A young woman sat in a lobby, tapping her fingers on her knees waiting to be called upon. Sitting next to her was a large, sleeping, crocodile wearing a crown and a young woman with tentacles for hair.
"What do you mean I'm too big?!" she heard a snarling monster complaining to a short Japanese man.
"I have told you before, Ridley. You are simply too big," the Japanese man answered firmly.
Though Ridley snarled at him, he did not back down, resulting in the flying monster leaving through the ceiling.
"Call the roof replacement company again. Every tenth roof they fix is free," he rang the bell, "King K. Rool?"
The large crocodile stood up and slumped himself over to the Japanese man's desk. In his place was a short man in armor and a viking helmet with a shovel attached to his back.
"Are you seeking to join the Smash Covenant?" his voice echoed in his helmet.
The woman turned to him and nodded, "Y-yeah. I've been wanting to join for a while. I never thought I had a chance until now."
"Neither did I. I came out of retirement a second time when I heard about this event," the knight explained, "I hope I get to join the elites."
"Yeah. Me too," she smiled, looking down.
The knight looked at her lowered eyes and offered his hand, "Thy name is Shovel Knight, m'lady. What would yours be?"
The young girl looked at his gloved hand and smiled, "Shantae, the Half-Genie," she shaked the knight's hand.
"What troubles you, half-genie hero?" he asked.
Shantae looked down at her knees, "What if. They don't pick me. What if, I'm not good enough to join?"
Shovel Knight saw a tear fall from her eye and clenched his fist, "If they won't accept you," he unsheathed his shovel, "Then they won't have me either."
Shantae felt the shovel in her hands, "You mean-
"I do, Shantae. All or nothing!" he proclaimed.
Shantae looked at the shovel blade and back the eponymous knight. She couldn't see his face, but she was sure he was smiling the brightest smile ever.
Why not return the favor with a smile of her own?
"Shantae?" the short Japanese man called out for her.
Shantae handed Shovel Knight his shovel, "I have to go! Thanks for your help!"
"No problem, m'lady!" Shovel Knight sat down in his seat next to the Squid girl.
"You wouldn't happen to know a Treasure Knight, would you?"
A/N if you guys aren't voting for Shovel Knight and Shantae for Smash... I'll be judging you