Mirabelle though.

>Lewis gets ready to call for the next fight, but his ears twitch and he glances toward the disturbance.

>Something's grabbed a few of the anthros attention actually, it causes them all to look in the same direction.

>You try to look yourself, but it's hard to see from where you are.

>But you catch small glimpses.

>Red, black, white.

>Uniforms.

>Specifically, the cheerleader uniforms.

>All the cheerleaders from school are coming this way.

>As they approach, you can see quite a few of the football team too.

>What's going on with this?

>They approach the Circle and two of them make their way to the center as the rest fill in to the crowd.

>The senior with long blonde hair tied in a braid that reaches her thighs goes up to Lewis.

>"Hey, you guys mind if we get a round real quick? Elise and I are at odds and the team is split right down the middle on both of our sides. So we need a way to decide what we're going to do."

>"We don't mind. The Circle is open to all." Lewis says.

>"Great." Elise says, cracking her knuckles. She looks to Alison, the blonde girl she's about to fight. "We'll be doing my routine soon."

>"Fuck you, my routine is better!" Alison cries.

>It's not malicious. In fact she's got a toothy grin on her face.

>Her braces almost glint like a predator's fangs in the sunlight.

>How bad will it hurt if she gets punched in the mouth?

>Alison is tall, but scrawny.

>And Elise is a brown bear.

>Elise is also Jayce's younger sister.

>And you know she's following in her brother's fight style footsteps.

>She's not as big as her brother, nowhere close.

>She's got a pretty thin, but sporty figure.

>But she's still a bear.

>So you hope Alison here has some good technique to go toe to toe with Elise.

>Says the man who has fought bulls, lions, and now bison.

>They stand across from each other.

>The smack talk segment gets pretty heated.

>They've both got some good lines.

>But the fight. Ooh boy.

>When Lewis says "fight", they fight.

>Alison has really good kicks.

>She'd be right at home hanging out with Eddie and Jerome.

>Sweeping kicks, flying side kicks.

>She throws two 540 kicks in a row, that was kinda cool.

>But Elise.

>Elise is just like Jayce.

>Watching Jayce win is really what got you inspired to join the Circle.

>Watching him be as cocky and showboaty as he was is what inspired you to do the same.

>And you kind of feel that inspiration again watching his sister emulate his style.

>When she slingshots Alison into the Circle to have them throw her back like the rebound off of the ropes, then follows up with a clothesline.

>When she hooks her arm behind Alison's head and underneath her leg, throwing herself and her opponent backward for a Fisherman Suplex.

>When she grabs her in what looks like a guillotine, only for her to bring her hand up in a kind of "witness me" gesture, then hook it under her neck with a spin as she falls into a flawless Twist o' Fate.

>It kind of makes you upset that you never got to fight Jayce.

>You think he'd be out of the age range by now. But if he ever comes back, maybe you can get the Circle to bend the rules a bit.

>Just for one fight.

>You were so engrossed with watching the fight that you didn't notice Mikael had showed up next to you to get a better look until he rested his arm on your shoulder.

>You look at him.

>He looks.

>Awestruck?

>Amazed?

>... Aroused?

>It's hard to tell what this expression is on him.

>But his attention is locked on this fight.

>Elise hits Alison with a vicious backbreaker.

>Then drops her casually, like she didn't just kill another living being.

>Alison seems to be okay, you think, Elise didn't actually try to shatter her spine.

>But it does its job, Alison is down.

>Lewis walks up to check on her and ask if she's done.

>"Nah nah nah!" Elise shouts.

>She crouches low over Alison and lifts her leg in a wrestling pin.

>Alison is clearly done, she isn't fighting back.

>She's probably just letting it happen to be a good sport.

>Lewis chuckles and crouches low.

>He's not about to throw his hand onto bare concrete though, so he throws it into his other open palm.

>"One. Two. Three. It's over." he says. "Your winner. Is Elise."

>Elise picks herself up and throws her hands to the sky.

>The crowd cheers, and the cheerleaders and football players cheer especially loud.

>"My routine." Elise says to Alison, as she offers her a hand up.

>"Fine fine, you got me, we'll do yours." Alison responds.

>Still holding each other's hand, they shake.

>Good sportsmanship is important, never forget that.

>They look ready to take off back to the school or wherever they're going.

>Mikael walks up to Elise.

>Uh oh, time for Mikael to be Mikael.

>"So you like the Norse Mythos?" he says.

>She looks at him. "I do. But not because of you or anything."

>"So are you the one taking me to the Great Hall when it's my time to go?" he asks, pointing to her arm..

>She looks down at her arm, then back at Mikael.

>"I just might be. Do you think you're worthy?" she replies.

>You look at her arm now curiously.

>She has a tattoo.

>Anthros with tattoos are pretty rare.

>According to the infinite welllspring of viking lore that Mikael has imparted onto you all, you believe her tattoo is the symbol of the Valkyrie.

>Which are supposed to be Odin's dope ass daughters who were born to be warrior women or something.

>They also take the chadliest of vikings to Valhalla, but only if they drop dead in thrilling combat.

>"If there's anything I know I deserve, it's a beautiful valkyrie to spirit me to Valhalla." he says.

>"I don't know. I think you have to prove yourself." She gives him a big grin.

>Kudos to her for not like, turning to mush for just standing within touching distance of him like some of these tho- er uh, lovely women.

>As she says "prove yourself", those words seem to resonate with Mikael.

>He turns. Slowly.

>And faces you.

>"Anon." he says. "Fight me."

>...

>...

>HUH?

>"You for real?!" you blurt out.

>This is what gets him to fight you?

>A girl?!

>Actually that makes total sense, it's Mikael.

>He looks to Mirabelle next.

>"Mirabelle. Would you be willing to put up your title for my fight with Anon?" he asks her. "I want him to fight, holding nothing back. And he will do so if he knows a loss will come at a cost."

>She looks between the two of you.

>You begin to explain that isn't necessary.

>"She doesn't have to do that, I'd fight my hardest even if it isn't-"

>"I'm fine with it." she butts in.

>She looks at you.

>"Don't you dare lose." she says, with a wink.

>You sigh.

>So be it.

>"Alright then. Let's do it." you tell Mikael.

>You stand across from each other.

>The female spectators are cheering louder than they ever have.

>Even some of the cheerleaders are spelling out his name in traditional cheerleady fashion.

>He's never fought you, so they are likely eager to see how he's going to fuck you up.

>Without warning he pulls off his shirt and tosses it to the side.

>Cheering intensifies.

>Someone in the crowd might have fainted.

>Fucking. Mikael.

>"Remove your shirts Anon. We must fight as equals in this hallowed arena." he says with complete seriousness.

>You shift your eyes back and forth.

>"I-i don't wanna." you say quickly.

>"Do it." he says sharply.

>"Fine geez!"

>You pull your flannel off then roll it up and toss it behind you.

>You hesitate with your t-shirt, but eventually pull that off too.

>"Happy?!" you shout.

>Everyone is silent.

>This is where the crickets would be chirping.

>"Whoo!" you hear Mirabelle's voice sound off behind you, giving you some boost to your confidence.

>Love ya baby." you say over your shoulder.

>"Alright." Lewis says. His bored expression nowhere to be found on his face right now.

>He looks like he's going to take great interest in this fight.

>Oh wait. That reminds you.

>You look around quickly.

>"Where's Verne?" you say out loud. "Is he here?"

>You don't see him. He might be at his club.

>He has to see this.

>"Mirabelle can you record this? Verne has to see the outcome of this one."

>Mikael and Lewis remember their absent friend and both nod simultaneously.

>"Sure I can do that." she says, grabbing her phone.

>Wait. Record.

>Oh. Fuck.

>You can't believe you forgot her so easily.

>After all her constant greetings and conversations.

>Where the hell has Bree gone?!

>Was that her you saw during the tournament?

>...

>You plant that seed in the back of your mind. You need to look for Bree one of these days.

>She might not have been one of your best friends, but you spent enough time around her to be concerned at her lack of presence.

>You bring your focus back to the fight you're about to have for now.

>"Alright. What you got to say?" Lewis asks.

>"Nothing but this." Mikael says.

>Mikael prefers to psych himself up rather than bring his opponent down, so at the very least you don't have to worry about him shaming you emotionally before he dislocates your shoulder to impress a woman.

>He takes a deep breath, throws his head to the sky and screams "Valholl!" in the deepest viking accent and whatever language that is.

>You've gleaned a few words from Mikael's viking speak that he likes to use.

>Like "berstu" means "fight me" and "aumingi" means "weakling"

>This may be a tough one, but you think "Valholl" means "Valhalla".

>You know a viking word too.

>Apparently it's a conglomeration of events that is supposed to end with the ultimate battle.

>You hope to make this fight, right here, that ultimate battle for Mikael.

>You breathe deep, bring your hands up and shout in as authentic a viking accent as you can muster, "Ragnarok!" As if shouting its name will summon the cataclysmic event.

>Also apparently valkyries are gathering vikings to fight in Ragnarok, so hopefully this links up with whatever he's trying to do with Elise.

>You do not need to wingman for Mikael, he's his own damn wingman.

>Mikael looks surprised. And impressed.

>And, maybe joyful that you understand some of his culture?

>Whatever.

>He gets into his ready stance and so do you.

>"Alright then." Lewis says. "Anon. You ready?"

>You nod. You've been ready for this fight for years.

>He looks to Mikael. "Mikael. You ready?"

>He nods solemnly.

>"Then let's. Fight!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Um8BFSh4xo

>You and Mikael rotate around the Circle, sizing each other up.

>This isn't a fight you can just throw yourself into.

>One mistake could end it quickly.

>Mikael seems to be of a similar mindset.

>But staring at each other menacingly won't get you anywhere.

>You halt your rotation and step toward him.

>He gets ready for you to attack.

>Gotta be quick.

>You throw a jab.

>He blocks it.

>You throw a few more as you strafe around his side.

>You follow with a right hook, and though he blocks it, the force causes him to take a step back.

>You kick out at him.

>But he's ready and grabs your leg.

>He moves, ready to swing you to the ground.

>But you leap up with the leg that was on the ground and kick out at him as hard as you can.

>It hits him in the ribs and causes him to let go of your leg.

>You hit the ground and get to your feet as quickly as you can.

>Mikael recovers and throws a few jabs at you, that you block.

>You return a few of your own, then close in to send a knee into him.

>He takes it but once again grabs at your leg.

>But at this range you slam his nose with your elbow and deny that tactic.

>As he lets you go though, he throws a wild uppercut that catches you off guard.

>You take a step back then lunge forward with a haymaker.

>He dodges it, then hooks you.

>You throw the back of your fist into his jaw.

>You two slug each other for a while.

>The cheers of the crowd like war drums in your ears.

>You get a lucky hit on Mikael and tag him in the nose.

>You follow up with a knee that you attempt to drive through his stomach instead of just into.

>It lands and he buckles forward.

>Unfortunately, pain is an illusion to a warrior of this caliber.

>As you brought your hands up to grab him in the clinch, he tackles into you.

>You don't lose your balance and go falling back, but he's forcing you backward.

>You don't know if this is the beginning of some submission but you don't want to wait and find out.

>You throw your elbows into his back, trying to get him to release.

>he doesn't yield and continues pushing you back.

>Judging by how close the cheering is, you're dangerously within Circle range.

>You drop your elbows with even greater force.

>He releases you finally.

>But throws his head up violently and cracks you in the chin.

>Goddamn his skull must be made with the same material of Thor's hammer.

>You unconsciously step backward.

>And receive a hail of blows to your back from the Circle as punishment.

>Someone punched you near the shoulder blade and for some reason it makes your left arm feel limp.

>You get launched back into the fight.

>Toward Mikael's waiting arms.

>Ready to do some horrible technique to squeeze the life from your body like the wily serpent he is.

>However you won't go easily.

>You push yourself forward with the momentum gained from the crowd and ungraacefully barrel into Mikael.

>He didn't expect you to collide with him with that much force and he trips, falling backward.

>So now you're on the ground over him.

>You throw punches at him.

>His arms are free so he can block and return punches.

>But he can't do much in this position you think.

>So it's just another slug fest.

>That is, until he punches you dead center in the face, and it causes you to lean back for a moment.

>In that moment, he's managed to wiggle his legs free from under you.

>Then he kicks his right shin underneath your throat, and hooks his left leg behind your head.

>He grabs onto his left ankle.

>And squeezes.

>Oh fuck what horrible submission is this?

>This is new, you've never seen him do this one.

>You immediatley try to pry his legs from your throat.

>Not happening, they're like a vice.

>The pressure is devastating.

>But it feels like he can give one final clench and pop your whole skull clean off your shoulders this way.

>You throw a few punches, trying to find purchase wherever you can and get him to loosen up.

>He locks up tighter in response to your vain struggle.

>The crowd is cheering, louder than ever.

>They see Mikael's win as imminent.

>Fuck.

>This is it.

>It's already over.

>You know just as well as anyone.

>You've seen it happen dozens of times.

>Might as well tap out and take the L.

>Maybe Mirabelle will find it in herself to forgive you.

>But she can see as well as anyone.

>No one who ever gets caught by the World Serpent survives.

>The light is fading.

>You bring your hand up to tap out before you pass out.

>But you remember.

>That's a lie.

>It happened just last week.

>A bison the size of a boulder fell on this snake and crushed him.

>You are no boulder.

>But with any luck, you have the strength to pull this off.

>You bring the hand you were holding up to clasp on his thigh for leverage.

>Your other hand locks around the belt of his half-kilt.

>You place your feet underneath you.

>You invite the fires of Ragnarok to invade your mortal shell.

>And with every last bit of force you can muster, you lift yourself up. And drop back down.

>You basically power bomb'd Mikael.

>As he collides with the ground, his death grip on you loosens and you take the lapse to grab a life affirming breath.

>You escape Hel for another day.

>Unfortunately his hold on your neck returns with force.

>But you've got this now.

>Adrenaline and a fire giant's wrath surge through you.

>You lift yourself and him with you once more.

>You reach forward with your right arm and cradle the back of his head.

>You're about to slam down even harder, and no matter how tough his skull may be, you don't want to crack it open on the ground just to get free of this submission.

>You slam down once more and this time the force breaks open his submission.

>You scramble backwards and sit down, free of the Serpent.

>You take some heavy breaths, and try to push the lightheadedness away.

>Lewis comes up to a limp Mikael and asks if he's done.

>You see him shake his head and flail around a bit in an effort to stand up.

>Alright then. If he's still game, then let's play.

>The word of the day is "disrespect".

>You stand up before him and take a step closer as you wait for him to stand up.

>He rolled over onto his stomach, so he stood up with his back facing you.

>He turns to face you a bit slowly.

>He looks shocked when he sees you inches away from him.

>You smile.

>And kick him in the gut.

>Immediately after, you force his torso down into about a 90 degree angle and drag him toward you, throwing his head between your legs..

>You grab his arms and hook your arms underneath his elbows.

>He struggles and fights you for a bit, but you manage to get it locked in.

>You look to the crowd on your left. Then to your right.

>All aboard the hype train.

>You offer this facebuster in honor of Jayce, the undefeated Champion of the Circle.

>And to his sister who follows in his footsteps, even though she doesn't fight in the Circle often.

>You hope she's ready to take this warrior to Valhalla.

>You jump backward onto your knees, pulling Mikael with you and Pedigree him into the dirt.

>You release him and stand up.

>He lies face down, motionless.

>He lifts his arm and flips you off with spite.

>Lewis walks up. "Are you done?"

>Mikael grunts in the affirmative, still face down on the ground.

>"Then there we have it. Anon wins." Lewis says to the crowd.

>You hear cheers, but the boos from the lady portion are overpowering.

>You pay them no mind as you pose in your trademark fashion.

>Mikael rolls over. His face is bruised and bleeding a bit.

>But he looks. Content.

>You walk over and hold out a hand to help him up.

>He takes it and stands.

>"That. Was an excellent battle." he tells you.

>"I agree." you reply.

>You release each other's hands before rejoining in the viking handshake.

>"Good fight, Anon." Mikael says.

>"Good fight, Mikael." you respond.

>Elise walks over and puts her hand on Mikael and your shoulders.

>"Good stuff, the both of you." She looks to you. "Especially that Pedigree. Jayce would be proud."

>You grin. "Gotta keep his legacy alive somehow."

>"Would've kept it alive even better if, you know, you were still the Champ."

>"That may be true." you start.

>".. But?" she offers.

>"Nope. Just, that may be true."

>She laughs.

>"Okay well." She looks at Mikael.

>He looks back and gives her a smile and a wink.

>"Worthy enough, I guess." she grants him.

>He smiles like an actual valkyrie just descended and granted him worth.

>She takes off after that and the sports crowd departs as well.

>As you watch them leave, you catch sight of Tyrell.

>He notices you, and subtly points to the girl walking next to him.

>She looks like a siamese cat.

>You throw a thumbs up at him in approval as he continues on.

>You sit down in front of Mirabelle's seat and lean yourself backward into her.

>You crane your head backward and look up at her.

>She looks down at you and smiles.

>You purse your lips and she rolls her eyes before giving you a quick kiss.

>Today was another good day.

>...

>You should put your shirt back on.

>After your fight with Miakel toward the beginning of the week you decided for the thousandth time that you would take it easy on your attacks for the sake of hype.

>You kind of hurt your knees, and lifting and slamming Mikael took a strength that you did not rightly have.

>Of course, you've lied to yourself before, this was no different.

>Marie began her task of immortalizing your queen upon the canvas.

>So you ended up going to the Circle on your own, or with your friends.

>No need to be clingy and stick around with her while she sits still for hours.

>You can survive without her.

>You just don't want to.

>You showed Verne your fight with Mikael.

>He watched it like the arrival of opposing gods were duking it out.

>"To be honest Anon, I thought Mikael was gonna fuck you up there." he told you.

>Understandable, you thought the same thing honestly.

>Beyond that, you did what you normally do over the course of the week.

>School proceeds as normal.

>You knock a few people out.

>Nothing really changes without Mirabelle here.

>You kept an eye out for Marty.

>He hasn't shown himself, so maybe he won't be coming back.

>That's fine with you.

>You actively searched for Bree after school.

>You don't see her either.

>The only person you know who she hangs out with is that kangaroo, Rocky.

>But you haven't seen her either.

>Did Bree transfer or what?

>You feel like with the way she always talked to you, she would've told you.

>But maybe not, you don't actually understand her too well you guess.

>You give up after a few days of hunting.

>The end of the week comes.

>Elise and Alison are back at the Circle.

>They aren't knocking each other out though, just spectating.

>Mikael is flirting with the both of them, as is his only objective in life.

>Tyrell came by too, and introduced you to his brand new girlfriend.

>You congratulated him, and wished them both luck in their relationship.

>You also covertly let Tyrell know that if he had any questions about having a relationship with an anthro, the senior science teacher Mr. Warburton could answer most of his questions.

>At about that time, Mirabelle gave you a call.

>"Hey. Marie finished her painting. I asked if you could see it and she said it was fine, so if you're interested."

>"Say less." you tell her.

>You bid quick farewells to your nearby friends, grab your things and jump on your scooter.

>You head back to school.

>Doors usually get locked after too long, but luckily you made it in without any problems.

>You find the art club room and walk in.

>You make general greetings to the club members.

>Most of them are crowded around what you assume is Marie's painting.

>Marie looks like she might explode from embarrassment.

>Having people inspect your art is a necessity when being an artist, you think.

>Mirabelle comes up to you as you approach Marie's painting.

>You take a look and.

>Damn.

>... You don't know what you were expecting.

>But it definitely wasn't this.

>It's a thousand times better than anything you thought you would see.

>It's a full body painting. Mostly.

>She's sat on this fancy looking couch, or love seat, or whatever.

>Her legs crossed, her hands in her lap.

>She's looking slightly up and away, as if admiring something out of a window.

>With this gentle, lovely smile on her face.

>Wow.

>Picasho, Da Vinchi, Van Gojh, the legendary Bob Moss.

>The spirits of the world's greatest painters flow through this girl's vessel.

>It makes it even better that her subject is a goddess given anthro form.

>You look at Mirabelle.

>"So. Look at this painting here, and then try and tell me again that 'pretty' and 'beauty' are two different words."

>She looks at the gorgeous rendition of herself, then back to you.

>She shrugs. "I dunno. I mean, the painting is nice, but. I just don't see it like that I guess."

>You sigh.

>Why do girls do this?

>They either eat it up when you tell them they look good, or they completely deny it, like you're trying to convince them that grass is blue.

>"Well. Lucky for me I do see it, then." you tell her.

>You gaze deeply into those shimmering azure orbs.

>The presence of other living creatures blink out of existence until only you two are left.

>Art imitates life, they say.

>Is it any wonder that the reality before you causes the painting you just saw to pale in comparison, then?

>A picture is worth a thousand words, they say.

>Is it any wonder then, that the model it is based on leaves you speechless?

>You feel the need to express your affection.

>You've effectively forgotten that there are people here.

>You lean in and kiss her.

>She kisses you back.

>After a small eternity locked in a passionate embrace, you pull back.

>The world returns with your clarity of mind.

>And you hear the furious scratching of pencils against paper.

>You look around and notice most of the club, even Marie, are vigorously sketching, eager to capture the blessed source material you just offered them.

>"Oops." you say under your breath.

>Ah well. Let them do what they will.

>It's no secret that you love her.

>Mirabelle is your queen.

>You are her king.

>Let the town bear witness to your joint rule, and continue to join each other in merriment as others have begun to.

>Your wizened sage of a mentor that is Mr. Warburton will laud you as a hero.

>Long live the king. And the queen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOebscm4sLM

~The End

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Notes:

Also known as King of the Ring: the Multiplayer DLC.

I had initially planned to make the doubles thing a part of the first story, as maybe a way for Anon and Mirabelle to build their relationship. But it was getting kind of long for my liking anyway. Then I figured that I had done decently well with their growth. At least that's how I felt.

So I planned to scrap it. But I didn't actually want it to go to waste. So I fluffed it up a bit and morphed it into it's own chapter.

And now here we are. As always, I hope you enjoyed, and let me know how you felt about it.

I will see you on the horizon, my fellow degenerates.