Two weeks pass since John and Marc registered for the tournament and its time for them to meet once again.
Marc flys towards the tournament stadium, and John is walking from the open landscape to the city, Marc reaches the stadium and he wonders where john is
"Where is this guy, I hope he has not gotten lost" Marc says as he looks up at the sky
John realises that if he walks he is not going to make it so he begins running to the city
Marc is still waiting for John outside the stadium a few moments pass before John arrives
"W-what the" Marc says as he is caught off guard to see John's clothes
"What is something wrong" John says as he is confused
"Your clothes, what happened to them" Marc asks John
"Will I was training" John says
"Training?" Marc exclaimed after getting his composer "Anyway we better make our way in the tournament before its too late" Marc says
They both enter the stadium and it is packed they can barely move around, so Marc fly's up so that there is no one in the way
"Hey Marc mind giving me a lift" John asks
"What no way" Marc says, as he thinks John is too heavy for him to lift up
"Oh come on ill be here for waiting for an hour" John says,
"Fine" Marc says as he fly's down and picks John up as and he move towards to the fighters area
Marc places John down right next to the door, Marc lands down, Next to John.
Marc opens the door and John walks into the fighters room and Marc also enters, the room has an ominous feeling. Most of the fighters look and laugh at Marc, they find a bench to sit on, after a few moments they call up the first match, and it Marc against War Machine
"give it your best" John says to Marc as he leaves the fighters room to enter the stadium.
Both fighters are at both ends of the platform, then they put up the barrier
"Fighters ready, set, fight!!!" The narrator says as the fight begins,
Without hesitation, Marc dashes toward War Machine, aiming to close the distance.
In response, War Machine fires bullets from his fingertips, trying to push Marc back.
Marc reacts swiftly, taking to the skies.
"Don't think you're safe up there," War Machine taunts.
Just as Marc believes he's dodged all the attacks, he hears a missile homing in on him.
"When did you—" Marc quickly says, turning to deflect the missile. But it's too late. The missile explodes, creating a gigantic fireball that lights up the sky. The entire stadium watches in awe.
"A direct hit. Not even you can survive that," War Machine says, gazing up at the fiery explosion.
"OH NO, IT'S A DIRECT HIT FROM WAR MACHINE! WILL MARC SURVIVE THIS?" the narrator exclaims.
In the fighters' room, John and the other combatants watch the battle. Everyone is convinced Marc won't survive the attack.
John grins and whispers, "Go on, prove them wrong, Marc."
As the explosion subsides, the sight astonishes everyone.
"UNBELIEVABLE! MARC IS STILL STANDING!" the narrator shouts.
Even War Machine is shocked. "Seems I underestimated you, Marc," War Machine admits.
Breathing heavily, Marc responds, "And you are as strong as they say, War Machine." He admires his opponent's strength before flying towards him for another attack.
"UNBELIEVABLE! MARC'S BODY HAS TAKEN TREMENDOUS DAMAGE, BUT HE'S ALREADY COUNTERATTACKING!" the narrator exclaims as everyone sits on the edge of their seats.
Marc's and War Machine's fists clash, sending shockwaves around them and shattering the ground beneath.
Marc jumps back to prepare for another charge.
"Activate advanced weapons mode," War Machine commands, his body transforming.
"Nice trick, but it won't be enough to stop me," Marc says as he dashes in again.
War Machine raises his hand, firing a beam with the heat of lava at Marc.
It hits, sending Marc flying back.
"ANOTHER DIRECT HIT FROM WAR MACHINE! BUT IS THAT ENOUGH TO PUT MARC DOWN?" the narrator wonders.
Marc stops himself before hitting the barrier, thinking, *What will I do now? I don't have a way to beat him. I guess I'll have to use it.* As War Machine fires another beam, Marc reacts just in time, taking flight to avoid the attack.
War Machine redirects the beam, but Marc is now moving faster. The beam can't keep up with his speed.
Marc circles around and flies head-on towards War Machine. War Machine fires a powerful beam from his chest.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! MARC IS FLYING HEAD-ON TOWARDS THE BEAM! DOES HE HAVE A DEATH WISH?" the narrator yells.
Marc's eyes begin glowing as he fires beams from them. The two beams collide, lighting up the entire arena.
"UNBELIEVABLE! MARC HAD SOMETHING UP HIS SLEEVE THAT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT!" the narrator shouts.
Marc's beam overpowers War Machine's, pushing War machines beam back until it destroys War Machine's core.
As the explosion from the core of War Machine subsides the whole crowd begin to cheer for Marc's victory
"THERE YOU HAVE OT FOLKS, THE WINNER OF THIS MATCH IS, MARC!!!!" The narrator shouts
Marc looks up at the sky's and smiles, as he thought he would have never beat war machine. Marc looks down at the body of War machine and fly's down to it,
He picks up the body and sees the head if still functioning, so he rips it out and keeps it as a trophy.
Marc enters the fighters, everyone looking at him as they are amazed that he won, he walks towards John and sits on the beach
"Nice fight, marc" John says, he looks at Marc with amazement with the powers he has
"Thanks, but it was difficult" Marc replies back with as he looks at the head of war machine
"Can I have a look at his head" John says,
Marc gives him the severed head, John hold the head in his hand then he tabs on the forehead,
War machines eyes burst open "Hey who are you and why do you have my head" War machine says
Both Marc and John jump in surprise
"How can you still function while being having no body" John says, he taps the head again and again
"HEY STOP TAPPING!!" War machine shouts
"I wonder can you still feel pain" John says
He continues to tap the head
"Maybe it's best not angry him, he might still be able to use his weaponry" Marc says, he stops John from TAPPING the head
"At least he has some brains" the head says
"So who is going up next" John asks Marc
"It's the guy that's wearing a mask against Maelstrom" Marc says as he looks at the screen and see them standing on the platform
"Look the fight is about to start" Marc says
"THE NEXT FIGHT IS ENIGMA VS MAELSTROM" the narrator says
Both fighters ready, Maelstorm gets into a stance while is opponent doesn't
"LETS THE SECOND MATCH, BEGIN!!" The narrator shouts
As the narrator says begin maelstrom lunches himself towards enigma, his speed matching the speed of wind. He throws his punch
"A DIRECT HIT FROM MAELSTROM" THE NARRATOR SAYS
the punch send shockwaves everywhere
Maelstrom looks in disbelief, enigma standing unaffected by the punch not even his mask is damaged
"AND ENIGMA TOOK THE PUNCH LIKE IT WAS NOTHING" THE NARRATOR says In disbelief
"No way, who are you" maelstrom says
"He is strong" John says, he looks at the head "do you think you could defeat maelstrom if you went against him" John asks
"NO!" The head shouts "maelstrom has the ability to manipulate wind, water and gases, he would be too much for me to handle" the head states
Maelstrom jumps back and looks up at enigma
Maelstrom blinks for but moment and enigma appears Infront of him
"My turn" enigma whispers the processed to kick Maelstrom on his jaw,
Maelstrom fly backwards his body bounces off the barrier to the other side of the barrier, Maelstrom continues to bounce from one side to other his body hitting every corner of the barrier
"WHAT IS HAPPENING, MAELSTROM HAS JUST BEEN SENT FLYING, BOUNCING FROM ONE SIDE OF THE BARRIER TO THE OTHER" THE NARRATOR SHOUTS
Maelstroms body hits the ground he slowly looks up at enigma. Enigma approaches Maelstrom
Enigma standing tall, towering Maelstrom blacking the sunlight
"W-who are you?" Maelstrom mutters, he feel his body rising, he get to eyes level with enigma
"Your pathetic" enigma mutters
Everyone is shocked of what has just transpired, from the fighters to the Watchers
"WHAT JUST HAPPEND, NOT EVEN I CAN BELIEVE IT WITH MY OWN EYES" THE NARRATOR EXCLAIMS IN DISBELIEF
Enigmas hand is full of blood, the eyes of maelstrom lifeless. Enigmas arm had been driven into maelstrom body through his heart.
Enigma pulls his arm out and maelstrom lifeless body hits the ground, the crowd speechless
"WILL... WE.. HAVE A WINNER" THE NARRATOR SAYS IN SHOCK
In the fighters room everyone is in shock from what just happened, some of them talking amongst themselves
Enigma walking into the fighters room and the whole goes quite, all fighters looking at him, feeling his bloodlust. Some fighter can move because of the fear that they might die just by moving their bodies
"Whoa… he's terrifying," John whispered under his breath. His gaze flicked up to the screen where the next matchup was displayed. His heart skipped a beat—it was him against someone named Nova.
"Finally!" John exclaimed, then turned to Marc, a curious look on his face. "By the way, who's Nova?"
Marc and the nearby fighters exchanged surprised glances. Marc blinked at John in disbelief. "Are you serious? How do you not know who Nova is? Have you been living under a rock?"
John shrugged, unfazed. "Maybe. But whatever, just tell me."
Marc sighed, pointing towards a figure on the opposite side of the room. "Nova's that woman over there."
John raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face as he saw her. "She's a girl?" He chuckled, the sound echoing through the room. Everyone turned to stare, confused by his sudden outburst.
Marc quickly slapped a hand over John's mouth, glancing nervously at Nova. She was glaring daggers at John, her expression darkening. Unfazed, she stood and made her way to the platform, her steps measured and confident. John followed, still grinning, as they took their positions on opposite sides.
"OUR NEXT MATCH ISSSS… JOHN VS. NOVAAAA!!!" The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, electrifying the crowd.
John stretched leisurely, preparing for the fight, while Nova watched him, her expression unreadable.
"FIGHTERS READY… BEGIN!!" The announcer's voice signalled the start.
John sized her up, considering his first move. *I should test her strength,* he thought, then dashed towards her. Nova didn't flinch, her eyes betraying no concern as he closed the distance.
But before John could even reach her, a tremendous force slammed him to the ground.
"IT SEEMS LIKE HE WAS NOT FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID HER ATTACK!!" the announcer cried out, his voice filled with excitement.
Nova stood over John, her voice laced with disappointment. "Was that all you've got?"
From the crowd, a man cheered loudly for Nova, causing her to glance over, her face flushing with embarrassment.
"LOOKS LIKE THE WINNER IS NOVAAAA!!!" The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium, the crowd chanting her name in unison as she turned to leave the platform.
But then, the stadium fell silent. John's laughter broke through the hush, his voice rising as he slowly got to his feet.
"Nova," he called, still chuckling. "What a stupid name for a human."
Nova's eyes narrowed, her anger flaring. "What did you just say?" she demanded, her voice shaking with fury.
John's grin widened. "You heard me. Who names their kid after a dying star? You'll have to live up to that name too, you know."
In the observation room, the head of the fighters' guild turned to Marc, disbelief etched on his face. "Is he serious? Is he stupid or something?"
Marc sighed, shaking his head. "Honestly, I have no idea. I only met him two weeks ago, saw him walking across the Poisonous Field."
"The Poisonous Field?!" The head exclaimed, eyes wide. "How is that possible? No one survives that—it's instant death. Who the hell is that guy?"
Back on the arena floor, John began to advance toward Nova, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Use it… use your ability," he taunted, his voice sending chills down her spine.
"You're creepy," Nova muttered, extending her hand. She activated her ability, increasing the gravity around them twofold. Her power allowed her to manipulate gravity, altering it at will.
But John stood firm, unfazed. "What, me? Creepy? Come on."
Nova's eyes widened in shock. "How… how are you not affected?"
John chuckled, flexing his muscles. "You hit me harder earlier. This is nothing." He lowered himself into a fighting stance. "Here I come!"
He dashed toward her, his speed increasing with every step. But as he closed in, he noticed Nova's smirk.
"Did you really think that just because you can withstand double gravity, you can beat me?" Nova's voice dripped with mockery. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a shockwave that blasted John into the arena's barrier, the impact cracking the protective field.
Nova laughed, her voice cutting through the tense silence. "Anyone ranked A can handle double gravity. You're nothing special."
In the fighters' room, the other contestants shook their heads in unison, each of them sharing the same thought: *What an idiot.*
"LOOKS LIKE THE NO. 2 HERO WINS THE THIRD ROUND!!!" The announcer's voice boomed across the stadium, met with an explosion of cheers from the crowd. One man's voice rose above the rest—it was her father, shouting his pride for all to hear.
Nova turned to leave the platform, her victory assured, but a voice called out, stopping her in her tracks.
"Wait!" John shouted. "Where do you think you're going?"
Gasps rippled through the audience. How was he still standing after that crushing blow from Nova?
Nova spun around, a hint of annoyance in her voice. "Didn't you hear the announcer? I won."
John, however, looked more disappointed than defeated. "But I didn't even get to show Marc my strength," he muttered to himself. "I trained for two whole weeks… what a waste of time." With a sigh, he began to walk off the platform.
Nova's eyes narrowed as she scanned John's body, searching for any sign of injury. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw that he wasn't even scratched. *How is this possible?* she thought, her mind racing. *That attack could level a building, yet he's completely unscathed. Who is he? And why have I only heard of him now?* She watched him for a moment longer before she too made her way out of the arena, heading toward the fighters' room.
Inside, she spotted John deep in conversation with Marc, recounting their fight. She didn't care to listen and headed straight to her bench, sinking down with a thoughtful expression.
"I can't believe I got eliminated in my first fight," John grumbled, clearly annoyed. "What a waste of time."
Marc shot him a sympathetic look. "She's the No. 2 hero, John. Of course, you couldn't beat her."
The head of the fighters' guild nodded in agreement. "Marc's right. You were up against one of the best."
John huffed, crossing his arms. "Easy for you to say. All you had to do was defeat a robot."
The head glared at John, clearly offended. "Hey! I'm right here, you know!"
Marc chuckled. "It was still a tough fight, though."
"I'm outta here," John said abruptly, turning to leave. The entire room fell silent, all eyes on him as he made his way to the door.
"Wait, don't you want to watch the rest of the matches?" Marc asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
John paused at the door, glancing back with a smirk. "Don't worry, I'll be watching," he said before stepping outside.
The room remained quiet for a few seconds after he left, then slowly, conversations resumed, with everyone discussing their predictions for the next match.
Outside the stadium, John made his way toward the field where he had trained for the past two weeks in preparation for the fight. His pace slowed as boredom crept in, and eventually, he broke into a run, eager to reach his destination.
As he arrived at the field, his gaze was drawn to a colossal mountain in the distance. It towered above everything, easily ten to twenty times the size of the tallest peak on his Earth.
Without hesitation, John decided to climb it. *It'll look cool,* he thought, a grin spreading across his face. *Or maybe it'll be cold.* Either way, the challenge called to him, and he couldn't resist.