Rio: The Battle Royale Tournament
Hiya one and all! It's your gal Carley here with another Rio story. Now if anyone followed me last year, you will know I wrote The Arena Tournament story exactly one year from today. My story lore stated that the tournment's were yearly so I thought "What better way than to post this one on the exact day of last year?". So if you haven't read that one, I would highly recommend doing so. But I got chapter 1 here and look forward to seeing some feedback!
The sun was shining, the weather was beautiful and clear, but most importantly, the crowds of birds were cheering like crazy, their cheers echoing throughout the amazon. It was their favourite time of the year: the tournaments held every year where the blue and scarlet macaw clans fought for sport (originally for power, but now they were friends). Due to the popularity of last year's match, not only were more people entering, but more importantly, it was no longer one-on-one matches.
This time, it was a battle royale.
The matches were about to begin. Best friends and co-workers porcupine and tapir stepped into their small alcove overlooking the pit, all while the crowds cheered.
"Welcome one and all to the sixth annual tournament games!" Porcupine Game Announcer declared.
The Tapir Game Announcer continued. "But more importantly, the first ever battle royale!"
The crowds cheers only increased as the games came close to beginning. The arena they fought in had now been altered, a five-foot stage built in height had been constructed for this year's games, making this fight all the more intense. Although it seemed silly when species who could fly were fighting, everyone had planned for this and were one step ahead.
In five different corners of the arena, the teams emerged and were ready to fight. Blue and scarlet macaw clans had returned as usual, but this time they were joined by the stern military macaw clan, the cheerful lear macaw clan and the intelligent red-bellied macaw clan. Each team consisted of five members, some apart of the same species while others from the other types of birds. This was allowed so long as there was at least one original member in the team.
"Wow, big crowd," Blu noted as he examined their opponents. "They look tough."
"Don't feel intimidated, Blu," Eduardo said and pattered his back. "You'll be fine."
The Porcupine Game Announcer spotted a familiar face entering the centre of the stage. "And it looks like our coach is moving towards the centre of the arena to speak."
The brown peregrine falcon couch leaped onto the middle of the arena, waving towards the various spectators. After they settled, he made his speech. "Ladies and gentle birds, welcome to this years first battle royale! Please welcome all of our contestants!"
Eduardo inhaled a deep breath to calm his nerves before he shared a hug with his daughter. "Be safe out there, honey."
"I'll be fine, daddy," Jewel assured. "It's not my first time in a fight. Besides, I learned from the best."
"I'll take care of her, sir," Blu promised.
Eduardo could not avoid chuckle to his last comment. "No offensive Blu, but Jewel could probably look after better."
Eva leaned forward and pecked her mate's beak. "Do your best out there, pudgy papaya."
"With your love, anything is possible, my juicy little mango," Rafael replied as they embraced.
Blu opened his mouth to protest, but then it dawned on him how right Eduardo was. Jewel could kick his butt any day. With one more nod, team blue macaw jumped onto the stage to join the rest of their team. One by one, the teams entered the stage, the coach prepared to introduce them all.
"Team blue macaw!"
The blue macaw clan consisted of three returning members: Blu, Roberto and Armando. Mac decided not to return and defend his title while Rico had been busy. Instead, their spots had been replaced by Jewel who had spent the last six months training to win and Rafael, whom had returned to watch with his family and Nico and Pedro, but choose to help once he heard they needed a new member.
Before the match begun, Eduardo quickly gave them words of encouragement from the stands above. "Remember, your all a team at out there. Fight together, watch the other's backs and don't think it's unfair if two of one are fighting against a single opponent. They won't share the hesitation."
"Team scarlet macaw!"
Similar to their former rivals, scarlet macaw clan had four of their returning members as well: Anton, Carlos, Enrico and AJ. After Simon had been banned from last time's tournament (and not like they wanted him back anyway), his spot was replaced by Mariana, a girl also from the scarlet macaw clan.
"This time we make up for last years lost," Felipe reminded his team as he pointed a wingtip to each of them. "All of you better remember what we spent all year working on. Carlos, no overconfidence. AJ, control your temper. Enrico, NO drinking."
Anton, as usual, kept his usually frown as he narrowed his eyes towards team blue macaw. He gave a slight but noticeable nod towards Blu who returned the gesture. Last time, he had allowed their team to win out of respect, but this time, he did not intend to make such a kind gesture.
"Team military macaw!"
The stern and very-serious military members stepped forward, frowns across their faces. Their team consisted of four males and one female: Ray, Tup, Remit, Rajesh and Maria. They were all average built and all were from the same species, but the their strongest team Ray looked like he was in no mood for games.
Their clan leader Aku addressed them strictly in his deep voice. "The rest of those teams may think this is a sport, but we have no tolerance for games and are simply here to win. Show them why we are the strongest clan out there."
"Team lear macaw!"
The cheerful and enthusiastic lear macaws waved happily towards the group, smiled across their beaks. Their team consisted of three males and two females: Bruno, Ernesto, Skipper, Sophia and Christine. Most of them were average built, except for Bruno who was almost as large as Carlos. They too were all from the same species.
Their gleeful leader Amy encouraged her team. "Remember, it isn't about winning, it's simply about representation. Now get out there and do your best!"
"Team red-bellied!"
The intelligent and prepared red-bellied members merely gave nods of acknowledgement to the crowd. Their team consisted of four males and one female: Falconer, Brian, Tony, Sonny and Bee-Bee. They were all rather small like the rest of their species but were clearly confident with their abilities.
Their clan leader addressed them in a rather simple yet polite tone. "It's not about strength out there, it's about timing. Remember your studies, carefully analyse your opponent and we will come victories!"
On the stands, Nico observed the team and leaned over towards Pedro. "You'd think Blu would have been on their team."
The coach concluded his introduction to the team. "Now to go over the rules: as a battle royale, everyone will be fighting on this stage simultaneously. You can only knock an opponent out the match by knocking them off this stage. Flying is not permitted under any circumstances. Anyone caught trying to fly will be disqualified. If someone else from the same team does it, we will disqualify the entire team. The match will be held for 20 minutes. The last team standing will be declared the winners. If two or more teams still standing, we will count their members and determine who has the most left. That is all. Any questions?"
"Good," the coach nodded. "On my go, the battle royale will commence. Get prepared." he now jumped from the stage into the spectators seat, overseeing the match from a distance.
With only a few seconds left, Blu turned towards his team. "Teamwork is important here. We can do this if we just work together."
"This is gonna be great!" Tapir Game Announcer declared. "I'm rooting for team lear macaws."
"Aren't we suppose to be unbiased?" Porcupine Game Announcer reminded.
Tapir Game Announcer shrugged. "Said who? We work independently."
Porcupine Game Announcer now realised this. "Good point."
The coach raised his wing as high as it would go. "Let the battle royale..." he shot down his wing, officially declaring the games had begun. "Begin!"
With speed no one had witnessed ever, the teams jumped from their positions and engaged various opponents. Punches were thrown, kicks were flying and the crowds cheers were unmatched. To witness so many battles happening at once left them in awe, the fact they could root for whoever they wanted. Most of the teams were engaged, except for team blue macaw, whom had yet to make a move.
The team of five were standing in a circle, watching the other's backs as they prepared to move.
"This is tense!" Blu exclaimed. "Everyone, stay calm. Armando, I have a plan...Armando?"
With no response, Blu turned, watching in surprise as Armando had broke formation and engaged hand to hand with Sonny, rapidly throwing punches left in right. "Armando! Teamwork!"
"It's no use, amigo," Rafael warned. "Remember, it's not what you think in here. It's what you feel in here." he gestured towards Blu's heart. "Don't think, act-"
Rafael was cut off as Enrico tackled him, separating him from the rest of the team.
"There goes our master plan," Jewel said with a hint of sarcasm. "Blu, this teamwork was never going to work if we all stand in one spot. Take care of yourself, honey."
"Jewel, wait!" Blu called, but it was too late. Jewel had moved elsewhere and had engaged with Maria. He sighed. "Why do I bother?"
"Ju-Ju knows what she's doing," Roberto reassured, giving Blu a reason to believe what was about to occur next. Roberto narrowed his eyes towards Anton. "I owe Felipe's team from last time, so if you'll excuse me."
Roberto leaped forward and charged directly towards Anton whom was calmly dodging strikes from Brian.
Brian was throwing strike after strike, trying to land a direct hit. "This is extraordinary! No bat has ever moved this fast in battle!"
Anton grew tired of listening and calmly raised his wing in front of Brian's face, distracting him. With his incredible speed, Anton struck him in the stomach, winding him with swift strike. As Brian clutched one wing over his torso, Anton did not hesitate to finish his opponent, calmly kicking him backwards until he stumbled towards the edge of the stage and fell. Stunned and winded, he was unable to catch the edge and fell out.
"Contestant Brian from team red-bellied is out!" Tapir Game Announcer declared.
"Tomfoolery!" Brian cursed himself and joined his team leader on the sidelines.
Felipe release a laugh of triump, cheering for his best fighter. "Nice hit, Anton! Show them you're the toughest!"
Anton did not reply to his comment. As he marched away, he turned and witnessed Roberto charging towards him, no doubt eager for payback after last year's fight. Before Roberto could make contact, he was suddenly blocked by the rather large scarlet macaw.
"You're fighting me first!" Carlos demanded, stomping his gigantic talon towards him.
"Get out of my way!" Roberto responded and begun unleashing a fury of punches, each one landing but proving harmless against Carlos' incredible bulk.
"Roberto!" Eduardo called, hoping his words reached his best fighter over the amount of cheering and fighting. "Normal attacks don't work against Carlos! Remember last years tactic!"
Roberto thought back to last year, recalling how Armando used Carlos' own strength against him. As said giant threw his huge wing, Roberto caught it and attempted to pull him over his shoulder. It would have worked had Carlos not stomped his feet firmly on the ground.
"Nice try!" Carlos laughed.
Felipe also laughed, mocking Eduardo from where they were seated apart. "I've spent all year preparing my team. You won't be able to use the same tactics as last time!"
Roberto, however, seemed surprisingly calm, even with a grin. "I figured as much."
Carlos was confused, that was until he suddenly felt Roberto stomp on his foot, breaking his concentration. Quickly, Roberto slid under his legs and somehow, he grabbed Carlos in both wings and lifted the giant macaw over his head.
"Good!" Eduardo cheered. "Now throw him off, Roberto!"
"Right!" Roberto nodded and carried Carlos towards the edge of the ring, groaning with each step.
Carlos struggled to free himself, rapidly shaking to get free while avoiding flying to prevent being taken out for cheating. "Hey! Hey! Time out!"
"I don't think so!" Roberto laughed rather evilly. "Time to go bye-bye!"
Felipe screamed in horror as one of his strongest fighters was on the verge of being thrown out of the tournament. "AHHH! Carlos! Somebody help him!"
Roberto almost got to the end and prepared to throw Carlos out. That was stopped when a sharp and swift kicked knocked him to the side, causing him to drop Carlos in the process. He stumbled, but quickly recovered, coming face-to-face with Carlos and his saviour AJ. Both chuckled as they ganged up on him.
"Oh great," Roberto sighed.
Chapter 1! Wow, this has been a lot of fun! Now I know there's a lot of people and it might be hard to keep track of who's out and who's in so I'll keeping track of the time and contestants. Please review and hope everyone has a fun Christmas!
Time remaining: 19 minutes
Members left:
Team blue macaw: 5
Team scarlet macaw: 5
Team military macaw: 5
Team lear macaw: 5
Team red-bellied macaw: 4