Whenever meetings drew on too long and the world leaders stiff, the gym was a handy place to freshen up. Naturally, the broadcaster recording the meeting—Cookie Monster—couldn't pass up the opportunity to record the rulers battling the KND. Billions more people tuned in, most of them kids and teens; because why else would they tune into a political meeting?
"I signaled H.Q. to send Aurora and Cheren." Nebula told Zim. "They'll be here soon."
"Zim can wait." The Tallest acknowledged. "His fellow leaders can serve as the opening act."
"Opening act? Pah!" Boa Hancock marched to the center of the gym. "With me, no other acts are necessary. My beauty completely captures the show~" Did I forget to mention lots of men were watching the broadcast?
Mocha approached the Amazon Empress bravely. It almost felt like yesterday when Mocha began to train under the Boa sisters. Born as an ordinary Japanese girl in any town, the smallest of her kindergarten class no less, Mocha was kidnapped, amongst many other kids, by mad scientist Caesar Clown. They were grown into giants and were doomed to die if not for the KND's treatment. But when the hard part was over, Mocha saw her new condition as a blessing rather than a curse. She hated feeling tinier than everyone. But not only was she big enough to stand up to bullies, she had the power to protect her friends and help those weaker. Her very first mission was assisting Nebula in the Nexus Quest, by helping her fight the Boa sisters to save Sector V. Impressed by her fortitude, the sisters agreed to train Mocha further. Growing prouder of her new strength, Mocha felt one with the Amazons and began to call herself one.
"Mocha's Level is 7,700." Goombella confirmed. "And Hancock's is 7,800. Amazing!"
"You've come a long way, Mocha." Hancock said. "I feel it in your eyes. If only I had you on Amazonia… you would be the strongest among my warriors."
"Maybe so…" The 14-year-old giant folded her arms, "but they wouldn't measure up to my warriors."
"Your faith in your comrades is strong. Take that faith and put it to the test right here!"
"In other words, beat the crud out of me! Hehe." Dillon chuckled. "Honestly, not really a fan of Hancock." He didn't enjoy the period where he and his male friends were treated as servants. "Break her legs, Mocha!" (Play "Unfathomed Force" from Trails to Azure!)
Mocha stomped her bare feet and balled her fists, while Hancock flexed her high-heeled legs. The empress's smooth black hair was shiny, while Mocha's messy, frizzy, ponytailed black hair seemed like it hadn't seen a comb in years. Though different in presentation, and though Mocha was once a little human, her Amazonian pride was just as strong.
Rivalry: Galactic Council
Hancock whipped her hardened leg at Mocha, toppling her backwards. The empress jumped to stamp Mocha's stomach, but she rolled sideways in evasion, then leapt up to punch Hancock's leg. With the empress off balance, Mocha kicked the other leg and toppled her, afterwards hammering her joined fists onto the stomach. Hancock flipped away to compose herself, then flipped forward with such grace that her heels cut the air. Mocha had just felt one graze her shoulder before she could move away, then moved quick to charge Hancock directly. Mocha primarily pushed the legs, restraining them, so Hancock could only resort to punching the smaller giant's head, but Mocha withstood the pain until she could smash Hancock into the wall. She hugged Hancock's legs firmly, lifted and shifted her sideways, and slammed her against the wall once more.
She ran from Hancock's retaliatory slap, the empress standing. "How dare you defile my radiant beauty!" Hancock projected a pink aura, making a cute pose.
"Sorry, Hancock, but you're not my type!" Mocha mustered lots of chi in her fist and kicked forth for a supreme punch, which Hancock willingly met with her heel. The heel snapped, but Mocha winced from the pierce in her fist. Mocha quickly punched Hancock's leg up with her other fist, followed by a kick to the other leg, but the empress leapt back as Mocha's foot dented the wall. Mocha squatted, built strength in her legs, and leapt at Hancock with hammer fists. Hancock raised her own fists in defense, but the impact generated a shockwave that cracked the floor and even made the bystanders fall. "Goodness, this building's designed to withstand heavy artillery!" Phyronix exclaimed.
"That has nothing on the strong wills of Amazons." Dillon remarked. While suspended in the air amidst their impact, Mocha stamped both feet into Hancock's torso, toppling her, but she would transition into flips and cartwheels, all the while swinging swift kicks at Mocha. The operative defended from most, but Hancock would suddenly flip away and draw a pink bow with heart arrows, loosing them at Mocha. Normally, they would petrify opponents, but Mocha was true in her earlier claim. The operative leapt high to Ground Pound Hancock, but as the empress dodged, each impact would dramatically shake the room and create more dents. Hancock eventually slipped on her broken heel, allowing Mocha to grab her leg and throw her into the already-dented wall. Mocha dashed and headbutted Hancock, followed by an uppercut to really dizzy her. The Honorary Amazon dashed to the opposite wall, kicked off, and used the momentum to charge another headbutt.
Outside, Morgiana launched into Marigold's stomach and forced saliva out of the cobra, afterwards grabbing her massive tail and using her immense strength to swing her around. Morgiana saw Aisa trapped in Sandersonia's tail, the Shandian's head close to popping. She threw Marigold at her sister, but Sonia dodged such a predictable tactic. "Huh?!" But then something more unexpected occurred: the wall in the council building above them collapsed, their very own sister crashing into the pavement. "HANCOCK!" Sonia loosened her grip and slithered over. "Who did this to-"
"Stay back, Sonia! This is a duel of honor." She glared up at the gap in the wall, Mocha standing bravely in it. She jumped to land another Ground Pound, but Hancock threw up her other heel to intercept it. Her shoe was shattered by the impact and her leg bent, while Mocha kicked her off the other.
"YO, WHAT'VE I BEEN MISSING?!" Aisa slipped out of Sonia's grasp and pressed her Impact Dial to her, using the force she absorbed from Sonia's tail-whacks to damage her in turn. "Mocha, you'd know I pay anything to watch you fight!"
"Don't worry, Aisa, I'm sure this'll go on YouTube!" Mocha threw more punches that were blocked by Hancock's nimble legs, each of which were followed by direct kicks to Mocha's head. Hancock seized the teen and gracefully flipped back to slam her to the floor, leaping and dealing a Drill Stomp into Mocha's stomach. Withstanding the pain, Mocha bent up her legs to squeeze Hancock's in a scissor hold, bringing her to the ground, but Hancock suddenly spun and flung Mocha off. Both stood as Mocha prepared for another squat, but as Hancock saw her channel Haki into her big head, the empress bent far back and did the same. Mocha leapt, and in the air, she brought her head back, whipping it forward once she was close. Hancock, likewise, whipped her head forward, a collision that would no doubt deliver a massive concussion to normal people. Both ladies were almost equally strong in their Haki… but Mocha's disproportioned head was larger and thicker. Hancock fell on her back, while Mocha dropped into a dizzy sit.
"MOCHA WIN FIRST ROUND!" Cookie Monster exclaimed. "NOMNOMNOM!"
"OI ALWAYS LIKED YOU, MACHO!" Sheila cheered. "Orright, which of us is next?!"
"We can't start the next match!" Phyronix yelled. "The gym is a MESS!"
"It was too cramped, anyway." Etihw said. The Angel Kwing had black hair and wore a white robe with several levitating diamonds. "This pavilion, on the other hand, has much more space. Kcalb, I think we should have the floor next."
"Gladly." The Troll King smirked, almost completely black-clothed with a diamond-edged cape. Kcalb had white hair and dark horns with matching eyes. "Make sure to send your best warriors." He and his partner jumped down to the field. The Boa sisters grabbed Hancock and carried her away, the other ops clearing as well.
"Etihw's Level is 7,600 while Kcalb's is 8,100." Goombella said. "Put together, they're 15,700. They're a lightbender and a shadowbender. That's not a combination you see every day."
"Actually, it is." Dillon smirked. "Well, Sheila?"
"Well, you already mooch off my shadow, so I'm up for a team-up!" Whitish-yellow flames danced around Sheila like a small sun, the captain diving to her foes with an expanding Sun Fist. Etihw met Sheila's fist directly, absorbing her light into the white diamonds that levitated around them. Sheila landed with confusion, unprepared as the diamonds refracted and returned Sheila's attack. She might've flown for miles if she hadn't crashed into one of the flagpoles, which bent and launched her back. Meanwhile, Dillon landed and waited for Kcalb's first move: Etihw lit theirself bright against Kcalb, casting a thick shadow. He bent the shade of his diamond cape like spikes, rapidly thrusting them at Dillon, who Veiled and swiftly bent himself in evasion. Dillon managed to sneak into one of the diamonds' shadows and make his way to Kcalb, popping out and punching his jaw.
"Sheila and Dillon are 12,000 and 4,500." Goombella reported. "I'd say they have good odds!"
However, Kcalb grabbed Dillon and pulled him into a Veil, landing a string of direct punches and later throwing a bruised Dillon out. Kcalb was about to throw a Shade Fist, but the shadow was dispersed by Sheila's fist. Sheila unleashed a string of Sun Fists that Etihw was able to grab in their bending, channeling them into their diamonds and refracting them in the form of lasers. As she evaded them, Sheila willed another Sun Fist to crash right atop Kcalb; she had sent it to the sky amidst that barrage. Dillon smiled in thanks and Veiled to his teammate's side, but was grazed by Etihw's lasers. Sheila extended her light from her tail in its shape, spinning to rapidly lash it at Etihw. The kwing struggled to block it at the right angles, but Dillon would suddenly jump in front of Sheila as her bright light stretched his shadow, enlarging his Shade Fist and sending Etihw flying from the impact. Angered, Kcalb shot Shade Shards at them both, Sheila and Dillon swapping places as she expanded a circle of Light Arms around Kcalb. His shadow had nowhere to grow, while Dillon could stretch his Shade Fist far beyond Sheila's light. He retracted it with intense momentum, Sheila dispersing her light and dodging so Dillon's flying fist could sock Kcalb in the nostril.
Etihw threw their diamonds in the air, having them levitate as they shot Light Beams. The beams would randomly refract around the diamonds before shooting toward the kids at sudden speed, Sheila defending Dillon to amass the light with her own. Sheila shot them to the sky, raining them as Light Beams that struck the field randomly. Etihw caught one with their diamond and redirected it at Sheila, but she was ready to "punch" and redirect it to Kcalb. The furious troll willed the shadows of his diamonds to separate and "fly" rampantly to confuse Dillon, striking him at sudden moments. He struggled to take hold of the shadows with his own bending and had to rely on Sheila's light to keep them at bay. However, Etihw would join their partner's side to extend his shadow with bright light, extending the length of Kcalb's shards to land more forceful stabs into them.
"Sheila, let's do a Chi Unison! It's the only way to win at this point!"
"Aye-aye!" Both friends linked hands and merged their auras together! Unfortunately, Kcalb and Etihw did the same. Along with her Sun Fists, Sheila's shadow's fists were able to stretch at her foes from various angles for double damage, while Dillon could stretch his own Shade Fists with more wild speed. Kcalb and Etihw formed a diamond shield shade to withstand their barrage while casting Light Diamonds to spiral around Dillon and Sheila before suddenly stabbing. Sheila hurriedly grabbed and bent them in her favor, returning them to pierce the Shade Shield. Dillon-Sheila caught them in Shadow Strange, with Sheila's fists applied to increase the sensation, the monarchs hacking as their insides compressed.
Kcalb-Etihw Veiled, slithered away, and spread their shadow, forming multiple White Shadow Clones. They were shaped as either opponent, yet all were white, making it more confusing. "DILLON, LET'S STAMP THEM ALL OUT!" Sheila stretched both arms and expanded giant Light Hands, their shadows stretching behind. She CLAPPED the clones in said hands, while Dillon bent giant Shade Hands to CLAP them once more, breaking the clones while the real monarchs were drawn out. This was followed by Sheila throwing a giant Light Foot behind them and retracting it to kick them toward them, but while their casted shadow was able to stab Dillon and Sheila, knocking them on their backs, Dillon had already expanded Sheila's Shade Feet, and in this position, they were able to CLAP the monarchs once more.
"Tch…what an undignified way for this to end." Etihw said, both dropping to their knees. "Our polished diamonds crushed by juvenile pirates. They are not Alternia's heroes for nothing."
"We'll concede this battle to you." Kcalb sighed.
"It's all apples!" Sheila chirped, flexing her feet to relieve the stress. "Ah'm always happy to beat up big-shot folks!" Kcalb growled at her rude demeanor, while Etihw simply giggled.
Maddy smirked, watching the broadcast on a large city screen. "Looks like the real action's happening over there. Sorry that I couldn't watch you in person, Mocha."
"Shouldn't you worry about your own battle?" Aurelia slashed her hardened blade, Maddy ducking and thrusting a ranged punch at the admiral's stomach. Aurelia leapt far back and slashed silver airwaves at the Murphy, who evaded most of them. Channeling chi to her fists, Maddy shot more ranged punches to break the slashes, but Aurelia easily withstood them.
"Zim still does not see a single Uno." The Tallest said. "How long must he wait?"
"Oh, always so impatient, Zim." Croacus cooed. "Allow me to go next." The large, multi-stemmed rose dropped from the hole, grabbing the edge of it with his vines to stretch and soften his landing. Arianna Dunfree jumped down and stretched brambles downward to break her own fall.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Croacus. You look lovely today!"
"Ooo-wee-ooo! The honor is all mine, Arianna the Bramble Master. You're a legend to plants everywhere! I can feel your lush chi flow already. That's why I hope you'll give me all you have to offer." A group of Floran soldiers brought a giant, spiked pot. Croacus climbed inside, erecting several brambled flowers with heads that weighed two tons.
"Then may I introduce you to some new friends." Arianna dropped red seeds with white spots into her four pots. Mushroomian Piranha Plants shot out, two from her hips and two from around her back. As she dodged Croacus's hammering flowers, the Piranhas gnashed his stems with intense ferocity. Croacus swung his head and cast flower shurikens, but Arianna easily grabbed and returned them. Croacus covered his whole face in rose petals, acting as a shield. He would bend his vines around to block and corner Arianna, so she would have little room to maneuver as he thrusted his hardened head. Arianna would thrust three Piranha heads to intercept him, while the fourth stretched underneath to bite Croacus's stem and slam him to the ground.
Croacus undid the barrier and repeatedly beat Arianna around with his hammer-flowers. Once she was down, he tried to crush her beneath two, but Arianna mustered the strength to bend them away from her. She got up, dashed toward the king, and gnashed two Piranhas at his face and stem, Croacus defending both, but he would be blinded as Arianna grabbed the previous hammer-flower and slammed it through his rose petals. Arianna wrapped all four Piranhas around his stem and mustered the strength to haul Croacus overhead, slam him, and repeated until the Flower King had enough.
"I give! I give! Please release me before I wilt!"
"Hm hm hm!" Arianna unwrapped and recalled her Piranhas. "…And it seems we're just in time for our last guests!" (End song.)
Aurora and Cheren Uno marched toward the site of the battle. Smiling, Tallest Zim approached the siblings, who likewise smiled in recognition. "This brings back fond memories. The days of yore when I battled Nigel Uno, Earth's greatest operative, and his precious female, Rachel McKenzie."
"They used to tell us that story." Cheren said. "And what a big pushover you were."
"It was even on both sides! And now, Zim has the pleasure of meeting their offspring at last. But… I thought there was a 3rd one."
"Chris isn't with us, anymore." Aurora answered. "He… retired."
"Well, that is disappointing. In fact, Zim fears the two of you alone will falter before his new power."
"Ha ha ha." Cheren laughed. "Well, as Supreme Leader, I wouldn't be training my operatives if I did most of the work. Is it alright if Aurora fights you alone?"
"Y-y-y-you want me to fight Zim by myself?! THE GREAT ZIM?!?" Aurora's exasperation couldn't be falser.
"This will be your ultimate test, Aurora. Believe in yourself and give it all you got."
"O-o-okay. I'll do my best!"
"Crikey, why's Aurora all jittery all of a sudden?" Sheila cocked a brow.
"So be it." Zim smirked. "But Zim will not hold back either. MEGGIR! COME TO ME!" (Play "Song of Giga Rosa" from Xenoblade!)
A giant robot came shooting down from the sky—crashing on the pavement and laying sloppily. The robot had smallish proportions, but a large head with blue, curved eyes. Zim climbed into the cockpit, which was co-manned by a smaller robot with similar proportions. MEGGIR pushed itself up, raising its tentacle arms with three, electric prongs. It lashed the first one, but Aurora whipped out the Galaxia Sword and swat it away. "GIR! Fire the left claw laser!" The right claw shot a laser toward the council building. "NO! The left claw! The button's on the right!" The claw shot Aurora, but she easily deflected the laser into the mech's left eye. "GIR! Get on those windshield wipers!"
"We gots no antifreeze, Zim!"
"WHAT?! I told you to fill it up this morning!"
"The bunnies were thirsty, so I gaves it to them!"
Aurora rammed the mech with a Frostfire Drill, MEGGIR bouncing several dozen yards away. "THAT'S IT! We're skipping the next phase! It's time for Zim to present the COLOR RAY!" MEGGIR's chest opened, exposing a cannon that swapped between an array of colors. "Let's try… a CUBE SHIELD!" The chest turned dark-blue as the mech was shielded in a giant ice cube. MEGGIR would leap above Aurora and try to Ground Pound her, freezing the surrounding ground. However, realizing it was made of ice, Aurora leapt at the robot and shattered it effortlessly, sending MEGGIR bouncing once more. "GIR! Press the green button!" The robot sprung into the air upon shooting a cyan laser, aimlessly shooting more around. "NO, THAT'S THE CYAN BUTTON! Green, GREEN, like this one!"
The robot shot a green laser at Aurora, who began to levitate in the air. "Ha ha ha! Zim has robbed you of the stabilization of gravity! You will never evade me now!" MEGGIR shot more Cyan Lasers, but Aurora deflected them with her sword and used firebending to rocket herself toward the mech, lashing another combo of sword strikes. "CURSES! She has mastered the art of zero gravity! Evasive maneuvers, GIR!" The chest turned light-blue as MEGGIR began to zip around at blinding speed—ramming through the council building and tearing up several rooms before he was able to find his way out. "Now that she's confused, fire the Cherry Beam!" A bright-pink beam fired at Aurora, shrinking her to an inch in size. "YES! She is as weak as an insect now! Zim will…eh, where did she go?"
While the robot was searching around confusedly, Aurora rocketed toward it like a firefly. "I know! Zim will make sure she cannot find us either!" The massive mech turned invisible… but Aurora could see a few sparking areas, likely the parts that were lost from her attacks. They were just big enough for her to fly into. "GIR, let us send an electrical field into the air and—eh? GIR, why is our robot twitching?!" MEGGIR began to wildly twitch itself into a silly dance.
"He wants to get funkeh, Zim!"
"Now is not the time for getting funky! Find the malfunction and fix it at—GEH!" Aurora's shrinkage wore off, the Uno shooting out of MEGGIR's spine and leaving a gaping hole. "I see you've been trained well, but know that confidence will be your undoing. It's time for Zim to teach you that the hard way! INITIATING COLOR BLASTER!" A bright light flashing all the Wisps' colors brimmed in the chest. MEGGIR unleashed, but Aurora absorbed all the power onto Galaxia. Smirking, the Uno launched into the air, spinning into a blinding, colorful wheel. "Uh…uh-oh."
"So prettyyyyy!" GIR cooed. "…I miss Kuki."
"FINAL COLOR SAW!" Aurora sawed right into the top of the robot. Aurora seemed to cut cleanly all the way through MEGGIR's body. The front half fell completely apart from the back… and only Zim and GIR's seats were left suspended before they fell down.
"You leave Zim with no choice." The Tallest approached her determinedly. "He will show you the greatest of Irken combat arts!" He flew at Aurora with a kick—Aurora grabbed his ankle, rocketed to the air, and spun into another vertical wheel with the Tallest flailing about. "WAAAAAAH! GIR! Now is your chance! STRIKE HEEEEERRRR!"
"Master should be a bus wheel." GIR said, hypnotized by the motion.
"Zim didn't train a day after the Firstborn Quest, did he?" Dillon wondered.
Aurora slammed Zim down on his back. Twirling the sword proudly, Galaxia vanished into lightning. (End song.)
"Huff…huff…" Zim pulled himself up, smiling. "Zim has never felt such pride. The Uno bloodline has not lost its flare. Well done… Aurora Uno."
"I don't think I took a single hit!"
"And we're just dropping the false humility." Dillon remarked.
"My fellow members of the council," Jeremy announced proudly as the world leaders gathered around the operatives, "we just bore witness to wonderful feats of strength. And these are merely a small fraction of the powers that save and defend our universe! So, let us put it to a vote: which side will you choose in this inevitable battle for the Throne?"
"Oh, I'm still with the KND!" Lord Business grinned. "No battles needed for me!"
"I'll choose Maria's side any day." Cheadle smiled.
"You're the best Dogmom ever!!" Maria jumped into the Mobian's arms.
"I still have my discrepancies." Hancock said. "But, I have no reason to doubt such strong and proud ladies." She looked to Morgiana, standing on Marigold's KO'ed body, while Aisa had passed out trapped in Sandersonia's hair. "Even if some still have some growing to do. Wouldn't you agree, Croacus and Zaádéa?"
The Queen of Glomour, a white-skinned warrior with a puffy, golden-braided ponytail and long Greek sandals, smiled in acknowledgement. "Truthfully, I wanted to participate in this battle, but people are expecting me home. Regardless, my vote has always been for the people who ended the war between us and our 'brother' race. Isn't that right, Linkyn?" She turned to the tiny, double-pointed Kateenian president.
"On the contrary, dear cousin… the Kateenians are siding with Mickey."
"What?!"
"I mean nothing personal, but I met with a few of Mickey's cohorts on some occasions. They brought to light several, um…disturbing media from your world. Some that involve keeping Kateenians as pets or portraying them as simple sidekicks."
"Those were probably from when the war was still active!"
"But I was led to believe you haven't recalled or banned them, yet."
"There was nothing harmful within them. The films portrayed the Kateenians as cute and likeable, and thanks to them, lots of Glomourians are friends with your people."
"They are misleading to our culture."
"I've heard of many Kateenians who enjoy the films as well. Ones who seem to take delight in the portrayals, no less. You'll be happy to know I've banned the more 'negative' portrayals."
"Yes, yes, however… Mickey's party has offered to produce more 'respectable' films of our people."
"And I still plan to side with the KND." Zaádéa stated. "And I would like it if this doesn't turn into another… war."
"Oh, dear…" Arianna frowned.
"That's not good…" Vweeb said.
"Perhaps you two need to talk this out in private!" Croacus slid between the two and nudged them closer with his vines. "You've been such close comrades the past few years! You brought adoration to the whole council, I would hate for this to tear you apart!"
"And how were we 'adorable' per se?" Linkyn asked.
"Your barbaric race always look down on people, no different from those Amazons." Angella scoffed. "My vote for Mickey remains unchanged."
"Barbaric?!" Hancock hissed.
"Well, Chancellor Phyronix, I'd say this meeting is just about over." Cheadle stated. "But before we leave, it's only fair we hear your vote as well. Yours as well, Peach."
"I…I think… Mickey could put an end to war." Peach answered, yet sadness and uncertainty was clear within her. "He'd make it so you two never have to fight… and…"
"And I think you Kids Next Door have displayed some very untoward behavior." Phyronix stated. "I'm afraid I need to have you taken into custody."
Thousands of soldiers, mechs, and small airships moved into the area, training weapons on the operatives. "Well, they know not to be too careful." Cheren chuckled.
"Well, Linkyn, if that's what you decided, then you can leave." Queen Zaádéa drew her twin long swords, which extracted four fan blades at the tips. "Otherwise, I'll have to crush you, too." Slashing her swords, fan-shaped airwaves cut through the air, slicing the air and land crafts. Lord Business whistled his troops to bring a Lego-made suit of armor with long, thick legs. The president entered it, kicking the ground troops away and shooting large Legos at the ships. Boa Sandersonia began to ensnare more troops and crush them, while Kcalb and Etihw used what was left of their strength to clear a way.
"Did we just start an intergalactic war?" Cheren wondered.
"Just another day in the life, mates!" Sheila grinned. "We goin' back to the ships or what?"
"You guys packed escape chutes, right? Anyone who's too weak to move, put them on! The rest of us will go check on Ciel and Maddy!"
Sheila, Dillon, Aisa, and Morgiana put on backpacks, which inflated large balloons to whisk them to the sky. But first, Aisa helped Mocha put several on herself, enough to raise the giant. "There are ships waiting up there, I hope?" Tronta asked.
"Yeah, and hopefully not much air resistance!" Nebula replied.
"By the way, you did a killer job with those Piranhas, Arianna!" Vweeb cheered, riding the green-haired girl's head. "Haha! It rhymes!"
"Just watch yourself. Some of them eat flies."
"Ah, you're so brutal! But that's why I love you, Ari!"
"Save it for later!"
As Weiss followed the crowd, she spun and faced back up at the hole in the building. Her father looked down on her with spite behind his brows. "Is that all you had to say, young lady? If you knew what was at stake, then you know why I won't release my hold on Mobius! But you, on the other hand, are no longer my heiress! You won't be getting another credit out of-"
"Go ahead, Father! We'll come for you soon! We'll liberate Mobius and have you expelled! And when this battle is over… I WILL make our company better!" And so, Weiss rejoined her comrades.
Maddy had entered Haki Fury, her black shoulder flames now tinted with gold at the tips. Aurelia matched her fists with her great, gold-edged sword, and Maddy could almost see a spark of excitement in her violet eyes with each impact. This was supported by the silver aura that encased her, flaring up each time. Aurelia went for a stab, but Maddy jumped on the sword and threw a punch, which Aurelia grabbed and blocked with her free hand. Maddy threw her other fist at Aurelia's head, sending the admiral flying back. "Hmhmhmhm…" Aurelia stood, her aura flaring more wildly than ever. "You are just the master I hoped you would be, Miss Murphy. I feel more refined than ever!"
The admiral kicked forth with immense speed and force, Maddy barely dodging the sword in time. Aurelia retained the force, spun, and swung, Maddy pushing it back with both hands. As Aurelia's aura flared during the exchange, its silver hue morphed into a fine gold. The Gold Haki around her sword sharpened as Maddy was flung back. "Is she really that strong?!" Ciel exclaimed, struggling under Ironwood's weight.
"One of the military's finest." Ironwood said. "Seems even your finest can't keep up."
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Maddy stood. "You're strong, but K. Rool dwarfs you by miles. I won't be the one lying down today. …Until I go to bed, at least."
"Then show me every ounce of-"
"Ironwood! Behind you!" Winter yelled.
Aurora slashed a wave of Frostfire, Vice-Admiral Bardias dispelling it with Haki Wind. Cheren used Soul Surge on the Ordon man, Bardias maneuvering his spear well to keep up with his swings, until a clean strike took him down. "Looks like we won't be wanting for a fight." A smirking Bardias flexed his neck, entering Blackwind Fury: black aura covered his waving spiked hair, and a whirlwind surrounded him with no direct control of his own. Cheren struggled to cut through his Haki-made windshield, while Bardias could repeatedly thrust his spear through to poke him. Aurora and Romeo cast their own frozen fire to merge with the wind, hoping to chill him. Cheren changed gears to striking Ironwood and freeing Ciel, while Weiss held back her sister's icebending.
"WEISS!" Winter shouted. "You just got the councilmen to turn against each other! Do you realize what this means?! You-"
"Started an intergalactic civil war, yeah." Cheren finished casually. "Maddy, I'm sorry if you're having fun, but we gotta split."
"No problem." Maddy drew a Bo-bobo grenade. "Zach lent me this in case of emergency. HYAH!" She slammed it on the ground.
"GET BACK!" Ironwood panicked.
The bomb exploded into a large- "HOT SPRING?!" Maddy screamed. "I thought it would be an attack gag or something?!"
"Marvelous!" Aurelia beamed, relaxing in the soothing spring. "This is why I always bring my swim gear." She threw off her uniform, exposing her one-piece underneath.
"YOU DO?!" Ironwood screamed.
"ESCAPE CHUTES, ACTIVATE!" Nebula ordered. The group threw on packs and whooshed up to the sky, watched by the dumbfounded officers.
"DAMMIT! They're getting away!"
"F-f-f-f-f-f…" Bardias shivered under the cold, dispelling his Fury. "Well, I guess we lost this battle."
"No, Bardias. It was a draw." Aurelia smiled. "We'll see them again soon. And I hope Maddy refines herself even more."
Floran Royal Flagship
After knowing the KND made a successful escape, King Croacus and his sister, Clematis began to make the flight home. "I haven't had a good skirmish like that for a long time, Clematis!" Croacus said, climbing into his Royal Pot, its edges decorated like a rose. "But my, I've certainly been slacking in my training. I hoped to hold out for a wee bit longer."
"You have no dignity letting those snot-blowers toss you around." Clematis hissed.
"Goodness, that language, dear! In any case, the Flora Kingdom will provide the KND as much support as it needs. Just hearing of Mickey's erroneous propaganda sickens me. In fact… I feel quite sick now… I…?!" Croacus's body began to turn brown with rot. "What is…what is in my pot?!"
"Tainted Cragnon dung, fresh from Sauria." Clematis sneered, a band of white-petaled Florans approaching them. "I had my men fill your pot with it while you were busy getting knocked around."
"Clematis…" Croacus's head shrank. "Why…"
"I think the Floran Empire needs a change of leadership. I think it's time we stop being treated as soft-stemmed pacifists! The premise of this 'Game' and this 'Throne' presents a glorious opportunity. The Floran Empire is officially joining forces… with King Bowser. We will conquer all forests in the cosmos and amass all plant races under our name!" Clematis faced the ship's communication monitor: a blue-skinned man with a white cape, hat, and monocle appeared, his eyes and mouth red. "Count Bleck… I shall meet you at Bowser's court tomorrow. After I hold my coronation."
"BLEH HEH heh! You're as sinister as Count Bleck feared! This is going to be an exciting month, Clematis!"