Chapter summary: Our heroes are kept in this strange new world a little while longer, and not entirely by their own wills.

Chapter Eight: A Union of Sorts

Screams of delight fill Pichu's ears. He swivels around but his eyes can't focus amid the adrenaline of the cheering, swaying crowds. Above even that, a great footstep crashes behind him, shattering the ground and the sounds of the crowd beneath it. The world goes dark, and Pichu's head stops spinning.

A metal beast screeches in his face and rears up on its haunches. Pichu darts to the side, dodging the swipes of the clawed paws of the reptilian beast, his concentration unshaken even as its breath rattles through dripping fangs as long as Pichu's body. He releases three surges of electricity, striking the beast's shell without damaging his own, lands on agile paws and falls back as an orange figure barrels into view to grapple the beast.

The world shifts as Pichu finds below his feet the wing of a sleek airship as it blisters through a cavern. The beast flies behind in pursuit, beating its great wings. Pichu looks to his right and sees the orange figure again, tall and confident. A friend, an ally by his side. They share a nod and charge ahead together, soaring through the air, eyes fixed upon their enemy as the crowd screams...

*.*.*.*.*

Mewtwo sees Pichu's form twist and jerk in the air before laying still. In an urgent manoeuvre he swoops down and sweeps the tiny Pokémon into his arms, forgetting the statue's base as his elbow knocks against it. The light blinds him but he curls protectively around Pichu as the cold metal transforms to warm, damp fur in his arms.

In another wave of emotion he realises that it may have been safer to leave the indestructible trophy on the ground.

The fire blazing behind them is quickly put out by the hammering rain, and the world is draped in night once again. Metal groans, great mechanical arms quiver beneath the massive body of the metallic beast before it collapses on top of a smaller, otherwise identical monster.

The driver of the smaller topples out of his quarters and trains an unsteady firearm at the beast, anticipating its second wind.

Mewtwo trains his eyes on the tangle of metal and spots shapes he suspects weren't part of the metal before. He doesn't step forth until the man with the firearm lowers his weapon. No one else moves for a minute longer.

Finally, a cape sweeps by Mewtwo, but before it can reach its destination it's bowled over by a small girl.

"We found you!" Nana cheers, holding Roy in a vice hold, followed closely by a more reserved Popo.

"What are you doing here?!" Roy exclaims.

"We busted out and came looking for you!"

"Sorry about... this," Popo says, gesturing tragically at his sister.

"No no, I appreciate it," Roy laughs. "I was just heading over to Snake."

Mewtwo stares at the trio before feeling Pichu shift in his arms. The tiny Pokémon stays silent but Mewtwo feels Pichu's body constrict in pain. He brushes a finger underneath Pichu's chin before approaching the man known as 'Snake'.

Snake starts as Mewtwo materialises behind him.

"Hope that wasn't yours," he finally says, shrugging towards the collapsed Thalleom after giving the Pokémon's silhouette a skeptical once-over.

"It was not. For that I am glad."

"Me... too." Snake rubs his forehead as Mewtwo's telepathic words echo inside his skull. "I think we've lost some passengers. You think it's safe?"

"They've had ample time to fake their deaths and throw the act."

The rain lightens to a drizzle, and the moonlight begins to peek through some cracks in the clouds. Olimar, Link and the trio hurry over to join Snake and Mewtwo as they drag out four silver statues trapped beneath the defeated robots. Falcon and Wolf are in an impossible tangle solved only by transforming them back. Jigglypuff and Lucario, both fairly light in their original states, had been thrown apart by the collision and are brought back together.

The first thing Lucario does after regaining consciousness is feel around with her paws while her eyes remain shut tight in pain. Jigglypuff manages to shuffle over just as blindly and sinks into Lucario's lap, and Lucario wraps her arms around as much of the Balloon Pokémon as she can. Mewtwo says nothing and instead turns to their other pair of casualties.

Falcon's foot has found its way into Wolf's mouth.

The sensation of choking sends Wolf into a panic. Amid the residual pain of the transformation, he yowls and wriggles back along the muddy ground before his boot flies forward into Falcon's face like an uncompressed spring.

"OWW!"

Falcon's cry seems to flick a switch in Wolf's brain and he freezes, claws clenched in the dirt. The two of them look around them to see that their allies are safe.

"So, we did it," Wolf rumbles quietly, staring at the pile of victory a few metres away.

Falcon gets to his feet, walks over to the pile and gives it an experimental kick. The metal clangs loudly and Falcon briefly assumes a defensive stance before relaxing and giving the others a thumbs up over his shoulder.

The village head, weighed down by her heavy robe, walks over with a surprising amount of grace and stares at the newcomers.

"I assume I owe you thanks," she says, fixing her eyes on Snake.

"For not burning the entire village to the ground?" he replies.

"You're fortunate I'm not so hung up on regulations." Enn stares at, through the pile of now scrap metal, into the depths of the pitch black forest. "But I'd very much like to get on the same page as the rest of you."

*.*.*.*.*

Enn leads them to her cabin, where Falcon's group had met her on the day of their arrival. Mewtwo drops the recuperating Pichu off in a side room on a very comfortable-looking cushion as the village head sets them up in the guest room. Enn seems to have little issue with her soaked guests draping themselves over the carpets—it's easily the most lavish and spacious room any of them had been in in the last three days, so as they settle down they struggle not to let sleep take them. After sending for some heavy lifters to remove the bodies of the ruined robots, and briefly gleaning stories off the wave of messengers that had built up over the two day siege, Enn requests their story.

As it turns out, Snake and Falcon alone are able to provide a sufficient account of their coming together, complete with enthusiastic additions from Nana while her brother tries to ameliorate whatever damage they've incurred to their respectability.

"I'll send word of your unplanned arrivals," says Enn, "as well as your shared dream. There may be something more afoot."

"Is that necessary?" Snake asks.

"I'll have to word it delicately with Meacri and Eci[1]. It's not necessary for the public to know the details, but they will be wondering about the attack on the Stadium and those other black holes[2]. Luckily there were no additional military forces to escalate this conflict any further."

"I wouldn't have thought of it that way," Snake mutters to himself. Roy looks at him strangely.

Falcon stretches his arms above his head before relaxing deeper into his armchair. Enn locks eyes with him.

"You've entered my house and not bothered to remove your helmet," she states.

"I was under the impression that you didn't care much for tradition," Falcon replies, returning her steady gaze.

"You assume well enough."

"I'd prefer to keep it on, if you truly aren't offended."

She gives a slight incline of the head.

Falcon almost breathes a sigh of relief as he specifically falls from Enn's focus.

"You may all need to remain in this world for some time until this situation is sorted out," she says, to the disappointment but not surprise of some members of the group. "I will vouch for you if the circumstances turn." No one can really thank her properly, still somewhat put out by the events of the evening; Lucario manages a slow nod. "I shall be lending my extended quarters to you again. Feel free to spread yourselves out."

*.*.*.*.*

Pichu awakens to a chill that banishes any sleep inertia he had left.

He swivels around, smacking his tail into something. Sparks leak from his cheeks before he sees Mewtwo standing before him, unfazed by the unintentional attack, the morning sunlight streaming through a window behind him.

I-I'm sorry, I thought it was—

"I know."

At least let me finish!

Mewtwo raises his eyebrows, almost physically startled back by Pichu's sudden attitude.

How long was I out?

"Since last night. We've won, but we are trapped again by the humans' business."

Oh... Pichu sits back down on the cushion. What happened to me?

"You knocked yourself out," says Mewtwo. He's buffeted by a great wave of negativity from the tiny Pokémon[3]. "Twin lightning strikes..." Mewtwo continues. "One natural, one by you. Both brilliant, equally matched in power. One struck the back of the robot, the other a tree..."

Pichu withdraws further into himself.

"...Which granted us our victory."

Pichu says nothing but Mewtwo can nearly hear his private thoughts.

"I believe you struck the tree. I will never be certain. Either way, you finally found a way to help."

The tiny Mouse Pokémon can't believe his ears. He was a help? I was a help! I was a help I was a helpIwasa—

"Learning to control your emotions may be your next point," Mewtwo interrupts. "It's not conducive to your improvement."

O-oh. I don't mean to be pushy, but would you be able to help with that?

"I have my doubts."

Pichu's ears droop.

"And there you go again. It is more my personal shortcoming than your own. That's the first thing you ought to get into your head. Or you could take a walk—the weather's quite suitable."

With you?

"I may be able to offer that. And a... level of conversation."

With a spritely shake of his body, Pichu leaps off the cushion, joining Mewtwo in a calm walk, finally.

*.*.*.*.*

Link enters the circular garden from the back door of one of the cabin. He follows the cobbled path round the garden, passing by several small herb patches filled with strangely coloured plants, none of which he recognises. They're still beautiful though, and they smell rather nice, filling the air with a refreshing tang. With a perturbed pull in his chest he eventually finds Wolf seated on a wooden bench to the side of the garden, obscured by a draping willow whose leaves almost shimmer in the morning sun.

He swallows his pride and walks up to the Lylatian.

Wolf looks up at him and Link sees his jaw shift, but neither of them say anything for a moment, staring at each other silently.

"Out with it," Wolf finally says, suppressing a sigh.

Link clears his throat to make sure his voice hasn't gotten tangled up in there and says, "I'm sorry."

He expects Wolf to laugh, but he realises that's probably his own miscalculation. Wolf's ears prick up in surprise and he locks up for a moment, before loosening his shoulders and leaning back against the bench.

"What for?" he hazards, caught off-guard by the hairless kid.

"I was rude to you. I judged you even thought you'd done nothing to earn my disrespect." He bows in embarrassment, finding it much easier to stare at the grass rather than Wolf's hawk-eyed face. It was true that he'd been put off by Wolf's attitude and he had a swagger about him that suggested savagery, but he'd helped, hadn't he?

"Look at me, kid."

Link hesitates, but looks back up to find Wolf grinning.

"I guess you're one of those types that thinks they know people's intentions," Wolf says. "A little inconvenient to work with, but sometimes they're right on the dot."

Despite himself, Link succumbs to poetic irony and a scenario runs through his head in which Wolf suddenly rears up and knocks him out. Wolf seems to pick up on it and relaxes further, making it clear he has no intention of making either of their lives any more difficult than they currently are.

"I've learnt that the world works in mysterious ways, and those ways don't always line up with your own." Wolf stretches and continues, "Anyway, I don't really know what you're apologising for. You haven't done anything to inconvenience me, and if you did, I doubt I would have noticed."

Link feels sheepish.

"...Meet me five years ago and that's what I would have said. Your modus operandi is obviously different to mine, but if you're willing to coexist, I guess the answer's 'apology accepted'."

It takes a moment for Link to process what Wolf said. They both almost laugh, for slightly different reasons.

"Warn me if I'm pulling your leg a little too much, okay, kid?" Wolf says, patting Link on the shoulder with enough force to jostle him. "But don't expect me to show any respect to the adults around here—no free passes for them."

Link briefly wonders why, and gives up shortly after.

*.*.*.*.*

"I've been meaning to ask you a question."

Snake had been the first to rise that morning and had watched the rest of their party wander out into the morning sun one by one. Eventually, he and Roy had been the last ones remaining indoors, and Snake noticed that Roy had no apparent intention of moving from his spot on one of the couches, not even for breakfast, drifting in and out of sleep through the morning. It was advantageous to Snake, if not slightly concerning.

"Well, it's more accurate to say that I'll probably ask things that circumvent the answer I'm eventually expecting," Snake clarifies, speaking from a chair halfway across the room. "You're under no obligation to answer any of my questions, of course."

"Don't worry about it," Roy replies. "What did you want to ask?"

"What sort of world are you from?"

Snake immediately realises that it's a useless question, as Roy sinks back into the couch and stares at the ceiling for a moment, lost at where to begin.

"I'll start from where we left off, then," Snake persists, pressing his fingers to his forehead. "You... your clothes were the first thing that I noticed when we ran into each other. You look like you're from a different time period to where I'm from. Unless it's a costume, I'm willing to bet that you're from the past... Except that flaming sword of yours throws a wrench in everything—can't really explain that one, unless we're playing swords and sorcery, now."

"You don't have magic?" Roy says. "And you say you're from the future... your lives don't rely on magic at all. It's difficult to imagine, but not impossible—just harder."

"'Harder' depends on your point of view."

"As an avenue for the exploitation of power?" Roy is quick to the draw. Snake nods slowly.

"Do you have kings and queens and castles, things like that?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so it's not completely different to my world's past." Snake falls silent for a moment, and they peer at each other, wondering how much exactly they and their worlds have in common.

"What's your position?"

"I'm the son of Marquess Pherae of Lycia."

"A politician, huh... I do remember you said on that first day that you led an army, too. You any good at fighting?"

"There are people close to me who are better. Are you?"

"It's... what I'm good at." Snake trails off, staring at the back of his hands.

After waiting a polite moment for Snake to continue (he doesn't), Roy says, "What are you thinking about?"

"I don't really know, kid," Snake sighs. "I guess... Kids fighting wars... I know what that is. Feeling bad about it doesn't help, but..." He winces internally and pushes the hair out of his eyes. "Sorry to unload that on you. You look a little tired."

"I'm alright," Roy says, but he makes no effort to move. Snake feels a twinge of frustration and gets to his feet.

"I'll grab you something."

"Oh, don't worry about—"

"That wasn't an offer. Now, make yourself comfortable."

Just before Snake disappears through the doorway, Roy asks, "May I ask you about your world?"

"Don't see why not. You'll understand if I refrain from answering anything particularly personal, won't you?"

Snake feels that it's something they can both agree on, but neither of them will need to uphold.

*.*.*.*.*

A week passes before Enn speaks with them again. A week in which Mewtwo and Lucario lead several meditation sessions, in which Olimar, Link and the ice climbers discuss their predilections for collecting, in which Snake coordinates sparring sessions between the interested parties at the behest of Wolf and Falcon. A week in which they get to know each other a little better, without any sense of immediate threat.

It's an uneasy peace, almost broken on a blustery day where Wolf, in a fit of homesick cabin fever, hoists a man up by the collar in the market square, but otherwise it passes slowly, and with no indication of whats's going on behind the scenes. Enn doesn't correspond with them until she tells them that they are permitted to return to their worlds.

And yet they hesitate.

"Is this hesitance part of the conspiracy as well?" Enn questions.

"Why didn't you get back to us until now?" Snake returns. "For all the 'traditions' you've forsaken I'd hoped bureaucracy was one of them."

"Perhaps my counsel makes me conservative. The junction of worlds is a delicate space, one we're not yet used to navigating."

Snake holds back a scoff.

"Is there any ongoing threat to this world?" Roy interjects.

"Nothing we're aware of. Watches have been tightened at the other settlements. We've sent investigations out and none have returned with any evidence of evil intent by any known organisation."

"So, an unknown organisation, then," Snake concludes.

"Not quite. An unfamiliar arrangement of instruments was found at a ruined castle[4] but we don't know if it is connected to the black holes or the attacks on the villages."

"A vigilante, maybe?" Falcon suggests.

"We don't know. But nothing has happened this week so we can assume it is safe to travel again."

"And if it's not?" Olimar murmurs.

"A strong culture of non-aggression is practiced in this world," Enn says. "I imagine that if an outside force intends to harm, the interests of the other worlds in protecting this meeting place will come into play."

"You speak of war?" says Roy.

Enn sighs. "What I mean is that there is no precedent... Perhaps I should take care of what I say."

"I don't know what further powers we have to offer," says Lucario. "But it feels somewhat irresponsible to leave now. This situation has not yet concluded, and the worst that could happen is people getting hurt."

"You speak true, but do some of you not have duties to attend to?"

Those of them that don't say nothing, and those that do conceal the fact.

"Then, I would advise that you return to your worlds. And if you decide to come back, you all know the way."

*.*.*.*.*

Nearly two weeks pass before Wolf even thinks of Lien again. The thought comes to him in a very direct manner—by way of a letter that finds its way onto his bedside table one evening.

It's rare enough to see a paper document these days (his days, at least), and a handwritten letter is among the rarest of the antiquated arts.

Enn's double standards of security are beginning to make his head spin. His teammates are bound to have at least snuck a peak at the—admittedly curt—contents of the letter.

Wolf,

You have been summoned to Lien for a meeting by a Mr. ROB. Your eleven allies have also been requested to attend by nearly identical letters, so there is no need to feel singled out.

ROB will provide you with more details upon your arrival.

Enn.

Leon and Panther give him jealous looks, which Wolf returns with a scowl, before heading off in his Wolfen to the location of the portal that had spat him back into his own world those eleven days ago. Amid the confusion of that initial adventure, and those of his own 'career' back home, it feels like an eternity ago.

The stench and sickly green of planet Zoness fades into the rugged, brown stone of a mountain around him, and he steps out of the portal into the village called Eci. The wind that blows down from the heights of the mountain range is a quite literal breath of fresh air.

He hitches a ride on an animal-drawn wagon headed down the mountain and northward, and the emerald of the Orfan Forest appears before the end of the day. Enn is quick to greet him at the village entrance, and it turns out he's the last one there.

"I'm surprised all of us were able to make it!" Falcon observes, nodding Wolf's way as he approaches the group. He casts a curious glance towards the wagon as it continues on.

"Yeah, and some of us are busy," Wolf says, "so pardon me if I want this to be quick." It's then that he notices a fourteenth member in their congregation: a robot with a rectangular head and hefty base, standing beside Enn.

"I would like you to meet ROB," she says, introducing her new robotic companion. "As you know, he is the one that summoned you all here. He'll fill you in on his request."

ROB spends a moment staring at the group before speaking.

"Thank you all for coming," he buzzes. "My name is ROB, former leader of the Robots of this world. You could say that I am... this world's ambassador[5], though few are acquainted with me."

Some looks are shared, but nothing is said.

"You are all well aware of the strange occurrences that occurred around this world at the beginning of this season. You have my deepest thanks for your efforts to help out. I myself have answers to some lingering questions, and a request that you accompany me to the Smash Brothers' Stadium to meet with another important figure around here. I have also invited Enn, but she wishes to remain behind to watch over her people—perfectly understandable, I might add.

"The trip should not be too long. Less than a day's trip by vehicle each way, and we shall provide some hospitality should you choose to stay longer."

Here, ROB stops, waiting for their answers to his call.

"Can I get a message to my 'mates?" Wolf asks gruffly. "I'll need to give 'em a heads up before we go traipsing about."

"I can arrange for that," says Enn.

"Good. Thanks."

"The Stadium?" Nana blurts. "That's where that tournament was! Does this have to do with that?"

"Not directly," ROB says.

"But I think we'd like to come, either way," Popo says. His sister nods fervently in agreement.

"Thank you, children. Any others wishing to withdraw?"

Falcon pats Olimar on the top of his helmet in encouragement, but otherwise no one turns down his request. At this, something in the robot seems to crack.

"I thank you all so, so much," says ROB, bowing in a mysteriously vivid show of emotion. "It is such an honour to meet you. This means a lot to this world, and to me. I shall do my best to make you comfortable."

[1] Meacri, Eci and Aelta are some other villages that I made up *dabs*.

[2] Yes, this is referring to the events of the SSE/my novelisation on which this story is based.

[3] Maybe this empath-Mewtwo I've got running is artistic licence but ehhhh Lucario's already playing the roles of Snake's advisor and Jigglypuff's love interest so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (the latter surprised me as well)

[4] Remember Dedede?

[5] Reference to Chapter 38 of Space and Time.

a/n: Lots of talk about alternative interpretations ahead!

This chap was a tough one. I've never properly concluded a novel-length story so this is effectively new territory (aight technically this isn't proper, either). I don't know how it ended up as this—personally I find it... interesting. Thanks for sticking around!

Not sure how much I like this interpretation of Toon Link. I keep thinking back to this other interpretation I saw somewhere (don't remember where) where he's a really sunny but not very talkative character, seemed like a much less judgemental type than the one I've got running here but I needed a foil to Wolf or something idk i don't read books ¯\_(ツツ)_/¯

I think I could have added more drama and explosions to this story but maybe that's for another time.

Not sure if I've made it obvious, but we're approaching the finale! There will be one or two more chapters, then this is completed! Thanks again for hanging around!

Have a nice day and feel free to share your thoughts!