Round 1
Dark Pit vs. Green
Threateningly pointing the Silver Bow at the camera, a deep frown on his face. Dark Pit's highlight real was next. A few scenes played showcasing Dark Pit's versatility and cut to him in the interview room, arms crossed and pouting.
"So…what do you think of…"
"I couldn't train," whined Dark Pit, "There was no footage from the training rooms of her Pokemon. Crafty little-"
"Hey hey hey!" barked Nikki, "Language!"
"I do hear that curry is popular where you've been making your home," sneered Dark Pit, "Maybe when I'm done I'll make curry out of your little friends."
"I don't think your boss Viridi would be too happy to hear that…" uneasily offered Nikki.
"I don't care," snapped Dark Pit, "It doesn't matter. The loss to Dedede last time was a fluke. This time, I'll demolish everyone in my way."
"Bi-polar today, aren't we? Well, that's it."
A dismissive wave later, and Dark Pit was out of frame.
Green's highlight footage was next, starting with the grinning Kantonian peering at the camera, hands on her hips. Though the highlight footage was anemic as she'd lost in Duel's first round, it managed to showcase, the speed of Froakie, the sheer tenacity of Braxien, and the raw power of Chesnaught. Now was her turn in the interview chair. Her legs were crossed, and she sported the same grin.
"I've got a bone to pick with you," announced Nikki, half-joking, half angry
The world Pokemon champion's mouth twitched, choking back a laugh.
"You do?" was her only reply.
"My sources tell me you've been training with Red. Which is fine and dandy for you, but frustrating for me because I've got no footage of these Galar Pokemon you supposedly have."
"I learned when I fought Kukui that someone who knows your strategy inside and out makes things more difficult than it has to be, so I avoided the training rooms. I trained in the forest."
"Alright, so what do you think of Dark Pit?"
"He reminds me a lot of blue. Tenacious, good at what he does, but completely overconfident."
"Alright, who're you looking forward to fighting?"
"Well, Red and I have been training a lot together, but in terms of competition with money on the line, we've always been two ships in the night. Also, considering I lost to the original Gunner, Lieutenant Plum, this Sans guy would be fun to test our meddle against."
"Alright. Making my job difficult aside, thank you for the interview.
Green nodded looking suddenly embarrassed, "I'm sorry, you'll have plenty of footage from here on."
"I'd better," Nikki muttered, "Go,"
Green scurried out of frame, the scene changing to Cranky and 9-Volt's desk.
"Yes! Finally! Send Green!" Cranky demanded, pointing a finger at the camera.
"Um…okay," stammered 9-Volt, "I guess you're going Green Futaba?"
"You know it! She's the OG girl trainer, and I wanted to be her growing up! Go Green and recycle! Nyeh heh heh! See what I did there?"
"Yep!" 9-Volt said, "Let's throw it down to entrances."
A trio of acoustic guitars played a melody not out of place in a western movie. It was when an organ came on in the background and replaced by drums did Dark Pit cockily stroll out, a condescending smirk on his face.
"This is "Dark Pit's theme" a song from the Angel World about his role in the return of Hades."
"Little twerp," Cranky muttered.
"I mean," 9-Volt began, "You're not wrong, but you shouldn't say it."
As Dark Pit made the journey to center stage, loud techno music began to blast over the speakers.
"Oy Oy Oy! Galar Galar Galar! Oy Oy Oy Oy!" a chant from the crowd began.
As Green jogged out to the rowdiest applause yet from the Pokemon section of the stadium, Cranky gagged.
"What is this Euro club trash?" hollered the Kong chief.
"This is the Gym Leader music from Sword and Shield!"
"Is she a Gym Leader?" Cranky quizzed his younger colleague.
"N-no?" 9-Volt blurted, confused.
"Then why is she using the song," Cranky growled.
"I mean," 9-Volt stammered his defense, "You can use a song, it's a free universe."
"Is nothing sacred anymore?" overdramatically bellowed Cranky.
9-Volt breathed a sigh of relief as Mills phased through the floor.
"And now," Mills began for the last time today, "The following contest is the last match of Round 1 of the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament. The winner here will face Snake in Round 2. Introducing first, he comes to us from the Kid Icarus universe. He is The Dark-winged Doppelganger, he is DARK PIT!"
Dark Pit extended his fist to Green, who only smirked at him.
"Introducing next, to my right, she comes to us from the Pokemon Universe. She is the Very Best, Like No One Ever Was, she is Green!"
Pumping her fist to the rhythm of a new "Galar Galar Galar, Oy Oy Oy!" chant got her louder cheers than before.
"Now, if Dark Pit wins the coin toss, it'll be Reset Bomb Forest you guys fight on. If Green wins the coin toss, it will be Omega Prism Tower. Smashers, call it!"
Mills flipped the coin into the air, Dark Pit calling heads just as Green called tails.
"TAILS!" 9-Volt confirmed.
Dark Pit stomped his foot in frustration, while Green, with a happy flourish, released all three of her Pokemon, Inteleon, Rillaboom, and Cinderace. Dark Pit eyed the eerily silent creatures as Mills continued, "So the stage is Omega Prism Tower, the rules are 2 stocks, items medium. Smashers, are you ready?
All four beings on stage nodded, and they disappeared.
Stage: Prism Tower (Omega)
Rules: 2-stock, items medium
Music: Luminose City
3
"Let's go Inteleon!" Green shouted from her platform, lobbing a Pokeball to unleash the blue lizard.
2
From a dark purple pillar of light, Dark Pit descended, snapping into his ready stance.
1
GO!
Dark Pit bolted to the middle of the arena, Inteleon following suit on all fours. Upon meeting, the two curiously circled each other. Dark Pit drew his bow, pulling it as far back as it could go.
To this, Inteleon simply held his finger in the shape of a gun, firing a jet of water that was powerful enough to knock the clone asunder.
"And already, we see Snipe Shot, Inteleon's signature move," explained 9-Volt.
"Wow, Gamefreak really put zero effort in didn't they?" Cranky bemusedly grumbled.
"It's no shock to me that you're one of those," 9-Volt's utter contempt oozed through the speakers.
Inteleon was gone, and so was his replacement, Cinderace, by the time Dark Pit managed to scramble back up. His newest foe, Rillaboom, slid into him with unparalleled speed as the grass grew underneath him. Aside from being bodychecked, Rillaboom had summoned leaves to circle him, slicing at Dark Pit with unexpected ferocity. Rillaboom pounded his drum, stunning the supposed angel.
"And we see Grassy Glide followed by Leaf Storm and Drum Beat!" 9-Volt announced.
Rillaboom tossed Dark Pit off stage, whirling him by the ankles, only for Green to wordlessly switch back to Inteleon. A Snipe Shot blast rang through the air. As it did, Green simply switched to Cinderace, who kicked a ball of fire immediately. Snipe Shot and Cinderace's signature move. Pyroball, collided into a burst of smoke. Dark Pit coughed and sputtered all the way down to the Blast Zone.
Dark Pit: 1
Green: 2
"What speed!" guffawed Cranky.
"I know!" agreed 9-Volt.
Dark Pit stomped from the Revival Platform as Cinderace was once again called.
"ELECTRO SHOCK!" Dark Pit screamed as the mallets appeared on his arms.
"Cinderace, High Jump Kick!" Green commanded.
Foot and ancient weapon collided in a shockwave of impact.
"OVERHEAT!" called Green.
A ring of fire encircled the Striker Pokemon, burning Dark Pit in the process. This was combined with three jaw dislocating kicks.
"RILLABOOM! LEAF STORM INTO GRASSY GLIDE!
A ring of fire was replaced by a ring of sharpened leaves as Dark Pit was once again body checked by the massive Galar gorilla. Dark Pit fired back once again with an Electro Shock with enough force to break a jaw. A snarling Rillaboom simply turned to a stunned Dark Pit, hoisting him onto his back as he leaped off stage the dark doppelganger's only option to squirm as Rillaboom tossed him off stage.
GAME!
"And Rillaboom nicks the cargo throw to net his team the easy win!"
"THAT IS A KONG ORIGINAL!" roared Cranky, "I'll see you in court you mother-"
The screen abruptly cut to the Smash Mansion Courtyard, all four members of Green's team stood in a row, arms folded behind them and chests out in military-like attention as the splash screen declared the final victory of the day.
GREEN WINS!
Dark Pit sat slumped against Tunnel A's wall, head in his hand. Rita attempted to interview Dark Pit, the disgraced Skyworldian slapping the mic out of the tiny woman's hands and stomping up the tunnel.
Mister Zero meanwhile, interviewed the three Pokemon and their Trainer, "Green, although Dark Pit fired back a few times, that was still a dominant…"
Effortlessly, Rillaboom snatched Mister Zero by the wrist, bringing the mic close to him.
"DIS 'ERE TEAM," ranted Rillaboom, "FINNA BE ASSEMBLED TO SHOW OFF GALARIAN EXCELLENCE! FUCKIN' AYE, WE ARE GALARIAN EXCELLENCE!"
Green tapped Rillaboom on the shoulder, gripping both sides of his head as he turned, "Du calm," she whispered, "Du calm."
Rillaboom relaxed almost instantly, leading the quartet up Tunnel B.
As they came up the tunnel Mario was already hoarding the group, "Okay I'm gonna need the winners to come out with me for some Round Two-a business. When I call your name get behind the next person in line.
As Cranky and 9-Volt bid their goodbyes, hyping a word from Mario about Round 2, a highlight video of Round 1 played to the tune of Run by Day of Fire played the 50 remaining competitors down Tunnel A. Mario stopped the procession, causing every other winner to fumble to an awkward stop behind him.
"And now, please welcome President Mario and your Round 2 competitors for a final word!" announced Mills Frames.
The Olympic March played, and after what felt like an eternity, in front of Little Mac and Doc Lewis, behind his eerily silent opponent Sans, he stepped out into the open air of Smash Stadium again. Amidst the raucous crowd, which Quinn had to admit was far less impressive the second time around, the capital ships orbiting the air above the stadium, the luxury liners belonging to the richest delegates from each world, shot off fireworks to commemorate the end of a hellacious round. Mario stopped at a podium, the veterans falling into single file behind him, the newcomers unsurely following their lead.
"First of all," Mario said, hushing the music and the crowd, "Thank-a you for coming. We have more people in Smash City than ever before, and by my analytics, we've had a near-perfect turn out from all 250 sectors of Smash City, so give yourself a round of applause."
Another cheer, which Mario let die down before continuing, "So-a, I've got some things I'd like to say about the tournament, but without further ado, let me introduce the bracket for Round 2!"
On every screen in Smash Stadium, and every tablet in Smash City, the bracket appeared.
Round 2
(Three stocks, items medium, random stage
Donkey Kong vs Samus
Dark Samus vs Fox
Luigi vs Captain Falcon
Peach vs Daisy
Ice Climbers vs Zelda
Pichu vs Lucina
Ganondorf vs Mewtwo
and Watch vs Pit
Green vs Snake
Red vs Lucas
King Dedede vs Lucario
Toon Link vs Wolf
Megaman vs Little Mac
Quinn vs Sans
Pac-Man vs Robin
Koopalings vs Ken
Cloud vs Bayonetta
Simon vs. Ritcher
Isabelle vs Joker
Banjo Kazooie vs Terry
Goro Akechi vs Cuphead
Sephiroth vs Jin Kazama
Master Chief vs. Jak and Daxter
Dante vs Vergil
Travis Touchdown vs Krystal
As the crowd was split between shouts of awe and cheering, Mario continued, "You may notice some changes to the match-a structure. As we have in previous tourneys we will be upping the endurance level required to win. We are also randomizing the stage so that only the wiliest Smashers can survive, instead of those that have trained on their home stage the most. Also, we will be proceeding through the tournament in order, top to bottom, from now on, no more randomization."
The crowd cheered once more, Sans leaned over to Quinn, "Sweet, at least they had the decency to tell me this time. Now I know to bring snacks," whispered the skeleton.
Quinn nodded, snapping to attention just as Mario managed to speak again, "Now, before we-a go, I'd like to demonstrate a new item!"
Mario snapped his fingers. An Alloy phased through the floor, handing him a Super Scope. Behind him on the opposite wall, two Smash Balls appeared. Quinn noticed the difference right away. On one, the vertical line of the crosshairs was the boldened one, the normal Smash Brothers logo design. On the fake, the horizontal line was bolded. Mario took a fully charged shot at the fake. With a sickening cracking sound, the energy of the Smash Ball exploded in an 'x' shape, obliterating the real one in the process.
"This is the-a Fake Smash Ball," Mario explained, "If the remaining competitors have any hope at the grand prize, they'll have to be vigilant and astute."
Cheers from the crowd and claps from a few of the Smashers (Quinn could see Mac and Toon Link, but could hear more) proceeded Mario's conclusory announcement.
"With that said, sentient creatures of all kinds. I wish you a good night. Party, rest, whatever it is you wish. All we, the competitors and staff who put this monolithic tournament together, can ask if that you join us tomorrow for the tournament-a!"
The jazz version of "Make Way for Tomorrow Today" played as Mario lead the procession through Tunnel A, the capital ships above them firing off fireworks as people filed out of the stadium."
The remaining 50 competitors filed up the tunnel to the applause of the others. Mario cleared his throat, "Smashers, you are dismissed. Use the teleport function of your Smash Tech to get wherever you're going, just to avoid being mobbed. Tomorrow is recommended as a training day, but tonight is for R&R. See you lot in the morning-a,"
And with that, Mario and Peach were the first to pop out of the room, leaving the other Smashers amongst themselves.
"So whaddya say boys," Sans asked, "Nap, then we hit the town for some late night Grillbys?"
"Nap sounds good," Quinn yawned, suddenly tired.
"Altair, you down?" asked Sans.
Altair slowly looked up at Sans, "You…have been building it up."
"OHHHHHH," cheered Sans as he pumped his fist running around the increasingly vacant Smashers' Box, "Sans Sans Sans Sans," he cheered.
"Don't push your luck," Altair growled.
Sans immediately stopped, shoulders slumped, "You're right, I'm sorry."
And with that, the three roommates teleported out of The Smashers' Box.
(AN: And so, it ends. 11 months of my life later and I AM DONE WITH ROUND 1! I'd like to shout out the following people, all of whom I've met due to the SSP discord (Invite Code is gDK48ua, join us!
-Puph17 and Bland Man for their encouragements/reviews
-SmashBro37 for his near-instant feedback
-Plissken the Serpent for listening to my headcanons in late night VCs and just being a friend.
-The King, for influencing the chaos that is Sans.)
And most of all, thank YOU guys. The fic averages about 1k clicks per month, even in months in which I'm lax about posting. . This goes beyond my wildest thoughts on recognition, and you guys drive me on. Thank you, and see you in the afterparty!
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