Back in the arena, the hosts had successfully defeated the remaining puppets and now were dealing with Twinbellows and Kamek, the latter firing spells whenever he could but were countered.
Phil threw an Electroweb onto one of the heads of Twinbellows, which led to a series of discharges all over it. Perri added more insult to injury, using a series of Hidden Powers that damaged the two-headed best.
Victor and Violet threw their Pocketed magic spells at Kamek. The Magikoopa dodged them all but was subjected to an Egg Throw from Yen, knocking the magician off the broom. Hitting the ground, Kamek steadily recovered but Daniel socked him in the face, taking him out of the equation. Irene hit the magician with her squeaky hammer, making sure he was down.
With Twinbellows, they spewed more flames to encompass the hosts but were hit with a Dragon Pulse from Lewis and a Bubble Beam from Jordan. Stephanie showered the mythical beast with the Song of Storms which conducted more electricity on the Electroweb covered face.
Steven leaped and used Darkeye Slash, getting a direct slash on the beast's non-ensnared eyes. Mason slid underneath and thrust his sword up, stabbing the stomach of the flaming canine.
Howling in the pain from the series of attacks, Twinbellows stumbled a bit, feeling weak in the knees.
"He's getting weaker!" Lewis noticed, "Hit him from all sides!"
Jordan and Phil used a combination of Thunderbolt and Thunder, the two Electric-type moves shocked the right flank of the two-headed dog. Perri, being reckless, slammed into the left flank with Wild Charge, getting recoil damage as a side effect but she toughened out from it.
Mason rolled from underneath and used a Shield Breaker on the left foreleg while Steven landed a Blurring Blade on the right foreleg. Lewis nailed a Dual Chop on the right back leg just as Stephanie stabbed her kusarigamas into the left back leg.
With all the legs stabbed or hurt, Twinbellows fell to the ground with labored breathing. The battle had taken its toll on the mythical dog and he was out of energy now that he dealt with the hosts. His body began to flicker from reality to his spirit form, pained whines could be heard.
The gathered hosts all had a look of pity at the two-headed dog but it had forced their hands. As the flames dissipated, Lewis approached and rested his hand on the beast, "Rest easy now. You have fought well. I promise we shall return you to normal."
Hearing the aura host say that got Twinbellows to bark in agreement one last time before turning back into his spirit form. Yen, Daniel, and the Animal Crossing hosts walked over with the Kamek spirit in their possession, no doubt the Magikoopa having reverted himself, and placed it into Violet's un-Pocketed spirit pouch, Twinbellows' shortly afterwards.
The gates of the arena soon opened and the hosts noticed it.
"Time to catch up with Matt and Kyle," Daniel led with but before he could continue, a monstrous roar echoed throughout the fortress.
Daniel paled at hearing that, followed with Phil, Mason, Jordan, and Yen. Victor and Violet shared an uneasy look that Irene picked up on.
"W-what was that?" the host of Isabelle whimpered as she hid behind Lewis.
"Something that should have stayed in the past," Steven said grimly. Irene's confusion and anxiety only grew as she didn't remotely want to know what or who that was. Perri was more excited to fight something that sounded strong.
"No time to waste!" Phil exclaimed and the hosts fled the arena, praying that Matt and Kyle were handling themselves well.
Speaking of Kyle, he was faring at a moderate level against Peyton.
The Rage Vibe had lost its effect and made the princess host easier to fight for the most part. For the sake of the fight, Kyle had been using his Parasol Copy Ability.
Peyton brought her parasol out, making this a parasol fight. The host of Princess Peach was more experienced as she disarmed the pink-haired teenager's parasol after a Parasol Drill. The blonde then casted Sleepy Time, making the host of Kirby drowsy.
Unintentionally, Kyle gained his Sleep Copy Ability and Dozed. Peyton grinned before making it rain Bob-Ombs with her Psych Bomb attack.
Explosions powdered Kyle's sleeping body but also woke him up. One Bob-Ombs was on a crash course towards him but he Inhaled it, became his Bomb Copy Ability and hurled several bombs of his own with Bomb Throw.
The explosives bombed in front of Peyton, who held up her arms from the smoke. With cover, Kyle spun with Tornado Dash. Using the winds, Kyle made an enormous tornado that caught Peyton off guard and sent flying into the air. She managed to get a hold of herself, tapping into her Joy Vibe and made her own current that she used to fight back against the tornado. Floating with grace, the princess host nailed a Peach Bomber, ending the pink host's tornado.
Kyle skidded across the ground but stood on his two feet, glaring at the captured host. As much as he didn't want to admit it aloud, he didn't want to fight too harshly with Peyton. But if she was going to be difficult, so was he.
"Awwww," Peyton mocked, "All tuckered out? Trust me. Galeem will have your head and I'll be the one to give it to her."
"Yeah," Kyle remarked, "Keep telling yourself that." The pink-haired host got an idea before donning a multicolored feathered crown. With smooth moves, Kyle performed Dance Solo, somehow making an explosion that knocked the princess host off her feet.
Peyton slowly got to her feet but was met with a Moon Somersault Kick from the Fighter 06 host. The kick effectively took her out and Kyle finally caught his breath.
Peyton got herself up not a moment too soon and saw Kyle standing in front of her.
"Kyle!" She rushed and hugged him with much gusto, "You're here! In a castle… why are we in a castle?"
Kyle bluntly said, "Save the world."
A monstrous roar was heard and the princess host dropped the host of Kirby. Both knew who that was.
"Is that…" Peyton trailed off.
"Yeah… would have figured Galeem would have done such a thing," Kyle muttered and ran ahead, "Come on! Matt should be up ahead!"
Peyton gasped before sprinting afterwards, easy for her despite wearing heels. She ran to see her boyfriend, hoping they made it in time.
Matt stepped back, looking up and sweated at the sight of the Melee monster: Giga Bowser.
The host of Mario remembered when Giga Bowser appeared in his monstrous glory. The creature had been manipulated by the Hands in the Melee War. Brian, being the host of Bowser and a newcomer, had no idea how to control his monster alter-ego. Everyone had to take cover and dish out loads of damage to prevent the monster from running amuck and killing everything in sight.
The days of Subspace and Master Core, Brian had more control thanks to some self training he took liberty for control.
But now, Galeem has control of Brian's Giga Bowser form. The creature was no longer human, now all beast unlike how Brian looked before.
And Matt could only hope everyone had finished up their fights beforehand and were currently coming to his aid.
Giga Bowser winded up a punch to pulverize the Italian where he stood, which he managed to dodge. Matt triple-jumped onto the arm of the beast and brought out his Ultra Hammer. Scaling up the creature, the host of Mario walloped his hammer against the head, doing minimal damage.
Giga Bowser grunted in a slight pain, before reaching his other arm to grab the nuisance. Matt managed to jump off and donned his Wing Cap to fly away. With his aerial advantage, the Italian took this time to analyze the beast.
All that strength and defense in favor of speed. Combined with Brian's usage of fire, Giga Bowser would require more than just him. But still, Matt planned to do his damage for the time being.
Matt discarded his Wing Cap, rolling to the floor, and used his Firebrand to strike the stomach. Giga stomped his foot down, causing an earthquake with the step and setting Matt off balance. A backfist managed to hit the disoriented Italian, sending him into the entrance of the throne room.
Giga Bowser fed off his primal instincts and charged flames in his mouth before unleashing them. Matt managed to recover quickly and used his Propellor Mushroom to propel himself away from the wildfire. The Italian descended, aiming above the head of the beast, and Drill Spin into the head.
Unfortunately, he met with a shell spin that created a chilly updrift, opposite to the heat he had encountered when he first entered. The updrift caused Matt to misplace his drilling attack and led him up to getting snared in Giga Bowser's claw.
The human began to struggle as Giga Bowser pulled him to the center of his face. Matt stopped to take a look at the face. He instantly recognized the expression, gloating as if to say, 'This. Ends. Here!'
Giga Bowser peppered his breath, flames ignited within, planning to roast Matt alive with everything he had.
Matt could only gulp at his imminent demise. He couldn't reach for any Power-Ups and he required his hands for his Firebrand. Matt then shot his eyes open, meeting the glare for what seemed to be the last time.
If he was to burn, he wouldn't falter at the threat and show he wasn't afraid.
Giga Bowser just sneered and was about to unleash his Fire Breath…
Until he cried out in pain.
Looking down, Matt saw his saving grace (for the second time yet) with Phil and Kyle, the latter with his Spark Copy Ability, electrocuting the right leg of the beast with Thunderbolt and Lightning Strike.
Mason landed a Dolphin Slash on the left leg, not doing any lasting damage against the scales, and Lewis landed a double Force Palm, aura bursting from the attack leaving the behemoth to buckle.
Matt was released and Peyton managed to catch him, using her levitation abilities. Jordan was also in the air with Perri on her feet. The popstar hurled the female wrestler, the latter using Iron Tail and the former spinning with Gyro Ball. Both attacks landed on Giga Bowser's face, who roared in pain at the combined Steel-type attacks.
Touching down, Peyton laid her boyfriend on the group before casting Therapy. Matt was able to heal and the six hosts retreated as they had dealt significant damage to Giga Bowser.
"Never thought we would actually battle him again," Phil said, sparking with electricity.
"Still not as fun as the last time," Mason grunted as he brandished his Falchion.
"Given how he's a feral beast, that's justifiable," Jordan said.
Matt was able to recover, before seeing the gathered faces around him. He was relieved, seeing his girlfriend was freed from Galeem's control. But they had pressing concerns with the melee behemoth.
"Where are the others?" the host of Mario said, picking himself up.
"Victor, Violet, Irene, Steven, Daniel, and Stephanie are searching the castle for more spirits," Yen said. The Italian nodded along before they all turned their attention towards Giga Bowser.
The monster had recovered and spun a backfist at the group, who avoided. Peyton and Yen glowed pink and green respectively before using Empress Peach and Foot of Fury, landing heavy attacks on the Koopa monstrosity.
"Hit him hard! He has to be low now!" Matt shouted and the hosts went to do their work. The host of Mario charged his Firebrand, ready to deal the final blow.
Mason rushed and landed several Dancing Blade strikes. While the sword attacks weren't doing much, they were greatly irritating the beast. Perri ran by the royal host and rammed two Thunder Punches into the leg of the beast too.
In the air, Kyle gained height with his Hi-Jump Copy Ability using Mega Hi Jump and came crashing down with Stone Change -into a Thwomp, ironically- dealing a crushing blow into the skull of Giga Bowser. Phil added to the pain with Floaty Fall before launching several Thunder Jolts.
Jordan unleashed a microphone-enhanced Hyper Voice, the soundwaves nearly deafening Giga Bowser before Lewis slammed an Iron Head into the chest before backflipping with two parting Dragon Pulses which exploded on contact.
Matt finished his Firebrand technique and hurled a multitude of fireballs that condensed into a giant single fireball. He shouted, "Get clear!" before jumping and landing an uppercut into it, right towards Giga Bowser's face.
The Melee monster roared with discomfort before seemingly exploding himself. Giga Bowser began to shrink, reverting back to Brian's form who collapsed and was finally unconscious.
Everyone had their own method of healing, whether it was through sharing or self, before the fortress began to rumble on its own.
"What's going on?" Kyle questioned.
"It feels like an earthquake of some sort!" Mason exclaimed.
"We got to go!" Matt emphasized as everyone had their method of transportation. Kyle composed a Warp Star large enough for Brian's unconscious form and Mason to hold onto. Matt pulled his Wing Cap and took flight. Yen had Peyton and Jordan on his back and ran for it. Phil and Perri used their own speed to flee and Lewis followed them with the help of Extreme Speed from the crumbling fortress.
Outside the fortress, the other hosts felt the tremor but managed to stand. Stephanie, Irene, Victor, Violet, Daniel, and Steven had managed to save any spirits residing in the fortress before their departure per Yen's order.
Yen was the first out, Peyton and Jordan now off as the other hosts greeted the princess host. Phil, Perri, and Lewis were next followed by Matt and Kyle, the host of Kirby with Brian and Mason onboard the Warp Star.
"So glad to see you again, Peyton," Stephanie said as the princess nodded.
Matt stared at Brian's unconscious form before seeing the sun set. "Let's call it a day," he said. The other hosts all nodded before setting up camp for the night.
Brian regained consciousness just as the campfire started and looked to see the other hosts. "Alright, what gives? The last thing I remember was that light show! And now I want answers!" he growled.
"We'll explain in the morning," Matt suggested but the bully was not having it. Eventually a little persuasion managed to shut the bully up and now the freed hosts could rest for the night.
She felt it.
The defeat of one of her Champions.
"RRRAAAAHHHHH!" Galeem flared with anger, her wings unfurled and flashing with utmost rage. She knew exactly who to blame. Those hosts.
She was losing her army. With King Bublin, Kamek, and Bowser now gone, she wanted her commanders on high alert and to destroy the hosts.
After getting her message to her non-corporeal lieutenants, she remembered what the spirit that possessed Matt/Mario told her about.
Another world beyond their own. A world… in need of order, light.
Galeem wasn't sure how she would get there…
But she was determined to see it and bring it to her knees.