Yooo, big thanks to the people who reviewed. You're the bee's knees B)

Technoblade had anticipated that Ranboo wouldn't be too thrilled with his plan. He also knew nothing Ranboo could say would make him change his mind.

"Why in the world would you agree to this?" Ranboo asked as soon as the door to their cell fell shut behind them. Technoblade waited for a few seconds before trying the handle, predictably finding it locked. At least their new handlers weren't going to pretend they were anything besides prisoners.

"Practicality," he answered distractedly. The cell was sparsely furnished, with two cots against either side of the wall and a small table next to the door. Between these few pieces of furniture was barely enough room to walk around comfortably. "In my defense, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

"How?"

Techno frowned, bending down to peer beneath the beds. There was a small chest underneath each, possibly to hold personal items. They'd be empty. Some fighting rings supplied their fighters with individual weapons and armor to use in the ring, but as slaves Techno knew it wouldn't be that easy for them. They would only be permitted to fight with what they were handed minutes before entering the pitch.

He straightened his back and since there wasn't really anything else to do in the room except wait, sat down on one of the cots. "You used to frequent Hypixel, right?"

"Yeah?" Ranboo sat down opposite him. His tail hadn't stopped moving since they were brought into the arena, a clear sign of his rising anxiety.

"Then you already know about illegal matches."

"Well, I've heard some tall tales but I kinda figured they were just... just that. Tall tales. None of the other fighters put that much uh, stock in them?" Ranboo crossed his arms over his body. "Seemed to me like the people over on Hypixel were a little too straight-laced for those kinds of things to take place in their arena anyway." He laughed nervously.

Techno chuckled. "Yeah, they would be. But that doesn't mean other matches don't exist. Most are just held off-server. Kinda keeping things under the radar and out of the public eye. And sometimes, a server is made for nothing except prize fighting." He gestured at the room.

"You mean-" Ranboo swallowed. "You mean that's what this place is then?"

"They're called coliseums if you wanna get technical about it."

"And what, they kidnap people to fight for them? That's insane!"

"Nah, most only use voluntary fighters for obvious reasons. But I guess there is a Venn diagram out there made up of coliseum servers and servers where forced servitude laws are ignored and we've managed to land ourselves in that overlap. It's not always easy to find willing participants, you know. And if you're already breaking the law to start with, you might as well go all the way with it."

Ranboo nodded, finally relaxing a little. Techno knew acting nonchalant about the situation was probably a smart move to keep their heads clear. They could think of how to get out of there sooner that way. Chat was already brimming with suggestions, each more ludicrous than the previous one.

"But that still doesn't explain why you did what you did," Ranboo said.

And there it was. Techno looked away, studied the brickwork of the wall for a moment. "You know what the main difference is between this place and Hypixel, Ranboo? Aside from the ridiculously high betting pools that is."

For a few seconds, the enderman's face scrunched up in thought as if he was grappling with his brain for the answer. Then his eyes widened. "No spawn?"

"No spawn," Techno repeated. "They can't set one up on illegal servers. And it makes those betting pools all the more worth it, nobody wants to see a match with no real consequences for that money."

"But- but that would mean that if people die in the ring they won't respawn."

"And that's why I told them not to make you fight," Techno cut in, already seeing the way Ranboo was working himself up over the realization.

"You could still die though? Techno, you can't-"

"They were planning to make us both participate otherwise. I already know how this works since I have experience with it. I mean, I have more experience with fighting in general - no offense, Ranboo. So I'll be fine, we just have to bust out before anything terrible can happen."

Protect Ranboo the voices had all agreed with him. Funny how they could stop being a dissonant mess when it mattered.

"R-right." Ranboo did not look convinced. Techno knew he wouldn't be, but in the end it didn't matter. He was doing this for Ranboo's safety, to make sure he wouldn't get hurt. Techno could always rely on his own skill in the ring, he couldn't rely on Ranboo's. Things were better this way.

Heavy footsteps came to a halt outside their door, a key made the lock rattle.

"Give me the terms of the deal, I want to know," Ranboo said as they both stood up again. "They called it a deal, right? So what did you promise them in return for me not having to compete?"

"Eh, not much. I just told them about my previous experience, showed them my impressive resume. Can you believe they'd never heard of me, Ranboo? Cringe." Techno laughed. "I promised them the one thing I can always freely give in a fight."

Ranboo shook his head in non-comprehension. The door opened.

"I promised to give them a show."

The armor they handed him was atrocious so Technoblade decided to go without it.

Not only would it weigh him down, fighting without armor was more likely to impress the crowd and by extension the handlers and arena master. First impressions were everything in the competitive world, they set the tone for the rest of your career. That was why Hypixel had worked out so nicely for him.

The handler who helped him gear up didn't comment, but shoved a sword at him next and sent him on his way. Techno weighed it on his palm, frowning at the unbalanced feel of the iron. If he didn't know any better he'd think they were purposefully setting him up to fail. More likely they just didn't want to waste their good supplies on 'rookie' fighters.

Around him, others were either preparing for their own matches or recovering from previous fights. For just a moment it crossed Techno's mind that he might be able to escape – grab one of the better weapons, 1v1 the handlers unprepared for a fighter to turn their sword upon them, make a break for it. But with Ranboo held somewhere else, it was too risky. He waited underneath one of the open archways for the current match to finish.

As he stepped out onto the pitch, Techno exhaled and prepared himself for what he had to do.

His opponent was not a seasoned fighter. Technoblade could tell by their stance, legs too wide apart and heels ready to dig into the ground. They were wearing armor – leather, but clearly in better condition than the set they would have made Techno wear. While they walked they were also tossing the golden blade they were wielding from hand to hand, acting flamboyantly.

Right, this was a pregame match. No real stakes, the fight would only continue until the opponent was disarmed and held at swordpoint. Their goal was for the crowd to be entertained and ready for the real bloodshed to begin.

Technoblade waited for the other person to move first, trying to match their pace with his own. Chat was being rowdy, cries in tune with those of the audience. It had been a while since they'd done this, but the games have always excited them. This round could be over in a blink if Techno wanted it to be, but that would defeat the purpose. His opponent smiled as they approached, waving at the crowd. Then their attention settled on him.

"They're allowing farm animals into the ring these days?" the man asked, eyes moving from Techno's eyes to his tusks and ears – angled back in disgust - before flicking down to study his tail. Techno abhorred the scrutiny but knew better than let them notice that.

Sounding perfectly disinterested he responded. "They let you in here, didn't they?"

They scowled, throwing their shoulders back before advancing. Their first attack was sidestepped easily. They turned quickly, light on their feet. What they lacked in bulk – lithe frame, agile movements – they made up for in speed, Techno would give them that. He had a little more trouble stepping out of the way of their next two slashes. Still, it wasn't hard. After the dodge he even added a little twirl, just to mess with them. He kept his hands behind his back, the iron sword dangling loosely in his hold.

Their face contorted in anger, clearly getting frustrated by his behavior. When they came at him again their movement was a lot less controlled. Techno stuck out his hoof and they tripped over it, falling onto the sand of the pitch. The audience roared with laughter at this spectacle.

"Fucking pig!" They scrambled up again, dirt staining their shirt and hair, face red.

"Haven't heard that one before," he responded sarcastically. "Maybe you should work on some new material."

Techno raised his sword in time to catch their attack, allowing the weapon to slide off his blade. They tried to use their other arm to slam into him, throw him off balance but it thumped into his shoulder. Muscles tensed to anticipate the impact, Techno didn't budge an inch. They sprung back with a snarl.

Whenever they attacked, he parried. One-handed and keeping his feints light, impressive for onlookers. He didn't want to look like he was trying too hard, especially since he wasn't trying at all. When Techno deemed the fight had gone on long enough and both he and the audience were getting bored, he decided to end it.

He caught the sharp end of their sword against his cross-guard, then turned his wrist. He only needed to use a little force for their weapon to go flying, the surprise on their face was priceless. Techno swept their feet from under them, bracing one knee on their ribcage to press his blade to their throat. They were smart enough to stop moving.

The crowd erupted, a cacophony Techno hardly registered nor did he really hear himself being named the victor by the referee who had walked onto the pitch. All he cared about was that he had done his job and done it well. Ranboo would not need to fight.

Would not need to put himself in danger.

The guy beneath him shifted, anger at being defeated coming off them in waves. Techno blinked just in time for them to spit in his face.

"Sore loser?" Technoblade asked, not flinching.

"Fuck you!" They shoved at him and he got off, only giving the audience a cursory glance before turning his back and strolling out of the arena.