The Sorcerer's Apprentice {Stephen Strange}

One

Barracuda by Heart

"You stupid bitch," the brawny man growls, spitting blood and saliva at Emerson's face. After a roundhouse kick to his chest, he falls onto his ass and she's almost convinced he would tap out. Instead, he seems highly determined to beat her, afraid of embarrassing himself in front of his buddies who are shooting eye daggers at him from across the makeshift ring. He stumbles to his feet, his large body making his movements not as nimble as the sergeant's. He charges at her like a bull in a China shop but instead of sending her body to the ground, she steps out of the way just in time for him to miss his punch. Emerson pivots on her heel to quickly face him and she throws a hard punch to the side of his head. His back still to her, his hand instinctively reaches up to feel his ear when she grabs the back of his shirt and pulls it over his head. The young woman spins his torso around so it's facing her and she grabs the back of his head before bringing it down to meet her knee that's swinging towards his face. After the sergeant's patella crushes the bridge of his nose a few times, she throws him to the ground. After watching him writhe in pain, he uses his free hand to tap out as his other hand is occupied holding his bloody and obviously broken nose. The referee blows his whistle, signaling for them to stop before trailing across the ring. The referee stands by Emerson's side, grabbing her forearm and holding it in the air, announcing the victor.

"Moore is tonight's clear winner," he announces causing the audience to cheer. There are a few quiet boo's and it would make sense if it's from those who lost their betting money. Emerson doesn't stay any longer to chat so she grabs her water bottle off the stool before heading back to the locker room. Spitting her mouthguard out, a small, victorious grin plays on her lips. She rinses the retainer out in the sink before placing it back in the case it came in. 

"Holy shit, Emmy! You were beyond amazing tonight," Her boss, John, says as he comes through the door. He gives her a high-five before he leans against a building support pole. "I won two grand on you this evening; keep it up!"

"What else would you expect from me?" She chuckles and he just shrugs. Emerson sits on the wooden bench and begins rubbing out her sore calf muscles. "Man, I should've stretched tonight."

"You're right, you're right... You never lose and I'd be surprised if you ever do," he beams. A few girls barge into the locker room, their high-pitched voices could easily be heard from outside the room. The sergeant wipes the sweat off her forehead with a small cotton towel.

"Oh my god! Ugh, you were so great! Can I get an autograph?" One of the women questions. Em hesitantly stands up from the bench once finishing her leg massage.

"Ladies, out. We're talking business," John tells them and Emerson sighs out of relief. Just as anyone else, she'd rather not get stuck here for another forty-five minutes signing hats and breast tissue. John is such a kind man. He will always tell people off for her, knowing she's too busy to stop to sign anything. He's always looked out for Em as if she were his own kid. Emerson faintly remembers coming to the gym when she was still in high school before leaving for the military. Of course, at that time she didn't know he was running an illegal fight club in the evenings. Still, he's always been down to earth and giving. The girls let out a loud, clearly annoyed, sigh before leaving from where they entered.

"We really need a lock on that door," Emerson suggests, clearly missing the privacy. She grabs her duffel bag and walks into the big bathroom stall to begin changing into clean clothes. John stands outside the stall, still wanting to talk to her more. 

"Kid, I really do appreciate you doing this. You're helping my gym stay open you know. Now that I've told you that, I need you to come in tomorrow night too. We've got a big investor in town tomorrow and there's a chance he'd be able to sponsor us- you I mean. This is our chance. You could make it big out there."