Rhythm is a powerful force that keeps order in the universe. It provides the flickering of stars, the pitter-patter of rain, and the beating of the heart. It can be found everywhere.

You wouldn't even be able to walk on your own two feet without it. But where does rhythm come from?

Why Rhythm Heaven, of course! An interstellar paradise deep in space that produces and monitors all the rhythms in the universe. It has been around since the Big Bang. Some believe it even caused the Big Bang. Regardless, without Rhythm Heaven, the universe would descend into chaos.

Beings born in Rhythm Heaven are called Rhythm Angels, and they are raised to become protectors of the powerful force. And when they come of age, they become members of the Rhythm League: a mysterious organization that keeps the musical paradise running.

In charge of the Rhythm League is the Rhythm Council, which has six members, concealed in dark robes. One faithful cosmic year, the six mysterious members reunited in the council room on the top floor of the Rhythm League. For what reason brought the head protectors of rhythm together?

"Thank you all for joining this important meeting on such short notice," said the council member sitting in the middle of their shared podium. Unlike the other robed figures, they had a noticeable mustache poking out their hood, "The three newly appointed angels should be here any moment."

"Are you sure they're up to the task?" asked another member, "They only graduated from the Rhythm Academy a few days ago."

"It has to be them," the mustached member stated firmly, "All of our top angels are too occupied with other tasks, and her majesty said it was urgent. Plus, those three graduated top of their class."

A knock was then heard on the door. "You may enter," said another council member. Double doors opened to three small angels entering the council room nervously.

Rhythm angels, in general, took on cute, blobby anthropomorphic figures that were usually just one color. One of these small angels was a skinny and blue male who wore glasses. The other male was white with a round head and cat-like mouth, including fangs. The last angel was a pink female who wore a big red ribbon on her small head. The blue angel was the tallest, while the pink angel was the shortest.

All three of them were shaking in fear, however, the white angel took a step forward. "Come on, guys," he whispered to his friends, "Let's show 'em what we're made of." The other two nodded in agreement and followed him as he approached the council.

"Angel #20060803: Marshal reporting for duty!" the white angel saluted the council.

"Angel #20110721: Miss Ribbon reporting for duty!" the pink angel followed suit.

The blue angel saluted as well, but didn't say a word. He was sweating bullets.

"Sorry about him, he doesn't like to talk," Marshal nervously chuckled, "But he's Angel #20080731: Cam, also reporting for duty!"

"At ease, angels," the mustached member instructed, and the three small angels kept their arms completely straight. "We called upon you three today for a very important mission. One sent by the Goddess of Rhythm herself, Cadence."

"The Goddess herself?!" Miss Ribbon exclaimed. Cam shushed her.

"Yes. In fact, she wishes to speak with you directly," another council member stated, "Prepare to bask in her holiness."

Suddenly, a heavenly light appeared from above. The angel immediately bowed. "Are we basking right, Marshal?" Miss Ribbon whispered frantically.

"I'm not sure. I have to admit I was daydreaming during the basking lesson at the academy," Marshal whimpered.

"Greetings, little angels," a soothing but powerful voice filled the room, "It is I. The creator of Rhythm Heaven: Cadence. No need to lower your heads to me. Please, let me see your adorable faces."

"Yes, your holiness," Marshal complied.

"Good thing we're naturally adorable," Miss Ribbon smirked.

"Indeed, you are. Though you have me to thank for that," Cadence chuckled, "Now, angels. As you know, when you come of age, you are appointed a non rhythm heaven being to help and monitor their rhythm. To be their guardian angels."

"Of course, great lord. Or lady, I mean," Marshal answered, "My friends and I have been training hard to be the best rhythm guardian angels for our appointed being."

"I know, my cute white one," Cadence said, "But I need to speak to you directly, so that you understand who you will be dealing with isn't any ordinary being."

"What do you mean, my goddess?" Miss Ribbon questioned, "Are they royalty? Or perhaps a powerful warrior? Maybe even a legendary musician?!"

"Not quite, my precious angel," the immortal being explained, "On the surface, this being may not seem remarkable. However, he might be the only one who can prevent a great catastrophe."

"A great catastrophe?" Marshal gasped, "Wow, our appointed being must be some guy. He'll be a piece of cake to guide." The three angels nodded excitedly. Cam's eyes even lit up.

"I will not lie to you, angels, this mission might be one of the most difficult I've ever imposed onto anyone," Cadence stated grimly, "It will be a great burden for you three to bear."

"Uh… care to elaborate, your majesty?" Miss Ribbon bit her lip.

"As you are all aware, every being in the universe has a flow gauge to measure their sense of rhythm," Cadence continued.

"And you have the highest flow of 140!" Marshal exclaimed.

"Correct," the goddess chuckled, "And you three have an impressive flow of 125 yourselves."

"No one can out beat us," Miss Ribbon bragged, "Cam here can even get a perfect score on the rhythm test without needing to count!"

"Very impressive, indeed," Cadence complimented the blue angel, who blushed so hard his glasses fogged up. "However, your appointed being… his flow… It's only 2."

Everyone in the room gasped in horror. One council member even fainted. The center one was so shocked that his mustache came off, which he quickly reattached.

"Your holiness," the mustached member spoke up, "Not that I think you're wrong, but please explain why this being is our only hope to prevent the great catastrophe."

"Yeah, I've seen microbes with higher flow gauges than him," said another member.

"Can we be appointed to a microbe instead?" Miss Ribbon whispered to her friends.

"This being, while he currently has as much rhythm as a chair," Cadence proclaimed, "He's the only one with the potential to put the entire universe in sync."

"And you expect us to help him go from beat deaf to uniting the universe?!" Marshal wailed. Though he quickly checked his tone, "Not that we are opposed." His friends nod with him.

"I know what I'm asking of you is a mountain-high tall order," the goddess claimed, "But I have faith that the three of you can do it. And not to put on any more pressure, but… if you fail, Rhythm Heaven… No. The entire universe will fall into ruin."

Everyone in the room froze. Marshal was so still that he forgot to breathe. Luckily, Cam hit him hard on the back. "Well, it's do or die. Right, mi amigos?" Marshal exhaled.

"Hey. If we succeed, we'll be heroes!" Miss Ribbon excitedly noted. The other two angels seemed excited by the prospect.

"Indeed, you will," Cadence giggled, "Remember, I have full faith in you, my dear angels."

"You can count on us, Lady Cadence!" Marshal stated proudly, "Whoever this rhythmless being is, we'll push and pull him until his flow is 140. Just like you!"

"Wouldn't that be something," Cadence both figuratively and literally beamed (since she was currently a beam of light), "Your appointed being is a human who lives on Planet Earth. His name is… Karate Joe."

I hope you weren't taking a shot each time I wrote down the word "rhythm." Fun fact: Did you know "rhythm" is the longest word without a vowel in the English language? Anyways, while that WarioWare fanfic I wanted to write never came together, my writing gears have been on full power since the announcement of Rhythm Heaven Groove. I love Rhythm Heaven if it wasn't obvious. Been one for over a decade. However, I'm shocked at how little RH fanfic that stars Karate Joe, the only character in the series who's playable in all four games (and will most likely be playable in the fifth one).

This fanfic is going to be a mix of canon and headcanon since Rhythm Heaven has, let's just say, very over the place lore. Not anything as incomprehensible as Five Nights at Freddy's, but the story was never the point of the series. I just wanted to see how Rhythm Heaven could work as an episodic series, and I believe I have a pretty good idea. I hope you'll stick around to see where this goes.