SIXTY-SEVEN
**-Indy’s POV-**
I almost forgot my own misery, when I watched that fight and how the two big warriors got punched by Rudi. Scott said I don’t have to worry about them, and I guess he’s right. We’re still werewolves anyways. But! They don’t recover that fast, I bet many of the werewolves don’t even know I’m a fast healer… Thinking about that, why do I still feel so weak? Shouldn’t I have been recovered already? I bite my lower lip and think about it when Ryan interrupts me: “Hey sunshine, are you OK?”
I look at him and smile. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Then it hits me. My wolf is running circles in my head, happy as a puppy. I smell a faint, but familiar smell and I smile. *He’s here, isn’t he?* I ask Buwan.
*Oh yeah, he is! I want to say hi.. Are we going to say hi, please?*
I looked around and soon I found his dark shadow, not very far ahead. *Raki?* I mindlink him, very happy I finally found a way to contact him.
*It’s alright, Indy. Don’t mind me. I’ll watch.*
“Alright, fighters! Break’s over. The three new warriors, prance forward…” Scott yells.
The three warriors step forward, one of them is Hunter. I look at him and smile. He seems very determined and has a calm face. But I can feel he’s not very calm from the inside. I try to make eye-contact, but he is avoiding my gaze. I look over my shoulder and try to find Fiona, but I can’t find her.
*Fi? Please talk to Hunter, tell him to be calm. Only with good focus, he can win this fight. Please, hurry!* I mindlink Fiona, almost yelling. I really want him to win this fight, he and Fiona would be perfect Alpha and Luna!
Fiona isn’t mindlinking back, but from what I can see, she’s mindlinking Hunter. I see his smiling face, a bit distracted. “Warriors? Are you ready?” asks Scott.
Hunter then suddenly looks up and our eyes meet. He nods, and I know the message is clear. “READY!” the warriors answer in unison.
“Alright, then FIGHT!”
---
I watched the fight nervously, but soon I found out it wasn’t necessary. Within one minute, Hunter defeated Rock. Rock is the wolf with strength but is also agile. Still, Hunter had no problems to knock him down.
Now it’s Hunter against Yaro. Yaro is very small but really fast too. He knows he can only win with ‘brains’. Hunter is smart too, calm and agile. Still, he knows how to throw a punch. His punches are deadly, which he proved by knocking out Yaro within the minute. But to hit Yaro, he has to come near first. That’s gonna be tough.
*Please, Moon Goddess. If you’re watching this: give Hunter enough strength to finish this fight soon! He deserves to lead that pack. He is smart and kind and….*
“.... OOOFF! That must hurt!” I hear Ryan suddenly yell besides me. I open my eyes, and watch what I just missed. “Oh no….” I whisper, seeing Hunter on the ground. “What happened?” I ask Ryan.
But Scott answers: “Yaro got him on guard, you know - with his speed. He kicked Hunter on the back of his knees and well, by the sound of that - he probably is very hurt right now!”
I stare at Scott and back at Hunter. Both of them have very worried looks on their faces, but also determination. I bet Scott wants Hunter to survive as much as I do. I watch Yaro circling around Hunter, who is still laying on the ground. But this time, he makes sure he watches Yaro carefully.
“Clever...” Scott says. “...if he can’t come near Yaro, he must let Yaro come close to him.”
I chuckle. Indeed, that’s clever. By laying on the ground, he forces Yaro to come close again. That might be the time to strike. But I can see Yaro is doubting and probably knows Hunter’s plan too. But he is in some kind of advantage, having no injuries at all. So he decides to take the guess and suddenly jumps on top of Hunter. Both of the guys shapeshifted at similar speed, but at the last moment, Hunter decided to roll over and let Yaro land on the ground. That little surprise effect is enough for Hunter to grab the side of Yaro’s neck. Yaro tries to loosen the grip of Hunter, by wiggling around. But it is no help, at all. He knows he’s defeated and lays down as dead on the ground, surrendering himself.
“CLEAR!” Scott yells, and Hunter lets go of Yaro’s neck. I watch Scott declare Hunter as the winner and announce a new break. But I do notice that Hunter is limping and I jump up to help him.
“Hunter!” I whisper in his ear. “Stay in wolf-from, your wolf can help you recover. Are you alright?”
I stare into his eyes and see a bit of worry. “It hurts, isn’t it?” I ask him and his wolf licks my hand. “I know…” I beckon one of the nurses and soon somebody is here to help his wound. “Is he going to be fine, for the last fight?” I ask the nurse. She smiles. “He’s definitely weaker, but Rudi is also having a disadvantage, due to his wound. So, I guess the changes are the same now.”
I nod. “Hey. I have an idea. I should sing for you, alright? That will help you, ‘cause you’re strong, Hunter. You’re the boss. Act like it...”
I don’t even wait for his response, and start humming the first notes of the song I really like.
….
*It's time for you to take it*
*You’re the boss right now*
*Not gonna fake it*
*Not when you go down*
*'Cause this is your game*
*And you better come to play*
At this point, I’m all fired up and not singing softly anymore. I’m standing straight up, almost towering above the wounded wolf laying at my feet.
…
*So you say I'm complicated*
*That I must be out my mind*
*But you've had me underrated*
*What’s wrong with being*
*What’s wrong with being*
*What’s wrong with being confident.*
At this time, I’m singing out loud and not only singing towards him anymore. I watch every warrior, especially Rudi. I want him to do his best too, this is going to be a fair fight.
*It's time to get the chains out*
*Is your tongue tied up?*
*'Cause this is your ground*
*And you’re dangerous*
*And you can get off*
*But it's all 'bout you tonight!*
Everyone is on their feet right now, singing along - and the vibes are skyhigh. I can feel each other's energy and tears are forming when I watch everybody sing with me. Ryan is standing next to me, holding me tightly. I can’t even finish the song, tears and smiles are alternating. But luckily, Ryan’s a great singer as well and finish the last sentences:
*What’s wrong with being*
*What’s wrong with being*
*What’s wrong with being confident.*
*Confident..*
I stare at Ryan and hold my hands around his face and kiss him. “Thanks, babe.” I whisper. I then turn around and smile at Hunter. “Be the Boss, Hunter. I will only see the best of you. You understand?”
I then walk over to Rudi and say something similar. “You’re strong too, Rudi. Give it all, this is your chance.”
He smiles and I can see the admiration in his eyes. “That was awesome, future Luna. You’re very special! I - I feel almost reborn. Thanks!”
I smile shyly. “You’re welcome…?” A bit shocked, I walk away and take a seat again. Scott takes my hand and gives a kiss on top of it. “I think you just showed everyone in this gathering that you’re very special, my future Queen.” He winks at me and I feel my cheeks blushing. “I - I just had the urge to sing, that’s all.”
“Alright people, I bet you’all enjoyed this little performance of your future Luna and we thank her for that. With this renewed energy I want to ask the two winners to step forwards and be ready for the final fight.” Scott talks.
I then remember something. “Uhhh, Scott? I don’t want to interrupt or something, but I just remember that there should be fights between two warriors. The final fight should’ve been between three. You - uhhh - seemed to mixed that up. Isn’t that going to be a problem?”
He looks down at me and smiles. “Yeah, Ryan already mentioned that. But the warriors had no problems with this change, so I kept it going. It’s not a problem, as long as the fights are the same. Maybe it’s better too, the longer it takes, the colder everyone is going to be and I want to end all this before morning starts.”
“Oh. I see. Right.”
“Rudi, Hunter, do you accept the outcome of this fight? Are you willing to fight until the end, where death is an opportunity? Are you accepting the responsibility that comes with winning this fight?” Scott asks the warriors in front of them.
“Yes, I do.” Both says.
“Good. Then boogie down, and get this fight started!” He smiles.
The two fighters shake each other’s hand and walk to their spot on the opposite side of the inner circle. “Ready? FIG---” Scott couldn’t even finish his word.
A big, black wolf jumps in the middle of the circle and lets out a big growl. He watches both warriors and takes a spot on the edge of the inner circle as well. People are starting to whisper, shocked by his appearance.
“Well, guys. I think that Raki here is joining this fight. Are you willing to fight the Alpha’s wolf, Raki?” Scott asks.
I watch Hunter and Rudi, but mostly Raki. My heart is beating in my chest, I want to touch that wolf. Saying that everything is going to be fine. That he doesn’t need to do this. But at the same time, I’m very proud. He’s not giving up his title without a fight…
“Well then… Let’s start the final fight! The fight for the title!”