//------------------------------//
// Chapter 9: Arena Challenge 2/3 
// Story: The Tales Of Spike - Empress Of Evil 
// by Spyro_Story 
//------------------------------//

The arena has now started where all the Rock Lobsters are cheering and booing at those down there. Spike and Sparx are prepared for whatever comes at them, hoping they can survive and winning for their freedom. One Rock Lobster goes up to the stage and started to announce yo all Rock Lobsters that came to see the showdown. "Hellooooooo everybody, welcome to Beast Arena where all the deadly creatures from around Equestria. Today, we bring out a new challenger from above the service just to earn his freedom. A reptilian, a fire breathing machine, a pip squeak, Spiiiiiiiike the Dragooooooon!" He shouted.

Spike and Sparx move forward to entering the large red circle and wave nervously at them. The crowds are excited to see a new creature that they've been waiting for, most of them hated when they booing. "Okay, we can do this Sparx, we got to win this game and then we leave. Beside, how hard can it be?" Spike said to his buddy, but a bad timing to tempting fate.

"And his opponents, the most ferocious and vile creatures with a nasty breath that ever lived among the packs. The TiiiiiiiiiimberWoooooolves!" He said while he pulled the lever to open the door and letting out three Timberwolves.

The baby dragon eyes widened in panic because he once run into them before... twice. "Oh you got to be kidding me right now!" He said when his face is gloomy.

"It looks as though these packs haven't eat anything for quite awhile and they are hangry. Now, let the match, BEGIN!" He shouted when he hit the big the bell two times.

Three Timberwolves began to attack at the baby dragon, causing Spike and Sparx to gasp in fear and starts to run away from them. The crowds booed this is a fight arena, not a running away arena. The Timberwolves were nearly biting Spike's head and tail, luckily he kept dodging but he can't for last longer. "Leave us alone you crazy wooden dogs!" Spike said in exhaustion while he still running, but the Timberwolves are getting more angrier when they now split up.

Spike and Sparx didn't notice that the Timberwolves are not behind them. As soon as Spike stopped, he gasped of seeing three Timberwolves were circling around him, trapping him. "Not good, nowhere to get out!" He said when he's stuck in this situation. He wish his wing is fixed so he can fly, but it still broken. The Timberwolves have stopped circling around and charged to Spike at the same time. Suddenly, the baby dragon quickly jump high when he's panic. The Timberwolves did not expected because each of them crashes each other in pieces. Spike was surprised to see that happened, until he starts to laugh in relief. "That was a close call. Hahaha, How do you like them apples?" He said when he kicks the stick.

The crowds cheered excitedly for the baby dragon's victory on his first round. "What a surprise, it seems that those Timberwolves just accidentally knock each others up. So, Spike the dragon has won the first match. Round two will resume in five minutes folks!" Rock Lobster said to the crowds. "Can someone clean it all up before these mutts are recovering!"

Back in the cell, Spike and Sparx are resting for the next match, but they're a bit worried for what comes next for Spike to face against. "I thought I was gonna be their lunch Sparx, but thanks to my one wing, it give me a boost to jump." Spike proudly said with his dragonfly friend and Sparx nodded.

"Nicely played junior." Rock Lobster said when he appears outside the bar. "But admittedly, running away from them ain't good enough. This is a battle not a playground. What are you nine?"

"I'm eleven." Spike said to giving him a correct answer, but a Rock Lobster didn't care. "So what beast am I facing next? That better not be worst than Timberwolves this time."

"Oh, I got something much batter than those mutts, but ya gonna have to find out soon enough." He said for not giving the baby dragon the answer, not even a hint until he left. "Ya got one minute left until round two is starting. Good luck out there kiddo, ya gonna need it."

A short minute have passed, Spike and Sparx have already entered the arena and prepared themselves for what's coming next. "Welcome back folks. Here we have, Spike the dragon on the second match will facing off against the most vicious monster that ever lived. It is half insect and mammal with four paws. That's right, here come... Buuuuugbeeeaaar!" Rock Lobster shouted to the crowds.

Suddenly, a bugbear came of the cage to enter the arena with a buzzing wings and a roar, causing Spike and Sparx to gasp. "Not good." Spike nervously said.

"Now, let the second match... BEGIN!" Rock Lobster shouted as he hit the big bell two times again.

The bugbear flies up and charged down at the baby dragon with a obnoxious Roar to use its stinger. However, Spike dodged it as quick as he can, but he didn't see it coming when he got pounded by its paws, sending him flying and crashing to the ground. Bugbear is about to end him with its stinger. Until suddenly, Sparx quickly save Spike by flashes to blinded it and miss. 

"Thanks buddy, I owe you everything." Spike said while he's getting up. "Okay, how are we gonna beat it?"

The baby dragon had to think of way to stop the bugbear before its sights are recovered. But first, he needs to deal with its stinger. Until then, the idea came up to his head, a brilliant plan to win. "Sparx, listen closely." He whispered to his friend. By the time when the bugbear's eyes are cleared, it started to get angry when it trying to look for Spike, until now. The baby dragon waved at in front of it from far.

"Hey, over here you overgrown teddy, come and get me!" Spike shouted when he make it attacked him.

The bugbear once again charged at the baby dragon by using its stinger. Spike didn't move because he is waiting for the right moment, and then. "Now Sparx!" Spike shouted when he throw his dragonfly friend straight to the bugbear's face. When Sparx landed on its nose, he flashes its eyes again to blinded.

The bugbear crash sliding towards the cage when Spike jump flipped and blast the bars chain to close it with his green fire ball. "Wow, what a Twist. That bugbear just crashed back inside its cage. Spike the dragon has won the second match folks!" Rock Lobster shouted excitedly when the crowds are cheering louder than before. Spike and Sparx are proudly for each other when they high five. "The final match we've all been waiting for will resume in another ten minutes!"

Back at the cell, Spike and Sparx were eating their meals to get full to grow their energy. Suddenly, a Rock Lobster approaches happily towards the cell where the baby dragon is. "Ya never ceased to surprised me kid, ya and your... bug friend have barely survived through two matches in the arena." He said.

"Why, are you disappointed?" Spike asked with both his arms crossed.

"Nah, not at all." Rock Lobster said. "But that's not why I'm here for. I'm came to give ya a heads up for the final. Your opponent is not like any others you've fought before, he is the champion, the king of ringer. If I were you, I wouldn't make him very very VERY angry like ya did, he'll sqeeze ya like a squeaky toy. good luck again kid, your gonna need it."

As soon as a Rock Lobster left, Spike and Sparx were now afraid for what he saying. But they have to win for their freedom and continuing on their quest to find the amulet.

If they loses, they'll be stuck there forever when the world... is about to meets its end.


To Be Continued...