The Circle of Life

Kroctus brought his head up after their combined punch. The kids landed on the ground and backed away. "Sigh…well… it seems my evil plan is ruined." He spoke with a tone of mild inconvenience. "I'll be honest… I almost thought it would work. An entire planet of animals for me to rule. But one thing is certain… I'll never forget it…"

"I can't believe you would talk like that." Deku said in a rasp. "After all you did… For abusing Eri… For enslaving all these Mobians… and hurting my friends… you sound like you don't give a single damn…"

"No." His response was plain and simple. "This was simply another project for me. A failed one… but life goes on. In my earlier years, I was desperate. Angrily trying to conquer the Kongs, detesting any who stood in my way. But now, I realize… it was all a part of my growth. To live is to know failure. And the more I grow, the less I begin to fail. And seeing that I have failed once more… means there is still room to grow."

"The only place you're growing is behind a cell." Maddy stated. "Even if Deku and I can't beat you, we've got you completely surrounded. I'm going to prove once and for all that you're not the strongest."

"And I'm going to remind everyone… that villains don't win." Deku vowed.

"Heh heh har. Then prove it, children." Kroctus balled his fists. Kremlings and KND alike were amassed around the square, cautious to keep their distance. "Give Mobius a battle they will remember forever. But especially… give me such a battle." (Play "K. Rool Battle" from DK64!)

Title Match: Animal King of the Kremlings, KING K. ROOL

Kroctus assumed a defensive position with both fists hardened. Maddy side-walked around the king, Kroctus only turning halfway to look between both fighters. Deku surged with power and zipped behind, Kroctus listening, and when he felt the hero grab his tail, the Krock whirled—Deku had let go, running to stomp Kroctus's toes when he fully turned, the king throwing a punch down, but Deku rushed back. Maddy pounced the king's head and channeled Paper Haki, turning his head partly white. Deku immediately seized the chance for a kick to the snout. "BOOOOOOO!" the Kremlings expressed rage to the humans, Kroctus reeling back from intense pain, which he found all the more thrilling.

The king decided to chase the kids, keeping Haki imbued to his tail as well. They split up as Kroctus pursued Deku, Maddy following at a safe distance—the king thrusted back without really thinking, throwing off Maddy's Observation as she was flattened. The king sat up and grabbed her, slamming Maddy into the pavement, but she applied enough Armament to that spot to shield herself, then Deku zipped to take her back. Maddy rode his shoulders as he zipped around, calculating their next move. They then dashed at Kroctus, Deku throwing Maddy up while ducking himself. Kroctus hardened his toes and brought hands up to guard his head. However, Deku slipped around the king's side—Kroctus noticed this in time and moved a hand to block that side of head.

Maddy grabbed the king's fist instead and spread Paper to it, and just a hint of white on his black fist was enough for Deku to leap and KICK it! Kroctus flung them off with a fling, his knuckles swelling from pain. The king snarled as his Haki seemed to spike in both arms and feet, emitting a purplish aura. He chased with surprising speed, so they hurried away—Kroctus sprung forward and lashed his arm—Maddy defended Deku from the full brunt and used Haki on the impact point. The force blasted them through the window of a building, through the walls inside said building, and out the other side. With a tremendous punch, the structure began to collapse. Maddy punched away the rubble, but gasped when Kroctus was falling with it, so Deku grabbed his partner and ran.

Kroctus remained near the rubble and began to juggle the giant chunks, punching them in a way that seemed to be homing. The duo split up as Deku went for Kroctus, the king chucking a chunk that the hero kicked away. He threw punches at Deku, who evaded, but they heard a forceful sound as Maddy had punched a building chunk. Kroctus blocked it, then blocked his head from Deku's kick. Maddy sent another one, but had channeled her Haki through the chunk as it exploded before reaching Kroctus, covering him in dust. He kept defending from Deku's attacks regardless, heard another chunk be punched, and smashed it through the smoke—Maddy had leapt after it, bypassed the king's fist, and clasped his neck. She shoved a debris piece down his throat to choke him, Kroctus hacking it out as he pounded the girl, who kept defending with Haki. She couldn't use Paper in this situation, so she instead spread the Haki to his skull to crack it a bit.

Kroctus pumped with rage and yanked Maddy off, throwing her for Deku to catch. The king rumbled with chi and covered his entire body in Haki; only the scales turned black while the gold belly seemed unaffected. "RAAAAH!" The king charged on all fours, performing leaps to further close the distance between them. The kids ran into some alleys, following a maze in the hopes of confusing the king. They could hear walls crumbling as Kroctus barreled through the buildings with no care. Maddy told Deku to stop and hide, sensing Kroctus about to charge past their path. When the right wall crumbled, Maddy jumped onto his back. His hardened scales would be impossible to cling to were it not for his cape. Kroctus fell back against the ground repeatedly, but she refused to let go.

Maddy's Haki stirred up his insides, prompting Kroctus to clutch his stomach in sickness. She climbed to his head, so Kroctus reacted to grab her—she slipped around, clung the collar of his cape, and hung as she spread just the thinnest patch of White Haki to his belly. Deku immediately dashed and stamped that spot with humongous force. The unbreachable gold belly compressed, Kroctus hacking blood as he rolled backward. He crashed into a building as his Haki faded, so the duo ran, hoping to score a quick hit—Kroctus sprung up and snatched them, hurdling them all the way atop the skyscraper. He collapsed the structure with one swift punch, quickly blasting the rubble back up at the falling duo.

The kids deflected the chunks with keen timing, and with Kroctus nearing, Deku offered to be kicked down to land first. Kroctus snatched the hero, intending to use him to bat Maddy. She expected this, so when Kroctus swung, Maddy grabbed onto the hero and—Kroctus discarded him after the swing to avoid her planned retaliation—Deku reactively lashed his Blackwhip to latch Kroctus's fist, pulling himself back to the king and landing behind. Deku inputted more chi to his boots to stomp Kroctus's toes, the king showing little reaction as he stomped at the boy. Deku also lashed a Blackwhip between Kroctus's legs to grab the tail, yanking it down and inward as he fell back. Maddy ran to catch his head, applying the faintest hint of White Haki so Deku could jump—the king flipped and threw Maddy off, punching Deku away in the process.

The kids ran back out onto a street to recollect their selves, the crowds scrambling to clear away as they knew the worst was coming. There was a surge of chi as Kroctus stomped onto the street, his arms now coated with gold to compliment his black body. The two ran, feeling the town shaking with each step Kroctus took. Deku caught rubble in Blackwhips to throw, the king smacking them away effortlessly. Maddy mounted a chunk to spread Haki on it, riding it as Deku whirled and hurdled, landing an impact to the head thanks to an opening, but Kroctus barely reeled back from it. Deku rushed by Kroctus to rejoin his partner, both creating some distance from the gold-armed king. "Deku, it's now or never. Just do like we practiced."

"Okay!" With that, both kids ignited into their Fury Forms. Maddy's Haki Fury rested on Deku's Full Cowl. They zipped up at Kroctus, Maddy steering Deku to evade his rapid punches, until the hero latched a Blackwhip to Kroctus's snout, pulling them toward as Maddy socked him, the hero kicking away before Krock could retaliate. Kroctus punched the street, transmitting Haki throughout as rubble exploded out of the ground. Kroctus leapt across the chasm, his belly bouncing the debris at them, the kids banishing it with a burst of power, but when Kroctus CLAPPED, a brief shockwave ripped the ground, though they had escaped by a millisecond. Kroctus continued to leap after and CLAP, so they maneuvered back to the rubble, Deku kicking a chunk to absorb the clap.

This distracted Kroctus enough for Deku to toss Maddy against his belly. He tried to pound her, but Maddy nimbly clambered around his form, determinedly evading his Gold Haki. She tried to jab his bad eye, but it turned Gold, he swung a punch, but she dodged in time. Maddy remounted Deku as they conjoined their fists, red and black lightning sparking from both. They zoomed at Kroctus, avoiding his fists and leaping for the head, which he Goldened—they shot down and threw the conjoined punch at his left foot, Kroctus feeling the nails receding. Deku leapt for the head, slamming kicks, while Maddy clung to the foot to spread Paper. Kroctus applied Gold to both areas, though the foot was flickering between gold and white. Deku fled from the king, caught a smallish rubble in his whip, and chucked it at the foot. It impacted just when it was on White. "DWAAAAH!"

Maddy rolled away, but Kroctus flipped to slam his Gold Fist, Maddy spreading legs apart to evade, then flipping to her feet as Deku rejoined her. This time, Maddy spread Haki to Deku's hand, thus hardening his Blackwhip as they latched it to Kroctus's fist. The king grabbed it in the other to yank them to the sky, but Deku detached the whip afterward, latched another at his head, and shot down. Kroctus Goldened his head, but the two bounced away rather than hit, so the head returned to black—Deku latched a whip to the fist while Kroctus was subconsciously not using it, allowing Deku to yank the fist up into the king's own head, his gold penetrating his iron for some trauma.

"ROOOOAAAAR!" Kroctus coated his whole body in Gold. Maddy and Deku exchanged nods and raised their chi to such a height that their muscles were tearing. They charged, and when Kroctus threw his fist, they met it. However, instead of go flying, Maddy was pressing both hands against the fist, Deku pressing them harder against it. Kroctus could tell their chi-paths were on fire, unable to retain their painful screams, yet the fact they were able to survive this long was astounding. Maddy was transmitting Haki through his arm and crackling the bones. He thought his wrist was about to bend, so he pulled back, the kids backing as well and powering down.

"Why… that was brilliant!" Kroctus panted in excitement. "You were able to pierce my Golden Haki! …A little bit."

The kids' eyes were half-closed, their brains bobbing on the border of numbness. At this point, only sheer willpower kept their Fury burning, but Kroctus looking barely exhausted was discouraging. "Full Cowl, One Million Percent!" With no other options, Deku exploded his chi to immeasurable size, and Maddy submitted her entire will to her instinct. The two dashed up, zipped around, and punched and kicked Kroctus from every possible angle. Maddy clung to his head, completely ignorant of his rampant punches as she scrambled his skull. Deku leapt up to stamp the head, the force able to rattle his aching skull through the Gold.

The kids fell behind Kroctus and clung to his tail, the king whirling, but failing to dispose of them. Deku wrapped Blackwhip around the tail, Maddy applying Haki to crack the tail's insides. Deku tightened the whip and began to swing Kroctus around the air. Deku slammed the king into the ground, and Maddy leapt to stamp both feet into his head. Kroctus got up and threw his fist, but Maddy grabbed it again, transmitting chi through while Deku wrapped his whip around to squeeze it. Kroctus snarled and punched Maddy off, then pounced to CLAP Deku! Blood burst from his mouth, and his consciousness finally reached its limit. Maddy trudged up for one last stomp to the toes, but Kroctus kicked her away. Her Haki Fury died off. (End song.)

Both heroes lay defeated at Kroctus's feet. His scales returned to normal color. "No…" Ochaco cried, holding in her feelings. "Deku, no…"

"THAT'S IT!" Sheila shouted, dashing in. "YOUR BATTLE'S WITH ME NOW—!"

"SHEILA, wait!" Cheren grabbed her.

"Oi, where did you come from, Cherry?"

"I came here to watch, but… Well, there's something-"

"Take a long look, children!" Kroctus announced. "This is what happens to all who challenge me! Send as many as you want! A hundred or a thousand, King Kroctus is the strongest man!"

Golden Land

"It's no use." Index said worriedly. "If Kroctus truly has a God of Fortune beside him… then he simply won't lose, no matter what."

"That is a problem." Xiaomei the Time Oracle replied. "In my home universe, I believe the Fairy Tail guild had their own 'God of Fortune.' They couldn't lose, even if odds were completely against them. But normally, such Fortune is bestowed on those who follow the side of good. I never knew a villain like Kroctus… who could be so highly regarded."

"It isn't completely bizarre." Bernkastel replied. "There are all kinds of the same people in different universes. If you studied them all, you'd eventually find one who is far more fortunate than the others, even if that person is 'evil.' But evil though they are, the Law of Fate decrees that 'evil' must be stopped."

"Does that mean… there's still a chance he can lose?" Index asked.

"Perhaps. Though, given that this Kroctus is beloved by 'Fate,' I wonder what will become of him?"

Zootopia

Kroctus slowly marched up to Sheila and Cheren. He sported a smirk and cracked his knuckles. "Then would you two like to be next? The brave Sunny Fist and Hero of Time?"

"Deku-san…"

Kroctus heard a familiar whisper and turned. With a gasp, he saw Eri standing over Deku. Kami, Kimaya, and some operatives were behind her. Of course, he suspected she had been rescued… but he grew more curious over what she might do. Eri's voice had called Deku back to the Waking World, but just barely. "E…Eri-chan…"

"Deku-san… use me. In this form, I can grant you infinite power. But it will only be for a few minutes. I'll have to leave this mortal body before long."

"Mortal… w-wait… you're not… Eri-chan?"

"No, Deku-san… I am." The Time Demon formed a light smile. "And I want to go home with you. Please… let me help you defeat him."

"No." Deku rose his voice, spitting blood. "You've been through enough. Please… go home…go home and hide…hide where no one will hurt you again. If you don't…If he takes you again… I won't rest in peace…"

"You're the one I choose, Deku-san. I won't explain what I mean… but I only want you to use me. Then, I promise… we'll live happily from now on. Let me be a hero with you. Please."

"E…Eri… I don't want to treat you-"

"When you and Maddy were using each other just now, did you think of her as a tool?"

"N-No! She…she's my partner, we… planned a strategy, but…"

"Then think of me as your partner, too. When I grow up, I'm going to be a hero, too. So, let me practice. Put your faith in me."

"E…Eh… Okay." Deku narrowed his eyes and forced a grin through his bleeding teeth. "Let's… bag this Krook once and for all."

"KROCTUS!" another voice called. Kroctus turned to see Klammy limp out of an alley.

"'EY! I thought you were chimera food!" Sheila yelled.

"Kroctus, we must retreat! We need to rethink our-"

"Be gone, Klammy." Kroctus ordered. "I want no interruptions. I want to see what these two can do."

"What?! Kroctus, we really should-"

"I may never have another chance like this. If this girl can really grant infinite power… then I will face it, WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE!"

A wave of Conqueror's Haki washed over the city. The morning sky turned a deep crimson. Everyone else felt compelled to root their selves and watch. Not only did Kroctus's Gold Haki shine light a sun, but the souls of animals graced the heavens. Their silhouettes displayed on his golden body, the tigers growling, wolves howling, the elephants hooting, and the foxes… doing whatever they do. "Although the Leptys backfired on me… its chi still courses through my veins. The souls of Animalia flow in my heart. Now… COME OOOOOOOON!" His chi was like a pure fountain of power, so clean and refined that the animal spirits wanted to graze his muscles.

"Now, Deku-san." Eri glared at Kroctus darkly.

"Roger that, Eri-chan." Deku grasped her hand. Deku exploded with revitalized chi, his wounds replenished, and his Full Cowl reached Infinity%. (Play "Ultimate Gangplank Mashup" on YouTube!)

Phase 2: Golden King

Deku wrapped Eri to his back with Blackwhip. He charged, but Kroctus punched him with a force that would destroy him, but Deku respawned in a heartbeat, ran again, dodged a punch, and kicked Kroctus in the stomach. Before, such a maneuver would barely make him budge, but alas, Kroctus blew across town, dropping the jaws of all in attendance. Deku zipped after with lightspeed, throwing a punch, which Kroctus intercepted, hurting his own knuckles while destroying Deku's arm, but it respawned as he wrapped arms around Kroctus's and twisted violently.

Kroctus flipped up and chomped Deku's neck, snapping it off, but the hero blasted him away with a punch, neck reforming. Deku caught up, exchanging a flurry of punches with the king. Kroctus clutched Deku and smashed him back-first to the ground, Eri enduring as Deku flipped to shake him off. Deku dealt a kick to the belly, escaped, butt-kick, escaped, stomped the toes—Kroctus smacked his head off, it grew back, but he couldn't recover before a tremendous punch blew Deku across the city. Deku attached a whip to him, taking Kroctus with. Zootopia flew beneath their vision as they landed in Tundra Town.

An avalanche covered the town under their presence. Kroctus and Deku were buried, but it was irrelevant as they exchanged fists under the snows. From outside, snow geysers exploded up everywhere, until Deku flew out of one, Kroctus leaping after. The king grabbed him, rolled in the air, and carried Deku down with comet force. Their fight generated so much heat that all the snow melted. The water washed them down to Sahara Square, totally wetting and ruining the desert. Deku and Kroctus sank in mushy sand, Kroctus shoving the hero underneath. Deku pulled him down with, the fight continuing underground as the sand became a maelstrom.

Deku resurfaced for breath, swirling with the sandpool's current. He gasped when Kroctus swam up from behind, countering his punch as Kroctus's arm receded. Deku grabbed the king's head and tried to twist, even as Kroctus tore off dozens of his arms. Kroctus spun with his twisting head, and the spinning worsened as they were flushed down the sandpool. They hit the earth underneath the sand, Kroctus brutally bashing Deku against it. The earth cracked from the force, so they fell into an underground, underwater tunnel. Deku maneuvered like a dolphin, ramming Kroctus with Torpedo Spins. Kroctus mimicked his attack, and both heads collided, twisting opposite directions and drilling through each other's skulls.

The current carried them to the canals. Deku swam to Kroctus, the king grabbing and squeezing to force his breath out, but Deku endured and rapidly kicked his belly. Each kick knocked air bubbles out of Kroctus's system, so the king ripped open Deku's stomach to breathe some of his own before the stomach repaired. Deku broke free and grabbed his neck, Kroctus grabbing his stomach, both spinning and creating another maelstrom. Sunken ships were drawn in, so Kroctus swam to grab one and throw it into Deku, the keel piercing his stomach before he kicked away. Kroctus surprised him through the wreckage and punched Deku into another ship. The hero shattered it from inside and latched a whip to Kroctus.

He pulled himself into the king with great force, the two rolling a bit, and as they strangled each other, Deku pulled in another ship with Blackwhip. The force by which it came up pushed them back to the surface. The maelstrom threatened to suck the ship in, but Deku kicked Kroctus like a kickball toward the shore, the hero zooming across the sea. Kroctus splashed in the oasis, but when he saw Deku coming, a clap of the hands blasted an air-slicing wave. Deku intercepted it with his leg, countering the others by matching position. Once Deku had reached him, he positioned his fingers to flick. Each flick ruptured the air, Kroctus evading some hits but taking others.

Kroctus sprung high in the sky, Deku springing after. Kroctus thrusted his fists to shoot focused chi spheres, Deku swatting them away as he reached the king and kicked his stomach. Kroctus flew miles, but stopped himself, and Deku flicked the opposite direction to blast after him. Kroctus thrusted down to fly up, dodging Deku, and when said hero kicked up after, a palm-thrust blew him down like a gust. Kroctus fell rear-first like a meteor, catching Deku and pushing. The hero frantically pounded his belly bottom, but Kroctus refused to budge. They would hit the ground soon, so Deku channeled full power to his fingers and aimed down. He flicked at the ground, shredding a great portion, but it stopped descent just briefly enough for Deku to kick him off.

The king blew into the Animalia stadium, Deku's former prison. Deku zipped after, and Kroctus charged at him. Both pairs of hands met, feet scraping the ground like train wheels. Deku was scooted back, and then Kroctus, taking turns being the dominant pusher. Their scraping stirred a dust storm in the stadium, and so they jumped apart to blow the dust off. Both men leapt, fists reeled back, and both knuckles impacted. The stadium couldn't withstand the force and collapsed. Deku brought up his other hand and flicked, blowing Kroctus across the valley to the city outskirts. Kroctus punched the earth and flung vacant houses to the sky, jumping his way up them and punching them down at Deku.

Deku leapt up the falling houses, catching one in a Blackwhip to return to Kroctus, who shattered it. Deku's next leap brought him to Kroctus, who welcomed his fist into his mouth. Kroctus munched his way up the arm, the boy furiously pounding his head with the other. Kroctus felt his brain flattening, so he spat Deku away and pressed his own head to reshape it. Deku crashed through three falling houses, resting in the third one, but jumping out before crashing. Deku landed, dodging other falling houses, but Kroctus burst out of one and uppercut Deku with a force that banished him further uptown.

Deku landed on a train track, looking up in horror as a vertical train seemed to stretch skyward and fall his direction. Deku punched away the first car, but Kroctus hoisted the train up to slam again. Another segment broke off, then Kroctus swung from the side. Deku dashed up the tracks, breaking off a segment with each swing until he located Kroctus. A headbutt forced the king off the tracks, the king crashing through buildings before hitting a street.

As he and Deku exchanged fists, Kroctus glanced at the sky, seeing Intergalactic News ships recording the battle. Pearl and Marina were there, hoping for a good conclusion.

Superbia

"BIG NEEEWWWWS! Emperor of the Kremlings, King K. Rool, appears to be in battle with a ferocious young lad! Who is this brave boy, and how is he as strong as the mighty king?!"

"There's no way!" yelled Lemillion. "Is that really DEKU?!"

"My son… you've come so far…" All-Might said.

"OH, MY BABY!" cried Mama Midoriya, flooding her house with tears. "Mommy is so proud of you!! PLEASE, WIN, IZUKU!"

Mobius

"Let's give them a show!" Kroctus jumped away. His golden aura flared bigger and brighter, taking the shape of a muscular figure with a mace and scowling, horned head. "HRRRRRRRAAAAAAH! SOUL OF KAIDO!"

"Another form?" Cheren moaned. "Deku, please kill this guy."

The Kaido shape mimicked Kroctus's motion, and the illusory mace packed power as it batted Deku away. The hero recovered, rolling aside as 'Kaido' did a jump attack. He swung the mace again, but Deku scattered its essence, then shot a kick at Kroctus, but couldn't penetrate the aura. "KING K.! KREMLING, KREW! KING K.! KREMLING, KREW!" The Kremling onlookers cheered their king, his light holy and divine to their eyes. Deku was yet more determined to disappoint them, dealing rapid punches to the aura until it broke open, followed by a gut punch that rolled Kroctus backward. The king got up, aura reforming, as larger Chi Spheres were thrown.

Deku kicked the spheres back, intercepting each other and dispersing. 'Kaido' batted a sphere back with his mace, Deku returning it, sending it back-and-forth as it grew faster, until Kroctus's aura shattered. Deku pounced the king, socking his snout, then slipped behind to sink his teeth into the tail. Kroctus spun with such speed that Deku's flesh could tear off, but his teeth remained firm on the tail. Kroctus leapt and SAT, squishing Deku and spinning on his rear to twist him in. Deku's foot grew back as he kicked Kroctus off. The king landed a few yards off, his Kaido aura reforming.

Kaido's mace sparked like thunder as it swung at Deku, and it wouldn't disperse in one hit. Furthermore, Deku felt the bone-chilling feel of Conqueror's Haki every time he hit the mace, so he decided to get away and deal flick-blasts against it. 'Kaido' endured against the blasts, but his mace steadily cracked until it dispersed. Deku ran circles around the beast to confuse him, landing quick kicks every chance. Deku was able to stomp through Kaido's 'boot' and hit Kroctus's toes, following this with a kick through the abs to smash Kroctus's face in. Kroctus flipped back up and thrusted Chi Spheres from the palms, Deku kicking one up, catching it in Blackwhip, and slamming it down on the head.

'Kaido' dispersed, but Kroctus's mighty roar summoned a Chinese dragon's aura in place. The dragon gnashed, Deku dodging a few bites before grabbing its teeth. It was too strong to rip, so Deku kicked the head upward, and when it returned to bite, Deku pulled a debris piece over in Blackwhip and shoved it in the mouth. It munched the piece like a cookie, but distracted it enough for Deku to bypass and rapid-punch the base aura. The dragon dispersed, so Kroctus matched the speed of Deku's punches and engaged him. Kroctus dove his head at Deku, bit him and tossed him into a building.

Kroctus reformed the aura dragon and spat Chi Spheres that would POP, ripping surrounding ground. Deku carefully dodged them, thrusting palms to send "weaker" shockwaves, but their force was gentle enough to cause a gust that would blow the spheres back. They popped against the dragon until it dispersed. Kroctus rapid-punched the air, shooting small Chi Spheres that Deku hurriedly swat away. However, Kroctus pointed his finger for one thrust, cutting Deku's hand when he swat the spiked chi. Kroctus leapt away and waved his hands around the air, conjuring a giant Chi Sphere. Deku dashed and kicked his gut, but Kaido's aura reformed in time to defend.

Kroctus slammed the sphere into Deku, overwhelming the boy with its pressure until it exploded. Kroctus pounded the boy in the ground afterward until Deku abruptly kicked Kroctus away. The king recovered midair, thrusted fists forward, and launched, Deku dodging. Kroctus began mini-jumping away, creating shockwaves, so Deku pursued in the air. Kaido's aura reformed and crackled the air with its mace, the Conqueror's Haki weighing on Deku's heart and forcing him to the ground. The tremors increased when Kroctus smashed the mace to the ground, so Deku latched the Blackwhip to Kroctus to pull over. The mace flung Deku away, but he latched the whip to a rooftop and yanked himself back like a slingshot, ramming the aura's abs.

Deku pushed off and countered Kaido's mace with a punch. The Haki shivered his bones, but Deku mustered his will and withstood, grabbing the mace in both hands. He squeezed tighter, the mace cracking from compression, but Deku ultimately kicked the weapon away, pouncing Kroctus afterward. Kroctus bit Deku's head through the aura, but this wouldn't stop the boy from tearing the aura guts wide open. Kroctus quickly changed Kaido to the dragon, its head snatching the rest of Deku's body. Deku was able to open the aura and grab Kroctus's snout, ripping it open to free his head and bending both ends back.

Deku violently pounded the dragon until it spat him all the way up the road. A giant dragon head encased Kroctus, the snake body stretching behind it as he charged at Deku. The hero channeled full power to his fists, brimming with rainbow aura. He dashed stalwartly and met the full force of the dragon. Their feet scraped the ground once more, the city rumbling under the force of the opposing, stalemate forces. Deku pounded the dragon's teeth, and they slowly cracked until an opening appeared. Deku linked with Kroctus, his rainbow aura fusing with the gold, creating miniature suns that linked the powers. "Supreme… Superbian… SMASH!"

The dragon's body exploded, the aura dowsing the town like gentle sprinkles. The rumbling slowed to a halt, and the light where the dragon's head used to be disappeared. (Play "K. Rool Battle Intro" from DK64.)

Everyone approached the area cautiously. The atmosphere was the calmest it had been all day, so the ultimate question was, Was it safe? They felt no mass, surging aura. Rattlesnake Jake, having escaped his binds, viewed the result from an alley, heart racing. Cheren was holding hope to his heart. Index gravely prayed that she was wrong.

The sun shone upon the hero who rose atop K. Rool's belly. Deku's fist touched the sky, signifying a total victory. His grin was that of a true hero. And K. Rool's was that of an old, ill, and tired croc who had way too much to drink. His eyes were dull and blood dripped from his missing teeth.

"DEKUUUUUU!" Ochaco was awash in joy!

"THE VILLAIN IS DOWN!" Iida cheered. "VENGEANCE IS OURS! I mean… JUSTICE! FOR EVERYBODY!"

"YAAAAAAHOOOOOOOO!" The Mobians knew, at last, they were free! Judy pounced Nick repeatedly to relieve her joy. Cheadle smiled solemnly, thankful that this day had been worth it. Cheren sat down, tired from standing in anticipation for so long. Sheila blew raspberries at all the upset Kremlings. The darkest two months of Mobius had come to an end, and the third Emperor had been defeated. Only hope existed in their hearts.

Kimaya and Kami walked up to a sleeping Eri. Her horn was now tiny, and she had reverted to human form. "She's still alive, at least." Kimaya checked.

"Phew… it's over, then." Kami smiled peacefully. "It's finally over. Finally…"

Kredits:

Koding: Manky Kong

Karacters: Fredrik

Kolouring: Scales

Koncept: Moge-ko

Kommander: King K. Rool

"!" A horrible memory flashed in Kami's mind. "NO, WATCH OUT, HE ISN'T-"

Kroctus punched Deku off his belly, the hero's head bumping a boulder. (End song.) The great king pushed himself up, glaring at the spectators. He reveled in their upset expressions. "I'm still alive, bitches. Been a while since I used… Fake Kredits…hah…" The king wiped some blood off. "Congrats… Boy… you have my respect…" He panted. "Even using a power-up like that… you were a terrific match… and I am extremely grateful… Too bad… I'm spent now."

Kroctus held his heart, waiting for it to calm down. Once it did, he spoke again. "Well, I can't use Haki for a day. That's the price of Golden King. So, go on. Who wants first crack at me? Who can use the last of my strength?"

He expected all of them to gang up. Yet, the KND were only watching cautiously. He thought definitely Sheila would jump at the chance.

When he glanced down at Kami, her attention was… elsewhere. He turned slightly more… and gasped. (Play "Snake Eater" from Metal Gear.)

Four familiar apes stood against the sunrise. Diddy… Lanky… Tiny… and Donkey Kong. Team Vweeb were in awe at seeing them. The idea they had actually come to help livened their spirits. And the one to step up was the leader of the bunch, dropping his cane. A tear formed in Kroctus's eye… and he removed his crown.

The crown flew at Donkey, who jumped, rolled toward Kroctus, and leapt for a mighty slam to the Krock's head. Kroctus ran at Donkey, throwing a punch, the ape grabbing his fist and hauling Kroctus overhead. He crashed the ground, but Kroctus yanked his arm up to toss Donkey across the road. The king leapt to flatten the ape, but Donkey thrusted up to push him off. Both opponents locked hands and wrestled. Their strength was almost equal, their muscles wanting to burst, until DK pulled Kroctus's hands to the ground, then jumped to headbutt the king's snout. Kroctus bit down on his head, Donkey grabbing either end to bend it open and escape.

DK dropped and watched as Kroctus ran to a crumbled building. He juggled the debris and threw it, Donkey dodging his way up to him. The ape grabbed a chunk and tossed it at Kroctus's foot, the king wincing as the debris dropped on his head. Donkey leapt for a punch, Kroctus spinning from impact and whipping him away with his tail. Kroctus lifted another boulder and tossed it, DK dodging and rolling sideways to get behind the king. Donkey leapt to grab his tail, mustering the strength to lift and swing the king around. He slammed Kroctus into a boulder, then leapt to slam his head, Kroctus smacking him away after the fact.

Kroctus ran to a tall building and leapt to the second story window, throwing desks down at DK. He began to climb the building when DK neared, the ape climbing after. Kroctus shattered the windows so the glass would fall on his foe. DK endured this and reached the top, where Kroctus attempted to stomp him back down, had DK not swung to the left. He reached the roof, balling fists as Kroctus did the same. Kroctus punched, DK wobbled back, but caught himself. DK punched, Kroctus wobbled back, but caught himself. Their fists flew simultaneously and connected. The right…left… then both…

Their motions were slow to the kids' eyes. Kroctus must sure have been weakened if this was what he could muster. …No, it's not that either of them were weak or tired. They simply wanted to savor the moment. Their tears were plenty evidence of that. Each punch thrown was full of love and nostalgia. But then DK punched the leg, throwing off Kroctus's balance. The ape leapt to hug him, hauling Kroctus's weight over the edge. They fell from the building as Kroctus crashed first. DK kept pounding the head until Kroctus shoved him off. The king whistled for a Kannon to toss over his weapon, while DK drew his Coconut Gun.

Cannonballs collided with coconuts. Donkey bombarded Kroctus's face with the nuts, and the ape bravely took every ball to his face. DK ran out of nuts, so he grabbed a cannonball. He bolted toward the king and shoved the ball into the cannon. The weapon exploded, so Kroctus discarded it. The king ran several yards away from Donkey, then faced the ape as he scraped the ground. Kroctus charged, but swerved left-and-right en route to DK. The ape waited patiently, pulled back his fist, and punched at the right time, but this didn't stop Kroctus from sending DK flying with an uppercut.

The king threw a punch when DK fell. Donkey crashed against a building, then Kroctus charged to slam him against it more. DK ducked a punch, grabbed Kroctus's arm, and flipped up to stamp him in the snout. DK landed behind and rolled through his legs, Kroctus falling on his rear. He then leapt to Ground Pound the Krock's head. As a response, Kroctus began butt-bouncing around the ground to create shockwaves, so Donkey performed more 'Pounds to create his own. The ape's lighter weight allowed him to do so faster, knocking Kroctus over from the force after a few dozen times.

Kroctus leapt to the sky and fell with fists aimed, and Donkey pulled his arms back with palms open. With a forceful thrust, palms met fists, and Kroctus blew across town and crashed through a roof. He broke out and raced on all fours, DK doing the same. The animals tackled one-another, rolling around. Kroctus noticed a destroyed road with the sewer exposed, rolling them to it. The Krock tossed DK into the sewer, then crawled up to observe. The ape had clung to a hanging pipe, but once he saw Kroctus, he reached to grab his snout and pull him down. Kroctus splashed in the river.

Donkey climbed back to surface, and as expected, Kroctus leapt out of the river, shaking the filth off. The king noticed a building whose front was conveniently crumbled into a rock-slope. He leapt to the top of it, picked up stones, and chucked them down as DK climbed the slope. When Donkey was nearing the top, a great punch collapsed the whole pile, but DK leapt heartily and slammed fists on the edge of Kroctus's foothold. It gave way as the king fell, and Donkey threw a fist up at his head. Kroctus grabbed Donkey's leg while grounded and chucked him out to the street.

Kroctus stepped out slowly. He glared at the elderly ape who was his greatest rival. Donkey glared at the king who had always terrorized their home. Both poured their passion into their arms and spun them. The viewers could feel the chi rising in both arms. Their tears glinted in the sunlight. Both had been waiting for many years to seize this moment, and they were going to treasure it. But once their chi had reached its limit… the fists flew. They bypassed each other… and struck the other's head. Donkey lost teeth… and Kroctus lost fangs. The animals, having expressed their latent emotions, fell. The hearts of the Kong Family were appeased. They had done their duty. (End song.)

"Ahhhh… Thank you, Donkey… this battle… wouldn't have been complete without you. I'm so glad… I got to fight you again… Ahh… this was so thrilling… but I'm spent now. I haven't… felt this way in a long time. It feels… good."

"I'm glad to hear you say it." a country voice spoke. Kroctus glanced left: Rattlesnake Jake slithered up. "To think the unstoppable man could lie down like this." He circled the king slowly and spoke with his tongue rattling against Kroctus's scales. "Ah must admit, I was moved by your battle. Your Golden Fury truly touched mah soul." He brought his gun up to his hat and tipped it. "Ah tip mah hat to you, Your Majesty. You truly are a king among beasts. But now, your time is over. In this Animal Kingdom, the fallen prey get eaten. That's the Circle of Life, Kroctus."

"JAKE!" Klammy yelled. "What are you doing?!"

"I've been waitin' months for this." Jake backed away and cocked his tail-gun, aimed directly at Kroctus's head. "I know a man who saved an entire town with just one bullet. So, let's make this the legendary bullet that finished off the strongest pirate."

"NOOO! SOMEONE STOP HIM!" Klammy pled.

"Good-bye… King Kroctus Rool. I'll buy the greatest mansion with your bounty."

The bullet fired. Everything was in slow-motion. After such a heart-stopping battle, this was the deciding moment. The final blow. Would this one bullet finish the job once and for all? Kroctus could only watch. Watch as the bullet closed in on his being. His final millisecond.

Cling! The bullet bounced off him. Jake frowned, feeling slightly embarrassed. Cling! The next bullet bounced off. Aggravated, Jake unloaded a bullet storm, all ricocheting off Kroctus like hard metal. The snake dropped small nukes on the king, but not a single scratch appeared on his form. "I'll just have ta eat you alive!" Jake gnashed at the king—his head was slammed into the ground by an unseen force. "Nngh! What's… happenin' to me?!" (Play "Circle of Life" from Lion King!)

The sun seemed to grow even brighter and bigger. It felt as if it were shining specifically on K. Rool. Everyone wondered what that mysterious chorus was. Kroctus lay still in great confusion. …There was gasping as an enormous elephant began to stomp through the city, but its ghostly feet couldn't crush anyone. Towering giraffes stepped through, monkeys climbing their necks. Penguins, polar bears, and walruses came from the tundra. Fish, sharks, and octopi swam up from the sea. Eagles, pigeons, and crows descended from Heaven. Even the insects skittered up from the cracks beneath peoples' feet.

All the animals approached K. Rool in the center. In fact, all animals across the planet were facing his direction. No, all animals on all worlds were facing Mobius's star. The colossal Zunisha had approached Zootopia's shore, gazing toward the king. "What…What is this…" Kroctus spoke in awe, staring at his hand. The heavens above seemed to whirl, more animal spirits circling the holy light. "My…My chi… It has become… too pure for this mortal body… My Haki has become one with my spirit… This… is my evolution. I have… evolved!"

And so, all the Mobians in the world dropped and bowed. Against their will, they were crying. Judy and Nick were bowing and crying, wondering why the heck why?! Cheadle Yorkshire was crying, hugging her belly, but cursing herself. Sheila had to force her feet to stay steady, refusing to let her legs bend with her greatest willpower, and holding her tears in like a pipe wanting to burst. Even the humans and aliens were bowing! Pearl and Marina tried to stop their selves, but their emotions were pouring. Sugar and Sector $ questioned their own actions, even Kokichi and Ciel, bowing to the king! Donkey stood, only to bow to his foe, alongside his family.

Kroctus slowly rose to his feet. He smiled warmly, crying, and welcoming the admiration from all animals. He faced the beautiful heaven and opened his arms. Slowly, he began to rise into the heavens. "KROCTUS! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!" Klammy called.

"To greater things, Klammy! My soul has grown above this world! I will watch over you all… from the golden sun!"

"No, Kroctus! Please!" Klammy pushed through the crowds, reaching up in desperation. "Don't leave, Kroctus! Don't leave! We've come so far together. What will this Krew do without you?"

"The Kremling Krew will continue, Klammy. It will be stronger than ever!"

"Kroctus… don't leave me…"

"Make sure that my child is born to a happy home, Klammy. He will be the heir. I will only exist… in your hearts." And so, with his final breath, King K. Rool roared to the world. "K. ROOL… IS… ETERNAL!"

Then, his soul scattered into golden dust. That dust blessed all the animals and all the plants in the world. From that day forward, there was a bountiful harvest. All the produce and all the meat tasted heavenly. The souls of the animals were enlightened.

From that day, the idea of King K. Rool became a religion amongst the animals. Many were born, knowing of his existence, as if his Conqueror's Haki had moved into their hearts. Those animals built fortresses, raided towns, and joined with their brethren of the greater Kremling Krew. Although the Emperor's Krew had suffered a drawback during that month, it was only temporary. Although it seemed like he had fallen that day, the fact is, Kroctus won. And his legacy would continue to grow.

"…What the fuck just happened?" Maddy asked after they were free to stand up.

However, as far as this war was concerned, the Kremlings had lost, for their king was no longer of this world. The results of K. Rool's Circle of Life may not be known for another decade or so. Until then, he would always remain in their hearts.

Superbia

Fireworks went off in the starry sky, lighting the school of U.A. with color. All the local heroes and relatives alike gathered for the largest festival the school had ever held. The city was raving over the news of the local student hero who managed to "defeat" one of the strongest criminals in the universe.

"DEKUUUUU!" Uraraka, Ashido, Invisible Girl, and Kirishima bounced a bandaged Deku up and down on a sheet. "DEEEKU! DEEEKU! DEEEEKU!"

"Waaaah! Take it easy, guys! It still kinda hurts!"

"MY SWEET BABY!" cried Mama Midoriya, flooding the ground with her Tear Quirk. "I'm so happy you came back, I'm so proud of you!!!"

"Let this be a message to all villains everywhere!" All-Might puffed up.

Asui merely hung out in the corner, bowing her head with mixed feelings. As happy as she felt for her friend… the dark feelings hadn't left her heart.

When Deku was allowed to rest, Eri climbed onto the blanket and hugged her hero. "Deku-san… I'm so glad to be home."

Deku smiled and hugged her with pure love. "Me, too… Eri-chan. Me, too."