Sorry for the almost month delay. I've been kind of busy and stuff. Here's the last two matches Round 2.

Chapter 9: Man vs Beast

Ike was already in his teleporter before Toon Link made his routine announcements. Pikachu scampered to his teleporter.

"Pika Pika." Pikachu greeted.

"Hello." Ike responded. "And good luck to you too, my electric friend."

"Your course will be Mario Circuit." Toon Link told.

Once they were taken to their stage, the countdown began again. Once they were allowed to fight they did.

Thunderbolts and sparks rumbled and fire blazed. Shy Guys in cars were racing by.

The brawlers were trying to be as progressive as possible as possible. Damage was dealt with every attack that landed.

Ike hit Pikachu with his blade. It made Pikachu fly far enough to hit the Shy Guys, who were just driving by. Pikachu bounced off the cars and flew towards Ike, who in return smashed the electric mouse with a smash attack. It knocked Pikachu out and the mouse was promptly brought back to the stage.

"5… 4… 3… 2… 1…" the announcer began. "Time!"

Ike and Pikachu were brought to the victory circle in an orderly fashion. Ike stood there with his hands on his hips as the always courteous announcer declared him as the winner. Once he was, the two were sent back.

- With the brawlers -

Pikachu and Ike emerged from their teleporters.

"You did good, friend." Ike stated.

"Pika Pikachu." Pikachu replied.

"Thank you."

"Nicely done you two." Link confessed while walking up to them. "Keep up the good work."

"Thank you." Ike replied with a smile, and Pikachu responded the same. "Now I do believe Pikachu and I need to get our heart containers."

"Indeed you do. I'll see you back in the lobby."

Ike, Link, and Pikachu went their separate ways for the time being.

Snake and Donkey Kong went to their teleporters.

"Your course is Shadow Moses Island." Toon Link admitted.

They nodded and pressed the green button. They were instantly materialized to their stage.

"5… 4… 3… 2… 1…" The announcer called. "Go!"

- With the other brawlers -

Link was watching while everyone else was doing their own thing. That eerie feeling that welcomed Link in Snake's last match came back. Link noted it and noted how Snakes match was going.

"Something the matter Link?" Zelda asked the green clad hero as she approached him.

"Does something seem off about Snake?" Link asked.

"What do you mean?"

"He isn't that focused on the match. He seems distracted, like he's got a mission."

"Well that's normal for Snake, isn't it? He's not exactly much of a talker, but gives off an 'I've got a mission' vibe ever once in a while, even before he says anything about it. Why's now any different?"

"Because this isn't said vibe. It's a different 'mission' vibe. It's more of an 'I've got to get something here' kind of vibe. He never brings his missions to a tournament or brawl, only the vibe telling us he has a mission before he tells us. I don't know what it is, I just know he's after something. What do you think Ike?" Link asked as the bluenette approached the duo.

"About what?" Ike replied.

"Snake being different than usual."

"I felt a vibe that was different, yes, but I've been getting vibes quite a bit since the end of your match with Marth, so my assumptions about those vibes may be different."

"Well if you're right and he did bring some part of his mission here, it could be for the prize money." Zelda reasoned with what logic she could muster. "The guy doesn't always get paid during his missions, and he needs supplies every now and then."

"Snake wins." The announcer proclaimed at the victory circle with the two brawlers.

"You have your second intermission folks." Toon Link announced. "Use it wisely. I'll see to it that Link and Kirby make it to their teleporters in ten minutes."

"Link!" A voice screamed.

So here's the rest of the second round. Who is screaming Links name? That will be revealed in the next chapter.