I finished up everything just a tad bit early, and I didn't feel like dropping it at midnight so I figured why not go at it early again? As said, I counted every vote I received up until now, so no worries! Also, I think I'll set a new precedent for this Second Chance deadlines. You'll see when we get there, for now? Enjoy the section and happy voting!
(The Arena)
The ten survivors were off doing their own thing still when the section had ended. After all, if these few minute intermissions between each one were going to be permanent. Then might as well take a moment to leisure.
There were those that took leisure as another meaning for friendly spar, like Ryoko and Hinako. And some who took it quite literally, like Teruko. However, all eyes went back onto the curtain once that familiar spotlight gave it its glow. The ten remaining survivors looked in anticipation at who it was that would enter next.
"MASKED RUBY!" (SC)
And cue the incredulous looks at the masked black hat-wearing, sabre-wielding ruby.
Not that it bothered the Masked Ruby of course, in fact he seemed to take it entirely the wrong way. "Ah, yes! Stunned silence at I, as well as my greatness! My quest for popularity must proceed me if I generate this much love from the public at large!"
With a confident pose and raise of his blade, the Masked Ruby hopped into the ring. It didn't look as if he was limited in his options for opponents, everyone seemed to drop what they were doing when he came in.
Still oblivious to the true reason behind all the silence, the Masked Ruby hopped on over to Skull, whose jaw was still open at the new arrival.
"Phantom Thief! I challenge thee to a duel! You'd be good to accept, because I would be challenging you anyway! Now, en garde!"
Skull blinked a few times. "Is this for real!?"
"MEITENKUN!" (KOFXV)
Not that the next fighter was any less eccentric. Clutching his pillow in his sleepy, semi-conscious state, Meitenkun yawned and groggily looked down to the ring.
The sleepy boy yawned again and wiped some sleep from his eyes, adjusting his grip on his pillow he stumbled on down to the ring. His perpetually relaxed demeanor meant the looks and cheers he got didn't faze him all that much.
No longer than a few seconds upon hitting the arena did Meitenkun's sleepy tendencies take hold of him. Yawning again, he collapsed to the ground in slumber.
At that moment, Fang rode over on his bike, like with Tails he was searching for another easy elimination and just by the looks of this guy did he think he was in for another one.
"Heh. Why join one of these if ya ain't going to fight? Honestly…" The jerboa said with a shake of his head as he reached for the sleepy teen's pillow.
Feeling movement on his pillow, Meitenkun bolted awake and tossed Fang into the air. Gripping his pillow back to him, he shot Fang a look when he landed.
"No, no, you can't have it. I need it… for sleep." He said in his sleepy, relaxed tone.
Fang peeled his face off the ground, sighing. "Somethin' tells me I wouldn't want to deal with you if you were fully awake."
"BIG THE CAT!" (StH)
The all too familiar big purple feline hummed a little tune to himself upon coming out onto the ramp. Though it was less because he was jovial and more to calm herself because he was nervous.
Big stepped down the ramp with that same nervous aura while turning to the frog on his shoulder. "Gee, Froggy. No matter how many times I enter one of these, I just can't seem to shake those jitters. But it'll be okay! Long as I know you're there, things will be just fine!"
For now, Fang wasn't in the position to really notice him enter, too caught in his fight to. However, once he saw Big, he made a mental note to approach him after he was done. Call it pride, but he didn't feel like asking the big lug for help.
Hinako finished her brief spar with Ryoko and rushed over to Big when he simply looked around with direction. Eagerly she waved her hand in greeting.
"Hello! You look like the type to enjoy sumo! Tell me, are you in training?"
Big cocked his head to the right in confusion. "Sumo? Oh, no. I'm just…"
Hinako wouldn't quite let him finish. "No? Well, allow me to show you and whip you into shape. Trust me, with your size and girth, you'll be a natural in no time!"
Big could only stare at her. Still very much confused.
"GORDEAU THE HARVESTER!" (UNI-B)
Despite what his name would likely imply, Gordeau came out with a carefree, relaxed look. One hand in his pocket, he just snapped his fingers to himself as he made his way down to the ring.
Ryoko, now left without an opponent, decided to try her luck at getting a new opponent with the new fighter. Approaching Gordeau, she waved. "Hello, Mister. I'm searching for an opponent, and was wondering if you were okay with being it?"
Gordeau raised an eyebrow, serious look on his face. Then he yawned and put a finger to the inside of his ear. "No need to be so formal, kid. I'm in no hurry, or have anyone in line waitin' here. So, yeah, I'll fight you."
Ryoko nodded her head with a smile. "Thanks, now get r-!" The judo girl yelped when Gordeau swung what appeared to be a giant purple scythe at her, which she barely managed to avoid.
The In-Birth chuckled. "What? Surprised? Keep on your toes, kid. Don't let that energy go to waste, if not? Then I'll make better use of it. Don't you worry."
"ORO!" (SFV-VI)
Holding a finger to his chin in thought while he looked out at the ring, Oro got out of his meditative stance and took a deep breath.
With a newfound loom of conviction the ancient hermit dashed as fast as he could into the ring. His few remaining hairs blowing in the wind, which was a rather unfortunate image.
Coming to a complete stop once he reached the ropes, Oro stepped in with quite carefulness. Then headed on over to his selected opponent… Omega.
The Team Dark robot stopped his buffing of the dent in his body and immediately aimed his machine gun at Oro. "Your bones will be too weary to resist. I can tell that you are well over a century old."
Oro nodded, smiling despite being insulted. "Will I now? Or will your mechanical work fall apart when I so much as land a hit? You are artificially bound to your level, no soul, and no hope for improvement!"
Omega served his head to one side and then the next. "You think I have no room for improvement? I am artificially superior, I can easily enhance my current output!"
The hermit hummed and clenched his fist. "Then show me!"
"VAAN!" (D:FF)
Now it was time to go back to Final Fantasy, specifically with XII and it's representative, Vaan. We say representative and not protagonist because… yeah.
The fact didn't seem to trouble him though, he was twirling his sword in his hands with a smile as he waved to the cheering crowd before him.
"Another adventure awaits! Time to face it head on!"
Putting his hand on the top rope, he launched himself using it into the ring. Where immediately landing would he be faced with B. Jenet, teasing smile on her face.
"So I hear you're a pirate, eh? Of the sky? Say, isn't the leader of the Security Team also a sky pirate?" Vaan fell back at the sudden inquiries, almost losing his balance if not for the rope.
"I'm an aspiring sky pirate, yeah. But why are you asking me all this?"
B. Jenet smirked. "Because I'm a pirate too! And I can't help but want us to have a little pirate duel. Land vs Air, let's go!"
Vaan would nod along, having decided to accept the challenge. "Sudden. But I won't shy down from a challenge!"
"And now, Mystery… Fighter… Number… SEVEN!"
"CLAUDIO SERAFINO!" (Tekken 8)
The dark-haired exorcist and next Mystery Fighter struck an eloquent pose on top of the ramp. Turning a teasing side eye to the legions of cheering fans, he bowed in front of a few certain females in front of him.
Saying a phrase in Italian to himself, he pulled his body straight and headed on down to the ring.
Edric was currently observing Teruko sleep, rubbing his hands together and glee while contemplating how he was going to perform his latest prank idea.
The answer was he wasn't going to get the chance, as Claudio would tap him on his shoulder and nearly sock him in the face when he turned around.
Edric ducked under the punch, thankfully. "What in the name of Titan!? Are you trying to ruin my complexion further!? You're lucky I'm a master of illusion magic!"
Claudio pulled his fist back as Edric got to his feet. "Yes, magic, befitting a witch from a realm of demons."
The teen witch immediately caught on to the exorcist's words. "Oh no, not again…" He said in woe.
(Hotel; 5th Floor; Sindel's Room)
"Explain yourself!" Sindel said to her intruder.
And got a huff and chuckle as a response. The intruder, now shown to be Lord Raptor, strummed his guitar with a hum while he walked up to her.
"Just lookin' for… a line. A way to keep in touch, I know you MK folk use those amulets. Shang Tsung wanted me to find one for him, so I could be reached and ensure he has eyes all over."
Sindel crossed her arms. "Unfortunately for you, I keep mine present at all times, so breaking and entering was a moot act from the start. Now tell me what it is the sorcerers are planning."
Raptor scoffed. "Like I gotta tell you anything, doll. Tell you what? Get outta my way and I'll keep your name outta my mouth when I report back to the big kahuna, deal?"
The undead zombie offered his hand to the queen, who just shot it down before kicking him into the wall.
"My answer is no." She said, before her hair grew larger and longer. Adopting a more wild look. "Now you will tell me what you know, or you will face the truth wrath of a Queen."
Raptor sat up and help his arms out. "Shang Tsung said you would be trouble, what better way to earn favor then to bring you in. Well, doll? Try not to fall behind, because this song is a doozy."
(The Arena)
"ASHANI!" (RR)
Adjusting her mechanical gauntlets and rotating her arm afterward. The amateur boxing woman let out a breath as she hopped up and down.
"We're only oh for one, right now. Still a lot of chances to score one, but if anyone is going to make it on the board for our node? I'd love for it to be me!" Ashani said with pride as she rushed her way to the ring.
Pumped up and ready to get to fighting, Ashani slid into the ring through the ropes and immediately took note of the decreasing amount of potential opponents with each new entry. So she had to make a choice and quick.
Thankfully, she already had a target in mind; Aerith. Nodding in confirmation she headed on over where the girl was still drawing onto the canvas.
The flower girl stood up from her drawing when the boxer came over, well that was a nice break. Time to get back to work!
Aerith got up to her feet, Guard Stick raised. She paid the dark-skinned woman a smile. "Love your look and outfit!"
Ashani nodded her head, smiling back at her. Then punched her fists together, causing sparks to fly from them. "Thanks! But now it's time to come through for Rushdown Revolt!"
"ETRIGAN THE DEMON!" (JLD)
Upon hearing the name of the next entrant, Claudio immediately turned his back toward the entrance ramp. While he was distracted, Edric immediately used this chance to slip from his grasp and run away.
The exorcist paid the fleeing witch no mind, his new quarrel was with this so called 'demon'. Wordlessly he walked over to where this individual entered.
Betraying Roxas' words, the person who entered the ring was not, in fact, Etrigan. But the human that he was bound to; Jason Blood.
Jason immediately gave the side eye to the approaching Claudio, who had his arms crossed. "You are a demon?"
A scoff from Jason. "Not quite. And just who might you be?"
Claudio lifted his head, narrowing his eyes. "An exorcist. Let me guess, you are under this demon's hold? Well then, allow me to exercise it from your body."
This time it was an amused chuckle. "That's rich. No exorcist worth their salt could tame and purge this particular demon from me."
Claudio shook his head. "Maybe because you haven't met me. Show me this demon, and I will do my best to remove him."
The red-haired man sighed. "I'm afraid you're playing with very uncontrollable flames. But this is a fighting tournament, and it looks like you're first in line. Very well."
Jason took a deep breath and got on all fours. "Change! Change! O' form of man! Free the prince forever damned!"
"Free the might from fleshy mire! Boil the blood in heart of fire!
A stream of fire enveloped around Jason, while Claudio looked on, expression a mix of stoic and determined.
"Gone! Gone! The form of man! Rise the Demon, ETRIGAN!" Jason screamed in pain as his body morphed into the hellish form of his other half.
Etrigan, now fully transformed, stood up and looked at Jason with a hellish smile. "Here you await with bated breath, for Etrigan to drag you into the murky depths!"
Claudio got into stance. "Give your host my regards, you are not the most elusive demon I have encountered. But I owe it to him to give purging you a damn good try, and like hell I will not do my absolute best."
"YUEL!" (GF:V)
Dancing a little at the top of the ramp, the young Erune kept her dancing streak up for a few seconds while she looked down onto the ring.
"Node's not doin' too hot, that's okay! So long as I'm here, I'll dance till the sun rises! Now time to sprinkle stardust on a certain pillow case!"
Finishing her dance, Yuel slipped under the bottom rope to enter the ring. Her eyes immediately darted to the sleeping Teruko. 'Tsk'-ing at her slumber, Yuel hopped on over and gently hopped her on the nose.
Teruko immediately threw her hand out to catch whoever dared wake her up, but she ended up missing and falling onto the ground. Yuel took this chance to climb up onto the turnbuckle in her place.
"Wakey! Wakey! Time to get back to the fight, Miss Tawaki! It ain't gonna fight itself!" She greeted to the now awake and groaning Teruko.
Hissing at the energy this girl gave off, Teruko stood up and grabbed Hero's sword. "Fine. But you're not getting off easy for waking me up, just so you know."
"WILLOW PARK!" (TOH)
"Oh, thank Titan! Finally! One of Mitten's friends shows up!" Sighed Edric in relief upon hearing the name being called.
Back to Willow herself, being a member of the 'Hexsquad' and one of the main characters of Owl House. She was naturally afforded thunderous cheers from the crowd. All of it caused her to blush and give cheerful waves to her cheering fans.
"Looks like there was no chance of us faltering in popularity. Even if our show concluded over a year ago!" Mused Willow to herself while she used her plant magic to carry herself to the ring.
As soon as she entered the ring, she would immediately be met with Edric, who had a pleading look on his face.
Willow crossed her arms. "What is it?"
Edric gave her a nervous laugh in response. "Look, you're a friend of Mittens, and well, this tournament is really tough. So I was thinking… we could team up?"
Willow look away, thinking over the idea. While leaving Edric to himself was tempting, in more than one way he was still a dearly beloved sibling of her friend. And it wouldn't go over well if anything happened to him, so…
The plant witch huffed. "Fine."
"NAGI!" (BR)
Walking out with a playful stride to her strut, the young woman Zoanthrope waved to the crowd with a smile. Despite her dark and brooding look, she gave off a very petite and playful vibe.
Cheerfully walking down and entering the ring with her hands behind her back, Nagi immediately set her eyes on Willow and Edric.
"A welcoming committee. How nice! Are you two both looking for a fight?" Nagi asked with a head cocked to the side.
"No!" Edric immediately said before he got an elbow to the ribs.
"Yes! Don't listen to him." Willow assured.
Nagi's look turned playful and mischievous again. "Then what are you waiting for? Oh, I know!" She said with that cheerful disposition before a light engulfed her.
Both Willow and Edric looked surprised when it was gone and they got a look at Nagi's Spurious form.
Nagi held up a blade arm, still smiling. "Hope this doesn't freak you out too much!"
Both witches shared a look.
"Eh, we've seen weirder." They said in unison.
"MIN MIN!" (SSB)
Shooting out her dual ramen arms in front of her, Min Min posed for the fans to even more applause. A fact which made her smile.
"Smash has done wonders for ARMS, and I am honored and proud to be the flag bearer for both us ARMS fighters, but also for my ramen noodle house!" She said, still smiling as she used her arms to grab onto the rope and vault herself in.
Min Min didn't hesitate to go over to help out Claudio with Etrigan when it appeared as though he had the exorcist on the ground. Launching her arm right into the demon's head, which then allowed Claudio to get up and deliver an uppercut to the demon.
Claudio glared at Min Min out of concern when she rushed to his side. "Thank you. But this is not your fight. Leave, find someone else."
The martial artist shook her head. "No, not leaving you to fight this demon alone. I'm not discussing it."
The Italian exorcist sighed. "If you so wish to put yourself at risk, then very well. You may help, but only because I know your mind is made up."
"And now, Mystery… Fighter… Number… EIGHT!"
"NINON BEART!" (King of Fighters: Maximum Impact)
Oh, well that's just great.
The gothic, darker dispirited younger sister of Mignon Beart gave a twirl as she stood on the top of the entrance ramp. A little smile was visible on her face, one that bled satisfaction.
"The host chose me over my sister to compete, that must mean some out there sees my potential." She said to herself before her eyes took aim at Claudio and Min Min's fight against Etrigan.
"My goodness, what have we here?" She asked rhetorically before teleporting away in a glint of purple light.
Etrigan kept his grin as he summoned his sword out of flame. "Two against one? Is this fate's design? Then I'm afraid your lives will be resign!"
"Hello, Etrigan." Greeted Ninon who appeared by his side.
Both Min Min and Claudio stood speechless at her name drop. "You know him!?" Min Min would be the one to question it.
Ninon rolled her eyes as Etrigan returned her greeting with a closed smile. "Do you think I am not aware of most demons? Etrigan was one of the first, and I don't think I appreciate you both double-teaming him. So I'm here now to even the odds."
Claudio turned back to Min Min. "Consider me grateful you decided to help me out. What with this new revelation."
(Dome; Restaurant)
"This cannot be right." Vyse said in regards to the restaurant.
Contrary to what was shown previous, the restaurant now seemed to be bustling with business. Food was being brought to the tables, drinks being poured, many different characters were being seated and overall it seemed to just be a normal restaurant.
And there was especially no sign of any out of place characters who looked to be in charge of the joint.
"We couldn't have been tricked." Soren said in mild disbelief, then he turned to the captive Darrius. "Hey! You said you knew who this witch was! Go on, point her out."
The man huffed and looked around, his eyes immediately deducing what had happened here. After a moment he shook his head. "Maybe I was mistaken? I don't see her anywhere."
Steve immediately brandished his bat threateningly. "Tell us. Which one. Is her."
Vanille immediately grabbed his shoulder. "Steve, wait. Something isn't right about all these people."
Luna pointed a finger up. "I can sense it too. The feeling being enclosed amongst others. I don't get that here. I also can't help but note how no one has battered an eye to us yet…"
Vyse absorbed their words and looked around them. They were right. Everyone currently in here hadn't paid any of them any mind, in fact, they seemed to completely lack the sense to acknowledge any of them.
Now convinced something suspicious was going on, Vyse reached out his hand to a passing server. His suspicions confirmed when his hand went right through her.
"These people are fake! Illusions." He turned and told his team, who all followed his example and got the same result.
"Damn it. The jig is up, Adrian!" Darrius called out, and one by one all the seeming residents of the restaurant disappeared. Except for a few.
Three of which looked to be the three witches who were running the place. The Adrian in question sipping from a cup of… black coffee. Annoyance registered on his face.
"Curse you all and your able minds!" He said at the team with a clenched fist.
"Where's Terra Snapdragon?" Vyse questioned with an intense state at the witch. Who just smiled and brought a hand to his compatriot next to him.
"That would be me, darlings. What can I do for you all?" She inquired in a sickeningly sweet voice.
Steve rolled his eyes. "Save it. Tell us what the hell kind of operation you guys are running he…!" He was interrupted by another voice coming from the other entrance.
"Oi!" A British Cockney accent exclaimed. Heathcliff soon coming into view flanked by the two young witches. "Got word that there was something nasty brewin' in this here restaurant. Came here, I did, to see what's what."
Terra growled, to which Heathcliff immediately picked up on it. "Well now, doesn't seem like I'm in the wrong place after all. And I'm not leaving until I get my answers. Oh." He looked back to Derwin and Amber. "And I got a missing person's case. Goes by the name of Raine Whispers."
Vitimir, who had this point had been silent and unassuming to everyone present, let out some strange green gas from his mouth and turned to his two fellow witches. "Terra!"
It was at this moment that Terra pulled out some sort of amulet. "Shang Tsung! We're nearly compromised! Send in the reinforcements!"
A voiced chuckled from the amulet. "I had a feeling. So I sent some there to tail these 'heroes'. Dispose of them and wipe their memory."
Just then two figures appeared in each entrance to the restaurant. These two being Wizzro and Zant from the Hyruke Warriors node. Not only that but the two remaining people that weren't currently in the conversation, Cassie Cage and Mighty the Armadillo, stood up and robotically took to the witch villains side.
This didn't go unnoticed by Vyse. "The dead looks in their eyes… your brainwashing people here!"
Terra chuckled and twirled a finger through her hair. "That you are, boy. Too bad you won't live to tell anyone."
The seven villains, including Darrius, begun to circle the heroes. Heathcliff immediately got his bat out and lead Derwin and Amber to huddle up against the security team.
Soren took note of it and immediately adjusted his grip on the unconscious Sareena still on his shoulder. "So, looks like whatever this is. We're all in it together?" He then motioned to Sareena. "Excluding her, oh and I have a great idea of who she can be helpful though."
Vyse and Heathcliff shared a look, then the Sinner looked back to Soren with a nod. "Looks like it. Oh well, it's a great chance to finally bash some proper heads in, yeah?" He said to Steve with a smile.
Steve smiled back. "Hell yeah!"
Waiting no longer, the two sides broke off and began fighting. Kicking off this restaurant showdown.
(The Arena)
"STORM THE ALBATROSS!" (StH)
The white-feather bruiser of the Babylon Rouges came out to their usual lukewarm reception. This time though, Storm opted to ignore it and pumped his fists together.
"Alright! This could be it! This could be the one where we dominate! I believe, just gotta…!"
He would be interrupted by the sound of someone above him clearing their throat. Looking up he would see Storm looking down at him.
"You bear the same name as my X-Men alias? Is it your birth name?" She asked rather curiously.
Storm gulped, still unsure of her intent and him not wanting any part of her. "Yes."
Ororo simply nodded her head. "I see. Shall we begin our little contest to see whose Storm rages more?"
And there it was. The ask, and all Storm's confidence began to circle the drain. He knew he had no choice but to nod.
"SQUALL LEONHART!" (D:FF)
Another representative, this time the cool, stoic protagonist of VIII, Squall. Who looked just as stoic as ever, gunblade hoisted on his shoulder as he walked briskly to the ring. He shot a look up toward Rinoa somewhere in the stands and very briefly shot her a very small smile.
As soon as he got in, he immediately noticed an unfortunate little wrinkle in things; no immediate opponent, and he wasn't in the mood to interrupt anyone currently.
"Figures." Squall said with a sigh, setting the gunblade on his shoulder again he turned toward the entrance ramp to whoever came out next.
"SHEEVA!" (MK)
Okay! This one could be interesting. Squall briefly hummed just a tiny bit in curiosity.
Another unchanged fighter in the Mortal Kombat series; the crowned Queen of the Shokan, Sheeva. With a mildly positive response to her arrival, the four armed woman made her way down to the ring.
She decided not to leave Squall hanging, immediately walking up to him in acceptance of his unspoken challenge. "You court one who is a princess in all but name, do you not?"
Squall would close his eyes while thinking of a response to that question. When he opened them again his next words were… "Who can say really, Your Highness. But you didn't come here to inquire about my relationships." He said before pointing the gunblade at her. "You came here to fight."
Sheeva nodded. "In an effort to truly show my subjects what it means to be a feared warrior. I wish only that they remain so in the future, and not let luxury and wealth leave them complacent. Defeating you will be a good first example."
Squall tilted his head a little while getting into stance. "Don't get carried away, Your Highness."
"ABIGAIL!" (SFV-VI)
Coming out to a mixed, though mostly negative reception was Abigail, the former Mad Gear muscle beat his chest a few times upon finally making it through onto the ramp. His loud roar to the crowd did little to improve his already decisive reception.
Eh, wasn't like he cared one way or the other. He was way too self-indulgent at the moment for that. So he just paced himself down the steps to the ring. Leaping in and leaving a small crater where he landed. Roxas mumbled in the Announcer's Booth about how that would take forever to get out.
Teruko swung her sword at Yuel, who deflected the blade and was going to respond with one of her own when a giant tire came out of nowhere. She yelped and slashed it in half quickly.
The tire had just barely managed to avoid hitting Teruko, who was less than thrilled herself at nearly getting socked. Annoyed, she turned her back to face the guilty party.
"Was that a threat?"
Abigail laughed. "No, that was me inserting my way into this little scrap! Getting rid of you two little girls will be as easy as fixing a internal combustion engine!"
Teruko turned to Yuel. "Temporary truce?"
"Sure!"
"DOLORES!" (KOFXV)
Emerging from a spill of holy mud, the Malian hermit took a gander out at the ring, adjusting her glasses while doing so.
"I sense something is in disarray with the current flow of fate." She looked out all around the Arena at this. "Someone wishes to bring forth chaos and destruction to the balance of fate's design. This will require further investigation later."
She had made a mental note in her head to do so. But now wasn't the time for such things. There was a tournament to attend to, forming back into her mid she slipped under the ropes and reemerged inside.
A curious look came upon her when her eyes darted to Ororo and Storm's fight. Manipulating her puddle of mud under them she shot some upward and formed it into a spike to catch their attention.
"Do you have matters to attend to here?" Ororo asked the hermit, to which she received a nod.
"I do, Ororo Munroe. Your nature of carrying out Mother Nature's will is something I wish to share. Please. If you and the albatross would be to allow me to experience your power first hand?"
Ororo turned to the still dazed Storm, and then back to Dolores, well no harm in doing so, right?
Storm gave her a welcoming hand. "Observe. And show me how strong your resolve is to Mother Nature is."
"And now, the final fighter of this section and the third Second Chance fighter…"
"JOKER!" (SSB)
Still as stylish as ever, the Phantom Thief twirled both his dagger and gun before throwing them into the air and catching them while striking a pose. The crowd went wild for the move and his return.
Motioning his signature running pose, he immediately got to work running off into the ring. Doing another little flourish of flips and spins before landing.
He knew pretty quickly where he was going, from one Phantom Thief to another, he wasn't going to leave them hanging.
Skull used his pipe to block each slash attempt by the Masked Ruby. He was holding him well so far, but then the red gem parried a blow and delivered a few swipes to his chest.
As Skull held his chest, the Masked Ruby raised his sabre and got ready to deliver another blow… when Joker's dagger swiped him off his balance. He then rushed to help Skull up.
"Hey, man! You're back!" Skull said with wide eyes.
Joker nodded and straightened his glove again with a smirk. "A minor setback. And now the little imp isn't here. But it looks like we have a new assignment."
The Masked Ruby stood back up and looked between the two with a smile of his own. "Ha! TWO Phantom Thieves! What an honor to bear witness to such greatness! Fighting you both will surely bolster my popularity further. I can see it now!"
Both Skull and Joker stood back up, ready to bring the combined assault to this…. talking… gem… thing.