Feeon and the brown human bull did not explain anything to me which makes me more confused. Megan and I follow Grizzlyon and Tigeron to a stadium behind Azent Kingdom. It has a large field in the middle of it. The stadium looks kind of similar to the Colosseum in Rome. I’ve never been to Rome, but I’ve learned about it in school. Anyway, Megan and I walk into the stone rows of the stadium. We both sit down. There are hundreds of Humanimals in the stadium. They all cheer. On the large field, there are some circles. There are circles inside the circles. They look like rippling water in a pond.

“Did we bring any money?” I ask.

Megan shakes her head. “No I don’t think so and I seriously doubt that they take American money here,” says Megan.

I notice a light grey werewolf wearing a blue towel loin cloth and his jaw, chest, hands, feet, and tummy are white. His body seems lean like a teenager's. He walks right past me and I gently pull on his white wolf tail.

“Umm, sir?” I ask.

The grey werewolf turns back at me. “Yes?” asks the grey werewolf.

“What is this place?” I ask.

“You will find out,” says the grey werewolf.

Four tunnels exit and enter the stadium. A human wolverine walks out of the first tunnel. He only wears a brown vest and a tan loincloth. His body looks very tough like an obsessed bodybuilder. Thousands of creatures cheer for the human Wolverine. The human Wolverine walks in the middle of the stadium. He carries a wooden horn.

“Welcome everybody to this year’s Training Ground!” he shouts into the horn.

The crowd of Humanimals continues to cheer. Megan is also cheering but I do not. I feel a bit bored because I have more fun going to a baseball game with dad than whatever they are going to do. Anyway, the human wolverine continues speaking in the horn.

“Now for the leaders of our world, on the North Side of the stadium we have King Feeon, king of the Humanimals of Azent Kingdom!” shouts the human Wolverine.

Feeon walks out of the North tunnel of the stadium, raising his hands and smiling.

“On the South Side of the stadium we have King Leo the Lord of the Gargoyles from the Maze of the Gargoyles!” the human Wolverine shouts.

King Leo walks out of the South side of the stadium. He is a brownish-gold lion with dark tan wings. His jaw, throat, chest, and abs are tan. He looks so big and buff like a pro wrestler. He has a long dark red lion mane. He kinda has the same color fur as Mufasa from The Lion King, only Leo looks more real and alive. He is wearing a golden crown on his head and a large brown loin cloth. He puts his arms up in the air as he is showing off his muscular lion body.

The human Wolverine clears his throat. “On the East Side, we have King Ardy, King of the Merpeople in Antica City!” the human wolverine shouts.

Everyone turns to the East entrance of the stadium. No one comes out of it. The crowd is quiet.

The human Wolverine clears his throat. “King Ardy!” he shouts through the blowhorn.

There is still no one coming out of the East Side of the Stadium. The human Wolverine chuckles nervously.

“Well, I guess King Ardy won’t be joining us today. He’s probably defending his underwater city.” He clears his throat.

“And on the West Side of the stadium, we have the one who we look up to, one who protects us from all evil, and the one who controls the forces of all elements!” the human wolverine shouts.

Everybody stops cheering and looks at the west side of the stadium. Megan and I turn our heads too. I notice the sky is turning dark grey. Sprinkling rain comes falling all over the stadium. I can smell the wet stone. Then I hear thunderous footsteps in the west tunnel. Megan and I turn back to the west of the stadium to see what is making those thunderous footsteps.

A big Dragon walks into the stadium and his smile seems very friendly. The Dragon has yellow horns on his head, grey spikes from his head to his tail walks on four legs like a tiger, his Dragon scales are blue except for his neck, chest, and belly, which are dark blue. His neck looks kind of long but not as long as a Giraffe, his wings are at least house-size, and his tail swings as he walks. He walks into the middle of the stadium. Then the crowd cheers for the Dragon. The human wolverine cheers as well.

“It’s Artemis, the one and only powerful elemental Dragon!” the human wolverine shouts.

Artemis chuckles and waves at the crowd.

“Welcome one and all!” Artemis shouts with a deep thunderous voice with a hint of a British accent.

Thunder shakes in the grey clouds as Artemis speaks. “I thank you all for coming for this year’s Training Ground!” shouts Artemis.

King Leo and Feeon all walk up some stairs and sit in their seats on a balcony. Artemis flies to the other kings and sits down on his big stone chair. King Leo and King Feeon are already sitting together.

“Let’s begin!” shouts Artemis.

The noise of the crowd echoes in the air. I do a weak smile. The Human Wolverine points at the west side of the stadium.

“On the west side we have the mighty Bearon!” shouts the human wolverine.

A huge muscular human-bear walks out of the west tunnel. The human-bear has light brown thick fur and he is very muscular as well. He wears a wide, big loincloth and a dark blue fabric headband on his head. The human-bear is showing off his muscles to the crowd to show how mighty he is. The crowd cheers for the bear warrior. Grizzlyon nudges my left shoulder and points at Bearon.

“That’s my big brother,” he says.

I nod and do a crooked smile. Bearon lifts his right fist in the air.

“Who will challenge me?” shouts Bearon.

Four short chubby human badgers run down the stadium. They have sharp claws and sharp teeth. They growl as they stand in the middle of the stadium. Bearon grunts with a cunning smile that shows his teeth. The human Wolverine walks to a large golden gong. It looks like a big round golden shield dangling on a chain with a wooden arch around it. The Human Wolverine picks up a big brown drumstick.

“When you hear the sound of the gong, begin the battle!” shouts the human wolverine.

The four badgers all growl at Bearon. Bearon grins as he folds his arms in front of his buff chest. The human wolverine hits the gong. The noise of the loud gong spread all over the stadium.

The four human badgers charge at Bearon. Bearon charges at the four badgers. The four badgers pile on Bearon. Bearon roars as he throws the badgers in the air. He lands on one of the human badgers and punches it. The other three human badgers land on Bearon’s back and are about to punch him. Bearon punches the three and leaps in the air.

Megan and I are watching the fight as the sprinkling rain is still pouring down.

“Your brother is quite tough,” I say to Grizzlyon.

Grizzlyon puts his right hand on my back. “This isn’t a fight to the death. Just letting you know that each year at this place we let our champion battle other opponents. If the champion wins then he will become the champion of the year again. But if the champion loses then whoever beats the champion becomes the next champion of the year. So far my big brother Bearon has never lost a match,” says Grizzlyon.

“But why do this? I mean training? Do you guys do it for sport or just training for war?” I ask.

“We just train so we can learn to harness our Humanimal senses and become great warriors,” says Grizzlyon.

Tigeron smiles at Megan with his white teeth. “Someday I’m going to become a champion like Bearon. I have been training all my life, which would explain my lean muscular body,” says Tigeron.

Megan nods at Tigeron. Bearon continues fighting the four human badgers. He punches and kicks them as he is fighting them. The four human badgers are losing against Bearon. Two of the human badgers grab Bearon’s arms. Bearon hits the two together and knocks them out. Finally, Bearon throws the four knocked-out human badgers in a pile.

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“Bearon! Bearon! Bearon!” the crowd cheers for him.

Bearon lifts his arms in the air and roars like a loud bear. Artemis, while sitting on the balcony with the other three kings, turns to King Leo and Feeon.

“I suppose Bearon is the winner for this year, right Feeon?” asks Artemis.

Feeon nods as he watches the champion.

“You know, it’s very odd that King Ardy is not here to join us. I wonder why he’s not here?” asks Artemis.

“Don’t know. I have not seen him for a very long time. I miss him,” says King Leo.

Artemis looks down at Leo, the lion king of the Gargoyles.

“So how are the Gargoyles?” asks Artemis.

Leo sighs and rubs his forehead. “Not good,” answers Leo.

Artemis seems confused. “Where are the other Gargoyles?” asks Artemis.

“Back at home, in the Maze” answers Leo.

“Why?” asks Artemis.

“Some can’t go into any light,” Leo answers.

“What do you mean some can’t go into any light? Aren’t our Gargoyles different than the legendary ones in the human world?” asks Artemis.

Leo leans towards Artemis.

“Some have turned evil and turned into stone while going into the sunlight. The Gargoyles seemed to be fine in the sunlight, until now. They can’t come into the sunlight anymore, or else they will turn into stone. I know that the humans in the human world think that Gargoyles change into stone at nighttime, but that’s not true until now,” whispers Leo.

“But your kind has always been able to move around, even in stone form, which heals your wounds as well. Why can’t they move when they change into stone at will, day and night?” asks Artemis.

“I don’t know. It’s probably a curse that is infecting our world,” answers Leo.

Artemis’s eyes widen. “Evil Gargoyles you say? That has never happened before since…since…” Artemis cannot finish the sentence.

“Since what?” asks Leo.

Artemis blinks his eyes. “If what you’re telling me is true, then we could all be in danger. If some of your Gargoyles can turn evil and turn into stone in sunlight, then who knows what change we are expecting? We have to be cautious and prepare,” says Artemis.

Artemis and Leo both turn back to the battlefield. Bearon stands on top of the four beaten human badgers. Bearon roars victoriously. Megan and I are amazed at what Bearon did in the battle. Megan and I clap our hands.

“Your brother’s not so bad,” says Megan to Grizzlyon.

“I never said he was bad,” says Grizzlyon.

Megan rolls her eyes at Grizzlyon.

“It was a figure of speech,” says Megan.

The human wolverine walks up to Bearon and raises his right muscular arm.

“Bearon is still the champion!” shouts the human wolverine.

Bearon stomps on the ground. He pounds his chest.

“Who else dares to challenge me?” shouts Bearon.

No one answers or stands up. Not after what he did to the four human badgers. All of the Humanimals just sit in their seats, watching and waiting for anyone to come forth to challenge Bearon.

“Come on, anybody!” shouts Bearon.

Artemis looks around and nobody comes forward. Artemis turns to Feeon.

“Feeon, why isn’t anyone challenging Bearon? Anybody can beat him. I see a few athletic human jungle cats and the buff human ox that’s a blacksmith. All I’m saying is that we need a new champion. Maybe Grizzlyon can fight his brother,” says Artemis.

King Leo, the lion Gargoyle nods. “I agree, it’s time we have a new champion,” he says.

Feeon stands up from his stone seat, walks down from the balcony, and into the middle of the stadium. Feeon takes the blowhorn away from the human badger.

“This is your king! I’m saving the best for last! I will choose an opponent who will challenge Bearon and become the new champion!” shouts Feeon.

He points at the crowd with his right finger and moves it to choose someone to fight Bearon. His finger stops at me. I look around to see if Feeon is pointing at anyone else. I point at myself and Feeon nods. I duck down to hide behind Grizzlyon.

“Daniel!” shouts Feeon.

I stand up and I point at myself. Feeon nods again. I shake my head, but I cannot walk away from a fight. It just seems wrong, Bearon will probably go easy on me. After all, I did not walk away when Billy and I were fighting on my birthday. I do not want to repeat the same mistake. And maybe, just maybe something weird will happen again. I get off my seat and walk down the steps.

Megan stands up and watches me. “What is he doing?” asks Megan.

“He has been chosen,” says Grizzlyon.

“For what?” asks Megan.

“To battle,” answers Grizzlyon.

Megan looks at me as I walk down the stairs. She does not stop me or shout my name. Megan sits on her stone seat and swallows nervously. “I hope Feeon knows what he’s doing,” says Megan.

I finally make it to the middle of the stadium. Bearon turns to me and stares with a confused face.

“What kind of joke is this?” Bearon asks Feeon.

“Not a joke, but a test,” answers Feeon.

“But he is just a boy,” says Bearon.

I turn to the balcony. King Leo smiles at me and lifts his right fist in the air. He seems like he has faith in me. Artemis seems to know what is going on. King Leo turns to Artemis and nudges his right arm.

“What is Feeon doing?” asks King Leo.

Artemis puts his right hand on his chin and then smiles. “Just a guess,” says Artemis.

King Leo turns to Artemis.

“What’s the guess?” asks King Leo.

Artemis puts his right hand down. “Maybe this is the moment that we’ve been waiting for, for many years,” says Artemis.

King Leo rubs his long brown rough hair. “What moment?” asks Leo.

“For a great champion to come forth,” answers Artemis.

King Leo turns and looks down at me.

Feeon puts the blowhorn to his mouth. “Let the test begin!” shouts Feeon.

Bearon chuckles and shakes his head at Feeon. “Bu- but he is just a boy,” says Bearon.

Feeon walks away from Bearon and ignores his comment. Feeon walks up to his seat on the balcony with Artemis and King Leo. He sits down in his seat.

“I am so proud of you. You’ve made the right choice,” says Artemis.

Feeon sighs and seems very nervous. King Leo, Artemis, and Feeon all look down at me. Everyone in the stadium is looking down at me. I feel the twisted nervous feeling in my tummy. I stare at Bearon with my heart pounding very fast. Bearon folds his arms as he shakes at me.

“We both know that this is ridiculous. I don’t want to hurt you boy,” says Bearon.

I do not want to battle him either. He looks like a pro wrestler, only in a bear form. I gulp and think of an idea.

“Then h-how about we forfeit?” I ask.

Bearon unfolds his arms and nods. “Might be the first time but that’s a good idea. It’s just that I do not want to battle you and I do not want to hurt you, kid. So how about you surrender?” asks Bearon.

“I was thinking you can surrender,” I say.

Bearon pauses for a moment and chuckles a little. “Look kid, I have been champion for a long time, I ain’t gonna surrender to a kid. It’s just not what I do. Now come on kid, just surrender and walk away.” says Bearon.

I feel the urge to walk away with no words, but I stand my ground.

“Well, I’m not going to walk away either. It’s not what I do. I never walked away from a fight. I didn’t walk away from a bully on my birthday and I am not going to start now. So you surrender.” I point at Bearon.

Bearon shakes his head and walks up to me with a very serious look. He bends down with his hands on his waists.

“Look kid, you are just a helpless, weak little Earthling. You couldn’t fight me even if you were one of us, a Humanimal. So I am the champion and you are going to walk away. I am not going to surrender to a weak little kid.” Bearon pokes my chest.

I feel like poking Bearon's back. “Don’t you poke at me, you big bear bully!” I snap.

Bearon pokes back at me and I poke back at him. Bearon swings his fists and I duck. I crawl under Bearon’s legs and get back on my feet. Bearon turns to me and pants very hard. He seems ticked off. Bearon shakes his head.

“I don’t wanna fight or hurt you, kid! Surrender now!” shouts Bearon.

“No! I will not walk away from a fight. Even though I might be small and you are big, I am not going to walk away! Sometimes I walk away! But this is one of those times when I will not! So you surrender because I will not!” I shout back.

Bearon growls and then charges toward me. I hear a loud bang behind me. I look back and notice a metal round shield. I grab the shield and block my way. Bearon punches the shield and I slip and roll around on the ground. My right arm aches a little. Bearon gasps and walks up to me. He is about to help me back up on my feet, but I shake my head at him. I grunt as I slowly move my legs onto my knees and then back on my feet. I let out a loud sigh and shake my head again. I raise my metal round shiny shield in front of me. Bearon shakes his head. It seems like he does not want to battle. But I do not want to surrender.

Bearon walks away and then stops.

“Wait!” Bearon turns back at me. “I’m not going to walk away! You drop that shield kid!” Bearon shouts.

I slowly shake my head. “I may be a kid, but I’ve got a feeling I am not normal! I am not going to walk or run away from this fight! If it means being beaten by you, then so be it!” I begin walking to Bearon and he does not look very impressed.

I stop in front of him. “I…am…not…walking…away,” I say very slowly.

Artemis, Feeon, and King Leo are still watching from the high balcony.

King Leo turns to Artemis. “Are you sure that this is the moment when this boy beats the mighty champion?” he asks.

Artemis thinks for a moment and then smiles. “I am not just sure. I am positive,” says Artemis.

Bearon roars in front of me. I slam my shield on his face. Bearon grunts and rubs his nose. He notices a bit of blood on it. I sniff and just stand my ground. Bearon growls at me and throws a punch; I block it with my shield and feel the fist through it. My legs feel weak, but I stand my ground. Bearon pushes my shield again and again. My right arm cannot take the pressure anymore. I need to do something to end this battle. I could drop the shield and kneel to surrender, but I hesitate. Bearon sounds out of breath as his punching slows down. Bearon growls very roughly and punches my shield one more time, this time the punch knocks me down on the ground. I groan and sit up. I stand on my feet and slam my shield onto Bearon’s abs. Bearon grunts as he bends his back in pain. Bearon roars and takes my shield out of my grasp. Bearon runs away and I watch him.

“Yeah! Run you, coward!” I shout.

Bearon grabs two knight swords and runs back to me. He throws one of the swords in front of me. I look down and then back up at Bearon. He is still running to me. “Oh come on!” I snap.

I grasp the sword and wait for Bearon to come closer to me. Bearon raises his sword in the air and leaps. I block my face with my sword and Bearon’s sword clangs onto mine. We both grunt as we grip each other’s swords. I can feel the mighty strength of Bearon’s shoving. My legs cannot take it anymore as they feel very weak. My brow sweats with the rain sprinkling down on me. Bearon’s eyes are fixed on me. I stare back at Bearon’s black bear eyes. Bearon looks like he does not want to surrender and I am not going to surrender either. Then my legs feel some strength in them. My arms start to push Bearon’s sword with mine. Bearon grunts as I push him some more. I grab the handle of his sword and scream for strength. I lift Bearon over my head and he drops his sword. Bearon’s eyes widen in shock. I drop Bearon on the ground behind me. He makes a loud thud with a splash in a puddle.

Bearon breathes in and out. He doesn’t seem to be in shock, but amazed. I pant and drop my sword.

The entire crowd of Humanimals in the stadium cheers for me. I look at my hands and they feel a little shaky.

“H-how did I beat him?” I ask. “I’ve never beaten anyone so big in my life, ever. I don’t exercise very often,” I say.

Bearon slowly stands up on his feet. He pats my back gently.

“Well, I guess this means you are the new champion kid. Sorry about the battle, but you never gave up and neither did I. Well, except for when you flipped me over your head. That was weird, eh kid?” asks Bearon.

I look up at Bearon. “It’s Daniel. Daniel Mark Tony,” I say.