Chapter 4: The Newcomer and Training
Yay my updating streak is still going! In this chapter we will find out who the last Smasher to arrive is, prepare for the tournament, and see some more of Jerry's antics. I'm excited, are you excited? Well, if not, then you should be because I want you to!
"Man, the Gym sure is huge!" Jay said as he looked around. Indeed, the place was huge. Being the largest room in the mansion, it had a bare concrete floor, grey walls, and, like many of the other rooms, a very high ceiling. Scattered about inside was various exercise equipment, ranging from dumbbells, to treadmills, to big padded cushions for softening blows when hitting the ground during one-on-one training. One particular set of items of peculiarity was the Sandbags, which look like their namesake, except they two big black eyes on one side. Jay wasn't sure if they were alive or not, but considering all the other bizarre occurrences the teen had seen recently, he just dismissed the notion. But the strangest thing was a large glass box with metal framing and door set into the back left corner of the Gym. Zelda said it was a special training area called the Ability Chamber, specifically built for Smashers to practice their individual abilities that wouldn't normally work, or be safe to use, inside the mansion.
"You're telling me!" Pit said as he looked from one end of the expansive room to the other. "This place practically dwarfs the cafeteria!"
All the Smashers at this point have gathered in the Gym, awaiting Master Hand to tell them the schedule for the week. It was Sunday, 7:00AM, and those who didn't sleep well the previous night were inevitably grumbling and mumbling. Right on time, Master Hand arrived, floating in and "standing" in front of the crowd. "Good morning to all. Before I give out the schedule, I have an important announcement to make."
"Ugh, what now?" Bowser grumbled to himself.
"Come on, can't we just get going to the stupid training?" Wolf said under his breath.
"Those of you who have been here before for the Melee tournament remember that a few of the previous competitors have not returned this year due to their own individual reasons, including the second place champion five years ago."
Marth had a sad look on his face. "Yeah, my best friend."
"But it would seem that there was an error in the paper work, and one of them actually was meant to return this year but had his papers mixed up with those who were leaving at the end of the Melee tournament. But I have managed to send him an invitation at the last minute, and he arrived very early this morning. So if you will all give him a warm welcome, here is Roy Pherae!"
There was a round of applause as a teenage swordsman with fiery red hair with an intricately designed blue headband, a purple cape, bright blue tunic with chest and shoulder armor with yellow borders, white tights and matching blue boots walked in from behind the Gym door.
Jay asked Link who Roy was and several other newcomer Smashers, including Pit and Ike, leaned in to hear what the Hylian had to say. "He's from the same world that Marth and Ike are from, but during a different time like Ike is. In the Melee tournament he came in second place, just barely losing to Marth, the champion. They were actually very close friends as I remember, even after the tournament."
As if to prove the elf's point, Marth shoved his way through the crowd, happily giving Roy a heartfelt hug once reaching him, showing that their friendship didn't diminish in the slightest.
"I recall Marth mentioning something about Roy last night before we started playing chess. He sure looks happy to see him." Ike said with a smile.
After the two swordsmen finished their reunion, Master Hand made one last announcement. "The Brawl schedule is available on the whiteboard next to the Smash System's door; please view it to find out your placements. That will be all for now."
After the flying glove left, the Smashers started going their separate ways within the massive Gym, some going on treadmills and stair simulators, other punching Sandbags, quite a few sparring with each other on the floor mats, and some to the Ability Chamber. Jay himself decided to try out the Ability Chamber first; since he didn't use his powers much it made sense to hone his vegetation controlling prowess. Since only one Smasher was allowed in the box at a time, Jay got in the line behind Roy. Since it looked like it would be a while before he got his turn, the teen tapped on the redhead's shoulder to start a conversation. "Hi Roy, I'm a friend of Marth, my names Jay."
Roy turned around to see the other teenager put out his hand out for a shake. Smiling, he accepted the greeting. "Nice to meet you Jay! What kind of place are you from?"
Jay frowned ever so slightly at this question. "I guess you can say I live in the middle of a crop field. My dad's a scientist who works on genetic experiments, so he needs an isolated place to conduct his projects." With a shrug of his shoulders, he added, "So I guess you can say this is the biggest adventure I had my whole life!"
"A scientist eh? I learned about them when I last came here. My world is more what you may call, "medieval" so to speak." Tilting his head to one said, Roy added, "So what skills and abilities do you have?"
Jay was rather unsure how to answer the redhead's question. "Um, I'll show you once I'm inside the Ability Chamber… But I do have a partner that you'll see when we have breakfast, at least, he's a partner to me anyways."
Roy laughed a little, even though he didn't understand exactly what Jay meant. "Oh look, it's my turn."
Within minutes Jay was amazed by the graceful yet aggressive movements Roy preformed on the Sandbag in the glass box. It's a good thing the glass was endowed by Master Hand's magic, otherwise it might have melted from the fierce flames that burst from the redhead's sword as he hacked and slashed at the plastic-filled sack. But yet, no matter how many times he hit the item, it never tore, burned, or even smoked.
After several minutes of impressive swordsmanship, Roy stepped out of the Ability Chamber. "Alright, let's see how you do."
"Oh, is Jay going to try out the Ability Chamber?" It was Pit, closely followed by Ike, Link, Zelda, Peach, and Marth. "We'd like to watch!"
"Uh, okay…" Walking into the box, Jay wondered how this would work. After all, he needed at least a few plant seeds to use his powers. Before deciding to run out to grab some, Jay looked down and noticed a small pile of vine pods appear out of thin air. Smiling, he bent down and took them in his hand. "Now, let's see what it takes to make this Sandbag fly." Channeling his strength, the seed pods suddenly exploded into mature vines that formed a protective shield over the teen as he crouched down. Hearing a smacking sound, he put down the dome to see the Sandbag lying several feet away from where it once stood. Throwing his hand forward, a group of vines shot towards the unfortunate item, wrapping around it as he commanded the greenery to throw the Sandbag around before tossing it to the back wall like an extended arm.
Since he was the last in line, Jay spent almost an hour attacking the Sandbag, getting a feel for his sparingly used powers. Finally coming out panting, Roy patted him on the back. "Well done! But it seems like something was missing."
"I know; it felt like I need to hold onto something rather then throw my hands around in the air." Jay said while waving his arms for emphasis,
"Maybe you need a sword?" Link offered.
"I don't think that would be the best idea, what if I accidently cut something while I'm swinging it around? And besides, I've never had any experience with such weapons." Jay said solemnly.
"Hey, how about a wooden staff of some kind?" Zelda chimed in.
"It would certainly fit in with your fighting style." Marth added.
"You should paint it pink! Pink is the best!"
Ike gave the mushroom princess an annoyed look. "Peach, not everyone likes pink as much as you do."
"Well why not? Pink is the best color ever! All girls like pink, so why don't guys like it?" Peach huffed, stamping her foot in irritation.
"But I'm a girl and pink isn't my favorite color." Zelda said while crossing her arms.
The other princess stared at her in shock. "You don't like pink!? Zelly, how could you!?"
Before the conversation could get anymore heated, Olimar called out just before exiting the door. "Um guys, everyone else has already left for breakfast, so I suggest you hurry before it's all gone!"
"Oh goody, breakfast!" Peach said as she skipped out of the Gym, all anger gone.
"Man, thank goodness that's over." Zelda breathed.
While everyone else headed for the cafeteria, Jay and Pit headed for their dorm where Brazil, Jerry, and Larry were staying. "I hope Jerry didn't eat anything while he was left alone."
"Haha, yeah that wouldn't be very good would it?" Pit said with a playful smirk.
Walking into the dorm, Jay was happy to find that there was no bite marks on anything. Grabbing Brazil's stand while Pit carried the Pikmin and Bulbmin, the nature controller, angel, and pet trio quickly walked to the cafeteria.
Finding a large table shared by Olimar, Marth, Roy, and Ike, the two quickly filled up their trays with sausage, syrup-covered pancakes, fruit cups, and orange juice.
"Ah, now that hits the spot." Ike announced as Jay and Pit sat down.
"Ugh, why must you eat so much meat?" Marth said while turning his nose up at the mercenary's plate, which was made up of 10% pancakes and 90% sausage.
"But Marth, I eat quite a bit of meat myself, and you've never said anything about it." Roy questioned.
The Altean Prince turned to his redheaded friend. "That may be true, but you don't eat as much, plus at least you have some manners, unlike Mr. Pig over here." He said while jabbing his thumb at Ike, who was literally stuffing his face.
"Hey, it's not my fault that I'm not royalty. In the wilderness, I couldn't afford to have such things as manners!" Ike said in his defense while attempting to whip his chin of sticky syrup.
"Well, one thing is for sure, none of us are as messy as these guys!" Jay laughed while pointing at the mismatched trio, with Brazil dropping apple slices down to his buddies while grabbing some more for himself from his cup holder placed on the stand.
"And to think, he's like a brother to me…"
Roy about bulged his eyes out. "You mean to tell me that that bird is your "partner"?"
Jay just shrugged. "Well, in a way yes. My whole life I pretty much lived alone since my mom died at my birth, and my dad can be away months at a time, so when he came along a few years ago, he became the closest thing to a sibling I've known. I did have a human friend very briefly, but he disappeared one day; I haven't seen him since."
"Hmm, sorta reminds me of the Laguz." Ike said to himself.
"Don't worry Jay; you aren't alone in that respect." Olimar spoke up. "When I crash landed on the Pikmin planet for a month, the Pikmin were all I had to talk to. I even started giving them names…" the Hocotatian chuckled.
Meanwhile, Jerry was getting tired of eating nothing but apple scraps, so he started to explore the other tables. With Larry and Brazil following close behind, it was inevitable as to what was going to happen. Reaching one table, they found a mound of pancakes and sausages just within reach.
"Mmm mm! I tell ya Wario, this stuff is the best!" King Dedede said while shoving another forkful into his mouth.
Wario then froze mid-bite "De-De-Dedede, look!"
Flying just above the duo, Brazil scanned the table. "Don't. Move. A muscle." Dedede said fearfully, for he remembered what the parrot was capable of when angered. Then an idea occurred to him. Grabbing a grape, he waved in front of the avian. "Hey little guy, you want this? Go fetch!" With that, he threw the fruit across the room, the parrot flying after it. Thinking they were safe, the penguin and his portly friend continued eating.
"Hey, where did my plate of sausage go?" Wario questioned angrily. Glancing to the floor, he saw Jerry inhaling them three at a time, with Larry messily eating them hotdog style. "That's mine! Give it back!" But by the time he reached the plate, everything was gone. In fact, there was even a bite hole in the dish's side. While he was studying the plate in amazement, the Bulbmin swiftly ran under the table, jumping up on the other side to grab Dedede's pancakes.
"Oh no you don't you little monster!" the penguin king cried as he engaged in a tug of war. Within seconds, the plate went flying, landing straight on top of Wolf's head, who was sitting at the next table over.
The vulpine turned around slowly, his face filled with rage. "That's it, play time's over penguin!"
"And that is how I won the tournament." Marth finished.
Within seconds, Sonic let out a battle cry that rang through the room. "FOOD FIGHT!"
Everyone at the table sunk into their chairs. "Not again…"
That's right, ROY IS BACK! He never should have left in the first place… If he doesn't actually come back in the next game, Nintendo is gonna get a VERY nasty letter! Okay, now that that rant is over, it looks like tension is starting to build between the two troublemaking groups of the mansion. Of course we all know where such a thing is going to lead to, hilarious chaos! And we'll finally get to see some actual Brawls soon, hurray! Well, that's all for now. This has been WingedFish, see you next time!