Round 2
On the match screen, two gestures were made. Travis threw up the horns, while Krystal flipped the bird.
"Travis will be an easy win," boasted Krystal, "This isn't the first time I've bested a mediocre man in combat,"
"I'm not sweatin' Krystal at all. Not the first time I've had to hit a babe with the brainbuster," countered Travis.
"I must advance to battle Fox, or advance past him if he messes things up and loses," Krystal growled, her voice full of venom
"I mean, fightin' Dante or Chief would be pretty sweet," Travis shrugged, "Plus that prize money doesn't hurt either."
"Travis is just another body on my way to the top," was Krystal's final decree.
"In the words of my main man Taz, Krystal, you're just another victim! Beat me if you can, survive if I let you!" threatened Travis.
"We've got some amped-up fighters to close out Round 2," 9-Volt proclaimed, "Futaba, who ya got?"
"Gotta go with Travis! It's kill or be killed, and no one exemplifies that determination more than him."
"Alright," 9-Volt nodded, "Let's throw it down to entrances one more time,"
The slow whistling of Travis as he created the notes of NMH from the first No More Heroes played, the song itself kicking in as Travis zoomed down the tunnel and through the long journey to the center of the arena with Demzamtiger.
"You know," Cranky chuckled, "The nice thing about the three-way next round is that two of these nimrods who insist on entering with these graphically intensive vehicles will eliminate each other."
"Hey!" 9-Volt protested, "Motorcycles, tanks, spaceships, they're all cool with me."
"Because you're a snot-nosed punk," Cranky quipped, "In my day, you loaded coconuts onto a stationary truck and you imagined that they were being driven someplace."
"What Game and Watch game even was that?" laughed 9-Volt.
"Don't matter!" snapped Cranky, "It's from a golden age that today's drivel doesn't even touch!"
9-Volt went to protest further, but a very familiar theme hit.
"The Star Fox theme from Assault?" questioned 9-Volt, "But Krystal's not with Star Fox, unless…"
Three Arwings flew past the stadium in formation, looping back around. Boos were almost immediately drowned out by cheers as Fox, Falco, and Krystal jumped from their Arwings.
"WHAT? They're back together? Since when?" balked 9-Volt.
"Since Command became non-canon apparently," Cranky muttered.
Travis remained undeterred, throwing up his signature bull horn symbol, only pivoting to the crowd when his nickname, The Uncrowned Prince, was announced. Then, Mills continued.
"And his opponent, she comes to us from the Star Fox Universe, she is the Fox Finding Forgiveness, KRYSTAL!"
An initial chorus of boos was quickly drowned out by cheers as Krystal waved to the crowd. Meanwhile, Fox and Falco looked around stunned.
"Huh," Falco put his hands on his hips, "I guess the overall will of the universe will drown out those racist Cornerian bastards after all,"
Fox nodded, "Yup! Good luck Krystal!"
And with that, they teleported away. Even though she stood alone, she certainly didn't feel that way. Even as the stage randomizer decided Floral Fury would be the place, even as Travis grinned at the outcome, she inhaled deeply, expelling all the fear within along with the breath in her lungs.
"Floral Fury puts you right in the middle of the iconic first boss fight of Cuphead."
"They'll need to learn to deal with how difficult games were in the good ole days if they hope to proceed in the tournament," Cranky warned.
The two confirmed to Mills that they were ready with silent nods, disappearing to the stage as the screen flared to life, showcasing all the need-to-know information for the massive audience.
Stage: Floral Fury
Rules: 3-stock, items medium
Music: Floral Fury
3
Travis stepped off of Demzamtiger after skidding to a stop
2
Krystal jumped out of an Arwing
1
The beam katana in Travis' hand glowed green. The jewel on Krystal's staff glowed a sinister orange.
GO!
Krystal shot a glance behind her at Floral Fury as Travis slowly trudged forward, his beam katana held in a defensive position. Fury stuck out its neck, causing both competitors to duck, but Krystal took the upper hand, firing fireballs at an unprepared Travis.
"Oooh, and Krystal takes advantage early," 9-Volt groaned.
"What's a matter boy? You got sympathy pains or something. Don't have sympathy for stupid, that's what I always say."
Floral Fury's face morphed into the turret of a machine gun, firing bullets into the air. The blue shells slowly rained down as Krystal carefully darted around them.
"SCREW CRUSHER DEATH KICK!" bellowed Travis.
Before Krystal could blink, Travis's sneaker had been planted thoroughly in her chest. All Travis had to do was sit back and watch as Krystal was walloped by overgrown weeds that sprung out of the ground, a flowery boomerang, and missiles shaped like acorns.
"BOOST!" shouted Krystal.
As she rocketed towards Travis, he remained unphased.
"SPIN DEATH SLOW!"
A blue aura erupted beneath her, her boosted kick slowing to a crawl.
"DEATH BELT SHOWER!"
She could only frown as she was pelted with chunks of hot laser from above. Through all the pain, she landed on her feet, katana, and staff clashing. The two pushed against each other, jumping in tandem to the furthest platform as Floral Fury extended its head across the ground. Despite the distraction, Travis won the stalemate, an upward slash cutting the defenseless Cernian. A slot machine played out, landing on all cherries.
"Shit," whispered Travis.
"I thought all cherries were good," Krystal explained, casting a glance over her shoulder once again at Fury, who grinned easily and bobbed to the music.
"Not here," was Travis' frustrated reply, "Just adds to my prize money,"
"There are worse fates you know," Krystal, "Like this,"
Krystal grabbed Travis by the shoulders and picked him up, shifting his position.
"BOOST!"
Krystal kicked Travis into an onslaught of acorn missiles, but before she could even dismount her staff. Travis had teleported right back into striking distance with another Screw Crusher Death Kick.
"BOOST!"
As she came within striking distance of Travis, she felt something stop her in her tracks.
"ANTI-GRAVITY DEATH FORCE!'
Even in being pelted by yet another boomerang, she remained unphased.
"BOOST!"
This maneuver flew across the stage with no incident. Bouncing off his forehead, she twisted in mid-air, spinning down and colliding with Travis. Instinctually, Travis rolled off the platform, only to be pounced upon by Floral Fury's slithering face.
Travis Touchdown: 2
Krystal: 3
Travis stepped lazily off of the Revival Platform, shaking his katana to charge it, only to be slashed across the back thrice by Krystal, knocking him down. The bullets rained down again, Travis rolling to avoid the pelting, while Krystal artfully stepped around it. In one swift movement, she fired her staff at Travis' leg, freezing it in a block of ice.
"Oh God," 9-Volt quivered, "Floral Fury can change phases even when not attacked.
"Would this stage be any fun if it were the opposite?" Cranky asked as Floral Fury took on a new manic expression.
Intertwining weeds snaked across the stage, knocking Travis to the Blast Zone again.
Travis Touchdown: 1
Krystal: 3
Directly off of the Revival Platform, Travis launched into Krystal with yet another Screw Crusher Death Kick, the young fox was caught off guard and knocked off the stage.
Travis Touchdown: 1
Krystal: 2
Krystal chuckled as she appeared on the Revival Platform, Travis retreating to the safety of one of the polka-dotted platforms.
"Alright," Krystal conceded, "You caught me unaware. But it will not happen again. You have to best me in combat, and you really haven't gotten any good shots on me except for that flurry at the beginning."
Travis dramatically slashed at some new weeds that bore buds with teeth,
"Why don't you come down here and see how combative I can be," he invited in as smooth a voice as he could muster.
"Gladly," Krystal replied, baring fangs.
Krystal met him atop the platform, once again fighting for position amidst intertwined weapons. Travis won, slashing diagonally at Krystal. A slot machine appeared again, this time landing on three BARs.
"MUSTANG MODE!" cheered Travis.
Krystal was pelted in quick slashes faster than her body could react to them. A bevy of full-swing slashes added to the growing sensation of pain.
"SCREW CRUSHER DEATH KICK!"
Again, Krystal was shot into the Blast Zone.
Travis Touchdown: 1
Krystal: 1
Krystal jumped off the Revival Platform onto the platforms of the stage, meeting Travis.
"SPIN DEATH SLOW!"
And now her every muscle movement executed at a snail's pace. Krystal rolled her eyes. How could she have expected any less?
"DEATH BELT SHOWER!"
And now the laser reigned down. As if a bad situation could get any worse, Travis stepped around her meek attempt at a slash, slowing time even further.
"SUH-WEET!" hooted Travis.
A bevy of quick slashes followed by a conclusive winding slash rocked the spacefarer. A slot machine appeared again, this time landing on all bells
"THROW CRAZY MODE!"
Without effort, Travis clutched Krystal's wrists, picking her up and slamming her back onto the platform. As suddenly as the pain shot through her, she was on her feet again, this time her arms tucked behind her as Travis picked her up and bridged, spiking her on top of her head. Then, she found her knee tucked into his arm, once again picked up and slammed, this time into the weeds. She bounced helplessly along the spikes, eventually launched up into rapid-fire dandelions that sent her off the stage for the final time.
GAME!
In the Smash Mansion Courtyard, Travis pumped his fist into the air.
"ICHIBAN!"
TRAVIS WINS!
Meanwhile, Krystal clapped on the corner of the screen belonging to the losers, her part in the screen expanding to full screen as Rita appeared, microphone in hand.
"Mister Zero had drawn straws to interview losers, but I know you wanted to get interviewed by a woman last time so…"
Krystal shook her head, "I acted immaturely, I owe Mister Zero an apology,"
"That's nice to hear," Rita nodded, "But regardless, what happened out there? Travis seemed to sneak up on you and take the win."
"As much as saying what I'm about to say is associated with poor sportsmanship, it's the truth. He got lucky. And that's just simply part of his arsenal, nothing more. Now, does that mean he will get lucky against Dante's insane repertoire, or against Master Chief's no-nonsense style? He might, but he might not. Regardless, I wish him the best of luck."
As Krystal walked away, Mister Zero's interview with Travis was now live.
"Travis Touchdown," Mister Zero began, "You, Master Chief, and Dante have all qualified for Smash's first tournament-sanctioned three-way. How does it feel?"
"Like I said, I was really hoping everything'd turn out this way. Smash is turning out to be a bigger challenge than any UAA shit I've ever done, and I'm game. Dante, Chief, you'd better be ready to fall like a zillion other assassins have at my feet,"
Travis stomped away, as Mister Zero threw it back to Cranky and 9-Volt.
"As per tradition," Cranky explained, "We'll have a quick word from President Mario, and the reveal of Round 3's bracket. With that said, for 9-Volt, Futaba, and the rest of the crew, I bid you all goodnight!"
Meanwhile, in the Smashers Box, Mario had a megaphone, "Everybody file in behind me, starting with Donkey Kong and so on.
Quinn awkwardly shuffled into line behind Robin and in front of Little Mac. They all proceeded down Tunnel A, the screens that lined the upper walls playing a highlight video of the round's matches to "Run" by Day of Fire. Before Quinn could even ponder if he'd made the video, they were out of the tunnel, subjected to the cheers and jeers of Smash Stadium. As they had done last round, those that remained stood in line behind Mario. As the cheering died down, the arena blanketed in the setting sun, Quinn felt oddly alone. His roommates had all been eliminated. He was the only one of the trio that stood a chance at being champion now.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and beings of all forms," Mario began, "I would-a like you to turn your attention to the video screen as we gaze upon our remaining 25 Smashers!"
Every screen in Smash City flared to life displaying Round 3's bracket.
Round 3
(Three stock, items medium, random stage)
Donkey Kong vs. Dark Samus
Luigi vs. Daisy
Zelda vs Lucina
Ganondorf vs. Pit
Green vs. Red
Lucario vs. Wolf
Little Mac vs. Quinn
Robin vs. Ken
Cloud vs. Ritcher
Joker vs. Banjo Kazooie
Goro Akechi vs. Sephiroth
Master Chief vs. Dante vs. Travis Touchdown
The crowd cheered, Mario expertly letting it die down again before continuing.
"That's right folks," decreed the President of Smash, "In light of Super Smash Brothers' first-ever three-person match, we will be conducting ourselves much as we did in the previous round-a. That's gimmick enough, we've decided. That'll come in Round 4, for new stipulations are for the New 12 only."
Every hair on Quinn's body bristled as the crowd cheered. In the minds of most diehard Smash fans, The 12 were the cream of the crop in terms of Super Smash Brothers competition, and he was a match away from standing in a new version of it!"
"With that, this concludes our festivities for two days. See you back here when tournament competition resumes, and whatever deity you believe in, may it bless you. We are Smash Brothers!"
Mario lead the parade back up the tunnel to the jazz variant of Make Way for Tomorrow Today the remaining 25 eventually making it up the tunnel to applause.
"You guys are-a dismissed!" Mario declared.
People began teleporting out of the room no sooner had the words left his mouth. Quinn looked at his communicator to see a message from Master Hart.
We're going to this bar in the Dragonquest side of town that Riddle found. You and Rosalina are invited.
As if on cue, Rosalina tapped him on the shoulder. He wheeled around, looking directly into the starry gaze of his tall companion.
"Do you have plans?" she asked a tinge of desperation in her voice.
Quinn raised an eyebrow, "Yeah…"
Immediately, her entire posture lightened.
"Oh good," she sighed, "The Lumas have been getting desperate. You lead the way,"
The two teleported out of the Smashers' Box in the blink of an eye.
