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Super Smash Bros: Origins

Chapter 20: Final Destination Part 2

The battlefield was eerily silent. The Super Smash Bros couldn't help but stare dumbstruck at Sasha, who was sobbing into her hands.

"Sasha?" mumbled Luigi; his voice slightly quivering. "Is it true? Are the two of you…?"

He didn't need to finish his sentence. He didn't even need an answer. Sasha's tears were more than enough.

"You've been lying to us this whole time?" asked Samus. The goddess didn't reply. "Is this all a set-up? Some sick joke of yours, is it? Just some pigs for the god damn slaughter?" The bounty huntress' words struck hard.

"No! It wasn't meant to… I… I'm sorry!" Sasha continued to weep, her entire body shaking. Nobody said a word or even moved a muscle. Nobody tried to console the grieving woman. They all just stared, unsure of what to do.

Link's fists tensed. Fox bit down on his tongue to stop himself from screaming. Ness' eyes flickered as if he was trying to think of an idea. DK shook his head, like he was trying to wake himself up. Everybody was either crestfallen or on the verge of tears themselves.

This entire fight, them learning about their destiny, it happened so fast and ended just as quickly. They were at Master Hand's mercy. They would never see their loved ones again.

Mario and Luigi shared a glance, both thinking about the princess who would never know what happened to her heroes. Link's last thoughts were about the woman he admired. Kirby bit his lip as images of his home flashed in his mind and Yoshi shed tears as he thought about his island and his fellow Yoshis that he would never see again. DK shut his eyes and pictured his own family, a single tear trickling down his cheek. Fox did the same, wondering if his team would be alright without him. Samus had no close friends, but she was sad now she was going to lose her first ones. Ness remembered his close friends; Paula, Jeff, Poo and his own mother, who would never see her son again. Falcon held on to his thoughts of the race track and the dynamic rush he felt when cruising along, while Jigglypuff simply stared at the ground, trying to hold back the tears. She may not have understood the concept of marriage but she knew that it was all over.

"I can see you have all accepted your defeat at my hand" the floating glove chuckled. "If you surrender now and swear obedience, I won't harm you anymore and treat you all with the best of care. I don't want my star fighters to have poor living conditions."

There was another pause. The silence was almost suffocating.

…

"No."

Everyone turned and, to their shock, Pikachu had stepped forward.

"No?" the hand repeated.

"What, did you turn deaf? I said NO!" cried Pikachu, with such determination it made everyone else jump. "I don't know what a 'wife' is, but that doesn't mean we should give up! I've never saved a princess or fought a dragon or even just helped a person. But I've learnt that a hero only needs two things: a heart of gold and the will to never give up, no matter how bleak the outcome may be!"

Kirby's eyes widened before a proud smile appeared on his face as Pikachu continued. "And right now, the outcome is looking pretty bleak, but it doesn't matter! I don't know about the rest of you but I'm not going to be this guy's toy for all of eternity, and I'm sure as hell not gonna let anyone else be. I don't care if my brain is telling me this is stupid and I'm probably going to die but my heart is telling me to fight and to kick this guy's ass back to when the universe didn't exist!"

Master Hand began to giggle again but he soon shut up when Link joined him.

"You're right, Pikachu" he said. "We've never given up before, so why should we start now? Even if we end up failing, it's better to die trying!"

Suddenly, the situation had changed. Hope was brought back to the Smash Bros. Everyone shared similar looks; looks of conviction, determination and a desire to keep on fighting. Both gods stared at them; Master Hand with shock and Sasha with amazement.

"You… want to keep fighting?" asked Sasha. "Even after everything you've been told?"

"Right now, it doesn't matter if you're with him or not," Falcon told her, "All we care about is that this guy gets what's coming to him and that we get to be the ones to do it."

Everyone nodded with agreement; eyes burning intensely. Sasha's eyes began to dry as her heroes stood up to Master Hand.

"One thing you need to know, Sasha" explained Mario. "We didn't agree to fight this guy because we were some destined heroes. We didn't decide to do all our good deeds in our own worlds because we were the chosen ones or anything like that. We fight not because we HAVE to, but because we WANT to and now, we want to defeat Master Hand and save this universe from him!"

Master Hand stared at them all. "Quite admirable words. Pointless but admirable. I had hoped I wouldn't have to do this but sadly, we can't have everything."

The evil hand reeled back and formed into a fist before charging at the group. The heroes stood their ground and readied for battle.

"Die, you pathetic fools!" screamed Master Hand. Suddenly, before he could hit them, he bounced back, as if he hit an invisible wall.

"What the hell was that?"

The hand got his answer when he saw Sasha standing beside them, one arm raised and her hand open in front of her. She now possessed the same look as the Smash Bros.

"Sasha? What are you…?"

"I'm doing what I should have done long ago!" declared Sasha. "I've always wanted to stop you but I could never bring myself to do it. It was because I was family and I felt it my moral obligation to stick by your side. But just because you are family does not mean that I agree with your actions. I have been hiding in fear from losing your love of me. But in the end, these twelve extraordinary people have shown me the truth; to be individualistic and to follow your heart."

The hand growled before letting out an earth-shattering yell. "Betray me as well, will you? Fine! You'll die alongside them!"

The crazed god began to repeatedly smash himself into the barrier; a flash of gold erupting with every hit.

"I can't hold him off forever!" Sasha informed the others. "I'm going to try and create some distance. When I do, prepare yourselves!"

The heroes nodded as Sasha reeled back her arms and flung them outwards, creating a burst of energy that knocked Master Hand to the other side of the field.

"Now!"

Sasha proceeded to clasp her hands; her ethereal aura radiating. Suddenly, that same aura appeared around the Smashers.

"What's this?" asked DK.

"I feel stronger now" Fox pointed out.

"I've increased the amount of Smash Force that flows within you" explained Sasha. "I can't sustain it forever, but you should have enough to actually deal some real damage."

Mario gave her a thumbs-up. "Don't worry. We won't let you down."

Sasha gave them a smile of reassurance but it quickly vanished when Master Hand rocketed towards them.

"I will make your deaths slow and painful!" he roared.

"Oh shut up!" cried Jigglypuff in an exasperated tone. She then leapt into the air, floated over the hand, smacking him as she did.

"That was pathetic!" the hand cackled.

"It's also called a distraction!"

Master Hand was slow to react as Fox used his Fire Fox move to slam into him. This time, the god showed signs of pain.

"So what if you can hurt me? I'll destroy you all the same!"

The god attempted to grab Fox but the pilot back-flipped, firing his Blaster at him. Master Hand recoiled but charged at Fox who leapt to the side. As the hand turned, he was struck by a plethora of eggs, courtesy of Yoshi. Master Hand turned to face him but Pikachu jumped and latched onto the back of the hand and began to electrocute him. The hand tried shaking him off but the mouse kept a steady grip, leaving the god open to a bomb from Link. The explosion knocked the hand away; Pikachu having leapt off.

The disorientated god began to fire his finger lasers erratically, hoping to hit someone. Fortunately, the Smashers were prepared for this and weaved in and out of the lasers. Samus fired several Charge Shots from her cannon whilst Link accompanied her with his arrows. Master Hand fired two giant bullets towards them but Ness appeared in front of them, raising his PSI Magnet which absorbed the attack before launching a PK Thunder. As Master Hand tried to deal with the attack, DK had jumped behind him and slammed his fists down on the god, smashing him into the ground.

Master Hand quickly recovered and swiped at the ape who leaped over the attack and shot his foot down on one of the god's fingers. He let out a sharp cry of pain which gave Mario and Luigi time to run up and repeatedly punch him. Master Hand swung them away but Kirby and Falcon attacked from the other side; their rapid punches dealing damage to the glove. He turned to attack but Kirby leapt above him and came crashing down in his Stone form. The hand shook him off and smacked him and Falcon away.

Luigi came from behind, attacking with his Luigi Cyclone but the hand countered with his own drilling move that knocked the plumber back. Master Hand raised himself into the air, intent on crushing Luigi but Link and Samus used their Hookshot and Grapple Beam respectively to hold his thumb and little finger. With their new strength, they were able to keep a steady hold as the hand was left open to a combined Super Jump Punch from both Mario Bros.

Master Hand swung his fingers together, slamming Link and Samus into each other before firing two bullets that sent the group flying across the arena. Jigglypuff rolled past and shot herself upwards into the hand, who proceeded to grab her and throw her to the side. This left him open to a PK Flash from Ness. The god made a charge for the young child, but he casually flipped over the hand allowing DK to throw a strong right hook that sent Master Hand rolling to the side.

He quickly regained his composure in time to grab Yoshi's tongue, pulling the dinosaur towards him and smack him away. He then pointed out his index finger and started prodding at the advancing team of Fox, Pikachu and Falcon. Fox jumped over the attack and fired multiple blasts at the hand from above while Falcon slid underneath and shot his feet upwards. The hand made one last jab at Pikachu, which hit. However, the electric mouse shrugged the pain off and grabbed hold of the finger, sending courses of electricity through Master Hand's body. The vengeful god rocketed upwards, racing around the battlefield, smacking into the other heroes, in an attempt to shake him off. As Pikachu continued to hold on, Master Hand eventually shoved his finger into the ground, crushing the mouse, before choking the life out of him.

"It looks like my opinion on you was right. You do have potential. Which is why I'm going to squeeze every inch of it out of you!" the hand declared.

Before he had the chance to, Kirby whipped out his sword and performed Final Cutter on the god's knuckles, allowing Pikachu to wriggle free and fire one last Thunder Jolt at him. Master Hand lunged for the retreating pair but Samus fired a Charge Shot to keep him distracted. The god fired more bullets that landed around Samus, knocking her over. He flew above her and formed a fist before charging down. Fortunately, DK shoved her out of the way and grabbed the hand, struggling to keep him held up.

Link showed up and used his Spin Attack to cut into Master Hand's side, which was enough to weaken him and let the burly ape throw him away. As the hand spun through the air, unable to control himself, Yoshi acted as a footstool for Mario, who bounded up and latched onto him, throwing fireballs at close range. The hand was able to shake him off but Mario landed perfectly on the ground as Ness threw another PK Thunder at the god. Master Hand dived at the, taking the hit, and impacting with the ground, sending the two flying back.

Yoshi shot his tongue out, managing to grab hold of the hand this time, and propelling himself towards him. The god tried to knock him away, but Yoshi soared over and repeatedly kicked down, following it with a Yoshi Bomb. Master Hand used this moment to flip himself over and slam Yoshi into the ground beneath him. Kirby rushed to help, attacking with a flip kick but the god effortlessly swiped him away before firing another bullet. Fox rolled in front of Kirby and raised his Reflector, sending the bullet back and dealing more damage to the glove.

The weakened god was now unable to defend himself from Falcon, who had jumped on top of him and was throwing his fists down. The hand decided to use his drill attack, which sent the F-Zero pilot flying back but left him open to several eggs and bombs that were being thrown by Yoshi and Link. Master Hand broke out of his drill form to attack but was met with a Mario Tornado. The god shook him away but the attacks kept coming with Kirby and Samus spinning down with drill kicks. Master Hand faced them and shot finger lasers at the two of them. Kirby was hit but Samus twisted her body to avoid it, curling up and depositing bombs that blew up around the hand, obscuring his vision. When the smoke cleared, he received several punches from Luigi.

Master Hand fired a bullet which hit the green brother, sending him crashing back. DK charged ahead and attacked with his own spinning move. Surprisingly, the hand grabbed him mid-spin between this thumb and forefinger, before rapidly spinning round to throw him into Mario. He pulled himself back, intent on ramming into them as a fist but Ness released a PK Thunder. However, he aimed it at himself from behind. The psychic was turned into an electrified projectile which crashed into the hand, breaking him out of his fist form. The god grabbed Ness and tried crushing him but he was still struck by a PK Flash, forcing him to release Ness.

During this, Yoshi fluttered over the hand with Link riding on his back. He fired several arrows at Master Hand who retaliated with several finger lasers that missed. This, however, was just another distraction as Pikachu ran under him and called down a bolt of lightning. The hand let out a cry of pain; Pikachu moving out of the way as Master Hand crashed into the ground below him.

"Not so tough now, are you?" the yellow mouse laughed. This only enraged the god even further as the Smashers gathered round.

"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT! I WILL REDUCE YOU ALL TO ASHES!"

Master Hand formed a gun pose and began charging up the same cyan laser from before.

"Oh no you don't!"

Falcon was sprinting from behind; his movements almost a blur, before leaping into the air. The god turned around, taken aback by the approaching hero, whose fist was beginning to glow.

"Falcon… PUNCH!"

The attack collided with the charging laser, resulting in an almighty explosion that sent cracks throughout Final Destination. The heroes shielded themselves from it, seeing only smoke where the two once were.

"Falcon?" Jigglypuff called out; a hint of worry in her voice.

A moment passed before a wounded Falcon emerged. He almost collapsed to the floor but Luigi and Samus rushed forward to grab him.

"You idiot! You almost had us worried!" scolded Samus.

"Does that mean you're still up for that date?" asked Falcon. Samus sighed in exasperation but a small smile appeared on her lips.

"That was one impressive move there" complimented DK. "You sure showed him."

"Not quite" Yoshi told them, staring intensely at the smoke. "I can still smell him."

And just as he said, the smoke parted to reveal Master Hand; still alive. But to the shock of the others, he was on the ground, struggling to push himself up. Like them, he was exhausted from the battle, unable to go on. But what shocked them most was his constant laughing.

"Ha…hah…heh, you were all impressive" he complimented, "This has been the most excitement I've had in years! But it's still futile!"

"Futile?" repeated Fox. "Face it, you're beat. It's over."

"OVER?" the hand screamed, "IT'S NEVER OVER FOR A GOD! You can't keep fighting forever. That extra Smash Force will have worn off by now, and though I am weak, I will heal soon. And then, I'll come after each and every one of you and make you suffer! I will rip you, tear you, and cause unbelievable pain. Because at the end of the day, YOU are mere mortals! I AM INVINCIBLE!"

"Almost invincible."

Sasha joined the heroes and stared down at Master Hand. Her eyes seemed to burn bright with determination, but a hint of sadness could still be seen.

"True" replied Master Hand, "Only an Ancient can kill an Ancient, but as we all know, you don't have what it takes! You've never had it! You don't have the guts!"

Sasha didn't falter. "You're right. I can't kill you. But I can do the next best thing." With this, she stretched her arm out and opened her palm outwards. Suddenly, there was a 'vwoosh' sound. The Smashers stared in amazement as some kind of void opened up in the distance. It shuddered and distorted, as if it wasn't really there. White noise seemed to emerge from it, which sent a chill down their spines. But only one of them was truly terrified of it.

"No… NO! YOU CAN'T!" Master Hand bawled. He dug his fingers into the ground as the void pulled him towards it. "Please! Sasha! I can change! We can work something out! We can start over! DON'T ABANDON ME! YOU'RE MY PARTNER, MY SOUL MATE, ETERNAL LOVERS! REMEMBER?"

Sasha kept a stony look. "No, Mestra" she muttered. "I am no longer your partner, your soul mate or your lover. It's over."

And with that, Master Hand let out an ungodly cry of pain and hatred; a cry that resonated through the entire universe, before being sucked into the void, which instantly shut.

Everyone stood completely still; unsure of what had happened, until Sasha spoke.

"He's gone. He's really gone."

And with that, the goddess fell to her knees and cried. A flood of golden tears fell from her eyes. This time, however, the Smashers knew what to do. They approached her and held her close, allowing her to release all her suffering onto them. For it was truly over.