Chapter 8: Ryan vs. Carolina
I gulped at the sight of Carolina walking in. This was gonna be one heck of a finale...
"Ryan Bellator," the Director called over the loudspeaker, "For your final test, you will facing Agent Carolina in hand to hand combat. You both are allowed to go all out if you so wish, which includes armor enhancements. Start the countdown FILSS."
"Match begins in 10..." FILSS began, "9..."
"Remember, Ryan," Carolina stated, "Just because your my friend, doesn't mean I'll go easy on you."
"8... 7..."
I was taken by surprise by the 'friend' comment. She really considered me a friend?
"6... 5..."
I smiled, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"4... 3..."
She nodded her head and got into a fighting position. I just knew she was smirking under that helmet.
"2..."
I took a deep breath. This was it.
"1! Good luck!"
"Thanks," I heard Carolina mutter, "I won't need it."
She crouched and zoomed towards me. Luckily, I had grown used to this and swiftly dodged. She came to a stop on the other side of the room.
"Good," she said, "You've listened."
"Yeah," I replied, "Kinda hard not to do that after so many practices of you yelling 'DODGE!!!'."
She chuckled and zoomed ahead again. I dodged again, but she suddenly turned my way and kicked me square in the chest. I was knocked to the ground and quickly got back up.
She charged at normal speed and we began trading blows. She thrust her leg up, kicking me multiple times, and I caught one kick and flipped her on her back. She jumped back to her feet and began punching me. When I began punching back, she blocked a punch, grabbed my arm, and threw me over her shoulder.
I got back up and saw her crouch, getting ready to speed into me. I realized there was no time to roll out of the way. Thinking quickly, an idea formed in my head. She zoomed forward and I fell to the ground. She tripped over my own body and fell on her face.
As soon as she got up and turned around, I kicked her in the helmet, knocking her back to the ground. She kicked her feet out and sent me stumbling back. She got back on her feet and zoomed into me before I could recover. I was smashed into the wall, leaving a large crater on it.
I groaned in pain and she grabbed my shoulders and pulled. Nothing.
"What the..." She said, confused.
She pulled again, but my body wouldn't budge. I was just as confused as she was. Was I really that stuck? So I tried moving on my own. I couldn't even move myself. Now Carolina was actually trying to help me get out, rather than to continue beating on me.
"What the crap?!" Carolina exclaimed, "I didn't think I hit you that hard."
"Think about how I feel," I scoffed, "This isn't fun!"
Carolina continued to pull as the door opened and North, York, and Wash ran in. Amazingly, not even the combined might of four Freelancers were able to get me out immediately.
"Wait," I said as they tugged, "Does this mean the match is over, or..."
"Actually," North grunted, "the Director said it would be on hold until we can get you out."
Eventually, after what seemed like hours of pulling, I was finally freed from my prison of a wall.
"Finally!!" I cried, "I thought my limbs were gonna fall asleep."
"Ryan... Carolina..." York wheezed, "Don't ever... Do that again..."
"Noted..." Carolina gasped, "Sorry for going overboard a bit Ryan..."
"It's okay," I said, offering a hand, "You look like you could use a break though."
She stared at my hand for a second before taking it, and letting me help her up. She caught her breath for a second before talking.
"Okay," she said, "I'm ready to continue."
"Wait, what?" I asked, "Don't you wanna rest up a bit first?"
"I'll be fine," Carolina replied stubbornly, "Let's just finish this."
I honestly hoped she realized that she was at a serious disadvantage. She was still tired from trying to pull me out of the wall while being stuck in that wall was a blessing in disguise: I was reenergized. As she was right now, Carolina was going to lose.
I didn't want to continue, but I knew her stubborn attitude wasn't going to allow that. She wanted to fight this until one of us forfeited (which she was not going to do or allow me to do) or pass out. I sighed and reluctantly got into a fighting position.
"Round restart in 3..." FILSS announced, "2... 1... Good luck!"
Carolina didn't say anything, but I knew it was because she was gonna need all the luck she could get.
She threw a punch at me, but it was a lot slower and sloppier than usual. I easily dodged and just stared, amazed that Carolina was still trying to win. I sighed. I couldn't fight her like this. It wasn't fair.
I pushed her back and turned to the booth, "Is there any way we can put this on hold for a little longer?"
"What?!" Carolina exclaimed, though weakly.
The Director turned away for a second, thinking. He turned back, looking at Carolina's tired form.
"Very well," he decided, "You have two more days. After that, no more delays."
"Yes sir," I replied, turning back to Carolina, who did not look happy.
"All of you are dismissed," the Director announced, turning around and walking away.
I smiled and turned to my cyan friend, who had taken her helmet off. She was staring at me, a mixture of anger and confusion in her eyes.
"Why?" She asked, "You could've easily won. Why?"
"Come on," I said, "It wasn't a fair fight, and you know it. I wanna beat you at your best."
She stared at me, glaring a bit. Finally, she sighed.
"Fine," she stated angrily, "But two days from now, your gonna be wishing you hadn't spared me."
I smirked, "That's the spirit!"
She glared at me for a bit and we headed back to the locker room. I looked at her in confusion. Geez, I think that I might've hurt her pride just a bit by delaying the fight...
XXX
Yeah, that's not gonna be the full fight, but round 2 will be coming! Till next time guys!
