Round 1
Wolf vs. Villager
Wolf's introductory pose wasn't an elaborate one, simply glaring at the camera, arms indignantly crossed. Now, footage of him sat in the interview chair was on screen, smoking a freshly lit cigar. The grey-furred fighter glared indignantly past the camera. Immediately, petty, jabbing comments about Wolf being told not to smoke in there before the cameras rolled, and the futility of such a request, blanketed the Smashers Box before a ring of 'shhh' blanketed the room.
"So anyway, my name's Wolf O'Donnell, and my opponent is The Villager. Can I go now?" he huffed.
"But what do you think about…?" Nikki began.
"He's from the same place as Villager right?"
"Yeah. Weren't you in the crowd for Duel?"
"I just used the opportunity to get drunk and hustle money, I barely remember any of it. Besides, not like it matters, he's from the same place as Isabelle, and she's about the size of an infant where I'm from, so this is gonna be the easiest fight of my life."
A growl from Isabelle, and the chuckles that prompted, lasted just long enough for a stunned Nikki to get to her next question, "Anyone you're looking forward to…"
"Look, Smash is the only place I can beat up Fox and birdbrain and not get thrown in federal lockup. Only reason why I wasn't there last time was 'cause of Fox and I's little scuffle, and, despite the fact that I saved the cartoon kid and the singing Pokemon, I still had to serve out that suspension. I'll ask again, are we done?" snarled Wolf, baring fangs.
"Y-yes, sir."
"Good," Wolf smirked, extinguishing the cigar in the center of the chair as he prowled off camera.
Next was Villager. He held a fossil up to the camera, his usual aloof grin plastered on screen for everyone to see.
"My fellow Smashvillains," Villager began from the interview chair, "I am The Villager and my opponent is Wolf O'Donnell."
"What are your thoughts on him?"
Villager smirked, "Not any scarier than anyone I fought last time. He thinks simply because of our world's aesthetic he can bowl me over in some sad attempt to get to McCloud for the millionth time? I disagree."
"Anyone you're looking forward to fighting?"
"Any of the newcomers really! I've made it a point to speak to them individually, and while we can learn about each other through dialogue, we can also learn a lot from each other through athletic competition."
"Can't argue with that! Thank you for your time."
"A cocky space pirate and a dialogue creating mayor. Only in Super Smash Brothers will you get two such diametrically opposed combatants," 9-Volt concluded.
Cranky shrugged, "I'm a big fan of the 'because I said so,' approach to politics, but if it works for him more power to him."
"Which is why you're invited to Mushroom Kingdom sports tournaments all the time,"
"Shut your mouth kid. Unlike my miscreant adrenaline junkie son, Barrell Blast races and King of the Jungle jam is all the sport I need."
"Whatever you say," 9-Volt muttered, a sideways smirk tugging at his mouth, "Oracle, you're up!"
"I got burned by underestimating Isabelle last time, so my brain says Villager, but my heart says, Wolf. He's a man on a mission!"
"Thanks, Oracle," 9-Volt said, the camera back on him and Cranky as the crowd began to boo.
Skulking out to a brass instrument version of his team's theme song, Wolf O'Donnell appeared flipped off the crowd, the boos that received in return only caused the pissy pirate to get more mouthy.
"Meh, and here it is," Cranky groaned, "Didn't miss this jackass last time, or his 'Oooh look at me I held a brass band hostage to make my theme song' story."
"For once, I agree with you," 9-Volt explained as Wolf crossed his arms at center stage.
Upbeat, island tones became the music of the moment as The Villager jetted out atop a Lloyd Rocket, waving to the crowd.
"And this is a tune composed by Nook Inc's marketing team to advertise the Island Getaway Packages," 9-Volt explained as Villager took an intentional, comedic pratfall off the rocket as it sputtered to center stage.
"Fitting," Cranky chided, "Because he might need to get away from a very big, very bad Wolf."
"And now," began Mills Frames as he materialized in between the two combatants, "The following is a first-round match in the Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament! The winner of this match will face Toon Link in the next round Introducing in the corner to my left, he represents the Star Fox universe. He is the leader of Star Wolf, he is WOLF O'DONNELL!"
The crowd booed, and again, Wolf flipped off the crowd, intensifying the booing, much to Wolf's amusement, whose fangs bore in a grin as he crossed his arms.
"Introducing in the corner to my right, he represents the Animal Crossing universe. He is the Mayor of Smashville he is THE VILLAGER!"
Happily, Villager danced, his arms and legs flailing for a few seconds before dropping to his knees in a dramatic "TA DA' pose, receiving a bigger cheer from the crowd than his goofy entrance had.
"Now, if Wolf wins the coin toss, the stage will be Venom. However, if The Villager wins the coin toss, the stage will be Smashville. Call it gentlemen!"
"Tails!" snarled Wolf.
"Heads!"
Wolf muttered some curses under his breath while Villager held out a hand, "Good luck," he said, smiling warmly.
Wolf simply stared down at him, arms remaining crossed. Completely undeterred as Villager withdrew his hand, Mills began his explanation.
"The stage will be Smashville, two stocks, items medium. Smashers are you ready?
Both nodded, Villager's face full of optimistic joy, Wolf's expression emphasizing the wrinkles of annoyance that came from frowning, as though he'd spent his life frowning at all of the happiness in the galaxy.
Stage: Smashville
Rules: Stocks 2 Items Medium
Music: Title Theme (Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer) (Remix)
Before either knew it, they were on the Smashville stage, the midafternoon spring sun beaming down.
3
Wolf completed a barrel rolling HALO jump onto the stage.
2
The Villager skipped out of a mock-up of a Smashvillian house.
1
GO!
With a feral growl, O'Donnell immediately sprung into action. Dodging a barrage of claw swipes by rolling behind him, and then another when the space pirate corrected, Wolf eventually connected, but before he could follow up, a Lloyd Rocket exploded as quick as it had appeared. O'Donnell yelped along with a shocked Smash Stadium crowd at the sudden combustion, Wolf immediately whipped out his custom blaster, firing the pointed gun blindly. The first few bolts connected, but despite being pelted with plasma, The Villager remained stonefaced, watching intently at the pattern, eventually getting the pattern down enough to jump over one, then another. Grabbing an inflated turnip-shaped bludgeoning weapon from a dimensional pocket, Villager crashed the odd weapon into Wolf's head from midair, again and again. Wolf clawed at Villager as he landed, causing the casually dressed mayor to double back, dodging blaster shots all the way to the end of the stage. Dodging a Bob-omb throw with a midair cartwheel to the delight of the crowd, Villager closed the distance again.
What resulted was yet another sequence of Villager dancing around Wolf's increasingly wild claw strikes, the lupine cursing more and more at each failed attempt.
"Villager's employing the old rope-a-dope! I like it!"
Another small jump and attack with the turnip inflatable broke the dance. Villager went to the well again, but his crafty opponent was ready for it, turning on his reflector. Shocked by the electrical current of the pulsing purple shield. Villager leaped back on instinct. A wicked smirk from Wolf was enough to let Villager know that he was simply prey now.
Much to the mayor's chagrin, Wolf once again leaped forward, slicing and blasting with much more precise, deliberate movement. As Villager clung to the edge of the stage from the barrage, Wolf flashed his reflector off and on, like a corrupt police officer switching a taser on for show. Villager fired a Lloyd Rocket, and Wolf turned his reflector on. Villager jumped into the air, and both caught a glimpse of each other, eyes narrowed as the Lloyd Rocket began to fly in the opposite direction after bouncing off the pink force field, only to immediately sputter and die. Villager had been so keen on watching Wolf's movement that it took the wind out of him when the heavy metal of a Hocotate Ship miniature collided with his small frame. In the air, The Villager pivoted, allowing the miniature to flop upright onto the ground. Villager jumped forward in mid-air as soon as he heard the rocket's retros rev up. He knew that if he was caught in the rocket's ascent, there'd be nothing stopping him from a one-way trip to the blast zone. As Villager leaped forward, he saw the confusion in Wolf's eyes? The item debuted in the tournament he was barred from participating in, so perhaps he had thought it was going to explode, rather than fire?
Villager could only grin as he once again bopped Wolf on the head with his trusty turnip, Allowing himself to grab onto the stage and jump up, Wolf kicked him in the ribs, but Villager was quick enough on the draw to widen the gap with a slingshot attack, the rock once held in place by rubber bands had found itself a nice home in between Wolf's eyes. As the Hocotate Ship miniature careened towards the ground, Villager filed another Lloyd Rocket, hoping to cross Wolf up in the explosions. However, the explosion occurred behind Wolf, and without blinking, he activated his reflector, once again invalidating the Lloyd Rocket Wolf stood, claws primed, ready to strike. In response, Villager skipped and hopped about, Wolf's good eye tracking him with no lapse in concentration. A roll was enough for the veteran brawler to sweep The Villager's ankles out from under him. Just then, a Smash Ball appeared. The Villager took a ride on the Lloyd Rocket this time, jumping off just as Wolf went to reflect it. The rocket exploded upon him, but indeed, it was a calculated risk. Now with boxing gloves on Villager attempted to take advantage of the flash of light by wailing on the Ball. An upward capoeira style kick, saw both of Wolf's steel-toed boots connect with The Villager's jaw. A final bit of pressure applied by trapping Villager's neck in between his legs sealed the mayor's fate with the upper blast zone.
Wolf: 2
The Villager: 1
Laughing as he clawed the Smash Ball apart, Wolf licked his lips as Villager jumped down from the revival platform, triumphantly riding a Lloyd Rocket towards him. Wolf sliced the final slice of the Smash Ball's outer core as gingerly as possible, savoring the horror in Villager's eyes as the power became his.
"WOLF PACK!" Wolf called, pointing at The Villager
Unwittingly, the poor kid flew into a targeting reticle, and suddenly Wolf was behind the cockpit of the Wolfen. This was a simulation of a previous mission, as the Androssian War-era version of Star Wolf had unloaded all their firepower on a Cornerian munitions depot in the Meteo Asteroid Field. The only difference this time was that a child mayor was in the depot, unable to escape. Wolf laughed again, this time recalling a Cornerian prison psychologist who had once told him about empathy As the snooty black-furred dog yammered on and on, he came to the same conclusion that he did now.
Gets in the way of makin' money, concluded Wolf.
"GRAHAHAHA! The hunt is on boys!" cheered Wolf
With that, as if he was watching a VR simulation, Wolf watched the event play out, Villager trapped somewhere in the eruption, unable to be seen. When they were back in the bastard's homely town, the mayor flew towards the blast zone, able to flip in the air and his balloons to fly back to safety, much to Wolf's befuddlement. Snarling, and striking with a cupped paw, Villager's eyes flashed, Wolf's paw bouncing off of him.
Of course, he's diplomatic with the karate nerds, O'Donnell huffed inwardly.
The annoyance quickly turned to joy, as he was quick enough on the draw to catch The Villager by surprise. Three claw swipes later, and Villager had leaped into the air, smacking him with that damned turnip thing again. Everything this clever bastard did was bait. He wouldn't, couldn't, stand for it any longer. Grabbing the boy by the shirt collar, he tossed him to the other end of the stage. Hoping to punt the smart-ass like a football, Wolf charged forward, but again Villager leaped out of the way of a running kick, another turnip blow upon his head, followed by a close enough blast with the slingshot to knock his vision asunder saw him frighteningly far away from Smashville's safe ground. Tapping a switch in his utility belt, Wolf rocketed towards the stage at the speed of light. But, the Wolf Flash had not carried him far enough, the pirate helplessly HALO jumping into the Blast Zone.
The Villager: 1
Wolf: 1
From the revival platform, Wolf watched his prey. Steadying his heart, it became clear to him. The Villager was a politician first and foremost. He engendered the reaction with his moves already a clear picture in his mind and reacted accordingly. But when he took him out of a controlled environment…
Like clockwork, as soon as he stepped down from the revival platform, The Villager jumped above him. Wolf grinned, all too familiar with the moves Villager made to pull something out of his dimensional pocket. As soon as his hands moved in the way he'd anticipated. Wolf clasped a hand around Villager's throat, slamming him down, putting a knee on Villager's throat.
"What're you gonna do boy? What're you gonna do?"
A Fire Flower appeared. Both Smashers saw it.
"Go for it boy," hissed Wolf, "Show me what you can do when survival is on the line."
The Villager reached for it, eventually getting it after a few agonizingly long seconds. Pointing the flower at Wolf and grabbing the stem, the flower spun, spewing fire. Wolf tensed as his fur singed. This wasn't the first inferno he'd walked away from, and it wouldn't be the last. What he was less numb to, however, was a barrage of rocks from the slingshot. Then…he was in a net? Hoisted above The Villager's head and slammed down, then waylaid by boxing-gloved punches. Wolf broke away. The Villager jumped into the air.
Perfect, thought Wolf.
The momentum carried him too far forward. Now tied to his balloon's Villager ascended up, and up, waiting for an opportunity for the high ground, which Wolf let himself be chased to avoid. Eventually, the red balloons turned to a sickly black and popped, sending a horrified Villager down to the ground back first.
"You're good," Wolf smiled.
Villager hit the ground, scrambling to get up.
"But I'm better,"
A palm thrust to the face sent The Villager rocketing to the left blast zone.
GAME!
"And Wolf O'Donnell becomes the hunter!" 9-Volt announced.
"Yeah, The Villager made Wolf like a fool in the early going, but you take a hoity politician out of their element, and It all falls apart," sneered Cranky
"Villager isn't…bahhh why do I even bother? Let's get the official word."
Wolf stood stoic in the courtyard, arms crossed.
WOLF WINS!
A splash screen sealed the result, while Villager happily clapped.
Rita appeared from off-camera, causing Villager to straighten up. "What do you have to say about Wolf's harsh words?"
"He's right," Villager said, completely calm, "Wolf, I'd like to train with you sometime. I could learn to be more like you,"
As Villager shuffled away, Wolf stood with Mister Zero, "How does it feel to move on!"
Wolf chuckled, "Eh, Toon Link, another fancy ballerina type. I'll win."
"How will you take The Villager's offer to be a pupil?"
"Accepted. He's got potential, he just needs to hone his aggressive side, and I'll be happy to help 'em find it."
Wolf stomped up the tunnel his muscles relaxing. It was time for intermission.
When Wolf passed through the door, the post-intermission match had been announced.
"TRAVIS TOUCHDOWN VS. THE RIVER CITY GIRLS!"