Round 1

Marth vs. Lucina

The match graphics of Marth and Lucina mirrored each other, each slowly turning their back to the camera. Marth's highlight reel was first, ending with him raising Roy's arm in victory at the Melee Championship. Now, the king sat in the chair, his legs crossed, fingers interlinked in thought.

"Good day to you all," Marth began, "My name is Marth of Altea, and my opponent is Lucina of Ylisse."

"Any pontification about going against your distant relative?" Nikki immediately pried.

A grin on his face, Marth shook his head, "Not at all. In fact, whether it was the Askr conflict or our brief venture into the Hoshido/Nohr War, we've been on the opposite sides of the battlefield multiple times. I'm just glad this will be a more controlled test of skill."

"An interesting fact for you," Nikki blurted, "You both lost to the would-be finalists last time, you to Cloud, and Lucina to Robin."

"Yes," Marth waved a blue strand of hair out of his face, chuckling, "It would be untruthful of me to say my tournament performance hasn't been worsening with time. That is why I've been so adamant about Lucina and I training together so that whoever moves on has the best chance."

"Alright, that's all I had," concluded Nikki, "Thank you for your time."

Marth nodded, "And thank you for your time."

As he rose sharply, walking off camera, a much shorter highlight reel played for Lucina, of the combo that managed to KO Robin in the first round of the Duel Tournament. Then, she appeared on-screen sat in the interview chair, looking far less poised than her opponent.

"My name is Lucina of Ylisse, and my opponent is…"

Lucina sighed.

"The Hero King, Marth of Altea."

"You sound nervous."

Lucina nodded, a pained chuckle escaping her, "I guess the stakes of this whole tournament just hit me now. Literally, a king's treasury worth of coin could be mine, if only I go through him. You know, I suppose you can chalk up my pitiful performance in the last tournament to being overwhelmed with everything that happened after I rectified my future. Overwhelmed by meeting my own family overwhelmed by the Hoshido/Nohr conflict, by the Askr war, the nonsense with the golden chains."

Suddenly, Lucina's solemn expression turned determined.

"But when I'm on the battlefield, all the ends. Marth…grandfather…I hope I can do the family line proud, even if it means going through you."

"Alright, that's all I've got Lucina, thank you for your time."

Lucina nodded, "I find interviews dreadful, but you make it pleasant. Thank you,"

"No problem," Nikki giggled as Lucina hurried off camera.

"Guh, anime city," moaned Cranky as soon as the camera was back on he and 9-Volt.

"Not putting up with this," growled 9-Volt, "Futaba, predictions."

"Gotta go with the original gangsta, Marth's our boy!" Futaba cheered.

"Thank you for not drawing this out. Now let's go to entrances."

Regal orchestral music began to play. An Altean flag unfurled over the tunnel, its crest now blowing in the wind. As Marth emerged from the tunnel, the lyrics started.

Faiā Emuburemu, tegowai shimyurēshon

Yari hajimetara nemurenai

"So I did some research into those blasted lyrics," Cranky Kong began to rave as Marth strode to center ring, "Do you know what it is?"

"Um... no." 9-Volt sheepishly admitted.

"It's instructions. On how to play the game."

"Oh…Oh God…" 9-Volt uttered, horror and realization of what was to come in his voice.

"Not only can you bozos never ride me for breaking the fourth wall ever again, at least they don't need an operatic to TELL THEM HOW TO BE WARRIORS! Banjo and Kazooie were right, Scrimbo Bimbo is the superior video game genre baby! I didn't even have to give a tutorial, you either sank or swam in my games, yes sirree"

9-Volt could only sigh, a "smack" sound indicating his helmeted head met desk in exhaustion as Lucina's entrance tune began to play, a drum roll leading to a dramatic orchestra.

As Lucina strolled out, bashfully waving to the crowd, 9-Volt explained, "This is a piece written about Lucina's roll in the Nohr/Hoshido War, simply titled "Versus Lucina"

Cranky only blew a raspberry as Lucina stepped to the center, Mills Frames appearing between the distant relatives.

"The following contest is a Round 1 match in the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament! The winner will face Pichu in Round 2! Introducing first, he comes to us from the Fire Emblem universe, he is The Hero King, he is MARTH!"

Marth saluted the crowd, pointing in the direction of a loud "Altea" chant which, after a cheer of acknowledgment, quieted the crowd.

"Introducing next, to my right, she also comes to us from the Fire Emblem Universe. She is The Badass in the Butterfly Mask, she is LUCINA!"

Her face scrunched in confusion, Lucina waved to the crowd, Marth stepping closer.

"Sans didn't think the "Warrior from a Doomed Future" moniker was very good, so he made up a new one," he whispered

"But I came up with that myself," seethed Lucina.

"I know, I know, but we're trying to put on a show, or so they tell me."

"Theatrics are confusing,"

"I agree, but it's best not to question it."

Lucina nodded.

"Can I make the announcement?" Mills asked quietly.

Both nodded.

"Per request of the fighters," Mills began, "The stage will be Omega Castle Siege, with no items!"

Mills let the crowd murmur.

"With that said. Smashers, are you ready?"

Both Smashers nodded, and in an instant, they were gone.

Stage: Castle Siege (Omega)

Rules: 2-stock, items none.

Music: Destiny (Ablaze)
 Appearing in the usual magical Fire Emblem crest, the grips upon each of their hilts tightened as the referee counted down. And then, the magic words...

GO!

Immediately, as if by instinct, the two doubled back. Sharing a grin from across the battlefield at the realization that their actions had been mirrored, they charged…and countered.

"What just happened?" 9-Volt asked.

"They both thought the other was going to take the first hit," Cranky explained.

And so, the two circled one another, occasionally snapping into their counter stances. On the fourth double feint in this war of attrition, both their deeply concentrated expressions suddenly became determined frowns. Two versions of the Falchion clashed. Then again, then again.

"Alright!" Cranky cheered, "Now we're gettin' started.

"I don't think we've seen anything yet," 9-Volt cautiously warned his co-commentator.

As if 9-Volt had seen the future, a blur of blades exploded in the air before them, swings of the sword almost beating the clanging sound they made into existence the two moved so flawlessly, expressions unbroken. The final hit for both knocked them back. Gaining their footing simultaneously, they once again charged, clashing swords. Both jumped, Lucina quicker on the draw, slashing Marth with a few quick jabs. Marth was content to fall straight down, but Lucina jumped in mid-air, landing behind Marth as touched the ground, slashing Marth across the back.

"Very good," Marth winced, gritting his teeth and backing away, "You've improved.

Marth immediately charged forward, slashing at Lucina. But, Lucina channeled her chi, parrying the move, falling to her knees, and slashing Marth's ankles in one swift motion.

"Lucina is not holding back!" 9-Volt declared.

Marth swung down, but Lucina blocked the blow from her knees, shoving the sword away and landing two more sword jabs to the ankles.

"Sure, but I feel like Marth's gonna put the pedal to the medal soon," Cranky quipped.

The two jumped, jumping in mid-air, passing like ships in the night. Simultaneously, the two rolled, passing each other once again. The two charged only this time Marth was quicker.

"All it took was one bit of carelessness…" smugly declared Cranky.

Hurriedly, Lucina swung her sword, but it left her open to be grabbed. Marth spiked her to the floor, holding his sword aloft as she jutted up. Rolling to avoid a cleave of the sword, Lucina jumped off stage, Marth following, only to allow his sword to carry him upward. Lucina fell, also allowing her sword to carry her upward, but this maneuver jabbed a waiting Marth in the leg as she came to the stage.

"I guess that's what you learn when hubby is a tactician."

"Volt m'boy, this story's already seriously failing the Bechdel Test, stop making it worse," growled Cranky

"The what?"

A jab to the ankles followed by a forward slash by Lucina was not enough to knock Marth away, who simply pivoted in the air to stop his momentum. As Marth landed, the two swung around each other, both connecting with armor. Marth, to the shock of the crowd, was flung into the blast zone, screaming as he disappeared in a white sparkle in the background.

Marth: 1

Lucina: 2

Marth came out of the Revival Platform swinging, immediately catching Lucina with a jabbing Dolphin Dance combination, knocking her off stage.

"Dolphin Slash!" shouted Lucina

The blade carried her upward, only for Marth to kneel and jab his sword at her, knocking her into the lower-left Blast Zone.

Marth: 1

Lucina: 1

"This is a power versus technique matchup," Cranky informed the crowd, "Let's see what wins out."

Much as Marth had earlier, Lucina came out of the Revival Platform Swinging, but this wasn't met with attempted defense. The two slashed at each other, with no regard for defense. Six blows landed successfully by each competitor, racking up the damage. Lucina's seventh blow staggered Marth, giving her the advantage. An eighth blow, sent Marth staggering towards stage's edge. A ninth sent him tumbling off. A Dolphin Slash was met with a kneeling jab. Another Dolphin Slash was met with a second kneeling jab.

"Stay down Grandfather," Lucina hissed,

Teeth gritted in defiance, Marth went for a third, being jabbed again.

"You've been warned. Don't try it again," shouted the princess of Ylisse.

A fourth Dolphin Slash was not met with a jab, allowing Marth to grab the stage.

With a warrior's cry, Lucina dropped her version of the Falchion, using both her arms to hook Marth's corroded artery. Completely unprepared, Marth flailed but Lucina refused to let go. Marth went limp, causing Lucina to let go of the choke. As Marth's head slumped to the stage floor, Lucina brushed her opponent away with her foot, knocking his limp form into the Blast Zone.

"Damn! Some diversity among these swordies! I like it!" Cranky cackled.

"Lucina deviates from form to secure a win!" 9-Volt declared.

Meanwhile, in the Courtyard, Lucina brushed the cheers out of her eyes just as the camera drones appeared.

"Father, I won!" Lucina declared her hand over her heart.

And then, the splash screen provided the official result.

LUCINA WINS!

Marth, who had been clapping as the winner was announced, was suddenly approached by Mister Zero, "Tough loss out there. What do you think about that choke by Lucina?"

Marth smiled, "I couldn't be more proud. She's clearly been diversifying her skillset without my knowledge, perhaps under the assumption that we'd fight someday. Lucina, you did good work, and you will make a great queen someday, mark my words."

With that, the king began his stride up the tunnel.

"Rita, the floor is yours," Mister Zero gave the queue.

"Thanks, I'm here with Lucin-"

"Pichu," interrupted Lucina, "If I'm willing to choke the life out of a beloved, legendary family member, just think about what I'd be willing to do to you," Lucina growled, stomping up the tunnel.

Lucina emerged from the tunnel to the usual applause, Pichu eying her up and down atop Mewtwo's shoulder, "I'm not afraid of you," he teased in a sing-song voice.

"Good," Lucina smiled, "You are a great warrior, our match should be fun."

"I'm terrified," Dante began, "But turned on," he finished, raising an eyebrow.

Robin shot him a glare as the randomizer began. The eponymous machine finally landed on…

"RIDLEY VERSUS SIMON!" proclaimed the announce team.

Ridley immediately sprang up, flying out of the Smashers' Box and through Tunnel A.

"Aye, he flies like a bat out of hell," mumbled Simon.

"Do I detect nervousness Gramps?" Ritcher teased.

"If you do not steel your tongue," Simon snarled a deadly glare in his eye, "Lady Lucina will not be the only one choking a family member today."

"Hey, I beat that big King K. Rool monstrosity. If you wanna tan my hide, let's do it in the ring."

"Verily. When I win, you shall get the thrashing you deserve," Simon said with a curt nod, confidently marching down Tunnel A.

(AN: Special thanks to Youtuber PolarasisZenKai's Amiibo Battles for the inspiration for this fight)