A/N

I admit this is a NessxLucas (NeCas) fic but it's leaning more towards their friendship and the responsibilities (not to mention consequences) of such.

Also MarthxIke for my sister as she agreed to read it for me :)

PLEASE READ

This fic is based on a headcanon of mine for Lucas which okay may seem out of character but in this fic all characters are much much older, with Lucas being around 16/17, ultimately the age up would result in maturity and many other personality changes and/or differences, however they are still the characters we know and love and I have tried not to alter them too much!

I've written ssbb stories in the past but I was amateur and they're very embarrassing now that I look back on it, but I have had this idea for a very long time and not to sound big headed but I love it, the idea that is, I don't exactly like my writing that much.

I understand that many will not share my feelings on such a head canon but I do believe that some will!

Anyways please enjoy!

Ness has been finding it hard to keep sane within the smash mansion, his relationships with his friends are poor and he's desperate for a reason to smile. When this reason enters his life he realises that life is precious and it's easier to lose than it is to gain, only a memory will never be enough. Hinted NessxLucas, TW:mentions character death, cursing, dark & adult themes.

Rated: T

Each smasher made their way into the tournament after having completed their 'game', their journey, their story.

Each smasher would be living a normal life, well as normal as possible, there was no plot line to follow or adventure to go on or world to save, the younger smashers would have gone to school like any other child, the older would be working or tending to children, like any other adult, mother and father, the royalty would be well, living like royalty, attending to their royal duties. Money would be made in order to pay for bills and food, and other luxuries such as holidays, clothes, clubs. Some smashers would be more well off than others depending on how their story left them, some wealthy, famous, popular, others.. Not so much. It wasn't too far out of their reach to make something for themselves however, some of the smashers left off as villainous turned themselves around and fit in to social society, making a living out of minimum wage jobs just like the rest of the people in their world.

The length in which it took to enter the tournament varied for each, for some it would be weeks, and others years.

The smashers would enter the tournamnet world through a dream, a portal in their sleep though as far as many were concerned they're only on a long visit away from home, memories planted in their heads of their journey to the mansion, the farewells to their families and friends. The master hand would come to them, ask them a series of questions similar to the following; how is life? Is there anything they miss or would do again? Are they happy? Each answer told the master hand on whether he should stop or continue, stop with the question that would take them from their worlds and bring them to the tournament, 'How do you feel about the opportunity to use your powers and abilities again?' Very few smashers would say no, but it was upon their answer, that 'yes' in which every one responded with that changed their lives forever.

"Are you done yet?" A very bored and impatient voice sounded from outside the young smasher's bathroom door, the voice belonging to a tired Popo who was waiting to ready himself for the morning.

"Gimme a sec man I'm almost done I told you."

"That was almost twenty minutes ago what are you doing in there?" He questioned rudely, "God it's almost as bad as rooming with Nana" he mumbled under his breath.

"I heard that, trust me I'm not going all girly on your ass, chill out and go get your clothes ready or something." Ness and Popo had been finding it rather hard to get on with each other since the melee tournament ended roughly three years ago. The two had been quite the duo, along with Nana before she went 'Lame' as the boys call it, and another young boy who went by the profile name 'Young Link', though when it was announced that the three would be progressing onto the brawl tournament without Young Link they slowly had fallen apart, it was apparent the adventurous elf boy had been the glue between the friendship.

"I did that the first time you told me to." Popo had to pull himself away from the door before he ended up smashing it down, his hand rose and it was a struggle to stop his fist from punching straight through the door and strangling the darker haired boy on the other side.

There was the loud sound of the toilet flushing, followed by the rush of flowing water of the taps before the door unlocked and out stood a damp Ness with a towel wrapped around him from the waist down. He smiled sarcastically to the boy who had thrown himself face up onto his bed in defeat just minutes before.

"All that for a shit?" It was evident that Popo was taking the piss, so ness felt obliged to reply just as childishly.

"What can I say? Too much steak last night." The brown haired boy growled before snatching up his clothes to take into the bathroom. It had become a thing of friendship, to change in front of others that is, only something they did when they were younger. The situation was brought up by Nana a few months ago, moaning about why the boys just couldn't change together and let her have the bathroom, the boys just replied with that 'they dont do that anymore'. Weeks later she 'moved out' to room with Samus and Jigglypuff, claiming that she needed to be with girls as she's too old to be rooming with boys. She was convinced Ness was some horny sex demon, truth was that he really wasn't interested in her like that, he made it clear by stating that "she should go take her ego and shove it where the sun doesn't shine."

"Just get dressed and go already, I don't want people to think we're friends so don't make me walk with you." Another thing that the two agreed on, was to avoid being together, even just walking down the hallways. This came about when Peach had asked the two if they were good now, which was both embarrassing and upsetting for all three of them.

Today was the opening of the new brawl tournament, Ness along with the other young smashers really weren't looking forward to meeting the new smashers, especially since the leaving of Young Link and others. The only one among them who was the closest to eager was Nana, it was slightly disheartening to Popo when he found out that she had her mind set on making some 'girlfriends', if it wasn't for Ness informing him that the chances of any girls joining were just too slim he'd be there waiting eagerly with her. He couldn't say how he knew but being in the tournaments a lot longer than Popo, he just narrowed it down to personal experience.

A loud knock on their dorm door took Ness' attention, half dressed in only quarter-length denim shorts and white ankle socks he huffed heavily and went to open it, knowing that it'd only be a lecture to hurry up and get down to the grand hall for the opening.

"You and Ne- oh, hi Ness."

"Nana, looking for Popo?" He responded, cocking an eyebrow as the shorter girl was making a poor attempt in hiding the fact that she was staring at his bare torso. It made him laugh, months ago had she had been claiming that he'd been perving on her when it was clear now that it had been the other way round all along. Stupid girl he thought.

"Um, no, well yes, was just coming to tell you two, to hurry up." She kept pausing as she spoke, clearly embarrassed at having caught him at a 'bad time', "Everyone else is already on their way down, was told to come get you guys."

"Thanks Nana but we were already on our way." He told her, backing away into the room as he began to shut the door. He was stopped when Nana put her hand to the door in order to stop it from shutting. He stared at her quizzically, "Is, there a problem?"

She sighed and took her hand back to her side, "No just, tell Popo to give me my, my uh, magazines back, please." The dark haired boy could tell that that wasn't all she wanted to ask, or say rather, but he pushed no further, his mind was more bothered by the fact that her brother had her magazines. 'Dirty fucker' was all he could come up with, it made him smile just a bit, that was just like Popo.. before he turned into a dick head, he reminded himself, scowling at the fact.

Speaking of Popo the shower had been turned off sometime ago, as Ness couldn't recall hearing it stop, he figured he'd be coming out soon and he knew that he wouldn't like seeing him still here, he made sure to hurry himself into throwing on his shoes, his shirt, jumper* and signature red and blue baseball cap before taking exit.

Nana was right, seems everyone was already down and waiting on them, all besides a certain Prince who was still in his room, Ness stopped in his tracks in front of the door, quirking an eyebrow from the bizarre sounds coming from behind. He'd never known Marth to be so, reckless, especially within his own room, he was always so careful yet still held this threatening yet heroic aura about him. He would have left and carried on headed downstairs but this was Marth, and Marth despite his snobbish attitude and slightly feminine habits he was not at all unapproachable.

"Uh Marth, dude?" He called out as he knocked on the door, the sounds from within coming to a sudden halt. A sudden thud was later heard and the dark haired boy couldn't help but wince. "Are you okay in there? Sounded.. Painful." He called out in concern.

"One moment." A girly voice called out, well that was definitely not Marth, as girly as he could seem at times he did have a far deeper voice than the one he just heard. No it wasn't Marth, the door opened to reveal that it was Peach rummaging through the Prince's belongings. Why on earth would Peach of all people be snooping around in other people's belongings? She seemed like such a nice lady...

"Uh.." Ness was shocked to see the blonde standing before him, not to mention that the room behind her was now a mess. "Should I pretend I didn't see this?" He laughed casually as the princess before him took on a sudden blush.

"Oh gosh no no, Ness it's not what it seems." She told him nervously stepping out into the hall and shutting it behind her. Peach was a lovely lady really but she had to be one of the most clumsiest people he had come across since primary school back in his world. The kids there weren't really the brightest bunch so the comparison really says a lot about her.

"It isn't? Looks.. Pretty much like it to me."

"It isn't.. Really, look I can't tell you what I'm doing so just be a dear and run along, everyone's waiting for you." She kept a smile on despite how she must be feeling right now, it was genuine too, Ness had to give her credit for that.

"Ah well you know me Peach, I ain't no snoop, you should know though that unless I know for sure I'm just going to end up questioning everybody."

"You wouldn't." She gasped.

"I would, 'hey guys any idea what Peach was doing in Marth's room this morning?' Doesn't sound very good does it?" He threatened, however it was an empty threat, his tone was playful and he held a small smile to his lips.

"Oh now you're just teasing." She sighed, rolling her eyes, she knew Ness wouldn't do such a thing even if she didn't tell him but she wasn't actually doing anything wrong. "I guess it won't hurt in telling you, I just.. Well I just needed to wear a pretty tiara for the opening. Not to embarrass Marth or anything but he does have some gorgeous tiaras. Wouldn't you agree?" Her blush was as evident as ever, and why wouldn't it be? She practically confessed that Prince Marth has better fashion and style than she does, the Princess Peach.

"If you say so Miss Peach." He sniggered, shrugging his shoulders. "Might want to clean up a bit though."

"I, uh, oh goodness.." Coming to the realisation of how reckless she can be, she understands that she has some cleaning to do after all. "*Darn my butter fingers." She mumbled to herself as she stepped back into the room, the door slamming itself shut.

Ness laughed silently, shaking his head as he turned to head downstairs. Funny how it's Peach they'll be waiting on, at first she never seemed to be the type but she even tops Pikachu and Yoshi on the trouble caused in the mansion, even though she never intends to do such things.

"I thought I told you to get going." A voice was heard behind him a little way down the hall, he turned his head to see that it was Popo, as if the voice didn't give it away.

"Distractions." He sighed, his head dropping downwards slightly as his eyes closed, he couldn't be bothered with Popo's shit this morning. "Look I'll slow down and you go ahead just, keep your mouth shut okay?"

The brown haired boy seemed a little taken back by his words, Ness was always full of sarcasm and wit that his serious and tired sounding tone was enough for him. "A'ight." He replied, eyes cast downwards as to avoid the chance of eye contact with the other as he took up the pace overtaking Ness. The psychic set his vision on the boy's back watching him disappear round the corner. He didn't know how far Popo would have gone by now, and he didn't count on him waiting round the corner but he thought he'd sit and wait for Peach before making his way down, just incase such an encounter was to occur, again.

Taking the time out to observe the walls of the hall, never before had he noticed the careful designs of the decorative walls, each kink and curve made unique to another. Truly amazing, the creativity of a single being.

Only the bored, old and lonely noticed this shit, says a lot about how his time in the mansion has turned out to be.

"Oh Ness what are you doing down there?" Peach had approached him, she approached him so quietly it made him jump just a little, resulting in a small giggle from the princess. "Oh I'm sorry dear did I scare you?" She was wearing one of Marth's unusually pretty tiaras as she mentioned earlier.

"Pfff nah, no way." He responded, picking himself up and readjusting his shorts. He looked up at her, noticing the decoration placed neatly atop her head. "Looks good on you Peach." He smiled, yes Peach was clumsy and reckless but she never looked bad, always took the time to make herself look presentable. Ness had to admit, she was pretty damn beautiful for her age.

"Thank you." She hummed softly. "Come on, we should go, big day today." He rolled his eyes mockingly.

"Yeah yeah, big day."

A/N

* jumper - sweater. I'm born and raised in the UK and I understand you may wonder what the crap a jumper is? Well yes it's just a sweater with a different name, nothing special.

*"Darn my butters fingers" - may just be me but I always think Peach to have some sort of 'hill billy' accent, considering how I picture her, as this lovely, caring lady but just too clumsy for her own good, it makes me smile, and the accent I give her just makes it so much better.

Anyways thanks for reading :) will get many more characters in the next chapter, including the 'new smashers' that you all search for the SSBB series, am I right? Next chapter will be up sometime before next Monday, as I have finished my first course in college, yay! I am free until September pretty much.