OoooOoooOoooO

The lights of New Pork City shone brightly, completely illuminating the fighting stage.

Lucas appeared in a hexagonal flash of blue. Ness entered simultaneously, in a sphere of crackling thunder.

The countdown began.

3

2

1

GO!

Lucas took a moment to look at what stage they'd be fighting on this time.

And froze.

OoooOoooOoooO

Porky's flying limousine dropped them off at the landing platform at the very edge of the city. The many buildings loomed over them, imposing and ominous.

With a simultaneous and single nod of determination, Lucas, Duster, Kumatora, and Boney entered the gleaming city, their footsteps echoing hollowly over the sparkling concrete. And suddenly, Lucas felt more afraid than ever. What would they find there? What was so wonderful about this place, created by a monster, that everyone in Tazmilly wanted to LIVE there?

OoooOoooOoooO

Ness made the first move. His trusty baseball bat swung hard. Lucas was sent flying.

OoooOoooOoooO

Lucas is guarding!

But nothing happened…

OoooOoooOoooO

Lucas was normally quick to guard against his attacks.

Maybe he was just having an off day?

But some small part of Ness knew something was seriously wrong.

OoooOoooOoooO

-And suddenly, Claus was there.

He heard the words but wasn't aware of his lips moving.

OoooOoooOoooO

"PSI Counter!"

OoooOoooOoooO

Lucas used PSI Counter!

But nothing happened…

OoooOoooOoooO

The Smash Ball floated onto the stage, but Ness ignored it in favor of something else.

The lights dimmed for a split second, and when they came back on, they revealed something he'd never seen.

Lucas just stood there, staring at it, looking but not seeing.

OoooOoooOoooO

The Ultimate Chimera bore down, its mouth open. Its teeth were sharp, dripping red. Rust?

Blood.

Lucas ran away from it, and in the distance, he could hear it bang-bang-banging behind him, following his scent and the sound of his pitter-patting feet.

OoooOoooOoooO

"Lucas! MOVE!"

Even though it wouldn't kill him, it'd still be pretty cheap if he just let it attack his opponent.

OoooOoooOoooO

The elevator was stuck. The doors ripped open, and the Ultimate Chimera's mouth was wide open, just waiting for something to crawl inside it. Yellow teeth, dripping with a mix of saliva and blood, open wide, coming closer, closer, menacing…

Lucas used PK Love ą!

But nothing happened…

OoooOoooOoooO

Ness forfeited the match.

Now he and Lucas stood in the training room.

"Lucas…? Hey…Are you okay?"

The blond was unresponsive.

Ness poked him.

"H-Hey! Lucas…! Answer me!"

"…Claus…?"

'Claus'? Who the heck was that?!

Lucas began mumbling incoherently, and Ness decided he needed to get help.

OoooOoooOoooO

Zelda was able to help Lucas come out of…whatever funk he'd gotten himself into. Ness had no idea what she did, though. She'd just ushered him out of the room, telling him to keep any other smashers from getting in while she helped Lucas.

Now they were asleep in their shared room in the mansion.

"Ness…? Are you awake?"

They should've been asleep.

"Yeah…what is it?"

"It's…well…about today…I'm sorry, Ness. I really am. If I hadn't-"

"'s not your fault, Lucas. Don't apologies. Just…go to sleep."

"….Okay. Good night, Ness…"

"Good night, Lucas…"