Intermission 16

Smashers' Box

Quinn

Rosalina wrapped him in a hug as he appeared through the tunnel. Usually the warmth of her embrace blocked everything else out, but it felt like a third of the Smashers present were trying to speak to him all at once.

"QUINNIE," bellowed Daisy, "YOU DID IT!"

"Wubba Wubba boy!" Terry cried, "That was incredible."

"For once I agree with Florida Man over here," Travis shouted, "No anime could top that."

"Yes," Roy said, "And I thought Sir Marth and I's counter made us the belles of the ball in the Melee Days."

"They did, but times have changed," Marth admitted.

"Quinn," Rosalina said, choking back tears, "Listen."

Just as quickly as it had erupted into chatter, the Box went quiet.

"Quinn! Quinn!" chanted the occupants of Smash Stadium.

"Great," Quinn said, "I had to burn my hands off to get them to respect me."

Just then, Quinn felt Rosalina's lips interconnected with his. The liplock released, Rosalina smiled down at him.

"Just take the compliment, Quinn," she said.

"I mean, if compliments are like that, I'll take that."

"They can be that, and so much more," Rosalina purred, "You'll find out tonight."

The crowd dispersed, Rosalina leaving to chat with Peach. Quinn was so stunned he barely noticed Luigi ambling up to him.

"So," he laughed, "Congrats on being the most popular man in Smash City."

Quinn blinked, laughing.

"Nah man," bashfully chuckled the Mii Fighter, "You got a whole year named after you, plus you're a freakin' King now."

Luigi rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, I mean Sarasalandians might back me if we ever fought, but I think I'd be going in the underdog if we ever fought."

"Speaking of," Quinn asked, "By my estimation, there'll be three of us left next round. How'll the bracket work then?"

"Mario said we'll find out after Cloud and Sephiroth fight."

Quinn's face flushed," Oh God."

Luigi laughed again, this time much more nervously.

"Yeah," he said, "I'm not looking forward to it myself but."

He extended a gloved hand.

"May the best man win,"

Quinn shook his hand, "Same goes for you man, seriously."

Simultaneously, Luigi and Quinn's gazes darted from each other to Cloud, who was mid conversation with Snake.

Cloud

"Hey kid," Snake said, "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," Cloud grunted, "This isn't new."

"I know," Snake sighed, "I'd just…hate to see that guy win."

"I'll try my damndest," Cloud said, a small grin etching at the corners of his face.

Snake patted Cloud on the shoulder, "Good luck,"

A call from Aerith began to ring on Cloud's communicator. He sent to voicemail.

Snake frowned, "I know that hurt, but it was a good move. You need to set aside everything personal."

Cloud nodded, casting a glare to Sephiroth

Sephiroth

Across the room, Sephiroth was getting a much different pep talk.

"IT IS TIME!" roared Wario as he paced back and forth, "YOU WILL AVENGE YOUR LOSS! A NEW SEPHIROTH WILL EMERGE! AND I, WARIO WILL CLAIM ZE PRIZE POT! WAHAHAHAHA!"

As if a shining light sent by something devine, Terry clapped Wario on the shoulder, his gaze firmly affixed to his communicator

"Can I talk to the big guy."

Wario's face puckered, no doubt ready to say something snotty, but the glare Sephiroth shot him was enough to make the greedy oaf freeze up.

"Sure," Wario blurted, waddling through the crowd.

"So uh," Terry said, "Wanna see what I bought Corrin for her birthday."

Sephiroth nodded.

Spinning the hologram around, Sephiroth was initially repulsed by what he saw. A garish white Hawaiian shirt filled with outdated computer pop ups.

"You two are funny," Sephiroth said, "It's…"

"What?" Terry insisted, "It's what?"

Sephiroth found Wario in the crowd.

"Nothing," he said, "I best be going."

In a mess of black feathers, the One-Winged Angel disappeared.

"Alright," Mario announced, "Final match is up. Cloud, go through Tunnel A. Fenrir is waiting, and we'll teleport you where you want to go."

Cloud closed his eyes. He could still remember everything. The grime of Edge flying to and fro as they clashed against each other. The still water of The City of the Ancients as he cleaved his best friend through the stomach.

"Cloud?" asked Mario, "Are you ready to go?"

Cloud nodded, quickly daring down the tunnel.

"Alright," Mario continued, "Snake, Wario, you'll be teleported to the healing room after introductions."

Legendary mercenary and greedy treasure hunter nodded. The Smashers clamored, the stadium clamored. The greatest rematch in all of gaming was set to begin!