[stills of several AAA superstars fly by before the screen.] "Oscar, Tuxedo Chris, Adam Chris Leigh... All of them are fine technical wrestlers with incredible superpowers...." "SCREW THEM!!!" "ORDER YOUR NAV T-SHIRT TODAY!" [Cuts to a shot of a black T-shirt with a picture of Nav on the front of it, and the words "Who needs Superpowers... Give me an f'n UZI!" are printed on the back] "Only $19.99 plus shipping and handling." "Welcome back to Otakumania!" JR exclaimed as the camera returned to the arena. "Right now we're getting ready to a match that, more than any other, has been dramatically impacted by presence of Pippkin," Tenay continued. "I'm talking about Adam Chris Leigh vs. Samantha Jones. While Samantha clearly intends to fight, her motivations are now far from what we originally expected." As Tenay speaks, clips of Samantha's earlier run- ins with Adam play. Then the Tenchi Muyo TV opening played, and a much more focused ACL came to the ring. "Pippkin seems to have stepped *everyone* up a level, even Adam," Ric noted, impressed. "If I was getting ready to fight someone managed by a madman, I'd be pretty focused too," JR replied dryly. "I think Leigh knows there's a lot more riding on this match than just bragging rights," Tenay explained. "It's a credit to him that he even showed up!" Adam turned toward the entranceway, nervously awaiting Samantha's arrival. Offspring's "Mota" played, and Samantha dashed up the aisle way, her katana already drawn. Pippkin was walking slowly behind, beaming at his now-psychotic protege. "I was afraid of this," JR uttered. "She's not looking for a win, she's out for blood!" "Either that, or Pippkin is out to prove something," Flair said anxiously. "This may not be an official tournament match, but I have a feeling something *very* important is going to happen here." "Adam is prepared for this attack," Tenay began as Adam drew his Master Key and summoned his energy blade. Samantha vaulted into the ring and halted, staring intently at her opponent. "Ric, I think 'important' is a *vast* understatement," Ross said quietly. Weapons drawn, the enemies stood at opposite ends of the ring, ready, waiting for the match to begin... GRUDGE MATCH Samantha Jones vs. Adam Chris Leigh The bell sounded, and the competitors closed and clashed swords. "This is something we haven't seen yet in AAA... a swordfight!" Tenay exclaimed. Samantha and Adam parried one anothers' strikes with impressive precision. "I think that shows just how bad things have gotten!" JR countered angrily. "Killing is supposed to be outlawed in the AAA , but Samantha's sword looks real to *me*!" "Well, that's not a butter knife Adam Chris Leigh is wielding," Flair added dryly. "I think he knows what he's doing." "Now Samantha has forced Adam into the corner... MAH GOD!!" Samantha had unleashed a deadly combination of slashes against Adam, the sheer force of the blows sending the Master Key flying. Adam narrowly dodged a deadly swipe and kneed Samantha in the stomach, following up with an ax kick. "Adam has been disarmed, but he's fighting back amazingly," Tenay said with admiration. "And the odds have been EVENED!!" Flair shouted as a well-placed kick from Adam sent Samantha's katana flying out of the ring. Adam dodged out of the corner, trying to put distance between himself and his opponent. Samantha stalked him, and with a sudden burst of speed, sent him flying across the ring with an aikido throw. Adam rolled out of it and launched toward her for a takedown. "Now Adam is sending Samantha to the ropes... Spinwheel Kick!! Perfect!" JR exclaimed. "I can't believe I'm cheering for this guy!" "I think he'll need all the help he can get... Samantha is already up!" Flair replied tensely. She unleashed a combination of kicks of her own, hurling Adam back against the ropes. A final spinning roundhouse kick sent him flying. "Samantha's going for a tackle... and she MISSES! She just took a severe blow to the shoulder!" Tenay commented as Samantha backed away from the turnbuckle post. Adam staggered out of the corner and stomped his foot, signaling for the Juraian Spike. "No! The superkick is BLOCKED!!" JR wailed. Samantha, her eyes glowing white, had almost effortlessly grabbed Adam's foot in mid- air. She pulled him off balance and delivered a hideous sidekick squarely onto Adam's posted leg. The entire arena gasped as they heard a sickening crack, and saw Adam's knee bend in a way that God clearly had not intended. Adam fell to the ground, clutching his now-useless left knee in pain. Samantha took this opportunity to glance back at her master. Pippkin grinned his approval, and nodded to her to continue. "No! This is so *wrong*!" Tenay shrieked as Samantha picked Adam up by his injured leg catapulted him into the turnbuckle. Adam had to hold the ropes to keep from collapsing helplessly at Samantha's feet. "He's already injured! This fight is over, dammit!" JR howled. "This fight isn't over until Samantha says it is," Flair said, sickened. She unloaded her Lightning Fist Strike combination into Adam. He collapsed to the mat, looking only slightly better than Jamie had after experiencing the same move last week. "Now why isn't she pinning him?! End this!!" JR shouted in frustration. "Umm... I think she's taking you literally..." Teany trailed off as Samantha got out of the ring and grabbed her katana. The robo-ref attempted to stop her, only to be cut in two. "Yes! YES! Son Goku is *here*!" Flair cheered as the Saiyan flew to the ring. He stared down the frenzied Samantha as medical staff retrieved Adam from the ring. "Out of my way, monkey-boy!" she hissed. "This is *my* fight!" In a fit of rage she attempted to swipe at Goku. He didn't even attempt to dodge. He grabbed it with one hand and, with a swipe of his other hand, the blade snapped harmlessly in two. Samantha tossed the handle aside and attempted a punch, but Goku simply grabbed her fist. With a shove, he launched her into the ropes. Goku shook his head. "Samantha, I don't want to start this..." His warning is to no avail, as Samantha began summoning her warrior soul for more power. Pippkin arched an eyebrow and smiled, pleased at the single-mindedness of his minion. "Mah God..." Ross breathed. "Are we gonna see Samantha and Goku go at it right here?" "NO!" A voice called out. The camera panned over to show two figures stepping out of a closing portal of light. One was clearly Bret Hart, and the other... "IT'S JAMIE JEANS!!" Tenay screamed. Jolt slowly approached the ring. He was wearing the same T-shirt he wore before, but had exchanged his jeans for dark blue leggings with lighting designs running down them. "Your fight isn't with Goku... it's with me," Jolt said emphatically into a microphone as he reached ringside. Then he threw the mic down and climbed up onto the ring's apron, his expression utterly determined. "Blast it," Samantha growled. "I should have finished you two when I had the chance." Bret ignored Samantha and instead looked at Jolt. "You should at least let me help," Bret said quietly and nervously to him. "I have to do this alone," Jolt replied. "Just keep the rabbit out of it." Goku looked uneasily at the young man. "Are you *sure* you want to get involved with this?" "Positive. One way or another, she's coming back with me." With that a crackling electrical field appeared around him as he charged his battle aura. "Is that so, MiSTie-boy?" Pippkin laughed from the other side of the ring. "I think you'll have a problem *convincing* Miss Jones to leave. Show him how strong you've become, my dear. Show him what you can do now that you're free of him forever!" Samantha smiled with sadistic glee. "Bring it on!" "Sweet Jesus! An Author vs. Character match?!" JR exclaimed. "Yeah, and I bet Pippkin'll be the only one to win," Flair growled. BONUS MATCH: Jamie 'Jolt' Jeans vs. Samantha Jones The announcers were uncharacteristically silent throughout this match, unable to call such a life-or-death struggle. An unstated fact haunted everyone's mind: if Jolt didn't leave with Samantha at his side, then chances were it would be in a body bag. Samantha Jones charged forward and swung wildly at Jolt with a backhand. He managed to dodge out of the way and grabbed onto her back. A surge of electrical energy ripped through the two fighters. Samantha shrieked in pain, but didn't go down. She grabbed onto Jamie's shirt, and hurled him across the ring and into the corner. She followed, and stomped viciously upon him. Outside, Bret and Pippkin paced around the ring, warily eyeing each other. Bret had cued up his own battle aura, ready to start hurling energy blasts the moment Pippkin tried anything. Pippkin had his boxing- glove gun prepared for the second Bret tried to help the struggling young Author. The battered Jolt charged up a shocking electricity burst to force Samantha away. He got up, clutching his side. "I know you're still there, Samantha," Jolt coughed, "And I'm *not* going away..." Samantha growled in frustration as Jolt launched a few blows at her. While they were by no means clumsy, they were easily dodged by a trained fighter like herself. She effortlessly grabbed him and drilled a few knee bashes into him. Jolt scrambled away into a corner, blood flowing from a cut along his jaw. "Pathetic..." Samantha growled as she charged up a ki blast. "You simply can't accept that I can exist without you!" With that, she launched a crimson blast of energy into him. Jolt summoned a electrified barrier to block it, but it collapsed under Samantha's deadly assault. He fell limp into the corner as the blast slams into his body. Samantha strode over and looked down upon her fallen creator with contempt. She spun around and walked away as she heard Bret screaming at her from another part of the ring. Pippkin grinned as she slowly made her way toward him. If her own creator couldn't stop her, who could? But Samantha stopped and turned to stare as she heard Jolt slowly lurching back to his feet. Her eyes blazed red with fury. "JAMIE! CATCH!!" Bret yelled as he swiftly pulled an object out of his jacket's inner pocket and tossed it to him. Jamie caught and smiled at what he saw: it was a bottle of Jolt cola, the world's greatest power source. He knew drinking it would amp him back up, give him enough power for a few more rounds... ... and he knew that wouldn't be enough. "I appreciate the thought," he said with a weak smile in Bret's direction, "But this just isn't good enough." He set the bottle gently on the mat, and walked towards Samantha until he was less than a foot away from her. "What the *hell* is wrong with you!?" she shrieked, discomfited by his persistence. "I don't need you anymore!" Jolt stumbled into Samantha's arms. She was still shocked that the Author had resisted her strongest attacks. He looked up into her rage filled eyes. "W-We need you..." he managed to cough out. Bret sensed the direction Jolt was going in. "Yeah, someone needs to keep those Avatars' egos in check," Bret said as he motioned to the medics escorting Adam out on a strecher. "But not like that." "SHUT UP!" Pippkin screamed, firing his boxing-glove at him and forcing him off the ring. Jolt got up enough strength to stand upright, and looked at Samantha sternly. "If you really prefer what Pippkin has done for you, if you really enjoy what you're becoming..." Jolt backed into a corner, and his energy powers deactivated. He stretched his hands out to his sides. "Finish me off." Bret gazed up in horror at Jolt's final words. He'd been expecting something more along the lines of a build-up to a sneak attack, or an attempt to talk her down. This... this was suicide! Pippkin grinned as he saw Jolt's idiotic action. Finally, the last obstacle to totally owning Samantha's mind would be out of his way. Samantha, with a demented grin, began charging up her massively powerful ki blast. Her mind raced with all the images he had inflicted on her: Sasami molested at the whims of Kagato, Ayeka as a gothic/grunge punk, A cybernetic were-fox "hero" with contrived political views... Jolt looked at her as she charged her power aura to its fullest. "I knew it couldn't go on like this, Samantha. You're not my Avatar, but you're still my creation. We're linked. If the existence I gave you is so horrible, then I *want* you to end it." Pippkin snarled as he watched Samantha. The Big Ass Blast was fully charged, but she did not release it. Jolt saw the faint glimmer in her crimson eyes, and knew what she was remembering. During all her early adventures, she knew that, regardless of what became of her, Jamie would pull her through. Would *Pippkin* guarantee such safety? All the friends she had met and learned from at Club Anipike... could T-Bone and Q offer such companionship? "Don't listen to him!" Pippkin screamed back at her. "He's just trying to make you forget the truth! You *can't* forget! The insipid stories, the egomaniacal authors... he just wants you back so he can torment you again! He'll force that garbage upon you for the *rest of your life* if you let him!" Samantha was trembling with rage, and something else... it was like her mind was being literally torn in two directions. Bret looked back and forth, too afraid of making a mistake to do anything. Goku was having much the same reaction. Jolt had simply closed his eyes and decided to wait, ready for whatever happened. Pippkin, however, was growing more and more agitated with every passing second. "DAMMIT, YOU STUPID BITCH!! JUST *KILL* HIM!" Pippkin shrieked at the top of his lungs. That snapped the spell. Samantha's eyes narrowed, and she fired the deadly blast... ... at Pippkin! Every ounce of power Samantha could draw out of her super-powerful body went into that blast. She screamed as she fired it... whether in rage or pain was unknown. The blast hurled Pippkin away from the ring and to the end of the rampway, scorching and burning even his supremely indestructible body. After that burst of power, Samantha collapsed. She choked back tears, her faced drained of color and her whole body trembling as she clutched the mat. Jamie opened his eyes, and rushed impulsively to comfort her. Piccolo bolted over the railing and charged toward the ring, arriving next. Bret and Goku hovered at ringside, not quite sure what to do with themselves. This was *supposed* to be the happy ending, but things weren't turning out so well. Piccolo knelt to examine his student. She was still trembling as Jamie put a friendly arm around her shoulder. "Samantha," Piccolo gasped. She turned to face her mentor and her creator. She attempted to work out a smile, but it failed. "I," she stammered, "I f-feel like a piece of my s-soul has been ripped out. B-but I'll b-be okay..." Piccolo could only sigh in sympathy as he lifted her easily into his arms. "The *hell* she will," an enraged, demented voice said coldly. Pippkin, scorched and battered, had climbed back into the ring. He still had his boxing-glove gun out, and he was at dangerously close range. Jamie immediately stepped in front of Piccolo and Samantha's weakened body. Pippkin grinned, and fired. And for the first time, his boxing-glove gun was trumped. Almost the second his gun was launched, a hail of bullets and laser blasts emerged from over Piccolo and Jolt's heads to rip the boxing glove to pieces and send Pippkin scampering for cover. Two new figures dropped to the mat, having just emerged from a gateway of light. One was Galaxy Police Detective Mihoshi, brandishing a laser pistol; the other was Wolf, carrying a few semi-automatic selections from his gun collection! "*Our* weapons are real," Wolf growled at Pippkin. "You're already 0 for 2 against the Wolfpack, rabbit. Give it up." Pippkin began backing away up the entrance ramp. "Give up?" The rabbit cackled insanely at the thought. "I *never* give up. You'll regret this, and soon." With that, the rabbit bolted into the back. Wolf was completely unaffected by Pippkin's words. He barked another command in Japanese into his headset, causing yet another doorway of light to appear. Then he turned to Goku. "No offense to Dr. Tofu, but we can take better care of her back at base. Come on," he then said to the others. Piccolo looked down uncertainly at Jamie. "Wolf's right," the Author said simply. "Yeah, Samantha's our friend! We'll take good care of her," Mihoshi added confidently. Piccolo grunted in assent, and the group exited through the portal. "Thanks for not interfering," Bret took the time to say to Goku before disappearing through the light portal as well. Goku was left standing in the ring, stunned. "Mah God," was all Jim Ross could quietly say. "Amazing, simply amazing" Ric said, still a little choked up. "Jamie Jeans managed to pull Samantha out of Pippkin's iron grip," I can only imagine what Pippkin is going through now," Tenay wondered with a slight smile. "Without a host, he's going to have problems in... wait a second, guys. Anne's coming back." Anne "Arky" Brandies was walking with purpose toward the ring. She was relieved that Samantha was safe, and she allowed herself a gentle smile. Once at ringside, she grabbed a steel chair, chucked it into the ring, then crawled into the ring herself. She motions for a mic. Uneasily, she returns to her "tough girl" demeanor, "Hey, yah know... it's really nice tah see Samantha come back, but... yah know what... I'm still feeling like a street fight! So Pippkin, I want you to send out your best man! Send out anyone and I'll beat the crap out them! Hell, Pippkin, send out the friggin' Overfiend! I'll tie all of its tentacles into a nice pretty bow! So who's got the guts tah face Anne Arky, huh?" She unfolds the chair and slumps down in it. She waits impatiently for a few minutes. "2000 Lightyears Away" by Green Day fires up over the loudspeakers, and she stands up, an expression of concern spreading across her face. "Oh dear," JR worried, "That's Aron Scythe's theme! "This does not look good..." Ric added, as Aron made his way to the ring. The "Psycho Nerd" had an insanely happy grin and was jabbering nonsense at the fans. "Great Scott! Aron's in full Chavo Jr. mode!" Tenay gasped in fright. Aron Scythe climbed into the ring to confront his ex-manager. "Anne... for years you've promoting me... manipulating me... and for what? You've been manipulating me just advance *your* own career! And then when you signed that deal in the NPWA, what did you do? You abandoned me!" In a maddened rage, he grabbed the steel chair, and brandished it wildly. "You used me Anne, and tonight it ends!" Anne could only shake her head in disbelief. "Nerd-boy..." she began, "I can't believe that that furball actually got you to believe that garbage. For the last 5 years, Aron, you've been like a little brother to me." She stopped as Aron took a wild swing at her, backing her into a corner, but Anne continues, "and now you're accusing me of manipulating you?" Aron lashed out, but this time Anne grabbed the chair and chucked it out of the ring. Frustrated, she continued relentlessly as Aron launched threats at her. "Now listen, I'm a coach and a manager! It's my *job* to manipulate people. I've manipulated you, the other wrestlers, and the referees! Heck, why don't you ask Jamie Jeans how good a manipulator I am!" She paused, a bit flustered. "But Aron...I WOULD NEVER HURT YOU!" Anne collects herself, wiping the sweat from her brow. She continued, in a much more somber tone of voice... "One week ago, the night before the tournament, I got a phone call from you. You were crying. Yah said that this girl you've been dating for the last 3 months by the name of Tomoe Ami was in a car accident, and she was paralyzed from the waist down. Yah said you were going to visit her, and that you wanted me to scalp your tickets. And that's exactly what I did... Then one night later we all saw yah join Pippkin's side. Well, an hour after the tournament was over, I got a phone call, and it seems that they found your girlfriend locked in a broom closet and completely delerious. Babbling on..." Anne barely managed to choke down her rage, "and on...about bunnies..." Aron was now pacing back and forth, yanking at his messy brown hair. She grabbed hold of his shoulder and pulled him toward her. "Aron, I may have manipulated you over the years, but I've *always* had your best interest in mind." She leaned mere inches from his face and proclaimed, "and I would never, EVER, use a crippled girl to get to you!" She shoved him away. Aron was gazing around in a combination of confusion and anger. Anne sighed and attempted to remain stern, "So tonight, Aron, you're going to see your girlfriend again. I'm giving you two options: either 1) You help me beat the ungodly crap out of that bastard Pippkin or 2) I beat you to the point that your girlfriend won't be the only one in a wheel chair..." She swallowed her grief and finished, "and that's gonna hurt me a lot more that it's going to hurt you..." Gazing at the confused "Nerd Boy", Anne was getting choked up, and desperately tried to hold back the tears, to little or no avail. Thankfully Aron regained his senses, and the two meet in the ring and hug each other. The crowd politely applauded as the two e-fed competitors returned back-stage. Over at the announcer's booth, Tenay sobbed lightly at the emotional scene. Ric, moved by this change of events, allowed himself a gentle smile. "Check, and mate, Pippkin." He noted sternly. "This is incredible, folks," JR whispered, "Pippkin's power is fading fast, but I'd still be wary of a desperation attack." "Man, and the championship's coming up next. Stay with us." Tenay uttered solemly, as we fade to a commercial... [Scene shows a similar background to the S-I Cola commercial, even with Kintobor on it] Kintobor: Greetings. As you know, I am David "Foxfire" Kintobor and I am here to tell you about Wolfweiser beer. It tastes GRRREEAATTT! [Oscar walks in] Oscar: Are you kidding me? It's LESS FILLING! Kintobar: TASTES GREAT! Oscar: LESS FILLING! Kintobar: TASTES GREAT! Oscar: LESS FILLING! [Wolf comes in, with Gadget] Wolf: [Punches Kintobar in the nose] Listen it's LESS FILLING... Oscar: [Snickers] Wolf: [Uppercuts Oscar] ...AND TASTES GREAT! [Scene now shows a censor sign and several hails of pain are heard from Kintobor and Oscar] [Scene goes back to original scene and shows a beat up Kintobor and Oscar on the ground. Wolf goes to Gadget] Wolf: So what is it, babe? Gadget: Wolf...weisers? Wolf: That's right, girl. Now go into the other room and wait for me! [Gadget casually searches through her toolbox] Wolf: Wolfweisers, My Friends! [Gadget pulls a Dimensional mallet from her toolbox and smashes it against Wolf's head. He continues smiling, even as he falls over. Gadget looks up to the camera.] Gadget:So, Wolfweiser, then... [she wanders away] Wolf [From ground]:Thank goodness for healing factors... We return as the camera pans over an enthused sold-out crowd, and the bell rings at a steady tone. A distinguished looking gentleman with graying hair approaches the center of the ring with a mic. It is the one and only Michael Buffer, introducing the main event! "I can't believe this guy gets *paid* for this," JR commented in disgusted boredom. "Welcome, citizens of Neo-Tokyo to Otakumania's *MAIN EVENT*. Tonight, is a crucial point in the battle between Team Foxfire and the AAA, as each side's most powerful contenders will decide who will become the first AAA VIRTUAL CHAMPION! Are you ready?" "BREAK IT DOWN!" JR yelled from the announcers table. Tenay and Flair both glowered darkly at his heckling. The capacity crowd, meanwhile, responded with thunderous ovation. "Neo-Tokyo, are you rrrrrrready?" Another enthusiastic cheer came from the crowd, anticipating his next famous line. "For the capacity crowd here at the Budakan, and the millions watching throughout the multiverse...ladies and gentlemen, lllllet's get ready to rumblllllle!!!" The crowd's screams reached fever pitch as "Princes of the Universe" cued up. "The crowd here is psyched tonight! WHOO!" Ric called out. "This is going to be an exciting match-up." "That's an understatement, to say the least!" JR replied. "Two of the most powerful characters in existence are going to walk into that ring... and only one is going to walk out as the AAA champion." A determined Kintobor strode toward the ring, the rest of Team Foxfire in tow. Jonathan Brisby was at his side, and looked *very* enthusiastic. "Our first contender hails from St Louis, Missouri," Buffer began, "He has fought alongside the Power Rangers against the griffon- like Piasa Bird, saving his hometown. He assisted the famous Sonic the Hedgehog and his Freedom Force in his efforts against the tyrant Robotnik in Mobius. Most recently, he has joined Sailor Moon and her senshi in their never-ending struggle against the Negaverse. Now, he serves as Jonathan Brisby's second in command. Please welcome: The cyber-fox, DAVID "FOXFIRE" KINTOBOR!!!" Kintobor played to a mixed crowd as the rest of the team moves outside the ring. "I say that Kintobor's the man to watch in this," Ric stated. "He simply has more credentials: allies, ego, power, and a *definite* flair for the gold." "I've noticed that experience and ego seem to be crucial to these Avatars," JR commented. "But Oscar can match Kintobor in those categories..." "And not many can surpass him for sheer amount of power," Tenay finished. Goldust's eerie theme began to play, and Oscar strode to the ring as Buffer introduced him. "And his challenger, hailing from Mexico! He, too, has joined forces with the Sailor Senshi in their quest against the Negaverse. He--" Buffer paused abruptly to look over a couple of his note cards, with a perturbed look on his face. "That's strange," JR wondered, "I've never seen Buffer stop abruptly during an intro like that." Ric rolled his eyes. "I know what's going on. Keep in mind, boys, that the majority of Oscar's 'achievements' consist of scoring with anthropomorphic females..." "Ewww..." Tenay responded. Buffer just shook his head and tossed the note cards over his shoulder. He cut to the finale. "And as the world knows, he is not only a hermaphrodite, but a Super-Saiyen, as well. Please give a big Neo-Tokyo welcome to...OSCAR!!!" Oscar entered the ring to an equally lukewarm reception. His treatment of Nav was still fresh in the minds of many fans. Buffer gave the Saiya-jin an uneasy look as he left the ring. He paused by the robo-ref. "I don't get paid enough for this..." he noted as the android nodded in sympathy. Kintobor took off his leather jacket and glanced over at Oscar, who was in a practice exercise. The announcers were absolutely breathless in anticipation. "I know we've said it before, but it bears repeating... this is going to be one helluva match-up," JR began. "True," Tenay began in a very scholarly fashion. "The contrast of the wildly disparate fighting styles employed..." Tenay suddenly fell silent, interrupted by the very familiar sound of shattering glass blaring over the PA. Team Foxfire immediately looked at each other in shock, as a very famous theme song by the name of 'Hell Frozen Over' began playing. This could mean only one thing... "AUSTIN!! MAH GOD! Austin is *here*!!" JR exclaimed. "And we all know who he's after... Jonathan Brisby!!" Tenay yelled. The cheers were deafening as the WWF champion (and he had the belt with him to prove it) Steve Austin leaped over the railing to loudly confront Team Foxfire outside of the ring. Jonathan Brisby and Grandpa Coyote were scrambling in terror, and Edward was in front of them, attempting to be brave. David Kronos, however, was giddy with excitement, his eyes glistening like a shojo pretty boy. "Oh, *COOL*!" Kronos cheered. "*He's* actually here! He's the *man*..." Coyote interrupted his excitement with a smack to the back of the head. "What's wrong with you, boy!?" he hollered, "He's coming after *us*!" "Oh." Austin was now in front of the announcer's table, glaring at Team Foxfire. "So a coupla Nancy-boy furballs think they can pull a 3:16, huh?" Austin taunted. "Let's see you pieces of trash handle the Real Deal!" Jonathan Brisby suddenly faced the Rattlesnake, unusually brave. "Come on, guys, what are we scared of? He's just one guy!" He said with a sneer. "What is *wrong* with Brisby?" JR asked in shock. "Austin's one *big* guy!" "A big, *angry* guy," Tenay added a bit frightfully. "A big, angry guy with a large, heavy object in his hands," Flair grinned. However, Team Foxfire took things quite a bit differently. "That's right! We've got him outnumbered!" Coyote said in amixture of declaration and personal revelation. "YEAH! BRING IT ON!" Edward jeered. "We can take ya! Ain't that right, JB?" Coyote did a double-take when he turned and saw that their *fearless* manager had already dashed half way up the rampway and escaped back stage. Suddenly a lot less confident, Coyote wailed "Um--*JB!?!* Where the hell are you goin'!?!" Before he could get an answer, he was floored with a clothesline by Austin. He then waded into the Team Foxfire, batting away Edward casually. Kronos, regaining his senses, approached to assist his teammates. "Kick to the gut... and a STUNNER for Kronos!" JR exclaimed. "This is getting INSANE!" Tenay hollered. "Well, so long as chairs don't suddenly fall from the sky..." Ric added, rather calmly. Goku had scrambled in to break up the carnage, and shouted to Team Foxfire sternly. "Get backstage, *NOW*!" Coyote fled desperately up the rampway, while Edward helped the dazed Kronos up. "Ah gut stunned by Stone Cold..." Kronos mumbled, looking dazedly up. "Kewl." He fell limp, and Edward had to carry him back. Goku then turned to the Rattlesnake himself. "And *you* get over to the announcers booth." Goku ordered. Austin stepped closer to him instead, looking the angry Saiyen directly in the eye. "Oh, lord... I hope Austin knows who he's dealing with..." JR breathed. Fortunately for all, Austin *did*. He cooly backed off from the Saiyen warrior, not keeping his eyes off him. He knew what had happened to Sting earlier in the competition, and he didn't want any trouble with the characters of this dimension... but *especially* not the legendary Goku. Even Stone Cold Steve Austin was willing to admit that there was *one* S.O.B. badder than himself. Austin approached the announcer's booth and snagged an extra headset. "This ain't over, ya damn furballs!" Austin shouted as they scampered backstage. "But I gotta admit one thing, the WWF would be a *lot* different if they had ol' Monkey-Boy there in security!" "Goku's been fine so far..." Tenay added, still shocked by Austin's presence. He hoped that Austin's grudge was just with WCW's president, and not with the *entire* company. "It's been *too* long, Steve," Ric greeted his former Horseman. "How have you been doin' up in Titan-land?" "Not bad," Austin grinned as he dumped his massive WWF title belt on the table. "Have you been keeping track of the action here in the AAA as well?" JR asked "Aw, Hell yeah, JR! There's a buncha characters that've caught my eye. That Nav kid, he's almost as nuts as Mick Foley, and as just as tough. And that rabbit--" Austin paused, shaking his head, "I thought *McMahon* was a bastard! He must've been taking tips from that other damn furball Pippkin!" JR shuddered as a horrific image of Pippkin McMahon sprang into his mind. "Well, it looks like it's time to get this thing started," Flair said expectantly as Oscar and Kintobor approach eached other in the center of the ring. The robo-ref explained the conditions of their match up and displayed the coveted title for the crowd. Then it backed off, and the combatants readied themselves for action! AAA VIRTUAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH David "Foxfire" Kintobor vs. Oscar "We've finally got the bell!" JR exclaimed as the cybernetic fox and the Saiya-jin circled one another. "And our first lock-up!" Tenay added breathlessly. With a sudden toss, Oscar launched Kintobor with an arm throw, but the cyberfox simply rolled with it and sat up on one knee. Keeping an icy gaze on Oscar, he flexed his bionic arm. "Kintobor's arm may be the only damn thing he has goin' for him, but if Oscar doesn't watch it he'll end up with that thing planted right between his eyes!" Austin commented, falling easily into the role of guest announcer. "Like right now!" Flair chuckled as Kintobor smacked an unwary Oscar across the jaw with his steel elbow. Seizing the moment, he latched onto the Saiya-jin and launched him to the mat with a belly-to-belly suplex. "Now Kintobor working on the arm of Oscar... Kintobor with a hammerlock, and *several* knee drops while maintaining the hold," Tenay said. "That's no good! Kintobor just doesn't have the strength for a tactic like that, and that's the bottom line," Austin said aggressively as Oscar managed to power himself up to a standing position. From there, Oscar easily broke the hold with a palm strike into Foxfire's snout. "Now Oscar on the attack with a series of kicks to Kintobor's stomach... *wicked* roundhouse!" JR gasped as he saw the powerful kick connect with the back of the were-fox's head. "We *easily* could've had a KO right there!" "Oscar's targeting Kintobor's leg, a good strategy for a fight like this," Flair continued as Oscar assaulted Kintobor's leg with a series of stomps "And an obvious attempt to repeat his success against Nav earlier in the tournament," Tenay added. Oscar dragged the downed Foxfire toward the corner post and whipped his weakened leg around it. Oscar followed by quickly locking in a familiar specialty move: a figure-four around the corner post. "Somewhere, Bret Hart's crying," JR said matter-of-factly. The robo-ref broke the hold, forcing Oscar to return to the ring. "We may be in for a damn short fight," Austin commented. "Kintobor's barely on his feet." "Oscar sends Kintobor into the ropes, goes for a clothesline... and misses!" Tenay said. Kintobor stopped and, with his bionic arm surging with strength, unleashed a combination of hard punches. "MAH GOD! Where did *that* come from?" JR remarked in amazement. "Kintobor was dead on his feet a minute ago!" "I don't what the hell it is about these damn things," Austin said with a simple gesture to his own belt, "but they make you literally work your ass off in a fight for 'em." Flair nodded in agreement. "Kintobor with the Spicolli Driver... two-count!" he continued. Kintobor got up and signaled for the Foxfire Thunderbomb. "Kintobor's going for the Thunderbomb... this could be it..." Tenay said tensely. "NO! Oscar's turned it into a neckbreaker!" JR exclaimed. "And he's goin' *Super-Saiyen*!" Austin added as Oscar suddenly bolted upright and his battle aura flared. He staggered Kintobor with a flurry of kicks, then launched off the ropes to floor him with a spinwheel kick. "Oscar takes the cyber-fox up on the turnbuckle and... Frankensteiner from the top rope!" Flair continued. Oscar began charging up the Kamehameha as he stared at the battered Kintobor, slowly getting to his feet. "Kintobor *dodged*! He dodged the Kamehameha!!" Tenay screamed. "And Kintobor counters with the Prism Rifle!" JR continued as Oscar took a blast square solidly in the chest. Kintobor charged and delivered a low drop kick into Oscar's right leg. "Good move goin' for that ankle lock submission, but Oscar's just too close to the ropes," Austin commented as the robo-ref broke the hold. As the were-fox let go, Oscar lept up and delivered an elbow shot to the face, followed by shot to the ribs. "Oscar's wasting no time in taking the advantage... incredible Tiger Bomb to Kintobor!" JR remarked. "But why isn't Oscar going for the pin?" Tenay asked incredulously as the Saiya-jin began playing to the crowd. "This is where that Avatar ego is a liability," Austin smirked. "It's stayin' focused that separates the champions from the contenders." Finally, Oscar grabbed him and pulled him around for the Dragon's Claw. "Oscar gotten his finisher on, but it just looks like too little to late... Kintobor's struggling... and he makes it to the ropes!" JR said. An increasingly frustrated Oscar pulled him back into the middle of ring and gratuitously drove a foot into Kintobor's groin. The crowd erupted into boos the blatant blow, as well as Oscar's childish showboating. Oscar staggered back, dumbfounded when "NAV! NAV!" and "OSCAR SUCKS!" chants started. Flair grinned. "If you let yourself be too bad..." Oscar arrogantly approached the fallen were-fox to drive his foot down onto his snout. But with quick reflexes, Kintobor grabbed onto the foot and tripped Oscar's other leg, dropping him to the ground. "Kintobor flips Oscar over... and he's got a half-crab leglock submission hold on Oscar!" Tenay exclaimed. "Oscar's in the middle of the ring. He's got no place to go, and no choice but to power out or *tap* out," Austin said grimly. "The question is, can Kintobor keep Oscar down?" JR finished. Oscar struggled furiously as Kintobor summoned all of his cybernetic strength to maintain the hold. As Oscar began inching towards the ropes, the crowd solidly fell behind Kintobor. A thunderous "OSCAR SUCKS!" chant started up that staggered even Oscar's massive ego. The Saiya-jin was struggling for the ropes when Kintobor unleashed a powerful electrical pulse through the hermaphrodite's body. Oscar grimaced in pain, Kintobor taking the opportunity to tighten the leglock. Oscar was still in the center of the ring. He has no other option but... "OSCAR HAS TAPPED OUT!" JR screamed as the bell sounded. "Mah God, we have our first AAA Virtual Champ!" "Despite evil rabbits, angry wrestlers, and a whole lot else!" Tenay chimed in. Austin and Flair simply broke out a pair of Wolfweisers to toast the new champ. The weary Kintobor lurched up and raised a hand triumphantly, to the delight of the crowd. The robo-ref hovered over to award the AAA Virtual Championship--when a blast of black magical energy blasted the droid apart. "It's a sneak attack!" Tenay exclaimed "And that means only one thing..." Ric trailed off, suddenly much less enthusiastic. Kintobor tensely drew his Prism rifle as he grabbed the AAA belt, aiming the gun toward the direction of the blast. Charging in behind, a frenzied T-Bone grabbed Kintobor and whips him down hard with the Ragnarok (His cobra-clutch/choke slam combination move) "Yeah...it's that damn rabbit, again!" Austin snarled, not happy at having a perfectly good beer ruined. A swirl of blood-red energy solidified over the unconscious Kintobor. It formed into the notorious Pippkin! "He looks *terrible*!" Tenay noticed. Pippkin was without his tuxedo coat and had his sleeves rolled up. He looked drained from the teleportation. "Without his host, Pippkin seems a lot weaker! This is *exactly* the right time to finish him once and for all!" JR said hopefully. Pippkin seized the microphone. "I'm going to make my demands *brief* and *clear*--" he yelled, before his mic was suddenly cut off. Pippkin threw it down, cursing in frustration. Then, over the PA system, the increasing sound of electrical distortion was heard. "I was *wondering* when he would show up," Flair said with a dark grin. A flash of energy crackled into being in front of Pippkin, reforming into the avenging warrior, Sting. His bat glistened with concentrated ki energy. Austin was dumbfounded, and turned to Ric. "When the hell did Borden learn to do *that*?" "Page and Bret have gotten super-powers, why not?" JR explained, impressed. "Damn. I wonder if I could do somethin'..." Austin wondered. That thought made Tenay wince... there wasn't a force on Earth that could keep Bischoff alive then. "Oh, this is getting *good*" Ric grinned, as Sting approached the furious Pippkin. Pippkin looked up with defiance at the intense wrestler. T-Bone was behind him smiling a feral grin. Sting approached the menacing duo, almost smiling. "You've lost your host, and you've lost all of you followers except that mutt!" Sting growled, gesturing with his bat at T-Bone. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't blast you into dust right now!" The two villainous furries turned to each other, smiled and turned back to Sting... as a nearby building exploded. Sting backed off slightly, and all four announcers bolted upright. "Holy...what the hell was that!?!" Austin bellowed. "Oh, no..." Tenay uttered in shock, "That came from the Capsule Corp complex..." While Sting was distracted by the explosion, Pippkin cast a spell hurled him against the corner and bound him in magical chains. "What did you just do?!!" Sting hollered in rage. "Oh, that," he replied innocently, pointing in the distance, "That would be one of several large bombs that my associate T-Bone placed throughout the various Capsule Corporation buildings." Goku suddenly ran out on the floor and gazed at the smoking building. He gasped, "You monster! BULMA!!!" Pippkin and T-Bone climbed to the floor. "Don't worry," Pippkin cooed darkly, "She is safe for now." Goku was about to launch himself at the monstrous rabbit, when Pippkin pulled out a controller. "I wouldn't do that, Monkey-boy. Otherwise, the whole complex goes off." The psychotic rabbit calmly approached the mighty (and frustrated) Saiyen. "I have but one simple request. No ransoms, no demands for your *precious* belt..." "What do you want?!" Goku growled at him. Pippkin extended a cane and pointed it toward him. "Just you." "Aw hell *no*!" Austin exclaimed in shock. "That's hideous," JR uttered. "Pippkin with Goku... he'd be completely unstoppable." "Join me," Pippkin continued, brandishing his controller. "Or the lives of all those Capsule Corp scientists, as well as Dr Briefs..." He paused to allow himself a vicious smile. "...and Bulma, end in one glorious fireball. I suggest you consider your options, very, *very* carefully..." A pale flash to the side grabbed Pippkin's attention. He sneered, "Lovely. It's that whiny little girl again! I've no time for this! T-Bone, dispose of her!" "Is that C-Ko there!?" Ric exclaimed, a bit outraged. "He's sending T-Bone after *her*!?" "Hold on, Ric. She does *not* look right..." Austin noted. The girl looked very much like C-Ko, the same short, blonde hair and petite build. However, she was a lot taller now, and wore a blue and gold martial arts gi. Her eyes were closed as if in concentration, and her footsteps were silent as she approached with purpose to the ring. She paused as T-Bone charged down the aisle toward her. She grinned slightly, and stood upright. The towering henchman closed in on her as she extended her palm toward him. "Paper," the girl calmly called. A wide shockwave of force slammed into T-Bone, launching him back and slamming him against the ring apron. He fell limp to the floor, and she continued on. "I didn't know she could do that!" JR wondered out loud. "She *can't*!!" Tenay exclaimed. "Well, she just *did*, jackass," Austin said rather pointedly replied. "I'm not sure what to make of her... but Pippkin sure seems concerned," Flair noted. Pippkin dashed around to the unconscious T-Bone and looked up at the approaching girl. "I don't know *why* you've returned. Do you honestly think a *child* like yourself can defeat me!?!" He yelled. He summoning five spheres that shimmered with black magical energy, and launched them at the girl... They paused a mere foot from her. She raised her hand and, with a turn of her wrist, the spheres flew back and slammed into Pippkin. He was launched back against the apron by the force of his own spell. Coughing in pain, Pippkin lurched up to one knee and looked up at the petite, but intimidating figure. She stopped and spoke. It was C-Ko's voice, but in a stern and more mature tone. "My dear Pippkin," she said, "If I didn't know better..." Her eyes opened and gazed upon the frightened furry in a very sinister way. "You were plotting to destroy me, weren't you?" Tenay stammered as he caught a glimpse of her eyes. "M... m..." "Guys, that's sure as hell *not* C-Ko," Austin said. "What the hell *is* that?" Ric wondered. As the young-woman began casting, the former AAA security head watched in shock. She was the only one who knew what she really was. Kiyone just wondered what had triggered C-Ko's transformation this time... A shimmering portal of golden energy opened below Pippkin's feet. He struggled as mist-like tendrils wrapped around him, pulling and choking him. "You can't do this to me, dammit!" Pippkin yelled, "Do you have any idea who I am!?!" "C-Ko" tilted her head slightly and grinned. "Of course I do! You... are an upstart." Pippkin was taken back at the response, and the portal below him flared a brilliant white. "Give my regards to oblivion, Pippkin." She taunted. With a snap of her fingers, the tendrils dragged Pippkin screaming and flailing down into the portal. It closed with a snap, leaving only Pippkin's top hat and a stunned crowd, behind. The young woman approached a nervous Goku with a wink and a knowing grin. She tilted her head back, and stretched her hands to her sides as a combat aura flared around her. The figure slowly faded away and, when the combat aura died down, two blonde girls were now standing. Goku was dumb-struck, knowing *exactly* what they just did... They both wore martial arts uniforms. One was obviously C-Ko, bouncing around enthusiastically. The other one, much taller than C-Ko, was Marissa Picard, who was staring at the excited girl. "YAH-HOOOO!" C-Ko cheered, giving an unprepared Marissa a high-five. "We did it Marissa!" At the announcers booth, all four commentator's were struck silent by this turn of events. Austin broke the silence. "This is *really* screwed up." A door of light appeared in the ring. Not surprisingly, Wolf, Bret Hart, and Del Juicio Final (brandishing bolt cutters) stepped out... the surprise was who accompanied them. It was Washu! She and Wolf began scanning the ring with some indescribably futuristic instruments while DJF and Bret began work on freeing Sting. "*Now* what the hell is goin' on?" Austin asked. "Of course!" JR exclaimed. "We saw Detective Mihoshi with the Wolfpack earlier... the teleportation must have been courtesy of Miss Washu!" Washu grinned as she looked down at the instrument she was carrying. "All clear!" she proclaimed. "Pippkin's really gone!" "And we couldn't have done it without you!" Bret smirked sardonically at Sting. "Shut up." "Unbelievable! I'm going to find out about this." Tenay enthused as he left the others behind. Tenay approached C-Ko, still giddy with excitement, "You just banished that psychotic rabbit Pippkin! This is amazing, Miss Kotobuki, but... how!?!" "Well, me and Marissa were running away from that *mean* old bunny! They chased us all the way here! Earlier, though, we ran into these two nice young boys with adorable haircuts... they taught us this neat trick..." Goku promptly interrupted her. "*Don't* say anymore, C-Ko!" he disciplined. He then wandered off, muttering about having to have a word with his son. Marissa then approached to speak. "Actually, gentlemen, it's quite simple. This particular dimension is well known for its citizens spontaneously gaining new and wondrous abilities, right in the time of need." She paused and turned to the camera. "Not that that's anything *new*. I've been doing that for years..." The now-awake and newly crowned David "Foxfire" Kintobor wandered into the interview area. "That was some damn impressive work, ma'am," he complimented. "Couldn't have done it better myself." "Of course," Marissa replied with a smirk. "And congratulations on your...title. As a special gift, why don't you return with me for a tour of the Stargazer?" "Actually, that's OK, I just had a helluva fight, and..." Marissa ignored Kintobor's words. "Clara, two to beam up." Marissa ordered over her comm badge, "Oh, and warm up the Holodeck. I want a *special* scenario for our guest." She grinned slyly as they both dematerialized in a transport beam. Tenay, now by himself, was speechless. "Well. Hmm. Back to you Jim." "This has been an incredible event folk!" JR concluded, as C-Ko trotted over. "The first Virtual Champion has been crowned! And irritating cuteness, combined with Death in a Starfleet uniform, has banished Pippkin from the anime realms." "There's a common saying that explains that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. However, judging from the efforts and fortitude of some of the Avatars in this competition, that saying might need some changing. WHOO!" Flair finished. "And I've learned that it's not about the giving, or receiving, but the loving!" C-Ko cheerfully added. JR and Ric turned to the perky girl. "Actually, miss," Ric corrected, "I'm pretty sure that has to do with Christmas." "Oh." The trio was interrupted as Jonathan Brisby walked toward the desk. "Ya know what, I've been chasing glory and fame around all month, and the true source of power was right under my nose." he said. "Love?" C-Ko asked. "Honor?" JR added. "Integrity?" Ric responded. "MERCHANDISING!" The two announcers and C-Ko turned away, ignoring Jonathan as he brandished the various trinkets he found. "Check this out: Plastic Nav chaingun, a Wolfweiser, "Foxfire 4 Life" T-Shirt, Dress-up Soulstone, Kintobor and Star Mech figures with *bone-crunching action*... this is way to go, guys." He stopped in his spiel to see that everyone was ignoring him. All, except for a very determined Steve Austin who was approaching from behind. "Hey! Where are y'all going!?! You *will* respect my authority, and--YAHHH!" Austin hoisted the short mouse by his jacket collar and looked at him. "We're going to have a little talk..." Austin growled. Jonathan gulped. "Mommy..." ______________________________________________________________________________ Well! So ends our first storyline. I honestly didn't expect AAA to get as much support as it did! I'd like to thank Lynxara, who has been a *big* help in running this fed, as well as refining my writing and adding commentary. For Otakumania, I thank Crowbar for supplying the ads, and Karmacide for supplying the Aron Scythe/Anne Arky angle. The Moon Kingdom and Mobius titles will be coming up...after I get a rest from this wild ride. Take care everyone! Tim McLees/Shinji WHOO-HOO!! I can't believe we ever made it this far! I hope everyone enjoyed this... I know I sure did. I'd like to thank Shinji for his excellent booking, as well as everyone who posted on the AAA match board for their ideas and support. But some special thanks need to go to some individuals: J.P. Chabot, Nav, CrowBar, David Gonterman, Jamie Jeans, David Marts, Pearson Mui, and Karmacide. They all went above and beyond the call of duty in suggesting angles and working with the story. Extra-special thanks go out to all the creators of the characters used within... obviously, we couldn't have done it without you. Coming up soon will be the battle for the new Mobius and Moon Kingdom belts, along with title defenses for the new champion. We've also got new characters galore. Some of them will be introduced in my upcoming AAA special, "Epilogues and Preludes"... others, we'll just surprise you with. But we'll see you on the road to our next PPV event... King of the Net! Alicia Ashby/Lynxara