Chapter 37: Tournament Time!

(As the five days passed, Japan's team prepared themselves for the upcoming battles and switched into their tournament clothing. Gaito tightened his pelt and his blindfold but remembered what they said about Leonard's condition.)
-Aftermath of five days ago-
"Madeline: Will he still be alive..?"
"Doctor: After going through several x-rays, we've came to the conclusion he'll most likely be unable to fight for the next few years or so."
(Gaito overheard it all as he was walking back to the group.)
-Present-
"Gaito(Thinking): Just because he has overpowered muscle strength, doesn't mean I can't take him down. I've beaten guys way more tougher than him."
(A knock on the door was heard as Masunashi walked in.)
"Masunashi: Brother."
"Gaito: Sister."
(She fixed his pelt and held his hand.)
"Masunashi: We're rooting for you in the stands, Gaito. All I can say is... win."
"Gaito: Don't. Ever. Doubt your brother. I will make sure we win."
(Noah began to tighten his tape on his fists and iced his hands to a cold temperature. Azumi tightened her grip on her sword and hung it up then placed on her Oni mask. Velriot began to get last minute training in then slammed her fists together.)
"Velriot: Lets do this.."
(Onara tested her void power before they'd all head to the main arena.)
"Onara: Good. No power lost from all that training."
(The others later on prepared themselves and stepped out their rooms as the spectators was heading towards the seating areas and the entrance of the stadium packed with spectators and the fighters went to their sides of the arena.)

"Baisho: Everyone. This is it. The moment we've all been waiting for."
(The seating areas was filled to the brim as the announcers began to set their things in the booths and then the country leaders sat in separate seats next to one another.)
"Preston: Well everyone, may the best country win!"
"Baisho: Right!"
"Anna: Yes. I wish luck to you all."
"Suvorkin: Russia better not fail."
"Lucas Torrente: Tch, I didn't come here with my elite stars to be friends! No. WE came here to dominate all in the tournament and win!"
"Zaria Vargas: Can you stop with the tough guy act!? Aye Yi Yi!!"
"Luo Zhong: How about we all just take deep breaths. I know we're all serious about this tournament, but hey! The best wins right like Preston said?"
(The both of them sighed.)
"Both: You're right."
"Luo: Glad you think so!"
(Lights in the stadium went off as Madeline Hall sat down next to Luo.)
"Baisho: Madeline? How's Leonard?"
"Madeline: That... beast ruined Leonard's hero career..!"
(Suvorkin sat there with a smirk.)
"Where have you ever gotten such a dangerous monster like him. Suvorkin?!"
"Suvorkin: Hmph. Trample Horn was always known as a dangerous criminal. I've had eyes on him for years."
"Madeline: Evil miscreant."
(Fans got up from their seats as the announcers mics was on.)
"Announcer: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! BOYS AND GIRLS OF ALL AGES, WELCOME ALL, DEMONS, ANGELS, HUMANS, VOIDIONS AND MORE TO... THE INTERCONTINENTAL ELEMENTAL TOURNAMENT!!!"
(The whole arena was crowded with loud cheering and people from across the world was watching the tournament even the Heavens and those on Olympus is watching it as well.)

"Lyssa: Does something trouble you Aenta?!
"Aenta: No Lyssa. I'm just... worried."
"Lyssa: For Sawano?"
"Aenta: Mhm... he left the hotel and just went back to Hakodate without a second thought.."
"Lyssa: Maybe his past is really bugging him!"
"Aenta: Maybe so. But I just hope he'd support his friends..."
"Lyssa: We'll see what happens!"
(Meanwhile in Hakodate, Sawano returned to his dojo after going out to complete his errands looked around at the quietness then sat down on the couch and decided to ponder to himself for a moment while everyone stared at the gates.)
"Announcer #2: Without further adieu, LETS INTRODUCE THE COUNTRIES COMPETEING FOR THE TOURNAMENT!"
(The gates all buzzed as the nine chambers opened to reveal the teams which started mixed cheering reactions for the separate teams.)
"Hayden: Hey! Sorry I'm late! Did it start?!"
"Baisho: Just now starting."
"Hayden: Nice! Wait- where's Eduardo?"
"Anna: Eduardo had... family business to take care of before he'd show up, so he'd be running a little late."
"Hayden: Ah that's alright."
"Announcer #3: Ladies and gents, that's not all! If we all may have a moment of silence for our special guests..!"
(The spotlights was shining around the arena as a light was ascending from the skies and down came several Gods from Olympus.)
"Ares: Haha! Such worthy competitors for this tournament!"
"Poseidon: This will be quite the battle for all of these warriors."
"Kira: Kira cannot disagree with that!"
"Caerus: Even though this will be a very difficult tournament to watch, it is quite exciting to see such powerful adversaries!"
"Announcer: Give it up for our special guests! God Of War, ARES! God Of The Ocean, Poseidon! Goddess of Creation, Kira and the God Of Wishes... Caerus!"
(The stadium blasted with more cheers as the bystanders was in awe as Ares walked over to Gaito and the rest of his team.)

"Ares: Gaito!"
(He patted his shoulder.)
"Good to see ya again pal! I root for you and your team to kick ass in this tournament and win!"
"Gaito: We all plan to do so."
"Ares: HA HAAAAA!! THAT'S WHAT I WANNA HEAR, COME HERE YA RASCAL!"
(He gave Gaito a noogie and laughed while Gaito was in pain and felt his head being grinded.)
"Everyone: He is such an uncle..."
"Announcer #2: Now if we may, please welcome another special guest!"
(The spotlight was pointed to a podium on the stage.)
"He's known as the current rank one fighter in Japan, give it up for the Earth's savior... SAWANO MAGACHI!!"
(Roars of cheering was echoing throughout the arena as he removed his hood and revealed his horns which had pictures being snapped across the whole stadium.)
"Okisaki: BROTHER???"
(He winked at Okisaki before beginning his speech.)
"Sawano: Thank you all. I want to ask you all something.. Are you ready..?"
(The cheers was heard at a minimum.)
"I believe I wasn't heard enough.. I said... ARE.. YOU.... READY..???!"
(The cheers was picked back up throughout the world.)
"THAT'S WHAT I WANNA HEAR! Lets go over the rules before we release the brackets! This tournament must have an ACCURATE COUNT of ten competitors per team. There are NO weapons allowed inside the tournament. Any healing abilities will be temporary disabled until the match is concluded. Creation Goddess Kira has made sure this entire arena is impossible to cause collateral damage to so feel free to go all out. ALSO, this tournament has battle royal rules. If you go outside the ring, you are eliminated throughout the entire match. BUT, you can also win by knocking your opponent unconscious. So the team that wins will advance to the next round and take on that team and so on. Any questions?"
(One of the fighters raised their hand.)

"Ah, yes go ahead."
"Canadian Fighter: So, um.. I was wondering. What exactly is the top prize for the winning team?"
"Sawano: The top prize for the winning team will be one wish per survivor throughout the tournament."
(Everyone was surprised after hearing the top prize as most was nervous.)
"Now, if there is nothing else... HERE COMES THE BRACKETS!"
(The brackets was posted which scared almost a few fighters in the ring. Mexico complained about fighting against Russia in the qualifying round.)
"I forgot..!! There has been a qualifying round after United Kingdom's departure from the tournament. With there being nine competing countries. The only way this can be decided is a match right here right now!"
(The brackets on the screens vanished as Russia and Mexico's signs clashed then appeared on the screens. After multiple referees appeared outside of the ring, the competitors for the tournament all went backstage to watch the qualifying match.)
"Suvorkin: Win for Russia!"
"Zaria: You can do this for Mexico's honor!!!"
(The clock ticked down to its final ten seconds as Sawano and the podium vanished past the wall behind them to go backstage and the buzzer sounded.)
"Screens: LETS GO TO BATTLE!"
(Trample Horn roared and ran towards them all as the Russian fighters charged towards the Mexicans fighters but suffered losing five people on their team after one charging attack which surprised almost the entire arena and most of the people backstage.)
"Announcer: WOW, JUST LIKE THAT FIVE ELIMINATIONS ALREADY! SUCH A TERRIFYING BEAST IN THE RING!!! I'D SURE HATE TO BE YOU RIGHT NOW, MEXICO!"
(The remaining five competitors for Mexico began to think of a plan.)

"Marcos: Wait! Please amigo! Spare us please... we cannot-"
(Trample Horn grabbed his neck and tree'd Marcos into the ground then clapped his hands to remove the dust. After so, there was now only four remaining to Mexico's team.)
"Trample Horn: Trample Horn no listen to puny, weak human garbage. Time to take out rest of-"
(They all vanished for a moment then swung in for an offensive attack with all of their elements activated at once until he unleashed a powerful roar that dissolved their elemental attacks and forced them back which then Trample Horn's muscles began to grow even larger than before and toughened his body to withstand strong attacks.)
"I NOW CRUSH WEAK, PUNY HUMANS!"
(One of the Mexican fighters hopped on Trample Horn's back and was blinded by a spicy mist which was blown into his eyes which caused him to roar and stumble around in pain as she flipped off his back and landed on her feet.)
"Carmen: Good one, Isabel!"
"Isabel: All that training paid off, lets take him down!"
(The Russian fighters began to attack them as the remaining four took on the incoming fighters as Isabel tried to eliminate Trample Horn by punching him towards the ring's edge. Most of the fans was in shock at the progress she's making which had Suvorkin sweating a bit in fear and Zaria excited for his elimination. After stopping for a second and charged a powered punch, Trample Horn opened his eyes through the mist and roared loudly but gripped her arm tightly and started slamming her from left and right of the ring which then began to disgust some of the spectators in the stands and had Suvorkin return to a cocky smirk.)
"Trample Horn: NOW I'M MAD!"
(She coughed blood after being slammed repeatedly and was placed on his shoulders which had everyone screaming at Trample Horn to not do it.)
"Preston: SUVORKIN! CALL OFF TRAMPLE HORN, HE'S GOING TO KILL HER!"
"Baisho: DO IT RIGHT NOW!"
(Suvorkin stood up from her seat as the country leaders begged her to stop but she raised a thumb gesture and pointed down which gave Trample Horn permission. After so, Isabel tried getting out of his grip but saw the remaining three taken down then a loud snap was heard as she screamed in agony to her body feeling like being snapped in half which then called off the match and rushed in paramedics. The stadium was echoing with boos everywhere for Russia as they was handed the win of the match but the Russians was cheering and celebrating and Suvorkin was sitting there with an evil laugh on her face.)

"Zaira: If Isabel cannot fight for the rest of her life, so help me.. I'm coming back for your head..!"
(She quickly ran backstage to find Isabel as she was crowded by paramedics and followed them into the infirmary. As the Russians made their way backstage, the entire locker room started yelling at them then stepped up the girls of each team yelling at Trample Horn.)
"Trample Horn: Ladies! Ladies! Worry not, I'll get the chance to kill each and every one of you soon enough!"
(Gaito stepped up without hesitation.)
"Gaito: You think you're the strongest? Guess the f**k again. You're looking at the guy who has no hesitation to blast your ass into space."
"Trample Horn: Ohohoh! Seems like we got a man here. You believe you can beat Russia's strongest fighter alive, you childish insect. You only increase death percentage."
"Gaito: The only thing that increased is the amount of times, I'm going to throw your ass from corner to corner in that ring."
(Everyone ooo's to Gaito's words then the both of them had a standoff.)
-A while ago-
"Marcos: So.. Isabel's... done..?"
(They all nodded and looked down in shame as Zaria stood outside the infirmary door but was approached by Gaito.)
"Gaito: So what's going on here?"
"Zaria: Have you not seen the match?! Isabel's paralyzed from the neck down..!!"
"Gaito: Oh. Mind if I go see her?"
"Zaria: Well... go ahead.. I guess."
(Gaito walked in the room and looked at the unconscious Isabel.)
"Gaito: How old is she?"
"Marcos: She's twenty four."
"Gaito: Damn.. too early for this girl."
(He electrocuted his fingertips and blasted Isabel with enough lightning to restore her body which then awoke her from her coma.)

"Zaria: Huh..?! What did you do..???"
"Isabel: W-what... h-happened...?"
"Gaito: Easy easy! All I did was blast her with some of my lightning to heal her injuries. In short, she'll need to take it easy for now but she'll fight again."
(Everyone of Mexico cheered and thanks Gaito with their hearts as he turned to Isabel.)
"Isabel: You... fixed me..?"
"Gaito: Of course I did. Its no big deal anyway, so I'm just doing what I should've-"
(Isabel forcefully kissed Gaito on the lips without hesitation which surprised him completely and surprised everyone else. Meanwhile, Gaito sat in the men's locker room remembering that kiss.)
"Noah: Hello! Earth to Gaito!"
"Gaito: Huh!?"
"Noah: Why you zoning out man? We're up!"
"Gaito: Oh! Oh right.. who we fight?"
"Noah: Spain. While you zoned out for like two hours, the United States already advanced and so did Germany. But I'll tell you something.."
"Gaito: Hm?"
"Noah: We need to avoid Sybille Schmidt."
"Gaito: Why do that..?"
"Noah: Because... without help from her teammates, she single handedly eliminated everyone with just one attack each. Unlike you, she's able to hide everything and not get caught..."
"Gaito: Big deal, Sawano tried taking down the Anti-Gods himself and boom, he got his ass beat so I had to step in and save him."
"Noah: Look, you'll see her when the time comes."
(He'd walk to the door and opened it but looked back at Gaito.)
"But for now, avoid her at all costs."
(A while later, the fans was rising from their seats and began to see Japan and Spain begin to fight after thinking of a strategy.)

"Eduardo: Apologies for my tardiness."
(The mic was heard on the stage as everyone gave Sawano their attention.)
"Sawano: Attention..! Um, there has been a chance to this match. Due to a... behind-the-scenes problem, this match will now take place right here and right now. Spain will not being facing Japan, how ever... this country will be."
(The crowd was confused as the spot light pointed to the fifth gate and buzzed opened which revealed Russia's team and Trample Horn stood in front of them all with a satisfied smirk and had Gaito pissed off.)
"Crystalline: Uh...!"
"Azumi: Russia...?!"
"Lotus: Hmph. We must not give in to fear."
"Silvershot: Lets just give this show off the what for!"
"Gaito: No."
"Silvershot: Huh-"
(Gaito stepped up in front of his team as Spain's team began to leave the ring.)
"Gaito: Let me... handle this bastard."
(Trample Horn and Gaito met face to face as more referees appeared outside the ring than usual after what he pulled last time.)
"Trample Horn: Ready to die, little pipsqueak?"
"Gaito: Pipsqueak..?"
(He began to roar which increased his height to Trample Horn's chest and surprised the others.)
"Trample Horn: Oh.. just so you grew a few more inches at me makes you think you can beat me? Guess again, kid!"
(He'd walk to his side as the teams separated into their spots and the buzzer began to count down from ten seconds as they all stared down one another.)
"Gaito(Thinking): This cocky scumbag think he's that good...?"
"Trample Horn(Thinking): This little brat will die!"
(As the clock reached its final three seconds, they both thought the same thing.)
"Both(Thinking): He's going down!"
(The buzzer was heard as the referees finished preparing themselves.)
"Screens: LETS GO TO BATTLE!!"
(Both teams charged at one another as Gaito and Trample Horn roared and began to fight one another in the must-see fight.)