Temple of Light
Kid Icarus dimension
While Skyworld's resistance forces were occupying the Subspace Army outside the temple, the strike force of Smashers had slipped through an opening and infiltrated the temple. Inside, more opposition awaited them.
Corrupted centurions had been tasked to defend the temple if an infiltration occurred, as they swooped down on the Smashers, letting their bowstrings loose. Pit still hesitated to strike down his former allies while Bowser snatched one and threw it into another centurion before grappling with a Juggernaut, a centurion that was basically all muscle.
A few hard punches brought the Juggernaut down, allowing the team to advance into the throne room, where their final challenge awaited them. As they poured into the throne room, an ominous presence filled the room: a feeling most fighters felt familiar.
"So…here we stand." Master Core spoke from the darkness before materializing in his swarmy humanoid form before them, purple light indicating eyes. "The greatest champions of the multiverse…and a supreme interdimensional being that has infinite power in the palms of his hands."
"We've faced greater threats than yourself." Chun-Li stated. "Warlords, tyrants, monsters, entire armies…even gods that have a greater power than you."
"There is NO ONE above me!" Master Core countered, clenching a fist. "Each of you have faced countless foes, stood victorious in hundreds of battles, but nothing…NOTHING has prepared you for me."
"Wanna bet?" Sonic asked cheekily with a grin. Mario stepped forward and adjusted his hat before getting into a stance.
"Savor these last moments, fools! I will make my mark on multiversal history and finish you ONCE AND FOR ALL!" Master Core bellowed, leaping into the air and slamming back down, cracking the throne room floor and scattering most of the Smashers.
Link and Sheik were the ones to directly engage first, charging in and hitting with a few strikes before darting away. Master Core telekinetically grabbed Sheik and flung her away before surrounding himself in a dark purple aura. Releasing it, a bunch of Swarm separated from him and buzzed around the room like insects before reforming themselves into clones of the Smashers: multiple Master Shadows. Each of them rushed off to engage their counterparts.
Sonic ran around the room with blazing speed, trading punches and kicks with his Master Shadow clone. Link and his clone engaged in a classic sword-and-shield duel. Bowser grappled with his counterpart, punching and headbutting each other until Bowser slammed into a wall, breaking off some chunks. Bayonetta and her clone traded bullets as they somersaulted across the room. Pit and Dark Pit fought back-to-back, blades clashing against blades. Mega Man blasted repeatedly at his counterpart, only for it to dash forward and strike the robot with its launched fist.
Mario dashed through the combatting crowd after kicking his clone in the torso and jumped high, engulfing his fist in fire. Master Core whirled around and surrounded his own fist in its purple aura, leaping up towards the plumber. Everything seemed to flow in slow-motion as the two flew towards each other. Finally, their fists collided in a shockwave of fire and Subspace, causing both of them to land and duke it out in a fast pace.
After a few exchanged blows from the leaping plumber, Master Core swatted Mario away before charging up both hands with Subspace energy. Having briefly stunned his clone with his fire breath, Bowser caught his archenemy with one hand before turning around, using his spiked shell to absorb the bright purple beams that Master Core unleashed at them. Setting Mario down, Bowser turned back around and roared in fury, his mouth sparking with flame.
"Admit it. You have no chance of victory." Master Core spoke, clearly not exhausted. "Your dimensions will soon be mine…and there will not be a single soul remaining to challenge my power!"
Chun-Li kicked her Master Shadow clone back before blasting it with a Kikoken. "We can't hold out much longer!" she yelled before her clone lunged at her, which she countered by throwing her into Link's clone, who was currently struggling in a clash.
"I'm afraid we must!" Bayonetta shouted back. "Defeating him is our only hope now!"