(The Arena)
After a good few minutes of very awkward waiting. Roxas' voice would come back on. "Okay, folks! Pardon the brief intermission, and I hope you used that time wisely because it was time to begin the next section!"
He went silent after that. Time to start the next act of this show.
"TAKEDA TAKAHASHI!" (MK)
Unbeknownst to those in the crowd, and well, everyone. The Takeda that emerged from the curtain was not the same Takeda they expected.
It looked like the Takeda they knew, and sounded like him as they would find out. But in a matter of time they'll find the differences between this Takeda and the former one.
Scorpion sat on a turnbuckle, attempting to meditate but found himself unable to keep from pointedly eyeing the crowd.
It didn't make sense, just about half an hour ago he had been preparing to enter the arena. But before he could those mysterious sands had appeared and within seconds he was already inside it. And not only that, but the crowd was staring at him in confusion. When just the day before he had been as well-regarded as any other fighter.
Not a second more would be spent on the matter before Takeda's whip would be caught in his hand.
"Does any of this not pique your curiosity, Takeda? It is quite incongruous."
Takeda retracted his whip. Shrugging at the inquiry. "More than incongruous. But I didn't come here for mysteries, Kuai Liang. I came here to fight, and to continue my mission."
The Shirai Ryu grandmaster straightened his stance. "And you see me as the most worthy opponent?"
Takeda nodded, smirking underneath his mask. "A worthy fight with this crew? No offense to them, but I don't see it. They look like something Johnny Cage would pitch to me as a script."
Kuai Liang tilted his head, but soon nodded and got into his stance. "Very well, then."
"By the way, there is something I must ask before we begin." Takeda had dropped his stance as a result.
Which in turn made Kuai Liang do so as well. "Yes?"
"You haven't heard anyone claim I'm Kenshi's son, right?"
Beat.
"…"
"CHIZURU KAGURA!" (KOFXV)
Striking a few elegant poses upon emerging was the raven-haired descendant of the Yata clan. As well as a member of the fabled Team Sacred Treasures.
"My big debut at a tournament of this caliber. It'd be wise to not disappoint."
She would scan the ring for an opponent. Now, she could take her fight to Ganondorf or Neco-Arc, but decided against such an obvious choice. She had a different adversary in mind, one that intrigued her greatly.
It helped that she foresaw how both fighters time in the tournament would turn out. So if she decides not to engage, then things should be alright, right?
Ness was still contemplating helping out with Neco-Arc, the little chibi definitely was full of surprises and her limitless arsenal meant that she was especially dangerous. Fitting her chaotic nature, perhaps it would be wise to…
"Greetings, child. May I have this fight?" A voice that suddenly came in his head asked.
Ness' eyes bugged out. Someone was speaking to him telepathically?!
"To your left."
The young psychic turned to Chizuru standing beside him, waving.
"You have telepathy?"
Chizuru nodded. "A gift granted by the Yata Mirror." She explained.
Then she waved a hand to Neco-Arc. "I have seen your desire to try and help with the anomalous cat creature, but let me assure you that it is not necessary. I find you a most interesting opponent due to your powers, so I would like to request a bout."
Ness turned to Neco-Arc at her words, and then back to her. Weighing his options….
Eventually he nodded. "Sure. You have my interest too."
"FOX MCCLOUD!" (SSB)
The leader of Starfox came out to the Smash remix of the Corneria theme. The crowd gave him a wide positive reaction which he opted to not really react to, lest he break his focus.
Speaking of focus, after avoiding a punch from Rock, Neco-Arc would shift her gaze up to the space pilot upon his entering the ring.
"Let me pull out a classic to get the intended result!" Neco-Arc smirked to herself while running over to greet Fox.
"Hey!" Rock called out. "Where are you going?" He followed after her.
Said pilot wouldn't get another second before the small chibi-cat thing came into his view, grinning.
"Oh! Oh! I got a little riddle for you, Fox McCloud! Wanna hear it!?"
Fox would stand still for a few brief moments, thinking about what the hell brought this on. But he would not very reluctantly. "I guess so."
Neco-Arc couldn't help but squeal. "Okay! I begin and have no end, and I end all that begins! What am I?"
Fox crossed his arms, surprisingly taking the question seriously. Another brief pause before he would answer.
"Death?"
The chibi clone nodded. "Yep! Death! Just like what your father suffered from!"
CRACK!
Rock, who was only now a few feet away, winced. "She did not just…!"
Neco-Arc only chuckled as she took off once more. A now enraged Fox with a murderous look in his eyes racing after her.
Rock sighed. "Better take these allies when I can."
"PRISHE!" (D:FF)
Next was the spunky, youthful, warrior of Cosmos, Prishe. She may have looked young, but she was actually fully grown, if not older. Not like anyone needed to know, however.
"The Warrior of Light. No sign of him yet. Looks like I'll serve up some knuckle sandwiches a la Prishe while I wait!"
Having decided it was her best course of action Prishe charged into the ring. Her eyes having found the perfect opponent; Ganondorf.
"Howling First!"
The evil warlock would be alerted to her presence with her attack shout, a charged rushing punch. The attack would get caught by his hand, which held her in place for his sword.
But Prishe would flip over the sword and use it to launch herself from his grip and kick him in the face.
Ganondorf growled from the kick. "Big mistake."
Prishe scoffed. "Big mistake." She said with a mocking tone. "Please! I've beaten Garland before, so I know I can beat you!"
Ganondorf got out his other sword. "Really now? Humor me."
"EDRIC BLIGHT!" (TOH)
The first member of the new node that was added from the debacle last section. The middle Blight child looked behind him with a rather questionable expression.
"Tough crowd, today. Not sure what all the fuss is about. I mean, yesterday we were all welcomed with open arms."
Edric wouldn't let it hold him down for long though. "Oh, well! I got my chance to have my fun, and I won't let it stop me!"
Stepping into the ring, Edric would waste no time placing 'Hex Me!' signs on all the males present. Then he would summon a bag full of potions with a twirl of his fingers.
"Now! Which one to try first? Oo~ooooh! How about I summon some tentacles? Or maybe I could put little trampolines everywhere with this…!"
He would get interrupted by Lord Raptor approaching him. His 'Hex Me!' sign in his hand.
"This yours?"
Edric nodded, unbothered. "That's right. What of it."
Lord Raptor would glare at him for a few more seconds before grinning. "Show me how to make these. I could use these for the name of a show, or maybe a new song!"
The green-haired teen grinned. "I think I can do that."
"And now, Mystery Fighter… Number… THREE!"
"BAROK VAN ZIEKS!" (The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles)
With his theme playing the background, the English prosecutor rested a hand on his sword. His other hand cupping a chalice of wine as he stared up at the Announcers Booth.
"To you, my enthralled host. For allowing me the illustrious opportunity to compete in your tournament." With that he drank, before throwing the chalice behind him past the curtain.
Upon entering, he avoided the chaos from the other fights around him and headed straight to Terra and Karin, who saw him come and immediately got into stance.
"You want a fight?"
The prosecutor nodded. "I have heard of the Kanzuki Zaibatsu from a learned friend. Seeing the current descendant and head of such a supposed prestigious order beckoned me to challenge you. To see if all your ancestors fought for was not lost."
Karin tilted her head. "You can fight? You come from Ace Attorney!"
Van Zieks unsheathed his sword. "My node does not represent my skill alone. I once survived a fight with a gang of armed gunmen with nothing but my sword. Heed this, I am up for the challenge."
Terra and Karin shared a look before nodding. "Fine. You're on!"
"JP!" (SFV-VI)
The next new fighter from last section's chaos. JP came out with a bit of a predicament, that being Van Zieks chalice and wine dropping down his head.
"This'll be a chore getting out." He lamented on his vest and dress shirt, which were now stained with wine.
Instinct told him to go after the one who had stained his outfit, but for now he decided against it. He had another matter to attend to with someone else.
Ganondorf caught Prishe with his swords and pushed her away. The purple-haired woman didn't let it go, and immediately rushed forward again.
Only to be swatted to the side with a single swing of JP's arm. Confused, Ganondorf turned to look at who had assisted him.
"Good day. I took note of the power you are said to harbor and couldn't help but hone a desire to see it for myself."
The warlock rolled his eyes. "Asking nicely means nothing. But if you really want to see my power. I'd be happy to demonstrate, rich boy!"
Prishe slapped her hand to her head. "Great. Now I gotta fight both of them!?"
"NIGHTWOLF!" (MK)
Of the Mortal Kombat roster who was replaced with their MK1 counterparts, Nightwolf was unique in that he did not change with the others.
A fact which completely perplexed him. And which made him seek out those who did upon his entry into the ring.
This meant he went straight to Takeda and Kuai Liang, who were currently locked in a power struggle. Both noticed him coming and broke up.
"Can we help you?" Takeda asked.
Nightwolf looked between them. "It is strange. I do not know what happened, but you are not the Takeda and Scorpion I know."
The two shared a look. Kuai Liang spoke up. "And you seek answers, Shaman?"
Nightwolf nodded. "And a spar."
Before Kuai Liang could respond, Takeda jumped in for him. "Done. Better keep up though!"
(Announcers Booth)
"So not all of the Mortal Kombat fighters have been replaced. But why did this happen at all? How many fighters are different and the same? And finally what caused this to happen?"
The silver-haired host asked to himself while he stared at all the updated fighter info on his tablet. This didn't make sense, and why does something still feel amiss?
(Hotel; Bison's Room)
"So, another timeline?" Asked Vyse.
All the new Sindel could offer the young sky pirate was a uncertain nod. "It would appear so. The only explanation as to why you are all unfamiliar with me, when my appearance caused no such dissertation in the days prior."
Steve patted his bat to his hand. Unsure as to what to say to all this. "I sure as hell never saw you, or, this… version of you. Just the evil you."
Vanille gave his arm a light tap. "Steve!"
The teen held his hands up. "Sorry, sorry. But yeah, it's all… really weird."
Vyse tapped his chin. "Weird for sure. Did all of your node get replaced, Empress?"
General Shao butted in. Annoyed at the situation. "Why ask such a question? We have no answer to that, boy."
Vyse's expression tensed. "Could of just said you didn't know…."
Before the conversation could continue, Bison interjected. "Is there a reason this conversation could not continue elsewhere? I would like to be alone please, the interruptions removed."
Vyse lifted his finger to say something. But the dictator put a kibosh on that by raising his hand. "I told you already. I have no plan or plot scheduled for tonight. Now, please leave my room!"
The sky pirate lifted his hands in resignation and motioned for the group before him to follow him out.
Just as this act was passed, Skarlet and Kollector sprung to life. Taking everyone by surprise as they bolted out the door to the room.
"So, what do you think this all is about? What they're saying in there? Alternate selves? Timelines? Sounds like it'll make for a great take to tell Callum and the others back home!"
Soren was regaling to Luna, whom were both assigned to guard the door to Bison's Room while the new Sindel and Shao were interrogated, when the two kombatants sped past them.
"Do not start regaling yet, Soren." Luna said to the knight before they gave chase.
The two didn't get far. Two other thugs would block their way, letting Skarlet and Kollector flee a long ways from here.
The two were Darrius and Sareena, who looked to each other and then back to the two.
"Sorry. But we can't let you lay a hand on them. Havik needs them for his plan." Darrius told them.
This immediately registered a curious look on Luna's face. "Havik? Plan? Mind telling us what?"
Sareena shook her head. "It is none of your concern, witch. If you wish to go down this path, then I'm afraid we'll have to cut your journey short."
The two locked into their stances. Soren would lean toward Luna's ear.
"You should've known asking politely wouldn't work."
Luna nodded. "Quite. But now we have a chance to preen more info. Oh, this is all so mystifying! I want to see it through."
Soren gave her a side grin. "That makes two of us."
(The Arena)
"B. JENET!" (KOFXV)
"Ugh, finally!" Sighed Rock as now he would have a proper ally that wasn't consumed by rage.
His blonde pirate teammate waved to the crowd while making her way down the ramp. With how she was stopping to high-five each cheering fan one could only assume it was intentional just to mess with Rock.
This wouldn't go unnoticed by him, judging by his shaking of the head by the time she was finally done and made his way to him.
"Having some girl trouble?"
Rock shook his head. "If you count chibi-cat girls. The one being chased by Fox has been a nightmare with her tendency to hurl random things at us."
B. Jenet couldn't stifle the chuckle. "Really? Rock Howard having some trouble with a cute, adorable chibi cat? Ha! Priceless."
That was the time when she would get a face full of explosive barrel in her face.
"Okay, I take back what I said." She groggily said while getting up.
"DONKEY KONG!" (SSB)
The crowd cheered uproariously for the red tied ape. Who simply smiled and waved while dancing down the ramp to his theme song.
He shifted gears immediately upon entering, pounding his chest and howling as he looked around for a fight.
Luckily it would come to him in the form of Pullum Purna, who wore a smile on her face.
"Hi! I couldn't help but notice your moves when coming down! For an ape, you have some serious potential! Surely you can show me more?"
Donkey Kong simply scratched his head before nodding, with that dopey grin on his face.
"Great!"
"NACK THE WEASEL!" (StH)
"Fang the Sniper… Pssh." Was all the purple weasel would say while twirling his guns.
"My first mainline appearance in a Sonic game and I have to use the name I use to hide my identity, well, I'll take what I can get."
He could whine and complain about this later, for now he had a nodal companion to go check out.
"Hey, Tails! Everything on the up an' up, buddy? A few of us are a little concerned at how you've been acting…"
Tails turned to him smiling. "Oh, I'm fine, Nack! Just cleaning up my arm cannon so I can go and destroy that weeb white mage over there!"
He pointed to Aerith, smile and happy tone still on his face. Nack sweat dropped.
"Ah, I see. Well, how's about a team-up? For old time's sake?"
Tails gave him a thumbs up. "Sure!"
Nack returned the gesture though he was sighing internally. "Good. Now I can keep him from killing the poor girl…"
"And now, Mystery Fighter… Number… FOUR!"
"HEATHCLIFF!" (Limbus Company)
The fangirls couldn't help but go wild for the Sinner, who tried to ignore it while holding his bat behind his head.
"Ah, I ain't gettin' enough compensation for' this, let me tell ya."
Sighing, he shook his head and hoisted his bat to his side and entered the ring. Almost immediately did his eyes catch Aerith struggling to fight off Nack and Tails.
His inner groans of tiredness turned to a low growl as he charged forward to the two Sonic characters. Launching the two back with a hard swing.
"Hey! What was that for? Oh, let me guess… You're another weeb-sympathizer!"
Heathcliff scoffed. "No. But damn if that isn't a foul way to treat a lady. I'd expect better. But all's not lost. I'll be more than happy to teach you two some manners, in my own way."
Aerith gave him a look of gratitude. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
"METERA!" (GF:V)
Posing quite promiscuously for the legion of males amidst the crowd. Metera grinned and kissed the cheeks of those cheering that were closest to her.
"Lovely sign, your sentiment is appreciated! Thank you! You're beautiful!"
Using her power of flight, Metera floated over the ropes and observed the fighters around her for a fight.
Oh. It looked like she entered at an inopportune time. There were no fights for her to join.
"Hmph. Whatever. I'll just spar with whomever comes out next! They should be a lot more fun than all of them!"
"ORBEETLE!" (PKMN)
More fun? Debatable. Interesting? Sure.
The crowd gave a mild cheer for the ladybug-like psychic Pokémon. Who while not privy to emote well, nodded it's head and flew down to the ring.
Metera studied the bug type once it flew over to her. Taking note of it's enlarged head.
"Cranium doubled in size? I hope that doesn't mean your all about books and typewriters. Old traditional things like that bore me. You're not gonna bore me are you?"
The Pokémon responded by picking her up with it's mind and flinging her into a turnbuckle.
Metera pushed herself off the corner with a smirk on her face. "That's more like it!"
(Dome; Restaurant)
Raine Whispers held a cup of tea in their hand. Uncertainty on their face. After all, this was a different realm and who knew how their body would react to another realms food?
After a couple seconds of stop and start attempts at sipping the tea, to no avail. Raine finally relented and whistled softly into the cup, the sound changing the structure of the hot beverage.
Satisfied, Raine took a sip. Smiling at the taste and sighing in relief that it didn't kill them. Now they could safely down a cup, and perhaps another.
"Excuse me! A refill please." Raine said to the passing server.
Said server smiled. "Of course." And poured the Bard witch another cup.
"Thank you." Raine whistled again into the cup and took a sip to their pleasure.
"Pardon me for saying, but I don't recall seeing you here before? Your entire node, in fact."
There goes their pleasure, not like they could blame the server for the inquiry, but still, the sudden change in the public reception of their node was annoying to say the least.
Still, Raine sighed and gave a nod. "Yes, I know. Not sure I still understand it though. I probably sound crazy, but we were here when all this began."
The server shrugged sympathetically. "I can't speak on that. Still, your a beloved node! Clearly you'll all get your due reaction when you enter the ring, right?"
Raine was going to agree. But out of the corner of their eye they spotted a figure that looked out of place here. A red-headed vampire, better known as Nitara.
The Bard Coven Leader watched her leave. Unable to shake the feeling that her presence here wasn't coincidental or had good intentions.
"Excuse me." Raine finished their cup and left a few snails for the tea. Then they made haste to the exit they just watched Nitara go through.
Only to stop when she heard her voice. Hiding behind the corner to the exit, she eavesdropped on the conversation she was having using some small amulet.
"The restaurant looks a secure place to set off one of the soul stealers. We can break the rock into fragments and interconnect all of them together." The vampire reported to whomever she was speaking with.
The figure who was being projected onto the amulet nodded. "Excellent. Continue scouting out more possible locations for the other soul stealers. Once we have an area, we can report to Quan Chi and Shang Tsung about our progress."
Nitara's expression changed to one more smug. "Is our other allies experiment working? The plant witch and her fox test subject?"
Raine gasped upon hearing the words 'plant witch,' which would unfortunately capture Nitara's attention. The vampire swiftly turned to face the wall Raine was hiding behind.
"I have to go, Havik. Go check up on Darrius and Sareena." Nitara hung up from her call. "Come on out, I know you're there. Whatever you heard, you need to un-hear all of it."
"Alright! You got me." Raine came out with their hands up. "Answer me this. Plant witch. You wouldn't be talking about Terra Snapdragon, would you?"
Nitara tilted her head to the side. "It was something along those lines." But then her posture grew more intense. "Not that it matters though. Because you're about to become a feeding ground."
Raine's glasses shimmered. "Not tonight." They summoned their violin, knowing now what they got into. "I can't let the rouge Coven leaders muck around where they don't belong. If that means making an enemy of your benefactor? Then put me in line."
(The Arena)
"URANUS!" (BR)
The mysterious blue-haired woman stood at the top of the entrance ramp. A look of serenity in her eyes, betraying the hungry look on her face.
She shook her head before long, getting those thoughts out. There was no time to ruminate, not with a tournament to win.
Unlike Meters before her, she wasn't going to opt to wait. No, she would go and bring the fight to someone else, and a simple process of elimination left her one target.
Electivire was finished recharging for the rest of the section, hopping off and peering to Uranus when she came over.
"Finished resting? Good, because you'll need it. Believe me. Hope you can provide a good fight."
To that Electivire grinned and pounded his fists, sparks flying from them.
"MATT THOLOMULE!" (TOH)
Another member of the new node, and like Edric. He turned behind him to the curtain, displeased.
"Wonder who shoved a stick up their butts? Our node was here yesterday with everyone else's! It shouldn't be a surprise when we enter, and it certainly shouldn't cause a riot! Funny as it was."
Mattholomule chuckled at the commotion he and Edric caused just by being there. He didn't know what was going on, but it was definitely a fun mess.
Entering the ring, Mattholomule's finger glowed, ready to smash some faces in with his construction magic!
But, sadly, he would follow Metera's lead from earlier. No one present was currently available for a fight.
Scrunching his face and sighing. Mattholomule turned back to the ramp and entrance curtain.
"What a way to start a tournament, and for my first time here!"
"HERO!" (SSB)
The Luminary swung his sword a few times in readiness for the section. With a nod to the crowd's cheers he held his sword up and rushed down.
Mattholomule yawned as he leaned against a stone construct. Watching the Hero come toward him, greeting him with a wave.
"Cool sword, bro. Wanna just get right into it?"
The Hero's vigor and eagerness dropped like an anchor. "You sound so bored. Are you sure you are truly up to fight?"
The young witch grinned mischievously. "Ha! You think I wouldn't stand here if I wasn't prepared!? Pfft. You have a lot to learn, and Professor Mattholomule would be more than happy to lecture you. Come on, man! Bring it!"
Eleven just shook his head tentatively. "Arrogant. Then I'll say you're in for a rude awakening. You forgot I have magic of my own."
Mattholomule's grin grew. "Oh, don't worry. I haven't forgotten."
"And now, the final fighter of this section and the first Second Chance fighter…"
"TERUKO TAWAKI!" (Danganronpa: Despair Time)
Ganondorf's face immediately swerved to the entrance ramp. This momentary lapse allowing JP to swipe his face with his cane, followed by Prishe kicking him in the face.
Teruko was not wasting any time with her Second Chance. Barreling down the ramp and into the ring.
Her vigor and spirit not faltering she continued running toward a certain warlock while continuing to pick up speed.
Ganondorf didn't even have time to register her arrival before he was downed again with a incredibly hard knee to the face.
"Nice, girl!" Prishe cheered.
JP crossed his arms. "Who in the World are you?"
Teruko pointed her glare towards the elderly businessman. "Someone. Who is going to kick both of your evil asses out of the Great White North!"
She immediately took Prishe's side, who couldn't help but smile when she did. And just as Ganondorf got back up.
"Of all the people to return… why did it have to be you!?"
Teruko scoffed. "You should just focus on not getting your ass kicked."
Prishe nodded in approval. "I like this one."