Logan
"Stop the fight!"
I can hardly believe what I'm seeing. Natalie has stolen the announcer's microphone and climbed onto the ring. And she isn't alone. Another reporter, Michelle, is with her.
The referee is standing against the rope, clearly confused. He walks over to Natalie and asks her to leave but she's refusing.
Adrenaline is still surging through my body, and I'm trying to steady my breathing.
The entire arena is gasping. Even they can't believe their eyes. I don't think ever, in the history of boxing, something like this has happened. It must be a matter of minutes before security swarms the ring.
The entire Pay Per View network must be crapping in their fucking cornflakes. Viewers have spent billions of dollars to watch the "Fight of the Century" and now two reporters are interrupting it.
It's the MGM Arena. Things like that don't happen. And just as predicted, I see security guards walking down the arena stairs. But Natalie doesn't waste any time.
She's holding a recorder in her hands and is now holding it up to the microphone.
The voice of a man can be heard.
“Of course we were the ones behind this fight,” the voice growls, “But don’t act so innocent; you helped us, each step of the way. We have been trying to have them fight for ages now, but we only made progress the moment I pushed you into their arms… It was smooth sailing from there on.”
I can't believe what I'm hearing. Is that the voice of Natalie's Editor in Chief?
There's more.
The recording continues, and then another man joins the fray, "That’s right. We’ve bought stakes in all the companies involved in this fight, and right before anyone knew the fight was going to happen."
Then it’s Natalie’s voice over the speaker, “Is money that important? You’re his agent! How could you plot against him?”
To my surprise, I recognize the next voice: it belongs to Hunter’s agent, a guy I’ve never been able to trust. “It’s hard being his agent. I wanted to leave him, and what better way to do it than with my pockets full of money?”
“You lied to him…” Natalie’s disembodied voice continues.
“And so did you. Sure, we’ve made this fight happen… We got your little tape, leaked the story, and then we made Hunter believe our own version of events.” That’s when Natalie stops the tape, the words of Hunter’s agent hanging in the air like poisonous gas.
“That’s the Gazette for you,” Natalie says into the micro, and then she just smiles up into one of the private booths and drops the mic.
I look over at Hunter and his jaw is hanging open. It's clear he's in as much shock as I am. There's a new realization spreading across his face—it's the realization that he was manipulated.
For Hunter and I both, it's a moment of clarity.
By now, the crowd is showing their disapproval. They are boos coming from the stands, and then a chant forms. At first it's barely audible, and then it grows in intensity. Hunter and I are both able to hear what they are chanting. "Ban the Gazette! Ban the Gazette! Ban the Gazette!"
It's clear that the Gazette's reputation is ruined. They might as well declare bankruptcy now and shut their doors. Their reputation is so badly damaged that they'll never be able to publish another serious article again.
I can't help but smile.
I'm glad the truth is out.
Hunter and I were both manipulated.
I walk over to Hunter. We give each other a knowing nod, and tap our gloves together.
"Let's give up this fight," I say. "We don't need to do this. If no one fights, no one loses. And we uphold our promise to Sarah."
"I like that plan," Hunter grins.
I turn around and see security guards jump in the ring. Two men have Natalie and they are preparing to usher her off of the ring.
"It's okay," I say. "She can stay. I have an announcement to make."
I grab the microphone. "To our fans, we love you."
As soon as I say this, the crowd goes crazy. The shouts and cheers and claps are deafening. The entire arena—all 16,000 people, are on their feet.
"And because of this love," Hunter says, joining me on the microphone, "we have decided to end this fight."
There's a murmur rippling through the crowd. They're still trying to figure out what exactly we are saying.
"The truth is," I say, "years ago, Hunter and I made a promise to a girl that we'd never fight. She tragically died far too young, but her memory lives on and we want to keep that promise for her … and for us."
The crowd is going crazy again. They're clapping and whistling their approval.
"And we have another confession to make," Hunter says, looking over at Natalie.
She's staring at both of us wide-eyed.
"We're in love with a reporter, and she happens to be standing right in front of us tonight."