A/N: Tournament is still going. Furizlor's exposed as a cheater and Brunhilde decides to take him on. And what about Metalla X's involvement in this?
This chapter will include a few intermission scenes, especially a new scene I never originally showed in Battle Supremacy.
Anyway, enjoy!
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Digimon Fusion Ascendancy
Act IV: Battle Supremacy
Chapter XXXIII: The Heated Inferno, Enter Metalla X
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Unknown Sector of the Digiverse/Nameless Planet/Digiversal Arena
(Cue Hunter x Hunter OST - Scariness)
In the fighter's area, BlazeGallantmon split back into Takato and Guilmon. Takato looked at Tai with a serious expression.
"Guess you're going back in, Tai," he said.
Tai was shocked.
"Look we know what's at stake. It's better you go back in than me. I'll get my chance at a good fight someday."
Kensuke sighed. "For the record, I'm still going last."
"Max, I'm sorry what happened with me out there," Takato sighed shamefully. "You're probably disappointed."
"I'm not. That jerk cheated you out of your victory. You're still a winner in our eyes," Max said. "Don't worry, now that Tai's back in, we have him, Kensuke, Matt, and Kotori."
Takato clenched his fists. "And besides, I would never settle on a disqualification win. I want to win fair and square like a true champion would!"
"That's the spirit, Takato," Guilmon agreed with his Tamer.
"C'mon, Kotori! Take this cheating jerk down!" Takato cheered her on.
Furizlor chortled haughtily at his fresh opponent. "Oh please, a woman? I'm shaking." He mocked as he flexed his arm with the poison needle on it.
"You'll be doing more than that after I knock your cheating ass out." She threatened him back with a glare. Not taking any chances, Brunhilde turned Dai-Valkyrie mode.
The referee threatened. "Furizlor, I will disqualify you if you use that again!"
Furizlor waved it off. "She's already consented to allow me to use it."
"Fine! Contestants Brunhilde and Furizlor ready?! Begin!"
(End theme)
Once the bell gonged, Furizlor ran forward after the referee reluctantly started the match.
"You won't be able to do anything once I..." Suddenly, he got cut off when Dai-Valkyrie Brunhilde rushed him. Her right arm was imbued with blue fire. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"
BANG!
Just like that, Furizlor went flying into the air and crash landed outside the ring unconscious.
(Cue One Punch Man OST - [S])
"Contestant Furizlor is out of bounds! Match goes to Brunhilde!"
"For the record, I held back. That cheating prick wasn't worth going all out on." She grunted, turning off her blue flames.
"Dang she punked him out!" Tike said impressed.
Keke smiled at this. "At least she kept her word, and now Tai's back in at least."
Max heard Tike, Kara, and David's loud cheering. He also overheard Keke's optimistic take on their situation with a smile.
"AW YEAH! DIGIVERSE 7 WINS!" Kazu and Guardromon hollered.
"Great showing, Kotori!" Himura cheered his ex.
"Yes, that'll show that cheater!" Jeri clapped.
"Nice hit, Kotori!" Philippe called out, happy for his cousin.
After Brunhilde cold clocks Furizlor with one punch, Sasha jumps out of her shouting.
"HELL YEAH!" Sasha screamed at the top of her lungs, causing her friends, particularly Philippe.
Philippe and the others gawked at Sasha, who blushed and propped back in her seat.
Sasha squeaked. "Whoops sorry."
Philippe chuckled, patting her shoulder. "You're coming out of your shell more, Sasha. And this is without Skuld pestering you to do so, right?"
"Yeah… thanks, I guess," Sasha muttered, trying to hide her blush. "I just got excited Kotori won."
"Hey, we're all excited she won. Don't feel embarrassed," Inumon said.
Terriermon snickered. "Not so shy anymore, ain't ya, Sasha?"
"Yeah, shame that Takato can't get another shot though." Rika said in a pissed tone.
"It is a shame," Sailor Mars concurred with Rika.
"But at least that jerk is out of the game!" Sailor Moon said.
"And likely out for the rest of the event," Tuxedo Kamen said, cringing over Brunhilde's one punch knockout.
"Yeah, that's the way, Kotori!" Lyn stood up, yelling out to her. "That'll show that jerkass who's boss!"
Seto stayed seated as his wife raved and ranted like crazy. "Just go nuts, honey. Like I'd ever stop you."
"A'ight, we're back in the game!" Joey pumped his fist up.
"And it took Kotori to turn things around for us," Tea added.
"She's my kind of girl! Nice one shot, hun!" Mai yelled out.
"And now we've tied up with Digiverse 6," BanchoLeomon conversed with the Digidestined and the D3s.
"Yeah, and Tai's back in so I'm liking our chances now!" Mimi said.
"But we know nothing about our other opponents," Pikkan said, observing Magettamon, Xander, and Hit. That purple warrior is someone to look out for.
"Not to mention that Xander guy is an Ascendant!" Kara said.
"I wonder if he can go super like we can?" David speculated.
"I guess we'll find out, won't we?" Sora said.
"Yeah, that Xander guy does have me curious," Dorothy added.
(End theme)
Champamon growled at this development. "Fine, you fools want fire? I'll fight hard with fire. Magettamon get in there!"
The large metallic robot drank from a metallic cup containing what looked like lava. He finished and hopped down into the ring.
"Fire vs. Fire? I'd say Kotori's got this." Sasha said confident for her leader.
Philippe nodded. "Yeah, of course she'll win this, Sasha. I mean, she saved our world from Loki, Mist, and the Lokar! She went to great lengths bringing my soul back and together we stopped Second Ragnarok!"
As Magettamon walked into the ring's center, Dai-Valkyrie Brunhilde looked up at him with a stumped look.
"Who let the Iron Giant in here?" She sardonically asked.
"Dunno, but don't underestimate him," MetalSeadramon advised her.
Magettamon grunted, pounding his chest a few times as steam puffed out of him.
Brunhilde's puzzled look shifted to serious mode. Ok, let's recap, Kotori. You beat Loki with Ymir's armor. Beat both Mist and Grimhilde's asses after they put on that armor. And just beat my crazy fascist counterpart. You've got a sound track record. Beating Iron Giant here should be a cakewalk!
"Contestants Brunhilde and Magettamon begin!" The referee signaled for them to start.
(Cue Sailor Moon Crystal OST - Daimon)
Both immediately lashed out with fire and lava, but when the two attacks collided it exploded nearly sending the flames and lava into the audience.
"Holy crap that nearly hit us!" Inumon yelled out.
"Kotori! Don't put out too much of your flames!" Himura cried out.
Beerusmon sighed and stood up. "Perhaps we need a barrier to contain this fight? After all, we wouldn't want the audience getting fired now would we, brother?"
Champamon wanted to retort but Vadosmon nodded at this.
"He has a point, here I'll make one."
However as she did this and also made sure the referee left the ring as well, Ken, Slade, and several others went on alert.
They're not serious are they?! Why didn't they just put a barrier around the crowd? Kensuke thought.
Slade caught this. I don't know, but I'm impressed you caught what's just happened. Kotori's chances of winning this match just dropped a lot!
'This may be more challenging for Kotori than we think due to that barrier.' The Houou informed Mars.
Mars responded urgently. You're right! Fire cuts off air… and that barrier Vadosmon is putting up seems to be quite sturdy!
"This will make fighting much better since I don't have to worry about cutting loose." Brunhilde approved as she launched another blast of blue fire at Magettamon hitting him dead on.
However to her shock as well as the crowds, it didn't seem to do all that much damage.
The Valkyrie gaped in aghast. "What in the…?!"
"Ha!" Champamon called out jumping from his seat. "Magettamon's body is made by a special form of chrome digizoid capable of withstanding even the toughest heat while containing the lava inside him! You can't beat him with fire alone, woman."
Brunhilde was shocked by this; enough to where Magettamon fired lava from his mouth almost hitting her, but she dodged at the last second.
I'll have to go physical then if I want to win this… why do I feel so hot though? Sure enough she was beginning to sweat from the building heat.
"Kotori!" MetalSeadramon dramatically yelled out for his Tamer.
"Kotori!" Philippe noticed his cousin's dilemma.
"That stupid girl's going to get herself killed!" Metalla X berated the Valkyrie.
"Oh crap, that barrier's just given her a disadvantage!" Omega X said apprehensively.
"Congratulations, Beerusmon. You just fucked your own fighter." Slade said irking him.
"What do you mean?!"
Slade pointed out as the others began to see it as well.
Dai-Valkyrie Brunhilde was able to dodge Magettamon's lava, but that was all she could relatively do as any strike she got in didn't seem to work. Her sweating increased.
"You allowed a barrier to surround the ring cutting off air from outside! Humans need air in order to breathe! That robot doesn't. Combine the fact they're both using attacks that generate heat..."
Omega X realised what this meant. "She's going too..." He turned to the ring. "KOTORI WITHDRAW!"
Everyone on the Digiverse 7 side grew more apprehensive about Brunhilde's scary situation.
"You heard him! Please just pull out, cousin!" Philippe pleaded to her.
"Winning isn't worth this trouble!" Jeri said.
Brunhilde looked back with a shocked face. "Are you kidding me?! I've got this!" She stood ready to fight, but she was now panting and sweating more profusely.
"No, you don't!" Kensuke yelled out. "You can't win this fight under these conditions!"
Magettamon tried to take advantage of her being distracted, but she hopped and kicked him down to the ring floor, but he quickly got back up.
"Just pull out, Kotori! This is getting too dangerous!" MetalSeadramon begged his Tamer to withdraw.
"See I can handle this!" She called back confidently, but it was becoming clear to others, especially as the heat began to go through the barrier. Despite the flames being contained within, her chances of victory were dimming.
"KOTORI!" Philippe, Sasha, Himura, Jeri, and MetalSeadramon yelled out concerned as she lunged at Magettamon again.
(End theme)
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - An Antagonistic Battle)
Things were only getting worse for Brunhilde as time went on. The intensifying fire wasn't helping.
"She's being too stubborn!" MetalSeadramon complained. Although he wanted to enter, the temperature wouldn't allow him, as by this point the heat was affecting even the crowd.
"Why won't she concede?!" Keke asked concerned.
Himura growled. "Her pride obviously..." He paled as the flames intensified.
Dai-Valkyrie Brunhilde's body was getting sluggish due to her air supply being cut off.
I can't lose to something like this…! Not after all I've done, how far I've come! She thought before summoning more blue fire which she put into an intense blast that managed to knock Magettamon over, but it wasn't long before he got back up.
"What did I just say woman?! You can't beat him with fire!" Champamon taunted.
Philippe had enough. "KOTORI!" He yelled standing up from his seat. "If you don't surrender, I'm going to make you!" This shocked everyone.
"What are you talking about?!" Brunhilde snapped back while staggering back from the heat. At this point it was clear she had heatstroke. She panted hard, trying to breath, but was losing oxygen. It's times like this I wish I absorbed that Moon Force Crystal and turned my body into a goddess… having no oxygen wouldn't be a problem! I could've won this, but that's neither here nor there! Shit, I'm fu-! She remembered her crystal lost most of its potency after her battle with Dea Mist, losing access to her Silver Valkyrie powers.
"I'm going to enter the ring and make you stop!"
People looked at him like he was crazed.
"He's not serious, is he?!" Omega X asked shocked at Philippe's behavior.
"If he runs in there now, the heat will combust his body into pieces." Whismon noted. "Why would he do something so foolish?"
"Because Kotori is his cousin, and she's too stubborn to quit." Kensuke responded.
Sure enough after Magettamon knocked her down with a hard punch, Philippe started running towards the ring.
"Philippe!" Jaguarmon called to him. As she got close, the heat drove her back. "Please get out of there!"
"STOP!" Sasha and Himura called out to him, but given his super speed no one could stop him, not even Hiei, but right as he prepared to leap into the ring, Brunhilde finally fell forward.
"ALL RIGHT! I for..." However she hit the ground before she could finish, this stopped Philippe who stopped as well, allowing Himura and Hiei to grab him.
However, the referee who had vacated the area due to the heat did not hear Brunhilde's declaration. Due to this, Magettamon prepared to punch her again, but right before his fist could connect.
"Magettamon stop!" Vadosmon called out. "You've won!"
(End theme)
Magettamon stopped and turned to look at her, but then looked around as she pointed back at the Digiverse 7 fighters. Omega X had his hands set up for a Terra Beam. Kensuke had become Tsukuyomimon and had his Miracle Kindness Cannon pointed out, too.
"If you had landed that punch just now, they would've blown you away. Put her out of the ring!"
Magettamon complied and dropped Dai-Valkyrie Brunhilde out of the ring. The referee saw this from his vantage point.
"Contestant Brunhilde is out! Magettamon is the winner!"
Champamon cheered at this. Tsukuyomimon used his Instant Movement to collect Brunhilde quickly and got her out of the heat. He brought her to the others. As he set her down, Brunhilde turned back into Kotori.
"Told you! You can't beat our team in a fire battle!" Champamon taunted as most checked on Kotori.
Kensuke returned to the fighter's area.
"Kotori!" Takato and Guilmon called out as they raced over to see her.
MetalSeadramon hung his head. His eyes teared up seeing Kotori's condition.
"That stupid barrier costed her! If only that hadn't been put up, she would've had a better chance." Slade muttered.
Metalla X overheard him and smirked a bit looking at the barrier as if he knew what needed to be done.
"Kotori, please wake up!" Takato shook her, trying to revive her.
"Let me handle this," MetalSeadramon prepared to wake her with a gentle water blast, but Omega X stopped him.
"That won't be necessary, MetalSeadramon," Omega X said as Kotori started stirring.
"Kotori!" Philippe called out as Whismon produced a stretcher for Omega X to put Kotori on.
Members of the audience still gossiped and worried over Kotori's condition following the scary turn of events.
"I can't imagine how Philippe and Himura must be feeling right about now," Jeri muttered worryingly.
"Ugh just what was Beerusmon thinking?! He put our friend at risk!" Rika ranted. "And now we're down another fighter!"
Renamon nodded. "Yes, not exactly Beerusmon's best decision."
Inumon watched Himura leave. "Hey, wait up! Renamon, make sure no one takes my seat."
"You needn't worry," the yellow vulpine replied.
"Kotori really should've conceded," Lyn commented. "I get she's stubborn, but there's no harm giving up."
"But it didn't sound like the referee heard Kotori," Tea added.
"You're right. With all that was going on and the flames surrounding the ring, the referee wisely avoided getting caught in the crossfires," Yugi stated.
"Tell me, Kaiba. What would you've been your call?" Mai asked the KaibaCorp CEO.
"Stopped the match, what else?" Kaiba replied plainly.
"Yeah right, like I'd believe that," scoffed Joey.
"He actually would, Joey," Lyn interjected.
"Either way, Kotori was put in a bad situation," Sailor Mars spoke up. "And this is not right."
"I hope she'll recover quickly," Sailor Moon said.
"I wouldn't worry," Sasha said. "Us Valkyries self heal very quickly. She'll be back on her feet sooner than you think."
"That's no lie," Henry said. "I mean, Kotori recovered pretty well after her fights with Loki and Mist."
Rika nodded. "I envy her. I wish I had her ridonkulous levels of toughness."
Mimi sighed. "That poor girl. I hope she'll be ok."
Izzy added. "If what her friends say about her is true, she should recover."
"I really don't see how. I mean, she nearly got burned to crisp," the Bearer of Sincerity had her doubts.
"Well, even getting burned, we saw how she was able to resist the intense heat," BanchoLeomon said. "And even if takes her a while to recovery, I believe some of her friends are healers."
"So who's going in next?" Kensuke asked.
Metalla X growled. "I am."
Omega X, however, was skeptical. "Shouldn't you wait for the heat to drop back down?"
Metalla X hardly showed concern. "I can handle a little heat."
This only irked Tsukuyomimon. I don't recall him being this arrogant. Could Yamakins be trying to come back out?
"Well, looks like Matt is going in next," Sora pointed out to Metalla X descending near the ring.
"Be careful, dad," Keke murmured.
Athena clamped her hands. "Please beat him, grandpa Matt."
Dimitri frowned. "Don't let your guard down, father."
"Contestants Metalla X has entered! Both combatants ready… and please don't burn the whole place up. Begin!"
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Inescapable Fear)
Metalla X entered the barrier and began expanding his energy to the point where it exploded the barrier into glass shards, The end result sent them flying all over the place. Thankfully most in the crowd were unharmed, but those in the fighter areas had to dodge or block the glass. Hit the Hitmon barely flinched as he caught a shard between two fingers like it was nothing. While this did release the heat, it didn't take long for it to cool down as it was no longer contained in a single area.
"Vadosmon, why did you make such a weak barrier?" Champamon asked.
"Well to be fair it was only for the fire contestants. Now that there's only one left it shouldn't be a problem."
Champamon sighed and wanted to facepalm but didn't.
"Matt, you dummy what do you think you're doing!?" Mimi snapped at him.
However, the next thing he did triggered some reactions from the crowd and Omega X as he took a familiar stance and thrust his arms out, powering up at the same time.
"Father are you crazy?!" Dimitri yelled out. "You're really going for that move in here!?"
Metalla X didn't hear him as he started charging up energy.
"What is he doing?!" Mars wondered out loud.
'A very powerful attack is coming. That much I know for sure.' The Houou pathed to her as Metalla X charged up to the point where his energy started flowing all over the planet they were on.
(End theme)
Omega X, Takato & Guilmon, and Xander were amazed by this output of strength. Tsukuyomimon and Slade, however, had different opinions as Magettamon's own aura started flaring up and he beat his chest to show he wasn't intimidated.
"He's going to nuke the ring." Tsukuyomimon muttered.
"Assuming Mr. Roboto doesn't fold first, Ken," Slade responded as Metalla X unleashed Final Blaze.
(Cue One Punch Man OST - Smash an Enemy)
As he let loose, he fired off a huge amount of yellow energy towards Magettamon, who counter fired with a beam of lava. However, when the two moves struck each other, the energy tore through the lava stream impacting against Magettamon's face. He was still producing enough lava to keep the attack at bay.
"What in the hell is that thing made of?!" Yusuke asked shocked.
"A powerful metal alloy unknown to us?" Hiei wondered the same.
Nearly everyone else were flabbergasted not just with Metalla X's move, but the fact Magettamon was blocking it.
Tike analyzed. "Wow this guy must be tougher than Virus!"
David spat out. "It blew half his body off from what I remember!"
"That's cause Virus took the move head on without blocking because he wanted to prove how tough he was. This robot countered an opposing move and thus slowed down the Final Blaze a bit, but it's not over." Dimitri assessed the fight.
Sure enough Magettamon was getting dizzy trying to keep the Final Blaze back.
"Keep going grandpa Matt!" Athena cheered out.
"Just a bit more and he'll be out!" Mimi cheered as well.
An explosion soon occurred and Magettamon was left reeling. Metalla X came rushing in for a punch. Magettamon regained his composure and lifted his arms to block.
"This is the end!" Metalla X yelled out as punched Magettamon hard. "YOU PIECE OF METAL JUNK!"
This statement caused Magettamon to lose his composure and thus his footing. Metalla X hit him so hard he tore out a good chunk of the ring to punch the robot to the floor. Champamon's smug demeanor was gone, replaced by pure shock shared by several members of the crowd as Magettamon crashed onto the floor. Eyes bulged wide open as the referee came to check on him.
"Contestant Magettamon is out! Metalla X wins!" He called out as Metalla X powered down and returned to the fighter's area.
(End theme)
"Well, I didn't see that coming," Varuna sardonically said.
"It's not that he won that was predictable, it's how he won," Orcus noticed. "It is just me or did it sound like Magettamon froze after Matt insulted him."
"Come to think of it, you're right!" Eris pointed out.
"It's so stupid, it actually worked?" Sedna balked at this outcome.
"Genius move, father," Dimitri sarcastically muttered.
"Give me some water." Metalla X demanded.
Whismon produced a vial of it which he drank.
"What happened to not worrying about the heat?" Tsukuyomimon asked.
Metalla X growled. "Shut up." He continued drinking as Whismon sighed.
"Was it really necessary to go so far?" Whismon asked.
This inquiry confused the three fighters until they saw Botamomon trying to comfort a crying Magettamon.
"What's up with him?" Tsukuyomimon asked.
"Being a Metal Man, he's very sensitive to his appearance, insults like the one Metalla X gave him can all but crush his fighting spirit."
Most in the crowd facefaulted at this development.
"So, I was right!" Sailor Orcus cried out. "That poor robot!"
Guardromon wanted to tear up. "I know exactly how he feels! Even us machines have feelings, too!"
Kazu patted Guardromon's shoulder. "It's ok to be sensitive, dude."
"But, you're no Metal Man. Are you, Guardromon?" Kenta asked him.
"He is to me," Kazu said.
"The way Matt insulted Magettamon, it almost made me believe that Yamato persona resurfaced to rear his ugly head," Pikkan said.
"Well, he did come back recently. So, he might be taking over Matt spontaneously," BW assumed.
"I really hope not," Keke sighed. "I really thought that Yamato persona was gone for good."
"Can't get rid of an asshole that easily," Sonja remarked.
"Yeah, but that was Matt and not Yamato, right?" Sheila wondered.
"It was Matt, but I'm sure he didn't know that robot had sensitive feelings," Mimi said.
Jacomon frowned. "For his sake, I hope so, Mimi."
Tsukuyomimon didn't care about the situation and powered back down into Kensuke.
"Makes his strength seem like a lie." Omega X said.
Kensuke sighed. "He was still able to take Kotori out, and the fact he threatened to hit her while she was down gets no sympathy from me."
The referee made an announcement. "Ladies and gentlemen, we're going to need some time to fix the ring! So we'll take an hour long intermission."
"Maybe we should go check on Kotori to see how she's doing." Kensuke suggested.
Omega X nodded, but Metalla X didn't care.
"I'm staying here, I'm going back in when the matches resume," Metalla X said.
Slade shrugged. "At least go use the bathroom so you don't piss yourself from all that water you guzzled down." He said this which irked Metalla X.
"SHUT UP!"
Slade held out a cellphone. "You want me to call Blazer?"
Metalla X went quiet immediately and shivered as Slade followed Kensuke.
"I think you need to be able to fight at a higher level than what I've currently restrained you too." Slade said to Kensuke, which confused him.
"Isn't being on par with SS3 enough?"
Slade shook his head. "Power levels don't mean crap these days. I'll explain as I fix your restraints. By the way, don't let that training we did go to waste."
"You mean that technique you taught me? Sure I didn't forget." Kensuke muttered as Slade messed with his restraints.
Meanwhile on the Lost Kingdom audience section, Sayaka stood to grab snacks and drinks.
Sayaka offered. "Does anyone want anything? Candy, snacks, hotdogs, soda, water, ice cream, anything?"
"Um, I'd like some ice cream!" Madoka raised her hand.
Homura added. "I'm ok with just bottled water."
"Bring me all the candy and sodas you can bring," Mana smirked.
"Just water for me," Gai cleared his throat.
"Inori, you want to share ice cream?" Shu asked his pink-haired friend.
"Sure."
"Kyoko? Ayase? Argo? Tsugumi?" Sayaka asked the others.
"Some candy for me!" Tsugumi said as her cat ears and tail twitched in response to sugary treats.
"Just a hotdog for me," Argo replied.
"Well, I want…!" Kyoko and Ayase said in unison until they stopped and looked each other in the eyes. They quickly turned their back on each other, huffing and grumbling.
Sayaka sweatdropped. "I'll take that as a 'gimmie anything you can find'. Ok, I'll be right back!"
"Hold on! Let me help!" Ayase offered as she jumped out of her seat and followed Sayaka.
Kyoko scowled and rushed down the stairs to stop Ayase. On her way down, she tripped over her own foot and fell, failing to stop Ayase.
"Kyoko!" Madoka, Shu, and Inori cried out together.
"Hey, Kyoko! Wait!" Argo yelled out to his foster sister.
"Kyoko?" Sayaka gasped as she hurried over and offered a hand to help.
(Cue Guilty Crown OST - Friends)
Kyoko quickly brushed Sayaka's hand aside and whirled around.
"Stupid idiot, who the hell are you going to choose?! Am I nothing compared to Ayase?!" Kyoko snapped as she dashed off into a narrow tunnel toward outside the tournament arena.
"Kyoko, wait!" Sayaka called to her.
Ayase looked down, feeling bad for interjecting into Sayaka and Kyoko's friendship.
"Ayase, I'm sorry you had to see that," Sayaka apologized to her.
"I'll go get her, guys," Madoka said.
"Are you sure, Madoka? You want me to come?" Homura asked.
"I'll be ok, Homura," the pink-haired Puella replied with a reassuring smile. She bolted down the stairs and followed Kyoko.
"I hope she can reason with Kyoko," Shu sighed.
"Oh, c'mon, isn't it obvious? Kyoko has a thing for Sayaka, but Ayase got in the way of their budding relationship," Mana nonchalantly explained, causing Sayaka and Ayase to consider Kyoko's feelings. "It's a fact Sayaka has a thing for redhead tomboys, but now she's put herself in some kinda Catch-22 situation. It's either make Kyoko happy or pleasing Ayase here." She gave Sayaka a curt smile. "So, who are you really smitten for? The snarky, apple-eating tomboy with a potty mouth who's grown into quite the hot stuff, or the tall, athletic tomboy with a killer curvy body and nice ass?"
Upon hearing this, Ayase folded her arms over her chest and blushed.
"C'mon now, sis! Knock it off!" Shu was taken aback by Mana's outspoken view on their group's love triangle situation.
"It's not quite simple, y'all," Sayaka said flustered.
"Oh cut the crap," Mana sighed. "Either tell Kyoko how you feel and make amends with her, or break it off with her and go with Ayase. Or…" A devious, perverted grin adorned the woman's face.
"...what?" Sayaka gulped.
"There's always the third option and one where everyone wins!"
Gai facepalmed. "Mana, not everyone's willing to go that route."
Homura calmly interjected. "Three-way relationships are possible, but very difficult to manage long term. Sayaka, you have to decide what's best for you."
Before Sayaka can speak up, Ayase patted her shoulder.
"Whatever you decide, I'll be ok, but this is your choice."
"You guys aren't making this easy…" Sayaka blushed.
"Is it true you have feelings for Sayaka, Ayase?" Tsugumi asked her friend.
"Ye-Yeah…" Ayase confessed. "But I thought you knew?"
"I didn't want to believe it, but I've noticed you've been around Sayaka. I mean, after we beat the Da'ath Organization, you and her became neighbors. Then, you two became more than just friends," Tsugumi pointed out how their relationship would eventually blossom.
Argo added his view on Kyoko's situation. "I've always wondered who sis had a crush on. For a while I thought was some lame pretty boy. Hell, I thought you and Kyoko were just buddies since they've been friends for a long time, Sayaka. But damn, I didn't know it went beyond that and now I learn you have a thing for Ayase?!"
"And you're supposed to be her foster brother?!" Tsugumi scoffed, poking the side of Argo's face.
"Hey, knock it off!"
Sayaka's face turned red like a beet. "C'mon, guys! This is embarrassing!"
"Hey now, let's not pry in anyone's business!" Shu shouted. "What Sayaka, Kyoko, and Ayase do with their privacy shouldn't be said out loud!"
Inori nodded. "That's right." She stood up and to everyone's shock scolded everyone. "You should all be ashamed. Sayaka is free to decide whoever she loves most. We should be supportive of who she ends up with."
Mana giggled. "Wow, Inori, didn't peg you down to be the outspoken type. Usually that's my job. Bravo." She gave Inori a golf clap.
Sayaka and Ayase exchanged looks briefly before turning around. They mulled over what was best for their relationship, but also considered Kyoko's feelings.
"Ayase, could it be the reason why you and Kyoko have a rocky relationship is because she nearly got you killed?" Gai asked her.
"Oh, that's right! There was that instance when some Meta jerks attacked our base!" Tsugumi recalled. "These Metas had it out for us and decided to bomb us."
"Yes, and when Kyoko tried to fight a Meta off, she knocked away a bomb that exploded near me," Ayase gasped upon realizing where their rocky relationship started. "Thankfully I wasn't wounded badly, but I took it out on Kyoko. Sayaka tried to mend the differences between us."
"And now she thinks you're the wall between our relationship, Ayase," Sayaka said. I wonder if Kyoko is still willing to reciprocate her feelings for me.
(End theme)
xxxxx
Outside the arena, Kyoko curses and sulks over her jealousy of Sayaka bonding with another girl.
Damn! What the hell does Ayase have that I don't?! Kyoko thought disdainfully.
"Kyoko!"
Kyoko's ears picked up on Madoka's sweet voice. She sighed without even glancing over her shoulder.
"Look, don't even try to butter me up, pinky," the redhead scoffed.
"I'm not. I just didn't want you to go anywhere alone. Besides, we're all friends here."
"Did Sayaka or that long-legged bimbo send ya?"
"Nope, I came here on my own!"
Sighing, Kyoko turned and gave Madoka an annoyed look. "Oh, I see. Figures you'd always look out for us."
"Is there a problem here?" Came another voice belonging to none other than Sailor Varuna, who went on a walk with Sailor Quaoar.
(Cue RWBY Vol. 1 OST - I Burn (Yellow Trailer))
"Oh, you're Sailor Varuna!" Madoka noticed the Kuiper.
"Hey, sup?" Varuna smirked, shifting her view on Kyoko. "What's up with you, red? Why the attitude? Don't think me and my friends didn't notice the commotion back there."
"It's none of your business, blondie…" Before Kyoko could walk away, Varuna put a hand on her.
"When it comes to lesbian relationships, I make it my business," Varuna said, sitting down with Kyoko. "So, spill."
"Ok, look. Sayaka had this opportunity to ditch me after all the crap we went through for some long-legged bimbo butch. Ayase is just some regular human, but Sayaka and I are magical girls!"
Varuna scoffed and nodded dismissively. "What does it matter if that Ayase girl is human, magical girl, or some kind of alien? If Sayaka's fallen for her, then you should be supportive of her. What do you think? Besides, that bimbo as you call her somehow managed to attract Sayaka."
"Yeah, true, but…"
"And looking at Ayase, she's freaking hot," Varuna admitted. "Speaking as a gay woman myself, she's got one hell of a killer body with a nicely shaped butt and chest. As hot as she is, I'd never give Helena up for anyone else. Helena is the love of my life."
Kyoko sulked a bit. "I just don't know if I'm letting Sayaka be satisfied. She probably thinks I'm a bitch for that outburst back there. And I'd care less what Ayase thinks of me."
"Have you even sat Sayaka down to talk?" Varuna queried. "Besides, looking at you, you've got a body that can rival Ayase's."
"I'm not as busty as she is and she's got better curves than me."
"And? Aren't you still a growing girl?"
"I'm still in my teens. Well, late-teens."
"You're still a kid," Varuna chuckled. "Relax, just go back and tell them how you feel. Don't hold back and definitely do what makes you happy. Besides, who says you three can't be in a relationship?"
"Is that possible?"
"I hear it's hard, but I think you three can somehow make it work," Varuna stood as she patted Kyoko's back.
"I get it. All right, I'll take your advice and thanks," the redhead shook Varuna's hand.
"Good to know," Varuna said, walking off. "C'mon, let's get back and watch the other matches."
"Sure!" Kyoko followed, but turned around and faced Madoka. "You coming, Madoka?"
Madoka replied, genuinely smiling. "Yeah, wait for me!" As she caught up with Kyoko, Madoka giggled.
"What's so funny, pinky?"
"I like it when you smile, Kyoko. It makes you pretty."
Kyoko scoffed and blushed. "Oh, shush, pinky." She turned, hiding a smile and hearty snicker.
xxxxx
"Hey, welcome back, Madoka and Kyoko!" Shu called them over to their seats. "Sayaka and Ayase went to get our snacks."
"Has the next fight started?" Kyoko asked.
"Not even. They've fixed the ring, but the referee is talking with the gods," Gai answered.
"Hey, Kyoko!" Sayaka waved to the redhead. "We saved you a seat!" She pointed to a vacant space between her and Ayase. "Don't be shy."
"Yeah, we won't bite that badly," Ayase teased, slyly grinning as she bit into some Twizzlers candy.
Recalling her talk with Varuna, Kyoko smirked and walked up to sit with Sayaka and Ayase.
"So, you're in a good mood, Kyoko?" Mana chortled, noticing Kyoko's change of demeanor.
"Let's just say someone talked me into giving you peeps a second chance," Kyoko vaguely said.
"Really? Huh, ok," Sayaka shrugged.
Then, to Sayaka and Ayase's surprise, Kyoko put both hands on their backs and pinched their butts. Sayaka and Ayase are caught off guard, but that didn't stop them from liking what they were feeling. Mana, Tsugumi, and Argo caught this, but kept it to themselves.
"Well, I'm glad to see thing's cleared up on our end," Shu said, sharing his ice cream with Inori.
"Ready for the next match, Homura?" Madoka asked, sitting next to her girlfriend.
"Yeah once this boring intermission is over," Homura said, letting Madoka lean on her shoulder. She smiled and sipped her water.
(End theme)
Elsewhere, Omega X used his free time to talk with Max, Sora, and Dorothy. Both of them pumped him up for his possible match. Takato got himself treated by Rika.
Vadosmon noticed Furizlor was gone after licking his defeat wounds.
"Hmm," Vadosmon scanned for the Corrupt.
Hearing this, Hit the Hitmon got up from his seat.
xxxxx
"That woman was just lucky I was fatigued after competing two matches in a row!" Furizlor ranted hard.
Elsewhere and away from the arena, Furizlor sneaked away and found a an assortment of treasure sitting next to a giant cube. A sneaky grin adorned Furizlor's face.
"It's the treasure as Champamon described. If I move the treasure in there and can get the ship to fly, I can jump across the universe in no time. Not even Destruction gods or galactic patrolmen can catch me!"
"Not so fast."
(Cue Dragon Ball Super OST - Champa's Theme)
Furizlor froze once he heard footsteps behind him. He turned and scowled.
"That's close enough!"
The footsteps stopped. Hit ceased his advancement and quietly stared down Furizlor.
"Hit?! The Legendary Assassin? I know about your reputation!" Furizlor backed against the cube. "Did Champamon send you to kill me for losing my match? Or maybe you've been hired by one of those vengeful fools whose worlds I've plundered for profit?!"
Hit said nothing. Instead, some kind of crystallized trail shifted from his feet and headed for Furizlor. Furizlor suddenly was unable to move. He felt something neutralize him. Strange beams of light poured into his head and pressure points. An excruciating pain ran down Furizlor's body, causing him to scream.
"AUGH!" Furizlor sank to his knees and writhed in agony. "Wh-What did y-y-you do to m-me? Y-You didn't e-e-even move." He collapsed facefirst.
"No one hired me, Furizlor. I just can't let you steal something that was promised to me." The assassin calmly responded.
Vadosmon watched in secrecy. "My favorite sort of problem is one that handles itself." She started off as Hit carried an unconscious Furizlor back to the fighter's area.
(End theme)
xxxxx
"I still can't believe this happened," Philippe said irked upon seeing Kotori in such a condition
While she had healed of her heatstroke and most of the damage incurred in the fight, it would be some time before she could move and thus was advised to rest.
"So, how is she?" Beerusmon asked entering the room. He eyed Kotori resting in her bed. That's the same Valkyrie woman who thwarted her world's Loki and the deity known as Grimhilde. And she saved her world from that Ragnarok event.
Philippe instinctively wanted to rush the God of Destruction, but was held back by Sasha, Inumon, and Himura.
"It's your damn fault she's in this mess! If you had put the barrier around the crowd than the ring, she wouldn't be in pain."
"Dude, I know you're angry, but this guy can erase you easily! Don't risk it!" Himura pleaded as Beerusmon smirked.
Jaguarmon hissed at Beerusmon. "Stay back, you jerk!"
"You've got courage I'll give you that much, mortals. Somehow this demi-goddess can attract loyal followers like you says much." The Digital God of Destruction replied as he left the room.
"I hate that guy," Philippe grumbled.
"Me, too, Philippe!" Jaguarmon concurred.
"Join the club," said Kensuke as he entered. "She ok?"
"She'll be healed faster than expected thanks to her Valkyrie powers and nature, but still what happened was not fair." Sasha said.
Inner Skuld had far more provocative response to this. 'More like bullshit to me! C'mon call it like it is, sweetie!' Skuld chided Sasha.
Kensuke nodded. "I can agree and that ain't the first time that's happened in this tournament. Who knows how the rest of it is going to go."
"We've got three fighters to their remaining two. We should have the edge." Himura said.
That remains to be seen with that purple guy. He didn't even hardly flinch when Metalla X brought down that barrier. Kensuke thought, assessing Hitmon's actions during the match.
In a nearby corridor, Max who had gone to get some food and drink for Keke saw Kari talking to Yusuke and hid around a corner.
Max wondered. What are they talking about?
"So it's that painful is it?" Kari asked.
"Yeah, and given what you've told me, you'd be taking on more power than I did. You sure you're up for that?" He asked back.
Max nearly dropped one of his drinks while listening in, but in catching it, revealed himself.
"Max?" Kari asked.
"Kari, what is this about?" Max asked.
When she explained to him what she wanted to do, he shook his head.
"I don't think Tai's going to let you go through with it. After what happened with GranDracmon and Yagami, he's had enough of you getting hurt."
"I want to get stronger in order to help fight and protect those I care about! I did it before and I can do it again! I realize now that the only way to do that is take Slade and Ken's offer even if it means death." Kari reasoned with Max with determination.
Max sighed. "You're sure about this?"
Yusuke nodded. "She definitely doesn't sound like she's going to back out of it. You should respect her choice."
"Alright, I won't tell Tai, but I'm going to talk with Slade and Ken about this before you do it." Max responded.
"That's fine." Kari replied as the intermission was coming to an end.
"We better head back to our seats." Yusuke said as the others nodded.
xxxxx
"We apologize for the delay, ladies and gents!" The referee announced to everyone. "Besides making ring repairs, the gods needed to make final settlements to avoid any more issues. Now, we go straight to our next match. Contestant Metalla X is still able to fight, but Digiverse 6, who shall you present as your next fighter?"
"We only have two, Lord Champamon," Vadosmon reminded him.
Champamon looked toward Xander and Hit. "Ok, which of you wants to go first?"
Hit remained seated, prompting Xander to answer Champamon's call.
"Looks like I'm up to fight then!" Xander declared.
As Xander entered the ring, he and Metalla X faced off.
"Now we'll see a Digiverse 6 Ascendant fight. This is history in itself," Max said.
"He's kinda cute," Kari smiled, which baffled TK.
"Really Kari?"
"In a 'awww' kinda way, not romantic way," the Bearer of Light replied. "Don't tell me you're jealous?" She openly teased, which made TK roll his eyes.
"Yeah, he's a cutie," Kara said. "But don't worry, he's not as cute as you, David!" She hugged David, who sweatdropped.
Dorothy observed Xander. "He's one to watch since he's an Ascendant from another universe."
Avengemon nodded. "Indeed, I'm curious where his strength peaks."
"So, what do you make of this, Keke? Dimitri?" Sedna asked them.
"Can't say, but this Xander kid has to be inexperienced compared to dad," Keke assessed the fighters.
"Matt shouldn't underestimate him. These Digiverse 6 fighters have proven unpredictable in their own right," Dimitri shared his analysis.
Omega X called out to Metalla X. "Hey, Matt! Whatever you do, don't go too easy on him!"
Metalla X chortled and nodded. "Really? Who do you take me for?"
Takato watched Xander from his vantage point. "He looks about my age. Maybe younger?"
"Is he strong like Tai and Matt?" Guilmon wondered.
"Guess we'll see, buddy," Takato said.
"Contestants Metalla X and Xander are ready! Let the match begin!" The referee declared.
Beerusmon struck the bell with a beam.
Xander took a fighting stance, watching Metalla X holding his ground.
"Come," Metalla X beckoned the Digiverse 6 Ascendant.
xxxxx
Next chapter: Ascendant Pride and Assassin's Creed
xxxxx
A/N: As expected Brunhilde one-shots Furizlor out of the ring and decisively wins it for her team. This ends the cheater's winning 'streak', but Furizlor's bad luck continues in the form of Hit. Yep, that's the new scene I alluded to earlier, showing how Furizlor got KOed and stays that way.
Brunhilde gets to show off her Dai-Valkyrie, an upgrade she received during Valkyrie Advent. The Silver Valkyrie that's brought up is inaccessible due to Kotori's Moon Force Crystal losing most of its potency in the final battle against Mist (see Valkyrie Advent when those chapters finally get around to being posted). These are unmarked spoilers. You've been warned. Otherwise, if she still had Silver Valkyrie mode, she would've beaten Magettamon. And likely Xander, too. But likely stops at Hit.
And as you expected Brunhilde doesn't fair well and falls to Magettamon. That last part almost would've turned into a Spopovich vs Videl situation (ok maybe not that grim since Magettamon's not evil and ruthless) if Vadosmon didn't intervened. So, thank goodness the match stopped sooner.
Yeah, Beerusmon is not getting invited to Philippe's parties anytime. But as expected, Kotori recovers quickly. Being a Valkyrie demi-goddess definitely has its perks. Self healing that makes Logan jealous. She'll be back on her feet soon, but she's out of the running to fight again since she lost fairly (aside from being trapped to fight in a dome and being suffering heat stroke).
Not surprisingly, Metalla X takes down the Metal Man and hurts his metal feelings. Robot Digimon all over won't be kind to Metalla X after this.
Kari's talk with Max and Yusuke will lead to her eventual rebound. And yes, she'll be receiving a training similar to Yusuke's 'Genkai Spirit Orb'. Kari can expect a new house of pain. We'll see how much her threshold can take.
And now for a scene I originally intended to cut, but opted to keep: The Sayaka/Kyoko/Ayase triangle sees a resolution. This will lead to their blossoming relationship that will continue straight into Cross Generations Chapter 14 (A Dimension Tourney). But who knew Tyra/Sailor Varuna would bring Kyoko out of her funk? Additionally, Mana is not shy about what's on her mind. I kept this scene since this won't be the last you'll see of the Lost Kingdom gang (who I'm planning to feature in future arcs).
Next time, Metalla X continues the gauntlet when he goes against Digiverse 6's Ascendant, Xander, and the renowned assassin, Hit. How will he fare in these next two fights (if he makes it far)?
Until next chapter, send a review and see you soon!