Underground Ring
People screamed around you and it wasnât mostly anger. People were cheering and booing your name as you walked to the boxing ring. Your gloves reflected the lights that shined and moved everywhere. You lived for this type of life, it was in your veins. The only issue that honestly held you back was your job. You worked for the army in the day time, you were valued as much as you were here. If anyone back at the base were to find out you knew it would be one hell of a meeting and possibly ending career.
You snapped out of your thoughts as your opponent stepped up, their build was bulky yet manageable by you. Underground fighting rings didnât have weight classes, this wasnât anything professional. This was a fun experience for anyone, so it never surprised you if opponents were bigger than you or smaller. You watched as their own gloves reflected the lights and people screamed their names.
You turned to your coach who slipped in a mouth guard. Their hands rested on your shoulders as he grinned.
âThey arenât a big size, sure they got a good build but your moves can do the work.â Your coach encouraged you as you nodded. âBets been placed on you tonight, so live up to them kid.
You nodded quickly as he let you go, you rolled your shoulders and took a deep breath.Then you walked to the center of the ring, the opponent already there waiting with the ref. You glanced at the ref as he examined the opponent. Checking for any sharp objects, sure this was underground fighting but some rules were set. The ref soon turns to you and checks your own gloves, you let him with no issue.
âTry to keep it clean, no deadly hits for this round.â The ref explains to you and the opponent. âPeople placed money for a long fight so keep it long,but no kicking at least for now.â
You sighed and looked around, the crowd was booming with noise. Money was waved in the air as bets were placed. You glanced back at your opponent watching them as they rolled their shoulders and shook their head. They were nervous just at you, this fight would declare the best for this underground ring. With a quick move you shook your own head, smacking it slightly with your gloves to focus. Your eyes kept landing on the crowd. Something wasnât right, you felt someone more important was watching. You kept scanning the crowd, your eyes trying to lock onto any unfamiliar face. Wait.. is that..?
âFighters!â The ref called out making you look back. âYou two ready!?â
Your nodded along the opponent, a bell rang out classifying the first match. You and opponent bump gloves before backing up. The ref signaled the two of you to start, immediately you put your guard up. The opponent stepped forward, throwing a quick jab at your block. You donât budge and step back, your gaze turning to the crowd once more.
Your opponent notice your distraction and immediately threw a hard jab straight to the chest. You stumbled back and looked at your opponent as they jabbed you again. You barely manage to block their combo, if they managed to jab and cross you it would be hard for you to recover. Your body tense up as they kept trying to lower your guard. Their punches even with gloves were powerful enough to knock you back.
âFocus!â Coach tried to yell over the crowd. âDonât let them get that combo!â
You look straight at your opponent, trying to focus yet your eyes scan the crowd again. You needed to be sure you werenât seeing things, that the one person you worried being here isnât really here. The opponent saw your distraction again and threw a fast upper cut then a cross knocking you back. You groaned loudly as you fell backwards onto the corner. You watched as they grinned, their blue mouth guard showing.
You knew that focus was needed, that you couldnât just go down in round one. The ref called you out, telling you to stop leaning back. You quickly stepped up as your opponent backed up. You put your guard up once more, when your opponent stepped closer you threw a quick jab. Then followed it by another and a cross, your opponent narrowed their eyes. You were gonna combo them now, they hated how you focused up again. You tried to do a quick upper cut, but your opponent dodge and right hook your jaw. You take the hit but still stumble back, the opponent immediately grabs you into a head lock.
The ref immediately jumps in and tries to pull the opponent off. He soon does and pushes you back from them before speaking.
âNo headlocks! Try to keep it long.â The ref yelled over the crowd. âAnd try to maintain clean for now!â
The opponent rolls their eyes, annoyed by the idea of keeping the first match clean. The ref soon stepped back letting the match continue, your eyes looked the opponent up and down. Taking the lead would be more best, so you step up as your opponent puts their guard up. You do a quick jab, they lower their guard trying to return the hit. You both exchange a quick right hook to the face, but you recover quicker and jab them. With a quick smooth move you manage to jab, cross and upper cut the opponent. They stumble back, making you proud that finally youâre doing damage.
They stare at you with anger, immediately they throw a heavy punch to your face. There is a loud crunch followed by the gasps of people, they just busted your nose. You groan and fall back onto the ring mat, your nose bleeding badly. You try to touch your nose but the gloves make it hard and painful. The opponent takes a change to charge at you, but the ref steps in front. Your vision is blurry, you donât even notice how your coach hits the mat with his palm, he yells for your attention.
âGet up!â He yells as he bangs onto the mat. âGet the hell up, money is on your name!â He watches as you donât move. âHeâs counting down! If he gets to zero itâs over!â
You turn head slowly to look at them, but someone behind them catches your attention. You feel more blood gushing out as you make eye contact with Ghost and he wants alone. Soap stood to his left, an expression of horror on his face.
âFive!â The ref yelled as he count down. âFour!â
You look away quickly and turn to the ref. Blood now soaked the area you kneel down to and youâre making you feel worse. two higher ups that you saw and worked with were there! What are they doing here, how did they even find this place out.
âTwo!â The ref yelled as he stare down at you with pity. âOââ
You stand up quickly, you canât even understand but you did. Your opponent who was cheering for themselves stopped, the crowd yelling your name made him turn back and look at you. Soap looked at Ghost, knowing that what you were doing is illegal.
âYou sure you wanna continue?â The ref yelled as you nodded. âYou look rough.â
âKeep it going! We got rounds to give the people.â You replied before getting in a guard stance. âAinât that right!â
Your opponent scoffed but smirked seeing you wanted to keep going. Meanwhile Ghost and soap watched as you fight again, Ghost clenched his jaw as he watched very punch thrown. How you and the opponent exchanged heavy blows.
Your opponent blocks an uppercut, then swings with his right. You manage to dodge by an inch, quickly you step back and keep your guard up. You see a quick opportunity and try to swing but the bell rings. You lower your fists with the opponent, round one was over and so far you were losing by a lot. Slowly you drag yourself to your coach. You quickly spit out your mouth guard, you drink water fast and close your eyes. Someone else places a cold towel, you groan remembering your broke nose due to the pain now.
âYou arenât focus, what is going on!â He yells remarks as people are watching. ânow focus! You got money bets on you by people you wish you didnât.â
âIm sorry, I just saw someone.â You replied as your gaze now searched the crowd. âRemember how I mentioned I have another job.â
The coach nodded slowly before placing an ice pack on your nose. He pressed his lips onto a thin line seeing how blood gushed out. His helper helped you drink waster watching as it mixed with your blood.
âTheyâre here..â you yelled slighting to them. âI donât even wanna know how they got this place.â
âWho?â The coach asked confused. âYour boss or something kid?â
You nodded and slipped your mouth guard back in. Your gaze meets with Ghost and soap, theyâre trying to get past the security and reach your coach. The ref waves you and the opponent over, slowly you turn your attention to your coach.
âLetâs them pass! Or else I wonât be able to fight again.âYou called out to your coach before turning away. âI need to focus.â
Your nose still bleeds but not like before, pain was still there. The ref stands in the middle of you and your opponent, knowing that rules would be forgotten now. You rolled your shoulders as the opponent grinned their golden mouth guard displaying. They leaned over slightly enough for you and the ref to hear them.
âGive up! This fight is mine more money was set on me.â They yelled over the crowd. âYou canât do it, im better at this!â
You didnât reply, instead you focused your attention to where Ghost and Soap were. Your coach talking to security, pointing your way, the way he waved his arms seem desperate. Your nose still shake your head as the bell rings, you snap your attention back to your opponent. Soap and Ghost crossing their arms as the security shook their head.
You and your opponent nodded, soon enough it was round two. Ref stepped back, and immediately you swing at your opponent. A quick jab to break their guard, they stumble back slightly before turning to a push kick. The impact knocks you back, your breathing quickens. Rules were forgot now, meaning playing any style was on the floor. You watch as they take their gloves off, bandages covering their knuckles. The crowd roared with Nox emotions, this was underground fighting. No safety now, now fair rules to live up to. Quickly you followed their lead, taking your own gloves off then throwing them outside the ring.
Your opponent rushed at you, you dodge a left hook by an inch but not the uppercut. You stumble back shaking your head, your vision blurry. They immediately jabbed at your side, wind being knocked out of your lungs. You needed to focus, to find your way back to the passion. Quickly you blocked a jab from them, then tried to punch their face. You manage to get them in the jaw, taking the opportunity you low kick them . They raise their own leg to kick you, but immediately you get down and do a quick sweep kick. They fall down and the ref gets in the way stopping you from ending the fight so soon. Your opponent gets up, a slight stumble in their steps.
The ref exchanged a look with the opponent. The opponent nodded and spit his mouth guard, your eyes went slightly wide. That move determined the fight moving forward, a fight to whoever dropped first. By the look of it.. it your be you with your messed up nose. The ref stepped back looking at you waiting for you to spit the mouth guard. You spit it out and clenched your jaw, underground fighting wasnât meant for everyone.
Meanwhile your coach he manages to let Soap and Ghost though. Their faces grim as they watch you exchange heavy blows with the opponent. They knew you were tough on the field but never expected it to be shown outside the field. Especially against a civilian who wasnât holding back. They watch as the opponent spins, blocking your right hook and elbow you straight in the nose. Itâs was unsettling to watch this, how people cheered and yelled out heated comments. Ghost eyes drift to a table of what seems to be judges, the bell rings soon enough. My coach calls me over, im bleeding badly and my eyes are starting to swell up.
âYou okay!â He yells over the crowd. âKid if you canât keep going forfit! Itâs not worth your lifeâ
âI canât feel my faceâ you replied with a worry and excitement. âHow bad is my nose!â
âBad.â Ghost hisses grabbing your jaw. âHow the hell did you even get in this mess!â
âGhost.â Soap yelled over the crowd. âWe canât make a scene.â
âWho the hell are you two anyways.â The coach asked taking Ghost hand from your jaw. âSport, you gotta end the fight. Itâs gonna get more messy if you keep going.â
âYour coach is right..!â Soap remarked and looks at the opponent. âThey look like they will not hesitate to kill you mate.â
You glanced over, the opponent looked messed up. Their own eyes swelled by the hits and kicks. You look back at your coach shaking your head, you knew if you quit the money you got would be lost.
âI can do it!â You yelled as your coach gave a grim look. âItâs okay! I can take a beating.â
âThat is true.â Ghost spoke up and stare at your opponent. âYou remember back in a mission when you rescued me? How you took that enemy down and knocked them out.â He paused and looked back at you. âThat opponent right there is the same size and build of the enemy. So finish it, so then we can have a nice chat about you sneaking out.â
Soap looked at Ghost surprised by the slight encouragement. Ghost wasnât one to cheer on or make someone feel valued in public. The bell rang making you close your eyes, your coach stare at you with worry.
The ref waved you and the opponent over, you took a deep breath and walked over quickly. The opponent cracked their knuckles, there was no warning as the ref stepped back letting round three start. Immediately you both swing at each other, air knocked out of your lugs and theirs. People scream loudly, wanting bloodshed and their bets. The opponent jabs your side, a clear shot to your liver. With a groan you step back and push kick them, they stumble back as you hold your side. The opponent approaches again, you try to side kick them but they grab your leg and jab your side again. You break free and groan, you knew you would lose if you didnât try to end it.
They throw a front kick, you stumble back and recover quickly to block a side kick. Having hold of their left leg you jab their side, they hiss and try to break free but you keep a good grip. You look at their other leg and kick them knocking them down, you let go of the left leg as the ref pushes you back. Before the ref can start counting the opponent gets up, the fight was getting more tense. Blood dripped from their mouth, and your nose still bled. Try charge at you again, a push kick to the chest sets them back. They set their guard up as you jab at them, when you get ready to throw a heavy hook they see an opportunity and near uppercut you. Imminently you stumble back your vision becoming blurry. Ghost makes eye contact with you, the fight needed to end.
You shake your head and recover just before the opponent jabs your side. You set your guard up and take a couple hits, with a quick spin you elbow him in the jaw. They stumble and hold their jaw, you donât let them recover. You throw a quick jab and left hook at them, they fall backwards. Your coach cheers loudly, finally you took the lead for once. The opponent stumbles forward as you try to side kick them, they catch your leg and try to kick your knee. Before they could move their own leg you uppercut them, they drop your leg and stumble down to their knees. The ref doesnt step in, instead he turns a blind eye. You deliver the final blow with a round kick to the head, the opponent fall face forward. People scream of joy, and you can swear seeing Soap and Ghost hyping you up.
The ref holds your arm up declaring you the winner of this fight. Before you knew it you were tended to at the sketchy locker rooms. Ghost and soap stood to the side as your coach counted the money.
âI donât even wanna know how you two know.â You finally mumbled as the medic examined your nose. âOr why you both are here.â
âIt gets to a point where you think youâre being sneaky.â Soap warned as he shook his head. âPlus you always tend to disappear when bit fights happen.â
âPrice is gonna be pissed.â Ghost sighed and looked at you. âYou took two heavy hits to the nose. How does that feel champ?â
You stare at them before letting out a small scoff. He stares at you now more serious before speaking.
âWhat you do outside shouldnât affect what you do back at the base.â He murmurs before shaking his head. âWhen I tell price, I donât know what can happen to you.â
âYou really gonna tell him?â You asked your voice now tired. âListen dont tell him I caââ
âWe have to, what youâr doing is illegal and dangerous.â Soap spoke up and sighed. âUnless..â
âUnless?â You repeated confused.
âYou keep winning and we get a cut.â Soap replies as he rubs his hands together. âAinât that right ghost?â
Ghost groans and rubs his face. He knew something soap didnât. He has been watching you since you ever started this hobby. If he were to report you to price he would have to explain what he was doing here previously.
âI bet on you ether ways..â Ghost mumbles before turning his head to the side. âAlways have been.â
âWait what..?â Soap question but Ghost glares him. âNever mind..â
Ghost looked at you with a sort of pity, those moves you pulled tonight were just like the ones you used to rescue him. He stills remembers that day, how you took down someone twice your size. The image of your face showing fear hunted him and you knew it. The medic that looked at your nose gave you pain killers and called it a day. Your coach handed you a thick stack of cash and grinned.
âYou sure you donât wanna do this hobby more often?â He asked as flipped his money. âItâs a good earning.â
âNo way, they arenât.â Soap spoke up loudly and narrowed his eyes. âNot this job, they have better job.â
You let out a small laugh, they stare at you. A mutual understanding that they wonât rat you out unless you loose. This would be an underground secret between the three of you for now.















