The Aces tournament has come into full swing, and despite his initial nervousness, David managed to make it all the way to the finals with Sectonia.
"Greetings, Tennis fans! Were here live from Marina Stadium and our final match has just come down to match point between rising stars David and Sectonia, against Bowser and Bowser Jr! What an incredible match!" a red Toad said in commentary.
"David and Sectonia won the tennis portion of Furious Sports, and it's not hard to see why. For David, this is his comeback after several years of hiatus." a blue Toad said in the commentary. "It seems he's making good use of it, too. Bowser's team used up their energy very early on and now it looks like the match will end in David's favor."
The match inside the stadium went into full swing. Bowser and Bowser Jr. tried to string together offense, but David and Sectonia were too quick.
"Alright, way to go you two!" Ace cheered from the stands with the others.
"I'm not going down, ice boy. Your lackeys ruined my wedding!" Bowser said.
"And my chance of seeing Peach as my mama." Bowser Jr said.
"You guys were trying way too hard." David said.
"It was your own fault. Girls hate guys who rush things like that." Sectonia said.
"I'll show you! Hah!" Bowser said hitting a strong fly shot.
"Sectonia, now!" David said.
"You've got it!" Sectonia said as she jumped and smashed the ball down.
"Damn it!" Bowser said tossing his racket to the floor.
"And it looks like this match is over! David and Sectonia are our champions!" the announcers called.
A Toad came up and was very happy. "Congratulations champs! What amazing teamwork! I didn't think you had any Racket Rust on you, Ishihara!"
"Thanks. Though I'll admit, I was a bit nervous at a few points." David said.
"Well, seems there's a new champion in the ranks." A voice said as two strange looking men approached. One was short and fatter and wearing yellow tennis gear with a W on his cap, while the other was more tall and skinny with a reverse L alongside his purple gear.
"Wario and Waluigi!" Toad said.
"We thought Mario and Peach would steal another win. But we came to say congrats to the new champs in tennis." Waluigi commented.
"And, nice guys that we are, we wanted to present the returning Tennis star with a congratulatory and honorary gift. Feast your eyes on the most powerful Racket in the world." Wario said as he held out a racket that was golden in appearance, had a gear like rim, and had a steel handle. There was also a symbol with slots in it near the base.
"Ngh…" David groaned as he held his head. "This racket… What is...this eerie aura?"
"David, what's wrong?!" Sectonia asked in concern.
"There's something I don't trust about this racket." David said.
"Aw...seems like someone's a big chicken." Waluigi said.
"Yeah, take it, chicken." Wario said.
"This racket… Could it be… No, that's impossible…" David muttered as Luigi tried to touch it. "No! Luigi, get away from that racket!"
"Too late!" Connor said as Luigi grabbed the racket with both hands. As soon as he did, Dark energy started pulsing through purple lightning as the skies darkened. Ancient texts coiled around him as his body became a mummified mix of bandage and stone as a horrific shadow of a creature unseen rose out from Luigi's position. Wario and Waluigi were also affected, turning into the same state as Luigi as the winds picked up and sent the crowd into a panic.
"Everyone, take cover!" David shouted as he and Sectonia took cover from behind the umpire's chair.
"Everyone, gather around me!" Medusa said as she formed a barrier around herself and the group.
When the storm cleared, Luigi, Wario and Waluigi were gone, and the Stadium was a mess.
"What a storm… and the Stadium's in a mess. What just happened? It was like a nightmare!" Toad asked.
"David, you were muttering a few things before. Do you know what that racket is?"
"I've only heard rumors, but… Throughout my tennis career, I was told about a racket that was said to be instilled with the power of a demon. The racket was called Lucien. Now, I know that Tokyo is known as the mecca of the entire Standard Universe, but a demonic tennis racket? That's ridiculous! Or at least...that's what I thought." David said.
"What should we do, David?" Ace asked.
"If I recall correctly, the racket was said to be sealed in the nearby Bask Kingdom. We might be able to find some more clues there." David said.
"It's our only lead. And we have to find some way to free Luigi and those two goons from Lucien's control as well." Ace said. "Why don't you take the lead and we'll follow?"
"Alright. Now, the Bask Ruins are a ways east from here in the desert. That's our first stop." David said.
"Alright. Lead the way Tennis Champ!" Ace said.
Following David's guidance, the group made their way to the entrance of the ruins.
"This looks like the place, right?" Stoj asked.
"Yes. No doubt about it. This is the temple." David said.
"These ruins are a fine discovery, if we weren't in such a hurry I would be treasure hunting here." Al said.
"I think the Treasure of this place was already taken a while ago, Al." Ty said.
"Just kidding. Besides I would only steal treasure from our enemies like Jack here." Al said as she winked at him.
"You know I'm a thief myself, right? You'd best watch your back." Jack said.
"I know, that's what makes it more fun. To see which of us can steal the most treasure." Al said.
"Not the time. For all I know, the Universal Police is still stalking this world." Jack said.
"Anyways, let's go in and see what we can dig up." Sachiko said.
Inside the temple, there was a wall in front of them.
"A dead end?"
"No, not quite. I can feel something on the other side." David said.
"Visitors to the temple of Bask. Before all else, I require a display of skill." A voice spoke.
The wall then opened up to reveal a directional symbol with the right side lit up a bright orange.
"I think it wants us to show off how well we know our shots." Connor said.
"Seems that way. Do you wanna go David? If you're not exhausted I mean." Ace asked.
"I can do this." David said.
"Alright David, I'll call out the shot type, and then you hit it at the symbol that appears." Connor said looking at his notebook as a ball was shot. "Orange means… Topspin! Shoot the ball back as a Topspin shot!"
"Got it!" David said as he hit the ball back with some extra spin.
"Nice!" Al said.
The wall then closed, and then in the next second revealed another symbol which glowed light blue.
"Light blue…South symbol… it wants a Slice!" Connor called.
David hits another ball with a slight curve.
The next wall was purple colored with the left circle shaded.
"Flat!" Connor called.
David hits again with a steady straight shot.
The fourth wall had the northmost circle glowing as well as the color being yellow.
"Now it's a Lob!" Connor called.
David made another hit causing the ball to soar.
"How do you know so much about Tennis Shots?" Weiss asked.
"I incorporate some of my gunshots with those four techniques. It helps me make some pretty sweet trickshots." Connor said as another wall opens with the northmost circle glowing but this time it's white. "Okay, last one! This is a Drop Shot!"
David made the hit causing the ball to slowly hit the wall.
"I sense great strength and honor, as well as great potential. I believe you have what it takes to overcome this trial. Use the different shots to solve the mystery and open the Gate of Trials." The Voice echoed.
"It's gonna want ten different shots, switching between the five types! When each wall appears, hit it with that type of shot until you get 10 in a row!" Connor called.
"Alright. I've got this!" David said. He then shot back ten balls in a row, incorporating all five techniques. "Whew… Nailed it."
"Has anyone ever told you you're a great Tennis Coach, Connor?" Ruby said.
"Well… I did learn by watching Vector and Usopp train Knuckles." Connor said.
"You weren't there for that." Vector said. "Oh wait, Furious Fists were happening during the same time as the redux. But that was boxing, not tennis."
"Still, learned from the best." Connor said.
"That was amazing, David. I never doubted you for a second since you're the tennis champion along with Lady Sectonia after all." Ace said.
"Aw, you flatter me." Sectonia said with a blush.
"But as skilled as he is, he may as well be a tennis god in human form." Tapu Lele said.
"Indeed. It looks like we can continue on as well. Shall we?" Jade asked.
The wall began to open, revealing a tennis court further on ahead.
"Whoa… sick." Ty said.
"Ah, the Hero Alliance! I have been waiting for your most fated of arrivals." the voice said. "I am Aster, humble guardian of the Temple of Bask. It is my duty to watch over Lucien."
"Lucien… The racket we saw back in the stadium." Sectonia said.
"Could you tell us what Lucien is exactly, Aster?" Tsuki asked.
"As you know, Lucien is a dark and Powerful racket with the ability to control the minds of people. King Bask, who once ruled this island long ago, was awed by its power, and took it as its own. But in the end it destroyed the entire kingdom. King Bask was fortunately able to strip Lucien of its power with the last of his strength, and seal him away in this very temple. He scattered the Five power Stones in Lucien's hold all over the island. King Bask then hit the racket in this very temple, never to be seen for ages." Aster explained.
"Well there's a problem. Two goons managed to find it and it possessed one of our friends. So we came here to learn how to save him and stop Lucien." Ace explained. "Is there a way we can stop Lucien?"
"The only way to stop Lucien is to gather his five Power Stones before he can claim them himself. I have heard of your exploits. There is no other alliance I would trust with this task. But first… Ishihara. You have already learned Zone Shot and Zone Speed, correct?" Aster asked.
"That's right. I learned them from my friend Ryoma." David said.
"Why do you ask, Aster?" Tsuki asked.
"There is one technique young Hoshi didn't teach you, I'm afraid. Having mastered Zone Shot and Zone Speed, this means you now have the potential to master the final skill… the Special Shot." Aster explained. "Ishihara, tell me. When you use your Zone techniques, do you ever consider recharging your energy?"
"Well, yeah. But I usually don't have much time to before I had to react again." David said.
"Do not worry. Because there is a fast way to regain your energy." Aster said. "Unlike Zone Shot and Speed, the Special shot consumes a lot of it. So, to recharge your energy, it needs to be done in two ways. One, through a continuous rally of a tennis match or normal battle, and the second, is with a maneuver that is called...the Trick Shot."
"Trick Shot? Never heard of that term before." David said.
"The Trick shot allows one to use their sets of skills to pull off incredible maneuvers. You can dodge attacks and cover ground using it in battle. Skilled Tennis players use Trick Shots to catch balls that are out of reach." Aster said.
"Interesting if that's the case. You could be an acrobatic by doing all of those maneuvers, David. This could be a great asset to you." Ace said.
"Definitely." David said.
"Thank you for this information, Aster. Do you know where the power stones are located on this island?" Ace said.
"Calm yourself, young Nephilim. I must first show Ishihara how to master the Trick Shot and Special Shot." Aster said as a mirror image of him in golden light appeared. "This reflection of you will fire a wide shot. Use your natural abilities and perform the trick shot to hit it back."
David sees his reflection fire a shot to the other side. David created icy afterimages to reach the ball. Once the reflection hits the ball back, David performs a triple axle as he nails the trick shots.
"Your reaction time is Fantastic!" Aster complemented. "Now, let us see how well you use the Special Shot. This is a powerful shot in any circumstance, tennis or battle. If aimed at your opponent in tennis, this will instantly destroy your opponent's racket. Here comes the ball."
After the ball was shot, David was ready. He formed two ice walls on his sides. He wall jumps all the way to the top before aiming his shot and firing as the shot leaves an icy trail.
"Whoa. Now that is cool." Rainbow said. "No pun intended, of course."
"Why didn't you teach him those shots, Ryoma?" Wendy asked.
"We were low on time when it came to facing Katakuri. Though, based on the result of that battle, I'm glad I didn't try to rush him with it." Ryoma said.
"We have both done our parts now, Ryoma Hoshi." Aster informed. "Now as for young Neptune's question, the five Power stones are hidden in the Forest, the mansion, the snow, the sea, and the flames. I beg of you all, please stop Lucien's return to power!"
"The Forest, Mansion, Snow, Sea, and Flames." Ace repeated to himself. "Don't worry Aster, we won't let you down. You can count on all of us to stop Lucien. It's a promise."
"Judging from all that's happened, we probably gotta expect a mix between Tennis and Regular battles. Hey David, here's an idea! Wield your racket in one hand, and your sword in the other." Hope said. "That way, you can do both Tennis and combat at the same time."
"Uh… That'd be kinda ridiculous, don't you think?" David asked. "But Hope's got a point. We won't know what to expect while we're here. Right now, we need to focus on finding the Power Stones, stopping Lucien, let Kenshin settle things with Takeda, and save Corona...and Cheetah, I guess. Sorry, I'm still wrapping my head around that scene last night."
"Just keep calm, David. We know you'll make the right choice. Our first stop is probably the forest nearby since it's close." Ace said putting a hand on David's shoulder.
"Good idea. It's a good place to start. I'll be counting you guys to back me up in case things get a little...crazy." David said.
"Leave it to us. Hope you don't mind if some of us do our own Special Shots when the situation arises." Ace said.
"Except most of us have no clue how to play tennis." Jexi said.
"True. We'll just play it by ear as we go on this journey." Spade said.
"We all know what our main objectives are, so let's move out!" David said.
