Gar and EB walked down the hallway toward the arena. The roar of the crowd grew louder with every step. Several other amateur wrestlers waited just inside the entrance, wearing a mix of homemade costumes and more professional-looking gear. Many looked nervous, shifting from foot to foot. This was the audition of the year — a real chance for regular people to catch the eye of the biggest pro-wrestling organization in the world.
“Wow!” One man in the back spotted Gar. His reaction drew every eye in the group, and a wave of timid fear spread through the competitors.
Gar paused, EB bouncing at his side. “What is a Regal Fight again?”
“Royal Rumble,” EB corrected cheerfully.
“Oh, right. What is that?”
“It’s a free-for-all. People get added to the ring one by one. If you get thrown out, you’re done. Last one standing wins. Simple, straightforward, and really fun to watch.”
Gar frowned. “I throw people out of the ring? Wouldn’t that hurt them?”
EB facepalmed. “It’s wrestling. People are going to get hurt. But it’s all a show.”
“I still don’t get it.”
Before EB could explain further, a woman in tight wrestling gear strode through the group. She had a fierce expression and clapped her gloved hands for attention. “Alright, everyone! Welcome to the most important match of your lives. This is the A.W.W. Amateur Royal Rumble. I’m Firey Vixen, and don’t worry — I’m not fighting you tonight.”
EB practically drooled. “You can throw me whenever you like.”
“Oh, how cute. A bunny.” Vixen smiled at him before continuing. “Rules are simple. This is pro-wrestling. Pull your punches. Don’t seriously injure anyone. Make it look good. Make it look painful. If you get knocked down, sell it like it’s the worst hit of your life. Get thrown out? Keep the act going. Winning or losing this match doesn’t automatically get you a contract. We’re watching how well you perform as a wrestler — good losers can be just as entertaining as winners. But if you obviously try to hurt someone, you’re out. Got it?”
The group murmured agreement.
Vixen turned to Gar. “Layton told me about you. First time, huh? Good luck. Remember — no real harm, but sell it.”
“I’ll do my best,” Gar replied.
She pulled a card from her outfit. “What’s your stage name?”
“My stage name?”
EB jumped in. “Every wrestler needs one! Something that sounds powerful and says what you’re all about.”
“My name is Gargoyle.”
EB shook his head. “No, no, no! That’s your real name. We need something better. How about Dragon… no, Dragon Von Fire was two years ago. Or The Rock, since you’re made of stone? Wait, that’s dumb. No one would call themselves that. What about…”
Loud music and flashing lights erupted from the stage area, cutting EB off.
Vixen shrugged. “Looks like you’re going as Gargoyle. It’s mysterious and cool. Now move. You—” she pointed at EB, “—take a seat in the stands. No coaches in the arena.”
Dramatic music thundered as fog machines filled the hallway. Gar followed the other contestants, feeling awkward as they waved their arms and struck theatrical poses. A stage hand suddenly grabbed him and shoved him forward. “Go!”
A booming voice echoed through the arena. “And for the first time ever, we have a member of BADGE! You’ve seen him save the world. You’ve seen him fight monsters ten stories tall. Now he’ll see if he can survive the Royal Rumble… GARGOYLE!”
Lights flashed. Fog billowed. The crowd erupted as Gar stepped into view. He raised his arms, extended his wings, and turned slowly. The cheers grew even louder. Gar felt something warm bloom in his chest. He liked this.
Robert Layton stood in the center of the ring, mic in hand. “Amateurs, are you ready? Audience, are you ready? Because of our special guest, we’re starting with Gargoyle — the first superhero to ever compete in A.W.W.!”
Explosive applause rolled through the arena. The other contenders lined the ramp, waving him forward. Gar ran through them, beat his wings once, and flew into the ring. The chanting started almost immediately.
“GARGOYLE! GARGOYLE! GARGOYLE!”
“Next, The Dancing Cavalier!” Robert announced.
A tall, muscular man in colorful tights cartwheeled and backflipped into the ring.
“Next, Mustang Pilot!”
A slimmer contender in blue leggings slipped under the ropes and tried to hype up the crowd.
Mustang Pilot smiled at Gar. “Hey! It’s me—”
“AND!” Robert shouted, “the last starter — Slipshod!”
A massive, bearded mountain of muscle stomped into the ring, pointing aggressively at Gar.
The crowd roared. Robert exited the ring as the two streamers positioned themselves for the best angles.
The bell rang.
The other three exploded into action. The Dancing Cavalier launched himself at Mustang Pilot while Slipshod charged straight at Gar.
Gar, still unsure how this worked, held his arms out and backed up. Slipshod sneered. “So the stone giant is scared of me?”
“Uh, no. I just don’t know how this works.”
“Oh, so you’re an idiot. Perfect — I’ll toss you out first!” Slipshod grabbed Gar’s wing and tried to throw him. Gar didn’t budge. After a moment of futile tugging, Gar casually grabbed the man and slammed him to the mat.
“Don’t worry,” Gar said kindly. “You didn’t hurt me.”
Slipshod scrambled up, furious. “I’m gonna take you down!”
Meanwhile, Mustang Pilot had already thrown the Dancing Cavalier out of the ring. The announcer called it immediately. “And Dancing Cavalier is out!”
Slipshod rammed Gar again, but the stone hero didn’t move an inch. The big man groaned and heaved, trying to shove him. Gar simply reached down, lifted Slipshod like a small box, and casually tossed him over the ropes. The giant landed hard on the padded floor outside.
“Oh! And there goes Slipshod!” one of the streamers cheered.
Gar frowned. Surely this can’t be that easy.
A new contender jumped into the ring and charged him. Gar caught the man’s arm and threw him out as well. “And Galactic Bomb just bombed big time!”
Mustang Pilot approached with a friendly smile. “Wow, you’re good. Hey, do you remember me? I—”
The crowd suddenly screamed. Security scrambled. Something crashed down from above, landing hard between Gar and Mustang Pilot, shoving them both back.
EB appeared on the stage, holding a glowing magical egg like a weapon. “Well, well, well… Mr. Kitty shows up.”
The lion-masked man stood tall in the center of the ring, staring directly into the nearest camera. “This battle has just begun!”
