Origins Ken and Incineroar
(Author's note: Because canons are confusing, for the sake of the story we're going to say the events of Punch-Out took place in 1987, the events of Punch-Out Wii in 1989, the events of Street Fighter II in 1991, and the events of Street Fighter V in 2018)
Manhattan, New York,
WVBA Arena
1989
5:00 PM
"So this is the place huh?" a cocky, boisterous voice echoed throughout the empty boxing arena.
"Yes Ken, this is it. Doors open at 7, and your tryout isn't until the main event, so you have plenty of time to warm up," said a much sterner voice with a hint of a Japanese accent.
The boisterous one, a blond, chisel-faced, American was wearing an expensive-looking red suit, with at least three of the buttons undone, revealing a Black Sabbath t-shirt underneath. The Japanese man, had black, short yet frizzy hair, and wore a tattered karate gi and sandals.
They were Ken and Ryu, two martial arts masters who had trained together since their youths, often crossing paths in tournaments around the world. Despite their near unbreakable bond, the two couldn't be more different. Ken was born into American economic royalty, the Masters business empire, and was sent to Japan to learn martial arts under Gouki. On the other hand, Ryu was born a penniless orphan, raised by the man who would go on to train them both, the martial arts master Gouki. Their unbreakable bond was one forged by mutual respect of the other's discipline and ethics, as well the common bond of having faced some strange foes over the years, like the evil warlord M. Bison, or Master Gouki's rival Akuma. They'd even fought in multiple dimensions. These opponents had come in previously unimaginable manners. Cyborgs, androids, mutants, giant monsters, super heroes, aliens, and demons to name a few. But somehow, this struck Ken as the strangest. Here he was, having freshly teleported from his summer home in 2018 to 1989 Manhattan hours earlier.
"Man, I can't believe we're in 1989" Ken mused to no one in particular.
"As you've said several times, " grunted Ryu as he slid under the bottom rope of the ring.
Ken was more theatrical, jumping over the top rope, and kicking off his shoes.
"Yeah, but like, of all the places we've been, all the screwed up monsters we fought, here I am in an alternate universe of a place I spent A LOT of my childhood summers, and in a time before the second World Warrior tournament, when I was catching up on all the pop culture I'd missed while I was in the Japanese boonies with you knuckleheads"
Ryu grinned, "Oddly flippant for someone about to try out for the biggest Smash tournament ever."
"You know me bud, gotta keep loose before a big fight," Ken said with a chuckle, leaning against the ropes, "Especially since I'm fighting the dude who you did your tryout against."
Ryu felt a cold chill run up his spine. There were a few fights where, if he thought about it, he could feel the pain of the blows as if it were yesterday. The match he'd had to tryout for the Duel tournament against Little Mac, the deceptively small, scrappy boxer, in this very arena was one of them. It had ended in a draw when a Star Punch from Mac and a fully charged Focus Punch from Ryu had connected simultaneously, resulting in a double knockout. Luckily, Mac vouched for Ryu post-fight and he'd been accepted into Smash Bros.
"Thinking about the finish of that one? Man, that was gnarly!" said Ken, who by this point was throwing some high kicks at nothing.
"Yes. Hopefully, you fare better than I did. Now come, we should find your locker room," said Ryu
Ken and Ryu both left the ring together walking down one of the entrance ramps, Ken trailing behind Ryu as he scrambled to grab his shoes
"Hey man, before we go, can we pick up Look Who's Talking on Laserdisc?"
Ryu shook his head, "Can you be serious for just one moment?"
"Hey," snapped Ken, "it's Eliza's favorite movie, and I'll be in serious trouble if I didn't get it for the Laserdisc player I bought her for my birthday."
Ryu raised an eyebrow as the two pushed through the curtain leading backstage, "You bought her a movie player for your own birthday?"
"So I like spending time with my wife, why is that so crazy?"
"It's just….nevermind," Ryu said shaking his head.
Who buys gifts for other people on their own birthday? wondered a perplexed Ryu as the walked down the somewhat grimy hall of the arena.
9:30 PM
It had been a thrilling night of boxing action thus-far. Don Flamenco had won the WVBA Title against King Hippo in a huge upset, Mr. Sandman had knocked out Disco Kid in mere seconds, and an Aran Ryan vs Piston Hondo match had ended in a double DQ when, in response to Ryan using a glove loaded with horseshoes, Piston had used a jumping kick to knock Aran out of the ring.
Meanwhile, in the backstage area, not far behind the curtain of one of the entrance ramps, stood Ken (now dressed in his trademarked red gi), Ryu, and Mario. Sitting behind them was Doctor Mario.
"So Ken, your match is up-a-next. Make it a good one okay? These crossover bouts draw a ton of money, and the more money we draw the less I have to hear from the owner of this place about renting the building," Mario explained, "Don't worry about injuries, my good man Doctor Mario can cure literally anything instantly."
Doctor Mario looked up from his seated position on a cheap folding chair against a wall., nodding eagerly. Before Ken could respond, the ring bell tolled three times.
"Llllladies and gentleman boys and girls," bellowed the ring announcer, dramatically drawing out the 'l', "It seems like mere months ago we watched Little Mac take on the mighty Donkey Kong, and even sooner still, saw the Bronx Brawler go one to a draw with the mysterious Ryu. Now, once again, in a far off land, not hindered by our concept of time, It is Smash Season once again!"
The ring announcer paused to let the crowd cheer, Ken could barely hear anything, much less what Mario had to say, He had caught the term "popular in this market", but Ken could've pieced together that Smash was popular here just by the cheers.
"And now," the announcer continued, "A denizen of our world faces another opponent from far away, under Smash Brothers rules! Whoever is knocked out of the barrier first wins!"
A heavy metal track hit the speakers, the same one that Ken had choosen as his walkout theme in the Street Fighter tournament in spring of 1991 that had made the careers of both he and Ryu. Ken dramtically strutted through the curtain, casting a thumbs up at the crowd as he jogged to the ring, leaping over the top rope. This elicited a surprised gasp from the crowd. Ken pumped his fists into the air to the cheers of the crowd. Ken stepped into his corner as the music changed to triumphant trumpets accompanied by a funky base guitar straight out of the pop rock of the time. . From the opposite entrance ramp came Little Mac, accompanied by a rotund African American man in a red tracksuit, who Ken recognized from the Duel Tournament as Doc Louis. Mac entered the ring after a light jog, fire in his eyes, Mac wordlessly went back into the corner, as the bell rang again.
"Introducing the challenger. From his world's version of Los Angeles California. He is a pupil of the same discipline that produced Ryu. He is KEN MASTERRRRRRS!" bellowed the ring announcer
Ken had to stifle a laugh as muffled boos reached his ears.
The crowd's pissed that I'm here, Mac's clearly pissed. Maybe I can work this to my advantage.
"And introducing the incumbent Smasher. From the Bronx, New York City. Accompanied by one of the all-time greats, Doc Lewis, he is a name that is synonymous with the WVBA, he is LITTLE MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC!"
Uproarious cheers resulted as Mac slowly thrust a fist into the air in solidarity with the crowd. Doc Lewis was up on the ring apron giving Mac some instructions. Mac hadn't broken eye contact with Ken, and the advice of Doc didn't seem to phase him.
"The rules are as follows," stated the referee, a middle aged white man with salt and pepper hair, "One stock to a finish. The first one outside the barriers loses. Final Smash Meter rules apply, the more damage you take, the more it fills the meter. When the meter fills completely you will be able to unleash your Final Smash. Do you understand these rules?"
"Yeah!" Ken said, flashing his trademark million-dollar smile and peace sign
Mac simply nodded
3, 2, 1, GO!
Mac and Ken met in the center of the ring, each taking their familiar stances. Ken grinned slightly. He knew this next move would throw Mac off
"Ey!" Ken barked
Mac's expression changed for a brief second to an inquisitive one
"C'mon C'mon!" Ken shouted as he used his index finger to flick Little Mac underneath the chin
The crowd booed, and Mac's body tensed. Just as Ken processed his handy work, he was met with a flurry of rights and lefts, too fast for Ken to even comprehend. Almost entirely on reflex, Ken kneed Mac in the gut, grabbed him by the shoulders, falling backward to flip Mac behind him. Mac immediately sprang to his feet. Over the roar of the crowd, Ken could barely hear Doc bellow for Mac to "back it up". Per his trainer's command, Mac retreated into his corner of the ring.
Close the gap with a…
"HADOUKEN!" shouted Ken, as, out of the cusp of his outstretched hands, an orange fireball appeared, headed in Mac's direction.
Mac, hands in a blocking position, ran at the fireball, before leaping into the air, completely over the fireball.
"Wha-?" Ken gasped in shock
But before he could think on it any further, an outstretched, boxing gloved hand rained down on the top of his head. Ken felt the blast of pain, but before he could register anything, more rights and lefts were raining down on his body. Ken retreated into a corner as even more body blows rained down on him.
Gotta….figure out his rhythm.
Four more body blows, Ken saw Mac rearing back for the next volley. Now was his chance.
"SHORYUKEN!" shouted Ken as he put all of his body weight into a jumping Uppercut
Almost as if in slow motion, Ken could see Mac's face cave to accommodate his fist, and Mac flew backward. Ken did a running leap into the air, raining down on Mac with a kick, and a close-range Hadoken to close out the combination. This sent Mac flying back further. Ken fired off another Hadoken. As Ken expected, Mac dodged it, albeit just barely, and it was meant to graze Mac, to engender whatever carnal emotion came up first.
"Bring it on asshole" Ken breathed with a quick smile
Doc Louis had speed-waddled to the side of the ring Mac was on, near the ropes.
"Mac! Don't do nothin' stupid."
"Gotta hit 'em with Stunning Straight Lunge Doc. Ryu hit me with Focus Punch last time, figurin his buddy's gonna hit me with the same shit."
"Mac, you're playing right into his trap,"
"Worst thing'll do is knock me down Doc! I've gotten up from worse!"
Lewis paused, nervously biting his lip, "It's your call kid, go ahead!"
In the back
"Man oh man, this is a good fight!" shouted the usually reserved Doctor Mario.
As Ryu silently nodded in agreement, Mario casually removed a Pokeball from the pocket of his overalls, freeing its contents. What emerged was a red bear/dog creature with the humanoid build of a professional wrestler, complete with championship belt made entirely of fire.
"What on Earth is that?" Ryu asked as the thing began to breathe fire from its nostrils
"This is Incineroar-a. From the Alolan islands, on the same planet as Pikachu and those guys. A researcher there loaned him to me"
"What….what're you going to do with him?"
Under his mustache, Mario grinned mischievously, "This is the next phase of Ken's tryout. Does he have experience in fighting-a professional wrestlers?"
"Yes. One of the regular World Warrior contestants is one."
Good," Mario said, as Incineroar huffed and puffed behind him
In the ring
Mac was charging Straight Lunge, Ken knew that from watching the tape of Ryu's tryout. In response, Ken focused his energy. A shadowy aura surrounded him. Mac launched across the ring with the speed of a mortal vehicle. The punch connected with such a noise that it rattled the ring supports. Ken did not budge. Mac had anticipated this. Just wait for the punch. However, Mac's eyes went wide when Ken responded with a kick.
WHAM!
Mac felt his leg muscles melt to butter as he sunk to his knees. The blow caught him off guard.
WHAM!
Another kick, right to the jaw, Mac scrambled up, feeling the power well up in him, It was time for his Star Punch, but wait….was Ken glowing?
Something occurred to Ken as he began to glow. His Smash wrist device, not unlike a watch, indicated damage of both competitors, and Smash Meter for each
Ken was at 80 damage, with a full Smash meter, whereas Mac was at a crisp 65, ready to hit his Star Punch uppercut.
It's now or never
Ken waited for Mac to close in.
NOW!"
"Shippu Jinraikyaku!"
Ken launched a volley of kicks, culminating into a volley of kicks, which the spinning force of brought both competitors into the air. The final kick launched Mac off-stage and into one of the LED boards suspended near one of the entrances. An explosive "POP" was heard as the body of Little Mac collided with the electronics.
"KEN MASTERS WINS!" the announcer shouted.
The referee raised Ken's arm, and on reflex, the red-clad American flashed his million dollar smile. This was Ken's favorite part of any fight, taking in the crowd's adjulation for a job well done or anger. Judging by the crowd reaction, Ken had turned about half the crowd to his favor. But Ken knew there would always be Little Mac stalwarts in WVBA territory. So, Ken thought, mission accomplished.
Suddenly, the building PA crackled to life, "Incineroar, go-a," came the voice of Mario.
"What?" Ken shouted.
That's when he saw him. The hulking bear…cat… monster… thing that was Incineroar bolting down to the ring. Incineroar jumped into the air, landing in the ring with a firey "BOOM" and posing for the crowd
"So we're fighting fire with fire huh big guy. Bring it o-"
Ken couldn't even finish his sentence, as Incineroar lunged for him with incredible quickness, grabbing him by the waist, spinning behind him, and hoisting Ken backward to throw him headfirst. Ken had taken his fair share of German Suplexes from the wrestler Zangief. What he'd never experienced from the Russian was not having his hips released, so that he could be pulled into yet another German Suplex. Incineroar went for another, but, as he had in fights with Zangief time and time again, Ken tried to elbow Incineroar in the neck, hoping to break the hold. Incineroar spun him around, pulling him in for a mighty Lariat. At the same time, Ken managed to land a Shoryuken. However, Ken felt consciousness leave him, and his body crumple to the mat. However, it was only a brief dance with defenselessness, and Ken had been there more times than he could count. When he got up, Incineroar had only stumbled backward and was running for him again, Ken was thrown by his wrist, sent running into a set of ropes different from the one that belonged to the actual ring. Incineroar tossed a running Ken over his head into the air. Ken landed hard on his back, only to see Incineroar coming down on him, his meaty arms in an 'X' shape. Ken felt the wind leave his stomach as he desperately coughed. Incineroar had backed off him as Ken rose to his feet. The monster, meanwhile, was content to flex his buldging muscles for the crowd.
Ken wordlessly nailed one more Shoryuken rocking the beast back. Then another. And still another. However, now Incineroar was glowing. But, unlike the rainbow glow of a Final Smash, Incineroar's musculature was glowing with the ferocity of a fresh ember, as if fire ran in his veins instead of blood. Incineroar lunged forward, and Ken was whipped off the ropes harder than he ever had before, and clostheslined with the ferocity of being hit by a train. Now, Incineroar was glowing with a Final Smash. Ken would feel shagrin, if he could feel anything at all. Incineroar uppercut Ken into the air hit his defenseless victim a mighty flying kick, another uppercut, and then finally, brought down to earth with the cross chop he'd been nailed with before, except now he was enveloped into a nuclear inferno. Now, it was Ken's turn to fly into the opposite LED board Mac had earlier before he truly lost consciousness.
One hour later
Ken sprang up. He was on the floor of the arena, and and Ryu stood over him.
"How do you feel?" Ryu asked
"Hungover," moaned Ken
An uncharacteristic grin from Ryu.
"That's Doctor Mario's pills for you. You'll be good after a while."
"Well good," Ken said, shaking the cobwebs from his head
"Ken-a, my boy. That was beyond incredible." came the voice of Mario.
"You mind telling me what that was short stack?" Ken spat, now furious.
"That was Incineroar from the Pokemon planet, and your match with him was his tryout. Plus-a, I wanted to see how you handled adversity. The both of you passed. Welcome to the Smash Brotherhood."
"OOH YEAH! THE BEAST FROM THE ISLAND IS STYLIN BROTHER!" came the voice of Incineroar.
"Jesus, that thing can talk?" moaned Ken as he grabbed his now increasingly throbbing head.
"I-a gave him a translation device. You'll-a get one too, so all Smashers can speak Common English, it's just protocol."
"Dude…Ryu….can we go somewhere and just sleep?"
Ryu raised an eyebrow, "You booked a hotel remember? You wanted to go sightseeing for a couple of days before we reported to the Smashverse."
"Yeah, that's right. Sorry I asked" Ken said, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head .
Ken got to his feet. He and Ryu began to walk towards the exit when they noticed Mac and Doc Louis headed in the same direction.
"Hey Mac, good fight! Sorry about the flick thing. Just thought it'd be fun to piss ya off." Ken chided
Mac shot a look over his shoulder, a playful grin, "You aren't the first person to say that to me, and you won't be the last either. Sorry about bein' pissy in the ring. I was just mad I didn't get the duke over Ryu last time. Now I figure I need to train with you crazy people!"
Ken couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Yeah, man! See you in the Smashverse!" Ken said.
Doc and Mac both nodded in agreement as all four men headed out of the building to get some well-deserved rest before the tournament.