"And good morning, contestants and audience. We return to round 2 with our amazing IG-3 competition and things are likely to get heated. Now here are our new brackets based on performance so far. Bracket 1: Team Shining Ice, Team Valkyrie Maidens, Team Darkness Emperors and Team Reformed Society! Bracket 2: Team Rising Risks, Team Steam Machine, Team Undead Party and Team Justice Men! And Bracket 3: Team Demon's Blight, Team Imperial Steam, Team Eastern Warriors and Team Silent Blade!" the announcer said.
"Speaking of… How are they doing, Kirumi?" David said.
"I managed to fully recover them, but they'll have to rebuild their mechs from scratch after the damage that was dealt." Kirumi said.
"Knowing those guys, they'll pull it off." David said.
"You seem calm about this, considering the chance you'll face Team Darkness Emperors." Teba said.
"Let's be honest, that Miasma guy is going to try to decimate whoever his team is up against, anyway. And if it is against me, we can at least stop it before it becomes a streak." David said.
"Don't forget, we're in the same boat." Leonora said.
"At the same time, there could be a chance that we will face each other. If that's the case, I won't expect you to hold anything back." David said.
"Same here." Leonora said.
"Kirumi, you, Raine and the other medics will be on medical duty in case Demon's Blight and Darkness Emperors use their tactics again." David said.
"Understood." Kirumi said.
"Seems we'll have our work cut out for us." Jexi said. "Abby, are you sure you're ready?"
"Of course." Abby said. "More than ready."
"In any case, whoever faces Darkness Emperors will need to be wary. Judging from how he brutalized Steam Machine yesterday, he doesn't seem discriminatory in his methods." Leonora said.
"Yeah. Then again, this is the Darkness Universe we're talking about." Sakura said.
"Indeed. They aren't exactly above using evil methods. Like Shade for one." Gemini said.
"I don't think any of us that were there need a reminder about that." David said.
"Okay! The battle for the first races have been set. Battling is Team Shining Ice vs Team Reformed Society and Team Valkyrie Maidens vs Team Darkness Emperors!" the announcer said.
"I just had to jinx it, didn't I?" Leonora asked.
"No...this could work. We are more skilled than Steam Machine. We could possibly learn their method for defeating their opponents." Teresa said.
"If you believe so." Leonora said.
"Looks like I'm gonna have that match against Cheetah, after all." David said. "And considering who her team could've been facing, they should count themselves lucky."
"Yes. We're dealing with a freezer, a big cat and a walking plant. This is gonna be fun." Mayumi said.
"Well...wish us luck." Leonora said.
"Best of luck against Miasma. You're going to need it." Sectonia said.
"You are all but small stones in my path. You will be swept aside like all the rest." Miasma said. "We go."
"Got it, sir." Ashe said.
"Yes...we race soon." Marx said as the three got into their mechs.
"Miasma always talks about his path. I don't understand how someone like Marx can put up with him." David said.
"Me neither. But I will indeed try and look up information on Miasma for you while the races go on. I'll give you my findings when you finish." Abby said.
"Alright. Good luck on that, Abby." David said.
"Now let's get these races started!" the announcer said as the teams took their tracks. "Okay. Starting the strategy for the first part is Mayumi and Ivy. Other side surveying are Teresa and Marx. And...whoa." the announcer said as the feed for the second race cut out. "We seem to be experiencing technical difficulties like last time, folks."
"Difficulties? Weird. Wait...wasn't Marx the one for this lap the last time too?" Teresa pondered.
"And even stranger is that it's only for his team's races. Something's definitely amiss here." Rinea said. "What is their game?"
"Seems we're almost ready to start our conquest again, sir.' Ashe said.
"Yes. Marx is almost finished...you can start once he returns." Miasma said.
"You flatter me, sir." Ashe said.
It didn't take long before Marx and Teresa returned as the battle lap started.
"Now! Begin, Ashe!" Miasma said.
"Here we go… Everyone, spread out!" Leonora said as the mechs split off in different points.
"Heh. A good strategy...but its not gonna help." Ashe said as compartments on his mech opened. He started to expel the same black smoke from his body as it soon began to exit from his mech and cover the track.
'Smoke? Wait...this was…" Rinea said remembering the smoke Ashe used in the opening ceremonies. "Ashe. He's trying to cover something up!"
"Most likely the beatdown they're about to give us. Get ready, everyone!" Leonora said.
"That's strange." Teresa said. "Marx is sticking to the back...and Ashe is continuing to move forward. Something makes sense. That would leave...Oof!" she said as he mech was slowing down as she saw something. "Leonora. Something's grabbed onto my mech's leg."
"That must be… Quick, get out of there!" Leonora said.
Teresa continued to struggle before a large black claw dipped out of the smoke and grabbed onto her mech. "What in the? It doesn't even look like Miasma's mech!" Teresa said. "Like...some sort of beast."
"A beast?" Leonora pondered. "Wait...Sight." she said as her eyes glowed as she saw through some of the smoke. She saw the beast was coming from the ground as it was connecting to Miasma from his mech. "Ugh. Of course. The smoke wasn't to hide the beatdown. It was to hide the monster in his shadow. Miasma! What is this?"
"Hmm. If you wish to know of my master's ability...then it should shed light on our universe. We use abilities known as curses. Our main ability of fighting. My curse is Black Smoke. I can create an infinite amount of smoke from my body. Marx's is Interference. He doesn't know it, but he can interfere with specific signals...such as TV signals." Ashe said. "As for Master Miasma...his is called Shadow Monsters. Master can create an infinite amount of shadow beasts from his own shadow. All of them ferocious and deadly."
"I see. I get their deal now. Marx is sent out to survey while unknowingly cancelling out the TV signals of the match, then Ashe covers the field in smoke. With Miasma finishing up using his beasts." Rinea said.
"I will win and get what I desire...even if it means destroying all who oppose me." Miasma said.
"That sounds pretty selfish of you. Don't your allies matter at all?" Leonora asked.
"He's even worse than Melchior…" Teresa said.
"I would gladly risk my life for Lord Miasma." Ashe said. "I am his loyal servant."
"Miasma...okay. I...guess I fight….for now?" Marx said looking a bit nervous.
"What's wrong, Marx? You seem uncertain about this." Leonora said.
"I remember this all too well… Miasma treating his allies as mere tools. It's no better than the rise of the Abbey." Teresa said.
"Too bad for you...you shall not see the rest of this race." Miasma said as more beasts pounced from the ground and onto Teresa's mech and dragged it below the smoke.
"Teresa!" Rinea called.
"This is bad, we need to do something!" Leonora said.
"You've run this race far enough." Miasma said as the beasts charged at her now.
"Light!" Leonora shouted in panic as she shined a bright light, causing the beasts to recoil in pain as they growled. "That's right. They're made of shadows so they can't stand light."
"Cursed Valkyrie…!" Ashe said.
"Calm yourself Ashe. Just continue your task." Miasma said.
"Yes master." Ashe said continuing to spread the smoke.
"If we don't do something about this combo, we can definitely kiss our standings in the IG-3 goodbye." Rinea said.
"It can't stand the light, so… I'll hold them off! You two, get going!" Leonora said.
"About that, my lady. I'm afraid my mech's legs are shot. We have no chance." Teresa said.
"Yes we do. Leonora...I'm going to take first. But to do it...I'm going to take out Ashe." Rinea said.
"How are you going to do that?" Teresa asked.
"Rinea… Don't tell me that…" Leonora said. "You still have your witch powers from back then?"
"I was born a witch and I'll continue as such. My power serves you, my lady." Rinea said.
"Very well. Just claim first no matter what!" Leonora said as Rinea sped ahead.
"She will meet your fate. Your magic may be powerful but even it is not continuous." Miasma said as his beasts regrouped.
"That may be true...but it's better than doing nothing." Leonora said as the beasts pounced.
"Fight on with all your glory, young master." Ashe said before seeing Rinea approach. "You!"
"Ashe...this is where you stop!" Rinea shouted.
"I doubt that. Smokescreen!" Ashe said making more smoke that surrounded his mech.
"More smoke? Your tricks won't help this time." Rinea said as her mech started generating fire.
"Fire?" Ashe thought. "Wait...you really don't want to do that."
"And why not?" Rinea said.
"This smoke is incredibly flammable. Ignite it and we both go down." Ashe said.
"It's a risk I'm willing to take, in order to win for Nora." Rinea said.
"Don't you get it? My smoke is covering the entire field. You'll get everyone including your precious Nora. You would live with harming your master?" Ashe said.
"We'll do whatever it takes...to stop you." Rinea said firing into the smoke as it quickly ignited in a chain reaction.
"Damn it!" Ashe shouted as the flames quickly spread across the track quickly leading to Leonora, Miasma and Marx.
"What in the? What has your fool done?" Miasma said.
"Rinea...well played." Leonora smiled.
"Leonora and Rinea...they are good girls." Marx said as the flames hit the three before an explosion was seen.
"Whoa! What the heck was that?" the announcer said as footage returned. "U...unbelievable! It looks like some freak explosion occurred in the opposite track. Not only is Team Valkyrie Maiden all defeated...but so is Team Darkness Emperors! It's a tie!"
"What in the world...Leonora...what happened?" David wondered to himself as he crossed the finish like with Cheetah in close second.
On the field, Rinea and Ashe both were collapsed next to each other.
"I cannot believe this. You took such a life risking move with that. You could have killed your master, you realize that right?" Ashe asked.
"No. I have faith in her. She wouldn't fall easily to something like this. Neither would your teammates." Rinea said.
"Very true. With this loss...our chances of making it to the finals have slimmed." Ashe said.
It wasn't long before the racers returned to the pits.
"I apologize, master." Ashe said.
"It was not your fault. It is mine. I underestimated our opponents. Something that will not happen again." Miasma said.
"They were… fine opponents." Marx said.
"Indeed. Though if we fight again...they will not have it so easy." Miasma said as the three departed.
"Looks like they'll be more wary of the tactics we use on them now." Teresa said.
"Marx… Just...what's going on with you?" Leonora said.
"I've been wondering about that. He doesn't mean to do anything bad, even though he's got that look on his face."David said. "But...I'm more into Miasma. Abby...what have you found out?"
"It took a bit of digging but I found some decent info. Apparently one of the major places in the Darkness Universe is the Dark Kingdom. Ruling it is a single king who has several wives and over 30 children. Miasma is the 3rd prince born in line." Abby said.
"So, he has two older brothers to compete with." Mayumi said.
"Exactly. And given how people in the Darkness Universe tend to be, he's willing to achieve the throne by any means necessary." David said.
"Even if it means winning multiple competitions and...even taking out those in his way." Jexi said.
"The latter part being emphasized. As Nora has reported, he is not above using dirty tactics to achieve victory." Sectonia said.
"I wonder why royalty is in the tournament? Maybe Diablo knew which buttons to push?" Erica asked.
"Or perhaps this was of Miasma's own choice. To further his pursuit of ideals." Jack said.
"Jack may have a point. He says he wants to shroud all worlds in darkness. He wouldn't be interested in this unless he knew that people from different universes would gather here." Aqua said.
"Either way, we lessened his chances for getting to the finals. We just need to keep up the streak." Jexi said.
"That should go for Demon's Blight as soon as we figure out how they operate." David said. "Speaking of which, Graci is in your bracket."
"You gonna be okay dealing with a Succubus, Jexi? You and Jack are susceptible." Hope said.
"Hold your horses there, Hope. We still don't know if they'll be facing them yet." David said.
"The matchups for the next round are in. We will have Team Justice Men vs Team Steam Machine and Team Rising Risks vs Team Undead Party." the announcer said.
"Ugh… Why do I always jinx stuff like this?!" Hope asked.
"Its fine. We can handle it." Jexi said.
"Oh yeah. How have Steam Machine been after their recovery?"David asked.
"They are ready for combat as they say. None of them showing any sign of slowing." Kirumi said. "A full recovery in my experience."
"Nice work, Kirumi. I have a feeling that won't be the only time you'll have to do that." David said.
"No, it will not. A maid's work is never done." Kirumi said.
"Do not worry about Steam Machine. We will not hurt them...but we will redeem ourselves." Heart said posing. "We will rise again!"