Chapter 16: Most High of Another

Beware of mild spoilers for the rest of my storyline.

Super Smash Bros. [Pokemon: Diamond/Pearl/Platinum, Spear Pillar, Mt. Coronet]

The Falcon Flyer rode in a tunnel of brightness, one of certain travel through dimensions or the such. The vessel flew further in the void, not sure if they were even moving or just being passed by the tunnel. Along the way blocky minifigures of various franchises travelled in tubes going to their own destinations making the Flyer not so alone. But to each their own adventure, and so Falcon's ship finally reached the end of their travel, heading into a blinding light. The teams transport, after exiting the portal to be encased in dark clouds. "Oh woah!" Falcon steered in the cockpit, surprised on being unknowingly brought into dangerous weather. "Didn't see this coming!" The Flyer was safely steered without hitting any obstacles when it was made apparent that the storm was amidst a mountain range. The ace pilot got past the peaks, eventually the front view held ruined sanctum practically calling out to them to land there.

"There! To that stronghold!" Ike pointed to the ruins.

"You mean that mess of rocks, sure." Following the Smash Bros.' direction, the racer landed the Falcon Flyer carefully out of the storm clouds to the ominous remains. "Right. I assume their is more to this place than it's ugly let's on."

"I wouldn't mock this holy ground If I were you. Our host is not very tolerant towards humor and jokes."

"Then he's sure gonna love me." Dillon, went over to the exit of the ship, awaiting for it open so he can just leave. [Overhead radio playing "Something about us" by Daft Punk] The tacticians and princess hid in the garage for most of the trip, that's when the A.I. called out on the landing.

"Landing successful. Location: Pokemon Country, Mt. Coronet, Sinnoh." Robin looked up at the ceiling listening to the voice with no body.

"It still baffles me on the advanced technology used by the man." He gushed a bit. "Not one of the Outrealms had such advancements."

"Sure most of those realms had odd customs that seem new for Ylisse, but metallic flying ships and souls inside them are unfathomable." Robyn agreed. She turned around to check on Lucina, still sitting to herself, brooding. "Your highness, we've landed. Would you like follow everyone outside?" Lucina didn't look back at her guard, sitting with her knees to her face. The female tactician grew irked on the immaturity her best friend's future daughter was displaying, but since all the others have departed from the ship to the shrine, one of them would have to analyse the situation outside. "Brother, let's one of us join the others while the other stays to watch over our majesty's sake."

"Aye. But to be fair, let's settle it with a fair decision." Her brother suggested.

"Alright, winner stays, loser goes. But let me warn you, little sis has had a mean winning streak against Panne and Gaius lately so beware." And then, the decisive battle of wits between the two mighty minds waged with a single match in combat on who would take which task. Only the strongest of strategy and brains could fulfill the qualifications to compete in this olden game of...

"Anima, Light, Dark!" The tacticians released a hand gesture, with Robins being three crooked fingers sticking out, and Robyn holding a fist bent back.

"Damn it!" She stomped upon seeing her loss.

"Hehehheheh. You forgot I'm not Panne, or Gaius sis." He smirked to his twin getting salty. "Now, now. No need to be mad. It was fair and square. Plus there is no time for best 2/3."

"Grrr. Next time Brother, victory will be mine." She looked back to Lucina, then back to Robin. "Just watch her and nothing else. Understood?"

"You have nothing to worry about. Now, ta ta. The others are waiting for you." He pridefully watched his sister leave to join the others out. He went over to the distressed girl, brooding in to herself. He touched her shoulder. "Is everything alright princess? Maybe it would be wise to join up with everyone else." The moment he finished the sentence, Lucina turned her gaze over her shoulder to give Robin a particularly cold look that made him release contact with her and hold his hands up to himself in a 'don't hurt me' way. [end BGM]

Entering onto the ruined grounds, Falcon snuck behind cover after cover, sneaking like some super spy infiltrating an enemy base, when on his last one he motioned his party to come. No one else sneaked like some loon, choosing to walk through the empty ruins with utter faith that an ambush is not present.

"It's awfully solemn here." Said Ike in the midst of the dark grounds. "Where is everyone else? Where they relocated?"

"Aight, now would be a great time to know," C. Falcon paused to pose like he were ready for a sneak attack. But none came. ", why did we have to stop at this museum for? I mean, I like dreary old gravel as much as the next guy, but the only cover we have here is some broken columns, and a few ancient pillars. So what's the point of hiding out if we're deciding to sit like some suicidal ducks, in season!?"

"We're here for an audience with Arceus, the original Pokemon." Dillon spoke up.

"This is where it dwells. As of now during these invasions. It is through it's will that we gather up the Smash Bros. in these times." Falcon looked to Ike questionably.

"Oh, of course. One of those Pokemon. Then where the hell is this divine thing?" Upon utterance, an illuminated stairway shone down from above the center of the ruins, catching the racer off-guard. Robyn had just joined the team when said stairway shone down for them.

"I guess it would be a bad time to ask if I missed anything." She said looking on at the miracle. Just then, a voice called to the heroes waiting for someone to descend from the light which is what would be expected.

"Rise to my sanctum mortals." Ike and Dillon climbed the stairs upon permission, followed by Robyn, then, rather reluctantly, Capt. Falcon. Finally making it to the top, the heroes entered an enlightened zone which paid homage those images of a cloudy heaven. On a glassy pedestal, a tall white beast, almost similar to Dialga if it were being crushed at its guts by some fancy gold ring and a more slimmer, stood in a holy light. "Who dares mock my sanctum of creation?" Not counting Robyn, all pointed to the racing Smasher in accusation.

"O'lets not all just look at me!" Cried out Falcon defensively. All those accompanying him, sans Robyn equally though the same being:

"(It was totally you.)" Fortunately, Arceus was not the only creature among them. Pokemon like Meowth, Electrode, Goldeen, Staryu, Snorlax, Helioptile, Magnemite, and Emolga to a name a few of the various Mons. It must be some Noahtic way to preserve his creation from the flood that is the coming Dusk Templar.

"Aside the transgressions, where is King Marth?" King, Prince. I'm seeing Marth after his home game's completion. He did succeed in slaying Medeus after all, right?

"Most holy Arceus." (Don't mind how it's pronounced okay. Use your imagination.) Ike answered. "On our mission to rescue falcon..."

"Not that I needed any rescuing." Interrupted the F-zero champ.

"SILENCE!" Back to Ike.

"...Marth held back the tide of Dusk Templar barbarians so that we may escape with our lives."

"That was not the condition I had set, sellsword. I specifically demanded that the Smash Member be escorted here for assembly! I did not specify on exchanging one for the other!." The way the high Pokemon treated them was less than satisfying for someone not fearing such.

"I tried to reason with him, but he would not sway." Arceus looked to the side to see Robyn, in awe at the physical deity not Naga.

"And what is this? I didn't say to collect loose weight for this journey! This is completely against my will!" Ike was totally backed against the wall without the more thoughtful Marth at his side. It didn't make it any easier with Dillon stepping back from any explanation. Now it was time for Robyn to step in.

"Almighty Arceus I presume?" It would certainly mark some points to praise the pokemon deity in ways to appease it's frustration, considering it' supposed to be one of great power. It's not wise to anger a god, any person with common sense should know. "I do not mean to disrespect you, but would it not be top priority to be sure that anything presumed 'non-combatant' be removed from any Dusk Templar environments to reduce casualties?"

"Our top priority is to gather the Super Smash Bros. to fend off the Dusk Templar. Liberating our homelands from destruction and anarchy. Not to secure the muggles. Do you expect me to raise a defence force comprised of untrained, unprofessional civilians to clash with those brutes?!" The pokemon showed disregard for those in the Dusk Templar's line of sight, seemed cruel even to his creation. However, none of them had the moxy to say anything against his word. This did not mean Robyn had no complaints with Arceus' opinion (or fact, given it's god-like status).

"That's some biased exceptions. Do not the innocents have the privilege to be removed from the battlefront? That certainly is the most pragmatic choice to at least save as many lives as possible?"

"If we are to rely on the Smash Brothers to band up and defeat our enemy, then we must focus on assembling them!... I sense their are two more of you." With a brief thought, the wondrous legendary brought a pair of people-sized light structures that quickly transmorphed into Lucina and Robin, the second tactician. "Oh great, are their more stowaways. I do not recall you two of being in the Super Smash Brothers either." The new attendants to this sanctuary were not ready for being brought into the conversation.

"Umm... I won't lie and say that we are. But would you settle for Smash Brethren?" Robin awkwardly asked the mysteriously divine creature. Arceus was far too busy to indulge in jokes from unwanted guests.

"And to think I had put some trust into this proposal, hoping it would bring our worlds salvation. But it was wasted upon, time used instead of more dire decisions."

"Like what, pray I ask?!" Robyn challenged. But contrary to her assumption of being punished for trying a higher being, Arceus had no response to what she started. A good start for delving into answers of all that is going on. "You are supposed to be some god, am I correct? Why not use your immortal powers to smite these fiends? To rescue all your subjects?" More silence followed. "Unless it hasn't occurred to you, but it seems the world my brother and I have come from is not the only one under siege. What good would it be but to have one lone defender face off against an adversary that has wiped out the rest?" Arceus had took it's eye contact away from the human, figuring on what to respond to it's rash statement. It had to reflect on its prior motives, not really coming into contact to those facing the fire of the Dusk Templar not from his world.

[play Flight, Man Of Steel Ost] "Because I cannot protect my creation from the terrors that invade us." Not the answer the tacticians, racer, or princess was hoping for. Maybe something with a more valid explanation to deserting the rest for the best. Ike did not intervene, for he knew they needed to know why exactly the Smash bros. were selected for resistance over the deities of the various worlds of Nindrasol. "These invaders are not just barbaric giants pillaging the lands. In them is a hidden force that specifically targets high beings known as 'Celestials' in our parts, to dramatically weaken them. So much that with prolonged exposure to them, we become as vulnerable as a meek mortal." This posed bad news for the Ylisseans, knowing that the almighty Naga could be slain by the demonic marauders in an opportunity. "I've seen first-hand a Celestial like myself be butchered alive by the stains that have assaulted us all. But we have our last hope stuck on a certain roster of extraordinary individuals upon both side of good and evil, with their history of stupendous achievements." Ike and Falcon took some pride in the fact that they were a part of this super team being praised by a god. The Ylisseans heard about this miraculous team, but did not fully understand what made up such a team that a deity would praise them as their worlds, no, their realities only hope in repelling the Dusk Templar menace.

"Tell me, almighty Arceus." Asked Robin. "What makes this group so special, that gods would throw their chips down to assemble them to stop even god-slayers?"

"The Super Smash Bros. is merely a tournament amongst heroes and villians, competing over who has the most skill during certain time periods. However, many unfathomable threats plotted to ruin our galaxy of diversity with intentions to control, renew, or utterly destroy what they conquer, if not for the intervention of such an alliance." This time Lucina rose to speak with Arceus.

"How did you come to know of these exclusive events?" The princess asked.

To which the Pokemon answered, "The Celestial community has had their eye on the matters of this integration for a brief time, being informed of their past triumphs from the sponsor of the tournaments, along with our own creator, Master Hand. Crafter of us Celestials." Master Hand, a being of such power, that he brought into existence gods. "But perhaps a preview of what they are capable of will convince you just how badly we all need this sliver of hope, in the rising tide of engulfing darkness." With heavenly ways, multiple openings in space showed highlights from the Smash Bros. legendary moments in their past, like the original dozen fighting through a desperate battle against hordes of blocky doppelgängers; Mario, Link, Pikachu and Kirby facing off in an epic showdown; all of them being pursued by Mario's metallic copy and a demoness; and an unknown boy aiding Master Hand in supporting the heroes in their struggle.

Another few images showed the team fighting each other in another battle royale, featuring the same unknown boy accompanied by other non-Smash Bros. kids watching the mellee between heroes; them sparring against metal copies and hominids in rudimentary wire frames; some sinister combatants facing each other, possibly planning a coup; a monstrous version of Bowser rampaging about, facing off with the majority of the Smash Bros.; a mysterious man lurking about the sidelines; then showing a powerful celestial being amongst the ruins of reality itself, flaunting evil powers to rend the universe asunder. Possibly the evil god the team was responsible for slaying.

More images showed the SSB in the events played through the Subspace Emissary campaign. Mario and Pit chasing the Ancient Minister and the others fighting through the Subspace Army to unite and enter Subspace itself to face down it's enigmatic leader, Taboo. Being defeated, then rescued by Dedede, Ness, and Luigi, before getting help from Sonic the Hedgehog to vanquish the Subspace Emissary and Taboo for good. Did I forget to mention Solid Snake had joined their ranks to put a stop to the Subspace invasion on the hub world, Nindrasol. If it wasn't for him, Shokora would not have been chosen as supreme Chancellor of Nindrasol, but instead a despot that would have had numerous worlds go to war over leadership.

Some other visages showed the team face off against invading Humans from the other side, fights during the aforementioned tournaments, non-smasher villians assaulting worlds not their own, other heroic deeds involving joint initiatives amongst Smashers to save their intertwined worlds from disasters of various sizes. The tacticians and Lucina looked on at the wondrous work the Smash bros. have done to be etched down in legend at their extraordinary feats and interactions across worlds no one would believe at first unless shown. Cpt. Falcon looked about the assortment of his and his compatriots acts of heroism getting the uneasy feeling that being shown these is blatantly trying to inspire him to regroup amongst them again. Ike was studied the events of the SSB and their valiant efforts against abominable evils from before inclusion, seeing new adventures from them like one involving an elusive werewolf and one with battle against a mirage master. Robyn and her brother took a moment observe the reoccurring kid that showed up aiding the SSB during some clips being presented, bringing up the question of his identity.

"Who's the boy in those images? Is he Smash Brother too?" Asked the female tactician.

"He's a good friend of ours." Responded C. Falcon. Ike may not have known that certain boy for long, but for the briefest they were in contact, he knew they were a special person for putting so much faith in the SSB for when they felt despair. An invaluable friend who would never be forgotten, unlike a god of evil they fought whose actions would haunt them to this very day. The point of the slideshow of events in Smash history was fully absorbed by the newcomers. It seemed that no matter how big the overwhelming challenge was, from ancient, malignant beings to newly made chaotic gods, the Smashers proved themselves worthy to rise up to the occasion and end the peak of destruction before it came to light with their combined strengths and brotherhood. The more they saw the impossible deeds accomplished, the more Lucina and her tacticians believed these band of heroes could stand against and stop the Dusk Templar from further harming their dimension. [end BGM]

"So, you have seen the proof that this confederation built by Master Hand can save us, and safeguard our worlds from dangers like the Dusk Templar." Exlaimed Arceus. " It is even said , Master Hand himself along with his supposed sibling also take the time to outright challenge individual Smashers, together or in single combat, yet even they struggle to truly best them." Holy cow! These Smashers are powerful enough to scruff with the creator of the mighty Celestials, and give them the run for their money? Yeah,these guys are pretty much the shit! "But we are making no progress. With Marth captured, they have one more Smasher to however many they already have. I can't afford to send of messengers to lose them as constantly as we need extra Smashers."

"Perhaps we could aid you in this rallying of the Smash Bros.." Robin offered his and his company's aid. "Whatever it takes to find them to avert this catastrophe, my sister and I will lend you the best of our abilities, if that is what Lucina's wish be." Robin looked to the princess, waiting for her next move would be, since it is their job now to watch over her for Chrom. To her best interest, it would be a good idea to have some enforcements around if she wishes to save her father, ancestor and everyone's future.

"Well, you two are the ones with the best strategy, so I follow your stead." Lucina stated, to join in the reassembly of the legendary force of epic proportions.

"Excellent." Robyn approved of Lucina's good judgement for a change. Then she turned back to Arceus. "Back where we came from, my brother and I are revered as genius' in military strategy. Our army we lead had scored victory after victory, earning an inhuman streak in wins with far fewer casualties than our enemies. Having us devise tactics around our massive foes when the time comes would prove invaluable in your goal."

"Now that we've had an experience with these false knights, we can calculate just what possibilities we can achieve to prevent any losses, with far fewer troops to lose compared to likelihood of allies being lost between armies. Not only that, but the young lady here is the future princess of our Halidom of Ylisse." Arceus' queer expression said that he got confused on Lucina's position of a time traveller, gone back in time for whatever, so Robin decided to leave out the complicated details for now. "*Ahem* Well, this girl is a paragon of swordsmanship. Fully capable of holding off many adversaries at once, a force to be reckoned with, with the Mark of the Exalt to prove her birthright of royalty, Lucina is an ally that's far too handy to pass up. Trust me, Robyn and I can vouch for her." Lucina grew flustered on being applauded by her friends. Both tacticians gave her a thumbs up, giving her full support. They were going to aid her in whatever path she chose. And with this new backing from a godlike pokemon, all she has to do is bring the SSB back together and have them strike the Dusk Templar at their heart and rescue her father and avenge all those who fell in battle against the brutes. Falcon couldn't help but get the impression that these freaks were too close to advertising their help.

"Great Arceus, if you add us to your task force, then we promise to help in bringing in the Smash Bros. together, with guaranteed results of success. Give or take better than without us to be truthful. Besides, it's a offer you can't refuse, considering we did make it out of a scrap with those monsters." Her proposition may just be word to the grand deity, but what more could he lose. Last time he sent out a task force to retrieve Captain Falcon all it consisted of was three, no strategists to devise a better plan to extract to a safer position. Besides, it's not like these young humans to lie to a physical god right in front of them, they seem a bit too naive for such tricks.

"Very well. I will give you another chance, for their has been a disturbance in the shambles left after a Dusk Templar raid." Arceus gave in. It hoped it would not regret this choice. "As urgent as this mission is, even you must have some rest. You may take Sylveon to support you in your mission, but you will have to make camp in outside my hall in the Spear pillar. Once you have boarded your ship, move to the South and you will be warped to your destination. Do not fail this mission. All life's fate depends on this extraction." Arceus gave a low screech, calling in an Eeveelution that had a magical girl like design to it (that's how I best interpret it, heheh.) with a white body and face; pink tail, feet, ears and cranium; two attached bows on it's left ear and one like a bowtie with a ribbon wrapped to both; and cute blue eyes. The whole concept of the pokemon bleeds cuteness overload! I SWEARS!

"Sylveon." I don't even need to say what said that, seriously :.

"Hey. That's really cute." Robyn petted the pokemon, who in turn indulged in the pampering.

"VeOn!"

"Heheh, I don't know what sort of combat capabilities this cutie gives, but maybe it has some healing factors to it, like support I guess."

"Now go! The sooner you replenished your energy, the sooner the mission can commence. Dillon will stay in place of Sylveon, for his hard work." No one is going to complain about that, he did prove his worth when fooling around with those Verruts, leading them off the chase along with downing a Venx. The task force made their way down the stairway out of the Hall of Origins, followed by Sylveon, watched by Arceus. He looked away, longing that this would work better than the last one in Ylisse. "Don't make me regret this." Just before Arceus closed it's stairway to it's sanctuary, a little pokemon snuck it's way out when it's god wasn't looking to explore with the task force.

While C. Falcon retreated to his ship to rest up, the Fire Emblem warriors camped out in the open, more used to this style of camping, even though he did offer them to enter, Falcon was relieved to be sleeping alone in the ship. They each passed the time in their own way, but we'll focus on the camp outside. Sylveon curled itself next to Robyn, sleeping near her warmth and the fire they orbited around. "That little critter really seems attached to you, huh sis."

Robyn giggled to her twin. "Yeah. Who knew such cute little animals existed beyond our knowledge. I wouldn't mind keeping one as a pet."

"Their are more pokemon, enough to actually lose track of." Ike told her. "And it's wise to not lump them together with animals. They may live similarly, but these creatures share emotional bonds with humans no animal can ever achieve."

"Intelligence. That's a unique trait." Robin exclaimed in interest. "But we should really get some sleep. *YAWN!* We have a big day ahead of us. Saving the world, or more exactly, the entire universe as we know it." Falcon was kind enough to give them blankets and pillows to sleep on for the night, so Robin mad the best of what they had, and slowly made his way to sleep. Ike followed suit, leaving Robyn to gaze into the fire before slowly closing her eyes. But she did see that Lucina was not laying beside the fire they constructed, looking around to see the girl standing on a tall boulder behind her. She gazed up to the stars, sure to herself no one else was awake to here he speak to the heavens.

"Father, wherever you are, please give me guidance on this new journey to challenge fate. Never would I have imagined that we would have to help save worlds beyond ours from a desolate future." She said. "But now that I know that we are not alone facing insurmountable odds, I have faith that whatever future the Dusk Templar intends upon us can be averted, just like the future I came from could. So if you can here me out their in our home realm, Naga, please watch over us and my father, to keep us from harm and to protect us from the evils the invaders wrought. To keep safe all my friends, family and all the innocent that suffer from our common enemy. If not you, then may the god here, Arceus watch over us and ensure a safe return with the Smash hero, who has become the light in our darkest hour. I need more strength to help those around me. I am also thankful to be watched over by fathers most trusted allies, ever reliable through thick and thin. Oh, how much I want to thank them for all their hard work watching over father and how much they mean to me. Whoever is listening out there, please keep us safe and guide us in these dire times." After basically a prayer to whatever is out listening to the girl, Lucina looked to the open night sky, the billions of visible stars now filled with more purpose, knowing that their world is not alone out in the cosmos. "I should probably go to sleep right now, but I could stand to watch this beautiful view for a while longer." Robyn smiled warmly at the care Lucina considered for them, not selfishly vowing to protect her own world, but others as well. Seeing this side of Chrom's daughter gave the tactician the image of worthy heir to the Halidom Chrom would leave behind in the far future. A leader worthy of power must consider outside their realm as much as they should their own kingdom. As heart-warming as they may be, Robyn prepared herself for a nice rest, finally letting herself slumber for the important mission to be had the next day.

Trophy description:

Nindrasol

The cental hub world of the Nintendo galaxy in Amiibo. The planet is the setting where the Subspace Emissary story took place in, after some reparations from it's last assualt, this planet is home to various integrated locations, including the Capitol and even the Smash Mansion that is located around some neighboring cities. Knightscourge and his armies are currently orbiting the poor planet, plotting their atrocities against the Smashers homeworlds and others caught in Knightscourge's sadistic game. This planet is the crossroads to all the worlds of the Nintendo galaxy, so now Knightscourge has his pick of the next potential hunting grounds to bag a trophy or two to his content. With so many worlds, who knows if he'll ever run out of room to mount his achievements.

And I believe that's all for now. For the next chapter, we'll see just where the other task force and Smashers are setting up for their next base of operation after Knightscourges scouring of Skyworld. Tootle-loo!