Requiem for the Wrestling Few

By Son Rhandi

Chapter 04: 'Conflict Equals Match-up'

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"Wow! I can't believe I'm here with THE Seiuchin! You're my hero! I've been to all your matches! Well, at least the ones before I transferred to Animus... You're the reason I became a wrestler! I know I'm barely above featherweight, but I'm going to bulk myself up and pull off the big moves just like you!"

"Aw, stop yakkin' his ear off, Husky. Mr. Seiuchin don't wanna hear nothing 'bout all that. Oughta be tellin' him 'bout Animus if you want somethin' to talk about."

"It's really no trouble. I'm flattered." That was Seiuchin, friendly to a fault.

Gazelle Man cleared his throat. "Actually, I would like to know just what sort of abilities this school of yours can teach us..."

"Of course, Mr. Gazelle Man. Animus, uh......." The bull fell silent, noting Terry had moved closer to him.

"Well, whatcha clammin' up fer?" The Texan raised a brow. "Out with it, fella."

"Um..." Minotoro looked to the sky suddenly. "Say, this is a really nice planet! Blue skies and a predominately human populous...? How 'bout that, eh, Husky?"

"Uh, yeah, and the weather's fairly good, too. We should live here after we graduate..." They both chuckled nervously. The other wrestlers exchanged glances but said nothing. "Hey, guys!" Mantaro called out from the back of the group. "Aren't you going to tell us what you guys do at Animal Farm?"

The beast-men stopped in their tracks, not so much from being called on it as much as the piggish prince's ignorant and highly-offensive statement. That one even gained looks from Gazelle Man and Seiuchin... "Yes, well......" The dog began, deciding to let it slide. "We here at the Animus School normally scout free agents, but every once in a while, we come across extraordinary fellows--the fantastic Seiuchin, for example--and pounce at the chance to snatch them up in our jaws."

That old red stag looked as if his stomach had done a flip-flop. "Somehow, I'm not encouraged to attend..."

Huskitooth realized his poor choice of words and chuckled. "Sorry, my fault. But to reassure you, the attempted hunting and/or eating of other students is punishable by expulsion."

Gazelle Man's face faulted a bit more. "Oh... well... thank goodness...?" Seiuchin patted his friend on the back. "Say, why don't we go downtown and get a bite to eat?" The walrus suggested.

The bull and dog exchanged glances. "Nah, we just came from there," Minotoro declined for the both of them. "That place is a mess..."

Terry crossed his arms. "Wasn't that partially your fault?"

"Hey, man, orders are ord--Oop! ...I mean, what's a little fun if it's in order..? We'll find someplace else to go, then." The manbull put a little pep in his step, hurrying away from the Kid.

"I don't trust those two, Mantaro," The Texan whispered to his comrade. "They avoid more questions than a kid does hits playin' dodge ball."

"Relax, Terry. I'm sure they're nice guys. Just give 'em a chance."

"Don't you think it's a little strange that every time we ask something, they change the subject? Somethin' real fishy is goin' on an' I reckon I don't like the smell of it..."

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They opted to go downtown after all, though steering clear of the area Animus bad run through a few hours prior. Back to the eatery, then, forgetting that they'd just had a meal not too long ago. Any excuse was fine for that Kinniku prince, so long as something passed through his lips.

"So, there's no one ruling power for this planet?"

"No. Each continent--seven altogether, six of which are populated--is split up into political divisions--countries--which are ruled by their respective federal governments. From there, countries are divided into smaller partitions referred to as states or provinces, which, then, are overseen by state/provincial governmental bodies."

"That's seems to be rather inefficient," breathed Minotoro, digging into his Earth-style salad, Gazelle Man's treat.

"Wouldn't that result in a lot of problems?" Asked the young husky, his white muzzle dotted with chicken broth. "I mean, what's there to stop one country's government from taking on more land, or even other countries?"

"The force of other countries, really," Gaz fielded his question. "As a result, wars break out pretty frequently here on Earth..."

"Hm. How very sad... The planet that we come from, that is, Minotoro and myself, has only a super continent, the southern half of which is the only part livable. We, uh... vote for a 'Lord Protector' of the megalopolis. I think such a system is only possible because the population is concentrated in a single area. Earth's is too dispersed for such a system to be effective, I guess..."

"Here that, Mantaro?" Meat nudged him with his shoulder. "It'd wouldn't be a bad idea for you to pay attention. You may as well learn as much as you can about this planet, seeing as you'll be staying for a while."

"Aw, Meat," he whined in response. "What's to know about this place? I've already learned everything I need to know about Earth in the short time that I've been here!"

"And just what have you learned?" A cynical Terry inquired.

"Where the good food is, of course!"

The others gave a unanimous sigh. "A one-track mind. A monorail mentality, even..." Gazelle Man shook his head.

"One could only expect as much from a human..."

All eyes fell on that ripped bull, still casually eating his salad. "Minotoro..." Huskitooth began in a scolding tone.

"Look, Husky, you may be enjoying this and all, but fact of the matter is, we're here to work. I don't know why Tamerlion said they could come along, that idiot... We can't answer any of Mr. Gazelle Man's or Mr. Seiuchin's questions so long as they're around..."

"Now, looky here, feller!" Terry stood up. "All this anti-human talk may be all well and good back on your home planet, but here on Earth, that horse stank ain't gonna cut it! Now if ol' Gaz 'r Seiuchin here are gonna ship off with you guys, then as their friends, me an' Mantaro have got a right t' know just what kinda conditions they're gonna be put into!"

The steer stopped his fork midway and looked in the Texan's direction. "That information isn't meant for humans."

"Well, then, if whatever you've got t' say can't be said in front of a human, then there ain't no need in me stickin' around. Excuse me, boys..." Terry pushed in his chair and turned to leave. "Have fun eatin' your greens another three times, Bully. Once for each of your stomachs..."

Oof. Low blow... Not low enough to be missed by Minotoro's ears, though. "Wait just a minute!!" He bellowed, slamming his fists onto the table and splitting it down the middle. Terry looked over his shoulder, awaiting the bovine's words.

"I was just saying to Husky how much I had wanted a match with you, Terry the Kid!" He gave an aggressive little grin. "I've been reading up on your home of Texas and it seems you guys like to pick on young cattle for fun, even going as far as to call yourselves 'cowboys'... It'd make a powerful statement if I beat you in a match..."

The young man quirked an eyebrow. "You challengin' me?"

"That's right." Minotoro cracked his knuckles. "I'll even sweeten it for your part. If you win, I'll tell you anything and everything you want to know about Animus! Well?"

"Uh, Minotoro..."

"None of that now, Huskitooth!!" The mandog shrunk. His friend would have to have been thoroughly pissed to use his full name. "Let's hear Mr. Kid's decision..."

"Hell, you got yerself a match, dogie! This ain't just to get some info out o' you, but to get back for that crack on humans! I'll show you just what we can do!"

"Terry..." Mantaro scooted up to him. "Don't you think you're being a bit too hasty?"

"Quiet, boy! This ain't just for me, y'know. This is for all the humans on Earth! No, in the universe!" The Texan pushed Mantaro aside and directed his next statement to the bull. "Four days..." He held up the appropriate number of fingers. "That's all the time I need to prepare to defeat you."

Minotoro snorted. "If you're so confident, then why not three?"

"Done and done. It's your funeral. We'll meet at the IWF center in three days, then."

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"IGNORAMUS!!!" Tamerlion's fist connected with the steer's snout dead on. "Are you trying to ruin everything for us?!!" The lion clutched both his hands around the bull's thick neck, his bleeding nose dripping redness down his fists.

"T-T-Tamerlion, stop! Please!! I... ack..." Minotoro pleaded, his airway becoming more and more constricted with each second.

"Tamerlion! Sir!" Huskitooth tried desperately to calm the mad cat down. "I know this looks bad, but think of the publicity! Think of how much attention the school could get with this!"

The lion turned an ear to the dog. "Picture it!" He continued. "The top-ranking super heavyweight of Animus School squaring off against one of the Muscle League's best wrestlers of the New Generation! We still have three days. That's enough time to notify the coverage crews back home and in turn give them time to get down here for a broadcast. We could get this match aired across the universe!"

Tamerlion released his grip on Minotoro, who immediately began sucking in air. "That's right..." He stroked his beard, pondering the possibilities. "This could be great for the school..." The lion turned back to Minotoro and pulled him up by his shirt collar. "But only if we win! I don't want to see this match lost for us! And you'd dare not reveal yourself in the ring, Minotoro! The very thing we strive to teach can be the same to drive our candidates away if presented in a negative fashion, and you do know my passion for Animus fashion, don't you?" He was sure to flash his fangs.

The bull simply nodded, too intimidated to muster words.

"Good. Don't screw up. And remember..." Tamerlion grabbed his by the horns and slammed his knee into the student's already injured snout. As its owner fell to the floor, moaning and writhing, he breathed the rest of his sentence.

"Love and peace."