Learning To Rumble

[Fromikeable]

As the last of the Galactic Arena's crowds filled into their seats, the lights flashed, indicating that the night's events were beginning. Up until this point, the fights had been pure exhibition, the smaller arenas hosting teams, tournaments, and solo fights alike. Despite all being full-sized events with millions of credits in gambling on each, they all seemed small compared to the main stage, which was notably larger than any sports field and, at the moment, completely barren.

A holoplatform took flight through the expanse, a pink Zeltron man manning it with a retro mic in hand. A small camera hovered beside him as he flew, slowing his pace when he reached the center. Clearing his voice away from the equipment, his smooth tones filled the arena as he began to speak. "Welcome one and all to the Galactic Arena! Our main event tonight; the Teams of Terror series, sponsored by Utilitech!" The settling crowd responded with their first cheer. "The rules tonight are simple! Each team must have at least two people, but no more than ten! Beyond that, victory goes to the last team standing; no points, no best of's, and no technical eliminations!" The holoplatform zipped to one side of the center stage as the lights began to turn off.

"Our first team tonight! Hailing from the frigid world of Cadomai and the farthest ends of the Hydian Way, a trio of warriors as distinguished as they are infamous!" Lights at the end of the main stage turned on with dramatic, heavy switches, illuminating a large archway. The crowd began to cheer before the announcer could begin their next statement, causing the words to follow to boom over their cries.

"With a sublime record of twenty seven victories to only three defeats, with bounties out in forty seven star systems, and with the great pleasure of the Galactic Arena and its purveyors, put your hands together for the Wild Alliance!" The crowd's volume exploded as the trio exited from the archway, the three of them quite the site. A small Snivvian, a bulky Codru-Ji, and a notably tall Echani walked side by side, the Snivvian twirling a blaster pistol, the Codru-Ji cracking her twenty knuckles, the Echani checking a small carbine as they soaked in their fame. Walking out to the middle of the center stage, each waved, the Snivvian calm despite the Codru-Ji's boisterous reciprocations. The Echani gave the announcer a salute, the Zeltron returning it.

"Our second team tonight!" The lights disappeared, a trio of spotlights shining on an archway at the opposite end of the stage. The crowd's hollering swelled as a drumbeat began to broadcast over the arena's speakers, shaking the very seats the night's patrons sat in.

"Newly formed and composed purely of champions, including two of Prazhi itself! Individually skilled, tonight marks their first cooperative match! Please welcome out the-" Squinting at his holopad, the Zeltron only let himself pause for a second, powering through the name as he read it.

"-the Mighty Dragonbanes, Slayers Of Ancient Tyrants!"

Slapping his two teammates on the back, Genthus stepped out into his spotlight and held his fists aloft, laughing as the cheering crowd buzzed his eardrums. Unable to resist, he struck a pose, knees bent, arms flexing beneath black beskar'gam, visor looking up to the dome's roof. Soaking in the praise, he ushered his compatriots forward toward the center of the ring. Yelling over the noise, they could probably hear the giddiness in his voice as cameras flashed, the lights above the main stage fading on to welcome them and their opponents. "What do you think of the name?" Pointing up toward the VIP box, Genthus waved at the occupants inside, a spring in his step. "I spent most of the night thinking it up!"

[Rugs]

The lights flared. The crowd roared.

The arena, at first glance, absolutely lived up to its Galactic-scale billing. He was vaguely aware of the holo-platform, with the Zeltron MC whizzing about above the arena. It was, to be frank, a far cry from that small, cramped arena on Nar Shaddaa.

“...The Wild Alliance!”

Tsubasa’s gaze drifted to the team opposite his own. A Codru-Ji, an Echani and a Snivvian. He knew little more about their foes than what facts the announcer boasted to the crowd, but a four-armed foe’s threat was obvious, and he’d fought enough Echani to know the people’s reputation as top-notch warriors was well earned. But the third one...

What is that? His eyes narrowed slightly.

No sooner he could begin to wonder at the talents of their smallest opponent than their team name echoed across the arena.

“The... what?” Tsubasa looked at the tall Mandalorian incredulously. “I... think it could use some work.” He glanced at Ignasi, hoping the name seemed as ridiculous to her as it did him.

On the one hand, it shouldn’t have surprised him. He barely knew more of his teammates than he did their foes. Genthus had roped him into joining the Mighty Dragonbanes while he was checking out fighting slots in the arena’s office.

Tsu wasn’t one to turn down a challenge, and he rounded out the trio, at least, but maybe leaving Genthus to pick out the name hadn't been the best call.

“We’ll figure out later,” he said, resignation riding his words. “Now, we should focus on our foes.”

He drew his arena-provided weapon. It was a guandao — he was surprised the place carried something so near to his wan-shen. It wasn’t exactly the same--the length was a bit off and it lacked the counterweight that his own weapon had at its base end, but after spending the night getting adjusted to it, Tsubasa felt more than comfortable.


“Now!” the Zeltron boomed. The light changed suddenly, from cool electric blue to the harsh yellow of a midday sun. The arena floor rumbled as hidden machinery pulled the floor, save a small circle around each team, away. A sand-covered floor rose to replace it, with four columns--one standing, one laying its side-- rising from within on each side of the arena.

“For tonight’s match, our teams will duke it out in a fan-favorite setting!” Holographic projectors came to life and the arena’s modern interior faded, in favor of something more reminiscent of some ancient arena on a backwater planet.

“Will the newcomers overcome the odds, or will the Wild Alliance notch another victory?!”

Tsu looked at his feet as the circle of the original arena floor lowered. Sand small holes opened it, allowing sand to push up until it faded into the rest of the sandy floor.

“Interesting,” he said simply as he lifted one foot, then the next, to stand fully atop the floor. He wasn’t sure if the crowd filling the projected arena’s seats was the actual crowd or a part of the charade. It didn’t matter.

Well...” He opened himself to the Force, shutting out the distractions around him as the Zeltron droned on about the sands of Tatooine. “How do we want to tackle this?”