The soles of his boots resonated against the cold tile floors.  He walked 
with purpose.  He walked with a mission.  He walked with a smirk on his face, a 
donut in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other.  He was M. Bison, the 
world's most evil 3rd world dictator.  As he approached his nerve center, the 
operational heart of Shadowlaw, he reviewed today's agenda.  Send chemical 
weapons to Iraq.  Bribe members of the United States Congress.  Scout for 
fighters to be a suitable host for psycho power.  See about getting Veronica's 
Closet back on the air.  Think of new and inventive ways to take over Ultra.  
Today was going to be a busy day.  His rushed takeover attempt was a failure, 
but an interesting one.  Naibiki's addition of Jack to her upper echelon would 
not be a problem for him.  The man was just a lunatic, not even a powerful one 
at that.

	Arriving in the center, Bison sat in his control seat, or more aptly 
dubbed 'his throne'.  The seat rose up into the air, as he munched his donut 
thoughtfully.  Best to be sure of what the rest of the world is up to.  He 
clicked the appropriate buttons on his armrest, and over a hundred television 
monitors snapped to life at once.  All the major news broadcast networks, 
surveillance satellite feeds, spy cameras, and other such goodies would all air 
at once in full glory, presenting him with enough visual and audio stimulus to 
ensure that he was fully aware of world events.

	At least, that's what it was supposed to do.

	"I love youuuu."  The donut dropped from Bison's hand to the floor a dozen 
feet below as the hideous visage of a purple dinosaur.  "You love me!  We're a 
happy family!  With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you, won't you say you 
love me too?"

	There was silence in the Shadowlaw control center for a moment, as the 
dinosaur pranced haplessly on the screens for a few moments longer.  All eyes 
were glued to M. Bison.  His knuckles went white around the base of his coffee 
mug as he stared at the screen, as if daring him to defy him further.  "Who.... 
who DARES to--"

	Suddenly, on all the screens a yellow plastic duck appeared.  At first 
they were all separate images, then the image turned into a big screen via many 
tiny screens effect.  "*SQUEAK SQUEAK*" was the only answer that Bison received 
to his unfinished question.

	The coffee mug shattered, sending the occupying coffee flying everywhere.  
A couple of techies were scolded from the hot liquid as it rained down on them, 
but no one said a word in protest.  Bison stared at the duck before him, and 
only one word escaped his lips.

	"Jack."

*****

	Kaoru hung his jacket on the coat hanger and smiled as he entered the 
living room of his apartment.  His roommate was staring at the want ads 
intently, and didn't even notice him walk in.  Kaoru walked up quietly, 
surprising the young boy when he sat down next to him and hugged him.  "Hello 
Shinji!"

	"Kaoru!  I... didn't hear you come in."  Shinji sighed and put the paper 
down.  

	"Still looking for a new job?"  Kaoru tilted his head at Shinji.

	"Yes, I don't know why it's proving to be so hard.  I have military 
training, I'm not a stupid boy.  But with my family all dead and the government 
unwilling to even touch me, I have to find something."  His shoulder slumped as 
he pondered his dilemma.

	"But you still have a paycheck coming in Shinji."  Nudging his friend 
slightly, Kaoru smiled.

	"I don't know why.  I don't fight.  I'm tired of fighting."  Shinji 
withdrew from his companion slightly.  "I was always made to fight against my 
will.  I'm tired of it."

	"That's not why you're trying to leave Ultra."  The formerly angelic boy 
shook his head.  "You know it."

	"I..."

	"You're running from them.  Both of them.  Out of control, against you."  
Kaoru sighed.  "I understand why you're running... but why haven't you stopped 
yet?"

	"I can't do anything!  Asuka's still a psychotic wreck who barely talks, 
and Rei's brainwashed by that maniac."  Tears welled up in Shinji's eyes.

	"Asuka has her own demons to deal with.  Rei was taken against her will 
Shinji.  You're one of the only ones who could face her and live."  Kaoru 
answered.  "Why are you running?"

	"Because... because I'm a coward!  I'm tired of fighting!"

	"Or are you afraid of what happened to Rei happening to you?  To be back 
under what you saw as Gendo's thumb, doing whatever he wished?"  Kaoru put his 
hand on Shinji's shoulder.  "You'd hate that, wouldn't you."

	Shinji nodded slowly.

	"Don't you think Rei would hate it if she could?  Shouldn't someone do 
something to save her?  You have your own reason to fight now Shinji."

	"People have been trying.  Her boyfri--"

	"Her boyfriend is valiant, but he can't do it alone.  And others have been 
trying and failing.  If you rejoin them Shinji.  They might have a chance.  Then 
maybe... maybe you could put this behind you and move on."  Kaoru smiled softly 
at the former pilot.

	Sitting still for a moment, Shinji didn't make a sound.  His eyes were 
closed in meditative thought, and his breath slowed.  When his eyes reopened, 
the tears had stopped.  And instead, a new determination was present behind 
them.  "You're right."  Shinji stood and moved toward the phone.

	"What are you going to do?"

	"I'm going to the fight."

*****

	"Two sodas, just like you asked Dai."  The waitress left the glasses on 
the table and nodded at the Ultra announcer before leaving the table.

	Daisuke took his drink and sipped it cautiously.  "I don't know Hiroshi.  
Things have changed so much lately.  I have this constant feeling that I'm 
forgetting something.  And now that CHAOS is over, and I have my job back I 
should be happy.  But something feels missing."

	Stirring his soda with his straw apprehensively, Hiroshi stared into the 
abyss that was Coca-Cola.  "Maybe you're just bored Dai."  His words were 
toneless, communicating the despair that seemed to fill the inside of him.

	The words were not lost on Daisuke.  "What about you Hiroshi?  You okay?  
You've had it hard the past couple of months."  He didn't say her name, but they 
both knew who they were talking about.

	"I miss her Daisuke, more than anything else.  I could care less about my 
job, about Ultra, I just miss her.  And I hate HIM."  Hiroshi continued fiddling 
with his drink morosely.

	"I'm sorry buddy.  I guess compared to that... my problems aren't really 
that bad."  Daisuke slumped his shoulders.

	Looking up from his drink momentarily, Hiroshi gave Daisuke a weak smile.  
"Hey, everyone has their problems.  You'll find something to fill the gap that 
CHAOS left.  Maybe you just got used to being a leader?"

	"And I'm sure you'll get Rei back somehow."  Daisuke nodded at his friend.

	Hiroshi's smile faltered, and he resumed his staring contest with a piece 
of ice.  "I hope so."

	The two enjoyed an uncomfortable moment of silence, with Hiroshi lost in 
misery, and Daisuke lost in thought.  Suddenly, surprising Hiroshi almost as 
much as himself, Daisuke slammed his hand on the table.  "I've got it."

	"Huh?"

	"I know what to do.  I gotta run Hiro, lots of things to get done before 
Ultra tonight."  Daisuke threw some money on the table.  "Let the waitress keep 
the change, this one's on me buddy."

	"Sure thing Dai."

	With that, a newly motivated Daisuke left the diner.

*****

	"All right Shinji, sounds good.  Just try to put up an interesting show on 
tonight, right?"   Jack grinned into the phone.  "Thanks kid.  Welcome back into 
action."  Jack put the phone down, and turned to his constant companion.  "So 
Mr. Duck, what do you think of this development?"

	*squeak*

	"I agree.  It's exciting seeing our former Omega champ in action, but it's 
been done.  It needs something special."  Jack patted Mr. Duck thoughtfully.  
His train of thought was interrupted by Nabiki walking into his office.

	"Well Jack, I've looked over your budget proposal and I've rejected every 
last item on it."  Nabiki shook her head.  "Did you really think I was going to 
authorize orbital missile platforms?  We don't have that kind of money."

	Looking injured, Jack answered.  "Everything?  Even..."

	"Yes.  No camera's in the ladies restroom.  You'd think you'd be happy 
with the cameras I have everywhere else."  Nabiki sat in the chair facing Jack's 
desk, her look slightly amused.  "What was the point of this?"

	"Can't fool you.  I was just keeping you busy while I... requisitioned 
Lain on a project for me."  Jack smiled innocently.

	Nabiki frowned.  "Lain?  She still works here?"  She frowned.  "So that's 
how you got your computer access to my systems."

	Jack nodded.  "Right again Nabiki, you're on a roll."

	"What project did you have Lain on?  New website?  System restructuring?"

	"I was having her deal with a mutual friend of ours."  The innocent smile 
returned on Jack's face, with a not-so-innocent tinge to it.

	"The less I know the better I take it.  So... do you have the card planned 
out for tonight's show?"  Nabiki peered at notes Jack had spread out on his 
desk.

	He quickly covered them and shook his head.  "Owning and booking don't 
mix, remember?  You have to trust me.  You come to me when you need something 
booked and I'll come to you when I need something owned."

	"It's good I've found you two, I need both."  Daisuke stood in the doorway 
to Jack's office.

	"Ah!  Daisuke, what can I do for you?"  Jack grinned at his former 
partner.

	"I have a suggestion for you two..."  Daisuke sat in a chair beside Nabiki 
and began to lay out his plan.

*****

	"Agreed."  Jack nodded, then looked at Nabiki.

	"I'll approve that.  We need some fresh faces in Omega anyway."  Nabiki 
nodded as well.  "You'll handle the actual hiring, right?  I'll have legal draw 
up a contract immediately."

	Daisuke smiled.  "Thanks Nabiki.  Jack.  You don't know how much this 
means to me."

	Nabiki stood and smiled back at Daisuke slightly.  "Thanks Daisuke.  I'll 
get legal started right away."  She left the office briskly.

	Turning to Jack, Daisuke's shoulders slumped a little.  "There was 
something else actually."

	"Yes?"

	"I was really hoping we could find some way to hire Team Rocket back.  
They're really popular, and they didn't deserve to lose like they did at 
UltraRage." 

	"Agreed."

	"I know you don't always li... agreed?"  Daisuke blinked.  "But doesn't 
Nabiki have to approve you rehiring them?"

	Jack shook his head.  "We already talked about it.  They're as good as 
back, so long as they can earn it?"

	"Earn it?"  Daisuke gave his friend a puzzled look.

	"You want more out of Ultra than just your job right?"  Jack grinned as 
Daisuke flustered.  "I could tell by the way you laid out that plan just now.  
You like leading.  You miss it."  Jack held up a VHS tape.  "This tape is the 
answer to your problems."

	"What is--?"

	"All in due time, all in due time my boy.  Let's go pay Team Rocket a 
visit shall we?"  With that, Controversial Jack gathered up Mr. Duck and Daisuke 
and headed for the former CHAOS war room.

*****

	Sakura punched the bag a few times, trying to vent her frustrations upon 
it.  "This can't be how it ends."

	Shingo sighed, "We've all been through so much together, and here we are.  
CHAOS disbanded... you guys fired...."

	"Pika.  Piiiiiiiiika.  *hic*"

	Sakura blinked.  "When did he get the bottle of vodka?"

	Shingo stared.  "And since when does he drink it straight?"

	Jessie looked down at Pikachu, temporarily pausing in the folding of one 
of their many designer disguises.  "The little furball can really put it away."

	Admiring a sports bra he picked up out of his dresser, James sighed.  "You 
can't blame him though Jessie.  We were Team Champion Rocket.  Now we're Team 
Fired Rocket."  James started sniffling for a moment, then out and out started 
bawling.

	Jessie rolled her eyes for a moment and resumed packing.  "This is just a 
job James.  We've got plenty of other skills.  We can go back out and resume our 
lives."

	James paused.  "We can try to steal Pikachu again?"

	"PIKA!  PI PI!!  *hic*"  Pikachu waved his bottle around angrily.

	A bead of sweat appeared on the back of Jessie's skull.  "No, I suppose we 
can't.  In fact... we can't even go back to Team Rocket.  The boss will never 
take us back."

	"Neither will Meowth!"

	"We're homeless!"

	"Jobless!  Oh Jessie!"

	"Oh James!"

	The two sobbing teens clutched on to each other sadly as Shingo, Shermie 
and Sakura looked on uncomfortably.  

	Shermie blinked, "Why don't yo--"

	Not hearing Shermie, Sakura stepped in front of the quiet girl.  "Come on 
guys.  It'll work out.  You guys got screwed out of your shot, and everyone 
knows it.  I'm sure someone higher up will re-sign you guys!"

	"Then slap me silly and call me someone!"  Jack entered the room, with 
Daisuke in tow.  "Hi guys!"

	Instantly all eyes were on the spikey-haired one.  "Did you get our jobs 
back?"  Jessie asked with big and round shiny eyes.

	"Oh please oh pleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease!!!"  James leapt at Jack's 
feet and begged on his knees.

	"Not... as such."  Team Rocket quickly deflated, as did the rest of the 
room save Jack and Daisuke.  "However, my man Dai here has your ticket to a 
return flight."

	Daisuke held up a video tape.  "You guys remember your little incident 
backstage at URZ?"  Jessie and James nodded after glancing at each other.  "Well 
they got it on tape.  And The Powers That Be have deemed that you should have 
one last shot at a slot on the roster."

	Jack clasped Daisuke on the shoulder.  "Providing you guys don't mind some 
new management.  I'm going to be busy running the show and all, and it wouldn't 
be fair to be giving you guys an in other fighters don't have."

	Team Rocket was instantly at Daisuke's feet, both on their knees with 
their hands clasped in front of them.  "Please!  Please!"

	Grinning, Daisuke nodded.  "I wasn't looking forward to going back to just 
being an announcer again."

	Sakura pumped her fist in the air.  "YAHOOO!!!"

	Everyone stared at her.

	"...Sorry.  He rubs off on you."

	"Congratulations Daisuke!  I'm so proud of you!"  Shermie clapped and 
beamed at her love from across the room.

	"Uh... thanks Shermie."  Daisuke nodded at her.  "I have something else 
important to take care of, so if you guys don't mind, I'll see you in the show."

	Turning to leave, Daisuke paused and stared at the electric yellow rat 
sitting in a puddle of vodka.  "....I don't want to know.  Someone just start 
pumping him coffee."

	"Piiiiiikaaaa."  Pikachu's eyes were dilated and he stared unblinkingly at 
the ceiling.

	Daisuke exited, and Shermie slumped in the corner slightly.  While 
everyone patted Team Rocket on the back and congratulated them, Shermie just sat 
in the corner and hugged herself quietly.

	"OHOHOHOHOHO!!!  I hope you peasants haven't been doing anything important 
while I was away."  Karin laughed into the back of her hand, posing triumphantly 
in the doorway.

	"YOU!"  Sakura tightened her headband and started a march to the doorway.

	"YOU!!"  She was cut off however, by the wrath of angered boyfriend.  
"Where the HELL have you been this week Karin!?"  Shingo's face was a glow with 
anger.

	"I'm sorry Shingo dear, but you seemed so busy with your little girl over 
there I merely decided it was time to take care of some matters back home.  Big 
corporation to help run and all."  Karin patted Shingo on the cheek.  "Nice of 
you to be concerned though."

	Shingo grabbed her hand and lowered it.  "You don't return my calls?  You 
drop out of sight for a week?  And you JUMPED Sakura in the ring, and then went 
off on a DATE with that little succubus!?"

	"..."  The rest of the occupants of the room stared at Karin.

	"You... had a DATE with Morrigan?"  Sakura giggled slightly, until a glare 
from Shingo silenced her.

	"It was NOT a date!  I merely did not want to waste my reservations with 
the fine Iron Chef Morimoto.  HOWEVER... I would appreciate it if you stepped 
back from my MAN!"  Karin quickly shoved her way into Sakura's face, placing 
herself between Shingo and Sakura.

	"I can take care of myself Karin."  Shingo muttered.

	"And there's nothing to take care of!  Shingo and I are just friends!"  
Sakura got right back in Karin's face.  

	"SPRINGER!  SPRINGER!  SPRINGER!"  Jack chanted on the side.

	Sakura, Shingo, and Karin all glared at Jack, who quieted slowly.  "A-heh.  
Let me see if a little fancy booking can't solve this problem.  Karin.  You 
think Shingo and Sakura are leading up to doing the wild thing, correct?"

	Sakura flustered, "HEY!  Tha--"

	Karin nodded.  "Correct."

	Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  "And you Shingo, do you think things 
would settle down if we could convince Karin you and Sakura were not 
romantically destined?"

	Shingo shrugged for a moment.  "I guess.  I mean if Sakura can forgive 
Karin for the beating at URZ, I guess I could..."  He looked at Sakura 
pleadingly.

	Sakura looked at Jack, and Shingo.  "I..."  She thought for a moment.  
Shingo was her friend.  And she was pretty sure he really cared about Karin.  If 
it would keep them together.... "Yeah.  I can forgive her.  Provided it doesn't 
happen again."  Sakura tossed Karin a glare, who in return sneered back.

	Jack pondered for a moment.  "What do you think Mr. Duck?"  

	*squeak*

Jack slammed his fist into his open palm.  "Excellent idea!  Sakura.  Shingo.  
You two are officially booked for an evening gown match!  If you two can keep 
your hormones in check while stripping each other down to your unmentionables, 
there's no WAY you can be hot to jump each other's bones." 

	"...." 

	"Excellent.  More satisfied employees.  Well, I'm a busy, busy booker.  
Must book more ways to save happy couples (or at least start off new ones with a 
hot on camera bang)!  Thanks again folks!  CHAOS... dismissed!"  Jack waved, 
then exited stage left.

	Karin thought for a moment.  "That would be acceptable.  Do try to 
behave."  She followed Jack's example and left as well.

	Sakura and Shingo stared at each other.  "..."

	Jessie walked up to the two speechless teens.  "I think I might have some 
advice for you Sakura, proper accessories are a must for a dashing evening 
gown!"

	James bounced up and down.  "You too Shingo!  This is going to be so much 
fun!"

*****

	"So do you understand?  I've cleared it with my employers, you've got the 
job.  You just have to do me this favor."  Daisuke clutched the pay phone close 
to him, keeping a look out for any eavesdroppers.

	"I always liked your show!  I'm in!  You can count on me!  I'll show them 
real destruction!"

	Daisuke grinned.  "Good.  Get to the dome by the time the show starts.  
I'll have more details for you then."  Daisuke hung up the phone, and smiled to 
himself.  "Things are going to be different around here... that's for sure."

	With that he walked down the hall to his dressing room.  He had a show to 
get ready for.

*****


                              LIVE!
                      FROM THE Ultradome!
                     THE BIGGEST SPECTACLE
                    IN ANIME AND VIDEO GAME
                      SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT
                        AND IMPROFANFIC!
                        IT'S TIME FOR...

         { M A G I C A L  T R O U B L E S H O O T I N G }
         {    C R O S S O V E R    F I G H T I N G      }
         {             F E D E R A T I O N              }
         {                .-----------.                 }
         {                | U-L-T-R-A |                 }
         {                `-----------'                 }
         {          http://www.mtcffultra.com           }

                 Episode 63:  Jack Attack!
                 Written by:  ColdFury

                 MTCFF Ultra Created By:  Twoflower

	"Are YOU ready for a little bit of Ullllltraaaaa VIOLENCE!???"  Hiroshi 
screamed into his mic at full volume.

	And 'lo, the crowd did cheer.

	Somewhere in Tibet, a deaf monk wondered why the table was rattling 
anxiously.  Then he remembered to turn Ultra on.

	"We have a fairly good lineup for you folks."  Daisuke gestured at the 
cards in his hand.  "For those of you who missed UltraRage Zeta...."

	"Encore presentations available right NOW on your local Pay-Per-view 
station!"  Hiroshi chimed.

	"... right.  Anyway... there's been a few... changes in the upper 
management of Ultra."  Daisuke actually broke out into a small grin.  "Ladies 
and gentlemen..."

	"We proudly present..."  Hiroshi joined in.

	"Ultra's brand new Head Booker..."

	*SQUEAK*  Ducks started raining down on the Ultratron.  The lights 
flashed, the pyrotechnics went off, there was much squeaking.

	"Controversial Jack Lysias!"  Hiroshi stood and cheered, joined by a 
clapping Daisuke.

	At the top of the ramp he stood proudly.  His spikey hair silhouetted by 
cool back lighting he'd had the techs set up.  Team Rocket left their mark on 
him indeed.  "Heeeeeyyylo kids.  Miss me?"  Jack asked the crowd.

	A definitive "HELL YA!" was their answer.

	"Well, we have quite the show for you tonight, so I won't waste too much 
time right here."  Jack waved to someone holding a sign saying 'Mr. Duck 3:16 
says I just squeaked your ass.'  "We do have a couple of old favorites returning 
for you.  I'd like to proudly announce the return of the universe's greatest 
scientific genius, Washuu, to our proud ranks."

	The cheers redoubled at that.  Washuu was definitely still over with the 
crowd.

	"Also, I'd like to announce that for our main event we have our VERY first 
Omega title holder back in action."  The audience mummered thoughtfully, as many 
of them were already too drunk to remember how they had gotten to the show.  
"That's right... Shinji Ikari is back in the house!"  Applause filled the arena, 
but not nearly as much as before.  

	"And that's not all, we have the Gamma, Omega, and Hardcore titles on the 
line all for you the fans!"  The cheers definitely picked up again.  "And I 
think you'll like some old friends who we have scheduled for one last shot at a 
slot in Ultra!  And without further ado... take it away boys."  Jack waved out 
and exited backstage, basking in the glory of the spotlight once more.

	"You heard the man folks, we already have our combatants to our first 
match of the night enroute to location."  Daisuke segued.  

Hiroshi glanced down at the card in front of him.  "It's Washuu's fight!  WAI!"  
He quickly pulled out two Washuu puppets.  

	"You're the best Washuu-Sama!"

	"Victory is yours Washuu!!"

	Daisuke sweatdropped.  "Let's join Goku on location."

*****

	The grass waved slightly in the breeze.  A proud castle, once a landmark 
of ancient and historic heritage, now a technological fortress of taking the 
battle to the opponents in space, rested on a hillside off in the landscape.  
Goku teleported in and looked around for a moment.  "All clear on planet Aeris.  
Send them in."

	Washuu and B-ko stepped through their respective portals.  Goku paused a 
moment and looked back and forth between the two of them.  "Anooo... don't you 
two usually bring... weapons?"

	B-ko grinned while powerposing haughtily.  "OHOHOHOHOHO!  You silly man!  
It's all about the dramatic entrance.  Thanks to the technology of Shadowlaw and 
the ingenuity of Daitokuji, I now have the ultimate in Mecha!  None shall oppose 
me and live!"  She pressed a button on her wrist.  "Assemblor Bot Prototype Mark 
I gather and assemble!" 

	From the sky, from the nearby sea, and over the roaming landscapes, 5 
robotic lions converged behind B-ko.  "Lions #4 & #5!  Form the legs!  Lions #2 
& #3!  You shall be the arms!  Lion #1, you shall form the Torso!  And Head!" 
The lions formed into a multi-colored, multi-stories tall robotic man.  B-ko 
climed into a hatch on the foot and ascended into the control area in the head.  

	Goku scratched the back of his head.  "Isn't that Voltron?"

	Meanwhile, a man named Keith paused his makeout session with a princesses 
named Aurora in the bushes long enough to look up and see the robot.  "Well I'll 
be."  He then promptly got back to work.

	Assemblor leaned down and glared at Goku, it's lion hands on its hips.  B-
ko's voice blared from the loud speaker.  "This is NOT some Volt-ron.  This is 
Assemblor Mark I!"  

	Washuu giggled slightly from her spot a few feet away.  "Very cute B-ko.  
But I'll have you know I was assembling robotic parts when I was your age that 
were twice as powerful.  I may not want to fight you, but I DID want to get back 
to active status on Ultra, and they said at least one fight was required.  And 
since I am the greatest scientific genius in the galaxy, I whipped a little 
something up."

	In teleported a robot that was, to the inch, as tall as Assemblor.  And 
just happened to look exactly like B-ko in a battle bikini.  "I call it my B-
Tron!!!"  Washuu teleported to it's cockpit.  

	"..."  was all B-ko and Goku could muster in response.

*****

	Back in Washuu's lab, Mary wrapped her arm around the arm of a quiet 
Asuka.  She watched the exchange on the television and giggled.  "Silly mama!"

*****

	Goku recovered first.  "So, you two know the rules.  Destroying the planet 
is a technical foul. Ready?"

][ OMEGA MATCH #1 
][ Washuu vs B-ko
][ FIGHT!

	The B-tron perched the back of its hand in front of its mouth.  Washuu's 
hands twirled across the controls, "Activate Sonic stunner!"

	"[OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO]."  Pure streams of sonic energy laced out at the 
Assemblor, who took the blast head on.  It stepped back a few feet, sparks and 
other such electrical goodness flying from it's frame, but otherwise unharmed.

	"You'll pay for that!  SHIELD!"  A giant shield formed from the 
Assemblor's chest emblem, and it held it out in front of him, blocking the 
remaining beams.

	Washuu grinned.  "Ooooh.  I'm scared!"  The B-tron dashed forward and 
punched the shield, causing Assemblor to stumble backwards.  

	"LION PUNCH!"  The lion head not holding said shield rocketed out at the 
B-tron, catching it square in the gut and propelling it a dozen yards back, 
sending it skidding to a halt on the ground.

	Washuu bounced around in the cockpit, her head bumping a panel and leaving 
her dazed.  "I don't remember this hurting so much."  She shook her head to 
clear it as the Assemblor marched forward.

	"OHOHO!  Your supposed intellect is no match for my superior engineering 
skills!"  The Assemblor put both hands together and extended them, creating a 
sword out of composite energy.  "Prepare for your end!"

	The B-tron's foot lashed up, kicking away the Assemblor and causing it to 
lose its grip on the sword.  Before the sword even hit ground, the B-tron and 
the Assemblor were trading a flurry of punches.

	"You're good, but I'm the best."  B-tron leaned left to avoid a punch and 
countered with a square knock to the chops that sent a few scraps of metal from 
Assemblor's faceplate flying.

	The B-tron pressed its advantage, laying a dozen savage blows into the 
lion-built robot.  Pieces of outer armor went flying, and jolts of electricity 
arced between the two mecha.  

	Goku watched the fight carefully, but a gleam of light caught his 
attention off to the side of the fight.

	Holding the Masamune before him, Sephiroth carefully calculated the strike 
needed to cleanly slice off one of the B-Tron's legs to give B-ko the advantage.  
Decided on an angle of attack, Sephiroth took one step forward to initiate his 
attack run, when he was suddenly bouncing off the chest of an individual wearing 
an orange gi.  "You weren't thinking of interfering with this match were you?"  
Goku waggled his finger at Sephiroth.  

	As Sephiroth protested, and engaged Goku in a one-sided exchange of wits, 
the Assemblor managed a sudden counter attack, eye beams slicing right into the 
optic sensors of the B-tron.

	Washuu coughed as smoke waved up from the over heated circuit boards.  
"I've lost visual!  Where are the backup systems!?"  Washuu frantically searched 
the controls until she remembered that she had opted to read Mary a story the 
night before instead of finishing the redundant systems.  "... this could pose a 
challenge."

	The B-tron stepped back momentarily, as if trying to regain it's senses.  
Assemblor stood slowly, and through wobbly steps, picked up its sword and set 
its sights on B-tron.  With a charge and a crackle of energy, Assemblor was 
suddenly behind the B-tron, which now happened to resemble a robeast sliced in 
twine at the waist.

	The remains of the B-tron fell to the ground as warning klaxxons sounded 
off around Washuu's head.  

	The Assemblor power posed over the remains of the B-tron.  "And this 
proves that nothing can defeat the combined might of Shadowlaw and Daitokuji!!  
OHOHOHOHOHO!"

	Sephiroth noticed that B-ko had won on her own, and slowly turned to 
leave, with Goku watching him closely.

	"... fools who oppose us be destroyed by the power you and I possess... 
DRAGON SLAVE!"

	Assemblor turned to face the source of the chanting.  "Ano?"

	The Ultratron flickered with static for a moment, then regained signal 
just as a large explosion completely annihilate the Assemblor.  Dirt and dust 
flew everywhere as a triumphant Lina Inverse posed in front of the fallen B-
tron.  "That's what you get for mugging me and hitting me with a CAR.  Don't 
mess with Lina Inverse!"  Lina turned and walked to a portal that opened just 
for her.

	B-ko sat up in the midst of a pile of mecha parts and coughed a small 
cloud of smoke out of her lungs.  She rubbed the soot off her face and stared at 
the departing sorceress.  "You'll pay for THAT Inverse!"

	Goku dug Washuu out of the rubble of her mech, the left overs also 
destroyed in the explosion.  However, Washuu's cockpit was protected by a force 
field, so the pink haired scientist was unharmed.  Goku turned to the camera and 
shrugged.  "B-ko is the winner due to disqualification."  

	Washuu lowered her force field and dusted herself off.  "Well it appears I 
need some practice to get back into prime form.  Thanks for the warm up B-ko!"

	Sephiroth knelt by the slightly singed girl.  "Are you all right, 
beloved?"

	B-ko nodded.  "I'll be ready for later."

	Sephiroth nodded.  "Good, let us go then.  There are many preperations to 
make."

*****

	"And there we have it folks!  B-ko is our winner."  Daisuke announced.

	"Washuu... lost?"  Hiroshi whimpered, but quickly recovered.  "I wonder if 
this is the last we'll see of B-ko vs. Lina."

	"Oh, you mean you think that they might work out their aggressions and 
settle things amicably, and not strike back at each other in an escalating war 
that culminates in a final battle where both nearly drop dead?"  Daisuke 
questioned his partner.

	"... It could happen."

	"Riiiiiight.  We'll be back after this folks.

*****

	"You watched Brendon Frasier release a horrible evil."  Shots of 'The 
Mummy' flash past the screen.

	"You applauded when he sent the foul creature back to the nether realm."  
The climatic last few scenes from 'The Mummy' shoot past.

	"Your breath stopped when it returned, stronger than ever, and accompanied 
by the WWF's Rock."  The Rock leads an army through the streets of London, his 
eyebrow poised higher than ever with the help of CGI.

	"But this time... things get just a tad more dangerous.  What's bigger 
than a WWF Superstar?"

	"An Ultra Superstar."

	"YYYYAAAAH!"  A figure fights a horde of undead, showing off an impressive 
arsenal of karate moves.  "SHADOW KICK!"  The figure slides across the ground on 
one foot, sending his foot through the chest of the last of the undead, sending 
the corpse flying to the ground in pieces.  He turns, and faces the camera, 
pulling down his trademark shades to give the audience a wink.

	"Winter.  2001.  Johnny Cage stars in.. the Mummy Forever."

	Chris O'Donell appears on the screen, in his Robin costume.  "Holy rotten 
Bandages, Mummy!"

*****

	The light flickered on, and Hiroshi's smile followed suit.  "Welcome back 
folks!  We have an exciting match-up for you tonight!  All new action!"

	"You mean already done action.  It appears that Mr. Satan has challenged 
Morrigan to a fight to settle their old feud."  Daisuke eyed his card.  "If you 
don't remember folks, and obviously Hiroshi doesn't, before setting her sites on 
Sakura, Morrigan repeatedly tangled with Mr. Satan after she insulted the 
Martial Arts champion's deceased wife.  They clashed quite a few times, but no 
one truly came out on top."

	"That's right!  And now with his brand new spanking abilities, I'm sure 
Mr. Satan won't have a problem knocking the wings off Morrigan's back!"  Hiroshi 
grinned wildly at the camera.

	Coming into the beat of funky American music, Mr. Satan posed at the top 
of the ramp.  His afro shook with pride as he waved to his fans.  Without saying 
a word, he marched down to the ring and took up a defensive position in the 
center.  His thoughts were jubilant.  'I'm gonna show that succubus a new thing 
or two.'  A grin spread on his face, though his defenses didn't drop.

	The music shifted to something completely undescriable in its sleaziness.  
Morrigan slithered her way onto the front of the ramp, prompting the nosebleed 
section to do just that.  A few scattered cheers ran through the dome, but 
mostly jeers met the former Gamma champion.  "So... I see you have a grin on 
your face.  Are you that happy to be in such tight quarters as me?"  Morrigan 
purred into her microphone suggestively.

	Mr. Satan, for his credit, didn't drop the grin but didn't respond either.  
He shook his head and merely gestured with his hand for her to come forward into 
the ring.  

	Morrigan snarled and threw the microphone to the ground, the techs cutting 
off feed just before it hit the floor.  She flew full steam at the ring and 
buzzed right over the ropes, headed straight for the face under the afro.

][ GAMMA MATCH #1
][ Mr. Satan vs. Morrigan Aensland
][ FIGHT!

	The Earth's former Greatest Hero sidestepped the rush attack, spinning 
with a punch that caught Morrigan clean in the back, sending the succubus 
rolling into the mat.  

	Muttering quietly, she quickly tried to regain her breath, while Mr. Satan 
waited patiently.  After a moment of recovery, she stood and pointed both fists 
at the fighter, sending a yellow burst of energy at him.  Mr. Satan again 
evaded, rolling to the side and coming charging forward with a kick to the 
midsection.

	While the succubus again gasped for air, Mr. Satan followed up with a left 
hook, then grabbed the succubus into a lethal pile driver.  Morrigan's head 
smashed into the mat as Mr. Satan bent backwards with the force of a piston.  

	Again, with Morrigan down Mr. Satan backed off and waited for his opponent 
to recover.

	"An impressive show by Mr. Satan.  Even not utilizing his desperation 
technique he showed off a few episodes ago, he's putting up quite a fight 
against Morrigan."  Daisuke watched the ring intently.

	"They are both Gamma champs, but only Mr. Satan is a bonafide HERO! 
SAAAAA-TAN!"  Hiroshi cheered wildly.

	"Mark much, Hiro?"

	The referee's count only got to seven before Morrigan stood, albeit a 
little slowly.  Mr. Satan chose to wait, however, not making a single advance on 
his injured opponent.

	"Why did you challenge me again, you fool?"  Morrigan snarled, stalling 
for more recovery time.

	Smiling softly, Mr. Satan shrugged.  "I needed practice.  Since you 
insulted the honor of my wife, I thought you'd be a good start."

	Her pride hurt, Morrigan's scowl grew deeper.  "You're using me for 
practice?  For insulting your wife.  I hope the little skank is in a new version 
of hell somewhere."

	Mr. Satan's smile disappeared, but anger didn't flicker across his face.  
"You never knew her.  You've never seen her picture.  Your words about her mean 
nothing."  

	Charging forward suddenly, Mr. Satan unleashed a series of quick punches 
that Morrigan desperately blocked with both arms and wings.  A couple found 
their way through, but finally a counter attack with her wing sliced into his 
arm, causing him to lay off the attack.

	Seizing the opportunity, Morrigan quickly took to the air above the ring 
while Mr. Satan jumped back to nurse his bleeding arm for a moment.  She cackled 
carefully, sure not to show off how winded his attacks had left her.  "You've 
gotten faster and stronger you old fart, but you're still out of your class."

	Bats surrounded her as she drew her hands together for her trademark beam 
super attack.  The bats began to form into a gun worthy of any large mech.  
"Soul..."

	Suddenly Mr. Satan smiled, and leapt *fifteen* feet into the air, and 
started landing a series of powerful punches into the surprised Morrigan.  The 
gun dissolved into the flurry of bats from which it came, and the succubus was 
so surprised that she couldn't even mount a defensive or a comeback assault.

	Hiroshi looked on speechlessly, while Daisuke fumbled for words.  "It 
appears that... Mr. Satan has taken the fight TO Morrigan despite her going 
airborne.  He JUMPED all the way up there..."

	Tugging on Daisuke's sleeve, Hiroshi pointed at the combatants.  "He's... 
not falling either."  

	"Indeed."

	Mr. Satan continued his assault, then drew back his right fist for a 
moment.  "SA-TAN... PUNCH!"  His fist flew forth straight into Morrigan's face, 
sending the demoness blazing across the airspace of the confined Ultradome.  
With a resounding crash, Morrigan came to a stop in the barrier separating the 
audience from the entry ramp.

	To everyone's amazement, Mr. Satan flew over to Morrigan, and tossed her 
back into the ring, where she lay still in a crumpled mess.

	"Why..."  Hiroshi began.

	"Knock outs outside of the ring don't count.  By throwing her back in, the 
argument could be made that it was in fact the toss into the ring that knocked 
her out, making the win legal."  Daisuke tapped his chin thoughtfully.  "Up to 
the referee really."

	The referee counted to ten, and then appeared thoughtful for a moment.  
The crowd began to cheer 'SA-TAN' repeatedly as the possessor of the biggest 
afro in Ultra sank back to the ring, his descent a little quick and his landing 
a little rough, but never the less under his own power.  After a moment of 
looking at Mr. Satan, the slumped over Morrigan, and the thousands of would-be 
angry fans, the referee raised Mr. Satan's hand over his head.

	The cheers instantly tripled, and Hiroshi stood as well.  "MR. SATAN WINS!  
YAHOO!!  SA-TAN!!!"

	"And Mr. Satan pulls out a smashing victory, as the EMTs attending to 
Morrigan would attest to."  Daisuke noted.  "I guess he's been doing more 
training with his peers, that flying trick looked awfully familiar."

	"SA-TAN!  SA-TAN!  SA-TAN!"  Hiroshi cheered more.

	Daisuke sweatdropped slightly.  "Right."

	Mr. Satan headed up the ramp, but posed once more time at the exit, 
sending the crowd back into a joyous ovation.  As he exited, an unconscious 
Morrigan was wheeled up after him.

	"Moving right along, we present to your our next match of the evening."  
Daisuke looked at the camera.  "These two haven't seen much action as a team as 
of late, but it looks like they're aiming to change that.  The Roadbusters, Tifa 
and Bean, are back in tag action tonight, and they're going up in a possible 
handicap match against the Bison Busters, or I should say Buster as Sagat is 
partner less since Bison... terminated his last employee's contract."

	"On life."  Hiroshi added darkly, his joy at the previous match instantly 
gone.

	Pausing to give a cursory glance at his partner, Daisuke continued.  
"First out is our former Reboot champion, Tifa Lockheart and our current 
Hardcore champ, Bean Bandit!"

	The pair appeared at the ramp triumphantly.  Bean held the hardcore belt 
over his head, and grinned as Tifa hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.  "So, 
Beanie, now that you have YOUR individual belt, think we can get back on track 
to getting the Lambda belts, or do I have to go out and win the Gamma belt to 
get your attention now?"

	Bean hoisted Tifa up on his shoulder, and she waved to fans as Bean walked 
them down to the ring.  "Not unless you want to, Teef.  I'd be more than happy 
to work with you closely for awhile."

	The two reached ringside, and she leaned in closely.  "Are you sure you're 
okay?  That water you were in last week *was* supposed to be cursed."  

	Bean held up his hands defensively.  "We went over this backstage, I'm 
fine.  I've avoided cold water all week, and even when I was 'cursed' I didn't 
feel any different."

	Tifa cocked an eyebrow.  "Well, be careful anyway.  Sagat's a tough 
fighter, and who knows what he might try."

	Bean nodded.  "We can take him."

	"And their opponent, Sagat."  Hiroshi said with as much lack of enthusiasm 
as he could muster, causing Daisuke to eye him once more.

	"Just hang in there buddy..."  Daisuke whispered under his breath.

	The Thai fighter appeared at the top of the ramp, walking in confidently, 
and without any noticeable accompaniment.

	"And it appears that Sagat will stand alone on this one."  Daisuke 
shrugged.  "I don't think he'll be able to take Bean AND Tifa at once though."

	"Well, Bean and Tifa will be operating under tag rules, even though it is 
a handicap match."  Hiroshi eyed the area nervously.  "I hope he doesn't have 
any backup."

	Sagat stepped into the ring, and grinned evilly at the two tag teamers.  
"Who falls first?"

	Tifa stepped under the rope first.  "I do."

	Bean nodded, "Just remember Teef, if you need backup I'm here."

	Assuming his traditional fighting stance, Sagat stared at the smaller 
woman.

	Tifa adopted a stance of her own, while fingering her gloves to make sure 
the materia was still there.  'Never know when Yuffie might strike...' she 
thought to herself.

][ LAMBDA MATCH #1
][ The Roadbusters vs. Bison's Buster
][ FIGHT!

	"TIGER!"  Sagat launched a traditional fireball at Tifa's knee level.  

She quickly jumped over it and towards Sagat, only to be smacked in the face by 
another bundle of ki.  

	Stumbling backwards, Tifa only just dodged the flying kick Sagat sent her 
way afterwards, rolling to avoid the blow.  Standing quickly, she rubbed her 
sore jaw then assumed a fighting stance as Sagat turned in her direction.

	She parried his first and second strike, sending one or two punches of her 
own at his stomach.  Her fists merely seemed to bounce off, and he landed a 
punch of his own, which staggered her momentarily.  She shook off the effect 
long enough to block the following attack, and quickly jumped away from the 
fighter.

	"Don't fight him head on Teef, he's got you in martial arts *and* 
strength!  Use your speed and magic!"  Bean cheered from their corner.

	Giving her lover a smile, Tifa nodded.  "Fire 1."

	A bolt of fire streaked out across the ring at the scarred fighter.  A 
quick "TIGER" dispersed the magical attack quickly enough, however.

	'Damn, didn't think he'd be able to do that.'  Tifa thought as she 
launched another offensive while Sagat recoiled from his ki blast.  She leapt 
into the air and landed a quick kick to his head, bouncing off his skull and 
landing behind him.  With Sagat stunned for just a mere moment, Tifa took 
advantage and launched into a deadly combo of punches and kicks into the 
fighter's exposed back.  Finally a round house kick sent him stumbling forward 
into a turnbuckle.

	Panting slightly from exertion, Tifa watched her opponent for signs of 
life.  To her surprise, after a moment of being still against the turnbuckle, 
Sagat stood and turned to face her.  "I sincerely hope that wasn't the best you 
had."

	Stunned, Tifa took a moment to raise her glove and launch a magical 
follow-up.  That moment was all Sagat needed to charge forward and get in too 
close for a magical attack to be logistically feasible.  "TIGER UPPER!"  Sagat's 
fist struck Tifa in the ribs as he launched into an uppercut that sent her 
hurtling across the ring.

	"TEEF!"  Bean held his hand out as far as he could, gesturing for Tifa to 
retreat to their corner, but Sagat's punch had strategically knocked her as far 
away from their corner as they could get. 

	Standing on wobbly legs, Tifa shook her head to clear it.  She saw the 
tall fighter walking toward her with a smirk on her face, and she frantically 
looked around for their corner.  Seeing Bean gesturing, she tried to make a dash 
for him, but Sagat caught her by the throat.

	Lifting her up in a chokehold, Sagat shook his head.  "Know this.  You 
only escaped because I LET you escape."  With that he tossed her as hard as he 
could at Bean, who caught her easily.  

	Bean caressed her cheek softly while he laid her down at ringside.  "You 
okay, Teef?"

	A slight smile spread across her face.  "Sorry I didn't do more damage... 
go kick his ass Beanie."  

	Nodding, Bean stood and climbed into the ring.  Pausing to roll his neck 
and crack his knuckles, Bean gestured at Sagat.  "Come on big guy.  Pick on 
someone your own size."

	Sagat grinned, and the two exchanged punches.  Neither attempted to block, 
they just exchanged punch after punch.  Sagat landed a couple on Bean's shoulder 
and jaw, while Bean landed a few successive punches in Sagat's gut.

	"With Tifa out of it, Bean stands alone it appears."  Hiroshi watched the 
fight carefully.

	"And like a tank it appears.  Those are two of the strongest fighters in 
Ultra, aside from Omega.  And they're just laying into each other."  Daisuke 
shook his head in admiration.  "Not much in strategy there, but they definitely 
win endurance points."

	The two slowed slightly, the punches taking their wear on both fighters.  
Sagat punched Bean square in the ribs.  Bean stumbled back for a moment and then 
punched Sagat in the nose.  Blood burst from his nose as he stumbled back 
against the ropes.

	Leaning on them for support, Sagat shook his head, and tried to wipe up 
some of the blood pouring from his nose.  With his good eyes he glared at Bean, 
who simply grinned back.

	"Giving up already?  I thought you were made of sterner stuff Sagat."  
Bean mocked the Shadowlaw fighter.

	"He is!  We just wanted to see what happened when we did... THIS!"  
Sliding out from underneath the ring apron, Evil Hiroshi brandished a water 
balloon.  Before anyone could react, he chucked it at Bean.  The cold water 
contained therein splashed over the chest, arms and face of the driver.

	Bean mere stood there looking non-plussed.  "We've been over this.  
Whatever it was that I fell in, it didn't kick in there, and it won't kick in 
now."

	Hiroshi glared at his evil counterpart, while Daisuke had a firm grip on 
his shoulder.  "Nothing gained taking him on with Sagat right there 'roshi.  
Just keep you're cool."

	Bean stepped toward Sagat, an angry look on his face.  Sagat prepared to 
fight once again, when suddenly Bean's gaze turned toward the audience, and his 
eyes became shiny.

	Sagat paused, then peered at Bean.  "You in there Bandit?"

	His gaze permanently fixed on something in the stands, Bean slowly opened 
his mouth.  "SHINY."  Bean quickly leapt out of the ring and over the barricade.  
He then proceeded to stare at a young woman's pendant that had caught the light 
and thus his attention.

	"..." was all Sagat could come up with in response.

	"... He fell in a pool of drowned shiny-object lover?"  Hiroshi banged his 
head against the announcer desk, causing the nearby Spanish announcing table to 
collapse in sympathy.

	"Those pools just keep getting weirder."  Daisuke added.

	The referee finished his count-out, and the bell sounded.  "Bison's Buster 
is the winner."  He held up Sagat's hand, much to the crowd's dismay.  As Sagat 
and Evil Hiroshi exited, Tifa stood gingerly.  She limped over to Bean, and 
graciously accepted a cup of hot water that a backstage intern came out to 
supply.  Splashing Bean with it, Tifa looked at him hopefully.

	Bean stood up quickly, then looked around sheepishly.  "... I can't 
believe I just did that."  Bean stammered

	With a sigh, Tifa shrugged.  "It's okay.  We didn't know.  Help me 
backstage will ya?"  Tifa leaned heavily on Bean, who complied by lifting her 
up.

	"We'll get 'em next time Teef."  The two exited up the ramp.

	"Well that was an interesting development."  Daisuke looked curiously at 
his partner.  "Roshi?"

	Hiroshi lifted his head off his desk, and sighed.  "Interesting isn't how 
I'd put it Dai."

	"Well I was trying to avoid depressing our audience."

	Peering down the ramp, Hiroshi added, "I just got word that Tifa's 
injuries are light, and that she'll be okay in almost no time." 

	The crowd responded with a slight cheer, and Hiroshi's mood lightened 
slightly.  "Next up, we have the match that fans have simply DEMANDED since last 
week's hardcore title bout."

	Daisuke peered at his card and broke out into a grin.  "Yeah folks.  This 
one should be a hoot.  In a change of pace for him, Marlo has been scheduled in 
a Gamma championship match against one of our Gamma co-champions, Ranma 
Saotome!"

	"We're calling this one a 'wet n' wild grudge match."  Hiroshi snickered.

	"Just in case you've forgotten, Marlo, Akane, and Ranma have had a feud 
that lasted for months off and on.  Although it's quieted more in recent times, 
after Marlo's... reinventing of himself... at UltraRage Zeta, Jack thought it'd 
be appropriate to dust this grudge off for one more roll in the hay."  Daisuke 
was positively pleased at the matchup.

	"First up, the challenger, former Hardcore champion, MarlA Semaj!"  
Hiroshi grinned.

	Carrying a conspicuous tank in his right hand, Marlo appeared on the ramp 
glaring at the announcer.  "That's MARLO you punk!"  Marlo walked down to the 
ring without any other fanfare, setting the portable water heater down outside 
his corner of the ring.

	"What's with the tank Marlo, feeling a little insecure?"  Hiroshi jibed 
his former adversary.

	"Shut up punk, unless you want some leftovers after I'm the new Gamma 
champ."  Marlo snarled at the announcer.

	"Riiiight."  Daisuke finished for his partner.  "And now, the Gamma co-
champs... Ranma and Akane!"  

	The two Anything-Goes martial artists made their way to ringside.  At the 
base of the ramp, they both raised the Gamma belt over their heads before 
turning it over to the referee.  Akane stayed at ringside as Ranma climbed into 
the ring.

	"Per Nabiki's decree, if Ranma loses the belt, so does Akane, so she has a 
vested interest in staying ringside and making sure that no one interferes with 
the match."  Daisuke expositioned.

	"Ranma's gonna go 3:16 on Marlo's butt!"  Hiroshi hyperboled in return.

][ GAMMA MATCH #2
][ Ranma Saotome vs. Marlo Semaj
][ FIGHT!

	Ranma grinned at his opponent.  "Couldn't help but notice your problems 
last week Marlo."  The young martial artist bounced on his feet lightly, his 
hands changing fighting stances every few seconds to throw Marlo off.

	Marlo pulled a spice rack from FurnitureSpace and lobbed it at Ranma.  
"Stuff it in your piehole Saotome."  He quickly pulled out a microwave stand to 
follow up with, holding it over one shoulder with some effort.

	Ranma casually swatted the spice rack away.  "Would it help if I told you 
there's a cure?"  Off to the side, and unseen by Marlo, Akane grinned slightly.

	Marlo blinked for a moment, pausing in mid toss of the microwave stand, 
nearly falling over from the sudden imbalance.  "Huh?"

	Nodding, Ranma took a step forward.  "I know what the cure is."

	Tossing the stand anyway, Marlo regarded Ranma with a look of suspicion.  
"If you know what the cure is, why haven't you used it?"  The furintyre savior's 
voice had a note of hope mixed in with the usual amount of bile it carried.

	With a duck, Ranma avoided the second piece of kitchen furniture.  
"Because I just can't seem to do it.  You're pretty tough.  Maybe you'll succeed 
where I failed."

	A grin spread over Marlo's face.  "Yeah, I could probably pull off some 
more hardcore crap than you could.  What is it?"

	With a shrug, Ranma's smile grew larger.  "Find the pool of drowned boy.  
Fall into that.  Of course... no one is quite sure where exactly that pool is, 
so you'll probably have to fall into a lot of others first..."

	Marlo swore for a moment and pulled out a coffee table, swinging it wildly 
at his opponent.  Oak coffee table met foot as Ranma spun around, a solid kick 
landing in the center of the table.  Wood fragments sprayed everywhere, causing 
Marlo to blink his eyes to clear them.

	Ranma dashed forward and launched yet another kick at Marlo, who blocked 
it with a magazine rack which he pulled out half-blind.  The two exchanged 
blows, Ranma's fist shattering the rack.  Ranma kept up his assault, quickly 
gaining an advantage until Marlo pulled out his standard steel chair.  After a 
few swings of that came close to landing, Ranma quickly retreated to a defensive 
position.  "VERY FUNNY PUNK!  I'm gonna KICK YOUR ASS for that."  Marlo moved 
forward with a snarl on his lips once more.

	Dodging Marlo's swings, Ramna proceeded to knee the boy in the gut, 
causing the steel chair to drop to the mat with a clang.  Marlo clutched his 
stomach, gasping.

	"Now Akane!"  Ranma gestured off to ringside, closing his eyes in 
preperation.

	Akane pulled a seltzer bottle out of wherever she happened to carry such 
things, and sprayed both combatants with the cool water inside.

	"OUTSIDE HELP!  You're.. you're trying to WEAKEN me with this damn form!"  
Marla inadvertently bounced indignantly.

	Ranma-chan grinned at a disgusted Marla.  "It's not interference if both 
fighters are interfered with."

	"Why you little..."  Marla recovered long enough to hoist an entire 
dresser at Ranma-chan.  Not even waiting for the large piece of furniture to 
impact, she then turned and ran toward her corner.    Reaching down under the 
ropes, Marla grabbed her portable hot water heater and quickly sprayed herself.  
"Ahhh..."  Marlo sighed as he felt his shirt return to a less confining fit.

	*CLANG*

	He then proceeded to drop to the mat as Ranma-chan stood above him with 
Marlo's own steel chair in her hands, having completely dodged the path of the 
dresser earlier.  "I figured that's what you'd do right off if we changed you."  
Bending over much to the men in the front row's partial delight, Ranma-chan 
sprayed herself with hot water as well as the referee counted off to 10.

	Akane joined Ranma in the ring and the two held their hands up in the air 
as the referee returned the Gamma belt to them.

	"The winner... and still champions... Ranma and Akane!"  Daisuke politely 
clapped for the champs as they exited the dome.  "That was a short match.  Looks 
like Marlo's dragging himself out as well.  Any thoughts Hiroshi?"

	"Bwahahahahahah!  Hehehehehh!  Hooooohahahahahahah..."  Hiroshi clutched 
his gut and was doubled over in laughter.

	"Definitely a sub-par moment for Marlo... or Marla as you might be 
inclined to say.  This can't be good for our former champ's ego."  Hiroshi 
started to wheeze, his laughter out of control.  "... And we'll be right back 
folks, just gotta sweep out the ring real quick."  Daisuke said after staring at 
his friend for a moment.  Before the cameras cut out Daisuke hollered to some 
ringside assistants.  "AND CAN WE GET OXYGEN TO THE ANNOUNCER TABLE PLEASE... I 
THINK HIROSHI'S ABOUT TO BUST A--"

*****

	Cutting off the feed from her TV momentarily, she didn't need to see any 
of the sponsor's ads, just the knowledge that they were there was enough to make 
her warm and tingly, Nabiki sighed.  "We're gonna have to get a competent 
producer ringside.  Although the 'off-camera' remarks do add a certain reality-
TV feel..."

	A knock at the door interrupted Nabiki's train of thought.  Glancing at 
her appointment book, she noticed nothing outstanding for the evening.  "This is 
odd," Nabiki mused to herself quietly.  Well at least it isn't Bison.	 He 
wouldn't have the decency to knock."  Then louder, she addressed the door.  
"Come in."

	An angry Ash Ketchum strode into her office.  "Ms. Tendou, I would like to 
dump my traitorous partner Misty and go into the Gamma division.  My pokemon 
just count as my weapon, so I qualify for singles--"

	Raising a hand to silence the boy, Nabiki shook her head.  "Excuse me, 
Ash... but I'm afraid that your request is simply silly."

	Ash slammed his hand on Nabiki's desk.  "But you HAVE to!  I have to fight 
Gary, and prove myself the better trainer!  And I still have to stop all the 
cheaters in Ultra!  Fair fighting is the best!"  

	A quiet glare silenced the enraged pokemon trainer.  "I understand that, 
Mr. Ketchum.  However, at the last UltraRage I essentially erased the divisions 
between Lambda and Gamma.  If you find a partner for a match, or for good, fine.  
If you want to fight by yourself, fine.  If you want to barge in here 
unannounced again, and rough up my office furniture, you will be fined.  
Understand?"

 	A nervous gulp and nod was the only answer Ash could come up with that 
didn't make things worse.

	"Good.  Now you will leave my office and next time you wish to see me, 
make an appointment."

	Ash quickly nodded again, and left Nabiki's office.  Nabiki shook her head 
and pressed a button on her intercom.  "Jack?"

	"WHAAAAAASSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUP?"

	"...  Quite.  Could you do me a favor and do something with all the three 
pokemon brats we have floating around?  One of them is hired on but hasn't even 
bothered to ask for a fight yet."  Nabiki clucked her tongue in annoyance.

	"Hrm.  Insane kid, cocky rival, and woman scorned.  I'll put my 
controversial mojo on it, I'll do something with them next week!"  

	"Thanks Jack."  Nabiki pressed the off button.

	Her intercom beeped immediately afterward.  She blinked at it and pressed 
the answer button, "Yes?"

	"WHAAAAAAAAASSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!??"

	"Jack..."

*****

	"I did just like you said."  Ash met his manager outside of Nabiki's 
office.

	"Well that's good.  It's about time someone listened to Meowth!"  The cat 
pokemon grinned triumphantly.  "Now that the stupid duck is gone, you and I will 
show all those... cheaters... exactly what's coming to them!"

	Ash nodded absently, this train of thought elsewhere.  'Misty... why did 
you leave me?'

*****

	Said pokemon trainer was in her dressing room, examining a pokeball that 
she had not dared to open for an entire week now.  She wasn't sure what made her 
do it, or why she had even risked going out into that Omega battle field to get 
him.  But she knew she had to.  Whatever had happened to Psyduck, she missed 
him, and it looked like that Sephiroth guy might've gotten rid of the Orochi 
influence on him.

	With a deep breath, she threw the pokeball to the floor.  "PSYDUCK!  I 
choose you!"

	The pokeball opened in a flash of light, and out popped said water 
pokemon.

	Except that his skin was still tinged dark purple.

	"[VOIOIOI]."

	Voiduck clutched his head angrily.  His headache was [worse] than ever.  
Whatever that foul Sephiroth had done, it had [drained] him.  He could feel his 
mastery of the Void at a new low.  He could barely hold on enough to stay in 
control of this host. 

	"Psyduck?  Are you in there?"  Misty tearfully looked at the duck for any 
sign of her old friend.

	"VOI!"  Voiduck shook his fin at Misty angrily.  It was time to deal with 
this interloper once and for all.  Summoning what little power of the Void he 
had left, he was intent on corrupting her mind fully.  

	Purple smoke puffed out of the small pokemon's ears.

	Voiduck fell over, stars filling his eyes.  "Voi, Duck."  His headache 
felt like his head had suddenly split open.  His power was [gone].  All he had 
now was the inate abilities of the host body.

	He was now essentially helpless.  Tears fell from his eyes.  
"VoioioioioiiOOOOOOIIIIII!!"

	"Aww... I don't know how much of you is that Orochi, and how much of you 
is Psyduck.... but don't cry Voiduck!  We still have each other!"  Misty scooped 
up the duck in her arms and hugged him close, a couple of tears falling from her 
cheeks. 

	And despite his [hate].  Despite his [rage].  Despite his [HEADACHE].  And 
despite himself... Voiduck felt a little bit better, and snuggled up against the 
pokemon trainer.

	Misty stared at the picture on her dresser of herself, Brock, Ash and 
Tracy.  "I'll get you back Ash Ketchum."

*****

	"Welcome back!"  Hiroshi cheerfully waved at the camera as he quickly 
slipped off an oxygen mask.

	"Easy now Rosh.  Anyway folks, here's a match-up that's not gonna make 
much sense unless we do a little bit of backstory.  First, let's warm you up 
with a little bit of teaser footage from UltraRage Zeta..."  Daisuke gestured to 
the Ultratron.

	"Encore presentations now available on PPV channels EVERYWHERE!  Call 
now!"  Hiroshi chipped in quickly.

	The UltraRage logo appeared on the Ultratron, then counted down from five.

	Five.

	Four.

	Three.

	Two.

	One.

	ULTRARAGE ZETA... MAIN EVENT

	Daisuke's voice was audible over footage of James fighting Wolverine.  
"Team Rocket was in a three way bout for survival with a recently reunited team 
of Gambit and Wolverine as well as the Lambda Champion Samurai.  After Wolverine 
and Gambit were eliminated..."  Shots of Wolverine electrocuting himself and 
falling to the ground flashed across the Ultratron.  "... it appeared that the 
Samurai had the advantage.  But Team Rocket still had hope."  The audio and 
video from URZ took over.

*****

	"Jesse?  It's all or nothing, yes?" James asked... finding a smile 
creeping across his lips.  "Then... let's go for broke in STYLE!  PIKACHU, I 
CHO--"

     Since everybody was watching James, they didn't notice Sagat walking 
quite brazenly up behind him with the stolen Lambda belts.  Not until he 
clocked the male half of Team Rocket over the head with thirty pounds of 
engraved gold, while Evil Hiroshi popped up behind Pikachu, clocking the 
electrical Pokemon with the other belt.

     Casually clocking Jesse in the back of the head with the hilt of his 
sword was only the natural next step, in Haohmaru's view.

     The ref shook his head in disappointment, unable to disqualify the 
Samurai for the assist, and called for the bell.  "Team Rocket has been 
eliminated, and fired from Ultra!" he declared.  "Your winners, and still 
Lambda champions... the Samurai!"

*****

	"And with that... it appeared that Team Rocket's career in Ultra was 
over."  Daisuke's voice was almost drowned out by the boo's filling the Dome.  
"And then... to make matters worse..."

*****

	Team Rocket limped upstage, an unconscious Pikachu cradled in Jessie's 
arms.  James held his head gently, and Jessie was quiet as they walked through 
the backstage halls of the UltraDome.  The former lambda champs, now former 
Ultra employees, said nothing to each other.  There was no blame to be passed, 
nor was there any one to go to for a plea of redemption.

	They were so depressed, they didn't even see the figure before them until 
they literally bounced off of him.

	Team Rocket fell back after stumbling into Yashiro of the Disciples of the 
Void.  Jessie had to scramble to keep from dropping the helpless Pikachu.  James 
sighed, standing up slowly and offering Yashiro a tiny bow.  "My apologies."

	Yashiro snorted.  "You better be sorry you two losers.  I can't believe it 
took them this long to fire you two floofs."

	Jessie's cheeks flushed with anger.  "We weren't *fired*.  We just lost a 
very important match..."  Her voice trailed off.

	"And the losers of said match were fired.  You lost.  You're fired."  
Yashiro laughed.  "I can't believe you two thought you could win a match that 
important."  

	His partner Chris smirked at his side, as Yashiro continued.  "You two 
simply don't have what it takes to be winners.  We'd never lose a match that 
important."

	James raised his nose and turned the other cheek.  "You'd never a lose a 
match like that, because you never participate in matches any more.  Has-been."

	"Why you... POOFBALL!"

	"BRUTE!"

	"FREAK!"

	"SKANK!"

	"FLO-- Skank!?  You called me a SKANK!?"  Yashiro glowed darkly for a 
moment.  "You'll pay for that."

	Jessie and James took one look at each other, and promptly ran past the 
angered fighter in the direction of the CHAOS waroom.  Yashiro snarled in their 
direction momentarily, but Chris put his hand on his partner's arm, and shook 
his head.  "Those losers aren't worth our time.  Wanna go get some popcorn and 
watch the show on replay?"

	"Dibs on the couch!"  Yashiro sprinted off toward the green room.

	"No fair!"  And thus the Disciples of the Void saw the most exercise they 
had in weeks as they raced each other down the halls.

*****

	The stadium was full of jeers at this point, the crowd incensed that their 
favorite former lambda champions had been defiled in such a way.  A chant of 
"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" broke out in the arena.  

	Daisuke stood in the center of the ring, and held up his hand for silence.  
"As you can see, Team Rocket had a truly bad day at UltraRate Zeta...."

	"Encore!  PPV!  Buy now!"  Hiroshi chimed once more.

	"And after a little bit of persuasion by their new manager... Jack and 
Nabiki have decided to give them a one shot REDEMTION ROUGHHOUSE MATCH!"  
Daisuke grinned wildly as the cheers nearly knocked him off his feet.  "TONIGHT!  
IN THIS RING!  Team Rocket versus the Disciples of the Void... whoever wins this 
match tonight has a contract, whoever doesn't... doesn't.  Come on out guys!"

	"PREPARE FOR TROUBLE!"

	"MAKE IT DOUBLE!"

	Two spotlights appeared on either side of Daisuke.  At once, Jessie and 
James rode down on zip-lines to the mat.  They each took one of Daisuke's hands, 
and all three rose their hands at once.

	"TO PROTECT ULTRA FROM NO GOOD BUMS!"

	"TO GET NEW CONTRACTS THAT WILL BE PLUMB!"

	"TO ANNOUNCE OUR BRAND NEW MANGEMENT!"

	"TO FIGHT ONCE MORE AND JUST NOT QUIT!"

	"JESSIE!"

	"JAMES!"

	"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"

	"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"

	"*hic*  Piiiiiiika pi pika!"

	Daisuke and Team Rocket sweatdropped at the yellow rodent that jumped onto 
the ring to deliver his part of the introduction.  "I thought you were going to 
sober him up?"

	"We tried.  We gave him as much coffee as we could find."  Jessie 
shrugged.

	"Instead of sobering up, he just made a mess all over the waroom."  James 
winced in memory.

	"UNBELIEVABLE!  My very own partner, Daisuke himself, has become Team 
Rocket's new manager now that Jack has moved on to loftier positions!"  Hiroshi 
stood at the announcer's table and marked out wildly.  "Unbelievable!"

	The music suddenly stopped, and the lights dimmed.  A dark tone of organ 
music played over the speakers, to be followed up by purple pyro going off at 
the top of the ramp.  The Disciples of the Void stood at the top, looking non-
plussed.

	"You think we're scared of you punks?"  Yashiro stood angrily with a 
microphone in his hand.  

	"You better be mister, because you're standing between us and our fans!"  
Jessie pointed dramatically at Yashiro.  The crowd ate it up and screamed louder 
for their heroes.

	"Right.  Well your fans are gonna have to find a new source of amusement, 
because we will beat you anytime, anyway, any stipulations you can throw at us.  
I don't care if it's a cross-dressing, flaming ladder, strap match over a pool 
full of piranhas, with the loser leaving town.  We'll kick your ass."  Yashiro 
crossed his arms defiantely.

	Jessie was about to respond, when James suddenly stepped forward, a 
thoughtful look on his face.  "You mean you'll take us on, any time, any way, 
any how?"

	"Yup."

	"Any stipulations I can name?"

	"Doesn't matter.  We'll never be losers like you."

	James whispered something into Jessie's ear, who blinked and nodded.  
Daisuke nodded as well, over hearing his plan.  "Alright then..."  James turned 
toward Yashiro and smiled.  "I challenge you to a POKEMON TRADING CARD MATCH!"

	The crowd gasped collectively, as Chris sweatdropped at his partner's 
side.  "You really stepped us in it this time didn't you?"  Chris glared at his 
slackjawed partner.

	"But... but..."  Yashiro fumbled for a protest.

	"You did say ANY stipulation.  Or are you scared of us?"  James shook his 
head at Yashiro.

	Pride overtook reason once again, and Yashiro growled.  "Of course not!  
We'll take you in your stupid game.  Chris, go get your deck."

	"But I don't... uhm.. have a deck of THOSE..."  Chris looked around 
nervously.

	"Stop lying, go get it now."  Yashiro glared at Chris, who sighed 
dramatically.

	Back in the ring, Daisuke questioned James.  "I thought you lost your 
trading card collection back when Jack sold it on E-Bay to get the millions to 
buy the deed of Hell?"

	James nodded, "When the trading card game market dropped though, I was 
able to get them all back for $5.62."

	Daisuke sweatdropped fiercely.  "Well good luck guys, I'll be right at 
ringside."  He hopped under the ring and resumed his position at the announcer's 
table.

	James pulled a rather large stack of cards, and looked curious at Jessie.  
"Jessie, what deck should I use?"  

	Jessie thought for a moment, and whispered an answer into James' ear.  His 
eyes widening, he nodded eagerly.  "Oooh!  We're gonna win Jessie!"

	"Team Rocket comes back in style James!"  The two powerposed, as Chris and 
Yashiro finally returned, entering the ring with a significantly smaller deck of 
cards.  A referee appeared with a card table.  

	"Well... I hope you know the rules, cuz I sure don't."  The referee 
shrugged.

][  LAMBDA MATCH #2 -- REDEMPTION ROUGHHOUSE MATCH
][ Disciples of the Void vs. Team Rocket
][ Loser is FIRED from Ultra
][ FI--er ...DEAL!

	James and Chris dealed out their respective cards, with their partners 
looking over their shoulders.  Chris cackled gleefully, and put a Pikachu out as 
his active card.  "HA!  Pikachu always wins!"

	James shook his head.  "Pokemon training is a serious endeavor, no one 
pokemon can win against any other type."  A gleam shined across his eyes.  
"Except of course... this!"

	James pulled out a card and placed it on the table face up.  Chris gasped, 
Jessie squealed in joy, and Yashiro scratched his head.

	"Lugia?  What the hell is a Lugia?"  Yashiro peered at the card curiously.

	"One of the legendary bird cards!  That card is one of the rarest of the 
rare, only a few elite traders have it!"  Hiroshi screamed from the announcer's 
table.  "How the devil did he get it back!?"

	"For under $5.62 apparently."  Daisuke shrugged.

	The next few rounds continued with James and Chris laying down various 
energy cards to their pokemon.  Finally, Chris struck.  "Pikachu!  
Thundershock!"

	The unconscious Pikachu stirred at Jessie's feet, its cheeks sparking 
slightly as a sign of a charge building.  Jessie quickly dunked water on it 
though to defuse the buildup.  "Not you, you drunken rat!"

	James did the math carefully.  "Ha!  You did only 2 Damage to my Lugia 
card!  Counter attack!"

	Chris cringed, and quickly pulled his Pikachu card back.  "Bulbasaur is 
now my active pokemon card!"

	"Tackle attack!"

	"Ack!  Squirtle!"

	"Whirlwind!"

	"Ack!  Charmander!"

	"Water gun!"

	"How many attacks does this guy HAVE!?  Meowth!"

	"Flamethrower!"

	The crowd began to lose interest, and a general buzz of boredom set in on 
the stadium as Chris went through pokemon after pokemon.

	"Ack!  Likitung!"

	"How many cards does this kid HAVE?"  Jessie exclaimed.

	"I can take them all on Jessie!  Spitwad attack!"  James cried happily.

	"*A-hem."  All eyes turned to the Ultratron, to see a bored looking 
Controversial Jack on the screen.

	"Hi Jack!"  The crowd screamed, hoping this was an indication of 
excitement about to happen.

	"Hi kids.  Little bored with the card game?"  Jack queried.

	"Yes Jack!"  The crowd said as one.

	"Well if you guys insist on a match of cards, we'll make this simple.  
Ready?"

	The four combatants in the ring eyed each other, then nodded at the 
Ultratron.

	"Good... now your new card game will be...."

*****

	"I'm gonna kill Jack."  Jessie muttered as she slid the top off her 
uniform, her gloves and boots already casualties to previous rounds.

	"At least you still have a bra on!  I had to take mine off!"  James cried 
in his heart boxers.

	Chris sat in the corner, a newspaper covering his lap, and nothing else.  
He was the first person to be disqualified from Jack's game of "5 Card Stud, 
Pokemon trading Card, Raichu's High, Psychic pokemon wild, Strip Poker" game.  
After a bit of debate on the order of the cards, the game had gotten underway, 
and Team Rocket was having a moderate, if somewhat bare, lead.  

	Yashiro growled, trying to ignore the catcalls his "I'm the King of 
Fighters" boxers kept eliciting.  It all came down to this hand for him, if he 
lost... this was it..  He eyed it carefully.  He had a Raichu, a HootHoot, that 
stupid Pikachu card, a Kadabra, and a Sandshrew.  All in all, he had a straight, 
no way he could lose this round.

	"Call."  He muttered with a straight face.  His eyes never leaving the two 
members of Team Rocket's Eyes.

	James blubbered, "I only have a pair of Evee's Jessie!"

	Yashiro grinned.   "HA!  I have a straight, Raichu high!!"

	James gasped, "No!  My poor boxers!"

	Hiroshi cringed, "My poor eyes."

	Jessie laughed.  "OHOHOHO!  But you forget, only the winner of the round 
doesn't have to strip Yashiro!  And I have... a ROYAL FLUSH!"  She quickly laid 
down a Mewtwo, Lugia, Mew, Togepi, and a Zaptos card.

	".... You know, it dawns on me that this card game makes no sense."  
Yashiro complained as he stripped his final item, only to be quickly handed a 
newspaper of his own by the referee.

	"WE DID IT JAMES!"  Jessie jumped up and gave James a high five.

	"Team Rocket blasts off into Ultra again!"  James hugged his partner.

	Ears perking up, Pikachu arose.  Seeing the commotion around him, it 
figured out what was going on.  "PIKA!  PIIIIKA!!"  It pumped a little fist in 
the air, then quickly doubled over, holding his head.  "PiiiiiKaaaaa."  

	"And Team Rocket wins in quite possibly the most bizarre match in Ultra 
history!"  Daisuke sat back and smiled happily.

	"Just let me know if the 'Right To Censor' group shows up to protest this 
episode."  Hiroshi looked around nervously.

	Their clothes and cards gathered up around them as to give them cover, the 
Disciples of the Void went up the ramp one last time dejectedly.

	"We'll be back once we clean up the nosebleed section folks!  It's 
threatening to spill over into the ring!"  Hiroshi waved.

	Daisuke sighed.  "Jessie!  Get your clothes back on before someone up 
there passes out!"

*****

	Gary sat watching the screen from the general mess hall.  He smirked.  
Those Team Rocket chumps had definitely changed since the time he'd faced them.  
They were still chumps, but they fought fair.  

	A frown crossed his face.  "Why can't Ash see that?  I know he's a moronic 
little twerp, but he was at least a good guy.  Now he's just... a self-righteous 
moron."  Gary thought back to their last match, where Gary had defeated Ash 
soundly, prompting Ash's journey to grow even stronger.  

	Absent-mindedly, he fingered the pokeball that held what was once the Evee 
that had been the instrument of that defeat.  "Ash, Ash, Ash.  You're really 
disappointing Grandpa Oak.  He had so much faith in you."  Leaning back in his 
chair he sighed.  "Looks like I'm gonna have to teach you another lesson that 
you won't forget.  Not just who's the better pokemon master, but what it means 
to be a pokemon master."

	Gary nodded to himself.  "Soon.  Soon Ash.  I'm coming."

*****

	Yashiro sighed.  "Sorry Chris.  My fault, I shouldn't have let myself get 
carried away.  We could've taken them in a straight fight."

	"Everyone knows.  They all know that I collect pokemon cards.  I'll never 
be taken seriously in a fighting tournament again."  Chris mourned.

	"You were never taken seriously in tournaments.  They think you're just an 
insane kid, that's why you win, remember?"

	"Oh yeah."  Chris cheered up slightly at the remark.

	"H...hi guys!"  Shermie waved at her former teammates as she walked up to 
them.

	Yashiro stared at her for a moment, examining her.  "Hey Shermie."

	Chris shrugged and walked on.  "I'll be packing in our room Yash.  See ya, 
Shermie."

	Shermie squirmed slightly under Yashiro's examination.  "Yashiro-kun... 
about all that be--"

	"I'm sorry, Shermie.  I let us get driven apart by our bosses.  It was 
stupid.  Chris and I don't hate you.  You want to come with us?  We're thinking 
of touring the band again."  Yashiro looked at Shermie as pleadingly as he 
could.

	"B-but... Daisuke-kun..."

	His shoulders slumped, and his eyes showed defeat.  "Your little man.  
Right.  How are things with him?"  

	"All... all... all right.  I guess."  Shermie faltered.  Her progress had 
been non-existent actually.  For whatever reason, Daisuke had just seemed to 
forget she existed.

	"Well.  Best of luck to you then.  If he hurts you, I hurt him, got it?"  
Yashiro cracked his knuckles in example.

	Shermie shook her head, "He'd *never*--"

	"I'm just saying, Shermie.  If you change your mind... you know how to get 
ahold of us."  Yashiro waved as he walked off.  "Take care, Shermie."

	"Bye Yashiro..."  Shermie leaned against the wall for support.  Now she 
was truly all alone.

*****

	"This is Ultra, and we're back and ready for our next fight of the 
evening!  The next fight is gonna be a REAL slobberknocker of a showdown!"  
Hiroshi cried.

	"What, exactly, is a slobberknocker?"  Daisuke inquired.

	"DON'T MESS WITH HIS GROOVE, DAISUKE!!!"  The crowd chanted emphatically.

	"... How did you..."  

	Hiroshi raised his hands up in an exclamation of innocence.  "I didn't do 
it!"

	"I hate those T-Shirts."  Daisuke cradled his head in his hands.

	"Would you prefer, Work wi--"

	"Don't even say it."

	"Anywho... the next fight shall feature two old friends throwing it down 
to prove that they're just friends."  Hiroshi blinked at the card.  "How does 
that make ANY sense?"

	"Read further."  Daisuke noted.

	"That is... if they can resist the temptations of the flesh while they 
strip each other down to their skivvies in an EVENING GOWN MATCH!?"  Hiroshi 
blinked.

	The crowd cheered tentatively at the stipulation, not even caring about 
the combatants.

	"That's right..."  Hiroshi sweatdropped fiercely, but bravely announced 
on.  "Sakura Kusagano will take on--"

	The cheers grew so loud they overshadowed the HAOHMARU 5000 speaker 
system.  Daisuke and Hiroshi clenched their ears in protest.  Daisuke grabbed 
his mic and screamed, "versus SHINGO YABUKI BOTH IN EVENING GOWNS!"

	The cheering abruptly turned into confused murmurs and a few scattered cat 
calls.

	"First up to the ring, Shingo Yabuki!"  Hiroshi pointed at the entryway.

	A spotlight shone down, revealing a slinky evening gown on a not so slinky 
body.  Shingo posed for a few catcalls, then quickly raised his hand.  "FORM 
OF... A GROOM!"  He reappeared in a snazzy tuxedo that would've made Tuxedo Mask 
himself jealous.  "I cleared it with Jack, sorry guys."  

	The women in the crowd however, picked up the slack as Shingo made his way 
up to the ring.  Watching from the front row, Karin huffed angrily at all the 
attention her man was receiving from the peasants.

	"And his opponent... Sakura Kusa-- holy geeze Sakura."  Daisuke broke off 
mid-sentence, his mouth ajar at the sight walking down the ramp.

	Sakura looked a little embarassed as she walked elegantly (in flats) in an 
extremely elegant gown given to her by Jessie.  The crowd roared in appreciation 
and her cheeks flushed even farther.  "How am I gonna *fight* in this thing?" 
she asked herself under her breath.

	The referee held out his hand to the young fighter, and helped her up the 
stairs to the ring, and bent the rope for her to make her way through.  She was 
again embarrassed by the attention, but accepted the help graciously.  Shingo 
whistled appreciatively.  "You look *nice* Sakura."

	Eyeing a scowl-faced Karin, Sakura chastised Shingo.  "Stop that!  We're 
here to prove that we're *just* friends.  And you better enjoy the gown, because 
that's all you're gonna see.  My clothes stay on today!"

	His cheeks flushed, but then he looked at Karin as well and sighed.  "I'm 
sorry about all this Sakura."

	She nodded, "Hey, but if it'll make you and Karin happy again... that's 
what friends are for."

	Shingo nodded in return.  "Let's keep this just that.  Friendly."

	"Gotcha.  Ready?"

	"Yup."

][ GAMMA MATCH #3
][ Shingo vs. Sakura
][ Evening Gown/Tuxedo Match Stips
][ FIGHT!

	Sakura hopped back a little, and thrust her hand forward quickly.  
"HADOUKEN!"

	A burst of flame lit from Shingo's hand as his brow furrowed in 
concentration, eradicating the small blue fireball.  "Going for the easy win?"  
Shingo grinned as he launched a volley of fire at Sakura.

	"It was worth a shot."  Sakura leapt over the incoming fireball, her dress 
flapping in the wind as she drove her foot down into Shingo's shoulder, sending 
him stumbling back.  

	Shingo landed hard on his back, but flipped back up to his feet quickly, 
and ran forward with a series of punches and kicks aimed to merely push Sakura 
off the offensive.

	Easily blocking the moves she remembered from sparring with him so much, 
Sakura giggled.  "You're going easy on me baka."

	A punch aimed at her head made her duck quickly, and Shingo grinned in 
response.  "Don't want to break you or anything."

	Sakura scowled and suddenly leapt up and struck Shingo in the chest with a 
twirling hurricane kick, staggering the young fighter.  She landed on her feet 
and shook her head.  "No injury jokes." 

	A tear in Shingo's tux was already appearant, his chest visible underneath 
the gash caused by Sakura's kicks.  He examined it for a moment before igniting 
one of his fists on fire and charging forward, launching another volley of 
punches.  "Sorry."

	Dodging the flaming fist proved harder than blocking the non-flaming one, 
and Sakura quickly found her dress singed in a few places.  One of the shoulder 
straps was singed in half, and the dress sagged momentarily, hinting at sliding 
off.  The crowd's breath collectively hung in the air.

	Backing off while Sakura rearranged her dress, Shingo waggled his finger 
at the crowd.  "Hentais.  Tsk, tsk."  He turned back to an embarrassed Sakura.  
"Ready?"

	"Just waiting for you!"  Sakura rushed through Shingo's defenses with a 
running uppercut that struck Shingo upwardly from the stomach all the way up to 
his jaw.

	He fell to the mat with a thump, all the buttons on his tuxedo jacket and 
shirt ripped clean off.  "Ow!  That hurt!  You never use that move in sparring."

	"You never set your hand on fire when we sparred either."  Sakura shook 
her head.  "I guess we were both holding back." She extended her hand to help 
Shingo up.

	He took it and stood gingerly.  "I guess we didn't want to hurt each 
other."

	The two separated, then circled each other carefully.  Both eyed the other 
with caution, not wanting to make the first move.  Finally Sakura feinted a 
charge forward, and Shingo responded with a roundhouse kick that caught nothing 
but air.  Sakura leapt over the spinning fighter and as she flipped over his 
head, grabbed the shoulders of his tuxedo, completely ripping the top off.  She 
landed behind him and tossed the remains out of the ring.  The fact that they 
happened to land on an annoyed Karin wasn't noted by either of them.

	Sakura whistled half in jest and half in appreciation.  "You been working 
out?"

	"Ha, ha, ha."  Shingo blushed slightly, embarrassed at coming so close to 
losing, and for being so exposed to everyone.  He noticed Sakura blushing 
slightly as well, which caused his cheeks to flush even further.  He coughed 
slightly, and resumed his fighting stance.  "Let's get on with it!"

	Shaking her head as if to clear the cobwebs out, or stray thoughts, out of 
it, Sakura nodded.  Shingo charged again, and Sakura leapt to the air as before.  
This time however, Shingo anticipated the attack and jumped up as well, his 
charge a ruse.  Spinning in midair, a trail of flames circled his body, and 
engulfed Sakura in the process.

	Falling to the ground a heap, Sakura quickly rolled to make sure any 
singed part of her gown was cooled, and to get away from any quick follow-ups.  
She stood carefully noting that her gown had now become a mini, the attack 
having shredded the lower part of the dress.  Now it was Shingo's turn to 
whistle appreciatively, much to Karin's growing chagrin.  "Now who's been 
working out?"  

	Sakura blushed, but charged a surprised Shingo, tackling him.  The two 
rolled on the ground, Sakura trying to get a grip on Shingo's tuxedo pants, him 
trying to grasp a hold of her shirt. 

	*RRRIP*

	Sakura stood, holding the a leg portion of Shingo's pants in her hands.  
She giggled as he stood in the torn pants.  "Now who's showing a little leg, ne 
Shingo?"

	"Funny Sakura."  Shingo flipped to his feet and did a hand spring into the 
air.  Sakura attempted to fire a hadouken into the air at him, but he was behind 
her before the fireball even left her fingertips.  Quickly, he slashed out with 
a hand, grasping the back of Sakura's gown and pulled as hard as he could.  The 
sturdy fabric held for a moment, but then a familiar sound was heard throughout 
the Ultradome.

	*RRRIP*

	Shingo opened his eyes, not realizing he had closed them in fear of what 
he was about to do.  When he looked he realized he only had part of Sakura's 
dress in his hand.  Somehow he'd managed to tear off the top right section down 
to the waist.  He could only hope she didn't want to kill him now.

	She turned around slowly, cheeks bright red.  While she wasn't wearing the 
usual sports bra/halter top, she was wearing a strapless bra that Jessie had no 
doubt talked her into.  She shook her head slowly, "You are SO gonna pay for 
that."

	Looking at the fabric in his hand, Shingo quickly dropped it and ran in 
the opposite direction of the self-taught fighter.  She gave pursuit quickly 
intent on getting rid of the rest of his tuxedo and ending this match.  Shingo 
ran in circles in the ring for a moment, much to the amusement of the crowd.  
Realizing the futility and the stupidity of the situation, Shingo stopped and 
turned to face Sakura.

	Unfortunately the young fighter didn't see him in time.

	With a loud smashing sound, the two of them bumped skulls and crumpled to 
the mat.  The referee looked at them curiously and shrugged.  After a few 
seconds, they began to stir.  Shingo was the first to open his eyes.  "Ooww.  
Watch the brakes on those things."

	"Sorry.."  Sakura tried to stand, but found her leg pinned.  "Could you 
stop straddling my thigh please, Shingo."  Her voice was mock-strained, but 
definitely amused.

	A blushing Shingo quickly started moving.  "Sorry!  Sorry!  ... Wait.. the 
match is still on!"  Shingo dove forward and tried to get a good hold on 
Sakura's dress.  

	Sakura eek'd as she fell over.  "Eek!"  She regained her composure and 
squirmed to get a good shot at Shingo's pants.  All she had to do was get the 
pants off and she was the winner.

	Pressing forward, Shingo tried to squirm his way out of Sakura's grasping 
arms.  A few murmurs rose up from the audience as Karin grew redder with every 
growing moment.

	The two teens continued squirming and grasping at each others clothes.  
Soon the squirming turned into rolling and struggling, neither backing down to 
admit defeat.

	It was entirely by accident when they rolled that Sakura ended up on top 
of Shingo.

	And it was merely coincidental that Shingo, in an effort to escape, lunged 
forward and his lips met Sakura's.

	Pure chance.

	The two teens held the position for a moment, then immediately backed away 
from each other so fast that the audience collectively blinked.  Silence filled 
the air as Shingo and Sakura both just stared at each other from across the 
ring, eyes wide in shock.

	"WELL... I.... NEVER!"  Karin stood in the front row, and hopped over the 
barricade.  "I can't believe you would... this is... PEASANT!  TRAMP!  AUGH!"  
Karin stomped up the entrance ramp.

	The spell broken, Shingo quickly glanced at Karin and cursed under his 
breath.  "Karin!  Wait!"  He hopped over the top rope and went chasing after 
her.  

	Sakura stood watching them for a moment, and it wasn't until the referee 
counted to 10 and declared her the winner that she actually moved.  As the crowd 
hesitantly cheered her on, she waved slightly and started to exit the ring.

	Daisuke and Hiroshi exchanged a nervous look.  "I don't think this is 
gonna go over well with Karin."  Hiroshi coughed slightly.

	"Indeed."  Daisuke shuddered for a moment.  "It did look like an accident 
though.  They *were* fighting in awful close quarters."

	Hiroshi stared at Daisuke.  "Dai... those two clearly have issues 
together.  You could feel their feelings from here.  Don't you have a romantic 
bone in your body?"

	Daisuke pondered for a moment.  "Romantic isn't the word I'd use..."

	Fighting the urge to facefault, Hiroshi recovered quickly.  "Well folks, 
it looks like Sakura pulled out the win in that one, and now we're in the home 
stretch.  The first of two back to back Omega match-ups that will knock your 
socks off!"

	"At UltraRage Zeta, the Omega belt was up for grabs between Dan Hibiki, 
Sephiroth, and Voiduck.  After a heated exchange, Sephiroth unveiled a new 
weapon, a gauntlet with the ability to draw on the power of others."  Daisuke 
narrated.

	"After discovering that the Saikyo stylings of Omega champ Dan Hibiki 
actually made him weaker, Sephiroth used the gauntlet on Voiduck with... 
disturbing results."  Hiroshi gulped nervously.  "However, as the match went... 
Sephiroth's attack left him and Voiduck disabled."

	"It was after the match, when Sephiroth displayed powers reserved for the 
master of the Void, that the true extent of the match was discovered.  Dan may 
have kept the belt, but Sephiroth gained even more."  Daisuke shook his head.  
"Now for reasons known only to him, Sephiroth has challenged Dan to an Omega 
Belt rematch.  Dan has accepted, and we bring you live to our current Omega 
Arena."

*****

	Krillin eyed Sephiroth carefully as the bishounen appeared under his own 
power.  "I saw what you were trying to do earlier.  I won't allow any sort of 
underhanded tactics in this match."

	The white-haired one gave Krillin consideration.  "Your services shall not 
be needed tonight.  The pink one and I will fight alone."

	"Hey!  I'm the official here.  I tell you what to do."  Krillin stepped 
forward angrily.

	"Begone."  Sephiroth's eyes glowed purple for a moment, and an arc of 
purple energy shot out from his hand and into the Omega referee.  With a yelp, 
Krillin was knocked back into a purple portal that had opened behind him.

	"This fight will be mine, and mine [alone]."  Sephiroth almost smiled to 
himself.

*****

	"..."  Daisuke stared at the monitor.

	"Oh... this is SO not good.  Someone get a hold of Goku NOW!"  Hiroshi 
waved frantically at anyone watching.

*****

	"YOU!"  With a thunder clap a blur of pink rolling goodness, Dan Hibiki 
appeared.  "You have sullied my name, sullied the name of Ultra, and sullied the 
honorable Omega referee!  Sanctioned fight or no, TAUNTING SAIKYO MASTER STONE 
COLD DAN HIBIKI SHALL DEFEAT YOU!"  Dan flexed his forearm, causing waves of 
absoulte-taunting energy to pass through the surrounding area.  "I swear this on 
the name of my OYAJI!  GOU HIBIKI!!!!  THIS FIGHT IS FOR YOU!  
OYAAAAJIIIIIIIIII!!!"  Manly tears rolled down Dan's cheeks as his Gi threatened 
ominously to rip under the strain of his manly muscles.

][ OMEGA MATCH #2 -- CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
][ Dan Hibiki vs. Sephiroth
][ FIGHT!

	"In that case, you have just sullied the name of your father.  Fire."  
Fire lanced out at Dan, who rolled quickly out of the way.

	"You will need more than that to--"

	"Ice."

	"GADOUKEN!"  A poofball of supercharged ki met with a large bolt of energy 
headed Dan's way.  The two canceled each other out, but Dan was already airborn.

	"DAN DAN TRIPLE BOOT TO THE HEAD!!!"  Dan streaked out at Sephiroth, who 
tried to bring Masamune around to intercept the pink clad warrior, but found 
himself too late.  "YA!"  Dan's foot connected solidly with Sephiroth's jaw. 
"YA!"  Another heel implanted itself in the bishounen's memory.  "SHIYA!!!"  A 
final kick knocked him back, stumbling over some scattered rocks.

	Then Dan did what Dan does best.

	He taunted.

	"You are nothing compared to the might of the perfect Saikyo style!"  Dan 
flexed once more, a wave of energy threatening to knock Sephiroth off his feet.

	"Incredulous as that is..."  Sephiroth gritted his teeth with effort to 
stand upright.  "You may be right.  I was quite possibly inferior to your powers 
in the past."

	"YOSH!  FOR THE MIGHT OF DAN IS MIGHTY!"

	"But now..."  A purple aura arched out in all directions, knocking back 
the wave of energy Dan projected.  "Now I control not only my innate abilities, 
but much, much more."

	Silenced for a moment, Dan's jaw dropped in memory.  "That glow..."

	"Do you remember it Hibiki?  It's been awhile since the energy has been 
this potent... but the [VOID] is once again unleashed."  Sephiroth laughed 
loudly, as he wiped a trail of blood from his cheek.  "I hope you savored your 
attacks."

	"The... Orochi."  Dan thought back, to when he first gained the power of 
the godhead, the instrument with which he had honed his Saikyo fighting 
abilities.  He had taken it as a distraction method, while the others tried to 
save the world.  It had been all he could to not die that day.

	"I am not that fool Orochi.  I have his power though.  I am Sephiroth.  
And I control the [VOID]."  Sephiroth blasted purple energy at Dan, who leapt 
into the air, and floated above Sephiroth in semi-shock as the purple energy 
left a crater where he once stood.

	"The Void stands for destruction and death!  Dan stands for life and 
snazzy photographs!  I shall fight against you!  OOOOOOSHA!!!!!!"  Dan dove down 
at Sephiroth, his foot impacting the ground with a mighty crash.

	The foot missed Sephiroth as the bishounen had flown out of the way.  
"Pointless.  The power of the Void is behind me Hibiki.  Even your ego is 
nothing compared to the all engrossing power that is the void."  Sephiroth 
gathered a black ball of energy above his head, sucking the very light from 
around him into it.  "[DIE]."  With a simple motion, he hurled the black ball at 
Dan.

	His eyes widened, but Dan didn't freeze.  He drew back a hand carefully, 
his ki focused and his will certain.  "SHIIIIINNKUUUUUUU...."

	The black ball drew closer to the pink one, the breaths of thousands of 
people back in the Ultradome hold as if one.

	"GAAADUUUU..."  Dan's hand extend forward in front of him, palm 
outstretched.  He was almost touching the ball of black doom.

	"...KEEEEENNNNN!!!!"

	The cameras instantly went to static.  Slowly, the image cleared, and the 
image of Dan standing in a five foot crater appeared.  Smoke rose from his body, 
the top half of his gi burnt almost completely off, and he was breathing 
heavily, but Dan was alive.

*****

	"YOSH!"  Hiroshi broke out into cheers, as did the rest of the Ultradome.  
"Dan is alright!!  Dan is--"

	"Wait!"  Daisuke pointed.

*****

	Diving down in a purple blur of darkness and speed, Sephiroth dove down at 
Dan and grabbed him by the throat.  Flying high into the air, high above the 
Colorado Rockies in which they were fighting, to the breach of the atmosphere, 
Sephiroth kept flying upward.

	"Tell me Hibiki.  Does your perfected Saikyo style let you breath in 
space?"

	Dan choked in answer, his hands trying to pry the fingers of Sephiroth off 
his throat.  

	"What was that?  Some sort of quaint taunt I'd imagine?  Whatever it was.  
You're wrong.  You're dead wrong."  Sephiroth laughed to himself.  "You thought 
you had a chance against me?  Against a GOD?"

	His eyes were slowly slipping at this point.  His hands had already fallen 
to his sides.  His body stopped struggling.  But when Sephiroth had taunted him, 
something snapped.  The master of taunts... was being taunted.  His body began 
to glow of a bright pink energy.  His hair once more began to float upwards with 
hints of great powers.

	Eyeing this development amusedly, Sephiroth commented.  "I do wonder where 
you get all that power from.  Is your ego really that vast?  Either way..."

	Purple outgrew pink as Dan's body writhed in pain.  Sephiroth enveloped 
them both in the energy of the void, causing flames to lick all over Dan's 
twitching and progressively bleeding body.  "Are you done yet?  Good."

	Then, from near Earth orbit, Sephiroth chucked Dan down as hard as he 
could.

	Straight down.

*****

	"My god!  My god!"  Hiroshi nearly put on a ten-gallon hat and went all 
out J.R.  "MY GOD!"

	"He's moving too fast for the cameras to follow folks... we're switching 
to a nearby news station that picked up the astronomical disturbance."  Daisuke 
watched his monitor intently as a different image popped up on the Ultratron.

	A blur of purple light streaked across the night sky, a unique falling 
star against the backdrop of a full moon.  The blur grew faster and faster, 
until it disappeared behind the cover of a mountainside.  

	Then the hillside literally exploded.  Purple flames licked out everywhere 
as Dan collided with the ground.  Rock shattered, dirt melted, and dust flew.  

	Hiroshi eyed the screen.  "Is he intact?"

	"He's probably a bloody pool..."  Daisuke muttered.  "Wait... an Omega cam 
has something.  Dan's in one piece!  He's not moving, but he's in one piece in a 
HUGE crater!"

	The camera showed Dan as naked as the day he was born, laying face first 
into a large impact crater, out cold.

	"Well it looks like Sephiroth's our new Omega champion..."  Hiroshi 
sighed.  "I can't help but feel he fought dirty..."

	"Wait... Sephiroth's coming into view on the screen."  Daisuke nodded to 
the Ultratron once more.

	"For all you fools watching at home... remember the power of the Void.  
The power of Sephiroth.  Meteor."  He pointed at Dan, and a materia in his glove 
glowed brightly.  Bright orange streaks of light appeared in the sky, all headed 
for the crater in which Dan laid.

	"My god!  He's gonna kill Dan!  Krillin's MIA!  NOOOOO!!!!"  Hiroshi cried 
at the top of his lungs.

	The explosive meteors grew larger, and larger on the screen.  Until Dan's 
doom seemed completely unavoidable.  The Saikyo master was simply down and out, 
with no one there to save him.

	Two orange blurs appeared in front of the onslaught of meteors.  They both 
quickly separated, and dashed from meteor to meteor.

	"S... something's destroying the meteors in midair!"  Daisuke blinked.  
"It's Goku!  And Krillin!  We have a double team of Omega officiating!"

	Indeed, the two Omega officials were quickly flying back and forth between 
the oncoming onslaught, making sure not a single pebble reached the taunting 
legend.  "YAAA!"  A meteor shattered at the touch of Goku's fist.

	Within seconds, the danger had passed, and an annoyed Sephiroth was 
staring down an angry Krillin and Goku.  "You went too far Sephiroth.  You sent 
Krillin into the Void, and tried to kill Dan!  That's crossing the line!  You're 
disqualified!"  Goku shouted angrily at the bishounen, but Sephiroth didn't so 
much as flinch.

	"So be it.  The belt is of no interest of me.  I have had my vengeance on 
Hibiki.  He knows he cannot defeat me.  But know this.  Neither can you."  
Sephiroth's aura exploded in purple energy, and both Krillin and Goku were 
knocked back a few yards.  Before either could retaliate though, Sephiroth 
vanished into the purple flames.

	Daisuke turned to the camera.  "Sephiroth loses by DQ.  I guess messing 
with the referee is also a technical foul."

	Hiroshi still stared at the screen.  "Did you just... talk back to Goku?"

	Sweatdropping, Daisuke patted his co-announcer on the back.  "It happens 
Hiro."

	"No one talks back to GOKU."

	"Roshi..."

	"He's GOKU!"

	"I know..."

	"HE FOUGHT SATAN."

	"Sephiroth fought that particular Satan too remember?"

	"... Oh yeah."

	"Anyway.  Well folks, our main event is coming up in just a moment, and by 
special request by Controversial Jack, this will be a non officiated match.  
Goku will teleport in to make the appropriate ten-count, but that's it.  
Destroying the world will still be a technical foul, but given what this special 
Omega arena has been through..."

	"It wouldn't be the first time the world began to end there."  Hiroshi 
coughed.  "I know mine did."

	Daisuke sighed, "That's right folks.  The place where it all happened at 
UltraReboot 1.0, Tokyo-3, or what's left of it, will serve as the battle ground 
for today's Omega grudge match.  A no-DQ, non-officiated throwdown between 
Shinji Ikari and Rei Ayanami."

	"Wait... that means Bison can send his goons to help!  That's not fair!  
Shinji'll get plastered!"  Hiroshi panicked briefly.

	"Hiroshi.  Shinji was our very first omega champ, he can take care of 
himself.  He's back for a special return match, against his old colleague and 
now foe, in a battle for each of their sanity!"  Daisuke pointed at the 
Ultratron.  "Let's get this show on the road."

	"Come on Shinji.... grab Rei and run."  Hiroshi prayed quietly.

*****

	Shinji stood thoughtfully on a wrecked platform in the middle of what used 
to be Central Dogma.  The burnt, charred out husk of walls that used to be NERV 
surrounded him, and he couldn't help but shiver at the memories of days gone 
past.  The stench of old LCL fluid surrounded him, and reminded him of that day 
months ago where he was partly responsible for nearly ending everything.

	He listened intently as the omega camera pods teleported in at once.  This 
meant it was time.  Not wanting to be caught off guard, he concentrated for a 
moment, and phased out of existence, only to be replaced by the massive 
Evangelion Unit-01.  It's purple face gazed around carefully, waiting for its 
opponent.

	Wait long he did not.  Causing a small tidal wave of LCL fluid to kick up, 
Evangelion Unit-00 arrived via a portal.

	"Remember Rei, this opponent is particularly weak to your taunts.  Use 
them."  

	"hai, commander ikari."  Rei nodded and thought back to the taunts she 
used back when she first entered the federation.

	"shinji.  we shall have fun eating ice cream.  wai."  Unit-00 pulled out 
it's prog-knife and held it at ready.

	Communicating through the pilot interlink which still existed despite him 
actually being the Eva, Shinji spoke.  "Rei.  Father is dead.  Open your eyes."

	"i shall put the smack down on your candy ass.  have a nice day."

][ OMEGA MATCH #3
][ NO DQ -- NO REF
][ Shinji Ikari vs. Rei Ayanami

	"I don't want to have to fight you Rei..."  Eva Unit-01 pulled something 
from a compartment in its thigh.  "But I will if I have to!"

	A sword hilt was in the mighty Eva Unit-01's hands.  Rei regarded it 
momentarily, then cautiously the two monstrous mecha circled each other.  Rei 
charged forward and swung her knife at Shinji's Eva body.

	Shinji moved forward, a long metallic blade springing forth from the hilt 
he held, forming into a rather long katana.  He easily parried the prog-knife 
and kicked Rei's Eva in the gut.  "Thank god for Washuu..."  Shinji muttered to 
himself.

	"i see you have new toys.  i have new toys too.  psycho crusher."  Eva 
Unit-00 reared back and streaked forward, a combination of AT-Field and Psycho 
Power enveloping the beast as it barreled at Shinji.  

	Instead of evading, Shinji merely stood his ground, a large hexagonal 
field surrounding him.  "I will fight Rei.  If I have to destroy your Eva to 
save you, I will."  Psycho Crusher met the most powerful AT-Field in existence 
and neither gave.  The massive unit-00 continued to spin in midair, its hands 
stretched forward and pressed against Shinji's AT-Field.

	Energy was literally palpable in the air as it crackled around them.  
Suddenly a hole opened up in the AT-Field, and Rei went flying through, only to 
meet head on with Shinji's new sword.  The sound of air particles being shoved 
aside as the blade headed toward Rei's arm echoed through the empty hall.  

	*SCHINK*

	Rei screamed in pain, the sword embedded deep in the Eva Unit's shoulder, 
but not all the way through.  Her connection to her mech, however, made her feel 
as if it were her own arm that was nearly cut off at the socket.

	Unit-00 quickly staggered back as Shinji yanked the sword back, coming to 
rest a few dozen feet away.  Rei pulled a gun out from one of the compartments 
in it's back.  One arm hung uselessly as Rei used her good arm to unload rounds 
at Shinji.

	Reacting quickly, Shinji blocked the first shot with his sword.  The 
second bounced off the blade of his new sword as well, but with a cost.  The 
sword shattered into a few dozen pieces upon impact.  Rei quickly took advantage 
and fired as quickly as she could, trying to hit key vulnerable points she knew 
his Eva had from prior missions together.

	Shinji was having one of that.  Blocking one with a quick AT-Field, 
jumping over another, and side stepping a third, Unit-01 simply advanced on Rei.  
Firing her last shell, Rei tossed the gun aside and charged the oncoming robot.

	The two Goliaths clashed, with nary a David to be seen.  Unit-00 grappled 
with its one good arm, while Shinji used his free arm to lay a series of punches 
into his opponent's stomach.  Both Eva's moaned in pain as Rei tried every 
twist, kick, and headbutt she'd been trained with.

	Finally, one last punch knocked Rei back against the ground, sliding 
across the vast lake of LCL fluid until she hit a wall and came to a stop.  
Inside her control plug, sparks flew and smoke arose.  Rei tried desperately to 
get the controls to respond, but the computer was too busy re-routing systems to 
pay any notice.  Shinji advanced on her slowly.  "I hate to have to do this Rei, 
but if the only way you'll be free is to get rid of your Eva, I'll do it."  

	Shinji raised his hands above his head and wrapped them together for a 
finishing blow to the Eva.

	*KA-CHOOM*

	The ceiling exploded as beams of energy laced through it, catching Shinji 
completely offguard and blasting right into him.  Eva Unit-01 went flying, and 
by the time it started to rise again, the dust had settled and three large 
vehicles were gathered in between him and Rei's Eva.  "OHOHOHOHO!" 

	"Who!?"  Shinji tried to scan the ships for identification.

	"Why, don't you recognize the work of the great B-ko?  OHOHOHOHO!  
ASSEMBLOR MARK II VEHICLES... FORM ASSEMBLOR II!"  The three large vehicles came 
together and formed into a robot that was remarkably similar to the Assemblor 
Mark I that had fought Washuu over an hour ago.

	"This is a private fight!"  Shinji snarled involuntarily in his Eva form, 
while talking to B-ko using mech to mech comm.  "Stay out of it!"

	"OHOHO.  I'm sorry little boy, but you won't be taking Mr. Bison's 
plaything from him.  I'll make sure of that."   The Assemblor Mark II put its 
hands on its hips and laughed over its main speakers. 

	"Like hell you will!"  Shinji suddenly ran forward, a prog knife from his 
thigh compartment popping up into his hand.  He leapt into the air with 
remarkable agility and swung the knife downward.

	He found himself on the ground 25 feet to the left of where he started.  
Blinking, he tried to ascertain what happened.  Assemblor was in the same 
position... how...

	Proximity sensors quickly went off and Shinji looked above him in time to 
see a beam saber coming down in his direction.  He rolled out of the way and 
quickly came to a standing position.  "Who!?"

	"You did not think I would allow any harm to come to my precious B-ko?  
And it has been so long since I have given Angel Wing a good workout."  
Sephiroth radioed from within the silver and black mecha.  An ovoid shield 
protruded from its left arm, and Shinji was already familiar with the beam 
saber.

	"Sephiroth!"  Shinji eyed Assemblor and Angel Wing cautiously.  "Why are 
you two helping Bison!?"

*****

	"Actually kids, I think I can answer that."  Jack appeared at the entrance 
ramp of the Ultradome and walked quickly down to the announcers table, pulling 
on a headset and sitting next to Hiroshi and Daisuke.  

	"Hey techs, we on?  Good.  Shinji?  Listen up kid.  B-ko forfeited her 
share of Ultra in a takeover bid with Bison after UltraRage Zeta last week."

	"Hey Jack, where's Mr. Duck?"  Daisuke pointed at Jack's vacant shoulder.

	Jack looked as well, then blinked.  "Well that's odd.  Maybe he went for a 
walk."

	Daisuke sighed and shook his head.  "Forget I asked."

*****

	Shinji gritted his teeth.  This was more than he had bargained for, but he 
wasn't about to give up!  He covered his right arm in an AT-Field, and charged 
at Sephiroth.

	Sephiroth swung down at Shinji with his beam saber, but was blocked by the 
AT-Field.  Shinji swung with his free fist but the Angel Wing was able to parry 
with its shield.  Before Shinji could try another attack, a fist was in his face 
as Assemblor entered the fray.  As Shinji fell to the ground, he swore.  The two 
were too much for him.  "Damnit!!"  He got up and charged the two again.

*****

	They watched him struggle.  Gally looked nervous, Ifurita impassive as 
always.  Mary sniffled, and Asuka just stared.

	"They're gonna hurt Shinji!"  Mary sniffled.  "He's such a nice boy!"

	Gally watched the screen and had to agree with Mary's analysis.  Shinji 
was good, but he was already winded and taking on two new opponents.  "I'm 
sure... something will happen to help him."

	On the screen, Angel Wing landed a vicious punch against Unit 01.  Fluid 
leaded from it's broken jaw.  The sight was sickening, despite the fact that 
Unit 01 looked like a mech, it was bleeding.  And that was Shinji beneath that 
exterior.  

	Unit 01 crumpled to the ground.  It struggled to up with a foot landed in 
the base of its spine.  Assemblor twisted its heel on Shinji's back.  The 
Evangelion bellowed in pain.

	The roar echoed through the lab.  Even Ifurita winced.  

	Even Asuka blinked.

	"Shinji?  Baka?"  Asuka's eyes cleared and focused.  "Shinji.  Wonder-
girl."  She stared at her two companions on the screen, both incapacitated in 
pools of LCL fluid.  "... Sephiroth.  B-ko."  

	Jolted by Asuka's sudden speech, Gally pulled Mary away.  "Careful now... 
she's dangerous."

	Mary giggled.  "No... she's all better now.  Right Asuka?"

	Her eyes blinked again.  She looked around at her surroundings.  Then she 
saw Mary.  Her eyes twinkled slightly.  "Why yes Mary, I am.  But I think I have 
to leave you now."  She bent over and hugged Mary.  "I don't know why, but I 
think I should thank you."

	Clapping sounded from a doorway.  All eyes turned to see the world's 
greatest scientist standing in the doorway.  "I suppose you want to save Shinji 
now."  

	Asuka nodded firmly.  "He's my... friend."

	"Good!"  Washuu flipped a switch, and a portal in the floor opened up 
underneath Asuka.  "Have fun!  Be sure to write!"

	"Bye Asuka!!"  Mary waved innocently as the fiery red-head sunk into the 
floor.

*****

	"This is the end of the line Ikari."  Angel Wing stood with his beam saber 
at Unit 01's throat.  Shinji tried vainly to struggle to his feet, but 
Assemblor's foot on his chest made it nearly impossible.  "Say your goodbyes."

	Shinji closed his eyes.  "Rei.  Asuka.  I'm sorry for everything."  

	"BAKA!  Don't apologize YET!"  Asuka dropped from the ceiling, surprising 
both Sephiroth and B-ko.  Before she even landed in the LCL fluid, she phased 
out of existance, and in her place phased in Evangelion Unit 02.  

	"ASUKA!?  But.. that wasn't..."

	"Demon powers?  They're gone.  The endless hate is gone.  All of it is 
gone Shinji.  Now let's show these ASSHOLES that they don't mess with us or 
Wonder Girl!"  Unit 02 quickly threw its prog-knife at Angel Wing, the blade 
embedding itself in the shoulder of the robotic giant.  It stumbled back as 
Assemblor charged forward in its place.  The red Evangelion of anger met 
Assemblor head on, the two giants grappling hand to hand.  Both shoved with all 
their might, but neither robot moved.

	"I'm... the... best... PILOT... EVER!  YOU WON'T STOP ME!"  Asuka suddenly 
let go of Assemblor's hand and punched it repeatedly in the chest, until the 
mech fell over in surprise.  

	Leaping over it's fallen prey, Unit 02 headed over for the fallen Unit 01, 
and helped the purple monstrosity up.  "Dummkopf... can you walk?"  

	"I think... think so."  Unit 01 tried to support it's own weight, but 
nearly collapsed.  It leaned heavily on Unit 02 once more.

	"Convenient for you to line up for us to so easily kill at once."  
Sephiroth laughed as Angel Wing lunged with it's beam saber point aimed straight 
at Unit-02.

	"psycho crusher."

	Attacked on two sides, Asuka tried to hold up her AT-Field, but protecting 
Shinji as well was putting an extra strain on her.  Slowly, Unit-02 fell to its 
knees trying to hold up the AT-Field as both the Angel Wing tried to pierce it 
with his sword and a back on her feet Rei tried to wear down the field with 
psycho power.  "Baka!  Wake up you stupid dummkopf!"

	"I'm... I'm so sorry Asuka!"

	"DAMNIT!  You're a spineless little... AUUURRRGH..."  Assemblor worked 
it's way into the fray as well, red lasers shooting from it's outstretched 
fists.    Asuka's AT-Field shrunk slowly, Unit 02 screaming ferociously in 
protest.

	"Well I think it's time I made my dramatic entrance!"  The voice came over 
all comm channels, and yet was recognized by none.  All attacks quickly ceased, 
as Unit 00, Angel Wing, and Assemblor Mark II all scanned the surrounding 
landscape for any other mechs.

	Asuka panted.  "Who else in Ultra would dare join this fight?  Washuu?"

	"Not unless Washuu is what you call the God of Destruction!"  Without any 
warning, Assemblor Mark II grew a curved beam out the center of it's chest.  
Just as quickly, said beam departed.  And just a tiny bit slower than that, B-ko 
swore relentlessly as the Assemblor blew up, ejecting her cockpit high into the 
stratosphere in the process.

	The other nearby mecha were rocked by the explosion.  Sephiroth checked 
his scanners as he visibly snarled at the attack on his beloved.  "WHO DARES!?"

	"Yoo-hoo.  Up here guys."  Everyone looked up slowly to see a black and 
silver robot not painted unlike Sephiroth's floating above the remains of Tokyo-
3, holding what could only be described as a beam scythe in it's hands.  "The 
name's Duo Maxwell... the suit's called Gundam Deathscythe.  Remember those 
names.  Cuz you'll be seeing a lot of me."  The gundam quickly dove down and 
swung it's scythe at Angel Wing.  Sephiroth tried to block with his shield, but 
his shield was meant for a better world and quickly left for it as it shattered 
in front of Sephiroth's eyes.

	Frantically, Angel Wing tried to beat the scythe back with his beam saber.  
The scythe swooped, blocked.  The saber swung, blocked.  The two engaged in 
rudimentary hand to hand combat for a moment.  "Ahhhh.  Okay, that was a good 
warm up."

	"A warm up!?  Impudent boy... I--"

	"Yeah, yeah."  Duo swung his scythe over his head in a circular motion and 
charged at Sephiroth.  Angel Wing tried to slice the Gundam with his beam saber, 
but Deathscythe knocked Angel Wing's arm out of the swing with his spare arm.  
The scythe however, found its way into Angel Wing's leg.  Sparks flew 
everywhere, but the Angel Wing remained upright.  

	"Impressive design.  You know you can't win though right?"  Gundam 
Deathscythe stepped back and seemed to challenge Sephiroth to make a move with 
it's sheer indifference to the situation.  "Not since you're already hurt and 
tired, and I caught you off guard.  But you're welcome to try.  I am the God of 
Destruction for a reason."

	"Curse you boy!"  Angel Wing jetted up into the sky after it's beloved B-
ko.  

	Unit 00 looked at the assembled forces in front of it.  It assumed a 
defensive stance, when Rei was interrupted by a comm from Commander Ikari.

	"Rei.  Tactical disadvantage.  Withdraw immediately."  

	"hai commander."

	A dark portal opened up behind Unit 00.  Duo saw the portal and quickly 
jumped into a dive for Unit 00, trying to grab the Eva, but was too late.  The 
portal closed right before Deathscythe got close to it.  "Damnit!  And I wanted 
to see how my Gundam did against one of those legendary Eva's too."

	Goku appeared at the scene.  "From what I can tell, you guys aren't going 
to be fighting any more right?"

	Duo blared out over the speaker.  "I was here for one thing.  And I blew 
it.  I'll get her next time though."  

	Gundam Deathscythe leapt into the air and blasted off into the horizon, as 
Goku sweatdropped at the dramatic exit.

	Where Eva Units 01 and 02 had stood, there was now a slumping Asuka and 
Shinji.  Shinji lifted a weak hand in the direction the Gundam had vanished off 
to.  "Thanks.. whoever you are."

	Asuka helped Shinji stand, and then turned to Goku.  "He needs help."

	Scratching the back of his head, Goku shrugged.  "I guess we have a draw 
if no one even wants to stick around and claim the win.  Oh well.  Let's go."  
Goku put his hand on Shinji's shoulder, and all three vanished.

*****

	"What... What was that!?  Someone... who... huh!?"  Hiroshi stared at the 
screen.

	"That was Ultra's latest fighter folks!  I'm sure we'll be seeing more of 
him in the weeks to come!"  Daisuke nodded to the camera.  "That's all the time 
we have for tonight!  Good fight!"

	"Good night! ... Why was he after Rei?"  Hiroshi responded automatically 
to the closing line, but kept up his line of questioning.

	"Hey!  Has anyone seen Mr. Duck?"  Jack wandered around looking at the 
ceiling.

	And with that, the cameras shut off of yet another exciting episode of 
Ultra.

*****

	"So you're telling me, that you're here to help Rei?"  Hiroshi blinked 
incredulously.  "Why!?"

	Daisuke, Hiroshi, and Duo were all sitting in the old CHAOS war room.  
Daisuke had led Hiroshi here after the show, and had still not explained 
himself.  "It was part of the deal.  Your pal gets me onto the show, so long as 
I make sure to help out you while I'm here.  I always wanted to try my mettle 
against the best, so I jumped at the chance."  Duo grinned.  "Plus I hear that 
Bison guy can be a real dictator.  I've had enough of those in my lifetime."

	Hiroshi stared at Daisuke.  "You're helping me?  Why Daisuke?"

	"Why?  Come on Hiro, you're my best friend.  This is tearing you up.  I've 
been busy with the CHAOS thing, but now that that's over... well it's time we 
stuck together."

	"Aww thanks man."

	"... if you start crying."

	"*sniffle*"

	"Aww geeze."

*****

	"Mr. Duck?  Mr. DUUUUCK?"

	Jack frantically searched his office.  "Where did he go!?  Did I insult 
him?  I knew I shouldn't have gotten him that cheap imitation leather bowtie!  
MR. DUUUUUCK!"

	Ominous laughter filled the room.

	"Oooh, that sounds familiar.  Wait...."

	"Looking for THIS Jack?"  A blue flame appeared in the center of Jack's 
desk.

	"No.  That'd be Mr. Flame.  I'm looking for Mr. Du--.... MR. DUCK!!!" 

	In the center of the psycho generated flames, sat a charred Mr. Duck.  
Jack quickly dumped all sorts of various non-alcoholic liquids on his little 
friend, and smoke filled the room.

	"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA."

	As did maniacal laughter.

	Jack looked at his scarred friend.  "No.   Mr. Duck.  Speak to me.  No.."  
Jack fell to his knees and stared at the ceiling.  
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

][ ULTRA #63 RESULTS
][ WASHUU vs. B-KO... B-KO wins by DQ
][ WASHUU needs PRACTICE
][ MORRIGAN vs. MR. SATAN... MR. SATAN wins
][ ROADBUSTERS vs. BISON'S BUSTERS... BISON'S BUSTERS wins
][ BEAN LIKE SHINY OOOOOBJECT
][ RANMA vs. MARLO for GAMMA BELT... RANMA wins
][ TEAM ROCKET vs. DOV... TR wins
][ Disciples of the Void are FIRED
][ ASH & MISTY ARE NOW SINGLES COMPETITORS
][ SHINGO vs. SAKURA... SAKURA wins
][ DAN vs. SEPHIROTH... Dan wins by DQ
][ SHINJI/ASUKA/DUO vs. SEPHIROTH/REI/B-KO... DRAW
][ DUO in Gundam Deathscythe (not Deathscythe Hell Damn you) is HIRED
][ COLDFURY is one deaaaaad Duck.

Author's Notes:

KAAAAHHHHHNN!!

*ahem*

I really have to stop doing these last minute finishes.  They're really really 
limiting prereader wise.  I would like to thank the chat regulars for their 
ideas and for being sounding boards in general.  Also for 2F for outline 
critiques that made for hopefully a better chapter.  Extra special thanks to Chu 
and Shadur for last minute scans of the material to make sure everything made 
sense.  (at this hour, that's always a risk)

Sorry this is so late, but without digging into a bunch of personal stuff, I had 
the weekend from hell.  But no one died (waaaai), and everythings better.  But 
then I got sick on Sunday too, and am still trying to get rid of that damn cold 
-_-.  (Booooo).  So thus why this is so late.  My apologies everyone.  At least 
I remembered the results tabulation this time.  Even if records don't count any 
more on the current standings page ^_^;;

And I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my grandmother, who will never, *ever* 
read this, but god bless her heart, she lived through this weekend and I love 
her dearly, so I'm happy.

Wai.

Now I can get back on with life.

Oh... you guys want that Party finale this year?  Curses.

-ColdFury
2/8/01
5:51am(revised post preread)