CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS

by ABOOK5117

Fresh from saving the Earth from Galactus, The Avengers, as well as reserve member Spider-man, now find themselves fighting for survival in a fighting tournament, against a mysterious group of superheroes calling themselves the Thunderbolts...who might not be who they seem to be. R&R please. COMPLETE

71. THE QUARTER FINALS

THE QUARTERFINALS

Back in Madison Square Garden, the Iron Patrionettes have just finished their act and were rewarded with applause from the crowd, more so from the males in the audience. Moments later, the announcer showed up center stage with a microphone in hand. "Let's hear it for the Iron Patiotnettes!" he exclaimed with a smile, causing the crowd to cheer even louder for the exiting Iron Patriotnettes, with many of them blowing kisses to the audience.

Seconds later, the three remaining Thunderbolts, Surge, the Scarlet Spider and their leader, the Iron Patriot, all arrive via the teleportation pad, much to the delight of the Thunderbolt fans.

The announcer saw the Thunderbolts' arrival and naturally called the crowd's attention to them. "And we have the Thunderbolts!" he said with infectious enthusiasm, but later looks confused. "But, where are the Avengers?"

The announcer soon got his answer when Iron Man hovered from the left side of the stage and landed safely on the floor, with Spidey and the rest of the Avengers walking behind him. "Right here, pal!" the Shellhead called out, getting the Avengers' attention, then soon caught a glimpse Iron Patriot's newer sleeker armor, causing him to raise an eyebrow behind his faceplate. "So, Norman made a newer version of the Patriot armor," he said to himself. "This should be interesting."

Spidey heard Iron Man's intrigued words, and was as optimistic. "If by interesting, you mean harder than ever, Tony," thought the Web-Head. "Yeah, can't doubt that."

With both teams now accounted for, the announcer turned back to the crowd. "All right, folks, all our players have returned, so let's get the Quarter Finals started!" As the audience roared in approval, the announcer directed everyone's attention to the large screen, who now showed the Quarter Final brackets. "And the fights we have in the Quarter Finals are..."

MATCH 1: SPIDER-MAN VS. SURGE

MATCH 2: WASP VS. SCARLET SPIDER

MATCH 3: LUKE CAGE VS. MS. MARVEL

And finally, MATCH 4: IRON MAN VS. IRON PATRIOT

"...And now, let's get things underway with the Avengers' Web-Slinging Spider-Man and the Thunderbolts' electrifying Surge! Gentlemen, if you'll board the teleportation pads, please?"

Surge wasted no time in getting on to the pad, as he could not wait to finally fry Spidey for all those times he humiliated him in his days as Electro.

Back in the Avengers corner, Iron Man looked back at Spidey, who appeared to be a little nervous. "You're up, kid."

The nervous Spidey took a deep breath to calm his nerves, then gave Iron Man a nod of acknowledgment and was just about to proceed to his match.

However, the now pixie-sized Wasp flew over to address the Wall-Crawler. "Good luck, Bug-boy, and try not to get fried."

"Trust me, Jan, not getting zapped by that human bug-zapper is half the plan," Spidey retorted with a smirk behind his mask, then walked towards the pad, leaving behind his worried teammates. Especially Ms. Marvel, who still was not too sure about his abilities as an Avenger. Upon stepping on to the platform, Spidey took a moment to look over Surge's right shoulder and spotted the Scarlet Spider, looking at the symbiote covered teen with a saddened expression, but at the same time, earning him an angered disgusted look from his troubled friend in return. "Harry..."

Seeing Spidey preoccupied with looking at the Scarlet Spider greatly angered Surge, as he felt that his old enemy, and scheduled opponent, was ignoring him and it caused streaks of electricity to run through his body.

This actually caught Spidey's attention, thus forcing him to turn and face Surge, looking somewhat shocked at his opponent's 'shocking' demeanor, but for the sake of keeping morale for his team, shrugs it off. "Whoa, hey there, Sparky," he quipped. "I see that you're just as tense as always."

"Very funny, Web-Head," said the seething Surge. "We'll see if you're still cracking jokes after I light you up like a Christmas tree!"

Moments later, the pads activated and sent both Spidey and Surge vanish and are sent to an unknown destination so they can get the Quarter Finals underway.