Super Smash Brothers Melee
Episode 6 - The Twists of Fate
"It is said that a good warrior can judge an opponents capabilities simply by looking at them in a stance. I find this untrue as more people have underestimated me because of my looks than I care to list. In the heat of battle a good warrior can change their tactics at a moments notice. One can fight an opponent for years but still not fight them under all possible circumstances. And until you have fought someone under all possible circumstances then, and only then, can you claim to truly understand their abilities. The fighter that assumes much risks much" - Paul McCormick
*****
The entire crowd was one unblinking stare. Hundreds of cameras were positioned on them. Millions of people viewed the two fighters. But in the arena there are only two people, you, and your opponent.
The dream land fountain was a circle when viewed from above, the actual fountain only taking up a small part in the middle of the arena. Four platforms floated immobile around the fountain. Two platforms were about 7 feet up the other two at 10 feet. The arena would have looked almost barren if it were not for the continuos flow of metallic rainbow flowing from the fountain. The liquid flowed off in four directions, no more than an inch deep. But the liquid was as slippery as an intangible dream. That coupled with the highly polished metal floor made traction a serious problem. Each opponent would have to cross at least one of these "streams" to get to their opponent.
Mario stared across the expanse to his most hated rival. He had thought long and hard over his strategy in fighting the spiked monster. It was not as if Mario and Bowser had never fought one on one, far from it. But Mario had always been forced to fight Bowser at a disadvantage. So now Mario wanted to know what tricks Bowser had up sleeve, he never expected Bowser to willingly go into a "fair fight". But Mario was confident in his abilities to overcome anything he might have thrown at him...
Bowser on the other hand was entertaining thoughts of using Mario's corpse as a throne rug, after he had been thoroughly been beaten of course! But Bowser quickly pushed such thoughts aside, he knew the plumber was a tricky one. Bowser had come to learn that his "fool proof" plans always had a fatal flaw that led to Mario's victory. The mere thought of Mario's past victories caused a rage to build in Bowser. But once again he was able to refocus his thoughts back to the battle. Bowser had no outright plans, preferring to let his opponent make the mistake.
To the two fighters it seemed an eternity that they stared each other down. But in real time it was but a moment. The crowd never even noticed the delay after the buzzer when neither combatant moved because before it would register Mario had sprinted of towards Bowser.
Mario was short of stature, and his frame suggested more fat than muscle. But years of physical labor have toned his muscles to their fullest. So the quick short pumps of Mario's legs quickly brought him across the arena, but making sure to avoid the slippery liquid with short hops. Mario was running full tilt at Bowser and expected him to like wise move closer but to Mario's surprise Bowser simply braced himself. Mario figured that Bowser would move forward because his current position left him dangerously close to the arenas edge. But Mario continued his charge anyway, if Bowser wanted to risk falling off he would be quick to help. So a mere 10 feet away from Bowser Mario went into a baseball slide aiming for Bowser's shins. Bowser saw the slide and started to let loose his fiery breath, as Mario expected. Mario quickly planted his foot down and brought himself into a crouch and with all his strength leaped the last 5 feet towards Bowser, over the cone of flames.
But Bowser saw the feint coming, for he had not made the fire a blast rather than a stream. So instead of jumping into a flatfooted Bowser trying to recover from an attack Mario now was hurdling towards a prepared opponent. Mario was confident that a firm boot in Bowser's face could end the match, but nobody, not even peach or the crowd was as shocked as Mario when Bowser was able to grab the plumber out of mid air by his leg. Bowser stood there for a moment holding Mario several feet off the ground. Mario had only time for a single moment of fear and a chance to catch Bowser's evil grin. Bowser quickly reversed Mario's forward motion downward into the unyielding ground. Mario landed back first into the ground with a resounding "thud" that caused even the most seasoned fighters to cringe at the sight of it. So hard was the slam that the very ground had cracked underneath Mario. But Bowser, who had never let go of Mario's leg, quickly brought Mario up to eye level again.
"Surely you did not think you could beat me so easily, and with such obvious tactics" Mario hung like a limp rag in Bowser's grip. Many spectators feared that Mario had been knocked out in a single blow. But most people knew that the plumber had more fortitude than that. In a quick movement Mario flexed his leg muscles bringing him upright in Bowser's grip, to Bowser's surprise. Mario quickly formed a fireball right in Bowser's face. The fire burned at Bowser's eyes and singed his skin, in the blind rage that followed Bowser heaved Mario across the arena. Mario hit the ground and bounced hard several times before going into a roll and sliding to a stop, almost back to his starting position. By the time Mario had recovered so had Bowser. The two fighters once again stared at each other, but this time with a little more respect for the others abilities. This would not be an easy fight.
This time it was Bowser's turn to charge headlong at the stationary Mario. Although Bowser could not move his legs as quickly his long strides easily matched those of his shorter opponent. Bowser had barely gotten half way across the arena before Mario, using his left and less injured arm, threw a fireball in his direction. Mario did expect the fireball to hit, but expected it to force Bowser out of his charge. But Bowser, like a great freight train, continued forward. As the fireball was about impact with Bowser's chest he gave a mighty backhand and simply snuffed the fireball out like a small candle, Bowser didn't slow in the least. Mario was in half shock half fear as his towering opponent barreled forward. At the last moment Mario leaped to the side to avoid the charge. But once again Mario found himself being grasped by the large claws of his opponent. Bowser wasted no time in tossing Mario back into the middle of the arena.
Through sheer agility Mario managed to land on his feet before slamming into the fountain. Ignoring the pain in his side Mario managed to start walking towards his opponent. Bowser simply let Mario limp over to him, the sight of Mario in obvious pain pleased him. Mario stepped within about 8 feet before Bowser made a move. Bowser took a quick step forward and swung with his great hand at Mario's head. But Mario saw it coming and with surprising speed he let himself drop to a crouch position. Bowser was shocked for but a moment before he lifted his foot in an attempt to squash the little bug. But in the crouched position Mario easily jumped straight into Bowser, giving him a solid uppercut to the chin. Bowser was sent off balance and was to close to the edge for comfort. Bowser was about to regain his footing when Mario landed on his chest and kicked with all his strength. Bowser went into a backfill that sent him over the edge.
Only Bowser's great strength saved him as he held on with a single hand. Mario took only a moment to recover before he was standing over Bowser, ready to finish the job. Bowser exploded in anger, his long corded muscles flexed and he lifted himself back into the arena in one great leap. An enraged Bowser stood before a shocked Mario. Mario felt the blood drain from his face, and it wouldn't soon return because Bowser soon had him by the throat. Bowser lifted Mario off the ground as his smaller opponent tried desperately to relieve the great pressure around his neck. But Bowser was too strong, and in a few quick steps he was standing underneath a floating platform. In one great motion Bowser lifted Mario headlong into the platform. With a loud crushing sound Mario's head slammed into the low hanging platform. Competitors and spectators alike gave a resounding "ouch". Bowser let the limp plumber's body drop a few feet before drop kicking him across the arena. Mario was not quick to get up this time.
Mario could barely move, every ounce of strength was needed just to keep from passing out. He thought himself a goner until an all too familiar sound spelled salvation. The sound of the computer randomly generating an item was all too distinct. And Mario looked to find a beam saber no more than a foot away. Bowser recognized the trouble right away, and in a moment he was charging off to stop this new threat. Mario let Bowser come, he simply laid limp until Bowser was too close to stop his charge. Then, with as much speed as he could muster, Mario jumped to his feet and scooped the beam saber up in one clean motion.
Bowser was already committed to the charge when it happened, so all he could do was roll to the side instead of forward. Mario couldn't catch him but the beam saber was long enough to graze his opponent. Bowser almost swooned in agony as the sword ripped a foot long gash in his side, still burning from the hostile energy. Bowser stood holding his new wound as if to keep his insides from coming out. Mario saw his opportunity and charged forward. Bowser was sent backpedaling just barely dodging swing after swing of his opponents beam saber. Mario felt a victory coming on and redoubled his efforts. Bowser turned as if to run away and Mario took the chance and moved in. But instead of stabbing the sword through Bowser's back Mario was greeted by his opponents tail. Mario was sent flying, once again, back towards the fountain. The beam saber flew uselessly out of the arena. No items came to save Mario this time.
Although the crowd did not honestly want Bowser to win the cheered for they knew the match was drawing to an end. Bowser stood over Mario's body once again; he had underestimated him and almost let victory slip away because he wanted to see Mario suffer. But not this time. And in an explosive rage Bowser slammed his mighty foot into the chest of his opponent. Mario, up to this point silent, screamed in agony. As the great pressure of Bowser's foot pressed down all of Mario's bones below his rib cage was broken. And then he fell silent, as did the crowd and all the competitors. They couldn't believe it until the announcer spoke.
"AND THE WINNER IS..... BOWSER!!" and the silenced remained. Bowser simply walked off towards the medical room to have his wound fixed. Although nobody realized it yet, this victory changed the face of the tournament. Bowser had defeated Mario. Anteing could happen now. Without missing a beat the announcer turned towards the floating computer screen. "Now, let's find out who is fighting in our next match" but most eyes were still on Mario as his limp body was carted off the arena floor and the dream fountain was returned to dreamland.
Authors notes: to all you Mario fans... Bowser deserved to win
Episode 6 - The Twists of Fate
"It is said that a good warrior can judge an opponents capabilities simply by looking at them in a stance. I find this untrue as more people have underestimated me because of my looks than I care to list. In the heat of battle a good warrior can change their tactics at a moments notice. One can fight an opponent for years but still not fight them under all possible circumstances. And until you have fought someone under all possible circumstances then, and only then, can you claim to truly understand their abilities. The fighter that assumes much risks much" - Paul McCormick
*****
The entire crowd was one unblinking stare. Hundreds of cameras were positioned on them. Millions of people viewed the two fighters. But in the arena there are only two people, you, and your opponent.
The dream land fountain was a circle when viewed from above, the actual fountain only taking up a small part in the middle of the arena. Four platforms floated immobile around the fountain. Two platforms were about 7 feet up the other two at 10 feet. The arena would have looked almost barren if it were not for the continuos flow of metallic rainbow flowing from the fountain. The liquid flowed off in four directions, no more than an inch deep. But the liquid was as slippery as an intangible dream. That coupled with the highly polished metal floor made traction a serious problem. Each opponent would have to cross at least one of these "streams" to get to their opponent.
Mario stared across the expanse to his most hated rival. He had thought long and hard over his strategy in fighting the spiked monster. It was not as if Mario and Bowser had never fought one on one, far from it. But Mario had always been forced to fight Bowser at a disadvantage. So now Mario wanted to know what tricks Bowser had up sleeve, he never expected Bowser to willingly go into a "fair fight". But Mario was confident in his abilities to overcome anything he might have thrown at him...
Bowser on the other hand was entertaining thoughts of using Mario's corpse as a throne rug, after he had been thoroughly been beaten of course! But Bowser quickly pushed such thoughts aside, he knew the plumber was a tricky one. Bowser had come to learn that his "fool proof" plans always had a fatal flaw that led to Mario's victory. The mere thought of Mario's past victories caused a rage to build in Bowser. But once again he was able to refocus his thoughts back to the battle. Bowser had no outright plans, preferring to let his opponent make the mistake.
To the two fighters it seemed an eternity that they stared each other down. But in real time it was but a moment. The crowd never even noticed the delay after the buzzer when neither combatant moved because before it would register Mario had sprinted of towards Bowser.
Mario was short of stature, and his frame suggested more fat than muscle. But years of physical labor have toned his muscles to their fullest. So the quick short pumps of Mario's legs quickly brought him across the arena, but making sure to avoid the slippery liquid with short hops. Mario was running full tilt at Bowser and expected him to like wise move closer but to Mario's surprise Bowser simply braced himself. Mario figured that Bowser would move forward because his current position left him dangerously close to the arenas edge. But Mario continued his charge anyway, if Bowser wanted to risk falling off he would be quick to help. So a mere 10 feet away from Bowser Mario went into a baseball slide aiming for Bowser's shins. Bowser saw the slide and started to let loose his fiery breath, as Mario expected. Mario quickly planted his foot down and brought himself into a crouch and with all his strength leaped the last 5 feet towards Bowser, over the cone of flames.
But Bowser saw the feint coming, for he had not made the fire a blast rather than a stream. So instead of jumping into a flatfooted Bowser trying to recover from an attack Mario now was hurdling towards a prepared opponent. Mario was confident that a firm boot in Bowser's face could end the match, but nobody, not even peach or the crowd was as shocked as Mario when Bowser was able to grab the plumber out of mid air by his leg. Bowser stood there for a moment holding Mario several feet off the ground. Mario had only time for a single moment of fear and a chance to catch Bowser's evil grin. Bowser quickly reversed Mario's forward motion downward into the unyielding ground. Mario landed back first into the ground with a resounding "thud" that caused even the most seasoned fighters to cringe at the sight of it. So hard was the slam that the very ground had cracked underneath Mario. But Bowser, who had never let go of Mario's leg, quickly brought Mario up to eye level again.
"Surely you did not think you could beat me so easily, and with such obvious tactics" Mario hung like a limp rag in Bowser's grip. Many spectators feared that Mario had been knocked out in a single blow. But most people knew that the plumber had more fortitude than that. In a quick movement Mario flexed his leg muscles bringing him upright in Bowser's grip, to Bowser's surprise. Mario quickly formed a fireball right in Bowser's face. The fire burned at Bowser's eyes and singed his skin, in the blind rage that followed Bowser heaved Mario across the arena. Mario hit the ground and bounced hard several times before going into a roll and sliding to a stop, almost back to his starting position. By the time Mario had recovered so had Bowser. The two fighters once again stared at each other, but this time with a little more respect for the others abilities. This would not be an easy fight.
This time it was Bowser's turn to charge headlong at the stationary Mario. Although Bowser could not move his legs as quickly his long strides easily matched those of his shorter opponent. Bowser had barely gotten half way across the arena before Mario, using his left and less injured arm, threw a fireball in his direction. Mario did expect the fireball to hit, but expected it to force Bowser out of his charge. But Bowser, like a great freight train, continued forward. As the fireball was about impact with Bowser's chest he gave a mighty backhand and simply snuffed the fireball out like a small candle, Bowser didn't slow in the least. Mario was in half shock half fear as his towering opponent barreled forward. At the last moment Mario leaped to the side to avoid the charge. But once again Mario found himself being grasped by the large claws of his opponent. Bowser wasted no time in tossing Mario back into the middle of the arena.
Through sheer agility Mario managed to land on his feet before slamming into the fountain. Ignoring the pain in his side Mario managed to start walking towards his opponent. Bowser simply let Mario limp over to him, the sight of Mario in obvious pain pleased him. Mario stepped within about 8 feet before Bowser made a move. Bowser took a quick step forward and swung with his great hand at Mario's head. But Mario saw it coming and with surprising speed he let himself drop to a crouch position. Bowser was shocked for but a moment before he lifted his foot in an attempt to squash the little bug. But in the crouched position Mario easily jumped straight into Bowser, giving him a solid uppercut to the chin. Bowser was sent off balance and was to close to the edge for comfort. Bowser was about to regain his footing when Mario landed on his chest and kicked with all his strength. Bowser went into a backfill that sent him over the edge.
Only Bowser's great strength saved him as he held on with a single hand. Mario took only a moment to recover before he was standing over Bowser, ready to finish the job. Bowser exploded in anger, his long corded muscles flexed and he lifted himself back into the arena in one great leap. An enraged Bowser stood before a shocked Mario. Mario felt the blood drain from his face, and it wouldn't soon return because Bowser soon had him by the throat. Bowser lifted Mario off the ground as his smaller opponent tried desperately to relieve the great pressure around his neck. But Bowser was too strong, and in a few quick steps he was standing underneath a floating platform. In one great motion Bowser lifted Mario headlong into the platform. With a loud crushing sound Mario's head slammed into the low hanging platform. Competitors and spectators alike gave a resounding "ouch". Bowser let the limp plumber's body drop a few feet before drop kicking him across the arena. Mario was not quick to get up this time.
Mario could barely move, every ounce of strength was needed just to keep from passing out. He thought himself a goner until an all too familiar sound spelled salvation. The sound of the computer randomly generating an item was all too distinct. And Mario looked to find a beam saber no more than a foot away. Bowser recognized the trouble right away, and in a moment he was charging off to stop this new threat. Mario let Bowser come, he simply laid limp until Bowser was too close to stop his charge. Then, with as much speed as he could muster, Mario jumped to his feet and scooped the beam saber up in one clean motion.
Bowser was already committed to the charge when it happened, so all he could do was roll to the side instead of forward. Mario couldn't catch him but the beam saber was long enough to graze his opponent. Bowser almost swooned in agony as the sword ripped a foot long gash in his side, still burning from the hostile energy. Bowser stood holding his new wound as if to keep his insides from coming out. Mario saw his opportunity and charged forward. Bowser was sent backpedaling just barely dodging swing after swing of his opponents beam saber. Mario felt a victory coming on and redoubled his efforts. Bowser turned as if to run away and Mario took the chance and moved in. But instead of stabbing the sword through Bowser's back Mario was greeted by his opponents tail. Mario was sent flying, once again, back towards the fountain. The beam saber flew uselessly out of the arena. No items came to save Mario this time.
Although the crowd did not honestly want Bowser to win the cheered for they knew the match was drawing to an end. Bowser stood over Mario's body once again; he had underestimated him and almost let victory slip away because he wanted to see Mario suffer. But not this time. And in an explosive rage Bowser slammed his mighty foot into the chest of his opponent. Mario, up to this point silent, screamed in agony. As the great pressure of Bowser's foot pressed down all of Mario's bones below his rib cage was broken. And then he fell silent, as did the crowd and all the competitors. They couldn't believe it until the announcer spoke.
"AND THE WINNER IS..... BOWSER!!" and the silenced remained. Bowser simply walked off towards the medical room to have his wound fixed. Although nobody realized it yet, this victory changed the face of the tournament. Bowser had defeated Mario. Anteing could happen now. Without missing a beat the announcer turned towards the floating computer screen. "Now, let's find out who is fighting in our next match" but most eyes were still on Mario as his limp body was carted off the arena floor and the dream fountain was returned to dreamland.
Authors notes: to all you Mario fans... Bowser deserved to win
