Entering the fortress, the group got a whiff of heat in the first seconds. Everyone began to fan themselves as the lava radiated such temperature.
"Whew!" Matt shouted and tugged a portion of his red shirt for some air.
"You said it," Yen replied while sweating bullets. He burped out a Frost Melon before actually consuming it and chilling himself from the inside.
"I doubt we will be able to make through here without getting a heatstroke," Daniel thought aloud before his spirit spoke up.
'Well, it's not impossible but at the same time it could be. After all, Mario has experience with this kind of temperature before,' Doctor Mario informed.
"Yeah, but last time I checked you work at a desk," the medical host retorted.
'... Point taken,' the doctor said.
"We can bicker with our spirits later," Mason mentioned, getting back to the task at hand, "We should prevail and possibly free any of our friends that might be in here."
Each host agreed to that and ran through the fortress, keeping their eyes peeled for anything ominous.
What they weren't aware of was they were being watched in the shadows. A blue-clothed mage-like Koopa on his broom took off to inform his master about the intruders. He reached the throne with haste before bowing and addressing his master.
"Your Ferociousness," Kamek said, "The so-called heroes are here! And among them... are the Italian and the dinosaur."
Obscured by darkness, the king of the fortress snarled at hearing that the Italian was among the intruders. Composing himself, the king asked his servant a question.
"Where is their current location?"
"They just entered. They must be approaching your arena as we speak," the Magikoopa answered.
"... Prepare our puppets and our little pet. I figured he would love a good snack but spare the Italian. He is mine." The king stressed that last part, wanting to make the host of Mario an example of those who cross him and, to a lesser extent, Galeem.
The Goddess of Light knew all about their grudge, rivalry, even hatred if you could call it that, so she promised to let him be the one to defeat the Italian as merciless as possible.
Kamek took off, heading to the arena where the hosts would be as the king just yanked a lever nearby his throne. Down came a cage that housed a host. One that was no stranger to being captured in such confinement.
"They will be here soon," the king informed the occupant.
"So? You'll get your wish," the prisoner sneered.
"It won't be that easy," the king admitted, "Knowing him, he'll have to bring some reinforcements." The king leaned closer to the cage, "Which is why I will give you the pleasure of making sure he gets to me privately."
The caged host grew a sickly smile in hearing that. She would get the pleasure of pummeling the reinforcements. "Sounds perfect." Adding emphasis, she cracked her knuckles. "When do I get to start the pain party?"
"Soon," the king replied before cranking the lever to where the cage went through a series of pulleys to maneuver itself into a portion of the castle. "Soon."
The fortress was lacking something. And that something was minions. A fact that made each host nervous and ready for any puppet fighter encounters. They walked through a series of stone hallways with torches along the wall, giving a classic medieval feeling to the fortress.
"If it wasn't for the lava," Steven said, "and for the fact that Galeem controls the world at this point, I would totally want to explore this place."
"You and castles..." Mason muttered as the group continued. Soon they made it to a structure within the castle. It seemed to be an arena with empty stands from the looks of it.
"Why does Galeem fancy arenas?" Matt asked no one in particular. He no doubt figured that this was most likely a trap, set up by the light goddess but at the same time, it could be a key to rescuing their friends. "Stay on your guard," the Fighter 01 host ordered and everyone did.
They carefully walked down the red carpet of the stony path and entered the arena. It resembled the Stadium of Light from the intersection and was just as large but all of them knew not to take it lightly. One difference was the fact that gates were on the bottom of the seatings. As the last person entered, which was Steven since he was admiring the interior design, a fence popped up and locked the hosts in.
"Of course, it's a trap," Matt dryly commented before he and the others heard an applause. They soon looked around and saw why.
In the stands, hundreds of Koopa Troopas, Boos, Shy Guys, and many other minions of the infamous Koopa King had appeared and clapped in their non-physical form. Even the Elite Trio was there, albeit also in a metaphysical state, clapping at the hosts.
"What's their deal?" Stephanie questioned while drawing a needle.
"Seems we are today's entertainment," Yen guessed.
"Well, well, well," Kamek said, hovering in the arena, "Looks like our guests of honor have arrived."
"Ain't that the blue guy from the Mushroom Kingdom U simulation?" Daniel asked his friends.
"It appears so," Steven said, remembering the Magikoopa from the background. "But he is like King Bulblin. Not having a spirit."
"Yes I am!" Kamek stated proudly, "Galeem allowed some of us to maintain our physical form but only to defend our Champions!"
"Champions?" Stephanie repeated before remembering what the Bulblin said. "So you are also in our way then."
"Correct again!" the loyal servant of the King Koopa replied in a smug tone before pointing his wand at them, "And you have just walked into my trap!"
"We knew that," Matt replied with an eye roll before setting his fist ablaze, "So are you gonna fight us?"
Kamek immediately backed down, "What?! Me fight?! Oh no, no, no, no, no!" the spectacled Koopa recomposed himself before answering, "You shall fight them!"
A few gates began to open up from underneath the stands and sounds could be heard from within. Four yellow small Bowser puppets with Bomb-Ombs themselves glared, a red-dressed Richter threatened the hosts with a crack of his Vampire Killer, and a lavender-clad Roy let his Blinding Blade crackle with fire.
"GET THEM!" Kamek screeched from his position and the audience came to life, cheering for the puppets to tear the hosts to shreds.
The Bowsers roared and hurled their explosive minions towards the group but they scattered before each selecting their own targets.
Mason clashed his Exalted Falchion against the Blinding Blade of the Roy puppet, meeting in a stalemate. The Richter puppet flung a Cross but Stephanie dodged it with Vanish before hurling her throwing knives, nicking the descendant Belmont on the arms. Steven leapt into the air before performing Stone Scabbard that separated the Bowsers, effectively allowing Matt to kick one away, Daniel to taze one, Yen headbutt another, and the Middle Age Mii host to use Chakram.
Knowing the puppets moves since his best friend was the owner, Mason weaved out of an outward thrust before slicing in a downward motion. The action allowed the royal to push the Blinding Blade down to the floor. Unfortunately, the Young Lion puppet used Flare Blade that the host of Marth came to regret as a wave of fire blasted him back. The blue-haired teenager skidded across the ground and dodged a downward slash from the puppet before deflecting a Double-Edge Dance with Dancing Blade. Both Fire Emblem heroes began to relentless slash at each other until the puppet gained a power up in his attacks. A tip from the blade enabled struck Mason's shoulder, hitting harder than expected. But as the Young Lion attempted to end, Mason Countered the blow and used the force to send the puppet back before using Shield Breaker to stab the puppet and free the Leif spirit.
Stephanie backflipped from a whip strike as she threw a Burst Grenade at the feet of the Belmont puppet. Richter, however, dashed away before it detonated. Cursing her luck, the transgender grabbed her dagger and went for knife combat. The puppet responded with a Dagger of his own, instigating the knife combat. Deflecting blow from blow, the Sheikah host made an instant swap to her kusarigamas and slashed at the puppet's legs. Cringing in pain, the red Richter swapped to his Vampire Killer and was able to wrap it around the transgender's leg. The Belmont smirked at his enemy in the grasp of his ancestral weapon before tugging and swinging her away. Stephanie landed on her back but flipped away when an Axe embedded her former position. Since the puppet was out for blood, Stephanie instantly threw her sais and sped in, with a Bouncing Fish before stabbing her selected weapons into the Belmont. With the puppet down, the spirit of Juste Belmont was freed.
The yellow Bowsers were relatively easy to handle since they lacked their true size. Matt spun one around, Daniel heaved another, Yen spat out his tongue before wrapping around his selected miniature Koopa King and tossed him when Steven fired a Gale Strike and blew his puppet up. All four collided with each other before returning into the Mechakoopa spirit, which retreated into the stands and appeared in their spiritual form.
"What's next?" Matt asked without breaking a sweat and glared at the Magikoopa.
The blue-robed Koopa began to panic before getting a grin on his face, "You are about to find out!" With a whistle, the center floor began open up and reveal its captor: a large two-headed dog that was blazing with fire. A howl echoed around the castle as the Twinbellows grolwed at his adversaries.
"Meet Twinbellows!" Kamek yammered, "A guard dog given by Galeem herself and your demise! Sick em'!"
The two-headed canine barked before spewing several fireballs towards the hosts. Everyone dodged the searing blasts and took up their arms to battle.
Mason and Steven dashed and sliced the legs of the two-headed dog with their swords but it did little to annoy the beast. The dog fired their own searing fire at the two swordsmen, the Mii Swordfighter host used Reversal Slash in an act of defense. It managed to repel but took the energy at of the blonde host. Twinbellows planned to chew on the downed host but Yen sped in the way, grabbing the Mii host. Putting him down, he proceed to blind the dog with a flash of rainbow.
The demonic dog howled in pain which lead to Matt bringing his Ultra Hammer down on one head and Stephanie quickly strummed Song of Storms, blasting the other head. The combined attack on the heads worked only a little as Twinbellows shook off both attacks and snapped at both hosts. The transgender and Italian leapt back in avoidance. Stephanie threw several needles directly in the right foreleg. The two headed dog's response was more fireballs.
"This dog seems to just be more annoying by the second!" Matt yelled as he channeled one of the fireballs with his Firebrand and threw it back. Twinbellows bit into the projectile, just enticing them to burn with flames.
Mason quickly used Shield Break, stabbing into a back leg. The royal host jumped back from a stomp from the Kid Icarus mythological creature. Deciding they were done being a sitting target, Twinbellows howled before charging at the nearest foe, which was Daniel.
The host of Doctor Mario saw the incoming dog and let loose a discharge on the floor. The electricity effectively halted the two-headed canine from advancing as Yen fired several blasts of ice, having consumed an Ice Melon from his separate stomach. The Chinese's efforts of using ice merely melted as the dog radiated fire. They were able to shake off the discharge and howled to the ceiling. Their howl made them rain fireballs from above and the hosts scattered to avoid the bullet-hell.
Stephanie Vanished and perched herself on the walls of a stadium. Yen chomped a Dash Pepper, making him speed up and gather who he could, which were Mason, Daniel, and Steven, who had successfully recovered. Matt triple jumped and took flight with the Tanooki Suit in tow. Getting to a responsible height, Matt shifted to stone and dropped like a meteor directly into the back of Twinbellows.
The drop hurt the mythical creature and Matt officially retreated but was caught in the jaws of the fiery dog. Shaking the Italian around, Twinbellows threw him away into the wall. The Fighter 01 slumped against the wall, now in pain from the throw.
"Finish 'em, Twinbellows!" Kamek ordered. While he was onboard with his master getting the final blow, having an dog from Kid Icarus that was all about fire was good enough to end the most hated enemy in Bowser's Kingdom. Even the audience was chatting at the demise of their long hated enemy.
"Eat! Eat! Eat!" they chanted.
The other hosts had taken cover from the firestorm earlier but couldn't reach as some of the fireballs had melted into concentrated puddles of lava. Both Yen and Stephanie were exhausted, the former having got who he could and the latter from Vanishing.
Twinbellows had their jaw opened ready to chomp down on the host of Mario...
When the howled in pain.
Matt was able to open his eyes and see a series of bubbles pop at the flaming fur of the demonic dog. Before he could wonder who did that, a wave of soothing energy flowed through the Italian's body and he was ready to go. Matt instantly brought out his Ultra Hammer again and smacked upward on the nearest head before punting the Lazy Shell at the legs of Twinbellows and caused the two-headed dog to collapse.
Matt jumped away and saw his saving grace.
"Glad you guys could make it," the Italian said to his saviors.
"Well, consider us even then from King Bulbin's fight," Lewis said as Jordan unleashed another series of Bubblebeams.
Phil and Perri had zipped over, getting the hidden host as Kyle flew with the Jet Copy Ability and used Charge Shock that knocked Kamek off his broom. The Magikoopa was able to re-stabilize himself before hitting the ground and yammered about the fight now being unfair.
Kyle hovered on the ground before landing in a three-point stance. "So, what's the plan?"
Matt instantly had an idea, "You guys, take out Twinbellows. Kyle, with me. Let's get out of this arena."
"Oh no you don't!" Kamek shrieked and more gates unlocked to reveal their occupants: three purple Greninjas, a red Charizard that seemed to be aflame, a blonde Lucina, a giant red Bowser, and a purple Ridley with a dark haired Robin on its back.
"Leave 'em to us!" Phil insisted and unleashed a Thunderbolt that danced from each of the new puppets. Perri gave her two cents as she lobbed an Electroweb that ensnared the three Ninja Pokémon and shocked them constantly.
Kyle took off with Matt and they left the arena, leaving their friends to deal with the new puppets and Twinbellows.
Running the down the hall, both original twelve members ran to the throne room.
"It doesn't take a genius to know who is here," Kyle quipped.
"I swear everyone has been saying that," Matt muttered.
They reached an open hallway with lava on both sides. The two hosts couldn't help but feel in ominous presence around them so they proceeded with caution.
*CLICK*
From above, a cage descended before the two hosts. Matt's fists flared up and Kyle pounded his fist together. The cage opened to reveal the resident: a teenage woman with blonde hair. She wore a crown, a pink dress, and slippers. Her eyes carried a red glow, signaling Galeem's control over her.
"Of course, she's here too," Matt remarked.
"I would watch your tongue, Italian." Peyton, the host of Princess Peach, said with venom. She drew her parasol and acted like a southern belle as she twirled it behind her. "But lucky for you, I'm not here to take you out."
Matt raised an eyebrow but his guard was still up, "You aren't?"
"Nope," Peyton said as she looked at her gloved hand. "I'm here to make sure you and only you get across, Matt. As for pinkie," her tone turned to an eerie one, "He's mine."
Kyle glared at when he was called pinkie. "If you wanted to make this personal, all you had to do was ask..."
Peyton just smirked before allowing Matt to pass, "He waits for you. Best not to keep him..."
The host of Mario just sighed before sparing a glance at the host of Kirby. "Don't worry. I'm not a pushover," the pink-haired teen said before pulling out a parasol. Matt nodded and sped past the possessed princess host.
After Matt left, Peyton's playful tone dissolved as she tapped into the Rage Vibe, a fiery aura surrounding her. "Time to take down the marshmallow!" With that, she charged directly at the host of Kirby who parried a swing of her golf club with Parasol Swing.
Both pink colored host refused to show weakness and wanted to take each other down.
Matt successfully made it to the throne room with all its glory. A red carpet that led to the chair... with a figure obscured by darkness. A pair of red eyes glared at the host and the Italian didn't deter as he knew who it was under all the darkness.
Years of bullying, hatred, mocking, when he first got pulled into the World of Trophies, and everything in-between before they came to a mutual ground. But that didn't mean they were friends, just allies, acquaintances. Same could be said with a few other hosts.
"Get out here, Brian!" Matt demanded.
A chuckle echoed in the darkness before the figure began to move. Out of the darkness, the figure was fully revealed. A towering teenager with a red mohawk and wide jaw. On his back was a spiked, green shell; his hands were yellow, scaly, and claws like his feet and black chains could be seen. Brian, the host of Bowser, snorted, both host and spirit seeing their most hated enemy, rival in the whole world before them.
"I figured you would come alone. After all, Peyton must have been very persuasive to let you go and fight whoever joined you."
Brian gestured to the castle, "Like the setting? Galeem picked it out for me. Since I am one of her Champions and all. Plus this castle suits me."
"Champion?" Matt questioned. He had loosely heard that phrase before but never thought to ask it.
"Oh? Right," Brian said, "Since you were freed too early, you didn't get the message. You see a Champion is one of the strongest of Galeem's army. She has three of us scattered across the world."
Matt made a mental note on that.
"Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes! Honestly, I was hoping that you would show. After all, it would be fitting wouldn't it?"
"How would it be fitting?"
The bully's face twisted into a cruel smile, "You, the host of Mario. Me, the host of Bowser. A rival that has been staged for so long, it practically is your destiny to fall at my hands."
"I think you have the other way around," the Italian said, "I defeat you. And I get the girl."
"Maybe in a different timeline, but here..." Brian's mouth began to foam with fire, "I. WILL. WIN. And when I'm done, you'll be a pile of ashes. Take one last breathe, Matt! Cause it will be the last you ever have! All these years of hatred... END NOW!"
Brian unleashed his Fire Breath at Matt who leapt away before using a Fire Flower. Now armed with fireballs, he generated them in his palms and rushed at Brian. He nailed a two hit jab with them before kicking him. The Koopa King host grabbed the Italian at close range before slamming him into the ground. Winding up his fist, the bully pounded the plumber host into the ground, cratering him. Matt shot two fireballs in quick succession and Brian backed off with a jump before going in for a Bowser Bomb.
Matt hand-sprang away, avoiding the crushing blow and steeled his nerves. With Galeem's control, Brian wasn't holding back. He was like a pure animal with his strength and viciousness. From the Bowser Bomb, he came out, withdrawn into his shell and spun towards his rival. Wiping out the Ultra Hammer, Matt swung with his strength, meeting at a stalemate. Matt was able to win the lock-up and sent Brian flying away. Adding more insult, the Italian pulled out a Lazy Shell and hurled it at the Koopa host.
Brian un-withdrawn himself and caught the Lazy Shell within his grasp. The bully jumped over it and went for a headlong sprint towards the Italian. The bully drew an iron ball n' chain, swinging it like a mace. He hurled it towards Matt who dodged underneath and scored a Super Jump Punch. The up-special got Brian in the air who retaliated with a claw swipe, enabling him to get a hit on Matt.
The Italian hit the floor but picked himself up, glaring at the bully who responded with a smug smile, gloating at him.
Like with Kyle, Matt was no stranger to Brian's abilities. He was practically indestructible with each hit. Combined with his strength, the bully was a walking demolition on the team like many others. But Brian was feasting off his hatred towards Matt, not thinking clearly.
Matt quickly snapped out of his thoughts when a lava bubble popped. That's when Mario spoke to his host, 'Hey! Lava! And with that around…'
Matt caught on to what his spirit had to say, "Well… it's worth a shot. Now we just need him to get over here."
Brian went on all fours and unleashed another wave of Fire Breath which the Italian dodged before going on the defensive. Just before the flames hit, Matt held out his hands, tapping into the Firebrand and took the raw fire into his own. He grit his teeth as the fire began to strain but he managed to steel himself and the Fire Breath eventually ended.
Brian snarled, "Seems I took you for granted. But I'll be sure to destroy you today! Whether it's through incineration or just till you are a bloody pulp… either way works for me!"
"Well, you missed your chance," the Italian said before putting his palms together. He unleashed Ultra Flame. The attack made Brian brace himself as the flames consumed him and pushed him back to the edge. The impact caused the bully nearly knocked into the lava, something the Koopa King host caught onto.
"So that's your game.' He couldn't help but give his opponent the benefit of the doubt...
and dropped into the lava himself.
Matt quickly ran over before looking in the pool of lava. "Are you sure he will be fine?" While he did find the bully annoying, he didn't want to kill someone with this new rule.
'He's a fine, it's Bowser after all,' Mario reassured just before something appeared out of the lava.
Brian returned, completely unscathed.
Both uncaptured host and spirit look astonished at the development, something the host of Bowser enjoyed.
"Oh please. Did you think Galeem would make this my domain and NOT make me immune to lava? She's seen enough replays of us fighting to give me an edge. But since you want to fight dirty..." Brian hunched over, getting on all fours and roared, "SO BE IT!"
Darkness soon consumed the bully and Matt had to cover his eyes from the amount of darkness. The Italian heard a brief explosion and soon unshielded his eyes to see something he wished he didn't.
Brian was gone...
And Giga Bowser remained, who let out a roar that echoed through the Molten Fortress.