You're Too Slow!
A familiar blue blur rocketed through the stands and skidded to a halt at the podium. "C'mon, step it up!"
"Sonic!" cried Mario. "Are you ready to finish us off?"
"You bet!" replied Sonic, "but no more gloomy stories from this point. Let's go out on a high note, yeah?"
"I was just about to say that myself," said Luigi. "Hey, Sonic—you were the one who set the final battle into motion by slicing up Tabuu's wings. I'd like to take the time to say thank you for that."
"Aw, no big deal," said Sonic. "Besides, this day is about you, so let's focus on the role you played in that fight. And what a big role it was."
Murmurs of agreement.
"And now, the moment you've waited for," began Sonic. "Master Hand's questions on the Subspace debacle, finally answered…"
2008
"Oh, no you don't!" cried Sonic as he saw Tabuu pull up his wings to unleash his Off Waves.
The Blue Wonder acted immediately, performing his Spin Dash and making two deep slices into Tabuu's wings. The being doubled over, shrieking in agony.
Sonic made a safe landing and smirked at Tabuu, wagging his finger at him. "Sorry, pal. But these Smashers are off limits."
"Sonic!" the Smashers gasped as one.
"Where the heck have you been?" Mario wanted to know.
"A simple 'thank you' would suffice," retorted Sonic.
"Guys…" someone said in a warning tone.
The frenemies turned to see a dead serious-looking Luigi. "Let's not forget the big, bad, blue being who wants to take over the Smash World," he said, gesturing to Tabuu.
"Oh, okay. We'll talk later," Sonic promised Mario in a low undertone. "Now, let's kick some blue butt!"
But Tabuu had other ideas. Quickly, he conjured up a phalanx of subordinates and ordered them to attack the Smashers and leave no one alive. What they didn't count on was the Smashers meeting their charge head on.
"Let's stop this now!" Luigi powerfully commanded. "Charge!"
As the sides of good and evil engaged in their climactic, ultimate clash, Sonic continued to raze through enemy ranks with his Spin Dash. He also used his Homing Attack, Spring Jump and Spin Charge, all of which came from his awesome speed. The hedgehog's body was like lightning, landing fast kicks and punches.
"You're too slow!" he sang out from time to time, provoking the blindsided Subspace Army.
Sonic was eagerly partaking in the action when he heard Meta Knight call out, "Attention, todos! I need six volunteers to face certain death with me!"
"I'm in!" Sonic laughed to himself as he fought his way through the crowd to reach Meta Knight.
He saw his frenemy, Mario, enthusiastically volunteer his help. There was Kirby, snagging Marth (as well as the prince's Copy Ability) along the way. Fox had his Blaster at the ready, and Zero Suit Samus was also itching for his action. But before Sonic could call out to them, he heard a voice exclaim: "Over here!"
Luigi burst through the crowd, waving his green hat. Defeated and beaten Primids lay in his wake, and Sonic could tell that they'd put up a hard fight. The others looked surprised over his volunteering, which was understandable, given his personality. But the hedgehog couldn't take his eyes off of the green plumber talking heatedly with the masked puffball, gesturing and pointing a few times to Mario. Sonic got the message—if Mario was going up there, then so was Luigi.
"Once I manage to lay enough blows on that guy, he's ours," Luigi was saying.
Sonic smiled and fell back into the crowd. "On second thought—let's see what this man in green can do," he murmured.
Meta brandished Galaxia and led Mario, Kirby, Marth, Fox, ZSS and Luigi into Tabuu's lair to face off against a titan. Sonic, meanwhile, leaped into little skirmishes here and there, keeping the pressure off his comrades but otherwise sparing his energy. Tabuu spared nothing with the seven fighters up there, and there was no doubt that they'd need backup.
"Come on, step it up!" he jeered the enemy fighters as they fell to the remaining Smashers' efforts. He noticed Zelda and Peach exchange quick words before making their way up to Tabuu's lair. Ike cut a swath through the Primids with Ragnell and ran to help Marth. Lucario ventured forth with some others to heal their comrades as well as fight. Sonic caught Lucas and Ness in that crowd. After what had happened, they probably didn't want to be separated again.
Just as Sonic was about to lunge back into the thick of things, something caused him to stop and glance up. Smashers were on all sides of Tabuu, pounding him like a pancake. But the fighter up there exerting himself the most was Luigi.
Sonic had half-expected Luigi to hang back and let everyone else do the grunt work. But, nay. He was center stage, facing Tabuu man to man, slamming his powerful Smash attacks into him and jumping all over him, kicking and karate chopping. It was Luigi doing the most damage, making Tabuu wince the most with his prized side-B, which seemed to misfire more than usual. Whether or not this was intentional, Sonic would never know. If the heat got too much, he never surrendered. Instead, he let fly his green fireballs. His eyes flashed dangerously, and his mouth was open in a mighty shout as he unloaded on the malevolent being.
"Whoa," breathed Sonic.
Then, a Primid attacked him, and the Blue Wonder found himself back in the struggle against Tabuu's subordinates. Sonic once again fended them off with ease, but he spotted others in distress and ran to their aid. By the time he fought his way out to catch his breath, he'd lost sight of Luigi, and reinforcements were on their way up there.
That could only mean one thing—Luigi was hurt!
"Oh, my goodness!" yelled Sonic, bolting forward.
He saw the man in green then, struggling against Peach and Lucario to have another go at Tabuu. "I have to stop him!" he was yelling. "He's not hurting any more of my friends!"
Lucario calmed him down while Peach and Sheik treated his wounds. There were so many of them. Sonic watch Luigi lying there and saw the impatience and anxiety on his face as he bit his lip with contained energy. A light glow accentuated his suntanned skin. Lucario was bent over him, saying something about the Aura he was reading, as Luigi once again insisted that he was well enough to fight.
Just then, Sonic heard Mario scream and jerked his head in time to see him on the floor, bleeding heavily. He swung back around, noticing Luigi hopping to his feet, fists clenched, running full speed at Tabuu. "Now you've asked for it!" he screamed.
Reluctantly, Lucario, Sheik and Peach let him go and then jumped into the action themselves. Ike's head peered down from the small stage they were on, calling everyone else to arms. Sonic's gaze was now riveted on Luigi, screaming threats, dares and accusations at Tabuu as he drove his savage blows into him. But Tabuu took no pity on the man in green, ripping his wounds open as a child would rip the wrapping paper from a present. Still, Mario's little brother would not fall.
Speaking of Mario, Ike knelt beside him, replenishing his health with a homemade elixir. After brief converse between them, Luigi rushed over and shooed away the Radiant Hero while he comforted his older brother. Sonic overheard his low, determined voice as he vowed that Tabuu would lose, no questions asked.
"You're too slow!" taunted Sonic as he greeted Tabuu with his Homing Attack. By joining with the others, he hoped to get a closer look at the man in green.
"Hey, Sonic!"
The Blue Wonder turned. "Hey, L!"
"You came in the nick of time!" said Luigi. "We all thought we were done for. But—how come we didn't think of that sooner?"
"Beats me," Sonic shrugged.
"Okay, listen," said Luigi. "You weakened his Off Waves, but they're still pretty strong. As soon as you see his wings, that means he's charging them. Stop what you're doing and get ready to dodge. You will need to time your dodges perfectly."
"Dodge the Off Waves, got it," said Sonic.
Luigi wanted to say something else, but then, his blue eyes widened. "Watch out!" he warned.
Before Sonic could do anything, Luigi pushed him out of the way, taking the blow himself. Calmly, the plumber rose and propelled his fists into Tabuu. Sonic hopped back up and stared, amazed and envious that he could just withstand that forceful blow and then be back on his feet. Some of the wounded had regained their bearings and re-entered the skirmish so that Luigi wouldn't have to face Tabuu alone. But despite his wounds, Luigi seemed to be doing just fine, warning everyone when Tabuu was about to attack. He dodged those dreadful Off Waves so smoothly that it was like seeing him through a glassy pond. He'd yell cues whenever the energy rings were sent out. The Off Waves were still, in fact, quite powerful—they jostled Luigi's cap, blew back his bangs and rippled through his clothes and skin. They quite literally took his breath away; Sonic could hear his gasps from where he was holding his ground. After the waves had passed, Luigi would fix his cap and hair, breathe once or twice and look calm. He'd flash everyone a reassuring smile as he kept their opponent busy with fireballs, do a "head count" and ask if everyone was okay. Finally, he'd have his nerves back under control and pounce with his smashes, and it would all begin again.
There were times when Tabuu would teleport all over his lair, hoping to surprise a Smasher or two. Or, he'd spit out copies of himself or attack with blades, brackets, chains, lasers, energy bursts and even whips. Sonic was able to catch up with the big blue rascal, but Luigi was always there, too, shielding his comrades and taking the worst of the counterattacks so everyone else would at least still have a fighting chance.
"This isn't over yet, Tabuu!" the hedgehog heard the plumber shout at the top of his voice. "Not by a long shot!"
When Sonic saw Luigi stagger off somewhere, he grew mildly concerned. Surely, he wasn't giving up now? But then, he came dashing back, accompanied by R.O.B. The Blue Wonder was glad that Luigi had talked some sense into that robot. Moping around wasn't going to fix things, that's for sure. He taunted Tabuu about how some of his lackeys were now turning against him and mocked him over how he couldn't put down the "mutiny". Now that R.O.B. was in the mix, the tide of the battle really started turning.
The battle was arduous, long, painful and bloody. But as long as he lived, Sonic the Hedgehog would never forget the conclusion. Throughout the battlefield, Smashers once again lay strewn, now forced to tend to their own wounds. They were the bravest of warriors, but Tabuu's might was nothing to trifle with. He'd break them, and it appeared that he had accomplished this goal.
He was wrong.
A sole Smasher remained tall against him—Luigi, the last Smasher anyone would expect. Anyone who couldn't see inside his mind would assume that he'd just surrender or flee for his life at this point. He was aching, he was emotionally and physically exhausted, he was black, blue and bloody—and he had more fight in him than ever! He was definitely not broken! Sonic could spot little spasms of pain traveling up Luigi's body, but he swallowed them back. Tabuu floated ominously toward him, but Luigi didn't budge and inch, nor did he break his gaze. Though he was saving the energy he had left for the fight at hand, his vibrant eyes sent a clear message to Tabuu—he'd never take this plumber alive! He wasn't going to let Tabuu win without pounding him hard!
This was it, the Smashers' best hope. Luigi showed no desire to let his comrades down as he moved in, striking and dodging, using only smash attacks, karate chops and cautiously-executed Super Jump Punches. By now, Tabuu was breathing heavily, and Sonic stared smugly at what appeared to be bruises on the blue body. There was some purple liquid leaking out which Sonic assumed to be blood. Just as the man in green predicted, his hard-hitting attacks left the biggest marks on their adversary. And now, the marks he left were bigger than ever before.
"Lu!" Mario was shouting, now sitting on his knees.
"You can't fight him alone!" Link cried, struggling to stand.
Sonic joined the Smashers in trying to reach the man in green.
To their surprise, Luigi halted them with a gesture.
"It's okay!" he called. "I've got him!"
"He's still very powerful!" warned Zelda.
"Once you're gone, then you're gone for good!" joined in Ness. "You've helped us throughout this whole fight. For goodness sake, let us help you!"
"He's right!" piped up Sonic. "What if you miscalculate and—and…"
He was cut off as Luigi dashed in with a furious yell, landing a kick and a spearhand strike on Tabuu's stomach. Tabuu shuddered and dribbled.
"Look at them!" Luigi yelled at his foe. "Look at what you did to them! No one hurts a Smasher on my watch!"
He was upon Tabuu before he could even think of counterattacking, depleting the last of his energy. Sonic propped himself up on his elbows and watched in amazement. This was a normally timid man, going all-out against one of the most powerful beings anyone had ever encountered. Loud cracks echoed against the mysterious space, and some of them, I'm sorry to say, weren't just from Luigi's blows. Tabuu's eyes were glazed over, yet he continued to go to town on his remaining challenger.
"It's up to you, Luigi!" shouted Samus.
"You can't give up now!" added Lucario.
"You've almost got him! Almost!" encouraged DDD.
"C'mon, L! Give him everything you've got!" hollered Mario.
One by one, the wounded Smashers cheered loud, hard and strong for Luigi. He absorbed their voices like a sponge, Sonic observed, as his slammed some more misfired Missiles into Tabuu's flank, bombarded him with fireballs and forward smashed him till his hands went numb. As he attacked and attacked and attacked, exclamations burst from him, cracking like reports from a rifle. Tabuu was in awful shape, as was Luigi, yet they continued like stubborn wildebeests. The fate of Smash now rested in the hands of the shy, cowardly hero. Would he triumph or die trying?
He would triumph.
Tabuu summoned the last bit of his power and sent his Off Waves toward Luigi. A collective gasp arose as his friends noticed his knees buckling slightly. Seconds later, he wrenched his body erect, sucked in his breath, and—dodged.
One wave.
Two waves.
Three.
Four.
Five.
After those five waves, Tabuu slumped over slightly. Exerting himself that much had significantly drained him.
Eyes alight with concentration, Luigi closed the distance between them.
"This is the end for you," Luigi announced in a steady voice as he wound up. "You're done!"
Releasing a grunt of effort, Luigi slammed his most powerful blow yet into Tabuu.
The being couldn't take it anymore. He began to writhe and scream uncontrollably. Everyone noticed the worlds and stages, encased in tiny bubbles, break free from his hold. Brightness flashed, and the ground started to shake.
"Take cover and brace yourselves!" Mario cried.
Just as everyone anchored themselves to the earth, it was over.
They all stood on a cliff overlooking the sea, watching the sunrise.
It was over. And they had won.
A web of hands caught Luigi as his strength finally gave out. The exhausted plumber now floated on a sea of hands and appendages, carrying him to the center of the crowd.
"Nice and easy on the way down," Mario instructed. "Slow. Gently."
The Smashers set Luigi down onto the soft grass.
"He's still breathing," said Zelda, earning sighs of relief.
Sonic watched as his friends began to work on healing the brave man in green.
"Thank you," he whispered, over and over. "Thank you."
2013
"That was almost too easy!" crowed Sonic.
There was complete silence as the hedgehog's tale sunk in. Then-
"Someone started up with the onions again!" yelled Ganon as he began to sob.
"Well, I've got something in my eyes!" sniffled Link.
"Too—much—feels!" choked out Falco.
Samus sobbed into Falcon's chest.
Marth blubbered something in Japanese while Ike rubbed his back like a small child.
"Wow," gasped Master Hand. "Luigi did land the finishing blow. And not only that—he faced him alone when everyone else was hurt. He—saved us."
"Well, the brooches saved us first," Luigi said bashfully, "and the Sonic saved us with his sneak attack. But, yes—I took Tabuu down once and for all."
"And for that, we are eternally in your debt," Sonic said quietly. "Happy birthday, and—thank you."
"I'll do it again if I have to," nodded Luigi.
Sonic returned to his seat as the audience wiped their tears and clapped.
"Well," said Master Hand. "I suppose we can't talk about Brawl without talking about the Subspace drama. After all, it was an important part of that tournament."
The Brawl veterans stood up, walked to the front and joined hands.
Diddy held up a colorful sign which read, "Go bananas for your b-day, L!"
"On this special day of this special year, I wish you fair winds and a felicitous journey," Toon Link said solemnly.
"What he said goes double for me," said Zero Suit Samus.
"You are the most honorable person I have ever known," said Meta Knight.
"Thanks again for reviving me!" DDD sang out.
"I'll never forget your tenacity," stated Lucario.
"Remember to fight for your friends!" sang out Ike.
"May Lady Palutena bless you," smiled Pit.
Wario rode in on his motorcycle, laughing, and then peeled back out.
"Have a Smashing b-day!" said Olimar as his Pikmin jumped about him.
SENSORS INDICATE HIGH LEVELS OF JUBILATION.
"We should do this again sometime!" proposed Sonic.
"Happy birthday, Luigi!" they interjected as one.
Luigi regarded the Brawl veterans with a broad smile. "You know, before Brawl, everyone used to say, 'The Super Smash Brothers are…'," he mused. "After the adventure with Tabuu, we all began to say 'The Super Smash Brothers is'. So, in retrospect, something good came out of all of that mess. Risking our lives and homes—it was worth it." His eyes filled with tears, and his voice dropped as he concluded, "The events of Subspace made us an 'is'."
Audi famam illius.
Solus in hostes ruit
et patriam servavit.
Audi famam illius.
Cucurrit quaeque
tetigit destruens.
Audi famam illius.
Audi famam illius.
Spes omnibus, mihi quoque.
Terror omnibus, mihi quoque.
Ille
iuxta me.
Ille iuxta me.
Socii sunt mihi,
qui olim viri fortes
rivalesque erant.
Saeve certando pugnandoque
splendor crescit.
(I've heard legends of that person…
How he plunged into enemy territory…
How he saved his homeland…
I've heard legends of that person…
How he traveled the breadth of the land,
Reducing all he touched to rubble…
I've heard legends of that person…
I've heard legends of that person…
Revered by many - I, too, revere him.
Feared by many - I, too, fear him.
Now, that person
Stands at my side!
Now that person stands at my side;
Now my friends are with me!
Some of them were once heroes,
Some, my mortal enemies…
And as we face each other in battle, locked in combat,
We shine ever brighter!)
End Part 3
We're not done yet, though!
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