The next day thousands of fans filed into the seats of Sithstopolis Colosseum. Televisions across the world were eagerly turned on so their owners could tune in to the yearly spectacle. Confetti rained from the sky as the dozens of teams of teens made their way onto the arena floor. Cheers erupted and the excitement was infectious. The Takeover Tournament was soon to begin.
In the headmaster's viewing room, Takeshi finished his second bottle of the day despite it being before noon.
"Easy there," Mirai said slightly concerned, "I don't know what you have planned but your power better not be a part of it."
Takeshi had filled Mirai and Shibata in on what he had seen in the corridor during late-night drinks. They came to the same conclusion, starting a fight was the wrong way to go. People would naturally not want to believe a hero and it seemed Koji blamed them more than the man who slapped him.
"I'm not stupid," Takeshi replied, "just watch the cat."
Juno lay curled in Mirai's arms. She stared out of the giant glass window down to the arena floor. It seemed she would be the best spectator of the event, her eyes never leaving The Voyage.
"Do not take any offense in Takeshi's words," Shibata instructed, "he may not say it but he is simply nervous for his team."
"Something like that," Takeshi responded.
"It's been a while since I've seen you show so much emotion," "Mirai said, "you really care about these kids don't you?"
"Of course I do," Takeshi responded. "They may be a bunch of brats but if anyone deserves to win this thing it's them."
"And that makes you afraid," Shibata said calmly.
"Yeah," Takeshi admitted, "because the odds are definitely against them."
Matt's voice over the announcing intercom brought everyone's attention back to the arena floor.
"Welcome everyone to day one of this amazing three-day spectacle!" Matt's excited voice only injected the crowd with a stronger sense of exhilaration. "By the end of today's event the many teams before you will be cut down to just eight!"
Hitsu swallowed down his nerves. Not only would today be the day that the most teams were eliminated but the events remained unknown. While the last two teams almost always competed in a team versus team battle the days leading up to that were different every year.
"Let's start by separating the teams into two different groups!" Matt yelled. "The top four teams from each group will move on to day number two!"
The massive broadcast screen that displayed the television feed showed two columns. One was marked as Group A and the other as Group B. Hitsu's eyes scanned the groups looking for four names in particular. He found them quickly. Group A held The Voyage and The Weaving Witches while Group B listed United Balance and Black Thunder.
"Well, maybe we won't have to cross paths with them," Nox said.
Sel and Hitsu had told the rest of the group what they saw. At one point The Voyage was eager to knock Black Thunder out of the tournament themselves but after the events of yesterday, they were conflicted. Hitsu couldn't help but glance in Koji's direction. He felt as though he was doing something wrong by not helping him. But his help wasn't wanted, and there was nothing he could do.
The teams split up. Group A teams went to one side of the arena and Group B to the other. As they walked Hitsu crossed paths with Futaro. The blue-haired boy smiled and nodded, a sign he hoped to see Hitsu in the next round. Hitsu copied his actions knowing his smile was visually weaker. Once The Voyage was on the left side of the arena they found The Weaving Witches standing by their side.
"Let's do our best to make it to the next round," Ida said cheerfully.
"Yeah," Hitsu responded simply. He envied her ignorance.
"Alright competitors!" Matt's announcing broke Hitsu from his thoughts as he once again focused on the broadcast. "Let's find out the game Group A will try to survive!"
A slot machine graphic appeared on the screen. A white-gloved animated hand pulled the lever and the machine began to cycle through a number of different options. The teams held their breath and the spectators sat on the edge of their seats as the seconds ticked by. Finally, the slot machine stopped with a CHING and the name of the event was visible for all to see.
"Team Race!" Matt read excitedly.
The crowd erupted with cheers as the ground began to shake. The screen showed the area around the arena rapidly changing. Dozens of employees worked rapidly using their specialized powers to fulfill their roles. A large section of the ground was dropped down several feet by a group of workers with Earth-related powers somewhat similar to Jinsuke's. Three other workers sprayed water from their hands and quickly filled the large hole. On the other side of the arena, workers welded different metal bars and objects into place. Not far from there, the Earth-powered employees raised the ground until a massive mountain with a flat top stood where a blocked-off street once was. White lines were painted on the ground and in an impressive amount of time, the unused area around the arena was now a multiple-lane running track filled with obstacles.
"Teams will compete in a five-section relay race!" Matt explained. "The first section is a twisting and winding obstacle course. Competitors will have to navigate through the test of agility to make it through. The second section is scaling the massive mountain where their third leg will be waiting at the top. The third member will race down the other side of the mountain. The fourth will have to swim across the water section of the track. Lastly, the fifth members will run as fast as they can down a straight track to the finish line. The first four teams to cross will move on to the second round!"
The crowd cheered loudly at the unusual race they would soon watch. Mr. Funai's wealth and influence allowed him to have nearly any event he wanted thanks to his top-notch employees.
"The contestants will now have fifteen minutes to observe the course and come up with a game plan," Matt announced suddenly, "the time begins now!"
A timer for fifteen minutes appeared on the screen and began counting down. After a moment of realization, the teams of Group A dashed to exit the arena and scope out the track. After ten minutes had passed The Voyage stood near the starting line in a circle. Other groups did the same, they spread out to avoid their tactics being public knowledge.
"Is that the right order?" Sel asked. "You don't want me somewhere else?"
"I think this allows for the best use of everyone's powers," Hitsu explained, "if we move you someone else suffers timewise."
"That's true," Enai agreed, "we might lose time in some areas but it allows us to make it up elsewhere."
"As long as we do our parts we can win this," Nox encouraged.
"Assuming everyone else is fast we just have to be a little bit faster," Jinsuke added.
"So we're in agreement?" Hitsu asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Alright, hands in."
Hitsu placed his fist in the middle of the circle.
"This is our adventure."
Everyone else followed suit.
"This is our journey."
They all bumped fists and threw their hands into the air with a finger to the sky.
"This is our voyage."
"Alright," Hitsu said with a grin, "let's win this race."
...
End of Episode 59