Fighting for What?

The unexpected visit from Mike turned out to be more than what Cody was ready for, but in Mike's case, why he didn't talk about this sooner was something he needed to get off his chest as soon as possible.

The men sat in the kitchen. With Kyle in his room resting and doing his homework, and Jessica doing some studying as well, the two men sat across from one another. Cody looked away and took a deep breath. For a tough guy, there was just no way he was getting out of this. He could fight, whether it was in the physical sense, as well as other ways to get out of a situation, but when dealing with the mayor of Metro City, as well as his girlfriend's father, he had no chance. Mike Haggar was not a man to mess with.

The glint of determination in Haggar's eyes caught Cody off guard, as the first thing he said was, "Cody, I need to know. What happened a few nights ago? I just want to know. Jess was upset at your arrest, but I need you to tell me."

Cody took another deep breath. "If you really need to know, here it goes…"

After a half an hour, Mike looked at Cody with such confusion and anger. Not anger towards the young man, but anger towards everything that has happened.

"I don't believe this." Mike knew his real feeling contradicted what he just said.

"I'm telling you everything that happened. Shit, Mike, some punks in the cell were ready to jump me right there, but it wasn't like I was going to take that shit lying down, just like what happened with the bikers."

"This isn't about the fact that those punks tried to jump you. Okay, maybe part of it, but really, things have been getting worse. Maybe even worse than when Rudolph was in office before me."

Haggar mentioned former Metro City Mayor Edwin Rudolph, who ran the city before he was elected. Haggar may not have been mayor for long, but it was one of his aspirations while being a wrestler. He also lobbied to run earlier that same decade and was willing to go into retirement if elected, but didn't win. He did, however, continue his wrestling career, even if it was part-time and wrestled his final match a year and a half before going into office.

When Rudolph was mayor, the criminal element didn't go down much. Several news sources had speculated that he was in the pocket of Mad Gear. There was also speculation that the gang may have had some dirt on him, and if he didn't play ball, the incriminating evidence could go to the press and his mayoral career would be history.

So why did things get worse? Why now? Haggar wondered.

Haggar looked away and turned his attention right back to Cody. "Earlier, I spoke with two police officers. Two young police officers came to me. One of them told me about how his younger sister and her friends were assaulted."

Cody stared deeply into Haggar's eyes. "Well, it's time I tell you this. Kyle and his friends got jumped in a subway recently. If it wasn't for Guy and Maki, well…"

Haggar turned his attention towards Cody when he heard that. He knew what Guy and Maki were capable of. "What? Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Another thought shifted to his mind. "So it's true, the vigilantes…"

So many thoughts piled in his mind. The vigilantism, the crime wave, the police corruption, maybe there was a connection with all of these.

"Mike, listen to me," Cody said. "I hope you don't try to arrest Guy and Maki, if anything, they are…"

Haggar cut him off. "No, it's not that. I have heard on the news that some vigilantes have saved people's lives. It's a lot more than what the police have been doing. And as for those cops who arrested you, I'm going to see what I could do about them.

"And as for Kyle, he reminds me of you when you were younger. I don't want him making all the same mistakes you did. You know that I was always on Jessica when you two started, remember?"

Cody nodded. Haggar then put his hand on Cody's shoulder.

"I know I thought you were trouble at first, but you have shown that you care about Jess and Kyle that you don't want to see them get hurt."

"I would never hurt Jess, and Kyle, yes, he is a bit of a pain, but he's no troublemaker."

"I know he's a good kid deep down. Anyway, I'm about to take off. You stay out of trouble. Tell Kyle to stay out of trouble, and take care of Jess for me."

"You don't have to worry about that, Mike."

"Thanks."

Haggar then knocked on Jessica's door to let her know he was leaving. He did the same for Kyle. The sole purpose of his unannounced visit was to talk to Cody about a certain incident and everything that has happened up to that point.

In Cody's case, he knew he had to train hard soon, especially for some money that he could use to get himself, Jessica, and Kyle out of the area they lived in. Even better, he could move them out of Metro City.

The next day, Lucia had arrived at the station. The moment she walked in, Abrams called her into his office. What did her captain want this time? He would be on her for something she didn't do, but when she needed to talk to him about something, he didn't want to hear it. Not to mention that he wore an expensive watch, as well as had new décor in the office that any other police captain could afford.

Lucia stepped into the office. No amount of reluctance was going to stop her, not this time, because there was something she had up her sleeve.

"What do you want to talk to me about?" Lucia said.

"I have a feeling you're hiding something from me, Morgan. The talk about helping out criminals, and now we have vigilantes doing what you and Sims should be doing. Now I hear about this."

"What?" Lucia sat there with a look of skepticism mixed suspicion.

"There have been some concerns that have been brought to my attention. You have had some narcotics in your possession. I have been told that you were trying to plant some evidence on people."

"I was WHAT?! What are you talking about?"

There was no denying that this information was not only new to her, but also it didn't sound plausible enough that she needed to be reprimanded for it.

Abrams pulled out a folder, as well as an envelope. He opened up the folder to display some photos to her, and opened the envelope, pulling out what appeared to be marijuana, as well as pills. Suddenly, the look of confusion on Lucia's face transitioned to a look of anger and also disgust. The photos displayed her walking with a blond-haired man, whom Abrams stated was a criminal who was brought to the station a few nights prior.

"Also, what is this about the narcotics, Morgan? Are you using, or were you planting evidence, or were you about to sell them?" Abrams asked in a tone where he was talking down to her, acting as if he had her busted for corruption.

"So that's what this is about, huh? You just wanted me to come down so you could confirm a lot of BULLSHIT?!" Lucia shouted so loud that despite Abrams's office being soundproof, some cops who were nearby quickly looked up. "Is this what you want from me? Lately, you either don't want to hear what I have to say or you just call me in just to tell me that I've been going against my duty as an officer, and now you tell me that I'm dirty? Who's been feeding you this bullshit, Mark? Walker? Because I know that asshole has it in for me. Tell me one other thing, how can you afford a watch like that on a cop's salary?"

If Lucia had to address her captain by his first name, it was clear how she felt in that moment. Lucia had left out that Walker had a crush on her, but because she didn't reciprocate his feelings, he has had it in for her for quite a while.

"You know what? I don't need this bullshit." Lucia pulled out her badge and slammed it against Abrams's desk. "I quit."

Without anymore words, Lucia stormed outside the office. Everyone in the station all looked on.

Sean approached her. "Lucia, where are you going?"

All Lucia said in response was "home" and nothing else.

Sean knew he had to call her later to see what had happened, but Lucia was in no condition to speak about this at this very moment.

Lucia entered her apartment. There was a punching bag hanging near a kitchen. Three empty cups of instant noodles were on the counter and were yet to be thrown away. There was also a photo of her with her parents and her sister. If there was one thing that had to be said about her family life it's that it wasn't always the best.

Lucia had an older sister named Olivia, who was considered more "ladylike" than her. Olivia was more into fashion, boys (and later men), shopping for clothes, and going out with the girls. Typical girl stuff. Lucia wasn't the typical girl. She was more into martial arts, playing sports, and when she was younger, she would always protect other kids from being bullied, which was what led her to become a cop. While she liked men and has dated before, she hasn't dated in a while, probably because it is hard to meet men as a cop. Most men she came across were thugs and criminals, or sleazy types who wanted her for her body. Even then, while she considered guys like Cody and Sean good men, she didn't see them that way, with Cody having been on and off with Jessica when they were younger, and Sean being her partner, though not the case anymore. At least she saw him as a friend, rather than their relationship as strictly professional.

Lucia's parents, while they cared about Lucia, it was clear to hear that they favored Olivia a little more and tried to push her to be the more "perfect daughter," something Lucia couldn't live up to, at least that was how she perceived it.

With her off the force, what was there for her to do now?

All she could think of was go to Tom's Gym to go ease off some of her stress.

She took off to the gym dressed in her usual gym gear, the blue sports bra and short shorts with her blue Chuck Taylor shoes. The whole time she used to speed bag and the punching bag. With so much rage in her system, she had to let it out sooner or later.

Then she heard a familiar voice say, "Lucia? Are you okay?"

Lucia looked up and noticed Cody standing there. It felt like déjà vu.

"Hey, Cody. I quit the force today."

"You did what?!"

"Look, I couldn't handle working there when some assholes are on my ass for shit I didn't do."

"Shit, that sucks. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"No, I'm out of a job." Then something hit her. "Hey, I got to ask you something. I heard that fights go on at the Surf Bar."

"Yeah, so? Look, there's nothing you can do, especially if you quit being a cop."

"It's not that. I want in."

"Wait, what?"

"I said I want to fight."

This was new to Cody. Because these fights were organized on the fly, they could allow her to enter. However, this was so sudden because he saw the fire and rage in his friend's eyes. He also knew what she was capable of.

"Okay, come meet me and everyone at the Surf Bar tomorrow. But in a little bit, I'm going to Guy's dojo."

"How about if I come along? I may want to spar a bit."

Another feeling of déjà vu hit him. However, he saw how determined she was, almost on the same level of determination and anger that he has exhibited when engaging in fist-fights. This was going to be one hell of a night for everyone.

Author's Note: I am back. Throughout the year, I had some gaps in updates, but I had been busy with school, as well as dealing with personal issues. While this was a short chapter, it's supposed to lead into the next one.

Also, the name of the previous mayor is a reference to old New York City mayors, Rudy Giuliani and Edward Koch. I used similar names for the previous mayor of Metro City.

The thing with Lucia's backstory is combination of things. One, with her sister being named Olivia is kind of a reference to wrestler Liv Morgan (real name Gionna Daddio), because Lucia's surname is Morgan, and the thought hit me. Also, with their personality differences and stuff, I kind of made a reference to "Hey Arnold!" with Helga being the un-favorite child in comparison to her older sister Olga, who was often under pressure from her and Helga's parents.

I also realized that the stuff with Cody and Lucia felt like they happened before, which was why I made notes of it being déjà vu. The whole title had a meaning behind it.

Next up, fights explode at the Surf Bar, while other things go on in Metro City. Stay tuned.