He's Baaaaaaaack...what sort of suprises wait him as he returns home? [Video]

[punch_in_pink]

Mac's trip back was as long as usual, but he was used to traveling by now. He settled into Doc's spare room at his place when he decided to look at the network for just a smidge moment.

Caim was gone.

A sudden weird feeling hit at the pit of his stomach, and at a weird time too. He hadn't told Doc. WON'T tell Doc. So somehow, this needed to be kept a secret. It would be hard, but he had to try. Whenever Doc mentioned he was acting weird, Mac said he was just tired or was thinking hard about the match.

Which was a problem on it's own too. Super Macho Man asked for a rematch. Apparently, since Mac became champ, his fame dwindled. Mac thought that was because since he didn't have the spotlight on him all the time, people got to see the star craving guy he was.

No, he never really liked Macho. He admired him only for his success, but he'd always seen his matches. He pushed people around and tried hard to get as much screentime as possible. In a way, it made Mac feel awkward to even be around him. Fame went so much into his head and he can't shake the feeling that Macho has a personal grudge for that reason. Mac never cared much for the fame at all. Macho can have all the endorsements and crazy fangirls all he wants. That wasn't what boxing was about to Mac. Mac always tries to please his fans and be a figure of inspiration, not a thing made to sell and get people filthy rich...it felt wrong. On his way in the match, Mac turned down a few more money grubbing endorsers and made through the crowds until he finally found the locker room.

Mac stared at the sink mirror and washed his face. That was when that thought came back and his finger found its way to touch where Caim put that sword in him. It was all gone, all the evidence that it ever happened were gone thanks to Rhys. He made a sigh as he went to his locker when he heard the door open and a few irritated grumbles.

Oh no...

Mac made no eye contact as Macho started to walk in toward his locker. He walked behind Mac and seemed to ignore him until-

Mac's head was pushed against the locker door. It left a bump, pretty big one. He saw stars for a moment and then put his head up. Macho did it. He was acting like a middle school bully. Much like the dweebs that picked on him when he was in middle school here. He tried to ignore him but he got angry.

Macho, you're PATHETIC.

"Can't believe I lost to a shrimp punk like you."

Mac turned to glare at him, he was the bigger man. Had to be the bigger man, this was not the time or place to slug someone. Mac was, at all cost, chivalrous. And he was keeping those morals to his grave. He wasn't a brute, or a bully.

"Save it for the ring, Macho."

Macho said nothing more and went off in a huff.

Doc came in and saw enough to get upset too. "Doc, it's okay...let 'im be like that."

He had to rise above it, no matter how much it upset him.

And then the match happened, you probably watched it.

Macho you...really were pathetic. Blinded by the desire for FAME.

Mac left the place with a few bruises and was given a look at in the hospital. Nothing was wrong. Good, now Mac can go home to the Academy. He had a bitter taste in his mouth and needed to let off some steam-

"Mr. Mac?" A nurse came on in. "Ah, sorry to disturb you but...I heard you were here and..."

Another fan? This one seemed normal, Mac liked those people.

"I'm the nurse for a kid who is going to have surgery. I told him you were here and so..."

Mac didn't want her to say anything else. The kid wanted to see him, OF COURSE he would go. Mac went in to see the sick kid, who watched the match and lit up like the sun when he saw him. Looking healthier than he did before, the nurse said. The kid admired Mac for being the underdog and showing the big tough guys a lesson. Mac spent a while with him, and gave him his autograph.

The bitter taste in his mouth was gone, and he would return happy.


Phew...man, so glad to be back! What did I miss guys? Hope I didn't miss too much, yeah? Back and in one piece after that match! Always a good thing.

Even if somethin' crazy happened, I wanna know about it. When I'm gone, I always miss this place. Maybe I'm crazy, haha! Man, but I don't think so!


So, didja do your homework?

Comments

[tokimeki]

Welcome back. I don't think we met before, but I'm Amy! I don't think you really missed anything-- except tests. Lots and lots of tests...

[star_punched]

[ONCE UPON A TIME, HE KNEW AN AMY...but since this is text, he doesn't know what this Amy looks like. SO HE ASSUMES THIS IS A NEW AMY.]

Amy, eh? Well nice to meetcha Amy. Mac's my name. New here, or...

Tests? Well I probably oughta go make 'em up anyhow.

[tokimeki]

[she wouldn't even be surprised, so many people seem to know her...!!]

Yup, I'm pretty new here! I got here last month. Settling in hasn't been as hard as I thought it'd be. The weird stuff like the hands and surprise fire drills still take a bit of getting used to, though!

Make-up tests are the worst, one of my teachers makes them harder than the original test on purpose! Can you believe that?

[star_punched]

It usually does, but after a few years, you'll be a veteran like me. The weird feels a lot more homey. But this is a great place besides all that jazz anyway.

Some professors are tough! But which one's that?

[He likes this! Nice chit chat.]

[ video ]

[idealisms]

Mac!

[ The amount of excitable energy he shows is remarkable. There's a disheartening quiver within his ribcage, and immediately, he remembers Daisy, her issue with her stolen artifact, the fact that Mac gave it to her in the first place...

He isn't about to ruin his good mood, though. He keeps his smile steady. ]

You have been missed. I did watch the match. It looked awfully brutal... but it seems you have enjoyed your time.

[ video ]

[star_punched]

N! Hey! Man, I missed ya too!

[OH N, HE MISSED YOU. HOW LONG WAS HE GONE THIS TIME? Too long! He missed seeing his buddy and it's nice to see SANE people again.]

N, you watched it? Really?

[Without cringing? Also he wondered if you noticed how much of an ass Macho is.]

Well I guess it was okay...Macho ain't all sunshine and rainbows but, hn.

[idealisms]

Yes, I did! It was an enjoyable show, although... 'Macho', that is his name? He doesn't seem very bright.

[ His noses crinkles for a moment, but quickly, he tries to shelve any negative feelings. Mac seems so chipper and he really doesn't want to put a damper on that! ]

That does not matter, though. Congratulations on your victory. I am very proud of you, friend.

[batchigu]

Welcome back! Bet the match was totally awesome... whatever match it is!

[Great modesty Amitie.]

And hey! I soooo totally do my homework! Maybe.

[star_punched]

Boxin match, man! Boxin'! But hahah, yeah I guess it was awesome! I did good so.

[...Eh? CONFUSED. WHAT. O-OKAY.]

Well, doin' your homework is good! Always. Always do your homework! Yeah!

[WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HOMEWORK, THE QUESTION WAS FOR AI SO YOU COULDN'T HAVE SEEN THAT oh wait maybe you can because Mac is dumb about computer privacy, welp.]

[batchigu]

Ooh boxing! I've heard of boxing 'cuz people talk about it here, for a second I thought you were talking about puyo though! But that's whicked, so long as you had fun in whatever match.

[As for that last bit, she probably saw it by luck but it doesn't really mean much context for her. That plus I fucked and forgot that part was private and shouldn't tag stuff at night.]

[iaiai]

ヽ(　　´　　∇　　｀　　)ノWELCOME BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought alot baout what would be the most fun thing. (●´∀｀●) I thun k I want to go for a walk in the forrest and find planets for my Pikmin. Can we do that? |･ω･｀)

[star_punched]

I told ya! Whatever you wanted to do, we're doin'.

[AND HE...ASSUMED that you meant "plants". Cuz, uh, how can you find planets in the forest.]

So a walk in the forest is totally doable.

[iaiai]

yyeEEEEyeyEYE!!! Thank you Mac ヽ(´▽｀)/～♪

[tank_rockarms]

Good fight, Mac.

[star_punched]

[Ahahahaha, grin grin.]

Thanks, Max. Those matches are the life. But it's glad to be back, I was gone for a while.

[tank_rockarms]

That guy needs more pants.

[givemeyouranswerdo]

Glad you're home, Mac!

[Oh god still no bracelet WHAT TO SAY TO HIM...]

[punch_in_pink]

[JUST WAIT...]

Daisy! Man, it's good to see ya! How ya been?

[givemeyouranswerdo]

I... Well... Geez, I don't know how to say this...

[Video] I just remembered that they met like once...

[bloodied_maid]

Welcome back.

[Big talker, this one.]

[Video] Aw it's okay, it was really brief anyway

[punch_in_pink]

[He can see that.]

Thanks!

Uhhh, Marie, ain't it? Peacock's buddy?

[Video] That it was

[bloodied_maid]

Yes, that is my name.

...I don't believe I got your name, however.

[video - hi hello I am latest kid ever]

[genderbentmario]

[YEAH YOU KNOW SHE WATCHED THAT MATCH DUDE.]

Mac. Mac. OH MY GOD. That fight was awesome!

[you are perfect, shush - video]

[punch_in_pink]

[fwjebsjdhbsjfe]

Well I dunno 'bout THAT.

[Blush blush, like he does at ALL compliments.]

[video - more like PERFECTLY SLOW]

[genderbentmario]

No, Mac, I'm totally serious! You're great at what you do! Man, if I could throw a punch half as good as you do, I...

...Well, actually, that's probably a pretty scary thought, isn't it? Anyway, point is: you pretty much rock. Just saying.