Am I supposed to let this go now?

[asseenontv]

Who: Shatterstar and open
What: Nightmares of the arena and the one thing Shatterstar can't bear losing
When: During the nightmare event
Where: The Mojoworld arena in Shatterstar's head
Rating: light R for violence potential

Usually, in the arenas, the spectators chant the name of their favorites, cheer them on in their match. Today, under the relentless sun, there is no cheering. Shatterstar stands warily on guard, his twin-bladed swords out, fear and anger both clear on his face. Across from him, a slightly shorter, stockier man stands. His posture is all defense as well, but his expression is pure anguish. On a platform, jutting out from the arena stands, a huge monstrous creature sits. It looks like a blob with limbs and a face - laughable, maybe, if not for the malicious grin it wears, and the strange array of wires trailing out of it.

"Gaveedra-7. I know you know the laws of the arena. Fight him, or I'll execute you both. And the rest of your friends will be next." The creature's voice is amplified, carrying out across the arena. Shatterstar's focus shifts lightning-fast, teeth bared in an animal snarl of rage as he leaps, far higher than any human, driving his swords at the monster. Mojo simply laughs as he hits an electrified forcefield around the platform, and falls to the ground, temporarily stunned.

The other man looks like he wants to go to Shatterstar's side, but a sharp glance from Mojo makes him falter at the first step, and he stays in place, clearly worried, until Shatterstar hauls himself back up again.

"'Star, mi corazón, just... end this. Before he can get to the others." The man's voice cracks, pleading.

Shatterstar shakes his head angrily. "No, Julio. I cannot." Despite the relative evenness of his own voice, there's still pain in it.

"You have to, you know he'll do it. And you're the better one of us two, you've always been." And Julio clearly believes that, despite the surprised flash of hurt and anger Shatterstar shows at those words.

[OOC: Feel free to be a spectator. Or Julio, if you potentially want to get diced up]

Comments

[both_neither]

He's sitting in the stands of arena, but this is no game of football or anything like that. This is...wrong. In every way he can think of. Nothing he sees is familiar except the man down there, and he can decode the pain on his face enough to figure out who his prospective opponent is.

The silence of the crowd it too much to bear.

"Can't somebody stop this?!"

[asseenontv]

Most of the spectators are more of the same blob-creatures as Mojo, though not nearly as large or menacing. One of them gives Gren a slightly funny look.

"He could-" He points at Mojo. "- but why would he? This is going to be the best ratings we've had in years."

On the arena ground, the two men are still facing off against each other. Then Julio closes his eyes, and begins to do something, because Shatterstar starts. Dust starts to get kicked up around them.

"Julio, no!"

[both_neither]

He's standing, hands on the back of the seat in front of him pressing down hard.

"Ratings? You'd want to watch two people that care about each other die at their own hands?"

[asseenontv]

"Totally better than faking it," one of the blobs says. The one next to it nods, making a sort of shrugging motion. "They're just two-leggers anyway. The redhead -" it points at Shatterstar. "-he used to be something. One of the best fighters, before he went rogue. Dunno where the new guy's from, but Mojo has his ways.

The shaking is getting worse - now it feels like the stands are vibrating just the slightest bit. Shatterstar gives up his defensive pose, throws his swords to the ground, and practically tackles Julio, arms wrapped around him as if it'll stop things.

"Julio, no, you can't, you'll tear yourself apart inside."
The reply is quiet, fatalistic - only the way the arena's been rigged for broadcast means someone other than 'Star can hear it.

"I know. That's sorta the point."

[both_neither]

"Faking it? Those are people. They have feelings. Which you seem to lack."

This is stupid. He can't just sit here. Glaring at the blob-thing, he stands and up starts to make his way down to the area edge.