Chapter 4: Of Love and Fisticuffs
It had been a few days since Little Mac's victory over Alfredo Fettuccine and now he and Mr. Sandman were returning to the arena for his next fight.
"Alright Mac baby, you're off to a hot start, but don't get too far ahead of yourself," Mr. Sandman told him as they made their way back into the arena and towards the locker room.
"Right," Mac nodded as he walked along.
"Hey! Little Mac!" a voice called out and he turned to find a young woman chasing after him.
She had long red hair pulled back in a bun and a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. He wondered if maybe she worked in the office judging by her bright red blazer and matching skirt, but then he noticed the small camcorder in hand.
"A reporter?" he asked himself.
"Little Mac! Hold up!" she called out, hampered by the high-heeled shoes she wore.
"Can I help you?" he asked as she skidded to a halt in front of him.
"Reba Vox," she blurted out, "I'm in charge of the official CBF podcast. Do you have any words to offer on you recent comeback?"
Before Mac could speak, Mr. Sandman stepped in front of him.
"Ma'am, with all due respect, the champ cannot afford any distractions right now. But he thanks you for your continued support. Now if you'll excuse us, he has another fight to win. Now, come along Little Mac," Sandman said as he turned around and grabbed Mac by the shoulder, leading him to the locker rooms.
"I'll be sure to keep a close eye on you, Little Mac," Reba spoke and it was then he noticed the exotic violet irises beneath her glasses as she winked at him.
Little Mac didn't reply and continued toward the locker room door, yet as he stopped for another peek over his shoulder, she was nowhere to be found.
"Well, that was weird," he told himself as he looked on in puzzlement.
He shook it off quick and made his way into the locker room.
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**A Few Hours Later**
Mac made his way into the ring to face his next opponent. This man had long blond hair and a matching beard, wearing a pair of purple-tinted sunglasses, a red bandana as a headband, blue tie-dyed trunks, sandals, and pink boxing gloves.
Boxer Stats: Freedom Love
Rank: Bronze Circuit #2
Fight Record: 12-7 (9 KO's)
Age: 30
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 129 lbs.
From: Woodstock, New York, USA
Signature Move: Love Upper
Rendition of Punch-Out Theme: A slow-paced psychedelic rock tune with sitars and bongos
- Pre-Flight Sideshow -
Scene 1: Freedom Love is shown in nature wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt and vest, flashing a peace sign.
Scene 2: Freedom Love is shown sitting at a campfire with an acoustic guitar, while other hippies play bongo drums.
Scene 3: Freedom Love is shown at a protest holding a placard with a large peace sign on it, while a man with a crew cut is yelling in his face.
Scene 4: Freedom Love is again shown flashing a peace sign, while the other man lays unconscious on the ground and bystanders look on in shock.
- End Slideshow -
"Aw man, do we really gotta fight? Why can't we just chill?" Freedom asked as he put up his dukes. He sounded clearly out of it and Mac had to wonder if he even knew where he was.
The referee then stepped in and yelled, "Fight!"
"Whoa, dude!" Freedom called out as he wildly swung his right fist at Mac, who barely ducked underneath it. "Bummer!" he called out before Mac nailed him with four successive punches and knocked him backwards with peace signs flying over his head. "Groovy!" Freedom called out as he recovered with surprising speed and was able to nail Mac with another wild swing.
"That was cool!" Freedom droned as he lazily swayed in place with his hands waving around in front of him, but it gave Mac the opportunity to nail him for his first star.
Star Count: 1
"Whoa, dude!" Freedom called out as he went for another swing, but Mac again ducked. "Bummer!" he grunted before Mac nailed him with four more punches. "Can you feel that, man?" Freedom suddenly asked and began swaying back and forth, prompting Mac to go on guard, yet nothing happened, before he called out "Whoa, dude!" and went for another wild swing.
"He's toying with me. He's not as dumb as he looks," Mac told himself.
"Whoa, dude!" Freedom went for another wild swing, yet Mac counter-punched him this time and earned another star.
Star Count: 2
"Can you feel that, man?" Freedom asked as he began lazily swaying back and forth, yet Mac punched him for another star.
Star Count: 3
"Groovy!" Freedom called out as he suddenly went for a wild, faster swing that Mac barely ducked underneath before he followed up with four punches, but then he went for a fifth where he gathered all the stars into his fist and socked him hard with the Star Punch.
"Wow...that hurt man!" Love groaned before falling backwards.
Freedom Love Knockdowns: 1
Round Time Left: 1:39
1! 2! 3! 4!
Freedom staggered back to his feet, his sunglasses left lopsided. He reached up to push them back into place, yet stopped and looked at his fists, "Hey man, why am I wearing gloves?"
"Come on, come on! Fight!" the referee cried out.
"Can you feel that, man?" Freedom asked while swaying back and forth and looked like he was about to go for another wild swing, yet nothing happened. It was then he attempted a wild swing with his other hand, where Mac found an opening and counter-punched for another star.
Star Count: 1
Freedom suddenly tilted his head back and let out a deep sigh.
"Feel the power of love," he said before suddenly launching himself into the air with his fist extended, striking Mac hard and sending him staggering backwards.
Star Count: 0
"How did he?" Mac asked himself as the hippie floated back down to earth like a feather.
"Groovy!" Freedom cried out as he went for another left-handed swing, yet Mac managed to get a punch in before he could complete it, "Not cool!"
Star Count: 1
"Whoa, dude!" Freedom cried going for another wild swing which Mac ducked under. "Aw, man!" he grunted as Mac hit him four times. "Groovy!" he said attempting another swing, which Mac again ducked, "Not cool!" Mac followed up with four more punches, gathering the star power into his fist before unleashing a Star Punch.
"No way!" Freedom blurted out before he was knocked backwards by the blow, yet stayed on his feet.
Star Count: 0
Freedom started swaying back and forth again in an effort to fake out Mac, but the former champ saw it coming and nailed him for another star.
Star Count: 1
"Not cool!" Freedom blurted out and looked ready to go for another swing before the bell rang.
**Intermission**
"Man, you act like you're trying to hurt someone! I just wanna spread the love!" Freedom Love said as he sat in his corner with his legs crossed.
"All he wants is peace? Give him a piece of your Star Punch!" Mr. Sandman said giving Mac a hearty pat on the shoulder, while the former champ ate a chocolate bar to regain some lost energy.
**End Intermission**
A screen above the ring flickered, letting everybody know Round 2 was starting.
Freedom Love stood with his hands at his sides and took a deep breath, "I'm getting some far out vibes man...can you feel 'em?"
The referee stepped in and called out, "Fight!"
Freedom tilted his head back and let out a deep sigh, telling Mac he was readying for his Love Uppercut and he dodged to the right as the hippie went airborne.
"That was lame!" Freedom cried out upon missing the uppercut and Mac followed up with a deadly haymaker that caught him in a bad spot, causing him to wobble.
"Wow...that hurt man!" Freedom groaned before falling to the mat.
Freedom Love Knockdowns: 1
1! 2! 3! 4! 5!
Freedom Love tried pushing himself back to his feet, but again fell down.
6! 7! 8! 9!
Freedom Love let out a low groan as he pushed himself back to his feet and the right lens on his sunglasses cracked.
"Come on, come on! Fight!" the referee called out.
The hippie boxer tilted his head back and let out another deep sigh, signaling he was going for his Love Uppercut, yet Mac was ready and struck him before he could rise.
Star Count: 2
"That was lame!" Freedom grunted and Mac followed up with four additional punches before delivering a delayed jab that hit the hippie harder. "Groovy!" Freedom called out as he attempted another wild left-handed swing, yet Mac counter-punched for another star.
Star Count: 3
Freedom stood back and let out a deep sigh as he prepared for yet another Love Uppercut, yet Mac took note of the extended delay and figured he could nail him for an instant knockout with all his stars gathered. Before Freedom could rise, Mac gathered his stars and unleashed the full power, causing the hippie to rise high into the air with an almost serene look upon his features before he came crashing back to the mat with a loud 'BOOM.'
"Man...what a buzz kill!" Freedom Love groaned before passing out.
KNOCKOUT!
"Yeah!" Little Mac cried out, standing tall and pumping his fist in victory to the crowd's approval.
"Aw yeah, Mac baby! You're 3 for 3! It's only getting tougher from here. Better ice those knuckles up," Mr. Sandman told him.
Victory by Knockout (2nd Round with 1:10 remaining)
Fight Record: 3-0 (3 KO's)
New Rank: Bronze Circuit #2
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Unused Quotes:
Intermission:
"Man...all those bright flashing lights...are we on the great journey?"
Win Match:
Freedom is shown seated in a cross-legged position, giving a peace sign and saying "Let love rule!"
Mr. Sandman Tips:
"This guy doesn't even know where he is! Take him on a one way trip to Dreamland!"
"That Love Uppercut has a delayed start up. That gives you plenty of time to jump in and fire away."
"This joker's got his head up in the clouds. How's about you bring him back to earth?"
"This guy's got some wild punches and no discipline. Keep ducking when you have to."
"Show him the Star Punch. Send him on a trip he'll never forget!"
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Author's Note: And so concludes another battle on Little Mac's rise back to the top! Who's next? Tune in to find out!
Freedom Love is inspired by Mr. Van Driessen from "Beavis and Butt-Head," and to an extent, Freedom Brock from a long forgotten boxing title called "Ready 2 Rumble: Round 2."