AN: It's time for the second story in our Halloween event, with Ray and his guild over in the Gamesphere taking center stage!
In the universe were all video games are connected by a magical world of their own, Ray, leader of the Dragalia Guild, had just finished decorating his home base for Halloween. Each year in October the Gamesphere had special spooky-themed events in the various worlds, and Ray enjoyed getting to go around and see what tricks and treats each world had. Recently the cat had been in the world of Pokémon with his friend Zero, the two partaking in the Fight or Fright event where people could battle against each other with the winner getting candy.
"Okay, the decorations are done out here. Now to see how everyone in the guild is doing," Ray nodded to himself. Going inside the guild the cat said hello to the few Pokémon that hung around the place before finding his main guild members hanging out around the planning table, all of them wearing spooky costumes.
Mym was wearing her demon costume from her world's Halloween event, Morgana was dressed as a bedsheet ghost with a witch's hat, Roxanne was wearing a pirate captain's outfit (a tribute to her predecessor, Foxy), and Mineru was dressed as Tiki from "Fire Emblem Awakening."
"There's our fearless leader!" Morgana called. "Did you get the base all decorated?"
"I sure did," Ray nodded. "Oh, but I do still need to get my own costume on, don't I?" The cat brought up his HUD and switched costumes, changing from his normal clothes to a purple Kung Fu outfit with a yellow blet, his fur changing to light blue with a white underbelly and stripes.
"Hm… Are you some sort of Kung Fu guy?" Roxanne guessed.
"Close. I'm Jon Talbain from Darkstalkers," Ray said. "He's a werewolf that can shoot fireballs and dash around super fast!"
"Sounds very interesting," Mineru smiled. "The Gamesphere has so many unique characters in it."
"Do you think we could get this Talbain to join our guild?" Mym asked.
"Maybe, but I'd rather we focus on-" As Ray spoke, the planning table suddenly lit up with an alert, everyone gathering around to see what was up.
"Looks like we have an Invasion on our hands," Morgana said seriously. Invasions were what happened whenever another game world started leaking into a different one outside of sanctioned crossover events. It was up to the various guilds to go there and push back the invaders to stabilize the world, otherwise it could get shut down for weeks on end.
"I do hope it's not Dr. Eggman again," Mym sighed. "I swear that man gets into trouble like this every week…"
"Hm… It seems the world of Just Dance is the one getting invaded," Mineru said as the alert was brought into full.
"Well that's not good. They don't have a lot of people that can fight back in that world," Roxanne said with concern. "Which other world is invading it?"
Ray looked at the text on-screen and went pale in the face. "Oh boy…" he gulped. "Mortal Kombat."
"WHAT!?" Everyone exclaimed.
"That game world with all the ultra-violence!?" Mym gasped.
"The one that triple checks the age limit on everyone that goes in due to how brutal it is!?" Roxanne shouted.
"I'm from an M-rated game and even I think that world is crazy!" Morgana added.
"Yep, and they're invading Just Dance," Ray nodded grimly. "I know that the Kombatants are no joke, but we need to go there and help out."
"It will be difficult… but there might be a way to stop them," Mineru said. "Considering which world they're invading, we may be able to use the rules of the world against them."
"But don't Invasions normally override those rules?" Morgana pointed out.
Mineru nodded. "Yes, but that's normally because most Invasions happen between games of similar genres. Sonic and Mario, Street Fighter and Tekken, Elden Ring and Dark Souls… with how different Mortal Kombat and Just Dance are, we might be able to put ourselves in a favorable position."
"I trust you, Mineru," Ray said, getting a smile from his girlfriend. "Let's go, team. Zapdos, I'm leaving you in charge of guarding the base!"
The Pokémon in question gave a cry as the Dragalia Guild moved out, Mym transforming into her dragon form to fly them to the world of Just Dance.
[***]
Like the game series itself, the Just Dance world was a colorful one with equally colorful characters, all centered around music and dancing. It was a popular destination for those that wanted to host parties, but currently it was on lockdown due to the Invasion happening. As the Dragalia Guild approached the world, they were stopped by an Asian man in white robes with glowing white eyes.
"Halt! This area is currently closed due to the invasion," the man said.
Ray instantly recognized the man. "You're Liu Kang, God of Fire and protector of Earthrealm!"
"Huh, I didn't think you were a fan of Mortal Kombat," Mym said in surprise.
"I'm not a fan of playing Mortal Kombat, but I can recognize the characters," Ray replied. "And you don't have to worry about us, Liu Kang. The Dragalia Guild here to help stop the Invasion, and we have a plan to do so as well."
Liu Kang looked at the guild and gave a nod. "Alright then, you seem capable enough warriors. However, I encourage you to bring one of my champions along with you, just in case things go wrong."
A menu appeared in front of Ray with available champions to pick from. "Okay then, I choose… Reptile!" Pressing the button, a ninja wearing green appeared in front of them.
"Best of luck to all of you," Liu Kang said as the gang entered the world. Instantly the Dragalia Guild was standing in the middle of an arena, where various Mortal Kombat villains were running around and attacking the citizens of the Just Dance world. Mym transformed into her dragon from and flew up high, letting off a mighty roar to get everyone's attention.
"Listen up, villains! We're the Dragalia Guild, and we're here to stop you for terrorizing this world!" Morgana declared.
An evil laugh was heard as smoke rose up from the ground, revealing three figures: an evil sorcerer in yellow, a large man with a horned skull helmet, and a sorcerer with bone-white skin and black facial markings. "That's Shang Tsung, Shao Khan, and Quan Chi," Ray pointed out to his team.
"According to my readings, Shang Tsung is the cause of the Invasion. If we defeat him, then this world will return to normal," Mineru analyzed.
"Finally, more scum to squash under my boot," Shao Khan laughed.
"Not so fast!" Ray said quickly. "We're here to challenge you… to Dance Kombat!" As he said that, dramatic lightning went off in the distance as thunder boomed. "Wow, okay, I did not expect that to happen."
"What is he talking about?" Shang Tsung questioned.
"I believe it is like Mortal Kombat, Shang Tsung, but intwined with the rules of this world," Quan Chi explained.
"That's right. If you win, you can continue your invasion, but if we win, you have to return to your proper world," Mineru nodded.
"Fine then. We have one Mortal Kombat in the past. This will be no different," Shang Tsung said. "Shao, Quan Chi, deal with them."
"As the challengers, we get to pick the song," Ray said as a new menu popped up with the song list. "Oh, and it's the Unlimited playlist. Nice. Morgana, Mym, Roxanne, and Reptile, you four are up against these two. Mineru and I will deal with Shang Tsung."
"You got it, leader," Morgana nodded. He looked to Reptile with a serious expression. "You better follow closely, new guy!"
"I have battled against these two before," Reptile nodded. "And I will gladly do so again to get my revenge against what Shang Tsung has done to my family."
The four heroes lined up as they faced off against the evil general and sorcerer, the area around them shifting to the dance stage that Ray had selected. It was a black room with some white lighting, the music picking up as lights surrounded the teams. Roxy was highlighted in pink, Morgana in blue, Mym in orange, and Reptile in green as Shao and Quan Chi glowed red.
Let me introduce you to some
New thangs, new thangs, new thangs
Bass kick swingin' like
I'm Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee
The heroes all moved in sync to the beat, showing off their skills in dance: Mym doing a European dance, Morgana a J-Pop dance, Roxy an 80s inspired dance, and Reptile pulling out breakdancing moves of all things.
"Okay, I didn't expect Reptile to have some moves, but neat," Ray mused.
Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy
(On fire, on fire
When I'm on stage
I'm kicking it forward, left to right) Bruce Lee
(Flying around all day) Bruce Lee
Shao Khan and Quan Chi made their moves, the general using powerful poses and moves in his dance while the sorcerer used more flowy moves.
"It appears that this world innately gives people the power to dance," Mineru noted.
"I should bring one of my cousins here. He's always had two left feet," Ray joked.
Comin' up (right here, right now)
Baby (you can't understand this feeling with your head)
Fighting for all day
(Don't think about anything else, just walk in your own story)
As the song slowed in tempo the gang made their moves more coordinated with each other, showing they could dance as a group just as well as a team.
(Before the dark yesterday swallows up today
My voice needs to spread out more, I need to shout out
To me, there's) No more trauma
"Must we really do this…?" Shao Khan groaned.
"The Invoked Dance Kombat. We have to comply to the rules if we want to conquer this realm," Quan Chi said.
Baby we go wild
One two seven squad
(I'm going forward) Pow
(Going left to right) Pow
As the chorus came back, Mineru brought up the score for Ray to look at. "It seems that they're tied at the moment," she said.
"Of course. My warriors are just as capable in dance as they are in kombat," Shang Tsung boasted.
"…Putting that in my list of things I never thought I'd hear a character say," Ray said.
(I'm kicking it forward, left to right)
New thangs, new thangs, new thangs
(Wherever we go, it's a party
(Raise up your party glasses) Like my birthday
The score was evenly matched at the moment, but that would change as the round continued to go on.
(Everyone lift it up high)
Where ma roof at (till the roof hits outer space
I'm kicking it forward, left to right) Bruce Lee
(Flying around all day) Bruce Lee
"Let me show you how it's done, darling," Mym said, pulling out her lance and dancing with it like a staff, clashing against Shao Khan's axe.
Got that drip (overflowing) Guts (I lost all fear)
(Wherever I go, I) Make it poppin'
"Oh yeah, it's Morgana time!" Morgana cheered, flipping on his head doing a spin.
Keep it movin' like 'jeet kune'
(When someone tries to block me)
"I'll show you why I'm the best!" Roxy boasted as she started aggressively headbanging in time to the beat of the song.
(I become) 'Samuel Jackson' wassup?
(You twisted ones)
Baby you just gotta watch
"Yes let us… dance," Reptile nodded, transforming into his true reptilian form for a dance move as he used his tail to leg sweep at Quan Chi, who jumped over the attack.
'Enter The Dragon' (like the movie)
(Even the way I walk is) Martial arts
Looking that everybody looking at me
Cams action movie shh
Shao Khan and Quan Chi teamed up for their next dance move, the sorcerer letting the general flip him up into the air before landing back on the ground, sending up an energy wave that made the heroes stumble.
(Crush them one by one)
Blows away
(No mercy) Ruthless
Droppin' the bomb on ma enemies
And I'm gonna kick it like Bruce Lee
"Yes, this is all going according to plan," Shang Tsung laughed.
"Keep telling yourself that!" Ray shouted. "The score is still tied up here!"
(After I repeated the same scene endlessly
I just need to break down the me of yesterday and shout out loud
To me, there's) No more trauma
"It is concerning that they can keep up this well," Mineru said nervously.
"I have faith in our guild. They won't let us down," Ray assured her.
Baby we go wild
One two seven squad
We ain't never gonna stop
(Even if I can't see the end, I'll keep going)
As the Dragalia Guild grouped up, they gave each other a nod before going into a complex set of dance moves together, gaining them extra points as the crowd cheered.
(I'm kicking it forward, left to right)
New thangs, new thangs, new thangs
(I'm kicking it forward, left to right) Bruce Lee
(Flying around all day) Bruce Lee
"Where did the crowd come from?" Ray wondered.
"I believe the dancing brought them back to watch us fight back the invaders," Mineru guessed.
My world (I'm creating) Yeah
Mym stepped forward, doing a spin on her toes before blowing a kiss the audience.
(In a place that you've never even imagined
Deep in the place with extreme scenes)
Morgana did a triple jump before punching a fist to the air and landing with his hands to his hips, smiling widely.
(A new world will unfold before your eyes
Come closer and come into me)
Roxanne did a few robot moves before punching her fists together and throwing up the "rock on" sign.
At the end of the darkness, I will be born again)
Reptile did a backflip before landing in his reptilian form, letting his acid spit bubble up in his mouth before spitting it at the two villains, making them stumble on their next move.
"That's it, they're faltering! Time to finish them!" Morgana cheered.
(I'm kicking it forward, left to right)
New thangs, new thangs, new thangs
(Wherever we go, it's a party
Raise up your party glasses) Like my birthday
Now having the point advantage, the Dragalia Guild started doing their synchronized dance again, getting them more cheers from the crowd as Shao Khan and Quan Chi tried to recover.
Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy (it's lit)
Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy ha!
Going for a combo attack, Mym rushed forward with her lance, stabbing at Shao Khan before Morgana delivered an uppercut with his sword. Roxanne used her claws to slash at Quan Chi before Reptile jumped in with a flying kick to the chest, causing the two villains to slam into each other for the knock out.
(Go high, where ma roof at
Till the roof reaches outer space
I'm kicking it forward, left to right) Bruce Lee
(Flying around all day) Bruce Lee
(Flying around all day) Bruce Lee
As the song ended the four of them all did a kick to the air, the crowd cheering at their victory. "Dragalia Guild… Wins," the Mortal Kombat Announcer proclaimed.
"That was… oddly satisfying," Reptile said.
"Yeah, we totally rocked out there! Even if K-Pop isn't really my thing," Roxy nodded.
"So you defeated my minions. But now you face me," Shang Tsung said, staring at Ray and Mineru.
The couple nodded as the song selection came back up, Ray choosing the next song as the arena turned into a world with neon red and blue lights spinning around them. "It's too bad the Mortal Kombat theme is selectable, but I think this song will do," the cat said.
"Let's show him what we've got… in dance!" Mineru proclaimed as the song began, the two moving between fighting poses as Shang Tsung did the same. As the drum beat picked up Ray and Mineru started punching at the ground to the beat before getting light on their feet, circling around their enemy as they danced.
Say that again?
Ray and Mineru then went back-to-back, crossing their arms back and forth before flipping around to face each other, then going back to punching at the ground.
Feel the force, this is your chance
To get control and do the tribal dance
Ray then went off and did his own moves, moving his arms in a "U" motion in front of himself as he hopped from one leg to the other.
People started dancing a long time ago
The bass was fast but then again it was slow
Mineru then did her own thing, rolling her arms to alternate punches to either side as she crisscrossed her legs.
Soul, house, hip-hop and blues
It doesn't really matter which music you choose
Start up a dance this is your chance
To come with me and do the tribal dance
The pair danced well together, but Shang Tsung was keeping up with them, incorporating his fighting style into his dance moves.
"Looks like he's an even better dancer than his lackeys," Morgana said.
"He is a boss character. They tend to be harder," Mym pointed out.
You've got to move it feel the temperature
Into the rhythm let the fire burn
So get into it, get into the trance
This is the rhythm of the tribal dance
The tribal dance!
Ray and Mineru started circling around each other, bouncing their arms to the beat as they switched sides before going back to their starting position.
"I think we need to bring our own moves to this and not just follow the routine, Mineru," Ray said.
"Then let us do this," Mineru nodded.
It started with a tribe who discovered the vibe
Who moved to the rhythm just the way they liked
The Zonai princess started doing a Gerudo dance, holding her arms up and waving them overhead as she shook her hips to the beat.
You hear the treble, you hear the bass
The R-A-Y, yeah is on the case
Ray then came in with his own dance, doing a few kick moves before swinging his arms low to the floor side-to-side. "I knew those Capo lessons in the real world would pay off!" the cat exclaimed.
Feel the fire, feel the flame
Do your thing now, don't be ashamed
I have to go now no offense
I've hooked you up into the tribal dance
The two then started dancing together, Ray using his martial arts moves to complement Mineru's more flowing movements, creating an elegant yet fierce dance that wowed the crowd.
Get into it
Get into it
Get into the trance
"I won't let you win… Your souls will be mine!" Shang Tsung shouted as he danced.
"In your dreams, old man!" Roxy taunted.
Check it out, c'mon, take your chance
Check it out, c'mon, take your chance
Check it out, c'mon, take your chance
Tribal dance!
Ray and Mineru posed to the music, their synergy building up as Ray felt his psyche power reach it's peak. "I think it's time that we finish this dance!" he proclaimed.
"Then take the lead," Mineru said as she took his hand.
Tribal dance, tribal dance!
"Tribal Dance Finisher!" the two shouted as one, gold energy surrounding them as they both thrust a palm into Shang Tsung's chest, sending him flying backwards and landing on top of his minions, knocked out.
"Oh yeah! They hit the Gold Move and defeated the villain!" Morgana cheered.
You've got to move it feel the temperature
Into the rhythm let the fire burn
So get into it, get into the trance
This is the rhythm of the tribal dance
The tribal dance!
As the song ended Ray and Mineru struck another martial arts pose, making the crowd cheer as the world started to go back to normal. "Dragalia Guild… Wins. Flawless Victory," the announcer stated.
"That was totally radical, my guys!" Roxy laughed as she brought the two in for a hug.
"A truly spectacular performance, darling," Mym complimented.
"A stylish victory for sure," Morgana added.
"Uh… Good job?" Reptile offered.
"A good job indeed, warriors," Lui Kang said, arriving on the scene. "I will make sure that Shang Tsung and his followers are properly returned to the Mortal Kombat world from here."
"Just doing our job, Lui Kang. Honestly, I'm still surprised that actually worked," Ray said.
"But to did lovely, beloved," Mineru said, giving the cat a kiss that made him blush.
"So then, what's our reward for winning at Dance Kombat?" Morgana asked.
"I think the reward is that we lived to tell the tale, Mona. Though I wonder if Cassy is going to believe me when I tell her about this…" Roxanne muttered.
"Hm… We could always ask this fine young man to join us," Mym suggested, looking at Reptile.
"You'd like me to join your guild?" he asked in surprise.
Ray shrugged. "Sure, why not? We're always open for more members in the Dragalia Guild, and I've read what you're new backstory in Mortal Kombat 1 is, so I think you'll fit right in with us, Reptile."
"You may call me Syzoth. That is my true name," Reptile said.
"Okay then, Syzoth. Welcome to our guild!" Ray smiled, shaking his hand. "Now then, let's get you back to base and show you our headquarters. We've got a lot of Halloween events to prepare for."
"Don't forget about the new Spider-Man game!" Morgana reminded him.
"How could I forget? My brother won't shut up about it!" Ray laughed.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed this special Gamesphere chapter! While not a spooky Halloween chapter, I wanted to show what Ray's life with his guild was like and decided to do so by combining two unlikely games, being "Just Dance" and "Mortal Kombat." I bet you didn't expect Mortal Kombat to be in this story, huh? I just found a creative way for that series to be here without all the blood and guts.
The Just Dance games are actually a favorite of mine. I don't really play them anymore, but I do like looking up all the new songs that get added each year with every new title. For the Dance Kombat I chose two songs that have been in games, being "Kick It" by NCT 127 and "Tribal Dance" by 2 Unlimited. I picked the latter song in particular since it sounds similar to the iconic Mortal Kombat theme.
Speaking of which, the Dragalia Guild recruits a new member in Syzoth, aka Reptile from Mortal Kombat. I was curious about the new game "Mortal Kombat 1" and decided to watch the story mode, which made me come to like the new Reptile a lot. Normally he's one of the punching bags of the series, but in the new game he actually gets to join the heroes and help save the realms. Talk about a glow-up!
Roxanne also references Cassy from her game's DLC "Security Breach: Ruin." I imagine that, while each user's version of a character is unique, you can always go back to a character's home world and "update" their memories to gain new skills as a new games come out.
Next Time: We take a break from the Halloween chapters for a brief moment as Gabriel and all his friends celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Walt Disney Studios!