Lost Again [Revised]

~+~ Two ~+~

As he stared forwards, his fists clenched, he uttered, "This anger will be the death of you, Cerise. You must learn to forgive yourself or you'll die all alone, without anyone by your side." Then he was gone, mixing in with the crowd.

Brushing away the thoughts of what just occurred out of her mind, Cerise breathed in and out slowly as her breath became even. She cleared her throat as the angry shouts of the audience escalated. It was time to fight.

Cerise sprinted on top of the arena, a smirk on her face as she ran around, clapping people along the way. She heard her chant roaring through their mouths, 'Rise above them all!' She hollered along with them, greedily watching her adversary squirm with nerves. The hood fell off from her face and the crowd seemed to get louder at the look of the paint adorning her face.

Once the audience died down, Cerise took her spot on the opposite corner of the ring. She took the jacket off as the referee walked up on stage, his posture slouched. He brought the microphone to his lips, introducing the two girls. When the referee stated her stage name, the crowd roared once again. Cerise glanced at Jasper as he shook his head in a worried manner. She glared, returning her view towards the referee. He stated her opponents name as 'Archer'. Cerise growled, her lip curling in distaste. As the crowd quieted, the referee began again.

"You girls know the rules. No getting out of the arena. Tagging someone is illegal and weapons are allowed. As long as it isn't a gun. We don't take those very lightly," the referee reminded the girls with a monotone voice. The crowd had already placed their bets and were waiting in anticipation for the girls to begin. The referee continued to drone on with a lazy voice. It was lacking the normal enthusiasm that a referee needs. Cerise will have to talk to Bobby about getting someone more fit to be a referee after the fight. That's if, she isn't sent to the hospital.

"Before the fight begins, shake hands," he ordered, gazing between the two of them. His hungry eyes viewed the girls' tanned legs before returning the audience.

Cerise glared at her opponent as they neared the center of the playing field. The information she was given earlier about the girl flowed through her mind. The accusations were pretty accurate. She had chestnut hair, green eyes. Apparently, her actual name is Tate and Archer is just her stage name.

She thought about what her acquaintance, Raven told her.

She wants to take you on. Thinks she is better than you.

Those same words played in her like a mantra. Cerise studied the girl a bit further, assessing her strengths and weaknesses. Now, as she examined Tate she noticed how she didn't have the upper strength to beat Cerise but she could most likely kick and she probably will.

This girl has a nasty bark. Let's see if her bite is just as bad, Cerise thought as she shook the opponent's hand. A smirk appeared on Tate's lips as she backed into her side of the arena.

Cerise scowled at how much confidence the newbie contained. She waited as the referee went over more routine procedures that Cerise had memorized long before hand. The referee, doing a horrible job, seemed to be stumbling and forgetting certain sections.

Yep, definitely need a replacement, Cerise pondered, examining her nails in a bored manner as she leaned against the pole. Her eyes focused again when the referee ducked below the ropes and left the arena, his irises one again focused on Cerise's thigh. She scowled at the perverted man. He noticed her deadly glare and gave her a wink, scurrying off into the crowd.

As soon as the referee shouted 'Fight!' Cerise blocked out any noise from the raging crowd and focused solely on Tate. The audience's cheers vibrated through The Dome and made a faint buzzing sound in her ear. As if a fly had flown past her. Cerise emptied her head of any thoughts that would distract her and set her sights on her target once again.