Author's Disclaimer: I do not own Super Smash Bros or any of the characters involved in it. I am earning no profit from this story, other than the enjoyment of writing it and sharing it with others! I hope you all enjoy reading it!
The next morning, all the fighters were buzzing with excitement. They ate breakfast as usual. No one wanted to fight on an empty stomach. After breakfast, Shulk, Zelda, Robin, and Queen Zelda began final preparations. They began lining everyone up in rows and columns, the way an actual army would be arranged. Every fighter had an assigned spot determined by their strengths, weaknesses, and relationships with whoever was around them.
The robots posted around the room paid no mind to what was going on. It wasn't strictly illegal, so they weren't going to attack the fighters. And, as suspicious as it was, the robots' programming simply assumed that everyone had created some new kind of game.
Getting everyone into their spots took about half an hour. Link was surrounded by his friends. To his left was Shulk, who wouldn't be able to help in the first phase of the plan. To his right was Young Link, who clutched his mask with a devilish smirk on his face. Directly in front of him was Queen Zelda. He had refused to let her be far away from him. He was her knight, and it was his job to protect her if anything awry. Behind him was Zelda, who assumed her spot last, after making sure everyone was where they were supposed to be one last time.
Then, all spots occupied and all fighters ready, they began marching forward. It was not perfect unison the way a trained military unit would be. The footsteps did not come down at the same time, so the sound created was more like a constant drumming of feet against the ground, rather than a huge, single step created by the entire unit. Nonetheless, as untrained and ragtag as their army may have been, it was still an imposing force. Villains and heroes strode forward together, all sharing the same goal and enemy for the first time in many of their histories. Young Link and Ganondorf nodded to each other respectfully. Bowser and Mario shook hands. Fox and Wolf gave each other a fist bump. Kirby and King Dedede shared a high five. Pit and Dark Pit wished each other good luck. Samus and Ridley didn't glare at the other as they began walking. And seeing as Ridley killed Samus's parents, that was quite the feat.
The robots paid no mind to the unit for the first few seconds, even as they advanced upon them. It was clear the machines expected the fighters to turn away, for it had been years since they had openly attacked the robots. But they didn't. As the front line reached the two robots posted outside the hallway, the machines finally figured it out. Young Link slipped on his mask as Bowser and Donkey Kong easily dispatched the two guards by ripping off their heads. The young Hylian writhed in pain for a few moments before standing up again. He was now easily the tallest fighter amongst them, standing a good foot or two taller than even Ridley. His eyes were dead white, and portrayed no emotion. Two deep red stripes adorned his cheeks on both sides, and a loop of blue covered his forehead. He wore silver armor decorated with a crescent moon on the left side and a solid triangle on the right. But his sword was the most impressive. Rather than his usual single handed Kokiri Sword, that was so small it would only serve as a dagger for anyone over twelve years old, Young Link now held a double handed blade. It was made of two intricate pieces of twisted metal that wove around each other before meeting at a deadly sharp point. One was a lime green, the other a sky blue. The sword was almost as tall as Young Link's new form was.
The younger hero caught Link ogling at him. He hefted the blade onto his shoulder with little effort, stroking the flat of its blade fondly. "The Double Helix Sword," he announced. His voice sounded much deeper and more menacing than his usual child's voice. It was eerie and disturbing. All of it was. Link was definitely glad that thing was on his side.
Then the battle caught up with him. Before being decapitated, the robots had called in reinforcements. An endless flow of them streamed from the staircase. Link couldn't help but wonder where they were coming from. Presumably some hidden door in the stairwell. But that didn't matter. Link pulled his Sheikah Slate from off his belt and activated Stasis. Next to him, Young Link hacked away at the approaching bots with his impressive blade, throwing them around without even trying. Link froze one of the robots near the back, preventing it from moving forward and causing a traffic jam. Zelda used telekinesis to force the robots back into each other, but Link could tell the effort required was taking a toll on her quickly. She was already breathing hard, and her hands shook every time she launched one backwards.
"Don't wear yourself out, Zelda," Young Link warned. "I can handle them."
Zelda nodded, but continued blasting the bots anyway.
Queen Zelda was having a hard time as well. She was using her sealing power to throw the robots back, but was having a hard time concentrating. Link knew her power depended on her being totally fearless and completely focused. She wasn't afraid, at least not yet. No robots had come even close to her, thanks to the long reach of the Double Helix Sword, plus Link and Zelda's valiant efforts. But all the commotion around her, combined with having to keep in step with everyone else, was making focus quite the problem. And her failing only made her more frustrated, which didn't help either.
"It's alright, my queen," Link consoled, without looking at her, keeping his attention on the battle at hand. "We'll manage without your assistance if it's too much."
"I want to help," Queen Zelda muttered, thrusting her hands forward. Nothing happened.
But by this point, the entire army of fighters had made it into the hallway.
"Close the doors!" Robin commanded from the rear of their army.
"On it!" Samus called. She used her electric whip to flip the switch. Slowly, the thick doors began closing. They were made of some kind of shiny, silver metal. But it was obviously some material Link had never encountered before. The robots punching it had no effect, and Link knew from experience that just a single one of their blows was enough to shatter most of a person's ribs.
The doors inched closed. Link activated Stasis on as many robots as he could, doing his best to stop their advancement. Zelda forced them back, but her energy was beginning to fail her. Queen Zelda finally activated her own power and thrust many of the robots back. Any that made it through the ever-closing doorway were quickly dispatched by King K. Rool, who was at the back of their unit.
Finally, the doors clicked shut. For a second, it was dead quiet, except for heavy breathing coming from many of the fighters who had fended the robots off. Then Shulk took control. "Approach the door," he ordered. "Bowser, see if it's locked!"
At once, the army of prisoners continued their march. Link handed Zelda an Energizing Elixir from his inventory bag. Zelda stared at the thick green liquid blankly.
"It will make you less tired," Link explained.
"How long has this been in here?" Zelda asked skeptically.
Link shrugged. "The laws of time seem to not apply to objects I keep in my bag. Here, look." He pulled out a fish he had probably caught at least a year ago now. It was still perfectly wet and cold, just the way it had been when he caught it.
Zelda nodded. "I trust you." She uncorked the bottle and chugged the whole thing. She gagged. "It tastes awful!"
"I never said it tasted good," Link pointed out. "But it got the job done, did it not?"
Zelda nodded slowly. "It...it did! You're right! I feel much better. Thank you."
Link nodded. "Of course."
Queen Zelda pursed her lips and clenched her fists.
Bowser pushed on the door. It didn't open. "Locked!" he called.
"Burn it down!" Ridley howled.
"Yeah!" the Koopalings agreed happily.
"With pleasure," Bowser snorted. He stepped forward, along with Roy and Charizard. The group had much more firepower available, it just didn't seem necessary. If the doors didn't burn immediately, they'd split up their ranks and allow forth everyone who could harness fire. But Robin wanted to keep them organized for as long as possible. Luckily, whatever wood the door was made of was not created to be anything but decorative. Bowser lit it up easily, a torrent of flames rushing from his opened jaws. Roy slashed at the door, his flaming sword adding to Bowser's firestorm. Charizard used his wings to fly upwards, lighting the upper region of the enormous door aflame.
For a few moments, all the fighters just watched the door smolder and burn in admiration. Then the flaming doors swung open. Waiting behind them were Master Hand and Crazy Hand.
Link had never seen Crazy Hand before. Only a few of the fighters present ever had. Crazy Hand was, as his name suggests, known to be completely insane. If he found a fighter he liked, he'd take them, whether or not Master Hand approved. That was how some of the more random fighters had ended up in the mansion, like Sonic and Pac Man.
Crazy Hand was never seen around the actual mansion. His brother kept him locked up in their office all the time, except for when they went to look for fighters, because Master Hand knew how much Crazy Hand enjoyed chaos. Master Hand feared he would ruin the perfect order and routine he had established, and only allowed Crazy Hand to do the smallest things. Some of the fighters who had been stuck the longest believed that Master Hand only kept Crazy Hand around so he'd have someone to do fights with. Without his brother, Master Hand would have no one to control the second contestant.
The two white gloves were clearly polar opposites. Link could tell that much just from looking at them. Master Hand was calm and composed. He floated ominously before the mass of prisoners without saying anything. But Crazy Hand was cackling madly. His fingers twitched rapidly and constantly, eager to begin oppressing the rebellion. It was obvious that Master Hand was barely holding him back, making sure to stay just the slightest bit in front of his brother.
"What are you doing?" Master Hand asked. He sounded very disappointed, and not at all worried.
"Taking our freedom back!" Young Link spat, brandishing the Double Helix Sword impressively.
Master Hand studied the young hero for a moment, as if trying to decide what the best response would be. "How noble of you. But you all know it will end in failure. This attack of yours can never work. You've tried it before."
"Now there are more of us!" Toon Link cried. "And we really, really hate you!"
Master Hand chuckled. "Yes, I can count, thank you. And trust me, the feeling is mutual."
"Then why keep us here?" Palutena demanded.
"Well, that'd be no fun, would it?" Master Hand asked. "I'd have no one to participate in my games!"
"What a tragedy," Cloud muttered.
Choosing to ignore that comment, Master Hand sighed. "You know as well as I do that you can never hope to defeat me and my brother. If any of you wish to avoid punishment, bow down to me now and I won't put you in the conditioning room."
Nervous glances were exchanged. But no one bowed. No one backed down.
"We will hold strong!" Ike announced proudly.
A loud cheer rang from the rest of the fighters from his world.
"And you're sure about this?" Master Hand questioned. He seemed slightly disturbed. But not worried.
"This time will be different!" Pit shouted.
Shulk nodded. "This time, we've got these!" he pulled out his orb. Taking this as their cue, so did everyone else. They allowed the two gloves just a moment to take in the dangerous weapons that now rested in each of their prisoners' hands, then they charged.