The Smash Freshmen, Chapter 2

The Smash Freshmen

Chapter 2: Opening

by

Paul Adams

"Ladies and Gentlemen," a familiar announcer's voice called out through the loudspeakers over the stadium, "Please welcome your hosts, the Super Smash Founders!"

Villager and Mega Man were currently sitting in special front row seats in the new Stadium that had been built for this year's tournament. All around them, Toads, Koopas, Gorons, Zoras, Kongs, Kremlings, Waddle Dees, and various other species from all around the universe had been gathered to watch the opening ceremonies for the Fourth Smash Tournament. The stage in the center looked like a boxing or wrestling ring with the Smash's crosshairs symbol in the center of the mat.

"Please, welcome," the announcer continued, "the shocking, the electrifying, the most well-known Pokémon of all time! PIKACHU!"

Some unseen person somewhere in the middle of the crowd threw a Poke Ball onto the stage. The ball sprang open and a blast of white light spilled from it. A small creature emerged from the light. He was small, with bright yellow fur, a lightning shaped tail, and bright red cheeks that emitted sparks. He sat up on his back legs and waved at the audience with his two front paws.

"Pii-ka! PIKA!" the little creature said in Pokémon speak.

The announcer continued. As soon as it announced the name Fox McCloud, a sleek star fighter zoomed down from high above, and a shadowy figure ejected from it. The figure landed on the mat and stood, revealing a humanoid fox wearing a star pilots' uniform. He was followed by a bright yellow star-shaped object that crash-landed onto the stage, depositing the small pink form of Kirby next to him.

"HI!" Kirby said, waving to the crowd.

A small doorway of light opened behind them all and a tall statuesque figure stepped out. Samus Aran strode onto the stage wearing her red, orange, and yellow armored suit and carrying her helmet under her arm, revealing a slender, feminine face and long blonde hair in a ponytail. Although the crowd cheered heartily for her, Samus didn't wave or do anything flashy like her comrades beside her. She simply stood with an air of stoicism, her icy blue eyes scanning the audience.

A sharp wind blew through the stadium, culminating in a small twister beside Samus. Within the twister appeared the form of a teenage boy with blonde hair, pointy ears, green clothes, and an Elvish cap. Strapped to his right arm was an iconic blue shield with markings from the land of Hyrule. In his left hand, he carried a sharp steel blade Villager knew as the Master Sword. Villager knew this fighter well. He was probably the most famous warrior in the entire tournament, second only to Mario. The defender of Hyrule. The Hero of Time. Link.

Link waved to the audience, casually flipped his bangs, and strode over to a wooden barrel in the far corner of the stage that no one had been paying attention to. He tapped the barrel sharply with his knuckles. "Come on out, Monkey Boy," he said, "The show is starting."

As soon as he said that, the barrel started rumbling around like there was something in it that wanted to get out. With a loud crack, the barrel burst into tiny splinters, revealing a massive brown-furred gorilla with a red necktie emblazoned with the letters "DK." The gorilla pounded his chest as his fans in the audience went wild.

"And now," the announcer said, "the man you have all been waiting for! Your host and master of ceremonies! Give it up . . . for MARIO!"

A green metal pipe emerged from the Smash symbol in the center of the stage. After a momentary pause, the form of Mario shot up out of the tube. "WAHOO!" he said.

The crowd exploded with applause as Mario swept of his trademark red hat and bowed to them all. With a resound CHOONK CHOONK CHOONK, the pipe vanished back into the floor.

Kirby handed Mario a mike. "Hello, everybody," Mario said, his familiar voice booming over the loudspeakers. "Welcome to the fourth annual Super Smash Bros. tournament!" He paused so that another round of applause could pass through the audience.

After they were finished, he continued. "We still have a long way to go before we open, but as I'm sure you all saw as you came in, there is a lot being done. We're planning a lot of great new stages, we have selected several excellent newcomers, and we may even throw in a surprise or two. One of the first surprises I would like to reveal at this time is that, unlike the previous years, we will be hosting this year's tournament at not one but two venues: here, and also in that separate section over there that you all may have noticed as you came in."

A wave of muttering swept through the crowd as they took in this news.

"Now," Mario said, "Let me introduce you to our combatants. I'm sure you all know my fellow founders."

The crowd applauded again as the six standing behind Mario waved. "As you may notice," Mario pointed out, "My friend Yoshi could not be here with us tonight. He's dealing with a bit of a . . . yarn problem. I'm sure he will be with us shortly."

He and the other founders kept on cheery faces for the crowd, but Villager got the feeling there was some unspoken concern passing between them. He wondered if this "yarn problem" was the whole story.

Mario continued. "Also joining us tonight, a tournament regular for the past two years: my . . . friend, King Bowser."

Flames burst from a spot on the mat and the imposing form of Bowser emerged from within. The massive turtle-dragon breathed flames into the air and stomped forward to present himself to the audience. A chorus of hisses and boos rumbled through the crowd.

"Bowser has courteously agreed to help us in the setup for the tournament," Mario said, shaking Bowser's hand cordially. He met his eye cautiously. After a few seconds, he broke away. "Also joining us is our newcomer from last year, who has agreed to train our new recruits: PIT!"

A pillar of bright light descended on the stage from above and a winged figure in a bright white tunic descended. The angel was young, about the same physical age as Link with uncombed brown hair and golden laurels resting on his ears. In his hand, he held a shining blue-and-yellow bow. He swept over the stage waving as the crowd cheered him on. He looked at Villager and Megaman and gave them a thumbs-up. He landed next to Samus.

"And now, if they will kindly come to the stage, our first two newcomers Villager and Mega Man." The crowd cheered as Villager and Mega Man stood. Link and Fox held open the ropes surrounding the stage, allowing the two to step through. They stepped onto the stage, and Villager looked around as thousands of people cried his name. Mega Man waved, and Villager figured he should to. The two stood before Mario and the others.

Mario shook their hands. "Welcome to the Smash Bros."

Villager smiled as Mario gave him a reassuring nod. He looked around at the faces of his new opponents, each of them giving him a supportive and welcoming grin. Everyone that is, except for Samus, who was coldly looking him over as though he didn't live up to her expectations, and Bowser, who was simply staring at him like a piece of fresh meat.

The next morning, a pair of wings fluttered outside of Mario's dorm room just before he heard a swift knock on his door. He looked up from his papers. His roommate Donkey Kong was currently snoring deeply in the next bed. Mario put on his hat, set down the papers, and answered the door.

"Delivery for Mario," a familiar voice said.

"Good morning, Parakarry," Mario said to the cyan-shelled Paratroopa that had acted as his postman for several years. "Word from Yoshi?"

"Not yet," Parakarry replied. "I do have a letter from your brother though."

Mario felt a little disappointed. He hadn't heard from Yoshi in several weeks and he was starting to become worried. He took a deep breath. "Thanks, Parakarry," he said, taking the package from him. He pulled out a golden coin from his pocket. "For your trouble."

Parakarry took the coin. "Awesome, lunch money," he said, "See you around, Mario."

With that, the turtle spread his feathery wings and flew off into the sky. Mario looked at the package in his hands. It was a small paper parcel with a letter taped to the front. Mario pulled off the envelope and opened it.

Dear Mario,

I hope things are well on your end. I would like to say my mission to recruit secret fighters is going well, but I'm sad to say that this is not the case. Two days ago, Ness, Captain Falcon, Jigglypuff, and I were meeting with a couple of candidates that we were considering: our friend Toon Link from last year's tournament, as well as a member of the Balloon Fighter Corps named Ace. During our meeting, our location was bombed. I am happy to say that Toon Link and I got out unscathed, and Captain Falcon and Ness only sustained minor injuries. Sadly, Jigglypuff is in critical condition and it's currently unclear if she will recover or not. Ace is currently missing. We were only able to recover his hat, which I have enclosed in hopes that you might be able to hold onto it. I have also sent Toon Link your way and he should arrive within the next few days. Currently, we do not know who perpetrated the bombing, but I found an interesting symbol at the sight. A circle with a line stretching from the left side to the center. The symbol of the Subspace Army. I will continue to look into this and write back soon.

Your brother,

Luigi.

Mario read the letter over again. He quickly opened the small parcel to reveal a small red cap with two flat red balloons attached to it. The hat of a Balloon Fighter. Mario looked at the hat and then back at the letter.

"Luigi," he said.

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