Confusion.
Fear.
Panic.
Chaos.
Accurate words to describe the audience, running and hiding and screaming and doing whatever they can to survive this sudden invasion. Luckily for them, the Primid's low intelligence and large spacing between stadium seats helped spectators make their escape.
"Chaos Control!"
And so did the contributions of other fighters.
With the slowing of time, Shadow the Hedgehog quickly dispatched five Primids before civilians took any damage. When time reverted to normal he barked at the noncombatants, "What are you doing, just standing around? Get your butts outta here!"
They needn't a second reminder, fleeing to the lower sections of the stadium where numerous vessels of transportation were parked. Sighing, Shadow was in no mood for this. His loss to Kirby had been bad enough (the pink puffball always managed to change into stone right before Chaos Control), and protecting a bunch of helpless fools didn't help matters in the slightest.
Only a few seconds passed before another batch of Primids cropped up in their place.
"Need any help?"
Shadow looked over his shoulder as two other losing competitors entered the scene. With a loud roar, the human-sized purple beetle Bugzzy snatched an unlucky Primid and delivered a vicious suplex that burst its entire body. The other made a far more subtle approach, like the ninja he was, Biospark successfully snuck behind a Primid before slitting its throat, followed up with a small supply of kunai launched into another's face. Where Bugzzy's loss to Link shocked nobody, his defeat at the small hands of Paula Polestar surprised all, herself included.
Scoffing, Shadow punched a purple creature in the face, "Do whatever you like, just stay out of my way!" he shouted at the fighters from Dream Land.
The battle raged on.
Disclaimer
I don't own Super Smash Brothers or any games these characters or settings come from.
Survival Crusade
Invasion
Chapter 2: War in the Stadium
By Big-Babidi
Up in the V.I.P. area, the first Primid formed after the large window broke in collateral damage. The tip of Falchion was buried in its chest before it could take action.
Any action.
"We'll have to split up," Marth hastily decided. As the most experienced in leading large groups directly in the combat zone, he took charge. "With Kirby and Lady Lyndis heading for the stadium, our efforts should focus elsewhere, at least for now. We'll need two groups to sweep through each side of the stadium, one team to remain here for support and the last group assisting noncombatants in their retreat."
Peach stood at the edge of the room, peering down at the pandemonium. She shivered, rubbing her arms together. Mario stationed himself behind her, looking worriedly at his kingdom's princess.
Marth took a quick glance around the room, "Who in this room specializes in close combat?" A number of hands raised.
"Who's good at long range attacks?" Another show of hands.
"Who here is either a noncombatant or wishes to get out of here immediately?" After the last show of hands, Marth put together a strategy.
"Alright, to the left I'd say a team of Captain Falcon, Funky Kong and Ranulf."
"Not a problem. We got this." Ranulf nodded, running a hand through sky blue hair.
Wearing his usual superhero attire, Captain Falcon saluted overdramatically.
"Sounds good to me! Let's get crackin' guys!" The Kong grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement behind his shades.
Marth continued. "The right group will consist of myself, Mario and Blade Knight."
Both fighters nodded.
Gripping her arms tightly, Peach felt her eyes water. The tournament's largest sponsor, the Mushroom Kingdom provided the most resources and personnel, many of whom remained in attendance today. And with its close proximity to the Mushroom Kingdom and marketing campaign to draw people in, her subjects numbered highly among the audience.
'I signed some of those deals myself,' Peach thought sadly. Of the Toads fleeing the area, some escaped successfully and some did not, but all were familiar faces to Princess Toadstool.
"If you don't mind, I think it best if Prince Poo, Prince Mallow, Princess Zelda, and Soren remain here, along with a few bodyguards." The prince of Dalaam nodded along with the other nobles and the pale sorcerer. Wasting no time, they approached the broken window and began casting spells. "Everyone else, go ahead and proceed downwards, but please do your best to remain calm. Ike, Sir Kibble and Luigi will be in charge," Marth suggested.
"Alright lords and ladies, you heard the man." A number of nobles started panicking once they were included and Ike was determined to settle their nerves. "Stay calm. Stay close to your peers and your bodyguards and we'll all get out of here in one piece. Kibble, would you mind guarding the rear?"
"Not at all." A small fighter almost entirely covered in yellow armor, Sir Kibble brandished his signature cutter blade.
"Luigi, if you'll remain in the center, might I suggest your eyes wander places other than Princess Daisy?" Ike asked sternly. He understood the courage of Mario's younger brother ranked lower than the average Shy Guy, but the situation needed him to man up.
"Oh. Right. Sorry," Luigi replied, embarrassed. Under differing circumstances, Daisy would've laughed at his behavior. The best she could do was hug his arm in fright.
Having enough, Peach stepped forward, hands placed on her heart. "Excuse me Marth?" Her usually happy expression was uncharacteristically somber.
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Yes Peach?" he said with a smile. Poor girl must have been terrified.
"I," she gulped, "I will be fighting too." That got a collective gasp from across the room. Mario in particular had little love for this idea.
"Peach, you don't know what you're saying! Stay back with the others, where it's safe." He pleaded.
Peach frowned, facing the plumber. She'd done enough running. Done enough hiding. Had enough rescuing. No more. It was time she stopped being a burden. Time she started helping others. Time she started rescuing others from the dangers of evil instead of the other way around.
"No Mario. This is something I have to do."
"But Peach-," Mario started.
"Take a look around!" She interrupted, arm sweeping across. "People are dying down there, and my kingdom played a pivotal role in getting this tournament started with my approval! There's no chance I'll run and hide while these people fight for survival, and you know my abilities can help them!"
Frowning, Marth closed his eyes, then reopened them. "Are you absolutely sure?"
Princess Toadstool nodded, determined. "Please, I have to do this," she reiterated.
The legendary plumber narrowed his eyes. 'I get what you're saying Peach, but this situation is nothing like Smithy.'
"Very well. You may accompany us." Her face lit up. Mario glared. Marth immediately raised his hand to interrupt incoming objections. "Mario isn't wrong, however, so I'll ask you stay near us."
Her face brightened considerably, "Thank you Marth."
He sighed, fervently hoping he wasn't sending this kind woman to her death.
"Let's move out."
With a sharp battle cry, the Sword of Seals slammed against the ground, catching the grass on fire and causing a dent in the center. The charged attack had sent over a dozen Primids sailing in different directions, Shadow Bugs spraying across the area like gushing blood. The fourth occasion it'd been executed, Roy felt confident it wouldn't be the last.
A second or two before the next attack he viewed the area. The audience filled the stadium with loud noises during their chaotic escape. He'd like to jump in, assisting in the rescue and keeping the monsters at bay but sadly his objective lied elsewhere: survival. Back on the field, he noticed Knuckle Joe hopping and fighting, desperately yet effectively combating the Primids while avoiding their wrath. Link fought on the opposing direction, switching between Ordon Sword, Hookshot and bomb with the proficiency of a true weapon master. Standing in the center was Paula Polestar, surrounded by a barrier of PSI, opening holes in her defense long enough to fire quick streams of fire, ice or lightning. Primids tried to shatter her defense, but their boomerangs and Beam Swords slightly pushed it back and nothing more. A stronger force was needed to break it.
'Like a hammer from above.' He thought grimly, running to her location. 'I have to make it on time!'
"Paula get down!" He yelled, barely tackling her, barely evading the weapon incoming at tremendous speed. Roy looked down at the ground and his eyes widened slightly at the dent made from the projected hammer. His gaze shifted upwards, and shuddered at the cold expressions from the team of Hammer Brothers atop the Halberd. The Primids kept multiplying on ground level, to add some of the most dangerous koopa siblings attack from above…
Roy preferred leaving the thought incomplete.
"Link!" He called.
"Already on it!" The Hylian's bow held firmly in his grasp, Link fired quickly. His handiwork's efficiency showed itself a second later in the form of a Hammer Brother falling from the Halberd with an arrow lodged between his eyes. The action certainly raised the ire of all koopas onboard. In addition to thrown hammers targeted directly at him, a number of Fire Brothers hurled their own flame attacks, some even combining with the other projectiles, the newly formed fire hammers packing a much deadlier punch than the individual weapons.
"Cover me!" Link yelled. He strapped the Hylian Shield to his forearm and took the fight to them. Arrow after arrow after arrow, he fired consecutively, successfully diverting their attention away from the others. His quiver remained full with fifty piercing arrows. One of few things to feel thankful for, Link had refrained from shooting a single arrow all throughout the tournament. No time like the present to reap the benefits.
Link swung his arm in a backhanded motion, his precision accurate enough for his shield to deflect a flame-induced hammer. He immediately counter attacked with an arrow. He dodged a different projectile and retaliated again. Another koopa plummeted, an arrow stuck in the center of its eye.
"Paula to your right!" Roy yelled, socking a Primid in the face. The young girl followed his guidance and launched a freezing attack just in the nick of time, the Primid's open frozen hand inches away from gripping her throat. "Put up a defensive barrier! They're coming at you from left and right!" With the Hylian occupied, Roy and Paula worked overtime to stop the Primids from interfering with his shootout. The son of Lyndis hacked and slashed while providing proper instructions for the panicking child. Teamwork born from the need to survive, their combination of physical and magical offense had the Primids struggling to successfully land an attack.
Defenses raised, Paula spread her arms wide. "PSI Fire Beta!" A row of flames blasted from each hand, severely burning incoming Primids and scorching the grassy arena.
"Be careful child. Your fire almost reached that archer." Both heads turned to the incoming voice, Paula gulped and stammered an apology while Roy couldn't mask his shock. The words did have merit, as Link struggled to fire his next shot while dodging the nearby flames along with the enemy's attacks.
"Mother! What on Earth are you doing here?" It took painstaking effort to reach her son, but Lyndis achieved her goal, Mani Katti held in her grasp and had already seen plenty of action. She had a reflexive smile. Simply knowing Roy was alright did wonders for her foul mood.
"For you of course. There was no way I'd safely retreat while my boy fights for his life." She sliced a Primid wide open and the trio decided that battle came before small talk.
"Hiyahh!" On the field's opposite end, Knuckle Joe threw eleven quick punches in under a second to the face of an unlucky Primid and launched a kick at another. At least ten minutes had passed since the sky turned red. At least ten minutes of unending punches and kicks and flips and rolls. Where the others had support during this chaos, Knuckle Joe stood alone.
Fighting fast, seven punches destroyed a different Primid. Two closed in from opposing sides, but Joe leapt over them. He turned around upon landing, throwing another trail of punches, this time with each hand. When they fell, he thrust his leg forward, sending a shockwave through his powerful kick that crushed the chest of a Primid trying a sneak attack.
A couple Primids simultaneously looked up and Joe briefly mimicked their action. Another creature was above, but unlike these ground forces, this one remained in the air. It looked familiar, only shrouded in a strange purple, one that seemed to grow. A pair of wings with a large cape and a mask covered its small body.
It looked just like…
"Meta Knight?" Joe's eyes narrowed. Something felt wrong. The purple encompassing his frame appeared different than a warrior's battle aura. The color didn't change, so he wasn't preparing a Final Smash either. Time for pondering stopped quickly, as he made a beeline straight for Knuckle Joe, flying at top speed.
The fighter evaded the flying charge with a quick somersault. Nearby Primids didn't share his fortune, purple pieces soaring in multiple directions and reverting to Shadow Bugs, Meta Knight cared nothing for their misfortune. Just collateral damage. After gaining altitude, he turned around in midair.
"What the heck is this Meta Knight? I thought you're days of terrorizing the world we're behind you!" Silence was the response. With no hesitation, the purple swordsman continued his assault, closing the distance. Clenching his knuckles, Joe took his most efficient fighting stance and prepared to execute a vicious counter.
Meta Knight extended his arm, his sword pointing forward.
Closer.
And closer.
Knuckle Joe pulled his arm back, moments away from sending an ultra fast series of jabs directly at his opponent's mask.
And closer.
Meta Knight's eye shifted, and quickly flew to the side at the last second, narrowly avoiding a small Thwomp directly aiming for him from above.
"Huh?" Joe was confused until the Thwomp changed forms, from blue wall sentry to pink spherical warrior. Unlike his usual cute smile, Kirby appeared far from amused, staring down Meta Knight with open disgust. So shocked by the unexpected behavior, Knuckle Joe couldn't stop himself from taking a step back.
"Meta Knight. This is not Meta Knight." Another rarity for Kirby: speaking. He didn't bother continuing the notion, mouth opening wide and fiercely inhaling. The pseudo Meta Knight tried to shield itself with its wings, but Kirby snatched enough of its essence for a similar yet smaller blade to appear in his hands, along with a mask and blue wings of reduced size as well. Sucking up air, Kirby took the fight to him in the air, fake Galaxia swords consecutively clashing.
Wanting to assist his friend, Joe felt the chance slip away as another set of Primids began repopulating the area. Delivering a vicious kick with a shockwave strong enough to send five of them to their deaths, his desperate battle against this army started over once again.
Or so he thought.
During the timeframe of a single second, a large portion of Primids to his right soared through the air, smashed by a large creature swinging a large cage in hand with tremendous force. A creature with a monster plant's face, wearing a red and white-dotted thong and two white cages, one held firmly in each of its leaf-shaped hands. Finally let loose, Petey Pirahna roared before swinging again. This time Joe leapt away to avoid it, but found himself hard pressed to counter as it continued its version of cage fighting.
'At least he's clearing out these other guys.' Joe thought, dodging another blow and watching another group of Primids meet their end. 'But I don't know how long I can keep this up.'
He rolled to the left, avoiding Petey's vertical strike that left a cage-shaped dent in the linoleum floor. Getting up, he kicked a nearby Primid before diving away from another of the monster's strikes and left him tumbling. The fighter of Dream Land stood but not fast enough to dodge a Primid's incoming boomerang. Clocking him square in the face, he fell to the ground and a mutated plant's shadow loomed overhead.
'Not gonna make it!' Joe thought with widened eyes.
For such a primitive creature, its strike was beyond genius. As the cage descended upon him, Petey aimed it carefully enough for Knuckle Joe to fit precisely within its open door. Before the fighter of Dream Land regained his bearings, the cage closed shut.
Atop the Halberd's deck, Ganondorf viewed the battle raging on all sides. At the chaos and calamity, at the death and destruction. Just like conquering this ship's crew, the Primids brought results at little cost. Despite high praise, Petey Pirahna's berserk rage left him unimpressed –even if he did ensnare a fighter–, but he was rather pleased with the Shadow Bug version of Meta Knight. It's similarity to the minute swordsman that put up a fight against him was simply remarkable.
When another koopa fell off the Halberd, he paid the area extra attention. The fire swordsman from the previous tournament and his mother fought off the Primids well, and the little girl carrying her own weight was certainly impressive, but the king of Gerudos cared little for them. No, he focused exclusively on the Hero of Time, running and dodging with the occasional counter shot, extending his lengthy shootout with the koopas.
'If Link is here, then what of Zelda?' His eyes took another sweep of the stadium, this time with the intent of locating Hyrule's princess. They gazed at various battles and miracles and tragedies, from a mother getting stabbed to Marth saving her daughter. From Funky Kong's corpse thrown overboard to a Primid being demolished by a particularly burning Falcon Punch. From an injured man reaching an exit after evading twenty Primids to Princess Zelda throwing Din's Fire with expert precision. She stood in between two other members of royalty, princes of Dalaam and Nimbus Land, with a face of determination. Their eyes met briefly and he smirked at her shock and horror.
He took a final, reflexive glance towards Link and something caught his eye. Noticing the sword's brown wooden hilt on the Hero of Time's back, Ganondorf burst into laughter, paying no mind to the nearby koopa's puzzled expressions. 'Perfect! Without the Master Sword, Both Link and Zelda will fall! The Triforce will be mine!'
He wasted no time completing this objective, turning to the nearest koopa. "Close the hatch underneath. We have more than enough forces to crush them."
"Yes sir!" He saluted, then headed for the bridge to relay the message.
'Besides, it won't be long until it appears.' Running to the ship's edge, Ganondorf leapt off, freefalling to the battlefield.
Successfully shooting another fire koopa, Link put another arrow on his bow's string. He looked up in preparation for the next shot and froze in his tracks. His nemesis barreling down to his exact location tended to have that effect. Ganondorf grinned at the shocked response.
"You have been lucky in the past, but this time you will be the one destroyed." He landed confidently, un-phased by his enemy's murderous glare.
"So you're behind this, Ganondorf!" Link unsheathed his blade. "You should've left these people out of it and went straight for me."
"Foolish boy. Those koopas you've been killing weren't my men. My world does not revolve around you. Your presence here is simply a bonus to a plan already in motion."
"A plan that will fall today." Both Lyndis and Roy joined Link's side, swords ready.
The king of Gerudos shook his head in amusement. "Fight alongside him if you must." His smile widened. "Die alongside him if you must. But if you feel that much righteousness, perhaps you should aid that little girl before the Primids overwhelm her."
Sure enough, Paula Polestar was fighting them admirably, but would quickly lose her life without outside intervention. Once confliction appeared on the trio's faces, Ganondorf lunged straight for Roy, delivering a powerful kick surging with dark aura that directly smashed his chest, sending him flying. Ironically, he landed near Paula.
"Roy!" Lyndis shouted, angrily swinging Mani Katti at her son's attacker. Reaching for a hilt, Ganondorf unsheathed one of his swords that blocked Lyn's slash. His other hand glowed with bright yellow energy until it formed a ball. He pushed his sword up, pulling Mani Katti along, and launched the energy ball directly into Lyn.
The blast sent Lyndis flying, knocking over at least thirty Primids before landing uncomfortably on her back. Coughing, she pulled herself to her knees, failing to notice a monster looming overhead. The overbearing shadow alerted her to its presence, but by then it was too late. 'Oh no! I was careless.' She looked up at Petey Pirahna's hideous smile.
"Get out of the way!" Knuckle Joe yelled, clutching broken ribs after so much tossing around.
Caught by surprise, she couldn't dodge the cage that slammed down.
Satisfied, Ganondorf turned to Link. "So much for your allies. Are you ready to die now?"
"As far as allies are concerned: Link has one more."
Recognizing the voice, the Triforce of Power's holder had no need to turn around. "Saving me the time to hunt you? You're learning Zelda."
"Mommy!" A little girl cried. Her mother slumped to the floor once the Primid removed his Beam Sword from her sternum. She looked to the side. Her daddy had already fallen to this monster. Once it set its eyes on her, she knew her time was short, trapped seated between rows of seats and too frightened to move. Raising the sword, he almost descended his arm when another blade sliced cleanly through his waist. On the row below, the swordsman executed his attack mid-jump and continued onward.
As much as Marth wanted to console the distraught child, other Primids needed stopping, lest others end up sharing her parent's fate. Five Primids happily terrorized others nearby, only one stopping upon noticing the Altean Prince heading straight for them. It clumsily swung the Beam Sword in hand, but Marth easily evaded it, grabbing the Primid's arm and shoving the creature over a set of seats and against another of its own kind, one about to punch a preteen boy in the face. Marth leapt over the chair and followed up with a deep thrust, burying Falchion inside both Primids, Shadow Bugs pouring from the wound.
The other Primids responded to the new threat, or at least made the attempt, until a series of sword-shaped energy waves destroyed the face of one. Blade Knight resumed his charge, two opposing vertical slashes making short work of the next Primid. Expecting to succeed where the others failed, the last Primid prepared to kill a civilian but found itself turning around involuntarily.
Mario in a yellow cape was its last sight before a powerful punch made it burst with Shadow Bugs like a piñata.
"Is everyone alright?" Princess Toadstool closely followed behind Mario.
"We're fine." Marth nodded. He directed his gaze to the innocents. "Now's your chance to retreat with great haste. Please don't squander it."
"Is that Princess Toadstool with Mario? Shouldn't you be escorted outta here, your highness?" Asked a bystander. "We'll help if you need it."
"I appreciate your concern, but I worry more for all of you than myself." She tried smiling when they didn't budge, "I'll be fine. Please go. We're assisting as many as we can."
"O-okay. Thanks for your help!" A man shouted, the other civilians following his lead.
All except one.
The little girl kneeled by her mother, nudging the body. Marth approached her with Peach at his side. He kneeled beside the girl. He spoke softly.
"You too child. I know this is scary, but it's unsafe here. Please go ahead and follow the others."
"B-but! My mommy and daddy!" She gestured to the nearby bodies. "They haven't got up yet!"
Following her line of sight, Peach felt her stomach turn and fought the sudden urge to vomit. Mario and Marth and Blade Knight seemed unaffected by it, but the mother had a gaping hole in her sternum and the father's face almost entirely melted off, both wounds courtesy of a scorching Beam Sword.
Luckily, the solution lied in her arsenal.
"Don't worry sweetheart! I'll bring them back in no time." Peach smiled brightly, embracing the child in a gentle hug. She looked down as she spoke, focusing on her well being. A dangerous option, but it sounded infinitely better than noticing and accepting the piles of corpses among the stadium seating.
"Promise?" Eyes wide and mouth open, her face filled with hope.
Peach affectionately nudged the girl's nose with her index finger. "Promise." She raised both arms in the air, summoning her own magic power. "Come Back!" A blue light from above surrounded both parents, followed by a multi-colored twirling star that continued its motion until entering their bodies. Seconds later, the light dissipated and both adults regained consciousness, their wounds closed and appeared fine.
The little girl gasped, "Mommy! Daddy!" She hugged her parents before turning her head back, "Thank you Princess Toadstool!"
A Primid tried to sneak from behind, but a quick hit to the side of its face with a frying pan easily stopped it. "Oh it was my pleasure darling. But please leave this place as quickly as you can." The family nodded, thanking her again before making their escape.
Pulling Falchion from a dead Primid, he gazed at the princess with a face of awe. "Very impressive. I'd no idea of your healing talents," Marth said.
Despite the circumstances, a huge smile found its way on Peach's face. "Thank you very much! Those spells are taxing but they are worth it."
The team of four continued their mission, rescuing innocents and healing injuries and slaying Primids. Marth used his sword's tip with expert precision, slicing and parrying and slashing with the elegant grace of a master with the blade. More quick energy jabs were fired from Blade Knight's weapon, effectively disassembling enemy combatants. Mario's cape disoriented foes well, the assist before a burning fireball or powerful right hook to the jaw. He refrained from using his water pack, lacking deadly force and in case worse came to worse, he thought against ridding himself of a potential drinking supply. In between healing, Princess Toadstool mixed offense and defense, wielding her Peach Parasol like a sword and opened the umbrella for shield-like guarding.
"Blade Knight! Behind you!" Marth shouted, as five Primids appeared right under their noses. With Mario and Peach occupied with their own enemies, he picked up the pace, jumping over a chair and sprinting to lend backup. He needn't bothered as an enormous bolt of scorching hot lightning struck the very center of the Primids, instantly reducing them all to fried Shadow Bugs.
"What in the world…?" Marth trailed off. He looked at Blade Knight, who simply shrugged.
"I've seen that move before!" Shouted Mario, grabbing a Primid and spinning it around before throwing it overboard. "That's one of Prince Mallow's spells!"
A thrust of Peach Parasol poked a Primid's forehead, followed by opening the weapon and delivering a vicious spin move that smacked it in the face with the umbrella. "Mallow!" She waved afterwards. "Thank you!"
From the V.I.P. room's ledge, a bashful smile graced Mallow's features. While helping noncombatants was top priority, he couldn't help keeping an eye on old comrades. Next to him, Prince Poo threw PSI Freeze like candy, stopping Primids in their tracks and allowing innocents to flee their bloodlust. A green symbol repeatedly appeared above Soren, the pale mage summoned powerful gusts of wind, either pulling or pushing Primids off the edge of the seats.
And Princess Zelda used a teleportation spell.
Following a hunch her action involved Link, Marth focused on the center battlefield and nearly dropped Falchion in surprise.
Fighting an enormous army of Primids, Roy and Paula did their best at running and providing appropriate counters. Sadly, anyone with functioning eyesight could tell sheer numbers would overwhelm them. It was simply a matter of time.
He'd located Zelda and Link in a heated discussion with one of the previous tournament's most powerful fighters, Ganondorf. Marth didn't fail to notice how Primids actively avoided him either, displaying an allegiance of some sort.
Making matters worse, some plant-like demon held Knuckle Joe and Lyndis captive in cages around its hands, swinging them against anything nearby, friend or foe. Marth cringed when it bent over and devoured a Primid too close for comfort. The Shadow Bugs remerged consistently after every blow, though the number dwindled after each cycle.
'Not good enough.' Marth thought grimly. 'They need help. Now.'
"Mario!" He jerked his head to the center of the stadium. "We need to get over there!"
The plumber's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. "Agreed!" He turned to his princess. "Peach! Please stay back while we deal with this."
"Not a chance Mario!" She looked between the two with a scowl. "Those are the biggest threats right? I won't stand idly by while… oh my!" A trio of Primids formed beside her. The one to her left swung a clumsy punch she easily avoided, her hand already gripping her tennis racket. She smashed the Primid behind her in the face while lifting her leg and kicking the third Primid, her heel directly planting itself in its eye. Planning a second strike, the first Primid pulled a fist back but a fast, horizontal slash of Falchion right at the neckline thoroughly stopped that idea.
Stepping over the decapitated enemy, Marth gently placed a hand on Peach's shoulder. She was breathing heavily while he began to speak. "Peach. You can see for yourself what's going on over there. There's no way Link and the others can hope to survive on their own. Mario and I need to lend our support." The princess was still catching her breath. No doubt in his mind that she would be objecting this conversation's obvious trail otherwise. "At this point, I'd advise you to go back to the others. You've already helped greatly but the reality is that the Mushroom Kingdom needs its princess." He directed his attention to their other comrade. "Blade Knight, can I count on you to escort her to safety?"
The armor clad swordsman nodded, "Have no fear, I'll protect the lady with my life!"
He smiled, "Glad to hear it." Peach had started objecting, but the situation was simply too urgent to prolong the debate. He faced the Mushroom Kingdom's hero. "I lack your athletics Mario, so I'll need your assistance."
The plumber nodded, flinging Marth's right arm over his shoulder. He used his other hand to securely hold the prince's waist. The incredible strength of Mario's legs displayed clearly as he bent his legs and followed with a massive leap that easily cleared the pit separating stadium seats and the tournament battlefield.
When the pair landed, spoken words were put on halt, white-gloved fists pounding nearby Primids and the others getting a personal taste of Falchion. Seconds later, they heard the patter of landing feet and a distinctly feminine growl. Turning around, they found Peach standing behind them with her golf club close and the fallen Primid next to her had a mark on its head that perfectly matched its size.
"Princess Toadstool!" Marth exclaimed, "What on Earth are you doing?" A quick glance at their previous location revealed Blade Knight fighting independently, making his way to another area. 'How did she even get here? Her parasol perhaps?'
"Oh Marth, you're so silly. I'm helping of course." Her sunny smile had returned in full force. "I can heal them you know."
"Peach! Turn back, please!" Mario pleaded. Ganondorf, Petey Pirahna and an army of koopas and unknown things were their enemies in an environment surrounded by a gaping pit on all sides. Why couldn't she have stayed away?
Marth sighed, "Forget it Mario. We'll simply have to adapt." He addressed the princess, "Stay between us and offer assistance when necessary. Understand?"
"Right," She nodded with eyes widened. Getting a solid look at the area humbled her fast. She didn't think it was possible, but the pure chaos all around appeared less threatening from afar.
If nothing else, at least it lacked corpses of the innocent.
"We'll head for the monster first." Marth pointed at Petey Pirahna. The abomination landed after a devastating jump that crushed Primids and wounded his cage's occupants. "With luck, Knuckle Joe and Lady Lyndis can still assist us when freed."
"I've fought him before and beat him by blasting him with the water on my back and attacking him on the ground." Mario narrowed his eyes as he noticed their enemy's change in direction. "Let's-a get a move on, I think Petey's getting hungry for Paula and Roy."
In midair away from the Primids and large scale combat, two spherically shaped fighters of miniscule size fought to the death. The fake Meta Knight's larger sword had given it the edge, but once Kirby added his cutter blade to his active arsenal, his ambidextrous swordsmanship put the pair on more even terms. No, it was more than that. Weaponry played a part, but the façade copied more than appearance. Kirby hadn't forgotten the power and speed Meta Knight possessed with the blade, and this knockoff expertly emulated the skill he remembered during their past duel on the same nearby ship terrorizing the stadium. Zipping through the air, their blades clashed and clashed.
Raising both blades, Kirby swung vertically, both weapons coming down hard on the sword engulfed in purple. His opponent struggled, placing its other hand on the blunt side of his blade. It gave one hard push, throwing Kirby off long enough to throw its cape over its face and vanishing momentarily. Its appearance surprised Kirby, showing up behind him and already in mid-swing.
Caught off guard, Kirby's interception was subpar, throwing him back. His enemy took advantage of this temporary disorientation and slashed repeatedly. Even with his equipment, Kirby's dual swords failed in keeping up with fake Meta Knight's one, blade swinging with nearly equal haste as the original. He blocked some, but many attacks cut through, leaving his small body with smaller cuts.
Testing the waters, Kirby attempted Meta Knight's Mach Tornado. He spun at incredibly high speeds and performed the technique perfectly, as if he'd copied it from the real deal. The pink puffball didn't allow the surprise to faze him, the attack throwing off the imposter. He followed up with his own charge, body glowing red as he became a personal fireball.
Pseudo Meta Knight had another idea. It leapt sideways and made its own lunge while spinning. The abomination didn't feel heat the same way others did, and its Drill Rush pierced straight into Kirby, slashing him over and over and over.
He yelped in agony as he fell. 'Their fighting style. It's so-', his thought process cut off as he felt an arm being grabbed. Pseudo Meta Knight pulled its other arm back before thrusting its sword. Thinking fast, Kirby morphed to stone, the enormous weight increase immediately pulling his opponent down with him. Reforming at a random time, Kirby wasted no opportunity, already discarding his fake Galaxia and holding a large wooden hammer in both arms. He screamed with all his might, the swing crashing directly with pseudo Meta Knight's face. The impact shattered the mask, sending its remains flying in all directions. Not just the mask, Shadow Bugs leaked from its body like blood.
'Just like those things down below.'
The assault continued. Weapons put away, Kirby flapped his arms for a moment before changing back into stone. This time, the fall went right through that thing with Meta Knight's form. A form it held no longer, exploding in a large mass of Shadow Bugs. His descent kept on going until making a large dent in the battlefield floor and utterly crushing an unlucky Primid.
Kirby took a deep breath, then inhaled and rejoined the battle ignoring the trail of blood following his movements.
A/N
This chapter is longer than the other two combined and the update didn't take nearly as long. Hopefully that'll get some reviews this time. *begs*
Peach's "Come Back" is a technique from Super Mario RPG that revives fallen party members. Her other healing abilities (how she mentioned healing Knuckle Joe and Lyndis) also comes from that title. Speaking of Peach, I'll admit I'm not too pleased with how her first scene in this chapter (her decision to travel along) came out, so I'll apologize in advance for that one.
Kirby speaking: I think he does it in some of the instruction manuals. Regardless, writing him in a big fight scene and serious events of this magnitude only able to utter baby noises just seems really weird.
Playing the Midair Stadium stage again, it occurred to me late in writing this chapter that I made the battlefield way larger than it actually is. Oh well.
Since pairings are such a hot topic, I'll note that I'm not really sure where to go there. I'm probably not going to stick to canon couplings (Mario/Peach, Marth/Sheeda, etc.), but most other options are open like alternate pairings. I'm also open to het/yaoi/yuri couplings or I could even apply the challenge I do for some other fics (at least 1 male/female, 1 male/male and 1 female/female). Or I could say screw romance and not bother with any pairings, though that's unlikely.
