Super Smash Brothers: Reckoning

Chapter six: Tournaments and Parties.

AUTHORS NOTES: Sorry I'm late! I forgot I had to start school on Monday...Damn it. After this chapter, I'll try to get one out every Saturday or Sunday – However, I may still be slowed by homework. Enjoy the chapter – It's a lot more light-hearted than the last two. Nero's storyline is really, really dark...

PREVIOUSLY:

The two teens walked back to the mansion, Reds arm draped around Ruby's shoulders, her head resting on his own shoulders.

*****************

The next morning....Red's room.

Red yawned and opened his eyes. Then, remembering what happened last night, he sat bolt upright, waking up a very specific someone sleeping next to him.

"Red? Since when did you wake up this early?" Ruby yawned.

"Wh..what are you doing in here?" Red asked, his voice shaking.

"We share a room, Dunderhead." Ruby replied, glaring at him with crossed arms "You know, like we did at campus?"

"Well...yeah, but since when did we share beds?"

"Since last night, Romeo" Ruby said, smiling a little. Red paled.

"Please tell me we didn't do....that."

"What?" Ruby asked. Then she blushed. "Oh. No. We just made out a little." She stepped out of the bed and walked towards the bathroom, leaving a stunned – but happy - Red behind her.

***********************

Dr. Mario's waiting room.

Marth blinked his way back into existence, then realized he wasn't alone. He smiled fondly at Shiida, who'd fallen asleep on his arm. He softly kissed her forehead.

"Morning, sunshine." He whispered. Shiida snapped her eyes open, spun around and slammed Marth into the wall. When she realized who she'd done it to, she blushed and looked ashamed.

"Sorry" She apologized "Force of habit."

"From when...Oh. The war. Yeah...Now I Know where those marks on Roger's face came from..."

Shiida giggled as she remembered the desperate and single knight of Grado. That was one of many dysfunctional members their army had picked up.

"Ah, well." Marth sighed, getting up and stretching "Tournament starts today. Better go get some breakfast first."

Shiida nodded and followed Marth out the door.

*********************************

Mewtwo's room

Dante had been telling Mewtwo about the events up to and including Beltazar's first appearance. The demon in question had just destroyed a church when Dante and Nero had got there. Mewtwo, however, was annoyed with Dante's career path.

THAT WAS YOU'RE DAY JOB?!? Mewtwo screamed telepathically at Dante HOW MANY ENEMIES DO YOU HAVE?

"A lot." Dante replied nonchalantly. Then he frowned. "What worries my is that Beltazar didn't seem to be from any portion of Hell I'm familiar with...Is there anyone here who knows much about demons? He might have come from another dimension."

TRY ZELDA Mewtwo replied NOW, GO GET SOME BREAKFAST. TOURNAMENT STARTS TODAY.

Dante nodded, and walked out the door.

***************************

ER

Nero woke up groggily. Then he remembered how he got to sleep.

"I swear, Altair, if I catch you, You will die for that." Nero growled.

Dr. Mario walked in.

"Top-a of the morning to-a you!" The italian said cheerfully.

"Forget the morning, how's Kyrie?"

"Stable. You-a really should-a thank Altair. If he-a didn't know the-a antidote, she'd be dead by now."

Nero mentally kicked himself for forgetting his dept to the Assassin. Didn't mean he wasn't mad at him though. Dr. Mario seemed to notice.

"It wasn't Altair's idea to have-a you knocked out, Nero" He said, shifting guiltily "It was-a mine and Marth's. If you-a didn't get sleep, you're-a brain would be dangerously over-a stressed."

"Fine." Nero said, frustrated. "Can I see her?"

"Yes. Don't- a worry about the tournament – Master hand's taken you out of the running for-a the moment. Any match you'd have-a will be postponed."

The tournament. He'd forgotten about that.

"Thank you." Nero said gratefully.

************

Great Hall

"Settle down, settle down...Thank you." Master hand said "Now, we'll have one battle, and then a large opening party with food.."
"POYO!" "YOSHI!"

"Kirby restraints..."

"Thank god!" MetaKnight and DeDeDe yelled at the same time.

"Dancing..."

"NO! DEAR GOD NO!" Link screamed, trying to run. Zelda grabbed him by the collar and dragged him back into the seat. Link glared at his girlfriend.

"You planned this, didn't you?" He muttered. Zelda nodded, an evil grin on her face. Master Hand cleared his throat (Middle finger? Ring finger? Something like that...) And continued.

"And, of course, Karaoke."

Red made choking noises while Ruby looked at him, an evil smile on her face.

"We're singing, and that's final." She said, glaring at him. Red nodded weakly.

"Yes, ma'am" He muttered.

"Right, now lets get down to business..." MH said "The first battle will be... Altair vs Roy!"

The crowd burst into excited chatter. News of Altair's easy defeat of both Snake and Captain Falcon had spread quickly, and no-one could wait to see his skills in person. The two fighters in person nodded to each other, a serious look on Altair's face and a large grin on Roy's.

"Do you EVER take anything seriously?" an exasperated Ike asked the flame-haired swordsman.

"Aw, lighten up! It's not like I'm gonna die or anything is it?"

"Fine, whatever..." Ike said.

The crowd slowly moved towards the arena. Pit managed to grab Red aside for 'a talk'. Red glanced outside, hoping something would interrupt this. Even the four horsemen of the apocalypse would do right now.

"So...how'd it go?" Pit asked, smiling slyly "Y'know, with Ruby?"

"Surprisingly, rather well actually" Red conceded "Never expected that from you're advice...you still got me slapped though." He finished with a glare.

"Well, at least it worked!" Pit said guiltily "Right? You don't need to set Charizard on me, Red." He added hurriedly, seeing his friend's hands go uncomfortably close to his pokeballs. Fortunatly for him, Ruby appeared behind Red.

"C'mon, Red, the fight starts in ten minutes!" She exclaimed, dragging her new boyfriend behind her. Red sent a brief glance at Pit, and mouthed HELP. Pit mouthed back NOT A CHANCE. Red glared at him before being yanked around a corner.

Pit stood there for a second, then burst out laughing.

"Yep, they are defiantly in a relationship..." He chuckled.

***********************************************

Altair and Roy shimmered onto the arena. MH announced the rules – three stock, all items, map – Final Destination. The background changed accordingly.

Altair looked around, disappointed.

"What, no scenery? No surroundings to take advantage of? Man, this sucks." He muttered.

"What's the matter? Scared?" Roy taunted, flipping his sword over and over in his hand.

"No." Altair smirked "May God forgive my actions." He whispered to himself, drawing his longsword and holding it in front of his face.

"READY..." MH said slowly.

Roy pointed his sword at the ground while Altair did a few practice swings.

"FIGHT!"

Time seemed to slow down. The two swordsmen ran at each other. Altair's senses heightened. Then why did his own eyes pick out a pair of electric blue eyes in the audience?

Samus... He realised.

Two feet away.

FOCUS!" He told himself stubbornly.

The two swords met with a large CRASH! Of metal. The fighters faces were inches away from each other, separated only by two slivers of steel. Roy's eyes were sparkling with glee, even as his mouth was a thin line of concentration. Altair's own face, on the other hand, was sharper and his mouth a scowl. Altair leaped back, and slashed towards Roy's stomach. Roy dodged, and immediately countered. Altair ducked, rolled around Roy, and threw a pair of daggers at his foes back. Roy stumbled forwards with a cry of surprise, and spun round, only for his face to be introduced to the hilt of Altair's sword. Roy staggered back, and his stomach was slashed by Altair's blade. Roy growled, and struck forwards, flame wrapping around his sword. Altair's eyes widened in surprise, before the flaming blade knocked him off his feet. Altair rose, grinning.

"That is a wonderful trick." He complimented his foe. "Let's see you try it again, shall we?"

The two dived forwards. They dodged, parried, struck, thrust, slashed, countered...and after three minutes, Roy was at 100% and Altair at 75%. Neither had lost a stock.

"Thier almost perfectly matched..." Ike said in awe.

"Yeah, well, I want to get to the party." Dante muttered. "HEY, ALTAIR! STOP TOYING WITH HIM ALREADY!"

Altair, hearing Dante's yells, nodded grimly.

"It's been fun Roy. Adios." He muttered. Roy charged forwards recklessly. Altair stepped to the side, spun, and stabbed his sword into the young lord's back. The redhead gave out a cry of shock, before being blasted off the stage.

Ike let out a low whistle.

Roy reappeared to see Altair armed with a beam sword. He muttered several expletives under his breath and suddenly realized he couldn't parry what was essentially a light saber. So he ran. Unfortunately, he was near the edge and Altair had rather good aim with thrown weapons – including beam swords, apparantly.

"Poor bastard..." Marth said, wincing. Shiida hit him on the arm and muttered something about language.

Roy was on his last stock. Unfortunately, a smash ball had appeared – right next to Altair.

"Any last words?" The assassin asked.

"Crap." Roy replied.

"That'll work." Altair smirked, before slicing the ball in half.

The arena filled with people pressing from every direction. Roy spun around, looking for Altair – then he was in front of him and couldn't move. A hidden blade appeared from under Altair's hand with a flick of his wrist, and he slammed it into Roy's chest. The people melted away, revealing Roy with what looked like Altair slapping his palm into his chest to the crowd. Roy was then blasted away.

"GAME!" MH roared "Winner is Altair!"

Altair stepped out of his pod, and shook Roy's hand. Yet his eyes kept wandering through the crowd, before settling on Samus.

Okay, whatever's manipulating my thoughts, stop now. He told his mind. After no-one responded, he cursed frequently under his breath.

What am I meant to do...what's this emotion? Al Mualim never prepared me for this...

********************************

At the party....

"Alright, alright people!" Peach said in a sing-song voice. "It's time for the Karaoke! So will the singers get in a line please!"

Ruby turned to look at her new boyfriend. "What song did you pick, though I'm gonna regret asking..." She said.

"I don't think you will..." Red said cautiously "Have a look."

Ruby looked at the song, and squeaked. "It's perfect!"

"I know." Red said.

"First up is Red and Ruby singing...well, I have no idea, they haven't told me yet...." Peach trailed off. Most of the audience laughed. The two Pokemon trainers walked onto the stage as Peach walked off. The small screen in front of them showed the lyrics and they began to sing.

(AUTHORS NOTE: Bold is for Red singing, Italics for Ruby, Both for both. I don't own Lucky, Jason Mraz does. Lucky son of a...)

Do you hear me,

Red turned to Ruby, microphone in hand.
I'm talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean

He attempted to reach out but pretended to fail.
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams

Ruby sang softly.
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart

She steps towards Red, her hand on her heart.
You make it easier when life gets hard

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

The two sang together, Red behind Ruby with his arms around her waist.
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again

They don't know how long it takes

Ruby pushed Red away before pointing towards the audience.
Waiting for a love like this
Every time we say goodbye
I wish we had one more kiss

The two leaned in as if to kiss each other, but pulled away at the last second.
I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
Lucky we're in love every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea

Red sang, stepping towards Ruby.
To an island where we'll meet
You'll hear the music fill the air
I'll put a flower in your hair

He brushed his hand against Ruby's brown hair for emphasis.
Though the breezes through trees

Ruby sang as Red moved around her.
Move so pretty you're all I see
As the world keeps spinning round

Ruby made an act of falling into Red's arms.
You hold me right here right now

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I'm lucky we're in love every way

The two were facing each other now. Peach squealed about 'Camera moment!' and dived into Samus' bag to retrieve a camera.
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday …

Red and Ruby leaned towards each other. Peach managed to grab a camera and take a picture just as they kissed. There was a collective "Aww..." from the girls and a collective "GET A ROOM!" from all the single boys. Marth, Mario and Link, stuck in the center right next to their girlfriends, shifted uncomfortably and waited for the 'Why didn't you do something like that to me?" speech.

On the stage, Ruby blushed and huddled against Red, who kissed the top of her head.

"Get off the stage! Captain Falcon needs to get his groove on!"

There was a loud WHOOOSH sound as the room emptied in seconds, leaving a befuddled racer standing in the middle of a deserted party hall.

*********************

The girls dragged Ruby into a corner almost immediately afterwards, wanting to know almost everything. Well, excluding Samus. She got dragged along by Peach.

"What was it like?" Peach squealed

"How did you find out?" Zelda asked

"How awkward is it too live in the same room as you're boyfreind?" Shiida said nervously, remembering that her and Marth would be sharing one too.

"One at a time, please?" Ruby asked, exasperated.

"AWWW! Look at the pictures!" Peach squealed, having gotten Samus' camera back out.

"Why don't I just give you that?" Samus muttered. Her eyes widened. "It is kinda cute though..."

Ruby looked at the screen. It was a cute picture. Ruby was leaning up to kiss Red, who had his hands on her waist. One of her hands was gently caressing his cheek.

"And now, back to the questions..."

"Oh, no" Ruby moaned as the girls resumed their torture of the 16-year-old girl.

*****************

Authors note: Well, I hope this makes up for the wait. Thanks for the reviews, and ...how many hits? 215 in August? Holy...FAINTS

So...popular...never thought people would like it this much...thank you...