The True Master of the Smash Brothers Extra Part
"The Final Lines,"
A/N: Hey everybody, here's that extra part I had promised a while back. No this is not a prequel by any means, just a look at a different perspective. I don't know how entertaining it'll be compared to other parts, but i still hope you like it. Anyway this is not a prequel...a tease, at best. Again, not a prequel, a tease. Enjoy
"So Peach, please tell me what had happened while everyone was busy," Mario asks. Now that the Smashers had finally been able to recover from all the craziness that had happened he finally had a chance to catch up with the princess with everything that had happened. He really felt like he missed out on a grand adventure because the entire dynamic of the house had completely changed while the Original 12 were indisposed. So, he decided to sit down with Peach and have some tea as they get a chance to talk. The toadstool Princess was ecstatic having Mario back around.
"While everything that was happened, I actually was afraid we would never get to do this," Peach said sweetly as she lets out a soft sigh as she cups her tea in her hands as she stares down at the liquid.
"Well thanks to everyone working hard and fighting harder we managed to pull it off, if only barely," Mario says then takes a small sip of his tea to instantly flinch as he felt the sting on his tongue. He rolls his tongue around in his mouth to remove the sting. "The people in the city were hit pretty hard though, surprised it wasn't worse,"
"Well while you guys were busy doing your thing, Sonic's team was doing their team, the rest of us had to go do something. We hadn't really been as helpful as we would've liked to be,"
"What happened that destroyed the Castle in the first place?"
"Well Master Hand wanted to check on the status of the lock he placed on Omni's seal and a couple of us went with him…"
(FLASHBACK)
"Now everyone, this is not a field trip, so I need you all to be ready and on your toes. Ike, Peach, and Dedede with me, I want the rest of you back inside here," Master Hand says speaking to everyone. A swirling portal made of purple swirling energy was behind the Hand as he informed everyone of what was happening. The rain was pouring down as they all stood outside in the field in front of the castle about to move in on subspace.
"Why are we doing this?" Wario complains annoyed with being wet. Mr. Game and Watch lets out a beep as if in agreement.
"We have to make sure that Omni is stuck I already explained this to you all. We cannot allow this being to become free otherwise the dangers he presents could be catastrophic,"
"Okay, but wouldn't it make more sense to have more muscle on your team, why bring her?" Wario gestures to Peach. "She ain't no Mario,"
"No, but neither are you. You lack a lot more than just one letter. I may not be Mario, but I am not incompetent," Peach says with a sideways glare as she held her umbrella over her head to block out the rain.
King Dedede lets out a sharp whistle, "Put you in your place,"
"If you're all down we have a job to do," Master Hand says grabbing everyone's attention. He moves to enter the portal until he turns around. "Crazy get your appendages over here!" After he screamed Crazy Hand floats over next to Master Hand being surprisingly still.
"Why do I have to go?" Crazy Hand mutters weakly in protest.
"Because it took both of us to seal him up before, my power is needed just as much as yours,"
"Well with both of us and a few Smashers, that could be considered a great show of force don't you think?"
"You say that to say what?"
"You know how he is, he's gonna feel the need to meet our force with even greater force," Crazy states gravely.
"What could he have in his arsenal besides mere words?"
"That's what we thought up until a few days ago when he could control the Original 12," At this statement Master Hand was silent. Peach had to admit she was growing more and more worried by the moment. Crazy Hand was the one who usual spits out nonsense that was better to ignore then to take seriously. Here though, his words seemed to give Master Hand pause which makes her believe that despite his distaste for the Smash god of destruction, he still held much wisdom. "Remember, your better at making peace brother not making war, that's my job,"
"Fair enough, I'll summon you when I reach the seal until then stay here with the others," Crazy Hand nods in confirmation. Once that was settled Master Hand gestured for the three Smashers he chosen to enter first and he floats in after. Peach stares out into expecting to see a deep void of blackness sprinkled with streaks of purple and lighting. However, she was thoroughly surprised to enter a world completely black and white. The ground was checkered black and white squares seemingly made from ceramic as she heard her heels click against it. She looks up to see the sky is dark but covered in twinkling stars. She sees what she guessed was a solar eclipse in the sky judging by the blackness and the sun that was peaking around it.
"I thought you said this was Subspace," Ike questions just as confused as Peach felt. King Dedede only peered around only mildly interested.
"It is the form it has taken is the real subspace. The outer ring, the one you all were in, was created through a kind of energy backlash that was necessary at keeping this place hidden. If you all had battled Tabuu here, there would be a chance the seal would've been severely damaged," Master Hand explains.
"So, this is the true Subspace, the outer rim was created by what kind of energy?" Ike asks again.
"The subspace you all were in was created and given form by my own manipulation of Omni's energy to prevent Tabuu from freeing his master. Omni was smart, what power he had he created that spawn of himself to seek Crazy and I out to forcibly control us with those damned chains. I had purposefully not told Crazy about the new tournament to prevent his capture,"
"I see, now it all makes sense," King Dedede said shrugging his hammer into a better carrying position. "To think I thought I had this puzzle put together and it turns out I was missing quite a few pieces,"
"I'm still rather surprised you played such a pivotal role in our counter attack Dedede," Peach says. "How did you learn of Tabuu anyway when Gannon, Bowser, and Wario were clueless?"
"Purely by chance, Master Hand seemed off to me so I faked being on their team for a little while. I'm greedy, not evil. When I figured out that someone was pulling Master Hand around I knew they had to have serious powers. I only assumed if he could get Master Hand to submit to him, then he might have a way to put a stop in our tracks which is why I made those badges,"
"Oh I see…" Peach mutters with a nod.
"Now we face Omni himself," Master Hand gestures forward for the three of them to look and see a giant gold sphere before them. Insides the sphere contained a golden floor with a black throne. Sitting in the chair was a figure that was hard for them to make out because he seemed to be covered in shadows, though he clearly did look human. The group gets as close as they can to the sphere for Master Hand to raise a finger to point at it for suddenly the Smash Symbol to appear shining a bright green light. "The seal still holds strong,"
"The ol' green means good protocol I see," speaks the voice inside the bubble. The three Smashers try craning their necks to see who the person was or to see if they could make them out. However, all they saw was an outline with a golden eye and a black eye staring at them. "How are you Master Hand?"
"Considering you just had to remind me of your existence, a rather bit ruffled I'm afraid,"
"I'm sorry to hear that,"
"Who might your guest be?" Omni questions staring down the three Smashers. Master Hand says nothing as his appendages stiffen up which the Smashers recognize as his way of glaring. "Sorry, I guess it is pretty pretentious to try having a regular conversation when I ask questions I already know the answer to,"
"Then spare us,"
"Fair enough, it is a pleasure to meet you Smashers, I am Omni, you currently cannot take in my appearance because I do not wish you to see me…in my current state,"
"Why is that, because you'd never want a mere mortal to see you in such a pathetic state?"
"I'm not above admitting to such things. But why not let them ask me questions Master, I'm sure their burning with curiosity?"
"I'm sure they are, but we do not have time for that. Seeing the seal is strong it wouldn't hurt to make it stronger,"
"Please Master, conversation, it's been years, the least I can get is that after being trapped here in solitude so long,"
"You deserve worst for the evils you brought upon worlds. The universe was not your play thing, as creatures with such power it is our responsibility to see to the wellbeing of others. We are not the end all and be all of the universe!"
"Even after all these years your understanding is still so meager Master," the Smashers flinched since they had never heard someone sound so calm after Master Hand yells at them, or actually demean his intelligence. "Master the universe has rules that we all unknowingly follow. When you live long enough you begin to question some of these rules that seems to always hold us back. For example, balance, there must always be balance. But what kind of balance, as in only an even number of worlds can exist, that each population of each world must be around the same number, or that we don't know how but it just works. Leaving well enough alone is not how we advance it is not how we grow Master. Some of the cruelest and harshest things can yield good things for a better future. Bad can come from good and good can come from bad,"
"You didn't have the right!"
"And who really does Master!?" Omni suddenly exclaims shooting to his feet. "Who, Smash god of Creation, you? Crazy Hand? Some other gods from other worlds like Palutena, Chaos, Areceus, or what have you, who does have the right?" Omni calms himself as he retakes his seat then turns his gaze back to Master Hand to patiently wait for the answer.
"And that is why you are here, because you cannot understand that this is a right no one should have or be allowed to have. What makes us gods is not our power, our lifetime, or our experiences. It is what we can create,"
"But also by what we can destroy," Omni adds quickly.
"I won't disagree with that, it is true. Destruction is a natural cycle of rebirth, I'm not so foolish to disagree with that. I've seen beautiful worlds succumb to destruction, it happens, it is natural. What is unnatural is being the sole cause of it, or simply deciding on a whim that the world has been around for too long. That is wrong, that is what evil is for. We do not play good or evil because we should be above such ideals. We encourage the good, but do not enforce it. Enable the bad, but do not support it,"
"Fair enough Master, I can understand that," Omni leans back in his chair. Sensing the conversation over Master lifts his pinky finger to summon a portal behind them to summon Crazy Hand. "But even you can understand that is difficult to be truly neutral. We may be gods, but we have personalities that showcase who we are. You have a kind heart Master which comes to no surprise with your great power to create and your brother has a wild cynical heart which makes him perfect for destruction. I carry both these traits you see, so I can create for the purpose of destruction,"
"Something's not right…" Master Hand mutters darkly. Suddenly the portal Master created began to warp an alter changing shape. Suddenly the portal spits out chains of light similar to what Tabuu had used. The chains wrapped around Master Hand making him exclaim with anger as he was left powerless to break the chains. He felt his powers fade out as his strength to struggle against his bonds weakened.
"Oh no," Ike said raising his sword. He moved to assist Master Hand but a shadow warrior suddenly appeared blocking Ike. Peach gasp then turns to Dedede to see the penguin mash his teeth in displeasure at seeing a crowd of more shadow beings converging on them. Peach turned back to the seal to look in utter horror as the Smash symbol on the seal turned yellow, then red, and finally it shattered to pieces. The bubble sealing Omni inside burst to pieces like glass shattering all around them.
"How?"
"I've had years to plan out this very moment. I recognize the power you Smasher have. When you all came here to Subspace to fight Tabuu, you had no idea that I was using every single one of you as a conduit to the Smash Force, my stolen power. The longer I had you all here the more energy I had at my disposal. With so many of you here it was easy to obtain enough energy to manipulate the seal. I summoned my warriors and they should already have your comrades chained up by now," Omni stands to his feet looking down on the three smashers. "Your reign is over…"
"You will have to beat us first pal!" King Dedede exclaims slamming his hammer down on the ground creating a small trimmer that shook the ground.
"We will not go quietly," Ike insist. Peach looks at both of her fellow fighters then swallows her fear and anxiety.
"We don't care who you think you are, we won't let you ruin our home!" Peach exclaims. Omni raises a brow then snaps his fingers. Immediately the parade of shadow warriors converged on the three of them and…
("Hold on a second, you mean to tell me you three had to face an army alone," Mario exclaims rather shocked hearing this.
"Well we couldn't just walk out now could we," Peach said before taking a sip of her tea then moved to continue her story)
Ike sent a swift punch into the first warrior until he could get his sword around to swing a blow so powerful he knocked back a number of enemies. King Dedede slammed his hammer into the ground creating a powerful focused earthquake that shook the ground and any close enough suffered major damage. Peach swiftly moved around the battlefield gracefully. She side stepped a warrior with a sword then turns sharply to kick out her foot to trip them then place a hand on their face to push them to the ground. She turns around deflecting a blow from another warrior then slams her palm straight into the fighters face. She sharply turns around to use her hip attack to slam into another warrior to blast them back. Ike used his signature move of aether to make those nervous to approach him. King Dedede was being rushed as faster shadow warriors began to slip around his attacks and he found a hard time hitting them. Peach had him covered though able to keep up with those characters and prevent them from taking advantage of the openings he left when he attacked. She did the same for Ike since he wasn't known for speed either. Peach was pleasantly surprised the three of them were successful in holding off this onslaught. She glanced in Omni's direction and she could tell he was surprised too.
"We have to go!" Ike exclaims swishing his sword in a powerful horizontal swing with strength enough to blow back multiple rows of enemies.
"We can't leave Master Hand!" Peach points out swiftly dodging to the left a beast-like shadow warrior.
"We can't leave with him either!" Dedede responds critically.
"Get me to him," Peach says. Dedede signals for her to jump on his hammer. He then swings her aided by the jet propulsion system in his hammer to give her more lift. She flips in the air once then lands next to Master Hand. "Those months training for the Olympic games paid off," She mutters to herself. "Master Hand, Master Hand, are you alright?!" she exclaims moving to try and free the Hand.
"Don't…waste time on me…no strength…you must leave,"
"But we won't stand a chance without you!"
"You'll…do fine…hurry back to where we came in…I left it open…just in case, now go!" Master Hand orders. Peach winces at being forced to leave him behind but she knew he was right. She quickly turns back around seeing Ike and King Dedede hold off the shadow warriors but clearly growing tired from it.
"Alright boys, we're leaving come on!" Princess Peach makes her decree as she rushes through the battle. Not being needed to be told twice, Ike and Dedede immediately follow after her. They managed to outmaneuver the clumsy forces of shadow warriors because they were so uncoordinated and unskilled. The three of them approach the portal then quickly leap through it. They end up back where they left seeing the remaining Smashers dealing with Shadow Warriors themselves.
"Oh thank goodness you all made it, what happened with Master Hand?" Marth calls happily. However his happiness died when Peach shakes her head.
"Omni got him, what about Crazy?"
"A few moments after you all left chains wrapped around Crazy and dragged him through. Before we could pursue we we're attacked,"
"Let's chatten more smacken huh!" Wario exclaims smashing his fist into a rather large shadow warrior.
"We should retreat back to the castle!" Ike calls.
"Come on kids," Peach ushers the two Ice Climbers to quickly move toward the castle. Diddy Kong decided to hang back popping a few rounds with his peanut popgun and Falco stayed at his side to unleash a few laser blasts too.
"Is everyone safe yet?" Falco calls back.
"It's a real relative term right now, but yes we all made it," Peach calls back.
"Good," Falco throws a smart bomb he happened to have handy which blows up and covers Diddy and Falco fleeing back to the castle.
"We should be able to hold up here until help arrives," Marth says.
"What help?" Dedede questioned incredulously. "You mean that team Sonic leads, peh, yeah right. Like their gonna save us besides they're off chasing the 12 so we're on our own right now,"
"So does that mean we're done for!?" Popo exclaims in fear.
"No it doesn't," Peach says petting Popo on the head while glaring at Dedede. "We just keep our head on straight and focus on the job at hand, first let's-," There was a powerful explosion that sounded outside and suddenly a terrible noise of the roof caving in all around them.
FLASHBACK END
"And that's when we found out that Sonic's team finally arrived to rescue us. It's unfortunate we didn't get a chance to really show our stuff but it did give us a lot of time to get to know each other a little better," Peach said with a slightly warm smile. "I had no idea that Wario could actually be a decent human being,"
"What do you mean?" Mario questions.
Peach giggles, "Well I would tell me he did swear me to secrecy," This only makes Mario more curious. "But we had decided to give a name for ourselves since there seemed to be a trend of teams being formed. We called ourselves the Final Lines,"
"Final Lines?"
"Yes, in the event that the 12 were compromised and Sonic Universe was indisposed, it fell to us to save everyone. The final line of defense in other words. Popo and Nana had actually thought of it, so we all just decided to roll with it," Peach said with a smile.
"I see…so how did things go in the city during the crisis?"
"Well, our job wasn't as glamorous but I think we did good work…and I feel we should be concerned too,"
FLASHBACK
"Okay everyone we need to save as many people as we can, do what we can to make sure that," Peach calls out instructions as they dash out of the portal of light that Master Hand created for them. The city was covered with flames as chaos rain on the streets, every citizen was running around like a chicken with their head cut off. Panicking was a very popular thing, buildings toppled onto one another as each and every person was doing their best to try and survive no matter who got hurt. "First let's get their attention, Wario think you can manage?"
"Yeah sure leave it to me," Wario strolls toward the center of the chaos lazily staring at the raining balls of fire from the sky. He feels his belly poke out as his stomach felt a little nauseous. The Smashers knew what was about to happen so they all stepped back with hands on their noses. Wario lets out a laugh as he begins flashing and suddenly he unleashes his Wario Waft. The stench was so powerful it brought the panic to a screeching halt as everyone within the vicinity was cough and gagging on the fumes. The Ice Climbers unleashed a cold wind from their hands combined and begin to blow the smell more downwind. Olimer lets out a powerful whistle that instantly burns in the ears of all listeners because of its frequency. Peach claps to get everyone's attention focused on her.
"Everyone, please, you must remain calm. We are here to help. There are shelters in the city that were designed just for this after what happened with Subspace. You all must get underground and off the streets. We will make sure everyone will make it safely but I don't want any rioting ya got that!" Peach informs the crowd. Everyone glances around as if wondering if someone might oppose her.
"That don't mean just stand there looking stupid, fire is raining from the sky here to shelter!" Falco yells. The crowd quickly disperses after the comment though in a much more controlled state.
"Wish we could do something about this weather…" Peach groans.
"I might have an idea," Red points out as he throws his Pokeball to the ground and out pops his Squirttle. "Alright Squirttle let's try that new move Rain Dance," The tiny Pokemon gives a nod before Squirrtle begins glowing and a light shoots into the sky. As it does clouds roll in to unleash a downpour of rain. "That should help calm things down if only a bit,"
"Good thinking Red," Marth says.
"Yeah, but still…I can't believe it…Lucas caused all this?" Red says rather sullenly. When he met the quiet shy boy he would've never in any lifetime imagine Lucas being the cause of such destruction, he'd think it was some crazy dream or an illusion.
"Lucas wouldn't do this, he wouldn't!" Popo exclaims waving his arms.
"Yeah, Lucas wouldn't hurt a fly, I know I've seen it," Nana adds.
"Just goes to show how much that Omni persona has taken over," Dedede says.
"Ah, so it's you lot that are here," comes Lucas' voice behind the group. They all jump nearly out of their skin as they all sharply turn to see Lucas dressed as Omni standing before them with his helmet on his head. They all raise their fists or weapons to prepare for a fight. Omni waves them off. "I'm not actually here right now. A mental projection so you couldn't harm me, though…" he snaps his fingers for a bolt of lightning to strike the ground only a meter away. "I can still harm you,"
"Lucas, stop this please!" Peach exclaims.
"I'm sorry I took your plate of food, I swear I won't ever do it again. You can have my food, I'll go on a diet just please stop!" Popo begs which was a rather sad sight to see.
"Don't beg Popo, I made up my mind just like you all did. You wanted no part in my ideals, which is rather unfortunate," Omni says with crossed arms.
"Last time we saw you face to face like this you capture the Hands, but now you face out true might. Do you think you can defeat us?" Ike states boldly.
"Think…Ike, I almost wiped you all out of existence in one moment only a few hours ago," Omni states incredulously. "I would've found that little pocket dimension/panic room Master Hand hid you all in within a few minutes if I was trying,"
"But none of those things happened. You can make us believe that we are operating on your mercy, but you are legitimately surprised we've made it this far," Marth said.
"Keep underestimating us and you'll find yourself in a pretty awkward position," Falco says with Game & Watch give a loud beep in agreement.
"It does beg the question of why you even wanted us to join you, I mean Lucas's personal feelings aside, what would having us along do for you?" Olimer questioned confused.
"I've noticed through Lucas' memories, and from what I've seen so far. You all are very talented, Master Hand was right to select you all, powerful people. I can see the benefits in having people just like you, though I'm afraid I don't quite have an eye like Master Hand to see something so special. Since you all aren't willing to join me, I suppose I may have to find those like you, but willing to side with me,"
"Like us?" Red questions.
"There are many world's out there young ones, you'd be surprised what is out there," Omni said mysteriously. Suddenly, Omni straightens up as he turns his head. "Well I'm afraid I must cut this conversation short, I have another meeting I must attend to," Suddenly Omni is gone leaving the Final Lines to ponder on those words.
FLASHBACK END
"We got people to safety and once we managed to do that Master Hand called us back. You know what happened after that," Peach said finally finishing her story.
"Wow, quite an adventure you had without me Peach,"
"We all had a crazy time Mario, though Omni's words do worry me,"
"I wouldn't, so Omni liked the idea of Smashers, not like he's gonna go out and get his own. We're one of a kind, every single one of us,"
"You're right Mario, I am worried about nothing, besides he's gone. With no trace of him everything should be back to normal. We should make sure poor Lucas is okay though, he must've suffered a lot,"
"Right, Sonic is looking after him though so I'm sure he'll be fine," Mario finishes the last bit of his tea then places the cup back down. "Well it was nice talking with you Princess, I better go off and check on the city,"
"Oh I'd love to come with you,"
"I know, but Master Hand said there was no need, especially since you're so recognizable there now with all the help you gave. Did you really jump through a burning building to save an orphan's pet?"
"Ah-ah story for another day Mario," Peach says waving her finger. Mario sighs then turns to leave and leaving Peach in her own thoughts. "He's right, another bunch of Smash Brothers, that'll be the day,"