As he is speaking, however, he does not notice that not only was his punch caught, but for his eagerness to attack a crowd member he is thanked with a swift elbow to the nose.

A voice comes from the crowd:

Nobody cares. Either give us something worth watching or quit being a waste of space.

---

---

There are currently no characters named "Wildcard" in the area. Get it right.

Regardless, what's-his-face looks up to see large broadcasting monitors which fully display Prototype's pummeling DX to seemingly no limit, which most of everybody else is too watching with extreme surprise.

Prototype backs off.

(It doesn't make sense... I should've absorbed enough of his strength to be dozens of times stronger than him in his current state.... and yet, to be at this level of power... just how much stronger is he getting every second?)
...Heh. Not bad. You were able to mitigate the full brunt of my attacks by turning your body. In that case...

Prototype turns around, turning his back to DX.

(Why'd he turn his back to me!?)

Proteus suddenly falls back-first using his momentum to kick DX in the head!

I'VE GOT YOU NOW, DUMBASS! AHAHAHAHAH! AHAHAHAHAH! AHAHAH! AHAHAHAHAHAH!

Prototype shoves a full on assault of aggrevated attacks at DX's direction, dealing a dangerous amount of damage!

(We need to stop him.)
Most definitely.
If you don't budge, we'll go through you by fo wait a second, did you just... agree?
I know, okay? It'd be pretty f'd up if I used this chance to try and hurt all of you. Look, man, I have standards.
Coulda fooled me.

The rain continues, increasing more and more. Wario and Waluigi run through, seemingly in a hurry.

What a damn waste 'a time!
Yeh! We were supposed to visit that darned Haunted Mansion or whatever! Wario still remembers what street it's on, right!?
Like I remember the bite 'a '87! I'll lead the way! Right now, we gotta get a move on!
....Say Wario, that guy we were fighting... he claimed to be an assassin, right? What if he really was hired by someone to kill us!?
Well, if we really do end up meeting the assing ass again, we'll have to beat that answer outta him.......but...
...Maybe... maybe he was right.
Eh? 'bout what!?
The... the killing thing. If what that wacko said was true, then it'd be a lot easier to get stronger faster... and it would stop the problem of our sworn enemies coming back.
That creep we met back on the ship. He acted like I was holding back on Wario-Man because I was... scared. Scared 'a pulling the trigger on someone else. Scared 'a turning back into an apparition. So perhaps... perhaps maybe we shouldn't be lettin' our enemies off the hook so easily.
...

Alright, I'll be there in an hour. Assassin's honor.

Tao stops speaking to the communicator, looking in Wario and Waluigi's direction.

Hmph. It seems you two have lucked out for now. But mark my words, the next time I find the two of y--

.......

Silent after his realization that the two had already left, Mercenary Tao apathetically walks to the nearest pillar, rips it out, throws it in the air, and then leaps on it, soaring through the sky.

(I wonder how Shen's doing...)

---

Joe is knocked back, but manages to stick a landing, his feet skidding onto the floor.



Really!? Awesome! Does this mean soon I'll be good enough to take down Alastor!?


Oh yeah! That reminds me!
The inner peace thing. You can use it, right?

Woah! So that's why I can never hit you with a surprise attack! But why don't I ever get some kinda sense or feeling of it from you...?






Well, that sounds kinda boring.

At a first glance, everything looks... normal. A few Toads are spotting walking about, but for the most part, everything seems eerily typical.

---

Pinky Kong simply regains focus, redirecting his attention back to Rocket Metal.
...It seems in the end, your circuitry will be your weakness. I've found a way around your attacks, machine.
...
(Hah! An obvious bluff.)

---

---

...

Rocket Metal, silent, fires a barrage of missile at Pinky Kong, who stands strong and endures them. As Rocket Metal takes this opportunity to charge ahead, Pinky Kong swings the back of his hand to the side... hitting Rocket Metal.

Your attacks are too linear. Too predictable. Any move you pull, I can see through it.
Woah... He's doin' a better job at fightin' than Wave was!
Okay, you did not need to bring me up there.

Tao slowly gets up, slightly writhing in pain from Wario's assault.

YOU DARE to lay your grubby fingers on me!?
Newsflash, bub. I don't hafta kill anyone.... but what I WILL do is make ya wish you were six feet UNDER!
Really!? I was taking it easy, but I think I'll enjoy reducing your bodies to a pile of smothering ash!

Tao takes his stance. Wario and Waluigi get ready for another round.

I'll take you both on! Get ready to die--

Suddenly a buzzing noise from Tao's right ear is head.

......You're calling me in the worst time possible. Seriously. You're cramping my style.
*buzz*
...You're the mastermind criminal organization, why do you need my assistance so much? Relying so much on others only proves your worthlessness.
*buzz*
......HOW much Ƶ?

Wario and Waluigi merely watch on as Tao Pai Pai talks to his communicator back-and-forth.

....Is this guy serious?
Waluigi was about to ask the same thing.

Of course, I don't take wastes of my time kindly... so you'll have to pay in other ways beside death.

Tao squeezes Waluigi's hands again!

WAAAAAAH! WALUIGI'S WAAAAHNDERFUL MANICURE!
I mean, I still kill the both of you. Obviously. It's just going to be a lot more excruciating.
THAT'S IT, YOU BASTARD! YOU LET HIM GO, OR I'LL MAKE YOU PAY!
Make me pay...? That would be a more exciting change of pace, to be honest.

Tao squeezes tighter!

WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHI'mkindausedtoitactually. Eh.
NOW THAT'S THE LAST NERVE! GET READY TO EAT CHEESEBURGERS THROUGH A STRAW!

Wario charges straight for Tao Pai Pai once more, gaining Tao's attention!

Didn't I warn you already? Your caring heart makes your movements far too dull-- WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH! CHOMP ATTACK!

Wario leaps forward with Tao sticking his forearm out to block, only for it to be bitten in one Chomp, also forcing Tao to release Waluigi!

Argh!
SHOULDER BASH!

Tao, too distracted by his swelling hand, immediately takes a Shoulder Bash to the gut!

PILEDRIVER!
HNGH!

Wario immediately picks Tao up, spins him in the air, and slams him on the ground!

BUTT-SMASH!

Wario drops down on Mercenary Tao with a Butt-Smash, knocking Tao's windpipes for a loop!

---

Shoulder Bash (Impact)- Wario charges at the target with his powerful shoulders. Can be used to easily break through special walls, blocks, or defenses, and can be used mid-air.
Piledriver (Impact/Grapple)- After picking up an enemy, Wario spins in the air and pounds the enemy headfirst into the ground, or alternatively tosses the target down headfirst instead. Weaker opponents will almost instantly be knocked out.
Butt-Smash (Impact/Shadow)- Wario drops down on the target with a strong ground-pound, shaking the ground beneath him. If Wario is hit while demeaning the target or taunting them, he will teleport above them with one instantaneously.
Butt-Smash EX (Impact/Wind)- The Butt-Smash does triple the damage, and releases Waft gas after impact.

Get offa him, you louse!

Wario tries to force Tao into releasing the hold, but is merely kicked away.

In your eyes I see a high aptitude for hatred... but it seems you've long since mellowed this spirit by surrounding yourself with peaceful souls to accomodate. A disappointment.
SHADDUP!

Waluigi tries to attack Tao by poking him in the eyes, but Tao catches this attack easily...using his hand to slowly break Waluigi's fingers.

WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!

---

With little effort, Mercenary Tao redirects the flow of Wario and Waluigi's attacks, causing Wario to punch Waluigi and Waluigi to stomp Wario!

Augh!

The both of them tumble to the ground.

Amateurs. I've wasted my time fighting the likes of you. It's clear there's nothing worth facing in the eyes of your lack thereof resolve.
What'd you say!?
Only that the both of your attacks are worthless without the drive of Killing Intent put behind them.
Oh yeh!? And whyd'ya figure we'd need that!?
Fools.

---

Prototype headbutts DX, and follows up with a mesmerizing uppercut that launches them into the air, only to be crushed from above by the oncoming Astro Crush!

---

Pinky Kong is hit by a Spin Attack from Rocket Metal, but manages to shake it off, and break his fall being knocked back.

(Teleportation?... Or is he somehow stopping time?...)

---

Dark Galacta Knight seems to not appreciate the appearance of these two figures...
...

---

Your naive hearts have done nothing but hinder that potential hidden inside you. It slows your movements, it softens your punches... and it is for THOSE reasons which you two will DIE.
...

Sus King begins to rapidly expand, growing and massively duplicating across the area, flooding the ground, and the air with nothing but clones, along with the existance of giant ones.

Looks like we're not getting outta this without a fight, after all.
...*BEEP.*
(Yeaah, I converted it just to see how I'd sound, not gonna lie I don't like it. Plus everyone somehow has no problem translating what I say, so, no real point.)

Pac-Man charges at the fake duplicates, swallowing up as many as possible while shrugging of all kinds of damage from lasers and Shake Beams fired at him, before returning fire with enhanced Pac-Beams of his own, while Game & Watch drowns as many as possible with Tidal Ink.

---

Raindops begin to appear from the sky, but they are few and far between. Wario and Walugi seem slightly worn.

What the heck is this guy made of? He's avoided all of our attacks!
Yeah... we ain't hit 'em once!
I truly hope this isn't all you two are capable of, otherwise I've wasted my time expecting some sort of challenge.
And if not, then I'll just have to kill the both of you myself.
Try it, ponytail!

Wario and Waluigi both charge at Tao Pai Pai, who uses a double overhanded attack at Wario, who barely blocks it in time. Waluigi throws a kick at Tao, who dodges it and counters with a leg sweep, which trips Waluigi up, though he manages to tech his fall. Wario dashes with an attempted bash, then unloads a series of fast Tommy Fists, but Tao effortlessly dodges, moving from side to side.

It's clear to me now... your attacks are as unrefined as can be. Never in your lives could you hope to defeat me with your current skill level.

---

Tidal Ink (Water/Earth)- Game & Watch sends a tsunami of ink the opponent's path in an attempt to catch them in a tidal wave. Is a more advanced version of Oil.
Pac-Beam (Laser)- Uusing eaten pellets as ammo, Pac-Man fires a laser beam from his mouth, doing moderate damage. This move bypassess any sort of immunities, affinities, or resistances while negating the use of defenses such as shields. When in Wedge form, this move is enhanced to a colossal degree.

WAKA-WAKA.

Everyone other than the fake Shake King looks up in the air... the Air Cruiser begins to exit the clouds.

(Looks like Shadwari was busy after all... Him and that miner guy.)
*ROAR* (All of them are on there?)
(Oh, yeah. And if my hunch serves me right, I'd say this is a good chance to put a stop to this guy once and for all.)

Yoshles soars into the air... before an electric tentacle grabs him, slamming him back to the ground.

Huh?

The tentacle, coming from the previously ignored duplicate disappears. The impostor Shake King slowly rises into the air.

αρσℓσgιєѕ... вυт ι αм αfяαι∂ уσυ ωιℓℓ вє gσιиg иσωнєяє иєαя тнαт ѕнιρ.

Erm... maybe it wouldn't hurt to introduce yourself to us first?

---

Heat Man moves up once more.

No, you still haven't listened to a single word I said. Then again, it's no wonder. You're a coward. A coward that relies on the weapons he's given. What are you without everything you are as a Fake Man, huh? Then again... It looks like the name is fitting after all.

I've tried it, and i've made the conclusion make a 8bit art really is too good to use. So good, that I have in fact vowed to uninstall and disassociate with every other editing software I have ever used.

When I opened the website up, immediately a tear was brought to my eye from the stunning beauty of the program. 'Where was this all of my life'? 'Why settle for mediocrity when beauty was right in front of my eyes the entire time'? The astonishingly easy-to-handle layout, the marvelous accessibility, it puts everything that I have ever known to shame.

Every other option is far inferior to Lolman's incredible yet unrivaled suggestion. It is the only platform for spriting that should exist, in this universe or another.

Everyone seems to be quite heavily injured. Proteus has a large gaping hole in the side of his chest, narrowly away from his actual core.

So... Powerful... and yet... this power doesn't feel natural...
I... concur...... this foe may be even more powerful than the Onslaught Machine...
...The what?
(Damn... Perhaps it wasn't a good idea to let those shields do all the work when he could've easily blitzed past them.)
Welp... We're done for. The ride was nice, but it seems like that guy knocked our main healer out.
No... We shouldn't give up...

Meriken Man tries to get up. Meanwhile, the figure, now with a mug of coffee, watches.

Peculiar. All of you are but innorganic lifeforms, only able to emulate the act of emotion, and yet... you take all this punishment, all for the sake of one miserable planet doomed to fall regardless... It is a passion I have yet to see in glorified computers such like your own.
...Unfortunately for you all, I have little to no care for such.

Meriken Man walks up to the figure, albeit painfully.

As long as one man stands against you, you'll never be able to achieve victory.
Noble sentiments from one who is about to die.

Meriken Man puts up his shield, but it is immediately sliced in half.

Now, let this infinitesimal thorn in my side be gone.

The figure summons a row of Heart Spears as they all fly at

---

---

---

Meriken Man finds himself on the ground, several yards away.

What the--!?

Proteus and everyone else finds that their injuries have mostly been rejuvenated. Defteros begins to come to.

What the--!?

The figure is confused at everything that just happened.

What the--!?
Meanwhile, the voices of two more people come from behind.

Alright, we've made it just in time.
Good. You take your siblings and the rest back to that Earth.

The second figure pulls out a blade, unsheathing it.

I'll be the one to deal with this menace.

The clouds seem to have blocked the sun and covered the sky, turning it gray.
...

---

Mr. Game & Watch seems to realize something.

*BEEP! BEEP! BEEEEP!* (But if the guy we're facing here is fake...)

Yoshles turns around.

(..Yeah. He never left the ship.)

---

So... this is the place that contains your little ace in the hole, huh?
...

Shadwari, taking Captain Syrup's telling silence as admittance, immediately turns to it, extending his hand towards it, as it glows a green aura.

Convenient. Because unlike Somari or his acquaintances.... I'm not so keen on leaving possible threats unhandled.

Shadwari begins to prepare and attack, and as he's about to fire... something crashes through a wall behind him, slamming into the second wall in the room.

Unh....!
You--!
Damn... Looks like that sanctimonious prick is still as strong as ever.

Shadwari ceases fire, redirecting his attention to Crazy Miner's presence.

You're the one we fought at that Valley... Crazy Miner.
Yeah. And you're the guy who socked me in the chin.
Right now, that should be the least of your concerns. What are you doing--

Suddenly, Shadwari, Crazy Miner, and Captain Syrup hear booming footsteps.

A shame. You had exceptional potential, Miner. It's too bad you were too much of a failure to complete your task.

Crazy Miner immediately kicks up, landing back on his feet. Shadwari tenses at the voice and footsteps.

It's him.

As Captain Syrup immediately scurries away, Shadwari and Miner both brace themselves, their power beginning to grow.

So... Think you're up for this?
...Hmph.

Shadwari removes his inhibitors, growing immensely in strength.

I've fought tougher in the past and made my way out. I don't plan on losing now.

As Shadwari and Crazy Miner, both now prepared, face the hole in the wall, the steps continue.

How fortunate. Another mole for me to crush like you. If you had the slightest portion of intellect, you would not have tresspassed here. But it's no matter...
...Because your fates were sealed the minute the two of you supported that nemesis of mine.

WALUIGIIIIIII!
Ngh...

Waluigi tumbles backwards... before firmly planting one of his feet on the ground, immediately regaining focus.

Ouchiewahwas! What in the name 'a DirectTV was THAT!?

♫ The Wrath of Tao Pai Pai ♫

Interesting... If I had known minimum power wouldn't have been enough to kill either of you, I would've poured more effort into the attack. Note to self: stop yelling attacks out loud.
You... you piece of trash scumbag! Who the heck d'ya think you are!?
Yeah! Come out and take yer beatin'!
...Hmph. It would seem you two certainly could use the humbling. Very well. The two of you may humor me...
...Before I decimate you both.
Eh? Who are you, anyway? I'll betcha that Shake King put 'em up to this.
Waluigi doesn't think so, Wario. Shake King wants us alive so he can get rid of us for himself. But him...
...
Waluigi can feel his Killing Intent. Whatever beef he's got, it's with him and Wario.
....Hmph! Whatever!

Wario and Waluigi get into positions.

We'll take this dirty cheapshottin' dweeb out in 3 moves, tops! Whatever he's got up his sleeve, it's nothin' compared to us!

You know what? Fine. But if this is gonna happen, we're gonna charge on my mark....

Everybody races at the figure, launching an attack at every which way towards him. Proteus, however...

...Anger. Anger is what makes up 99% of my being. Why is it that life I constantly find frustrating so? Is it the sins of the past? Is this a karmic rebuttal from a past life? Or...
Perhaps my rage has blinded me. Numbed me. Made me only more susceptible to lies, and make me lose control of who I can be. Perhaps I should make an earnest effort to improve myself. Change. Remain calm under pressure. Stop making brash decisions. And above all else, forge my own identity. Perhaps then, things will begin to change...

Everybody who charged at the figure is knocked back immediately.

Nah.

With the snap of a finger, Proteus's shields all form into their quasi-humanoid states.

WHICH BITCH NEEDS SLAPPIN

Proteus points to the small figure. Immediately the shield-bots all charge at them in unison.

Why have you never done this before?
Never had to.