Wii Love Brawl Newcomers
Author's Note: I think it's about time to change it up a little. Merry Christmas everyone!
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Chapter 11: New Judge
Master Hand floated quietly into the room completely oblivious to the fact that the door had been blown clean off its hinges. He was much more curious as to why Captain Falcon was setting a new window glass into the frame. Link and Samus didn't notice the giant hand waltz in; they were too busy browsing the archives of the Fanfiction website.
"Look at this one here," said Samus as she pointed a thin finger at the screen. "Take a look at the title."
Link winced his eyes and leaned in a bit to get a better look at the small text.
"Wii Love Brawl Newcomers," he said as he read the title of the newest posted story. He continued reading the summary to the story: "We all know the final roster of Super Smahs Bros. Brawl, but what about all the characters who didn't make it into the list? Through a series of one-sided interviews, Link, Samus and Captain Falcon are about to find out. Note: Multi-crossover..."
His words trailed off as he read those last few words; he and Samus exchanged uneasy glances.
"Is... Is this for real?" asked Samus with wide eyes.
Link didn't know how to respond.
"I have no idea," he replied. "It seems way too suspicious."
"Yeah!" said Falcon as he shoved his head between the two brawlers to look at the screen. "Brawl isn't even out yet! How can everyone already know the final roster when were still pickin' 'em?"
Link and Samus glanced at the racer before looking back at the screen.
"You think I should click on it?" asked Samus as she maneuvered the curser over the link to the story.
The Hylian was hesitant to reply, but he was cut off by familiar voice.
"What are you doing?" asked Master Hand as he approached the desk.
All three Smashers jumped at the sound of his voice, causing Falcon to lean back and almost fall out the newly replaced window.
"Aw jeez!" he cried as he regained his balance. "Master Hand, don't sneak up on us like that!"
Samus immediately closed the internet browser.
"Erm, yeah sir," she said. "Don't you know how to knock?"
The hand turned to face the empty door frame and then back at the Smashers.
"Oh sorry, I completely forgot. Maybe I would have been reminded IF THERE WAS A DOOR THERE!" he shouted.
His booming vocal chords almost made Link fall out of his seat.
"Falcon did it," he said quickly.
"Yeah!" agreed Falcon as he crossed his arms. "Wait what?!"
"Oh and blame him for the broken window too."
"Now hold on a second!" said Master Hand. All three Smashers froze and gave him their undivided attention. "Look, I didn't come all the way up here to yell at you three for destroying my property."
"That's a relief," replied Samus.
"No, the reason why I came up here in the first place was to check on your progress."
The group of Smashers went silent. They were waiting for someone else to give MAster Hand as straight up answer. Samus didn't even know how long they had been doing the interviews for. Were they supposed to have a certain amount done by now?
"Heh heh," said Falcon as he rubbed the back of his helmet. "No need to worry, sir. Our progress is fine!"
He gave Master Hand a goofy smile and a thumbs up, but the large floating glove wasn't impressed.
"So it seems," he replied. "Have you considered any of the newcomers to join since I left you here earlier?"
Link made a subtle gesture to the notepad on Falcon's desk. The racer noticed the Hylian's actions and scrambled to get his papers.
"Ahem. Um, yes sir, as a matter of fact, we have!" said Falcon as he winked as his fellow Smashers.
Neither Samus nor Link made eye contact with Falcon out of embarrassment. Actually, they were more embarrassed as to what Master Hand might say about their selection rather than Falcon's attitude.
"Ah, it's good to see you prepared notes. I didn't even have to tell you that," complimented the hand. "None of the newcomers gave you any problems did they?"
Falcon choked on his saliva, causing him to beat his chest aggressively until his lungs were clear again. Link started to get really sweaty as he remembered the interview he had with Wesker and Black Mage. Samus hoped that Master Hand wouldn't ask how the window broke in the first place.
"Nope!" said Falcon as he shot a gob of spit onto Link's hat. "No problems at all!"
Link wiped the spit off his head with his sleeve. All four of the Smashers sat there in silence for a few seconds. Master Hand waited patiently for something else, but sadly, non of the others had the guts to say anything.
"Well don't just stand there, drooling! Let's hear it!" he said.
Falcon wiped his mouth as he brought the notepad up to his eyes.
"Oh, sorry. Um... Yeah, well we have a couple of people we've considered for Brawl," he replied.
"'A couple'?" asked the hand. "You mean only two?"
"Well sir, you have to take into account that this is a very serious game we're dealing with here," said Samus from the side. "We can't just let any Joe Shmoe who walks through that door come in."
"Door frame," whispered Link.
"I see what you mean," responded Master Hand. "How many newcomers were there total?"
Link and Samus both looked up at Falcon who was hesitant to reply.
"Um... nine..." he muttered.
"What?"
"Nine."
"Only nine?"
"Give us a break sir!" said Falcon. "We're moving as fast as we can with these!"
Master Hand paused before saying anything.
"I suppose you expected me to get angry with you," he said.
"Please don't hit me," replied Link as he lowered his head. "I tried to tell them how important this job is to the company, but they just wouldn't listen."
"WHAT?!" shouted Falcon and Samus in unison.
"Oh, I see how this is!" said Falcon. "He thinks he can get us in trouble for all the things he messed up! Sir, don't listen to this prissy little wimp!"
"What did you call me?"
Link glared evilly at Falcon, a dark flare burning in his eyes. Falcon threw down the notepad and cracked his knuckles.
"You wanna make something out of this, 'pretty-boy'?"
"That's it!"
Link sprang from his seat and pounced on Falcon. The two fell to the floor and began rolling around, attempting to get at the other one's throat.
"Stop calling me a girl!"
"Not until you stop insulting me as a man!"
"You're a useless buffoon who doesn't even deserve to be in this company!"
"You can't even defend yourself without a weapon!"
Master Hand watched the two Smashers killing each other on the floor before turning back at Samus.
"Oh... Now I understand," he said above Link and Falcon's bickering.
Samus glanced at her friends before looking back at the glove.
"What?" she asked.
"The reason why you couldn't get through as many interviews as you wanted was because those two kept arguing. Right?"
Samus gave another look at Falcon and Link as they shouted their heads off at each other.
"You know, you could be right, sir," she said.
"And if that's the case... then I guess I'll have to split you two up."
Link and Falcon both broke away from each other and stood up. A ripped piece of Link's tunic was hanging from Falcon's mouth.
"WHAT?" they both asked, Falcon dropping the fabric in the process.
"That's right," replied the hand. "Since you two can't get along, I have no choice but to relieve you of one of your duties. I'm sorry, but this is the only way if I plan on getting through all those newcomers outside."
"But sir!" said Link. "You made this job especially for us! You even said yourself that there is no one else compatible for this job!"
"I know what I said, Link. And I do not plan on going back on my words. As a result, either you or Falcon will be replaced by one of the Melee characters. Don't make the situation seem worse than it is."
"Haha! Eat it Link!" said Falcon as he pointed a finger at the Hylian.
"Falcon, you could be replaced too. He just said that," responded Samus.
"Oh... Whoops."
"Sir, I can assure you you're making a mistake. It's just a minor inconvenience!"
"An inconvenience that I cannot have," retorted the hand. "I want you three to take a break. Go eat some lunch or something. I'll meet you in the dining room in half and hour with your replacement."
"But-"
"End of discussion."
The large glove turned and left the room, leaving a stricken Hylian and racer in the dust. None of the friends made eye contact with each other, but continued to stare out the empty door frame of the room. Regardless of Link's more mature attitude, he was still worried if Master Hand would replace him over Falcon. Even a powerful president like him could make mistakes every once and a while.
It took a Samus a few moments to realize that they hadn't told Master Hand about Geno or Dawn.
"Get out. You're getting replaced?"
Prince Marth leaned forward in his seat, propping his elbows up on the table. Link was sitting across from him, a glass of Lon Lon Milk in his hands. Samus and Falcon sat on either side of him.
The dining room was one of the largest rooms in the mansion, spanning an impressive 65 feet in length. For a lunch break, the mood was far from enjoyable; Link was getting more and more anxious to find out who master hand had chosen as the replacement. Falcon, although he didn't show it, was worried as much as the Hylian.
"Aw, don't feel too bad, Link," he said as he patted his friend on the back. "I'm sure your replacement will be much easier to cope with than you. You'll be doing everyone a favor by leaving!"
Link glared at Falcon again, but this time out of annoyance.
"You really think he's going to keep you on the job?" he replied.
"Well, yeah because I'm awesome. And I don't cry. Not like you anyway."
"Are you purposely trying to make me mad?"
"I'm just telling it like it is."
Samus gave Marth an uneasy glance, causing him to sit up straight.
"I'm sure it's neither of your faults, guys," he said, attempting to soften the situation. "Master Hand probably wants what's best for everyone."
Falcon and Link exchanged another glance.
"See?" said Falcon. "He wants what's best for everyone! So no worries about your replacement not doing a good job, right?"
Link turned away from the racer. He didn't want to get in another fight. The Hylian took another swig from his glass, painting a thin white mustache over his lips.
"Hm. Maybe you are right, Falcon. Maybe... Maybe I'm not doing the job I should be doing."
"There you go! Now that's what I like to hear!" said Falcon happily. "It's all good!"
"How many newcomers have you gone through so far?" asked Marth.
"Only nine, which really isn't that many," replied Samus. "And of those nine, two of them were considered, two threatened to kill us, and one was Young Link in disguise."
Marth gave a sharp whistle.
"That's pretty bad. No wonder Master Hand wants to get a replacement."
"This is all on Link and Falcon; I have nothing to do with it."
"I can believe that."
Suddenly, the doors to the dining room opened and Master Hand himself floated in.
"Ah good, you all made it," he said as he joined Marth by the side of the table.
Link and Falcon sat up in respect.
"So sir, who are you going to replace?" asked the Hylian. Master Hand paused for a moment.
"After thinking about it for a long time, I have come to my final decision," he replied.
"Which isn't really fair considering you weren't even there for any of the interviews," muttered Samus under her breath.
Captain Falcon stood up.
"It's okay, sir, I understand. Give me as much praise as you want, but please, please don't be so harsh on Link. I know he's tried his best to help the team. The least you could do is let him off easy," he said.
Link was surprised by Falcon's statement. His words almost brought a tear to the Hylian's eye. Then again, why should he listen to him? It's not like Master Hand would deliberately choose Falcon over Link would he?
"Thank you for your words, Falcon," replied the hand. "And you're right, I shouldn't be too hard on Link."
Link's eyes went wide for a second.
"Wait what?!" he said. "You mean you're actually going to get rid of me!?"
"That is my decision. Sorry Link, but it looks like you're the one getting replaced."
The Hylian stood up next to Falcon.
"Who's replacing me?" he asked.
Master Hand patted Marth on the shoulder.
"This fine young gentleman will be taking your spot as the judge. I trust he will do his best to keep everything in check."
Marth gave a nervous smile to Link who responded with a grimace.
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Link.
"Sorry. I didn't want you to hear it from me," replied the prince.
"Well, fair's fair! Good-bye Link!" said Falcon as he hugged the hero tightly. "It's been fun!"
"Hey hey! Let go of me!"
Link broke free from the racer's strong grasp.
"So, that's it then?" asked Samus.
"Yes, that's it," replied the hand. "Now everyone... GET BACK TO WORK!"
The glove reached over the table, grabbed Link by the back of his collar and carried him out of the room. The Hylian kicked and fought with all his might.
"Hey wait! Where are you taking me!?" he cried. The hand didn't reply as he lifted Link out the door. "Samus! Do something!"
Samus remained in her seat and gave a sigh.
"Link, calm down, it's not like he's bringing you to your death," she said.
After everything went silent, and Link's cries diminished down the hallways, she looked up at Marth who retained a nervous smile.
"So..." he started. Falcon and Samus stared at him. "Why don't you guys show me to how you do these interview things?"
Captain Falcon replied with a smirk.
"Oh man! I like him already!"
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Author's Note: I always thought it would make more sense to have the Smashers eat in a dining room rather than a cafeteria, unlike some authors. I mean, come on, if they're going to live in a fancy mansion, why make them eat in a crummy old cafeteria? I don't know, a dining room just seems more realistic to me.
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