Looks like Mondo's gonna have to explain himself before they can go off to help Herc deal with Cerberus. Let's see what's going on with everyone's favorite Biker Gang Leader shall we?
(With Cerberus rampaging throughout the arena, Makoto and his group followed Phil back to the lobby, exhausted from their fight)
Chihiro: That was… a close one...
Hifumi: W-Was that thing…?
Phil: Yep, Cerberus, guardian of the Underworld.
Sayaka: Sh-Should we be worried?
Phil: Nah, don't worry, Herc's taken him before. He should be able to handle him.
Phil: But then again, maybe not…
Celeste: Oh my, this doesn't look good.
(While everyone was panicking at Cerberus coming after them, Makoto remained silent)
Makoto: …..
Makoto: In that case, let's go help him!
Hifumi: WHAT!?
Celeste: Makoto, you do realize what you're talking about yes?
Celeste: This is Cerberus we are talking about, this is not like the Heartless.
Makoto: I know, but if we don't help Hercules, that thing might get out of the Coliseum and attack the others!
(Scared though they may be, they knew Makoto was right)
Sayaka: W-Well then…
Sayaka: I-I'm going too!
Celeste: Oh?
Sayaka: If Makoto's going to stand his ground against that beast…
Sayaka: Then who am I to stand back while he risks his life?
Celeste: I see…
Celeste: Then count me in as well, I still have a debt to repay after all.
Hifumi: Very well then, let's send this monster back to the Underworld!
Sayaka: Chihiro, what about you?
Chihiro: Um….
Makoto: You have every right to be scared, I am too.
Chihiro: I… don't think I can…
Sayaka: Huh?
Chihiro: I can't… I'm not strong enough.
Hifumi: What are you saying Miss Fujisaki?
Chihiro: That fight with Mondo, I wanted to help but I… went down.
Celeste: Chihiro it's alright, everyone except Makoto went down in that fight.
Makoto: And even then I didn't think I had it in me to fight them.
?: You shouldn't blame yourself Chihiro.
(They all turned to see Mondo, having gotten back up again)
Sayaka: Mondo!
Mondo: I'm… I'm sorry.
Celeste: I believe you have some explaining to do Mondo.
Celeste: What was this deal?
(Though the biker was reluctant, he eventually knew he had to tell)
Mondo: To be honest, I had my doubts.
Sayaka: Doubts about what?
Mondo: About you coming to find me.
Makoto: ….
Mondo: I mean I'm used to some crazy shit, but after *that*?
Mondo: I didn't know what to do.
Mondo: Everything felt so… dark. I couldn't see anything for miles.
Mondo: And then, I ended up here.
Chihiro: Th-That's when you met-
Mondo: Hades, Lord of the Underworld. To tell you the truth I was kinda shocked he was real.
Sayaka: And what was the deal?
Mondo: He'd bring our home back and undo all the damage if I took out Hercules.
Mondo: He brought on that other guy for good measure too, don't know what was going on with him though.
Celeste: But then you saw us, so why did you attack us like that?
Sayaka: I didn't think you could hit a girl so hard.
Mondo: Normally I wouldn't even think of touching a girl but… I was already in too deep.
Mondo: I wanted out the minute I saw you guys, but Hades already had his fucking hooks into me.
Mondo: If I didn't act serious and take you guys out for good then…
Mondo: Then he would've had me and everyone who was the gang suffering for their entire fuckin' afterlife.
Hifumi: You mean… the River Styx?
Mondo: Let's just say that would've been a saving grace if I said no.
Sayaka: Mondo…
Mondo: That's why I did what I did, and I'm not proud of it.
Mondo: I had to go against the code my brother set for me, and I did things I could never take back.
Mondo: So….
(Mondo held his arms out and puffed out his chest)
Mondo: HIT ME!
Makoto: What?
Mondo: This is the only way you guys can forgive me for what I did, leave me to rot here in this place for all I care, but I can't just let what happened slide without any retribution or whatever.
Celeste: Are you sure about-
Mondo: I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't fucking sure! Just hit me already!
(Everyone didn't know how to proceed, Mondo felt this was the only way for them to move on, he didn't care if they left him behind. But suddenly, Chihiro walked up, and then hugged him…)
Hifumi: Huh?
Makoto: Chihiro?
Mondo: Wha-?
Chihiro: I'm sorry…
Mondo: What?
Chihiro: I know this isn't what you wanted but…
Chihiro: I can't just blame you!
Mondo: Huh?
Chihiro: Hades saw you at your worst and took advantage of that, it could've happened to anyone.
Chihiro: I know what it's like, being forced into a situation, and doing things you… don't want to do.
Makoto: Chihiro…
Chihiro: Sometimes, you just need strength to survive.
Mondo: Y-Yeah…
Chihiro: I never had that kind of strength. I'm… weak. Always have been, always will be.
(That hit Mondo hard, he had his own weaknesses to overcome, but to see Chihiro just standing there accepting them. He couldn't just let that lie)
Mondo: The hell you are!
Chihiro: Huh?
Mondo: It takes balls to stand up to me, and even though you went down, you went down fighting.
Mondo: That takes guts, you're far from weak Chihiro.
Chihiro: B-But…
Makoto: He's right!
Chihiro/Mondo: Huh?
Makoto: Neither of you are weak! Chihiro, you've been a valuable ally to us for the time we've been fighting Heartless. I couldn't ask for anyone stronger.
Chihiro: Makoto…
Makoto: And Mondo, you're not weak for falling for Hades' schemes! He saw an opportunity and tried to make you into his puppet! But you broke free of those chains…
Makoto: You're not weak! You're strong!
Mondo: Strong…?
Mondo: (Is he… forgiving me?)
Makoto: It's alright Mondo, I know you'll find it hard to believe after what you did but…
Makoto: If you're willing to help, then let's work together and take out Cerberus!
"WHAT!?"
Mondo: Are you fucking serious!?
Hifumi: Mr. Naegi's right! You're one of the toughest people we know, you'll be invaluable to our adventure!
Sayaka: Besides, those skills would be perfect for taking on the Heartless!
Mondo: You… you idiots!? You're seriously gonna forgive me!?
Mondo: What about you Celeste, you seriously can't be like them can you?
Celeste: I would admit, your acts certainly are inexcusable…
Celeste: But I can't overlook motivation!
Mondo: Huh?
Celeste: The darkness took its grasp the minute it could, it was never a matter of being weak or strong, it was a matter of having doubt in your heart.
Celeste: I had my doubts as well, but Makoto proved me wrong and… saved me.
Celeste: You should understand that it doesn't matter if you are weak or strong, but that you are willing to fight.
Celeste: So Mondo, are you?
Mondo: (Willing to fight…. me?)
Mondo: (I never thought of it that way, I want to prove I'm strong but…)
Mondo: (Strong? Me?)
Mondo: (They think I'm… strong?)
Mondo: (No… I *am* strong!)
Mondo: (They're relying on me, and everyone else too.)
Mondo: (I can't let them down! I have to fight!)
Mondo: (No matter what it takes!)
(Suddenly, a bright light flashed before them, engulfing Mondo. As the light dissipates, an orb begins descending, taking shape as soon as it lands right in front of Mondo's face. The orb takes shape, and soon a large ball and chain appears in Mondo's hands)
Mondo: What's… this?
Makoto: My guess, your resolve's taken form.
Makoto: So does that mean…?
Mondo: ….Yeah.
Mondo: I'll do it! I'll fight that mutt and save everyone!
Chihiro: Mondo…
Chihiro: Then count me in too!
Makoto: Alright, let's go!
Phil: You sure you kids wanna do this, this ain't a tournament match after all.
Makoto: It wouldn't be the first time.
(Determined more than ever before, the group ran back out and found Hercules holding Cloud over his shoulder while fighting off Cerberus. As the demonic dog backed Herc to a wall and stepped closer, they overheard them running in)
Mondo: Hey you fuckin' mongrel! Try taking us on for a change!
Makoto: Get ready guys, this won't be easy.
(Cerberus walks over to the group, giving Herc enough time to run out of the arena with Cloud. Before they begin, Phil gives them some advice)
Phil: Kid, I got two words of advice for you: Attack!
Olympus Coliseum: Main Boss Battle
Cerberus
Track: Squirming Evil
(Cerberus roars its heads as they get ready to fight)
Makoto: Thanks for the advice Phi!l Everyone scatter!
(The group separates to give themselves room between them and Cerberus, Hifumi getting his boxing gloves from before)
Hifumi: Let's knock some heads!
(Hifumi leaps up and punches one of the heads)
Chihiro: Aim for the heads!
Sayaka: Sounds good!
Celeste: Give me a boost Chihiro!
Chihiro: You got it!
(Chihiro flies into the air, giving Celeste something to latch on as they fly around, Celeste smacking Cerberus with her wires)
Makoto: Okay, keep it up!
Mondo: Alright boy, now heel!
(Mondo tosses his wrecking ball into Cerberus, having had enough Cerberus began spewing fireballs all over the place)
Makoto: Look out!
Chihiro: Celeste watch it!
(Celeste ends up smacking one of the fireballs right back at Cerberus, angry, the three-headed beast ran towards the flying duo and snatches Chihiro in its mouth. But thanks to the orb, it couldn't close its mouth)
Makoto: Chihiro!
Sayaka: I'm coming!
(Sayaka runs up, avoiding the dark pools of energy Cerberus began shooting. Having ran up to the beast, she jumped up and smacked the head that held Chihiro and Celeste, causing it to loosen its grip)
Chihiro: Thanks! Now it's my turn!
(Chihiro fires an energy blast right down Cerberus' throat, causing it to heel back in pain, releasing the girls)
Celeste: No one makes a snack out of me and gets away with it, get me close!
(Celeste latches back onto the orb, flies up and lands on Cerberus' back. Realizing they're trying to throw her off, Makoto decides to help her.)
Makoto: Thunder!
(The thunder deals damage to Cerberus, but as Celeste shields herself from the shock, she finds that her gloves were glowing yellow, like they got imbued)
Celeste: Hmm…
(She decided to test something, and shot her wires around Cerberus' heads)
Celeste: Time to lie down!
(Suddenly shocks ran throughout the wires, causing damage to the beast)
Hifumi: He can imbue our weapons? Give me fire, quick!
Makoto: Okay!
(Makoto aims for Hifumi's boxing gloves with his fire magic, imbuing the fists with flames)
Hifumi: Excellent, now face my flaming fury!
(He leapt towards the beast again and deliver a fierce uppercut, knocking it back)
Celeste: Alright, now charge!
(With another shock, Celeste forces Cerberus to charge towards Hifumi)
Hifumi: Gweh!? Miss Ludenberg what are you doing?
Celeste: Get out of the way quick!
(Hifumi caught on, and just before he could hit him, he jumped out of the way while Celeste jumped off it its back as it crashed into the wall, as it heeled back in shock, Celeste grabbed it with her wires and sent it falling down backwards. Makoto and Sayaka jumped up and began striking at the heads before Makoto got chomped)
Sayaka: Makoto!
(With all of his strength, Makoto held the bite back as Cerberus tried to get up. He lifted up the roof of its mouth and swung, causing damage and giving Makoto enough time to run out. Eventually Cerberus got back on its feet)
Sayaka: This thing is tough!
Makoto: We can't give up now! Keep going!
(As Cerberus shot more fireballs, Mondo charged forward)
Makoto: Mondo!
Mondo: Okay Hades, let's see how you like it when I take out your pet!
(He throws the iron ball, and while one of the heads catches it, Mondo stands his ground and starts swinging as hard as he can, while Cerberus is still attached)
Hifumi: Whoa!
Chihiro: He's so strong.
Makoto: You got this Mondo!
Mondo: Yeah, you see that pooch! I *am* strong! Stronger than you….
Mondo: AND STRONGER THAN DAIYAAAAAAAA!
(He tosses Cerberus into the wall, causing even more damage. With the ball and chain reappearing in his arms, he and the others charge towards Cerberus as it regains its footing. Knowing they're coming its way, Cerberus charges towards them and they meet in the middle. Fortunately the group has the upper hand as they punch and kick all three of its heads simultaneously)
(That ended up being the killing blow as Cerberus eventually fell down for the last time, defeated and motionless…)
Sayaka: Did we… do it?
Hifumi: Oh my goodness, we did!
Mondo: I don't believe this! We beat fucking Cerberus!
Makoto: We won!
(Having fought and defeated such a powerful beast, the group celebrated their victory)
Celeste: I never thought in all my years I'd ever take such a gamble against a mindless beast and win.
Celeste: Just goes to show you, anything is possible.
Chihiro: Especially if you have your friends to help out.
Mondo: Yeah, friends.
Mondo: Guys, do you mind if-
Mondo: I come along with you?
Makoto: Mondo, why are you asking?
Mondo: Huh?
Makoto: We're not leaving you behind, you or anyone of our friends. We ride together!
Mondo: Aw hell yeah! Let's give 'em hell!
Phil: If you guys are done patting each other's backs, come meet me and Herc back at the lobby. We got some *real* good news for you!
(Back at the lobby, Phil stands atop a pedestal reading from a parchment with Hercules standing by his side, as the group stands proud from their victory)
Phil: Thus, I do hereby dub thee junior heroes, and confer upon thee full rights and privileges to participate in the games. Further-
Hifumi: Wait, "junior heroes"?
Chihiro: What do you mean junior heroes?
Phil: You rookies still don't understand what it takes to be a true hero.
Celeste: Oh? So what does it take then?
Hercules: Well, that's just something you'll have to find out for yourselves
Hercules: Just the way that I did.
Makoto: Well, I think we're off to a decent start at least.
Makoto: And we'll prove ourselves more by fighting in the games if we have to!
Hifumi: Yeah, that was actually kinda fun.
Sayaka: I wanna go another round!
Mondo: Still wanna test this new toy of mine out.
Phil: Hold your horses there kiddos, there ain't gonna be any games for a while.
Phil: Gotta clean up the mess from that last battle first.
Celeste: How disappointing…
Makoto: Okay, we'll be back though!
Mondo: You'll probably find we've got more people than before.
Chihiro: Yeah!
Sayaka: Come on guys, adventure awaits!
(Knowing their work was done for now, they leave the coliseum lobby)
Phil: I still can't believe those guys actually beat Cerberus.
Hercules: Just between us, I'd already worn Cerberus down by the time they jumped in.
Phil: My lips are sealed.
(Just as they depart, they happen to notice Cloud sitting at the steps to the gate)
Makoto: Hey, it's that swordsman.
Mondo: Cloud…
Hifumi: Huh?
Mondo: That's his name, Hades told me.
Makoto: Hey, are you all right?
(Cloud looks up and notices the group)
Cloud: Yeah.
Makoto: So, why did you go along with him, anyway?
Makoto: We know Mondo's story, but why did *you* help Hades?
Cloud: …..I'm looking for someone. Hades promised to help.
Sayaka: Who?
Cloud: Someone important.
Cloud: I tried to exploit the power of darkness, but it backfired.
(He says as he stands up)
Cloud: I fell into darkness, and I couldn't find the light.
Makoto: I'm sure you'll find it.
Cloud: …
Makoto: We're searching too.
Cloud: For your light?
(Silently, Makoto nods, his friends agreeing with him. Cloud walks up to him...)
Cloud: Don't lose sight of it.
(And after giving him something, walks away. Makoto then calls out to him)
Makoto: How about a rematch sometime? Fair and square, no dark powers involved.
(Cloud simply looked over his shoulder and parted his hair out of his eyes)
Cloud: I think I'll pass.
(And he continues walking away until he's out of sight)
Chihiro: Did you really mean that Makoto?
Makoto: Yeah, I don't know why but…
Makoto: Something about him just makes me want to see what his power's like without the darkness.
Mondo: I get the feeling, I almost fell there too, till you guys found me.
Mondo: I don't know how I'll ever pay you back.
Chihiro: Well coming with us and helping in getting our world back would be a huge step.
(Mondo chuckles)
Mondo: Yeah, I think so too.
Mondo: So, where to next?
Sayaka: We have our ship outside, let's head up there and find another world. Maybe we'll find someone else like we found you and Celeste.
Makoto: I hope so…
(They open the door and exit the coliseum, later returning to their ship and departing the world entirely. Some time later night falls as Hades is seen narrating about Hercules)
Hades: He's strong, he's kind. He's always there for you, and he's handsome to boot.
Hades: He's perfect. Perfect. Perfectly infuriating! He makes me crazy.
(Hades' body soon turns red as a massive flame seen from high above comes right from his head. He soon controls his temper and becomes calm...er)
Hades: Wait a minute. What are you worried about? All the pieces are in place. Relax.
Hades: Here's what you do. Let Hercules train the kid and his pals. In the next games, I'll take care of the whole lot.
(Cue Villains of a Sort)
(Suddenly Maleficent and Monokuma appear behind Hades, he takes notice without even looking over his shoulder)
Hades: Who invited you to this party? Stay out of this. This is my show.
Maleficent: As you wish. Fight to your heart's content.
(Looking content, Hades turns around to find Maleficent gone. But she only teleported behind him, making him frustrated over her meddling. Suddenly, Monokuma appears right beside him)
Hades: Oh look it's the team mascot, what do you want, I'm busy plotting revenge here.
Monokuma: Miss Enoshima sends her regards.
(The bear hands Hades a controller, which he takes)
Hades: What's this thing supposed to be?
Monokuma: The lady said it'd help us out, but I got no idea. Press it and save us both the suspense.
(Hades presses the button, and suddenly several Monokuma Units, some different from the standard model, appear in similar fashion to the Heartless)
Monokuma: Whoa! Let it never be said a lady can't get work done.
Hades: You're tellin' me. I think these little guys might give me exactly what I've been working on.
Hades: Say, you guys think you're up for a few games?
Monokuma: Is it a killing game?
Hades: Yeah but a bit more straight up than what she had in mind. Think you're up for it?
Monokuma: As long as I can make it brutal I am!
Hades: Heh, you know I thought you guys weren't gonna be useful but…
Hades: I think we're gonna get along just fine.
Monokuma: Oh goody! I don't think I could've bear-ed the antagonism for much longer. Puhuhu…
Monokuma: AHH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Hades: Cute buddy, real cute. Let the lady know I got a few designs in mind, gonna need them if I'm gonna give Wonder-Boy a one way ticket to home. *My* home.
Monokuma: You got it!
(Monokuma departs back to their main base, with Hades smirking at this recent development. He knows he's gonna get plenty of mileage out of these Monokumas)
The road to a true hero is long, but our ragtag team of Ultimates definitely seem to be making headway. Just a heads up, we definitely will be returning here in the future, and events *will* be out of order for the sake of plot reasons. But we'll cross that road when we get there, as for next time, welcome to the jungle baby! And our Queen of Despair decides to have a little fun with the group.