Chapter Text
The speakers cut through the roaring crowd, a running commentary from the entrance depicting your every move. The large, rather angry man before you spit out some blood before rising up again, rocking his shoulders back before charging towards you. You sidestepped, grabbing his shoulders and using his own momentum to slam him into the ground.
The crowd awed, watching the fight on the raised platform in the middle, as you jumped upon your opponent, pinning his arms behind him so he couldn't move. He struggled for a bit, before tapping twice on your shin. The audience exploded as you stood, raising your arm in victory.
"And there you have it folks! As always, your champion Karma has won this round robin, beating The Great Hunter! Just a reminder to collect all bets at the table, and we'll see you the same time next week!"
You slid through the wrestling buffers and jumped down, walking through the crowd, past the commentary table surrounded by people and through the side door.
The twins started The Nest seven years ago, run out of the garage. But then you had joined the team, and helped them upgrade. Now members find an empty warehouse, with seats and a wrestling ring. A door in the side would lead to where you were right now, a waiting room and manager suite. Comfortable chairs littered the room where people wishing to fight would wait and recuperate in between and during other matches. A mini fridge filled with drinks, snacks in various spots on tables and benches, packed away into cupboards and a good first aid kit was easily available.
You grab a water, waiting for Tim and Alice to come back in with the money. You grabbed your shirt with one hand, lifting it as you run your other hand along your side, a faint green emitting from it as you heal your bruises, and a knock on the door brings your attention back to the room.
"Come in!"
You pull your shirt back down, as a red head walked into the room. You stood to greet her, glancing her up and down.
"Hi there, can I help you?"
She nodded, sticking her thumb out to the door behind her.
"Yeah, they said I should talk to you about getting in on the action?"
"Ah, yeah I can talk you through it, I'm (y/n)."
"I'm Penny"
Magic flared through your system, noticing her lie, but most people give fake names and it didn't give you any pause. You nod, offering her some water. You both sat down, as you started to explain the rules.
"So, we have a round robin, but it's a little different from what you would expect. You enter the pool with ten dollars, and once your in you can fight anyone else in the pool. However, that means anyone else can challenge you. If you win, you get their ten bucks. You lose, you forfeit your money to them, and leave the pool. You can re-enter, but you have to pay the entrance fee again. If the person you beat has already won against other people, you get all the money they have won. I'm the champion, I don't challenge anyone, and if you beat me you get a thousand dollar reward. You give a stage name when you sign up and you get to wait in here if you don't want to watch the other matches. Every Friday and Saturday night at 8. Any questions?"
She glanced around the room, taking it in, before she spoke again.
"When does it end?"
"The match or the night? Either someone taps out or someone falls unconscious. The round robin ends when no one wants to fight anymore. It usually comes down to me beating everyone."
She locked eyes with you, raising an eyebrow.
"You said you have a thousand dollar reward? Does that include the money you get from beating challengers?"
You smiled and nodded your head.
"I guess I'll be seeing you next week then"
You waved her goodbye, the twins coming back in just as she was leaving.
Tim went straight to the desk, set aside and behind a bookshelf so as to indicate a separate area. He was responsible for the money, while Alice handled the fighters. She nodded to the door, and asked about the woman who just left.
"We got another worm? Or is it an egg?"
You grabbed some chips, opening the bag as you got back to healing the small injuries you had.
"I think she might be a chick. Somethings off about her, but I don't think it'll be a problem. More or less legit, I didn't smell cop."
You looked back at the door, your magic trailing out to find her. You would be able to tell her soul apart from the others because you would recognize it again, sensing it when you first interacted. but you couldn't find her anywhere close.
"Either way, she's gone now. Must have been a bike, it's a bit hard to navigate a car around here."
Tim walked in, popping the cash box on the table as he stole some of your chips.
"You guys want pizza? I can run out and grab it."
Alice jumped on her brother, her brows scrunched as she watched him.
"What, no delivery burgers? What's up with you, you never want pizza."
"What? I like pizza. I just don't want to pay for delivery, and we can get more than normal."
Your magic flared.
"That's a lie, you're lying to us!"
"Who's the girl?"
Tim's face flared up, blushing furiously as he turned away.
"Damn magic!"
You and Alice laughed together, before you caved and got pizza. Something about "Penny" stuck with you, but you pushed it to the back of your mind. No matter the case, you would find out next Friday.