A/N: And just like that, summer classes are over! Work, sadly, is not. But we all struggle, don't we? Back to this mini-arc!

Chapter Nineteen

Rec Level II: The Makings of a Hunt

The first thing Link noticed upon being flung out onto the ground was the complete absence of his royal companion.

The young Hylian blinked in a daze as he sluggishly stood, dusting off his pants as he attempted to gain his bearings. His vision stopped swirling only to be met with the visage of the establishment which had caught his eye so enticingly a short while before, that same cartoon doll of wooden complexion peering down at him amidst flashing multi-colored lights. It was only just then that Link realized how tall the building was; while it didn't quite match the height of its neighboring structures, it still had to have been seven stories at bare minimum.

Link frowned as he checked his surroundings once more, again only finding the blaring crowd of attendees. Something had gone wrong in their daring escape, and Zelda was nowhere to be found as a result. Link's thoughts started racing as he struggled to consider what his next step should be, to no avail. If only he had some way of reaching her-

Well,a familiarly feminine voice eloquently burst through his thoughts, that certainly could've gone better.

Link took note of the barely hidden excitement in Zelda's words and grinned to himself. I'd say it went perfectly. Aside from…well, this, you know. What happened?

Zelda stayed silent for a moment. I'm not quite too sure myself. It was the first time I had ever tried a stunt of that scale, after all.

The first time you ever tried seducing somebody?

Zelda's giggle danced through Link's mind. I did no such thing!

I dunno, you were laying it on pretty thick back there. Who knows what would've happened if I just held back and let things play out a little longer?

This time Link joined in Zelda's telepathic laughter. Something about it felt good in a strange sort of way, laughing with someone who wasn't there with you in the flesh. Almost like a gleeful secret, tucked away from the rest of the world.

Zelda's giggle fit slowly subsided. Truthfully, I don't believe Miss Aran's flustered state of mind was the result of anything…i-improper, as it were… Link quietly took note of Zelda's hesitation on the subject matter: another topic to torture his new friend about, perhaps? It would simply appear that our former escort has something of an affinity for the helpless.

Yeah, definitely seduction.

Link, you are obscenely lucky I am not with you in the here and now- Zelda spoke, but Link could tell she didn't mean it.

Speaking of the here and now, where exactly are you?

Well, this lovely banner reads "Geno's Whirl", so it would appear I've simply beaten you to the punch. Perhaps I'll use some of my w-w-womanly charm on one of these fine gentlemen into arranging a proper tour of the Level in all its unfettered glory without you-

-And you'd really ditch me, eh?

Perhaps. That all depends on how long it takes for you to find me.

Link would have commented on Zelda's barely hidden embarrassment at the slightest naughty thought, but it felt almost unnecessary as he raced inside the establishment, ready to tease his queen in person.

DK was not happy.

The eponymous ape stomped furiously out the glass entrance of the Rec Level's first ever Splat Arena. He had been incredibly excited for it upon hearing of the customary Splatfest being held for its debut; now he was incredibly pissed.

His fists were balled and brow furrowed as he huffed dramatically, brown fur mottled and drenched in multi-colored ink. His eyes squint from left to right, daring any and all passerby to somehow irritate him further; this challenge only garnered the fearful stares of startled Miis as the wave of attendees granted him a wide berth.

"Can't believe you went for thirty one games, big guy." A small boy in a yellow and blue striped shirt and red cap shuffled casually up next to the infuriated gorilla. He held a somewhat mirthful glint in his eye as he hoisted a strap of his weathered tan backpack over his shoulder, "thirty one games, thirty one splat bombs to the face. I, uh, lost count of how many times you got smacked with the roller-"

DK promptly stomped hard against the carpeted floor, a minor tremor throwing those around the pair off balance. The thoroughly miffed ape jutted his lower lip out in a pout as he crossed his arms and sat.

Ness smiled helpfully. "Aw don't listen to 'em DK, you're the freshest guy I know-"

It was then that a small metallic ball of orange complexion suddenly rolled between the pair, an armor-clad warrior abruptly sprouting from the small form.

DK jumped at the sudden interjection, but Ness knew better as his shoulders stayed relaxed while he turned to find the familiar silhouette of a futuristic linebacker with a gun for an arm. "Man," Ness smiled brightly, "I still don't know how you do that, Samus."

The fully armored woman in question turned her visor down to meet the psi-kid's gaze, as if just realizing he was there. "Hey." She said simply, and it was only then that Ness's smile faltered. While he had grown more comfortable with the space warrior in the lengthy span of time he had come to know her, there were some moments where he still found her pretty scary.

DK's mood only brightened for a moment upon recognizing his old friend; it only took a single wave and a toothy grin for him to remember why he had been so completely infuriated, and only another moment for him to face his back to both veterans as he resumed his pout.

"So," Ness absently fidgeted with his cap, "What brings you to the Rec Level, huh? Thought this place irritated the heck outta you."

Samus's expression was completely lost amidst the visor's bright green haze, which only added to the intimidation factor. "A lot of things irritate me." Her voice felt flat as a sword against a whetstone. Ness gulped.

"Well, I know about as well as that at least," Ness replied wearily, wanting nothing more than to return to dealing with an angry ape instead of an angry hunter, "Had a change of heart?"

"Never." Samus's reserved tone flickered into a determined sort of anger. "As a matter of fact, I happen to be looking for a couple irritating things right now-"

Ness's face immediately brightened in excitement. "Oh! You're hunting!"

Samus stiffened slightly before sighing to herself; she was no stranger to committing to anger as a way of strengthening her resolve, but Ness hadn't exactly done anything to her.

Samus knelt on one knee to look Ness at eye level, an act which prompted a slight jump from the startled boy. "Yeah, I'm hunting."

Ness held his hands up to his cheeks in increased excitement. "You can't just leave it at that! What's the story?"

Samus's gaze shifted slightly aside before returning to the eager boy. "Not exactly a bounty, per say." she turned her helmet so she was looking up at their ape friend, "Hey big guy. You see an obnoxious brat running around with an equally obnoxious girl tagging along?"

DK acknowledged this question with an indignant huff.

"They got big ears."

DK promptly turned his back to Samus and sat back down.

"I'll take that as a no." Samus grunted indifferently as she stood back up, looking down at Ness. "I'm guessing you haven't seen our Hylian newcomers either, huh?"

Ness frowned. "No," he muttered glumly. His eyes suddenly brightened as he looked back up at Samus. "But I can help you find them!"

Samus stiffened uncomfortably. "Uh, that isn't necessary-"

"-Come on, it'll be just like old times!" Ness jumped up and down in excited fervor. Samus frowned behind her opaque visor; 'old times' was really just 'one time', and she didn't really feel up for a repeat of what Ness had dubbed 'The Quest for the Last Skip Sandwich'.

It only took one prolonged look at Ness's innocent face for Samus to realize it was a losing battle. I'll buff out this soft spot of mine eventually. Some day.

The hunter looked to the king of the jungle. "Hey big guy." DK turned somewhat disinterestedly in response. Samus nodded. "You angry?"

DK blinked before nodding with a curt hoot.

"Me too. Let's go let off some steam."

"Son of a griffon!"

"That makes three. You really are quite terrible at this, Luci. Er, Lucina."

"Is it my turn?"

A tactician, a lord, and a boxer huddled over a glowing arcade cabinet, one of many lined up against a wall. All three fighters currently found themselves in attire decidedly unfitting for combat, the tactician wearing a simple obsidian-black cardigan accented in gold, with tan trousers to match. Upon being told to leave the tomes at home, he had simply smiled calmly.

The lord found her wardrobe was not quite as prepared for an excursion unrelated to training(as she often wasn't), and this combined with a few too many raised eyebrows directed at her unique fashion sense resulted in her hastily stripping down her normal attire, black and blue underdress lacking its shoulder armor and cape.

The boxer opted to leave the gloves in his quarters for once and wore a simple pink hoodie with green sweats. He was never one for booming crowds and flashing lights; the ring provided enough of that, after all, and he was more than happy to spend another day at the Manor's training arenas, or perhaps in his own bedroom, the downpour of rain providing a trickling ambience to pushups or quiet contemplation. His friends, of course, had other plans in mind.

One of those very friends currently found herself in a smoldering rage as she watched the eight-bit sprite crudely depicting what appeared to be a small red midget staring in complete shock at the trio, the words 'GAME OVER' reading right next to it amidst an otherwise pitch-black screen. The glass surface reflected Lucina's embittered stare back at herself.

"I don't understand. Falchion makes the very air sing in my grasp, yet that very same grasp cannot time the red man's jumps for the life of me!"

Robin's eyes lay low as he scribbled absent mindedly through a page in one of his many tomes. "I'm not quite sure myself. Maybe you should go ask the red man himself, for pointers."

Lucina glared irritably at her partner as she snapped the tome shut in Robin's hands. "I'd rather not be reminded of how many losses I've suffered, thank you very much."

Robin's brow raised, perhaps a little too innocently. "But who else will keep score?"

Lucina's hardened stare wilted slightly in the face of her partner's disposition. "I do not wish to hear the score!"

"You came up with the idea of keeping score though. And as a matter of fact," Robin's eyes narrowed to thoughtful slits as he smoothly opened the tome to the correct page, "I currently hold the lead on least amount of deaths. Now, I'm not saying this is a competition, but if it were…" His gaze flit back up to mercilessly tease the incensed woman.

Lucina's nostrils flared as she took a step forward. "T-that's-!"

Mac glanced warily between the pair. "…My turn?"

Lucina shifted her gaze to the boxer, her gaze softening a tad. "R-right. My apologies Mac," her shoulders dropped as she brought a concerned hand to her chin, "I'm not sure what possessed me."

Robin chanced a flicker of a smile. "I have a notion or two."

Lucina turned sharply. "What are you suggesting."

"Oh, nothing," Robin spoke somewhat petulantly as Mac proceeded to crack his knuckles and take over the arcade cabinet, "I just remember how distinctly uncompetitive you were before receiving your invitation last tourney."

Lucina shifted her weight so that she stood defiantly on one leg, arms crossed and eyelids narrow. "Oh really? Well, I remember just as distinctly a time where a certain tactician decided it would be a good idea to leave his myrmidion and his taguel in the same tent-"

"-Regardless," Robin interrupted much to the behest of his fiancé, "I believe I hear a milkshake calling my name. A winner deserves his prize after all-"

"You cannot seriously-!" Lucina's words failed her as Robin promptly made to dash to the front of the establishment, the cobalt-haired lord giving eagerly irritated chase.

Mac watched the pair run off. He simply sighed to himself before focusing on the game at hand; he would find the enjoyment he sought, somehow. Even as he expertly reacted to each and every obstacle he came across in the game, he still felt a certain…disenchantment with the situation at hand, one not even the bright and colorful Rec Level could dissuade him from. He was no stranger to the third wheel, even with his gym buddies back home; still, he did grow a little weary every now and then of playing the role of third party to someone else's romance.

Mac watched intently as the small Italian man gained a pixelated pair of white overalls and began shooting fireballs. He bit his lip as he advanced through a dark and foreboding castle(at least, he assumed that was the feeling it was supposed to convey), dodging a myriad of falling blocks and piranha plants, matching eyes with the reflection of the pretty girl standing next to him-

The little Italiano slid to full stop as Mac paused. Wait. What-?

"By Din's fire," the girl spoke and Mac jumped, "What manner of contraption is this?"

The first thing Mac noticed were her ears. Huh, Hylian. Guess this place pulls in folk from all over.. His train of thought slowly and surely grew more reserved as he took note of the girl's soft features and pretty blue eyes, cutely round face accented by her glossy golden hair, and the fancy gold jewelry resting on top her pretty pink dress.

Mac's brow knit itself together as his palms grew somewhat clammy. Aside from exceptions like Lucina, he was never particularly great around fancy talkers, not even back home. His voice always sounded thicker around them, more slurred. Adding to his newfound unease was a particular itch he felt in his mind when looking at this particular girl. Something about her felt a little familiar…

"Uhm," He cleared his throat as he averted his gaze back to the cabinet, "This thing here? 's just a game."

The pretty girl followed his line of sight back to the game in question, wonder filling the blue pools of her eyes. "A game, you say?" Her voice felt too light; felt like it was gonna up and fly away from Mac's earshot. "How does one play this particular variant of game?"

Mac absently scratched his chin. "Well, uh, y'see here? That there's your guy. And you press on these buttons, and this stick see-" he made to control the game, "And you can make the little fella jump around, and stuff. Goal of the game's to reach the end of the level."

The girl's mouth was slightly parted. "I see…" her eyes suddenly narrowed slightly before the edges of her mouth curled in a growing smile. "Wait just a moment…is…is that meant to be the visage of-?"

Mac laughed, the edge bleeding out of him a little. "Yeah, that's him alright." He looked closer at the eight-bit plumber standing motionless on screen. "I didn't believe 'em when they told me Mario was a household name in alotta places, but…"

Something about the girl's smile relaxed Mac even further. "How delightful," she replied, her voice light. Her expression suddenly turned startled as she turned to face Mac again, "Forgive me kind sir, I seem to have forgotten my manners."

Aww geeze, Mac thought warily, here come the prim and proper formalities I never get. "It, uh, really ain't a big deal-"

The girl was already mid-curtsy, and Mac looked futilely to the rest of the game room for help that wouldn't come. "I be Zelda, of Hyrule." Zelda looked up into Mac's shocked eyes. "And you?"

The first word to come to Link's mind upon entering Geno's Whirl was: maze.

To his side stood a moss-green register surrounded by purchasable goodies and knick-knacks of which Link couldn't exactly make heads or tails of, and surrounding the entire earth-toned space were a myriad of open entrances accentuated by plastic trees as wind instruments played a strange, lilting tone over an intercom.

Link promptly walked over to the register, of which a disinterested mii wearing an oversized costume of the same depiction as the titular wooden doll stood behind. Link took note of how short and stout the Mii beneath the costume appeared to be; he had to stand on wooden steps just to reach above the register.

"Welcome to Geno's Whirl, where our games and prizes will surely send you blasting off through star road and beyond." the employee spoke dimly and mechanically, as if reading off a cue card. "How can I help you?"

Link stood unphased by the Mii's disinterest. "You seen a girl running around in here? About my height, blonde hair, big ears?"

"Sir, I am not authorized to disclose information regarding our patrons," the mascot replied glumly, black eyes drifting off unattentively to the side, "It's against company policy."

At this Link was taken aback. "…Right. Any way I could speak to the person in charge?"

The employee sighed under his breath. "The manager is a very busy man; if you'd like, I could redirect you to-"

His reply was interrupted by the crass arrival of someone Link had not expected to run into.

"No no NO," Wario spat into a small phone of bright yellow coloration as he waddled into the entrance room, "I specifically told you NOT to open the banana hoard to the public until we send the animal buddies home. Rambi's already been thrown up on once today, how do you think he's gonna react if he gets his daily dose of potassium-rich puke? No, he won't like it! Take care of it!"

Wario caught Link out the corner of his eye as he swiftly tucked his phone away, immediately grinning openly in what Link assumed was meant to be an inviting manner, instead of a disgusting one. "Welcome ta' Geno's Whirl! How're we finding ourselves toda-" he paused, his eyes narrowing to slits as he got a closer look at the attendee. "Oh. It's a contender."

Wario turned to face his employee, who immediately stiffened and shot his eyes open. "You! New guy! You offer him the Veteran Special yet or do I gotta do everything myself here!"

"R-right away Mister-Boss-Sir, I'm right on it."

Link frowned. "I'm technically a newcomer, aren't I?"

"Are you now?" Wario guffawed as he arched an indifferent eyebrow, "Veteran, newcomer, who cares, you pretty boy heroes all look the same to me. And seeing as contenders don't have to pay for anything on this Level, all I'm doin' here is wasting time." He made to leave the way he came in, snapping once at the nervous employee and making him jump.

"Hold on," Link spoke but Wario kept walking, "I was wondering if maybe you saw-?"

"-Saw what, some kid trynna keep me from doing my job?" Wario sneered, "I got seven other establishments to check in on, and between you and me I never liked the wooden stick in the mud who used to own this place much to begin with, so I ain't itching to stick around!"

Link glared. "Is this how you treat all your patrons?"

"Only the broke ones." Wario stretched one end of his jagged mustache out as he matched Link's glare. "You're a talker. Links ain't usually talkers. Watch your mouth, ya might not like where it takes you."

Link opened his mouth to rebuttal, but Wario's phone rang just as he did. The device was at Wario's ear in an instant, "What is it, what?" Wario's eyes suddenly filled with an uncharacteristic worry. "Jimmy no, we don't run Classic Mode at the Emblem Stables anymore, keep them away from the swords-!"

The little fat man hurried out through the exit, leaving Link no better off than he was at the beginning of their conversation.

"I-I'll be right with you with that Veteran Special, sir-"

"Keep it," Link muttered as he looked through the many entrances. I could just try reaching Zelda again, make finding her easier. But what's the rush?

"Stop running from me!"

Link's musings were interrupted as a slightly out of breath tactician with pure-white hair came to a stop just outside the entrance to Link's left.

Robin looked back in regards to the command he was just told. He shrugged. "Okay."

He sidestepped as Lucina charged through the opening, the determined girl's expression turning surprised as she attempted to stop her momentum before colliding with the off-guard Link.

Robin smiled. "Well met."

Lucina steadied herself against Link's chest before pulling away sheepishly. "Apologies sir-" her embarrassed face quickly gave way to realization as she got a good look at the person she just ran into.

"You're Link." Her voice was filled with awe. Robin snapped his head sharply to the pair, his eyes wide.

Link grinned half-heartedly. "Name gets around, huh?" He remarked after the pair introduced themselves.

"You could say that," Robin stepped forward until he was side by side with Lucina, "a member of the original twelve isn't exactly an easy person to miss."

Link grew uneasy. "Technically I just got here, so I wouldn't know about all that-"

"-So that would mean this is your first Rec Level visit, wouldn't it?" Robin interjected with a slight frown, "A solo venture can be fairly daunting for a newcomer."

Link couldn't help but notice the sudden stiffness the man and woman carried, along with the space they created between themselves and Link. He almost found himself wishing he was still talking to Wario, a guy who wouldn't give him the time of day, over this pair who felt too respectable for comfort.

"Didn't come here alone. Actually," Link brightened, "You think you could help me find my missing partner? If it's not too much trouble-"

"-O-of course not," Lucina fumbled slightly, scratching her head anxiously, "It's no trouble at all, right Reflet?" Lucina froze as Robin's eyes widened, and both tactician and lord went completely red in the cheeks.

"…It's no trouble at all, right Robin?"

"Not at all Luci. U-um, Lucina."

Link glanced quizzically between the two.

"W-we, um-"

"-We don't really use those names, you know-"

"-Unless I'm really angry at him, or – or-"

"-Unless she's really – I mean really-"

"Robin-"

"-frisky-"

Link continued to observe the fumbling pair with growing amusement. Maybe this wouldn't be such an uncomfortable time after all.

"Hey," He spoke and the pair ceased their bumbling and looked to him, "Long as you can help me find Zelda and keep me away from a bounty hunter or two, we should be fine."

Robin and Lucina's brows immediately shot up as they glanced to each other. Link felt slight disappointment at his joke not landing.

"Bounty hunter?" Robin asked cautiously.

Link blinked. "Yeah, Samus is a bit stuffy when it comes to this level is all."

"So," Lucina's words were slow, "You mean to say Samus may or may not be searching for you?"

"Oh she definitely is. Especially given the way we gave her the slip, she's probably fuming mad." Link shot the pair a confused look. "Why?"

When the pair next spoke, they spoke in unision.

"You're dead."

A/N: Hope you enjoyed, and if you did or you didn't, feel free to leave feedback! Yet another thanks to those who've reviewed so far: you guys help keep me going!