News Flash! SiIvaGunner: King for a Day Tournament

*After his victory against DJ Professor K, Etika is wandering the Gaylord, lost in thought.*

Damn man, I feel kinda bad. That K guy seemed really chill, people didn’t even get to listen to his track until the vote was halfway done, that ain’t fair...

*Bringing his aimless pacing to a sudden stop, he shuts his eyes and sighs.*

Etika

Shit, I gotta check up on the guy, see how he’s doing.

*Etika walks up to Professor K’s door, and opens it.*

Etika

Hey K, just wanted to-

DJ Professor K

Whoa HEY WHAT THE HELL, MAN-

*The Professor turns towards the unexpected intruder sharply, frantically trying to cover Etika’s view of his inexplicably aged face.*

Etika

o-OH MY GOD?! AIN’T NO WAY! YOU OLD AS SHIT?! DID LOSING AGE YOU!? I’M SO SORRY BRO I SWEAR ON MY LIFE I DIDN’T MEAN TO-

DJ Professor K

What the-? No, you didn’t make me old when you won, fool! I just- Wait, why the hell would I be tellin’ you?! What, did your mama never teach you to knock or somethin’!?

Etika

Fuck man I’m so sorry, I had no idea this would happen, shit, I just keep fucking up today man, I’ll just leave if you want, I swear I’m sorry!

*A beat of silence passes, before K begins to sigh in exasperation.*

DJ Professor K

Fine. What was it you wanted?

Etika

Look, I just wanted to apologize for what happened out there, how our match shook out. You put your heart and soul into that track man, it was a banger, but they put it out too late. That shit ain’t fair, I’m sorry.

DJ Professor K

Aight. That all?

Etika

Well... shit, now I’m curious. What the fuck happened here? You looked so fresh out there, now you look... y’know. What’s the deal?

*The DJ lets out another exhausted sigh, as he sits back down on the edge of his bed.*

DJ Professor K

Okay then, story time it is. Look, where I’m from? I’m a streetside name. Everybody who’s anybody knows me and my radio. Been keepin’ it runnin’ about as long as I could spin a record, after all. But I don’t do it for the fame, ya dig? It’s for all those little rudies out there who need a bit of music in their lives. Sometimes to keep your life steady, you just need to keep the beats steady, ya feel me? Everybody needs somethin’ to rely on.

Etika

Aight man, I see what you’re sayin’, but that still doesn’t really explain the gray hair.

DJ Professor K

I’m gettin’ there, kid! Sheesh! The point is, how am I supposed to keep the streets alive when I look half-dead? Nobody wants to see their captain and DJ all withered up! That’s why I gotta keep myself lookin’ young. Gotta keep that beat pumpin’. And when I crossed the pond, I figured just the same. It’s a whole new audience, they ain’t gonna take to a rusty old bag of bones! Pretty damn sure the tournament staff didn’t invite me with that in mind either. So I just kept tryin’ to fake it. But I guess it’s true what they say... you just can’t beat the genuine article.

*K gestures half-heartedly gestures towards Etika, and looks down, dejected.*

Etika

Maaan... shut the fuck up.

*The older man suddenly looks up, bewildered.*

Etika

That shit ain’t true, dawg. Have you seen what those comments are saying? They don’t care about the looks, they care about the music. They loved your shit, they just needed a chance to hear it. Shit, we got some big ass purple nigga, King Dedede, SNAKE?! It’s a bunch of weirdos out there. What matters is your beats, and that’s what you came here to do, and I think you should keep trying to show people what they missed out on. You hear me?

*Again, K looks somewhat shocked. But before long, he’s shaking his head, chuckling despite himself.*

DJ Professor K

Hahahaha... You know what? You’re alright, kid.

*He rises, standing up to meet Etika eye-to-eye, before holding out his hand.*

DJ Professor K

Put ‘er there.

Etika

Hell yeah, my nigga.

*DJ Professor K and Etika give each other a firm handshake, before patting each other on the back.*

DJ Professor K

Okay, now get the hell outta my room! And learn to knock next time!

Etika