Chapter 40: Play to Win
It was Little Mac.
The statue's size was about the size of a Smasher in its trophy state, and its pose and appearance changed significantly. But there was no doubt about. That was the Newcomer they've been looking for.
Before a strategy could be made, Wario impulsively stated the obvious loud than need. "HOLY COW! IS THAT THE NEWCOMER?!"
The cheering stopped in an instant, the crowd halting their appreciation in confusion where'd the outburst came from. Except for Jack-who rubbed his chin in remembrance. "Hmm… the voice seems oddly familiar… and annoying. Wait is that-" Grey raised his head over the sea of guests to see-
"Ah! I see we have some fighters in the room." The skeleton gestured his bony hand to the Smasher's, prompting a spotlight to shine upon them all. The air felt very uncomfortable with all eyes on them. Time stood still until Lucario made the next move.
"Mr. Grey, sorry to intrude on your performance, but we need something important from you. We can wait for you after you done-"
"Nonsense." Interrupted Jack, if flesh was still on his teeth, he would've made a crooked smile. "There's no need for a meeting. You can tell me right now, on the stage. In fact, why don't you all make a path for the Smash Brothers. This is important." He told his audience.
The guests moved either left or right, making a clear pathway for the rescuers. The skeleton made the "Come-over-here" signal with his finger. Eagerly waiting for their arrival.
"I don't like this." Whispered Bowser.
"Just deal with it and move." Replied Ganondorf.
All seven fighters walked down the aisle; some moving with a sense of urgency, others with hesitation under the piercing gaze of the gamblers. Nonetheless, the reached the wooden stand. Jack shifted a portion of the stage into a makeshift stairs with slight movements of his hand; saving his V.I.P's the trouble of climbing.
Once their feet were on the stand Jack Grey stood up with pride, looking into their eyes not with hostility, but hospitality. "Never thought I'd see you're faces here again. Especially you Lucario; having fun is not your thing." He said as he presented his hand.
"I'm not some ancient fossil that mediates all day, Jack." The canine gave a cautious but firm handshake with the owner. "I can let loose when the time arises."
"And I'm presuming today is not one of those times?" Jack ended gestured, disappointment emanating from his teeth. "I figured. You trophies work 24/7; practically slaves to your jobs, and coming from a workaholic like me that says something."
Wario rolled his eyes, but at that instant. Jack came up to his eyelevel in a flash. "Don't you roll eyes in front of me boy; my shoes still stain of garlic. Keep that in mind."
Wario was now scared for his life.
"Everyone who works with the Smash Brothers does it willingly." Said Snake, attempting to ease the tension. "We work hard to save the WOT, and we can't let our guards down. If we didn't defeat Tabuu-"
"Doom and gloom; carnage; end-times; the destruction of our very universe as we know it-I get the picture." Grey casually spoke in a happier attitude. "I've heard the tale so many times, I don't need another."
The skeleton created a coin in his palm and rubbed his fingers all over it as he continued talking. "So what's this thing you need from me? Is it going to be a quick, because I have a game to run." The man asked jerking his head in the direction of the crowd.
"I'll be fast I promise. You see that statue that's sitting on top of all that gold, right inside the box? It-"
"No." Jack interrupted the Pokémon, smoking his cigar sternly.
"No?" Questioned Bowser. "No what?"
"No." The skeleton retorted again. "You may not have a cut of the prize from the Treasure Box."
Eyes popped open; fists were clenched; and jaws dropped within the group of Smashers, each reacting to Grey's delectation. The most unique reaction was that of Ganondorf who simply raised a brow. "Prize?"
"Oh, yes." Jack gave a hearty heart, followed shortly by a smoke of his cigar. "In this casino, giving out prizes is customary; especially when play poker. If I gave anyone a portion of the Treasure Box's contents, then I would have to do the same for everyone. And that's just bad for business. Ain't that right?" He asked the crowd, to which he was answered with "yes's" and nods. "Every piece of treasure inside the box, is their treasure. There's no honor of giving hand-outs in the house of cards."
"You think that's a prize?" Snake angrily pointed to the statue.
"Yes, that's why it's in the prize box. Dumbass." The skeleton condescended to the solider. If it wasn't for the fact that Jack was powerful, Snake would have shot him in the kneecaps with his SOCOM.
"Ok, I think there's been a misunderstanding." Lucario said. "That "statue" inside the box is not some shiny inanimate object. It's a Newcomer. I don't know why it was birthed in your establishment or how it got inside the glass container. But I promise you, that's not a prize, it's a person named Little Mac."
"Really now?" Jack muttered, looking inside the box. "Ah, I see it, the sliced circle is on the gold plate. Can't believe I missed that before."
"That's quite surprising coming from a man who pay attention to everything." Spoke Meta-knight.
"Even with my eagle eyes, I can still miss details." Acknowledged Jack. "You convinced me that this is a Smasher, kudos to you. I still can't give you the statue though."
The Pokémon froze in utter shock, halting his breath in disbelief. "What?"
"I never told you how Poker Night works around here did I? I guess now's the best time as any to explain." Jack flipped his coin again, afterwards he lectured to the rescuers. "Every competent gambler knows it's required to hack up their own cash when playing a game such as Poker, it's the standard for most casinos. Except for this one." The skeleton treaded towards the glass box, knocking on it playfully to the Smashers. "In my casino, you cannot only put your own bills and coins on the table, you can risk treasure, artifacts, and even your own belonging! Hell, practically anything that is thrown into the jackpot is up for grabs."
"But that's only limited to items." Retorted Wolf. "I come here often to know the swing of things, and I know that it's illegal to bet on living things around here. I remember that you installed that law after there were many incidents of gamblers betting and winning other gamblers as slaves."
"That's correct my canine friend, but here's the deal." Jack tilted his fedora downwards to appear more powerful. "Smashers-as you call yourselves-do not count as living beings: you may act and function like any other creature in the WOT, but your origins are not organic. Your species are essentially immortal indestructible statues that come to life. Doomed to walk the planet for eternity."
"Now that's not-"
"I'm not finished." He interrupted. "And since Smashers are just sentient trophies-a treasure commonly found throughout the lands-they count as prizes."
Great anger was felt between the seven team members, even Lucario, a person of such patience was furious. They refused to believe that their kind was nothing less than a shiny collectable.
"So that's why Mac's in the box? Saw him lying around the place and thought he'd be a good bounty?" Accused the turtle king.
"Don't be ridiculous! I may be greedy, but even I have to capacity for compassion. My heart is made of gold (Or at the very least a portion of it is.). This tragedy was not caused by me." Grey placed his hand over his ribcage to make a point about his personality. "Didn't you ask why this "Mac" is inside the Treasure Box" in the first place? Well here's the answer to that question: it appeared right out of thin air."
The skeleton coughed into his elbow to ease his voice. "After I collected the needed donations for the game, I tried to close the box to finalize the bounty. But upon doing so, the trophy materialized inside the glass, which added itself onto the pile. Because of the fact that it's illegal to mess with the prizes once the lid is closed, it was out of my control. If I had done what you asked and just extract your boxer friend out, I would not only be breaking the trust of guests, but I would be violating the rules of this very establishment.
"But you created those rules." Pointed out Snake.
"And I follow them to the letter." Stated the skeleton. "I'm sorry that has happened, but I'm not going to break the law around here to suit your needs. Deal with it!"
"This is dishonorable Jack, and you know it! Do the right thing and forsake your laws!" Meta-knight eyed the boxer atop the pile of gold. He was tempted over the idea of flashing at the speed of sound to rescuer their member.
Jack must have read the knight's body language because he immediately side-stepped the Veteran and ignited his fists with blue flames. "Don't. Even Think. About. It." Red glowing dots formed in the middle of his eyeholes. "Listen well, 'cause I'm going to say this once. You won't, none of you won't steal from the box, from this casino whiles we're at it! Any thief who tries to rob me blind will face the karmic fury of spite. Don't think I'll give your organization a pass 'cause of your heritage. You steal. You die. "
The atmosphere became so thick, the air became almost unbreathable. Everyone-Smasher and audience alike felt anxious to what the all-powerful Jack Grey would do next.
A moment went by, to which Jack Grey extinguished the flames and took a deep breath. Exhaling smoke in the air.
"Look." The skeleton said with solemn. "I can't give your friend for free I'm afraid that's not possible. But perhaps there's another way."
"There is? What is it?" Questioned Lucario.
"Sign up for the poker tournament."
"Sign up? You want us to sign up so we could potentially win the Newcomer?" Butted in Snake.
"Why not? This tournament is free admission, which means anyone can join. I know some of your members here come to my casino to play the games here, hoping to win some mullah. At least one of you Smashers should have a good card hand. If you spread yourselves out between the brackets, you'll have a greater chance of winning the prize, and consequently your trophy-friend." Explained Jack.
"This is immoral Mr. Grey." Objected Meta-Knight "Forcing us to play your game to win back what was never truly yours? On top of going through all these guests? Bleh, I guess cruelty is core part of who you are."
"Oh please, it won't take forever." Jack Grey moaned. "The limit is five players per game, but we're going to spread out the players throughout the many tables we have in this casino, I'll practically cut the tournament so short, it'll be done in three rounds. And you don't have a choice in matter, it's either my way or the highway to oblivion. Take your pick."
Lucario closed his eyes, clenching his paws in frustration as he turned to face his team. "I hate the idea of even going along with this, but we're running out of options here. If we don't do this, we may never see Little Mac again. Who's with me?"
"Never leave a solider behind. I'm in."
"I agree, abandoning those who need our help is the ultimate form of dishonor. Can't believe I'm doing this, but I'll play."
"I'm not letting this bony creep get the best of us, where do I sign?"
"I know everything you need to learn about Poker. This will be shooting fish in a barrel."
"It's unlike me to shy away from a challenge, with my triforce of power I'll will conquer this game."
"Wahh? Oh uh… sure I'll play I guess."
The blue canine rotated his head towards the owner, who smiled deviously at them. "I guess that settles it. You won't regret this, I promise." Jack Grey turned the microphone on and faced his endearing audience. "Well everybody, I guess we're ready to start. Allow me to commence the supreme. The fantastic. The ruthless. The most wonderful event of the year. Allow me to commence the annual Poker Night!"