The new season had finally begun. All of the smashers were excited to be back, with new moves and a fresh start. During the years everyone was away training, Master Hand remodeled the entire mansion.
Link found his room, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that he hadn't been assigned a roommate. It was obviously Master Hand's way of rewarding the veteran smashers. Samus, Yoshi, Mario, and Peach, among others, also had their own rooms. Everyone else had to share a room with another smasher.
After he settled in, Link made his way downstairs for the opening night banquet. He saw all of his pals, and got caught up with some of them while he ate.
"Link!" Ike called, from a few feet away.
The blonde looked up, and saw Ike making his way towards him through the crowd. "Wow, Ike you've really bulked up! I didn't even recognize you for a second."
Ike found an empty table and pulled Link over to it. "So, what's new?" Ike asked, smiling.
Link couldn't really think of where to start, and looked down into his glass of soda. "Well, Hyrule always keeps me busy. There's always something happening that isn't supposed to," he laughed, casually. "How did you get so big?"
"I doubled my workouts for the past two years. This didn't happen overnight. Actually, I didn't realize how different I appeared until I looked back at some of the albums from the last tournament. I'm just glad I was invited back. Roy, on the other hand, is pretty upset. He thought he'd make it, but Master Hand thought otherwise."
"Well, you look great, Ike. That's too bad about Roy. So, you still talk to him?" Link asked.
"Oh yeah, we go out every once in a while to catch up. He's still a shrimp, and still hot-headed," Ike chuckled.
"Are you still with that girlfriend of yours?"
Ike frowned. "No. I don't really want to talk about that."
"I understand. It's getting pretty late, and practice starts tomorrow. Shall we retire?"
Ike agreed and stood up. "My roommate is a new guy named Shulk. He's pretty cool, but I know nothing about him. I meant to ask who yours was."
"I don't have one this time," Link said, clearing off his dishes and placing them on a cart next to a trash bin.
"Lucky you. I guess I haven't been around long enough to earn that privilege," the bluenette grumbled.
"Hey, if that Shulk guy is ever bothering you, feel free to knock on my door. I don't mind company."
Thanks, Link. I'll see you tomorrow," said Ike, waving to the Hylian as they parted.
Samus saw Link watching Ike, as he turned and walked towards his room. The blonde was on the stairs, and probably thought no one could see him. She crept up behind Link, and stuck her head right next to his. She waited with her face barely an inch away from his, until he noticed her.
Upon feeling a warm breathing sensation on his neck, Link whirled around to find Samus practically on top of him. "Kyaaah! S-Samus! Did you really have to do that?" Link yelled.
Samus laughed. "I'm sorry. You were just standing there, and I couldn't resist. Hey, what were you looking at?" She asked, noticing Link's face begin to flush.
"I wasn't looking at anyone! Calm your massive tits, bitch!" The blonde snapped, defensively.
"Oh really? So you were watching him, weren't you?"
"What? Who are you talking about?" Link asked, frantically. He grabbed Samus by the shoulders, still on the stairs.
"Take it easy, Link. I know who you were looking at. I won't say anything to anyone, but I don't think he's gay. Believe me, I have my eyes on him too," Samus giggled.
"I am not gay, Samus! I don't know what you're talking about," Link defended, crossing his arms.
"Prove it, fairy boy!"
"Samus, just shut up already! I've been called that by practically everyone that's ever known me."
"That still doesn't prove anything."
"You want proof?" Link was furious, and more than flustered by this point. Still on the stairs, he cupped Samus's face in his hands and kissed her hard. "How was that, for proof?"
"I didn't mean go and kiss me, you dolt!"
"Well, what was I supposed to do? You didn't give me any instructions!"
"Stop your bitching! I never said I didn't enjoy that kiss, did I?" Samus asked, changing her tone, curiously.
Link blushed again. "Wait…you liked th-that?"
"You idiot! Why else would I have cornered you like this? Yes, I liked it! You're so stupid, Link!"
The Hylian looked sorry. "Samus, do you want to kiss again?"
"I would like that," she answered. "But, let's get off the damn stairs first."
Once they were in Samus's room, Link sat down on the bed. Samus sat down next to him, and stole another kiss. Link responded, and guided her to lay down next to him.
"Samus, why are we doing this?" Link asked, internally unamused.
"Because, I said so! Why do the only guys I ever find attractive always have to be gay?" She pouted.
"I'm not gay, Samus! Why do you keep saying that?"
She traced her fingers along the outline of Link's chest, and up to his neck. "Because, you'd enjoy this a lot more if you weren't."
"I'm sorry, Samus."
"It's alright. No one expects you to figure it out immediately. You really are cute, Link." Samus kissed him one more time, but then let him go.
"You don't think Ike is gay?" Link asked, beginning to wonder. "He said he broke up with his girlfriend."
"Did he say that? Why did they break up?" Samus asked, grabbing Link's collar.
"He said he didn't want to talk about it."
"Well, maybe he is gay, then. I have no idea why he wouldn't want to tell you something. Usually, Ike is easier to read than a book," said Samus, releasing Link from her grasp.
"That's true. He's not exactly the mysterious type," said the blonde.
"So, do you want my help?" Samus asked.
"Help? With what?"
"With Ike! You want that, don't you?"
Link blushed, "I guess…"
"Well, I already have a plan."
The next night, Samus dressed Link up. "There's no way I'm wearing this! I'm going to look like a crossdresser!"
"Well, technically you are," Samus laughed. "You have a pretty nice ass already. All you need is some stuffing in your chest and you'll look like a girl."
When Samus was done, Link looked completely transformed. Luckily, he and Samus shared the same hair color, so her extensions fit perfectly. He wore a light blue dress, a pair of pumps, nail polish, and makeup.
"Now we just have to figure out your excuse for being here. We'll say you're a recruit, and your name is…Cinderella!" Samus doubled over in laughter from Link's reaction.
He looked in the mirror, but there was no denying he was the spitting image of Cinderella. "I guess I can just say I'm the representative from Disney," Link shrugged.
"Perfect! If Ike flirts with you, he's probably straight. If he doesn't, you still have a chance as Link!"
"I hope this works…" Link worried.
"It will! I know what I'm doing. Now, get down to the dining hall and find him. Make it seem like he's the first person you met, so it's not as awkward."
Link, dressed as a princess, went downstairs. He tried not to wobble on the high heels, but he'd never walked in them before. By the time he'd reached the bottom of the stairs, he thought his ankles were going to give out.
On the last step, Cinderella took a spill. Link panicked, but knew he was still Cinderella. Someone was helping him up, but he was afraid to look at who it was.
"Are you okay, miss?" It was Ike. Link's heart dropped.
Link fixed his dress and hair, once he was standing, and said, "Thank you. Yes, I am fine. I must've missed the last step."
"Are you on your way to dinner?" Ike asked.
"Why, yes. I am," Cinderella replied, in the highest voice Link could manage.
"Would you like to go together? Unless you're meeting someone?" Ike suggested.
"I would love that! Let's go," Link insisted.
Once they got their food, Ike and Cinderella sat down at a table. "What is your name? I'm pretty sure I've never seen you here before," Ike asked.
"I'm Cinderella," said Link. He tried not to blush.
"Cinderella? You mean, the real Cinderella?" Ike was surprised.
"Yes, the real Cinderella. Disney wants its characters to participate in the next tournament, if Master Hand permits it. So, they sent me as a rep," Link explained.
"Wow. That's really cool. I wish you luck, however, I would never want to harm a beautiful lady like yourself, even if it was for the sake of winning a tournament," said Ike, picking up Link's hand.
Link knew this wasn't going well. As Cinderella, he was winning Ike's affections. He didn't realize how easily Ike was swayed by beautiful women. He was enjoying the fact that Ike was playfully pursuing him, but he wasn't himself. It was a convincing disguise.
"I'm not sure if I'll be one of the characters participating in the tournament, but that's very kind of you," said Link, not knowing what to say. He was making up the story as he went.
"I'm Ike Greil, by the way. If you'll be around for a while, I'd love to see you again, Cinderella."
Link blushed heavily, hoping he wouldn't slip up. He wished Ike would speak like this to him when he wasn't dressed as a princess. "I-I'd like to see you again too, Ike."
"Tomorrow night, same time?"
"Yes. That would be lovely. I'll see you tomorrow!" Cinderella said, beginning to take her leave.
"Wait, please let me walk you back to your room! Cinderella!" Ike called.
Link was running as fast as he could in Samus's heels. He knew Ike was going to try to pull a stunt like offering to walk him back to his room. The only problem with that, was the fact that he was going to his own room. Ike knew Link had a single bedroom in the men's hall. There would be no way any Cinderella would be going to a place like that.
Cinderella continued to run, nearly tripping over her dress, as she stomped up the stairs. Ike followed her, still trying to be a gentleman. He had no idea that he was chasing Link dressed as a princess.
Halfway down his hallway, Link tripped and fell again. He struggled to get up, but Ike was there before he could even blink.
"Cinderella, it's probably a bad idea to run in heels," said Ike, helping her up.
"I must be on my way, Ike. Thanks for dinner."
"Where is your room? I told you I'd walk you back, especially now, after you've fallen twice in one night! I want to make sure you get back safely."
Link panicked again. He had nowhere else to go. He decided to pray for the best, and hurry to his room. It was only another twenty feet down the hall. He picked up his dress and ran. Shoved the key into the lock, turned, and slammed the door behind him.
Ike could see that Cinderella wanted to be left alone, but he questioned why she was located in the men's dormitory. He knocked on Marth's door, which was right next to Link's, to ask if he knew why Cinderella was his neighbor.
"I didn't know anything about Cinderella being here, Ike. Last time I checked, which was a few hours ago, Link was my neighbor," said Marth.
"Link, huh? Thanks Marth, I'll see you later." Ike left. He was pretty sure he knew what had happened.
Ike knocked on Link's door. "Link, I know you have Cinderella in there with you. She's not supposed to be here! If you don't bring her out, I'm reporting this incident to Master Hand."
After a few more threats and knocks, Link opened the door. He was still dressed as Cinderella. "Hey, Ike," Link said, in his own voice.
"Cinderella? No…Link? Link, is that you?" Ike asked, confused.
"It's me," he said, unclipping a hair extension.
"Why did you do this?" asked Ike.
Link took off his shoes and ran to Samus's room. He was so embarrassed, he didn't even want to confront Ike.
"Samus, he found out," Link said, defeated.
"Sit down. I'll be right back," said Samus.
"Samus, no!"
A few minutes later, Samus came back with Ike. She told him to apologize to Link, even though he technically didn't do anything wrong.
"I'm sorry, Link. Would I be able to make it up to you if I walked you back to your room, as yourself this time?" He smiled, trying to make Link feel better.
"Okay."
Samus shot Link a grin and a quick wink before Ike picked him up and left. He carried the blonde, bridal style, so he wouldn't fall, back to his room.
"Hey, Link. What I didn't want to talk about before, I think I'm ready to tell you about it now."
"What is it?"
"I think I'm done dating girls…"
"How can you say that? You were flirting with me all night?" Link questioned.
"Was I? I was just trying to be polite. I thought I was speaking with Cinderella, after all. I'm sorry," the bluenette apologized.
"It's alright, Ike."
"Can I kiss you, Link?" Ike asked, his face reddening.
Link giggled. "I've been waiting for you to ask me that."