Cinderella Man

[Nicolas Constantine]

Nick's big match with Matrim was in a week. So, naturally, he began to advertise for it. "Come see Matrim Gallagher fight newcomer Nicolas Constantine in the boxing match of the century" said the fliers that Nick was posting up and handing out to people. The flier showed a boxing arena with the title at the top of the paper to grab attention, and the details at the bottom. The details were not only time and place and date, but that it was to gather people to join the new boxing team.

He had already got a couple "Who's Nicolas" or "Get away from me" or a fist nearly in the kisser. But what really pissed him off was when he was toppled over, papers scattering everywhere, by a trip-and-run.

Nick got up and dusted himself off, beginning to pick up the papers and grumbling curses to himself.

They would know his name and not make a fool of him after he faced Matrim. What did it matter if he won or lost as long as he lasted a good few rounds? And if he got enough people to create a boxing team, he would be known as well because he'd be on the team, if not one of the team captains.

[Damien Kross, Jester]

A flier was clutched in my grasp, my eyes looking over the details of it... It was quite possibly the most entertaining thing I had seen all day. No... all week. Yes, by far. All week.

Some nobody student versus the Varsity Captain in a boxing match... Wow... Talk about deathwish... As Director of Media, I was going to be damn sure to advertise the hell out of this match. Shit, I could sell tickets. There would be a lot of money in that.

However, one thing did bother me... It might be TOO MUCH of a slaughter to make it entertaining. Could this Nicolas guy actually stand up against the Varsity Captain? A Pillar? One on one?

I doubted it.

"Nicolas Constantine, please report to the Teacher's Lounge at once. This is an order."

The P.A. system would ring my voice out across the entire school, alerting that I demanded his presense at once. As soon as my message was delivered, I left the room and went down the hall to the Teacher's Lounge, went inside, and cracked open a can of AMP energy drink as I awaited the boxer.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Aw, shit. What did I do now...?

Then he placed the stern, yet unrelenting voice.

Damien Kross...?

Nick wondered what Damien would be calling him on the P.A. to the Teacher's Lounge for. He wondered why Damien could call him to the Teacher's Lounge. Yeah, he knew he was a Pillar, but Nick didn't think they could go as far as that. And 'This is an order'?

I'm sure he just wants a friendly talk... Like last time... he thought sarcastically.

To the Lounge is was then. Nick gathered himself and his run-away papers and headed towards the place where he was to meet the Director of Arts.

Once he got there, he opened the door to see Damien sitting back in a chair. It was a lounge after all...

"Um, you wanted to see me?"

[Damien Kross, Jester]

As the boxer entered, I offered him a wide smile, then sipped from my drink. I was leaning back in the chair, my feet kicked up on the table. I giggled a little inside, knowing Linda would beat my ass if she saw me dirtying the table.

"Mister Constantine. Come on in. We have a little business to discuss." I waved the flier. "Quite interesting... Taking on a Pillar is a hard enough feat... But challanging the Varsity Captain to a sport? That's like challanging Mathew to a weight lifting contest or me to a debate... Quite the task." I was starting to like this guy more and more. He had guts.

"I want to advertise this. Perhaps even sell tickets. But in my eyes, you have no chance... I want to test what you can do." I said simply, letting him figure out what I meant.

[Nicolas Constantine]

Test what I can do? Oh...

"You see, Damien, this situation is different then a normal fight. Its regulated with rules and rounds and such, its not just a game of strength, but a sport of endurance and strategy. Plus Matrim said he had never participated in a boxing match before."

Nick also thought that the Pillar might be toying with him and doubted his ability to fight.

"Even though Matrim's stronger than me, he doesn't know the sport which I've been practicing and winning for eleven years."

And business? Advertising? Selling tickets? What was Damien's aim this time?

"And if you'd like to advertise, be my guest. As for selling tickets, that would be Matrim's department. He's the one setting up the ring and holding the event. I'm just trying to get a team together."

[Damien Kross, Jester]

"I would understand where you were coming from if the two things were different... For example, going from football to soccer... But boxing is merely a different form of combat, something which Matrim is a master of... All you're doing is essentially taking away feet and adding a time limit..." I smiled. "You overestimate your chances."

I said it bluntly.

"As I see it, you have a small chance of victory... Sure, you know how to box... But being able to box doesn't mean much if your punches hit air or your hits do no harm... Matrim is a hell of a fighter, even with his recent injuries. I want to see what you can do... I want to see if you are even worth my attention."

[Nicolas Constantine]

"Are you saying you want to see me in combat?"

Nick knew where Damien was going with this. He wanted a fight, no matter how much Nick wanted to avoid it. All he had to do was prove that he would at least be able to stand a fighting chance against the strength of a Pillar.

"You do know that it doesn't matter to me if I win or lose this match, just that I last enough to get some publicity for myself and the new team. That doesn't mean I plan to throw the match, though."

He hoped that Damien would understand what he meant to achieve with this match.

[Damien Kross, Jester]

"As if I give a shit." I said with an amused smirk. "As far as I'm concerned, your reasons for doing this aren't important. It's about what I want to gain from this... And what I want to gain is the enjoyment of seeing you and Matrim kick the shit out of each other in a fair, one-on-one fight."

I paused to take a sip.

"As far as I'm concerned, I have no problem admitting I am the weakest of the Pillars, but then again, being strong isn't my job. It just happens to be a perk. If you can stand up to me, it proves there's at least a small chance of you and Matrim making this fun. What do you think? Tell me honestly. You think you have what it takes to beat me? Let alone Matrim?"

[Nicolas Constantine]

"Not to sound overconfident, I could definitely use the practice."

Nick didn't mean to sound overconfident at all, but the truth was he was no where near strong enough to face Matrim. Yet, at least. Perhaps he should fight the eager Pillar. Who knew, maybe they were on the same par, or at least close.

"Alright, I'll do it. But don't think I'm your enemy if I beat you. Think of me as... your sparring partner."

Maybe that sounded a little too overconfident as well.

Nick wouldn't let himself be downed that easily, especially as fast as last time. But this time he was actually expecting a fight.

[Damien Kross, Jester]

God... This little fuck was trying his hardest to sound modest, and he only suceeds in becomming what I say he is... Epic fail. But that aside, it was now decided. There would indeed be a true clash of these two- the boxer and the grappler- the underdog and the Pillar. Joyous.

"You won't beat me." I corrected him. "But no worries. As long as you don't pull anything cheap, I'm sure there will be no true conflict between us." I gave him a reassuring smile. "However, you try to pull some shit, I will snap your arms. Can't really box like that, can you?"

I made sure he could tell I was serious. Constantine had a habit of thinking he was everyone's equal... But here, in this room, he was a pawn, and I was the King.

King is one of the worst pieces in chess.

Then I'm the Queen.

Hehehehe, you queen.

FUUUUU-

[Nicolas Constantine]

"I may be cheeky bastard, but I'm no cheater. And you forget, I'm not looking to win, I'm just looking for a good fight."

Pillar or no, Nick would fight Damien as an equal. It was basically the same mindset as he thought about the match against Matrim, doesn't matter if he wins or loses, it matters how long he can last.

Nick was never one to strike first, so he removed his hoodie, he had left the rest of his belongings in his locker, and tossed it aside.

"So are you going to get off your ass and fight me, or not?" he said, cracking his neck and stretching.

[Damien Kross, Jester]

"Oh please." I scoffed. "In the lounge? Keep dreaming. You're gonna have to wait to get what you want. Your insistance is warming though... I haven't known someone who wanted a spanking that bad since Kate... and hers was literal." I grinned, having the time of my life bashing that heartless shell of a woman.

"Our fight will happen in five days. In a hidden location, there is currently construction of a megastructure- a mansion of sorts. Your friend Sam knows all about it. It contains the fruit of my genius... A maze of puzzles, obstacles, traps, everything that tickles my fancy..." I paused, letting him savor the thought. "When it is finished, you will be the first to face it. If you do well enough, you earn the right to face me." I widened my grin. "What'cha think?"

[Nicolas Constantine]

"Now you're speaking my language, puzzles tickle my fancy as well. It's the British in me." Nick smirked.

"I shall take you up on your challenge and complete your mind games. I would be honoured to be the first contestant, and then we will have our battle."

Nick was a bit disappointed that it didn't happen then and there, but he was also intrigued by this offer of sorts.

He also heard mention of two girls who he had met, whom he found to be quite interesting, both on opposite sides of the spectrum.

"And you know Kate and Sam?"

[Damien Kross, Jester]

"I'm Sam's new master." I began, keeping a straight face. "As of a few days ago, she's my combat apprentice. From what I saw, she can't fight to save her life..." I shrugged.

"And of course I know Kate you fucking dolt... Did you happen to miss my entire broadcast Monday morning?" I referred to the Weekly Whammy when I slanered Kate's name. "That whore deserved every fucking word I said. My suggestion Nick... and take it to heart... Stay the hell away from that girl. She'll break your heart if you get too close."

I took another sip of my Amp. "Trust me, I know. She broke mine."

[Nicolas Constantine]

So that's what happened to Damien's heart...

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm guessing that's why you publicly denounced her as a whore. I guess serves her right, but I can't help but be intrigued by her a bit, she seems... different from the other girls..."

Nick took a seat as he said this.

"But Sam's different, too! I find them to be quite opposite, yet I still find myself attracted to them both... Ha, but you don't want to hear me ramble."

He caught himself talking about things that were going on in his mind that Damien probably didn't want to hear about.