Seems everyone is enjoying this so far. I would've loved to put more time into this chapter but I cleaned all weekend and have maybe 2 hours to write. Despite this, I hope you enjoy. I started a community in the Star Fox section dedicated to putting stories in the spotlight and helping others reach their potential. Please visit. Well anyways, here the continuation of On the Rocks. Enjoy~

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Panther Caruso sat a few feet in front of an armchair, Dante circling him, tending to his wounds.

Panther's muzzle let out silent hisses of pain as the antiseptic was applied to his wound. His body gave out an involuntary spasm of pain as the last bandage was applied.

Finally the slightly winded voice of Dante breathed out the words Panther had been begging to hear for the past 30 minutes, "That's all."

"Did you have to take so long?" the feline wasn't able to bite back the venom from his tongue.

"Just want you to be in the best condition, no need to be so harsh." The raccoon was now sitting on the chair.

"Don't tempt me," hissed the panther in retort, the pain still there, but a dull throb, yet still there.

Dante flicked Panther's ear, causing it to twitch involuntary in response. A throaty growl emanated from the feline's being. The raccoon's only response was a light chuckle.

Panther lifted his head, a question entering his mind, speaking it as it came, "You know me, at least you claim to, you ask me to represent you… why?"

"Everybody that's anybody knows what happened with you and Star Wolf, I happened to know it when you came to my pub."

Panther's eyes widened, it was the span of 15 minutes that it took him to reach the pub, how could he possibly know?

Despite every question that surged through the feline's mind, only one managed to escape his lips, "How?"

"One day you'll know Panther, today's not that day," was the simple reply of Dante.

"Why can't you tell me?" replied the panther instantly.

"It's better you not know," came the still calm voice of Dante.

"Then how do I know if I can trust you?" retorted Panther.

"By not knowing why you can't," Dante's voice now with a little bite.

Panther had much more to say, much, much more to say, but he bit back every remark that came to him, every question he needed answered.

'If trust is key, and we don't trust each other, then what will happen when I fight? Will I die?'

"Come on, let's go train downstairs," spoke Dante, leading the way, walking towards a door against a wall on the far side of the room.

Panther used his hand to drag himself to his feet and began to follow. As he came to the door and entered, he was immersed in darkness.

His hands groped along the walls, feeling his way down the stairs as his feet cautiously made their way down.

When he reached the bottom, he felt his heart weighed down by disappointment as he realized there'd be no light.

"Our first training will be to heighten your fighting ability without sight. Considering how unpredictable these competitions have come to be known as, I wouldn't doubt a blackout map," came the smooth, earthen voice of Dante.

"Who will I be fighting Dante?" thought Panther aloud.

"Me," the grin was actually audible in his voice.

Panther's ears pricked as wind passed through his fur, the room most obviously closed completely meant that Dante was on the move.

His hearing caught movement at him, he ducked, feeling the fist meant for him just barely missing him, the wind coursing through his fur.

The feline unleashed an uppercut, barely missing the coarse fur of Dante.

Dante's fist nailed Panther dead center in the chest, sending him stumbling backwards.

He lost his balance and fell, he landed slanted, his balance barely supported by the railing of the staircase.

The ancient rotting wood gave an ominous creak before a loud resounding crack echoed throughout the room, Panther regaining his balance in shock.

The air shifted once more, Panther crossing his arms to block the hit, clamping his arms on the incoming fist. Panther twisted his arms, gripping the wrists of his attacker, flinging him at the wall to his left. Dante's air escaped him as a loud thump representing his connection with the wall echoed.

Panther breathed in through his maw, tasting the distinct flavors of the air. It all tasted moist except for a single bitter, earthy flavor… Dante.

This sense linked to his smell, and he was able to track every movement of the raccoon, without even thinking about it.

His predator instincts kicked in, he got low to the ground, shrinking his form as small as he could make it without impairing his versatility and power.

He closed his eyes, the darkness replaced with what his mind envisioned the basement to be.

Then Panther lunged at Dante, landing perfectly, pinning the raccoon. His feet held down Dante's knees, his hands pinned Dante's shoulders.

Panther humorously began to count down from 3, "3… 2… 1... Ding, ding, and the winner is Panther."

"Okay, we're done Panther. Lights on," he chimed, the grin now becoming visible as the lighting turned on.

The basement was barren, nothing down there except for against the walls. Weapons and flyers and posters were mounted on the walls.

The scariest thing was that there was a small section completely dedicated to Panther. All of his past feats, all of his triumphs, and every bad moment since the day he was born related to him.

Dead center in all of them was a picture, a single picture, of a young raccoon and a young panther standing side by side.

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Yes, yes the plot is thickening Matthew. Well this is all I have for now, oooooo and new record, an hour and a half with revise. This and a few more chapters then I will have a chapter introducing other competitors, and then the actual tourney will be chapters 11-20. This is what I'm planning at least; this is how I plotted it out in my mind. Then there will be the epilogue, don't hold me to my words if the tourney comes late, be happy then, as there will be more story to read. Well anyways, I just wanted to clear up something, and I wanted to vent a little. Remember… REVIEW! That is all.