Glory of the missing 13th

The cat enters

Today is the day I make myself known to all, to show my skills in the tournament of power for where all kinds of animals show where they may stand in terms of worth or ideals. Where the twelve strongest sits atop all others and where only one may stand next to them there in the tournament of the zodiac. I left home making my way down the sidewalk to a bus stop and as I approach the stop the bus drives up conveniently, the bus drove me all the way to the coliseum. I step out to see the enormous building in front of me, a building that could easily hold thousands, an old building looking like a sour thumb compared to the other sleek looking buildings. I made my way to a reception desk to sign myself in before sign ins were over after doing so, I was instructed to meet the other participants near the ring as to figure out in what order we will fight. I walked down a hall used only for fighters to head to the ring and once I exited, a wide area stood in front of me with a square ring in the middle, it was a round open-air arena.

One area above the rounded seating area that could hold thousands sat twelve empty fanciful looking chairs and in front of me stood the other competitors and tournament officials. I looked over at the contestants, some looked to be trained in the schools taught by the zodiac's themselves the type that only to honor their teachings and others looked like street fighters only here for the prize money and no honor. I walk over to the group of fighters and as I approach closer, I see another individual wearing a fancy suit and sunglasses. Once the fancy looking man sees everyone who is competing gather around him, he looked at us then cleared his throat "helloooo my strong companions and welcome to the tournament of the zodiac and I will be your endearing announcer, here you will battle for honor, riches and best part of all the glory to stand next to the strongest twelve as the new thirteenth" he said with excitement in his voice.

I see some of the contestants smile in anticipation admittedly I smile in the same way they are. The fancy man slapped the board behind "this will be where we put the brackets of the matches that are first determined by drawing numbers out of a box, let's begin that process immediately" he said with a long smile. Anticipation and slight nervousness wash over me as I see everyone has formed a line to pick lots, one by one I got closer to the box with numbers until the man in front of me picked his out. I reach into the box pulling out a number one, the announcer sees the number adding it to the roster "now that we all have chosen our numbers and completed the brackets these will be the opponents you face; first ones to fight are obviously the ones chose the number one we will have a brief rest time before actual matches to explain the rules" he explained. I look up at the board of brackets to see my name and another as wondered who my opponent would be a deep intimidating voice fills my ears "looks like you'll be losing little kitty cat" said the man, I turn to where the voice is coming from to be met with a lizardman.

I was surprised to see him but not as much as I am surprised by his height lizardmen were usually tall to my knowledge, but this man is of small stature, he was about my height which is average for a typical male. I stood my ground against him "sorry but I will not be losing, and my name is not kitty cat its Mao I'll thank you to remember it" I say snapping back at his comment. His eyelids close slightly and his brow cringes "what could some street cat do against a student at the dragon zodiac school, unlike you I'm here to prove that the dragon is the best"

As I stared down the lizardman the announcer walks in front of us interrupting our gaze then begins to speak "listen everyone I will now explain the rules of the tournament so loosen those earholes and let's begin, first off anyone outside the ring as the fight goes on loses, second the time limit of each fight will be 20 minutes, thirdly no use of weapons of any kind biological or otherwise and lastly you win by knockouts no killing of the opponent is allowed if you do you will be disqualified" he said as he looked around looking at us all if we understood. the announcer walked off to the side of the stage then gestured to me and the lizardman to the stage "you both may enter the stage and begin your glorious fight" he said with a smile, the lizardman walks in front of me as we started to walk to the ring, I step inside the ring and walk to the center with the lizardman and the announcer walking behind us. We all make it to the center then I face the lizard having the announcer to the side, I met my opponent with a confident and serious look trying to intimidate him in some way, the announcer started "we shall now begin the first of many great battles of the glorious zodiac tournament, opponents bow to each as a sign of respect" he yelled out, I bowed my head as he did but not letting my gaze shy away from him. Immediately after bowing the announcers voice echoed in my ear "begin" as if some magic possessed me, I took an immediate fighting stance as did my opponent.

I stood still in my stance waiting to see what my opponent will do first, after some time he charged then trying to take a swing at me, but I easily dodge to his side then take my opportunity to take a strike at his side as I did my hand hurt slightly from hitting his hard scales. The lizardman smiled "scales too hard for you to handle little kitty" he snarky commented, angered by his teasing I spread my hand open letting my claws come out then I take a swipe at his arm cutting him, a small amount of blood drips from my claws as I smile at him "they don't seem to be that much of a problem" taunting him back. In anger he started to lunge at me even trying to hit me with his tail, I am able to dodge or block some attacks but not all he kept striking at me not letting me catch a break after a while he stepped back to catch his breath, I was happy he stopped his onslaught on me I needed to catch my breath too from all the dodging and damage I was taking. I thought to myself that not only brawn would win me the battle but both brawn and the speed I naturally had would, it seemed like the lizard man was only a power only fighter, after I caught my second wind, I started to sprint over to him but before getting too close to him I side stepped around him then went to claw at him again as he tried to attack me again after I had landed a blow I stepped back then proceed to keep using this strategy a few more times, after some time of attacking him the lizardman grew tired an weak due to exhaustion and dealing with the pain of having claw marks all over his torso and arms.

I lunge in for the final blow to his face knocking him back to finally drop to the floor, I stood in place for a minute until realizing the lizard-man was knocked out, I see the announcer approach him then kneel to confirm if he was out. the announcer stood up and raised his arm then dropped it towards me pointing out a finger at me "the winner of the first round in the tournament of the zodiac is Mao" he shouted out to the audience, I stood still in awe of how it was all over but then was interrupted by the sounds of the crowd loudly cheering and then a sense of relief and accomplishment poured over me. I bowed to my defeated opponent for a good fight then to the audience for watching over me then was walked off by a tournament staff member so I can go be treated for any wounds I had in a small clinic they have inside the colosseum the announcer spoke to the audience saying there would be a short break before the next fight. I gave a sigh of relief as I heard that I had hoped to see the other fights to learn about the other contestants fighting style and try to think on how to combat them. After being treated for small cuts and bruises I hurried back to the contestants viewing area of the fights as I entered the area, I saw that the next match was just beginning and glued my eyes to the oncoming battle.