Regaining One's Pride

Ever since D'arcy DeWinter lost a challenge against Michael Schumacher, he felt down and disgusted at the concept of defeat. His once unshakeable confidence has been shattered to pieces. He felt like he just lost the meaning of his life for a moment. All his life achievements, every trophy and medal he earned when he was a young stud and a young adult have suddenly been considered as unimportant. His win streak was no longer valid as it ended on two of the competitions - one, when he reached third place in a local bodybuilding competition, and two - in a 1 vs 1 bodybuilding showdown against Michael.

Once D'arcy realized he can't live like this, he desperately heads out to his rival's home.

"Oh, Mr. DeWinter. Good morning. Good to see you here." - said Michael. - "What brings you here?"

"Look, Schumacher. I know you won, and you said "Let's be even.", but I feel, we cannot be even." - disappointed D'arcy said. - "Because I feel like some people been walking all over me since that day you won. Now, Schumacher. I know you're trying to be a fair player, but this isn't going anywhere. I feel like I need your guidiance to get me back on my feet."

"Come again?" - asked Michael.

"Yes, I need you to help me regain my pride." - said D'arcy.

Michael, as the sportsman would do, immediately agreed without giving a second thought.

"Of course I would help you. What man can do for another man? First off, let's design a list of challenges that you and I must do competitively."

As short time went by on preparation and involving his friends, including his personal trainer Reijo "The Leaf Daddy" Nuzleaf, Michael came up with three tasks, that were meant for him and his rival to make them push to their limits and reignite rivalry fire within them once more. So they head to the gym and are preparing themselves for the first challenge - extreme workout.

They had prepared machines such as the leg press machine, the "butterfly" machine and Cable row machine, the benches where they would be doing bench press and also barbells with set up heaviest possible weight for them both.

Reijo was here to coach them both, as they were ready to relish the challenge. He had prepared the E-chin branded protein drinks for them to drink before and after each workout.

Without further ado, they began their first workout together. You could see their dedication, engagement, passion and fire in their eyes as they both workout on these machines, growing their muscularities, sweating intensively like ripped pigs, pushing themselves to the brink, working their every muscle to exhaustion.

"MUST, GET, STRONGER!" thought out loud D'arcy, while clenching his teeth, while lifting weights on these machines. His determination to bring his pride back was hotter than ever.

As soon as they were done with the machines, they started the bench pressing, with Michael having his personal trainer Reijo spotting him, while D'arcy had Karl Fergusson, the gray wolf to assist the noble gentledog.

They made sure hands are in the right place, when lifting these barbells and they started. As the spotters counted each lift up, they made sure these barbells wouldn't fall off.

Finally, it was time for deadlifting. Michael and D'arcy got on their marks, got set and began their deadlifts. As they lifted the barbells up and down, their bodies were drenched in sweat.

After the final set was done on deadlifting, they let them go, grunting aggresively and flexing their muscular arms as if to do the Double Biceps Pose. Their breathings were intense as they felt almost exhausted.

However, as it turns out, there were no quitters, and both Michael and D'arcy, at least as they observed, were evenly matched.

Their worries about being evenly matched were confirmed, as both Reijo and Karl, as part of the next challenge for these two, measured muscularities of both Schumacher and DeWinter.

They were evenly matched in strength and physique as we could see from measuring tapes breaking on their biceps.

"GRRR!" - grunted both Michael and D'arcy as they flexed their muscular arms, breaking the measuring tape like it was made out of paper.

"As much as I hate to be the bearer of the bad news" - said Leaf Daddy - "you guys are both evenly matched. Your muscularities are big, your strength and physique is impressive, but Michael still takes the cake. At least the slice of it."

"Damn it! It's no use!" - said D'arcy - "Is this the challenge you've been trying to get me through?"

"Hmm... there's one more thing, we haven't even tried yet." - said Michael. - "And besides, the pride cannot be measured solely in muscles, right?"

"I think so." - said D'arcy. - "What is the final option?"

They both headed out to the ring, where usually some people would train boxing or other fighting sports.

"This is it, D'arcy." - said Michael. - "The final challenge. A "no holds barred" 3 round fight until one of us collapses."

"Shouldn't we wear boxing gloves for this?" - D'arcy asked.

"Not in this one." - denied Michael. - "You see, I wanted our battle to be the showcase of our strength and agilities with all tricks being allowed, as if you were to fight on the street. And seeing how you wanted to punch me in the street that other time for satisfaction you demanded from me, I thought this might be the chance."

"Fair enough." - said the gentledog. - "Don't hold anything back, Schumacher."

"I will not fail you, Mr. DeWinter." - answered Michael as they were about to begin their fight in the ring.

The first punches were thrown, each blow landing with bone-crushing force. They were giving blows to face, stomach and chest. There were also some uppercuts done, but none of the punches they did so far got one of them to fall down. Their endurance was beyond belief.

Round after round, they battled on, neither of them willing to back down. As the fight reached its climax, the fighters were standing, each with bruises on their bodies being visible.

In the latest round, which was round 3, they finally took things more seriously, as their punches caused both Michael and D'arcy to spew their blood, splattering the canvas, leaving a testament to their fierce rivalry and determination.

As the punches were given, more blood was splattered from their mouths.

"Getting tired yet, Schumacher?" - asked D'arcy as they were fighting.

As the fight went on, Michael had inner thoughts speaking to the gentledog, while they were fighting.

"You know, D'arcy. I think challenging me was the best thing you could do to me back then. Seeing how you went that far and all... I thought you were always like that, but then as my friends told me a lot about you back then, about how you were from aristocratic family, as you had to struggle to make your family proud of you, so that you could develop the pride in yourself you once had.

Who knew being raised in a aristocratic family would make you a man, you are now. A man, who wants to reach the top no matter what, willing not to be held back, a man with determination and desire to win each fight no matter the cost. But in the end, it's not about winning, it's about believeing in oneself and sticking true to your traditions.

So, here you go. Use your pride well, D'arcy."

So, Michael with a smile on his face, as his act of respect and willing to help him regain his pride, opened himself for D'arcy's big strong uppercut.

As the hit was landed, Michael grunted and raised his head, as he got the punch delivered right into his chin, causing him to slowly, but shortly fall down to the ground.

KO.

"You win." - declared Michael.

As soon as D'arcy heard that declaration, he got a bit shocked, but soon, he began laughing triumphantly.

"At last, I've outbested Michael at least once!" - announced the newly proud gentledog - "The light finally shines on me declaring my ultimate victory! I'm unstoppable!"

As the spotlight shined in the ring, he bathed himself in the light, flexing his swole muscles giving out pose after pose. He finally regained his pride he once had back in his golden age.

Michael as he was lying on the floor, he looked up at D'arcy with a smile on his face, knowing that his rival had found his purpose once again.

Later on, as time went by, they both recovered from the battle, satisfied with the outcome.

"Thank you, Schumacher." - said D'arcy. - "this battle not only regained my pride, but also got me put back on my feet."

"You're welcome, Mr. DeWinter." - replied Michael. - "I'm glad I could help you bring back the pride you once had. Use it well."

"Don't you worry a thing, Schumacher. I will use it well." - said D'arcy.

As D'arcy walked away, his head held high, as he knew that his journey was far from over.

With each challenge the gentledog has faced, he would continue to strive for greatness, driven by his own elegance, grace, his regained pride and most importantly, the motivation not to be left behind.