Round 5: Day 8

(AN: Thanks to Puph17 for help with Red vs. Nemona and Kira Kibosh for her general support)

Cloud

The sky above Smash City

Highwind

Deck

700

Cloud couldn't help but grin as he felt the morning sun glowing against his skin. Though the Shera had served as the crown jewel of the WRO's fleet, Cloud had given some of his prize money to build an exact replica of The Highwind, to which Cid and his crew had happily obliged. However, he'd never been aboard it until now. Cloud's mind was wrought with the ghosts of the past

Years ago

Highwind

Briefing room

Cloud had spent most of his life believing that a hot shower did the body good. But, after washing away the Mako sludge from his latest excursion in the Lifestream, his heart still felt heavy. His team stood before him, sympathetic eyes begging him to say anything at all.

"Everyone," Cloud sighed, "I'm sorry,"

"Don't say anything Cloud," came the voice of Red XIII, "All you've been doing is apologizing."

Cloud's entire body slumped. The wise Cosmo Canyonite spoke the truth. But that's what his heart demanded of him. He sucked in a deep breath. His friends deserved more than platitudes.

"I never was in SOLDIER," Cloud blurted through pain in his chest, " I made up the story about what happened five years ago and my being in SOLDIER."

He cast a glance at the others around the meeting room. Aside from Tifa, he saw the others' faces scrunch and contort as they put two and two together.

"I left my village… looking for glory, but I never made it into SOLDIER. I was ashamed of being so weak, but then I heard this story from my friend Zack."

The confused faces of his friends became sympathetic and warm again.

Cloud had begun to ramble through his sadness, but Barrett's gruff voice had stopped him.

"All this was pretty damn strong for an illusion," he said reassuringly.

Cloud hadn't meant to talk about the process of cloning Sephiroth for as long as he had. The words just fell out of him, and he could tell he was losing his audience.

"That means he ain't no different than before," an annoyed-sounding Barrett announced to the room.

"So, what'll ya do now?" Cait Sith asked, "Don't tell me you're gonna leave the ship."

"I'm the reason why Meteor is hurtling towards," Cloud said, snapping the room with a determined gaze, " And I'm going to do everything in my power to stop this thing."

Present

"Cloud? Cloud!" shouted Tifa from inside, "The natives are getting restless."

"Sorry, was just…thinking about something," Cloud muttered, jogging onto the main deck of the ship. As Tifa had said, the adventurers and crew members alike muttered anxiously among each other. When Cloud stepped up, the observation window looming behind him, this immediately quieted the crowd.

"When I stood here all those years ago," Cloud began, "I reminisced with you all about the opportunity Aerith had left us. Now, I stand before you having been given many more opportunities. I've been given the gift of time with friends and family, both living and deceased. I've gotten into the best shape of my life, and…I've learned how to be a better person. A better father. A better boyfriend."

Eyes turned to Tifa, Marlene, and Denzel, who stood in the back. The kids waved, and Tifa blushed.

"But I've been given yet another opportunity," Cloud said, "Another fight against Sephiroth. While he hasn't been as antagonistic to me as he's been in the past, he's been needling me ever since he got here, what with the fire and whatnot. I don't know what his game is, but I suspect I'll only find the answer if I give it everything I've got. Yuffie, bring the materia briefcase forward, would you please?"

Before Cloud could blink, the ninja was before him, the gang's briefcase of Materia presented before him. With that, Cloud drew the Buster Sword.

"What?" Cid barked, "No Fusion?"

"No," confirmed Cloud, "I can take him with just the old Buster Sword, but we've got some insurance policies.

Cloud rummaged through the Materia briefcase, holding up a familiar looking summon.

"Knights of the Round," gasped Cait Sith.

"And…," Cloud said, pulling a glowing orange ember out of his trench coat pocket, "This,"

"The hell is that?" Barrett asked, "I mean, anybody with eyes can tell it's a fire materia, but it looks otherworldly."

"Because it is," Cloud explained, "This, ladies and gentlemen, is Zettaflare, the most powerful fire spell in the Goddess Materia's realms, on par with the fires of Bahamut himself."

"Holy shit," Yuffie's voice quivered.

"That's where you were yesterday," Aerith said, her eyes widening in understanding, "You were working with…"

"Donald Duck, yes," Cloud said, putting both materia in the Buster Sword's slots.

As Cloud's most famous sword crackled with energy, Cloud claimed, "With all of you cheering me on, there's no way I can't win."

The Highwind's crowded deck erupted with cheers. Cloud basking in the cheers of those he trusted the most.

Quinn

Kanzuki Zaibatsu Smashcraft

Theater

1130

On the projection screen, A vampire stood before a stoic Dhalsim, the two fighters shrouded by a lush forest. Despite his calm demeanor, he spoke with a booming authority.

"Evil spirit, go back to your world!" demanded the Yoga master.

A snotty smile overtook the face of the vampire, "This is my world, and I shall rule it!"

Dhalsim bowed his head, clasping his hands in prayer, "Agni, purify this fiend with the holy flames,"

"Such vain effort," tutted the vampire with a frown.

A second passed, and the vampire charged. Dhalsim meanwhile, simply extended both his fists. Just before they reached the vampire, he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Another puff of smoke heralded his arrival, contorting himself a drill, and borrowing down on Dhalsim.

"YOGA!" snapped Dhalsim.

The vampire slid to Dhalsim's position, leaving the fire-breather open for a barrage of punches to the face and kicks to the legs.

"There is a second lesson to this," said the present-day Dhalsim, "Never give up."

Quinn nodded as the vampire spiraled into the air, jacking Dhalsim's jaw and taking him with him. The ghoulish figure twisted and spun like a drill, driving everything he had into Dhalsim's stomach.

"YOGA!"

Dhalsim's legs extended, entrapping the vampire by the neck, slamming, the vampire's head into the ground.

"YOGA!" Dhalsim cried

Dhalsim hovered above the stunned vampire, sucking in so much wind his stomach expanded. After exhaling a torrent of fire, the vampire lay still, unconscious.

The film faded to black, the lights went up, and Karin took the stage.

"So Quinn," she asked, "Besides 'never give up', what have we learned."

"Ring awareness," Quinn answered confidently, "Constantly be aware of who you are, and be ready to dodge.

Before Karin could say anything, her angry eyes snapped to another occupant in the theater, Ken had his hand up.

Karin sighed, "Yes Ken?"

"Do you have the game film I requested?" he asked.

"We do," Karin said, pointing up to the projectionist's booth, "Ishizaki, film two please!"

The projector flared to life. In a dingy subway, Ken stood in a white gi, while Chun-Li stood in a muted blue version of her outfit.

"Comrades, must we watch this again?" Zangief grumbled.

"I've actually got a point this time," Ken said, his million-dollar smile never leaving him.

Chun-Li unleashed a barrage of Lightning Kicks. Ken parried them all, challenging his chi for each kick, one at a time. The end pose of the technique left her open for a series of Shoryukens, the last one knocking her out.

"Chun-Li's kicks are a lot like Charizard's Flare Blitz. It's a lot, and you can dodge it, but if you're able to take the brunt, it'll leave you with a killer opening."

"Has anyone ever parried the Flare Blitz?" Chun-Li asked.

"I think Ike did," announced Sakura from the first row of seats, "But he had an Ore Club!"

"We cannot guarantee an Ore Club will be available," Karin added.

"If I can tank Chun-Li's kicks, you certainly can tank Flare Blitz."

"Speaking of," Karin said, "I believe that Nemona girl's Gym Leader Castle journey starts now."

Once again, she pointed dramatically to the projectionist booth, "Ishizaki! Switch to live TV, the Pokemon Channel!"

The picture faded from the screen again, this time firing up again. Nemona stood face to face with a Bug Catcher.

Red

Smash City

Pokemon Section

Gym Leader Castle

1230

In Gym Leader Castle, one was expected to watch the jumbotron when they weren't battling. Normally where the results of a battle in the Gym Leader's room were displayed, they broadcast the matches while those that had stations in the higher parts of the castle could watch.

"Arceus!" quivered Squirtle, "Double Shock is the most powerful Electric move I've ever seen!"

Red bit his lip. He hated watching game film, and this was why.

"Yeah," Ivysaur nodded in the junior turtle's direction, "Plus we don't even know Pawmot's fourth move."

This snapped Red's attention to the TV he'd been so desperate to avoid. The Pawmot eliminated Blue's Arcanine with prejudice Blue still had two more Pokemon left, but Nemona would inevitably be here, and soon.

"Not to mention the rest of her team," Ivysaur continued.

"Enough old man," roared Charizard, "You're scaring the child!"

Charizard let his outburst hang in the air, his decree echoing off of the rocks in the room, imported to give the battlefield a Mount Silver facade.

"Besides," the Flame Pokemon said much more calmly, "We have to believe we can win, or else we won't."

"As crass as it is," grumbled Ivysaur, "You're right."

Gyrados' final cry broke them out of their conversation.

Red sighed, "Well kids, it's time to get into position."

"Yep," Ivysaur sighed back, "Good luck everybody."

"You too, Ivysaur!" Squirtle said with a wave.

"You know me," hooted Charizard, "I don't need it."

As soon as Red recalled his trio to their Pokeballs, Nidoking collapsed in an explosion of electricity.

Type advantage be damned, Red thought, Just how powerful is she?

A hidden speaker crackled to life, "Red, you're…"

"I know," Red snapped, "We're ready when her Pokemon are,"

"Okay," said the voice on the other end of the speaker.

The castle door on the opposite side of the wall creaked open. Red raised an eyebrow. Did he hear music?

Crystalize, catch a vibe

Catch a foot when I fly

Big pressure I apply

In the ring, you won't survive

Defeating me? You lost your mind!

Sure enough, Nemona emerged from the darkness of the doors, a boy in a blue hat cowboy hat, and a girl in a fluffy Evee hoodie flanking her. Behind them, Arven Turo, one of the Castle's more recent challengers, danced to the music.

As she cast a friendly wave at him, the music cut.

"Hey!" she said, "I'm Nemona! Thanks for accepting my dad's request!"

Red nodded.

"I can't wait!" she squealed, "This is gonna be a great battle."

Again, Red nodded, throwing his first Pokeball.

"Ivysaur," roared the plant-bearing reptile as it appeared.

A devious smile came over Nemona as she corked back her arm to throw her selected Pokeball.

"Go Quaquaval!" she commanded, the regal duck creature exploding from the ball.

"Not a fan of type matchups are we?" teased Red.

"This is an unprecedented time to test my metal against some of the greatest trainers in the world. Gotta experiment, take risks ya know?"

Red grinned, "Okay then! Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!"

Leaves launched from the bud of Ivysaur's flour without delay. The Quaquaval could only cry out as it was sliced to ribbons, immediately collapsing. Despite the immediate knockout and the gasps that elicited from her entourage, Nemona still smiled.

"Wow!" she said, "Your Ivysaur is more powerful than most Venusaurs I've faced! I'd say that you have some kind of gift, but you're Red! You're a legend, of course, you do!"

Red frowned, "I'm not a legend. Send out your next Pokemon or forfeit."

Nemona's smile faltered for a moment, but she took Red's outburst in stride.

"Alright," she nodded, "GO GOODRA!"

The purple dragon materialized in the Pokeball's light, roaring as it did.

"Ivysaur, Sleep Powder," commanded Red.

Nemona tutted before commanding, "BLIZZARD!"

The blue sleeping spores hadn't even had time to fall, a blizzard cut through the cloud, depleting Ivysaur's HP and leaving him a block of ice in return.

Trip to the Move Tutor wasted Red thought, I was going to have to go back there anyway to reteach Ivysaur Bullet Seed. Oh well

Red cast away the thoughts and tossed his next Pokeball, "Charizard, go!"

The winged beast roared as it emerged from its Pokeball.

"You know what to do Charizard," Red ordered, "FLAMETHROWER!"

"Muddy Water!" shouted Nemona

Charizard took flight, planning to rain the fire down on the Dragon Type, but the crafty Shell Bunker Pokemon foresaw this, splitting a glob of mud into Charizard's eyes."

"Yes!" Nemona cheered, "Perfect! Sludgebomb!"

Goodra spat again, this time a vile-looking poison. This splashed all over Charizard's entire body. The orange lizard flashed purple, indicating it had been poisoned.

"Don't let it get to you," encouraged Red, "Keep up the Flamethrower!"

Despite Charizard jetting flame everywhere it could, it didn't make contact with the Goodra.

"Blizzard!" Nemona commanded.

As ice and snow began to pelt Charizard, Red clenched his fist.

"Go against the wind with Flare Blitz!"

Charizard spiraled through the harsh blizzard, exploding as it connected with Goodra.

"Dragon Pulse!" shouted Nemona.

"Flamethrower!" Red shouted back.

Fire and dragon energy connected, pushing against each other, which brought a wickedly enthusiastic smile to Nemona's face.

"Looks like we've got us a good old-fashioned beam struggle!" Nemona laughed, "Well, this isn't even our final form old man! Keep pushing Goodra!"

Charizard pushed back without so much as an order from Red. The more experienced Pokemon won the struggle, sending Goodra into the back wall, depleting its HP on the jumbotron.

"For the record," Red huffed, "I'm 21,"

"It's old to us!" snapped Nemona as she called Goodra's unconscious body back into its Pokeball.

As her friends nodded in agreement, Nemona retrieved her final Pokeball.

"It's time for the big guns baby!" she shouted, "Let's go Pawmot!"

The fuzzy fighting creature erupted from its Pokeball already taking a stance.

"Now," Nemona instructed, "Close Combat!"

In a flurry of punches so rapid that they kicked up dust, Charizard collapsed, his HP completely gone.

Red sighed as he recalled Charizard.

"Go Squirtle," he commanded, throwing his last Pokeball!
Nemona shrugged, "I thought it'd be more climatic than this, but alas. Pawmot, use Double Shock!"

An explosion of electricity erupted from the tiny Pokemon, spreading to the entire field, sending Squirtle to the back wall. When the dust cleared, Squirtle pushed himself out of the imprint he'd left behind, limping to the middle of the field.

"WHAT?" the four Paldeans shouted, shocked.

"Oh Arceus," hissed Nemona, "There goes my typing,"

A sinister smirk tugged at Red's lips.

"Interesting," Red said, "Squirtle, Hydro Pump!"

A jet of water cut through the air smacking into the just as shocked Pawmot. Red watched with a grimace as Pawmot was jettisoned towards the wall, but had enough wherewithal to push off the wall, flipping through the air and back to center ring.

"Not enough," Red growled, "Hydro Pump!"

This time, the crafty Pawmot saw it coming, jumping around it.

"Now," Nemona commanded, pointing dramatically, "REVIVAL BLESSING!"

"What?" asked Red.

Green lifeforce emanated off of Pawmot, funneling into the monogrammed Pokeball that contained Goodra. Meanwhile, the Pawmot continued to wobble.

"Wait, what just…?"

Red's words were caught in his throat as Nemona recalled Pawmot and re-released Goodra, who, despite looking battle-damaged, was prepared to fight.

"One of the reasons why Pawmot is my ace and not Quaquaval. Revival Blessing revives a Pokemon of my choosing at half HP, at the cost of half of Pawmot."

Squirtle gulped.

"Don't worry buddy, you've got this," Red shouted, "Withdraw!"

Squirtle snapped into its shell, spinning towards Goodra.

"Dragon Pulse!'

The blast of ancient energy that had almost beaten Charizard pressed Squirtle into the same hole that Double Shock had imprinted in the wall, but Squirtle somehow pushed himself out of the indent, nodding to Red.

"If you're still ready to go I am too!" Red said, "SURF!"

Water filled the arena in a blink of an eye, the tide rising to wallop Goodra.

"FINISH IT! DRAGON PULSE!" shouted Nemona.

Dragon energy once again exploded from Goodra's maw, headed right for Squirtle, but the young turtle jumped into the air, twisting out of the way and landing safely on the ground.

"SURF!"

Once again, water filled the arena, rising to clash into Goodra.

"DRAGON PULSE!"

Squirtle was charging to the center of the ring, jumping and twisting once again to dodge the blast.

"SURF!"

For the second time this match, Goodra's HP dipped into the red.

"DRAGON PULSE!" screamed Nemona, veins popping out of her neck.

At that moment, the pain caught up with Squirtle, the Water Type gritting his teeth, as it could do nothing but fall into a crouch. This time Dragon Pulse connected spiraling Squirtle into the back wall, and this time, Squirtle didn't get up, the last of his HP slithering down the life bar on the jumbotron, leaving it blank.

"AND THERE GOES THE BATTLE!" shouted the announcer.

Red rummaged through his pockets, presenting a key.

"Here's the key to the Sinnoh side of things," Red said, "You've earned it."

Breathing heavily, Pneumonia took the key.

"That was the greatest battle I've ever had," she squealed, "I hope I can ace the Gym Leader Castle, in your honor, just like you're gonna ace Quinn."

Red smirked, "I hope so, on both counts."

As Nemona headed up the stairs, beginning to fiddle with the door, the boy in the blue hat held out his hand.

"My name's John," he said, "I'm the Champion of Paldea. Me and the gang are fighting for Paldea's place in the Pokemon League by beating this thing."

Red shook the outstretched hand, "You wouldn't be the first person to earn their nation a place in the League this way. I wish you the best.

"So…um…" the girl in the Evee hoodie quivered, "When you were fighting Blue back then…the first time…did you…?"

"Hey!" Nemona shouted, "I got the door. Let's head out!"

"Oh…um…sorry," Penny said, running up the stairs as fast as she could.

John tipped his hat, biting his lip to suppress a laugh, following after them. The dancer was the last to leave.

"Hey," he said, "I'm Arven Turo, sorry about my girl, she's just a bit of a fangirl."

Red tipped his ball cap.

"I've met plenty," Red said, "But I watched your performance too. You did well."

"Thanks," Turo stammered, running up the steps to join them.

As he descended the steps Nemona and company had followed, he fired a quick text off to Brittney, his League contact.

If I lose in Smash, I'd like to join Gym Leader Castle permanently. Same pay rate as Blue, let me know.

Luigi

Smash Mansion

Luigi and Daisy's suite

1300

"Big O," Daisy hummed rhythmically, "Big O Big O,"

Luigi grumbled, turning to face his fiance, who had taken to nuzzling in his chest.

"You're still on that?" Luigi asked with a coy smile.

"What? You went out and I was sick, of course, I'm gonna binge-watch an anime."

Luigi thought back to the scene he had come home to yesterday after a day of working out. As Buckenberry and Albatross had tried to explain, Daisy had taken some kind of sleeping pill before the anime she'd chosen, Big O, had wrapped up.

"He's got this fuggin' mech right?" Daisy had explained to him, completely out of her mind, "And like, he's James Bond but he does stuff in the name of God sometimes. Seein' bible verses on a mech is coooool duuuuude,"

Begrudgingly, he had watched the final episode with no context,

"See?" she'd slurred, "Guy sounds like Red lil' onion frog,"

Luigi reflected on that moment, watching Daisy stare at the TV with a goofy, bemused expression on her face.

"Is that why we're sleeping in?" Luigi asked bemusedly, "Because you knew partying with the gang would take you out?"

"Ah, that's only part one of my master plan," Daisy said in a booming voice full of faux bravado, "The other part was so that I could have you all to myself."

Luigi's communicator buzzed. Daisy immediately frowned.

"If that's bro-in-law saying we have Smash business," Daisy hissed, "I'm gonna…"

"Nah," Luigi said, "It's a news alert, apparently the Smashcraft that Quinn's on set off red fireworks to sarcastically congratulate Red."

"That Kanzuki woman the Street Fighter guys hang out with?" Daisy said with a completely foreign venom, "If Quinnie and Ryu didn't swear by her I'd put her on the same level as Minch."

Luigi's widened," The hell?"

Daisy seemed to deflate, her anger immediately evaporating.

"I'm sorry, I just…hate snooty rich people, and the whole girlboss trend means women are idolizing girls like this, and it…ugh fuuuuck,"

With that final declaration, Daisy defeatedly buried her head in her beau's chest.

"I know you said you wanted to do it, but…do you wanna just marathon another anime?"

Daisy sighed, "Yeah, let's do Bebop. That one's shorter."

"Alright, let's do it,"

With a flip to the Anime Channel, their night was set.