...Heh. Just another fine day's-a work for one of Shaggy's most-a promising apprentices...
...And with that, I'm-a off!
Oh, before you go, I just want to say...
...That outfit looks good on you, Luigi!
H-huh!? Y-you must've gotten-a me confused with another handsome rogue... I-a know not this "Luigi" you-a speak of!
W-w-well, time-a to go! I'll-a be back for the fight with-a Regulus!
(I mean, if he was outside the lab anyway I'm not sure if it's that much plot convenience...)
Hey, izzat da Yggdrasil Ring o' Freedom? We been lookin' for dat!
*bweep* (We were wondering if there was someone you know, or have seen, who could use the full potential of its powers.)
Indeed. Given it's unusual origins, it would require a very specific individual.
An individual who not only has a strong desire to be free, be it in general or from something specific that they struggle with, but also has some sense of hope for what they want...and on top of it all, high amounts of rage.
Your description does remind me of an individual I heard from the water's echoes before I surfaced to calm Dyna Man back when Surge Man was still a threat...
She matches all of those descriptions. She has a goal that she won't give up on accomplishing, said goal keeps her alive - in a sense, free - and she's a ruthless fighter.
Unfortunately, if we want half a chance at convincing her to get involved...she's going to want a lot of Cores or Xels.
...I think I just heard her. She's still on DK Island.
Cores and Xels, huh? I've got a couple o' dozen we can give the girl!
...don't ask.
Well, Chunky and I can probably tag along to show you the way. And in case you need backup...
Friend Devil Man okay if he give ring to angry girl?
I'm so stoked! This is gonna be great!!
...Buuuuut what do we do until then?
I have an idea...
(Ugh, not another one of these again...)
...You all can go ahead and kneel to the greatest fighter the world's ever seen...
...Hmph. You're delusional if you think I'll kneel to anyone, especially a phony like you.
Oh, really? Then I guess you won't mind proving your superiority right now?
All right! It's time you've met your match....
...Shingo. Go give him a good ol' molly-whopping.
What? But he's you, Master Kyo! How am I supposed to defeat him if I can't even do it to the real you during sparring?
Oh, relax! He may be a clone of me, but I'll always keep improving! Kusanagi's just a phantom of my past. At one point, he could've been my equal, but I doubt he could hold a candle to me now.
'Sides. This could be viewed as a test to see just how much you've improved since back then.
...If you insist...
Leaving me with the appetizer, are you? Hah. Just know that you'll be next in two seconds' time.
*gulp* (This is it... this is where I test my strength... against my own Master! I can't back down now! I've got to show him what I'm made of!)
(This test may have been a little too much for Shingo. Even if that duplicate of myself was from years past, he may not be experienced enough to deal with him..)
Hhup!
Augh!
(The fight'll probably be long and drawn out, not to mention the wall he'll have to overcome due to his inability to use flames.)
SHINGO KIIIICK!
Hnngh!
(In any case, I should probably interfere before he gets himself seriously hurt again.)
Shingo! Wait! Stop before you get hu--
--YYYYES! I did it! Surely Master Kyo'll be proud of me now!
H-how was I beaten... by s-such a l-lame move...
....
....
(!)
....That's the aura of Orochi manifesting.
What the hell is it doing, out in this pathetic faraway fairyland? And right where I passed those peons from earlier. Hmph. You can keep finding ways to return, Orochi...
...But I'll keep finding you and sending you back to hell. Right were you belong.
....
....Good work, Shingo. I'd say your performance has earned us a little ramen tri--
--(!)...
Uh.... Master Kyo?
(...I have a bad feeling something bad is out there.) ...Sorry about that! I just zoned out for a second. Anyway, whad'ya say? Your treat, though.
Yeah! Let's go get some victory ramen!
...You're good. It's not every day I've been forced to a standstill by others. Clearly you know your stuff.
As do you. Your technique is admirable. Kyokugen Karate, you called it?
Well? Why don't we go back to letting our fists do the talking?
...As you wish.
You think you can escape from me? Don't dream of it. I won't let you leave until you do one thing...
...Die.
So this is your host, Orochi? A weak, useless hunk of junk?
...I'll burn you so bad you won't dare come back to the living realm.
(!)
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