I stood outside in the warm night at the back of the Seventh gate shopping mall. It was open 24/7 and the front was bustling with people but where I stood was quiet and dark. I stood next to the loading docks and went to a small section of wall where I knocked. Slowly the door, hidden behind the bricks, opened and an ugly troll glared out at me. It nodded it's crusted head as I held out a charm on my keyring.
"Rodger said you'd be here. You better get your but down those stairs and into the changing room before the crowd starts killing themselves." I nodded and darted past the troll and down into the long dark stairway. I pushed open a rusty door and stood in the familiar changing room.
A small smile spread across my lips as I darted to a bench and ripped off my coat. I quickly changed into my fighting gear, a matching set of basic purple anti-tare shorts and a crop top that came up to my neck and had the straps that crossed at the back for extra support for the larger chested woman. With a few cracking joints I began doing some warmup stretching as I pleated my hair and rolled it up at the back of my head.
I heard a sigh at the door. As I turned I could see Rodger leaning against the doorframe a smirk covering his face and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Oh girl, that body of yours will drive any man to distraction. Anyway, I guess you want to know who you're up against tonight?" I nodded and a grim look spread over his face. "It's some bastard known as the Crusher. He's an undefeated fighter that appeared four months ago and is known for his devastating attacks that literally crushes his opponents and in the worst-case scenarios they're left paralyzed." He gave a look around. "But he's just a stupid werebear at the end of the day. How about it? The time to back out is now." I shook my head and slipped my thin gloves on and wrapped the straps around my wrists.
"Not the first time I've taken on an undefeated fighter and walked away the winner." I pulled my hooded mask on over my hair letting the short purple locks attached at the back fall down around my neck. Once I was certain it was secured in place I grabbed my foot wrappings. "Are there any rules or is it anything goes?" Rodger laughed.
"Anything goes babe, anything goes. Transformation, claws, teeth... Except intentionally killing and bringing in external weaponry. That's the only two no goes." There was a roar of anger from the crowd and Rodger smirked. "Guess they finally broke the news the match is cancelled..." He grinned like a wolf who just ate a lamb. "How about I give them the good news?" He pulled his walkie talkie from his belt. "Yeah Max. I have good news. I did find a fighter that'll take on the Crusher. Tell the crowd the real Banshee is back."
"Are you fucking kidding me?" There was the sounds of delighted squeals accompanying his voice.
"I just watched her change into her fighting gear. She's definitely up for a fight."
"You're fucking amazing!" the radio went silent. After a few moments a muted announcement blasted over the crowd, Wailing and screams of excitement erupted.
"Time to get your but out there toots. They're all shouting for you." he grinned. "Any side bet you want to make?" I nodded and handed him an envelope.
"I intend on winning... What's this about the 'real Banshee' is back?" Rodger grinned so wide his white teeth began to sparkle.
"Fantastic on the winning, given the fact that you haven't been fighting for the last five months the odds are not in your favor, so the payout will be high... As for the real comment..." He sucked his lower lip then shrugged. "Rumer had it you had left me to fight for someone else. That new guy. Some bitch in a pink suit even turned up and fought a few times trying to use your name." I glared at him and he held his hands up. "I'll tell you more after the fight." I just nodded and walked away. As I made my way down the hallway I could hear the call of the crowd growing louder as the bright light at the end of the hall grew too.
Stepping out onto the runway a hush came over the crowd as all heads began to turn to face me and a few doubtful whispers ripped over the stands. I held up my arms and posed like I was expected to then let lose my famous throat wrenching, blood curdling scream I had been named after. The deathly silent crowd was stunned for a moment then erupted in wild roars, whistles foot stomping and they applauded as I stepped down toward the ring. But among the merriment there was a few people that booed. I didn't care though, this was what I did. For the last five years I fought for money under a secret identity known as the Banshee.
The underground ring, known as the Phantom Plaza, was meant to be a carpark at one stage in development, but someone changed the plans and a carpark was built to the side and people forgot about this area. At first it was used to stage illegal fight held for money and the occasional death match where old feuds were settled.
After a few years interest in watching the matches began to increase among the non-humans and it was not long before clans began to hold inter-pack tournaments where the strongest competed to determine the strength of the packs. But soon demand outweighed supply and the new spectator sport skyrocketed in popularity and vast quantities of money began to change hands.
Over the years this massive hole under the mall had slowly been turned into a modern fighting stadium with all the bells and whistles you'd expect. It also took on a somewhat legal Fight club statue. However, like any other fight club there were rules to follow.
1; You did not talk about the Phantom Plaza to anyone not a member. Giving away it's location will get you banned or worse.
2; Only humans with knowledge and experience with the non-human world could enter as a spectator only.
3; No hunting or killing within the stands if you have beef with someone you take it to the ring.
4; Any hunter on the premises must notify the head office and sit in a designated box to avoid conflict. Any hunter wishing to become a fighter or take part in a contest must give written notice and will be denied if said hunter is out on a contract.
5; If you are willing to fight you better be willing to live with that decision. All medical care required after a match or funeral arrangements are to be taken care of by the participant or their agent if they are in no state to do so.
I walked with bated breath as I stared up at the large circular fighting ring. It was encased with thick black bars that were etched with magic resistant runes and on either side of the ring stood two gnarly looking gates. This was for the protection of the crowd as the fighters would go at full force at each other and since very few competitors were half human the effects of a few punches could have devastating consequence if the fighter ended up in the crowd. Sometimes magic users or those who had a magical ability would toss a fire ball or toxic cloud and the cage would catch and deal with it if it missed the target.
I gave a little sigh as the gate was opened for me and I ducked inside. The cage looked so much bigger than I remembered it to be, even the thick bars reaching up to the roof and the ground stained with blood was so much larger now than in my memories. I turned my gaze up as a blond bombshell of a woman in a little black leather bikini top and tight leather trousers walked around the ring holding a card up. In bold letters it declared 'The Banshee is back!' She strutted towards me and gave me a little wink as the crowd began to thunder in anticipation.
"Good to see you again Banshee." I nodded.
"Same Bella." She pulled up another card with the round number.
"He likes to get in close fast. When the bell rings watch out. It's his back breaker move." I nodded and she strutted back into the ring holding the card for all to see.
Across the cage from me sitting on a small stool was a massive man. He looked annoyed and pissed off as his arms were crossed over his chiseled chest. With a snort he stood up and handed his stool to someone at the gate.
"Lady's and Gentlemen!" An enthusiastic announcer called over the system. "Here in the black shorts at six foot nine inches and weighing in at two hundred and twenty pounds we have the Crusherrrrrr!" there was a cheer from the crowd as the man began to pump himself up for the match, stretching and throwing a few air punches. "And in the purple shorts at six foot on the nose weighing in at a hundred and ten pounds the returning champ The Bansheeeeee!" There was an even bigger roar and quite a lot of cat calls from the audience. I smirked and continued with my stretching as the two rules blasted over the system.
"Now ref if you will, let's get this fight started!" An old ex-fighter in a referee's uniform stepped into the ring and went to the center and waved the two of us over.
"Crusher, are you ready?" The man nodded and snarled at me. "Banshee, are you ready?" I nodded and gave my best death glare at the Crusher and smirked when he flinched at my aura. "Right no killing, give them a good show and fight until you can't get back up. three... two... one!" He brought his hand up and stepped back and a bell rang loudly from the side of the ring. The match had begun.