Round 2
Megaman vs Little Mac
Both Smashers occupied the match graphic with an equally stony demeanor. While Mac seemed aware enough to strike a boxing stance, Megaman just stared forward, unblinking, unyielding.
"Oh God, Megaman," sighed Little Mac in his previously recorded interview, Doc Louis standing at his side. "My match against him last tournament was one of the most embarrassing follies of my career as an athlete, nah, as a man."
The footage then cut to a video with the subtitle "Duel tournament, Round 1: Little Mac vs. Megaman," failing three basic jumps aboard the Orbital Gate stage, Megaman advancing on without having made contact.
"IF I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, I'LL SAY IT ONE MORE TIME!" bellowed Doc, "HE AIN'T NO AIR FIGHTER. ROCK MAN GOT AWAY EASY, WITH HIS ASTRO BOY LOOKIN' ASS."
"That's all behind us now Doc," Mac nodded confidently, "Part of the consolation for such an embarrassing loss was that Alice got to build a replica training room for the dojo, so I've been practicin' even after I retired, 'cause somehow I knew I'd be back."
"DAMN RIGHT," Louis shouted, "The world ain't ready for you Mac,"
"Preparedness measures are 100 percent complete," interrupted Megaman's voice as the screen suddenly went black.
Footage of Mac using gravity to tank Rosalina's Grand Star played over a green tint, with the Light Industries logo across the top, as if seen through Megaman's eyes.
"Comparing Little Mac's combat data with the previous fails to pass the insight test to register belief. Generating conclusion. Conclusion generated. I will defeat Little Mac easily," Mac said stoically to the camera.
"The world ain't ready for you Mac!" Doc Louis' replayed voice echoed.
"I will defeat Little Mac easily," Megaman's droning declaration played as the scene switched to the match card graphic again. Next, the duo of 9-Volt and Cranky appeared on the screen.
"So, what do you think Cranky?"
"Two NES veterans sculpted by the Nintendo Hard philosophy going head-to-head. Brings a tear to yer eye." wistfully mused the old monkey
"Couldn't agree more Cranky," 9-Volt nodded, "Futaba, who you got?"
"Gotta go with Mac," Futaba announced as she appeared on the screen. His performance was spectacular, and all the buzz surrounding Mac brings back memories of playing Punch-Ouch with Ryuji and Ren."
"Is that a bootleg of Punch-Out?" asked 9-Volt excitedly while Cranky audibly made gagging noises.
Futaba tilted her head, "I guess? It's a genuine article where we come from, but probs looks like one in places where the real game exists."
"Our company also made a bootleg, we should trade games, see which is better,"
"Yeah totally! And play the real one!"
"Hell yeah!"
"ANYWAY," Cranky shouted, interrupting them both, "We've got a tournament to run. All you young kids are too focused on yer video games,"
"But we're-" 9-Volt started to protest, but sighed, "Entrances, now."
The sound of Megaman exploding into particles of light played over the speakers. Then, after a second of silence, "Look Sharp, Be Sharp" played over the speakers. Doc Louis was first out, hollering, "WE GOIN' OLD SCHOOL TODAY BABY!" so loudly that the camera picked it up. Mac emerged next, clad in his red and blue boxing attire.
"Wow," 9-Volt remarked, "This is the gear he won the World Title in the second time,"
"That and the Megaman sound effect at the beginning of his entrance tells the story of a supremely confident Little Mac. Let's see if that lasts," added Cranky.
As Little Mac settled in the arena's center., the familiar metal medley of Megaman 2's music hit, the boy in blue marching to the center ring area without fanfare.
Little Mac kept his eyes locked on his stoic opponent, even neglecting to acknowledge the crowd as the introductions of both fighters came and went.
"Wow, an intense staredown from these two, and I wouldn't have expected any less,"
"Mac's looking to show people he can conquer Megaman like he did Macho Man, Tyson, and Sandman, while Megaman's looking to prove that the numbers don't lie, and they spell disaster-"
"If you finish that," 9-Volt's haunting whisper warned, "You will know the meaning of pain,"
"Banana Bird kid, calm down," uttered a shocked Cranky as both competitors were directed to the main screen, their stare unbroken.
Doc Louis was the only one on the center stage looking up at the wall, jumping as high as his gut would allow him when it landed on Dreamland GB.
"HOO WEE BABY!" cheered the ex-heavyweight champion, "IT'S A BUFFET OF KNUCKLE SANDWICHES FOR YOU BLUE BOY!"
"Good," whirred the snarl of Megaman, "A challenge is preferred,"
Doc sucked in a breath of air to say more but was cut off by Mills explaining the rules that both competitors and spectators alike were intimately familiar with, three stocks, items medium. Mills' final reminder to be ready was ignored, so they disappeared onto the field of battle.
Stage: Dreamland GB
Rules: 3-stock, items medium
Music: Kirby Retro Medley
3
From one blast zone came Little Mac, shadowboxing mid-jog, and throwing off his signature pink hoodie as he stopped.
2
On the other side of Dreamland GB, a blue light flashed. When the light dissipated, Megaman stood in a crouch.
1
Megaman snapped up from his crouch, staring daggers at Mac. In response, Mac bobbed and weaved, hoping to garner some sort of reaction out of his rival. Nothing.
GO!
Little Mac charged while Megaman remained completely still. A lunging punch rocked Megaman's head, the side of his helmet immediately denting. Megaman's head snapped back to meet his gaze, a Metal Blade immediately materializing in his left hand.
"No, you don't get to play that game bitch," hissed Little Mac.
A barrage of straight punches to the boy's torso followed, Mac's fists flying so fast that the peppering of pain looked like a blur. Megaman frowned, completely unaffected.
"You intend to take us both while the Blast Zone encroaches," was Megaman's blunt statement.
"Huh?" Mac asked, stunned into an uncharacteristic stiffness.
"Executing Shoryuken technique."
An uppercut on par with being hit by a truck exploded upon Little Mac's jaw, the stunned boxer unable to block the Metal Blade that followed. Mac rolled to his feet as soon as he hit the ground, only to get ravaged with scratches from a wind filled pirouette thanks to the half-boy, half robot.
"I thought Little Mac woulda had a chance on a level playing field but turns out he's just a scrub, like everyone thought," Cranky tutted.
"Especially with being peppered with Buster shots, and….ooh Little Mac gets hit with the Hard Knuckle," announced 9-Volt
No sooner had 9-Volt finished speaking did Mac shake the cobwebs, powering through the next two Buster shots to hit Megaman with a one-two combination. Mac saw a flash come from above, heralding the arrival of an item. On instinct, Mac grabbed it, feeling the metal of a Bumper gripped in the leather of his boxing glove. In one swift motion, he tossed it down, the pinball piece separating him and Megaman.
"What a fool," Cranky shouted as Megaman charged his Buster for the first time, "He went and gave Megaman the advantage,"
As if he had heard him, Little Mac began to charge Straight Lunge.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," snarked 9-Volt.
Mac's cocked back fist emitted blue energy which slowly turned red. With a grunt of determination, Mac rocketed forward, past the Bumper and into Megaman's waiting parry, scooting so far away he could reach out and touch the Blast Zone. Letting every muscle in his body spasm from the pain of unleashing such power, he turned back, running as fast as his legs could carry him. Megaman had produced yet another Metal Blade, but his fists were faster, clocking Megaman with an uppercut that finally seemed to stagger the cyborg, and grabbing an Assist Trophy that had appeared in the fracas.
"TWEE!" squealed Arcade Bunny, as he appeared, spinning on its hind legs.
At that exact moment, the screen began to scroll. Mac kept up a volley of punches until they were on the opposite side of the screen, letting up just in time for Megaman to unleash a fully charged Buster shot, Mac, rocketed safely across the screen, while an unaware Megaman was hoisted up to the Blast Zone by a skill crane's claw.
Megaman: 2
Little Mac: 3
"Glad to see somebody's listening to Pacman's advice about movement," Cranky hooted.
"It's good advice to take on these wild scrolling stages," agreed 9-Volt.
Megaman jumped down from the Revival Platform. Little Mac could've sworn that he saw an angry glare in the Blue Bomber's eyes as they made contact. Unfortunately for the pugilist, this was enough to lapse his concentration. A Shoryuken took him up into the air again, but Mac recovered faster than he had before, enough to pull off a simple straight punch in the air. The blow caused Megaman's eyes to flash. Little Mac smiled.
"How's that recalculatin' going tin can?" Mac shouted, spit flying as he did.
Little Mac unleashed a one-two combo, but much to Mac's surprise, Megaman jolted back to ready, jumping as minimally as he could, ripping at Little Mac with Air Slash, the gale force slices sending Mac to the Blast Zone behind him.
Megaman: 2
Little Mac: 2
The scenery switched to a pirate ship docked on a beach. As he landed, Mac realized he had been so absorbed in the change that Megaman had already set his trap, a Killer Eye latched on to the bow of the ship. Another Air Slash combined, lazily dropped Metal Blade and a glob of hot laser rocked him. Megaman followed eagerly, a jet of searing flame awaiting him on the way down.
"And Megaman busts out the Flame Sword!" 9-Volt cheered.
"If only Light Industries didn't have the creativity of a peanut, Megaman could combine more moves and be unstoppable," Cranky grumbled.
"Hey, I'm just glad we get to see original moves outside the games," snapped 9-Volt.
Meanwhile, Mac had countered Megaman's offense with a torrent of jabs. The world underneath them began to scroll, and Little Mac turned. Over his shoulder, he saw Megaman's eyes flash, then flash again. He took fast, but careful strides and pellets of Buster shots reigned at his back. At that moment a Final Smash appeared Little Mac, taking advantage of Megaman's reluctance to crack it open.
"Do Light's microprocessors run on Windows 2000 or something? What the hell is wrong with Megaman?" Cranky demanded.
Mac cracked the Ball open, briefly reveling in its power before ducking to a lower platform on the island, making sure to keep Megaman in his sight as he produced two Metal Blades. Then, the setting changed to the infamous Castle Lololo. Now on equal footing, Mac gritted his teeth.
"GIGA MAC RUSH!" he roared.
Mid-charge, the mind of the hulking Giga Mac took over, the mammoth beast hitting punches on a defenseless Megaman harder and faster than anyone watching could comprehend. One final uppercut sent Megaman bouncing between two pillars. Mac held his fist out, the energy around the boxing glove turning from blue to red as he eyed his bouncing target. Just as Megaman was at eye level, he let Straight Lunge launch, knocking Megaman to the Blast Zone.
Megaman: 1
Little Mac: 2
"STEE-RIKE!" called 9-Volt, "That probably brought a tear to Jimmy T's eye," 9-Volt shouted.
"Bachelor Bear rates it a 10 out of 10," Cranky spat sarcastically.
"What?" 9-Volt asked.
"Oh, I thought we were poling the opinions of D-Tier Mario characters."
"Hey!"
"Get yer Pikachu bloomers out of a bunch boy, it's just a joke. That one is going on the highlight reel for sure."
Little Mac and Megaman circled each other as the scene once again changed to Dedede's arena.
Little Mac took in a big gulp of air, "Ah, now this feels like home."
Little Mac's eyes widened as he saw Megaman snap into position for an all-too-familiar move. Megaman's entire body snapped forward and up for the Shoryuken.
"COUNTER!"
The full brunt of the uppercut jolted through Megaman as Little Mac returned fire. The boy's eyes reflected shock, producing two Metal Blades in a panic.
"COUNTER! COUNTER!" Mac cried as they were thrown at him.
Two more uppercuts went unanswered. Mac peppered the robotic hero with body shots, the two within touching distance of the Blast Zone. Mac coiled back for one more shot. In a meek attempt to block it, Megaman pivoted, which only resulted in a jarring haymaker to the kidney, sending him to the Blast Zone.
GAME!
Much as had been done before, Mac was teleported to the Courtyard, where Doc Louis was waiting to strap the WVBA World Circuit Championship belt. Mac began to celebratorily shadow box as the camera drones appeared.
"AND THE WINNER IS, Little Mac!"
LITTLE MAC WINS!
Meanwhile, Megaman sat stoic, his eyes an error-screen blue. Meekly, Mister Zero held the mic up to Megaman.
"Critical data error, returning to the mansion for analysis," Megaman announced, disappearing in a blue burst of light.
"Megaman's tracker just popped up in his room at the Mansion," Shulk announced to the Smashers' Box.
"Shit," Mario groaned through gritted teeth, "Can I get a volunteer to check on him?"
Pit immediately jumped up, "I'll do it!"
He flew over the heads of the rest of the Smashers, to land at Mario's position, to whisper something in his ear.
"Oh! Yeah, I know right where they are!" Mario nodded, "Yeah, go get 'em."
"Woo hoo!" Pit cheered. Simon, lock your communicator's position to mine, you're coming with me."
Simon nodded, "Aye."
Simon brought his Smash Communicator so close to his lips he could kiss it.
"Computer, lock me to Little Mac's position."
Ritcher snorted with laughter.
"You don't have to speak that close to the microphone," he said.
"Consider that even further reason to tan your hide in the ring boy."
With that, Pit and Simon disappeared.
. "Dude, I'm sorry you have to deal with that," Daisy said sympathetically to Ritcher.
"No big deal. I think it's funny actually,"
"Mac's interview is up dear," Peach called sternly, "Please hush,"
"I apologize for the delay," said the voice of Rita on the big screen, "I'm here with Little Mac and Doc Louis. You've conquered your rival Megaman with an almost scientific approach to Smash like you did Rosalina. What's next for Little Mac."
"WHETHER IT'S THE AMATEUR OR THE GOOF," Doc Louis shouted, "MY BOY MAC EXPUNGED THE BLUE DEMON, THE SKY'S THE LIMIT, AND MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN TO SEE THE ASS WHOOPIN' NEXT ROUND! IT'S AN AFFORDABLE PLEASURE!"
As Mac and Doc walked up the tunnel, the voices of the next set of fighters could be heard in the Smashers' Box.
"Amateur?" Rosalina and Quinn guffawed together.
"Goof?" Sans bellowed.
"Quinn is far from an amateur, but you are a goof," snapped Altair, who hadn't spoken a word since Luigi and Captain Falcon's fight.
"Altair…" begged Quinn, his plea coming out near silently.
"Your attempts at psychological buffoonery have been amateurish at best, laughable at worst," growled the assassin
"Oh, so now you're calling me an amateur? I must be real bad at this if I got him to punch me in the face on live TV," Sans laughed, "Ya know kid, the admins discussed a big ole fine over that. You should know fighting outside of Smash is the number one rule, or did they not cover that in that Devry-ass karate school you went to?"
Quinn stood up but felt a hand on his shoulder. Rosalina stood by his side.
"Anyway, I figured I'd save it for the ring, but now you and the assassin are pissing me off. Good luck to ya kid, you're gonna need it. Yo Ritcher?" Sans continued.
"Yes?" asked the bewildered vampire hunter.
"You gotta carry the comedy next chapter, 'cause it's about to get gnarly."
"Hey!" Kazooie interrupted, "Why can't we carry the comedy?"
"Because I'm tired of the author flip-flopping on whether or not you two are a couple, leaving you in the dumb anime bickering stage, so I'm leaving it in less annoying hands."
With a snap of his fingers, Sans was gone.
"Well, I could think of better ways for that to have come out," Kazooie blushed.
"Yeah," Banjo whispered, blushing as well.
"Wait, you're…" Terry asked.
"Yeah," Kazooie nodded meekly.
"Every day we stray further from God's light," Ritcher sighed.
Palutena laughed, "Sans was right, you're doing a great job!"
"Smashers, enough," Mario snapped, "Quinn, Tunnel A please."
"Yeah, Quinn nodded, turning to Rosalina, "Wish me luck,"
"You don't need it," Rosalina shook her head, "You'll eviscerate this clown. His heart isn't in it. Something clouds him."
"Oh," Quinn blurted, "Well I'm off,"
Waving to the rest of the Smashers as he jogged up to the tunnel, he turned, waving at Rosalina one last time, before jogging down the steep tunnel.