FARORE CLASS: MATCH THREE
Midday had come to pass on the Shattered Mast Keys, and with it came that same blazing tropical heat that kept guests in the shade all day yesterday. The cloud cover that had governed the earliest dayâs match had given way to bright, clear skies, and nary a cloud provided shade for fighter nor spectator alike from the sun.
Half an hour had passed since the end of the last match; roughly half of that time had involved S.M.A.S.H. Event Coordinators slowly persuading its latest victor to move his showboating duff off the Arena. Vukâs portrait had officially replaced Chanticleerâs on the Farore Class wall, and the pair of torches around the Marked Oneâs own had been ceremonially snuffed to mark his elimination from the tournament.Â
With half of the Farore Class semifinalists now determined, a short break had been issued to give everyone a breather. The glee of seeing two flash-stepping, teleporting participants sparring off against one another had petered off, and an air of anticipation rose to rise as spectators returned to their seats. Visitors were already clutching merchandise starring the latest victors in their hands, and tykes were already bashing tattered dolls with hastened facsimiles of Balaliâs hat into suspiciously well-finished peacock statuary. Similarly, banana smoothies were flying off counters, being purchased by the pint despite the efforts of those Perfectly Normal Hylians trying to hoard them from consumption in the back. To their eternal chagrin, the sounds of jingling rupees were too enticing to their opportunistic brethren.
As guests returned to their seats, S.M.A.S.H.âs reigning announcer finished off his own drink (a mixture of honey, ginger, and lemon). Rising from his seat where he had been conversing with Chell, he rolled his eyes at the distant cat-calling from a certain separate Din-class warrior and took to the skies, alerting fans and fighters alike to his presence. They pointed and cheered, bringing everyoneâs attention toward him in ways that even his own bellicose voice could not.
âHOW! ARE! YOU ALL! DOIIIIIIIIING!â he bellowed, most assuredly causing seafarers around the islands to look quizzically in their direction. âARE YOU READY FOR MORE! FARORE! FIGHTING?!â
The answering roar probably earned a triple-take from the high seas all around.Â
Rather than take his place along the dais as usual, Ruidoso reached for his mallets mid-flight and hurled them at the ceremonial kettle drum beneath him. They hit their target with perfect synchronicity, bouncing back directly over it and landing once more for a strongly syncopated rhythm. The fires about the Farore Class tournament wallâs fifth and sixth portraits blazed ever higher in response, indicating the latest pair of fighters who had approached the arena.
âLetâs start our afternoon with some more rook-tastic fun, shall we?â Ruidioso continued, turning about mid-glide to mimic relaxing in a barcalounger. âAfter all, one of the entrants for Nayru Class had never once stepped foot in Shattered Mastâs venerated arena before! And yet - AND YET! Their hunger for excellence brought them within spitting distance of the Championship itself!â
The crowdâs reaction was certainly evidence of this: cheers erupted across the Amphitheaterâs seats, with guests tucking limbs into their sleeves and pumping their others in support of their new Nayru-class competitor.
âAnd just who is our latest Rookie of the Weight Class?â Ruidoso asked. âWell, FEAST your eyes upon this entrant from Lurelin itself: our FIRST Gerudo to have a go at the S.M.A.S.H. Trophy this year! Donât let her inexperience in the ring fool you: this proud warrior has an expertâs license in crowd control, and knows how to rake in the heaviest of lunkers! Distinguished guests of the Shattered Mast Keys allow me the honor of debuting the latest hero to join our ranks: the Geru-dame, of Lurelin Fame, IFORAAAAAAAAAAA!â @songs-of-the-windfish
âIfora will have her work cut out, thoughâŚfor her first opponent is SURE to put even the WILDEST of her fish stories to shame! Yes, competing against Ifora is an old favorite of the S.M.A.S.H. Roster - for the bookies, if no one else!â
There was some slightly less enthusiastic cheering for the second figure, though a merry ripple of laughter coursed through the more businesslike of the fans among the audience. Clearly, someoneâs win/loss reputation had preceded him.
âBut donât expect an easy win for either of these two, for Iâve got it on good authority that THIS old boyâs been on a training mission from hell! Yes, our boy here knows how to take a hit - and heâs more ready to duke it out than ever! Shattered Mast, wonât you please give a proper Heroâs Welcome to the indomitable, inCOMPorable, Mr. Perfect Powerhouse himself, EEEEESIIIIIIIIIS?!â @gargoylesister
âThe fighters have approached, the scene is set! The sun is BLAZING hot - though not NEARLY as hot as the fire in THESE WARRIORâS HEARTS! Get ready for a SCORCHING battle between these two, as they duke it out for their place in the Farore Class Semifinals, starting in THREEâŚâ
âLETâS GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEEEEEEEE!â
Ifora vs. Esis: Who Will Triumph!
Voting ended onMay 14
Special note: At the request of gargoylesister, they would love if Esis could keep his losing streak!
Our goal is to present each character as best as we can, and to show off each player's characters in their best light - even in defeat. Keep this in mind as you vote!