Fight night
Blade had managed to get the location through the conversation or at least she hoped she had understood that Cousin correctly. Now she was in some side street bordering a landfill. "I hope they are still here… man… what a drag…" She sighed, but still, she had that tingly happy feeling in her stomach.
"Why are you doing this?" Dusk rose from a shadow close by. "You're not going back to Cloud Tower after this, are you?"
"No, still have to find a way for the fifty thousand Maggi," Blade reached out with her hand. "Whisper of creation…"
"Foolish. Even that with your father... You can't expect this to work out all the time. There is a limit to how many jobs one can give away," Dusk scolded her. "Will you gift him the money as well? As a Witch, you would never survive. You know that?"
"Yes, there is a limit. But not everyone asks for jobs. Besides, don't you think he has suffered enough?" Blade asked back as she flew over the fence.
Dusk followed her, "Sure, but that doesn't excuse theft."
"It doesn't," Blade agreed, "But Lilly needs her father at least for whatever time she has left. And I am sure he will learn from this. Besides have you read some bills? He's just a normal guy having a hard time. A bit of empathy never hurt." She used a stick to pull away some bags. "Uuuh, yuck…"
"You can't fix the world. How will you even get the money? If he loses that kid, he'll crash hard and then he'll be nothing but trouble for your father and your reputation," Dusk used some shadow to claw into the garbage bags and pulled.
"Hey! Watch it!" Blade jumped to the side. There it was the black sports bag. "You should have some faith in people. If he makes new friends and colleagues he might have a network that can catch him if things go south."
"Still, fifty thousand Maggi. You don't have that money lying around, now do you? And don't even think about asking me. Griffin explained to me very early that using my state funds for Witch missions is off-limits. One person cannot feed the world," Dusk seemed really bothered by Blade's approach.
Blade smirked and shook her head, "Good thing, that the world consists of more than one person."
"But, what? You! Urrgh…doesn't work that way…" Dusk was flustered.
"True. But, it should," Blade laughed as she opened the bag as held her nose the stench was horrible. "Great, goose chase over…" She closed it up and reluctantly was about to put it on her back.
"Eww, no, I won't follow a stinking Witch," Dusk waved her hands and with a few dark sparks, the bag smelled and looked brand new.
"Thanks, now let's go back to headquarters…" Blade jumped the fence and they made their way back. This time around they came through the back door though and Dusk vanished into the shadows again. And indeed, it was spotless and still some bubbles on the floor apparently, he was wiping at the moment.
"Here we go," Blade dropped the bag on the sofa. "Looks good."
"Feels good," The man answered.
"Lilly?" Blade asked concerned.
"Still fast asleep," he smiled. "So… you got yours, I got mine." He sighed troubled.
"Got it? Did you get the money already? Found a friend to lend you some?" Blade asked surprised.
The father laughed. His first laughter all day, "No, but I couldn't possibly ask a kid for so much. You did enough."
Blade chuckled, "I can do more…somehow…" Blade sat down and relaxed. 'But how…'
"You can't possibly get so much money… When do you need to be back? Your parents must be worried sick," he sat down as well.
"I update them regularly. Not to worry. But how does one make a lot of money fast…" Blade spoke the one question out loud. "And don't say robbing…"
"Well, certain jobs pay well, but no way I will let you get deal with that crowd!" The man protested. "Really I'll somehow manage…"
Blade looked at him. He had no idea and Dusk's warning was still lingering in her head. "William?"
"What? Want to get some money they confiscated from some gangs? Even the ultimatum is a far reach of law…" They stared at each other for a few minutes.
Blade tipped into her chat asking Memphis, hypothetically, of course, he was a sly fox after all and a well of ideas. 'Maybe if everyone gives a bit… still…what do I do next time… If Griffin finds out I'll be hanged for sure…' Her bracelet buzzed. "That's it!"
"What?!" The man was startled half to death.
"Gambling, we can use some of the gems as base capital," Blade smirked.
"Gambling? Are you nuts? We could lose it all or get more into debt. Besides, it's gambling! You're a child. Your father would kill me if he finds out. No, no way. It's up to chance and way too toxic," he truly got riled up.
Blade couldn't disagree, "Yes. But I am a good fighter. We can bet on sure things. Or well better things. That's just like training and I am getting paid. Besides I don't normally need so much money it's a one-time off. Unless you have a better idea? When does the ultimatum run out?" Blade asked quickly.
"Monday morning," The guy shook his head, "You can't fight that much. No way… who would even pay you to?"
"There is one bar I know at least, "I can ask my friend for other locations…"
"This is crazy…" the father was doubting everything.
"Hey, I am supposed to fight monsters and dragons once I'm done. A few brawls won't hurt me…" Blade calmed the father down.
Memphis waited for the two girls at some sportsfield everything was run down in this area. "There you are! How is my favourite Sorceress?"
"Sorc-" Blade wanted to correct him and then noticed, "Ha. Got me there. So, what are we doing here?"
Dusk rose from her shadow, "It's the entrance to the black market…how does a glamour boy like you know though?" She squinted her eyes.
"Ahh, you can never have enough intel sources…" Memphis chuckled. "Besides once you know the mark it's somewhat easy to find." He pulled out a cloak to hide his uniform and ran straight into a wall with graffiti on it.
"Watch…eh…" Blade watched as he vanished inside the wall. "Ooohh… that kinda spell..."
"Stop standing around like a tourist and move it," Dusk pushed Blade through.
It was a lively place. Many hagglers and a few preying eyes for pockets. Even food stands here and there. Most impressive though was the amount of magic that blew into Blade's face. Everywhere were glamour charms and illusion spells. It was a bit overwhelming at first.
"Don't just stand and stare there. You'll get robbed," Memphis glared at a cat sneaking up to the three. "Shoo." Annoyed the cat hissed and ran away.
"That way…" Dusk took the lead Memphis the back. They stopped at a little store and entered through the curtains closing it up.
Blade felt that there also was a barrier of some sort. Inside was no customer so far.
"How can I be of service? …new blood…" An old woman with one diamond eye that had some runes inscribed puffed smoke from a pipe towards the group. "Looking for something…" She stared Blade down and inspected her closely.
"Business," Blade stepped forward.
"Business is good. What kind?" The old Lady grinned. "Protection talisman perhaps?"
Blade shook her head, "No, money. I want-"
"Ha! Go to a bank deary," The woman kind of lost her interest already.
"I need twenty thousand Maggi, this is collateral. I'll pay it back before Monday," Blade put the bag on the counter. "It's more than enough."
"Hmmm…" the old Lady glanced up as a man with purple hair entered the store as well, directly browsing some wares at the far corner. She opened the zipper slightly and spied inside the bag. "Ooooh, that's rather hot stuff. I give you ten."
"Ten? It's easy thirty I already went down from the start," Blade protested.
"Yes, and if you had stated anything higher I would have thrown you out straight away… Ten," She pushed the bag to Blade. "And I give no names."
Blade growled, "Stinchy…"
"I run a business and not a rescue shelter. You are a first-timer and it's a big sum. Take it or leave it," She crossed her arms. She knew she had the upper hand. She was reading Blade and the others like a book.
"Ten? You'll never…" Dusk shook her head. "This is a disaster…"
"Fine. Ten," Blade pushed the bag towards the old woman again. "No names, the money, and every little piece still in there not a single one missing, replaced or altered."
"Of course," The woman took the bag and snapped her fingers it vanished and the money appeared on the counter. "Have a nice day… How can I help you, Sir?"
"Oh, I was just wondering do you have any Red Jade," The guy passed the group by.
'Isn't that…the… what's his name…?' Blade knew him he had been on Phere-Moan with Birdy and the others.
Memphis went pale as he walked out of the store like a robot. And Dusk rushed out after him.
"Well, Red Jade is rare and in high demand, how much do you need and till when?" The woman giggled amused.
Blade stopped in front of the door.
"All you can get…" Riven answered the old Lady, putting a bunch of rolled-up Maggi on the counter.
"Hmmm… Well, on Monday I'll have some for you. I am sure…" She glanced behind him at Blade.
"Sure, you don't have any, right now?" Riven asked intimidatingly and glanced back to the redhead.
"Very sure." The old woman was unphased and watched as Blade suddenly got pulled through by a hand reaching out.
The group had run out of there into the streets and into the alleys. "Will you stop? What's wrong Memphis?"
His phone was buzzing, "Nothing… that was a bounty hunter." He pressed the call away. "You need to hurry it up." He was about to run away again.
"Hurry it up? Hey," Blade held him back. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'll get him off your tail. Just do what you have to do…for… well, better I don't know. Just hurry. You have a set end goal, right? This is not the I simply want to be a billionaire stuff?" Memphis asked quickly as he searched the streets for some sign.
"Yes. We need-" Blade got hushed by Memphis.
"Don't wanna know. But if that's the case. Go to the bar ask for a Drop-dead and name your goal and use all the money to show you are serious about it," He took the energy crystal out of his phone.
"Okay?" Blade got a bit nervous herself.
"Oh, and here, use that to scramble your data," He pointed at her bracelet. "Don't want the cavalry to storm in now, do you?" He smirked, "You owe me for this. Sorceress. Oh, and under no circumstance lose," He jumped from wall to wall up onto a roof and off he was.
Blade turned the little button in her hands. It was a magnetic mini-computer of some sort.
"What was that? Is he really a Specialist?" Dusk was so confused and vanished back into her shadow.
"He is the leader of chaos squad and unconventional," Blade shook her head and they rushed away. 'What the heck is going on, though? Were we tracked? Was he tracked? Damn it, we're so close.' Blade and Dusk ran a bit further away. Blade sat down on a rooftop in a good hiding spot. Dusk was on the lookout. She had inspected the mini gadget from Memphis. It was to misplace her GPS signal and could loop vitals and stats. Since she already had one tail, Dusk, and Memphis or her another one she wanted to set it up before she left for the bar. She decided on a nice calming loop so no one would even think of looking for her. The worst thing would be that her vitals would spike drastically and that video option would be activated. The Professors had set it up in a way that only in true emergencies it would record after the test run with the Halucinga incident. So, with slight spikes, she more or less would only get a call to not distract her too much in a fight. And if something was really wrong it would be with video feet. They had done so mostly because of privacy reasons, but also because it cost a lot of battery and was on a prolonged mission that would drain the bracelet too fast. So, after she had meditated for a few minutes she clicked the mini-computer onto her bracelet and looped that feed. Ready to move to the gambling part of her mission Blade rose again and made her way to the bar with Dusk.
Blade was standing in the office down below in the bar's cellar. Dusk in her shadow and a mean bulky guy on a velvet red couch while the rest of the room was kinda utter shit.
"So, and you want a dead-drop… you?" The fat mobster eyed the redhead closely.
"Bitch fights do sell well…" his accountant commented.
The boss, Lobster Mobster, nodded, "But I have never seen you fight."
"Yes, you did," Blade grinned and laid a glamour on herself yet again. This time it was her normal appearance though. 'Bitch fights? Wonderful… as if I am some bunny one can call and I jump in their bed…'
"No way, Dreadlock girl? You're a Witch? ..." He seemed in thought. 'Wait, last time she was here in her street clothes and looked the same. Could it be she is using a double glamour…hmmm…well, either way, I'll have a fairy or a hot Witch fighting for me…' He smirked, "I liked that match. Where were you hiding all this time?" Lobster relaxed. "Is it smart though to run around with that face of the hearing Fairy, back then nobody cared?"
"Ah, well, why change greatly now? No one will truly believe a Fairy would come here," Blade dismissed the notion. 'Just need to get the money for Lilly. You can do this Blade, damn it if time wouldn't be running out.'
"Hm, true… we have weirder costumes here," Lobster Mobster chuckled. "So, where were you hiding?" He squinted his eyes. 'Maybe she is a Witch…hmmm… That spell of hers was dark magic. Could be a talisman or something though… ah, who cares. Bitch fights do sell well. I'll always could say, I knew nothing.'
"And my free time belongs to me and no one else." Blade averted the question, "Dead-drop. Sixty thousand. Here are the first ten," Blade placed the bundles on the table. "Deal or no deal?"
"Sixty thousand…" Lobster whistled. "You barely made the first duel…back then…"
The accountant stood up and collected the bundles to count. "If it's all there who are we to stop her."
"True… fine, I like your spark. Rules as always, you fight, no breaks in between only the time needed to get the next match ready. All this, till your partial earnings off all bets get to the sixty thousand. But since it's a new season you gonna start low. So, the good fights come later. You still have to prove your mettle, kid. I don't invest such money into no-names. I hope you brought more time." He crossed his arms.
'Fight, no breaks? Drop-dead… oh, man I thought this would be one all-out fight…no time like today…' Blade didn't like those conditions too much. Yet they were her one chance to gain that much money in one night. She nodded, "Just have the money ready and enough people to fight."
"Great! Steffy will show you to your locker room. Warm-up. First matches start in about two hours. Oh, and no direct attack spells or weapons, but you should know those rules already. Crowd doesn't like that." He smirked widely.
"Yes, yes, supposed to look like a fistfight," Blade breathed out. "Wait, does that mean people use illusions or body enchantment?"
"Ha! You catch on quickly. But you need to get to that tier first. But don't be surprised to see some magic at some point. If the crowd doesn't mind, you're fine. To business!" He raised his beer mug.
"To business…" Blade was guided out of the office. 'How many fights will I have to win though? Oh man… so screwed.' Somehow, that feeling was familiar. And the decrepit hallways were a bad reminder. 'Last time I was half drunk…' It had been a fun night but Big M had been a real threat.
"Hey there, Dreadlock!" Steffy waved to greet her. "Never thought to see you back here."
Blade blushed, "You remember me?"
"Remember? Of course, a little girl taking Big M on. Can't wait for your rematch. If you get that far. I hope you took your time and trained. sixty will take you quite a while…" Steffy laughed, "You got into big trouble? No better way to solve this? Not to judge, but why would you need so much?"
"Gotta help a Friend," Blade stated as she gazed at her locker room.
"Ahh, the desperate… well, warm up, change. Drinks on the house anything else you need?" Steffy eyed her.
"Some food is great. Bananas? And normal, REAL water…" Blade stated explicitly.
"Gotcha, show those showboats, I'm betting on you," Steffy closed the door behind her.
Dusk came out of her hiding, "You're crazy. That will take all night and if you drop… dead… before you reach the goal it will all be over and the money will be gone." She crossed her arms. "Why go so far?"
"Well, if it were your kid or your sister… wouldn't you wish…" Blade asked her as she checked the mini-computer once more. All was good and she was sure to be able to protect it from falling off or being ripped off in the fights there were no edges or something where she could get caught on in the ring.
"Yes, but the odds of someone as crazy as you coming along are like… You can't help everyone!" Dusk rolled her eyes.
"Yes, but I can help those I meet. I don't need to change the world. Just the world around me is enough. And what's to lose for me, basically nothing. One grade. So, what?" Blade checked her outfit, street clothes. "Just bet for me in the early matches and against in the later ones, that way I'm faster done."
"And I lose a lot of money… no way!" Dusk protested.
Blade laughed so hard, "Ha, you believe in me? What a surprise."
"Noooo," Dusk stomped her foot, "I just hate wasting my money…"
"Sure…" Blade giggled and meditated for a bit to calm her nerves, "Think I should use a different glamour for a better outfit? Something cool maybe? Full plate Armor? A cape?"
Dusk shook her head, "What was your stage name again? There are ways to get more money, but I'm not sure we should… But if we don't, you have to fight longer. If you fall all was for nothing…" Dusk looked a bit worried.
"You mean, I should use the glamour to look like, well, a…hmmm…" Blade didn't feel all to well with that thought.
"It's not that I think it's a smart idea, well it is and isn't… it will get us, you, the cash faster, but quite frankly I wouldn't even be seen dead in such an outfit," Dusk bit her nails.
"I get your draft. I rather wouldn't. We should go with something…ah, shit, last time we were here max bet was eh… five hundred or something like that? And we only get a small portion of that. I think there will eb more this time around if I understood them correctly."
"You're kidding?" Dusk shook her head, "This is insane."
"I am allowed to keep 'tips', they are added to the total sum in full as well," Blade sat down on the bench and stretched.
"Sure, because you can get that much in tips…" Dusk crossed her arms.
"Well not in this punk get up," Blade bit her lip. "Maybe we should go for something well. Sexy? That will get us a grant at least."
"Blade, if you're not sure you can make this without, you shouldn't. You tried. We should just call it off now and leave," Dusk didn't like that idea either though.
"And then Lilly loses her father or dies? Or he dies or, or…" Blade folded her hands above her head. "I can win and fight for sure! I'm just not sure for how long… I need all the buffer I can get."
"Are you sure…" Dusk asked once more. "I shouldn't have mentioned it…"
"Well, what other choice do I have? You are right, I can't use my Uncles money to help everyone. I need to find a good way for the future as well. Is every mission so expensive?" Blade asked a bit out of it.
"Heck no!" Dusk thought about it. "Maybe a few thousand at best. Only gets expensive if you have to travel off-world."
"Okay. So, today drop-dead, special version outfit. And otherwise, I'll use something else." Blade stared at Dusk, who nodded slightly in agreement. They both were a bit out of their depths, "Shit. If I meet my match too early I'm screwed and we won't get the jewellery back. All for Lilly. It will be fine. I can do this. It's just glamour. It's just a glamour…" Blade breathed out tensely.
"Right, just a glamour, not that that matters to the spectators… Let me do it, that way you can concentrate fully on fighting. I'll make sure you're fine. If someone is uhm, touchy… Make sure to not take any drinks, besides from Steffy or me, understood?"
A bit later Blade was ready. Dusk had discussed her looks for the ring. To make 'the Dreadlock' more impressive and sexed up for the dead-drop. After all, they wanted cash fast, as fast as possible. Shorts so short they could pass as panty and a very revealing sports top with cut-outs in all the right places. Some high heels, which was the most confusing part, since Blade most certainly used her sneakers for the fight even if it was portrayed differently. And to top it off all in glittering black. Blade stared at her reflection. 'If anyone finds out I'll have detention for life, no I get thrown out of school. No worse… a weird sit down as if I didn't know this is bonkers! Ahhh, what am I doing…' Although it was just an illusion Blade wanted to pull down the short but that of course didn't work. 'All for Lilly. I'm fighting for what is right. I want nothing more. Just one night like this…how bad can this possibly get? Chill Blade, Lilly is counting on you.' Blade breathed out and calmed herself down. Her sole focus was Lilly.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Welcome to Fight-" The Promoter from last time in his flashy glittering outfit was already on it. It was a tough crowd so early on. Not more than thirty people.
"Night!" The crowd answered the promoter's call. It was just about six o'clock.
"I can't hear you… WELCOME TO FIGHT-" he tried to get some spirit out of them.
"NIGHT!" the Crowd got a bit more riled up.
Blade stood in the dark hallway on the one side, where Big M had been last time. A ramp led up to the cage.
"We brought you something juicy, something …sexy… Something to Drop. You. Dead." The crowd roared. "Yes…yes… you know what this means…" the guy spun his mike cord.
"Drop-dead. Drop-dead. DROP-DEAD. DROP-DEAD!" All those youngsters and old regulars were whistling and shouting like a war hymn and in an ever louder growing outcry the crowd got hyped up.
"And tonight's challenger is no other than. Yours truly. The shadow from the night, who had blown us away in HER debut. A crushing victory. The gnome that made the GIANT FALL! And yes, you heard correctly, SHE is sexy," the promoter winked his eye at some dudes. "She is fearsome!" He roared. "And she won't back down, TILL SHE-"
"DROPS DEAD!"
"YEAH! Call your friends, your boss-" He joked around. "Your neighbours, your granny. Because this night will be a climb to the top! Give a warm welcome to our DREADLOCK!"
'What the hell was that for an introduction?! Crying out loud… ah focus,' Blade infused some magic into her lungs and stormed up the ramp and gave a thundering war cry, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" She hopped around in the fenced cage. That part was just like in Red Fountain, she was used to all the cheering, normally at least, but she got a different vibe here altogether, 'Was it this weird last time? This is sooo stupid… Why is this working this well? … Dusk… I think we overdid it a bit…' Blade felt awkward, the staring eyes to size her up. She could swear some were trying to see even deeper than her pants revealed. 'So gross…' But there was no more time to change things now. At least from this reaction, their plan would work out and they would get the money quicker. 'Lilly, just hang tight.'
"Dreadlock!" "YEAH!" "BE MY GIRLFRIEND!" Shouts, whistles, flying beer splashes.
"And in the opposing corner, LORD ANGEL! Now let's start this fucking party!" The loud roar yet rose againb from the crowd.
'Wait, what?' Blade turned she already feared her Professor was about to end it all before it would begin and save her. But instead, she found a slightly tipsy young teen in front of her with some weird feather stuff patched to his back. "Oh, come on…" Blade couldn't believe it. "Can he even fight?" Blade asked the promotor very confused.
"He entered," the promoter shrugged. "Now, now, time is Maggi."
"Right," Blade breathed out and concentrated. She couldn't underestimate anyone.
"HUUUUAAAAA!" The guy first made some weird stances swirling his arms around and then stormed at her like a headless chicken, "I win, I GET A KISS! FOR LOVE!"
Blade sidestepped and the dude ran straight into the cage bars, "In your dreams." Blade chopped down on his shoulder and knocked him straight out. She shook her head. 'What the heck was that…did he just enter to get his tongue into my throat?! Yuck…' Blade was frowning before she remembered to smile and make a pretty face.
The crowd was laughing and cheering so much. "Dude she floored you in two seconds straight!" Some classmates were laughing so hard that they fell to the ground.
"And that…was the first match?" The promotor was a bit lost for words. "Place your bets, because here comes the next one! SKULL CRRRRRAAAACKER!"
Quickly another tall muscly dude came running up the ramp. He at least looked like he knew what he was doing. "I'll crack your skull and send it to your Mama!" His voice was weirdly high-pitched.
"You should have gone with Crusher…crackers are for babies like your voice," Blade answered cheekily. She had to get into character. 'Need those bets for Lilly…'
"YOU!" He stormed at her with a wide swing.
Blade ducked away, 'They are all so slow…' And made an uppercut against his jaw.
The dude wobbled in place and fell. "Ouch! Someone's crackers got stolen…" The promoter waved some helpers to carry the guy out. "And another win to DREADLOCK! This is nothing but a warm-up to you, isn't it?"
"I can do this all night. So, come one!" Blade rejoiced this first tier was nothing but noobs. Sadly, so was the bet money she earned. She had a few more fights with the same results. They actually gave some more time in between for bets and drinks to be placed and the crowd was growing. Blade earned more money through men flirting and giving her tips. Not that that would pay the bill. But it was at least something. Still, the more people came, the more she noticed the underhanded picture-taking and unwanted glances she earned. Besides the Bouncers' best attempts to keep the crowd in check. It was to be expected though. But no matter how good or fast she ended a fight, it wasn't respect or recognition she earned for her fighting skills from most of the spectators in the end and for a true fighter soul like Blade that was sobering.
It was somewhere in the middle tier where things started to pick up. "And here comes The Devourer! He is quick and his grapple strong! Watch out Dreadlock before he squeezes you to death."
"Ha, I'll snack girls like you for breakfast," He licked his lip and grinned and went into his ready stance.
"GO B-readlock, kick him in his nuts!" Dusk cheered her on from the sidelines, that comment just made her so angry. Blade was giving it her all and yet only weird shit was spouted around.
'Lilly, when you grow up be smarter than me…' Blade breathed out, focusing, this dude had a different vibe. His stance was solid. 'A guard or some bouncer probably…' Blade for the first time of the night went into the offensive. She readied a kick but jumped back instead as the guy was ready to catch it. 'Same as Codatorta… his reaction time is slower though.'
The guy grabbed nothing but air. Wide-eyed he stared at her. "Oh, you little bitch…"
"Name's Dreadlock," Blade answered a bit pissed. "And you are-" She dashed around him. "Too slow!" Solid hit but he could take a punch and turn around. 'Shit he waited for…'
He had her now and flung her upwards, "I don't need to be fast, I'm STRONG!" He was ready to punch her mid-air.
Blade swung her arms around to gain momentum and hammered down another kick.
"What the!?" The guy held his arms high to block, yet Blade pushed through.
"And I don't care!" Blade decimated his defences. The crowd cheered. The guy dropped to the ground.
"Uuuh, don't want to get hit by that," The promoter laughed. "Ten, nine…" They all counted down. "And out! WINNER IS DREADLOCK!"
'Don't worry Lilly, we'll get your money in no time…' Blade felt really good having punched that guy's lights out. 'To the next.'
"CHHHHH," that nimble guy hissed.
"Ahh," Blade watched as a kick to her head just barely missed as she bent over to go into a flick-flack to evade and swipe upwards.
"You can't escape The Claw of Katz!" The guy was tumbling around wildly as if drunk but wasn't and evaded as well.
'So, hard to read…' Blade bit her lip. She dodged a barrage of punches. Pushed away his hand and raced forward, "TAKE THAT!" She gave him a surprise headbutt.
"You…uughh…" the guy fell backwards on his ass. "Your claws were shaper…" He admitted and gave up.
'Smart…' Blade rubbed her forehead. 'If he didn't, I would have injured him more…'
"MAKE WAY!" A guy in a black costume with a cloak came jumping in before the promoter could even announce the end of this fight.
Blade sidestepped quickly. And was ready to punch as she saw something blinking, "Woah! HEY!" She jumped backwards and climbed up some bars and dangled from the top like an ape. "I thought no weapons!?" Blade complained loudly.
"Ahaha, what are you talking about!?" The dude tried to play it down. The crowd was booing. "Oh, shut up, there is no weapon!" Annoyed he barked at the crowd. "How dare you, boo me!?"
'Now!' Blade infused her muscles with some magic and gave herself a swing.
A shadow passed by the man. "What?!" He turned around. But his arm was already in a lock and he mid-air.
Blade pulled a hiding dagger from his belt, which had come slightly lose, threw it to the promoter's feet and took the guy down. "Sorry, not gonna die today. Got a date to keep." Blade hissed annoyed.
"A kn-knif-KNIFE?! That's against the rules. You're out! AND DON'T COME BACK!" the promoter was joined by more of the fighters who cracked their knuckles.
"Low dude…" a horde of Bouncers grabbed him from under Blade and they vanished around some corner.
'Hmmm… great… he will visit the hospital for sure…' Blade sighed relieved.
"What a win! DREADLOCK, you're amazing, give it up for the Lady!" Another roaring crowd and some angry faces. Seems like people were starting to bet against her, which meant more earnings if she won despite that. The promoter leaned into her. "Sorry about that, we really didn't know…" He whispered.
"Just get my fights coming. I need that money…" Blade shook her head annoyed. She hadn't done much fancy stuff so far but it was still draining her and the opponents just got stronger. 'No wonder, it's called a drop dead…'
"Go to the bar guys! Check out the next contestants, set your bets!" The promotor entertained the crowd as Blade took her chance to get some water to drink from Dusk.
"You alright?" Dusk asked amazed as she gave her bottle. "If you hadn't noticed…"
Blade smirked, "Ahh, you care… not to worry. All good so far…" Blade breathed in deeply.
"We still have a long way to go…" Dusk exhaled deeply. "Don't get your head cracked open."
"Already fought that one," Blade patted her shoulder and stood up. "Just keep betting and cheering for me and not my booty…" She just couldn't shake those gazes. In the fight, they vanished from her sight, but once she had her victory they were everywhere. She got back up to face her next opponent.
"Next up in the next league, yes you heard correctly! Our rising star is climbing the top! Or she will-?"
"DROP!" The crowd had grown. It had become a real mess. So many had arrived and come. Plus, it was getting later and people were drunker. There was even a fan corner for her by now.
"Welcome, our next beauty. Yes, you heard it it's time for a CAT- fight. In our left corner our tower Dreadlock! And in the other, you know her, you know her voice, her tone, her rose-red hair! It's Red Spinel in the house!"
"Oh… holy…electron…" Blade blinked in disbelief that was probably the tallest and bulkiest woman she had ever seen. Dark red hair as long as the floor.
"But what would be the Queen of fire without her ice? Yes, Ladies and Gents, here she is cool as ever freezing your heart, THE ICE QUEEN!" the promoter called not one but two fighters to the cage. That woman slightly remembered Blade of Icy from her history classes. "Our Dreadlock seems a bit bored, so let's heat up the pan. All bets are double or nothing!"
Blade puffed, "Great…" she mumbled to herself.
"BEGIN!"
The two women were in synch. Red Spinel went high as the Ice Queen went with a low kick. Blade first thought they would hit each other, but they knew what they were doing. Blade used a dive roll to evade, 'Holy electron!'
"Oh, you're on thin ice here, girly," the Queen smirked devilishly, "Better run."
Blade eyed her closely as she stepped in front of Spinel. "Tch, I never run." Blade breathed out as they were sizing each other up. They were the first opponents not to comment on her looks or hotness. But Blade had no time to ponder now.
"OOOOHHHH, may this be the end of Dreadlock?" The promoter got the crowd riled up. "Will Dreadlock, drop-"
"DEAD!"
"Or will our Gems break and CRUUUUMMMMMBLE! Let me hear you, Ladies and GENTS!" He swung his mic cord above him like a lasso.
"Sit back my dear, I'll finish this, ha!" Ice Queen provokingly waggled her hand to beckon Blade over.
Blade charged at her, 'Great, one O'ohhhhhh, FUCK!' Blade rapidly infused her muscles with magic and pressed away and a what close call it was.
Red Spinel had jumped over the Ice Queen and hammered her fist into the ground as she missed Blade by a hair.
Yet the Queen spun around her and made a roundhouse kick. "GOTCHA! You're on lockdown." She said ice cold and gave a thumbs down as Blade crushed into the cage bars.
"UUUUUHHHHH; that must have hurt!" The Crowd roared. Finally, the star of the evening had taken a proper hit.
Blade wasn't sure if people were uhing or booing. She slid down the bars but caught herself, 'Stupid… how could I fall for that…' Blade held her side luckily, she had used her magic to strengthen her muscles for the getaway and it had buffered the kick a bit. 'That would have been a broken rib…they have body enhancement magic as well…shit.'
"Dreadlock?!" Dusk was shocked, to say the least.
"DROP DEAD; DROP DEAD!" "GOOOOO; FINSIH THEM!" "I LOVE YOU QUEEN; BE MINE!"
"My turn," Blade smirked and charged up. "Let's see if you can hold that!" Blade dashed forward readying a gut punch.
"NO ONE touches my QUEEN!" Red Spinel pulled her partner back and caught the punch it was a battle of wills, two shaking arms.
"Who will win this contest of STRENGTH? GIVE IT UP FOR YOUR CHOICE!" Thundering whistles and clapping, stomping, shouts. And the never-ending unwanted advances and confessions of love.
They were equally strong. Blade had the better magic enhancement yet Red's body was simply stronger built from the start. "GO GET HER!"
The Ice Queen spun around her Red Spinel and came down with her leg to hit Blade in the back.
Out of nowhere Blade pulled back with her fist Red Spinel fell forward for just a millisecond. Blade seized her wrist and dragged her towards her as she stepped back.
"OUCH! What a MOVE!" The promoter was mind blown just as the crowd. Red Spinel got hit by the Ice Queen's kick meant for Dreadlock. "And she's out!"
"RED! You'll pay for this!" the Queen hissed and followed up.
Blade raised her arms to block a barrage of jabs and punches. 'Her punches are weaker than Red's.'
"I'll show you DREAD!" she went in for a butterfly kick. First one landed crashing into Blade's block and pushing her to the ground.
Blade went into a forward roll under the second kick, "I WILL SURVIVE! SO, DROP-!"
"DEAD!" The Crowd roared as Blade's uppercut landed with all its might.
The Ice Queen stumbled backwards, tumbling on her feet, "You…"
Blade tackled her smashing her to the ground. "And stay down!" Blade raised her fist, but she stopped her punch as the head fell to the side. She noticed some movement behind her. Like lightning, she jumped up ready to go another round with Red, who had gotten back up.
"Wow, there! WHAT A MATCH!" Suddenly the Promoter had stepped into her line of sight. "Double knockout!"
"He?" Blade hit the brakes and stumble stopped in front of him. Her arm got grabbed and held high. "WINNER is-"
"DREADLOCK!"
The promoter gazed at the young girl, he knew she nearly had smacked him and smirked, "And she will fight till she DROPS-"
"DEAD!"
Dusk was standing at the bars staring, pale. Blade went to her to get something to drink and squatted down. "What the heck was that?!" Dusk whisper-shouted.
Blade was greeted by some grabby hands as she was so close to the bars, "Hey! Hands off!" She hissed and searched for the culprit. But there were simply so many guys trying to get an autograph or shake her hand or well touch her a bit too high. She pulled back from the bars. 'Fucking… urgh…'
Dusk glared at the bunch, "She said, hands-off," with the most menacing voice contesting the voice of doom from Griffin. She scared the dudes away even before the bouncers of the club could step in.
"Thanks…as if my outfit is a free invitation…" Blade balled her hands and relaxed as she saw Dusk a bit worried, "Thanks for being here. It's good to have a backup." The promoter was announcing the next fight. Blade threw her the bottle. 'The fighters are at least fine by now… and not just drunk heads. But the people I really want to pummel are on the other side of these bars. The nerve….urgh!'
"Wait," Dusk halted her. "Can you go on? That was…"
"Ah, Coda is worse," Blade dismissed her notion, "Besides Lilly needs me. I did not dress up to fail now…just keep those creeps away." She glanced around there were a lot of creeps. 'What did I expect going like this…idiot, Blade, idiot.'
A bounty hunter and a Specialist walked into the bar. The specialist nodded to the bartender to greet him.
"Memphis! And who have…have… Dark Ace?" The bartender was a bit perplexed. "What are you doing here? Man, it has been ages!"
"Chats buzzing, heard there is a rising star, was in the area, came to see me. Problem?" The purple-haired bounty hunter crossed his arms, "Better to check out the competition early."
"Ha, sexed-up spitfire is good but not THAT good. Could use some bigger hooters, too. Oh well, she still got time to grow," The bartender was chuckling to himself. The bar upstairs was completely empty and there was a loud outcry of cheers from down below, which could even be heard from behind the thick doors.
Riven's eyebrow twitched, 'Sexed-up?' He gave a side glance of a thousand words to Memphis, who was slowly walking away to check. Riven shook his head, "Ah, come on, she's a teen or something. It's a young chick you got some decent Ladies here… for your age. Since when do you go for the young blood?" He wasn't keen on showing his hand so he played it down a bit and stayed for a chit-chat. 'What the heck are those two doing?! I just lost them for a few hours to catch up with Memphis…'
"I mean sure, but damn that booty, would squeeze that any day," The bartender laughed and it faded instantly as he earned some dooming glare from Riven, "Hey, hey, just joking, you know me. I don't touch the Ladies unless they say yes…consent is key. I know the trouble THAT can cause, fight bar and all. Besides unlike the dream boys down there, I know it's just a work outfit. Just saying it works, you know? Last time Dreadlock was here she had some rotten street clothes on. At least she's getting her tip's worth. So, chill your base…" He backed off trying to smooth things over.
Riven growled pissed, "You better not do something stupid understand." He came really close to the bartender and pulled him in by his jacket. "Just make sure your bouncers take care of those grabby hands the female fighters always seem to encounter. I hate to see my competition molested, they are good fighters and should be respected for that. And you don't want me to clean house." He snarled and moved on.
"Of course, they do! You know us," the bartender reassured him scared shitless there for a second. "Oh, and Dark Ace, you should say hello to Lobster Mobster in the VIP room, don't want him to be salty. Here, drink on the house, for the good old times."
Blade panted that punch had hurt. She swiped away the blood from her nose, "Oh, you asked for it…" She rumbled and went in.
"Your day is just beginning to get grim," The dude grinned brightly as he took a punch straight to the face and hammered his fist into her stomach. They both weren't backing down.
"What a MATCH! UUUFFF! They are not giving in, a battle of WILLS!" The promoter screamed into the mic. The room was screaming and cheering wildly.
Memphis stared for a second at Blade's glamour illusion. "By the Great Dragon… What the? All for the mission, huh… Riven's so gonna kill me if Faragonda finds out…Not to mention Codatorta… Oh man, what was she thinking?!"
"I bet a thousand on that hot babe!" Another customer was giving in a late bet. The table was buzzing.
"Oh, don't tell me they…At least it works… will cut the fighting time in half…" Memphis shook his head. He came here normally just to bet and have a good time. But it was no news to him that some patrons were a bit too eager to get some extra. "She's so screwed if anyone finds her like that," He was so baffled, 'I'll guess we'll laugh about this in like ten years? … or maybe not. You gotta win girl,' He pushed through the crowd to get a better look at his friend's condition as he spotted Dusk at the cage.
"GRIND HIM TO DUST!" Dusk was shouting so loud, "No, left, the left!"
Blade blocked a punch and tried to get a lock but failed and got thrown backwards instead.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Dusk roared.
Memphis tipped on her shoulder, "Hey!" He had to scream it was so loud.
"You again? Lost the tail?" She shouted into his ear. "GO DREADLOCK! YEAH!" Dusk was all fired up by now.
"How far are we? She looks a bit ruffed up," Memphis asked as he got shoved around in the crowd.
"She's at around forty out of sixty," Lobster Mobster stuffed his face with some more crab meat. "To think that you would be interested, Dark Ace, this is little leagues nothing like the big once you are in by now. When was the last time I saw you here? Like a week after your graduation in RF? You floored everyone in one evening. What a night that was!" He laughed wholeheartedly. 'Maybe she is the Fairy… not gonna open that can of worms just in case…We don't ask questions after all…'
"Yeah, I came for some drinks here and there, though," Riven leaned against the glass wall. The VIP room was elevated and its big panorama window hidden, just like the black market entrance from any prying eyes, the best view in the house. "Just make sure she gets out safe, okay…"
"Ahh, getting old?" the mobster laughed. 'Ohhh? …Ha, getting sloppy there, Dark ace. He cares.'
"Nah, just met my old teammate Helia on a mission last month, his little girl is just the sweetest thing," Riven shook his head just thinking about it. 'I should just get in and floor her myself, stupidity. She'll attract all kinds of unwanted attention. I'll have half a bar fight on my hands just to get her out of here. Ahhh, all because of that money. Teens, always jumping the gun and not thinking things through. Well, that will teach her at least…'
"Ah, parenthood, what a mess to take care of," Lobster chuckled, "So glad mine are all- Uuuhhh, that one went straight to the nuts. HA! That girl is worth her money, hey, Steffy get a contract. I want her on my roster. That one has a future…"
"What a takedown! Give it up for DREAD-"
"LOCK!"
"So, Dread, how are you feeling?" The promoter swung his arm around her shoulder. "That was a close call after all." He was surprisingly noble and reserved with his sexy comments now. He easily could have gone for her hips or used other words. But he had picked up on Blade's regrets and by now it was clear that she was an excellent fighter to him. So, he had dialled down the babe talk a bit.
Blade wiped the sweat off, "Never better! But when does the challenge actually begin?" Blade asked cheekily back, she was full of adrenaline. She smiled brightly this felt awesome. It had been quite a while since she had such a win streak. She could feel all her training paying off. She was fitter, faster and stronger.
"Come to my place once you're done!", "I'll make all your dreams come true!", "She's mine!", "No mine!" A brawl ensued out of nothing and the bouncers rushed in.
"Quite the fandom you got here," The promoter laughed, "You heard her. Now get some more drinks! Get your bets set!" He let the mic sink, "If anyone bothers you, just give our bouncers a call. Alright? We do bets, nothing else." He whispered to her. "Some people just don't get that your outfit is just for show…"
Blade nodded, "Well, I certainly will use a different one next time…" She really was regretting to have chosen this get-up. Another fan waved her over. On the other hand, she indeed had gotten lots of extra cash there was no denying this work. 'If they would only give it to me because of my skills… but…' She noticed yet again the dude was not even looking at her face at all as he was gifting her the money. Blade's eyebrows twitched, "Hey, the face is up here…" She hissed, but the dude was too drunk maybe even high. She felt a jolt as someone grabbed her arm from the side and pulled her closer to the bars reaching out with another hand to go fishing. Blade ripped herself loose. "Hey!"
Memphis flung the dude backwards into the crowd. He was following her around the cage from the outside, "Asshole. You okay?"
"Yeah…" Blade made a brave face and rose again. She went to Dusk and Steffy to get something to drink. This behaviour just gave her shivers. 'This got to be over soon…ahhh, stop whining,' she unfolded the note. 'If Lilly weren't in such dire need of help, I would stuff it down his throat! NEVER AGAIN, My fighting skills are enough.'
The brawls went on, one by one Blade fought herself closer to her goal. Lilly in mind there was truly nothing that would stop her and the only thing keeping her calm. She was not fighting for simply glory or most certainly not to get rich. She knew what was on the line, a life, a life of a little girl and her father and there was no way she would falter. She chucked her next bottle down. She could feel some nagging bruises but in the grand scheme that was nothing. Using magic to counter blows or soften impacts was insanely helpful. Still some bruising couldn't be prevented even if they didn't show through the glamour spell.
"And the next opponent on the far right, who just came in for you! Let's give it up for Venom! Time to see if her bite is louder than the bark! And if Dreadlock can escape her grasp." A thundering applause rushed through the room. "Or if we'll see Dreadlocks next scaly purse!"
Blade stared at the woman. She had next to no muscles. Her outfit truly reminded her of snake scales, though. "Let's get this over with." Blade cracked her neck.
"Oh… shit…" Memphis eyes went wide. "DON'T GET…!"
"What?" Dusk stopped her roaring and looked at him.
"BEGIN!"
Blade was ready but in the next moment, the woman was already standing behind her. 'Holy electron!' Blade turned her head, but got grappled.
"Welcome to the next league…missy…" Venom was super flexible and went instantly into a floor fight with Blade trying to bend her joints and block her escapes to simply power her out.
"AND THERE IT IS THE DEATH GRAPPLE! Is this the end for Dreadlock?!"
"YEAAHHH! BOOO! STAND UP; THE HEAD! DON'T YOU DARE LOSE, YOU BITCH!"
Blade pressed her chin down with all she had, she didn't want her throat to get cut off. "Oh, you…" But it was harder than expected to get loose. The woman was truly a master at using all the angles and putting on pressure. Blade tensed up.
"Ha, night, night…" She hissed into her ear.
Blade looked to Dusk who was wildly signing around, shouting. Just for a moment, the noise dimmed down and everything felt like a movie as Blade took one deep breath as she amassed her magic.
"TEN… Nine…"
Blade kicked, got her feet free and swung herself onto them. Venom was still tight around her torso blocking her hands and squeezing down on her sides.
"AAAHH, she's up again! But can she free herself!?" The crowd was at the edge of their seats.
Blade infused magic into her feet.
"You won't escape me!" The Snake woman was not letting up. "Your wiggling is all for nothing."
"It's not over till I'M DEAD!" Blade roared as she boosted her jump and the two clashed against the cage bars above them. The grip loosened. Blade got her hand free and reached out as they started to fall and held on tight.
Venom couldn't hold on she wasn't at all tanky and her view was spinning. She lost her grip and smashed to the ground and had a hard time getting to her feet, nearly looking as if she was drunk.
'Must have hit her head…shit…'Blade swung let go and landed right next to her, "Stay down…" She whispered from behind her dreadlocks dangling into her face.
The woman ever so slightly nodded.
Blade towered above her in the next moment and pressed her foot down on her back to make it look good.
The promoter started the countdown he had seen the head knock the bars, "TEN, NINE…"
"ONE!" The crowd had its hands in the air. That hadn't looked so good for Blade there for a second.
"And out!" the match got called.
Blade watched as the stretcher got rushed in from the hallway. She pulled Venom up to her feet, "Worthy opponent, finally!" She proclaimed loudly and helped her walk down the ramp and keep her head high. "Can't wait for a rematch."
"You heard it! LADIES AND GENTS. You just witnessed a rivalry born!" The promoter took centre stage to give them a proper out.
"So sorry…" Blade answered a bit concerned.
Venom laughed, "That's the game dear, don't you lose. Before you're done." She took it like a sport as she lay down on the stretcher.
Blade grinned, "Never. Got someone who counts on me." She breathed in deeply, she felt that she was tired and her concentration was draining, but that wouldn't stop her. Blade ran up the ramp. "Come on! Keep it coming!" And the next match-up started…
Blade watched her last opponent walk down the ramp. She had earned quite a bruise from that on. 'Yikes… I got a bit sloppy there…'
The promotor walked towards her after he had gotten a note from one of the runners. And whispered to her as so many onlookers rushed to the betting tables. "Congrats, you did it. You actually are at sixty-five by now, and the bet amounts are rising quite a lot… counting got a bit overwhelmed. So, want an out now or do you want to keep going? You'll get your money as promised, either way, this would earn you some extra."
Blade couldn't believe it. 'How long was I fighting?' It had gone by so fast or rather she had lost track of time.
"Sleep with me DREADLOCK!", "I hold you warm at night!"
"Gesh… I thought it would get less…" Blade really felt weird at least a few thousand had been from the tips. But now she rather wanted to burn it all. "Wait, you mean?" She refocused on what the promoter had told her just now.
"Yes, you did it. And yes, you can get more without losing what you already got. Lobster is quite pleased, that's his way of saying thank you. He admires your fighting skills in the ring," the promoter gave her an approving nod. "So? Want to keep going? Generally, never hurts to have some buffer." He tried to win her over.
Blade looked to Memphis and Dusk they apparently had gotten the message as well. Blade glanced at her bracelet and pulled up the time. "Hmm… well…"
"Hey, I am sure you get a few thousand in the next matches. The wobblier you look the more they bet against you and you've been at it since, well, a few hours. Just saying Steffy said you are trying to help a friend. You should get some for you too, you know. You deserve it."
'If the black market Lady gets bold…plus, he could use some extra for the first instalments…' Blade nodded. "Sure, but I want a proper out, where I am in one piece… If I want out, I'll start with the phrase…hmm, I'll rile up the crowd with the Dreadlock chant." It was hard to blend out the constant comments from the sidelines. They made her want to puke or bulldoze these bastards over, she had suffered from them all night. Yet Blade really wanted to make sure they had not to come in again. This was humiliating enough as it was.
"Gotcha," the promoter nodded, "Alright, alright, our next opponent is strikingly hot, a face like an ANGEL, yes Ladies, you know it, your Lover boy for hot Nights, tsssssssssss. And the one man striking TERROR into his enemies' hearts. Here comes, yours truly, STRIKING THERROR!"
The door to the VIP room got flung wide open, "Where is Vulmaro?" A calm collected guy stepped through the door.
The familiar voice rang in Riven's ears, 'Oh boy, this is going to be fun to explain…why did she stay for more fights?! Shit.'
"If I got a Maggi for each time I heard…" Lobster Mobster glared at the new unwelcomed guest. Two braided tails, brown hair, crimson and purple tattoos. Strongly build and handsome.
Two guards from the hallway came storming in after, "Sorry boss!" One laid a hand on the stranger and instantly got thrown to the ground.
"He just- he…" The second guard wasn't even sure how that guy had gotten past them that quickly. "He just waved his Hunter Division badge fake and was … was…"
"It's not a fake," the guy pulled the badge out again. "Now, I'll ask again, where is Vulmaro?" He crossed his arms, yet was ready to fight if he had to. He wore a heavy rain cloak and his white golden uniform blinked through.
"Urgh… what now? … Did he steal your girlfriend, house, car? Your dog?" Lobster was in no mood he wanted to watch the match. "At least your tattoos look decent. Don't tell me you want a job in his gang…"
"Where is he? ..." The Hunter's patience ran low.
"I'll give you a tip lad, go home and put your costume back in the trunk where you found it. You're like fifteenth guy this week. Do I look like Vulmaro's secretary to you? Now wash that body paint off and leave, before you lose your head." Lobster mobster growled and took a big bite of the next crap and stood up to face him.
"AHAHAHAHA, gotta say as much as I want to see this fight… he is the real deal, my friend," Riven stepped in to ease the tension.
"What?" Lobster went pale, "You're joking?"
"Nabu, Lobster. Lobster, Nabu," Riven introduced the two to each other.
"Riven?!" Shocked Nabu noticed his old teammate leaning against the glass window. "What are you doing here?"
"OOOHHHH, what a low blow, can she come back from that?!" The crowd roared.
"Riven, eh? So, you truly know the Dark Ace.…" Lobster Mobster calmed down and sat back into his chair and suddenly went even paler. "Wait, does that mean there is a black magic user in the house?! If you're the real deal!?"
Nabu sighed deeply, "That's not how black magic works…If a black magic user were here, you'd already know, because of the dead piling up. They don't just sit back and watch a damned brawl…" he pointed behind him at the cage ring and rubbed his nose bridge.
"WOW! Have you seen this?! What a showdown! The Dread showed the Terror the meaning of real FEAR! AMAZING! Give it up for DREADLOCK! What a kid!" The promoter riled up the masses.
'Kid?' Nabu turned around. His jaw dropped open. He stared at a girl, a familiar face from the summary reports of the hunter division. It clearly was that Alfea student from the Desertia hearing with that weird dark fairy form, that was wildly discussed in the order. 'What is she wearing!? Is she crazy?! Even if it's a glamour…Wait, what is a fairy doing here?... She looks like a –' Nabu glared at Riven, "Forget Vulmaro, I need that witness!" He stared the mobster down. "Right, now!"
'Ah, crap, he noticed…' Riven pulled out his phone and texted Memphis. 'Should have gone in myself last fight… damn it.'
"There is no way she knows Vulmaro's location, man," Lobster chuckled.
"NOW." Nabu balled his hands. 'Riven… you idiot! How can he? Argh!'
"Witness? Witness for what? Well, doesn't matter, ha, you want her, you get her out of the ring fair and square. She's doing a dead-drop. I can't simply pull her. The mob would go into a frenzy. Dreadlock is the star of the night, you see. We can't have that," Lobster grinned. He had noticed Riven's hastened chatting and was buying him some time. "You manage that, she's all yours."
"Oh, I will," Nabu gave a disapproving look to Riven.
"Hey, that girl is using a glamour and dark magic. It's clearly a Witch. What are you talking about?" Riven played dumb.
Nabu could easily see through all glamour spells, he was an accomplished wizard after all. "Unbelievable…" He stormed out of the VIP room.
"Witness, eh? That's the cover he chose…Council is treating those fairies like porcelain, isn't it? You're here because of her, aren't you? Why didn't you pull her? Or let her even use that get up in the first place?" Lobster leaned back in his chair and smiled intrigued. "Clothing is the fighter's choice here after all."
"Took me a while to find her. Besides, she's a fellow fighter, I can take her home after she reached her goal. And I am pretty sure she won't use that get-up again. Have you not seen her grimacing all night? On that note, I would lose to hate my payment for the babysitting. Up for some distraction?"
"To mess with a Council boy and save my new star, oh, you're on," He pressed down on the intercom line connected to all the staff members.
Memphis checked his buzzing phone, "Oh crap!"
"YEAH, DREADLOCK!" Dusk was shouting and cheering.
"Dusk, I need a glamour fast, Council guy is here, quick we need to extract!" Memphis shook her. "Give me a wrestler's outfit, quickly!"
Dusk panicked slightly and weaved the spell it was one weird glittering red bodysuit, "I'll get the money." She gave him a nod and rushed to Steffy who was already on the lookout for her with a bag.
"Place your bets, get a – oh, who cares you know that stuff! DREAD!"
"LOCK!"; "DREAD";"LOCK!"; DREAD";"LOCK!"; DREAD";"LOCK!" The promoter suddenly started the chant.
'What the heck is going on? I can do one or two more matches…' Blade was a bit confused, but it wasn't hard to notice something was up with the promoter.
"And the next opponent from another planet give it up for DEADLY DOSIS!" The promoter made way.
'MEMPHIS?!' Blade had to chuckle, "What are you supposed to be?!" She let herself wobble a bit more in her stance and swiped her sweat off. She had to make it look good and pretended to shake her fatigue off.
"Your worst nightmare, and you are going down right now, in no time, I know your weakness…" Memphis gave his most mischievous grin.
"BEGIN!"
Memphis stormed at Blade with a punch.
Blade blocked. And fired a kick which missed as she didn't speed it up with magic.
Memphis rushed around her and took her in a lock and whispered into her ear as he burrowed his mouth into her hair, "Gut punch knock out."
Blade used her magic to break the lock, bent over and threw him over her shoulder, "You gotta do better than tha-"
Memphis used some momentum and rolled off his back towards her in a blink of an eye. His kick landed directly in her stomach and sent her flying.
Blade crushed into the bars and dropped to the floor unmoving.
Silence…"AND SHE DROPPED-"
"DEEEEAAAAAADDDD!" The whole room was in an uproar. Cheering, chanting. Devastated or super happy. "DOSIS; DOSIS; DOSIS; DOSIS; DOSIS!" Rose from the crowd.
Memphis threw Blade over his shoulder and took the mic from the promoter. "He, she's mine now! See ya!" He carried her down the ramp like a winning prize to make it look good and keep the crowd happy. Last thing they needed was an all-out brawl.
"SWIFT AND DEADLY, Ladies and Gents! That was Deadly Dosis! He seems to have some plans for the rest of the night if you know what I mean." The promoter joked around and took centre stage. "What a drop-dead! Now give it up for the next set of fighters waiting for their time of glory and rise the ranks! ..."
The bouncers kept the masses away as best as they could but there were so many, "Quickly, down the hall…" One of them addressed Memphis and tried to push at least ten drunks away.
"Time to run," Memphis said quietly and set Blade down. 'Sorry for the-"
"Yeah, we're good," Blade followed him through the thick crowd, closely behind him. "Why is the Council here though? Was it that purple guy?"
"No, I solved that hours ago…" Memphis explained as they pushed through.
"DREADLOCK, I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN! I WANT A CHILD FROM YOU!" Out of the blue, a super drunk dude had squished through and seized her arm yanking it backwards.
"OUCH!" Blade hissed as a hard jolt went through her shoulder.
"Hey, hands off!" Memphis punched the guy out straight away, "We gotta run…girl!" He used his body enhancement magic and simply charge through as he dragged her along the hallway. As her Dreadlock glamour faded away. Dusk must have dropped the spell from somewhere afar.
Nabu just reached the hall, 'What is she thinking!? Illegal fighting of all things. In that get-up of all things!' His gaze hit the stage but to his surprise besides the chants and the Fairy was gone. Nowhere near the ring.
"To think she survived like three hours…"
"Three? She was here like five or six…" some patrons discussed still amazed, "What babe, man!"
'Ohh, don't tell me she…RIVEN… for crying out loud…' Nabu pushed through the crowd straight towards the bouncers and the ramp with the bigger flock of people.
"Hey, back off only fighters are allowed beyond here," A bouncer pushed him back.
"Your boss said I can fight that Dreadlock, where is she?" He asked controlling his nerves. This was bad if she would run into some eager fans to make her personal acquaintance.
"Sorry buddy, you're too late. Just got squashed, total knock out," the bouncer crossed his arms blocking the way.
"What?!" He breathed in, "She's still a witness, let me through, this instant," Nabu wouldn't let up. He was ready to use his magic to force himself through.
Steffy stepped in, "You're that hunter guy? Opponent carried her down to the infirmary. Third door to the right. Let him through, boss's orders."
"Hurry it up!" Dusk waved from inside a taxi and used her shadows to open the backseat doors.
Memphis and Blade had just rushed out of the bar and hopped in and the taxi sped away. No one gave her a second glance now that she was the redhead again.
Nabu pushed passed and ran down and ripped the door open, "How bad is- RIVEN!?"
"Yo," He greeted him, they were simply standing in some run-down storage room.
"You got nerves! Where is the fairy?! She needs healing," Nabu got really upset now.
Riven grinned, "Who knows, she was already gone when I got here."
"How did you even get here before me? The distractions that was all you!" Nabu was ready to cast a search spell.
"Oh, come now, do you truly think I would let a Fairy all alone if I had known, you wound me," Riven pouted.
Nabu looked at him and shook his head unsure what to believe and summoned his staff and stomped it down, sending a magic ripple out, "No Fairy magic? How did she… damn it, she's out of range for this one. How in Magix did she vanish so fast? All alone, no less…Have anything of her?"
"Nope, didn't even know she was a fairy," Riven stretched his arms. "Aren't Fairies working in teams?"
Nabu rolled his eyes, "She had two glamour spells. Second image beneath was a Witch. Surely, she was on some sort of mission from Cloud Tower and screwed up the money part… what the heck did she get into? So reckless! All alone…just stupid!"
"Well, if she's gone, she must be okay then. Whatever her mission is she's probably on a timer. Besides, as far as I know, she has that bracelet to track her. If no one showed up, her stats are stable, so nothing to worry about. Anyways," he threw him a paper. "Got you your Vulmaro location. If that's any consolation. I pulled some strings."
Nabu caught the paper, "Riven…" He could already guess who helped in her escape now. "It's your head that will roll, not mine. Talk some sense into her fighting in that get-up! Who knows who'll follow her home at night. It's too dangerous! Wait are you working undercover or something?... Still, besides the point, she should have some more self-respect. Faragonda would never allow this… If I see her here again…"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll make sure she gets home safe. No worries," Riven made his way to the door. 'As if you had time with all his running around. Besides, the cage is safer than the streets at night.', "See you around."
"You better. Still, as unruly as back then… some things never change…" Nabu sighed, he truly had no time to waste on a wild goose chase or get involved in Riven's business. His mission was to track Vulmaro after all not an astray Fairy.
