Disclaimer: I do not own anything mentioned in this story.

Super Smash Brothers: United

Chapter 2: A Man-Made Miracle

Mario effortlessly landed on his feet and surveyed his new surroundings. He appeared to be in a great, revolutionary metropolis of some sort, where light was more than abundant. Streaks of brightness ran along enormous skyscrapers, radiant panels separated the streets and walkways, and gleaming billboards littered the city. Even the scarce plant life seemed to have a glow of its own. Somewhere in his stupor of amazement, Mario figured this city suffered from a bad case of sky glow.

Though awed, he couldn't help but feel slightly overwhelmed by the radical change.

He bolted around at the sudden sonance of laden footsteps. The source of the noise was Yoshi, who carried Peach on his back. The Princess climbed down from his saddle and viewed the environment. Her eyes wandered aimlessly as she brought a hand to her mouth.

"It's so beautiful," She whispered, hiding her slight smile but not her admiration.

"Oomph!" Luigi landed on the hard pavement headfirst. He sat up and rubbed his head, appearing unfazed by the landscape and more concerned with the possibility of a bump forming on his head. As he got to his feet, the doctor landed next to him.

"I do wish I could offer you a tour of Mute City, but I believe it would be best if we join the others as soon as we can," Dr. Mario explained as he brushed himself off.

Mario and his companions followed the doctor down the walkway. It was remarkable that a city that seemed so alive was actually so lifeless. It almost seemed wrong. It was like a celebration no one attended. No inquired about the absence of the population however.

"Dr, where are we going?" Mario questioned Dr. M. His attention was divided between hearing his response and further examining Mute City.

"We are going to our base of operations. It's a recently evacuated multi-unit control center that I took part in the design of. It's outfitted with state-of-the-art technology. It seemed to perfectly suit our needs."

"Why was it abandoned? It sounds brand new," Luigi catechized.

"I'm afraid I don't know myself. I performed several tests on it medical facilities, security systems, and its analysis laboratory," the doctor replied.

The Doctor stopped as he finished his confession. Before the group was an elevator-like platform that, and like the rest of Mute City, shimmered brightly. Its platform was suspended in air and enclosed with a transparent tube. Its silvery hatch granted them access. Dr. M entered it.

"It'd be too far a walk from our current location, but with the convenience of modern technology, it'll take a few minutes at the most," he proclaimed. Unbeknownst to them, he smiled at the words 'modern technology'.

Mario and the others followed suit and joined the doctor. The hatch promptly closed upon their entrance. Dr. M began to enter a series of numeral combinations on a panel attached to the curve of the clear tube. Following a 'beep', the platform abruptly jolted downward.

"This will not take long," The doctor assured his companions. His words seemed to fall upon deaf ears. Everyone was stunned by the sudden motion to take comfort in the fact that it was time efficient.

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Douglas Falcon (or Captain Falcon, as he preferred) stalked down the narrow hallway. The vivid overhead lights glinted off his red helmet and the metallic falcon that decorated it. The constant color of the control center was becoming an eyesore to him. Everywhere was a brilliant grey and intensely lit. If it was dark, he could've let the grey pass. He was more of a 'night-person' after all, and all the brightness was hard on his eyes.

Dr. Mario was gone longer than he had told him he would be. This posed no worry to Falcon though, as it became relatively typical of the good doctor to be late. He would always tack on an additional hour or two on the doctor's estimate. Only after that point would he start to feel any concern of Dr. M's whereabouts.

Fortunately, the doctor had yet to go beyond that limit.

Falcon turned the corner and entered a spacious room. The room was barren of any furnishing, but it contained the entries that branched into the other sectors of the center and the main entrance itself. Originally the center was accessible to specially authorized personnel, but the specific organization that utilized it was unknown to him. Recently the whole center went into disuse without explanation as to why. Its period of desolation was short-lived.

Captain Falcon heard the main entrance part. He reversed his direction and faced Dr. Mario and his newfound comrades.

"Captain," the doctor nodded to him. "It's time for the conference. Please proceed to the Briefing Room and inform the others,"

The man returned the nod silently, and did as Dr. M requested.

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Dr. M and his group were the last to enter the Briefing Room. A variety of people were seated at the elongated, silver table. Elfish beings, people from a medieval era, and even nonhumans had joined the cause. The doctor stood before the table and in front of a large monitor as Mario and his companions seated themselves. He cleared his throat before he spoke.

"You have all made a very difficult decision in coming here. You are the ones who have taken a stand against the evil that threatens us. You may not hear it, but humanity is thanking you all, as am I." Dr. M folded his hands behind his back.

"Please forgive me; I realize that I have yet to properly introduce myself to most of you. Now that every one is here, I feel I have enough time to do so. I am known as Doctor Mario Mario. Simply put, I am a scientist of many things, as you all will soon discover."

The doctor turned around and turned the monitor on. The monitor displayed sequences of two massive, gloved hands.

"They are known as the Master hand and the Crazy Hand. Just why they assumed such a form is unknown to be. Their power is not, however…"

Everyone watched the monitor intently. The two hands were in the process of destroying a city. One of the hands extended its fingers and lasers were emitted from the tips. The beams pierced through structures and people alike.

"Aside from their strength alone, they are able to manipulate energy to created minions and projectile weaponry. They are not alone either. With them are the most corrupt of the neighboring dimensions."

Now sequences of Bowser and two others appeared on the monitor. They led squadrons of the Wire-Frames into the city already attacked by the Hands.

"As of now, they are too powerful for us to fight directly, howe-"

"Doc, you're sending us on a suicide mission here. I've seen what they can do first hand. You actually think we have a chance?" Captain Falcon interrupted him. "You know better than anyone what kind of destruction they're capable of! There's no way we can win, not now, not ever,"

They were just people. Just like the ones so easily disintegrated by the Hands.

Indubitably, he wasn't the only person to lose confidence in what they were trying to achieve. Among them, however, were those who never lost it.

"This effort won't be futile. Their defeat isn't irrealizable." A soft-spoken child said. On his head was a red cap…

"Kid, you may have hope, but you don't know anything yet," Falcon replied. He turned his attention back to the adults. He didn't even know why the boy was with them. For a moment, he was silent.

"We'd need a miracle to do this…"

"Well… I know that sometimes you have to create the miracle. I think we all know this," the boy retorted. Captain Falcon faced him again.

This philosophy had never occurred to the Captain, but to Dr. Mario this was true. Seemingly nothing hindered the Master Hand and Crazy Hand. Humanity was calling desperately for help. Fate didn't answer. However the doctor did, and their assemblance was the beginning of a man-made miracle.

It realization dawned on everyone; When darkness prevailed and even the light was engulfed, they were the ones to carve a path through it. Now they had to do so once more. If they didn't realize that, they wouldn't have been willing to go in the first place.

Sometimes, it takes a child to remind the adults of the most important lessons.

"Kid…you've got spirit, I'll give you that," Captain Falcon smiled slightly. He didn't realize that courage was contagious. "Okay doc, what's the plan?"

The displays of destruction were replaced on the monitor with a map of Mute City and several other locations.

"My research has revealed that the hands draw the energy they need from tears in the fabric of this dimension, that most likely lead back to their own. Dark energy leaks from tears and into this dimension. It is possible to seal these rips with a polar opposite energy type. In this case, light energy is what we need to utilize. Once they flow of their power source has ceased, they will not be able to create any minions and their strength will weaken. We will be able to overcome them."

The locations of the tears were identified on the map. Each of them seemed to be equally distanced from the control center, but they were in diverse directions.

"It sounds great and all doctor, but just how do we go about doing that?" A humanoid fox questioned him. His arms resumed the folder position they formerly maintained.

"We are very fortunate in that some of you are able to manipulate energy yourselves." Dr. M smiled. "They will be able to repair it,"

The fox took a quick glance around the room. No one looked capable of such a feat. He noticed both a young elfish woman and the boy nodding to the doctor. Their looks were deceiving. The eastern area was enlarged on the monitor.

"Our first target is located to the east, near the ruins of Port Town. Since its destruction, there has been little activity in the area," Dr. M explained. "Of course we should still exercise caution."

Captain Falcon growled to himself as he heard his home town's name. Of all the cities, his had to be the first to experience the wrath of those Hands.

The image on the monitor faded to black. Doctor Mario once again faced the group.

"In the analysis lab, there are devices I have created in the past for various purposes. I'm certain you will find them most useful, especially the shield. It's a simple device that is worn like a watch and activated at the press of a button. When activated, a shield is formed around the wearer. The shield is not impervious. It loses power as long as it's activated or when it absorbs damage, and it can be shattered. The force of a shattered shield is likely to stun the wearer. It will regenerate after time. It may be best that you are all outfitted with one as soon as possible…"

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"Alright Kirby…here you are," Dr. M said as he fastened the gadget to the pink creature's petite arm.

Kirby was the last to be equipped with the shield. He pressed the single red button on the device he now wore. A large red bubble suddenly engulfed him. He released the button, and the bubble vanished with the pressure. He nodded to the doctor approvingly before joining the others in testing its strength. It truly was an amazing device.

"Do take the time to become familiar with the shield. It is invaluable." the doctor advised. Suddenly, he had an idea.

'I wonder if they could make use of the training facilities…they could adjust to using the shields…' He was deep in thought. It was a gamble…

Dr. Mario pondered the situation. The training facilities consisted of highly sophisticated virtual-reality systems. However, if real weapons were to be used, someone could be injured. The equipment normally used with the VR Systems vanished with the former occupants of the control center.

"Dr. M?" a young woman addressed him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. What do you need, Zelda?"

"You look troubled, Doctor…" The Hyrulian replied, furrowing her brows.

"I suppose I am…" He said it more to himself than to Zelda. The doctor ultimately decided to inform them of the VR systems. Surely they would take precautions, and he would monitor them. He cleared his throat to gain their attention.

"Within this center is a training facility, complete with an advanced virtual reality system. Listen carefully now. Special equipment accompanied the system, but that has been taken to wherever the former occupants have gone. If you absolutely must use actual weapons, you must exercise extreme caution, for you can be injured and I have yet to get the Revitalization-Pods functional. Now, does anyone wish to make use of the training facility?"

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It was identical to Altea in every possible aspect.

For those like Marth, this was a gigantic leap in technology. From having no electricity, to suddenly having a CPU powerful enough to recreate your kingdom was inconceivable.

He wasn't sure if he could comprehend everything yet, or ever.

Marth stood in a recreation of the flat, desolate field just east of Altea. The prince knew he wasn't alone in the virtual kingdom. He peered behind his shoulder and locked eyes with Roy.

Roy.

He was the young leader of the League of Lycia's army, and Marth's enemy. The kingdom of Altea and the League of Lycia were at war when they left their world. At one time, they were allied against the kingdom of Bern. Neither of them actually knew why the other turned against them, but that's the way it was now. The fact they now shared a greater foe was left ignored.

They had no need for words. Marth turned around and waited for Roy to make the first strike. Roy complied and leapt forward. In a burst of sparks, their blades met. The Sword of Seal and the Falchion slide down each other. Marth mustered strength behind his sword and pushed Roy back. Again, they were at a distance. Roy gripped his sword tightly. Simultaneously, they both dashed towards each other. Roy took a leaping step forward and swung forcefully at Marth, but he was too swift. At every swing he took a step backward.

With his last swing, Roy was able to nick Marth's face. A trace of blood trickled down his cheek from the shallow cut. Marth raised his sword high and brought it down upon Roy. Again, their swords met in an ignition of sparks.

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"I don't think they're just sparring, Doctor," the Hyrulian shook his head as he watch the two swordsmen on the monitor of the VR Room. He knew what a sparring bout looked like, and this was definitely a heated encounter.

"We'd better separate them before one of them gets injured…" Dr. M sighed. He figured something like this would happen. He would have to make a mental note to prohibit Marth and Roy from using the VR system. It only served as an excuse to fight each other.

"Don't worry Doctor. I'll handle this."

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Their battle was a deadly dance of strike and parry. It almost appeared choreographed.

Roy began to tire and his movement was becoming more sluggish; he just barely evaded Marth's last hack, which simply cut his cape. The two blades were on the brim of clashing for the final time.

The two swords were thrown into the air, and stuck into the ground upon landing. Marth turned his head and came face-to-face with Link.

"What part of 'exercise caution' don't you understand?" Link sheathed the Master Sword. Link had a hunch it was the 'caution' part.

Marth folded his arms across his chest and closed his eyes. Roy just stared at the ground.

"This matter does not concern you or anyone else," Marth said coolly. "This is between me and this deceiver."

"Can't you guys restrain yourselves till after this whole ordeal is over?"

The surroundings faded away and the large, vacant VR Room reverted to its original interior. Marth and Roy stalked out of the room with their backs turned towards each other. Link sighed. He knew this was going to be complicated.

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Shortly after the incident, Dr. M finally decided he should get around to repairing the Revitalization-Pods. It wasn't going to be too complex a process, perhaps just extensive. What kind of scientist would he be if he was unable renovate his own invention?

The Medical Bay was similar to the rest of the center; intensely lit and grey. Several Pods were slanted against the back wall of Bay Sector 1.

"So…about this alternative reality business…" Mario took the doctor up on his offer from earlier. The doctor laughed as he mended the Pods. A metal cable suspended the Pod above Dr. M. he removed the panel from beneath it. He examined its internal composition diligently. The tools he utilized were similar to the typical screwdrivers and wrenches Mario would use, only more automatic than their predecessors.

"There are many iterations of reality. Many different dimensions exist. Ours happen to be parallel."

"..And that's why there are two Mario's?"

"Yes. Most of the life in your dimension is mirrored here in someway."

"So then Luigi and Peach must be paralleled here too, then?"

"…" The doctor fell silent. "They were."

At hearing those words, Mario realized he was now treading on a very sensitive subject. He didn't speak. He decided he would let the doctor share more if he wanted to.

"They were in Port Town during the Hand's first assault. When news of it reached Mute City, I hurried there as quickly as humanly possible. Rubble and debris was all that was left in their wake. I searched through the ruins of the city until I finally stumbled upon Luigi. He was covered in lacerations and bruises. He told me that Peach was killed….and soon he would join her. He died in my arms only moments later..."

That was a pain Mario never wanted to experience. He never wanted to lose someone he cared about. Listening to the doctor's distressing narrative made Mario think…would he be able to handle it? He doubted it. He couldn't even tolerate the thought.

"I do this for them as well. It's one more incentive not to give up…"

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Author's Notes: I tried being original here. Marth vs. Roy is something I haven't seen done. Anyway, Constructive criticism and suggestions are welcome as always.