Vile: Hey, people! Vile here with a new story. Yes, I know, it's not ZEXAL. Starting now, I'm gonna try and diversify the universes I write for. I'm still gonna write ZEXAL fics, don't get me wrong, but I've gotta broaden my horizons. Now then, I got the Punch-Out video game for the Wii not even a month ago, and I loved it. So much so that I made up my own roster for a Punch-Out game and decided to make a story out of it. Anyone who's played the Punch-Out Wii game will probably enjoy this story. If you don't know anything about Punch-Out Wii, just see Top 15 Punch-Out Wii Boxers on YouTube, and you'll know all you need. Without further ado, let's go. Punch-Out and all its characters are owned by Nintendo. I only own my characters. Enjoy!

Story Routine, Set!

Computer Voice: Execute.

Punch-Out Second Round

Chapter 1: Return to the Ring

You may have heard the story of the career of now-legendary boxer Little Mac. An up-and-comer from the Bronx, New York, Mac toppled the Minor, Major, and World Circuits of the World Video Boxing Association (or the WVBA, as it is called), taking down all 12 opponents in his way, and eventually defeating the Champion, Philadelphia's Mr. Sandman, becoming the Champion.

However, what he didn't expect was that his past opponents would come at him one at a time for revenge, their burning eyes set on taking his title. Little Mac successfully defeated them all again, even Mr. Sandman and his deadly attacks, and remained Champion.

But his reign of glory did not last, as during a final challenge of his endurance, glorified in the newspapers as "Mac's Last Stand", Mac suffered three harsh losses, and as a result, willingly retired from the WVBA, returning his title to the burly Sandman. Though initially hating him, Sandman was humbled by Mac's honor and stated that Mac will always be the "true Champion".

Six months have passed since the end of Mac's career, but little did he realize that his time in the ring was not over yet.

In the present day, Little Mac, now 18, returned to his Bronx apartment, worn out from his time in the nearby gym. Though his career was over, he still enjoyed working out there, as it kept him from gaining weight, or as he put it, turning into King Hippo. "Whew… what a day." Mac said to himself, hanging his gloves on a rack. "I need a shower." Before he could head upstairs, though, a knock suddenly came from his door. "Huh? Who could that be?" Mac walked over and opened the door.

His visitor was someone he didn't expect to see: A tall, round, dark-skinned man with a red jacket and blue pants, holding a well-known type of chocolate bar. "Long time no see, Mac!" The man quickly grabbed Mac into a headlock hug.

"N-Nice to see you too, Doc!" Mac struggled to say. "But I'm having trouble breathing here!"

Doc Louis let go of his former pupil. "Hah hah hah hah, sorry about that, Mac baby. It's just nice to see you again. How's life been treatin' ya after you-know-what?"

"Eh, it pretty much went back to normal for me." Mac said with his arms behind his head.

Doc Louis got a whiff of the area and quickly plugged his nose. "Hoo-whee! I'd know that smell anywhere! Training's a hard habit to break, ain't it?"

Mac laughed. "You could say that. I'd hardly consider it training nowadays, though. More like just working out." He plopped down on his chair.

Doc Louis sat down on a couch and took a bite out of his chocolate. He saw a few pictures of Mac during his time in the WVBA and sighed. After gulping it, his expression suddenly turned serious. "As much as I'd like this visit to be all lookbacks and back slaps, there's a bigger reason as to why I'm here, Mac."

"What do you mean, Doc?" Mac asked, looking confused.

Mac's former trainer pulled out a white envelope. "I'm talkin' about this. Some random guy gave me this and told me to give it to you."

Mac took the envelope and opened it. Ripping it open and pulling out the folded piece of paper, he read the contents out loud:

Dear Little Mac,

You probably never expected to hear from me again, but times have gone whackadoodle since you gave me back the title. The WVBA's gone way shady in the last six months. I can't tell you all the details in this letter, so here's what I want you to do, Mac baby. Head on over to the WVBA Minor League HQ in Manhattan, and I'll fill you in on everything that's gone down. You're the only one I can come to, Mac baby, so don't go snoozin' on me.

Signed,

Mr. Sandman

Doc Louis had wide eyes. "Ohh… man. I don't like the sound of this, Mac. What if Sandman's setting you up?"

"Sandman wouldn't do that." Mac said. "You saw him. He's not the same cocky meathead he was when we first saw him. Set-up or not, I say we get moving."

Louis was unsure at first, but then nodded. "All right, Mac baby. Let's head on down to Manhattan. My car's out front. You should probably take your gloves with you in case things get hairy."

"Check." Mac said, grabbing the gloves before walking outside, locking the door after Louis was outside. "Shotgun!" He said cheekily. Louis laughed as the duo climbed in the car and drove off.

*Some Time Later*

The car pulled up in front of a large building, which had the symbol for the WVBA Minor Circuit on it. Mac and Louis got out of the car and eyed the building. "Memories… they're all comin' back." Mac remarked.

"Let's head on in." Doc said, and both of them walked up. The doors opened, allowing them in. The place looked slightly different than Mac remembered: It looked more modern and less beat-up.

Then, the former Champion saw a certain someone in the lobby, looking down with a depressed look. His clothes looked more casual, but the red hair and weak chin were a dead give-away. "…Glass Joe?" Mac realized.

The French boxer heard his name being called and looked up, seeing Mac and Louis there. "Trop de temps s'est écoulé depuis notre dernière réunion, Little Mac. (Too much time has passed since our last meeting, Little Mac.)" He began in a depressed voice. "Le WVBA a trop changé ... Je ne même pas reconnaître. (The WVBA has changed too much... I hardly even recognize it.) Chacun d'entre nous ... de moi à même Monsieur Sandman... chacun d'entre nous ont été jetés comme des ordures commune pour une nouvelle liste... (Every one of us... from me up to even Mr. Sandman... all of us were thrown out like common garbage for a new roster...)" His head went back down. "…Nos dossiers tous les effacés de la mémoire des ordinateurs. (…Our records all erased from the computers' memory.)"

"I knew I should've taken French classes in college." Louis said, taking a bite of chocolate. "I still can't understand a word he's sayin'!"

"He said the WVBA's changed way too much." A deep voice said. Doc and Mac turned around and saw the hulking Mr. Sandman walking over to them. He had on a long-sleeve black shirt and orange sweats.

"Sandman. This isn't a trick against me, is it?" Mac asked, skeptical.

"Heck no, Mac baby. I called you here to help me, Joe, and all the rest of us that you beat." Sandman said. "Outta plain nowhere, every single one of us, from Glass Joe all the way up to me, were completely kicked out of the WVBA, replaced with some new roster! And all of our fight records have been deleted from the database! Even yours, Mac."

"What? Why would they do that?" Mac cried.

"Got me, Mac baby. And for some reason, all of us are barred from re-entering the Circuits! Either someone fell asleep on the keyboard, or there's something really fishy going on here. And I know how much coffee they drink, so no one fell asleep. Not to mention there's also this guy." Sandman pulled out a rolled-up poster and unfolded it, showing a figure covered in a dark red cloak, a tightened hood obscuring his face. The cloak had sleeves, showing two purple boxing gloves on his fists. "This guy is the new 'Champion'. Calls hisself 'Calm Title'. The guy's record says 66 wins by KO and 6 losses, but not one of us has ever seen him fight. He says he won't take a title bout unless the person he fights is 'the one he's been waiting for.' Pure garbage!"

Mac pieced everything together. "Everyone's been booted out… Our records are gone and we've been blacklisted… and the Champion's really shifty. So you want me to try and investigate what's going on here?" Sandman nodded. "I honestly don't see how I can do that. You said it yourself. I'm blacklisted just like the rest of you."

"Calm Title est entré dans la chambre! (Calm Title has entered the room!)" Glass Joe suddenly spoke. Everyone turned and saw the same dark-red-cloaked figure entering the lobby. A bunch of fans moved to him.

"Calm down, everyone. I've got time for all of you." The figure said. It was obviously male, and sounded rather deep. His hood then turned toward Little Mac. "Excuse me for a moment, my fans." The hooded figure walked over to Little Mac. He was exactly the same height as the former champ. "Hmmm… where have I seen you before?"

Doc Louis put a hand on Mac's shoulder. "This here's the former Champion, the one and only Little Mac!"

Someone else in the lobby's ears perked up before they quickly rushed out of the room. A gasp came from the figure. "Oh, my! Of course! How could I have forgotten Little Mac himself?" He asked. "Forgive me for not remembering. So what brings you back to the WVBA? Have you decided to fight your way back to the top?"

"I wouldn't be able to even if I wanted to." Mac replied, crossing his arms. "For some reason, I've been blacklisted."

"Hmm… that is peculiar." Calm Title said. "Of course, I can always overturn that."

"Eh? You can?" Mac asked.

"Oh, yes. 'Tis a new rule added to the WVBA ever since two months ago. The current Champion has the right to place or remove people on the ban list." A chuckle came from him. "So, if you wish, I can easily de-blacklist you and register you for the Neo Minor Circuit."

"And why were WE placed on the ban list?" Sandman asked, Glass Joe next to him.

"I honestly do not know." Calm Title replied earnestly. "I may have the authority to alter the banlist, but the head committee still has the main authority over it. I'm sorry."

Glass Joe didn't seem convinced, and neither did Mac. "I'll take you up on your offer, Calm Title."

"Oh, you will? Excellent! Your fans will go crazy!" Calm Title replied. "Please, follow me." The cloaked figure walked over to a reception desk, followed by Mac. "Pardon me, miss."

The woman at the desk almost jumped upon seeing him. "Oh, Mr. Champion!"

"I apologize for spooking you. I need an alteration to the ban list." The Champion said, gesturing to Little Mac. "This is the former Champion, Little Mac. I would like his blacklisting removed so he may attempt a comeback. Sign him up for the Neo Minor Circuit as well."

The receptionist nodded. "Yes, sir." She typed a while on the computer before looking back up with a smile. "It's all done. Little Mac is allowed in the WVBA once more and is all set for the Neo Minor Circuit. His first bout will be tomorrow."

"Thank you, ma'am." Calm Title said before turning to Little Mac. "You're all set, Mac. I hope you do well in the Neo Circuits."

The hooded figure began to walk away, but a question from Mac stopped him. "Why are you helping me?"

"I don't understand the question." The Champion asked.

"All the past members of the WVBA are blacklisted as well, yet I'm the only one you choose to help. Why is that?"

Calm Title took a moment before answering. "I believe you've heard my claim. I will only take a title bout against the one I've been waiting for. Something tells me that you are the one I've been waiting for." He stepped forward. "I'm letting you back in the WVBA so that I may one day fight you. Rise your way through the ranks and just try to take the belt from me. Don't disappoint me, Little Mac." With that, Calm Title went back to his fans with a chuckle.

"You must be something special, Mac." Sandman mused as Mac returned to the group.

"Quelque chose qui ne va pas ici. Je peux le sentir dans mon menton. (Something's wrong here. I can feel it in my chin.)" Glass Joe said nervously.

"Well, there's only one way we're gonna make any headway in this. Mac's gonna have to fight his way through the Circuits and keep his eyes peeled for anything suspicious." Doc Louis said before turning to Little Mac. "It's comeback time, Mac baby. Are you up to it?"

Mac smirked before somehow swiping one of Doc's chocolate bars, opening it. "Do you eat too much chocolate?" He asked rhetorically before chomping down on his bar.

Doc Louis laughed heartily. "That's the spirit, Mac!" The two of them met in a fistbump: Trainer and pupil yet again.

Their altercation was watched by Calm Title, who was watching from the shadows. "You'd better hope you're ready, Mac. This time around, things won't be so easy."

Vile: Glass Joe and Sandman aren't the only characters you're gonna see in this fic. A lot of the other boxers from Punch-Out Wii will make appearances in this, but next chapter, we'll see the first of my new boxers: Rank 3 in Neo Minor Circuit. Stay tuned for that chapter, and leave a review for me if you liked this one! See ya!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.