Round 1

Young Link vs. Ganondorf

Young Link, hands poised heroically on hips, was what dominated the television screens all around Smash Stadium. A paltry highlight video later, and he sat in the interview chair.

"How's it going everybody? My name's Young Link and my opponent is Ganondorf!" cheerily waved the Hylian

"I'd ask what you think of him, but…" Nikki began her interview.

Young Link's happy expression turned to a darkly serious one, "Ever since Zelda lost to him in Melee, she's had a stick up her craw about it. Understandably so, because I guess it was a taste of what happens if we lose in the real world. Ganondorf's a powerful foe, but I've been training ever since the Twilight Town incidents just to make sure I'm not caught off guard again."

"Alright," Nikki said, "Who are you looking forward to fighting?"

"Yoshimitsu's a fun, weird guy, plus he reminds me of the Happy Mask Salesman. Dante seems like he's got a unique tookit too and I'd love to learn from him." Young Link stated matter of factly.

"Okay, I won't keep you any longer."

Young Link cast her a thumbs up, unpocketing a bottle of Lon Lon Milk "Thanks!"

Drinking the milk, he ambled off camera.

Ganondorf, an evil smile plastered on his face, confidently leaning against his planted sword, was the next match graphic to appear. A much larger highlight video later, and now, he sat, his posture ridged as he frowned down the camera at Nikki.

"Will this take long?" asked his signature deep, booming voice, "I must prepare."

"N-not at all Your Highness," came Nikki's uncharacteristically quivering reply, "W-what do you think of Young Link?"

"Link, through the ages has been one of two things preventing my conquest in world domination, and I consider Smash Brothers therapeutic little exercises in justice. I defeated Zelda in Melee, and that was the closest I ever felt to joy. With this tournament, the way the brackets are set up, I can defeat all the Links and Zelda before making my way to the finals."

"Are you looking forward to fighting anyone?"

Ganondorf smiled, "Yes actually. Sephiroth, Goro, and the devil brothers may be the only opponents that I've had that are not inferior yet."

"And that's it Your Highness," Nikki squeaked, audibly gulping.

Ganondorf only chuckled, unfurling his cape as he walked away.

"A match thirty years in the making is up next," 9-Volt said, "Futaba, what're you thinking?"

"DOORYAH!" grunted Futaba, "Young Link can stick and move, but there's only so much you can do,"

"Alright," 9-Volt nodded, "Now, it's time to go down to entrances."

Jovial strings gave way to xylophones and flutes. When the harpsicord rang, Young Link appeared, a Kokiri Forest flag hoisted over his shoulder as he jogged down to the center of the stage.

"Young Link showing some hometown pride, not only with the flag, but with the Kokiri Forest music from Ocarina of Time"

Cranky blew a dismissive raspberry, "Still no love for the Famicom Disk System music I see."

"I mean, it is in the Famicom Medley…" whined 9-Volt.

"Medley Schmedly," Cranky hooted, "All these 8-bit icons forgetting where they come from makes me sick."

As soon as Young Link handed the flag to an Alloy, the music was replaced by the pounding cords of an organ. Held atop a throne by two Redead, Ganondorf basked in the mostly negative reactions of the audience, spreading his arm wise. The zombies ambled down the walkway, setting their king down in the center.

"And now," began Mills Frames as he phased through the floor, "The following contest is Round 1 match in the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament. The winner will face Mewtwo in Round 2 Introducing first, he comes to us from the Legend of Zelda universe, he is the Master of Ocarina, he is Young Link!"

Young Link's glare did not leave Ganondorf, even amidst the overwhelmingly positive response.

"And introducing next, to my right," Mills continued, "He also comes to us to from The Legend of Zelda universe. He is the King of Darkness, he is Ganondorf!"

Forced cheers were muted by the boos. Ganondorf could only smirk as such nonsense, grabbing the mic, "We will fight in The Great Bay. Is the agreeable to you boy?"

Young Link simply nodded.

"So," Mills continued, snatching the mic from Ganondorf, "The rules are these. The stage is Great Bay, two stocks, items medium. Smashers, are you ready?"

Again, Young Link nodded, Ganondorf only smirked, arms crossed. The two disappeared.

Stage: Great Bay

Rules: 2-Stock, items medium

Music: Saria's Song (Melee)

3

Via the Song of Time, Young Link floated down to the arena in a blue pillar of light.

2

Ganondorf stepped out of a portal of darkness

1

The waves crashed against the rocks, the combatants stood still.

GO!

Immediately, Ganondorf found himself snagged by Young Link's grappling hook. Booting the Gerudo as hard as he could in the chest, Young Link immediately hopped up, kicking him square in the jaw, and slashing wildly as fast as he could.

"If he sticks and moves he's got this!" 9-Volt cheered.

"Wait for it," came Cranky's deadly serious counter.

Ganondorf immediately rolled away, rolling down to the lower trust, Young Link followed, kicking Ganondorf straight in the head as he went, Ganondorf put his forearm up to block the incoming sword blow, the wooden sword bouncing off of Ganondorf's plated armor. A downward cleave with his broadsword, and a second bridged the damage gap immediately as Young Link was sent to the highest platform.

"And there it is," bemoaned Cranky.

Two cleaves rocked Ganondorf, but a shoulder tackle and an arching swing above him sent Young Link to the Blast Zone.

Young Link: 1

Ganondorf: 2

Young Link spotted an Assist Trophy out of the corner of his eyes, slicing Ganondorf at the ankles, charging to the lower platform where it lay. Upon picking it up Doctor Wily broke from the mystical seal. An ice beam froze Ganondorf, but bolts of lightning and fire peppered him. Shattering from the ice, he coiled his fist back. Neither Young Link's frantic stabbing, nor the interference of the mad scientist could stop the Warlock Punch that made mince meat of Young Link's face, sending him to the Blast Zone in a single move.

GAME!

In the Smash courtyard, Ganondorf stood, arms crossed, laughing uproariously as the splash screen declared who moved on.

GANONDORF WINS!

Young Link halfheartedly clapped as Mister Zero approached him, "Tough luck out there Hero. Your thoughts?"

Young Link nodded, "I mean, he's been working on his Warlock Punch, making it more powerful, if that's even possible. I'm looking forward to the next round though, because if Mewtwo doesn't stomp your ass, her majesty Zelda will, and that's fact!"

As the young Hylian stomped off camera, Ganondorf bore a half-sneer half-smile as Rita offered the mic.

"A definitive win by you,"

"Yes. And they will continue to be," hissed Ganondorf, "Zelda, your highness, Links, the two of you that remain, this date with destiny is mine to win."

With that, he stomped up the tunnel into the waiting arms of Wario.

"We're-a gonna have-a fun at zee casino tonight!" Wario hollered.

"Don't touch me," Ganondorf pulled away.

The disgust of the extra hot shower he was going to have to take was quickly eclipsed by Young Link being comforted by their entourage.

"One down, two to go," whispered Ganondorf as the randomizer kicked into action.

"CHUN-LI VERSUS MASTER CHIEF!" the commentary team echoed the randomizer's decision.

"WOO HOO! LET'S GO CHUN!" Ken cheered, clapping his leather gloved hands together.

"You can win this Chun-Li, you are a great warrior," Ryu's flat encouragement seemed to reverberate around the room.

Chun Li blushed as she stood up, "That means a lot coming from you. I'll do my best knowing you're cheering me on."

"Time to finish the fight," Master Chief, who had been near stoic the entire proceeding, growled

"Oh my God he said it!" squealed Sans in an abnormally high pitched voice.

Ignoring the skeleton, Master Chief marched to the front of the room, "And yes, I remember our bet."

Chun-Li cocked her head confusedly as she made her way to the center of the room, "Bet?"

"Cortana will subject me to some kind of punishment if I don't two-stock you."

Chun-Li sniggered, "It's one of the dances isn't it?"

"Unfortunately yes,"

"I don't know about you, but I quite enjoyed Fortnite Island, being able to do the Macerena mid gunfight was weirdly freeing."

"For you it was," snapped Chief.

"Alright-a guys," said Mario, breaking the conversation, "Chun, you're down Tunnel A, Chief you're down Tunnel B."

"Got it," Master Chief nodded, marching down the tunnel.

Casting one more wave goodbye to her supportive friends, Chun-Li headed down the tunnel.