Smash Bros: Revolving Shadows

Chapter 5:

Sonic skids to a stop in front of a huge domed building with a glowing river draining out of it and checks his watch. One minute.

Not good for his flawless speed record.

Inkling pops out of an orange puddle a second later and lands next to Sonic. She nudges the hedgehog on the arm, and he remembers something.

He puts Isabelle down lightly, and the little dog wobbles her way behind some rubble and immediately throws up. She brushes herself off and totters back over to the group. Zero arrives, dead last, a moment later and puts his sword away. 

The whole gang's here, or at least wherever could be considered here, or a gang for that matter.

Towering over them is a huge arena, almost perfect for battling. A glow emanates from inside and the fighters are almost drawn to it.

The group heads inside, and they immediately notice that the entire area is dripping in some disgusting liquid. Zero offers to carry Isabelle so the little dog wouldn't get dirty and she gratefully obliges.

After a while, the hall opens up to reveal an expansive area, thankfully not covered in slime, so Zero puts Isabelle down.

Illuminated on a pedestal and surrounded by a glowing rainbow river is a key in the shape of a U.

Sonic speeds up to the key and snatches it away, throwing it to Inkling who pockets it on the spot. He turns around when something suddenly rises from the ground.

Loud techno music begins to blast from speakers, and Inkling gasps.

Eggman descends out of the shadows of the ceiling and laughs uproariously, revealing his new ally.

It's the melodious mollusk himself, DJ Octavio.

Dr. Wiley floats down beside them, scowling at Zero, and joins in Eggman's laughing. The two of them look over at Octavio, who waves a tentacle.

Sonic, Zero, and Inkling brace for a fight, while Isabelle hides behind a pillar. Eggman and Dr. Wiley take off, one heading back to base and the other back to the Halberd.

Leaving the octopus to start a fight.

******

Mario skids to a stop, Megaman and his robot dog Rush right beside him. They'd been following Bowser for some time, and even though they'd seen Dr. Wiley arriving to help him at a later point, the scientist was gone a moment later.

Mario hops off Yoshi, who had joined the squad earlier, and stares up at the abandoned exhibit inside the squalid zoo. A glowing stream dribbled from outside of it, and Bowser's roars could be heard from inside.

The four of them nod at each other, and Megaman fixes his blaster, ready to make Bowser cry like an anime fan on prom night.

However, a strange sight welcomes the quartet when they walk inside. Bowser is holding a key in one claw, but a large white glove is absolutely pummeling him into the ground.

The iconic boss is here, Master Hand.

Mario and Megaman just glance at each other, as Master Hand flings the King Koopa into the wall, nearly taking it down. Bowser notices them, and frantically gestures to the large white appendage beating the snot out of him.

Megaman throws a Metal Blade at Master Hand, causing him to drop the Koopa, who scrambles into the shadows. The glove turns his coordinated attack toward the plumber and bomber, and Mario hops off Yoshi, who is also ready to attack.

Bowser meanwhile sneaks back over to his clown car, and drops the key inside. He pulls out his black laser gun, and roars with laughter, ready to freeze Mario and Megaman.