Chapter 24: Trump card
Vaughn turned to see Rhal rising to his feet as the crowd cheered even louder. "So, da little ooman gets a lucky punch and dinks he da new champion?" Rhal laughed and held his hands high above his head. "Dis is Rhal's house, an he aint like you trying ta move in" Rhal retook his fluidic fighting stance, and it became apparent to Vaughn that this was not going to be a sprint, it was a marathon. The two fighters moved slowly around the arena exchanging shots. Most were blocked, as the two fighters felt each other out, waiting for another chance to strike a heavy blow. Both were cut and bloody from head to toe, and Rhal was now missing a tooth. Suddenly as the they were keeping back a bit, Vaughn felt a change in the air, the time was now. Rhal lunged forward with one, almost sonic fist, but Vaughn was ready. The synthetic forced the acceleration out of his body, and for one of the first times in a while, time slowed down. To Rhal and the crowd, Vaughn simply became a blur, as the punch guided in for his head. Vaughn was there one second, and in a streak, he was moved. Vaughn let the calm flow over him as he floated past Rhal's outstretched right arm, moving to the outside. He reached out and grabbed the champion's wrist, razor wire and all, and held it tightly. While his right arm was holding onto Rhal's, he pulled back his own left. Vaughn pulled Rhal's hand towards him, and in one motion, thrust his left palm at the stiff elbow of the champion. The arm snapped with a sickening echo, and the flesh rippled at the force. He let go of the arm and it stayed hanging there. He took a step back, and then hit Rhal in the stomach with the force of a sledgehammer with his right fist. Vaughn let the feeling go away, and Rhal shot through the air and hit the ground like a rag doll.
Vaughn held his position, arm outstretched and shaking from the tension. At this point, it was rather appropriate to say that the crowd went literally insane. No one was in his or her seats after a few seconds, and they roared at the top of their lungs with excitement. Vaughn looked back at the waiting area to see Ka'jeal standing on his feet eyes wide and mouth open with amazement. He looked to the VIPs balcony to see the same reaction from the Arbiter. Vaughn felt heavy now after the acceleration, and dropped down to one knee. He took a couple of deep breaths and got some of his composure back. Rhal lay on the ground a short distance away, holding his shattered arm to his stomach and grunting in pain as he tried to stand. The first few attempts were unsuccessful, but the champion eventually stood. "Little... Ooman... you dink you... You beat Rhal?!!? No chance!" Rhal talked between grunts of pain and trying to catch his breath. Vaughn shook out his fists and casually addressed Rhal. "So, you ready to give up now? Or am I gonna have to beat you down some more?" Rhal laughed to himself as he let his right arm fall limp. He raised his other arm, and signaled Vaughn to "bring it"