(Dome; Autograph Hall)
Most of the fighters present in the tournament were lined up down the long hallway, each one sitting at a table, prepared to sign autographs for any fans that might approach them. People like Ryu and Kyo were getting lines and lines of people, whereas people from the Galaxy Fight and Kizuna Encounter nodes were getting more manageable amounts of people.
Noticing the roughed-up look Heavy D! was sporting, Lucky (sitting two chairs away) raised his eyebrows. "You okay, D!" He asked. "You don't look so good."
"I'm fine. I managed to stop Bison, and that's the main thing." D! sighed.
"That's good, man." Lucky said, flashing a thumbs-up.
"How about your groups?" D! asked. "You guys rescue the kids okay?"
"Yep. Chang managed to snap out of his superhero stint as well." Lucky replied. "He doesn't have any idea on what he's been doing."
"Well, it's good to have him back, to say the least." D! said.
D! and Lucky suddenly noticed an empty seat in between them. "I wonder whose chair that is." Lucky mused.
"That would be mine."
D! and Lucky looked in the direction of the voice and saw Brian walking over with a smirk.
"Brian?" D! and Lucky asked at the same time.
"You entered the tournament?" Lucky asked.
"Heck, yeah. I entered in the last section and made it to he final four." Brian replied as he sat down in between his friends. "I managed to score three eliminations."
"Awesome, man!" D! said. "I hope you showed everyone what the Sports Team is made of."
"You know it."
Sitting a ways away, Chang Koehan was signing a surprising amount of autographs. In fact, he was getting a bigger line than Kim was. Chang never would have thought that was even possible.
Chang noticed a shirt one of his fans was wearing and saw that it was a picture of him wearing a skincap and cape and striking a heroic pose. The words underneath the picture read 'Evil shall fear 'The Koehan'!'.
"You were awesome in the ring!" The fan told Chang.
"Uh…I was?" Chang asked.
"Of course! You were pulling off so many cool moves and kicked the tar out of Lee Chaolan after you were eliminated!"
Chang chuckled. "Uh…Yeah. That's a new 'character' I'm trying." He replied. "Like what those wrestlers nowadays are doing."
"Well, keep it, man!" The fan replied. "That character of yours made me a fan of you!"
Chang remained silent as he signed the autograph. It seemed that whatever happened to him, it had made his fighting talent and popularity increase dramatically. Chang made a mental note to become that strong without getting hit on the head.
Across the hall, the World Heroes gang were getting a small amount of fans. Surprisingly, the one with the longest line of fans was Jack, but the clawed maniac paid it no mind and instead scribbled autograph after autograph.
"Why is he the one with all the fans?" Erik asked.
"Well, he DID tear that Baraka fellow to shreds and won his battle against Ash Crimson." Rasputin pointed out.
Janne suddenly saw that Ryoko was still wearing her Heavy D! fan shirt. "Why are you wearing that, Ryoko?" The French woman asked.
"Because I love D!-san!" Ryoko replied cheerily. "He's done a lot more for me than you might think, Janne."
"Believe her." J. Maxx added.
"I don't have time to give all the details now. Maybe on the trip home." Ryoko said.
Janne shrugged.
Billy Kane, having just been let out of the Recovery Room, walked into the hallway with his broken arm in a cast and sling. He scanned the hallway for a second. "Where's that idiot Higashi?" He asked himself. "I need to know if he saved Lilly."
"Billy!"
Billy, recognizing the voice, spun around and saw Lilly running to him with open arms. Joe and Sodom walked behind her. Billy instantly forgot about his arm and wrapped his good one around his sister.
"Lilly, I'm so glad to see you alright!" Billy said, tears of happiness running down his face. "What happened?"
"Joe saved me, Billy." Lilly replied simply.
"He did?" Billy asked, half surprised.
Billy looked at Joe, whom was rubbing the back of his head nervously. The British fighter walked over to Joe and sighed, sticking his good hand out, surprising Joe.
"It appears that I owe you some thanks." Billy said. "You saved my sister, and for that, I'm grateful."
Joe smiled and shook Billy's hand. "Now do you see that I love her?"
Billy was silent. "Okay. Maybe you aren't as bad a person as I thought you were." He said. "I'll give you a chance with Lilly, but mark my words. You make her cry ONCE and you'll regret it."
"Don't sweat it." Joe chuckled nervously. "I wouldn't DREAM of breaking Lilly's heart."
"You'd better not."
(Dome; Awards Ceremony)
An hour later, most of the fighters in the tournament had gathered inside a huge room. The only obvious exception was Bison, and only a select few knew where he was.
The fighters were suddenly very glad that this was a fighter-only event, because if anyone was allowed to come, no one would have been able to move. In addition to the fighters, the only ones there were the security force and Shadow, Astaroth and Aila. As everyone was walking around the large room, talking, SSBFrea and Unknown1 stepped onto a small stage at the side wall. They pushed a large, steel box on a trolley, and let go of it once they stopped. SSBFreak walked up to one of the two mics and cleared his throat.
"Attention please? Can everyone pay attention?" SSBFreak asked. Everyone quieted down. "Thank you. Now, before I say anything else, I'd like to personally thank each and every one of you for entering this tournament. Even those I personally dislike, but I will not say whom."
"*cough* Lilly Pendragon and Ash Crimson *cough*." Unknown1 muttered.
"Did you say something, Unknown?"
"No. Just a little irritation in the throat." Unknown1 replied. "Please continue."
"Thanks. Now, before we start handing out awards, could you all please look at the screens scattered around the room?" SSBFreak said, pointing to the large screens on the walls. "They will display the elimination counts in just a second."
Everyone watched as these tally sheets appeared on the screen:
8 Eliminations:
RAINBOW MIKA (Lee Chaolan, Shiba, Heavy D!, Toppo, King, Akira Yuki, Lucky Glauber, Peach Toadstool), BILLY KANE (Ness, Wolverine, Joe Higashi, Iori Yagami, Nakoruru, Mewtwo, Chun-Li, Gaira Caffeine)
7 Eliminations:
KING (Borus Redrum, Dee Jay Maximum, Bruce Irvin, Andy Bogard, Ryu, Bryan Fury, Gambit), ROLL (Mukuro, Lau Chan, Gozu, Roomi, Rolf, Choi Bounge, Brian Battler)
6 Eliminations:
BRUCE IRVIN (Sagat, Pichu, Vivian, Yoshi, K', Edge), XIGBAR (Ryofu, Sarah Bryant, Kathy, Rhett, Q, Chung Paihu) KASUMI TODOH (E. Honda, Billy Kane, Raven, Samus, Rimururu, Roll)
5 Eliminations:
HEAVY D! (Moriya Minakata, Nightcrawler, Geddoe, Shen Woo, Fuuma), CHANG KOEHAN (Balrog, Hayate, Baek Doo San, Electro, Spiral), LUCKY GLAUBER (Bao, Setsuna, Guile, Ryo Sakazaki, Mr. Game & Watch), PEACH TOADSTOOL (King Lion, Larcen Tyler, Neinhalt Seiger, Hon-Fu, Kazuma), LUIGI MARIO (Sgt. Joe, Ryoko, Dhalsim, Rolento Shugerg, Jin Kazama), CHUN-LI (Yoshimitsu, Shura, Gordon Boman, Ace, Faust), CAPTAIN FALCON (J. Carn, Blazeman, Leona, Tsugumi Sendo, Jacques)
4 Eliminations:
JUBEI YAGYU (Jack, Robert Garcia, Marrow, Takuma Sakazaki), WATARI (Musafar, Earthquake, Raiden, Ukyo Tachibana), ATHENA ASAMIYA (Okina, Clark Steele, Samus Aran, Brad Burns), LARCEN TYLER (Jin Chonshu, Jigglypuff, Lion Rafale, G. Done) DUCK KING (Mizuki, T. Hawk, Chin Gensai, Shabon), KULA DIAMOND (Benimaru Nikaido, Pikachu, Rainbow Mika, Kung Pow), VENOM (Guy, Kim Sue Il, Elaine, Mai Shiranui), GABBY JAY (Nina Williams, Kyo Kusanagi, Goh Hinogami, Maxima), YURI SAKAZAKI (Kirby, Sandman, Zeus, Wario)
3 Eliminations:
MARIO MARIO (Alvan, Ling Xiaoyu, Maxi), GEDDOE (Sonic, Athena Asamiya, Rouwe) FALCO LOMBARDI (Li Xiangfei, Janne, Nei), LINK (Muscle Power, Hibiki Takane, Genjuro), KAGEMARU (Busuzima, Shingo Yabuki, Hanzo Hattori), WILE E. COYOTE (Joker (S3), Mel, Kim Kaphwan), CECILE (Rasputin, Stormtrooper, Hanzou), GOH HINOGAMI (Dan Hibiki, Kazuya Mishima, Pesmerga), LANDIS (Duck King, Vanessa, Brocken), NESS (Landis, Cecile, Joker (KE)), ACE (Vega, Gabby Jay, Iceman), BLAZEMAN (Terry Bogard, Kim Dragon, Whip), LAU CHAN (Wan-Fu, Sodom, Bowser), KIRBY (Duke, Ralf Jones, Hallec), WARIO (Juan, Rosa, Abyss), ROOMI (Mickey Rogers, Blanka, Mudman), BRIAN BATTLER (Jeffry McWild, Ally Gator, Spiderman)
2 Eliminations:
GALFORD (Hyo Amano, Jacky Bryant), CAMMY WHITE (Ash Crimson, Jin Chonrei), SAMUS ARAN (Pai Chan, Gadget Z), SAKURA KUSANAGO (Erik, Jubei Yagyu), REED (Cody, Asuka Kazama), NEI (Reed, Lei Wulong), TOPPO (Falco Lombardi, Link), GUILE (Franco Bash, Kuma), KOJIROH SANADA (Futch, Roy), LIQUIDATOR (J. Maxx, Wile E. Coyote), RASPUTIN (Mezu, Belle), KUNG POW (Charlotte, Magneto), DONKEY KONG (Rugal Berenstein, Jubilee), JUZOH KANZAKI (Yuber, Gannondorf Dragmire), TERRY BOGARD (Kuruko, Luigi Mario), ZELDA (Venom, Rogue), KATHY (Juzoh Kanzaki, Wolf Hawkfield), MEWTWO (Shinnosuke Kagami, Akuma), RALF JONES (Rico, Zelda), MUKURO (Leo Gallen, Goro Daimon), AXL (Heihachi Mishima, Duraal), JACQUES (Juggernaut, Yuri Sakazaki), RIMURURU (Ryuji Yamazaki, Captain Falcon), SAMUS (Akari Ichijo, Fox McCloud)
1 Elimination:
PAI CHAN (Hwoarang), GADGET Z (Max Eagle), MUSAFAR (Marth), MARROW (Julia Chang), SAGAT (Hugo), JIN CHONREI (Conan), VIVIAN (Cammy White), CLARK STEELE (Queen), RAIDEN (Percival Fraulein), SONIC (Galford), CAPTAIN KIDD (Sakura Kusanago), NIGHTCRAWLER (Lilly Pendragon), SCORPION (Basara), DEE JAY MAXIMUM (Mario Mario), JANNE (Watari), RYU (Scorpion), LION RAFALE (Lucia), BUSUZIMA (Seth), SHIBA (Chang Koehan), G. DONE (Kagemaru), J. MAXX (M. Bison), AKIRA YUKI (Fred Maximillion), PIKACHU (Liquidator), PEGGI (Kojiroh Sanada), STORMTROOPER (Silver Samurai), T. HAWK (Steve Fox), CHARLOTTE (Kaede), RYOKO (Hinako), KAZUYA MISHIMA (Peggi), DAN HIBIKI (Geese Howard), SHABON (Haohmaru), KEN MASTERS (Kula Diamond), ROLENTO SHUGERG (Donkey Kong), JIN KAZAMA (Ken Masters), VEGA (Chris Lightfellow), WOLF HAWKFIELD (Gunter), ICEMAN (Duo Lon), Q (Yuki), AKUMA (Jack-5), SANDMAN (Xigbar), BOWSER (Wolfgang Krauser), ROSA (Sie Kensou), RYUJI YAMAZAKI (Abubo), ICE CLIMBERS (Shigen Naoe), ALLY GATOR (Axl), FOX MCCLOUD (Karin), SPIDERMAN (Blue Mary Ryan), CHOI BOUNGE (Ice Climbers)
After giving everyone time to read the stats, Unknown1 spoke up. "And now, if we may have your attention again?" Everyone looked at the two announcers. "Before we present Miss Todoh with her trophy, we'd like to present several fighters with a few smaller awards."
SSBFreak opened up the steel box and pulled out a tray of medals and small trophies. "These may not be as big as the main trophy, but they're still noteworthy. So here they are: Our 'Honourable Mentions'."
Tough Luck: Roll, our runner-up. She may have been close to winning, but at least she can leave knowing she scored more eliminations than the winner.
The Best of the Bunch: Billy Kane and R. Mika. These two scored more eliminations than anyone else in the tournament.
Rosa, the Killer Kizuna: Rosa was the only one in her node to get an elimination. Well, at least they aren't going away empty-handed.
Surprise of the Night: The Galaxy Fight node. They managed to score FIVE eliminations.
Thank the Comeback Kid: If it wasn't for Bruce, the Tekken node would have had LESS eliminations than the Galaxy Fight node.
Big-Guy Slayer: Watari. Three of his four eliminations were on Big Guys.
Mystery Mayhem: While a handful of them got eliminated pretty easily, the majority of the Mystery Fighters did fairly well in the ring.
Shocking Mystery Moment: Gabby Jay's success. Need we say more?
UVR History: Kasumi marks the first time in ANY UVR spinoff (that SSBFreak is aware of) that a female has won the tournament.
Success Streak: The World Heroes node showed a surprising amount of success, although only a few of them scored survived a section. Rasputin (with 2 eliminations) is the MVP.
After the awards were handed out, SSBFreak reached further into the steel box. Unknown1 continued to announce. "And now, would Kasumi Todoh please step onto the stage?"
Kasumi obeyed and stepped onto the small stage with the two announcers.
"Kasumi, as the first-ever winner of the Megamix Tournament, SSBFreak and I would like to present you with this." Unknown1 said, waving his hand in the direction SSBFreak was in.
Everyone watched as SSBFreak pulled a golden trophy about the size of Choi Bounge out of the steel box, holding it in his hands. The trophy had two small undeterminable figures perched on top, punching at each other. The tournament logo was below the figures, on the wooden part of the trophy and Kasumi saw her name imprinted on the base.
Seeing Kasumi eye the trophy in awe, Unknown1 chuckled. "Go ahead and take it, Kasumi. It's all yours, and believe us, you deserve it."
Kasumi slowly stepped forward and accepted the trophy. She slowly turned to the mic, knowing that she had to make a speech now.
"Well…What can I say? This is absolutely amazing." Kasumi said, a bit at loss for words. "I don't even know if I'm even worthy to accept this trophy, because there were many more-talented fighters that got eliminated before I even entered. I feel honoured to be standing here now, and my only wish is that my father, wherever he is, is proud of me, too. I hope to see all of you back here next year, because I think we'd have a spectacular tournament, just like this one." Taking a deep breath, Kasumi continued. "I don't know what else there is to say except that I respect the skills of a lot of people here. I sure hope I can have the honour of meeting you all again. Once again, thank you."
The others erupted in cheers for the blue-haired girl as she started walking off the stage. However, before she got very far, she rushed back over to the mic.
"Uh…And Mr. Kane? I hope you can forgive me for breaking your arm." Kasumi said. "It was honestly, truly an accident and I swear I never wanted to do it in the first place."
In the crowd, Billy chuckled as Kasumi left the stage for real. For some odd reason, he just didn't feel mad anymore. Maybe it was because his sister was safe and sound. He didn't have time to think any more, because SSBFreak approached the mic again.
"Once again, we thank you all for participating." SSBFreak said. "I hope to do another tournament next year, so keep your eyes peeled for more invitations. Thank you and have a safe trip back to your home nodes, wherever they may be."
(Nodal Train Station)
The nodal trains were a thing to behold. Each of the trains in VG Central traveled through wormholes attached to the tracks, causing node-jumping. This was the main source of transportation for anyone whom was returning from vacation or, in this case, returning from a fighting tournament.
There were many trains scattered around, and all of the fighters were stepping onto the trains to get back home.
"So you mean that our son was kidnapped and I didn't even know it?" Ken Masters asked his wife Eliza as they were preparing to get onto the train to take them home.
Eliza sighed. "Yes, dear. Thankfully, the security force found him before anything happened." She replied.
"You threatened them, didn't you?"
"Oh, yeah."
Mel, in the meantime, watched the Suikoden train. He saw Musafar and Belle pushing a still-malfunctioning Gadget Z into the train.
"KHAAAAAAAAAAAANNNN!" Gadget Z screamed as he was shoved into the train.
Musafar saluted Belle and walked off to join the Galaxy Fight crew on their train.
"I wonder what caused that robot to malfunction in the first place?" Mel mused.
"Well, that group comes from a time where machines weren't exactly built properly." Ken reasoned. "I mean, honestly. That thing is made out of a barrel."
"Well, let's get on the train and head back home." Eliza said. "We need to get back before Mel's bedtime."
"Aw, mom!" Mel whined.
"Masters..." A cold voice said.
Ken turned around and saw the cold glares of K' and Maxima. Seeing Kula with K' made Ken remember his cheap trick for eliminating her.
"I believe you owe Kula for the elimination." K' said.
"Honey, let's get on the train." Ken said, rushing into the train.
"What's going on?" Eliza asked as she flew into the train after her husband with Mel. The doors closed behind them, shutting K's team out.
Meanwhile, at the KOF train, Choi Bounge saw that his big buddy Chang was in deep thought. "Hey, Chang? What's bothering you?" The small man asked.
"Choi, was I REALLY that good a fighter when I was that superhero?" Chang asked.
"Well…Yeah. I mean, you DID get five eliminations." Choi said. "And from what the Sports Team told me, you helped take down Bison and rescue some kidnapped kids."
"I did, huh?"
"Uh…Mr. Koehan?"
Chang and Choi looked and saw Junior Maximum coming over with his father, J. Maxx. "What's up, kid?" Chang asked.
"Mr. Koehan, I wanted to personally thank you for sticking up for me in that hallway." Junior said. "While I may have been captured soon after that, you were very brave then and I wanted to show my appreciation."
"Really?" Chang asked, surprised. He remembered the kid. He had met him just before fighting Valgas (whom ultimately sent him onto his superhero rage). "Well, that's nice, kid. But I really don't think that's necessary. I mean, I was just doing the right thing."
"Mr. Koehan, I insist." Junior said, holding out a home-made necklace with a long tooth hanging in the middle. "I found this tooth when my dad took me to Africa. I want you to have it."
Chang stood in silence before slowly accepting the gift. "Well, thanks, kid." Chang said. "I really don't know what to say."
Junior smiled. "Just say that we'll see you again next year."
Chang smiled back. "You can count on it."
J. Maxx stepped forward. "I also wanted to thank you, my friend. Your deed means a lot to me." He held out his hand, which Chang shook. "I also hope to see you next year."
After bidding them farewell, J. Maxx and Junior went back over to the train for the World Heroes gang.
Choi looked up at Chang and smirked. "See, buddy?" He asked. "You've got a lot of fans now. Don't feel so down that you don't remember anything."
With that, Choi stepped onto the train, leaving Chang standing outside. Chang looked at the necklace Junior had given him, back at Junior's retreating figure and into his open backpack, where his superhero mask and cape were secretly stashed.
Thinking of everything he had accomplished, Chang nodded once in thought and spoke one sentence before stepping onto the train.
"I will not rest until 'The Koehan' is back forever."
Over on another part of the huge train platform, Billy and Joe watched as Lilly said goodbye to the Fallout Shelter gang and rushed over to meet them. Because she wasn't allowed into the awards ceremony, Lilly had gone to the restaurant with the TFS crew, whom were going to meet Blazeman at the train station as well.
"Sorry about that." Lilly said.
"No harm done." Billy shrugged. "The train isn't leaving until we're all on it."
"You like that gang, eh?" Joe asked.
"Yeah. They're all a good bunch of people." Lilly said. "I'd like to visit this 'Fallout Shelter' sometime."
Billy chuckled. "Maybe when Geese gives me my Christmas vacation." He put his good arm around Lilly's shoulder. "Come on, sis. Let's go home."
"Remember the deal, Billy." Lilly reminded as Joe followed them into the train, carrying Billy's staff for him. "You would give Joe a chance and let him date me once without interfering."
"I know, Lilly." Billy nodded as the doors closed behind them. "Higashi…Er…I mean 'Joe'…Has proven to me that he truly does love you, and I owe it to him for saving your life."
Lilly smiled warmly. "Thanks, big brother."
Soon, almost all of the trains had gone. Only four remained: Sonic the Hedgehog, Soul Caliber, Suikoden 3 and an unknown location. Four figures stood on the platform, talking one last time.
"Guys, before I go, I wanted to thank you all for helping out in the Sound Booth." SSBFreak said. "You guys helped us a lot more than you might think."
"Hey. We had a good time." Shadow said. "We'd do it all again if given the chance."
"That's actually what I wanted to ask you." SSBFreak added. "I'd like you guys to come back next year and run the Sound Booth again."
Aila's eyes widened. "You mean it?" She asked excitedly.
"Of course." SSBFreak nodded. "It's the very least I can do for you guys helping our ratings with your song changes."
"Well, we'll be sure to come!" Astaroth said, for once excited about something that didn't involve killing.
"That's good to hear." SSBFreak nodded with a smile. "I'll see you guys next year."
With that, SSBFreak turned around and waked towards the train bound for the his home world. The three others said their goodbyes and got onto their respective trains as well. After SSBFreak was on his train, the doors closed behind him and the train was off. It traveled for about fifty feet before vanishing into a wormhole.
(Nodal Train)
As the train flew through the void-like wormhole, the people on board were talking about what had happened in the tournament. While everyone else was talking, SSBFreak sat on a nearby bench, scribbling down a few ideas for next year's tournament.
A smile came onto the blonde man's face.
"Next year is going to be fun."