Chapter Text
The pursuit of knowledge is one of humanity's most fundamental aspirations. Since ancient times, it has driven civilizations to explore the world, ask questions, and develop methods to understand reality. This pursuit takes many forms—from individual curiosity to the collective work of science, philosophy, art, and spirituality. At its core, it is an attempt to make sense of existence, to discover how the universe works, and to find our place within it.
This desire to know not only transforms the world around us, but also the one who seeks. Through knowledge, people develop critical thinking, empathy, and a deeper awareness of their interdependence with others and with the natural world. However, it also comes with ethical challenges and responsibilities, as knowledge used wrongly can lead to negative consequences. Thus, the pursuit of knowledge is not merely an intellectual activity, but a deeply human process that defines our evolution and that shapes the future.
...Okay, that was way too philosophical for an intro that was just supposed to say Isabelle is investigating something again.
This time, the Animal Crossing secretary's curiosity has led her to wonder which swordsman on the roster has the most powerful sword. There are 20 swordfighters in total, all highly skilled, but Isabelle wasn’t interested in knowing who the strongest was—at least not for now—she wanted to know which of them had the best sword in Smash Bros. The strongest one. The one that makes all the other swords look like a badly told joke.
"Okay... let's see... how can I ask these guys to let me examine their swords without them wanting to kill me?" the little dog murmured to herself. "I know I’m adorable, but puppy-dog eyes won’t work on everyone. Maybe I should ask someone else to help me?"
Just after saying that, she heard someone whistling while passing down the hall. Isabelle poked her head out and saw Sonic walking by, humming to himself and casually tossing a ring into the air every so often.
"Sonic!" she called out, suddenly stepping in front of him. "I need your help—it's urgent!"
The hedgehog stopped, catching the ring in his palm, where it immediately vanished like a ring from his world.
"My help?" he asked, crossing his arms. "You’re doing another one of your weird investigations, aren’t you?"
"They’re not weird!" Isabelle puffed out her cheeks for a second before focusing again. "But yes, I’m investigating something. I want to know who has the best sword on the roster."
Upon hearing that, Sonic’s eyes widened like saucers, and he suddenly covered his mouth with one hand, his shoulders already shaking as he tried to hold back his laughter—though his teary eyes didn’t help.
Isabelle tilted her head, confused by his reaction... but the moment she realized what she had said and how she’d said it, her entire face turned beet red.
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!!" she shouted, half-embarrassed, half-angry, hiding her face behind her clipboard.
Sonic couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into laughter, falling backwards onto the floor and laughing uncontrollably.
He rolled on the floor, clutching his stomach as his laughter echoed through the hallway. A few fighters passing by looked on curiously, but upon seeing that it was "another Isabelle thing," they just kept walking, used to her peculiar investigations by now.
"The best sword on the roster!" Sonic repeated between laughs, still on the ground. "Isabelle, for the love of chaos, you really need to work on how you phrase things!"
The little dog, completely red-faced, stared at the ground, wishing it would open up and swallow her whole. After a few seconds, she sighed in defeat and lightly tapped the floor with her clipboard.
"Forget it... asking you for help was a bad idea."
Sonic sat up with one last laugh and gave her a friendly pat on the head.
"Nah, don’t be like that. I think it sounds fun. Besides, I gotta admit—now I wanna know which sword is the most busted in the roster too. If I can’t have one—since apparently I got banned last time I wielded one—I can at least brag that I held the best one in my hands."
"Does that mean you'll help me?" asked Isabelle, her eyes sparkling again.
"Sure, why not?" Sonic stretched his arms with a yawn and smiled. "You’re gonna need the help anyway. Some of the folks around here won’t just hand it over for nothing. But don’t worry—I’ll handle it."
They decided to go in roster order, visiting the swordfighters one by one. And first on the list was Link, who just so happened to be in the training yard, firing blue beams of light from the Master Sword at several training dummies.
"Good afternoon, Triforce-less Link," Sonic called out, making Link turn around to see the hedgehog approaching with Isabelle. "Have you already failed, or did we make it just in time to witness it?"
"You decide," said Link, pointing the tip of his sword at a massive pile of defeated dummies—one of them toppling off the stack because it was so tall.
Isabelle's eyes widened in awe, while Sonic let out a low whistle.
"Nice aim, little knight. No wonder they call you the 'Hero of the Wild.' Anyway. Isabelle here is doing research on..." Sonic paused, seeing Isabelle glaring daggers at him, and carefully chose his next words, "...which Smash swordsman has the most powerful sword. That’s why we want you to lend us yours for comparison."
Link raised an eyebrow at that.
"You want to study the Master Sword?" he asked Isabelle. "This is no ordinary blade. It was forged by the Goddess Hylia and holds a sacred power that can harm anyone unworthy of wielding it. Not to mention, its strength is capable of banishing darkness and—"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know the lore. Magic sword made by a Goddess who clearly doesn’t love you that much if she keeps letting you go through hell every time you reincarnate," said Sonic, waving his hand dismissively. "We just want to take notes and compare it to the others. Not put it in a museum."
"It’ll be a quick check, I swear!" Isabelle smiled. "Just knowing its weight, size, and reach would be more than enough for me."
Link still looked a bit skeptical about the idea, narrowing his eyes. However, he knew Isabelle well enough to realize that she'd find a way to get the data anyway—even if it meant forcing it—and he had long since learned never to underestimate an opponent based on appearances.
"...Fine, but make it quick," said the Hylian, extending his sword.
"Thanks, much appreciated!" said Sonic, taking the Master Sword in his hands and immediately feeling a jolt of electricity run through his body. "Okay... that was weird... Looks like the sword reacts defensively to anyone who's not its wielder."
"I warned you," said Link, arms crossed, while Isabelle jotted down everything Sonic said.
"As for the weight... I’d say it feels like holding two normal swords in one hand," Sonic continued describing, while Isabelle kept writing. The hedgehog then moved the sword a little, performing a few slashes before pausing. "As for reach, I’d say it can take off heads with a single spin..."
"Hmm, you're not too far off," Link shrugged.
"As long as it's bokoblin heads, I won’t question a thing," said Sonic, finally handing the Master Sword back to Link.
"Alright... that should be enough," said Isabelle. She then smiled at Link and wagged her tail. "Thanks, Link! Come on, Sonic. Let’s go ask someone else."
Link simply watched them walk away as he resumed his training, sending another beam of sacred light from the Master Sword at a new target, which fell with ease.
Next on the list was Marth, who was quietly reading in the library—at least until Sonic and Isabelle approached him.
"You want to analyze Falchion?" asked the prince of Altea. "I don’t quite understand why."
"Isabelle wants to figure out who has the most broken sword on the roster, so we’re taking it step by step," explained Sonic, extending his hand. "Don’t worry, it'll be a quick check."
Marth still looked a bit skeptical but eventually gave in, drawing his Falchion and handing it to Sonic.
Sonic held Falchion with a certain respect, gently tilting it under the library light and watching the silver gleam reflect off the blade.
"Hmm... you can tell this sword has passed through generations," he commented, making a few swift slashes through the air. "It’s not as heavy as the Master Sword, but it definitely feels like it has a will of its own."
"That’s because it does," Marth clarified, his tone polite but serious. "Falchion was forged by the goddess Naga and can only be wielded by those with royal blood from her lineage. It’s a sacred sword that can wound dragons and impure beings. It’s not just a sharp blade—it’s a legacy."
"Well, at least it’s not electrocuting me like the other one," said Sonic, carefully twisting the hilt. "Though I get the weird feeling it’s judging me. Is it just me, or is this thing staring into my soul?"
"It’s definitely judging you," murmured Isabelle while taking notes. "And what about its reach?"
"A bit shorter than Link’s," Sonic replied, extending it in front of him. "But it makes up for it with precision. And the whole dragon-slaying thing... that adds a lot of points."
Marth nodded with a slight smile, satisfied with the assessment. Sonic handed the sword back and gave him a playful wink.
"Thanks, Your Highness. Two powerful swords analyzed and no explosions. We’re off to a great start."
Isabelle closed her clipboard for a moment and wagged her tail excitedly.
"This is going wonderfully! If we keep this up, I’ll have a complete ranking in no time!"
Next on the list was Lucina, who handed her Falchion to Sonic without a single complaint.
Sonic held the sword in his hands, examining it critically from top to bottom.
"Hmm... interesting..." he murmured.
"What’s interesting?" asked Isabelle.
"In theory, it’s the same Falchion as Marth’s—same blade—but the change in the hilt reduced the weight significantly," explained the hedgehog, swinging the sword with a few random slashes in the air. "The reach is the same, but the lighter hilt makes it faster."
Isabelle nodded enthusiastically while writing quickly, her eyes darting between the sword and the hedgehog.
"So Lucina sacrificed some weight for speed?" she asked, eyes sparkling.
"Exactly," confirmed Sonic. "Technically, it doesn’t lose power, but it shifts the balance point. That means someone with an agile combat style could make better use of it than someone more technical like Marth."
Lucina, arms crossed and smiling proudly, nodded. "It’s my way of carrying the legacy. Adapting it, not copying it," she said firmly, looking at Sonic with intensity. "Though... I didn’t expect a supersonic hedgehog to understand so much about swords."
Sonic winked at her as he returned the Falchion. "Well, technically I became King of Camelot once for pulling a talking magic sword from a stone, so I had to learn about swords... but that was a long time ago," he said with a shrug.
Lucina blinked a few times. "...You’re a King?"
"In another world, which exists inside a book. So officially, yes. In reality? Not really."
Isabelle sighed with delight. "This is going even better than I imagined! I already have clear differences between three sacred swords!"
"Technically four, if you count Chrom having the same sword as Lucina," Sonic pointed out.
"Right!" the little dog nodded, jotting that down on her clipboard. "Okay, next on the list: Young Link."
Sonic held Young Link’s sword in his hand, which was honestly a pretty standard blade with nothing particularly special about it.
"It’s light, short, and has... average reach, I guess you could say," said Sonic. "And it’s definitely not magical."
Young Link, arms crossed, simply rolled his eyes at the last part while Isabelle jotted everything down on her clipboard.
Next up was Roy, who wielded the Sword of Seals—glowing with an intense red light, as if it were fueled by the very heat of the battlefield.
The moment Sonic held the sword, a red flash surged from the hilt. The hedgehog took a step back, frowning.
"Whoa! This thing burns... literally. It feels like I’m holding a volcano."
"That’s because it contains sacred fire," Roy explained calmly. "Only I can unleash its full power, but even so, it retains part of that energy when held."
"And how do you activate it? Through rage or epic shouting?" joked Sonic, swinging the sword one-handed and making a couple of slashes through the air. "It’s heavy. Seriously heavy. But it has decent reach and, well, it’s on fire. That always adds points."
"Would you say it’s stronger than Falchion or the Master Sword?" asked Isabelle, scribbling notes.
"Hard to say," Sonic replied. "It doesn’t have the same ‘divine lineage,’ but in terms of raw damage? This thing could probably melt anyone’s armor in three well-placed hits."
Roy nodded, satisfied. "The strength of this sword lies in its brutality. It’s not elegant, but it’s devastating."
"And that’s without even being fully activated yet," murmured Isabelle, clearly excited.
Next was Meta Knight and his sword, Galaxia, which he reluctantly agreed to lend after Isabelle gave him the saddest puppy eyes imaginable.
Sonic examined the five-pronged weapon—two branches on each side, with a fifth forming the tip—moving it around with relative ease.
"Interesting..." he murmured to himself. "It’s a bit heavy for its size, though I guess the gold might have something to do with that. It’s got good reach, especially if swung quickly, and I almost feel... imposing just holding it." He turned to Meta Knight. "Is that how you feel every time you use it?"
Meta Knight crossed his arms, his cape flowing gently behind him.
"It is an extension of my will. Galaxia does not respond to just anyone, and its true power only manifests when the wielder's conviction is absolute."
Sonic spun the sword in his hand with a half-smile, making a few quick cuts in the air. A faint hum accompanied each movement, as if the sword vibrated with restrained energy.
"Conviction, huh? So it’s like a sword that measures your intentions. A slacker detector."
"You could say that," replied Meta Knight, his mask tilting ever so slightly in approval. "But do not underestimate its judgment. If you’re not worthy... it will let you know."
"What, is it gonna shock me or slice my hand off?" laughed Sonic—only to suddenly feel a sharp sting in his palm. He looked down at the hilt. "Okay, okay, message received. No jokes with the sentient magic sword."
Isabelle chuckled softly as she scribbled in her notebook.
Next was Ike and his sword, Ragnell, which Sonic could barely lift off the ground once Ike handed it to him.
"Holy crap!" the hedgehog exclaimed with a nervous laugh. "This thing is heavy..."
"That’s because Ragnell can only be wielded by me—not just anyone," Ike explained. "The fact that you can even touch the handle without getting hurt is a miracle on its own."
"You don’t say..." Sonic muttered, swallowing nervously. "Well, it’s clearly a very heavy sword—though I bet Ike can lift it no problem since it’s his. I’d say there’s something... mystical stopping me from lifting it properly, but with how long it is, it obviously has great reach."
"Hmm... that’s a very surface-level description, but I suppose it’ll have to do..." said Isabelle, jotting everything down in her notebook.
Next was Toon Link, and things went by quickly since he also had the Master Sword... just with a more cartoony and less epic design.
"It’s the same as Link’s Master Sword," said Sonic flatly. "Except this one looks like it came from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, not a generic shonen anime."
"Hey!" grumbled Toon Link with a frown.
"I hate to admit it, but it’s true..." giggled Isabelle as she took notes.
Next was the Mii Swordfighter—or Sword for short.
"Okay..." said Sonic as he swung and slashed the air with the sword. "It’s got a good bit of weight to it, even though it looks light. Its reach is similar to Lucina and Chrom’s Falchion, and it’s got a solid balance between weight and speed. No wonder your critics hit as hard as Ganondorf or Pyra’s, Sword."
"What can I say?" Sword smiled proudly. "Best strategy is to let your enemies underestimate you—then beat the crap out of them."
"But what about the sword’s appearance changing?" asked Isabelle. "I mean, you’re a Mii, and when you dress up, your sword changes appearance too."
"True, but that’s just a visual change. The sword itself stays the same, stats and all," Sword explained.
"Good thing, because if the sword’s powers changed too, you’d be way too broken," joked Sonic as he handed the sword back.
Now they went to Robin, who—despite his weapon functioning more like a wand—still used it as a sword.
Sonic held the Levin Sword in his hands, feeling a faint tingling sensation run along the weapon. Despite its jagged design, he could feel power radiating from it.
"It’s pretty light..." Sonic murmured. "But I felt something weird the moment I touched it. Like its magic is evaluating me all over."
Robin nodded, arms crossed with a calm yet attentive expression. "The Levin Sword channels thunder magic. Its edge is imbued with electricity, making it deadly even without fully cutting through. Unlike other swords, it doesn’t rely solely on brute strength, but on the magical intelligence of its wielder."
"That explains the tingling... and the judgment," Sonic replied, spinning it between his fingers carefully. "It doesn’t feel as alive as Galaxia, but there’s something there. Like it knows what I’m thinking. It’s... unsettling."
"Would you say it suits you?" asked Isabelle, scribbling rapidly.
"Not really. I’m more the run-in-and-hit-something-first, ask-questions-later type. This sword seems made for someone who plans ten moves ahead."
"Exactly," Robin confirmed. "That’s why it only reaches its full potential with someone who masters tomes and tactical foresight. Even so, it can still be dangerous in anyone’s hands—if they show the bare minimum respect for its power."
Sonic gave it one last look before handing it back with a tense smile.
"Nice sword... but I prefer my weapons not to analyze my soul."
Next was Shulk and his Monado, but as soon as Sonic asked to hold the weapon, Shulk immediately refused.
"It's not a good idea," he said vaguely. "The Monado can't be used by just anyone. In my world, Dunban lost his arm from using its power for too long, and Reyn almost destroyed my lab just by touching it."
"It'll only be for a moment," Sonic replied, brushing off the warning. "Besides, Rex was able to use it just fine when you met him in that challenge world, right? I'm sure it’s the same deal here."
Shulk still looked skeptical about the idea, but after a deep sigh, he gave in and handed over the weapon to Sonic.
The hedgehog took the Monado in hand and gave it a few swings without "activating" it, gauging its weight and reach like he had with the other swords.
"Huh, it's really light for something made by a supposed god," Sonic commented. "In this state, the reach is... kind of weak, but I bet it’s a different story when it’s activated. That said, I’m getting a weird tingling in my arm..."
The moment Shulk heard that—and noticing the weapon beginning to vibrate slightly—he quickly snatched it back from Sonic to avoid an accident... and because he’d just had a vision warning him Sonic was about to destroy the living room and then injure himself if he didn’t act fast.
"I think you've seen enough," Shulk said, storing the Monado on his back. "Trust me, you'll thank me later."
"...If you say so..." Sonic muttered, glaring at him, while Isabelle kept jotting everything down in her notebook.
Next up was Cloud, who didn’t seem very interested in whatever Sonic and Isabelle were doing. He simply handed over his Buster Sword without a word.
Sonic held the sword with some difficulty—not just due to its size, but also the material and sheer length.
"Sweet chaos... this thing is heavy," he said. "I mean, the reach is obviously huge and it’s super imposing, but the weight?" He turned to Cloud. "What the heck do you eat to lift this thing so easily? Dumbbells with cheese?"
Cloud simply shrugged, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
"You get used to it."
Sonic shook his head, examining the Buster Sword with a mix of respect and confusion. He tried a couple of swings in the air, but nearly lost his balance turning it.
"Okay, yeah, this is not for speedsters like me," he panted. "If I did a full combo with this thing, I’d need a ten-minute break and a towel."
"It’s a sword that represents the burden of its wielder," Cloud added in his low, gravelly voice. "It’s not just heavy because of its metal. It’s heavy because of what it means."
"And what does it mean? Depression in blade form?" Sonic half-joked.
Cloud stared at him for a moment with his signature intense silence, then slowly nodded.
"Something like that."
"Get therapy, man," Sonic rolled his eyes as he handed the sword back, while Isabelle kept writing down her observations.
Then came Corrin, whose weapon was the Yato katana. In Smash Bros., it took on the Omega Yato form, giving it the appearance of a chainsaw embedded along the blade.
Sonic whistled as he held the sword, giving it a few swings despite feeling several jolts in his arm. He figured it was because the weapon didn’t recognize him as its chosen wielder.
"I gotta admit, a sword that’s also a chainsaw scores a ton of bonus points," the hedgehog grinned. "Surprised it’s not as heavy as it looks, has a reach pretty close to the Master Sword, and it definitely makes me feel like I could slay a kaiju... but yeah, not a fan of the arm cramps."
"The sword chose me as its wielder," Corrin explained, smiling a bit apologetically for not saying so earlier. "I guess it doesn’t like being in someone else’s hands."
"Girl, why do almost all the swords in this house have souls?" Sonic grumbled, handing the weapon back to her.
"Didn’t you have a literal talking sword?" she asked.
"...Touché," Sonic replied, while Isabelle laughed and finished scribbling in her notebook.
Now it was time to speak with the Luminary, whose weapon was the Supreme Sword of Light.
The moment Sonic's fingers touched the hilt, a wave of radiant energy surged through him from head to toe. It wasn’t heat or electricity... it was something else. Like every part of him was being scanned by a sacred presence.
"Whoa—wow!" he exclaimed, stepping back. "Now this is light... Not the usual 'someone turned on the lamp' kind, but light that judges your soul. I feel like all my past mistakes are being put on trial."
The Luminary, calm as ever, simply nodded.
"The Supreme Sword of Light cannot be wielded by someone with darkness in their heart. It only fully responds to those with a pure spirit and an unshakable will."
"Okay, that explains why it almost rejected me," Sonic said, now holding the sword carefully, as if it were a fragile relic. "But I gotta say... it feels balanced. Light, but firm. It’s not trying to dominate the wielder—it’s here to support them. Doesn’t vibrate, doesn’t burn, doesn’t punish... it just is."
"Exactly," the Luminary said with a faint smile. "It doesn't fight for you. It fights with you."
Sonic made a few soft cuts through the air. The blade left no trail, but space itself seemed to respond with a subtle glow to each swing, as if the universe respected the weapon.
"Definitely one of the purest swords I’ve handled," Sonic concluded. "But also one of the most demanding."
"Not just anyone can wield it," Isabelle added, scribbling furiously. "Would you put it in your top five?"
"Absolutely. It's like the anti-Monado. It’s not about visions or destiny, it’s about clarity. Acting with a clean heart. Very different from Galaxia or Robin’s sword."
Sonic returned the blade with a near-theatrical bow.
"Great weapon. But honestly, I prefer swords that don’t make me feel like I’m being judged by a divine tribunal."
The Luminary only smiled and calmly took his sword back, saying nothing more.
Next up was Byleth. The professor from Garreg Mach wielded the Sword of the Creator, a weapon that could only be used by someone bearing the Crest of Flames. In this case, Byleth was the lucky—or perhaps unfortunate, depending on the path she took—recipient of that Crest.
Sonic held the sword, examining it from top to bottom. However, the weapon immediately unfolded the moment his fingers touched the hilt. The articulated sections extended like a living steel serpent, making Sonic flinch.
"Ah, crap! It transforms?!" he exclaimed, holding it with both hands. "This is like a whip... but sharp... and with a bad attitude!"
Byleth nodded, keeping her usual stoic expression. "The Sword of the Creator adapts to combat. It can extend like a whip or stay firm like a greatsword. It can only be mastered by someone who bears the Crest of Flames. Anyone else... finds it temperamental."
Sonic snorted as he tried to wield it, feeling the blade twist slightly in his hands, as if refusing to fully obey him.
"Yeah, I can tell. I feel like this thing is judging me and wants to rip my arm off if I do anything wrong. It’s like having a resentful girlfriend, but in the form of a mystical weapon."
Isabelle giggled while scribbling down notes. "And the reach?"
"Ridiculously long when extended," Sonic replied, straightening the weapon with effort. "It’s not as heavy as others, but the challenge lies in controlling it. If you don’t have the bond... it’s like dancing with an angry anaconda."
"That sounds terrifying and fascinating in equal parts," Isabelle commented. "Where would you place it in your ranking?"
Sonic thought for a moment, sweating slightly as he handed the sword back to Byleth.
"In terms of raw power and versatility, top three... but when it comes to cooperation with the user, this one wins the award for ‘most trust issues.’"
It was time to talk to Sephiroth... Isabelle didn’t look excited in the slightest, but Sonic didn’t care. The Masamune was an exceptional Odachi, and anyone who had fought him in battle knew that well.
Convincing him to let Sonic hold the sword was disturbingly easy, though the former SOLDIER flashed a malicious smile. Sonic ignored him and took the weapon, noticing it had the thinnest edge he’d ever seen. Despite being a long sword, he was surprised by how easy it was to handle.
"Well, one thing’s clear: this wins in the reach department. I mean, look at this thing. It’s like a snake turned into a blade!" Sonic exclaimed, swinging it around a bit, making Isabelle duck to avoid getting hit. "The weight also surprises me—lighter than it looks. And don’t even get me started on the edge." He looked at Sephiroth. "You aiming to slice limbs or buildings, emo boy?"
Sephiroth let out a low chuckle, barely a murmur, but cold enough to chill the air.
"Whatever gets in the way."
Sonic raised an eyebrow, half amused, half concerned. "Yikes... romantic guy. Not gonna lie though, this thing has presence. The only problem is it’s unnecessarily long. I’m amazed you haven’t accidentally carved someone in half."
"Oh, don’t think I haven’t tried," Sephiroth confessed, crossing his arms. "But there seems to be a strange force in this place that dulls the Masamune’s edge."
"U-uh, I-I think this dimension nullifies lethal effects," said Isabelle, clearly nervous and avoiding eye contact with Sephiroth. "T-The tournament isn’t life-or-death, s-so that’s why no one really dies in battles..."
"Yeah, the whole bloodshed, dismemberment, murder thing doesn’t go over well in Smash. That’s why we’re rated E for Everyone," Sonic said casually, handing the sword back. "The fact that you, Snake, and Bayonetta are even here is a miracle."
"A miracle would be everyone leaving this tournament... alive..." Sephiroth said, his smile disturbingly calm.
"Get over your mommy issues, man. It'll do you good," Sonic rolled his eyes and dragged a frozen-in-fear Isabelle away from him.
Now Sonic went to see Pyra and Mythra. Since both their weapons were called the Aegis Sword, Sonic assumed they’d be identical despite their different appearances. But he was pleasantly surprised to find out how different they truly were.
Pyra’s sword had a more enclosed design and was heavier to lift. Mythra’s, meanwhile, had a more aerodynamic look and was surprisingly light. Both, however, emitted pulses of power—one of fire and the other of light.
"Pyra, Mythra... I gotta admit, I expected these swords to be the exact same thing with different skins," Sonic said, lifting Pyra’s first. "But nope. This one’s got weight, consistency... it feels like a sword that demands you be careful. It vibrates with heat, but not a burning heat... more like something that wraps around you."
"That sounds a lot like her," Mythra said with her arms crossed, throwing a sideways glance at Pyra. "A warm embrace. Like a blanket with a mother hen complex."
"H-Hey..." murmured Pyra, blushing slightly.
Amused, Sonic did a few swings with Pyra’s sword. With each motion, a faint ring of fire followed the arc, as if the blade wanted to leave a signature in the air.
"This isn’t just a blade. It’s an emotional extension. You can tell it was made by someone who understands what it means to protect, not just fight."
"Thanks..." Pyra said with a shy smile. "I made that sword to protect the people I love."
Sonic turned to Mythra, and the moment he took her sword, he felt the immediate difference. The blade let out a sharp, almost electric hum, and a current of light ran across the edge, making Sonic’s quills stand on end.
"What the heck?! This one’s got attitude," he exclaimed, shaking his quills back into place as he raised the sword. "This doesn’t protect. It dares you to fight. It’s like a shout of ‘move or get out of the way!’"
Mythra grinned with satisfaction.
"Obviously. What’d you expect? A brighter, less patient version of Pyra?"
Sonic swung the sword with more energy. The blade responded with surgical precision, as if it could read his intent before he even acted.
"Don’t get me wrong. This is a beauty. It feels alive, but not aggressive. More like... impatient. Like a warrior that’s waited centuries for a real battle. Which fits you perfectly, Mythra."
"I’ll take that as a compliment," she replied with a smirk, though her cheeks gained a faint blush. "You could say it’s a sword that demands you be up to the task. It doesn’t give you time to hesitate."
Sonic nodded, handing each of them their respective weapons.
"It’s amazing how they’re technically the same weapon, yet handle completely differently. But coming from you two, I don’t know why I’m surprised." He turned to Isabelle. "They have the same reach, but Pyra’s is a bit heavier than Mythra’s, which makes it harder to handle compared to the agility and speed of Mythra’s blade. They’re sister swords, and yet, totally distinct."
Isabelle nodded enthusiastically as she jotted everything down.
Finally, they both arrived at the last swordsman of the tournament: Sora. While his weapon had the shape of a key, at the end of the day, it was used just like any other sword. Plus, it was literally called the Keyblade.
Sonic held the weapon in his hand, examining its simplistic design, paying special attention to the Mickey Mouse keychain at the end.
"This is... surprisingly heavy—heavier than it looks," said Sonic. "The handle has just the right grip space, but the rest of the weapon... it’s a bit tricky to hold."
"It’s not made for cutting," explained Sora with a calm smile. "The Keyblade is more of an extension of the heart than a simple battle tool. It adapts to its wielder—not through brute force, but through intent."
Sonic moved it around a little, feeling the weight balanced out by a flow of energy that seemed to move from the weapon's core into his fingers.
"What surprises me most is... how it vibrates with emotion. Not power, not rage, not judgment... emotion." He lifted it with both hands, spinning it like a staff more than a sword. "It’s like wielding a living memory."
Sora nodded.
"It doesn’t fight to win. It fights to connect. To protect what matters."
"Yeah, that fits you," Sonic commented with a slight smile. "It’s obvious this isn’t a weapon made to hurt, but to purify and protect. I’m not surprised that the cult of those thirteen weirdos tried to replicate it with Xion and failed. There’s only one sword like this," he continued, flipping the blade to hold it by the ‘key’ and offering it to Sora, "just like there’s only one Sora."
Sora accepted the Keyblade with a warm, almost grateful smile. He didn’t say anything at first—he just looked at Sonic with that expression of his that said more than a thousand words: a mix of understanding, hope, and almost childlike joy.
"Thanks for getting it," he said at last. "A lot of people don’t look past the weird design."
"Yeah, well... if weird designs were the worst thing in the world, I wouldn’t have a career," Sonic replied with a light laugh.
With all the data collected, it was now time for Isabelle to sit down and compile the information on all the swords in the roster.
Link and Toon Link had the Master Sword, which was as heavy as two regular swords in one hand, with a reach capable of hitting multiple opponents. Marth’s Falchion had a will of its own and judged its wielder. Lucina and Chrom’s Falchions, due to their shorter handles, were faster and more agile, far less heavy than Marth’s. Young Link’s sword was short, with little reach and no magic. Roy’s Sword of Seals could ignite in flames, and despite being heavy, had great reach. Galaxia, Meta Knight’s sword, was short but heavy due to being gold, with great range if wielded quickly enough.
Ragnell, Ike’s sword, was heavy and obeyed only its wielder but had excellent reach. The Hero’s sword was surprisingly weighty for its look, with a reach similar to Lucina and Chrom’s Falchion and a solid balance of weight and agility. Robin’s Levin Sword was light but shocked those who touched it with magical electricity. Shulk’s Monado was light, with short range when deactivated, but its reach extended when activated—though only Shulk could wield it safely. Cloud’s Buster Sword was very heavy but had tremendous reach. Corrin’s Omega Yato had medium weight and reach similar to the Master Sword, with a chainsaw built into it.
The Supreme Sword of Light wielded by the Luminary was immensely powerful and heavy, with excellent range both with and without his special combat techniques. Byleth’s Sword of the Creator was very heavy for non-wielders but had massive reach thanks to its ability to transform into a whip. Sephiroth’s Masamune had the best reach in the roster and was incredibly light—though it was far too intimidating. Pyra’s Aegis Sword was heavy, emanating a warm energy that protected more than harmed, while Mythra’s Aegis Sword was sleeker, faster, and surprisingly lightweight. Lastly, Sora’s Keyblade didn’t destroy—it purified.
"So..." Sonic said, watching Isabelle jot everything down, "what’s the verdict? You know which one’s the most broken sword on the roster?"
Isabelle looked up from her notebook with a mix of fascination and exhaustion. She had scribbled so many notes, diagrams, and stats that her notebook looked like a cross between a spellbook and a technical manual. Her little ears twitched slightly as she adjusted her glasses.
"Well... ‘broken’ is a very subjective word, especially in a tournament like Smash where the user matters just as much as the weapon," she began, tapping the page a few times with her pen. "But if we’re strictly talking destructive potential, reach, versatility, and ease of use... a few clear candidates come to mind."
Sonic crossed his arms, listening closely. "Hit me."
"Sephiroth’s Masamune has the longest reach of them all, and as a pure weapon, it’s dangerous even without any additional abilities. But it’s not for everyone—its sheer intimidation factor makes it hard to use effectively for most people."
"Yeah, not everyone wants to feel like they’re starring in a short existential film every time they pick up a weapon."
"Exactly," Isabelle laughed before flipping the page. "Then there’s the Sword of the Creator. It has tremendous versatility thanks to its transformable form, but it’s very temperamental if you don’t have the Crest. In the right hands, it covers short and long range with no problem."
"Like a boomerang with an attitude problem," Sonic remarked.
"Then, if we’re talking about something more ‘pure and balanced,’ the Supreme Sword of Light has overwhelming strength but also demands a spotless will. It’s the one with the most potential to carry out justice—but also the one that’s spiritually the most demanding."
"It literally scans your soul. What’s next, judging my taxes?"
Isabelle giggled, then lowered her voice slightly and became more serious.
"But if you’re talking about the balance between offensive power, symbolism, and emotional connection... the Monado is in a league of its own. It can literally change the future and extends its reach through abilities that bend the rules of the game itself."
Sonic slowly nodded. "Yeah... Shulk’s got a sword that literally tells him what’s going to happen before it does. That’s definitely broken."
"And finally," Isabelle said as she turned to the last page of her notes, "there’s the Keyblade. It might not seem as lethal, but its connection to the wielder’s heart, its adaptability, and its versatile functionality—from opening portals to purifying darkness—make it one of the most complete weapons. It’s not the most powerful brute-force weapon, but definitely one of the most meaningful."
Sonic shrugged. "So... the most broken?"
Isabelle sighed. "If you define ‘broken’ as power without consequence, then none of them really are. But if you define it as a weapon that, in the right hands, could change the world... then..."
Sonic leaned forward, curious. "Yeah?"
Isabelle smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "The most broken sword... is the one wielded by the most determined, resolute, and willing to make a difference. So... any of them could be. It all depends on who’s holding it."
Sonic blinked… then laughed. "That’s a textbook answer, and you know it."
"Of course it is!" Isabelle said cheerfully, closing her notebook. "But it’s also true. Everyone here has something that makes them unique. Even you—who doesn’t even use a sword."
"Again: I could have one if people had appreciated what they were given," said Sonic, rolling his eyes as he recalled Sonic & The Black Knight. "And then they have the nerve to act like they own my franchise..."
They both laughed as they left Isabelle’s office, leaving behind the weight of all those legendary weapons. Because at the end of the day, no matter how sharp they were, it was the hearts that wielded them that truly made history.
End of Chapter 64.