Free *Editing*

Chapter 17

The night before the third match, the trio escort themselves downstairs at the sound of a familiar ruckus.

A set of security guards are poking and prodding at the only t.v in the lounge area. Usually, it sits on the wall small and dull with no cords or life pouring from it's flat screen. In a flash of light, it is alive with movement.

A female newscaster with a black undercut and sharp features sits at a desk with an inserted image on her left. The image is that of King Adamant, entering his palace assumably after being out on an errand. The crowds gather with haste. Nitro's members crowd the front and push any other low life prisoners out of the way, or otherwise just for fun. They are jesting at one another, talking about how proud they are that Huld managed to join the royal guard after Adamant "- saw his greatness"

The festivities are cut short, as the crowd parts respectfully for another. Birdy strolls in with her companions in tow. Markus, per usual enjoys the consideration of the crowd and smirks. Barn has his hands in his pants and is a bit more shy and shrinks away from the limelight. Her eyes stay keen and firm, they lock eyes with Craag. Behind him, Janie looks up at her. The stern expression fades and Birdy stares at the wounds she left behind. Large, bulbous wounds coat both her cheeks and jaw. Janie looks away, and tucks behind her man. It looks as if she has taken Ardenia's place by his side.

"Come any closer and I'll snap your neck. Savage." The guards are standing on the outside of the ring and are watching the confrontation with harsh intent. The trio notice, and Barn steps forward. "We aren't in the mood for confinement and neither are you." He wittingly declares. Markus backs up his friend.

"Ya, and if you really want a piece of us. Why not grow a pair of balls and enter the arena?" The Nitro's members go quiet. Birdy utters- "Ya, that's what we thought."

The three of them stand shoulder to shoulder with the Nitro's members square in front of the t.v. Disgusted by their boldness, they back off leaving the three of them a good foot or two of space. Barn leans in to whisper in his sister's ear.

"I'm surprised that worked." She laughs.

The newscaster brings the jubiable conversation to a halt.

"-as it appears, that the King has taken a keen interest in the aforementioned trio." They all hold their breaths. Nitro's sends a thousand glowing eyes filled with hate their way.

"-although, the king is not the only one to have taken up an interest. Fans are also beginning to form for the unlikely contenders! Unfortunately, their means of support are being considered unruly..."

A recording runs across the screen trembling and scratched along the sides. A group of rioters are standing outside of Adamants palace, they hold long sticks with posters glued to the ends and other means of proclamation.

"The protesters are attempting to bring to light the atrocities that the king has committed sense being in charge. Of course, these charges remain false, and the crowds are being quickly disposed off."

The jail stays silent, and even the Nitro's members seem to soften as a gruesome video is shown. A large handful of Adamants army swarm down on the protesters. They scream in horror as smoke bombs erupt and gun fire explodes in vicious volleys. Birdy covers her mouth and tries to stifle her gag. She envisions the brutality of those exact soldiers at the shelter, when they killed all those citizens for no reason...

She thanks the newscaster in her mind when the screen switches back to her cherry face. Although, it fills her with a sort of dread. Despite the terrible news, she seemed unfazed and almost robot-like.

"This fame has lead to a world record attendance. Practically every Celedoran citizen will be at the arena tomorrow, and we can not wait to see what comes next."