Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.
Hope you enjoy. c:
"Player defeated!" The announcer's voice rang across Battlefield, signaling the end to Yoshi's part in the brawl against Captain Falcon and Ness. Only Fox remained.
The rest of the brawlers sat in the stands, entranced. Fox was holding up on his own against Captain Falcon and Ness—all three only had one stock life remaining. With grace, Fox managed to evade Ness's incoming PK Thunder and landed behind the boy. Ness furiously tried to break concentration, but Fox was able to strike a critical hit from which Ness could not recover.
"Player defeated!"
Fox gloated, tossing his gun up in a teasing manner, but Captain Falcon was quick to rush over and deliver a swift blow that sent Fox flying. He barely caught the ledge, but upon pulling himself, he realized it would have been best to have just let go.
"Falcon… PUNCH!"
"Game!"
With a smirk, Captain Falcon saluted the rest of the cheering brawlers, enveloped in an orange glow before being teleported back to the rest room, where Ness and Fox were nursing their wounds.
"That was some match," Fox remarked.
Captain Falcon smiled. "Thanks. I have fans to greet so if you'll excuse me…"
Fox sighed, casting a glance at Ness before following Captain Falcon out to the lobby outside the stands where the rest of the brawlers were mingling, slowly dispersing off to the dining room of Smash HQ.
"Nice game, Fox!" Kirby bounced over, giving Fox a high-five. "You guys did great! Sorry you didn't win."
"Thanks, Kirb," Fox chuckled. He left Kirby and found Falco chatting amiably with Luigi nearby.
"That was a tight match," Luigi remarked when he noticed Fox approaching. Falco nodded his agreement.
"It was fair game."
"Thanks for the encouragement, guys."
Falco and Luigi laughed, teasing Fox about how the look on his face before Captain Falcon sent him flying off the stage.
Samus and Zelda too were discussing the match. Unfortunately, Peach skipped over, having finished conversing with Nana.
"That was such a grueling match," Peach sighed. She glanced over at Captain Falcon, who was busying talking to Link and Mario. "Don't you think?"
Zelda and Samus gave each other a look—Samus, however, was the first to speak up. "I agree Peach, it was intense. But, I left something back in my dorm room. Excuse me…" She quickly fled the room, leaving Zelda to endure Peach's endless chatter.
"I wonder if Captain Falcon's punch is really as strong as it looks," Peach cooed. "Maybe I can get into a brawl with him just to experience it? What do you think, Zelda?"
"I think," Zelda replied, spinning Peach around, "you should ask Fox about it. He was on the receiving end, it only makes sense—"
"Great idea!" Peach made her way over to Fox who, to Zelda's amusement, seemed to turn pale despite being covered in fur. Shaking her head, Zelda turned to head to the dining hall, only to crash into an oncoming person.
"Princess!"
Zelda felt her cheeks grow warm as she found that she had run into Marth. "I'm sorry, Marth! I didn't know you were there."
Marth grinned. "No apology needed, Zelda. In a hurry?"
Zelda shook her head—but at the sound of Peach's non-stop giggles, she changed her mind and nodded. "Just trying to escape that running mouth of hers."
Marth chuckled. "You really don't like her?"
"Not necessarily. I just—" Zelda stopped herself, and laughed. "Yeah. I don't like her."
"That's too bad," Marth shrugged. He started walking towards the dining hall, Zelda following at his side.
"How so?"
"I have a friend who was rather interested."
Zelda laughed again. "Does he have any idea what she's even like?"
Marth smiled. "No. I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen. Not even when I mentioned Mario."
"He'll learn," Zelda responded. The two stopped outside the doors of the dining hall. She hesitated. "Are you going in?"
Marth shook his head. "No. I ate before the match."
"Right. Well, I'll see you later." Feeling rather disappointed, Zelda smiled crookedly and went inside.
"Right," Marth responded softly as the door closed behind her. He exited the hallway and entered the main lobby. It was void of any brawlers, save for the R.O.B. standing behind the register. Nodding once at R.O.B., he waited by the nearest elevator. There was a slight *ding* and the doors slid open. Marth stepped inside and started for the dorm levels when he saw Ganondorf approaching. He quickly pressed the button, silently willing for the doors to shut, but Ganondorf was quicker, stopping the doors.
"Hope you don't mind," he grunted, stepping inside. Marth tightened his lips, forcing a smile as the doors closed. The two stood in a short, rather awkward silence before Ganondorf turned to Marth.
"What was it I saw you and Zelda were conversing about?" He attempted to make his tone casual, but the mockery was all too obvious.
Marth clenched a fist, willing himself to stay calm. Most brawlers felt intimidated in Ganondorf's presence, but he felt nothing but bitterness, constantly reminded of Zelda's past with this man. He knew it was none of his business, but he cared about Zelda.
"We were talking about the brawl," Marth replied hotly.
Ganondorf raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Is that so?" He reached over Marth and pressed the Emergency Stop button. The elevator jolted to a stop. Marth grew tense. He didn't think Ganondorf would attack him in an elevator, especially since there were cameras (though R.O.B. sometimes neglected them). But he wasn't very sure.
"Now what was it you were really talking about," Ganondorf asked.
"What good would it do you," Marth snapped. "Are you… perhaps, jealous that I can talk to her without getting a look of disgust?"
And then Marth found himself slammed against the wall of the elevator, held by the throat by one of Ganondorf's massive hands.
"Another crack like that," Ganondorf growled darkly, "And I'll be sure that you won't walk away from our next brawl alive."
Marth pulled at the hand holding him, barely managing to utter, "What next brawl?"
Ganondorf chuckled, releasing Marth. "You haven't heard? We've been assigned to a brawl next week."
"I'll have it canceled," Marth spat, gently rubbing his throat.
"No can do," Ganondorf responded. "I listed you as 'Urgent'."
Marth glared at the Gerudo, wishing he had his sword, Falchion, at his side. "Fine."
Ganondorf smirked. "I'll be seeing you." He summoned a purple flame, which expanded into a vortex on the side of the elevator. He stepped into it, vortex and himself disappearing.
Marth angrily clenched his fists. He pressed the communication button to buzz R.O.B and continue the elevator.
When Marth had finally escaped the elevator, he entered his dorm room, glancing once at the empty bed on the opposite side of the room before flopping onto his own single bed. He wondered when his friend would be arriving. Master Hand had promised a special welcoming for the newcomers, but news had not been announced.
He then proceeded to think of his conversation with Zelda. The simple blush in her cheeks when she had realized whom she had run into. Her smile that would not disappear whenever she talked to him. He often wondered how he was able to hold himself back. If it were up to him, he would grab Zelda by the waist, confess his feelings for her, and kiss her as though he wouldn't live to see another day. Marth smiled to himself. Yes, he would do something like that. The only thing holding him back was that it would hurt his friend Link, whom he knew carried feelings for Zelda as well. It bothered him how Link and Zelda had a past, something that didn't exist between him and Zelda. The only thing they could reminisce on together was past brawls and events that occurred at the Smash HQ. But he tried not to let it bother him too much.
His thoughts floated towards the event in the elevator, and his anger returned. "I'll make sure I beat you," Marth growled. He rolled over, trying to drift asleep.
"That could be a great idea." Master Hand rested behind the desk of his office at the peak of Smash HQ. Mario sat on the opposite side, staring up at the gargantuan hand in front of him.
"The only thing that troubles me," Mario frowned, "Is that there aren't many—erm, ladies for the brawlers to accompany to this event."
Master Hand chuckled. "Do not let that concern you. For all we know, the brawlers may not even be interested in it."
"We can't rely on that though. If they truly are… Zelda, Samus, Nana, and Peach are going to be swamped." Mario clasped his hands together, furiously thinking.
Master Hand opened a nearby file cabinet, riffling through the files until he found the one he was looking for. He scanned over the paper, sighing. "There are not any female newcomers. You're right. That could very much serve as a problem, assuming the brawlers are into this."
Mario shook his head. "I'm not saying we have to host such an event. But, it would certainly be different than a typical 'Welcome to Smash HQ. Here's the people you're fighting, have a good time.' It's not… it doesn't strike me as very welcoming."
Master Hand sighed. "Do remember Mario, that the majority of the brawlers are men. They may not even give this a second thought." He drummed his fingers on his desk, silent for a few moments, before slapping the desk. "Nevermind that," Master Hand said cheerfully. "We will have the event. At the very least, the women will realize this dire predicament and take it easy on the men of this place," he added with a touch of satire. "It will be held next week!"
Mario gave Master Hand a troubled look. "So soon?"
Master Hand gently pushed the plumber out of his office. "Do not fret. I will see that word gets out and decorations are set. This will be the beginning of the very first, annual Smash Ball!"