Disclaimer:
The Smash Brothers series belong solely to Nintendo. Other Characters belong to their respective owners.
"I knew there was something fishy around here…"
A gauntleted hand slammed the coffee table of the living room.
Marth sighed, noticing how his sudden response had practically snapped everyone around and putting attention to him. Roy came from behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Relax dude, the Master Hand has been a host for a long time. Besides, it's not like this will make the tournament different eh?"
"I don't know… but these events that have been happening: the Subspace Emissary, the sudden new Dairantou, and now this. I can't say this is all coincidental. There must be something behind all of that."
"What's-a the Subspace Emissary-a you talk about-a?" Doctor Mario asked from his position. Sat in one couch.
"Oh, I forgot some of you weren't past tournament"
"Rai rai!" Raichu said a bit exasperated, rolling his eyes.
"Hmm, I've been thinking the same as you Master Marth" from the shadows came Metaknight, covered in his cape. "That this is a sudden turn of events"
"Well, the only thing we need is to find out whom this new… er… master of ceremonies is" Roy scratched the back of his head.
"Yes, that might give some answers also" the masked swordsman nodded
"Until then, well… we can't do anything else than to wait" Ike looked at the window. Up to the darkness of the night
Dairantou Smash Brothers EX
-Event 2-
The New Host, new Rules.
Morning came to the Smasher's Mansion, where the mumbling seemed something of all days.
Who was this new Master of ceremonies was still hidden in mystery, also if there where going to be a change of rules or anything
However, besides that, most of them where cheering the return of the old smashers who had left the tournament back on Dairantou Smash Bros X.
One team was most delighted to have a companion back and that would be the 'Psycho Soldiers'.
While heading down the stairs, the psychic pokemon was greeted by Ness and his pupil Lucas.
"Good Morning Mewtwo!" Ness cheered
"Hi!" Lucas said a bit shy. He had heard about the creature's power by Ness and the least he wanted to do was to irritate him.
"Ah, good morning to you two" Mewtwo greeted "It seems today you are very energetic. I suppose you want me to train you"
"Yes sir! I was hoping this day would come" the capped boy nodded
"Hmm, I see. Well, I recommend you to eat plentiful but not too much: there is a harsh training coming up and I don't want you two whiting out in the process"
"Um… sir" Lucas spoke a bit nervous "How harsh can the training be?"
"It depends on your current power, but don't worry: I am sure that Ness' training will help you pass most of the tests I'll put you today."
At hearing a praise from him, Ness smiled but inwardly he wanted to explode of joy. He remembered back on the original Dairantou, the one so long ago: he was powerful indeed but he was unfocused. Mewtwo, as he came to Dairantou DX helped to focus and gain much more confidence to use them, one of the key elements to master PSI. Still, even though he told himself still inexperienced, being recognized as a good teacher was really fulfilling.
Noticing Ness' inner excitement, the psychic pokemon smiled.
"Alright sir!" Ness nodded "We'll head to the dinning room. Come Lucas"
"Ah! Wait for me Ness!"
Both PSI users ran as fast as they could to their direction, knocking out some Pikmin in the way.
Olimar sighed. He had arrived late from his latest mission and wasn't much presented, so he wasn't mentioned as an official battler in the rooster. Yet at seeing the invoice that came to him he knew his team and knew his acceptance. Still, he wondered why he was in 'Team Star Fox'. It didn't make much sense at all. Maybe since most teams where made of 4 they needed one extra.
"Oh dear… this is going to be a bit confusing…"
"BREAKFAST IS SERVED!!" Peach announced jolly, placing the last bit of silverware on the large table. The truth is that she was really happy to see all the smashers gathered at the table. All of them. But cooking for more than 30 was hard. Fortunately she had the help of her trusty toads and now some wadlee dee. Oh, King Dedede was really nice in bringing more servants to the smashers house. Not to mention that they where the only one that served the Pupupuland King.
"Alright you little walking puffs!" Dedede started to say as he entered the dinner area "Come and serve your king"
And so they did: they quickly brought his personal chair and carried him all the way to his place, put his appropriate silverware and plates and started to serve him the food they have prepared some hours ago. Peach was utterly baffled at how fast and how effectively such little creatures worked around their master. Not even the toads where that attent to her.
"Hmmm… makes me wonder if you love me as they do…"
"Of course we do princess!" one of the toads squeaked. Being defeated by wadlee dees was shameful to them and they would do anything to please the princess in pink.
Peach humped, finishing the last pair of sunny side up eggs made for the Mario Bros. She always dedicated herself so much to bring them a perfect meal, especially to Mario.
The other smashers would soon gather in the table, sitting with gusto and probably some even demanding the food to be served at the instant.
The Pokemon Trainer released his 3 companions and let them roam while he ate. He had already fed them earlier morning due to some extensive training. Just thinking about the new Dairantou made him unable to sleep, and his pokemon where also impatient, so what better way to train to get that excitement out?
Kirby 'poyo'-ed happily at the smell and looks of the food. He had already learned not to eat everyone's food, but just seeing it was enough to make him go wild.
He quickly run to his seat, already was preparing to eat his.
Zelda and Link came together, earning some small chuckles from Falco who was bumped with an elbow by Fox. The princess ignored such thing and thanked Link as he courteously pulled a seat for her to sit.
Olimar sat down in a special place, sealed so the air couldn't enter except the one he could breathe. He was the only smasher unable to taste the sweet air from the place due to his odd 'complexion' but still it was enjoying the food as the rest. He took his helmet and got ready to chow down, after having made sure his hordes of Pikmin where fine.
Metaknight came silently, almost at the same time the psychic pokemon came in. Both stated at each other for a brief moment before turning elsewhere and sitting on opposite sides of the table.
Lucario arrived silently also, although there where chattering coming from the rest of the pokemon: Purin, Pikachu and Raichu.
Mario and Luigi came in, talking with Dr. Mario, who apparently was telling them how many things he had done while back at the Mario Bros. home. Professor E. Gad had been a bit hyper lately and had probably done some of his mischievous things, causing the Doctor to be twice as busy. Yoshi came from behind them, following the Mario Bros.
Donkey and Diddy Kong where already savoring the huge amounts of bananas on their table, clapping as more and more came. These two probably had the biggest stomach of them all… if we don't put Kirby in the equation.
Koopa's steps slammed the marble floor as he came into the dinning room, sitting later on his big chair and growling about wanting the food now.
Game and Watch came out from the kitchen, taking out his flat cook uniform and preparing to eat his own meal: being flat required flat food.
R.O.B, being the only inorganic Smasher, was easy to feed: just some two cans of oil per day where enough to keep him satisfied, but still he liked to join by the table and chat (as he could of course) with them.
Later came Falcon, which looked like he had been working out, Ness and Lucas which where eager to finish eating to go and train and apparently had gotten lost in the mansion staring at something, Wolf who had been checking on with his Star Wolf comrades on status and finally Snake who had been also checking on status via codec. Young Link also made his appearance afterwards, saluting Ice Climber Nana who came alongside his brother. The trio sat together in a row. Wario came just after the three sat down.
Sonic suddenly appeared on the table. Maybe the speed was able to blur his movements. He winked at the pink princess who simply humped and looked to another side.
"Is it me or somebody is missing?" Peach looked at the 38 Smashers.
"Well" Link looked at the mushroom princess "Marth, Roy and Ike are currently checking how sharp their swords are for the training combat they where going to do today"
"Makes me think in joining them" a little voice came from down Link. As he looked, he realized Toon Link was under the table.
"What are you doing there?" he asked confused
"I lost my Wind Waker" the younger Link laughed nervously "Purin took it thinking it would make her sing without making people drowsy and I last saw it around here…"
"Why don't you ask her?" Zelda leaned towards him smiling "she's over there"
"Ah! I see! Thanks! You're nicer than Tetra"
Pulling himself out of the table, he ran towards the balloon pokemon.
"So, nobody else is missing beside them?" Peach asked again. The fact that people could probably be missing wasn't something she liked at all.
"There is another girl right?" Nana raised her hand as if she where on school "And another guy…"
"Ganondorf doesn't like to eat with us, you know that" Popo told her sister
"Yes, he's scary. But I meant a girl…"
"Ah, that must be Samus" Falco said while balancing a spoon on a finger "Meh, she must be training as usual."
"But can't she tell when training is over and food is served?" the princess rolled her eyes "I know she has some galaxy far away to protect but can't she wait after breakfast?"
"There are some who devote themselves to their training" Mewtwo spoke softly, not wanting to irk the princess more "Besides, it's not like you miss the other one"
"Well, it's at least a good thing Ganondorf decided not to come and eat with us…" Link mumbled
"Relax Link; even though we know how he is, he can't do as much damage as back on Hyrule" Zelda tryied to calm the hero down
"And besides" Young Link cheered "We can kick his but anytime! Right, Future Link?"
"You said it bro!" Toon Link smiled, holding his proud Wind Waker up in the air. "Besides, we all have Master Swords to do so"
"What?! You have a Master Sword? Aw man… I will get one until I grow 7 years up…"
"Tough luck" he laughed. "But at least your Zelda is nice with you…"
Young Link buried his head between his arms. The young princess Zelda. He still remembers how he met her… after scurrying along the Hyrule Palace and dodging the guards who constantly threw him outside the cold river when being found. But one cannot say it wasn't worth a shot.
Zelda smiled softly, looking at Link who would catch on her and smile back.
Suddenly, what ever commotion, talk or jokes they where having silenced as they heard some 'clack-clack' nearby the door that lead inside the dining room.
That wasn't a familiar sound they knew about, so all at unison turned their heads on to the source of the noise.
Pichu (or Raichu?), couldn't hide the chill he felt and hid behind his own tail. Pikachu's cheeks sparkled at the cold air that suddenly arrived also, causing even the Ice Climbers to tremble.
Link, Zelda and Mario looked in such direction with attention, the two males frowning at what ever entity caused this, while Zelda held her hands on her chest. Peach was still irked due the lack of 'attendance' of the remaining smashers and placed her hands on her hips.
Mewtwo and Lucario turned at unison, the psychic using his abilities to try and track down the newcomer and Lucario using his to find whether this person was somebody to trust or somebody to battle.
Ness also used his PSI abilities to find out something about the intruder but Lucas almost seemed to dissolve in his chair, trying to hide.
Metaknight looked in the direction of the sound also, waiting patiently for it to come. Kirby, who was busy eating his food, stopped and also wondered what could come from there. Dedede wouldn't care less and just sat down on his comfy chair, with hammer already in hand (being brought by his servants).
Luigi trembled in his place, deciding whether to see or not to see who was coming. Koopa leered in such direction, trying to intimidate what ever would come from there. Both Kongs waited what looked a long time.
Snake and the Star Fox team started pondering what could come, Wolf sitting there silent with eyes closed and arms crossed with no hint of fear.
And the 'clack-clack' continued, growing constant and nearer towards the door.
At that time, the trio of the 'Fire Emblem' team had gone towards the dinner room only to find the figure: tall, slim, dressed with a black vest in the ways of the Monarchy. His hair was short and combed to one side, one streak of white was sighted among his black hair. Blue dark eyes and a triangular shaped face, sharp as his nose. His skin was pallid, almost white with dark zones under his eyes which would very much compare him with the undead.
The 3 swordsmen halted to look at him and let him pass, his black shoes clanking the marble floor.
"Good Morning my dear Smashers"
But they didn't reply, instead they continued to look at him. What kind of person was this? A newcomer? From where?
"I am sorry, but I haven't introduced myself" he bowed slightly "My name is Zephir, and I shall be the new host for this Dairantou. As many have heard, neither Master nor Crazy hand will be in this tournament and I can tell you the reasons of why…"
The smashers seemed to mumble at this new individual. Ze..Zephir right?.
He didn't seem to… appropriate for this tournament, but if he was appointed by Master Hand, there couldn't be much of an objection.
"You see, after a long time, both hands where trying to put a sort of time out but with the fans going much more crazy about new tournaments it was practically impossible to do so. I think you heard that Dairantou X wasn't even planned to be but by the cries from the fans, Master Hand decided to step in and continue. But we all know that he wasn't much unsure of it and if to continue"
"But…" Nana interrupted the man "…I thought he liked Smash Brothers! He made it"
"Yes, but consider the creators: they have to vigilate each of your moves, your triumphs and losses and make it perfect so there is a true winner. You know how Master Hand is when making his tournaments"
The Smashers nodded unison.
At that point, Marth, Roy and Ike joined them at the table.
"So what's-a going to happen-a?" Mario asked "Will Master Hand-a return?"
"Probably yes" Zephir responded dryly "But for the moment, I shall be the one in charge for this smash, let me tell you to all that there are interesting changes and new challenges awaiting for you"
"ALRIGTH!" Toon Link raised his fist to the air, but at seeing no answer he decided to withdraw
"What kind of changes?" Fox asked
"Well, if I told you it wouldn't become a challenge would it?" the man smiled, but instead of making them more comfortable it intensified the chill on the spine. His smile was much scarier than Ganondorf, and that was just saying something. "But yes, I can tell you some: for once, the teams will remain as they are now"
Some of them sighed, those including Ness which knew that Mewtwo would be in theirs and in the case of the 'Famicon' one, the Ice Climbers wouldn't be separated (as some had stated to them to probably frighten them). Some others, like Wario, wondered why he couldn't just be alone, and Wolf just pondered if they could just change the name for something less… fox.
"Second, there will be new items within the stock you have now. And due to that, I am afraid that there will be no need for Assist Trophies"
"What?!" some chanted.
"Relax… we don't need them anyways…" Falco rolled his eyes
"Heh… poor Shadow…" Sonic snickered "Buuuuut… I guess he won't miss being here: he was always complaining about it anyways"
"Well, at least the arena will be less confusing" Olimar stated in his little whispery voice.
"Third, I am thinking that the challenges will not involve pure fighting: some of you might have less battle skills than others but excel at something. As such I will prepare some other 'melees' of other kind"
Game and watch beeped happy. He did fight well, but he really wanted to try something else for a change.
"Finally, a way to prove I am faster than any of you" Falcon said
"Yeah… like that will happen" Sonic sneered
"I suppose that's a challenge hedgehog?"
"Right-o"
"Also" Zephir interrupted the two "Your powers have been awfully lowered to meet the Smash standards and some of you and the fans have complained by this. As such, beginning right now I will release all the strains and let your full powers flow"
"Wait!" Link intervened "Isn't that dangerous? I mean… there are some others that might use their powers for something not intended"
"Please relax 'Hero of Time', for I will be watchful. Everyone's powers will be in full potential, unless they break some 'barriers' I will call them. Those using them for undesired purposes shall not only have them powered down, but removed."
"Well plumber, it's a shame… but I guess I can't crush you"
"Right Koopa, like-a you've done it before-a"
"Grrrrr! I'll get you later!"
Zelda placed one assuring hand on Link's shoulder, looking at his eyes peacefully trying to calm him.
"If he is going to do such, I don't think we should worry"
"But… you know what Ganondorf is capable of. Once he gets to know this…"
"Just trust Link… trust is this man, in our goddesses protection and most importantly: trust me"
The hero nodded slowly. He cannot say he can trust such man, but surely he can trust in her. Besides, Toon Link was right in something: he had the sword of Evil's Bane. There was nothing to fear as long as he had that and Zelda by his side.
"How about in battle?" Mewtwo asked. Yes, finally the restrains the tournament had placed on him vanished, but that was no reason to be happy. For once, what if something went wrong? "You know, in the tournament"
"Yeah, we have children here" Peach pointed at the side where Ness, Lucas, Popo and Nana where.
"The reason I am letting you use your full power is to make you stronger. Of course, this doesn't mean you are able to give massive damage to your opponent" Zephir replied coolly "As I said before: if anybody is using them for undesired purposes then I shall personally deal with them"
"So no killing them, huh?" Snake joked "Well, it's not like I wanted to do that in the first place…"
Marth had atently heard the whole conversation and was starting to get an odd feeling from all this. From this tournament and from the man and his rules. What else could he bring up to the smashers?.
Metaknight looked at him in cue, telling him with the sight he also thought the same: this was getting a bit awkward.
"So, when does this tournament start?" Roy asked anxious "I really want to start up with the slashing and stuff"
"Well, today is the official announcement of me as host and me telling what I've told you just now. The tournament itself shall start next week so I suggest you start training to give it all you've got"
"Got it!" Ness was able to speak finally "See Lucas? We will finally be able to see how much we've progressed"
"Uhu… I guess..." the other boy replied shyly.
"He he he he, this is going to be really fun" Dedede smirked, looking at Kirby who flinched.
"So, until then Smash Brothers"
The figure turned and left the place silently, only being noted by the 'clank' on the floor.
Night seem to fall quickly that day, with the announcement already given in the stadium, where fans apparently had stayed to sleep due the emotion.
Samus heard the news and frowned: full power? So that means she could use her charged combos?.
That sounded neat, but she knew those would deal a big damage to her foes, if not killing them or severely wound them.
Although she didn't tended to pass her time with them, she had grown to respect them and at some point liking them. She couldn't say they where bad, after all, she had stayed in the Mansion for as long as the tournaments have lasted. At some point, it was her place to call home.
Then, a chill came to her back and she turned quickly.
A shadowed cloaked figure stood in the balcony whose doors where open, letting the chilly air enter.
But that didn't make her flinch or make her go to her Power suit: she actually smiled.
"Evening Mewtwo"
"Good Evening to you too Samus"
The pokemon entered to her room, one of the few people who could do so actually. Either because of paranoia or just because she just wanted to be left alone in her room, nobody was even able to glance to it, reason why her windows where polarized.
She turned herself towards the TV set which was giving the news to the world.
"So you know…"
"Yes, and I say I am partially surprised by this turn of events" Samus crossed her arms. "I didn't expect to lift the 'seals' that made our powers 'smashing'"
"Indeed, but I cannot say I am not thrilled by it: for once, I was one of the most affected back at DX"
"Sure, I remember that" a smirk on her face "That was what you whined about after I defeated you back on the pokemon Stadium. Your face was priceless"
"Tch, again with that?" he replied in an amused sourness
"Why, you can't say it wasn't fun"
"Sure… it was very fun that you left me hanging on the rim of the stadium after basically being already knocked out by a snorlax-bellosom combo…"
"You where asking for it, back when you threw me to that pit of lava"
"You have your Varia Suit…"
"Right, then again… I didn't win DX tournament either. So well…"
"I guess we can fix that out now with this tournament"
"Yeah"
Silence. Both watched the TV screen and the excitement the fans cried and scram. The stadium would probably explode.
"So" Samus spoke again "We have a week to find out more about this new Dairantou"
"Yes, but I will be busy training myself and the kids"
"Oh, you mean Lucas and Ness?"
"Precisely"
"Wow, those kids seem to like you"
"I suppose you can put it that way" Mewtwo crossed his arms "But I am nothing more than a guide, a teacher. Anybody could do the job if they wanted"
"But they chose you"
"And I accepted as well, so I can't deny this responsibility"
And they fell into silence again, only interrupted by the TV. Most of their conversations where like this: a brief talk and silence. That's what she liked about him. He wasn't as noisy and as 'explosive' as the rest of the smashers.
"One week… this will get interesting…"
From afar but the same height, wings sprang open welcoming the moonlight.
Often wondering what kind of event would it come sooner.
Pit looked at the starry sky and the distant moon, wishing to be able to know what time stored for them all.
So we have a new Master of Ceremonies and new rules.
How will the smashers react now?
And what will be the challenges?
Stay tuned to next episode!