Down the road towards the town, Mason used Shield Breaker on a shielding PAC-MAN puppet. The attack lived up to its name and made the yellow legend dazed. Victor threw a Pocketed Hydrant that the puppet placed earlier, the item colliding with its user and knocking it out.
Stephanie didn't spare a glance, pulling out her kunai, and pounced on the blue lab coat Dr. Mario puppet. The Sheikah slashed down with a serious of kicks and punches on the doctor before landing behind him. Violet grew a tree, utilizing her ax to chop it down, and sent it crashing onto a duo of a blue paint job R.O.B. and blue and purple Wario. The collision knocked the robot out but the treasure hunter got up, enraged. It was about to charge and the pink-haired host was about to roll her bowling ball but it vanished.
Curious about what happened, she noticed the Dr. Mario puppet gone. "What happened?"
"I'm not sure," Stephanie approaching her friend, "All I did was defeat the 'Dr. Mario' and then the Wario vanished afterwards."
"Think it has something to do with the spirit?" Violet questioned as she un-Pocketed the spirit pouch, making the Dr. Cygor and Mettuar spirit enter the bag.
"Could be," the transgender said, "We don't know much about these spirits. Remember how some have certain conditions or abilities like before in the forest?"
Violet nodded along as Mason and Victor headed into the village. The royal and boy soon came across two yellow-striped Villagers with a raccoon tail and ears. Armed with slingshots, they fired at the two hosts.
Mason didn't dodge, the pebbles being no threat, while Victor opened his umbrella. The pebbles bounced off and the two hosts went to town, figuratively speaking. Stephanie dashed ahead, noticing a red-clothed Zelda, and started the battle with her Goddess Harp. With a quick strum, Bolero of Fire sent pyromancy towards the princess of Hyrule. Violet floated above using Balloon Trip before plummeting with turnips onto an unsuspecting Peach puppet.
Cleaning out the village of spirits, the four hosts regrouped near the village's fountain. Stephanie finished the Zelda puppet before ending an Isabelle spirit. Mason took down a Little Mac puppet and the Villager host duo defeated a twin duo of Incineroar and Duck Hunt. The spirits rescued were placed into the Spirit Pouch.
"Is that all of them?" Mason asked.
"Yep. Took care of them," Violet said, fist bumping Victor.
"True," Stephanie mused. But something felt off about this. They had defeated each spirit but no sign of a captured fighter.
'You seem wary,' Sheik asked her spirit.
"It seems too easy," the transgender responded, "You would think that Galeem would have a few servants to guard certain sections of her new world."
'Hmmm... I share your concern,' Sheik told her, 'But perhaps she didn't leave any fighters here.'
Stephanie nodded along but she soon had a suspicion. She was taken from her thoughts when a Chakram was thrown.
"Weapon at twelve o'clock!" The warning came just in time and the four hosts avoided the attack. The projectile was embedded in the stone-paved ground. Mason was the first to recover, unsheathed the Exalted Falchion, and parried an incoming attack towards him.
Gritting his teeth, the royal managed to repel the attack and sent the attacker flying across to an exit.
"Ha! Nice try!" A blonde teenager with blue eyes taunted. He had a blue tunic, black undershirt and leggings with brown boots. Silver knight armor donned his elbows and knees, while in his right hand was a knight claymore sword. "But my swordsmanship is far superior than yours."
"Save the taunt," Mason retorted before readying himself for a duel.
Steven, the host of Mii Swordfighter, just cracked a smile before handling his sword the same. Both eyed each other before lunging.
Mason went first, using Dancing Blade but 'Steven' was able to deflect each with a strike. The Mii host went for an outward slash before following through with an inward one. The hero-king host avoided both, then closed the distances with a Shield Breaker. 'Steven' merely shielded himself before sending Gale Strike towards the royal. Mason avoided the tornado before running towards the side and slicing 'Steven.'
Stephanie, Victor, and Violet soon saw the two swordsmen dueling. While they were distracted by the ensuing fight, a fishing hook grabbed Victor by the shirt and pulled him back. The brunette was taken without a sound.
'Steven' unleashed a Blurring Blade only for Mason to Counter and follow up with Dolphin Splash. The aerial attack allowed 'Steven' to perform a downward Skyward Slash Dash towards Mason. The attack sent Mason to the ground but he recovered before 'Steven' continued with Stone Scabbard.
The attack left the Mii host's sword stuck allowing the Hero-King host to Dancing Blade. Mason performed the attack twice, once going forward before tilting up at the end. Again, 'Steven' was sent flying into a house, the exterior cracking upon impact. 'Steven' shook his head to be rid of the dizziness but Mason appeared and slashed twice, not doing any fatal damage before. And the coup de grace was Mason using Shield Breaker.
The tip of the sword hit true and knocked the Mii host out. The royal just panted exhausted from the duel before realizing Stephanie and Violet were here.
"What happened to Victor?" Mason asked before the two females noticed they were down a host.
"OVER HERE!" the kid cried, running for his life. The three conscious hosts saw what Victor was running from: a young blonde girl around the age of Victor and Violet. She had a green vest that covered her white dress shirt and red tie, and a plaid skirt. What was odd about the girl was the fact that she had a dog-like nose, tail, and ears along with yellow fur around her body.
Irene, the host of Isabelle, continued to chase the mayor host before un-Pocketing a Lliod Rocket, no doubt Victor's, which exploded after chasing the owner. Victor was tumbling in a comedic fashion before landing upside against a house.
"Welp. So much for a sneak attack..." 'Irene' mused before getting out pom poms and bashing them together. "Two-four-six-eight! Who do we appreciate? It's Galeem!" the manager host cheered.
"... Odd chant..." Stephanie thought aloud before Violet came in with her own Lliod Rocket. 'Irene' jumped and knocked the pig-tailed girl off with her broom before holding it in a taunting manner.
"Time to swept the floor with you!" The manager host snarked and planned to whack Stephanie. The Sheik host just rolled her eyes and leg swept the yellow-furred girl before lunging with a roundhouse. The kick caused the young girl to roll back and collided with another village.
The host of Isabelle bared her teeth but given her appearance, it was not intimidating. She had her fishing rod ready to hook someone until a bowling ball hit her on the head and knocked her unconscious.
Victor whistled innocently from his position, considering it payback for the ambush attack. Steven finally came to, clenching his head in minor pain.
"What in the world?" the blonde said in a Middle Age like tone before accepted Mason's hand.
"A long story," the royal explained.
"I take that the light show is the cause?" Steven quizzically guessed and received nods of from the conscious hosts before seeing Irene out. "What happened to her?"
"Possession," Violet bluntly said, "Same as you. You dueled Mason and lost."
"I see..." the swordsman said, "Well, I'm sure it was a valiant fight!"
"Indeed," Mason commented, "Was on the ropes until and cornered you."
"So we are just waiting for Irene to come to?" Victor asked.
"Yes. Perhaps we should check in with Matt and the others while we wait," Stephanie said before pulling out her communicator.
This communicator was made for contacting outside in the real world and over long distance for the Smashers. The transgender dialed up the number for Matt and waited for it to answer...
The buzzing was ignored since Matt dodged a pink-clothed Luigi's Green Missile.
Yen ate a vegetable projectile from a blue-dressed Peach, turning it into an egg before lobbing it. The puppet princess was hit in head as an African American Villager puppet ran towards his partner.
Kyle intercepted the path, using his Hammer Flip to knock the mayor out of the park. The pink-haired teen then garnished the attention of a navy-blue clad Captain Falcon, swapping to the Mirror Copy Ability and used Mirror Body, dodging a Falcon Punch.
Jordan, meanwhile, had her hands full with four Yarn Yoshis as they seemed to be floaty. The pop-star used Gravity to ground them before freezing one Yoshi with Blizzard. She let loose a Shock Wave, paralyzing two Yoshis, and clobbered the last one with a Mega Punch.
Back with Yen, he tail-slapped the puppet princess before taking her out with a head-bash, causing her to reform into a spirit. The Chinese craned his neck and Kyle defeated the navy-blue Captain Falcon puppet with a Mirror Body Ring.
And Matt, successfully, defeated the pink Luigi with an excessive use of his Firebrand, turning the puppet into the Dreambert spirit. The Italian finally reached for his communicator and answered.
"Hello?"
"Matt, it's me, Stephanie," was the reply.
"Oh good, Stephanie," the Italian said with relief, "What's up?"
"We found two more hosts: Steven and Irene."
"Mama Mia! That's great!" Matt addressed.
"Any luck on your end?"
"Yep! Just found Yen not too long ago. And we are heading to this clinic in our area."
"A clinic?"
"Yeah. Best not to question it."
"What's our next move? I see a bridge that leads to another place. Should we investigate it?"
Matt thought for a bit before speaking, "Try to but I doubt Galeem would make it unguarded. If you can't pass, rendezvous with us at this bypass."
"Understood." Both hosts hung up before Matt heard a thud. The Mario host whirled around to see a large Pikachu puppet, growling at the four with a swarm of bees behind it.
Yen blitzed into the large Mouse Pokémon only to bounce off the body. Kyle shifted to his Hi-Jump Copy Ability, leaping towards with Rocket Hi-Jump and slammed into the puppet. Jordan followed up with Sing, sending the puppet to sleep. Matt came around and leapt into the air, using Drill Spin on the Electric type.
After Stephanie hung up, the other conscious hosts waiting for the newcomer to recover. While this occurred, the transgender decided to heal with Prelude of Light. The process healed Irene quicker as she came to after 15 seconds when the song ended.
"W-what h-happened?" the host of Isabelle stuttered out before noticing the other hosts. "W-what's going on?"
"It's okay, Irene," Mason reassured before kneeling to her level in a comforting manner.
"W-where is everyone?" the manager host shivered.
Mason and Stephanie knew this would most likely be a traumatic experience for the more... child-like newcomers, Irene probably most of all. The royal explained the situation in a slow manner before Irene finished processing everything.
"S-so G-Galeem captured everyone and had u-us scattered across the world?" she repeated, fear present in her voice. She began to tremble before Victor and Violet hugged her.
"We know this is a lot for you to handle. We remember our first time in this world. We were scared, terrified, but things changed when everyone got together," the male mayor host said.
"And I promise," Stephanie added, "We will find Spencer and the others."
Hearing the statement, Irene shook her head clean of doubt before getting a determined glint in her eyes. "Then let's do it!"
With the two rescued hosts, the group headed out of the town and came across a bridge.
"That must be lead to the eastern side," Steven thought aloud.
"Well, let's get going!" Victor charged ahead before light erupted from the valley. "Whoa!"
"That sure is bright!" Mason replied, shading his face.
"I think that we can't pass it!" Stephanie shouted.
"Any clues on that?!" Violet asked in a shout due to the light.
"Not sure! But we have to try something! Let's circle back to here when we find something!" Steven suggested before leaving the fissure and went to the bypass area.
In Ribbon Road, Matt's group was just finishing up with the giant Pikachu puppet. The bees had proven to be troublesome but Matt and Kyle dealt with the swarm.
Yen and Jordan were able to defeat the mouse puppet with latter using Rest and the former leaping to perform Foot of Fury that turned the puppet into a makeshift soccer ball. The impact caused the puppet to turn into the royal spirit of Honey Queen.
"I will never underestimate bees again," Kyle muttered, somewhat sore from the stings.
They regroup before seeing the clinic on a pink cloud. Entering the building, they were met with a horror aesthetic within the facility. Lights flickered, walls looked cracked, and many other details that made the hosts shutter.
"This is... disturbing..." Jordan pieced together.
"You would think Galeem would have cleaned up this place..." Matt thought aloud before dodging a bolt of electricity. "What on Earth?!"
From behind the counter, an Italian teenager with brown hair and glowing red eyes glared at the quartet. He wore a white lab coat, white button-up shirt, red tie, black jeans, and brown boots. Around his forehead is a head mirror and a stethoscope around his neck.
"Doctor Galeem will see you now." Daniel, the host of Doctor Mario, replied before rubbing his palms together and firing two palm strikes of voltage.
Everyone dodged before going on the offense. Jordan took the initiative with Charge Beam but Daniel redirected it towards the pop-star. Kyle Inhaled the attack before gaining the Beam Copy Ability, letting loose a Cycle Beam. Daniel leapt back before Yen threw out his tongue. The prehension proved insufficient as the doctor used Dr. Tornado, spinning the dinosaur host into the Pokémon host. Kyle discarded his current Copy Ability and swapped to Beetle, closing the distance and unleashed Horn Flurry before a Rocket Horn Dive, slamming Daniel into the ground.
The host of Doctor Mario proved to be stronger, catching the horn when Kyle attempted to strike again, and lugged him around before throwing him away. Grinning at the attack, the Italian was socked in the face with an added flame. Rubbing his cheek in pain, the doctor glared at the attacker.
"Nice to see you again, cousin..." 'Daniel' sneered towards Matt.
"Leave my cousin's body before I make you," the Mario host threatened with palms ablaze due to his Firebrand.
"Now why would I do that?" The doctor replied in a mock thinking tone, "Galeem craves for perfection. A rebellion is not what she wants."
"So you think I would just let her reign supreme?"
'Daniel' shrugged, "It beats the alternative of me having to pull your plug." Hurling two Megavitamins, Matt veered left and right before throwing fireballs of his own which was met with the same reaction. The doctor rushed in with electrified palms before letting loose a discharge, Matt barely avoiding it before landing an uppercut. The punch staggered 'Daniel,' who snarled before jumping himself and stomping onto his cousin. 'Daniel' landed on his cousin's back before rubbing his palms together like a defibrillator.
"Clear!" 'Daniel' was about give a hellacious discharge before Kyle came to the rescue with Yo-yo Throw. The toy pulled the doctor's hands together before Matt got free and used F.L.U.D.D. to wash him away. The Kirby host quickly caught on and release the possessed host before the water hit the cousin. Upon impact, 'Daniel' was electrocuted since he had used electricity before the light show died and revealed a crisp Daniel. Kyle followed up with a Clipboard Bash, courtesy of the Doctor Copy Ability, and sent the possessed host over the counter, down and out.
Matt and Kyle high-fived before Jordan and Yen recovered and saw the host of Doctor Mario out. Using Heal Pulse, the pop star restored the conscious hosts energy to the best of her ability. They then waited for the medical professional to recover.
For her pocket-dimension, Galeem saw the accomplishments of the hosts was growing rather angry. Apparently, like before, she had underestimated the hosts and their potential. Even with her new henchmen, they still proved to be a nuisance. She decided to have her non-Puppet minions for their report. She summoned various orbs before addressing the multiple followers she deemed useful.
"Updates?"
From the Light Temple, a devoted voice answered, "The fissure has erupted with light. Just as you plan, Lord Galeem. My angels defend the temple as we wait in case we come across any resistance."
The Goddess of Light turned directed her attention to the secret base, "I, the great Dr. Wily, have been able to replicate the two behemoths from the days of that era you called Subspace. Even some of those stealth robots!"
"Please," another voice from the base scoffed, "He was lucky to commandeer such powerful weapons. If anything, the Sigma Virus could be used to improve the mechanical creatures."
"It is best you not," Galeem replied, "You're attempts from your own universe have proven that the virus is corrupting. Not having my champions will create a struggle. Understood?"
The second voice from the base was silent before agreeing, "Yes, Lord Galeem."
A gruff voice answered next, "Lord Galeem! One of my spies has informed me that a band of those heroes was coming our way. What shall we do?"
She thought for a moment before answering, "Intercept them. Prevent them from reaching my champion."
"Understood, Lord Galeem. Bublins! We ride at once!" Cheering of creatures occured on the other end.
Her attention shifted over to the power plant, "Is the Great Zapfish living up to its power?"
"Of course!" A hip voice exclaimed, "Us Octarians know how to use this power! It keeps powering my fresh beats! And those security gates too."
If she had eyes in this form, she would have rolled them in annoyance at the tone of the cephalopod extraterrestrial.
"If I may, your Brightness," a voice said, "We have spotted some of the hosts from my Grouchiness' domain. Your orders?"
Galeem was pondered her next move before answering, "Defend my champion. For if he falls, it spells disaster for us."
"It shall be done, your Luminousness." Two barks of affirmation could be heard in the background.
"How goes the space exploration?" Galeem asked her personalized space fleet.
"It goes well, Mistress Galeem," a somewhat jolly tone said, "With the Lor Starcutter, the host, and fleet of puppets, no one is a match for us!"
"Very good. Keep expand. My universe shall be perfect," Galeem implied. She finally reached her last loyal subject.
"The great Wart has your champion contained, ready to unleash when ready!" A monstrous roar could be heard in the background.
The roar made Galeem flare with a devious aura. Her champions would be able to stop the hosts. She was sure of it.
"Ugh..." Daniel groaned out before seeing four familiar faces.
"How you doing, Dan?" Matt said before extending a hand which the medical host accepted.
"What happened? All I remember was the light show and me questioning about it," the host of Doctor Mario said with a Brooklyn accent.
"Long story short, world ended and we have to fix it," Yen put lightly.
Daniel just shrugged, "What else is new?"
The five hosts walked out of the clinic, after Daniel insisted on looting the place for medical supplies which was quite hard, and were met with some remaining puppet fighters.
Yen spat out his tongue, using Egg Lay on red tunic Young Link. Transmutating the younger hero of time into an egg, the three assisting Villagers were barreled through by the egg.
A Zelda puppet and adult Link puppet attempted to defeat Jordan but two were hit with a microphone-enhanced Disarming Voice and a followed up Dazzling Gleam.
A female Villager got hit with a Jet Burst from Kyle before a Jet Headbutt into a white shirt Ness puppet.
Finally, Matt and Daniel landed a double punch in the face of another pink Luigi, the former's hand clad in flames and the latter with electricity. The blow sent the Luigi skidding back before in a comically plopping stomach up. Both cousins shared a nod before leaping and going in for a double jump.
A/N: My head canon for the Mii Fighters is that they are from separate eras. Brawlers are from the Ancient Japan and China; Swordfighter from Medieval and Middle Age, also Miitopia; and Gunner is from the future, maybe around 2099, 31st century; also modern age.
Another head canon is Doctor Mario is from an alternate universe. The Brooklyn descent idea was inspired by Super Smash Bros Odyssey adaptation of him and the cousin host from Krosshair's adaptation.
Also Galeem is revealed to have more help. Props to anyone who is able to identify them all.