Part 5 - The Big Showdown

 A few months passed, and Max continued with his fights. He lost a few but won most of them. Finally, he started to gain experience and become known to others on the island.

One new rule that I added is inspired by Ed's (at THW) idea for time, an alternate to the way I've been running rounds. Starting at 0 Time at the beginning of each round, every time I return to the Fight table, whether it's from a tie, Passing 0d6 on the KO table of 2d6 on the Recovery table, I roll 1d6 vs the number of Time Points. Passing 0d6 (rolling above the number) results in adding 1 to Time and playing normally, while Passing 1d6 (rolling equal to or lower than Time) ends the round, and both fighters recover their Bonus Dice. 

With that in mind, here are the results of Max's matches:

1. Rep 4, Rage, Resilient: Win by Decision.

2. Rep 2, Iron Fist: Win by KO (R2).

3. Rep 2, Rage: Win by KO (R3).

BRAWL: Rematch with Tanner; Again broken up.

4. Rep 2, Bruiser: Win by Decision.

5. Rep 2, Charismatic: Win by KO (R2).

BRAWL: Rep 3, Resilient: KO.

6. Rep 3, Resolute: Win by Decision.

7. Rep 3, Agile: Win by Decision.

Max is now Rep 5. Rolling for his second Attribute, I get Agile, which grants +1d6 on the Fight table, when no one is In Control. but there's still some unfinished business.

After asking a few other fighters, Max went looking for Tanner. Twice the man got into his face, only for his goons to pull him off. And yet he kept telling people about how he dominated the upstart Max. He needed to get a lesson in humility.

(Q)  Does Max find Tanner outside? (Likely): Yes.

(Q)  Is he alone? (Unlikely): No.

(Q)  What's he doing? "Communicate, Control."

Max found Tanner by the docks, talking to some off-the-boat newcomers.

"If you want to succeed here," said Tanner, "you'll need leadership. Pay me enough and I'll show you how to succeed. Refuse and I'll show you suffering."

 "If he'll show you anything," Max said, "it'll be how to run."

(Q)  How does Tanner react to Max's appearance? "Peaceful, Feeble."

Tanner slowly turned. Seeing Max, he held up his hands. "Look, you and I don't have any beef. There's no reason for you to be here."

Max snorted. "That's funny because twice you got into my face, but as soon as I fought back, your goons jumped in." He pointed to the building. "How about an actual match? No goons, no bare fists. Just a regular fight once and for all.

(Q)  Does Tanner accept? (I'm saying Likely because I want this match.): X-No.

Tanner shook his head. "You're too angry, and you're not worth my time. I've got better things to do." with that, he walked away.

Well that didn't go according to plan. Time to try something else.

Max entered the arena and looked around.

(Q)  Does Max find an official? (Likely): Yes

(Q)  Does he seem like he'll cooperate? (50/50):  Yes.

Max found a short, portly man going over a list of matches, crossing out some names, and replacing others. "Mr. Wartz," he said to the man, "can I talk to you for a moment?"

The man looked up and smiled. "Hi Max, what can I do for you?"

"Tanner Smith's in my face," Max said. "I tried to challenge him to a match, but he turned me down, saying he didn't have to fight."

Wartz nodded. "Mr. Smith has that in his contract that he can pick and choose his opponents."

"Is there any way to get a match with him?" Max asked.

(Q)  Good question. How about it, Mr. Wartz? (Likely, for the same reason as before): Yes

Not only that but I rolled Doubles, resulting in a random event; "Deceit, Surprise."

"Actually, I've got an idea." A slow smile appeared on Wartz' face. "Just be ready tomorrow night."

The next night, Tanner Smith walked to the ring. Seeing Wartz, he leaned closer. "So this is a sure thing, you said?"

"Absolutely," the older man said. "No doubt in my mind."

He got into the ring and then his opponent walked out. And Tanner's eyes went wide as Max entered the ring.

"I thought you said it was a sure thing?" Tanner said to Wartz.

The other man shrugged. "I meant the match itself, not your chances of winning. Of course, you can leave if you want, unless you'd rather get paid."

Before the match, I made one more roll.

(Q)  Did Tanner Smith improve since we saw him last? (Likely): No.

So still Rep 4, Slow, Bleeder.

The match begins . . . 

Tanner uses his Bonus Dice early on, getting Control and throwing a number of punches. He even makes it to the KO table but Passes 0d6. Max fights back and scores a knockdown after powerful cross. Tanner gets up, and his Rep drops to 3. He covers up for the rest of the round.

Note: To Cover Up is to protect yourself from an opponent's attack, either by blocking or dodging. Non-players Cover Up when their opponent rolls 3 or more d6 than they roll. To Cover up on the fight table, the fighters gains +1d6 but can only Pass the same number as his opponent. 

In Round 2, Max came flying out of the corner. Tanner tried to drag out the match but failed. After a flurry of punches, Max landed a hook that sent Tanner to the mat again. Passing 0d6, he was out cold.

The match was over, and Max stood tall, finally shutting up his tormentor from the last few months. As his opponent was led out of the ring, Max left as well, looking forward to dinner and a well-deserved night sleep.

One month later . . . 

Max sat on the dock's railing as a group of new fighters exited the boat. He smiled and waved to them. Some waved back while others kept their eyes glued to the dock. A few others even looked at him and smirked. Some time ago, this would've riled up the young man to hurl himself at the perpetrator. But now, more seasoned, and slightly wiser, Max simply shrugged it off.

They'll get their chance.