Origins: King. K Rool

A message from the Red Squirrel Kingdom sire, they are in possession of The Smash Core. And they've summoned us.

King Karnivorous Rool, ruler of the Kremlings played that moment over and over again in his head

Has it truly come to that thought the monarch

Sharing the same world as The Kremlings, The Kongs, The Mushroom Kingdom, Yoshi Island, the northern Snowmad tribe, among others, The Red Squirrel Kingdom, named that for the king who took it over in a violent coup, Conker had kept a relatively low profile. The coup had taken place nearly a decade ago, around the same time K. Rool attempted to blow up Kong Island with the Blast-o-Matic Since then, the Kremlings had kept a relatively low profile, relying mostly upon spy networks to determine the exact time a violent resurgence was appropriate. All the reports on Conker the Red Squirrel had said more or less the same thing. Something had happened during the course of the coup that had changed Conker from a happy-go-lucky sort, how he was when he first appeared on anyone's radar as a friend of Diddy Kong's, to a morose, cynical sort, to the point even Diddy Kong, once a treasured friend, could not break through to him. However, as he was not violating the rights of his people or being disrespectful of any treaties, he was of no concern to anyone.

But, thought, that might have changed now, for the absolute worse

"Sire, we're here, the ambassador awaits." Krunch, one of 's most trusted spies, and someone who had had dealings with Conker before, announced

"Good. Krunch, form up on me. The rest of you, two in front, two behind."

A simultaneous salute followed, and crunch, as well as four Kremlings carrying muskets at their sides, formed up on the portly dictator as they exited the landing craft. The ambassador, as it turned out, was a turtle, who beemed at the sight of them,

"Ah! Krunch, welcome to our humble kingdom!" he said in an overly jovial tone

"Tiptup? You're the ambassador?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be buddy? Other than you, Diddy and Banjo, we all ended up in the high court somewhere after Conker took over. The greatest thing that happened to any of us I'll say!"

Krunch silently nodded, "This is his Royal Nastiness of the Kremling tribe, King Karnivorus Rool. The bodyguards are simply a precaution. You understand don't you Tiptup?"

Tiptup cast his sights at the grown briefly before snapping back to attention, "Yeah buddy, totally!"

As Tiptup lead the entourage through the wooded path to the castle, King K Rool didn't like what he had seen already. Using someone a high ranking Kremling had had interactions with in the past as the greeter wasn't an accident. Plus, the overly friendly attitude was likely one presented to butter up and soften him into trusting whatever deal was to take place. took this as a personal insult. He had been a ruler for decades now. He knew to trust his fellow ruler only when it was beneficial, no more no less.

Finally, after what seemed like half an hour, they arrived at the dank looking castle. No doubt a holdover from the previous coup, but intimidating nonetheless."

"The throne room is just a bit of a walk from here! Thanks for being patient Mr. Rool"

Rool went to say something, but Krush, knowing that now wasn't the time for any outburst, put a hand on his king's shoulder. Rool nodded to him as they walked through the castle. The castle's interior was mostly dark. The only torch lights seemed to coincide with paintings of Conker and a rather buxom, fit grey squirrel, seductively splayed across Conker in all the paintings in workout clothes that barely covered anything.

It was then that Krunch whispered something into Rool's ear, "His dead girlfriend."

The king scanned the paintings one last time before they went to the throne room. Conker's eyes were a dead, angry stare out into the world

It dawned on him These were recent.

The doors to the throne room swung open, and immediately, Krunch pulled backward, and the front-most bodyguards took aim. Finally, after he regained his bearings, the king saw the commotion,

Sitting at one throne was Conker, draped in the cape of the deceased Panther King, while the white squirrel from the paintings was in another throne, also draped in similar garb. Standing next to Conker was a ghastly, portly green woman in a witches outfit, sneering at the new guests. Standing next to the female squirrel was a tall pig creature in a black cape.

"Wizpig? Gruntilda? What trickery is this?" demanded The King

"Ah ah ah. Lower your weapons boys, they're an important piece of this shindig." Conker said

Rool took note. His voice was cool, calm, collected. Almost too cool.
This is the tone you want? Fine, I don't want a skirmish here thought the crocodile king

Rool motioned for the Kremlings to lower their weapons, and so they did

"Your attendance is your pleasure. For your allegiance shall be measured" Gruntilda cackled

"What does she mean Conker?" asked the King of Kremlings

Conker motioned for an attendant to come forward. The squirrel did, with a metal briefcase

"Ya see Rooly Boy, this lovely lady to my right is my squeeze, Berri. Until a week ago, she was dead. How did I get 'er back you ask? With the marvelous doohickey in this here briefcase."

"The Smash Core I take it?"

"Yessiree!" Conker squeaked, pausing to burp, "That's how I got these magic mothas back too. See, there'll people all over this damn universe who've made mistakes. I know you've made quite a few . And why because you want a plentiful land for your Kremling subjects. We can rewrite anything, everything, undo any mistakes. And wipe away heroes who stand in our way. Not just here, but anywhere. Everywhere.

Silence hung in the air, Then….

"I need to think about it."

"Pal, this is a golden opportunity yer missin…"

"I don't consider this a missed opportunity. I consider this a plan that has the potential to go toxic, and quickly"

Conker growled "The thing with toxicity buddy, is that some people have the antidote for this kinda shit, some don't. Show me which one you are " snarled Conker. Berri shifted in her seat and smiled impishly

"Similarly" The King of Kremlings began, " Show you're competent enough to hold such a power and attain such leadership, and perhaps I will be on board"

"You know what? You're playing it safe. You're a good ruler kid."

"Kid?" asked Krunch, "This is the Royal Highness of…."

"Nah nah, Krunch is it? I'm just funning around. Know what else is gonna be fun? Getting the team together. Any heavy hitter with a motive of taking over's gonna be in. Make sure you're on the right side of this m'friend."

More silence then.

"This meeting is what I considered adjourned. I'll be watching very closely" warned, as his entourage took to leave. noticed that Conker and Berri didn't even wait for them to leave before they began to make out, Berri having climbed into Conker's thrown. pondered this as the door shut behind them

Back at the carrier boat

"So Krunch, what did you glean from that?" asked The King of Kremlings

"Well, the reports are right, he's definitely changed since I knew him. But he's a little man with a big gun. Desperate to prove he's going to be the perfect, most powerful ruler."

"Indeed. When we get back to the submarine, set a course for Kong Island. We need to have a conversation with someone."

Krunch's eyes went wide, "Really? Tip your hat this early?"

"Yes. I see a lot of the same flaws in Conker's plan that a decade of hindsight has shown me about the Blast-o-Matic idea years ago. Between scorched earth and taking the status quo, I choose the latter."

Rool turned to a subordinate managing communications

"You! Tell our eyes in the Red Squirrel Kingdom to dig up any information you can about Conker's Smash Core plans."

"Aye aye sir"

At Kong Island several hours later

The sun had just set over Kong Island. In the house of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong, a Smash Brothers commercial had just aired. Donkey Kong had turned off the TV so the two could make their evening meal when suddenly Diddy spoke up.

"Didya hear that DK?"

"Yeah, it sounded like a submarine"

Several pairs of heavy feet stomped towards the house, then a familiar voice rang out, "Donkey Kong!"

"IT'S HIM!" screeched Diddy as he and DK immediately bolted out the door, Diddy loading his peanut gun as he went

Sure enough, the King of Kremlings was standing right there, along with several soldiers,

"Before we engage in combat, take control of the limited ability you have to process what I'm saying! The Red Squirrel Kingdom has the Smash Core"

This stopped the Kongs right in their tracks.

"I was just summoned to their castle earlier in the day, and I believe he has intentions to build an army of multiple dimensions to take over ours. I believe this might be a job for the Smash Brothers, and I believe I can be of assistance"

"Okay" Donkey Kong huffed, "We'll call the Smashers. But if you're out of line for even a second, you'll get pummeled by me"

"I would expect nothing les.s"

Suddenly, a Kremling from the submarine came running back

"SIRE! Our eyes in the Red Squirrel Kingdom reported back. Conker's already been shopping around, clearly has some ideas of who he's going to recruit and how"

"Excellent. Pull the spy out immediately, and have him report to Kong Island," he said, turned to the Kongs, "And I expect we can leave for the Smashverse then?"

"Yeah." huffed an unimpressed DK .

"Don't worry DK, I've got the portal generator right here!" Diddy squeaked, punching in the coordinates necessary.

Later

Night had fallen, and , the spy, and his entourage headed through the portal. It was day wherever they were, and they stood in the middle of a garden. Built into the wall of the garden were places for ornately drawn banners of Smashers past and present. noticed a banner dedicated to him, but before he could open his mouth, a computerized voice spoke out.

"Shulk anticipated your coming, and Mewtwo ascertained why."

The owner of the voice was a rustic white robot, who recognized immediately.

"Ah. You must be ROB the Robot. Your story, being the nomadic last of your kind is a story that has resonated with my people"

"I appreciate that very much" the voice, belonging to ROB, spoke out

A brown hunting dog with an oddly colored bird on its back scampered up to where they were

"Well, howdy stranger! My name's Otis, and my buddy here's named Mikey. We'll take the sneaky one with the computer doohickey to our archives room so we can get git started" said the cheery dog.

As the dog and the spy went off in a different direction, ROB spoke "Facial analysis indicates confusion, your highness. We had already begun to begin recruitment for the tournament, however, your revelation means our recruitment plans must change. Using what we will eventually learn, we will base our recruitment around this."

"Ah. I see,"
"For now, I will show you to where you will be living for the duration. The Smashverse, where we reside, exists out of what you perceive to be time-space, so we will drop you off at the exact moment you left when our business is concluded. The tournament will begin as soon as everyone is recruited. Our veterans have already begun recruiting.

breathed in as he and his entourage moved forward into the unknown. The air was robustly clean, and not stinging with salt water as he was used to. As the relaxing ethos of this new world took him over, wondered what was in store, and most of all, if he had made the correct choice.