Angel's Ascension: Tenacious Folly (Book Four)

Chapter 1: The Tournament Begins

"It took a lot of imagination but I'm sure this ball of rock is fine!" A voice shouted from above.
"So, is this what you wanted, Master?" Another voice responded.
"Yes! Just look how perfect everything thing!" The first voice replied.
Vibrations rattled onward as the ground shook and Lucy stood up from her prison. She rubbed her head before the prison rattled and knocked her head against the barrier.
Lucy groaned and stood up again before stumbling into the barrier.
"Gah, this chick doesn't know how to keep quiet or be still long enough." She grumbled and hit the barrier several times with her fists.
The hourglass fumbled and caused her to fall on the bottom surface. Soon it shook sideways and Lucy fell out onto a hard platform. Her eyes caught Verum with her two subordinates situated on a bleacher.
"Sorry about that, angel. Creating these things take time, y'know?" Verum tipped her tophat to the side and let out a giggle.
"Tell me what's going on here!" Lucy shouted back at her, "What's this tournament you're forcing me into?" She gripped her fists as small sparks of energy flew out.
A finger rose to her and swayed in the air as Verum placed it back on her hand.
"Ahem, I'll be glad to tell you!" She crossed her legs, "This is my time of the millennia to gather the top one-hundred beings from across the countless multiverses."

"Top one-hundred?" Lucy crossed her arms and threw her head back while laughing, "There's no way I'm in the top one-hundred. I just lost half of my power source if you didn't know." She eyed down at an open palm and sighed.
"You'd be correct, Lucy." Verum replied with a wide grin, "Which is why I made an exception this time. You rank in the top one twenty range so I added two additional teams!"

"Wait what? Teams?" Lucy lowered her wings and shuffled her shoes against the flat rock.
"My, you ask a lot of questions." Verum flipped her hourglass upside down, "Yes, there are teams of ten! One-hundred and twenty contestants will take place here to duke it out!"
She tapped the bleachers with her finger and they extended down the sidelines of an arena. Bars rose from the bleachers and cut off into six rows for each side. Verum wiggled her finger and Lucy flew over to one of the rows.
"O-Ow! Don't take control of me like that, my wings aren't that flexible..." Lucy rubbed on her wings and grunted in response.
"Whoops, I meant to do that." Verum stuck her tongue out, "Now let's see who else from your universe is worthy of a spot."

Gee, I really don't have a say in this. Plus, there's going to be more joining this stupid tournament?
Lucy's eyes rolled side to side and spotted numbers on each row.
So, I'm team one out of twelve. But who is she going to bring over here? Maybe Reine or Princess and then we could escape this clown show.

"Ahh! Your universe surprises me with how many strong beings it birthed." Verum cracked her fingers until they bent backward, "These nine will do since they know you."
She waved her bent fingers back and orbs flew out of each finger. Nine orbs flocked over to Lucy's bleacher.
"What's the meaning of this!?" A voice yelled before others followed. Three figures stood before her as the orbs vanished from sight.
Lucy rubbed her eyes and a wide grin emerged from her face.
"Ignis, Cheyanne, Percy!" She cried out, "I thought it'd be so long before I met you again..." She laughed to herself and kept wiping her eyes.
"Lucy!" Ignis's eyes lit up and his mouth stayed open, "I- ah. This must be a dream but here you are! You're safe and that's such a relief."

"Aw, Ignis. You're making me blush over here!" Lucy placed a hand on the back of her head.
"Oh my goodness! Lucy, we missed you so much!" Cheyanne hugged her tightly and held back tears, "Girl, what's happened to you?"

"Cheyanne, it's so great to see you." Lucy motioned to her squished wings as Cheyanne eased her grip.
"There's so much to explain but to get down to basics. A crazy interdimensional lady is hosting a tournament and we're a team. The contestants are like crazy strong beings from other universes!"