| GCB Fanfics: Vs. Mode |
Vs. Mode - Mario vs. ShadowThe scene opens high above an isolated island in the middle of the vast blue ocean. Fluffy white clouds lazily float by as the camera zooms downward. Milling around the island are strange creatures in various colors with fat bodies, big noses, and palm trees on their heads. In the center of the island, the Shine Gate glistens down onto everything, including the stadium that stands just off shore. The camera speeds past the residents of Delfino Isle, who are walking along the pier, and into the arena. "We are live on Pay-Per-Play, coming to you from Delfino Arena, where the second round of the GameFAQs Great Character Battle continues!" The camera pans back to reveal the announcing pair in clothing suitable for the tropical site. "Good afternoon to everyone watching throughout the multiverse. I'm Brock, and along with the fiery Lucca, welcome to Vs. Mode!" "We're halfway through the second round, and today, it's the loaded South Division's turn to determine who among their remaining eight will advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Up first is a match between a plumber and a hedgehog, but this hedgehog isn't blue. Shadow may not exactly be Sonic, but you can bet some of the old bitter feelings between the Mario Brothers and the Sonic Team still exist." Brock adds, "You would know more about the 16-bit era than I would, Lucca, but from what I have heard, it was a tumultuous time. Mario and Sonic were the biggest names ever, and neither could resist taking potshots at each other all throughout that period. They have made up now, although we're not sure by how much." The classic Super Mario Bros. Theme plays as the crowd cheers the entrance of the plumber who helped make their island sparkling clean again. "Mario is receiving a hero's welcome from the spectators here on the island. A cheap Mario look-alike had left a huge disgusting mess all over Delfino Isle, but the real Mario took it upon himself to wash it all away and expose the real perpetrator. The plumber drenched Captain Olimar and the Pikmin for his first round match, but he shouldn't have too easy a time against his next opponent." Mario hops into the ring, with FLUDD strapped to his back, as Sonic Adventure 2's White Jungle theme is heard over the loudspeakers. "The dark counterpart of Sonic is getting booed heavily by this biased crowd as he makes his way down to ringside. Shadow upset Wario in the first round, and he looks to do it again against one of the biggest names there is. Sonic is following him, and it looks like he wants to talk." "Hold on, Shadow! I can't give you all of the Chaos Emeralds. You don't have enough experience with them to control your super form." "I saw you use them against that long-haired robot. If you're going to deprive me of the chance to use that power-" "Using the Emeralds was a mistake," Sonic interrupts. "I shouldn't have done it in the first place, because that power shouldn't be used for something that was not important." Shadow looks stonily at the blue hedgehog. "I don't care. You used them, so you can't say anything to convince me that I shouldn't do likewise. Hand them over." "What would Maria think?" Shadow winces at the mention of her name. Sonic continues after not getting an answer from his look-alike, "You know what the answer is, Shadow." The black hedgehog stares down into the green emerald, which is given to him by Sonic, in his gloved hand. Shadow turns around and jumps up onto the stone circle before he gives Sonic a reply without looking back, "Yes... I do." "What's your take on this match, Brock?" "Even though Shadow is a hedgehog, I don't think Mario will have too hard a time, but you never know. That being said, Mario will get a decent workout and the win." "Players, to your position. Player 1, ready?" "Here we goooo!" Mario answers. "Player 2, ready?" "Ready," Shadow replies while leaning forward. "Combatants ready. Raise force barriers. Match 41, Mario vs. Shadow. 3, 2, 1... fight!" "Power's on; game's started! Mario sets himself for a strong gush of water from FLUDD, but Shadow Chaos Controls out of the way. Sonic doesn't really like getting wet, and I think the same goes for Shadow. The ring is getting kind of slippery from all of that water being sprayed, but Shadow's hover skates keep him from sliding all over the place." Lucca adjusts her glasses. "Hmm, that ought to be something fun I could build for a rainy day. Mario is actually at a disadvantage, since the FLUDD system really limits what kind of attacks he can perform, while Shadow is moving all over the place, waiting for the perfect chance to strike." "And Shadow calls for Chaos Spear, which knocks the wind right out of Mario! Here's a golden opportunity for the hedgehog to press the attack! Shadow rolls up into a ball and spins like a screeching tire in place, drying out the area around him and gathering energy to power his Ancient Light." "There's no time for games!" Shadow yells before rushing faster than the human eye can see into Mario. "And Shadow has just delivered his devastating Light Speed Attack! That's the same move that fell Wario, but will it work again on Mario?" Brock answers, "That's odd. Water splashed everywhere as it looks like most of Shadow's attack was taken by FLUDD. Mario's water pumping system is out of commission, but the plumber isn't, even though he did get hit by Shadow's speedy attack. Both fighters are a little soaked, as Shadow pauses to shake the water out of his quills. That won't work for Mario as he gently places the damaged FLUDD outside of the ring, but what is that item he's pulling out of his pocket?" "That would be a Cape Feather, Brock! Mario has just transformed into Caped Mario, and the plumber is his own spin cycle as he whirls around to dry out his overalls. After a brief water break in the fighting, the two are ready to clash again." "The plumber takes to the skies with his magical cape, as Shadow skates around, wondering what Mario is planning. The hedgehog gets his answer as Mario slams down into the stone ring, causing a mini-earthquake that results in Shadow meeting the floor. Mario runs in to give the black hedgehog a pounding with his gloved fists and a nasty boot to the head! Shadow finally escapes by rolling backwards. He gets back up and tries a Homing Attack!" "Mario counters with a whip of his cape, which sends Shadow away. He doesn't look too good as the plumber takes to the air again. Dodging a Chaos Spear, Mario dives to slam the ring and causes Shadow to lose his footing from the shock of the impact. Mario is immediately airborne again and dive bombs onto the downed Shadow! Direct hit! Like his other slams, Mario's dive into Shadow has lifted a small dust cloud and left a crater in the ring." "The dust is now clearing. We can see Mario standing with his cape waving in the wind, and Shadow is out cold! This will be it as Mario escapes with the victory, all thanks to the help of a feather. I don't know how many people expected that move, which came out of nowhere! Ref-Bot finishes the ten-count and makes it official." "Winner: Mario." "What a start to the second round of the South Division!" Lucca excitedly says. "Shadow surpassed many people's expectations and fought as hard a fight against the plumber as maybe even Sonic would have! The black hedgehog may be out of the competition for this year, but his strong performance today shows he certainly belongs with the top tier players! Shadow took it down to the wire, but Mario is the one who moves on today." Sonic rushes into the ring check on Shadow, who is getting placed onto a stretcher by workers from Delfino Hospital. "Shadow. Wake up, Shadow!" Black eyelids part slightly to let Shadow make eye contact with his blue counterpart. "I don't believe it. I failed," Shadow says before coughing. "What do you mean? He was running scared, buddy! You lost a close match. We'll get him next time," Sonic says before Shadow is carried off. He is about to follow them, when he hears a voice with an Italian accent. "Hey-a hedgehog!" Sonic turns around to come face-to-face with Mario. "Your-a friend did good. He's not-a you, but-a he's pretty close. I'd like a chance to fight with-a you, someday." Sonic grins as he replies, "Yeah. I also want to settle our score... someday." A flash of blue later, and the hedgehog is gone. "Don't go away, folks!" Brock warns. "Next is another match with the potential to be as thrilling as this one was. It's a silent swordsman against an insane clown when we return after these messages!" Next Entry Back |