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Mechanica couldn't believe it.
She'd finally made it to the semifinals of the ARMS Grand Prix! Getting into the tournament in the first place was already further than she'd thought she'd make it, and she was two matches away from winning the whole thing! Her suit had taken a bit of a beating, but it was holding up even better than she thought. Luckily, her next match was scheduled for the next day, so she had time to take out the dents at least. While she worked, she wondered what kind of opponent she'd face next. The fighters she had faced so far were very colorful characters. From a clown and a snakeboarder to a mummy and a ninja, she never knew what to expect. As she finished her repairs and turned in for the night, she tried her best to steel her resolve. Whoever she was up against, she'd win for sure!
Mechanica looked at the bracket in disbelief.
She looked at the details she had been sent. Surely she'd read it wrong. She looked at the bracket again. No, she'd read it right. Her next opponent was Ribbon Girl! She'd always dreamed of meeting her, but not like this! How was she going to be able to fight her idol?! She didn't have time to calm herself down. She just had to do her best to relax on the way to the arena.
As she entered Ribbon Ring, she looked around in awe. She'd watched all of Ribbon Girl's concerts, but it was clear that cameras didn't do this place justice. And she was going to fight on that very stage! She was going to fight Ribbon Girl on that very stage! She stood there slack-jawed for at least a minute before she heard a voice behind her. "-chanica! Mechanica!! Helloooo!!" Wheeling around, she came face-to-face with Biff. "Finally! I was worried you'd gotten stage fright. You're ready to go, right?" "I... uhh... yeah! I'm... totally ready!" "You sure? You looked like you were going to pass out." "Yeah, I'm totally fine! Just, er, haven't seen this place in person before, that's all." "If you say so, Your suit's backstage, just so you know." "Oh, thanks!"
When Mechanica entered the backstage area, she saw a shocking sight. Her suit was in its proper spot, sure, but there was someone walking around it. Her heart skipped a beat. Standing next to her suit was Ribbon Girl, of all people! Noticing her arrival, Ribbon Girl turned towards her. "Hi, Mechanica! Sorry for snooping, but I just had to get a look at this!" "Uh, no, you're... you're good! I, uh, don't mind if you look at it!" Her heart was threatening to explode. "Thanks! How long did this take you?" "I... I've been working on it in my spare time for a while." Ribbon Girl was asking about her suit! Mechanica fangirled internally. "By yourself?" "For the most part, yeah." "That's amazing! Well, it's about time. Let's do our best!" Ribbon Girl left the dressing room, leaving Mechanica alone. As soon as she was out of earshot, Mechanica let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Ribbon Girl's idol aura was intense! Watching every concert had not prepared her for the real deal. Hopefully she wouldn't be smothered by it in the match.
Oh, God, the match!
Mechanica changed into her jumpsuit and did one final check of her mech suit. She was always afraid it would be broken in transit somehow, but everything checked out. Settling into her suit, she found herself calming down a little. She could do this.
"It's "the Scrapyard Scrapper," Mechanica versus "the Airess," Ribbon Girl!"
Mechanica looked at Ribbon Girl. Her ribbon ARMS were unfurled now, ready for battle. If she were just in the audience, she'd be thrilled. But as a fighter, she was freaking out. Not that she'd show it-- Over the past few weeks, she'd gotten decently good at putting on a brave face. Meanwhile, Ribbon Girl's face was just as cheerful as ever.
"Ready... ARMS!"
Immediately, Mechanica was forced to go on the defense. Ribbon Girl's Sparkies knocked away Mechanica's Revolvers effortlessly. Barely dodging the punches, Mechanica decided she needed the high ground. As if on cue, the ground began to rise beneath her. Ribbon Girl wasn't going to let her get the advantage, though. A Sparky flew through the blocks underneath Mechanica, almost knocking her over. Mechanica tried dashing to another set of blocks, but she was being pushed away as she was forced to guard against Ribbon Girl's attacks. Ribbon Girl began dancing into the air. Each graceful movement sent her just a little higher, until she was looking down on Mechanica. As a yellow aura flared to life around the idol, it took everything Mechanica had to get her guard up before Ribbon Girl unleashed a flurry of blows from above. Looking through the hologram shield, Mechanica couldn't help but admire Ribbon Girl's graceful movements, even as the punches flew directly towards her. Suddenly, Mechanica's guard slipped, and she caught the tail end of the Rush, sending her flying. This was no time to be starstruck! Mechanica got back up and began attacking with her Revolvers. While most of the bolts were deflected, one managed to hit Rbbon Girl and stun her. Mechanica went in for the grab, and launched Ribbon Girl across the stage.
The battle raged on for a while. Ribbon Girl would land some attacks, Mechanica would respond in kind, and the cycle would begin anew. Eventually, both fighters were almost at their limits. Mechanica knew the battle would be decided here and now. Mustering all her suit's power, she flew to the highest block in the arena. Ribbon Girl went to punch the blocks again, but Mechanica was prepared. Using her suit's thrusters, she hovered in the air, raining a flurry of Revolvers onto Ribbon Girl below. The announcer's voice filled the arena.
"K.O!"
Mechanica had won! The crowd's cheers rang out around her as she walked over to Ribbon Girl. Dismounting from her suit, she kneeled next to her opponent. As the idol opened her eyes, Mechanica helped her up. Together, they entered the backstage area.
"That was a good fight, Ribbon Girl." "Thanks, Mechanica! I guess you'll be fighting the commish next, huh?" "Yeah, I guess so." "You can do it! You've made it past me, so promise me you'll win the whole thing!" Ribbon Girl leaned into Mechanica, awaiting her response. "I... I promise I'll win!" Ribbon Girl stood back up, smile growing even wider. "Yay! I'll come cheer you on, okay?" "You...you'd do that for me?" "Of course! I want to see you fight from somewhere that isn't the ring." "T-Thank you!" As Mechanica left Ribbon Ring, she knew she couldn't let Ribbon Girl down. She would become the champion, whatever it takes!
As Mechanica entered the Sky Arena, she saw Max Brass waiting for her. "So you've made it all the way here, eh Mechy?" Mechanica didn't say anything. Max Brass's intense gaze only intensified the anxiety Mechanica was feeling. "Well, let me congratulate you... on second place!" As the commish laughed, something began to flicker in from beside him. Before Brass could react, a punch sent him flying across the arena. He got up quickly, and began trading blows with his assailant with lightning-fast speed. As the commish swung for a decisive hit, his ARM only met air. With another blow, his attacker sent him flying into a nearby building.
Mechanica, like everyone else in the arena, was stunned into silence. Standing (er, floating?!) in front of her was a woman with green hair and metallic ARMS that seemed to hum with electricity. "Who could knock the commish out cold?" Biff's voice rang out through the arena. "Wait a minute! I'd remember that face anywhere! It's the 'Rad Scientist', Dr. Coyle!" Mechanica felt like she was going to faint. Something about this woman felt... uncanny. "Well, she clearly has what it takes. It's on! This fight is for the title!" As Dr. Coyle looked down at Mechanica, her eyes narrowed. "Well, look what we have here. A girl with fake ARMS playing at becoming the champion." Mechanica gripped her suit's controls. Seeing Mechanica take offense, Coyle smirked. "I will simply have to show you what a REAL engineer can do!"
"Ready... ARMS!"
Mechanica decided to try and go on the offense. She sent her Revolvers dead ahead, Dr. Coyle rose silently into the air, letting the bolts fly by. As Mechanica prepared to fire another round, Coyle threw out her Lokjaws, sending explosive blasts at Mechanica. Mechanica dashed to the side, but Coyle mirrored her movement. As she did so, an extra set of ARMS materialized on her shoulders. Mechanica was hit wih four blasts of energy, sending her crashing to the ground. Getting back up, she dodged yet another set of Lokjaw blasts. Firing back with her Revolvers, she managed to weave them around the Lokjaws and land a hit! Wasting no time, she grabbed the stunned Coyle and sent her flying across the arena. As Coyle got up, she vanished! Looking around, Mechanica saw no trace of the doctor. By the time she saw her reappear, it was too late. More Lokjaw blasts sent Mechanica flying yet again. Mechanica knew she couldn't take many more blasts. She had to act fast. As Coyle raised into the air, Mechanica set her thrusters to max power. As the two fighters took to the sky, they traded blows. Neither of them could land a decisive hit. Before Mechanica could find an opening, she was staring down another set of Lokjaw blasts. Ducking and weaving, she managed to dodge each blast, but she knew she couldn't run forever. She threw out a Revolver, but Coyle deflected the bolts with her Lokjaws. But Coyle had sent out both her ARMS! Mechanica knew she only had one shot at this. Before Coyle could recover, she managed to grab her and send her careening down to earth.
"K.O!"
Mechanica made her way back down and watched as Coyle slammed her ARMS into the ground in anger. Just as Mechanica thought her tantrum was over, she raised an ARM to the sky. "Come, my masterpiece!" Looking up, Mechanica saw a robotic mask floating in the air. At Coyle's command, it flew down and secured itself on the doctor's head! The mask's eyes glowed red, and four ARMS emerged from the sides. Mechanica's heart was pounding. There's no way she had to fight this thing. There's no way she could fight this thing. But just as Mechanica was ready to jet away as fast as she could, a voice rung out from the stands. "MECHANICA! YOU CAN DO IT!" Wheeling around, she saw Ribbon Girl standing on her seat and shouting. "Don't give up! You promised, remember?!" Mechanica's nerves calmed down at the sight of Ribbon Girl cheering for her. She knew she had to do this. Turning back to Coyle... or whatever this thing was, Mechanica took a deep breath and prepared to fight.
"Ready... ARMS!"
Mechanica wasn't about to let Ribbon Girl down. "GiVe Up, YoU pUnY cHiLd..." A deep and horrifying voice emanated from the mask. "Never! I can't give up... I promised Ribbon Girl I'd win it all!" "HA! YoU sHoUlD hAvE sTuCk To MaKiNg PrOmIsEs YoU cAn KEEP!" A flurry of ARMS flew towards Mechanica. Lokjaws, Parabolas, Brrchucks... Coyle was throwing everything she had at her, but Mechanica stood undaunted. She sent a Homie around the onslaught and a Whammer above it. Coyle sidestepped the Whammer, but walked right into the Homie, which exploded. As Coyle vanished again, Mechanica went on guard. She knew the next attack could come from anywhere. Coyle reappeared and sent out a grab, which Mechanica managed to punch through! ...Only to realize the two pairs of ARMS from the mask were also grabbing. As she was pulled in, the four free ARMS began pummeling her from all sides. "YeSs... FaLl BeFoRe Me aNd BeG fOr MeRcY!" As Mechanica was launched across the arena, she felt like she was at her limit. Was this it? Mechanica couldn't find the strength to move a finger, let alone get up. She closed her eyes and waited for the announcer's call.
But the voice she heard next was very different.
"MECHANICA!!!" It was Ribbon Girl. She sounded like she was crying. Snapping her eyes open, Mechanica turned her head to look. Ribbon Girl was gripping the seat in front of her like it was going to fly away. There were tears in her eyes...!
"I... I can't..." "OhO? HaVe YoU rEaLiZeD hOw OuTmAtChEd yOu ArE?" "I can't..."
Mechanica took a deep breath. "I can't give up now!" Mechanica maneuvered the suit to its feet. "I... I'll win this no matter what!" "I sEe... YoU hAvE A lOt Of FiGhT iN yOu, ChIlD... bEcOmE mY sTuDeNt!" "I have nothing to learn from the likes of you!" A yellow aura flared to life around her. Mechanica gave it everything her suit could give and more as she sent a flurry of ARMS towards Coyle. At first, Coyle was able to block the Rush. But when it ought to have ended, Mechanica kept going. Pushing well past her suit's limits, she managed to break Coyle's guard and hit her with the full force of her ARMS. As her Rush finally ended, she saw Coyle lying on the ground.
"K.O!"
After a few moments, Coyle stood up, her legs wobbling slightly. A bright purple light shined from the mask as the four ARMS retreated. As the glow faded, Coyle removed the mask. She held it for a moment, before slamming it into the ground. "USELESS! Useless, useless, USELESS!" Coyle repeatedly punched the mask until it looked like it belonged at the Scrapyard. Turning away from Mechanica, she crossed her ARMS and pouted. "Hmph!" She vanished without a trace.
Suddenly, a voice came down from above. "Max Brass, Max Brass, Max Brass!" The commish was floating in on a pair of Parasols! "Max Brass, Max Brass, Max B-woah!" Max Brass fell down to earth with a thud, but it was clear he was unharmed as he got up and posed for the crowd.
Mechanica couldn't believe it. She was the champion! All the time she'd spent working on her suit had finally paid off. As the belt was put on her suit, she felt like she was on top of the world.
After the awards ceremony, she went to the lockers and finally got out of her suit. Her legs felt like jelly. Having to fight Coyle twice meant she hadn't gotten to stretch her legs for a while. She almost collapsed to the floor, but suddenly she was saved by a pair of ARMS catching her.
"Are you alright?" Ribbon Girl stood at the entrance of the locker room. "Y-yeah, I've just been in the suit for too long, ehe..." Mechanica made her way to a bench, and Ribbon Girl's ARMS coiled back up as she walked over. "You were great out there!" "T-thanks. I still can't believe it... What was that thing?" "Apparently it was one of her pet projects. But it was no match for you!" "Oh, no, it absolutely was. If you hadn't been there, I would have given up." "Really?" "Yeah, After she pummeled me and threw me across the arena, I was about to throw in the towel." Mechanica looked down at the floor. "But when you shouted my name... I knew I couldn't let you down." "Mechanica..." Ribbon Girl grabbed Mechanica's arm and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you."
They stayed there for almost a minute before Mechanica pulled away, blushing intensely. "U-um! I think! I need to make sure! My suit! Doesn't explode!" Ribbon Girl recoiled at the abrupt shift in mood. "W-what?!" "I! Pushed it! Way past its normal operating parameters!" Mechanica jumped up, and ran to her suit. "Fire extinguisher! Is there one! In here!?" Ribbon Girl looked around, and saw one across the room. "Found it!" Unfurling her ARMS, she reached across the room and grabbed the extinguisher from its enclosure. She handed it to Mechanica and ducked for cover in an adjacent locker bay. Mechanca hosed the suit down before inspecting it properly.
After a tense few minutes, Mechanica determined that the suit was fine, except for a few worn-out parts. "Phew... Don't scare me like that!" "Ehehe..." "Honestly... Well, at least we're okay." Ribbon Girl cleared her throat. "So... Actually, there's something I wanted to give you." "Oh? What is it?" Ribbon Girl reached into her pocket and produced a bow. It was the same shade of yellow as the suit, and had Mechanica's insignia embroidered in the center. "I wanted to give you something to celebrate your win!" Mechanica took the ribbon and marveled at it. "T...thank you! I'll treasure it always!" "No problem! And if you ever want to chat..." She produced a small slip of paper from her pocket. "H-Here's my number." Ribbon Girl blushed slightly as she handed the paper to Mechanica. "A-Are you sure?" "Yeah! I think you're cool, so I want to be friends... if that's alright?" "A-absolutely!" Mechanica clutched both the ribbon and the paper to her chest. "Thanks! Oh, and burn the paper once you put the number in your phone." "G-gwuh?" "Yeah, if that number leaks, I'll never hear the end of it. Better safe than sorry." "O-okay, got it!"
As Mechanica made it back to the Scrapyard, she couldn't help but smile. Ribbon Girl thought she was cool! The Ribbon Girl! Mechanica had gotten her number, too! Between that and winning the Grand Prix, this was the best day ever! She went straight to her workshop. After fulfilling her promise and burning the paper, she set the ribbon amongst her Ribbon Girl merch. It didn't bear any Ribbon Girl branding, but it fit in the collection all the same. Maybe she, too, could fit in with Ribbon Girl...
Mechanica could feel that both her ARMS career and her friendship with Ribbon Girl were only just beginning, and she couldn't wait to see what the future had in store.