The Island Princess

Chapter 13. Round 1

{Location: A preparation room under Chen's Coliseum}(Skylor's POV)

Just breathe Sky. I can do this. I'm a better fighter then all these chuckleheads put together. I fold my arms as the Kabuki who helped put my armor on leave. I start stretching, loosening up my limbs and getting my blood flowing. This can't be that hard. It's just a fight, nothing I haven't done before.

I hear steps behind me followed by a tough, friendly voice, "You've fought before," Clover smirks as he leans up against the wall, "No need to be nervous."

"I'm not," I stretch my hands out then ball them up, "I just want this stupid fight in this stupid arena on this stupid island to be over."

"Hm," Clover stands up, keeping his arms folded, "Hate it already?"

"Gee, what gave it away?" I twist around to stretch out my back, "So who am I fighting?"

"Zack." Clover stretches the back of his head, "Who's got a chainsaw."

"WHAT?!" I snap out of my stretch, "He gets a weapon and I don't? And a freaking chainsaw?!"

Clover gives me a simple smile, "Did you expect your father to make a fair fight?" Clover comes up next to me, ruffles my hair a little bit, "I'm not defending him, but he just wants a show of strength. And entertainment. Mostly entertainment. Like it's 86%-"

"I get it," I push him off of me, "My dad's a jerk." I take a breath. Mom has been on my mind ever since I got rudely but proudly left dinner last night, "I sound like my Mom, now."

"Yeah. You know she's here right?"

"Yup." She hates this place as much as I do. So why haven't we toppled my father off his incredibly high horse yet? I look to the door as Kabooki come in and start pushing me to my fight, "Get a good seat," I smile back as I pull on my oranger hood, "This is gonna be a fight no one should miss."

Clover waves at me but I soon lose his hand amidst all the Kabookie leading me forward. They close me in a small room with a barred door leading to the arena. A large circulator ring with 20 feet high walls.

Father jumps onto his throne, the bright red color looks awful in this morning light, "Today, is a glorious day. My daughter has finally returned from her 5-year hiatus," My door opens, and I walk out. I really don't care how anyone other then my Mom, Sam, and Clover see me. So my walk is one of my not giving a crap. I stand in the middle with my arms folded. Father growls into his megaphone at my less than amusing entrance, "Verses my second best fighter after Clouse."

The crowd of students looks at him like, 'What the heck man?'

Father rolls his eyes, "Oh please. You all know Clouse is easily the best here even without his magic." Father double snaps his fingers and Clouse pulls out a bag of popcorn for him, "Anyway, Zachary Zupan will have the honor of being the first of three round to see if Skylor was slacking off during those 5 long years." Zack comes out of his side, holds up his chainsaw, getting a loud cheer, then locks eyes at me. "Win or Lose, Skylor will move on while her foe gets a coupon book for all Mister Chen's combo items."

Zack revs the chainsaw, "Ready to fight, princess? Or do you need a girly ballet lesson first?"

I ball my fists as I watch everything about him.

Father squicks like a child, "3.2.1! FIGHT!" He seems a little eager.

Zack charges in with a downward slash at me. I roll under and my ears cry from the loudness of the engine. I scramble to my feet, roundhouse kicks the back of his knees, then shimmies out of the way as he reacts.

I start bounding on my feet as I keep my palm facing to me, "FYI, I took gymnastics. Not ballet, dirt bain."

Zack pulls himself up as the chainsaw's roar softens to a hum, "Oh, that's the kind of fight this is gonna be."