A/N: Random speech in italics is the tournament commentators who have microphones, centred speech is the crowd yelling.

Y/N had been a hard man to track for the following few days. He had been required to meet at HQ several times, to discuss things like what entry song he wanted, a meet and greet and question session with supporters from the three communities. Mal had instead been there alone and answered questions as to Y/N's presence (or lack thereof) vaguely with statements such as "Y/N doesn't like crowds"; in truth he didn't trust himself not to punch Brendon in the mouth.

—~—

It was the first night of the two night tournament and Clementine was a bundle of nerves. Two commentators were talking over a loudspeaker about the night, one named Sam and one named JJ, but Clem wasn't taking much in, instead she was trying to talk with Jayne, Edith and Shep, who she was sat with, and steady her nerves.

"So Y/N's fight is first" Clem said with a shaky smile to Edith who nodded. Y/N had drawn a man named Francisco Barbosa first, and he was a Brazilian Juijitsu Champion from before the apocalypse and was representing Bethnal Green.

"Yeah but my boy will be fine" Jayne smiled confidently. "Barbosa is a grappler. As long as Y/N can stay on his feet he'll have the advantage in a power game."

Clem nodded and inhaled, counting to three, steadying her nerves as the Rocky theme rang out, Barbosa coming to the ring first.

Next there was silence, apart from the commentators, as Y/N lined up at the entrance with Mal behind him.

"I tell you what Sam this next entrant has come out of nowhere, 15 years old, he's only here as the last entrant because three months ago he knocked out Mad-Dog Grimes in the gym."

"And I can find out very little about him, Y/N Dixon. Refused to take part in the pre tournament press, no walkout music, refused to have his picture taken with the rest of the fighters. He's breaking all the rules." Sam chuckled.

As Y/N walked out with no music there was a loud cheer from the crowd who knew exactly who he was.

"A lot of fans here of course, Y/N known for not only wiping out the Reavers and stopping the war, but as we learned yesterday from the testimony of Tommy Miller, brother of Jackson's Leader Joel, Y/N ripped the door off a truck- in the heat of battle, saving lives in the process- and he walked away from both without claiming a medal" JJ gushed.

Edith smiled and nudged Clem who had lit up proudly at the praise heaped on her man. The crowd booed at Sam's next words:

"Look Y/N Dixon is a tough guy, and a genuine war hero, but at the end of the day he is fifteen against legitimate fighters and I think he will be shown up here. I mean the truck doesn't hit back."

"Sam he ripped the door off a truck!"

The two fighters stood opposite in the ring, Y/N and Barbosa staring at each other-

-as the referee Josh called out:

"Dixon you ready?"

Y/N nodded.

"Barbosa you ready?"

He nodded.

"Let's go to war!"

The two walked in quickly with fists raised. Mal called out from the side:

"Feel this guy out Y/N, just like we know. Just like we know."

Y/N and Barbosa reached the middle of the ring, Y/N saddling to the left as Barbosa threw out a couple of exploratory jabs Y/N easily blocked.

"Barbosa's known as the octopus and will be looking for a takedown"

"He'll definitely be looking for a takedown Sa-"

The crowd roared. Clem and the rest of Y/N's entourage were on their feet. Y/N had ducked a hook from Barbosa and threw out a savage cross, the same that had taken out Mad-Dog, and knocked Barbosa out cold.

JJ erupted on commentary:

"Barbosa is down! Barbosa is knocked out! Y/N Dixon is definitely for real!"

He like many others gasped when Y/N turned with a smile, took out his mouth guard, and stormed out the door of the cage they were fighting in.

"And now he's walking out the cage. He's storming out the cage. Another rule, broken."

"Hey Y/N, where you going?" Colt called out from the crowd, having adopted Y/N as one of 'his' fighters, whether Y/N knew it or not.

Y/N had no interest in the theatrics of this event and the bullshit that went along with it. He was here to fight, win and get that house for his family.

—~—

Brendon's first match had been against a pre apocalypse fighter, Midnight Lee. Many expected Midnight as a brawler to win, but Brendon was a submission specialist and got him to submit with an arm bar.

Mad-Dog and the Great Koba also managed to easily move on from their first round matches.

—~—

Y/N had came out to the ring much the same as his first fight- no fuss, no music, but to a much louder response from the crowd who were pumped to see him in action again. His second round opponent was named Diego Santana from Jackson, and he was a post apocalypse tough guy.

"Y/N doesn't seem to want anything to do with this adulation. He's just here to fight. The bell goes and Y/N is out again like a buzzsaw"

Y/N charged Diego from the buzzer, overwhelming him with lefts and rights, pushing him back against the cage, a hard shot to the gut causing Santana to bend over in pain.

He was gripped in a headlock and slammed over Y/N's shoulder to the mat hard.

"He is all over Diego Santana, and now he's beating him mercilessly"

Y/N mounted Santana in a full mount and started raining down hammerfists, Santana offering no resistance as he was pummelled before the referee Josh jumped in, Y/N crowned the winner as he walked out again, Mal looking around with a smile as the whole audience erupted:

"Y/N! Y/N! Y/N!"

"And there he goes again, storming out the cage. Y/N Dixon is marching through the crowd and marching into tomorrow night's final four!"

Following the bout Clementine and Edith excused themselves, leaving Jayne and Shepherd to enjoy the rest of the fights. They were there only to watch Y/N and had no interest in the rest of the night's activities.

They were allowed into the back, as family of the fighters/trainers, and made their way to Y/N's dressing room where he was sat having a beer with Mal and Hugh.

"You're a pain in the ass but you're a tough son of a bitch" Mal chuckled into his bottle.

"I'm just glad you're on our side kid" Hugh chuckled in agreement.

After the beer Y/N and Clementine went home, Mal staying back to see Y/N's next opponent the following night. Y/N and Clem made it home and thanked Beth, the lady from the grocery down the road who had volunteered to babysit AJ.

AJ had been a bit fussy without his parents home so Y/N enjoyed the rest of the night, spending it at home with AJ and Clementine. He played with AJ, the nearly one year old loving it when his dad played peek a boo, giggling and laughing. The sight of her boys playing filled Clementine with joy and the moment AJ was placed in hit cot asleep Clem pulled Y/N by the hand, beginning to passionately make out with him.

--~--

Y/N was up early as normal, making a bottle for when AJ woke and cooking breakfast for he and Clem when she squeezed him around the waist from behind, kissing his back and smiling, blushing at the thought of the night before.

"Hungry?" Y/N asked with a smile, turning off the gas cooker and turning to kiss Clem on the lips.

"Starved" Clementine giggled, wrapping her arms around Y/N's neck.

"I'm not surprised" Y/N chuckled, leaning down and kissing Clementine's lips. She kissed him back, her mouth opening as Y/N's tongue entered. She moaned before Y/N grunted, a loud knock at the door waking AJ in his cot, causing him to cry.

"I'll get AJ, you get the door?" Clem asked with a chuckle. Y/N grunted and she laughed:

"Don't mope, there's always later."

Y/N opened the front door shocked to see Mal and Edith at his door.

"Hey guys, you're here early" Y/N said in surprise as he let them in. They entered and smiled, Edith and Clem hugging as Clem sat on the couch and gave AJ his bottle.

"Sorry for the early disturbance, wanted to get here to tell you before anyone else did" Mal said with a worried smile.

--~--

Y/N was in the gym being put through drills to get ready for tonight's matches. His opponent in the semi final was Mad-Dog. Mad Dog had taken the microphone after his fight and talked a whole lot of shit. That it was a fluke, that Y/N caught him off guard, that Y/N was a punk.

Blah

Blah

Blah

It would take a hell of a lot more to get under Y/N's skin than shit like that. Mal and Edith were relieved. They hadn't known how he was going to react, but they knew how dangerous he was if it was a bad reaction.

--~--

"Y/N! Y/N! Y/N!"

It was time for the first fight of the night, and this time Y/N was the first out for his fight. The crowd was pumping and packed again, cheering Y/N's name, and one of the sections was packed full of a lot of veterans from the Battle of Reaver Valley who had been sat together. Mal had something planned for his young friend, his young brother, his young soldier. Y/N may not have been a marine like Mal, Zoe, or a number of others were but in their opinion he was just as brave as them.

"Y/N walking out with no music again Sam"

"I'd hardly say no music JJ"

From the Halls of Montezuma To the Shores of Tripoli; We fight our country's battles In the air, on land and sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine.

Ooh-Rah

The Veterans were on their feet, singing the Marines Hymn to a fellow veteran. Maybe not a marine, but a veteran all the same. The crowd stood as one, hands on hearts in a display of patriotism, and Y/N stood at the edge of the cage, looked at the fellow soldiers, and nodded as they finished their rendition. Clementine wiped a proud tear.

"Y/N acknowledging the crowd, his comrades there for the first time"

Mad-Dog was out next to Thunderstruck and ran into the ring. He got right into Y/N's face and barked, only an inch away, before continuing around the cage- aiming to try and put Y/N off.

"We all heard what Mad-Dog had to say last night after his Quarter final match JJ"

"Except Y/N who we are told was already at home with his girlfriend and son"

"Son... that boy is something else. Anyway, as a reminder Mad-Dog predicted an early knock-out, said he was going to take Y/N out with one punch and by the way, that they were going to have to drag him off Y/N."

"We'll see what Y/N has to say about that."

The two fighters were called into the centre by the referee, Josh and he began to give them their instructions:

"Alright gentlemen I've been over my instructions. I expect a clean fight. Obey my commands at all times, defend yourselves at all times. Touch gloves, back to your corners and let's go."

Mad-Dog stepped further towards Y/N and said so only he, Y/N and Josh could hear:

"It's not gonna happen again. And once I'm done with you, I'm gonna have her" motioning with his head towards Clem in the crowd. Josh quickly jumped forward to push Y/N back towards his corner as he saw the fire in Y/N's eyes. Mad-Dog had now gone too far. As he was pushed back Y/N said to the ref:

"Before you jump in give me ten seconds with this pedo cunt!"

Josh discretely nodded and started the match.

"Mad-Dog comes out to swing and Y/N's speared him."

"He's mounted him and he's... he's raining bombs"

Y/N had rushed in at the same time as Mad-Dog and ducked the obvious haymaker, tackling Mad-Dog to his back and instantly had mounted him. It took less than a second for Y/N's hardest punches to rain down onto Mad-Dog's face, a barrage of lefts and rights smashing the Mohawk wearing fighter into next week.

"Mad-Dog Grimes is out"

"Please, please stop this"

"Stop it! Stop the fight!" Colt yelled from ringside, more and more blows destroying Mad-Dog as the crowd watched on stunned. Josh finally jumped in, struggling to get Y/N off as Y/N finally stood and spat on his unconscious opponent, glaring with hatred before storming from the cage.

"Ref finally breaks this up and that's the fastest knock-out I think I've ever seen."

"Mad-Dog Grimes has been polaxed."

Mad-Dog laid unresponsive as Josh called for Simon and the medical team quickly.

"If you did that before the walkers to someone on the street they would've locked you in a cell and thrown away the key. Break out the yellow tape Sam, Y/N's walking out the cage like he's leaving a crime scene."

"Y/N! Y/N! Y/N!"

--~--

Y/N was back in his changing room, his fists having been iced when he and Mal got word from the ringcrew. Brendon had done the unthinkable. He had tapped out the Great Koba in a knee bar. Koba had been undefeated in his professional career. It was now Y/N vs Brendon in the final.

A few unrelated matches took place, keeping the crowd entertained and allowing Y/N and Brendon to recover from their matches. In his room Brendon's trainer Frank was icing down his cuts and bruises after three pretty gruelling matches in 24 hours. In Y/N's room Mal had kept Y/N warmed up with light drill work and tried to keep him focused.

"He's not your brother who left you anymore, he's not that guy, he's just in the way. Think of AJ having his own room, the house, the reason you're doing this."

Y/N nodded and tried but it wasn't that easy for a Dixon to forget.

--~--

It was match time and Y/N was out first, again to a sung version of the Marines Hymn. Brendon was out next, accompanied by his coach Frank, and to Ode to Joy by Beethoven. Clem's nerves started to get the best of her as she looked over at Molly, who gave her a worried look from the other side of the cage.

"We've found out from whispers Sam that Y/N and Brendon met early in the apocalypse and Brandon's the one who actually taught Y/N how to fight, as an eleven year old. The two became as close as brothers but Brendon and his wife later left the group and there is still a lot of bad blood between the pair about it.

"That's right JJ I heard whispers of the two having a screaming match on the outskirts of Wellington a couple of days ago. Safe to say there's a lot of love lost in the ring for this final."

The commentators went on to talk about the MINE on Y/N's abdomen, how Brendon wasn't there to protect him etc. Y/N though had blocked them out, and while Brendon stared at Y/N across the ring with concern, not wanting to fight his little brother, Y/N glared across with hatred.

Josh called the two into the middle and gave the same speech as always, but when he invited the pair to touch gloves Y/N instead turned and walked off, ignoring Brendon's "good luck Y/N."

The bell rang and Y/N was instantly over to him, throwing a barrage of lefts and rights that Brendon had been expecting and covered up to. Brendon went for a one legged take down, Y/N instead connecting with the opposite knee and a left right combo to the face as Brendon stood, knocking him back towards the cage.

Brandon's game plan through the tournament was to absorb damage until he could get a submission on, and they knew Y/N would go straight for him, but his aggression was greater than even Koba's had been.

" Relax, Brendon, relax" Frank called from the side as Y/N threw a savage elbow Brendon just ducked and cannoned into the cage. Y/N turned and the two squared off again, trading blows and kicks as the crowd came alive.

Y/N went for an unexpected spear and connecting, bringing Brendon to the mat. Brendon held tight around Y/N's neck and his legs around Y/N's hips, trying to keep close and limit Y/N's space to throw punches. Y/N instead leant back and lifted both their bodyweights, slamming Brendon hard on the mat three times until he let go.

"Tie him up, tie him up. Control the moves" Frank yelled from one side.

"Ground and pound" Mal yelled from the other as Y/N slammed blows into him that Brendon bocked with his forearms.

The airhorn went to signify the end of the first round, Josh called for a break, and as Brendon released his defensive position a hard punch across the face came down from Y/N.

"What the hell was that? Molly yelled from the crowd as Josh pulled Y/N off. Y/N laughing and saying "what? I didn't hear you."

Brendon stood and looked across at Y/N angrily as Frank yelled at the ref and got Brendon to sit down, Mal doing the same with a smirking Y/N.

"He's coming straight for you just as we planned. Let it go Brendon, I want you to angle out, hit and move, every time alright?" Frank said as he pushed down the swelling under Brendon's eyes.

"That was a good round, Y/N. You took that round. Control the punches Y/N. You've got the power but he's got the submission experience. Keep your distance watch his grabs and hit him hard" Mal counselled from the other side of the ring.

Josh called for the two combatants to come to the centre for round two, Frank calling out:

"Taking a little extra time for the cheap shot. Do your job, Josh."

Clementine on the outside was sat on her hands she was so nervous, Edith rubbing her back to try and calm the girl while Jayne yelled out to Y/N to "kill him."

The last thing Frank said as he left the ring was "He's not your brother, he's not your brother ok. He's in the way."

"Ok" Brendon replied as he walked over to Josh and Y/N.

"That was intense JJ, and the first time Y/N hasn't won with a first round knock out."

"We've seen Brendon absorb some huge damage over the last 24 hours, maybe he plans on tiring Y/N out?"

The airhorn blared and round 2 started the same, the two duking it out before Y/N delivered a hard cross, knocking Brendon to a knee and followed it up with a knee to the face. Brendon fell back off balance into the cage fence and Y/N was on him again, delivering a barrage of lefts and rights that Brendon covered up from.

Brendon threw a couple of punches back and tried to go for Y/N's arm, Y/N instead using his power to lift Brendon in a half Nelson and slam him hard to the mat.

"A huge throw. Huge throw there"

"Conlon's lucky the impact of that didn't knock him out."

The ten second warning of the second round came as Y/N was again on top of Brendon, punching down with significant force. The airhorn rang and Josh had to rush in yelling

"Break break break"

and pull Y/N off to get him to stop punching. Brendon had had enough, shoving Y/N in the back as Frank and Mal rushed in to get their fighters apart

"Guys guys guys clean break stop!" Josh pleaded as the two fighters were pulled apart

"Lock away your fine china mom, the boys are at it again" JJ laughed on commentary.

The third round started, the crowd cheering loudly as Y/N again rushed Brendon, throwing a dozen punches as he started to seem like he was running out steam.

Y/N got Brendon down, but Brendon wrapped round his leg with his arms and legs, Y/N forced to hit Brendon with back hammer fists as he couldn't turn his body due to Brendon's positioning.

Brendon used his experience to quickly transition onto Y/N's arm, dragging him down. Brendon quickly rolled through and switched to a deep arm bar, Y/N all but helpless on his stomach.

"Oh this is not where Y/N wants to be right now."

"Oh my God that's a deep apply. He's got the seatbelt wrapped in tight and there's nowhere for Y/N to go."

Y/N growled and yelled in pain as Brendon leant down with his body weight on Y/N's backwards arm and shoulder joint, Brendon yelling to him:

"Tap Y/N" and pushed down, applying more pressure as the ten second warning was heard.

"Tap Y/N, there's nowhere to go."

Y/N followed the only course of action he could see, he threw his right elbow back, connecting hard with Brendon's temple three times before Brendon lost his cool and pushed down with all his strength. Just as the airhorn sounded a sickening crack was heard in the ring as Y/N's left shoulder was torn from its socket.

Y/N cried out in agonised pain as Brendon released the hold, knowing instantly what he has done. He turned and rolled, trying to help Y/N up as he said fearfully:

"Y/N are you ok? Are you-"

He was cut off as Y/N threw a right elbow straight for Brendon's face, just missing as it cannoned into the fence, his left arm hanging limp at his side.

"Oh my God is he ok?" Clementine asked fearfully with tears in her eyes."

"Dislocated shoulder I think. Mal will have to throw in the towel" Edith said sadly.

Y/N was meanwhile pushed back by Josh towards Mal, as Josh yelled:

"Come on Y/N it's the final match, don't throw away the championship."

Brendon sat in his corner and looked around horrified, saying to Frank:

"I popped his shoulder. I heard it tear"

Frank replied: "Good I want you to pop his other shoulder."

Y/N sat down in pain, absolute agonising pain. It was like being tortured again. Mal looked at his young friend worried, saying:

"I can see that's dislocated Y/N. Fuck that's it we gotta throw in the towel."

Y/N yelled, not so much a comprehensible word, but more an anguished roar as he grabbed the white towel from Mal's hand and threw it over the fence.

"Y/N with a badly damaged shoulder, his trainer wanted to throw in the towel, but Y/N refusing to give up."

"I ain't quitting" Y/N yelled as he awkwardly pulled himself up, his left arm hanging limp at his side. Josh was about to start the fourth round when Brendon signalled to Y/N's arm.

"Y/N what are you doing?" Brendon asked with shock and concern, Y/N answering with one fist up: "Shut up, come on!"

"It's over Y/N. What are you that crazy?"

The fourth round started, Brandon's hands half up as Y/N threw one handed punches that were easily avoided.

"What are you doing? Its over, Y/N" Brendon pleaded as Frank yelled "you better fight"

"Y/N we don't have to do this" Brendon again tried to plead. When Y/N threw another punch Brendon kneed his sore arm and used the distraction to shove Y/N against the fence. He reiterated again "its over Y/N."

Y/N tried to throw a knee back as he was held against the fence, Brendon throwing several more into his bad arm and yelled:

"You want to do this, Y/N? You're gonna make me do this?" Brendon backed up and instantly caught a cross to the face. He retaliated in fury, punching and kicking Y/N in the shoulder several times.

Molly turned away unable to watch. Clem was crying in the audience being hugged by Edith as Jayne whispered "you've done enough Y/N." Shep had gone down to talk to Mal.

Brendon backed up in the ring, breathing heavy and staring at Y/N. Y/N looked at Brendon, water in his eyes from the pain and said simply: "come on man."

Brendon went in for the kill, trying to end this and make Y/N quit, punching him in the shoulder repeatedly with all his might. It was his turn to be pulled back by the ref after the air horn this time, yelling loud in frustration as Y/N struggled to his corner, not sitting as it was too hard to get up.

Mal and Shep entered apprehensively, Shep saying to his young friend and neighbour:

"There's no shame in stopping because of injury, Y/N"

"I don't quit" Y/N replied, memories of the last four years racing through his mind as pain coursed through his body.

The two fighters came together for the final round. Brendon swiftly kicked Y/N in the head with a roundhouse as soon as the round started and as Y/N fell to the floor he was on him. Y/N attempted to protect his shoulder but instead Brendon rushed to Y/N's left, quickly wrapping him up on the floor in a chokehold.

Y/N was wrapped up, in pain, and struggling to breath. He could hear Brendon in his ear, fighting back tears as he spoke.

"I'm sorry, Y/N. I'm sorry."

The two rolled.

"Just tap Y/N. Just tap. It's ok. It's ok."

"I love you, I love you Y/N. I'm sorry."

The crowd erupted as Y/N weakly tapped on Brendon's shoulder, ending the match. Brendon released the hold instantly, leaning down and comforting Y/N as he laid face down in agony in the ring.

Clementine looked on, and apart from concern felt nothing but pride for how well Y/N did and how brave and strong he was. She didn't care about the money anywhere near as much as Y/N did.

Frank and Mal rushed in the ring, as did the leaders and the commentators. Frank spoke to Brendon quickly before speaking to Mal, Frank motioning to Molly to go to the back and Mal doing the same to Clem, Edith and Jayne.

As the commentators tried to organise the presentation and celebration Brendon's concern was only with Y/N as he helped him to his feet, pushing aside anyone in their way. Brendon wrapped his arm around Y/N, supporting him as they left the cage and walked toward their families in the back, together.

Like brothers.