As Eleo approached the towering colosseum, his ears drooped at the sight of the massive line of people wrapping around the structure. "Ah man," he groaned, scratching his head in frustration.
Tony, who had been casually strolling behind him, took a puff of his cigarette and smirked. "Come on, kid. You've got a brain. Why don't you think of a way to get past all that?"
Eleo furrowed his brows in concentration, then perked up. "I've got it! I'll just hop high and wait for the perfect opportunity!"
Tony raised a brow, clearly amused. "Smart. Let's see how that works out for you."
With a grin, Eleo crouched low and sprang up, effortlessly leaping onto the side of the colosseum. He perched himself on the ledge, peeking inside as the crowd erupted in cheers. The arena was alive with energy: stomping feet, clapping hands, and booming voices echoed throughout the vast space.
Eleo's gaze shifted to the center of the colosseum, where the announcer stepped forward, microphone in hand. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" the announcer bellowed, his voice amplified to every corner of the arena. "GET READY TO WITNESS THE UNSTOPPABLE! THE UNDEFEATED! THE CHAMPION OF WYLL CITY—RYKER!"
The crowd went wild as a towering figure stepped into the arena. Ryker was a hulking man, his muscular frame adorned with battle scars that spoke of countless victories. His golden armor gleamed under the sunlight, and his massive warhammer rested on his shoulder like a feather.
"And today," the announcer continued, "Ryker will face not one, not two, but THREE challengers who dare to defy him! Introducing Grimblesquawk the Mighty!"
Eleo squinted as a tiny, bird-like figure waddled into the arena, his overly elaborate robes trailing behind him comically. His crooked crown tilted precariously, and his staff looked like it was held together by duct tape.
"Next up, Captain Gigglegrim!"
A lanky man with wild, curly hair swaggered into the arena, his oversized pirate coat flapping dramatically in the wind. His mechanical jaw clicked and clattered as he grinned, and his hook hand, oddly enough, held a bucket of popcorn.
"And finally, Bobe!"
Eleo's eyes narrowed at the sight of the third challenger—a muscular man with a cocky grin, a battle axe slung over his shoulder. "Bobe?" Eleo muttered, his fists clenching. "That's the same jerk who tried to destroy Abby's mom's house. I hope he gets what's coming to him."
Down in the arena, the tension between the challengers was already brewing. Bobe crossed his arms, barking orders at the others. "Alright, you two. As the leader, I think it's only fair that you go in first and soften him up for me."
Gigglegrim's mechanical jaw let out a loud, echoing laugh as he grabbed Bobe by the collar. "Leader? You? Don't make me laugh—oh wait, too late!" His jaw rattled uncontrollably as he cackled. "I'M the leader, you buffoon!"
Grimblesquawk stomped his tiny clawed foot, pointing his staff at both of them. "Fools! Bow before your true leader, Grimblesquawk the Mighty! The throne of chaos is mine!"
The trio descended into a chaotic argument, shouting over one another as the crowd watched in amused confusion.
Up on the ledge, Eleo shook his head. "What a bunch of clowns," he muttered, though he couldn't help but grin. "This is gonna be fun to watch."
Grimblesquawk stomped his small foot again, his overly large robes billowing dramatically in the wind. "As KING, I declare that you two peasants shall fight on my behalf! I'll stand here, directing the glory of our victory!"
Bobe turned to him with a deadpan glare, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. "Shut up, birdbrain. That crown isn't even real. You probably found it in a cereal box."
Grimblesquawk gasped, clutching his chest as if Bobe's words had physically wounded him. "How dare you insult the sacred Crown of Chaos! This was forged in the fiery depths of Mount Squawkalor—"
"Mount Squawkalor doesn't exist!" Bobe interrupted, throwing his hands up in frustration. "You just make up names and expect everyone to believe you!"
"Do not speak to your king that way!" Grimblesquawk snapped, pointing his flimsy staff at Bobe. "One more insult and I shall unleash my ultimate chaos spell upon you!"
Captain Gigglegrim, who had been munching on popcorn from his hook hand, finally stepped forward. "Both of you shut it!" he barked, adjusting his oversized pirate coat with dramatic flair. "The real leader here is me! Captain Gigglegrim, master of the seven seas and undisputed genius tactician!"
Grimblesquawk squawked in outrage, flapping his tiny arms. "Tactician?! The only strategy you have is blowing things up and hoping for the best!"
Gigglegrim's mechanical jaw let out an uncontrollable laugh as he leaned down, getting right in Grimblesquawk's face. "Blowing things up works just fine, thank you very much! At least I don't rely on imaginary magic from an imaginary mountain!"
Bobe rolled his eyes, stepping between them. "You two are idiots. If anyone here is leader material, it's me. I've got the brains, the brawn, and the battle experience. You're just a joke and a walking feather duster."
Gigglegrim smirked, his jaw rattling ominously. "Oh yeah? Then why don't you prove it, big guy? Let's see what those 'brains' can do when you're actually in a fight!"
Grimblesquawk puffed up his tiny chest, raising his staff like it was a weapon. "You dare challenge my divine authority? Prepare to face the wrath of—"
"ENOUGH!"
The booming voice of Ryker echoed through the colosseum, silencing the trio instantly. The champion stepped forward, his massive warhammer slamming into the ground with a deafening clang. His golden armor gleamed in the sunlight, and his piercing gaze swept over the challengers.
"You fools are embarrassing yourselves," Ryker growled. "Bickering like children when you should be preparing to face me. Pathetic."
Grimblesquawk pointed a trembling claw at Bobe. "It's his fault!"
Bobe jabbed a thumb toward Gigglegrim. "No, it's his! He started it!"
Gigglegrim threw up his hands, popcorn spilling from his hook. "Don't drag me into this!"
Ryker sighed, his patience clearly at its limit. He hoisted his warhammer onto his shoulder, the weight of it causing the ground to tremble. "Fine. If you're all so eager to prove yourselves, I'll take you all on at once. Let's see if the three of you together can put up a decent fight."
The crowd erupted in cheers as Ryker pointed his warhammer at the trio, his voice rumbling like thunder. "Come at me with everything you've got, or don't bother stepping into my arena!"
Grimblesquawk gulped, his confidence wavering. "W-Well, as king, I suppose I could… consider… joining the fight."
Bobe smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Finally. Let's do this."
Gigglegrim laughed, spinning his hook hand like it was a weapon. "Time to show the world what Captain Gigglegrim is made of!"
As the three challengers reluctantly turned to face Ryker, Eleo watched from his perch on the colosseum wall, his eyes wide with excitement. "Oh man," he whispered. "This is gonna be good."
As the crowd roared in anticipation, Bobe sprinted ahead of the group, his fists clenched and his battle cry echoing through the arena. "HERE I COME!" he shouted, his voice full of determination as he closed the gap between himself and Ryker.
But just as he was about to throw a punch, his confidence wavered. Ryker's imposing figure loomed larger than life, his warhammer crackling with raw energy. Bobe skidded to a halt, his face twisting into panic. "Nope!" he yelped, spinning around and bolting in the opposite direction.
"Get back here, you coward!" Gigglegrim barked, lunging forward and grabbing Bobe by the collar. "We're in this together, remember?!"
"Let me go, you fool!" Bobe shouted, flailing as Gigglegrim dragged him along. "This is suicide!"
"You can't just run away! We've got to at least try to beat him!" Gigglegrim retorted, his mechanical jaw letting out a laugh that almost sounded manic.
As the duo reached Ryker, their chaotic teamwork quickly fell apart. Ryker didn't even flinch as Gigglegrim launched himself forward, swinging his hook hand wildly. With a single, effortless motion, Ryker batted him away with the flat of his warhammer, sending him crashing into the arena wall.
"Ugh… dramatic entrances… overrated…" Gigglegrim groaned, slumping to the ground.
Bobe, seeing his companion's fate, froze mid-step. "I-I'm good right here," he stammered, backing away slowly. But Ryker wasn't having it. With a flick of his wrist, he slammed the warhammer into the ground, sending a shockwave that knocked Bobe off his feet and left him sprawled next to Gigglegrim.
From a distance, Grimblesquawk watched the carnage unfold, his tiny legs trembling beneath him. "Well… that's unfortunate," he muttered, clutching his staff nervously.
The crowd turned their attention to him, murmuring expectantly. Grimblesquawk's eyes darted around, and a sly grin crept across his face. "Ah, of course! A brilliant strategy!" he declared, raising his staff high.
Without hesitation, he bonked himself on the head with the orb at the top of his staff and dramatically fell to the ground, sprawling out as if unconscious. "Oh no," he mumbled weakly. "I have… been defeated…"
Ryker raised an unimpressed eyebrow, lowering his warhammer. "Pathetic," he muttered, shaking his head as the crowd erupted into laughter.
From his perch above, Eleo doubled over, laughing so hard he nearly fell off the wall. "This is the funniest fight I've ever seen!" he wheezed, clutching his sides. "I gotta meet this Ryker guy after this!"