1 A Night To Remember

The thunderous cheers from the raised platforms placed uniformly around the abandoned warehouse washed over me like the waves of a vehement ocean. Sending shivers of excitement through my body as I raised my wrapped fists in response. My gaze fell from the excited crowd as I stared down my opponent. A small boy wearing a midnight blue tuxedo stepped between my opponent and me, the rhinestone microphone in his hand seemed to glint with delight.

{LADIES AND GENTS, SUPES AND HUMANS, WELCOME TO THE RUMBLE OF TITANS!!!}

The already thunderous cheers turned to roars of excitement as the boy smiled up at the crowd. The boy raised his hand in my direction, his emerald eyes glowing with ethereal power.

{ON THIS SIDE OF THE FLOOR, WE HAVE A NEW FAN FAVORITE WITH AN ASTOUNDING RECORD OF 0 LOSSES AND 9 WINS!! DAHLIA!!!}

I flashed my most confident smile while showing off some flashy fighting techniques. The boy flicked his shoulder-length black hair and motioned to his other side.

{AND ON MY RIGHT, WE HAVE A RETURNING VETERAN WITH AN IMPRESSIVE RECORD OF 25 WINS AND 12 LOSSES!! GOLIATH!!}

Goliath flexed his bulging muscles living up to his name as the Goliath. The boy made a come here motion signaling Goliath and me to step closer. The boy turned away from the audience and spoke in a hushed voice.

{You know the rules, no hair pulling, no blows below the belt, and no unsightly behavior.} The boy momentarily glanced at me. {Also, please remember while killing is allowed, try to control yourself, concealing a murder is a pain in the ass that the committee and I don't want to deal with.}

{I'll try my best, but I won't make any promises.} A provoking sneer crossed Goliath's rough mug.

The boy snorted derisively {Okay, big guy. Now shake.} We gripped hands, Goliath doing his best to crush mine.

{I can't believe they put me in here with a little girl.}

I smirked

{Wow, was that the best thing you could come up with. So cliche.} my voice filled with mock disappointment, causing Goliath's sneer to be immediately replaced with a grimace of anger.

{Keep talking, and I'll rearrange that pretty little face of yours.}

{I'd say the same thing to you, except I wouldn't precisely call...that pretty.}

{SAY THAT AGAIN YOU-}

{AND BREAK!!}

We break the handshake, Goliath gritting his teeth in rage. We both turn around, returning to our side of the abandoned warehouse. Suddenly Goliath stopped.

{Just you wait. I'll knock you down a peg.}

My voice deepened as a vicious smile crossed my lips {Oh, I'll be waiting.}

{I, YOUR HOST HIROKI PRESENT TO YOU A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!!} Hiroki floated upward above the crowd and flashed a dashing smile. Many young girls and some older women blushed and giggled. I took my fighting stance, glaring at Goliath all the while.

{FIGHT!!!}

Not wasting a single second, I leaped forward, staying low to the ground. Goliath attempted to intercept me by performing a low kick, but I quickly sidestepped into a rising uppercut. My fist connected with a loud *CRACK* throwing Goliath's head back; however, this isn't enough to put him out of commission. He quickly recovered and swiped at me. I lean back and narrowly dodge the attack, but the force generated from the swing is enough to send me back a couple of feet. The once silent crowd erupted into cheers of excitement and exhilaration as we finished the exchange.

We circled each other, neither of us daring to make the first move. Then, finally breaking the tension, we both rush in. My scarlet hair flies back like a small but violent flame as I move at superhuman speeds. We meet in the middle, and our fists connect, sending a visible shockwave throughout the warehouse. I throw a right haymaker at Goliath's head, but his muscled arm blocks it. Not faltering in the slightest, I throw a left hook slamming my wrapped fist into his thick chin. This throws him off balance, and I immediately deliver a sharp gut punch. He keels over, so I grab his head and slam it into my knee. However, before I could continue the combo, he lunged into me, throwing me back.

{RRAAAGH} Goliath roars, his already large body doubling in size.

(So he's finally activated his ability) I think as I put my guard up and evaluate my opponent. I just need him to bleed then I can initiate mine. Suddenly Goliath disappears, then reappears in front of me already halfway through, performing a powerful Muay Thai roundhouse. The kick lands with a loud *BOOM* I fly across the warehouse and slam into the force field protecting the audience. I feel something break within me as I finally realize what happened.

( WHAT THE HELL!! DID HE JUST MOVE FASTER THAN I COULD SEE!!) I hold my side as I shakily stand back up and do my best not to fall back over. (Shit, that kick broke one of my ribs. Focus Dhalia, focus!) Goliath jumps into the air, leaving a footprint in the concrete. This time my eyes follow his every movement. I know exactly what to do. I move ever so slightly to the right. His downward punch just barely misses me as it hits the ground creating a small crater in the floor. Before he can react, I smack my palm into his left ear with a heavy *PAP*. The intense vibration disorients him, so hold on tight to his left ear and hurl my fist into his right one. My fist moves at speeds only superhumans can see as I keep slamming it into his right ear.

{GET. OOOOFFFF!!!}

Goliath's thick arm hits me in the abdomen and sends me flying at least 20 feet into the air. I hit the ground with a resounding *THUD* a small groan escapes my lips as I stand up; that's when I notice it. There's blood on my hand, and it's not my own. I look up at Goliath, and his hand slowly lowers from his right ear; it's bleeding and quite profusely. Goliath pales. He knows what this means.

I lick my bloodied fingers, and my smile turns manic. It's time for the beatdown.