Origins
Issue: 2
I didn't choose this life… It chose me…
My name is Adrian Morris and this is where my new life begun…
Almere City
Joe's Gym
June 4th
8:01 A.M.
~Third Person P.O.V.~(Flashback)
"But mommy I didn't want to do gymnastics. I wanted to be a karate kid." A young boy with large curly hair whined as he stood in front of the older woman in his blue shirt and white tights. "Little boys fight, not do all this girly stuff." The child looked around the age of seven with his big innocent hazel grey eyes as he complained to his mother.
His mother, a beautiful woman with long curly raven hair, crossed her arms and eyed her son's hazel grey eyes with her very own. "You wanted this remember? You have to atleast see this through or else you'll never learn to finish anything." This was something she definately wanted to instill into her son, not to mention she didn't want her hard earned money to go to waste.
"But mom!" the little boy proclaimed as he looked around at the girls around him which caused him to gesture for his mom to come closer. As she lowered herself down the boy whispered into her ear, "All these girls are weird, I'm like the only boy." he couldn't help but look over his shoulder as he said this.
His mother stood up and with crossed arms she smiled, "Okay, but do it for mommy. You'll take this class for just about a year and you can do all the karate you want." She raised her arms above her head as she explained.
"All the karate I want?" the boy went wide eyed as his imagination ran wild with karate movies. "That'll be the best thing ever mommy!" the child was jumping with enjoyment, "It's a deal!"
"That's my Adrian. Mommy's little trooper." his mother smiled as he ran up to her with a leaping hug.
Almere City
Rosegate Highschool
September 3rd
11:25 A.M.
Adrian was in class, sleeping as his teacher was in mid-lecture. He had taken a seat in the back of the class which he had been doing in all of his previous classes. The night before sure took a toll and who knows what tonight might hold for him. He wanted to be ready for what ever might be thrown his way and if it meant giving up some school hours for sleep, why not.
"Mr. Morris!" a very well shaped woman yelled out to the puffy headed young man. She walked from the front of the room after putting down a large book of equations. The young lady with long straight brunette hair and brown eyes pulled on her sleeping student's hair. "Wake up!"
Adrian opened his eyes barely as he looked up to his teacher, "Please Ms. Newberry, anywhere but the hair." he was still tired and barely awake to fully understand what was coming out of his mouth.
Ms. Newberry had tugged a tad bit harder upon his crazy hair, "Oh please. You ask me you should just cut the mess off. Now it would be best to pay attention or you'll be running extra laps during P.E." she said while releasing Adrian's hair which caused his head to lightly hit the desk.
Adrian put his hand under his chin as he raised his head up to follow her orders, "Yes ma'm..."
"Great, now back to our lesson." Ms. Newberry told her class as she immediately resumed her teaching.
"Dude, what were you up to last night. You know Ms. Newberry will punish you for any little thing." a boy beside Adrian wearing a skull cap covering his hair told him in whisper.
"Nothing much Elliot." Adrian sighed as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "Just some extra credit is all."
After Class...
Adrian was walking the halls, debating whether or not to go to lunch. Needless to say he was nervous about his new late night gig, but what constantly ran through his mind, what constantly gave him reason for his actions... his sister... his father... all he had was his family and if he needed to get down and dirty so be it.
*buzz* *buzz*
Adrian's phone vibrated in his pocket so naturally he took it out, glancing at his screen. He let out a gigantic sigh after reading the the message; it was from his new boss. At least that was how it sounded as he read the text.
"What are you up to?" a girl was peeking over Adrian's shoulder as he instantly cut his screen off, not wanting her to see what had been sent to him. The girl furrowed her brows that were perfectly above her very light blue eyes, they were nearly turquoise and poor Adrian always fell victim to girls with unique eyes. He then looked to her hair which was a dark brown with beautiful red highlights. Futhermore it was shoulder length with loose curls near her ends.
Adrian found himself staring very akwardly at the girl and upon realization he face palmed himself softly as he tried to turn away from her after also realizing whom popped up behind him. "Hmm, Victoria Millington without her boyfriend around her arms? Won't that hurt your image?" he said sacasticly to his upper classman.
Victoria put her hand in the younger Adrian's face, "For your infomation Shawn is pigging out at lunch. And I'm not always with him." She had gotten a little defensive as the tone of her voice had risen.
Adrian had politely moved her hand from his face as he raised an eyebrow, "I can pull out a year book right now, point to any picture you're featured in, and I gurantee it'll be a Shawn plus Victoria."
"I guess what those other kids say is true." She had paused as she pretended to think, "You really are a smart ass." She then pulled on his hair which caused him to wince in pain, "But atleast my photos aren't overshadowed by my hair. Why don't you just cut it?"
Almost immdiately after her comment he smacked her hand away from his hair, "Stop before you give me brain damage. It takes forever to get this hair in shape." he said while he patted it and such. "What do you want anyway? I was kind of busy if you didn't notice."
"I was just walking, not to lunch, when I heard about something interesting. But unfortunately I am positive it was just a joke of sorts." Victoria said as she put her arms akimbo, "And then I bumped into you."
Adrian put his phone in his pocket as he began to walk off, "Well I'll be ending this pointless conversation if you wouldn't mind. Unlike you I'm busy."
"So who are you meeting?" She asked before Adrian had got too far away. She had seen the words 'meet' and 'now' on his phone before he cut it off.
His eyebrow twitched at Victoria words, "Please, just let it go okay. It's seriously nothing that concerns you." he said in more of a friendly way instead of his bland sarcastic way of putting things. Adrian then proceeded to walk away, quickly turning a corner.
Victoria watched Adrian run off and although she was curious she let it go as if it were nothing. She knew he would be leaving school grounds, but a snitch she was not. Besides, she believed everyone was entitled to their secrets.
Almere City
U.F.F.C. Area
September 3rd
1:02 P.M.
Adrian was walking around a series of abandoned buildings which included appartments, houses, warehouses, etc. This part of town wasn't really a beauty and was lacking the support to be improved. Compared to upper Almere this place sucked; it wasn't at all busy and the buildings over here were mostly torn down and small. But that may just be what a certain crime ring's impression on the city may have caused.
After checking the entrance were he had been taken the night before he was puzzled to see it was inaccessible. He crossed his arms, now a little ticked off that after skipping school he was met with the dilemma of not even being able to get in.
"You didn't really think they'd use the same entrance everytime did you?" a very unemotional femine voice came from behind Adrian. When he turned around he saw a girl around his age if not younger. Her black hair was very long but it was braided into one ponytail and not only that, she had a purple streak in her hair as well.
"And you would be?" Adrian asked her as he pointed a finger at the girl. This girl had an erie aura to her, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. She seemed so detached with her blank stare towards him.
"Aya Liu. Now follow me Adrian Morris." She continued on across a street to even more abandoned appartments and such. She didn't look back to see if the new guy was following because she didn't really care whether if he did or not.
Behind the girl he started to make conversation, "So, Liu, that's japanese right?" He really just wanted to see how she would react to a question, so he could get a better vibe on her.
"No, chinese. And I do not wish to conversate any futher with you Curly Top." Aya simply told Adrian without any changes in her voice. It remained femine and sort of stale. "It will be easier that way just in case I have to kill you later."
Adrian rubbed his hand in his hair, "Well that's some asain persuasion for ya..." he said under his breathe.
Although Adrian's comment was near silent, Ayo heard it clearly. "You're just trying to make it easier on me aren't you. Huh Curly Top...?"
They were soon at the door to some random building and they were buzzed in. Walking through the door they passed a few big and buff guards, the hallway branched off into another hallway that continued underground where the actually fights occured. But they were headed for the area of space behind that which is where they would be going to prepare for their matches. It was basically a locker room for these guys.
Upon walking in Adrian had recieved various glares from other paticipants. It was as if he were an outsider, not welcomed. These guys were pro underground fighters, they were intimidating, he felt so out of place here. He had seen some of them on the news for some major crimes and yet, here they are. It sort of sent shivers down his spine.
"Don't feel so intimidated Curly Top. Just go about your business..." Aya told the rookie fighter. These crooks and thieves bothered her not. She was pretty used to this and their kind.
Adrian's eyebrow twitched, "It would be greatly appriciated if you did not call me Curly Top." The little name was clearly not to his liking and honestly it kind of ticked him off everytime it came out her little mouth.
Aya had went to a locker which was apparently hers and opened it, "Sorry Curly Top, but it is your name here now. Those who have made suprise debuts here are generaly called what the people address them as. Deal with it."
Adrian sighed as he took a seat on the bench in front of the lockers, he then began to rub his temples, "... Well, that sucks..."
Suddenly into the locker room came the crimson red haired vixen in a business suit. She walked right past the brutes and to the smaller fighters there. She was here to talk to her fighter of course, but what Adrian wondered was which fighter was hers. She glanced at Adrian and then turned to Aya, "You got back just in time." she began talking to the smaller girl with crossed arms. "I don't need you to hold back tonight." she whispered. "Let's show the big boys how to fight like a girl."
Aya nodded, "I will never disappoint Ms. Jaks. You have my word." she bowed. Showing her respect for her boss she put on fingerless black and orange stripped gloves and with an emtionless glare, she left out for the arena.
"So you have no problem with picking up underdogs do ya?" Adrian asked Jaks. She was the one who recommended him to fellow boss Braxtons and clearly she had faith in this little girl smaller than he. He couldn't help but wonder just what this lady thought, what went through this thinking process of hers.
Tracy Jaks looked over to Adrian, from the corner of her eye, "Would you like to view the fight Mr. Morris? Noone's stopping you." she said right before leaving out of the locker room so that she may view the upcoming brawl with the other bosses in their special room.
Aya had walked to the center of what was considered the center of the arena. It seemed they were going to utilize the cage for her. Something they didn't do for Adrian in his match from yesterday. But in all fairness this was a different area in this underground fight scene.
"Tyga! Tyga! Tyga!" Adrian had come out from the locker room to join the crowd as he looked at them confusingly. They were chanting some variant of tiger, but he wondered who exatly this Tyga that Aya was going up against.
Aya began cracking her knuckles one by one as she stood in front of a tall bald young man. His reach was clearly superior to her by a long shot, but not only that, his height was crazy compared to Aya as well.
Adrian scratched his head wondering why this guy would be called Tyga, but inspecting Aya closer it hit him. "Duh..." he said under his breath. Aside from her wearing a black tank top and short purple leggings, she sported the yellow and black stripped gloves. That must have been what defined her in her first apearence here.
"Alright people! Our starting match is the young and talented Tyga!" the voice came from a small booth of some kind that only fit one person, which was perfect for an announcer of this little set-up. "Versus the big and lanky Stretch! Now Stretch here isn't new to our little game here. He actually was a regular here before he got sent to the big pen. But looks like he's made his return. The bets for this fight have all been taken in and will begin in a second now."
Stretch was, ironically, stretching. He kept his eyes on his opponent, feeling some type of way about her. He glared at her with a devious intent, "Honestly I'm insulted they picked you as my opponent. A tiny little thing like you, what are you tweleve?" he said in a insulting manner, clearly not respecting the girl.
Aya only stared at the man, not making a single comment because of his words as she waited for the bell. The bell soon rang and a smile came across the girl's face as she charged at Stretch. She made an immidiate leap into the air as she pounced on him. She hit him to the ground with her knees falling on his colar bone and she pressed her fingers against his throat. "I could kill you now, but my boss wants a show." she said with an evil expression planted on her face.
Stretch was having trouble breathing after what happened and all seemingly in an instance. He managed to bring his arms up and around to grab Aya's neck, but she jumped up a a bit and slamed her feet on his colar bone to which he yelled, "Shit!"
Aya had procedded to the cage, climbing up it for some leverage. She watched as Stretch got up quickly, looking in front of him for the little girl. Turning around he saw Aya hanging from the cage which she quickly pushed away from as she aimed her knees for his face.
Stretch's reaction was a little on the slow side and her knees smashed against his head. He hit the floor head first as Aya rolled to her feet to the side of him. He had a throbbing headache to go along with the bruises on his face. But he was not losing to a premature little girl. He forced himself up as he vision became blurred and stumbled his way towards Aya. He threw a punch downwards towards her but she used his momentum and forced to the side of her as he stumbled forward.
Aya then sent a punch aimed at the man's ribs as he nearly tripped, but he had caught himself. Aya decided she was done with this man as he decided to continuously charge at her. It made her sick when ever she saw such horrible techniques from a supposedly veteran brawler. As she dodged multiple punches by casually moving left and right she simply ducked his Stretch's next blow. Aya then followed up with a very clean and precise kick flip aim under the chin of Stretch.
The impacted caused Stretch's neck to stiffen up with his head seemingly paused in the upwards position. All of a sudden the tall and lanky bald guy lost all bodily function and fell out to the ground loosely. He now layed on the floor of the arena, barely movement in his chest.
Aya then stood over the man with a blank expression on her face, "I'm fourteen..." she then paused for the announcer to call the match. She had done what her boss wanted, she made it look interesting long enough and she grew tired of the wannabe ever since he first opened his mouth. This Stretch must have been some kind of joke or something.
"Wow, the amazing little ball of fury, Tyga, has taken this match and this guy's lunch money." the announcer joked around over the comm. "I feel sorry for you losers who betted against her."
Adrian was in awe at the skills this girl, nearly a year younger than he, possessed. She remained calm the whole freaking match and he saw absoulutely no frustration. Everything she executed was fluid and straight to the point, he honestly envied her. He watched as she left for locker room right after she had been declared winner, "What the heck is she, a terminator?" his statement clearly drowned out by the ranting of the crowd.
Behind a certain one way glass mirror were the big five seated at a round table. They had watched the small entertainment from various flat-screens placed around the room at the perfect angle to get outstanding coverage of the fight.
Of course playing some over complicated card game at this table holding atleast a million on top of it were the five Crime-Lords of Almere City. Fetch who owned this here underground fighting betting service. Moore who happened to be the eldest of the group and rather classy with a actual top hat ran a 'dealership'. Jaks kept up a rather succesful lab that brought in extra money from 'specific' expirements. Nemeth, the playboy of the group who was constantly in the public eye. With the last piece to their puzzle being Braxtons, the most secretive of the group.
"What would that be now? Isn't that your girl's fourth straight win?" Fetch asked his fellow crook, his stubby fingers grasping his cards tightly.
Jaks smirked and played a card, "It's actually her third straight which brings her record in particular to nine and four for win/loss." she said casually.
"It is suprising for that tike to being doing so well." Moore said as he sat his cards down. "What is it with you and these outstanding performers you pick."
She sighed as she looked at the old and wrinkly Moore, "You just have to know how to scout them. Look for that something they have, the thing that drives them."
"And of course if you can't find it, you can always create that driving force with force." the cocky voice of Nemeth stated as he took a sip of his wine, "And of course fear helps too."
"If only it were that easy to be influential with most of these brutes." Fetch said as he picked up a cigar from his side. "You'd think threatening their very lives would have them doing dog tricks for a nickel."
Moore whistled to get the groups attention, "You know we should see if Braxtons' new kid can get the job done. I'm waiting to see if Jaks' little predictions are to be held as high as she makes us believe them to be." the older gentleman suggested. He had a thing for proving people wrong, it brought him his odd joy.
Braxtons nodded, not being much of a talker. He had no real interest in this child and only looked at him as a way to maybe prove Tracy Jaks wrong. He also believed her intution could not always be correct and was bound to fail her one day. "Remember Jaks, if this kid shows no actual promise I will be kicking him to the curb." He was one for no lies, he would soon be kicking his own son out when he comes out of hiding. This was due to Adrian seemingly winning on a whim against his son Flubber.
Jaks looked at the men she was surrounded by, giving them a slight little nod. She held no hint of worry upon her face, infact she was smirking as she realised how much they wanted to see her downfall. "We'll see in due time now want we..."
"Heck, we'll see right now." Fetch let out a rough laugh, probably due from how much he smoked. He pulled activated the comm-link in his ear, "Throw in Curly Top!" He said with a michievious grin forming on his face, "And Dreggs."
Nemeth nearly spit out his wine at the last name called, but his surprise turned into a small laugh, "Say good bye to your profits Tracy. That kid is as good as over."
~Adrian P.O.V.~
I was just standing in the crowd after Aya's amazingly quick and straight to point match. The girl certainly had her strong suit and it was fighting, the fast pace kind. All of a sudden I was pushed and shoved forward through the crowd and just like that I find myself being carried pass the crowd of bet placers.
"You're up next kid." A very big man in a baby tight shirt told me before he tossed me into the cage. He gave me a certain look. The kind that was like: I-would-wish-you-luck-but-you-wont-need-it-because-you're-gonna-die-anyway type of face.
Okay now I was definately worried... The only thing I needed to know was who had the honor of sending me to my grave. And then walked in a big and buff teenager who I just knew was too big for his age. Recognizing his dreads I had to mentally face-palm myself.
The guy cracked his knuckles as I looked up at his unemotional face, he didn't say I word. He didn't have to act tough because I knew he was. My first night here, which was literally yesterday, I was welcomed with the sight of him completely demolishing a man with his fist. I believe his name was...
"Dreggs vs Curly Top! Let's get ready for what should be a quick and bloody match. Taking in bets now!"
Crap Let's see if I can pull out some type of unimaginable miracle. Who am I kidding... This guy is going to kill me... Man, this life sucks...
