Eyes close softly...and eyes open once more. The world before me fills my vision, as images of rabid fans play across like some sort of a highlight reel. Everything feels like a dream to me as I stare out across the hellish battlefield for a second time, standing across from another hero of Capital City--this time one whom I'd known from past encounters...Violent Clown. My eyes venture from Violent Clown and the fans to the ground beneath my shoes, however, as I carefully think of what is to happen should the outcome of this fight go against me.

I could trust Violent Clown to win...but what if he doesn't? The villains had been eliminated from the tournament...and yet somehow one remained--a villain in the guise of a hero known as Jay Bird. What should happen to this city, if Jay Bird was to win this whole damn thing? As small as this tournament was, and as unprofessional and hellish as the environment is...it's still quite possibly one of the most crucial moments in Capital City's history. For had a villain won this thing, it could have easily plunged us all into darkness...and if Jay Bird wins, it may very well do the same.

Something's got to happen in this thing to make sure that the right man takes the prize home with them...somehow that person needs to find a way to defeat both his current opponent and the one following that. Someway...I've got to win this.

For as much as I trust and respect Violent Clown, I simply believe that it's time for me to do what needs to be done.

You know, when I first came to this city I was often considered the heroic underdog--the superhero seemingly without powers who somehow takes down the supervillains against odds stacked higher then the tallest of skyscrapers in Capital City. Even to this day I'm still occasionally considered the underdog, the guy who just seemingly has no chance of making it out on top. And yet consistently I've proven myself capable.

I'm this city's rising hero...and if I can win this tournament, then I know I'll be ready to make it to the highest point of Capital City...I know I'll be ready to sit in that throne.

This city was founded on the principles of good and evil, and the protection of the innocent from that which will harm them. Capital City was brought into this world with a hope that one day good would finally be able to overcome evil...and that battle still rages today. It's always been my dream as a hero to make it to the very top of Capital City, to lead the fight against evil and perhaps one day even conquer it for good...and I believe that the war is slowly drawing to a close as time goes on.

I believe that we're getting closer to the final chapter of our lives being in danger...I believe that good is slowly winning this fight.

Yet I still believe that evil has a chance, and that we must be prepared that they will try to take it.

This tournament could have easily been all that the villains needed for victory, had they found out about it in time. Now, however, their hopes rest in the hands of a falling hero by the name of Jay Bird.

I just pray that Sugar Smack somehow got the job done.

You see, dear friends, the staff of the tournament kept Violent Clown and I away from the battlefield, so as to keep the finals a surprise for the competitors. Should I win, I won't know who I'll be facing...and vice versa. A clever way of keeping us on our toes to make the final a true epic, so to speak.

I only wish it was in a better setting then this.

"Things just never fuckin' change, do they man?" Violent Clown's voice calls out as I pull forth my metal rod, pressing the button which extends it to a staff and looking up at him solemnly, before turning my attention over to the bloodthirsty fans.

"Looks like it..." I sighed, walking slowly around the battlefield as I saw him do the same, "How the hell did we get ourselves in this mess anyway?"

It was a stupid question...we got ourselves into this mess because it's who we are, it's what we do. We're heroes...right? We're there to protect the city. Yet at the same time...we never expected something like this.

"Fuck knows, but whatever the case one of us needs to win this fuckin' thing...we both know what's at stake here." he responded, prompting me to nod my head towards him. I understood what he meant...the fate of Capital City rests in the balance here, should the wrong person win. It was something that really, truly worried me...and I simply couldn't let it happen.

It was time for the fight to begin...and I was ready for whatever came my way. It was time to start expecting the unexpected, and one way or another...

It was time to win this thing for Capital City.