CHAPTER 060: Platform fighter Tuesday, pt. 1

The arena sported some significant modifications, when compared to yesterday. The plain bleachers had all been replaced with ones designed to float, numerous flying heroes were on standby, and a bus full of psychics were waiting to one side.

In the announcer's booth, Gregory squeaked in excitement. Beside him, Ventriloquist brushed the hair of his new doll: a girl with hair reaching her ankles.

"Good morning, spectators! If you thought yesterday's method of elimination was too slow, then you will enjoy today! I am proud to announce that today's theme is 'Platform Fighter Tuesday!'"

The psychics, by the point, had formed a circle around the arena. They all held hands, and closed their eyes.

RUMBLE!

Large cracks appeared on the ground, splitting the arena into 5 pieces. The largest piece was half the size of a football field, and its corners were flanked by four smaller chunks the size of a phone booth. Gradually, these massive pieces of concrete and earth were raised high into the air, stopping at 20 meters above the ground. The bleachers, likewise, rose with them. Oohs and aahs could be heard resounded from the surprised spectators, but the announcers paid them no mind.

"16 battles! 4 fighters per round! After today, the real tournament begins!"

WOOO!

"Now Ventriloquist, since there is still a bit of time before the first match, why don't you tell us about your new doll?"

"Those gambling will know the real bets start now. So, to get an edge, I've brought my diviner doll: 'Weave of fate!'"

"Fascinating, care to make a prediction?"

"Sure," he said before focusing on the doll. Its hair began braiding itself, only stopping after a half minute. Ventriloquist then studied the braids, before declaring,

"The first three matches will be blowouts."

"Wow! That is quite a prediction. What about the fourth? I'll know if we can go to lunch early, in that case."

"Sorry, I can't see that far. It's not my power, after all."

"Would you look at that? The stabilizers have been installed, so we are ready to begin! In the Triangular corner, Happy Rabbit!"

Teleported directly atop one of the smaller platforms, Logan was surprised to see he was not alone.

"What are you doing here?"

Jenna, with no shame, responded like it was only natural to be here.

"You didn't know? You are allowed to summon a coach and manager with you, now."

"So you took the liberty of signing yourself up?"

"Of course! I'm not called 'Super Manager Jenna' for nothing."

Letting out a huge sigh, Logan decided to make the most of her.

"Okay, show me your stuff. What does my competition look like?"

"Compared to blurry man, or the you from yesterday?"

"That difficult?"

"Relax! I've thought of a genius strategy; you just need to be able to run sideways."

"Go on..."

She leaned close, whispering into Logan's ear to avoid the mics picking them up.

"Sounds good! Let's do it!"

DING!

The four fighters jumped onto the large platform, and three of them charged towards the middle. Logan, however, stayed on the edge. He inspected the sides closely and, confirming the plan could work, began jogging the rim. He picked up speed, eventually moving fast enough to run directly on the platform's side.

The three fighters in the middle, busy fighting for control of the best territory, failed to notice until it was too late. The platform itself, in response to Logan's actions, spun like a top. Some were quick enough to grab hold of something before the centrifugal force became too great; but, like crabs in a bucket, they were soon attacked by the others in the middle.

DING! DING! DING!

"Would you look at that? It was a blowout, just like your prediction claimed... In hindsight, it might have been better not to say that."

"That is the nature of fortune telling, it takes away the surprise factor."

"Well, luckily, we have a captive audience," Gregory said with an ominous giggle.

Indeed, the now floating bleachers had no way for people to easily get back down to the ground. They could only hope that the next fight wouldn't be so cheap.

Applejack was among the freshman in match 2, so they were destined to be disappointed. As soon as the bell rang, he tossed a seed directly into the air. By the time it came back down, the large platform had to contend with a fully grown apple tree. The sudden strike to one side caused the entire platform to flip, sending the other three fighters hurtling below.

"Another match settled in less than a minute. You can see boos erupting from the stands. Ventriloquist, what do you have to say in apology?"

"What? You were the one who goaded me into a prediction. I was all 'no, what if I predict they will be really boring fights,' but you insisted."

"Are you sure your power isn't thick skin? It is almost like you are immune to shame."

"We can only hope I am proven wrong with the next bout."

The Feral Child was a fighter in this match. He howled before the bell had even rung, twin tattoos lighting up on both sides of his ribs. They were of an antelope and a jackalope.

DING!

He pounced directly towards the landing spot of another fighter, knocking him out of the sky with a fierce headbutt.

"AAAAAH!" CRASH!

Without batting an eye, the Feral child turned and pounced again. The second fighter had already landed, and was thus able to put up a modicum of resistance before getting mauled unconscious.

The third fighter, seeing the second get casually chunked off the platform, decided to voluntarily jump off.

DIN! DING! DING!

"Please, make no more predictions on mic."

"Don't worry, I'm not planning on sharing my future winnings..."