NOVEL SIMPLE CHAPTER 55: Buzzed Stadium
The energy in the stadium was electric as the eleventh game of the season kicked off. The crowd, already buzzing with anticipation, erupted into a frenzy. The Portal Crushers lineup had changed. Cotton, one of the commentators, could hardly contain his surprise as he watched the screen.
"I can't believe what we're seeing here," Cotton exclaimed, leaning forward in his chair. "Isabella's leading the first match instead of Atlas! For the first ten games of the season, it was always Atlas in the 1v1. But now… Isabella is stepping up. This is exactly what the fans have been calling for."
"And she's absolutely dominating, look at those moves," Bob added, his voice tinged with excitement. On the screen, Isabella was dismantling her opponent with ruthless efficiency, each strike causing crippling damage that left the crowd in awe.
"This is exactly what we wanted to see if you're a Portal Crushers fan," Cotton said. "And if you're a fan of insane action, this is also the match for you! I hope I never get that lady mad at me!”
The commentators shifted their focus to the next round, the highly anticipated 3v3, was about to begin. "All right, we're about to start the three-on-three. Who's coming up next?" Cotton asked, his eyes scanning the screen. "Atlas has got to be stepping in for the 3v3 or is he going into the 5v5. What do you think, Bob?"
Bob leaned back, thinking it over. "I've got my money on the 5v5. That's where the three points are, and that's where Atlas should be if he wants to make an impact."
"I have to agree," Cotton nodded. "Whoa, wait a minute—guess we're both wrong! There's Atlas stepping into the ring for the 3v3, but wait… who are his team members? John? Isn't he the assistant coach? And… Alicia? Who's Alicia?"
Bob quickly started typing, trying to pull up stats. "Let me just—"
"Don't bother looking up the stats," Cotton interrupted, his tone filled with incredulity. "I just remembered Alicia is actually the gym manager. Are they even allowed on the team?"
"Well, technically, the Portal Crushers has the same 15-person lineup as any other team," Bob responded, still puzzled. "But we've only seen about 12 of them in action. It seems that Atlas is putting John, the assistant coach, and Alicia, the gym manager, into the lineup. He’s basically saying, “I need anyone else to win a 3v3.’"
"That’s Atlas for you," Cotton said with a mix of admiration and disbelief.
Bob said, "It’s a bold strategy Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ‘em."
The camera zoomed in on Atlas as he walked into the ring, facing off against Sword and Iron, the league's current number one team.
Bob commented, “Atlas is walking in now, and you can see his two hundred pounds of muscle on display. His impressive build and that distinct look from his half-Chinese, half-Latino heritage really stands out.”
Cotten nodded, “Absolutely. It’s no surprise he’s got such a huge female following. That unique combination makes him pretty unforgettable.”
Sword and Iron had expected Atlas to take the first fight, not the 3v3, so they were caught off guard when they saw him step into the ring now. They had fielded three of their better players, confident they could secure an early lead.
But as the fight began, their hopes quickly crumbled. Atlas was a force of nature, effortlessly dismantling all three opponents. The damage he took was negligible, and with John and Alicia staying back, it was clear they were just there to meet the team requirement. At one point, Alicia leaned over to John and whispered, "Don't you just want to grab a beer and some popcorn while we watch Atlas mess up these fools?"
John chuckled, "Yeah, that would've been fun."
The crowd roared as Atlas delivered the final blow, securing a decisive victory for the Portal Crushers. The fan morale, which had wavered after a rough start to the season, surged with Isabella’s win and now Atlas’s dominant performance. The scoreboard flashed: **3 Points for the Portal Crushers**.
But the match wasn't over yet. The final round, the 5v5, would determine whether the Portal Crushers could pull off a clean sweep. Alexander stepped into the arena with his team: Hank, Jim, Evelynh, with Kingsley guarding their spawn point.
Sword and Iron, knowing they were up against a mad beast, had fielded their strongest lineup, hoped to salvage the match. But Alexander had a plan. "All right, team," he said, his voice steady. "We're taking this fight to them. Hank, you're with me."
Hank nodded, his face set in determination. Despite being counted out in previous matches, Hank had devised a new strategy. Instead of engaging in traditional sword fights, he utilized his dual shields in a grappling style that turned the fight into a chaotic brawl. Two of the opposing players were caught in his grip, struggling to break free.
While Hank rolled on the ground with his opponents, the SFB system registered their hits as glancing or slashing blows—nothing severe enough to take him down quickly. This gave Alexander and the rest of the team time to flank and press their attack.
Jim and Evelynh, moving with precision, secured the flanks and took control of the spawn point.
With Hank tying up the enemy’s key players, Alexander led the charge, taking down opponents one by one.
Kill! Fatality! Megakill!
As the Portal Crushers and Sword and Iron clashed in the final round, the noise levels reached a crescendo. The crowd's enthusiasm was infectious, their collective energy amplifying the drama of the fight.
Fans in the stands were engaged, not just watching but living every moment of the game. Shouts of encouragement mixed with playful taunts aimed at the opposing team, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound. The Portal Crushers' supporters, in particular, were relentless in their cheers, their passion fueling the team's momentum. Their chants of "Crush 'em! Crush 'em!" reverberated through the stadium, a constant reminder of the crowd's unwavering support.
Even as the final whistle blew and the match concluded, the energy didn't fade. The cheers continued, a testament to the thrilling spectacle they had just witnessed. The fans knew they had been part of something special, a game that would be talked about for weeks to come. The collective roar of the crowd was a fitting end to a spectacular showdown, a moment that captured the heart and soul of the sport.
The crowd erupted as the Portal Crushers secured the victory, sweeping all three rounds. The scoreboard lit up with the final tally—**Total Portal Crusher Victory**.
The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, charged with the raw energy of the crowd. Every cheer, every roar, and every chant reverberated through the arena, creating a pulsating rhythm that matched the intensity of the matches unfolding on the field. The fans were on their feet, waving banners and flags in a sea of color, their faces lit up with excitement and anticipation.
Cotton’s voice echoed through the stadium, "What an incredible turnaround! The Portal Crushers came in as the underdogs, but they’ve just proven why you can never count them out!"
Bob nodded in agreement, still stunned by the outcome. "Atlas's strategy worked perfectly. This team may have started slow, but they’re coming back with a vengeance."
Calgarycrushers: That’s how you do it!
Joncanuck: Wooooooooot! Woot!
Swordie: Whatever. Is it even legal to do odd tackles like that?
Calgarycrushers: I smell the jealousy. Please don’t stink up the room with your sour grapes.
Joncanuck: Lolollolo lol
As the crowd continued to cheer, Atlas and his team walked off the field, their spirits high. The season wasn’t over yet, but after this victory, the Portal Crushers had shown the league that they were a force to be reckoned with.
Isabella, grinning with satisfaction, couldn’t help but mentally replay the highlights of her match. She was thrilled with how things had gone, her confidence surging with every cheer from the crowd. She had proven herself in a big way, and the thrill of victory was exhilarating.
Hank, on the other hand, was focused solely on the next challenge. His motivation was clear: win at all costs. It didn’t matter if he was hurt or exhausted; his determination was unyielding. The fight was his to win, no matter the cost.