(The Arena)
"Terry" or rather Ace, winced as everyone looked at each other in confusion.
"W-W-What do you mean?" Ace asked, nervously.
"Don't give us that!" Drake snapped. "We SAW you! You used Yuri Sakazaki's Saiha to avoid getting smashed into the ground by Lola Pop!"
"You used Greninja's Hydro Pump to avoid falling into the lava!" Ashley added.
"And while it was a blink-and-miss-it moment, you clearly used cryomancy of some kind to defuse the Mortal Kombat ripoff's fuse." Nine concluded.
"Not you too!" D. Dark groaned.
"Furthermore, if I could turn the arena into ANYTHING, do you really think between Tumble and I, we won't be able to ID you?" The Millennium Star reminded.
"And it is not like your disguise worked because there were clearly a couple of people who were on to you!"
Peach turned towards Zelda. "Zelda, you knew the entire time?"
"Well, not exactly his identity." The wielder of the Triforce of Wisdom mused. "I knew that something was up about him. Something about his mannerisms and demeanour seems… Different. But what was the final red flag when he bumped into Doctrine Dark."
The blond man nodded. "Normally, I would say some crude words to him. But I was too stunned when I realised that Terry didn't seem like himself, but a certain someone else I knew. Then, Zelda walked up to me and ASKED me to ATTACK her. At first, I thought she was serious. Then, I saw who she made an ally with and it all adds up."
Ace gritted his teeth as he glared down at Zelda. "You were sucking on PURPOSE!?"
The princess sternly crossed her arms. "That is correct. Between having to face such a dangerous man like Dark and having a less-than-effective ally, it would give you more chances to screw up."
"Wait, so when you accidentally eliminated Vivian." Bowser realised.
"Unfortunately, yes. I needed Dark so I had to get rid of her because I knew that she would fight him with everything she got." Zelda frowned. She then growled before glaring at D. Dark. "Though MAYBE she wouldn't be so insistent if SOMEONE didn't eliminate her boyfriend!"
The dark-clad man shrugged. "Hey, I don't like being messed around with. Sue me."
"Well, regardless. What's done is done. At least he is exposed." Zelda said.
"Indeed." Ashley nodded before glaring at Ace. "Now, are you with Junko Enoshima?"
The secret agent jumped at this. "What? No!"
"Oh really? Because why did you copy Tsugumi Shirogane's schtick?" Drake asked.
"Oh, like she is the first person to pull a stunt like that!" Ace scolded. "Look, I just happened to compete! That's all!"
Drake narrowed his eyes.
"That is no reason to take Ter…" Ashley started.
"Okay, done…" Drake piped up.
Everyone jumped before turning to the direction of Drake with stunned faces.
"Drake!?" Ashley gasped.
"What are you doing!?" Kasumi roared.
"You heard me. Ace gets to stay." Drake said. "On ONE condition."
"Um, and that is?" The ditto fighter asked, taking a deep gulp.
"Tell us how you managed to sneak into the Ready Room?" Drake asked.
"H-Huh?" Ace asked.
"Oh, come on. Take this whatever you are, but you are NOT Tsugumi. There is no way you could steal an invitation that easily. Especially since two people were on you from the start." Drake said. "Now come on. Who helped you? I am actually curious."
Ace paused for a moment. He then took a deep breath.
"Dingodile and Komodo Joe." He confessed.
(Hotel; Secret Laboratory)
Otane's team, along with Ralf and Maxima, looked on with shock when he heard this.
"Did he jussssst sssssay what I thought he sssssaid!?" Komodo Moe gasped.
(Elimination Seating)
Crunch and Tawna's jaws dropped when they heard this.
"N-No…" Crunch gasped. "If what he is saying is true, then that means… Dingodile… He…"
(Dome; Hallway)
Joe had already taken Dhaos' Star Piece and was about to make his way back. However, he then froze in his spot with a look of pure horror on his face.
(Dome; Interrogation Room)
Carmelita, Gabe and Dingodile looked on with wide eyes when they heard this. Carmelita then narrowed her eyes.
"Well, Dingodile, what do…" Carmelita started.
Suddenly, the hybrid stood up from his seat, knocking it over, startling the two security team members. He was absolutely pissed.
"FUCKING ASSHOLE!"
(The Arena)
Drake looked on in awe. "Really?"
"Yeah… They helped me sneak into the Ready Room." Ace confessed.
Drake narrowed his eyes. "And why should we believe you?"
"For starters, if I wanted to frame someone, those two would be kinda random, isn't it?" Ace asked.
"Hmm…" Drake frowned. "True. Especially since Dingodile is retired from villainy as of now."
"That is what I am saying." Ace nodded.
Drake let out a sigh. "Very well. You can stay."
Needless to say, most people were furious by this decision.
"Ehh!?" Peach gasped.
"Okay, I am all for foul play and even I call Bully on that one!" Bowser nodded.
"Five fighters were eliminated while trying to expose him!" Zelda roared.
"Hey, I know this sucks for Terry. But what can we do? Have him come out now?" Drake shrugged.
"Then, disqualify him!" Lilly said, gritting her teeth.
"Well, technically, he didn't break any rules. Like, sure, Jade from Mortal Kombat disguised as Sheik in the Okron Tournament." Drake shrugged.
"Drake, what the HEAVEN AND HELL is wrong with you!?" Ashley roared.
Nine on the other hand, read the roster for the current section and raised an eyebrow.
"Seriously, how could you even THINK of letting him in this tournament after he…" Ashley started.
Then, Nine put the roster in his face, startling him. The purple-haired man blinked twice before taking it and reading it.
"Look, I have my reasons." Drake shrugged. "And besides, most of you were at the Tournament of Kikai. You should be used to bullshit decisions like this!"
"Okay, okay, I just KNOW that you didn't try to use that unironically." Dot muttered, narrowing her eyes as several people agreed.
"Well, sucks to be you." Drake said, not looking concerned. "Now, Ace, you are the Superstar so which stage do you want?"
The secret agent blinked twice. "Um, I don't know. I DID have something, but that is only if I become the Superstar without anyone finding out that I wasn't Terry Bogard."
"Okay, so go with that." Drake beamed. "Sorry if I am forcing you to make a decision, but we are running long enough as it is."
"No, that's fine. I AM a Ditto Fighter. I could potentially work with any stage." Ace noted. "So here is my idea of what Terry would want. Turn the arena into a train."
Drake raised an eyebrow. "A train?"
"Like not as a full makeover." Ace confessed. "Just to make you FEEL like you are fighting on a stage being PULLED by a train."
"Oh, like some of Terry's stages from Fatal Fury 2 and Garou: Mark of the Wolves?" Drake asked.
Ace grinned. "Exactly!"
"Sure, it is a little simple, but I think we could afford to go back to simple." Drake chuckled. "Oh, MS."
The silver star frowned. "But…"
Drake narrowed his eyes. "MS…"
The benefactor groaned. "Very well."
With that, he spun around, engulfing the arena in a bright light. When the light cleared, the arena went back to normal. Mostly. At the end of the ramp, opposite of the Entrance Ramp was a locomotive. And the fighters started to lose their balance as their hair started to move. As if they were on a moving train.
"Meh. Pyro would have done better." Dot scoffed, crossing her arms as the Pyro sadly hung his head.
"I AM curious what the Pyro would have come up with." Bowser admitted, rubbing his chin
"...Well, at least ONE good thing came out of this madness." Peach muttered.
The crowd let out a mixed reaction as the Millennium Star let Ace descend to the ground. After taking off his hat and wig to reveal his short, dark hair, he turned to see the fighters glared daggers at him. He chuckled nervously before looking up at a grinning Drake.
"Gee, after everything I did, he is still willing to give me the benefit of the doubt. Maybe we were wrong to try to kill him. He is actually a cool dude." Ace thought. "Maybe I should tell him after I get eliminated that I lied about Dingodile and Komodo Joe and tell them that the real culprits were the cast of…"
"BLUE MARY RYAN!" (KoFAS)
Everyone's eyes bugged out as the colour in Ace's face drained. Everyone looked up to see indeed the blonde private detective, crossing her arms with a stern face.
"Ooh, THAT actually makes far more sense." D. Dark realised.
"Yeah, even Xero would have been like 'Dude, what the heck?' if he wasn't setting it up for this." Bowser nodded.
"I can't say that I improve, but at the same time, it is not like they affect us." Zelda shrugged.
"Yeah, and even though you would prefer whatever you wanted, I KNOW for a fact that we could still have fun with it." Dot said, looking at the Pyro.
The red-clad mercenary paused before nodding their head.
As they speak and Blue Mary's Blues play through the speakers, Mary slowly stomps down the ramp with her eyes glaring on Ace the entire time. She then got in before making her way.
"Umm, I know that I stole your boyfriend's invitation, but let's talk about it." Ace insisted.
"Yeah, you WISH that it just ended there, don't you?" Mary asked.
Ace's eyes bugged out in horror. "H-Huh? I have…"
"Save it." Mary spat.
Ace then turned around to run off, but Mary wrapped her arms around him before suplexing him in the ground. While on the ground, Ace stared upside-down at the Announcer's Booth. Even upside-down, he could still see Drake's smirk.
"On second thought, fuck the guy…" Ace thought.
"...If I had a dime for every time Mary has intense anger for a man named 'Ace' at these things, I would have two dimes." Kasumi said, blinking twice. "Which isn't a lot, but it is still weird that it happens."
"At the very least, we are in a less chaotic stage so we could find him." Lilly noted.
(Announcer's Booth)
"Look, I still think you should disqualify him." Ashley frowned.
"I deny Mary the chance for revenge?" Drake asked before scoffing. "And besides, he wants to be in the tournament this badly. Well, be careful what you wish for."
Nine paused. "Sooo… Does this change the fighter announcements?"
Drake and Ashley looked at Nine, confused.
"H-Huh?" Drake asked. "Um, no, it shouldn't. I know this is harsh knowing that Terry died, but the tournament has to go on."
"Okay, good. I skipped on Mary because not even I am that much of a bitch to do so after their boyfriend just died." Nine nodded.
Ashley blinked twice. "Umm… Skip what?"
Nine gave Ashley an evil smirk.
"ZIM!" (NASB)
The red-eyed Irken came out to a huge mixed reaction. He eagerly looked around at both the positive and negative reactions with a big smirk on his face. He was about to go on using his spider-legs.
"Invader Zim? Pfft. He can't even invade one of the dumbest versions of Planet Earth of all time. And that is saying a lot considering how stupid the actual Planet Earth is!"
Immediately, everyone, even Mary, froze in their spots before slowly turning their heads towards the Announcer's Booth to see Nine crossing her arms and smirking.
"How dare you!? You dare talk to ZIM like that!" Zim roared, angrily pointing up at the Announcer's Booth.
"Oh, I dare alright." Nine sneered. "Drake already demonstrated. Whoever is in the Announcer's Booth makes the rules and I could say whatever I want about you and the following fighters."
Everyone looked shocked at this. They then glared up at Drake, who shrank back.
"What are YOU guys giving ME the evil eye!?" Drake roared. "She clearly said FOLLOWING fighters!"
"Indeed. Let THEM curse Drake." Ashley snarked.
Drake glared at Ashley. "Gee, thanks, man. Ten out of ten."
Everyone merely rolled their eyes as Zim used his spider legs from his backpack to make his way down the ramp. However, the moment that he was in the ring, Ryu and Lilly approached him at the same time.
"Alright, I know that you are up to something and I was affected." Ryu & Lilly said in unison. Their eyes then bugged out before looking at each other. "YOU were affected too?"
Zim just smirked while crossing his arms. "I do not know what you are talking about."
"Save it. We all know that you are a bad liar. The only reason your node rarely fought out your real identity because everyone in the whole is too nihilistic and/or stupid and the only one that isn't is your basic conspiracy theorist." Lilly scoffed.
Ryu jumped at this while Kasumi walked next to him with a frown.
"...Wow. She was REALLY affected by the villains' plot, wasn't she?" Ryu noted.
"You have NO idea." Kasumi sighed.
Zim just narrowed his eyes. "Very well. I will MAKE you realise how insulting me is an unwise decision! Go, GiR!"
Then, his robot minion appeared in a flash light before flailing his arms forward with his eyes red. The three got into a stance.
Suddenly, he jumped before looking up at the arena light with his eyes turning blue.
"Ooh, look at the pretty lights!" GiR said, excitedly.
Then, his eyes flashed red again.
"No, must destroy." He said. His eyes then flashed blue again, before looking up at the lights. "Ooh, look at the pretty lights."
He then proceeded to repeat his pattern. Zim blinked twice before slapping his forehead, Ryu and Kasumi looked at each other, not knowing what to do or say and Lilly just raised an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah. I am going to look forward to using you as my punching bag." Lilly muttered.
"SHIONNE VYMER IMERIS DAYMORE!" (ToAS)
"...Okay, so according to what Kokonoe told me, Shionne is a Renan and those are usually associated with the upper class or something like that." Nine noted. "But really? THAT is her full name? How pretentious is her family?"
The pink-haired sniper glared up at the Announcer's Booth. Fortunately, despite the roast, people still didn't stop cheering for her. Which is impressive because she still was relatively new. Deciding not to shout back at Nine, she made her way down the ramp, muttering under her breath before entering the ring.
She then decided to make her way over to Bowser, who raised an eyebrow at this. "Let me guess. You want a fight."
"That is correct. Nothing personal, but our node is going a little slow in terms of eliminations at the moment so that is why I am going after low-hanging fruit." Shionne said, matter-of-factly as her long ponytail blew in the "wind".
Bowser's pupils shrank at this. "What did you say!?"
"I could understand why you think I am arrogant, but I have reason to think that." Shionne said before holding up a sniper rifle. "My weapon is a rifle and I am also skilled in magic. And while you have your fire breath, it could only get you so far."
"Oh, because YOU'RE the only zoner I ever faced in my life!" Bowser roared.
Shionne narrowed her eyes. "Grab and throw me."
A few people jumped at this.
"With pleasure." Bowser said before he was about to grab Shionne.
Only to be electrocuted the moment he touched her, causing him to cry out in pain. Shionne merely looked bored.
"Also, should I mention that I am stuck with a curse that electrocutes anyone who tries to touch me physically?" Shionne said, matter-of-factly.
Bowser groaned before growling. "Oh, like THAT isn't fair!"
"G!" (SFAS)
"Okay, I've seen a lot of arrogant politicians in my lifetime, but 'President of the Earth'?" How full of yourself to consider to be the leader of an ENTIRE PLANET?" Nine asked, rolling her eyes. "Do we ever know what this guy does?"
Unlike Zim and Shionne, the blond black-clad president completely ignored Nine's comment and bowed and tipped his hat to the cheering crowd as his theme played.
"Thank you! Thank you! As President of the Earth, it is nice to be routinely invited to these tournaments!" G nodded. "As such, I will return the favour to the hosts AND you to the citizens of Earth to put on a good show!"
With that, he proudly marched his way down the ramp before stepping in. Adjusting his hat so it doesn't fall off, he made his way over to Peach who was about to help Bowser with Shionne.
"Ah, Princess! It is a pleasure to come face-to-face to one of the most important leaders in the gaming universe!" G grinned.
Peach blinked twice. "Um, most important leaders? I don't know about that."
"Don't sell yourself so short! You are noted for getting kidnapped all of the time." G said with a hearty laugh. "While your defence definitely leaves a lot to be desired, surely you are THAT important to get kidnapped that many times."
Peach and Perry both blinked twice at this.
"Umm, you ARE aware that most of the time, it was because Bowser has a crush on…" Peach started.
"Let us fight! The President of Earth versus the Monarch of the Mushroom Kingdom! It will be a battle for the ages!" G announced.
Perry paused. "...Please don't tell me you are thinking of saying yes, Princess."
"It is not that I do NOT want to decline." Peach frowned. "But I am more afraid of what he would do if I say no."
"Great…" Perry muttered.
"ICE CLIMBERS!" (SSB)
"While not the most egregious example, let's face it. Would anyone even remember who these brats are if it wasn't for Smash?" Nine muttered. "Despite the game supporting co-op, you can completely finish the game by yourself."
The blue and pink-clad siblings glared up at Nine and showed the bottom of their eyelids while sticking out their tongues. They then made their way down the ramp.
"Are you sure about this, Popo?" Nana frowned.
"But of course, Nana!" The blue-clad boy reassured. "You saw how dangerous those two are apart! If we have them together, they would be a hassle for everyone! Besides, we are cryomancers! We would be the biggest victims of them!"
Nana paused. "Not… Wrong."
"Besides, we managed to score an awesome ally!" Popo grinned.
"True. If there is one person who can help us. It is him." Nana shrugged.
"Exactly. Now we have to make sure that nobody comes near them." Popo smiled. "Shouldn't it be too hard?"
Nana paused. "...Bro. Trying to count all of the stupid decisions people make at these things will give me a headache."
Popo narrowed his eyes. "So will that attitude!?"
With that, they made their way down the ramp and decided to keep an eye on their targets.
Dot and the Pyro where the former was blowing bubbles while the latter was trying to catch them.
"HAYATO NEKKETSU!" (RS)
"Ah, yes, the stereotypical loud, overbearing gym teacher. I wonder how many nerds are jumping on the chance to pile onto him." Nine muttered.
The red-clad gym teacher frowned as he tapped his wooden katana against his shoulder. Not because of Nine's comment (though it didn't help) but because of his node's poor score so far.
"So far, the only one who has gotten an elimination is Tiffany." Hayato groaned. "It seems that everyone has gotten too comfortable, just because Akira appeared in V. It seems like it is up to us teachers to help us bail those kids out."
Slapping his cheeks together to check himself up, he ran down the ramp and leapt in with a second thought. He then made a beeline towards D. Dark and swung his wooden katana at him. However, D. Dark saw it coming and ducked underneath the attack.
"And what was THAT for, fool?" D. Dark scoffed.
"Make no mistake. I appreciate what you did, exposing Terry's imposter. You are still a dangerous man!" Hayato countered, narrowing his eyes. "I do not approve of what you did to that imaginary friend!"
D. Dark rolled his eyes. "Okay, real talk? How many people just walk off having someone crash into them? Don't act so sanctimonious!"
"Tch, I should have expected that attitude." Hayato scoffed. "Well, I will beat it out of you AND make you do laps in the sun! Lord knows you need it!"
D. Dark blinked twice. "...First, helping the princess expose Ace and now I could potentially brutally maim you. What is it with this tournament putting me in the 'hero' role?"
"GOMAMON!" (DRA)
"Ah, yes. The obligatory Aquaman character. Who is not only perfectly serviceable and an invaluable asset to their team." Nine said. "When there is water around. Without it, they are basically playing catch-up to the less disadvantaged heroes and that is me being VERY generous."
The white-furred orange-Mohawked seal-like Digimon glared up at Nine, but quickly tried to get over it by clapping his hands together, trying to psyche him up. He then bounded down the ramp and leapt in. He then made his way towards Zelda, who was lying on her knees, meditating.
"Hey, princess." Gomamon said, getting Zelda's attention. "Mind if we fight?"
The blonde raised an eyebrow. "Everyone else is already taken."
"Apparently. The Ice Climbers looked like they wanted to fight Dot and the Pyro." Gomamon shrugged.
Zelda's eyes widened at this. "What!? Why!?"
"I am not sure. But considering that they are not approaching them yet, I think they have some kind of plan." Gomamon shrugged.
Zelda paused. "...I am sure that they have their reasons. You can't climb a mountain if you are not smart."
"I guess…" Gomamon paused. "...So are we doing this?"
Zelda merely shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
(Announcer's Booth)
"Um, Nine, why are you deciding to copy Monokuma's segments during the Big Guy Blockers?" Ashley asked.
"Well, it is not because I like Junko if THAT'S what you are worrying about." The arch-mage scoffed.
"Oh, thank goodness." Ashley said in relief.
"But I gotta give credit where credit is due. Her roasts during the Big Guy Blockers are actually pretty funny." Nine admitted.
"Of course you would." Ashley muttered.
"So that is why until my sister is found, I am going to try to roast every fighter." Nine said.
"I think that is a good idea. Ash and I already have our own dynamic so you definitely need your own schtick." Drake nodded.
"...That's it." Ashley muttered.
He then picked up a book and started to read it.
"Um, what is that?" Nine asked.
"A book on how to learn holy magic." Ashley said, without looking up. "Maybe I punish you myself at the end of the tournament, everyone wouldn't tie me up to fireworks just like they did with Maurice."
Drake narrowed his eyes. "Wow! Fuck you too, man!"
(Dome; Restaurant)
Whip's group, along with the restaurant staff, paused as they looked in the arena.
"First, Jade. Then, Tsugumi. And then, Ace?" Isla asked in disbelief. "If this crap happens again in the fourth Megamix Tournament, I am going to scream."
"Well, get ready to scream, Isla." Whip muttered, rolling her eyes. "Hell, I am surprised there WASN'T an imposter fighter in the first three tournaments."
Then, they all heard noises. They turned their heads to see the others walking over.
"Aw, guys, welcome back!" Kula beamed.
"It is about time!" Whip groaned. "We have a lot of…"
Then, they all noticed there was only Ragna, Bang, Lloyd and Kanji. All of them were hanging their heads.
"Um, where is Uncle and Ralf?" Kula asked, blinking twice.
Bang then collapsed on his knees and bowed in front of everyone, startling them.
"Forgive me! I have failed them!" Bang said.
"H-Hey! Hey!" Ragna insisted before crouching down to Bang's level. "We've already been over this! This is NOT your fault!"
"W-What happened?" Whip asked.
Ragna looked up solemnly. "Bang, Ralf and Maxima went to their designated location, but they came off three members from Otane's team, recruiting a new member. They confronted them and Bang ended up chasing two of them while Ralf and Maxima fought the other two."
"But I couldn't even find my targets when I returned to the location where I left Ralf and Maxima. All I found was this…" Bang said, gritting his teeth.
With that, he took out Ralf's bandana, making everyone gasp at this, especially Whip and Ralf.
"W-W-Wait, hold on. Maybe they just ran off too." Rimururu insisted.
"Bang tried to call them. But he found Ralf's phone in a trash bin and Maxima's phone seemed to be turned off." Lloyd frowned. "So that means only one thing…"
Kanji gritted his teeth. "They are with Otane's team."
Everyone looked on in horror at this.
"U-Uncle?" Kula asked with tears forming in their eyes.
"No…" Whip gasped. "They wouldn't… HE wouldn't…"
(Hotel; Secret Laboratory)
"What do you mean you have no idea what that Ace guy is talking about!?" Krizalid asked in disbelief.
"It isssss asssss you sssssaid." Moe insisted. "I didn't even know that Joe was involved in imperssssonating Terry Bogard."
"So not even his own brother knows…" Otane lamented.
"Okay, wow. Just WOW. Terry got Tsugumied because you can't keep control of your people!?" Ralf roared.
Cinder paused. "...See? This is why people use sellotape on their mouths."
"He does have a point. If he was to simply capture Terry like Ralf and Maxima, he didn't have to make a deal with Ace and Dingodile" Mukai frowned. "All this does is make things more complicated."
"...Why Dingodile join? Dingodile retired." Tiny asked.
"Indeed. Dingodile only joined the adventure because he was literally DRAGGED into it." Brio nodded with a frown.
Suddenly, they all heard a phone ring. They all looked to the direction of the noise to see Moe pulling out his phone. Once he looked at it, his eyes bugged out. He then answered it.
"Joe!" Moe gasped.
"Hey, brother." A familiar voice greeted.
"Dude, you have NO idea how much we were talking about you right now!?" Moe exclaimed.
"I could imagine…" Joe noted. "Hey, can you do me a favour?"
"Sure, anything!" Moe nodded.
"I took Dhaosssss' Ssssstar Piece and gave it to the receptionssssst." Joe explained. "Have sssssomeone come pick it up."
"W-What!? Why? Why can't you come in here and deliver it!?" Moe insisted.
"Look. That Ace guy… Is lying." Joe said.
Moe's eyes lit up. "R-Really? But why?
"Look, I don't have much time to talk so I am going to make this as quick as possible." Joe explained. "Tell everywhere that I am going to try to ssssstop Drake's assssassin."
"Drake's asssssassin?" Moe asked before his eyes bugged out. "You mean the one behind the garlic attack!?"
"That's right. Ace lied about me becausssssse he is onto me." Joe said. "So I am afraid I am leaving it all up to you."
"H-Hey, wait! This is all going sssssso fast!" Moe insisted.
"I know, but I HAVE to be fast. Good luck…" Joe said before taking a deep breath.
"Wait, Joe, don't…" Moe started.
He then hung up. Moe then slumped his arms with everyone looking confused/
"Moe?" Brio asked, softly.
"I… I think Joe is in danger." Moe said.
With that, he proceeded to tell everyone what he was told. Even Ralf and Maxima looked in curiosity.
"What the hell is going on…?" Maxima muttered.
"Psst. Maxima!"
The Canadian's eyes bugged out at this as he heard a sudden voice in his head.
"Shh! Please do not be alarmed. I wish to help you."
Maxima's pupils shrank trying not to shout. "Wait… That accent. That indistinguishable European accent? Are you…"
"That is correct. Dexter: Boy Genius!"
"H-How?" Maxima asked. "I didn't even know you came to the tournament."
"I didn't. I am communicating from MY own laboratory."
(Dexter's House; Dexter's Lab)
Dexter frowned as he typed on his computer in his laboratory.
"But… How?" Maxima asked. "I know I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but still…"
"I will try to explain things as swiftly as possible. The room that you are currently in is actually MY lab at the Crossover Dome." Dexter explained.
Maxima paused. "Xero gave you your own lab?"
"Of course not! I created it when I arrived at the hotel!" Dexter scolded.
"I knew you were a boy genius, but WOW." Maxima said in awe.
"As much as I appreciate the compliments, I suggest we should move on." Dexter explained. "I left it inactive after the Tournament of Kikai ended and I thought that unless I was invited back, I wouldn't hear of it."
"So wait? So you are saying it is YOUR fault that Otane's team have a base of operations?" Maxima asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
Dexter winced at this. "T-T-That is not important! What IS important is that when it activated, Computer immediately contacted me. I was able to see what they were doing from the start. At first, I was pondering if I should step in because most, if not all of them are villains. But when I saw them carry you and your ally inside, I knew I had to step in."
"Oh, cool. But how are you speaking to me?" Maxima asked.
"Simple. The moment they decided to use you as a living power source, I was able to hack into the phone function of your tech." Dexter explained.
"So wait. Are you able to shut it off at any time?" Maxima asked.
"Unfortunately, no. I could only observe." Dexter lamented. "I could also appear on the screens, but obviously that isn't wise."
"Gee, maybe you shouldn't leave around high-tech labs that potential villain teams could use." Maxima snarked. "Just a thought."
"Look, I am sorry, alright!" Dexter said, narrowing his eyes. "Look, the only reason I didn't make a move until now was because the lab was full of villains and for better or for worse, whatever happened with those Komodo Dragons distracted everyone."
"And then some…" Maxima muttered. "What else could you do?"
"Well, I could call your friends from your phone function." Dexter offered.
Maxima's eyes widened. "R-Really?"
"Indeed. Like I said, your body is currently a power battery for my Crossover Dome lab so I have more or less access to all of your functions." Dexter nodded. He then looked confused. "Including all of your photos of Athena Asamiya's outfits for some reason. Including her summer…"
"H-H-Hold on!" Maxima insisted, sounding flustered.
"Hold on to what, hoser?" Cinder's voice asked.
"Shit… I gotta go… Not really, but still." Maxima said.
"It is alright. I will try to call your friends when the attention is off you." Dexter reassured.
He then sighed.
"...If anything to whatever is happening, it should come."
(The Arena)
"KING DEDEDE!" (SSB)
"Ah, yes, the self-proclaimed king of Dreamland. Let's be honest. The only one with brains to attempt to rule Dreamland is Metaknight and he is too edgy and brooding to try to rule." Nine snarked. "So in conclusion, just your regular old monarch."
The blue heavyset penguin glared up at Nine, but his face lightened up when he looked around at the large cheering crowd. Carrying his giant mallet, he played the ground.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Dedede beamed. "Watch me and I get to town on these! No one is going to knock me…"
Suddenly, a green-and-purple blur came out of the Ready Room and zoomed into Dedede. Everyone jumped as the giant bird flew into the air before crashing on the ramp. The guilty party stopped themselves before snickering down at the dazed Dedede before planting a stamp on their vehicle.
"Ugh… NITROS OXIDE!" (CB)
"For the supposed fasting thing in the universe, it seems that he has to cheat in his Boss Race to get ahead." Nine muttered. "And knowing him, he probably thinks that he is hot shit for that stunt he did just now!"
"That's because I am!" The green alien sneered before standing up in his hovercraft and played to the huge mixed reaction. Most of it was negative because of his cheap shot on Dedede. Said king groaned while holding his hand with his free hand. He then growled before glaring at the guilty party.
"Hey! What was THAT for!?" Dedede angrily, roared, getting Oxide's attention.
"What? That is how I usually start my Boss Race!" The racer said, matter-of-factly with his hands on his hips. "So naturally I should enter the tournament like this."
"Ooh, so I am nothing more than a stepping stone for ya!" Dedede growled.
"Pretty much. Thank you for that. You walked so I could zoom." Oxide smirked before driving his hovercraft into the arena.
Dedede growled before rushing over Oxide with his hammer. "Oh, it is on like Camp Rock 2!"
"And now, Mystery Fighter… Number… Um, Twenty, right?"
"Counting Ace? Sure, why not?"
"Okay, got it. TWENTY!"
"LEMMY KOOPA!" (Super Mario Bros.)
"Lemmy Whatnow!?" Bowser shouted before looking up at the Entrance Curtain.
Indeed, standing outside of the Entrance Curtain was a small Koopa with a rainbow-coloured Mohawk. He finally jumped up and down while waving his arms as if they were on fire. He then got out a wand with a green jewel and created a yellow bouncy ball with stars on it. He then got onto the ball and started to make his way down the ramp while making poses, much to the amusement of the crowd.
(Announcer's Booth)
"Hey, what gives?" Nine asked, glaring at Drake. "The only reason I didn't roast Lemmy was because I literally didn't expect him to come out!"
"Sorry, Nine. After what happened at the Tournament of Kikai, Ashley and I told ourselves to keep the Mystery Fighters secret to everyone save for the staff that were with us from the start." The vampire shrugged.
The archmage blinked twice. "But… Nothing happened except Monokuma was actually quiet a couple of times."
"Exactly."
(The Arena)
Soon, Lemmy finally reached the bottom of the ramp. Needless to say, Bowser immediately ran over.
"Lemmy!?" Bowser asked in disbelief.
"Oh, hey, King Dad!" The rainbow-haired boy cheered.
"Don't you 'Hey, King Dad' me! What are you doing here!?" Bowser scolded.
Lemmy blinked twice. "I was invited here!"
"So I noticed! But why didn't you tell me!?" Bowser said.
"I wasn't supposed to, King Dad!" Lemmy shrugged. "I am a Mystery Fighter! I am not allowed to tell you!"
"Okay, if THAT is the case then how come I have gotten a call from…" Bowser started before slapping his forehead. "Never mind… Look, as long as we are here, let's team up."
"K!" Lemmy cheered.
G on the other hand, blinked twice. "Wait, so the Koopalings ARE Bowser's children?"
"Well, if you want to be accurate, Junior IS Bowser's only child BIOLOGICALLY." Peach pointed out. "The rest are adopted."
"Huh. That is actually a quite impressive fact to learn!" G grinned. "Not going to lie, I was torn between fighting you or Bowser and honestly, I made my decision because the pinkette sniper got to him first! She has good taste in opponent."
Shionne actually heard this and frowned. "Really? I am feeling the opposite right now."
"AZRAEL!" (BB)
"Hey, Azrael! How is that non-Big Guy status suiting you!? Must be tough to be one of the most destructive people in Blazblue and get shunned from a Big Guy status!" Nine boasted with a smirk.
The blue-haired muscular man just shook his head at Nine's comment before making his way down the ramp. At the same time, Zim crashed on his side. He groaned before looking up and smirking.
"Ha ha! Tough luck, fools! I am not alone!" Zim boasted.
Azrael then entered the arena and made his way over to Zim's fight.
"Ah, Zim! I see that you collected a fine group for me!" Azrael smirked.
The Irken's smirk vanished as he rolled his eyes (somehow). "Zim doesn't collect these fools for YOU!"
Azrael chuckled. "I know, I know. Still appreciate your efforts. The face of fighting games himself, the first winner of the Megamix Tournament and even Miss Kane looks like she has some more potential than usual. All strong opponents.
Lilly growled. "I do not care so much about fighting as I care about beating you down!"
"Yeah, that is completely valid! You don't have to care about anything I have to say!" Azrael laughed.
He then gave a dark smirk.
"You just have to fight as if your life depends on it." Azrael said before licking his lips. "You wouldn't be much of a feast if you half-ass it."
Kasumi grunted in disgust. "There is living to fight and there is… THAT."
"That is right! All you are is food to us!" Zim boasted. "Nothing more! Nothing…"
Suddenly, a pink rectangle crashed into Zim from behind, startling everyone. They all looked in the direction of the projectile to see it came from the Ready Room.
"GENJURO KIBAGAMI!" (SS)
"Okay, so it is clear that they are trying to give Genjuro a blood-red hair thing because he is 'Edgy Killer' and all, but all I see is magenta." Nine noted. "I think someone who was in charge of Genjuro's colouring screwed up big time."
The magenta-haired assassin growled before glaring up at Nine. Normally, he would spout some crude words at her, but he already decided on a target to take his anger out on. Or rather two. He then stomped down the ramp and jumped in.
Zim then got up. "You dare strike Zim!"
"I will dare strike anyone! Ryu, are these people involved with Rugal!?" Genjuro asked.
"Unfortunately, they aren't confirming anything." The brown-haired man frowned.
"Tch. Then, we will MAKE them!" Genjuro growled.
A dark glint appeared in Azrael's eye. "Now that's what I want to see!
Kasumi blinked twice. "Um, Ryu, what is going on?"
"Oh, it is kinda of a last minute thing, but he is my ally in our hero group." The bearded man confessed.
Kasumi jumped. "What!? You are willingly aligning with GENJURO!?"
"Why not? I am allied with Yamazaki." Lilly snarled.
Kasumi turned towards Lilly with shrunken pupils.
"Ehhhhh?"
"JUDE MATHIS!" (ToAS)
"So this kid is supposed to be some kind of scientist and yet his hair is a complete mess!" Nine said, looking annoyed. "Seriously, do you approach potential clients with that bedhead?"
The dark-haired teenage youth gingerly rubbed his hair after hearing Nine's comment. Despite this, he made his way down the ramp, giving the decent cheer he was getting a wave. He then jumped up and down a few times before jumping into the ring.
He then made a beeline for Mary who was on top of Ace, alternating punches in his face.
"Um, excuse me, Miss Ryan?" Jude asked.
The blonde looked up. "Oh, you are part of the medical staff."
"Yes, your friend, Rock, told me that he called you. If it is not too much trouble, could you tell me why Joe stabbed Terry?" Jude asked.
Mary blinked twice. "Um, I never got around to asking him. Hell, I don't think I ever would if you didn't straight up tell me."
Jude slumped his arms. "I could understand your feelings, but still…"
Then, Ace managed to snap out of his daze and teleport from under Mary. He then reappeared, looking pissed.
"Okay, you know what? You wanna come at me at my best, FINE!" Ace boasted. "I am going to show you why medics should stay in the Recovery Room."
With that, he turned his hand into a drill (like Krohnen) and lunged at Jude. However, the medic jumped up to avoid the move. Suddenly, he vanished, much to Ace and Mary's shock. Jude then reappeared behind Ace and kicked him in the back, knocking him down.
"I may be a medic, but I still know martial arts." Jude said, cracking his knuckles with a stern face.
(Dome; Interrogation Room)
"You will quiet down at once!"
"Oh, because Ah needed to be told that by YA!"
Gabe groaned as Carmelita and Dingodile got into a shouting match with each other ever since they saw Ace's "confession."
"You have a lot of gall, thinking you are in the position to talk back!" Carmelita snapped.
"And ya have a lot of destroyed brain cells, thinking that faker was telling the truth!" Dingodile shot back.
"Okay, I am actually going to be generous and ignore the first part of your comment!" Carmelita scoffed.
"Seriously, ya are just going ta trust someone who pulled a Tsugumi. An act that also got the entire multiverse engulfed in despair." Dingodile said before growling. "An event that YA are at!"
"Oh, okay, and what about Komodo Joe?" Carmelita asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dingodile paused. "What about him?"
"Don't give us that! Why did Ace ID him?" Carmelita asked.
"Hell if Ah know! The guy must have been desperate and pulled scapegoats out of his tailhole!" Dingodile shrugged.
"Yeah, even if that looks like the case, it seems far too random." Gabe said, shaking his head. "If it was your name he called out, maybe that would be way too convenient. But Komodo Joe? That is a bit of a stretch, isn't it?"
"And ya have no evidence that Joe was my 'accomplice'!" Dingodile snapped.
"Other than the fact that he is the crime suspect in killing Terry Bogard!?" Carmelita reminded, slamming her hands on the table.
Dingodile winced.
"One of YOUR nodal companions confirmed it for us. It was the Scimitar of the KOMODO BROTHERS!" Carmelita snapped.
"Ah can't tell ya that if Ah admitted." Dingodile said.
"Yeah, because you would be on a one-way ticket to the slammer!" Carmelita said.
The rest of the security team, along with Wave's investigation team watched the whole thing from outside.
"...Just who is Dingodile trying to fool?" Wave asked in disbelief.
Athena's eyes widened. "You don't really believe Ace, do you?"
"By himself? Not a chance. But when you look at the evidence, it all makes sense." Wave said.
Athena gulped nervously.
"Well, while investigating, we assumed that there would be at least one accomplice." Wave explained. "Seeing that Dingodile was so defensive on revealing his true motives."
Athena winced. "That's…"
"Secondly, Wario's lock was burned off so the culprit could be a pyromancer." Wave added. "Even if Dingodile didn't do it himself, it could easily be Ace or Joe."
"But Joe isn't a pyromancer! In fact, he… ISN'T any kind of mancer!" Athena insisted.
Everyone gave Athena weird looks.
"Girl, I love ya, but have you been NOT paying attention to the tournament?" Pepper frowned.
"Joe has access to his Wizard skin from Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled and could use the Elemental Wheels from the very game to augment his spells!" Jet added. "Or and what is one of said wheels? Oh yeah, FIRE elemental wheels!"
"AND wind elemental wheels! Only an aeromancer could make the giant garlic cloud spread that quickly!" Wave concluded.
"But that still doesn't explain how Terry fits into the equation?" Storm asked with his arms crossed. "Wario confirmed that he had hints of garlic on him."
"Yeah, about that. Question: How come the lock to Wario's locker is burned off and yet the lock to the actual locker room is intact?" Wave asked.
"I WAS wondering that myself." Naesala said. "I assume that is where Terry comes in."
"Yes, I think it was Terry who was the one that got Dingodile, Joe and Ace into the Super Smash Bros Locker Room." Wave nodded.
"But Terry isn't part of Super Smash Bros!" Athena insisted.
Wave paused. "Wow, you ARE dumb! Sure, Terry has never been a part of the Super Smash Bros roster at an UVR tournament for obvious reasons, but he is still a member! And may I remind you that after what happened with Marie in the Tournament of Kikai, Drake changed all of the locker room keys to scanners! The door is sealed when closed while a nodal companion uses their key to scan!"
"Even still, why would Drake let Terry, who isn't representing Super Smash Bros, into the locker room?" Horkeukamui asked.
"Laziness." Wave said without a beat.
Everyone blinked twice.
"Wow, what a brilliant response!" Pepper snarked.
"No, really, sure, it is basically a meme to have at Mai Shiranui's expense, but Super Smash Bros DO have too many characters." Wave shrugged. "I wouldn't be surprised if Drake just had the Millennium Star automatically scanned all of the keys that were in Super Smash Bros. INCLUDING the ones with their own nodes here."
"Okay, Drake was one thing, but the Millennium Star?" Athena frowned.
"Dude literally put in an AI for an archangel to harass the arena in Section Two by mistake." Wave snarked. "Let's face it. Being the MILLENNIUM Star made him go a little senile."
Athena bit her lip.
"Okay, but why would Terry Bogard want to join a plan to kill Drake?" Storm asked.
Wave frowned. "THAT is the one thing I don't get."
"Wait…"
Everyone turned to see Wario, who looked like he realised something.
"...Do the garlic theft HAVE-A to start as an assassination attempt?" Wario asked. "Can it start-a as something less serious and escalate by the other guilty parties?"
Everyone blinked twice, looking at each other.
"Um, I guess that would make sense." Wave said, scratching the back of his head.
Wario gritted his teeth. "Ugh, of course… I think-a I found the final piece of the puzzle, but I need to confirm-a something. Can we go to the Recovery Room? I want to talk with-a Rock Howard."
"Um, sure, I think we should wait until Carmelita and Gabe are done before we could get the latter." Wave said.
Horkeukamui's eyes widened at this. "Wait, what? You still want him on your team."
"Of course! Like I said, he is our credible witness!" Wave nodded.
She then looked at Athena with a sneer.
"Though at this point, confirming Terry's involvement in the crime is merely a formality." Wave taunted. "Maybe she should stick to being Phoenix Wright's knock-off Maya."
Athena growled before storming off. Horkeukamui and Pepper frowned before running after her with the Babylon Rogues and Wario smirked in success. Naesala just watched before looking down at Wave.
"You should quit your job and become a rival prosecter." Naesala said.
"Nah, the Babylon Rogues are where I'm at." Wave said, waving it off. "Not that it wouldn't suck to be one. Basically bullying and humiliating hapless defence attorneys for their stupid comments."
Naesala paused. "Sure… Let's pretend that it is a compliment."
(Dome; Security Team Room)
"Athena, please don't let them get to you." Horkeukamui reassured.
"Yeah, they are just jerks." Pepper said.
Athena stopped walking to turn around. "If it was just that, I wouldn't be so upset. But the situation somehow got WORSE."
Horkeukamui frowned. "Indeed. Ace's 'confession' really made a bad situation worse."
"I still can't believe that everyone would trust him so easily!" Pepper said in disbelief. "Shouldn't everyone be paranoid of Tsugumi?"
"Unfortunately, Dingodile is the prime suspect of this cas and Komodo Joe is working with a villain group." Horkeukamui frowned. "That, along with the other factors Wave mentioned and they are the perfect people to frame."
"And the only one who probably knows the full truth." Pepper lamented. "We are dealing with some professionals."
Athena sighed. "Always did."
"So what now?" Horkeukamui asked.
"What else?" Athena asked, narrowing her eyes. "We are the only ones who know that Dingodile and Joe are innocent. If we don't fight for them, who will?"
Horkeukamui and Pepper narrowed their eyes as well and sternly nodded. Athena then took a deep breath.
"The discord in their hearts must be buzzing like crazy…"
(Dome; Hallway)
Mickey and Tiny looked up at the screen as they faced Ryu and Genjuro teamed up with Kasumi and Lilly against Zim and Azrael.
"I do NOT envy Ryu and Genjuro right now." Mickey frowned. "I saw what Azrael could do at the second Battle of the Luminaries. Anyone who could go toe-to-toe with BARBATOS GOETIA is not one to be taken lightly."
"Don't worry, not only is Ryu the mascot for fighting games and Genjuro is the rival of Haohmaru himself." Tiny offered. "But Kasumi Todoh and Lilly Kane are there. And Miss Kane is acting surprisingly brutal."
"Aye, I was in a hero group with her at the second Megamix Tournament. She NEVER acted like that." Mickey frowned. "Wonder what happened?"
"Well, we could just ask her." Tiny shrugged. "For now, we should keep searching for villains."
"Aye, about that…" Mickey frowned. "Haohmaru said and I quote 'We should encircle the area until we find any villains. We should be able to find some within three sections'."
"Haohmaru is the winner of the very first Ultimate Video Rumble, I think he knows what he is talking about." Tiny shrugged.
Mickey looked at Tiny in disbelief. "And Kirby is one of the most powerful characters of all time. But that doesn't mean he has infinite wisdom of the universe!"
"You know, for someone who likes to bet it all in gambling, you sure don't like taking risks very much." The Canadian said.
"Hey, gambling is like ecstasy, alright?" Mickey scolded. "Like a drug without actually feeling the symptoms."
Tiny rolled his eyes. "That sounds about right."
"Look, I get it! This is all we got." Mickey admitted, looking at Tiny as they made their way around a corner. "But does Haohmaru really expect us to just walk right into some villains?"
CRASH!
Mickey then found himself falling onto his rear. Tiny looked with blinking eyes as he rubbed his rear.
"Um, Mickey…?" Tiny asked.
"AYE! I am afraid that I just walked right into some villains!" The Irishman groaned.
With that, he got up to see who he crashed into. It was Rilla Roo who was lying on his back dazed. He also noticed someone underneath him, kicking their legs.
"GET OFF ME!"
The person then pushed Rilla Roo off of him to reveal Infinite.
"How dare you knock him onto me!?" Infinite roared, glaring at Mickey. "Don't you know who I am!"
"Yeah, I do." Tiny said, matter-of-factly. "You're Infinite. He's Rilla Roo. And you're both villains."
"Okay, laddies, we're just going to cut to the chase. If you know anything about Shizu from Samurai Shodown, you better tell us." Mickey said, punching his fists together.
Infinite (and Rilla Roo who finally got up) jumped at this. "How did you know!?"
"Because we were there when Shizu approached Genjuro for a fight." Mickey pointed out.
"Oh, that makes sense. I don't see why two nobodies would get involved." Infinite scoffed.
Mickey gritted his teeth at this. Tiny blinked twice.
"Maybe if it was from anyone else, that would be an insult, but shouldn't that be a compliment?" Tiny asked.
Mickey, Infinite and Rilla Roo blinked twice at this.
"Well, you ARE one of the most badly-written Sonic characters of all time. Whenever I hear you get brought up, it is not in a positive way." Tiny explained. "Not helping is that you are currently with Rilla Roo, someone who is literally created just to give Dingodile a palette swap in Crash Bash."
Infinite and Rilla Roo both looked angry at this while Mickey snickered.
"Good one, Tiny." Mickey smirked.
"How dare you!? I am one of the most powerful Sonic villains of all time!" Infinite roared. "And I am stuck with Rilla Roo just so I could balance out his weakness!"
Rilla Roo turned his glare towards Infinite as the jackal continued.
"I could easily take you both down with one hand tied behind my back! And that is why…" He roared.
He then turned around and walked off.
"...I am going to walk away and like Rilla Roo handle it for me!" Infinite said, somehow still having the same cocky attitude.
Rilla Roo's eyes bugged out as Mickey and Tiny blinked twice. The former then ran over and got into Infinite's path. Rilla Roo then pointed at the two boxers, trying to get him to fight.
"Oh, please. Let's be honest. If it wasn't for SSBFreak pining over Ally Gator, would anyone even know who those two are?" Infinite muttered. "That is why even you could face them. Be grateful. I gave you a win!"
Rilla Roo narrowed his eyes. "I got chased for a good section in the first Battle of the Luminaries by the security team! And you know who led the security team! ALLY GATOR! I remembered how many bruises that she gave Cortex and Momo Karuizawa! So excuse me for being a little hesitant to face those two on my own! For all I know, Ally was the TAME one!"
Infinite paused. "I cannot comply with your complaints."
Rilla Roo jumped at this before gritting his teeth.
"You wish to know what. It is rather simple." Infinite said before crossing his arms. "I do not understand what you are saying."
Rilla Roo's eyebrow twitched before he started to jump up and down angrily. Infinite just calmly watched the hybrid's tantrum. Mickey and Tiny blinked twice before looking at each other.
"Psst, Mickey, I know that they are villains and all, but I somehow feel if we beat them, then WE would be the bullies." Tiny frowned.
The red-haired man just groaned. "Just think of it as putting them out of their misery. Like a non-fatal Old Yeller film."
(The Arena)
"POMME!" (RoA)
"Okay, so apparently Pomme, along with three other members of the cast, are actually fan-made characters created in the game's Workshop." Nine recalled before rolling her eyes. "Oh, because that worked SO well for Najd."
The white-haired mouse came out to a decent cheer, especially from the men. She then smirked while spinning her microphone in her hand before singing to her theme from her game "Dazzling Dark Future". The crowd started to cheer even louder. Once she was done, she played to the crowd before making her way down the ramp.
"Alright, I got the audience on my side. That should be good for morale." Pomme nodded before making her way down the ramp and stepping in.
However, instead of falling in, she descended to the ground as if she was Princess Peach. Once in, she actually opted to wait for her opponent from the Ready Room. Seeing that there were only six fighters left to enter this section, said opponent should come out soon enough.
"RIBBON GIRL!" (A)
"Another supposedly musical genius! And her lyrics are just as thought-provoking as Pomme's! Oh oh oh? Na na na?" Nine asked in disbelief. "TAOKAKA could come up with better lyrics than that!"
Fortunately, the blonde pink-clad idol didn't let Nine's comments get to her and sang her theme song to the cheering crowd while Pomme looked on with a smirk. Once she was done, she waved to the crowd before skipping down the ramp and stepping in.
"I must say, I am surprised." Ribbon Girl admitted. "I knew that we were entering the same tournament, but to end up in the same section, let alone have our draws apart."
"Yeah, then again, there isn't that much song playing through the Sound Booth. Not even as an insult." Pomme shrugged. "I don't know if Drake rigged this or not, but it looks like it is up to us to add some musical flair to this section!"
"Here, here! While the crowd may be here for fighting, that doesn't mean we can't also entertain them with music!" Ribbon Girl beamed.
"CHAOS!" (StH)
"Ah, yes. Chaos. One of the most iconic villains in Sonic history with increasingly hard boss fights, including a final one that destroyed Station Square." Nine noted. "Too bad he is in his Zero form which is his weakest base form. Real talk, giving the Big Guy status to someone in the TUTORIAL BOSS form?"
(Can't hold on much longer)
(But I will never let go)
(I know it's a one way track)
(Tell me now how long this will last)
Unlike most people, the aquamancer and God of Chao didn't pay Nine's comment any mind. However, he did look up the Sound Booth which was playing Open Your Heart. Astaraoth and Aila looked concerned, knowing what he was looking at. Shadow narrowed his arms.
"Don't. Even. Think About It." Shadow spat.
(I'm not gonna think this way)
(Nor will I count on others)
(Close my eyes and feel it burn)
(Now I see what I've gotta do)
(Open your heart, It's going to be alright)
Thankfully for everyone, Chaos surprisingly obliged and slowly made his way down the ramp as if he was a dinosaur. When he finally reached the bottom of the ramp, he extended his leg to step in.
Suddenly, the Ice Climbers ran over to him, looking excited.
"Hey! Your name is Chaos, right?" Popo asked. "Sonic told us!"
"Hey, can we double-team with you?" Nana asked. "We really need someone like you!"
Chaos blinked twice before The Climbers took an arm each.
"Come on, we will show you!" Popo offered.
"You will find out why we need you!" Nana nodded.
With that, they dragged Chaos over to Dot and the Pyro finally, still playing with bubbles.
Dot then looked up. "...And somehow, this is one of the most normal situations I've been in so far."
"Sorry, Pyro, you have finally met your match!" Popo smirked.
"Let's see you face off against Chaos!" Nana taunted.
The Pyro just paused for a moment before aiming his flamethrower at Chaos and firing, engulfing him for a moment. Needless to say, a moment later, all of the fire turned into steam as Chaos stood unscatched. The Pyro jumped at this.
"We did it! We found the Pyro's Kryptonite!" Popo cheered.
"Yeah, we did, but it is not over yet!" Nana said, readying her mallet. "This fight is just beginning!"
"Darn right this fight is just beginning." Dot said, getting out a giant mallet of her own. "Come on, Pyro! This is a setback, but not a huge one!"
The mercenary nodded before angrily getting out his fire axe. Chaos paused before getting into a stance.
"What did I get myself into?"
"And now, Mystery Fighter… Number… TWENTY-ONE!"
"SOOGA!" (Legend of Zelda: Age of Calamity)
The tall, muscular number two of the Yiga Clan stood proudly outside of the Ready Room with his arms crossed while eyeing the arena.
"Even to this day, I still think it is blasphemy that I am here and not Master Kohga." Sooga lamented. He then sighed. "Tragic, but between the Zelda representing Super Smash Bros Ultimate and one more Smasher, I could at least bring home a victory in his name."
With that, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke and red seal. Meanwhile, Zelda used her magic to assemble a full set of dark armour before releasing it at Gomamon. However, the Digimon smirked.
"Bubble Deflector!" Gomamon shouted, creating a water barrier around himself and deflecting the suit of armour back at Zelda.
Suddenly, a quick slash tore the armour in half, startling Zelda and Gomamon. They then noticed Sooga appearing out of nowhere.
Zelda narrowed her eyes. "A Yiga Clan member."
"That is correct. Forgive my arrogance, but I am actually the second-highest ranking Yiga Clan member." Sooga corrected. "Second to Master Kohga himself."
"I assume that you wish to fight me?" Zelda asked, sternly.
"Again, that is correct. I have actually fought against AND for the Zelda in my node." Sooga explained.
Gomamon's eyes bugged out at this. "Wait. For?"
"Alternative continuity." Sooga and Zelda said in unison without missing a beat.
Gomamon just blinked twice.
"I wish to see how you deserve to be the representative of Super Smash Bros Ultimate." Sooga said, sternly. "Even if I have to face this Digimon and your nodal companion."
Zelda blinked twice. "Wait, which nodal companion…"
"DONKEY KONG! (SSB)
"Okay, so depending on the game, Donkey Kong could be a brutal fighter almost as eager as Azwael, a slacker goof-off or a mischievous man-child." Nine explained. "So why is his most iconic item… Is a NECKTIE? What part of that fits ANY of the descriptions I mentioned so far!"
Ashley blinked twice. "Hey, yeah! That bothered me too!"
"Let me guess! It is something to stay hip with the kids!" Nine said, rolling her eyes.
"But if that is the case, shouldn't it be the OPPOSITE of a necktie and have CRANKY wear it?" Ashley asked.
Drake blinked twice. "...Maybe having Nine as a third host was a mistake."
Ashley glared at Drake. "Oh, sure! Only have second thoughts when I was starting to enjoy myself!"
(He's the leader of the bunch)
(He's finally back to kick some tail)
(His coconut gun, it fires in spurts)
(If he shoots ya, it gonna hurt)
The brown-furred muscular gorilla grinned as he beat his chest while doing a Tarzan-like cry as the crowd cheered him. In fact, between said audience and his part in the DK Rap, almost no one heard the hosts' conversation.
(He's bigger, faster and stronger too)
(He's the first member of the DK Crew)
Zelda blinked twice. "Oh, that makes sense."
DK then bounded down the ramp before entering the arena and making a beeline towards Sooga, Zelda and Gomamon. DK then fired a punch towards Sooga. However, the red-clad man got into a stance and made the Yiga Symbol appear on him. The moment that DK punched the symbol, Sooga did a counter slash with his twin katanas to manage to knock DK down.
Gomamon blinked twice. "...What kind of beef do you think we have against each other?"
"The Kong Family and the Yiga Clan are rivals for the largest banana piles in videogame history." Zelda explained.
Gomamon paused. "...That shows how naive I am. I was expecting a more complicated answer."
"Well, not everything is complicated." Zelda giggled before looking at DK who was getting up. "Like as long as we are here, we might as well all team-up, right, DK?"
The primate grinned while beating his fist against his chest.
"Man, you guys are weird…" Gomamon frowned. He then brightened up. "I like ya! I'm in!"
"Very well. In the name of Master Kohga, I shall demonstrate my worth."
"FLYNN SCIFO!" (ToAS)
"I feel a little bad for Mr. Cecil. He was just one section away from double-teaming with his best friend, Luke and it is not like he could avenge him because the person who eliminated him is long gone and…" Nine sighed. She then picked up the roster list. "Oh, whoops, my bad. Apparently, this ISN'T Guy Cecil."
The blond white-and-blue-clad knight merely frowned at Nine's comment. "...My hair is much neater than Guy's though."
Realising there is no point delving in it, he shook his head before getting out a sword with one hand and a shield in the other. He then walked down the ramp before stepping in. He then looked around, wondering which nodal companion needed his help. He then decided on Shionne before walking over.
"Hey, Shionne. How are you holding out at your first UVR tournament?" Flynn asked, getting his nodal companion's (and Bowser and Lemmy's) attention.
"Well, I am fine physically if THAT'S what you mean." The pinkette muttered.
Flynn blinked twice. "Huh. What do you mean?"
"Ooh, a classic sword and shield combo!" Bowser nodded before looking at Lemmy. "You know what to do, right?"
"Of course, King Dad!" The Koopaling said with a smirk. "I will throw one of my balls onto him from above, forcing him to block up."
"Uh-huh?" The King Koopa smiled.
"And balance on the ball!" Lemmy grinned.
Bowser's smile vanished. "Oh my Star Spirits…"
"The crowd will eat it up!" Lemmy beamed.
"Lemmy, no…" Bowser said, slapping his forehead, trying not to lose his temper. "This tournament puts more emphasis on hyping up the crowd. But this is still a tournament…"
"I know, right? We can't afford to get outperformed!" The rainbow-haired Koopa smirked.
"No! I mean, yes! I mean!" Bowser exclaimed before growling while gripping his head.
Shionne and Flynn blinked twice.
"...Oh." Flynn said.
"I admit I saw Bowser as a potential easy elimination for my fighting style, but now I feel sorry for him." Shionne frowned.
"And now, the final fighter of this section…"
"KYO KUSANAGI!" (KoFAS)
"As that graffiti artist sang, he is an artefact of the past. Seriously, even after all of these years, he STILL hasn't finished high school?" Nine asked, rolling her eyes. "If people like Ryu, Jin Kazama, Sol Badguy and even RAGNA THE BLOODEDGE could change, there is no reason why you shouldn't."
(Forever young)
(I wanna be forever young)
(Do you really wanna live forever)
(Forever young)
The regular large cheer from fans, especially from the fangirls, were replaced by laughter for the brown-haired pyromancer. He growled before alternating death glares between the smug Nine and the laughing Sound Booth while Alphaville's Forever Young.
"I am not the only one in KoF who DIDN'T age!" Kyo roared. He then stomped down, trying to drown out the laughing.
He then made his way over to the fight with Mary and Jude against Ace. The latter vanished in a puff of smoke just as Mary was about to punch him. Ace then reappeared a good distance away. Only to be knocked to the ground with a flaming punch.
Ace groaned before glaring up at the guilty party. "Why are YOU getting involved!?"
"I had enough of people cloning or in this case, stealing other people's movesets!" Kyo snapped.
Jude blinked twice. "Um, cloning?"
"Don't ask. The NESTS saga was a wild ride." Mary muttered, shaking her head.
"You have a lot of gall trying to take Terry Bogard's spot." Kyo growled, igniting a flame. "And you just had to face me while Nine and the Sound Booth pissed me off."
"Welcome to the club." Mary growled, gritting her teeth.
Ace gulped nervously, not liking his chances. Then, everyone heard a train whistle blow.
"Alllll aboard!" Drake beamed. "Next stop: The Double Digits!"