Three more entries… The Wario and Alucard based fics are written by Furious J, and the Gordon/Jill based fic is written by StopPokingMe.

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DAY TWENTY-SIX

Wario was sitting around at the cafeteria, flipping his favorite gold coin. Unlike most of the other contestants, he wasn't here to prove himself.  He really didn't care how he placed in the contest, there was only one reason why he was there, and it was the only thing Wario ever cared about. Gold coins.  He hadn't even planned to participate until he'd heard about the tremendous cash prizes, and they were... substantial to say the least. He chuckled to himself, "If all-a goes according to-a plan, I should make-a quite-a the pretty penny."


Although, the fact that he would get a chance to take on his moronic half, Mario, had not eluded him. He knew he couldn't beat him, though lord knows he'd tried, but perhaps he could injure him, so he could be beaten in a subsequent round. Crono caught his eye, and he thought, "If I can just-a hurt Mario, Crono will-a whoop-a Mario's butt-a." Bowser came over and took a seat. While Wario and Bowser weren't what you would call friends they both certainly enjoyed the prospect of Crono's katana finding Mario's skull.  Bowser said, "Wario, you think you'll have any problem getting to Mario."

"Hey look-a who-a you talking to. The day I-a lose to a black-a rat with-a the sneakers is the day I-a give-a all-a my gold to-a the charity."

"Glad, to hear it Wario. Now, I want you to use this..."

Bowser looked around to make sure no one was looking, and then he pulled a small safe out from under his arm. Wario was amazed at how tense the security on the safe was. First, Bowser had to open a ten-pin code, then a fingerprint scan, then voice activation. Suddenly the safe opened. And Bowser took another check to make sure no one was looking and pulled out... a banana peel. Wario's chair went toppling backwards at the sight; even he couldn't believe Bowser was ready to go to such serious lengths to injure Mario.

"What-a do you-a think-a you're-a doing?!?!?!"

"Relax, its not armed."

"You-a want me to-a use that on-a Mario?"

"Hey, I thought you were ready to go all the way, and besides if you use this correctly, maybe you'll even beat Mario. The code is 8-14-53-2-12-36-22-13-1, I already set it to read your voice and finger prints." Bowser said as he gave, the box to Wario.

Wario thought about it for a second and then tucked the safe away into one of the pockets on his purple overalls, "Lets see-a just how good-a Mario is-a."

Bowser got up, and shortly after, so did Wario. He was bored here at the cafeteria, plus, Pac-Man seemed to be on an eating rampage, and he didn't feel like being consumed by a yellow circle today. As he walked out of the cafeteria, who should he run into but Shadow the Hedgehog. Well it was more like Shadow who ran into him, and fast, like really fast. When both warriors came to an hour or so later, there eyes met shortly and then Shadow blasted off. A loud "Hey watch-a wear-a you going!" blaring from Wario's lungs behind him.


Shadow was quite upset at the time, even though he and Sonic had teamed up to defeat Dr. Robotnik and his evil schemes, Shadow had really looked forward to facing him in the tournament. A chance to show that he was in fact, the ultimate life form. However, when the brackets came out he and Sonic had been placed in opposite conferences, meaning he would have to advance to the finals to have any chance of facing and defeating Sonic, and deep down, he had a feeling that even if he did make it there Sonic would not. So, the normally cold and focused Shadow, was upset, brimming with rage, he didn't care about Wario, he didn't care about anyone, except Sonic.

He muttered to himself, "Come to think of it… I would like a shot at those weaklings Knuckles and Tails too."

DAY TWENTY-SEVEN

Darkness Falls

The contestants, who had been bustling about through Nook's, the Arena, the Cafeteria, and other places, slowly returned to the hotel for a long nights sleep to prepare for the difficult battles ahead. All but one....

Alucard awoke.

Having a good day's rest he decided to walk in the moonlight. He transformed into a bat, and flew over to a cliff overlooking the ocean. "It's quite peaceful here. You wouldn't know that in several days, fights to the death would be held in this same area."

He began to prepare for his match ahead, even though it was a long ways away. Who was he fighting... ah yes the Bomber Man, or something of that nature. They said when it came to explosives there was no one better. Suddenly he unleashed an enormous fireball into the ocean. The explosion unleashed a 30-foot high wave onto the rocky shore, a smug grin flew across his face. He smiled as he transformed into a bat and flew back to the hotel.

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3:24 AM

"AAAAH! No!" The scream cut through the otherwise silent night.

In her room, almost by instinct, Jill Valentine leapt from her bed and grabbed her pistol. Oh God, not here too! she thought as she raced out her door. It was nearby, perhaps the next room over. With luck, she could make it in time to save the victim.

Which contestant was in league with the corporation? Which one had brought the virus?

She approached the door to the next room and, hearing nothing, feared the worst. Gun at the ready, she charged and kicked in the door. The thing that surely lurked on the other side would have no time to react. It gave easily.

The last thing the man in the bed was expecting was a woman to come crashing through the door. "Don't shoot!" he yelled, fumbling for his glasses and his gun. She didn't. Jill looked around, confused and still apprehensive.

"I heard a yell from in here. Are you OK?" she asked.

"I'm fine, it's just..."

"Nothing, um, out of the ordinary?" She was still keeping a wary eye on the closet door and the shadows in the far corner.

"No, I..." he stammered. It was hard to admit this, and the fact that his audience was a scantily-clad beautiful woman didn't help. Still, she seemed truly concerned. "I have terrifying nightmares. They seem so impossible, but somewhere they're real. You don't want to know the things I've seen."

It was the last statement that really caught Jill by surprise. Could he also have been a survivor? She decided to approach the subject cautiously. "The name's Jill Valentine. I understand where you're coming from, buddy. All too well. Have you ever heard of Raccoon City?"

"No, never. Oh, I'm Gordon Freeman. You know, I expected you wouldn't be so understanding. The others mostly thought I was crazy."

Perhaps he had seen something else? "I've seen things that make me wish I was. Ever hear of the Umbrella Corporation?"

"Umbrella... yeah, sounds familiar. I think they worked with us as an on-base contractor a few years ago... I don't remember." Freeman had finally found someone here who he could relate to. He pitied the woman.

"I know I can't sleep after I'm reminded of... them. Do you want to go get something to eat?" asked Jill. This Freeman knew something, she was sure of it. He seemed like he was on her side, though. What was he hiding?

"Sure, let me get dressed. I can't either." Jill went back to her room to do the same. They met outside a few minutes later. "You know, everyone here is fighting for something--wealth, power, fame, achieving a dream," said Gordon. "Why are you here?"

"I'll fight because... because the longer I'm here, the longer it is before I have to go back," said Jill. Gordon nodded knowingly.

At this hour, few of the contestants were awake. The two reached the cafeteria, the hollow eyes of the creature Raziel following them from its rooftop perch. Jill opened the door cautiously, out of habit. Once inside, though, neither could find any food. "It's a wonder there's any food here ever, with Pac-Man, Kirby, and Yoshi around," remarked Gordon. Jill smiled at the thought of the innocent creatures. Apparently, some worlds were not like hers at all. "I guess I'll go back to my room..." said Gordon, "unless..."

She had to keep him here, keep him talking. Whatever he knew could be of use--could keep her alive back home. "Let's have a drink," said Jill. Gordon agreed, as she knew he would. He was still rattled. He seemed like the bookish type... "So, tell me more about yourself... do you have a favorite author?"

"Ever read anything by Harry Mason?"

----

The time of the sun was nearing, he grimly landed in his room.

Alucard slept.

The contestants began to awaken, ready for another day of trash talking, sizing up their opponents, shopping for weapons and such, and practice to prepare for the difficult battles ahead. All but one...

Daylight Breaks