All across Telo Martius, a horrible sound echoed over the city. Citizens stopped in their daily routine and turned toward the colosseum as that horrible noise howled from within the grand building. A pillar of distortion erupted from inside, shooting up into the sky and shaving off entire portions of the top. Debris rocketed across the air and came crashing down onto the streets, causing bystanders to run for cover.

Rock pelted down across homes, roads, and market stands. Soldiers quickly rushed into the streets, raising their shields to protect those who couldn't get to safety in time. They hardened their stances, daring not to break formation against the onslaught of debris.

The rain of rock lasted only ten seconds before things calmed. Civilians were shaken, barely able to stay standing as they murmured aloud what the source of such horrors was. The soldiers, however, were quick to deduce what transpired. As unlikely as it was, such an event wasn't unheard of in Telo Martius.

The Centum Death Ring housed many dangerous combatants for the sole purpose of entertainment to the masses. Special measures were taken to prevent anyone from escaping during a fight. These techniques were honed and perfected with each new soldier stationed to guard the colosseum, increasing their rate of safety to as close to perfection as possible.

Only close. Never perfect.

For the second time in the colosseum's history, a prisoner had successfully launched an attack on the audience.

But would they see freedom like the last and only prisoner to have walked free from Telo Martius unpunished?

The barrier did nothing to soften the attack. Lothar's sonic scream shattered through the Wide Guard like it was made of thin glass. How was this possible? Wide Guard was designed to prevent wide-spreading damage from bypassing its defenses. Apply such a field around an arena, and it would nullify any splash damage intended to harm the audience. No one has been able to get through it.

Lothar, however, wasn't the brute everyone thought he was.

Wide Guard wasn't an absolute perfect defense. Though it was maintained and strengthened by several soldiers at once, thus preventing fatigue from setting in with the minimal energy cost, even the sturdiest shields sustained damage over time. The advantage of a shield made from energy is that it could be repaired over time. The minimal energy cost allowed the soldiers to focus on repairing minor damage they naturally sensed formed across its surface, and the number of soldiers keeping the barrier active meant that such damage wouldn't go unnoticed.

But Wide Guard was meant to stop splash or widespread damage. It wasn't designed for focused strikes.

To accumulate enough force to break the barrier, however, the right combination of moves and knowledge needed to be performed. Lothar perfected his sonic attacks for this very reason. He took punishment after punishment in the arena to find the upper limits of his potential. It was difficult for an older Pokémon like him, but he wasn't above learning new tricks. That dogged persistence to perfect himself and escape ironically led to the key to his success.

Endeavor.

It was a strange move. One could call it the great equalizer. One's own fighting spirit reached its peak in moments of dire circumstances, thus it was converted into a raw force of power that brought a target down to his level. All that strength and persistence his opponents boasted would be sapped away by an unstoppable force that went beyond defenses, withering them down until they were standing on equal footing.

By channeling Endeavor through his sonic screams, he found an interesting way to utilize that same power. By focusing all that raw power onto a single point, he could theoretically weaken a defensive technique and the stamina of anyone caught within the blast's vibrational range. A single strike that, upon shattering its intended target, would go on to annihilate everything else uncontested.

The only cost was bringing himself down to the appropriate level of strength to get the most out of it. It meant having to take a few beatings and putting on a show for ten or so minutes. After that, all he needed was the right angle and a little luck. If his plan faltered, he wouldn't be able to try the same tactic again.

Luck was on his side today, for he successfully breached the barrier.

The results of his attack were glorious to behold. A large trench had been dug out through the stands, rising up all the way to the royal booth and shaving it out from the structure itself. Anyone caught in its blast was either violently thrown out of the way or pressed into the full force of the attack. Several bloodied bodies lay within the elevated trench, some twitching and others stone cold.

Lothar barely heard the screaming from the other side of the colosseum as audience goers pushed and shoved into each other trying to escape. He relished in the single moment of glorious relief washing over him. Even though he was far from the outside, he felt the wings of freedom extending around him.

He will finally be free of the nightmare.

"LOTHAR!"

The Exploud was pulled from his moment of euphoria and glared over his shoulder. Vilde, Melissa, Galus, and several other prisoners picked themselves up, staring at him in a mix of horror and fury.

Vilde was especially angry.

"What did you do?!" he screamed.

"…" The monster scoffed, turning away from the furious Armorouge. "I've been imprisoned here for too long, Vilde. It's about time I sent a message to these bloodthirsty wretches regarding what happens when your ego gets out of line."

Melissa clenched her teeth. "You just murdered innocent people!"

"Innocent?" Lothar laughed softly. "These people came here today to watch us fight for our freedom. Some of us have winning streaks to protect, the only thing keeping us going. We either keep them going, or we lose to some brat who got lucky. And all these people can do is laugh and applaud us for another rousing performance in blood. Our wounds and scars are treated as trophies for our hard work. The blood spilt across our bodies is the wine we drink in victory. They don't even understand the brutality they enact on us. This is just entertainment to them."

She recoiled slightly, shaking with rage. "S-Still…"

"This is what you wanted, right? A chance at freedom?"

"N-Not like this…"

"Well, maybe it'll teach you a thing or two about holding onto those flimsy feelings of hope." Lothar walked towards the ruined stands. "If any of you want to feel the soil beneath your feet again, you'll come with me. By the time Great Gate realizes we murdered their emperor—"

"That's as far as you're going, Exploud!"

Lothar stopped and glared up at the remains of the royal booth. He scoffed. "Of course it wasn't that easy."

Though many lives were taken in his attack, those occupying the royal booth evaded the worse. Hanzo and Shizuka stood atop the ruined remains with Emperor Orochi trembling and coiling atop their shoulders. Gemini had Lord Tiberius' only arm wrapped over his shoulders, helping the old croc stand. Jason managed to save both Invidia and Concordia, dropping the shaken girls onto the rubble.

Tiberius glowered at the trench in the colosseum, his eyes surging with a crackling dark energy as he gazed upon the bodies laying within the stands. "You dare attack my people." He snapped his fingers and yelled, "Restrain the prisoners immediately!"

Lothar and the other prisoners looked around as soldiers emerged around the top of the arena armed with spears. Two soldiers rolled out something that caught Melissa's eye. It was a giant golden gong with the emblem of two crossing spears engraved on the front.

"Wha…?" Melissa looked around and noticed the prisoners recoiling and gripping at their collars. "Wait, what's going on?"

Saturn, having recovered from Lothar's attack, approached the gong and picked up the mallet that came with it. He rolled his shoulders and raised the mallet above the gong. "Prisoners of Telo Martius—" He slammed the mallet down over the instrument. "BE STILL!"

The soundwaves traveled over the arena, its sound rattling Melissa. Her eyes widened as she felt her collar starting to vibrate and shine in a faint white light. Energy crackled across it, surging wildly with each passing second.

Then…it happened.

"GyyyyYAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!"

Melissa and every prisoner present in the arena seized up as an ungodly sound erupted from the collars, encasing their heads like bubbles. A demonic shriek unlike anything the Buneary heard invaded her mind, stronger than that of Lothar's Mind Scream. The sound was so overwhelming that all rational and irrational thought drowned, nothing but the indescribable pain assaulting her ears and brain.

Jason's eyes widened. Melissa!

"Shocked, Stormbreaker?" He looked up at Gemini as he helped Lord Tiberius sit down. He scowled down at the arena. "It's a recent addition implemented by Emperor Nero to get more vigor out of the prisoners. We figured instead of feeding them drugged food to keep them from their full potential, we would use these. They were specially made by an alchemist we outsourced in West Virdis. A resident from that barren land of death you call the Outlands. She didn't even question what we needed these collars for. She gave us her price, and we obliged. They release a deadly, high-pitched noise that incapacitates anyone without the Soundproof ability. Even Ghost-Types can't escape the dreadful sound even if they're immune to the physical damage."

Jason clenched his teeth. That's how they're keeping their prisoners in line.

"That Exploud normally has his ability suppressed with medicine to make him susceptible to the effects." Gemini glared. "However…"

As the other prisoners collapsed onto the ground writing in pain, Lothar continued to glare up at the royal booth without a shred of remorse. In his hand, having ripped it off before the effects took over, his previously picked collar vibrated in his hand before being tossed aside.

"They would've slowed me down anyway," he grumbled.

Soldiers jumped down into the arena and slowly approached Lothar with their spears pointed at him. "Hands above your head now!" one soldier yelled. "Make any sudden movements, and you will be killed on the spot!"

"…" Lothar slowly raised his hands, but his eyes wandered across the arena. Amidst the chaos, he noticed a particular individual of interest to his escape plan. He purposefully minimized the radius of his attack to guarantee she was spared. Now it was only a matter of if she actually survived—

"Ugh…" He spotted someone popping out from the rubble that landed inside the arena. To his luck, it was the favored squirrel of Emperor Nero's harem, Fortuna. She picked herself off the ground and dusted herself off. "Well, that was unpleasant. What the hell happened—"

"Mind Scream: Chain!" Lothar took in a quick intake of air and released a sudden psychic scream across the arena. The sound struck the soldiers, slamming their minds with the unbearable noise.

"AGH!" Fortuna, also affected by the attack, recoiled and covered her ears. "What the—"

Lothar pushed a soldier out of the way, snatched a spear from him, and snapped the polearm off. He grabbed Fortuna's small body, clutching her tightly in his hand and held her close with the spearhead pressed under her chin.

By now, the Mind Scream and the restraining collars ceased their effects. The soldiers and prisoners struggled to shake off the effects, though the prisoners couldn't find the strength to stand afterwards.

Lothar, dragging the spearhead across Fortuna's neck, shouted, "Make any sudden movements, and I cut this bitch's neck open!"

Concordia gasped. "Fortuna, no!"

"That jerk!" Invidia cried.

Jason unsheathed his sword. "Let her go!"

Lothar glared up at the royal booth. "I know how much the emperor cares about his prized collection of bimbos, so he knows I'll make good on my threat if anyone tries to get in my way! Now, bring him down here so I can give him the justice he deserves!"

Tiberius scowled. "You dare threaten my son, you coward?!"

"Your devil of a son is responsible for ruining the lives of the east!"

"You murdered our subjects!"

Lothar smirked. "Now you know how it feels. Want to see me do it again—"

"Lothar…" He looked back and saw Vilde struggling onto his feet, pushing through the splitting pain wracked across his mind. "I swear…as a follower of the cross wheel, I will…stop you…"

"…" Lothar scoffed. "Do you even care what happens to these people?"

"…"

"I'm sure even Arceus wouldn't mind dealing divine punishment onto these people. Wasn't your role as a paladin to smite the wicked? Aren't these the people that celebrated the death of your comrades, Vilde? Aren't these the people that cheered for blood when you were thrown in here?"

"…" Vilde growled. "You will not spill more blood…"

"Even after all that talk about destroying anyone who gets in your way, you still hold onto your faith." He spat on the ground. "Like I told that brat, hopes are poison on the mind. You'd be wise to abandon your religious garbage and take after your role as a paladin: smiting the wicked."

Melissa trembled trying to stand back up. "The only…wicked person I s-see right now…is you."

"Oh goodie, I'm being lectured by the brat again. Stay out of this." Lothar looked back up at the royal booth. "Now, bring me Emperor Nero before I cut this bitch's throat open!"

Fortuna, however, didn't seem all that bothered with the spearhead pressed against her neck. If anything, she looked disinterested by the whole ordeal. "Which is it? Am I a bimbo or a bitch?"

"SHUT UP! You don't get to speak!"

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. This is preferable than being near my sister."

Gemini and Jason hopped down from the booth and landed in the hollowed-out stadium. Jason winced at the dead bodies around him, feeling a momentary queasiness pass over him. His breathing hastened. He ignited his sword with electricity and aimed it at the arena, his eyes flaring with unbridled rage.

Kill him. Kill him. The sword trembled within his grip as his breathing became more unhinged.

Saturn walked up to them with an annoyed expression. "What's the plan here?"

Gemini struck his fists together, generating steam between the knuckles. His left fist turned red with intense heat while his right fist glowed blue with an icy mist. "Neutralize the target and rescue Fortuna. Use any force necessary."

"Tch." Saturn slammed his feet down and reared his hand back, channeling a golden light through the center of his palm. "Simple enough."

Emperor Orochi finally collected himself, shaking off his stress, and ordered, "[Takigawa! Himura! Kill that heathen in the name of Great Gate!]"

"[Yes, my emperor!]" Shizuka and Hanzo leapt out of the ruined booth, sailing over the stadium, and landed beside Jason and the New Chariot elite. Shizuka unfastened one of the buckles on her arm bindings while Hanzo gripped one of his sheathed swords, ready to draw it out at a moment's notice.

Lothar snarled, gripping the spearhead tighter. "You dare underestimate me? Even with the power I demonstrated, you don't give in to my demands?" His eyes widened with fury. "I've decayed in that prison for far too long! I refuse to spend another forty years fighting for their entertainment! If I'm going to die, I'll do it by making an example out of your emperor!"

The soldiers tensed up as he sucked in a vast amount of air through his horns. The air leaking from his closed maw vibrated intensely. They could feel the great power swelling inside the Exploud, ready to obliterate anything that got in his path.

"This…is for my freedom—"

"Heh. If you're going to talk a big game, stop screaming and say it to my face."

Lothar exhaled the air he was holding in with a gasp. He whipped his head to the west side of the stadium and saw the object of his fury standing above the cowering Pokémon too afraid to move from their seats: Emperor Nero. The Krokorok smugly stood on the backs of the seats, arms tucked behind his waist, with a cool grin resting across his snout. A deadly silence washed over the colosseum with his arrival.

Nero laughed. "You did all of this just to get my attention? I'd say I'm touched, but…actually, I'm quite pissed you had to take out your anger on my people. You could've just killed them to escape, but no. You had to make a demonstration out of it. That pisses me off the most." Even with his rage declared, his jovial and menacing smile never wavered.

Lothar snarled. "You dare look down on my actions as beneath the horrors you've committed?!"

"If I want someone dead, I order for their execution. If I want someone, I make them my property. If I want my enemy to live, I make them earn that right. I don't play games in war." Nero narrowed his eyes. "If you want something, take it. If you're going to slaughter my people or the innocent, don't do it for something as shallow as revenge. Make their deaths have meaning. Use their deaths to break the spirits of your enemy and force them to bend the knee. Killing my people just for the sin of being born under my rule? You are a fool playing the role of a righteous man. I know who I am."

A foreboding chill raced up Melissa's spine as she looked upon the mighty emperor, eyes wide in fear and awe. The light of the sky shining behind him made him glow like a divine figure. His unwavering confidence and pride through his gestures and voice sent tremors through her and those caught in his radiance. It wasn't just malice she was sensing from the emperor. It was something far worse. The grandeur of spectacle coupled with a forthright attitude revealed the overwhelming flaw in the Umbra Forest Alliance's plan to force New Chariot into treaty.

Nero wasn't a man raised just by unwavering pride.

He truly saw himself as a god among Pokémon.

The plan hinges on pushing Nero into signing a treaty with Umbra Clock. But that's still the obstacle we need to overcome. He's not just willing to defend his people to the bitter end. He'll destroy anything he deems a threat to his cause.

Lothar sensed this overwhelming malice, his grip over Fortuna and the spearhead wavering. "Y-You…"

Nero folded his arms behind his back and descended the backs of the stadium seats with perfect balance. "Now, kindly unhand my property. Comply, and I may forgive your actions by sentencing you to public flogging. You've killed many of my subjects today, and I'm willing to bet their families will have words for your actions." His smirk grew. "But if you refuse, then you'll deal with me."

"…" Lothar tightened his grip over Fortuna, sucking in vast amounts of air into his horns. "You think me a fool? The only fool I see—" He stomped his feet down and reared his head back. "—is the bloodstain splattered across this colosseum!"

With barely a second of delay, the Exploud unleashed an air-cracking scream of pure rage at the arrogant emperor. The air distorted around his shout, flying toward Nero with the force to reduce all in its path to dust. The sheer force of its release sent out blasts of air that knocked down the unprepared. The ground shattered under Lothar from the recoil, yet he remained firm in his stance.

Nero, however, never wavered. He stared the oncoming attack down with a relaxed arrogance, his posture never once shifting or recoiling. He didn't even blink from the wind rushing across his face.

A mere meter from hitting its mark, the approaching shockwave was suddenly split in two. Nero remained still and collected as the rippling energy parted around him, annihilating the rest of the stadium behind him and digging out a V-shaped trench up to the top of the colosseum. The wind flowed at its strongest, shaving off parts of his robe and slicing shallow cuts into his face from the speed of loose pebbles.

As fast as a clap of thunder, the attack came and went. The echoing of its firing lingered throughout the colosseum, onlookers feeling their ears ring and their balance disoriented from the harsh roar. All looked upon the emperor in shock and awe, his stature never once wavering in face of the attack.

Kneeling before the emperor was the cause of the attack's parting. Commander Terminus, Nero's most loyal bodyguard, raised his smoking axe hand and glared down at the trembling Exploud. "Are my services required further, my liege?"

Nero stepped out from behind the Kleavor. "That will be all for now, Terminus." He ripped off his tattered robe, showing off his bare chest and the gold jewelry decorated around his neck. "This is an emperor's duty."

He jumped down the rows of seats before leaping onto the edge of the arena. He snapped his fingers, ordering a nearby guard to throw him their spear. He caught and deftly twirled the weapon in one hand before jumping down into the arena. Proudly shouldering the spear, he beckoned the Exploud forward.

"You've amused me enough to earn my attention. For the crime of slaughtering my subjects, I shall grant you one chance of salvaging your life. Kill me in combat, and I'll decree post-mortem for you to be lifted of all crimes and freed from the colosseum. The price for losing? Your life."

Lothar staggered back. "Y-You can't be serious."

Nero smirked. "Where's all that bravado, Exploud? A true man fights face-to-face. Were you betting on killing me with some pathetic ambush?"

"Y-You—GAH!" Lothar recoiled as Fortuna suddenly slashed into his palm, forcing him to release her.

She landed, scoffed as she dusted herself off, and calmly strutted over to Nero as she licked the blood off her paw. "What a shame. I was going to kill him myself."

Nero laughed darkly. "Though I'm sure your beauty shines even through bloodstained fur, this is an emperor's duty."

Fortuna shuddered in place, covering her reddened cheeks. "So hot~!"

"Take a seat, my dear, and place your bets."

She giggled feverishly and scampered back into the seats. "Wagers aren't as fun when the outcome is so obvious."

The prisoners slowly backed away, sensing the bloodbath that was about to take place. Melissa picked herself up and stepped back alongside Galus. "Emperor Nero," she mumbled. "What kind of strength does he possess?"

Galus gulped. "Bad time."

"…" Vilde narrowed his eyes. The renowned prodigy of the Martius family. The second son of Lord Martius shows us his true strength.

Nero stomped one foot forward and beckoned the Exploud again. "Come. Entertain me."

Doubt was the killer of confidence. Lothar staggered in the presence of Nero's unwavering aura, being woefully unprepared to face the Krokorok in an actual fight. He wasn't aware Nero had left his seat during the fight, and he bet everything on his final attack decimating him and everyone else who ruled above him.

However, he held onto that fading confidence, strengthening his resolve as his temper flared. He recalled those countless years spent in the prison, fighting day after day to earn his freedom only for his winning streak to be snuffed out by some lucky newcomer. Each passing day, he grew weaker with age, and his chances of seeing the outside dwindled further and further into impossibility.

I'm a dead man either way. I won't die…letting this pampered lout make a fool out of me!

"You've made a mockery of me for the last time, Emperor Nero! WAR SHRIEK!" Hardening his stance, he sucked in tons of air and unleashed a powerful roar onto the emperor.

Without missing a beat, Nero ducked low to the ground and dashed under the rippling shockwave. He reared his fist back and delivered a brutal uppercut that erupted with a black flash of energy.

"Ebony Soul."

The punch rattled Lothar, causing him to stagger back on his heels. His stance wavered, struggling to remain standing as he stared vacantly at the sky. W-What…?

Nero stepped back, smirking at the stunned Exploud. "What's the matter? Don't tell me that one nearly took you out?"

Lothar finally regained his balance before doubling over, clutching his stinging chin. H-He was holding back. I could feel it. I thought he broke my jaw for a second.

"Ebony Soul." Lothar gasped violently as Nero delivered a straight hook to his stomach with the signature black flash crackling around them. He dug his fist into the Exploud's stomach, grinding his knuckles into the flesh. "Well, I suppose you are tired from your little battle. That won't do at all."

He pulled his fist away and kicked Lothar back before taking a few steps away. He snapped his fingers, calling upon a Clawitzer soldier from the stands. Though hesitant, he understood the emperor's order and fired a pink beam at Lothar. Lothar tensed up, believing he was being attacked from the stands.

Instead, to his shock, his fatigue was fading, and his injuries were mending themselves in an instant. The cuts and bruises across his skin receded, putting him back to near perfect condition.

"W-What…?"

Nero snickered. "Good. Now we can make this a fairer fight."

"…" Lothar snarled and rushed down the emperor, picking up a discarded sword. "You dare mock me?! TAKE THIS!" He raised the sword over his head, aiming to bring it down atop Nero's head.

Without a wasted movement, Nero clutched his spear and thrusted it into the sword's downward swinging, connecting the tip to the blade. All of Lothar's downward momentum came to a screeching halt as a black flash rippled off the spear's tip, and Lothar could feel the sword shaking in his hands.

"Ebony Soul: Shatter."

True to its name, the attack caused the blade to fracture into thousands of harmless metal shards, raining over both combatants. Lothar recoiled with only the broken hilt in hand while Nero brushed the metal off his shoulders.

"Did you honestly think my preferred lifestyle left me unprepared to defend myself?" His cruel smile stretched wide. "To know war, you must become war. I am the God of War! You are in my territory now!"

Lothar jumped back and sucked in tons of air. "Death SCREAM!" He roared the beam-like scream, tearing open the earth in front of him.

Nero spun his spear before striking the ground, erecting a wall of sharp stone tinged in a film of dark energy. The Death Scream slammed and parted around the rocks with only minor damage dealt to their surface.

"Ebony Soul: Barrier." Nero scraped his foot along the dirt before raising and stomping it down, casting a surge of similar rock to charge forward. "Ebony Soul: Consume!"

Unable to fire another attack off, Lothar lunged out of the way before the rocks could reach him. Nearby prisoners jumped to safety as well, one unfortunate Ludicolo getting his foot caught in its path and screaming as it tore through his flesh. The surging rock slammed into the far wall, splashing outward like crashing water.

Lothar quickly stood up and fired, "War Shriek!" The wide-reaching scream expanded across his field of vision, guaranteeing the emperor's destruction.

Or so he thought.

"Ebony Soul—" Clutching his spear in both hands, Nero pivoted off one foot as a surge of dark energy crackled off the spearhead. Once a ring of darkness channeled around him, he stopped and punched the ground, causing a dark shockwave to expand across the air around him. "Storm!"

The shockwave cancelled and sliced through Lothar's attack, its unimpeded force slamming into his chest and throwing him backwards like a violent hurricane. He flailed like a scarecrow in a tornado, rolling and dragging across the ground before crashing into the far wall where the stone surge lay still. The impact with the wall caused him to spit up blood before collapsing onto his hands and knees.

He froze as he felt a familiar gentleness overtaking him and looked up to see the lingering light trail of the Clawitzer soldier's Heal Pulse. "Again?!"

Nero laughed, mockingly spinning his spear. "Come on, old man. Don't make this too boring for me."

Lothar growled with growing fury. He picked up a couple shields and clanged them together. "You will regret toying with me, brat! Echoing Scream!" He fired his reflective scream towards the arena wall, sending it on a ricocheting course off the opposing walls. As the attack traveled, he clanged the shields together once more and charged Nero down.

Nero smirked. "Don't lose your balance." He stomped his foot down, causing the earth to ripple and shake.

All bystanders and witnesses to the fight clung onto anything they could as the entire colosseum shook. Jason stumbled over the rubble, managing to keep his balance as he looked on in horror, concealing his expression behind his apathetic glare. "That was just a normal Earthquake…"

Gemini glared. "Emperor Nero had to go through much trial and error to reach his strength and earn his title as emperor. Though he may seem lazy and uninspired, he is without question and strongest creature in New Chariot. He makes Commander Nemesis, our most renowned soldier, look like a newborn in comparison to their experience."

Jason gritted his teeth. That's why he's unfazed by us possibly betraying him. He could crush anyone who poses a threat to him. He's not just some torpid royal living everyday like it's a party. He actually put in the effort to become the emperor he is today. This might be a problem.

The trembling earth caused Lothar to lose his balance midway into his attack. His Echoing Scream reflected off the wall behind Nero, aiming to take him by surprise, but he merely pivoted off his heel and let the attack sail past him. This caused it to go on a direct course for Lothar, who immediately crossed his arms and hardened his stance as his own power slammed into him. With the effects of the drugs still in his system, his Soundproof ability couldn't protect him.

"Ebony Soul!" He felt his Echoing Scream falter as Nero lunged through the reversed attack and cracked his knuckles into the Exploud's guard. Lothar howled in pain, feeling his bones crack. Nero put more force into his punch and pushed the prisoner back a few meters.

Lothar stumbled over his heels, clutching the smoking wound on his arm. "Sh-Shit…"

Nero stretched and relaxed the muscles in his hand. "You're not the first person to break out of the colosseum, you know, and you're not him." He smirked. "Over thirty years ago, a truly wicked man was captured and held in this colosseum. I only know the stories from my father, but he spoke of a man with such renown and power that it tormented the existence of our prisoners. He was a monster who won every fight he participated in…and he had the distinct honor of being the only man in the Centum Death Ring to escape the colosseum uncontested."

Lothar panted heavily, glaring at the emperor with annoyance. "Bastard. Don't tell me that story…like I wasn't there. I know of the man you speak of." He breathed a few more times before getting a hold of himself. "Lovel the Beast."

Nero smirked. "That's the one."

Melissa narrowed her eyes. "Lovel?"

"Aye. That name takes me back." She looked over her shoulder as the old Torkoal, Fintan, walked up behind her. "Lovel. He was only here for a few short months. He proved to be a natural talent with fire. I heard he was a child of the Arcania Kingdom who left because of his talent for destruction. The flames he wielded grew so hot and wild that even he struggled to reign them in. He ended all his fights surrounding the arena in a blazing inferno that either cooked his opponents alive or forced them into surrendering to spare their lives. He was so dangerous that he threatened the audience with just his presence. He's the only man to be pardoned without completing his full hundred victories."

Melissa gulped, looking on with growing trepidation. If someone like that was the exception…

Lothar clanged his shields together once more, rushing Nero down with an overhead swing. "It doesn't matter how strong I am then or now! I'm taking back my freedom, you tyrant!"

"Ebony Soul—" Nero threw his spear into the air and struck both shields with the tips of his claws, causing dark ripples to vibrate and permeate through the air. "Shatter."

The shields shattered in Lothar's hands, leaving him wide open for a straight hook to the face. The collision of darkness rattled his flesh and bone. It didn't carry much strength to knock him back, but sheer power that attacked the body with the force of a thunderbolt times a thousand. The punches lacked weight, but made up for it with power alone.

Nero caught his falling spear and thrusted it across Lothar's side, splitting through his rags and tearing into his flesh. "Ebony Soul: Arrow."

"GAAAAH!" Lothar staggered back, gripping his bleeding side. His eyes widened as he felt another blast of Heal Pulse striking him from the stands, rapidly sealing the wound closed. "You—" Nero socked him across the face, a black flash crackling off the air.

Nero's maniacal smirk grew, his eyes radiating in a sinister red. "Why am I still alive, Exploud? I thought you wanted your freedom!" He hammered both his fists into Lothar's chest, an explosive black flash pushing him away.

Lothar trembled over his heels, barely able to stay standing even as another dose of Heal Pulse struck him. Though his physical injuries were being mended, the psychological damage remained. The phantoms of each injury, plus the stinging reminders of his sealed wounds, burned like hot coals resting upon his skin. It didn't matter how many times he was healed. It didn't stop the exhaustion from setting in.

"You…sadist—" Lothar growled, only to receive another heavy punch to the face.

Nero laughed. "This is what it means to stand atop the world, Exploud. I am the God of War, and you are a speck of dust in my grand vision." He hammered another punch across the prisoner's face, cracking his jaw out of alignment.

"GYAAAAAAAAH!" Lothar gripped his jaw and forced it back into place after another Heal Pulse sniped him.

Melissa trembled in disgust as the fight progressed. "C-Cut it out!" she screamed. "You're just torturing him at this point!"

Nero smirked. "This is his punishment for defying his place. If he wants his freedom so badly, he needs to earn it like a man." He clenched his fists, sparks of black shooting up his arms. "That is what it means to stand at the top!"

"I said stop it—" She tried to lunge at him, but Decebal quickly jumped in and grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Don't. If you attack him, the guards will activate the collars again," he warned.

"…" She clenched her teeth, unable to do anything but quiver in rage. This man…

Lothar glared over his shoulder, eyes burning with fury. "I don't need your help, runt! This is my fight!" He snarled at Nero. "I'm ending the Martius line here and now!" He grabbed a couple swords off the ground and rushed the Krokorok down. "You and your ilk had this coming for forty years, bastard!"

Nero picked up his spear and spun it. "Oho! Finally sparked a fire in that soul!"

Lothar struck down with his swords, which Nero effortlessly blocked with his spear. He twirled the weapon and smacked the blades out from Lothar's hands before slashing across the chest. Blood sprayed over the emperor's face as he laughed, but Lothar didn't falter. He stomped his feet down and forced himself forward, seizing Nero by the shoulders.

"Eh?" Nero gasped.

"You should've just killed me when you had the chance! NOW DIE!" He took in all the air he could muster through his horns and unleashed his most powerful attack blank point into Nero. "DEATH VOICE!"

The opaque laser of pure sound exploded across the arena, slamming into the walls and causing a chain reaction of fissures to spread along the seating areas. Jason, Gemini, Saturn, and Orochi's guards jumped out of the way before a fissure could swallow them, and Fortuna deftly hopped between seats as they fell below the ground.

The prisoners shielded themselves against the recoiling shockwaves coming off of Lothar, the sheer force of them emanating off like a hurricane. Melissa dug her fingers into the ground and kept a hold of Galus, who covered his face and screamed over the strong winds. Vilde remained firm in his stance while Fintan and Decebal held onto each other for dear life.

"Is he…?!" Melissa shouted.

Vilde glared. "No! Not yet."

Lothar didn't let up in his attack, keeping a tight grip over Nero and hitting him with all the power he could emit. He continuously drew air through his horns and added it to the longevity of his attack, hoping to prolong its power long enough to skin the emperor down to his bones.

No one can survive a prolonged impact from my Death Scream! You're dead, Emperor Nero! This is the power of the defiant! This is what happens when you underestimate your—

SHIIIING!

Lothar's attack suddenly cut off as a sharp, piercing pain shot through his chest. Blood dribbled from his gaping maw as he shakily looked down to see the emperor's fist stabbing clean through his chest with the broken spearhead of his weapon clutched in his grip.

Nero dripped with blood, his skin buffed by the dust and dirt caught in the sonic scream. However, he didn't tremble or kneel from his injuries. He didn't utter a single groan or falter from the searing pain in his limbs. Instead, he lifted his gaze to meet the terrified Exploud's eyes.

Black streams of energy mixed with blood red flowed out from his eyes like fresh steam. His eyes burned bright red, and his exposed stripes glowed in the same color.

"…Well, that was fun."

Lothar's eyes widened as Nero's hand started shifting inside his chest. He froze as he felt something touch his beating heart, its sharp claws gently wrapping around it.

"Your name is Lothar, yes?" Nero asked, his grin calm and collected. "Congratulations. You have the honor of being remembered in the history books."

Lothar clenched his teeth, unable to muster another attack after expelling so much energy into his Death Scream. "Y-You…"

"Your age doesn't determine your strength. That was the excuse you held onto for so long. You are as strong as any other in this colosseum. Take pride in yourself. The only one who was holding you back…was you."

With a flick of his wrist, Nero watched as blood exploded out from Lothar's chest, splashing over his face. Lothar couldn't find the strength to gasp, his eyes set on the sky as his vision started to rapidly fade. All conscious thought left him, the only words echoing in his mind being the emperor's final say.

Nero pulled his hand free and turned his back to the Exploud, who collapsed onto his back with a glassy expression in his eyes and the fading of a final breath. Blood dripped off Nero's arm, forming a trail as he walked back to the stands.

Melissa collapsed onto her rear, shaking at the bloodied sight of Nero and the fallen Exploud before her. "Oh my Arceus…"

Galus quaked behind her, tears shimmering in his eyes. "B-Bad time…"

"…" Vilde looked away, unable to bear the sight of the corpse.

Nero snapped his fingers, calling down Terminus who handed him his tattered robe. "Excellent work as usual, Emperor Nero."

"He gave it his all, I must admit," he said, throwing the robe onto his shoulders.

Gemini and Saturn jumped down into the arena, leaving behind a speechless Jason who couldn't take his eyes off the dead Exploud sitting in a pool of his own blood. Flashes of that day came back to him, only with certain events playing out differently.

This man…calling him a monster doesn't begin to describe what we're up against. He shook his hesitation away and jumped into the arena to join them.

Fortuna, along with Invidia and Concordia, raced into the arena. Fortuna lunged into Nero's awaiting arms and nuzzled his bloodied face, which caused the other girls to look on in disgust. "My hero~!"

Nero smirked. "Hero? You were two seconds from killing that guy yourself."

"But I knew you'd come and rescue me~," she purred, tracing her paw across his chest.

He dragged his claw under her chin and growled seductively. "Well, I suppose you deserve a little something. You must be so traumatized~." Fortuna shuddered, happily kicking her leg and wagging her tail. She smirked over her shoulder as Invidia and Concordia jealously puffed their cheeks.

"Emperor Nero!" He looked to the stands and saw Orochi slithering up to the edge. "Are you quite alright?!"

He waved the snake's concern off. "Bah! This was nothing." He looked around and grunted. "Though, it looks like the colosseum will have to be closed for repairs. Gemini, draft an order to our builders. I want this place rebuilt in a week."

The Medicham bowed. "Of course, my liege." He pulled a quill and parchment from his sleeve and began writing.

"After you do that, call for the dead to be collected. Send gift baskets and written apologies to the families of the deceased." He glared back at Lothar's corpse. "I would've left him in the stocks for public flogging, but no point in kicking him while he's dead."

Jason, unnerved by Nero's collected attitude to the whole ordeal, eventually turned his attention to Melissa and the other prisoners. "So, what about them?"

"Hmm?" Nero looked back at the prisoners and huffed. "Oh, right. One of you was supposed to win. Ehhhhhh…" He lazily raised his finger and pointed between Vilde, Melissa, and Galus. "Eh…you. You win."

"…WHAT?!" Vilde and Melissa gasped.

Galus' eyes widened as the finger aimed in his direction. "Galus…win?"

Nero shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Whatever. You win. You get a point and decent grub for your well-fought victory."

Dead silence hung over the arena, the previous bloodbath temporarily escaping their attention, as all eyes fell on the startled Dragapult.

"…Uh—" Before Galus could get a word in, a cheer rang out.

"WOOOOOO! Fortuna favors the bold!"

"WHAAAAAAT?!" Invidia and Concordia screamed.

Fortuna laughed. "Hehe! I always make the right call!"

"You placed bets on him?!" Invidia cried.

"Yep!"

"HOW?! How did you know he would win?!" Concordia exclaimed. She extended a vine from her neck and pointed at Nero. "Did you know about this?!"

He smirked. "Nope. I just picked him because I thought it would be funny."

Fortuna proudly stood in his open hands and laughed. "My nose knows only truth! I can smell fortune from anywhere!"

"That is so stupid! There is no way you could've predicted that!" Invidia whined.

"Hahahaha!"

Nero shook his head before gesturing to Jason and Saturn. "You two. Help the soldiers corral the prisoners back into the dungeon."

Saturn bowed. "Of course, my liege."

"…" Jason sighed and pulled out his sword. "At once." He glared and aimed his sword in Melissa's direction. "Get a move on, Skill Hunter, or it's another shock for you."

"…" She glared, subtly nodding at him. "Right…" She took Galus' hand and pulled him along as the soldiers slowly encroached on the arena, pushing everyone back to the transport elevator.

Melissa couldn't stop checking over her shoulder and staring at the bloody mess that was Lothar. She was no stranger to death and seeing a body, but this was the first time she truly saw one in such a manner. If she had witnessed it a year ago, she would've vomited on sight. She didn't care for the Exploud's attitude, but she never wished death upon him.

And Emperor Nero…

He was everything they were warned of and more.

She sighed and turned her sights toward the elevator as she packed herself in. At least one good thing came out of all of this. She gingerly touched her collar. Now we know how they keep everyone in line.

Umbra Forest Council Meeting: Prisoner Restraints

Blackwood slid his notes to the center of the table. "Getting the prisoners to cooperate is a trying enough task, but there's still the matter of freeing them."

Melissa raised her brow. "I would've assumed it'd be as simple as breaking down the door and setting everyone to freedom."

Tadhg shook his head. "It's unfortunately not that simple. New Chariot wouldn't keep so many potential threats under one roof if he didn't have a means to keep them under control."

Moira glared. "So, how are they doing it?"

Blackwood folded his hands under his chin and leaned forward. "We don't have any actual details, but rumor has it that Nero sought on help from outside the east to better control the prisoners without compromising the fights. Originally, they would drug the food and limit their fighting potential. Just enough to where they can still put on a show—"

"But not enough to overpower the guards," Jason said. "And since going without food for too long is dangerous itself, they don't have any choice."

Blackwood smirked. "It's been a common tactic in prisons. Without any means to suppress our natural abilities, the only course of action is to weaken them. My grandfather used to run a prison, so I know the tricks and trade of keeping prisoners cooperative."

Melissa glared. "So, Nero found a way to restrain them without drugging them?"

Tadhg nodded. "Something threatening enough to keep them from turning their full power on the audience. We're not sure if they've totally abandoned the drugged food since Nero would still have to get that approved by his council, who I bet aren't too keen on making hasty changes."

Blackwood grinned. "But if you can find out how they're doing it, that leaves you to undoing it. Think you can handle that, little bunny?"

"…" Melissa nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

Night slowly set over Telo Martius with the prisoners taking whatever scraps they could get for the night and sitting away from their fellow inmates. Due to the damages done on the colosseum earlier, a lot of matches were cancelled, to the relief and annoyance of some.

Most shocking of all these events was the news that Galus was declared the winner of the battle royale. The prisoners looked on at the Dragapult enviously as they watched him nervously carry a box of fresh cooked food that was delivered by the guards.

He waddled over to Melissa and Corin, setting his food down. "Scary faces," he mumbled.

Melissa smiled weakly. "If they try to steal your food, I'll get rid of them."

"Thank you." He opened the box, picking out fresh cubes of faux meat. He sniffed it carefully before throwing it into his mouth. He shuddered at the rich taste, even if it wasn't anything special. Anything was better than the scraps they were fed. He picked another cube and handed it to Melissa.

She shook her head. "You earned it fair and square…sort of. You deserve a good meal." He smiled and resumed eating his dinner while she took a bite of the bread roll she swiped. She wiped her mouth and sighed. "Emperor Nero is…truly something."

Corin glared. "Now you see why the prisoners have been downtrodden as of late. Nero doesn't hold back with keeping everyone in line, and he's no slouch when it comes to executing those threats himself."

"…"

Corin smirked. "Despite all of that, you still intend to go along with your crazy plan?"

"…I have to. No one should be caged for their entire life, not even Lothar."

He laughed quietly. "You are a rarity around here. Hopeful even after witnessing death."

She nodded. "However, I did learn one thing from today: I'm nowhere near my full potential. If I want to become a strong leader, I need to keep pushing my limits. There's an entire branch of fighting I haven't seen before."

"You mean Decebal?"

She glared. "I've only heard of the teachings of Spring-Loaded Harriet, but never saw them. Do you know anything about her, Corin?"

He closed his eyes for a moment. "Hmm…as far as I know, nobody other than her disciples have actually seen her. There hasn't been an exact account of her appearance. However, they say she's the greatest martial artist ever born into the world, and that technique she teaches is only a single branch of a greater artform. Some even describe her skills as…supernatural."

"Are the rumors true? That she can fly?"

"…" Corin sighed. "I wouldn't know. Still, if you intend to learn her fighting style, it might give you an edge."

She glared at the floor. "I can only go so far with copying what I see. I need insight into the mechanics and methods of its form. Maybe it'll give me an edge over Nero."

"Well, why didn't you say so?" Her eyes widened as Fintan and Decebal walked up to their small party. Decebal smirked. "So, is it true? You're planning to stage a breakout?"

She gasped. "How did you—" She paused before glaring at Corin. "Did you tell them?"

He shrugged. "I cannot confirm nor deny that. Though, I did have a brief chat with them after you lot got back from your match."

She groaned before glaring at the duo. "What do you want?"

Fintan bowed his head. "We heard you're looking to band the prisoners together to overthrow the guards and set us free. I must admit, a young lass like you didn't strike me as anything special, but I saw your potential when we fought."

Decebal snickered. "You're quite the tricky little bunny. I've never met a woman with fighting spirit like yours!"

She blinked slowly. "Oh, uh…thanks?"

Her eyes widened as the duo suddenly knelt before her. "Skill Hunter Harlow, if you are true to your word, we want to swear loyalty to your cause," Fintan stated. "I have been trying to break free from this accursed prison for several decades. I am but an old tortoise, and I fear I may not have the strength left to keep fighting these death matches. My species live long lives, and I wish to not waste my longevity here. Allow us to assist you."

She relaxed and stared at them in confusion. "Assist how?"

Decebal grinned. "Fintan's been here a while. He can pass the word around and butter up the prisoners until he has them in your hooks. As for me, you said you were looking to learn Master Harriet's fabled Ground Dance Art?"

"Ground Dance Art, huh?"

He nodded. "I can't compare to the master, but I can teach you the basic principles of increasing your Bounce's power. You showed promise just by copying me, so I want to help you expand the potential."

"…" Melissa glared. "You two do understand the risk you're taking, right?"

"We do," they said.

"…" She stood up, folding her arms behind her back. "Very well. I shall take you two on as my knights for this operation. Sir Fintan, I entrust you to persuade the prisoners to my cause. Make sure not a word of this gets out to the guards."

"I swear by your command, Lady Harlow," Fintan said.

"And Sir Decebal, I will gladly take up your offer to learn the Ground Dance Art. Teach me everything you know so that I can become a stronger leader for you all."

He grinned. "It shall be done, my lady."

She nodded. "Good. We have a lot of work to do and not a moment to waste. If all goes according to plan, you will all see the outside once again. Are you ready to face the unknown?"

"Yes, Lady Harlow! We will follow you to the ends of the earth!"

Corin smirked to himself. Heh. That old fool really was onto something. She might just be the one to turn Virdis upside-down.

The celebratory ceremony didn't go unnoticed as Vilde, who was walking by with a handful of bread, glared at Melissa for a moment. He scoffed to himself before carrying along his way.

You costed me my winning streak, Skill Hunter, and you're still betting on some foolish escape plan? You will pay dearly for this.