Chapter 22: The Finalists

“HAAAAA!!” Zuri shouted as she knocked her opponent out of the ring and made it to the semi-finals. Along with her were the three other lionesses, the white tiger, and a male fox. Loni was unable to participate due to the venom not fully exiting her body. Loni returned with the others once she was almost fully healed from her injuries. “ALRIGHT!” She exclaimed, “You guys made it to the semi-finals!” “That $120,000 is as good as ours!” Savannah joined. “Don’t get too cocky, you guys,” Venus said, “Those other two aren’t pushovers.” Leona nodded, “Especially that tiger. She hasn’t shown her full strength yet, so we don’t know what else she’s capable of.” Zuri walked over and put her arms around both Leona and Venus. “Oh relax you two,” She said, “They’re not beating us. We’re the strongest here.” “Yep! We’re gonna get all the money!” Savannah boasted. “YEAH!” Zuir, Savannah, and Loni shouted. Venus chuckled, “Well, at least you guys are positive.” Leona didn’t participate in the conversation, she only stared off, lost in thought….

*Where are you Ferral? Are you okay? Are you even coming back? Do you even care about us anymore? Why did I let this happen?*

“Yo, Leona!” Venus called out, snapping Leona back. “C’mon, they’re gonna announce the first semi-final match.” She nodded, catching up with the rest of the group. As they walked out of the waiting area, the crowd of people went into an uproar with cheers. “OKAY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! TIME FOR THE NEXT MATCH!!” The announcer shouted. “AND THE NEXT FIGHT IS BETWEEN NUMBER 17 AND 4!!!” Both Savannah and the fox man came walking toward the stage. “Hey,” He looked at Savannah, “You’re pretty strong. I look forward to fighting you.” She smirked, “Thanks, but I’m gonna win.” He chuckled, “That won’t happen.” The two got on the stage and walked toward the opposite ends, Savannah getting into fighting stance. “By the way, my name’s Cole,” He told her, “Just thought I’d properly introduce myself.” “I’m Savannah.” The announcer hopped off the stage before giving the signal. “READY? BEGIN!!!” 

Cole slammed his hands on the ground and started growling, Savannah looking at him confused. Then, his tail grew longer along with eight others, his eyes turned a crimson red with black circles around them, and his fur and hair now a brownish orange. The crowd gasped in surprise, as did the other combatants. “This guy can awaken?!” Venus asked, flabbergasted. “Looks like he’s a real threat too.” Leona scoffed. Savannah looked at him in shock. “Have you ever heard of the Japanese folktale of the nine-tailed fox?” Cole grinned, “That’s what I based power. I hope you’re ready!” He burst forward, tearing the stage beneath him.

Savannah got into a defensive stance as he got closer, then he jumped to her right side and lunged forward with a punch. She barely was able to block it, but Cole had already gotten onto her other side, it was almost instant. Savannah didn’t have time to block this attack, and Cole kicked her in the ribs. She was sent flying to the other side of the ring, gripping the stage before she slid off. When she got up, Cole was already in front of her. He stuck out his left hand, grabbed her face, and slammed her head into the ground. Then he used one of his tails, wrapped it around Savannah’s left ankle, and dragged her up off the ground. He backkicked her away, spinning around the chasing after her. Once he did, while still in the air, Savannah attempted to kick Cole. He dodged it, grabbed the leg with both hands, twisted around,d and slammed her against the mat. Her body bouncing off the stage, he kicked her in the ribs and sent her out of the ring. Savannah skipped once against the ground and laid out on the floor.

“AND THE WINNER IS NUMBER 4!!!!” The announcer called out. As Cole walked off the stage, he reverted out of his awakened state. He walked over to Savannah who groaned as she was getting up. She looked up to see Cole extending out his hand, she took it and he helped her up. “I’m surprised,” Cole said, “Most others would’ve been done after the first punch, but you held out longer than I thought.” “I wasn’t expecting you to be able to awaken.” She commented. “Awaken? Is that what it’s called? Cool name.” The two walked back over to the group, Savannah joining the other lionesses. “Guess he gave you a run for your money, huh?” Venus teased. “How could you lose, sis?!” Zuri asked surprised. “It’s not my fault! I didn’t know he could awaken!” She argued. “Relax, you two,” Leona ordered, “There’s still three more of us. And at least two will make it to the finals. That’s still $110,000.” 

Afterward, the next fight was about to be called out. “AND THE NEXT MATCH IS BETWEEN NUMBERS 10 AND 13!!!!” Leona and Zuri looked at each other, then started to walk to ward the stage. “So you know I have zero chance of winning, right?” Zuri sighed. “I was actually about to tell you to just forfeit. Makes things easier.” Leona replied. “Yep. Now we just have to hope that Venus wins her match.” The two got on the stage and walked to the opposite sides. The announcer hopped off the started the match. Zuri raised her right hand, “I FORFEIT!” She shouted, the crowd muttering in confusion before booing. The two walked off the stage, leaving the announcer confused. “Well, I guess that’s that,” He scratched his head, “ON TO THE FINAL MATCH OF THE SEMI-FINALS THEN! NUMBERS 20 AND 22!!!!” As Leona and Zuri walked back, Venus was about to pass them. “Good luck, sis.” Zuri said. “Keep your guard up against her, don’t hold back.” Leona added. Venus nodded before passing them and walking onto the stage with the tiger experiment.

The two walked to the opposite sides, neither readying themselves. “READY? BEGIN!!!” Venus instantly transformed into her awakened state and charged forward. The tiger woman raised her hands, Venus moving quickly as a flash got behind the woman, hurling a kick at her head. The woman turned and blocked it, surprising Venus for a second before she landed her feet on the ground and threw a punch. But she pushed her fist to the side, Venus spinning around and throwing a back elbow, yet the woman caught it and threw it away. Venus scoffed, lunging forward with a barrage of attacks. The woman blocked and dodged each one, then striking Venus in the ribs. She didn’t have any time to react, the blow was so fast and precise. Venus jumped back, holding her ribs in pain. The tiger woman didn’t try to attack again, instead unwrapping the bandages from her arms, revealing they were normal hands with claw-like nails. She crossed her hands over her mouth, the woman’s nails pointing at Venus.

Venus scoffed, “Not even fully transformed? You’ve got some nerve to be holding back.” She sprung forward, jumping to the side of the woman about to launch an attack, but was elbowed in the face. Venus fell to the ground, then quickly got up, only for the woman to jab her in the stomach. She coughed, the woman brought her hands back to her face before launching two more strikes at Venus’s chest and then face. They were so fast, like a snake striking its prey. Venus fell back on the ground, the woman getting into the same stance as before. As she got up, Venus wiped her nose, blood streaked across her hand. She growled, throwing herself back up and charging again. This time she would go for a fakeout, she cocked her left fist back making the woman think that’s the attack she was going to do, before quickly switching to her right. Then the woman stuck her again in the stomach. Venus clenched her teeth through the pain, grabbing the woman’s arm with her right hand.

“Now I got you.” Just as she was about to attack, the woman struck Venus’s throat. She choked her for a second, before falling to her knees holding her throat and gasping for air. This woman’s attacks were just too fast, almost on par with Ferral’s speed. And they were extremely precise, being able to find the smallest opening. Once Venus collected herself, she got back up but was met with a swift blow to the chin. The woman then landed jab after jab, each one in almost fatal areas. Venus had no time to react to any of them, but then the woman hopped back, Venus using this to launch her counterattack. She bolted forward and went for a slash at the woman, but she grabbed her arm and pushed down on a pressure point on Venus’s wrist. Venus instantly lost conscience and fell to the ground. “AND THE WINNER IS NUMBER 20!!!!!!” The announcer called.

The woman walked away from Venus and grabbed the bandages she left on the ground, then walked off the stage. Leona and Zuri ran over to pick Venus up, and as they did, Leona and the tiger woman exchanged glances. Leona’s eyes widened, the woman’s gaze was similar to Ferral’s in his awakened state. His was cold and filled with malice, but her’s was more calculated, studying every feature of Leona’s body. After they passed each other, Leona and Zuri went over to Venus, both grabbing one of her arms and putting them over their shoulder.

“AFTER A SHORT BREAK, THE FINALS WILL COMMENCE!!!” The announcer said, “BUT UNLIKE A TRADITIONAL FINAL, THIS ONE WILL BE A THREE PERSON BRAWL!!!!!” The crowd cheered in excitement and anticipation. And so, the finalists had been decided. Leona, Cole, and the tiger woman.