To answer a Guest Writer's question, Kazuya will be added, but I have a specific point of time in mind for him, and it won't be for a while. But rest assured I have not forgotten about him.
Donkey Kong, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Fox, Falco, Ice Climbers, Peach, Mr. Game & Watch, Alph, Lucario, Ryu, Pirhana Plant, Steve, Mythra, and Banjo & Kazooie stepped out of the portal and wound up in a jungle. "Where are we now?" Fox asked.
Donkey Kong jumped up as his eyes looked ready to come out of his head. "What's with the monkey?" Kazooie asked. DK turned around and pointed at a cabin with his name on it.
"Oh, is this your home D.K.?" Banjo asked.
"Good, then you take point." Lucario said.
Donkey Kong went into a cave under his house. "Where's he going?" Mythra asked. They then heard a yelp. "What?"
"Donkey Kong!" Mega Man ran after him. The others followed. "What is it?! An enemy?!"
Donkey Kong stood in an empty cave with a sign saying "Kong's Banana Hoard". He was shaking his head with a hand over his eyes. "…You've gotta be kidding me." Kazooie grumbled.
"Well, he is a monkey." Banjo replied.
Falco walked over. "Snap out of it will ya, we got more important things to worry about then bananas!" That got an angry roar from D.K.
"Easy Donkey Kong!" Banjo said. "Hey, I'm sure your bananas couldn't have gone far. We'll find them while looking for spirits and fighters."
Donkey Kong gave Banjo and Kazooie a big hug nearly crushing them. He then looked at his team and pointed outside before heading out. They went down a path and found a copy of King K. Rool with a Rocket Belt. Steve took Lilina, and Twinbellows and headed to Kongo Jungle. With a mouthful of curry, he ran at the copy, but it flew up and away. Steve jumped after it and hit it twice with up air. Then a up smash when it landed. As the copy came down it hit him with neutral aerial. Steve knocked it over the edge with forward air. He ran to the cliff and dropped flames with down air on the copy as it tried to recover. It got back up with a Propellerpack that damaged Steve who then used a down smash when it landed. It grabbed him and buried him with down throw then used up tilt jumped towards him and used a up air. Steve came down on him with a down air. The copy bashed him with a dash attack, then Steve landed in front of it, and he unleashed his final smash. A giant piston pushed the copy into a dark house. It looked behind it to see creates of TNT Creepers and Zombies. As the whole house exploded Steve ate a steak.
Steve came back with the Kritter spirit. "Not bad block man." Falco said. "Let's keep going." The path continued to a house with a sign that said Cranky's cabin. A tiny copy of Donkey Kong approached. Mr. Game & Watch took Yuri Kozukata and Metal Sonic and was sent to Jungle Japes. There was a slumber floor, but Yuri protected them from it. As the combatants jumped to the center platform Game & Watch dash attacked. He then used Fire to knock the copy back to the right platform then attacked with down air, then pushed it back with a level 6 Judge. The copy recovered and shielded a level 5 Judge then grabbed him, threw him up and used a back air. Then Game & Watch used forward air to drop a bomb on it. He grabbed the copy and tossed it backwards before using a back air on it. The copy recovered but landed on a down smash that buried it and was finished by a forward smash.
Cranky Kong's spirit returned with Mr. Game & Watch. "Well, what do we have here?" the old Kong said as he stared at Mr. Game & Watch. "Now this is a face I haven't seen in ages! A real character back when video games knew true quality and knew ya only needed one joystick and a button to have fun!" He turned to Donkey Kong. "You can learn a thing or two from veterans like this one boy! I hope you're taking notes! Back in our day we-
"Video games?" Mythra raised a eyebrow as the Kong continued to rant. "What in the world is he talking about?"
"Ah, he's just senile, don't listen to him." Falco replied.
The path continued to a cave. In front of it was a Pikachu copy with a Urian. "I'll take this one." Alph gathered Chaotix, Rickey, Mega Eggdozer, and Tractor Trailer. He was sent to a Omega Great Cave Offensive.
The copy threw the Urian but Alph easily shielded it and rolled away before the spikes came out. He jumped over it and used a forward smash on the copy. The copy hit him with a back air then a down air followed by a Thunder Jolt. Alph pushed it back with a down smash. The copy jumped back onto the stage and saw another Urian behind it. But as it turned around to pick it up Alph threw a Urian into it from behind and it was KOd.
When Alph returned with the spirit of Zinger the team went inside the cave. When they came out, they saw a Corrin copy. Banjo and Kazooie approached with Mario (Mario Tennis Aces) and Porygon. They went to Great Bay.
The copy dash attacked at Banjo, but he blocked it then used a down smash. The copy came back at him only to be hit by a neutral combo. It charged at Banjo again and was hit with a forward smash. The copy jumped behind Banjo and hit him successfully with a dash attack, but then was grabbed and tossed forward. Banjo spotted a Banana Peel and tossed it onto the floor in front of him. When the copy charged to dash attack again Banjo started charging. When the copy slipped on the Banana Peel and feel Banjo unleashed a powerful forward smash KOing it.
Banjo & Kazooie came back with the spirit of Enguarde. "Yeah, using nothing but the same move wasn't very smart." Kazooie said. They proceeded to a hut labelled Barrel Flights. A Captain Falcon copy stood in front of it with copies of Donkey Kong and Ditty Kong. The spirits of Prince Richard, Twintelle, Starship Mario and Roll Caskett went into Mega Man. They went to Kongo Jungle.
Mega Man dash attacked the Captain Falcon but was then hit by Raptor Boost and knocked into the Donkey Kong's neutral aerial. Mega Man got back to the ground and hit the Diddy Kong with a up tilt. The Captain Falcon used Falcon Kick on Mega Man who hit back with forward air. Then he was hit by a Bullet Bill from the Donkey Kong. Megaman rolled to the edge of the stage and saw the Diddy Kong with another. An idea clicked in his head. Just as the copy rocketed towards him he jumped off the stage. The moment the Diddy Kong copy returned to normal he hit with down air spiking the monkey and sending it down the pit. Mega Man got back on the stage and used another Bullet Bill to ram the Donkey Kong and Captain Falcon. Another one appeared and they all scrambled for it, but Mega Man knocked them up with a down smash and grabbed it. He fired into the Donkey Kong finishing it, then was hit by a Bullet Bill from the Captain Falcon. Mega Man wouldn't have made it back if it weren't for the barrel moving under the stage. He shot himself into the Captain Falcon then hit him with Metal Blade followed by a forward smash. The last Bullet Bill appeared between them. Captain Falcon grabbed it first but dropped it when hit by Mega Man's dash attack. The blue bomber swiped it and finished the fight.
Mega Man returned dazed from all the Bullet Bills he was in. "Why is the jungle spinning?"
"Robots can feel dizziness?" Peach asked.
"That is some impressive programing Dr. Light." Alph added.
The spirit chuckled. "Well…I wanted to make robots that could understand humans."
Funky Kong slapped Donkey Kong in the back. "Whoa, Donkey dude! Maybe your little surf buddy's on another level. Go check em' out!"
"Oh. Another guy who randomly got their body back." Kazooie said. "Does this mean you run a shop or dojo for us to use?"
"Name's Funky Kong! And yeah, normally I'd be offerin rides but since the spirits rolled out, I figured I'd like run a shop for them! Hey, hey! Come kick it Kong-Style!" he waved them inside. The shop had spirits of vehicles. "Neat huh?"
"Wow! Other worlds have so much interesting machinery!" Alph said.
"What would you recommend?" Fox asked.
Funky Kong pointed to the Gunship spirit. "A solid spirit for sure! Feelin' funky? This one's for you! You wanna get your hands on this spirit?" Donkey Kong put his thumb up and handed Funky Kong spirit points. "Nice Choice!"
"Let's tell the others about this shop when we meet up." Falco said.
"Thanks for the help!" Banjo said as the team left.
Funky Kong waved them off. "Come back again! I'll be here!"
Next the team approached a stand with a Bayonetta copy holding a Banana Gun. Piranha Plant gathered Petey Piranha, Nikki, and Mite making him giant and went to Kongo Falls.
The copy shot the Banana Gun into Piranha Plant then threw the peel making it slip. It got up and used a neutral combo. Then jumped up and used down air that would have finished the job it the copy didn't land in a barrel that fired it back into Piranha Plant. Then it used forward air then Witch Twist. When they hit the ground Piranha Plant returned to normal size. The copy dash attacked it then jumped and used neutral air. Piranha Plant used Patooie to knock the copy up then jumped and used a up air before charging up. When the copy laned it used a neutral combo then ran at it. Piranha Plant spewed Poison Breath and grabbed the copy, jabbed it and used down throw. Then the copy smacked it with a forward smash. It ran up to finish the job but then Petey Pirhana's spirit floated out and took physical form holding two cages. It trapped the copy in one of them and started jumping around. It breathed fire into the cage and slammed it on the ground. The copy flew off screen.
"Did you see that?!" Falco asked as Piranha Plant returned with the spirit of Candy Kong. "How did he get his body back?!"
"Seems like it was only temporary." Fox said. "But those two are of the same species, right? Maybe Piranha Plant had some kind of effect." He then looked at Peach who seemed a tad pale. "Is…something wrong?"
Peach was struggling to repress bad memories. "Nothing."
Donkey Kong noticed something and yelped before running ahead. "What is it now?" Falco groaned.
The others followed him to the end of the path where they saw two things. A absurdly tall pile of bananas and a trapped fighter. "Is that…Diddy Kong?" Fox asked.
"Wait, really!?" Banjo went up to him. "It is Diddy!"
"You know this chimp?" Mythra asked.
"We went kart racing together one. Long story. There was a genie and a giant pig at one point. It was pretty weird."
Donkey Kong touched the floating stand. Diddy Kong came down and took out a Peanut Popgun. Donkey Kong backed up with a sad look in his eyes. "Donkey Kong, you have to defeat him." Fox said. "You saw what it was like for Falco and the others, there's no other way." Donkey Kong beat his chest and stepped forward. He teamed up with Infinite and Top Man and the Kongs went to a Omega Kongo Jungle.
Donkey Kong dash attacked. He then used a forward smash, but Diddy Kong jumped over it and Monkey Flipped past him. When Donkey Kong jumped after him, he was hit with neutral air then a up smash. Diddy jumped up, but the bigger Kong used down air to push him back to the floor. Diddy Kong shot him with Peanut Popgun up close then was pushed back with forward tilt. Diddy latched onto Donkey Kong with Monkey Flip and slapped him. Donkey Kong ran up and jumped with the Screw Attack. Then he bashed Diddy Kong forward with neutral air. When they landed Diddy Kong grabbed Donkey Kong and threw him backwards. He tried to spike him with down air but was hit by Donkey Kong's Spinning Kong as he recovered to the stage. He climbed up and when Diddy Kong landed in front of him, he used Headbutt to burry him. He then hit Diddy Kong with his Final Smash, Jungle Rush and ended the fight.
Donkey Kong returned to the others. He picked up Diddy Kong and shook the smaller monkey until he stirred. When he woke up to the sight of Donkey Kong he squealed in delight. Donkey Kong tossed Diddy up and when he landed on the ground the two beat their chests. The others smiled and watched. "Another fighter returned to us." Ryu smirked.
Banjo approached. "Good to see you Diddy Kong!" Diddy pointed at Banjo in surprise and shook his hands. "Sure has been a while, huh?" Diddy Kong nodded. He then noticed Fox and Falco and clapped his hands in joy.
Fox put his thumb up. "Good to have you back pal." Falco folded his arms and smirked.
Donkey Kong put a hand on Diddy Kong's shoulder and pointed at the mountain of bananas. Diddy Kong jumped in surprise and the two ran over. Donkey Kong grunted as he lifted the entire pile off the ground. "Whoa!" Mega Man stepped back. "He sure loves his bananas!"
"He is what he eats." Kazooie replied.
Donkey Kong hurried back down the trail towards his house. Diddy Kong grabbed Fox and Falco by the back of their coats and started dragging them down the path as he followed. Banjo hurried after them. "This seems familiar." Fox said.
"Don't remind me." Falco grumbled.
"Do the monkeys know Team Star Fox?" Mythra asked.
"During another incident where worlds merged, the Subspace Army kidnapped Donkey Kong." Peach explained. "Fox and Falco helped Diddy get him back."
"Pi!" Pikachu nodded.
By the time Mythra and the others reached the banana hord all the bananas were back where they belonged. "Oh, hey guys." Banjo said. "Good timing, we just finished getting Diddy Kong up to speed."
"He's ready to help us round up the others and take down Galeem." Fox added.
Diddy Kong nodded. "Good to hear." Mega Man smiled. "Anyway, it looks like we found everything here. Let's head back through the portal."
"There was a path leading north from it." Alph said. "Why don't we try going that way?"
"Sounds like a plan." Falco replied as they stepped outside.
The party came out of the portal. Fox noticed the rocks to the south were gone. "Hey, look at that. The path is cleared."
"Sora's team went in that direction." Mythra replied. "They probably had something to do with it."
"Well, let's leave that to them then." Mega Man said as he turned north. Tiny copies of a Mii Swordfighter with Lip's Stick and Jigglypuff stood in their way.
Diddy Kong came up to them with Cranky Kong, Candy Kong and Gunship and was transported to the Garden of Hope. He jumped in their direction. A flower appeared on his head sapping his health. He up smashed the Jigglypuff while simultaneously moving over a forward smash from the Mii. He was then hit by a forward tilt. Diddy Kong dash attacked the Mii knocking it away then tossed a Banana Peel behind him making the Jigglypuff that tried to ambush him slip. He used a forward smash on it before the Mii threw it's Lip's Stick at him and grabbed another. Diddy Kong grabbed the item that hit him and ran at the copy. It jumped over his dash attack and hit him with a down air. He used a forward tilt to push it back, then when he wasn't expecting it, the Jigglypuff used Rest that did a mighty blow. When he came down, he blocked a forward tilt from both of them and sent them in opposite directions with down smash. As the Jigglypuff tried to recover, he threw the Lip's Stick at it finishing it off. The Mii Swordfighter jumped and used forward air, but Diddy blocked it and grabbed the copy before throwing it off the stage. As it tried to recover, he spiked it with down air.
When Diddy Kong returned with Lip Donkey Kong high fived him. They then proceeded up the hill. They freed Alm & Celica (Young) and went up a rocky hill, following a waterfall. A broken bridge was in the way but Bord, Cord, and Barst fixed it. They then freed Pak E. Derm, and Viruses, before finding a Roy Koopa copy and a Shulk copy in front of a building. Alm & Celica (Young), Valoo and Guardian went into Lucario. They went to a Omega Guar Plains. Lucario dash attacked them just as a Riki assist appeared. The Roy Koopa copy used Abandon Ship to dodge a smash attack and the cart blew up on Lucario. He was then hit by the Shulk's Back Slash. Riki then healed everyone. Lucario grabbed the Shulk copy and threw it behind him. Then the Roy copy jabbed him with neutral combo. Lucario used a down smash knocking them in different directions. The Shulk tried to recover but Lucario jumped off the stage and used down air to push the copy further away from it. Even with Air slash it couldn't make it back. Lucario on the other hand easily returned with Extremespeed. Riki disappeared but a flower appeared on Lucario's head weakening him. The Roy copy grabbed a Ray Gun and fired at him. Lucario was hit twice before shielding two hits. Then a earthquake shook the ground but Valoo kept Lucario on his feet. The Roy Koopa used down air before Lucario Mega Evolved and unleashed his Final Smash upon the copy.
Lucario landed in front of the others. Alm & Celica (Young) glowed and transformed into Alm & Celica. "Phew! That's better." Alm said. "It was kind of weird being a kid again…"
Celica looked at herself and smiled. "It is comforting to be back to normal. Er-besides losing our bodies." She looked at Alm. "Still…you were a pretty cute kid Alm."
The young man blushed as the fighters and spirits around them snickered. "Please don't make fun of me in front of all these people…"
Riki (Xenoblade Chronicles) landed next to him in physical form. Reyn appeared in front of him. "Riki?!"
"Friend of yours?" Lucario asked.
The Nopon stood up. "Friends keep Riki waiting! Follow Heropon!" He walked into the house.
"Riki's running a dojo?" Reyn asked. "Give me a break."
They went inside the dojo. "Learn style of Riki and get these best effects!"
A nearby board said: Strategist Style. Increase: Special-Move Power Decrease: Attack Power, Throw Power, Item Power. "That's a lot to lose for one powerup." Falco said.
"What friends do?"
"We might as well try teaching some spirits his style." Peach said. "It may prove useful."
"Heropon give special sidekicks training!"
"Visit Riki anytime!"
Reyn grumbled as the team walked away. "I still can't believe that little punk gets to keep his body. It's ridiculous."
Fiora's spirit appeared next to him. "You know him, Reyn?" Fiora asked. "I don't think we ever met a Neopon like that in Colony 9."
Reyn cringed. "Oh great, I just put my foot in my mouth didn't I…" "Um…well…it was during a uh…A mission from the Colonel! You know a…solo mission!"
"You're acting strange…"
"Uh…" Reyn looked around and saw a treasure chest at a hidden path to the south. "Hey look guys, treasure!" He hurried in that direction.
After that the party freed the spirit of Camilla before seeing…
Mythra gasped. "Shulk?!"
Everyone ran over. It was the wielder of the Manado trapped on a stand. "Shulk!" Fiora yelled.
"Well, what are you waiting for?!" Reyn asked. "Someone, get him out of there!"
"One of us will have to fight him once he's free." Fox said.
"So, who's it gonna be?" Falco asked.
"Let me do it." Mythra said. "I've seen Shulk in action before."
"Just be gentle!" Fiora said.
"Relax, it's not like I'll kill him. But you should know as well as I do Fiora. This is Shulk we're talking about." She tapped the stand and Shulk came down. He drew the Manado. Mythra teamed up with , Fi, and Kapp'n (Wild World) and transformed into Pyra. "So, I can't afford to go easy on him!" The two dashed towards each other. They jumped and their swords clashed before they were sent to an Omega Gaur Plains.
The two backed away. "Blazing End!" Pyra threw her sword at Shulk damaging him. She hit him with a three hit combo, then he jumped forward and slashed her with forward air. Pyra grabbed him and threw him up, but when she jumped and used up air he dodged before using neutral air on her then a dash attack. Pyra jumped back and switched with Mythra. "Chrono Dust!" She slashed Shulk and hit him with a projectile. As she came down she landed on his up smash. She jumped back. "Photon Edge!"
Shulk grabbed the edge of the stage after being knocked back, jumped up and held up the Manado. "Speed!" He charged and used a dash attack by Mythra's Foresight let her dodge it before using a forward tilt. Shulk grabbed her and tossed her up. He was going to use another up smash as she came down but her down air hit first.
Mythra ran up to Shulk as his speed returned to normal. "Lightning Buster!" Even without charging her neutral special hit hard thanks to Fi. She then switched back to Pyra as Shulk used the Jump art to get back on the stage. But Pyra started charging up as he grabbed the edge of the stage. And right when he climbed back up… "Flame Nova!" He was hit by Pyra's fully charged neutral special and KOd.
Shulk's vision was blurry when he came to. From what he could tell he was sitting against a rock. "Agh…" He groaned with a hand on his forehead. "What the…"
"Long time no see Shulk."
He looked up and was surprised to see who was first to great him. "Pyra…? Pyra! Is that you?! What are you doing here?"
Pyra helped him stand. "She showed up after we were all hit by Galeem." Ryu said. "With some additional help."
"You mean Rex and the others?"
"No. My friends and I were separated." Pyra replied. "I found one of them, but she was turned into a spirit. I can only assume Rex and the others…"
"Shulk, things took a turn for the worst." Lucario said.
"I know. I saw it all. In my vision. We were captured. Galeem turned everyone else into spirits and forced them into copies of our bodies…"
"I showed up here with a few others who were torn from their worlds after that." Pyra said. "Like Banjo and Kazooie here."
Shulk looked at them. "I see…So you saved not just me, but Lucario and the others here."
"It's more than just us." Peach said. "The others are looking around for a way to take down Galeem's shield so we can stop him."
Reyn approached. "We can do it now that we have you back bud!"
Shulk smiled. "Reyn!" He then noticed another friend of his smiling at him. "Wait…Fiora?!"
"Welcome back Shulk."
"What happened? Why are you no longer…"
"Shulk?" Fiora was worried of the confused look on his face. "What's wrong?"
Shulk looked at Reyn. "Reyn, what's going on?"
"Yeah, well you see…" Reyn stepped over. "Look, we figured out that Galeem messed with more worlds than we realized. Some rather similar to others. It seems like this Fiora is from a world a lot like ours before she…you know."
"What in the world are you two talking about?" Fiora asked.
Shulk looked at Fiora in disbelief. Then back at Reyn. "Have you told her?"
"Naw, you kiddin'? She'd never believe me! I figured if she'd believe anyone it'd be you or Dunban, so I thought I'd just keep mum and act natural."
Fiora sighed in exasperation. "Okay, this is getting ridiculous, what is going in here?!"
Shulk sighed and turned to Fiora. "Fiora, listen…I'm not the Shulk you know."
"What?"
"Reyn here and I…we're from a world just like yours only deeper into the future."
"Just like Chrom, Lucina and Marth." Fox noted.
"Reyn and I left on a journey after Colony 9 was attacked by Mechon."
"What…?!" Fiora gasped.
"During that battle Shulk inherited the Manado." Reyn explained. "He's gotten even better with it then Dunban. It's clear he was always meant to wield it."
"Is that why it appeared to you when we met Rex and his friends?"
"Seems likely." Shulk nodded.
"What about Dunban and the others? Are the people at the colony safe?"
"Dunban pulled through, so did most of the others…" Reyn said. "But…you…"
"Huh?"
Shulk looked down uncomfortably. Then straight at Fiora. "Fiora? You might want to sit down."
Everyone was at a loss for words. Especially Fiora. "I…I can't believe it…I…become a…"
"Yeah…I can get why Reyn didn't want to tell you." Shulk said.
Lucario sighed. "I'm sorry to hear about such a grim future Fiora. I can understand this is a lot to process, but we need to keep moving. We can't let Galeem recover his full strength."
"Right." Mega Man nodded. "Shulk, we need to find as many spirits and fighters as we can so we can take on Galeem once Mario and the others get rid of his shield. You up for it?"
Shulk grinned. "You bet. I'm really feeling it."
Fox laughed. "It's good to have you back pal."
"I'm looking forward to working with you and Fiora again." Pyra smiled.
"Likewise, Pyra. And don't worry, I promise we'll find Rex and get everyone back to normal." Shulk then looked at Fiora. "Fiora, are you…"
She shook her head. "Don't worry about me. Lucario's right, this isn't the time for me to be distressed. I can worry about my future in my world once I get back to it."
"And now we gotta go all the way back down, don't we?" Kazooie asked. "All this backtracking is making me sick."
As the team went down the hill, Fox looked at the waterfall. "Actually, I think I just found a faster way."
"Really? Where?" Pyra asked.
"You can't be serious." Falco said.
"Race ya!" Fox dove into the water and went down the series of waterfalls under the bridge.
"Wait for us!" Mega Man, Steve, and Mr. Game & Watch jumped in.
Shulk turned to Ryu. "After you."
"If you insist." Ryu dove in. Shulk jumped after followed by Lucario, and the Ice Climbers.
Falco folded his arms and looked away. "If you think I'm going in there-Hey!" Banjo bashed into him as he jumped in. "Wh-whoooaa!" Falco lost his balance and fell in.
Pyra looked at the rapid falls. "Um…Are you certain this is safe? AH!" Donkey Kong grabbed her from behind and put her on his shoulder. He jumped in with her, with Diddy Kong, Piranha Plant and Pikachu following.
They all floated to the bottom of the hill and climbed out. As Donkey Kong shook his fur dry and put Pyra down, Alph floated down with Flying Pikmin carrying him. Jigglypuff floated down next to Peach with her parasol. "I'll take the sky any day." Falco grumbled.
"Whatever you say Falco." Fox grinned then turned to Peach. "Hey princess. Where can Falco buy his own floating parasol?"
"Very funny."
After everyone had a quick laugh, they looked to the west. They saw a railroad with a train stationed in front of them. "What do we have here?" Shulk murmured.
"A train?" Peach asked.
Fox looked at the others. "Any of you got any idea how this works?" They all shook their heads. "No?" He looked at the spirits. "How about you guys?" They did the same. "Hmmm…"
"Wait, maybe one of the others recruited a spirit that can help." Mega Man suggested. "Alph, try calling them."
Alph took out his CoPad and called Sora and Joker's phones. "Hello? Can everyone hear me?"
"Alph? What's up?" Sora asked.
"Well, we found some kind of train here but none of us know how to operate it. Have any of you found any spirit that might?"
"Yeah. We came across that on our end." Pac-Man said. "Sorry, we asked but we still don't have a spirit that knows how get it moving."
"Give me a minute." Sora replied. There was a brief silence. "We have a spirit of two engineers who think they can help! We'll send them your way, so hang tight!"
"Thanks." Alph replied. He then hung up. "I guess we just wait for now."
A couple minutes later the spirit of Alfonzo & Engineer Link arrived. The two saluted. "Greetings!" Alfonzo said. "Engineers Alfonzo and Link reporting for duty!"
"Wait what?" Banjo looked the smaller, blond, quiet boy. "This is…Link?"
"Ah yes, we just met two… "other versions" of my apprentice here. Of which almost looked just like him. Real shocker I tell you. But anyway…" Alfonzo looked at the train. "So, this is the train huh? Okay, let's take a look Link. Oh, uh, we just need to borrow a couple of bodies."
"I'll help." Shulk said.
"Same here." Mega Man added.
"Thanks." Alfonzo went into Shulk. Engineer Link went into Mega Man. They went inside. "Good grief, possessing other bodies like ghosts. If I told the Princess about this, I'm sure she'd call it ridicules. Hmm…This seems an awful lot like the trains we have back home."
"So, this train is from your world then?" Mega Man asked.
"Maybe…It honestly still very different from any train I've ever seen. It must be very special…"
A moment later they returned to the others. "Well guys, I got good news and bad news." Shulk said.
"Lay it on us." Fox replied.
"The good news is the controls on this train are a lot like the ones in Alfonzo and his Link's world so they can operate it no problem."
"And the bad news?" Ryu asked.
"See for yourselves." Mega Man pointed at the track. Part of it was on a circular platform and was facing another way from the rest of the track. "Part of the track is unaligned. We can't go very far."
"Is there any way to adjust it?" Peach asked.
Banjo noticed a switch nearby. "Hold that thought." He turned it. The railway rotated so it was aligned with the track.
"That's better!" Alfonzo said. "Well then, shall we get moving? We'll take you guys down the track."
"We appreciate it sir." Alph replied.
"All aboard!"
Everyone got inside the train, and it started moving. It puffed smoke as the wheels rolled down the rails. Peach had a tea set on the table. "Thanks, your highness." Fox said before taking a sip. "Huh. This kinda reminds me of when we were on the Halberd with Sheik."
"I've never been in a train like this before." Alph said.
"Me neither." Pyra replied holding her teacup. "What about you guys?"
Fox and Falco looked at each other. "We crashed one into an enemy base once."
"Um…sounds like…fun?"
"That is was." Falco grinned. "Should have seen the look on their faces."
Alfonzo and Engineer Link were still in Shulk and Mega Man's bodies at the front. "Ah it feels good to be back on a train, huh Link?" The young boy nodded.
Shulk's eyes flashed blue. He saw a Phantom appear out of nowhere and slash the train. The front vehicle caught on fire. When the vision ended, he spoke. "Stop the train!"
"Huh?"
"Now! Hurry!"
"Hang on!" Alfonzo used Shulk's body to pull down on the Gearbox and bring the train to a halt.
The passengers were startled by the rough stop. "Goodness, what was that about?!" Peach asked as she nearly spilt her tea.
Fox came over to the front. "What's going on?"
Shulk jumped out of the train. "Shulk!" Fiora's spirit and Reyn's went into him, and he turned into metal.
When the Phantom appeared and rushed at the train, Shulk blocked it with the Manado and slashed it apart. "Where did that come from?!" Fox asked.
Mega Man's squinted. It was blurry but he saw something. "Wait a second…Shulk! There's a copy of Princess Zelda right in front of you!"
"What?!" Alfonzo asked. "The Princess?!"
Shulk squinted to get a closer look. "I see it. Now it's showtime!" He and the copy went to a Battlefield Spirit Train. Shulk looked carefully and could just make out his opponent. It sent another copy at him, and he went off the left platform to avoid it. He could hear the copy land in front of him and hit it with a neutral combo. He then activated his Manado's Speed art. He was hit by a half complete Phantom and then bashed the Zelda copy forward with a forward tilt. He then lost it. "Where is it?"
Reyn heard something. "It's close!"
Shulk used a down smash and hit it while it was behind him. When it landed on the left platform, he ran under it and used up smash. As it came down, he used air slash. Then his metal form and speed art wore off. Then he lost the copy again and was hit by a Phantom from behind. "Shulk!" Fiora yelled.
The boy grunted as he climbed back onto the stage. He then saw a Beam Sword floating into the air and come at him. With his Vision he blocked the forward tilt and knocked it into the air. "Big mistake. By picking up a weapon it just made it easier for me to keep track of it! Smash!" He activated another art and blocked at dash attack then finished the copy off with a forward smash. He returned to the others with the Phantom spirit. "This is a good result!"
"Atta boy!" Fox grinned. He gave Shulk a high five as he got back in the train.
"Man, it's good to have your Vision on our side again." Mega Man said.
"Thanks. I just wish it did us more good when I saw what Galeem did."
"We were all helpless." Lucario said. "By the time your Vision happened there was nothing any of us could do. It's not your fault."
Fiora sighed. "Fiora?" Shulk asked. "What's wrong?"
"Ever since I joined the fighters, I wondered why my spirit turned them into metal. Now I think I know why…"
"Is this about what Shulk told you about your future?" Kazooie asked. "I mean I guess it would be upsetting hearing that you become some creepy metal person."
"Hey! I resent that!" Mega Man glared.
"Fiora, don't worry." Shulk said. "If I learned anything from my Visions it's that we can change the future. Now that you know what happens you can prevent it."
"Shulk's right." Pyra replied.
Fiora nodded. "Thank you everyone."
"Well, now that that's settled…" Alfonzo went back into Shulk and took the Gearbox and they keep moving. The track split and they turned right and freed the spirit of Mouser before seeing the track was unaligned at the left. So, they went to the end of the track at the right. The Ice Climbers got out and found a switch. They used it to chance the track and got back in. The train then went trough a tunnel and came upon a wasteland with bones in the sand. They came to a stop to the left and got off.
After Mr. Game & Watch used the spirit of Phantom to free Nibbles, the Phantom spirit glowed and transformed into Zelda (Spirit Tracks). "Huh?" She looked around. "Where am I?"
Alfonzo flinched. "Your Highness!"
"Alfonzo! And…Link? When did you change back to your old cloths?" Engineer Link tilted his head and gave her a odd look. "What's with that look? It's me, Zelda?" She then thought a moment. "Wait…Alfonzo, can you see me now?!"
"Huh? Sure. I mean we're all stuck as spirits for the moment."
"What?! Both of you as well?! That's awful!"
"So, Link, how do you know the Princess?" The boy replied. "Huh? This is your first time meeting her?"
"What? Link, don't you remember?! We're on a quest to-
Peach held up a hand. "Excuse me! I think I know what is happening. This Zelda is from a different world from you two."
Zelda looked at her. "Huh? What do you mean?"
"Oh, I get it." Alfonzo scratched the back of his head. "Truth be told your highness…we just met two other Links earlier…and another you."
"What?"
"Galeem, the one who stole everyone's bodies merged all sorts of worlds together." Shulk said. "Including yours."
"But it seems like this Link is from a world very similar to your own." Pyra said. "The only difference may be time."
"It sounds bizarre, but Shulk and I can confirm it's true." Fiora said. "He knows of my future."
"I see…" Zelda (Spirit Tracks) replied. "So, this Link…he's also a engineer?"
"Well, just an apprentice at the moment." Alfonzo said. "But he was going to get his certificate from you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow…So then you're from right before…" Zelda looked at the train behind them. "Ah! You found the train Anjean gave us! At least there's something in this world I can recognize."
"Who's Anjean?" Alfonzo asked.
Zelda covered her mouth. "Opps! Er…maybe I shouldn't keep talking about the future…"
A copy of Chrom slowly approached them from a dojo. "I'll handle this." Ryu took the spirits of Alm & Celica, Dr. Light, and Alfonzo & Engineer Link went into him giving him a Back Shield and they proceeded to a electrified Battlefield Coliseum. Ryu fired a Hadoken, but the copy jumped over it then went through its platform. Ryu ran after it but was hit by a Flare Blade. Ryu then dash attacked it then used a up tilt when it was above them. Then a Shoryuken. When they landed the copy used forward tilt but hit Ryu's Back Shield. Ryu tried for a forward smash but it was countered. He came back at the copy with Tatsumaki Senpukyaku. The copy then used Double-Edge Dance to knock Ryu off the stage. He recovered and dashe attacked into the copy again. Then he was hit with a forward air then a down tilt. Ryu grabbed the copy and threw it backward. When it came at him, he used a Shakunetsu Hadoken on it, then was knocked up by the copies dash attack and hit with a Soaring Slash. When Ryu got up, he jabbed the copy in the gut. Then rammed his other fist into its chin. "Shin…Shouryuken!" With a powerful uppercut he finished the copy off with a Final Smash.
Ryoma awoke with his body intact in front of the fighters. "What's happening?"
"Big Brother!" Sakura (Fire Emblem) floated over to him.
"Sakura?! "Good to see you here! Wait…what happened to you?"
"She was turned into a spirit by Galeem." Falco said. "You should count yourself lucky you got your body back."
"A spirit? Galeem? Wait…I know you. Corrin went off with you to look into the merging of our worlds."
"You know Prince Corrin?" Alph asked.
"I am Prince Ryoma of Hoshido. Corrin is my younger brother."
"How many siblings does the guy have?" Falco whispered.
"Why don't we talk this further in my dojo?"
Everyone sat on their knees inside the Dojo. "I see…" Ryoma said. "To think things got so grim…I knew I should have gone with Corrin!"
"Even if you did it wouldn't have changed anything." Shulk sighed. "We were wiped out effortlessly."
Ryoma stood up. "And Corrin and my other siblings are still in that fiend's clutches?"
"I'm afraid so." Peach replied.
"Then we must rescue them at once! I will accompany you."
"We appreciate your offer." Alph said. "But I think the best you can do to help us is by staying at your dojo and training the spirits we rescued."
"What?! Unacceptable! I can't just stand by while my family in in captivity! I can't leave Corrin like that again!"
"I know it's not an easy thing to accept. But think. This is something only you can do. We have to take advantage of that."
"And if we fail again, someone should team up with Peppy for plan B." Fox added.
"Yeah, the old rabbit's gonna need help." Falco added.
"But-
"Ryoma…" Sakura stepped over. "I think this is for the best. You're the only one who can teach spirits the Demon Style. That can really turn things in our favor."
"Sakura…"
"If I may." Shulk stood up. "I know what it feels like to yearn to rescue someone. So, I know what we're asking isn't easy. But strategically it's the best option we have. Galeem is far more dangerous than you can imagine. If we're going to save everyone, we need to do whatever we can to turn the odds in our favor."
"I know how you feel as well." Pyra said. "Rex and the rest of my friends are still trapped just like your family. But I promise you we will rescue them all."
Ryoma paused for a moment then sighed. "…Very well."
"Thank you, prince Ryoma." Mega Man said. "So, you teach The Demon Style?"
Ryoma nodded and pointed to a sign. "If a spirit masters my style, this is what you can expect." It read: Increase: Offense Decrease: Defence. "What would you like to do?"
Fox looked at the spirits with them. "Hmmm…"
Outside the Dojo Ryu shook hands with the prince. "Thank you for your help your highness. Don't worry, we'll find the rest of your family."
"Come back another time." Ryoma turned to the four spirits in his care. "Now, give it your all!"
After adjusting the track, the team got back into the train and fought the spirits of Barrel Train and Guts Man before reaching the end of the track in front of the volcano Kirby's team went up. "Looks like Joker's group cleared up the spirits here." Pyra said.
"Seems like it." Fox said.
Alph checked out the map. "All the clouds obscuring this world are gone. The map's complete."
"But that can't be!" Mega Man said. "There are still so many of us missing!"
"Perhaps the other teams found them?" Pyra suggested.
"Unlikely." Lucario replied. "And with all the worlds that have been merged there's no way this can be all of the spirits."
"Perhaps…" Peach said. "Why don't we head back to the city and see if they returned yet?"
Falco shrugged. "Well, we won't get anything out of standing around here. Let's go."
Fighters: Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, Pikachu, Ness, Captain Falcon, Jigglypuff, Peach, Bowser, Ice Climbers, Sheik, Dr. Mario, Pichu, Falco, Marth, Mr. Game & Watch, Pit, Zero Suit Samus, Snake, Pokemon Trainer, Diddy Kong, Lucas, King Dedede, Olimar, Alph, Lucario, Villager, Mega Man, Wii Fit Trainer, Little Mac, Mii Swordfighter, Mii, Gunner, Pac-Man, Shulk, Duck Hunt, Ryu, Inkling Girl, Inkling Boy, Simon, Isabelle, Piranha Plant, Joker, Hero, Banjo & Kazooie, Terry, Byleth, Min Min, Steve, Pyra/Mythra, Sora
Gorment Race Team: Yoshi, Kirby, Ness, Bowser, Dr. Mario, Pichu, Zero Suit Samus, King Dedede, Villager, Wii Fit Trainer, Little Mac, Pac-Man, Duck Hunt, Inkling Boy, Isabelle, Joker, Terry, Min Min
Jungle Team: Donkey Kong, Fox, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Peach, Ice Climbers, Mr. Game & Watch, Falco, Diddy Kong, Alph, Lucario, Mega Man, Shulk, Ryu, Piranha Plant, Banjo & Kazooie, Steve, Pyra/Mythra
Team Heading South: Mario, Link, Samus, Captain Falcon, Sheik, Marth, Pit, Snake, Pokemon Trainer, Lucas, Olimar, Mii Swordfighter, Mii Gunner, Inkling Girl, Simon, Luminary, Byleth, Sora