Is He a Hero?

(2.0)

????

February

Year 2089

????

'Blood... So much blood...'

The color of dark red covered most of his vision.

He can feel his body covered with blood, staining his face and neck. So much of it got into his hair as well.

"We-... -ave- ...-r winn-..."

Someone grabs his arm and lifts it up; he doesn't resist. He was surprised the person could lift his arm, considering how heavy the cuffs were.

He heard a tremendous roar all around him, but it was muffled for the most part.

A few seconds later, he's pushed back toward where he came from. He turns his head, a few feet from him, he sees a body. A large pile of blood is pooled up around his head as his body is splayed across the ground, a couple of his limbs are twisted and bent.

"Don't look... You did your job." A deep voice called out from behind him, grabbing the back of his head and forcing him to look forward.

He walks down a dark hallway. The roaring quiets as the light fades.

"Needle him..."

He's pushed against the wall. He doesn't fight as another person grabs a device and pushes it into his collar. The person presses a button, causing a tremendous amount of pain to him.

Seconds pass, he feels his consciousness fading. His eyes grow heavy as he lowers his head. Not long after, he passes out right in the hallway.

...

...

'Ow...' He winces as he opens his eyes to a harsh light beaming down on his face.

As he gains consciousness, he looks around. He tries to move but feels himself tied down. Looking around, he notices he seems to be in some medical room, what with all the instruments and devices.

He struggles to break himself free of the restraints.

After a minute or so, he gives up, staring at the ceiling for what felt like an hour.

*Click*

He hears a nearby door open. Looking that way, he notices a nurse pointing towards him. Behind her, a behemoth of a man walks in. The man thanks the nurse before she closes the door, leaving him alone with the man.

"Hey..." The man says in a deep voice. "I hope you're feeling okay. I know being needled isn't fun."

He lay there silent, whether because he wanted to stay silent or because he couldn't talk.

"I watched you; quite a show you put on." The man pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and gave a quick puff. "You're amazing."

...

"So amazing, in fact, that I've got something to tell you. The man I work for wants to discuss a possible change of scenery for you."

...

"We've been watching, you know. My boss and I, every single fight since you've arrived. And whenever we think we've seen it all, you break our expectations.

...

"And you even have powers, judging by the cuffs you had on. To us, you have far more value than just being a cage fighter."

...

"We want you to work for us, not as a fighter, not as a pawn, but as a reliable partner."

...

"Think of it. You can get out of this. Doesn't that entice you? The thought of never doing something like this again?"

...

Slowly, he nodded at the man's words.

"Good, I'm glad you think that." The man smiled. "Tell you what, when you're done being treated, I'll take you to meet my boss. It'll be a mini interview of sorts."

He gave the man another nod.

"Oh, by the way. You can call me Bergeron." The man stuck his hand out. "Yours?"

...

"You don't have to tell me, you know. Got a nickname you use?"

He shook his head.

"How 'bout I give you one."

He thought for a second before weakly nodding.

"Hmm." Bergeron looked around the room, thinking to himself.

"How about... Ronin."

He thought to himself about the name before nodding at Bergeron. He weakly grabbed Bergeron's hand, shaking it."

"Welcome, I look forward to our collaboration, Ronin."

Part 2: Return of Ronin