Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ TKO- Total Knock Out ❯ Chapter 16 ( Chapter 16 )

chapter 16

Since the games wouldn't be broadcast live that night, almost everyone showed up at the arena. Squall and Zell had just shown up and when they walked in new fans of Zell were taking pictures and calling his name. He smiled and waved feeling the energy from the crowd as he and Squall made their way to the locker room.

"This is just like home, I am so ready to win." Zell said slamming his fist into the palm of his other hand. "Don't let wanting to win ruin your game, just go out and fight." Squall said. He found a nice locker for Zell. "I'll be outside the door, you change and come right out." Squall said patting Zell on the back and he left the room mumbling to himself. "Too many dirty guys in here."

Zell laughed and looked around nervously at all the other guys in the room. They were big compared to him and all seemed to be eyeing him. 'Hope I don't have to go against any of them.' He thought and hesitantly took off his shirt putting it in the locker. One of the guys that had been staring had a mustache and looked at least twenty years old and he walked over to Zell.

"Hey guys look at the short stuff ha ha ha, what are you in the pee wee league?" He said and everyone started laughing. 'Just ignore them and hurry up.' He told himself. He leaned over and started taking off his sneakers but someone pushed him from behind. "Whats the matter baby don't wanna make friends? Come on show us you're worthy of fighting tonight." He pushed Zell again into the locker. "Hey!" Zell said and pushed the other guy back. "Oooh." The other guys gathered around Zell waiting to see a fight. "Just leave me alone." Zell said through gritted teeth. "You wanna fight punk lets go." "Didn't you hear what he said?" Seifer said stepping in front of Zell.

Zell smiled behind Seifer's back not really caring that he was saving him again as long as he was there. "Oh look who it is the guy that's making us all have to take some damn drug test." "Yeah you could have at least shared some." They laughed again. "What's the problem, afraid they'll find out you've been popping steroids." Seifer said and the guy pulled his hand back to punch him but Seifer moved to the side and Zell ducked letting the guys fist hit the locker door.

"Son of a bitch!" He yelled and lunged at Seifer who punched the guy before he could get any closer. The other men in the room started yelling for a fight. A different guy tried getting Seifer from behind but Zell pushed the guy away and hit him in the stomach. "You fucking fag just like your damn coach." The guy who'd started it all said to Seifer and Seifer hit him again knocking him to the ground and climbing on top of him. "You shut the fuck up!" Seifer yelled choking the guy on the floor. Zell stood back watching not sure what to do. 'Damn that's hot.' He thought.

Someone outside the door had heard the noise and ran in to break it up, it was a policeman sent to monitor the game and competitors. "Hey, hey! Break it up now!" He pushed through the crowd and everyone started scrambling away like they hadn't done anything.

"What's going on in here?" He asked and pulled Seifer off the other guy. "Aren't you in enough trouble kid? Do you wanna go to prison, huh? No fighting unless it's in the ring you know that, you all do!" The cop yelled looking around at them all. "It's his fault." The guy on the floor said holding his throat; he'd started to turn red from the strangling and blood ran from his nose from the hit he took earlier. "Shut up, I don't care what the hell happened just don't do it again or you're all going to juvenile hall." The officer warned them all and then left the locker room. All the guys went back to what they were doing.

"You o.k?" Asked Zell walking up to Seifer. "Fine, I got the chance to let out some aggression." Seifer said and he brushed the dirt from the floor off his pants. "Well thanks for helping me again." Seifer smiled at Zell and lightly smacked him on the back. "What were you doing messin with those guys anyway, you know fighting in the locker room will get you suspended." They both laughed. Zell went back to his locker and Seifer took the one beside it. He pulled his shirt off and Zell carefully peeked around his locker door to see the same sight he'd first seen at the gym that night the two of them met. Seifer still wore his pants slightly off the hips and Zell could see the tattoo closer this time. It was a pair of black boxing gloves touching with flames behind them and the letters TKO written in black bold.

'Sweet.' Zell said in his head and then quickly turned back to what he was doing before anyone noticed his staring. He took his sneakers off and then his pants taking his boxing shorts out of his duffle bag he slid them on. He sat on a bench near the lockers and started putting his boxing shoes on. He watched Seifer take his pants off and nearly passed out seeing the 6'2" figure in nothing but a pair of little black boxers. 'He's perfect, I need a piece of that meat.' He licked his teeth and sucked his bottom lip in watching Seifer cover those luxurious legs with a pair of army camouflage pants. Then he pulled on a pair of combat boots and sat on the bench next to Zell to tie them up.

Zell quickly looked away and searched for something to keep himself busy and he started putting the protective tape on his hands but kept glancing over at Seifer who was pulling the pants over his boots so only the lace part was hidden.

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Outside the locker room Squall and Irvine were talking sitting at a table a short distance from where the other two were. "He'll come around soon." Squall said and Irvine dropped his head onto the table. "I hope so, cause if he can't shake this sniffin habit and runnin off I don't think I can deal with it anymore. I mean you and Zell are close how come he's-...ya know a good kid?" He asked lifting his head slightly. Squall paused thinking about it and took a drink from his bottle of beer. "I don't know, proper up bringing I guess." He shrugged and took another drink. "Yeah and strict coaching too I bet." Irvine said sitting up again. "Maybe." Squall said and looked behind him at the locker room door where a few guys were coming out.

"You think they're making friends in there?" Irvine asked looking across the table to where Squall was looking. "Who knows but they'd better hurry up." Squall answered and turned back to Irvine.

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In the locker room Seifer was putting his own hand tape on now and stood up in front of Zell when he finished holding out his gloves. "Help me." Seifer said and he slid the gloves on as best he could then held his hands to Zell to tie the strings. Zell happily did the favor but made sure to keep his focus on the gloves and not look up because catching a glimpse of Seifer looking down at him might be too much for him to handle now. "Tighter." Seifer said and Zell accidentally almost looked up but reminded himself not to and pulled the strings tighter around Seifers wrist.

"There ya go." Zell said and backed away. "Thanks. Ready to kick some ass?" Zell flashed him a fang toothed grin and slid his red gloves on. "Hell yeah, lets go." They both left the locker room together. Seifer spotted Irvine and Squall first and they went to the table. "Took you long enough." Irvine said and Seifer just shrugged. Zell sat beside Squall letting him tie the strings on his gloves.

While they did that Irvine pulled out a little round container of paint and stuck his finger in. He stood and smeared the mucky green paint under Seifer's eyes. Then he took a necklace of fake dog tags out and put it around his neck.

"There. Now you look good heh heh." He said. Zell and Squall were watching. "Its all part of the presentation, costume makes a fighter more noticeable and the game a little more entertaining." Irvine cleared up for them. "Whatever." Squall said and smiled turning his face away from them. "I think it looks good." Zell said and Irvine smiled at him. "Now this kid is goin somewhere." Irvine said. "Yeah and we need to get going to, we're almost up." Seifer said and everyone got up from the table and headed for the competitors room where they'd wait to be called out. Only the fighters that'd be in the left side of the ring were in there.

When they got inside Zell looked around at all the other fighters getting a little nervous at who he might have to fight. "Don't worry you can beat them, just remember the training." Squall whispered to him. The room was noisy with shouts and cheers from the others watching a small t.v of the matches that were already going on and only being shown in the arena.

"I hope I can do this." Zell whispered to himself and took a seat by the television with the others. Seifer bouncing around punching at the air and Irvine watched his form. "No no you have to put more force in it, the harder you hit the sooner they weaken." He said. Then a man with a headset and clipboard came up to them. "Kinneas, Almasy you're up next." The man said and walked back out into the arena. "You ready?" Irvine asked. "Always."

Irvine took his long coat off revealing that he was also dressed for combat, with a pair of black jeans an camouflage sleeveless shirt and a black netted see through sleeveless shirt over that and he still had on his black studded cow boy hat. Standing next to Seifer with his shirtless chest and the necklace dangling they were a pretty sight. Squall and Zell were both staring now admiring the two but more so the ones that held their hearts.

'I wish we could still be together Irvine, the timing is just wrong.' Squall thought as he watched them head for the door to make their entrance when their names were called. 'Gods if you love me at all please let Seifer like me as much as I like him, it doesn't have to be now but I can't wait forever, man he's gorgeous.'

Out in the ring the announcer was going to the ceiling dropped microphone ready to announce the next competitors. "Alright ladies and gentlemen its time for the next match to begin. In the right corner fighting tonight we have a man that is known for his speed and agility, he is Rex lightning Reynoooooooolds!!!" The crowd cheered for the first competitor who came out with his coach. They jogged their way to the ring. "Hell yeah! Bring it on." Rex said stepping under the rope into the ring. "And now someone most of us are here for...a Deling City legend since he began his boxing career Mr. TKO himself Seifeeeeeeer Almasyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!" The announcer pointed to the left side of the room and music started, Number one by Nelly. The spot light was on them coming.

I am number one no matter if you like it ready take this down in writing

I am number one.. eh eh eh eh eh eh eh

Now let me ask ya man, what does it take to be number one?

The crowd shouted and screamed for Seifer and Irvine as they made it to the ring; Zell went to the door where Seifer and Irvine left from, so he could watch the fight better.

Two is not a winner and three nobody remembers

what does it take to be number one.....

The music faded as Seifer hopped into the ring. The two competitors walked to the center of the ring with the ref. "Alright now lets have a clean fight." the ref said "Tell it to Almasy, he's the one doing drugs." Rex said and Seifer glared angrily at him. "Alright save it, to your corners." They exchanged one more glance before going to their corners. "Don't pay him no never mind just get out there and fight hard." Irvine said when Seifer reached him. He nodded and got in fighting stance.

The bell sounded and they were off. Rex used his agility to maneuver away from Seifer's punches. The crowd was chanting and he could hear Irvine from behind him saying "End it quick." Zell was watching now standing beside the crowd. "He's not so fast." He said to himself and someone tapped his shoulder making him jump out of his skin and he spun around. "Hey Zell its been awhile, well besides school." Nida said. 'Uh oh come on brain remember what's this guys name I need a name N-N N something.'

"I wasn't gonna come here tonight but when I found out you'd be here I said Nida, go support your friend." "Oh right! Uh glad you're here Nida. Sorry if it seems like I've been ignoring you its just training and all, things have been hectic." Zell said trying to be polite but glancing back at the ring. "That's alright I understand, hey maybe we could hang out after the game." Nida said more in a questionable way. " Uh yeah sure maybe." He heard the crowd roar with excitement and turned quickly back to the ring to see Rex double over in pain holding his stomach. 'Shit I missed it.' "This match is pretty exciting huh, well I'm gonna go back to my seat now before its taken, see ya later." "Yeah, see ya." Zell said and quickly put his attention back on the match.

'Can't believe I missed that hit.' Rex was back up now but in poor condition and Seifer tried going for his stomach again but faked the punch when Rex quickly blocked there and went for his head. "No!" The competitors coach yelled from the side. Rex was swaying back and forth and with one last hit to the face he was down. The ref ran over for the count and Seifer wiped a stream of blood from his nose with his arm. "3,2,1 he's down!" The crowd went up with cheers and Irvine tossed his hat up but held onto the brim.

"Winner! Seifer Almasy!" The ref held his arm up and the song that played before started up again. Zell jumped for joy where he was and watched admiringly as Seifer climbed from the ring and ran over to the crowd as they reached for him taking pictures and wanting autographs. Then he pulled himself from the fans and he and Irvine went back to the waiting room. Zell followed after. 'How am I gonna compete with that performance?' He thought to himself.

"Did you see that? Now that was a trained professional up there by yours truly." Irvine gloated. "Good job." Squall said. "You know feather head the fames not so bad after a good fight." Seifer said to Zell when he walked up to the group. "Yeah I could tell." He said sounding happy but feeling sick inside with nervousness. Seconds later the guy in the headset came back. "Dincht and uh Leonhart you're up next." He pointed his pencil at them and hurried back out.

'Well Zell this is it, if I don't make it past this first match I'm out for good.' He sighed heavily and Squall put his arm around Zell's shoulder and they walked out of the room. "Good luck." They heard Irvine call behind them.

"And now fighting in the left corner he's a little guy with a big punch. A new favorite in the game Zeeeeeeeell Dincht." The announcer called and the crowd cheered for this new boxing star as he walked out to the ring with Squall behind. Zell climbed in and went to the center ring with the ref and other competitor.

"Now you know the drill, lets get it on!" They went back to their corners after touching gloves and waited for the bell. Squall put Zell's mouth guard in for him and patted him on the shoulder. "Remember size doesn't matter you can do it." Zell nodded and Seifer walked up behind Squall. "Just came for a closer look." Seifer said and the bell rang.

The other man attacked quick just missing Zell's face as he bobbed out of the way.

"There ya go in and out." Squall said. Zell bounced his way to the right side of the ring and lunged forwards jabbing the mans jaw. 'Get inside hit and come out' Zell reminded himself. He waited for the other guy to swing first and went for the stomach knocking the wind out of the other guy. Then Zell took the opportunity and started throwing quick punches to his head never backing off. The other man stumbled around throwing blind punches at Zell and he dodged the ones that got to close.

"That's the way." Squall said and Seifer stood in the background watching Zell closely. 'Hm he's better than I thought'

Zell could hear the crowd chanting his name in the background and it gave him the extra force in his final punch. He pulled back and gave the hardest uppercut he could knocking the guy off his feet. The ref ran over for the count but it was obvious this guy wasn't getting up. 'Winner Zell Dincht." The ref said standing to grab Zell's arm. 'I made it past the first round!'

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"In this corner Seifeeeeeeeer Almasy!" The announcer yelled. "Winner Zell Diiiiiiincht!!!!!" The ref called out. The matches continued through the night and the two were in and out of the ring fighting and winning being true contenders making their ways to the top and after the final matches it came down to the announcement everyone's been waiting for.

The final four boxers remaining were standing inside the ring in a line. All the others didn't defeat their competitors and lost the chance to compete in the world championship game. The coaches were also standing in the ring behind the fighters and the league officials stood in front of them all with a microphone.

"And now those of you standing here now in this ring where the final battles were fought you've achieved a tremendous goal here tonight in the Deling City boxing arena." The crowd cheered loudly for all the competitors. "Now you have won the honor of going on to an even more tremendous battle and Esthar's arena, the official place for one of you to make boxing history, with these certificates," He handed one to each of the four and they looked them over. "With this you will each now have the chance to fight for world champion boxer." Everyone applauded. "I am very proud of all of you for making it this far coming from all over, Timber, Dollet, Balamb and Deling. I'm sure I speak for everyone here tonight and at home when I say good luck and congratulations you're......."

"Going to the world championship game baby!" Zell shouted going into the locker room and Seifer laughed at his enthusiasm. "You know what we need to do celebrate." They both went to their lockers and started changing. "Really you mean like all of us?" "No dinky you and me, their coaches what did they do? We fought our asses off lets have some fun." He rubbed Zell's fallen sweaty hair and pulled a towel out of his bag and went to the showers.

Zell paused before taking his shirt off and let it all sink in what Seifer had just said and a big smile formed on his face. 'Thank you god!' He looked up at the ceiling with his hands together. Then he rushed the rest of his clothes off and grabbed his own towel and went to the showers himself.

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Just as I promised another chapter and the next one is where it gets real gooooood if you know what I mean. Enjoy : ) -Linkin