Tendrils of darkness stabbed and pierced Master Hands, causing them to explode in yellow bursts. Beams of light struck Crazy Hands, disintegrating them into purple puffs. From out of nowhere, chains wrapped around a Master Hand and left it vulnerable to a violent piercing demise. Light washed over Crazy Hands, bright enough to destroy them.

Soon, all of the hands surrounding Galeem and Dharkon were completely obliterated by attacks from the two deities, leaving both of them alone to continue their fight. "Your power is impressive… BUT YOU WON'T WIN THIS TIME!"

"Neither of us has won, Dharkon… but today, that shall change."

And while they never relented in their assault, the third force was rapidly rising from the bottom.

Mario, his body engulfed in fire, jumped up platform after platform. Luigi tagged closeby, using his Poltergust's blow function to propel himself upward. The flying Smashers shot up past the platforms, weaving their way around as they ascended. Behind Mario, the other Super Smash Brothers continued to climb, run across platforms, get themselves airborne, and more to keep up.

The light blue lines on the platforms shifted into streams of red. And as everyone kept climbing, voices older than the stars themselves echoed.

"Why do you persist? Don't you realize you have already lost? This new power bestowed upon you will not be enough."

"YOU! YOU HAVE NO PLACE HERE! YOU HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR WAR AT ALL! BEGONE!"

Out of thin air, light and dark copies of the fighters appeared. They immediately rushed to attack… but they didn't count for the newfound strength and power the champions wielded. Kirby cut through a Ryu clone with a single slash of his Ultra Sword. Donkey Kong pounded a Mewtwo clone with a single fist and bashed a Fox clone with both fists. Mario unleashed streams of fire from his hands, incinerating copies of Richter and Peach. Zelda fired a Light Arrow at a Shulk clone. Meta Knight cut through a Pichu clone effortlessly… and saw a Daisy clone and a Sheik clone duking it out.

"Hmph. A common enemy in their midst and they still quarrel with each other?"

"It is the nature of light and dark," answered Zelda. "They will always be at odds with one another, and no threat standing against them both will alter things."

The last of the fakes fell in no time, overwhelmed by unexpected strength. The fighters resumed their ascent, bounding up platforms. Giga Bowser's claw gripped a platform and his foot came down on another. Wario-Man mimicked a flying pose when he jumped straight up. Several of the flyers paused their speedy climb to lend a hand to their friends.

And at the next phase of the climb, no fakes appeared to challenge them. But that did not mean the danger had passed.

With lightning speed, Pikachu darted away from a mass of tentacles that crashed through platforms. The sinister laughter of Dharkon boomed through the sky. The majestic shape of Galeem's wings appeared to dwarf the fighters. His core shone like the sun, watching them from above.

Dharkon loomed close from the side. "I have had ENOUGH! Each and every one of you will DIE! HERE! AND! NOW!" Tendril-like saw blades spun about and cut through the platforms like paper, shredding them to pebbles and stones. With a roar, Giga Mac landed five strong punches to Dharkon's eye, making him howl and back off.

More copies blinked into view, shining in white-blue and black-red. They dropped down on top of the Smashers, managing to score hits on one another. Mega Charizard Y swooped down with Leaf, snatching up a clone of Robin in its talons. Diddy Kong fired two explosive peanuts from both popguns, blowing a Rosalina puppet to kingdom come.

With a single palm strike, Mega Lucario was able to destroy a copy of himself with maximum Aura power. King Dedede popped a bomb out of his hammer, making it explode in the face of an Ike copy. An overpowered Charged Shot from Mega Man did in a fake R.O.B. And Pichu zipped about a Captain Falcon clone, taking it out swiftly.

The sky grew darker higher into the climb as tendrils snaked around in the air. More tendrils burst up from below, demolishing more platforms. Giga Bowser bellowed, trying to snag one. Kirby vaulted to the side when the tendrils came in from the left, slicing off some of the tips as he did so. The tendrils shot in and out to pierce the Smashers but hit nothing but platforms each time.

Luigi sucked in a copy of himself, shooting it at a Bowser Junior clone. Mega Charizard X spat out a fireball that blew up two more copies. In his octopus form, Mr. Game and Watch snagged four clones at once, hovered off of a platform, and dropped them. The fakes flailed about, falling to their dooms.

The Vampire Killer cut deep into dark copies before it was snapped back to Simon's side. Peach and Daisy summoned giant versions of their namesakes and let them burst in the faces of more clones. Pac-Man munched on light copies and Captain Falcon ran down more in his Blue Falcon. The vehicle took off down a stretch of spiritual light serving as a track-like surface.

From the right, Galeem summoned razor-like saws that resembled the colors on his wings. Tucking themselves in, Diddy Kong and Mega Mewtwo Y flew right through the centers of two of them. Ganon deflected one away with a swing of his sword. One of Galeem's wings shot down in a drill-like fashion, narrowly missing the Ice Climbers and the Inklings. Galeem's core floated past, allowing the Miis to take their shots. An overcharged shot from Samus forced the core to withdraw.

Everyone moved fast to avoid exploding Bob-ombs that walked across the platforms. Giga Bowser crushed one under his foot, roaring in anger. More puppets appeared, charging fearlessly at the group… and while their numbers quickly fell, Galeem and Dharkon's forms rattled with gold and violet blasts. The orange Inkling took a moment to observe this… and shot upward in her squid form.

Bayonetta kicked aside a Sonic clone. Roy and Ike cut down copies of Ivysaur and Incineroar. Shulk slashed at a copy of Dark Pit. Wario punched at a clone of Donkey Kong, flexing in triumph when it was destroyed.

Light brightened up the sky, forming a division between itself and the darkness. Galeem and Dharkon paid little attention to what progress the Smashers had made… yet the lord of light spoke.

"This is not your battle to win. You did not truly defeat me before, and I doubt you will do so again. Dharkon and I have fought for millennia… and it will always be that way."

"Yeesh, don't you get tired of the same old stuff? Having to do the same thing over and over and over?" droned Super Sonic.

"This time, things are gonna be different!" cried Pit. "No more of this endless cycle!"

"Naive minds… perhaps some nostalgia is in order for you."

"GUARDIANS!" roared Dharkon. "DESTROY THEM ALL!"

"Wait… guardians?" repeated the blue Inkling.

Then they saw them. Yellow and purple orbs crashing into each other as they made their way towards platforms. They burst and expanded just like the spirits under Chiaki's command, revealing physical-like manifestations of the six guardians the Smashers had previously defeated. Except these souls were corrupt. Fake. Manifestations of the true soul, much like the puppets to the fighters.

The spirits of Giga Bowser and Ganon dueled with hands grabbing swords and roars ringing out. Rathalos lashed out against Dracula's second form, both monsters raking their talons against each other and breathing fire. Dracula seized Rathalos by the tail and slammed the false wyvern against the ground twice. Rathalos slashed the monster's head with a claw, giving it a chance to get airborne. Marx dashed in and away from a furious Galleom, giggling devilishly while missiles flew.

The Super Smash Brothers charged without hesitation, avoiding light and dark orbs careening their way. Not missing a beat themselves, the guardians broke off and attacked. The two evolved Charizards clashed with Rathalos in the sky, blasting fire at each other. Ridley swooped past, slashing his claws at the wyvern's neck.

Mega Man and R.O.B. fired at Galleom, who retaliated by launching missiles and punching aside King K. Rool and Donkey Kong. Snake rolled to the side, firing a rocket at Galleom's face. Giga Bowser and Ganon attacked their copies, with Giga Bowser going toe-to-toe against the fake Ganon. He grabbed the swords and headbutted the fake Demon King, swiping it aside with his tail. Ganon swung and cut at the fake Giga Bowser's chest, finishing with a slash to the head.

Mario and Kirby tag-teamed against Marx while the Belmonts fought Dracula. Both Vampire Killers bashed the beast in the head and torso while a swing from the Ultra Sword nearly cut off a wing. Mario threw fireballs at Marx's face, who teleported behind to strike.

Galleom came crashing down on top of the two robots, knocking them away with metallic clangings. He rose his arms to smash the two machines… and a golden streak tore right through him from multiple directions. Galleom rocked and shuddered until the streak burst into view above his wrecked form. Galleom collapsed into a heap… and faded away while Super Sonic looked down.

"You were barely much of a challenge back at our first dance. Now? If you're not built to withstand my super form, that just makes it too easy!"

Rathalos slammed down with Pit writhing beneath its talons. The two Charizards and Ridley came in for a landing to catch their breaths. Rathalos opened its mouth to roast the angel… and he wasted no time in shooting a Light Arrow right in its eye.

"Bye now!"

Rathalos howled in pain. Dark Pit strafed around, firing shots from his staff… and the following fire blast from Mega Charizard X finished it.

Mega Mewtwo Y used his Psystike on Marx, stunning him. Kirby hopped back… and stabbed his old enemy with the Ultra Sword. With an otherworldly scream, Marx exploded into nothingness while Kirby struck an epic pose.

Cross shining with light struck Dracula like boomerangs, interrupting a claw swipe. The monster cried out before two strikes from both Vampire Killers ended it. Simon and Richter turned to each other with proud looks in their eyes.

Giga Bowser breathed fire in the false Ganon's face before punching it to the ground. He jumped high and crashed back down, smashing the fake Demon King with his shell. Closeby, Ganon performed a spinning slash on the fake Giga Bowser and blasted it with a laser from his mouth. Both copycats fell and vanished, leaving the real deals to roar in victory.

"Next, please!" called Ken.

"Whoa!" gasped the blue Inkling. "The Stone's power, it's… it's incredible! I don't think I broke a sweat during all that!"

"We blew through them all like they were nothing!" cheered Falco. "Let's keep this up!"

"The end draws near…" spoke Eleven. "Ready yourselves, my friends! The only chance we have at stopping this is to change things up!"

Everyone gathered together. The platforms rose until they neared the position of the two entities. From here, the sounds of their clash were downright devastating. All sets of eyes looked on to see wings and tendrils soaring through the sky…

...and clashing against each other right at the division between light and dark.

Galeem's core and Dharkon's eye were mere meters apart from each other. They seemed to gaze at each other as they had done for ages, this battle culminating in all the rest.

"Once this is over…" growled Dharkon. "I AM GOING TO BLAST YOU INTO NOTHING!"

"You speak a lie," Galeem answered calmly. "From the radiance of my light, you will be forever erased from existence. And all shall know order."

"ALL SHALL KNOW CHAOS! IT IS YOU WHO WILL DIE!"

"WRONG!" cried Ness. At the sound of the boy's voice, the core and the eye whipped in the Smashers' direction. "We beat both of you before, and we'll beat both of you now!"

"You are two sides of the same coin," addressed Peach. "Your powers are in equal balance. Neither of you are strong enough to permanently reign over the other. But this suffering must end. This conflict must stop."

"And it will stop, princess," Galeem replied. "For billions and billions of years, light and darkness have waged war against each other. Today, the conclusion arrives."

"GRAAAAGH! IS THERE NO END TO YOUR ANNOYANCES?! MUST I BE HOUNDED BY YOU LESSER, INSIGNIFICANT BEINGS FOR ETERNITY?!" Dharkon's roars echoed through the sky.

"You encaged us against our will," sneered Ganondorf. "For that, I will show no mercy. I will destroy you like I destroyed your servant."

"So it has come to this," said Galeem. "My own creation may have granted its full power onto all of you… but I am radiance and divinity itself. My light cannot be extinguished. I will bathe universe after universe in it. And if I have to destroy both Dharkon and you to achieve that goal… so be it."

"You… YOU HAVE MEDDLED WITH MY AFFAIRS FOR THE LAST TIME!" howled Dharkon. "GALEEM WILL DIE! YOU WILL DIE! AND DARKNESS WILL SPREAD ACROSS ALL THAT EXISTS!"

"Have your little childish squabble all you want!" called Marth, pointing his sword at the two entities. "This ends now!"

"And I think we can ALL agree on that!" added Cappy.

"We most certainly can," spoke both Galeem and Dharkon at the same time. Purple and yellow beams blasted from the core and the eye, colliding with the Super Smash Brothers…

The heroes and villains of many universes jumped out from the smoke, the power of the Smash Stone flowing through their veins. Their ascent and previous battles did nothing to deter them, as the Stone's gift hadn't even started to wane. As one, they charged for the two embodiments of light and dark. "It's go time!" Fox called, drawing his blaster.

An orb of light shot at the group and was deflected by Link's shield. Samus ran past him, firing at Galeem's core. Zelda and Mega Mewtwo Y briefly floated in the air, landing a powerful fusion of psychic power and magic on Dharkon. His tendrils shot out and stabbed at the platform. Some fighters dodged while others jumped on top of them.

Super Sonic snagged the supercharged Pikachu by the tail, spun around in a golden tornado, and threw the little Pokémon at Galeem with a shout. Pikachu landed in an electric explosion that arced towards Dharkon, a stray bolt hitting him in the pupil. Pikachu bounded off, running from one of many X-like explosions dropped by Galeem. Bayonetta morphed into a swarm of bats to evade Dharkon's tendrils, taking quick shots with all four guns. Her bullets flew and struck both tendrils and the eye.

A deafening bellow filled the air. Galeem's wings curled in to protect his core… just as Giga Bowser and the two Mega-Evolved Charizards crashed against it. All three creatures unleashed a three-way flame at the core, bathing it in burning sensations. A pulse of light flung them all back, and Galeem teleported away from a swiping claw. Captain Falcon raced around in his Blue Falcon, weaving around tendrils exploding from the platforms. He shot upward from one tendril, ramming Dharkon in the eye and making the entity roar.

Ash-Greninja nimbly jumped and slid past light spheres while Mega Lucario swatted away another orb. He conjured an Aura Sphere and shot it at Galeem's core, as Ash-Greninja did the same with a Water Shuriken. The attacks only exploded against a brilliant-looking wing. The two Inklings fired at Dharkon's eye, hoping to blind him once again. The evil entity was not oblivious to this… and blasted them with a ray of darkness before they could finish. The two squid kids dove into ink, swimming away from more tendrils.

"Showtime!" Falco rolled and vaulted, firing his blaster in different directions. Light and dark copies of fighters appeared from thin air, drawing the attention of several fighters. Falco broke off from his current move against Dharkon, kicking and swinging his wings at copies. The light and dark copies battled against each other and Incineroar crouched low, waiting to pounce on a wounded foe.

Pit and Dark Pit fired at light spheres and weaving tentacles, dodging and rolling to the sides when projectiles swooped low. Light and dark waves covered several platforms and forced many fighters to avoid them. Palutena fired light orbs at her own, which connected against Galeem's core. Snake fired a missile, which exploded against a tendril about to stab Luigi from behind. The plumber whirled around and wiped his brow, thanking Snake with a thumbs-up.

Tendrils emerged from dark portals… and vanished within black holes around Rosalina. With gestures of her wands, she redirected projectiles and sent her Lumas to attack. With another swing, she shot a comet-like blast at a tendril streaking towards Peach and Daisy. Diddy Kong bounced around like the monkey he was, blasting peanuts among his acrobatics. Donkey Kong seized a tendril and tore off the sharp tip with a mighty roar. Wario-Man pounded a light copy of Mario with his rear, chortling victoriously.

The Wii Fit Trainer performed a series of yoga stances, dropping low in poses that prevented orbs and tendrils from hitting her. With each pose she performed, colored outlines shot out from her body and struck whatever they could hit. Duck Hunt ran across a tendril, jumping for Dharkon's eye… and a tendril swatted him away. Lucas dove, catching the dog in his arms. Duck Hunt barked and licked the smiling boy in thanks. Villager cheered, sending a barrage of Lloid rockets crashing into wings and tentacles. Dharkon opened a portal, sending one Lloid sailing into it and never to return.

Kirby cut through tentacles with his Ultra Sword, leaving spiky tips falling to the ground. He spun and sliced through orbs of light while Mario shot over a sweeping wing. The orange Inkling slid underneath another wing and all three heroes neared Galeem's core. The lord of light moved his wings to block their advance… and Kirby swung his Ultra Sword against it, Mario placed his burning palms onto the wing, and the Inkling fired ink at the ground.

"Good always triumphs over evil. Light always drives back the dark. So why do you strike at the light itself? Why rebel against your very creator? And why do you seek a different ending to this story?"

"You may have made us…" answered the Inkling. "But you don't define us."

Kirby cut through a wing and slashed at Galeem's core with a heroic cry. Mario burned away another wing and landed fiery punches. The Inkling swam underneath and threw a Splat Bomb at the core. Overwhelmed by the attack, Galeem teleported away.

Fox, Link, Yoshi, Samus, Ness, and Donkey Kong were ready for Galeem when he reappeared. Donkey Kong slammed down in an earth-shatter quake, blowing away light copies. Yoshi threw eggs and ran through the fray- even rolling in his eggshell- while Fox fired his blaster with Samus. Ness unleashed a variety of PSI powers to disrupt Galeem's attacks. And Link struck at the core with his Master Sword.

Galeem's core and Dharkon's eye shone brightly. Waves of light and darkness swept across the platforms, forcing everyone to go on the defensive. Giga Mac ran up to Dharkon, jumped away from a rain of energy bullets… and punched Dharkon's eye with a roar. The eye dropped to the platforms below from the force while Bowser Junior- in the guise of Shadow Mario- spun his paintbrush to bat away orbs of darkness.

Galeem took notice of this, using one wing and explosives to deter the bellowing Giga Bowser and the Ice Climbers. He reconfigured his wings into a large lance… and drove it forward.

"GYYAAAAAAAAAAH!" Dharkon howled as the lance of light pierced through his eye. "GRGH?! ARG! RRRAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Darkness exploded all around Dharkon as he roared in pure hatred. A blast of darkness shot from his enraged pupil, cutting at Galeem's wings and sweeping over his core.

Wario-Man snagged the eye with both hands and beat it against the ground with an angry expression. He pressed his back against it and pulled as if trying to rip the eye apart. Dharkon's reply was another laser right at Wario-Man's face. The alter-ego slid along the ground, shaking his head and wearing a woozy expression.

Pikachu and Pichu delivered a highly-charged shock to Galeem's core… before his wings spun like drills and stabbed at them. While the two little Pokémon scattered, a golden streak flew around Galeem. "Hey! That's my buddy! There's no way I'm gonna let you erase him this time, so no touching!"

"Intriguing… normally, your super form wouldn't even last a full minute without sufficient ring power."

"I have you to thank for that," Super Sonic replied. "More specifically, your little crystal."

"Are you aware that in one timeline, you have boasted to move faster than light? Let us test that statement."

Galeem's core shot off in a golden streak at the speed of light. Another streak blasted after him as Super Sonic kept on his tail. The hedgehog kept pace with the lord of light, trying to slam into the ever-mobile core. The two beams of light shot through the sky in a frantic chase… and Ridley dove past them, claws wide open on a different target.

He grabbed onto a tendril, digging in with claws and teeth alike. Wolf twirled his blaster and shot at snaking electrified tentacles while Ganon and Giga Bowser roared, going for Dharkon's eye. A tendril wrapped around one of Ganon's swords while the other hacked at tendrils like a machete cutting jungle foliage. Giga Bowser grabbed another tendril, bit down, and tore it off. King K. Rool flew up on his propellerpack, hovering just above some more tendrils.

"Darkness and evil rest in your very souls!" shouted Dharkon. "Your sole purpose was to extinguish the light! And what do you do? You SAVE your enemies from destruction so you can destroy them YOURSELVES! WHY DO YOU REFUSE TO LET THEM BE DESTROYED AT ALL?! THE DARKNESS IS YOUR ALLY, AND YOUR HATRED GAVE YOU STRENGTH! STRENGTH THAT WAS WASTED! ALL OF YOU NEVER WON AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES, AND YOU WILL NOT WIN HERE!"

"There is one true statement," spoke Meta Knight, slicing off tendrils. "The darkness is our ally… just not the darkness you speak of." He threw his cape around Dharkon's eye, blinding him with blackness. He unleashed a flurry of slashes, followed by a double downward strike from Ganon and a blast from Ridley.

With a scream of rage, Dharkon lashed out with five tentacles and stabbed and poked at the villainous fighters. He conjured beams of darkness that erupted from the ground that forced Wolf, King K. Rool, and Giga Bowser back. In the skies above, one of the two golden streaks rammed into the other, sending it crashing to the ground.

Dharkon turned to the core lying before him. "YES… Behold your utter destruction, Galeem! These fools did most of the work… but the darkness shall strike the final blow!"

Dharkon's tendrils formed into a hammer that drew back… and slammed down onto the core with a loud boom that shook the clouds. "HAHAHAHAHA! YOU FOOLS! YOU HAVE DOOMED YOURSELVES NOW! WITH GALEEM GONE, DARKNESS WILL LOOM ACROSS-"

Something gave out a bright gleam beneath the hammer… and light burst in all directions at full brightness. A yellow pulse of light destroyed the conjured weapon and was enough to stagger Dharkon. "NO!"

"You should be aware of this by now, Dharkon," said Galeem. "I am not one to defeat easily. Now, as it always has, light shall reign triumphant over dark."

Dharkon let out a furious roar that stretched to the heavens. "I WILL DESTROY YOU AND REFORM EXISTENCE IN MY OWN IMAGE, EVEN IF I HAVE TO UNRAVEL THE FABRIC OF REALITY ITSELF!"

Galeem split his core into three light spheres that shot out at Dharkon. The entity of evil retaliated with vicious slices of his tendrils on Galeem's wings, scraping at the surfaces. Galeem fired a stream of yellow lasers; some trailed towards Dharkon while others zoomed for the Smashers. Mario jumped, dove, and somersaulted through the laser net, touching down with palms alight with fire.

"Oh, yeah! HOO-YAAAAAH!" A devastating torrent of fire shot from his hands, forming a double spiral that struck Galeem's wings and weakened his defense. With a howl, Donkey Kong rolled in and delivered a lightning-fast flurry of stone-shattering punches. Launching himself from Mega Man's hands, Link went high and fired an arrow from his Ancient Bow with a cry. The projectile exploded against Galeem's core in a blue flash while Donkey Kong ran from a wing strike.

Samus took aim with her charging cannon… and fired a massive Zero Laser from the barrel. Weaving past tendrils, Dark Samus did the same to Dharkon. That Zero Laser was countered by a blast of darkness from his eye and Dark Samus fought to win the clash.

Samus' Zero Laser met Galeem's wings… but the beam proved too powerful thanks to the power granted by the Smash Stone. Galeem's defense was shattered and his core took the full force of the beam just as Dharkon lost his own struggle. At the end of the attack, Galeem's core fell to the ground… where the Blue Falcon slammed into it. The core knocked itself against Dharkon's eye and both of them clattered to the platform.

FWEEET! Yoshi placed his fingers to his mouth and whistled. With a good flap of his wings, he flew over the core and the eye and shot a fireball from them. In Yoshi's wake, an entire herd of Yoshis stampeded and stomped over the two entities like grass. Next up, Kirby slashed wildly with the Ultra Sword, darting in different directions to avoid retaliation. His Ultra Sword grew in size… and a massive chop sent the entities flying. While Galeem teleported in midair, Dharkon landed right in a cooking pot that Kirby had quickly placed. He burst out and destroyed the pot just as quickly as he had fallen in.

"AAARRRGGGHHH! INSOLENCE! I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS! YOU WILL NOT DEFEAT ME WITH THIS PITIFUL POWER!"

"Star Fox, fire at will!"

"Time for a little payback!"

"WHAT?!" Dharkon looked to the sky… just as laser fire from an Arwing attack run rained down on him. Two of them swooped in from above and Fox and Falco ejected. Galeem gathered himself and shined brightly from his core.

"PIKACHUUUUU!" A ball of lightning bounced off his wings and rammed at his core. A second, smaller ball joined in. While the two attackers managed to land some hits, a light pulse wave from Galeem knocked Pikachu and Pichu back. The two creatures skidded to a stop, their eyes sparkling with yellow lightning.

Orbs of light and darkness shot out towards the Smashers; an attempt to keep them at bay while Galeem and Dharkon turned their attention back to each other. Mario stood protectively in front of Peach and Link did the same to Zelda… and Luigi jumped in front of the heroes.

"Luigi time!"

He sucked in on his Poltergust, snatching up all of the orbs in an electric tornado. He switched settings quickly and fired the orbs back out. The light orbs struck Dharkon while the dark orbs smacked into Galeem.

Dharkon rained energy bullets onto several more Smashers while Galeem attacked with blue light spheres. Two boys decided to return the favor with comrades by their sides.

"PK STARSTOOOORRRM!"

Ness and Lucas' cry rang to the heavens and comet-like stars rained down on the two deities. Tendrils were blasted apart and wings were rocked with blasts. Peach and Daisy danced around, summoning fruits and flowers to heal everyone up. Jigglypuff grew to an enormous size and attempted to throw herself on top of Dharkon. While tendrils stopped her from completely crushing the sinister eyeball, it left it wide open for a surprise attack.

Marth and Lucina struck with their falchions, landing a critical hit on Dharkon's eye. Ganon roared, slicing and chopping at tendrils while Zelda used the Triforce of Wisdom's power to seal away separated electrified tentacles. Close to her, the spirit of Sheik slashed at Galeem's core with a dagger and landed strong kicks before both it and Zelda fired Arrows of Light.

Giga Bowser roared, swiping at Dharkon's eye. Before the beast could land a solid hit, tendrils wrapped around his wrists and ankles, holding them in place. Bellowing mad, Giga Bowser drew back with fire in his throat…

...and a tentacle closed around his neck. Giga Bowser writhed and struggled, choking from the pressure. Dharkon laughed menacingly, his eye glowing a bright purple.

BROOSH! Some of the tentacles were burned away by Mario's fire. With a burning blade, Roy chopped at the ones around Giga Bowser's feet, leaving cindered husks in his wake. A golden streak plowed through the tendril pointing at Bowser's face, swinging back around to cut off the one around his throat. Mega Mewtwo Y swooped in, using Psystrike on Dharkon's eye.

The attack did nothing to deter him. Shaking off the psychic blast quickly, Dharkon fired his beam. Giga Bowser moved his arms to take the full force of the blow, holding for as long as he could. Assisting further, Mega Mewtwo Y launched a Shadow Ball at Dharkon's eye and interrupted the attack.

Dharkon roared in rage… and an equal bellow came from Giga Bowser's throat when a scaly hand pounded him right in the pupil. Tendrils slashed across Giga Bowser's torso, forcing him to withdraw.

With hands clasped together, the Ice Climbers summoned a giant iceberg that prompted Galeem to rise upward. The Ice Climbers rode by on their condor, leaping off to hand an icy hammer strike to the core. The spirit of Dr. Mario threw two giant capsules that smashed into Galeem. The good doctor bounded away, revealing Young Link and Toon Link's wrists aglow with the Triforce.

The two heroes stunned Galeem with beams of light and rushed forward. Their swords swung and slashed at the core before both of them delivered a final thrusting strike with a cry.

"YOU CANNOT WIN! YOUR FATES ARE ALREADY SEALED! THIS BATTLE DOES NOT SEE YOU AS THE VICTOR! YOU HAVE NO HOPE OF ALTERING THE OUTCOME!"

"Anything can change! Your time has come!" yelled Chrom. His sword slashed against Dharkon and he flipped back, dashing forward to land a powerful blow. Dharkon summoned dark images of fighters to protect him… but Mister Game and Watch flew past in his octopus form. He picked up the copies in his tentacles and dropped them off the platforms.

Meta Knight called down lightning on Galaxia, catching Dharkon's eye in the blast. "Know my power!" he shouted, proceeding to strike at Dharkon from all angles. A final slash nearly sent the eyeball sailing. Dharkon teleported back into the air, surrounding himself with his tendrils and unleashing cross bombs on the Smashers below.

"THE SMASH STONE WILL NOT SAVE YOU, YOU WRETCHED IRRITANTS! I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!"

"Phos! Lux! Let's go!" Before Dharkon could turn to face the threat, Pit plowed past him on the Lightning Chariot, the neighing of his steeds ringing through the air. Wheeling around, he drew his bow. "Bye now!"

A volley of light arrows was launched from the bow as Pit fired with great speed. All of the projectiles struck the roaring Dharkon and his tendrils flailed about. Galeem followed up, barraging Dharkon with shockwaves.

The lord of light's core flashed, catching the sight of a dark angel on the ground… and pointing a staff at him with a single hand.

"Goodbye!" Dark Pit pulled the trigger, piercing Galeem's core with a single shot from his staff. He took to the air to avoid a countering barrage of lasers. The spirit of Zero Suit Samus followed his lead, landing in her gunship to fire laser beams back at Galeem. The gunship flew over Galeem… and Wario-Man dove in next. He landed strong punches- while posing heroically- and performed the mother of all farts to fly away.

"GREAT AETHER!" Ike attacked Galeem with his greatsword blazing with a blue fire and some kicks. He came crashing down, igniting the air around him in a small explosion. Galeem shot away, firing a blast of light at the warrior. "Ngh!"

"SQUIRTLE! IVYSAUR! CHARIZARD! TRIPLE FINISH!"

On Red and Leaf's command, all six of their Pokémon sprung into action. Hydro Pump, Solar Beam, and Fire Blast fused into a single attack that struck Galeem not once, but twice. Pumped up by the Smash Stone's power, the combined strike battered Galeem's core and forced him to float back. While he did, Diddy Kong rocketed around him in all directions while trying to find a good ramming point.

"Aw, yeah!" cried Red. "It's super effective!"

"Take that, you big, bright bully!" taunted Leaf.

On Snake's signal, helicopters fired a storm of missiles on both Galeem and Dharkon. While both deities managed to shoot missiles down with orbs and laser beams, most of the warheads detonated against them while Snake fired a grenade launcher. King Dedede fired missiles of his own, which exploded against Dharkon. He spun like a twister, slamming his hammer against the eye.

In a rage, Dharkon struck a tentacle like a whip, knocking Dedede away and nearly breaking his mask. "ONCE I DESTROY ALL OF YOU, YOUR WORLDS- YOUR HOMES- WILL BE ALL NEXT! YOU CANNOT HOPE TO STOP ME! YOU CANNOT DEFEAT ME!"

He lashed out with more of his tentacles… but a golden streak sliced through them. Dharkon could barely make out a spinning yellow ball cutting through his tendrils like a saw on wood. The golden ball veered around after blasting past Dharkon… and boosted right up through the massive swarm of tendrils.

Blasting out from the top, Super Sonic slowed and stared down at Dharkon. "That's why I've got this form," he spoke, punching a palm with a smirk. "Boo-yah."

Dharkon fired blasts of darkness at the hedgehog, who boosted into action. He flew around and away from the beams, dashing for Dharkon's eye. He bashed off it in his ball form, shooting away at high speed before he could strike back. He looped over another beam and sped back for Dharkon… and was met by a thorny wall that he spun into like a drill.

"HRAH!" Super Sonic plowed right through it and struck Dharkon in the eye again. He bounced off the eye rapidly, landing a hundred hits in under a second. Sticking out his tongue at the enraged eyeball, he was off in a flash. "You're just like all the rest who can't keep up!"

"SPEED IS NOTHING WITHOUT STRENGTH BEHIND IT! AND I AM THE STRONGEST BEING IN THE COSMOS!"

"But are you Chaos Emerald-strong? CHAOS CONTROL!"

With a shout and spread arms, Super Sonic slowed down tendrils racing for him and flew over them. He weaved around more tendrils that came at him like missiles. Just as Super Sonic neared the eye… it glowed with violet colors.

"Wuh-oh…"

A beam of pure darkness hit Super Sonic point-blank, blasting him into the sky. The hedgehog righted himself when the beam died down, shaking his head. "Sonic!" cried Pit, flying up to his side. "You okay?"

"Yep. Let's hear it for invulnerability."

"You took a laser blast head-on and treated it as nothing? Whoa…"

"We're not out of this yet, fly-boy!" Orbs of darkness shot after them. The hedgehog and the angel- guided by his goddess- flew away at top speed. While they streaked across the sky, Olimar and Alph set their Hocotate ships on a collision course with a squadron of Wolfens right behind them.

"Grahaha!" growled Wolf. "The hunt is on, boys!" Red lasers spat out from the ships, which battered Galeem and Dharkon. Olimar's rocket exploded against Galeem and Alph's smashed into Dharkon… and both pilots jumped ship, carried down to safety with their winged Pikmin.

Mega Lucario somersaulted over a spreading orb of light, staring down Galeem. He gathered his Aura… and with a mighty cry, he unleashed it at the lord of light in the form of a destructive beam. Galeem shined with the light of a star, firing a ray of light to counter the beam. Both attacks met and their users struggled to overpower the other. Galeem flashed, pushing against Mega Lucario. The Pokémon felt a sudden strain from a great deal of energy lost to perform this. He grunted and gritted his teeth, desperately trying to hold his ground.

Mega Mewtwo Y swiftly appeared beside him, unleashing a powerful Psybeam. The move added onto Mega Lucario's own beam, doubling its strength. The combined attack pushed against Galeem's… and succeeded in turning the tide. When Galeem vanished from sight in the following explosion, both Mega-Evolved Pokémon turned to each other.

"Thank you… my friend…" groaned Mega Lucario, dropping to a knee and holding an arm.

Mega Mewtwo Y bowed his head in appreciation. He knew Mega Lucario's strength was partly drained, so he needed to be protected until he was ready. Calling Pikachu to his side, Mega Mewtwo Y lit his palms with psychic power.

"I too wish to join in on the fun," beeped R.O.B., rolling past the Pokémon. "Initiate Guided Robo Beam." The robot transformed into a laser cannon and fired, this time aiming at Dharkon. The evil entity bashed away Diddy Kong and Super Sonic with a hammer… and thus, failed to see the attack coming until it was too late.

When the green beam struck the eye, R.O.B. poured on the heat. He shot red homing lasers that hit Dharkon's tendrils, causing them to flinch. R.O.B. diverted all power to the laser, making it grow in size and strength. After a short while, the beam faded and the robot reverted back to its normal form.

"Cooldown sequence initiated," he beeped while Dharkon moaned from the blast. "Give him what for, friends."

The Villager hopped in with Isabelle, summoning Tom Nook, Timmy, and Tommy by their sides. They raced between Dharkon's eye and Galeem's core, swiftly building a house and a town hall right on top of them. Everyone gave a little celebratory cheer… and the buildings blew up.

"MERE CONSTRUCTION EFFORTS SHALL NOT STOP ME!"

The spirits of the Nooks were sent flying while the Villager and Isabelle ran off. To cover their retreat, Rosalina's Grand Star fired off tiny stars that peppered both deities. Galeem and Dharkon fired more light and dark orbs… which Mega Man slid under. The Blue Bomber fired his Black Hole Bomb, drawing the eye and the core closer together.

The rest of the Mega Men's spirits formed up on Mega Man with Bass and Proto Man standing beside the Blue Bomber. They all aimed and fired their Busters, numerous beams striking the deities. The black hole and lasers faded, dropping their cores to the ground.

"Leave some teaming-up action for me!" called Shulk, igniting the Monado. He raced forward with the souls of Dunban, Riki, and Fiora. Shulk delivered ferocious slashes on the two entities while his friends went all-out with slices and poisonous clouds- with the occasional whacking from Riki. Shulk jumped high, landing his final strike and backflipping away.

"And speaking of black holes, Mega Man, watch this," spoke Palutena, drawing her staff and twirling it around. With a shout, she conjured a larger black hole than Mega Man's, drawing the eye and the core back in.

"ARGH! RELEASE ME AT ONCE!"

"Please, Lady Palutena. You should know that lightning never strikes twice."

"Who said anything about lightning? MEGA LASER!"

A gigantic beam shot through the core and the eye from out of nowhere, dealing devastating damage to them both. When the attack faded, Galeem and Dharkon wasted no time in regathering themselves and resuming their duel. Lasers and orbs flew while wings and tendrils lashed out at both each other and at the Smashers.

"Yow!" cried Pit, jolting back from a stabbing wing. "These guys just won't quit!"

"Then let's step up the intensity," replied the Wii Fit Trainer. She struck a Warrior pose, sending colored silhouettes in various yoga poses towards Galeem and Dharkon. With his Koopalings behind him, Bowser Jr. jumped high as Shadow Mario and swiped paint across Galeem and Dharkon's core and eye, leaving them blinded for the incoming attack. A larger silhouette moved past Galeem and Dharkon, accompanying the smaller ones while the Koopalings fired cannonballs.

Duck Hunt barked, eagerly wanting him to be next. With Pac-Man by his side, they sent pixelated ghosts and ducks towards the god-like entities. While Pac-Man chomped at the glowing core as if it was a Power Pellet, Duck Hunt's gunmen and thugs fired at the eye. One bullet struck Dharkon right in the pupil, earning a rage-filled scream from the dark embodiment.

"Well, whaddya know!" Super Sonic chuckled. "A bullseye! Haha!"

With a roar, Giga Mac charged past with Ash-Greninja in tow. Both of them rushed Dharkon, delivering a mix of super-swift punches and lightning-quick ninja strikes. Giga Mac knocked Dharkon's eye into the air with an uppercut… and Ash-Greninja slammed it back down with a palm strike.

"My turn!" called Robin, flashing open his tome book. "Chrom!"

While his female counterpart stood beside him, the shepherd readied his blade. "On my mark!" He sprinted forward with the tacticians in tow, heading for Galeem. Magic blasts and sword swings hit Galeem's core as the trio circled around it. Robin used Thunder while his counterpart cast Arcfire on Galeem.

"Bolganone!" Both of them cried while Chrom raised his sword high. "Not done yet!" All three of them struck at the same time with a great explosion, sending the core crashing to the ground.

Cloud held the Buster Sword firmly. "I suppose it's down to us now."

"Just remember to stay focused," Ryu told him. Ken gave a thumbs-up.

"Come on, then! This ends here!" cried the female Corrin. Both she and her male counterpart morphed into their dragon forms and charged with a roar. Cloud, Ryu, Ken, and Bayonetta ran after them.

Out of the way!" cried the male Corrin, unleashing a monstrous stream of water from his draconic maw. Cloud reached Galeem after both dragons spewed huge waves that tossed them about. "You're out of luck," he stated before knocking the core into the air. He chased after it and delivered wild slashes. For the finale of his Omnislash, Cloud charged up the Buster Sword and brought it down on Galeem hard. He slammed to the ground, gripping his weapon in one hand.

"SHINKUUUU…"

Cloud's eyes flashed wide and he dove out of the way right before.

"HADOOOOKEEEEN!" A massive blue fireball exploded against Galeem's core. Straightening himself, Ryu turned to Dharkon. Bayonetta cartwheeled away from a tendril, taunting him with the words "So close, darling!" With a whistle from the witch, Gomorrah roared and repeatedly bit down on Dharkon. The eye fired a dark laser at the demon, making it howl in agony.

Ryu sprinted up and slid underneath another tendril. He positioned himself right beneath the eye… and for a brief moment, he saw the pupil move to stare right at him.

"SHIN! SHORYUKEN!"

Ryu hit the eye three times, the final hit propelling it into the air. He touched down, turning to his friend. "Ken!"

"Here goes!" Ken braced himself, waiting for the eye to fall. When it did, it glowed violet for another attack…

"SHINRYUKEN!"

Dharkon was enveloped in a vertical column of flame. He teleported away, reformed, and angrily lashed out at Bayonetta and Ken with tendrils. The street fighter took off running, narrowly avoiding a flying spear that jabbed at Dharkon's eye.

"Uh-uh! You get some, too!" Ken bolted for Galeem, lashing out with an extended leg. He kicked the core multiple times and carried Galeem upward in a rising helicopter kick. At the end of his Shippu Jinraikyaku, he landed a final kick that nearly sent Galeem falling to the ground below.

The core flashed out of sight, reappearing a second later. "Huh. Tough one, aren't ya?"

"Greater than all of your world's warriors combined, Ken Masters," Galeem fired a beam of light at Ken, who nimbly dodged and raced away. In Ken's place, the three Miis charged in. The Brawler knocked Dharkon's eye into the air and proceeded to wildly pound on it, the Gunner called forth two smaller blasters that fired powerful laser beams to back up her own to strike Galeem, and the Swordfighter slashed fast enough to create colored crescents that hit them both.

The Brawler landed three final blows to Dharkon's eye, smashing it to the platform below. "Switch!" he called, backflipping away and leaving the two Inklings in the trio's place.

"Let's crank this party up to eleven!" called Orange. The two Killer Wails blasted out an ear-shattering sound that enveloped both the eye and the core. Wings and tendrils shuddered and rocked from the supersonic vibrations. Ridley screeched and swooped in, firing a large plasma beam from his mouth to add on the pain.

Orbs and tendrils chased all of them away… while two whips snapped and cracked projectiles into nonexistence. "Now!" called Richter. He and his ancestor held out their arms, entrapping the eye and the core in two giant coffins. Their whips wrapped around the coffins, flung them into the air...

"GRAND CROSS!"

Both Belmonts held their chests upwards, calling forth magical crosses to attack the coffins. Both of them burst into splinters and the deities fell. While Galeem was on his way down, Incineroar snatched the glowing core in both hands and struck an uppercut. His whole body flashed with Incinium Z… and he pounced like a tiger.

Airborne, Incineroar landed a second uppercut, a dropkick, and a third uppercut. He positioned himself above the core and slammed it with a diving battering ram. Both of them crashed into the platform with a fiery blast… and Incineroar leaped out posing and flexing.

"GRAHAHA! I'll take it from here!" King K. Rool shot into the air, summoning his old Blast-o-Matic weapon. He sat on the throne while laughing devilishly, charging up the main laser. Blue energy charged up beneath the mouth… and fired at both entities.

Each of them tried to fire back… but the beam struck the two embodiments of light and dark, the laser exploding against them both.

"Now! Strike with all your might!" Eleven called, holding up his sword. Erdrick, Eight, and Solo held up their blades, which were sparkling with the power granted by the other heroes of their world. They made a dash towards Galeem and Dharkon…

...and swung with a spinning slash. All four heroes cried out as their combined Gigaslash dealt a critical blow against both entities. Yellow and purple colors burst outward and the Super Smash Brothers gathered around.

"So…" spoke Galeem, the light in his core starting to flicker out like a dying lightbulb. "This is the true power of the Smash Stone? Of my wondrous creation? It is… extraordinary…"

"How… HOW?!" howled Dharkon in disbelief. "HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?! ME, THE ULTIMATE EMBODIMENT OF EVIL, CHAOS, AND DARKNESS… DEFEATED NOT ONCE BY LOWLY WORTHLESS LIFEFORMS… BUT TWICE?! HOW CAN THIS BE?! WHAT… WHAT KIND OF POWER IS THIS?!"

"This?" Fox replied. "This is your fault. Your undoing. Just like how we unintentionally released you from your prison, Dharkon, you and Galeem unintentionally did this."

"When your fighting caused the Stone to be shattered," explained Marth. "Its pieces called out to each of us. It brought us all together. It led us to where we are, gifting the very unity it created with its power. And it's that power that's given us the full strength we need to finish this once and for all."

"To put it simply, you made us," Orange continued. "And I don't just mean 'made us' made us, Galeem. We're all here because of you two. The Super Smash Brothers themselves… was born from the ashes of your war."

"And just like we ended many wars on our worlds, we're gonna end this one!" called Super Sonic, pointing at the two entities. "Right here! And right now!"

"I have worked tirelessly to create my World of Light," said Galeem. "I will do what I must to ensure its survival… even if it means destroying you for good."

Dharkon's eye twitched uncontrollably. "No… NO… NO! I… I HATE you! I am... suffering… I am... hatred… I must… WIN… I am… ultimate… evil… you. YOU. You. Will! ALL! DIE!"

At the same time, Galeem and Dharkon fired beams of light and darkness at the Smashers. Their tendrils and wings desperately crashed against each other… and each strike was canceled out. The Super Smash Brothers dashed towards the two god-like beings, launching themselves into the air.

Galeem's core continued to flicker. Just above it, Mario, Kirby, Link, Pikachu, Donkey Kong, Fox, Samus, Yoshi, and all the heroes prepared their final blow with the orange Inkling pointing her Splattershot at the core's center. Each of their eyes blazed brightly from the Stone's strength.

Dharkon's eye shook and trembled with disbelief and fear. Super Sonic, Mega Man, Mega Mewtwo Y, Snake, Pit, the warriors from Marth's world, and all of the villains rose above the evil eye…

...and as one, everyone struck.

KRACK-A-BLAAAM!

It was like a thousand atomic warheads exploding at once. Shockwaves traveled way beyond the sound barrier and reached sky-shattering proportions. The very planet shook from the impact and clouds both white and black dissipated instantly.

And at ground zero, a combined blast of radiant light and malevolent darkness annihilated every single platform into dust. Smaller explosions thundered in the air like fireworks. Angelic wings and merciless tentacles spasmed and flailed about before one final blast tore through the sky.

A Megawatt arm plowed through several clones like a wrecking ball. Drawing it back to her side, Min Min swapped it for a dragon arm. A sudden screeching sound made the soul of the woman turn behind her. A dark Ridley clone was swooping in like a bird of prey, talons wide open to snatch her up. Seeing it was too late to dodge, Min Min threw up her arms to block…

But nothing came.

A noise of confusion came from her throat. She cracked open an eye… and saw empty space. It was like nothing had ever been there.

Min Min lowered her arms and looked around. All around her, the blue and red figures that numbered in the thousands… were dropping for a reason she didn't quite understand. Did it have something to do with that immensely-huge explosion in the sky?

Chun-Li swung a leg at a light clone of Ryu… and it disintegrated before it even hit the ground. The woman stared at the spot in confusion.

Knuckles threw a diving punch at a Bowser clone… and hit the ground rolling. "Huh?" When he looked back, he saw the spot completely bare.

Rabbids swarmed a Donkey Kong puppet, whacking it with plungers. It suddenly vanished from existence in light-blue sparkles, leaving the Rabbids falling to the ground and screaming.

Rayman lowered his fists and raised a brow. Shantae tossed a Peach puppet to the ground… and gained a puzzled expression when the clone disappeared. The Fighting Mii Team looked around at the sight, lowering their weapons.

"Cease fire! CEASE FIRE!" called a Mii Gunner, raising a fist. His fellow shooters halted their shooting, watching their very enemies vanish into red and blue sparkles before their eyes.

The T-Rex's jaws closed on empty air as a Charizard puppet vanished. The vivosaur growled in both frustration and confusion. Rathalos touched down and shook its head.

Master Hand and Crazy's Hands attackers faded into nothing. Both hands stopped whatever attack they were in the midst of. Up above, the aerial fleet's bombardment died down. Cannon fire halted and fighter ships decreased speed. All of the numerous hands assailing the battleships disintegrated; breaking up into yellow and purple dust in black swirls.

"What's happening?" asked Zero while a Hammer Bro stopped its throw. "What's going on?"

Master Hand relaxed. "It is done."

The spirits slowly realized what was happening. Faces lit up in amazement.

"We won?" asked Rex.

"We won!" answered an enthusiastic Silver.

"YEAH! We won!" cried a Mii Brawler, punching the air.

"Woohoo!"

"We did it!"

Cheers and roars rang out across the battlefield. Cries of victory came from the Pokémon and all manners of creatures. Warriors raised their weapons. Friends embraced each other happily.

Eevee jumped up and down happily while the Legendary Pokémon comforted their smaller brethren. Waluigi danced around with his racket in hand. Waddle Dees waved and hopped about. Shadow's mouth lifted in a calm smirk. Miis erupted into massive cheers. Rabbids jumped around while screaming wildly. Rayman gave Sukapon a high-five. Arwings and Mii fighter ships swooped low over the battlefield in victory flights.

Chiaki brought her hands close to her heart and smiled. "At long, long last… it is done. Billions of years of struggle… put to rest."

Above the celebration, the Smash Stone emitted a bright sapphire glow. In a similar-colored aura, all of the Super Smash Brothers descended to the cliff below. The Stone's power had finally waned, returning everyone to their normal selves. Yoshi's wings had faded, Little Mac, Bowser, and Ganondorf had shrunken back down, the Pokémon had reverted from their Mega Evolutions, the Three Sacred Treasures had disappeared, Wario was back in his biker's jacket, Pac-Man was spherical again, and Sonic was his normal, blue self. When they all touched down, Chiaki floated up to them.

"I cannot thank you all enough!"

"No…" answered Cappy atop a smiling Mario. "Thank you for giving us the belief we needed."

"Yes… now balance has been properly restored. The multiverse can now be set on its proper course without the influence of Galeem and Dharkon to taint it."

"Balance?"

The booming-yet-calm voice startled everyone. They all spun around… and the first thing they saw was the slowly-sinking form of Galeem.

"So… that was the solution all these millennia. All this… pointless battling. I was solely focused on destroying the dark and fighting for peace… that I never was at peace myself."

The Smashers took a few steps forward, all eyes trained on the fading sun before them. Chiaki looked to Galeem, watching his wings breaking apart and slowly losing their color… and watching his dying core.

"I know you wished for the universes to thrive," she calmly spoke. "But your war against Dharkon only sought to doom them. If you completely destroyed him, reality would not be able to bear a force that would not be countered. You would win, yes…"

"...but I would also lose," finished Galeem. "Chiaki… you were always one to view my ideals. And now… I view yours. We share the same views… unlike the false belief centuries ago."

"GRAAAAAAGH! NOOOOoooooo..." Dharkon sank to the oceans below, tendrils snapping like twigs and the darkness in his eye fading. "Impossible... this… does not… end… here… fools…"

"Both of your times have passed," spoke Chiaki. "You each sought to claim dominion over everything that exists… but while you squabbled over it like children over a toy, the only success you brought was devastation through your war. Countless worlds have fallen. Galaxies consumed. And reality itself was on the brink of destruction."

"If I prevailed… or if my enemy prevailed… all would be lost," whispered Galeem in a calm tone. "Blinded by my own light…"

"That's what happens when there's too much," said Ness. "There doesn't need to be too much light in this universe or all the rest. There needs to be just the right amount."

"And let's not forget the other weight on the scale," continued Sonic. "A brilliant mind in my world said that we can't live without darkness. We all need to rest. To sleep. Just as light is a part of our universes, so is darkness."

"The two of you are cosmic forces beyond our control," said Rosalina. "Light and darkness can never be destroyed… only placed into a dormant state. You may fall… but what you symbolize will not."

"If there's something I learned in my world," added Eleven. "It's that the darkness always comes back, no matter how many times it appears to be vanquished. But the same can be said for the light, for it always stands against the dark, no matter what form it takes."

"A perfect balance…" hushed Galeem. "I may end… but my light will not. It has existed with me since the dawn of time, and it will still remain tomorrow. But it is not my light that will reign. It is this. A cycle between good and evil that keeps every universe in check."

"And all of us maintain that cycle," said Shulk. "Every struggle we've been through in the past… and the battles we have yet to fight in the future."

"Was that why the Stone chose us?" asked Orange. "Did it… know that everything was in danger and asked keepers of the cycle to put everything back on track?"

"Presumably," answered Chiaki, stroking the Inkling on the head.

"Kirby…"

The pink puffball turned to Galeem. His core was dimming out by the second and he was nearing the water. "You… are truly my finest creation yet. Not the multiverse I gave life to and not the Stone I made to maintain it… but you. You stood against both Dharkon and myself not just to rescue your companions… but to restore all dimensions, a task I never realized I was failing. The many entities you have felled in your world… and now myself. To put it simply… I am proud of you, Kirby."

Kirby blinked, light reflecting in his eyes and his mouth slightly open.

"Which is why I bestow this gift to you. For millennia, the Smash Stone has solely been under my protection and guarded against the darkness. From this day forth, Kirby… I hereby place you as its guardian. Its keeper from any future threats."

Kirby made a noise of astonishment that was barely heard by his friends.

"May you shield it with all your power."

The Smash Stone rotated in the air… and slammed into the ground with a loud clanging noise. It rooted itself into the earth, fusing into the very planet… and serving as a memento to the epic battle waged at this very spot.

Kirby looked to the bright Smash Stone with wide eyes… and turned back to Galeem. When he first saw him, he felt nervousness among a sea of courage. After his assault and Kirby's arrival in the World of Light, he felt devastation and utter heartbreak, grieving for his friends.

But now? All Kirby felt was warmth. A light in his heart. A tear slowly slid down his face as he watched Galeem's form smash against the waves. A second later, Dharkon crashed down onto the surface of the sea.

"Remember… there will always be light…"

"And there will always be darkness, you infuriating insects... I will be avenged… This will never be over..."

"The scary part?" asked Lucas. "He's right…"

Fox sighed. "I don't want it any other way."

The sun was starting to sink beneath the horizon. Beside it, the two deities lit up in yellow and purple colors. Brighter and brighter they glowed as light and darkness were drawn towards them… and they shrank down. From the yellow speck on the right, a final soothing, heavenly voice rang out to the Smashers.

"Goodbye, my friends. Goodbye… my children."

And then came the light.

The two specks of light and dark burst and expanded. Mario's eyes went wide before he was consumed. Samus, Fox, Greninja, Bowser, and Zelda watched as the brightness washed over them. Everyone else shielded their eyes and threw up their arms… as they, too, faded into white.

Two shockwaves spread far across the planet, cleansing every inch of it. Life and death were righted in the conflicted world. The waves spread further into the solar system… and then the galaxy… and then the universe…

...and then beyond.

Everyone opened their eyes.

The ocean was calm. The sky was bright orange with the sun dipping low under the horizon. Clouds drifted through the air. All was tranquil. All was peaceful.

All was balanced.

"See?" Pit broke the silence with a smile. "I told you we'd win this." The fighters around him chuckled.

Mega Man looked at the ocean. "It's really over?" By his side, Olimar nodded. Luigi wiped his brow with exhaustion… and Mario wrapped an arm around his brother's shoulder.

Pikachu hopped into Samus' arms, snuggling up like a cat. Sonic stretched out his arms… and fell on his back. His green eyes looked up to the sky. "Doesn't it feel great, you guys?" he asked. "Every time you looked up, you'd see either clear blue or merciless black. When was the last time any of you remembered what a glorious sunset looked like?"

"I… I think I feel a little tingly…" Bowser mumbled. Donkey Kong grinned beside him. Kirby moved to the front of the group, looking to the spot where Galeem had fallen… and back to the glowing Smash Stone. The pink puffball turned to his friends…

...and saw Chiaki nervously looking down.

"Poyo?" he walked up to the spirit with curious eyes.

She noticed him with alarmed eyes, gathering herself. "Um… forgive me, my friend," she muttered. "It's just… I've spent hundreds of years working to fulfill the prophecy. To finally bring an end to Galeem and Dharkon's war. To have you bring balance. And now that it's done… what do I do now?"

"What else?" replied Sonic, hopping to his feet. "Kick back and relax! That's what I always do every time I kick Eggman's butt!"

"Cherish this moment, Chiaki," said Zelda. "You've driven yourself for this very moment."

"And now that you've seen it through," added Peach. "Just melt all your worries away!"

"Celebrate your victory… at least until the next threat reveals itself," said Eleven.

"Thank you, everyone, but…" Chiaki paused for a moment… and let out a sigh. "I don't think any of you understand what I've been through. Decade after decade after decade of planning… and in a single moment, it comes to fruition. After that, I feel… no longer of use. Can I… Can I even yearn to settle down? To drive my thoughts away from all that has transpired?"

"You ought to."

Everyone, including Chiaki, perked up at the new ghostly voice. They looked around for the source of the speaker. But while they could not find any other spirits, save for their assembled army, a single spirit sailed into view from the distance.

The spirit hovered in front of Chiaki's stunned form. "For centuries, you have been conflicted. You sought this victory… savor it. Galeem and Dharkon are not forever destroyed, and they never will be, but they have gone into rest. They will pose no further threat to us all… even us."

Chiaki blinked. "Your… your voice… should I know you?"

The other spirit floated back. "My apologies for not revealing myself sooner. After my body was destroyed, I found myself trapped in Dharkon's realm. When he was released, I sought out the rest. Tell me, Chiaki…"

The spirit grew and brightened… revealing the transparent body of a young man.

"Did you truly believe you were the only one to achieve life after death?"

Chiaki was at a temporary loss for words. She took in the figure before her, unable to believe what- or rather who- she was seeing. Before long… a name escaped her throat.

"Yami…!"

Chiaki embraced the young man, who returned the gesture with a calm smile.

"It has been too long, sister."

"Whoa…" uttered Pit.

The Smashers looked on at the duo, their mouths open in awe. However, it didn't take long for Ness to put two and two together. "Wait a sec… if he's your brother…"

"Does that mean you…" Lucina continued. Yoshi finished with a worried expression… and moved a finger across his throat.

"It is true," spoke Yami, moving apart from Chiaki. "She did strike me down in battle when we were both pawns to Galeem and Dharkon."

"But… how?" she whispered, gesturing to his form.

"Do you remember the time before Galeem and Dharkon arrived? You were one of the many students who was taught about the spirits… and one of the few who wished to learn more."

Chiaki quickly realized what this meant. "You learned it, too?"

"In secret, just like you. My mind was altered when Dharkon made me one of his worshippers and soldiers… but I knew that my life would come to an end sooner or later. I learned how to hold on to my soul should I fall in their meaningless battle… but most of our people failed to see the truth."

"Back up a moment," Roy interjected. "You said that when you became a spirit, you sought out 'the rest'."

"That is also true."

As if on cue, more spirits emerged and morphed from their orb-like states. While they were only a handful, they wore faces of men and women alike. They silently greeted both Chiaki and the Smashers with silent bows.

"My training revealed different results than yours, dear sister," explained Yami. "The moment I awakened in my new form, I telepathically heard all of these souls cry out in anguish. I had learned to communicate with spirits from vast distances. So I gathered them."

"Does that mean you also heard me?" Chiaki asked.

"Yes. But you were in Galeem's new world… so I was unable to reach you. I listened to you throughout the centuries, wishing I was once again by your side. And when you formed the prophecy involving this unity, the rest of us made it our own as well. Like you, we believed they would save us all."

"You asked and we delivered," replied the Mii Brawler.

"There is but one last thing to be done," Yami continued. "Another technique I have learned and, like you, mastered over the years." He gestured to Leaf and her Pokémon, Alph, the female Corrin, the female Robin, and the Koopalings.

"Come forward, all of you."

The spirits did so. Yami closed his eyes calmly, held out his palms… and lit them up in spiritual glows. Slowly, each of the souls before him gave out an equally bright aura, earning a surprised and confused reaction…

FWASHAM!

The light faded… revealing everyone in their normal bodies.

Leaf gasped, holding up a hand with wide eyes. "I'm… back?" Pikachu eyed her restored Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard while Red slowly approached her.

Alph touched his helmet and went wide-eyed. His Pikmin ran around him in a circle. Corrin looked down at her feet and patted her armor while Robin examined herself. "This is… incredible."

"Woo-ha!" Bowser Junior hovered up to his seven buddies, who made sounds of happiness and flew around him.

"While you did manage to restore a soul's likeness, Chiaki… you never learned how to restore them completely."

She smiled at him. "You never cease with your surprises, brother… but now that Galeem and Dharkon are defeated and existence is free from their influence… what happens now?"

Yami didn't answer her. Instead, he turned to the air above the Smashers. Curious, everyone followed his gaze. And there, just an arm's reach away from the fighters… a spirit hovered through the sky.

Followed by another spirit. And another. And another.

"Whoa, whoa, guys!" called Sonic. "Guys, hold up! Dude, can't you use your body-restoring thingy on them?!"

"Sadly, I cannot. If there is too much at once, my spiritual energy will fade… and if I bring back every soul here, I will be forever gone. But mark my words… their bodies will return to them, but not here."

Fox and Olimar recognized the spirits of Peppy and a Rock Pikmin float overhead. "So… where are they all going?"

"Home."

Chiaki turned to her brother. "Home? As in… their original worlds?"

"Yes. There, they can be one with their bodies again."

"Wow…" whispered the blue Inkling. Above the Smash Brothers, a floating sea of spirits flew into the sky and bathed every fighter in a calm, shifting light as if they were in a tunnel of color. Portals opened up for the fleet to fly through, leading back to their own universes. Slowly, the ships traveled into the rifts.

The free spirits flew close together towards the starry night sky. They swirled and came together, forming a huge funnel of color and light. The Smashers looked on at the sight that began to reach into the high atmosphere.

"Look at that…" whispered Orange. "It's… beautiful. It's just like a… a…" She found that she couldn't form the words… but words in her mind rang out to her. Familiar words.

"What is it?" asked Blue. Orange didn't reply, staring transfixed at the funnel. Chiaki smiled at the Inkling… for she knew all too well what this looked like. And the Inkling knew it too.

The spirit closed her eyes… and began to sing.

"Colors weave into a spire of flame

Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed

Bear this torch against the cold of the night…"

Her eyes shot open, shining bright like circular rainbows.

"Search your soul and reawaken the undying liiiiiight!" In the final word, she shrank into her normal spirit state and shot high into the sky. Yami and the other spirits followed her lead, streaking right behind her.

They joined the other spirits in the swirling funnel of color. While the Super Smash Brothers watched the rising spirits ascend higher and higher into the air, Chiaki, Yami, and the rest of the souls sang out the prophecy they created long, long ago.

"On that day, when the sky fell away

Our world came to an end

In our eyes, did the fading sun rise in the dark?

Glimmering shaaadows

Silence grows, in the spaces between

Stretching out beyond tiiiiime

Rising up, as a chorus of souls find a voice

Flickering through the void

These little sparks cling on to life

Everyone caught in the struggle

And then the storms of change, they fan the flames

Scattering aaashes to the wiiiind!"

Smiles broke out amongst the gathered fighters as they began to celebrate their victory over light and dark. Cheers and roars rang out while a select few- namely Ganondorf, Ridley, Wolf, King K. Rool, and Dark Pit- crossed their arms with victorious smirks. In the heavens above, the spiritual voices continued to ring out.

"Every soul contains a whisper of light

Gleaming faintly as they dwindle from sight

No escape, no greater fate to be made

In the end, the chains of time will not break

Colors weave into a spire of flame

Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed

Bear this torch against the cold of the night

Search your soul and reawaken the undying liiiiight!"

Yoshi broke out into tears, burying his face into Donkey Kong's arm and sobbing. The ape patted the dinosaur on the head and Diddy Kong offered a banana. Kirby and Jigglypuff rolled and danced around with Luma joining in. Rosalina waved her wand around with Peach, Zelda, and Daisy smiling by her side. Mario and Luigi embraced each other while Bowser laughed alongside his son and Wario.

"As fate spins a thread without end

New life draws its first breeaath

Blossoming in a soil reclaimed from the past

Where destiny holds fast!

Here where we stand, hand clenched in hand

Everyone caught in the struggle

This is the day we finally find our way

Stepping into our tomorrooooow!"

Link raised his sword in triumph. His doppelgangers joined in, along with the Mii Swordfighter, Marth and his allies, and Eleven's band of heroes. Red and Leaf wrapped their arms around each other. Pikachu joyously played with the Squirtles, Ivysaurs, Jigglypuff, and Incineroar. The two Charizards, Lucario, and Mewtwo watched over them like guardians.

"Every soul contains a whisper of light

Growing louder as it calls to unite

From the distance sings a chorus of souls

Rising slowly, stirring heat from the coals!

Colors weave into a spire of flame

Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed

Bear this torch against the cold of the night

Light will guide you on your way to the ultimate fiiiight!"

Sonic fist-bumped Mega Man, both blue heroes smiling. Ness and Lucas gathered around Captain Falcon and the Ice Climbers. Pac-Man, Duck Hunt, and Mister Game Watch gathered around, looking to the sky.

And all of the Super Smash Brothers both good and evil did the same, watching the spiritual spiral reach high into the sky, break the planet's atmosphere… and touch a faraway, twinkling star.

"Every soul contains a whisper of light!

Growing louder as it calls to unite!

From the distance sings a chorus of souls!

Rising slowly, stirring heat from the coals!

Colors weave into a spire of flame!

Distant sparks call to a past still unnamed!

Bear this torch against the cold of the night!

Light will guide you on your way to the ultimate FIIIIIIIGHT!"

One last celebratory cheer rang out through the Smashers. The spirits' voices died down… and the funnel faded out of view as it did. Soon, all the sky held was a beautiful black background with sparkling white dots signifying a faraway star elsewhere in the universe. The star the spirits vanished into shone brighter than all the rest.

And for what felt like an hour, everyone said nothing… they just looked up at the black, night sky.

"What happens now?" asked Lucina.

Fox turned to the fighters with a warm smile. "We follow the spirits' lead… let's go home, everyone."

"I suppose it is like you said, Sonic," said Red. "We all need the dark to sleep."

"And as for me?" Pit continued, stretching out his arms. "I could sleep for days after fighting two beings of pure light and darkness."

Mario touched a hand to the Smash Stone. Beams of interdimensional energy shot out from the crystal… and thirty-three portals flashed open in empty space. Each one held a landmark or a building that showed what dimension it led to.

"I'm sure each of you will remember this moment for years to come," said Master Hand while Crazy Hand waved. "You all fought hard and bravely throughout this adventure. And now, each of you deserves a moment to rest before moving onward. Farewell for now, Super Smash Brothers!"

The two hands flew away from the cliff and off into the night sky. No sooner than they departed, each of the fighters made their way to the rifts.

"Bye-bye!" cried the Mario Brothers, leaping into a portal. Peach, Daisy, Rosalina, Bowser, Bowser Junior, and the Koopalings followed them through. Wario drove motorcycle-first into the portal leading to Diamond City.

Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and King K. Rool ran through another portal that showed a lush jungle. Yoshi waved goodbye, hopping through a portal that led to an egg-shaped island.

Link and his doppelgangers jumped through a portal bearing the Triforce symbol. Zelda followed him through, with Ganondorf trailing after. Samus, Dark Samus, and Ridley moved through a rift leading back to their universe while Fox, Falco, and Wolf jumped through another.

Red gave the Smashers a tip of his hat while Leaf waved goodbye. The Trainers and all of the Pokémon followed them through. "Pika pi!" Pikachu cried to Kirby before jumping in. The pink puffball waved goodbye. King Dedede and Meta Knight made their way to a rift leading to Popstar…

...but Kirby made no move to join them.

Dedede paused. "You're not coming?"

Kirby shook his head. He wanted to head back home, sure… but there was something on his mind. Something he needed to check out before he could leave. "Alright, then. Suit yourself!"

"Until we meet again, Kirby," said Meta Knight, fading within the portal. Dedede jumped after him. Captain Falcon saluted Kirby as he left while Ness and Lucas made their way homebound.

The Ice Climbers jumped into their portal with a wave. Marth bid everyone farewell before he and his allies vanished. Mister Game and Watch returned to his two-dimensional home. Pit high-fived Simon before he, Dark Pit, and Palutena hopped into the portal to Skyworld. Olimar and Alph, Pikmin in tow, ran into another portal.

"Farewell, friends," beeped a waving R.O.B. "I look forward to our next meeting." With that, he entered a portal while Mega Man and the Wii Fit Trainer hopped through two more.

Snake gave a two-fingered salute before he disappeared through another rift. Sonic winked and gave Kirby a thumbs-up. "See ya around, pal!" he called, spin-jumping into a portal that led to Green Hill Zone. The Villager and Isabelle waved, heading through a rift that led to their town.

Little Mac bumped fists with Ryu as both fighters hopped through their own portals. Ken gave a little two-fingered salute, following Ryu through one of the rifts. Duck Hunt barked farewell and Pac-Man winked. Both characters jumped into portals that led to pixelated environments. The three Mii Fighters jumped into another portal, the Gunner giving out a quick "Bye!" before leaving.

"The future looks bright, friend. Promise to keep it that way," advised Shulk, waving to Kirby before vanishing into a portal leading to Gaur Plain. Wordlessly-but with a smirk- Cloud walked into another rift after looking at Kirby. Bayonetta winked and somersaulted into another portal.

"Farewell!" called Richter as he and Simon jumped into a portal. Eleven and his heroes hopped into another… and only one portal remained.

The blue Inkling jumped through to Inkopolis… but Orange momentarily stayed behind. Kirby walked up to her with a caring smile. Returning it, Orange knelt down and hugged the puffball. Kirby hugged her back, the Inkling's arms nearly smushing him.

"This has been the greatest time of my life," she whispered. "Thank you for everything, Kirby."

Kirby made a sound of delight.

Orange giggled and got to her feet. With a little wave, she jumped into the last portal… and it closed. Now all alone, Kirby looked around at everything.

The land just in front of him, where he had fought the armies of light and dark alongside his otherworldly friends. The sky, where he bravely battles Galeem and Dharkon while supercharged by the Smash Stone. That very same stone, which Galeem entrusted Kirby to protect in his last moments. And finally, the sea, where Galeem- his creator- lay resting.

Kirby jumped off the cliff… and was caught by his Warp Star. His mode of transportation blipped rapidly as it soared through the air and performed a loop-de-loop. He shot off across the darkened land, all his thoughts on the last thing he needed to do before heading home…

(A/N: HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

After more than two years, Super Smash Bros. Beginnings is nearing its end. The battle is won. Galeem and Dharkon are defeated and the multiverse is set on its proper course. Now, I know what you're thinking… well, most of you. You've got the DLC characters on your mind (which some of you have been hounding me about, you know who you are), but given that you're seeing this, you probably already know what I'm going to do for them.

I never really expected this to be my longest and biggest story yet and I'm so glad to have you all along for the ride. But don't get out of your seats yet, folks. Why? Because while the battle has been won… the war goes on.

How? Just wait until the epilogue!)