Chapter 7 — The Showstopper’s Spotlight

Thud—Thud.

My shin snapped into the heavy bag twice, clean and sharp—enough to make a crowd cheer even in practice. I let the bag sway, shook out my ankle before moving into the last stretch of my morning conditioning.

I’d been doubling up on training lately—morning, afternoon, anything to stay ahead. With the sponsor watching this match, I needed every edge I could get.

Lilith Ironwood… brand new to the League. I didn’t know what to think of her yet. A rookie could be predictable—or full of surprises. Either way, she was my next step up I had to climb.

Clara Hart stood there with her usual easy confidence—fair skin dusted with freckles, shamrock-green hair with a dark undertone pulled in a loose braid over one shoulder, a pixel-patterned ribbon woven through it and sharp orange eyes that always looked like she was about to crack a joke.

“Mary, your kicks are looking sharp.”

I turned, wiping a bit of sweat from my cheek. “Oh? Clara came to check on me?”

Clara grinned, hand on her hip. “Someone has to make sure the Showstopper doesn't burn herself out before the match.”

“Don’t call me Showstopper,” I said with a smirk. “We’ve been best friends since Little Leaf in Thorne Haven, Clara. You know I prefer just Mary.”

Clara rolled her eyes, smiling. “Yeah, yeah. But if you overtrain like this, you won’t be anything like your role model Nymara, okay?”

“Well Ms. Comet,” I said with an exaggerated sigh, “I can only hope I end up half as amazing as Nymara.”

Clara flicked her braid over her shoulder. “That’s the Clover Comet to you, Showstopper.”

We both laughed.

Her expression softened. “When are you seeing Carson today?”

“I was going to head over soon,” I said, lowering my voice a little.

We heard footsteps approaching behind us.

“About time, slowpoke,” Clara said without even turning around. “Took you long enough, big bro.”

Lupin Hart came into view—light tan skin, red hair with a faint purple undertone cut short in a clean fade, and a light goatee. His dark orange eyes flicked between us, sharp and observant as always.

“Quiet, you,” Lupin said to Clara, nudging her with his elbow before turning to me with a smirk.

“How’s the Showstopper doing?”

“Not you too,” I groaned.

“Ready for your pre-match interview tomorrow?” Lupin asked, adjusting the strap on his bag. “You and that Ironwood girl.”

“Yup, like always, Lupin,” I replied with a small grin.

“Good, I always promote Clara’s matches and yours a little more than the others,” he said proudly.

“And we appreciate it,” Clara chimed in, nudging him lightly with her shoulder.

“How’re you feeling about the match?” Lupin asked.

“Yeah, Mary, how are you feeling?” Clara added.

I shrugged, letting out a small breath. “Well… it’s her first match, so I’m pretty confident. And I need it to be a good match.”

Clara tilted her head. “Why’s that?”

I hesitated, then said, “Because a big sponsor is going to be watching this one.”

“That’s great!” Clara said, her orange eyes brightening. “I don’t doubt you’re gonna win.”

“Yeah… I know, Clara,” I said with a small smile.

“Lupin, I was going to see Carson. Want to come say hi?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said with a nod. “I try to see him whenever I can.”

“You wanna go, Clara?” I asked.

“Of course,” she said brightly. “The Little Leaf gang together again.”

“Okay, let’s go,” I said, and the three of us headed out of the gym.

We walked through the busy streets of Everbloom, the afternoon sun catching on the glass towers and Petal-Tech signs overhead.

Everbloom always felt too bright, too alive—like a city that never learned how to breathe. Kids darted between shopfronts, the scent of street food mixing with the hum of passing crowds. Fighters in branded jackets moved through the flow, confident and already belonging to this world. Above us, highlight reels flashed across huge screens on the buildings, each replay a reminder of where I wanted to stand—where I needed to stand.

“Walking through this city… it’s a lot to think about,” I said. “How far we’ve come, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is,” Clara agreed softly. “Leaving the orphanage… getting all the way to Everbloom City. It’s been a journey.”

“Little Leaf feels so far away now,” I said. “But it’s where everything started.”

Lupin slipped his hands into his pockets. “You two gotta remember—if we’d never been there, we wouldn’t have met. Little Leaf made us family.”

A soft heaviness settled between us.

Clara and Lupin lost their parents in the biggest Petal-Tech tragedy in history—back when the tech was still new, unstable.

And ours… the condition Carson and I have claimed both of our parents.

Different stories.

Different losses.

But it all led us to the same place.

Little Leaf made us family.

Unlike Carson, I was lucky—my condition hasn’t gotten as severe.

But I worry about him every day.

Here in Everbloom, with the League’s resources, he has access to the best medical technology anywhere. And if I can climb high enough…if I can get the bigger sponsors and become someone in this League… then I can keep up with the costs and make sure Carson gets everything he needs.

Petal Tech is incredible, but even the best tech has limits… and its price isn’t small. Not for people like us.

“Thank you, guys. Carson and I appreciate you both,” I said.

“Like I said—we’re family. No need to thank us,” Lupin replied, giving me a gentle look with those sharp orange eyes of his softening.

“Yeah, Mary,” Clara chimed in, jogging up right beside me. “You two always have us.”

I smiled back at them as we reached the hospital wing connected to the League.

We entered the hospital and checked in. After that, we made our way down the hall to Carson’s room. I stepped in first.

Carson Goldington was awake, sitting up comfortably in his hospital bed, a soft Petal-Tech monitor band wrapped around one arm. His porcelain skin looked smooth in the gentle overhead lighting, and his gold hair with pink undertones fell slightly over his forehead in soft strands.

When he looked up at me, his eyes caught the light—one bright gold and the other a soft, luminous pink.

The same condition we share, but reflected differently in each of us.

He wasn’t surrounded by bulky machines, just a couple of light monitors humming quietly—standard care here in the League’s medical wing. And despite everything, he smiled at me, warm and steady.

Carson’s smile always felt like its own kind of comfort.

“Big sis! You’re here,” Carson said, his eyes lighting up.

“Yeah,” I smiled. “And guess who else came with me?”

Lupin and Clara stepped in behind me.

“How’s it going buddy?” Lupin asked with a smile.

“Carson!” Clara said brightly as she rushed over to give him a hug.

“Lupin! Clara!” Carson said, grinning wide.

Clara gave him a warm hug before stepping back.

“How are you feeling today? Did Pan come check on you yet?” I asked.

“I’m okay, big sis. Pan already checked on me today. I’m looking alright, and the condition’s been mild,” Carson said with a small grin.

“How’s your training going, sis?”

“Don’t worry,” I said smiling back at him. “It’s been good. I’ll be ready for it this week.”

“I know you’re gonna win, sis. You’re an amazing fighter,” Carson said. “I… wish I could be there to watch you fight in person.”

“Well, I know I can fight my best knowing I’ve got your support,” I replied with a smile.

“Yeah, I worry about the day Mary and I ever get matched against each other, “Clara said with a playful groan.

“Sorry, sis” Lupin chuckled, “but I think Mary would get you as you are right now.”

“Some brother you are,” Clara said, giving him a light shove. “Can’t you be more like Carson?”

“Well, can’t you be more like Mary?” Lupin shot back.

We all laughed.

“So… who are you fighting, sis?” Carson asked.

“Some fighter named Lilith Ironwood,” I said.

“Like… Cliff Ironwood?” he replied, leaning in a little.

“I think so. Some fighters have been saying his granddaughter joined the League,” I said.

“She did,” Lupin added. “She sparred with Venus—one of our rising fighters.”

“How did it go?” Clara asked.

“From what I heard? She got beat,” Lupin said. “Far as I know, she only knows boxing.”

If that’s true, then this match will be mine—and I’ll definitely impress the sponsor, I thought to myself.

“That’s still super cool!” Carson said, eyes bright.

“Yeah—you never know what could happen,” Lupin replied.

“You sound like you don’t believe in Mary,” Clara said, narrowing her eyes at him.

“I do,” Lupin said quickly. “Matches are just unpredictable, that’s all.”

“I know sis will win,” Carson said confidently.

“Thanks for the support, everyone,” I said with a small grin.

“We all follow Thorne Haven tradition, right Carson?” Clara said with a bright lift in her voice.

“Yeah,” Carson replied, reaching into his bedside drawer and pulling out a small handheld bell.

“How about once now, for extra good luck before the match—with all of us here?” Lupin suggested, pulling out a small bell of his own.

“Okay,” I said with a soft laugh, “Since you all seem to want to.”

Clara grinned and reached into her bag, bringing out her own bell—matching Lupin’s perfectly.

In Thorne Haven, it was tradition to carry a bell—ring it before a match for good luck, and ring it after a victory. I reached into my bag and pulled out mine, one that matched Carson’s. They were one of the few things we still had from our parents.

“Alright,” I said, holding my bell steady. “On three. You count, Carson,”

Carson straightened, smiling softly.

“One…two—three.”

We all rang our bells together.

“Now you’re sure to win,” Clara said, grinning wide.

Carson nodded beside her, smiling. “Definitely.”

“Well, I do need all the luck I can get,” I said with a soft laugh.

The hours went on with Clara telling Carson about her matches and spars, even throwing a few playful punches and kicks in the air to demonstrate. Lupin asked if he’d read the manga he brought him last time so they could talk about it, and I told Carson about my day.

Before we knew it, it had gotten late.

“It’s getting late. We should get going—you need your rest,” I said. “I’ll be back tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay, Sis,” Carson replied.

“See you, Carson,” Clara said as she gave him a hug goodbye.

“I’ll bring you the next issue this week, buddy,” Lupin added.

We all said our goodbyes, but before I stepped out last, I turned back to Carson.

“Love you,” I said softly.

“I love you too, Sis,” Carson replied.

“Clara will watch the stream with you,” I said softly. “When my match airs, you’ll have her there.”

Carson brightened. “Good. I want her to cheer with me when you win.”

I smiled at him one more time before finally heading out.

As we left the hospital, I turned to Clara.

“Could you do one last spar with me? I want to make sure I’m ready for the match.”

“Of course, Mary. I got you,” Clara said without hesitation.

“Why?” Lupin added with a teasing smirk. “Getting a little nervous now, Showstopper?”

“Just a little,” I admitted.

“You’ll do great. You train hard, and the fans love you,” Lupin said.

“I wish I had half the attention you get, Mary,” Clara added teasingly.

Clara jogged ahead a few steps, then turned back to me with a bright grin.

“You got this, Mary!” she said.

I smiled back at Clara.

I’ll be ready.

I’m doing this for Carson.

I will win.

I’ll get that sponsor.

I’ll make it in this League.

I won’t let anything stop me.

It all starts with beating Lilith Ironwood.