Ezra was in Vegas with his grandfather and a third of the club, including members from every other charter, when his mother called from Wilmington to tell him that Samantha Beckett had been brought home.
"Glad to hear it Mom. Marcia must be so happy."
"She is!" Fauna delighted in telling her boy how happy her best friend was, and had even risked the anger of both families to take Marcia a dish of food, and a Samantha a welcome home present from the Willowfoots, her favorite fruits and veggies, as well as a beautiful hand crafted blanket. She had also taken Tiffany along, using the girl as an excuse to see her, and Marcia.
Ezra's heart pounded in his chest as he watched his grandfather chatting with Clay, and several of the other heads of the various charters, while one of his cousins held the phone to his ear.
Ezra had put on about twenty more pounds of pure muscle, now almost inhumanly thick with it, now clearly still possessed of his grace and balance as he was currently standing on the ball of one foot, while the other was straight up, the shin by his temple, while his hands were twisted together above his head. Since his dance, and subsequent time with Samantha he had actually barely touched himself sexually, but he had continued to practice their dance, using some of her exercises and stretches, while also performing Yoga, and his other exercises. Combined his flexibility was at it's peak, his strength even more expansive, as well as his speed, quickness, stamina, endurance, and his fight knowledge.
Red and Thomas had been forced to hire new martial arts instructors as the boy had so clearly surpassed the others. Now Jax and Opie sat with him, watching his stretch.
Tig, Chibs, Bobby, and Big Otto Delaney had all come down from SAMCRO, the Redwood Original charter having decided to put a massive number of bets on Ezra for this, the unofficial Championship of the Americas. UFC fighters, bare knuckle champs, cage fighters, wrestlers, and other fighters from all over North and South America.
Tiggy, bored with waiting, and ordered not to drink, went over to the younger crowd as the cousin hung up the phone, and Ezra, heart still beating wildly at the thought of his love, closed his eyes and resumed breathing normally. Like his father and grandfather his face unreadable even when exceptionally excited.
Tig studied him for a long moment then shook his head. "I don't understand how you can stand to do that. Doesn't it hurt?"
Ezra smiled. "Nope. Feels great actually."
Tig grunted. "I guess. But I don't think i could do it. God blessed me. Might stretch my biggest muscle."
He grinned playfully.
Ezra smirked. "Your mouth? Don't see how that's possible."
Jax and Opie smirked silently as Tig's face reddened. "No...I-" He glanced at the two younger men who instantly looked innocent. He growled and pushed Ezra. Or tried to.
As he neared Ezra snaked his leg down over the man's neck and back and yanked him in close, then rolled his body in an ellipse, bringing his up leg down in a loop, pivoting on the other, making Tig spin on his toes and yell for help, then Ezra straightened back up leaving Tig where he had been standing, then released him, having never moved his arms or position. Jax and Opie blinked, and Tig was entirely stunned, blinking and shaking his head from dizziness.
Red called over. "Ezra don't pick on Tiggy."
Ezra nodded as Jax called out. "Tig started it Red."
"I don't doubt it. but it's to easy to help Tiggy make a fool of himself." Tig blinked. "hey!'
Everyone laughed as Ezra put one foot down and raised the other with a happy sigh.
An hour later Ezra was sitting on the edge of the cage wall, swinging his feet gently against the fence, waiting while his first opponent, some big name wrestling legend from Mexico performed his rather extravagant entrance. Ezra had just walked down to the ring in his robe, which he had removed before hopping up onto the wall.
He did not know that his mother, father, and the others back home were watching the tournament on Pay Per View, nor did he know that Fauna, either knowing or sensing the need had also told Samantha that she could watch Ezra's fights on PPV, and had even invited her and Tiffany over to the Willowfoot home for the viewing. It was going to be a massive event over three days, with two hundred and fifty six contestants, and Ezra's family and friends had set up a trio of viewing parties, one at their home for family and close friends, one at the team club for his teammates, and another inside the largest gym on a massive mobile projection screen. They had also paid for concessions and the people to handle the food and drink, and to clean up. The whole town had begged for it, and had rented the two public venues to see their famous son win Wilmington fame and glory. His teammates were very excited about the event and were telling everyone, and of course all the girls who crushed on him were thrilled to see him and all the other hot guys in the tournament, not to mention the big celebrities who were in attendance.
Ezra did not know about all this because they had kept it secret. Because he was not yet a student of his promised college, his winnings should he place or win would not threaten his scholarship. The tournament team had been worried about letting a seventeen year old compete, even forcing him to sign a waiver, and pass a sparring match, in which he had knocked out the partner with one well placed kick.
With all this grand affair, only Ezra was truly unconcerned. He wasn't legally allowed to gamble, though his grandfather had placed the money for him, of course on himself, with smaller bets on some of the other fighters to reach certain stages. He had spent the whole flight in sleeping, Red had chartered a private jet for that reason, and then all he had done since was train. A week in Vegas where he had met and gotten to know a number of his opponents, and watched others spar or train. It should be a good tournament.
By luck of the draw, Ezra and this gentleman, Neyjava, a average size but well muscled swarthy masked man were to go first. It was a single elimination tournament, with each fight able to go three five minute rounds, though Ezra doubted many would last that long. There were professional boxers and kick boxers here. as well as Sumo wrestlers, and backstreet fighters, this thing was going to get bloody and fast.
Ezra was actually looking forward to going first. It would let him scope out the others and rest. Maybe he could call Samantha now that she was home?
No. Not a good idea. He needed to stay focused. Still he missed her. He smiled as finally his opponent had stopped chattering in Spanish how he would destroy Ezra and prove that Mexico truly held the greatest fighters in the world.
Ezra was busy wondering about Samantha when he noticed the tv cameras and arched an eyebrow. he had never been filmed for actual tv for these before. He wondered both how the people who claimed this stuff was murder on screen, and the casino it had arranged for tv coverage. he was certain ti was on Pay Per View but it was still interesting. He had no doubt how this was being paid for though. Despite being 'state champ' and gaining an invitation Ezra had had to front twenty five thousand dollars as an entry fee, and the main prize was only $750, 000, with second getting $400,000, third $250,000, and the next five runners up splitting up $200,000 depending on their final placement. He had also heard that 'non-champions' had had to pay $50,000, and with only 50 'state champs' and a few other undeniable 'champs' like the Gracies from Brazil, a former world heavyweight boxing champ who had been banned from the boxing ring, and few others, he suspected the casino had cleared more than 10 million dollars just on the entries.
Add in the tickets, the massive betting, and all the people here who played and watched on the 'free in hotel pay per view' he suspected that the hotel and casino would clear a quarter of a billion easy on this single event. Just thinking about it gave him ideas on how to expand the club business, and his own.
He sighed shaking his head, annoyed that his brain could jump around so much before a fight. He chuckled and clapped his gloves together as his opponent mounted the steps and entered the ring.
Micheal Buffer himself, immaculate as always, had been hired to announce as only he could, and Ezra could not help grinning at that. The greatest ring announcer ever was going to say his name.
Buffer stepped into the center of the ring as the lights came up on the ring itself, but waited until sure the Mexican gentleman had finished his entrance, then he raised the microphone to his lips.
"Ladies and Gentlemen the Imperial Hotel and Casino of Las Vegas would like to welcome you to the Championship of the Americas, both here and around the world. This is to be a no holds barred single elimination tournament of champions for the grave prize of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars." He paused for a cheer, smiling. "Now for the thousands in attendance and the millions watching around the world ..................................................................................... LLLLETS GET RRRREADYYY TO RUMBLLEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The crowd exploded in cheers, and Ezra grinned and whispered one word. "Samantha."
Buffer waited until the cheering had settled somewhat then spoke again. "Now to introduce these first two warriors. In the red corner, standing at 5 feet and 9 inches and weighing in at 186 pounds, the greatest champion of the Luchadore Grande Administración, Neyyyyyjavvvvva!!"
The crowd gave a gentle cheer, as none of them had ever heard of either the association, or it's champion. The man bounced in place his hands in the air, whooping and pounding his chest.
Buffer gave him a few seconds, then spoke again. "And in the blue corner, standing at 6 feet and four inches, weighing in at 267 pounds, the youngest participant in this tournament, the mixed martial arts champion of the great state of Oklahoma, Ezrrraa Willllowfooot!!!"
Again cheers, though some had heard of Ezra and his achievements, most were for his home state instead of himself. Still he raised his hands, then kicked off the wall, flipping to his feet in his blue circle.
Back home the people screamed his name, and at his house his family cheered and whooped seeing him bounce lightly on his bare feet.
Both men moved forward for the instructions from the ref. Ezra's eyes widened as he saw it was Big John, the famous ref from UFC. He immediately settled himself down, and nodded as the man gave his instructions, then touched gloves with his opponent, who cursed at him in Spanish. Big John grimaced, then both men jumped when Ezra replied in Spanish. "I am not."
Ezra then turned to Big john and held out his hand. "Didn't know it was to be you sir. Thank you."
John was surprised but he shook the young man's hand and smiled, then gestured for him to retreat. Ezra obeyed instantly, then seeing the crowd cheering for his respect, he bowed to them then waved at back as he knelt in his corner and prayed. He ended his prayer as he always did these days. "Dearest Father, please guard and watch over Samantha and her family." She did come after his prayers for his family and his success, but was also always the most important.
He kissed his thumbs, punched the wall, then sprang to his feet and turned.
John signaled to them both, then shouted, "Let's get it on!"
Neyjava kicked off the wall leaping forward, but Ezra had sprinted forward then slid, sliding under the smaller man, and as he came down, Ezra rolled, bringing his foot up and kicking the man squarely in the middle, knocking him from the air into the fence and onto his face.
Ezra rolled again bouncing to his feet, his fists facing the man, but nothing happened.
John rushed in and checked the smaller man, then waved his hands, and the bell rang. The crowd went wild as Ezra retreated to his corner and Neyjava was checked out. A few minutes later Ezra's name and fist were raised. He waved then retreated to the private box the club had rented, greeted them, then went up to his room to shower then sleep for three hours before going back down to train.
While he was away the tournament raged on, a hundred and twenty seven more fights. some were quick, some lasted the full time and required decisions, but eventually each fight was finished within 16 hours. At the end of that time, Ezra went back to the ring, which had had to be repaired three times, including fully replacing the fence, and is told they are on their fiftieth canvas mat.
After introductions, his opponent a massive 600 pound sumo wrestler named Hemi, Ezra heard people betting against him as he prayed once again, again invoking protection on Samantha.
Finished praying the fight began, beginning the second round of 64 fights. Hemi waddled forward, then as he reached the center of the ring, Ezra began to circle him, staying well out of reach, watching the fat man turn. This lasted a full minute, then Hemi got annoyed, bellowed, and rushed Ezra.
Ezra waited, then flicked himself aside, letting the motion turn him as he landed, then leapt straight up and caught the giant in the back of the head with a brutal roundhouse kick, making the charging sumo plunge headfirst into the fence. Hemi bellowed again as he struggled to stay upright, while Ezra danced back.
Hemi grunted and slapped his chest, causing a serious jiggle, then Hemi began to stalk forward, arms outstretched. Ezra moved forward surprising everyone, including Hemi, but before the bigger man could grab him, Ezra darted forward, stepped off the man's belly and turned, sending a driving stomp right into hemi's face, break the nose, and making the sumo scream in pain. As he clutched his face, Ezra rushed in, spun about the man, then gave him a hug from the rear, and flexed.
People started to jeer, then they all stopped as Ezra raised then lifted, then slammed the massive sumo wrestler, shaking the whole ring.
The crowd screamed their cheers as Ezra rolled clear and the ref rushed in to check on Hemi, then quickly signaled for match end. Ezra whooped and leapt into the air as the crowd exploded while four more refs came to check on hemi, then help him up after they woke him up. Ezra's fist rose high then off he went to shower, sleep, and resume some training.
Sixty three fights later he was back, surprising this time against a woman, Jessica Kane. She was a wold champion kickboxer, but had proven in her previous fight to have an impressive ground game.
Ezra didn't really like it, but she had paid her price, though at introductions he offered his hand and a bow. She had taken both, then they squared off for the bell.
It came and this time both fighters rushed in, her leaping up for a flying superman punch, but Ezra went low, catching her legs and running on, spearing her into the far wall, breaking her guard, then pushed free, making her bounce back toward him as he brought a knee up right into her chin, followed by a clubbing right hook that fully spun her around. But she remained standing, her guard returning as she spit blood.
The crowd went wild as she shook herself and squared up again. Ezra nodded watching her, smiling. This would be a good fight. She was only three inches shorter than him, and though eighty pounds lighter she had broken her first opponent's right arm with one of her roundhouse kicks, then his left leg.
Growling she fell to circling him, and Ezra did the same, his gloves up , his blue eyes bright, his golden blonde mouthpiece bright between his lips. He ran his tongue over the small cut he had made in the rubber behind his teeth, the large S, then smirked at Jessica and winked.
Thinking he was taunting her, she roared and rushed him, feinting a low kick, then a high one and instead seeking a driving middle kick. Ezra simply ducked back from the two feints, but then shifted forward at her middle kick, caught it in the loop of his right arm, spun around her leg so her knee was in his back, while he drove the flat of his elbow into her face. She managed to block some of it, but the blow just drove her own hand into her chest and slipped the other, and she could not stop herself from falling, but Ezra held her up with his leg hold. He kicked her standing leg away with his right leg then planted it as she fell further allowing him to now torque both the ankle and more importantly the knee, while he stepped across her back with his left leg, trapping her on her stomach beneath him and twisting the leg and preventing her from attacking with her free leg which he was kneeling on. She screamed in pain and reach back at him but he easily slapped her hands away.
The crowd was cheering for them both, amazed at her resilience, and a little angry at his brutality, but also impressed that he didn't let her sex sway him into getting beaten. Finally he shifted just a bit and she screamed again and began to tap. The ref signaled and the ball rang and Ezra instantly released the hold, then helped her stand, checking on her. She nodded and patted his face, though she was furious and her nose was bleeding badly.
After his hands were raised both were stopped for an interview after the fight, or they tried to stop Ezra, but he went around the ring, ignoring his people and the security and went right to her and apologized. She stared at him then laughed, then gave him a hug. "Good fight kid. next time i make you bleed."
He smiled and nodded, then of course had to explain the apology as Jessica was lead away be her trainer/husband. "Well she is a lady. Though i won the fight I know my mom and sisters are going be mad I hit her."
"Then why did you?"
"Because i came here to win. She paid her entry fee, agreed to fight men. If the other guys tried to give her a chance they are fools. There was no way i was after her first two fights. that guy in her first will be in casts for months, and They said they had to run an CAT scan on her last opponent after that headlock she had him in. I wasn't going to let her hurt me."
"Well alright. Good luck with the tournament."
"Thanks." And he was off to his room, where as he had guessed, his mother was furious. But surprisingly not because he hit the woman, but because he didn't finish it quicker.
"if she had landed that kick it could have broken your ribs!"
Laughing he listened to her worried fretting, then said he loved her and the girls and his father as they took the line, then hung up, showered and slept.
Thirty one fights later and things were now truly serious. Ezra had drawn the heavyweight boxer, who once he had won his own previous match had taken to telling everyone how he would and could destroy the young Native.
Ezra ignored it all, too busy having his nap, then his short pre- match stretch and workout, but he was called to the ring to find his opponent already there with a line of showgirls, all dressed in flimsy 'Native' costumes, and whooping and war crying while the boxer mimed scalping a midget. The crowd was booing, and Ezra could sense his club's and his family's on the scene, raging filling them.
He sauntered down to the ring and entered, ignoring the boxer who was screaming, "Guna kill you little red nigga!" And so on. The man was darkly black, and known for trying to psyche people out with fear, then pummeling them with knockout blows. He had broken the jaws of eahc of his opponent's so far, and one of their knees when the man tried to kick him in the face.
As Ezra entered a hand gripped his wrist and he found the bruised face of Jessica Kane below him. He leaned down and she spoke. "I'm glad it's you not me. He would have hurt me. Watch his right hand. Fats as hell and hits like a train."
Ezra nodded. "Thank you. Sorry about your nose."
She waved this away and squeezed his wrist tighter. "You make sure you can walk and talk when you get back home to your family and girlfriend."
Ezra blinked. "I don't have a girlfriend."
She laughed. "You win this and you will." She pulled him down and kissed his cheek, then let him go. He never felt the kiss as he considered the idea. Money wouldn't matter to Samantha or her family, but maybe during the celebration he could go see her. Maybe...
He shook himself as he entered the ring proper to a thunderous applause then people chanting his name. The people wanted to see the boxer go down. The Boxer, Grady 'The Ebony Hammer' Hughes, grinned at Ezra, then flipped him off before screaming more racial hate across the ring. Ezra arched an eyebrow but said nothing, just bouncing on his toes as Grady was gloved up and introduced.
Ezra learned that Grady had never lost a professional fight, and that they were of a height and weight. This one would be interesting.
Big John was back after taking most of the last day off. They wanted the big name in the ring as much as possible. Ezra bowed to John and shook hands again, then ducked back as Grady took a cheap shot during the instructions and the crowd booed. John shoved the boxer back as Grady screamed more hate at Ezra and prodded his temple, ignoring the crowd.
John warned him to behave then the fight was on.
Grady came out swinging, flicking a pathetic kick at Ezra's thigh and a brutal rear straight punch that would have broken Ezra's nose at least. Had the young Indian been there.
Ezra had shifted back from the kick, then ducked the punch, turning his body as he came up with a cracking uppercut right to Grady's jaw.
Grady stumbled back then patted his mouth to fight he was bleeding despite his mouthpiece, then he saw that Ezra had adopted a boxing stance. He screamed his rage and dove back in, unleashing a flurry of blows. Ezra deflected them away with ease, moving away from the older man, silent, while Grady screamed and cursed, promising Ezra pain. Finally unable to strike the younger fellow he lunged forward and enveloped him in a bear hug. Or tried to.
Ezra made an X with his hands and drove his elbows out, knocking Grady's arms away, then drove a short but powerful jab into Grady's chest, knocking him back just enough for Ezra to drive three rapid fire blows to Grady's middle, right at his diaphragm. Grady gasped but brought his hands in to his middle, just as Ezra switched and threw two quick hooks to Grady's face. Grady howled and jumped back, set himself, then threw a hard left hook at Ezra's ear. Ezra weaved back, turning and drove a straight arm left jab into Grady's mouth, then turned on his right leg while driving a crushing left hook into Grady's ribs. The sound of cracking bone rippled through the stadium and Grady screamed in pain, the crowd oohing.
Ezra ducked as Grady flung his left arm back in a weak attempt at a elbow, then gave the same arm an uppercut, sending into the air while Ezra twisted the same hand and peppered Grady with several short jabs to the eyes, blocking the attempt of Grady's right to strike back.
Grady lunged back, panting, roaring with hate when he saw that he was bleeding from several cuts after mopping his face with his glove, then spit at Ezra.
Ezra dodged the spittle as he backed up, then gave the old boxing gesture for "bring it."
Grady screamed and rushed in, guard up, trying to drive Ezra into a corner to be pummeled. Ezra instead set himself and delivered a straight right directly into Grady's on rushing face. The boxer bellowed in pain and fell to a knee, but then grabbed the fence and yanked himself up. "Dirty fucking red nigga! Guna kill you!!"
He reared back and unleashed his own great right, but Ezra responded, and punched Grady's punch. Grady's scream could be heard throughout the arena as his shoulder popped free and several bones in his hand and wrist ground together far more forcibly than ever intended. But Ezra had no mercy on the fellow. He fell upon him and delivered a unanswered combo of rights and lefts to the body and face until Grady's head snapped around at a cutting right, then the boxer fell over, his face a mass of gory blood. Big John didn't even bother checking to see if Grady could continue but call the match, then went to be sure Grady was still alive.
Ezra waited until his victory was announced then he left the ring.
With only fifteen fights to go before his next he only managed a quick shower and a short nap before he was called down for the sweet sixteen, the fourth round.
This time he was not surprised to see one of the Gracie, ground grappling gurus, facing him. It was not Royce, though that particular legend was in attendance, but one of his brothers.
The introductions went on and people were now solidly behind Ezra. At the introductions however his opponent growled. "You will not put me in hospital."
Ezra shrugged, giving no verbal reply.
The fight began and the opponent rushed for a grip on Ezra, and was surprised when Ezra let him get it. Until Ezra took his own grip. Still stranding Ezra held the smaller man's shoulder and his shorts, and clenching his legs broke the hold, then hurled the smaller man across the ring into the fence.
The opponent caught himself and was about to turn when Ezra caught him a tornado of knees, punches and elbows. In desperation the man flung himself about Ezra, catching him in a pointless but protective crab like hold, and tried to bring Ezra down. Ezra instead raised the man over his head, then fell by himself, letting the man fall across Ezra's knees and shins. Screaming in pain the man twisted away trying to breath to move to do anything and Ezra struck, again without mercy, placing a foot in his opponent's back and hooking his left leg around his own neck and hooking the ankle with his right hand, Ezra began to torque the entire leg, while also crushing the small man. The man screamed and tried to wriggle or fight free, trying to bring hi other leg up, only to find that Ezra was standing on his gi, trapping his leg.
Ezra then straightened and the man screamed again, and without a choice began to pound out his submission, tapping rapidly.
Many booed at this, though others cheered.
After his victory was announced, Ezra once again had to explain himself. When asked why so brutality he answered simply. "Royce Gracie and the Gracie Family are some o the foremost fighters on the planet.To underestimate them is to lose. Even some of the best fighters in the world have tapped to the Gracies. I wasn't about to give him the chance to make me tap. The problem is not only are they skilled legends, they are also tough. To beat an opponent like that you have to put him in more pain than he can stand fast and hard or he'll figure out how to beat you."
"Could you have beaten him in a straighten grapple match?"
"No." this answered earned Ezra respect, as everyone knew no one could hope to best the Gracies on the ground, though Ezra knew he had made an enemy. his opponent was not hurt, just bleeding a little, but he had lost, and Ezra knew that would never be forgiven.
Seven fights followed this, and this time Ezra just put on his robe and slept in the club's box.
Buffer came back to announce that they were down to their final four fights. Eight constants remained in these the semi finals. Each of these fighters would received winning. Buffer announced the names with their opponents:
Natalie Carmicheal, a massive female body builder and martial artist who had bashed her way her to the semis, State MMA champ from Illinois
Judy Berns, a judo world Champion and Olympic gold medal winner
Thomas Forest, a former professional wrestler who stood more than seven feet tall, state MMA champ of California
Dr. Ky Kwan, a Tae Kwan Do grandmaster, and a master of four other marital arts, and uncrowned MMA champion of Texas
Gregory Sherwood, a street fighter from New York and the state MMA champ
Alan Dare, a flashy yet extremely skilled kickboxing champion and action movie star who had come in from DC
Fred Lasalle, a Canadian Special Forces veteran and the originator of their hand to hand combat program, and the reigning Canadian MMA champ
Ezra Willowfoot, Oklahoma state MMA champion
The crowd cheered. The tournament was now in it's final day. Everyone was exhausted but thrilled. It had been a long tournament, and everyone was ready for the last fights.
Ezra learned that he had been shifted to the final fight as Fred Lasalle had just finished his fight and needed some time to rest, so for once Ezra went to ringside and watched, startled when he was ask to sit with a number of very big names, including Chuck Norris, Micheal Jordan and several others. They all wanted to know his secrets and style, and he just told that he trained constantly and always tried to master a move or technique before he used it. While so starstruck he also learned that he had won them all tons of money, and they were all betting on him to win. Jax and Opie had been with him and had been brought to the 'stars' area as well, and were just as dazzled seeing these huge names making much of their friend, and Jax was enjoying being ogled by women he had idolized for years, but Ezra seemed unruffled, even when they teased him about not losing them money.
After Judy shocked everyone and made Natalie submit, and Ky Kwan broke Thomas' left knee, and Alan Dare pulled a silly but effective back flip kick to knock out the mouthy Gregory, Ezra was up again.
Still calm and collected Jax and Opie, cuts in the club box, walked him down to the ring, both demanding to know why he was so relaxed. He laughed. "They're just people man. And if I lose and they lose money that's their problem."
"What about the club."
"That's why it's called gambling."
Not truly pleased the answer they could do nothing as he entered the ring.
He and Fred both shook Big John's hands, then each other's, then retreated for the bell.
It came and they walked forward, startling everyone. They gripped left hands facing each other, then began to fight around those gripped hands. Fred tried to gain a pressure grip, Ezra knocked it away and nearly had a finger hold before Fred slithered his hand away. Fred went for a eye gouge and Ezra knocked it away and attempted a finger spear to Fred's armpit but the man guarded from it, though winced as Ezra's hand dug into rib.
This went on for a full minute, no one lading a serious blow, though Ezra's bruises were pricked and prodded several times. Most of those had come from the violence of his own attacks in earlier fights, though there had been some blows from his opponents that had made contact with the young native, though so far nothing major. Finally Fred did manage a slipping blow that gave Ezra a nosebleed and the crowd gasped, seeing their favorite bloody, but then Fred screamed and everyone was utterly confused. What they had not seen was that the left hands had been crushing one another, tense and tight as could be, and Ezra had allowed the nose punch because he had felt Fred's grip shift and he had clenched down even harder in return.
Fred tried to strike again but now Ezra caught his wrist and torqued the man's elbow across their joined hands, while he bore down, squeezing even tighter. Fred screamed again and tried to squeeze but then his arm cramped, and Ezra seized the moment, falling back as he brought his legs up, dragging Fred into an angel as Ezra lay on the mat on his shoulders, his hands still in place, his feet pressing on Fred's right shoulder, forcing Fred to hold him up, maintain his grip with his cramping left hand, and prevent Ezra from dislocating his right arm. He tried to wriggle free but Ezra just tightened his grip and torqued the extended arm more. Fred scream and tapped on Ezra's wrist, nodding when John asked if he gave up.
Ezra released the man and stood to raucous cheers as Fred's team came to check on him as he panted.
Ezra was gleaming with sweating, his own chest heaving as he took in arm, his mouthpiece in his hand. He whooped and mounted the wall for the cheers.
After the announcement he left the ring, bowing to Dr Kawn as he passed him, then Judy as she walked by.
Judy and Dr Kawn battled for the entire fifteen minutes of their match, and the crowd were just mad with it. Slams, kicks, sweeps, holds, and blows galore, but neither could find an opening. Ezra, refusing to move, sat on the side of the ring, watching through the fence and cheered them both on. Finally time was up and still their was no clear victor.
Ezra sighed as the judges went for a decision, and split the points. It was just too close to call. So the match restarted, for the time of only one round. Both fighters were exhausted now.
Ezra didn't have a favorite, and kinda didn't want to fight either of them, but he would. The fight began and Dr. Kwan rushed in with a flying dragon and roundhouse that Judy on just barely managed to dodge. He then flung a kick back, but Judy surprised him by catching his gi across his neck and shoulder, hooked his leg and threw herself back, slamming him headfirst into the cage, his back slamming into the mat. She leapt to her feet ready to go, and Dr. Kwan stood, clutching his head and side, then stood, his injured side away from her. He rushed her feinting a punch and sliding in for a sweep, but she saw it coming and let herself fall, her knee crashing into his face. Dr Kwan tried to rise then fell back, eyes closed.
Big John rushed in then signaled the end of the fight. Ezra mounted the fence and bowed to Judy respectfully, then carried Dr. Kwan back to his people, and watched carefully as they tended to him until the gentleman awoke. Dr. Kwan blinked seeing Ezra, then took the young man's hand and let him help him up. Dr. Kwan patted his arm, said "Good luck." then went to the center of the ring for the announcement, bowing to Judy for a well fought match, also warning her to beware the young Native.
Ezra just took his corner as Dr. Kwan exited, and rolled his eyes as Alan Dare came into the room on a float, singing "This Town" And flirting with everyone. He mounted the stage, lifted himself onto the wall in the splits and sat there waving and blowing kisses. Finally Ezra got bored. "HEY ALAN!"
Everyone turned as Ezra did a backflip into full splits. "i can do that too. Now stop preening and fight!"
Alan's face darkened and he climbed down. During instructions he growled. "No one interrupts me boy."
Ezra grunted. "huh. Well i sure did."
The fight began and Alan started with his trademark flying kick. Ezra dodged it, kicked off the wall, and booted Alan in the chest, almost repeating the very first fight as Alan crashed into the wall.
Alan didn't stay down though it was clear he was hurt. Roaring he leapt to his feet and ripped off his shirt. Ezra rolled his eyes. "oooh. Want a slow motion sequence next?"
Alan screamed and rushed the younger man, but Ezra spun and delivering a spinning back kick, his heel catching Alan right in the jaw. Ezra walked over to his corner then and waited as Alan tried to get up, only to finally collapse. Ezra grunted. "That was for Nicci."
He left the ring, and was not surprised when he had a call waiting while they cleaned up the ring, got the belt and prizes ready, and let Judy have thirty minutes to rest while the announcers went over the highlights.
Nicci, or Nicole Walters, was Ezra's second cousin on his mother's side. She was five years older and had dreamed of going to Hollywood. She had talent, she was simply gorgeous, and though she hadn't exploded she had been working steadily. Until she met Alan Dare. This had been three years previous, right when Alan had hit the big time with his white boy badass beats all the Asians thriller, supposedly based on his life. the movie was terrible but he had been riding the high. By chance they had been at the same party. Nicci could never prove it but she was convinced Alan had drugged her drink, then taken her to his hotel and raped her. She had woken up in the room with him offering her a big breakfast. Since then he had been stalking her, reminding her not to talk, and when she had tried to go to the police he had cost her two very big movie parts that could have made her name.
So she had settled in to endure it, just working her tv shows, and hoping to find a way out.
Now she thanked her cousin for exposing the fool on national TV, and then told him to watch Alan's party. As Ezra watched the cops arrived in forced and dragged the protesting actor away. "What happened?"
Nicci sighed. "It's all over the news. A 15 year old runaway was found in his room, clearly raped, and high on all sorts of stuff. Alan Dare just lost everything. Thanks for distracting him sweety."
Ezra smiled. "My pleasure cuz. You coming to the house for the 4th?"
"Can't. My agent just called they want me in a big drama coming out for Christmas. let you know what i can when i can. Love ya."
"Love you too cuz." They both hung up and Ezra had another nap.
Finally it was the final. Everyone was simply dying to see this fight.
Buffer gave his final announcement, once again giving his trademark, "LLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEETTTTSS GET READY TO RRRRRRRRRRRRUUUUUUUMBLLLLLLEEEEEEEE!!!"
The crowd whooped and hollered. Judy had fought through seven skilled opponents, just like Ezra had, though he was younger and had finished his fights quicker, she was the more experienced, and of course the more skilled. Her gold medal gleamed around her daughter's neck along with her wold championship medals. Ezra had his Oklahoma belts but just left them hanging on the back wall. Once the names were announced, they went forward.
They bowed, then Ezra shook her hand. "Good Luck ma'am."
She smiled. "You too kid."
Then they both shook with Big John who, once they were ready, shouted, "Let's get it on!!"
Ezra skipped forward a step, then fell to circling her as she was him. This match had no time limit, and no rounds. There would be a clear winner.
Ezra had studied her fights. She was incredibly strong, only six inches shorter than him and her weight didn't matter with her skillset. She could also punch and kick like a truck, and her ground game was exceptional. She was certainly the most decorated fighter here, and one of the other favorites, having won quite a bit of attention for going toe to toe with and beating men three times her size.
Finally she spotted something and rushed, lancing in a sweeping back kick, then screaming as he turned with her bringing himself up so her kick hooked around his middle to catch in his left hand, while he drove his right knee into her back. She fell forward and brought both feet up, narrowly missing his jaw with the right, instead catching his right cheek making that eye water, while sheer pressure helped he slip her left foot from his grip. She rolled and came up wincing but ready to keep fighting.
He nodded impressed, then feinted toward her legs. She leapt back and screamed as he back locked up, then he was upon her, catching her in a crossbody hold and launching her back as he kicked off the wall, hurling her behind him, and flipping inn behind her, his knees coming down right at her feet.
She gasped but managed to rolled out of the way, then stared as he kicked his legs out and landed into a rolling somersault, and brought both feet back right at her face. She ducked and flicked a kick at his face, but his height and his arms protected him. He kicked off the all and flipped back to his feet.
She pressed herself against a post and screamed as she smashed her back into it, popping it enough she could move again.
The crowd was screaming both names, loving this fight.
They began to circle again, then they came together gripping each other, him holding her gi at shoulder and hip, her gripping his collarbone and his shorts. She tried to clench down and throw him but he snaked a leg about her's then dug his chin into the knuckles of her hand forcing her grip to break. She gripped his jaw and dug into a pressure point, still trying to throw him. Growling he yanked their joined legs back, then suddenly bent his and snatched it up as he pushed her. His knee came up and cracked into her forearm, then slithered around her arm, yanking it off his face, while he ripped her forward as he collapsed his own leg, putting it's knee to her middle. She yelped as he threw her over him onto her face, her left arm trapped in his leg. He followed her, rolling and sat on her back, torquing her arm, then took her hand and bent it back, making her scream. His other leg was on her diaphragm, keeping her from breathing, while her legs and other arm could reach nothing.
Finally, crying in rage and pain she tapped.
Ezra let her up and helped tend to her arm as the cheers and fireworks and confetti went off, balloons were released and everyone went mad. She assured him she was unhurt, just mad she had lost, shook hands then hugged him.
The announcement was brief, as was the awarding of the winnings. Ezra took his belt and his big check and went to see his grandfather. They had already packed his stuff. SAMOK paid their bill to the hotel, thanked the tournament officials, especially Big John, then they said goodbye to the other charters and went to the airport. Less than an hour after his win, Ezra was on his way home, soundly asleep in the jet's bedroom, only have stopped in the gym long enough to say goodbye to the other fighters and have a shower.
While he slept one of the boys spoke to Red. "So how much did he win us Red?"
Red checked to be sure the pilots' door was closed then smiled. "Twenty five million from the hotel. Seventy five from Vegas itself"
They all blinked. "No way. We...We don't have that much!"
Red smiled. "We had two and a half million to bet on him when we arrived. Half went to the hotel betting pool where he was getting ten to one odds. That's five right there by the way. But i also used my savings, the funds from the farm with Thomas's agreement as well as his saving, and a the money he won us in all those other fights, as well as the club's proceeds from all our own casinos. That came out to seven five in all."
They blinked, clearly unaware that they had been that flush with cash.
Red nodded. "We are much more careful. We also don't waste money. Just like everything else. So the club itself, not counting your personal bets, cleared ninety million thanks to my dear sweet grandson. And this i want understood. No one says anything about it. Ever. Or they meet Mister Mayhem."
They all nodded. "But why Red?"
"Because the other charters didn't even bring a fraction of our small bet. Samcro topped out at half a million. Still pretty good but they'll piss that away with Clay's obsession with guns in no time. We aren't going to do that."
"What are we guna do?"
"We are going to buy up every acre of land we can, especially in town. Thomas and I are also going to expand the farm by another thousand acres apiece. We are going to invest. In stocks, bonds, land, and our kids. We are going to also buy out or invest in every small business we can. Keep the owners on, and fund them. Get them working to pay us. Not protection or that bullshit, but clean investor cash. We are also going to buy legal interest in three of the casinos, and invest in the rez. Build that school they need, and the new clinics and anything else we can. We will sit on our emergency fund of two point five, but also have three others."
He pointed at the bedroom. "That boy also gets patched in the minute he turns 18. No other MC on the planet has every made this kind of money in a single day because of a single member. Vegas will never give us even close to those kinds of odds again, nor will anyone else. Ezra is retiring anyway."
"What?! Why?"
"Because he is going to school. I don't want him getting hurt. I want him to go to school, play ball, get his education, then come home and lead the club into the new millennium."
They all nodded. One chuckled. "I can't believe he won the whole thing."
They began chattering about Ezra's performance, still amazed at their boy. Red watched the bedroom door, thinking deep thoughts. The money was in bank accounts, including the million dollars Ezra had won himself, and as Red had hinted Ezra had just forged the future of the club.
Clay had tired once again to convince Red to join the gun game. Red had adamantly refused. Those white boys and their guns scared him. Red did not see why one had to be broke to be an outlaw. Earn smart and clean as possible, then seize the moment. His grandson had just made SAMOK the most powerful MC in the Midwest, and with Red in control, that would soon be the nation. Red didn't really care about the money, he lived off what he grew himself, but it was power. Even the cartel backed clubs would have to pay attention now. Red would make sure that the club had a massive and legal income. He didn't tell his club but the money had already been filed and taxed with the fed, so even they couldn't touch SAMOK.
SAMOK was about to become a business empire. Ezra himself had given Red the idea. Red knew all about the businesses Ezra had bought or invested in and realized it was clever. One time payment for a small percentage of the business, then leave the business to run successfully, and though the profits were small they added up quickly. Ezra had gained that hundred grand in only a few shorts months despite giving nearly all of it, and his fight winnings to the club.
Red knew that kind of thinking was the club's future. And he was going to invest in it, and in his grandson. He sipped his drink and smiled. He was so proud of that boy.
They landed on the small regional airport that served the three counties, and Ezra was greeted with screams of delight and cheers. They were all proud of him, and many had made a lot of money on him. Ezra had even called Jason Beckett and advised him to to make a entirely legal bet with a Vegas bookie on the young Indian. Ezra didn't know if he had, but he hoped so. He had tired to give his winnings to his grandfather but Red had refused stating that this one was all Ezra's as it was his last big fight. Ezra was a little heartbroken but his grandfather had made it clear why. No one would ever bet against Ezra again, and Ezra needed to focus on sports and his education for himself, the family, and the club.
So Ezra, dutiful to his Prez and grandfather, and agreed. He liked fighting but he didn't love it enough to go against his whole life. he could not help looking for the one thing he did love that much. He hoped to see Samantha.
Now that they were home it would be nigh impossible to get together, and he worried she might not want to for any number of reasons, but he missed her. he would have welcome her kisses so very much in that moment. That would have made everything perfect.
Your support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)
