Gatekeeper {Original Novel}

December 18th, 2022

"D.D., I hope you're ready for Fight Night! It has been too long since I've seen you in the ring!" A young man spoke before his thoughts roamed, '...or in person...It's hard to keep tabs on someone who doesn't like to be found...' The man only sighed, losing his excitement when the female he was left to manage continued to land blows on the punching bag in front of her. The UFC Gym wasn't too crowded, but it was enough to where the female found a spot in the corner of the gym to focus on herself.

The fighter is a young woman of short height with a small yet very muscular build and physique. She has moderately short blonde hair that is often tied at the back with her right fringe mainly draping over the right side of her face (currently her hair is down since she isn't in a fight); She has an oval-shaped face, blue eyes, a Roman nose, and pale complexion. The female's current clothing consisted of a sports bra and shorts, her hands equipped with UFC training/grappling gloves.

"You cat at least ACT like you're pumped for the fight tomorrow. I heard your opponent is someone who counters you completely!" The young manager spoke again as the female suddenly stopped punching the bag hanging from a chain in the gym before leaning on it and asking, "Your point is...?" The blonde awaited an answer, staring at her manager with sullen blue eyes.

The manager sighed, running his left hand through his black hair, suddenly asking his Featherweight fighter, "How have you been holding up, Davina?" He walked over to her and grasped her shoulders, "I haven't been in contact with you since your last fight. I don't know if you remember, but that was 6 months ago." He spoke with concern in his voice.

Davina merely blinked at him; emotionless was her default facial expression. She says, "I'm fine. I've been training my ass off since my bout against McKenzie." Davina told her manager before blowing strands of hair out of her face and teased nonchalantly as she removed his hands from her shoulders, "To think the hyperactive, knucklehead trainer, Daniel Cumberland would be worried. You seemed pretty carefree to me."

Daniel rolled his eyes and pinched his nose as he took a few steps back, "Stop that. I'll have you know that I worry about a bunch of things that involve you." He informed Davina while she walked over to her duffel bag as a hearable "Mhm" released from her throat while she removed the UFC training gloves, placing them in the duffel bag. She crouched down to pull out the bottle which contained her water and sipped from it as she let Daniel ramble before he realized the stare she was giving him.

"You're...not even listening, are you, D.D.?" Daniel asked as he crossed his arms while narrowing his eyes, tapping his foot on the floor. Davina shrugged as she hoisted her duffel bag over her shoulder and stated, "I am listening, and I'm acknowledging it..."

"Oh. That's good-" Davina cut in, "...as you overreacting too much." Her words caused Daniel to sigh heavily and place a hand on his head, asking himself, "What am I going to do with you-" She cut in once again as she walked past him, "I want you to watch me win. I want Daniel Cumberland to watch in awe as his rising star gets the title shot fight she deserves." Davina's eyes glanced back at him.

Daniel blinked at her before grinning, "You are something else, girl." He told her with a laugh, "Alright! Make sure you get some rest for tomorrow and meet me here so we can discuss tactics before your fight, okay?" He asked which Davina responded with a nod. The female exited the UFC Gym and sighed while looking up at the sky, 'I have to defeat her...I can't let her live like this any longer...I have to smash her to bits...'

"Oh! Is that you, White Death!?" A cheerful voice asked sweetly from afar, causing the UFC fighter to glance up, seeing a familiar face walking over to her in the parking lot of the UFC Gym, "McKenzie?" Davina raised a brow as she questioned the fellow fighter walking over to her.

"Yo! I didn't expect to see you in the gym at all today! I knew Fight Night's around the corner, but I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow's event!" Isabella McKenzie says with a smile. Isabella has long auburn hair tied to a ponytail and blue eyes. She was a rather muscular woman with a lean figure as she donned a track jacket and shorts to cover her curvaceous figure.

Isabella's a fighter known for her willpower and unbreakable chin-she has proven to be a threat to many who lack stamina since she can keep going until the opponent falls to fatigue or she lands a critical blow upon their face, knocking them out. Isabella has earned herself the title "La Cucuy" because of her Hispanic heritage and how much of a boogyman she is to the Featherweights in the division.

"I see..." Davina responded with a sigh, "I'm surprised you've recovered so fast. You just wouldn't stay down so I had to beat you up bad...Are your ribs okay...?" Davina asked as she swiveled her shoulders, cramps in her shoulders could be heard popping and cracking.

"Hahaha!" Isabella only laughed at such an amusing question. She didn't expect much from a fighter like Davina, but White Death proved her wrong in the arena, "Yeah! I'll survive! Your punches really do some major damage, and that grappling of yours is on another level! Your title match is definitely coming soon! I just know it!" Cucuy insisted determinedly as she grasped the hands of Davina, "I wish you the best of luck. I really hope you take the championship belt from Mary. She has had it for way too long!" She pouted.

Davina only nodded and responded with a low "Hmph" before Isabella giggled gently, "Well, I'll see ya around, White Death! I have some more training to do before my next match!" She chimed, walking into the UFC Gym with her backpack. Daniel walked out at the same time she went in and looked at Davina, snickering and smirking.

"What...?" Davina questioned, glancing in his direction before staring out into the parking lot.

"Come on, D.D., You should really give her a chance! You need some friends, or better, a lover! Your lonely ass barely talks to people and she genuinely wants to be around you, girl!" Daniel exclaimed in excitement as he nudged her shoulder, the two of them now walking out into the parking lot. Davina did nothing but release a sigh as Daniel asked, "Come on, you're lying if you say you don't find her a bit attractive, D.D.! To be honest, she perfectly clashes with your depressing personality and lack of communication-"

Davina facepalmed and groaned out, "Leave me alone...don't have managing to do...? Why must you bother me all the way to my car...?" She asked him.

Daniel pulled out his car keys and pressed a button, the lights of his Mercedes-Benz flickering next to Davina's car, "Because, being the best manager ever, I made sure to park my car right next to yours in case I needed to talk to you on the way out of the gym."

This caused Davina to roll her eyes, but she felt Daniel pat her on the shoulder, saying, "Listen, at least take what I'm saying into consideration, Davina. I'm supposed to be your manager, not your therapist. But, I'm also a good friend. I think having more fun in your life with others will enlighten you. I would let a catch like Isabella off the hook so easily, okay?" He walked over to his car after saying this and opened the door, "I'll see you tomorrow before the match, yeah? We'll go over battle strategies tomorrow. I want to see you decimate Lola The Killer tomorrow night." He got into the car, started the engine, and drove away.

Davina thought about her life and asked herself, "Fun...? Others...?"

Davina shook her head softly, trying to rid a few memories from her mind as she walked to her 2022 Ford Explorer. She didn't mind the snow as it gently landed on her skin, "I didn't think it would be snowing so soon..." She murmured mindlessly to herself before getting into her car and placing her duffel in the backseat.

"Hmm...I have too much to focus on to be having fun. I'll destroy Lola tomorrow so I can get one step closer to taking on Mary." Davina spoke as she grabbed the steering wheel and narrowed her eyes, baring the murderous of a beast in her eyes, "I want to beat her down so bad she'll wish she was dead...I'll force her to tell me EVERYTHING."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Have I pulled you in yet? Yes? No? Oh well, I guess we'll find out next chapter since this was nothing but an introduction to some of the characters that will be in the story for most arcs. I hope you vote, comment, and share this story! I'd appreciate it since I'm looking forward to writing this more! Thank you guys again! See ya!