Round 2

Ludwig of the Koopalings vs. Ken

Ken casting a thumbs up to the camera on one side of the screen while Ludwig mimed waving a conductor's wand populated the television screens of Smash Stadium.

"My name is Ludwig von Koopa of the Koopalings," proclaimed Ludwig, sitting in an odd pyramid amongst his siblings, "I believe music is much like combat, merely a symphony that can be understood on an orderly level."

"Ya know," Ken's interview cut in, "I'm a little flattered to hear I'm being analyzed like music. Guess I'm that cool to watch!"

Now, Ludwig was by himself, "You are nothing but a predictable worm Herr Masters, playing the same old tune, which I know front to back."

Ken was at the end of a chuckle when his interview cut back in, "But in all seriousness, there's a science to what he's saying, I mean, our bud Dee Jay made a whole side hustle out of combining martial arts, music, and dance. But there is more to it than that, and I'm gonna show him what a Street Fighter can do."

"Both fighters brimming with confidence today," 9-Volt remarked as he and Cranky were now being presented live to the audience, "Oracle, who ya got?"

"Ludwig thinks he can boil down Ken's essence to a musical piece, but Ken's seen things that Mozart wannabe can't even comprehend, so it's another one for Ken!"

"I don't know what I like less," grouched Cranky, "the idea of a dumber version of Funky advancing to the next round or the snooty oligarch,"

"Let's throw down to entrances before you start hostilities with another Kingdom,"

"I mean, they started it, but I won't get into that," Cranky spat.

"Good," 9-Volt growled.

There was a few seconds of dead air before the Koopa Kingdom drums of war that had accompanied Morton now accompanied Ludwig, using one hand to drum to the beat, and the other to drive the clown car. As he skidded to a halt, Ken's all-business entrance began, jogging down to the ring as his classic high-energy rock theme accompanied him.

As Mills Frames began introductions, Ken began to bounce in his stance. He noticed Ludwig's eyes transfixed on him, tracking his every move. Ever the showman, Ken was able to cast a thumbs up to the crowd without letting his true feelings show.

Geeze Laweez, and I thought Vega was creepy. This kid might take the cake on that, thought the man in the red gi.

Ludwig closed his eyes when his name was announced, curtsying dramatically. Unlike Ken, he couldn't help but smile through his closed eyes. He could imagine every move Ken was going to make, and imagine every move he was going to make in response. Ludwig's eyes snapped open as Mills addressed the two combatants. Ludwig's nod and ghoulish giggle briefly snapped Ken into a facial expression full of fear, but the cocky smirk was back in an instant. The random stage selector spun, landing on Super Mario Maker.

"Heh, I'm ready, bring it on!" shouted Ken.

"Oh great, the thing we got diddly on royalties for," Cranky shouted, "Without me, there'd be no Mario games to make, yet my stupid son gets something like 50 coins in royalties. Why? Because he's on seem cheap plastic gimmick Miyamoto invented."

"Hey, they didn't even make character-specific Amiibos for Get it Together," 9-Volt snapped back, "So count your blessings."

With that, the karate master and the prince disappeared.

Stage: Super Mario Maker

Rules: 3-stock, items medium

Music: Stage Switch: Ground Theme

3

The Koopa Clown Car screeched to a halt atop a pink platform.

2

Ken casually walked onto the opposite platform.

1

Ken did a few quick Hindu Squats to prepare himself for the inevitable jump. Ludwig gripped the controls of his so tightly the rubber squelched under the might of his claws.

GO!
 Ken let the platform drop beneath him as Ludwig jumped, cackling the whole way down as his engine revved in the air. A brief nostalgia of getting Mel a Super Nintendo for Christmas 1994 swelled through him as he took in the Super Mario World aesthetic The arena before him was similar to Battlefield. Two platforms on the furthest west and east points of the Battlefield, the only deviation being a hilly divet on the left side leading into the Blast Zone. Ken charged as Ludwig jumped off the platform.

I saw Ryu do this so often, Ken said to himself, "Just gotta step back at the last moment and…

A drill spiked into his head. As he bounced, a saw blade scratched his chest, sending him backward. Ken charged, only for boxing gloves on a scissor mechanism to meet him at the pass, nearly leveling his jaw in the process.

"No no no Herr Masters," tutted Ludwig, "You are in my domain now,"

Charging forward, Ken hopped into the air, allowing himself to go as light as a feather.

"TATSUMAKI," Ken called, the spinning kicks pelting Ludwig.

Readying his fists for a jab combo, Ken accidentally stepped into the path of a Super Mushroom. Ludwig's eyes lit up at the momentary pang of discomfort that overtook Ken's face.

"You know not what to do with the powers of my homeland, you insolent worm," hissed Ludwig.

An explosive windup toy set up the rest of the combo, Ken being juggled by a fork attachment. With a giggle of glee, Ludwig jumped up to avoid the giant Ken's flailing attempt at punches, drilling into his head again. Ken shrunk to normal size, the process leading him open to being grabbed by Ludwig's mechanical pincers. Slamming him down, he activated the drill again. Ludwig heard the thunk of a barrel fall, his gaze snapping to it instantly as he licked his lips.

"The symphony can truly begin!" he cackled.

As Ludwig roared towards the barrel, Ken jumped. The crafty Koopa screeched to a halt as Ken through an errant kick at the barrel.

"Hadoken!" Ken shouted.

The force of the blue fireball tipped the barrel, knocking it into Ludwig.

"And here I had thought you dug your own grave in the first round with your arrogance, Herr Masters."

At this, the two simultaneously grabbed for the two Star Rods the barrel had once contained. A Smash Ball also appeared, floating lazily through the air.

"We'll see who's arrogant when you get your head kicked in!" shouted Ken.

The two jumped for the Smash Ball, each wailing on it as best they could, but Ludwig tossed the Star Rod at it, cracking it open.

"As I said Herr Masters," Ludwig hissed, breathing in the power of the Smash Ball, "You are in my domain now."

With that, he transformed into Shadow Mario, drawing an 'X' in the acidic goop. Ken bounced off of it thrice, landing safely on the left side's hill. A Hammer landed in the center of the stage, both Smashers charging from opposite corners to get it. Another Mechakoopa derailing Masters' forward momentum allowed Ludwig to get the Hammer…only for the head to fall off.

"NEIN!" he cried.

Ken grabbed the head, effortlessly spinning on his finger.

"Hey, kiddo. Catch!"

He tossed the Hammer's head at the defenseless Koopa for the first trip to the Blast Zone.

Ludwig: 2

Ken: 3

"And for all the talk Ludwig is the first one to lose a stock!" 9-Volt announced.

"He's the son of Bowser, what do you expect?" Cranky grumbled.

Ludwig jumped off the Revival Platform, burning rage in his eyes. The boxing gloves unsheathing themselves, the jabs pelted Ken, the final punch sending Ken offstage. Ludwig jumped the Clown Car into the air, throwing a Mechakoopa down, the fire of Ken's obvious Shoryuken dying out as soon as it did, the blond falling limply into the Blast Zone.

Ludwig: 2

Ken: 2

"This world is mine," spat Ludwig, "Were it not for fighting a neanderthal of a similar ilk, you would not have advanced. You ignore the tools around you like a novice composer ignoring a family of instruments,"

Ken sat on the Revival Platform. The world had now changed to the Super Mario Bros aesthetic. Even more distant memories flashed through his brain, those of absorbing the childhood he had missed when he returned from training under Goken. He had to go shirk his old habits if he ever wished to defeat the maniacal Ludwig.

"Is that so?" Ken asked, jumping down from the platform.

He beckoned Ludwig forward, "Bring it!"

Ken and Ludwig met on the left platform, but Ludwig was faster on the draw, unleashing a Bombchu, and trapping Ken in a volley of punches which left him prime for the deadly toy's explosion as it circled back around. Luckily, the explosion sent him in the direction of a newly spawned Pokeball, Ludwig came in arm's reach just as he opened the ball, unveiling Bewear.

With a happy coo, the bear-like Pokemon cocked back, shattering Ludwig with an uppercut. As Ludwig limply flopped through the air, Ken was able to activate an Assist Trophy at the base of the hill on the left, unveiling Guile. Ludwig could do nothing as he fell into a Duet of Flash Kicks, the last of these sending the helpless Koopa into a high kick by Ken, which pelted him into the third Flash Kick, sending him off the top Blast Zone.

Ludwig: 1

Ken: 2

"Ugh, competitive Street Fighter," Cranky gagged.

"Regardless of your feelings on it," 9-Volt growled, "Ken takes a stock,"

"Thanks for the assist Robo Bro-In-Law,' Ken laughed, casting the thumbs up, "I owe you something special for Christmas,"

The automated Guile stood up, combing his ridiculous mohawk.

"That was nothing," proclaimed the automated Guile as if speaking to Ken.

Ludwig waited for Guile to disappear before jumping off the Revival Platform. He activated a Party Ball. Ken and Ludwig meeting on the platform to exchange punches as the Party Ball dropped its contents. This time, Ken was quickest to react, cracking open a Pokeball and Assist Trophy back to back. Swirlix and Shadow combined slowed Ludwig but didn't stop the item Ludwig managed to pick up, another Bombchu, from being lobbed at Ken. Flying near the opposite Blast Zone, Ken used a Tatsumaki and a Shoryuken to bring him in reach to hang off the stage.

"Maybe Ken isn't as incompetent a Smasher as Ludwig imagined," 9-Volt cheered.

"Look!" Cranky yelled.

Ludwig activated one Pokeball, and drove across the stage at top speed to get another. Alolan Raichu and Vulpix worked in tandem, the surfing Pokemon volleying Ken about, knocking him into Vulpix's Ember. In the chaos, Ludwig broke another Smash Ball with no interference. This time, Ken was in the epicenter of Shadow Mario's dreaded 'X' bounced amuck by the acidic goop, its final explosion launching him into the top Blast Zone.

Ken: 1

Ludwig: 1

Ludwig smiled, "You've fought well, but your end is nigh,"

Ken charged into a combination of kicks which caught the musical Koopa by surprise, but a Mechakoopa's explosion and some upward volleys with the clown car's fork attachment put an end to that. Amidst the beating, Ken was able to grab a Super Scope from the air, retreating only to fire a fully charged blast.

9-Volt summarized the action, "Ludwig's been mocking Ken's lack of item play last round all match, but that mid-air item grab is the move of a veteran Smasher."

"When somebody's runnin' their mouth on ya like that, you can do a couple of things, put up or shut up," Cranky began as the two fighters exchanged punches on the battlefield, "And I'll be my own uncle, the rich boy put up."

"He wouldn't be a multi-time karate champion if he couldn't Cranky," 9-Volt observed.

Ken lobbed the Super Scope at Ludwig's head knocking him backward. A Hadoken was blocked by the Koopa Clown Car revving into kart mode and careening into Ken. This knocked him into an Assist Trophy. Ken kipped to his feet, unleashing the mysterious trophy.

"Vas…?" Ludwig breathed, racing towards Ken in kart mode.

"CAWWWW!"

A Burrowing Snagret sprung out of the grown between Ludwig and Ken, the fossorial bird pecking at an unsuspecting Ludwig, sending him to the Blast Zone.

GAME!

In the Smash Courtyard Ken cast a thumbs up to the camera.

"YO ELIZA! I DID IT!" he proclaimed.

KEN WINS!

As the splash screen gave way to the perpetually sunny Courtyard, Ludwig sat, arms crossed, faced scrunched into a pout. He now took up the entire screen as Mister Zero walked into frame, microphone in hand.

"Tough loss-"

Ludwig simply floated away.

"Alright, a man of no words is Ludwig Von Koopa," Mister Zero shrugged, "We now take you to Rita,"

"Thanks, Mister Zero," Rita nodded, now on screen with a beaming Ken, "I'm here with Ken Masters and-"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ken shouted, leaning into the microphone, "Was that not how it was supposed to go Herr Von Koopa? Did you really think I couldn't adapt? My dad took me out of society when I was 12 and forced me to live with a damn monk, I've been adapting all my life. Robin, I know you're a crazy wizard, I know you were a finalist last time, but you're gonna have to harder than that to put out the Burning Fist Ken Masters, Deuces!"

Ken saluted, stomping up the tunnel. As the rest of the Koopalings comforted a still-pouting Ludwig, Iggy and Wendy waited for him.

"You got lucky," snarled Wendy.

"Yeah," Iggy squeaked, "You cheated,"

"Up yours, you brats," Ken said, walking into fist bumps from Chun-Li and Ken.

"HEY!" Bowser roared," DON'T TALK ABOUT MY KIDS THAT WAY Y-"

"Bowser," Mario sternly warned, arms crossed, "Remember your anger,"

"Yeah. Sorry boss" said a now bashful Bowser.

At that moment, a new portal opened. Simon, Megaman, and Pit stepped out, accompanied by four new faces. A young man in a leather jacket, a brunette in a pink sundress, a dog, and an old bearded man in a suit.

"Ah," Mario said, greeting the new pair, "You must be Kevin Keene. I'm a-Mario, leader of the Smash Brothers,"

"I know who you are sir," Kevin said shaking Mario's hand, "This is my wife Lana, father-in-law Charles, and my dog Duke,"

"Pleasure meeting you all," Mario shook the hands of the two humans, and knelt to pet the dog, "So I'm assuming you were able to talk some sense into Megaman?"

"Yes," chirped Megaman, "They convinced me that there was nothing flawed with my new form, and my more robotic form will help with the upcoming war."

Mario nodded, "Very good. Thank you all for coming, and I hope you enjoy the tournament."

"We have been," Charles nodded, "It is odd to stand where parts of Videoland once did, I can feel the energies nearly everywhere I go."

"Yes. I assume The Hands felt the same thing all those years ago, hence why they used it to cobble together the Smashverse,"

Lana nodded, "Well, we'll leave you to it then. We plan on spending some time together and catching up when the Smashers are free.

Duke simply barked in agreement.

"Perfect, and thank you again. I cannot tell you how delighted I am that the N Team is back together."

"And I'm delighted to meet you," Kevin nodded, "Whelp, see you guys around,"

With that, the four exited the portal from whence they came. As it closed. Ritcher broke into his usual cocky smirk.

"Well well well," he said, "Hopefully trading stories with old war buddies hasn't softened your resolve any gramps."

"I can assure you, it hasn't," Simon growled.

"Well luckily," Mikey quacked, "You have time to think about it, Cloud and Bayonetta you're next."

"Cloudanettta," sang Kirby, floating over the proceedings.

"Cram it puffball," snapped Bayonetta, "Or else I'll cram your piehole so full of bullets that even you won't be able to digest them all,"

"Bayonetta, please report to Tunnel B," ROB droned, "Mister Strife, please report to Tunnel A.

Cloud nodded, walking down the tunnel without a word. Bayonetta's movements were much louder, stomping determinedly down Tunnel B.