How long do you have to wait for a new character to be selectable under the "Characters" tab? Or is whoever responsible just waiting for the Japanese launch so they only have to do it once more for the next 5-6 years…
Chapter 4: Heropon Hype!
It was the middle of the night, and Princess Peach was walking through the dark halls of the Smash Mansion, making her way to the kitchen in order to get a midnight snack. However, in the darkness she suddenly saw something.
She just froze and began to scream in terror.
The entire mansion had been woken up by Princess Peach's screams. And if they hadn't, they had been woken up by everyone suddenly running around in a rather loud panicked way. Shulk was no exception. He had heard the screams and quickly rushed out, not exactly caring that he was only in his boxers, although to be fair very few other Smashers were concerned about what they were wearing right now either, they were only concerned that the screams had stopped.
Within a few minutes, they had found the unconscious Princess Peach. Mario and Samus rushed over to Princess Peach. Samus had quickly transformed into her power suit and had begun to scan the body. "She's alive." Samus said. "Just unconscious."
Mario just lightly shook her to wake her up. "Peach, are you okay?" Mario asked.
It took Peach several seconds to take in her surroundings. "Yes." She finally said.
"What happened?" Mario asked
Peach just looked up at Mario and the other Smashers. "I was making my way to the kitchen to get some food, and then there was some round creature." Peach said. "It was carrying a stick and then attacked me..."
Shulk felt his heart sink. "Oh no…" He muttered.
"WHAT!?" Bowser roared. "No one attacks Princess Peach!" and with that he was off to scour the mansion for this intruder.
The Smashers began to disperse, either to get changed to look for the intruder, or to just look for the intruder despite their current attire. Shulk on the other hand just returned back to his room. He lied on his bed for several minutes looking up at the ceiling.
"Damn it Riki." He eventually said getting dressed and putting the Monado on his back. He hoped that he would be able to find the Nopon before anyone else in the mansion did, mainly because he was afraid of someone getting hurt. Despite Riki's rather cute appearance, he was extremely dangerous. He closed his eyes to try and see a vision of where the intruder was, but none came. He just quickly began to rush through the mansion. The Monado began to glow, and he was covered in a dark blue aura. He began to run through the mansion, looking for the intruder.
However, when he finally found the intruder, it was too late. Someone else had gotten to him first.
"We caught him!" Toon Link laughed. He was surrounded by Ness, Lucas, and Villager. With all of them being in pajamas, it looked more like Toon Link was carrying a giant stuffed animal for a sleepover, rather than an actual living creature. Toon Link was holding what looked like a blonde and red furry ball above his head. It was currently squirming. But, it looked like Toon Link had some experience with catching animals and wasn't going to letting go that easily.
"Honestly, Riki, I thought I told you you couldn't come." Shulk said.
"Shulk?!" Riki said surprised. "Riki happy to find someone who knows how to treat Heropon!"
Toon Link looked up at Shulk. "You know him?" Toon Link asked.
Shulk just nodded. "This is Riki, one of my companions from 6 months back. He's a Nopon, a species from my world."
Riki just broke free from Toon Link's grip and then wrapped his long ears around Shulk, hugging the Homs. "Shulk, Riki scared! They going to kill Heropon!"
"Well, if you didn't come here, you wouldn't be in this predicament." Shulk sighed. Riki however saw the Monado on his back and jumped away from Shulk.
"Zanza's Monado!"
"Relax Riki, it's a replica." Shulk said.
"You Shulk, or Zanza?" Riki said, holding his stick with what looked to be a sown together sock puppet at the end of it, a biter, in his ears.
"Riki, it' s me Shulk."
Riki just looked at Shulk, it was quite clear he didn't trust him. "Riki not trust you, if you use Zanza Monado!" Riki said. "Where Shulk's Monado?"
Shulk just pulled the biter out of Riki's ears and lifted him up by the vest. He was ready to gave Riki back to Toon Link. "Well, what do you do with intruders." Shulk said.
"Well, we bring them to Master Hand, and depending on their circumstances, they may be punished." Toon Link said. "Seeing as how he attacked Princess Peach though, I think he might be killed."
"Okay then." Shulk said. "Take him away to be punished."
"Shulk, you betray Riki?" Riki asked with his eyes full of tears.
"You're the one who sneaked into the mansion." Shulk sighed. "And a few seconds ago you didn't even believe that I was the real Shulk, you thought that Zanza was back. Sorry, but rules are rules..."
Riki just broke free of Shulk's grip and began to run away.
Out of nowhere, Villager pulled out a bug net and swung it down to try and catch Riki, he however missed. Lucas and Ness rushed for the nopon, however Riki turned around. "Yoink!" He said as he passed Lucas. Suddenly in Riki's ears was a stick that he had stolen from Lucas. He swung it at Ness who blocked the attack with a baseball bat.
"Riki stop this!" Shulk said.
Toon Link pounced at Riki and grabbed Riki, who just began to struggle to get out of his grip. One of Riki's long ears and tried to push Toon Link away. He was successful in pushing Toon Link away, and then overpowering Ness. However out of nowhere water suddenly splashed Riki.
Riki just looked around in shock. Kid Smashers just backed away from Riki, and then something quickly moved in and grabbed Riki. It was a long slender, amphibian like creature. One that Shulk had seen in the folder as Greninja, but had not actually seen around the mansion. Riki just began to struggle in Greninja's hand, but the Pokemon wasn't letting him go.
Greninja just began to walk away.
"Shulk!" Riki cried out.
"What just happened?" Shulk asked.
"That was Greninja." Toon Link sighed. "Master Hand's personal ninja pokemon bodyguard."
"I see..." Shulk said.
"We'll it's all over now." Villager sighed. "It's not going to escape again."
Ness just began to yawn. "Maybe we should return back to bed…"
Toon Link just glanced up at Shulk. "Actually, shouldn't we at least follow him and find out what happens?"
"I guess." Shulk said.
"Well, you guys can." Ness yawned. "I'm getteing back to bed."
"Same." Villager added on.
"It's fate is pretty much sealed now." Ness said.
The two walked away. Lucas however stayed with Shulk and Toon Link. "I don't want him to be hurt." Lucas said. "I mean he did break into the mansion and a bunch of stuff, but… I think he's just scared… He's in a strange place that he's not used to. He's also probably really young, away from his mother, and afraid..."
"He's 40 years old." Shulk said.
Lucas just looked up in shock at Shulk. "What?!"
"Don't let the Nopon's cute looks fool you." Shulk said. "They have no problem using that to trick people to get their way."
Lucas just looked around nervously. "Guys, are we going to follow Greninja or not?" Toon Link asked.
They followed Greninja to Master Hand's office, and walked inside. Greninja had placed Riki on Master Hand's desk and just stayed there. Riki had decided that the best course of action was to play dead, so he was now just lying on the table.
"What is this rat?" Master Hand asked.
"It's a Nopon from my world." Shulk said. "It's what Princess Peach saw in the dark and screamed waking everyone in the mansion."
Master Hand just looked at it. Riki continued to play dead, unfortunately for Riki, Master Hand wasn't an idiot who would be tricked by such things.
He snapped his fingers and some electricity shocked Riki back up. He looked at the giant hand and as if on instinct he reached for where his biter would normally be hanging across his back, however he forgot that Shulk had taken it.
"You've trespassed into my mansion." Master Hand said. "You've attacked one of my Smashers. Do you know what is about to happen to you?"
"Riki scared, Riki away from home, Riki want his mommypon." Riki tried to plead that he was a child, and use his cuteness to take advantage of others.
"Master Hand, he's 40 years old and has 14 children." Shulk said.
Master Hand didn't budge. "You're also taking me for a fool." Master Hand said. Riki was just constantly getting more and more nervous.
"Riki just want to find Shulk!" Riki eventually said. "Shulk, Riki's friend! Riki thought Shulk was in danger."
Shulk could just feel that the hand was staring at him, waiting for a response. Toon Link just nudged Shulk in the side. "I told him what I told the rest of my companions." Shulk said. "That I was leaving for this job."
"You sneaked on board my ship." Master Hand said. "You will have to be punished for trespassing."
Riki just began to shake in fear.
However, before judgement could be passed on the Heropon, another hand appeared. "IT'S SO CUTE!" The other hand shouted. "Can we keep it, can we brother?! Please!? Pretty Please with sugar on top?!"
Shulk just looked in confusion at the other hand.
"Oh, that's Master Hand's brother, Crazy Hand." Lucas whispered.
Shulk just watched as Master Hand began to twitch in frustration. Riki saw this as his chance to survive and quickly rushed to Crazy Hand and began to rub against him like a cat.
"No, you can't." Master Hand firmly replied back.
Crazy Hand just snapped. "You don't love me, do you? You hate your own flesh and blood, your own little brother!? Don't you remember what you promised Mommy Hand and Daddy Hand on their death beds? That you would always look after me, and make sure that I was happy?"
Master Hand just continued to twitch in frustration. "That never happened, and our parents are still alive." Master Hand said, despite not having teeth, it sure sounded a lot like Master Hand was talking through clenched teeth. Something was telling Shulk, that this was a reoccurring argument.
"And just look at you, now you're just going to kill this hopeless animal!"
"Actually, I was thinking about making it an assist trophy." Master Hand said.
"You heartless monster- wait what?"
"I was thinking of making it an assist trophy." Master Hand repeated. "Kids go crazy for the cute things, who cares if its actually some lying, cheating, stealing, old man with 14 children, and a falling apart marriage. If they think it's cute, they'll like it. And we need a few other things form Shulk's worlds anyways."
"Riki hurt..."
"Thank you brother!" Crazy Hand said, suddenly scooping up Riki in the palm of his hand and then flying out of the room. Shulk just stood there still holding onto Riki's biter.
"Well, I'll inform Princess Peach that she just stepped on a new assist trophy's ears or something and she just surprised it, and it just fought back in self defense." Master Hand said. "Now then, Shulk, I trust you're getting adjusted to the new place."
"Yes." Shulk replied.
"Good. Toon Link, Lucas."
"Yes?" the two boys said.
"Go get some sleep. Shulk, there is a stage that we're building for you, and I'd like your thoughts on some of it. It's almost complete, so could you come to see me tomorrow?"
"Sure." Shulk replied.
"All right, you're all dismissed." Master Hand said.
Shulk just walked back with Lucas and Toon Link to their rooms. Much to his surprise, he found out that the Kid Smashers were all bunking in the same room. They also had bunk beds and a lot more space than his meager room.
"Well, see you later Shulk." Toon Link yawned.
"Right." Shulk said.
Shulk made his way back to his room and just lied on his bed. He drifted off to sleep, and was soon woken up by someone pounding at the door.
"Shulk, get out hear right now!" Someone was roaring. He didn't recognize the voice; of course, he barely had names down at this point. The pounding continued at the door, and Shulk slowly made his way to it. He reached for the door and began to open it, and then a vision occurred.
The door would be forced open and a scaly fist would rush right for his head.
He just jumped back as the door opened, behind the door was Bowser. He swung once again, not exactly noticing that the door was open, and fell forwards onto the ground.
"Morning, Bowser." Shulk said. "What brings you here at this hour?"
Bowser just got up and glared at Shulk. "Where is it, where is that rat that attacked Princess Peach?"
"You mean Riki?" Shulk said. "I have no idea, he was taken to Master Hand, and then Crazy Hand took him. Anyways he's an assist trophy now."
"He's an assist trophy? Thanks!" Bowser said running away.
Shulk just looked a bit surprised. A few Smashers rushed in to see if Shulk was okay after Bowser had been pounding at the door. "Are you all right?" Link asked.
"Yeah, Bowser just wanted to know where Riki was…"
"Riki?" Mario asked.
"The thing that Peach saw this morning and woke up half the mansion." Shulk replied.
"Then Riki might be in danger…" Mario said.
"We better follow Bowser." Link said. "What did you say to him?"
"That Riki was an assist trophy now." Shulk replied.
The two just nodded. "Follow us." Link said, as they ran off. Shulk followed behind, and they made their way outside to another building, a slightly smaller mansion. They had caught up to Bowser, who was still outside. "This is the assist trophy's lodging." Link explained.
"So, Riki would be in here." Shulk said.
"Yes." Mario said.
Bowser pounded on the door and then walked in. Shulk, Link, and Mario just followed. As they stepped in a dog began to bark at them. Bowser however just glared at him, and the dog ran away scared.
"Oh, Link!" A voice said. Approaching them was a man with white hair, and was wearing a red cape. "What brings you here at this hour?"
"We're just making sure that Bowser doesn't do anything stupid." Link said.
"Who's the new guy?" The person asked.
"I'm Shulk."
"And I'm Demon Lord Ghirahim. Your sword…" Ghirahim was staring at the Monado on Shulk's back, he just licked his lips, and suddenly appeared behind him. He took the sword off of Shulk's back and just ran his hand up it. "Speak to me…"
Much to Shulk's shock, the Monado activated.
"Such excellence, even though you're just a replica." Ghirahim said. Ghirahim just walked over to Bowser. "So, now why are you here big boy?"
Bowser just backed away a little bit creeped out by Ghirahim. "I came to find someone who attacked Princess Peach last night."
He laughed. "Oh, you mean that ugly rat."
"Where is it?"
"No idea." Ghirahim said. "But I can tell you, he's not here. Now leave, you're not welcome."
Bowser just turned around. Shulk however stayed there. "Can you give me back my Monado."
Ghirahim just smiled. "Do you really need this replica? Can't you summon one?" Shulk however just remained quiet. "Ah well. Fine take it." He deactivated the Monado and handed it over to Shulk. They then left.
"How was he able to activate the Monado?" Shulk asked. "No one else but me was able to do it here."
"Ghirahim is a sword demon." Link replied. "Put a sword in front of him, and he will tell you everything about it."
They got back to the main mansion and soon found Riki and Pikachu in the living room. The two were fighting. "You!" Pikachu shouted outraged, constantly trying to tackle Riki, however, Riki was just dodging each attack effortlessly.
"Riki new mascot." Riki said.
"Give it back!" Pikachu shouted.
However Crazy Hand came in and swatted Pikachu away. "Geeze, Pikachu, just because you're not as popular as Riki, doesn't mean you can attack him."
Perhaps what one of the scariest things about Riki and his thief abilities was that he wasn't just simply limited to physical objects. He could also steal enemies health, and experience. Or in this case, as Shulk had deduced, Riki stole Pikachu's popularity.
Shulk just walked up towards Riki. "That's not very nice, Riki."
"Shulk!" Riki said shocked.
"Return what you stole." Shulk said.
Riki just looked at Pikachu. "Fine." He said. A bright light went from Riki back to Pikachu, who just continued to glare at Riki.
"Now then, Riki." Shulk said. "You're going to have to apologize to Princess Peach for this morning."
"Riki don't want to, old lady attack Riki."
"Old lady?!" Peach shouted outraged.
Bowser just charged at Riki, Shulk jumped out of the way to avoid the attack. Riki also dodged Bowser's attack, and then ran away.
"Get back here!" Bowser shouted chasing after the Heropon.
"Mario, should we try and stop Bowser?" Link sighed.
"I don't think Bowser is going to be able to catch Riki any time soon." Mario replied. "I'd be more worried about the furniture caught in the crossfire."
Suddenly, there was a loud snap, followed by Master Hand shouting. "CRAZY HAND!"
"I think we better just go find somewhere else to be right now…" Link said.
All of the Smashers that had been in the living room exited out and did their best to hide from the wrath of Master Hand.
Shulk however grabbed the Monado with the intent to go and stop Master Hand, however he received a vision.
It didn't end well.
"Sorry, Riki." Shulk said, just trying to follow the other Smashers.
Could Riki steal someone's popularity? I don't know, it just seemed like the logical conclusion for his stealing ability to me. Considering he's able to steal stats...
I actually had "Riki Sneaky!" as what Riki said when stealing Lucas' stick... That's a completely different attack... But for whatever reason it just stuck out and it seemed to me like it was the proper name... (Actually I really haven't had Riki in my current Xenoblade team build...)
Up next: Metal Face!