"Our 3rd day is now over and done with. We're doing amazing so far." Connor said.
"You say that, but you haven't jumped in on any fights since Volta's last battle." Hope said.
"Haven't...did you not see me send in Urbosa for that all in Swordfighter match? Besides, not all of our teams are crazy huge." Connor said.
"That's true. Some of us have bigger rosters than most. I think Ace, Jexi, David and I have the largest." Hope said.
"Hope, your group is actually the smallest out of the five of us." David said.
"Besides, size doesn't really matter as long as we're a team." Duran said.
"It does when each team is a separate division in this place." Connor said.
"Connor, I understand your concern. I knew this from my first days with these guys. Having a small group means you don't have much of a chance of standing out." David said.
"You do know that analogy has made you a lot of enemies, right?" Mayumi asked.
"Yeah, it's one of those 'take the bad with the good' kind of deals." David said. "But at least this way, Connor, you can pretty much guarantee that almost everyone, if not everyone, will have a match to their name."
"Speaking of Urbosa, what made you decide to come along with them, anyway?" Revali asked. "I'm simply curious. After all, I'm sure we all had a lot to catch up on after our...resurrection."
"Their display in that stone world...interested me. So I decided to join them. Me and Riju both." Urbosa said.
"Urbosa's right. She and Riju are both new members of the team." Connor said. "Who knows? We all may end up getting some new teammates by the end of this."
"Maybe. If we play our cards right, who knows?" David asked.
"Yeah, only time will-" Ace said before seeing a lotus petal fall into his hand.
"Hey, I'm back!" A familiar female voice called out.
"Ajna?" Ace said in excitement only to look to see it was only Shantae. "Shantae!"
"Hey...been awhile, Neptune." Shantae said.
"What the heck are you…" Ace said.
"I'm a wild card for the Brawler fight." Shantae said.
"Really? That's great!" Ace smiled. "It's good to see you. How've you been?"
"Oh, you know, I've just been defending Sequin Land and Scuttle town from danger, you know how it is with me." Shantae said. "And I also met other half-genies like me too when I went on vacation, only to get caught into another adventure facing the Seven Sirens."
"Wow, sounds like you've been busy." Ace said. "Oh, everyone, this is Shantae, the half-genie hero."
"Hi, everyone, nice to meet you all." Shantae smiled. "I just wanted to thank you all properly for stopping Galeem and Dharkon and freeing all those spirits including myself."
"Uh...pleasure is all ours." Theo said.
"S-Sorry! It's just really cool meeting you all." Shantae said.
"I really thought that was gonna be Ajna." Ace said.
"Don't worry. She'll come when she's ready. I know it. Besides, it's not like that girl to ignore an event this big." Jexi said.
"I guess dealing with Kala is taking longer than we thought." Duran said before two gloved hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who~?" A female voice hummed.
"That voice… Angela?" Riesz asked.
"Hi~!" Said princess said, popping up from behind Duran. "And it's not just me." she said as someone twirled Riesz around towards their direction.
"Hey, princess." the voice said as it was revealed to be Hawkeye. "Miss me?"
"Hello there, Hawkeye. I'm glad to see you've been doing well." Riesz said with a blush.
"Very well actually." Hawkeye said.
"Hewwo everyone!" A young female voice said as Charlotte was seen running up to them with Kevin following behind.
"Charlotte, Kevin, great to see you guys!" Hope said.
"You all came to see the matches too?" Belladonna asked.
"Yes. No way we miss friends fight." Kevin said.
"Not us, unfortunately. We've been brushed to the sidelines for this event." Koren said.
"Weww, that's not faiw." Charlotte said.
"It's alright, though. We are still co-owners of this place, and we know that it was reserved for those who were in the World of Light. It wouldn't really make much of a difference if we joined in." Belladonna said.
"But either way, it's really great to see you guys." Hawkeye said. "And while I may not forgive what you did, Belladonna, I'd be glad to call you my comrade."
"Thank you, Hawkeye." Belladonna said.
"Besides, there are still other things we join in for. Like the upcoming KOF tournament, or the Winter Olympics in Beijing." Koren said.
"Well that's good at least." Angela said. "And it's great being here to catch up with you all. Especially you, Duran." she winked.
"Y-Yeah." Duran said with flushed cheeks.
Meanwhile, Mark was silent as he was reading a pamphlet, looking interested.
"Hey, Marky, something on your mind?" Eddy asked.
"Yeah, actually." Mark said. "Fighter 77, Steve. Says here that he's going to be backed up by three others: Alex, a Zombie, and an Enderman."
"Yeah, so?" ZS asked.
"Well, you don't think that last one could be Ender, right?" Mark asked. "He'd be willing to join up with this."
"I dunno, maybe." Scarlet shrugged. "I guess it depends on if the Masters in the Color Temple would allow him. This tournament would be a good place to gauge his progress, but it really comes down to if they think he's ready."
'It's hard to say. The entry only says Enderman. So could be any Ender…" Sunset said as they saw a black figure just staring at them. "That's it right now, isn't it?"
"Aah!" Angela squeaked.
"Don't worry, they're relatively harmless. If you leave them alone, they won't bother you." Hope said.
"It feels like it's staring into my soul." Mina said.
"Oh, that's just how Endermen look. They were actually pretty welcoming when we all went to the End." Mark said, referring to both his and Hope's teams. "That being said, if this was Ender, he'd be a lot more vocal and energetic, so this probably isn't him."
"Well, whoever they are, I'm sure they're ready to give the opponent they get paired up with a battle to remember." Krillin noted.
"Definitely." Zephyr said.
"And then there's Zoro who's gonna fight that Sephiroth guy." Michiru said. "Least that's what he said."
"Yeah...definitely sounds like Zoro." Jexi said.
"Seems like pretty much everyone has someone they're gunning for." David said.
"Well, you've already had your match, so you don't have to worry about that." Sectonia said.
"Yeah...it's gonna be a heck of a time for what little days we have left." Jexi said.
"Oh...you guys will be outta here quick. And I just mean you Dimensional Heroes!" Bowser called out from across the area.
"Are you still mad that we beat Peach?" Lucy asked.
"What? No. I just think...maybe you guys are...not that great." Bowser said, looking away.
"Oh come now. We already know your stance against them. And I understand your frustrations." Teba said. "After all, I wish to become a good role model for my own son, too."
"Hey, I'm a good dad. Right, Junior?" Bowser called out.
"Right, dad." Bowser Jr said as he and the Koopalings were stacking some dangerous objects.
"...Well, he's not the worst parent out there." Moltar pointed out. "I'll give him that."
"Moltar, seriously. Stop it." Teba said.
"Oh you think you're that much better than me huh?" Bowser said.
"What? I didn't say anything like…" Teba said.
"Okay...I'll see you in the ring." Bowser said as a cannonball flew over his head. "Nice shot son, but next time, aim lower!"
"Well, guess I got myself a fight too. And after I tried to defend him." Teba said.
"Your first mistake: trying to reason with Bowser." Rainbow said.
"I know, I know." Teba said. "But… This might actually work out, after all."
"How so?" Papelne asked.
"As long as he's focused on one person, he won't be trashing on all of us. Plus Teba can easily show up the heaviest heavyweight in Smash." Sunset said.
"Plus, I could sense that his heart is in discord." Teba said. "It would seem that it is only through battle that I shall prove myself to him."
"Master Teba…" Vera said.
"I know that Tulin will watch me, whether in the stands, or back home." Teba said. "Hopefully, this will inspire Tulin to forge his own path when the time comes."
"Well...cheers...to victory tomorrow." Jexi said.
"Victory tomorrow!" they all said as they clinked glasses.