Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Jake Roberts
  • 4/28/2025
Zander starts his first day of training, and he seems to have some confidence issues...

https://x.com/Undefeated_VN

https://bsky.app/profile/undefeatedvn.itch.io

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuDv5o5bwFI
Transcript
00:00Okay, guys, today we're going to start part two of Undefeated. Sorry it took so long to upload this because, well, real life got in the way and, well, I had to focus on that. But anywho, let's continue from where we left off.
00:17One half of the room is wide open, an empty space where people are standing around stretching or talking. There's only a few people in here. That makes sense, considering a lot of folks probably not having breakfast. Along the back padded wall are a few bags of various shapes and sizes. Heavy bags, speed bags, also thinned off the ground by chains. At the end of the room is a large mat with a circle on it, clean and empty, waiting for fighters to use it. It seems smaller than the one used in a visual fight, but big enough to spar in.
00:46Of course, Redline is here, too, twirling a jump rope up and down around his body like he caught his butt. A few people had gathered around him, chatting while they stretched. It seems so easy for people like him to just talk with others. I don't understand how he's so quick to make friends, especially with the speed he's jumping rope. Those people would be too focused on their breathing, but he's pacing himself well from what it looks like. I start my stretching as well, keeping the corner to focus myself.
01:14That right shoulder really needs this. I can feel my muscles releasing that tension that's been building up since that incident.
01:20Alright, boys, let's get going.
01:23Buggy claps his hands a few times and jogs into the space. Everyone stops talking and turns their attention to him.
01:29Redline is still jumping rope in place. Buggy slides up next to me, actually patting me semi-aggressively on the back.
01:35We'll see if we've got a new guy joining us. This is Xander, everyone.
01:38Do you want to introduce yourself?
01:41The eyes turn to me now.
01:43Uh, they're all staring, hopefully excited. If not excited, they're at least expecting something.
01:48Redline looks excited, but that seems to be his state.
01:51He's really whipping that rope around quick.
01:54Write the introductions.
01:56Uh, hi, I'm Xander. I've been fighting for a while now.
02:00Uh, what more am I supposed to say?
02:02I got my arm broken by the biggest guy in the league?
02:05I'd rather not be, I'd rather not that be what I'm known as here.
02:09And they probably already know all about that, so I really can't give him any new information.
02:13I guess by the way, you can tell I'm floundering.
02:14He comes to the back once again with an awkward chuckle.
02:17Let's give Xander a warm welcome today, alright?
02:19He's going to be training with us from now on.
02:22I expect everyone to give him the same amount of respect I give you guys, alright?
02:25A number of guys nodded at me, saying a few welcoming words.
02:29I see a few in the back whisper to each other, but I can't tell what they're saying.
02:32Bucky's hand sets on my shoulder, patting it gently.
02:37You'll be working with me today.
02:39The rest of you start getting warmed up for a light sparring.
02:42The red line started to open his mouth.
02:44Red, you keep on that jump rope.
02:46Xander, come this way.
02:48Bucky moves toward the heavy bags lined against the wall.
02:51Carrying a pair of training gloves in one hand, I follow suit.
02:53The rest of the guys have already got their hand wraps on, spreading out across the gym to warm up as they chat amongst themselves.
03:01They're mostly around my size, but a few of them are a little bit bigger.
03:04I guess Bucky doesn't mind having some different weight classes here.
03:08A sharp whistle pierces my ears, calling my attention back to Bucky and the heavy bag you the station next to.
03:14He pats the bag and tosses me the gloves.
03:16You doing alright? You had group classes, I'm sure.
03:19I nod, undoing the velcro and the gloves.
03:22Yeah, for a while. They're pretty cheap.
03:25Bucky chuckles at that.
03:27Smart. Coaches can be hit or miss.
03:29But you're here, so I assume they did you well.
03:32It doesn't look like you brought hand wraps, but that's fine. I don't want you sparring just yet.
03:37I didn't think to bring my hand wraps or gloves down to the gym with me.
03:39It makes sense to bring them, but I just forgot.
03:42Hand wraps are used to protect my knuckles, but normally don't need that kind of protection when I'm training.
03:46I don't know what to expect from down here just yet, so maybe I should be bringing them just in case.
03:53If you didn't bring any tofang, that's fine. I'm sure Red or someone has some they can spare.
03:57Redline calls for out from somewhere behind me now, still chopping rope.
04:02I got a bunch you can borrow.
04:04Focus on your breathing, Red. Double time.
04:07The whipping of the rope against the floor speeds up. Bucky looks back down at me.
04:12But like I was saying, those gloves will do just fine.
04:14Back gloves.
04:17They're a little lighter than normal sparring gloves so I can practice striking faster.
04:20We're still getting your arm back up to speed, so I'll hold back for you.
04:23I just want a few one-two combos, alright?
04:26Make it slow.
04:27I nod and close my eyes.
04:29Slow breathe in, slow breathe out.
04:31My feet shift out, left sliding toward a step with a heel angle down.
04:34My right slides back a bit, angling its toes out.
04:37I bend my knees ever so slightly, coming down as my weight presses down on my back foot.
04:43My hips twist to the right, and my shoulders follow through, firing my left arm out into the bag.
04:49It connects with a hiss, spreading from my gritted teeth.
04:55I force my hips back to the left as my right arm pistons forward.
04:58Another hiss forces its way out as the punch lands.
05:01I've noticed my expression has changed, scratching my face if I force my aggression onto the bag.
05:07Bucky's been brazing himself against the bag, clutching it tight.
05:10But even he takes a step back as my punches land.
05:13Whoa, now easy, Xander, I said take it slow.
05:16I snap my glare into his eyes, I'm not sure why.
05:18I don't want to intimidate him.
05:20He doesn't flinch, though.
05:21He just stays down with that same lax demeanor he's been carrying this whole time.
05:25Sorry.
05:27That was good, though.
05:27You caught me off guard.
05:29But remember, we're warming you up.
05:31I know you want to fight, but you can't go messing up your arm again.
05:34Alright, just take it easy.
05:36I nod and focus back on the bag, clearly weathered after taking so many punches over the years.
05:40Even then, it'll probably last longer down here than I will.
05:45That's a depressing thought, but it kind of pisses me off.
05:48I'm so fucking frustrated, I need to take it out on this, or on something.
05:52Bucky's hands switch, and I still see him watching me patiently.
05:55Deep breath, Xander.
05:57Take it easy.
05:58Wores all that anger down for now.
06:00My hips turn slow.
06:02And my punch reaches out to the back.
06:03The leathers collide and park gently.
06:05Good.
06:06I twist the opposite direction, my right reaching out in a similar fashion.
06:12There you go.
06:13All I want you to do is focus on your forearm right now.
06:15Nice and slow.
06:16My punch is, if I can call them that.
06:18Continue in a similar fashion.
06:20Slow, gentle taps against the back as my feet stay planted.
06:24This goes on for a while.
06:25The rest of the class continues their sparring, so the temperature in the room seems to rise.
06:29I almost ask if they can crack a window open, but that's not exactly an option down here.
06:34We continue for a while, and after Redline finishes his jump roping, he joins us on the
06:38next back over.
06:39Bucky moves away from me to expect the other students, correcting their form and physique
06:43as they train.
06:44We're all moving so fast, swapping partners every so often, laughing as they test each other's
06:50techniques.
06:51Doing alright, Xander?
06:54Red calls over from the other back.
06:55I lean kneeing up against it.
06:57He's worked out quite a sweat, but that's what he expected after what he's done so far
07:00today.
07:01Yep, just...
07:02I throw another combo, slow like the plurve, with a little extra power behind it.
07:06That.
07:07I can't help but speak flatly with him, at least for now.
07:10Everyone else clearly has shown their progress in the class.
07:13It feels like I'm taking remedial boxing for beginners.
07:16As if I haven't been doing this for over a decade now.
07:19I look like a fucking idiot.
07:22You're doing great!
07:23I look back up at Redline.
07:24It's probably hard without your full range of motion right now, but it's looking really
07:28solid.
07:29Keep up the good work!
07:32He claps me on the shoulder as he walks past, toward a few people explaining.
07:36Thanks.
07:37I don't know if he heard that or not.
07:38I guess it doesn't matter either way.
07:42Class continues like this for a while.
07:44The rest of the class moves on into heavier exercises while I change up the combos on my
07:47back.
07:48Redline gets himself into more trouble, but watching us stay quiet and work twice as hard
07:51because the rest of us is therapeutic somehow.
07:54After a while, Bucky calls for the end of the class.
07:56All right, boys.
07:58Good work today.
08:00Redline is still off to the side, doing some punishment crunches.
08:02As you all know, we've got a ride of passage from when someone new joins our squad.
08:06The rest of the men turn to look at me.
08:08I think I can tell where this is going.
08:09And I move back a bit toward the center of the room.
08:12Bucky nods to me and smiles.
08:14Everyone gets a free body shot at the newbie.
08:15I roll my eyes and lift my arms.
08:18I did the same thing at my old gym.
08:20A number of guys line up in front of me.
08:22We're all wearing a training vest, but I really don't find either way.
08:26After a bit of talking, the first one steps up.
08:28He wheels back and I tense up my abs.
08:30The wall makes contact from my body as I hiss out.
08:33It didn't really hurt as much as I thought it would, though.
08:36There are a lot more to go.
08:38He moves on and the next one steps up, taking a second to aim his shot.
08:43Another thump, another hiss, and he moves on.
08:45Conditioning is important, especially when it comes to taking punches.
08:49This also makes good for ab exercise, so I can't really complain.
08:52The line shortens, which each punch force in the wall times hits out of my mouth.
08:56It's good to spit out some air when I get hit, at least when I can predict it,
08:59as it makes my body tense up.
09:01That can make it easier to take a hit.
09:04A few more pass through, and the punches finally start to sting.
09:08My abs would be a nice shade of red if anyone could see under my shirt.
09:11Only one left to go.
09:13Red line moseys up to me.
09:15He's absolutely drenched in sweat, and his mouth is slightly open with his tongue hanging out.
09:20You alright, Xander?
09:22Even his voice sounds exhausted.
09:23I suppose that's a given, seeing how hard Bucky's worked him today.
09:27He still sounds excited, though, but that'll probably never really go away.
09:31Grrr.
09:32My arms are still up above my head.
09:34My body tends to be anticipated for the strike.
09:36A bit of sweat drip off my elbows onto the floor.
09:39Red line wastes no time shifting into his stance, and the blink of an eye, a fist finds its mark in the center of my body.
09:44With a heavy thump, I stagger back, my legs quiver before I drop to one knee.
09:51The pain resonates up to my body, stinging and burning at the center even after his glove departs.
09:57Oxygen strains itself through my gritted teeth as I try to drag it back into my control.
10:01Red line dropped down as soon as I had, tossing his glove aside to put my hand on my shoulder.
10:05Oh, shit.
10:06Are you okay?
10:07My eyes meet his, along with a few of the other guys who had already taken their shot.
10:12A few were laughing, either amongst themselves or at me.
10:14I could feel my face go hot.
10:16First Bruce has embarrassed me in front of everyone twice, and now red line's dropped me into my first class.
10:21This is so fucking humiliating.
10:24Get off!
10:26I shove his hand away from my shoulder, forcing myself upright and backwards.
10:29The room goes quiet.
10:30All eyes are on me and red line for a moment.
10:33I'm already sweating from the training, but the pressure's got me sweating cold now.
10:36Buggy claps his hands together, forcing his attention back to him.
10:40All right, great stuff today, guys.
10:41Go hit the showers.
10:43That seems to have fixed it.
10:44The men go back to chatting amongst themselves and strapping their gloves, moving toward the door.
10:48Make sure you get time on the treadmill sometime before tomorrow.
10:51He tries to yell over the sound of them talking, but no one seems to respond to it.
10:54I march toward the door, the sting from the blow still burning in my stomach.
10:58Sander, wait!
11:00I try to ignore his call, but Buggy sticks an arm out as I pass by him.
11:04Hold up, bud.
11:05I need my gloves back.
11:06I huff a bit of air out.
11:07My eyes refuse to connect as I tear the gloves off and present them.
11:12You're all right there, Sander?
11:13His arm's still extended, moves to prevent me from my attempt to slide past him.
11:17I'm fine.
11:19You're not, but you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.
11:22Go on cool, go cool down, we'll go talk some other time.
11:25I can't help but excel a sigh before nodding.
11:27All right, fine.
11:29Buggy's arm raises like a barrier gate, and I hurry out of the gym.
11:32Since the day I got here, it's been humility and pity after day, day after day, and I'm getting fucking sick of it.
11:40Bruce has already made me look stupid twice.
11:43I know I had the chance to meet new people, but Redline had to go and fuck that up too.
11:47I don't know what else I'm supposed to do.
11:48My path back to the stairwell is cut up by a crowd of people headed to the cafeteria.
11:52I really can't be bothered to find my way through that.
11:54My only other option is to turn around and use the stairwell at the end of the hall.
11:57That one at least gives me easy access to my room.
12:00I thought I could handle that stupid punching training well enough.
12:03I did at my last gym.
12:06I'm not sure why these guys are any different.
12:08Well, these are professional fighters.
12:10It makes sense that they'll be stronger than the guys I'm used to.
12:12But by the hell did Redline have so much power?
12:15I didn't think I was too tired to take that, but it still stings.
12:17I can't seem to get a win anywhere.
12:19It's like this place is out to get me.
12:21And now I look like an idiot for leaving a gym in such a rush.
12:25I can still feel sweat dripping down off my chin.
12:27Have I even been leaving a trail down the hallway this whole time?
12:30Probably not uncommon down here, but it's still gross.
12:33Passing by the gym, I can't see Redline, but that's for the best.
12:36I don't want to see him right now.
12:37The rest of the hallway is pretty quiet on the way to the stairwell.
12:39Everyone's off at lunch, so I got some time to get a change of clothes and shower.
12:44The closing of the heavy metal door's latch echoes up to the space.
12:47It's cold and quiet.
12:49The chatter from down the hall is completely silenced behind this door.
12:52The silence is quickly broken, though.
12:54A breathly sigh comes from somewhere behind me.
12:55My ears look to aim toward it.
12:57Whoever gave that sigh is moving toward the staircase.
12:59I wait a moment to see if any...
13:00I can determine if they're coming toward me.
13:03It's quiet enough to hear a pin drop, or at least enough to hear the sound of my sweat dripping
13:07to cement floors.
13:09It draws attention for a second.
13:11Gross!
13:12I guess they're going farther away.
13:13How far off does this go?
13:14I move up the stairwell, keeping my ears out for anyone back here.
13:19Looking up, I can't see the end of the staircase.
13:21Not that it's very well lit here regardless.
13:24I get to the second floor of the stairwell and open the door.
13:28Finally, away from the rest of the people, I take some time to get a fresh change of clothes from my room and head to the showers.
13:33Halfway down the second floor hallway, there's a massive communal shower room opposite from the bathrooms.
13:41There's four rows of showers, each row barriered from either side of the brick wall.
13:46Near one wall is a bunch of hooks and benches for people to keep their clothes while they wash up.
13:51This place is normally packed, even with the second shower room down on the opposite end of the hall.
13:56It's not too bad now that there's no one around, though.
13:58These guys can be really annoying, even when their people are just trying to wash up.
14:03I'll have to come back more often when it's less crowded.
14:05I toss my clothes on the bench and carry my all-in-one body wash to the nearest stall.
14:09I crank it the faucet up, and a gush of cold water fires from the shower head.
14:13I manage to avoid the initial spray, though I can feel its chill from stray droplets against my fur.
14:20I turn the hot water knob as high as it will go, but the temperature doesn't increase much, even after a few minutes.
14:28Guess the hot water's all used up.
14:30I side-step into the frigid spray, immediately tenting up as the water strikes my spine.
14:34My breathing stutters and my muscles convulse for a second, and they're exposed.
14:38But after a few seconds, my body loosens up. I can breathe slowly and smoothly now.
14:43The body wash lathers up nicely. It smells kind of minty, too.
14:47The bottle calls it charcoal chill. Guess that explains the black coloring.
14:50Not sure what it has to do with mint. Someone enters the shower room.
14:54Xander?
14:55Christ, I really don't want to talk right now. I sigh.
14:59What?
15:01Redline moves from front of my shower stall.
15:03Are you okay?
15:04I can't help but look at him. He has no problem staring at my naked body.
15:07Here I am, fully nude, half-covered in studs, and he's able to casually stroll in and talk with me.
15:12I'm, uh...
15:13I gesture to my body. He seems to get the picture.
15:15Oh, right. Sorry. Uh...
15:17He moves to the other side of the wall.
15:19Are you okay?
15:20I'm fine.
15:21The cold water rinses the soap off my fur.
15:24Did I do something wrong in class?
15:25I'm fine, Redline.
15:27I thought I hurt you or something.
15:28I'm...
15:29Did I embarrass you?
15:30I didn't...
15:30I'm fine, Redline.
15:34I don't really like raising my voice, but he doesn't seem to understand I want to be alone right now.
15:37He's quiet for a second.
15:39Well, if you say so.
15:41There's another pause.
15:42I'm gonna go grab lunch. I'll save you a seat, okay?
15:45He waits for a few more seconds for a response. I'm debating not giving one.
15:48Okay. Thanks.
15:50For sure, man.
15:53Redline leaves, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
15:56And this fucking freezing water.
15:58I squirt a bit more soap onto my hand and run it through my hair,
16:00scrubbing it over my scalp amongst the base of my antlers.
16:03They're already growing it in a bit.
16:05I don't want to get them trimmed until I absolutely have to.
16:07At least Redline's not here to deal with my shitty attitude.
16:10I feel like such an ass.
16:12I was an ass.
16:14Redline didn't mean to embarrass me.
16:15I just wasn't expecting it.
16:17He even tried to apologize, and I shut him down.
16:19I should probably apologize,
16:21but turning in my stomach at the thought of it makes me think it won't be easy to do.
16:25I see how he's feeling at lunch.
16:26The rest of the suds are inside of my hair,
16:28and after scrubbing on the rest of my body,
16:29I turn off the shower.
16:31It's a lot warmer in my towel than in the stall.
16:33Part of me misses my hairdryer at my old place,
16:35as shitty as it was.
16:40Whatever.
16:40Dried off, fresh clothes with old clothes,
16:42tossed haphazily onto my bed.
16:43Redline's gym clothes are strewn out onto his bed, too.
16:45I guess he's still at lunch.
16:47I should probably make my way down.
16:52It's a lot chattier than normal.
16:53I guess I've never been here while it's this full.
16:55Redline's at the table he usually sits at,
16:57but there's a bunch of other guys seated around him.
16:59He flags me down, smiling as big as ever.
17:01He's emotions to an empty seat next to him.
17:03Yo, Xander!
17:04He nearly has to yell to hear over the chatter in the room.
17:06I drop down to the seat with my tray of food.
17:09The rest of the men are still in their own conversations.
17:12Xander, me and my buds.
17:13This is Iggy, JJ, and Ollie.
17:15He rattles off a bunch of names as he just has to eat to them.
17:18Some of them hold the nod back in between bites of food,
17:20the others are still wrapped in their conversations.
17:22I recognized a few of them in the class earlier, actually.
17:25I think we're missing a few.
17:26Rick and Gabe are on vacation, right?
17:28Yeah.
17:29He seems to have time to hit the surface for a few weeks.
17:32Redline nods.
17:33Good for them, honestly.
17:34We were looking pretty run down,
17:35especially after Gabe tore his ACL.
17:38The badger that piped up nods.
17:40Kind of crowded today, huh?
17:42Hmm?
17:43Oh, yeah, I guess so.
17:44It doesn't surprise me, though.
17:45I guess we did come down at peak lunch hours.
17:47My nerves go a little numb,
17:48but I take an awkward breath and look at Redline.
17:51Hey, listen, Redline.
17:51I want to apologize.
17:53Speakers from the ceiling, I assume,
17:54played a bit of feedback as someone taps the microphone.
17:56Redline ears shoot up.
17:58Testing, testing.
17:59Bit of cheer erupts from around the cafeteria.
18:01I can't seem to pick out the source of the voice,
18:03but everyone seems to turn to the center of the space
18:05at the top of the mini staircase.
18:06Theodore, the nervous rep that visits me in the medbay,
18:09stands for the microphone in his hands.
18:11Good afternoon, everyone.
18:13The voice of the crowd almost rounds out Theodore
18:14and with the loudspeakers, I turn to Redline.
18:16What's going on?
18:18I have to yell over the noise.
18:19Redline just beeps back.
18:21Oh, right.
18:21This is your first time, huh?
18:23His tails start sweeping back and forth.
18:25It's matchmaking day, dude.
18:27As you all know, it is that time of the month
18:30when the timid little thing raises a shaky hand holding an envelope.
18:34He tries to open it with one hand.
18:35It's kind of awkward, but he manages.
18:37I'm sure you're all excited as I am
18:39to know what this month's fights are going to be.
18:42You sound excited!
18:44Someone yells over the crowd,
18:45which I managed to find out of in anticipation,
18:47but immediately rolls back up.
18:48The rabbit's ears twitch,
18:51and his face goes blank
18:52as he tries to hurriedly read through the list.
18:54Ahem.
18:55This Friday, that's in two days,
18:57first up in the lightweight division would be Batty.
19:00As Theodore reads off the name,
19:02a tear erupts from one end of the cafeteria
19:03as a lean monkey rises from the sea.
19:05He's up against Mickey.
19:09Mickey's name causes the men around me
19:11to cause an uproar as well.
19:12A lynx fellow seated across from the stands up
19:14as the rest of the table applauds.
19:16Redline friends start pounding the table
19:18as Mickey makes his way up to Theodore
19:20with Matthew as already standing.
19:22The two stare down at each other
19:23for a few seconds as the crowd cheers,
19:25more shaking hands of making their way back to their seats.
19:27Mickey's welcomed back to the table
19:29with a bunch of congratulations and hats on the back
19:31while Theodore rattles off another name,
19:33followed by more cheering.
19:35Redline finishes chattering with Mickey,
19:37then turns to me.
19:39Yeah, so basically once a month,
19:41Teddy goes up and lifts up all the fights
19:42for the next night.
19:44That's not a lot of prep time
19:45to get ready for a fight.
19:47Redline shrugs.
19:48Since we basically spent all our time
19:50down here training,
19:51we shouldn't need much time
19:51to do a fight camp or anything like that.
19:53He flexes a bicep,
19:54patting it tenderly.
19:56These bad boys are ready to go
19:57whenever they want to give me someone.
20:00They're just waiting to see
20:01if someone as short as you exists.
20:03His friend chimes up
20:04and Redline laughs,
20:05jabbing him in the shoulder.
20:06Hey now, Xander's right here!
20:09I can feel my face get hot.
20:10I'm not that much shorter than him.
20:12Theodore's been talking a bit right now,
20:13but the crowd's noise seems to die down
20:15after previous fighters
20:15to return to their seats.
20:16He clears his thorn and tugs
20:18at his shirt pop.
20:20And the moment you've all been waiting for,
20:22we've got a special upcoming championship fight
20:23in the heavyweight division
20:24at the end of the month.
20:26Another cheer from the crowd
20:26with a chance of
20:27bruise, bruise, bruise
20:28pushing through the men.
20:31The reigning champion
20:32will be facing off
20:33against the challenger,
20:35Alex.
20:35Hearing that name
20:40sends a shiver down my skin.
20:42The crowd kind of goes quiet,
20:45almost confused as they look
20:46for whoever has that name.
20:48I push myself to my feet.
20:49A few hands swiveled to look at me.
20:51I move through the crowd
20:53toward Theodore.
20:56What was once cheering and laughing
20:57has turned to an uncomfortable whisper
20:59as people are surely asking each other
21:00too many questions.
21:01I climb to the stairs
21:04to where Theodore is standing.
21:05He looks like he doesn't want
21:05to be here either.
21:07Bruce isn't here.
21:08He should be easy
21:09to pick out of a crowd,
21:10but he's nowhere to be seen.
21:12As soon as I reach the top step,
21:13one voice rings out
21:14from across the cafeteria.
21:17Let's fucking go, Xander!
21:20Woo!
21:21Everyone turns to the source
21:22and after a second,
21:23all of Redline's friends
21:23start clapping as well,
21:24albeit a bit hesitantly.
21:26The rest of the crowd
21:27dissolves into idle chatter,
21:28confused applause or laughter.
21:29It takes a lot of control
21:31to keep my eyes from folding down,
21:32but I know that would only
21:33make them laugh more.
21:35Uh, Alex, I, uh...
21:36I clear my throat.
21:37Theodore, is there any way
21:39I could talk with the commissioner?
21:40He's here's twitching.
21:41He looks away.
21:42I am...
21:42I, uh, uh...
21:43I'm afraid once the match is made,
21:45it can't be undone.
21:45You will have to wait
21:46until after the fight is over.
21:48But I...
21:49Theodore bows awkwardly
21:50and hops down from the steps
21:50before I could say anything else.
21:52A few men harass him
21:53as he nearly runs for the exit.
21:54He's especially fast
21:55for someone so frail-looking.
21:57Maybe that's why
21:57he's so fast in the first place.
21:59The cafeteria has gone back
22:02to its usual chatter
22:03and I slog my way back
22:04into my seat at the table.
22:06Redline's got most of them
22:07entranced in a conversation,
22:08but when I get it close enough,
22:09they motion to be closer.
22:11You want to tell these guys
22:12what's up?
22:13Not really.
22:14Redline's ears lower at that,
22:16but he turns back to his friends.
22:18He's in some weird
22:18fucked up contract
22:19and he has to keep fighting Bruce.
22:21He hasn't really told me the details.
22:23The rest of them
22:23echo each other's conversation.
22:25A few more are badgering me
22:26with questions.
22:26I just want to eat my food.
22:27They probably won't stop
22:28without an answer.
22:29I'll as well get it over with.
22:31That's really all there is
22:32to it, honestly.
22:33The matchmaking system
22:34fucked up
22:35and I can't get in touch
22:35with the commissioner
22:36to change it yet.
22:37That seems to be
22:38sending nervous shockwaves
22:39through the groove
22:40as they all ease back
22:41into their seats.
22:42Redline chimes in.
22:44Oh, shit.
22:45Really?
22:45That's not great.
22:47Not great?
22:48Yeah.
22:49Commissioner he's...
22:50For the first time,
22:51they're all sort of quiet.
22:52Don't fuck with the commissioner, man.
22:54One of his friends speaks up
22:55and the rest echo agreement.
22:57Yeah, I mean,
22:57they really don't know
22:58much about him,
22:58but there's a reason
22:59no one really talks to him.
23:01And that is...
23:02Redline swallows a bit of food
23:03and thanks.
23:04I mean, he's like...
23:06Our boss?
23:06Like, we don't really need
23:07to question it.
23:08We just do our job.
23:09But this feels like
23:10a special case
23:10where that might be
23:11a risk worth taking.
23:12I don't know.
23:13Or you could just
23:14fight Bruce.
23:14You're called.
23:16The rest of the group
23:17laughs at that.
23:17That...
23:18My heart only sinks
23:19into my stomach.
23:20I'm not really hungry anymore.
23:21I don't know.
23:24A few weeks pass by
23:25relatively uneventful
23:26aside from the dread
23:27of the next fight
23:28looming over me.
23:29Drayden tried to get
23:30in touch with me
23:31to weasel him more information
23:32but I can't really talk to him.
23:33He has nothing to do
23:34with the fight.
23:34He just doesn't need
23:35to be involved.
23:36Theodore has pretty much vanished.
23:38Seems no one really sees him
23:39outside of matchmaking day.
23:41Not that he would have
23:42been any help either.
23:43He bolted when I tried
23:44talking to him about it then.
23:45I don't really think
23:46that would change now.
23:47I roll onto one side.
23:51My mattress feels
23:52a lot less comfortable
23:53these days.
23:54The sheets are draped
23:55over my top half.
23:56I really get uncomfortable
23:56when my feet are too hot
23:58which happens pretty frequently
23:59in this room.
24:01They shut off air conditioning
24:02at night sometimes.
24:03I can't really tell
24:03why or how often
24:05but I'll sometimes
24:06wake up in a pool of sweat.
24:08Redline seems to have it
24:09figured out though
24:10with his box fan
24:11flowing cooler
24:11staler ale
24:12onto his body.
24:13He says the sun
24:14to the fan
24:15helps him sleep.
24:16It's not too intrusive
24:17and it keeps the air moving
24:18so I can't really complain.
24:20God, his position
24:21looks uncomfortable.
24:22His limbs are all
24:23controlled in wild positions.
24:24To each their own,
24:25I guess.
24:26I click my phone to life.
24:27Breakfast doesn't start
24:28for another half hour.
24:29I sigh.
24:30Might as well get out of bed.
24:31Waking up early
24:32has never been hard for me.
24:33Deer are light sleepers
24:35by nature
24:36so everyone in my family
24:37would always wake up
24:37around sunrise.
24:39It helped for training too
24:41once I started getting
24:41serious about it.
24:42After I moved out
24:43though,
24:43waking up wasn't
24:44just natural.
24:45It was just unnecessary.
24:47Those store shelves
24:48didn't stock themselves
24:48sufficiently
24:49with how early
24:49my work opened
24:50even if it meant
24:51unloading hundreds
24:52of pounds of shit
24:52off a truck
24:53at hours unseen
24:54by God.
24:55Oh well,
24:56all that is behind me now.
24:57Maybe not the early mornings
24:58but that's fine.
24:59I like waking up
25:00before everyone else.
25:01I have to get
25:01I get to have my alone time
25:03and the silence
25:04treats me well.
25:06Well, silence
25:07ignoring Redline's fan.
25:08I slip a tank top on it
25:09with my phone slid down
25:10to my lounge pants pocket.
25:11I slip out of the bedroom.
25:12It's hard to believe
25:15that I've almost been here
25:16for a month already.
25:18One month since
25:19that elevator ride.
25:20One month since
25:20leaving it all behind.
25:22One month since
25:22Bruce.
25:24Now I get to do it again
25:25in a few days.
25:26My stomach hurts again.
25:27Maybe I should go somewhere
25:28to relax before breakfast
25:28opens up.
25:30It's been a while
25:31since I hit the immersion chamber.
25:32Maybe the beach
25:33will calm me down.
25:33The hall is as quiet
25:36as ever.
25:37I haven't been back here
25:38since Redline was
25:38showing me around.
25:40I pull at the door.
25:41Locked.
25:42Hmm.
25:42Redline must have used
25:43a passcode on that panel
25:44next to the door.
25:45Need a hand?
25:46Bucky's voice echoes
25:47from down the hall
25:48behind me.
25:49I was hoping to get
25:49some alone time
25:50but if I had to be
25:51interrupted
25:51I'm glad it's him.
25:53Uh, yeah.
25:54Door's stuck.
25:55Bucky nods
25:56tapping in something
25:56on the keypad.
25:57Yep.
25:58This place is pretty
25:59high tech.
26:00They don't want
26:00random people coming in
26:01without a passcode word.
26:02Give her a go.
26:05Sure enough
26:06the door opens.
26:07It's still night time
26:07in here
26:08but it'll probably
26:08be sunrise soon.
26:10The ocean is still
26:11no waves crashing
26:11against the shore.
26:12The silence is almost eerie.
26:17You're up early.
26:19Yeah, I, uh,
26:20couldn't sleep.
26:22Hmm, I hear ya.
26:23Bucky leans on the railing
26:24overlooking the ocean.
26:26Nervous?
26:27About the fight?
26:28He stays quiet
26:28like he's waiting
26:29for an answer.
26:30I move up next to him.
26:32How am I not
26:32supposed to be?
26:34He huffs out a short laugh.
26:35I still don't know
26:36how you got involved
26:37in that contract.
26:38It's got something
26:38to do with their system
26:39or whatever.
26:40I need to talk
26:40to the commissioner
26:41so I can get it fixed.
26:43What, you don't think
26:44you could take Bruce?
26:45I don't really know
26:45how to answer that
26:46without sounding like an ass.
26:47How is that even a question?
26:49Not, really?
26:50Could you?
26:52Oh, yeah.
26:53He didn't even take time
26:54to think about that.
26:55Really?
26:56He'd be lucky
26:57to have any pieces
26:58to put himself
26:58back together again.
27:00He's bigger than you.
27:01He's bigger than you.
27:02He's undefeated
27:02in his weight class.
27:04And?
27:04What does that matter?
27:06You think I'm going to
27:06get anywhere
27:07worrying about all that?
27:08He turns to the head
27:09to face me.
27:11I don't give a shit
27:12if he's huge.
27:13It just means
27:13he's slower than me.
27:15I know how to handle myself.
27:16Leave that to instinct
27:17and let the rest of my focus
27:18go on and turn him
27:19to pieces.
27:21His finger jabs
27:21in his forehead.
27:23The absolute worst
27:23thing you can do
27:24the absolute worst
27:25is to let them
27:26get to your head.
27:28The finger moves
27:29to point between
27:29my eyebrows.
27:31You're not going to
27:32let them get
27:32into your head.
27:34You know exactly
27:35who you are
27:35and know exactly
27:36what you're going to do.
27:37Nothing can change that.
27:39And if the last few
27:39weeks of training
27:40have been any indication
27:41you're probably going to
27:41leave him smeared
27:42across the cement.
27:43Alright?
27:44The finger on my head
27:45shifts to place
27:46his plan across my scalp.
27:48Staring up to his
27:48confinement eyes
27:50with a genuine
27:50warm smile.
27:51It's hard to say no to that.
27:54He shakes my head gently.
27:55Alright?
27:56A chuckling swipe
27:57his hand
27:58drops to the railing.
27:59Alright, alright.
28:00You're probably right.
28:02Uh, I...
28:03Not probably.
28:04I am right.
28:06Full confidence,
28:07Andrew.
28:07Wherever you doubt yourself,
28:09you gotta make yourself
28:09be confident
28:10even if it ain't real.
28:12Make it until you make it.
28:12That sort of thing.
28:14And you keep that confidence
28:15until it becomes real.
28:16You understand?
28:17I doubt.
28:18Continues.
28:19If you doubt yourself,
28:20you lose focus.
28:21You lose focus,
28:22you take a hit.
28:23It all snowballs
28:23until you end up
28:24in eating pavement.
28:26But if you stay on that
28:27track of positive thinking,
28:28it's going to do wonders
28:29for your mental attitude.
28:30Start finding solutions
28:31you didn't see before.
28:33It won't automatically
28:34make you win,
28:35as you know,
28:35but it'll help you
28:36get closer.
28:37So I'll ask you now.
28:38You're fighting, Bruce.
28:39You're going to win?
28:41It takes a bit to respond.
28:42My stomach's still in knots.
28:44Yeah.
28:45It took a bit,
28:46but we got there.
28:47I'll ask again
28:47right before the fight.
28:49That got a bit of a chuckle
28:50out of me.
28:51But what happens if I lose?
28:53What did I just say?
28:55No, I know, I know,
28:56but what if a miracle happens
28:57if he gets lucky
28:58and I lose?
28:58No.
28:59Well, then you lose.
29:02You get back up.
29:03And you try again next time.
29:05And you keep going
29:05until you break
29:06in his big, dumb snout in.
29:08Or die trying.
29:10He goes quiet
29:10at that.
29:11Not like he's mad
29:12or confused,
29:13but he'd like
29:13he doesn't know
29:14how to respond.
29:15Well, it won't come to that.
29:16Bruce is a brute,
29:17but he's not a killer.
29:19We're quiet for a moment.
29:20I break the silence.
29:22You genuinely think
29:23you could beat Bruce?
29:24Oh, absolutely.
29:25Not even with fake confidence.
29:26I'd drop his ass
29:27in a second.
29:29I-I-I's belly
29:29pressed firmly
29:30against the wall
29:30of the railing.
29:31Red light did say
29:32it hadn't been a while
29:32since people have seen him fight.
29:35But I wouldn't get out
29:36without a few scrapes,
29:37of course,
29:37but he's lucky
29:38he ain't fighting
29:38when I was around.
29:40I'm surprised
29:41he can take a punch from him.
29:42I feel like one punch
29:43would send me
29:43to the ground
29:44with a broken jaw.
29:45Lucky's eyes
29:46can be astounded
29:46and almost suspicious
29:47of my lack of confidence.
29:49That's why I'm not
29:50going to let him hit me,
29:50obviously.
29:52There we go.
29:52You're not wrong.
29:54Bruce is a bit
29:54of a powerhouse, eh?
29:56Yeah, I'm not really
29:57normally scared off
29:58of getting head
29:58from people
29:58in my weight class,
30:00but that's not really
30:00an option for me right now.
30:02Really?
30:03Not even Red?
30:04Red?
30:04Huh?
30:05Red, back in our first class
30:06when you went
30:07with the intimidation.
30:09Bob dropped you
30:10like a sack of potatoes.
30:11I haven't really
30:12thought about that,
30:13but I don't really...
30:14But I don't think
30:15I actually apologized
30:16to Redline either.
30:18Okay, guys,
30:18I'm going to end it right here.
30:19Thank you guys for watching.
30:20See you next time.
30:21Take care.