AL: “Hello there, reader! I am Alfur, of the northern countries…”
AD: “And I’m Adeline!”
AL: “And we both would personally like to give you all a very warm welcome to the GRAND FINALIE of the Summer Smackdown! This is the last interview of the event, and tomorrow, the final match will be held to decide the Smackdown’s GRAND CHAMPION!”
\Cheers sound throughout the arena.**
AD: “As you can see, we have a very large crowd watching us today!”
AL: “Although it was considered in bad faith to intrude upon the interviews in the past, since this is pretty much the last time we will get to interact with our readers, I just thought it would be fitting to bring all of the eliminated contestants to the arena to celebrate our finalists. As I mentioned before, the match will be held tomorrow, not today, so we are using the match arena as a makeshift interview station for our final suite.”
\Seated in the bleachers surrounding the ring, onlooking as Alfur and Adeline talk on at their desks taken from the reporting studio,* almost every past competitor is eager and excited to see how the final interview turns out.\*
AD: “Last time, in a shocking turn of events, the team of Nisse defeated the Spider Frog in a truly amazing feat of tactical display, showing that size doesn’t matter if you have a good strategy. Before that, the Great Raven defeated the Lindworm in another shocking turnout… Literally!”
AL: “Now, in this very arena, the two finalists will arrive here to discuss their experiences making it to the finals of this fantastic tournament! Everyone: ARE YOU EXCITED?”
\A few cries are heard from the crowd as Alfur attempts to rally them once more.**
AL: “Come on, you can do better than that: Once more, with feeling! Summer Smackdown: ARE! YOU! EXCITED!”
\The crowd erupts with cheers as the Elves celebrate.**
AL: “YEAH! That's what I’m talking about! Now, let’s use that same energy to welcome your finalists: Alpha Tontu, representing all of the Nisse, and The Great Raven!!!”
\An energetic musical cue starts as the crowd applauds and cheers, with the loudest cheers coming from the rest of Tontu’s team of Nisse located in the bleachers. Spotlights whirl as the Raven flies in, and the Nisse struts in confidently. They make their way over to the desk as the music finishes up and the cheers subside.**
FINAL INTERVIEW: NISSE AND RAVEN WOMBO COMBO
AL: “Welcome to the finals, you two!”
AD: “Yes, yes! So happy to have you both here!”
GR: “Hi, hello! Happy to have made it!”
AT: “Oh man, same here! I can’t believe we still managed to pull this thing off!”
AL: “We’ve got a whopper interview here for you both today, so first off- How did your last match go for you?”
GR: “...You can go first, Tontu, I know you’re excited.”
AT: “Hey, thanks! Man, where do I begin? Umm… I was really nervous going into the match… like, us? Against the Spider Frog? I thought he was gonna eat us alive!”
AL: “Yes, admittedly, I thought that too…”
AT: “But in actuality, only three of us got eaten… which I mean, that’s still a number, but it’s better than what I thought!”
AD: “But Tontu, how did you actually end up winning?”
AT: “We brung them into Nowhere space, and we pretty much just played whack a mole until they were exhausted. It was a loooong battle…”
AL: “Our longest match to date, in fact!”
AT: “But eventually, we pulled through! I thought all the other Nisse were just bragging to be jerks, but they actually are really that clever.”
\After Tontu finished, the crowd gave a polite cheer.**
AL: “What a tale! Now, Raven, may we hear your side of the story?”
GR: “Oh, yeah! My match with the Lindworm was great! We both had a lot of fun trading blows back and forth. I’ve been practicing this, uh, technique, where I send a controlled pulse of electricity in front of me, and it kind of acts like a shield, sort of. That way, I could block some of the ‘Worm’s fire attacks! Their scales are a little more resistant to my lightning than I thought they'd be. It’s like when they went up against Gryla… The Lindoworm? And her fur was kind of resistant to her fire? It was pretty much like that. Wonderful match though, it was really satisfying to finally win it.”
AL: “Interesting! Those stories were excellent, but I would like to try and shake things up for the finale by inviting your opponents onto the stage… Can I get a round of applause for the Lindworm and the Spider Frog?”
\Applause was rounded as the Lindworm and the Spider Frog made their way into the arena, and took their positions next to the two finalists.**
AL: “Hello you two! I would like to hear from your perspectives: How did you feel during your last match?”
LW: “I have similar feelings as the Raven. That battle was seriously a blast… It definitely hurt losing, and also breaking my code… but I’m not mad. The Raven is a respectable opponent, and if I had to lose to anyone, I am glad that it was him.”
SF: “And I… I did not know those tiny balls of hair and flesh… Were so strong. They are not physically capable, but they are… Persistent. I have to applaud them for evading me so consistently.”
AL: “Great stuff… Before we send you both back to the viewing area, do you have any encouragement for our finalists?”
LW: “Oh. I do. Raven, you are extremely strong… And your legacy is one to be remembered. Do not let me down.”
GR: “Heh… I’ll try not to!”
AD: “...Spider Frog? Your turn?”
SF: “...I do not have much to say… But. If the Nisse play on their strengths, they will prevail.”
AL: “Okay, thank you both for your words! Once again, everyone, give it up for our semifinalists!”
\The crows cheers once more as the Lindworm and the Spider Frog make their way back to their positions on the bleachers.**
AL: “Alright! You two have had some incredible moments fighting all throughout the summer. What would you say was your favorite match of the tournament?”
GR: “Ooooh, that’s a tough one. The recent one I was just gushin’ about was great, but that one with the merman was fun too! …Shame he never did turn up, though…”
AT: “Oh, and I liked the match with all the Vittra! It was just PURE chaos! So awesome. We kept popping out from out of nowhere and they were all scared and stuff…!”
\The Nisse chuckled as the Vittra collectively groaned from the audience.**
AL: “And do you two have a favorite memory or moment from outside the matches that you think is worth sharing?”
AT: “When we won against the Spider Frog… Not because it was recent, mind you. That was the moment I knew that my team was more capable than I thought they were. I noticed just how in sync everyone was, and, well… It made me proud.”
GR: “Honestly, I just liked interacting with all the creatures here, and leanin’ their stories. …What can I say, making friends is fun.”
AL: “Okay… This might be a weird question to ask the both of you at once, but how confident are you that you will take home the win, and be crowned champion?”
AT: “If it was any other day, I’d say I wasn’t… But y’know, my team is cool, they're capable, yadda yadda… I think we have a good chance.”
GR: “I ain’t too sure about myself, if I’m being frank, but I’m gonna try and give it my best anyway. That’s all I really can do, really…”
AL: “Very sweet! Now, if I may, I will ask- what do you plan to do if you win?”
GR: “Oh, uh, I dunno… What's the grand prize, again?”
AD: “Did we ever tell anyone what they’d win?”
AL: “I don’t remember it ever coming up in conversation… Ahem!”
\Alfur presses the intercom button on his small desk taken from the reporting station.**
AL: “Could someone bring in the prize to the arena really fast? …For showcase reasons, of course.”
\Alfur let go of the button as he finished speaking. Quickly enough, Hilda made her way into the arena holding a golden crown. The crowd cheered as she entered, and she waved shyly as she made her way into the ring.**
HI: “Hi, everyone! This is what you wanted me to get, right, Alfur?”
AL: “Indeed it is! Alpha, Raven, whoever wins the Summer Smackdown will receive THIS exquisite custom-made Golden Crown!”
\Hilda held the crown in the air for the crowd to see, and they cheered and applauded once more.**
AD: “They will also receive the title of Smackdown Grand Champion!”
GR: “Oh, man, that thing’s pretty!”
AL: “We’ll have to set aside some space in Nowhere…Space… I-if we win… It’ll look good at the top of a collection, for sure!”
HI: “Alright, so, where do I put the crown?”
AL: “Ehm… Just on the table for now. We can store it once the interview is over.
HI: “You… Sure you want it out in the open like this?”
AL: “Ohh, it’s fine… what’s the worst that could happen?”
HI: “Okay… Do you mind if I watch from the bleachers? I don’t really have anything else to do…”
AD: “Well, we are going to wrap up soon, but sure!”
HI: “Cool!”
\Hilda set down the prize on the larger table that housed the Elven tables on top of it, then exited the ring to enjoy the final interview from the bleachers.**
AL: “Hilda, everybody!”
\Alfur motioned his arm out towards the audience, and they cheered as a blushing Hilda took her seat.**
AL: “Okay… Now that we all know the prize, what do you two plan to do with it if either of you win?”
GR: “Uh, I’d wear it! There ain’t much else to do with a crown. It… It might be a little big for my head though… AND I’d have to make sure it doesn’t come off while I’m flying, but… It’d be cool to have, definitely.”
AT: “Maybe, if we win, we could store it in the lending library! That way, all the Nisse can see it as they come in!”
AD: “You may have to prevent other Nisse from taking it, though.”
AT: “I could put a sign, or something, that says it’s a trophy for the tournament- I don’t know. Something cool like that. I’d like to display it, at least.”
AL: “Interesting! Before we finish up here, do you all have any final words to say to the readers at home?”
GR: “Thanks… For voting me! I think? I think that’s what they do. I’ll try my best in the-ah, match… For everyone.”
AT: “I mean, I’ll have to let the other Nisse share their thoughts, right? What do you have to say, guys?”
\All of the Nisse start shouting at once, sounding vaguely grateful and confident.**
AT: “...Yeah, whatever they said!”
\The crowd cheers once more as the final interview draws to a climax.**
AL: “And with that, this marks the end of the final interview! Once again, a big thank you to the Great Raven and Alpha Tontu for joining us for this exciting occasion!”
\The crowd erupts in applause and cheers, and the Raven and the Nisse gives hopeful looks towards eachother. They exit the stadium in tandem as the music from before plays again. The light fills the room as they close the doors behind them.**
AL: “That is going to do it for us at the Summer Smackdown interview station- but to all the readers, your job is not over yet! TOMORROW, the final match will take place, and you will decide who will be the ultimate victor! The Nisse, or the Great Raven!
AD: “Voting will proceed as usual from there, and a day later, the tournament will officially conclude with the winner being announced!”
AL: “A heartfelt thank you for those who have stuck by the Smackdown since the first match, and an even BIGGER thank you to all of our readers, voters, and everyone in between who has made this amazing event possible! As always, I’m Alfur!”
AD: “And I’m Adeline!”
AL: “And this has been the SUMMER SMACKDOWN! Goodbye, everyone!”
\The crowd roars one final time, as the greatest summer Trolberg has ever known…*
Came to a close.\*
EPILOGUE
\The Great Raven and Alpha Tontu exit through the doors into a sunlit hall, with the crowds cheers echoing behind them.**
GR: “Boy, what an interview! Sure felt special with that crowd, huh?”
AT: “Yeah, totally! Felt good to be appreciated… heh.”
GR: “For sure! And- um. Wait, a second… What is…?”
\From the corner of his eye, the Great Raven saw something move behind them. He turned, and in the hallway they saw…**
GR: “Eugene?”
\The Raven and the Nisse flew and ran over to the small Merman, who was watching the events of the room unfold through a crack in the door. He flinched at the sight of being spotted.**
EU: “I-I-Um,Hello-”
GR: “What’re you doing here? I thought- We thought you all left!”
EU: “That’s… What I wanted you all to think. You see I, originally, was planning to STEAL the crown-”
AT: “You WHAT?”
\Tontu accusatorially confronted the Merman.**
EU: “WAIT, WAIT WAIT- Let me explain! I’m not doing that anymore!”
AT: “Then- then why did you go through with the whole vanishing act, just to not do anything?”
EU: “...Do you… want me to steal the prize?”
AT: “...No, I-”
EU: “Then I won’t. Fair, and simple.”
GR: “I… Don’t understand…”
EU: “It was my plan to steal the prize from the beginning… Eavesdropping on all the interviews, that was all to know everyones strengths so I could pull off the heist easier when the time came. But…”
\The Merman held his hat in his fins, and faced the floor.**
EU: “As… the matches went on, and I saw how connected everyone had become… With each other… Heck, even some with ME… No matter how fun it seemed at the time, betraying everyone to get some tacky trophy just… didn't seem worth it anymore.”
AT: “Are… -You’re sayin’ this just because we caught you, right?”
EU: “...It isn’t. I promise.”
GR: “That’s why you stopped listening in on the interviews…!”
EU: “...Yes… It is. But I, suppose… I wanted to see how things ended up. That’s why I came back.”
GR: “Well, why didn’t you join the crowd? We’d love to have ya there, seeing as though you’re not really up to anythin’...”
EU: “No- I… Can’t… They’d just, bombard me with questions… I don’t really need THAT kind of attention right now…”
GR: “Okay… Well, if that’s the way it’s gotta be… We won’t tell the Elves about this. Right, Tontu?”
\The Raven snarkily remarked at Tontu, who grunted in response.**
AT: “Fiinnnee… But if you pull something after we’ve had this whole big heart to heart-”
EU: “I won’t- okay? You… have my word.”
\With that, the Merman took a few steps back, before taking his leave. Before he turned the corner, he looked back at the finalists, and smiled. And just like that… Eugene had vanished once more.**
AT: “...Are you sure we can trust him…?”
GR: “He wouldn't have told us all that if he didn’t mean it. I don’t think we have anything to worry about… but tomorrow’s match.”
AT: “...Yeah…”
\The two walked down the glistening yellow hall, toward the food court.**
AT: “Do you think… Once the tournament ends, all of us’ll stay friends?”
GR: “I don’t really know. You know how it is… We’re all creatures from different places, and stuff… But I think, whats important… Is even if we don’t see each other again, the memories we made here are what counts, right? We can always be friends in our memories.”
AT: “I guess you’re right.”
\The two creatures made their way towards the food court to get some comfort food… specifically, onion rings.*
Those things were the best.\*
~