[center][h3]Tora, the Master of Masters, and [color=orange]Megadragonbowser[/color][/h3]
[b]Level 3[/b] – (5/20) EXP
[b]Location:[/b] Peach's Castle - Bridge
[b]Word Count:[/b] 409 (Only Tora portions counted)[/center]

A few moments passed in stunned quiet as the heroes looked on, which the King's ego gladly took as affirmation of his terrifying presence. Some of them, Linkle in particular, seemed eager to find whatever they could to distract them from the blazing behemoth before them. What happened to the puny thing that fell out of the mobile home didn't concern him; he only cared so long as the unidentified flying object in his airspace made for good sport. One by one, however, the interlopers began to rouse themselves. Their individual chatter, directed at one another, surely constituted nothing important, but Megadragonbowser did end up fixing his attention on his more ordinary counterpart. As odd as having two Bowsers might be, the King seemed to understand immediately, and when the smaller of the pair voiced a bewildered question, his superior cracked an ugly smile.

[color=orange][b]”NO, IDIOT. I'M YOU...THOUGH IT'S NOT SURPRISING YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE ME. YOU WOULDN'T KNOW VICTORY IF IT NAILED YOU IN THE FACE!”[/b][/color]. Megadragonbowser pointed a claw at him, laughing in thunderous derision.  [color=orange][b]”HAHAHAHAH! THAT'S WHAT I AM, AFTER ALL! ALL YOUR LIFE YOU'VE PRETENDED AT BEING A KING, A VILLAIN. A FATHER.”[/b][/color] With a snort, the King lowered his arms. [color=orange][b]”AND NOW A HUSBAND? YOU DIDN'T EARN THAT RING OR THAT CROWN. ONLY THE MOCKERY AND PITY OF EVERYONE YOU KNOW! IN THE OLD WORLD, OUR VERY NAME STANDS FOR ENDLESS, POINTLESS FAILURE.”[/b][/color]

A great [i]thump[/i] rang out as he beat his fist against his chest. [color=orange][b]”BUT HERE...I AM THE KING! I RULE THIS PLACE WITH AN IRON CLAW, WITH SUBJECTS SO LOYAL THEY FIGHT TO THE DEATH FOR MY AMUSEMENT! A LOVING SON, AN OBEDIENT WIFE, EVERYTHING I WANT...MINE! AND MY OLD RIVALS? ETERNAL SUFFERING IN MY DUNGEONS. YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A REMINDER OF OUR SHAME.”[/b][/color]

Looking very pleased with himself, Megadragonbowser crossed his arms before turning his attention to the Courier, staggering out in a crazed stupor. His words were honey in the King's ears, and received immediate reinforcement in the form of additional fighters supposedly offered to him as tribute. As the King watched, Bastion and the savage Lakelurk materialized behind 6, provoked by his offering to exist once again, even as transient Strikers.

[center][hider=For Courier 6]New Striker Gained:
[url=https://d1u1mce87gyfbn.cloudfront.net/media/artwork/bastion-concept.jpg][b]Bastion[/b][/url]
An Omnic built as a mindless battle-drone but somehow possessed of sentience and feeling. Curious, inquisitive, and usually cheerful, Bastion still suffers from a PTSD-like affliction, prompted by certain warlike stimulus to flicker to the soulless killing machine he used to be. As a Striker, he can manifest to lay down covering fire on the move in Configuration:Recon or shift to Configuration:Sentry to lay down a brief but devastating barrage of chaingun fire. If not used for enough time, he can also manifest in Configuration:Tank to unleash explosive shells on the move

and:
[b][url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/fallout/images/3/3a/Lakelurk.png/revision/latest?cb=20110507234435]Lakelurk[/url][/b]
A territorial and highly aggressive mutant snapping turtle. It is nothing more than an animal, but can still be commanded in battle as a Striker. Its vicious claws can rip into unarmored flesh in a series of rushing slashes or after a pounce. It is more maneuverable in water, which is also where it can belt out a sonic pulse to stun enemies[/hider][/center]

However, Megadragonbowser was no fool, and a perceptive monster to boot. He recognized in an instant the third 'ally' the Courier awoke, and gnashed his teeth. [color=orange][b]”HOW DID HE GET OUT...?[/b][/color] he murmured, though even a whisper from the giant shook the air. While 6 made a convincing performance, the newly-awakened Mario did not beat about the bush, instead cracking his knuckles before starting to move forward. His voice Megadragonbowser heard quite keenly. Yet, this came only as confirmation to what the King suspected from the first.

That said, he decided to play along a little longer. A young woman engaged in a thrilling dance, weaving eye-catching magic as she span and swung around. After a few moments of this Megadragonbowser raised his hand. [color=orange][b]”ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT. I DO LIKE THE DANCE, AND I'M ALWAYS DOWN FOR SOME MORE PAWNS, BUT I FEEL LIKE THAT WALKING BLUNDER THERE GAVE YOU THE WRONG IMPRESSION OF ME.”[/b][/color] He chuckled, then tapped a claw against his temple. [color=orange][b]”I'M NOT STUPID. I SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BUT EVEN BETTER, I SEE THOSE EYES OF YOURS. WINDOWS TO THE SOUL, THEY SAY...AND YOURS ARE DARK. SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, LET'S CUT THE ACT AND GET TO THE PART WHERE I MAKE YOU INTO PASTE!”[/b][/color]

Orange energy surged through MDB's body as he reared back, preparing to unleash a mighty roar. Before he could, however, the air shimmered, and from the disturbance appeared something [url=https://www.ssbwiki.com/images/thumb/2/2b/Master_Hand_SSBU.png/1200px-Master_Hand_SSBU.png]new,[/url] appearing for all intents and purposes to be floating, limbless, gloved hand.

The bizarre entity floated beside the King, making him jump. [color=orange][b]”...WHADDYA [i]YOU[/i] WANT?”[/b][/color] he snarled. In reply, the entity closed into a fist, upended itself, and spread its fingers again. In its palm was an ordinary [url=https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/675/645/2c7.gif]toad[/url], sporting the usual sunset-colored eyes, but clearly agitated. He ran down one of the entity's fingers and leaned over to say something to Megadragonbowser, who listened with an annoyed look. [color=orange][b]”HUH. OKAY.”[/b][/color]. He relaxed, straightening his posture, and addressed the heroes once again. [color=orange][b]”SOUNDS LIKE I HAVE SOME PESTS RUNNING AROUND IN MY CASTLE. ONCE I'M DONE EXTERMINATING, MEET ME IN THE THRONE ROOM. IN THE MEAN TIME, MY BUDDY HERE'S GONNA ENTERTAIN YOU.”[/b][/color] With a sneer, he turned around and pushed through the castle doors. Still panicking, the toad jumped down off the hand and ran after him, leaving just the entity behind.

While bearing none of the outward aggression or grandeur of Megadragonbowser, the snow-white entity harbored its own, more subtle menace. It gave a nonchalant wave. After that, a strange sort of voice could be heard, coming not from someone's lungs but from manipulated vibrations of the air itself. [i]”Seekers of restoration, you have demonstrated strength. But you do not yet understand the scope of your mission. It will leave you hollow. It will take all you have to give, and then more. And in the end, you will give your lives.”[/i] The entity snapped its fingers, and around it seven [url=https://a.wattpad.com/cover/166765016-256-k537962.jpg]objects[/url] appeared in flashes of colored light. They floated down onto the bridge and tapped, gently, against the stone. [i]”It is never too late to give in. The light waits patiently for your embrace; you need only turn away. In this paradise, you can live with your friends and families once more. But if you continue, your hearts will be broken before you even reach that King. Behold.”[/i]

One after another, the objects popped in bursts of color and shattering sound. In their place appeared seven figures: a diminutive [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/ratchet/images/a/a0/Clank_%28re-imagined%29.png/revision/latest?cb=20160515072651]robot[/url], different from those that came before; a pistol-toting [url=https://cdn.staticneo.com/w/gta5/thumb/3/37/Franklin.png/280px-Franklin.png]man[/url] in blue; a young [url=https://fireemblem.fandom.com/wiki/Henry?file=Henry_%28FE13_Artwork%29.png]man[/url] in caster's clothes with squinted eyes; a somewhat unremarkable [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/megamitensei/images/b/b3/Junpei_Iori_render.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/235?cb=20141127072617]dude[/url] in a cap; a shirtless [url=https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/overwatch_gamepedia/thumb/9/99/Junkrat-Portrait.png/286px-Junkrat-Portrait.png?version=c23334dae852756b575df8a32ea34708]maniac[/url] with a grenade launcher; a scrappy-looking [url=https://borderlands.fandom.com/wiki/Gaige?file=Gaige_%26_D374-TP_-_Render.png]teenager[/url] flanked by a scary machine; and...

“Poppi!” Tora almost fell forward in shock, his dark eyes wide and his mouth agape. Among the red-eyed arrivals stood [url=https://oyster.ignimgs.com/mediawiki/apis.ign.com/xenoblade-chronicles-2/7/78/XC2-Poppi-Artwork.jpg?width=640]someone[/url] he recognized, a machine with a human face. He expected -and in fact hoped more than anything- to see her again, but not so soon, and to witness her under Galeem's influence left the Nopon shaken. When he looked into her eyes, even at this distance, he could see no trace of his dearest creation and companion. 

The entity remained as dispassionate as always. Another snap of his fingers, and an unnerving red-and-black aura surrounded the seven. [i]”These spirits will not attack unless you do, but they will not move from this spot. If they do fight, they will do so with three times their usual resilience and power. If you do not embrace the light, you will die here, or be forced to kill them. This is the first toll to pay.”[/i]

Falling silent, the entity allowed its words to sink into the heroes and be struggled with.

Not far away, Ratchet echoed Tora's despair, perhaps even worse. The Lombax understood the situation, the choice that lay before him, and found himself unable to make it. How could he take the life of his partner and best friend? Compared to that, letting Clank kill him seemed like the better option. But his choice wasn't the one that mattered here, and the others couldn't be trusted. Sure, his party pulled out a couple wins against mindless enemies, but this...? Even if Clank could be freed, what guarantee was there that the others would do so? Images of Zer0 gunning Clank down, or the fat guy blasting him apart with his shotgun, or Bowser crushing his little body underfoot flew through Ratchet's head. The group's survival meant Clank's death. 

But Ratchet couldn't accept that. 

Nearby, the Master of Masters remained distracted, prevented from pondering the dire situation thanks to the goings-on with Roadhog and Hat Kid. The cloaked man placed himself between the Australian and the girl, saying, “Hey, lighten up, would ya. That was you half an hour ago. I'll just free her the same way I did you.” His hidden face turned toward the entity and its summons, with their dangerous aura. “...If I get the chance.” So split was his focus that he didn't notice what was going on with Ratchet until a golden gleam surrounded him. When it faded, the Lombax's eyes shone with the same off-putting luster as his friend's. The Master of Masters practically toppled over in surprise. “It's that easy!?” he cried. He watched, speechless, as Ratchet ran forward toward the seven guardians. One of them, the short robot, leaped into his arms, and the two shared a hug while the others looked on, deadpan. 

Remembering Tora's dismay, the Master of Masters cast a wary look his way. The Nopon looked downright distraught; one could tell just be looking at him how tempted he was. An overwhelming urge to do something filled the Master, but for all his wisdom he didn't know what he needed to do. After a few seconds he drummed something up; no matter how tempting the bondage, these people needed to be free. He spun around and pointed his keyblade at Hat Kid, who shook in fear at the weapon's jagged edge. The Master of Masters, however, shook just as badly. He was tired and confused, and while he knew that the girl should be friend, he hesitated. “I have to do it,” he whispered, his voice startlingly unsure. “Even if I disappear again...I have to.” Taking a deep breath, he prepared to strike at her bound heart.

Before he could, a bright pink heart flew over in an arc and splashed against Hat Kid. In in instant, the influence of Galeem melted away, like snow in springtime. When she blinked in surprise, her eyes were bright and blue, no longer the scared red of a cornered animal. The Master of Masters looked toward the source and found Tora, breathing heavily, but still one hundred percent himself. “Hah! Tora have strong heart, can same thing that drunky druggipon did.” Forcing a smile, the Nopon turned back toward the entity and its minions, and cried, “There is answer, stupid hand. You give hard choice, but being hero means making hard choice. Even if seem impossible, Rex-Rex would find way to save friends, not give up for fake paradise.” He pointed a wing finger at his Blade. “Just a little longer, Poppi! Masterpon coming to save you.”

Whatever conclusions the others came to, either before or after Tora, the entity appeared unmoved. Without another word it snapped its hand and disappeared in a flicker, leaving the heroes with their dilemma—fourteen versus eight times three.