Chapter 4

The bell sounded and I darted backwards as the Crusher immediately tried to catch hold of me, probably for his back breaker, but I was too fast and slipped away from him. We began to circle each other, and I watched his movements analyzing his stance and his body language for any weaknesses he might have.

With a start I deliberately dived towards his left side, only to pull and strike at his open and vulnerable right catching a hard blow to the man's ribs. I heard him grunt but this did not stop him from swinging his elbow back and grazing it against my shoulder as I retreated.

The crowd went wild as the commentators blasted the sound system with a blow-by-blow account of our actions. I watched as the Crusher looked to the red mark appearing on his ribs and he smirked then nodded.

"So, you're the real deal and not that other bitch." He grinned. "I'm so looking forward to this!" I frowned at the mention of the other fighter then snarled as he dived forward. I met his challenge, charging forward I matrix style slid under him to attack at his legs then up to his right side again.

The Crusher let out a surprised grunt and turned swinging his arms wildly and landed a blow on my arm as I blocked his attack. He staggered away with a wince. I gave a little smirk. His left knee was his weak spot and the second hit to his ribs really got to him. This time I charged first and aimed a few blows for his ribs but he began to block and deflect my kicks and punches.

After I got used to his powerful counter attacks I began to put a stagger into my movements and pulled him into reaching a little further. When at last he began to overreach I kicked out and caught him hard on his left leg causing his knee to buckle and the mountain of a man to stagger and fall to one knee. The Crusher looked up at me with a look of pain and determination and with a grunt he began to stand.

Suddenly with a burst of speed, that caught me off guard, he shot forward and his body partly transformed as he slammed into me sending me across the ring to collide with the metal bars that rang out and rattled loudly. With a gasp I fell to the floor. I coughed a little to get my breath back and watched as he tried to make his way towards me.

'So, he sacrificed what use he had left in that leg to get a good hit on me.' I grinned. Now I know what type of person he was. I jumped up. 'Too bad I've got a high pain threshold and fought tougher opponents.' I saw the surprise on his face as I began to make my way towards him and launched a volley of punches to his side. He twisted and lurched back as he blocked his leg from my attacks.

I kicked his left knee causing him to hop and wave his arms to try and keep on his feet, but this caused him to leave his head exposed. I took the opportunity. With bloody knuckles I punched his face, once, twice... I began to loose count quickly because the big man could take a punch and was not going to go down easily.

The Crusher twisted bringing his arms around and desperately tried to catch me. With a slap his fingers stung over my left thigh and his long claws cut into my leg. I yelped and spun a high kick to the man's head but he had somehow managed to hop back and avoided the blow.

Suddenly a bell sounded and the ref appeared, as if by magic, between us and flicked his hands. With a strange force we were both sent backwards to opposite sides of the ring. My but hit a stool and I felt a weight settle on me as Rodger entered the ring with a bottle of water and a swab.

"Shit girl, I thought you would at least make your comeback last a bit." He muttered then sighed. "You looked like you were about to take him out right there." I frowned and nodded.

"Yeah sorry. I don't think he'll last to the third bell." Rodger shrugged.

"Well, it doesn't matter. I only care that you win. Although the crowd wants a good show." I nodded.

"The show hasn't been good so far?" He grinned.

"They're eating out of your hand babe. Just do what you do best." I nodded and watched as the little glowing hourglass grew empty and took a swig from the water bottle then hissed as Rodger swiped the swap over my leg. It was a sticky mess of antiseptic and wound glue and hurt like hell. He smirked. "How's the chest?" I stretched slightly and winced.

"Bruised and battered, but not badly enough to worry about. I'm already healing." He nodded.

"Good." He looked around and gathered his stuff as I finished the last of the water. "The rounds about to begin again. Keep up the good work." I grabbed his arm.

"How many fights did this imposter me fight?" Rodger sighed and looked around.

"The Banshee apparently joined Vox, not a popular move since he's a death match organizer. Although the Fake-shee is rather a good fighter she holds nothing compared to the real thing. I think she fought in nine fights... She turned up two weeks after you took your break." He darted to the gate and slipped out as I frowned.

'Why would someone try to steal my fighting identity?' I felt the strange weight that held me to my stool begin to lift and I was able to stand. With a stretch and a glance at my leg I looked over to my opponent and the Crusher too seemed to have begun to recover although a few large bruises covered his chest and seeped out from under his mask.

Bella finished her round of the ring and slipped through the gates. She gave me a thumbs up and stood next to Rodger. He whispered something to her and she scowled at him but nodded.

The bell sounded and the second round had begun. It took a few moments before I began to advance on the Crusher as he stood still. With a stagger he began to limp into the center of the ring but seemed to be holding back. I could tell he had come up with a plan, but all his hesitating was only giving me more time to recover and that was the biggest mistake he could make.

I darted forward and he partially shifted form bringing his large, clawed hands around in deadly arcs. With a bang I blocked his first swing then dodged the second before kicking his chest and pushing back. He smirked and began to lurch forward almost taking on his full bear form.

I watched as his muscles began to harden and he readied himself for another body slam. With a grin I went for it and charged.

'Let's see if my copycat can do this.' I thought as I jumped at the last moment and rocketed into his body slam. My left arm blocked the hit and I allowed myself to fly back but instead of slamming against the bars I got my feet on the cross bars and used the protective barrier on the rails to reverse all my momentum. With a thud I shot back like a bullet and landed my feet onto the man's chest. A sickening crunch filled the air and we both collapsed into a heap.

Before I could get to my feet I felt the Crusher kick me away as he coughed and retched in the ring. I bounced slightly as I came to a stop then looked back to see blood spirting out his mouth and he gasped for breath. He struggled for a few moments before falling to the floor with a shudder. The bell sounded as I was getting to my feet.

"The Banshee takes the win five minutes into the second-round people!" The crowd roared in applause and my arm was pulled into the air. A little yelp left my lips and I looked at a small bone that popped out at my wrist.

Rodger ran to my side and rolled his eyes as he unwrapped my glove on my left hand then began to pull my hand until the bone was back into its correct position.

"You had to be so dammed dramatic..." He shook his head. "Well. This is something that they'll definitely be talking about for years to come." He sighed and looked at my wrist. "There... I should've been a doctor." He looked at the Crusher as he was loaded onto a stretcher and pulled from the ring. As he passed, he put out a hand and grabbed my arm. He smirked and gave a wink.

"Big fan... of yours girl, it... was an honor." He winced as someone tried to put an oxygen mask back on his face. I smiled and grabbed the mask as he tried to toss it away. He looked up then his eyes widened in surprise as I placed a light kiss on his lips.

"Keep the dam mask on," I ordered. "you'll heal faster and we can schedule a rematch." He blinked and lay motionless as I put the mask over his nose and mouth then he was dragged away.