The Champions Ring (Nalu)

The Underground

The Underground.

The most notorious underground fight Club in New York.

The most brutal fighters come here for the money, fame, women, and above all, a good fight.

I sniffed the air and that same smell always sends me into a high.

The blood and sweat of a fighter.

"Where have you been Dragneel?" I closed my eyes and groaned in annoyance.

"Mark," I whispered through gritted teeth, "what do you want know?"

Mark was a different kind of guy. He was a tall, bulky, muscular man with a big sweet side, and for some reason always wanted to wear a suit everywhere he went. He may seem nice at first glance, but when you really get to know him, like I did, he's a monster.

He gripped my shoulder making me wince, "Where's my money Natsu? You know how the boss can get when he doesn't get his money."

I groaned, "And I told you I'll get you your money."

"You've been saying that for the last three months and I haven't got jack shit from you. All I have to say to you Natsu is you either pay up or you're really going to face the consequences." He leaned in closer to me, "if you think that black eye of yours is the worse we can do then think again."

I clenched my fist remembering the last time I came across these fools. They blocked me in an alley when I was on my way home from the store and got a cheap shot on my eye.

Like cowards.

"Like I said." I slapped his hand from my shoulder, "I'll get you your money."

I walked through the double doors heading into the locker room to switch into my shorts for my first match of the season.

"Did you hear? Dragneels going to be here." I overhead some on the fighters talking.

His friend chuckled, "that loser hasn't won a fight in over a month. What is he still doing here?"

"Who knows?" He shrugged, "if he keeps this up he won't have a dime left in his pocket."

"You're right. The last thing I want to do is fuck with Mark and his money."

I walked in alarming the other fighters. As I walked to my locker all I could hear was their pathetic whispers and laughs. I unzipped my pants and took off my shirt leaving me in my boxing shorts.

One of the guys who was running their mouth about me decided to speak to up, "how's it going Dragneel?"

I ignored him while stuffing my things in my locker.

"I've been hearing some pretty interesting things about you lately. About Mark and other things." I continued to look at my locker, trying not focusing on him.

He seemed to be getting annoyed, "can't speak now? I remember when you first came here you were all talk. What happened to that?"

I chuckled, "if you really think you're about to get a reaction out of me, sorry to disappoint you."

"Who said I was trying to get a reaction out of you?" He smirked.

I patted his shoulder, "you're a funny guy, really, but..." I tightened my grip on his shoulder making him wince a little, "keep my name out of your mouth. I don't want to have to tell you again. I may not have won a fight in a month, but at least I've actually won one." I wrapped my gloves around my shoulder and headed toward the door.

He laughed, "good one, Dragneel. Make sure you tell you're hot red headed friend goodnight for me and tell her I think about her every night." He winked, earning him a couple of high fives from the other guys.

I stood still in my tracks. I could feel that fire inside me wanting to climb out. I glanced over my shoulder, "What did you say?"

"You heard me." He smirked, smacking his gum.

"I want you to say that again. No really, tell me, so I can kick your ass." I pushed him against the lockers, knocking the air out of him, "don't ever disrespect my friend like that ever again or you're going to see a side of me that you'll regret bringing out." He was silent, trying his hardest to bring back the air in his lungs, "What's wrong? Where's all that talk you were doing?"

I stood up grabbing my gloves from off the bench. I glanced up and saw some of the guys earlier standing in front of the exit, "get the hell out of my way," I growled.

They all looked to each other, and we're undecided. I clenched my fist just in case these guys tried to pull a stunt. A moment later they all made a pathway for me to the exit.

I chuckled, "That's more like it."