The final round of the tournament had arrived at last. On the Battlefield stage, all of the Smashers, the Pokémon, and the Fighting Mii Team gathered around to watch the final battle unfold. Camera drones with the Smash symbol on them zipped through the air, getting into position.
By now, only four fighters had progressed to the final round. And those four arrived via the method of teleportation.
BOOWIP!
A flash of blue light beamed down Mega Man, Mario, Sonic, and Pac-Man… but the Blue Bomber was the only one not affected by the sequence.
"I…I never want to do that again…" Sonic groaned, clutching his gut nauseously. Pac-Man stumbled and collapsed to the ground while Mario saw stars in a dazed state. Or in his case, he was seeing Super Stars.
"Sorry," Mega Man said sheepishly. "Dr. Light perfected the teleportation sequence years ago, but I guess those not from my universe aren't like most…"
"THIS IS IT, SMASH FANS! THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!" the voice of the Announcer boomed, drawing the attention of everyone present. "This final match is a four-way free-for-all between Mario, Sonic, Mega Man, and Pac-Man! Who will come out on top? Time to find out! Smashers, ready for battle!"
"Let's-a go!" Mario called, jumping into a Warp Pipe that sprouted from the ground. Breaking into a high-speed sprint, Sonic ran for the floating platform and jumped onto a pillar. As he sprang off it, Mega Man teleported up to the stage while Pac-Man turned into a wedge and vanished from view.
Under the light of the starry sky and the full moon, surrounded by floating islands with ruins, rock pillars and trees, the green Warp Pipe popped out of the ground… and Mario jumped out. "Yahoo!" he cried, touching the ground as the Pipe retreated back into the ground.
Next to him, Sonic Spin Dashed onto the stage and struck a pose for the camera drones. Mega Man warped down and rose to his feet. And finally, in his 2D form, Pac-Man opened his mouth before reverting to his ball form.
"Ready to fight!" the Announcer called, prompting each Smasher to get in a ready pose. On the nearby stretch of land, the crowd watched intensively. Luigi kept his eyes on his brother, hoping he would win this one.
"THREE…"
Mario locked eyes with Sonic, straightening his hat. Slipping a ring on his finger and clenching a fist, the Blue Blur narrowed his eyes and drew his other arm back as the ring flashed.
"TWO…"
Mega Man readied his Mega Buster and took aim at Pac-Man, who tossed a Power Pellet, caught it and repeated the process.
"ONE…"
The suspense built up, neither fighter making a move yet…
"GO!"
Their targets in sight, the fighters began to engage… but before either of them could land their first hit, two giant white hands blinked onto the stage.
"What?" Mega Man asked, lowering his Buster. Pac-Man, who had thrown his Power Pellet into the air and had tried to catch it in his mouth, had his jaw open in shock. The Power Pellet bounced off and hit the ground.
"Master Hand and Crazy Hand?" Sonic realized as Mario stared in confusion. "What are you guys doing? The winner of this fight has to face you!"
"Crazy Hand and I have made… a compromise," Master Hand spoke, his gesture imitating speech. "This will be the true final match."
"But you're too early!"
"On the contrary, Sonic the Hedgehog…" Master Hand began, signaling to Crazy Hand. "…we're right on time."
Sonic frowned. This didn't seem right. Master Hand always played by the rules. And his tone seemed a little different. What was going on here?
Crazy Hand grabbed the sky, clenching it tight… and tore open a hole in the fabric of space. A malevolent purple void roared, its force of gravity drawing the four fighters towards it as the hands flew inside.
"Grab on to something! Quickly!" Mega Man called, looking around frantically. Swept up by the strong wind, Pac-Man grabbed hold of a red banner with the Smash symbol. Sonic tried to bolt in the other direction… but the force of the wind against him made it too hard to run. Mario even covered his hat to prevent it from flying off.
Master Hand snapped his fingers, causing the gales from the vortex to grow more powerful. All four fighters couldn't resist for long…
The banner ripped, sending Pac-Man flailing into the void. The rock Mega Man was hanging onto broke off, and he didn't even get the chance to call Rush or Beat for backup before he was sucked in.
Sonic was plucked from the ground and Mario was caught in midair as he tried to jump away. The two of them screamed as they were drawn into the dark, swirling rift.
The rest of the Smashers gasped with wide eyes, the Miis and the Pokémon equally shocked. Without a moment's hesitation, Palutena rose her staff, which shone brightly…
…followed by the equal flashes of light from Pit and Dark Pit's wings. Nodding to each other, the angels readied their weapons as the Goddess of Light sent them forth.
The angels flew full speed towards the vortex, prepared to follow their friends through…
KRAZAAAP!
Violet lightning shot out from the void, striking the angels. Crying out in pain, they began to drop to the ground. Gritting her teeth, Palutena mentally steered the two of them right back to the others. Their wings stopped glowing as they touched down, the Power of Flight expired.
Dark Pit growled as he brushed his shoulder, drawing away his hand at the sudden jolt of static electricity. "No good… we can't follow them."
"So…" Pit coughed, his hair smoking from the shock. "Now what, Lady Palutena?"
"We wait," Lucina sighed, her eyes unmoving from the tear in space. "Hopefully, they'll come back victorious."
"I don't remember Master Hand being that much of a rule-breaker," Fox muttered, with a nervous Luigi by his side. "He sounded impatient to get something done."
"Something must have happened to him," Shulk cut in. "That must be why he's not acting like himself."
"Hopefully Mario and the others will knock some sense into him," Peach whispered, Pikachu's ears drooping sadly. With uncertainty in their eyes, the crowd watched the void… and waited.
…
All four fighters screamed as they tumbled through the dark, violet void, lightning flashing all around them. After what seemed to be an endless plummet, everyone's first sight before them was empty space… and collapsing on a flat half-orange, half-blue platform.
Groaning, everyone rose to their feet and woozily regained their senses. A comet streaked overhead, and Mario instantly recognized where they were when he noticed it.
Final Destination. The battleground where the Hands were fought.
Menacing laughter broke through space as a blue planet and sun came into view. Everyone turned to see Master Hand and Crazy Hand float down. The embodiments of both creation and destruction of this single universe… combined.
"Master Hand! Listen to us!" Mega Man pleaded. "You're not yourself! You wouldn't break the rules like this!"
"This is only a one-time offer, Mega Man," the white hand replied. "My last battle against you in the third tournament didn't bring me the thrill I needed. This time… I will be satisfied with your defeat!"
"Wasn't he okay with us beating him?" Sonic muttered before turning his attention to the hands. "Alrighty then! Whatever's the matter here, I guess the four of us will just have to beat it out of you!" He punched an open palm with a smirk.
Master Hand and Crazy Hand fist-bumped each other twice and spread their fingers, ready to squash their foes like bugs.
Swooping up, Crazy Hand sped along the platform with a punch, prompting Mario to jump up and the others to dodge to the side. Master Hand caught him and, after releasing him, slammed his palm down onto the platform. Taking aim, Mega Man fired a charged shot at Master Hand while Sonic balled into Crazy Hand.
Recoiling from their attackers, the hands shook themselves before readying their next attacks. Crazy Hand dropped bombs that Pac-Man fled from while Master Hand snatched Mario and tossed him aside. Mega Man tossed a Metal Blade to make Master Hand release Mario while Sonic Spin Dashed into one of the bombs, knocking it back at Crazy Hand!
"OW!" Crazy Hand cried. "That hurt!"
"I promise you this, champions of the multiverse…" Master Hand said. "This will hurt you even more!" Spreading his fingers, he fired out blue lasers from each one. Mario scrambled to get away while Crazy Hand flicked away an advancing Pac-Man.
Sonic barely managed to avoid getting his fur singed by the lasers. "That's it!" he cried. "Playtime's over, pa-GYAH!" A pink orb slammed right behind him, sending him flying back. Crazy Hand, who had backhanded the orb at Sonic, laughed devilishly.
Master Hand snapped his fingers, stunning Mega Man before swatting him aside. Curling a fist, he slammed it down onto Mario, who barely managed to dive out of the way. Gesturing to Crazy Hand, Master Hand tossed a series of orbs towards him. He batted them at the platform, causing the fighters to flee. Following this up, Crazy Hand jabbed pink rods into the ground, one of them narrowly missing Pac-Man.
Master Hand blasted out bullets from his fingertips, causing the fighters to bring up their shields. As the smoke cleared, everyone turned to one another… and nodded.
No more going easy. It was time to go on the offensive!
Master Hand was the one acting strange, so everyone went for him while avoiding Crazy Hand's attacks. Mario threw a large punch in midair, Sonic balled up and rammed Master Hand's palm to down him, Mega Man thrust his Spark Shock electrodes into the fallen Master Hand, and Pac-Man kicked his fire hydrant, sending it crashing on top of him.
Master Hand rose and floated directly above the Smashers, looking weakened by their combined attacks.
"So… you four are far stronger than me or my master could anticipate."
Master? Mega Man thought. Looking at the others, he noticed they were just as confused as he was. Since when did Master Hand serve anybody?
"After all… your universes are somewhat… extraordinary," Master Hand continued. "Of all universes, yours are where the strongest Smash Stone fragments landed. Their reactions to each of you were the strongest out of everyone. And that means… you four specifically are of the highest threat to me and my master."
"Uh, hold on a minute," Crazy Hand cut in. "Since when have you served anyone? We're the embodiments of creation and destruction here! Two halves of a whole!"
Master Hand was silent for a moment before turning to Crazy Hand. His next words were spoken in a sinister tone.
"Those titles… were never ours to uphold."
Suddenly, Master Hand seized Crazy Hand and flung him into space before conjuring a purple fiery orb. To everyone's shock, he threw it at Crazy Hand… and the orb exploded, sending Crazy Hand careening through space, screaming as purple flames engulfed him.
Master Hand turned back to the Smashers. "You four are the most powerful and well-known of all the Smashers, which is why I decided to deal with you myself. You are all heroes, icons, legends… I could go on. So I know all too well… that this form will never be able to defeat you."
Sonic gasped in realization. "YOU!" he cried, pointing an accusing finger outward. "You're not Master Hand at all! You're a faker!"
"A pity… I expected this disguise to hold out a little longer," "Master Hand" said. "But I grow tired of this form… I have been longing to show my true self for some time now."
"And who… or what… are you really?" Mega Man asked with a frown.
Instead of a reply… "Master Hand" twitched with a sudden jolt, taking everyone by surprise. Mario's jaw dropped, but he steeled himself for the real fight to come.
"Master Hand" began to violently spasm as the space around them began to contort. Streaking comets suddenly paused in their paths and the stars began to swirl around. Open space distorted to a multi-colored warp as "Master Hand" continued to flail about. And from his writhing form…
"Yyyyooooouuuuurrrrr deeessssstttttrrrrruuuucccctttiiiioooonnnnn…"
The white glove suddenly ripped and shredded apart as the fingers flailed wildly, making everyone's eyes go wide in horror. Black particles raced out from the glove's destroyed form (now reduced to nothing) and swirled around like a cloud of insects.
The black swarming particles assembled in a whirlwind. From that twister of blackness extended two massive arms with fingers spread out… and a large head with a glowing purple light inside. The thing rose both arms, curled its fists… and turned its head to the warped tunnel around it.
GGRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRHHH!
Covering their ears at the earsplitting howl, the fighters squeezed their eyes shut and turned to face the monstrosity... although they were still left in shock at the reveal.
"What the heck is THAT?!" Sonic cried as Mario and Pac-Man stood at the ready.
"I… I don't know!" Mega Man shouted. "My readings must be all messed up! They're not saying anything about this thing being organic or mechanical!"
"Who care what it's made of?!" Sonic yelled back over another of the entity's screams. "How exactly do we beat this thing?!"
"Um… maybe the head?" Mega Man guessed. "I mean, that purple light thing HAS to be a weak point, right?"
"Good plan!" the hedgehog nodded. "Now we just gotta… wuh-oh!"
"What? WHAT?!" Mega Man asked frantically. When Sonic didn't reply, he turned to the large humanoid creature… whose head was drawing back. Leaning forward, the entity spewed out a dark, murky purple gas.
Mario tackled Sonic to the ground while Pac-Man grabbed Mega Man and dragged him down. The gas seeped over the fighter's heads… and spread towards the rip in space Crazy Hand had conjured.
…
GGRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRHHH!
Luigi screeched in terror and pulled his hat over his eyes. The other Smashers staggered back in surprise as a loud demonic howl echoed from the malevolent rift.
"Pika PIKA!" Pikachu yelped, scrambling into Samus' arms. Gasping, Peach's hand flew to her mouth as her eyes went wide. "Oh no! Mario must be in trouble!"
"ARGH!" Bowser cried angrily, punching his palm. "How many times do I have to say it! NOBODY gets to destroy Mario but ME!"
"I can only imagine what sort of terror lurks beyond that rift," Zelda muttered as Marth placed a hand on his sword. "Not even Ganondorf could be able to possess such darkness."
"I just hope they'll be okay," Pit whispered. "If they don't stop whatever that is, then it'll come for… huh?"
Everyone else noticed it, too. A mysterious purple gas was seeping from the rift above the Battlefield. The gas gathered ominously… before tendrils of it lashed out towards the group!
A few tendrils broke off and flew towards the Fighting Mii Team while another group headed for the Pokémon. A Mii Brawler stared in horror at the gas cloud… before a tendril swooped down and enveloped him.
"ACK! HURK! OLMPH!" the Mii cried, coughing furiously at the gas and batting at it… before it seeped in through his nostrils and mouth. The Mii's eyes went blank… and he collapsed.
Panic broke out among the group. Gunners turned their weapons on the tendrils and opened fire. Their shots passed through the gas as it seeped in. Swordfighters tried slashing at the tendrils, only for them to do nothing. Gas clouds enveloped Miis while tendrils caught up to others, the Swordfighters weapons clattering to the ground as the gas covered them from view. Screams and heavy coughs rang out as all of them were hidden from sight.
The Pokémon roared and growled as the gas caught up with them. A panicked Eevee scampered for safety before the gas swept it up, the little Pokémon screaming as it did so. An Oshawott and a Snivy bumped into each other, the gas getting them too. An Entei and a Suicune stood back-to-back, using Aurora Beam and Flamethrower in a desperate attempt to keep the gas at bay. A Genesect blasted at the gas, only to get enveloped. Victini and a Fletchling tried to fly away, but a gas tendril caught them in midair, grounding them. Xerneas snorted defiantly and shook its head, trying to keep the gas out… but it could only do so for so long before it collapsed next to a fallen Abomasnow.
The Pokémon and the Fighting Mii Team were devoured by the gas… and the Smashers were next.
"Everyone, hold your breath!" Lucario ordered. "Don't let it get you!" Gathering Pikachu, Jigglypuff, and Greninja, Charizard shielded them with his wings and tucked his head down. Grabbing hold of Luigi, Wario, and Peach, Bowser turned his shell to the gas and closed his eyes as Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings ducked into their Clown Cars.
Ness brought up a PSI Magnet around him and shouted for those closest around him to get in. With Zelda behind him, Link held his shield steady. The other Smashers huddled together and took a deep breath…
…and the gas dissipated. The air around them soon returned to normal, the starry night sky now clear.
Ness lowered his Magnet with an exhausted moan. "Is… is everyone okay?"
"What kind of foul magic was that?" Lucina asked as everyone separated. The Miis and the Pokémon all lay motionless. Tiptoeing over to the Mii Brawler that first breathed in the gas, Luigi and Ness examined him.
Luigi nudged the Brawler with his foot… but it didn't move. Getting to his knees, Luigi waved a hand in front of the Mii's face and snapped his fingers twice. He shook his head while Ness sighed behind him…
…and the Brawler's eyes flashed open.
"WAH!" Luigi yelped, collapsing to his rear and scooting away in a panic. "Get back! Get back!" Ness cried, helping him to his feet. One by one, the Fighting Mii Team awoke and rose to their feet, the Swordfighters gathering their dropped weapons…
…and they all turned to the Smashers, each and every one of their eyes glowing a bright violet.
Running over to the collapsed Eevee, Pikachu sniffed the little Pokémon's body and nudged its head with his front paw. "Pikachu?" he pleaded, looking for any sign of life from the Pokémon…
That sign came when the Eevee's eyes snapped open, purple light filling the irises. Startled, Pikachu scrambled back as the other Pokémon came to. They all stood, and the Eevee looked around unblinking… before its eyes rested on Pikachu.
"Pi…Pika…Pikachu?"
The Eevee's only response… was baring its teeth with a little ferocious growl.
The Fighting Mii Team stood before the Smashers, weapons drawn and cannons loaded. Before the Smashers could question what had happened to them… the Miis all spoke in unison.
"You shall not stand against our master," the Miis spoke at once. The Pokémon snarled and growled as if they were trying to say those exact words. "We are now his to command. And our objective is clear. All dimensions are his domain now, under the rule of darkness. All worlds must surrender to him or perish. All is now as he wills it. All. Hail. Master Core."
"Master… Core?" Samus asked. "Is… is he like Tabuu?"
"Our glorious leader is nothing like the failure of Tabuu," the Miis replied. "He shall correct the great error of Tabuu. And he will command us to fulfill it. And once this mission is complete, none shall resist against the Dark Master's ultimate achievement. At the end of this day, at the end of this moment…"
They all slowly began to advance towards the Smashers, with a terrified Pikachu backing away from the growling Eevee.
"The Super Smash Brothers will be no more."
"Guys…" Shulk whispered. "Looks like we don't have a choice here."
"Agreed," Lucina muttered. "We're in for the fight of our lives."
"Do not believe you can win." The Miis said coldly. "Do not believe you will triumph over Master Core. His victory is inevitable. And your destruction is assured. So amuse him. Fight us. Fight us, for it will do you nothing. We outnumber you a hundred to one. Look upon us, for it will be your final sight. Surrender your hope… and prepare to be defeated for good. Now, Super Smash Brothers… you will die!"
With an enraged cry, the Eevee pounced on Pikachu with murderous intent. The electric-type Pokémon screamed in fear as the two of them tumbled and tussled along the ground. He desperately tried to electrocute the Evolution Pokémon, but it bit down on his ear and shook it wildly…
With a yell, Kirby plowed his hammer into the crazed Eevee, sending it crashing against a pillar. As he helped Pikachu up, the Fletchling swooped down and pecked wildly at Yoshi's face. The green dinosaur swatted it away and ran for it, the bird Pokémon chasing him.
And in a battle cry, the Fighting Mii Team charged at the Smashers. Link readied his shield, bracing for contact as the others took up defensive positions. The Miis charged relentlessly, a Swordfighter holding his weapon high.
The Gunners opened fire, blasting out lasers and ammo specific to their weapons. As a few of them struck Link's shield, Smashers with ranged attacks retaliated. The Hero of Hyrule could only think of one thing before a few Swordfighters collided with his shield.
That Mario, Sonic, Mega Man and Pac-Man would face this "Master Core"… and hurry.
