Sorry for the long wait. School, you know? Well anyways, read and review please!

Chapter 2 - Introduction


Ding dong…

The bell echoed and resonated throughout the building, making a couple of birds on the roof fly away, squawking.

A pause.

Ding Dong! The bell rang again, more urgently. This time, someone answered.

"Coming, coming! Don't get your panties all in a twist, sheesh!"

Instead of going the traditional walking way, Pit flew into the entrance hall from the staircase and nearly crashed into giant doors in his rush. He landed and peered through the peephole. There, standing on the entrance, was an intimidating girl dressed in black. Everything she wore was black; her gloves, headband, dress, shorts, and boots, all except the white scarf that covered her mouth and draped around her front. Pit's eyes narrowed. Everything about her screamed distrustful! But then again, she didn't look all that bad. The girl's arms were crossed with impatience, and she looked upwards at the towers that decorated the mansion with an expression of boredom. Pit shrugged to himself and grunted as he unlocked and pulled open the large doors. The stranger immediately looked away from the roof and scrutinized the angel that opened the doors. Pit raised an eyebrow and asked, "Yes?"

The girl blinked before answering in a smooth voice. "I've been invited… You… are you Masterhand?"

"No, I'm not Masterhand. I'm Pit, and I'm supposed to take care of the mansion while they're gone. Masterhand and the others are away at a tournament. Just wondering, but what were you invited to?"

The girl reached into a pouch around her waist and pulled out a scroll. Unraveling it, she held it up for Pit to see. Pit gasped as he read what was on the paper.

"Y-you? A…a Brawler?"

The girl shrugged. "That's why I came."

Pit gawked some more.

"What? You don't think I'm good enough to be one?" The girl's hand twitched towards her back as she glared down at Pit.

Pit shook his head franticly as back away from the stranger. "No, no, I didn't mean anything like that. Um… Why don't you come inside?"

Though Pit could not see the girl's expression because of the scarf, he was sure she was smiling. Smiling with joy or grim amusement, he shall never know. Just before the stranger passed him however, it suddenly occurred to Pit that he didn't know her name, and as if she read his mind,

"My name is Ren, by the way. Ren Striker."

Ren walked past him, with Pit staring at her with a freaked expression. He then noticed that on her back were twin blades, tied into an X fashion. Cruel, silver, and sharp, they reflected the sunlight coming in from the door. Those must be the things Ren was reaching for when he had somehow offended her. He shivered as he thought about what might have happened if she had gotten a good grip on her blades.

A while later…

"Pit!" Masterhand bellowed. "Argh… Where is that angel? Probably off playing Wii somewhere," he grumbled to himself. "Pit!" he yelled once more.

After a moment, Masterhand finally spotted the winged Brawler soaring as quickly as a bullet towards him. Pit attempted to brake but failed, crashing into Masterhand in his rush. The Brawlers behind Masterhand chuckled, and Peach and Zelda were the only ones that asked if he was ok.

"Yes, Masterhand?" Pit said after sticking out his tongue at the others.

Masterhand hovered closer to Pit, "Did anybody new come along today while we were gone?"

Pit nodded. "Yeah, in fact, she's in the Entrance Hall right now. Did you know that she was coming today? Why didn't you tell me?"

Masterhand shrugged (if he could), "I thought it would be a pleasant surprise."

Pit stared at Masterhand, astonished, "She is far from pleas-"

"Alright Pit, I want you to bring her over here," Masterhand interrupted. "Let's give her a good introduction."

Pit sighed, but obeyed the floating hand. He flew past a staircase, through a corridor and finally landed in the hall. Ren was standing by an open window, staring at the blue sky outside, but turned around as she heard Pit land.

"Ren? Masterhand wants to see you."

She nodded and followed Pit, who decided to use his feet on the way back.

Ren's POV

Today I finally reached the Smash Mansion. Yeah, it's pretty impressive, but its inhabitants aren't. That angel. Pit. He seems a bit of a coward. Then again, almost everybody I meet runs away. But who needs them? People… Once you start to trust them, they take advantage and destroy you, piece by piece. No one can be trusted.

"Ren? Masterhand wants to see you."

I turn around to see that timid angel again. I nod and follow him through long corridors and past tall staircases. Finally, we stop in a huge marble hall with a high ceiling. I see a floating, gloved hand with a crowd of the strangest people and creatures behind him. I walk forward to the giant hand in which I deemed to be Masterhand. Who else would have a 'hand' in their name? I mentally jump when I hear the hovering appendix speak.

"Welcome to the Smash Mansion. I was the one who invited you here. I am Masterhand," it said in a deep voice. I nodded. It faced the crowd behind him and said to them, "This is Ren, the new Brawler. Remember, treat her nicely."

The Brawlers in front of me nod solemnly and a few smiled at me. I blink in response. The hand then addressed Pit, "Since you guys are already acquainted, I expect you to give Ren a tour of the mansion, you hear me?"

It seemed that Pit didn't really want to, for he started to stammer, "B-but I… do I r-really, but s-she…" Yup. He was scared of me.

Someone in the crowd started to laugh. Everyone turned to look at him. A man with blue hair, tunic, and a red cape smiled sympathetically at the fearful angel. "How about I take over instead of Pit. He looks freaked enough to wet his pants." For some reason, at that very moment, I hated him.

During the time Masterhand took to accept his offer and to dismiss everyone, I was giving that man my death glare. After kissing a royal looking woman who was obviously his girlfriend, he approached me. I narrowed my eyes as he came closer and closer, but instead of looking scared or freaked out like I wanted him to, he looked amused. That. Pissed. Me. Off.

"So… you must be some girl to freak Pit out that badly. I'm Ike, by the way, nice to meet you."


Oh my.. It seems that Ren isn't used to people not getting scared of her. Check back in a week or so and I'll have the next chapter you for you peoples!

-Crystaura