I've been really busy for a while, and I'm sorry to say I kind of forgot about this story. But I promised I would finish it, and I never break a promise. I've decided to compress the remaining chapters into one chapter, so this is going to be the end. A little rushed, maybe, but that's what happens when you don't plan a story very well, so sorry about that. Let me know if you liked it anyway, and tell me if I should improve anywhere, because I'll definitely be writing more. Thanks for everything!

The newly christened Defenders of Light marched solemnly down the main hallway of the forgotten Smashers' base.

" 'Defenders of Light' ?" asked Sonic. "Wow, that's creative. Master Hand would approve."

"What would you prefer?" replied Mario. "I was kind of put on the spot. Besides, it doesn't matter. We'll disband after Crazy Hand is dead, and that'll be the end of it. We'll go our separate ways."

"I never really feel alive unless we're together like this, all fighting for the same thing," said Ike. "I fight for my friends, after all."

What about us? We'll be gone as soon as this is over, and then what? We're forgotten. They don't want us back.

" 'They' ?" asked Link, turning toward Mewtwo. "Who do you mean?"

We weren't chosen to return as Smashers. We've essentially been replaced. Are you familiar with Rosalina? Or Greninja?

"What about them?" asked Samus.

Let's just say you'll be meeting them, along with a few others, before too long.

Tabuu opened a portal to Subspace when the group reached the end of the hallway. "You do know, of course, that Crazy Hand will be waiting for us," he reminded.

"WHAT?" shrieked Sonic. "Why?!"

"He knows all," replied Tabuu simply. "He has destroyed the entire World of Trophies, and the only way to restore it is for us to kill him. That will undo what he has done. Of course, that would also restore all of the Smashers whose souls have been wiped away by Crazy Hand, so destroying him would clearly be the best course of action for everyone. Of course, there may be unintended consequences, but whatever. You should also keep in mind that any of us who fall in the battle will stay dead unless the others can finish Crazy Hand."

The group walked through Subspace, fear growing on them with every step. They were sure they could feel Crazy Hand's malevolent presence around them, growing stronger with every step they took. They waited for the moment to arrive, wanting it to be over, wanting the wait to end and the final battle to begin…

And then it happened.

Crazy Hand came out of nowhere, rocketing like a bullet, smashing into Dr. Mario and obliterating him. Pichu and Sonic suffered the same fate.

Mario couldn't believe it. Three Defenders of Light dead already. They would never win.

"You'll never beat me!" screeched Crazy Hand. "I am unstoppable! Your agony feeds me, and I grow stronger! And I'll make sure there's plenty of pain to go around!"

"No," said Tabuu suddenly. "I'll kill you myself. Alone."

"Tabuu, no!" said Ike. "What are you doing?"

"I was the one who killed Master Hand. This is all my fault," replied Tabuu solemnly. "I will kill Crazy Hand, even at the cost of my life. I don't want to exist anymore; if I can balance my evil with good, then I can die peacefully. I'm not a Smasher, I won't come back if I die. And that's all right with me."

And with that, Tabuu leaped at Crazy Hand, wrapping his wings around the two of them and delivering Off Wave after Off Wave directly into Crazy Hand. Crazy Hand screamed, twisting around, his body in flames, as he grabbed Tabuu and began trying to crush him. Rings of energy soared out from the two enemies, and as the Defenders of Light watched in awe, they witnessed Tabuu versus Crazy Hand, Crazy Hand versus Tabuu, and it was an awe-inspiring battle. The two enemies locked in combat, the light flaring out from them, brighter than the brightest star, and deep down, the Defenders of Light knew that they were seeing the fate of everything being written before their eyes.

At last, Crazy Hand's movements grew weaker, and the Defenders of Light began to wonder if it was really over, if he was really finished, but there was no doubt in their minds when Crazy Hand exploded, sending the Smashers flying in all directions, creating a glow like the sun. The Smashers saw their friends and allies reawakening around them, saw the other Smashers' souls being restored. And they saw Tabuu die, his body fading away.

Would they mourn him? Mario didn't know, and privately, he thought it would be better to just let Tabuu move on. It was what he would have wanted.

Through the eyes of Subspace, they saw the World of Trophies being restored and healed, and Mario was aware of several Smashers, especially the healed ones, crying with relief, but all he could feel was an all-consuming happiness.

Until his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden burst of energy behind him. Mario and the crowd of Smashers-no more Defenders of Light now-turned to see a group of unfamiliar people. A woman in blue stepped forward to introduce herself.

"I'm Rosalina, with Luma here," she announced. "We've been called here to become Smashers. This is Villager, Wii Fit Trainer, Mega Man, Little Mac, and Greninja."

Mario blinked speechless, wishing Master Hand were here to deal with this.

"Ask and you shall receive!" boomed a voice from the distance.

So that's it, then. Pretty rushed, but I left this story hanging for too long, and I wanted to finish it. I'll be sure to plan my next story a little better. Thanks again for everything, and I hope you'll read more of my stories! I just started a Legend of Zelda story, so why not read it and tell me what you think? Thank you again!