Chapter five: Vs. Yagami
The Rescuer Team relaxed in the locker room, resting up for the next fight. They had just won the fight against the Fatal Fury Team, but just barely. Currently, Choi was chugging a Powerade while he and Joe were watching something on a small TV.
"And now for the weather." The man on the TV said. "With our weatherwoman, B.B. Hood."
"Thank you, James." A young girl said as she appeared on the screen in front of a large map. "Now, Utah is supposed to get heavy rain over the weekend...So let's just GET RID OF IT!!!"
The girl whipped an Uzi out of nowhere and started opening fire on the map. Joe shook his head as the map went up in flames while B.B. Hood laughed maniacally.
"She's lost it." Joe said.
"No. That implies that she's had it before." Choi stated before taking another chug of his drink.
"Oh, right."
Billy looked over at Malon, whom was sitting on a bench, looking like she was thinking hard. Billy walked over to her.
"What're you thinking about, Malon?" Billy asked.
Malon looked up at Billy. "Oh, just someone who watched me leave Hyrule."
"Link, right?" Billy asked.
Malon's head snapped up. "How'd you know?" She asked, eyes wide.
Billy snickered. "You told us about him. How you knew him at a young age, how he was quite the ladies man, how you had a crush on him and how he had saved your life once."
"Saved my life?" Malon asked. "No. Link didn't saved my life. My father's assistant just went crazy when father temporarily left. He turned me into his personal servant and mistreated the horses. But once Link found out about my predicament, he quickly found my father, told him everything, and once my father came back, everything was back to normal." She was silent for a few seconds. "Like I said, Link didn't save my life."
"Oh." Billy said. By now, Joe had walked over to them.
"Guys, our hour is almost up." Joe said. "We'd better get going."
Malon got up and walked out the door first, and Joe and Choi were about to follow her, had they not been pulled back by Billy. Joe and Choi looked at the staff-wielding fighter.
"What is it, Billy?" Joe asked.
"I wanted to tell you guys this, but I didn't want to say it in front of Malon." Billy said.
"What?" Choi asked.
"I think I'm getting feelings for Malon." Billy replied.
"Really?!" Joe asked, totally surprised. "The great Billy Kane actually taking a liking to a woman?"
"I don't see what's so shocking about it." Choi said. "I mean, I'm a married man, and Joe is in love with your sister."
"That's what I wanted to talk to you guys about." Billy said. "How do I tell her?"
"When I told my wife that I loved her, I just straight out told her." Choi explained.
Billy was silent. Suddenly, Malon appeared at the doorway.
"You guys coming?" Malon asked.
"Yeah. We're coming." Joe said. Malon vanished again.
Billy quickly turned back to Joe and Choi. "Listen. I want to keep this a secret for now. Okay?"
Joe and Choi agreed as the trio walked into the hallway, caught up with Malon, and the whole team walked back towards the arena.
The Rescuer Team walked back into the arena, where the remaining three teams were waiting. The three teams were the Hero Team, the Yagami Team and a new team.
"Rescuer Team." The announcer said. "Please step onto platform fourteen."
The Rescuer Team did as they were told, and as soon as they stepped onto the platform, they vanished.
Malon opened her eyes and looked around. They were now in a train yard, standing in front of a couple of parked trains. Dogs were sniffing around nearby garbage cans.
"This arena looks very familiar." Joe inquired as he looked around.
Suddenly, the other team appeared. Iori Yagami, a woman with brown hair and a robotic eye, a tall man who looked like a football player, and a regular- sized man with blue hair.
"The Yagami Team!" Billy said.
"Hey." Joe said, looking at the woman. "Isn't that Vice?"
"Hey, it IS!" Choi said. "But I thought she died back in 1996!"
"Well, that explains her robotic eye." Billy said.
"Secondly," Choi said, looking at the blue-haired man. "What's K9999 doing on Iori's team?"
"I have no clue." Joe said before noticing the football player. "Is it just me, or is that Brian Battler?"
"What the HECK?!" Choi said. "What's Brian been DOING since 1994?!"
Meanwhile, the Yagami Team was having a little pre-fight talk.
"So, what will the team order be?" Vice asked.
"I could really care less." Iori said. "We creamed Kyo's team in the last fight. I don't have any reason to fight in the tournament now. I'll just go first and get it over with."
"I call seconds!" Vice said.
"I'll go third." Brian said.
"Well, I suppose I could sit this one out. I had enough excitement pounding Goro Daimon into the ground." K9999 said.
Meanwhile,
"Okay." Joe said. "The team order is Iori, Vice, Brian."
"I'll go first, then." Billy said. "I've still got my little score to settle with Iori."
"I'll go second, then." Malon said.
"And I'll finish the fight." Joe said.
Billy leapt into the ring, facing Iori.
"Iori, it ends here." Billy said. "I SHALL have my revenge."
"How come you're still going on about that?" Iori asked. "That was back in 1995."
"FIGHT!"
Iori thrust his fist forward as a purple flame tore across the arena floor. Billy leapt over it and shot his foot into Iori's face. Iori quickly countered with his fist. Billy landed on the ground, but quickly shot to his feet. Billy ducked and shot his staff out, knocking Iori off his feet. Iori got to his feet, grabbed Billy and thrust him into the ground, surrounded in purple flames. Billy landed on the ground and rolled a bit until he came to a halt. Billy jumped to his feet and leapt into the air, landing a flying kick to Iori's chest.
"Choi! Show Iori what you're made of!" Billy said.
"Yes, sir!" Choi replied as he darted into the arena.
Once Choi got close to Iori, the midget spun around a few times, attacking Iori. Choi left as Iori got to his feet, holding onto his shoulder.
"Impressive." Iori chuckled. "K9999! Let's retaliate!"
K9999 charged into the arena and lashed out one of his arms from a distance. K9999's arm bulged, mutated and extended as it attacked Billy, damaging him. Malon saw the move.
"Aw, man! That's DISGUSTING!" Malon said in disgust.
As K9999 left the arena, Billy stuck his staff into the ground and kicked Iori with both feet. Billy then shoved his staff into Iori's stomach and lifted the male Orochi off the ground. Billy slammed Iori into the ground and leapt into the air, bringing his staff down onto Iori's back. Iori got up and jumped into the air. Iori spun around, fist outstretched, surrounded in purple flames. Billy was attacked, and his bandana was even sent flying off his head, revealing the head of blonde hair he had underneath. After both fighters landed on the ground, Iori kicked Billy as he tried to get up. By now, both fighters were near defeat. However, Billy had one more trick up his sleeve. Billy swung his staff like a golf club, nailing Iori in the jaw. As Iori was sent into the air, Billy darted underneath him, leapt into the air and plunged his staff into Iori's back. Iori landed on his stomach, and didn't get up.
"KO! Billy wins!"
As Iori was dragged off the arena, Vice leapt into the arena, facing the bandana-less Billy. Both fighters were silent until the fight started.
"FIGHT!"
Vice quickly lashed out her arm, and it strangely extended to smack Billy across the face. Billy staggered back, but quickly regained his stance. Billy leapt forward and struck Vice a few times with his staff before landing on his feet. Vice got to her feet and jumped into the air, kicking the air rapidly. Billy didn't have time to block, and was attacked several times. Billy was sent to the floor, and due to his fight with Iori, was too weak to get back up.
"KO! Vice wins!"
As Billy was pulled off the arena, Malon nervously jumped into the arena.
"You ready for the fight of your life, newcomer?" Vice asked with a grin. Malon gulped.
"FIGHT!"
Vice charged at Malon, and suddenly, her hands flashed. Malon smirked. With lightning quick speed, Malon zoomed past Vice as the KOF contestant did her super move to thin air. Malon thrust her fist into Vice's back, sending her to the floor. Vice sprang to her feet, growled at Malon and lashed out her arm, extending it. Malon, knowing what was going to happen, quickly ducked as the attack sailed overhead. Malon quickly dove at Vice, tacking her and knocking her to the ground. Malon threw her fists into Vice's face a few times before allowing Vice to shoot to her feet.
"You're good." Vice said with a slight chuckle. "But I've yet to dish out my new move. I'll finish you off like I did with Ralf Jones in the first fight."
Before Malon had time to react, Vice's robotic eye flashed. Before Malon had time to block, a steady stream of red laser had fired from Vice's eye. Malon was now struggling to stand upright as the laser plowed into her stomach.
"Choi...H-Help me." Malon begged.
"I'm coming, Malon!" Choi said as he charged into the arena.
Choi spun around a few times, attacking Vice with his claws. Because of Choi's interference, Vice's super move stopped, allowing Malon to stand up. As Choi left the arena, Malon charged at Vice, hands outstretched. Malon hit Vice with both her hands, making Vice stagger back.
"It's now or never." Malon thought. "If she does that super move again, I'm toast! I have to finish it first!"
As Vice attempted to regain her stance, Malon's feet flashed. Malon charged forward and grabbed Vice.
"I must do something!" Malon cried as she leapt into the air.
All of Malon's team members stared in astonishment as Malon rapidly kicked Vice in the face, pushing off her face with every kick. When Malon finished, she did a back-flip in the air before landing on her feet. Vice, however, collapsed. This time, the cyborg didn't get back up.
"KO! Malon wins!"
As Iori and K9999 dragged the unconscious Vice off the arena, Brian, the large football player, leapt into the arena, the ground shaking when he landed.
"I may not have fought in almost a decade, but that doesn't mean I can't cream ya!" Brian bellowed as he cocked his head from side to side.
Malon gulped. The fight with Vice had weakened her, and she didn't have a lot of energy left.
"FIGHT!"
Malon charged at Brian, attempting to attack him. However, once Malon had gotten close enough, Brian raised both arms into the air, and brought them down, creating a minor shock wave. The attack had hurt Malon, sending her reeling. As Malon got to her feet, she didn't notice Brian leap into the air and come at her in a flying kick. Malon quickly put her hands out, blocking the attack. Brian, however, was not through. As soon as Brian landed, his shoulder flashed.
Malon's eyes widened when she saw Brian charge at her, shoulder first. Malon tried to block, but it was too late. Brian had plowed his shoulder into her stomach. Several times.
Malon felt a searing pain flowing through her body. As soon as Brian stopped plowing his shoulder into her stomach, Malon flew back twenty feet, landing beside her team.
"KO! Perfect! Brian wins!"
"Malon!" Billy cried as he quickly got down beside her. "Are you alright?"
"Ooooh...Someone get the license number of that truck." Malon said, regaining her consciousness.
Billy chuckled as he turned to Joe. "You're the last one, Joe." He said. "Can you take down Brian?"
Joe laughed. "Of course! Back in 1994, it was MY team who took down Brian's!"
Joe leapt into the arena, facing Brian.
Joe laughed. "You ready for another beating, Brian?"
Brian scoffed. "It won't be like last time."
"FIGHT!"
Brian charged at Joe, attempting a tackle. Joe saw this coming, leapt into the air and slammed his foot onto Brian's forehead, canceling the tackle. Brian quickly grabbed Joe and slammed him into the ground. Joe sprang to his feet, jumped back and lashed out his arm, sending out a typhoon. After Brian recovered from the typhoon, he leapt into the air and landed a flying kick to Joe's face. Joe quickly retaliated with three quick punches to Joe's stomach. Brian jumped back and pointed at Joe.
"K9999! Show Joe what you've got!" Brian said.
"With pleasure!" K9999 said, almost like a gleeful hiss.
K9999 charged into the arena and lashed out his arm as it mutated, expanded and lengthened. Damaged, Joe was sent back a few feet as K9999 left the arena. Brian leapt into the air and came down on Joe. Hard. Joe recoiled in pain as Brian got to his feet.
Joe regained his stance as his fist flashed. Joe lashed out his arm rapidly, sending out a few small typhoons, then an enormous one. Brian was attacked by the small typhoons, and lifted off his feet by the large one. By now, Brian was almost defeated. Joe smirked.
"Hey, Choi! Let's take him out together!" Joe said.
"Works for me!" Choi said.
Choi darted into the arena as Joe leapt behind Brian. While Choi slashed at Brian, Joe's fist flashed. Joe charged forward, punching the air constantly, soon working his way to Brian's head. The combined power of Joe's super move and Choi's claws was too much for Brian to handle. The football player collapsed, defeated.
"KO! Joe wins! Rescuer Team wins!"
The Rescuer Team would've congratulated Joe if they hadn't vanished into thin air.
Malon opened her eyes, and she found herself back in the stadium, where the thousands of fans were screaming and cheering.
"The Rescuer Team is once again given a one hour break before the next fight." The announcer said.
The Rescuer Team left the stadium, back towards their locker room.
Soon, the quartet of Billy, Joe, Malon and Choi arrived back at their locker room. The four fighters sat down, completely exhausted.
"Man! That was almost TOO close!" Malon said as she grabbed a towel and wiped her forehead with it.
"Well, thanks to Joe, we've move on to the finals!" Billy said, slapping Joe on the back.
Suddenly, the team heard a knocking at their door. Choi scurried over to the door and opened it. Standing at the doorway was two figures: A green clad man and a woman with blonde hair.
"Yes?" Choi asked.
"We're looking for Malon." The man said.
Malon's head snapped up instantly, her eyes popping open just as quick. Malon spun her head around to face to two figures at the door. Suddenly, a wide smile spread across her face.
"LINK! ZELDA!" Malon cried as she rushed towards her friends, who immediately took her into their arms.
"Guys, you can't BELIEVE how much I missed you!" Malon sobbed.
"So, this is the 'Link' you've been telling us about?" Billy asked, walking over to the reunited friends.
"Oh...Yes, this is him." Malon said, wiping away her tears. "Link? Zelda? These are my friends."
"Billy Kane." Billy said.
"Joe Higashi." Joe added.
"Choi Bounge." Choi said.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you." Link said.
"Guys?" Malon said to Link and Zelda. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We're moving to Southtown!" Zelda replied. "I convinced my father to let my new little sister inherit the crown instead of me. Link and I left Hyrule last night, ended up in Southtown, and started looking for you."
"You're moving to Suthtown?! That's great! But how'd you know that I ended up in Southtown?" Malon asked.
"Hey, I'm the hero of Time." Link laughed. "I just used my Ocarina to find out where you went."
"That aside, would you mind telling us what you're doing in this odd tournament?" Zelda said.
As quickly as they could, Malon and her team filled Link and Zelda in on what was happening. When they were through, both newlyweds were wide eyed.
"Well, let me say that Zelda and I are cheering for you all the way." Link said. "Malon, we've been watching the tournament since it started, and we've been impressed by your skills."
"I'd say that Billy's sister is as good as saved." Zelda said confidently.
"Well, we'd better get going." Link said. "We'll be in the stands, cheering for you guys."
"Link, I have a better idea." Billy said. "Why don't you and Zelda hang out here? We can get to know you guys better, and you can even watch the finals through the TV over there."
"Hey, that's a great idea!" Joe said.
"I second that!" Choi added.
Link looked over at Zelda, who nodded. Link turned to the Rescuer Team. "Okay. Sounds good."
As Joe and Choi led Link and Zelda into the locker room, Malon looked at Billy.
"Now I'm more confident that ever, Billy." Malon said. "I KNOW we can pull through the finals."
To be continued...
Author's notes: Okay. Almost done. Just the finals match and then the fight with the man at the end. Let's just say that you might be surprised.
The Rescuer Team relaxed in the locker room, resting up for the next fight. They had just won the fight against the Fatal Fury Team, but just barely. Currently, Choi was chugging a Powerade while he and Joe were watching something on a small TV.
"And now for the weather." The man on the TV said. "With our weatherwoman, B.B. Hood."
"Thank you, James." A young girl said as she appeared on the screen in front of a large map. "Now, Utah is supposed to get heavy rain over the weekend...So let's just GET RID OF IT!!!"
The girl whipped an Uzi out of nowhere and started opening fire on the map. Joe shook his head as the map went up in flames while B.B. Hood laughed maniacally.
"She's lost it." Joe said.
"No. That implies that she's had it before." Choi stated before taking another chug of his drink.
"Oh, right."
Billy looked over at Malon, whom was sitting on a bench, looking like she was thinking hard. Billy walked over to her.
"What're you thinking about, Malon?" Billy asked.
Malon looked up at Billy. "Oh, just someone who watched me leave Hyrule."
"Link, right?" Billy asked.
Malon's head snapped up. "How'd you know?" She asked, eyes wide.
Billy snickered. "You told us about him. How you knew him at a young age, how he was quite the ladies man, how you had a crush on him and how he had saved your life once."
"Saved my life?" Malon asked. "No. Link didn't saved my life. My father's assistant just went crazy when father temporarily left. He turned me into his personal servant and mistreated the horses. But once Link found out about my predicament, he quickly found my father, told him everything, and once my father came back, everything was back to normal." She was silent for a few seconds. "Like I said, Link didn't save my life."
"Oh." Billy said. By now, Joe had walked over to them.
"Guys, our hour is almost up." Joe said. "We'd better get going."
Malon got up and walked out the door first, and Joe and Choi were about to follow her, had they not been pulled back by Billy. Joe and Choi looked at the staff-wielding fighter.
"What is it, Billy?" Joe asked.
"I wanted to tell you guys this, but I didn't want to say it in front of Malon." Billy said.
"What?" Choi asked.
"I think I'm getting feelings for Malon." Billy replied.
"Really?!" Joe asked, totally surprised. "The great Billy Kane actually taking a liking to a woman?"
"I don't see what's so shocking about it." Choi said. "I mean, I'm a married man, and Joe is in love with your sister."
"That's what I wanted to talk to you guys about." Billy said. "How do I tell her?"
"When I told my wife that I loved her, I just straight out told her." Choi explained.
Billy was silent. Suddenly, Malon appeared at the doorway.
"You guys coming?" Malon asked.
"Yeah. We're coming." Joe said. Malon vanished again.
Billy quickly turned back to Joe and Choi. "Listen. I want to keep this a secret for now. Okay?"
Joe and Choi agreed as the trio walked into the hallway, caught up with Malon, and the whole team walked back towards the arena.
The Rescuer Team walked back into the arena, where the remaining three teams were waiting. The three teams were the Hero Team, the Yagami Team and a new team.
"Rescuer Team." The announcer said. "Please step onto platform fourteen."
The Rescuer Team did as they were told, and as soon as they stepped onto the platform, they vanished.
Malon opened her eyes and looked around. They were now in a train yard, standing in front of a couple of parked trains. Dogs were sniffing around nearby garbage cans.
"This arena looks very familiar." Joe inquired as he looked around.
Suddenly, the other team appeared. Iori Yagami, a woman with brown hair and a robotic eye, a tall man who looked like a football player, and a regular- sized man with blue hair.
"The Yagami Team!" Billy said.
"Hey." Joe said, looking at the woman. "Isn't that Vice?"
"Hey, it IS!" Choi said. "But I thought she died back in 1996!"
"Well, that explains her robotic eye." Billy said.
"Secondly," Choi said, looking at the blue-haired man. "What's K9999 doing on Iori's team?"
"I have no clue." Joe said before noticing the football player. "Is it just me, or is that Brian Battler?"
"What the HECK?!" Choi said. "What's Brian been DOING since 1994?!"
Meanwhile, the Yagami Team was having a little pre-fight talk.
"So, what will the team order be?" Vice asked.
"I could really care less." Iori said. "We creamed Kyo's team in the last fight. I don't have any reason to fight in the tournament now. I'll just go first and get it over with."
"I call seconds!" Vice said.
"I'll go third." Brian said.
"Well, I suppose I could sit this one out. I had enough excitement pounding Goro Daimon into the ground." K9999 said.
Meanwhile,
"Okay." Joe said. "The team order is Iori, Vice, Brian."
"I'll go first, then." Billy said. "I've still got my little score to settle with Iori."
"I'll go second, then." Malon said.
"And I'll finish the fight." Joe said.
Billy leapt into the ring, facing Iori.
"Iori, it ends here." Billy said. "I SHALL have my revenge."
"How come you're still going on about that?" Iori asked. "That was back in 1995."
"FIGHT!"
Iori thrust his fist forward as a purple flame tore across the arena floor. Billy leapt over it and shot his foot into Iori's face. Iori quickly countered with his fist. Billy landed on the ground, but quickly shot to his feet. Billy ducked and shot his staff out, knocking Iori off his feet. Iori got to his feet, grabbed Billy and thrust him into the ground, surrounded in purple flames. Billy landed on the ground and rolled a bit until he came to a halt. Billy jumped to his feet and leapt into the air, landing a flying kick to Iori's chest.
"Choi! Show Iori what you're made of!" Billy said.
"Yes, sir!" Choi replied as he darted into the arena.
Once Choi got close to Iori, the midget spun around a few times, attacking Iori. Choi left as Iori got to his feet, holding onto his shoulder.
"Impressive." Iori chuckled. "K9999! Let's retaliate!"
K9999 charged into the arena and lashed out one of his arms from a distance. K9999's arm bulged, mutated and extended as it attacked Billy, damaging him. Malon saw the move.
"Aw, man! That's DISGUSTING!" Malon said in disgust.
As K9999 left the arena, Billy stuck his staff into the ground and kicked Iori with both feet. Billy then shoved his staff into Iori's stomach and lifted the male Orochi off the ground. Billy slammed Iori into the ground and leapt into the air, bringing his staff down onto Iori's back. Iori got up and jumped into the air. Iori spun around, fist outstretched, surrounded in purple flames. Billy was attacked, and his bandana was even sent flying off his head, revealing the head of blonde hair he had underneath. After both fighters landed on the ground, Iori kicked Billy as he tried to get up. By now, both fighters were near defeat. However, Billy had one more trick up his sleeve. Billy swung his staff like a golf club, nailing Iori in the jaw. As Iori was sent into the air, Billy darted underneath him, leapt into the air and plunged his staff into Iori's back. Iori landed on his stomach, and didn't get up.
"KO! Billy wins!"
As Iori was dragged off the arena, Vice leapt into the arena, facing the bandana-less Billy. Both fighters were silent until the fight started.
"FIGHT!"
Vice quickly lashed out her arm, and it strangely extended to smack Billy across the face. Billy staggered back, but quickly regained his stance. Billy leapt forward and struck Vice a few times with his staff before landing on his feet. Vice got to her feet and jumped into the air, kicking the air rapidly. Billy didn't have time to block, and was attacked several times. Billy was sent to the floor, and due to his fight with Iori, was too weak to get back up.
"KO! Vice wins!"
As Billy was pulled off the arena, Malon nervously jumped into the arena.
"You ready for the fight of your life, newcomer?" Vice asked with a grin. Malon gulped.
"FIGHT!"
Vice charged at Malon, and suddenly, her hands flashed. Malon smirked. With lightning quick speed, Malon zoomed past Vice as the KOF contestant did her super move to thin air. Malon thrust her fist into Vice's back, sending her to the floor. Vice sprang to her feet, growled at Malon and lashed out her arm, extending it. Malon, knowing what was going to happen, quickly ducked as the attack sailed overhead. Malon quickly dove at Vice, tacking her and knocking her to the ground. Malon threw her fists into Vice's face a few times before allowing Vice to shoot to her feet.
"You're good." Vice said with a slight chuckle. "But I've yet to dish out my new move. I'll finish you off like I did with Ralf Jones in the first fight."
Before Malon had time to react, Vice's robotic eye flashed. Before Malon had time to block, a steady stream of red laser had fired from Vice's eye. Malon was now struggling to stand upright as the laser plowed into her stomach.
"Choi...H-Help me." Malon begged.
"I'm coming, Malon!" Choi said as he charged into the arena.
Choi spun around a few times, attacking Vice with his claws. Because of Choi's interference, Vice's super move stopped, allowing Malon to stand up. As Choi left the arena, Malon charged at Vice, hands outstretched. Malon hit Vice with both her hands, making Vice stagger back.
"It's now or never." Malon thought. "If she does that super move again, I'm toast! I have to finish it first!"
As Vice attempted to regain her stance, Malon's feet flashed. Malon charged forward and grabbed Vice.
"I must do something!" Malon cried as she leapt into the air.
All of Malon's team members stared in astonishment as Malon rapidly kicked Vice in the face, pushing off her face with every kick. When Malon finished, she did a back-flip in the air before landing on her feet. Vice, however, collapsed. This time, the cyborg didn't get back up.
"KO! Malon wins!"
As Iori and K9999 dragged the unconscious Vice off the arena, Brian, the large football player, leapt into the arena, the ground shaking when he landed.
"I may not have fought in almost a decade, but that doesn't mean I can't cream ya!" Brian bellowed as he cocked his head from side to side.
Malon gulped. The fight with Vice had weakened her, and she didn't have a lot of energy left.
"FIGHT!"
Malon charged at Brian, attempting to attack him. However, once Malon had gotten close enough, Brian raised both arms into the air, and brought them down, creating a minor shock wave. The attack had hurt Malon, sending her reeling. As Malon got to her feet, she didn't notice Brian leap into the air and come at her in a flying kick. Malon quickly put her hands out, blocking the attack. Brian, however, was not through. As soon as Brian landed, his shoulder flashed.
Malon's eyes widened when she saw Brian charge at her, shoulder first. Malon tried to block, but it was too late. Brian had plowed his shoulder into her stomach. Several times.
Malon felt a searing pain flowing through her body. As soon as Brian stopped plowing his shoulder into her stomach, Malon flew back twenty feet, landing beside her team.
"KO! Perfect! Brian wins!"
"Malon!" Billy cried as he quickly got down beside her. "Are you alright?"
"Ooooh...Someone get the license number of that truck." Malon said, regaining her consciousness.
Billy chuckled as he turned to Joe. "You're the last one, Joe." He said. "Can you take down Brian?"
Joe laughed. "Of course! Back in 1994, it was MY team who took down Brian's!"
Joe leapt into the arena, facing Brian.
Joe laughed. "You ready for another beating, Brian?"
Brian scoffed. "It won't be like last time."
"FIGHT!"
Brian charged at Joe, attempting a tackle. Joe saw this coming, leapt into the air and slammed his foot onto Brian's forehead, canceling the tackle. Brian quickly grabbed Joe and slammed him into the ground. Joe sprang to his feet, jumped back and lashed out his arm, sending out a typhoon. After Brian recovered from the typhoon, he leapt into the air and landed a flying kick to Joe's face. Joe quickly retaliated with three quick punches to Joe's stomach. Brian jumped back and pointed at Joe.
"K9999! Show Joe what you've got!" Brian said.
"With pleasure!" K9999 said, almost like a gleeful hiss.
K9999 charged into the arena and lashed out his arm as it mutated, expanded and lengthened. Damaged, Joe was sent back a few feet as K9999 left the arena. Brian leapt into the air and came down on Joe. Hard. Joe recoiled in pain as Brian got to his feet.
Joe regained his stance as his fist flashed. Joe lashed out his arm rapidly, sending out a few small typhoons, then an enormous one. Brian was attacked by the small typhoons, and lifted off his feet by the large one. By now, Brian was almost defeated. Joe smirked.
"Hey, Choi! Let's take him out together!" Joe said.
"Works for me!" Choi said.
Choi darted into the arena as Joe leapt behind Brian. While Choi slashed at Brian, Joe's fist flashed. Joe charged forward, punching the air constantly, soon working his way to Brian's head. The combined power of Joe's super move and Choi's claws was too much for Brian to handle. The football player collapsed, defeated.
"KO! Joe wins! Rescuer Team wins!"
The Rescuer Team would've congratulated Joe if they hadn't vanished into thin air.
Malon opened her eyes, and she found herself back in the stadium, where the thousands of fans were screaming and cheering.
"The Rescuer Team is once again given a one hour break before the next fight." The announcer said.
The Rescuer Team left the stadium, back towards their locker room.
Soon, the quartet of Billy, Joe, Malon and Choi arrived back at their locker room. The four fighters sat down, completely exhausted.
"Man! That was almost TOO close!" Malon said as she grabbed a towel and wiped her forehead with it.
"Well, thanks to Joe, we've move on to the finals!" Billy said, slapping Joe on the back.
Suddenly, the team heard a knocking at their door. Choi scurried over to the door and opened it. Standing at the doorway was two figures: A green clad man and a woman with blonde hair.
"Yes?" Choi asked.
"We're looking for Malon." The man said.
Malon's head snapped up instantly, her eyes popping open just as quick. Malon spun her head around to face to two figures at the door. Suddenly, a wide smile spread across her face.
"LINK! ZELDA!" Malon cried as she rushed towards her friends, who immediately took her into their arms.
"Guys, you can't BELIEVE how much I missed you!" Malon sobbed.
"So, this is the 'Link' you've been telling us about?" Billy asked, walking over to the reunited friends.
"Oh...Yes, this is him." Malon said, wiping away her tears. "Link? Zelda? These are my friends."
"Billy Kane." Billy said.
"Joe Higashi." Joe added.
"Choi Bounge." Choi said.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you." Link said.
"Guys?" Malon said to Link and Zelda. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We're moving to Southtown!" Zelda replied. "I convinced my father to let my new little sister inherit the crown instead of me. Link and I left Hyrule last night, ended up in Southtown, and started looking for you."
"You're moving to Suthtown?! That's great! But how'd you know that I ended up in Southtown?" Malon asked.
"Hey, I'm the hero of Time." Link laughed. "I just used my Ocarina to find out where you went."
"That aside, would you mind telling us what you're doing in this odd tournament?" Zelda said.
As quickly as they could, Malon and her team filled Link and Zelda in on what was happening. When they were through, both newlyweds were wide eyed.
"Well, let me say that Zelda and I are cheering for you all the way." Link said. "Malon, we've been watching the tournament since it started, and we've been impressed by your skills."
"I'd say that Billy's sister is as good as saved." Zelda said confidently.
"Well, we'd better get going." Link said. "We'll be in the stands, cheering for you guys."
"Link, I have a better idea." Billy said. "Why don't you and Zelda hang out here? We can get to know you guys better, and you can even watch the finals through the TV over there."
"Hey, that's a great idea!" Joe said.
"I second that!" Choi added.
Link looked over at Zelda, who nodded. Link turned to the Rescuer Team. "Okay. Sounds good."
As Joe and Choi led Link and Zelda into the locker room, Malon looked at Billy.
"Now I'm more confident that ever, Billy." Malon said. "I KNOW we can pull through the finals."
To be continued...
Author's notes: Okay. Almost done. Just the finals match and then the fight with the man at the end. Let's just say that you might be surprised.