//-------------------------------------------------------// Ragnarok -by blaszczu2500- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue Pharynx couldn't feel more relieved as he felt at this moment. This day was the day of another visit in Equestria for a checkup on Ocellus and to see the Princess of Friendship, and he hated everytime when Thorax would take him with him. And everytime when that happened he wondered why Thorax couldn't ask her parents to come with him. After all they would see their kin, after quite of time. Not only that these visits were boring, Thorax was making them longer because Thorax had to start a conversation with each of these ponies, and spent some time with some of his friends, as he'd just spent all this time with himself, waiting for his brother to come back. It mostly lasted the whole day, and Thorax would return when Luna's moon was already up in the sky. If Pharynx would go there by himself, he'd just check on Ocellus and leave as fast he could. Even though, Thorax's friends offered them to stay for the night, Pharynx always declined their offer and Thorax being Thorax didn't want him to feel lonely during the trip back to the Hive. Pharynx didn't mind his company. The trip was going as any others did, until he saw his brother landing on the ground. Pharynx rolled his eyes, Thorax must've got tired, or something like that. He followed his example and joined him on the ground. "What it is, brother?" He asked. "You haven't seen this?" Thorax answered with question. "What?" Pharynx asked, confused. Thorax didn't said a word this time, instead he walked over to the bushes that were nearby. Pharynx let out a sigh as he slowly approched his brothers side. His eyes widened in suprise and confusion as he sat a medium sized thing that looked like the things he saw in the comics that he read during one of his visits on Ponyville, of course without Thorax knowing about it. The next thing he saw there was a bi-pedal creature, that sat on the long before the campfire. Neither of them could say how old this creature was, but they could easily tell that they have never seen anything like that before. It looked like a hybrid of a minotaur and a centaur. Most of it's clothes were grey, except for the black boots and black glove that was covering it's right hand. Why only one hand? Thorax and Pharynx had no idea. They couldn't see it's hair because it was covered by the hood. "Can you both stop staring at me?" They heard the creature ask, that they assumed to be male by the sound of it's voice, before it added, "It's creepy." "I heard you landing and talking. Even a person who has hearing problems would hear it." The creature pointed out. as he turned back to them, "You can join me if you want, I could use a company for the night." Without a second thought, Thorax stepped forward from the bushes, "Why not, we still have a long way to the Hive." "Are you crazy? What if he attacks us?" Pharynx asked his brother. Sometimes, it amazed him how his brother could be open up and welcoming to the creatures that he didn't know. Even if this situation, when this creature most like fell from the sky in this strange thing. "If I wanted to attack, I'd do it already." The creature pointed out, as Pharynx decided to gave in, even if this creature tried to attack him or brother, he'd just change into his most powerful form and strike back. "Name is Aegis." Aegis introduced himself. "My name is Thorax, and this is my older brother Pharynx." Thorax introduced himself and his brother, then he looked down at his brother, waiting for him to say something, but nothing happened, so he nudged him. "It's nice to meet you." Pharynx said, trying not to make it sound forced. "Likewise." Aegis said back, with a small bow of his head, before something caught Pharynx's attention. On the left side of Aegis laid a blade, made out of the material that he has never seen before, "So, what exactly are you two?" "Maybe you should tell us first, after all you're the one that invited us." Pharynx said back, still not trusting this stranger. "Pharynx..." Thorax wanted to scold his brother about his behaviour but what interrupted by Aegis. "It's fine. He's right." Aegis said, as he held his right hand up. He lowered it, as he said, "I'm just a wanderer. I wander across the galaxy without a purpose. I guess I keep doing it because one day I may come across something interesting." Thorax nodded his head in understanding, as Pharynx remained stoic, before the younger one of them spoke up, "My and my brother's spieces are known as the changelings. I was currently coming back to my subjects, after I and Pharynx went to Equestria to checkup on our student..." "Subjects?? You're a king?" Aegis interrupted him, surpised by the revelation, but was not showing it. "Yes. Our mom used to be in charge, but..." Thorax was going to say, but stopped. He remained silent for a few short moments, before he said, "Let's just don't talk about her." "Oh, she was an abusive type?" Aegis assumed. "You can say that." Pharynx replied, as Thorax nodded his head in confirmation. "Sorry to hear that." Aegis said to them, as he took the glove off his right hand. Thorax's and Pharynx's eyes widened in shock, as he revealed his mechanical arm to both of them, "I had one myself." "But you had some siblings you could spent your time with?" Thorax asked. As much as he and Pharynx were different from each other, especially in their younger days, Pharynx was there for him when he was bullied, or threatened by the other changelings, even though it usually ended up in Pharynx making him punch himself. "I had a few siblings, but I've never been that close with most of them. The only siblings that I had close relation were my younger sisters, but those days are long gone. The last time when I talked with them was almost ten years ago." Aegis said. Thorax and Pharynx could hear the pain as he said those words. Something must've happened between them and it made them avoid each other. "I'm sorry to hear that." Thorax said, offering Aegis a small smile. He and Pharynx had a few fights, mostly after he took over the Hive, but they made with each other long time ago and it was only a few months, not ten years! "Yeah, me too." Aegis said. Then, an awkward silence filled the place. None of them knew what to say, until Aegis spoke up. "Hey, Pharynx, right?" He asked, breaking the silence between them, as he noticed that Pharynx was staring at his blade for a while now. "What?" Pharynx asked. "You've been starting at my blade." Aegis pointed out, as Pharynx rubbed back of his head in embarrassment. "Yes. It just looks very well made." Pharynx explained, as Aegis grinned at him. "You want to see what it can do?" Aegis asked him, as Pharynx nodded his head. Thorax seemed to be interested as well. Aegis stood up from his seat, and picked up his blade. He held it before him before it ignited itself in fire, as Thorax's and Pharynx's eyes widened in suprise. They were not excepting it to happen. "How?" Thorax asked what he and Pharynx were thinking at the same time. "It's modified. Believe me or not, but the galaxy can be a very dangerous place and I have to defend myself. This gives me some advantage in fights." Aegis explained, as Thorax and Pharynx nodded in understanding, "What about you? What do you do to defend yourself?" "We change our shape." Thorax replied. Normally, Pharynx would slap him across his head and scold him about telling the stranger about them, but Aegis has already told them a few things about them, and Pharynx was good when it came to recognizing if someone was lying. He could easily say that Aegis was telling them the truth. "Change our shape?" Aegis asked, suprised by the answer, as he sat back down on the log, "How do you do it?" Thorax looked down at his brother, who nodded his head, allowing him to show it to Aegis. Thorax rised up from his seat, and changed his shift into the bear, as Aegis seemed to be as surpised as them when he showed them what his blade can do. "Well, I'm impressed." Aegis stated, as he turned his glance to Pharynx, "If you can do it, I wonder what your older brother can change into." "All I can is that if you're impressed by a simple bear, you'd more impressed in what I can change." Pharynx said, proudly. "Good to know." Aegis stated. The next hour, the three of them spent talking with each other. All of them seemed to be enjoying each others company for before all of them went to sleep. What they didn't know was that Aegis came up to them and placed something on their necks while they were sleeping. Pharynx let out a short yawn as he awoke himself from his slumber. He could hear that his brother was also waking himself up from his slumber. He rubbed his eyelids, as he sat straight up on the ground. Thorax slowly followed his example. "Welcome back to the land of living." Aegis greeted them both, as he was leaning against the log on which he was sitting on a night before. "Morning to you as well." Pharynx said, not amused by Aegis' joke. "For how long were you up?" Thorax asked. "Ten minutes. I was waiting for you to wake up." Aegis replied. "We should be get going. The Hive is probably waiting for us." Pharynx stated. "Yeah. I should go as well. I just stayed on this planet for the night." Aegis agreed with him. "It was nice meeting you, Aegis." Thorax said. "And I have to get myself the same blade like you own." Pharynx added. "Likewise and good luck with that." Aegis said to both of them, as Pharynx and Thorax turned in the direction that they were heading a night before. Pharynx spread his wings and took to the air and was about to head towards the Hive, but he didn't saw his brother by his side. He looked down at his brother who was staring at him with a confused expression on his face. "What?" Pharynx asked. "Brother." Thorax said, as his brother landed back on the ground, right next to him, "What is that thing? On your neck?" Aegis sighed from behind them, as Pharynx lifted his hoof up to his neck, and touched the thing that Thorax pointed at. He felt that It was a disc or something like that. He didn't know how did this thing found itself on his neck but he knew that he didn't had it last night. He turned his attention back to his brother, to see if he had one too, "You have one too." He remarked, as Thorax did the same thing as his brother did. They both examined the small disc on their necks, in confusion, before the realization went through their heads about how it found itself there. "So, you found it?" Aegis stated the obvious, as they turned back to him, "I was hoping that you were to be asleep longer than you did. I would be easier to take you there and I just wanted to wait until the night was over." "Where were you planning to take us?" Thorax wanted to know, as he and Pharynx glared at him. "And what is this?" Pharynx demaded to know as Aegis put his hand inside his pocket. "I'm sorry. It's nothing personal. I just have to make units out of something." He said as he held up a small control and pressed the button, sending a jolt of pain racing through them. It was so powerful that it send them both on the ground, stunned. He observed them for a moment, before hitting the button again. Another wave of pain went through them and the world went back for them. //-------------------------------------------------------// Sakaar //-------------------------------------------------------// Sakaar Thorax groaned softy as he wake up to find that he and his brother were put together in a small glass cell. Pharynx shook his head violently as he woke up too, looking to his brother to make sure he was okay. Thorax's eyes narrowed as he watched Aegis, noting how he piloted the ship, and how he kept the devices that he used to stun them on the slot on his belt. "This is Scrapper 72." Aegis called into a comm, "I need an audience with the boss. I've something that he'll like." "Where are you taking us?" Thorax repeated the question he asked to Aegis before he stunned him, but the man just ignored him. "Hey! Answer him!" Pharynx added. "As I said before, I'm sorry, It's nothing personal. I just have to make units out of something." Aegis repeated his words. "Take us back to where we were!" Pharynx demaded. Aegis just sighed in response, as he zapped both of them again, leading the ship towards a large tower looming ahead of them. Pharynx grit his teeth, breathing heavily at the surge of pain, before he and Thorax lost their consciousness. Thorax and Pharynx jolted awake only to find themselves in the dark tunnel, and were strapped to a chair, which began to forward, along this tunnel. "Brother." Pharynx called to him, checking the restraints, struggling against them but they were holding him in the place. "Same here." Thorax stated, as he tried to free himself from his restraints as well. Before Pharynx could say another word, the walls around them began to light up as the man's voice spoke over the speaker, their chairs starting to move through the tunnel the walls created. "Fear not, for you are found. You are home, and there is no going back. No one leaves this place, but what is this place? The answer is Sakaar.'' Pharynx frowned as the wall began to show the imagines of the planet, and it's history. "Surrounded by the cosmic gateways, Sakaar lives on the edge of the known and unknown." and then the imagines changed into to wormholes, "It is the collection point far all lost and unloved things. Like you, but here on Sakaar, you are significant. You are valuable. Here, you are loved." "What the hell?" Pharynx asked himself. "What is going on?" Thorax was the next to say something. "And no one loves you more than Grandmaster." The voice continued, automated and not paying attention to what they just said. The imagines on the wall changed to what most likely was supposed to the Grandmaster, "He is the original. The first lost, and the first found. The creator of Sakaar and the father of the Contest of Champions." and then to the imagines of an area as the creatures fought with each other to the death, "Where once you were nothing, now you are something. You are the property of the Grandmaster. Congratulations! You will meet the Grandmaster in five seconds. Pharynx groaned as the imagines began to speed up, blurring into a mess of chaos, and colors. The chairs slowly began to sped up as well. They sped up the point where Thorax actually started screaming in fear, as Pharynx looked at him, trying not to believe that his brother was scared by something like that. Yes, the found themselves on another planet, but it was probably going to be nothing comparated to what they were going to see on this planet. Suddenly, the face of an older bi-pedal creature with greying hair and blue lips appeared, "Prepare yourself. You are now meeting the Grandmaster!" Much to their suprise, Pharynx and Thorax now found themselves in a new room. Thorax stopped screaming, as the chairs stopped moving, then the king of the changelings looked over at his brother. "Really, brother? Even that scares you." He stated in disablief, as Thorax smiled, in embarrassment. "Let's don't talk about it." Thorax pleaded his brother, before the two of them looked around the room that they just found themselves in. The room was full of numerous creatures wandering around in an odd garb. And before them, stood the same man from the pictures that they saw just a moment ago. He was smiling at them, as he eyed them, he clearly had no idea what to make of them, appearing both curious, thrilled and disappointed at the same time. Beside him was a woman, shorter than him, in an armor, and holding a spear. On his other side was Aegis, looking curious at what the Grandmaster will think of them. The Grandmaster stared at them for an uncomfortably long time, leaning in to examine Thorax, then Pharynx, to which the older changeling of course growled, "They're wonderful! He and he will be a good addition to my collection, because they're both he, right?" "They're both male, master." Aegis assured the Grandmaster with a nod. "Are you sure?" The dark-haired man, who's hair was reaching his shoulder asked, as he stood among the creatures that were observing them from the distance, pointing at Thorax, "Because this one looks more like a female." "Hey!" Thorax said, feeling insulted, as Pharynx couldn't help but snicker. "Loki. I talked with them and I know how a male person sounds." Aegis said, rolling his eyes at Loki's comment. This Loki guy got here two weeks ago, and he was already pissing Aegis off, more than anyone else. "Alright. Just asking." Loki said, as he held his arms up. "Yay." The Grandmaster cheered, turning to Aegis, "I love when you and your partner 142 come to visit. Speaking of her, where is she?" "We... correction she wanted to make a bet at who'll find the most valuable addition to your collection, and I haven't seen here ever since." Aegis explained. The Grandmaster nodded in understanding, as he said, "As I said, I love when you and her visit me, because you bring me the best stuff." then he looked at his guard, "Whenever we get to talking, Topaz, about Scrapper 72 and 142... who I always say? That they are... and it starts with a B!" "Trash." the guard, Topaz said, without a hesitation. The Grandmaster frowned, "No, not trash. Were just waiting to call him that? It doesn't start with a B!" "Boozeheads." Topaz said again. "I don't consume anything that has alcohol in it. She's the one who does it." Aegis pointed out, as Topaz rolled her eyes. The Grandmaster sighed, and gave Aegis an apologetic look, "I'm so sorry." "It's fine. Can I get my units now?" Aegis asked. "Of course. And I meant best, not boozeheads." The Grandmaster said with a nod. "Wait! We're not for sale!" Thorax shouted, as he couldn't believe that he was going to be sold to this very strange creature. It was when Pharynx finally had enough of what was just happening. He changed into six legged, five eyed, bug like monster, completely destroying the chair on which he was sitting on just a moment ago, and growled, causing some of the creatures to take a few steps back. Aegis just rolled his eyes, as he pressed the button on the control and zapped him again. Pharynx groaned, as he again, was stunned by the wave of pain across his body, as he fell on the ground, then he turned his attention back to the Grandmaster who seemed to be pleased by what just happened. "Now I like them even more!" He shouted, as he pointed at Pharynx, "And this one a fighter! How much do you want for them!" "I'd take 5 million." Aegis said, before adding, "Each." Topaz snorted, "Tell him he's dreaming." The Grandmaster just rolled his eyes, "Just transfer the units." Topaz glared at Aegis, who just shrugged his shoulders, and tapped something onto his wrist and did as she was commanded. Aegis just turned back, and was about to leave, but Thorax's voice interrupted him. "Why are you doing this!? Did everything you said about yourself was a lie!?" He shouted at Aegis. "No." He replied, as he walked off, leaving Thorax and Pharynx alone with the Grandmaster. "Take them both to the rest." He ordered, as his men nodded their heads in understanding. Thorax and Pharynx stumbled slightly as they were shoved into a cell of sorts, where the other prisoners were lurking nearer the back. The thick door to the cell slammed shut behind them and Pharynx immediately threw himself at it, as Thorax watched. Pharynx did his best to break through but it wouldn't budge. "Pharynx." Thorax said to his older brother, as he stepped over to him, placing a hoof on his shoulder, as he began to punch his way through it, "We'll find a way out." Then he took his hoof off his shoulder, and pointed at the doors, "But this seems to be pointless. There has to be other way." "Hey dudes!" They both heard a quite high pitched voice and gentle voice greet them, as they turned back to see. One of them appeared to be a tall creature made entirely of rocks, "Yeah. I'm actually a thing. I'm a being. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Korg. I'm kind of like the leader in here. I'm made of rocks, as you can see, but don't let that intimidate you. You don't need to be afraid unless you're made of scissors." Korg let out a small few giggles, "Just a like rock-paper-scissor joke for you." He gestured to what appeared to be a slug creature squised inside a metallic exoskeleton, "This is my very good friend over here, Miek. He's an insect and has knives for his hands." Miek appeared to try to greet them by making a weird move with his knife-hands. "Hello? I'm Thorax." Thorax offered, not sure what else to say, then he pointed at Pharynx, "And this is my brother Pharynx." "What exactly are you?" Pharynx asked. "I'm a Kronan." Korg said, proudly. "How did you end up here?" Thorax wanted to know. "Well. I tried to start a revolution, but didn't print enough pamphlets, so hardly anyone turned up." Korg sighed, "Except for my mom and her boyfriend, who I hate. As punishment, I was forced to be in here and become a gladiator, bit of promotional disaster." He leaned in and whispered to them, "But I'm actually organizing another revolution. I don't know if you'd be interested "If it will help us get out of here." Thorax stated, as Pharynx started to run along the room, trying to find a possible way out "Say no more!" Korg said, as he held his arms up, nodding in understanding. Thorax looked over as Pharynx ran up behind him, completely confused to see them again, "Brother?" "How did you?" Pharynx asked, pointing at them, and looking behind himself again, he could have that he ran past them! "Yeah..." Korg sighed, "This whole thing is a circle, but not a real circle, more like a freaky circle." "No! There has to be a way out of here!" Pharynx shot back, as he started to run forward himself again. There had to be a way out of this place somewhere, and he was going to find it, no matter what. "For how long is he going to do this, man?" Korg wanted to know, as Miek seemed to agree with him. "We just have to wait until he'll be tired." Thorax answered, hoping that Pharynx will find something because they had to find a way out of this planet. After all, the Hive is still waiting for them to return and he'd like to find himself back there as fast as it was possible. //-------------------------------------------------------// Two weeks later //-------------------------------------------------------// Two weeks later It's been two weeks since Thorax and Pharynx were abducted from their planet and taken to this strange planet which happened to be named Sakaar, and they wouldn't call these weeks an easy ones. They both did their best and searched every scrap of this room, but unfortunely for them, didn't found anything that could help them escape. As for the other prisoners, Thorax, even Pharynx managed to be on the good terms with each of them, and if they'd find a way out, or Korg's plan for the revolution would success, they'd would take them with them to the Hive. But they didn't had to find a way out of this room, or wait for the revolution. Korg informed them that there was other way, but it was extremely dangerous because they had to defeat current champion. Pharynx immediately said that he'll fight with him, and asked for Thorax to join him, but Korg quickly told them about what happened to the other gladiators that tried to fight with the champion and even if there was both of them their chances were still low, very low. Pharynx of course, didn't change his mind about fighting with the champion, and repeated his plead to Thorax to join him, but his younger brother seemed to touched by the stories of Doug, and decided to wait until they'll be an occasion to escape. Pharynx wasn't pleased with those words, but after a discussion managed to make a deal with his brother that if there'll be another gladiator that will be willing to fight with him, they'll join him. as a very muscular bi-pedal creature, with a white long hair was pushed through the entrance into this room. "Don't." Pharynx said from where he sat, "I tried." "Hey, man." Korg was the next to say something after Pharynx, as he stood up from the floor with Miek, then he started to explain how the things were to this man, and suprisingly for the changeling brothers, his words were exactly the same as the words he said to them, once they were put in this room. "Is he saying the same thing to everyone new in this place?" Pharynx asked his brother, quietly, so Korg wouldn't hear them. "I don't know." Thorax whispered back, as Korg turned back to them, and introduced them both to the unknown man. "And these two are Thorax and Pharynx. They're brothers, who got themselves here not too long ago." He introduced them. "Hey." Thorax said, as Pharynx just nodded his head, as they rised up from the floor, and joined Korg's and Miek's side, then Korg started to explain to the unknown man about the revolution he was planning to do. The man didn't seem to listen to him, as he was looking around the room, trying to find a way out. Pharynx found this kind of ironic, since he was acting exactly the same, when he arrived here. "Don't." He said, as the man was about to break himself into run, "I tried this as well. This whole thing is a circle." "But not a normal circle, it's more like a freaky one." Korg added. "This doesn't make any sense." The unknown man stated. "No, nothing makes sense. The only thing that does make sense, is that nothing makes sense." Korg stated. The unknown man shook his head, as he asked, "Has anyone here fought the Grandmaster's Champion?" "Doug has." Korg said after a moment of thought. "I wanted as well, but my brother wouldn't let me." Pharynx added, as Korg turned back around to call out for the mans in question, ''Doug!" He shouted, but then he stopped and nodded to himself, as he turned back to him, "Oh right, he's dead. That's right. Everyone who fights the Grandmaster's Champion perishes." The unknown man didn't seem fazed by that or alarmed, "What about you? You're made of rocks!" "Perishable rocks." Korg corrected just as a small pebble fell off his body, "There you go, another one gone. Yeah, no, I just do smaller fights, warm up to the crowd and whatnot... Wait, you're not gonna face him, are you?" "Yes. I am." The uknown man replied with a nod, "I'm going to fight him and get the hell out of this place." "May if we join you?" Pharynx asked, earning attention of them both, as Thorax who stood beside him, sighed. As much as he didn't want to face the Champion, he always kept his word. "Oh, right. Your deal." Korg said, as he reminded himself of the deal that Thorax and Pharynx made a week ago. "Couldn't you try it, earlier?" The unknown man asked, confused. "I wanted to, but my younger brother, of course was too afraid to try, even though he wants to get out of this planet as much as I do." Pharynx began explaining, "So, we made a deal, if someone will want to face the Champion, we're going to join him or her. If it'll not happen, we'll just want for Korg's revolution to happen.'' ''Sneaky." The unkown man stated, as he looked at Thorax, then he added with a nod, "Fine. You may join me If you want to join me." Thorax let out a long deep breath, as Pharynx cheered. They may finally have a chance to get themselves off this planet and to return to the Hive. Korg stared at them all, "That's exactly what Doug, used to say. See you later, new Dougs." he called, turning to walk over to Miek. "You know, If we're going to face the Champion together, we need to know your name." Pharynx asked the unknown man, as Thorax nodded in agreement. The unkown man nodded his head in understanding, as he introduced himself, "Thor. My name is Thor." Thor, Thorax and Pharynx sat against a wall, as the other gladiators were far in the back, all asleep. "How'd found yourself here?" Thor asked them both, breaking the silence, and wanting to start a conversation. If was going to fight by their side with the champion, he wanted to know something about them. "We were coming back to our home, after a visit in another country. We went there to check, if Ocellus was doing good in the school where I sent her, and on our way there we've come across a man called Aegis." Thorax began explaining, "At first, he seemed nice, but once the night was over, he stunned us and took us here. For once I wished that I listened to my brother, and stayed away from the strangers." "What about you?" Pharynx spoke up, wanting to know the story of how Thor found himself here. His reasons were the same as Thor's. "Not that much different from yours. I was taken here by Scrapper 142." Thor answered, as Thorax and Pharynx did their best to remind themselves where they heard that name before. Scrapper 142... They heard that name not that long ago. They thought for a few moments, before the realization hit them both at the same time. They heard that name when Aegis sold them to the Grandmaster, and 142 was the name of his partner. "142?" The both asked Thor at the same time, as the realization came into their minds. "Yes. You know her?" Thor asked. "Her partner was the one that took us here." Thorax replied. Thor nodded his head in understanding, before asking another question, "If we defeat the champion, what will you do next?" "We'll help Korg, Miek and the rest escape, and then Korg will pilot the ship we'll stole back to our planet." Thorax explained. "There's other way than a ship to get to your planet, and it's much faster." Thor stated. "Really?" Thorax asked, as Thor nodded his head in confirmation, "Then we should go to your planet and use it!" "Yeah. There's a problem with it..." Thor began, but didn't had a chance to finish, as Loki, the man they met two weeks earlier was standing before them, earning a glare from Thor. "It hurts, doesn't it?'' Loki asked quietly, not sounding like he was trying to bait Thor, "Being lied to. Being told you're one thing and then learning it's all a fiction." Loki looked down at them, as Thor tossed a pebble through him, revealing him nothing but an illusion, not truly here. He nodded to himself, as he looked back up. "You didn't think I'd really come here, did you?" He grimaced, as he looked around, "This place is disgusting." he returned his glance to Thor, the man still silently glaring, "Does that mean you don't want my help?" "I have them." Thor replied, gesturing towards Thorax and Pharynx. Loki grimaced again, as he looked down at Thorax and Pharynx, "Oh. I remember you two. You were put here thanks to 142's partner." He stated, as he pointed at Pharynx, "Wise choice with him, brother. I only wish to see what would have happen if 72 didn't zap you.'' ''I'd make them all, especially all regret that they even considered selling me." Pharynx said, glaring at Loki. "But you didn't." Loki chuckled, smirking at Pharynx. Pharynx was about to retort, but his mouth was covered by Thorax's hoof before he could, "Don't. It's not worth it." Loki's lips pursed, seeming to understand what Thor hadn't said, "Look. I couldn't jeopardize my position with Grandmaster, it took me time to win his trust. He's a lunatic, but he can be amenable." he sighed, "What I'm telling you is, you could join me at the Grandmaster's side. Perharps, in time, an accident befalls the Grandmaster and then..." he gestured to Thor, and himself with a grin that clearly meant they'd take over. He eyed his brother who didn't said anything in response. He knew what he meant by that, "You're not seriously thinking of going back, are you? Our sister destroyed your hammer like a piece of glass." He looked to Thor for that, as Thorax and Pharynx seemed interested in what he was talking about? What sister? What hammer?, "She's stronger than all of us. You don't stand a chance. Do you understand what I'm saying to you? You'll die if you face her." "So be it." Thor decreed. Loki scoffed, seeing that he couldn't be reasoned with, he wouldn't give in to his plans, "Fine. I guess I'll just have to do it alone. Like I've always done." he paused when Thor actually started to smirk, "Have something to say?" "What would you like me to say?" Thor countered, "You faked your own death, you stole the throne, stripped Odin of his power, stranded him on Earth to die, releasing the Goddess of Death. Have I said enough, or do you want me to go further back than past two days?" And with that, more questions began to flew through Thorax's and Pharynx's minds. Were they brothers? And the Goddess of Death? When was he going to mention her to them, if they were going to his planet to have a shorter way to home? Loki's eyes were shining and truly looked like he was trying to keep himself composed, "You know, I haven't seen this beloved Champion he talks of." he remarked, "But I've heard he is astonishingly savage. I've placed a large wager against you tommorow." he looked between three of them, almost with a smirk on his face, "Don't let me down." Thor rolled his eyes, as Loki's presence shimmered away, vanishing... right as Korg launched himself at the area, trying to attack him with a fierce kick, but was too late, "Piss off, ghost!" he shouted, pausing when he noticed Loki wasn't there any longer, "He's freaking gone." Thor let out a short laugh, as Thorax and Pharynx grinned, "Thank you, my friend." Korg smiled back at them, as he went back to where he was just a moment ago, causing Thorax and Pharynx to look at Thor, both of them were demanding some answers about what they just heard. "When you were planning to tell us that we'd have to take your home back, in order to get back home in your thing?" Pharynx demanded to know. "And that you call her Goddess of Death?" Thorax added, feeling a bit creeped out by the name. "I was about to, but Loki interrupted me." Thor explained. "So, you will allow us to use this thing you mentioned before your brother... because he is your brother, yes?" Pharynx asked. "Adopted, but yes. He is." Thor confirmed with a nod, "And this thing is called Bifrost." "As I said, you'll let us use this Bifrost to get us back home, but at first we're gonna have to defend your sister?" Pharynx finished what was planning to say. "Something like that." Thor answered, and the changeling brothers were suprised by how casually he said that. Pharynx let out a short laugh, before he burried his face in his hoofs, as he whispered something to Thorax, "We're gonna die, and this is your fault and I hope you know it." "Not now.'' Thorax whispered back, before he thought to himself, "What have I gotten both of us into... If I only didn't accept Aegis' offer..." "And, Pharynx." Thor said, earning Pharynx's attention, "Loki mentined you changed your shape. Did you tried it in this room? If could get out of here without having to fight with the champion." "Tried." Pharynx replied, before thinking to himself, "If they'd let me out after how many times I said this word today, I'd be already back in the Hive. Thor, Thorax and Pharynx followed Korg and a small crowd of other prisoners as he lead them towards another cel, a sort of holding cell for the fighters just attached to the area they'd be fighting in. There was a weapons rack Korg was showing the, but Thorax and Pharynx had no interest in them, because they'd change their shapes during the fight. "Yuck!" Korg grimaced, looking at what appeared to be a condensed trident, "There's still someone's hair and blood over this. Guys, you can clean the weapons once you finish your fight?" he called at the other fighters, muttering, "Disgusting slobs." after, before he eyed the weapon again and held it out to Thor, "Thor... wanna use big wooden fork? I'm not asking the brother, because I assume you're going to use your shape changing powers." "We will." Thorax confirmed with a nod. "And, no," Thor answered simply, glancing at the weapons lined up. Korg considered the weapon again, "Yeah, not really usefull unless you're fighting off three vampires that were huddled together." "I really wish I had my hammer." Thor muttered. "Hammer?" Korg asked, as he walked over to Thor, as Thorax and Pharynx listened carefully. They didn't had a chance to ask Thor about his hammer, because they went to sleep, soon enough he told them about his sister. ''Quite unique." Thor nodded, "It was made from this special metal from the heart of dying star. And when I spun it really fast, it gave me ability to fly." "You rode a hammer?" Korg asked. "No I didn't ride the hammer." Thor shook his head. "The hammer rode you?" Pharynx asked. He wasn't serious about it, he just wanted to go along it. "No. I used to spin it really fast, and it would pull me off." Thor tried to explain. "Oh my god." Korg interrupted him, disgusted, "The hammer pulled you off?" "The ground." Thor emphasized, "It would pull me off the ground, up into the air, and I would fly. Everytime I threw it, it always comes back to me." Thorax looked at him for a moment, "Sounds like you were fond of this hammer." "And losing him was almost comparable to losing a loved one." Korg added. ''That's a nice way of putting it." Thor remarked. "Thorax. He's here." Pharynx called a moment later, drawing their attention as he nodded to a series of shimmering lights at the end of the cell, from through it they could see Aegis, and a woman which most likely was Scrapper 142, sitting at the bar. They slowly approached, and they could hear 142 talking with Aegis. "You know that someday you're going to kill yourself with it." Aegis stated, gesturing towards 142's glass which was filled with alcohol. "I just don't want to find my partner in our ship, dead, in a pool of her own vomits." Aegis explained. "Then, why you don't start drinking? We lived as partners, and we'll die as partners." 142 teased her partner. Aegis laughed at her comment, before asking, "Tell me, Brun. What force keeps me with you?" 142 shook her head, as she replied with a smirk growing on her lips, "I don't know." "Aegis! And his partner!" The partners heard Thorax and Pharynx call them out. "Hey!" They heard Thor call them out as well, "Hey!" 142 rolled eyes, as Aegis sighed, they both held up the control device for the discs on their necks. Thor held his arms up, as Thorax and Pharynx shook their heads, "Do not zap us with that thing!" "We won't, if you don't try anything." Aegis pointed out. "I just need to talk with her." Thor said, "Asgard is in danger." 142 lowered her arm slowly, as Aegis still held his control device, a flas of something drawning Thor's attention to a series of small scars, and a brand on her forearm, "My God, you're a Valkyrie. I used to wanna be a Valkyrie when I was younger... until I found out that you were all women. I think it's great that there is an elite force of women warriors." The Valkyrie however, wasn't amused, as for Aegis. He just stood there. This information wasn't a shocking news to him, because he already knew that, "Are you done?" "Oi!" a voice called behind them, "It's time!" "Please help us. We need your help." Thor pleaded Valkyrie. "Bye." was all she said, as she turned to go, Aegis following her example. ''Fine, the you must be a coward and a traitor because the Valkyries are sworn to protect the throne." Thor stated. That seemed to do it, as the woman spun on her heel to stride up to him, glaring, "Listen closely your majesty. This is Sakaar, not Asgard, and I'm a scrapper. Not a Valkyrie." she watched, unmoved, as guards swarmed upon the three prisoners and dragged them back, "And no one escapes this place. So you're gonna die anyway." Aegis approached her from behind, and put his hand on her shoulder, "Let's go, Brun." Thorax shook his head, hearing something more in her words, a sorrow, even a guilt if he had to to guess. What Thor had said had clearly struck a nerve to the woman, but they didn't have time to say anything, because they were pulled back. "Take him in for processing." a guard, the warden called. Thor struggled more, as he was hauled away from Thorax and Pharynx, the brothers asking the warden where he was being taken, and what this processing was. A few moments later, Thor let himself be thrown into a chair, straps coming around his arms and body. ''Now." a new voice said, as he looked over to see an old man, approaching the chair with a pair of rust shears in his hands, "Don't move. My hands ain't steady as they used to be." Thor glared at him, seeing the way this man was looking at his hair, "By Odin's beard, you shall not cut my hair... lest you feel the wrath of the mighty Thor!" The man chuckled, the shears activating into a truly menacing fan of death. Thor's expression changed, as the man man was getting closer, "Please, kind sir, do not cut my hair! No!" The changelings brother looked over from where they were standing by the gates that would let them into the area, where's they've been ordered to go by the guards, when Thor stepped up to them. They've been prepared for the fight, or they'd tried to. They've been put into the armor, and didn't had any weapons with them, as they planned. As for Thor, it appeared, had not been so lucky. Pharynx bursted into laughter, as Thorax did his best to hold his back. He shot them a glare. "Sorry." Thorax said. "Nice haircut." Pharynx added, not even trying to stop himself from laughing. Thor grunted at that. His hair had been shaved short, his beard trimmed,a few extra pieces of armor on, and covered in weapons. He had two swords on his back, a giant mace in one hand, a spiked shield in the other, with an odd helmet. Then, The Grandmaster's voice echoed above them, through the area, "What a show! WHAT A NIGHT! Who's having fun? Please. I'm your host! Big round of applause for all of our undercard competitors... who die so gruesomely. Good sports. What a show! What a night! This is it what you've came here for! So have I!" They looked at each other, as the thunderous applause went up. "And now, without further ado... it's main even time! Tonight we have a triple feature! Yes, our Champion will not be facing one, or two but THREE challengers! Making their first appearence thought they look quite promising, got a couple of tricks up their sleaves. I say not more, see what you think. Ladies and Gentlemen... I give you... Lord of Thunder and his two bug sidekicks!" This time, it was Thorax's and Pharynx's turn to glare while Thor burst into laughing at how Thorax and Pharynx were called. The Grandmaster couldn't use their names? They all, however sobered quickly as the gates opened, glancing at each other as Thor put his helmet on, before moving stride into the area. "Watch out for his fingers... they may spark." The Grandmaster continued to speak, "And them... they may change their shifts into great monsters!" The crowd was roaring and cheering, as Thor, Thorax and Pharynx were reading themselves for the battle. "Well, he unique. There's none like him. I feel special connection with him..." The three of them looke down beneath of them, as it began to shake, or the walls around the area began to rise, they wasn't sure which. A door appeared withing the wall, growing bigger with each second. "He's undefeated. He's the reigning... he's the defending... ladies and gentlemen... I give you....'' The door before them suddenly shattered as the Grandmaster champion burst through it, Thor nearly dropping his weapon at the sight of what it was. "The INCREDIBLE HULK!" The Grandmaster cheered. And indeed it was, the big green brute, wearing armor reminiscent of a gladiator, with a helmet on his head, a Warhammar in one hand with a battle axe in other. He beat his chest, and roared, causing the crown to go wild. Thorax's eyes widened in fear could be seen in them How they were suppose to fight with this? Even Pharynx seemed to start have second thoughts about fighting with this, but both of them knew that they couldn't back away from the fight right now. And Thor, he stood there, staring at it for a few moments, before he let out the biggest whoop of joy, completely startling the crowd in silence. "YEEESSSSSSS!" //-------------------------------------------------------// Battle of Champions //-------------------------------------------------------// Author's Note Sorry it's short, and that the fight scene is not the best. Battle of Champions Thorax and Pharynx let out a shocked sigh, because of how Thor was excited to fight with this champion. "Hey!" Thor cheered with bright laugh of his own, before looking up at the crowd, up where the Grandmaster was watching, "We know each other! He's a friend from work!" "What?" Thorax asked, suprised by the revelation. "Yeah, what?" Pharynx was suprised as much as his brother was, but Thor didn't listen to them. "Oh, so much has happened since I last saw you." Thor began to speak up, "I lost my hammer. Like, yesterday, so that's pretty much fresh... Loki! Loki's alive! Can you believe it!" "Yeah..." Thorax decided to go along it. If Thor knew it, perharps it would make easier for them to get off this planet. He pointed his hoof to higher box seats, "He's there!" "Banner, I never thought I would say this." Thor continued, "But I'm happy to see you.." Thor's smile began to fall as he observed the Hulk, who was just standing there, watching them. The way he was looking at him, and the changelings.... was like he was struggling to work out who they were. He understood why he did that for Thorax and Pharynx, because he never met them until now, but he didn't know why he didn't recognize him. Thorax and Pharynx glanced at him, then at Hulk, seeming to be coming that something was not right about this, "Banner." Thor called again, ignoring the crowd as they cheered, "Hulk!" over and over, "Hulk!" The Hulk grimaced at them, looking almost, for a moment like something was going to happen, but he only roared at them, "HULK NO BANNER!" he cried, "ONLY HULK!" "This guy can talk?" Pharynx asked. Hulk let out another roar at the and charged at them. "What are you doing?" Thor demanded as Thorax and Pharynx changed their shift. Thorax had changed into a bear, and Pharynx had changed into his spider-like form, "It's me!" he dove out of the way as Hulk launched an attack, swinging his weapons at them before landing a blow that shattered Thor's shield. Then, the help came. Thorax was the first one to attack the Hulk. He launched himself at him, and grabbed him by his back, as Pharynx flied into him, causing him to flinch a little. Hulk roared much louder than the last time, as he grabbed Thorax by his bear pawns, and threw to the other side of the area, into the wall. "Brother!" Pharynx called, as he growled and charged at the Hulk, only for the same thing for him to happen. Thor drew his sword, calling out, "Banner! I'm your friend!" Hulk didn't seem to care, kicking at Thor who didn't even had a chance to block the attack, because his shield was broken. He was sent flying across the area, and nearly into a nearby wall. At the view of this, Pharynx quickly got himself back up, followed by Thorax. Pharynx rushed at the Hulk, as Thorax made his way to Thor and yanked him up. The two of them observed how Pharynx fought with the Hulk. The older changeling blocked the attack of the Hulk battleaxe, and almost sent him away, but unfortunely for him, the Hulk swung his weapon, which Pharynx managed to block, but it was too hard even for him. "Alright." Thor nearly growled, "Screw it." he grabbed his warhammer and swung Hulk's battleaxe up, causing him to let go off Pharynx, who was soon joined by his brother. Thor used his brute strenght to push Hulk back with every blow. Thorax and Pharynx quickly joined in. Pharynx was helping Thor fight with him, as Thorax changed into a smaller animal, and moved in between Hulk's feet, tripping him as he fought, making him even more angry, giving Thor and Pharynx more of a chance to land better blows as his attention was divided between the three of them. "I know you're in there, Banner!" Thor shouted, "I'll get you out!" he swung hard, almost disarming Hulk, which was followed by another blow from Pharynx who managed to break his battleaxe. They looked up to as Thorax who had changed into his normal form leapt behind Hulk, landing a heavy punch to the center of his back, driving him to his knees. Thor used that advantage, and dealt his own blow to the chest, sending Hulk onto his back, "What happened to you?" Hulk let out another growl and sprang up, punching Thor so hard he went tumbling across the area, following close behind with a jump that landed him on the top of him, punching him over and over. "Thor!" Thorax shouted, racing after them, with Pharynx by his side. Thor gasped in pain with each blow as he felt each blow, getting more powerful with each strike. He could almost feel his world getting black... but then... he saw something. It was as though vision was seizing him in flashes with each punch, Odin, standing there on the cliff, the background dark with storm and lightning. Thor's eyes shot open, glowing almost white with electricity, which suprised Thorax and Pharynx a lot. Neither of them have never seen anything like this as Thor gave a firm punch himself, sending Hulk flying back with burst of lightning. Thorax and Pharynx skid onto their knees as the Hulk flew over them. They looked to the side, seeing Thor on his feet, lightning surrounding him as he blasted a lightning fueled blow after blow, Hulk struggling to keep up, as he was lanched backwards. They moved to Thor's side as he landed on the ground hard enough to make a small crater. They looked up, hearing the crowd, which started to chant, "Thunder!" over and over begin to fall silent when they saw the Hulk actually seemed to weakening and staggering about. They turned their attention back to Thor, "Are you alright?" Thorax asked, a suprised expression was on his and Pharynx's face. "I don't know." Thor admitted, sounding unsure as to what had just happened. Pharynx looked over, seeing the Hulk gain his bearings, "We'll talk about that, later." Thor nodded, Hulk now lumbering towards them, "I'll take left." Pharynx and Thorax gave him a firm nods to that, the three of them turning to face down the green man as he pulled back to punch them. They separated, they all attacking at the same time, landing blow after blow, Hulk struggling to keep up from the onslaught. Thor made to land one final blow that would have Hulk down for the count when a pain shout through his and the changelings bodies from the disc on their necks. It was just enough to give the Hulk a chance as the man leapt into the air, almost rocketing out of the arena "This is going to hurt." Thor muttered as he and Thorax and Pharynx panted, the discs not letting up on the pain, keeping them cripled as they watched helpless, as the Hulk plummented back down towards the, his fists out. That was the last thing they saw as the Hulk's two fists came down at them, landing a blow that made their world go black.