The Mid Levelysium!
This world, stained red from terrible battles of infinite no end, was to be their home... in one way or another.
The Mid Levelysium had beckoned.
And the four winners of The Tournament of Men had answered.
This was a realm worthy of the most powerful warriors only, and it was to be where these truest men were to spend their days engaged in the fiercest training of combat and war.
"You three will serve well as soldiers in my army," said The Shocker from behind his impenetrable face mask.
A fit of deep laughter erupted from one of the villain's would be henchmen however, as The Black Hat nearly fell to his knees in mirth.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
And just when the laughter seemed to about end, it would once again begin anew in a burst of knee slapping guffaws.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The man's hoots and coughs went on so long in fact that The Shocker vented a grunt of annoyance at the taunt.
But The Black Hat was not through with him yet!
"I'm going to remember you said that boy when I'm busy fucking your bitch in my barn," spat The Black Hat when he could finally eventually speak.
Snarling in characteristic hyper rage, The Shocker swung one of his electrified fists at the other villain's dark hatted head only to be met by a concussive blast upon impact.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The Shocker was sent flying through the air!
Landing in an unceremonious heap some feet away, the villain heard his enemy's laughter once more begin!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"It seems the Tournament laws are still in full effect while we are here," said Steel blankly in his dry manly tone.
The Rogue side eyed the metal man, not offering his opinion in any way as The Shocker got to his feet.
The renegade cop was not about to let his guard down around the robotic cyborg from the future, even if the chrome robot had repeatedly claimed in The Hall of Victors that he meant the other hero no harm.
"Gentlemen," started Steel once more as if on queue. "I once again implore you all to listen to reason."
The android just would not take no for an answer! The other three warriors were already rolling their eyes.
"The four of us are destined to be a team one day," continued the robotic hero. "If we waste our time fighting one another, we can only be weaker as a whole when it is time to face our final battle."
Finally, having had more than enough do-gooder nonsense than he could take, The Rogue answered the metal man from the future without turning around.
"Do you honestly think any of us are going to listen to that?" said the anti-heroic police officer in his usual gruff voice.
"I mean, man.... look at this dude, here!" continued The Rogue, gesturing to The Shocker whom had once again joined the other three on the overlook of The Mid Levelysium.
The villain was a wall of living muscled covered in a literal armor of weapons.
"This is a killer. This is a man that does not like to listen to reason as a sport!"
The Shocker nodded his approval to the description.
"That is indeed my favorite," said the villain, his eyes wide with amusement from within his mask at the memories of such pasttime activities.
Grimacing at yet another rejection of his plan, Steel knew his blue suited companion may indeed be correct. Perhaps it was time for an alternate method to be selected.
The internal sci fi mechanical workings of the cyborg began to churn and soon a high tech laser rifle had emerged from his chest to be mounted upon his shoulder.
The butt of the futuristic gun began to glow as Steel turned to face toward The Shocker. The villain, for himself, stood unblinking as his enemy charged his weapon.
A sizzling crackle of energy!
SSSSSZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZSSSSSSS!
A stream of high powered rays emanated from the laser rifle, missing The Shocker's head by only mere inches, leaving a hole the size of a freeway burning through the dense forest beyond!
None of the warriors moved as they witnessed the immense devastation caused by the energy beam.
"But The Tournament laws?" said The Black Hat, confused on how the metal warrior had been able to act.
"My aim was correct," answered Steel with a slight grin. "Would you like to try yours next, friend?"
The Rogue looked down at his much smaller sidearm, and realized the robot was taunting him.
"Bout time, Chrome Boy," said the hero, finally feeling he had reached an accord with his frenemy.
Their path was the way of war. And only through its means would they find their future together.
"Come on. We have a lot of work to do if this place is to be ready," continued The Rogue to his rival combatants.
All four men agreed. The time of words was now over between them.
If The Mid Levelysium was to be finished in time for the second round of The Tournament of Men, then the warriors would have to begin now. Only through their sweat would the industry of martial strife rise once more over the land!
Return to The Mid Levelysium after Round One of The Tournament of Men ends!
-Fin