In a warm wooden cabin, a teenage girl with spiky pink hair, a deep blue dress, and magenta boots paced back and forth anxiously across the floor. "This whole thing's stupid," she muttered, crossing her arms tightly across her chest.

A younger boy with thick blond hair styled up to a point, a yellow and red striped shirt, and denim shorts fidgeted on the floor nearby, gazing at the floor with nervous sapphire eyes. A fluffy brown dog scurried up to him, pushing his black nose comfortingly against the boy's shoulder. "Kumatora, I really think it'll be okay, this came from the people in charge, they wouldn't-"

Emerald eyes flashing, the girl snapped, "If it came from the people in charge, they'd know what kinda bullcrap you've been through and how a - a fighting club is the last thing you need!"

Slumped in the corner was an older man, exuding an air of scruffiness with untrimmed brunette locks, light facial hair, a crumpled blue shirt, salmon-colored pants, and scuffed leather boots. His thin shoulders rose and fell in a shrug. "I dunno, Kuma, how bad can it be? They said in the letter that they're not gonna put him anywhere lethal and that everything is purely for Lucas' benefit."

The girl, Kumatora, faced the man with an incredulous look on her face. "Are you seriously believing this crap?" she asked.

The man's otherwise lax face hardened slightly. "Look, I don't normally go around trusting random strangers either, but Flint confirmed that this does come straight from the makers. If we can trust any strangers at all, it's them."

Kumatora's face scrunched up in frustration, but she only huffed and continued pacing. A light knock on the nearby door frame brought the group's attention over to a newcomer, an adult man with his face overshadowed by a leather cowboy hat, wearing matching leather vest and pants, a yellow button-up shirt, and a red scarf. A trimmed beard and moustache framed his angular, mature face and set him apart as the oldest person in the room.

"Lucas?" he said softly, his scratchy voice quiet. "It's about time to go."

A tense silence filled the room for the few seconds no one said anything. Finally, looking down, Lucas moved to get up off the floor when Kumatora said, "Kay, y'know what? If you're absolutely set on doing this, then lemme help you one more time."

Lucas shot the pink-haired girl a bewildered look. "But you've already taught me all the offensive PSI you know," he pointed out.

"Not everything," she said emphatically, heading out the door that the older man, Flint, stood and pushed her way around him. Lucas was quick to jog after her while Duster and Flint exchanged a confused look.

"I thought we established you couldn't teach me Ground, though," Lucas pointed out, slowing down to avoid running into the other psychic, who had stopped just outside the little cabin. "That one's exclusive to you, remember?"

"I'm not gonna teach you Ground," she said cryptically. She whirled around to face him with a slight, disconcerting grin. "I'm gonna teach you Starstorm."

Lucas stopped dead at that, blue eyes wide. "Starstorm?! Can you even do that?"

Kumatora shrugged. "Ionia taught me, I don't see why you can't learn. Besides, what's the worst that could happen?"

"I could die!" Lucas shouted emphatically. The dog Boney, Flint, and Duster, wandered outside to where the two psychics were, though they kept a fair distance away.

The pink-haired girl waved her hand dismissively. "Don't be so melodramatic. I know Lifeup Beta, you'll be fine." She hesitated for a moment, then continued in a quieter voice, "Although, if you really don't want to do this... I won't force you. I know it's scary..."

Lucas took a deep breath, letting his shoulders relax. "No. I trust you." His big blue eyes peered up at her. "Let's do this."

Grinning half in joy and half in anxiety, Kumatora lined square up with Lucas and faced him fully, a few feet of distance between them. She closed her emerald eyes and made a strange, specific gesture with her hands, slowly swinging them out and then pulling them in towards her body. Raising them above her head like she was about to perform a yoga move, Kumatora suddenly thrust them towards the ground and, despite the clear sky, an enormous bolt of lightning struck Lucas. Flint and Duster shouted in shock and ran to Lucas as he rolled limply across the grass. Kumatora cursed under her breath and sprinted towards the blond as well.

"Lucas! Are you okay?!" Flint shouted, kneeling down next to his son. Twitching slightly, Lucas rolled over with a groan, clutching his head.

"Oh, thank the Dragon he's alive," Duster breathed, before shooting Kumatora a dirty look. She scowled right back, sticking her tongue out.

"I'm... okay..." Lucas muttered, rolling onto his stomach and attempting to get up. Halfway up, he stopped and stared at the ground with wide eyes, as though he'd had a major revelation.

"Did it work?" Kumatora asked excitedly, kneeling down next to him as well. "It looks like it worked. Do you know Starstorm now?"

"I..." Lucas cupped the side of his head lightly. "Yeah. It worked." Kumatora pumped her fist in triumph while Duster just sighed tiredly.

"Well... I may not understand everything you and the princess do," Flint said gruffly, "but I do know it's time for you to go. The portal or whatever it is should be opening any minute now." Lucas pushed himself up off the ground and brushed the dirt off his denim shorts. He gave everyone in the group a hug, even Boney, who whimpered sadly, before straightening once more.

"Well..." he said quietly. "Guess I'm headed out now."

"You got everything?" Flint asked, standing up as well. "Food, extra clothes, DP..." Lucas nodded. He could tell his father was just stalling for time, and he couldn't help but agree. Some part of him would always want to stay here, with his friends and only remaining family. But people never learned, never grew, from sticking to the usual and familiar...

"Y'know, Kuma gave you a last-minute gift - I'm gonna give you one, too," Duster said abruptly, reaching behind him into his inventory. Lucas stared curiously until a familiar pink-red creature came into sight. "I know Rope Snake usually sticks with me, but I'm not really planning on going anywhere soon and... you never know when he might be useful," the thief offered, holding the stout little snake out towards Lucas.

"I'm gonna hang out with Lucas now?" Rope Snake inquired. "Cool. Let's get goin', little buddy." He slithered across Duster's outstretched arm and into Lucas' smaller hands, before being tucked into the blond's inventory.

"Thank you, Duster," Lucas whispered, giving the man one last tight hug. With a comforting pat, the two parted and Lucas faced his father. "I'll write often," he promised. "Tell you guys about everything I'm up to, okay?"

Flint nodded mutely and adjusted his hat. "I may not know exactly what you three were up to," the man said, "but I know you're much stronger now than you were three years ago. I know you can handle whatever life throws at you." Lucas' heart swelled with joy, hearing his father compliment him. Flint was not usually one for open affection, making the tender moments like this all the more special. One more hug for everyone, an umpteenth check to his inventory, and then Lucas was off to the designated meeting point to join the world of the Super Smash Bros.