Pandemonium | Dream SMP

67. Hey, you. Catch.

The crowd are so quiet you could have heard crickets chirp.

All eyes are on me, including Techno's. He gives no indication on if he wants me as his opponent or not. He just stares along with the crowd, waiting to see what I'll do.

A tug at my sleeve has me turn my attention to Quackity. He's glaring at me, telling me silently not to do what Schlatt says. Telling me to make my own decisions.

I smile and take his hand in mine, disconnecting it from my sleeve.

Sorry. Are the words I mouth to him.

He frowns deeper but I've already pulled away, shedding my suit jacket as I walk to the ring.

Someone in the crowd wolf whistles and I catch Hbomb flashing me the thumbs up.

"There's my little warrior! Never one to turn down a fight! Let's give it up for Ares everybody!" Schlatt grins.

Nervously, the crowd clap and I enter the ring, sliding languidly between the ropes.

"I wouldn't want to disappoint my biggest fan." I smile at Schlatt and he smirks.

"No, you wouldn't. Let me get that for you." He takes my jacket from my hand and at the same time plants a kiss to my fingers.

"Uh, so are we gonna fight, or..." Techno makes a gesture to ask if he should leave, growing uncomfortable with our flirting. I wonder if he's ever been flirted with? Surely he has. He's a good looking man beneath all those scars. I know I would have flirted with him when I was younger and reckless, if anything due to his voice.

I do love a deep voice.

"She's all yours, Mr Blade."

Schlatt bows out of the ring and returns to his seat, waiting for the fight to commence.

I give Techno a small nod of greeting, trying to ignore the churning of snakes in my belly. The whiz of an arrow as it skims my throat.

I touch my neck subconsciously, now remembering the memory clearer than ever.

I can't beat Techno, and he knows it.

The bell rings and the fight starts.

As usual I wait for my opponent to strike first. Even in a mock fight I can't ignore my code. It's a part of what makes Ares, Ares. She's a defender, not a fighter.

Luckily, Techno takes the initiative.

He charges me, swinging punches all aimed for my abdomen. I briefly wonder if he's sparing my face because I'm female or because he feels bad for me.

I'm quickly backed into a corner, struggling to redirect his fists. He's fast. And strong. And tall.

I need to get out of this corner.

I wait till the count of five and duck, curling into a ball and rolling between his legs. I grab one of his ankles as I go and yank it out from under him, causing him to slip onto his side.

But he's up quicker than me and advancing once more.

I'll be honest, I don't really know what to do. I can't go for a frontal attack, he'll just take the punches like a champ. And I doubt I can trip him up again. Should I just run in anyway and give the crowd a show? I was never going to win this fight regardless. At least I can go down fighting.

No, there is one move that always works, no matter who I'm fighting.

Sorry, Techno.

Once the pink-haired man is close enough I step forward and shove the palm of my hand into his nose.

His head jerks back and he grunts, blinking in surprise.

With him momentarily distracted I try to pull off a move I haven't used in a long time.

Grabbing the fabric of his shirt, I jump up onto his back, hook my legs around his neck, and spin.

It sounds a lot weirder than it looks, I promise.

My move works perfectly, save for pulling a muscle in my calf, and the guy comes crashing down with me on top.

I hear a cheer in the background from amazed audience members.

But I'm a little distracted to notice.

I'm sat on Techno's chest, my legs either side of him. He gives me an impressed look and reaches a hand up to rub the blood from his nose. It smears across his cheek and he grins, showing off the full length of his tusks.

"That was pretty cool." He admits.

"Thanks," I smile and press my forearm to his throat, pushing all of my weight down. He struggles for only a moment, since I'm really not that heavy, and grapples me around the waist.

The world spins as I'm flipped over his head and land on my back with a thump. The air is knocked from my lungs and I gasp, fighting for breath.

This fight is really not going my way.

"You want to call it in?" He asks me, his voice low enough so only I can hear.

I stare up at him, and then glance to where Schlatt is sat.

"I can't. Not like this." I mutter.

I can't tell if he catches my look to the audience but he hums and shrugs.

With a choke of surprise I'm thrown over his shoulder.

"What are you—"

"Hey, you. Catch." Are the last things I hear before I'm hurled over the ropes and out of the ring.

I swear in Russian, biting my tongue in the process, and land heavily in someone's fumbling arms.

We both go down, a tangle of limbs, and the match ends with a hesitant ring of the bell.

I groan and try to sit up. Everything is still spinning and my stomach hurts.

"Hi," Sam groans. "Come here often?"

"Nice catch." Is my returning banter as we both steadily seat ourselves in the dirt. "Also, ow."

I'm helped up by Sam and we turn back to the ring where Techno is taking theatrical bows. Only they're really dramatic, like he's trying to—

There's a loud clink as a small potion bottle falls from the inside of one of his sleeves. It rolls across the ring only to be picked up by Ponk.

The crowd is quiet as he uncorks it and takes a whif of the mixture inside.

"This is a strength potion!" He proclaims and is met with loud gasps. "This man was cheating!"

All eyes return to Techno, who shrugs, grins lazily, and hops the rope.

"Huh." Is Sam's only response as we watch him go.

I smile, unable to help myself.

Maybe Techno isn't so bad. At least he has a sense of humour.