(So sorry about the late update. I shouldn't be saying this for every update I have…but it seems like that's always the case. This stupid writer's block and depression is eating at me. Sorry again. Still, hope y'all enjoy the update.)
Death Fury: Thanks.
Chapter 5: The Cage Fighter
(Unknown location, present)
Sandy was at a bit of a loss, her boyfriend had told her about this place that he and his buddies had been going to where you could watch, make bets, and even join in on fights. Cage fights he explained specifically. To say she was surprised was an understatement, but the law hadn't come to shut the place down or the city that was a few miles away hadn't made any effort to close it down. In fact, she suspected she saw individuals from both organizations here.
It was people fighting because they wanted to, he reasoned.
She stood to the side, one hand rubbing her other arm. She watched as two men battered each other, one small and lean the other tall and muscular though with a slightly extruding belly. The bigger man slammed his fist into his foe's stomach before following up with swift and vicious haymakers until he stood over his opponent.
Sandy noticed that a wall linked to chains was down that led through to a part of the building shrouded in shadow though she could've sworn she saw something bright orange there for a moment.
Then she turned back at the sounds of laughing. The man who was on the ground started to get up, but his foe picked him up by his shoulder then threw a swift right hook. He chuckled and threw his fists into the air, his opponent rolling on the ground as he wiped blood off his lips.
A man walked into the ring, holding a mic.
"This match's winner!"
He held the victor's hand up and the crowd cheered.
The man with the mic handed the winner a roll of 20 dollar bills.
"I don't know Greg, this feels dangerous. And I thought I saw-"
Her boyfriend groaned.
"Come on, this is exciting. Guys get tensed up and need some release, some action. This helps them. Besides, it's pretty fun."
The man with the mic clapped as the loser exited, being kept steady by two men who helped him out. He then turned to the crowd.
"For tonight's special event, as every night, the victor of the last match has a chance to take on the reigning king of the cage! Like all fights, nothing will be held back!"
The crowd cheered.
"Take 'em down!"
"Kill the bastard!"
"Murder 'em!"
Sandy gulped, hands going to Greg's shoulder.
"Greg, please."
Greg grunted, turning to laugh with one of his buddies.
The man with the mic turned to the victor, one hand over the mic.
"I'm gonna warn ya, what you did with the last guy don't do with this guy."
"You said no holding back."
"He'll take anything extremely personal."
The big man chuckled, cracking his knuckles. The man with the mic sighed. He took his hand off it and motioned with it. A man nodded and pulled on the chains, pulling the bar door up.
"Now ladies and gentlemen I will warn you, this man may be more beast than man. He fights with such ferocity no one man has lasted long in a fight with him."
Sandy watched the same bright orange from before approach, though it looked at least 6 feet off the ground.
"He was found coming out of the wilderness, broken and bloody yet each fight has taken part in he has never lost a fight! You know him! You fear him! Here is your king of the cage: the Mountain Lion!"
Sandy watched a young man step out from the darkness. He looked more like an African lion to her, his dark hair seemingly a mane mixed with his thick beard and mustache. She thought she saw claws at the tips of his finger, though it was hard to tell with the black gloves he wore over his hands. Wearing a simple black shirt, pants, and shoes one could still vaguely make out his athletic figure.
People started making bets, and another man kept a tally on a notebook.
The man with the mic turned to the big man, who still stood several inches taller than the champion. The big man looked down, scoffing.
"This will be over quicker than I thought."
The man with the mic nearly winced before he walked out of the cage.
The big man grunted as he slung his right fist, knocking the champion back against the walls of the cage. He shouted as he threw a few more punches. He laughed as he threw another, only for it to be caught by one of the gloved hands.
The man grunted, trying to move his hand. The champion grumbled, pushing the hand back.
"It's not over yet!"
The big man charged, but the champion threw a punch and the big man fell. He hit the ground, groaning in pain and his mouth painted with his own blood though no teeth were out. The announcer shook his head before scoffing a little.
The crowd booed.
The announcer walked into the cage.
"Tonight's winner and still king of the cage: the Mountain Lion!"
The Mountain Lion grunted as he looked down at his fallen foe and started to walk back towards the darkness.
"We'll fight him!"
Sandy's eyes went wide.
Her head turned like a shot, Greg and the two friends that came with him stood up.
"Greg! What are you doing?!"
"Relax, the three of us can handle him."
"He took down that guy with one hit!"
"Relax, it's three against one."
The man with the mic's eyes widened as he looked at them.
"Look boys, maybe you'd be interested in going up against another of the men here?"
The Mountain Lion stared down the three, arms crossed. Both of Greg's friends shook under his gaze.
"Y-Yeah Greg something's off about him."
"C'mon guys, he'll fight us…unless he's a coward."
The crowd whispered and chuckled at this. The Mountain Lion whispered to the man with the mic, whose eyes widened but then nodded. He turned back to the three.
"He'd like to ask if you'll be using the knives you've got on hand?"
Greg's smile disappeared.
The crowd was quiet.
"You brought it?!"
Greg looked down at her.
"I wasn't planning on using it."
The Mountain Lion didn't glower or scoff, he simply stared Greg down. His orange eyes made the young man buckle. But he shook himself off this.
"Alright freak, let's go."
The Mountain Lion's hands clenched into fists. He then nodded to the man with the mic.
"We now have a 3v1 face off!"
The crowd cheered.
Sandy grabbed Greg's arm after he put down his weapon.
"Greg don't!"
He brushed her off.
"We're doing this. Time to teach this freak a lesson."
He and his two friends walked over and stepped into the ring as the announcer prepared to step out. He walked over to Greg, whispering.
"You really know how to pick 'em, kid."
Greg scoffed as the man walked out.
He and his friends turned to their opponent. One of the young men shouted, rushing forward. A swift punch flew, knocking the Mountain Lion's head to the side only to move back. Greg and his buddies charged in, jabbing and swinging. They gasped and panted. Greg fumed. They made another charge, but a swift backhand struck all of them. All three hit the ground, groaning. The announcer scoffed, shaking his head.
"Even with three healthy young men, the king of the cage is still undefeated!"
Some of the crowd laughed, others booed, some cheered.
Sandy's hands were over her mouth, eyes wide.
(Outside the building, a few minutes later)
Close to midnight, the three young men grumbled as they walked out. People chuckled at them. Sandy rushed after them.
"Greg! What were you thinking?!"
"Not now! We just got our asses kicked by that freak!"
The three flinched when they saw their earlier foe standing outside, looking up at the night sky. Greg's hands trembled and his lip quivered.
"Hey!"
Sandy grabbed his arm, but he pulled his arm away. The three grumbled as they approached the cage fighter.
"No man can take all those hits and simply bitchslap three guys like that, let alone without any marks."
The cage fighter turned, his eyes brighter in the dark. The three friends stumbled back at this.
"You lost. Accept it."
Greg grabbed his winter coat, snatching the collar with one hand.
"I've heard of you. I know what you are."
The gloved hand grabbed his wrist and slowly pulled it off his collar. Greg's eyes widened as he gasped and groaned as he watched his hand being wrenched to the side and at an angle that nearly broke it.
"Back off, bub."
He released Greg. The young man grunted, rubbing his wrist, glowering at him as he began to turn away.
"Mutie!"
The Mountain Lion stopped turning away and turned back, eyes burning. His hands clenched into fists.
"I suggest you walk away, right now."
Greg saw a glimpse of his teeth, his eyes widening. He lashed out with his knife, cutting his face. Sandy screamed. The Mountain Lion wiped his hand across the cut, the top now covered in blood. Greg's eyes widened at the cut healing instantly. The cage fighter licked the blood off his hand before eyeing the young man.
He snatched him around the throat, lifting the young man into the air. Greg's friends pulled out their knives, only to be stopped in their tracks when those fiery eyes locked on them. Sandy approached.
"Don't hurt him! Please!"
The cage fighter turned to her.
"I no he he was stupid, but please! Don't hurt him!"
The fiery eyes slowly softened as he looked into hers. His eyes closed, sighing. Greg's neck was released and he hit the ground. He coughed and panted, scrambling to his feet.
"Y-You freak!"
The cage fighter grumbled.
"Thank the lady that you still have your neck. Most people would've been in their rights to gut you."
Greg fumbled back, nearly falling over. Sandy stepped in front of him.
"It's over! C'mon!"
Sandy pulled him away and his friends followed after.
The cage fighter grumbled as he walked back into the building, sitting at the bar. An older man handed the young man a water bottle.
"Handled that better than I thought you would've. Last guy that attacked you nearly lost his head."
"Well they attack me with knives or guns, Graham."
Graham chuckled.
The announcer from earlier walked over.
"Brandy, Graham."
He pulled out a few 10 Canadian dollar bills.
"Profitable night, Kelly?"
"Some of the audience bet on the three idiots."
Kelly patted the fighter's shoulder.
"I still don't get why you never take any of the winnings. Maybe you could see a doctor about your amnesia?"
The fighter sighed.
"I don't know…I feel…well…kinda content here…I know it's strange…but you two have been good to me. It'd be awfully inconsiderate to not want to stick around."
Graham chuckled and Kelly laughed. Both lifted glasses after filling both with Brandy.
"To the Mountain Lion!"
Both men cheered in unison.
The young man couldn't help but smile, lifting his water bottle.
To be continued…
(Again so sorry for the late update. Hope you all enjoyed it.)
