Work Text:
FADE IN:
EXT. THE CITY EXIT - DAY
The shot opens with a huge man in a full set of blueish metal armor sitting on a rock. This man is THE CHAMP, carrying a large one-handed bronze sword in his left hand balancing a bronze shield at the tip of the sword. THE CHAMP fiddles with the shield out of boredom as he sits by a massive iron gate. As footsteps begin to be heard, however, THE CHAMP looks towards the source.
THE CHAMP
Hohohoho, so you’re the one who slayed THE GUARDIAN!
The shot then switches to a man standing directly in front of THE CHAMP. This man is known as THE IRONCLAD, a man who is shorter in size and bulk than THE CHAMP. He drags across the ground a two-handed long sword as he’s walking leaving a line in the dirt next to his leather boots. His clothing is torn and rustic leather, with the exception of bronze pauldrons (shoulder armor) and a bronze face helmet with his red eyes peering out. THE IRONCLAD then stops suddenly.
THE IRONCLAD
Let me pass.
THE CHAMP
HA! Well well well looks like we have a BALLSY one, don’t we now! You dare to face THE CHAMP?!
As the two discuss and THE CHAMP grabs his shield from the tip of his sword, passersby start to look toward the two discussing.
THE IRONCLAD
Aren’t you servants supposed to keep people AWAY from the gate instead of just letting them walk near it?
THE CHAMP laughs as he stands up from the rock loudly and proudly. The pedestrians begin to slow down to look.
THE CHAMP
I’m no mere servant, for a servant does not have the strength that I do! Besides, where’s the harm in letting people admire me during my work?
THE CHAMP raises his arms in the air around him, looking at the people surrounding them, making sure they are looking. The IRONCLAD begins to grab his sword with both hands.
THE IRONCLAD
I don’t have time for this nonsense.
THE IRONCLAD charges at THE CHAMP with his sword barely above the ground, he swings at him three times with his sword, however, THE CHAMP blocks the attacks with both his shield and sword. THE CHAMP then takes a swing at THE IRONCLAD, barely getting blocked by his sword, which leaves a very small cut on his neck.
THE CHAMP
HA! FOOLISH! How does someone who simply hurts themselves in an effort to defend expect to defeat, THE UNDEFEATED CHAMPION OF THE SPIRE! HAHAHAHAHA!
A mix of laughter and clapping is heard from the audience, which has since formed from the citizens of the city. THE CHAMP continues to laugh as well, with both arms raised as he looks to the crowd. However, a laughter that starts faint, begins from the mask of THE IRONCLAD, and as everyone begins to hear the laughter, the clapping and laughing ceases. As THE CHAMP begins to take notice too and lowers his pose, the laughter becomes louder, before turning into a wicked, loud, and demonic laughter.
THE IRONCLAD
Aha… ahahaha… Ahahahhahahahaha…. AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
THE CHAMP
Wha- what are you insane?
As THE IRONCLAD takes a moment to breathe, he grabs his sword and bashes it at THE CHAMP’s side with brute force. Although while it doesn’t cut him, it causes him to grunt with pain as he is bruised.
THE IRONCLAD
Ohhhhhhhh I am going to enjoy THIS!
THE CHAMP
You… you hit me!
THE IRONCLAD
Of course I hit you, you idiot! What do you expect when you spend your time gloating about how much of a coward you are?
THE CHAMP (Starting to gain anger in his voice)
A… A WHAT?!
THE IRONCLAD
You haven’t lost a single battle right? How many of those battles were against someone larger than you?
THE CHAMP
You understand nothing you-!
THE IRONCLAD
How many of those battles were against someone on the third level? How many of those battles were from you seeking someone STRONGER than you? How many times have you tried to find the absolute worst hell you can find just to gain the slightest, BIT OF STRENGTH, in order to gain revenge, on all of those who have stood above you and your miserable body?
THE CHAMP (Nervous again)
…I-
THE IRONCLAD
See, I never claimed to be the strongest, hell I’ve lost my fair share. Though at least I’m willing to admit it and try to push my limit instead of fighting the same petty thieves over and over again. You are nothing, you are just a fraud who does nothing but step on ants.
The audience is silent, staring mostly at THE IRONCLAD. THE CHAMP takes notice to this, and after looking around him, he takes a brief moment to pause and breath, before he suddenly screams and charges at THE IRONCLAD head-on with his sword in the air.
THE CHAMP
DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!
THE IRONCLAD jumps to the right as THE CHAMP charges towards him, and as THE CHAMP trips onto the ground, THE IRONCLAD takes his sword and raises it for a quick blow to THE CHAMP's neck, giving him his first and final loss. The audience gasps in horror, with some screaming and running away, with some calling him a monster. THE IRONCLAD looks to the horrified running audience.
THE IRONCLAD
Heh, whatever.
He approaches the gate, and slowly opens it.