Author's Notes: Holy CRAP, look who¡¦s back! It¡¦s been a very long time everyone; and I apologize for so suddenly and abruptly not updating any more. I know a lot of my original fan base has probably faded away by now and, if not, I do hope they¡¦ll find me again¡K but I don¡¦t want this story to die like all of my others. So I¡¦ve picked things back up from where I last left off, and I hope everyone enjoys what has been a very, very long awaited chapter ƒº
I¡¦ll let everyone know what happened at the bottom of the chapter but, for now, let¡¦s get to what you¡¦ve all (who¡¦ve stayed) been waiting for!
Chapter 27: Preparing For Battle
"KYA!!" the battle cry sounded through the training hall, as the sounds of swords clashing with swords filled the room.
A crowd of smashers had gathered to watch this training battle, the three swordsman of the second round squaring off in one huge free-for-all. Mr. Game & Watch, Zelda, Yoshi, Popo & Nana, and even Kirby gathered around the see-through walls to gaze through into the training room. All of them, amazed by the swordplay they were watching.
All of them, knowing the purpose it served for them.
"COME ON, LINK! GIVE ME ALL YOU HAVE!" shouted Roy, as their swords clashed with thunderous impact, sending Link ricocheting back towards Marth. Acting quickly he raised his shield, deflecting Marth's attack and spiking his boomerang into him. It may have been a free-for-all, but Link was still the underdog.
And with good reason... he needed this. He needed to, if he expected to survive against Ganondorf.
Link parried Roy's oncoming blow, swinging his foot out to kick Marth dead on in the chest and send him flying back, before diving forward and smashing his shield into Roy's head. Link leapt into the air, pulling out his boomerang once again and whipping it towards the rising Roy, the boomerang spiking into his chest and knocking him back. Link landed and spun around, going to hit Marth once again, but Marth deflected his attack.
"Daaaaang!" said Popo, scratching behind his head in amazement. "He's goin' nuts on those guys!"
Mr. Game & Watch remained silent, almost studying the fighters, as Nana looked at Popo; the two sharing a gulp of intimidation, staring back into the room.
"He's more then ready for that beast... " Zelda said silently, her eyes focused in a determined glare.
Roy and Marth closed back in on Link, double teaming him once more as Link began growing desperate. He was blocking attacks with his shield on one arm and his sword in another, having to move his head about as fast as he could to judge the angle the attack was coming from. Acting quickly, Link quickly performed his spin attack, his sword slamming into both warriors beside him and sending them flying back across the room once again.
Slowly, they struggled back up as Link panted in exhaustion. Roy looked over to the clock, his eyes squinting slightly. It was 12 o'clock, they had to be awake at 9 to prepare for the next day, which would start at around 1. It was best they get some sleep now while they could.
"Let's call it a night." Roy said, nodding over to Marth. Marth made his way over to the door, pressing the large button next to it to turn the 'In Use' sign off. The three swordsmen made their way out of the room; and both Marth and Roy shook Link's hand before heading off to their own rooms.
As the crowd cleared, Link wiped the sweat off his brow and looked over to Zelda with a smile, the two locking eyes and nodding to each other. A small sign of agreement, that Link was prepared for the challenge ahead of him. His gaze shifted towards her hand, which she reached out to touch his face and smile gently at him.
"You did well in there; you'll beat him for sure." Zelda said, Link reaching up and touching her hand softly. The two shared a glance briefly, smiling.
"Let's go get Young Link." she said, lowering her hand as the two made their way off down the hallways.
They may have not known of the dangers brewing about the hotel, they may have not known of Ganondorf's apparent alliance with Master Hand's army, but they did know that Link was ready for whatever may come for them.
They knew they'd be safe.
And that thought was all that was needed to comfort them.
Ever since his elimination, Mr. Game & Watch had been surveying events that had been happening around the arena, both inside and outside of the battlefield.
He knew everything.
The smashers didn't think that this mysterious old man would have it in him to be a spy... they never quite knew just what was going on inside of his mind. Oh he couldn't speak no, but he wasn't a mute. All they needed was a simple translator and they'd understand him... computers could easily decipher his words.
But they didn't know that, how could they? They were too caught up in their own lives... their own battles...
Too damn stupid for their own good.
Mr. Game & Watch sighed to himself, making his way through the halls of the Smash Arena. He knew about 'M' and his associates, he knew about the deathmatch that would come between Link and Ganondorf... he even knew Princess Peach's condition.
But why?
Why would this mysterious person know all these things, what purpose does Mr. Game & Watch have for all of this knowledge?
It was simple really, if you thought on it for awhile then you'd see it too. Oh no, he wasn't working for Master Hand and his troops at all, far from it. Mr. Game & Watch would never join the likes of him, the very entity that stole so much of the Flat Zone away from his people.
A shrinking of his lands that, do to the number of his people, caused massive over population and tragic deaths left and right.
Mr. Game & Watch wasn't here to fight the smashers, oh no... he was here for revenge. And revenge comes best when you know your surroundings... when you realize just what you'll have to do to fight back. He'd seen everything, from Wendy's death to Donkey Kong's decision to join the fight. He knew it all... and there was no one who suspected him.
A smirk grew on Mr. Game & Watch's face, as he slowly looked to the ceiling. In his mind, he'd finally decided that it was time to strike first...
It's time for Master Hand's... final judgment.
A quiet night was what awaited the smashers, for once¡K a night filled with sweet dreams for some and restless nightmares for others. To those who knew of the impending war, it would be a near-sleepless night, as they agonizingly prepared for what they knew they would have to do.
For others, they wondered how they would advance on into a tournament with odds stacked so high¡Xthey themselves unaware of the war that was nearing its start on all of them.
In the end, however¡K all were there for the second day. Some never left the arena¡Xcontent with staying with their loved ones in the security of the place itself. For others, they were traveling the short distance from the Smash Hotel to enter.
For the unknown few, they would be traveling from a much greater distance¡Xknowing well that today was the day they¡¦d been dreading most of all. The cloaked figures stood atop the arena roof alongside the short one, their eyes watching the streets below as the smashers began to enter.
Today was a day to dread, a day to fear¡K
Today was the day of bloodshed, the start of a war that had been secretly brewing for several, several years now.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEEEEEEEEN... WELCOME TO THE FINAL DESTINATION ARENA!!!"
The roar of the fans was so loud that the announcer's words could scarcely be heard amongst all the noise. There were chants of "SSB! SSB!" ringing throughout the air, as signs depicting the fans favorite smash-stars were hoisted high and proudly into the air. The section of Yoshi's were performing the wave, as the entire Mushroom Kingdom section of the audience wore the colors of red and green for their hometown heroes. Fans of all fighters everywhere, monkey noises coming from one section of the arena while across from them fans screamed out their favorite Pokemon fighter's names.
"ARE YOU READY FOR SOME MORE KNOCK-DOWN, DRAG-OUT, ASS-KICKING, BLOOD-SPILLING, SUPER-FIGHTING ACTION?!" the announcer screamed into his microphone, eliciting screams and howls from the fans as their cheered at the top of their lungs, the chants growing louder and louder.
"WELL YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE DISSAPOINTED!! Today, ROUND TWO BEGINS!! And WHAT a round it promises to be, everyone!! WITH AN ALL NEW WEAPONS THEME FOR THIS ROUND, SOME OF THE BEST COMPETITORS IN THE WORLD, AND THE THIRST FOR VICTORY AND A MILLION GOLD COINS... this round will SURELY triumph over the last! You're all in for a treat today!"
"But FIRST... let¡¦s get a recap of the first round! We had our smash-judges work together on deciding some of their favorite moments of the first round, based on entertainment value, sheer determination and drive of the fighters involved, and crowd reaction! Their decisions have been made, and here are the results!"
The score-card on the big screen of the arena suddenly was replaced with the words "FAVORITE MATCH", as the fans roared loudly and murmured in excitement to see what had been chosen as the best from the round prior. The words faded off as "Angel's Son" began to play over the speakers, sending the fans into a cheering frenzy as clips from the winning match faded in over the screen...
Blood trickled from his bottom lip, his teeth digging in as Young Link pulled the arrow out and reloaded it, firing off another shot carefully into Link's back once more, being sure not to hit bone or lodge it to deep in.
Link roared in pain, FORCING himself up and shoving Young Link away, staggering a little. Young Link panicked, grabbing another arrow and stringing it, firing it off into Link's back.
Link staggered away from Young Link, the pain overwhelming him. He could feel it as a third arrow slammed into his back.
A fourth.
And now five arrows, jutting from his back, blood pumping down it as the crowd literally sat in silence and awe. Link staggered a few steps forward, looking upward, before falling to the ground.
---
A shower of sparks surrounded them as each shot was expertly deflected by the other, neither gaining any clear advantage. Both Young Link and Link thought alike in trying to gain an advantage, the both of them pulling forth their boomerangs and throwing them forward, both finding their marks. Young Link staggered back as Link fell back, landing on the ground in pain as he clutched at his chest, a deep pain from all the arrow wounds coursing through him.
Young Link charged forward, going for a downward slash only to meet ground, his sword suddenly becomming stuck in the ground. Link had leaped back up, despite the pain, and managed to get behind Young Link, all the time he needed.
---
The blunt side of Link's sword met with Young Link's head.
Young Link's arrow slammed into Link's opposite shoulder.
Unbearable pain flooded the both of them as they stood on their feet, wobbling slightly. Both on the verge of a black out... both about to lose...
Young Link took a step forward and Link took a step back... and it was over.
With a thud, Young Link crashed to the ground, out cold. In a mere 2 seconds after Link fell as well, the crowd erupting in cheers however as they soon realized who exactly won.
"THE WINNER OF MATCH OF THE NIGHT... LINK VERSUS YOUNG LINK!!" the announcer cried out, as the fans screamed and cheered, chanting the names of both. Slowly, the clips faded out to black to be replaced by new words... words which read "SMASH OF THE NIGHT".
"Smash of the Night! A category in which the most incredible moment of the entire round is captured and put to the test. The winner of Smash of the Night is... "
"Kings of the Carnival Creation" blared over the speakers as the crowd murmured lightly, a few cheers being heard but mainly the fans remained silent to watch as the utter horrifying spectacle unfurled on the big screen...
---
The motion censor bomb went off with a loud explosion, launching Peach through the air and sending Bowser jetting across the battlefeild, rolling and slamming on his shell, his spikes digging into the ground and slowing him down. Peach stayed high in the air, launched upwards rather then outwards into the protective barrier.
The Princess couldn't move, unable to pull out her umbrella and stop her fall.
---
Peach slammed into the ground hard, feeling several bones in her body breaking as she let out an ungodly scream of pain before completely blacking out, the images on the barrier fading instantly as the crowd gasped in horror and began booing Bowser.
The crowd booed the heinous actions of Bowser from the prior round, as the announcer shook his head and spoke somberly once more.
"The winner of smash of the night goes to Bowser's utter dismantling of Princess Peach. Word from the medical staff says that she should be up and walking again before the finals, however, so we'll be sure to give her a hand when she recovers!!" the announcer said reassuring, eliciting a "PRINCESS! PRINCESS!" chant from the loyal fans. The clips faded out, soon replaced by the final category... "SMASHER OF THE NIGHT"
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, we have the category of smasher of the night! The one fighter who, above all else, made the greatest showing in the tournament according to all of you! And the winner is... ."
"Duality" played, as the fans erupted into cheers and clips of one of the favorite smashers of the tournament played over the screen...
... right into Ganon's face.
---
"It's over, weakling... give it up." Ganondorf said darkly, walking over.
Fox slowly got on his hands and knees, trying his hardest to stand as he coughed up more blood.
"I... never... give up." he sputtered out, clenching his eyes shut in pain as Ganondorf kicked him in the ribs, knocking him back down.
---
Fox's ears twitched as he heard movement behind him and the screams of the fans...
They say when you're deprived of a sense, you gain another to make up for it. At this point, the vulpine's hearing was weak, his eyes closed, his sense of smell shot and his sense of touch overflooded with pain. And all he could taste was the blood in his mouth.
When you lose those five senses... do you gain a sixth?
With incredible speed, Fox rolled out of the way of Ganondorf's oncoming kick, grabbing ahold of a nearbye motion censor bomb and launching it with speed and pinpoint accuracy under Ganondorf's foot. He never saw it coming.
BOOM!!!
---
Suddenly, the dark warlock spun to the side, grabbing a bomb-omb in the process and flipping around, throwing the bomb straight at Fox's face. Fox's eyes widened, he had no time to react as he brased himself for impact, his right hand instinctively pressing a button on his headpeice..
A blue sheild activated around him, pulsing violently as the bomb-omb hit it, sending it flying right back at Ganondorf!!! Ganon's eyes widened as the bomb slammed into him, sending him skittering across the battlefield and off the edge, sending him crashing to the ground off the battlefield as the crowd absolutely ERUPTED into cheers!
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE SMASHER OF THE NIGHT... FOOOOOOOOX!!" the announcer yelled out over the roar of the fans, as the clips faded back to the scorecard from the previous round.
"Now then, ladies and gentlemen! IT'S TIME FOR THE BRACKETS OF ROUND TWO!!"
Round two's brackets faded onto the screen, the faces of each smasher by their name. The crowd cheered in excitement, seeing some VERY memorable matches set-up for the day. The theme for the round faded in, however, and the fans groaned in disappointment.
FAN-SERVICE
"Well, I guess there's nothing so appeasing to you all about the service given!" joked the announcer, eliciting both cheers and boos from the crowd at once. "Now let's take a look at the matches!! Up first, MEWTWO takes on DONKEY KONG! Then in what should be an interesting match-up, ROY takes on BOWSER!"
The fans began chanting "ROY!" in response, obviously garnering support for the young swordsman against the hated Koopa King.
"LUIGI will be taking on MARTH, and then in a match that is ages long... LINK AND MARIO WILL FACE OFF!!!"
The ENTIRE arena erupted into cheers, as it was completely split between chants of the two world renowned heroes. For an arena so huge as the Final Destination arena... this was big.
"Then, in the final match of the round... Kirby will take on Fox! As you can see, we have a huge array of matches set-up for you all today, and we're not going to waste anymore time waiting!!! SO MEWTWO AND DONKEY KONG... COME ON OUT!!!"
The fans continued to cheer loudly, as picture flashes lit up about the arena, the two competitors entering from either side of the battlefield. Mewtwo floated in with his eyes concentrated soley on the simian, who was busy playing to the fans and calling forth more monkey calls from them. He turned to the large Pokemon, who nodded towards him coldly. Donkey Kong flashed him a cheesy grin, giving a thumbs up to him as Mewtwo sunk into a battle stance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is ROUND TWO! READY... GO!!!"
A new day had begun.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY:
As an aside, Mr. Max Fuchs won that contest on guessing what the round theme would be.
So, I¡¦m sure a lot of you are wondering where I ran off to. Unfortunately, for the longest time I was procrastinating on updating this story and eventually I¡¦d forgotten about updating it¡Xprimarily because around that time it was my senior year in high school.
Well, I¡¦m in college now, and I¡¦m finding myself with more free time then I know what to do with¡K so I¡¦m giving this story yet another shot! What this meant for this chapter, unfortunately, was that I wasn¡¦t going to be doing responses to all those reviews because there were so damn many collected over time. If I don¡¦t respond to your reviews in future chapters, please don¡¦t be disheartened; I just feel if there are too many reviews I may not be able to do them all and still get a chapter up for you all soon enough.
Anyway¡K consider this my gift to all of you! I¡¦ve decided to bring this back, I¡¦m hoping for some great results, and I have a lot of idea to use in due time! Trust me everyone, with what I have planned I¡¦m very sure it will be well worth the wait ^_^
Thank you, all of you, for the support you¡¦ve given over time. I still get IMs and emails about this story so long after that last chapter; it really has inspired me to keep going. Guess it proves persistence pays, huh?
I hope you¡¦ve all enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you all can¡¦t wait for this next one either! I¡¦ll see you all next time!
NEXT CHAPTER: MEWTWO VS DONKEY KONG