"KO!"

"Oh, that was brutal," Lola Pop winced as she watched the rising rookie crash to the ground.

"He did win the first match though," Ribbon Girl added, uncovering her face, "he's still got a chance."

The two watched as the young athlete finally pulled himself up and walked over to his corner. The other fighter, seemingly fine, just stood there, waiting.

"Ah, shit" Spring Man stumbled and caught himself against the ropes of the ring, but not before his back slammed into the corner post.

He groaned as he stretched one of his ARMS out to reach for his last bottle. He chugged it down too fast and ended up chocking.

The sound of coughing and whizzing echoed around the ring, drowning out the soft whirring noises coming from his awaiting opponent.

Eventually, Spring Man was able to catch his breath and his head slumped back, green juice dripping from his mouth. This was not his day.

He knew he didn't have long before he had to go again, but he just wasn't feeling it today.

The curly-haired man glanced over to where a few chairs had been brought out to watch the sparring. He gave a weak smile as his two friends waved him on.

The rookie pulled himself up, discarding his drink and wiped his face. It was now or never.

He walked over and turned toward the younger version of himself and raised his ARMS. He took one last deep breath and started to build up his momentum, with his fluid bounce back and forth on the balls of his feet.

"ARMS!"

Spring Man quickly side-stepped as Toasters flew toward him. He tried for a punch, but the other quickly dodged it.

Before his ARMS could coil back up, his rival charged up and let out a boom with bright red light.

"Ahh" Spring Man's ARMS were down and he watched, as if in slow motion, as green springs wrapped around his waist and pulled him face-to-face with his masked self. Glowing blue eyes stared right through him, emotionless as he pulled his ARMS back and threw his first punch, knocking his breath out. Another punch followed and sent him hurling into the air.

Seconds felt like minutes as the rookie pulled himself together. He did a flip onto his feet and was back in and throwing punches, thankfully some landing.

His health was getting low and he knew Springtron's was higher.

Another throw and his back was slammed to the ground again. This time when he rebounded to his feet, something caught his eye outside the ring. He watched as a dark and green figure made its way towards the girls. The young man glanced his way, but Spring Man didn't see any more as a Toaster hit him straight in the face.

"Shit, I got to pull it together," he shook his head and strands of blue curls fell loose of their shape.

The rookie jumped, going for a grab, luckily, his springs wrapped around the metal frame of his opponent.

"Oh, Ninjara, you made it," Ribbon Girl noticed the ninja walking up and patted the chair beside her; he nodded a greeting and took a seat.

"Unfortunately, this fight is about over," Lola Pop added as she watched Springtron hit the ground.

"Spring Man is one of the best fighters here..." the youngest trailed off, thinking hard, "I've never seen someone beat him so badly before."

Ninjara's eyes turned toward the ring and he watched as the two fighters jumped and dodged each other's blows. Time not a limit in these rounds, one must be defeated to end the round; and it was getting intense.

Springtron was back on his feet and charged forward, but Spring Man was ready this time.

The rookie cried out as golden light swirled around him and he punched his Roasters fast toward the other who tried to jump out of the way, but they made contact.

A grin spread across his face as he bounced on his feet again, waiting for his rival to get back up.

He was up and Spring Man started throwing punches, his adrenaline fully kicking in.

Springtron was built for fighting though and he dodged them and powered up, disabling the other's ARMS.

"KO!"

The three watched as the dark version of Spring Man stood over the other and then turned toward them. His face giving nothing away, he simply turned and walked off.

"Spring Man" Robbin Girl jumped up and ran to the edge of the ring. He didn't move, but she heard a low groan and finally one of his ARMS, coiling back up, covered his face.

Lola Pop glanced over to the quiet fighter beside her, but his face was emotionless as usual. She turned back to the others and watched as Ribbon Girl jumped the ropes lining the Sparring Ring.

Before she could get to him, Spring Man pulled himself up into a sitting position.

"Are you alright?"

He glanced her way, "yeah, I'm fine." He pulled off his Roasters and wiped his face with his hands, not noticing the blood he smeared across his cheek.

She didn't say more as he rose to his feet, tossing his ARMS over his shoulder as he began to walk to the end of the ring.

The street performer and ninja walked over to meet the others. Spring Man jumped over the ropes and avoided eye contact with them as he walked past. He bumped into Ninjara, but he didn't turn nor stop walking away.

Ribbon Girl leaned against the post, still inside the ring, watching the rookie leave the arena, "he's not usually like this."

"Yeah, but he's been having a bad day," Lola Pop added, "he wasn't all that confident about this fight to start with."

"Mmm" the blonde fighter mused as she leaned her head against her ARMS, "he's too hard on himself sometimes."

"He'll be-, wait, where'd Ninjara go?"

Ribbon Girl looked around, confused as well, "he's gone."

Spring Man dragged his feet as he walked home; his face tight in concentration, deep in thought on where he went wrong.

"Arrrg" he clenched his fists, "I'm such a fool... he probably thinks I'm a horrible fighter now. Not like he'd be interested in me anyway."

The rookie hung his head and it felt as if all his energy was draining away. He was still mulling over the afternoon as he approached the steps leading to his apartment.

Spring Man gave a sigh and walked up to his door, fumbling in his pocket for his keys.

He let out a yelp as one of his feet slipped on the top step and he began to fall backwards.

Spring Man knew he wouldn't be able to catch himself and he tensed up as he heard a rush of air behind him.