A/N: 15,500+ WORDS. MY. FUCKING. GOD. Making it a Finale just because of that.
A/N Update (12/24/2023): I forgot to take some bold text out, so I did it now. I also added a description for Leo and his office at the end of the chapter. I recommend giving that section a reread if you'd like. Sorry for the confusion. <3
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Asher: (Muttering) Hmmm...
[Asher mutters to himself as he peeks out from the locker room and into the main center of the arena. He can't see much from where he's standing, but what he can see isn't the most reassuring. The arena is in a worse state than it was the last time he checked. There's concrete rubble, bent rebar from the concrete, and a few of the bleachers from around the ring are strewn across the entire arena. It was a mess before, but now it's a complete wreck. A few of the intruders are walking around searching the bleachers, with a few others looking around the rubble for anything. Most likely searching for any King Henchmen. There are about two dozen of them in total. A few Kingsmen Henchmen who don't appear to be breathing are lying up top near the exit and entrances of the center arena. Asher can't tell what exactly happened to them, but he's confident they won't be getting back up. He can't see precisely what became of the bar that has a hole in the wall from earlier since it's above him, but he can guess nothing changed or it's gotten worse. Overall, the situation does not look good in the slightest. Asher takes a puff from his cigarette and blows out the smoke as he continues to analyze the situation.]
Croc: So...
[Asher hears Croc speak incredibly close to him. He can see Croc's snout above him out of the top of his eyes. He seems to be looking around the arena like Asher.]
Croc: (Snarky) Got a plan, little man?
[Asher looks back at the arena and the disaster he's caught in. He then holds up his left hand and one finger.]
Asher: First off, this little man sent you to the ground not too long ago.
[Croc glares down at Asher as he holds up a second finger.]
Asher: Second, give me a minute. I'm trying to save our asses...
Crco: And how exactly do you intend on doing that?
[Asher lowers his fingers and returns his hand to the doorway.]
Asher: Ohhhhh– I don't know...
[He looks around the arena, spotting more intruders entering through double doors above the opposite locker room. His eyes stop on the Commentator's booth to their right.]
Asher: I'll figure something out...
*Step* *Step* *Step* *Step*
[The two hear some footsteps behind them. They turn around and see the Cyclops Arena-Keeper, arms crossed, walking towards them with Bradley following behind.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: So? How does it look out there?
[They stop walking when they get close enough to Asher and Croc. The two can slightly peek out of the doorway and into the arena. Really, all they can see is a little portion of the center ring.]
Asher: Besides what one of your men said earlier, nothing's really changed.
[Asher turns back around towards the arena and blows some smoke out of the corner of his mouth.]
Asher: We're cornered in the locker room and outnumbered by a uhh– A fair amount.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Great...
Bradley: Got any other good news for us?
Asher: Yes, actually.
[He looks over his shoulder back towards Bradley, the Cyclops Arena-Keeper, and Croc, who seems to have left Asher and joined the two of them.]
Asher: And I don't mean the, "Haha, Asher is being sarcastic" good news.–
[He looks back into the arena and up towards the ceiling.]
Asher: I mean, I legitimately have good news.
[The three don't fully show it, but they are slightly surprised by Asher's seemingly serious response. Croc, less than the other two.]
Bradley & Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Really?
Bradley: Then, what is the good news?
[Asher doesn't respond. Instead, he continues to stare up toward the ceiling of the arena. He notices that there seems to be some damage done to the rooftop, most likely from the explosions during the raid. But that's not what's grabbing his interest. For some reason, his gaze is glued to the numerous large ceiling lights, which light up the arena during fights. As of now, all of them are on and illuminating the arena and center ring.]
Asher: Well...
[He stops looking up at the ceiling and turns around towards the three demons behind him.]
Asher: Hey, one–eye.
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper glares at Asher.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Don't call me that.
Asher: How do the lights work in here?
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well...
[He shrugs.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Shrugs* Electricity runs through wires, and once the electricity gets to this thing called a lightbulb, it turns on, resulting in them getting bright and illuminating the building.
[He raises his eyebrow questionably.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Do they work differently where you come from?
[Asher stares blankly at the Cyclops Arena-Keeper.]
Asher: I...
[Asher slightly shakes his head disapprovingly.]
Asher: No... How do you turn them on and off?
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: A switch.
[Asher nods with an eager smile.]
Asher: Ok! Now we're getting somewhere! Where is the switch that does that?
Bradley: If you're specifically referring to the switch that controls the lights in the center of the arena and the ring,–
[The three look over at Bradley since he spoke up.]
Bradley: It's on the wall up in the commentator's booth, on the right side beside the desk.
Asher: Is it now?
Bradley: Yes, it is. And I would know, too, since I'm usually up there with my brother whenever I'm working here. We control the lights for all the fights to make things look flashy. Ya know, putting on a show and all...
Asher: Showbiz, right, I get it. So the switch that controls the lights that keep the entire center arena lit–
[Asher slightly pushes the door that leads into the center arena open a bit more than it previously was. He then points upwards toward the commentator's booth, which is now visible to all four of them.]
Asher: Is up there?
Bradley: Yeah, why?
[Asher lowers his arm and smirks.]
Asher: Then I think I have a plan.
Croc: (Skepticaly) Really now?
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Care to share it?
Asher: Sure thing.
[Asher turns around, crosses his arms, and looks up at the commentator's booth with a smile.]
Asher: I'm gonna go up to the commentator's booth, turn the lights off, and plunge this entire place into beddy–bye time.
[...]
[The three blankly stare at Asher. They all blink once in unison before Bradley speaks up.]
Bradley: Yeah, I figured that would be your plan when you asked about the lights... And as much as a (Sarcastically) *great plan* that is–
Asher: Give me a break! I'm exhausted!
[Asher taps his cigarette, knocking some ash off of it.]
Bradley: –Even if you do manage to get past every single asshole patrolling the arena and kill the lights, we'll be in the dark as well, making us as blind as them. Making clearing this place out pretty much impossible...
Croc: Actually,–
[Croc interrupts, gaining everyone's attention.]
Croc: –I have night vision. I can see fine in the dark.
[Croc raises up his left-handed bladed gauntlet near his neck.]
Croc: And kill just as well, too.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Same here.
[Bradley turns and looks at the Cyclops interested.]
Bradley: Really? You have night vision, too?
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well– No. But when I was alive, I used to be an incredibly proficient hunter. So I'm used to looking around and hunting in the dark.
Asher: Then the plan is set!
[The three of them look back at Asher.]
Asher: I'll turn the lights off, and you two make corpses out of our unwelcomed guests!
[Asher looks at Bradley.]
Asher: Brad, you can just... Uh... Wait and be negative, I guess.
Bradley: Eat shit.
[The Cyclops nudges Bradley and gestures back towards the locker room.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Why don't you head back and see which of my men can still shoot and/or be partly conscious. Grab anyone who qualifies, then get them armed and stand them ready at the doorway into the arena.
[The Cyclops looks at Asher.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: After Burns kills the lights, Leatherhead and I will start clearing out the sides of the arena near the bleachers and exits. While we're doing that, I want you to bust open the doors with my men and open fire into the center ring.
Asher: Good idea! They'll be in such a panic trying to find you two in the dark and wondering what the hell is going on; they won't expect an ambush.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Odin, grant it, yes. But if we want to get the jump on them, we need to stop talking and get to killing. It's only a matter of time before someone decides that searching the locker rooms is a reasonable idea.
Bradley: Considering how long we've been in here, I really have to wonder why they haven't checked already. They've had to have searched the rest of the place for us by now. Why not here?
Asher: I saw a few of them stumbling around earlier when they first barged in here. And by stumbling, I mean they were actually stumbling around like they were drunk. Which, judging by the bottles I saw some of them holding, were and still are.
Croc: Raid an underground arena while drunk? What kind of stupid gang does that?
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Uhh– Let's see...
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper raises his hands and starts counting on his fingers.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: One, two, four... Ehhh–
[He lowers his hands.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: About seven. That is, if we're only counting the gangs on the city's western side.
Bradley: Wow. That's... Not interesting in the slightest...
Asher: Well, I thought it was interesting.
Asher's Conscience: (Thinking) Asher. You're lying to be likable again.
Bradley: But what I do find interesting is how exactly you–
[Bradley looks directly at Asher as he takes his cigarette out of his mouth.]
Bradley: Intend on getting up there into the commentator's booth.
Asher: (Enthusiastically) *Snaps Fingers* Good question!
[Asher puts his cigarette back into his mouth, puts both hands on his hips, and spins around towards the arena.]
Asher: (Enthusiastically) I have no idea!
Bradley: Of course you don't...
Croc: (Quietly) Hmmm...
[Croc looks down at Bradley and the Cyclops. He then looks back at Asher, who has his back turned to them while looking up at the commentator's booth. Croc then joins him in looking at the commentator's booth as well. He glares at it silently for a few seconds. Then, he smirks.]
Croc: I think I might have a way...
[He looks down at Asher, still smirking.]
Croc: To get you up to the booth, I mean.
[Asher looks over his shoulder towards Croc, interested.]
Asher: Really? What is it?
[Bradley and the Cyclops do the same. Croc's smirk gets a tiny bit more prominent as he shows off some teeth.]
Croc: Easy. I'll show you.
*SMASH*
*THUD*
Asher: (In Pain) Awwhhh...
[To briefly describe what just happened, Asher just crashed head-first into the large window of the commentator's booth, shattering it and falling on the floor of the room. After hitting the floor with a thud, he lies there motionless, in a bit of pain, on top of the carpeted floor of broken glass shards. The cigarette he had in his mouth is lying next to him on the floor, a bit crooked and bent up.]
Asher: *Cough* *Cough* Well, he did show me... Ow...
[Asher puts both hands on the ground beside him, trying his best to avoid the glass shards. He pushes himself up and onto his knees, revealing his annoyed expression. His face has a few cuts on it, some of which are bleeding slightly.]
Asher: (Annoyed) Threw me like a fucking baseball...
[He brushes some pieces of glass off of him and glances around the commentator's booth from his kneeling position.]
Asher: Alright... Let's see what we got here...
[The booth doesn't have much inside it. The side of the room with the large window that Asher got thrown through is mainly occupied by the desk Bradley and Bentley sit at while commentating on the arena fight. There are two chairs with wheels resting in front of the desk and two microphones on the desk itself. There's also a bunch of papers all across the desk. The papers are scattered about on the right side of the desk, while they're neatly piled up on the left side. On the opposite side of the room are two lockers, a metal cabinet, and a closed door near the right wall. From where he entered through the window, the right side of the room has a table with some papers on it and a metal filing cabinet next to it.]
Asher: Ok...
[Asher begins to turn around, looking for his objective.]
Asher: But where's the–
[He immediately stops speaking when he notices his goal behind him on the left side of the room. There are two large lever switches on the center of the wall, along with a few newspapers taped up against it and some posters seemingly advertising events for Leo's arenas. Some of the other posters seem to be promoting some sort of business, like a mercenary group or just for some people looking for work.]
Asher: Yeahhhhhhhhh. That's it.
??? 1: (Yelling & Distant) Hey! What the hell was that?
[Asher hears someone yelling a bit away, which immediately surprises him and gets his attention. He looks towards the window he was just thrown through, where the yelling seems to be coming from.]
??? 2: (Distant) I uhhh... I think someone broke something?
??? 3: (Distant) Was that our last bottle? Why'd you go and do that?!
??? 1: (Distant) No! The fucking– The thing broke!
??? 2: (Distant) The bottle?
??? 1: (Distant) NO! That window broke!
??? 2: (Distant) A window? Aren't we underground?
??? 1: (Distant) There's a window! Up there! That one!
??? 3: (Distant) Oh. I guess someone should, uhhh– Go check that out, right?
??? 1: (Distant) Yeah! Someone should!
[...]
[Followed by that last sentence is nothing but utter silence from the arena. Asher stares unimpressed at the window briefly before blinking a few times.]
Asher: If these guys were any more competent, we'd be dead by now...
[Asher stands up from kneeling, careful not to step on any glass. He then walks over to the wall where the switches are located, watching his step for any broken glass. He approaches the wall and looks at the switch. Or... Switches since there are two of them. One to his left and another to his right, both close to each other.]
Asher: There's two of them? Uh...
[He analyzes the two switches.]
Asher: Which one controls the lights...? Or... Do they both control the lights?
[He then notices some writing on two pieces of paper, one taped directly above each switch. The one to his left says, "Ring Main Lights" while the one to his right just says, "Don't" above it. After reading the notes, Asher silently eyes the switch to his right.]
Asher's Conscious: You should pull it.
Asher: (Thinking) Nooooooooooooo.
Asher's Conscious: I'd be *funny*.
Asher: (Thinking) Maybe next time when my tail isn't on the line.
[Asher grabs onto the lever to his left and begins to pull it downwards. But when he gets halfway, he suddenly stops. He then looks over to his left towards the commentator's desk, which has broken glass and the previously mentioned papers all over it. His eyes land on the microphone on the right side of the desk. He stares at it for a few seconds before smiling.]
Asher: *Quietly Chuckles* Hehe...
Meanwhile, Back at The Locker Room...
[Bradley, Croc, and the Cyclops Arena-Keeper stand near the closed double doors that lead into the center arena and ring. Croc and the Cyclops Arena-Keeper both appear to be ready to fight. Croc has both of his bladed gauntlets on his arms and seems to be checking them for any damage and/or wear. On the other hand, the Cyclops rests his arms on the large handle of a sizeable double-sided axe, which rests on his shoulders and behind his neck. The axe is about three feet long and has a thick strand of leather wrapped around the handle. The wooden handle looks to be carved at the end in the shape of some kind of lizard with sharp teeth. The head of the axe has a few different engravings on them. On both of the axe heads are the engravings of a tree whose roots grow from the neck of the head and branch out towards the blade, growing into a large tree with small leaves. In the very center of the axe is an engraving of the runes Algiz, Dagaz, Týr, and Ýr from top to bottom. The weapon looks like it has been kept in good condition and appears to have been sharpened recently. Besides the axe on his shoulders, he seems to have rolled his sleeves up to his elbows and removed his white gloves, revealing a tattoo and some bracelet on his left arm. The black ink tattoo is of a snake that appears to coil down from his rolled-up shirt to the wrist of his right hand. The head of the lizard rests on the back of his left hand, staring closely ahead. On his left wrist is the previously mentioned bracelet that consists of a metal coin with a few strands of leather wrapped around his wrist. There is a symbol on the face of the coin consisting of a circle with eight branches or spokes emanating from it, each ending in a distinctive hook or arrowhead shape. Bradley, unlike the other two, does not look ready to fight in the slightest. He seems rather impatient as he leans against the wall, his arms crossed, tapping his finger.]
Bradley: I think you might have killed him when you threw him leatherhead...
[There are about five King Henchman huddled up near the exit as well, holding firearms. Mostly rifles with a tommy gun here and there.]
Croc: I've punched him harder before. He's fine.
[The Cyclops walks over to the double doors that lead into the arena. He takes his left arm off his axe and places his left hand on the right door.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: If he's dead, well... We're gonna need a new plan. Preferably a more thought-out plan...
[He pushes them partly open and peeks into the arena. The sight is almost the same as before. A fair portion of the intruders who were searching the sides of the arena and ring are now slightly huddled up. They seem to be conversing in the center of the ring while glancing around the arena every once and a while. Besides them, there are still a few Intruders patrolling the bleachers outside on the side of the arena. They all seem to be looking up toward the commentator's booth every few seconds, and it's now broken window. Besides staring at it, they don't really seem to be doing anything.]
Bradley: If the lights stay on, then it's safe to say ya killed him, Croc.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: And if they turn off?
Bradley: Well, duh. If they turn off, then he's–
*Loud Speakers Feedback Ringing*
[Suddenly, the speakers in the arena turn on and begin to ring violently through the building. All the intruders in the arena, along with Bradley, Croc, and the King Henchmen in the locker room, close their eyes and cover their ears in an attempt to block out the loud noise. Croc is careful when he covers his because of his gauntlets. The Cyclops Arena-Keeper simply squints his eye and manages to tough out the ringing. A second later, it stops and the group takes their hands off their ears and opens their eyes.]
Croc: (In Slight Pain) What the hell was that?
Bradley: (In Slight Pain) It sounds like someone is fucking around with the speakers in the arena!
???: (Through Speakers) HEY FUCKERS!!!
[Someone yells through the now turned-on speakers. The voice sounds very familiar to the occupants of the locker room. Bradley and Croc walk up to the locker room doorway where the Cyclops is and join him in peeking through it into the arena. They see all the intruders are still recovering from the loud ringing noise they just heard. The ones in the center of the ring begin to look around the arena and talk to themselves after recovering.]
Intruder 1: (In Slight Pain) Aggghhh! What the hell was that noise?!
Intruder 2: (In Slight Pain) It kind of sounds like speakers ringing, or some druggie screaming his lungs out!
Intruder 3: (In Slight Pain) It kind of sounds like both!
Intruder 4: (In Slight Pain & Yelling) Hey!
[The fourth one yells out, gaining the attention of the other three and the rest of the intruders in the center of the ring. He points upwards towards the commenter's booth.]
Intruder 4: (Yelling) It's coming from up there!
[The other Intruders near him in the center of the ring look up toward where he's pointing. As they all face towards the commenter's booth above, they see what's causing the noise.]
Bradley: (Annoyed) Of course, he can't just do it quietly. He needs to let the entire building know he's up there.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Aligns with how much I know about him...
[It's Asher. Who else? He seems to be presenting himself to the group below him, similarly to how Bradley does when commenting on the fights. He's leaning forward towards the broken window with his left shoe up on the table. He's also holding the microphone in his left hand and the "Ring Main Lights" lever switch in his right. Besides that, his gas mask is on his face, covering up an eager, sharp-toothed smile.]
Asher: (Through Speakers) IT'S SHOWTIME!!!
*CLANG!*
*POWER DOWN SOUND*
[As soon as Asher pulls the lever down with a heavy clang, all the lights in the center arena turn off simultaneously, quickly covering it in a sheet of darkness. The bleachers of the arena, the sides of the arena, and even the entire ring are pitch black. No one in the ring or around the arena's bleachers can see anything. Unfortunately, the lever didn't turn all of the lights off. It turned off all the lights in the arena like they were expected to do, but it left some lights not in the arena on. The only lights that stayed on were the ones up in the commentator's booth. Ya know. Where Asher is currently standing like an idiot after he thought it would turn all of the lights off. No. Why would it? Anyways, he stands there like a dumbass for a few seconds expecting the lights in the commentator's booth to turn off. They don't.]
Asher: Uhhhh... I uhhh– I was kinda expecting that to turn the lights off in here as well...
[He looks around the booth, expecting something to happen. Nope.]
Asher: Guess not. *Awkward Chuckle* Heh-heh–heh...
Intruder 1: (Yelling) Shoot him!
[Every single one of the intruders in the center of the ring, and the ones lurking outside of it on the sides of the arena, point their guns at him.]
Asher: ♫OH BOY!♫
*An Unhealthy Amount of Gunfire*
[Not even a second later, all of the Intruders aiming at Asher open fire at him. Asher immediately jumps back off the commentator's desk and onto the booth floor. The bullets fired by the intruders fly in and tear apart the wooden front of the booth and remainders of the glass window. They breach into the booth and begin to damage the desk, some of the scattered papers on it, and both of the chairs sat next to them. Splinters, wooden chips, a few glass fragments, and sheets of paper fly into the commentator's booth and carpet the floor. Asher lies on the booth floor with his hands on the back of his head and a smile on his face, his gas mask protecting him from any previously mentioned debris.]
Asher: (Thinking) *Chuckles* There, now they have something to shoot at.
[He takes his hands off the back of his head and places them on the floor beside him. He then looks over his left shoulder toward the broken window where the bullets are coming from.]
Asher: (Thinking) Give 'em hell, you guys!
[Bradley, Croc, and the Cyclops all watch as the intruders light up the illuminated area where Asher is. They don't seem very impressed. Bradley, on the other hand, looks a bit aggravated.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Yeeaaahhhhh– I'm not paying for those repairs. Leatherhead?
Croc: No.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Thought so. I'll just doc it from Burn's pay.
Bradley: (Yelling) Hey! Watch where you're shooting!
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper looks over at Bradley. Croc stays focused on the intruders shooting at Asher.]
Bradley: (Yelling) Some of my paperwork is up there!
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well... At least he's giving them something to shoot at.
Croc: *Agreeing Grunt* Hmm...
[Bradley eyes both the Cyclops and Croc.]
Bradley: (Yelling) Don't just stand there! Get in there!–
[Bradley then kicks the Cyclops on the back, forcing him out of the locker room and into the arena.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: OMPH!
Bradley: And kill them before they shoot all my crap!
[He also grabs Croc's right shoulder and gives him a firm shove into the arena, right behind the Cyclops. Somehow, the shove moves the large lizard demon.]
Croc: Hey!
[The two are pushed into the darkened arena unharmed. They both turn back and look over their shoulders back at Bradley, a bit annoyed.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Alright then...
Croc: (Quietly) Asshole...
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper looks up at Croc, who is standing to his left.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Ready?
[Croc nods.]
Croc: *Agreeing Grunt* Mmm...
[He then puts both the blades of his bladed gauntlets together and places them against each other.]
*Scratchhhhh!!!*
[He pushes the right gauntlet blades against the left blades and pulls them downwards, scratching the blades, creating a loud noise and some sparks.]
Croc: I've been needing to let off some steam...
[The Cyclops shrugs before readying his axe and running off to his right while Croc runs off to his left. The two leap out of the lowest part of the arena and up on the bottom set of bleachers. Because of their ability to see in the dark, they both Immediately spot targets in the pitch-black arena. There are two in front of Croc and three in front of the Cyclops. Two of the Cyclops's targets are about twelve feet away from each other, while the third one is a bit away. All of their targets are facing away from them, shooting at or looking at the commentator's booth where Asher is. The Cyclops whistles.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Whistles!* HEY!
[The three Intruders in front of him hear the whistle and stop what they're doing. They turn to where they heard the whistle originate from but can't see anything in the dark.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: PISS OFF, WE'RE CLOSED!
[He runs towards the Intruder closest to him with his double-sided axe raised up to his right, ready to swing. As soon as he gets close to the Intruder, he swings the axe downward straight into the upper left part of the Intruder's collarbone and deep into his chest, spilling his blood all over the Cyclops' vest. The force of the swing causes the Intruder to lose his balance and send him to the ground with the axe still embedded in him. The Cyclops looks at the other Second Intruder, who's close to his right and still disoriented by the lack of light. The Cyclops reaches into his vest with his right hand and takes out a tomahawk axe. He brings the tomahawk back behind his head, then swiftly swings his arm forward, throwing the tomahawk at the Second Intruder. The tomahawk spins through the air as the Cyclops places his boot on the First Intruder and rips the double-sided axe out of him. The thrown axe collides with the Second Intruder's head and sends him to the ground with a thud as the Cyclops dashes towards the Third Intruder with his double-sided axe in hand. The last Intruder, hearing the commotion beside him, aims his tommy gun in that general direction and opens fire. Bullets recklessly fly out of the barrel and towards the Cyclops. The first few bullets miss him completely, and the next ones just barely graze his head. The ones that are fired at him next seem dead set on hitting him in the eye. The Cyclops, not having much choice, lowers his head, avoiding the bullets altogether as they graze his hair, all while keeping his eye on his target. As soon as it passes by him, he raises his head back up and eyes the Intruder. He then moves his axe to his right side with both hands on the handle before swinging forward with all his might. The swing slices through the air with a violent *woosh* before colliding with its target. The force and power of the swing allows the axe to cut through and cleave the Intruder with ease. The top half & lower half of the Intruder, along with the tommy gun, hit the ground one after another as blood splatters all over the surrounding area and over the Cyclops. He then stands up straight and plants the knob (the bottom of the handle) onto the concrete ground of the bleachers. He looks down at the demon he just cleaved in two.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Grubling) Ehhh...
[He grumbles before looking at the head of his double-sided axe. He brushes some blood off the edge of the head, revealing its sharp blade.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Maybe I should get this thing shined... Nah. Too flashy...
[Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Croc makes his move and hauls it towards the two intruders in front of him. Like the three the Cyclops attacked, the Intruders can't see a thing in front of them. But they can certainly hear the thousand-plus pound crocodile demon running straight towards them with murderous intent and face in his direction. As Croc approaches the first Intruder closest to him, he brings his left arm down beside him and reels it back. He then takes a heavy step forward and thrusts his left fist forward towards the First Intruder. All three of the blades connected to the gauntlet he's wearing on his arm pierce directly into and through the Intruter's chest. The Intruder drops his firearm as he collides with Croc's fist, as about half of the blades penetrate and come out of the back of his body. Blood covers Croc's left arm as the Intruder is killed on the spot. While still unable to see, the Second Intruder attempts to retaliate and blindly shoots into the darkness in Croc's direction. The bullets somehow consistently miss their large target and eventually stop after hitting concrete. In response to the attack, Croc grabs the body of the first Intruder with his right hand, which is still impaled on the three blades attached to his left gauntlet, and yanks him off of it. He then violently throws the body at the second intruder like a ragdoll. The corpse bashes into the Intruder and sends them both to the floor with a thud.]
*Thud!*
Intruder 2: GAH! The hell?!
[The Second Intruder quickly pushes the body off of him and begins to get back up on his feet. Unfortunately, the first sight he's met with upon looking up is the shadowy figure of Croc stomping on the floor, running towards the Intruder as fast as his overgrown lizard legs can take him.]
Intruder 2: OH CRA–
[Before the Intruder can finish his sentence, Croc grabs onto his face with his right hand and slams him down onto the concrete floor. The impact of the violent smash cracks the back of the intruder's skull and part of the concrete floor. After slamming the Intruder's head into the floor, Croc lets go of it and stands up. The Intruder he just slammed into the ground doesn't look very lively.]
Croc: Not something I thought I would be doing after a workout...
[Croc then looks to his right towards the center of the arena. He can see the group of Intruders in the center of the ring still shooting at Asher up in the commentator's booth. Croc lets out a tired yet angry grunt.]
Croc: (Tired & Angry Grunt) And it's all just making me–
*Distinctly Different BANG!*
[Suddenly, a loud bang comes from behind Croc. It sounded like a gunshot. Spoiler Alert! It was a gunshot. From another unnoticed Intruder with a shotgun who was aiming at, and shot at Croc. The pellets from the shotgun blast all hit Croc right on his thick, scally back. But they all bounce off on impact and scatter onto the floor. It didn't seem to damage Croc, but it definitely startled him. He turns around and looks at the Intruder that just shot him.]
Intruder 3: DAMMIT! What the hell are you made of!?
Croc: Pissed.
Intruder 3: What? That's not something you can be made of–
[Croc takes a step forward and grabs onto a bench with both of his hands with an enraged expression on his face. Aggravated eyes, snarling, sharp teeth and all.]
*Cracking*
[Croc begins to pull on the bench and rips it out of the concrete floor. He then raises it up over his head with both hands. The Third Intruder slouches over a bit and drops his head a bit.]
Intruder 3: Dammit.
*Metal Pipe Falling Sfx*
[Croc throws the bench at the Inturter, violently nailing him right on the head with it. The force of the bench sends the Intruder straight into the concrete ground and into another set of benches behind him. The result is blood, some broken bones, and you guessed it! Death. He's undoubtedly dead with a case of smashed head and fractured skull. As Croc finishes dealing with his targets, there is some action down at the ring near the double doors leading into the locker room Bradley is still in.]
*Slam!*
[The double doors violently slam open, revealing something rather unexpected. Most of the King Henchmen inside, including some of the injured ones, are standing or kneeling at the doors with their firearms aimed at the center of the ring. Exactly where the group of intruders shooting at Asher are. Surprisingly enough, Bradley is standing behind the group, looking rather infuriated at the Intruders.]
Bradley: (Aggravated) Shoot them! SHOOT THEM NOW!!!
*More Unecessarly Shooting*
[The entire group of King Henchmen unloads their weapons onto the unsuspecting Intruders still occupied with Asher. The bullets rip through the group with ease, tearing up their already ragged clothing and sending blood everywhere. As they unload on the Intruders, the Cyclops Arena-Keeper searches around the darkened arena for his next target. Fortunately, he spotted one. Unfortunately, he's holding something that could spell trouble for them. In his right hand is a glass bottle filled with some liquid and a cloth rag stuffed into it with some of it sticking out. In short, a molotov cocktail accompanied with a lighter in the other hand. He's looking up towards the commentator's booth, seemingly preparing to throw the molotov up there. Not seeing anyone else to target or a more significant threat, the Cyclops diverts his attention to the Intruder with the molotov.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Hey!
Intruder 4: Who?
[The Intruder looks to his left towards the sound of the voice. In the darkness and the light of his lighter, he's barely able to make out the silhouette of a pissed-off Cyclops Arena-Keeper running straight toward him.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT!!!
[He raises his double-sided axe above his head with both hands.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: DROP IT!
[He then swings the axe forward and throws it at the Intruder. The axe flies through the air towards the Intruder and collides with its target. But the target wasn't the Intruder himself; it was the arm holding up the lit molotov. The blade cleaves through the intruder's arm near his elbow and cuts it right off.]
Intruder 4: (In Severe Pain) GAH! FUCK!
[The arm falls to the ground along with the molotov he was holding in said arm. Both objects hit the floor, one with a thud and the other with a clink. Thankfully, the molotov doesn't break on impact. But the axe doesn't stop there. After cutting through the Intruders arm, it continues flying in the air. A second later, the axe collides with the concrete wall of the underground arena.]
*SLAM!*
[The axe slams into the hard concrete wall and imbeds itself into it. The impact of the axe creates a huge vertical crack in the wall that spans all the way from the floor to the high ceilings of the arena. The Intruder that just got his arm cut off screams in pain and falls down to his knees.]
Intruder 4: (In Severe Pain) GAHH! THAT WAS MY FUCKING ARM!!!
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Mmm–hmm. And this is your head.
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper holds his left arm out in front of him. He then opens up his left hand and spreads his fingers. The tattoo on his arm begins to glow a bright fiery green that partly illuminates the darkened arena around him.]
*Rattle...*
[Suddenly, the axe the Cyclops threw into the arena's wall begins to rattle. The runes on the head of the axe begin to glow a similar fiery green to the Cyclops tattoo. The rattling seems to get more aggressive and violent before abruptly–]
*Shing!*
[Some incredible force abruptly dislodges The double-sided axe from the wall. It spins rapidly as it flies through the air back toward the Cyclops. Unfortunately, the Intruder who just lost his arm just so happens to be in its way. Since the axe knows where it is at all times, and it knows this because it knows where it isn't, by subtracting where it is from where it isn't, or where it isn't from where it is (whichever is greater), it obtains a difference, or deviation. The guidance runes use deviations to generate corrective commands to drive the axe from a position where it is to a position where it isn't, and arriving at a position where it wasn't, it now is. Consequently, the position where it is, is now the position that it wasn't, and it follows that the position that it was, is now the position that it isn't. It just so happens that where it is about to be is right in the back of the Intruder's head. The axe embeds itself in the back of the Intruder's head while continuing to spin, carrying the body with it, as it flies towards the Cyclops. The axe holds onto the Intruder's lifeless body for a few complete rotations before it becomes dislodged due to the speed at which the axe is spinning and goes flying over the Cyclops. A second later, the axe flies gently into his left hand before he clutches it tightly. The glowing runes on the axe and the Cyclops tattoo begin to dim before quickly returning to normal. He lifts his axe up and rests its handle and the bottom part of one of its heads on his left shoulder. He looks behind him at the corpse of the demon he just killed as some of the blood on the axe head begins to pool and drip off.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Quietly) Still got it...
[He then looks back towards the wall where he threw the axe behind the dead Intruder. He takes in the damage the axe made upon impact with the concrete wall. He seems impressed by the substantial vertical crack he made just by throwing the axe.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Quietly) Hmph... Dying hasn't dulled my blade one bit...
[He glares out of the corner of his eye towards the center of the ring. He notices that the group of Intruders who were previously shooting up at the commentator's booth have stopped as they have all been gunned down by the King Henchmen. After a few more bullets to be sure, the King Henchmen stop their barrage. The Cyclops looks at the bodies of the Intruders in the center of the ring. Then, at the ones he killed. Lastly, to the other side of the arena, at the ones Croc killed. He looks around at the entirety of the arena, still covered in darkness. It appears that only he, Croc, Bradley, and the King Henchmen, ignorant of what's in the arena, remain the only ones still standing. He looks over to Croc on the other side.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Hey! Leatherhead!
[His yelling gets Croc's attention. The large lizard demon looks over across the arena at the Cyclops.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) See anyone else in here?
[Croc searches the arena. He quickly scans the ring, the seating segments of the arena, and the upper areas near the exits. He doesn't spot anyone else in the arena, either. He looks over at the Cyclops.]
Croc: No... It looks clear to me.
[The Cyclops stares at him for a few seconds and blinks. He then puts his left hand towards the left side of his head and raises his eyebrow.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Questionably Yelling) What?!
[Croc lets out an annoyed growl.]
Croc: *Annoyed Growl* Grrrrr...
[He then gives the Cyclops a thumbs up with his left hand.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Good!
[The Cyclops lowers his hand and looks up towards the commentator's booth. The booth appears to have been torn to shreds by the gunfire from below. The window has been completely destroyed, and only a few small pieces of glass are still attached to its frame. The rest of the wall and the frame itself are just splinters of wood filled with holes. There's just a hole in the wall now, revealing all of the contents of the commentator's booth. Though some of it is still hidden behind the desk, it looks like it became a woodpecker's summer home.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Hey! Burns! Are you still alive up there?
[...]
[He doesn't get a response. Then, an ashy-colored hand pokes up from behind the desk, giving a thumbs up.]
Asher: (Enthusiastic Yelling & Out of View) I'm O–K!
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Good! Now turn the damn lights back on! We're clear!
[Asher's thumbs up turns into an "okay" sign.]
Asher: (Enthusiastic Yelling & Out of View) Got it!
*The sound of Something Glass Breaking*
[The sound of something glass breaking can be heard all the way up from the commentator's booth.]
Asher: (Yelling & Out of View) Whoops.
Bradley: (Yelling) That better not have been my third favorite mug!
Asher: (Yelling) No! *Short Pause* Maybe... *Short Pause* Give me a second.
*Distant Glass Shards Being Moved Around*
*Wood*
*Footsteps Stepping on Glass Pieces*
*CLANG!*
*POWER ON SOUND*
[A heavy clang can be heard coming from the commentator's booth before all the lights in the center arena turn on simultaneously. The entire arena is lit up once more, revealing all the damage that was done this very night. The shredded commentator booth, destroyed concrete walls, half-toppled chain sphere around the ring, and smashed benches make the arena look like it's been abandoned for some time now. The other remaining survivors take in the damage. A few of the King Henchmen vacate the locker room and enter the arena for a better view now that it's clear, and the lights are back on. Bradley follows behind them, showing little concern. The Cyclops Arena-Keeper looks around at all the damage, seemingly a bit down.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Tired Sigh* This is definitely coming out of my paycheck...
[He turns his attention back up toward the shredded commentator's booth.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Hey! Burns! Get your ass down here, we're done!
Asher: (Yelling & Out of View) That's a wrap, huh? Alright! I'll be down in a second!
*Footsteps Stepping on Glass Pieces*
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Tired Groan) Guhhh... I'm about ready to call it a night...
[He turns towards the center of the arena and starts walking towards it. He shakes his double-sided axe a bit to get some of the blood off of it before placing it on his left shoulder. He gets to the moderate drop leading to the ring before hopping off the onlooker's area and down onto the center ring. Croc does the same thing a few seconds later and jumps down to the center ring. The two make their way towards the ring and pass what remains of the chain sphere that surrounds it. The numerous King Henchmen who entered the ring also began to look around and assess the damage. A few head toward the lifeless Intruders they recently gunned down and kick their bodies to ensure that they're dead. Bradley, Croc, and The Cyclops Arena-Keeper all reconvene off a bit to the side, away from the pile of Intruder corpses in the center of the ring, closer to the locker room doors they were recently in.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well... That could have gone worse...
Bradley: It could have gone a lot better, too.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Can it, Bradley! All you did was yell at people like you usually do, start trouble, and leave unharmed.
Bradley: Unharmed?!
[Bradley gestures over to the pile of Intruder corpses close behind them.]
Bradley: I got assaulted by these asshats earlier when they blew the doors open!
Croc: Assaulted huh? What, did they hit you with a feather duster or sneeze on ya? I don't see a scratch on ya.
Bradley: I don't see any on you or the Cyclops either!
[Both Bradley and the Cyclops Arena-Keeper look at Croc.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Suspiciously) Yeah, we all made it out unharmed...
Bradley: (Suspiciously) Yeah...
[...]
Asher: Hey!
[The group hears Asher yelling close by. They turn and see him running towards them from the commentator's booth and past the pile of Inturder's corpses in the center of the ring. He looks at the bodies and quietly comments about them as he passes by.]
Asher: (Quietly) Esh...
[He passes the bodies and the King Henchmen around them and heads toward the three familiar demons.]
Asher: (Happily) Hey, lads, whatsgoingon? Whatarewetalkingabout?
Bradley: Just commenting on how none of us got wounded.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well, moderately wounded. You're covered in scratches...
Bradley: Did you fight a cat over a can of tuna and lose?
[Asher is slightly scraped up, mainly around his face. Nothing too major, just a few cuts, some of them bleeding slightly. But there's still a few glass shards on his clothing.]
Croc: What the hell happened?
[Asher glares at Croc. He replies to him in a somewhat irritated tone.]
Asher: (Slightly Irritated) I don't know. It's crazy!
[He brushes a few glass shards he must have missed off of him, all while keeping his eyes locked onto Croc.]
Asher: (Sarcastically and Slightly Irritated) I must have tripped and fallen on a pile of glass or something!
Croc: Maybe you should watch your step then.
Asher: (Sarcastically and Slightly Irritated) Yeahhhhhh– Maybe I should
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Questionably) So you tripped and fell on glass? Did you... I don't know–
[He leans in slightly towards Asher.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Questionably) Get hit or grazed by one of those hundreds of bullets that were directed at you earlier?
[Asher raises an eyebrow.]
Asher: Uhhhh... No. Why?
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper fixes his stance.]
Bradley & Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Just curious, is all.
Croc: Well, lucky you then...
Asher: Why? *Chuckles* Did you get shot?
Croc: I hate to admit it to you... But some bastard got a lucky shot when I wasn't looking... Didn't hurt–
[Before Croc can finish his sentence, Bradley swiftly points at the Cyclops Arena-Keeper with a smile on his face.]
Bradley: (Happily) HA!
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Upset) DAMMIT!
[The Cyclops yells out a seemingly upset tone. Asher and Croc both look moderately confused. The four all stand there silently for a few seconds before Asher speaks up, still confused.]
Asher: (Confused) Sorry, am I missing? I think I'm missing something.
Croc: (Agreeing Mumbling) Mhm...
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper reaches into his vest and begins to search for something. Bradley lowers his hand and looks at Asher and Croc with a smile.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Son of a bitch!
Bradley: The Cyclops and I had a bet going after you both went to check up on our unwelcome guests in the arena.
Asher: I take it you won?
Bradley: Yep!
Asher: What was the bet?
Bradley: We bet on which one of you two would get shot first.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Upset) *Quiet Annoyed Mumbling*
Bradley: I bet Leatherhead would get shot first, and he–
[He gestures over to the Cyclops Arena-Keeper who's still searching inside his vest.]
Bradley: –bet you would. And since you never got shot and Croc did–
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Upset) YEAH! I get it! I lost!
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper takes out a stack of cash from his vest. He flips through a few of the bills in his hands before taking out several of them and handing them to Bradley, who happily accepts them.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Upset) Here's your damn money.
Bradley: Thank–you!
[Bradley slides the money into his pants pocket, out of sight. Asher looks at the Cyclops, who looks somewhat sour.]
Asher: He looks pissed.
[Asher then looks back at Bradley, who still seems rather happy.]
Asher: How much did you make?
Bradley: About a hundred. (A/N: That's about $1500+ in 1943ish.)
[Asher places his left hand on his chest and points at himself.]
Asher: You bet that much on me?
Bradley: Last time I bet against you, I lost. This time, I bet on you and managed to make my money back and then some!
Asher: Can I have some?
Bradley: No.
Asher: Worth a shot.
Croc: Are you two done?
[Asher and Bradley look up at Croc.]
Croc: I think we've all had enough of today...
[Asher raises an eyebrow.]
Asher: Don't you mean tonight?
[The three all look at Asher with a blank stare. They all stay silent for a few seconds before the Cyclops speaks up.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: As much as I want to punch him in the face–
Croc: (Agreeing Grumble) Mmhm...
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: You three should leave.
[Asher, Bradley, and Croc divert their attention to the Cyclops Arena-Keeper.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Tired Groan* I have to start assessing the damage from the raid, and I don't want you three around here creating any more damage or getting in the way...
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper walks between the group and past them. He stops walking not too far away from the three and turns around to face them. He keeps his left hand on the handle of his double-sided axe and uses his right hand to point behind him with his thumb. It looks like he's pointing toward one of the bars you need to walk through to enter and exit the arena. He's specifically pointing at the one that wasn't destroyed earlier during the raid.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: So, if you don't mind, can you please get the hell out of my braided hair through our last intact exit before you somehow manage to break anything else?
*BOOM!*
[The second the Cyclops finishes his sentence, the wall to the bar he was just pointing at explodes, sending concrete debris everywhere. It also creates a huge cloud of dust and smoke, obscuring everyone's view of the bar. The Cyclops Arena-Keeper, Bradley, and all of the King Henchmen look at the destruction in complete surprise. Asher and Croc, not so much.]
Asher: Dammit! Someone beat us to it!
Croc: I'll kill 'em.
[Croc readies his bladed gauntlets and gets into a fighting stance. Asher reaches behind him with his right hand and grabs the grip of his pistol but doesn't draw it. Bradley just takes a few steps backward and hides behind Croc, out of view of the freshly exploded wall. The remaining King Members in the arena find what little cover they can and take aim with their firearms at the hole in the wall. As for the Cyclops Arena-Keeper, he–]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Enraged Yelling) I've had enough of this shit for THE NEXT WEEK!
[He looks and sounds pretty pissed. He swings his axe in front of him with both of his hands and points it out towards the explosion in the wall.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Enraged Yelling) I'm throwing my axe at the first ASSHOLE WHO COMES OUT OF THERE!!!
*Woosh!*
[As if on cue, something comes flying out from the bar, through the cloud of smoke and dust, and out into the arena. Whatever it is, it drags a bunch of dust with it before making contact with the ground far down from the bar, just before the drop from the onlooker's area to the ring. The dust begins to settle a bit, revealing a silhouette inside of it.]
???: (Yelling) Alright, assholes!
[Whoever just came flying into the arena from the bar yells out from the settling dust. A second later, they swipe all the dust surrounding them away with their arms, revealing themselves to all of the occupants in the arena. There's a lot of the new figure to take in. First of all, they're a guy who is about a foot or so taller than Asher and seems to have a slim figure. It is important to note that they aren't a humanoid demon like Asher or Bradley. Instead, they appear to be an animal-esque demon like Croc. The animal, being a spider, indicated that the figure has four arms and four eyes. Well... Three eyes. His lower left eye has an eyepatch on it. His three eyes have a bold yellow sclera and a bright amber iris. He has one right eye, where it would generally be with the eyepatch over the normal left eye. The other two extra eyes he has are slightly above and beside his normal eyes towards the sides of his head. His skin is hidden by a dark black fur that appears to cover most of his body. He does seem to have a small pattern of dark yellow fur on his face. The pattern consists of some small lines under his eyes that trail down toward his cheeks. It kind of makes him look tired, or like he's wearing some makeup. The hair on his head is the same color as the rest of the hair on the rest of his body. The hair on his head is covered by a newsboy cap, but what hair you can see appears to be a bit messy but better kept than Asher's hair. The back side of his hair is in a short braid, similar to the Cyclops. Their clothing is formal, similar to the clothing the King Henchmen wear. He has a black colored vest with vertical pastel yellow (Bright Yellow) colored lines all around it. Below the vest is an ordinary white collared dress shirt, like Asher's. His pants are long black slacks accompanied by a dark brown belt around his waist. The belt appears to have four, yes, four pistol holsters attached to it. Two directly to the side of his waist and two slightly ahead of the previously mentioned holsters. As for shoes, he's sporting some dark hazel brown sneakers that look tailored explicitly for him. The sneakers are made of leather and look to be somewhat flexible in design. The slightly lighter-colored laces keep them strapped to his feet. The newly described demon holds a semi-automatic pistol in each of his four hands and points them around the arena, each in a different direction. The guns seem pretty clean and well-kept, not a scratch on them. The Spider Demon continues yelling.]
Spider Demon: (Yelling) If you pricks want this territory, then you'll have to go through–
[He cuts his own sentence short as he takes in his surroundings in the arena. His attention seems mainly focused on its occupants. He notices all of the Kingsmen Henchmen in the arena pointing their firearms at him, but he also notices Asher, Bradley, Croc, and an enraged-looking Cyclops Arena-Keeper. He stares at the four grouped-up demons silently. Bradley and Croc now both look up at the demon with unimpressed glares. The Cyclops still looks enraged. And Asher still seems to be the only one surprised and or concerned. Even the King Henchmen scattered who are now around the arena look at the demon with similar unimpressed expressions. He blinks his three eyes a few times just to make sure what he's seeing is real.]
Spider Demon: Awh, crap. They already killed everyone...
[As he finishes his sentence, four figures step out of the same hole in the wall he emerged from. The four demons appear to be well-armed and equipped. All four are wearing boots, black jeans, and dark-colored coats over casual shirts, and are equipped with rifles. Their facial accessories are all a bit different; one is wearing an m1 military helmet, one a leather football helmet and a bandana over his face, one a gasmask similar to Asher's but not exactly the same, and one isn't wearing anything because he's some sort of dog/hound demon. All four of them take a few steps into the arena's onlooker area where the bleachers are and look around like the Spider Demon.]
Hound Demon: Aaaaaaaa–nd we're late... Great.
Football Helmet Demon: Welp. That's what we get for following the boss.
[The Football Helmet Demon looks at the Spider Demon.]
Football Helmet Demon: No offense, boss.
Spider Demon: *Annoyed Groan* Egghh... Some taken...
[The Spider Demon lowers all four of his hands and his pistols. He brings the upper left hand to his forehead and rubs just below his hair with his thumb.]
Spider Demon: This is definitely coming out of my paycheck...
*Fling*
*SLAM!*
*Loud Concrete Falling*
[The Cyclops's double-sided axe goes flying right past the left side of the Spider Demon's head and collides with some of the remaining concrete wall of the bar. The axe narrowly misses the Hound Demon before crashing into the wall, causing it to topple over.]
Hound Demon: OH WHAT THE FUCK!?
*Thud*
[The Hound Demon falls over in a delayed reaction to the axe nearly missing him. He falls to the ground with a thud while the Spider Demon turns around and looks at the damage. He then looks back towards the four grouped-up demons in the ring. Asher, Bradley, and Croc are all looking at the Cyclops Arena-Keeper, who is holding his left arm out in front of him. He changes his stance to a normal one and crosses his arms, glaring at the Spider Demon.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Of course, he gets here once we've already handled it...
Croc: Hmm...
Bradley: (Muttering) Fucking useless... (Normally) Why do you even pay this guy?
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper groans and closes his eye.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Annoyed Groan* I don't, Leo does. Just– Shut up, alright!
[He opens his eye and looks up at the Spider Demon angrily.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Well! You certainly took your sweet ass time!
[The Spider Demon holsters all fours of his pistols one by one. He then puts his top two arms out while keeping his lower arms to his side and shrugs.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Don't you fucking–
[He poorly mimics the shrug the Spider Demon made.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) –Me!
[He uncrosses his arms and points down at the ground in front of him with his left hand.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) Get your ass down here! We need to talk!
[The Spider Demon lets out an annoyed sigh.]
Spider Demon: *Annoyed Sigh* This is definitely coming out of my paycheck...
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Yelling) IRON!
Spider Demon: (Yelling) YEAH! I CAN FUCKING HEAR YOU!!!
[The Spider Demon crouches down, places his two bottom hands on his knees, and keeps his two top hands low in the air beside him. He then jumps high upward and forward towards the center of the ring. His jump had an incredible amount of force in it, almost sending him upwards, almost into the ceiling, before curving down and adhering to gravity. He makes contact with the floor a few feet away from the group of four, sending some dust up into the air. He hunches over a bit with all his hands on his knees as he stares at the four demons, mainly the Cyclops. The Spider Demon, now known as Iron, stands up straight and crosses his arms with their perspective opposite. He looks at the four, seemingly irritated.]
Iron: Before you say anything, I know, I'm–.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: (Aggravated) Late. Very late. We're already done.
[Iron looks to his side at the rest of the ring away from the Cyclops. He's got a good view of the pile of Intruder corpses in the center and the shredded commentators' booth. He also takes note of all the concrete debris and torn benches.]
Iron: I noticed.
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper glares daggers at Iron as he crosses his arms once again.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut your pay and fire your ass right now.
[As they speak, the four demons that entered the arena with Iron seem to spread out and meet up with the King Members, who have, at this point, lowered their weapons and ceased hostility towards the new intruders. Iron looks up a bit, avoiding the Cyclops Arena-Keeper's glare.]
Iron: Uhhh– Let's see here...
[He moves his upper left hand under his chin and scratches it several times. Then he decides to respond as he looks down at the Cyclops.]
Iron: I'll give you two reasons. One, you can't, and your boss would kill you if you did. And two, this–
[He gestures around the arena with all four of his arms.]
Iron: –Wasn't my fault.
Asher: (Quietly) That's three...
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Are you referring to the arena getting devastated in a turf war or you being late?
Iron: Uhhhhhhhhhh– Both.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Bullshit. One of your lackeys called ahead and let us know you got lost.
[Iron looks away from the Cyclops. He seems to growl a bit, avoiding his gaze.]
Iron: (Quietly) *Quiet Growling* Dammit Quail... Why'd you have to tell him...
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well, someone needs to be responsible back there.
Asher: Uhh... Sorry to intervene, but uhh–
[The four look at Asher. He's been standing there quietly and confused the whole time while Iron barged in and got yelled at. He still looks confused and still has his right hand behind him on his pistol grip. Asher then points at the newly met Spider Demon with his left hand.]
Asher: Are we shooting this guy or not? I mean... I'm fine with either. I'm still running off the adrenaline high from getting shot at earlier.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Disappointed Groan* Ughhhh... No... He's an ally.
Croc: (Quietly) Only when you pay him enough...
[Iron looks over at Croc with a glare.]
Iron: Got something to say Leatherhead?
Croc: Yes. Unfortunately, I can't do anything about it without breaching my contract.
Asher: He is?
[Asher lowers his left hand and removes his right hand from his pistol.]
Asher: Then uhhh... Who is he?
[Iron diverts his attention over to Asher with a distrusting glare. Asher returns the favor with a similar but more confused glare.]
Asher: Because you three seem to know him.
Bradley: I barely know him.
Asher: Well, you know his name. Which is more than I do.
[Croc looks at Bradley, who is still hiding behind him.]
Croc: Would you stop hiding already!
[Bradley, a bit startled by Croc's sudden aggression, quickly steps out from behind him and rejoins the group normally.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well, you two were bound to meet at some point since you both work for the King.
Asher & Iron: Unwillingly.
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper glares at the two of them. He then lets out an exhausted sigh. Two of the demons that entered earlier with Iron, the hound and the gas mask one, make their way down to the ring with the group.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Exhausted Sigh* Fucking... Whatever! You both do work for the King; you should both know each other.
[He gestures at Iron.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: This tardy fellow is Iron.
[Asher and Iron look directly at each other in the eyes. Iron still with a more annoyed, distrusting glare, while Asher looks at him intrigued.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: He's under the King's employment as a...
[He stops his sentence short before looking at Iron confused.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: What do we pay you to do again?
Bradley: You guys need a better accountant.
Iron: Mercenaries.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Right.
[He looks back at Asher.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: He has a group of idiots who follow him around and do what he says, so we pay him to loan a few off to us and do some work when needed. Besides that, we also pay them to guard our territory and rush to protect it–
Bradley: On occasion.–*MPH!*
[Croc puts his clawed left hand over Bradley's face, silencing him.]
Croc: Shut up, I want to be done with this.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: –when it's under attack or may be attacked. In exchange, we pay them an adequate amount. Is it worth the money? The King seems to think so. Are they good?
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper shrugs.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Shrugs* Ehhhhh– Solid eight out of ten. Customer support is good, but the product is usually delayed.
Iron: I'll take what I can get.
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper gestures over at Asher while looking at Iron. As he does, two of the King Henchmen who were searching the arena make their way down to the group and position themselves beside the Cyclops Arena-Keeper.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: And this idiot here is Asher Burns. He's a... A dumbass...
[Asher holds up his right hand in front of him with his pointer finger pointed upwards.]
Asher: (Enthusiastically) Professional dumbass!
Bradley: (Muffled By Croc's Hand) Mi– Mmhm mm mmma mpppmm hmm. (Translation: I think he has a card to prove it.)
Croc: (Quietly) Please shut up...
[Iron waves his bottom left and right arms in front of him.]
Iron: Wait, wait, wait...
[He lowers his left hand and points at Asher with his right arm. He raises his right eye and upper right eyebrow, confused.]
Iron: This guy is Asher Burns? The idiot who filled in for Warner, fought Croc, and lost?
Cyclops Arena-Keeper & Both King Henchmen: Yes.
Bradley: (Muffled By Croc's Hand) Mhm. (Translation: Yes.)
Croc: (Quietly) I'm never letting myself live that down...
Iron: Really?
[Iron looks at Asher with a disbelieving expression on his face.]
Iron: You're the idiot?
[Asher shrugs.]
Asher: As much as I hate to admit, I guess so.
Iron: Huh... Well, if that's the case, I've got something for ya.
Asher: Really? It wouldn't happen to be another cigarette, would it?
Iron: No.
*Punch!*
[To what surprises everyone in his vicinity, Iron punches Asher right across the face. The blow surprises Asher, leaving him unprepared to retaliate or prepare for the attack. The punch sends him stumbling back a few steps before he's able to regain his footing and stop himself. The group of demons, besides Croc, look between Asher and Iron, surprised by what just happened. Even the hound and the gas mask demon (Not Asher) who entered the arena with Iron look surprised. Asher covers where he was punched with his left hand in slight pain.]
Asher: Ohhhhhhhh...
[He glares at Iron through his fingers.]
Asher: So we're throwing favors, huh?
[Asher takes his hand off his face, revealing a bit of sore skin where he was punched and a smile on his face.]
Asher: Mind if I return it?!
[Asher takes a huge step forward and charges at Iron. But before he can get anywhere close to him, his arms are grabbed by the two King Henchmen who were previously beside the Cyclops. The two manage to prevent him from moving and getting any closer to Iron, who's just standing there casually. The two King Henchmen do their best to restrain the angry, ashy-colored demon.]
Asher: Hey! Let me go! I just want to return the favor!
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper looks at the two King Henchmen restraining Asher.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: You two, don't let go of him.
[He then looks at Iron, who's shaking the fist he just punched Asher with.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Iron. Why did you punch him?
Iron: He's an asshole.
Croc: Took the words right out of my mouth...
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Well, we all know that, but what's the real reason you punched him?
[Iron stops shaking his fist and crosses his arms. He then lets out a sigh.]
Iron: *Sighs* Fine. I lost a bet against him. That's why I punched him. Happy?
[Asher raises an eyebrow, confused but still angry.]
Asher: What?! What bet?! I just met you!!!
Iron: No, not with you, against you! I lost a bet against you during that fight when you filled in for Warner. I was told I could pull out or change my bet, so I decided to change it.
[He looks away from Asher, seemingly annoyed.]
Iron: I changed the bet and lost. *Scoffs* (Quietly) I didn't think Leatherhead would get knocked down...
[Asher and Croc seem to hear that last part he said quietly.]
Asher: (Tauntingly) Heh. Sounds like grade-A loser syndrome to me!
Iron: Oh, shut up. Seeing you get knocked to the ground made up for it.
Asher: (Tauntingly) I might have gotten the shit kicked out of me by Croc, but I bet that hurt less than the hole in your wallet!
[Iron glares at Asher angrily.]
Asher: (Tauntingly) How much did you lose? Ahhh– I'm sure it doesn't matter. You can just make it all back by–
[Even though he's still restrained, he leans in a bit towards Iron.]
Asher: (Tauntingly) Doing your job!
[Iron looks at Asher, pissed, before uncrossing his four arms and charging at Asher to seemingly punch him again. Fortunately, the Hound and the Gas-Mask Demon that arrived with Iron are able to grab him and restrain him.]
Iron: YOU SON OF A BITCH! LET ME AT EM'! I'LL KICK HIS FUCKING ASS!!!
Asher: I'M THE ONE WHOS GONNA BE KICKING YOUR ASS PAL!!!
[The Henchmen of the Cyclops Arena-Keeper and Iron restrain the aggressive demons as they attempt to get into punching distance with each other to no avail. Croc takes his hand off of Bradley's face, allowing him to see once again. The Cyclops Arena-Keeper, Croc, and Bradley watch on, looking rather unamused.]
Bradley: I heard everything. Does anyone want to bet on who wins this fight? I'll bet on Burns again.
Croc: No.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: On Burns again, huh? Hmmm...
[He seems to think briefly as he scratches his chin.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: How about–
[He then seems to come to some sort of realization.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Wait! What am I doing?!
[He then runs over to Asher and slaps him on the back of the head, causing him to stop resisting the King Henchmen.]
Asher: OW!
Iron: HA!
[He then runs over and does the same thing to Iron, causing him to stop resisting the Hound and the Gas-Mask demon restraining him.]
Iron: OW!
Asher: HA!
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Knock it off, you two!
[The King Henchmen let go of Asher while the Hound and the Gas-Mask Demon let go of Iron. They both seemed to have cooled off a bit, no longer agitated at each other.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: This arena is under my supervision! And I will not have my employees–
Asher & Iron: No.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: I will not have you assholes fighting each other in an arena under my supervision!
[He crosses his arms annoyed.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: If you want to kill each other, go do it in a dark alleyway!
Iron: I really don't feel like getting mugged or raped tonight...
[Iron looks at Asher.]
Iron: What about you?
[Asher shrugs.]
Asher: Yeahhhhhhhh– Me neither. The adrenaline is dying down, and I could really go for a cigarette and nap about now.
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Great!
[He points at the hole in the wall Iron made when he entered.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: Now get out of my sight! I have work I need to do.
???: Ehhh– Sir?
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper abruptly turns around towards the source of the voice. The quick motion startles the source of the noise which happens to be one of the Injured King Henchmen from the locker room. He has a few bandages wrapped around his chest and forehead with a bit of blood on it. He also appears to be holding the base of a rotary telephone in his hands, with the wire wrapped around his arm and trailing back to the locker room. The phone part of the rotary phone is resting on the hook, seemingly facing upwards towards the group.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: WHAT?!
[The Injured King Henchman takes a step back from his boss after just getting yelled at.]
Injured King Henchman: I– Uh– The uh, The King wants to speak with you, sir.
[The Cyclops Arena-Keeper's angry expression changes to an incredibly worried one once he hears what the Injured King Henchman has to say. It then quickly turns into an annoyed one.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: And now I have this headache to deal with...
[He sighs and rubs his forehead with his eye half open.]
Cyclops Arena-Keeper: *Sigh* What does the King want?
Injured King Henchman: He would like to speak to you regarding the damage done during tonight's turf war.
[The Injured King Henchman then looks at Iron.]
Injured King Henchman: He would also like to have a word with you, Mr. Iron.
[Iron's expression immediately changes from an annoyed one to a worried one.]
Asher: OOOOO– Someone is in trouble!
Iron: Uhhhhh– Tell him I'm busy cleaning up the mess, and there's nothing to worry about! He doesn't need to know I was late!
[The Injured King Henchman stares at Iron for a few seconds. He then looks back down at the phone resting on the receiver before looking back at Iron.]
Injured King Henchman: Uhhhhh– The King has already received a report from your second in command regarding you being late... And I've uhhhh... I've already answered the phone.
[A familiar cultured voice speaks through the phone. It's the King himself, Leo.]
Leo: (Via Phone) Yes... I can hear you, Mr. Iron...
Injured King Henchman: Yeah, he can hear you.
[Everyone remains silent as they stare at Iron. After a second or two, Iron breaks the silence.]
Iron: Dammit...
Leo: (Via Phone) I heard Mr. Burn's voice earlier. Would someone be so kind as to hand him the phone? I would like to speak with him.
Asher: Me? Why me?
Leo: (Via Phone) ...
[Leo doesn't respond to Asher's question. They all look at the rotary phone, silently confused. Leo is silent for a few seconds before responding.]
Leo: (Via Phone) Did Mr. Burns say something? I couldn't hear him.
[Asher lets out an annoyed groan.]
Asher: *Annoyed Groan* Oh brother...
[Asher walks over to the Injured King Henchman and takes the phone off of the hook. He brings it up to his head and speaks into the mouthpiece.]
Asher: Hello? Hello, hello?
Leo: (Via Phone) Ah, is that you, Mr. Burns?
Asher: Yeah, it's me. Uhhh– Your Majesty?
Leo: (Via Phone) *Chuckles* It's just a title, my boy. If you don't mind, could you please step away from the others? I would like to have a short word with you.
[Asher slowly begins walking away from the group that watches him, intrigued about the conversation he is having. Croc and the Cyclops Arena-Keeper, on the other hand, don't seem that interested.]
Asher: Hmmm... Am I in trouble or something?
[As he walks away, the Injured King Henchman follows him since the cord from the headset to the base was getting a bit short.]
Leo: (Via Phone) No, no, no. Nothing of the sort.
[He stops walking after getting a fair distance from the group and places his left arm in front of him. He rests his right elbow on his left arm while keeping the headset up to his face.]
Leo: (Via Phone) I just wanted to apologize to you regarding tonight's incident...
[As Leo speaks, Asher notices the Injured King Henchman standing a bit too close to him. He glares at the Henchman, giving him the hint to step away, which he takes and does so.]
Leo: (Via Phone) I did not intend to have you caught in the crossfire of an unprovoked turf war. Let alone take part in it...
[Asher shrugs.]
Asher: Ehhhhhh– Don't worry about it. You didn't know this was going to happen. It's not like you have the ability to see the future and all.
Leo: (Via Phone) Yes... While there are some who certainly possess that ability to foresee the future, I am not one of them.
[Asher looks around at the wreaked arena. It's all just a miss. Concrete bits, torn benches, blood, and bullet holes galore.]
Leo: (Via Phone) Nor do I have the foresight to predict such aggression from today's attackers...
[Asher stops resting his right arm on his left one and begins to twirl the phone cord between his left-hand fingers.]
Leo: (Via Phone) While the arena you are currently in was due for a cleanup, it seems it is now in need of some significant repairs. Such a predicament is unwelcome... Especially at this time...
[Asher raises his eyebrow intrigued.]
Asher: At this time? What do you mean by that?
Leo: (Via Phone) Oh, it's nothing you have to concern yourself with, Mr. Burns! Just business is all. Now, where were we? Ah, yes. I was apologizing for today's trouble. If you sustained any injuries today or had any possessions of yours damaged, please send me the bill. I would hate for there to be ill will between us.
[Asher stops twirling the cord and raises both eyebrows, seemingly surprised by what Leo said.]
Asher: I uhhh... I appreciate that.
[Asher waves his left hand in front of him dismissively to no one.]
Asher: But there's no need. Surprisingly enough, I managed to keep my injuries to a minimum. Just a few cuts and scrapes. I'll be fine in a few days.
Leo: (Via Phone) No offense, Mr. Burns, but knowing your track record in my arenas... I find that hard to believe.
Asher: Well, now that you mention it– Croc threw me through the commentator's booth window, but uhh– I think he was off the clock when he did it, so I don't think that's on your hands.
Leo: (Via Phone) Hmmmm... Then, at least take some time away from the ring. Overworking yourself can become detrimental to your health, especially to one as tenacious as yourself.
Asher: *Chuckles* Heh, you should tell that to Jerry.
Leo: (Via Phone) *Hearty Chuckle* Hahaha! Yes, indeed! Mr. Warner does have a habit of doing it.
Asher: Especially recently, yeah, he does.
Leo: (Via Phone) Well, send him my regards. And do remind him he has a fight against Mr. Leatherhead next week on Thursday at ten p.m. Though... We'll have to relocate their competition since the original arena they were designated to brawl at is out of commission... Hmmm... Perhaps I could move the scuffle to the northern side of the city in one of my other arenas... Or... Is that too much of a refined locale at the moment...? The more lower class are interested when Mr. Warner and Mr. Leaherhead are combating. So, perhaps the southern part of the city would be better... Hmmm...
[Asher stays quiet as Leo continues to speak. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence and looking around, he speaks up.]
Asher: Uhhhh... Leo...?
Leo: (Via Phone) Hm? Oh, right. Apologies. I was thinking out loud. I've said what I wanted to you, Mr. Burns. You may leave now.
Asher: Uhhh– Neat. Thanks. I'm exhausted.
Leo: (Via Phone) As am I. All I ask is that you hand Mr. Iron the phone before your departure. I would like to have a word with him.
Asher: You mean the spider demon who punched me in the face?
Leo: (Via Phone) ...
[Leo is silent over the phone. Leo speaks after a few uncomfortable seconds of Asher looking around the wrecked arena.]
Leo: (Via Phone) Yes... Him... Please hand him the phone...
Asher: Sure thing.
[Asher walks back over to the group with the telephone headset in hand. The Injured King Henchman follows behind him, still holding the base of the phone.]
Asher: Here, your boss wants to speak to you.
[Asher throws the phone headset at Iron, which seems to be aimed at his head. Fortunately for him, Iron is able to react quickly enough and duck, dodging the phone headset. He points at Asher with his bottom right hand and laughs at him.]
Iron: *Short Laugh* HA! Ya misse–
[Unfortunately for him, the phone headset is still connected to the base with the cord, which causes it to stretch a bit before getting pulled back towards Asher and hitting Iron on the back of the head.]
Iron: *Slight Pain* OPH!
[The phone headset spins around in the air a bit as Iron rubs the back of his head. It then falls in front of him, where he manages to juggle the headset between all four of his hands before finally managing to grab it.]
Asher: You folk have fun–
[Everyone looks at Asher as he turns towards the hole Iron blew into the arena. He then starts walking away while reaching into his vest for something with his left hand.]
Asher: I'm going to go take a smoke break...
[The group watches as he walks away silently.]
Leo: (Via Phone) Mr. Iron... Are you there...?
[They all then look at the phone headset in Irons's hands. Iron stares down at the headset with a look of fear.]
Leo: (Via Phone) I would like to have a word with you, please...
Iron: Uhhhhh–
[Iron brings the phone headset up to his head and speaks into it. He smiles nervously.]
Iron: Uh– Hi, erh– Boss?
[Leo speaks through the phone, his voice sounding less formal than before and more threatening.]
Leo: (Via Phone) Don't you boss me, Mr. Iron.
[Iron's three eyes widen. He looks nervous once again.]
Iron: Oh, hell, you're really pissed at me.
Leo: (Via Phone) Indeed I am... Now is not the time for such tardiness...
Pentagram City, Somewhere on The Northern Side...
Leo: I expect you to react to situations like today's event in a professional and timely manner. From what I have been told, today was not a prime example of either...
[Leo is currently in his office, somewhere on The Northern Side of Pentagram City. The office is rather large and dark, only illuminated by a fireplace in the corner of the room. There's a stack of logs and a fire poker resting near it a safe distance away. The room also contains a few bookshelves covering up the walls, two sofa chairs, and a coffee table in front of the fireplace on top of a regal-looking rug. There also appears to be a chess board with all of its pieces neatly placed in their proper spots on the coffee table, ready for a new game. On the other side of the room is a bar opposite the fireplace, a sofa next to the bar, and another coffee table in front of the chairs. There are various objects placed carefully on the coffee desk in front of the bar. There's a stack of papers, a closed cigar box, a large lighter, a metal nail filer, some pens, and a metal desk plate with the engraving "The King" on it. There also appears to be a large office chair behind Leo but no desk to pair with it. Besides the office chair, there seems to be a large shelf behind it. It's hard to see what's on the shelf at the moment due to the dim light from the fire. Leo is wearing his normal attire minus the black suit and tie. A large white formal shirt, black dress pants, and some dress shoes that seem tailored for him. His appearance hasn't changed since Asher last met him, either. Same black goat horns, red draconic wings, a green tail that is also a snake, a long golden mane, and a ghostly right eye with a scar on it. Leo holds the phone base up beside him using his right hand. His left hand and arm are stretched upwards for some reason. The snake, which is also his tail, is holding the phone headset in its mouth and up to Leo's face. And for some odd reason, Leo's lush golden mane is hanging upwards.]
Iron: (Via Phone) I apologize, sir. But I got a little bit... Uhhhh–
[Leo raises an eyebrow.]
Leo: Lost?
Iron: (Via Phone) Uhhh... Yeah... Sorry about that, sir...
Leo: Hmm... Ensure it does not happen again...
[Leo glares threateningly forward.]
Leo: Am. I. Clear?
Iron: (Via Phone) Yes. Yes sir. I'll make sure Quail is in charge of navigation in regards to your services with the Iron Legion.
Leo: Good. Now...
[Leo returns to his normal expression and tone of voice.]
Leo: Do you care to explain to me why you assaulted Mr. Burns?
Iron: (Via Phone) Assaulted?! I didn't assault him! I just punched the guy in the face!
Leo: Yes. That is what he told me you did to him. Now, why did you punch him, Mr. Iron?
Iron: (Via Phone) What are you, his father?
[Leo doesn't respond. Instead, he just growls quietly.]
Leo: *Quiet Growling* Grrrrrr...
[The growling seems to startle Iron a bit, causing him to respond quickly.]
Iron: (Via Phone) GEEHH– It uhh– It won't happen again! I promise!
[Leo stops growling.]
Leo: Ensure it does not happen on my territory or under my supervision. I'd prefer it if you two settle your quarrels another time and somewhere else...
Iron: (Via Phone) Uhh... Sure. (Quietly) I'll think about it...
Leo: Pardon?
Iron: (Via Phone) Nothing! We'll call back after reinforcing the arena and assessing the damage! Bye!
*Click*
*Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr–*
[Iron seems to hang up the phone from his end. Leo stays there still for a few seconds before letting out a disappointed sigh. His snake tail brings the phone headset to the phone base and places it on the hook.]
Leo: *Disappointed Sigh* Hmmm... Has it been an hour yet?
[Leo's left hand bends slightly before quickly straightening out.]
Leo: *Tired Grunt* Almost... Almost...
[Leo places the phone base on the floor beside him. It turns out, he wasn't sitting down or standing. He was balancing himself upside down with his left hand. Using only his pointer finger... Not only that, but he also seems to have a wooden desk balancing on his left foot directly and dangerously above him. He doesn't appear very bothered by the weight. He appears rather calm despite his current situation.]
Leo: Hmmm... Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something...
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
[A knock can be heard at Leo's office door. He looks down, or... Up towards the door.]
Leo: Yes? Come in.
[The door creaks open as a King Henchman takes a step into the room.]
King Henchman: Apologies for intruding, sir.
Leo: It's quite alright. Go on, speak.
King Henchman: You asked me to come in around this time and remind you that Mr. Miller will be contacting you soon regarding your conference.
[Leo looks over at the rotary phone on the floor beside him.]
Leo: Ah, yes! Mr. Miller's meeting. That's what I was forgetting... Thank you.
[He looks back at the King Henchman.]
Leo: Before you go, would you mind tossing another log onto the fire? It's getting quite drab in here...
[The King Henchman nods his head.]
King Henchman: Yes. Of course, sir.
[The King Henchman opens the door a bit more and steps into Leo's office. He carefully makes his way towards the fireplace in the dim room.]
Leo: Hmmm...
[Leo looks back down at the rotary phone beside him. The King Henchman picks up a log from the rack and carefully places it on the burning fire. He then gives it a few poes with the fire poker, pushing some cinders into the air and causing the log he just threw in to start to catch fire.]
Leo: I don't quite feel like getting harassed over the phone at the moment...
[The fire the King Henchman added fuel to begins to perk up and light up the room brightly. The new light reveals the contents of the shelf behind Leo as he turns his head a bit slightly so he can see what it holds. The shelf houses various... "Trophies" on it. And by trophies, I mean heads. The shelf contains the severed heads of various demons. Some animal species, like birds, lizards, and hounds, are more human-like. The heads all appear to be stuffed and on their own individual stands, neatly placed an equal distance from each other. All the eyes of the stuffed heads are open and look lifelessly forward in Leo's direction. Their eyes and face all show no emotion in the slightest. Below each stuffed head on their stand is a small metal tag that seems to have a name and a date beneath it. Each one is different. None the same name and none the same date. Some of the dates appear to go back thirty years ago. While some are more recent as of a few months... Leo glares at the severed stuffed heads as they all look ahead lifelessly...]
Leo: But there is much work that needs to be done...
North Western Side of Pentagram City, An Empty Alleyway Outside of Leo's Recently Raided Fighting Arenas...
[Back above ground in Pentagram City, there's an empty alleyway with trash cans, garbage, and a large metal door at the end of it.]
*Clank*
[The handle on the metal door moves with a clank. The door is pulled open inside before Asher walks out and closes it behind him. He has his left hand in his vest, rummaging around for something. He takes a few steps away from the door.]
Asher: Where the hell are they...?
[After no avail, he swaps to his right hand and starts searching his vest with that one. A second later, he stops, seemingly finding what he is looking for. He then takes out a pack of cigarettes and a cheap lighter from his vest.]
Asher: There it is.
[He passes the pack of cigarettes to his left hand and gives it a few shakes. It makes a bit of a shuffle, indicating something inside. He then gives it a firm shake towards him, causing a single cigarette to be pushed out of the small opening and held in place by his thumb. He keeps the lighter in his right hand and flicks it a few times as he takes a few steps forward and places the cigarette in his mouth.]
*Flick* *Flick* *Flick*
Asher: Come on... Give me something...
*Flick* *Flick* *Flick* *Click*
[A weak flame flickers up on the lighter. Asher brings it to the tip of the cigarette he placed in his mouth and begins to light it.]
Asher: I really need to get a better lighter...
[He shakes the pack of cigarettes in his left hand, but it doesn't make any noise. He looks into the pack and sees that, unfortunately for him, it's empty.]
Asher: And get more cigarettes...
[He tosses the empty pack into one of the trash bins beside him before shaking the lighter in his hand, causing the flame to go out, and placing it back into his vest. He then grabs his cigarette with his left hand and puts his right hand into his pants pocket. He inhales some smoke from his cigarette before taking it out of his mouth and blowing the smoke in the air above him. He sighs tiredly.]
Asher: *Tired Sigh* Hmmm... Maybe I should take a break like Leo suggests...
[He places the cigarette back into his mouth and turns towards the alley's end. He looks tiredly at the metal door he recently exited from.]
Asher: I mean... I'd love to... But there's work, I need to help out Jerry, there are my own problems...
[His eyes widened a bit upon saying that to himself.]
Asher: (Thinking) Oh God, my own problems...
[He then looks upwards into the "sky" beyond the city's moderate size buildings.]
Asher: (Thinking) I don't even want to think where I should begin with that grenade...
[He stares at the glowing pentagram in the sky that looms above the city, and the solid sky of Hell behind it.]
Asher: (Thinking) Maybe I should start small... Like... Fixing my mental problems?
[He looks at the "sky" with a disappointed glare.]
Asher: (Thinking) Yeah, no, that's not going to happen... I'm not going to therapy.
[Asher takes right left hand out of his pants pocket and places it on his forehead. He rubs it a bit while continuing to think to himself.]
Asher: (Thinking) Great. Now I have a headache thinking about it...
[He tilts his head a bit while still rubbing it.]
Asher: (Thinking) Night can't get much worse than it already has...
???: HEY ASH–HEAD!!!
[Asher turns his head a bit behind him.]
Asher: Wha–
*WHIFF*
*BONK*
*THUD*
[A metal bat whiffs through the air and hits Asher directly on his forehead. The heavy blow immediately knocks him to the side and soon to the ground. He hits the concrete ground with a hard thud, his mind in a complete daze and his vision completely blurry. He can't even distinguish what's in front of him or what just happened to him. All he can see are three blurry figures looming above him, seemingly looking down at him. One of them seems to be holding something in their hands. There's a ringing in his ears, blocking out all the noise of his surroundings. Fortunately, he is able to make out what sounds like one of their voices.]
???: (Faintly) *Chuckles* The boss is gonna love this...
[Asher attempts to speak, but all he's able to get out are a few words and mumbles.]
Asher: (Feebly) Uhhh... The... Fuuuuuck...
???: Behind you!– Oh– Wait... Shit.
???: Whoops... I was a bit late on that heads-up, wasn't I?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
A/N: Howdy! Despite finals and my bad sleeping habits, I continue to dawdle and write this fic. Now, this author's note is important for two reasons.
1. This Fic is about to hit a major arc, which will take some time to write and get right for my standards, so expect some late delays and possibly long chapters.
And 2. The actual show, Hazbin Hotel, comes out in January 2024. Since Headaches & Hazbins is still in the 1940s as of writing this, would you all be interested in a different Fic? Ya know, one that takes place in the present and not 50+ years in the past? I could do it. I have an idea. I might not focus on publishing it as much as Headaches, but I could do it. I would most likely make it an MR (Male Reader) because it might be better than a complete OC like Asher. It could be normal Cannon, or it could be Genderbent. It's up to you folk, really.
If enough people say yes, I'll do it! So, if you want an "MR x Hazbin Hotel" (and most likely Genderbent), comment on the thing below! If not, then have a pleasant day!
P.S.: The trailer for season 1 came out. Pros and Cons.
Pros: More source material.
Cons: Ima need to do some rewriting, aren't I? I also need to "fix" a chapter I had planned to tease after the next major arc. Mainly because it had to do with the lads upstairs...
If you want it to be a "MR x GenderBent!Hazbin Hotel", comment here. <3
You know you want to... Heh...