Chapter 28: One versus Many

Over the next week, when Josie and Peg weren’t working they would spend their free time preparing for the tournament qualifiers. In the evening they would cook at home, taking bites between studying beastling facts. After their meal they would go into a field on the outskirts of town and Josie would practice moving with Kinto as her disguise to make things look as natural as possible.

When the day arrived they both quit their jobs, or rather Peg took a leave of absence and Josie was laughed out of the factory when she asked for one as well. Either way they left behind the town of Thalahassa and made their way to the city of Guernsey Faire, where the tournament would be held. It was only a two hour walk from Thalahassa but once they arrived they could sense the excitement throughout the city.

“This place is crazy!” Josie said as she stared at the tall buildings and bustling streets as they walked the city.

Peg nodded in agreement, looking around as well. There were signs advertising The Tournament of Wishes and everyone seemed to be wearing clothing related to it. Restaurants were packed with patrons unable to afford tickets hovering around radios and lightning boxes waiting for the festivities to begin. She chuckled to herself as the whole scene reminded her of the Millenia Derby and how that whole event felt like a lifetime ago. The two realized they reached their destination when they found a long line of Beastlings leading to the entrance of an arena.

“There it is, Guernsey Stadium.” Peg pointed out.

Josie was bouncing trying to see how long the line was.

“There’s so many people!” Josie whined. “What if they run out of spots.”

“Not a problem, I found some information about this qualifier and as far as I know they plan on giving everyone a chance.”

Peg hadn’t just done her research into Beastlings, she also spent whatever free time she had learning about the tournament itself. Originally a less formal fighting competition between Beastlings over three centuries ago, it has been updated to more of a sporting event over the last few decades. Every year the committee would hold qualifying tournaments among the seven Leaflands with each winner getting into the top eight of the tournament. Josie of course had missed these tournaments so for the final eighth spot tournament hopefuls can enter a last minute qualifier that takes place the morning of the event.

Josie was tapping her feet, kicking around small stones as she was clearly bored with the wait. Peg however took this as an opportunity to observe their first batch of competition. There were of course all different types of beastlings; Canines, insects, birds, reptiles. They all piled in waiting for their chance. Something Peg did notice however is that many of the Beastlings seemed to have very deep animal features..

Nearly an hour passed until Josie and Peg made it to the front of the line, a short wait when you take into account how many were in line to begin with. When they approached the table to enter, there were two older canine beastlings signing papers. They briefly looked up but then did a double take when they saw Josie. They looked at her and then back at Peg before one of them spoke up.

“Ma’am, your daughter-” One of the organizers said.

“Oh she’s not my daughter she’s my sister.” Peg answered quickly.

The organizer raised his eyebrow. “So, you’re not her guardian? Or a beastling?”

“Oh I’m her Guardian, just not her mother. We’re not related by blood, it’s a long story.”

The other organizer squinted his eyes under his furry furrowed brow. “Not many HP’s enter this tournament. They usually can’t keep up with full Beastlings.”

Full Beastlings and Human Passing, aka ‘HPs.’ One of the most fascinating things Peg discovered in her research was the disparity between these two groups of Beastlings. Even though they were both classified as Beastlings their differences were hugely noticeable. Another issue was the discrimination amongst themselves. Human Passing Beastlings, with less animal features were treated more kindly than those with intense animal features. In general they were considered weaker and no match in strength to a Full Beastling.

“I ain’t worried!” Josie said, with a wide smile. “Put me in and you’ll see how I knock ‘em down.”

The two organizers looked at one another before shrugging their shoulders and placing a clipboard in front of Peg. 

“Both of you sign here, this states that The Tournament of Wishes cannot be held liable for any unfortunate occurrences including death related to this event.”

While Josie gripped the pen and signed quickly, Peg hesitated for a moment with the word death. The tournament rules stated that killing your opponent resulted in disqualification but there hadn’t been a death in any of the tournaments. There have however been accidents leading to paralysis and other life long issues. Peg glanced over at Josie who was still smiling with pure confidence and Peg smiled herself, knowing that Josie can take down anything thrown at her.

“Very good.” The organizer said, taking back the clipboard and handing Josie a pin numbered ‘72.’ and a piece of paper to Peg with the same number.  “This is your entrant badge, follow down that corridor and you’ll be let onto the field.”

The two thanked the organizers and continued on their way. As they walked down the corridor Peg gave Josie a last minute crash course.

“Remember, different Beastlings have their own strengths and weaknesses. Avians can fly for short periods and are very fast but aren’t strong. Hagas have a tough skin due to their exoskeleton but very little power outside of their abilities. And Mammalians are-”

“Stop!” Josie said, raising her hand. “You’re gonna’ give me a headache before we even get started.”

Peg scoffed before looking up and realizing they reached the entrance to the field.  While the crowd was shuffling into the arena proper waiting for the main events to begin in a few hours, Josie and Peg were directed to a small field sealed off by a tall wire fence. Another Beastling, this time one with feline features stood at the door, stopping them both before they entered.

“I only see a badge on the girl.” The cat organizer spoke, looking over at Peg. “Are you planning to enter the qualifier?”

“No, I’m just here to support her.” Peg replied, pointing her thumb at Josie.

“Then I’m sorry, only entrants are allowed past this point. You can wait in the lobby for the event to finish.”

The organizer motioned towards another hallway leading to a small room. Peg turned and kneeled next to Josie, getting to her eye level.

“Well, headache or not, remember what I told you. And most importantly, don’t lose.” Peg said with a smile, bringing up her fist.

“Ha! Like I’d ever do that.” Josie replied, raising up her own fist and bumping it with Peg’s.

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“I’m sorry ma’am! We just don’t have those things available as it’s only a qualifier.”

A meek, frog beastling working as a tournament organizer apologized profusely to Peg whose anger was boiling over. 

“This is absolutely ridiculous! All those Leos we paid for entry and I can’t even watch Josie fight? Take me to the field, I need to be able to see her.”

“Once again ma’am that’s not possible, but it’s the same for everyone else who has someone out there. Please just take a seat and hope your number isn’t called.”

Peg readied herself to continue arguing but after looking at her paper with ‘77’ written on it and back at the crowd of people in the room she chose against it. She apologized for being difficult and walked over to one of the nearby seats.

After the countless hours of research over the last week, Peg ran into her first unexpected pitfall. She knew that in order for Josie to clinch a spot in the Top 8 she would have to enter the final qualifiers. It was a free for all event for any last minute entrants and the last person standing moved on. 

What put a wrench in Peg’s plans however was the fact that she had no way of seeing Josie. While Peg came up with the idea of the twig ears she had even made some adjustments that were going to be a surprise to Josie. It would still be a surprise but for now it wouldn’t be very effective.

Peg glanced over her shoulders and when she felt no one was watching  she reached into her small shoulder bag. She pulled out thin twigs twisted together and fastened it to the back of her right ear. She cleared her throat and whispered to herself;

“Jo? Jo, can you hear me?”

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Once Josie arrived at the field she stood against one of the tall four walls. As she kept herself away from the others she watched beastlings continue to pour in. After another ten or so minutes of competitors entering, the gates closed with a loud ‘thud.’ Loud crackling could be heard from the speakers as a voice addressed the crowd.

“Ladies and Gentlemen thank you for entering the Final Qualifier for the Tournament of Wishes! This event will begin after a brief summary of the rules. Remember killing is strictly prohibited and will result in a disqualification. If you are knocked out or you say ‘I give up’ that will be considered a loss.”

Josie felt a vibration against her overalls where she had pinned her badge and realized it was now glowing bright green.

“All of this can be tracked by your badges, courtesy of the brilliant Deacons and Deaconesses in The Custerdome.” continued the crackling voice. “When it turns red you will be considered out of the competition and we ask that you leave or wait to be removed by the medical team. Anyone who continues to fight after their badge turns red will be forcibly removed. The last beastling standing will be the final entrant for the Top 8, good luck.”

An alarm blared signaling the start of the competition and the fighting began immediately. Beastlings of all types were attacking each other like crazy but Josie stayed off to the side away from the action. She noticed that the beastling’s seem to be fighting with just their own increased strength, not using any special abilities. Peg had mentioned that most Beastlings try to keep their abilities secret, like a trump card. 

Josie felt a twitch on the top of her head and then a familiar voice bouncing around her brain.

“Peg? Is that you?” Josie said.

“Not so loud!” Peg replied. “You don’t want people to notice.”

“How is this happening? Do you have super powers? I mean outside the plant stuff but like real super powers?!”

“I’m going to ignore that last part and actually it is my plant powers. I don’t have time to hit you with the details but I have a twig made from the same type of wood as your ears. So now they’re not just part of your disguise but antennae to hear me.”

“Why would I need to hear you?” Josie asked as she kept an eye on the crowd of beastlings.

“To give you pointers while you fight obviously! But now I can’t see anything being stuck in this stupid room. So tell me what do you see?”

“I’m not scared of a guy who looks like a purse.” Josie scoffed.

“Uh, what?”

Josie continued to sling insults and Peg realized they were no longer having the same conversation. She was now getting in a back and forth with one of the competitors.

“Josie! I told you, keep away from everyone. Don’t start anything yet and let the crowd thin out.”

“Sorry Peg, bit of a change of plans.” Josie said, adjusting her hat.

“Lil’ brat.” The towering crocodile beastling hissed as he snarled. “You gonna’ wish you stayed with mommy and daddy after I sink my teeth in ya’.”

The beastling’s thick brown leathery skin and the tips of his sharp teeth glistened in the morning sun beaming down onto the field. He stomped towards Josie, continuing to taunt her but Josie was focused on speaking with Peg.

“We can talk more about my magic ears later. I gotta scrap.”

“Wait! At least describe who you’re fighting!” Peg reached into her bag and pulled out a notebook. “I might have notes on him. He might be someone you need to avoid for now”

“Nah, I’d rather warm up without the distraction.” Josie replied, cracking her knuckles. “Besides I never run from a scrapple.”

“I uh, don’t think ‘scrapple’ is a word Jo.”

“Goodbye Peg.” Josie replied in a sing-songy voice.

“How about you pull off that badge and make this easier for the both of us.” The Alligator man sneered.

Josie rolled her eyes and leaned back, putting her full body’s weight onto her coiled cloud tail. It compressed like a spring and launched her towards the lizard man. He swung his large leathery fist trying to knock her from the air but Josie was too nimble. With a well-timed shot she slammed her first into his left shoulder. He fell to his knees gripping where Josie struck him in pain and crying in agony.

“What did you do to me?” He hollered.

Peg wasn’t speaking through Josie’s fake ears but her voice rang through as she remembered something they discussed earlier in the week.

‍“Keep an eye out for weak points.”

Peg held a lesson on the importance of weak points on a fighter. Observe if there’s a fist they don’t use, a leg they avoid putting pressure on or as Josie noticed when he walked over a shoulder that needs to be massaged over and over.

He continued screaming and as he tried reaching for Josie pain jolted throughout his body, freezing him in place. After a few minutes of writhing in agony he yelled that he had given up. His badge with the number ‘391’ turned red immediately and out of nowhere a group of Gawain’s rushed over to remove him from the field.

Josie readied herself to fight, flashing back to her time at Tezuka Park but realized these Gawain’s were slightly different. They didn’t seem as muscular as the one she fought and they had no focus on any combatants except the one they were carrying away.

Relieved she looked to  see that other nearby Beastlings had taken notice of her clean take down. Instead of going after her themselves they decided to try their luck against each other.

“Put on a clinic early and most will leave you alone until the end.”

As Peg’s words drifted through Josie’s memory she sighed, cracking her knuckles and uncoiling her tail before returning to leaning back against the wall.

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Peg was about to yell into Josie’s ears but realized it would draw unwanted attention. She sighed, removing the piece from her ear delicately and placing it into her bag. She leaned back in her chair, sighing deeply as she tried to calm herself. She looked down at her paper, hoping and praying that everything would be ok.

Then the number calling started.

“43! 61! 242! 94!”

In the beginning they happened in succession. Organizers were screaming and upset Beastlings and Humans in the room would rush over to be escorted out. With each number called Peg’s tension increased. Even though she knew Josie’s number was ‘72’ she glanced down at her matching paper every time a number was called.

Nearly two hours passed since Josie entered the field. The number calling continued but each time it was further and further apart. Peg knew this meant that they were starting to dwindle down as the room she waited in went from being packed to near empty. 

“Not much longer now.” Peg thought, doing her best to relax.

Soon it was down to only half a dozen groups. Then half of that, then only Peg and another group remained. She gripped her button tighter than she had the entire time until a voice could be heard over a loudspeaker.

“Thank you for your patience, the event is now over. We have our winner who will be entering as the 8th contestant.

Everyone turned to the door leading to the field that had been sealed since they arrived. It slowly opened and footsteps could be heard approaching it. Peg helped her breath as she watched the person pass through the door and gave a sigh of much needed relief as Josie walked through. Her clothes were stained with dirt and blood and she had some minor scrapes but she seemed not much worse for wear. She looked over to Peg, smiling and giving two thumbs up before yelling.

“Let’s win us a wish!”

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To Be Continued

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