A Man In Search Of Glorious Purpose: Book Five

Chapter Nine: The Tournament Of Champions

I allowed it all to sink in, the very thought of Thor and I being close, as we've been all through our childhood, and his strong bond with me as teenagers, to suddenly drift apart scared me like you wouldn't imagine. The visions raced through my head as I lied awake staring at the ceiling of my guest chamber- making it impossible for sleep to ever come, I couldn't remember the last time of ever having a decent nights sleep, except for sleeping comfortably in my fine Asgardian bed sheets, made by the finest Draper in Asgard, and that comfortable green throw that kept me warm on chilled fall days to cold winter nights, even though at the time it clearly didn't bother me. Being a Frost Giant, and not even realizing it, until that fateful morning that changed the way I saw my adopted parents. Finally sleep came at last, least until the shrill blows from trumpets could be heard that I arose and walked from my bed and came over to the window throwing back the drape, and looked down and saw the celebrations for the nights impending tournament. With a nod I changed into new Asgardian leather and headed down to the Common room, when I saw him sitting there surrounded with all of his admirers and loyal subjects almost like a makeshift God- that I slightly rolled my eyes, but came over to him and sat near him. "Ah good morning Loki!- I trust you slept well?" He said with this animated smile on his face, with a blank expression I sat regal like and answered "...I could've slept better but it is how it is?" He patted me on the shoulder, that I slightly cringed "ah well?, today is the big day!- and you will be joining me in my private box to see the most talked about event ever to exist on this planet!" He said once again placing an arm around my shoulder that I glanced at his arm and moved it slightly.

Day turned to night as the events of the day surged into the nighttime climax, as the trumpets blared again, as many spectators clamored in, placing their bets and gambling high steaks as to whom would win the tournament- I just wanted to see for myself if my so called Brother, as gallant as he seemed as a warrior, was going to prove his valor, since I clearly for the time decided it was maybe best if for the time we went our separate ways, since the sight of him brushing me aside still lingered in my head from the day before. I looked down at my wager card that I had been given by the Grandmaster, and tallied up the amount of money that I had betted, when the Grandmaster strolled out of the Arena entryway the crowd below grew silent. He looked up a the crowd, then magically grew sixty feet high- beaming from ear to ear, I sat down and watched, from the private box, some anticipation finally appeared on my face. "Wow!, look at all of you, WHAT A NIGHT! , who's having fun?, I'm your host, a big round of applause to our undercard competitors!- who died so gruesomely, good sport what a night!" I leaned forward eagerly wanting to just see the tournament begin full swing, as the Grandmaster got quick to the point. "Making his first appearance, though he looks quite promising, got a couple of tricks up his sleeve, I'll say no more, ladies and gentlemen I give you- The Lord Of Thunder! " the crowd thundered with applause, as Thor finally marched out dressed in Gladiator attire, of course, as usual revving up the already enthralled audience, that thundered with heavy applause for him that I let out a sigh and looked the other way briefly before glancing back. 

"Aaaaand lets welcome our Champion that never fails at pleasing us with his brute strength!- ok this is it, lets get ready to welcome this guy, he's undefeated!- he's the reigning!- he's the defending!- Ladies and Gentlemen I give you!-"  when the sliding door shattered and out came the Champion, facing the crowd he roared as the audience couldn't contain their excitement. realizing who the Champion was. I lowered myself down slightly, but then looked up carefully, Thor quickly turned and saw a familiar face, but instead of lethally advancing he turned and smiled up at him, I drew in my breath and placed my hand over my mouth looking down, at him, "THAT'S MY BUDDY OVER THERE!"  He pointed with his sword unafraid. Briefly Hulk glanced up at me and the color drained from my face- as I finally realized who he was, and remembered being brutally thrashed around by him in New York, that I quickly got up and backed away "I have to get OFF  this planet!?-" I then quickly made an attempt to just leave when The Grandmaster appeared in front of me. "hey, hey, hey! where are you going?" He invitingly lead me back to the seats and assuring me that the Tournament was worth watching. Down in the arena center, Thor gawked again with pride "Hey!- we know each other he's a friend from work!- where have you been everyone thought you were dead?!-" He said speaking face to face with Hulk, who looked menacingly down at him, fiercely. But then he did the unthinkable....            

"LOKI'S ALIVE CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!- HE'S UP THERE!!"  He gestured up to the Private box, I became momentarily numb as Hulk took another brief glance up at me the color drained completely from my body and I became slightly shaky, "LOKI LOOK WHO IT IS!!-"  slightly looking mortified and embarrassed I for the time being, had nothing to say as I managed to sit and cover my face, The Grandmaster smiled and placed his hand on my shoulder again, before standing back up "HERE WE GO!" as the tournament began at last, as Thor and Hulk began squaring off with each other, only Thor was avoiding Hulks advances in due to them once working together, now it was opposite, as now they had to compete against each other as the crowd cheered on opposite sides, when Thor was grabbed by the leg and thrashed around by Hulk, reminiscent, of being on Stark Tower, and enduring the agonizing pain that hulk had ensued on me, when seeing this happen to HIM  and not me, made the feeling of embarrassment fade away, that I shot up with a burst of excitement "YESSSS!- THAT'S HOW IT FEELS!!"  I excitedly bobbed up and down in excitement, that the Grandmaster looked at me oddly in shock, "I'm just a huge fan of the sport?" I turned and smiled at him, trying to calm myself, from nearly embarrassing myself but it felt good to see Hulk smash someone other than myself, for once. When Thor finally advanced to take the fight in his own power by unleashing his powerful lightening strike nailing hulk as Hulk was thrusted against the Arena wall, by Thor's attack, 

Thor looked proudly at his advances, when up in the private box I just had this look of amazement, as if seeing Thor's Godly powers for the first time, when the Grandmaster unimpressed with the way the Tournament was going used his obedience disc in mid fight Thor collapsed to the floor of the arena, like being knocked to the floor in battle, Thor got up just in time to see Hulk deliver a final blow, he groggily turns over and  tries to avoid Hulks final attack when it was too late as Hulk hit him with a final blow, knocking Thor unconscious, the tournament drew to a close with Hulk winning, as Thor was taken away to the recovery chamber for opponents- ending with me earning my betted wager. What a GLORIOUS way to end such a big event!.