BGM-Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite OST-Title Screen & Main Menu Theme
Knuckles: I'm Knuckles the Echidna. But you can call me Knuckles. The Black Order decided to invade Wakanda Island for an Exo Stone. Or so I thought. They were really after the Master Emerald, and now the whole island is falling to the ocean. I won't let them get away with what remains of my homeland. What the? Pyrrha! She just took a nasty hit! Gotta wrap this up soon or she won't make it!
BGM End
Volume 2 Issue 11: Battle of Wakanda Island (Act 2) – Ancestor Power
Mobotropolis, Royal Hills Zone. Westside Island. (10 Days Since the Convergence)
Mobotropolis is the capital of the Kingdom of Acorn. Nestled in the Royal Hills Zone, this beautiful city enjoys a perfect balance of modern technology and nature. Which was nearly ruined by the Black Order invasion. A massive fleet portal was stationed here to bring forth Thanos's Army from the Death Zone. S.T.R.I.K.E. counterattacked, and after a hard fought battle, they shut down the portal, crippling the Titan's interdimensional support.
"Whew! No conversation like a fist conversation. We should do that again sometime." Makoto Nanaya joked amidst an exercise. Alongside Scarlet Spider, Shadow the Hedgehog, Tiki, and Say'ri, she was a hero in securing STRIKE's victory and is now relaxing in the war-torn city filled with alien corpses. "Didn't know fighting aliens could make for a fun workout. I'm exhausted." She smiled.
"I can imagine." said King Nigel Acorn. The jovial mobian squirrel Ruler of the Acorn Kingdom. As well as Sally Acorn's father. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you for saving my kingdom and its people." He smiles gratefully at the heroes.
"You are welcome, King Acorn. It is an honor." Say'ri replied politely.
"We had some close calls." Tiki said.
"I knew we'd be fine." Makoto grinned.
"Any more fleet portals for us to destroy?" Scarlet Spider asked Shadow while sitting on the corpse of a Chitauri Gorilla.
"Others are taking care of them." Shadow replied.
"Is there anything else we can do?" Scarlet asked another bored question.
"Someone's a hard worker." Makoto teased the spider-clone.
"Rather not. Wanna kick Thanos's ass already so I can go hibernate for a century." Scarlet snarked dryly.
"That's not much." Tiki remarked innocently.
"Of course YOU would think that!" Scarlet barked, causing his draconic girlfriend to giggle.
BGM-Spider-Man 3 (Game) OST-Black Suit Theme #3
But then, out of nowhere, his red lenses aglow from his indigo hellfire. Scarlet felt something that triggered his Ghost Rider power as he stands up alerted and looking around for the source. "Something wrong, Scar? Is your Spider-Sense tingling?" The concerned Makoto asked him.
"More like my…Spirit Sense. Still getting the hang of this power. It feels like a someone just committed a great sin. I think at Wakanda Island." Scarlet responded grimly, staring at the direction of Wakanda Island.
"I hope everything is okay." Say'ri remarked.
Curious, Shadow investigates by contacting his reploid navigator. "Alia, what is the current situation at Wakanda Island?" He asked her with his wrist communicator so his whole group can hear her response.
'It is currently under a massive siege by the Black Order. The Wakandans are holding their own, but…' Alia informed them, until she detected something so surprising that it gets her exclaiming, Oh no!'
"What is it?" Shadow responded, remaining calm.
'Wakanda Island…It's falling from the sky!' Alia revealed, much to the heroes' shock.
"What?" Scarlet exclaimed.
"That could only mean something has happened to the Master Emerald." King Acorn deduced.
"What's that?" Makoto asked the squirrel king.
"According to my daughter, one of the most powerful gemstones in existence. Has the power to keep Wakanda Island afloat as well as neutralize the Chaos Emeralds." Acorn answered.
Worried about his friends that were on the island since their last chat, Scarlet tries calling them with his cellphone. "Knuckles, Arc, what the hell's happening up there? Someone say something!" He called and received no response, adding to his worry as he growls, "Dammit, no one's answering!"
"Remain calm and focus. Use your Spirit to sense their dilemma." Tiki advised him.
Nodding to her advice, Scarlet takes a stance that helps him stay calm, closing his eyes while his soul focuses on his Spirit of Vengeance. His Spirit Sense is helping him visualize the great sin that is taking place at Wakanda Island and the souls affected by it. He senses the many Wakandans that were massacred by the Black Order, "A lot of innocent blood has been shed all over the island." He focuses deeper, sensing Knuckles and his allies battling Corvus Glaive and Nu-13, "Knuckles seem to be fighting someone powerful." He focuses even deeper, visualizing the silhouette of a certain redhead huntress that is lying near death's door, "Wait…Is that…?" Upon realizing who that huntress is, Kaine opens his shocked eyes to exclaim, "Nikos!"
BGM End
Wakanda Island.
There is a vast ocean under a clear blue sky with nothing to disturb the peaceful waves. That all changed when Wakanda Island lost its Master Emerald and fell from the heavens, making a splash so loud and tremendous that it causes the once-peaceful waves to grow disastrous, affecting sea life many miles away. Those on the island fared better, somewhat. Wakandans are strong and endured the aftershock. A lot of people were hurt by the fall, but few were fatally injured. The Battle of Wakanda Island was left a standstill for a brief time as warriors from both sides are struggling to get back onto their feet.
Shuri is in her laboratory, having survived the fall too. It takes her a moment to get back onto her feet, made bearable by her little joke, "Welp…the island fell." She uses her holograms for a status update, checking for damages, "Good news is that we didn't crash into a city. When are we getting back to the air?"
'Working on it! These two aren't letting me get close to the Master Emerald!' Knuckles grunted, still in the middle of an intense fight with the Black Order that have invaded Hidden Palace Zone.
'Shuri! Pyrrha's running on fumes! She needs medical attention NOW!' Jaune Arc shouted urgently.
Shuri heard and wanted to help him, but is immediately distracted by a louder sound that seems to be coming from underground. 'Did you hear what I said?! Shuri!?' Jaune barked.
"I heard you…And hearing something worse." Shuri remarked, taking a curious step closer to her window that has a good yet foreboding view of the burning Mushroom Jungle Zone, where the war is taking place.
Something was just deployed from the Outrider Dropships. A new force that will further secure the Black Order's advantage in this battle. They ruined the jungle as they burrow beneath the Wakandan barrier and causing buildings within Birin Zana to shake. Finally emerging onto the battlefield are the Threshers, large bladed wheel-like vehicles that are ripping through Wakandan forces like they were nothing. Their terrifying presence alone forces Black Panther to shout, "FALL BACK! FALL BACK NOW!", at his army.
BGM-Avengers: Infinity War OST-Haircut and Beard
"Focus that fire on the left flank, Qrow!" War Machine ordered.
"I'm doing it!" Qrow Branwen acknowledged in his Mobian Crow form, working alongside Rhodey and a squadron of Wakandan Dragon Flyers to divert their firepower against the Threshers.
Subsequently, as a second wave of Threshers was about to run over Mantis and Espio the Chameleon after they just dispatched some Outriders, Storm intervenes and uses the power of wind to throw the Threshers onto a group of oncoming Outriders. "Thank you, goddess." Mantis casually waves at their savior.
Nearby, Gamora and Nebula are still dueling to the death. The Green Guardian uses her Shadow Combination technique to move fast enough to the point where her shadows blur as afterimages behind her, nearly decapitating her adopted sister. Gamora then grabs Nebula by the neck and punches her to the ground, right before Nebula grabs her leg by crossing her own to throw her down. The two quickly get up, with Nebula striking first with her electroshock batons before forming them into a staff for a devastating second strike that knocks the wind out of Gamora for a brief moment while she contacts Corvus Glaive through their comms. "What's the hold up? Are you using that Emerald or not?" Nebula asked, before being struck hard across the face by a recovered Gamora.
BGM End
In Hidden Palace Zone…
BGM-Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order OST-The Black Order
"Give me another second." Corvus Glaive responded, warping away from Knuckles's punch to fire a laser beam from his glaive that sweeps Okoye and Lie Ren. Okoye recovers swiftly, showing off her skills as the Dora Milaje General by passing through the alien commander with a spear strike before landing an overhead blow that, despite being blocked, prompts Ren to showers him with psionic bullets thanks to his Cross Art.
"How's she holding up?" Knuckles asked Jaune about Pyrrha's condition.
Jaune looks at his partner. She's in critical condition after taking Nu's attack. Her chest is bloodied and she's having trouble breathing, worrying her leader as he answers, "Not good!"
"Can't your Semblance do something?" Knuckles suggested, while Corvus overpowers both Ren and Okoye.
"It only works on me as far as I know!" Jaune believed.
"Then just get her outta here!" Knuckles retorted, right as he catches the tip of Corvus's glaive.
"There will be no point! This entire island is going straight to oblivion!" Corvus taunted.
"Not on my watch, ugly!" Knuckles scowled, pulling on his glaive to headbutt the lieutenant away and land his Deep Impact punch to his face. A slow but explosively powerful punch that sends Corvus flying.
Naoto Kurogane is on his own against Nu-13. He uses Bloodedge to form a blade that rapidly deflects all eight swords thrown at him by Nu before the Murakumo herself launches a dashing punch that he dodges using his Shift Sway technique. Immediately followed up with his Phantom Pain counterstrike that kicks Nu to the air, where she launches her Crescent Saber that knocks back the bloodbender. "You Murakumos really can be a pain." Naoto scowls at her.
"Then destroy me, if you can." Nu retorted, teleporting and ramming Naoto through numerous pillars in the Zone. "Faker! You're nowhere near as strong as Ragna!" She taunted, crushing him to the ground with her bladed knees.
"My NAME is NAOTO KUROGANE!" Naoto roared, angrily tapping into his white-haired Blood Repulsor mode. "And when my friends are in danger, there's no one stronger than me! GRIM OF PHANTOM!" He shouted out his special move, punching, then knee-kicking Nu into the air before smashing her down near Corvus with a giant bloody battle axe.
BGM End
"Let's put your strength to the test, shall we?" Corvus said with a sinister plan that will teach the heroes true despair. "Murakumo Unit. Summon the Highlander." He ordered her to unleash their secret weapon.
BGM-BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma OST-The Highlander
"Acknowledged." Nu-13 gets into a specific cross-armed stance that is already gathering tons of energy. The heroes gathered together to stare in grim anticipation for whatever trick the cyborg is going to pull from her sleeve. "Engine Number 666 released! Dimensional Interference Forcefield deployed. Murakumo Unit, activate." She announced with a chilling vocal tone.
An interdimensional rift then opens in the air near the Black Order. A frightening snarl is heard from the darkness of the rift, "Grrrrrrrrrrr!" Followed by a giant black hand emerging from the rift to touch the sacred floor. Then another hand. Until the upper torso of a giant, terrifying humanoid with cracking red highlights reveals itself to unleash an earthquaking roar, "UOOOOOAAAAAAHHH!", alongside massive winds at the heroes.
"What the…?" Lie Ren blinks his eyes in disbelief at what he and his friends are staring in awe at.
"W-Whoa whoa whoa…What the hell is that!?" Naoto expressed his great surprise at this mysterious Highlander.
"A…weapon?" Okoye noted, bracing herself for whatever the creature is going to do next.
The Highlander sees the Master Emerald and instinctively grabs ahold of it. Using its mysterious abilities, it absorbs the giant green gemstone, using it as a power source that grants it infinite power. "HEY! It just absorbed the Master Emerald!" Knuckles barked.
"Time to test your new power, Gigant: Take-Mikazuchi." Corvus unveils the true name of his weapon. An ancient Nox Nyctores that once threatened Azure Earth with its immense power, Gigant: Take-Mikazuchi. "Burn these vermin to ashes, then ANNIHILATE WAKANDA ISLAND!" He ordered enthusiastically.
"ROOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRR!" Take-Mikazuchi complied, unveiling a laser cannon in its mouth that fires a massive energy beam down at the heroes. Everyone was too stunned to move except for Jaune at the last second, using his vibranium shield to block the laser with desperate assistance from his Aura Amp Semblance at maximum power.
"JAUNE!" Ren screamed out his immense worry for his best friend.
"URRAAAAAAAAAUUUGGGH!" Jaune screamed, struggling with everything to protect his friends. Including the dying Pyrrha, who summons some strength to open her eyes at the leader risking his life to save them all.
"Jaune…" Pyrrha muttered weakly.
Meanwhile at Latveria…
Proxima Midnight is going to town on the dozens of Doombots that were deployed for her annihilation. She is running at murderous speeds, appearing as a destructive blur that is equally skillful with her spear that renders all robotic opposition into pieces. "All of this and you can't even slow me down! Better start using the Stones if you don't want to end up a corpse!" She taunted Doctor Doom, firing numerous energy lances at the flying monarch.
"Bah!" Doctor Doom uttered, mocking her attack by deflecting them effortlessly with a mystical barrier. "Such power would be wasted on rats." His barrier then burst into nothing by Proxima's sudden spear thrust that nearly impales Doom, who swiftly catches the weapon with one hand and uses his mouth to boast, "Doom is enough to be your executioner!", whilst his other hand powers up plasma energy that is smashed into the alien's chest before blasting her higher into the air that his Sphere Flame travels along after her.
Proxima performs a clean midair recover before spinning her spear to catch, then throw, the Sphere Flame. It is sent back at Doom's shocked presence and smashes him through a building in Doomstadt. "Your arrogance will end your world! I will see to it!" Proxima declared, crashing down her spear in Doom's armored chest. The Latverian King grunts out the great pain he felt, enduring it with immense willpower in order to surprise Midnight with hidden missiles that forces her aback so he can stand back up and pull out the spear, throwing it away to continue his fearsome battle with the Child of Thanos.
BGM End
Despite how ferocious the Attack on Latveria sounds, Arthur Watts remains calm. He's still in his Castle Doom laboratory configuring the medical machine that has been healing Grimadoom the Hedgehog for over a day now. "You've taken quite the beating, rodent. This is what you deserve for being egotistical. You're like Cinder in that field." Watts said, beginning to condescend the unconscious clone, "You think you're entitled to everything just because you were created to be perfect, but there's no such thing as perfection. You can't just be strong, you have to be smart. You can't just be deserving, you have to be worthy. But all you have ever been is a bloody migraine." Upon putting the final touches to the configuration, he sighs as he goes to stand before the machine, "Hope that does it. Nothing to do now but wait and keep my fingers crossed. And hope Doom's own ego won't get us all killed. What does Salem see in that man?"
Grimadoom continues to sleep, until, the unexpected happens. His eyes open, wide and not looking so happy. Watts sees this and reacts with shock, "Ahh!", having underestimated his recovery rate. A blinding light illuminates the medical machine from within, caused by Grimadoom's immeasurable energy that is raging for revenge. Not caring that the inevitable explosion might kill the scientist that brought him back to life yet still had the nerve to mock the psychic-powered android, "WUAAAAAAAAAAH!"
At the Same Time…
The Take-Mikazuchi just finished firing its laser at Knuckles's Group in Hidden Palace Zone. Unfortunately it failed to kill them because of Jaune's shield, before the young huntsman collapses onto a knee after exhausting his strength in protecting his friends. "You okay?" Knuckles asked, rushing to check on him.
"I think so…" Jaune Arc replied weakly.
"Most impressive. You have a strong soul if it enabled you to block a blast from Take-Mikazuchi." Corvus Glaive complimented the blonde warrior. "But I see you are spent. The warmup phase is over. Take-Mikazuchi, finish them!" He ordered with a commanding finger thrust pointing at the heroes that are still powerless against the Black Order.
"Uooooooooh!" Take-Mikazuchi roared in acknowledgement of its master.
"I'm not going down without a fight!" Knuckles scowled, striking a fearless fighting stance.
"There is no point fighting death. You lost the day you were born." Corvus retorted with a taunting grin, as the intimidating Take-Mikazuchi powers up its laser cannon again. The whole room lights a deathly red that signals doom for the heroes. Regardless, Knuckles growls in defiance. Refusing to surrender as he puts up his fists in hopes he could counter it, while his friends brace themselves for whatever happens next.
But then. "Chaos…" A familiar black hedgehog emerges from the shadows with a chaos-powered fist that freezes time temporarily. Stopping the Highlander from charging up its attack.
"Spirit…" A certain scarlet arachnid appears right beside the mobian with spiritual webbing that binds the souls of both the Highlander and Black Order members, Corvus Glaive and Nu-13.
"CONTROL!" The Spider and Hedgehog then combine attacks, Hellweb Shot and Chaos Spear, to form a massive fireball wrapped by electricity. Launched at all three enemies with the explosive firepower to shatter time, undoing the time freeze so Knuckles's Group can be left confused watching the villains suddenly screaming and being burned alive.
"What?" The shocked Knuckles exclaimed.
"Soul damage sustained…! Power shares similarities to the Azure Grimoire…R-Ragna?" The wounded Nu-13 commented.
BGM-Bleach: The Hell Verse OST-4BLM_101_Chokkaku
A furious foot-stomp was then heard. Followed by the Spider speaking in a teasing yet strict tone that Jaune quickly recognizes and is stunned by, "Don't tell me that was your limit, Arc. You're being a disappointment."
Jaune is the first amongst his friends to turn around and see a part of the floor is awashed with indigo hellfire. Standing in the middle of it all is the Web Warrior responsible for wanting to make a grand entrance. "Scarlet Spider!" Jaune exclaimed, staring at Kaine striking a badass pose alongside his team consisting of Shadow the Hedgehog, Tiki, Say'ri, and Makoto Nanaya.
"A champion of Anansi?" Okoye believed, familiar with the African Trickster God and thinks Kaine has a connection to him.
"You! You're the insect that defeated Mephisto! What are you doing here?" Corvus snarled.
"Just finished trashing your fleet portal at Mobotropolis when he heard the ruckus you were causing here." Scarlet snarked, walking up to confront the monsters that dared to hurt his friends. The Spider-Clone palms his fist with the force to burst flames to intimidate his enemies before saying, "Thought we'd stop by and mess you up too.", while his eyes glow a threatening blue.
At Latveria, the fierce battle between Doctor Doom and Proxima Midnight is also put to a halt by a similar surprise reveal. Doomstadt is hit with a sudden yet forebodingly powerful earthquake that makes Proxima exclaim, "Where is this power coming from?"
A pillar of dark energy then erupts from Castle Doom that catches the fighters' attention. A shadowy figure emerges from the light to land on a rooftop in town. As the light fades, the figure is unveiled in all his supreme glory. Grimadoom the Hedgehog. "Grimadoom." Doom uttered, unfazed by his dramatic entrance. Unlike Proxima.
"You're alive? How?" Proxima expresses her shock at him making a full recovery from their last fight.
Meanwhile in Castle Doom, Arthur Watts frees himself from the rubble that he was buried under by Grimadoom. His way of saying thanks to the doctor for treating his wounds. "…That ungrateful hedgehog…" Watts coughed, badly injured.
Back outside, Proxima smirks out a scoff while her revived rival continues to shoot her a cold stare. "Doesn't matter how you survived. I crushed you so easily before. You don't seem to have gotten any stronger to survive a death blow." She taunted him.
Finally, Grim shows off a confident smirk before stating, "That's because I've hidden a level far beyond your comprehension." The bio-android hedgehog places a hand over his face to begin showing off a new power. Most of his black fur turn green while massive amounts of his Cosmic Chaos Magic is concentrated on his hand, spreading darkness across his sclera until its pitch black and his pupil turn yellow. Seamlessly, he then performs a ripping motion with his hand down across his face, donning a frightening Grimm Mask that's similar in design to Doctor Doom's mask. This is the new power he gained from absorbing the Heart of Darkness several days ago. The power to tap into his Grimm DNA to its fullest potential. His newest ultimate evolution. Omega Grimadoom. "HRRRAAAAAAARRRRR!" He roared with a distorted voice that sends destructive shockwaves across the country that astonishes both Doom and Proxima. Omega Grim astounds them even further by appearing before Proxima with speeds faster than a blinking eye and colliding his fist with her face with the godlike force to send her flying out of the kingdom, as well as send more shockwaves across the entire planet that is felt by various Dimensional Avengers and Masters of Evil. With only Juri Han recognizing his energy and smiling about it.
Meanwhile in Hidden Palace Zone, Tiki just finished inspecting Pyrrha's injuries. "This doesn't look good, Scarlet. Her wounds are too serious." She stated solemnly.
"I see." Scarlet Spider remarked apathetically.
"Not surprising considering she was up against Nu and Take-Mikazuchi." Makoto commented, glaring at her world's villains.
"You know what that monster is?" Knuckles asked the squirrel lieutenant.
"It's a Nox Nyctores. The first and most powerful weapon left behind from the Dark War. Powerful enough to destroy whole cities. Heard Nu absorbed it some time ago." Makoto revealed.
"So, you're Nu." Scarlet said, exchanging cold glares with the Murakumo Unit. "Perfect. Now I have another reason to beat you to a pulp." He then shouts at the dying Pyrrha, "HEY, NIKOS! If you die, I swear I'm going to Hell to beat your ass for being so fucking pathetic!"
"What makes you think I'm going down there…you jerk…" Pyrrha chuckled weakly, still clinging to life.
His relieved smile hidden by his mask, Scarlet snarks, "At least you can still flap your lips. Take it easy. Arc will fix you up."
"How do I do that?" The distressed Jaune bickered
"How should I know? Quit bothering me!" Scarlet barks back before refocusing his tranquil rage on their enemies, "Shadow and I will take the punks. Rest of you deal with the big bastard."
"Righto!" Makoto smirked, readying her cross-shaped tonfas for battle.
Both Shadow and Scarlet Spider then vanish into thin air as they move at speeds beyond the villains' perception to land a surprise simultaneous strike on their chosen targets: Shadow delivering a kick to Corvus's chest and Scarlet slamming his hand on Nu's face for a ramming move. Both enemies are launched through walls, leaving Take-Mikazuchi along with the female trio of Tiki, Say'ri, and Makoto. It throws a wide punch that Say'ri jumps over, right before Makoto unleashes her Corona Upper that uppercuts its large head to a transformed Tiki's fire breath.
Elsewhere on Wakanda Island, the single punch that Proxima suffered from Omega Grim sent her crashing into the ancient aerial temple that is Sky Sanctuary Zone. The Dark General lies on her back with her hand tending to her pained face. Clearly, she had underestimated the clone's power and is now paying the price for her ignorance. "Never had this strength before…" Proxima grimaced.
"I did." said Omega Grim, calmly landing before her, "Your cowardice ass didn't let me show off." He then materializes a corrupted version of Gamora's Godslayer sword to wield for this fight, just as Proxima harnesses her fury for the strength to return to her feet. "You picked the wrong prince to piss off. Welcome to oblivion." He declared, as the Battle of Wakanda Island grows fiercer than ever before.
BGM End
Mushroom Jungle Zone.
BGM-Street Fighter X Tekken OST-Mid Boss Battle SF
The Wakandan Army is still holding its own against the endless Outrider horde. The only way to rout them is by defeating their Black Order commanders. As well as The Nameless. Ryu has that area covered as he's engaged in a heated clash with Nameless Bison. They fight on a giant tree stump amid mushrooms and spores, trading skillful blows that aren't slowing down the other. The Bison clone secures the upper hand with his teleport, surprising Ryu with a Psycho Vanish that staggers him backward and following up with a powerful ground stomp that forces him into the air. Swiftly, he then grabs him from behind and fire a blast of Psycho Power through him, knocking him even higher into the sky. High above the mushroom forest where Nameless Devil Kazuya awaits with a double axe handle.
Thankfully, Devil Jin intercepts the attack. Catching it just as Ryu catches his leg so he can flip over and hit the Nameless Devil with a kick up his face. The World Warrior falls while Devil Jin delivers an electrifying dash punch that smashes his father clone through the sky at breakneck speeds, moments before Nameless Kazuya frees himself and the two devils engage in clashes that appear as cloud-shattering blurs. "HADOKEN!" Ryu shouted amid his fall, firing an energy blast that Nameless Bison avoids easily. The Street Fighter wasn't done yet. He bounces off a large mushroom to land a frontflip kick that is blocked before backflipping to the ground to unleash a, "Tatsumaki Senpukyaku!" that pushes the dictator aback.
But out of nowhere comes Jin Kisaragi, crashing onto Ryu's back. That was thanks to Nameless Ragna, who uses his Seed of Tartarus technique to unleash a destructive wave of darkness at the heroic duo. Deviously, Kisaragi throws a shocked Bison and use him as a makeshift shield that suffers the attack in their stead. Allowing Ryu to shout, "Sen Hadoken!", and fire an energy beam that blasts away the Grim Reaper. The heroes have the advantage now, for a brief moment, until Kazama suddenly crashes onto them after being struck by Kazuya's Devil Blaster. Things are at a stalemate now between good and evil. Fighters from both sides regroup for a breather. But from the heroes' perspective, it doesn't appear the Nameless are tired at all, much less wounded.
"Damn that Kazuya!" Devil Jin scowls at the clone of his villainous father.
"They're as strong as the originals. But their resilience is off the charts." Ryu noted.
"That's the benefit of having no soul. As this rate, we'll deplete our stamina before we can destroy them." Jin Kisaragi commented.
"We must finish this quickly. The Wakandans need our help. I'm sensing an even darker power from wherever Knuckles is." Ryu retorted, sensing the Take-Mikazuchi.
Just then, Kazama ponders a possible solution to their Nameless problem, "These Nameless are like Creatures of Grimm. Soulless beings born from darkness and death. If Ruby were here, her Eyes would probably make short work of them. Perhaps we can compensate. I'll use the Life Seed's power to weaken them as much as possible. Kisaragi will support me. Ryu, we're counting on your Power of Nothingness to finish them in one attack."
"Right!" Ryu acknowledged, vowing to fulfill his role in the plan.
"I'll employ the Power of Order." Kisaragi said, tapping into his Frost End ability that shrouds him with an icy aura, "In the likelihood neither of your powers are effective."
"Whatever it takes." Kazama remarked, swiftly evolving into his Super Devil Form that envelops his body with the cosmic blue ki of the Life Seed, "Let's go!"
Both Jins then rocket at the Nameless while Ryu begins to concentrate and push his unmastered Power of Nothingness to the max. Kisaragi's blade collides with Bison's Psycho Punch to cause a big explosion that freezes the surrounding forested area. Bison laughs, having caught the swordsman's attack. But is then as shocked as Ragna upon noticing their legs were frozen too. Only Kazuya escaped entrapment thanks to his devil wings flying him to the air, leading to him being surprised by Super Devil Jin smashing him down hard. Kazama then infuses his fists with Life Seed energy and proceeds to pummel Bison with them. His theory is proving true as the power of life is overwhelming this deathly clone, weakening him until he's knocked down. He goes to attack Ragna next, who managed to free himself from the ice and notices Ryu building up his spiritual energy.
"Whatever you're planning, it won't work! You're going to die!" Nameless Ragna proclaimed, firing a Carnage Scissors at the defenseless Ryu. It doesn't reach thanks to Kisaragi's ice blocking it, angering the duplicate reaper, "Getting sick of you Jins!", and clashing briefly with Kisaragi until he tags in Kazama. Super Devil Jin uses Heaven's Door on Ragna, grabbing and flying him up before crashing him toward Devil Kazuya trying to stop him with his devil beams. The attempt failed and both Nameless are damaged, finding themselves grouped with Bison so they could receive the death blow together.
"Now, Ryu!" Super Devil Jin shouts at him to finish this.
"Shin…HADOKEN!" Ryu roared, using the Power of Nothingness to unleash a massive beam that blasts through Mushroom Jungle. Consuming the Nameless entirely with light so devastating that it vaporizes them into true nothingness.
BGM End
Ryu pants heavily, exhausted from unleashing his full strength that tore open a large ditch in the forest. He continues panting while sitting on a knee, muttering to himself, "…I still need more training to master this power." Didn't take long for him to regain the strength to stand alongside his two fellow fighters. "Nonetheless, your plan worked great, Kazama." He smiled, praising the Fatal Lightning.
"Let's force the rest of these monsters to retreat. Then go back up Knuckles and Jaune." Kazama suggested, acknowledged by his friends' nods before they run to the main battlefield.
Back in Hidden Palace Zone…
BGM-Super Dragon Ball Heroes OST-Competitive Battle
Take-Mikazuchi is struggling against its newest challengers based on its frustrated roar. It summons a myriad of sharp discs that it launches at Say'ri, who deflects them with great skill using her Amatsu sword. The Highlander then throws a large punch, which is countered by a leaping Makoto Nanaya shouting, "BIG BANG SMASH!", and unleashing a giant projection of her fist to cancel the attack. Dragon Tiki tags in, raining fireballs that forces the Nox Nyctores to block them with its arm, giving Makoto the chance to shout, "Get the core! On its chest!", at Say'ri, pointing her to its big red weakspot.
"Aye!" Say'ri understood. The Chon'sin Princess strikes her Kestrel Stance to boost her power and speed before blitzing toward the core and demolishing it with a barrage of slashes that causes great pain to the Highlander.
"OOOORAAAAAAAH!" Take-Mikazuchi roared in agony.
In retaliation, Take-Mikazuchi headbutts Say'ri, planting her to the ground. "Say'ri!" Makoto shouted in concern, before her defenses failed to stop the Highlander from smacking her across the shrine chamber. Tiki flies around and does her best to avoid more of its attacks until she is caught by both hands. Take-Mikazuchi powers up its mouth laser for a direct hit on the Divine Dragon, but is swiftly interrupted by Okoye and Naoto Kurogane stabbing their respective bladed weapons into the creature's eyes, forcing it to drop Tiki next to Knuckles and Lie Ren.
"Rested well?" Tiki asked her recovered friends.
"Yeah." Knuckles responded. Everyone reunites to confront Take-Mikazuchi for another round, with Knuckles taking command of the party, "Show no mercy to that thing! It has the Master Emerald! It'll destroy the whole planet if we don't rip it out of it!" He scowled strictly.
"Get ready to cough it up, you big black bastard!" Naoto Kurogane taunted it, before their fight continues.
BGM End
Thankfully, Pyrrha Nikos was moved to a safe corner away from the destructive battle by Jaune Arc for her protection. Unfortunately, her wounds are still bothering the unconscious huntress. She's lying on the ground while Jaune applies pressure to her bloody wound. She is getting paler by the second, coughing out blood and breathing heavy. Her pulse getting weaker. Her life nearing death. "Breathing's getting heavy." Jaune noted, staring at his panting partner. "No no no, it wasn't supposed to be like this! Please, Pyrrha! PLEASE!" He pleads to her. Desperately trying to revive her with his words, "You can't give up now! You NEVER give up, even when the odds are against you! You're the strongest woman I know! The best huntress in the world! We LITERALLY survived Hell together! You can't let THIS stop you!" His words have no effect, so he tries again, "You helped me become strong even when I acted like a total jerk! You're the greatest partner I could ever ask for! Team JNPR will be NOTHING without you! That's why I'm BEGGING YOU! DON'T DIE! For me." Tears drop from his eyes. His heart believing it is now or never to confess his deepest feeling about her, "I…I love you."
Jaune whimpers, until he is calmed by the soft hand of Pyrrha touching his cheek. "…I love you too…" Pyrrha smiled, finally having the courage to confess what she thought about him since they first met all those months ago.
BGM-Shadow the Hedgehog OST-Sea of Sorrow
With her remaining strength, Pyrrha grabs Jaune's head in both hands and delivers a long kiss on the lips. Without hesitation, Jaune embraces it to enjoy it for as long as possible. Pyrrha then pulls away, ending the kiss. Staring into his eyes, with one hand on his cheek and the other on his chest. Telling him, "…I'm…sorry…", with a sad look on her face before collapsing back down. No longer breathing.
"Pyrrha…? Pyrrha, NO! NO!" Jaune shouted, desperately, trying to shake her to wake up. To no avail. It would seem that Pyrrha Nikos has passed.
BGM End
Jaune cries. Shedding loads of tears in silence with the overwhelming feeling of guilt. He was her leader. Her partner. And he let her die in his watch. Or so his grief wants him to think. He clenches his fists, tightening them with incredible strength amplified by his Semblance in his attempt to calm his nerves. "You want your emotions to complement your strength, not shackle it!" Jaune muttered, recalling the advice Kaine gave him during their training together. After drying his tears, his facial expression change. No longer warped by grief, but filled with determination that stares down at Pyrrha's body, "It's never too late. You never gave up on me. I am NOT going to give up on you!"
BGM-RWBY: Ice Queendom OST-Determination
A faint shimmering sound is heard upon Jaune placing his hands over Pyrrha's body. He activates his Aura Amp in one final attempt to revive the love of his life. Deciding to experiment with Knuckles's idea from earlier, he uses his Semblance on Pyrrha. A white aura starts coating over her body. For a minute, his efforts aren't boring any fruit. But he is determined to keep on trying. Infusing his power with hope, not just from himself, but from all of his friends. Then, all of a sudden, a miracle happens before his very eyes. Pyrrha gasps for breath again. And the first word that came from her gasping mouth is a shocked, "Jaune?"
"Pyrrha! Oh thank god! I almost lost you there." Jaune exclaimed with great relief.
"Your Semblance…is amplifying my Aura…Healing me…" Pyrrha realized.
"Better time than later to test it out." Jaune joked.
"Aren't you worried about running out?" Pyrrha asked with concern.
"You were the one that told me I've got a lot of it. I still believe you." Jaune reminded her, exchanging smiles with Pyrrha relaxing and allowing him to continue her treatment.
BGM End
BGM-Spider-Man: Web of Shadows OST-Symbiote Boss
Elsewhere in Hidden Palace Zone, Scarlet Spider is having an intense time with Nu-13. The fearsome Murakumo hurtles two of her floating blades at the Spider-Clone that deflects them spectacularly with his wrist stingers, before colliding her other six swords with his eruptive spider-legs in a ferocious struggle for supremacy. During this, Kaine senses Pyrrha's current status which invokes a proud smile behind his mask, 'Nikos is stabilized. Good job, Jaune.' He returns his full focus on the scowling Nu, 'Now, to start putting Noel at peace.'
In a blink of an eye, Scarlet breaches her defenses and knees Nu in the gut with the brutality that causes her to gasp for air before uppercutting her to the sky. To where Shadow and Corvus Glaive are duking it out. Swiftly, Shadow grabs the Murakumo and uses her as a bat to smack Corvus to the ground. He then throws her at Corvus, who avoids her to continue engaging the hedgehog in a hectic teleport clash across the Zone. "I bested you once before. This time you have no Exo Stone to keep up with me." Corvus taunted, using his glaive to hold his own against his Chaos Spear.
"I brought something better. A Spirit of Vengeance." The smirking Shadow then uses Chaos Control to switch places with Scarlet Spider and his menacing flaming eyes. Surprising Corvus to leave him vulnerable to his special move.
"Maximum…" Scarlet then taps into his Semblance to mutate into his Scarlet Tarantula form for this one move, "Tarantula!" He ensnares the alien in a series of hellfire webbing with countless kicks flying through him, mocking him, "I heard you lost to Spider-Man not too long ago. If that clown can kick your ass, expect no mercy from me!", before stomping him to the ground with hellish force to erupt a massive flame pillar that heats up most of Hidden Palace.
Still gripping his glaive, Corvus starts standing up in his crater to furiously command, "Murakumo! Crush that bug!"
"Roger." Nu returns to the fight with her Spike Chaser technique. Sending along the ground a wave of swords that chase Scarlet Spider.
"What a puppet." Kaine taunted, avoiding her blades with continuous backflips. "Taking orders from weaklings. Thought you were a big girl that could stand on her own." He said, finding the opening to pop out a stinger imbued with hellfire to cleave her Spike Chaser with one fearsome slash.
"Shut up!" Nu retorted, angrily calling down her giant Calamity Sword above Kaine.
"Struck a nerve, brat?" Scarlet sassed, catching the heavy sword with both hands.
"Your DNA signature matches that of Spider-Man, but you're just another fake! I'm tired of fakes!" Nu scowled.
"You must really hate yourself then. Noel Vermillion's a fake too, but she's more tolerable than your whining ass." Scarlet snarked, still struggling to push up her Calamity Sword.
"DON'T SAY THAT NAME TO ME!" Nu snapped, earning him the wrath of her Legacy Edge. Stabbing his body parts with numerous blades that's making it harder for him to lift the Calamity Sword as she continues ranting, "Noel Vermillion, the 12th PFD! That incomplete scrap metal is the reason why I can't have everything! Why can SHE be with Ragna but not me?! I want to be with Ragna! I'll destroy her, and you, and everyone else blocking me from achieving my dream!"
BGM End
Nu rockets herself at Scarlet to deliver a decapitating blow. Only for the Spider-Clone to mutate into a Man-Spider again and blow her, her swords, including the Calamity Sword, away with a frightening burst of hellfire. It shocks Nu to see him survive her combination of special attacks and still counter with incredible power. His wounds aren't bothering Kaine one bit. He effortlessly pulls out the one sword that was stuck in his chest while asking his fellow clone, "Is this Ragna guy really that important to you?"
"He means EVERYTHING to me! Nu was alone for so long! Suffered for what felt like an eternity! He was the only thing I could think of when they created Nu!" Nu answered, sharing a bit of her backstory.
"I see. And does he love you back?" Scarlet then asked with a curious glare.
"Of course! We keep killing each other again and again whenever we meet! The next time we see each other, I'll have him stick his sword deeper in me so we can fuse into a Black Beast and destroy the world! THAT is the ultimate form of love!" Nu expressed happily.
Scarlet puts a hand on his hip. His eyes are closed while his brain processes the feelings his ears just heard. "…How naïve." He said critically.
"Huh?" Nu remarked with a genuine look of shock.
"Let me see if I got this right. You're a lab experiment that has a crush on a guy that you never met 'cept in your dreams and you make out by killing each other?" Scarlet snarked, scratching his head.
"That's right!" Nu nodded innocently.
Scarlet facepalms while sighing, "What a kid."
"I'm not a kid!" Nu bickered.
BGM-Marvel Future Revolution OST-Revolution Starts Here (Battle Theme)
"You're definitely acting like one. Tell me: If Ragna loves you that much, then where the hell is he? Why hasn't he come to YOU yet?" Scarlet asked her with a serious glare.
Caught off-guard by his question, Nu awkwardly answers, "Because…he is lost. Thanos promised to help Nu find him. But only after I kill the Dimensional Avengers and the Masters of Evil."
"Sorry, kid, but I can't allow that to happen." Scarlet stated grimly.
"Huh? Why not?" The confused Nu asked.
"We're a lot alike, you and me. I too have someone I love. That I've vowed to protect by any means necessary. I did it all wrong last time, but I've grown up. Do you REALLY think Thanos is helping you?" Scarlet confronted her with a question that she has no answer for. "I'm no expert, but there's more to love than just death. You can't force it on people. If you TRULY love Ragna and want to impress him, then get your head out of your ass and come at me with everything you've got! Or else I'll go kill him after I've dismantled you!" He goaded with a psychotic face.
Infuriated, Nu screams, "YOU WOULDN'T DARRRRREEEEE!", before flying at him with speeds brimming with murderous intent.
Her blind rage doesn't concern Scarlet at will. He counters the hothead with a cool head and ducks under a swing of her sword wings at the last second. With a fist reeled back, Kaine lets out a mighty roar, "EEYAAAAAAAAAH!", and throws his most devastating punch yet straight to her gut. Nu coughs out blood, tons of it. Never in her life has she been hit that way before. "THAT was for Pyrrha Nikos." He calmly stated to her. The Web Warrior stands aside to watch Nu wobble around, clutching onto her pained chest, before falling onto a knee. She struggles to look back at Kaine, who just stares at her in silence. But what truly dumbfounds her is the sympathetic look in his eyes. Making her wonder just how similar they are. The differences between them. And what she is lacking to become as strong as him.
BGM End
Meanwhile…
BGM-Marvel Future Fight OST-The Battle of Wakanda
The Battle of Wakanda Island has reached its climax. The Nameless are no more, and both Qrow and War Machine have blasted apart the last of the Threshers. Nora Valkyrie is still in her Asgardian Valkyrie Form killing as many Outriders as she could with multiple swings that proved fatal with each attack. Mantis fights by her side, demolishing aliens with masterful martial arts before killing a row of them with one energy thorn powered by life energy.
"We have nearly won! Give it one final push!" said Black Panther, amidst his speed clashing with Black Dwarf's power.
The Law of the Jungle is shown to Black Dwarf upon being struck by T'Challa's arching slash. The Wakandan King sends him flying with a triple kick after slashing him several more times, jumping after him in pursuit before landing one final slash that knocks the commander down. Unscathed, Black Dwarf jumps back after him, charging through the thrown Vibranium Daggers to land a critical axe blow that knocks down Panther. T'Challa is forced to take a breather before his towering foe, who is then struck away from him by the combined forces of Gamora and Espio the Chameleon. Just before Nebula returns to finish her fight with her sister while Espio struggles with Black Dwarf.
BGM End
"Time to put that prayer to the test, Knuckles." Black Panther muttered. There is only way for him to win this war, and that is with the power of Chaosium imbued in his costume. The Wakandan King strikes a cross-armed stance that calms his mind to recall the prayer Knuckles taught him before their home was invaded. "The servers are the seven Chaos. Chaos is power, power is enriched by the heart. The controller is the one that unifies the Chaos. Chaosium!" Suddenly, the golden parts of his black costume glows bright. The Chaosium acknowledging his prayer as T'Challa finishes it with this, "As King of Wakanda Island, I command you! Grant me the strength to save my homeland and all its people! HRRRRAAAAAAAARRR!"
BGM-Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite OST-Theme of Black Panther
From his mighty flex, Black Panther summons the savior to the battlefield. The Panther God infused with the ultimate power that makes her resemble the Water Deity of the Chao. Her massive presence stuns Wakandans and Outriders alike to bask in all her glory. Chaos Bast. "MWARARAAAARRRRR!" Chaos Bast roared like the intimidating water panther that she is.
'Is…Is that BAST? T'Challa, what did you do?' Shuri contacted her brother to express her bewilderment.
"Simple. I prayed." Black Panther quipped.
"Whoa! Nice kitty!" Asgardian Nora remarks about the giant panther god.
Chaos Bast has come to protect Wakanda Island. Her divine presence alone heals the injured and enhances the Wakandan Army's fighting prowess to their peak, with her leading the final charge that overwhelms Black Order Forces. Complete annihilation is hitting all Outriders in seconds. More divine aspects of Bast are summoned and commanded by Black Panther to slaughter their enemies. With the original Chaos Bast interrupting the fight with Nebula and Black Dwarf by grabbing them both with her sharp teeth. "HEY! LET GO!" Nebula shouted, struggling in vain to break free from the goddess. The Panther God heard her cries and grants her request. Spitting the alien commanders far and away from Wakanda Island, making them twinkle in the sky.
With their commanders defeated, the Outriders were successfully routed. Force to flee back to their dropships in a desperate attempt to escape. "THEY'RE RETREATING! TEACH THEM TO NEVER COME BACK!" Gamora commanded her forces, prompting Nora, Storm, and the Wakandan Air Force to give pursuit. Destroying the dropships one by one as they attempted to flee to space.
"Your prayer worked, Knuckles! The enemy is retreating!" Black Panther informed him through the comlink.
BGM End
Back with Knuckles…
BGM-Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War OST-211 TYBW racy orchestra
"Doesn't look like it to me!" Knuckles snarked, jumping back from a deadly headbutt launched by Take-Mikazuchi. The Echidna Warrior regroups with his party, who are growing exhausted battling the Highlander. Take-Mikazuchi lets out a lowly growl at them, implying that it's losing steam too. Just before they can continue their showdown, the ceiling begins to rumble violently. Sounding like something is crashing its way to their location. "NOW what? I'm getting sick of surprises!" Knuckles complained.
Suddenly, Proxima Midnight is seen smashed out of the ceiling. She crashes onto the ground with bloody wounds and a furious face growling at the monster responsible for giving her a challenge. Grimadoom the Hedgehog, descending from the broken ceiling in his masked, cross-armed Omega Form glaring down at his enemies from all parties. "Grimadoom!" Say'ri exclaimed in shock at his appearance here.
"Of course…" Knuckles murmurs in annoyance.
The battle with Proxima Midnight now steals the show as the Dark General furiously rushes at Omega Grim, who toys with her by leaning back and narrowly avoiding the alien's spear as it passes over his nose. Proxima is then kicked onto a lengthy floating platform and leaps back from Grim's fist that gets itself stuck on the platform. Only briefly before erupting several dark spikes that chase after her. "HRRAAAR!" Proxima screamed, repelling them with her energy lances and having them be blocked by Grim's Black Barrier. Proxima attacks the barrier personally, just for the masked android to repel her across the chamber with an effortless glare.
"Proxima!" exclaimed Corvus Glaive, pausing his and Nu-13's own battle with Shadow and Scarlet to express concern for his wife. "Has our invasion of Latveria failed too?" He realized, much to his disbelief.
"Damn this rodent…Had to wear the mask of a demon to match me…" Proxima panted, sitting on a knee.
"MATCH you? As if YOU'LL ever be my equal!" Omega Grim mocked, expressing his tranquil fury by manifesting the frightening aura of the Fell Dragon above himself with a snap of his fingers. This stuns the three Black Order members in the vicinity as it appears he is targeting them with a new fusion attack born from Cosmic Spear and Expiration. "Cosmic Expiration!" He calmly announced, pointing a finger at his enemies to command his aura to rain down countless energy spikes that decimate the invaders. And would've killed Shadow and Kaine if they didn't jump away in time.
"Watch where you're firing that thing! We don't need your help, Grimadoom!" Scarlet snaps at his fellow clone.
"Then mop the floor with them already. Holding back even after getting so much stronger, Tarantula. That's not what freedom is all about." Grim sassed, still with his strange new solemn demeanor while calling back to their private conversations when Kaine was a member of the Masters of Evil.
"It's part of my purpose. Including me ripping that stupid mask off ya if you don't butt out." Scarlet threatened.
"In due time. Once I've disposed of these vermin." Grim responded, unaware of Take-Mikazuchi's menacing silhouette appearing behind him. The shocked clone senses it in time to fly back from its constant laser barrage. "What an eyesore!" He scowled, deflecting a laser with his Dark Godslayer sword. "You really suck at your job, Echidna, if you let this thing eat the Master Emerald!" He insulted.
"If it'll make it easier to shut you up!" Knuckles snarked.
"We JUST need to land one last, all-out blow on its core." Dragon Tiki stated.
"Leave it to me! All of you just back off!" Knuckles demanded his friends, wanting to settle this fight alone.
Shocked, Okoye wants to argue, "But-!"
"As Guardian of the Master Emerald…As Protector of Wakanda Island…I MUST do this!" Knuckles declared, finally accepting Wakanda Island as his home after initial hesitation.
Sympathetic, Okoye relents to the words of her new Protector, "…Understood."
"ROOOOOAAAAARRRR!" Take-Mikazuchi roared monstrously, powering up a powerful mouth laser that targets Knuckles and Knuckles alone.
"Bring it!" Knuckles taunted the giant beast.
Take-Mikazuchi then fires its laser at the Last Echidna. Quickly, Knuckles rises one of his fists to brace himself, a mere second before the laser swallows him up entirely. "KNUCKLES!" Makoto Nanaya shouted in distress.
BGM End
"Direct hit!" Proxima gloated, thinking the echidna has died.
But, as the light of the laser fades, someone baffles the Black Order with their appearance. It is Knuckles. Alive. Having successfully blocked the Highlander's attack with his own power. "He blocked Take-Mikazuchi?" Proxima exclaimed with disbelief.
Corvus retorts, "Wouldn't be the first time one of them did. But, what's that stance? Is he…"
BGM-Sonic Adventure OST-Unknown from M.E. (GaMetal Remix)
Knuckles lets out a struggling grunt while striking a familiar crouching stance that is absorbing emerald-colored earth elementals into his body. "It's his Cross Art!" Lie Ren realized he is using Earth Break.
"Eat this! My strongest attack! COMBINATION CRASH!" Knuckles then roars into action with the power of the earth fueling his fists. His speed outmatches Take-Mikazuchi's senses so he can land a furious barrage of flaming punches straight to its core. The Highlander tries countering with a headbutt that is countered back by the echidna's leaping uppercut that leads to a fiery Drill Claw down on its large head. Cleverly, the Gigant unveils a mortar from its back that it fires to knock down the Dimensional Avenger, disturbing his Combination Crash.
"No! He was so close." Jaune commented from the sidelines, after healing Pyrrha just enough so she can watch the final battle with a concerned look for their friend.
"Darn it, I can't release enough energy! Come on, Knuckles! Feel the affection of your ancestors from your roots." Knuckles encouraged himself with the advice Black Panther gave to him before the invasion.
Tikal. Chief Pachacamac. Knuckles envisions all of his deceased Echidna Tribesmen transferring to him the power to save their legacy. An emerald light then shines from the Last Echidna and is brimming with tremendous energy that even stuns the Doom Prince himself. "What's this?" Omega Grimadoom remarked.
"HOOOAAAAAA!" Knuckles lets out a mighty, ferocious roar that leads him into screaming, "DRILL SPIN BOOOOOOOOST!" He seamlessly enters a spinning drill state wrapped with overwhelming flames that smashes through all of Take-Mikazuchi's defenses with no trouble at all. His Drill Spin Boost hits its core, and with a final push, obliterates it.
"GROOOOAAAAAAARRRRR…!" Take-Mikazuchi roared from its rapidly exploding body. Knuckles re-emerges behind its back with the Master Emerald back in his possession. He continues striking his seriously cool pose until the ancient Nox Nyctores explodes in a blinding light.
"Tikal, Pachacamac, I did it." Knuckles prayed to their memory.
BGM End
"ALRIGHT!" Naoto Kurogane expressed his sheer joy at his awesome victory.
"This is impossible! No one can defeat Take-Mikazuchi!" Corvus exclaimed, expressing his furious disbelief at their failure in destroying Wakanda Island.
That mistake left him wide open to a surprise attack from Shadow the Hedgehog. The teleporting mobian empowers his fist with raging chaos energy. And just as Corvus took notice of him, Shadow delivers an explosive punch straight through his heart. "CORVUS!" Proxima screamed out in horror from witnessing the apparent murder of her husband.
"This is the end for you." Shadow mocked, posing in front of Corvus's dying body collapsing to the floor.
The Stealth Assassin is the first major casualty in the Black Order. But Ren's Cross Art is sensing a different story. His telepathy is picking up strong brainwave activity in that corpse. It didn't take long for him to realize what is happening and uses his Cross Art to influence Shadow's movements in jumping back from a sudden glaive slash from a still-alive Corvus Glaive. "How are you still alive?" Shadow questioned, staring at the large hole in his chest where his heart used to be.
"As if I'll tell you…" Corvus retorted weakly.
"His glaive…" Pyrrha said next to Jaune, who listens to her saying, "My Cross Art senses something weird about it…"
Jaune then shoots a curious stare at Corvus's glaive. "Is that so?" He commented, thinking there is a connection between the glaive and his immortality.
"You haven't won yet…Celebrate this victory…It will be the last you will ever earn…" Corvus taunted his enemies one last time, before he and Proxima retreat through a dimensional rift. Nu-13 follows them. But only after exchanging a silent look with Scarlet Spider that infects her with questions to ponder on.
"Idiot." Kaine muttered stoically.
"Are you alright?" asked Ren, rushing to check on Pyrrha.
"I'm getting there…" Pyrrha replied with an assuring smile, partially healed thanks to her leader's efforts.
"We will take you to our medical center immediately." Okoye tells the huntress-in-training.
"Thank you." Pyrrha replied gratefully.
"You're wasting your time." Grimadoom mocked, back in his normal form to earn everyone's annoyed glares. "Revive all the weaklings you want. Thanos will just slaughter you all over again. Be grateful that I'm going to go finish him off right now." He announced his ridiculous plan.
"You're delusional if you think your new power can stop him." Shadow criticized his hedgehog rival.
Scoffing at his argument, Grim just smirks, "We'll see.", before warping himself away off of Wakanda Island.
"Is that guy always so cocky?" Naoto joked.
"Forget him." Knuckles said, holding the Master Emerald above his head, "We saved Wakanda Island. That's all that matters right now. Let's put it back up in the air and get Pyrrha to a hospital."
"Yeah." Naoto agreed.
With Jaune's permission, Scarlet Spider volunteered to carry Pyrrha. Holding her up like a princess that prompts her to tease him, "My hero."
"Say that to Arc, dumbass." Scarlet snarked, continuing to be Jaune's grumpy wingman.
Unbeknownst to the heroes walking toward the Master Emerald shrine, their entire fight was being monitored. Witnessed personally under the eyes of Doctor Doom in his astral form. "You have indeed grown strong beyond all of Doom's expectations. No wonder the others have come to fear your might. Grimadoom…" Doctor Doom monologued. His conflicted heart wondering how to handle the destiny of his artificial child.
BGM-Sonic Adventure OST-Mystic Ruins
The fighting is over. Aboveground and in the depths of Wakanda Island. This chaotic battle was finally won by the combined efforts of Knuckles, Black Panther, and all of their multiversal allies. A huge win in this Exo War. All that's left is to return Wakanda Island to its rightful place in the heavens. Knuckles does just that. Setting the Master Emerald in its shrine in the presence of his friends that fought hard to help him recover it. Knuckles step aside to let his Emerald unleash an awestrucking green light that soon spreads across the entire island to blind Black Panther and his Wakandan people. Wakanda Island quakes itself off the ocean and rises high to the sky. Becoming a peaceful floating island once again.
BGM End
Later, at the Wakanda Medical Center…
"Seriously? Overnight? You sure not by magic?" Jaune Arc questioned. Having a friendly conversation with the Wakandan King and Princess, as well as its Guardian, in a medical room where Pyrrha Nikos is resting.
"Technology. Not magic. I'm glad I get to treat another broken white girl." Shuri smiled, referencing the time she built Yang's vibranium arm.
"You and your team fought bravely to save Wakanda Island. This is the least we could do." The unmasked Black Panther said to the bedridden redhead.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Pyrrha nodded.
"You really were awesome back there, Knuckles." Jaune smiles at the echidna warrior.
"I didn't do it alone; I had help. The memory of my ancestors lent me their strength. THAT'S how I defeated Take-Mikazuchi." Knuckles explained his mastery of his Cross Art.
"So that's it." Jaune understood him.
"I am proud of you, my friend. Truly worthy of being a king." T'Challa complimented.
"Nah, I'm fine being a guardian." Knuckles replied with a smiling gesture. "Come on, let's go." He said, leading everyone but Jaune out of the room to let Pyrrha rest.
"Hey. So, um…" Jaune said, starting an awkward conversation with the girl that he confessed his love to earlier.
"Hm?" Pyrrha remarked, staring at him adorably, which is making it harder for him to speak.
"A-After we save the world, wanna grab something to eat? Just the two of us? I know a place, but it's not anything fancy. Cuz I'm not rich…" Jaune asks her out, shyly rubbing his hair as he did.
Pyrrha just smiles, "I would love that."
Jaune smiles back. He decides to head out himself, but before he does, he tells his new girlfriend one last thing. "Take care of yourself." He advised her with a sincere tone.
"You too." Pyrrha replied, allowing her new boyfriend to leave in peace. "Thank you." She smiled, grateful to her destiny for bringing her to Jaune.
BGM-BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger OST-Hollow
Meanwhile, in a park at the Golden City, Naoto Kurogane is relaxing on a bench after winning that exhausting Battle of Wakanda Island. Scarlet Spider is with him, leaning cross-armed on the side of his bench. The Jins, Kazama and Kisaragi, are with them too. Engaging in conversation regarding new developments while they were busy saving the island.
"Three more Exo Stones have been detected?" Jin Kazama questioned.
"Yes. STRIKE have already dispatched teams to collect them before our enemies does." Jin Kisaragi answered.
"That leaves two left. Assuming the Chaos and Nightmare Stones left the Masters of Evil." Kazama conversed.
"If not, that would increase our suspicion of their involvement in the Convergence." Kisaragi commented sternly.
"And how are you going to save Nu?" Naoto asked Kaine, who raises a stern eyebrow at him. "I figured that's why you fought her. Noel made you do it, did she?" He deduced.
"Whether I save her or destroy her doesn't change the fact that I'm going to pulverize her next time. No more rematches after that." Scarlet said grimly, deciding the next encounter with Nu-13 will be the final battle against her.
"Better go all Spirit Spider on her then." Naoto quipped.
"Only if necessary." Scarlet stated. "I held back this time to study her. It's strange. She's not like the clones I'm used to. Her and Noel. They feel…incomplete somehow. When I talked to Nu about her past, she doesn't seem to remember anything from her original life besides Ragna. Even that memory seems corrupted. No doubt because of what she suffered." He shared what he learned about Nu to his comrades.
"While it's none of my business, you should know that all Murakumo Units share a piece of the original's soul." Kisaragi speaks up to get the spider's attention. "Her name is Saya. The little sister of me and Ragna the Bloodedge." He revealed, with only Naoto reacting with surprise at this new knowledge.
"What?! Your sister's also called Saya?!" Naoto exclaimed, revealing that his own sister shares that name.
"What is she like?" Kazama asked his fellow Jin.
"Looks and acts as annoying as Lieutenant Vermillion." Kisaragi answered.
"So, Noel inherited most of her soul. Which explains why Nu is unstable." Kazama remarked, noting that Noel is most similar to Saya.
"Made worse by Thanos's corruption." Kisaragi added.
"That sounds familiar." Naoto teased Kaine with a look, comparing his miserable life to Nu's.
"And you're not interested in cleaning up your family mess?" Scarlet questioned the NOL Major.
"Why should I? My only concern is killing my brother." Kisaragi retorted coldly.
"You're as bad as this Jin." Scarlet snarked, pointing at his devil rival. He then goes back folding his arms to sigh, "Whatever. Hate that I'm involved in another Clone Saga, but I'm too deep in this now."
"I'll help you out." Naoto offered his genuine assistance.
"Having a change of heart?" Scarlet teased, recalling his disdain for Murakumo Units.
"I blame you and Noel." Naoto snarked. "The thing is…the Prime Field from my world suffered too. She was pieced together by the bodies of her broken sisters. We're enemies, and she's as crazy as Nu, but…I couldn't help but feel sorry when she told me about it." He frowned, envisioning a young woman that goes by the name of Kiiro Hikagami. "Always thought Murakumo Units were a curse that can't be removed without killing its victim. But you and Noel, even Kazama here, conquered your curses. If there's a way to save Nu without destroying her completely, I'm all for it." He said, vowing to save Nu this time.
"…You're just like him." Kisaragi muttered, comparing Naoto to Ragna.
"Hmph." Scarlet grunted, apathetic yet accepting of his help.
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"SCARLEEEEEEEETTTTT!" Suddenly, the voice of a certain pink-haired huntress catches the boys' attention. Most notably Scarlet's, judging by his eyes widening in shock.
BGM-Sonic Adventure OST-My Sweet Passion
"Oh no." Scarlet sweatdrops, already knowing who's coming to tackle-hug him. Yet still he is horrified to see Nora Valkyrie mere seconds away from giving him that overjoyed hug. "NOT AGAIN!" He screamed, right before being tackled straight into a tree.
"YOU'LL NEVER ESCAPE ME, SCAR!" Nora laughed ecstatically, rubbing her adorable face on his cheek.
"HEEEEEELLLPPP! SOMEONE GET HER OFF OF ME!" Scarlet pleaded, with Lie Ren showing up and deciding not to get involved with their usual antics.
"And I thought the Murakumo Unit was obsessive." Kisaragi joked dryly, getting a laugh from Naoto and even a slight chuckle from Kazama as they continue to watch Kaine and Nora play around like the found siblings that they are.
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Sanctuary II, Unified World's Orbit.
BGM-Transformers: Devastation OST-Operation Obliteration
The menacing Thanos was sitting in his throne room when he is greeted by the Black Order that failed in their conquest of both Latveria and Wakanda Island. "You have failed me again." Thanos scolded, shooting a disappointed glare down at his children.
"With this being Proxima and your kid's first time. What a shame." Mephisto mocked, standing beside his alien master.
"Our most deepest apologies, Master." Corvus Glaive said, kneeling in acceptance of his failure alongside Proxima Midnight, Black Dwarf, Nu-13, and Nebula.
"This dimension is troublesome. Unsurprising. You have even allowed them to destroy my Nameless." Thanos continues their condemnation.
"Apologies, Father." Nebula retorted, not wanting to be punished.
Scoffing at his adopted daughter, Thanos tells everyone, "I have already deployed more to the others. They will aid in securing the other Stones."
"What of Latveria and their Stones?" Proxima asked.
"In due time. Ebony Maw is assisting me in a failsafe if you fail to collect the remaining Stones. Part of this world used to be Mobius. The Time of Awakening has been reset. I will take advantage of it." Thanos claims he has another secret plan that he's keeping vague.
"Will this help?" Corvus remarked, offering his lord a surprise. Which is in the form of the red Chaos Emerald.
"A Chaos Emerald." Thanos noted.
"Found it on the island before we found the Master Emerald." Corvus said, explaining how he found it.
Thanos then takes the Chaos Emerald off his hand. It is not the Master Emerald or anywhere near as powerful. But it is still a gem containing the ultimate power, with six more like it that he senses are in the Masters of Evil's possession. Pleased, the Mad Titan smiles, "Yes. This will help nicely.", as the Exo War reaches its deathly middle stage.
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BGM-Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite & Beyond OST-Lobby Theme
KFX Here: That was an exciting mid-volume finale. I think it has been all but established that Scarlet Spider and his group of multiversal friends, like Team JNPR, are the secondary group of protagonists of the Masters of Evil Saga. I don't remember if I mentioned anywhere that was the plan from the beginning. I know I wanted to give Scarlet Spider more attention. Team JNPR's arc was unintentional, at the very least. Aw well. Back to focusing on more Dimensional Avengers, starting with Pit. See ya.
Renato Chacin: Regarding your first question, be patient and keep your expectations low. Regarding your second question, I'm pretty sure I answered that I have plans to adapt God Butcher and Absolute Carnage when I get to the King in Black Saga.
Nathan Ramos: Knuckles gaining strength from his ancestors was, in fact, inspired by T'Challa being King of the Dead.
Miguel: I've seen it. Looks nice and can't wait to watch it. No plans to adapt DMC 5, but I HAVE been thinking of an original crossover starring Nero and Team RWBY.
Next Time: Demonic Sibling Rivalry! A War for Dreams in the Nightmarish Realm!
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