decided to submit my story that I was working on for a while. I gotta say this is my very first time I submitted anything on FA.

anyway, I do hope you enjoy the story, as I got a few more chapters done

Naomi Hayami belongs to  joe-schmendrik (as well as proofreading)

Charlotte Ishizu belongs to me



In a universe like our very own, but where a worldwide professional sport is as big as football, basketball, or even any MLG in our world. This competition is known as the Women's World Fighter Plus, one of the oldest competitions. For many years, there are various champions that have come and gone throughout the years, but some are renowned. This is one of those stories …
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"-- And Naomi delivers a heavy blow to the Sudanese Desert Flower!" announced the emcee of a televised fight in which a large-bodied tigress, Naomi Hayami, and Joyce Qosi, a Kudu against whom Naomi contended. Everyone watched this intense bout with sheer anticipation, especially one firebird in Tokyo.

"This is one interesting battle," the firebird would say as she witnessed the tigress' world-famous butt-slam. Of course, the firebird's room was filled with various items of various fighters of the World Fighter Plus, from the past to the present. "C'mon, Naomi! Knock that Joyce down!” With a tug of her pajamas, she sighed dreamily.

"One day," she mused, "that'll be me fighting in bouts like the UAE Invitational or the Veteran's Cup. Maybe even the Osaka Rose Tournament. I can't wait for one day for folks to talk about me: Charlotte Ishizu, the world's biggest and greatest --"

"Charlotte Ishizu," stated an elderly voice that seemed to echo from out of nowhere. "Must you be so loud the neighbors can hear us?” He was an old-fashioned and grizzled sparrow man, dressed in a dark blue kimono tailored. He tugged the top of his wooden cane firmly.

"Sorry Sofu," Charlotte replied with a bow. "I'm just excited about watching the UAE Invitational and seeing Naomi win the match." She would turn back to the screen in time for the award ceremony.

"Look at her, Sofu," Charlotte said. "I'm sure you remember Naomi's rise to fandom and how she's as popular in Japan as all the other WFP competitors. Heck, I'm sure she's just as big as others outside of Japan! If not the biggest of them all! I sure hope I can get that big and strong, some day."

The elderly sparrow turned his eyes to the TV with a small chuckle. "You're obsessed with these shows and competitions, aren't you? I bet you dream in competing in that tournament, hm?"

"You bet!" Charlotte replied with a smile. "I can't wait for those competitions to start."

Sofu replied back, "If you have that devotion, I wouldn't mind seeing you try out. Anyway, it's nearly time for you to go to bed. You have school tomorrow."

Charlotte nodded to her grandfather as she turned off the TV. Before going to bed, she said, "Goodnight Sofu." And she shut off the light. After Sofu shut off the lights outside her bedroom and returned to his own room, Charlotte turned the television back on and quietly listened to the commentary and post-match. For a twenty-seven-year-old female living with an aging relative, she was like a child watching a sport she deeply obsessed with. Not only was she obsessed with it. She lived it. She breathed it. She worshipped it. And now, she wanted to be the best fighter, just like her titanic idol.
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The next morning, at a college known as Osaka Terrace, Charlotte was already discussing the match with a human girl named Mizuki. Mizuki was a bit shorter than Charlotte, with short amber hair and a pair of round glasses.

"Wow, Charlotte," exclaimed Mizuki. "You seem to obsess over Naomi. It's like you're from one of those fan clubs here that host fantasy matches or argue whose better."

The firebird gave an agitated look, as if to say, "Seriously?"

"Oh please. Like I'm the type who argues that Naomi's better than Cassandra or Marina," Charlotte replies. "Though Marina is Hungary's first victory in the Euro Cup and was a prime candidate of the World Championship a year ago, Naomi's been world champ for four years straight."

Mizuki nodded a bit. “Sure," she quipped. "Nothing tops the Yokozuna of Japan herself."

Charlotte crossed her arms and pouted in frustration as she passed by the college's fan club. The lot of them consisted of men and women; anthro or human. The crowd debated or talked about battles, stats and everything else on the grounds of who was the better fighter. Charlotte never joined or attended, but she always hung nearby to hear the latest gossip.

"Listen, Mizuki. I'm going to hang over there and get some news. I'll see you later," Charlotte said before heading off.

"Alright," said Mizuki with a wave. "I'll see you later! Just don't get into a heated debate like last time."

The firebird quickly hustled toward the club's gathering spot. Charlotte began to eavesdrop on two guys -- one chocolate-furred Doberman and one spiky-haired human -- in a debate about rookies.

"If one newcomer could have a chance of being top," explained the Doberman. "I'd say that would be Marina. That Hungarian's got a chance of reaching popularity as well as skill. Besides, Naomi can't be champion forever!"

"No way!" the human rebutted. "Anmar of Lebanon's got this, hands down. She's been voted as the potential candidate for reaching any future championship -- not just by the UAE, but also by the American and European Divisions. Plus, that leopard's got a better chance than that broad Hungarian horse."

"Really?" the Doberman snarled, as if agitated from hearing something he did not want to hear. "You think some Arabic cat's got a chance against the Hunnish Plainswoman?”

"I know she does."
"Or!" Charlotte replied, deciding to join in. "Neither girl has a chance when it comes to pure experience. Sure, Marina's got a chance since she's shown that she can win two matches. But, she doesn't have much experience against more veteran fighters. How well would she do against Susanna, the Texan Razorback? Or Vasilisa of the Russian Tundra? Remember: those two were rookies and used their own ways to win."

Charlotte continued her explanation while the other two listened, "Now, Anmar's got, well, an advantage as she's the daughter of Lebanon's Prime Minister; so, the nation's government funds her training and diet. Most of the other girls, even the top dogs, had to find sponsors and personal trainers just to get where they are now."

The Doberman rolled his eyes in agitation. "And this is coming from the Naomi fangirl," he retorted in sarcasm.

"Naomi would kick those girls' asses, big time!" Charlotte replied in anger. "Besides ... ever heard of Krav Maga? Sounds like a dessert!"

The group's members all looked at each other as Charlotte mentioned that rather familiar term. Just then, their president showed up, suddenly speaking out from behind everyone else, as if just having sauntered down the hall.

"For a person as obsessed with this sport as we are, you have no clue," said the president, whose voice sounded feminine yet arrogant. It belonged to a female ostrich anthro that was taller than Charlotte, but only because of her long neck. Her long legs made her skirt a bit shorter, and her long, midnight-black hair and amethyst eyes brought down a feeling of intimidation to those who literally stood below her beak.

"Krav Maga was derived from Hungarian street fighting, which is something not many people are familiar with. Besides, what has Naomi Hayami done, mostly? Sumo; and nothing else. She's just an antique that needs to either adapt or retire early."

"Naomi's not old fashioned!" Charlotte angrily retorted, glaring up at the ostrich. "Besides, she's adapted to other styles, so she can counter anti-sumo fighting styles and techniques."

Just as this argument could become loud, one of the members of the group squawked through his puffin bill, "Alright, you two, break it up! I've got news for everybody."

Like a big juicy piece of meat to hungry beasts, every person in the hall began to crowd, forcing Charlotte to look over people's shoulders. The puffin youth began to read out the announcement on his PDA:

"We are glad to announce that registration for the World Tournament Plus has begun! All women of legal age who want to participate, please head over to the registration kiosk set up in the designated area. The D-Rank tournament will begin six weeks from now, to give all newcomers a chance to prepare. We wish all contenders good luck and hope for them to represent their nation."

With that, the college students erupted with cheers. Some girls just stood there to find a new hero to root for, while other girls wanted to sign up to become new heroes.

The Doberman turned to the ostrich and asked, "So, Suzuka, who do you think will be participating this year?"

Suzuka replied, "I know who will participate for sure: me. I got it better than Namai, last year. She barely even made it to B-Rank."

"Heck yeah!" the puffin nodded "Suzuka should compete!"

Charlotte listened as other girls followed, wanting to join. In her head, her conscience told her this was the moment. This was going to be the big time for Charlotte -- the big opportunity to become a legend.

"I'll join too!" shouted Charlotte. "I'm sure Suzuka wouldn't mind some competition."

"Eh?” The ostrich looked at Charlotte with confusion and disgust. "So, the kendo girl's going to be a plus sized fighter? Charlotte, you may be a big fangirl of the sport, but this is a sport for actual fighters and not some know-it-all posers."

"I'm no poser!” Charlotte yelled at Suzuka. "I know how to fight better than you can."

"Really? Fight better than me? I bet you don't even have a sponsor planned out or a trainer. I have the whole club at my back that will help me out while you got an aging old man!”

Suzuka's boastful comment set Charlotte's soul ablaze. There was something that made her want to punch that ostrich square in her beak. Though all she could do is give a defiant look.

Suzuka haughtily continued, "But, if you want to humiliate yourself, be my guest."

With that, the bell rang, signaling everyone to head to homeroom. While the other students went to the homeroom, Charlotte stood there among the perpetually moving crowd. Her feathered fists clenched and her jade-green eyes burning with fire.

"I'll show her," Charlotte replied to herself with determination. "I'll show her that I can be the best! Just like Naomi!"