Intermission 7

(AN: Change of plans, this is the intermission chapter I went with. That way, we can get right back to the fights when I pick this back up (either sometime this week or very very far into the future, depending on how my work presents itself)
The clunk of Mario's work shoes as he paced around the room was the first thing to echo in the deathly silent room. Wolf O'Donnell took the scene in before him. Conversations began to pick up at an agonizingly slow rate.

"Just got word from Doctor Mario, Mewtwo's out," Shulk announced to Mario.

Mario massaged the bridge of his knows, a long, deep sigh escaping from the plumber.

"What do you mean he's out Shulk?"

"He did an analysis on his own brain, found nothing, and…according to our trackers is hovering above the stadium like a brooding teenager."

"Can I get a second opinion on this Green?" Mario called.

From one of the center seats in the auditorium, Green nodded, "Yep. Professor Oak has always said that any Pokemon that knows Recover can analyze themselves at a molecular level and make changes."

"Fine," Mario groaned.

Wolf's good eye wandered. Falco had taken the seat next to him, legs and talons reclined against the empty chair below him.

"So, whaddya think of Fox an' Krystal being all lovey-dovey now?"

Falco's face scrunched in thought.

"Ya know Wolfie, I was thinkin' about the whole thing between 'em when I was still pretendin' to be on your side, and I had a thought I hadn't thought about in years. Right after Andross' empire fell, there were reports through the grapevine that Star Wolf was still flying around out there for a million-credit bounty. And I suggested, 'Ey, why don't we ice 'em, pad our bank accounts a little more?' an' do ya know what Foxie said?"

Wolf reflexively reached into his jacket pocket for a cigarette that wasn't there

Goddamnit, the space pirate cursed.

"What?"

"Those without strong wills, allies or enemies, should be guided, not cast out,"

"I worked with the pup's old man dullard," spat Wolf, "I heard that saying often."

"Then you shoulda known Fox was gonna bring back Krystal into the fold when she wised up. Hell, I shoulda known. It just feels like an eternity when you're flyin' with somebody, ya know?"

Wolf chuckled, "Why do you think I kicked Pigma out of Star Wolf? Had to hear him whine every time a hooker on Zoness turned away his business. But then again, I guess you pups are made of sterner stuff than me, at least when it comes to the whole co-existing with other people thing."

"Fox McCloud'd accompany you through the gates of Hell if you asked. Only wish more people'd give him the same courtesy, ya know?"

Wolf only shrugged. The blue-feathered idiot could never know he was right.

"OH WOW LUCARIO! That was great!"
Pichu's squeaking jubilee somehow managed to rise above the noise.

Wolf's gaze snapped in that direction. The baby Pokemon was hopping up and down, trying to get the attention of a meditating Lucario, who did not break from it. His face didn't even scrunch in recognition.

A fanged grin overtook Wolf.

Finally, an opponent who isn't an idiot.

Meanwhile, sat in front of the first row of the auditorium was Robin, adorned in a silver pair of studio headphones with blue accent lights that Torri had lent him. watching a hologram of his match with Pacman. His face twisted in disgust at the part where Pacman tossed a box into a Smash Ball. At that moment, someone tapped him on the shoulder, and he wheeled around to face Lucina, who looked alarmed at his sour expression.

"Robin, dear, what's…?"

The words died in her throat as she too watched the holographic footage.

"Oh,"

They both immediately found Mac and Doc, doing sit-ups in the uppermost tier of the Smashers' Box.

" I must outthink my opponent to win," Robin deduced, his voice the tiniest whisper

A grin formed on his face.

"Outthinking him won't be hard," Robin concluded.

"I believe you are underestimating Little Mac," Lucina frowned.

"All I must account for are items and his punches,"

"And his counter," Lucina added.

Robin rubbed the back of his head, "The Order of Askr has sparred so many times, that I'm used to such things."

Lucina broke her gaze for a moment, before turning to Robin and nodding.

"Despite my reservations, it was your tactics that allowed us to overcome Gangrel, Walhart, and Validar, and so I will follow you to the end."

"Thank you, my love," Robin said.

Robin spread his headphones, allowing Lucina to pull in close and share the device as they watched the footage.

Another Smasher wearing headphones of his own was Pacman. The old white headphones, adorned with stickers of his ghost frenemies blared the dial tone, and it seemed to be ringing forever. Finally, three Pacpeople appeared in the hologram.

"Hey dad!" happily greeted the two smaller ones on the right and left.

"Hey babe," greeted the taller one in the middle.

"Yeah, sorry about that kiddos. Hoped to get more for your college educations but you're just gonna have to do with a 500 grand each."

The three in the hologram snickered.

"Aw man," said the boy in the baseball cap

"Uncle Pac will get us a scholarship," chirped the smaller girl.

"Oh yeah Marie, I forget he's a college professor."

"What, you didn't think we'd get into college?" the boy in the baseball cap.

"Of course not Little!" Pacman laughed.

He frowned, rubbing his chin.

"Well, nah, but that's not because you kids aren't smart, but it's because you're related to me."

"I'll tell my brother you forgot about him," said the older woman.

"Babe, he'll forget I forgot when he gets that cheddah," smoothly chided Pacman.

As he said this, Sonic zoomed up to them, "Is that Mrs. Pacman I see?"

"You bet your ass fuzzball," laughed , "I haven't seen you since the Dash days!"

"Yeah, nice of you to be social Blue Blur. It only took you two rounds to do it," joked Pacman

"Oh, you know me," Sonic's confident bravado rang out, "I've just been spending all my time with…Isabelle…"

"Is that a girl?" guffawed Mrs. Pacman, "What happened to Amy?"

"Amy and I uh…broke up."

"Aw…" came 's disappointed response.

"Nah, it was a needed thing. Healthy boundaries and all that,"

"Yeah, totally," the Pac-Couple nodded together.

"You guys should double date after the round is over!" Little offered.

"Then we can order pizza and watch whatever we want on TV!" added Marie.

"You clever bastards," smiled Pacman, "Sounds good! Been needin' to get to know Isabelle better anyway,"

Sonic cast a look back at Isabelle, who was practicing locking up with Incineroar.

"If she isn't training with Incineroar all day." Sonic sighed.

"We've got time kiddo," Pacman winked, "Don't worry dude,"

Sonic nodded, "You're right, I shouldn't,"

As Sonic zoomed away, and the Pacman family continued to talk, some distance away, Quinn was stealthily trying to be within earshot of Mario. Ness and Lucas were already done with their MRIs with positive results. A scaly hand grasped his shoulder. Wheeling around, Team Chaotix was crouched behind him.

"I'm not…I swear!" blabbered Quinn.

"Nah kid, we admire your spirit!" Vector declared.

"Yes, we too are concerned by the Gaster incident. If Conker's allies can possess our psychic allies, what else can they do," explained Espio.

"This is the best lead we've had! Even contacting our usual sources have only revealed to us that the villains are going to another planet, with some of them heading to our side." Charmy squealed, looping several times around Quinn's head.

"So, nothing," Quinn sighed, "Great,"

"Whatcha tryin' to say, kid? That we ain't trying?" barked Vector.

"Krystal's out of the MRI, no abnormalities detected," Shulk announced to the room.

"Why're you kids so damn concerned about the war?" groused Bill Rizer, "We'll just blow through 'em, no matter what."

"I appreciate the gusto-a, but if you don't a mind," Mario hissed, holding a finger to his lips.

As those who had been talking fell to an embarrassed silence, Quinn crossed his arms.

Concerned about Rosalina? Me too, he thought.

Just as he began to get lost in his usual hyperactive, overly worried musings, a tiny voice addressed him.

"Excuse me,"

Quinn looked to his left. Chun-Li stood before him, arms crossed.

"If you'll beg my indulgence," she began, "Ken, Ryu, along with some of our other friends have been looking for a candidate to train mutually, and we think, based on your adaptation of Zangief's signature move, that might be it."

"Oh yeah, Street Fighter tournaments were extracurricular study opportunities at Master Hart's school, and mimicking the moves was fun for when we got the free time to horse around."

"I see," Chun-Li nodded, "Well, this is an offer to train with the eight of us for real,"

"Rosalina's out, no abnormalities," Shulk announced.

The psychics, their accompaniments, and Sans appeared in the room. From across the auditorium, Quinn and Rosalina locked eyes. Quinn tensed the muscles in his legs, making sure the mere sight of the space goddess would not melt him to butter.

"Offer accepted," Quinn slurred.

Chun-Li's face tightened into a frown, stepping to the side as Toon Link tackled both Earthbound kids into a hug.

"How was it!" questioned Toon Link.

"Oh, fine," Lucas pushed Toon Link off of him.

"More like boring," Ness scoffed, "I hate doctor's appointments, and it felt like we were waiting forever!"

"You did well though," offered Captain Falcon.

Chun-Li's eyes shifted to Krystal and Fox, the latter with an arm around the former's waist. Her response to Quinn was forced as if she was choking back vomit

"I'm glad to hear that,"

As Chun-Li turned to walk away, Ken was at her side, "Hey sis, jealous much?"

"Quinn's right there Ken! Everyone is right there!" she whined as they walked.

"And he saw you tense up. I've been telling you for years, you gotta make a move on Ryu, he never will on you."

"Alright Doctor Phil," Sans announced, "You and Ludwig are up next, right Otis?"

"Yep!" barked the dog.

"Ah, excellent," purred Ludwig, "You may be a disciplined karate champion, but you are not disciplined enough to withstand ze power of music!"

"MUSIC WORSE THAN CONCUSSION!" roared Morton.

The stink eye the blue-haired Koopa gave his grey counterpart could've killed a man.

"I will take that as a compliment brother," hissed Ludwig.

"Morton just wants you to kick ass, just like me," jittered Iggy.

"Yeah! Rock his socks!" growled Lemmy.

"Whoop him!" added Larry.

"Do not let the Koopa empire down," Wendy warned.

"Jeeze, lay off him, Wendy! It's why I picked him for the job. You've got this Wig!" encouraged Bowser Junior.

Ludwig nodded, "For you, my dearest brother, I will put on the finest symphony of pain I can imagine."

As he rolled down Tunnel A. Ken rubbed the back of his head, "What is it with me having to fight ridiculous European stereotypes."

Terry laughed, "I'd take your Vega over another Krauser Fury Cyclone ever again,"

"Yeah, you're right! Wish me luck Ryu!" Ken shouted.

Ryu gave him a stoic thumbs up, and with that, Ken was headed down Tunnel B.