Starfire

Scene 14: Victory Celebration

"And there's the bell. Both fighters are now returning to their corners to prepare for the third round."

The second round of Starfire's second fight had just come to a close. Her opponent, a fast girl with the stage name was the Nimble Nita, was quite light on her feet. Although nothing she did to Starfire hurt too badly, it was hard to land a punch of her own.

"What's happening out there?" asked Mr. Hawkins. "Come on, you know you're stronger than her. What's holding you back?"

"She is indisputably agile," said Starfire through heavy breaths. "She is quite difficult to keep up with."

"Don't let that hold you back," advised Mr. Hawkins. "I'm telling you now that she'll slow down the more you hit her. Make her fight your way, not the reverse. You got her worried, so use that to your advantage too."

Starfire nodded and rose from the chair Jennifer had brought for her to sit down on. Nimble Nita was also rising. She looked like she could keep going all night. If she had to, Starfire would as well.

The gong was run and Starfire was taken aback by three fast jabs. Holding her ground, she threw her right hand at her opponent. At the same time, she used her left to block jabs to her face.

Her right hand hit Nimble Nita hard in the stomach and she doubled back a little. Pressing her advantage, Starfire closed in, hitting Nimble Nita at her right side, which was more vulnerable. Finally, Nimble Nita was down on the ground, and when the referee got into the ring and counted down to ten, she didn't get up.

"Starfire has done it again, folks! Once again, she has beaten an opponent that experts thought would be more than she could handle! Next time will be for the title in four months time! Atalanta, the other victorious contender, had better be ready for the ultimate smackdown!"

Starfire raised both of her fists high to the glee of the crowd and finally left the ring, following Mr. Hawkins and Jennifer to the car. It was time to go home. Despite the fight, Starfire was still full of energy.

"Hey, can I ask you something, Dad?" asked Jennifer as her father was driving home.

"What exactly?" asked Mr. Hawkins.

"Is it alright if Star and I go into town to celebrate?"

"Why should I do that?" asked Mr. Hawkins. "You out of your mind, honey bunny? What if you run into somebody who thinks she's an alien? What'll you do then while I'm in bed and in no state to help you?"

"It is okay, Jennifer," said Starfire. "I do not wish to endanger you."

"Come on, Dad," persisted Jennifer. "All Star does is train and get punched at. She's earned the right to celebrate. Also, if we do get attacked by someone who wants to mug us, she can stand up to them. Please, Dad. She should get out of the house every once in a while."

Mr. Hawkins considered for a long moment. "Alright," he relented, "but we still have to stop at the house so you can change. Shouldn't celebrate all sweaty and whatnot."

Starfire laughed a little. "On my planet, it is customary for warriors to celebrate in the condition in which they have exited the battle in. However, I am eager to try something new while I remain on this world."

"There you go then," said Mr. Hawkins. "First stop, home; second stop for you ladies, off to get wild and crazy."

***

"You sure that's the girl we're looking for?" asked Slade.

"Positive," replied Payton. "No other known boxer has been able to take that much punishment from those kinds of opponents. In my professional opinion, that suggests enhanced alien strength."