Author's Note:
The 100th chapter is fastly approaching...and to mark the occassion, I've posted a new poll on my profile page. Since I'm a generous dude, I'm allowing everyone with an account up to TWENTY (yes, twenty) choices to pick from. The votes you cast in the poll will be integral for the story going forward. On to the guest reviews:
"Will you include the Fire Emblem characters from Genealogy of the Holy War and Thracia 776? Bruce and Fong from Resident Evil: Dead Aim? Is Yuffie using her Mae Whitman voice? How soon will Morrigan and Lilith appear? The Final Fantasy XIII and XV crew meeting each other? Will Berkut and Rinea become Smash Mansion residents if they show up? And finally, do you believe the theory that Walhart is Alm's descendant?"
Maybe. Perhaps. Yuffie is using her Mae Whitman voice. Don't know when Morrigan and Lilith will appear. Same goes for the FFXIII and XV crew meeting one another. Berkut and Rinea are going to show up, and they might be residents. And no, I do not believe the Walhart theory. But Walhart does look like a Japanese demon, though. The other review comes from Derick Lindsey:
"Also I was surprised you never mentioned or referenced anything about Sonic Mania the week it came out unless you're waiting till Sonic Forces to come out to reference it since the two games are a two part story."
Yeah, totally forgot about Sonic Mania...but I can wait until Sonic Forces is released to make some Sonic magic happen.
Episode 92: Karaoke
Jakob, who was already on pretty good terms with Master Hand, suddenly found himself in hot water with the creator of the Smash universe himself. The butler, who has been yearning for a full-fledged butler job at the mansion, had done a lot of sneaky things over the past couple of weeks, such as corrupting Mario's computer, spreading gossip around the mansion, and throwing Cortex and Uka inside the garbage bin outside.
While Jakob's reputation was taking a huge hit, he would receive another blow to his status when Cortex, a newcomer to the mansion alongside, Uka, informed Master Hand earlier in the week about how he was instructed by Jakob to convince the players in the backyard football game to hurt one another, giving each other concussions and such. And Master Hand didn't like that one bit - he felt like the football game was tarnished as a result of Jakob's influence.
Wanting some answers, Master Hand told Jakob to meet him in his room, so they could discuss Jakob's time at the mansion, and if Jakob had any underlying motives. Jakob did say that he had a master plan up his sleeve, so this could be the episode in which we learn what this plan was.
Jakob: Do I feel like my days at the mansion are being numbered? If I were being cynical, I would say yes, but during times like these, you have to remain optimistic, and feel good about your chances...then again, I'm not the most optimistic person in the world, I can be quick to criticize people, but just because you criticize others doesn't mean that you're a cynic, you're just speaking from a heart, without a filter, and most optimistic people are like that. Yet Corrin and Kamui are optimistic themselves, and I don't see them criticize anyone. Maybe criticism isn't in their nature, but wouldn't that mean criticizing other people has nothing to do with being optimistic? *sighs* Raiden can't come here any sooner...
"Let's start off with that whole gossip thing," Master Hand started things off with Jakob, in a meeting that had a bit of a job evaluation feel to it. "Why on earth were you spreading those false rumors in the first place? And how did you come up with those rumors, too? Gotta admit, Akira Yuki being a long-lost relative of Bruce Lee sure sounded creative."
"I haven't seen much strife at the mansion, so I wanted to see how the residents reacted to dealing with friction," explained Jakob; it was hard for Master Hand to tell if the butler was speaking the truth, or lying through his tongue. "To see people angry about the rumors about them spread around, wanting to know if the rumors were true or not, constantly debating with one another...I used it as a gauge of sorts, to determine who the believers and non-believers were."
"Okay then, now as for the football game, why did you have Cortex be a referee so he could tell the players to hurt one another? Do you have any idea how much trouble I would be in if the local community found out about the senseless violence that took place?!"
"Well, I think we can all agree that head injuries are an accepted risk of playing football, at any level or variation, so we can't look past that. Also, I was just...having someone dish out punishments, that's all. There's a reason why Touma and Olimar, along with the Mario Bros, weren't affected."
"Alright, so tell me why each and every person that got injured deserved to be 'punished', since I can hardly imagine why a lowkey guy like Lucario would receive punishment, whether physical or verbal." It seemed like the odds were against Jakob, but the butler was ready to give out his excuses.
"For starters, Lucario...he never really went public with his relationship with Lopunny, unlike any of the other males that are..."
"Like anyone is supposed to care about some stupid Pokemon relationship...you wouldn't see Red's rival Blue bragging about his Pokemon being in love, would you?"
"And as for Wario, he has all the money in the world, and yet he has never given back to the community..."
"Gave a cool ten thousand bucks to the Seattle Children's Hospital over a month ago. It was genuine too - nobody forced him to do it!"
"I'm pretty sure the residents have been complaining about the Flying Man being so annoying and over the top with his heroics, so I wanted to teach him a lesson..."
"That's funny, because I've yet to hear such a complaint AT ALL. And if they did have any complaints, they know they would come to me!"
"Sonic has been such a jerk for such a long time, and it was about time he was given some comeuppance for his behavior..."
"Which is why he's on dish-washing duty, for weeks on end. Bet you he's slacking off on his duties right now!"
"Falco could be the one behind the hotel attack, the propane purchased was under Star Records' name after all, and he might be working in secret with Fox...his reaction to the hotel footage could've been faked..."
"Why would Fox or Falco plot a random attack on Mario and Peach's wedding day for, what was there for them to gain, what were their motives? Do you know something that I don't?"
After that remark from Master Hand, Jakob couldn't really say anything else. He really had no valid excuse for Crash, King Dedede, Red the Pokemon Trainer, and others, and if he did, Master Hand would shoot those excuses down real quick anyways. The relationship Jakob had with Master Hand was dangerously close to reaching Michael Scott-Ryan Howard levels - no matter what the butler did, Master Hand would show him love and support. Jakob could literally kill Mario and kidnap Peach, and Master Hand would still give the man props. But now it seemed like that relationship was definitely souring.
Master Hand: Entertaining the idea of having a butler at the mansion was a bad idea on my part - the residents wouldn't know how to handle it. They would treat the butler with blatant disrespect, and mess with his belongings, and make him do stupid things or partake in their stupid adventures. In short, the butler would've been Mario 2.0. But with more formal duties.
"I'm not liking what I'm seeing from you as of late, Jakob, and I don't like the people speaking very poorly about your presence," Master Hand said to Jakob. The butler didn't care for the latter part, he could care less what people thought of him. "For those reasons alone, I'm officially placing you on probation, until further notice. I'll be keeping an even closer eye on everything you do under this mansion roof, and I'll ask the others about your performance as well, before I make a decision on whether you should be the official butler of the mansion or not. Capiche?"
"Yes, Master Hand, I fully understand - I won't disappointed you, I promise," promised Jakob, although that promise could very well be a lie. Given the stuff the butler has done in recent episodes, he could very well be fibbing to Master Hand. You would have to be the ultimate savage to lie to Master Hand's...face.
"Good. I expect better from you, Jakob - I would loathe to give Cilan the butler title. Got nothing against the guy, but he can be so happy and carefree and easygoing, all the time...the residents would have an absolute field day taking advantage of that man!"
Master Hand would leave his room, to embark on some business. Jakob was unsure what Master Hand would have to do during this time - probably wanted to scare the jeepers out of someone - but with the giant hand gone, it gave Jakob some private time, to be with himself and reflect on the conversation he had. The butler could no longer do any shady stuff, for Master Hand told him he would "be keeping an ever closer eye on everything" he did.
Raiden couldn't come any sooner...what would be Raiden's purpose at the mansion anyways?
As stated by Jakob earlier, the propane used in the hotel attack was purchased under the Star Records' name - it even showed up under the record company's bank statement, which was conspicuously found in the living back in episode 82. But Itsuki, one of the heads of Star Records along with Fox and Falco, didn't give a care about this issue, for he felt that someone purchased the propane under Star Records just to make the record company look suspicious. Fox and Falco felt the same way, though they weren't as carefree as Itsuki felt about the whole thing.
Itsuki was in the cafe, reading news on his cellphone and enjoying some afternoon coffee, to keep him up and alert. As the young man took a sip from his coffee, a good friend of his entered the cafe, all smiles. This friend, the peppy idol singer by the name of Tsubasa, walked over to Itsuki, peering over his shoulder and looking at his phone.
"Whatcha looking at?" Tsubasa asked Itsuki, who wasn't alarmed by the idol singer's presence at all. Itsuki was always calm and collected; nothing could startle him, not even the most wicked thunderbolt from Pikachu.
"Just catching up on the news from The Japan Times, that's all," replied Itsuki; The Japan Times was Japan's largest and oldest English-language newspaper. "Read it a lot during my down time, I try and stay away from all the controversial stuff if I can. Me and controversy, we don't go hand-in-hand..."
"I see...so, are you busy tonight? K.K. Slider is hosting something in the gaming room - don't know the full details yet, but by the sound of it, there'll probably be a lot of people there. Would you be interested in coming with me?"
"I'm sorry Tsubasa, but I don't think I can make it. You know how busy it can be being one of the heads of Star Records." Not the kind of answer Tsubasa wanted nor expected, but with Itsuki being in charge of Star Records, his answer was understandable.
"Alright then - just let me know if you change your mind!" Tsubasa would leave the cafe...but not before giving Itsuki a kiss on the cheek. Itsuki, who was diligently reading the text on his phone, dropped his cellphone to the floor as he suddenly found himself in a trance of sorts, just staring into space and rubbing the cheek Tsubasa just kissed.
Itsuki: Tsubasa kissed me...Tsubasa actually...she actually kissed me...this is... *nods head and smiles* ...this is quite literally unexpected.
"And that, Mr. Lombardi, is why buttered popcorn tastes much better with chocolate syrup on top," Fox conversed with his buddy Falco, as the two pilots entered the cafe. Upon arrival, the pilot duo saw Itsuki, still sitting at his seat, his little trance still very much intact. Dude was really out of his element. "Yo, Itsuki, is everything alright, you look pretty spaced out..."
"Fox, you won't believe what just happened..." were the only words Itsuki could say, still staring in space. Way to leave Falco out of the equation.
Nobody was enjoying their week more than Dr. Neo Cortex, the newest addition to the Smash Mansion alongside his guardian mask, Uka. The mad scientist was strutting his stuff through the hallways, pointing at random ladies such as Samus and Celica and grinning, before giving them a wink as they went their way and rolled their eyes behind Cortex's back. Cortex wasn't sure if everyone was being nice and considerate to him because it was his first week, but he didn't care - this was the most lively he had ever felt in a long time. Not even Uka, who was accompanying him, could bring him down.
"Why must you constantly point and wink at the women even though you're undeserving of them?" the evil witchdoctor mask questioned Cortex, who just pointed and winked at Marth, apparently unaware that the hero-king was a dude. "Pretty sure you just winked at a guy right there, don't even try to defend yourself..."
"If that were the case, why would he be wearing a tiara?" questioned Cortex, stopping in place and sparking an argument with Uka. "What man would sacrifice their manliness and wear some dumb tiara on their head for?" Marth, offended by Cortex's comments, leaned in closer so he could eavesdrop on the conversation.
"Maybe he's just making some fashion statement and trying to prove that men can wear tiaras. He looks like he's from medieval times, so their sense of style could be much more different compared to modern times."
"Oh please - I've journeyed to the medieval times before, and I've never seen a man wearing a tiara - most of the men I saw wore crowns! Also, if that blue-haired woman is supposedly a 'man', then explain the hairstyle in slender body!"
"For your information, good sir, this is NOT a tiara - it's just a small crown," Marth joined in on the conversation, having heard enough. "And just because I have a girly hairstyle, and a slim body, doesn't mean that I'm not manly! We've known each other for a week now, you should've known already that I'm a man..."
"I dunno, Marth sounds like a pretty girly name to me. Names like Mark and Martin would be a far better name choice for a royal prince." Unable to bear Cortex's mouth anymore, Marth was ready to take out his Falchion and teach the mad scientist a lesson...before he looked up and saw a certain winged fellow, flying up high near the ceiling and holding a Nerf gun in his hands.
"RUN!" the hero-king shouted, as he ran off; Cortex and Uka looked at one another, confused, before a soft dart was fired at Cortex, nailing him in the eye. The mad scientist clutched his eye and fell to the floor, as Uka chuckled heartlessly. Pit would fly down from the ceiling, Nerf gun in hand, to check on Cortex, who was writhing in pain.
"Dr. Cortex, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt your eye like that!" Pit apologized to the mad scientist, who was moaning and yelping in pain. "I was trying to aim for Marth, but he saw me and ran off, and somehow I nailed you in your eye instead. Would have been funnier if I got you in the nether regions...or maybe not." Yeah, Cortex would never forgive Pit if he was attacked below the belt.
Pit: Kirby and I got ourselves these wicked awesome Nerf guns, from the money we earned from our YouTube channel. We had all our videos monetized thanks to Kirby linking up our channel with his Google AdSense account. You had to be eighteen years or older to sign up, but nobody honestly knows Kirby's age...
Kirby: I've never understood the whole "have to be eighteen years or older" thing at all. You're telling me that you can't trust someone between 11 to 17 years of age to make a phone call and purchase some famous toy for their little brother or sister? What's the worse that could happen - some sexual predator on the other line hooks up with the caller, and gains all their information and stalks them to no end?! Give me a break...
Pit: Remember that one time when you called Nightmare Enterprises to get that Secret Santa gift for Samus, before you got that voice thingy? The guy on the other line seriously thought you were a two-month old baby!
Kirby: Please Pit, don't remind me...
"You fired that dart at Cortex's eye?" Uka confronted Pit, who was worried that the mask would chastise him...if he understood Uka's relationship with Cortex any better, the angel would have expected the complete opposite. "I cannot thank you enough for giving that man what he deserves! Been irritating me all day with his constant flirting...thinks he's a ladies man or something."
"Nothing wrong with that - I like to consider myself a ladies man as well!" exclaimed Pit. Having a girlfriend in Viridi doesn't qualify you as one, Pit. Sometimes, you gotta get around, like the now imprisoned Captain Falcon. "...but only Kirby believes me. You don't have to flirt 24/7 to be a hoot with the ladies."
"That's what I've been trying to tell Cortex..well, about the flirting bit anyways. Poor guy has devoted so much time to villainy and being such a horrible villain, that I frankly believe his romantic life has already been buried in its grave. I would give Cortex romantic pointers, but I'm a floating mask, can't remember the last time I had to deal with love...also, Cortex isn't worthy of my advice anyways."
"I can hear that, you know!" said Cortex, lying on the floor and consoling his now blackened eye. So far, Pit has not given a single care about helping the mad scientist back to his feet.
"Ooh, you can hear me, well don't you feel special..." Uka had this to say before turning his attention to Pit. "You know kid, you're not so bad - granted you aren't the smartest kid around, but you make up for it with your charm...something Cortex could never do."
"I don't really have a charm to begin with...but I do have this friendship necklace Viridi got for me." Pit dug into his pocket, and pulled out a friendship necklace for Uka to see. It was adorned with hearts, all of which signified the love Pit and Viridi had for each other. "Took me a good while to find out that the hearts weren't candy...think I nearly choked on one."
"Yeah...so how about I follow you around, all day long, like I do with Cortex...or used to do with Cortex, rather." Cortex, finally making it to his feet, looked on in shock - was Uka betraying him?! And for a non-villainous goody two shoes in Pit? "Are you down with that?"
"You got yourself a deal, evil mask guy!" exclaimed Pit, and so the angel walked away, Nerf gun in hand...and Uka following him along the way. Uka would turn around too look at Cortex, just for a good minute, before looking forward. Was this the end of the Cortex-Uka partnership?
"Uka, you can't leave me alone like this, certainly we can work something out..." Cortex called out to the mask, who did not respond. "Ooh, I know, I'll start a villainous group, with Bowser and Ganondorf, and the three of us will take over the world! You like that idea, right Uka?...Uka?"
Daisy: My darling husband Luigi has been feeling very...festive tonight, and wanted to throw a Mexican party at our home. He managed to hook up with Rayman and his friends over the week, and got a lot of party materials for his little "fiesta"...party hats, sombreros, a pinata, maracas...heck, some guy in a jalapeno costume even showed up! Better keep his distance away from Charles if he values his life. Mario and Peach were kind enough to come over and help set everything up, and their guest wanted to help out as well.
Lara Croft: First time I've ever been invited to a fiesta, although I wasn't really invited to begin with...I just wanted to show Mario's brother some appreciation, that's all. Mario and Peach have been so kind to me during my first week at their home, so I wanted to give back a little token of my gratitude and do a favor for their next-door neighbors. The end goal during my stay, however, is to accumulate as much money as possible to purchase another plane ticket and get back to London ASAP. Wonder if Mario has any gold coins I could use?
Mario, Peach, Luigi, and Daisy were busy setting up decorations in the living room for the big fiesta, while Lana and the Jalapeno costume dude were setting up the pinata, with Lara on the ladder and the costumed fellow pulling the string. We'll just call the guy in the jalapeno costume Mr. Jalapeno, just for the sake of convenience.
"Now don't eat too much food now, Mario - you know you're allergic to Hispanic food!" Peach reminded Mario, as the two lovebirds were setting up table decorations. "We can't afford to have you make routine trips to the bathroom!"
"I'm-a not allergic to Hispanic food - in fact, I don't-a think such an allergy exists!" Mario defended himself, always feeling ticked whenever someone spoke about the intense beef Hispanic food had with him. "My stomach just-a can't handle Hispanic food, that's all!"
"I dunno, Mario - that definitely sounds like a legit allergy to me!" Peach smiled, as Mario scoffed at this idea of him having such an allergy, and even being allergic to anything at all. Elsewhere, Lara and Mr. Jalapeno were still busy setting up the pinata, and a very interesting thought entered Mr. Jalapeno's head...
"Do you funny it funny how when you hit the pinata, candy spills out from its butt?" the costumed man asked Lara, who dared not to answer such a perverted question. Any question that pertained to a body part such as the butt should never really required a well-formulated answer.
"It does sound rather amusing, I suppose," Lara shrugged, which was perhaps the only thing she could do given the strange question she was asked. She could tell Mr. Jalapeno was doing his best to stifle his laughter under that red costume of his.
"What's even funnier is that when you eat candy, it gets digested and goes down your body, and then it exits out of...you know where the candy exits?" Mr. Jalapeno asked Lara yet again - another question Lara felt uncomfortable answering. She had to bite her bottom lip for this one.
"Can't say I do, do tell..." Once again, Lara had to play it safe, especially with Mr. Jalapeno sounding like he was quickly on the verge of hysterical laughter. The answer to his strange question could not be pretty in the slightest.
"The candy, after being eaten and going down the digestive tract, comes out...FROM THE BUTT!" And just like that, Mr. Jalapeno found himself in a hysterical laughing fit, dropping the string as he fell to the floor laughing, sending the pinata to the floor, much to Lara's display. Mario and company just looked at Mr. Jalapeno during his laughing fit, all mutually agreeing in their heads that he was beyond crazy, before resuming their work.
"Thought I told-a Rayman he should have brought-a some Mexican guy with a sombrero and a guitar to-a my fiesta instead..." Luigi would tell his wife Daisy. "But that would have-a been too racist anyways, unless they had some-a skeleton with a Meixcan-a mustache. Anyone would be-a fine with that. Also, where's-a Yuffie?"
"Yuffie's going around the mansion spreading the word about your little fiesta, it was the least she could do," answered Daisy, after Mr. Jalapeno's laughing fit finally came to an end. "She did want to avoid doing any work, so there's that..."
Out of all the dudes playing in that backyard football game, none of them had it worse than Link. Poor Hylian was dealing with nagging headaches, migraines, and other head-related symptoms all week along, and had to spend 90 percent of his time in his bed, to rest and heal. The other ten percent included things like going to the bathroom, or chasing down the Koopalings whenever his green hat was stolen.
Leia: After diagnosing the ten injured players, it turns out that Link and the Flying Man have worse symptoms compared to the others. Everyone pretty much has the more moderate symptoms, so their injuries aren't that bad, and won't be long-term. Two individuals managed to get out of dodge, however - Lucario, because of his constant meditating and berry eating, which easily heals his head and the rest of his body, and Crash, who I'm pretty sure doesn't have a brain. Might have a Wumpa Fruit in place of where his brain should be.
Cloud: Cortex confirmed to Master Hand that he was named referee of the football game by Jakob so he could carry out Jakob's motives of having certain players injured... *folds arms* ...but I can't say I'm entirely surprised, figured Jakob was up to no good. As I've told Dark Pit and Snake before, he has something up his sleeve, and I think Master Hand and Mario are starting to find out...took 'em long enough.
"Ow, my head, my aching head..." moaned Link, as he was rubbing his head in pain. The Hylian was lying in his bed, with a blanket and pillow over his head, to keep himself away from the light. Cloud was on the opposite bed, checking out the hidden NES Golf copy on the Nintendo Switch system, in its portable mode. "Wish I could get some...Magic Hammer and bang my head with it and make all the pain and suffering go away..." Cloud felt the need to get away from Link, for he could not bear the Hylian's complaining anymore.
"You know what, I'm gonna get myself a quick bite to eat," said Cloud, getting off of his bed and taking the Switch with him. "Can I get you anything Link, like a potion or...well I don't know...some headache pills." Link refused to take any pills for his head, for whatever reason.
"No thanks, I ran out of potions, thanks to Ashley...but if you see Midna flying around, please tell her to keep my distance from me as far as possible. I'd hate for her to run her mouth incessantly in my presence, like she tends to do a lot, and make my headache worse..."
"Gotcha. But if she comes through the walls or anything like that...then I can't stop her, so you gotta be on the lookout. I'll turn off the lights, if it makes you feel any better. Doubt it..."
So Cloud turned the lights off and exited the room, continuing on his way while playing NES Golf. He wouldn't that far when he encountered his ninja friend Yuffie, who was standing in front of him to ensure that the swordsman didn't mindlessly walk away and ignore her.
"Hey Cloud...are you busy tonight?" Yuffie asked the swordsman, trying to win him over with her cute, adorable smile. But Cloud didn't do cute or adorable - at times, he found those traits to be sickening.
"Wish I could say yes," replied Cloud, moving around Yuffie before continuing down the hallway. Knowing the frustration that came with getting Cloud to agree upon participating in fun activities, Yuffie had to chase Cloud down the hallway, keeping herself in distance with the swordsman.
"Luigi and Daisy are having a Mexican fiesta at their place, and I was wondering if you were interested! Who knows, Aerith might be there!" With the possibility of Aerith being at the fiesta, Cloud was tempted to say yes...but the swordsman remembered who was cooking diner tonight...Palutena, the most amateur cooking around. A definite yes from Cloud was in order now.
"Sounds like it would be worth going, Aerith would make the experience more enjoyable for me. Unless Mario chows down too much Mexican food, and starts gassing up all over the place. As bad as the probability of that happening sounds, he can't possibly outdo Wario."
"Ain't that the truth...hope to see you soon!" With the nod of his head, Cloud kept walking down the hallway, playing NES Golf on the Switch, as Yuffie continued to spread the news about Luigi's fiesta. She would make her way to the ball pit room when she was approached by K.K. Slider, wielding his trusty guitar.
"Howdy Yuffie, how's my favorite ninja doing today?" the hippie dog asked the ninja girl, making Sheik, Greninja, and Asuka feel unloved. "I'm hosting Karaoke Night at the gaming room tonight, there's gonna be lots of food and appetizers for all! Savin' everyone from Lady Palutena's chili - last time I had her chili, a large tentacle came out from my bowl and tried to choke me. Even when I cried for help, nobody bothered to save me..."
K.K. Slider: Asked Master Hand if I could hold Karaoke Night at the gaming room, and once I got the thumbs up, it was a go! I had to give Master Hand a list of karaoke-worthy songs, and he not only approved the list, but also added some songs as well. Didn't get a chance to look at the added songs myself, but if I see "Barbie Girl" on the list, then Karaoke Night is cancelled...you know what, I can't wait to find out. *takes out song list, glosses over songs, and lets out a relieved sigh* Phew, "Barbie Girl" is nowhere to be found. My ears can rest easy tonight.
"Luigi and Daisy are having a Mexican fiesta at their place, and they're gonna have lots of food, too..." Yuffie found herself stroking her chin, evaluating her options, debating whether she should attend the fiesta, or Karaoke Night. After thinking for a good while, the ninja girl made up her mind. "I'll just hang out with you and the others at the gaming room, especially if there's karaoke involved!"
"Groovy - hopefully Luigi and Daisy wouldn't mind your absence," said K.K. Slider. We'll just have to see about that. "I'll catch you later tonight, cool cat!" K.K. Slider smiled as he walked away, playing a joyous tune on his guitar.
"It will be a fabulous time, I'll guarantee you that!" Yuffie called out to K.K. Slider, as she walked down the hall, likely to inform others about the fiesta that she was no longer going to be attending.
Shortly after Yuffie and K.K. Slider went their own separate ways, a familiar cyborg would reveal his identity, turning off his stealth camouflage once the coast was clear and taking out his sword. Not only was this individual a cyborg, but he was also a ninja, a mercenary, a former child soldier...and for one episode, a kidnapper!
"About time I paid these Smash Mansion denizens a quick visit..." said this kidnapping ninja cyborg mercenary dude...a dude known to many as Raiden.
Cortex, dealing with a black eye, felt solemn and bitter about Uka ditching him for Pit of all people, as he was watching Uka, Pit, and Kirby being fascinated...by a newly-installed aquarium, one very large in size and containing multiple fish Pokemon. Uka wasn't as fascinated as Pit and Kirby were - he was still trying to figure out how the two best friends did things.
Regardless, the fact that Uka would rather be with Pit and Kirby over Cortex made poor Cortex heave a saddened sigh, as Crash and Sonic walked by, with Aku floating over their heads. The three found Cortex watching Uka from a far distance, and were curious as to why Cortex and Uka were so apart from one another.
"Dr. Cortex, this is the the first time we've seen you dejected since joining the mansion," Aku said to the mad scientist, who responded by letting out another solemn, sorrowful sigh. "This is by far the complete opposite of what we've been used to...or forced ourselves to feel accustomed to. Any explanation for what the problem is, and why you and Uka aren't together?"
"Uka betrayed me for Pit, simply because he thought Pit was better than me..." explained Cortex, leaving Aku and company in a state of shock. It sounded like Cortex was making it up just to receive sympathy, but apparently that's what happened. "Said that Pit had a charm that made up for his faults...but Pit doesn't have a charm, he's just dumb and stupid! I fail to see what anyone sees in that boy!"
"Yeah, that's just hogwash, Uka chose Pit over me, rejected me because I'm, and I quote, 'too big of a jerk'!" frowned Sonic, recalling what Uka said about him in the previous episode. "If you ask me though, Uka's probably using Pit for leverage. I've done the same thing with Pit countless of times before."
"Really, you think Uka's just taking advantage of Pit?" Judging by Pit's current actions, it's not like Uka would stick around with the angel for a terribly long time...the witchdoctor mask would have to give in sometime.
"That's just the way I see it, those are my two cents...hey, I know something that could cheer you up - Karaoke Night! Have you ever done karaoke before?" Cortex, who only considered building evil inventions and eating churros to be fun, shook his head no. "Excellent, that means you should come! It'll take place at the gaming room tonight, lots of food will be offered, I hear. My girlfriend Amy Rose is gonna be there!"
"Amy is going to be at Karaoke Night?" Coco's voice was heard, much to Sonic's chagrin. Coco Bandicoot showed up, holding her pink laptop at her side. "Oh yeah, I should definitely go to Karaoke Night now!" Coco met Amy Rose during dinnertime in episode 84, during Crash and company's first night at the mansion, and as you would believe, they discussed a lot of girl topics with one another.
"Hooray, can't wait to see you there, it'll be fun..." said a now uninterested Sonic, who now found himself on the fence of attending Karaoke Night, because if Coco was going to be at Karaoke Night...then there was a good chance her "boyfriend" Tails would come along.
Sonic: No, I won't humiliate Tails at Karaoke Night, whether he's singing or not. He must bathe in his own shame, and fully understand the consequences of storing away secrets from people you consider your friends. He must feel the hurt and pain I had to deal with, from his life of secrecy and deceit, and still dealing with to this day. Then, and only then, will I forgive Tails... *snickers* ...no way I'm gonna forgive that man.
It was close to nighttime in Seattle, and Luigi's fiesta was about to begin soon. The green plumber and his brother Mario waited outside, expecting guests to arrive. Yuffie had not returned, but given the conversation she had with K.K. Slider, the ninja might not be coming back...
"Yuffie has been gone for quite a while..." Peach told Mario and Luigi, joining the twin brothers outside. "Hopefully nothing bad happened to her..." Yeah, totally, like some comet from the sky came hurling down to Seattle and struck the mansion and killed poor Yuffie and others. Mario, Luigi, and Peach could see the smoke rising up from the impact from where they were standing. "I should go search for her..."
"Don't forget-a to turn your-a ringer on, just-a in case!" Mario called out to his wife as she began her search. The plumber glanced at his watch, and saw that it was ten minutes till eight. And not a single person showed up for the fiesta.
"Maybe we should call-a the fiesta off, obviously Yuffie didn't do-a her job well," said Luigi, although he didn't wish to cancel a fiesta he put so much time and effort into. But the plumber would soon be delighted, when Cloud and Aerith later showed up.
"Hi Mario, hi Luigi," Aerith waved to the Mario Bros; Cloud, being a lowkey guy who did not believe in waving, just nodded his head. "We heard that you were having a fiesta, and so we would like to join...just to avoid eating Palutena's chili. But that's not the only reason why we're here, I promise! Are we the first guests?"
"Yes, you sure-a are! Was worried that nobody would-a be interested in coming. Come right-a on in, and make your-a self at home!"
"May I?" Cloud held out his hand to Aerith, who giggled as the took the swordsman's hand, and walked hand-in-hand to Luigi's home. Once the lovebirds entered through the front door... "LARA CROFT?!" Cloud shouted this at the top of his lungs, in complete shock and amazement.
"...we should have-a given a proper introduction for-a Lara Croft to the others," Mario said to Luigi, who had to nod in agreement. Soon a few more individuals would show up for the fiesta - Bayonetta, the Black Knight, and Meta Knight. Given Meta Knight's Hispanic heritage, you know he was going to the fiesta. "Look, more-a guests, guess we won't have-a to call off the fiesta at all..."
K.K. Slider's Karaoke Night was ready to start, with residents a many filing into the gaming room. Gotta wonder how Palutena felt. Guests included Amy, Fiora, and Waluigi...everyone was unsure as to why Waluigi was even invited to Karaoke Night.
"Happy to see me again, eh?" the lanky man would greet everyone as they entered the gaming room, feeling disgusted inside. Sonic and Crash would feel disgusted themselves when they entered the gaming room, though Crash had never met Waluigi in person before.
"Notice how Professor Layton is nowhere to be found," Sonic said to Crash, as the two were looking for Amy. "Dude's so boring, he would miss out on having fun at Karaoke Night for Lady Palutena's chili. He must really enjoy tentacle arms choking him to death!"
"Yoo hoo, Sonic and Crash, I'm over here!" Amy called out to the hedgehog-bandicoot duo, who found the pink hedgehog waving to them, getting their attention. Sonic and Crash would make their way over to Amy, taking the available seats next to her. "Ah, I see you boys have been bonding a lot since you first met each other at the beach...I'm glad you found a new best friend, Sonic!"
"Too bad I had to lose another best friend in return..." sighed Sonic, leading Amy to wonder what was wrong. "Oh yeah, I never told you...Tails and I unfortunately had to end our long friendship." Amy gasped, clutching her pearls - her ears could not comprehend the "news". "Tails is apparently in a lowkey relationship Coco, and he was too chicken to tell me about said relationship, to my face. Kept it a secret from me!"
"My goodness, that's terrible, Tails should have known better...unless you're just blowing things out of proportion, and assuming Tails and Coco are an item just because they're close friends. I used to think Silver and Blaze were a couple, but as I learned later on, they had a really, really tight friendship..." Sonic thought over what Amy just said...was the blue blur truly blowing things out of the water?
"Hey guys, you ready for some great karaoke?" Tails asked Sonic and company, and guess who was accompanying the yellow fox? Coco Bandicoot...and Aku, if you want to include him. Sonic just looked at Tails and Coco together, wondering if he was in the wrong...which he was, to be honest.
"This Karaoke Night is gonna be a rocking time!" exclaimed Sonic with the swing of his arm, alarming Tails with his candor. Other times, the hedgehog would call out Tails for his secrecy, and tell the fox to scram if he knew what was good for him.
Amy: Sonic tends to blow things out of proportion...like that one time when I told him I was moving, and he went all out and got me a plane ticket, because he thought I was moving to a foreign country...when in actuality I was moving out of Cream's home. (Can't live with Cream and her mother forever - they're too soft for my tastes, no offense). Sonic essentially wasted up to a thousand dollars on a plane ticket to Istanbul, which could have been bought by someone else, and pretty much had to implore Jacky to lend him some money. I'm not sure if Tails-Coco is an actual thing, but if it isn't, and it's all just inside Sonic's head...then I can't say I'm terribly surprised.
Tsubasa was seated at a pub table, supposedly saving a seat for her supposed man Itsuki. The young man in question would enter the gaming room, flanked by Fox and Falco. The pilots were informed by Itsuki about Tsubasa kissing him on the cheek at the cafe, and were now ready to give the young man pointers in love - despite Fox being more qualified.
"You see that girl, Itsuki - the girl by the name of Tsubasa Oribe?" Fox, his arm wrapped around Itsuki, asked the young man as he pointed at Tsubasa. "That girl, that girl right there is freedom...you claim her, you're free! Free of single-hood, free of constant searching, free of being stressed about your love life...you claim Tsubasa as your girl, and you're a free man, Itsuki! A free man - free at last! Free at last, free at least, thank God Almighty, we're..."
"Okay Fox, you're starting to sound like Doc Louis when he's hyping up Little Mac, and it's creeping me out a little, so please stop," Itsuki said to the pilot, getting his arm off of him. "So how do you think I should approach Tsubasa, you guys?"
"Just take the seat next to her, and start a conversation by asking her how her day has been," suggested Falco, using this basic advice. "Gotta start off small, before you work your way to the top!"
So Itsuki strutted his way over to Tsubasa, hand in his pocket, as he flashed a confident smile. He saw Akuma heading towards the available seat, and so he stiff armed the fighter to the floor, and he did so with ease. Almost made Akuma look incredibly weak, being shoved to the floor like that.
"Suppose I'll sit somewhere else then..." grumbled Akuma as he stood up to his feet, dusting himself off and glaring at Itsuki, before walking away. Itsuki was now in the sweet spot, in the seat Tsubasa supposedly made available for him...and Tsubasa looked at him in the eye!
"You actually made it to Karaoke Night, I knew you would show up!" the idol singer exclaimed with much joy. Must be a psychic, like Kanto's own Sabrina. "Will we hear any singing from you? Because as everyone knows, you're not that much of a singer..." Sounds like Tsubasa was starting the conversation herself, rather than Itsuki.
"I'll sing, but if and only if the songs are actually worth singing," replied Itsuki, glancing at Fox and Falco who gave him two thumbs up each. "I may not be the best singer in the world, but if I get a good song and get a good rhythm going...I can be serviceable."
"So happy I could spend this time with you Itsuki...nobody in this mansion is more worthy of spending Karaoke Night with than you." That was definitely enough to make Itsuki smile hard. "Granted there's other people, like Eleonora, and Zelda...but to spend this night with you, I couldn't ask for anything better."
"Wow, Tsubasa, I'm absolutely flattered, don't know what to say...other than it's a pleasure to spend Karaoke Night with you. As long as you're happy, I'm happy, and that's what matters the most." Fox and Falco, with proud faces, no doubt certain that Itsuki would go far with Tsubasa.
Falco: Knew Itsuki and Tsubasa as an item was gonna happen from a mile away. Tsubasa always had the hots for Itsuki, what with hanging out with him whenever she had the chance. And Itsuki would always act oblivious towards Tsubasa's advances, at least until today.
Fox: Itsuki was probably just acting oblivious on purpose, waiting until the ripe opportunity to start a relationship with Tsubasa. It's the only explanation; you don't act all oblivious and unaware when a cute girl is within your presence. Tsubasa may have the looks, but she doesn't have the boobs, like Krystal...actually, I think Tsubasa's boobs are bigger than Krystal's, so she has the upper hand. Size matters.
"Alright you cool cats, who's ready for Karaoke Night, hosted by yours truly, DJ K.K?" K.K. Slider, now under the alias DJ K.K. with his orange hat and thick-rimmed glasses, asked the crowd as he stood behind his turntable set. The crowd would erupt into cheers, ready for Karaoke Night begin.
"Don't start the party just yet, DJ K.K...for the champion of the earth and the sky...the conqueror of evil...the single white rose of Wutai...the one and only, Yuffie Kisaragi, has arrived!" Yuffie exclaimed, stepping inside the gaming room and posing as she pointed at the sky, only to receive no fanfare whatsoever. Ouch. "But WAIT! I have brought with me a very special guest, a name that is known across the nation, throughout the entire world...everyone give her a warm welcome!"
Everyone in the gaming room was expecting Tifa, Lightning, or any woman of Final Fantasy fame - but cheers were sounded in the gaming room when the guest of honor walked in...Princess Peach. Was Peach missing out on Luigi's fiesta for Karaoke Night?! Did Yuffie convince her well enough to come?!
"Greetings everyone, so glad to see so many smiling faces tonight!" Peach gleamed as she waved to the crowd. "Mario and Luigi won't mind missing out on their fiesta and singing some karaoke instead...or so I hope."
"Welcome to the party, Princess Peach, always great having you around at the mansion!" DJ K.K. said to the princess. "As for Mario and Luigi, I'm positive they'll get over your absence soon. Now that everyone is ready, time to go over the rules..." DJ K.K. took out a microphone, holding it up for everyone to see. "The person who holds this microphone in their hand will sing a song, which will be selected from a song list that I curated. Once you're finished singing, you must then pass the mic to somebody else in the gaming room. Just don't throw it across the room like you're John Stockton, last thing I would want is for someone to get hit in the eye by a mic and suffer from a black eye..."
"Black eyes are the worst, take it from me!" shouted Cortex, seated in the far corner of the gaming room. Without Uka at his side, the mad scientist was a one-man band - no point in finding another worthy companion.
"Cortex and Uka got thrown inside the garbage bin, and were granted mansion residency status after gaining Master Hand's sympathy," Sonic explained to Amy, who had a frowning look on her face, questioning Cortex's presence. "Aw, don't look like that - gaining Master Hand's sympathy is a lot harder than it sounds! Imagine what I have to go through!"
"Thank you, Dr. Cortex...so are you cats ready?" asked DJ K.K. Slider, and the crowd erupted into cheers again. "Yeah, that's what I like to hear! Who will be singing first, I wonder! Let me see..." DJ K.K. scanned the room, looking for someone to pass the mic to...when his eyes fell on a worthy individual. "...Donkey Kong, you're up!"
DJ K.K. would toss the microphone to Donkey Kong, who caught the mic with just one hand. The gorilla was an expert when it came to banging bongas, but would he have the same expertise in karaoke? Time for DK to make his mark!
Donkey Kong: Karaoke is one of the easiest fun activities known to man - you just sing song lyrics off some screen, nothing more and nothing else. Sing well, you get applause and cheers, and maybe even a standing ovation. Sing poorly, and people will point and laugh at you, and you'll never show your face again! My voice might not be fit for singing, but I've heard Bowser sing multiple times before...sounds like a jolly pirate happily munching on Lucky Charms. Singing like he has his mouth full!
"What song shall we start Karaoke Night with, DJ K.K.?" Donkey Kong asked the DJ, who pulled up the song on an interactive whiteboard next to his turntable. First song of the night? "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls. A very common karaoke song. "Spice Girls, eh? Can't do this alone...Diddy Kong, come on down!"
"Um, are you sure group performances aren't allowed?" asked a nervous Diddy Kong. The spidermonkey only came just for the food and appetizers; he could possibly care less about singing. "I mean, I don't wanna take away any shine from my uncle..."
"Joint performances are permitted - no more than two people can sing together," explained DJ K.K., as he got the song ready. Donkey Kong gave a goofy grin to Diddy, who still was pretty nervous about singing in front of everyone.
"Whaddaya waiting for, great nephew of mine, let's go and sing our hearts out!" the gorilla grabbed Diddy's arm, and rushed to the stage DJ K.K. was on, standing next to the DJ's turntable set. DJ K.K. started up the Spice Girls song, and the Kongs were ready (well, half-ready) to sing, as the lyrics appeared on the interactive whiteboard (Donkey Kong would sing Scary Spice's part, and Diddy would sing Ginger Spice's part):
Yo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha)
I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah
If you want my future, forget my past
If you wanna get with me, better make it fast
Now don't go wasting my precious time
Get your act together we could be just fine
I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want
So tell me what you want, what you really, really want
I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha) I wanna, (ha)
I wanna really, really, really wanna zigazig ah
If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends
Make it last forever, friendship never ends
If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give
Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is
"Wannabe" wasn't necessarily a deep song - it was just a regular song about friendship - but the lyrics, which talked about the past, getting your act together, friendship never ending, it struck a chord inside Sonic. The hedgehog ended his friendship with Tails because of the yellow fox keeping his "secret" relationship with Coco away from him. Sonic had zero evidence of this relationship, but Amy did tell the hedgehog that he was possibly blowing things out of proportion. Should Sonic forget about the past, and get his act together and make up with Tails?
Tonight was the perfect night for the blue blur to make some amends with his "former" best friend.
Cloud: ...Lara Croft. Famous tomb raider Lara Croft, at Luigi's fiesta of all places. At first I thought she was a ghost, a figment of my imagination, but Mario told me that she's the real deal - she's only sticking around with Mario and Peach until she can afford a plane ticket and return to London. Never realized how beautiful Lara looked in person, might be the most beautiful woman in the world...no wait, I can't say that, Aerith's my girlfriend, so she's the most beautiful woman in the world. Then again, she's from an alternate universe...so she's the most beautiful woman from her own universe. Man, I give up...
Zelda and Doc Louis would join Luigi's fiesta, which was incredibly lacking in guests at the moment. There were five guests from the mansion in total - way below the number Luigi was expecting. Nonetheless, things at the fiesta were relatively fine, and everyone was having a great time. Meta Knight was enjoying the food, Luigi was trying to hit the pinata, and two female Brits were enjoying a conversation together - Bayonetta and Lara Croft.
"Mr. Mario is a lot worse than advertised - trust me, I know," Bayonetta said to Lara, trying to warn the tomb raider about the things she would have to put up with during her stay with Mario. "He's unprepared, unfocused, sees no fault in anyone, and sometimes can be quite a yes man. Especially when it comes to Peach."
"How odd, I've yet to see any of those traits from Mario first-hand," said Lara, furrowing her brow as she recollected the experiences she gained from her first week with Mario and Peach. "Perhaps I haven't spent much time with Mario yet to see his true colors..."
"You'll see what I mean in due time - this week is just a warm-up. Mario's only acting the complete opposite of how he really is just to make you feel welcome - give a sense of confidence and comfort during your temporary stay. The longer the stay, the more you'll see..."
"Speaking of Mario, where on earth is he? Don't see him near the food, or near the pinata...now Luigi's swinging the bat like he's trying to swipe someone's head off. Where's Mario when you need him?"
Mario, the plumber in question, was away from all the festivities, worried about his woman Peach. The princess had not returned to the fiesta - instead, she desired to spend her night at the gaming room for Karaoke Night, after being invited by Yuffie. Mario did not know this obviously, and the lack of Peach was constantly worrying him.
"Yo, Mario, can I speak with you for a sec?" Doc Louis approached Mario , wanting to speak with the plumber even though he wasn't in the mood. "Little Mac is at Karaoke Night, at the mansion, and he's about to sing and I can't miss out on an opportunity of greatness, so...I'ma bounce." Without even saying goodbye, Doc Louis would rush out of Luigi's home, huffing and puffing and losing his breath as he returned to the mansion.
Suddenly there was a knock at the back door. Mario went to the back door to see who it was, and when he opened the door, he didn't see Peach...but rather, some guy in an astronaut suit, like he just returned to earth from a space mission.
"Buzz-a Aldrin, I assume?" questioned Mario, saying the first name that popped in his head when he saw the astronaut. The astronaut would take off his helmet, revealing the visage of a person Mario knew too well.
"No Mario, it's me, Snake..." said Snake, as he took his astronaut helmet off. "Still hiding from that lovestruck Kiria - she's at the gaming room for Karaoke Night, and so I tried to avoid her by eating Palutena's revolting chili. A gorilla arm attacked me this time around -grabbed me by the throat, and held it real tight, before trashing me around on the dining room table. Feel like such an idiot for continuing to have faith in that woman's cooking..."
Snake: Would I rather be attacked by a tentacle arm, or a gorilla arm? What kind of question is that? How would you like it to have your breathing cut off, to be flung around like a rag doll? You people think you're safe, behind those stupid cameras of yours, but you have no idea the pain people like myself have to endure...
"Of course, I wouldn't be in this astronaut getup had you not confiscated by cardboard box," added Snake, feeling the need to scratch his private parts. But he wasn't exactly in a comfortable position for any scratching. "It's never too late to give it back, you know."
"I only took away your-a cardboard box to teach-a you a lesson in tackling your problems," explained Mario, as Snake's itch grew bigger and bigger. "...and it seems like-a you haven't learned your lesson-a yet. So they're having karaoke back-a at the mansion, and they didn't invite-a me...could you go-a see if Peach is there? She's been-a gone for quite a while..."
"Eh, sure, why not...the things I do for people like you." Snake put his space helmet back on, as he closed the back door and returned to the mansion to retrieve Peach. He could always scratch his privates later.
Yes I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom...on the...grey
Little Mac had just finished singing Seal's "Kiss from A Rose", and his boxing trainer had just arrived at the last minute to hear his protege perform, sweating buckets once he arrived. Seal's signature song was obviously a very romantic song...and it had Itsuki feeling all romantic, especially with Tsubasa seated next to him. The young man had to make a move on the idol singer, while the night was still young.
"Nice singing, Little Mac - and your boxing trainer came at the last minute to hear you sing!" DJ K.K. commended the young boxer - a part of Little Mac wished that he hadn't texted Doc Louis at all. "Pass the microphone on to someone else in the room!"
"How about we hear a taste of what the newbie's got for us?" said Little Mac, as he tossed the mic to Cortex. The mad scientist was shocked to be holding the microphone in his hands; he imagined Little Mac was showing him a kind gesture.
"Alright alright alright - prepare to be blown away folks!" said Cortex, as he went to join DJ K.K. on the stage, microphone in hand. "So what song will I be singing?" Cortex asked DJ K.K., who pulled up the song..."Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen", by Daimaou Kosaka. Master Hand most definitely picked that song out. "Hmm, sounds like a pretty easy song. Start it up!"
So DJ K.K. played the song, and Cortex got into the groove, before singing the following lyrics:
I have a pen, I have a apple
Uh! Apple-pen!
I have a pen, I have pineapple
Uh! Pineapple-pen!
Apple-pen, pineapple-pen
Uh! Pen-pineapple-apple-pen
Pen-pineapple-apple-pen
Dance time!
I have a pen, I have a pen
Uh! Long pen!
I have a apple, I have pineapple
Uh! Apple-pineapple!
Long pen, apple-pineapple,
Uh! Pen-pineapple-apple-pen!
Pen-pineapple-apple-pen!
After Cortex sang those lines, the gaming room audience would applaud for the mad scientist. But Cortex didn't deserve any applause just yet - he felt like he had more to sing, and the song stopped abruptly, for whatever reason.
"Now now everyone, save your applause until after the song is over," the mad scientist told everyone, even though they were still applauding. "I've yet to finish my song, and I understand if my singing skills are already worthy enough for..."
"Um, I'm pretty sure you just sang the entire song..." stated Mamori, leading Cortex to hold his head in shame. The song he just sang, it was less than a minute - Cortex craved for more. But alas, he already had his turn, and he would solemnly toss the mic to Waluigi, before slumping back to his seat.
"Heh heh heh, it's Waluigi time!" exclaimed Waluigi, joining DJ K.K. on the stage. Of all the people that would be singing karaoke, and it had to be this lanky, mustached fellow.
Wario: No, I didn't invite Waluigi to Karaoke Night, he would've stolen my thunder. Dude practically invited himself! He's a blatant party crasher, Toon Link and Young Link should have him arrested, pronto!
"Give me a song, any song if you dare - I guarantee you I'll blow it out of the park!" Waluigi said to DJ K.K., who selected a song - a song that the DJ hippie dog believed best personified Waluigi. The song started instantly, but Waluigi was quick to sing...
Oh, you touch my tralala
Mmm, my ding ding dong
Waluigi then looked towards Peach, and danced all creepily, like he was trying to make romantic advances towards the princess. Peach just watched in utter cringe, as Waluigi sang the rest of the song:
Oh, you touch my tralala
Mmm, my ding ding dong
"...the heck is a 'tralala' and a 'ding ding dong'?" Toon Link asked Young Link, the two off-duty buddy cops having enjoyed Karaoke Night up until the moment Waluigi touched the mic.
"Looked both terms up online, you seriously don't wanna know," responded Young Link, as he was doing his best to tune out Waluigi. He was unsure which made him more uncomfortable - Waluigi's singing, or dancing.
Tsubasa would watch Waluigi sing and dance, somewhat entranced by the lanky man's dancing moves, when she suddenly felt a hand touch her. She looked down at her right hand, and saw another hand on top of it. The idol singer looked up, and saw Itsuki, smiling.
"Your hand is very...cold, Itsuki," remarked Tsubasa, as she just left Itsuki's hand where it was. She said it was cold, but you don't see her moving it or anything.
"You're not thinking I'm someone else, are you?" asked Itsuki, with a smile on his face. A smile charming enough to make Tsubasa swell inside.
"Stealing lines from West Side Story, I see...ah, such a wonderful play. Love the whole Romeo and Juliet theme...I take it that you want me to be the Juliet to my Romeo, is that what you have in mind?"
"Well I mean, we would be the perfect Romeo and Juliet - just without the whole bickering families thing. We can be lovers, and not have to worry about all that family crap. It'll be just you and me, and nothing else to separate us."
"Are you saying...that we should be...a couple?" Tsubasa's mind completely fluttered at the possibility of this happening. The mansion already had enough couples as it is, but sure, why don't we just add another one? What could possibly go wrong?!
"Only if you're fine with it. Best part about it is, we won't have to worry about our families getting involved...well, just for the time being. How about we just make the most of the night we have, before tragedy comes our way?"
Tsubasa could only smile in response, and Itsuki would smile right back, signifying what could be the beginning of a new relationship...Itsuki Aoi and Tsubasa Oribe. As if the mansion needed another couple in the fray...
Falco: Bruh, did you see that, Itsuki was being all romantic with Tsubasa, and he was looking pretty natural too!
Fox: Yeah I saw it too, but it must suck for you...letting Itsuki connect with his one true love before you did. Gotta win over Katt Monroe, bro!
Falco: Well Fox, love is a very long process, it's not like it's gonna take me forever for me and Katt to start a fling...I'm predicting it'll take me five years total to win over Katt. At the very least.
Tsubasa: He did it, we're now in love, finally! Knew that kiss in the cafe would work! I'm so sweaty right now, and happy, can't wait to tell Eleonora the great news...
Tsubasa's friend, Eleonora, wasn't at Karaoke Night, but rather at Luigi's fiesta, wanting to show the plumber of green some support. The idol singer had joined the party not so long ago, and was speaking with Zelda, while Luigi, who finally struck the pinata, was splurging on candy along with Meta Knight.
"Don't eat too much candy Luigi, otherwise you'll wind up with cavities!" Rotom, Luigi's Pokemon pet, warned the plumber. "Cavities can cause tooth decay and toothaches! A grown man like yourself shouldn't be eating candy like that!"
"Who did all the cooking - was it Luigi, or Daisy, or was it a joint effort?" Eleonora asked Zelda, as she was enjoying a taco. The idol singer could have dinner at Luigi's place everyday if she wanted to. "Gotta admit, this stuff is pretty good!"
"Luigi said he did most of the cooking himself, but I'm sure Daisy stepped in every now and then," stated Zelda. Just then, the Black Knight approached Zelda and Eleonora, and he just came over to ask one question, and one question only...
"Would any of you ladies care for any tea?" the armored knight asked; tea was a fairly uncommon drink at fiestas, but you know how the Black Knight operated. Zelda and Eleonora looked at one another, both ladies not wanting to tell the Black Knight no.
"No thank you, Black Knight, but thanks for the offer anyways!" responded Eleonora, as the Black Knight walked away, holding his head down. Mario would walk by, holding his head down also as well.
"Snake has yet-a to return with Peach...some-a thing must be wrong," worried the plumber, as Zelda and Eleonora exchanged looks of nervousness with one another.
Return to sender, address unknown.
No such number, no such zone.
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
Return to sender
Heihachi had just finished singing the outro to Elvis Presley's "Return to Sender", and received some nifty applause from the crowd. With Heihachi's turn up, the kung fu fighter had to hand the mic to someone else...and he had the perfect person in mind.
"Show everyone that you're more than just some tough fighter, Ryu!" said Heihachi as he tossed the microphone to Ryu. The Street Fighter veteran caught the mic with one hand, and walked confidently towards the stage as he assumed his position.
"Play me the freshest song you got!" Ryu said to DJ K.K., who immediately pulled up the song. Everyone's face would sank when the DJ started playing "Look At Me Now", by Chris Brown...Ryu wasn't gonna rap, was he? "Fast-forward to the Busta Rhymes part!" Oh dear...
"You got it!" said DJ K.K., as he fast-forwarded to the part. Ryu took a deep breath, before rapping...here's a gist of what he said...
Let's go!
'Cause I'm feeling like I'm running
And I'm feeling like I gotta get away, get away, get away
Better know that I don't and I won't ever stop
'Cause you know I gotta win everyday-day
See, they really really wanna pop me
Just know that you will never flop me
And I know that I can be a little cocky
You ain't never gonna stop me
Everytime I come, a playa gotta set it
Then I gotta go, and then I gotta get it
Then I gotta blow, and then I gotta show that
Any little thing that playa think that he be doing
'Cause it doesn't matter, 'cause I'm gonna da-da-da-da...
Almost everyone had a stunned look on their face during the entire rap. Ryu. Street Fighter's own Ryu. Literally rapping for everyone. Then there was the chorus...
Look at me now, look at me now (Oh)
I'm gettin' paper
Look at me now (Oh) look at me now (Yeah)
Fresher than your mother, word!
Ryu would direct the last line at Lucas, who as you know, had a deceased mother. Lucas started welling up with tears in his eyes, and Peach was quick to notice.
Heihachi: *stares dumbfoundedly at camera with mouth wide open*
Ryu: My rap performance, while surprising, was underwhelming...Chun-li being there would have made it ten times better. Regardless, seeing so many shocked faces in one kind of made it all the more worthwhile.
"It's okay Lucas, we can leave the gaming room if you want..." Peach soothed Lucas, as she took his hand and led him out of the room. "We won't have to worry about meanies like Ryu anymore!" Shortly after Peach left with Lucas, Rosalina would enter the gaming room, and found Cortex in the back.
"Do you have a minute, Dr. Cortex?" the mother of Lumas asked the mad scientist. "It's about that mask of yours, Uka..." What was that ancient mask up to now?
Rosalina would take Cortex to Pit's room, and to Cortex's surprise...he saw Pit and Kirby, both unconscious and lying on the floor, with Pit's closet ransacked and guns all over the place. These were the Nerf guns Pit and Kirby had bought with the money they raised on YouTube, but there was one particular gun on Pit's bed that caught Cortex's eye...and it wasn't a Nerf gun.
"Saw Pit and Kirby in this condition while I passed by this room," explained Rosalina, as Cortex crept closer towards the gun lying on the bed. "I saw Uka accompanying Pit and Kirby throughout the day, so I'm assuming he was responsible for this..."
"YOU'RE DARN RIGHT I AM!" boomed Uka, frightening Rosalina as he flew from underneath Pit's bed. Been waiting patiently to scare someone. "Followed Pit only to find out if he had any useful guns...and as is turns out, I was right! Apparently he and Kirby bought a lot of Nerf guns, and they had this one particular gun they bought from this place called Nightmare Enterprises...so I hired someone to beat the living snot out of Pit and Kirby, so I would have an easier time looking for that gun, from Nightmare Enterprises..."
"Is this the one?" Cortex asked Uka, grabbing the gun from the bed and showing it to the mask. It was a standard ray gun, and it looked pretty powerful too.
"Yes, yes that's the one! Since you left your old ray gun at your lair, I thought you could use another one...a more efficient, powerful one." Cortex gasped - was Uka displaying a rare form of compassion?
"A ray gun? For me? Oh, Uka, I knew you still cared for me, even if you left me for Pit!"
"Why would I ditch you for Pit? That's like going from dumb to dumber! I was just using him as leverage to get that gun for you!"
"In that case, that means you never left me...which means we're still on the same page! How about we see what this ray gun can do, just the two of us!"
"Eh, I don't have a choice in the matter, do I? Let's just go..." So Cortex and Uka would leave the room together, as Rosalina looked on, in deep thought.
"To think Uka willingly spent an entire day with Pit..." the mother of Lumas said, shaking her head. "Wonder how he did it, without losing his sanity..."
Karaoke Night continued in the gaming room, with Cilan singing Toy Story's "You Got a Friend in Me". Yet another song mentioning friendship, and it got Sonic thinking...thinking about apologizing to Tails. He refused to speak with or be with the fox since episode 86, but now was time for the hedgehog to make things right again.
Knuckles: Got nothing to say on the "beef" between Sonic and Tails...but man am I glad to no longer have Yoshi as a roommate! No more snoring, no more random eggs invading my personal space, no more quoting from Harry Potter films and books...those Harry Potter books must've gotten Yoshi interested in writing fanfiction. He's such a Harry Potter nerd...didn't know he was a huge fan of Stephanie Meyer. She ain't no J.K. Rowling when it comes to romantic stories...
"Tails, there's something I need to tell you, and I need to tell you now..." Sonic said to the yellow fox, while Cilan was still singing. "It's an apology, one that you rightfully deserve...I was in the wrong this whole time..."
"Now's not the time Sonic," said Tails, doing his best to tune out the hedgehog and listen to Cilan. "Also, if you wanted to apologize, you should have done it before you sold away the belongings I gave to you."
"Like I said, I was in the wrong, and I'm here to make things right. There are things I shouldn't have done, but did anyways, because well, I'm a jerk, and I tend to do jerk things..."
"Oh, so NOW you admit to being a jerk," Tails raised his voice, grabbing the attention of everyone and causing Cilan to stop singing, as the focus was on Tails. "Took you long enough, huh? Also, why wait until now to apologize, when you could have done it the week after you 'unfriended' me?!"
"I didn't want to unfriend you Tails...I was just, just caught up in the moment, that's all. Got too heated, and acted only out of impulse. Should have known better..." Amy and Coco were looking on, wishing they could intervene.
"Shut up, I've heard enough. That excuse could be applied to all the other jerkbag things you've done in the past. Don't even bother saving face with me!" Everyone had just witnessed the angry side of Tails; nobody was sure how to react to such a kindhearted individual going off like that.
"Sorry man...excuse me for trying to fix things. But you're right - I could take that same excuse, and apply it to all the previous things I've done. That wouldn't matter at all in the slightest..."
On that note, Sonic heaved a sigh and left the gaming room, on an awkward note. Tails looked on, wondering if he was in the wrong for putting Sonic on blast.
"Dumb woman is nowhere to be found...where could be she?"
Snake, after a holdup from Chrom, continued his search for Peach. The former spy went to the gaming room, but only after Peach had left. So he had to look for the princess elsewhere, wherever she was...
As Snake walked through the hallways, he heard a muffled voice, coming from a nearby closet. The former spy approached the closet, pressing his ear against the door to hear the muffled voice, before kicking the door open to reveal...
...Princess Peach, bound and gagged to a chair with duct tape on her mouth. Wasn't she with Lucas earlier? Peach made muffled sounds, as Snake pulled out his codec to contact Mario.
"Mario, I think I found your wife..." Snake said into his codec. "...and she wasn't even in the gaming room."
Sonic walked through the hallways, feeling some type of way. The hedgehog tried to apologize to Tails, but the fox didn't want any of it, believing Sonic should have apologized weeks ago. Sonic sighed, wondering if he and Tails will ever be back on one page again.
"Sucks Amy had to witness that..." said the hedgehog, heaving another sigh, before looking up and seeing Peach, still with Lucas. But for whatever reason, the princess had Lucas in his arms, cradling him like a baby. What's more was that Lucas had his eyes closed...and he sure wasn't sleeping peacefully. "Um, Peach, why are you holding Lucas like that?"
"Why not to hold Lucas like this, is there a problem?" smiled Peach...when out of nowhere, Waluigi sneaked up on Sonic, grabbing the hedgehog and putting him in a chokehold. Now why was Waluigi doing this to Sonic, and why was Peach just standing there?!
"Go to sleep, little hedgehog, sweet dreams, yes..." Waluigi said sadistically, applying the chokehold to Sonic until he fell unconscious. Waluigi would then place the unconscious hedgehog on the floor, before taking off his overalls, gloves, hat...and oddly, his contacts, mustache and nose...revealing himself as a Team Flare grunt?! What in the world? "About time I took off that Waluigi costume, that mustache was kinda itchy...I think the coast is clear now."
"Don't have to tell me that twice," said Peach, as she pressed a button on her wrist...revealing herself to be actually Raiden, who arrived at the mansion earlier. Too. Many. Swerves. "Let me tell you...acting like Peach was one of the worst things I've ever done with this body transforming gadget. Having to act all girly...sheesh."
Raiden: My mission at the Smash Mansion? To find a "pawn". Anyone at the mansion will do. I found Peach walking about, so I gagged her and threw her in the nearest closet. She's not exactly the pawn I'm looking for, however... *presses button on wrist, assuming the identity of Princess Peach* ...who says I can't meander as the fair princess herself, and accomplish my mission at an easier pace?
"Alright, we got the stinking kid, so what now?" the Team Flare grunt, now wearing his signature red shades, asked Raiden, stuffing his Waluigi garb inside a briefcase. Someone oughta tell him that Lucas was a teen, and not a kid.
"First thing we must do is get out of this mansion as quickly as possible," said Raiden, still holding Lucas in his arms. "We should receive further instruction until..."
Suddenly a wicked beam was fired at the Team Flare Grunt and Raiden, both men moving out of the way. That beam came from Cortex's sparkly new ray gun, which the mad scientist was testing out with Uka. The devious duo showed up in the hallway, ready to challenge Raiden and the Team Flare grunt.
"Crap, it's that blasted N head, sticking his nose up in our business!" frowned the Team Flare grunt; how did he know Cortex? "Let's scram!" Raiden would retreat by concealing Lucas underneath his arms and disappearing, with his stealth camouflage, whereas the Team Flare grunt, with his lack of options, just jumped out of a nearby window. Must've been a long fall.
"That's right, you better run...that's the only thing you can do when you're up against the mighty Dr. Neo Periwinkle Cortex!" shouted Cortex, shaking his fist. Hehe, his middle name is Periwinkle...Uka was inspecting Sonic, who was still on the floor, knocked out.
"A good scare oughta wake him up..." the mask said, before screaming in Sonic's ears at the top of his lungs. Sonic would spring up, screaming out of fright.
"NO AMY DON'T KILL ME, I DO LOVE CREAM THE RABBIT I LOVE HER VERY MUCH!" shouted the hedgehog, having woken up from his dream, before he saw Cortex and Uka staring at him. "Why are you two looking at me like that? Is there something up? It's Peach, isn't it? Where'd she go, did she still have Lucas when she ran off? What about that creep Waluigi, who did some sneak attack on me for no reason?"
"Well, um, let's just say that someone else ran off with Lucas...and he had a little friend with him too..." Cortex allowed Raiden to run off with Lucas, and Lord knows what Raiden planned to do with the PSI whiz.
After receiving Snake's call, Mario would rush to the mansion, to check on Peach. The princess was in the foyer with Mario and Snake, explaining to the two how Raiden found her and threw her inside a closet.
"And that's when you came to rescue me, Snake," said Peach, who thankfully had no scratches on her. Mario would've been more ticked than he was already. "Whatever Raiden was here for, sure hope it wasn't to kidnap someone..."
"Bet you ten bucks he was attempting to kidnap Heihachi, lure him back to the All-Star Manor," said Snake; Mario's blood boiled hearing that name. "But I'll be keeping a close eye on Raiden, if he ever returns again."
Suddenly Sonic came running down the stairs, completely over with the episode he had with Tails. Only reason being was that trouble was looming ahead - and Mario, the first person Sonic saw, had to be in the know.
"Mario, I got some bad news...Lucas got kidnapped, by Raiden!" Sonic alerted the plumber once he reached the base of the stairs. "Cortex tried to stop him, but he was too late...or maybe he was too slow. Yeah, we'll go with that! Oh, and there was a Team Flare grunt too, he and Raiden might be working together."
"Raiden working with-a Team Flare, who would-a have thought..." remarked Mario, before realizing the most pressing matter of the issue. "But no matter, Lucas' safety comes-a first! Don't know what Team-a Flare would want with Lucas, but maybe we'll find-a out soon..."
"Thanks for coming out everyone, hope you all had a great time!" DJ K.K. addressed the crowd, once Karaoke Night commenced. "Have a great rest of the night, you groovy cats!"
The residents would leave the gaming room, but two particular residents would leave together...Itsuki and Tsubasa. The two had witnessed some good (and bad) karaoke, and were thinking about how to spend the rest of their night...only problem was, it was close to midnight.
"Well, looks like I should be heading to my room now," said Tsubasa, yawning and stretching her arms. "I can't thank you enough for coming to spend Karaoke Night with me, Itsuki, really means a lot."
"Pleasing the ladies is what I do...especially ladies like yourself," replied Itsuki, making Tsubasa blush. Itsuki was a natural, and he hardly needed any help from Fox and Falco. "Wanna watch a movie tomorrow night, like, I dunno, Summer Wars?"
"Yes, I would love to! How about...we make it just the two of us?" Itsuki obliged with a quick nod. "Great! Can't wait! I should be heading to my room now. See you tomorrow morning!"
"Likewise, Tsubasa. Good night, and sweet dreams!" Itsuki and Tsubasa would both head to their rooms, calling it a night. Tsubasa was feeling all gushy inside, as the prospect of starting a romance with Itsuki became reality.
Tsubasa's night couldn't have been any better. However, the same couldn't be said for others...