Round 4

Zelda versus Ganondorf

On the left of the match graphic, Zelda conjured Din's Fire. On the right, Ganondorf laughed, his arms crossed. Despite the monumental battle against an old rival ahead, Zelda was poised as ever during her interview, her hands crossed neatly in her lap.

"I've fought Ganondorf several times," she stated matter-of-factly, "It is with the help of the people of Hyrule that I persevere. This time will be no different."

In complete contrast, Ganondorf sported a wicked smile, his bloodshot eyes painting a ghastly picture.

"The princess puts on a fairly convincing act of bravery, but in reality, she fears me. The entire field should fear me, I'm as strong as I've ever been, and frankly, there is no need for this."

Ganondorf stood, unfurling his cape and walking off-camera.

"Wow, short but spicy words for these bitter enemies," 9-Volt said, "Futaba, who you got?"

'Luigi versus Ganondorf intrigues me more, so I'm gonna go with that!"

"Yeah," Cranky nodded, "Can you imagine if the author passed up a good versus evil concept this late in the tournament?"

9-Volt rolled his eyes, "Entrances, please,"

With that, the lights went out, plunging Smash Stadium into darkness.

"Please welcome," Mills Frames announced reluctantly, "The King of Evil, Ganondorf."

Royal trumpets began to sound out over Smash Stadium. A single spotlight showed on the very center of the arena, revealing Ganondorf sitting on a throne, sneering.

"Those are Gerudo symbols, right Link?" asked Olimar.

Quinn squinted. He could see ornate, ancient-looking carvings on the throne's back, perhaps that's what he was referring to.

"Yeah," Diddy laughed, "But check out the golden bananas on the armrest."

Donkey Kong, who had been meditating with Lucario since his loss, growled, "Cultural appropriation."

Mario snapped a stern look over to his simian friend from the production area, "Hey, he brought over the Yiga to the side of light, I consider that a win."

Donkey Kong only snorted as Zelda's Lullaby played over the speakers. The Link Trio, Erdrick, and the Champions of Hyrule formed a perimeter around Zelda, who walked briskly despite her shut eyes.

"Is she…praying?" 9-Volt asked.

"Yeah," Cranky snarked, "Praying that Ganondorf doesn't go too hard on her."

"That's completely unnecessary and you know it."

"Nope!" Cranky spat, "She'd be worth my praise if she didn't use that stupid song from that overhyped waste of polygons. Why, in my day…"

Cranky's mic was turned down as Mills provided Zelda's intro during her entrance. The Hyrule hooligans that had been an extremely vocal presence for the entire tournament were cheering as hard as they could. The camera panned to show an entire Yiga cheering section booing and jeering.

Zelda's entourage was teleported away, her music stopped, and Mills cleared his throat, grinding the crowd noise to a halt.

"Please direct your attention to the video board."

The stages scrolled past landing on…

"The location of the battle is Skyloft. You know the rules by now. 5-Srocks, items high. Smashers, are you ready?"

Zelda nodded, while Ganondorf chuckled indignantly. Then, in the blind of an eye, they disappeared.

Stage: Skyloft

Rules: 5-stock, items high.

Music: Ballad of the Goddess (Remix)

3

Ganondorf stepped out of a portal of darkness.

2

Zelda appeared in a burst of golden light.

1

Zelda uttered one final prayer, her hands briefly clasped. Ganondorf only smiled wider.

GO!

Ganondorf charged

"DIN'S FIRE!" shouted Zelda.

Dodging around it, Ganondorf charged his Warlock Punch, completely tanking the swing of the fully-formed Phantom's sword. The uncoiling of Ganondorf's closed fist shattered the Phantom, revealing Zelda had transformed into Sheik, her use of a smoke bomb to teleport away burning the cape of clasps of the Gerudo King.

"A hotter start by Zelda than I expected, honestly," Cranky mused.

Sheik was now Zelda, stamping down on Ganondorf's head. As she jumped back to the floor, Ganondorf's palm crashed into the princess' face. She stumbled, grabbing onto the ledge. Pulling herself up, she was met by the forward and back thrust of Ganondorf's sword, knocking her clear to the other side of the stage!

"She should have seen that coming," a haughty Cranky announced.

"But she's far from done!" retorted 9-Volt.

Sure enough, a simple jump was enough for the leader of House Hyrule to make it back. Unfortunately, it left her open for a jumping flipping kick from Ganondorf. Zelda channeled her chi, parrying a Darkness Dive, but a Wizard's Foot was enough to bounce Zelda into the air, and an arching sword slice was enough to send her to the top Blast Zone!

Zelda: 4

Ganondorf: 5

As they stood atop a windmill, Ganondorf turned to introduce the match's first Assist Trophy, the mighty Rathalos!

"Rathalos!" cheered 9-Volt, 'When was the last time we saw it?"

"Not long enough ago I reckon," Cranky grumbled.

Ganondorf's preoccupation with the Assist Trophy left him open for a Phantom Slash. Ganondorf turned into an assault of Din's Fire blasts, but Rathalos was enough to repel the fiery princess. Even the introduction of Dedenne from a Pokeball thrown by Zelda was not enough, despite the mouse's relentless electrical current rendering Rathalos unconscious. Despite the chaos, Ganondorf charged forward. A trio of spinning, twisting kicks was enough to stun the princess, and a cleaving downward blow with Ganondorf's trusty sword was enough to send her to the Blast Zone again!

Zelda: 3

Ganondorf: 5

"Oh wow! Ganondorf breaks out some new moves!" screeched 9-Volt.

"And ends it with that same old overpowered load of shite," Cranky snapped.

Despite Zelda dawning a Bunny Hood as soon as she got off the Revival Platform and once again peppering Ganondorf with blasts of Din's Fire, Ganondorf's acquisition of an Ore Club was deadly for Zelda, knocking her off the landed platform and into the left Blast Zone!

Zelda: 2

Ganondorf: 5

A Smash Ball appeared, hastening Zelda's jump off of the Platform. Ganondorf's shoulder barged through it, breaking it and bequeathing all of its power onto him. A barrage of Din's Fire Blast finally broke it away from him. Zelda stepped back, charging for a running Din's Foot technique. Unfortunately, Ganondorf parried Zelda's most powerful technique. A swing of the sword reclaimed the Smash Ball for the Gerudo King.

"Here it comes!" 9-Volt shuddered.

"Overblown form for edgy 90s teenagers," growled Cranky.

Ganondorf transformed into Beast Ganon, trapping Zelda in place, and slicing an Explosive Box as it fell, piling on the damage, and sending Zelda to the Blast Zone again.

Zelda: 1

Ganondorf: 5

"Man, it's almost pathetic at this point," chuckled Cranky.

"Will you stop!" demanded 9-Volt, "She can make a comeback!"

As if on cue, Zelda acquired a Drill about to disappear, firing the bit, and catching a heavily damaged Ganondorf in its grasp, knocking him into the Blast Zone!

Zelda: 1

Ganondorf: 4

"See? I told you!" 9-Volt cheered.

Cranky blew a raspberry, "She has to do that four more times, young man. If she pulls that off."

Zelda transformed into Sheik, nailing an unsuspecting Ganondorf with a lightning-fast storm of pinches. A handful of needles piled on more damage as Sheik pummelled Ganondorf with further punches. A final hook kick sent Ganondorf to the left-most platform of the moving Skyloft stage. While the Gerudo King flailed through the air, Sheik disappeared in a puff of smoke, reappearing on the platform. Throwing more smoke bombs, the explosion sent Ganondorf to the Blast Zone!

Zelda: 1

Ganondorf: 3

"Oh man, she could actually do it…" said a breathless Cranky as Smash Stadium erupted.

Ganondorf dropped from the Revival Platform, gabbing a Super Scope that had been laying there for some time. Darting to the rightmost point of the bottom platform, Ganondorf charged a laser blast, nailing Zelda with its full power. By the time Zelda had bridged the gap, Zelda took another fully charged blast to the face. Zelda screamed, covering her face.

"It was a good show foolish princess, but no one defeats The King of Evil, not now," hissed Ganondorf

A third and final blast of the Super Scope sent Zelda to the Blast Zone for the final time!

"HA!" Cranky hooted, "I told ya, kid! Dreams don't come true!"

"OH GIVE ME A BREAK!" 9-Volt shouted so loudly his voice cracked.

Meanwhile, in the Smash Mansion Courtyard, Ganondorf swung his sword victoriously in the air, staking it through the cobblestone and indignantly smiling as the official decision was rendered.

GANONDORF WINS!

Zelda clapped in the loser's quadrant of the screen, but her eyes were already wet with tears.

"Zelda, you appeared to mount a comeback from the least enviable position a competing Smasher could find themselves in," Rita dramatically narrated, "But Ganondorf still came away with the win. What happened?"

Zela wiped away the tears, "What happened was I put my best foot forward and still lost. Luigi, good luck, you're in for the fight of your life next round.

As Zelda walked away, the feed from Smash Stadium cut to a shivering Mister Zero, holding a mic up to a sneering Ganondorf.

"The harlot is correct," Ganondorf said, "You are in for the fight of your life Luigi. However, I regret to inform you that it will not last long. I just hope you put up a better fight than Zelda did.

Ganondorf did not come up the tunnel to the usual applause, the majority of Smashers congratulating a defeated-looking Zelda.

"Bah," Wario grunted, standing next to Ganondorf, "Pay these fools no mind. It-a is-a brute strength-a that matters here, and it is what will contribute to a final that only benefits a-me Wario."

Just as Ganondorf began to ponder Wario's words, the intermission bell rang.