AN: So like the description stated, this is a spinoff from the FRtR saga, with this story taking place just after Broken and Fragile (like, a week or so after). Basically, all the information you need to know about this story can be found in chapter 27 of From Rivalry to Romance, and other than that no other knowledge of the series is really needed because this is focusing more on the side characters than Mario and Sonic (though they still play a role in this story).

Also, this story's going to be super short, like maybe four, five chapters at the most. It may not even hit the 10k mark. Basically, it just serves as a way to introduce the characters back into the canon (and bide my time as I outline the next part of the saga). I hope you all enjoy it.

~You're Here~

/~/

~Chapter One: New and Old Alike~

"So how many new fighters did Master Hand say were arriving today?" Samus asked Mario as they stood in front of the fountain in the pavilion just outside the mansion waiting for what was assumed to be the last batch of Smashers to arrive. Behind them in the mansion several Smashers had gathered at the windows, curious to see who would be arriving.

"I know for sure that Daisy is coming," Mario answered. "As for the rest, I have no idea. All Master Hand said was to be prepared."

The crunch of tires on gravel alerted Mario and Samus that the bus had arrived, and exchanging a grin they stepped forward to greet the newcomers. Except the first two Smashers off the bus weren't newcomers at all, rather veterans from Melee and Brawl who had finally made their return at last.

"Nana! Popo!" a voice from behind Mario and Samus cried, and the two turned to see that Ness had raced out of the mansion, barreling past them both to give the Ice Climbers a hug. Lucas and Toon Link followed suit shortly after, with the Villagers joining the other children after a moment resulting in a group hug of very excitable children that immediately ran off to play in the backyard. Mario smiled at the heartwarming sight before he turned his gaze towards the bus again where someone else very familiar was stepping off. And if Ness' reaction was any indication then that meant...

A white streak and blue blur zipped past Mario, excited shouts of "Red!" coming from both of them. Red laughed as Pit tackled him in a hug and Sonic clapped him on the shoulder.

"It's so great to see you again!" Pit cried. "There's so much you need to catch up on, I have to introduce you to Lady Palutena and Pittoo and Mega Man! You have to meet Mega Man!"

"It's good to see you again, man." Sonic added. "The mansion hasn't been the same without you."

"Speaking of introductions..." Red began. "There's someone I'd like you to meet." he turned towards the bus where a girl with brown hair and eyes was stepping off, looking slightly nervous. Following her off the bus was a Pikachu with a heart shaped tail and a Pichu who both saw the Pikachu currently living at the mansion and scampered over. "Pit, Sonic, this is Leaf, a Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town just like me." Red introduced. Leaf giggled and waved.

"It's nice to meet you," she greeted before frowning down at a watch on her wrist. "Red, my Pokéch isn't picking up a signal."

"Oh yeah, interdimensional communication isn't possible unless you go to Master Hand." Sonic piped up, and Leaf's eyes widened in horror.

"B-But I promised Kris and Lyra I'd let them know I got here safely!" she fretted, wringing her hands.

"Hey, it's okay," Red reassured the younger girl. "Hey Pit, do you mind taking Leaf to Master Hand's office?"

"No problem!" Pit chirped, motioning for Leaf to follow him. Once they were out of earshot Sonic ribbed Red.

"So... is she your girlfriend?" he teased, while Red rolled his eyes.

"How many times do I need to tell you that I'm not interested in romance and never will be?" he questioned. Sonic simply put his hands up in defense.

"Hey, I'm just checkin'." he chuckled before his eyes focused on the bus again where a familiar auburn-haired princess was stepping off, a wide grin on her face.

"I'm finally here!" she announced, her grin stretching wider as Luigi exited the mansion and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Hey sweetie." she murmured affectionately before they broke and Luigi took Daisy's hand, leading her into the mansion.

"Mario!"

Mario gasped as an entity that resembled a top hat floated off the bus. "Cappy!" he exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm gonna help you in battle!" Cappy proudly declared before he dived into Mario's cap, his eyes appearing where the 'M' on Mario's hat had been.

"It's good to have you back, Cappy," Mario laughed. "With you by my side, I know I've got nothing to worry about."

"Mario." Samus ribbed Mario, pointing towards the bus. "It's Wolf."

Wolf stalked off the bus, snarling at those around him before heading to the mansion, presumably to find Ganondorf and Bowser.

"Good to see he's as pleasant as ever," Sonic dryly commented from behind them, still outside with Red. "I bet Fox an' Falco will be just thrilled that he's back."

"He makes an alright drinking buddy under the right circumstances." Samus pointed out as she turned her eyes back to the bus, noticing that there were still a couple of passengers that had yet to step off.

"I wonder who's left." Mario hummed as the silhouette of a boy could be seen through the windows of the bus, slowly making his way to the door. He then sucked in a breath and his hand went to his mouth, it couldn't be... how...?

"Young Link?" Samus whispered, her voice a mix of shock and curiosity. The young Hero of Hyrule eyed his fellow Smashers, clearly nervous, especially when he made eye contact with Mario who looked like he was on the verge of crying. A small blue fairy bobbed next to Young Link's head, and without a word the two began to head into the mansion while Mario and Samus stared after him in shock.

"He's alive..." Mario finally managed to stutter. "But... I..."

"I know..." Samus numbly mumbled. "How...?"

"Guys..." Sonic piped up. "That's not the only weird thing happening at the Smash Mansion today."

Samus and Mario turned back towards the bus and this time it was Samus to have a strong reaction as... "Snake."

Even though it was supposed to be impossible as they'd all attended his funeral, here he was in front of them no worse for wear. Sonic and Red looking on in shock as Pit fluttered up next to them with a, "Hey, what did I-" before cutting himself short as he spied Snake, blinking multiple times as if his eyes were playing tricks on him. "-miss." he finished in a quieter tone, glancing between Samus and Snake while his wings drooped. Sure, he was glad if not a bit confused that Snake was alive, but it probably meant...

A loud, almost demonic sounding screech halted any chance of having a conversation and Samus went rigid, her head snapping up towards the sky with narrowed eyes. It couldn't be...

"Ridley...?"

The dragon in question circled above the mansion for a moment before swooping down, his nails lightly raking across the top of the bus. He landed in the pavilion with a loud cry that caused everyone to cover their ears before he made eye contact with Samus, a sadistic grin on his face as he held an envelope in his claw.

And it was at that point Samus decided she'd had enough. Young Link, Snake, and now Ridley... she couldn't deal with all of those things at once. Without a word she marched off, ignoring the fact that she had duties to attend to like showing Leaf, the female Pikachu and Daisy around.

A cigarette sounded great right about now.

/~/

"So how the hell are you alive?" Sonic questioned Snake after Samus had unceremoniously left the group. "We attended your funeral, you have a tombstone out in the back garden!"

"I never reveal my secrets," Snake answered cryptically, before turning towards Mario who was looking back towards the mansion where most of the others had disappeared. "You looking for someone, plumber-boy?"

"Young Link..." Mario replied, and Sonic's heart sank as he knew how difficult the death had affected him. Snake, not knowing the story, simply shrugged and wandered into the mansion leaving Mario and Sonic alone in the pavilion.

"Someone needs to tell Sheik and Roy." Mario mumbled.

"I can do that." Sonic offered, but Mario shook his head.

"You're not even supposed to know about what happened with Young Link. I don't want to risk things even more."

Sonic opened his mouth to say otherwise, but Mega Man came running out the doors of the mansion. "Mario! Master Hand needs us for something!"

Mario looked between Mega Man and Sonic before he sighed and nodded towards Sonic. "Go tell them then. They're good people, they won't report you."

"On it." Sonic murmured before disappearing in a blue streak. Mario glanced after Sonic before looking at Mega Man.

"So what does Master Hand need us for?"

"He needs you to do a check-up on one of the new Smashers, and he needs me to translate what he's saying. Ridley, I think was what Master Hand said his name was?"

Mario froze up, he'd heard stories from Samus about what Ridley was capable of, how he'd murdered her parents and singlehandedly caused her a lifetime of trauma. But he was at the Smash Mansion, surely he wouldn't go so far to hurt another Smasher...

...Right?

Ignoring the uncomfortable pit in his stomach, he gestured Mega Man towards the mansion. "Lead the way." he said, hoping Mega Man didn't notice the fact that his voice cracked a little on the last word of his sentence.