A/N: Yay an update! First, I'd like to thank my reviewers of chapter one! You guys motivate me so much and I'm happy that people actually enjoy it, plus I get a nice warm and fuzzy feeling that makes me smile for an idiot for about a half-hour (what can I say, I'm easily pleased.)
And so I bring you chapter two!
Disclaimer: All characters and settings belong to their respectful owners.
Blue.
The color just seemed to dominate her thoughts lately. She would pick the color out from high up in the stands across the battlefield and her eyes followed him as he would gracefully maneuver around the stage.
She would watch him as he would sit around his friends and silently listen to their conversations and occasionally add his own input. She could read his mannerisms so well and could tell what he was feeling.
When he was bored he would rest his cheek in the palm of his hand and would stare in some general direction through half-lidded eyes and nod half-heartedly if someone would address him.
A wrinkle of the nose and furrowed eyebrows meant irritation, but he would only reveal it for a brief second before returning to his usual serious expression.
Interest resulted in a quick flash of his cerulean eyes and a sudden alertness in his posture.
A clenched jaw, crossed arms, and a leering glare were products of anger.
Confused? He would run a hand through his hair and give a lopsided grin… although this was an expression rarely seen.
A wistful sigh escaped her soft lips as she continued to observe him across the room. It was almost as if just looking at him was her first priority. 'If only I could just–!'
"Zelda?" A soft voice interrupted the Hylian's thoughts.
She raised her head and looked at Peach. The Princess of the Mushroom kingdom wore an expression that was somewhere in between amused and perplexed. "Yes Peach?" Zelda replied.
"You're staring again," the princess pointed out flatly.
"Oh," Zelda felt her cheeks explode with heat and color. She had been caught in the act and was embarrassed by her actions. It was unladylike to stare. She didn't mean to, it just sort of happened. She didn't reply and merely bowed her head down in abashment.
"You call that staring?" Samus interjected with a slight hint of amusement. "More like ogling. I mean really Zelda, you looked all spaced out with your eyes glazed over and your mouth hung open. I was wondering when you were going to start drooling," the bounty hunter teased with a small smile.
Zelda felt her face grow even hotter and felt herself wishing that her hair would fall over her face and create a curtain to hide her blush from the two blondes.
"Samus," Peach chided with a stern tone. "That's not true. Zelda dear, don't worry about it, it wasn't nearly that bad… although, I must ask, what were you looking at?" She asked as her eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Ah, it was nothing," Zelda muttered as her eyes quickly darted in his direction – he was listening intently on some retelling of a recent match – before anyone noticed. "I was just preoccupied with some thoughts."
Peach raised an eyebrow in question but bought her story for the time being. She didn't doubt that there was more to Zelda's answer than she let on, nobody stares that intensely for such a long period of time, nor do they do it repeatedly.
Samus yawned and rose to her feet – the three of them had been relaxing in the Smash Mansion's lounge – and stretched briefly. "Well, I'm bored, so I'm going to find out what those boys are up to," she explained as she turned her back to the two royals. She paused mid-step and glanced over her shoulder and added, "Care to join me?" It was only polite she at least extend an invitation.
Zelda smiled softly and rose to her feet accepting the invite. She brushed off her gown and raised a delicate hand to her face hoping her fierce blush had left. Peach shook her head and explained that she had other matters to attend to.
And with that, the bounty hunter and Hylian walked across the room to where the guys were seated.
Pit and Roy were seated in one couch excitedly yapping away about one thing or another and using their excited wild movement to illustrate certain things. At one point, Roy's spastic gestures got out of control and his fist accidentally collided with Falco who was seated beside him.
Falco's temper immediately flared up and he swore loudly while clutching his beak in slight pain. He probably would've socked Roy in the jaw had Fox and Marth not stopped him with their cold threatening glares.
Ike, as per usual, wore an uninterested expression that completed his nonchalant manner. He looked like he was dragged here against his will and would rather be anywhere else at the moment. But then again, he always looked like that, so who really knew what he was thinking.
Upon catching sight of the girls, Link immediately scooted over to make more room. Zelda smiled at the blonde as she took her seat while Samus settled for the armrest next to Captain Falcon.
Link glanced over at Zelda and did a double take. Her face was an unhealthy shade of red. When Link commented on it her eyes had widened and lips parted slightly in shock. Quickly a gloved hand flew to the bottom half of her face trying to conceal the blush. She brushed Link's comment off with a slight wave of her free hand and gave a muffled response that she had just been feeling under the weather.
Which in retrospect wasn't the wisest choice of words for Link grew concerned for his friend and insist she at least go rest and with her constant protesting it brought much unwanted attention to the two Hylians. Zelda could feel everyone's eyes boring into her, especially his. Why did he have to see her like this, when she wasn't her usual composed self of all times, she lamented as her face seemed to only turn even more scarlet. Zelda wished something would happen as a distraction and save her from all these stares.
Her wish was fulfilled in the form of Marth.
The Prince of Altea rose to his feet with an annoyed sigh and all eyes were suddenly glued to him.
"Where ya going Marthy boy?" Captain Falcon asked as the blue haired prince had wordlessly turned on his heel and walked away.
Without even looking over his shoulder Marth replied, "Master Hand has requested my presence in his office."
Falco cracked a malicious grin. "I'll bet it's so he can break it to you that he kicked you out of top tier after your pitiful match with Ganondorf from earlier today."
Marth came to an abrupt halt upon hearing the arrogant and cocky pilot's remark. He had calmed down considerably after spending an hour in the training room, but still, his pride was hurt and the wound remained fresh and open, so his fury by no means had been completely dispersed.
Even though Marth had managed to get a grip on his temper and remained his cool, clam, and collected exterior, deep down inside he was shaken with anger and longed for nothing more then to kick the avian around a few times.
"I highly doubt that," He replied coolly. "I have most definitely proven my worth to be considered top tier."
Falco snorted and crossed his arms, "Yeah well, I did to, and look at me now. Relocated to the top of middle tier. If I can get dropped, you can too."
"Did you ever consider the fact that you were moved because you were never that amazing to being with?" Came Marth's biting reply.
Everyone drew in a long sharp breath, anxiously waiting for what would happen next.
In the blink of an eye Fox was restraining a raging Falco that seemed hell bent on pummeling the Prince.
"Let me go Fox! I'll show that pretty boy who's better!" the avian screeched as he tried to close the distance between him and Marth – who remained to maintain a passive face – but Fox struggled to keep a strong hold on his teammate.
"Oh really?" Marth asked sarcastically as he raised an eyebrow in mock-interest. "Because if memory serves me right, you tried that a week ago in an official battle and lost… quite miserably I must add."
"I'm going to kill you Marth!" Falco thrashed even harder in his commander's grip.
"Falco get a hold of yourself and calm down!" Fox barked at the bird and struggled even harder to keep Falco from breaking free.
"Nobody insults Falco Lombardi and gets off scott free!"
"Falco, if you don't calm down right this instant, the second we get home I'm assigning you on an endless amount of missions with Slippy as your partner!" Fox threatened.
As if those were the magic words, Falco's body stopped moving about wildly and he had practically collapsed to the floor. He wouldn't put it past Fox to carry out his threat that would drive the avian insane. Falco had no desire to deal with Slippy and his incompetence on a mission as his partner. Just thinking about it gave him the shudders.
Marth took the opportunity to make his swift and silent departure down the corridors towards Master Hand's office.
Pit, who had never witnessed Falco's anger till now, was frightened and he silently prayed to Palutena that he never had to fight against him. Roy on the other hand wore an expression of mirth; the young lord was so used to getting the brunt of the pilot's anger – granted, most of the time he was the cause too – that it never even fazed him anymore.
After a moment of silence and recuperating from watching the sudden outburst between Marth and Falco, Captain Falcon and Samus left after she had accepted his invitation to cruise around in the Blue Falcon, while Zelda and Link left to take a nice walk around the mansion's grounds.
Suddenly, Sonic burst in and ran over to the remaining five smashers at breakneck speed.
"Hey guys," Sonic began excitedly as he hopped from foot to foot. "Lucario and Mewtwo are having another showdown to prove who's better!" And without another word the speedy hedgehog dashed off as if that was his invite.
Fox blinked. "Well, it could be interesting I suppose," he mused to himself. "C'mon Falco, let's go watch." The vulpine grabbed the still stunned into silence avian by the collar and dragged him off much like Diddy Kong had when they were in the jungle.
"Slippy… eternal missions… mental suffering… too much incompetence…" Falco murmured to himself with a slight twitch in his eye as he was dragged away.
Fox paused before calling over his shoulder, "You coming Ike?"
The blue-haired mercenary grunted, "I'd rather not." Ike much preferred to be left alone.
"Okay then," Fox let out a small laugh before adding, "Have fun with Pit and Roy."
Ike's deep blue eyes darted to the angel and lord, and then darted to the direction of the two pilots. All of sudden he didn't mind going with them. Ike bolted to his feet and chased after them with a call for Fox to wait up.
Pit frowned and looked at Roy who remained unfazed with his wide ear-to-ear grin. "Well, that was rude." The angel stated.
"Ah, who cares?" Roy replied with a flick of his wrist. He began to scratch his chin in thought of wondering what to do. After a moment of silence the redhead snapped his fingers. "I've got it!"
'Got what?' Pit wondered.
"C'mon Pit! I'll show you where Master Hand stashes all his records!" The young lord seized the angel by the arm and began to gently drag him off Palutena knows where.
"Wait, what? Hey, hold on a second Roy – GAH!"
Fox immediately dropped Falco in annoyance (who responded with some incoherent mumblings of going insane about "Arwings" and "Slippy" and "Barrel Rolls") as he stared at Lucario and Mewtwo.
Sonic had failed to mention that their so called epic showdown was a battle of wits using tactical board games.
Specifically chess and checkers.
"I hate that blue little fuzzy annoying – what the hell is Sonic anyways?!" Ike snapped, feeling highly irate.
"A hedgehog… a very dead one next time I see him," Fox answered.
"Would you two keep it down!" The combined sharp voices of Lucario and Mewtwo pierced the air.
Ike complied to their demands – but not before giving them a glare – and silently plopped down on the couch with his eyebrows knitted into a deep scowl and his arms crossed angrily. 'At least it's quiet.'
Fox also sat down with a bored look and left Falco on the ground. He figured it was best to leave the incapacitated pilot on the ground, he wasn't bothering anyone nor was he going anywhere.
It was Mewtwo's turn. Then Lucario's. Then Mewtwo's. Then Mewtwo's again. It was quite dull and monotonous. Fox felt like clawing his way out of his skin; at least that would've been more exciting.
He wished the two Pokemon had an actual physical brawl. It would've been far more exhilarating and interesting than this turn based game. But alas, Master Hand had made it clear that fighting outside the battlefields was forbidden, and nobody would dare disobey Master Hand unless one was searching for severe punishment.
That was part of the reason Fox had to be around Falco most of the time. The pilot had a knack for picking fights when angered and Fox had to constantly hold him back from doing anything rash, reckless, or stupid. It was frustrating to say the least since Falco was completely aware of these rules but he constantly pushed his luck, maybe if he just had a little more amount of self control over his temper and biting attitude then Fox could let the avian wander off and do as he pleased. But the chances of that is the day he and Wolf get along.
She landed her Pegasus on the mansion grounds and gracefully descended from the creature's back. Her cerulean orbs scanned the peaceful scenery; there wasn't a soul in sight. She concluded that everyone had to be inside.
Brushing her blue fringe out of her eyes she grabbed the reins of her Pegasus and led him over to a secluded section of the grounds. With an affectionate pat to the Pegasus's cheek she commanded him to stay and turned on her heel.
She only took a few steps before she heard the steady clip-clop of hooves behind her. She turned around sharply with her hands on her hips and a small frown.
"No, I told you to stay," She chided for the second time that day. The horse-like animal neighed and affectionately nipped at her clothes in response. She giggled softly as he nuzzled her face shortly after.
"Now, I want you to stay this time. You can't follow me in alright?" She told him as she looked him sharply in the eye. She got an understanding snort in response.
When she reached the front door of the mansion (more of a vast arch really) she noticed it was already slightly ajar. She peeked her head in and blinked as she looked down the hallway entrance. It was empty.
She shrugged figuring there was no harm letting herself in – the door was already open after all – and walked down the corridor looking for the man she came to see. She may not have been there very long but every time she poked her head in some room she would always find some strange characters lurking in it.
In one room she spotted five small children lying in front of some sort of screen that was flashing various images. All of the children's eyes were glued to the screen, mesmerized by whatever was flashing. She was slightly attracted to it herself, never seeing such a device in her life, but she shook it off reminding herself of her reason for being here. Her curiosity could be dealt with later.
Another room emitted some sort of indistinguishable distinct odor that made her wrinkle her nose in disgust. In it was some kid that was surrounded by animals that she had never seen in her life. One was definitely a dragon, she gathered that much, while another bore some semblance to a turtle. The other three though had completely puzzled her.
Many strange creatures followed. A strange pink puffball and dinosaur-like creature were spotted in the kitchen inhaling food at an incredible rate. She saw another creature that seemed to be a cross between a dragon and a turtle arguing with a giant penguin – was it wearing clothes? – and a man of massive stature that just sent shivers down her spine just from this strange evil aurora he gave off.
'What kind of tournament is my Lord competing in?' She found herself questioning.
Thankfully none of the residents had spotted her since all were too busy wrapped up in their actions and she would just merely peek through the entryway for a few seconds before swiftly leaving.
Just about when she was going to give up, she poked around in one last room and nearly leaped for joy when she caught sight of the back of a human with blue hair seated comfortably on the couch. She completely disregarded everyone else's presence as she entered the room stealthily so could sneak up on him.
She was only a few feet away and everyone was completely unaware of her presence due to them being concentrated on some board game between some humanoid cat and dog. She felt her heart flutter with anticipation; it has been so long since she had been this close to him. She felt her breathing become uneven and it nearly got caught in her throat but she managed to control herself… heavy breathing wasn't exactly sneaky.
With a wide beam she shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck with a loud cry. "My Lord Marth I've finally found you!" She felt him stiffen in response and let out a yelp.
"Who the hell are you?!" Funny, she never recalled Marth having such a deep voice… or being so informal for that matter.
She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the man she was embracing. A pair of deep sapphire orbs stared back with a look of irritation and confusion. He was most definitely not her lord.
There was never a more appropriate time to use the phrase "oh shit" but now. She felt all eyes of the occupants of the room on her and the man – whom she hadn't released just yet because her body was in far too much of a state of shock and humiliation to even register the movement she commanded.
Needless to say, Sheeda could feel all the blood rush to her cheeks and her scarlet face rivaled her own outfit.
A/N: Dun-dun-dun. I was actually rather satisfied with this chapter. Poor Sheeda… better luck next time.
Wow, I'm rather mean to Falco aren't I? But I love Falco, I just think he's quick tempered and has a slight attitude is all. –Huggles Falco- But I'm kinda mean to Roy too O.o Not that I intend to, I just believe Roy is a bit on the immature side since he's young and has an explosive personality; it's not that nobody likes him, he's just overbearing and tiresome.
Anyways, you know the drill. Reviews/constructive criticism are always welcomed!
Self-Critique: I use fillers way too much…