The huge black lion let out a low, deep rumbling purr that vibrated through the floor of the arena.
Leo opened his eyes slowly, looking up in disbelief as the giant beast pressed its massive head against his shoulder.
Leo: Shadow? Is that really you?
Emperor Marcus: Guards! Why is the beast not attacking? Shoot it with arrows at once!
General Maximus: Hold your fire! If any man draws a bow, I will take his head myself!
General Maximus stepped to the edge of the high balcony, his tall frame clad in silver armor and his red cape catching the wind.
Emperor Marcus: Maximus! How dare you command my imperial guards in my presence!
General Maximus: That boy is my son, Marcus! The son you told me died in the estate fire four years ago!
Emperor Marcus: He is an orphan accused of treason against the state! He belongs to the arena now!
General Maximus: Look at the lion, Marcus! Look at what the beast is doing!
Down on the sand, the black lion sat beside the small boy, placing its massive paw protectively over Leo's boots.
Leo: Dad! Dad, I'm up here! Shadow remembered me!
General Maximus: I see you, Leo! Stay right beside Shadow, son! I'm coming down!
Emperor Marcus: Guards, arrest General Maximus immediately! He is committing treason!
The imperial guards hesitated, looking back and forth between their beloved military commander and the frightened ruler on the throne.
Guard Leader: Sir... the men will not raise arms against General Maximus. He led us at the northern border.
Emperor Marcus: I am your Emperor! You obey my commands or you face the executioner's block!
General Maximus: The people know the truth now, Marcus! You stole my child to secure your own claim to the estate!
Emperor Marcus: That's a lie! I took in the boy as a ward of the state after your house burned!
General Maximus: You paid the servants to burn my home while I was fighting on the front lines! You locked my wife in the cellar and sold my boy to the gladiatorial slave traders!
The crowds in the stone stands began to murmur, their angry voices building like an approaching storm.
Spectator 1: The General spoke the truth! The Emperor set the fire!
Spectator 2: Look at the boy's scar! That's the mark of the house of Maximus!
Spectator 3: Save the boy! Down with the fake Emperor!
Emperor Marcus: Silence! All of you, be silent!
General Maximus: You brought this lion from the black mountains thinking it would tear an innocent child apart, but you forgot who raised that lion cub in my home eight years ago!
Leo: Shadow was my friend! He used to sleep by my bed when I was little!
General Maximus: The animal has more honor in its heart than you ever had on your throne, Marcus!
Emperor Marcus: Release the rest of the beasts! Open every gate in the arena right now!
Guard Leader: Your Grace, we cannot do that! There are citizens near the lower floor gates!
Emperor Marcus: Open them! I want that boy and that lion destroyed before the crowd breaks through the barriers!
The guard leader drew his sword, but instead of pointing it at Maximus, he turned his blade directly toward the Emperor's neck.
Guard Leader: No, Marcus. The reign of terror ends today.