Fandom Super Smash Bros. Nexus

[RhenVao]

satanael

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The sun bathed the arena in its natural warmth and a gentle breeze washed over the excited crowd as they chirped and hollered with anticipation. There couldn't have been better weather conditions for an event like this. Today was the culmination of weeks of thrilling competition. Sixteen competitors entered the games, each looking to bring home a trophy for their home. Only two remained now; today, the victor would be decided.

The announcer tapped the microphone in his hand, then winced as the sharp feedback stung through his earpiece. He cleared his throat. "Good afternoon and welcome to the Grand Nexus Finals!" The audience erupted into applause, the tension thickening the air like a fog. "It's been a long journey, but every round, every elimination, every second of blood, sweat, and tears has led to this moment! Today, we decide our Nexus champion!" Thr announcer looked to the V.I.P. booth, then raised his arm to direct the audience there. "But first, let us extend our sincerest gratitude to Princess Peach and Princess Zelda for gracing our arena with their presence this afternoon!"

Princess Peach waved to the roaring crowd from her seat, her ears picking up more than a few whistles amidst the thunderous applause. She brushed some golden locks from her face, then looked to the Hyrule princess beside her. She took note of her more ceremonial attire.

"You're looking quite formal today," she remarked with a knowing smile. "Is that for the crowd or for Link?" She asked with a light giggle.

 

[satanael]

At the announcer's bombastic summons, Zelda eased into a dainty curtsy and smiled at the impressive crowd. Dotting the bleachers were citizens of all realms. Those who had not been formally invited to participate as combatants could live vicariously from their seats.

The Grand Nexus Championship was a joint effort between Zelda herself and Princess Peach. Its purpose? To foster a stronger sense of camaraderie and respect between the varied participants of the Smash tournaments, as well as to introducr the numerous newcomers to the stage. They'd spent countless hours pouring over the brackets, taking into account everyone's skillsets as well as unlikely matchups, all in the name of putting forth a good show.

Thank goodness their efforts had paid off.

Though the Hylian princess was not known for being quick to fluster, her cheeks did take on color at Peach's teasing remarks. She peered down at herself and dusted off her regalia. The finery that glistened beneath the sun wasn't all that different from her usual wear - odds were Link wouldn't even notice.

"It's a special occasion," she answered, careful to measure her words. "I thought it fitting to wear my best. Besides, he'll be too preoccupied with the match to look this way." Though, she half-expected Mario to spin around and throw his rumored paramour a hearty thumbs-up.

Zelda peered over her shoulder and noticed Luigi sulking in the shadows. His unseemly defeat at the hands of King Dedede would be at the forefront of everyone's minds for quite some time. "Is there anything we could do for him, or would it be best to give him space? Surely he doesn't want to miss his brother's match."

Despite the roars of the audience reaching a fever pitch, Zelda could still hear the leaky waterworks from everyone's beloved green plumber.

 

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Peach followed Zelda's gaze back to the sulking green brother of the Mushroom kingdom's champion and instantly felt a pang of regret strike her heart. The poor thing had come so far in the tournament, his confidence rising with his preliminary victory, only to be cast down by King Dedede in the quarter-finals. Had Luigi won, he could have faced his brother in the semi-finals and had a chance to represent the Mushroom Kingdom against Link. He would have won a chance in the spotlight for himself; a chance to be remembered for something he did on his own. People often overlooked Luigi for his older brother, but his contributions to the Mushroom Kingdom safety were not lost on the princess.

"Poor Luigi," she said quietly, her hand resting over her heart. "He often struggles with self-esteem." She hummed, then called out to him. "Luigi? Are you feeling well? Mario is about to come up soon. I think he would appreciate seeing you here, rooting for him."

It was a fine line to walk, but Peach wanted to sound encouraging. She knew Luigi adored his brother, idolized him. But it still hurt when his efforts seemed to amount to nothing. There was always an undertone of longing, to be up there with his brother, rather than behind or below him. If it were up to Mario, she knew he would have wanted Luigi down there with him. She glanced at Zelda, her expression readable as she silently hoped to coax him out of his malaise.

 

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Though she would not give voice to such thoughts, Zelda envied Luigi: He was so free with his emotions, so tender-hearted and capable of expressing such. For his sake, she felt compelled to assuage his ails. "Come join us, Luigi, you'll want to see if Mario manages to secure the championship title, no? There will be time for tears, joyous ones, when the final match is over."

Maybe it was the fact that he had two princesses doting over him, but Luigi sucked in the snot dribbling out of his nostrils and slouched on over to the VIP seats. He was still holding onto an unopened Fox popsicle he'd bought from an intrepid Koopa - one frantic hawker of many clambering up the stands - and made no show of eating his frozen treat.

"There he is, Mario, to no one's surprise!" Luigi wailed as he threw his arm over his eyes, dramatic as can be.

Zelda pursed her lips, somewhat taken aback by his outburst.

"I was a fool to think it could have been me up there! Imagine having to jump over Link's boomerang, not once, but twice! Oh, and those dreadful bombs he pulls out of nowhere. He could've set my 'stache on fire!"

At a bit of a loss for how to contain Luigi's melodrama, Zelda offered an uncertain reply, "It's... it's all well and good that he didn't get the chance to do so, then!"

 

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Peach pursed her glossy lips. Some people in attendance were beginning to stare. If the media sharks caught this on camera, Luigi would branded with this embarrassment for years. Through a forced smile, she squeaked, "Not helping, Zelda." Peach rested a hand on the younger brother's shoulder, massaging his arm with her thumb. "There, there! You're still a hero to the Mushroom Kingdom, Luigi. Everyone else may not know it, but those who do matter do; your brother, me, my subjects... you. One day, everyone else will see you for it, too. But please, pull yourself together; be strong."

The announcer harkened everyone's attention to the center of the arena. He wasn't alone, for he stood between the Mushroom plumber and the Hyrule hero "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages and species, it is time for the Grand Nexus Championship!" The feedback of the audience was cacophonous; he had their full attention. "Introducing first, hailing from the Mushroom Kingdom, fighting for Princess Peach, he is the plumber, Mario!"

With a tilt of his hat, and a passionate spin of his body, Mario flashed a firm grin behind his bushy moustache. He locked eyes with Peach, then held out a thumbs up with a wink. Peach waved back, smiling with a jovial chortle. Mario looked to his brother, noticing his downcast mood. He understood his pain; if he could swap places with him, he would have. But once the finals were announced, there was no pulling out. He was in this for the long haul. Mario offered a smile and a wave for his brother, to give him some acknowledgement.

"And introducing his opponent, representing the kingdom of Hyrule, fighting for Princess Zelda, he is the Hylian champion, Link!"

The green-garbed hero raised his Master Sword, emitting a cry along with the crowd, matching their intensity with his warrior's spirit. He locked eyes with Zelda, then gestured to her with his blade, making the silent promise that he would leave this arena with the trophy in Hyrule's name. He did catch a brief glimpse of the saddened Luigi. It would have been interesting to see how the sibling fared against him. But he didn't dwell on it too long. He was facing Mario and that was where he would focus all his concentration.

 

[satanael]

The warmth and concern in Peach's voice must have finally reached him because Luigi began to nod along with her words: The bobbing of his head grew until his hat flew off and smacked the ground. Sheepishly, Luigi bent down to gather himself and seemed to remember his popsicle.

Popping the iced sweet into his mouth, Luigi beamed at the flood of sugary goodness in the likeness of Mr. McCloud.

Zelda bit back a sigh of relief as she took her seat and settled in for the last match. A sense of pride welled up inside of her at the sight of Link donning the Master Sword. As fleet-footed as his adversary may have been, Link was the one with a superior arsenal. That versatility was what had carried him all this way through the tourney.

In a decidedly un-princess-like manner, Zelda waved her arms and cried out, "Go, Link! Show that plumber what you're made of!" She stuffed her hands into her lap as quickly as she'd raised them and feigned ignorance of her own actions. Clearly, Peach was rubbing off on her.

 

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"That wasn't very regal of you!" Peach quipped, a playful grin playing with her lips. Indeed, this wouldn't have flown back in Zelda's home. Hyrule wasn't as lax as the Mushroom Kingdom, something that was apparent in how their respective royalties conducted themselves. Thus, it filled her with a more familial sense of pride to see herself rubbing off on Zelda. Hyrule needed to lighten up a bit!

"Competitors! Prepare yourselves!"

Mario assumed a battle posture, lightly prancing on his feet to get the blood going. Cardio was Mario's greatest strength and he would need every ounce of it to stay ahead of his well-equipped adversary.

Link adjusted his grip on his Master Sword and slammed the hilt against his Hylian Shield in a pre-battle taunt. He sank into a stance, propping his shield in front of his body, while rearing back his sword, prepared to attack. Offense and defense in each hand.

The announcer raised his arm and the audience simmered, every spectator on the edge of their seats. It was time. With a downward thrust of his hand, the announcer declared, "Go!"

Mario broke into a sprint, running with the power of a Bullet Bill. Link dug in his heels and locked his shield as Mario leapt into the air, spinning to gain momentum for a high-powered kick. The kick made contact with the shield, emitting a loud clang, but Link's hunkering down paid off; he wasn't sent backward, which gave him the opening to shove Mario back with his shield and counterattack with a slash to the chest that knocked the plumber away several feet.

With a yelp, Mario somersaulted backward, skidding to a stop. He raised his head, but saw Link nowhere sight. However, the sun was suddenly blocked out, beckoning Mario's attention skyward. His pupils shrank as he spotted the Hyrule champion coming down for him, sword poised to strike.

"Hyaaaa!"

Ever fleet-footed Mario leapt back, leaving Link's momentum to sink his Master Sword's blade halfway into the arena floor. A window of opportunity before him, Mario went for a jump of his own, the classic method of attack for the plumber, and dished out a double foot stomp to the head of Link, grinding him face first into the floor, before hopping off and landing behind him.

"Alright, Mario!" Peach cheered, waving a handkerchief like a flag in support of the plumber.

Link pushed himself up, shaking the stars from his vision. His sharp ears perked as they picked up the rapid foot falls of Mario coming up on him fast. He firmly took hold of his hilt and pried it from the ground, whirling around to block an attack from Mario with his shield. This time, however, he didn't have the time to dig his heels in and was sent skidding back. Mario reached into one of his many pockets and withdrew a fire flower. Quickly consuming the item, his colors flashed into a more vibrant red and white, his fists encased in bright embers. Mario went on the offensive, unleashing a flurry of hard-hitting attacks; punches, kicks, jumps, all of them forced Link back a few feet, until he was near the edge of the ring. Link's left feet teetered over the edge, gravity reaching to pull him down from the fight.

Having his foe in a vulnerable position, Mario charged his energy, preparing to cast Link from the arena and end the match. Link didn't betray a hint of fear.

"Haaaaa!" Mario yelled out as he brought his hands together and discharged a torrent of spiraling flame; it was like a firey tornado in emanating from his palms. Link bent his knees and launched himself into the air, twisting his body to barely avoid the attack, the tip of his hat being singed by the flames, before landing behind Mario and attacking with a kick to knock Mario forward.

Taken off-guard, Mario was sent flying, but Link wouldn't let him off easy. He was deceptively quick himself, appearing before Mario and intercepting him with multiple swipes of his sword, each attack knocking the plumber further and further into the air, much to awe of the crowd. Link capped it off with a spinning attack, revolving like an organic whirlwind of steel that rapidly cut down Mario, sending him back to the arena floor with a resounding slam. Link landed back on his foot, then resumed his posture.

As the dust settled, Mario was lying on the floor, his colors reverted back to their default red and blue. He panted as he rose back to his feet, prepared to go at it yet again. Mario wasn't exactly hardy, but his will was as tough as any other.

"Let's-a go!"

Link couldn't help but smile. This was the fight he'd been hoping for. Time to switch tactics. He sheathed his sword and holstered his shield onto his back, then pulled out his Traveler's Bow and strung an arrow. Mario dashed forward towards Link, keeping his eyes and ears open for the snap of the bowstring. Link launched an arrow toward Mario, then just as quickly strung another for a second aimed shot. Mario bobbed and weaved past them. Dodging was a viable strategy he'd mastered over the years. By the time the fifth arrow came, Mario vaulted over the projectile and took Link down with a double dropkick that knocked bow from his hands and sent him skidding across the arena floor on his back.

Mario landed on his feet and skimmed his thumb along the brim of his cap for the crowd. Approaching the downed Link, Mario popped his fingers, then grabbed ahold of his legs. In a remarkable display of power, Mario started swinging Link about, gaining more and more speed with each revolution. Link's arms flailed as he was spun around and around, until he was suddenly released and propelled across the arena, toward the edge. More than a few gasps escaped the crowd as the Hyrule hero fell over the edge of the arena!

Before the announcer declare Mario the victor, Link withdrew his hookshot and used it to tethed himself to ledge of the ring, leaving him dangling by a hair... but still in the fight. Link was nothing if not quick-witted. He zipped back to the side of the arena, landing on his fate to stare down Mario once again. The plumber's cocked eyebrow and tilt of his head indicated awe on his part. Even he found that save impressive.

Link drew his sword and shield once more, while Mario returned to his default stance; both were prepared to enter the final stage of the fight.

Peach was on the edge of her seat, watching Mario and Link go at it in amazement. She didn't get to see Mario put through his paces like this often. But she had absolute faith that her plumber could pull through with the victory. The next engagement would decide this contest's victor; she was certain.