Encounter I: After the Fact

One Year After the Convergence

Listen.

Ethan Blair was Volta. That part was true. But as of right now, he was far from Volta… If that made sense.

It didn't. Not even to Ethan. But in fairness, nothing made much sense anymore. Not after the worlds merging, not after… Malignance. So no, Ethan wasn't Volta anymore, nor did he wanna be… But this was for a friend. So exceptions can be made… Right?

Ethan had looked at his doorknob for the past ten minutes. He debated whether it was worth it. Sweat dripped down his temple as his hands shook. His breathing grew funny as he stepped closer. How long had he been in there? From the sorry state of his apartment, it was tough to tell. Dirty clothes were strewn about, empty take-out boxes littered the carpet floor, and Ethan himself was worse for wear.

His eyes were tired. They were the same ones grown from one to many nights awake at three in the morning during his college days. His short black hair was disheveled and tired back into a messy bun and his dark skin was bleary from a lack of sunlight. Still, this was for a friend, so the least he could do was try to take the first step.

One step. Two…. Ethan inched closer to the door… He reached for the doorknob and….

He couldn't do it.

Ethan backed away slowly, stumbling over an empty takeout box. Tears began to well up in his eyes.

"If I can't do this... then I'll die in here."

Ethan put his hands over his face as the tears fell. Ever since the fall of Malignance, he had been thrust from one war to another. A phantom war of sights and sounds fought against ghosts of the dark. And then the worlds merged, and the PTSD-ridden wreck became a full-out shut-in.

But this was for a friend. So exceptions would have to be made.

The Emitter functioned off willpower. The disk-shaped object that replaced his heart was a part of him, both literally and figuratively. It was an extension of him, of his arms and legs, his body and mind. If he willed it, it would appear. He needed it.

Ethan wiped away the last of the salty tears and tried to summon his Emitter. Thoughts flooded his head, reminders of why he was Volta in the first place. Human freedom. Life. Love. Peace. A strange buzzing echoed throughout the room as a numbing push came from under Ethan's skin.

The Emitter.

Ethan mentally smiled. He was ready. Ethan walked towards the door, inched towards the doorknob….

And opened the door.

The first thing he was met with was the blinding sunshine of Smashopolis. The futuristic city was a symphony of lights and sounds, even in the early hours of the morning. Car engines, their horns, and the swearing of the drivers littered the streets. Much like LA before the convergence. Several skyscrapers reached heaven, all showing electronic ads for the latest new product. One was for a fragrance named after some woman named Princess Daisy. Another was for membership in a group named the Smash Brothers. Another was a bulletin for Mishima Industries. The sky was a light peach color to match the golden autumn leaves. It was nearly seven o'clock now.

Time to get moving.


Listen.

Ren Amamiya was a phantom thief of heart. Not because he was a heartthrob, though Makoto Nijima would say otherwise. But because he was a literal phantom thief known for changing the hearts of his victims through something called the Metaverse. Though, that was a while ago. Nowadays, Ren and Makoto were less phantom thieves and more simple college students at Neo Shibuya's University.

Ren awoke with a gentle stir. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he was greeted with was Makoto's smiling visage and warm touch. Makoto's soft skin danced along Ren's face. Ren slowly went upright to be face-to-face with Makoto. Several bones pops later and a yawn later, the phantom thief was up and about.

He looked around the room for his phone, "Good morning," Ren said

"Good morning." Makoto replied, handing him his phone. The chat was buzzing as always. Ren went to see what it was about.

Futaba: "It's kinda weird seeing you all alone. Inari. Where are you. Ryuji?"

Ryuji: "Eh, with track practice and all, I've been busy."

Ann: "He's actually been taking extra classes."

Ren: Wow, Ryuji studying all on his own?

Futaba: Of his own free will? What sort of sick world are we living in?

Yusuke: It makes me wonder if this is truly our reality.

Ryuji: Ya don't gotta be so brutal, ya know.

"I, for one, am proud of Ryuji for finally taking school seriously," Makoto said trying to force down her amusement.

Ren: Makoto said she's proud of you

Ann: I am too

Ryuji: Thanks, babe

Futaba: Bleh

Ryuji: Dude

Futaba: What, just saying

Yusuke: Speaking of class, I must be going. Should you and Makoto be doing the same, Ren?

Ren glanced up to see the time on his phone. Eight fifty-seven.

"I'm late." Ren said urgently walking over to his dresser to pick out clothes. One good thing about Neo Shibuya's technical college? No more uniforms.

"I told you not to take a Nine A.M class." Makoto sighed, rubbing her temples with one hand. She walked over to a nearby window and opened it. Soon enough, a black and blue cat wandered in.

"About time. It was getting cold out there!" Morgana whined. Makoto apologized. Ren only flashed a Cheshire grin.

"Sorry, Morgana. I'll wake up on time from now on." Ren said as he finished getting dressed.

"Are you ready? It's no good being late on your first day."

"I'm guessing no world-famous Leblanc style coffee for me?" Makoto asked

"I would if I had the time, my queen."

Makoto pouted as Ren leaned in for a kiss, to which Makoto responded. Morgana made the cat equivalent to a gag. Ren rolled his eyes. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Morgana hopped inside.

Time to get moving.


Listen.

Min Min was an Arms fighter. Not because she dealt weapons or the like, no. Far from it, she hated guns. She was an Arms fighter because she had inherited the Arms gene from her late grandfather, Junfeng.

Min Min slowly ducked into the window of the Mintendo Noodle house in Eastern Smashopolis. Ever since the convergence, the business had been… interesting. Just a few days ago, an F-Zero Pilot and a pink puffball-looking creature had visited and offered her… a test. Of course, not knowing what they meant, she hesitantly agreed…

In hindsight, she had no idea why she did.

Min Min crept through her ancestral home. If anyone woke up, she'd be busted immediately. She had no clue how she would explain the bruises on her body but that could wait. First, she needed a shower. She swore she could see stench lines coming off of her from sweat from the previous night. The fight was against Kid Cobra, and while he was no doubt talented, Min Min's kickboxing-based style won the day.

"Min Min." A male voice called sternly whispered.

Min Min stopped dead with a shiver. She turned around and there he was. Her father, Fenhua, standing right. Arms crossed and immovable, like a statue she had seen on their yearly trips to china. He was an older man, his once black hair turning gray in some areas from years of experience gained.

"Da-Daddd. Hi! I was just-um" Min Min fumbled with her fingers as she tried to come up with an excuse.

"You were just sneaking back in, right?"

"I-"

"Darn it, Min Min. You know how your mother feels about you going to those, those.. Deathmatches." Fenhua whisper yelled.

"They're not death matches, dad!" Min Min whispered back, "They're completely safe."

"Do you love the noodle house?" Fenhua asked.

"Wha- What do you mea-"

"Do you. Love. The Noodle House."

"Of course I do!" Min Min said indignantly.

"I don't get it, then! Why? Why do you need to be an Arms fighter so bad!" Fenhua threw up his arms in exasperation.

"It's for the house!"

"You claim it's for the house, but your actions say otherwise, Min Min!" Fenhua sighed a long sigh before resting his head in his palm, his disappointment reaching an apex "You can't keep doing this. Not to the house. Not to this family. And not to yourself. You're trying to live two different lives. It's not gonna work… You have to choose."

Fenhua looked up at the clock hanging from the wall. It was seven. Min Min's mother would be waking soon. She didn't need another person to get on her case. And more importantly, The Noodle House would open soon.

"Clean yourself up… you smell." Fenhua left Min Min to herself in the hall.

Min Min resisted the urge to hit the wall next to her. Whatever. There was no time to think about that. She needed to shower and change. She could hide the bruises under her uniform, luckily enough. Now was the time to prove how much she loved Mintendo. Now was the time to prove her father wrong.

Time to get moving.


Smashopolis. The epicenter of the new world. Only by the grace of the Brothers' reverse-engineered subspace bomb and luck does the city exist at all. The city had a heart, a rhythm, and a beat. It lived in its citizen's music, it played in their sports arenas, and it was there in each act of kindness. From the trees in the avenues to the penthouse suite, their city is alive.

Ethan approached the café with trepidation. He had looked over his shoulder five times in the last two minutes. He was sure he looked insane, slovenly. He hated this. The world didn't need him, so why should he interact with it?

"Ethan, over here!"

Ethan looked toward the café outside seating. He saw a woman waving to him, Penni. He smiled slightly as he walked over. Memories of their time came flooding back. All the lab tests and time spent in white rooms. She was the only good thing about that phase of his life.

Penni watched Ethan wander over slowly. He looked nervous. Like he didn't want to be here any longer than needed. She frowned as he got closer. She looked him over one good time. Ethan was a wreck, how long had he been in that flat?

"Hi." He said as he sat down. Penni wasted no time.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"You look like a raccoon with a sleep deficiency." She said, tracing the bags under her own eyes to accentuate the point, "Have you been seeing ?"

Ethan looked off to the side.

"Ethan…"

"I'm trying my best, I swear… I'm sorry."

"It's okay… maybe we could switch you to online visits. Would that help?"

"Maybe..."

Penni laid her hand palm side up on the table. "Ethan, I understand, I really do. But you gotta give me something to work with here… Rehab is just as much on the doctor as it is on you. You don't wanna be in and out of hospitals your entire life, do you?"

Ethan shook his head. Penni thought it best to change gears.

"Have you thought about our offer?"

"Penni…" Ethan winced, "Volta is retired. I don't… I don't do that anymore."

"The world still needs Volta, Ethan. Hell, you may be needed more than ever.." Penni leaned it, "Ever since the worlds merged, weird things have been happening."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, "Weirder than usual?"

"Yeah…" Penni looked around before leaning in, "Remember the Rathalos incident from a month ago?... Well, we think it wasn't an incident… Less accident, more attack, get me?"

"Who is we?"

"The United Nations of Worlds. They're the ones the Smash Brothers work for. They're the ones who want you… Just think about it, okay?"

"Yeah… I should go." Ethan said, getting up. Penni sighed, she had hoped she could finally get Ethan to see reason. But alas, she let the nineteen-year-old go. But before he could go anywhere…

An explosion rent the air as if it was intent on shattering the universe by ripping apart every atom.