"You haven't beaten me yet, Plumber!"
The big and fearsome koopa King pointed an accusing claw at his long time rival. The crowd cheered in anticipation. The long time rivals locked eyes and kept frozen, waiting for each other to launch the opening strike. Both shifted their weight against the sold floating platform, each one praying for their enemy to make just one mistake. Overcome with anxiety, Bowser was the first to move in for the attack. He swiped at Mario, but his opponent easily sidestepped the attack. Undeterred, he attempted another strike, but Mario still was able to dodge it, jumping onto the air above him and stepping on his fiery head of hair. Bowser just flinched in surprise as he watched the pesky plumber fly further up into the sky. Bowser roared in frustration and jumped up after him. Tightening his muscles, and grimacing wildly, he attempted an upward swipe at Mario, but he was too slow. Mario had already flung a downward punch at him, sending him crashing back into the platform below. It all came so suddenly, Bowser did not even feel himself smash into the silid surface of the platform until seconds later. The plumber in red stomped on him and snatched him by the tail, ready for a throw.
"Arrgh! Not again!" Bowser yelled. He knew exactly what was coming next.
In an all too familiar move, he spun the giant around and flung him off of the platform. Bowser fell over into the abyss, followed shortly by a great splash of blue light. He was defeated once again. The crowd cheered wildly while Mario, the victor, took off his hat and waved at his fans. After being lead off of the stage he was placed on the winner's podium. His fans gathered around, cheering and clapping.
"Congradulations, Mario!" Cheered the princess dressed in pink. She leaned over and kissed Mario on the forehead, making his cheeks burn bright red.
"Yeah, you beat up that big old brute, just like the old times!" chirped in Toadstool.
"Here's to hoping it stays that way," Mario responded with a smile.
"Gaaaah! Stupid plumber! IHateHimIHateHimIHateHim!" the Koopa king roared out loud as he was lifted up by Lakitu the stage hand.
"Whoa, hold still there, Bub! You're rocking the recovery platform!" Lakitu warned while adjusting his thick framed glasses.
Bowser glared at him. His menacing grimace now matched with his perma-scowl. "Shut up and lift me already!" he growled demandingly.
Bowser waited impatiently while Lakitu dropped him off near the podium, Mario was already there with smug smile as he was lifted up to the podium. Bowser just quietly watched, clapping politely, but for nothing else. The king of koopas lost once again. They were supposed to be mortal enemies, so why he did not want to fry that cocky plumber's butt with his fire breath right then and there? Maybe he just did not have the heart for it. What was the point? Mario won fair and square. He had his lucky shot, but Bowser did not train tirelessly for nothing. He was going to take that plumber down and next time.
Back in the Smash Brother's lobby, Bowser sat in one of the lounge chairs, brooding over his defeat. The other smashers, were lively with chatter, talking amongst themselves.
Bowser heard the sound of something small and light flop into the cushion of the chair besinde him. He did not bother looking; he knew who it was. "Good try, Bowser! You almost had 'em!" Chirped a small, yellow Pichu while he took took a seat beside the heavyweight smasher.
Bowser looked over at him from the corner of his eye and sighed. "Whatever."
"Aw, come on, don't be like that! You did great!"
Bowser responded with another sigh. He looked back up at the tall, dome-like ceiling in the lobby.
Falco and Marth walked by, obviously talking about the previous match since that blue Arwing pilot was so loud. "That certainly was an intense fight," said Marth.
Falco responded with a scoff. "Are you kiddin' me? That big, slow, tub o' lard didn't stand a chance! I saw the end coming from a mile away!"
Bowser overheard everything. True to his vengeful nature, he spat out a small fireball into the seat of Falco's pants as the two walked out of the lobby. The oblivious Falco sniffed the air but walked on. "Hey, do you smell something burning?"
"Let's see you carry around a 300 pound shell on your back," muttered Bowser. He was giving the back of Falco's head such an intense stare it seemed as if he was trying to make lasers shoot out of his eyes.
Pichu patted a paw on Bowser's arm. "Don't listen to him. You did much better than I could have. Why do you think I retired from fighting in the first place?"
"I kind of miss you in the tournaments. You always made me look good by comparison," Bowser responded while letting out a low throaty chuckle, Pichu always had a way of cheering him up and this time was no different.
Pichu then said, "You know, I really hated you in those days as a smasher."
"Yeah… good times." Bowser chucked then sighed wistfully is he mentally counted all of the times he crushed Pichu with his weight, chewed on his head, or head butted him off of the stage. He lost count at 187.
Pikachu interrupted his thoughts saying, "Speaking of which, are you signing up for the next tournament?"
"Yeah, of course I am!" replied Bowser.
"Do you have a team in mind?" Asked Pichu.
Bowser glanced over at some of the Smashers gathered around the lobby. "Not yet, but I'll think of something." At that point, Bowser caught sight of a crowd forming around somebody near the Fighter's transport hall. "The plumber is here. "
"Mario?"
"yeah, I'm going to take off before he decides to try and harass me again."
Pichu hopped onto Bowser's tail as he got up and took leave. "Mind if I come?" he asked.
"Sure, but no free rides."
"Aww, come on! Pleeeease?" Pichu pleaded, giving Bowser the 'cute face'.
It did not take Bowser long to give in when he turned around and saw the face. "Okay, fine," he said, "but you're carrying me next time."
Bowser was rewarded with an apprehensive stare from Pichu. "… Y-you're kidding, right?"
Through the crowd of fighters, Mario caught a glimpse of Bowser leaving the room with the little Pichu sitting on his tail. Suspicion grew in his mind, wondering what Bowser was thinking. Bowser was evil and terrible. The memories of him capturing the princess Peach and wreaking havoc on the Mushroom Kingdom invaded his mind. Bowser must be up to something evil; that's just the way he is . But, what was he planning now? It has been a long time since he attempted to steal the princess or something bad like that, but that was what set Mario off. Bowser must be planning something. It was the only explanation. But the question was: What?
"Are you okay, friend?" Asked the warrior Ike in a concerned tone.
"Yes... yes, I'm fine." Mario responded, realizing that he was ignoring the people around him and staring off into space.
"Alright, then! Let's go grab us a feast!" exclaimed King Dee Dee Dee.