Private Violet Moon; Haunted Past

[Zane Hawke]

Location: Tanaab, Underground Arena Pit

Tag: Valery Noble


"Look I swear you will get your money! I just need a week and I can get it to you!" A panicked voice rang through the enclosed vip room filled with heavy smoke. Vice filled the young man's lungs as he tried not to inhale too much. Unlike most humans, Zane's sense of smell is uncanny and frankly he wished that he could not smell the booze-sour breath mixed with deathsticks. Sitting calmly in his chair was a human with cocoa skin and a smooth bald head. His dark eyes rest on the blonde haired man who was held down by two strong armed gamorreans in front of him.


Smoke slowly flowed out of his lips as he stared unflinching at Zane whose hazel eyes looked upon the boss. Fear was present in Zane, but only because he knew that this man was known as Mitch Kelvorn. One of Tanaab's biggest influence that's only second to the Galactic Alliance's rule. Sure the man probably has done shady deals in the past, but Mitch was a man of business. Giving out loans to those in need was well and good, but not so much when the man in question refused to pay it for months. Nearly a year in fact. He gestured a finger as a deathstick rested gracefully between his index and bird finger.


"Tell me where you have been, and maybe I'll consider," he said before he took a puff from the stick. A scantily clad twi'lek approached Mitch from the said and traced a finger along his arm as she sat on his left leg. The boss didn't seem to care about the attention, and focused on Zane.


"I told you, I was sold off to some mad man who kept pumping me full of feth! Every day like clockwork, two times of regular dose of 125 grams of what the crikking liquid it was. When I finally escaped, your crikking goons jumped me!" Zane swore with a loud tone. Mitch had always known Zane to be smart with both wordplay and his talents. But he never knew Zane to act so aggressively. Mitch took another puff as the twi'lek draped one arm around his shoulder. She looked at Zane in haughty disdain. For he was a nobody, some deadbeat mechanic that gambled away his credits. Or so she had thought.


"Did you ever get the name of who took you to this… lab," Mitch asked as he flicked the ashes from the stick. Obviously taking his time as he honestly was in no rush for anything.


"No, they refused to say any name of theirs and they never wore name tags on their coats. The only thing I ever got was number 76, 44, 72, and 12!" Zane answered with a shake of his head. The answer wasn't satisfactory, but Mitch didn't get the impression that Zane was lying. With a sigh, he tapped the twi'lek's shoulder to indicate for her to get up. When she did, Mitch leaned forward as he looked directly into Zane’s eyes that was slowly making the blonde hair man cringe from the intensity.


"Relax friend, with the amount you've borrowed a grand total of five thousand credits, you only had to pay off twenty thousand. However, normally with the amount of late fees this has gone up to fifty thousand credits," the boss said with no change of expression. Zane’s mind raced with thoughts as he knew full well that there was no way he could get that kind of money anywhere.


"But that's impossible! With no tools, credibility, or even a ship I can't get that kind of money!" Zane expressed, and it was then that Mitch smirked. A sense of dread fell upon Zane’s shoulders. Realization crossed his face as Zane caught on what Mitch was saying.


"However, I will do you this one favor. If you participate in the ring with Crazy Red and win. Your debts will be swept clean. I'll even give you a ten percent reward of what we earn from betting," Mitch was stringing the young man along as he made it sound easy. However, Zane didn't have a good feeling about this Crazy Red. The muscles along his arms ached as the shoulders strain from the arm locks.


"Who's Crazy Red?" Zane asked, and the question only made the boss grin with flashy white teeth.


"You'll see soon enough," then he leaned back as he snapped his fingers at the gamorrean bodyguards. "Take him downstairs and get him ready for his fight. I want him to be at his best for what is to come."


Much to Zane's struggle, gamorreans were a lot stronger than they should be. They practically carried the blonde human through the backstage of this arena. Eventually Zane was thrown into the dimly lit room where fighters began their preparations. As the only other door to leave was towards the pit itself. Lined along the walls and racks were weapons of untold variety. Anywhere between a poorly maintained axe to a chipped vibroblade. Only problem was that most of the energy cells within the vitro weapons were either out or barely had any left. Most of which Zane never had any real experience with.


After a moment of looking around, Zane grabbed a pair of gloves that had metal bands around the fingers and knuckles before he picked up a metal club. It would've been a mace, but the head has been beaten flat that it might as well be a bat at this point. But it was simple to use and if anything Zane knew how to fight unarmed. He dreaded to find out who this Crazy Red really was.

 

[Valery Noble]

Outfit | Weapon | Appearance

Outfit | XoXo
Location | Tanaab
Tag | Zane Hawke

Fighting rings.

They were hardly an uncommon thing in the Outer Rim, and many weren't even illegal. But it was no secret that a lot of them forced people into fighting, and some went as far as making people fight to the end. It was a terrible business, but one that was very difficult to stop entirely, especially by the Jedi. With the few hundred there were, the Jedi couldn't be everywhere to stop crime, drug cartels, or fighting rings.

But whenever there was time away from the war for other assignments, Valery and many other Jedi did their best to still make a difference and stop these fighting rings from growing.

This time, the particular one she came after wasn't even located in the outer rim either, but within GA space, which made it far easier to do something about it. In the outer rim, she couldn't use Republic Law against them but here she could, so if she was somehow able to gather enough evidence, she'd bring this place down without a problem.

Entering the fighting club in civilian clothing — some tight jeans, a tight shirt tucked into her pants and a jacket — Valery turned her fiery eyes to the ring, where two fighters were scheduled to go up against each other. For now, she decided to just watch and figure out what her plan would be.

​

 

[Zane Hawke]

Location: Tanaab, Underground Arena Pit
Tag: Valery Noble

The crowd surrounding the pit were both plentiful and ripe with energy. Chatter nearly deafen all noise as each man and woman exchanged bets and advice. Many placed bets on Crazy Red to win the fight within the first minute. Very few placed bets on the new guy that went by Anonymous since his real name was never given out. Mitch had done Zane this courtesy so that people won’t come after Zane if he somehow managed to win and piss off the wrong people. The boss may not know the full details of Zane’s story, but he never knew the young man to con him of anything. As strange as it sounded, Mitch placed faith in Zane’s credit, but it still didn’t excuse the debt that Zane had accumulated over the months.

It wasn’t long before the lights dimmed to near darkness. Many locals and regulars recognized this to signal the start of the fight. The fighting pit that Mitch threw together was simply to allow the battle-hungry individuals of all backgrounds to come together and earn a bit of fame and line their pockets with credits. It was merely to allow two contestants or more to compete and prove their mettle to the world. This of course, paired with sponsors and advertisements drew in many people. Some were inspired to witness the martial prowess of two warriors duking it out, others were filled with greed and attempted to net extra credits by betting on fighters. Not unlike betting on droid races or swoop bike races.

Suddenly four beams of lights converged to a pedestal that loomed over the pit. Standing on the pedestal was a well dressed male twi’lek with a tattooed leku and a small earpiece. His bright eyes looked upon the crowd under the shadows before he spoke with a passionate yet optimistic tone.

“Good day to every one of you fine folks! I hope you all got your refreshments because tonight we have a show’s special brought to you by none other than your generous host, Mitch Kelvorn! Our first match is none other than the man without mercy, the killer of bloodlust, the savage, Crazy Red!” The crowd cheered at the introduction of their clear favorite fighter. Crazy Red was pretty brutal in his ways, but being a former pit fighter and was rumored to have killed a rancor with his bare hands would definitely win lots of favors. A smile of bright teeth flashed on the twi’lek’s face as he slowly paced on the pedestal and watched the crowd grow even more excited.

Stepping through one side of the pit as the portcullis opened and revealed a large heavily muscled near human. He easily stood two and a half meters tall as his defined muscles were exposed for everyone to see. Paired to his large hands was a set of vibroaxes that would normally be treated as a two handed weapon even by Gamorrean hands. This guy however chose to dual wield these monstrous weapons, and frankly the sight alone struck awe and fear in many. He raised both arms triumphantly as he circled around the pit. Nodding his head in approval as the crowd cheered and began to chant his name. His dark hair was oiled with scents of lavender as his squared jaw generated a terrifying aura. From his sheer confidence to his aggression.

“Facing our three time reigning champion is a man who came out of nowhere. A man with no name, no record, and no history! Give it up for the Underdog!” Unlike for Crazy Red, the crowd did not cheer as loud as several looked from the edges of their seats and even the railings to see who this person was. However, when a blonde haired human stepped out in a ragged shirt and frayed trousers with no shoes. Handsome for sure, but not what they called a fighter. Gripped tightly in one hand was a crude metal club as his hands were gloved in bantha leather and studded with durasteel plates along his knuckles.

People began to scowl and many had already decided that the fight was won by Crazy Red. Zane slowly swept through the crowd with his hazel eyes as all of them were unfamiliar. Adrenaline filled his heart and lungs as the beating of his heart increased in tempo. His palms were sweaty under the leather gloves as Zane looked at the monstrous red skinned man. Compared to Crazy Red’s vibroaxes, Zane’s club paled in comparison. It was hardly a fair match up, and frankly Zane felt like Mitch had set him up to fail.

Crazy Red looked at Zane with brief confusion as he didn’t know what to make of the young man. The big man understood the first couple of matches were pretty much warm ups for the greater fights. Still this wasn’t the sight of a fight for Crazy Red, not even an appetizer. This spectacle angered the fighter as he dropped his axes before bellowing out a war cry. One that shook many to their core from how loud and clear it was with the intent. The menacing aura dripped with bloodlust and anger like venom. Many grew silent as their eyes were glued to the red figure.

Zane was no experienced fighter, but he understood that Crazy Red felt cheated of a challenge. Red beckoned Zane with a gesture of his large hand before raising both arms up into a fighting stance. The metal club slipped from Zane’s hands as he took a moment to inhale deeply and slowly exhale. A simple breathing exercise to calm the nerves.

“Both fighters look like they’re about to pummel each other out! We only have one rule out here, and that’s not to kill the other contestant! With that, let the fight commence!” Followed with an audible snap of his fingers. Red immediately charged after Zane with every intention to overpower the smaller human. However, for a brief moment, all Zane focused on was to simply end the fight in a single blow. He left no room for doubt, only to reach the big man and throw a punch at Red’s abdomen.

However, to others’ perspective, Zane moved quicker than his body suggested as he suddenly snapped his punch to land a heavy blow against Red’s abdomen. The big man’s dark eyes widened as he honestly had not expected such a strong force from someone so small. Red grunted as he stumbled backwards a bit before he recovered. There was a moment of silence as Zane’s sharp eyes focused only on Crazy Red with his fist still extended outward. There was a moment that Zane might have a chance of winning, but when Red slowly looked up to meet Zane’s eyes. All hopes of winning were tossed out the window. The only thing the maneuver did was prove to the big man that Zane could throw a punch.

Things quickly changed as Red threw one mighty blow after another at Zane. Who nimbly evades the first punch before countering with a solid right hook against Red’s exposed ribs. Each impact from Zane left four peculiar indentions where the durasteel studs were located, but Red shrugged off the pain and clipped the slippery human on the side of his face. Zane stumbled to the side as all he could hear in his left ear was a dull ring. His face pulsed in agony as something warm and wet began to drip down from his cheek.

Zane bit his lip as he struggled to fight through the pain as he turned to face big Red. Only to find that Red was already on him with no room to counter or evade as the big man threw a nasty uppercut. Zane could only bring both arms to intercept the fist before the mighty force crushed through Zane’s defense and collided against his chest. A strong sharp pain shot through his body as he felt something spill out of his mouth. Whether it was vomit or blood it was hard to tell when his mind blanked due to the pain. The force lifted Zane off his feet as the young man saw the corners of his vision begin to darken. Staying conscious was a struggle as he gasped for air. His body felt numb and his ribs felt like they rattled from the pulsing aches.

The young man’s body fell to the ground for a moment as everyone began to scowl and collect their bets. However, their attention was grabbed to the pit again as Red suddenly reached down to grab Zane by the neck and hoisted the man into the air. Red turned his dark eyes of hatred towards the crowd and held the young suspended in the air by the neck.

“I FIGHT FOR A CHALLENGE! INSTEAD YOU GIVE ME WEAKLING! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU’RE WEAK!” Crazy Red bellowed before he started to reach with his other hand for Zane. However, somewhere in Zane’s barely consciousness, a dark power stirred within him as Zane suddenly reached with both hands to grab Red by the wrist that held Zane. Simultaneously Zane stomped both feet with great strength against Red’s throat before the young man continuously pushed harder and harder against the man’s windpipe. At the same time he pulled with a vice grip on Red’s arm.

Red’s eyes widened as many people amongst the audience including the host were surprised that Zane was still awake after the beating he got. However, unlike before Red couldn’t shake off Zane as Red found it difficult to breathe due to being choked. Ultimately, Crazy Red raised the arm that Zane held onto with the intention to slam the human to the ground. With a quick stomp to Red’s face, Zane slipped out of Red’s grasp and jumped back before Red could do such a thing.

Red rubbed his throat where Zane had nearly choked him as he looked upon the small human with more caution. It wasn’t just the fact that Zane was still conscious to fight, but rather it was also the sudden flare of hatred. The primitive drive to survive that fueled what limited aspect of the Force that Zane had connections to. A rush of power and strength flowed through his body with vigor unlike anything he felt before. Zane looked at the big man with one hazel eye as the other was beginning to swell with a nasty cut along his cheek. Along with the flow of strength came the hatred, but it was something that Zane had come across all his life. Hatred over his childhood, hatred for his parents, hatred for the neglect, hatred for his life being ruined.

However, that wasn’t who Zane was as he simply took a deep breath and calmed down. Although the rush of strength began to recede, Zane still felt like there was some unseen energy tingling along his fingers. Almost like he could call upon that strength, but perhaps without the anger. It wasn’t the first time Zane had used this newfound power that was called the Force, but he’s never had the opportunity to control it. Only through trial and error.

“You should’ve just lied down, and I would’ve granted you the mercy to-!” Red began to say before he was suddenly interrupted as Zane quickly closed the short gap between them and swept Red off his feet. Red was a big guy, but Zane simply swept low with his leg to strike against Red’s large ankles. Zane was surprised how much easier it was to knock the large man off balance, but his body didn’t portray this as he instinctively spun with a flip. Where Zane brought down a nasty ax kick against Red’s squared jaw. Paired with gravity, Zane slammed the big man with a heavy and audible rumble into the ground.

Zane raised an empowered fist as if he was about to deliver the final blow, but with it came the anger as it crawled it’s way into his consciousness. It was only a moment, barely a second, but Zane hesitated as he attempted to not let anger misguide him. However it was enough time for Red to recover and with a swat of his hand slammed into Zane’s side. The young man gasped as he tumbled away and managed to stay on his feet. Zane’s body was rattled in pain as his face felt hot and numb. He tasted something metallic as specks of blood stained his white teeth.

Crazy Red stood up to his feet and wasted no time to charge at Zane. It was instinctively, but Zane ran towards Red as well. However, Red intended to simply run through Zane with his size and strength alone. Zane suddenly dropped low as he slid past between Red’s legs as Red’s momentum continued along for a couple of meters. Enough for Red to turn around, but by that point Zane had leapt towards Red and spun for a powerful kick which connected against the side of Red’s face. Right where his ear was, and the impact dazed Red enough for Zane to simply land on his feet. Zane snapped his punch for Red’s jaw that forced the big man to stagger backwards before Zane swung around for a nasty left hook against Red’s cheek.

That final hook was all it took as Red’s back touched the pit walls and the large man slid down to the ground. Red was still alive, breathing at least, but he was incredibly disoriented. Zane glared at Crazy Red for a couple more seconds as he waited to make sure Red was out of the fight. Truthfully, Zane had never killed a person, and frankly he wasn’t going to start now.

“Well that was some fight folks! Let’s give it up for our winner, the Underdog!” Suddenly the crowd buzzed with activity as many couldn’t believe they lost their bets. Some had bet their entire household funds, while others bet their savings for this fight. The typical gamble fever that most people had once they started to bet money. Zane lets out a sigh of relief as he tries to simply walk out of the pit. He only briefly stopped to pick up his club, but Zane grimaced as everything hurts. From his face to his arms and ribs.

So Zane went into the waiting room for fighters while Mitch collected his bets from the crowd. Before the start of the second match, Mitch had accumulated a total of fifteen thousand credits, and while it might not be a lot to a business man such as Mitch. To others having even a couple of thousand was their savings worth. All the while the medical team collected Crazy Red from the pit and one of the medical droids was tending to Zane for his injuries.