Super Smash Exam
"Ugh finally back… let me tell you… that was the most terrifying experience of my life…" Ron Host grumbled to me as he walked in.
"…" My eyes are darting back and forth.
"And YOU wrote this! I can't believe you had me tied up to a post by snakes… snakes for Pete's sake!" Ron Host shouted.
"Okay Ron… I'm sorry…" I say reluctantly. "Okay what do you want? I'll give it to you. You've earned it."
"My vacation request…" Ron Host said.
"Fine, go take a vacation after the opening author's notes of the last chapter." I sigh.
"Yes! And as thanks for finally giving me a vacation… Disclaimer: The author does not own any licensed material, he does own his original characters and the story itself."
"Now get out there." I tell him.
"Right!" Ron then exits the room.
…Results…
"Why did he call us back here? I'm exhausted…" Bowser Jr. grumbled.
"You think you're exhausted? I had to fight giant snake after giant snake." Wario complained as Mario, dressed in doctor attire, dabbed a cotton swab on one of Wario's bruises. "Ow! What was that for!?"
"Just-a hold still-a." Mario told him. He, Peach, Zelda, Fina, Ness, Lucas, and Kirby were tending to everyone's wounds. The contestants were all in the waiting area from when they waited on their matches, while the administrators and Ron Host were down on the field, huddled up together and talking. Even a few of the spectators came back despite what had happened.
"Wait… how is this puffball supposed to fix me up?" Bowser asked.
"…" Meta-Knight stayed silent as Kirby inhaled a nearby tomato, and then kissed Bowser in the face.
"!!!" Bowser waved his hands in a panicked fashion until Kirby stopped kissing him. "Pbth! What was that about?!"
"Kirby can transfer health he gains from eating food by performing mouth-to-mouth." Meta-Knight explained nonchalantly.
"Blech! That was gross!!!" Bowser gagged.
"Hmph…" Shadow scoffed as Peach bandaged his arm.
"Marth… I'm sorry but I don't think we'll ever be able to completely heal these scars." Zelda told Marth. Marth had removed his shirt, and where the lightning blades pierced through his body, there were darkened pieces of burnt flesh.
"I thought so…" Marth said.
"You know you should have seen Marth after we got back to town." Popo said.
"Yeah he was awesome! He cleared two whole streets of ninjas by himself!" Nana said.
"Call it making up for lost time… I can't believe I lost to that one… and so easily… who was that?" Marth thought to himself.
"Query: What of the Exams?" Omega asked.
"Hey a lot of us are injured… and not to mention the collateral damage on the town!" Fox scolded.
"While that is important Fox… Omega has a point… these exams were supposed to appoint the next generation of protectors of the multi-verse." Mewtwo said.
"…" Everyone stayed silent at this realization.
"Tch… Mewtwo's right… all of this will mean squat in the end." Snake groaned.
"Mama-mia…" Luigi sighed.
"Hey you guys!!!" Matt shouted up from the ground.
"What!?" Knuckles yelled back down.
"Get your butts down here! Last one to get down here buys me lunch!" Matt yelled.
"Is he…" Peach started to say.
"No I'm not kidding! I'm starving!" Matt shouted. Everyone immediately either jumped down or scrambled down the stairs as fast as they could.
"Matt… we can't starve…" Cole sighed.
"So? We can still eat." Matt shrugged.
"Some things never change do they Matt?" Harris asked with a chuckle.
"Nope!" Matt responded happily.
Soon Mario, Lucas, Roy, Peach, Rouge, Ike, Aika, Blue, Luigi, King Dedede, Nana, Popo, Omega, Yoshi, Pikachu, Ness, Ganondorf, Jigglypuff, Shadow, Mewtwo, Meta-Knight, Wolf, Lucario, Kirby, C. Falcon, Snake, Link, Vyse, Wario, Knuckles, T. Link, Falco, Zelda, Fina, Bowser Jr., Fox, Sonic, Diddy, Pit, DK, Olimar, Samus, and lastly Bowser made it to the stadium grounds.
"Bowser! I'll need a few gil for my lunch!" Matt said, holding a hand out.
"What the heck is gil!?" Bowser asked.
"Oh Matt let him off just this once." Heidi told Matt.
"Oh fine…" Matt pouted.
"Ahem… anyways…" Harris looked at all of the contestants seriously. "Due to this interruption, we weighed several options for what should happen to the exams."
"Like?" Ganondorf asked.
"We debated continuing the exams from here." Casey said. "But we threw that one out since you would all likely be far too tired to continue battling in fair fights." He finished saying, much to the relief of a number of them.
"We weighed canceling the exams." Matt said. "And we agreed on that one…"
"WHAT!?!"
"I'm just yanking your chain." Matt said with a smile. Most everybody growled or cursed at Matt under their breath.
"We considered postponing the final exam." Cole continued.
"And we considered even making another test." Heidi told them.
"I don't like the sound of any of those options…" T. Link cringed.
"Pika."
"And so we decided…" Harris' now echoing voice began to say. Most everyone gulped, a few beads of sweat trailed down their faces as they awaited the administrator's decision. "Today… we will announce the ones that have PASSED the exams!!!"
"What!?"
"Yahoooooooooooooooo!!!"
"Yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!"
"Passed? Really!?" Link asked.
"Yoshi!"
"Yep, we had cameras and what-not all around the entire area, and whether you realize it or not we were able to see what all of you were doing." Matt explained.
"And based on your overall performance in these exams, and your performance in reaction to Orochimaru's attack, we have decided who has, and who hasn't passed." Cole finished explaining.
"And so without further ado… Mr. Host if you would be so kind." Casey said, handing Ron Host a stack of note cards.
"Sure thing." Ron took the cards and held his microphone up to his mouth. "Ahem… first off… for selfless courage, adaptability, skill, and determination… Mario has passed the Super Smash Exams!"
"Go Mario!"
"You rule!"
"Whew… thank you very much-a!" Mario said, waving to the roaring audience.
"For courage, and the willingness to throw aside rivalries to defend what he believes is right… Link has passed the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host shouted.
"Link! Link! Link!"
"Yes!" Link cheered to himself.
"For wisdom, leadership, and excellent judgment in battle… Zelda has passed the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host shouted.
"That's great!" Zelda mused.
"Go Zelda!"
"For remarkable utility of her available weaponry, calmness in a heated situation, and ability to prioritize goals… Samus has passed the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Hm." Samus smiled to herself as the audience roared in applause for her.
"For leadership, skill, and willingness to throw aside rivalries to focus on the bigger picture, Fox passes the Super Smash Exam!" Ron Host announced.
"Way to go buddy!" Falco congratulated.
"Alright!" Fox cheered.
"For loyalty to his allies, cleverness, and bravery in the face of a seemingly more powerful opponent, Pikachu passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host declared.
"Pik! Pikachu!" Pikachu held up two fingers in victory while jumping up and down happily.
"For displaying incredible adaptability, and being excellent at turning an opponent's own strength against them, Kirby passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host shouted.
"Pyo!!!" Kirby was so happy that he ran around in circles waving his arms wildly.
"For incredible power, determination to prevail, and a lack of fear in the face of danger, Ganondorf passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Ha ha! I knew it." Ganondorf smirked.
"Be warned Ganondorf, you'd best control your rage, you only barely passed." Heidi told Ganondorf sternly.
"Hmph." Ganondorf snorted.
"For being able to overcome his fears to protect his allies, and the ability to outsmart his opponents… Luigi passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host declared, this was followed by quite a number of cheers from the audience.
"I-I did-a?" Luigi asked.
"Great-a job Luigi! I always-a knew you could-a do it-a!" Mario said.
"Aw Mario…" The two brothers hugged each other and gave each other a pat on the back.
"That's sappy…" Bowser muttered. This prompted Peach to stomp her high-heel in to his tail. "MMMMMMMMMMMM!!!" Bowser moaned through sealed lips.
"For strength and determination… mostly determination, Bowser has passed the Super Smash Exams!"
"Yes! Say your prayers Mario!" Bowser said, this was met with a few cheers from the audience and…
"Boooooooooooooooooo!!!"
"You suck!"
"I hate you guys…" Bowser muttered.
"For incredible skill, tactical knowledge, and prioritization… Meta-Knight passes the Super Smash Exams!"
"Very well then." Meta-Knight said as the audience roared loudly.
"For a righteous heart, care for his allies and others well-being, Pit has passed the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host's voice blared.
"Thank you Palutena!" Pit prayed.
"For skill, leadership, and excellent utility of his weapons… Solid Snake has passed the Super Smash Exams!"
"Heh… of course I wouldn't fail that easily." Snake smirked to himself.
"That's great for you but…" Wario started to say.
"…and for strength, Wario passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron finished announcing. "Wow… you sure that wasn't dumb luck?" Ron Host asked the administrators when he lowered his microphone.
"Wah ha ha ha! I knew I couldn't fail!" Wario gloated. "Hm? Hey wait a minute!" Wario shouted at Ron.
"Moving on, for strength and surprising intellect in battle, Donkey Kong passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!" DK bellowed while pounding on his chest in victory.
"For his kindness, and for protecting those that could not defend themselves, Yoshi passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Yoshi!" Yoshi said gleefully as he raised two fingers in a victory pose.
"Well done-a Yoshi!" Mario congratulated.
"Glad you're-a still with us-a!" Luigi told him.
"For strength, level-headedness, and his will to use that strength for what he believes is right… Ike passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron shouted.
"Welcome to the Smashers Ike!" Link said, holding a hand out to Ike.
"Thank you." Ike said, shaking Link's hand. Casey couldn't help but smile.
"For healing those in need, and likewise defending them. Princess Peach passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Thank you!" Peach said, bowing to the administrators.
"Well done-a Peach!" The Mario bros. congratulated.
"Peachy! You passed!" Bowser shouted happily as he dived for a hug, however Peach stepped forward and Bowser ate dirt instead. "Why me?"
"For incredible tactical prowess… Red passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron said.
"For the last time it's… wait did I pass?" Blue asked the administrators, who nodded before they glared at Matt. "Yes!!!"
"Matt his name isn't Red…" Cole sighed.
"I know, I just like to see him make his angry face." Matt chuckled.
"Oh Matt…" Harris and Heidi sighed. While the Ice Climbers, Ness, T. Link, and Lucas among others went to congratulate Blue.
"For outsmarting his opponents, and making excellent utilization of his resources… Diddy passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Yahoo!" Diddy cheered happily.
"Good job!" DK said, giving a thumbs-up. The two did a victory dance together in celebration.
"For excellent teamwork and willingness to defend each other, the Ice Climbers pass the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Yay!" The Ice Climbers hugged each other while receiving cheers from the audience and congratulations from their friends in the Smashers.
"For an outstanding battle against a superior opponent and ability to continue a battle at a moment's notice… Ness passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Yes!"
"Great job Ness!" Popo cheered.
"Yeah… good job." Lucas said with a smile. "I guess they won't need me… Ness is already good enough at PSI and…"
"For facing his fears and demonstrating incredible powers to defend his allies, Lucas passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host quickly said.
"Wha!? M-m-m-ME!?" Lucas stammered.
"Great job Lucas!" Ness said.
"Glad to have you in the Smashers!" Nana and Popo congratulated.
"Knew you could do it Lucas." Olimar congratulated.
"I-I-I-I-aaaaaahhhh…" Lucas then fainted.
"For speed, skill, and strength, C. Falcon passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Show me your moves!" C. Falcon shouted while flexing.
"For speed, and displaying decent knowledge and skill in battle, Sonic the Hedgehog passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Ha ha! Yeah!" Sonic cheered.
"Good job Sonic." Knuckles congratulated.
"Welcome aboard!" C. Falcon congratulated.
"For showing surprising prowess, and the ability to negotiate, King Dedede passes the Super Smash Exams!"
"Ha ha! Now that's more like it!" King Dedede said with a grin.
"Well done your majesty." Meta-Knight said with a bow.
"For his incredible skill and speed, and ability to risk his life even when brushing against death… Marth passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Heh…" Marth smiled.
"Good job Marth!" Roy said with a smile.
"Thanks." Marth told Roy.
"For skill with piloting, and excellent CQC ability as well, Falco passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Ha! I knew I would." Falco said.
"Great job Falco." Fox said, giving his friend a pat on the shoulder.
"For defending those that are not able to defend themselves, and an unwillingness to give up… Jigglypuff passes the Super Smash Exams!"
"Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff shouted happily. She took a deep breath and
"NO!!!" All of the Smashers that could understand her jumped her and shut her mouth.
"Huh?" Lucas wondered.
"Jigglypuff puts people to sleep when she sings." Ness explained.
"For prowess in combat, and excellent teamwork skills with others, Lucario passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"…" Lucario silently bowed to the administrators.
"For excellent tactics and coordination in battle, Captain Olimar passes the Super Smash Exams!"
"I did? Wonderful!" Olimar cheered.
"Good job Olimar." Lucas said.
"It will be an honor to continue fighting beside you." Meta-Knight said.
"Thanks."
"For skill, improvisation, and intuition in battle… Toon Link passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host shouted.
"Yes! Wait… is my name going to be Toon Link from now on…?" T. Link asked.
"Sorry… there's just too many of us to really be complaining about nicknames." Link told him.
"Nuts…" T. Link pouted. "Oh well… at least I passed!"
"For throwing aside rivalries, and displaying considerable skill, Wolf passes the Super Smash Exams!"
"Heh…" Wolf smirked.
"What!?" Fox and Falco shouted.
"And now… for the last one…" Ron Host said.
"…" All of the ones whose names had not been called thus far could feel their hearts pounding against their rib cage, anticipating who would pass.
"For power, wisdom, and skill in the heat of battle… Mewtwo passes the Super Smash Exams!" Ron Host announced.
"Yahoooo!!!"
"Go Mewtwo!!!"
"…" Mewtwo simply stayed silent.
"…" Roy stood there shocked for a minute, but he smiled and sighed. "It was my blazing blade wasn't it?"
"Yes Roy, you're skilled, but during the attack and the exams, your lack of control over that technique was far too glaring." Harris told him. "For what it's worth, it wasn't an easy choice to make."
"Sorry Roy." Marth said.
"Nah… it's alright." Roy shrugged. "I'm glad I had up until now to join you guys." Roy and Marth shook hands and high fived each other, before Roy turned to leave.
"Hmph." Shadow and his team turned to leave while Knuckles and Sonic shook hands.
"Hey Shadow!" Ness shouted.
"Before you say anything…" Shadow started. "As far as I'm concerned our score is far from settled." Shadow told Ness.
"Huh?"
"The way I see it, you beat me back home, and I beat you here… next chance I get I'm going to fight you and beat you once more." Shadow warned before he turned around to leave.
"Ulp…"
"Hey Vyse, sorry you and your friends didn't pass." Link said.
"Nah it's alright." Aika said.
"Yeah, this was just another adventure for us." Vyse said.
"On to the next one then right Vyse?" Fina asked.
"You bet Fina. Hope to see you again one day Link." Vyse said before walking away with Aika and Fina.
"Why am I not of the passing!?" Fawful asked as he flew down from the stands.
"We don't pass cowards." Casey said.
"But I am not of the chickening out!"
"You didn't even stay to help the innocent during this attack!" Matt said angrily while pointing a finger.
"Now get out of our sight!" Heidi demanded.
"I HAVE FURY!!!" Fawful shouted before flying away while Bowser Jr. waved goodbye to Bowser.
"Well done Smashers!" Master Hand said, floating down.
"Yippeee!!! You passed you passed!!!" Crazy Hand shouted.
"Master Hand! Crazy Hand!" Ness waved.
"Wait, where were you two during the attack?" Zelda asked.
"There was this particularly giant snake outside of town that made all of those giant snakes DK, Bowser, and Wario fought look like worms." Master Hand explained. "Crazy Hand and I were having one heck of a time fighting it."
"It was smarter than I was!" Crazy Hand shouted.
"…" Most of the Smashers just looked at Crazy Hand.
"Hold on…" Mewtwo said to everyone in the stadium. The ones who were turning to leave stopped and looked at Mewtwo, as did everyone else in the stadium. "I officially refuse my passing." Mewtwo said.
"What!?" Most of the Smashers gasped.
"Pikachu!?"
"Why?!" Ness asked.
"What's this all about!?" Ganondorf asked.
"Mewtwo why?" Master Hand asked calmly.
"Mewtwo you passed with flying colors, I'm afraid I don't understand your reasons." Harris told Mewtwo.
"Nor do you need to understand my reasons." Mewtwo told Harris as he floated towards the stadium exit. "This is my decision and none of you have the authority to stop me from leaving." Mewtwo snapped.
"…" Harris and Master Hand continued to watch Mewtwo as he floated through the exit to the stadium.
"Pichu!" Pichu leaped down from the stands, slid down the wall and landed on the ground before running after Mewtwo.
"Well… that was a bit rude…" Sonic said.
"Oh well…" Master Hand sighed. "He is right, he doesn't have to join." Master Hand turned to the Smashers. "Well either way, it was very well done to pass these Exams Smashers. It is certainly no easy feat."
"Piece of cake." Falco and Wario said confidently.
"So Master Hand… when do we move back in to the mansion?" Peach asked.
"Oh well… about that… hmmmm…" Master Hand paused for a moment. "Well first of… I want all of you to go home, rest, and be back here in a week's time." Master Hand said.
"A vacation? Again?" Marth asked.
"After all of this madness you've certainly earned it." Master Hand told them.
"Very well." Zelda said with a smile.
"I'll pick up most of you in the Halberd in a week's time." Meta-Knight told everyone.
"Thank you." Lucas said.
"So come back in a week, for next week, you return as Super Smash Bros.!" Master Hand told them.
Outside the stadium…
"…" Mewtwo was some distance away from the stadium with Pichu sitting beside him. Pichu's eyes were popped wide open in shock. "So, do you understand Pichu?" Mewtwo asked him seriously.
"…" Pichu shook his head real fast as if trying to regain his senses. After a moment's pause, Pichu stood up, pounded himself in the chest and nodded. "Pichu!" The determination in his voice rang apparently.
"Good… then we had best get started." Mewtwo said before he and Pichu vanished in to thin-air.
"For we have a lot of work to do."
…Notes…
"Whew… to think it will be over in one more chapter." Ron Host commented.
"And on that note Ron… have you read the reviews?" I asked.
"Yes." Ron Host answered.
"Well I'd like you to ask me questions regarding some common things in the reviews." I told him.
"Um okay… let's see… how about… your slow as hell updating speed?" Ron Host asked.
"Don't remind me…" I groan. "I really don't have an excuse; my updating speed should be better than it has been. For that I apologize sincerely."
"Okay… do you have any comments on your pacing?" Ron Host asked me.
"That… was entirely intentional. Sure some things need to be passed over quickly, but overall I think a good story is one that can be savored. Let's face it, if Mario KO'd Kabuto in the first chapter Smash Town fell under attack , it would have been lame. The delivery just would have felt a lot weaker."
"I see what you mean…" Ron said. "Okay… hmmmm… character inclusion?"
"Yes that was a common grievance wasn't it?" I ask rhetorically. "Yes, Mr. Game & Watch… I have nothing personal against him, a 2-D character in a 3-D world is just an incredibly weird concept I don't think I could effectively pull off, blame it on my mathematics fascination."
"As for ROB, I was originally going to put him in this story, but then I had a better idea for his inclusion, rest-assured he'll come along soon."
"And then there was someone who suggested I put in Master Chief… can't remember who though… but anyways, absolutely not. I do think the Halo series is fun, but I never had plans to include him, and I wasn't about to rewrite the drawing board to include him, besides… who would he reasonably be partners with? If I included extra characters, I had plans for them that I would, or not have gone through with or without them."
"Okay… so any comments on the plot?" Ron Host asked.
"Yes, this follows the mold of the Chunin exams arc of Naruto. This was inspired by that and Armageddon: The Corruption by Game2002, who wrote that story based on an amazing One Piece story arc. Game2002's story was about as equally amazing as that One Piece story arc, and when Brawl was announced, this brain-child I dubbed Super Smash Exam came to be. So yes, it's close to Naruto's plot."
"Okay then… how do you feel about this story?" Ron asked.
"I… think I could have done significantly better." I groan. "I think the only story I did worse on was my very first story, and that one has the excuse of being my first story. Hopefully you readers out there enjoyed this one."
"Well, read and review folks. Next chapter will be the last one… and then my vacation starts!" Ron said excitedly.