-ALL CHARACTERS ARE COPYRIGHT NINTENDO, SEGA AND KONAMI.-

Dead: Popo, Nana, Jigglypuff, R.O.B., Fox McCloud, Wario, King Dedede

Peach, who still sat on the ground against the wall, had been crying when the cards went up. When she looked up, the world around her blurring into a sea of colours, she heard a voice call out to her. "It's time, Peach." Lucario said, kneeling down to her. She wiped the tears from her face, and the world seemed to gain shapes... outlines of shapes at least, with details still being lost in a sea of smudged colours.

Peach, shaking and tired, stood up. She looked at the screen to see her challengers. In her head, she ran through her opponents. Toon Link-easy. He was childish and didn't know much about tactics or strategy. Olimar-he would be a challenge. He was creative, but relied too much on his Pikmin friends. Snake would be a challenge-a lot of explosives, and stealth evasion. Peach sighed.

She walked towards the steel doors and saw, hope lighting up inside her like a fire, Mario. The fat, Italian-American plumber lay asleep on the ground. She looked at Luigi who mouthed a phrase to her. Two words. "Good luck."

She smiled and gave Luigi a slight nod of acknowledgement. She then turned around and walked toward the battlefield, the torchlight engulfing her

She looked to her left and right. Olimar and Toon Link stood at her sides, Snake slightly ahead of them. Olimar knocked on his helmet, and frowned. "Yeah. Good luck guys." Toon Link said.

Peach stayed silent. How could one talk during these times? We're going to die... three of us anyway. She thought, quickly approaching the large steel doors looming over her like the walls of a giant maze.

As she approached the doors, not paying attention to the argument Toon Link was having with Snake, she reached her hand out and laid her palm on the door. The chill of the metal sent a chill down her spine, and gave her goosebumps-although the latter may be because she was terrified.

With a loud clanking sound that echoed throughout the hallway, the doors started to slowly open, creating a low humming sound. They couldn't see out behind the doors, everything was just a bright white light. A voice echoed through her head-Lucario's words. It'll be over soon. She sighed. I know.

Then she disappeared into the bright white light.

Mario woke with a shock. A literal shock-Pikachu was standing over him shooting electricity from his cheeks. "Ow ow ow ow ow!" he yelled, jumping up from the ground. As he did, he looked around. "Pikachu, weren't we just in the big room with everyone else?" he asked, already knowing the answer. Pikachu just scurried around, but looked at Mario and nodded. "Pika!"

Before Mario could answer, a blue streak of light appeared from the ceiling. The now-familiar laugh echoed off the walls, and Tabuu appeared a second later. "Congratulations on both your victories." he bellowed, glaring at the two fighters in front of him. "You both put up a great fight, and now you two will be able to stay here, watch the battles," he boomed, a television appearing from the ceiling, "and because I'm nice, I'll let you visit your dead friends."

Mario and Pikachu were taken aback. Visit your dead friends. Tabuu obviously sensed their surprise, and turned away from them. "Although they are dead-I'm not that powerful-I froze them as trophies," he smiled mischievously over his shoulder at the two victors, "for you to remember how you killed them." he finished, pulling a string from the ceiling to move a curtain. It revealed a long hallway with glass chambers. Inside each chamber held a trophy. A reminder of what they'd done.

Mario and Pikachu walked into the hallway, and looked at the six trophies currently on display. "As soon as another one dies, they'll instantly get transported here!" Tabuu yelled before disappearing.

Mario stopped. He looked at the three people he fought, and instantly his heart sank. He recalled the memories of the fight-burning Wario to death, breaking Fox's jaw, and sending Dedede into the distance.

Pikachu looked at the three people he'd killed. Shocking Jigglypuff to death, and skull bashing Nana so her ribs broke and she collapsed to the ground. He whimpered and let out a quiet "Pikaaaa." before walking away.

Peach was hurt, bad. Her heart beating so hard, it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest at any moment. Toon Link had been blown up, and a severed arm was laying only a few feet from her. Olimar looked badly hurt, he had bruises on his face, and his helmet was cracked in several places. He now walked with a limp. Snake hadn't been hit, it was almost impossible. If you got too close you got blown up, like Toon Link had, and cowering only made him taunt you-which made you get so angry you wanted to punch him... and then get blown up.

Peach stood no chance. In only a short time Olimar will die, and then she'll be the final target.

Lucario looked up, worried, at the screen. He wanted Snake to die, he couldn't stand him. C'mon Peach! he thought. You can beat him.