Chapter 1: Arrival

Well, here I am again, on Master Hand's platform. This time, though, I know what to expect. I also know that Master Hand is not only on our side, but he's also dead. This is extremely puzzling. At any rate, if I remember correctly, this is the part when people start coming in and we introduce each other…but where did Bowser go?

"Mario, the rules will be a bit different this time." Master Hand starts to say.

"Oh? Howa so?" I ask

"I'll explain when everyone else gets here. Ah, here they come!"

And, without fancy entrances this time, the smashers all appear in a flash of light…wait! What the-

"Peach? What are-a you doing here?"

"Zelda! You can't be here!" Link shouts to someone I don't recognize. The name Zelda sounds familiar, though.

"I don't know why I'm here, Mario! I just appeared here! Why do you ask?" Sigh.

"I don't want you going off on adventures without me again, Link!" the other girl shouts, and Link probably has the same reaction I do.

"Mario! I'm going to crush you this time!"

Oh, there's Bowser.

"All right, everyone! There are some new people this time, so let's go around and introduce ourselves. Mario, you start."

"OK. I'ma Mario and I beat upa Bowser all the time. I savea Peach from him and playa tennis, golf, anda racing. I also geta lost in mansions."

Luigi isn't here, so no one else understands. Oh well. Speaking of Luigi, I wonder if he'll sneak into this tournament like he did the last one.

"By the waya, Master Hand, you were ona our side beforea. What happened?"

"None of your business, fool! Continue!"

So, all of the smashers introduce themselves, and we all wait to hear from the new arrivals: Peach, Zelda, Bowser and…um…

"We're the Ice Climbers!" they shout together.

"I'm Nana!"

"I'm Popo! Together we climb mountains and kill polar bears and topis! We don't save anybody, as far as I know, but we have cool hammers!"

"OK…My name is Peach and I am the princess of Mushroom Kingdom. In the past, I have been kidnapped a lot by Bowser, but now I can fight for myself!"

I just stare at her in disbelief. How does she always manage to get herself into trouble! I mean, Bowser's practically right next to her!

"I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule."

Of course! Link's girlfriend. I remember now.

"I am the seventh sage and I hold the Triforce of Wisdom."

"Oh, well that helps us a lot!" Captain Falcon taunts.

"The Triforce is a…very powerful…thing." Ness explains. "Zelda's mind is hard to read! There's all sorts of magical stuff!"

Bowser shakes his head impatiently. "I am Bowser, king of the Koopas! I kidnap Peacha and destroy Mario!"

"Yeah, right!" I retort. The others laugh.

"Don't laugh at me!" Bowser roars, preparing to attack.

"Stop!" Master Hand shouts. "Now that we're all introduced, go away! You know what to do!"

They do? Eh…whatever. They did last time, I guess. I still don't know what to do, though.

"So, Master Hand, what do I have to do this time?" I ask, switching to my normal voice.

"Do what the announcer tells you." He answers. "Sometimes there'll be a level you have to go through before you fight people. And there are new items. Here's the list."

I stare at it. It's about twice as long as the other one. "You certainly did a lot more research this time." I remark. "But I would still like to know why you're not dead."

"I'm not telling!" he shouts, and I notice a black streak go across his fist. I ignore it.

"Also you get a new move. In addition to your Super Jump Punch, Mario Tornado and fireball, you get to use your cape, to deflect projectiles and turn enemies around. And here's a sheet explaining what you can do with your shield."

I take one look at it and sigh. "This is way too complicated. Besides, I won't even need it!"

Master Hand laughs. "We'll see about that. Now go!"

"Where's my warp pipe?"

"Use this portal…it saves time."

"Whatever."

"Well, go!"

"Wait! I'm still reading the item list!"

"Whatever. You'll figure it out. Now GO!"

I take a brief glance at the last item-Lip's Stick? I turn to Master Hand, but he is gone. I sigh, and walk into the portal.