Welcome! This will be a longer chapter than I normally do. In this chapter they get to the Super Smash Bro's world but before they get there they run into a roadblock. What delays them? Read to find out. There's also a grim reveal here too.
Disclaimer: I only own my ocs.
Chapter 10: Come Down
Hollow Bastion
"With this payment you have 300,000 munny remaining. Don't worry about interest. After the help you gave in the invasion they decided that you didn't have to pay for that." Scrooge says pocketing the munny that Zane gave him. Zane nods "Yeah I've got a possible fortune in the waiting if I play my cards right."
Scrooge chuckles saying "You remind me of myself when I was amassing my fortune." He has a far off look. "You should have seen the Money Bin. Too bad it's lost with my world. If you find it let me know." Zane laughs "No problem. I'm still looking for my world if it's possible."
As Zane walked off Scrooge wondered if he should tell him of the old legend that predated the keyblade war.
The Moogle floated to Aqua as Zane approached her. "Repairs are done thank you for choosing ours services." Aqua puts on the armor piece. "Ready to go?" Zane asked as Aqua activates her armor and off they go.
Deep Space
three hours later
Zane hit the brakes and Aqua flow over to him on her Keyblade Glider. "Are you seeing this?" Zane asks staring at the ruined gummiships that drifted among asteroids. "This is the right way, right?" Zane nods and they enter the gummiship graveyard as a something big stalks them from it's depths.
Gummiship graveyard(I made this location up.)
3 hours later
"On one hand, there is a ton of loot. On the other hand there is no bodies, which is weird. What worries me is that all the ships were destroyed the same way. Blunt force trauma and heat damage." Zane says as he points to the dented and melted gummi ships.
Aqua looks up and blasts a Gummi Copter (a heartless that look like a helicopter). Zane frowns "That couldn't have been responsible for this." He pales as dozens of Gummi Copter come out of the woodwork. "Ok maybe they are."
Despite their numbers the heartless were wiped out with little difficulty. "Is it just me or did you see that shadow?" Zane asks Aqua as they rested and grabbed the loot. "No I think that they are the scouts or at least the front liners." Aqua says downing a hi potion.
The objects around them are batted away as a giant purple dog like gummi ship comes into view. It was known as the Gummi Hound. "Is that a heartless ship?" Aqua says when she sees heartless in the cockpits on the paws and head. "That has to be the thing that attacked the ships. We better take it out." Zane readies his weapon.
They strike hard and fast. Striking joints and the cockpits as it swung at them. It began spitting out car sized fireballs at them as it started to spark. Zane lands next to Aqua and they meet eyes. Nodding they use gravity to sandwich the hound between two massive asteroids. It explodes as gummi blocks fly everywhere.
"I think that we've got one last gummi ship wreck to check." They enter the gummi ship and find a large chest floating in the back of the ship. "And the jackpot is...blueprints?" Zane says. Indeed it was filled to the brim with blueprints. Zane unrolls one. "Looks to be plans for a gummi ship. One made of more weapons than anything else. Clearly it was designed by someone that didn't plan to get hit at all." He rolls it back up and puts the blue prints away for Cid to look at.
As they leave the graveyard, Aqua asks "how long do you think the heartless have been there? The sheer number of gummi ships in the area point to the fact it's been here for decades at least." Zane nods "I found a ships log that talks about the Master of Masters. I'm betting it's from before the Keyblade war at least."
Aqua asks "How many ships logs did you find?" "About 286 give or take. Mainly from the older ships. " Zane says after doing the math.
Smash world
2 hours later
Consulting the map, Zane looked at the world. It was more like a rift leading to many worlds connected and at the center was a grand mansion. "This is the place. Ladies first." He says putting the map away and letting Aqua go in first.
As they land at the mansion they saw that it was a mega mansion(Has to be at least 20,000 square feet.). Zane knocks on the door. "state your name and reason for being here" the intercom states crackling to life. "I'm Master Zane. I was invited. Here's the letter." He hold up the letter to the camera.
The intercom goes silent for five minutes then the door opens. "Well get in here." a fat penguin says "My name is King Dedede and I'm to take you to the boss. So don't lag behind." They walk up stairs and make several turns as they pass by interesting people that Zane knew. Pikachu, Mario, Mewtwo, the Ice climbers and a cardboard box that Snake had to be under just to name a few.
"here we are." King Dedede opens the door and shoves them in before walking off mumbling about how the kitchen was too far off in his opinion. "Welcome!" a giant gloved right hand says "BROTHER! Is this the next combatant for roster?" A left hand that looked like the first interrupted as it's fingers moved erratically. The Right hand knocked the second hand out of the room and closed the door.
"Sorry about that. I am Master Hand. That was my brother Crazy Hand. Sometimes I wonder if he's adopted." He shuffles some papers "You have your opening match in three days. Meet the others and maybe you can get some info on your possible opponent. Before I forget, read this rule book and don't lose it." Master Hand tosses Zane a leather bound book with the same emblem that was on the letter embossed on the front.
Zane bows and they leave the office. Crazy Hand was no where in sight when they left and they had no idea where to go so they picked a hallway and walked it.
Ten minutes later
"HI!" A pink blob said waving at them. Zane waved back and asked "Kirby could you helps us find a place to rest our feet?" Kirby tilts his head adorably before grinning and dragged them off.
Smash Mansion
The kitchens
Kirby sat them down on stools next to King Dedede, who was stuffing his face currently. Kirby puts on a chef's hat and gets to work. With a flurry of moves, Kirby places a pair of tuna subs in front of them and a bowl of ice cream off to the side. "GE KA!" Cactuar cries happily as it jumps out of Zane's bag and grabs the bowl of ice cream.
King Dedede starts to choke on the turkey leg and coughs as he dislodges it. "Don't do that when I'm eating you plant!" He warns brandishing his hammer. The cactuar just blows a raspberry and starts to eat. Grumbling Dedede resumes eating.
The subs were great. "Thanks Kirby." Aqua says and Zane was too busy eating to talk. Kirby beamed and started to cook more food as more people entered. Pit walked in with Lady Palutena, Viridi and Dark Pit joining him.
"Well this is interesting. Hello plant." Viridi says looking at the Cactuar. The cactuar makes sounds and she nods looking at Zane and Aqua "Yeah they are perfect together, not that I care about humans." She says off hand.
Aqua was talking to Lady Palutena about things leaving Zane to greet the two Pits. "So. I'm Zane. And You are Pit and Dark Pit. How's the weather?" He says trying to get the conversation off the ground. "Not bad. The garden needs some watering but the sun wasn't to hot." Pit says. "Sure the weather's nice but I'm annoyed that we have to wait for some new fighter. Not you, someone else. We just got the eight inklings but the boss said there was at least one more. Hope he or she's not as ditsy as Daisy is." Dark Pit says crossly polishing off a dozen apples loudly.
"Really? That's news to me. How big is this place?" Zane asked "Lets see. There is 500 bedrooms, 100 bathrooms, several gardens, ten meeting rooms that can house a hundred people easily. There's more rooms but I can't remember them all. That better than what Pit remembers." Dark Pit says "HEY!" "Just last week he got so lost we didn't find him for three days. He somehow found an unknown shortcut to basement and was locked down there. Only reason he was found was because it was laundry day."
Zane and Dark Pit laugh and Pit looks annoyed. "Um where did the cactus go?" Pit asks. "Don't worry Cactuar knows not to get in trouble." Zane says off hand.
With Cactuar
Cactuar had an indoor track field where Sonic was talking to Tails. The Cactuar zooms over to Sonic and whistles a challenge. "Sonic. You know what Master Hand said. 'No going full speed in the mansion'" Tails warned. "Relax Tails. This will be a breeze." They get ready at the starting line and run as Tails said "On your mark. Get set. GO!"
Despite Cactuar's speed being high, Sonic was still faster. The race was over in moment. Cactuar pouted with crossed arms. "Sonic. Give some encouragement. Even if you won show some sportsmanship." Tails told Sonic seeing the Cactuar's expression. Sighing Sonic said "You did pretty good. Your are the fastest plant I've ever race." Cactuar whooped with joy and ran off. "That is one weird plant." Sonic says shaking his head.
10 minutes later
Cactuar zooms past room after room before coming to a stop at a training room where a spiky haired man with a giant sword was slicing up punching bags and a dark skinned man was coaching a boxer. Cactaur watches the boxer intently.
Seeing a punching bag, Cactuar tries to punch it but gets sent flying as it swings back. The coach laughs "would you look at that! Even Plants are trying to box!" Cactuar angrily cries out shaking an arm at the punching bag. The coach says "Plant! If you want I can give you some pointers." Little Mac looked at the Cactuar with interest.
Cloud looks and asks "What's a Cactuar doing here?" "Cactuar? Is that what is? Know anything else about them?" Doc, Little Mac's coach asks. Cloud nods saying softly. "They are fast and use needles to fight." Doc rubs his chin "I can work with that. So what do ya say?" Cactuar salutes and goes back to the bag. "The first thing to learn is how to throw a punch right and have a good stance."
Cloud goes back to his training with as amused smile. He'd have to tell Cid about this. Cid didn't like those creatures, so hearing about a boxing one would cause an amusing reaction.
Back with Zane
Zane was on a mission. What was that mission? To get autographs from everyone. He got lost quite quickly. "Where am I?" Zane said out loud to himself. "West wing third floor meditation room" A voice said behind Zane as he jumped. Whirling around he saw that it was the Wii Fit Trainer. "Hello. I'm Zane. I hope this isn't an odd question but would you sign this?" He offers up the autograph book and a pen.
She takes it and signs. "Lucario and Mewtwo are willing to sign if you ask, you know?" She says. "That'd be great!" Zane nods. They enter the room. The book and pen float and the pen writes itself before they float to Lucario who signs and goes back to meditation. "It's nice to meet you. we'll talk more when we aren't meditating" Mewtwo said in Zane head. Zane bowed and grabbed the book leaving the room.
A few turns and sets of stairs later
Zane entered a forested area as some pokemon relaxed in the shade. Zane cleared his throat and froze as Greninja appeared behind him. Swiftly Zane's book was signed and returned. Zane was pointed off to where the next person on his list was.
An hour later
Zane carefully knocked on the door. "WHAT? !" the door swung open and Bowser glared at him. "Um. Can I have your autograph?" Bowser blinks. He grabs the book signing it then throwing it back, slams the door in Zane's face.
"That was a close one." Bowser Jr says "Don't worry Dad's just in a bad mood because Mario and Luigi beat him in a timed match earlier today." Zane nodded understanding the statement. Bowser Jr had stolen the book 20 minutes ago and the returned it signed by him as his siblings after a game of tag.
"So. Is Gannondorf in a bad mood?" Zane asks. Bowser Jr thinks about it. "No he's in a good mood. He beat all three links, Zelda, Samus, Mewtwo, and Wii Fit Trainer in an eight way stock battle. He swept them with his final smash. It was fun to watch. So what names are you lacking?" Zane checks his list. "Sonic, Tails, Cloud, Little Mac, Ganondorf, Mr. Game and Watch, Samus, Megaman, Bayonetta, Peach, Daisy, Meta Knight, Snake, Ryu, and Wario." Zane shudders at the last name. Zane liked Wario but it was the smell he was shuddering from.
As if on cue, a wave of garlic hit them. "Someone say Wario?" Wario said forcing Zane and Bowser Jr to put on a gas mask. Wario just laughed at the sight. "Wario sign if you give Wario some coin." He says rubbing his fingers together greedily.
Zane rolled his eyes and handed over a fist sized ruby. Wario inspects it then signs the book. "Wario thanks you." He kisses the ruby and walks away. "why did you have a ruby that big on hand?" Bowser Jr asks "Found it in a ship graveyard." With starry eyes, The kid koopa asks "Was there a monster?" Zane chuckles and recounts the battle in the graveyard as Bowser Jr guides him to the next closest person on the list.
Bowser, who peeked out of his room after the greedy garlic gobbling fat man's smell entered his room, watched as his son walked away enjoying the story. Maybe the new guy wasn't so bad. He'd give him a chance but only because he entertained his son. Closing his door as he left his room, he walked to the bar. Rodin served good drinks.
20 minutes later
"Hey Sonic! Zane wants your autograph! Yours too Tails." Jr yells as they enter the track field. "Sure." Sonic zooms past Zane then back to Tails handing him the book. As Tails signs it Sonic asks "Do you know a fast plant? It shows promise but not enough to beat me." Zane sighs amused "Figures Cactuar would challenge you. Did you see where that troublemaker went?" Tails returned the book saying "No but I'm sure you'll run into each other."
a few hallways later they run into the walking shadow and blue bomber. "Hello. You new?" Megaman asks signing the book and Mr. Game and Watch does the same. Zane sheepishly says "Yeah. Got a match in three days, don't know who I'm up against." "Best of luck." Megaman says as they part ways.
As they turn the corner Snake puts Zane in a choke hold. "Who are you? !" Snake growls in his ear. Zane couldn't answer as Snake continued "The only records of you are very old. How are you here if you lived 30,000 years ago?" Zane breaks out of the choke hold. "What do you mean 30,000 year old records? I left my home world a year ago at most."
Snake handed him a data pad. "around 29,894 years ago the world was destroyed by unknown means. Later the fragments formed into worlds that came together to form Daybreak town, a world made of other worlds joined together.(This isn't cannon save for the fact that Daybreak Town is a vast world made of many worlds.) Then the keyblade war happened scattering the worlds again." Snake explained as Zane looked at a missing poster with his face on it and the age of the paper.
"That's impossible! How did I time travel so far forward?" Pausing he said "Unless. Yes more speed means time slows down for the object traveling compared everything else." "That true but you'd need to go quite fast." Snake says. "My Moped can go quite fast but I think that it was boosted the first time I used because it was much faster than when I used it again."
Snake took the data pad back and signs Zane's book. "Sorry about that. I don't like unknown elements in a mission." "No problem Snake." Zane sounded hollow as he realized that his world was gone. Snake whispered something to Bowser Jr and jumped into a vent. Jr guided Zane off to someone that would understand his current problem and help him.
25 minutes later
Zane sat down his tea. "What am I to do? I know I have things to find but finding my world was my main goal." Ryu and Meta Knight listen to him. "Perhaps you are going about it all wrong. You lost your old home but home is where the heart is. Is it not?" Ryu says sipping his tea calmly.
"the star warrior home world was destroyed in the war against Nightmare. Yet, like Kirby, I found a home in the kingdom of Dream Land. (this is cannon for the Kirby universe.)Just give life a chance and you may find a new place to call home if you haven't already." Meta Knight stated.
Zane sat there a thought about the adventures he's had and the people he's bonded with. Slowing a soft smile appeared on his face. "My mom always told me to branch out. I don't think she meant it like this." They chuckle. Ryu smirks "I think that you have a home with Aqua if I'm right about how you feel about her."
Zane sighs lovingly. "She is a wonderful person. Did you know she was the one that healed me up when I trained." Zane chuckles " the first few months were painful for me. After training each day I'd be carried to bed and she'd labor away with healing magic. I fear she drained herself dry each day" "Sounds like you got a good friend if she goes that far to heal you." Ryu comment.
With Aqua
Aqua sat a table in a garden enjoying a tea party with Peach, Daisy, and Rosalina. "I'm worried for Zane. He goes off and gets into so much trouble. Some times trouble actively finds him. With what you told me about some of the fighters here, I'm worried that he'll be attacked." Aqua confesses looking at her tea.
"Don't worry dear. In the rules it says that you can't fight or harm anyone unless it's in a match. No one has broken the rule yet but Master Hand says that Crazy Hand is the one to administer the punishment if it happens." Peach says.
"Indeed. Tell me, do you love him?" Rosalina asks already knowing the answer. Aqua smiles wistfully "Yes. I love him with all my heart. He's got his faults like his trouble magnetism but he'd stubborn in a good way. He kept on throwing himself into training even as Terra and I had to carry him to bed." They giggle at this. "I admit that I healed him every night out of kindness at first. But after some time it was because I didn't want to see him hurt. You know what I mean?" Aqua asks.
They nod at this. "I met him earlier today. He asked for autographs from me and Luma." The star creature in her laps smiled. Aqua giggled "That book is gonna be filled in no time. Any news about Cactuar? Looks like a walking cactus?" They pause and Daisy says "I think I saw it being coached about boxing with Little Mac and his trainer."
They start laughing and then they talk about random topics without a care in the world.
With Zane
Zane walked down the halls thinking about things when he almost ran into Ganondorf "I heard on the grape vine that an interesting fighter was asking for autographs. I'll help myself." Zane watches as Ganondorf signs the book and walks off whistling cheerfully. "He's in quite a good mood." He looks in the book and laughs because Ganondorf did a Hancock and signed much bigger than the Links, Zelda, and Midna did.
As he passes by the bar he sees some people he's looking for. So he enters. "welcome to the Gates of Hell. The finest bar you'll find." Rodin says polishing a glass. Bowser and Bayonetta look up from their drinks. "Well, do you plan to pay in gems?" Bayonetta asks amused. Zane sets down and orders a strawberry sunrise. "I did that because it was Wario. You know how he is." They snort that this. Wario's greed was as legendary as his love of smelly garlic.
Bowser hesitantly says "About earlier. You caught me in a bad mood and I'd like to give you another chance. Don't tell anyone I said that. It's mainly because you are 'cool' to my son. Keep telling him stories and playing tag and you'll stay on my good side." Zane nods and Bayonetta laughs "Well done. You got the Koopa King to give you a chance. That is quite a feat. So about the autographs." He wordlessly hands it over and she signs with a flourish and kisses it.
Zane sighs "That will be annoying to explain." "Why's that? Am I not good enough for you?" She asks teasingly passing the book for Rodin to sign. "Kid's got a girlfriend if my info is right. A blue hair lady will combat skills to match her beauty." Rodin says grinning Zane slams his head down groaning.
"Well. Treat her well, tough guy." Bayonetta says teasingly with an edge of steel. Zane sips his drink as she leaves the bar. "Is she always like that?" Rodin doesn't even hesitate to say "She's worse than this normally." Zane asks "I heard you can craft things." Rodin says "for a price. What do you need made?"
Zane looks and Bowser and Rodin and says "Don't tell anyone but I'd like some rings made. Engagement and wedding bands." Rodin smirks "Too easy. I can made those ring with ease. In fact I'll do it at a discounted price if you give me the materials."
Zane smiled that he explained some ideas he had for the ring with Bowser helping him by telling some things to avoid.
With Aqua
A few hours later.
Bayonetta had dropped by and told Aqua and the other tea party guests how he bribed Wario. "Why do they keep him around if he smells that bad?" Aqua asks confused. Daisy pulls out a gas mask. "He earned his place here so Master Hand gave everyone a mask when he's around. That and Crazy Hand randomly drops him in a vat of anti-smell perfume from time to time."
"By the way. Zane wants you ladies to help him with some thing. Aqua why don't we go check on the cactus boxer." Bayonetta says guiding Aqua away.
10 minutes later
Aqua reached the training room quickly and Bayonetta departed saying she had somethings to do. In the room she had to laugh because Cactuar looked adorable with shorts and red boxing gloves on. "You may laugh now but this cactus will be a trained boxed in no time!" Doc boasts proudly.
"sorry for laughing but I'm imagining what the opponents faces looked up when a foot tall cactus tkos them with an uppercut to the chin." This got Doc, Little Mac, and Cloud laughing. "that will be the day." He looks at the time. "There's a meeting in an hour. The new fighter will be revealed. Can't be late."
With Zane
As Zane walked to the meeting he ended up walking with Samus. "Hello there. Would it be rude if I asked from your autograph. You were the first person I wanted to get but I got side tracked." "sure. I have a bad feeling about the meeting." She says and signs the book. "An 'end of the world' Bad or a 'someone triggers the sprinkler system' Bad?" Zane asks.
" not as bad as end of the world but higher than the other one." She answers as they enter the meeting room
The Meeting Room
"Fighters it is time for the new comer to be revealed." Master Hand say and Samus freezes. Ridley enters the room and grins savagely at her. "We meet again." With a roar, Samus charges up her blaster. Zane deflects the chargeshot upward as Crazy Hand carries Samus to cool off before she harms someone. "That was expected." Master Hand says as the sprinklers drenches them.
"This will be a tense week." Master Hand says resigned. Zane catches up to Ridly. "What do you want, Lord of the Sky?" Ridley said with only the tiniest bit of respect. Taking a breath Zane asks "Would please sign this. As much as I dislike what you've done in life, I still respect you for your skills."
Ridley looks at him for a full minute before signing and stalking off to his room smugly. He had won this round against Samus. He couldn't kill her but beating her time and time again was a nice consolation prize.
Later that night
Zane and Aqua entered their room and saw there was only one bed. They crawled into bed and slept soundly knowing that they were safe here.
Unknown location
Zane was standing in a fog bound forest high up in the trees. There was pathways crisscrossing as they lead to the depths of the mist. "where is this?" Zane asks wondering if he was kidnapped. Two figures walks from the mist.
Zane stared. "how are you here? You're dead." Standing before him was his parents. Zane rushes over and hugs them. The return the hug and hold that moment for a few minutes. Breaking away from the hug they sit down on the giant knots that were big enough to be used as seats.
"You could say that this is a place where the living can meet the dead easier." His mother explained smiling sadly. Zane took that in as she continued "this place is not reachable by the body, only the soul. We waited many years. You disappeared off the face of the earth."
Zane looked away. "Yeah. That wasn't my plan after I stormed off a year prier. We fought over the fact I didn't plan to go to college like you wanted. You insisted that I go because I finished high school two years early, High Honors too." Zane said regretting the way they parted.
His father chuckled "I died because of heart disease three year before that. Better late than never but congrats son." He pats Zane on the back. He turns to his wife and says "You got to see the end of the world. I'm so jealous." His wife swots him upside the head. Zane just smiled nostalgically. They were like that all the time. His dad would make a comment to lighten the mood and get swotted for doing it at a bad time.
"I hear you found someone you want to marry?" His mother asks knowingly. Zane nods shyly "Too bad the family rings were lost. I would have given them to you for when you needed them. Before you ask how the world ended, It was a single moment. Everything vanished in a great flash of light coming from the earth. Who knows what happened afterwards." She said shrugging.
Zane leaned back "At least it was a quick death. I'm sorry for the grief I cause you." His mother shake her head. "Honey, if I let you vanishing stop me then I'd never been able to deal with your father's habit of getting lost for weeks and coming back with souvenirs from where ever he ended up."
His father pouted "Hey! It's not my fault that my looks get me kidnapped constantly." that earned him another swot. "before you wake we have a few more things to say. You have our blessing to marry her. And live your life. Don't let the past chain you down." As the mist starts to roll in she yells "I want grandbabies!"
Smash Mansion
The next morning
Zane shot up blushing. Why did parents have to embarrass their kids like that? He turns to see Aqua still asleep and looks at the time. Six o clock, not too early but he'd let her sleep in. He got out of bed and got dressed. Sneaking out of the room he noticed that Cactuar was not in the room. "must be training" He says under his breath as he head to the kitchen.
Smash Mansion
Kitchen
That was a few early raisers. Cloud, Ganondorf, and Mewtwo were still eating. The others were somewhere else or still sleeping. Kirby was cooking breakfast. "Hey guys." Zane say sitting down as Kirby gave him a full English breakfast.
"You seem lighter" Ganondorf says Zane shrugs "Would you believe me if I said my dead parents visited my dreams?" Ganondorf snorts "Kid. After dealing with the people here, the dead talking to you is tame. Anyways, I hope it was good visit."
"Yeah. They had somethings to clear up and give their ok to my plan." Bowser looks up at this. "Really? That's good. You going to do it later today?" He asks and Zane nods. Cloud and Ganondorf looked clueless but Mewtwo smirked knowingly.
Zane smiled as he ate. He had no idea what she'd say but he'd try.
Smash Mansion
Music Room
mid day
Aqua entered the music room and was guided to the front row of seats that were set up. The instruments were put away and a stage was set up with a piano ready to be played. As everyone was seated, Zane walked on stage in a tux. He sits down and begins to play and sing.
* listen to 'Wish my life away' by Laura Shigihara if you want*
Aqua was moved by the sad yet hopeful song. When Zane finish he bowed to the clapping crowd. He walked up to Aqua and said "We have known each other for only a few year but I feel like it's been eternity." He goes on one knee and opens a ring box saying "Will you take this ring as a promise to marry me one day?" Aqua yelled yes and throw her arms around him.
The fighters cheer loudly as Zane and Aqua share a passionate kiss.
Smash Mansion
garden area
an hour later
Aqua sat with Peach, Daisy, Rosalina and Luma having tea. She admired the engagement ring on her finger. It was a simple band of oricalcum with a tear drop shaped sapphire set in it. It was simple but elegant.
"He is so romantic." Peach says sighing. "Yeah, but where did he get the rings?" Daisy asked. "Looks like Rodin's work." Rosalina says inspecting it. "He normally does weapons but he leaves a maker's mark in his work" They look closely and spot a tiny 'r' with a halo hanging off it in the depths of the gem.
Aqua shakes her head. "He was acting odd today but I didn't pay any mind to it. I guess he surprised me good." They giggle and talk about this and that. In the shadows of the garden Bayonetta and Rodin were standing out of sight.
"Kid pulled it off good." Rodin says. Bayonetta leans in and asks "So what's your fee? You don't do things for free." Rodin chuckles "You know me well. It was a special request, so he owns me a favor or two." Bayonetta raises an eyebrow "That's all? Are you going soft?" Rodin shakes his head laughing "No but if the rumors are true he's got powerful allies." "oh. Like who?" "The fairy queen." Bayonetta laughs "He's both lucky and unlucky to have her as an ally."
Later that day
Master Hand's office
"What do you mean I'm testing to see if a boss is fair? !" Zane yelled as Master Hand just watched silently. "I learned tips and tricks how to beat the other fighters and it was pointless?" Master Handed this question "Not pointless in the long run. Think of the match as a type of hazing the newbie. You won't get killed and you get to show your stuff. By the way, your final smash has been approved."
Zane sighed and said "this will match will be recorded and kept to show off to the future, right?" "Naturally."
battlefield
The Next day
Zane looked at the battlefield. It was a wide area with some grass, rocks, and a pillar or two. In the background were mountains. Zane heard a roar as the dragon flew in low almost clipping him. It landed and roared a challenge. "A Rathalos? !" Zane stammered with a little dread.
The Rathalos was the flagship creature of Monster Hunter. It is a red wyvern that attacked with claws, teeth, and shot exploding fireballs. It preferred to attack from the air and it wasn't afraid to use it's tail.
In the stands
Aqua gripped the railing as she planned how to break Master Hand's non existent face if things go badly. King Dedede wisely leaned away as an aura of doom radiates from her. The railing starts to bend and groan as her grip tightened with each hit Zane takes.
"He'll win, right dad?" Bowser Jr asks his dad. Bowser, who doesn't take his eyes from the match, answers "He's going to fight to the end no matter what." Bowser Jr smiles at this and waves a flag the had Zane's symbol, a flaming guitar, on it.
Back to the match
Zane jumped as the beast flew in low again. It was an annoying beast yet fun because Zane had fought it in the games so many times. Now he got the chance to beat in real life, hopefully in one try. He was a 126% and the boss was a 45% health left. So he had to be careful.
The smash ball appeared and Zane grabbed it as the boss shot a trio of fireballs. "Time to return fire." Zane actived his final smash. He vanished from view and dived as a bird engulfed in a giant flaming bird silhouette. "GLORIOUS IMPACT!" He cried as he hit the boss. The explosion filled the battlefield for a few moments.
In the stands
just before the final smash
"Dad! He's going for it!" Bowser Jr said excitedly. The crowd watched in awe as the explosion almost blinded them. "SO cool! Even the name is cool!" Bowser Jr gushed. Bowser had to admit it had a nice ring to it.
Captain Falcon grinned and clapped as Zane shakily stood triumphantly over the out cold Rathalos. The rookie was good and had style. The crowd cheered as Zane grinned and played a guitar riff. Moments later Aqua gasps as Zane topples over out cold.
Captain Falcon laughs. The rookie had room to grow. If he was hearing Aqua's angry muttering right, the boss was in hot water. Aqua stomped off as everyone got out of her way. The railing she had been gripping looked like a misshapen pretzel.
3 hours later
Infirmary
Zane groaned waking up and found Master Hand in a full body(Or is it hand) cast on the bed to his left. "What happened to him?" He asked Bowser and his son who had a cart of gifts. Bowser chuckled "your girlfriend was not happy and let her displeasure known as painfully as possible. Crazy Hand for once did a smart thing and hid."
Zane winced as his bruises flared up when he moved. He blinked when Bowser Jr thrust a marker and photo of Zane's victory pose at him. "Please sign this! You were so cool. When you did your FS it was awesome! It was so hot, Crazy Hand popped popcorn from just the heat that reached the stands." He continued to gush about the match.
"Can't disappoint a fan. 'to my loyal fan. -Master Zane Lord of the Sky'" Zane handed it back to Bowser Jr hugged him and run off to show his siblings. "The kid's strong. Maybe someday he'll be stronger than you." Zane says jokingly as the pain subsides. Bowser with pride say "The day that happens I'll give him the throne. Here's a token of appreciation from me." He throws Zane a Bowser head Trinket. "It will let to call up my Elite Trio. They may not be the smartest but they are loyal."
Bowser walks off before Zane could thank him. "Well. That was fun. Oh Hello Aqua!" Zane says as Aqua runs to him and checks him over asking him what hurts. Master Hand shakes fearfully when Aqua glares at him. "Aqua, um, I'm sorry I pushed myself too hard again." Zane says sheepishly.
"don't be sorry. You were pitted in an unfavorable match. It's not your fault." Aqua says soothingly helping him into a wheelchair. "Where are we going?" Zane asked "To your victory party. Crazy Hand organized it to make up for the screw up." The way she said it Zane knew that it was a bribe so Aqua didn't beat him up too.
The next morning
The party was a wild one. Lots of drinking, music and food. None of the under age fighters were allowed the harder drinks but the highlight of the night was when the Squid sisters performed. Zane woke the next morning in bed with Aqua. Both of them were fully clothed thankfully.
He clutched his head. He hated hangovers. From what he remembered he drunk everyone under the table but he didn't remember anything after that.
The kitchen
Zane stumbled in and asked Kirby to whip up a cure. Zane downed the cure almost gagging. "Thanks" Doc, little mac's couch sits next to him. "I know your leaving soon but I have a request. I'd like for your cactus buddy to stay and finish training while you are off saving the worlds." Zane said "I'm guessing that Cactuar is ok with this? If so then go ahead. Cactuar's found a passion other than pranks at last. Who am I to take that away?"
Author's Note: This was a long one. Let's break down what happened here. Zane met everyone and gained allies friends and a fan. He fought a dragon, and learned a grim truth. Met his parents and Aqua went ballistic. The party has changed, Cactuar is training to be a boxer so they will be unavailable for now, but the Elite Trio from Mario And Luigi Dream Team is the next summon he got. And Zane purposed to Aqua. This isn't the last we've seen this world. The next world isn't decided yet but I have some ideas. See you next time! Ultima-Owner signing out!