Author's Note:

So, one day soon after the November 2018 Smash Direct, I came across a fan comic of Red, Charizard, Ivysaur, and Squirtle in the moments before Galeem's attack hit them. It got me thinking: what might the other fighters have been doing? What was going through their minds before they were "killed?"

Since my drawing skills are kind of subpar, I decided to share my interpretation here, in written format. I only have a couple of ideas for this, so if you all like it and want to see more, I'm open to suggestions. No guarantees, though!

In case there was ever any question, I have no legal claim on any of the characters appearing here. Anyway, without further ado...

He hadn't intended to read his mind. Ordinarily, he deliberately kept his telepathic power reigned in when among the other fighters. Their battles would be infinitely less interesting if he knew everything his opponents were going to do before they did it. Besides, he might have a tendency to be cynical and aloof, but by now, he had more respect for his fellow combatants than to violate the privacy of their inner thoughts without good reason.

The mysterious sword's warnings, however, were like an urgently raised voice to his mind. He couldn't not listen in. He saw everything the young man saw: utter, complete destruction.

Mewtwo's gaze snapped back up to the being of light floating in the air before them, and he shuddered.

As the legendary Pokemon understood it, Shulk's visions often showed him imminent disasters in enough time for him to prevent them, but not this time. Mewtwo knew full well, before Shulk could even gesture for the others to run, that there was nothing they could do. This thing was going to destroy the universe.

And Mewtwo, a contender for the title of most powerful Pokemon ever, was powerless to stop it, or even to escape it. They all were.

... So this is how it all ends, he thought, and he lowered his head.

In the corner of his eye, though, he saw something that made him look up again.

The Hylian princess had appeared next to him, staring fiercely at their impending doom. He could sense the magic coursing through her: the same magic wielded by the other two Zelda's he had met. He knew she was formidable in her own right, but still...

Mewtwo reached out to her with his mind, brushing against her consciousness so she could hear him in private. It's no use, he told her despondently. We're already done for.

Zelda's steely, piercing eyes turned on him. Though he kept the contact between them at a minimum, he could still feel her basic emotions at his words. There was confusion, doubt, worry... but they all gave way to her resolve, fueled by sheer defiance.

Her thoughts pressed against his in response, even as she returned her attention to the abomination in the sky: Then I will die fighting. We've come too far to give up now.

Mewtwo blinked, taken aback. She had understood him, that much he knew: the outcome wouldn't change whether or not they fought. Then why fight? Because they had come too far not to?

... Though, it did make sense when he thought about it. His own journey here certainly hadn't been an easy one, even after coming to an understanding with the humans of his own world. He closed his eyes as he remembered how poorly he had adapted to the tournament the first time he had joined, and how, even despite that, the others had openly bemoaned his departure and pleaded for him to come back. He remembered the hero's welcome he had received on his surprise return, the collective joy and wonder at the announcement of this reunion tournament... even his own grudging satisfaction when an overjoyed Pichu had jumped on him and nuzzled him upon arrival.

'Life is wonderful...'

'...It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.'

Mewtwo's eyes opened again. The same unyielding determination he had felt in Zelda welled up inside him, driving out this melancholy. Yes, he still believed those things. His life, though forever tainted by his madness early on, absolutely was wonderful. He had come so far, seen and done so much... What kind of being would willingly lay it all down out of hopelessness?

Not one who deserved the title of "Legendary," surely.

... Then I will fight at your side, he told Zelda, just as the attack began. Beams of light shot out from the invader, racing toward the cliff they were standing on

Propelled by their magical and telekinetic powers, princess and Pokemon shot up into the air above the other fighters, ready to counterattack.

It's been a pleasure, Zelda.

Then give it everything you have!