Chapter 3: New Fighters

The smashers wait anxiously for the portal to close, so they can identify the visitor. When it finally does, they are shocked.

A young man, about Falcon's size, stood in front of them, wearing a green and black full-body suit, draped in a dramatically long and flowing black cape, and carrying a large staff.

"Greetings, friends."

"Friends?" Mario questioned suspiciously.

"Yes! Don't you recognize me?"

"Not really, no." Master Hand replied.

"How about you, Ness?"

Everyone turned to stare at Ness. Ness closed his eyes in concentration, then gasped. "You were the one that helped us home from the toy dimension!"

"Right. You guys did a good job there." (A/N: Another shameless plug! This was my 3rd fic, which is down at #150 or so by now)

"Well, who are you?" Bowser growled.

"Patience, patience. First let me tell you that Juvenor is – was – my best friend."

Luckily, the veterans had already explained the story to the new smashers, so upon hearing this, the entire group was stunned into silence for several seconds.

Finally, Mario managed, "I-I'ma…sorry…"

"Don't worry about it. I've…gotten over it." The figure paused a moment solemnly, then continued. "I have good news though. I'm here to help you."

"We don't need your-" Ganondorf began to say, instinctively, then he realized that they did, in fact.

The newcomer laughed. "Don't be ashamed. Those shadows are way too powerful for a group of 21."

"Oh, but 22 will be much better." Falco replied sarcastically.

"No…that's why I've been doing some research, and I found five other warriors that could help us."

"OK, let's go!" DK replied enthusiastically.

"Wait! What should we call you?" Master Hand asked.

"My name is Clyne." He replied.

The smashers introduced themselves to Clyne, then Mewtwo asked matter-of-factly, "Where are we going, then?"

"Can't you read his mind?" Fox taunted.

"No…he has a strange mental block protecting his thoughts."

"So we can't know if he's telling the truth." Bowser snarled suspiciously.

"You'll just have to trust me. Now come on, this first stop will be tough. The fighters don't speak English; only Japanese."

"Leave that to me." Mewtwo replied. "I can use my psychic powers to translate."

"Hey, he might come in handy after all!" Kirby jeered.

"Not really…I could do that." Ness retorted.

"You puny boy, don't dare compare yourself to me!" Mewtwo shouted.

"Boysa, boys." Mario interceded. "Playa nice."

Ness went over to sulk. Mewtwo snorted and turned away. Clyne sighed and opened a portal.

When they emerged, they found themselves in a somewhat colorful area, without many landmarks. Suddenly, they heard shouts of battle.

"Hwa! Tze! Tzuya! Hya!"

"Heeeeyah!"

"Sounds like quite a battle." Falcon commented.

"Puff!" Jigglypuff agreed.

Walking further, the smashers found the source of the cries: two similar-looking warriors: one with black hair, one with red. Both wore dramatic capes, somewhat like Clyne's, and both were swinging large swords around.

"Marth! Roy!" Clyne shouted.

"Wait…we're getting both of them?" Kirby wondered. "Why are they fighting?"

"They're training, don't worry." Clyne replied. "They are very noble warriors."

"Oh good…we're a bit low on those." Link muttered, staring at Ganondorf.

The two swordsmen said something angrily, turning toward the intruders.

"They said, 'Who are you?'" Ness and Mewtwo translated simultaneously. They glared at each other.

"Ness, you take care of this. Mewtwo, come here." Master Hand suggested firmly. Mewtwo agreed reluctantly.

"Mewtwo, we're a team. We have to work as a team, no matter what you think of the rest of us."

"Well, it's not that I don't like the rest of you, it's just that they're too weak to-"

"Stop right there! Don't use that word again. We are all weak compared to the shadows, so it doesn't matter. If you don't start cooperating, I'll have to ask you to leave."

"What? And miss all the fun?" Mewtwo retorted, dripping with sarcasm.

Master Hand glared. Mewtwo sighed. "All right, fine. Wait, I know! I can…help…Ness teach them English!"

Master Hand was startled. "Good idea!"

Mewtwo and Ness teamed up to psychically transmit their knowledge to Marth and Roy. The smashers waited patiently, murmuring among themselves.

"There. Done." Ness announced.

"Yes, indeed. So what is this war about which you are talking?" Marth asked.

"Well…I'll explain it on the way." Master Hand answered. "Come on, Clyne, where's the next fighter?"

"Oh, I'll-"

Suddenly, the entire area seemed to erupt into laughter. A portal appeared above the smashers, and Crazy Hand appeared, dramatically.

"Hello, ladies and gentlemen!" Crazy Hand greeted jovially. "I see you're making new friends, Mario!"

Mario glared. "Whata do youa want?"

"What do you think? I want a fight! I want to fight you all and KILL YOU!" the insane glove answered, his voice cracking on the last syllables. "Where have you been? I've been waiting so long!"

"We're not done finding friends." Master Hand replied calmly.

"OH YES YOU ARE!" came the high-pitched reply.

At that, Crazy Hand rocketed forward and slammed into Mario. Mario flew backward in great pain.

"Hey! Play fair!" Samus shouted.

"Oh…poor Samus…life not treating you fair? Here…I'll make things fair!"

With that, he slammed himself onto the ground and crawled forward like an insect, sending Samus, Yoshi, and Peach flying out of the way. Then, he got up and started shooting lasers out of his fingertips, blasting the Ice Climbers, Pichu, and Bowser ruthlessly until they could fight no more.

Marth and Roy immediately joined the battle, swinging their swords around and avoiding Crazy Hand's attacks. The other smashers joined in, but Crazy Hand held firm.

"You can't defeat MEEE!" he shrieked, flying into the air and slamming down onto DK. Still being pummeled by attacks, he grabbed onto Master Hand and disappeared. As they faded away, Crazy Hand shouted,

"You'd better follow if you want to save your glove!"

"Hmm…they're going back to Master Hand's dimension." Clyne mused.

"Well, come on! Let's go!" Ganondorf shouted.

"Wait a minute! We've lost a third of our army! We need to wait." Clyne shot back. "You can't always go rushing into things, Ganondorf."

"I guess you're right. But how long will we wait? And won't Crazy Hand kill Master Hand?"

"No, I don't think so. He just wants to fight. Besides, Master Hand can take care of himself."

"I guess we're done looking for friends, though." Zelda commented.

"Yeah, that's too bad. Maybe we'll still have time before the shadows attack." Clyne agreed.

"Oh…my head…" Samus moaned, standing up. "What did I miss?"

"Crazy Hand got Master Hand, and we're waiting for the others to wake up so we can save him."

"Oh, boy."

Eventually the smashers woke up, and Clyne filled them in. Finally, they were ready to leave.

Suddenly, Mewtwo and Ness cried out in pain.

"What'sa wrong?" Mario asked nervously.

"Master Hand…he sent…a psychic message…he's leaving his dimension." Mewtwo replied.

"Hmm…" Clyne seemed skeptical. "Crazy Hand wouldn't allow him to send that message on his own. It was Crazy's idea. He's playing a game with us."

"So he wants to play hide and seek?" Bowser growled. "We'll see if he can hide from us!"

(A/N: Yes, it's a somewhat corny ending, but what kind of threats do you expect from a turtle who's been evil for 20 or so years? Anyway, I did manage to fit Marth and Roy in, but none of the other characters will make it this time, as I indicated. Don't worry, though, my 6th fic will have everybody!)