BIG RUMBLE IN RISK

In the dead of night, near the inner valleys of Sovanna is a city called Risk City. Nieko and Mika have resided there to relax after the conflict in Tepid Town. The girls decided to unwind in a lovely little pub where Nieko is creating a fuss over her undefeated card-playing skills.

“Hah! Seems to be my game again!” 

Nieko sang as she took all her earnings of E-Koin. Her opponents are not very pleased with her. 

“Wow, Nieko! You're winning these games with little to no effort; how did you get so good?” Mika asked with wide eyes.

“Practice, wisdom, and some help from the spirits don’t hurt either, Hehehe.”

“Nieko, are we in a dire situation?”

“Well, we left all of our stuff in the car back in Tepid Town, so now we need to get some funds to help us find Zeth. Unfortunately, my leads are a bit dry at the moment. He wasn’t in Tepid Town, although that one person we saw looked a lot like him….But no worries, let’s just find somewhere to relax and leave in the morning.” Nieko said, drinking the last bit of her Xima-Fizz.

“Did someone say Zeth?”

“Who said that?!” Nieko asked as if the comment triggered her reflexes. 

Suddenly a woman, too big to be expected, approached Nieko and Mika’s table. The girls gazed at the massive woman as their eyes traveled up to see her face.

“I overheard you speaking about a Zeth. Am I correct?” The lady said, folding her arms for effect.

“And who are you supposed to be? Nieko said with sass.

“My name is Trixa tha Terrible, and I am a well-known fighter in Risk City,”

“Well, that explains the large build,” Nieko mocked.

“I’m undefeated, and I’ve heard so much about how notorious you are, Nieko!” Trixa said with an evil eye.

“What is she talking about, Nieko? Are you in some kind of trouble or something?” Mika asked with concern.

“Heh, I guess your little friend doesn’t know much about who you are, but that’s none of my business,” Trixa chuckled.

“It’s nothing, Mika. I’m sure Miss Terrible must have that wrong person or something,” Nieko said to Mika while glaring at Trixa the Terrible.

“But she knew your name and—”

“So you said you had information about Zeth,” Nieko interrupted, “what will it take you to tell me what you know?”

“Hmph, it’s simple. I want to fight you in a cage match at the Risky Dome.

 “At 9pm in the underground subway near the Nacho Planet,” Trixa explained while pointing out the window.

“You're on! Oh, My Universe! I can definitely go for some nachos right now!” Nieko whined as her stomach growled for the third time in the last hour.

“Good! See you there, Miss Nieko.” Trixa walked away with a satisfied smirk. Nieko glared as she scratched her leg.

“Nieko, are you sure? She seemed too big and obviously intimidating. Will you be able to handle her?”

“I feel a little exhausted from the ride, but I should be fine once I get some food and a good nap!” Nieko said, smiling.

“Well, we still have 4 hours until your duel. Let’s go get some food at the Nacho Planet nearby.” Mika said, also smiling.

“Let’s go!” Nieko cheered.

The girls spent an hour in the Nacho Planet for dinner. Nieko’s holding a carton of cheesy fries while Mika drinks lemonade through a straw.

“Ahhh! That was an amazing meal! That Spicy Nahcano was so delicious!” Nieko screamed into the night.

“Yeah! I enjoyed the Astronatura design and the UNLIMITED REFILLS FOR A YEAR COUPON you won in that eating contest.” Mika said.

“No problems, although for some reason, my leg has been feeling funny,” Nieko said, scratching her right calf.

“Did you bump into something?

“No worries, I probably….just need….some—!”

Nieko suddenly fell to the ground.

NIEKO!....NIEko....niek–

(Everything went dark as Nieko eyes closed)

NIEKO! NIEKO!

(Nieko opened her eyes)

Nieko found herself in the middle of running behind a blacked-out silhouette of a big guy. She looked behind her to see dark blobs running behind her. She couldn’t understand what they were running from or why but she felt the need to stay away. As she turned her attention back to the front, she heard a loud yell and a sharp sound echo in the sky.

AHHHHH!…BANG!

Nieko’s face grows with great concern.

She reached her hand out towards the guy.

She calls their name, but it’s inaudible.

He falls down, leaving her line of sight.

(Everything started to get a bit hazy)

nieko!....nieKO!....NIEKO!

Nieko abruptly woke up in a bed, tears following from her face. She’s breathing heavily with a look of confusion as she touches her drenched face in surprise.

“I’m crying?”

She looked to her left to find Mika next to her, also in tears holding on to her hand. Mika suddenly hugged Nieko with great relief.

“I’m so glad you're finally awake!”

“I was so worried!”

A continuous beeping sound caught Nieko’s attention. She looked around to see a cramped little room full of medical equipment.

“Are we in a clinic?” Nieko mumbled to Mika.

“Yes, I had to bring you somewhere, you just fainted in the street, and I started to panic!” Mika said with her head on Nieko’s arm.

“Did the doctor check on me yet?” Nieko asked with a serious look on her face.

“Umm, no, we just got into this room. The doctor had another patient ahead of you in a more dire state, so he placed us in a room until they were done.” Mika said with a smile.

“Good! Let’s get out of here!”

“Nieko, wait! You have—”

Nieko rushed to get out of bed but fell to the ground. She quickly looked back at her right leg. She pulled back the sheet she pulled off the bed and discovered her ankle was very bruised and swollen.

“What happened to my leg,” She asked with a painful reaction after touching it. 

“The doc took a quick look and said you probably got an infection from a wound you had for a while,” Mika explained.

“That little bastard actually landed a hit, I guess.”

“He said you just need to stay off it for a while, and with some meds, you’ll be good as new again.”

“Good to know.”

Mika helped Nieko get back into bed.

“Here, they brought you some complimentary snacks. I’m saving the money you won for a ‘Get Well Meal’ after you're all better,” Mika said with a cheerful glow.

“You’re such a great friend Mika,” Nieko said, patting Mika’s head like a big sister to a little sister.

“Wait, Mika, what time is it?!” Nieko said in a sudden realization.

“It’s 8:15pm, and I know it’s—”

“Oh, No! The cage match with that giant woman!”

“I have to make it to that match!” Nieko said, squeezing her morphine bag as if that would make her better faster.

“Slow down, Nieko, you can't go to a fight in your condition! Are you an insane woman?”

“Whenever I make a bet or a promise, I do my best to make sure I keep it! It’s a part of my code of honesty—”

Nieko got sudden vertigo and fell to the pillow.

“Just relax, Nieko. I have a solution!” Mika said while making Nieko comfortable with a blanket.

“I will go to Trixa the Terrible and cancel the match!”

“No, don't cancel anything!” Nieko said in a panic.

“Alright, fine, I’ll just postpone it, but I’m going to do my best to convince them to not do it tonight.”

“Your not going there, not unless I can go with you!”

“Nieko, please, let me do this. You’ve done so much for me. Let me do something for you for once.”

“But what if they—“

Nieko stopped herself, trying to fight back the tears.

“What if they don’t listen to what you have to say and you end up in some kind of danger? How am I supposed to protect you, then? I mean, look at my busted leg!”

Nieko said with a somber but worried expression as she turned to face Mika.

Nieko felt a hand touch her shoulder. Nieko's eyes grew big as if she felt something big appear next to her.

“Don’t worry so much, Nieko. Everything will work out in the end. Remember you told me that?” Mika said calmingly.

Nieko whipped her neck to face Mika. She noticed that Mika’s hand was not touching her. She felt a bit of unease as she answered Mika.

“Oh, Yeah…I did say that, didn't I?” Nieko almost couldn't get the words out right.

“So, no worries, I’ll handle this for you. I feel this confidence looming over me,” Mika said to Nieko as she prepared to leave the room.

Mika stopped in front of the door and turned to smile at Nieko. Nieko couldn't help but smile back at her.