And before anyone asks, no, I'm not a robot. I just write like HELL.

ENJOY!

Chapter 16.: Third and Fourth Battles

"Phew … let's take a break." Shulk sighed, "I'm starving!"

Lucina agreed, and so does her stomach as it growled.

Sitting near a tree, Lucina grabbed her lunch: bear meat, as Shulk grabbed his: cold noodles. As the two ate, both started trivial conversations … though a serious one had rose.

"Y'know …" Shulk said, "with your dreams and everything, it got me worried; what are we up against?"

Lucina sighed, taking a bite of her bear meat and swallowing. "I-I'm not sure … I dreamed that it took you and my parents away, turning you three into what it was: the black swarm. If it has such an ability …"

"Then we'll work together to stop it." Shulk finished as he slurped the last of his noodles, "I understand that you lost Laurent, Lucina, but … we're going to be fine. If we work together, both of us will survive."

Lucina thought this over. "... You're right. I'm just scared of losing you after the kidnapping incident."

"I understand. When I saw you about to take the challenge, I was scared for you. Master Hand wanted to use us as his slaves, and it made me so worried about you."

Lucina smiled. Shulk really did care deeply for her, and so did she with him. Even though she knew it was an obvious trap, she did rush to his rescue.

"Well … all of that is in the past. For now …" She took her last bite of her bear meat, "we'll stop this black swarm."

Shulk smiled. "Right!"

The two continued on, seeing three more paths. Obviously, Lucina chose the red path, and so away they went.

This time, they were up against three enemies: Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong, and Wario.

Diddy Kong was a piece of cake, but Donkey and Wario made both Lucina and Shulk worried.

The battle began in Warioware, Inc., and once again, the three foes had black swarms around them.

"We must take care of Donkey and Wario!" Shulk cried.

"Right!"

Shulk charged at Donkey as Lucina did the same with Wario.

Diddy proved to be a distraction, Lucina realized, as he threw Banana Peels and shot Peanuts at the two.

Shulk chose his Monado Powers, and this time, he chose a green symbol, and his feet glowed. Donkey was about to punch him with his powerful Giant Punch, but Shulk jumped unexpectedly high away from it, and he placed his Monado underneath him, stabbing the ape on the head. Donkey was sent flying, but quickly recovered. Shulk was about to use his meteor smash, but Donkey Kong quickly got back up and kicked him. Shulk was knocked down, and before, he could get up, Donkey Kong grabbed him and carried him straight to the edge.

"LUCINA! A little help here!" Shulk cried, struggling against the ape's grip.

Lucina stopped fighting Wario, and she ran to the rescue, slashing at Donkey. He released the boy, and Shulk quickly stabbed him. Donkey was sent flying off the stage, and all was left was Wario and Diddy Kong.

Diddy was, surprisingly, not hit yet. "I'll take care of Diddy!" Shulk cried as he lunged forward at the small monkey.

"Right!" Lucina called, and she charged up her Shield Breaker and sent Wario flying off the stage.

Shulk was slashing at Diddy, but Diddy jumped and dodged, proving to be a nimble annoyance. When he tried to send a Back Slash at the monkey, Diddy jumped and latched on his face, punching him and sending him flying. Shulk quickly got back up, and he growled. "JUST DIE ALREADY!" He growled, deeply frustrated. With an angry yell, he sent an Air Slash, and it finally killed off Diddy.

Shulk sighed, glad to get that frustration out. "Thanks for the save, Lucina." He said gratefully, smiling.

Lucina smiled back. "It's nothing."

The two went on to the next three paths, which, surprise surprise, they chose the red path. This time, they had a partner: Sonic.

"I … have a bad feeling about this Sonic …" Shulk said nervously.

Their opponents were Kirby and Meta Knight. Both could be a breeze.

When the five were on the battlefield, which was the monochrome Kirby game screen, Lucina and Shulk realized … that something was wrong with this Sonic.

"Lucina, uh …" Shulk said, but before he could say anything, the hedgehog suddenly kicked him in the stomach. "Ugh!" Shulk cried and tumbled down.

"Shulk!" Lucina cried, rushing to him and helping him up. "You okay?!"

"Y-yeah … this Sonic though …"

That was when black particles were around Sonic.

"This must be the black swarm's work!" Lucina cried. It was three-to-two now.

"I'll take care of Sonic!" Lucina called, charging up her Shield Breaker to stab Sonic. "Take care of Kirby and Meta Knight!"

"Gotcha!" Shulk then ran towards Meta Knight, and he chose his Monado Powers once again, choosing a purple symbol, and his sword glowed once again. With a more powerful Back Slash, he nearly sent Meta Knight flying to his death due to his lightweight status, but it wasn't enough. Meta Knight flew right back on the stage, and swung his sword at him. Shulk rolled away, ready to strike again.

"Shulk! The stage is moving!" Lucina cried.

She was right, as the stage began to move forward. Sonic, however, was on the ground, and he rolled to the side and killed himself.

"Well, that was easy …" Lucina said, before turning to fight Kirby.

Shulk was handling Meta Knight on his own, luckily, as he finally sent Meta Knight flying with an Air Slash, killing him.

"One more to go!" Shulk cried, rushing to help Lucina.

Lucina used her Dancing Blade to land combos on Kirby, and the pink puffball was sent flying. Shulk then followed him with an Air Slash, killing off Kirby.

"Good job!" Lucina cried, smiling.

"You too!" Shulk smiled as well.

With that, the two continued on their way to the last two battles.

Beta reader: Zulera301