The Pentagon's arena floor was cracked, scorched, and streaked with blood. Some of it was still drying near the south wall, where Maelstrom had fought with Wolf-Man and nearly knocked him through the ceiling.
Robot stood at the center console above, expression mechanical and unreadable, eyes scanning data as he prepared for the next match to start.
"Those of you who are up to the challenge will succeed not just by the uniqueness of your abilities, but by the uniqueness of your tactics, your adaptability, and the agility of your minds." Robot said.
"Please come forward, Shrinking Rae and Man Kong."
Shrinking Rae stepped out into the arena with quiet confidence. Her green and gold suit caught the light just enough to hint at how clean and controlled she was.
Her ponytail was tied tight behind her mask, and her boots made no sound across the metal tiles.
Across from her, Man Kong cracked his knuckles and bared his teeth in a lazy grin. His body was all muscle and bulk, thick black fur running across his arms, legs, and shoulders.
Only his pale stomach and human face broke the illusion of beast. His red converse sneakers looked like a joke taking into the scope his big burly hair body.
Except for him.
"Hope you're good at hide and seek, little lady," he said, pounding his chest once. "Because I don't hold back."
Rae didn't respond. Just tilted her head slightly and looked up toward the glass window above.
The crowd of heroes and candidates watched from the viewing deck, all bruised and battered from earlier rounds. Atom Eve leaned against the railing, arms crossed. Mark Grayson stood beside her, trying to mask his anticipation.
Robot's voice broke the silence, clear and cool through the arena intercom.
"Begin."
Kong exploded forward with startling speed for his size, fists swinging in a wide arc, trying to crush Rae in a single motion.
But she was already gone and out of his vision.
A shimmer of green and gold collapsed inward mid-step. No smoke or sound to signal the activation of her powers.
Kong skidded to a halt as his fists met nothing but air.
"What.." he blinked.
Something brushed his left thigh.
Then his shoulder.
Then his neck.
Then his other thigh.
He swatted wildly at his own fur, twisting, slapping, groaning in frustration.
"Come on out, you little…!"
Her voice came from inside his hairline.
"You sweat too much."
The other candidates chuckled.
Eve's eyes narrowed. "She's in his fur."
"Gonna be in his lungs in a second," Mark muttered.
Kong roared and slammed his shoulder into the wall. It shook the whole arena. The lights above flickered.
Then he froze.
Something tiny tickled the edge of his ear canal.
"Nope," he said, backing up. "No no no no!"
Rae whispered again, right inside his skull.
"Boo."
He screamed and fell to his knees cllawing at the sides of his head. Slapped himself over and over.
Then he vomited violently and messy.
The whole arena flinched at the sound. A wet, echoing splash that filled the dome with a new smell of bile and regret.
Kong fell forward, unconscious. Face planted in the mess he made.
Rae reappeared a few feet away, flipping through the air and landing in a crouch. Her suit was spotless.
She stood, pushed her glasses back up her nose, and looked up through the glass observatory above.
"All done."
Robot didn't blink.
The arena was quiet for a beat before busting out in cheers.
Mark let out a low whistle. "I am never fighting her."
Eve crossed her arms. "That was terrifying."
Maelstrom said nothing.
He kept his eyes on Rae, who was already walking off the field, unbothered.
"…Smart girl."
Then he closed his eyes. And smiled. Just a little.
"And perhaps most importantly, the strength of your character and spirit. That is what truly makes a hero."
The buzz of the overhead lights echoed across the empty metal floor. Most of the candidates stood shoulder to shoulder behind the reinforced glass, silently watching the arena. There was no applause, no music. Just tension. Bruised arms. Split lips. Everyone here had taken a hit by now.
Robot stood at the observation console, his lens shifting slightly as he scanned the group. His mechanical voice came over the speaker.
"Next pairing: Black Samson. Throwbolt. Enter the arena."
Two figures peeled off from the crowd, heading for opposite doors.
Mark furrowed his brow. "Who?"
Eve tilted her head. "Never heard of either of them."
Maelstrom didn't say anything. Just watched.
From the left tunnel, a tall, broad man in a sleek black and gold mech suit walked out with heavy, deliberate steps. The suit hissed softly as the servos adjusted, orange lights blinking near his joints. He didn't look around or posture unnecessarily Just stood still and imposing.
From the opposite side, Throwbolt strolled out with shoulders back and chin up. Her blonde hair slicked upward from static energy. Her yellow and white bodysuit gleamed, and sparks jumped between her fingers like they couldn't sit still.
"I take it back," Mark said. "She looks like she bites people."
"She looks like she doesn't wait for permission," Eve added.
Maelstrom exhaled through his nose, still leaning on the wall behind them.
"Her power is just electricity?" he questioned.
Mark blinked, then rubbed his arm.
"…Okay yeah, but that doesn't sound like a bad power, better than no powers."
"But Black Samson looks like he has more experience fighting." Naruto.
Down below, the two fighters reached the center circle. Neither spoke.
Robot's voice cut in again.
"Begin."
Throwbolt didn't wait. Her eyes lit up, and she threw a bolt of lightning straight at Black Samson's chest.
The mech suit deflected it with a burst of sparks and a harsh metallic whine. Samson activated his thrusters and blasted into the air, hovering out of her reach.
Another bolt came flying, then another, and another.
Samson weaved side to side mid-air, his bulky frame surprisingly nimble with the suit assisting. Each bolt missed by inches, one of them searing a black streak across the floor tiles.
"She doesn't have bad aim," Mark muttered.
"She's too flashy," Eve said. "Plus she's burning energy without setting anything up."
Throwbolt narrowed her eyes, then pivoted. She tossed a wide arcing bolt not at Samson, but at the ceiling, ricocheting it off a support beam, right into the side of his jetpack.
The impact was clean. Sparks exploded from the thruster, and Black Samson dropped like dead weight.
He slammed into the floor with a metal crunch, sliding across the tiles in a skid of smoke.
Throwbolt grinned. Her palms lit up again.
"Stay grounded, old man."
But before she could wind up another blast, Samson surged forward. No boosters. Just strength. The mech groaned as he powered into a full-body sprint.
Throwbolt hurled one last bolt, he ducked under it and closed the distance.
CRACK.
His fist connected square with her jaw. The blow echoed across the arena like a cannon shot.
Throwbolt flew back, crashing into the far wall, leaving a shallow dent before falling to the floor.
Mark flinched.
"Oh man. Is she okay?"
Eve leaned forward. "Looks like she's moving."
Maelstrom nodded. "She's tough."
Throwbolt groaned and pushed herself upright. Her face was red. Her lip was bleeding. But her glare was sharp.
Black Samson walked over, steam rising from his armor. He didn't raise a fist. Just extended his hand.
Throwbolt blinked and looked at it.
"I give up.." she said.
Then, reluctantly, she grabbed it.
He pulled her to her feet with one smooth motion.
Robot's voice returned.
"Black Samson passes."
There was a pause. Then muted applause from behind the glass.
Throwbolt sighed and shook her arms out, crackling with leftover charge. "Could've gone worse."
Samson shrugged. "Could've gone better too."
She let out a dry laugh. "Guess you'll carry that win around in your glorified toaster."
He smirked under the helmet. "Damn right I will."
Up top, Mark gave a slow nod. "Alright. He's cool. I was wrong."
Eve glanced at him. "You're always wrong."
Maelstrom said nothing. But his eyes were still locked on Black Samson.
Calculating.
The tension in the observatory felt like a bomb waiting for someone to cough. Every hero who'd stepped into the arena was now gathered in the glass-walled chamber above it. Bruised, bloodied, or silent with expectation.
Robot stood at the console, arms locked behind his back, gaze sweeping across the crowd like a scanner. His voice buzzed into the silence, clear and flat.
"The new Guardians of the Globe have been chosen."
Every eye locked on him.
"Black Samson."
The mech-suited veteran didn't react. He just nodded once and stepped slightly forward, calm and unreadable.
"Shrinking Rae."
She stepped into the light, hands behind her back, posture as clean as her precision. No smile. Just quiet satisfaction.
"Dupli-Kate."
One version of her stepped forward. Then two more shimmered into existence beside her. They didn't speak, just smiled in sync.
"Monster Girl."
The room went quiet for a beat.
Then:
Rex Splode burst into laughter.
"Wait, her?" He pointed down at Monster Girl, who stood near the back in a baggy tee and shorts, arms crossed. "You're telling me the kid made the cut? What, did she bribe you with milk and cookies?"
A couple heroes chuckled under their breath.
Monster Girl didn't move. Didn't blink. Just raised an eyebrow.
Rex kept going. "What's next? We get a toddler with a temper and a juice box on the team too?"
Mark frowned. Eve just stared ahead. Maelstrom leaned against the far wall, eyes half-lidded and silent.
Monster Girl looked up at him slowly. Her face was unreadable, but the silence that followed had weight.
Then she smirked.
"Yeah?" she said, starting to roll her sleeves up. "Was there a dick size requirement too, or did you just fail both tests?"
The arena exploded in sound.
"Yo-" Mark covered his mouth.
Kate was already trying to hold in laughter, glancing at the floor.
Rex's expression dropped. His right arm lit up with red-orange energy, swirling around his gauntlet like a warning flare.
"Say that again," he growled.
"I said…" Monster Girl began, stepping forward.
Then she changed.
Her body expanded in seconds, bones snapping into place, skin stretching into a thick olive tone. Her clothes shredded. Her small, human frame exploded into a hulking, green-skinned brute with broad shoulders, huge fists, and tusks.
Before Rex could react, she slammed him through the glass with one punch.
CRASH.
The entire front panel of the observation deck shattered. Rex flew through it like a crash dummy and hit the arena floor below with a crunch. Groans rose from the group. Someone muttered,
"Oh my god."
Monster Girl dropped down after him.
Rex rolled to his feet, already lighting up his fists with red-orange energy. "You crazy troll-faced little bitc-"
She was on him before he could finish.
Boom.
The punch landed flush. Rex flew back, skipped off the floor, and slammed into one of the arena's support columns.
"Should've kept your mouth shut," she growled.
Rex gritted his teeth, hurled an explosive charge. It detonated against her shoulder, sparks and smoke bursting—but when it cleared, she was still standing. Barely singed.
"Your powers suck," she added, and cracked her knuckles.
Rex launched two more charges. She batted one aside. The second hit her square in the chest—and she walked through it like it was rain.
Up above, Robot didn't flinch.
"Do I stop this?" Mark asked.
Eve didn't answer. Her jaw was tight.
Maelstrom exhaled and dropped through the shattered glass, landing below with a low thud between them.
"Alright, enough."
Monster Girl turned, fist already cocked. "Outta the way, blonde boy."
She swung. He caught her wrist.
For a moment, her sheer strength forced his feet to slide an inch.
Then Maelstrom moved.
He twisted, redirected her momentum, and drove his fist into her gut with a thunderous impact.
Crack.
She flew back and slammed into the wall, reverted mid-air, and hit the ground in her human form with a painful grunt.
The room above was dead silent.
Even Rex stopped.
Monster Girl coughed, wiped blood from her lip, and sat up. "He hits hard," she muttered.
Maelstrom looked down at her. "And you need to pick your battles."
Robot's voice came over the speaker again, unshaken.
"Monster Girl will remain on the team."
Rex opened his mouth.
Robot cut him off.
"Rex Splode will be added once he recovers."
Rex grumbled and staggered back to his feet. "So what, we're just taking wild animals now? What happened to standards?"
Before anyone could respond, Eve spoke up.
She stepped to the edge of the shattered platform, her voice flat and cold.
"Then I'm out."
Robot turned to face her. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," she said. "You're putting Rex on the team? After everything?"
"His abilities are necessary. He qualified."
Eve's eyes burned. "He's not a teammate. He's a walking disaster."
Kate raised her eyebrows. "Eve.."
Eve turned to her. "Don't. Just don't."
She looked back at Robot.
"You put me on the same team as them, and we're not a team. We're a rehab center."
Maelstrom looked up, unreadable.
Robot took half a second longer than usual to answer.
"I see."
Eve nodded once. "Good."
Then she turned and walked out. No theatrics. No grand speech. Just out.
The sound of her boots on the floor faded until there was only silence.
Robot looked back at the crowd of remaining candidates.
"This concludes the selection process. The Guardians will be announced publicly within 24 hours."
The shattered glass still littered the floor.
Rex limped to a bench. "Cool team," he muttered. "Really welcoming."
Monster Girl sat cross-legged on the arena floor, still catching her breath. Dupli-Kate shook her head. Samson didn't move.
And Maelstrom stood alone.
____
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