Author's Note: Just to explain. I am new to writing for others, so any helpful criticism will be appreciated. I will not write about anyone I am not familiar with. This is to ensure that I do not incorrectly portray anyone. For the sake of the story, The three Hylians are solely from the Smash Brothers universe, and Zelda and Link have no memory of other adventures. Ganondorf remembers all past adventures, but he won't be helpful in this adventure.
The morning air was crisp and cool, the leaves outside were bright oranges and reds, bringing a sense of calm to most who made their home here. The early light was reflected by the moat surrounding the castle. Sunlight filtered through the ornate stained glass windows, leaving colored patterns on the walls and floor. The office was filled with classical music, for Master Hand was stressed.
Master Hand checked his papers and sighed. He had invited his smashers from many different plains of reality, bringing them together to learn from one another, to form bonds, to unite realities, and, most importantly, to sell tickets to their fights, gaining revenue. Each fighter had been carefully selected.
Initially, they were chosen for their prowess in battle, but as more sought to join the smash, and more dimensions wanted representation, Master Hand allowed less skilled fighters in, leading to less balance between the matches. Sometimes, fighters left on their own, and returned later. Other times, Master Hand had to block fighters from the battles. Nobody was ever kicked out of the castle, but they were barred from the official matches, which suited them fine. One of these fighters was Pichu. Pichu was just too gentle for the constant battling, and she now happily tended to the gardens and orchards.
The Hand had a policy though. No matter how difficult, he would never lose his first fighters. They were the ones he had wanted for his competition from the start. They were balanced against each other, and The Hand had grown fond of them. However, this policy was being tried.
Though he had done his research, he hadn't fully understood the fate of his reincarnating swordsman. The Goddesses were alright with Ganondorf being away, as he hadn't aged for hundreds of years, and the Princess Zelda would bear a child who would continue on the wisdom of her ancestors. Their Hero Link, however, couldn't be lost. They needed him in Hyrule to fight anyone who opposed them or their land, and the Golden Goddesses were anxious with Link away. In fact, they hadn't wanted him to go in the first place, but The Hand hadn't asked, he has just assumed that everyone would be proud to be represented.
The Hand knew that now, because of this error, he would have to return Link to Hyrule, and it would be years before a replacement reincarnation would arrive. Link would not return until he was needed, and then it would take incredible manipulation to acquire him for the tournament. Unless...
The Hand began to scheme, something far more daring than anything he had done before. He answered the letter with his reply, kindly explaining that Link was valuable, so he would remain at the Smash Castle. He then turned to his thoughts. He wouldn't allow a original fighter to go. No, he would have to enforce his own rules. He would ensure that the hero remained. He would prove his power and ensure that nobody dared to stand in his way again.
The Hand would defy the Goddesses, no matter the consequences.
Link awoke with a start, jerking upwards to a sitting position. His left hand glowed with the mark of the Triforce, puzzling the swordsman for a moment. Then he felt it. A strange urge to return to Hyrule. He didn't know why, but the he felt the need to leave the castle immediately. He quickly packed up his battle items and hurriedly left to find Zelda. He rushed out of his room so quickly that he tripped over Pikachu, crushing her tail underneath his foot.
"Piiiii," whined the little mouse Pokemon, looking dejectedly at her tail with watery eyes. She waved it around and sighed dejectedly.
"Sorry, Pikachu," Link said softly, upset that he had hurt the little creature. Pikachu looked up at him, and, seeing how sad Link was, she wiped her eyes. She then jumped up and nuzzled his knee, before running off.
Link would have gone after her, but then he felt the urge again, and remembered his quest. Jogging through the winding halls of the Smash Castle, Link searched for Zelda, hoping for some advice and guidance. Along the way, he met his close friend Mario, and asked about the princess.
"Zelda? I actually saw her a few minutes ago. I can lead you"
"Thank you Mario. If it isn't too much trouble, of course." Link knew that the Italian had his own responsibilities, but Link needed help.
"No trouble at all, Link. Let's a-go!" And with that, Mario led Link out the main hall, past the trophy room, and out the back, where Pichu kept her orchards. Sitting under an apple tree was Zelda, and in her lap laid Pikachu and Pichu. Pikachu's tail seemed fine at this point, and Zelda stroked the two Pokemon behind the ears. The little creatures were content, and a bit of berry juice dribbled from their chins, dripping onto the ground below.
As peaceful as it was, Link felt an urgency, and the need to set out for home was overwhelming. He tried to remain calm, but he wanted to sprint to his horse Epona, climb into the saddle, and gallop the whole way. However, he knew that he needed information, and Zelda knew more than he did about the Goddesses. Link walked over to her with a small jerk in his step, for she was in the opposite direction from Hyrule, and the call became more urgent.
"Do you want me to leave you for privacy?" asked Mario, seeing the worry on Link's face.
"No, you don't have to if you don't want to." came Link's reply. He sat next to Zelda and began to speak. "Zelda, I really need to return to Hyrule. Something's calling me, and I cannot refuse. I just... I feel like I have to go now. It makes me anxious, being away..." His left hand began to glow, the Triforce of Courage slightly brighter. Zelda's right hand glowed as well, with the Triforce of Wisdom showing up more.
Mario watched this with curiosity. Though he knew that they were marked, he had rarely seen their hands glow, especially not together like this. He knew something was up, but he remained silent, not wanting to interfere with the magic at work.
"Link, I feel that you need to return to Hyrule as well." Zelda replied. The princess had aways had a bit of formality, and though she had relaxed since coming to the castle, she was still serious when caught off guard. It was just as well, since the two from Hyrule had no romantic inclinations towards each other, though they were close friends.
"You had better go soon, Link. There is something serious going on, and you seem to have a vital part to play, yet again." Zelda sighed, gently removing the two sleeping Pokemon from her lap. Link was glad to see that Pikachu was fine, as well as Zelda losing the edge to her voice, but he was too anxious to dwell on the feeling.
Mario spoke up then. "Link, you ought to tell Master Hand where you're going so that he can plan for your absence."
Link agreed, and the duo headed off to the main office.
"For the thousandth time, no, nay, never!"
It had been a good twenty minutes, and what had started as a discussion had deteriorated into a heated argument. Master Hand was irate with the Goddesses, not at Link. They were influencing Link in a bad way, because the swordsman had never fought against him in all the years he had been there. The Hand had declined the Goddesses' summons, and they were now attempting to go against him.
Link was angry because the Hand was being unreasonable. He was the hero, for crying out loud. If he was needed, he had to go. He didn't ever feel such rage, and it was made worse because he was angry about being angry, making him even more furious.
Mario had remained silent, but he was worried and upset. The Hand wasn't making sense, and Link was being... abnormal. His usually gentle demeanor had been replaced by this irrational and violent creature.
Link shot back at the hand, "I am the hero of my entire realm. If I'm needed, I have no choice but to return."
"You have every choice! You cannot honestly tell me that there is nobody else in that idiotic Hyrule-"
"Do NOT talk about my home like that! I have to go! I'm choosing to go-"
"No. You know what! I choose to make you stay, and I OWN you!"
"I came of my free will, and if the Goddesses want my return, I WILL go back!"
The Hand was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was low and menacing. "Link, the Goddesses have no say here. They do not control me, and they do not control you. You are staying here, and that is final. I do this for your safety. There is a terrible fate waiting for you if you go back. Stay here."
At those two words, terrible fate, Link shuddered involuntarily. He grew silent once again. Indeed, he felt tired, as though he could sleep for a thousand years. He nodded slowly, not realizing that the words were a reference to a past life.
"Mario. Please escort Link to his room." And with a wave, the Hand dismissed them from his presence.