CHAPTER TWELVE

The next day, matches began. Those and the training schedule had to go on as planned, because the last thing anyone wanted was a press stakeout on the lawn. Peach was already better, and she didn't let anyone look at her with a worried glance, or help her with anything she wouldn't need help with originally. But when no one was watching her every move, her face briefly twinged with pain. It didn't hurt so much she couldn't join the Brawls, but it was still uncomfortable to move it. With her poise and gracefulness, no one suspected a thing.

Olimar had just come off the stage against Lucas. He had just won, but barely. Lucas's attacks were powerful, but Olimar had an endless supply of Pikmen to help him. This match wouldn't count for the final tournament, unfortunately. Olimar grinned. His was the first match of the season, and so far, so good.

He stepped off the stage and into the elevator amidst roaring cheers of fans and boos of people who bet Lucas would win. He caught a last glance of the large screen over the stadium. It showed the score- Olimar's 10 KO's to Lucas's 8. It also showed Lucas's downcast face, and his triumphant one. Both were covered with sweat. He pressed a button, and the door slid shut, blocking out the heat and the crowd.

He sighed as cold air washed over him, and a cold bottle of water slid out of a shelf. Olimar slid his helmet down and patted his red Pikman on the head. It chirped at him happily. The elevator stopped quietly, and opened on the locker rooms. Pit was jumping around nervously, and the ground around him was covered in feathers. Snake was watching him silently, arms crossed, in the shadows. Every other Smasher was in the Stadium's Booth. Right now, the advanced technology would be changing the Stadium for the next match. Olimar and Lucas had just fought on the Pokemon Stadium. Smaller stages were better, in Olimar's opinion.

Pit noticed his friend stepping out of the elevator. He grinned, and flew over to meet him, stumbling a little as he landed.

"Hey, good match!"

"Thanks."

"Wow, you sound pooped."

"Yeah…"

"Well, I'm really hyper, which is bad. Well, I guess it could be a good thing, but I think I might crash, which would be bad-"

"Hey, Pit?"

Pit flipped down from where he had been floating. "Yeah?"

"Could you be quiet for like a minute?"

Pit's face fell. He nodded quickly. "Sure." He sat down on a bench.

Snake laughed quietly. Another hiss of technology, and they all looked towards the other elevator. Lucas stepped out, looking around the room. He started when he saw the three Smashers staring at him. He stepped out and went into his locker without looking at them or saying a word.

A beep sounded and April's voice came on over the intercom. "Alright, Pit and Snake, you're up. Please get your weapons ready, and step into the elevator in the next five minute. Good luck!"

Snake stood and went over to his locker. Weapons galore hid themselves in his suit, and Pit sighed and smiled at Olimar, who gave Pit a last wave as he stepped into another elevator leading to the Booth. Olimar held it for Lucas as he ran. They both gave Pit a sympathetic smile.

Snake huffed under his breath as he stepped into the elevator. April's voice came over the intercom as the elevator sped up. "Hello, Snake. Please stand still while this is sprayed." A hissing noise sounded, and a fine mist, lightly colored red, fell down and landed on Snake and his weapons.

"What this does is protects you from being injured. It will last until you lose your last life, or if you win. At that point it will wear off, and leave you vulnerable." She laughed quietly. "Not to worry though, I am sure you won't be attacked." The laughter died out as she realized who might. Snake frowned.

"Is she protected?"

"Peach?"

"Yes."

"Yes, she is. We have put up a shield around the booth, and everyone is searched thoroughly before entering."

"What about Chiarina? Has she been found?"

"Snake, I really don't think that this is the time-"

"Well?"

"No. Not yet."

"I'm sorry."

April sighed. The noise sounded funny over the intercom. "Snake, don't worry about her. She's faced worse. Anyway, here we are. Good luck."

Snake stepped into the arena to loud cheers. He looked around. He couldn't see the crowd. All he could see was the stage, it was the Battlefield.

He heard the announcer say his name and Pit's. The crowd cheered, and some people booed. He noticed Pit standing on the other side of the stage, arms going through movements of his attacks. Snake almost felt sorry for the angel. Almost.

He heard the ding announcing the beginning of the match. It was a three minute KO fest, instead of stocks which would be the Final Competition.

Snake planted a bomb immediately, then leaped up onto the platform above him. Pit flew up with surprising agility and began to slash at Snake with his swords, which Pit had unclipped. Snake Spinkicked him, and Pit fell right onto the bomb Snake had planted, exploding him upward. Pit recovered quickly, and stuck one sword into the ground and kicked Snake full in the face. He grunted, and swung out a missile projector. He aimed it at Pit, and smiled to himself when the crowd went crazy as Pit was flung over the side.

Three minutes later, the match was over. Pit and Snake shook hands as their scores were announced on the screen. Snake had 4 KOs and 3 falls, making his total one. Pit had 3 KOs and 4 falls; his total was negative one.

"Good match, Pit."

The angel smiled, wiping sweat off his face. "Yeah, thanks. You too."

"See you in the locker room."

The crowd was going crazy as Pit stepped into the elevator. As soon as the doors shut, he slid down onto the cold metal floor, putting his head between his legs. He had never wanted anything more than to win this one match, but he had lost. Pit sighed. Ah, well, he thought, at least I tried my best.

Pit, you did fine.

His head snapped up.

Palutena?

Yes, child. Do not despair, you did fine. You are the one leading my army, are you not?

Yeah…

Cheer yourself up, then! You have friends, a good house… everything. Do not dig yourself into a hole you can't get out of. Snake is a worthy opponent. You did fine.

Thank you, Goddess.

Pit, this is a good chance for you. Do not waste this opportunity.

He felt better about himself almost immediately. She was right, of course. These would be the people he would consider his friends for the rest of his life. He should get to know them better.