Chapter 104: Richter's Plan

August 8th

Arcade World

A week had passed since the Smashers broke loose into the new world. Richter kept his daily visit to the new arcade that replaced the Smashers ever since.

"One more drink, guys! On me!" Richter raised his filled beer glass as foam leaked from the sides. The men in the bar of the arcade let out a masculine holler that worried the employees that worked here.

Two employees watched the male Chun-Li, chugging only beer mixed with other concoctions. "Oh God, he's drinking again?" Max said, wiping a counter while keeping a keen eye on Richter.

"I've seen those types. They only eat, sleep, and breathe alcohol." Carlos said.

"The last time he was so drunk, he peed in the freaking ball pit."

"Ya, that was disgusting. We had to throw the whole pit away and buy fresh new ones, so the kids won't get some weird disease from him."

Max sighed. "I hate to say it, but every time he comes, he's increasing our profit."

"He ain't bothering the kids so I guess it's alright."

Next Day

August 9th

Smash Motel 6

Richter staggered out of the small rat-infested bathroom after puking his 50 glasses of beer from yesterday. Mario and Luigi watched the vampire hunter approaching the two with red eyes as he rubbed his hands together.

"Hey, Mario. You got any cash?" Richter asked.

"Mama mia! Richter, I'm afraid you're ruining your health by drinking day and night!" Mario said. He pinched his nose from Richter's hot breath of pure alcohol.

"Every day you're puking." Luigi frowned under his mustache.

"Look!" Richter let out a burp before pointing at them. "None of your damn business. You're not my dad. Give me cash. Now."

Mario gulped in fear and pulled out a twenty-dollar bill. Richter smiled and swiped the money away from him and stretched forth his hand once more. This time it was toward Luigi.

"W-what?"

"Come on, Green Mario. You gotta put your end of the bargain. Give me some cash."

Luigi looked at his brother. Mario sweatdropped and only gave him a slight nod.

"Mario, you know this is wrong. He can't keep drinking." Luigi whispered.

"I know. . . As he said, we're not in charge of his health. . ." Mario said.

"HURRY UP." Richter furrowed his eyebrows and let out another burp before putting his hand right at his face.

Luigi panicked inside his guts as he pulled out a ten-dollar bill.

"Thank you." Richter smiled and swiped the money. "I'll be back later tonight."

Arcade World

7:30 P.M.

In the evening, Richter was back at the same bar in the arcade at his favorite spot right in the middle to google-eye the tall bottles of champagne, beer, liquor, and other cheap alcohol he would buy very soon.

The bartender walked over to him and handed him his favorite mix, no questions asked. "Here you go, my man."

"Thanks a bunch." Richter grinned and tilted the beer glass toward his lips. Gulp after gulp he kept drinking until the glass was left with the only hints of foam.

A woman in a blue stylish qipao and buns watched Richter from a few stools apart with her hand on her chin and her back hunched over with a disgusted look. It only took a few minutes for Richter to notice the woman as he slowly set his third beer glass down. He eyed the woman.

Blue and white of their outfits.

Both of them have brown hair in their own style.

"I'm really disappointed in you, Richter Belmont." She started off the conversation as she shook her head.

Richter arched an eyebrow. "And who the hell are you?"

"Y-you don't remember me?" She flinched from his answer and pointed at herself. "We fought many battles before in Europe?"

"Uhh? Ok?"

"The last battle we had was years ago. I was in a coffin-"

"Oh!" Richter gasped and snapped his fingers. A hard laugh echoed from his throat, slamming his hand multiple times on the hard, polished wood. "When you mentioned me curb-stomping on your ass with a coffin, I defs remember! It's hard for me to remember losers."

"That's right. You sent me flying and I woke up in some Northern part of Africa." Her eyes twitched, remembering her pain and anger.

"So," Richter stretched his arms and leaned back on his chair. "So why are you here in Smashville? And I told you the last time, stop dressing up like Nicki Minaj, it's getting kinda annoying to see you in that blue qipao, and-"

"Who's this Nicki Minaj woman? I keep telling you I'm Chun-Li and this is what I normally wear!" Chun-Li tightened her fist up.

"See! There you go again, calling yourself Chun-Li like it's your name!"

"It IS my name you dumb cunt!" Chun-Li remembered why she was here and calmed herself, loosening up her fist. "Anyways, the reason why I came to Smashville is I wanted to visit the Smash Mansion and challenge you to a duel. When I came here, all I saw was this arcade."

"Well you came just in time," Richter said. "There's no such thing as Smashers."

"I didn't want to believe it, but. . ." Chun-Li looked around the arcade of bubbly children, laughing around the arcade.

"Yep. So too bad. Leave me be so I can drink." Richter waved her off and grabbed hold of his beer.

The Chinese fighter rolled her eyes and got up from her stool. As she made her way to the exit, she turned her back to take a gaze at the vampire hunter. Something tugged on her chest, and she couldn't leave without saying it to him.

Chun-Li walked back up to Richter and sat beside him. Richter stopped drinking at that moment from her presence and arched an eyebrow at her.

"What?" Richter asked with annoyance in his tone.

"Don't you want the Smash Mansion back? Are you really going to leave things like this?" Chun-Li furrowed her eyebrows with her arms crossed.

"It's none of your business."

"It is my business! Ryu was there, and I have another friend from America that wants to join the Smashers, but he can't. Ryu's pretty devastated the way things turned out and I want him to be happy again." Chun-Li sighed. She continued to stare at Richter, who he only resumed drinking.

"I'm a free man. Why don't you bother someone else who gives a damn." Richter said, shooing her away with his hand.

Chun-Li grew flustered. "Tell me this, Richter. If the Smashers don't exist, why are you still in Smashville?"

This time Richter stopped his drinking, as he set his glass down. Chun-Li smirked inside her mind, knowing she got his attention.

"I know, Richter. Deep down, you miss being a Smasher. As long as you live, you'll never be able to forget the things that impacted you. The adrenaline of fighting various types of opponents. The thrill of victory. The bonds you've created."

". . ."

"You want them back, Richter. And you won't give up. You're the only ex-Smasher that still believes there's hope for the Smashers to come back as one. But you must take action, and fight." Chun-Li slipped out of the stool and patted his shoulder before leaving his presence. She then turned her shoulder to Richter, who froze in the same position.

Chun-Li sighed as she walked out of Arcade World.

(oOoOoOo)

August 10th

Another day had passed and it was sunny as ever in the summer of August. It was two hours after the opening of Arcade World and Chun-Li decided to visit the arcade, hoping to see Richter Belmont in the bar area.

She eyed each stool, noticing no blue outfit or white headband of the backs of the customers. Chun-Li walked over to the bartender and called out to him for attention.

"What can I do for you, miss?" The bartender asked.

"Yes, have you seen a buff man with brown hair wearing all blue?"

"Oh, him?" The bartender shook his head. "I didn't see him today, but I did notice a stolen bucket of our famous beers from this morning as we were opening. If you know who done it, let me know."

"Oh. . . ok." Chun-Li scratched her cheek. "He's not here?"

With the answer she received, she left the arcade instantly and marched her way toward the main mall of Smashville. Near the back of the arcade, the sounds of grunts and wails rang Chun-Li's ears. She searched for the voice that was in pain and ran toward it. She was taken to the back of the arcade seeing a grown man with brown hair, wearing all blue, puking his guts out.

"Richter?! Unbelievable!" Steam puffed out from her ears in a total rage. After what Chun-Li said to Richter, Richter took her words and puked out all he drank from yesterday. She noticed a large bucket filled to the rim of bottled beers and that was when her mind clicked.

"You stole the beers?!"

"I didn't steal it-!" Richter squeezed the hell out of his stomach and barfed his insides out, creating a pool of his vomit. Chun-Li grew disgusted, taking a view steps back, waiting for him to finish.

Richter let out a heavy side, wobbling himself back on his feet, wiping the vomit that lingered on his lips. Chun-Li stared at him, confused.

"I'm loaning it." Richter then said.

"Ok, with what money?"

"Money when I'm a Smasher again," Richter smirked.

"Richter. . ." Her eyes lit up from Richter's words. "Are you. . ."

"You were right, Fake Nicki. I do miss the Smash Mansion. I thought about what you said long and hard. Pause."

". . ."

"I thought about Simon and Daisy. . . I thought about the money I was making. The thrill of whipping people's backs. Shoving my opponents into a coffin and finishing it off with a curb stomp. I thought about it all."

"W-wow. That's great."

"And so, it's about time we get the mansion back. I can buy more liquor without a sweat."

"Ok. . ." Chun-Li curled her lips and clasped her hands. "So, what shall we do first?"

Richter checked his phone and looked toward the contacts. "I couldn't contact Daisy for some reason, but I was able to call Ike a while back. So I'm guessing he's here in Smashville just like me. I'm going to gather as many people as I can first and we'll meet up at the motel."

(oOoOoOo)

Fantasy Street

Ike entered the house shirtless with only black saggy pants, sneakers, and a white towel hanging on his neck. He took in a deep breath and staggered his way to the living room, plopping on the couch. Miru glanced over at the door from the kitchen chopping some carrots with Robin.

"Oh, you're back," Miru said. "How's the run?"

"Not challenging enough," Ike mumbled with his face sunk in the couch pillow.

"You're cutting the carrots bad. I said finely chopped, but you made them look like abortion pills." Robin groaned from his knife skills, taking the chef's knife away from his grasp.

"I thought they looked pretty good." Miru rubbed his head, still unsure of what Robin said.

Robin finished chopping the rest of the carrots while putting them in a metal bowl. "Whatever. You men all cut the same, just like you cut the marriages of women."

"What?"

"I'll finish the rest of the vegetables. You cut the meat." Robin said.

"I thought we're having steak." Ike peeked up, overhearing their conversation.

"No, Ike. I keep telling you that cow stuff is bad for our planet!" Robin shook her head.

"Then why do cows exist? To eat them! Nothing else." Ike brushed his sweaty hair with his hands and let out a sigh. "I'm kinda sick of this. . . I miss Peach doing all the cooking and that rascal, Kirby." He relaxed on the couch while smelling the chicken and the onions grilling in harmony. The door opened once more with two people entering the house and a large red cat.

"We're back!" Roy said with a big smile. "I can't wait to show you my Whiskers De Pablo, Wiggles! I left him at my house, but I can tell you guys will be great playmates!"

Wiggles ignored the redhead and made his way to a couch, sitting in an armchair. Ike looked over to the cat and clicked his tongue in anger.

"Hey, cat. You're chair's on the floor." Ike said, pointing to the ground.

"You mean that's where you sleep." Wiggles gave Ike the finger, which only infuriated the mercenary even more.

"You son of a-!" Ike shot up from the couch and glared at him. Wiggles gave the same energy of his glare as a bolt of battle lightning sparked between them.

"We went to a vet to make sure he had his shots taken care of," Makato said, closing the door behind her. "I think he's a little upset about the whole thing."

Roy sat on the couch, digging through the pet items he bought. "Ike, cut Wiggles some slack. He had a long day today." Roy said. He then grinned when he pulled out a rat chew toy. "I can't wait to play with Wiggles."

"You guys think this cat is just a house pet, but it walks like a human being." Ike kept his glare at Wiggles.

"Call me Wiggles again and I'll cut your throat."

"Ooh! Wiggles has an anger problem like many adults. Haven't filed your taxes yet?"

"Ike, don't provoke him," Makato said. "Please go easy on him. I know it'll take some time to get used to."

Ike slowly made his way back to the couch while watching the firey red cat giving off a loud snicker. Just then, Ike's phone went off as it vibrated in his black sweats. He saw the name, "Drinking Buddy", of his incoming call.

"Hello?" Ike answered the call.

"Hey, we're getting the Smash Mansion back. Whoever's with you, gather them up so we can meet at the motel."

Ike wasn't able to answer back, only to be hung up. "Richter. . . Hehehehe. . . ."

Makato tilted her head from the chuckles of his phone call he had not too long ago and asked, "what is it?"

"Yeah man, you're kinda creeping me out," Roy said, also watching.

Ike shot up from his couch, squeezing the phone in his hand. "It's about time. . . No more playing house. We're getting the Smash Mansion back."

"R-really?" Roy's eyes lit up with joy. "Are you serious?"

"That's what Richter said," Ike said, looking back at his home. "He wants us to meet him at the motel."

"Does he have some kind of plan?" Miru asked from the kitchen.

"Of course he does. He wouldn't be calling if he didn't." Ike smirked, unable to contain his joy. "No more of Robin's Banquet-like meals."

"I'm so happy." Makato folded her hands.

Robin nodded. "Me too- -wait, Banquet?! You're calling my cooking Banquet?!"

"Time to shower!" Ike ignored her question as he zoomed up the stairs. Wiggles arched an eyebrow of everyone's excitement, still confused about the situation.

(oOoOoOo)

Smash Motel 6

Mario woke up to thunder knocks coming from their door. He rubbed his eyes from his afternoon nap. "Mama mia, is it Richter wanting more money?"

Luigi laid flat on the ground with a few rats sleeping on his chest. "Maybe."

Mario walked up to the door and when he opened it, a bunch of familiar faces stood right in front of him. His mustache slouched in shock and his pupils became smaller.

"Ike. . .!" Joy overflowed Mario's heart along with tears that began sprinkling from his eyes. "And. . . Roy! Makato! Miru!"

"Yo. And-" Ike squinted his eyes and pinched his nose. "This place stinks like hell."

"Well. . . I've been nose blind so. . ." Mario sweatdropped.

Everyone made their way inside the hotel, waiting for the guy who said to meet up in the hotel.

"Where's Richter? He said he wants us to meet him." Ike asked, sliding himself against the wall."

"I don't know-"

The door interrupted Mario as two more people entered the hotel. Chun-Li groaned every step she took to support Richter. Everyone looked at Richter and noticed the color of his skin being a tinted green. Chun-Li dragged his body to the restroom where everyone was forced to hear the wails and moans of his pukes.

"What the?" Ike turned his head to the bathroom. "Why is Chun-Li here?"

"What's wrong with Richter? He seems sick." Roy said.

"He's been drinking." Mario facepalmed.

"I hope he's okay." Makato frowned.

"I'm sure he's alright, Princess," Miru said right next to her.

A few minutes later, Richter came out of the restroom with a white small towel, wiping the vomit. Chun-Li followed the vampire from behind with anger in her eyes. "This is what happens when you drink too much!"

"Shut up, Fake Nicki!" Richter looked around the room with a slight nod. "Alright. It's a good start, but we'll need more people."

"May I ask what's happening?" Mario asked.

"I thought I told you. We're getting the Smash Mansion back." Richter said.

Mario clenched onto his blue overall and gasped for air. "R-really?!"

"Yahoo!" Luigi jumped up with a fist in the air.

"First, in order to get the Smash Mansion back. We need to gather as many people as we can." Richter said, checking his phone. "The first thing I think we should recruit for our group is Daisy. I'm sure she'll be of use."

"Do you know where she is, Mario?" Ike asked the red plumber.

"She should be at home. Sarasaland."

"Huh? No wonder I wasn't able to call her. . ." Richter said.

"Are we going to take a plane to meet her?" Roy said. "I've always wanted to know what her place looked like."

"Even better than a plane." Richter grinned.

(oOoOoOo)

Outside of the motel, Richter laid out fresh wooden coffins on the ground and opened each one of them. "Coffin travel."

"Coffin travel?" Everyone asked.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Robin exclaimed. "I refused to be in a coffin. As you know, I am alive!"

"This is the quickest way to get to the Sarasaland place," Richter explained. "I tend to be 99.9% accurate when placing the coffins where I want them to be."

Ike arched an eyebrow. "And you believe closing your eyes and throwing us in the air will take us to Daisy's place?"

Richter let out a hardy laugh. "Don't underestimate coffin travel."

"Sounds fun!" Roy said. He ran to a coffin and made himself cozy. "See you guys later. I'll be the first man to coffin travel!"

"Sorry, bud, you're not the first. Obviously me cause I've invented it."

Miru bent over and brushed his fingers over the polished, smooth wood of the coffin. "So, how does this work? Will this be safe for the Princess?"

"'Course!" Richter showed a thumbs up" "How did you think I got to Smashville with Simon?"

Miru opened the coffin, seeing a thick layer of silk and cotton, covering the whole perimeter of the coffin. Chills squirmed all throughout Miru's body of the sight. "If she's hurt, I'm coming for your neck."

Makato sweatdropped, opening the coffin for herself. "Must I be in another coffin?"

Wiggles clicked his tongue and let out a growl. "Hell no. Screw that." He stood by the plumbers that were also staying behind.

Ike was in his coffin with his arms crossed. "How long is the travel?"

Richter shook his hand. "Not too long. Anyways if we want to get to Daisy before nightfall, let's get in. We have no time to waste. If you have motion sickness, too bad!"

Once everyone was cozy inside their coffins, Richter shook the lids of each coffin, making sure they were tight and secured. He looked at the palms of his hands and gave a spit before rubbing his palms together. "Here I go. . ."

Mario, Luigi, and Wiggles watched from the sidelines as Richter pulled out his iron whip. He lifted up his whip, swinging it full force round and round. Mario and Luigi held unto to their hats due to the amount of wind pressure Richter was creating.

Richter started with Roy's coffin and locked it tightly with the metal chains circling his coffin.

"Heya!" With both hands and a lot of muscle strength, Richter flung the coffin to the sky in lightning speed toward the sun as it shot out from the metal chains. He continued the same pattern for the rest of the coffins in the same direction as they fly out toward the sun.

"Mama mia!" Mario said. "Look at them go!"

"Amazing." Luigi had his jaw dropped.

Richter wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked toward the plumbers. "Anyways, I'll see you in a bit, Italian Meatballs!"

The three continued to watch Richter walking off somewhere.

"He's not going in a coffin?" Mario asked his brother.

"I guess not." Luigi shrugged.

"I'm out." Wiggles made a 180 toward the main mall of Smashville.

"Huh? W-wait are you going?!" Mario called out to the red cat.

(oOoOoOo)

In the middle of a hot desert laid a bunch of coffins in the sand. Some were buried halfway in, some were flipped. Yet all of the six coffins made it in the same desert.

Roy popped out from his coffin and found his cheeks stuffed with hot grainy sand. "Bleh! Worst trip ever!"

Roy looked at the coffin beside him that was also stuck in the sand. He then looked at the other coffins that landed in their own unique ways. "Oh God. . ."

It took a while for Roy to lift the coffins that were upside down to make the right side up. In the end of the day, everyone was out with either an upset stomach or drenched in sand from head to toe.

"Is. . . is everyone ok?" Ike asked looking at the group with sick eyes as he held onto his stomach. The group nodded slowly and looked at each other with sickening looks.

"Where are we? Is this the Sahara Desert?" Robin asked.

"I hope not, because we're supposed to go to this place called Sarasaland," Chun-Li said.

"Where's Richter?" Ike searched the desert spotting only cactus and bundles of dry flaky grass.

As everyone stood in the desert with confused minds, gushes of wind began to hit everyone's faces and soon all of their hair began to flow with the rough wind.

Makato covered her eyes to avoid sand entering her eyes. "What's going on?"

"I don't know! Are deserts this windy?!" Robin put her arm in front of her eyes while squinting.

"I see something up there." Miru pointed to the sky. Everyone turned their heads to the sky, seeing a black object coming closer and closer to them. The wind pressure only got harsher as it approached the group.

Everyone was able to figure out the flying object was a black jet helicopter. No one said anything as the helicopter landed only a mild distance away from them.

When the propellers of the helicopter came to a stop, the passenger door of the helicopter opened. Shades covered his eyes, but everyone was able to recognize the white headband and the blue combat outfit.

Not only Ike, but Roy, Miru, Robin, and Chun-Li instantly popped out veins from their heads.

"Wow! What a trip, huh guys?" Richter slipped out his shades and pulled out a bottle of sunscreen. He popped the cap and squeezed a generous amount for his face and arms, feeling twice as refreshed. "Ready to look for Daisy?"

Glares pierced through Richter's sunscreen and began to burn his skin. Richter sweatdropped and glanced back at the helicopter that began to fly away.

"Um. . . guys?"

"YOU TOOK A HELICOPTER?!"

Makato watched the group as everyone else ganged up on Richter, giving a blow to each of his body parts.

(oOoOoOo)

"It's not like I can coffin up myself!" Richter rubbed his cheek that had three bumps stacked on top of each other.

"I'll pretend I never saw that helicopter," Ike said, still holding a grudge.

"Would you like this?" Makato showed Richter a small glass bottle with a cork plugging the bottle of the red liquid.

"What's that?" Richter asked, taking the bottle.

"It'll help you with your wounds. A healing potion."

"Sure. Thanks a lot."

"There's a large house I see in the distance," Robin said, pointing.

"Wow, so Arabic," Roy commented.

"I think you mean Egyptian, dumbo," Ike said. "Can't you tell the difference? It's more angular rather than circular toward the top."

"Ohh. You right, I'm estupido."

"Let's go in that direction," Richter said.

Everyone stayed close to each other, walking on the hot sand to the mysterious castle. By the time they made it to the castle, the sun was beginning to set on them. The house was enormous and more beautiful when they made it to the gate of the house. It wasn't a house, but a palace. An Egyptian-like palace. Warm colors created patterns throughout the palace. There was more green near her place and even a river that surrounded her house. The only way to get to the front gate was to the bridge.

"It's beautiful." Makato smiled at the place.

"It is indeed." Chun-Li nodded.

"Daisy lives here?" Ike rubbed his eyes, hoping he wasn't imagining it.

"It's huge," Miru said.

"Can we live here?" Roy said with eyes sparkling up. His blue eyes hit the brown men; muscular and tall with iron spears and round shields. Their hair was covered with golden headpieces and a symbol of a white flower with green in the middle. Their chest showcased their six-pack. Their white skirts laced with gold around them and their sandals wrapping their legs below their knee caps.

"Yeah, this place got guards." Roy shivered. "Daisy has guards! Not those Toads that supposed to be in someone's hot pot, but real men! Will they let us in?"

"I'll kill them if I have to." Ike gripped onto the air and checked the side of his pants. "That's right, I don't have my Ragnell because it couldn't FIT in Richter's DUMB coffin travel!"

"Hahaha. . . Did I suggest that? I don't remember. Teehee~" Richter playfully hit the side of his head and stuck his tongue out, giving out a wink.

Robin cleared her throat and adjusted her cream dress. "Heh! There's only one way to know if she's home. And that's knocking on her front door. No men will get in my way."

"Ok, Karen, you go do that," Richter said.

"Who are you calling Karen? My name is Robin, not Karen." Robin marched her way over the bridge and to the front door where the guards stood from side to side of each decorated pillar.

Robin arched her head up, due to their godly height of a person. "Hello? Excuse me, does Daisy live here?! Who's the manager of this place?! Let me speak to them! I can't stay out in this hot weather and I don't want to tan!" Robin crossed her arms.

"What. Is. She. Doing?" Richter sweatdropped, watching from afar. "I can hear her screaming to the guards."

"Stop embarrassing us, Robin. . ." Ike murmured.

Guard 1 glared down at Robin and pointed his spear at her throat. "This isn't a fast food place, Karen. Leave before we cut you up." A deep voice entered into Robin's ears and fear sparked her eyes up.

"Y-you dare point your weapon at me?!" Robin held her feet glued to the ground. "And I'm Robin! Who the hell's Karen?! Ike, help me!"

"W-what?" Ike furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't even know what I'm supposed to do."

"Leave, Karen." Guard 2 ordered.

"No! You can't make me!" Robin turned to see short pink hair and a pink dress beside her. "Makato?"

Makato showed a gentle smile to Robin before turning her head to the guards.

"Good evening. My name is Makato, and my friends and I came all this way from Smashville to see our dear friend, Daisy. Is she available? If so, we would like to speak to her please."

The guards looked at each other. "Get Princess Daisy." Guard 1 said. Guard 2 nodded and entered the palace.

Guard 1 looked at Makato. "Wait here, the Princess will be on her way."

"Ah, thank you so much." Makato smiled at the guards, clasping her hands together. She turned her head to the group that waited on the other side of the bridge. "Daisy will be coming."

Miru cried tears of joy and rushed to Makato. "Good job, Princess! I'm so proud of you!"

"It wasn't that hard, really," Makato said. She turned her head to Robin with one of her eyes a light shade of purple. "As long as you say please and thank you, they would most likely answer you."

"Y-yeah, whatever. I refused to say please and thank you to a man." Robin showed a nervous yet confident smile.

Everyone gathered near the front door of the palace to be greeted by the orange princess with her same orange gown. "Oh my God! You guys are here! How?! I never sell out my address!"

"Daisy!" Roy cried out with a large smile and hugged her. Richter joined in the hug with fruit loop tears, streaming out from his eyes. "We missed you!"

"Nice to see you guys. . ." Daisy laughed out. "And Richter, you smell like booze."

"It's gum."

"Gum doesn't smell like booze."

Once the hug broke up, Daisy waved her hands seeing the other Smashers. "It's great to see you guys! Don't be shy and come on in! Marmalade's here as well!"

"That little shrimp? Wow." Ike said, walking inside the palace. Everyone followed Daisy inside her home with shock around their eyes. The palace continued to beat everyone's expectations. It was larger in the house.

"You guys must be hungry! Let's get you something to eat!" With the snap of her fingers, men in the same warrior uniform bowed before her presence. "Yes, Princess?"

"Prepare a feast for tonight," Daisy said. "That's an order."

"Yes, Princess." The guards got up on their feet and paced themselves away.

"Whoa. If I had that life, I would feel like a King." Ike said.

"Same." Roy gazed at the soldiers walking from different parts of the castle.

(oOoOoOo)

It was a starry night, and dinner was ready. The soldiers played musical instruments and performed many talents to impress their guests as they enjoyed themselves.

Ike took another bite of his meaty leg. "Real meat! Not Robin's imaginary meat."

"I am offended." Robin sighed but continued to eat her delicious meal.

"Wow, I can't believe you lived here this whole time, little squid," Roy said, right beside the orange Inkling.

The Inkling blushed. "I've been living here since Smashers were disbanded."

"Consider yourself lucky. At least you didn't have to clean up somebody's puke at Smash Donalds."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing~. More ribs for me!" Roy reached his hand for the tongs and grabbed an arm's length of pork ribs.

"This food is delicious." Chun-Li smiled, taking another bite of the pork buns.

Makato nodded, scooping another sugary scoop of ice cream. "It is."

"Princess, perhaps you should eat something else besides sweets," Miru said with worry in his tone.

"So you guys are gathering up the Smashers to fight against the arcade, huh?" Daisy said, catching up to what Richter explained during their dinner.

"That's the plan," Richter said.

"That sounds great! If it means seeing Prince Marth again, count me in!"

"Cold beer?" A soldier presented a bucket of beers for Richter. His eyes lit up with excitement, taking the whole bucket. "Thank you, my good man."

"You're drinking again? This is your 7th beer!" Chun-Li shot up from the table glaring across from Richter.

"Shut it, Nick Mi-not. Once I'm finished with these bad boys, it'll be my. . ." Richter counted the beers with his eyes and pulled out a bottle. "My 20th beer."

After their dinner with a few hours of rest, Daisy and Marmalade packed a few things with them and met up with the rest of the Smashers, waiting outside of the desert.

"Alright gang, who's next?" Richter asked the group.

"And why are you asking us? This was your idea." Ike arched an eyebrow.

"Wait, Richter." Daisy lifted up her hand. "I have a request."

"Sure, anything for a fellow bud," Richter said.

"Can we go to Peach's place? Ever since I've called her, she sounded strange on the phone call. I want to make sure she's okay."

"Is it the nearest to the Mushroom Kingdom?" Ike asked.

"Yeah! It is. I have these golf carts we can take-"

"Golf carts?" Roy and Makato's eyes lit up when they heard golf carts.

"Yeah! They're not your average golf carts." Daisy led everyone toward the side of the palace where her golf carts were parked. Hot orange with the symbol of her white and green flower on the front of the cart.

"Wow!" Roy and Makato ran for a closer look at the cart.

"These babies are a 4-seater, off-road golf cart with a race car engine!"

"Daisy, you're amazing. I don't even know how you even do it." Ike shook his head in shock.

"It's called being rich and being a princess." Daisy winked.

Ike looked over to Makato noticing her excitement the same as Roy's. "You seem overly excited, Makato."

Her eyes sparkled when she turned to Ike. "They're like carriages, only more defined with no need for horses. I've always wanted to ride one and today is the day."

Richter sweatdropped. "But I think we can all agree everyone here loves coffin travel. Right-?"

"NO." Everyone said in unison.

As it was only a four-seater cart, Daisy let Roy drive the second cart. Everyone took a seat from the front to back while Richter was forced to be strapped on the roof of the golf cart with rope binding him.

"Let's get going!" Daisy said as she pressed onto the gas pedal. All of the girls rode with Daisy while the boys rode with Roy.

"Yahoo!" Roy hollered out, pressing hard on the gas pedal. The engine roared out in the night, taking a dusty path in the desert to the Mushroom Kingdom.