Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners.

While Weiss and Sonic are Racing Against Time

BGM: Toad Town (Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story)

"Hmmm…" Aoi hummed at her desk. She had to admit, it was kinda boring without Kyoko around. Though she understood why, given the whole ordeal with Eggman. She knew very well to trust Kyoko's instinct and it hasn't steered them wrong before.

…Except for that one time where Kyoko blindly took a fake Chaos Emerald and got herself blown up for it, but hey, nobody's perfect.

She just hoped that whatever Kyoko had planned with Eggman would be a good one.

During her deep thoughts, something poked her on her calf. She looked down to see a plate of doughnuts being held by a Maushold, the tiny family of four offering her a doughnut.

"Aww, you guys are sweet." She said, patting them on the heads and caused them to blush as she happily took a chocolate doughnut bar as they wandered off to deliver doughnuts to everyone else.

"Ugh! If Tom and Jerry didn't have an episode of white mice exploding, I'd kick you to the stratosphere, you filthy vermin! …I'll take the raspberry sprinkled one." Aoi heard Toko say from nearby.

Aoi rolled her eyes. Ever since a Maushold wandered into the Future Foundation to escape from a hungry Persian, they made themselves at home and made doughnuts for the entire staff. Even Kyoko had instantly warmed up to them when she was handed coffee and a doughnut. The only ones who weren't so thrilled with the idea of "vermin" being in there were Toko and Byakuya.

They also made great cuddle buddies as far as Komaru was concerned.

She remembered that they arrived a day before Kyoko went off with some friends to Starfall Islands, and she also remembered that when Akane carried Bowser on the shoulder like she was in a parade, the tiny Pokemon held scorecards of "Tens" for "perfect form", much to Bowser's embarrassment.

Bowser…

Aoi stood up, planting her hands on the desk. She knew she was strong, but she wasn't at Akane's level, nor was she strong like her beastly bestie, Sakura. She was getting there, but was still not even close comparing to those two.

…What if she got herself stronger so she could lift or carry Bowser? Then she'd be the strongest "minion" in Bowser's army. It'd definitely give Roy, Morton and even Boom Boom a run for their money.

She knew what she had to do.

Aoi finished her doughnut and finished the email that she was working on before heading off to find Sakura, who she'd find nearby drinking water out of a cup.

"Hey Sakura!"

Sakura turned to her, smiling warmly. "You need something, Hina?"

"So you know the other day when Owari walked by carrying Bowser on her shoulder?"

"Of course."

"I want to be strong enough to carry him on my shoulder."

Sakura raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Didn't you already pull him out of that Goomba Mech the other day?"

"I got ya!" Aoi said, pulling him out by the wrist while hearing Daisy scolding the hell out of Qrow.

"Well, yeah, but I'm talking about-"

Sakura laughed. "Don't worry, I know what you mean." She said. "I'll help train you."

"I was going to ask you anyway~!" Aoi grinned, hugging her. "Alright, let's get me trained up! Rock and roll!"

BGM: Afterglow (ONLAP)

At the gym, Aoi started weightlifting at a small set at first. Sakura spotted her as she lifted up, controlling her breathing on the barbells.

Both of them heard someone catcalling her, but Aoi ignored them while Sakura gave a Lakitu a glare, causing the Lakitu to stiffen and floated away with a whistle.

"Hup! Ha! Hah! Hah!"

Aoi delivered powerful swings into Sakura in their sparring session, the latter not minding being a punching bag, yet was also defending herself if need be.

Sakura delivered a kick, to which Aoi cross countered as their legs clashed, both of them smirking.

A few onlookers looked on in awe to see Aoi switching to a two hundred pound barbell, sweat rolled down her face as she was able to flawlessly push it up and down… and then Sakura was next to her, casually lifting it up with one hand to help Aoi, and in the other was a protein shake.

"Nnngh… rrrrgh…!"

Aoi tried to lift up a car for another weightlifting exercise, with everyone looking at her as if she lost her mind… and then the car was picked up almost effortlessly as everyone looked on in shock.

Sakura was at the rear bumper, helping her lift it and gently moved her hands up and down so Aoi can help lift, all the while the Maushold family was on top of the car cheering her on with pom poms.

At a junkyard, Aoi had some tethers attached to her arms and started pulling some destroyed cars up simultaneously.

At the same time, Sakura ran to both sides to help lift the other car up in unison with Aoi using her arms.

At the same junkyard, Aoi pushed a wrecked pick up truck with her legs. Sakura making sure that the pickup wasn't going to crush the athlete.

At Mushroom Hills, Aoi pushed several boulders she found down the hill and into a stream, which also crushed several unsuspecting Ursa who were harassing Cheep Cheeps.

Sakura picked the boulders up and let the fish swim across freely. Aoi then came down and started to push the boulders back up, with Sakura giving her an extra push.

Back at the sparring session, Aoi delivered an uppercut to Sakura's jaw, making her head snap back…

And then Sakura backflipped and kicked Aoi mid-flip, making her head snap back before she recovered.

Once Sakura checked to see if Aoi was alright, both of them resumed sparring.

Aoi picked up a bowling ball and threw it like a basketball, landing on the grass and making a small crater.

She picked it back up and continued to lob it around.

"Hah… hah… hah…" Aoi was on her hands and knees as she was at the top of a flight of stairs.

"Impressive. You only did five laps." Sakura complimented before giving her a water bottle.

"Why the hell do flights of stairs have to suck?!"

Aoi ran on a treadmill, panting to herself and looking worn out, not to mention she was carrying a sandbag painted to look like Bowser… until Maushold dangled a doughnut in front of her via fishing pole.

"Ooooh!"

Aoi picked up the pace, now having a determined smirk on her face.

Back at the sparring session, Aoi delivered a mighty power punch to Sakura after she dodged a sharp right hook from Sakura.

"Mmmph!" Sakura grunted, falling on her butt. She wasn't even mad, she was genuinely proud of her.

Aoi picked up the Bowser sandbag and started to spin around, forming a whirlpool underneath her heels as she created a spinning watery vortex before she released her grip, sending the sandbag flying, with a star shining brightly in the sky.

End BGM

"What are you guys doing?" A voice asked as Aoi was doing push ups with Sakura sitting on her back and Maushold was wearing a few referee outfits.

Aoi opened her eyes, seeing Tenko looking at them weirdly.

"Oh hey…! Just… hoo… training!"

"With a sack of bricks sitting on you? …And vermin coaching you?"

"She's training to get herself stronger so she could carry Bowser on her shoulder." Sakura said.

Tenko sweatdropped. "...What?"

"Yeah, thought it'd be great to try to get more stronger physically!" Aoi giggled and continued doing push ups. "Ninety eight… ninety nine… a hundred…! Phew…"

Sakura got off of her as Aoi stood up, flexing her muscles. "Oh yeah. I can feel the burn! Well earned compared to those losers who use steroids!"

"...You guys wanna hang in my dojo? I'm completely free. Again."

"Again?" Both girls asked with Tenko nodding.

Tenko's Dojo: Kinsei Kamakiri Dojo

Location: Central Toad Town

The ladies walked in. "You haven't gotten a single customer?" Aoi asked.

Tenko sighed. "Sadly, no. Everyone doesn't want to train under me because of my… reputation."

"Your reputation with boys?"

"No, because of how scary I can be." Anime tears rolled down her cheeks. "The sad thing is, part of this is an art studio now…"

"Huh?" Sakura raised an eyebrow.

"Hiiiiiii~!"

They turned to see Angie currently painting on an easel.

"She found out about this place and just moved in in a heartbeat when she saw it was so empty."

"I thought it was an empty art studio!" Angie said, blushing sheepishly. "When I found out it wasn't… I just stayed to keep her company!"

"And I appreciate that…" Tenko chuckled. "And the usual visitors I get here are you, Angie, Nijima and Takamaki… and sometimes Asahina when I offer doughnuts as refreshments."

Aoi frowned. "Seriously, no one comes for doughnuts other than me? Come on, they don't know what they're missing."

"I know-"

Ding!

Tenko perked up from the sound of the front door hitting the bell. "Oh, welcome to-... oh, speak of the devil."

"...Was it something we said?" Makoto wondered as she and Ann walked in.

"No no, I was just telling 'em that you guys are my frequent visitors."

"Well, we came to see how you were holding up!" Ann smiled. "We just got back after hooking Haru up in Mario Kart."

"The speed demon? Oh no…"

Inside Tenko's imagination…

Haru skidded to a halt after she crossed the finish line. "I win~!" She smiled as the Lakitu cameraman turned the camera to see a Kart pile up that was currently on fire with everyone escaping with minor bruises.

In reality…

"Actually, this might be a cure for her lead foot. She was actually really good and had great control." Makoto said.

"Oh!" Tenko perked up. "So where is she now?"

"Training to race against a green hawk tomorrow."

"A green… hawk…?" Tenko blinked. "What…?"

"Oooh, inspiration~!" Angie grinned as she started to paint.

Tenko groaned. "Nijima, how do you DO it? You're scary as hell too and yet you make a lot of friends!"

"Um… I just talk to them?" Makoto sweatdropped.

"You kidding? I talk to people too but… they always flinch when they see me." Tenko folded her arms with a groan. "Has my reputation preceded me all the way here? I put up fliers everywhere…"

"Aw, cheer up. I'm sure someone will walk in any moment now!" Ann reassured. "In fact, I'm sure someone will want to have a spar with you!"

"Like you guys do to cheer me up when I'm lonely?"

Ann smiled. "Of course~!"

"You just have to be patient. Someone will come for sure." Sakura said.

"Yeah! You just gotta have faith!" Aoi nodded.

"If it's that simple, then I suppose a hot guy will walk in with a group of friends." Tenko said, closing her eyes. "In about ten seconds, they'll walk in. Heh… like that'll ever-"

Ding!

"HOLY SHIT, I'M PSYCHIC!"

"Oh… I thought this was a restaurant." A Toad said before shrugging, walking out.

"That was three seconds. You still got time." Sakura said.

"I set myself up for failure…" Tenko moaned. "There's no way that-"

Ding!

"Hey, is this a dojo by any chance?"

Tenko's eyes widened, turning her head to see who just walked in… which was Jin Kazama and his friends.

JIN?! Makoto and Ann thought in unison.

"...Is that a man in a panda bear costume?" Angie wondered.

Tenko stared at Jin as if she were in a trance.

Holy shit, what a HUNK.

"Helloooo? Anyone in there?" Aoi waved her hand in front of Tenko.

"Huh… wha? Oh, yeah…" Tenko nodded as she then spotted Xiaoyu next to Jin. Awww, he's taken… She pouted.

"Goodness me… who are you guys?" Angie asked.

"I am Jin Kazama, and these are my friends. Ling Xiaoyu-"

"Nǐ hǎo~!"

"Panda… an actual panda bear."

"Lee Chaolan-"

"Yo."

"Lars Alexandersson-"

"Hey."

"-Alisa Bosconovitch-"

"Hi!"

"Lili-"

"Pleasure to meet you."

"-Asuka Kazama."

"Hey!"

"And Hwoarang."

"Sup."

"Nice to meet all of you." Tenko said. "I'm Tenko Chabashira, and these are my friends, Angie Yonaga, Aoi Asahina, Sakura Oogami, Makoto Nijima and Ann Takamaki."

Jin nodded. "We were just walking through town and we noticed your fliers. If you'd be willing to have us-"

"Oh, absolutely!" Tenko exclaimed enthusiastically before clearing her throat. "I mean, sure… I'd be honored to have you here."

Lee grinned. "Excellent!"

Angie gasped, whispering in Tenko's ear, causing her to gasp in surprise.

"You're right! This might gain some traction…" Tenko nodded. "Alright, basically, in this dojo… anything goes but if your opponent is unable to continue, then we stop."

"Sounds fair." Jin nodded.

"Oh good, "anything"~!" Xiaoyu smiled as Panda stood up and proceeded to unleash some kung fu moves.

"Oh my gosh… a kung fu fighting panda. He's adorable~!" Angie gushed.

"I can see it now… a movie starring this panda as a kung fu fighter. That'd be awesome!" Tenko grinned.

The Thieves and Ultimates side glanced one another.

"Should we tell her?" Aoi whispered.

"Let her find out." Sakura responded.

"I mean, she's gotta know about the four movies and other media!" Makoto pointed out.

"Eh… I think we can all do without the fourth movie…" Ann said.

Jin walked up. "Any of you wish to spar?"

"I'll give it a shot~!" Aoi said as she walked over to the center of the room as did Jin, both of them squaring up.

"Good luck, Jin!" Xiaoyu called out.

"You got this, Hina!" Ann said.

Tenko got between them, raising her arm. "And now… BEGIN!" She swung her arm down.

BGM: Jin Kazama, The Star of Hope (Tekken 8)

Water swirled around Aoi while Jin tightened his gloves, electricity coming out of them.

Both of them charged, both of them delivering a mighty punch to each other's face as they were knocked back. Jin was a bit surprised over Aoi's strength as he slid back a few feet, but he kept his cool as he went for a right left combo.

Aoi weaved her head before delivering a watery palm strike into his chest followed by a water slice from her heel, to which Jin responded with a High Right Roundhouse, both of their legs connecting as water and electricity flew, yet said electricity didn't harm Aoi.

Jin saw his chance and grabbed Aoi's leg, throwing her to the ground behind him, but she caught herself with her hands and propelled herself up with a stream of water, flipping herself up and unleashing a Water Dunk. Jin avoided the initial punch, but the shockwave that Aoi produced when she hit the ground was enough to knock him off his feet.

Jin got back up as the two of them went back to throwing hands, before Jin unleashed a Left Right Black Wing Rondo, flip kicking her into the air as he jumped up and axe kicked her to the ground.

Aoi got up, rolling her shoulders once Jin gave her room as watery blades came out of her wrists as she ran over and swung her arms to try and hit him with it, only for Jin to Switch Blade her and then followed it up with a Kisshin Rekko.

The Ultimate Swimmer got up, smirking. She was actually having a lot of fun with him as she conjured up water gloves and charged in, delivering powerful right and left hooks that Jin either blocked or weaved, finding an opening and hit her with a Tanden Nidan-uchi, the sudden punch to her abs was enough to make her hunch over and wince as Jin responded with a Front Thrust Kick.

Aoi was knocked on her back but as usual, she sprung up, determined to not go down easily. As they sparred, Sakura watched on with a proud smile, knowing full well how far her bestie had come.

Jin took a step back and got in a stance, charging himself up as Aoi clapped her hands, a blue watery aura surrounding her before the latter punched the ground as a watery shockwave was sent toward him, but was quickly changed into dolphins.

Jin either dodged or punched through the dolphins, though punching them was enough to make them splash and blinded Jin temporarily with water, which was enough for the water aura infused Aoi to launch herself, surrounding her in a watery jet and punched Jin in the gut to make him slide… but Jin grabbed a hold of Aoi and slammed her into the ground, then Brazilian Kicked her away.

He had to admit, something about this lady giving him a run for his money was enough to make him smile. He was genuinely having a fun time, something that his friends had noticed.

It's about time he smiled for once. Hwoarang thought.

Jin ran toward Asahina and went for a Kazama Style Three-Quarter Kick, striking Aoi twice but on the third, Aoi responded with a kick of her own, both of them getting knocked back as Jin went over to her and went for a Savage Sword/Right Sweep combo to trip her up, knocking the athlete on her back.

However, Aoi got up once more as both of them charged ahead and delivered a mighty swing to their face, followed by a strong gut punch as they both roundhouse kicked each other, their legs blocking the other as Aoi launched herself up into the air with a stream of water, front flipping and then axe kicking him in the face, but Jin blocked and grabbed her ankle.

With quick thinking, Aoi wrapped her legs around Jin right as he threw her to the ground, then used the momentum to swing her legs down and bring Jin with her.

They both rose once more… only for both to fall in exhaustion.

"Tie…?" Aoi panted.

"Yeah… I'm good with that."

End BGM

Angie smiled, pressing the "stop recording" button on her scroll. "Aaaand this is gonna go on Toadbook~! If this doesn't gain traction for your dojo, I don't know what will."

Tenko smiled, not fully comprehending what Angie was saying because she was in awe of what Jin was capable of.

"That. Was. AWESOME!" Tenko's eyes sparkled.

"I want to take a rumble at it too!" Xiaoyu said.

"I suppose a spar wouldn't hurt." Lili said.

Sakura checked on both Aoi and Jin, both of them sporting bruises but they didn't seem to mind as they both stood up and shook on it, both of them nodding in mass respect for one another.

I'm proud of you, Hina… Sakura thought as Aoi gave Jin a dorky smile.

"By the way, I'll take on that panda if that's alright. I want to see what this big boy can do."

Panda let out a growl.

"She says she's a girl." Xiaoyu said.

"Girl? Okay, that's a bit surpri-... sing…"

Angie and Tenko looked at Xiaoyu dumbfounded.

"YOU COULD UNDERSTAND THAT?!"

"What, like it's hard?" Xiaoyu giggled.

"Welcome to Tekken…" Makoto said silently, but loud enough for Ann to snicker.

Ann then had an idea. "Hey… that could get some attention around here."

She turned to Tenko. "Hey Tenko, I have an idea on how this dojo can get a boost in popularity."

"Oh? What is it?"

Ann smiled. "Have you ever heard of a man named Ryu?"

This Gaiden idea was suggested by Flash when he sent me an Aoi gif as a pick me up during a rough day at work at the greenhouse a few days ago. Appreciate it, bud!

Ibuki: Hina-chan definitely rocks!

Deadpool: Aw man, I forgot the popcorn for that fight...

By the way, forgot to mention this in the last Frontiers chapter, but I recently watched the final chapter in Red vs Blue. Hell of a send off to a series! *salutes* You will be missed.