Section Seven

As the fighters came down, each time the crowd anticipated the arrival... and cheered louder.

"YURI SAKAZAKI!" (King of Fighters '94)

Takuma, Ryo, and Robert were all in the stands. Ryo and Robert were both cheering loudly for Yuri, but Takuma was just sitting quietly.

"(Please, God, let her stay in for a while, and eliminate somebody. I spent seven bloody years on Kyokugenryu. It can't fail now. It can't.)"

"CHAM CHAM!" (Samurai Showdown 2)

Cries of "Awww! She's so CUTE!" could be heard from the stands. Cham Cham ignored these cries, and ran down to the ring, Pakupaku following closely behind. The monkey was being its usual annoying self, crying "Eeek! Eeeek!" loudly and shrilly.

"KITANA!" (Mortal Kombat 2)

A loud wolf-whistle could be heard from the rafters. Instantly, Kitana wheeled around and tossed a fan at her taunter. She then returned to her original path, ignoring the cry of "ARRGRUUUGHGGHAGGGH!"

"JOE HIGASHI!" (King of Fighters '94)

"And, entering some of its top names in this round, the Fighting Kings appear to be making their last stab at making a lasting impression on this tournament. Of their "big guns", only Rugal, Terry Bogard, and Mai Shiranui remain. Opinions, Smoke?"

"I must concur with your honorable self, Birdman-san. The Fighting Kings have evidenced little prowess before, but their true champions have yet to shine."

"PAI!" (Virtua Fighter)

"CUBES SUCK! CUBES SUCK! CUBES SUCK! CUBES SUCK!" The famed VF heckler was back in action.

"DEATH!" (Time Killers)

Death entered the ring by way of his little portal in the hole of space-time. The half-empty Time Killers dressing-room had become a largely place, but a loud cheer erupted when Death buried his scythe in the Predator Hunter's back.

"KINTARO!" (Mortal Kombat 2)

The gigantic half-dragon warrior strode down to the ring. All the participants immediately made heaps of room, with the obvious exception of Haohmaru, who stood before the entering monster, katana at the ready.

"HA! GIGANTIC QUADRAMANULAR WARRIOR, I SALUTE YOU! FOR YOU ARE ABOUT TO DISCOVER WHETHER OR NOT HELL HAS A PLACE FOR YOU, AFTER I DISPOSE OF YOU IN MY OWN LEGENDARY WAY!"

Kintaro growled. "It does, foolish little man. The Pits of Hell hold no challenge for me."

"HA! THEN LET US BATTLE, OH GREAT GROWLING ONE! YOU SHALL MEET YOUR MAKER, FOR I AM HAOHMARU, GREATEST SAMURAI OF ALL TIME! AND YOU ARE SOON TO BECOME THE NEXT NOTCH ON MY SWORD!"

Meanwhile, in his dressing room, Shao Kahn laughed. "Now my plan begins to reach fruition. The acid will not affect my warriors, eh, Baraka?"

"Yes, master. Baraka will fight, master, and Baraka shall kill for Shao Kahn."

"My lord." It was Shang Tsung. "M. Bison, from the Street Fighter node, has expressed his desire to obtain your secret. He has offered us high quality weaponry for the mutant armies in the Outworld. What is your decree?"

"Allow him to think his warriors will not be affected, but instead I will allow them to be consumed by the acid. And insist on payment in advance."

"As you wish, my master."

"MORRIGAN AENSLAND!" (Darkstalkers)

The blonde beauty glided forward, the tips of her feet barely touching the ground. Flowers, chocolates, bundles of money, and handwritten sonnets were tossed at her feet as she calmly moved for the ring. Even the Predator Hunter was impressed. Morrigan grinned. People were always doing that sort of thing whenever she was around. It was rather sweet, really.

WHO WILL LIVE?
WHO WILL DIE?
HAS SHAO KAHN DESTROYED THE INTEGRITY OF THE RUMBLE?

Original Authors
Chris "Birdman" Bird
Bob "Boobwod" Wood
Brant Rogers