The Final DLC (Ultimately)

At first, all the Smashers had reunited for another event. With newcomers like Chrom, K. Rool, and Ridley.

Then more came.

Joker.

The Hero.

Banjo and Kazooie.

Terry.

Byleths.

Min-Min.

Steve.

Pyra and Mythra.

Sephiroth.

Faces never thought to be seen, but not at the cost of some others missing the chance.

Then, they heard there would only be two more fighters.

Then finally….

XXXXX

Kairi…

Sora, you lazy bum. Wake up already!

"Huh…..?"

One of the final two was a boy, wielding the mighty Keyblade, a weapon with power and history that transcended worlds. Having woken up, he slowly got out of his bed and looked around.

"Right…..I ended up here…"

Sora stretched.

"Guess I should have a look around. Can't sleep all the time, right?"

Hmph….hardly anyone training.

The other of the final two was a man, with the almighty Devil Gene. He saw the tournament as something to succeed above all others. His father and his son wouldn't get in the way.

Kazuya locked on to the first punching bag he saw. And in his peripheral vision, he saw someone…..someone that seemed to have the same zeal for power?

"So….those hands must've found only the best of the best."

At first, Ryu ignored him. He was content to train alone like he usually did, but also because he sensed the same thing he sensed in the likes of Akuma.

"I know you can hear me….boy!" Kazuya smashed the bag off its hinges and turned towards the Street Fighter. With a glare. Ryu couldn't pretend like he wasn't there forever.

"It truly is an honor above all others. No matter who you are."

"Ha!" Kazuya simply switched to a new bag. "I've seen weak little mice and men alike. I thought this was a competition for the powerful!"

Now Ryu stopped. "Good and evil alike come here. Misjudge but one fighter and you'll learn the hard way."

"Are you sure? There was some boy that came in after me….they let mere children into this event!"
"Anyone can be a fighter," came the reply. "That's one of the core ideals of this place."

"Tch." Kazuya focused on his bout, not interested anymore. "If you're just going to spout nonsense, then our conversation is done."

"No way!"

Sora had only just gotten to the library, when….no, he had rub his eyes to make sure he seeing things right. A duck and a dog, sleeping by the window.

"It can't be….Donald? Goofy? Are you guys using magic over there?"

Some of the Smashers reading (Meta Knight, Captain Falcon, Bowser Jr., Olimar) all looked up and made a shushing motion with their hands.

"Uhhh….sorry." Sora rubbed his head and decided to approach the two sleeping animals. "Is it really you guys? It's me, Sora!"

"It's not them….whoever you think. It's just Duck Hunt."

"Huh?" Sora was just about to pet "Donald" too. Instead he locked eyes with a familiar face. "CLOUD! It's you!"

Again the library shushed Sora. Cloud looked embarrassed.

"….Sorry," he said to the room. "Don't be so loud, kid. People are trying to read."

"Huh?" Sora blinked. "Cloud….don't you recognize me?"
"Have we met before?"

"What…YES! Remember, in the Colosseum? Hades gave you a pass? Then we met again at Radiant Garden?"

Cloud stared back at the keybearer. "Sorry, not ringing any bells. But it IS weird you have some memory of me….whoever you think I am."

Sora rolled his eyes. "The big buster sword?"

"So?"

"Tifa, Aerith, Yuffie, Leon? All of our friends!"

Now Cloud looked caught off guard. "….let's discuss this somewhere else."

XXXXX

Outside in the garden, Sora explained what they all had been through. And it bothered Cloud, that this boy was so close to actually knowing his life.

"So you say….they're all okay? Tifa and Aerith?"

"Well, yeah! Last time I saw them, I mean. How do you know them and Yuffie but not Leon?"

Cloud leaned back. "Sounds like you know a version of me, Sora. There's no other way we know each otherwise. Don't take it so personally. This place….this place isn't like anything you know."

"You're telling me!" Sora sighed. "Are you sure you're just not playing a prank on me?"

"Sora. Does the Cloud you know play pranks?"

"…not really?"

"Plus you have no idea who Barrett, Nanaki, and Cait Sith are."

"But….but I know Cid! And Sephiroth too!"

Cloud's expression turned….anxious. "You….you know him?"

"Yeah! The two of you have some history…..he's your darkness," Sora said. "Did you ever get to settle the score?"

"Sora…..he's here."

Kazuya chose to eat alone in the cafeteria….the place was capable of serving up the delicious foods he'd only know in Japan, but he didn't relax his guard. Instead he chose to scope things out while slurping his noodles.

Robots….winged creatures….what IS this place? I'm here for a reason…..but do they really just let anyone in?

"Pichu!"

"What the….?" Kazuya looked down at the electric mouse. "What even are you? Get out of my sight, vermin."

"Pichu…?" The mouse looked distraught. He was only trying to greet the new fighter!

"Flee, unless you want your life to be forfeit!" The Mishima declared. As a result Pichu looked very upset and hurried away, but there was no way Kazuya was going to have alone time after that: three other fighters came up to him – Mythra, Terry, and Joker. "Tch, what now?"

"Yo, calm it down a little," Terry said. "It's just the cafeteria. No need to be a grouch."

"That insect was interrupting my meal." Kazuya studied the three. "And you all are doing the same."

"Pichu was just saying hello!" Mythra got in his face. "You think you're better than all of us here, don't you?"

Kazuya sneered. "I am the most powerful, after all."

That only elicited laughter from one person across the room…..a man that had finished his own steak meal….the Gerudo King himself. He even got up and shoved the heroes out of the way.

"Novice. You pale in comparison to me. You think big muscles and martial arts make you supreme? I've smacked down the likes of Ryu and Terry a hundred times!"

"It wasn't a hundred, dude!" the latter protested.

But Kazuya wasn't afraid in the slightest. "I have my own….unique power. You seem powerful, warlock, but you're in for a rude awakening. Any match I enter, I will win! And frankly, there should be more of you than….those degenerates."

Joker quickly held Mythra and her rage back.

"Lemme at him, Joker! I'll wipe the smirk off his face!"

"A farewell for now," Kazuya smiled evilly. "Prepare yourselves." He shoved his bowl away. "And tell the chef the meal was below average."

"Oh HELL NO! No one insults Min-Min's cooking!" the Aegis shouted, but Kazuya was already leaving. "Man, what an assh-"

"Mythra!"

Sora and Cloud headed to one of the balconies where the more experienced swordsman reflected. But Sora could tell…..

"….you're anxious when you fight him?"

"Can you blame me? Even here, he follows me. He even said….he wouldn't be just a nightmare. He doesn't give straight answers but I know he was just too powerful for the hands to shoo away. Now he's residing here like he's an honored guest."

Sora put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Even if he isn't the same Sephiroth I know, I'll still back you up. I've fought him before, twice!"

Cloud looked surprised. "Your world's…..weird. I still can't follow all that stuff about Heartless and the Organization…."

"Me? All that stuff you mentioned about Jenova can't be real! I know you're not the same Cloud I know….but I'm glad there's a friend here."

"Don't need to stop at me."

"What do you mean?"

He didn't reply. He only pointed to the doorway, where Princess Peach was approaching with a box of cookies.

"Hello! You're Sora, right?"
"Uhh….y-yes ma'am!"

"Don't be silly!" Peach giggled. "You don't need to be so nervous around me. I baked you some sweets. I do it for all the new faces here!"

"Wow! They look delicious!" Sora being Sora even opened the box and ate one. "And mey mhaste mhreat!" (Cloud being Cloud looked a little embarrassed)

"Thank you so much!" Peach beamed. Then, her expression turned….sad. "I'm glad you like them. The other newcomer smacked the box away."

"What?" Sora being Sora was outraged. "That's not very nice! I mean, you're royalty, and you're making sweets for regular joes like me!"

"And to top it off….well, you're the last one. There won't be anymore newcomers."

Sora and Cloud both looked surprised.

"So I'm glad….I'm glad one of you enjoyed it!" Peach tried to smile, but she still had to wipe a tear away. "One day….we'll all have to part ways."

"Nothing lasts forever," Cloud said with his reflective bitterness.

"But that doesn't mean it should be so treated so….so carelessly! Even if I'm not here forever, it's still exciting to be here! I've NEVER seen a place like this! And I've seen….well, all kinds of stuff!"

"That's sweet, Sora…"

"We need more upbeat faces like you," Cloud agreed. "Maybe….it doesn't have to be so sad."

"Right! Now let's find Sephiroth!"

"Goodness!" Peach stepped back. "Don't be so reckless! He's….a frightening gentleman. Although….at least he's polite! The other newcomer isn't!"

"Sounds like we got two faces to find, right Cloud?"

"H-Hang on…." But there was no stopping Sora once he had a plan.

Kazuya found a good spot to meditate, an essential part of his training. Nobody around, none of the annoying riffraff….finally, a moment to himself.

"Yah!"

"Not bad!"

Tch…. He peeked one eye open to see what was disturbing his moment of reflection. It was none other than father and daughter, Chrom and Lucina, doing a spar of their own.

"You're getting stronger every day, Lucina. I'm so proud."

"Oh father….!" The girl blushed. "Please don't be so modest. I could never surpass you."

"Ha!"

"Oh, sorry," Chrom said upon noticing Kazuya. "If you were training alone, we'll let you be." But his words only seemed to bring the menacing man closer.

"She is your spawn? Then I would be wary, for one day she might overtake you…and in that moment, discard you as if you were nothing."

"What?!" Lucina noticed the surprise on her dear father's face. "From what do you speak these thoughts from? I would never do that to Father!"

"Hmph….you could call it….experience."

"Your father did that to you, Kazuya?" Chrom wondered. "I am sorry. My own father….war was all he knew, and all he caused."

But the sympathy was ill-given….for Kazuya only looked more bitter.

"My father declared his death wish when he threw me off a mountain…..but in the end, I had the last laugh and did the same to him."

"N-No…..is he….?"

"Ha!" Kazuya scoffed. "A single fall wouldn't kill that stubborn lizard. But in the end….who is the one that stands before you?"

With that chilling statement, the fighter walked past the two sword wielders….making them wonder what other dark secrets he was harboring….

At the same time, Sora continued to drag Cloud across their new home. But every new room only made the boy marvel at what new sights and fighters he saw.

"This place has a POOL too? How can anybody fight when they're too busy having fun?"

"It's a way to unwind after the fights," Cloud provided. "And it's not a usual spot for Sephiroth. If you just listen we can-"
"Hey! You guys!" Sora was already running over to Sonic, Squirtle, and Leaf. "I'm Sora. You know, the new guy?"

"Hello!" said the Pokemon Trainer. "I'm Leaf, and this is my partner Squirtle! We're teaching Sonic how to swim."

"Squirtle Squirtle!"

"Yeah…." The blue blur had on a life preserver. "There's WAY too much water on the stages….maybe I need to try to learn. Wanna take a dip, Sora?"

"Maybe later…" Although Sora looked longingly at the pool….clear, just like his island's water. "I'm looking for Sephiroth."

"Squirtle?!"
"Why do you wanna fight him?" Leaf wondered. "He's….well, pretty scary."

"And what about that Kazuya guy?" Sonic crossed his arms. "Talk about a party pooper. At least I can crack a joke with Bowser, you know? He's too serious."

"I'm trying to settle the score with him too…."

"Be warned, key bearer."

"Who said that?!" Sora looked around, and his eyes noticed Mewtwo. The psychic Pokemon was staring him down. "Who's that?"

"I am Mewtwo. I am talking to you through telepathy."

"Oh cool!"

"There's an ominous dark power within Kazuya. If you wish to approach him, do so with caution. He is ruthless. Perhaps more so than Sephiroth."

"I'm not afraid," Sora declared. "I'm using to fighting the dark." He summoned the keyblade in his hand. "Actually….most of you guys have pretty pure hearts."

"Whoa! Cool sword," said Sonic.

"Isn't it technically a key?" Leaf wondered. Squirtle cocked his head.

"Either way. Heed my words."

"Wait! If you're a psychic, then you have to be pretty knowledgeable, right? Can you tell me if…I'll ever see my friends again? Riku, Kairi….Donald, Goofy, all of them?"

"That is beyond my knowledge, Sora. Although I am far from the only one with wisdom here. Your search is far from over."

"Oh man….well, nice to meet you all. C'mon Cloud."
"Don't I get any say in this?"

Kazuya next arrived at an open field. It seemed like finally, he could get some alone time and really focus…but he couldn't even sit before something grating caught his ears.

"He's gonna get us! Run!"

The laughter of children. Ness, Lucas, Nana, Popo, Bowser Junior, Toon Link, and the Lumas were all playing tag. And the celestial mother was watching them from a safe distance.

"Damn it….."

"Oh mister!" Some Lumas floated down near the man. "Wanna play?"

Kazuya tried to ignore them. More only came by.

"Come on!
"Please?"
"It'll be fun!"

"Poyo!" Kirby ran over and tapped the man, indicating he was now "it". This had crossed the line – Kazuya angrily swatted the star children away.

"I will not play your childish games! Is this not a place for combat? Leave my sight!"

The results were not positive. All the Lumas floated off in fright, and Lucas hid behind his other psychic friend. Toon Link and Junior looked quite cross, but that was nothing compared to-

"Excuse me. If you do not wish to play, that is alright. But you will not be harsh to the children."

Kazuya glanced at Rosalina, floating above him. Her face hid her wrath quite well. It was passive, but perceptive. In a way, it reminded Kazuya of Jun Kazama….the mother of his own son.

"…..if that is what you want," he remarked before getting up to leave. "Does no one take this seriously….?"

"Sephiroth?! You mean you actually fought him before?!"

Sora had found Pit and Palutena, two beings from the light-filled Skyworld. And the angel was very easy to amaze.

"Sure did! Twice! He was pretty tough but we need to settle things!"

"Cool!"

"I don't know…." Palutena shook her head. "Based on what Cloud said, he's not the same Sephiroth you know, Sora. You said he's from where, again?"

"Radiant Garden! Or uh….Hollow Bastion."

"Riiiight. The Cloud and Sephiroth here are from Shinra's SOLDIER unit. The place you're talking about doesn't exist in their world. Meaning….Sephiroth might be too much for you to handle."

"It's all for sport anyways, Lady Palutena!" Pit pointed out. "Sephiroth can't kill anybody if he wanted to!"

Sora glanced at Cloud…whom nodded back.

"Well, that might be true, and so what if this Cloud isn't the one I know? He's still my friend, and I'm gonna help him confront Sephiroth once and for all! And that Kazuya guy!"

Palutena gasped. "Are you sure? He has the Devil Gene…."

"He has jeans?"

"No, Gene. Think of it like this, key bearer. You fight darkness, something Kazuya has in spades. He's quite powerful….maybe on the same playing field as Sephiroth himself."

"Hey….Mewtwo knew I had the keyblade too," Sora realized. "And you're a Goddess, right?"

"That's right!"

"Have you met Herc and Meg? I mean they're really good friends of mine too! You dress like them, so maybe…."
"Herc?" Palutena blinked. "As in, Hercules?"

"Yeah!"

"He kinda went insane and…..killed his family…?"

"WHAT?! F-Forget I asked!"

"That wasn't you were going to ask, Sora, was it?" Cloud asked with a sigh.

"Oh, no….um…..what do you know about me?"
"Hmmm, only so much. You wield the Keyblade, fight the Heartless, the Nobodies, Organization XIII….and that Master Xehanort, I believe."

"Right, right!" Sora beamed. "After all those battles, I kinda disappeared….just to get Kairi back. And I'm not sure…if I'll be able to come back to my friends."

"I don't know, Sora."

"Well….what happens when these events are over….?"

Palutena clasped her hands together. "All of the fighters return to their native worlds. And lucky for you, we all keep the memories of our time together."

"But then….will I wake up on my island…..or just drifting?"

"….."

"Don't you know, Lady Palutena?"

The Light Goddess shook her head. "I don't even think Master Hand and Crazy Hand would know. Some things….are far beyond all of us."

"Oh…." Sora hung his head dejectedly.

"You gonna be okay, Sora?" Cloud asked. "Maybe you want to be alone…"

"No….no!" The keybearer raised his head. "I'm here now, so why should I mope? Maybe the power of waking wanted me to come here. And I know…I know my friends will be safe back home."

"Good attitude, Sora!" Palutena smiled. "You're really the polar opposite of Kazuya…"

To Kazuya's ire, the more he looked around, the more he saw a certain observation.

Why do they all have one….

Link, resting by his side as he was cooking in a pot.

Even the two from before….

Marth, at his hip as he was talking to Fox.

Blades….

Roy, at hand as he sparred with Ike.

Nothing but blades!

He even saw a rather bone-like one as Bylad was conducting a lesson in archery for Young Link and Dark Pit.

"Just pull the string back like so…"
Young Link patiently followed his advice but the dark angel looked a little more miffed.

"You there, instructor! You're versed in all of these weapons?"

"Yes," said Sothis's vessel without missing a beat. "Would you like to join in the lesson?"

"I use my fists, not these….trinkets!" Kazuya spat. "Why do so many of you use swords?"

"Are you dumb, old man?" Pitoo asked. "Swords are cool. Some people aren't meatheads that have to smash their fingers just to fight."

"You mouthing off to me, child?"

Young Link grabbed his sword, ready to fight. But his instructor waved him off.

"We can fight after the lesson, if you're willing."

"Can you fight me without your sword?"

"Can you fight me without your hands or feet?" Bylad argued. "A weapon is a weapon, no matter what form it takes."

"Bah!" Kazuya's patience was about to run out.

Meanwhile, with the OTHER Byleth-

"Excellent job, Luminary. You scored a 90."

The recipients of the sword exam were finishing a lesson from Bylass: Luminary, Solo, Erdrick, Eight, and even-

"Sephiroth. You scored a 100."

"But of course. I had a good teacher."

The heroes were a little anxious about learning with the One-Winged Angel, but he was very studious and polite…something Cloud warned them about.

"I've kept my end of the bargain, Professor. For every lesson you give, you owe me a match," he said. But that plan was about to be upended…..as the keybearer that came running into the room shouted:

"Hey, Sephiroth!"

"Hm…? Oh, Cloud." Sephiroth stood up, Masamune attached his belt. "You brought a friend to help you fight your battles?"

"Don't worry about him!" Sora summoned his weapon. "Let's go, me and you! I heard about all the stuff you did!"

Sephiroth looked to his professor, who seemed to allow the battle. She and the other students backed up. Why pass up a chance to observe?

"So you did….boy."

"The NAME is Sora! And even though you won't remember….I fought against you, twice! I know how big that sword is! I know all your tricks!"

"Interesting…" Sephiroth smiled coolly. "Yet I have no recollection of you. Who really is the reliable source in this situation?" Masamune was drawn.

"Get ready, Sora…" Cloud gulped.

"PICHU!"

Sephiroth lowered his sword arm. The electric mouse came in, ran up to his shoulder, and looked extremely distressed.

"Pichu! Pichu, pi!"

"What has caused you pain, little one?"

"Pichu get out of there!" Sora shouted. "Sephiroth is bad news!"

"Chu!" Pichu explained. "Pichu pi!"

"I see….." Sephiroth sheathed his sword. "Another time, boy. I've got something to settle. Apparently someone has caused my companion great pain. The other newcomer."

"Kazuya?" Sora blinked. "So you're gonna look for him?"

"Indeed. If you wish to come with, you can."

"Well….I don't really trust you…..but it seems like Pichu does. So I guess…." Sora stared him down. "I know you can't kill anybody else while we're here."

"Correct."

"So I guess this means I don't have to worry about you stabbing me while my back is turned."

"Where's the fun in that?" Sephiroth mused. He looked to Sora's keyblade. "….such an illustrious weapon. We will have our battle…..later."

"I'll be ready! Let's go. You coming, Cloud?"

"He can't," Bylass said. "Cloud still needs to make up for the lessons he missed."

"What….? I only signed up for those to keep an eye on Sephiroth!"

"Lessons are not a game, Cloud Strife." Sothis's vessel pointed to a desk. "Now get out your pencils."

Sora gulped. "Man, teachers aren't one to mess around with. You'd better stay, Cloud."

"WHAT?!"

Little did they all know, Kazuya was in a battle on his home turf – the Mishima family dojo. His opponents appeared next to him – Ken, Incineroar, and Bowser.

"Alright! Let's see what you got, newbie!" Ken declared, getting into a fighting stance. When the announcer gave the call, he ran to punch Kazuya, whom easily dodged. "Damn…!"

"I admire your boldness…but that only barely masks stupidly!" In turn, Kazuya unleashed a sickening 10 hit combo on Ken, throwing him all the way back. Then he parried Incineroar's claw.

"Roar?!"

"And you, you beast….you are nothing!" Kazuya held nothing back with his mighty fist, downing the Fire/Dark Pokemon. Then he turned to block Bowser's grab.

"Aw geez! Ganon said you were all talk!"

"Hahahaha….I'm just getting warmed up!" Kazuya had the strength to pick Bowser up, and throw him through the dojo's walls, him. Ken and Incineroar got ready for more.

It was already a tough fight, but both weren't prepared for his Devil Form….

XXXX

"Ah. That must be his match right there."

Sephiroth had lead Sora to a screen of all the available stages, and in the feed for Mishima Dojo….the keybearer saw for the first time how ruthless the other newcomer was.

"He…..he can transform….!"

"Pichu….!"

Sephiroth only looked amused. "Hardly something unique to him. It seems the rumors of his genetics were true. The Devil Gene."

"That just sounds evil…..wait, I think it's over!"

The announcer called time. Kazuya had won handily, and from the chamber emerged his badly beaten opponents….

"Ow….gonna need a ice pack…." Ken moaned. Incineroar agreed with a pitiful whimper of his name. And Bowser just groaned when he saw who was waiting.

"Sephiroth? Listen, give me a couple of hours to rest this off…think I pulled something…."

"Don't worry. I don't intend to fight you."

"Ha!" scoffed the Koopa King. "Then get ready for that Kazuya guy. He hits like a freight train….at least those know when to stop!"

"No….the boy will fight him."
"Hi! I'm Sora."

Bowser looked incredulous. "This squirt? Are you kidding?" There was hardly a chance to retort for Kazuya stepped out, making his opponents quickly shuffle away. His dark eyes instead laid eyes on the boy with key.

"You….the other newcomer."

"Y-You're Kazuya, right? Well….I've heard a lot about you. You're pretty tough, got some jeans or something…and you're not very nice!"

"Oh?" The Mishima asked. Poor Pichu cowered behind Sephiroth's head.

"Yeah! I mean….Sephiroth's not a good guy either, but at least he's making an effort to follow the rules! Why so cold? This is something a lot of people dream about, right?"

Kazuya narrowed his eyes. "Boy….what do you fight with?"

"Huh? This." Sora showed him the keyblade. This, however, only seemed to set off the other man.

"So another sword…and from the looks of it, a special weapon? Does it feel a naïve child like yourself is worth anything?"

"And if it does?" Sora countered. "How can everyone be so humble and you be so…so…."

"Nobody can grasp the truth of it all," declared Kazuya. "Here I was thinking this would only invite the most powerful out there….not sheltered fools playing games and cavorting around! Children such as yourself….magical and mythical beings….all claiming to be equal to me? This is a competition, not a party!"

"That's all you know?" Sora asked. "Just….training? Getting more power? What about friends? Family?"

Kazuya had a shred of pity for the boy….but only a shred. "I have no need for such things. Don't tell me you rely on them."

"Of course I do! And I know I'll make more friends here, for however long I'm here…." Sora readied himself. "Let's fight, 1 on 1!"

"You expect me to fight you? Perhaps you should take the silver-haired friend of yours for help."

Sephiroth waved a hand dismissively. "The boy will be mine. After he defeats you."

"Really?!" Sora turned around. "You think I'll win, Sephiroth?"

"If you managed to survive against a form of me twice…..as you say…..then clearly, you are no novice. Somehow."

Kazuya chuckled. "Will you survive that long, boy?"

"Not like you can kill me," Sora replied. "So what should I be afraid of?"

"…."

The news that the final two newcomers were fighting spread like wildfire, and before Sora and Kazuya could get started, all of the Smashers came in to watch.

"No way the kid will last," Falco said. "That Kazuya doesn't hold back."

"But he's so upbeat and cheery! Doesn't that count for something?" Isabelle asked.

Kazooie and Wario were taking bets for each one.

"Ohhh Mario, will Sora be alright?" Peach asked. The red-capped plumber, standing next to her, watched Sora get himself ready. He had shook the boy's hand before. He knew he was someone incredible from that alone.

"Ssssh! It's starting!" Mythra exclaimed.

XXXX

The stage was Sora's own, Hollow Bastian. He marveled at how much it felt like actually being there. But Kazuya snapped him out of his reminiscing:

"Are you ready to lose painfully, boy? The rules are Stamina!"

"The NAME is Sora! Man…." He held tight onto the keyblade. "Palutena wasn't kidding about you."

"And what does that mean? I fear nothing from that so-called deity."

Sora pointed at him. "Your heart's nothing but darkness. It's drowning in it."

"So what? Being virtuous and kind…..like you…..does not win battles. It costs them."

"We'll see…."

The announcer shouted Go!, making both fighters rush each other. Sora learned very quickly that Kazuya's fists were quite fast and powerful. But he managed to stagger him with some Firaga spells.

"Bah! Is that you all have?!"

"Oh man!"

Sora ducked to dodge a fist, but Kazuya's sweeping leg knocked him down. Next thing he knew was flying off the stage.

"Fall, key boy!"

-But Sora used Sonic Blade to get back up, ready for more. He even froze Kazuya with Blizzaraga, then smacked him around with the keyblade.

"Ungh!" Kazuya broke out of the ice. He aimed his heel for the boy's head, but Sora was ready with a Counterattack.

"Take this!" Sora knocked him off this time.

XXXXX

"Kid's a natural!" Terry said.

Behind the crowd, the two hands floated in. "So this is where you've all been….oh, Sora and Kazuya are fighting?"

"Hey, Master Hand, is it true?" Fox asked. "They're the last ones?"

"Yeeeep. No more fighters."

The crowd muttered amongst themselves. There were over 80 participants this time, a far cry from the days when there was only 12. How much more could it grow?"

"So then…..next time….?" Zelda asked the lingering question.

"Who knows? Maybe all of you will be gone like that," Crazy Hand said with a snap of his own fingers. "We had a lot of faces in consideration, but we thought ending with the key kid would be fun enough!"

All of the smashers looked back at the match…..maybe it would be the last time they would all see each other.

"How did you find Sora?" Cloud asked. "Because from he told me, he was drifting between worlds trying to get back home."

"We just….did," Master Hand said. "Listen, just enjoy the match! The details are irrelevant, right? He's here now, and that's what matters."

"….."

XXXXX

Sora and Kazuya continued to trade blows, each chipping down HP. But with each attack, Kazuya was getting more and more…..determined to win. Although he and Sora noticed how the stage was shifting….

"Oh man….this place….." Gone was Hollow Bastian, now was the dark void of awakening.

"These stages can illicit all sorts of memories and emotions, boy. But reminisce at your own peril!" He fired a Devil Beam which Sora quickly dodged. The keybearer saw the image of his floating body in awakening, with portraits of Riku and Kairi.

"You guys….I'll promise, just wait a little longer for me to come back!"

"ENOUGH!" Kazuya smashed Sora back. "You call yourself worthy of this place? Your sentimentality is disgusting!"

"Well….I'm not going down easy, you know why? It's not just this keyblade this gives me strength. My friends are my power!"

"You little…!"

Back and forth they struggled, fist against keyblade. And once the two were at low HP, a Smash Ball appeared.

"Hahahaa….it's over now, boy! This will be the deciding factor!" Kazuya jumped to break the item, Sora quickly following. "Your Smash Bros. losses begin right here!"

"I don't think so!" Sora called down Thunderaga, staggering his opponent…..but smashing the ball open.

"NO!"

Sora looked down at his body. He was glowing with a power he never felt before….and it took just one look at Kazuya to know what to do.

"You will never beat m-!"

"IT'S OVER!" Sora shot a beam of light from the keyblade, sending Kazuya into a door that had materialized behind them. Sora locked the door, turned the key, and watched it explode as Kazuya flew off the stage, HP deleted.

"GAME!"

XXXXX

"SORA WON!"

Even the ones that had bet against him admitted, it was a tense match. First when the chamber opened, it was a triumphant Sora….and he was greeted with a wall of applause and cheers.

"Wow….thanks, everyone!"

Behind him, a bitter and defeated Kazuya.

"Tch…you win…boy."

"Hey, that was a good match!" Sora held out his hand. "I'm sure you want a rematch….we can do this anytime you want!"

"So upbeat….even though as you say….I'm drowning in the dark?"

"Well, in the end….it's all a competition. I'll get stronger….and you'll get stronger. I know you can probably agree with that, right?"

Kazuya gave a self-satisfied smirk. "Perhaps you're not just a bleeding heart after all, boy."

"Hey! I gave you my name!"

"Very well…..Sora."

The two shook hands, knowing their rivalry was only beginning.

"Hey, where did the hands go?" someone wondered.

Far far away…..in an area beyond what any Smasher would know….an unknown figure watched Sora from their holographic television.

"See? You got what you want. Sora's in, he's adjusting well!" Master Hand said. "We have our deal, right?"

"Oh yes…I remember….Sora will do quite well," said the figure. Their face was hidden by a black helmet punctuating by deep breathing sounds and a certain round ear shape.

"Then, you'll leave the rest of us alone?" Crazy Hand asked.

"For now."

"For now?"

The figure had a gauntlet on their right hand, filled with colorful stones.

"For now, this will be enough. I can enjoy watching Sora compete as he defeats the rest of the fighters."

"We sent all the others away even though a LOT of people were considered this time," Master Hand argued.

"Yes…..as none were Sora. Dante, Travis Touchdown, Crash Bandicoot, Shantae….the lists were endless, weren't they?"

"What's his fate?"

The figure chuckled behind their helmet. "A fate only I know….a fate that is mine to control." His colored stones glowed. "Perhaps one day I'll be running Smash Brothers."

"You wouldn't dare! I mean…..you agreed you'd leave us be!"

"I did. Count the days, weeks, months, and years I am content as is."

"Aw geez….I told you we should've picked that Goku guy, bro!" Crazy Hand shouted. "We'd better get back before the others start asking questions."

"Right…." The hands both floated away from the figure, whom had screens for all the other faces that were involved.

"How did they do it?" the figure wondered. "Bringing together all these faces….a recipe for success if I'd ever seen one. If what they said is true…..this might be the last big hurrah."

For it was a feat like no other.

80+ fighters across different time, space, and worlds together for the greatest competition. The powers that be allowed people that would normally never see such opponents – be they of legend, of science, of light and dark, of fantasy, and more – come together.

Although the future of the competition would be unknown,

It would touch the hearts of many for generations to come.

Super Smash Brothers.

The End

Done! I wanted to wait until the final fighter to write something since I didn't think I could work enough with Kazuya alone. He and Sora proved to be interesting contrasts with each other (well I don't know TOO much about Tekken). Sora was a really fitting one to end on, in my opinion, as his series was founded on crossovers to begin with. Plus I love Kingdom Hearts in general. Hope I nailed his personality. The figure at the end is a pretty obvious metaphor for you-know-what company, but it's just for fun, nothing too serious.

Some fanart and stuff would paint Cloud and Sephiroth as knowing Sora since they're all in the games, but I decided to go with a more literal interpretation - the Smash Cloud and Sephiroth are from Final Fantasy 7 strictly. Besides, it's not like Sora is any stranger to meeting different forms of his friends, if one considers Chain of Memories, Dream Drop Distance, or Recoded. Will Nomura make Smash canon to the series? Probably not, but I wrote it as if it was.

With that...I guess these little one-shots come to an end. Technically it started back in the Smash 4 days, that fic about Daisy being sad about being left out...now look where we are these years later. I have no idea what's in the future for Smash, but for right now, I'm going to enjoy ALL we have right now. :)

Thank you Sakurai, thank you Smash team, thank you everyone involved, and thank YOU for reading!