The arena screams with millions of fans, you can hear them even through the camera's broadcasting the bout. For a brief moment, your eyes glanced at the timer, seven seconds left in the round, only to miss a brutal uppercut that sends Lara once more crashing to the spit covered canvas. For the fifth time this fight, she moans softly, struggling to move as Xara remains mostly untouched. The ref walks in and after noticing Lara is still awake, starts the count.

ONE!

Lara stirs, grunting and groaning from the strain of getting up.

TWO!

You can see her eyes welling with tears, and your own heart begins to pound.

THREE! FOUR! FIVE!

The numbers rise and rise, and with each second that ticks, Lara moves just a little more, making it to her knees, and then beginning the painful process of standing.

SIX! SEVEN!

DING DING

The round ends, just as Lara manages to find her feet under her. She stumbles over, and you sigh.

You were hired as Lara Birdy's coach and corner a year ago now, and it was the best job you could've asked for. A champion that requires basic upkeep? That's practically getting paid to spar and have fun with a really strong fighter, and when you realized she was cute on top of that you nearly died from joy. Your eyes glanced over her, seeing her normal form. A 5'9" spunky gal with a heart so big it would impress even the Grinch. She was clean, preened, and always loved a fight.

After another beat, reality sunk back in and you saw her now. Her nose was leaking blood slowly, dripping onto the canvas. She was sporting the beginnings of a shiner on her left eye. Her arms bruised gently as a result of the blows she was forced to block, and her abdominal muscles faired only marginally better. It was only round four and she was getting clobbered. As the round break began, you saw her try to calm down, a few tears falling as you could practically feel her fear.

You looked at her, silent for a moment. Is this a lost cause? Can she really win this?