Round 1:
Chun-Li versus Master Chief

Chun-Li stood on one leg, the other leg primed for kicking for her match graphic.

"My name is Chun-Li Xiang, Interpol, and my opponent is Master Chief," she said matter of factly, sitting as stiff as a board in the interview chair.

"So, before we get to the usual questions, I wanted to ask about the Brawhalla excursion," began Nikki.

To this, Chun-Li laughed, "Ah, that. Yes, before the tournament started proper, another fighting organization like ours reached out to Ryu, myself, and another associate of ours, Akuma. We couldn't stay long, but I managed to brush up on some bo-staff techniques."

"I look forward to seeing them in your fight," Nikki spoke with genuine warmth, "So, tell me what you think of Master Chief?"

"I like him a lot! He has a no-nonsense reputation which I think is a turn-off for some of our more lighthearted colleagues, but we are both officers of the law, so I'm used to it. I've learned from our mutual times on Fortnite Island that he's an indispensable ally and a dangerous enemy. I look forward to each of us giving it our all."

"Okay. So who are you looking forward to fighting?"

"Well, other than Chief, a match with Ken or Ryu is always welcome," a grin spread across Chun-Li's lips. "Also Samus. It's my understanding that we're both iconic women in our professions. While I don't exactly consider myself iconic, I'd be more than honored to do battle with her someday."

"Alright, that's it, thank you for your time."

The grin now a full-on smile, Chun-Li saluted playfully, "You're quite welcome!"

Next, Master Chief stood at attention.

"My name is John-117. I am a part of the Spartan-II program, but I'm most known by my rank, Master Chief," said the man in the green armor, standing beside the interview chair

Cortana appeared from his helmet, sprawling out in the chair next to him, "And I'm Cortana, hi," she said with a goofy smile, waving at the camera.

"Cortana, this is business," sternly warned Chief.

"And I'm telling you, we can live it up a little!" barked Cortana in return.

"So, um… what do you think of Chun-Li?"

"We've fought both as allies and enemies on that accursed Fortnite Island. She's a brilliant tactician, and extremely tenacious. What she sees in Ryu I'll never know," growled the Spartan

"Some girls just like dumb men. Why do you think I hang around you?" Cortana winked.

Chief only grunted.

"Besides, the man's yolked. Have you seen those pecs? My God."

"So, who are you looking forward to fighting?"

"Anyone," snapped Master Chief.

"Well, I can tell you by monitoring his vitals that Miss Xiang is one of her preferred opponents. This, plus the research into Cloud and Snake has been fascinating for the both of us."

"At least somebody gave me some answers," was Nikki's sarcastic reply, "Thank you both for your time."

"The pleasure is all ours, isn't it Chief?"

Nothing.

"Yeah that's about right, let's go, big man," Cortana rolled her eyes, absorbing herself back into Chief's helmet, the Spartan soldier walking out of frame.

"Ya know," Cranky began wistfully, "Chief reminds me of some of the old school protags. All focus, no-nonsense. Sure he's done some flashy stuff, but he's not a big gimmick."

"I don't necessarily agree with that but Master Chief is cool as all hell, and I like his chances," nodded 9-Volt, "Futaba, what do you think?"

"My heart says Chun-Li but I gotta go with Master Chief. You don't fly a bomb into a ship by hand and not succeed in a tournament like this."

A thrashing, heavy metal version of a Chinese instrumental song began to play, and jogging to center stage, bo staff under her arm, came Chun-Li to an enormous ovation. As soon as she struck her fighting stance, long cello notes played over the speakers.

"We doing the thing old man?" snickered 9-Volt.

"Oh fuck yeah kid," Cranky agreed, sounding equally mischievous.

And so, they, along with a sizeable portion of the audience, began to sing along with the chanting in the Halo theme, the long 'ohhhhhhh' note echoing over the stadium with those not in the know eventually joining in. Master Chief, visibly perplexed even through a concealed face, skulked down to the center ring, where Mills appeared through the floor.

"And now. The following contest is a first-round match in the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Tournament. The winner will face Jak and Daxter in Round 2! Introducing first, to my left, she comes to us from the Street Fighter universe. She is the Strongest Woman in the World, she is CHUN-LI!"

Laughing, she flexed her biceps to the delight of the crowd.

"Introducing next, to my right, he comes to us from the Halo Universe, he is The Finisher of Fights, he is Master Chief."

Cheers and a half-hearted attempt at repeating the chant from earlier rocked the crowd. Chief, however, did not move.

"Now, if Chun-Li wins the coin toss the stage will be Battlefield Suzaku Castle. If Master Chief wins the coin toss it'll be The Pillar of the Autumn. Smashers, call it!" Mills punctuated his speech by flipping a Smash Coin into the air.

"HEADS!" Chun-Li shouted.

"Tails I'm afraid," Mills confirmed.

"The Pillar of the Autumn is set on the roof of the ship of the same name and is like basically if Final Destination had a few jagged platforms towards its middle for both high ground and cover," Cranky quickly explained as Mills gave final instructions.

"The stage then is The Pillar of the Autumn, two stock, items medium. Smashers, are you ready?"

Both nodded, and both disappeared.

Stage: Pillar of the Autumn

Rules: 2-stock, items medium

Music "Blow Me Away" by Breaking Benjamin (Instrumental Ver.)

3

As Ryu and Ken had down before her, Chun-Li casually walked onto the stage, assuming her fighting stance.

2

Out of a drop pod, Master Chief kicked open the door.

1

GO!

With many decades of honed precision, Master Chief whipped out his pistol, firing. Just as quick on the draw however was Chun-Li, charging forward, while at the same time deflecting Master Chief's fire with her bo staff, that seemed to appear and disappear at will. As Master Chief stepped back, in the vain hope of firing off one more shot that will stop the charge, Chun-Li was upside down, legs and bo staff pelting Master Chief with a non-stop combination of blows. With seemingly no effort at all, Chun-Li pivoted a parade of kicks sending them both up into the air. On the last kick, an Energy Sword unsheathed from Chief's dominant fist, spiking the girl back onto the cold roof of the Pillar. In mid-air, the armored combat veteran pulled a sniper rifle from nowhere, aiming down the sight as if it were nothing at all. Luckily, Chun got her shield up just as the shot rang out, eliminating almost all of it.

"Chun-Li with a house of fire to start but to no avail," Cranky tutted.

Running away from a rapid-fire pelting of Needler fire, Chun skidded to a stop when a Super Scope appeared out of the air, grabbing the weapon. Chun was briefly taken aback, as she stopped to aim and fire, Master Chief unloaded onto her more with the Needler. Taking the brunt of it, falling into a sitting position, Chun raised the Super Scope undeterred, aiming and charging. In response, Master Chief whipped out a rocket launcher, aiming and waiting with just as much poise. With the release of pressure from two weapons, two blasts with enough firepower to level a building whizzed past one another, each connecting with their target. Both were sent flying, Master Chief barely able to make it back with his jet-pack, and Chun-Li unleashing an immediate Spinning Bird Kick to make it back to the stage.

Each Smasher taking a moment to breathe, they charged.

"Chun-Li lost the Super Scope, and Chief isn't playing the range game?" 9-Volt asked.

"You act like Master Chief isn't a soldier himself, just watch and see," Cranky snidely corrected his counterpart.

The two executed the same motion at the same time, attempting to grab the shoulder and take out the leg. Chun-Li attempted, but the Mjolnir armor did not budge, Chief executed the move with much more ease, hitting her with a heavy-handed punch on the way down.

"Miss Xiang," heaved a winded Master Chief, "I implore you, stay down,"

"Qù tā mā de zìjǐ," hissed Chun-Li.

Chun unleashed one kick to the knee, which was enough to stagger the momentarily confused Spartan. She flipped to her base stance, arms extended upward and outward, teeth gritted. A barrage of Lightning Kicks across the stage sent the soldier crawling backward for some shot at defense but it was not to be. Even when she risked leaving the stage, Chun-Li did not relent.

"She's whooped his ass basically across the entire Pillar of the Autumn and absolutely refuses to stop!" screamed Cranky, excitement evident in his voice.

A woman possessed, Chun-Li continued the Lightning kicks well into the Blast Zone, eliminating them both.

Chun-Li: 1

Master Chief: 1

Both immediately hopped off of their respective Revival Platforms. Yet another Spinning Bird Kick was executed by the Street Fighter, but a Graviton Hammer smacked Chun-Li to the floor. Jumping into the air, Master Chief swapped between a Rocket Launcher and Sniper Rifle with the speed of a cheetah, spending the ammo on both weapons, Chun Li sprawled out on the floor.

"I warned you before," hissed Master Chief, "Stay down,"

"Picking her up by the leg, Master Chief hoofed the woman into the Blast Zone, her damage high enough to warrant such a feat of strength.

GAME!

Atop a Warthog in the Smash Mansion courtyard, Master Chief struck a victory pose, two pistols in hand as the splash screen indicated the obvious.

MASTER CHIEF WINS!

Chun-Li gleefully applauded Master Chief as Mister Zero interviewed her, "You came out of the gate hot, but Master Chief was hotter. What do you have to say about this."

The Interpol agent nodded, "You're right, I should've paced myself, but what was I going to do against a veteran like Chief, in armor like that? All I can say is that your victory was well-earned. Meanwhile, Jak, and Daxter, watch out, you've got a hell of a fight coming up."

"Alright, I believe Master Chief and Cortana are ready to be interviewed. Rita, the floor is yours."

"Thanks, Zero," Rita said as she appeared on camera, Cortana floating mischievously behind Chief, "I'm here with the winner Master Chief, but it looks like Cortana has something to say."

"You remember our bet," purred Cortana mischievously

Chief stood completely still, arms crossed.

"You didn't two-stock him like I asked, so ladies and gentlemen, a video of the great Master Chief demoing a few of his many talents may leak onto the Smash Information Network soon,"

"Any comment?" Rita asked Chief.

Only grumbles came through the suit.

"I thought not. Cranky, Volt, back to you."

Chun-Li walked up the tunnel to the applause of Ryu, Ken, Dante, and surprisingly Jin. Hugging Ryu, much to his befuddlement (and the wheezing smothered laughter of Ken), she briefly saw Master Chief avoiding questions of the threat Cortana had posed earlier as the randomizer flipped through the two remaining matches, landing on…

"BAYONETTA VERSUS TORRI GACHI!"

"Woomi, it's finally time!" cheered Torri, bolting down Tunnel B.

In contrast, Bayonetta could only shrug, "I suppose I have to go whoop the shit out of this child,"

With those words, she strutted down Tunnel A.

"What-a," Wario suddenly barked, "You-a gonna wish your little girlfriend good luck Samus?"

Samus snapped Wario a look that would've killed a smarter man.

"Wario, if you weren't inexplicably immortal, or if Smash didn't allow outside fights, I'd kill you."

To this, Wario immediately cowered behind Sephiroth. To this, Altair, who had been meditating since his loss, muttered, "Perhaps he is intelligent after all."

A pocket of laughter nearly equipped by Quinn's donkey-like bellow nearly caused the match graphics to be missed. The second to-last match of Round 1 had begun!