Although they’d met prior, everything had changed in the blink of a blurred, busted eye for Coop. Perspective shifted then and stepping out onto those sands again, ignoring how jumbled up he was, became impossible. Both the words of TAKASHI and then Sam echoed through his mind and were unshakeable. People have always talked about big, life-changing events that shook them to the core and shifted their perspective. Coop just always thought it was bullshit and people couldn’t change.

People can change, though. Coop was proof of that.

With his bat in hand, Coop awaited the arrival of Kriger. He stomped into the arena, the Intergalactic Championship belt slung over his mammoth shoulders. The fans were unglued at the sight of him, the footage from the interview spreading far and wide, taking this fight from one the diehards were excited about to a cultural touchstone. Coop was a can’t miss fighter, not just for humans anymore, now for everyone. Surviving a one-night tournament like he did, overcoming an old adversary in Skidz, and now stepping into the ring again with the alien that shredded him with ease. There was no give in Coop Sabre, at least that’s what public perception was. The internal turmoil was as strong as ever.

What the hell was he doing anymore?

“Ladies, gentlemen, distinguished guests and fight fans across the galaxy,” the announcer barked. “First, the challenger. From Earth, weighing in at 111 Earth kilograms, 43 gurgian gelds, Cooooop Saaaaaaaaaaaaay-berrrr!”

Coop pumped his bat into the air, flicking the switch to send sparks flying over his head while the crowd cheered him on. Whatever TAKASHI was there for, it reminded him that pageantry was important in these settings. Winning was one thing, but not how someone became a legend and secured the hearts and minds of the audiences everywhere. Not that he’d be finishing Kriger without the fight of his life.

“Now, the champion.” The announcer played it up for tension. “The crown jewel of the gurgian people, weighing in at 125 gurgian gelds, 342 Earth kilograms. He’s the reigning, defending, unstoppable champion of the galaxy! This! Is! KRIIIIII-GERRRRRRRRR!”

The sound was deafening, Kriger pumping the belt up high over his head and posing for the fans before presenting it to an undersized zondian official, leaving him weaponless beyond his massive body, pincers and tail, approaching his starting mark. Coop followed suit, anchoring his feet into the ground and waiting for the mark. All around them, the audience boomed, the stadium cameras zipped around overhead, something that never bothered Coop much prior and now frustrated him with his impaired vision.

After the chimes counted down, the horn blared, both fighters frozen in place, neither taking the first shot. Coop dug his right heel in behind him, prepared for whatever charge Kriger was planning, gripping the bat’s hilt after flicking the switch on. Whenever Kriger pounced, Coop was ready. This time, he wouldn’t be surprised. He had to narrow his focus and hope to hell that tail or pincer didn’t whip around and take him by surprise by his bad eye. In comparison, Kriger was relaxed, his shoulders drooped down, no visible tension in his body.

“You aren’t going to take the first move?” Kriger asked.

“I know better than to trust you,” Coop said. “I don’t need an advantage against you.”

“Every human I’ve faced, I’ve defeated without breaking a sweat. You won’t be any different.”

He knew better than to banter too long, to let Kriger get into his head. After Kriger’s explosion the other day, he was attempting to remain in control of his senses and not get too emotional. It was the smart, veteran move, almost lulling Coop into a false sense of security. The tail whip came hard and fast, emerging from behind his back and aimed like a spear toward his midsection. Coop brought the bat up just in time, the charge zapping the powerful gurgian’s tail and recoiling, even if his face didn’t show the pain. Instead, he snarled, letting out a deep chuckle.

“Smarter than you look.”

“Not the first time I’ve heard that.” He quipped back while simultaneously bringing the bat around, catching Kriger in the ribs. The champion cried out in pain, bringing his arm down and trapping the bat beneath him, a throwback to their prior fight to where Guy was stuck in his skull. Whatever pain Kriger was feeling had to be immense, Coop flicking the switch up to the highest voltage, followed by the smell of burning flesh and Kriger’s grunts. Still, Coop knew better, releasing his grip unlike last time, and following through with a barrage of right and left hooks to the stone jaw of the alien.

Kriger was unprepared for Coop to make such a sacrifice, nor was he ready for the onslaught of hooks to the jaw, reeling back and almost toppling over, only his tail smashing into the ground to keep him upright. What came next was out of nowhere, the pincer piercing his right shoulder and the inertia almost making him face plant onto the ground. Coop caught himself against Kriger’s chest, Kriger dropping the bat and following up with a knee to the stomach that doubled Coop over.

His powerful arms wrapped around Coop’s waist, just like last time, the champion hefting him up high into the air onto his shoulder, leaving Coop staring up at one of the buzzing cameras, knowing the impending doom that awaited being powerbombed to the ground again. Reaching up and grasping for something—anything—Coop came up empty, trying to dig his knuckle into Kriger’s skull, to no avail. The pincer jabbing at him to keep him from landing a clean blow. This was his chance, though, Coop’s hand jutting out and catching the slick pincer in his hand, gripping it tight and pulling.

That was enough to make Kriger scream out in pain. If Coop’s eye was his weakness, Kriger’s busted up pincer was his. It was a powerful tool that only a few combatants had ever been able to injure, and when they did, it drove him wild. Kriger screamed out and attempted to slam Coop down, but both hands gripped onto the pincer, proving enough resistance that the sheer force of the brute’s will still sent him toward the ground, but he flipped over, landing on his feet and relenting his grip on the pincer.

Never one to waste an opportunity, Coop drove himself forward, smashing his elbow across Kriger’s exposed jaw, ducking a swiping blow from Kriger’s paw and reaching down for his bat. It was just in time, too, bringing the bat up with a swipe that caught an incoming swing with his other arm, the explosion close to Coop’s face, the flash temporarily blinding him. Nowhere else to turn, Coop swung the bat, whiffing with each blow until the inevitable happened, the tail swinging around and smashing into the back of his legs, flattening him to his back with a thud.

But he held on, knowing better than to lose control of his weapon again while fighting Kriger. Blurred and washed out, whatever was left of his vision came into focus, showing Kriger’s massive foot plant on his chest, sucking the wind out of him. Kriger was fuming mad. Whatever cool he pretended to have lost at the insolence of this human. The champion leaned down, laughing at the pinned down Coop, prompting Coop to spit up into his face.

“Fuck you!” Coop shouted.

“You insolent little pest,” Kriger said. “You’ll know genuine pain this day. I’ll finish what that bastard Skidz started!”

The pincer shot from behind him, coming in hard and fast towards his injured eye. Coop was prepared for the blow, though, bringing the bat up just in time, the pincer crashing into the bat, the sheer force sending the bat down onto his face while it exploded. He was able to bring his other hand up in time to catch it, but the damage was already done, his eye overwhelmed with pain at the barbs and explosion, unable to see out of that eye in that moment. Kriger cried out, attempting to drive the pincer down into him again, Coop able to shift his weight and pinning the pincer to the ground with his bat this time, causing Kriger to stumble off of him.

With that damned pincer pinned down, Coop kept the pressure up, holding the bat into place with one hand and kicking it with the heel of his boot, forcing more and more explosions while Kriger screamed out in pain. The champion rushed forward, barreling shoulder-first into Coop and sending him flying onto the sand. With Coop down for a moment, Kriger tended to his wound, the pincer mangled, driving him mad with pain. An attack was coming, he knew it, and needed to brace for it, it just wasn’t clear what the attack would be. Kriger was injured and angry now, more angry than he’d ever been in a fight that Coop had seen. With the back of his sleeve, he attempted to wipe the blood away from his eye, to assess the damage, but still, there was nothing but blood and pain. This could be it.

Kriger shot his tail through his legs, Coop dodging the blow, pausing for a brief moment to think that he’d never get to see his child with his natural eye if it was as fucked as he thought it was, a thought that rippled through him. What was he doing with himself? Why did defeating this brute matter? His tail planted in the ground, Kriger used it to spring himself forward, his feet extended out and aimed at Coop. Tearing himself away from his wandering thoughts, he dodged the kick, sliding under and bringing the bat up against the base of Kriger’s tail at full charge, the explosion brilliant and violent, sending Kriger’s blood spraying out and the champion toppled over with a screech.

It was now or never. Coop had to follow up and not lose his momentum. With Kriger attempting to stand back up, his head was exposed. Coop brought the bat down across Kriger’s skull, the barbs scraping across his face while they exploded. Following it up with another. Then another, this time it planting into Kriger’s skull, just like it had in their last fight. Kriger roared, exploding forward with a headbutt, the bat digging into Coop’s chest, exploding again. The pain came in a tidal wave of pain, his shirt tearing and flesh burning. Coop lay on his back, the bat dislodged from the two and Kriger tossing it aside. Kriger’s blood was everywhere, blended together with Coop’s own, creating what looked like a gruesome crime scene, in what was feeling like a murder-suicide.

Only Kriger couldn’t capitalize. Coop had smashed his best tools; his tail and the pincer, then did massive damage to his skull and had even worn down his arm earlier. Chest heaving, Coop picked himself up, watching while Kriger stumbling back to one knee, blood pouring down his face and chest. The smell of their combined gore and rotten flesh seared into his nostrils. Coop was going to be a father. What was he doing? How much longer could he endure this cycle of masochism, recovery, and more pain?

The champion and challenger were on their feet, staring each other down. Neither man had a weapon this time, just barely able to remain standing. Kriger took a wild swipe, Coop able to duck under it and plant a heavy body shot towards his ribs where the bat had been prior. He could feel Kriger’s body tremble in pain. This was another opening, Coop driving his fist into the ribs again, only for Kriger to grasp onto his neck with his free hand, forgoing any sense of tension and flinging him onto his back with a thud.

“You’ve landed your blows, human,” Kriger seethed. “Congratulations, you’ve done better than anyone else.”

Instead of replying, Coop reached for the bat on the ground, using it to prop himself back up to his feet. Although unsteady, he could remain standing, smacking at his eye with the palm of his hand, to no avail. Nothing was coming back. It was all so dark, and he had to think back to his training with the eye patch. This was it, the worst-case scenario, but he was prepared. Or, at least, he was physically. Mentally? No. He was staring at the toughest bastard anyone had ever fought and, for the first time, didn’t see an imposing figure. He saw someone who couldn’t stop.

“C’mon, human! Bring that pathetic weapon of yours down on me again! You’ll need to kill me to take that title!” Kriger was beyond strategy. This was his raw essence exposed.

Coop straightened himself out, his grip on the bat loosening at the sight of Kriger, barely able to stand, nursing that age-old injury to his deadly pincer. This was madness, and yet, he knew Kriger was being truthful. The only way he’d go down would be if Coop killed him, and Tuup wasn’t about to stop this fight until there was a resolution. This was fucked. Months prior, Coop would have thought there was nothing as noble as dying on those sands in glory. He was just as addicted to the chaos as Kriger was. There was more now, though. Life wasn’t just about a belt or glory.

“It’s kill or be killed,” Kriger shouted.

“Fuck it.” Coop shook his head, unsure of what he was doing, or how to reconcile his own thoughts. He held the bat up in front of him, displaying it to Kriger before he released it, letting it fall to the ground with a thud. The look on Kriger’s face ran through a range of emotions, from anger to anguish until settling on confusion. “This isn’t who I am, anymore.”

“What are you doing?” Kriger shouted after him.

This couldn’t be who he was anymore. Never had he thought he’d come to this conclusion, not when he was so close, but the desire left his body. Instead, he turned his back to the baffled champion and staggered his way back to the door. Tuup ran along the perimeter of the stands, screaming something inaudible over the sound of the crowd at Coop, who looked up at him and shook his head.

“I’m finished.” Coop palmed the switch on the door, it zipping open while Tuup screamed down at him and Kriger attempted to remain upright in the middle of the arena, a path of blood trailing behind Coop. Inside, his uncle and Burns stood, equally baffled.

“Kid?” Regis asked, letting the question hang.

“I’m gonna be a father,” Coop said.

“No shit?” Regis chuckled. “So I am gonna be a great uncle, after all, huh?”

“I don’t get it,” Burns said.

“Don’t worry about it,” Regis said. “Congratulations, I can’t wait to meet the kid.”

Sam approached him, her hand caressing his face, and Coop recoiling at the sting of her touch by his eye. He was hurt worse than he thought initially, his mind still cloudy, perhaps himself in shock at the decision he’d just made. Still, looking at Sam, the way she glowed while pregnant, he couldn’t help but smile.

“This what you want?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “I don’t want to be like that out there. That’s not who I am. Not anymore.”

“Okay,” she said. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you before the fight. I knew it’d do something to you. That’s not something I wanted to do, you know… influence you.”

“I’m glad you did.”

They sat together on the small wooden bench, Coop’s whole body in pain. He’d need to get into the regen tank soon, but he wanted to take a moment to catch his breath and take in what he’d done. With the championship within his grasp, Coop just... walked out. His uncle did his best to keep a screaming Tuup at bay, Cooper laughing at the sound of his voice and how out-of-breath he was. Coop would never fight for Tuup again. There was no way. Fuck it.

“What about Kriger?” Burns asked, Coop having forgotten he was still there.

“I’m not worried about him. We’ll get you up to speed and he’ll stand no chance against you, just trust me.”

“W-what?” Burns asked.

“You heard me,” he said. “Once things are settled down with the kid, I’ll make sure you’re ready for him.”

“Me? Have you lost your—”

Coop stood, a more arduous task than he’d like, and placed his hand on the kid’s shoulder. Both for stability and to reassure him. They locked eyes, and he saw how lost Burns was, but he was resolute. This was the right call and nothing could change his mind about that.

“You heard me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta get into that fucking regen tank one last time.”

Something changed out there. That something was Coop. He just needed that final time in the arena to understand what everything inside of him was screaming at him to do, what TAKASHI had been trying to explain to him and even what his uncle alluded to. Change is inevitable. You either embrace it or die denying it.

“So you decided?” TAKASHI stood propped up against the regen tank Coop was limping towards.

“I decided,” he said. "Maybe I'll finally open that bar back home, help some kids train like you did."

“How do you feel?”

“I feel... like a crushing weight was lifted off of me and I’ve got nothing but the future ahead of me,” Coop said. He meant it, too. The dark cloud surrounding him dissipated, and although in intense pain, that wasn’t who he was anymore. There was nothing left to relish in that pain.

“Good.”