Fight Academy

Last night felt like an eternity for Chase. A sleepless night waiting in anticipation of what was to come during the next day visiting the fight academy. The time had come, 5PM the next day. As he approached the old warehouse doors of the academy, a few guys entered the building. They were big guys, in great shape, tall, muscular, confident, all of a sudden this didn't seem like a wise decision.

Chase was visibly nervous, palms sweating, suddenly the excitement had turned into fear, questioning his own thought process as to why he even wanted to come in the first place.

'Get yourself together' Chase thought to himself, he was bewildered as to why his initial enthusiasm had turned to such skepticism.

'You can do this' Chase muttered to himself repeatedly before pushing his now what heavy body through the doors.

The fight academy was an old school styled gym, which made sense given Sensei Li's age. The equipment was not state of the art, but the warehouse was split into different areas each focusing on different disciplines of fighting and training. There was boxing, MMA, kung-fu, karate, wrestling amongst others.

Fighters everywhere, feeling slightly intimidated Chase did not know where to look. He turned his sight away from the fighters to try and avoid making eye contact when he noticed big posters dotted all over the academy. 'World Fight Championships' they read. There were some very famous fighters on the poster such as the reigning World Fight Champion, Vicious and the new up and coming fighter Hitman Holmes who had recently taken the fighting scene by storm.

'This must be advertising the upcoming fight championships' Chase was thinking. This was daily motivation for the fighters training at the academy. They all aspired to one day take part in these championships and seeing some of their idols everyday on the posters around them must of been a great motivation to them.

"Ah you came" Sensei Li approached Chase from behind.

"Now let's get to work, go get yourself ready and then we will throw you into the ring with one of the guys to get you going".

"Already? Am I not going to train first before fighting someone?" Chase stuttered nervously.

"The best way to learn is on the job. Anyway, I want to see what skills you possess before training you" Sensei Li responded ever so calmly.

"Put this on first, it's a fight bracelet." Sensei Li handed over a black rubber strap which automatically clenched around Chase's wrist. Fight bracelets were a device that all combat fighters were required to wear in order to determine their overall fighting rank. To improve their rank fighters must acquire xp by completing different challenges, fighting opponents, competing in tournaments and learning from specialized trainers. Different attributes also have their own ranks such as stamina, speed, strength etc. All fighters begin at level 1, with 99 being the maximum level. All fighters aspire to improve their overall fighting level but some choose to focus on specific attributes. The bracelet also gives notifications and updates when fighters earn xp for a certain attribute or when they level up.

Chase made his way to the locker rooms to get ready, If he wasn't already nervous before entering the academy, he was most certainly so now. So many thoughts rushing through his head at 100 miles per hour. Chase knew he was not ready to fight yet, and after seeing the size of some of the guys at the gym, there was no chance he could win he thought to himself.

As Chase got changed into his gym wear, he noticed a gym bag that had been left on one of the benches beside him. He was not sure why, but Chase was drawn to this bag, he felt a sudden urge to see what was inside. Curiosity got the better of Chase, he decided to take a look. Fight gloves, straps, towel, 'nothing exciting in here' he though to himself. But just as Chase stopped routing through the bag's belongings, he noticed a purple colored drink which was labelled 'STRENGTH X10'. Chase was drawn to this drink, a drink advertised as strength X10, who on this earth would not be?

'+18 age only, drink for maximized strength gains' The drinks label read.

'I can't, can I?' he thought to himself. He knew he shouldn't, after all, he was only 16 and the drink said it was strictly for over 18's. But Chase was already riddled with nerves, he was looking for any little help he could get. 'If the other fighters at the academy were taking this stuff, then surely I should' Chase thought to himself. Not wanting to be at a disadvantage in any sort of way, he did it, he guzzled down the purple colored strength drink. It had a strong kick, Chase gagged immediately, nearly throwing the contents back up. Well he didn't feel any different, a little light headed but definitely nothing extra ordinary. What a waste, after trying out many different fight moves on an invisible imaginary opponent in the locker room, he realized that there was no difference.

"Chase? Are you coming or not?" Sensei Li shouted.

"Errrr yes, give me a moment" Chase replied whilst nervously hiding the remains of the drink he had just stolen. The Sensei could not find out about what Chase had just done.

Chase nervously reentered the fight area in which Sensei Li was waiting patiently.

"The fighters at my academy are some of the most talented local fighter's, they are training to one day take part in the world fight championships, the most prestigious event in the world for all fight fans and fighters."

The world fight championships take place once every year, in which all the best fighter's from around the world gather to compete in one vs one combat. Each professional fighter has a skill level with 99 being the highest. Most fighters will usually have one key attribute which they are allowed to enhance before each fight. Huge cash rewards are given to the winners, turning them into millionaires overnight. It is every fighter's dream and chance for a better life. Although some take part just for the prestige and honor, whereas some just like damn right violence.

"Go jump in there with Wiz" Sensei Li demanded.

"Oh shit" it was the guy Chase saw earlier when entering the gym. The initial reason for his nerves taking over his body. This guy already had an overall fighting level of 8 which dwarfed Chases level of 1. ' Why did that god damn drink not change anything' Chase thought as he believed he needed its benefits immedietly. He entered the cage; his body was trembling 'why am I doing this?' he questioned himself. Wiz was calm and relaxed, the complete opposite to Chase.

Wiz Taunted Chase "let's see what you've got boy".

He throws one punch, missed, Chase duck's, then a straight right, Chase just about gets out of the way as his fist brushes past his ear. Chase drop's a level in height as he avoids a third attack from Wiz and then on his way back up, he connects ferociously with an uppercut. CRACK! Right on the chin, Wiz is sent flying across the cage with such power.

'WHAT THE HELL?' The power, where did this come from? Chase was trying to process what had just happened. Chase had never seen strength like it, he felt invincible.

The initial excitement turned into worry, Wiz was lay unconscious on the floor, lights out. The surrounding fighters began to panic, rushing in to the cage to help Wiz and see if he was ok.

"What did you do Chase?" Sensei Li screamed from the top of his lungs. Chase was bewildered at first, struggling to come to sense at how he was capable of such a feat, then when suddenly it clicked in his mind, he remembered about the drink he had taken earlier.