Tiers and Hopes, Book 2

Here I Stand

The Spectator Area was now standing room only. Millions more watched from the comfort of their homes via TV. All eyes were fixed on the action unfolding on Final Destination as one of the Smashers attempted to complete Melee's toughest event yet—Event 51.

Kirby was the Smasher in question, he was pitted against the deadly trio of Mewtwo, Dorf, and Koopa in his Giga form. A lot of people didn't think the pink puffball would win—but more people believed otherwise. Including Kirby.

His first course of action was to Inhale Mewtwo and copy his Shadow Ball attack, giving himself a projectile to prevent himself from being triple-teamed. From there, he concentrated on one opponent at a time, relying on his Smash attacks, throws and Hammer to rack up damage on his stronger, larger foes. Kirby reasoned that Mewtwo would be the easiest to KO, and that Giga Koopa would be the hardest.

The Star Warrior's top supporters had been the first to show up, and they all sat in the first row, cheering their throats raw. There was DDD, his advisor, Escargoon, and his bodyguard Waddle Dees. There was Sir Meta Knight and his right-hand man, Sailor Dee. There was the tomboyish Tiff and her rough-and-tumble brother, Tuff. There were the twins Lololo and Lalala. There was Chef Kawasaki. And there was Luigi, flanked by his big bro, Ness, the two Links, Zelda, Peach, Pikachu, Pichu, the Ice Climbers and Jiggs. Over half of them were armed with motivational signs, which they hoisted high enough for Kirby to see.

"C'mon, Kirby! Give them the ol' one-two!" shouted DDD as his frenemy continued to battle his three opponents.

"Yeah! You've got this—we know you do!" Luigi joined in.

Kirby heard them loud and clear, dodging Giga Koopa's claws and sending a Shadow Ball into Dorf before cutting the giant Koopa down to size with his Stone and Final Cutter. He buzzed furiously around the hulking reptile, serving up a smattering of aerial kicks and ending the combo with a forward Suplex. He launched more Shadow Balls at Giga Koopa's teammates before discarding Mewtwo's ability in favor of Dorf's.

He smiled. "Poyo," he said before winding up and sending a Warlock Punch into Giga Koopa. Now he could really take chunks out of that turtle's HP!

Giga Koopa attacked with a stream of fire, only for Kirby to take to the sky and fly to safety behind him. Dorf was waiting for him there and tried to kick him, but the Star Warrior dodged and retaliated with a low kick, a scorpion kick and then his own Warlock Punch, knocking him offstage. The Gerudo grabbed the ledge and tried to pull himself back up, only for Kirby to use Stone and drop down on his opponent's fingers. Dorf shouted in pain as he let go, and then Kirby ensured his KO with a downwards kick while using his Final Cutter to safely recover to the platform.

A slash from Giga Koopa's claws ripped across Kirby, but the latter hardly felt it. Smoothly, he turned around and disoriented Giga Koopa with his Vulcan Jab, smashed his face with a flip kick and cannoned a Hammer strike into his fleshy underbelly. Giga Koopa staggered, but Kirby was merciless, making him see stars with a reverse Warlock Punch.

DDD whooped. "Stings, doesn't it?" he asked.

Mewtwo leaped between Kirby and his downed teammate, but the super tough pink puff easily took him down with three triple-spin kicks and the Final Cutter. The downward slash meteor-smashed the psychic Pokémon into the blast zone, leaving Giga Koopa as the sole opponent.

Kirby breathed deeply as he stared into Giga Koopa's face. "Poyo poyo poyoyo," he whispered.

The enlarged Koopa King charged at Kirby, who met the charge with a loud "POYO!"