Swordplay
bijoukaiba: Hey everyone! I just got through a TON of Pre-Calc work... sheesh, how much homework can one endure?
Peach: How should I know? Toad does everything for me!
bijoukaiba: Meh, can't think of anything to say. A new smasher will appear in the next 1-2 chapters! OOH! AAH!
Yoshi: Hur. Ararara hup hup Yoshi. (Hmph. Too bad it can't be Birdo...)
bijoukaiba: Less complaining, more disclaiming!
Yoshi: Oshiyoshi oshi hur ararara, oshiyo, hur hup arara. (bijoukaiba doesn't own SSBM, Nintendo, or its characters.)
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Chapter 7: Teamwork!
The next morning, Crazy and Master had more announcements to make.
"Good morning, everyone, we have a new set of challenges for everyone to complete! I realize Fox enjoyed Classic Mode yesterday, so we've added a new set of matches... a series we call Event Mode! There are various challenges, some specifically for a certain fighter, and others for anyone to try to complete. For example, one of the first matches is for Mario."
Several smashers turned around and glanced at Mario, who explained he didn't know anything about it.
"We have also introduced a new prototype of artificial fighter, known as a wireframe. We have based one on a male fighter and one on a female fighter. Taking simple fist-fighting and body size into consideration, these wire frames are based on Captain Falcon and Zelda."
The bounty hunter exchanged a smile with the princess, sitting next to him.
"These wireframes can be fought against in Multi-Man Melee matches! The options include 10-man, 100-man, 3-minute, 15-minute, Endless Melee- where you fight until you can't fight anymore, and Cruel Melee- where the frames won't stop until you're vanquished!"
Grins and chatter resumed.
"There is a bit of bad news, however; due to the demand for improving records..." Master glanced in particular at Mario, Jigglypuff, Yoshi, and Ness. "Due to the demand of improving records in melee fights, we have decided to eliminate the option of an extra Classic Mode fight; therefore the limit is now one Adventure per day and one Classic preceded by four fights a day as well. This way, those with poor records can improve!"
Despite the explanation, several groans and sighs were heard amidst the fighters, Bowser groaning loudest of all.
Once again, this was Crazy's turn to interrupt his brother. "There is more good news! We are willing to cancel your current matches for today for..."
"For what?" Ness asked.
"TEAM BATTLES!!!" Crazy shouted. He's been shouting so much, you'd think some of the smashers would've gone deaf by now. "If you all agree to cancel your matches for today, we will schedule team matches! Some of you will be required to change clothes for the team colors: red, blue, and green. If your team WINS a team match, you and your teammate will be awarded a win for each! If you lose, neither of you will be penalized for your loss. Putting that to consideration, would you like to engage in team battles today?"
Silence. And then...
"PIKACHU!!" (FINE BY ME!!)
"I agree-a with Pikachu!"
"Mario's right, this could be fun!"
"Frankly, I don't give a damn, but whatever..."
Crazy nodded to Master, who displayed that day's matches before completely erasing them.
"Very well then," Master agreed. "Here are the NEW matches for today!"
Mushroom Kingdom: 10:00 am
RED TEAM: Ice Climbers x Kirby
vs.
BLUE TEAM: Peach x Yoshi
Poke'mon Stadium: 11:00 am
BLUE TEAM: Donkey Kong x Ness
vs.
GREEN TEAM: Jigglypuff x Zelda
Hyrule Temple: 1:00 pm
GREEN TEAM: Captain Falcon x Samus (hmm... I wonder who liked this match-up?)
vs.
RED TEAM: Bowser x Mario (gee, I wonder of either of these two liked this partnership...)
Termina: 2:00 pm
RED TEAM: Link x Marth
vs.
BLUE TEAM: Fox x Pikachu
"These are your teammates for today, but remember: Today's friend can be tomorrow's enemy..." Crazy droned.
There was silence amidst the smashers, some glancing nervously at their teammates.
"Wait a minute," Captain Falcon argued, "isn't the saying supposed to be 'yesterday's enemy is today's friend'?"
"DO NOT QUESTION ME!!!" Crazy roared. Several fighters covered their ears.
Jigglypuff waved at Zelda two tables away. "Iggly! Jiggly jigglypuff?" (Zelda! Can I sit with you?)
Zelda turned to Captain Falcon, Fox, and Popo, who were sitting with her.
"Hey, would any of you volunteer to switch seats with-"
"I'll do it!" Captain Falcon quickly volunteered.
"Thank you, Captain," Zelda replied kindly. How nice! I wonder why he was so quick to volunteer?
He left his seat immediately and beckoned to the puffball. Jigglypuff hopped down from her seat next to Samus and waddled over to sit with Zelda.
Zelda frowned. Oh wait... THAT'S why he moved.
Captain Falcon took the seat next to Samus, grinning at her.
"Pardon the pun, but... howdy, partner..."
Samus smacked her palm against her forehead. Oh brother...
Marth and Link exchanged a high-five (they were sitting together with Mario and Nana).
"Two swordsmen as a team," Marth repeated, "Nothing can stop us!"
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Yoshi had been thrilled to hear the victory conditions for the team matches.
Hur hup arara, hup oshi ara YO yo!(Even if I lose, there's no way I can LOSE lose!)
In a surge of excitement, he immediately leapt over and began a barrage of kicks, burying Popo (the leader) in one of the pits. Peach grabbed one of her turnips and flung it at Kirby, delivering 8 damage. Before she could even attack him further, Yoshi rammed him with a headbutt, Kirby flying off the walls into the pit.
"Wow! That was fast!" Marth exclaimed.
"GAME!" Master shouted. "This game's winner is... BLUE TEAM!"
Peach put on a modest look and asked, "Oh, did I win?" whereas for Yoshi's victory pose, he spun around and flashed the peace sign. "Yoshi!" (Yahoo!)
A thrilled Yoshi and Peach stepped out of the elevator, with the Ice Climbers and Kirby close behind. The latter team didn't appear too upset about losing; in fact, they appeared quite happy for Yoshi's first victory!
"I think it was kinda rude for Peach to make that comment, considering Yoshi did all the work," Donkey Kong commented to Ness. The psychic boy nodded in agreement.
"One match down, three to go..." Marth whispered with a grin.
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In a slightly similar situation to the previous match, Jigglypuff and Zelda defeated Ness and Donkey Kong. Only instead there was less gloating.
"Ig puff jig iggly puff jigglypuff," (I still think you guys fought very well,) Jigglypuff commented. "Igglypuff jiggly puff puff jiggly ig," (Donkey Kong threw me off the arena,) A few other smashers complimented their fighting skills. Kirby complimented Jigglypuff's green headband. Aww, puffy love.
At lunch, most of the smashers sat together with their teammates, save for Mario, Bowser, Samus, Kirby, Captain Falcon, and the Ice Climbers.
"I don't know too much about women, but I think she's starting to like me!" Captain Falcon laughed, receiving awkward glances from Marth, Link, and Popo.
"He's been following me everywhere ever since we met, and now that we're partners, it's impossible to keep him away! Why can't he just leave me ALONE?!" Samus raged, with Peach, Yoshi, and Nana there to try and comfort her.
"He wanted to call a TRUCE?! I hardly know the meaning of those horrible words!" Bowser roared into the ears of Ness and Donkey Kong.
"All-a I did was try to make-a peace with Bowser-a, and he gets-a all mad-a at me!!" Mario muttered to Zelda, Jigglypuff, and Kirby.
"Hmm, I wonder what they're talking about?" Fox asked Pikachu.
"Pii ka," (No clue.)
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Now came the time for the Falcon-Samus vs. Bowser-Mario match... the one the author would enjoy elaborating. Hehehe...
"You ready for this?" Captain Falcon asked the bounty huntress as she stepped into the elevator between him and Mario.
"Let's just get this over with," she muttered, putting her helmet on.
The fighters appeared at the temple and Captain Falcon was feeling pretty confident. Wanting to look good in front of Samus, he taunted his opponents boldly.
"Show me your moves!"
Angered by the confidence of the male bounty hunter, Bowser lashed out his claws and gripped onto Captain Falcon's torso, biting him several times. At that moment, a missile struck him in the back of the head and his grip loosened enough for the racer to break free.
"Thanks for that!" Falcon saluted to his partner. Bowser turned around and growled at Samus when suddenly the koopa king felt a sharp kick to his lower back.
"FALCON KICK!!"
Mario shot a few fireballs at Samus before leaping over to the confrontation between Falcon and Bowser. Mario drilled his feet into Captain Falcon's shoulders from the air, only to be grabbed and thrown against Bowser.
"Get offa me!" Bowser shouted, shoving Mario "offa" him.
"And-a I thought we were-a supposed to work-a together!" Mario howled as Captain Falcon caught Mario and hurled the plumber over his shoulder, where Samus smacked him heavily in the mouth. He wailed as he flew out of the arena.
"Two against one isn't fair!" Bowser raged, as he leapt over and snatched Samus into his arms, biting her several times before body slamming her. Samus set up her power shield from further damage, but a powerful shockwave from Bowser leaping down upon her shattered it easily. She landed under a small gazebo on the left side of the arena. The destruction of the shield left Samus dizzy and unable to move.
"Don't touch her!" Captain Falcon ran towards the Koopa King. Obviously, Bowser ignored him.
Marth, watching the fight, was amazed. He's so fast!
"How ideal! Revenge for my first defeat!" Bowser snickered, preparing to fire a heavy headbutt into Samus's side. At that moment, the koopa felt someone grab him from behind and spin him around.
"Surprised?" Captain Falcon asked, driving his feet in a painful, fiery kick into the belly of the overgrown turtle. "YEAAH!!"
Bowser was sent flying a short distance away from the gazebo.
"Fool, I can just jump back!" Bowser challenged, spinning his body in the air. "What do you say to that?"
"FALCON..."
"... shit..."
"... PUNCH!!!!"
Falcon's fist of fiery fury connected with Bowser's jaw and he spiraled off the left side of the arena.
"What a match!" Fox commented. "Samus and Falcon both came through for each other when they were in danger!"
"I know Samus would never admit to it," Peach giggled, "but she and Falcon work well together!"
"GAME!" Master shouted. "This game's winner is... GREEN TEAM!"
Samus knelt down and fired a round of flaming shots in front of her before nodding confidently. Captain Falcon leapt up with a fast roundhouse kick before kneeling beside Samus.
The four fighters marched over to their respective friends.
"Captain Falcon, that was incredible! I'd love to partner up with you in a fight!" Marth congratulated, shaking his hand.
"Kachu, chu ka pika," (Samus, I like your gun,)
"You showed a lot of courage, Mario!" Peach complimented.
"Maybe next time?" Ness squeaked with a shrug as Bowser stepped over to him. He made Ness his random 'friend' because he didn't really like anyone there at all. Except the Poke'mon and Kirby, because they looked fat and juicy...
"Bah..." Bowser roared, spooking Ness to hide behind Mario. "I CAME SO CLOSE!!!!"
This caught the attention of the rest of the smashers and they fell silent. He pointed a finger at Samus, who had just removed her helmet.
"IF YOUR BOYFRIEND HADN'T RAPED ME AT THE LAST SECOND, I WOULD'VE TOTALLY CRUSHED YOU!!!"
Samus balled up her fists.
"BOYFRIEND?!"
Captain Falcon glared at the koopa angrily as well.
"RAPED?!"
Donkey Kong's face lit up.
"CRUSHED? I like crushed pineapple in my smoothies!" A few of the smashers stared at him. "What? Dude, it's healthy and it totally tastes great!"
Jigglypuff pulled out her microphone.
"Pu puff ig jig igglypuff jig iggly jigglypuff. Jigpuff, igglypuff jiggly ig?" (Bowser has just insulted you and your boyfriend. Samus, how does this make you feel?)
She pointed the microphone/pen at Samus. The bounty huntress pushed it away.
"Since when did you become a news reporter anyway? Let's just get one thing straight," She sighed and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I am NOT dating him. I've hardly known Falcon for a week! We're both bounty hunters. Bounty hunters do NOT fall in love. There is nothing- NOTHING- between us. I barely even like him!"
I barely even like him! Everything Samus had said stung the racer. Bounty hunters weren't supposed to fall in love, he knew that... but being stuck in the middle of nowhere, he was really only being recognized as a fighter for the BRS... and the fighters were allowed to show affection for each other, weren't they? He was also an F-Zero pilot, and as evidenced by his fellow racers Super Arrow and Mrs. Arrow, the racers were allowed to have relationships... Surely he could at least have some feelings for her, couldn't he? Couldn't he be an exception for her? After those flaming words had burned a hole in him, he figured not...
She walked out of the common room nonchalantly. "I'm glad that's over with..."
Over with? Bowser snickered. I'd say this is far from over, my dear...
Captain Falcon walked over to the corner of the room with a sigh, leaning his head against the wall glumly. What have I done?
"I guess Falcon's taking this harder than Samus thought..." Marth sighed. "So much for team spirit..."
Link's ears shot up. "TEAM SPIRIT!! Marth, that's right! Our match is next!!"
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At last, the team battle that reviewers had more than likely been waiting for had finally arrived!!
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bijoukaiba: Well, I think that's a good place to close for tonight! See you next chapter!
Diddy Kong: Oh no you don't! (swings a blender at her) You've left us in waaay too much suspense, plus the chapter's still puny!
Malon: DIDDY, NO!!! WE NEED THAT FOR SMOOTHIES!!
Donkey Kong: I like crushed pineapples in my smoothies! (smiles)
bijoukaiba: (gets hit by a pineapple thrown at her by Diddy) Fine, fine! I'll continue writing!
Donkey Kong: Yummy. (licks pineapple out of the author's hair)
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After wiping up some pineapple that had fallen off the keyboard (given to Donkey Kong, naturally) and the author had washed Spongebob's house out of her hair, she was ready to begin the rest of the chapter!
Marth and Link were clad in their red tunics, and Pikachu and Fox were clad in a blue party hat and a blue-violet jacket respectively.
As they stepped onto the Termina arena, a triumphant theme song could be heard playing.
It fits the swordsmen to a T! Ness thought with a grin.
On the Termina arena, the main stage was divided into four parts. On the left side, a small raft was floating in the water. A jump above it was a large deck made of metal. To the right of that, was another metal deck just below the larger one. A pretty normal arena, with the exception of a turtle carrying a whole island on its back!
Link landed on the far left side of the larger deck; Pikachu landed on the right. Fox landed on the platform right next to the turtle (he was a bit freaked out when it blinked at him) and Marth landed on a palm tree on the turtle's "island-covered" shell.
"BEGIN!!" Master hollered.
Fox immediately leapt forward and delivered an aerial kick to Marth's hips. At the same time, Link had shot out his hookshot to grab Pikachu, punched the electric Poke'mon, and kicked it behind him. Upon landing, Pikachu attempted to headbutt Link, but the elf dodged behind it. Pikachu wisely turned around and managed to headbutt Link.
After taking the kick to the hips, Marth delivered a heavy swing of his sword underneath Fox's chin, who retaliated by returning with a punch. Link sword-slashed Pikachu, who retaliated by throwing out a heavy jolt of thunder. Link managed to dodge in the nick of time, feeling static electricity crawling on the hairs of his neck.
Marth delivered another sword swipe to Fox, before swinging his sword down heavily onto the vulpine's shoulder.
Meanwhile, Link delivered a side sweep to Pikachu's arm, then dodged behind it to deliver two more slashes and a heavy strike.
Fox was kind enough to return the heavy blow Marth had dealt him by punching him twice then pummeling the prince with a barrage of kicks. The prince dodged out of range then slashed him from behind.
"Wow!" Mario commented as Pikachu rammed Link with a heavy skull bash attack. "The fighters are-a moving so fast-a you can barely keep up-a with them!"
Fox punched, Marth dodged away and slashed. Link struck Pikachu twice just as Fox swept his tail against Marth's heels, sweeping him up into the trees. Link turned around for a brief moment to make sure Marth was still okay, before hammering Pikachu in a barrage of jabs from the Master Sword.
Fox leapt up and kicked Marth, knocking the swordsman back into the air. Marth swung his sword swiftly around his body twice, smacking Fox in the mouth, but he was able to counter with yet another aerial kick.
Okay, time to finish this! Link decided.
He smashed Pikachu off the deck with his sword, but a lucky jump out of the water allowed Pikachu to clutch onto the small raft. Upon climbing back up, Pikachu gave out its famous battle cry, stretching its cute and tiny paws towards the heavens.
"PIIKA!!" (THUNDER!!) The Poke'mon shouted as it summoned a thunder cloud and a heavy bolt of lightning. Link took a huge leap backwards, avoiding the bolt. After the mini-storm subsided, Link leapt down onto the platform and whirled his body around rapidly, creating a blinding vortex of power which knocked Pikachu out of the arena.
Proudly, Link brushed his golden bangs away from his eyes.
"Aah..."
A second later, he felt the raft quiver slightly from a wave of water. The turtle was descending underwater.
Can't leave my partner alone! Link remembered, whipping out the Master Sword as Marth and Fox landed safely on the small metal platform near the turtle's floating spot. He leapt onto the deck and began running back to the fray of battle.
Marth and Fox were trading sword swipes and punches now. Right after Marth had taken a decent punch to the lip, Link leapt down and attempted to kick Fox away. His positioning had been awkward, however, and the Hylian missed, completely, falling into the water and out of bounds.
"Oh dear, poor Link!" Zelda worried.
Now it came down to Fox and Marth. Sweeping his sword in a vertical arc, he knocked Fox into the water between the raft and their small platform of battle.
"That was for Link!" Marth declared. Fox charged up a Firefox attack, attempting to ram Marth off the platform, but the witty prince performed a rolling dodge at the last second. Fox was forced to take a belly flop into the ocean, just like Link before him.
"AAUGH!"
"GAME!" Master shouted as several of the smashers applauded for Marth and Link. "THIS GAME'S WINNER IS... RED TEAM!!!"
Link swiped out his sword in front of him with a short cry, before spinning himself around and facing the camera, standing back to back with the prince.
Marth sheathed Falchion and faced the camera with a confident smile.
"Konkai wa boku no kecha da, ne?"
What was interesting, Zelda noticed, was they had both faced the camera at the same time.
Swordsmen intuition, I suppose...
Stepping out from the elevator, Marth was holding Pikachu in his arms as it spoke to him in Poke'mon-ese or something.
"Chu! Pika pika?" (Marth! What did you say?)
"It means 'It appears I'm the winner, doesn't it?'."
Fox and Link were shaking hands like pretty much everyone else had done with their opponents and allies. It was good sportsmanship, duh.
Pikachu leapt out of Marth's arms and Fox of course had gone off to chat with a certain Princess of Hyrule.
Almost spontaneously, Marth threw his arms around Link's waist, hugging him.
"What an awesome fight! I hope we can be partners again someday, Link!"
Link's face was beet-red as he felt Marth's head lean against his chest.
"Yeah, same here..." he gently removed Marth's arms around him.
"That's kind of an awkward thing to do in public..." Link whispered. Marth also flushed red as well.
"Oops, gomen. Sorry..."
"That's okay, at least Bowser didn't see!" Link laughed. "C'mon, let's go eat dinner!"
"But Link, dinner is still two hours away..."
The two swordsmen walked off down the hallway, having a friendly argument with plenty of laughter. Link and Marth were becoming fast friends...
... cough...
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Link had decided to sit with Ness and Marth for dinner that night. Even though Ruby had made salmon, one of Link's favorite dishes, he had barely touched his food. The moments after his battle were still floating around in his head.
C'mon, snap out of it! You love fish! Eat! Before it gets cold! Stop thinking about the hug!
It was no big deal, it's not like it meant anything! Marth was just excited.
It doesn't mean anything to you! Now eat! Ness is trying to sneak off with a piece with extra sauce!!
Link drilled his fork down on top of Ness's, which had a piece of rich, pink fish on the end topped with extra sauce. The younger boy laughed awkwardly.
Did it really mean anything to him?
"Link, are you going to finish your salad?" Marth asked. Link jumped slightly in surprise.
"Go ahead and take it," Link muttered, passing the bowl to Marth.
As brownies were being passed around for desert, Master and Crazy came up to make their usual announcements for battle placements.
"Bub eebnning, varriorf!"
Everyone stared at Master in stupidity.
Master glanced at his brother and began making hand signs, trying to signal something. Confused, Crazy slapped his brother across the face. Master slapped him back.
"Birk! By deed birk!"
Good thing clever Miss Malon was there. She stepped onto stage and handed Master a bottle of fresh Lon Lon Milk. He took a few gulps and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. He's not so great with table manners...
"Ruby's brownies were a little too chewy and sticky for me tonight, but they're too rich to resist! Thank you, Malon, you'll get a raise for that!"
There were a few chuckles heard before Master proceeded.
"As I was trying to say before... good evening, warriors! I see team matches went well today!"
There were several hoots and hollers.
"And here are the current records..."
Zelda: 4-0 (Fox and Link were cheering the loudest)
Donkey Kong: 3-0
Marth: 3-0
Pikachu: 2-0
Samus: 2-2
Ice Climbers: 1-2
Peach: 2-2
Kirby: 1-2
Captain Falcon: 2-2
Bowser: 1-2
Fox: 1-1
Link: 2-1
Yoshi: 1-2
Mario: 0-2
Ness: 0-2
"And here are tomorrow's matches..."
Green Greens, 10:00 am:
Samus vs. Donkey Kong
Onett, 10:45 am:
Peach vs. Zelda
Corneria, 11:30 am:
Jigglypuff vs. Bowser
Rainbow Cruise, 1:30 pm:
Fox vs. Captain Falcon
CLASSIC MODE: MARTH
Jigglypuff trembled slightly as the overgrown mutant turtle held up a fork and knife, pointing the fork at her and licking his lips.
"Don't worry," Kirby reassured. "He can't eat anyone, it'd be illegal. Besides, the way you were fighting today, there's no way he could beat you!"
Jigglypuff smiled at him and Kirby blushed.
"Classic mode...?" Link asked, turning to face the prince sitting across from him.
"Yeah!" Marth laughed, modestly rubbing the back of his head. "I guess I forgot to tell you, then..."
But if Fox met up with Jigglypuff, who or what will Marth enounter? What if it's Ganondorf?
Link's thoughts were interrupted when two or three other fighters went over to chat with Marth about the classic fight he would be engaging in.
Crazy left the stage, smirking wickedly.
You've caught another one in your trap, big brother...
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CHAPTER 7 COMPLETED!!!
Sorry this came so late, I've had school...
I'll try to update this sooner next time...
Any questions about Swordplay? Put them in your review! However, I'm NOT giving away spoilers... :P
Speaking of putting, I finally managed to stick in some shonen-ai this time. Yay. Don't worry, it'll get better in a few chapters...