The figure simply after tripping rolls away do to his round body.

---

Captain Syrup walks by...
That stupid-- Knack must've destroyed all the cameras here again! When will he learn not to play target practice here!?. There is a training room, these things cost money!

Suddenly, a loud noise is heard from behind. Syrup turns around... spotting nothing.

...Hmph.

As Captain Syrup turns around, however, something grabs hold of her with one hand, using the other to place their hand around her neck!

!
Move or let out a single decibel of noise and I swear to you what will happen next will hurt.
...
Now.Take me to where the weapon classified as XD001 is located.
...

Captain Syrup quietly begins walking along, the figure following.

Heat Man continues charging

---

Meddy stays silent.

Hold on a minute...
...Huh? Whoops? How, did, uh... How did I get here? I am, uh... so, so, sorry for my intrusion! If you don't mind me, I'll, heheh... I'll be on my way! See you!

The figure gets off of Waluigi before strolling away... soon after full-on running away.

---

Oogway watches as Joe does one handstanded pushups.

Master Oogway? Can I ask you something?

You --hnn-- said while you were deflecting my attacks that it was easy to do it because you could-- Hmh-- memorize my rhythm.

Joe switches hands.

But I increased the speed of my attack! Wouldn't that mean the rhythm changes too?



Then... how?



...Please teach me.

But--but how am I supposed to know when I'm ready?


Joe groans and proceeds with his exercise.

---

Knack's passing out scares everyone... until it becomes clear what was responsible for it. A delayed reaction from Wario's attack.

Wanda flies down to the Master of Midgetry.

That's enough. Any more "oomph" and you'll kill him. But then again, who am I to complain...?
So, it's over?
(Looks like it. But what would I know? 'Trio.EXE before me', apparently...)
(...Right? Wanna repeat that again?)

Wanda teleports Knack somewhere else.

Hold on. Come to think of it.. Where'd Waluigi go? We keep bringing it up but the question is never actually--

Waluigi falls on the ground. Dizzy from the impact, he raises his head.

Say, Wario... did you see the newest episode of Saturday Night Live?

A large figure then falls on top of him.

---

By the way, it's been exactly six months since the day of my debut!
I... That's it. Not really any monologuing or mindgames or philosophy here.

I'll get to this in a bit

---

---

DX lands back on the roof. Prototype crashes through and onto it a second later.

I don't take kindly to insults in battle. Get serious! Or suffer a slow, painful, defeat.
......
...Fine. DX charges at Prototype once again, this time throwing Energy Daggers at him, causing him to shield himself Gate Block.

So this might be troublesome after all...

As DX jumps over the Gate Block, Prototype fires several Space Shots into the air, only for DX to twist and dodge past all of them, all the while preparing two more Energy Daggers in their hand, trying to shank Prototype from above, the latter whom narrowly leaping back in time to avoid a stab.

...
(Looks like knives are their primary weapon.)

DX leaps at Prototype again, who slides under them, dashing behind the abandoned Gate Block just in time to block another precarious pack of poniards.

(Have to stay away for long enough to figure this person out and formulate a plan.)
...

---

Energy Daggers (Energy/Cutter)- DX wields a dagger with the ability to drain and absorb things such as energy from barriers or shields to the LE, WE, and stats of others (those not possessing the former two their equivalents instead). Any boosts gained from absorption are transferred to both DX and their other weapons.

The dagger can be thrown or used at close-range, and can cling to surfaces of all kind.

Hnrgh!

DX charges at Prototype with a powerful punch to the temple... only for Prototype not to even budge.

!

DX follows up with rapid-fire attacks, following up with a point-blank Charged Shot to the face. All do nothing.

This is impossible!
I've got news for you.

Prototype returns these hits with an agonizing elbow to the face, kneeing DX in the stomach right after, and then proceeding by promptly tossing DX into the ceiling one-handedly, the Shield Buster fired right after breaking through and blasting DX through the roof.

...It looks like we have a new challenger after all! It also looks like I'll be doomed to say the words 'It looks like' for eternity!
We should follow them.
Wh-- Why am I concerned in this?
(You have the choice of coming with or making as much progress in finding your friend as you did when we weren't here.)
...

Oh? It looks like we--

The announcer shuts up for some reason. Prototype holds out his Duel Coin.

This is for everyone else who thinks they can get a profit by messing with my team. I won't be pulling any punches.
...If you're going to fight, then fight. I don't care about you or your bounty.

DX takes their position.

Let's get this over with.
Hnh. Chattier than anticipated. But if that's what you want...

Prototype takes a stance of his own.

Hit me with your best. I guarantee it won't be enough.
...

I assume you and your buddies have came for some reason other than to agitate me, though I wouldn't be surprised if the contrary was true.
We're simply here to show everyone who's boss. That's all.
Right. Let me know how that goes. You saw what happened to that Flamenco guy.
I saw. And I am taking this battle seriously.

Prototype tightens his fists.

(I haven't forgotten about Anthem... and I don't plan on forgetting until I've found the one responsible, or better yet-- ever. But above all else, I need to keep my cool.)
That DX guy is kinda funny, actually. He feels... strange.
I don't know what it is about him, though. Maybe it's the Killing Intent clearly oozing from him...
What do we do now?
I'll try taking this guy on, and anyone else who enters. If anything crazy happens though, wait for my signal.

Laser Joe nods.

Don't expect me to be the one to write your eulogy.

Prototype leaps out of the crowd.... and into the ring.

The sudden impact of the punch knocks Knack back, sending him sprawling onto the ground. Everyone begins to loosen up in relief....

*was expecting knack to dodge before beating his ass a second time*...
...Wahahahahah! As expected as such an excellent specimen! First I took out that assassin.
No, you didn't.
And before that, I showed that Miner guy what's what!
No. You didn't.
Ain't nothing can beat the Invincible Wario!
Yeah, yeah, we-a-get the--
HEY, PUNKS!

The hollering hoot hooks the attention of everyone.

When did I say I was ever out...?

Everyone goes right back to preparing for another fight. Knack walks up to Midget Wario.

I'll give you this, runt. That punch was probably the single most powerful force I have either experienced or gave experience to. And in the end, you tried your best right? No use cryin' over spilt milk.
Oh, yeah!? Well ain't no one here shedding a single tear over you not being out!
Heheheheh... Just how dense are you guys?... I wasn't talking about you.
?

---

---

An electric field of energy suddenly encapsulates Knack, shocking and stunning the speedster for a solid six seconds before he slumps to the ground, unconscious.

(I have to try it... remember that feeling...)

Wario's open hands begin to close into fists...

He's risking it all on this one hit...

As the Midgetmeister draws his other hand back, and his dominant one forward, Wario's outward fist begins to spark with electricity... before also glowing white.

(This halfwit can't be serious! He'll never hit me! Not with his speed!...)
(In fact... I'll just phase right through his attack. The fool and his friends'll be so disappointed!)

Wario's fist is a half-centimeter from contact. Knack's entire body begins vibrating!

Permission to fire, sir...
...GRANTED!

Wario's fist inches forward...

Hah! You idiot! You've fallen right into...
...Wait, heheh... what's happening!?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
(It's that damn fist of his! He's reversing the wavelength of my body's vibrations! I've gotta dodge, but it's locking me in place!)
Uhhh... How about a time out?
PISS OFF, YOU GRAY LITTLE PIPSQUEAK!

With Knack all out of options, Wario punches Knack right in the solar plexus with his punch, ramming his fist into Knack's gut!

He hit him!
Impossible...

Wario Wario, permission to step forward!
GRANTED! FORWARD, NOW! MARCH!
Yes, sirree! One! Two! One! Two!

Midget Wario begins marching towards Knack.

...
...Hah! I can't believe it! I actually hit him so hard, now he's off his rocker!
One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! One! Two!
That pompous jerk is actually going to kill us all!
...Which one?
One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! One!--

Midget Wario suddenly stops marching. As everyone looks on, it eventually it becomes extremely clear... Wario is at point-blank range from Knack, his fingertips touching the latter's chest.

OKAY MEN, FACE FORWARD. PREPARE TO ATTACK!
He got close to him!
(Wait a minute, he's this close already!? What the hell!?)...
...Nice try. But I can still dodge faster than your brain can fire a synapse. You'll never manage to hit me.
...

Wario plops down, shortly un-sticking his face from the ground.

(Alright, Wario. You already know what ya gotta do.)

---

---

(This had better work, you good-for-nothing nebulaeic construct!...)
HEY!
Hearing Wario call out, Knack stops.

Huh?
...
ATTENNNNTION! CALLING ALL PRIVATES UP!
Yes sir, yes, sir!

Midget Wario begins marching in place.

...He's lost his marbles.

---

*incoherent mumbling*
You might-a-wanna repeat that.
(Yeah, we don't exactly have all day, you know.)
...I said I have a plan.
Okay, do you need us to co--
No need. Only Wario; The Legend's assistance will be of benefit!
...

Wanda drops Wario onto the ground.

Knack begins hitting everything and everyone faster and faster.. that is, until a sudden force lifts hoists every (ally) into the air, safe from Knack's onslaught.

"yOu gUyS CaN haNdlE aNyTHinG thAt cOMes y0uR wAy" Learn to shut the fuck up, dumbass.

Still hoisting them telekinetically, Wanda restores Yellow and Wario back to full health.

This isn't good. If we don't stop him in time, he might destroy everything.
What would 'everything' entail?

---

Yeah! You'd better believe it!
No!...
They really had the nerve to say such crude things to you?
Yuh-huh. And things went all downhill from there.

Crygor takes a sip of his coffee... before a purple blur begins tearing the laboratory inside out, scaring him and causing it to spill it all on his face.

---

A lot I guess. Point is, we need a plan.

What just happened?
He pro--

Somari suddenly jumps into the air, avoiding an ambush from behind him, but still failing to avoid another combination of blows!

Sorry about that; I took a detour!
Incoming!!

Knack bulldozes through everything in his path, crashing into everything at sight.

As soon as that happens, four more bombs are planted on top of Knack, before a Razor-Sharp Bandana cuts them, creating a huge explosion.

When everything fades...

Oh, right... there I was.

Knack begins charging up more and more power, beginning to glow... before enveloping himself in a gravity- distorting presence.

Now then... It's time to take out the trash!!
...

Knack charges at Somari at blinding speeds... before being sucked into a wormhole.

After a brief struggle, Knack gets back up, looking very damaged by that last attack.

Damn... I let my guard down.
(Plenty more where that came from.)
...
...Hah. Alright then. I guess this means I should stop holding back.
He doesn't mean--!
This is for hitting me!

Somari is suddenly elbowed in the face by a blur, knocking him down.

Huh!?
...Huh. Did I just... go back in time?
What!? There's two of them?
You probably went so fast you ruptured a hole through the space-time continuum, unknowingly going through it.
Well, I was pissed, okay?
Whatever. Just go back to your own point in time before something even wonkier happens.
Roger that.

The blur leaves.

...Now, where were--

Knack hoists Golem Bomber up on one hand.

Oh yeah, you were hired to kidnap the fairy baby. What's the occa--

In the blink of an eye, Knack suddenly finds himself on the receiving end of a pummeling from Somari, Yoshles and Tailigee at the same time, the three of them finishing with extremely angry Fire Dunks, before Yoshles glides into Knack and hits him with a powerful load of punches.

---

Fire Dunk (Flame/Impact)- Yoshles jumps into the air and grabs his teammates while they are in ball form in his hands, before smacking themtowards the ground with such force they turn into fireballs, creating a wide explosion and doing large amounts of damage.

If you mean the shadow that was looming over Knack, it then becomes a shadow as Knack has already begun spamming Freeze Crackers on everyone around him. Red and Black, however, are both too extremely furious to actually feel them.

That was just a love tap. There's plenty more where that--
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA---
Of all of the--

Ryoga punches the ground where Knack was, creating a massive earthquake. Ryoga then turns to Knack.

You bastard... How could you attack these people just to make yourself feel better!?
I gave them a fair warning. Were you not listening? Oh, right I clocked you outta here. A more appropriate question would be how didn't you just get lost trying to get back here.
I won't forgive you for this! You're gonna pay for what you've just done!!

Ryoga, Red, and Black all charge at Knack at the same time.

Oh, this is just too sad.

Knack begins to prepare a counterattack... before being hit with a devastating kick from behind, though a second later he recovers, rolling on the ground before getting back up.

Okay, what the hell was that!?

Knack turns to see a familiar trio... the person in front seeming to be not happy.

...