Introduction Part I
By Daredevil3181
Hustle and bustle didn't even begin to describe the scene that played out in this formerly desolate field. Where there once was nothing but emptiness and anticipation, there now stood over 60 unique characters, with even more popping in from time to time. Heroes, villains, psychos, robots, hot chicks, and even those who just plain didn't care, this gathering seemed to cover all the angles.
"It's-a good to be back-a, boys and girls!" a little mustachioed man shouted. He frantically hopped around, patting the heads of all the children he saw.
"Who the hell was that?" asked a very shocked Sora.
"Be damned if I know," replied Riku. "But you might want to wash your hair out. You could get rabies."
"I don't think you can get rabies from someone touching you…" began Sora, a little unsure of himself.
"Oh, what would you know? You fight with a damn KEY," shot back Riku.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I'm not cool," said the youth. "I wear black now. I'm full of angst. Chicks dig that."
"Whatever," said Riku, as he rolled his eyes at his old friend.
On the other side of the field, some encounters were going less than favorable.
"Ah, I see you have made it here in one piece, princess," teased a hulking figure.
"It is good to see you too, Ganondorf," said Zelda, making no effort to hide her obvious sarcasm.
"I trust you have brought your shard of the Triforce as well. I can't wait to claim it as my own," the man cackled as he brought his hands to rest on top of the regal woman's shoulders.
Zelda immediately shrugged him off. "I would not plan on anything that outlandish so soon. I still have a few powers you have yet to see. At my prime I am more than a match for you."
"But without that annoying do-gooder elf boy hanging around here, it's only a matter of time…" Ganondorf speculated. At that his hand began to glow with some untold power. In one swift motion he lunged toward the princess' throat.
Zelda immediately activated her diamond shield. She braced herself for the impact and began to think of a retaliatory strategy. But it turned out one was not needed as the warlock's brutish charge was blocked by someone else.
"Still being a complete ass, I see," said Link. "No matter. There's a hole right over there in the ground. I'm sure you two would be great friends. Want me to introduce you?"
"This is none of your concern, BOY," snarled Ganondorf. "And I thought you weren't even fighting this time around?"
"I'm not," answered Link, matter-of-factly. "But it doesn't mean that I can't make sure that the rest of you play fair. That's kind of what being a judge here is all about."
"Just make sure to watch your back," glared Ganondorf at Zelda. "I guarantee you'll get yours."
"And that's why I normally just associate with aliens," stated Samus, as she watched the little drama unfold. "Men can be total jerks."
"Why are you still talking to me, you stupid
bitch!" asked an exasperated Conker. "I told you five minutes
ago that I didn't give a shit what you had to say! Damn broads!"
Despite the openness of the field, people were starting to feel
more and more enclosed as things began to grow heated. There was a
definite spark in the air and tempers were beginning to flare left
and right. With a smile, the spiky blond-haired man looked over at
his eternal adversary.
"Should we do this?" he asked.
"Like Buddhists," replied the long-haired white gentleman. At that he cleared his throat and began to bellow his introductions.
"Welcome, one and all, to the next great Interdimensional Battle Tournament!" boomed Sephiroth. Despite his lithe frame, he could really make his voice carry when he wanted to. Upon his words, a hush fell over the crowd.
"You might all be wondering why you're here," he continued. "And if you keep thinking these thoughts, you might as well save yourself the trouble and go home right now."
"This tournament…" Cloud said, as he picked up where his nemesis had left off. "…is to determine who among you is worthy enough to join our organization. Not only do we value brains, but you also need a considerable amount of brawn as well. Only then can we consider showing you some of our true secrets."
"We are most intrigued by this offer," replied a looming figure, easily 10 times taller than anyone else. "But what if we choose not to compete? Like that's possible."
"You can go home, then," chimed in Link, as he too took his place at the front. "No harm, no foul. But just remember, you'll be missing out on a great opportunity. Tournaments like these don't always come around every day."
"Is that so?" laughed a Japanese man with a headband pulled tight across his forehead. "Sheesh, my whole life is one big tournament it seems."
"Hush, Ryu," whispered the Chinese woman next to him. "At least we don't have to worry about Bison or Akuma running around here."
"So where exactly is 'here' anyways?" asked a gruff military man. "I've seen some weird places, but Shadow Moses and Big Shell don't even begin to compare to this one."
"Glad you asked," replied Sephiroth as he flashed a fake smile. "You're in a major interdimensional nexus. People from all over time and space can gather here without any far-reaching consequences. But don't think that you're the only ones that can come here. We will be entertaining a myriad of guests at any time. The stands will always be full and the audience can come from all over. You'll just never know who will pop up next. Besides, our marketing firm spent a ton of money on promoting this thing. We better see a damn return on our investment. Or else…"
"Whoa, settle down there, spaz," said Cloud, as he put a hand on top of Sephiroth's shoulder. "What ol' Sephy means to say here is that we threw a lot of money into this thing and as a result, a lot of people will be coming here to see the matches. We know you'll put on a good show. Just make sure not to disappoint is all. Besides, all the matches are perfectly safe as Link, Sephiroth, and I will be on hand at all times to act as judges. Losers will be treated by our medical staff and then be sent home as if nothing had happened."
"Sometimes in pieces," snickered Alucard.
"Whichever way is fine for me," chuckled Manny Calavera. "It'll just help me sell some more deluxe travel packages."
"And with that, let's all get to the main event," said Link. "Follow me." The Hylian turned around and motioned for the rest to follow him.
"So the contest is not in this barren field?" questioned the elegant paladin. "Oh, thank heavens!"
"You're new here, aren't you?" asked Tommy Vercetti, rhetorically. "Just stick with me and you'll do fine. I'm no stranger to these silly contests. I never win them, but I do make off with some extra cash, so it suits me just fine."
"Oh, thank you," said Cecil, gratitude evident in his voice. "I can fly to the moon without a problem, but sometimes just walking around I can get a little lost."
"Yeah, whatever," quipped Tommy. 'I wonder how much I can get for his sword and helmet?' the gangster wondered.
The procession of people didn't have to go too far before they finally came to a sprawling cityscape. There were buildings with corporate logos on them, a huge hotel, and off to the side, a giant arena. Heck, there were even tour buses filled with hundreds of screaming fans that drove by every so often.
"Well, I'll be damned," said Vincent. "Sure puts Midgar to shame, right?"
"Hmmm…?" asked Tifa, as her traveling companion's words snapped her out of her trance. "Oh yes, ummmm…what was it you wanted again?"
"Still fawning over him, aren't you?" smiled Vincent. "Just give it a rest, though. Cloud has moved on to bigger and better things now. He can't constantly be concerning himself with you."
"If you say so," the woman sighed. "But I just know he hasn't totally forgotten me in his quest to become stronger. You'll see."
"Want to make a bet on that?" offered the gunman.
"How's 1,000 gil sound?" Tifa proposed, not missing a beat.
"You're on," Vincent said as he shook the woman's hand. "This'll be the easiest money I ever make too."
"So know what?" wondered Leon S. Kennedy aloud. "Do we just fend for ourselves…or what?"
"Relax," Cloud said, as he rolled his eyes. "All accommodations have been taken care of by our good friend Donald Trump. We're staying at this swank hotel. All you need to worry about is your first round match-up. Leave everything else to us."
"OKthanxbye!" someone shouted as a blue blur rushed past the three and into the gorgeous living area.
"Slow down, you crazy hedgehog!" shouted another contender as a red form raced after him. "You're not insured for this!"
'Looks like someone needs to switch to Geico,' thought Joanna Dark.
"Everyone just make yourselves at home," Link said, as he gestured at the hotel. "We'll tell you more about the tournament format in the next few days. For now, just rest and relax."
With that the gathering began slowly moving into the Trump Tower hotel and checking in to their rooms.
The big three looked over the scene for some time before getting bored. Each headed in their own separate direction. While they were all supporting this contest together, only a fool would think that it was only for money. Other more important things took priority.
As soon as the white-haired figure saw that the other two were out of sight, he snuck into a nearby alley. There he was greeted by a cloaked figure.
"Do you think they suspect anything?" the cloaked one asked.
"Those idiots?" laughed Sephiroth. "No way. They'd still have a hard time grasping simple arithmetic if it wasn't for their fingers and toes."
"Splendid. All is going according to plan, then," the figure hissed. "Soon you will have the power you desire and I will have my amusement."
"Indeed," Sephiroth said, coolly. "Indeed."
