The sun shone brightly over what appeared to be a never-ending field with a pathway leading to the long building situated in the center. It was a huge building, many stories high with even more beneath the ground floor. Above the main entrance, two doors labeled "Veterans" and "Newcomers" respectively, was a dark circle with two lines struck through it, one vertically and one horizontally. Scattered around nearby the entrance were creatures of all shapes and sizes, some humanoid, others just bizarre, and many in between. A few looked up at the sight of a sparkling circle acting as a portal a short distance away as it flashed brightly.
When it died down, it revealed three figures standing within: Two boys and a woman. Or, more specifically, two angels and a goddess.
"So this it, huh?" the goddess of Light, Palutena, said with a smile on her face.
"Yep!" Pit grinned, his arms resting behind his head. "Welcome to Smash, Lady Palutena! You too, Pittoo."
"Seriously, STOP calling me that," Dark Pit grumbled, crossing his arms with a usual scowl on his face. "It's already bad enough that everyone back home calls me that stupid nickname. I don't need it to spread to other worlds." Pit ignored his doppelganger's sour mood, turning his attention instead to the goddess as she observed the other gathered arrivals.
"Wow," she marveled. "So you know all these fighters?"
"Well, not all of them," Pit replied as he saw a few unfamiliar faces mixed in with those he did know. "But- OH!" His grin brightened as his gaze fell on two elf-like people, one dressed in a green tunic with a sword and shield on his back and the other garbed in a beautiful dress and a bit of golden armor. "Over there!" He hurried over to them with Palutena following, an amused smile on her face as she observed her captain. "Link! Princess Zelda!" he called, catching the Hylians' attention. Link glanced back warily while Zelda smiled, though her hero relaxed once he found the source of the call.
"Hello, Pit," the princess greeted with a dip of her head. "Who might this be?"
"Allow me to introduce Lady Palutena, goddess of Light," Pit replied dutifully. "Lady Palutena, this is Princess Zelda and the hero Link. They hail from…" he squinted one eye in thought, trying to recall everything he'd learned about his fellow challengers in the last tournament. "Hyrule, right?"
"That's right," Zelda nodded. "It's an honor and pleasure, Lady Palutena. I must say I never expected to be facing a goddess here!" Link blinked and smiled at her, and she chuckled and shook her head.
"Oh, I've been told I'll have to hold back a bit," Palutena replied. "More than anything, I'm excited to see what Pit has spoken of so fondly after he returned last time."
"Gotta admit I was a little surprised when you got an invitation," Pit admitted. "But I'm just gonna have to make sure nothing happens to you! Tournament or no, I'm still the captain of your guard!"
"What about when you two face off in battle?" Zelda wondered, tilting her head to the side, and Pit's expression fell.
"Oh, right," he said sheepishly, and Palutena laughed as she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Oh, don't worry, Pit. I'll make sure not to rough you up too much!" she teased, making his face flush slightly.
"Speaking of which," he glanced around, "Where'd Pittoo go?"
"Who?" Zelda asked, and Pit turned back to her.
"Oh, Pittoo? He's…" He looked up at his goddess. "I don't know, how would you describe him?"
"He's essentially a darker clone of Pit," she explained. The Hylians exchanged a look and Link stiffened, frowning. "What's wrong?"
"We've had our share of experiences with monsters like that," Zelda said.
"Pittoo is NOT a monster!" Pit snapped. "He's just a little… different. I mean, yeah, he can be kind of hostile sometimes, but he's got a good heart." Link's gaze darkened, like he wasn't convinced, and Zelda sighed softly.
"If you say so, Pit. Just… Be careful. I'd hate to see anything happen to you."
Meanwhile, the portal bringing in the new arrivals flashed once again, revealing a man and woman both armed with swords. The woman looked around, her blue eyes filled with wonder, and the man stepped closer to her side as his dark coat billowed slightly in the breeze passing through the field.
"It seems we've arrived safely," he said, and she nodded.
"Yes," she agreed. "Though I do worry how Father will fare without us while we're gone." He smiled.
"Don't worry so much, Lucina. He's a strong and compassionate leader. Things won't completely fall apart while we're away, and if he needs a strategy, Morgan will be there to suggest something. And I promised him I'd look after you while we're here, so you can bet I won't let anything happen to you." She smiled softly as she turned her head to him.
"Thank you, Robin. In the meantime, this tournament will certainly prepare us to battle anything that comes our way. Shall we take a look around?"
"Sure." They started toward the main building, taking in the sights of the different fighters- a mouse-like creature, a pink ball, a figure covered head to toe in orange armor or some kind. "Okay, I never thought I'd see anything stranger than the Risen, but this place takes the cake."
"Indeed," she agreed. "Are all worlds so different?"
"Well, not entirely, from the looks of it," Robin pointed out. "Like those look like humans over there. …Except those men are awfully short." Lucina chuckled as she looked at the mustached men in red and green he had pointed to.
"Hey, Marth!"
She stopped short and whirled around, searching for the source of the voice, dumbfounded.
"How would anyone here know I took that name?" she wondered, and Robin shrugged. Her gaze came to rest on a muscular swordsman in a red cape with a headband tied around his head, and as she followed the direction he was heading, she about stopped breathing.
"R-Robin…" she stuttered as she observed the man standing a bit of a distance away, a sword with a golden hilt sheathed away at his hip and his striking blue eyes friendly as he waved at the other approaching swordsman. "It… It can't be."
"What?" Robin wondered, looking at her before following her gaze. "Huh. That guy looks a lot like you, doesn't he?" Her voice caught in her throat as she nodded.
"I… I think that's him," she managed to say in a weak voice. "Hero-King Marth." Robin blinked, his jaw slacking open.
"…Whoa." Both the Ylisseans continued to observe the man as he began conversing with the other swordsman, a dignified smile on his face as he held himself tall, confident, and refined. It was an almost stark contrast to the other swordsman and his gruff, laid-back posture. Robin cleared his throat after a bit of time and nudged her. "So, are you just going to gape at him or are you going to go say 'hi?'"
She looked at the tactician briefly, biting her lip until her curiosity finally got the best of her. She slowly made her way over to the swordsmen, and the one who had caught her eye fell silent as his eyes widened once he spotted her.
"What?" the other swordsman wondered, turning around and finding his answer rather quickly. "Uh, I remember you saying you have a sister. Is this her?"
"No, I'm afraid not," the blue-haired swordsman replied. "…Pardon me for staring, miss. But, if I may be so bold, I'd say you're about as confused as I am."
"Um…" Lucina's mind blanked, lost for words until Robin elbowed her gently. "M-My apologies, but I have to ask… A-Are you the Hero-King?"
"Er, I suppose that title has been passed around back in the land I hail from," he replied. "Though I was only recently crowned king of Archanea. My name is Marth." She let out a heavy breath as she stared at him, stunned into awed silence.
"Lucina," Robin hissed lightly in a whisper, shaking her from her thoughts.
"Right," she shook her head. "Lord Marth, it's such an honor to meet you. My name is Lucina. I… Speaking bluntly, I am a distant descendant of your bloodline by a thousand years." Now it was Marth's turn to stare at her.
"A thousand years," he repeated.
"Yes," she nodded. "Um…" She unsheathed the sword she carried. "This is my era's Falchion, if that helps. The hilt was broken and reforged, but the blade is timeless."
"…May I?" he asked, gesturing to it, and she nodded and handed it to him. He took a step back as he gazed at the blade, then began a graceful but powerful demonstration of his swordsmanship. A moment later, he smiled and chuckled softly as he turned back to her. "There's no doubt about it. While its appearance may have changed, this is Falchion." He returned the sword to her, his smile growing. "So what you say is true. It's… humbling to know my legacy will live on for so long. And it's a pleasure to meet you, Lucina."
"The pleasure and honor are mine, milord," she replied. "Oh, and this man accompanying me is Robin. He's a brilliant tactician and one of my father Chrom's closest allies."
"Well met, Lord Marth," Robin said with a dip of his head, and Marth nodded as well.
"Well, let me welcome you to this Smash tournament," he said. "I look forward to seeing your swordplay, Lucina. And please, you may just call me Marth." Lucina giggled softly and briefly before recovering her composure, and she turned to the other swordsman standing there awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt or exclude you, sir," she said, and he shrugged.
"Eh, meeting your heroic, legendary ancestor doesn't happen everyday," he replied. "I'm Ike. I'm from Crimea on the continent of Tellius."
"Don't sell yourself short, Ike," Marth smiled. "This man has challenged a goddess and lived to tell the tale."
"…Ashera?" Robin guessed, and Ike nodded.
"Yeah. How'd you know?"
"You're the Radiant Hero," the tactician said bluntly. "Even in our land, I've read tales of your heroism and how you brought peace to your continent. It's an impressive legend, though I admit I questioned its truth."
"Well, I can vouch," Ike said with a tilt of his head. "But damn, you guys know me in another WORLD?"
"Legend states you came to our world from another," Robin explained. "Probably through the Outrealm Gate. Dunno how beyond that."
"Okay, okay," Ike held up his hands. "Probably better I don't know about my future. Wouldn't want to screw it up or anything." He sighed and looked around, his eyebrows rising as something caught his attention. "Is that… Hey, Pit! That you?" The other three looked in the direction he had called and found a black-haired, red-eyed angel with shadowy wings. He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "Yeesh, what happened to you?"
"I'm not-"
"PITTOO!" another voice called, and Lucina turned again to find another angel- this one with white wings, blue eyes, and brown hair- hurrying over. She blinked at the startling resemblance between them. Once he reached the dark angel, he hunched over, panting. "You really shouldn't just wander off like that," he said between gasps.
"I can take care of myself," Dark Pit spat.
"I know, but- oh, forget it. You barely listen to me. Just be careful, okay?" He turned to the assembled sword wielders. "Anyway, good to see you again, Ike, Prince Marth."
"Speaking strictly, I've been crowned king," Marth replied lightly. "But please, just Marth is fine." Pit grinned.
"Well, congratulations!" He turned his gaze to the Ylisseans, and his grin faded as he stared at the princess. After a quick but awkward moment, he shook his head and his smile returned. "Don't think I've seen you around before. I'm Pit."
"Lucina," she replied with a dip of her head. "It's a pleasure, Pit."
"Likewise," he said and turned to the tactician. "And you are?"
"Robin. Lucina and I are from the same world. Now…" He tilted his head. "What's up with your evil twin here?"
"I'm not evil," Dark Pit grumbled.
"Yeah, I'm gonna need to figure out how to explain this quickly," Pit sighed. "He's-"
"FIGHTERS!" a voice boomed, silencing everyone in the vicinity, and up in the air above them, a giant white gloved hand appeared, its wrist fading into nothingness.
"Uh," Robin grunted. "That's a giant hand."
"Master Hand," Marth said. "He's more or less in charge of all this."
"WELCOME TO THE FOURTH SMASH TOURNAMENT," Master Hand went on, suggesting he had no voice suitable for indoor situations. "IT PLEASES ME TO SEE YOU HAVE ALL ARRIVED SAFELY. THE BATTLES WILL BEGIN IN TWO DAYS' TIME. TOMORROW, I EXPECT YOU TO TRAIN AND PREPARE YOURSELVES ALONG WITH FINDING YOUR BEARINGS HERE AND ADJUSTING TO YOUR QUARTERS."
"Does he always shout like that?" Dark Pit wondered, and Pit shrugged and nodded.
"NOW, THIS TIME AROUND, WE HAVE A GREATER NUMBER OF FEMALES INVOLVED IN THE TOURNAMENT," Master Hand continued in a nearly deafening voice. "TO ACHNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE, WE WILL BE HOLDING A SMASH BALL THIS EVENING." The veterans of the previous tournament all readied their weapons at the mention of the words "Smash Ball." "NOT THAT KIND OF SMASH BALL!" the hand scolded. "A FORMAL, YOU BLITHERING IDIOTS. I WANT YOU ALL TO GET ACQUAINTED AND BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR. PROVE YOU HAVE SKILLS BOTH ON AND OFF THE BATTLEFIELD."
"You've got to be joking," Dark Pit snorted.
"I DO NOT JOKE!" Master Hand's outburst nearly knocked the dark angel off his feet. "NOW, GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND PREPARE. ONE AGAIN, MATCHES WILL BEGIN IN TWO DAYS' TIME." With that, he faded from view, leaving any assembled newcomers stunned into silence.
"Well," Robin cleared his throat. "Can't say I anticipated that."
"No," Lucina agreed. "A giant hand runs this tournament?"
"You'd best expect the unexpected here," Marth advised. "Honestly, by the time this is over, I'll be surprised if anything really fazes you."
"That'll be helpful back home," Lucina said. "Thank you, Lord Marth."
"Once again," he smiled, "Just Marth is fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like a chance to situate myself in my quarters before this formal this evening."
"It sounds like fun," a new voice spoke up, and they turned to find Palutena joining them. "Don't you think, Pit?"
"Sure," he nodded. "Though I'm better at fighting than dancing." He glanced to Lucina again briefly before quickly averting his gaze and stretching. "Hey, Marth. Before you go, let me get this out of the way. This is Lady Palutena, the goddess of Light." Marth turned to the goddess and bowed.
"An honor, milady," he said, and she smiled. "Now. Lucina, Robin, I'd be happy to help you find your bearings. This place is a bit disorienting at first."
"Thank you," Lucina smiled. "I'll gladly take you up on that."
"Me too," Robin agreed and turned to the other fighters. "So, see you all around?"
"Yep, and you'd better be ready!" Pit laughed. "Anyway. Lady Palutena, Pittoo, I can show you around too." Palutena nodded, but he glanced around and found his darker counterpart had disappeared. Again. "Ugh… Pittoo!" With that, he raced off again, and Lucina smiled as she watched him go before following her ancestor to the building with Robin at her side.