The blue haired figure stood in front of the mirror, drawing the twin holed belt and holster around his waist. He then moved to the boots, pulling the embossed leather up to his mid-knee on both of his legs. The buttoned shirt was new for the figure to wear, but if he wanted to look like the part, he had to dress like it.
Next on the table was a modified revolver, closed cylinder and sleet than the bulky ones he had seen. It was exactly what he needed and had cost him the pretty penny to get it. He picked it up and lined up several shots, trying to strike that heroic pose that his character would need. Satisfied, he spun the revolver around his fingers before he slammed it down into the holster.
Finally, he draped the leather brown duster around his shoulders. He spun around, admiring the way he looked. Someone would be hard pressed to surpass him dressed like this. He drew the revolver reached for the knob of the door, and he lunged out with the gun and struck the desperado pose he envisioned.
And Zelda looked up from her writing pad and looked at him if he told her that he was her uncle. "Hello Ike."
The mercenary felt her gaze hit him in waves. "Hi." He looked back down on his costume and began to figure out how to explain this. "I'm... just trying out my cos-play costume."
She put down her pen and looked at him from head to toe. Apparently she wasn't getting an idea who he was. "And what exactly are you suppose to be?"
Ike gestured to his outfit to give her a few clues. "Brown coat?" Zelda shook her head as he pointed to the gun. "Futuristic revolver?" Another head shake. He sighed. "I'm a space cowboy."
She did the 'ah' look with her mouth before speaking. "OK: A, there are no cows in space. Samus would slap you for thinking otherwise. And B," she looked as if she finally recognized the costume, "isn't that the main character of that cult TV show from 2001 you and Link binge watched when both of you were quarantined from us due to the flu?"
Ike nodded and holstered his revolver, feeling silly having it out. "Yes. So?"
"Isn't that a bit much?" She asked.
"I like it." He countered as he walked over to the fruit bowl and pulled free an apple and began to carve into it with a knife. "A little homage never hurt anyone."
"Except for cults." Zelda quipped under her breath. Thankfully Ike didn't hear her. She picked her pen back up and began to let the words flow unto the page.
"What are you working on? Ike asked Zelda as he cut off another slice of apple. "Are you figuring out what you will wear for the cos-play costume contest?"
"Not exactly, a writing contest. I got this letter from somebody calling himself 'Flame Falcon'," she passed the letter with a wax seal attached to Ike, "offering me a place in his competition. Read it for yourself."
"Flame Falcon... who names their kid Flame Falcon?" Ike placed his apple aside and Took the letter from Zelda.
"Besides druids and extreme environmentalist yuppies? Not many others." Zelda said without looking up
Smashers and writers the world over,
The summer months draw close and for many of us that means free time from studies, while for others it is known as the time when the bugs get active and are everywhere. So, I am offering a reason/excuse to stay inside with the air conditioning and the internet. A contest, of course!
The American West has been romanticized countless times over. From the cowboys wrangling the dogies, to the shoot outs in the saloons. But it appears many have not written it of late, so that is what the contest will be about. Take the Smash roster, past or present, and uses them as the characters for your story in the setting of the wild west.
Also, in the spirit of generosity, some leeway will be given for characters not on the roster. Some Nintendo characters you may know and love are not on the roster. So, it will be permitted to use non-Smash Nintendo characters as side characters ONLY. These could be saloon keepers, pleasure girls, hired goons, or other characters to add depth to the story. The Smash characters must be the focus of the story, points will be deducted if you do not follow this rule.
On that note, here are the parameters. The story must be set in the American wild west and must stay true to the time. Stories will also have to be set in a 'real world' manner as well, so that means no magic, no alien technology, not talk of alternate dimensions, or different races. All fantastic Smashers and other Nintendo characters must be humanized, though how you go about this is entirely up to you.
Stories must be between 5000 and 35000 words, though it may be subject to change depending on how many enter the contest. One-shots and multiple chapter stories will be judged equally, no preference is given to one or the other. Stories may also be any rating, though if one is to write a mature story, be mindful of the judge's preference. You will have from May 1st to June 30th to publish these stories. To ensure criticism, the judges (more on them later) as well as myself will review each story at least once when it is finished.
As for what will be judged, four things will be focused on for determining the winner of the contest. Each one carries the same weight as the others; spelling, characters, how well the writer kept to the western theme, and the story overall.
Ike put down the letter and reached for his apple and knife, cutting off another slice. "Kid has guts. This seems a lot more than one person can do all by themselves."
Zelda shook her head and pointed to the letter with her pen. "Keep reading."
Ike swallowed the apple slice and did so.
Helping me in this endeavor are two good fanfiction writers you may have heard of. The first is Smash King24. A man who has handled and inspired me do do contests like this. He is known for his gripping and albeit sometimes dark stories as well as his chapter long reviews that anyone can appreciate. His help will be most appreciated with this.
"Is this guy the same one who pairs both Captain Falcon and Lucina together?" Ike asked, feeling his skin craw at the idea that the Cap' had even a remote chance with such a woman like her.
"That and the fact he hasn't changed his face. That picture is SO 2009." Zelda explained with a merry laugh on her lips.
In addition to his help, a good friend of mine and accomplished writer concisponci. She is new to the writing scene but is one of the best critics and writers I have the privilege to know. She is very open minded and considerate. I truly thank her for being part of this contest.
Now Zelda looked up and placed the black gel pen under her lips in though. "Conisponci... is she the one who writes about you being a business mogul, me a cold hearted bitch, and has a self confessed fetish for furries?"
"One in the same. My good friend Ranulf ran into her once... she didn't let go for an hour."
Both Ike and Zelda laughed at the idea that the cat laguz (or as he was referred to by the littles as kitty man) and the scene with a genki girl.
Alright, now for the dates. Registration ends on May 10th, and the contest itself ends on July 1st. I respectfully request that you postpone any publications until the first of May, and make a mention of the contest somewhere in the descriptions. Save a week in May, I will be checking everyday to see how the contest is going. Simply leave a review stating that you are in or send me a PM to register.
I am looking forward to see how this plays out. I wish everyone the best and happy writing.
Flame Falcon
Ike placed down the letter and picked up the apple again. "So what are you writing about?"
Zelda sighed and shook her head. "About an ex-Confederate officer who is living day to day against the harsh land and the people who live in it. He has a band of misfits who have been with him day in and day out through the war. He is willing to do any job, but has his own moral code."
Ike chuckled. "Sounds like an interesting story."
"I just don't know where to start." She admitted with a defeatist tone in her voice.
"Here, maybe I can help with that." Ike said as he sat up, his interest peaked.
Ok, for those of you who want the rules of the contest less formal or skipped to the bottom to get a shortened version minus the fluff, here it is.
I am hosting the Super Smash Brothers Western Themed contest. This is to add a healthy new amount of stories to a very underpopulated section. The rules are simple and are as follows:
- Registration ends on May 10 and stories must be uploaded and marked as finished by July 1.
-The stories must be between 5000 and 35000 words, both one-shots and multi chaptered stories.
-The story must have the Western genre and must stay true to the Wild West realistic world (no magic, no alien technology, and no alien races: all must be humanized). The second genre is up to your choice.
-Any rating is accepted, but post an M rated story at your own risk because I am unsure of judge's preference.
-Main characters MUST be from the past or current Smash roster. Non-Smash Nintendo characters are acceptable as side/minor characters. Just remember the limelight must be on the Smashers.
-To register, simply leave a review telling me you are in, or send a PM. I don't mind either. Same with questions.
Now, the prizes. Prizes (as of now) will be given to the top three contenders. 3Rdplace will receive a short one-shot (2000-3000 words), 2ndwill receive 2 short one-shots OR a medium length one-shot (4000-5000 words), and top contender receives 2 medium length one-shots.
I want to thank my two judges again for helping me with this and I hope to see your entries.
Best of luck,
Flame Falcon