The morning of the tournament was met with much fanfare as the common class gathered along the street and waited. The loyal guards marched down the street, guarding the Royal Family who led the visiting champions. The common class cheered and waved as the higher class walked passed them. Ladies swoosh with the Prince of the East Isle rode past them, throwing them smirks. The Princess of the East Isle glared at her brother and told him to stop being such a peacock.
The Prince and Princess of the South just rolled their eyes and waved at the people. The Prince of the West rode in full armor; his face covered by the helmet. Prince Ne'gan rode behind them, eyeing the crowd and the other royals. At his side was a person in full emblem of a rattlesnake engraved in the chest plate. Behind them rode the knights of the kingdom.
Petra and her group followed at the end. The red head rode a huge, black horse with a green tinted mane and tail. The Historian and High Healer rode behind her. Rocket rode with Gamora, following them as Yondu and Drax ended the parade.
The procession headed down into the tournament field. The royal members and knights filled into the arena as Petra and her group filled into the royal box. She sat in the throne as the Healer and Historian sat on either side of her while her group filled in the chair on either side of the royal group.
The Stewart stood in front of the Royal box and had the squires sound the horns. The arena became quiet and eyes moved towards the Royal box.
"Presenting Empressor Petra," he announced. "Head Healer S'sen and Court Historian T'ler."
The Empressor and the two royal officials stood and stepped up to the ground in front of them.
"Welcome one and all," Petra said, her eyes sweeping over the crowd. "To the Capitol. I have made a decision that will affect this world. I will be leaving once another ruler is chosen for you. This tournament will find the one who will lead you. This is my promise."
The knights eyed each other before turning their attention back to the ginger.
"There will be three trials," she continued. "Each trial will determine the person's strength, weaknesses, and values. We will judge who will be moving on and who will be sent home."
Petra nodded to the Court Historian.
"A leader needs to be strong in body to protect those under their guard. The first trial will be the test of your strength. You will be placed in a maze. In the maze, you will face creatures and obstacles," the Court Historian eyed the crowd. "You will either be killed or tossed out. At the end, the first three to exit the maze will move on to the next trial."
The royals muttered among themselves and eyed each other.
Petra looked out to the kingdom's knights.
"Knights of the Realm," she called out. "You are free to leave the arena."
The knights bowed and filed out leaving the royals behind. The armored man stood at Ne'gan's side.
"Sir, you were asked to leave the arena," the Stwart said to the silent man.
The man glanced at the small man before looking back at Petra.
"Prince Ne'gan, why does this knight stand at your side?" The Court Historian asked.
The Prince stepped up and smirked.
"My knight will be taking my place for these trials," he said, smugly.
The three judges looked between themselves before turning away and muttering to each other. The crowd watched and waited. The judges turned back.
"We will allow the substitute," Petra started.
Prince Ne'gan smirked and turned away.
"However, he will be allowed for only one of the trials," she finished.
The Prince turned sharply back and glared.
"That is not fair," he hissed.
"Wrong. We think it is perfectly fair."
The ginger gestured behind him.
"They did not bring any substitutes to replace them," she said, eyeing him up. "We only allow this because of your parents."
Ne'gan growled and narrowed his eyes.
"What is that supposed to mean? I am the second son of the Northern King."
"A son he allowed to live when he could not satisfy his wife," Yondu sneered.
"How dare you!?" the Prince sneered.
"Yondu," Petra warned.
The crowd muttered and enjoyed the drama in front of them.
Ne'gan turned to his guard and sneered, "Kill him. Kill him for speaking such lies."
His guard just stood there, hand on hilt, and stared at Petra.
"Do you not hear me?" the prince yelled. "Kill him. My father gave you to me. So obey me."
The judges tilted their heads, confused while the other royals stepped away from the raging prince. The guard grabbed the prince by the throat and held him as he pulled off his helmet.
"My father sent me to keep an eye on you," the older man said.
Ne'gan's eyes widened a bit as he struggled against the man's grip.
"Wi'am," he choked.
The Court Historian leaned into Petra, "That is Prince Wi'am. He is the Northern King's First Born and Heir."
Wi'am tossed his step brother down and stepped towards the platform. He bowed at his waist.
"Your Highness, I apologize for interrupting. My younger step brother still has manners to learn."
"I accept your apologies. May I ask why you have come?" She asked.
"I have come, Your Highness, to keep an eye on my brother as my father has asked me to as well as observe you."
She arched a brow as her friends behind her tensed.
"Observe me?"
"Yes, Your Highness. My father and I felt since you were an unknown, you needed watched," Prince Wi'am stated. "It is not meant as an insult. Just precaution."
"Because of how J'son led?" Petra's questioned, eyebrow arched.
The Elder Northern Prince shrugged. The ginger heard the low laughter behind her and smiled at the prince.
"And what have you found, Prince?" she asked.
Wi'am looked her in the eyes as two Northern knights stepped up and picked Ne'gan up and held his arms. The younger prince glared at his older step-brother and tried to shrug the knights off.
"I found you do care for the people," he said. "That tournament is to find a leader with qualities similar to yours. You want this planet to survive and trade with the rest of the galaxy."
"Yes, I do," she said, glancing up at the Royals. "If anyone is here trying for my hand in marriage, you are welcome to leave."
The crowd watched as the Royals muttered among themselves.