Chapter Text
Link hadn’t attended training today. Not because of Lidia or by his own accord, but because an announcement had been made to the public.
𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐊 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐙𝐄𝐋𝐃𝐀!
And so, he was up early. Not a single sound had resonated throughout the area—not even the waves. No footsteps across the bridges, no whispers. Only the sound of the evening remained.
Link strolled down in the intersected bridge areas, staring aimlessly at his palm. Princess Zelda? Was that the name the unknown voice called out to?
He could only wonder—and so he did in this peaceful moment of isolation. Light and faint shadows synergized perfectly—one never overtaking the other. The shadows resided in the areas where one stays under a roof, subtle lines reaching outward. The rays of the sun struck the valiant stone that connected every structure.
And as Link continued down the path, his reflection was clear in the water below.
However, so was someone else.
At the center of it all, where the Spectral symbol was marked in grass—where the sun struck perfectly.
Cloud Strife, arms folded, motionless.
Link paused for a moment.
Throughout most of his journey, he had never talked to Cloud, and he knew that was due to the staggering difference between the two.
But he couldn’t hide forever, so he approached.
“...You’re up because of the news, too?” Link asked, stopping at the side end of the opening.
Cloud opened his eyes, his gaze heavenly due to the sun’s rays. “There’s another reason.”
“...Hm?”
“The Smash Tournament.” Cloud mentioned, “I’m the one who found you, so of course they’d pick me. High expectations, and all that. But… how we do on this mission also determines whether or not I can compete in the Tournament.” He moved forward and turned his body towards Link—their bodies now parallel to each other. “So what’s this mission for you?”
Link stared deep into Cloud’s eyes, and detected no lies. He ventured into his mind to find a past endeavor to connect to the present, and the result came in the form of the following…
“...I need to make amends for past connections.” Link answered, “There are probably still a lot of people in Hyrule who’re waiting for me to make up for what I did. And…”
...First Goodwill Team…
“I have to prove to you guys… that I’m stronger, too.” He admitted with a smile, “That way, all of your words of wisdom can mean something.”
In that instance, the visage of a past friend flashed in Cloud’s mind. His lips parted for a second…
Zack…
“I see.” Cloud nodded, turning around and taking two steps before…
“Actually, it’s not just because of the Smash Tournament that I want to complete this mission…”
“Huh?” Link tilted his head.
Cloud’s eyes faded into the darkness, a crystal blue piercing out like a candle against the light. “...I need to prove… that I’m a stronger soldier than when we first met.”
And so, he was off.
There was still plenty of time left before the Quest began, so Link decided to return to Smash Tower.
THE SMASH TOWER
Mizan Cheng had been given permission to walk around town, and it was through the guidance of Bayonetta that he was able to find his way to the monument that pierced the sky.
He gazed upon its glory, anticipation writhing deep within, bringing forth a twisted, hungry grin. “...So this is where the Triforce Soul trains, hm?”
“Oh… it’s you.”
“Hm?”
A familiar voice from behind prompted him to whip his head around, and there amongst a crowd of people, holding a gloomy expression… was Min Min.
“You’re from the Klassic Tower.” Mizan said, a thought washing over his head upon analyzing her expression. “...So, I take it that Bingying truly did report you, huh?”
Min Min looked over to the side, “...It didn’t put an end to my ramen business, at least…. But I heard my master’s words of disapproval through the phone.” She admitted, “...I’m a failure, and… I’m sorry for what I said to you.”
Mizan’s grin dissolved, and an expression of pity replaced it.
The feeling of disappointing those above you…
He understood it all too well.
“You expressed your anger toward me in the only way you knew how.” Mizan said, remembering Yukan, “I’ve met plenty of people like you… in fact, you’re not so different from me.”
“Hm?”
“Failure.” Mizan said, “That’s who taught me Baji-Quan, remember?” He stared at his trembling fist, “In that moment, and even now… I still can’t remember his face. A shadow is blocking my perception… which means… I’m still scared to face him.”
Min Min’s eyes softened, and she walked up to him. “...Do you feel anger toward that person?”
“All of the anger in the world…” Mizan answered, tightening his fist. “It isn’t justice I seek, but rather… to prove myself. And when I do… I’ll become the happiest soul in the world.”
“Is that why you’re here?” Min Min asked, gazing upon the Smash Tower.
“...In a sense, yes.”
“Well, me too.” Min Min replied with a smile—a smile which prompted a warm feeling within Mizan’s heart. “...Do you think we could do it together, Mizan?”
And in response to that, he answered…
“Yes.”
Phoenix Wright and Kathron advanced to the fiftieth floor with ease. In a fit of pride, the lawyer straightened his red tie with a smirk.
“We make a great team, you and I.” He said as he strolled down the hall. “Now, with your points, we can finally add that rule we’ve been talkin’ about.”
“The one where we get information about all players and their associates? Good.” Kathron said with a chuckle. He pulled out a Wii U, and selected the “rule addition” option to display a list of rules to add.
𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐃: 𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑𝐒!
“Heh! And done!”
They turned the corner, silence entering in between for a moment.
“So, Link is on the thirtieth floor, along with Terry and some others.” Kathron explained, “Terry has access to one of the rooms on this floor, so will just have to add some better prizes to lure him in. I’m sure the rest of his associates will be on board, too, since they’re an official group.”
“Is there anyone else we should worry about?” Phoenix Wright asked, “...Oh hey, it’s…”
“STOP RIGHT THERE!”
Loud, sudden words placed the two on high alert mode. And up ahead, a figure zoomed into the forefront in a dazzling fashion! A familiar face..
FURINA!
“Ah—hah!” She pointed her finger dramatically at the two fighters with a look of pure confidence. “You’ve gotten away long enough with all of those distasteful rules you’ve added—but unfortunately for you, my role today, courtesy of Terry, is to stop you evildoers!”
“...So you’re with them.” Phoenix Wright remarked, his whole body on edge.
Furina paused, registering the appearance of Phoenix Wright. “Oh… you.” She said, “Alas, your true identity has been revealed for me to see.”
“...Am I a familiar face?”
“The lavender crusader of our team—Waluigi—speaks about you very often, and as for me, I am aware that you seek justice.”
Waluigi? The mention of that name made Wright smile. So he’s using this place to get into the Smash Tournament as well? Smart.
“I assume you’re here to battle.” Phoenix Wright mentioned, soul-energy pulsing through his right arm. Due to the training from Lidia, Furina knew exactly what the emotion was…
Excitement.
Ah, what a brute.
“That is the role bestowed upon me, yes.” Furina said, bubbles manifesting into existence around her wrist. A small amount of soul-energy, powerful, yet rigid, rose like smoke into the air. If I take out these brutes... then can all get enough soul-points needed to make it to the very top! I will not fail!
“Alright…” Phoenix Wright silently prepared himself to bring forth the greatest wave of soul-energy he could for an unexpected first move. All of it rooted from a single emotion—and of course, it was pride. Kathron sensed it in all its glory, and aware of Wright’s prowess, he stepped back.
And now, both would make a declaration!
The declaration that enacted a battle in the Smash Tower!
“THE BATTLE STARTS NOW! LET’S SMASH!”
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐒𝐄𝐓: 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐑!
Chapter End