NOTES: Hello, friends! Long time no see. Unfortunately, I don't have the time nor desire to commit to writing the full ten-or-so chapters I had planned for "Endgame." Though LAH was a remarkable experience for me and helped kick-start my original and fan fiction writing from a pipe dream to reality, I'm simply not as interested as I once was in the Smash Bros. community, or in fan fiction in general. I've decided to finish up the ongoing stories I have as best as I can and semi-retire from this site (aside from the occasional short story or one-shot) so that I can instead focus my efforts on my career and in writing original works.
That said, I didn't want you all to be left hanging. Since I can't commit myself to sit down and bust out the ten-or-so chapters I had planned for "Endgame," I've decided to at least release the outline of what I had planned. I know it's not exactly what you all wanted and I'm deeply sorry to disappoint you, but it is what it is.
Now, without further ado, here is the original outline for "Endgame." And with this, I will close the book for good on "LAH." I'd like to give special thanks to everyone I've met along the way, including Babykoalaprincess and TheStupendousJimbo, who became my two best friends on both this site and in real life. I'd also like to thank Royal Kenya, Crystalicios, Sage of Downtown Hyrule, and my many other reviewers, followers, and anyone else who enjoyed this story and helped me along the way. I didn't know what I was getting myself into over seven years ago (OoT, anyone?), but it's been one hell of a ride and I'll be forever grateful for the lessons this story taught me.
So thank you all, and I'll leave the future of the Smash Bros. section to the authors of today; the ones who perhaps started with Brawl and are anxiously awaiting Smash Bros. 3DS and U. Don't let us down guys; keep the section alive as long as you can!
-Sheik
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Super Smash Bros or the Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, Metroid, or any other franchise featured in this story. All are property of Nintendo, and SSB also belongs to HAL Laboratories and Mr. Sakurai. And on that note, who else is excited for Smash Bros. U and 3DS?
Wealth, Fame, Revenge, Power.
All are reasons that drive men to embrace evil into their hearts.
But those that seek only Chaos; those that wish to surpass even the Goddesses,
Those are the men I fear the most.
One such man robbed my entire kingdom of its future with his twisted ambitions.
Now that hateful man, with his pawns at his side, aspires to become an immortal.
To preside over the universe as its only ruler, now and forever.
Hyrule was only the beginning of his madness.
Only two stand in his way. They may have the Goddesses on their side, but will it be enough to stop him, once and for all?
I cannot intervene, unlike the last time. All I can do is pray. Pray for a new future, for both Link and my daughter, and that by some miracle, Ganondorf's insanity can be extinguished once and for all.
-Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule
LAH: Life After Hyrule:
-Endgame-
Chapter I: The Final Ten
Starts at ceremony at the Holo-Stadium, where Master Hand welcomes the final ten Smashers in the "Melee" tournament to the last matches and announces the matchups. We find out Link survived the events in Ikana Canyon over a month ago, despite being gravely injured, and that Master Hand ordered all Smashers to travel in numbers to tournament arenas wherever possible since then. First matchup is announced and begins immediately. Link versus Marth, with Link victorious.
Chapter II: Of Blades and Arm Cannons
Cuts to Ganondorf's newly-rebuilt Tower. Find out the Fierce Deity Mask's destruction is necessary to release Majora's full power. Ganondorf instead uses it as a bargaining chip to further his own goals, which are still unclear. Majora grudgingly accepts Ganondorf's one term: ultimate power. Next day, Roy versus Link. Later that day, Zelda versus Samus.
Chapter III: The Semi-Finals Begin!
Link, Zelda, Ganondorf, and Mewtwo all make it to the Semi-Finals. Chapter starts with Mewtwo spying on a meeting between Ganondorf and the "Legion of Six," who were hinted at in an earlier chapter of LAH. One of them was Oikonny, though he is now deceased thanks to Link. The remaining five are Ganondorf, Ridley (leader of the Space Pirates), Bowser (though he's more comic relief and is criticized for failing to defeat Link earlier that month even with the help of Ganondorf's magic to transform into Giga Bowser), Black Shadow (on behalf of Deathborne), and another member who is their leader. He reveals himself and it's...Master Hand!?
Mewtwo learns that these villains are preparing to eliminate their respective nemesis(s) and to attack Smash Planet with the full might of their armies. Once the Smashers are eliminated, they will go on to conquer the universes they desire, so long as they recognize the "unnamed" leader as their supreme ruler. Master Hand acts odd and twitches, and Mewtwo finally puts the pieces together along with the vibrating "trunk" in Master Hand's office (obviously where the real Master Hand is being kept). The hand is none other than Crazy Hand! Mewtwo tries to escape but is caught by Ganondorf. He expresses his disappointment that one of his top operatives is a traitor and "infects" him as punishment, much like he did to Mario.
Meanwhile, Link and Zelda meet up to train for the next day, when the semi-finals will take place. Link is deeply worried since Zelda is going up against Ganondorf, and much like the both of them, he has yet to lose a single match. They share a "moment," reflect on Hyrule and their memories of the events of Ocarina of Time. Both are determined to revive their lost kingdom and the people that were lost with it.
Chapter IV: Sorrowful Battles
Link and Mewtwo face off, Link notices that he's not quite himself and it reminds him of when he faced Mario. He realizes that Ganondorf has compromised him, fights to free him from Ganondorf's control. Finally beats him and Mewtwo regains consciousness momentarily. He tries to warn Link about what he's found out, but passes out from exhaustion before he can.
Link rushes to the Holo-Stadium, where Zelda and Ganondorf are already fighting. She fights well, but faces the true extent of Ganondorf's power. He's tampered with the damage counter system so that it's disabled. Zelda is hurt badly and loses, to everyone's shock. Ganondorf also takes her Triforce piece for his own. Some of the Smashers try to protest to "Master Hand," but he simply states that it was an accident and sees no reason to disqualify Ganondorf.
Chapter V: The Storm Brews
Link visits Zelda's bedside, vows vengeance and that he will finally defeat Ganondorf once and for all, for the good of everyone. Crazy Hand holds one last meeting, but is shocked when Ganondorf starts laughing during his speech. Everyone turns on Crazy Hand. Ganondorf destroys him and assumes command. Orders everyone to prepare for an invasion the next day, when the finals are going on. Realizes Link is the last obstacle in his way to achieving his full potential. Once he kills him and has the Triforce of Courage, he will become the supreme ruler of all universes along with his "commanders," aka the other Legion members.
Mewtwo regains consciousness and Mario meets with him. Mario gathers the other "resistance" members and tells them what has happened and who is responsible. Link agrees to go deal with Ganondorf in the finals, as planned, while the others will try to muster help from their own lands and figure out how to release Master Hand, since the trunk he's trapped in is sealed with ancient magic.
Chapter VI: The Final Battle, Part I
Link and Ganondorf face off in a battle to end all their prior battles on the Final Destination stage. Meanwhile, everyone is shocked when a massive Space Pirate fleet arrives, attacking along with the forces of Black Shadow and Oikonny's remaining fleet. On the ground, Bowser and his forces attack along with some other villains who Bowser contacted, such as King K. Rool. Ganondorf's forces lead the charge and cause tons of damage. The Smashers all launch into action to defend the civilians and their home.
Chapter VII: The Final Battle, Part II
The deadly duel continues, and Ganondorf reveals he's merely been toying with Link. Breaks all restrictions on the system, which also allows Link to use all of his weapons as well. Ganondorf brings out Majora's Mask and reveals why he needed the Fierce Deity's Mask. In front of Link, he breaks it, and Majora's full power is released. It latches onto Ganondorf's face and he transforms himself. Both become one, though Ganondorf is still the one in control. He turns into a nastier version of Ganon. Link is hurt badly and severely outclassed.
Meanwhile, the battle continues. Reinforcements arrive in the form of the Galactic Federation (once Samus and Marth lead them there in her ship) and in the Cornerian Army. On the ground, Roy rallies forces from his land combined with some of the other Smashers who also muster forces of good from their own lands. Slowly but surely, the invasion is pushed back.
Chapter VIII: The Final Battle, Part III
Ganon tosses Link around like a toy, mocking him and tries to take his Triforce piece by force. He almost succeeds, but is thwarted by Zelda's timely arrival. She isn't fully healed, but uses light arrows to drive Ganon back. She lends Link her remaining power. Together with the Triforce of Courage, Link truly comes alive, much like how Mewtwo foretold. He beats the daylights out of Ganon and finally kills him along with Majora's Mask. The Triforce of Power disappears.
Sensing their master is gone, Ganondorf's remaining forces retreat. The fleet also retreats, with the Federation following after the Space Pirate forces and the Cornerian Army mopping up Oikonny's remaining fleet members (Star Wolf is not present).
Chapter IX: Epilogue
Find out that the Mansion and town/stadium took some damage, but nothing that can't be rebuilt. Master Hand (the real one) welcomes Link at an award ceremony to a cheering crowd, thanks him for saving not only him, but the entire planet, each universe, and the Smash Bros. system. He is proclaimed to be the winner of the Melee tournament. Hand-in-hand with Zelda, they wish for Hyrule to be revived. Master Hand laments that, unfortunately, it is out of his hands. However, what he can do is summon something familiar: the completed Triforce.
Together, Link and Zelda wish for Hyrule's restoration to the way it was before the trouble with Ganondorf started, with all of its denizens revived as well before they perished in the flood. The Goddesses, speaking through the Triforce, do as they wish, and thank both of them for defeating Ganondorf for good.
With big smiles, Link and Zelda kiss, and the crowd cheers even more.
-Fin
Chapter X: Afterword/Final Comments
That's all to see, folks. Keep in mind I had these events in mind for about four years now. Again, I apologize that I can't bring this outline into fully-fledged chapters, but I felt that you all still deserved to know what happened to Link, Zelda, and all of their friends.
I wish you all the best, and thank you again for such an amazing experience with this story!
-Sheik