BGM-Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 OST-Take You for a Ride (Rock Mix)
Ruby: Hi! My name is Ruby Rose, leader of Team RWBY! We launched our final assault on the Iron Hydra Empire. Heard Iron Queen and the Paladin Hulkbusters are beaten. And the Presidents and Blake's Parents were saved. Know she'll be happier once she beats Adam Taurus. That just leaves the Mandarin. Huh? He's powering up with the Heart of Darkness! That can't be good, for us.
BGM End
Volume 1 Finale: Smash Hydra! (Act 2)-Lord of the Ten Rings
Mandarin's Throne Room, Imperial Palace. Iron Hydra Island, Unified World (7 Days Since the Convergence)
BGM-Street Fighter x Tekken OST-Pandora's Box -Divination-
A massive glyph hovers in the red skies above Iron Hydra Island. A light, born from the Heart of Darkness, that S.T.R.I.K.E. is fighting so intensely to turn off. The Mandarin will not allow it. Firing a concussive blast from his Influence Ring at the leader of the opposition, who happens to be his greatest enemy. The Invincible Iron Man. The Armored Avenger jumped over the blast, just for Mandarin to catch his midair figure with the magnetic force of his Daimonic Ring, using him like a bat that smacks away some of his allies. Weiss Schnee wasn't one of them, unleashing a wave of ice pillars that her foe blocks with the flames of his Incandescence Ring. Like the intimidating menace that he is, Mandarin walks out of the flames unharmed. He then threatens the heiress, saying, "Ten Rings! A thousand ways to die!", before all ten of his glowing rings fire a devastating blast that Weiss wouldn't have survived if it weren't for Ruby Rose tackling her to safety.
"Just need two fists to shut you up!" snarked America Chavez, flying at him with high-speed attacks that Mandarin clashes against using masterful martial arts.
"Pair up and be swift with the attacks. Assist when necessary." Sally Acorn ordered her team on their counterattack.
"Be careful. He likes to be tricky with those rings." Iron Man warned everyone.
"Indeed. Let me demonstrate." Mandarin retorted, using his Spin Ring to burst out a windy vortex that knocks America into the air for his Lightning Ring to electrocute, swiftly before slamming gravity down on the poor alien with the Daimonic Ring.
"Tatsumaki Senpukyaku!" Ryu shouted, tagging in with the attack that knocks off Mandarin's concentration for a second. He goes an energized Shoryuken, slower in execution compared to the crimelord's speed with his Incandescence Ring. Thankfully, and swiftly, America supports him with a Star Portal that transports him behind Mandarin after he fired the flames. "HADO SHORYUKEN!" He shouted, knocking the criminal into the air.
His Spin Ring keeps him suspended in midair while his Zero Ring freezes the two heroes for a short while. Suddenly, Mandarin is webbed and thrown to a rocky punch from The Thing by Spider-Man. Launched into a combined flurry of blows from the speedsters, Sonic and Ruby, who then knock him into being frozen himself by Jin Kisaragi. Giving Qrow Branwen time to launch a fierce dashing slash that looked to have cut him into two. The ice shatters. And from within the mist is Mandarin laughing. Unfazed by their incredible team attacks before blowing them all away with his Spin Ring.
"You cannot faze me!" Mandarin boasted, using his rings' energy to block Winter Soldier's rifle bullets.
"Sure this will tickle." Iron Man quipped, morphing his arms into hard-hitting hammers that strike his nemesis twice before the nanoparticles reform into wings that rain down repeated missile strikes. "Now would be a good time to call your Master buddies for an assist. Daddy Doom must be anxious to check this place out before the demolition." He joked.
"I left Doom's band of miscreants weeks ago after I attempted to become their leader. Needless to say, Doom took offense to that and forced me out." Mandarin revealed, using his Liar Ring to mess with their heads by making them see clones of himself.
"That's when you took over Hydra. To get revenge." Weiss realized, hitting an illusion.
"After the Convergence, I further grew in power by manipulating the Iron Dominion and the White Fang into my cause," Mandarin says, hitting Sally with the Influence Ring. "I shall have my vengeance on all that dared to disrespect me," Then striking Bucky with the Lightning Ring. "Both you and the Masters of Evil!" He declared, whilst burning Weiss with the Incandescence Ring.
"C'mon, don't be like that. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Let's get along by telling us about their Project X Zone." Spider-Man quipped, using his Spider-Sense to find the real crimelord and kick him so hard it ends the illusion.
"Doom is a shortsighted fool if he thinks HE can rule a perfect world, much less create one! Only I have the qualities to rule a unified utopia!" Mandarin retorted, angrily blinding the spider with the light of the Daimonic Ring before blasting him through the throne room with the Influence Ring.
"Really sucking at it." snarked Ruby, tripping him with her scythe and having Kisaragi freeze him briefly with an icy wolf head before Thing clobbers him aback.
So far, it doesn't seem like any of their attacks are doing any damage to Mandarin. Like he has become invincible. Even Iron Man's powerful repulsors fall victim to reflection by his unbreakable energy barrier. "Your puny weaponry is ineffective against me, STRIKE. The power of the Heart fills me with a strength beyond your comprehension. I will defeat you with one pinky's worth." Mandarin boasted, easily overpowering Sonic, then Qrow, then America, in close-quarters combat.
"He's right. We've just been wasting ammo." Winter Soldier stated.
"If this is the Heart's fault, let's just break it." Sonic suggested.
The Blue Blur launches a Spin Dash straight at the Heart of Darkness in hopes it will be destroyed and weaken the Mandarin. Unfortunately, it had no effect, and Sonic was repelled through the air. Physical attacks didn't work, so Iron Man tries energy attacks next, but even his efforts proved fruitless. "It's impervious. This isn't good." Iron Man noted.
Tony's attention is drawn back to Mandarin firing a powerful ring blast that he is forced to engage with his repulsors. Their clash is intense. Bright. Making it hard to see Mandarin about to overpower his armored rival.
BGM End
But then, several energy blasts rain the battlefield that suddenly disrupt their beam struggle, pushing the heroes and Mandarin aback from each other. "What?" Mandarin exclaimed, with he and the heroes wondering who just struck at them.
BGM-King of Fighters XIII OST-The Second Joker
"Well look at what I've found myself in. A reunion with rivals and traitors." The voice of Grimadoom the Hedgehog captured everyone's attention. They all turn to find the Superior Hedgehog standing atop a pillar like the arrogant badass that he is. "Finally this merged rock produces a decent challenge for me to utterly stomp." Grimadoom said, his smirk oozing with ego.
"Another hedgehog?" Jin Kisaragi questioned.
"It's Grimadoom!" The shocked Ruby announced.
"That's Grimadoom?" America remarked, having heard of the destructive bio-android in her travels across the multiverse.
"Was wonderin' when you'd show up." Sonic said, acting casual with his unexpected appearance.
"Like you, I was having fun exploring this new world when I sensed a great power emanating from this place." Grimadoom replied, staring at the Heart of Darkness. Its power is immense. Enough to make him reach the next stage of absolute strength. His stern gaze then shifts to Mandarin, mocking him with, "To see it under your unworthy hands disgusts me, Mandarin."
"Begone, Grimadoom! I will not allow Doom's attack dog ruin my moment of triumph!" Mandarin retorted, firing a ring blast that is effortlessly deflected by the hedgehog clone.
"Watch your tongue, jeweler. No one is telling me what to do. That Heart will be mine and mine alone," Grimadoom warps to the ground in order to confront the Iron Hydra Leader personally, "But I can read you won't give it up without a fight. Fine by me. I want to see its power firsthand, even if it's from lowlife trash. Your death will serve only to further my evolution!" He declared, taking over this fight by unleashing an earthquakingly powerful dark aura that is eager to utterly dominate the Mandarin.
BGM End
Meanwhile…
BGM-Mega Man X5 OST-X vs. Zero (Remix by Breis)
The battle of the oil tanker is in the middle of featuring the most climactic duel between Faunus in recorded history. Blake Belladonna versus Adam Taurus. Both utilizing their respective Cross Power to the fullest, Shadowbending and Shadow Matter. Darkness collide in fearsome ways as the transformed Shadow Taurus fires his Ether Blades at lightning speed and Blake construct wings to fly over them before firing dark energy blasts that are absorbed by her former partner's Wilt sword. Both Faunus blitz each other whilst taking their fight high above the tanker, leading to Taurus utilizing his Moonslice Semblance to unleash the absorbed energy as a powerful sword slash that Blake blocks with a dark barrier.
"We are both using the shadows to fight. Can't you see, Blake? You are WASTING your potential on this huntress crap! Return to my side so the Faunus can cement their supremacy onto this world!" Shadow Taurus argued, trying to manipulate her like he's done in the past.
"I've chosen my side." Blake retorted calmly, as the Moonslice penetrates her barrier and slashes a clone created by her Shadow Semblance. The real Blake reappearing alongside two more clones to surround Taurus. All three utilizing claw constructs that blitz him.
"It'd be pointless returning to a dead man." One of Blake's supporters in this fight is Scarlet Spider transformed by his Spirit of Vengeance. The Spirit Spider appears above the bull with a brutally flaming punch to the mask that knocks him down the air. He chases after him, engaging in a brief skydiving showdown that ends with Taurus impaling the spider to the ground with Wilt. Taurus smiles, thinking he killed him. Then his face is struck with horror from watching Kaine pulling himself upward and off the blade like the spider-demon he is, bleeding hellfire that doesn't bother him one bit as he's more focused in shooting his glowy eyes of intimidation at the High Leader.
"W-What are you?" Taurus asked.
Laughing sinisterly from his confident smirk, Kaine retorts, "I told you before. You're not the only one with the powers of a devil.", before igniting the wide floor they're standing on. Kaine is immune to his own hellfire. Taurus is not, forced to take flight and become more intimidated by the endless webs that have burst from the Shadow Arachnid to hunt him down. "Become a slave to my Hell!" His webs are shot down by Taurus's Blush, then his Ether Blades when the rifle proved ineffective. Suddenly, the other support tags in to fight Taurus. Mega Man X equipped in his Blade Armor. The Maverick Hunter strikes him with his arm-blade before landing on a webbed platform. Then launches his Special Weapon Rush, throwing a barrage of Sonic Slicers and Boomerang Cutters that pass through Taurus deconstructing himself into a dark cloud of vapor. "Catch!" Spirit shouted, igniting Wilt and throwing it through the vapor, with the hellfire striking his soul that forces him back to his Shadow form. But that's not all, as Blake catches the sword for some dual-wielding action. Utilizing her Ferocious Beast technique to overwhelm Taurus with a flurry of slashes before X's Charge Shot smashes him to the unbreakable binds of Kaine's large web net. With a disappointing scoff and a clenching hand gesture, Kaine ignites the webbing, causing it to explode and seemingly obliterate Taurus.
Surprisingly, Shadow Taurus survived. Regenerating from his own vapors behind Kaine and encasing him in a cyclone made of countless ethereal blades. He recovers Wilt from Blake and empowers it with his darkness before slicing Kaine's arm off, all in rapid succession. "Scarlet!" Blade Armor X shouted, watching his one-armed friend being kicked through several storage containers.
"He'll be okay. Focus on Adam." Blake assured him.
"How can you have so much faith in these bugs?" Taurus wondered, using his large wings to block the cat's energy blasts. "They're weak, the Faunus are stronger, yet WE'RE the ones that are suffering!" He manifests a tentacle that grabs and throws Blake at X, who was about to attack from behind. "Look at him!" He points at the downed Kaine. "Living proof that humans are nothing but demons!" He claimed, teleporting behind his two foes to turn himself into a furious sawblade that his enemies are struggling to deflect with their respective blades.
"It's their souls that I admire! All people grow stronger when they are united! When they share their dreams with each other! It's what helped him beat the Devil," Blake argued, finding the strength to repel her monstrous rival, "Wish you were able to conquer your own demons."
"That's why I'm trying to exterminate mankind! To kill you for leaving me! For HURTING ME!" Taurus retorted, stabbing unique Ether Blades into both foes that are siphoning the life from them in order to boost his own monstrous strength.
"I'm sorry for whatever you suffered through, but your blind rage won't save anyone." X refuted, using his willpower to break free from the Ether Blade's effect and using his Yammer Option weapon to attack Taurus with robotic dragonflies.
Unfortunately, the dark faunus absorbs their firepower with his Semblance and prepares to re-emit it as a devastating sword blast. But then, "Spirit Control!", his Semblance is neutralized, much to Taurus's shock. His Aura was disabled too. And he already knows who to blame for this. Spirit Spider. Back on his feet with his missing arm just casually regenerating.
"Is there ANYTHING that can kill you?!" Taurus snapped, fed up with Kaine's persistence.
"Plenty of things. I just walk it off after a while." Kaine quipped.
From his infuriated roar, Taurus rushes at the spider with a frantic onslaught that uses both Wilt and his Ether Blades. Kaine decides to flex on him upon folding his arms with a taunting smirk, parrying his raging strikes with the calmness of his spider-legs. He goes a step further by using Spirit Control to secretly siphon Adam's lifeforce in order to recharge his friends. The bull becomes exhausted, easy for Kaine to impale him with his wrist stinger and blast him back with a terrifying point-blank Hellweb Breath.
"Hey, Adam! Toro toro!" Blake grinned, performing her own taunt by flaunting a red towel she found at her ex-partner.
"You're becoming a joke!" Taurus snarled, falling for the taunt by cleaving both the towel and the Blake clone. Allowing X to hit him with a Charge Shot.
"That would be you," The real Blake emerges to further taunt him, "Olé! Didn't think you'd fall for that."
"When did you…get cocky…?" Shadow Taurus wondered, devolving to his weakest state yet.
"When she finally decided to take out the trash from her past." Scarlet snarked.
"Scarlet, X, let's finish this!" Blake declared.
"RIGHT!" Both friends retorted with determination.
Shadows, fire, and limitless potential unite for the finishing attack on Shadow Taurus. Kaine, using his flaming stingers to pummel him before teleporting behind his desperation attack to kick him away. X, using his saber to release two giant shockwaves that slam the bull through the sky. Finally, Blake, with her ultimate technique called Black Death. The Shadow Huntress kicks her rival further into the air and slashes him with both her sword and cleaver, before flying above him and delivering a spinning strike with her sickle empowered by darkness as she drives him back down into the ground with a mighty cry. The shadows consume Taurus upon the explosive impact, dissolving away like dust in the wind that reveals the bull has returned to his original form. Powerless with a broken mask that expresses his defeat.
BGM End
Blake stands triumphant before the bull that was once her mentor. Her partner. Her lover that tried to use her to fulfill his own malicious agenda. Adam Taurus is beaten, sitting on his bloody knees. Yet despite his injuries, the embarrassment he just suffered through, he continues with the manipulation, "You still fight for a failed dream…Join me, Blake. Together, we shall conquer humankind."
"The dream hasn't failed. Humans and Cross-Species will find a way to coexist peacefully." Blake refuted calmly.
Taurus just scoffs, "Just as Magneto warned me…You have become like that fool Xavier. A bigger fool than your father."
Blake just walks away from him. Disgusted by how far the bull has fallen. Not paying attention to his continued goading, "Walk away. I rather perish alone than be in your weak-willed presence.", that hides him getting back up, with Wilt in hand, for one final desperation attack.
Taurus strikes Blake with a fatal dashing stab to the back. Or so he thought. He didn't hit Blake. And it wasn't another of her clones he just struck. No. He just stabbed someone that Blake trusted would come to her defense in the event of this deceitful blow. A monster beyond heaven and hell. The Terrifying Spirit Spider. Who stood unfazed by his cowardly attack while eerily lifting him up to his eyes by the throat. "If you insist." Kaine said solemnly. Manifesting his spider-eyes to unleash his Penance Stare on the sinful faunus.
"AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGHHH…!" Taurus yelled out in absolute, horrific agony. His mind being buried under the colossal weight of all of his sins. Suffering how his victims suffered until his mind is ruined by their pain. Kaine then drops him once he finished the deed. Leaving the New High Leader of the White Fang lying on the ground as a lifeless husk.
"Hmph." Spirit Spider just lets out a scornful grunt at him. At last Sienna Kahn is avenged. At last, Kaine has redeemed himself for putting the White Fang in this position.
"Is he…dead?" Blade Armor X asked with a horrified look, watching the spider remove Wilt from his chest and tossing it aside.
"That's for his sins to decide." Kaine answered sternly, implying Taurus is still alive but won't be a threat to the world for a long time.
From an upper walkway, Hawkeye just arrowed several Iron Hydra Soldiers when he noticed Taurus's defeat. "Good job, kids. We're rounding things up ourselves. That just leaves Mandarin." Hawkeye congratulated the trio.
Kaine acknowledges the archer with a nod. But his attention suddenly focuses on Blake falling to her knees while crying her eyes out. Blake may have hated Adam for all the pain he put her through. But he was her partner. A part of her can't help but feel remorseful for his defeat. X hugs her. Comforting her in vain. It wasn't until the cat was surprised from being shown a web-made handkerchief by a sincere Kaine in his normal form that she starts to calm down. She accepts it, blowing her nose with the handkerchief before smiling her thanks at the anti-hero, "Thank you…for believing in me."
"Y-Yeah, well…Blame my DNA for having a soft spot for black cats. And redheads." Kaine replied, albeit shyly to hide the fact his heart has also grown a genuine fondness of the faunus. Blake realizes that right away as she gives her spider-friend a big hug. Shocked and uncomfortable at first, Kaine gives in to his feelings and hugs her back. Cementing their friendship born from darkness and atonement.
Back at Mandarin's Throne Room…
BGM-Street Fighter X Tekken OST-Pandora's Box -Emission-
"GAMMA SMASH!"
Grimadoom had formed a volatile energy ball in his hand that he intends to smash into Mandarin's chest. The attack missed, resulting in the ground being smashed with tremendous gamma power that it nearly destroys all of Iron Hydra Island. The icy lands cracked, and the Imperial Palace is partially collapsing around STRIKE and Iron Hydra forces that were in the middle of fighting each other. The throne room, especially, is suffering from the intense showdown between Grimadoom and Mandarin.
"Watch it! There are other people on this island!" Qrow Branwen shouted at the two villains.
Mandarin is still empowered by the Heart of Darkness and uses its vast energies to fire a powerful energy blast from five Makluan Rings. "Photon Absorber!" Grimadoom gestured, channeling a swirling cosmic aura that completely absorbs the attack. He uses the increased power to teleport around the crimelord in a godlike fashion until he catches him off-guard for a high-speed combo of devastating blows. A split-second break from the combo allows the Ring Lord to blind him with his Daimonic Ring so his own martial arts can affect him. But he forgets Grimadoom has the DNA of multiple heroes. His inherited Spider-Sense allows him to clash evenly with Mandarin's strikes while blinded, then magically manifests a large Hulk fist to strike his back and knock him into being kneed upwards by Grim, before pummeling him further with countless Hulk Fists and burying him under rubble using telekinesis.
Took a few seconds for Mandarin to free himself using the explosive energy of his Nightbringer Ring. That same ring seamlessly traps Grimadoom in an area of pure darkness where he sees nothing but disintegration beams fired from the Spectral Ring that he dodges at light speed. "I know the Convergence has weakened even YOU, Grimadoom! You stand no chance against me!" Mandarin taunted him from outside the darkness.
"Just want to play with you a little." Grimadoom smirked, deflecting the beams swiftly before unleashing a burst of his Cosmic Chaos Magic that dispels the darkness. Mandarin is unveiled, his shocked face and everything. From his smirking chuckle, Grim paralyzes him with his psionics and uses a Spin Dash to smash him through statues until he hits a wall.
"Uh, should we be helping?" The confused Ruby wondered.
"Which one? I don't like either of 'em." The Thing quipped.
"Shadow Scythe!" Grim then conjures his dark mechanical scythe and tries decapitating Mandarin with it. Only for the villain to warp away from the attack and hit him with the power of all ten rings that manages to keep the hedgehog down. Grim was struggling to stand up on his own when he notices the comatose James Rhodes linked to the Heart of Darkness. He grabs his leg to help him stand back up, unknowingly using him as a conduit that allows Mandarin's energy to disable his throne. Breaking his connection to the Heart of Darkness, and thus, weakening it.
BGM End
"NO!" Mandarin exclaimed, flabbergasted by what just happened.
"The throne shorted out. Rhodey!" Iron Man noted, before rushing to untie his best friend from the throne.
"Ugh…What happened?" Rhodey groaned, finally awake.
"Grimadoom showed us the way to destroy the Heart of Darkness," Sally Acorn proclaimed, "We must turn its own energy back at it!"
"How?" Weiss Schnee asked.
"I have a plan. And it's gonna need you, Ice Queen." Stark said, looking at the determined heiress.
BGM-Marvel Ultimate Alliance OST-Valley of Spirits (Forbidden Passage)
In the midst of Grimadoom and Mandarin clobbering each other, Miss America chimes in with a flying uppercut that knocks the Iron Hydra Leader through some debris. "You want to interfere with me again, child?" Mandarin scowled.
"Punching you is way too fun." America Chavez smirked.
Irritated, Mandarin fires a powerful blast that she evades by fleeing into a Star Portal. She returns to land a surprise spinkick that knocks back the terrorist before opening another portal to a dimension of pure concussive force which obliterates everything in its wake. With Mandarin being blasted across the large snowy throne room.
"That power…" The intrigued Grimadoom stares at the alien powerhouse, "You're affiliated with an Exo Stone I never encountered before. The Star Stone?"
"Good guess." America snarked, before she and Grim come under fire by Mandarin's many rings.
Meanwhile, Iron Man sits on the empty throne Rhodey was on as he readies to put his plan into motion. Part of Weiss's role is to grab Mandarin's attention, which she does by tapping into Eldritch Magic and hurtling Tao Mandalas strong enough to annoy him. "He's got his eyes on us! And they don't look happy!" Weiss announced.
"Then lets combine Starktech with Schnee Magic and turn off the darkness." Stark quipped, wearing the headband that connects his lifeforce to the Heart of Darkness.
"My glyphs are NOT magic!" Weiss retorted, using her Semblance to infuse the active headband with a Glyph.
"You have meddled with the cosmic forces, and for THAT you shall PAY!" Mandarin said to them menacingly.
The Ring Lord blasts a fist of rings at full power at the two heroes trying to disrupt his plans. Unaware of their own plan that requires his power. Weiss absorbs the blast with a Glyph, using herself as a conduit that transfers the energy into the Glyph-infused headband, which transfers the extra energy into the Heart of Darkness via Iron Man's connection. All this energy is overloading the Heart as it begins to crack. In danger of exploding. "Nooooooo!" Mandarin yelled, realizing too late that he has been tricked as he cannot stop himself from feeding the orb. The intensity of this tactic is pushing Iron Man to his limits. More of the throne room is collapsing in on itself, prompting the other heroes, even Grimadoom, to brace themselves. "YEAAAAAAARGH! MY HEART!" Mandarin screams out his pain and horror. Watching his Heart of Darkness unable to endure the energy and explode into a massive blinding light that consumes the whole chamber.
BGM End
The giant dark glyph that was hovering above Iron Hydra Island is disappearing thanks to the Heart's destruction. That's not all. The Convergium Fog that had covered most of the Unified World is dissipating too. All the civilians that were brainwashed by its influence are returning to sanity. The Grimm that were enhanced by it are dying as well. Worldwide, STRIKE and all the saved victims are celebrating their liberation from the Mandarin's control. Back at the throne room, the machine that was harnessing the Heart was destroyed in the explosion. Which means Ozpin and Rouge the Bat are now free from being its batteries forever.
"The Heart of Darkness is no more…The planet is safe." Ozpin stated, with Rhodey helping him stand.
"That's just great." Grimadoom shrugged, expressing his disappointment in failing to steal the Heart's power for himself. The Superior Hedgehog then teleports off the island, having no other reason to stick around.
"Grima!" Sonic shouted, too slow to reach out and convince him to stay longer.
BGM-Marvel Rivals OST-Rivals 'Til the End (Main Theme)
The Iron Hydra Empire has all but fallen. There is just one thing left to do. Defeat Mandarin. Who emerges from the rubble he was buried under to confront Iron Man and his team determined to take him down this time. "Lights are back on, Mandy. You should be able to see that you don't stand a chance anymore." Stark taunted him.
"I see you are blind. I still have an ace-in-the-hole." Mandarin snarled, with his Remaker Ring glowing ominously.
Using the Ring that can manipulate matter, Mandarin alters his appearance into that of his backup weapon. Hi-tech armor using technology stolen from Starktech and OzSchnee. It is very samurai themed. Very imposing with its gold and black paintjob, with Dust both powering it and connected to the central Convergium Crystal that enhances his Ten Rings. Behold. The Iron Mandarin Armor.
"Finally, you put on a shirt." Rouge the Bat joked.
"Abusing our tech to the bitter end." Iron Man glared.
"Should be enough to dispose of all you interlopers. Let us END this, STRIKE!" Iron Mandarin challenged them to a final showdown.
"With pleasure!" Weiss accepted passionately, leading the last charge against the Supreme Hydra.
Iron Mandarin fires a rapidfire barrage of ring blasts that Qrow blocks with the hex energy of his Cross Art, which is then flown over by Rouge who strikes her kidnapper with a Screw Kick. The bat's kicks work together with Thing's punches as they try overwhelming the tyrant. It didn't work as his Rings overpower them, prompting Qrow to launch a new combo by throwing his spinning sword and tricking Mandarin into thinking it was meant for him when it's meant for Winter Soldier, who catches the morphing scythe to strike the terrorist in the back. Mandarin flies to the air, catching a breather before bombarding the battlefield with energy blasts. But a moment before that, Stark whistles in some protection from the Tricarrier for Rhodey to wear. The bombardment struck and the arena is covered in smoke, but Mandarin can still catch a light emerging from within it.
"You're not the only one with new armor!" Rhodey quipped, flying out of the smoke in his new War Machine Armor: Mark IV.
Missiles and guns from multiple sections of Rhodey's armor occupy Mandarin's defenses, leaving him defenseless against Miss America emerging from a portal above and smashing him out of the sky with powerful energy punch. Ryu and Ozpin tag in next, the latter enhancing the World Warrior's attack with magic. "SHINKU TATSUMAKI SENPUKYAKU!" Ryu roared, sending the armored terrorist flying backwards with a mystical hurricane kick. Which leads him into being cornered by the speedy duo of Sonic and Spider-Man.
"Hiya!" Spider-Man greeted.
"Hey!" Sonic smiled.
Their Maximum Spider/Light Speed Attack combo proves too fast and too powerful for Iron Mandarin to handle. Made worse when Sonic manipulates gravity with his Cross Art to then push him into being struck by Kisaragi's Ice Fang technique. The two briefly clash until the Cross Art-powered Ruby delivers a teleporting slash that once again knocks back the terrorist. This time leading to Sally stabbing his central power core with her Ring Blade. Weakening him for both Iron Man and Weiss to finish off.
"Unlock power inhibitor! IRON WHITE NIGHT!" Iron Man announced the Crossover Combination, flying and grabbing his nemesis so his whole face can be dragged along the ground before swiftly ascending and releasing the opponent while he arcs up and back away from him.
"Get ready!" Weiss said, summoning small glyphs around herself that fire energy blasts that traps the freefalling Mandarin in a barrier.
"Here's our special!" Iron Man shouted, feeling his armor being empowered by Weiss's Semblance to astonishing newfound heights. A massive aura mixed with electricity and ice surround the Armored Avenger as he's about to thrust out his chest to fire a supercharged Unibeam. "HUUURRRAAAAAAARRRR!" He unleashed with a mighty roar, consuming his nemesis whole with the legacy of two of the most powerful families in this united world.
"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGH…!" Iron Mandarin yelled out his agony, feeling his armor shredding into pieces and his unconscious body falling to the ground that is being snowed on by the aftermath of that incredible Crossover Combination.
BGM End
The Mandarin has fallen. At long last, the Iron Hydra Empire is no more. The alliance that has been the biggest threat in this Unified World since the Convergence is broken. Dismantled by the ultimate alliance that is STRIKE. Team Iron Man surround the unconscious terrorist, many of them looking relieved that the war is over.
"Sheesh, you guys couldn't fight any louder," Hawkeye joked, arriving in the destroyed throne room alongside the rest of Team X and Team Captain America, "We heard all the ruckus from downstairs." Hawkeye
"Blame most of that on Grimadoom." Sonic quipped.
"Him again?" Yang Xiao Long retorted with annoyance.
"Only came to do his usual shtick. Helped us save the world by accident." Sonic shrugged with a smile.
"Looks like everyone's okay." Shadow the Hedgehog said, noticing the rescued heroes like Rouge.
"Aww, you were worried about me? That's precious." Rouge teased her partner.
"Hmph." Shadow retorted, letting out a dismissive grunt that hides his genuine concern for her.
"My parents and the Presidents are safe. All the Paladin Hulkbusters are destroyed, and we took down Adam and Iron Queen." Blake confirmed to Team Stark.
"Must've not been easy to do." Ruby frowned, knowing her friend's complicated feelings regarding Taurus.
"Thankfully, I had my friends supporting me." Blake reassures her with a smile. Before letting out a teasing smirk, "And Scarlet Spider."
"You're pretty awful now." Scarlet Spider snarked dryly, folding his arms while ignoring the faunus's giggle.
"I'm receiving reports worldwide. The Convergium Fog has been neutralized and all its victims are returning to normal." Penny Polendina informed everyone.
"Safe to say, the Iron Hydra Empire is finished." Captain America proclaimed.
"Great, so…NOW can we go home?" Spider-Man snarked, raising his hand that is hungry for rest after an exhausting day.
"For once, I agree with the bug." Raven Branwen quipped.
"Fury, this is Sally Acorn. The Mandarin is down. We need a S.T.R.I.K.E. clean up crew and evac team on my location. Over." Sally said, contacting the director with her ear comm.
"Someone make sure Mandarin doesn't have any more surprise goons coming." Iron Man requested, not in the mood for more conflict.
Wolverine sniffs the air and pops out his claws to be ready in case he smells danger. "I think we're good." He concluded, smelling no ambushes or anything like that.
BGM-Super Dragon Ball Heroes OST-Fu's Plot
There are two things that bypass Wolverine's superhuman smell. Both affected by magic. The Spectral Ring on Mandarin's finger illuminates a subtle glow, just as the shattered pieces of the Heart of Darkness is affected by another mystical force. The Ring flies off and the Heart pieces are teleported, both to unknown destinations. Only Iron Man seemed to have detected something was wrong as his armor beeps, catching Captain America's grim interest. "What is it?" Cap asked him.
"I'm not sure. I just had the oddest reading." Stark replied.
"You took a lot of hits. You might be glitchy." Weiss claimed, but the Armored Avenger isn't sure about that.
"What was that?" Stark wondered, looking up at the night sky unable to shake off the feeling that a greater evil force has begun making a move.
Castle Doom, Doomstadt. Latveria.
Doctor Doom stands on a balcony outside his castle waiting for a delivery. That being the Spectral Ring that his magic stole underneath STRIKE's nose. What he intends to do with the ring will remain unknown for the time being. He returns to his castle. To the lab where his machine to control the Exo Stones is nearing completion. Here he is also greeted by the surviving member of the Intelligencia, Doctor Arthur Watts.
"Greetings, Doctor. As you can see, I have returned from my mission successfully." Arthur Watts arrogantly claimed.
"You have the data?" Doctor Doom questioned him.
"I did say 'successfully'. Here." Watts answered by handing him a disk. "Everything we need to build our own Paladin Hulkbusters. A.I.M. had no idea I was using them to give us a head start. Neither did Hydra realize they were used as guinea pigs so we can improve on any imperfections." He revealed himself as a double agent.
"Excellent work, Doctor Watts," Doom complimented, "You will find our factory prime for production. The others are nearly done with their own preparations."
As stated by Doom, the other Masters of Evil are hard at work in developing the absolute best countermeasures for Thanos's inevitable invasion. Eggman oversees their immense armada of flying battleships with a maniacal smile. Salem has gifted her Beringel Grimm with wings. Doctor Octopus has assembled his Sinister Six. Albert Wesker finished creating a batch of B.O.W.s bonded to symbiotes. And Jedah Dohma stares at the two Exo Stones responsible for the Convergence: Chaos and Nightmare.
Meanwhile, Doom and Watts walk into another laboratory hidden in a pocket dimension. Where lies another Chaos Stone stuck in containment. "Is all of this truly necessary for Thanos?" Watts questioned, underestimating the mad titan.
"In a battle for infinity, one must utilize every resource in the most unpredictable strategies in order to conquer the loop." Doom says while grabbing ahold of the strange Chaos Stone copy. "This unified world will continue to be a futile struggle, for heroes and titans. In the end…" The Masked Monarch clenches his hand on the active stone, claiming, "All will KNEEL before Doom.", while his eyes glow a terrifying blue color.
BGM End
Elsewhere…
BGM-Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds OST-Arcade Ending 4
Grimadoom the Hedgehog is at a rocky area near a swamp. Standing atop the torn sail of a damaged boat and smiling at what he stole from Iron Hydra Island. The countless pieces of the Heart of Darkness.
"There you are!"
Hearing Juri Han's voice prompts Grimadoom to focus his gaze on the new arrivals. Team Rival wasn't expecting to run into him here. Neither did Grim as he asks them, "Where did you guys come from?"
"Wakanda Island. Tried to steal the Master Emerald and only barely came out alive with Vibranium charged with the stuff. Think they're calling this 'Chaosium'." Juri replied, revealing to him in her hand Vibranium ore radiating green chaos energy.
"What treasure hunt did you go on that distracted ya from helping against Adam Warlock?" Fang the Hunter asked, noticing the Heart pieces.
"Warlock is here?" Grimadoom noted with intrigue. "This day just keeps getting more interesting. I just ran into a girl that got her powers from the Star Stone." He reveals to them the existence of America Chavez.
"Someone like you?" Cinder Fall commented, knowing most of Grim's power came from the Heart Exo Stone. "Think she can lead us to it?" She questioned, thinking of kidnapping America for their own purposes.
"The heroes would've found it already if that's the case," Grim rejected her idea, "Now I'm certain the Star Stone is traveling beyond spacetime. Won't be long 'til it arrives on this plane of existence to re-scatter the other Stones. Then the grand finale to this Multiversal War will begin."
"Hence why you have those crystal things?" Juri gestured, giving him a teasing smile.
With just a thought amidst his smirking grunt, Grima reassembles the Heart of Darkness. "Mandarin failed to tap into the Heart's true power, and STRIKE was too stupid in thinking they could destroy it. Only I am worthy to stand as the pinnacle of power!" His ego claimed.
Another thought allows Grima to absorb the Heart of Darkness completely. His body trembles from the immense Convergium power that is dramatically stabilizing within him. Massive amounts of energy discharge from him before the hedgehog triggers an eruption of power so intense it resembles a massive geyser that nearly blows away his multiversal allies. The geyser soon disappears and Team Rival are utterly amazed to find the swamp around them has changed because of his reality-altering powerup. What was once a dank and spooky area now has a pinkish hue that is allowing better sunlight. The broken arc bridge they were standing on is now repaired and colored pink. The dried-up trees are now healthy enough to grow peaches from its branches.
As for Grimadoom himself, he too has transformed. Regaining the Ultimate Form he achieved through a Fake Chaos Stone during his time in Skyworld, with his black fur now green save for the highlights on his quills. Complementing his royal black tailcoat that does give off the impression that he is Doctor Doom's hedgehog son. "Beyond life. Beyond death. Grimadoom shall reign supreme!" Ultimate Grimadoom vowed, laughing maniacally as he feels himself ready to take on both Thanos and Adam Warlock.
BGM End
Unknown.
BGM-Transformers: Devastation OST-Operation Obliteration
There is a lone Interdimensional Orb floating aimlessly in this space between dimensions. Imprisoned here by the Sorcerer Supreme in order to spare the Crossverse the trouble from being threatened again by the Devil within. Its mystical defenses are top notch. Infiltrating or breaking free from this place should be beyond difficult. Security should've been tighter. As someone not only managed to break into this space, but cut free the prisoner trapped within the Orb. That prisoner being Mephisto.
"Ooh, man! Much better," Mephisto joked whilst stretching his arms, "Think they designed my Orb to be extra cramp. Thanks for the freedom. Glad to know I'm still liked to be rescued."
Mephisto expresses his gratitude to his two rescuers: Dark Oak and Nu-13. Two members of the Black Order. "Thanos still has a need for you as his advisor. Despite your failure, your usage of Convergium has provided us with much needed data on the substance. Our troops can now react accordingly to those that have mastered its power." Dark Oak said, revealing that Mephisto has been working for Thanos all this time.
"Adjusting to a new world is a troublesome task." Mephisto quipped. "Take it our lordship is ready to unleash The Gauntlet? No Tribute first?" He questioned with an eerie smile.
"Handing over the Exo Stones will be their salvation. Disagreement will lead to the destruction of their world." Dark Oak retorted. The Metarex Leader then opens a dimensional rift that leads back to their headquarters. "Come. Our forces are rallying in the Death Zone, even though we haven't retrieved the Star Stone. Then we shall give S.T.R.I.K.E. a choice in how we should end their existence." He said forebodingly, right before he and Nu enter the portal.
Alone, Mephisto chuckles to himself, "Spider-Man is in trouble now.", before following his comrades through the closing portal.
The Moon.
Adam Warlock stares at the beautiful Unified World from its natural satellite. A whole moon, unlike the half-broken ones Mobius and Remnant used to have. Warlock knows STRIKE has long contacted him to join their ranks but has been delaying the inevitable for a purpose beyond their understanding for now. It will not be long before he makes himself known to them. He first needs to engage in a brief conversation with a fellow guest.
"The stage is set and the players look ready to die." said Lady Death, joining Warlock's side.
"Once again, you underestimate life. Despite all the hardships it had endured this past week." Warlock argued calmly.
"They were simply lucky." Death claimed, before her human form transforms into her true, terrifying, skeletal form, "The true hell awaits."
"As humanity loves to say, 'I'll make you eat those words'." Warlock quipped, with both cosmic entities watching a certain Exo Stone looking like a purple shooting Star heading for the Unified World.
BGM End
BGM-Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 OST-Gallery
KFX Here: Would you look at that. It took me a whole year to finish the first half of Exo War RX. Volume 1 is DONE. What do you guys think of this volume compared to Volume 1 in the original Exo War? Anything you like? Anything you missed? I am sorry this volume went on a bit long and I'm sure some of you are just interested in the Thanos stuff. Good news, because Volume 2 is when Thanos makes his appearance as the main ultimate big bad that neither STRIKE nor the Masters of Evil can take on alone. A war so huge that the entire Crossverse will be involved. New enemies. Old friends. Team Suits. I swear to you that things are about to get INSANE in Volume 2. This is my Christmas present to you all. Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!
Renato Chacin: The Branwen Twins are already familiar with Wolverine's OP healing factor, and considering the other weirdness they've encountered in their lives before meeting him, they would just make a simple joke about it. And I don't want to say anything about the Ever After right now since I have no idea what plans I have for it in the future. But there is NO main/remix continuities. Because of The Solaris Dynasty, history has been remade. All remakes and stories from The Lost Continent and beyond are the new canon. I know a lot of those old stories have some inconsistencies, so if I ever remake those, then the original story is no longer canon. Hope this helps you understand.
Note: The Iron Mandarin Armor is based on Mandarin's appearance from the cartoon, Iron Man: Armored Adventures.
Next Time: The Ultimate Worst Villain Emerges! Thanos, the Mad Titan!
Please leave a review that'll tell me what you thought of this chapter! What did you like? What didn't you like? Would really appreciate the feedback.
Feel free to check out my TV Tropes Page titled "Fanfic/United Heroes". Some fans of mine created it and I am thankful to them. You are welcome to edit the page.
Remember: I have a forum page! Link can be found on my homepage or search for the "United Heroes Series" forums!
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