The Smash Freshmen, Chapter 48

The Smash Freshmen

Chapter 48: New Arrivals

    King Dedede stood atop the wall of the old Castle Seige stage, looking out over the brick armaments at the dusty canyon that surrounded the brawl grounds. Princess Peach, Princess Zelda, Marth, Lucario, Diddy Kong, Toad, and Bandanna Dee stood around him.

    “You’re sure?” the king asked.

    Positive, Lucario replied mentally, casting his thoughts out to everyone in the group. Three auras, all with a strong metal signature, have been lurking around the grounds since yesterday.

    “Likely spies,” Marth said, “Looking for a weak point in our defenses.”

    King Dedede nodded. “Yes, that seems the case. What about the . . . other thing?” he asked Lucario, a grave seriousness in his voice.

    I still cannot pinpoint the faint metal aura that I detected within the grounds, Lucario replied, However, it appears to have grown stronger earlier today. I suspect that a small trace of metal somehow found its way into someone here and it has remained dormant until now. Hopefully, I can root it out within a day or so.

    “Do so,” Dedede replied, “The last thing we need is another betrayal and more fallen comrades.”

    “Shall I take a squad out to deal with the spies, your highness?” Marth asked.

    Dedede shook his head. “No. For now, just keep strengthening our defenses. Find and neutralize any weak points. We need a way to deal with this metal before we attempt to engage it.”

    After the meeting ended, King Dedede remained standing atop the fortress long after the others had returned to their individual duties. He turned from the bleak canyon to look out at the vast assortment of old stages that had been left behind from last year’s tournament.

    “Sounds like you heroes have got yourselves quite a pickle to deal with here,” a voice said from above.

    King Dedede looked up to see the robed koopa Kamek descend from the cloudy sky above on his flying broomstick.

    “I thought you had turned tail and run away back during the Battle of the 3DS Grounds,” Dedede scowled. “What are you doing here?”

    “My loyalty is and always has been to the Koopa Klan,” Kamek replied. “My king has fallen under the metals’ power. They are my enemy as well as yours.”

    “Are you suggesting that you intend to align yourself with us?” Dedede asked. “Why should we trust you?”

    “Come now, Dedede,” Kamek said, “I’m surprised to hear you, of all people, ask such a question. The both of us have only ever wanted what was best for our people, am I right?”

    “You’ve attempted to murder children in the past.”

    “Because I knew they would one day be a threat to my king. What was your excuse when you tried to starve your entire planet?”

    Kamek had struck a nerve. King Dedede gripped the wooden handle of his hammer tightly and a lump formed in his throat.

    “That—that was a long time ago,” Dedede choked.

    “Well, now you just sound like a hypocrite,” Kamek said. “You have no grounds to reject my help. Besides, you need all the power you can get. And I currently possess one of the last remaining shards of an immense power that brought even these metals’ creator to submission: the power of Tabuu.”

“Great work today, guys,” Olimar said as the group descended the last stretch of walkway that led from the Hyrule Temple to the ground. “Now that we have our main specials, I want you all to start thinking about your final smashes. Tomorrow’s training will be held in the All-Star Warp Cave. I hear Toon Link’s rigged up something pretty special. If you don’t know where the cave is, check a map. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go get myself some dinner.”

    Olimar blew his whistle and the three Pikmin currently accompanying him fell into place behind him and followed him as he made his way towards the nearby New Pork City stage, leaving the seven newcomers behind.

    “Final smashes, huh?” Rock said, scratching his chin. He considered for a moment, then his face lit up. “Ooh. I’ve got to make some calls. Come on, Rush!” The robot and his dog took off running toward the dorms. “I’ll catch you guys later,” he called back, disappearing into the distance.

    Little Mac raised an eyebrow. “What’s got him all excited?”

    The small group shrugged.

    “Well, I guess I’m off,” Mac said, “I’ve got to get dinner before Doc Louis ropes me into some late night training. Say . . . Rosie, care to join me over at the Delfino Plaza to, um, swap Final Smash ideas?”

    Rosalina raised an eyebrow. “Did you just try to ask me out? Is crossover dating even allowed here?”

    “Rosie, please,” Mac said, “This is Super Smash Bros. we’re talking about. Look at the fan art.”

    “Fair point,” Rosalina admitted. “Lead the way then, I guess. But if you try to emulate said fan art in any way, I will launch you into a black hole.”

    Mac bit his tongue. “Noted.”

    Villager, Jazz, Garrett, and Greninja watched the two go off in silence.

    “Well, looks like they had the right idea,” Garrett said. “What do you say, Jazz? Care for a little late night training session?”

    “Buzz off, Garrett,” Jazz replied. “I’ve already got my Final Smash figured out. Go train with Charizard if you’re so eager.”

    Greninja croaked.

    “Come on, babe,” Garrett said, “Don’t be like that. It’s been weeks since we had any alone time. I was hoping we could, you know, pick up where we left off.”

    Jazz gave him a foul look, but instead of biting back, she turned to Villager instead.

    “What about you, Vil?” she asked. “Do you have your Final Smash decided on yet?”

    “Oh, um, I—”

    Villager’s reply was cut short by a small crowd of people running toward him and calling out his name. In front came King Dedede’s dog assistant Isabelle. Behind her ran a trio of tanukis in sweater vests, and three young humans all about Villager’s age. Two were girls, one with short pink hair and a flower dress, and the other with dark brown hair and a green blouse. The boy with them had short-cropped brown hair and a yellow shirt with racing stripes.

    “Guys!” Villager said. He ran toward them and gave each of them a hug. “When did you all get here?”

    “They just arrived today, Villager,” Isabelle said. “I led them all down here as soon as you were finished training.”

    Villager smiled and hugged each of them again. He led them over to the other newcomers. “Guys, these are Jazz, Garrett, and Greninja. They’re also newcomers here.”

    “H-hi,” Jazz said awkwardly.

    “And these,” Villager said, addressing the newcomers now, “are my friends from back home.” He pointed to the three tanukis. “This is Tom Nook and his nephews Timmy and Tommy.” He then put his arms around the boy and the brown-haired girl. “These are my neighbors, Zack and Millie.”

    “And this,” he said, taking the pink-haired girl’s hand, “Is my little sister, Lassy.”

    “Nice to meet you,” Lassy said sweetly.

    “So, Villager,” Zack said, punching Vil in the arm. “You gonna show us around the place or what?”

    “Oh, yeah, sure,” Villager replied. He looked up at Jazz. “Want to come with us.”

    Jazz bit her lip. “Um, that’s . . . okay. I think I’m just going to turn in early. You guys have fun.”

    “Okay,” Villager said, “See you later then.”

    Jazz walked away and Villager was soon bustled off by his friends. Greninja hopped away to go find Charizard, leaving Garrett alone by himself. He grinned darkly in the direction Jazz had gone and turned away, whistling to himself as he walked down the empty streets of the Brawl Grounds.