Chapter 5: The First Stand
- G.P. Torte
- Sep 9, 2025
- 2 min read
“He was cracked. He was mocked. He was trained. Now, he stands.”
The alley was darker than usual — not because the sun was gone, but because the crowd blocked it out. Desserts from every district packed the space: cupcakes on crates, churros hanging from signs, muffins peeking from balconies. Word had spread like melted butter.
“There's gonna be a fight.”
In the center, a makeshift ring had formed — graham cracker ropes stretched between pretzel poles. The old underground arena was alive again, and it was hungry for a show.
Strawbrawler stood in the center.
He wasn’t shaking.
He wasn’t unsure.
He was ready.
Across from him stood the Cupcake — the one from the alley, back in Chapter 2. Still frosted, still smug. Flanked by his old crew: the cannoli, the caramel-armored crème brûlée.
The Cupcake smirked. “So, you’re back. What is this, a redemption tour? You’re still just—”
“Speak carefully,” Strawbrawler said.
The crowd quieted.
“Or what?” the Cupcake spat.
Strawbrawler cracked his neck. Syrup shimmered on his shoulders like armor. His crust flexed without crumbling.
“I’m not here for revenge,” he said. “I’m here… to stand.”
The bell rang — someone hit a triangle made of taffy-wrapped forks.
The Cupcake charged, frosting fists first.
Strawbrawler didn’t dodge.
He planted.
One step forward.
One foot down.
One punch, slow and clean — straight into the cupcake’s swirl.
Frosting flew.
The Cupcake tumbled, eyes wide.
The ring went silent.
Then…
A cheer.
Another.
It grew like a rising oven.
“Strawbrawler! Strawbrawler! STRAWBRAWLER!”
He didn’t flex.
He didn’t bow.
He just stood.
Chest out. Syrup dripping. Center firm.
In the shadows, Éclair crossed his arms. “He’s ready.”
In a mountaintop bakery far away, Blue Bulk’s eyes opened.
And in the dashboard of a cheesecake ambulance, a blinking alert appeared:[EMERGENCY FORMING – STRAWBRAWLER REGISTERED]
Destiny was heating up.
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