The rumble of the crowd echoed through the stone corridors beneath the Colosseum, a constant, pulsating roar that made the ground beneath Tyler's feet vibrate. He stood with his team behind a massive iron gate, the last barrier between them and the unforgiving sands of the arena. The faint scent of sweat and fear hung in the air, mingling with the distant aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread from the vendors outside.
Tyler’s heart pounded in his chest, not from fear, but from a surge of adrenaline. He grabs a hand full of the colosseum sand, rubs it between both hands and then smells it. “Nope, I don’t get it”
This was the moment they had been preparing for, the culmination of weeks of gruelling training and relentless hard work. He glanced at his team: Marcus, Elric, Darius, and Livia. Each of them wore their Akatsuki-inspired cloaks and rune inscribed forehead protectors, their faces set with grim determination.
Above the din of the crowd, Tyler could hear the amplified voice of the announcer, a magical enchantment enhancing every word to reach the farthest corners of the Colosseum. The announcer’s voice boomed through the arena, clear and commanding.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the grand gladiatorial event of the season! Prepare yourselves for a spectacle of epic proportions!"
Tyler's mind flashed back to the previous night when he had met with the announcer. They had gone over the script meticulously, ensuring every word would maximize their impact. The announcer, an older man with a deep, resonant voice, had been intrigued by Tyler's detailed plan.
A moment before his assistant handed Tyler a small, enchanted device, similar to the one he used to amplify his own voice. It was a smooth, silver orb that fit comfortably in Tyler’s palm, glowing faintly with arcane energy.
“Remember,” the announcer had said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, “give this back to my assistant before you start the battle. He will be on hand to bring it out to you whenever it is safe”
Now, standing in the shadow of the gate, Tyler felt the weight of the device in his hand. He took a deep breath as her remove a modern looking device from his special storage, cleverly hiding it and the amplification device under his robes as they prepared for their turn to head out.
"And now, let’s welcome the challengers for today’s epic battle! Introducing first, the fearsome, the formidable, The Animals!"
The iron gate on the opposite side of the arena creaked open, revealing their opponents. A group of five fighters strode into the sunlight, each clad in poorly made costumes of various animal furs. One wore a lion's mane that looked more like a tattered rug, another had the pelt of a bear draped over his shoulders, while others sported the skins of wolves, tigers, and other beasts in similarly laughable fashion. They raised their weapons - playing to the crowd, who cheered and jeered with equal fervour.
Tyler could hardly believe his eyes. The enemy team looked utterly ridiculous, like children playing dress-up with no sense of coordination or style. It was clear that their attempt at theatrics had fallen flat, and the realization that they were taking this seriously made it even more embarrassing.
The announcer's voice boomed again, introducing each member of the opposing team with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"First, we have Garius the Lion, with his mighty roar and... somewhat intimidating mane! Next, Brutus the Bear, wielding his oversized club! Then, there's Fenris the Wolf, with his ferocious growl! Following him, Titus the Tiger, swift and stealthy! And last but not least, Varo the Vulture, always circling for the kill!"
Tyler’s eyes narrowed as he took in the sight. It wasn’t just the absurdity of their costumes; it was the realization that everything they had been working on, every detail of their preparations, had somehow been leaked to the other team.
The announcer's voice boomed again, cutting through Tyler's thoughts. "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! Introducing the team that promises to bring the heat, the thrill, the unmatched skill— the Avengers!
First, we have Marcus, the swift and deadly scythe wielder! Next, Elric, the master of the spear and shield! Following him, Darius, the mighty Warhammer bearer! And Livia, the unparalleled archer! finally, leading them, wielding the twin blades, Tyler!"
Tyler tightened his grip on the orb, as he pulled a digitally modified Walkman from his dimensional storage, his mind jumping to the night before. Tyler had decided he would take a chance and ask whoever sent him the magic book for a favour. If he was right, he couldn’t get anything with any combat or magic ability but all he needed was a song.
As the iron gate in front of them began to rise, he felt a surge of resolve.
Tyler flicked a switch under his robes, and the opening chords of AC/DC’s "Thunderstruck" began to echo across the stadium.
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In the stands, Lord Rufus’s daughter, Cassia, sat with her friends, a look of surprise crossing her face as the music filled the air. She had never heard anything like this before—an electrifying melody that seemed to vibrate through her very bones. As the song built, her confusion turned to intrigue, and she felt a thrill of excitement she couldn't quite explain.
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The crowd around Cassia began to chant with the music, their curiosity piqued. "What is that?" "Where's that music coming from?" "This is different!"
As the guitar riff intensified, a collective gasp rose from the spectators. Cassia’s heart raced as she saw Tyler and his team—the Avengers—emerge from the shadows, clad in their dark Akatsuki robes. The sight of them, combined with the powerful music, sent a jolt of adrenaline through her. Every hair on her body stood on end, and she found herself leaning forward, completely captivated.
"Thunder!" The crowd began to chant along with the music, the energy in the arena escalating with every beat. "Thunder!" The chant grew louder, more synchronized, as the crowd's confusion transformed into enthusiasm.
Cassia felt waves of emotions she had never experienced before. The sight of Tyler and his team, the synchronized movement of their weapons, the dramatic entrance—all of it was unlike anything she had ever seen. The music swelled, and the crowd's chanting echoed around her, making her feel as if she was part of something monumental.
"Thunderstruck!" The crowd roared, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. Cassia's heart pounded in time with the music, and she found herself chanting along, swept up in the moment. The sight of the Avengers striding confidently into the arena, their weapons spinning and catching the light, was the epitome of cool. She felt a surge of admiration and awe.
As the song continued to build, Cassia's emotions soared. She had never felt so alive, so connected to the energy of the crowd. The music, the spectacle, the atmosphere—it was all so overwhelming and exhilarating. The roar of "Thunder!" from the crowd was almost deafening, and she could feel the vibrations in her chest.
Tyler and his team reached their designated spot in the arena, and as the final chords of the song played out, he slowly turned down the volume on the Walkman. The crowd's chanting gradually faded, but the excitement lingered in the air.
Cassia sat back, her heart still racing. She had never experienced anything like this before. It was the coolest, most thrilling thing she had ever witnessed, and she knew she would never forget it. The music, the entrance, the sheer presence of the Avengers—it had all left an indelible mark on her.
The crowd buzzed with anticipation, their eyes fixed on the arena floor, eager to see what would happen next. Cassia couldn’t wait to see how the battle would unfold. For the first time, she felt a sense of hope and excitement that she couldn’t quite explain, all thanks to the unforgettable entrance of Tyler and his team.
The crowd's anticipation hung thick in the air as the final chords of "Thunderstruck" faded away. Tyler and his team stood in the centre of the arena, their presence commanding the attention of every spectator. The announcer, a charismatic figure with a booming voice, strode across the sand towards them, holding an enchanted device that amplified his voice like a modern microphone.
The crowd's anticipation hung thick in the air as the final chords of "Thunderstruck" faded away. Tyler and his team stood in the centre of the arena, their presence commanding the attention of every spectator. The announcer, a charismatic figure with a booming voice, strode across the sand towards them, holding an enchanted device that amplified his voice like a modern microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer began, his voice resonating through the Colosseum, "what a spectacle we've just witnessed! But the excitement doesn't end there.
The crowd murmured with excitement, eager to hear more. Tyler, his face calm yet resolute, stepped forward. The announcer turned to him, holding out the "mic."
"Tyler, leader of the Avengers, tell us—what drives you and your team to compete in this grand event?"
Tyler took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the crowd. He knew that this was their moment to connect with the spectators, to turn them into allies. He took the enchanted device and spoke with a clear, steady voice.
"People of the Colosseum," Tyler began, his voice carrying across the arena, "we stand before you today because we were challenged. The Animals called us out, and we are here to answer that call. We are here to prove our strength, our unity, and our resolve."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The crowd was silent, hanging on his every word.
"Our journey is one of continuous growth," Tyler continued. "We aim to climb the tower and achieve greatness, and today is just one step on that path. We fight to prove that we are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead."
The announcer nodded, his eyes gleaming with approval. "A noble cause indeed! And tell us, Tyler, what inspired the unique attire and the dramatic entrance? The crowd is eager to know!"
Tyler smiled slightly, glancing at his team before addressing the crowd again. "Our attire is inspired by legends from stories — heroes who fought against impossible odds, who stood united in the face of overwhelming darkness. Our entrance, our music, is a tribute to their spirit. We wanted to bring that same energy, that same defiance, into this arena."
The crowd erupted in cheers, their admiration for the Avengers growing with every word.
"And what about your opponents, The Animals?" the announcer asked, his tone dripping with curiosity. "How do you feel about facing them in this grand battle?"
Tyler's expression grew serious. "We respect any team that steps into this arena, but we cannot ignore the truth. It seems our preparations, our plans, were betrayed and leaked to our opponents. Yet, we stand here undeterred. We are ready to face them, to show that no amount of treachery can break our spirit."
The crowd's cheers turned into a roar of support, their loyalty clearly swaying towards Tyler and his team.
The announcer raised his hand, signalling for the crowd to quiet down. "Well, there you have it, folks! A tale of resilience and unyielding spirit. As we prepare for this epic showdown."
Just as the crowd began to settle, Lord Rufus signalled from his private box, and the announcer acknowledged the gesture. "And now," the announcer boomed, "let us hear from the leader of The Animals! Brutus the Bear, come forward and share your thoughts!"
Brutus, a hulking figure draped in a mismatched bear pelt, lumbered forward, his heavy steps kicking up dust. He grabbed the enchanted device from the announcer with a scowl, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
He stared at the crowd, then at Tyler and his team, his face contorted in anger and confusion. "You think you can beat us?" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the arena. "We're gonna crush you! Break your bones and leave you crying in the sand!"
The crowd's reaction was a mix of boos and laughter. Brutus, unfazed, continued to shout. "You and your fancy cloaks and your stupid music won't save you! We're the real fighters here! We're gonna rip you apart!"
The announcer quickly took back the device, attempting to regain control of the situation. "Well, there you have it, folks! Brutus the Bear, confident and ready for battle! It seems we have quite the clash of philosophies here today!"
The crowd's buzz grew louder, the tension palpable as the two teams faced each other. The announcer stepped back, allowing the atmosphere to build once more.
"Prepare yourselves, for the battle of a lifetime is about to begin!" the announcer declared, his voice echoing through the arena. "May the best team emerge victorious!"
Tyler handed the enchanted device back to the announcer, his eyes filled with determination. The announcer stepped back, and the energy in the arena reached a fever pitch. The stage was set, and the battle was about to commence.