Revival Scenario: Invader Autumn

Hello, all you fine people watching today! Can you hear the excitement echoing throughout the stadiuuum!?

There has been death battle after death battle! Friendships surpassing friendships! But now, after many glorious matches, this tournament is about to reach its grand finale!

As we speak, the winners are headed to the stage of the heavens to challenge the King of Heroes himself!

Can the challengers escape with their lives? Or will our CEO succeed at achieving his childish revenge?

Stay tuned, as the final battle to determine the strongest Heroic Spirit on the planet is about to kick off!

Who will the goddess of victory smile upon today!?

Now then, on a completely different note, the current odds are at fifty-fifty! That's a clean, aboveboard, no-illegal-tricks-whatsoever fifty-fifty!

There are only two minutes left to go, so grab all the money you have and place those bets while you can♡

...All right then, I think it's time I made my move.

We've arrived at the top of the skyscraper, Senpai! This stage is just as glamorous as the one from last year!

Umu, I must admire how the sheer gorgeousness seems to spill forth like a swimming pool filled with gold coins! I daresay it is the perfect stage for a city of prosperity that worships money above all else!

？！

Heh, do not be so surprised. I simply used both Imperial Privilege and Presence Concealment to steal away in a corner of the elevator.

I had a hunch that you and Mash alone might have a difficult time...

...so I decided to accompany you just in case.

Oh! Well, thank you, Emperor Nero. That's very considerate of you.

But are you sure you're okay to fight? It's been less than an hour since your last battle, after all...

Umu... The truth is that I am indeed a bit exhausted. I can certainly cheer you on, but I do not think I will be able to do much else.

Ahh, I was so close to winning that final battle...

...I only wish I could have put on a more impressive show...

U-umu, you think so? Then I suppose I had better stop moping!

Very well then, I will watch the gallant figures of the warriors who defeated me from the best seat in the house!

Umu. I may have lost the battle, but I did at least prove that a bridal dress makes for an impressive challenger.

...Hm? Hold on. Something about that did not sound quite right, but I cannot put my finger on what it was.

True, there did seem to be something slightly off about it, but somehow, I think it fits...

？！

Enough idle chitchat, mongrel. Can't you tell the cameras are rolling?

I've grown tired of drowning my boredom with wine, and the common people watching this finale are awaiting my judgment with bated breath.

Do not think you will be so lucky as to defeat me twice, you impudent little mongrel!

I shall grant you the honor of defeat at my own hands! Go on, call forth as many Heroic Spirit pawns as you wish!

Oh, but first, let me ask you this.

Have you successfully restored humanity yet, or are you still in the midst of doing so?

Oho. Now you have my interest! Very well then, I will see just how far you have come myself!

And you still thought you could challenge me!? You are an even greater fool than I thought! As soon as this tournament is over, you are to get back to work and make serious progress! Trust me, you will enjoy it!

？！

Come, mongrel! This will be the last such tournament ever to take place in New York.

Witness a battle truly elegant enough for this resplendent cityscape! A graceful, elegant, and bold battle!

...Hm? Hold on. Did I truly just say that...?

What's wrong? Is that all you've got!? I can feel your attacks, but they are no more than fleabites!

Gnn, I cannot believe how proud he is! I am certain we have him cornered, yet he remains as defiant as ever!

I see now that he is the type of king whose strength comes from an adamant refusal to stop fighting until he wins! I know it all too well!

Heh. For my part, I can see why you were once known for your infinite supply of courage, Emperor. But that is now ancient history. You no longer have a part to play on this stage!

？！

If you have exhausted your options, then all that remains is for me to pass judgment upon you. By my Sword of Rupture, I'll have you return that championship belt to me!

As I knew it would, this battle has ended with my victory! There could be no other outcome!

Fuhahaha! Indeed, I am certain there is no one else on this earth who can possibly defeat me! But in line with Chen Gong's advice, I will ask three times just to be certain!

Can anyone defeat me!? Can anyone defeat me!?

One last time!

Can anyone defeat me!?

Aaaaaaaaarrrrrrggghhh!!!

King Gilgamesh!?

What was that!? It looked as though he was struck by a bolt of lightning!

Ghh... I knew I could be attacked from behind...but I never expected an attack from above...

But how did this assailant do it? How could they have gained the upper hand on me when I completely control this skyscraper...?

Do you hear that? It sounds like it's coming from the sky...

Hehehehe... Hehehehehe...

Ahahahaha! Good evening, my fellow Heroic Spirits!

Oh my, what are you doing sprawled out on the ground like that, Goldie? Gosh, I hope I'm not interrupting your fun!

？！

Fujimaru, look! Up there!

...What?

What the...?

Let's see, testing, testing. This thing on? Can you all hear me in your minds? You can? Great!

...Ahem. Listen carefully, living creatures of Earth.

I know this is short notice, but as of this moment, I've taken over the city. All your food, clothing, and shelter now belong to me.

I am the ruler of the Sapphire Galaxy and the goddess of Venus who came here from the Founding Stars.

My name is...Space Ishtar!

Space.

Ishtar.

What was it you said earlier? Something about a battle to determine the strongest Heroic Spirit?

Did you really think I was going to take a challenge like that lying down?

I'M the strongest Heroic Spirit around, obviously. And now, I'm going to prove it.

Go, Mini Maannas!

Changing everyone in this city into jewels will be a good warm-up for the rest of my world domination!

I-I'm still trying to get my head around what's happening, but it looks like the enormous spaceship is sending out a swarm of tiny ships!

Now the smaller ships are firing mysterious lasers at every part of New YorOh no! Master!

Look out, Fujimaru!

Em-Emperor Nero just transformed into a jewel and flew off towards the enormous spaceship!

Hehe. As you can see, anyone who dares to defy me soon becomes part of my collection.

I secretly scattered goddess particles around the city during the tournament, and I registered this land as my territory to my temple.

My meme contamination is all done. Now, your languages, tastes, and sensibilities will all be(long to) me.

All the beautiful things will be mine...and so will all the ugly things.

Oh. Um... What does that mean, exactly?

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I see. Then that's definitely the Ishtar we know!

Why...you... Space Ishtar!!!

I don't know what you're up to this time, worthless goddess, but you've got a lot of nerve declaring yourself the strongest after such a cowardly attack.

If you really wish to be declared the strongest, Ishtar, then get your worthless self down here and fight me fair and square!

No way. You're still alive after a direct hit from Maanna's Divine Raytribution!? You didn't even turn into a jewel or a sheep! Just how stubborn are you, anyway?

But anyway, unfortunately for you, there's no way a goddess like myself would ever condescend to mingle among the common rabble, right?

I only thought I'd play with you guys because it seemed like a fun way to kill time during my tour of Earth♡

Still... I suppose if I'm going to play with you, I might as well give you a real chance.

All right. Your little martial arts tournament was kind of amusing, so I'll be nice and hold another for you guys.

And in recognition of their accomplishment, I'll give whoever wins my tournament a chance to take me on.

If I lose, I'll leave Earth forever. But if I win, I get to keep "Master" for myself.

That's right, I know all about the legendary treasure called a Master and that it's somewhere on this planet. I read all about it in Ancient Space Mythology Quarterly.

I couldn't find any energy signature high enough to qualify as a legend when I scanned your planet before...

...so ifwhen I win, you're going to tell me where you've hidden this Master thing and hand it over peacefully.

Um... You want to keep Master? But

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(R-right, good point. Okay, I'll do my best to avoid calling you MasUm, starting right now.)

So, when you say you're going to hold another tournament, does that mean we're going to fight in your spaceship?

No, you're going to play my game there on Earth. It would be a waste not to use what you've already got, right?

That's why I went ahead and took over the King of Heroes' whole shebang. His stadium, his admin systems, his staff... Eeeverything.

What!? When you say "everything"...does that include my profits!?

Well of course☆ Your shop's profits, that smooth-talking sheep Dumuzid, the Holy Grail being offered as a victory prize... They're aaall mine.

Ever heard the space expression, "What goes around comes around"? Well, this is what comes around, King of Heroes. Sorry, not sorry☆

I never stole anyone else's hard-earned profits! Though I may have confiscated a business plan or two...

All right, that's all I have to say. I may be a cruel and heartless goddess, but that doesn't mean I'm going to invade your planet without giving you a fair chance.

If you want to get New York back, all you have to do is win my tournament and earn the right to fight me.

I look forward to seeing what you've got, Heroic Spirits of Earth.

Oh, and one last thing: make sure you have this Master thingy ready to hand over when I inevitably win, or else! Bye now!

C... Cu...

Curse you, Ishtaaaaaarrr!!! How is Space Ishtar even a thing!?