Chapter 68: The Colosseum

Jon's gaze was steady, his voice resolute. "I accept this challenge," he declared, his words echoing in the vast, alien chamber. He didn't know the specifics of the challenge, but the name "Colosseum" was enough to paint a vivid picture in his mind. A test of strength, courage, and survival. A challenge that could very well end in death. But Jon was no stranger to danger. He thrived in it.

The Crab-like alien's eyes narrowed, its mandibles twitching in surprise. "Have you heard of this challenge before?" it asked, its voice a low, guttural rumble.

"No, enlighten me," Jon replied, his tone nonchalant. He was a picture of calm, his demeanor unchanging despite the gravity of the situation.

The alien blinked, its confusion evident. It glanced at the security guard, its gaze questioning. It couldn't comprehend Jon's lack of fear. The mere mention of the "Colosseum" was enough to send most beings running for the hills. Yet, Jon had agreed without a moment's hesitation.

After a moment of silence, the Crab-like alien exhaled, its breath a hiss of air. "Come with me," it said, turning on its heel and leading the way.

"The Colosseum is not what you might expect," it began, its voice echoing in the dimly lit corridor. "You won't be fighting beasts. You'll be taming them. The beast within, to be precise. You must win in the game to earn the right to meet Mr. Laika."

Jon listened, his mind processing the information. He followed the alien through a dark corridor, the air growing colder with each step. They stopped in front of a massive door, its surface etched with intricate alien symbols.

"This is your challenge venue. Please come in, Jon the Ghost Rider." The Crab-like alien gestured towards the door, its claw-like hand gleaming under the dim light.

Jon had introduced himself as the Ghost Rider, a name that held significance in his world. He had noticed that the aliens spoke English, their names following the American convention. It was a testament to the arrogance of his people, who believed they were the center of the universe. Even in their movies, they portrayed a universe where everyone spoke English, named in their fashion, and controlled by their rules.

"Are there any more rules I should know about?" Jon asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Don't worry, someone will explain it to you when you go in," the Crab-like alien replied, its tone dismissive.

Jon nodded, his gaze fixed on the door. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. Then, without a backward glance, he stepped through the door, ready to face the deadly challenge of the Colosseum.

The darkness inside the door was all-encompassing, swallowing Jon whole. He stood still, his senses heightened, waiting for the unknown. Suddenly, a voice rang out, its tone flamboyant and captivating. "Ladies and gentlemen from all galaxies, and other viewers of unknown origins, welcome to today's deadly beast taming Colosseum!"

As the voice faded, the surroundings exploded into light, the sudden brightness momentarily blinding Jon. A wave of cheers erupted, the sound deafening. Blinking against the light, Jon took in his surroundings. He was standing in a small Colosseum, the stands filled with spectators. The crowd was small, no more than a hundred, but their enthusiasm was palpable. Above, a three-eyed host sat at the commentary table, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

The spectators were a motley crew of aliens, their appearances as diverse as the galaxies they hailed from. Across the Colosseum, a door opened, and a red-skinned alien stepped out. He was a formidable figure, with long braids, protruding fangs, and muscles that rippled like slabs of meat.

"Our champion, the king of beast taming, Eggma from Andromeda!" the host announced, his voice booming. The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices merging into a single chant. "Eggma! Eggma! Eggma!"

Eggma roared in response, flexing his muscles and basking in the adoration of the crowd.

"And our challenger, Jon the Ghost Rider!" the host continued. The crowd's reaction was immediate. Boos filled the air, and several spectators raised their middle fingers at Jon. It seemed that the universal sign of disrespect was indeed universal.

Jon gritted his teeth, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He had noticed that many of the spectators were interstellar criminals, their faces familiar from the MIB records. He made a mental note to apprehend them later. For now, he had a beast to tame and a champion to dethrone.

"Now, let me explain the rules to this rookie who doesn't know how to live or die!" The host's voice rang out, his tone dripping with mockery. Laughter echoed around the Colosseum, the spectators reveling in Jon's apparent ignorance.

"Listen up, rookie! The rules are simple. You and Eggma will each tame a giant mammoth from Gemini!" As the host finished speaking, the gates on either side of the Colosseum creaked open. Two electronic carts rolled in, each carrying a massive iron cage. Inside the cages were two enormous beasts, their size and ferocity surpassing any mammoth Jon had ever seen on Earth. They thrashed against their cages, their roars reverberating through the Colosseum.

The crowd erupted into cheers at the sight of the mammoths. "They stand 4 meters tall and weigh 12 tons. They're wild, untamable, and can easily crush an adult bison. Many trainers have met their end under their feet!" The host's voice was filled with glee as he described the mammoths.

He paused for a moment before continuing, "You and Eggma are free to interfere with each other during the taming process. However, lethal weapons are not allowed. The field administrator will now conduct a search."

An alien with a pointed head approached Jon, its eyes scanning him thoroughly. The rules were not designed to protect the contestants, but to preserve the integrity of the competition. The challenge was to tame the beast, not to kill the opponent. The danger of the mammoths was enough; adding weapons to the mix would only detract from the challenge.

"What is this?" The alien's voice was sharp as it pulled the Elder Wand from Jon's pocket.

"A memento from my galaxy," Jon replied, his voice calm. "It's a tool that allows me to use my racial talent. You said lethal weapons are not allowed, but this is not a weapon. It's a tool, and I need it."

The alien considered Jon's words for a moment before handing back the Elder Wand. The game was about to begin, and Jon was ready. He had a beast to tame, a champion to dethrone, and a crowd to silence.

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