Round 5: Day 3
Smash Mansion
Luigi and Daisy's suite
1030
Clickclickclickclick
A rapid click snapped Luigi from his sleep. Immediately, he found the source of the noise, Daisy hurriedly tapping away at the holographic keyboard, all the while using his chest as a pillow.
"Mornin' hon," said the Princess of Sarasaland, "I just volunteered us for movie night tonight."
Luigi raised an eyebrow, "Movie night?"
"Mmm hmm," Daisy mumbled tiredly, "Peach thinks things got a little heavy yesterday so she's organizing a movie night."
"What're we watchin'?" Luigi yawned.
"Transformers the Animated movie at Ness and Lucas' request."
Luigi eyed the group chat silently. More shocking than the positive replies were some of the screen names.
"Motherfucker-unlimited? TFW_me_want_banana?" Luigi asked.
"Palutena and King K. Rool respectively," Daisy answered without hesitation.
"What does 'tfw' mean?" Luigi asked with a yawn.
"That feel when." was Daisy's response.
"Shouldn't it be 'that feeling when? A king should have better grammar."
"That's how the youth talk," Daisy said, "You need to get with the times because you sound crazy old right now."
Luigi shrugged, "When your bro is the head honcho, you get information delivered to you the old-fashioned way."
"See, this is what I'm talking about," Daisy tutted, "As king and queen, we gotta know what the next generation is talkin' about, and the tech they use."
"Well, you aren't exactly hip to all this techno-junk either."
"At least I can navigate a group chat!" Daisy insisted.
Luigi runs his fingers through Daisy's hair, watching the group chat scroll by.
"Looks like the auditoriums are gonna be full today too. Ganondorf's fight with Erdrick at 1100, The big gun battle at 1500. You gonna go to any of that?"
Daisy looked up at him, smiling, "There's only one Smasher, I'm interested I'm seeing. He's this guy who wears green with a mind-bogglingly sexy mustache. You know him?"
"Did Link get a mustache?" Luigi teased.
As the two laughed Luigi's communicator which had been flung lazily over the bed stand, rang, separate from the onslaught of group chat messages.
"And Luigi has received a text message," Daisy whispered in a faux golf announcer voice, "Can The Green Thunder navigate the text menu?"
"I'm not that decrepit," Luigi rolled his eyes.
"I know, I just love teasin' ya," Daisy said, giving Luigi a kiss.
"We trainin' today kid?" was the text from Yoshi.
Luigi texted back, not breaking smug eye contact from Daisy.
"Yeah, gonna get changed. I'll be right down."
"Old dog, new tricks," Luigi said, sticking out his tongue as he clicked the send button.
"You've now conquered texting. Now go conquer not getting put in an egg!"
"You're so poetic Daisy," Luigi laughed, "What've you got planned?"
"I'm gonna go hang in the arcade," Daisy explained, "See if The Thieves are down for a round of Tekken or somethin',"
"Sound great. I might join ya if Little Mac doesn't pulverize me into pulp fiction.."
Daisy winced, "Oh Stars, you're training with Mac? I wouldn't blame ya for calling it a day early. Good luck out there Weegee, see ya if I see ya."
Now it was Luigi's turn to plant a kiss on Daisy's lips.
"Gotta get heading," he said, rolling out of bed, "Love ya."
"Love you too babe!" Daisy said with a flirty wave, "Knock 'em dead for me."
Minutes later
Mushroom Kingdom II Stage Room
Luigi burst through the door of Mushroom Kingdom II. Doc Louis tapped at the room's central computer. Mac shadowboxed, and Yoshi slept, snoring peacefully propped against a wall."
"Bout time you showed up," grunted Mac.
"Aw c'mon Mac," Doc said, not looking up from the computer, "Alice has held up our training sessions many a time,"
Mac ignored him, continuing to shadowbox, but Luigi saw his embarrassed frown.
Meanwhile, Yoshi stretched and yawned.
"Hey kid," said the old dino, "You ready to go back to your old stage?"
Luigi sighed so loudly that Mac stopped shadowboxing.
"Huh?" he asked.
"Yeah, " Luigi sighed, "The dream world was my de facto stage, despite the fact I wasn't a big fan of it when we got dropped in."
"Man," was Mac's only response.
Doc only sighed, nodding as he pressed the final button on the computer.
"I know Mac," Doc Louis said as he started to jog towards the elevator, "Just keep punchin' Mac!"
With a salute, Doc ascended up the elevator. When the elevator clicked into place, Doc got a look at the other two people in the auditorium.
"Oh, it's you two," Doc groaned.
Sephiroth
"Nice to see you Doc," Sephiroth said with a smirk.
"WAHAHAHAHA!" Wario bellowed, "We need-a to watch ze green man report back to ze big Gerudo,"
"Why can't he watch game tape by himself?" Doc asked.
Wario's maw opened, sarcastic snottiness glinting in his eyes before Doc cut him off, "You know what I mean. Why ain't he here?"
"HE'S DEALING WITH HIS OWN PROBLEMS! WAHAHAHAHA!" chortled Wario.
"You mean he has his own battle?" Sephiroth corrected.
"That is a problem, yes," Wario stated flatly
Doc rubbed his temples, "Alright, whatever. Just let me watch the fight."
At that moment, the countdown began. At the word 'go', Wario's incessant trash talk melded into the background. All Sephiroth could watch was Luigi. The way that a Luigi Tornado that encompassed both his opponents flawlessly transitioned into his flurry of running punches. Even when a Flutter Kick from Yoshi or a Rising Uppercut from Mac pummeled him, Luigi's steely determination remained. Yoshi and Mac were dispatched in quick succession, Yoshi falling to Luigi's three-fingered jab, while a careless Mac was pushed to the Blast Zone by Birdo's likeness.
His determination and battlefield awareness are things to be noted, Sephiroth thought.
With a shared determined glance, the dinosaur and the boxer zeroed in on the plumber. Flutter Kicks and Rising Uppercuts once again brought Luigi's damage count higher and higher, before being encased in an egg left Luigi open for a Star Punch.
"Two stocks a piece!" Get 'em Mac," Doc cheered.
Luigi jumped from the Revival Platform the moment he could. Yoshi and Mac charged, but Mac was immediately sucked in by the Poltergust, throwing him to one side of the stage, while he and Yoshi traded blows. Luigi didn't even have to look back to predict Mac's journey back to the center platform, executing a Luigi Tornado, ensnaring them both.
So, he has no problem playing defense either or beckoning his enemies into an all-too-predictable flank. Excellent, Sephiroth noted.
Yoshi and Mac were sent to opposite sides of the battlefield, their trek towards Luigi leaving them open for yet another Luigi Tornado.
"He could take them out with a Green Missile at any point, but chooses not to," Sephiroth mused.
A third and a fourth Luigi Tornado saw Luigi's two opponents lose a stock. A fifth was interrupted by a Yoshi Ground Pound. Before the man in green knew it, he found himself ensnared in Yoshi's mouth and thrown towards Mac.
"GREEN MI-" Luigi began.
But before his body could ignite, Yoshi had leaped up, Ground Pounding him into a Rising Uppercut from Mac.
"You didn't think I'd be wise to that yet kid? Really?"
Luigi scrambled to his feet, his signature running punch flurry sending them dangerously close to the Blast Zone.
"I don't care what you think you're wise to Nonno. C'mon!" Luigi beckoned, punctuating his point with a "come hither" gesture.
Yoshi charged Mac, trotting behind. The two old friends exchanged blows, but the contact allowed Mac to charge a Charging Haymaker unseen, the blow's maximum power of the blow exploding across Luigi's chest, sending him clear across the screen to the opposite Blast Zone.
"Yes!" Doc Louis pumped his fist, "One stock apiece! Let's get it done Mac!"
Mac felt something warm and slimy hook in the waistband of his trunks. He was yanked into Yoshi's mouth and spat down at the ground.
"Alright man, I've had just about enough of you," sputtered Little Mac.
Flutter Kicks and lightning-fast punches collided against each other, while Luigi watched from the center platform.
Unbelievable. He is a true tactician, Sephiroth said, a grin spreading as the fight unfolded.
A punch from Mac knocked Yoshi back to the center platform, so the three-way battle resumed. Luigi and Yoshi weaved around Mac's barrage of punches, occasionally turning on one another to land a Super Jump Punch here or a Ground Pound there.
"LOOK!" Wario roared, "WAHAHAHA! LUIGI'S ABOUT TO BE ZE ONE MISSING, FROM LIFE THAT IS!"
Sephiroth blinked. For once, Wario had put the pieces together before he had. Luigi once again found himself trapped in another impromptu Flutter Kick/Rising Uppercut combo, but a Luigi Tornado knocked both Mac and Yoshi to the rightmost platform. Just as Mac got his bearings Yoshi reared back for a mighty headbutt, the blow sending Mac to the Blast Zone.
LITTLE MAC ELIMINATED!
"Whew," Yoshi sighed, "Thought he'd never leave. As for you kiddo, you gotta give me all you have."
Luigi took off his hat, curtseying, "Wouldn't dream of giving you anything less old man,"
Despite the insult, a joyful smile tugged at Yoshi's maw, "That's what I like to hear kid."
Luigi brought up his shield for the Flutter Kick Yoshi brought to the middle platform, but was unprepared for two upward lashes of Yoshi's tail, sending him up. He channeled his chi on the third. A headbutt and a Super Jump Punch sent them both into the air.
"ZIS IS ZE TURNING POINT OF ZE MATCH!" Wario yelled.
"Tell me somethin' I don't know tubby," Doc snapped.
"Pot, meet kettle asshole," spat Wario.
"Now you're just being racist," Doc spat back.
"Enough," Sephiroth declared, not taking his eyes off Yoshi and Luigi channeling chi to block each other's strikes, "You're distracting me."
Yoshi landing a flip kick on Luigi made it so that Doc and Wario didn't have to meet Sephiroth's icy stare.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Luigi charged, leaping towards a stationary Yoshu.
"GREEN MISSILE!" Luigi yelled.
Firing towards Yoshi, he collided with Yoshi just as he snapped a headbutt towards them. Both flew to opposite Blast Zones. A second of silence, and then…
"SUDDEN DEATH! GO!"
"C'mon Luigi," beckoned Yoshi as the two reappeared on Mushroom Kingdom II, "You know what you wanna do!"
Luigi squatted into his familiar stance.
"GREEN MISSILE!" he yelled.
Shooting across the stage, he collided with Yoshi, sending him easily to the Blast Zone.
GAME! LUIGI WINS!
The dream world of Subcon melted into a plain white room. Yoshi and Little Mac stood before him.
"Man, that was good," Yoshi declared, jumping up in the air and fluttering happily, "You were right, training with you really did make me feel alive again. Hell, I could go for another round, or a bite to eat, I really don't know!"
Luigi chuckled, "Slow down there partner. We can probably get another round in before the movie, but right now I just kinda miss my wife."
"Same," Mac muttered, chuckling back.
"Yeah, I ain't seen you two together for a while-a," Luigi said, raising an eyebrow, "Everything cool?"
"Oh yeah," Mac nodded, "She's just so busy running Teleroboxer events we've been kinda doing our own thing lately. Do ya think the boss would let her come to the movie night?"
Luigi nodded, "Oh yeah if you throw in some Teleroboxer tickets. I'm probably gonna need like, eight VIP tickets."
Mac winced, "I doubt I could get you into the Pay Per View before the day before Round 5. There's a TV taping three days from now that'll probably have suites available."
"Works for me," Luigi nodded, "Daisy'll love it."
Mac saluted just as Doc went down the elevator.
"Wario and Sephiroth were watching. Old tall dark and brooding seemed impressed before he and garlic breath disappeared."
Luigi sighed, "Great-a. I'm gonna put that outta my head for a while."
Waving, Luigi exited the room. Immediately, he summoned his communicator's holographic keyboard. He scrolled his contacts, selecting two.
Hey Bowser and Mewtwo,
The Hyrule crew seems busy with the drama between Ganondorf and Erdrick, so beyond them, you two are the only ones who know Ganondorf better. I'd like to watch Event 51 back with you. Are you guys in?
Luigi retracted the holographic keyboard just as he entered the Game Room. Ness and Lucas played an arcade game in a side room. Meanwhile, Peach, Bowser Junior Daisy, and the Phantom Thieves sat around the big TV, Daisy and Ryuji held controllers.
"Dude!" screeched Ryuji, "Fang the Sniper is so cheap!"
"Get stun locked lil boy," grunted Daisy.
"You told me Knuckles was god tier," Ryuji whined to Futaba.
"Tiers don exits! Nyeh heh heh heh," Futaba snickered.
"You should be used to Futaba intentionally misdirecting you by now," Yusuke sighed as Daisy took the round with yet another trio of pop gun bullets from Fang the Sniper."
Luigi could only smile as Daisy victoriously sang the winning jingle.
"Not the first time this has happened eh?" Luigi snickered.
Daisy spun in her chair, dropping her controller. Bowser Junior swooped in and took the controller.
"Weegee!" she said, standing up and wrapping Luigi in a hug, "Mac didn't beat you up too bad?"
"Nope," Luigi said with a smile, "Hey Peach. You on babysitting duty for Junior?"
Peach nodded, "Indeed I am! Of all the Koopalings, he was the only one who didn't want to accompany Bowser to yoga with Miss Trainer."
Luigi's eyes widened, "Bowser's doing yoga?"
"Yeah," Bowser Junior said, not looking away from his game with Ryuji, "He wants to figure out some ways to manage his anger when we all eventually go back home."
"That's great-a," Luigi said, "Hopefully that means no more kidnappings,"
Peach and Bowser Junior gave each other, a brief lapse in concentration allowing Ryuji's Knuckles to take advantage.
"YES! GOT IT!" he cheered.
"Just be grateful you weren't playing Daisy or Mama Peach!" shouted Bowser Junior.
"I'll be sure to teach him what's what," Peach said, a cocky smile forming on her face as she held out her hand.
With a grin equally as devious, Bowser Junior slapped the controller into her hand.
"So, would you and Rosalina like to accompany Daisy and me with your guys to a Teleroboxing taping."
Daisy gasped, "YOU GOT TICKETS!?"
Luigi nodded as Daisy squeezed tighter, "Yep, eight tickets, because Sans said he and Toriel wanted to hang out with all of us. The only question is are Rosalina and Quinn in?"
Peach suddenly looked glum despite taking the first round from Ryuji, "I haven't been able to get a hold of Rosalina outside of a text I got from her at dawn, saying that Quinn is walking into a storm."
"What, is he gonna train against the guy that killed Ryu's master?" Luigi said jokingly.
Peach's cemented expression took the mirth out of his voice immediately.
"Oh no," was all Luigi could say.
"Speaking of crazy stuff!" Ness shouted from the other room, "You gonna go watch the Ganondorf versus Erdrick fight at noon today,"
Unable to think of anything other than Quinn facing down the name that even the mighty Ryu could speak of in whispers, Luigi could only respond, "Yeah kid, yeah/"
Quinn
1100
Honda's Yakisoba
Street Fighter Section
Smash City
What had been gleeful chatting amongst the Street Fighter camp silenced as soon as Quinn Marmaduke pushed open the back door of Honda's Yakisoba.
"I made the call," Zangief said, "But you still have time to call it off."
"No," Quinn said, jumping into the ring, "I have to push myself to a point where I'm comfortable making correct decisions even in the most dire of circumstances,"
Quinn sat, crossing his legs.
"So we're gonna sit here until he shows up."
"You had better be thankful for Doctor Mario's healing capabilities, I don't typically let my investments commit suicide," Karin hissed, holding the hand of a trembling Sakura.
"This isn't suicide," snapped Quinn, "I need to be pushed to my absolute limit, and learn how to work around it, beat the anxiety out of me."
Karin opened her mouth to speak but was hastily interrupted by Ryu.
"Marmaduke is correct," explained the Eternal Wanderer, "I too had to purge my evil side through an intense battle. Anxiety is no different."
Chun-Li sipped soda through a straw, all attention turning to her.
"While I don't typically think of anxiety as an evil force that must be purged, if this is something Quinn believes he must do, then who are we to impede on his warrior's journey."
Karin tutted, "This is why I never became a master like you all did in your golden years. A fighter's journey is nonsense, their master's instruction is paramount."
The doors that connected the kitchen to the ring flew open.
"That's where you're wrong Kanzuki," said the mysterious figure who loomed in the door, "Only my words are paramount because there is no greater master than me."
Somehow sliding without moving, the mysterious figure was on the apron of the ring, glaring at Quinn.
Quinn hopped to his feet, "You're Akuma then? I'm…"
"The Mii fighter who's bumbled his way through the tournament, I'm aware."
Quinn had to fight every muscle in his face to avoid the frown he wanted to make.
"So, what do you want from me boy?" sneered Akuma, his red, sunken eyes shining with fury.
"I want," Quinn choked the words forward, "To taste the Shun Goku Satsu until I can't stomach it anymore. At which point, I want to spar with you."
Akuma's frown twisted into an indignant, yet confused expression, "Do you have a death wish boy?"
"If I have to dance with death to get where I need to be, then yes, I guess you could say I do."
Akuma's eyes flashed again.
"Very well," he said, stepping into the ring.
Much as he had done to navigate to his current position, Akuma struck his stance, somehow sliding without effort. Leather gloves touched his shoulders, Quinn's legs went stiff, and then everything exploded. His every nerve was activated 1000 times by punches and kicks specifically aimed to bring out the most pain possible. Akuma's touch kept him aloft, that's why he hadn't fallen yet. But suddenly, Quinn found himself on the floor, in the most pain he'd ever been in.
"Such a waste of my time will not be forgiven, Street Fighters," Akuma declared, "I will have my vengeance, and I will take it out on one of you when you least-"
Quinn stirred, slowly pushing himself to his feet.
"That…that all you got?" groaned Quinn.
Akuma grinned, "Ah, so you haven't sullied my time or respect as I had thought. Very good. Our alliance remains intact for now."
Without warning, Akuma floated forward again. Much the same fate befell Quinn, once again finding himself on the floor, Akuma stood with his back to him.
"Do you yield?" Akuma snarled.
Quinn got to his feet, less sure-footedly than he had the first time, "No,"
Gasps of shock erupted.
"One of those things killed Bison," shouted Ken, "and Quinn still stands!"
Ryu nodded, "Indeed. This puts him on par with Gouken himself.
"Gen managed to counter it, but that's about the only thing that rivals this," Chun-Li explained.
"Cease your babble pups," Akuma demanded, "We continue as the boy has requested."
A third Shun Goku Satsu yielded much the same results. Quinn scrambled to his feet, only able to groan in pain. A fourth, and Quinn wasn't breathing.
"Ryu, you're up!" Guile shouted.
Ryu bolted into the ring, placing his hands on Quinn's chest. Blue light emanated from Ryu's hands, causing Quinn to bask in it. With that, he began to breathe again, his eyes opening.
"Are you sure you want to continue Quinn?" asked Ryu.
"Yes Master Ryu, I must," Quinn moaned.
Ryu nodded, rolling out of the ring. Quinn scrambled to his feet.
"Let's go," was his snarled decree.
Akuma took his stance, charging Quinn.
"Shoryuken!" cried the demon.
Quinn channeled his chi, blocking the uppercut. Akuma flipped backward, in the hadoken stance in midair. A barrage of violet beams erupted from Akuma's hands, Quinn channeled his chi in mid-run to block all of them. With a primal shout, he jumped into the air, grabbing Akuma.
"SUPLEX!"
Quinn drove Akuma into the mat head first but didn't break, hoisting Akuma up into a waist lock.
"FINAL ATOMIC BUSTER!"
Unleashing Zangief's signature move, he assumed a guard on the fallen karate master. At first, Akuma was able to assume a guard, but as the punches rained down, Akuma went limp.
"Quinn, enough!" shouted Zangief.
Quinn yielded, rolling off of him. Much to his shock, Akuma kipped to his feet.
"Hm, perhaps I underestimated you," were his only words as he seemed to float out of the ring and back out through the door from whence he came.
"So, this is enough training for today, da?" Zangief asked the contingent of Street Fighters.
"For the rest of the tournament, Christ," Honda roared, "What can we teach him if he's seemingly more of a tank than freakin' Bison."
"I thank you all," Quinn wheezed, "But this isn't the end. I'll need you as this tournament goes on. For now, I'm gonna go get one of Doctor Mario's pills and take a nap."
Quinn stepped out of the ring, opening a portal with his communicator, and limping to it.
Administration Room
"So let me get this straight," Sans asked the room, ending the clamoring amongst Mario's inner circle, "He took the thing that killed the big dictator guy that gave Ryu all that trouble four times, died, and then beat the dude?"
"Yeah, Zangief said he sensed Russian blood in him, do you think his parents could be…"
"Yeah, Master Hand prophesied that the Mii would be linked to them, but I never would've thought it would've been him," Mario explained, "I mean, what kind of Russian name is Marmaduke?"
"It is because that's not his real surname," ROB said factually, "His real name is in fact…"
The Arcade
Ness and Lucas' button-mashing session an original Street Fighter 1 cabinet briefly paused, both boys frozen in place.
"Did you feel that?"Ness asked, "Did you hear it?"
Lucas nodded, "Text Red,"
Ness' holographic keyboard appeared
Hey Red, I know you're training with that gym leader guy today, but we need to go to the Trophy Hotel before Round 5 starts. Me and Ness think we got some info on Quinn that you'd be excited to hear about.
Ganondorf
1100
Smash Mansion
Great Plateau Tower Stage Room
Ganondorf gritted his teeth. Someone, probably one of the Links, had broadcast his duel with Erdrick on public channels, and as such, the elevator held a veritable parade of losers. Olimar, Jin Kazama, the ninja trio, Subject Zero, his daughter Elizabeth, Game and Watch, Baynetta, Samus, Sonic, Villager, and Isabelle all made their way out to see the commotion.
And Erdrick, much to his displeasure, had greeted them all.
A people-oriented king you may be, but can you fight with your peers watching, or will you crumble? We shall see, Ganondorf thought.
Just as the elevator touched back down, the three Links ran in, Zelda following close behind.
"I apologize for my tardiness Master Erdrick. As silly as it sounds, I couldn't decide what to wear."
Ganondorf sneered. Zelda had traded out her usual pink dress for a powder blue one with gold sleeve trim.
She's trying to show Erdrick what she would look like in something wedding-adjacent. Yet, the fool is none the wiser, Ganondorf surmised.
"Oh…um…you look beautiful Zelda," he stammered.
Zelda seemed to shrink, blushing the whole way. The two younger Links gave warm smiles, while the adult Link shot him a frown. Having made their thoughts on the exchange known, the quartet headed up the elevator themselves.
"The pomp and circumstance are out of the way," grumbled Ganondorf, "You may commence our proceedings."
Erdrick suddenly became stone-faced, nodding.
"Right!" agreed the adventurer.
With a single button press of the room's console, the area in which they stood became an exact duplicate of the Great Plateau Tower.
Ganondorf spread his arms. The song that had been composed about the coming of the Calamity version of himself's second form played.
Heaven scent, Ganondorf purred inwardly
The canned voice of the announcer counted them down, and the match began.
A jab of Erdrick's sword and a basic jolt of thunder had the menacing Gerudo on the backfoot already. Grinning ever so slightly, Erdrick held the sword above his head, cleaving down. Ganondorf booted the descending sword away with a straight kick, much to Erdrick's shock.
"Gerudo steel," hissed Ganondorf, his phase morphing into an insidious smile, "Tough enough to withstand the wildest sandstorm, it certainly can withstand your sword."
Still reeling from shock, Erdrick was wide open for an electrified palm thrust. The spiky-haired warrior shook the cobwebs, frowning deeply.
"You want electricity?" challenged Erdrick, "I'll show you electricity.
Erdrick once again held his sword aloft. This time, lightning struck it.
"FEEL THE POWER OF MY FLAME CHOKE!" roared Ganondorf.
Ganondorf zoomed within reaching distance of the young man, but Erdrick's sword strike was quicker, the crackling electricity jolting up Ganondorf's armor.
He shivered with anger, "Now you've done it."
Ganondorf's boots became imbued with dark flame, allowing him to slide into Erdrick. At the last second, the destined hero jumped, once again zapping Ganondorf with conjured lightning.
Ganondorf unsheathed his sword. The massive broadsword and Erdrick's sword clashed, the two interchanging offensive and defensive positions on what seemed like a moment's notice. Ganondorf held his sword above his head for a massive cleave. Erdrick held his sword above his head, leaving his center wide open.
Ganondorf let the smallest of smirks befall him, Perfect
"WIZARD'S FOOT!"
Erdrick felt the contact of a boot on his stomach before he could even blink, but he had enough time to roll through it, landing on his feet. Once again he held his blade to the sky, more lightning than ever before encompassing the blade.
"KAZAP!" he shouted.
Ganondorf stood no chance and easily rocked toward the Blast Zone.
Ganondorf: 2
Erdrick: 3
The celebration in the auditorium above the stage was short-lived, as a Wizard's Foot blast bounced Erdrick off the ground immediately.
"THWACK!" Erdrick commanded through the pain.
A burst of dark magic engulfed Ganondorf, blinking out of existence as quickly as it appeared.
"You fool," sputtered Ganondorf, "Your novice grasp of dark magic will be the end of you."
An upward cleave sent Erdrick through the top of the tower, the structure crumbling around him. Erdrick was quick to dig himself out of the rubble, but not quick enough.
"DOORYAH!" came the ancient Gerudo cry as Ganondorf swung his broadsword down.
Ganondorf: 2
Erdrick: 2
A Wizard's foot followed by a downward cleave befell Erdrick once again. Ganondorf held his sword aloft for yet another chopping blow, but Erdrick jumped, swinging his sword at every potential point in the jump, jabbing Ganondorf and sending him fumbling toward the edge.
The auditorium above them erupted in cheers, but none louder than Zelda.
"Yes! That's the way!" she shouted, "If you can't outpower him, outmaneuver him!"
The cheers were brought to an end when Ganondorf's hand reached out, grabbing Erdrick by the throat. Darkness pumped up Ganondorf's arm, the explosion in his hand ripping Erdrick from his grasp, sending him careening down.
"Better luck next stock, would-be King of Hyrule," Ganondorf tutted.
And so, with yet another chopping blow with the Gerudo broadsword, Erdrick was sent to the Blast Zone.
Ganondorf: 2
Erdrick: 1
"Come now boy," shouted Ganondorf up to the revival platform, "Where's that vaunted magic I've heard so much about?"
"You don't see it because.."
Erdrick jumped down from the platform, unloading with jabs of his sword. Once again, Ganondorf found himself teetering on the edge.
"I don't need it to beat you!" Erdrick finished.
He swung one more time. As Ganondorf began to fall, Erdrick jumped into the air, thrusting with all his might as he pointed his sword down. This rocketed Ganondorf to the bottom Blast Zone!
Ganondorf: 1
Erdrick: 1
Ganondorf snarled as soon as he reappeared, leaping off of the Revival Platform. He huffed and screamed as he charged.
"Oh, so now all of a sudden you want magic?" Erdrick said in a mocking voice, "Is that what you want? Well, take this! KAFRIZZLE!"
A blue, wavy cloud of magic drifted towards Ganondorf. When he inhaled, the madman was instantly put to sleep. Erdrick pulled back, swinging with all his might. As the sword made contact with the sleeping man's shoulder blade, an odd crunching noise echoed through the arena.
"HE DID IT!" Zelda cheered from the auditorium, "CRITICAL HIT!"
The cheers became even louder when Ganondorf rocketed helplessly to the Blast Zone!
GAME! ERDRICK WINS!
Erdrick stood in a white room now, his only company was Ganondorf, the Gerudo King shaking with rage.
"ERDRICK!" called Zelda, having leaped off the elevator and ran to Erdrick, throwing his arms around him.
"You tell Luigi," Ganondorf pointed to the snickering occupants of the elevator, "That I am pissed, and I'm going to take it out on him."
With that, he unfurled his cape dramatically, stomping out of the room.
"What a show," Bayonetta remarked, "The one between Wolf and the others should be just as good. You all coming?"
"I say let the party begin," giggled Olimar, "I'll bring snacks."
"You're the only one I trust to bring snacks young man," crowed Game and Watch, "You bring healthy snacks, those delicious Pik Pik carrots, unlike some of these other people, who seem to be obsessed with their junk food."
The crowd began to filter out, Despite the exit, The Links stood, awaiting orders while Zelda continued to embrace Erdrick.
"Leave us," Zelda commanded.
Snapping a trio of salutes, the Links scuttled out of the room.
"So...um…," quivered Erdrick, "Not to speak out of turn, but...with Ganondorf calling me a would-be king, do you…"
"Perhaps, Sir Erdrick," Zelda said, "But you still must be tested in other ways,"
"T-t-tested?" said a now-shivering Erdrick.
"For example, I would like to test you in my bedroom," she purred, caressing the nape of Erdrick's neck.
"Y-yes, ma'am," quivered Erdrick.
"Then let us not delay," she said, pulling Erdrick out of the room by the hand.
Cloud
Smash Mansion
Hidden Planet Stage Room
1500
Cloud had been in the middle of a workout in the gym sublevel when he'd heard rumblings of the next big Smash Mansion social event, a three-way battle between Wolf and the two duos of Jak and Daxter plus Ratchet and Clank. With nothing better to do, Cloud joined the group of people, finding one of the few empty seats across from Fox. When he sat down, the vulpine was all smiles.
"Hey man, how's it been?" he asked cheerily.
"Better than when we last spent a significant amount of time together. My crew gets to watch me do my thing, so all is good? You?"
Fox smiled ear to ear, "Great! Krystal and I are back together, which automatically makes it better than the last tournament."
"Where is Krystal?" he asked.
"Out shopping with Peach, Green, and Terry for movie night snacks," Fox explained.
Cloud held back a laugh, "Now that's a crew,"
"I know," Fox sighed, "Terry wanted to buy all junk food, and Peach wanted all healthy food, so it was determined to bring a telepath along to make compromises and avoid an argument."
"Wait, why is Green there?" Cloud asked.
"As Peach's enforcer," Fox shivered.
"Oh shit," Cloud snickered, "I wouldn't wish that on Sephiroth,"
Fox chuckled back, "Even Andross doesn't deserve such a fate, you're right."
The countdown began and ended in a flash. An excited chitter swept the auditorium, the battle had begun The three took root among the many hazards on the stage, occasionally popping out to fire their respective guns.
"Man," Fox sighed, "It feels great to watch Wolf fight and not be the target,"
"You're damn right, said Falco, the man sitting on Fox's other side.
"Weren't you all partners once upon a time?" Cloud asked.
"Very reluctantly," Fox sighed, this time a much more forlorn one, "But most of the time he's trying to shoot us down."
"So what you're saying is you're glad he's back," Cloud said.
"Better to have him here than out there wreaking havoc, you know? Even when he tried to kill me at the very end of the Subspace War, I still fought against his suspension, knowing it'd just be more trouble than it's worth."
"Heh," Falco snorted, "Just ask Captain Plum about that!"
"The policewoman from the last tournament?" What's she up to?"
Fox shrugged, "Dunno. She said she was going to go back to full-time policing after the Smash Core Battle. I hear she still reports to Mario and the other admins about some shady stuff going on, but everybody that's on Conker's side is already in that dimension."
"With Spiritus, yeah," Cloud nodded.
"So all we can do is wait for the other shoe to drop."
A cheer briefly broke Cloud's concentration. The three had come out from behind their cover briefly, each of them actively taking hits. The cheers gave way to disgruntled yammering as they ducked back into cover.
"Yeah," Cloud finally said, "Hurry up and wait,"
Fox and Falco both chuckled at that.
"You're military too?"
"Ex-military," Cloud said.
"I mean, we technically are, though we've saved the world."
"I'm pretty sure 3/4s of this mansion was something else more mundane before they go called to something different."
A familiar vacuum sound was heard as Kirby inhaled the contents of a pixie stick.
"Except Kirby, he was just Kirby," Falco surmised.
"And bless him for it, you know what I mean?"
"Yeah," Cloud muttered.
And so, they watched the rest of the fight without a word. The trio fought until nearly when the movie night was meant to begin, a whole three hours later, with Wolf taking the single stocks of the PlayStation Allstar alums with two cleverly placed Wolf Flashes. In a similar silence, Cloud scurried down to the arcade for movie night.
Red
Smash City
Gym Leader Castle
Elite Four Kanto Level
1600
Red watched Bruno stride around the arena. If it was meant to intimidate him, it wasn't working.
"You know," Bruno began, "When our secretary informed me you had sought me out, I can't deny I was a little flattered."
"Well, my team and I are fighting a fighting-type equivalent next round, so…" Red said with a shrug.
Bruno grinned, "Yes, Quinn. He's dynamic enough to give Kukui's luchador alter ego a run for its money."
"Ain't that the truth?" Red asked, grinning back.
The two shared a chuckle. Bruno's expression suddenly turned serious,
"So I assume we'll be operating under three versus three rules."
Red nodded, "They're the only Pokemon I have with me,"
"Very good," Bruno grunted, "Let us begin,"
Bruno bolted to his side of the arena, unsheathing a Pokeball. Throwing it silently, a Machamp appeared, shadowboxing with all of its arms threateningly
Red smirked, "Going with your ace first? Interesting."
Bruno struck a karate stance, "I know very well what you're capable of. To play any other card but my trump card would be foolish. I suspect you feel the same way."
Red nodded. With just as much silent determination, Red tossed Charizard's ball out onto the battlefield.
"I appreciate this more than you'll ever know," Bruno said with a chuckle, " Far too often, it feels as though challengers build a team for the sole purpose of beating me, so someone finally trying to use brute force against me is a breath of fresh air."
"I'm glad you think so,"
Bruno's face once again snapped to a deadly serious expression, "Rhydon, Hyper Beam!"
An orange beam of light erupted from Rhydon's open maw, the explosion rocking Charizard, but not knocking him out. On the HP monitor above them, Charizard's bar flickered to a pixel left.
"Damn it," Bruno grunted.
"Charizard, Fly," ordered Red.
Without hesitation, and despite his pain, Charizard launched himself up into the air, careening back down onto Machamp, skull clashing against skull as the impact was made. Machamp's health bar depleted completely, the hulking humanoid collapsing backward.
." Hm, so be it," Bruno muttered, absorbing Machamp back into his Pokeball.
Bruno unsheathed his second Pokeball, "Go Rhydon!"
The ball opened on the floor, revealing Rhydon, which spun its horn threateningly.
"Charizard, come back," Red commanded, retracting him into his Pokeball.
He too unsheathed his second ball.
"Go Ivysaur," he shouted, unleashing the elderly onion frog onto the battlefield.
"Rhydon, Body Slam!" Bruno roared.
With a glint of cheer in its eyes, the Rhydon charged, belly-flopping onto Ivysaur. Despite the enormous weight crushing down on him, vines slithered out from underneath Rhydon, whipping the back of the mighty creature as hard as they could. As a fourth of its health, then half, disappeared, Rhydon shrieked, scrambling up. Ivysaur roared, still primed to fight despite its previous predicament.
"Razor Leaf, now!" demanded Red.
Leaves fired from the flower on Ivysaur's back, pelting the mighty rhinoceros creature until it collapsed without a sound onto its back.
Bruno muttered a barrage of curse words under his breath as he retracted Rhydon's lifeless husk into its Pokeball.
"GO! HITMONCHAN!" bellowed Bruno.
The clucking boxer appeared from the Pokeball's flash of light. The two circled, Ivysaur trying to mirror Hitmonchan's floaty footwork as best as it could on full legs.
"It can't have much left," Bruno snarled, "Hitmonchan, Mega Punch!"
A blast of light erupted from Hitmonchan's gloved fists, clocking Ivysaur on the cheek. Ivysaur had turned in reaction to the blow but had recentered itself just as quickly, grinning.
"Ivysaur, Razor Leaf!" yelled Red.
Leaves once again pelted Hitmonchan, its life bar in a free fall.
"Ack, a critical hit!" spat Bruno.
Sure enough, Hitmonchan's life bar depleted completely, the boxer bumbling forward, then collapsing flat on his face."
"I thought a third time would be the charm, but alas not. A pleasure working with you as always Red, but I must retire from this place for the day. You know how to lock up."
As Bruno walked through the door behind him Red smirked, unleashing Squirtle and Charizard.
"We barely made it out alive," Charizard huffed.
"And you guys have the temerity to call me old," Ivysaur scoffed.
"You guys got your butts whooped," teased Squirtle.
Red snapped his gaze to his mischievous little turtle companion.
"Hey, just for that, you're up first against Chuck."
Squirtle froze, gulping. Charizard snickered.
"Let's see how you do against a Hitmonlee tiny," chortled the winged Pokemon.
"We…um…we can talk about that tomorrow. We have to go back to the Mansion for movie night!" Squirtle quivered.
"Bah, pass!" snorted Charizard.
"Me too," groaned Ivysaur
Red nodded, "Alright, me and Squirtle will go by ourselves."
The former Pokemon champion punched in a code on his communicator, opening a portal to the Smash Mansion. With that, the Pokemon and their trainer stepped through the portal.
Movie Night
Smash Mansion
Game Room
2000
Luigi and Daisy had gotten there early, taking two of the seats in the back row, both eagerly holding buckets of popcorn. For a long while, Mario, Peach, Terry, and Corrin had been the only ones in the room, but all at once, they began to filter in The kid Smashers were the first group to enter. Lucas and Ness bolted to the front first, and Olimar scuttled in with a large bucket of carrots To Sarasland's it couple's surprise, Mel Masters followed, Ken, Eliza, Chun-Li, and Ryu right on the mischievous boy's heels. Red and Green followed next, the former holding a gleeful-looking Squirtle. King K. Rool, Dedede, Kirby, and Wario filtered in. Then the couples were filtered in two by two. Fox and Krystal, Meta-Knight and Jigglypuff, Bayonetta and Samus Mac and Alice, Sans and Toriel. Pit and Palutena fluttered in behind The Phantom Thieves. Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Zack, and Barrett sauntered in next, Denzel and Marlene taking seats up front with the kid Smashers Zelda and Erdrick was the last to scramble in, hastily throwing on pajamas as they entered.
"Have they…?" Luigi asked.
"All day, yep," Olimar announced with a coy smile.
"We gotta put that on the calendar before Round 5," Daisy said with a wink.
"Last day before Round 5?: Luigi winked back.
Daisy giggled, "It's a date,"
As the occupants of the makeshift movie theater began to mumble amongst themselves"Is it me or does the mansion feel cozier than normal?" Luigi asked.
Mario had somehow heard him from the front of the room.
"Master Hand always said that the cliques lessened after several rounds. Plus, there's a lot of love in the room.
Quinn wandered in next, Mario frowned.
"Hey kid, uh…" stammered Mario, "No Rosa?"
"Nope," Quinn shook her head, "She's in her room, I know that much. Didn't have the stones to knock, figured I'd get stabbed to death by angry Lumas if I did."
"Of course, there'd be nothing to stab…" Rosalina's voice emanated from nowhere.
"Oh shit," Mario groaned.
Rosalina appeared, her visible eye red from crying.
"Had you died today, which I've been told did in fact happen?"
"I had to push myself past the human limit to be able to think clearly and not be anxious. I'll be as calculating as ever when we're back to back."
Rosalina pulled Quinn close, "You scared me," she quivered.
"I know but…"
"Shut up, don't scare me," ordered Rosalina.
"It was a one-time thing, babe. I shouldn't have done it in reality, but I love you too much to not be the best tag team partner I can be."
"Oh my gosh." Peach squealed, clapping her hands in glorious jubilee, "He said the 'l' word."
"Lesbians?" Samus, Bayonetta, and Futaba asked.
Peach's joyous smile immediately deflated into a pout, "You're all filth. Can't have a darned thing around here,"
Rosalina and Quinn giggled.
"For the record," stated Rosalina, "I love you too,"
And with that, they took their seats. Mario pressed a button on the remote, and the screen immediately displayed a space backdrop followed by a rocking instrumental.
"TRANSFORMERS! ROBOTS IN DISGUISE!" sang a high-pitched singer as the opening credits rolled on.
"Eighties as hell," mounted Daisy.
Luigi sat back. Characters he wasn't familiar with appeared on a space station, with a crew of them heading for Earth. Meanwhile, a boy on Earth headed for the shuttle to the tune of a catchy song, its rocking intro immediately perking up Luigi's ears.
"Sometimes when your hopes are shattered, there's nowhere to turn,"
Luigi turned to Daisy, jerking his thumbs towards the TV, using another hand to cast a thumbs up.
"I know," Daisy mouthed, "'Dare' by Stan Bush rules."
Unfortunately, that was all that Luigi enjoyed about the movie. The villainous Decepticons attacked, killing off characters he had no emotional agency towards. This all eventually leads to a confusingly early battle between Optimus Prime, the film's main hero, and Megatron, the main villain.
"I fought alongside Optimus Prime," Ryu explained, "He is among the greatest warriors,"
"OH C'MON!" Ken shouted, taking a shot as the rest of the room laughed.
Then, in what Luigi inferred was the film's most famous scene. Optimus and Megatron tore themselves apart to another Stan Bush epic and as a result. Optimus died, and a character he didn't care about took the reigns. Meanwhile, Megatron got a new form, called Galvetron, now in the service of the bloated film's true villain, Unicron (which Luigi couldn't help but admit, had a cool voice)
"Buy more toys kids!" Futaba shouted, earning laughs from those in her immediate vicinity.
Luigi huffed, watching the kid Smashers hang on to every note of the obvious product placement. Eventually, he fell asleep.
An hour later
"TRANSFORMERS!"
Luigi bolted awake, holding an empty popcorn tub.
"Sorry," Daisy whispered with a blush, "Ate all your popcorn after I polished off my own."
"You're so hot," Luigi mumbled with a yawn.
"Speakin' of hot," Daisy said, as people began to filter out, "You missed Quinn and Rosa makin' out."
"That's a little weird, talkin' about our friends like that," Luigi admitted.
Their conversation was cut short by an unusually animated Ryu talking amongst his crew.
"Where was Battlebus?" Ryu demanded.
"If you tell me that the bus you went to the island on was a Transformer at some point, all I can say is you deserve to be killed for making that statement and I'm not exaggerating even slightly."
"Jesus Ken," was all Eliza could say, while Chun-Li giggled.
Luigi and Daisy giggled to themselves before a blushing Daisy picked the conversation back up.
"You know how I get around PDA," she said bashfully, "Plus, it got so rough that Rosa almost picked up Quinn a few times."
"So… does that mean you wanna do the muscle girl thing?"
"You know me too well,"
Luigi grinned as he was scooped up, and carried to their room by Daisy, bridal style.
.