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You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. (Seuss)
Boom Boom Clap! Boom Boom Clap! The packed crowd at the Albany Stadium was at their usual frenzy – screaming, cheering, calling for the next Supreme Combat fight to get underway. Boom Boom Clap! Boom Boom Clap!
Finally, the announcer strolled towards the center of the ring with all the pomp that the time-honored tradition deserved. Dressed in a long-tailed tuxedo that shimmered fiery strands of sparkle against the spot light, the announcer threw his hands into the air. It was all too familiar, but the tradition is what made the event so magnificent. The announcer held his hands in the air to let the audience have their moment before pushing the air down towards his waist, then back up again. The crowd replied with a, “whoooaaaa” back up to a full frenzy. Finally, the announcer lowered his hands for the last time, as the microphone snaked its way towards his face, a detail kept for the sake of tradition. Liam, with his father, waited anxiously in their seat, not sure which Untruthers were about to fight each other, as the matches were kept a secret.
Voices died down. The announcer grasped the mic in both hands. “Ladies and gentlemen.” A hush fell over the crowd. “We have one of the most exciting matches of all time for you tonight. Hold on to your hats because this will blow your mind. This is the match that will define the sport of Supreme Combat!”
The crowd exploded with more cheers. The announcer knew how to make every match sound like it was the best one in the history of the blood sport. “Tonight,” he paused for the voices to die down. “Our special guest is none other than,” a spotlight fell on the most familiar man in America’s collective psyche. “The man responsible for bringing so many Untruthers to justice, Tim Hunter!”
The crowd screamed with delight. To honor him, they Boom Boom Clapped! Repeating his name in time with their applause, “The Hunt-er! The Hunt-er!”
The announcer gave the crowd their moment to cheer. The Hunter deserved such accolades, after all. Finally, he started again, “In this corner, you know him as the man with the flamethrower, the dude with the attitude, it’s Carl The Executioner Winnnnnstonnnnn.”
Carl bounced down the aisle, while being booed. People threw their snacks and drinks at him as he headed towards the ring. “I’ll kill you all! I’ll kill every last one of you,” he yelled, throwing his hands in the air and waving his fists at the crowd, ready to fight.
As he approached the ring, the announcer called out, “And in this corner, his former consult, who now hates The Executioner as much as you do. Seeking her revenge, Evil Eva Thooooompsooooonnnnn.”
Eva crouched over as she began a slow descent to the ring. Her shoulders hunched down to spring load before striking at the air with her elbows, every bit as ready to fight as Carl.
After the crowd booed her, they switched back to loud cheers. Boom Boom Clap! Boom Boom Clap! The bell rang; demands for blood began.
Boom Boom Clap! Carl moved in to swat at Eva’s face, which she easily dodged. He followed up with a blow to her stomach that sent her stumbling backwards. Carl’s eyes were watery; he couldn’t figure out why, while moving in for another strike, as he was programmed to do. He swung wildly at Eva’s nose, which missed. She was quick to expose his knee, sweeping it with expert precision, causing him to fall flat on his stomach.
Carl peered out to the crowd and saw a young boy shaking the seat in a frenzy. The boy looked so familiar, but Carl couldn’t place him. Tears dripped down Carl’s face as he watched the boy for another moment. Eva took the opportunity to slam his head into the matt. He reached back to grab Eva’s hair and throw her away. She screeched with pain. That didn’t stop her from rolling back up to her feet.
Carl rushed in for a bear hug. He needed to slow her down. There was something so familiar about the way she felt. Carl shook his head, trying to snap the feeling away. He softened his grip for a moment. Eva was quick to take advantage, freeing an arm to smash an elbow into Carl’s ear. He retaliated by grasping her neck with both hands, attempting to squeeze the life out of her.
Liam continued to shake the chair in front of him. “Kill her,” he yelled. “I want to see justice!”
Carl heard the boy’s scream and turned to look again, more tears streaming down his face. He shouted towards the boy, “Who are you?” But the sound lost its way because of all the screaming in the arena. Eva gathered herself and came in for another strike at his knee. Pain ripped through Carl’s leg. He wasn’t able to get up.
They grappled with each other, vying for position, the crowd loving every moment of it. The Hunter sat in his private box, watching with excitement. Just like everyone else, he loved to watch a good fight.
