The sun dipped below the horizon, a final sliver of fiery orange painting the Pacific sky. The colors faded quickly to purple and then deep indigo as darkness claimed the island. The ocean air grew cooler, carrying the scent of salt.
All spectators had assembled in the viewing area, a set of tiered stands facing a massive, dark screen. The five contestants had been deployed, dropping from their helicopters at precise, separate coordinates around the island's perimeter.
Bright, powerful lights suddenly flooded the summit, illuminating the flat, circular arena. Smith stood in the center, microphone in hand, the massive screen towering behind him.
A soft click and hum echoed as the sound system activated.
"Welcome, everyone who has traveled here to witness history." His amplified voice carried clearly across the viewing stands. "The first Dragon Ball tournament is about to begin."
"I am your host, Smith Doyle."
"Now, let me introduce the five contestants competing for the Dragon Balls."
The screen behind him divided into six sections. One section brightened, displaying a striking photo.
"Our first contestant is Selene, elder of the vampire clan."
Her image filled the screen. Dark hair, pale skin, and predatory eyes that seemed to stare down at the audience.
"Selene holds both the 3-Star and 5-Star Dragon Balls, giving her two tickets. She possesses formidable combat power with enhanced regeneration and superhuman speed. As a Death Dealer of the vampire clan, she brings extensive battlefield experience."
Spotlights swept across the vampire section of the stands, illuminating Marcus and nine other pale faces. They sat impassively under the sudden light.
"These spectators arrived through Selene's guest allocation. All members of the vampire clan. Let's hope their elder achieves victory."
In the general seating, Pepper Potts's eyes went wide. She leaned toward Happy Hogan, her voice a low, urgent whisper.
"Oh my god. Vampires are real. Did you know about this?"
Happy shook his head, his own expression stiff. "I thought they were fairy tales. They look pretty normal from here."
"I wonder if they can turn into bats," Pepper mused, her gaze fixed on the vampire section. "And the crosses thing. Is that real?"
She nodded slowly to herself. "Maybe that's why Smith scheduled this for evening. Accommodating them."
While Pepper and Happy whispered, the Golden Daggers section radiated hostile energy. Sean's hands clenched on his knees. He recognized Selene immediately from the photo. That was the seller. The one who'd tried to rob them in London, who'd nearly killed their boss.
In the vampire section, Soren leaned toward Marcus, his voice a low murmur.
"Elder Marcus, it seems Selene has excellent odds of reaching the finals. She only needs one more ticket to advance."
Marcus wasn't happy about Selene surpassing him in strength, but he nodded. He wanted her to win. Overcoming their sunlight weakness benefited all vampires.
"I hope the other contestants aren't too threatening."
"I'm curious how much stronger she's become."
Sitting alone in her section, Betty raised her phone and snapped a photo of Selene on the screen. Vampires were real. How cool was that?
As for Bruce's safety, she'd stopped worrying. After seeing what the Hulk could do, nothing in this tournament could threaten him.
Smith continued his presentation. The second screen illuminated.
"Our second contestant is Xu Xialing, owner of the Hong Kong Golden Daggers organization."
Xialing's photo appeared. Young, determined, dangerous.
"Xu Xialing acquired her tournament ticket through a Fraternity token. She leads the Golden Daggers and possesses extensive combat training and a formidable family legacy."
Spotlights found Sean and the other nine Golden Daggers members. They immediately shot to their feet, brandishing pre-made signs, and shouted in a loud, practiced unison.
"Xu Xialing will win! Xu Xialing will win!"
Their enthusiasm echoed across the otherwise quiet arena.
Soren's eyes narrowed. "I recognize them. The ones from London."
Marcus looked interested. "You know the Golden Daggers leader?"
"Elder Selene used a Dragon Ball as bait on the dark web," Soren explained, a cold smile touching his lips. "The Golden Daggers responded, thinking she possessed one."
"Before the werewolf war, Elder Selene took me and a Death Dealer team to meet them."
"Their leader showed impressive skill against ordinary humans. Even qualified as a transcendent. But compared to elders, she's nothing. Insignificant."
Marcus considered that. "But she earned entry through a Fraternity token. There must be more to her than you saw."
"Though," Soren added, "without sufficient strength, cunning means nothing."
Pepper and Happy knew nothing about the Golden Daggers, but they exchanged an intrigued look at the second female contestant.
The third screen brightened.
"Our third contestant is Xu Shang Chi, holder of the Seven-Star Dragon Ball. He is the older brother of our previous contestant, Xu Xialing. He excels in martial combat and shares his sister's formidable family heritage."
A ripple of surprise went through the viewing stands. Siblings competing? Everyone except the vampires realized the implications immediately. If the siblings worked together, they could easily send one of them to the finals. Like Selene, they'd only need to collect one more ticket.
The vampires, by contrast, looked pleased. Two soft targets. If Selene encountered either sibling, victory would be trivial.
Since Shang Chi had brought no spectators, Smith paused only a moment before moving to the fourth contestant.
"Bruce Banner, holder of the One-Star Dragon Ball. A genius scientist with seven doctoral degrees."
Banner's photo appeared. It was a stark contrast to the others. Mild-mannered, almost gentle looking. Glasses and a kind, slightly nervous face.
Smith's voice took on a darker edge. "Of course, if you make Dr. Banner angry, you'll witness something far more terrifying."
The spotlight swung away from the empty stands and found Betty, sitting all alone in her designated section.
"This spectator arrived through Dr. Banner's guest allocation. His girlfriend, we're told. She hopes Dr. Banner can fulfill his wish tonight."
The audience studied Banner's photo, and then Betty, with open confusion. Seven doctorates demonstrated impressive intellect. But what was his fighting capability? Was this some kind of Iron Man situation, with a hidden suit of powered armor?
The warning about his anger registered, but most dismissed it. How dangerous could an academic be?