[center][h1][color=orange]Megadragonbowser[/color][/h1] [b]Location:[/b] Peach’s Castle – Throne Room[/center] Eager to watch his foes go squish, Megadragonbowser watched his throne fly with bated breath. However, his breath caught in his throat as it was caught midair, not just by the real Bowser, but by a [i]giant[/i] real Bowser. He must have used a super mushroom. Growling, he turned ahead once again to make himself feel better by scorching the incoming heroes alive, but they proved far more proactive in their assault. When he let out his fireball at a strangely-elongated Ratchet, the Lombax vanished in the explosion. Megadragonbowser chuckled as he wiped one more off the ol' mental list, only to go slack-jawed in surprise when the fire subsided and Ratchet stood there still, swinging his wrench around until he vanished with an electronic static. By that time, the real Ratchet and his partner made their way around to the backside of the throne's plinth, below and a little behind where the tyrant hovered. There, the pair discovered an axe-shaped lever next to a crudely-drawn pictrograph depicting the ground in front of the throne opening up into a lava pit. Considering the position of his allies, pulling the lever might not be the greatest idea, but breaking it off to use it as an axe could work. Megadragonbowser did not catch wind of Ratchet's activities, his attention instead occupied by the sudden burning feeling hammering his chest. An unprecedented roar shook the castle as the painful acid melted armor and seared scaly flesh, sputtering and bubbling all the while. A second later, Michael's last sniper round hit home, blasting straight through his chest and lodging in his shell on the wrong side. Fiery ichor poured from the wound, and the shock caused the tyrant's wings to seize up. He landed with a crash on the plinth where his throne stood moments before, where the dark haze of Henry’s Nosferatu surrounded him and leeched his health into its caster, leaving him totally unprepared for Mario and Bowser's charge. A huge fireball exploded in the boss's ruined face, blinding him to the threat that followed. A moment later the four legs of the throne impaled the tyrant, and the larger of the koopas pushed him back into the wall behind him, nearly trampling Ratchet on the way. Even if the throne legs could have penetrated the shell on Megadragonbowser's back, they were not long enough to do so; nevertheless, the real Bowser held him there until the heat inside the tyrant melted the legs and dropped him to the ground. Megadragonbowser landed feet-first, but his feet did not hold him; instead, he slumped forward and landed on his belly on the black-and-white tile. His bright orange ichor pooled around him, and his burning wings turned to ash. He cracked open his mouth, but rather than cinders all that issued forth was a groan. [color=orange][b]”Ohhhhh.....”[/b][/color]. Somehow, his shell seemed to be burning up. His very body smoked, in fact, suggesting that it was burning away. Feebly, yet with some sense of urgency, the stupid overlord clutched at Bowser's foot. [color=orange][b]”You...”[/b][/color] he moaned. [color=orange][b]”You...want this. I know it...'cause I'm you. Kingdom...power...fear...respect...loving wife and son...old rivals ruined, destroyed...”[/b][/color] His gruesome features, twisted by so much punishment, manifested a ghastly smile. [color=orange][b]”Fuse...with me. Take my...my spirit. It can all be yours...only yours...everything...as it should be...”[/b][/color] He cracked his mouth open wider, and from between his fangs drifted a tiny mote. It was small, but it burned brilliantly. Purest, deepest, most wonderful orange...tantalizing in its incredible power. Megadragonbowser's body was burning away, but his pleading eyes locked with his other self's. The Koopa King had a choice to make. Bowser reached down and took the sprite in one hand. He raised it up before him, the seductive flame reflected in his eyes as he beheld its power. He glanced between it and the rapidly fading form of his double. It seemed like they really had been him in the end, not some doppelganger or mimic. It was a sorry thing, watching yourself die while pleading that someone continue your legacy, and Bowser was definitely one of self pity. “FINE. BUT THIS TIME WE TAKE... WE EARN THOSE THINGS.” A look came over the fallen tyrant’s face, one masked partially by the state of his features but otherwise very poorly disguised. It was one of unbridled, malicious glee. [color=orange][b]”Put my spirit...into your heart,”[/b][/color] he instructed, his mirth diluting his pain. Even if it did cost him the fight, the typical Bowser stupidity would be the real one’s undoing. In a few moments, the reign of the blazing tyrant would begin anew, rising from the ashes of the old. His flames would consume this oaf’s spirit, twisting it into a mirror image of his own. With his burning power plus the strength of this new Bowser, the so-called heroes would be crushed like gnats and [i]his[/i] rightful kingdom restored. “I KNOW HOW THIS WORKS” Bowser responded, his enrapturement with the sprite’s power blinding him to the poorly veiled deception. He moved to absorb the sprite. “Bowsypon, noooooooooo…!” Tora cried as he rocketed upward toward the very tall Koopa’s head, carried by Poppi. The pair was aiming for the burning spirit in Bowser’s hand, but their terrible aim and slapdash flight mechanism carried them into their comrade’s head instead. A noise rang through the throne room, [i]bi-doop-doop-doop[/i], as Bowser shrank back to normal size, distracted from his fixation by the impact and sent off-balance. Tora plopped down flat on his face beside him, and Poppi landed on him a second later. The Nopon both cushioned her fall and bounced her back to her feet, but she didn’t have time to worry about her masterpon. “OW. HAY WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA YOU OVERSIZED GERBIL!” Bowser complained while rubbing his bonked noggin. As he wiggled around on the floor, Poppi straightened up, put a hand on her hip, and extended an accusatory index finger at Bowser with the other. Eyebrows furrowed, she declared, “Stop right there, biggypon! Has Bowser never heard famous idiom ‘power corrupts’? Not see very evil-looking grin on boss face? Is most obvious of obvious traps! Do not absorb!” “POWER CORRUPTS? CORRUPT ME? GAHAHAHAHAHA.” Bowser slapped his knee and let out a raucous belly laugh at the very notion “CAN’T CORRUPT WHAT'S ALREADY AS EVIL AS CAN BE LITTLE MISSY. ALSO OF COURSE I’M SMILING EVILLY. HOW ELSE IS A VILLAIN SUPPOSED TO SMILE WHEN THERE ABOUT TO BE A PART OF THE GREATEST TEAM UP OF ALL TIME? WE’LL BE SUPER... MEGA... ULTRA DOUBLE DRAGON BOWSER AND IT WILL BE AWESOME!” Bowser retorted, flaunting the orange soul spark around as he did so. Poppi shook her head emphatically. “While Poppi has only been with Bowser for short time, is easy to see that is not really evil, just sort of mean and loud.” Her finger turned on Megadragonbowser, who looked awfully frustrated all of a sudden. “But that one real evil. He kill good people just like that!” She snapped her metal fingers. [i]Ting.[/i] Beside her, Tora finally got to his feet and piped up, “Think about what big baddy do! Subjects enslaved and forced to fight to death. Wife and son probably only obey because of Galeem trance! Nothing earned, all taken. But Bow-Bow can do better! Can earn respect of others by being good bad guy.” He waved his wings imploringly. “Then everyone happy to have Bowser king, no need for evil power!” Nearby, Megadragonbowser groaned. While his enemies bickered, he was wasting away. He reached out a feeble claw, but nobody seemed to notice. Fists against her waist, Poppi nodded solemnly to what her Masterpon said. “Plus, if Bow-Bow fuse with spirit, probably go crazy and attack us. Would have to fight, maybe destroy. But Bow-Bow not so weak he need power of Galeem to be king, right?” Bowser crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes as he stared down the pair “OK ONE:” The fingers on bowser’s free hand counted out his points as he talked “I AM TOTALLY EVIL. I’VE BEEN A BAD GUY SINCE BEFORE YOU WERE EVEN BORN. OR BUILT.” “TWO: YEAH OBVIOUSLY I’M GOING TO DO ALL THIS THE RIGHT WAY BECAUSE I’M NOT GALEEM’S DRUNK PUPPET LIKE THIS SCHMUCK DIEING ON THE FLOOR.” “THREE: AND HERE IS THE KICKER. WHAT’S SO DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS ONE HUH? EVERYONE ELSE GOES AROUND STUFFING SPRITES IN THEMSELVES ALL WILLY NILLY AND YOU DON’T PIPE UP BUT AS SOON AS I GET A HOLD OF THE STRONGEST ONE WE’VE SEEN IT’S ALL ‘OH NOOO BOWSER, NON-PON DO THAT’ HERO MORALISING JUNK.” “DON’T GO THINKING I DON’T SEE WHAT’S GOING ON HERE” Bowser said “I THINK YOU’RE JUST JEALOUS OF MY AWESOMENESS AND YOU WANT SOME OF IT FOR YOURSELF.” Bowser pinched the soul between his fingers and dangled it tauntingly just above and out of reach of the pair. “YOU WANT SOME OF THIS HUH? DO YA? WELL TOO BAD. IT’S MINE!” A look of consternation took Tora’s face over--Bowser had hit the nail on the head. The Nopon’s partner, however, kept trying. “Wrong again! Poppi have plenty awesomeness, but now not time for that. Think with logic, Bow-Bow. Why would person who wanted kill you suddenly go and offer great power? Is all one big trick!” She fired her thrusters and hopped up to try and get at the boss spirit. “WELL. UH. BECAUSE I WON AND PROVED I’M THE ONE TRUE KOOPA KING!” Bowser said as he pulled the sprite up and away from Poppi “SO I DESERVE THIS AND HE KNOWS IT.” After corrected her course, Poppi made another futile grab at the spirit before she slowed down to hover. Frowning, she declared, “Despite age, Bow-Bow mindset very simple.” Tora scratched his head. “That ironic coming from Poppi, but very true.” Meanwhile, Megadragonbowser had been looking between the three in utter bewilderment, like a cat at a game of ping-pong. The argument was dragging on and on, with no end in sight, and finally the tyrant could take it no more. He unceremoniously gave up the ghost, slumping down and burning out. In only a few seconds the ruthless king was a pile of ash, upon which all eyes fell. Blinking twice, Tora asked, “Is over? Just like that?” His question seemed to prompt a response. From the pile issued a great sigh that reverberated the air, and on its heels followed a wave of gentle darkness. It washed over Peach’s castle, putting out Galeem’s light wherever it shone. The toads in the entry-way ceased their panic, eyes restored to normal. In her magnificent, immoderately-fancy bedroom on the second floor, Peach perked up from her sewing kit as though waking up from a dream. Bowser Jr. looked up from his toys in his great playroom, wondering where he was. Kamek, just now finishing off the last fire in his underground study, shook his head to clear his muddled thoughts and stared in wonderment as the burnt, useless artifacts littering his lab. Back in the throne room, the wave buffeted Bowser, Tora, Poppi, and the nearby Ratchet and Clank, not knocking them over but sending the spirit of Megadragonbowser skittering along the ground toward the rest of the group. Though mesmerizing in its power still, the spirit bore far less malevolence than it had when in Bowser’s grasp. To keep it out of the Koopa’s greedy hands, someone else would need to take care of it. Regardless, the battle with the incandescent tyrant had come to an end. [hider=Boss Fight Results!] [b]Party:[/b] [@Archmage MC]'s Blazermate, [@DracoLunaris]' Bowser, [@Stekkmen]'s Centurion, [@Stern Algorithm]'s Din, [@Lmpkio]’s Geno & Mario, [@thedman]'s Michael & Franklin, [@ProPro]'s Courier 6 & Ratchet, Tora & Poppi, [@Caws For Alarm]’s Henry, [@Dawnrider]’s Hat Kid [b]Encounter Reward:[/b] 5 EXP [b]Savior Bonus:[/b] Hat Kid, Blazermate, Ratchet, Geno, Mario [b]Savior Reward:[/b] +1 EXP[/hider] [hider=Bridge Battle Results!] [b]Party:[/b] [@Archmage MC]'s Blazermate, [@DracoLunaris]' Bowser, [@Stekkmen]'s Centurion, [@Stern Algorithm]'s Din, [@Gentlemanvaultboy]'s Linkle, [@Delta44]’s Minako, [@Lmpkio]’s Geno & Mario, [@thedman]'s Michael & Franklin, [@ProPro]'s Courier 6 & Ratchet, Tora & Poppi, [@CawsForAlarm]’s Henry, [@Dawnrider]’s Hat Kid [b]Encounter Reward:[/b] 10 EXP [b]Trauma Bonus:[/b] Ratchet, Minako, Junpei (if applicable), Tora, Poppi, Michael, Franklin [b]Trauma Reward:[/b] +1 EXP[/hider] [i]EXP gain is restored to normal.[/i] [b]Level 3 Tora:[/b] 40/30 EXP - Level up! Upgrade Points: 2 [b]Level 2 Poppi:[/b] 20/20 EXP - Level up! Upgrade Points: 1 Zone Cleared: [b]Peach’s Castle[/b] [hider=Rooms]Throne Room - Pretty wrecked. No NPCs. Has functioning drop-floor into a lava pit. Foyer, Antechambers - Good condition, sparse furniture, not terribly useful, lots of toads. Kitchen - Plentiful preparation station, fully-stocked larders, informal dining table, chef toad team under the command of Cooking Mama. Library - Lots of books. Watched over by Toadsworth. Potentially haunted. Under investigation by Luigi. Living Quarters - For the toads. Dungeon - Dark, dank, and sporting lots of fire damage. Home to Kamek’s laboratory-study. Upstairs Bedroom - Peach’s extremely grandiose, plush, pink-decorated bedroom. Upstairs Nursery - The playroom of Bowser Jr., where he’s pampered all day long. Treasury - Glittering storeroom behind the throne room. Piled high with mountains of golden coins, and other treasures for those willing to dig for them. ‘Guarded’ by Wario. Garden - lovely garden out back, right before the giant void. Its locked gate prevents departure from within. Yoshi, Rabbid Yoshi, Rabbid Mario, Rabbid Peach, Sackboy, Yarny, and a number of Pokemon are currently stuck in this little paradise.[/hider] After a few moments, the clattering of heeled footsteps could be heard from one of the doorways adjacent to the throne room, leading to a stairwell. It grew louder and louder until the door burst open, and into the decimated throne room stepped the former monarch of the mushroom kingdom herself: [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/7/74/Peach_SSBU.png/revision/latest?cb=20180613135342&path-prefix=protagonist]Princess Peach[/url]. She cut a regal figure in her gown, but her face bore nothing but sadness. Yet, as her bright blue eyes swept over the scene, hope blossomed within them. She recognized that the Bowser still standing was not the one who lorded over her, and that the tyrant was no more. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, opened wide her eyes, and mustered a beautiful smile. “I can hardly express my gratitude. Even as I existed under the thumb of that monster, unable to object or disobey, I continued to believe that heroes would come. And here you are. Thank you.” She didn’t know about the fallen, yet tears sparkled in the corners of her eyes. She wiped them away and continued to smile. “Well then!” She clapped her hands. “You all must be hurt and exhausted. And hungry, I imagine. If everyone in this castle was freed along with me, then we’re well-equipped to cook up a grand feast worthy of heroes.” Without delay Peach began in the direction of the kitchen; she clearly intended to thank the heroes herself. Toads appeared, running into the room to crowd around their princess. A few stuck around her, babbling incoherently, but a number spread out to cheer for their saviors. In a couple moments their exultation filled the hall. As Peach and her crowd disappeared into the kitchens, the wreckage of the throne room main doors pushed open to reveal the Master of Masters, Kirby, Linkle, Minako, and a freed Junpei. The cloaked man took in the whole scene at a glance and started to applaud. Kirby jumped from his head and started to dance, not quite as aware but even more overjoyed. “Bravo, bravo!” The Master of Masters declared. “That’s one boss down. Twelve more, and you can stick it to Galeem!” He took count of everyone here--and everyone not. A touch of sadness entered his voice. “Oh. I see. I figured that was why my eye never sees that girl, or why Zer0 doesn’t show up in the future. My sympathies.” He sighed and let a few seconds pass, before composing himself again. “But hey, for us, life goes on. You bunch have more than earned some time to relax. Have some food, chat, explore, whatever you like. We’ll figure things out later, eh?”