A Matter of Luck

The pit It always the same, different location, though it is still the same. A ring of tape marked where the fight was going to happen, payers off to the side and the fight trailers. Ron Bolton’s was just a simple van; well they all were basically simple nothing fancy or traceable. In the van he was suiting up, a simple fight against a new comer from out of town.

He finished getting ready putting on the chain wrapped gloves, and his sky like face mask. The final piece is a black hood changing him from Ron Bolton a warehouse forklift driver to The Reaper Pit fighter champion.

Getting out of the van he spotted his manger Jarek Smith better known as Ratz was waiting for him. “Tell me about this new fighter Ratz.” The little man looked at his phone “Came from Chicago, won every fight he been in. A grand total of 14 wins so far, from what I can tell it by his superpowers.”

“Super strength, enhances agility, possible super reflexes over all he’s quick and strong.” Ron thought about this it would require a change in his fight style. Perhaps he should use a monk type of fighting using the attacker’s move against them. “Alright Ratz I can handle that.”

A cough was heard and Ron turned to look at another man. “Hello Mr. Brooks. What can I do for ya.” Mr. Brooks smiled “Well I couldn’t help you talk about my latest find.” Ron tilted his head “So you’re the fellow that found this new challenge for me?” “I did indeed Reaper. A new man one of these super beings a new fighter for a new age. You not going to stand in the way of the future are you Reaper?” Ron tilted his head “Ya telling me to throw the fight?” “Oh no just don’t try too hard. A lot of people put good money on this undefeated fighter from Chicago.” Ron watched as Mr. Brooks walked away then he looked at Ratz “He so told me to throw the fight.” “Yeah he’s a big time member of the Black Rose. Your might think about doing it.” Ron looked down to Ratz “I don’t throw fights ya know that. Wait did you bet against me?” Jarek shrugged “He undefeated.” “Ratz change your bet while you got the chance. No one defeats the reaper.”

It was time for the fight and he entered the pit. This time it was in an abandoned warehouse the watchers were already hyped for the fight. Ron looked over to his opponent the guy was small but clearly fast build like a swimmer or gymnast. Fast and flexible indeed but did the guy have to use a full body tight suit… he wasn’t even using a jock strap. The skimpy clad woman threw down a flag and the fight was on.

The new guy was aggressive attacking right off. Something was wrong the guy was fast, strong, and powerful, however he was sloppy. A less skilled fighter might not have noticed how this jumpsuit clad fighter had so many tells. Ron didn’t need super reflexes or super speed; he knew what the guy was going to do almost as soon as he did. Even so the first punch Ron barely dodged at the same time he used the off balance of the guy against him grabbing the arm and yanking. The new guy was good in the way a natural was good. He did a flip instead of falling. Turning around and they faced again. Ron spotted something else, anger. The viewers started chanting “Chains, chains.” Ron ignored them “Ya sloppy kid.” “I’m no kid!” The kid reacted with more anger and rage. A slew of punches were the result and Ron couldn’t block or avoid them all. He groaned as a left rib broke.

Time to end it Ron flipped a switch on his gloves and the chains on his forearms came loose. He used them like a whip and now it was time for the end game. Those chain whips moved crisscrossing in a pattern that takes the kids fast reflex in account. He dodged one only to be in motion to connect to another. Ron didn’t let up and soon he watched the kid fall.

He walked over and knelt down and pulled off the mask… kid was right. Perhaps he was just 19 and he was out cold blood on his mouth. Ron spun around not hearing the cheers of his fans as he headed for his van. He rewound the chains over his forearms, and slamming the van’s door. It wasn’t long till Ratz came in. “A kid, damn it Jarek he was just a kid. Ya told me he was a fighter, all he knew was how to hurt someone hell half of those moves I done a pro would have taken without a problem. For all I know I killed him.”

Ratz was quiet and slowly Ron turned around “Jarek?” “Ron he’s dead. Punctured lung, we need to get out of here now.” Outside the van a fist pounded on the door “Reaper you cost me money, and a good fighter! Get out here!” Ron went to the steering wheel and started the engine. A few gun shots hit the van as he drove for the exit. He raced the van for a side street just as the lights of police cars were spotted racing for the warehouse. “Ratz I’m out, this was the last fight of the Reaper.” Rats hopped in the passenger seat “Yeah, you got a bigger problem. That Black Rose fellow pissed off. They shot at us Ron!” “I know.”

(end of part 1)