(AN: The fic is now archived on TV Tropes
/FanficRecs/SuperSmashBros
Thank you to TV Tropes user Pyrodarkest for adding it there. You've def reinvigorated my love for this project!)
Semi-finals: Quinn vs Luigi: Match 1
700
The traditional pre-tournament breakfast flooded the Smash Mansion's dining room with the usual fervor. However, the men of the hour, and some of their closest confidants, were nowhere to be found.
"Where are they?" whined Kazooie.
Edelgard massaged her temples. Even having Terry between them didn't save her from the bird's squawking.
"As Hubert reported before bed, neither of them left their rooms after the interview."
"You sure?" Kazooie asked, Banjo staring extra hard at the Power Pellet on his plate.
"Hubert's scouting is never incorrect," insisted the princess,
"Wish it was," Kazooie sneered, "Then it'd give me something to make fun of him for."
"Hate to say it," Terry interrupted, "But I kinda agree with Kazooie. Wish I coulda gotten him to come down to the honky tonk bar with me and McCloud last night."
Kazooie blew a raspberry, "Like he would've come down. Like either of 'em would have."
Banjo swallowed and sighed. Every head in the tiny group turned.
"Kazooie," scolded the bear, "We all know you're sad we haven't hung out in a while, but this ain't the way to get that across."
Beak wide, an indignant talon in the air, Kazooie paused, scrunching in shame.
"Damn it," she spat, "You're right."
"Furthermore, even if Quinn were here, Altair has been absent today, so it wouldn't be a full get-together," Edelgard added.
"Yeah," Terry asked, "Where is Mister Personality?"
"Dante seems to think at least part of Quinn's night last night was mediating with the Apple of Eden."
"Oh shit," was Futaba's reaction from further down.
"Sans relaid the information to the other brigands, of this I have no doubt."
Several minutes passed of the friends silently nibbling at their power pellets before the doors to the dining room swung open. Quinn, Rosalina, and Altair stepped side by side, a flowing red piece of fabric tucked under Rosalina's arm. Soon after, the Mario Brothers walked into the dining room with purpose, the Administration Team behind them.
"Feel like I haven't seen you all for months," Sans said, "But anyway, semi-finals time baby!"
The occupants of the dining room applauded, but a booming question brought an end to it.
"Why are you clapping, you scoundrel?" Ike shouted.
Wario, the man next to him, stared at Ike, unflinching.
"Because-a," whined Wario, "It doesn't-a matter which-a these losers win because they have to face my man, Sephiroth."
Every head in the room turned to gauge the reaction of the One-Winged Angel. His face bore nothing but the smallest of grins.
"So," Mario asked Quinn, "I assume Altair will be your cornerman?"
Quinn sternly nodded.
"And, as I'm sure you know," Luigi added, "Mario will be mine."
Again, Quinn could only nod.
Luigi held out a hand, "Good luck kid,"
Quinn took it. Quinn's metal gloves creaked against Luigi's impossibly strong grip. The room quieted as the four took their seats, each absorbed in their Power Pellets. Nothing, not the gossip of the other Smashers, nor the reassuring gestures of their friends, seemed to break them from it. Even the most talkative Smashers' gossip petered eventually, watching the semi-finalists eat with great interest.
"Meet with Nikki, right?" Luigi asked Mario as he swallowed the last bite of Pellet.
Mario only nodded.
Luigi was up first. Quinn didn't mind, he needed the time.
1200
Quinn's mouth had dried up in the interview with Nikki, barely croaking out anything legible. Though the producer of Smash had assured him they could work around it in editing, he still had spiraled. He found himself unable to speak as the Smashers made themselves busy in the giant foyer, ready to leave for the Smashcraft at a moment's notice. He watched Luigi, who moved in the same silent, contemplative, nervous stride he did. Daisy and Rosalina had tried to comfort their respective beaus, only to be ignored.
Maybe you're more similar than you think. Quinn's inner voice reasoned You're both nervous.
Quinn shook his head. Rationality had no place here. He was spiraling. He couldn't stop it.
Surely I'm more nervous, He's Luigi for crying out loud
A hand clasped his shoulder. From beneath his signature cowl, Altair eyed him sternly.
"We're leaving," he growled, "Remember the Apple."
Instantly, all of the information flooded his mind. He'd seen all the tenets of martial arts. In that moment, he relaxed.
The Super Smash Brothers filed out to the fleet of hovering buses single file. Luigi rode with the original twelve, while Quinn was ushered on a bus that contained the Duel newcomers.
Good, Quinn thought, I can at least meditate with Miss Trainer.
Returning Miss Trainer's nod of approval as she picked a seat, Quinn took the one next to her. Just as he did, a Wire Frame ran up the aisle, squatting before Quinn, a camcorder in hand.
"We're filming," announced the Wire Frame.
Quinn sighed, "The whole time?"
Through its eerie Smash Bros logo face, Quinn got the distinct feeling it was grimacing at him.
"Yes,"
After a beat of silence, Quinn sighed again, "I'm trying to..."
"At the very least, you can pretend."
"Pretending to meditate may inadvertently lead to you meditating," assured Miss Trainer.
Nodding to her, crossed his legs, breathing in and out slowly as the bus took off.
1230
Smash Stadium
Smashers' Suite
Sonic the Hedgehog's focus was snapped away from the live feed of Quinn and Luigi entering the building by the Duel newcomers filing in. Except for Quinn, each of them filed in, the speedster quickly finding a seat. A quick glance brought him in contact with Rosalina, a tight frown on her face, her gaze transfixed on something far away. Seeing her in such a state, Sonic had zipped to her seat without thinking.
"You okay Rosa?" he asked.
Rosalina smiled down at him. It was this smile that had reminded him of Elise, then scones blanketed by a beautiful sunset, and thus, an eternal friendship was sealed.
"Yes," she said, "I'm well used to how Quinn gets before a fight by now."
Sonic frowned.
"Are you?" he asked.
The warm smile immediately morphed back into a frown
"No," she sighed, "But it's an inevitable facet of these things."
Sonic's heart sank. She spoke so solemnly now that whatever he was trying to pry out of his good friend, be it a joke or the truth. A knot formed in his chest.
"I'm sorry Rosa, I…"
"I appreciate your bluntness Sonic, truly I do. I have no right to lie to you like that. You've always reminded me of Daisy in that sense."
"You've told me that, but it still flatters me."
At that moment, Buckenberry scurried through the suite door.
"Speaking of," Sonic laughed.
Buckenberry waved someone around the corner in. As Sonic and Rosalina shot each other confused glances, two Snifits appeared. One was the older, barking instructions at the younger one in the near-incomprehensible language of the Snifit. The younger one somehow held a throne above his head, while the older one carried a palm leaf under his arm. The two made their way to the very front of the suite, plopping down the thrown just as Daisy marched through, leading the parade of Ultimate Tournament newcomers. Her usual perpetual smile was replaced with a deep frown, her eyes staying locked on Wario as she moved, plopping onto the throne.
"The hell?" Sonic asked, "Isn't she pretty solidly not a thrown girlie?"
Rosalina piqued her visible eyebrow in curiosity, "Since when do you use words like that?"
Isabelle took his arm, planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Blame her,"
Isabelle shrugged, "It gets slow at the office."
The couple giggled, only to realize that Rosalina was glancing over her shoulder. They followed her glance. Daisy squirmed, while two Sniffits and Buckenberry gazed at her, awaiting her orders.
"Don't worry Miss Rosalina," Isabelle assured, "This'll be over soon."
"For both our sakes," Rosalina sighed, "I can't wait."
As if on cue, the opening symbols of Run by Day of Fire began to play
"First there were 100," appeared on every TV in Smash City, "Now there are three."
Sephiroth's smirking face was superimposed over alternating Quinn and Luigi tournament highlights to the rhythm of Run's raucous guitar. Eventually, their stare down at Coffee with Cait was abruptly cut away from, a single black feather fluttering to the floor on a white background.
"And now," a deep voice announced as the logo clicked into place, "The Super Smash Brothers present the semi-finals of the Ultimate Tournament!"
Fireworks erupted around the stadium, several Lakitu flying around sections of the stadium, the producers cutting from one camera to another to put into perspective the sea of humanity that was present. Signs supporting Quinn, Luigi, and Sephiroth dotted the stadium in equal measure. Finally, the camera cut to the announce booth, where 9-Volt and Cranky Kong sat.
"Welcome to the second-to-last full day of tournament action!" 9-Volt cheered, "I'm your host 9-Volt, and the man who's quickly become the gaming champion of my inner circle, Cranky Kong.
"It feels good to know that after all these years in the saddle, I've still got it," Cranky laughed, suddenly turning serious, "But we have to know, who'll come out victorious tonight, only to have to stand across from Sephiroth."
Quinn and Luigi's on-screen graphics appeared, both glaring at their camera, their fists poised to fight.
"That's right Cranky," We have Luigi versus Quinn tonight, best of three matches, five stocks each. The winner will face the juggernaut that is Sephiroth, in "
Wario chortled from the back, "I like-a dat, ze juggernaut."
Daisy's huff of disapproval only widened Wario's smile.
"As much as I'd like to entertain you, Princess, I have to join my ward. If you'll excuse us-a."
With that, Wario and Sephiroth disappeared.
"Mario," Daisy said, a mix of sadness and anger in her voice, "Shouldn't I be on camera? Ya know, because I'm his wife."
"I know," Mario sighed, "But you remember Wario's lawyer, no women."
Daisy slumped further into the throne, the old Snifit fanning the air into her face.
Again, Mario sighed, this one more shaken than the last.
"Altair, you're with me," he ordered.
The assassin stood wordlessly, striding up to him and taking the red cloth that was over Rosalina's arm joint from her. At that moment, he and Mario disappeared in a flash of light. The live broadcast suddenly became a split screen, showing Quinn and Luigi warming up in their locker room. Mario and Luigi had wasted no time, the latter throwing punches into the former's open palm. Altair had simply joined Quinn in meditation.
"Looks like the fighters are ready," 9-Volt announced, "Now, let's throw to some interviews, recorded earlier today."
"Why do I want to win," Luigi asked, "There's a ton of-a reasons."
"Why do I want to win," Quinn coughed, "Because I gotta, the end."
"Well, first of all, I've got a whole continent counting on me, gotta show 'em I can stand up to anything."
Quinn only sighed, burying his face in his hands.
"Plus, my girl's watchin'," Luigi laughed, "I mean, Quinn's is too, but winning the tournament in front of a Smash superfan like her would be perfecto."
The camera was over Quinn's shoulder, who hopelessly scrolled his social media.
"Sarasalandian, Sarasalandian," he counted, "All Sarasalandian hate posts. About me. God damn it."
"I respect Quinn," Luigi explained, "He's been through a lot more than his master, and got just as far. I wish somebody I didn't like was up there against me because I have to win, but I have to bulldoze one of my friends, only to get put up against a tank."
"The king is dethroned. He just has to be. I have to win," Quinn gasped, each sentence cut together to avoid long pauses.
Standing up so quickly that he knocked over his chair was a large clanging sound, Quinn stomped off camera.
"Some strong words from the competitors," 9-Volt said
"Strong words for two men who know they're fighting for the opportunity to go to death row against Sephiroth," Cranky chuckled.
"Since when did you become such a Sephiroth cheerleader?" squeaked 9-Volt.
"Since I looked at the betting odds, only on Smashduel dot com," Cranky said, winking to the camera.
"You're something else old man. Anyway, Futaba what do you think?"
The camera cut to Futaba's desk, the woman bearing a devious grin.
"I think it's gotta be Luigi. Quinn's been training hard, but so far, we know Luigi's come from underneath every time."
9-Volt nodded, "Fair enough. Let's go live to introductions, conducted by the incomparable Mills Frames."
The bell tolled, and the Wire Frame with the golden voice appeared in the middle of the ring.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "This is the semi-finals of the Smash Brothers tournament. The winner will go on to face Sephiroth in the finals, Introducing first…"
The Mario Brothers theme from the first tournament hit, Luigi's signature green 'L' logo appears on the giant screen. The Mario Brothers jogged down their side of the ramp in tandem.
"No, pizzaz this time," 9-Volt said.
"Of course not," snapped Cranky, "Them boys are locked in, as the kids say."
9-Volt sighed as the music slowly faded out, the overall-clad heroes awaiting their opponent. Suddenly, the opening salvos of Symphony No. 4 in D Minor hit. Quinn appeared at the top of the ramp dressed in a new red boxing robe. He slowly turned around, revealing the robes back. All of the colors of the Brawler School adorned the robe's back. As he turned, the words, "BRAWLER SCHOOL FOREVER!" appeared on the big screen above him. Turning around, he glanced at the stadium one more time, Altair appeared behind him, tapping him on the shoulder, signaling to start the jog down the ramp.
Mills' introductions faded into the background as Quinn came to a stop. Luigi hadn't taken his eyes off him since he became visible, and Quinn found himself similarly transfixed. Quinn was the first to break, seeing that the first fight they'd fight on would be Green Hill Zone. Mario tapped Luigi on the shoulder, pointing to the video screen. Luigi glanced at it, returning his focus to Quinn. Everything else faded into the background even further. The only thing that mattered to the two semi-finalists was their opponent.
"Gentlemen," shouted Mills, "I said are you ready?"
Both of them nodded, still not taking their eyes off each other. They were teleported away, standing in a void. The rules flashed before them.
Stage: Green Hill Zone/?
Rules: Best of 3, 3-stock, items high
Music: Limit Break by TheVocalButcher (ft) Wazmo/?
3
Luigi sprung out of a warp pipe, pointing an aggressive finger at where Quinn would be.
2
Quinn simply strode onto Green Hill Zone, casting his robe aside.
1
Both men bounced on their toes, the anxiety mounting as the milliseconds ticked by
GO!
They charged, meeting in the middle. Quinn punched with his right hand, Luigi with his right, each punch getting clamped by the other's opposite hand.
"And we've got a good old-fashioned lockup!" cheered Cranky.
They pushed against each other, each not willing to give an inch in this test of strength.
Quinn brought his left leg to Luigi's left leg, hoping to judo throw him out of this, but the plumber stood firm. Growling in frustration, Quinn reared back, his head engulfed in flame.
"STAND DOWN OLD MAN!" Quinn roared.
Luigi mirrored him, his head engulfed by lightning.
"NOT A CHANCE KID!" Luigi roared back.
The two brought their heads forward. Fire erupted from the two's interlocked heads, lightning crackling around it. Each fighter's respective element roared forth from the hellish tornado as they pushed, the other not giving an inch. Both let go of the mighty hold, circling each other.
"Both men probably thinking the same thing, how the hell do I deal with this?" Cranky explained.
Before Quinn could blink, Luigi was already primed for a Green Missile. He took the full brunt of the hit, Luigi's finger jab already having gotten him in the atom's apple. Luckily, the feeling of breathlessness was brief, and Quinn was able to channel his chi, blocking the next Green Missile. Luigi was unprepared to be grabbed, and even less prepared to be uppercutted into the air.
"Is Quinn not…following up?" Cranky balked as Luigi fell to the ground with no resistance.
"He wants him to close the gap himself, no doubt," 9-Volt answered.
Sure enough, Quinn activated his Smash Shield as Luigi responded with a confused one-two combo. Quinn reared back before Luigi could react, scoring an easy haymaker on Luigi's exposed jaw. As the mustachioed man reeled to catch his balance, an Assist Trophy appeared. By the time Luigi answered with his punch, Quinn had already activated the Assist Trophy.
"I live my life by the sword!" declared Takamaru.
Quinn couldn't help but grin, laying there and watching Luigi get carved was oddly satisfying. Eventually, Takamaru's sword sent Luigi flying past him. Scrambling to his feet, Mii Fighter and samurai ran in tandem, but a sweep kick from the fallen Luigi sent them both spiraling. Shuriken thrown in each cardinal direction stunned Luigi enough for Quinn and Takamaru to close the gap. Takamaru held Luigi aloft with swings of his sword, and a jumping clubbing blow sent from Quinn sent Luigi into the Blast Zone!
Luigi: 2
Quinn: 3
Luigi fell from the Revival Platform just a Beastball appeared. Luigi threw it in Quinn's direction, the ball disappearing as soon as it bounced off Quinn's head, coming back as a flaming projectile on the second hit. As Quinn caught his bearings, Luigi threw it again, but the Mii Fighter had enough time to activate his Smash Shield.
"Caught ya sleeping kid," huffed Luigi.
In the blink of an eye, the Poltergust 3000 was on Luigi's back, and the plunger fired, bringing Quinn close. Luigi tossed the young man away, throwing the Beast Ball for the third and final time. The ball hit Quinn twice, its second hit causing Quinn to skirt the ground as he was thrown uphill, a toe's touch away from the Blast Zone. Luigi charged, windmilling Quinn with a volley of punches, Quinn parried the first barrage, but not the second, knocking him the rest of the way into the Blast Zone.
Luigi: 2
Quinn 2
Quinn sat on the Revival Platform, absorbing the scene. A Smash Ball and a fake equivalent had drifted towards the opposite Blast Zone, Luigi running after it. In his desperation, he failed to notice the fake slip behind him. Smiling even wider than usual, Quinn leaped from the Platform, striking a familiar stance.
"EXPLODING-"
Luigi looked up, his eyes widening in horror at what was about to happen.
"Mama Mia..."
"KICK!"
Sure enough, Quinn's signature move caused the mirage to explode, each being thrown to opposite Blast Zones, just barely crossing the threshold that would've cost them a stock. With the Smash Ball lingering lazily in the middle of the stage, the two began to charge just as it began to change.
NEW STAGE: MIDGAR
Music: Main Theme of Final Fantasy 7 (Smash Remix)
Both competitors paused. The clean air of Green Hill Zone replaced with the endless smog of Midgar stunned them both for a moment, but they carried on. As the Smash Ball slipped under the stage, Quinn launched two thrust kicks that would've knocked a normal man out, but Luigi only staggered.
"Banana Bird," groaned Cranky, "I could hear the impact from up here!"
The Smash Ball rose up from the ground, Luigi cracking it open with one clubbing blow. Before Quinn could react, the Poltergust was once again upon Luigi's back, and Quinn was inside, the remaining air that was sucked in feeling like sandpaper rubbed against every microbe of skin he had. With a final pop, Quinn was once again touching the Blast Zone. He remembered what the Apple had taught him, clearness of mind, relaxing the muscles. All tenants he knew, but knowing every martial art used them emphasized their importance. Breathing deeply and relaxing his muscles, he jumped into the air, floating back to the stage.
"Not a chance!" Luigi shouted,
Another running windmill of punches caused Quinn to lose his balance, but he grabbed onto the ledge, unleashing a series of curses as he met Luigi on the top platform, Quinn glanced down at his communicator. Luigi's icon showed two pieces of the Daybreaker next to it. Quinn gritted his teeth. He must've grabbed them while Quinn was making his way back to the stage!
"You cheeky bastard, not today," The two faced off on the top platform, each taking their usual fighting stances. Luigi was suddenly nervous, lumbering, throwing kicks that Quinn could easily jump around,
"Luigi taking it slow because he knows the slightest impact could knock away his piece of the Daybreaker!" 9-Volt explained.
An Assist Trophy fell, as did the final piece of the Daybreaker. Luigi grabbed the trophy first. Akira Yuki appeared, a simple straight punch enough to knock a badly hurt Quinn into the Blast Zone.
Quinn: 1
Luigi: 2
As Quinn appeared on the Revival Platform, Luigi grabbed the final piece of the Daybreaker, assembling the large gun. Quinn bit his lip. He knew his only chance was to make a grab for the gun and turn the tide. Sighing, he jumped down. Luigi fired. Quinn easily waded through the titanic blast until his invincibility wore off, the final seconds of the blast enough to send him to the Blast Zone no sooner than he'd left it.
GAME! LUIGI WINS BOUT 1!
"Quinn takes a risk and it does not pay off!" Cranky announced.
"You're a little too excited about that," said 9-Volt
Cranky smirked, "It's just that, in my day, we avoided the projectiles."
"Regardless," 9-Volt sighed, "It's time for a one minute break."