METROCITY
SBA Infirmary
In the infirmary, Countessa and Blackmare were being scanned by MediBots. Countessa was in agony. Fighting Ursa Mega the first time was bad, but fighting her and Blackmare was like being crushed between two semi trucks. Blackmare sat glaring at Countessa, gritting her teeth with barely-contained rage. Countessa finally had enough and snapped at her, “Do you have something to say?”
“You had no right to interfere in my match!” she hissed. “You spotlight-stealing, witch!” Countessa turned to ignore her and immediately regretted it as she realized one of her broken ribs still hadn’t regenerated together. The MediBot squelched at her and immediately began scanning her side. “Stupid fat Russian, strutting out there like she’s something. I would have caved in her stupid face if you weren’t getting in the way.”
Countessa finally had enough and leveled her gaze at the other woman. “She submitted you, not me. Witch.”
Blackmare looked like she was about to lunge at Countessa, but finally her fatigue and pain overwhelmed her anger and she leaned back into the bed, muttering curse words under her breath. The door slammed open after a moment and Ursa Mega entered. “What good fight that was, da?” Both Countessa and Latasha groaned in pain and irritation. “Is good surprise to see you again, Romanian whore. But could have called first. Always with you is punching when I am not ready.”
Countessa shoved off the MediBot and stood up, trying not to let her pain show, “According to my sources, COIL operatives purchased a sample of my blood from Metrocity. The only blood I left behind was in the ring with you. What did you do, Natalya? Sell off that towel soaked with blood to some of your old black market connections?”
Natalya raised one eyebrow. “Sell blood? Why would I do this? I am wealthy woman already. And who would want blood of skinny Romanian girl that is probably full of diseases?”
Countessa pointed a finger in her face, “I am sick of your insults you disgusting kozyol! I came here for answers and I will beat them out of you if I need to.”
Ursa Mega scoffed, “You are in no shape for fight. Rest, heal. Then beat the answers out of me. Will be fun crushing you like bug again. Then you heal some more and come back for answers. Maybe bring a friend or two.”
“Both of you shut the hell up!” yelled Blackmare. She tapped a few keys on a smartphone then shoved it towards Countessa’s face. “This is the largest sporting venue in the world and we are world famous athletes. If you’re looking for someone who bought a used towel that came from a superheroine locker room, try eBay.”
Ursa Mega shrugged, “Is true. Crazy fanboys in front seats collect ripped up pieces of costume and sell online all the time.”
Countessa’s first thought was “seriously?” She looked back and forth between both women, then took the phone from Blackmare, who muttered “witch” again under her breath. She began searching. SUPERHEROINE BATTLE ARENA. MEMORABILIA. COUNTESSA. URSA MEGA. TOWEL. Within a few minutes she found a site that offered what she was looking for. A bloody hand towel that sold for a few hundred dollars an hour after her bout. Countessa felt instantly small. “Natalya… I am sorry.”
“Don’t be. I like to fight.” She held Countessa’s chin between her thumb and forefinger, “Is like your face is made for punching.”
Countessa slapped her hand away. “I need to go. We can settle up later, but right now I need to go get some info off the seller of that towel.”