Chapter 2: First Fight & New Faces
As I readied myself for my first fight, I always wondered how the opponent prepared himself. Just imagine in their shoes that they're fighting a newcomer and nobody knows anything about you, or at least you hope they don't. If there's one thing that I've learned during my journey here is that to never second guess yourself. Always try to keep a steady routine before you face the day ahead of you. As I'm walking around Glitzville, I notice how big it is, since the expansion. It's not just a place for entertainment, but living here as well. The Smoothie Shop is still here, and the brand new café is on the rise. Sun's always out and every day is a beautiful day. What more could you want?
I'm on my way back to the locker room when I see a middle-aged toad walk towards me. I notice this smirk on his face. "Hey, are you that new fighter, Lance? I'm figuring you are since you seem new around here."
Who in the hell is THIS weirdo?! Just randomly pops outta nowhere and just knows me? Things are just getting flat-out creepy now.
"Yes I am," I said, with a straight face. "And who might you be?" I suddenly felt uneasy. How would this guy just pop up out of nowhere and just all of a sudden suspect I'm the new guy when I'm not even a day old? I'm already weirded out. "Ah, the name's Toadle. Just a fight fan. I heard about ya on the news, too. Good luck," he said, as he walks away. Just then, a light breeze was felt after he left. I looked at the time and its almost time for my match. I head toward the Glitz Pit and enter on through.
As I'm waiting at the blue gate, I noticed other fighters staring at me. Is my debut really that big of a deal? I was thinking. Then, Kevin comes by and wishes me luck. "Hey man, good luck! Kick some ass for the minor league, now, would ya?" I chuckled as he walked away. As I'm looking around, the security guard chimes in and says, "Alright, bub, head on in. Good luck." The doors open and that's when the beginning of my life began.
At the arena, Ms. Jolene is in the ring about to announce the fighters. I'm the new fighter in town, so I attracted some attention, believe it or not. I hear Ms. Jolene speaking in the arena, "Hello fight fans, and welcome to another action-filled night at the Glitz Pit!" The crowd cheered on in excitement through her introduction. "Tonight, we start off with a fight that features the new fighter in town! He has big hopes and dreams to one day be on top! His challenger, however, has something to say about that! Please welcome to the ring, Rank #39 in the Glitz Pit, the Goomba of Terror, Jacob!" The crowd gives out a big cheer as Jacob hops on in the ring. For a goomba, he has a relatively unique physique than your average goomba. Ms. Jolene approaches Jacob as she asks, "Well, Jacob, looking good as always! What's your mindset about facing a newcomer?" Jacob steps up and says, "Newcomer? Please! The last time we had someone like that he was out in a week! I betcha this guy is another washed-up wanna-be! Now, let's just get this over with"
Washed-up wanna-be? Was that the best you could come up with? What a total waste of energy THAT was. Geez, and what's with the reception with this guy? He's probably just there to create a scene.
"A big call-out from Jacob! How will the newcomer respond?" Ms. Jolene continued, "Well, let's bring him out, folks! Please welcome the new rookie fighter, ranked #40 in the Glitz Pit, the Crusader of Destiny, Lance!" As my doors opened, I walked in, with my white combat shirt and blue training pants with white stripes. Everyone sees how I look, and I get a cheer from the crowd. I walk in with a determined, calm face, looking directly at Jacob. From what I learned from Flare and Dad, I was told to always have your eyes on your opponent, with a few exceptions. I walked up into the ring, ready to start my career, but not only that, I have one thing on my mind: Win.
Ms. Jolene walks up towards me and asks, "Well Lance, it's your first fight of your career, and Jacob is already calling you out. What do you have to say?" I have the perfect response. "Big mouth, big target, and a big 'L' on your record coming right up." As I said that, it seemed that I caught Jacob's attention and the crowd's, getting an 'Ohhhhhhhh!' from them. "Alright fighters, let's get ready too…"
BRAAAAAAWL!
From that moment, the gong is heard, and the fight begins. Jacob starts charging at me and keeps throwing kicks and headbonk attacks, however, I dodge them easily. He starts picking up speed and I suddenly grab his leg. Jacob, caught off guard, had a worried look on his face.
How is he able to keep up with me?
I throw him up and jump and start to attack with a combination of punches and kicks, and finish with a drop kick. "UGH! Lucky shots…" he said as he hit the ground. He suddenly couldn't find me. "Huh?! Where'd he go?!" The crowd was amazed at how fast my movement was. As he's looking for me, I say to him, "Over here," with a smirk on my face. He realizes that I'm behind him, but it's too late as I start my attack. "DRAGON DANCE!" I shout, and I unleash a flurry of punches on Jacob, being able to push him backward. "Damn it! Grr…TAKE THIS! DARK TRANSIT!" he shouted, and he disappeared. "What the…"
Well that's interesting. Trust your instincts, Lance.
I close my eyes and concentrate, until I head a footstep behind me. I see him go for a headbonk and I stop him. The crowd cheers in amazement. "What?!" Jacob says in astonishment, "How did you know where I was?!" I explain, "I heard you land, and I knew exactly where you were. Now, it's time to finish this." I threw Jacob up in the air and I shout "SERPENT DRAGON FURY!" I jump and hit him with combinations of punches and kicks, and as I raise my arm for the final blow, a dragon-like figure revolves around my arm and I hit Jacob, with the force sending him to the ground. Jacob is unable to get up and is knocked out. The crowd cheers loudly.
"Jacob is knocked out! WE HAVE OURSELVES A WINNER! THE CRUSADER OF DESTINY, LANCE!" Ms. Jolene shouted, announcing my victory to the crowd. The crowd roars again, and they start chanting my name.
Wow, that's an awesome feeling! I feel like a celebrity!
Ms. Jolene walks up to me after the match and asks me, "Well, Lance? How did your first match feel? A well-deserved and convincing victory! What do you have to say?" I figured I could say something nice and simple, so I said, "I feel great! Thank you everyone!" The crowd cheers my name as I exit the arena and start my way back toward the locker room.
Meanwhile in the locker room…
Kevin and the Hammer Bro were watching the fight from the locker room on television. Kevin looks amazed, whereas the Hammer Bro does not. "Wow. He handled him with ease," Kevin said, having an impressed look on his face. He turns to the hammer bro who is behind him, who does not look pleased to say the least. "We'll see how long he lasts. Brand new fighters leave very quickly these days," he said, as he rolled his eyes. Kevin gave him a stern look and said, "Oh come on, give the kid a chance. Apparently he trained eight long years to be here. You really wanna questions THAT?!" The hammer bro just shrugged it off, and went out in the hall. "He needs to prove himself," he said as he walked out.
Sigh, what a guy. That's Richard for ya! Still, I see something special in this kid, and boy I hope I'm right! The last few haven't been so…..successful. We need a bright, young, talented guy in here. It would sure do the Pit wonders.
As I walked in, Kevin greeted me with excitement. "Dude, that was sick! You handled him like it was nothing!" he stated, with his eyes beaming. As I thanked him, he asked me, "Hey, you wanna celebrate for a smoothie? I have time before my match!" "Sure! Let's head on over!" I exclaimed. As we both left the locker room, the Hammer Bro ponders in thought, "I still don't see it. One fight doesn't prove anything."
At the smoothie bar while we are waiting for our drinks, Kevin asks, "Mind if I ask you something personal?" I looked at him, confused. "Sure, I guess." Personal? Gah, I shouldn't worry about it. "Just wondering, but have you had any past relationships before coming here?" "Oh, is that all?" I said with relief. I was worried he was gonna ask something crazy. "I dated someone a couple years ago, but we were never serious." Kevin looked at me with a smile. "Well, that's good! The reason I asked is because there are some fiiiiiine lookin' babes around here. Nowhere better in the world, eh?" Oh geez… "Really?" I said with a chuckle. "I don't see you with one, so that means that statement is either false, or you're just that bad!" Kevin's mouth dropped. "Awww, bro, that was COLD! I admit, you got me there!" He said, laughing it up. "It's good to know you got a good sense of humor. As for me, I have a girlfriend back home, and she visits from time to time. As you could tell, I like to lay loose and just have good time. What's the fun in this business if you don't wanna spend some downtime with some good folks?" I nodded in agreement. As he goes on, I notice a girl walk into the smoothie bar. She instantly caught my eye. Whoa…she's… As she walked in, I noticed how beautiful she looked with her dress with purple and red decorations, and her straightened red hair. It looks like she's waiting for somebody. I get lost in a daze when Kevin suddenly hits me. "OW!" "Dude!" he whispered. "I see you got your eye on someone. Wanna talk to her?" WHAT TH- "Why?! I don't even know her!" I said stoutly. "Then go over and talk to her!" He has a point. I definitely didn't have plans being alone for the rest of my life. "Alright then. Here goes."
As I walk over towards her table, she notices me walking towards her. Well, here comes the 'lets walk away from the random dude' move. She looks at me, and smiles. Wow, even her smile is beautiful. "Hi there." I froze for a moment, but recover. "Hello. Mind if I sit here?" She smiled as I asked, and nodded. "Sure, I have some time." SCORE! Er, well, so far that is. As I sat down, she says, "So you must be Lance." Wait, she's heard of me already? "Yes, I am. How did you know that?" I asked. "Well," she started, "I saw you on TV, and I thought you were great." I smile. "Oh, thanks." NAME. ASK FOR HER NAME, DIMWIT. "Oh, sorry, what's your name?" Great job, doofus, ya blue it already. "My name is Emily!" she says with a smile. "It's starting to get crowded in here. Do you want to, uh...you know, walk somewhere?" I ask. IDIOT. 'Walk somewhere?' That was oh-so-clever. "Sure!" she exclaimed. "I'll meet you outside!" As she walked out, Kevin walks by and says, laughing, "GET 'EM LANCE!" I chuckle and retort "Oh, shut up, Kevin!"
Although I just met this girl, I feel like this is going to be a meeting I won't soon regret.
End of Chapter 2