With every war or battle there is always a fight of sorts. Whether it be a clash of two opposing ideas trying to assert dominance in a verbal way or a untamed conflict on a physical scale, there will always be some sort of friction between the opposing sides.
There is mostly a reason for a war. Some cases are for safety of one's self or nation, the wealth to the victor of the conflict, or the power that one begins to feel after dominating.
Power is what divides warriors. A warrior without power is like a lion with out a roar, they might as well not consider themselves as such. This way of thinking pushed soilders to grow their power, always pushing them above their limits. They will do anything to prove their superiority to others, including other soilders.
The gym was deathly silent after their clash. Pharah and Soilder both took the opportunity to examine each other's strengths and weakness. Their friction of sorts told each other what to look out for and what to exploit. They stared at each other, waiting for a opening. Pharah began to break down Soilder in her head.
"Without my suit, he has a clear edge in brute strength. Maybe if I wear him out, I could parry one of his attacks and punish him. Another thing to keep account of is his unpredictable nature. His way of thinking can be so straightforward or so convoluted it can make or break him. I'm extremely confident I surpass him in mind games, a little bit of a mind trick could give me an opening." Pharah quickly thought of a game plan.
Soilder was doing the same thing, somewhat.
"This softie is faster than I thought! I can't let her run circles around me like those damn scouts! If I can get her to the ground she'll have a hard time working her way through my American takedown! She seems pretty conservative which will be her downfall towards some one as explosive as me!... heh explosive! I should probably clean my RPG after this win I get." Soilder decided to wing it this time, a softie like her will be challenge but she is facing the greatest American.
They began to circle each other for a few minutes. Pharah began to put her plan into action. She knew the amount of patience Soilder had was zero to none.
"WELL, ARENT YOU GONNA SAY ANYTHING!?!?"
She remained quiet.
"WELL GOODY-GOODY, ANY LAST WORDS BEFORE I BURY YOU LIKE ALL THE OTHER COMMIES!!!!"
Silence, she knew he was at his breaking point.
"ENOUGH OF THIS STARING CONTEST!!" Soilder cried out as he charged towards her.
"Bingo!" It played out exactly as she thought. She used her speed to quickly move out the way. Soilder was just getting started.
"RUNNING AWAY ARE WE!?!? HERE I THOUGHT I WAS THE COWARD!!!" He began to throw prescise punches towards Pharah and was met with nonthing but air every time. Her weaving skills were second nature considering her line of work.
Pharah decided to rile him up, a little bit of insults could force an early mistake.
"Some soilder you are! I thought I told you
not to hold back. I can get a better fight out of zenyatta for god's sake!" Pharah then chuckled a bit.
Soilder was getting worried. He was gonna tire himself out like this if he keeps going. He had to do something different.
"THIS COMING FROM A SISSY LIKE YOU!! I GOT YOU THIS TIME!!" Soilder charged the exact same way.
"Idiot, he's gonna be dying for a rest after my victory." She proceeded to dodge but then was met muscular arms on her legs. She knew she was in trouble now.
"What th—!"
"AMERICAN TAKEDOWN!!!!" Soilder proceeded to bring both of them to the ground.
Pharah recalled her mistake. She was mainly using her upper body to dodge because she was to focused with not blocking his punches. She chose to outright dodge them completely. With this way of dodging her legs and feet were the last to move, leaving them open for an attack that went straight under the belt. She was a goner.
"GET OF OF ME, YOU BRUTE!!"
"NOT UNTIL YOU SURRENDER MAGGOT!!"
They both were fighting tooth and nail, wrestling each other for the top position. Unfortunately for Pharah, he had the high ground everytime. She needed a quick fix to this situation. Then a desperate idea popped into head. It was a risky one, but the only one.
"If you think I'm gonna lose to you, you are sorely mis— OWW!" Pharah quickly grabbed her wrist, curling up in fetal position. Soilder immediately stoped his actions and tended to Pharah wrist to see if any damage was done to it. He tried apologizing for his actions. His tone a little quiet and sincere.
"Softie, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you wrist. I'll help take you to mercy and then she mig—!"
Soilder was then met with a swift knee to the stomach and found his position switched from over her to under Pharah, straddling him and pinning his hands on each side.
"I swear you are so gullible it hurts!" Pharah replies with a menacing smirk. She hated the idea of being a damsel in distress but it worked out in the end. Victory never tasted so sweet. Soilder was surprised beyond belief.
"W-WAIT, YOU-"
"Tricked me!?" She finished in a mocking tone for him. "Yes I did, of course it is underhanded but as they say, "all's fair in hate and war." Now yield!" Pharah knew she had the high ground. She put all of her weight into him. She wasn't big per say but had a bit of muscle to detain a half-fatigued Soilder.
However, Soilder was not goning down so easily, his pride refused. "I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT WORD MEANS BUT IF YOUR ASKING ME TO SURRENDER YOU ARE DEAD WRONG!! I REFUSE TO LOSE BECAUSE OF SOME TRICKERY!!!" Soilder stood his position. Pharah started to get that nagging feeling again. She always got it when Soilder would bring out the unwavering amount of confidence. She had to put that aside for now.
" Yield or else!"
"OR ELSE WHAT SOFTIE!?!? THE MOMENT YOU LET MY HANDS GO THE TIDES OF THIS BATTLE WILL GO MY WAY ALONG WITH MY VICTORY AND YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT CUPCAKE!!!" That nickname annoyed her to no end because of that uneasy feeling but she was too preoccupied with what he said. Pharah knew he was right, there really wasn't much she can do. All of her limbs are being used to restrict all of his so she can't really use any tactics that can subdue him. Then a thought came to her, an embarrassing one but one nonetheless. It was a tough lesson of putting aside feeling and always keep your eyes on the prize, but she mastered it and she damn sure wasn't going to stop using it either. She put thoughts into action and besides they are the only people in here right now
"Your right.." She began to speak in lower tone.
Soilder relished in the short victory of word play. "HAH!! TOLD YOU, NOW KINDLY LET ME GO AND ADMIT DEFEAT YOU SOFTIE!" Pharah then begin to inch her face closer to his. Soilder facade of confidence cracked just a little.
"Who says I was going to let you go when I have you right where I want you Jane." Soilder began to worry more. She rarely ever used his name especially like this. Refusing to respond, Pharah continued.
"Awww... where did all that confidence go? I thought you were better than that? Where did my brave, strong, Soilder go?" She began to speak lower and continued to lower her face to his. She was trying her absolute best to avoid getting flustered.
"Just a little more and victory is mine!" She thought as Soilder's mind began to fry.
"Amari, this is get—"
He was quickly interrupted by Pharah. She had to strike while the iron was hot
"Amari!?" She was shocked and felt a little warm but continued her attack. "I thought you would never use my actual name. You must be extremely tired but don't worry." Her face was mere centimeters away from his and her tone lowered into a whisper. "Let your cupcake take care of you." She felt Soilder going limp, she raised one her arms only to find Soilder not moving.
"Good, now to secure my victory!"
The way how to win the fight in the base is if they surrender vocally or are unable to continue. Knowing that Soilder is as stubborn as a brick wall, the knockout will have to suffice. A quick chop to the neck should do it.
Just as she was about to deliver the final blow, the door swung open.
"Pharah! Soilder! What in earths atmosphere are you two doing?!?!" The resident intelligent ape was making rounds around the base to make sure everyone was accounted for. He went on the search for the two warriors after finding out they were not present in their room.
Both soilders snap to attention at the call of their names. Only one thought and phrase passes their minds and lips.
"I WIN!!"
"I WIN!!"
Winston had no idea what was going on but he was going to find out.
"Both of you, my office, now!" Winston exclaimed.
As the two soilders untangled themselves and left , Winston took a quick lool at them before they departed.
Both were extremely sweaty and showed irregular breathing patterns meaning that they have been doing physical activities for an extended amount of time. He may have to recalculate for their stamina values
One thing that stood out for both of them was the present form of rosy cheeks. Usually this temporary body reaction only appears if the subject is embarrassed or flustered. Winston sighed
"Oh well, I'll just to have to figure this out my self." Winston said as he closed the door to gym.
In Winston's Office
As the two fatigued soilders were waiting for Winston in his office, they each partook in the usual activity of arguing. The topic was the victor of said trials. Pharah decided to start first.
"I won the trial idiot! I achieved the perfect position and was about to subdue you until Winston came in!"
"THAT MAY BE BUT THE METHODS YOU USED WERE COMPLETELY UNNACCEPTABLE IN A SPAR AND IF I DIDNT SHOW A SIGN OF WEAKNESS TOWARDS YOUR DISPLAY OF TRECHARY, IT WOULD HAVE LED ME TO VICTORY YOU PANSY!!"
They both glared at each other. They both knew that the challenge really ended in a draw but their pride was refusing to let that stop them from standing their ground. Then Pharah began to laugh.
"WHATS SO FUNNY YOU DAINTY DECIVER!?!?" Soilder was just looking for round two. Pharah stopped to answer him.
"I'm just laughing at the fact that you say I'm soft but you were tending to me as I feigned an injury. The look on your face when I reversed positions on you was priceless." This triggered something in Soilder. He was questioning himself as to why he did stop fighting to she if she was alright.
Compared to everyone else in the base, Soilder is relentless . No matter if you are sick, disabled, or even an ally, Soilder would rarely show compassion. This fact was not true towards Pharah for some reason. After seeing her get injured, he felt a different feeling that stopped him from claiming victory.
"These feelings mumbo-jumbo is starting to piss me off. I need to find a way to destroy these feelings and claim victory over this Goody-goody!" Soilder thought
They quickly found their attention towards the door as Winston began to walk in. The large ape sat down with his banana and peanut butter, the best combination of food items. He look at both them before asking some questions.
"What exactly where you two doing in the gym at this hour instead of in your rooms?
"Training!" Pharah responded
"UHH WHAT SHE SAID" Soilder simply agreed.
Winston pinched the bridge of his nose." So basically you both were fighting correct?" They both looked at each other and nodded.
"Well, I may start actually allowing spars between teammates so that way we can figure out each other's strength and weaknesses and from the way you both look right now, it might actually bring a challenge to everyone."
"That I would obviously win"
"WHERE I WOULD DOMINATE WITHOUT FAIL"
They both glared at each other again.
Winston, ignoring the act, pressed on. "Even if it was a fight, can one of you care to explain why there was... straddling involved?" Pharah's face grew hot while soilders was ready to answer.
"WELL, SHE WAS ABOUT TO SUBDUE ME IN A COWARDLY FASHION SIR!!" Winston decided to press him further.
"Can you explain this to me in more detail Soilder? And also try not to insult your teammates, we are all on the same side here." Winston cared for the morale of his teammates and mercenaries.
"AFTER I WAS WINNING THE GROUND FIGHT BY A MILE, SHE PERFORMED A TACTIC THAT REVERSED OUR POSITIONS AND PINNED ME DOWN!"
"Well, what happened next?" Winston said while partaking of his treat.
"WELL SHE WAS UNABLE TO USE ANY OF HER LIMBS SO SHE—" Soilder was interupted by a swift stomp to the foot.
"I simply used my head to daze him and was going to finish the match and that's when you came in" Pharah quickly finished for him.
Winston wanted to know more information, but it was getting late and a new operation is tomorrow. "Alright then, it seems everything checks out. I will see you both tomorrow because you two are needed on this operation."
"Alright, who will be joining us?"
"CAN IT BE DEMOMAN?!?!"
"Actually, this is a two person job. Since the two of you are somewhat acquainted followed by the flexibility you both possess, I figured that this could be a good training for both of you."
"WHAT?!?!" They both said simultaneously
"Your sending me on a mission with this lunatic by myself?!?"
"YOURE PAIRING ME UP WITH PAMPERED PANSY WITH OUT ANY REAL BACK UP!?!"
Winston simply nodded and pointed to the door.
Pharah and Soilder made it back to their room to shower and prepare for bed. Pharah still had some unresolved anger.
" I can't believe Winston is sending me out on a mission with you."
Soilder usually had to lower his tone during this time of day. "The feeling is mutual cupcake."
"And can you stop that!" The last thing she wanted to end the day on was getting that stupid feeling again.
"Stop what?!" He was genuinely confused.
"Calling me that name you buffoon!" She started to get flustered. Soilder just kept up the attack.
"I'll probably stop when you actually do something about it cupcake." Soilder was clearly enjoying his edge in this battle.
Pharah was just going to drop it for her sake, but she was a soilder through and through. There was no way she was gonna let anybody show her up, especially him.
Perhaps it was time for a little payback.
"Alright then, I will do something about it!"
"HA! Don't make me laugh cup—"
Before Soilder could finish his sentence he found himself pinned to the wall, face to face with Pharah. Considering he hasn't broke her grasp yet, he must still be a bit fatigued.
"Hey, let me go or el—"
"Or else what honey?" Her voice began to get lower as she inched her face closer to soilders.
Soilder could not falter and had to regain a dominant high ground.
"Look here missy, I'm not trying to hurt you right now so let go!" Pharah could feel that confidence dwindling ever so slightly. She sometimes enjoy the view of Soilder faltering when she's the reason.
"Aww now why would you threaten to hurt your beloved cupcake sweetie, that really does sting you know." Soilder at this moment knew he was screwed if this kept going.
"How the hell am I gonna diffuse this situation!? She doesn't have a wrench I can throw, no scrumpy, not even throw a damn sandvich! Think Soilder!"
"Amari, how about we—"
"Using my real name again honey? You surprise me but there's no stopping this punishment, you told me to do something about it." She inched her face until it was mere centemiteres, similar to their position in the gym.
"And your taking full responsibility. She said in a whisper. Pharah started to feel that sensation again, however it was more warm this time and very welcoming. She began to trace her hands over his body. The many details she noticed from their embrace is still there. She was in her own world as of now. She was then snapped out of it by Soilder.
"Pharah, uhhh when can we go to sleep? We are needed for an op and we need to perform efficiently." Soilder hope this would snap her out of it.
She then realized what she has done. She immediately backed off with a flushed cheeks and wide eyes.
"Um Ama-"
"Goodnight Jane!" She quickly said before hopping straight in to bed with her back to Soilder.
"Well, atleast she's finally got the message. Who knew she actually could do something about it." Soilder thought before going to sleep.
As they began to drift off to sleep, the question still remains of who was the clear winner in their trials. Another fact was also apparent during their challenge, they were equal in every single way.
But their pride would refuse to admit that and it damn sure wasn't gonna let them slack on tommorow. What they put into practice today will be used tommorow.
A battle in the real battlefield. Just the way they like it.
And another one, still gotta a long ways to go tho :)