"The first match is between the Black Team and the Red Team! What do you think of the draw Maggie?"
"Well, I think we have a very interesting day ahead of us and I can't wait for it to begin. Although the Black Team are one of the strong favorites to win the Grand Tourney, so are the Red Team. In fact, none of the teams who have made it this far aren't strong favorites. Personally, I felt that whichever team that had to face the Red Team was the unfortunate one Peter."
"How come Maggie? Each Team has a Predator at the peak of their level, so why would they fear the Red Team?"
"It isn't that they fear the Red Team per se, but I didn't think anyone would be happy with having to face the Red Team. And that is because of the fact that they have a Cheetah on their team. However, that changed when I saw the teams coming out of their dressing rooms. I feel that every team is very dangerous, and no one would be eager to pick one team over another based on the simple fact that they are all very even opponents."
"I agree with you on that Maggie. None of the teams that have reached this stage are easy pickings. That said, who do you tip as the most difficult team to get past? I know you have one in mind"
"Well, I think that the Indigo Team are facing a tough test with this new face Orange Team. This is because of the new additions to the team. We have never seen these two people fight before, and we have no idea what their strengths and weaknesses are. The Indigo Team have the tough task of figuring these out if they have to deal with their opponents sufficiently today. But that would have to wait Peter."
"That's right Maggie. That would have to wait because first up are the Black Team and the Orange Team!"
"The first team to take the field is led by the fastest man here who is their captain, the Red Team!"
The crowd clapped as the Red Team made its way back onto the field. As they moved to the center of the field, Peter presented their information to the audience. Although he didn't really need to since most of the people here had been present throughout the entire competition and had seen the Red Team's match record for themselves.
"The Red Team had a record of 2 wins and one draw in the group stages, showing how impressive they are. They are a resilient team that focuses on draining the stamina and focus of their opponents with their witty attacks and superior reflexes. This team is not an easy one to face."
"That is true Peter. When they were placed in the same group as the reigning champions, many didn't think they would be able to come out of the group stages with an unbeaten record. However, they defied all odds and did, dragging the reigning champions to a draw when the two sides met."
"Did you watch their group stage matches?" Back in the Orange Team's tunnel that led to the field, Mane asked Lam as he watched the Red Team members matching onto the field. Although he asked the question, he already knew the answer.
"Not all of them. But I watched the one where they had to face the Indigo Team." Lam stated, and his answer surprised Mane. Mane looked at him strangely.
"Not all the group stage matches are easy to get. So usually Ivor picks out the ones that he thinks are between the top teams and brings them back" Lam explained, and Mane promptly remembered that Lam had said before that he couldn't watch all the group stage matches.
"So, what did you think of that particular match: the Red Team vs the Indigo Team?" Mane asked
"I think they were both holding back," Lam stated honestly.
"Oh? Why do you say so?" Mane asked, genuinely curious. Over the past few days he had spent sparring with Lam and Lily, he discovered that the twins were monstrous talents. He knew that their comprehension of things was beyond the norm, but he discovered how far beyond the norm it was when he was training them. In just a few days, both of them had grown tremendously, and Mane was astounded by their progress. They were as quick as him, a Supreme, when it came to their growth. And they reminded him of a certain duo: Jake and John.
Jake and John were also twins, and two of Mane's closest, if not his closest, friends. Both were usually naïve and didn't know much about the complexities of politics, but things changed when it came to fighting. From the very beginning, right when Mane had helped them become wielders, both displayed combat awareness unbefitting of 6 year olds. Their comprehension of battle skills, sharp reflexes and their ability to quickly adapt to unfavorable situations were beyond that of Abe and even Mane!
In that respect, even his masters admitted that if the twins caught up to Mane in terms of their wielding level, they would be a massive headache even for Mane in battle. Lily and Lam were a bit inferior to Jake and John when it came to their battle abilities. Maybe it was because they had started so late, or maybe they just were. But they weren't as naïve as Jake and John. Lily and Lam didn't like politics or the scheming nature of men, but they were bright enough to be able to spot them and not fall for them, unlike Jake and John who needed Abe to save them from the scheming minds of predators. And that was why Mane was curious to know why Lam thought that both teams didn't give it their best when they met in the group stages.
"I wasn't able to tell initially because I didn't understand the strengths of Thrashers and Predators well, but now that I am stronger, I am able to understand some things I overlooked." Lam took a deep breath and started.
"Now that I think about it, they fought like they were only feeling each other out. And then both captains decided to forfeit without trading more than three blows. And their team members were just as laid back as they were when they fought. It was almost as if both teams had agreed beforehand that they weren't going to give it their all."
"I see. Don't you find that odd? Even if it was to prevent injuries, don't you have to fight first before you understand that your opponent is difficult to deal with and propose a truce?" Mane tried rubbing his chin before realizing that his entire face was covered with a mask.
"I didn't at the time. But I do now. They fought like they knew each other really well, and had already made a decision before the game. And it was definitely not because they had seen the other fight during the last Grand Tourney. After all, a lot can change within even a year. The Blue Team for instance, were semi-finalists last time but can only watch the semi-finals from the stands this year." Lam stated, and Mane nodded his head to show that he agreed with his friend. Things didn't make sense.
"Then the only logical conclusion is that…" Lam started.
"They are allies" and Mane finished. Lam nodded his head to indicate that that was exactly what he was thinking.
"Look at the two of you pinging off each other," Hildegarde chuckled smugly from atop Mane's shoulder. Mane chuckled and replied via Lock-On, "It is easy to speak to an intelligent person."
"It is unfortunate that they didn't get to meet at this stage," Lam sighed and Mane understood why. Both were thinking the same thing. The two were in the same group, which meant that they weren't fated to meet until the Semi-Finals. And even then, only if they were lucky would they pick each other in the Semi-Finals draw.
"Do you think that things were rigged, and they were intentionally given the same group?" Lam asked, and Mane who was thinking the exact same thing nodded his head. He didn't believe in coincidences, and it seemed that his friend was the same.
"I think they hoped that both of them would get into the finals and have a shot at taking the trophy. Since they are allies, it doesn't matter who takes the trophy, only that it was won by their alliance." Mane replied.
"And I think the City Lord may have rigged the draw," Mane added.
"Why do you say that?" Lam asked.
"He is never the one in charge of the draw, yet for some reason he chose to do it?" Mane started. Initially, he thought that the City Lord was here for Vital Orange and Black Hand, but after listening to Lam's words, he realised how foolish his thoughts were. If Vital Orange and Black Hand had indeed attacked the City Lord, then it was silly of him to come out and show them that he was fine. And from the impression the City Lord gave Mane, that didn't seem like something he would do. The man was a deep schemer, down to his very bones, and this just didn't feel right. After listening to Lam's analyses, Mane realised that the City Lord may not have come for the Orange Team at all, but for the Red and Indigo Teams.
"It seems that there are a lot of shady things happening in the dark," Lam tousled his own hair and sighed. Although Mane couldn't see his face, Mane could tell that Lam was unhappy that they were now involved in such troublesome matters.
"Yeah," Mane sighed as well.
"Stop pretending. I can tell that you are eager for chaos to ensue," Hildegarde scoffed when she heard Mane's sigh, and the young Supreme coughed softly to hide his embarrassment of being found out by the little fairy.
"It seems that the first match is about to begin," Mane pointed at the center of the field where two people from the opposing teams – both of whom were men – were ready to fight. It seemed that during Mane and Lam's conversation, the Black Team had also been introduced, and both captains had presented their slates filled with their fighters in the order that they would take the stage.
Mane spotted a familiar figure – Steel Fist. It seemed that she was in charge of the Semi-Finals as well.
"Let's observe them then," Mane smiled and said, as he turned his attention to the events of the field.