So when I said I was afraid to write this chapter, I didn't necessarily mean I was scared enough to put it off for two weeks… Apologies, time just got away from me. Plus, I'm taking a creative writing class this semester so I've been having to focus on those, since, you know, they're for a grade. ;)

Anyway, here's the rookie tournament! Hopefully I got the gist of the structure and fighting right. I worked hard on this, I really did. Thank you to all who helped out!

Please fave, follow, and review!

EDIT 2/1: Why didn't anyone point out all the spelling/grammar mistakes to me? ;) Seriously, this chapter was horrendous!

Chapter Thirteen: Ready to Rumble

"You still doing okay there, Red?"

Blinking, I come out of the trance I had been sitting in for the past thirty minutes and look up at Kristoff. He notices my far off look and smiles softly.

"Where did you go?" he asks.

Where did I go? I'm privy to spacing out like this before fights—and even other big events like my speech at high school graduation—but I never seem to remember exactly what happens when I do. It's just like I get sucked in to this black void. Usually, and to most, that might seem frightening, but I've come to realize it's the most peaceful feeling ever. I kind of just drift, like I'm floating through the endless vacuum of space, and all the worries on my mind vanish.

Yeah, it's weird, and maybe I should check with a doctor to make sure this spacing out still falls in the realm of "normal," but I can't deny that I come back feeling immensely calmed.

"I never know," I eventually tell him.

"Was Elsa there?" he questions with a grin.

I match his grin softly and look back down at the floor.

"I don't know," I respond. "If she was, everything was okay between us again."

"Well, maybe that's a sign that everything will be okay," Kristoff adds. "Maybe these space outs are a kind of premonition; that's why you always come back subdued and refreshed: you know everything's gonna be okay."

"That's some deep shit, Kristoff, coming from you," I quip.

He shoves me and we share a quick laugh before he hands me my water bottle.

"Already?" I ask.

He nods. "You're next, kiddo. The match out there is in its third round and the dude is getting absolutely demolished."

Chuckling, I look up at the television screen to indeed find just that. Since boys and girls can't box against each other, every other round switches genders. Three matches in and there had been one match between girls and two matches between boys. I would be making up the second match of girls. Obviously, you moved on up to fight your own gender, so there were technically eight rounds for each sex—sixteen matches all together—and two winners: one male and one female.

I had every intention on being the winner on the girl's side.

Had I not spaced out, I probably should have spent my time observing the other fights, especially the other one between girls, in order to get a feel for further competition. Now, I was basically going in blind, but it's not like I had never done that before anyway.

And besides, this was a rookie tournament; and if the match happening right now was anything to go by, I was in good shape. This poor blonde-haired kid is getting completely destroyed by his competitor.

Suddenly I'm thankful for gender barriers.

The bell dings as Blondie crumples and the referee holds up this big, raven-haired boy's arm in the air, declaring him the victor. I hear the crowd erupt into cheers from outside and know I'm seconds away from my big moment.

"Up next," the announcer speaks up as the two boys are ushered—and in Blondie's case, helped—out of the ring, "for the girls, Aurora Rose and Anna Summers!"

I feel the weight of Kristoff's hand on my shoulder and I swallow an unbidden knot in my throat. Tightening my gloves for the final time, I make to stand up. I can feel everyone's eyes on me as Kristoff and I approach the doors that lead to the arena. Glancing at several, they either nod or quirk a smile, I suppose sending their own form of encouragement, and perhaps hoping they'll see me on the other side.

A security guard opens the doors for us and I'm immediately blinded by all the camera flashes going off as I take one step from the locker room. Keeping my eyes on the floor to avoid being blinded, I follow the path up to the ring.

My heart is beating a mile a minute at this point, and I'm only vaguely aware that the announcer is introducing Aurora and me. Apparently this Aurora chick is all the way from Nebraska.

Weird.

"Also introducing Anna Summers of Louisville, Kentucky!" the announcer moves on to say.

A roar of cheers rushes to my ears and I look beyond the lights of the ring to audience. They're…clapping, and cheering… All for me?

I turn to look at Kristoff who is smiling smugly as camera flashes continue going off all around us.

"Are they applauding for me?" I ask.

"Well, you are Anna Summers, right?" he asks with a grin. "Be kinda awkward if you weren't. Anna Summers is the only boxer I know."

As he watches me continue to take in the sights and sounds around me, he quirks his head curiously.

"People have cheered you on before, you know," he says.

"Yeah, but never…at this scale," I reply, surprised he can actually hear me over the rumble of the arena. "I just can't get over it."

"Well, you better, seeing as the fight's about to start."

Shit! He's right. Come on, Anna you're used to this kind of setting; you've competed in countless tournaments before, and while they may not have been of this caliber, if you continue thinking like this, it's gonna distract you from the main thing: the fight!

Letting out a slow breath, I level my eyes on my opponent on the opposite side of the ring. I find some relief in the fact that Aurora seems even more nervous than me. An older lady is busy consoling her from outside the ring while a younger man more her age seems to be helping her stretch.

"I can do this," I mumble.

Looking around once more, I see a countless number of cameras being manned from up in the rafters. Knowing Elsa is watching at this moment from one of those lenses, I smile—which I hope comes off confidently and not terrified—and give a subtle nod of my head.

"I can do this."

A bell dings again and I spin to face Aurora from my designated corner. Both glancing from each other to the ref in the center, we wait for his signal.

Then, a whistle blows, he raises his hand, and the crowd cries out. Match one: begin.

I let out a final breath before I approach the center of the ring slowly, observing my opponent the entire time. Aurora begins to circle me and I know we're still testing the waters, trying to get a feel for each other.

I've never been very good with patience, not to mention my nerves on fire simply want this match over with, so I find myself lunging towards Aurora sooner than I probably should have. I lash out with a quick jab which she blocks—although I note she did seem startled by my speed, which I store for later—before I'm backing up quickly to shield myself.

Soon, I'm completely unaware to what's going on outside the ring. The audience dissipates into the blackness of the arena, and their cheers and applause are drowned out by the thump of my heart. All I know is that it's me and Aurora in this ring, and I'm only vaguely aware of the ref keeping a careful eye on us.

Aurora moves first next, but I easily block her punch; I honestly saw it coming a mile away. Her footwork is sloppy and my confidence is slowly on the rise. Smirking somewhat, I approach again, feinting a jab to her shoulder which she raises her fists to block, but then at the last second I slide to the side, duck, and land a hard punch to her side. She's immediately doubling over and I let out a squeal inside my head.

I hit her!

It's all downhill for Aurora from then on. Fifteen minutes later and the referee is hefting my arm in the air, declaring me the winner as Aurora looks on dejectedly from her corner, her male companion holding an ice pack to her busted lip.

"You did it, Anna!" Kristoff yells in elation, lifting me into the air when I reach him. "You won!"

I'm almost too speechless to speak, so instead I simply laugh as he spins me around, basking in the joy and thrill of it all for the time being. I know I have a lot more ahead of me, but for right now, I'm perfectly content with what I've just accomplished.

The fact the Elsa isn't here to join in the celebration doesn't even cross my mind during my high.

XxXxX

"Well, folks," the announcer calls for everyone's attention, "the boy's winner has been decided! Let's all give a round of applause for this year's rookie male Champion, Simba Pride!"

I hear the crowd break out into shouts, whistles and cheers once more and I divert my attention from Kristoff, who's busy wrapping my leg in a bandage, to the television once again.

"Can you walk, Red?" he asks once he's finished.

Standing up tentatively, I test out my left ankle. I had sprained it slightly in my second match after jumping back to avoid being hit and landing awkwardly. It's throbbing a little as I bounce lightly back and forth on my feet, but I know once I'm out there again, the adrenaline will take over and I won't even feel it.

"Yup, I'm good," I tell him. "Can barely feel it."

"Well, just make sure you ice it later tonight," he says. "God only know how sore it's going to be after this last match."

"Jasmine…Agrabah, right?" I ask, looking to the small picture now beside my name on the bracket.

Kristoff nods behind me and adds, "She looks pretty tough. She's fast like you, and maybe even faster, seeing as her first two opponents only managed to land three hits on her combined."

"That's just 'cause she hasn't fought me yet," I chuckle. "I'll hit her. I'll make sure I do."

"Just be careful, okay, Anna?" I shoot him a look, but he grasps my wrist and squeezes it gently, expressing his concern. "I know neither of us want to admit it, but that last match hurt you a lot. Your ankle, probably a couple of your ribs, not to mention your right eye is beginning to swell. You can see, right?"

Come to mention it, my right eye was watering quite a bit, but I wasn't about to say anything for fear Kristoff would make me throw in the towel. He had always been too concerned for my safety whenever I fought, and while I appreciated it immensely, boxing was a rough sport. It was expected to get beat up in a tournament. That didn't mean I could just back down the first injury I got. I wouldn't get anywhere that way.

"I've fought through worse," I tell him with a shrug. "Besides," I grin, "who are you to tell me to be careful, Mr Ice Hockey?"

He rolls his eyes and laughs. "At least in hockey we're padded up pretty tight. You're half-naked."

I blush scarlet. "I am not!" I cry indignantly. "This is how you dress in the sport, pervert!"

"Whatever," he chuckles. "Doesn't mean I can't worry."

A horn sounds, the very same one they used before the boys' finale, and I know my break is up. This is the fight to decide it all. And, despite the hell Kristoff says I look like, I feel one hundred percent ready.

Three rounds in and I don't really feel like it anymore…

"Come on, Anna!" I hear Kristoff call from my corner outside the ring. "You got this!"

I'm on one knee as I wipe some blood from my lip, feeling some of it reach my tongue through my mouth guard. Grimacing, I have no chance but to swallow, the metallic taste almost bitter as it goes down.

Jasmine and I are currently neck and neck with each other, although since I'm the one halfway down at the moment, she has the current upper hand. I don't let that deter me though, as I have found through experience that I fight even better when backed into a figurative corner.

I had known the minute I stepped onto the ring and saw Jasmine standing in her corner that this match would be tough. She was a dark-skinned, extremely fit girl, probably older than me, but younger than Elsa. Her jet-black hair was tied back in a thick braid and the glint in her eyes as we observed each other told me she was a hell of a fighter. The muscles in my body now currently screaming out in pain affirmed that.

Still, I held my ground, got in hits when I could, and defended myself to the best of my ability. She had won the first round, but I came roaring back with a quick KO in the second.

Standing back on two feet, I waver for a moment before steadying myself. My gaze is a bit hazy as I try and focus on the girl before me, who is waiting for me to get up, bouncing on the balls of her feet, fists raised, eyes blazing. The good news, however, is that I can see a bruise beginning to form on one of her arms, so I know her moves are going to be hindered at least somewhat from here on out.

I shake my head so my braids are back behind me and wipe my lip once more. I'm ready again.

Circling each other once more, I glance to Kristoff outside the ring and with a blink, suddenly Elsa is there beside him. My eyes widen imperceptibly when I see her, and I know all the hits I've taken are sure to be the culprit. Still, she doesn't disappear with several more blinks and I begin to think that maybe I've already lost the fight and am currently unconscious.

Thankfully, Jasmine snaps me out of it as she jumps forward, swinging for my chest. I jump back just in time, but my eyes travel back to my corner instead of her. Elsa's still there. Her eyes are hardened as they watch me, but I can see a soft smile on her face as she nods.

Gulping, I nod quickly back. With another blink, she disappears and I come back to the fight.

I don't know what the hell that just was, but now I know for certain that Elsa has been watching me since the beginning. She's rooting for me and I can't let her down.

This win is for Elsa.

With a cry, I charge towards Jasmine hoping to look completely unorganized to make her think I've lost it. Luckily, my distraction works as her eyes widen at my approach and she raises her fists to block her face, what I appear to be going for.

Then, just like with Aurora, I slide to the right, duck and jab, and Jasmine stumbles as I land another hit to her side. I don't let up there though, bouncing back briefly, I send out a swift, quick combo Elsa taught me, missing the first punch on accident, but landing the second on her opposite side. Smiling through my mouth guard, I think to myself that I have just taken the upper hand. Jasmine stands back up grimacing, and I can see the exhaustion in her eyes. Mine are still ablaze with energy though, renewed with vigor from the apparition of Elsa.

I circle Jasmine quickly now, looking for a good spot for a hard, final hit. She tries to keep up with me, eyes carefully trained on my fists, but I'm hoping with some speed I've been holding onto, I can win this here and now.

This time feinting for her sides, she reaches down to block, giving me the perfect opportunity to go in with my left and land a punch to her shoulder. She falls to the ground, and after seconds of failing to get up, the whistle blows.

I lower my hands and they fall heavily to my side. I've just done it. My first tournament and I've won. People are getting to their feet in their seats applauding me for a job well done, and congratulating Jasmine on a hard-fought fight. Flashes continue to go off around me, yet the only thing I can focus on is the new apparition of Elsa in front of me, grinning broadly and eyes swimming with pride. I smile back for only a second, before my legs give out and I'm crumbling to the floor.

Luckily, Kristoff is there to catch me, and he helps me remain standing as the announcer comes to the center of the ring with a medal, certificate, and a check.

Standing before me, he beams as he hangs the medal around my neck, hands the certificate to Kristoff, and hands me the other end of the overly-large check—which, I notice with a big grin, is written out to me for five hundred fucking dollars. Kristoff and I are grinning like idiots as we wave to the crowd. I can just barely hear the announcer congratulating me as well as the judges as they come up into the ring as well. As if on autopilot, or like some kind of robot, I routinely shake each other their hands, smiling and nodding, giving my thanks where appropriate.

I'm aware of all of this, but the entire time there's this loud, incessant buzzing in my ears and I can feel my heart beating more than I probably should. I would be alarmed by my body acting like this, but it happened once before so I know what's coming. Heading back into the locker room, I lean on Kristoff.

"Kris," I rasp, "I'm about to faint."

And then I do.

XxXxX

I come to an hour later to find a now empty locker room. Lifting myself from one of the benches, I see I have been resting on a pile of fresh towels. Despite how uncomfortable that may sound, it had felt like a bunch of fluffy clouds in my unconscious state.

"Kristoff?"

The pounding of footsteps alerts me to the blond's presence before I actually see him. He rounds a row of lockers and sighs when he sees I'm awake and alert.

"You okay?" he asks.

"I told you I would be," I tell him smartly.

He rolls his eyes. "Says the girl who just fainted."

"After winning a fucking boxing tournament," I add on. "That's worth mentioning, is it not?"

He shrugs as if my recent feat was nothing and I throw a towel at him in response. Laughing, he approaches to help me up.

"Come on," he says, "somebody wants to talk to you, and the cleanup guys would like to start their job."

Raising an eyebrow at him curiously, I allow him to help me out. Grabbing my duffel bag and passing a few more guards—who, I note with a grin, nod and smile at me and my medal as we pass—Kristoff and I make our way to the lobby, where this mysterious person wants to talk to me.

"You have any idea what this is about?" I ask as we take the escalator down to the main level.

"Not a clue," Kristoff says with a shake of his head, although I don't fail to notice the grin on his face and know instantly he's lying.

I choose not to press him though as we reach the lobby and I recognize the announcer standing with some man I've never seen waiting by the entrance.

"Who's that?" I whisper to Kristoff.

"Go find out yourself."

Pushing me forward, the announcer and the other man turn to face me, both with pleasant smiles on their faces.

"Ah, Ms Summers, right?" the unknown man questions.

I nod, beginning to wonder if I'm in trouble. Did I do something illegal?

"Am I in trouble?" I ask before even thinking.

I see both men break into laughter, and I breathe a sigh of relief, yet feel overcome with embarrassment. Of course I didn't do anything illegal. I wouldn't have won if I had, and even then, I'd probably be talking to cops right now, not these two.

"Of course not, my dear girl," the same man tells me. "I simply have a proposition for you."

"Okay?" I say, and for reason it comes out sounding more like a question.

"I was present for the entire tournament tonight and saw how well you handled yourself out there," he begins. "You're well pass rookie material, and I believe you could do well at a higher level."

He pauses and gives me a chance to put two and two together, but perhaps because of my recent fainting spell, my brain isn't working its best at the moment.

"Meaning?" I ask. "I'm sorry, but I'm not following."

"Of course not," the announcer cuts in. "You just participated in three fights and won all of them. You're beaten up, sore, and your friend tells us you fainted?"

"I'm fine now, though!" I tell them. "Honestly, I do it all the time!"

The two men glance at each other and I hear Kristoff sigh behind me.

Okay, so maybe that was a stupid thing to say. Now they're going to think I'm ill or something.

"Well, here's hoping you won't next month," the man says with a sly smile.

Next month? What's next month…?

No. Way. I blink repeatedly as my brain finally catches up.

"You want me to fight in the actual tournament?" I ask. "Like, the one for real boxers and not rookies?"

"I think after tonight, you've proven you're a real boxer, Anna," the man tells me kindly. "It would be an honor to have you participate."

"You really think I'm good enough?" I'm still having a hard time believing this isn't some kind of set up.

"Well, you do have a month to prepare," the announcer says, "but yes; we think you have what it takes. And when you hear something like that from the commissioner, you know it's true."

"The commissioner?" I balk.

The other man grins. "Yes, ma'am. David Roth," he introduces, holding out a hand to me. "It's an honor to meet you, Anna."

"T-The pleasure is all mine, s-sir," I mumble, shaking his proffered hand. "I've been wanting to compete in the tournaments here since I was in middle school back in Kentucky."

"And here you are," he says with another smile.

"Here I am," I repeat.

"Well, then, I look forward to your next fight, Anna," David tells me. "I'll be rooting for you."

"And I as well," the announcer winks at me before following the commissioner out the doors.

I stand there in silence for a minute before spinning to face Kristoff. From the way he starts laughing at me, I'm sure I must look completely stupid, my mouth hanging open in shock and eyes wide as a UFO.

"Did that really just happen?" I ask.

"Yup," he nods. "You're not still unconscious, Red. You were just invited to compete in the tournament. The announcer came to see me as soon as we entered the locker room, but after seeing you had fainted, he just chuckled and said to find him when you came to. He told me what the commissioner was going to say, but I wanted you to hear it from him firsthand."

"But… I don't…" I couldn't form a competent sentence to save my life.

"Don't faint again, please," Kristoff jokes.

I send him a weak glare before we turn to exit the arena ourselves. We have to be the last people here now; it is going on midnight after all.

On our way back to the subway, I stop, concentrating on the sidewalk immediately beneath me. Kristoff turns once he notices I'm no longer beside him.

"Anna?"

I fix him with a hard stare as my hands clench back into fists.

"Now I definitely need to fix things with Elsa."

Oh, and for any of you who are curious...This story is far from over! We still have the entire storyline of Elsa, don't we? So, prepare yourselves for more fights (boxing or otherwise!), fluff, angst, and time with our favorite girls! I still have much planned for them. ;)