Chapter 3: Peril Uptown
Super Smash Bros. [WarioWare, Diamond City] It's about time I got to an exciting part in the story. This one's going to be a long one, be ready to encounter some Smash newcomers. That and their first encounter with Knightscourge's army. I bet you readers are going to like this.
At this moment, it was hard for the task force to not be distracted by the extravagant architecture and signs featuring an all too familiar fat guy, with a zigzag moustache and aggressive look, promoting video games.
"Y'know, I feel like I know that person." Charles said to his cohorts.
"That's Wario, one of Mario's rivals." Pit answered. "He used to be a maniacal villain, bent on slandering Mario's name and pestering him at every turn. Lately, when he's not treasure hunting to satisfy his endless greed, he's busy running a microgame company."
"A realistic role he's finally in." Charles remarked. The humans of Diamond City walked around the team, many just passed without giving as little as a passing glance at the quartet. It's a prestigious city in the World of Pipes, it barely shows any sign of trouble being out of Bowser's jurisdiction. "Hmm, are these folks not aware of of us? They don't seem to be bothered by how different we are, not that that's a problem."
"Oh don't fret Charles. They probably seen everything, what with Wario and his antics to gain money out of the poor citizens." Pit assured Charles.
"To be honest, I've never been here." Toon Link added. "Even through all the travels in the previous Brawl Tournament, I've only been in a room based on Wario's company."
Charles began to examine his surroundings vigilantly. "I just hope none of his employees don't alert us to him. I heard he's not welcome toward heroes snooping in his business."
"It's alright." Pit said to Charles. "They're probably harmless. Of course Lady Palutena did say that one of his employees is a witch."
"A witch in training by the way." Palutena spoke through their thoughts. "Wario was one of the Smashers, one time against, another a worth ally. Regardless we should enlist him to help us. And if he refuses, keep trying until he gives in, add in a little bit of a catch to grab his attention." Charles usually imagined a holy entity as being perfect and just. But Palutena is apparently not above bribery and other methods considered "sinful" to many zealots of religious sects. "However their are other strong souls I see through clairvoyance. Of course, they are lost in the masses."
"Okay, let's get busy guys. Let's find those peeps!" Pit eagerly cheered. The team navigated through the city, looking hard for the characters they need to assemble the Smash Bros.. In the distance, on a tall hill, stood the Warioware inc. hub.
Within the confines of the Warioware inc. HQ, Wario and his employees/friends were in a argument about the company's recent bankruptcy and where the group was going from there. Wario sat at one end of the office, in front of a window, at his CEO office desk, with his friends standing opposite to him.
"I'm just sayin' at the rate we're at, we won't be able to bounce back from this rut!" Argued Dribble, Wario's anthropomorphic bulldog friend. "How do you expect to get things out of bankruptcy, eh Wario?" Spitz, anthropomorphic cat partner to Dribble and his superior, and also friend to Wario, (let's just assume that anyone here that speaks to Wario is his employee/friend) also snapped at Wario. Wario did not respond to them, he only hid his mouth by his hands clasped together in a business manner.
"Hey, hey! What's the point just sitting here!?" Shouted Mike, the karaoke robot. "We should be doing something about this and fast!" Wario did not respond. "Oh Wario. We are in a hard place. I fear not even my intellect can free us from this situation." Dr. Crygor, mad scientist under Warioware employment added in.
"What are we going to do master?" Young Cricket asked his sensei, Master Mantis. "I dunno?" The master said to his student. "This is something Wario has to figure out."
"Wario-san, what are we going to do? Is everything really going to be alright?" Young kunoichi Ana asked. Wario did not respond. "Don't worry Ana." Ana's sister kunoichi, Kat said to her. "Wario always has a plan. He can get us out of this..."
"Wario! Don't just sit there! We need to know what is Warioware's next move is. As it's CEO, your the one calling the shots here." Penny, a young scientist who is also Dr. Crygor's granddaughter, asked Wario. "If you ask me, it's futile in our expense." Alien Orbulon said. "Wario continues to be unresponsive." As Orbulon said, Wario did not respond.
"C'mon Wario! We need an answer! We can't do this without you!" 9-volt, Ninendo's biggest gamer fan pleaded with his boss, who continued to just stare on at them in his glare. "Yeah Wario. You're the man with he plan yeah!" 18-volt, 9-volt's buddy said after.
"Wario? Why won't you do anything?" High schooler of many part-time jobs, Mona asked Wario. "For the past few weeks you've been so distant from his company that it's like you've lost all interest in it completely. And what about your friends? You haven't spoken to us at all, and your only pushing us further away? Why won't you let us help you. That's all we want to do." Wario still did not respond.
"Speak for yer'self." Dribble said. "Look Wario, we're all cool here, but there's a limit to our patience about pay."
"That's right!" Spitz said too. "We work our hands to the bone with these microgames, and all you do is sit pretty in your house, pounding in more of the dogs, if you know what I mean, and by the end of it we merely receive scraps compared to the riches you get from profit."
"It isn't fair how you treat us here." Orbulon said. "We deserve better treatment as your workers, let alone your friends. And with this problem we're in, how do you expect us to do anything with no pay?!"
"Boy. Things aren't looking good here, is it Ash?" Red, the little Beelzebub creature said to his master. Ashley, Red's master and fellow employee of Warioware, focused her attention on their friend/boss sitting malignantly at his desk.
"Now now everyone." Jimmy T, another one of Wario's friends called out to them. "Wario's has a perfect explanation for your worries, don't you Wario?"
In the midst of all the demanding, the pleading, the arguing, and the concern, Wario remained sitting down, patiently hearing all this commotion in his office from all his restless workers. He glared onward, taking in all the noise from the group until he he finally spoke. "Shaddup."
The friends stopped talking when they thought they heard Wario speak. "Come again Wario? We didn't quite..." Jimmy T didn't have time to ask his question as Wario exploded out his response to all of them.
"I SAID SHADDUP! You pathetic worms"
"What was that?" Demanded Dribble.
"You heard me, you waste of air. You all are just worthless. All of you!" Wario said.
Kat and Ana were a little frightened by Wario's newfound wrath shouting at all of them. "But, Wario-san." The girls whimpered.
"No doubt about it! You losers can't get a clue now can you?! None of you are useful to me anymore!" Wario said to his employees. That statement really hit them deep. Were they merely pawns to Wario's greed? "I don't need you chumps to get money. I've gotten rich without you sorry saps all on my own, single-handily. What makes you think I need you worthless bozos anymore?"
"Hold on now," Mona asked. "What're you trying to say?"
"You're fired! Kaput! Gone! Pinkslipped! Outa here!" Shouted Wario. "Is that easy enough for ya! FIRED!"
"Wait for real! You're firing us!" Young Cricket said in shock.
"That is most unexpected. Well it was a little expected for quite some time, but for right now, unexpected!" Master Mantis added in with dismay.
"Now let's pause for a moment." Dr. Crygor asked Wario. "I've practically helped you build this company from its foundations, building you inventions of phenomenal feats. I ask you this, what will you do without me?"
"Well I don't need you anymore, nothing to it" That silenced the Dr.
"What's this all about?" Penny asked with great curiosity. "Why all of a sudden? What could be cost of firing your entire staff?!"
"WHAT!" 9-Volt yelled. "FIRED?! WHY!?"
"Oh man! I can't believe this!" 18-Volt cried. "Why o'cruel world?!"
"What's the big idea! Firin' us?! You've got some nerve." Dribble gnashed his teeth at Wario. "Now you've gone too far! What could you possibly gain from firin' us!?" Spitz growled.
"Why?" Mona asked. Wario stood up from his seat at this moment to emphasize his point.
"You pack of losers have been holding me back. That's all their is to it." Wario said these hurtful things bluntly to his friends, which only hurt them even worse. "I hope you haven't forgotten that I'm a villain from where I come from, and quite a successful one at that one. I used to live in a glorious castle flowing with my riches from treasure hunting, but now I'm just some lowly businessman, slowly getting moola out of work. Work! I'd rather steal all the riches I want, rather than wait for it in profit. And the only reason I haven't shaken out these suckers wallets out clean is because of my incompetent crew I'm ashamed to call you guys!" Now he's just rubbing salt in the wounds. "Let me just be clear with you. You're fired from the now disbanded Warioware inc. Because of this debt I payed off, I've lost a majority of my treasure because of it."
"So that's just it. We're done?" Mike asked.
"Come on now Wario. You can't be serious. You're joking right?" Jimmy T asked with a hint of despair in his voice.
"Do I look like I'm fricken joking?!" Wario said. "I want you all outta here, now!"
"Well you don't have to tell us twice." Spitz said. "We're outta here."
"Good luck you sorry little punk." Dribble added as he left with his partner.
"It's fine with me." Penny said. "I still have my studies to do at the Academy. So this really isn't a setback." She left too.
"Oooh! This sucks! Come on 18, let's go do something else." 9-Volt called to his friend.
"Yeah well, who needs ya, ya greedy little miser. Suck it!" 18-Volt proceeds to point his index fingers at Wario, supposedly a censored way of "flipping the bird", following behind 9-Volt out of the office.
"You're making a big mistake Wario." Dr. Crygor said as he left the office. "I won't be surprised if you come crawling back to me for help."
"Yo doc, wait for me!" Mike called out to Crygor as he left too.
"Ooohh. I knew this was a waste of my time." Orbulon complained as he walked to the exit. "I should've continued my plans for world domination."
"So I guess that's it now. I hope you get what your looking for Wario. But your greed will not reap a happy harvest, but a lonely ending you will is my last piece of advice for you." Master Mantis exclaimed to Wario as he bowed and took his leave.
Young Cricket also bowed and began to follow his master. "Until our paths cross again, Wario-san." He left.
All that remained of the group was Mona, Jimmy T, Kat and Ana, and Ashley and Red, who decided to stay and try to change Warios mind. " Wario-san, I hope you don't mean any of those things you said. I guess you must be stressed out from all the..." Before either of the kunoichi could finish Wario interrupted.
"GET OUT!"
That outburst did it. With tears starting up in their eyes, the kindergarten ninjas slowly walked out of the office looking back once before finally leaving.
"Wario! What's gotten into you!?" Mona shouted. "Why are you being so mean!? More mean than usual. What's going on?!"
"I don't need to explain anything to you bitch! So lay off me!" Wario spun around in his chair so that he wasn't looking at the remainders.
Mona was at a lost. She could not read her friend, who was acting unusually cruel. Yes, Wario is an insufferable miser at time, and a total jackass to his friends, but he does see them as an actual valuable bunch to help him. Now he's just pushing them right off the table, with total disregard for their feelings. "Wario... Wario look at me!" He did not look back. "Wario please, don't shut us out!" After a short pause, Mona totally lost it, sobbing a stream of sad water from her eyes. "Fine! If that's how it's going to be, then you can just rot in all your filthy money that you treasure so much. No ones going to miss you or even give a damn what you're up to, so you can just go off and just die!" Mona wept as she ran out of the office, not even gaining a little sympathy from her former friend.
Jimmy T looked on at his friend. "Wario. Is this really happening?"
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Jimmy felt like he had nothing to say to the stout Italian man. "Okay. I know when I'm not needed. I won't bother you no more, no how." Jimmy sadly took his way toward the doors. "I really hope this is what you truly want. Cause it's exactly what you got." He left the room, leaving Ashley and Red alone with Wario.
"Maybe we could.." Ashley looked down on Red, ending his suggestion that supposedly was aimed at Wario's attitude change. She indicated that they leave as well. The pair left the room, finally leaving Wario all alone in his office. Or so they thought.
"Phew! I thought those rubes would never leave." Out of the shadows stepped out an old foe of Wario's, Captain Syrup of the Black Sugar Pirates. "Went a whole lot better than I thought it would play out." Wario didn't look back, still brooding in his chair and on his decision.
"I held my end of the bargain. Now they will not be involved in this, right?" Wario snarled.
"Right you are, Wario our dear friend." Out of the other corner of shadows approached an old quack of a scientist with his scalp replaced with some machinery. This Mad Scienstein grinned maniacally as he neared the desk. "Our master will be so pleased when he hears what you've done. Heh. That rabble of fools, what made you think of employing them for your gnarly schemes to begin with?"
"Shut your face, you old coot! You have no right to speak of them!" Wario threatened Mad Scienstein.
Captain Syrup raised an eyebrow of amusement, seeing this weakness in Wario. "Why Wario? Don't tell me your vileness has grown attached to those people?" Wario did not respond to Syrup's snarky question.
"Just tell yer boss to stay away from my city." Wario said to the pair of scoundrels.
"Why of course. He shall consult with his forces as soon as possible." Scienstein promised to Wario. "You have my word."
Wario was sceptical to the crazed scientist's trustworthyness, because of their blocky past they've had with each other. It was really hard to trust either of them, with all the trouble the two of them have caused him before, Wario felt like he had made a big mistake shoving his friends away. For their lives were threatened by an imminent attack on Diamond city by a growing terrorist faction ever expanding. He can't help but shake the feeling of regret that he had for his slightly trusted comrades in his Warioware staff. Even slightly trusted friends were better than enemies at the gate.
The task force continued their search for any Smashers that could pose some real firepower in their upcoming battle, but with barely any luck. "Pika." Pikachu sighed.
"I thought it would take less time than this." Palutena complained. "Boy, I'm not in my game today."
"Lady Palutena, could it be that you're a bit weakened from your last encounter with Knightscourge?" Pit suggested.
"Ha! So much for your almighty Goddess of Light!" Viridi mocked. "I guess she can't lead you on this wild goose chase here."
Viridi's brash comment really ticked Palutena off. "And you can do better?"
"Of course. Just watch me!"
Toon Link took a glance around, noticing something was not exactly right. "Wait a sec'. Where's Charles?" Pit and Pikachu also looked around for their teammate.
"Oh no." Pit exclaimed. "We must've lost him in the crowds we passed through."
"Great, you can't even keep track of your little team." Viridi said. "Oh boy."
"Look, pointing out all my faults isn't helping Viridi." Palutena snapped at her fellow goddess. "I'll try and contact him while you lead the others into finding Wario or anyone."
"Sure, why not. I can find this chump easy."
"Don't let me down guys. I'll be right back." Palutena left their minds with a hung up phone tone.
"Is that how it's like for you gods?" Toon Link asked. "Like talking on a phone?"
"Okay you slackers!" Viridi called out to the remainders. "I'm in charge here, so you better listen good to my directions. That means you too Pit!"
"What? Why are you calling out on me for?!" Pit questioned.
"Don't give me your sass, angel-boy! Just follow my lead and we'll get this expedition done."
"Pika-chu." Pikachu was worried that this girl would be very bossy around them without Palutena for some defense. However after some mindless trekking through the urban landscape, it was starting to get real tiresome that they find no leads on any Smashers or even Wario to be exact.
"Hey didn't we pass that statue seven times already?" Pit complained.
"What! No!" Viridi said defensively. "We must've passed like, multiple statues of that design. It probably shouldn't be a surprise, what with his influence here in the World of Pipes."
"Just admit it, you don't know where to go!"
"How dare you! I do know where we're supposed to be! You imputent..."
"You don't even know what we're supposed to be looking for, do you?"
"Yes I know. We're looking for Wario."
"If you knew where he was at, then why have we been going literally in circles!" Toon Link added in. To be honest, it looked really peculiar to see two boys arguing with the air when it comes to the perspective to the citizens. "Pii." Pikachu also chimed in.
"Hey you get no word in this mouse." Viridi snapped. "Besides, how would you guys know if we're lost? Hmm?"
"Well one things for sure. I've seen that theatre so many times, I think they've changed the letters on the movie titles shown."
"Well I'm sorry. It's hard to sense them with all the bodies moving!"
"So you're experiencing problems too with your powers?" Pit asked.
"Yes! Okay, fine! I admit it! My powers are a bit sketchy too! That's why I've been having trouble with my Forces of Nature. Their, I said it!"
"Oh man. Now we are losing progress as we were foolishly chasing a false tail." Said Toon Link.
"I said I was sorry!"
"Hey it's alright." Pit assured the embarrassed Viridi. "It shouldn't be that hard. Besides, once Lady Palutena brings back Charles, we will back together again!" Viridi was a little annoyed on the over reliance that Pit has for Palutena. It wasn't his fault he was so loyal, but a certain emotion inside her gave way to frustration at Pit's quality.
"Whatever, let's just... hold on. Their is a disturbance in the force."
That reference was pretty obvious to anyone who has seen that franchise before, and no one found it the least bit funny. "Is now the time for those jokes?"
"No really. My celestial senses are seriously getting something bad!" The three of them grew alert, looking around for the danger Viridi was sensing. However, all they saw was random passerbys, ordinary humans living their lives in the city. Diamond city is considered one of the safest places in the World of Pipes, what with Bowser and other Mushroomy villains rarely even considering laying siege or causing trouble for this fair city. This is a city predominantly populated by humans, with rarely any Toads, Koopas or other well known species of the World of Pipes inhabiting this city. The only signs of antagonism is usually enforced exclusively by Wario, who still has some hint of his time in villainy when it come to his business so it's hard for them to believe that a maleficent force could ever directly attack this city that holds no gains for conquest. In a short distance, a bomb had exploded the front of a building, releasing out a flow of smoke from the wreckage. Out of the disaster site, enemies featured from different worlds converged out of it with a threatening aura about them featuring Spike Tops, Skuttlers of the Underworld Army, Shy Guys, Kritters, Goombas, a couple of Stalfos, and some humans accompanying these dastardly foes. A small swarm of Monoeyes, Lurchthorns, Daphnes, and Bronto Burts flew out of the hole causing chaos before the ground troops could start. One of the humans stepped forward raising a red flag with a malicious facial pattern on it resembling a shadowy clown.
"We are the Seperatists of a new order, shouting out the time of revolution!" The man shouted. Some of the radicals wore clothes of red, signifying a uniform for the Seperatists (the Kritters, Stalfos, and Skuttlers had strips of red clothing to affiliate themselves with the Seperatists, as did most of its members who would willingly bare the mark of rebellion) "We will not be forgotten!"
"Hold on a minute!" Viridi shouted. "Those are my Forces of Nature! What are my children doing involving themselves in terrorist activities?!"
"That's a very good question. But I think we'd better stop these guys from getting outta hand." Said Pit.
"Pika pika." Pikachu said, readying itself for battle.
Toon Link drew out his sword and Hylian shield to combat the mass of enemies spreading through the streets. "Don't hurt my babies!" Virdi cried out.
"It's either them or the city." Toon Link responded. "And it doesn't seem like they're giving us a choice either.
"Who cares! They're just humans anyways!" That comment didn't sit right with Toon Link, who was technically a type of human.
"It doesn't matter." Said Pit. "Lady Palutena wouldn't want us to sit back and let destruction go by! Come on fellas, let's do this!"
"Piiika." Pikachu was charging up its electricity for the upcoming skirmish between the task force and Seperatists now attacking Diamond City.
Elsewhere in Diamond City, around the time the last scene started, Charles was wandering the city looking for his lost friends, "Where am I? Where did they go?" The Villager aimlessly walked down the streets passing relatively happy folk, completely unaware of the crisis involving Knightscourge. Charles was also unaware that a round pink creature had taken interest in him and had been following him for a while. He had trekked to a nearby business district, occasionally glancing through windows of the various industries in their respective buildings. The sight of the businesses brought back memories of Charles' time in Smashville's Downtown business district, working and interacting with the owners of the numerous shops that had made Smashville so successful. Remembering the first time he had met Tom Nook and his nephews, Timmy and Tommy; the time where Kicks had accidentally exchanged his shoe order with massive boots designed to be worn by large Moblins; the moments he had designing his furniture with Cyrus and Reese. He worries what Knightscourge could have done to the villagers captured upon his dreadful ship.
"There you are!" Inside Charles' mind, Palutena yelled after discovering where Charles had wandered off to. "So this is where you've been up to, you wanderin' Walter. Thought you could desert your team back there?"
Charles was taken aback at Palutena's sudden appearance in his thoughts. "What, no! I just got lost! I never intended..."
"Oh calm yourself. I'm just joshing you." Palutena playfully stated. "Anywho, let's get you back with the group... wait a moment. I feel a strong energy nearby."
"Is it a Smasher?!" Charles asked.
"Don't know. It's just a strong concentration of energy that I can sense. Their are two of them nearby, so I'll lead you to the larger one. Just keep moving forward." Palutena guided Charles to where she sensed the strong concentration of power to its source, leading them to a gym (not a Pokemon gym at that). Charles looked inside from the window, seeing people working out at the machinery.
"Are you sure it's here?" He asked the goddess. "I mean I'm sure these folks are strong and all, but strong enough to be a. Smasher?"
"Do you dare question my knowledge?" Charles gulped and shook his head to appease the goddess. "I know my intuition is correct on this, trust me." Charles looked around in the building. "It's probably in the back room. Check it out for me please." Charles did as requested moving through the sweaty exercisers, ignoring the smell of progress. Reaching the back room, overhead held a sign labeled "Yoga", to where Charles walked he could hear a yoga session in progress.
"That's good, keep it up!" "You're doing well. Stretch out your arms!"
Charles came upon a small group of people exercising with yoga and balancing well for their time. Two figures stood out from the humans, very identical. They were humanlike in appearance wearing light clothing to accommodate their fit lifestyle. However their skin was a pale gray, tinting every part of their body including their eyes. Their hair was also a strange mixture of black and grey, giving their whole overall appearance a monochrome color, with the exception of their blue clothes. Their was a man and a woman of this description. "Okay people, our session is now coming to a close. We will see you all next time for our next session." The woman called out to the guests. The man was helping a pregnant woman get up, whom he was previously helping out before. The pair dismissed the humans until Charles was left. "I'm sorry sir. But this session is over now. If you wish to attend our yoga class, please come for the 4:40 session today." Charles was perplexed on the woman's appearance, being so grey.
"Is this the source of the energy your feeling?" He asked Palutena.
"Umm, no. It appears that both these individuals are the source of the power in sensing." It seemed strange for the trainer to see this little man talking to himself right in front of her.
"Uh, excuse me?" She questioned. "Are you speaking about me?"
Charles realized that the woman had listened in on his conversation with the goddess in his thoughts and put his attention back to her. "Oh, ah no. I was just... what? Touch her?!" Of course that statement didn't sit well for the trainers in the room.
"What!" The woman said in confusion.
"Now now," Said the man. "Let's not get the wrong idea here." He was busy looking into a bag where he retrieved a bottle of water. He had a cheery attitude despite what Charles had said about his partner.
"Okay, if that's what you intend to do." Charles grabbed at the female trainers forearm which took her by surprise and also alarming the male trainer.
"Hey! Get your hands off her!" The man called out.
"What! Hey!" Immediately on contact, Palutena telepathically made contact to the female trainer showing her the series of events that came before assembling her task force and their plan, like in Men In Black 3 when Griffin touched the Colonel's arm to show him what has and will happen. "Huh?"
"Hello, I am Palutena, Goddess of Light." She introduced herself. "I have taken an interest in both of your potential and thoroughly decided that you're worthy of accompanying us on our search for the Super Smash Bros.." While Palutena was enlisting the female, her partner was rising up to approach Charles on manhandling her, but she stopped him.
"Hold on dear. It's alright." She assured him. "She'll explain everything."
"Huh? Who's she..." Before he could finish, the grey woman put her hand on his shoulder, showing him everything she saw when Charles made contact with her. After seeing all the chaos and sorrow that the invaders inflicted, it surely must've touched some sympathy from the pair. All the needless bloodshed, destruction, and kidnapping really touched them. "My god."
"I've seen the hidden potential you two have, and it would honor us all if you could take this priveledge and help us stop this calamity that has befallen our world." Palutena was getting into a humble position, asking these mortals to help. "I may be a goddess, but Knigtscourge's influence here has dramatically weakened my powers so I need all the help we need to stop him. Will you, help us?"
It didn't take long for both the trainers to nod their heads, agreeing to help. "Hm, me and my husband would be glad to join your ranks and confront these brutes."
"Agreed. I'll give you all my power to whip those aggressors into shape." The male trainer said. "Or at least, bend them out of shape." Of course for Charles, having yoga trainers join them in a fight was beyond strange. What would they do, teach them some stretches or give them lessons on weight loss? Really it sounded like it would benefit the enemy more if these two came onto the playing field than it would for their sake. Then again, they could be used to train the task force and prepare them for upcoming battles. Perhaps they would be for instructor duties is what Charles thought Palutena needed them for. Nevertheless, it's good to have some support from anyone strong enough to join the task force.
Charles stuck his hand out to the trainers after of course letting go of the lady's forearm. "It's great to have you on the team. Umm, I didn't quite catch your names at first."
"Please, call me Karen, Karen Wii Fit." The monochrome woman said. "And this is my husband, Daniel."
Mr. Wii Fit raised his hand at Charles to greet. "Pleasures ours Charles."
Unfortunately for them, their recruitment was now put to the test when a booming sound was heard in the distance. Their attention was drawn outside, where they saw a stack of smoke far off, accompanied by trills of screams and shouting. "Well I guess we better go see what this is. Perhaps Pit and the rest have stirred up some trouble."
"If that's the case, then let's help them out of trouble then." Said Mrs. Wii Fit. "Let's hope no one else is in peril."
Charles nodded. "Come on, let's go!" The three of them booked over to the danger zone, Charles' group was followed by the pink balloon creature that had been in proximity of Charles when he was lost. Tilting it's head to the side in wonder, it decided to resume following the mystery man out of sheer curiosity, while also taking a fun kick out of where this path will lead it.
Just as Charles and the Wii Fit Trainers had reached their destination, they found two young'ins and a pikachu holding back an increasing horde of enemies that were littering the battlefield with the defeated. "What's going on here!?" Palutena asked. "What is this potluck of goons doing here?!"
"Lady Palutena!" Pit was glad to here his goddess' voice back in his head. "They must be some confederation of enemies from different "titles", trying to topple over the society that we live in today!"
"What a mouthful," Viridi replied snarkily. "Anyway, you remember that problem with my Forces of Nature? Yeah well I guess this what they've been up to." A Lurchthorn came charging toward Charles' trio, but missed because they skillfully evaded the attack. Bronto Burts flew above taunting some of the fighters for not being able to reach them. Elsewhere, Toon Link was preoccupied defending himself from being outmaneuvered by various foes. Pikachu zapped a Daphne out of the air but narrowly got skewered by a Lurchthorn.
"This is strange indeed." Palutena said. "What could be the meaning of this collaboration of minions from different games?
"They say they're part of some separatist movement." Pit said before countering a Kritters punch with a kick to it's jaw. "They plan on overthrowing the very system we live in." Pikachu headbutted a Goomba attempting to flank Pit. "Thanks."
"Pika." Pikachu waved off his gratitude in a 'Don't mention it' kinda way, but was caught by a Stalfo from behind it. "Pika-Chu!" Pikachu zapped the warrior of bones who let go of the Pokemon, confronting it head-on with sword and shield at hand.
"Come on. We got to help!" Mr. Wii Fit said to his compatriots nearby, running into the fray in a way that seemed a little stiff to Charles. His way was blocked by two Skuttlers and a big man. "Oh my. Please step out of my way so I may help my comrades." Of course the hostiles proceeded to attack the man, who dodged their move by bending over on his hands and feet in a bridge shape. He got up between two and stuck one hand out, knocking out the big guy, and sticking one foot in the air, hitting a Skuttler (better known as the Dancer position) then grabbed at the remainder before throwing it behind him and kicking it away with both his feet.
"Wonderful work out their hon'." Said Mrs. Wii Fit from the back. "Let's not leave them all the work, hm?" She looked down at Charles.
"Sure!" Charles enthusiastically agreed with her, following the woman to join the others in their fight against the Seperatists. Suddenly Charles stopped. He looked on at his comrades. Pit and Toon Link lashed out at the Monoeyes, Kritters, Shy Guys, and Skuttlers that surrounded them. Pikachu continued to zap at the airborne foes to prevent them from swarming, while the Wii Fit Trainers made short work of any remaining enemies daring to face them. Mrs. Wii Fit grabbed a Goomba and threw it at a Lurchthorn overhead, her partner struck down a Stalfo with great concentration before proceeding to battle a Spiketop. It finally hit Charles right in his face the one thing he had forgotten to consider before joining Palutena's task force, he had to be able to defend himself when push come to shove. And right now Charles was at a total lost.
Back at Warioware HQ, Wario looked through his window and saw a stream of smoke a short distance away. The best bet in his mind is that his little bargain failed. "What the hell is going on out there?! I thought I told you to tell your boss to leave my city alone!"
Mad Scienstein smirked. "It seems my master had actually spoken to his faction, but I guess they didn't get the memo." Two Kritters walked through the door giving a threatening vibe. "Now I do believe you have your part of the bargain to fulfill."
Wario glared at the mad scientist and at both of the flunkies. "You didn't stick to your part. I'm not going." Wario knew what those two goons were there for. Whether he wanted to or not, Scienstein expected Wario to go and meet his master, through force if necessary. Unfortunately for them, they should've known that Wario had the raw power to resist detainment.
"That's too bad. Unfortunately for you, you don't have a choice now. We have you surrounded, so their is no chance in resisting." Outside of Wario's window, some Monoeyes, Koopa Troopas, men and women in Seperatist colors, Nutskis, Skuttlers, Bubbles, Goombas and a Giant Goomba, and Starmen waited outside in case something were to happen. "Their are only two ways Wario. What is your decision?" Wario thought over what his options were. However he was greatly considering letting out his rage right now on these thugs.
Charles was motionless at the violence being beheld. "Charles, what are you doing? Why don't you help out?" Palutena interrupted Charles absentmindedness. "Are you alright?"
Charles felt panic begin to develop inside him. It could be that he was afraid. However, it felt a little more convoluted than that. Seeing all of his teammates and their strengths being use in a fight made him feel a bit useless. He didn't have weapons or training that Pit and Toon Link had mastered to hold their own in a brawl. He didn't have the elemental powers to control lightning that Pikachu could conjure up at will, and he definitely did not have the discipline and training that the Wii Fit Trainers had to defend themselves either. He didn't have any defining traits or superpowers any of his comrades had, let alone the legendary Super Smash Bros. who had various attributes and personal powers that made them super. Charles was just an ordinary mayor of an ordinary village. Sure he fished, he planted trees, he dug for fossils, he caught bugs... where was I going with this? Anyway, none of those things seem all that heroic or super to Charles. Most of these guys have been with the Smash Bros. and only the best of the best could battle amongst the Smashers. Pikachu being a long time Veteran is famous for its involvement with the very first Smash Incident. (Of course rumor has it that the Pikachu from the Brawl Tournament was the Pichu from the Mellee Tournament , but it's hard to tell if any Pikachu is the same throughout the timelines.)
Toon Link and Pit attended the Brawl Tournament. Of course Toon Link arrived after the Subspace Emissary Crisis, so he's not all used to series of events leading up to Tabuu's demise. Then again this Toon Link could be any of the numerous younger Links of his world. But Pit was one of the first characters to rally against the Subspace forces, befriending Mario on the way. That was one of his first influences outside of his world and how he became more savvy to the outer worlds of our planet. He's also became more renowned after he saved the world from an Underworld takeover and numerous world threatening menaces, all in one adventure. Charles couldn't compete with any of these heroes with their magnificent reputations.
"Charles?!" Lady Palutena called to him.
"What the 'H' are you doing?!" Viridi yelled. "Get your lazy hide out their and help out!" Charles backed up a bit.
"I, I can't!" Charles said.
"What are you talking about?! You scared outta your mind?"
Palutena interrupted Viridi's taunting. "Nonsense Charles! You shouldn't doubt yourself."
"I can't do the things they can do! It doesn't matter if you give me special powers or a weapon of sorts, I wouldn't know how use them!"
"I don't think that's the problem. You just lack the courage to fight for what's right." While Charles was absently standing around, a Bronto Burt took the opportunity to attack the idle person. "Charles look out!" Palutena tried to warn Charles of the enemy charging at him making him turn toward it. He braced for the impact, but before the bugger could even touch him, a rolling pink flash slammed into it. When he opened his eyes, Charles saw that the Bronto Burt had tumbled into mash of enemies trying to converge to the other fighters. Next to him was the pink balloon creature that had been following him a while ago. it flipped its tuft of hair then finished off staring down the rabble of foes heroically.
"Is that, Jigglypuff!?" Pit and the others were happy to see their old comrade join the battle. Not only that, Jigglypuff is a Veteran Smasher especially famous for the first Smash Incident. Even with its unlikely appearance, it was worthy enough to even be a member of the Super Smash Bro. Ever since, it was revealed that Jigglypuff has amazing combat prowess, despite it's reception in the Pokemon series. And to boot, it's now considered a Fairy-type, a newly discovered Pokemon category said to work well against the impregnable Dragon-type.
"Woo-hoo! A Veteran Smasher! Now you guys are in for it!" Pit cheered. Some of the enemies didn't see this as a threat, but when Jigglypuff dispatched some more goons, the battle certainly wasn't in their favour. With their dwindling numbers and overwhelming adversaries, the Seperatists were considering a hasty retreat.
"Now that's more like it." Mr. Wii Fit said.
"That's one strong Pokemon." Mrs. Wii Fit added in.
"Urgh! Fall back, fall back! We can't handle this loss!" one of the Seperatists yelled out to his fellows. "We aren't done with you Smashers! You'll regret ever facing off the Seperatists! You'll pay!" And with that the remaining rebels fled in different directions, leaving the Task Force to revel in victory.
"That's right, you guys better run!" Viridi cheered. "Bunch of posers. Who do they think they are?"
"I guess we know what's up with the Forces of Nature." Pit said. "So how come you couldn't command them to stop Viridi?"
"I tried to. But they wouldn't listen. Its like they were brainwashed."
"Well the good news is that we found a Smash Brother, and a classic at that one." Palutena informed them. Pikachu patted Jigglypuff's back to congratulate its arrival. "It's good to see you Jigglypuff." Jiggly puffed out in pride in response to Palutena.
"Welcome Jigglypuff." Toon Link said. "We were hoping to find you and the other Smashers help us deal with Knightscourge if you would kindly agree?"
"Pika-pikachu. Pi-pika, pi." Pikachu spoke to Jigglypuff, hoping to convince it to join them.
"Jigg." Jigglypuff looked the other way haughtily. Apparently that meant that it would accept their invitation since they were begging it to join.
"Pika!"
"So it's settled. That's three Smashers. Now if only we could find Wario." Palutena was confident her plan to reassemble the Super Smash Bros. was sealed with this rate. It wouldn't be long before the final challenge against Knighscourge would be upon them. However far up in the sky, a cloaked dropship floats over the city. Inside one the pods, an intercom speaks an alien language inside with it's inhabitant preparing for the dropdown. At the end of a foreign countdown, the pod shot out from the ship to its destination. "Wait I feel something from afar."
"More Seperatists?' Viridi asked.
"No, its from above!" The fighters looked up to the sky, trying to see what's up (literally). They couldn't see anything, until they spotted a falling object. The UFO (Unidentified Falling Object, but I'm sure you readers knew that) came like a bomb crashing through two skyscrapers before stopping at its third impact. Palutena focused on the wreckage before sensing a familiar, savage life force emanating from the pod. "Oh no."
The pod opened from three sliding hatches, letting out a vile knight monster, clad in dark armour reminiscent of Knightscourge. The being had a helmet with a huge, circular visor making up it's face. It had thick horn-like protrusions out the sides of its head, and had blue circuitry patterns flowing around it's body parts. Through it's vision, it saw tactical details of it's surroundings almost in a Predator-like tech. It had cross-hairs in it's vision to help it aim when it sensed it was using a weapon, to increase it's proficiency in combat. It stared down upon the bystanders that witnessed this invasion from the knight. Slowly, it pulled out a large weapon similar to a pistol in its right claw and it fired into the civilians. The people scattered at the shots that burst on impact on the ground. The invader continued to do this with little regard for the innocent. "What's the deal?!" Pit exclaimed. "What's he targetting them for? They didn't do nothing to be shot at?"
"That's an emissary of the very lunatic we're trying to stop." Palutena said to her task force. "Their's no hope trying to reason with this creature, its intent on killing anything that moves. You must stop it at all costs."
"So that's what we are up against." Said Toon Link, unimpressed. "Puh-lease. I've fought DarkNuts more fearsome than this."
"That's one of the enemy? I've seen their brutality, but this is too far!" Mr. Wii Fit said. He wasn't the only one appalled by the knights disregard for the living.
"WAAAAAAH!"
From down the street, a motorcycle's engine was rumbling toward their position gradually. The object from the distance drew closer to the team until a pudgy, stout Italian guy with a gruff attitude on his custom motorcyle swept in front of the task force, stepping off to get a look at his city. "Alright! Where are the rest of the scum?!" He must've been looking for the marauding Seperatists that had attempted to trash Diamond City. He took a look around at the damage they had previously caused, which was enough to boil his anger levels. "Grrr. Where are the son of a..." Wario looked up at the building where the knight was still shooting out into the city. "What the hell is that?!"
"That's a soldier of Knightscourge, the very despot we're trying to stop!" Pit told the fat man.
"I don't even know what that means. But if you guys don't like this sucker, then we're on the same page."
Charles approached the frontlines, in any way to convince Wario to join their side. "Listen Wario, we need your help to stop this guy, and his faction where he comes from, from destroying our society. We can't do it without you or the Smash Bros."
Wario glanced at Charles, then back at the threat. "I'll follow you foos anywhere if it helps me get rid these guys from ruining my stuff. Can't have these assholes destroy all the valuable riches that I need to swipe." With that, the fighters lined up to face the new menace, preparing for whatever this oppressor had to give. At that moment, the knight saw the line of brave souls crazy enough to stand up to its power. It tilted it's head at such a small opposition that stayed their ground, even if it fired warning shots into the crowds of civilians. This was a challenge, a challenge that would prove interesting in the end. If it could slay these foolhardy creatures at this moment, it could be greatly rewarded for its deed. At this thought, it jumped down from its peak to the streets where it could engage this worthy enemy. It walked toward its prey, analysing the best strategy to slay multiple enemies at a limited time. When the task force and the Smashers got a closer look at the being, it was greatly armoured and it obviously looked a lot taller than it did at a distance. Despite this realization, the characters stood their ground, not cowering at the sight of the giant. Charles felt a twisted feeling in the pit of his stomach, but when he looked at his companions, he saw the Wii Fit Trainers give him a thumbs up to encourage him. Pikachu and Jigglypuff looked prepared to battle the monstrous adversary, while Wario continued to glare swords at the knight. Pit nodded at Charles, to reassure him to stay calm, followed by Toon Link doing the same before readying himself for the challenge. Now all that needed to be done was to at least survive this encounter with one of Knightscourge's compatriot in order to determine if any of them are ready to take on Knightscourge himself in combat.
Phew! A real cliffhanger this time. Next chapter will have Charles' group fighting for their lives against this knight that has affiliation to Knightscourge, our stories main antagonist. The Seperatists are based off the Smash Run enemies from the 3ds version of Super Smash Bros. 4, with some exceptions. They are not in any affiliation to Knightscourge. RR if you like, I would really appreciate some feedback.
Smasher appearances: Wario; Wii Fit Trainer(s); Jigglypuff
A small smidge of action is what I gave to you with so much more in later chapters. I hope it was good. I've got nothing else to say for now, until the next chapter, see you guys later!