Friday Noon, the bathroom area

Three animals stood in the bathroom, a belligerent tension emanated from two of them. The only thing holding them back from assaulting their domineer was one thought: freedom. Despite their doubts this was their one opportunity and despite the odds they were willing to take them to see this through and gain what was rightfully theirs.

The polar bear spoke first: "Is everything in order?" He folded his arms as he looked at his subordinates.

"Yes, the humans should arrive shortly to pick us up." Tali her voice was calm and monotone.

"Are their any complications I should be worried about?" He looked at Clyde sternly, he knew who he was referring too. "Fighter hasn't left his cage for a while—It's not like he has anything to go out for."

Malcolm rubbed his snout only to conceal a small smirk. "Good, both of you go to your cages." he waved them both off as he waited to hear their footsteps cease before walking out of the bathroom, he had to visit someone.

He walked past the lunch area, an eerie silence was left in the area. All the animals were in their cages, a shame for him really but it makes things easier. He made his way to the bear's cage, he saw him covered with an old cloth that covered his body leaving his head only visible. He was looking down at a pink object on the floor of the cage.

"Well, don't you look like garbage?"

Considering this was coming from him, it was less of an insult and more of a compliment. Even after all this time the polar bear still looked as unkempt. On closer inspection the hair on top his head was left a mess, they resembled a thistle bush, and the most notable thing he noticed was his sideburns. They were single large strands of hair, both of them went down to his shoulders. Although he wasn't one to talk, his sideburns were just as unkempt as Malcolm's except he had three to deal with the top portion jutted upward while the other two causally went downward toward his shoulders. "Looking at that tail wont bring that rodent back." The bear didn't even respond, not even a glare.

"Dwelling on the past won't bring him back, just forget everything—it's easier that way."He didn't mind the silence, it made things more simpler that way.

"Instead of sitting there moping around why not use your energy for something more fun?" he gave a proud smile.

"I've seen the way you enjoyed our fight together before," Fighter looked up at the Malcolm, his eyes still the same a serene ocean like blue, calm but it didn't match what was bellow it. His smile was something he never wanted to see again, it was a warped, demented smile. It was a warning than anything else: It screamed he might wear you like a hat, if you were left in a room with him. But more than anything, it looked pained, tired even. A predatory grin.

"There is no room for companionship here. It only gets in the way. For you to survive you need to pry away what hinges you from accomplishing your goals and destroy whatever is left of it." He stamped the ground fervently. "Pull it apart, slash it, crush it and place it all in pile. That is what you need to do." He turned away from the bear he still was silent. "When all else fails find leverage and use it to acquire your end. After all...Brutality is welcome in a world like this, It's encouraged."

The bear went wide eyed as he remembered that phrase… He shook violently but still kept silent. But this time he gave a fierce gaze. To Malcolm's untrained eyes in this state that the bear was in he looked submissive. However, he was anything but.

His gaze matched that of a wolf. Wolves themselves communicate through eye contact it can be simple as a greeting, to instill dominance or just a natural social gesture. A picture is worth a thousand words and it was at that moment he looked into his adversaries eyes, he knew what he was up against. He peered into his soul and what he saw only brought him a cold anger, something he knew all to well. The polar bear gave a predatory grin, he felt he gained victory over the 'broken' bear as he continued to walk to his cage.

"I can't wait to mold you into a better fighter, an efficient killing machine". He stated coldly. Fighter waited till he heard him leave.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Click.

He took a deep breath. I end this… Today. He got up from his spot and opened his cage, a small figure following him out.

….

The truck arrived in the parking lot of building where the arena was held. Two humans came out of the truck and took the cages from the back. One of them carried two cages while the other human took one. Both of them walked toward the nearly rundown building. One of the captive animals spoke: "It feels good to be back." Malcolm sighed contently.

"Because I love the smell of dead animals, fast food, and the sound of rowdy humans. Simply maggggnificent." Clyde rolled his eyes. "Watch your tongue, cur. I'll rip it out if you interrupt me again." The polar scowled.

"Not like I did besides, not the first time I've heard that before." He stared at Tali's cage.

"Which is why you need to be silent..." He stopped as he heard something as they reached the door of the building, his ears twitched. Tali interrupted.

"For once could you listen to him?" He smiled, "Thank you." She then shuddered for a moment as they entered the building.

A tapping sound came from underneath the truck something rolled out, it was a mouse. "Come on, kid. Whatever your planing we have to be quick." Fighter rolled out from underneath the truck, he tidied himself up. His sideburns were trimmed making him at least a little more presentable, but he a new addition to his attire: Cloth wrapped around his arms from his paws straight up to his wrists. He took note of the truck bumper plate. Mike continued. "Can't believe you held on under that thing for so long."

He felt his hands sting from the heat of the truck. "The cost of freedom isn't cheap. That was nothing—Let's find a phone." Mike nodded as they both ran into the building.

They walked through the halls of the building avoiding many of the humans there, some wanted to watch the fights while others were there for betting. They were 'humble' observers to the savagery that the animals had to go through, but they were nothing compared to those who kept the animals in captivity for events like these. The two made their way to room labeled 'employees only' but as they reached the door a rattling sound was heard. They both dove behind the nearest thing available: a trash can. Two humans walked out of the door.

"Damn I need a smoke. John, you got a light?" One of the humans said.

"No, I ran out lighter fluid yesterday I told you to bring one!" The other said.

"Shit! let's go to a convenience store across the street." They both walked past the trash can.

Mike spoke first."Thank god, these idiots are incompetent."

"Shh!" The bear said.

"Dude, no one's hear!"

"Not taking any chances we're going up the stairs." As they entered a control room they noticed the recording equipment. They had monitors showing every angle of of the fighters on the ground floor. A couple of headphones and microphones on the desk. As well as...A phone it was red. Mike tripped over something as he entered the room with Fighter.

"Gah, what the hell?" It was a pencil. Fighter picked it up. Good. He thought. They both headed to the phone and climbed up on to the desk using one of the chairs. Fighter pulled out the damaged cellphone and placed it on the table. He pulled the red phone and dialed 911. Mike looked at him puzzled. "What's that number?" Mike asked.

"Don't know. On the cell it said: 'In case of emergency dial this.' So I'm doing it." He then tapped a button combination on the phone to get a voice mail. He remembered a more dire message was on the phone.

"911 what's your emergency?" A lady responded. He found the message after dialing he placed it near the phone's receiver:

"Hey Mal, time to pay up! We know you can't afford this warehouse anymore."

Sounds of shuffling were heard, a muffled voice came from the phone.

"Shit, shit, shit!"

The operator spoke briefly. "Hello sir, are you alright?!" The man on the other end of the phone, was panting he sounded exhausted. A crashing sound was heard followed by a loud thud, it sounded like the phone slid as well. But what next was very clear: BANG BANG BANG. Followed by silence. There was the sound of movement of feet running into the distance, followed by an animal screeching. That was the end of the message. The operator was silent but she collected herself.

"I'm sending help now, tracking the call." Mike and Fighter pumped their fists. He then realized something, he looked for a paper on the desk with equipment and wrote something down: Pier 22 Sycamore docks. Truck plate: Drk315To

He hid the phone and the paper in under the desk where the equipment was. Then looked at the monitors intently. Mike noticed and responded. "What are you doing?"

"Gathering information on the enemy..." He stated flatly while not looking at his friend. The mouse sighed. "You'd better hurry than we have to leave before they come back."

"No worries things are getting—interesting down there." He watched the monitors display the ring below.

The stands were packed with people to watch the matches. A single polar bear stood in the arena, he gave a grim smile as he looked at the create holding his opponents. It opened and out of it came a badger. A white stripe went down from it's head to it's tail and it's body was jet black. It growled as it saw the bear. The bear cracked his knuckles as he still had his grim smile wrapped around his lips. He ran at the badger, he wasn't incredibly fast but he did look intimidating, he hunched forward as he ran with his claws out barely touching the ground.

The badger ran at his foe as well, matching the same audacity the bear had. However, the difference was soon made clear. As soon as the badger got into range of him he slashed toward him, the bear stepped to the side of the blow and grabbed the animal by it's neck with one arm and slammed the poor creature into the ground. Then proceed to kick the thing into the pillar landing back first into it, it barely got up but it growled to save face.

The badger charged again, injured from the previous encounter but it didn't give up. It leaped forward to bite him, The bear gave a predatory grin as he in turn gave a toothy grin. It missed it's attempt just barely, now it was his turn.

Splurt!

He let his jaw hinge on the badger, he tasted blood as let his fangs go deeper. The badger struggled trying to escape the bear hold, but it's efforts were in vain as it started to go limp. When Malcolm realized this he scoffed and threw his opponent away, like a broken toy. "Next." He licked his lips. Then the lights went out over the arena.

The mouse responded worried. "Kid, what the hell did you do?"

Fighter shrugged his shoulders. "It's not me."

In the arena the polar bear was not even alarmed by the sudden change, he sniffed the air only to realize that his opponent was already out of their cage: Hehehehehe.

The laughter started, he couldn't determine precisely where. It felt like it was all around him. HEHEHEHEHAHA! It grew louder as he stopped and took a deep breath… Silence, just silence as he continued to take deep breathes. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

It emerged from beside him as the animal went forward to bite him.

CRUNCH, SNAP-

The crowd grew silent they didn't know what transpired during the mini blackout. Tension rose in the crowd just what happened? The lights flickered for a moment, a single figure stood and finally after a brief pause the lights came back on. The sights made every spectator roar in awe. The bear caught the hyena in his paws during the blackout and the results left it limp and unmoving, held it by it's neck. Again, he threw it into the other dead animal.

He clapped his hands for moment, if only to dust of his paws from his rather dirty opponent. His fur had a bit of dust on it. He looked to see his another opponent in the cage, a grey wolf. It growled as it ran forward at him it was very quick, able to dart around the bear with ease. The bear tried to grasp the wolf, but it evaded capture with ease, leaving scratches on his attacker. The occupants in the cage on the ground floor noticed the struggle.

"Huh, maybe Malcolm will finally lose this one." Clyde gave a small smile hoping that he wouldn't have to see the bear again, but it was Tali's turn to be negative nancy this time. She noticed a grin still Malcolm's face.

"Not on your life."

"Why's it gotta be mine?"

"Your the most,' She looked up in the cage thinking of a better word. But gave up. "Most likely to die?"

Clyde pouted annoyed as he continued to watch.

The wolf darted from left to right trying to confuse the bear, his smile still on his face. The wolf manage to get behind the bear and leap forward just as it was about to slash the bear, it disappeared from his sight. The bear had jump over the wolf as it reached it him and slammed it's feet into into it's back.

Crunch

It whimpered for a moment, as the bear looked at it, not even a grimace could be seen on the bear's face.

From the monitor Fighter saw what transpired. He sighed and jumped off the desk. He'd seen what he needed.

He picked up the mouse and quickly ran at of the room to get his ride home. The monitor showed a smiling a bear elated at the crowd cheering, he truly felt happy only for a moment as he waited for the handler's to pick him up. They were placed in the truck, he sighed contently. Glorious. He thought. He felt tired from the bout as he drifted from in and out of consciousness. Maybe a rest wouldn't hurt for a little while…