I was sitting on the bench, waiting for the others to get done with their matches. Honestly, this was the first time in a while I've gotten nervous before a fight. It was just that something isn't right about today.

Something was... off.

"And a K.O by Panther Lily!" The referee raised Lily's fist while stepping over the opponents lifeless body.

I don't even think he was breathing.

"Our next next match to start is a fan favorite. In this corner, welcome one of our veteran fighters, Natsu Dragneel!"

The crowd cheered as they heard my name. I climbed inside the ring and sat in my corner, preparing for the match. I made sure there was nothing wrong with my gloves and my shorts. As I was putting on my shorts I saw the announcer talking to one of the refs. I wonder what's up.

"According to the judges, we have a change in opponents."

"What?" I thought.

"In the other corner," he opened an envelope, taking out a card, "we have, Kai Konani!"

My heart stopped.

My breathing hitched.

My hand began trembling.

My eyes widened.

I haven't heard that name in years.

"This scarf must really mean something to you huh?"

"It was... the last thing my dad left me."

He touched his chest, "that's so sweet." He dangled my scarf in front of me, "I wouldn't ruin a precious gift that a loving father gave to his child before he died."

I manged to stick out my hand, attempting to grab the scarf, "thank you-" my eyes widened at what he did next.

He ripped it in two.

I clenched my fist remembering that day. He was one of the reasons why I fight today.

To become stronger and beat anyone who gets in my way.

I stared at him, glaring, as he came  into the ring. Just looking at him is hard to do without wanting to punch his face in. I'll never forget what that bastard did.

He turned and gave that evil smirk. The same one from that day, "Well, well, well..." He put his hands on his hips, "if it isn't the almighty Dragneel. Never thought I would see you again after I graduated high school."

"Well, here we are," I said.

"Here. we. are." He chuckled, "Good luck by the way, I hope your ready."

"Same to you," I smirked.

Returning the gesture, he went to his corner and prepared as well.

I sat in my chair, waiting for the match to start. I couldn't wait to get this fight started. After all those years, after what he did to me and Erza... I won't lose.

I just can't.

"Hey kid!" I glanced around, making sure it wasn't me who was being called, "behind you!" I turned to see an old man in a tan trench coat and a black fedora. He was pretty... short.

"You're gloves dropped on the floor," He said, handing me my gloves.

"Oh," I grabbed the gloves from him, "thanks."

"I see you're a Gildarts fan." He smiled.

I looked down at my gloves, "yeah, especially when I was a kid. I remember watching him all the time and wanting to be just like him."

The old man chuckled, "believe it or not, I see him in you everytime you fight."

I laughed, "don't get too crazy old man, Gildarts was a legend. I'm no where near him."

"But you can be."

I chuckled, "thanks for coming to the fights old man."

He chuckled, "Good luck kid."

The referee gave the signal for both of us to head to the middle of the ring. I stood from my stool walking to the middle of the ring. I glanced at Kai as I was walking. I don't know what to say except hes different. I can feel his overwhelming aura just oozing from him making the room feel heavy. It was honestly frightening.

"Alright fighters, you know the rules, touch gloves." I stretched mines out toward his, but before he put his fist out he spit on his gloves.

"What? A little spit isn't going to kill you Dragneel." I almost flinched at his wicked grin.

"Tch!" I stepped back from him, putting my mouth guard in.

"Let's go!" The announcer yelled and rang the bell.

I put my hands up defending my face, just in case he charged me. I planted my feet firmly on the ground waiting for him to make a move.

He stood there.

"What are you planning?" I thought.

His eyes were closed and he was squatting, taking a deep breath.

He looked like a dumb ass.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I yelled, "fight!" He just kept sitting there, "I dont have all day."

Does he think I'm an idiot or something!?

"That's it!" I charged at him full force. I swung my fist back, gaining all the power I can into this punch. After I couldn't bring my arm back anymore I swung my fist at him. There was no way he could dodge this punch.

"You're still that same old idiot huh?" He whispered, smirking.

My eyes widened as I saw my fist in his hand, "W-What?" He stood straight up and towered over me.

"Come on Dragneel! You didn't think I would let you get a hit on me so easily."

He blocked one of my strongest punches. He blocked it like it was nothing.

I screamed in pain as he began crushing my hand, sending me onto my knees.

"Get up Natsu! Fight me!" He laughed.

I kept hitting his arm, trying to make him let go, but he was way stronger than me. Soon enough I felt my hand beginning to break. I could hear the cracking sounds, and screamed once again in pain.

"Just like old times." He said, throwing me to the other side of the ring.

I grabbed my hand, rolling on the ground, desperately trying to think of anything else instead of the pain.

"This is going to be a blood bath." I overheard some of the audience talking.

"Tell me about it. I dont know what this scrawny kid was thinking when he went against this monster."

"Who cares? All I know is I'm about to get big money if this kid loses."

I banged my fist on the floor, "I'm not giving up so easily you morons," I whispered using my other hand to push me up.

"Just stay down. You'll make this easier for both of us."

"Shut up!" I yelled, "for years I was bullied by you, and now, I have the chance to pay it back." I lifted my fist, blocking my face, "hit me with everything you got. I will get back up. I didn't come here to lose."

Kai's chuckling soon turned into a laughing fit, "You've got some balls." He punched his fist together, "Alright, let's get serious now."

I charged at him again, full speed.

He laughed, "didn't you already try this? It's not going to work with me-" his eyes widened when he glanced back in front of him, "where did he go? I just saw him!"

"Behind you!" I aimed my shot in his gut.

He held his stomach, almost falling to the ground, "What the hell was that?"

"I told you..." I held my fist back up again, "I didn't come here to lose."

After gaining his composure back, he stood up, glaring at me, "cheap shot." He charged at me even faster and threw a jab at my temple.

I barely had enough time to dodge the punch. His punch was so powerful it almost sent me out the ring. I stood my ground and brought my gloves in front of my face. He charged again landing another one of his heavy punches on my arm and another one on my swollen hand. Punch after punch landed onto either my body or my hands. It was like he turned into a while different person. His crazed eyes and that wicked smile sent chills down my spine. It almost reminded me of a certain someone I knew.

"Just fall you idiot!" His last punch broke through my defense and landed on my nose.

I think he broke it.

My blood splattered everywhere onto the ring. I fell to the ground, out of breath. A shadow appeared above me making my tremble in fear, "you're still that same monster," I whispered.

The same sinister grin snuck on his face, "and you're still that same scared little kid from all those years ago." He grabbed me by hair hanging me above him. I screamed in agony trying to release his grip, "let's end this Dragneel."

He threw me to the other side of the ring making all the air in my chest escape. Not long after that same shadow appeared throwing multiple punches and kicks against my body.

It felt like it went on for hours.

I felt something I haven't felt in a long time.

Hopeless.

"What was that about getting back up?!" He screamed.

My body was in pain and I could barley move. It felt like I was about to be knocking on deaths door.

"Yo ref! Ring the bell already! He's going to kill him." An audience member yelled.

The judge glanced at his watch and gave the signal for the ref to stop the fight. The referee pushed Kai off of me, but almost resulted in himself getting killed for inturrupting Kai from punching my face in.

The judge came in the ring, "What a match!" He yelled, exciting the crowd, "and your winner of tonight's fight is Kai Konani!" He lifted Kai's bloody fist.

I was laying in the ring, lifeless. I couldn't move a muscle. My lip was busted, my eyes were swelled shut, my nose was broken and probably a few ribs as well...

I was a wreck.

People started leaving, leaving me here by myself. I couldn't even call for anyone.

I was alone.

"Don't cry son." I heard a familiar voice from behind me. I felt as he got into the ring, "there's no reason to."

I felt the tears pour down on the side of my face. Unable to say anything I just closed my eyes wishing for the pain to stop.

"I'm suprised you stayed as long as you did against him." He chuckled, "I thought you were at most going to only make it for ten seconds. You made it to a full minute and twenty seconds."

He kneeled down beside me examine my body, "lets get you up. Can't have you dying now. You're too young for that." He carefully lifted me onto my feet walking me out of the ring.

"Why are you helping me?" I whispered, barley audible.

"Can't people just help someone when they want too?"

"U-Usually people have an agenda."

He laughed, "can't say that you're wrong."

"So do you have one?"

"I guess you can say that."

"What does it have to do with me?"

We arrived outside and he walked me over to his car. I felt drops of ice fall onto my back making me wince. It was snowing.

He wrapped his coat around me and helped me inside, "The hospital is just a few miles away. You can call your folks when we get there."

I groaned, "Y-You never answered my question old man."

He smiled as he turned into the hospital, "I'm looking for fighter like yourself to train."

"You train?"

"Yep, and recently I've been looking for someone like yourself. Someone with a spirit like yours is definitely the person I need."

I scoffed, "didn't you see me lose back there. I'm definitely not the person you want."

"You're quite wrong kid." He started the car, "you're exactly what I want." He took off his hat throwing it in the back seat. He reached his hand for mine, "how would you like to be the greatest fighter this world has ever seen?"