Origins: The Belmonts
Sarasaland, 5:30 AM
Hmm,Hmm, Hmmm ya hmm muh.
A jolt awoke Luigi. One oft was not awoken by their own humming after all. The world blurred into focus. The alarm clock softly played a recording of himself humming the improvised ditty that helped him keep his wits about him as he removed the ghosts from his mansion. He was amazed she'd kept the alarm clock this long, having recorded the humming so long ago he hadn't remembered doing it. Luigi thumbed the off switch of the alarm clock, rolling to face Daisy, who had elected herself big spoon as she always did. A kiss on the lips caused the still-sleeping beauty to roll over with an aggressive groan, placing one of her many, many throw pillows on top of her head. Smiling, Luigi exited the bed, quickly changing out of his pajamas and into his overalls, lastly slapping his communicator on his wrist. Waking Polterpup from within his crate with a soft, loving whistle as not to startle his companion, he picked up the crate, leaving Daisy's room. Striding through the empty halls of the castle, the green-clad hero eventually made his way outside.
"Not having a one-night stand I would hope?" a calm, snarky voice emanated from behind him.
Luigi spun around, surprised. There, with his arms crossed and a smug grin on his face stood Buckenberry, Daisy's retainer. Despite being much younger than Toadsworth, the most iconic of all Toad attendants, Buckenberry often splayed wisdom that would give his crotchety counterpart a run for his money.
"Oh, Buckenberry, what are you doing here?"
"I often watch the sunrise. It's often my one bastion of peace before the castle picks up."
"C'mon now, being Daisy's retainer can't be that stressful a job," chided Luigi, waving his hand dismissively.
Buckenberry shook his head, "No, it's not, trust me. I'm on speaking terms with Peach's attendants, and she is much more strict than Daisy is. A kind-hearted woman to be sure, but she takes etiquette much more seriously than our princess."
"Ain't that the truth," nodded Luigi.
Just as he began to open the portal Buckenberry called out to him, "Good luck Luigi, I shall see you soon,"
Luigi looked over his shoulder to nod at the blue-spotted Toad before stepping into the portal. Immediately after he did, the portal closed. As he strode towards the Mansion's entrance, another portal opened. A spaceship in disrepair sputtered through, its white and pink exterior looking well polished despite the visible and audible scuffed nature of its internals. As soon as it came to land, Olimar jumped out, accompanied by three Purple Pikmin, all with suitcases in their small but mighty grasps.
"Yo! Olimar!" called Luigi with a wave.
"Hello Luigi," Olimar waved back, walking towards him, "Did you just get in?"
"Yeah, got some recruitment to do."
"Hmm. Would've figured you'd be one of the first ones in if Mario was running things."
Luigi shook his head, "Girlfriend's birthday."
"Good man. Family does come first. Speaking of, isn't she joining us this time?" asked the stout spacefarer.
"Who, Daisy? Yeah, I gotta do a quick recruiting job, and then I gotta pick her up, and we'll get our stuff situated then."
"I don't envy you guys that have ever been drafted for recruitment duty." Olimar shook his head, speaking woefully.
"It's not nearly as bad as the old codgers make it out to be."
As Olimar opened his mouth to speak more, a new portal open, this one pulsing with dark intentions. Ganondorf lumbered through, two Redeads flanking him with two suitcases.
"Speaking of old. Hey Ganondorf, new hair?" teased a new voice, Shulk, who emerged from the Mansion doors with both the Minado and Poltergust 5000 slung over his back.
"Impudence," Ganondorf muttered, not breaking his march to the mansion, shoving past the other three occupants. A Redead tripped over Shulk's feet, "Ugh, you bring your zombie flunkies and a bad attitude, this'll be fun," snarked Shulk.
"What you think of how I conduct my life does not matter to me boy. What matters is that I win the tournament and fulfill whatever asinine obligation Mario has forced onto me for this tournament," bellowed Ganondorf, his voice so loud that he needn't break stride.
The other three exchanged an awkward chuckle, Shulk, and Luigi heading to the main lobby, where a very familiar scientist stood.
"That Ganondorf feller is as chipper as he always is, yes?" said Professor E. Gadd, his attitude jovial as if nothing had happened.
"Yeah," Luigi agreed, shaking Gadd's hand, "I can't thank you enough for watching Polterpup while I'm at the mansion."
The mention of his name awoke the sleeping dog, phasing through the bars of the cage, and immediately assaulting the elderly professor with slobber-filled kisses.
"Settle down youngster, settle down!" shrieked the scientist playfully.
"So, what's the situation?" Luigi asked once he made saw that Polterpup had in fact settled down.
"Well, you're the only one with paranormal experience…"
"Oh no," Luigi cut him off.
"So you're going to recruit a vampire hunter who, at present, is looking to reunite the pieces of a fiend called Dracula so he can kill him."
"Dracula? As in, the Bram Stoker novel?" trembled Luigi's now-meek voice.
"Erm…yes?"
"Mama-mia why does-a Mario talk me into these things?"
Shulk laughed, "It gets worse."
"And you're laughing?" Luigi hissed with such venom that Polterpup yipped in shock.
"Look mate, all you can do is laugh."
Luigi sighed, looking at the paintings of the Smashers' various homeworlds that lined the wall of the Mansion's main room, "You were saying it gets worse?"
"Oh yeh," Shulk shouted, shaking the cobwebs, "We think Dracula has already been recruited by Conker in another time, but if we can take him out in self-defense while recruiting this Simon Belmont bloke all the better."
"That's his name?" Luigi asked.
"Yeh, Simon Belmont," repeated Shulk, "If you don't take him out, it's no problem, as that's only a bonus of taking on such a mission. Good news is though, Link and the other new guy will be your backup, I dunno when they'll be getting to your position."
"Great," Luigi rolled his eyes, "So where exactly will my inevitable demise take place, then huh?"
Shulk nodded, "Oh! Right! In a town called Yomi. Nearest town to the castle, a deserted town fillin' up with Dracula devotees."
"So a hot LZ just because huh?"
"Not…exactly,"
"Well, could you start making sense please?" snapped Luigi.
"It's early mornin' and I haven't had my coffee yet lay off me," Snapped the clairvoyant.
Luigi nodded, "So it's not a hot LZ despite being a Dracula shantytown because…?"
"They're terrified of 'im too. Steppin' out of a portal likely'll mean they won't touch you. Any alien technology is associated with him so the Poltergust will keep 'em off you if the whole portal entrance doesn't."
"That's good at least."
"At least, until nighttime, when Dracula's hordes come out. That said though, our new friend should clear a path."
"Right," nodded Luigi, holding out his hands.
Shulk blinked before straightening in embarrassment, undoing the clasps of the Poltergust, handing it to Luigi. The man attached the vacuum apparatus to himself, kneeling to Polterpup's level, who had cocked his head in confusion.
"Me an' Daisy are gonna be doing some work in a place with no pets allowed."
Polterpup growled.
"Not our rules though buddy, gotta be respectful of the old owners and stuff. But that's not the point, point is, you're a-gonna stay with Uncle Gadd until this all finishes okay."
Polterpup, once growling and ready to pounce on Luigi for his perceived slight, straightened up, wagging his tail and panting happily with intermittent barks.
"We'll play every day when I get off work alright? All of us. You, me, and Daisy, and I'll get you a nice big chicken to eat, I know how much you like chicken."
Three consecutive barks sounded off Polterpup's decision. He approved.
"And you," said Luigi, standing up to making eye contact with Gadd, "I can't thank you enough for watching him,"
"Not a problem youngster. Any excuse to get someplace early in my old age no?"
"Oh that's right, Smash City doesn't open yet. You sure you're gonna be alright?" Luigi asked, his forehead wrinkled with concern.
Gadd nodded, "You forget most of my days are spent in the lab Luigi, I'm used to the solitude? Besides, I've been informed that all the services at The Trophy Hotel are automated, so I shan't want for much."
Luigi nodded, playfully saluting Gadd and Shulk as he walked out the door. Just as he was about to step into a portal, another opened. A boy in a red sports jersey stepped jumped out, two suitcases in each arm.
"Villager!" Luigi shouted.
Villager turned, waving, "Oh hey Luigi! Recruiting somebody?"
"Yep!"
"Luckily the one they wanted me to recruit from my world can be recruited through the post office. Nothing heroic about that all."
"Seven Stars I wish," moaned Luigi half-jokingly, "But hey, uh…talk later?"
Villager nodded, "Yeah, definitely, good luck!"
Luigi nodded back, stepping into the portal.
Yomi, Transylvania,
1698
The portal closed behind him. He'd dimension hopped on Smash business multiple times, but never before had the gateway's closure filled him with such dread. Never before had his most animalistic flight response triggered at the sight of it. The door to all his comforts and desires had closed, leaving him with this deserted town.
Luigi barely had time to listen to the only sound, wind whistling off the only sight, a neighborhood of rotting, abandoned stone buildings before the communicator beeped. He pressed the button and Shulk's visage appeared on the video screen.
"I forgot to mention something. Your translator will be beaming English into people's brains, so the translation might be a little choppy. Like it should work, but you could get some stuff that sounds like gobbedly gook occasionally "
"Awesome Shulk. Can I get to work now?" Luigi snapped.
"Yeah, sorry."
The screen went black, and Luigi began to search about, ducking into every row of establishments the town had. Of all the crumbling, melted slag, only one building seemed to be completely pristine. Even better, a fireplace roared inside. The Eternal Understudy went to knock, but upon the first polite tap, the door creaked open. As Luigi stepped inside, a gravely voice muttered.
"Whorish traitor Tepes, full o' wisdom, the Lord is with thee. Thou art blessed amongst women, yet cursed is the fruit of thy womb, Alucard. Unholy Tepes, the first chosen of our lord Dracula, exalt us believers, now and in the hour of the resurrection. Amen."
Luigi's eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. Where the light of the outdoors and the light of the fire converged, in the very center of the room, was the source of a voice, a man dressed in ornate noble's clothes, reading a book.
"Um…sir?" Luigi stammered.
The man whipped around. Despite the man's pristine appearance, his eyes were completely bloodshot and manic, as though he not slept in days.
"Have you come in search of repentance from the Exalted One?" the man asked, desperation cracking at his hoarse, German voice.
"I'm actually looking for a man named Simon Belmont,"
The man's eyes narrowed, "The heretic Belmont. Speaking his name in a sacred place such as Yomi would get you crucified any other day."
"W-what's so special about today?"
"He who stands against our Lord plays unwittingly into His plan."
"Huh?" Luigi asked.
For some reason, his brain was telling him this wasn't real. But it was. He could hear the crackle of the fire, smell the musk of this supposedly noble man. What was happening? Was he that afraid, that he didn't feel present?
"He reunites the pieces of Dracula with his unworthy, yet capable hands. And then, what has been foretold shall come to pass. Let us live here together, and await the beginning times."
Luigi took a step back. Normally, he'd be more mindful not to offend or alarm, but the information was so overwhelming his instincts took over. The man's eyes went wide, skulking over to him, the sounds of his heavy footsteps exploding off the walls of the near-empty building
"' Therefore wait for Me,' declares the Lord, "For the day when I rise up as a witness. Indeed, My decision is to gather nations, To assemble kingdoms, To pour out on them My indignation, All My burning anger; For all the earth will be devoured By the fire of My zeal," ranted the man.
When the door swung open, Luigi fell backward. Just as the man towered over him, waving a rusty dagger about in the air. Luigi pointed the Poltergust at him, hoping the sight of such an alien weapon would at least frighten the man. The man simply stopped to stare at him, and, after what seemed like an eternity, the man calmly sheathed the dagger into his shirt pocket, chuckled, and lumbered back inside.
Mentally cursing that he hadn't brought a change of underpants, Luigi rolled to his belly, seeing a pair of comically pointed shoes before him. Luigi looked up. Another noble, by the looks of it, but about twice as rotund as the first guy, frizzy brown hair and a small mustache, smiling kindly down at him.
"Ya know," the man warbled, "The first thing to do in this town is buy a white crystal?"
"What?" Luigi asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Oh, sorry, force 'o habit. I run a racket with the shaman that lives under the shop where I come from. We have a thing where I tell anyone who comes in ta town that they need it, then they buy it. I get my cut 'o course."
Luigi stood up, "Have you seen a guy named Belmont?"
"The guy with the tunic? Yeah, he's on his way to Lord Dracula's castle. Gonna do the deed. Path's thataway of you're interested," bellowed the fat man, pointing right.
"Yeah, I heard about that. You seem relatively sane."
"Oh yeah, I just wanna get in good with our new overlord 'afore things go to hell. If it works this time."
"This time?"
"Oh yeah, me dada…"
Luigi frowned. Glitchy translation software. When he looked back up, the man was yammering in Welsh. The translator had stopped completely. Great.
"Say that again sir?" Luigi asked timidly,
"I said this isn't the first time this 'as happened. Ole castle been poppin' up in here bout every century or so, in the exact spot it's in right now at this moment."
"Understandable, have a good day sir," Luigi tipped his hat, heading down the path.
As Luigi crossed the boundaries of the town, he heard a young man shriek, "Hit Deborah Cliff to make a hole with yer head!"
The green man shook his head. Distance must be one of the many factors warping the translation software.
Seven Stars, I'mma kiss the next person who speaks in a full sentence full on the lips at this point, grumbled Luigi inwardly as he headed further into the unknown.
A few miles ahead
Hidden behind a tree in the wicked forest, curled into his brown cloak his teeth gritted in pain, was Simon Belmont. The withering man glanced at his arm, a slash from Dracula's hoofed final form, which glowed purple with the magical incantation of all that was evil.
"What a horrible night to have a curse," a wicked voice within him, not his own inner voice, hissed.
Even though this had happened a few hundred times since the ailing Belmont began this quest, Simon felt uncharacteristic tears welling in his eyes. As the sun speed towards the horizon in a manner most unholy, Simon once again bemoaned his face. Was the journey to reunite the pieces of Dracula of his own will? He was very clearly possessed, so was he helping or hurting.
The night fell, and the mummified minions of Dracula began to skulk the earth. The unthinking husks were easy enough to avoid, so he paid them no mind, trying to focus on clearing his head instead
"Even if I am not of my own mind, I must fight, I must win, I must…"
"WHO SAID THAT?" screamed a new voice, "WHY IS IT NIGHT NOW?"
Simon peaked around the tree. A man in an odd hat, carrying an even odder machine, bolted past his position, leaping over the zombies as he ran.
He hears the voices of evil as well, deduced Simon, But how? Perhaps Death stalks him as Dracula stalks me? An ally he may be, I must track him and determine his intentions, thought the vampire hunter as he mindlessly defeated the hordes of dead soldiers.
For a few minutes, Simon continued his bored onslaught, inwardly bemoaning his new role as a sneaking thief, before Dracula's voice invaded his thoughts again.
"The morning sun has vanquished the horrible night, for now,"
As the sun rose again, Simon gritted his teeth one more time, this time out of hatred instead of pain.
Dracula could keep the supposed "horrible night" afoot for as long as he wished. Instead, he plays with my sanity, as if he is the wolf, and I his food.
All the more reason to press on, and track the green man.
Dracula's Castle
Luigi was stopped in his tracks in the shadow of the towering castle., a blast of a stink had hit him. The stench of death. While the forest over which the castle loomed wasn't exactly littered with corpses, something had died here, if not many. Glancing at his radar his communicator allowed him, it showed him in a barren nothingness, when moments earlier it had shown the path to the castle. Frowning, Luigi keyed in Shulk's number. The communicator was halfway through its first ring when Shulk picked up.
"Hey Shulk, The Smash tech is acting glitchy. I think whatever voodoo is surrounding this place is interfering with it. so I'm going to cut it until the mission is complete."
" Noted, we have your last location recorded. Should Link's sales pitch go to plan, you should have some backup in relatively short order Best of luck Luigi, and thanks for… me know…cation." Shulk explained, his last point cutting in and out.
"You're breaking up, I'm hanging up…now," Luigi announced, hammering the button to terminate the call.
Luigi had been so distracted by the death stink he hadn't bothered to look ahead/ When he did, he saw it in the distance. Guarded by a rusty gate, a mighty, otherworldly looking castle stood within his grasp, Dracula's Castle.
He gulped, shaking away the cobwebs. Had he had his way, he would've waited for this "Belmont" character to show up and then gone in. But, as Shulk had said, confronting Dracula was a Smasher's job. And he, much to his misfortune, was a Smasher at the moment.
Just as Luigi began to hop on his toes to prep for the jump, a clap of thunder erupted from the sky, and it began to rain. Luigi inwardly cursed the gods. He hadn't seen a rainstorm this bad since Mallow was in his life, and prone to weather-altering episodes of childish crying.
I guess this is what they mean by 'When it rains it pours,' Luigi mused.
Taking in one final, deep breath Luigi scaled the fence relatively easily, opening the door, and armed with just a flashlight, opened the enormous doors to the castle.
"Dracula," called Luigi, "I-I request an audience with the one named Dracula,"
Throughout the castle's eerie foyer, several sources of ghoulish, uproarious laughter echoed from the storm-induced darkness.
"Your voice cracks Luigi Mario. I am not entirely sure you understand what you're asking." a haunting, posh voice echoed.
"H-h-how do you know my name?" Luigi asked.
"I am a man who has existed through many lifetimes, and been to the abyss that signals the end of life for mortals, I know all. For instance, I know of your Smash Brotherhood, and I know of your willingness to recruit Simon, the newest Belmont toad, into it. I will not allow that to happen. Or you to leave at all. You will make a suitable exercise for my minions and nothing more. SEIZE HIM!" the voice, who Luigi had ascertained was Dracula himself, commanded.
An Egyptian mummy similar, to the ones that had invaded the outside when the voice of the grim reaper had turned things to night earlier, was the first to step forward. The ghostbuster gulped, clutching the switch to turn on the Poltergust.
No jumping over you this time is there, Luigi asked himself.
Out of habit, he tried to shine the device's built-in flashlight on it, but to no avail. Priming the Poltiergust 5000 to fire, he shot a plunger at the undead behemoth. Even more useless. Luigi took a deep breath and charged towards the mummy, baseball sliding directly into its ankle bone. It knocked the monster down, but it grabbed Luigi's ankle. The cold, rotting flesh immediately caused the nerves on Luigi's leg to fire, and Luigi to let out a yelping scream. Barely being able to kick away from the mummy, he got to his feet and bolted deeper into the castle.
Always head for light always head for light a panicked Luigi reminded himself.
Thankfully, Luigi saw the next room, a hallway bathed in a foreboding pink light. Luigi ran down the hall, only stopping when he noticed a blood-red light add itself to the scenery. Turning towards it slowly, he took in the source. A statue was glaring directly at him. Suddenly, snakes sprouted from ahead. Luigi screamed in terror, as the castle crumbled slightly around him. Suddenly, as he ran into a windowless part of the hallway, he felt a cold foreboding surrounding him. He looked up, and saw Death himself, standing before him, scythe at the ready, his eyes glowing with a hellish blue flame. The mustachioed man felt a pang in his chest. Something about Death's ghostly aura and the scythe he carried reminded him of the pain that had started this trauma, to begin with, the feeling of the first ghost he ever encountered in the mansion reaching through him, attempting to rip out his heart with its sharpened nails. Luigi let out one last cry of terror before he lost consciousness.
Just as Death began to smirk to himself for a job well done, something bolted through the doors of the castle The smell of blood and gore raced closer and closer. The eternal being snarled. The storm had been Lord Dracula's work, his ultimate trump card to overwhelm anyone who stood in his way with a horde of the undead, but he had survived. A spiked whip slash to the cheek momentarily robbed Death of his consciousness. With a dramatic flair, Simon Belmont whipped off his cloak, throwing a cross at the still stunned Death. This time, the blow was hard enough to cause the cloaked skeleton to drop his scythe, floating in the air for a moment as he disappeared.
"Simon, cease this tomfoolery. You belong to me, mind, body, and soul."
The voice repeated both in his mind and in the air. Dracula appeared before him at the far end of the hallway, Simon's arm scar practically exploding with dark purple energy, the pain freezing the man with the golden locks in place. Finally screaming in pain, Simon dropped to his knees.
You are a puppet. You will obey me. You are a puppet. You will obey me chanted Dracula's voice inside him.
As Simon wavered in and out of consciousness, he caught sight of the unconscious man in green, splayed out behind him.
"Nay…for my family. For green man," Simon slurred through the pain.
One agonized step after the other, Simon lurched towards Dracula, a sweaty, shaking hand firmly grasped on The Vampire Killer, his blessed metallic whip.
This did not seem to phase Dracula, his natural contemptuous expression unwavering.
"No matter," snarled Dracula, "You are nothing more than a rabid dog, one who must be put down."
Moving his cloak aside, fireballs launched from the magical void. Simon flipped upward, dodged them without thinking, adrenaline briefly winning the fight against Dracula's curse. As he landed, the wounded warrior realized that as soon as the saving grace had come, it had disappeared, leaving Simon with nothing but crippling pain that froze him in place. Pillars of fire erupted from the floor, knocking a heavily muscled, smoking visage backward.
"You Belmonts become more worthy throughout the generations," Dracula sighed, a disappointed expression furrowing onto his face.
With that. Dracula conjured up a final, massive fireball. Simon mentally ran through his list of prayers. This was the end.
Yomi, Transylvania
1798
When Link had been sent to recruit Ritcher Belmont, he hadn't expected…this. The man was unusually merry and friendly having shown him around the town of Yomi as if he were an old friend. The town, now a place for those who had been affected by Dracula to seek healing, had been pushed forward into progress by the iron will of its citizens, with Ritcher leading the charge. It was only now that he had gotten the ultra-popular, impossibly good-looking man alone, waiting for a chicken to boil so they could have dinner. Link's ears twitched as the water boiled above the fireplace/
"So, the reason why I've come is to seek your assistance fighting Dracula once again."
"Oh, I've known, and I suspect it's much bigger than myself."
Link's eyes widened, caught off guard by the perceptive young lad, "What gave you that idea?"
"Well first," Ritcher said, smirking, "Men who look like elves out of a fairy tale don't appear on my doorstep often. Secondly, that device, strapped to your wrist is unlike anything I've seen, even from Dracula's accursed machines."
Link chuckled, "Well before we do anything, we have to provide backup to Simon."
"As in…my ancestor Simon," balked the vampire hunter.
"Yes sir. I'll be opening a portal through time and we'll be providing backup to Si…"
"I'll be providing backup," blurted Ritcher.
Link smiled, "Cocky are we?"
Ritcher grinned. A hateful, intrusive thought of Groose blasted at his subconscious, the Hyrulian warrior blinking to keep such thoughts away "I've beaten Dracula twice. I mean not to insult, but you do not know of whom you face."
Link opened his mouth to protest but stopped.
"Alright, I'll be here if you need me," smiled Link.
Ritcher sprung into action, grabbing his vampire hunting implements quickly from around the cabin.
"Do it," grunted Ritcher.
Link keyed in some commands to his wristwatch, and a portal opened.
Yomi, Transylvania
1698
Simon closed his eyes, accepting the warmth of his encroaching death. He was too sick…too old. The Belmont line ended with him.
And then, a blast of warm air.
"WHAT?" bellowed Dracula.
Opening his eyes, he saw a man in blue standing before him, wearing a white bandana, also holding The Vampire Killer.
"Begone monster, you don't belong in this world!" cried the mysterious man
Whipping his version of The Vampire Killer out, then up, Dracula was sliced almost up the chest. The vampire shrieked in pain, obviously just as surprised as Simon.
"This…was not…. the plan. Damn you Belmonts and your trickery. You will rue the day you chose to come here, all of you!"
Dracula furled his cloak, disappearing into a throng of bats that moved faster than the human eye could truly appreciate. Upon the exit of the immortal vampire, the castle began to shake and vibrate.
"Check his pulse," Ritcher barked.
Simon did as commanded.
"He breaths stranger, but what…?" Simon began.
"I've seen this before Simon. Get the green man through the portal!" Richter commanded.
"How do you know my…?"
"There'll be time for that later. Grab him, follow me!"
Simon nodded, jumping through the portal, the small, green-clad man over his shoulder into who knows what as the castle dissipated behind them.
Yomi, Transylvania
1798
Simon examined his surroundings. It was a log cabin, and an elven man stood in an offensive stance, but his face betrayed utter shock.
"Well damn, didn't expect it to be over that quick. Simon, I'm Link, an ally of Luigi's. Get him on the bed, and we'll wait for him to wake."
"You are Link, the unconscious green man is Luigi, but who is he?" Simon balked confusedly, gesturing to Richter, "He wields a completely unique family heirloom which is…also in my possession,"
"Oh, Richter? For lack of a better explanation, he's your great-grandson several times over. We're a century further in time from where we left."
"So this plot of Dracula's is so intense that the fate of all reality is at stake?" Simon gasped.
Link shrugged, "Damn, you Belmonts are a perceptive bunch.
"Language," growled Simon.
"Oh, sorry," muttered Link.
"But yes, this is not uncommon when fighting Dracula. Often, the laws of the reality do not apply," Simon explained.
"Okay, so you'll fit right in on this..." Link paused, stopping himself from again offending Simon's sensibilities, "Nonsense, but it goes deeper than Dracula. Let's get Luigi to a bed, when he wakes up he'll explain it."
Ritcher yanked Luigi off Simon's shoulders with ease, "I've got him. I suspect we'll have a lot to talk about in the meantime."
Several hours later
The last thing Luigi remembered was making eyes at the Grim Reaper, and now he could hear…voices?
"Tell me, what was Alucard like?" said a gruff voice.
"Standoffish, but noble in his pursuits," said a much calmer voice cooly.
"Trevor's diaries had a bit more colorful an interpretation of him."
A snort of laughter from Mister Cool echoed around the room they were in, "That sounds like Trevor from what Alucard had said. I could very much see how Alucard could come off that way to people, but he really helped me."
Luigi opened his eyes with a loud groan. The gaze of Link, who he presumed to be Simon, and a completely new face fell on him.
"You doin' alright Weegee?" said Link, with a mischievous grin.
Normally, Luigi would've grumbled something about not calling him Daisy's pet name for him in front of new recruits, but he simply didn't have the energy
"Yeah, Link I'm fine-a. What even happened?"
"You were scared unconscious, at least that's what Simon could gather. After that, Ritcher and I came to you and Simon's rescue."
"Despite your cowardice on the field of battle," Simon began, "I must thank you, Luigi. You gave me an opening against both Death and Dracula that history would indicate does not happen often
It took everything within him to hide his embarrassed blush as Luigi spoke next, "Ah, so blue shirt guy is the other guy Shulk was talking about. How much did you tell 'em?"
"Bare minimum. But you're the better pitchman. I made you a glass of water when you're ready."
It was at this point Luigi realized he was laying down in a bed, complete with a nightstand, and a glass of water on it. Luigi gulped down the water, cleared his throat, and began.,
"So, as Link already told you, I'm-a Luigi. Link might have told you a little bit about the Smash Order. To the public, we're a multi-versal combat sports league. But, like you with Dracula, we all have the evil drudges of our homeworld. Sometimes there's something that causes such peril we have to team up and deal with it. This is one of those situations, and it might be our biggest task yet. The thing that powers the entire universe in which Smash resides is called the Smash Core. Think of it as the heart of the body that tethers all of our dimensions together. A few years back, it was stolen from its original keeper, a god of creation named Tabuu, when we had to put an end to him. Two of his subordinates, the founders of the Smash Order, thought they could control it. But it ended up consuming them, and the Smash Core disappeared when we tried to destroy it. Until very recently we were trying to find it. One of our new recruits was informed that it was in the hands of a relatively unknown despot named Conker, and, out of some unexplained bitter hatred for the world as it stood, he's made moves to unit evildoers from across different dimensions and times. We believe that if Dracula and his hordes aren't already on board, they will be soon."
"I suspect they already are." said a suddenly morose Richter, "Dracula did say that it wasn't in the plan, what we did."
"There's also the possibility that he's intentionally misdirecting us" Simon added, "Dracula wouldn't give away what he knows."
"That said," Link interrupted, "I doubt he knows how much we know. Our informant only recently came to us, and we're using the information to recruit to our cause before Conker's forces, whatever they are, mount an offense."
Ritcher groaned "Annette and Maria will be none-to-happy."
"The Smashverse actually exists outside of what you perceive to be space and time. They'll be at the tournament, and if Conker's army doesn't hit this country before we defeat him, they'll never know there was a problem" added the Hero of Time as he punched in some coordinates into his wristwatch, causing a portal to open, Any questions before we leave?" Link asked
"Aye, I do," Ritcher said, "What qualifies us for a place in your order?"
"Your battles are…um…historic across space and time," answered Link.
"What do you mean?" Simon piped in.
Link snapped his gaze to Luigi, who was easing himself off the bed.
"Our old leader, Master Hand, who's…indisposed at the moment, has been-a keeping tabs on most of our new recruits for decades. Our battles are so legendary, they've got the gaze of universes beyond our understanding, which is why we've been assembled.
"Wow," breathed Ritcher, "Legendary heroes, eh?"
"Stow it boy," snarled Simon, "Ego will not help us here."
"You're right. Sorry, everyone."
"So, boys, if you would be so kind as to follow me to your new home for the duration ."
Looking at each other, the Belmonts nodded, following Link and Luigi inside the portal. Closing it behind the four, Luigi spoke, "Welcome to the Smash Mansion,"
"Incredible," breathed Simon, "Even Dracula's Castle is not this ornate."
Luigi opened his mouth to say something but found nothing. Of course, when he was expected to play tour guide, all relevant information would leave him. Of course.
The four trotted up the stairs of the Mansion. When the doors open, Mario was stood in the foyer arm-in-arm with Peach, "Hey bro!" he waved.
The three Mushroom Kingdomites engaged in a group hug. When the formation dispersed, Mario spoke to the Belmonts, "Simon and Ritcher, I'm-a Mario, leader of this organization. Things're a bit ramshackle at the moment, so we're just asking that the people coming to The Mansion just enjoy the facilities for now. Once the initial roster gets in, there'll be a meeting. Ritcher, you're free to go. Simon, Peach'll take you to the infirmary to get the infection treated."
"Infection," Simon asked, "You mean my wounds?"
"Yes. We can treat them," Mario nodded.
In response, Simon shook his head woefully, "I'm afraid Dracula's curses are beyond medicine's core competencies."
"Medicine that's-a known to you," Mario countered, "We looked into your world's future for a cure, to sweeten the deal in case you refused."
"Aye. This place continues to astound," Simon nodded.
"If you'll come with me Simon," Peach spoke, "The infirmary is some ways away."
Simon nodded, following the princess deep into the mansion.
"If it's all the same to you fellows, you caught me in the middle of dinner," Ritcher explained.
Mario gestured towards the kitchen, "We've got a kitchen if you prefer to make your own food, or a self serve cafeteria if you prefer something pre-made."
"I'm going to live like a king, self-serve it is," declared Ritcher.
Mario laughed, " Alright, go at it."
As soon as the younger vampire hunter was out of sight, Mario and Luigi clasped hands in a manly handshake.
"So how'd the recruiting go?"
"I mean, I need to change pants."
Mario sniggered.
"How old are you?" Luigi snapped.
"You're-a right. But yeah man, change up, dump the Poltergust in your room, grab Daisy, and come back tonight."
"Will, I have-a to recruit again?" Luigi whined.
"Seeing as we don't have any ghosts or Mushroom Kingdomers left, nope!"
Luigi's entire body slumped, relief finally winning out over fearful rigidity. Its cost, however, was the sacrifice of adrenaline. Suddenly he felt very tired.
"Oh thank The Stars," Luigi moaned, passing Mario and trotting up the steps.
Smash Mansion
Infirmary Hallway.
Simon walked alongside Peach, who was happily describing all the facilities this Smash Mansion had to offer. The good news was that this place had a pool on one of the sublevels. Doctors had forbidden him from swimming in any of the bodies of water local to him for fear of infecting his scar, so once his scar had healed, he figured he could jump back into one of his favorite forms of exercise. The bad news was that the training rooms for the combat this organization participated in were closed until all the tournament participants made it in. At that point, he'd stop listening to the statuesque woman, not out of disinterest, but out of being overwhelmed. So many modern amenities of the future which were beyond his understanding, the minimum amount of information made his head spin.
Just as he concluded that he would learn the ropes of modern society in due time, something caught his eye. An angel in a toga seemed to be talking at a boy in blue armor, who was marching towards some destination.
"Needless to say, I didn't get my deposit back," Pit finished his story.
The blue armored boy made eye contact with Simon first, the aloof-looking angel following his eyes.
"Oh, it's you!" Pit squealed, pointing at him excitedly.
At that moment, a splitting headache hit him, sending him to his knees. As quickly as it had come, it disappeared. Simon stood up. He remembered now.
"Pit! Megaman! It's been entirely too long," an overjoyed Simon shouted, spreading his arms wide.
"Affirmative, nearly 30 years in Smash Universal Time since our worlds were merged in that absurd Videoland." Megaman droned.
"Yes. It was a…difficult time for us all. Hast anyone heard from Master Keene?"
"Not since he, Lana, and Charles left for the world of the creators just before the worlds were separated."
"I hope Duke is still okay…" Pit mused.
"The way that hound ate life-up crops when we were together, he may outlive us yet," Simon joked.
The three warriors of the former Videoland shared a laugh. Simon turned to Peach, who wore a warm smile.
"I do not mean to exclude you, your highness. These are warriors from my past."
Peach nodded, "Oh, I know. We sent out an invitation to your friends to spectate when the time comes."
"Woo hoo!" cheered Pit, fist-pumping in the air.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, lads," Simon bowed, "I must seek medical attention., Take care."
As Peach and Simon resumed their journey to the infirmary, a thought occurred to Simon.
"If my grandson Ritcher is here, and you're able to contact and transport Master Keene and Lana, does that mean you may invite some of my other ancestors as well?"
Peach nodded, not breaking stride, "We thought that if Dracula was involved it would be best to invite everyone who's had notable encounters against Dracula. Mostly it's your family tree, with one exception. Jonathan Morris American."
"American?" Simon asked, cocking his head in confusion.
"Oh yes, that hasn't happened in your time yet. English settlers fled the kingdom's excessive taxes, at least that's my understanding. You can read further into it in the library."
"Intriguing. Good for them, socks to the crown," Simon began, freezing and blushing when he realized what he had said, "No offense, your highness."
Peach giggled as they passed through the main infirmary door, "Oh no, I agree. Taxing one's citizens and not using the money to better the lives of the citizens is a wash. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go."
Peach about-faced, brushing past Simon. When Simon turned back around, Mario stood there in medical garb. Or at least, he thought it was Mario.
"Right this way, please. I have the shot ready to be administered," said the man in a smooth, unaccented voice.
The two walked silently to an examination room, Doctor Mario picking up a syringe, "So other than Dimension Distortion Headache, no other ailments?" he asked.
"What was that?"
"Dimension Distortion Headache. In the multi-verse, there are several realities. For example, the reality in which you fought alongside Pit and Megaman is a separate reality from the one you remember." Doctor Mario explained
Simon nodded along, though he didn't understand, "Aye."
"Well, Smash Brothers exists in between reality, hence how we can travel between spacetime."
"Aye."
"So one of the side effects of that," Doctor Mario continued, giving Simon the shot, "Is that you remember everything."
"Aye."
"Well, we're done here. The scar tissue should begin to heal in a matter of hours. I also through in some mental supplanters, making you immune to mind control "
"Aye…I mean, thank you, doctor."
Simon was overwhelmed with a giddiness he hadn't felt in years. Placing the last time he'd felt this way, he remembered the naivety of his childhood, filled with unwavering confidence that he was the one who would defeat Dracula once and for all. But with the combined might of the Belmonts from the past, present, and future, who's to say they couldn't?
The blond Belmont hurriedly thanked Doctor Mario one last time and, with the swagger of a man with a plan, marched out of the infirmary to find Ritcher. He needed to imbue the young man with this new confidence, by hook or by crook!
A portal opened from the Smashverse, and Luigi stepped out of it. He breathed in a sigh of relief, feeling the tears of joy well up. Daisy's enormous bedroom, bequeathed entirely in her signature colors of orange and yellow, was a happy place for him. Walking over to the bed, he saw his beloved. Daisy had taken to sprawling out on the king-sized bed in his absence. She was snoring softly, her body covered by the warm, silky comforter, last night's clothes thrown hastily on the floor from last night's…activities.
So early the maids haven't even come yet. Perfecto.
The eternal understudy smiled softly, sitting on the bed, running his gloved fingers through Daisy's long brown hair
A soft sigh and giggle indicated that she was awake.
"Mornin hon, how was ghost bustin'?" she asked with a stretch and a yawn.
Like that, he melted.
"Daisssy!" he cried, flopping into her bed, "You can speak English!"
"Um…of course, I can? Was the job that bad?"
"Dude, a-yes!" Luigi exclaimed, hugging her tightly.
Without so much as a thought, the brunette snatched Luigi's signature green hat off his head, chucking it across the room. Luigi's face nuzzled in her still-covered chest, she began to stroke his hair, "Did you get the job done? Did you find the Smashers?"
"Yeah, but there were so many monsters."
"Oh no." blurted the concern-wrought voice of the princess.
And then, melting further, the man in her arms began to weep, silently.
"It's okay baby, I'm here, shhhhh," she cooed, stroking his hair.
"Those Belmonts they…saved my life," quivered Luigi's exhausted, tired voice.
To this, Daisy said nothing, only holding Luigi close, tears relief dripping down in melody from them both.
Smash Mansion
Master Hand's office
Mario seldom enjoyed working in Master Hand's old office. The oaken, book-lined office that resided on the very top spire of The Mansion was too classy for a man like him. He much preferred to work in he and Peach's private suite a hotel room being a much less alien environment for him.
But they couldn't see him like this. No one could.
Mario slammed the desk for the millionth time since he'd gotten the call. Luigi had come home a wreck, so much so Daisy had to steal his communicator and report their delayed arrival herself.
How could he have expected such a task from his poor brother? Boos were pillars of Bowser's army. The mansion ghosts, while not much different than Boos, could reach out and touch. That's what birthed this new cowardly Luigi. Mario cursed himself again. How could he think Luigi could stand up against Dracula of all people? In hindsight, anyone would've been better. And bless Daisy's soul, strong enough of a woman to stay with a man after a complete metamorphosis…
Knock knock knock.
"Not now," snapped Mario.
"Boss, it's Shulk. We need to talk about what happened today."
Mario took a deep, solemn breath.
"Enter,"
Timidly, the door to the office creaked open, Shulk stepping lightly inside, edging the door clothes behind him.
"I…messed up today," Shulk whispered, his head hung.
"We both did," Mario nodded.
"I mean, Luigi handled it like a champ but… I was so scatter-brained…about…everything,"
Mario closed his eyes, sighing. The young man was choking back tears.
"It happens to the best of us-a," Mario answered his eyes snapping open.
The sadness from Shulk lifted, his face twisting into pure frustration.
"Not to me," Shulk blurted, "I'm a man of science. I should have been more analytical, more prepared for what was going on."
"We both should have-a. We need to vet recruiters more closely-a. We're up against much more-a opposition than we ever been. Conker might be unhinged, but his lieutenants can cause serious damage if underestimated."
Shulk nodded, "I won't tolerate any nonsense. I almost lost Fiora, and I'll be damned if I lose anyone in this position."
"However you chose to course correct so that this doesn't happen, you have my full approval. It's why I selected you, ROB, Otis, and Mikey as my advisors. You have instincts I don't, and we can carry each other through this thing."
Shulk nodded, "You're right, and thank you. Your support means the world."
At that moment, both men's communicators beeped. Both responded, and ROB's message played in stereo, "Luigi and Daisy have arrived in The Parade Cart."
For the first time in several hours, Mario smiled, much to Shulk's confusion.
"That old thing? Damn, that's a blast from the past," remarked the plumber in red.
Shulk, still morose, cleared his throat, "Permission to teleport down their boss? I feel like I need to apologize to Luigi personally."
And just like that, Mario was overtaken by guilt again, his prideful posture gained by memories past deflating almost as soon as it'd come.
"I need to do the same Shulk, let's go," Mario nodded his approval.
And, in two blue flashes of light, they were gone.
Smash Mansion
Front lawn
Mario shouldn't have been shocked by what he'd seen, but he was. He often forgot that Daisy had just as expansive a wardrobe as Peach, but he hadn't expected it to be in a trailer towed by a car. His first tipoff should've been needing the engine of The Parade Car.
Daisy and Luigi sat atop the two crown seats of the golden automobile, facing away from him. In the driver's seat was Buckenberry, who looked terrified.
"Buckenberry," acknowledged Mario with a tip of his hat.
The engine cut.
"Master Mario, I…" the voice of the normally unphased blue Toad shook
At the mere mention of his name, Daisy vaulted over the crown seat in which she sat, Luigi, following timidly after her.
"Alright," boomed Daisy, "Which one of you idiots do I kill for sending…"
As soon as Daisy met Shulk and Mario's expressions, her bravado disappeared, tears welling up. Immediately, Mario, Luigi, and Daisy engaged in a group hug.
"Bro, I'm so sorry," Mario blubbered through tears.
"Nah bro, I'm good for it. Just had to cool down," whispered Luigi, the only one of the three not crying loudly.
"You could've died though," Daisy and Mario snapped simultaneously.
And with that, the three held one another in silence mulling over the darkest of fates and celebrating what had come to light.
The doors behind them creaked open, and Peach stepped out, "Am I…missing something?" she asked, unusually timid.
"I uh…sent Luigi to find the Belmonts. He ran into Dracula. I…messed up," Mario admitted as the group hug dissipated.
"Oh dear," Peach frowned, "Unfortunately, that's one of the drawbacks of being a leader. I am beyond please, however, that you made it home safe Luigi."
"Yeah.. me too," stuttered Luigi.
Peach smiled, making eye contact with Princess Daisy, "DAISY!"
"HEY GIRL!" Daisy greeted, all the bad mojo gone like the wind.
"Welcome to the Smash Brotherhood! It's been a long time coming my dear," Peach cheered.
The two girls continued to chatter amongst themselves. Realizing this was a political gossip conversation he wasn't in on; Luigi went to help Buckenberry unload the trailer. As he turned to join Mario in this endeavor, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Shulk, who had been so uncharacteristically silent he'd forgotten he was there.
"Luigi…I can't apologize enough. I was so glib about the mission and I..."
"No no," Luigi shook his head, "We didn't know what we were up against. Sometimes you can be a hero for so long that you don't see the danger. No apologies necessary my friend. You did your best."
"Coming from a veteran such as yourself that's…"
An exclamation from Daisy cut off their conversation.
"Where are the Belmonts?"
Peach giggled, "They met the Links and Zelda pretty early. They started trading adventure stories almost immediately and I don't think they've stopped since."
"Alright! Weegee, we've got some vampire hunters to thank."
Before Shulk could give Luigi sass about having an appointment, the brunette had taken Luigi by the hand, guiding him through the Smash Mansion doors.
There was a beat of silence between the remaining four occupants of the front driveway before Mario exclaimed, "Did they just leave us to unload her car?"
Buckenberry sighed, "Such is the life of being an attendant to a royal sometimes."
"I mean, you heard them. They're going to thank The Belmonts," Shulk interjected.
Peach mulled the matter over, rubbing her chin in thought, before nodding.
"You are correct Master Shulk. Though normally I would think this sort of behavior uncouth and rude, but sometimes, commending heroes and building alliances therein is more important.
"Bloody hell," cursed Shulk, jumping in to action to help Mario, Buckenberry, and Peach move the luggage without a word.
Main Lobby
"So Link my boy, any fair maidens in your life?" Ritcher asked, sprawled out on one of the lobby couches.
The green hooded heroes who shared the next couch, the Links, all seemed to shift uncomfortably, looking at each other in a nervous synchronal fashion.
"Ritcher," hissed Simon, sitting a lounge chair in the semicircle of luxurious furniture, "We were having a very normal conversation about adventuring, and yet you go looking for pleasures of the flesh. Do they not teach you basic manners in the next century?"
"No no it's fine," Link began, " A lot of people think I'm dating Zelda. We're good friends, but we've never been romantically interested."
"So that's permission then," Ritcher blurted, winking as he did.
Just as the grips around all three Master Swords on the couch tightened, Daisy and Luigi came through the door. Daisy immediately stepped up to Simon, kneeling, "Simon, Ritcher. My name is Princess Daisy of Sarasaland You have saved my future husband Luigi on the field of battle. For this, the kingdom of Sarasaland is indebted to you forever.
"Future hus-king?" balked both Belmonts, coming to the same realization.
"King? I didn't know it was that serious," Young Link whispered to the other Links as Daisy stood up, bright red from all the attention as she resumed her position on Luigi's arm.
"Is that Young Link I hear over there. Hey kiddo, how's it going?" Luigi asked, his posture brightening at seeing his old friend.
"Oh, you know. It's been quiet in Hyrule ever since Clock Town. But let's talk about you!" Young Link's voice suddenly changed from humble embarrassment to nosey intrigue, "This is the Daisy I've been hearing so much about?"
Daisy snapped her gaze to the Links, a giddy grin spreading across her lips.
"Awwww Weegee! You talk about me!"
"O…of course he does," Toon Link interjected, a confused expression on his face, "He always talks about how tough and cool you are!"
"It was a joke hun."
"Ohhhh!" the expression on the cartoon's boy's face changed to that of relief as if the world had been lifted off his shoulder.
"Can we get back to this king thing?" snapped Ritcher.
"Yes. As rude as he is being, my boy has a point," Simon agreed.
"I am not your boy!"
Simon sneered, "My teaching's directly impacted the man your father became. I will be treated with respec-"
Luigi coughed loudly. Every head in the room turned to him.
"You had…questions for me Belmonts?" meekly asked the Eternal Understudy.
"Yes. You are a future king, yet you dress as a commoner,"
Ritcher shot an expectant glance over at Simon, who confirmed that's what he had on his mind with a quick nod.
"If I had a coin every time someone asked that question or me or Mario, I'd be as rich as a king."
Simon laughed, slapping the armrest of his chair so hard the metal underneath it creaked, "I have no doubt. You and your brother Mario are quite humble men. I look forward to the day I can ride into battle with such men of the people."
Luigi blushed. Seizing her opportunity, Daisy put her hand on his cheek, pantomiming a sizzling sound and withdrawing away from something hot, reduced to a giggle fit as Luigi's gaze darted briefly over to her and then back to the Belmonts, "So…were you guys thinking of checking out any of the amenities?" timidly offered the plumber.
Ritcher yawned stretching seemingly all of his limbs as he did, "Nay. It has been a long journey, but a longer day."
Simon nodded, shaking the cobwebs, "Aye. I must agree with my grandson, we ought to retire for the night."
"Did Mario give you guys a room assignment?" Luigi asked, nodding back at the elder Belmont.
"We're rooming together," Ritcher explained, "Don't know if I like that."
"Well, as an elder, if you do not head back to the room immediately I will be using the plumbing facilities first, and, as the robot explained, using all the hot water," proclaimed the blond whip wielder, marching up the stairs to the boarding rooms with purpose.
Ritcher meanwhile, scrambled off the couch, limbs flaying in all directions as he fell, nearly bolting from a three-point stance in order to recover lost ground, "You cantankerous old bastard, you had better not."
The five veteran Smashers shared a chuckle, when a thought occurred to Luigi, "Hey, has Bayonetta been in the game room lately?"
The Link trio looked to one another for an answer but found nothing.
"Nope, why?" Young Link, the one who had self-selected himself to speak on behalf of the troupe, asked.
"Yeah, she's been basically attached to Samus' hip ever since they both got here. Now they're in the bedroom, making up for lost time." Link explained.
"Lots of strawberries and whipped cream for some reason. Sounds icky if you ask me." Toon Link interjected
Daisy gasped for air, and now it was her turn to cough loudly out of embarrassment.
"THE REASON WHY I ASKED WAS," Luigi declared a bit too loudly, desperate to change the subject to literally anything else, "I wanna beat her score at Mario DDR."
Link's eyes went wide, "No one can, it's impossible."
"I respectfully disagree," Luigi said with a smirk, "C'mon, I can't lose with all of you watchin' me. Let's-a go!"
For the rest of the night, Daisy watched in awe as the three veteran Smashers encouraged, chided, and cheered each other on like family, even when she, the relative outsider, took a shot at beating Bayonetta's high score. The Umbra Witch's post atop the virtual dancing mountain remained untouched, but one thing was certain. Bonds were forged. This, a place she had idolized for so long, was a place she belonged.