Acon9x is a drug available in the Black Market. A slight dosage can induce dizziness, fatigue and even heart stoppage. Reggie mixed the drug in Noah’s drink before Melv had gone to fetch it during the break. The drug would take effect in 30 minutes. The plan was to make it look like Noah was exhausted in battle and hence died of heart failure.

But he survived. Against all odds, Noah survived in the battle arena.

As soon as he collapsed, the doctors hurried to the scene. They used AED to jump-start his heart. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are portable, life-saving emergency devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It delivers an electrical shock or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

The Professors cordoned the Arena, where doctors were performing emergency measures. The crowd was shell-shocked seeing Noah collapse. They tried to break through the boundary and inquire about his health. Only a few were allowed inside like Melv and Angelika. They rushed in as soon as Noah fell down.

This is when Noah gained a bit of consciousness and saw Melv crying over him. But he could not stay awake longer. He was too weak. The doctors informed the professors to immediately move him to the medical ward for further diagnosis. He was carried away from the Arena.

…

2 hours passed since Noah was brought into the medical ward. The doctors kept on discussing possible causes and further diagnosis. Most of the students were asked to leave. Only a few remained. The Professors were constantly inquiring about the current condition of Noah. He was yet to regain any consciousness. His heart was pumped forcefully. But they could only keep it beating under medication.

It took another 3 hours for them to identify the exact poison that had led to the events. The antidote to Acon9x was, however, not available in RedRock City. It would have to be ordered from Athena City and would take another 24 hours to complete all paperwork. This is because the antidote was quite a costly one and only circulated via official Athena Corp Pharmacies.

But 24 hours would be too late for Noah.

The situation was clearly explained to the Professors and the Principal.

Prof. Sawyer fell on her chair hearing the news. Her eyes had moistened up.

“Let me try some other channels.” Principal Beck rushed out of the room.

Melv and Angelika had heard everything. They were almost trembling at the thought.

“Wait. The Black Market…” stuttered Melv as he was having trouble speaking.

“We can get the antidote in the Black market. They’ve got everything right?”

“Are you sure?”

“We can at least check. We are helpless sitting here.”

Angelika agreed to Melv's proposal. They rushed out of the campus and proceeded towards the Black Market. They had a shadow following them.

...

Melv and Angelika went through almost all the stores of the Black Market. None of them was able to provide the antidote required. While they were almost on the verge of giving up after an hour of intensive search, they got a hint. The Manager of the Underground Battle Arena was a collector of precious stuff, so he might possess it. This was their last option to try.

In spite of the heavy security, they managed to barge into the room of the manager.

“What do you want, kid?” The surprised Manager questioned them.

“Do you...do you have the antidote for Acon9x?” Melv was breathing heavily.

“Ah...I do”, replied the Manager after giving it a thought.

“Give it to us.”

“But why would I do that?”

“That stuff cost me a lot of tokens. Do you happen to have 50K ST?”

Melv and Angelika came out to find the drug in a rush. They never thought about the value and payment options.

“Let me fight for you. You hold betting, right? I can win some money to pay you.” Melv replied.

One of the security guards whispered to the Manager.

“Ohh is it? So this is one of those kids who cost me a lot of money that night.”

“You’ve got the guts to show your face? Throw them out.”

Angelika was trying to figure out what Melv and the Manager were talking about.

“Hold on a minute. You said you lost a lot of money. Let us earn it back. Let us fight in the ring.”

“We need that antidote. We are willing to do whatever you will ask us.”

The Manager scratched his beard and thought of an idea. He asked one of his security guards to bring something. “Okay... anything you say!”

“Yes, but we need to see the antidote first.”

One of the security guards brought the antidote and placed it on the table. Melv was going to pick the antidote serum up.

“Ah, no touchy touchy. You need to earn it.”

The contract was made ready and brought in a short time. “Read it and sign it.”

Angelika and Melv started reading it. The contract stated that -

In exchange for the antidote to Acon9x, the buyer needs to pay 100K ST or fight 10 matches in the Arena, out of which they must win the first and the last match and lose the rest. Their total winnings will be the cost of the antidote.

There were some other clauses as well.

“How is this a contract? You said 50K first and then 10 matches. Of which we can win only the first and last one. You want us to get beaten every match?”

“Well, that’s what the contract says. If you don’t like it, you may leave.” The Manager picked up the antidote serum and put it in his pocket.

“We agree. We agree to your terms.” Angelika replied as she clenched her fists. Melv was getting angry but looking at Angelika he calmed down.

“Great. Nice doing business with you.” As both parties signed, the contract was completed.

“Oh and another thing. You should find yourself another fighter. The matches are 3v3. Else you will have to fight as handicapped.”

Melv and Angelika looked at each other. This was a problem. Where will they find a third member at this time?

But they didn’t give much thought to it. They have to make hay with what they have.

The UG Battle Arena was filled with a big audience just like any other day.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Today there has been a change of things. We have a new team of challengers. The best of the best from the RedRock Academy Freshman year - Team RedRock and they will be fighting the nastiest of all the teams - Team Jungle.”

Huge roars were heard from the audience. Some cheered while some booed.

“Put on your bets for the first match.”

Team Jungle - 2

Team RedRock - 8

As the bets were made, the match was announced. Angelika and Melv entered the Arena. They were provided some basic equipment - a sword and a shield.

The crowd started booing as they entered the ring. “What are those kids gonna do? Team Jungle is gonna eat them. Kids go home.” Negative comments kept pouring. But Angelika and Melv did not react. They had set their goals. The need to fight by the contract.

Team Jungle entered the arena with a big applause.

The team had the abilities of a Gray Langur, a Dusky Langur and their leader being a Mountain Gorilla ability user. In other words, they were quite agile and used each other as pulleys to launch an attack. All 3 of them were wearing spiked gauntlets. Each blow would hurt.

This was the UnderGround Battle Arena. There was no Battle Suit that would protect against the attack. Team Jungle started by pulling a huge aggro or in simple words, they pulled everyone’s attention by shouting and making noises. Melv was getting restless, but Angelika signaled him to calm down.

Team Jungle finally started to attack with the two Langur ability users. Their target was Angelika. But as both of them attacked from the two sides, Angelika stepped back a little. It was Melv who came in front and blocked the attack with his shield. The attackers used their strengths to push Melv back but he was holding them with all his might. This gave Angelika the opportunity to launch her attack on their leader.

She flew over Melv and reached in front of the opposition leader in a split second. The leader was stunned for a moment as he didn’t expect to get attacked so soon. Angelika jumped high and swung her sword in a downward manner towards the head of the leader. The leader had no other way but to block it by using his gauntlets. Angelika quickly bent her body backward and delivered a kick to the groin.

The leader was pushed back in pain. The kick had quite the power. Angelika rushed in and swept his leg. The leader fell down and before he could do anything, he saw a sword aimed at his throat. The leader immediately raised his hand and uttered, “I surrender!”

The attackers on Melv’s side also moved back. The match was over and Team RedRock was declared the winner. “One down, 9 to go.” Angelika joined Melv and waited for the next opponent. “We have to lose the next 8. You just keep blocking.” Angelika looked at Melv.

As the match finished, the next team was announced.

“The next fight will be between Team RedRock and Team JigSaw. Put on your bets.”

Team JigSaw - 3

Team RedRock - 6

Three masked men entered the Arena carrying Blades and Saw. They looked like butchers.

As the fight began, Angelika raised her hand and announced, “We surrender.”

The crowd was shocked. The match finished before it could start. The crowd began shouting and booing Melv and Angelika. The announcer had no other option to declare the winner as Team JigSaw.

The manager thumped his fist on the table. He whispered something to his security guard who rushed out of the room. The security guard came down to the arena and relayed a message.

“You have to give a proper show. If you surrender again, the contract is canceled. This is what the Boss said.” The security guard conveyed the message and left.

“Tch. That bastard.” Melv gnashed his teeth.

Angelika and Melv had no other way to put on a show now, which means they have to get beaten for 7 more matches. Angelika put her hands on Melv’s shoulder. “Let’s do it, for Noah.”

Melv calmed down, remembering their main reason for entering the fight. Angelika took a deep breath and awaited the next opponent.

The next opponent was announced and Team RedRock’s bet value also went up. One by one, opponents came and beat the crap out of Melv and Angelika. Barring surrender, the other conditions left for losing were being incapacitated by the opponent or being thrown out of the arena. This was not a cage match, so if someone is thrown out of the arena, the match ends.

Angelica chose the option of being thrown out of the arena and tried to control the flow of each fight. She avoided the deadly blows as much as possible to keep her strength for the last match.

Angelika was still holding up somehow, but Melv was in pretty bad shape. Blood was flowing down his head as he was thrown out of the arena into a wall. But he still stood up.

“Can you still fight?” Angelika held him up.

“Ughh...my head” Melv was feeling dizzy by hitting his head.

“You are hurt pretty badly. You should rest. I will handle the last match.”

“Nah. Even if I can’t fight like you. But I can still hold them off. I couldn’t do much for Noah last time we were here or any other time. It was him always fighting for me, taking care of me. Now he is fighting for his life. This is the least I can do for my bro. I will fight.” Melv replied, wiping the tears off his face. Angelika was also hurting, but this was the last match and they needed to win.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. It is time for the final match of the night. So put on your lucky shoes and bet everything you have. The final match will be a 5v5 match. The teams for the final match are - Team RedRock and our reigning champions, the undefeated Team Black.”

Team Black - 2

Team RedRock - 20

“They changed the rules again? 5v2? That too in our condition? How will we win this one?”

“It's the Underground Battle Arena. They make their own rules.” Angelika was angry now. But suddenly, she felt someone behind her. She was about to turn back when she heard a voice.

“Mind if we join in?”

...