Two weeks went by and Rhea found that she had garnered quite the fan base for her music which was surprising considering the short time she had been on the planet. Grandmaster saved her for the Hulks opening numbers and it had been a while since they had gotten another opponent for the green champion. It was also helpful that she was under the Hulk's protection which fended of the less than desirable that seemed to make up the planet Sakaar. She was stretching in the wings of the arena waiting for her que. A few attendants were nearby should she need anything such as food, drink, or anything else.
"Did you hear about this guy who's facing off against the Hulk?" The attendant with beautiful blue sparking skin, completely black eyes, no hair, four arms, and long swooping antenna asked.
"Nope, but I hope he's better than Doug." Rhea twisted her body around.
"Doubt it, from what I understand his nickname from the Grandmaster is sparkles." Another attendant that had catlike features, bright red hair that looked like a flame, gold eyes, peach colored skin with darker spots, and tufts of fur around her wrists and ankles laughed.
"That's really not a good sign." Rhea sighed recalling Doug who had made the poor decision of stating that after he beat the Hulk he would claim Rhea.
The Hulk had gone into berserker mode leading to a long and drawn out conversation afterwards of how killing when he clearly had no need was bad. He could easily subdue or incapacitate his opponents with little to no strain.
"You never seem happy about these things. I thought you of all people would be happy for the champion." The blue attendant wiggled their brow ridges at her.
"You lost me." Rhea deadpanned.
"You know, since you and the champion are together." The red haired attendant as if it was obvious.
"He's my Uncle." Rhea said for what seemed the thousandth time.
She had to say this a lot to people seeing as everyone automatically assumed she was with the Hulk romantically. Then they would ask the awkward questions if she was not fast enough to deny it. Everyone on the planet really liked the idea of them both together, but it just creeped both herself and the Hulk out.
"Oh...well...that never stopped anyone on my planet." The blue attendant shrugged.
"You know, I'm going to need some alone time to meditate so if you could..." Rhea said quickly.
"Oh right, good luck." The attendants left.
Rhea let out a low whistle dismissing the strange habits of other planets before her gaze fell out over the arena where hundreds of thousands of spectators were packed into the stadium seats. She ran her hands down her outfit for the show designed by herself and made by the finest seamstresses in the world.
It was a black catsuit with a red lace design all over it from head to toes. A red tailored jacket decorated with black seed beads in a swirling pattern up and down it. A thick red belt with a black buckle around her waist and a pair of dancers boots that matched seamlessly with her suit. Her hair was slicked back, red and black eyes shadow, and dark red lips finished off the look.
There were dozens of starships parked above the arena as well, hovering overhead in excitement for the big match. She glanced up at the Grandmaster's luxury suite, a VIP box attached to the fighting area. The music started as she made her way onto a small shuttle that rose over the arena gazing out at everything from the open side door. She took a breath, the music speeding up in tempo, before leaping out of the back of the ship plummeting down to one of the hovering platforms waiting for her landing just as it was time for the first verse…
'Ladies and gents, this is the moment you've waited for (woah)...'
The song went on without a hitch, Rhea conjuring up illusions from the Greatest Showman. The talented characters blazed to life with a wave of her hand. They danced and moved with her, the crowd cheering loudly as she sang out. She jumped from platform to platform performing her own stunts for their entertainment as the Grandmasters fireworks accented her illusions bringing excitement to a whole new level.
At the end of her song she landed in the middle platform with her arms raised as the finale of fireworks exploded around her, the crowd roaring their approval. She bowed to the crowd with a bright smile then gestured out to where the Grandmaster was walking out to the center of the arena, suddenly growing to sixty feet tall as an enlarged shimmering projection.
"Wow! What a performance there. Thank you Rhea, lovely as always. The Rose of Sakaar, everyone." The Grandmaster praised flamboyantly as always. Her platform circled his head a few times as she waved to the crowd before bowing polity to the Grandmaster. Her platform returned to its dock and Rhea took her leave, heading for the Grandmasters private box to watch the main event.
With a snap of her fingers Rhea was dressed in a high necked white catsuit with a gold cosmos design on it. It had a gold skirt that was open in front with a small train, a few layers of gold pearls hanging around her neck, and a pair of gold ankle high cuffed boots. Her hair remained slicked back, gold and white eyes shadow, and golden pink lips.
"Look at all of you. What a show, WHAT-A-NIGHT! Who's having fun? Please, I'm your host. Big round of applause for all of our undercard competitors... who died so gruesomely. Good sports. What a show! What a night! This is what you've come for and so have I." Applause erupted across the crowd. "And now, without further ado...it's main event time!" The applause grew in anticipation. "Making his first appearance, though he looks quite promising, got a couple of tricks up his sleeve. I'll say no more, see what you think. Ladies and gentlemen..." The crowd laughed. "I give to you...Lord of Thunder!"
Upon hearing the announcement she stopped short gazing out the window of the corridor as her Uncle made his way into the arena. He was dressed in the gladiator garb of Sakaar of minimalist armor, covered in weapons, two swords on his back, a giant mace in one hand and spiked shield in the other. The most shocking of all was the sight of his shaved head and trimmed beard.
"Oh boy." Rhea winced knowing what he was about to face.
"Watch out for his fingers. They make sparks." The Grandmaster went on as Thor put on his new helmet that looked like a gladiator variation of his classic winged helm. Rhea quickened her pace to the private box, glad to have at least found her Uncle, now she just needed her father. "Okay, this is it. Let's get ready to welcome this guy. Here he comes. He is a creature. What can we say about him? Well, he's unique. There's none like him. I feel a special connection with him."
Rhea stepped into the main box and was instantly grabbed up into a tight hug. She almost lashed out in defense of herself when she realized who was hugging her when he said her name.
"Rhea!" His face flooded with relief as he held her at arm's length.
"Dad!" Rhea grinned going in for another hug.
"Are you ok? How long have you been here?" Loki held her tight pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"I'm fine and I've been here for a few weeks, how about you?" Rhea asked as they stepped apart remaining at arm's length.
"I've only been here a week, why haven't I seen you?" Loki led her away from the crowd over to the window overlooking the arena.
"I only come out to warm up the crowd for the main event once a week." Rhea replied and let out a little laugh. "You're not going to believe who it is."
The entire crowd was on its feet. The excitement palpable as the loud cheers increased. The spotlights changed to bright stadium lights.
"He's undefeated. HE'S THE REIGNING...HE'S THE DEFENDING...Ladies and gentlemen... I give you...your INCREDIBLE HULK!" The Grandmaster announced dramatically.
The champion exploded through the doors in armored shoulder guard and a Spartan helmet with a warhammer in one hand and a battleaxe in the other. The Hulk pounded on his chest and roared up at the crowd much to their delight, further energizing the already frenzied crowd. Meanwhile, the sight of Hulk made Thor's arms drop to his sides along with his jaw dropping to the ground with an excited laugh
"Yes!" Thor cheered, much to everyone else's confusion.
"Yeah..." Rhea trailed off with a nod as her father went ghost white. Traumatic memories of being Hulk-smashed flooded his brain.
"We have to get off this planet." Loki grabbed Rhea by the arm pulling her through the crowd and toward the exit, but the Grandmaster stopped them.
"Hey, hey, hey! Where are you going?" Grandmaster asked.
"Just seeing what's keeping you." Rhea quickly covered with a bright smile. "Did you like the song?"
"It was spectacular as always." Grandmaster nodded offering his arm to Rhea who took it, casting her father a quick glance to play along, not that he needed the hint. "Cannot wait to see what you have planned for next week. Oh, and there's a party three days from now I want you to perform at."
"I'll make a playlist." Rhea smiled brightly.
The grandmaster lead them back to the large window continuing to praise Rhea on her performance the whole way. He plopped Loki down in the front row, right against the glass. Rhea took a seat in the center glancing at her father who was casually trying to hide his face in his hand.
"The Hulk is the finest champion in Sakaar history and has been my guardian on this planet." Rhea said commented casually. "He's been very good to me. You are in for a treat, his battles are the best."
"It really is sweet, they have this whole family like thing going on." Grandmaster added. "The fans love it. The Hulk with a heart as big as his muscles, but don't think that means he takes it easy on his opponents." He cast his eyes to the happy Thor in the arena. "Though this is one of the strangest opponents he's had to face."
"Hey! We know each other. He's a friend from work." Thor announced to the continued confusion of the crowd and the Grandmaster. "Where have you been? Everybody thought you were dead. So much has happened since I last saw you. I lost my hammer. Like, yesterday, so that's still pretty fresh." Thor's face lit up as he pointed up tot he VIP box. "Loki! Loki's alive. Can you believe it? He's up there." Thor waved up at Loki. "Loki! Look who it is!" Loki was petrified as Thor's eyes moved to where Rhea was sitting. "Rhea?! Is that you?!" Rhea waved down at him awkwardly. "I knew it, when I heard you sing, I knew that was you! You were fantastic." Rhea gave him a thumbs up in thanks as he turned back to Hulk. "Banner, I never thought I would say this, but I'm happy to see you." The Hulk was still eyeballing Thor while the capacity crowd chanted insanely.
"HULK! HULK! HULK!" The crowd roared.
"Banner. Hey, Banner!" Thor called out to him. Hulk's face grimaced and contorted, suppressing Banner.
"NO BANNER! ONLY HULK!" Hulk charged at Thor insanely fast.
"What are you doing? It's me." Thor dodged the first few attacks, but then Hulk shattered his shield and sends Thor flying.
"Really shouldn't have called him Banner." Rhea shook her head slowly, not taking her eyes from the match. Thor drew a sword and stabbed it into the ground to slow his momentum. Drawing the other sword from the grown when he came to a stop he faced off against Hulk.
"Banner, we're friends. This is crazy. I don't want to hurt you!" Thor said before they engaged in battle again. Hulk kicked Thor, sending him slamming into the wall.
"Here we go." Grandmaster was on the edge of his seat. Thor jumped down just in time to avoid Hulk's warhammer, which hit so hard that it remains lodged in the wall. With Hulk charging again, Thor ripped the warhammer out of the wall and walloped the Hulk with it. Hulk went crashing alongside the arena and ends up sprawled out in a pile of rubble, slightly dazed. "What?"
"Hey, big guy. The sun's getting real low." Thor advanced on Hulk as he took off his helmet, provoking him. Hulk took off his helmet as well, scowling and teeth grinding. "That's it. The sun's going down." Thor reached out to him and the Hulk seemed to be reaching back. "I won't hurt you anymore. No one will."
Suddenly Thor was dragged by his leg by the Hulk who whipped him against the arena floor repeatedly. Rhea glanced at her father out of the corner of her eyes as Loki's whole mood shifted. The joy returned to his face and he laughed as he jumped to his feet with a cheer.
"Yes! That's how it feels!" Loki called out then noticed the looks he was getting from the Grandmaster and Rhea. "I'm just a huge fan of the sport."
"Right." Rhea drew out as he took his seat once again. Thor was smashed into the floor face first as Hulk roared and rushed Thor with his axe.
"All right. Screw it." Thor grabbed up the warhammer and the giant weapons clashed loudly. Thor was getting the better of these exchanges, using the Hulk's aggression against him. Thor continually knocked and/or tripped the Hulk off his feet while evading all of Hulk's best attacks. "I know you're in there, Banner. I'll get you out!" One particular vicious blow disarmed the Hulk, and Thor broke the Hulk's axe with the warhammer. Thor then bashed the Hulk in the chest, knocking him to the ground. "What's the matter with you? You're embarrassing me! I told them we were friends!"
Growling, Hulk stood up and hit Thor with a straight jab that sent Thor tumbling across the arena. Hulk immediately leapt after him and landed on Thor. Hulk was now on top of Thor as they slid across the arena, just pummeling him with punches. Left-right-left-right. Thor's head snapped back and forth.
Then suddenly his eyes glowed white with electricity acting as an instinctual defense mechanism, Thor suddenly knocked Hulk back with a burst of lightening. Seething with electricity, Thor sprang to his feet and then blasted the Hulk back with a massive lightening punch. The Hulk was launched backwards and Thor hit the ground hard.
"What was that?" Rhea looked to her father.
"Thor's real power." Loki surmised, both of them watching in amazement.
"Thunder! Thunder! Thunder!" The crowd chanted as well as the gladiators. They had never seen anything like this before while in the VIP box the Grandmaster is pissed. Hulk and Thor staggered to their feet. Thor looked down at himself, a little surprised at the small charges of lightning crackling through his veins.
Meanwhile, Hulk rumbled towards Thor and they're at it again, close-quarters boxing with Thor winning the exchanges, landing brutal punches to Hulk's body. It looked like Thor was going to pull of an impressive when and then suddenly he was down on the ground like he was having a seizure. Rhea and Loki's heads snap over to The Grandmaster that had zapped him with the Obedience Disk fob! Thor dropped, totally caught off guard!
Hulk plants his feet and jumps, zooming up, rocketing out of the arena and at the apex of his jump Hulk clenched his fist and began a missile-like descent. Down below, Thor groggily turned over. He did so just in time to see Hulk coming at him like an atom bomb with no time to avoid it. Right before impact Thor's eyes went lightning white and a blue green shimmer covered his body. Hulk hit Thor like a meteor, the shield absorbing some of the impact, but Thor was still knocked unconscious.