Round 4
Red vs. Wolf
Red stood with his arms crossed on one side of the bracket, while Wolf flipped two middle claws at the camera.
"Listen toots," Wolf chuckled, mouth full of chewing tobacco, pointing a claw at Rita, who sat behind the camera, "You think I woulda survived this long if I didn't have a plan? A 10-year-old controlling a bunch of people more powerful than him? Hah! You just described Star Fox!"
"I...um…don't think the Lylatian portion of our audience will be happy to hear that." Rita stammered.
Wolf's good eye narrowed, "And what exactly have they done for me? Put me in jail a whole bunch? I don't care what they think!"
"I think there are some other factors at play besides Lylat here," Rita snickered.
Wolf growled, baring fangs.
"Agh shut up1" he snapped, standing up and stomping away.
Red's interview was much shorter, "Nothing's going to stop us, especially not some drug-addicted pirate,"
A simple tip of the ball cap was all he gave as he two exited the interview room.
"This is the third time somebody's pulled a Robert Downey Junior on poor Rita. It's almost like having four chapters of a poorly hamstrung slice of life chapters dries the creative well of this hack author dry." Cranky ranted.
"Nobody knows what you're talking about, " 9-Volt shouted, "And besides, it isn't Rita's fault! The tension of the biggest Smash Tournament in history becomes more and more palpable with each passing round."
"Are you gonna give me shit like this ignorant young man is Futaba?" Cranky growled.
"Me? Give anyone shit? Heavens no! Nyeh heh heh heh!" Futaba cackled, "Anyway, Red's gonna be the one to win."
"Alright, short and sweet," said 9-Volt. "Let's throw it down to entrances!"
The peaceful piano of Pallet Town began to play, Red zoomed out of the tunnel atop Charizard, the trio flying the surface area of the stadium to wave at fans.
"What's this garbage?" Cranky shouted, "Wasn't he coming out to high-impact battle music last time?"
"I talked to Red about that before the tournament," 9-Volt said, "And he said he's choosing this piece because he feels like his heart is at home, having united with Green."
"Huh," Cranky grunted, "You'd think the kids today wouldn't be into that relationship stuff, what with their ships and their trauma fics."
9-Volt let the dead air speak for itself as Charizard came to a landing. Just as Red retracted Charizard into its Pokeball Wolfen flew overhead to the chill tunes of You've Never Met a White Boy Like Me by Kid Rock, Wolf ejecting out of his Wolfen and landing on his side of the ring.
"As if I couldn't hate this future rug anymore," Cranky gagged.
"For once, I agree with you," 9-Volt mumbled, "I heard his behavior last round had endeared him to the trashiest among us, I didn't think he'd lean into it."
The two mumbled their disgust through the introductions,
"Please direct your attention to the video board."
After some dramatic teasing, the screen stopped on Hanenbow!
"Damn it," Wolf grumbled.
Wolf pouted through Mills' rules, only flipping him off when asked if he understood. Meanwhile, Red's smile was almost serpentine, wide and teeth baring as he nodded his agreement. The two then disappeared.
Stage: Hanenbow
Rules: 5-stock, items high
Music: Electroplankton (Original)
As the match information faded from the big screen, the countdown began.
3
Wolf crossed his arms.
2
Red released Charizard from his Pokeball.
1
Wolf grinned, fangs once again out for all the world to see.
GO!
"Hey, fire breath! Wolf shouted from across Hanenbow, "Do you ever get tired of carrying your team?"
"What?" roared Charizard.
"Your fleet consists of a dumb turtle and an old onion frog," Wolf said flatly, "You do all the work. If you really wanna declare your independence, take stock for me, and then I'll give the other two idiots the beating they deserve. Deal?"
Charizard glanced back at Red.
"Get him," was Red's order.
In the Smashers Box, laughter was all that was heard as Charizard flew across the stage, immediately snatching up Wolf and stomping him to the Blast Zone below. Then as it happened again, and again, the laughter turned to silent awe.
"Why did he…think that would work?" Sonic asked as the Star Wolf's captain stocks plummeted down.
"He gave up," laughed Green, "And can you blame him? Those three went half an hour with me last round before any damage was even done. I wouldn't be surprised if Red takes this whole thing."
Quinn gulped, causing those around him to chuckle.
"Do not worry Marmaduke," Altair whispered, "You possess more integrity than Wolf does in his entire body."
GAME!
"I don't think it'll help me against that," squeaked Quinn as Charizard roared on screen.
"Do not sell yourself short my boy," Altair whispered.
"Oh, so he's your boy now?" Sans laughed from the production side of the Smashers' Box.
"I have watched Quinn grow into a brave young lad," Altair said, "He will succeed.'
Ken laughed as both Red and Wolf simply walked away from the interview room/
"So do we go to intermission now or what?" barked Otis.
Mario shrugged, "It's not like anyone will need it so soon, but the procedure is the procedure."
The intermission bell rang once again.