The Opening Ceremony

The crowd let out a sustained cheer as the teams began to file onto the arena floor. The teams walked out onto the hard, dirt field where most of the tournament would take place. It lay bare now but my tomorrow it would be designed to fit whatever competition the teams would compete in.

"Welcome everyone to the opening ceremony of the 11th annual Team Takeover Tournament!" The announcer greeted from the broadcasting booth somewhere on the upper floors of the stadium. His presence reminded all of the teams that this event was broadcast across the world. At this very moment, upwards of tens of thousands of people were watching eagerly.

"I'm your announcer, Matt Chatson, and I am just as excited as the thousands in attendance to meet this year's competitors."

Matt Chatson was an excitable man with a pointed mohawk. Despite having a chair in the announcer's booth he was always standing to get a better look at the field.

The crowd shouted with excitement to show they agreed. Those on the arena floor who were already nervous surely felt worse after hearing just how many people they stood before.

"Before we meet the young adults that have gathered today to show us just how bright the future is we have the man who makes this entire event possible who would like to share a few words. Matt's excitement showed exactly how he got his role as announcer, it was infectious. "Please give a warm welcome to the tournament sponsor and owner, Mr. Funai!"

The camera feed cut to a sharply dressed, white-haired man somewhere in his sixties. He stood on a balcony on the top floor that extended out over the spectator's seating area. The crowd cheered as a form of thank you for the man who put the event they came to see together.

"The winners of this year's tournament will receive a $5,000 donation to their guild, the coveted tournament trophy, and a personal meeting with Mr. Funai himself!" Matt annouced.

The crowd cheered once again, the packed stands of the arena filled with nothing but smiling faces. They quieted for Mr. Funai as he began his speech.

"Greetings to all those in attendance and watching at home. I am proud to be here for..."

Mr Funai's words faded from Hitsu's ears. He zoned out of reality to become one with his own thoughts.

"That's our guy," Hitsu thought, "he might know a thing or two about God Butterflies. If we win this not only will we show everyone just how great heroes are but I might be able to gain some information as well."

Hitsu's eyes drifted to his team members. Sel, Jinsuke, and Enai. Together they could show all the people who looked down on them the mistake they had made. He froze when he saw Nox. Tears, only a couple, silently fell from her eyes. She looked up at Mr. Funai from his unreachable perch. Nobody noticed her crying except for Hitsu, they were all focused on the main attraction. In this moment she was nothing but a speck in a grand spectacle.

"Nox," Hitsu whispered concerned.

Sel, Jinsuke, and Enai noticed now too. They all looked at their teammate hoping they could support her.

"Are you okay," Enai asked quietly.

"Yeah," Nox said as she wiped her eyes clear, "I just need to talk to him. I need to know more about the butterflies."

Nox's words struck Hitsu like a bullet in the chest. What was he doing? How did he make this about himself? When did this become a quest for glory and revenge? His motivation was all wrong. He realized that now.

Hitsu placed a comforting hand on Nox's shoulder.

"We'll get to him," Hitsu said with a comforting smile, "I promise."

To anyone else, this would have been a simple form of encouragement but Nox knew better. Hitsu had told her before that he had never broken a promise. This wasn't just some words, it was his guarantee they would win this tournament.

Nox studied her teammate's faces, they all shared the same sentiment without knowing the full weight of Hitsu's words. Nox smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I know we will."

...

"It's their turn now," Mirai said with a drink in her hand.

She stood by the glass facing the arena floor with Takeshi and Shibata. Many of the other headmasters stood around the screen wall on the other side of the room. They boasted proudly when their teams were announced by Matt and shown on the broadcast for everyone to be introduced to. 

"Our next team is from the town of Shinjabi," Matt said in an excited tone. "This all-girls team consists of Racer Itami, Reika Shinjo, Karen Fumihara, Stacy Nou, and their leader Ida Weis. They are the defender's team The Weaving Witches!"

Hitsu studied Ida's team from afar. Racer was a petite girl with messy brown hair and small bandages adorning her knees, elbows, and left cheek. She bounced with excitement as the team had their moment on screen. Reika had long white hair which she held in her hands in front of her body like she was trying to hide away from sight. Karen was a blonde girl that many people would find attractive. She stood waving at the crowd with one hand on her hip. Stacy was a shorter girl with black hair and pink highlights. She pushed up her large glasses as she took in the large crowd. Ida stood by all of them waving confidently at the cheering crowd.

"The Weaving Witches?" Takeshi said inquisitively, "Seems like a fitting name for one of your teams."

Mirai giggled as the camera moved on to the next team.

"Our next team is from right here in Sithstopolis," Matt announced. The crowd erupted into cheers, a large amount of the spectators clearly not having to travel far to see this event.

"Hometown hero aren't you?" Takeshi asked Shibata.

"Perhaps it will motivate my students beyond their current limits," Shibata said as he pulled his hand through his long beard.

"This team consists of Seiki Rappa, Tenko Denki, August Hampe, Alice Caden, and their leader Futaro Mishima. They are the guardian team United Balance"

Seika was a green-haired boy with an aura that exuded comfort. On the other hand, Tenko's sharp teeth and red hair made him seem ready for a fight. August's neat light brown hair and calm demeanor didn't make him stand out. He observed the crowd with a near-blank expression. Alice stood out far more with her long, curly, blonde twin-drill hairstyle and a white ribbon covering her eyes. Futaro bowed to the crowd and his team followed suit. The crowd cheered loudly at this show of respect.

After several more teams that Hitsu didn't recognize the screen showed the one he had been waiting for.

"That's him," Hitsu said to his team. The screen displayed the boy who had attacked him surrounded by four other competitors. Something about them exuded a confidence that bordered on arrogance.

"Next up we have a team from Misrne," Matt shouted over the microphone. "Consisting of Hadrin Taura, Axel Adonis, Lance Chancer, Andrew Stina, and their leader Koji Arake. They are the hunter team Black Thunder."

Although they were showered with cheers none of the members of Black Thunder showed the crowd any love. They all looked as though they thought this cheering was deserved.

Hadrin was an intimidating girl with black and white hair. She grinned as she took in the crowd's affection. Axel had deep purple hair and spiked black wristbands. Lance had silver hair and smirked from behind a deck of cards he held firmly in his right hand. Andrew stood out the most. He was a giant, the tallest competitor on the field, and had to weigh over 300 pounds. His stomach curved out in front of him and his head lacked any hair at all. Koji was the boy who confronted Hitsu. He scowled at the crowd, seemingly annoyed he had to sit through introductions.

In the headmaster's room, Nobuo laughed loudly. "Yes, look upon the winning team," he commanded, "they will crush anyone in their way!" He glared in Takeshi's direction as he said those last words.

"Confident isn't he?" Mirai chuckled.

"Because he doesn't know what he's up against," Takeshi responded.

The introduction continued until they reached the third to last team.

"Next I would like to introduce a team from New Faith," Matt said as he read the team's information. "This team consists of Nox Etena, Enai Furuya, Jinsuke Sone, Sel Delmine, and their leader Hitsu Chosokabe. They are the hero team The Voyage!"

Immediately after reading that line, Matt froze in his place. He looked over the card again. Had he read that right? A hero team? There are never hero teams at the tournament?

The crowd shared the same sentiment. There was a collective silence, then scattered boos and shouts, and then a chorus of jeers and insults. The Voyage was showered with negativity whereas the other teams received cheers.

"Harsh," Mirai said with a hint of sadness.

"Do you feel bad for them Takeshi?" Shibata asked.

"Not at all," Takeshi replied.

"Now," Hitsu instructed.

At the same time, the five members of The Voyage pointed their right index fingers high to the sky.

"What's this?" Matt said without realizing it, "The Voyage is doing some kind of symbol despite the booing crowd."

Some of the booing ceased as shocked spectators saw the sign of defiance coming from the group. They accepted the crowd's reaction with open arms. The five fingers in the air stood as a message. It said that no matter what anyone thought they were here to win.

"Those guys are amazing," Ida said.

"This I love to see," Futaro chuckled.

"Damn heroes," Koji growled.

"I don't feel bad at all," Takeshi continued, "those kids are just fine."

...

End of Episode 57