the original opening author's note for this was "due to time constraints (aka writer jargon for "i suck at time management") this is unfortunately a shorter chapter than normal" but it ended up at over 3,200 words, which is still above the average word count per chapter of this fic so there's that
So after this chapter I've decided to take a break from Ultimate Daydream for a few weeks to collect my thoughts and ideas. Don't worry, though; I'll still be writing other fanfic stuff/Daydreamer itself. Besides, I'll be back before you know it! I just wanna say thanks for over 1,000 views on The Ultimate Daydream! It really does mean a lot to me!
In the meantime, why not follow my Twitter to make sure I'm still alive or something? The username is AwesomeTrinket! I also recently uploaded my design for Camilla there, so if you wanna put a face to her character, make sure to head on over and check out the May 25th 2019 tweet.
I only own Camilla Swann and Naomi Liu. Everyone else in the Super Smash Bros universe belongs to their respective owners.
Chapter 10
Results
Friday Morning
"My people need me!" Naomi threw her blankets off herself as Cheddar pawed at her face. Naomi hardly slept that night; kept up by the Good Pup Gang. Camilla was already up and about; having taken Fluff out for an early-morning pee. Naomi snorted, spitting a loose strand of hair out of her mouth that had been slicked and stuck to her tongue from saliva. No time to wait! She had to recruit!
The girl swept up some random blouse and skirt from her backpack before grabbing her Good Pup Gang sign. "Cheddar, you still remember those tricks Camilla taught you?"
Cheddar barked in response.
"Good," Naomi pulled her blouse down over her head. "You're gonna need them."
What area were the most people in at earlier than 8 A.M...? Naomi was always the heavy sleeper, so she didn't get up unless thrown awake by Camilla - or, before she created the Good Pup Gang, if she somehow managed to wake up on her own by some miraculous force of nature, got up no earlier than noon. A morning person, Naomi had not been.
Well, there was only one way to find out what people did at some insane time in the morning. Naomi yawned hard, somewhat paranoid that if she yawned any more her mouth would split from ear-to-ear. Reminded her of that one Chinese tale of the slit-mouthed woman; y'know, the one who died by getting her mouth slit ear-to-ear after her husband caught her cheating and now went around with a surgical mask on asking people if she was pretty. Man, Chinese mythologies were brutal.
As it turned out, Naomi wasn't the first person to try and get up early to recruit people into her gang. As she started walking out into the hallway, two small children nearly knocked her over while running.
"Move it, vampire!" One of them snapped. He had a lisp.
Naomi spluttered as she got back to her feet. Cheddar circled her a few times to make sure she was okay. "Yo, I was here first, dude!"
"Oh, ignore her, Iggy!" The other trilled.
Iggy. That was a familiar name. Naomi took in the two children, who were speeding down the hallway. Oh, they were two of Bowser's kids; the Koopalings. More specifically, the two brothers Iggy and Lemmy Koopa. Lemmy rolled forward on his traditional neon yellow ball, while Iggy piloted an actual hoverboard that Naomi was pretty sure he made - yes, a board that actually floated, instead of those stupid "hoverboard" things on wheels Earth had gotten in, what, 2015? If Camilla were here, she'd probably scoff and say that Ravinan tech was soooo much better. But alas, it was just Naomi.
...They had Villain Gang signs in their hands.
"Join the Villain Gang! Don't let thothe dogth win!"
"Join the Villain Gang! We have cookies!"
"Villain Gang! Villain Gang! Villain Gang! Villain Gang!"
"Wh- hey!" Naomi ran up to the group, clutching her sign in hand. "Why are y'all so up early in the morning!"
Lemmy squinted at her, before suddenly gasping. "Hey! Iggy! Isn't that overgrown mosquito the founder of the Dogs Gang?"
The way he said "dogs" was similar to how you would say "dead rats."
"It ith!" Iggy gasped. "Leth eat her or thomething!"
"Why would we want to eat her -"
"Tryna pull one over ol' Naomi Liu, huh?" Naomi twirled her own sign like an umbrella. "Well, you're gonna have to get up a lot earlier than that!"
Naomi knew how childish and petty it was, but she kicked Iggy's hoverboard and Lemmy's ball out from under them as she then dashed ahead, snapping her wings open. Cheddar eagerly followed his best friend, though not before stopping for a second to see if he could fit Lemmy's ball in his mouth. It was too big. The two kids howled and dropped their signs.
"Join the Good Pup Gang for a never-ending supply of love and tail wags!" Naomi shouted over the cries of the Koopalings. "The Villain Gang lies! They have no cookies! Even if they did, they would be poisonous!"
A surprising amount of people started cheering for the Good Pup Gang.
"Don't forget to vote for the Good Pup Gang on Wednesday night!"
Saturday Brunch
Roy Koopa thumped his fist down on the table, spilling bright red Gatorade all over it.
"Ex-cuse you!" Naomi hissed as she picked up her now almost-empty Gatorade bottle.
The pink and yellow Koopaling glared at her from behind his sunglasses. "I heard about yesterday with my brothers."
"Hey, go away, Roy!" Ness whined, waving his arms around.
Kirby chimed in with a "poyo!"
"Oh, you mean those bullies?" Naomi glared right back, sipping what was left of her drink while staring Roy Koopa in the eye. At least, where she was pretty sure was the eye - again, sunglasses. "Yeah, they were trying to cheat. False advertisement, for one thing. I'm fairly sure the Villain Gang doesn't have cookies."
"You still had no right to knock them down like that!" Roy Koopa pointed a claw at her, voice getting progressively louder.
"They started it!" Naomi threw the bottle down. "If I recall correctly, Iggy was the one who pushed me down, saying, and I quote, 'Move it, vampire!'"
"Blah, blah, blah!" Roy Koopa probably rolled his eyes behind his sunglasses. "Morton, c'mere!"
Sonic groaned as the other Koopaling came up to Roy Koopa's side, "Hey, come on, Ness's right! I just wanna enjoy my food!"
"Oh yeah? You wanna fight for it?!" Morton hissed. That...that didn't even make any sense.
"Honestly, bud, I would have an insult ready for you," Naomi raised an eyebrow at Morton, "but I have neither the time nor the crayons to explain it after."
"What?" He didn't even get it. This was glorious.
Roy Koopa was definitely offended at this point. "She just called you dumb!"
"Me?! Dumb?!"
Naomi grinned. She had so many of these kinds of insults at the ready. "Yep. I dunno what makes you so stupid, but it 's certainly working."
Sonic erupted into laughter, unable to hold it in anymore. Roy and Morton cracked their knuckles, ready to fight Naomi at this point.
"You're on thin ice, Naomi!" Morton's voice lowered to a growl that would be intimidating if Naomi wasn't having an absolute blast with the comebacks. She wished Camilla was here with her. The Ravinan would be proud.
"I'm surprised you know what thin ice means."
"Come on, Naomiiii..." Ness looked down at his tray. He really didn't want to see another fight break out.
"Poyo!"
Naomi thought about it. Was it really worth it to get into a fight with Roy and Morton Koopa? Honestly, no, not really. What did she have to win or prove at this point? Nothing; that was what. She glanced down at her sandwiches; chicken and bacon. Her stomach growled, and she wanted to eat; not get into some stupid fight over who shoved who.
"Y'know what? Ness is right. I'd rather not stoop to your levels," Naomi picked up a sandwich and took a bite. "So, see ya."
"Yeah, that's right; let your friends do all the work for you so you can cry to your mommy!" Roy Koopa laughed. "Oh wait, that's right: You don't have one."
The whole table went silent at this point. Naomi froze in her spot for what felt like hours, before finally regaining control of her senses.
"Alright," She set her sandwich down. "Now it's personal."
Ness and Kirby jumped up and ran to get Master Hand as Naomi suddenly decked Roy Koopa and then Morton in the face before grabbing her shuriken.
Mom, I did something terrible today. Roy Koopa made a comment about you and I punched him in the face.
Tuesday Evening
"You still think I did the right thing there?" Naomi touched the bandages on her ribs where Dr. Mario applied them.
Camilla shrugged, "Well, of course! They're the ones who said the comment about Cassandra."
"Well yeah, but I'm the one who punched them." Naomi was lying on her bed, bandaged up from her fight with Roy and Morton Koopa - and later, more of the Koopalings. When Master Hand was brought to them, Naomi was on the verge of rage-filled tears as she repeatedly kicked down Roy Koopa, swatted Ludwig in the face with her Good Pup Gang sign, and swung her shuriken at Larry. Wendy was on the ground having a tantrum because she got kicked in the face, and Morton was punching Naomi really hard. Honestly, she hadn't even felt the impacts because of the adrenaline; but apparently Morton broke one of her ribs.
Also apparently, Sonic was trying to break it up but for once, he was too slow.
"That is besides the point!" Camilla picked up Cheddar and held him in her arms, petting the top of his head as she did so. The good boy approved of this love. "Anyway, everyone's talking about you now. "The Good Pup Gang versus the Villain Gang," they're saying."
"Super Smash Bros Civil War, am I right?" Naomi chuckled. "Thanks again for recruiting for me, by the way."
"No problem!" Camilla gave her a two-fingered salute. Due to her less than spectacular injuries thanks to Morton and the Koopalings, Naomi had been strictly instructed to not run around or get into matches for a few days. This meant she was exempt from matches until she healed, but also that she couldn't recruit people into the Good Pup Gang. Thankfully, Camilla had stepped up for her. And besides, Naomi was just grateful for Dr. Mario, his two PhDs (yes, two) and Smash Mansion's healing tech that rivaled the likes of the Ravinans. Without it, she'd probably be bedridden for...what? A month? Two months? She didn't know.
Naomi thought about her mom. She missed her. She really did.
Wednesday Morning
Naomi woke up at 3 A.M. and remembered her rib was broken.
Stupid Koopalings breaking her ribs so she couldn't go and recruit people herself for the Good Pup Gang's cause, stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid-
Naomi passed out again in rage.
Wednesday Afternoon
Naomi was covered in sweat as her eyes snapped open. What time was it...? She fumbled on the nightstand for her phone, eyes widening as she realized it was 2:30 P.M. She only had eight and a half hours left to get out there and advertise! Broken rib or not, she was going to get up and recruit people into the Good Pup Gang, whether the Koopalings liked that or not. The room was silent; Camilla had her last match of the day and Cheddar happily followed along, while the three Nintendogs were busy giving moral support.
She sat up and threw her legs off the side of the bed. Her Good Pup Gang sign rested at the foot. There were suspicious amounts of blood on the corners, probably from where she whacked Ludwig. No time to muse! She shook her head to clear the thoughts. Dressed and ready to go. Naomi practically kicked her dorm's door open and started walking at a very brisk pace. Of course Morton had to break a rib of all things. Dr. Mario advised her not to open her wings until the ribs fully healed, considering that the sack-like organ where her body kept her wings was pretty close to the broken rib.
At some point during the first few days, most of the Smashians had gotten wind of the Good Pup Gang versus the Villain Gang, so something else was tacked on to Naomi and K. Rool's original agreement - on Wednesday night, a voting poll would open in the library, and everyone would write down which gang they supported. The winner's leader would earn an amount of gold that Wario tried to steal once he heard how much it was.
The hallways were teeming with members of both gangs. Good Pup Gang signs were held up proudly in the air, the holders shouting for everyone to join the Good Pup Gang; unlike the Villain Gang, they supported a noble and adorable cause. Villain Gang members tried to shout over the Good Pup Gang; trying every tactic in the book that they could think of. Posters supporting the Villain Gang, bashing the Good Pup Gang or vice versa were tacked up on the walls. Who even had all the time to design all those posters?
Everyone was here.
"Fellow Good Pup Gang members!" Naomi cheered. The nearby members gasped and turned to her. She probably knew what they were thinking. That's Naomi Liu, our great leader! How could the Koopalings do such a thing to her?! "As you all may know, almost a full week ago I suffered injuries for our cause! But that's okay; because tonight, we will show these bloodthirsty villains that these good boys and good girls will top them!"
The Villain Gang tried to shout over her. Naomi just shouted louder.
"But I can't do it without your help!" She pointed at all her loving members of the Good Pup Gang. "I know you've been doing all you can to get as many members to vote for the Good Pup Gang, and I do appreciate that! Really, I do! But we must not back down! We must shift into maximum overdrive! The very fate of the Good Pup Gang depends on it!"
Everyone started to roar; whether in support or rage depended on who was in what gang.
Thursday Morning
7 A.M., Naomi thought to herself. The time has come.
She couldn't sleep at all last night, what with the hubbub about the Good Pup Gang versus the Villain Gang. If she won, she would easily be able to pay off the damages that Smash Uno and the Kirby Experiment had caused. Her revenue from Good Pup Gang merchandise was already making steady dents in their debt, but with the reward money, it would be a cinch. Camilla had apparently been restless all night as well, considering how she was pacing back and forth. Naomi couldn't remember the last time Camilla paced like that.
"Today, Camilla," Naomi said as she swept her hair up into a ponytail on the side, "We are gonna pay off those debts."
Camilla scoffed. "How can you be so certain?"
"I can feel it in my bones."
"That's not a good excuse!" Camilla huffed. "Remember the last time you said that?"
"Yes, Camilla. I remember."
Naomi checked her phone as she opened up the door. Smashverse was buzzing with excitement about who won what and would the Good Pup Gang win? There was only one way to find out now. Naomi started walking, calling for Camilla to follow her because it was time. The auditorium was packed to the brim with people; Smashians and Assist Trophies alike. Usually, the auditorium was used to announce important news, such as a fighter leaving, but it seemed Master Hand had made the exception this one time. The Good Pup Gang erupted into cheers as Naomi and Camilla started to walk down the auditorium to find a seat. A red carpet had been rolled out for whichever leader was the winner.
The white, disembodied hand floated up to the podium, thumping a finger onto the wood to grab everyone's attention. "Fellow fighters and Assist Trophies! We have gathered here today to settle this age-old - well, week-old - question: Which gang is superior?"
The Good Pup Gang side started chanting the mantra of every dog being a good dog. Villains hurled empty coffee cups at them. Master Hand thumped his finger on the table again to silence the gangs.
"Well, I can see that you're all clamoring for the answer, so I will get straight to the point! The winner is..."
"...Plant Gang!"
"HA!" K. Rool cheered, jumping up with a trumpet in his hand. A few other villains leaped to their feet as well, and together they all started blasting K. Rool's theme, Gangplank Galleon (which he supposedly composed himself) for about ten seconds, before realizing who actually won. The trumpet clattered out of his claws, as Naomi scrunched her eyebrows in utter confusion. Plant Gang? This was literally the first time Naomi had ever heard of a Plant Gang. Was there even a plant-themed fighter?
An outrage exploded from the Villain Gang, while the Good Pup Gang was just...confused. There was a hopping/scraping noise on the red carpet. Naomi turned to see a large flowerpot near the entrance. Coming from that pot was a large red plant with leaves for hands. It had a mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth and was wearing sunglasses for some reason.
"Piranha Plant, please come up to the stage for your prize!" Master Hand boomed. Naomi looked back at Master Hand - wait, wasn't he supposed to be a right hand? The left hand was...
"Crazy Hand?!" Naomi stood up all of a sudden. "Wh - I thought Master Hand was the one behind this event!"
"Ohhh, no, no, no! He doesn't know a thing about this!" Crazy Hand flapped his...well, hand. "By the way, the leader of the Plant Gang, Piranha Plant, is our newest fighter, so let's all give him a warm welcome!"
Confused clapping rang out as Piranha Plant was given an impressive amount of gold. The Villain Gang began to start a riot. Honestly, Naomi wanted to join them and would have if she hadn't been so confused.