A Bar of Soap!

by Fatality

Episode 21 - Marth and Midna deal with the morning after, Wolf uncovers the depths of Fox's betrayal, Falco and Yami make plans to visit Falco's old fashion agency, Link finally makes a move on Lucario, and various Brawlers step in to train Vick in the event that Wesker and Legato attack again.

21. The One With Vick's First Brawl

Marth lay perfectly still for over an hour the next morning, long enough to watch the drawn white window shade brighten to a soft pink with the sunrise and blaze a buttery yellow when day broke in full. At this point he had fully expected to suffocate himself with a pillow, or burst into a fit of tears, or even attempt to choke the life from the comely ebony enchantress currently slumbering upon his right arm – the most shocking realization of all was knowing that the strangest thing about all he had done was that it hadn't felt strange at all. There was no sense of impending doom, no signs of a panic attack coming on, and certainly no feeling of self loathing; all he really felt at the moment was an almost overwhelming sense of relaxation, and exhaustion, and an odd feeling of peace.

He turned his head to one side to find a pair of almond-shaped jade eyes watching him, and Midna stroked one hand down his chest lazily and smiled a sleepy little half smile. Marth swallowed past his suddenly-thudding heart.

"Er," he mumbled lamely, "hi."

Midna giggled huskily. "How much do you remember?"

"Oh," Marth exhaled with a laugh of his own. "I remember every second. You?"

"Ditto." Her eyes narrowed a fraction, suspicion evident through the shield of her eyelashes. "How drunk were you?"

"Drunk enough that I knew I wanted to do it," Marth admitted, and then added, "not so drunk that you should feel guilty about taking advantage."

Midna's next smile was so broad that every single one of her perfect white teeth were visible. "Well that's the perfect amount!" Then she tousled his hair playfully with one of her dark hands and they laughed aloud together, until Marth shifted the arm she lay upon and tugged her onto his chest. They lay there nose-to-nose for a few moments, still smiling as though they hadn't a care in the world, and then their lips met and time had no meaning as it passed for a little while.

An hour later Midna curled up against Marth's side again, her breathing still quickened but slowing, and Marth encircled her body with one pale arm and attempted to shoot a balled-up condom wrapper basketball-style into the wastebasket across the room. Midna snickered when the wrapper fell well short of its mark, and then laughed again when Marth noticed the four other identical wrappers it fluttered to a rest next to.

"Four?!" he gasped out, swiveling his head to glance at the woman lying beside him, and Midna winked roguishly.

"Five, if you want to get super technical and count the one from two minutes ago," she snickered, and she gestured to the crumpled wrappers strewn about the floor, adding, "I see that your aim hasn't improved much now that you're sober. Don't ever try to get into sports, okay? I have a feeling it wouldn't be a particularly lucrative career choice for you."

Marth fumed, and then jutted his lower lip out in a pout when Midna slid out of bed and took her feet. He watched silently, not protesting as she wrapped a clean white towel around her body, and settled for asking the obvious question when she took her first step toward the door. "Where are you going?"

"I need a shower," she confessed, crossing the room to sit on the mattress beside him. Marth immediately wound his arms around her waist, and they collapsed into a tangle of limbs as she finished, "And if I don't get some food in me I'm going to gnaw your arm off."

"Oh," Marth answered, and his face fell a little before he hitched another smile onto his face. "Okay."

It occurred to Midna then that the man she had just seduced five times in the past six hours was not the kind of man she was used to being with; generally she involved herself privately with men who were all muscle and no brains. Marth was quite the opposite of that – he was lean like a swimmer, not muscular like a body builder; he was introspective and intellectual and, perhaps most importantly of all, he had feelings. And right now he was undoubtedly recalling how his previous relationship had gone up in flames, and how this encounter was rapidly shaping up to be a one night stand. Marth was more fragile than most men – he wore his heart on his sleeve, left himself open for heartache, and had no interest in self-protecting if that meant missing out on being with someone. She found that she admired him for that – after all, she could only count the people that she genuinely trusted on one hand. Maybe she wasn't sure what was going on between them, but Midna had never been one for random sexual encounters and knew that Marth made her feel giddy and weightless – something she hadn't felt in a very long time.

She socked him in the face with a pillow that had fallen upon the floor. "You know, you could stand to take a shower yourself. Why don't you come with me? Besides, you've got to be famished too, right?"

Marth's answering smile showed his relief, and his excitement. "Starving." So he tumbled out of bed, yanked his boxer shorts into place, and they tiptoed out of the room hand in hand.

---

Link was manning the stove with Kirby when Lucario padded into the kitchen, talking good-naturedly with Blaze and Meta Knight over his shoulder while he flipped pancakes. Lucario paused in the open wooden frame, his amber eyes wide with a kind of pleasant surprise when Link skirted around Kirby and handed him a clean white plate. Seemingly as an afterthought Link pulled Lucario into a kind of awkward one armed hug, and Lucario was certain that Link might kiss him on the cheek, but the Hylian seemed to grow too embarrassed at the last moment and drifted away. "Good morning."

Good morning yourself. Lucario watched while Link expertly flipped another pancake with his spatula, and laughed when Kirby chattered appreciatively and applauded with his characteristic childlike enthusiasm. What's the occasion?

"Felt like a good day to make breakfast." Link shoveled four pancakes onto Lucario's plate with a smile that was half happiness and half embarrassment. "Syrup?"

I'll get it, Lucario assured with a chuckle. You look quite busy. This was hardly an understatement – Kirby was mixing pancake batter with a whisk so enthusiastically that he was flecking the wooden cabinets with droplets of stray batter, the griddle Link was manning was almost overflowing with pancakes, and the apron tied haphazardly around Link's waist had come loose and was now riding low on his hips. Lucario paused, considering, and then laid his breakfast plate upon the counter and moved up behind Link. Your apron is loose. Let me get it for you. And he tugged the apron back into place using its strings and tied a swift but secure bow against the small of Link's back.

When Link turned back to thank him, his face was the color of the setting sun. "Hey… thanks."

My pleasure. Lucario cast him a brief eyes only smile, and then Vick stalked into the kitchen looking like a woman on a mission.

"You!" she snapped, setting one hand upon her hip and jabbing her index finger in Lucario's direction. "I'm gonna need your help, so don't go too far after breakfast, okay?"

Lucario watched as Vick accepted two pancakes from Link, then he followed her to the table and took up a seat between her and Meta Knight. Of course, but what is it that you need?

Vick smothered her pancakes in butter and maple syrup, poured herself a half glass of grape juice, and instantly dug in. "I'm taking sniper lessons from Wolf in half an hour, but I wondered if you would teach me how to use Aura when he's done with me. Given that I'm still alive to learn anything else, that is."

Meta Knight choked on a forkful of pancake, and could only voice his opinion after Blaze had thumped him on the back hard enough to dislodge the lump of pastry caught in his throat. "What is this? You are going to attempt to tap into your Aura?"

Vick glanced at Meta Knight, whose faceplate somehow managed to look skeptical, then at Lucario, whose expression was one of deep concern, and said, "What, like it's hard or something?"

Lucario chewed a mouthful of pancake thoughtfully, not quite meeting her eyes when he explained, Victoria –

"Vick."

- If learning how to get in touch with and harness a person's natural Aura was simple, everyone in this household would have learned to do it months ago. It is among the most common of all innate powers, for every living creature possesses Aura to a certain degree, but it is also among the rarest of abilities because it is nearly impossible to utilize as a weapon. Guardians of Aura have never been plentiful, and to my knowledge only a few dozen of them yet remain in existence. I have long been of the opinion that in a few decades, Aura will be little more than a myth.

Vick laid her fork aside and dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, looking thoughtful. Link put his back to the stove and turned his attention upon the conversation unfolding at the kitchen table, and Kirby even stopped mixing pancake batter for a moment to listen in. Vick leaned across the table in Lucario's direction. "I've only seen you use your Aura before… Honestly, I don't know anything about it. Where does it come from? How do you use it?"

Lucario glanced over his shoulder at Link as Meta Knight and Kirby lowered their gazes to the floor; their eyes met for a long moment, both of them wearing an expression that suggested they were simultaneously recalling a painful memory. They remembered well the final battle against Tabuu – a battle that had occurred only about a year ago – in which Lucario's Aura had blazed stronger than ever before; truth be told the power was so strong, and so uncontrollable, that Lucario had had no choice but to tap into his own life energy just to sustain it. They recalled this instance so well because Lucario had almost given his life just to hold Tabuu at bay.

"Am I missing something?" Vick asked, interrupting their private recollections, and Lucario swallowed delicately before abandoning his fork in favor of the conversation.

When utilized correctly, Aura is easily the mightiest force known to this world, Lucario explained. That being said, it is far too dangerous for many to attempt. Aura comes from within – the forces needed to properly wield it come at a high price, until such time as a person learns to tap into it at will. Deepest despair, ultimate loss, desperate need… these are the emotions that a person must harness in order to use their Aura to its fullest potential. Believe me… I know. Lucario finished by shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"You know?" Vick echoed, not understanding. "But… why? How?"

I almost lost everything, Lucario finished quietly. There is no better way to access the hidden potential within oneself, than to glimpse the hollow shell of your life after all that truly matters to you has been taken away.

In response to Vick's startled expression Link cleared his throat and said, "Wesker and Legato aren't the first guys to almost destroy our entire worlds. Just last year we were up against something that we almost couldn't make it through… it wasn't our finest hour as a group."

Amazingly, Link and Lucario's words had quite a different effect on Vick than they were expecting. "But don't you see? This is why I have to learn how to use it! I almost lost all of you… I know what that feels like!" She finished by fixing Lucario with a pained expression. "Please… just one lesson. And if I'm terrible, I won't bug you about it again, I swear." She whipped her head back and forth between Link, who looked opposed, and Lucario, who appeared to be considering the idea against his better judgment, and cried, "Oh for Christ's sake, you'd think I was asking one of you to rob the Taj Mahal or something! What's the problem?!"

Finally, Lucario heaved a great sigh and dug back into his breakfast; his eyes upon Vick were overprotective but still somehow proud. …Alright. ONE lesson. I will teach you all that I can, but I warn you: it would be better for you to excel in a skill other than the use of Aura. This force is beyond many, and for many it asks too much. There is a great deal of danger involved in learning what I have to teach.

"Guess I need a few more pancakes, then," Vick chided, just as Link approached the table and shoveled three more fresh pancakes onto her plate. "If I'm gonna die, I at least wanna die with a full stomach."

Meta Knight leaned forward to address Vick just as Yami, Falco, and Sonic wandered into the kitchen and started loading their plates with pancakes. "If you are so keen on learning what we have to teach, I would be more than happy to teach you the basics of the sword – provided that is a skill you would like to have at your disposal, of course."

Vick grinned. "If I have the hand-eye coordination to sling two mixed drinks at once, I think I could do okay with a sword. Sure! Let's try it."

"The key difference here is that bottles don't have a pointy end that you could impale yourself on," Link laughed, and several of the others chuckled along. "You might need somebody a little closer to your height and build to practice with… How about this? Meta can be your teacher and I can be your sparring partner?"

"Works for me." Vick turned her attention upon Falco, Yami, and Sonic as they drew chairs up closer to the kitchen table. "How about you guys? Anything useful I could learn from you that you wouldn't mind teaching me?"

"I don't think running at super speed is a skill that can be taught," Sonic said, puffing out his chest proudly.

"And you already know how to play Duel Monsters," Yami reminded. "There is little more you could learn from me."

Falco crossed his arms and tilted his head to one side. "Wolf mentioned that he was giving you firearms basics… there isn't much you'll need from me, either. He's the best. Just don't tell him I said that."

Vick glanced into the kitchen at the green numbers shining dimly on the microwave and took note of the time as she stood, crossing to the dishwasher and loading her plate and utensils. "Well, I'm gonna grab a change of clothes and get to the roof then. Wolf will probably be along in another thirty minutes or so and I imagine he'll plug me between the eyes if I'm late."

"He is kind of a punctual bastard," Link agreed, and when Vick gave them a little finger wave and headed toward her room the Hylian stuffed one last mouthful of pancake into his own mouth before rinsing his plate beneath the stream from the faucet. "We oughta get ready too, Meta, I'd love time to polish my sword and run through a few warm-up maneuvers with you before she's ready to train with us."

"Agreed." Meta Knight hopped down from his chair and stood in the entryway to the kitchen while Link loaded his plate into the dishwasher, but the Hylian held up one finger to indicate that he wasn't quite ready.

"One last thing." Link swiped impatiently at the few strands of hair that had fallen into his eyes as he rounded the counter into the dining room, his expression only slightly nervous as he circled the table to where Lucario sat; placing both hands upon Lucario's narrow shoulders he leaned down and pressed his lips swiftly to the side of Lucario's face. Though the moment wasn't particularly intimate the others knew how much the brief display of affection must have embarrassed Link, and just how much willpower it had taken for him to act on his feelings in front of them – Blaze and Yami couldn't help but gasp aloud, and Kirby uttered a soft "Ooooooo" from near the stove.

Link drew back just enough to catch Lucario's eye, smiled a little shyly, and murmured, "Your fur is really, really soft, you know." As if to accentuate this statement he caressed Lucario's other cheek gently with his bare fingertips, and then he withdrew and exited with Meta Knight at his side.

Lucario's face reddened like the setting sun; Sonic, Falco, and Yami exploded into a fit of laughter, and Blaze giggled politely into the back of her hand. They were still chuckling at Lucario's expense as they helped Kirby tidy the kitchen, and as Sonic dashed out the patio door into the backyard and Yami yanked Falco out of the kitchen by the wrist Blaze turned back just long enough to look Lucario in the eye and say, "I know I shouldn't interfere, but my friend… I have never seen you as happy with Mewtwo as you seem when you are with Link."

Then she followed Sonic outside with Kirby clinging to her shoulders, leaving Lucario standing alone in the kitchen with his eyes twinkling with pride.

---

Wolf had made himself at home when Vick walked into her bedroom; he was sprawled out on her bed, swishing his long tail languidly and tossing a remote detonator from hand to hand like it was a baseball. His rifle, an impressive Zonessian custom rapid-fire model with a mounted scope and an infrared setting, was propped up against her bedside table. Despite his relaxed posture Vick could see the unrelieved tension in his face; she shut the door behind her and cocked an eyebrow. "What happened to meeting on the roof?"

The lupine sat up. "There's something I didn't tell anybody before, about the night that I caught Akabane in our house before we knew who the hell he was."

"The night you woke up to Link spooning you?" Vick wondered aloud, and wrapping her arms around her stomach she shook with silent laughter. Wolf glowered at her.

"I'd rather not talk about that, but yeah." He was on his feet now, rifle forgotten as he padded forward and pitched his voice low so as not to be heard by anyone who might be lurking on the other side of the closed door. "The phone rang at about four thirty in the morning – I caught Fox on the phone with somebody."

Vick's eyes widened slightly – she remembered well the day she and Lucario had brought Mewtwo and Fox home with them, and the passionate mauling Fox had fallen prey to at Wolf's hands. It was clear to everyone that lived under the roof of Brawlers Mansion that taciturn Commander O'Donnell had a soft spot in his callused heart for the leader of the Star Fox mercenaries. "Who?"

Wolf shook his head. "That's the trouble – the voice was familiar as hell, but I couldn't place it. Been beating myself up the last couple of weeks trying to put my finger on it." The lupine's face grew serious as he looked Vick in the eye. "Which is why I need to ask you… I need you to run interference for me. I'm gonna sneak into Fox's room and see if he's left any clues behind as to what the hell's going on in his life, and I need you to guard the door while I snoop around."

This seemed reasonable to Vick, who had absolutely no tolerance for the sort of behavior Fox had been exhibiting toward Wolf for the past several weeks. Fidelity in a relationship was sacred to her, and it sounded as though that was what Wolf was questioning. "Of course I'll do it, but… why me?"

Wolf reached around her and cracked the door open, glancing up and down the hall as he muttered, "You're the only one I can trust enough to do this for me."

Vick's face split into a smile of pride and then she was slipping out the door, shadowing Wolf down the hall and up the stairs to the second floor. Midna's door was closed and no sound emitted from the other side, but Falco's door at the end of the hall stood open and the avian's voice, accompanied by Yami's and Sonic's, wafted down the hall toward them. Wolf dropped into a crouch and tried the door that would take him into Fox's room, but the knob refused to turn.

"Locked," Wolf grumbled, and his single blue eye flitted in Vick's direction. "We sure he's not home?"

"The Fiat is gone." Fox had had no trouble replacing the Camaro he had lost in the tornado just outside of Mute City; he had simply dipped into his savings and splurged on a rather pricey Italian car. "He's probably at Black Sapphire."

Wolf had extracted a small handful of thin silver tools wrapped in a black velvet cloth and was inserting one into the lock just below the doorknob when he said, "Yeah, or he's busy fucking Joe Cell Phone right under my nose." In the lupine's dexterous fingers the simple lock clicked open in a matter of seconds, and he slipped inside with Vick on his heels. "Thought I told you to watch the door?"

Vick flipped the lock with her finger, ensuring that they wouldn't be interrupted. "No point watching the door if it's locked."

"Fair enough." Wolf wrapped the assortment of lockpicks back into its velvet cloth and tucked the small bundle back into a little used breast pocket. "Try not to make a mess – McCloud has always been kind of a preppy neat freak. Just look for anything that doesn't belong."

Immediately they fell over Fox's personal effects, of which there weren't many – Wolf was right about Fox's neatness, which bordered on obsessive compulsive disorder. As Vick was pawing through the vulpine's sock drawer she felt compelled to ask, "Where did you learn to pick locks? That took you about three seconds to open."

Wolf had propped Fox's closet open and was thumbing through the stacks of flight magazines that were stacked on one of the shelves, meticulously organized by print date. "Remember that jab I took at Falco that one time, about Cornerian-run prisons having really shitty security?"

"Yeah – he didn't seem to find that very funny." Vick slammed the top drawer of the dresser and moved on to the next one.

"That's because it was true, and it pissed Falco off. Long-standing orders on both sides are generally to kill war criminals on sight, but at a certain point in the chain of command the higher ups actually prefer the criminal in question be detained for questioning. The mercenaries of Star Fox and Star Wolf all fall into this category, and I've always been a little more cavalier with my life than my employer would like."

"You fall into enemy territory often," Vick summarized, dropping down to her knees and rummaging under Fox's bed now.

"Damn straight." Wolf moved on to Fox's desk, which was crammed in a corner of the room and strewn with various documents. "I figured out after my second or third detainment that I was gonna have to come up with some way to bail my own ass out or my wingmates were gonna start leaving me to rot in a Cornerian dungeon somewhere, so I picked up a set of lockpicks at a space station on the fringe and got to practicing. So far they haven't invented the prison I can't break myself out of."

Vick flipped her hair over one shoulder and blew out a sigh, leaning back on her heels as she decided on another place to search. "That's pretty badass. Do you think that's something I should learn?" When Wolf didn't immediately answer she glanced up to find him leaning over the desk, clutching a small slip of paper in one hand. "Wolf?"

The lupine rounded on her, gesturing wildly with the note as he spoke. "This doesn't make any sense. Why in the hell would he have this?"

Vick scrambled upright and peered over his shoulder; a phone number had been scrawled in a cramped and untidy hand, but nothing more. "You know whose number this is?"

Wolf practically tore his small silver cell phone from its hip holster and tapped the contacts icon, and after scrolling through a brief list he highlighted the exact number that had been written on the scrap of paper and clicked it open. Beneath the number, listed in plain black letters, was the name Leon Powalski. "This is Powalski's private cell number. He only gives this number to his personal business clients."

Vick lifted one pale blonde eyebrow in curiosity. "Clients?"

The lupine's hand fell limply to his side, the cell phone still clutched limply in his fingers. "Guess you weren't around when I told this story the first time… Leon picks up a lot of side jobs in the offseason operating as a professional Dom in BDSM circles. This number… it's the one he only gives to submissives he meets when they've indicated that they'd be interested in meeting with a Dom in a private place for some one-on-one play."

Vick digested this information silently before laughing out loud. "And you think Fox is one of Leon's clients?! Get real, Wolf! They're on opposing sides! The last time they were face to face you guys practically had to tie Fox down just to keep him from tearing Leon's throat out! Do you really believe that your boyfriend is subbing to your former wingmate, for Christ's sake?!"

But Wolf was still staring bitterly at the phone number on the scrap of paper as though he hadn't heard a single word she'd said. He didn't even look up when he growled, "Get out."

"What?"

"I said, get out. I need to figure this out and I wanna be alone when I do it. Get lost."

Vick backed away slowly and slunk back into the hallway, stung a little by Wolf's words but doing her best not to take them to heart. The instant the door clicked shut behind her Wolf snatched the wireless home phone from its cradle on Fox's nightstand and made himself at home on the floor with his back to the wall. The first call he placed was from the Brawlers Mansion landline, direct to Fox's business cell phone.

The vulpine picked up midway through the third ring. "Wolf! What's up?"

Wolf did his best not to be fooled by the joy in Fox's voice. Worst case scenario, the young enemy commander had been sexually involved with Wolf's only real confidante for God-knows-how-long. Even if he was innocent of that, he had a lot of explaining to do as far as Wolf was concerned. "You tell me. Wanna start explaining?"

Fox paused, seemingly puzzled. Wolf imagined the gears in Fox's head turning frantically. "Explaining?"

"Yeah – things like, why the hell are you never home? Where the hell do you spend all your time these days?" And before he could stop them, the words were tumbling out of Wolf's mouth as though he had rehearsed them. "You show up here a few weeks ago and suddenly you're like a ghost. You don't eat meals with us, you never train with us, you couldn't have been more uninterested when Vick went missing. So I hope you've got a good excuse, and it better be better than 'I've been building spacecraft day and night' because I don't buy that for a second."

"Whoa, Wolf, calm down!" Was it just Wolf's imagination, or did Fox sound unnerved now? "I know you haven't seen much of me lately, and I'm really sorry… It's just that Black Sapphire has got me on a huge job right now, and I've been working 'round the clock – "

"Oh, I'm sure you have." In his free hand Wolf now lifted his cell phone, which was still displaying Leon's private cell number, and tapped the call button with his thumb. With the landline phone still pressed firmly to his right ear Wolf clearly heard the moment that another phone began chiming coolly in the background, the scramble as Fox covered the receiver and hissed something unintelligible to someone else, and the mirthless laughter of a third party that Wolf knew all too well.

Leon answered after two rings – almost as though he had been expecting Wolf's call. When he spoke, Wolf heard his voice through both telephone speakers he held. "Hello Wolf. I can imagine you have quite a lot to say to me."

Fox was now shouting without making any effort to cover the receiver. "Master! What are you – "

That was when Wolf began to laugh – long, loud, straight from his belly laughs that shook his entire torso and forced him to throw his head back to the heavens, laughs that made him sound like a deranged maniac but somehow made him feel hollow on the inside. Leon was considerate enough to refrain from interrupting Wolf's manic, mirthless laughter, and when Wolf was quite finished he got down to business. "So… how long has this been going on?"

Leon paused – checking a calendar, perhaps, just to be as precise as he could manage. It was all ridiculous and so very wrong. "Fox approached me after a seminar almost three weeks ago. He contacted me to confirm our first official meeting the night that I helped Akabane fight off Wesker and Legato in the alley behind The Shadow."

Wolf chuckled to himself, shaking his head at his own stupidity. "The very same day I called and asked you to follow Fox around because he'd started acting fishy… Goddammit. I really am a dense son of a bitch. Right under my nose… Maybe everybody's right. Maybe I am getting soft."

Fox could be heard in the background, pleading for Leon to refrain from divulging anymore and begging Wolf to talk to him, but he was ignored by both parties. Leon's voice was as detached and businesslike as ever when he told Wolf, "I want you to know that this experience means absolutely nothing to me. A job is a job, just as it always has been. This is strictly business. And despite the fact that I can no longer call you Commander, I still respect you as much as I always have."

"I'll make a deal with you." Tired now of Fox's pathetic pleas, Wolf disconnected the landline and focused solely on his conversation with Leon. "You end your business contract with McCloud and I'll hire you back on at Star Wolf. Full benefits and tenure. Job security for life."

There was no reason Wolf could see why Leon should refuse such a generous proposal. The chameleon had been a soldier of fortune for as long as he and Wolf had been acquainted, selling his services to the highest bidder, moving on when opportunity knocked elsewhere, never allowing himself to form any sort of attachment with anyone that he met. As a matter of fact, Leon had long maintained that Wolf was his single greatest weakness in life; in many ways their outlook was the same, as were many of their morals and ethics, and despite the fact that they both entertained employment in a field in which any sort of emotional attachment often meant a swift downfall they had enjoyed one another's camaraderie for years. Leon was paid very handsomely for his services to Star Wolf, and Wolf always did his part to ensure that his friend and confidante was given all that he ever asked for in return for his loyal service to him. They both knew that the only way Leon would refuse the offer was if he truly cared about Fox, and the odds of that happening were on par with Wolf's chances of singlehandedly securing peace and prosperity for the entirety of the Lylat System.

Leon cleared his throat and shifted his cell phone, and his next words were a bit muffled – Wolf had the feeling that his associate was speaking more to Fox now. "Consider our, ah, arrangement terminated from here on, Commander McCloud. My mercenary commander has just made me an offer that I would be foolish to refuse."

"Wait a second!" howled Fox in the background, his voice constricted with sudden emotion. "You can't just – "

A cold bout of laughter served as Leon's interruption, so merciless that Fox's protests died on the air. "I can do whatever I want to, you foolish boy – have you forgotten that in this arrangement, I make the rules?" The phone shifted again, and Leon spoke directly into the receiver. "Would you prefer it if I took McCloud out of the equation now, Commander O'Donnell? I have a feeling that he isn't going to be particularly agreeable in this situation."

As appealing as the idea sounded, Wolf found himself declining almost at once. "No – every bounty hunter for the Loyalists would come banging down your door the second that General Pepper caught wind of the fact that you snuffed his top sellsword in between contracts. Best to leave it til our contracts have been renewed and then shoot him out of the sky."

"As you wish. Always good doing business with you, Wolf."

"I'll be in touch." Wolf jammed a button with his thumb, and the connection was severed. He dropped the paper with Leon's cell number carelessly on the floor – what the hell did he need it for, anyway? – and tossed the handheld landline onto Fox's neatly-made bed. Standing in the center of the room he inhaled deeply through his muzzle and exhaled slowly through his open mouth, struggling to control his mounting rage and slow the thundering of his heart.

His cell phone rang - the caller ID read Fox McCloud. Wolf put his back to the door and leaned there, grateful for the support, as he accepted the call.

For the first few seconds there was only silence, for Wolf couldn't sort through his thoughts quickly enough to piece together a coherent sentence. When Fox realized that the call had gone through, though, he saved Wolf the trouble. "Wolf, please! Don't do this! I never meant for any of this to happen! I screwed up, okay? I made a mistake!"

Wolf barked out a single helpless laugh, ignoring the sudden burning sensation behind his normal working eye. "You're damn right you did, but it doesn't matter. I know I'm a far cry from the world's most eligible bachelor, but I rank right at the top of the list for the most stupidly loyal bastards you'll ever find. Why else would I have stayed with you all this time, even knowing that my contract would be permanently terminated with a big fat 'unfit to serve' on it?"

"I care about you, Wolf. I would never intentionally hurt you."

The words sounded so sweet, so sincere, that Wolf almost went back on his word and gave Fox another chance. Then he remembered that he had a very valid reason for never giving second chances – because he always got burned even worse the second go round.

He hung his head but spoke with conviction. "Don't come back here. I'll throw your shit on the lawn for you to pick up. I know I told Leon not to kill you, but I can't make the same promise – if you show your face in this house, I just might put a bullet between your eyes."

"What gives you the right to kick me out?!" Fox shrieked indignantly, and Wolf chuckled again.

"It goes back to that stupidly loyal thing, Fox. These guys, they're like my brothers; they're the family I never had, and right now they need me. That chick Vick needs me too, and I'm not gonna let her down. This is the first time in my life I've taken a job with no promise of reward, and I'm gonna see it through til the end. That means you can't ever come back, capiche?"

"What?!"

"I stand by what I said before," Wolf interjected. "You show your face around here, it's your funeral." And he disconnected without another word, dropping the phone to the floor with a soft thunk, covering his face with his hands and doing his best to ignore the unexplainable dampness he felt upon his fingertips. He stood there for several minutes, focusing on the rhythm of his breathing, half expecting the phone to ring again. He assumed Fox would be persistent. He was certain that his on-again off-again lover would find some way to profess his feelings, would do everything in his power to win back Wolf's affections.

The phone never rang.

---

Lucario wandered out into the backyard to find Link, Marth, Midna, Blaze, Meta Knight, and Kirby grouped around the seldom-used in ground swimming pool. As he made his way toward them he assumed that all was normal, but as he drew closer he became aware of more than one angry voice wafting toward him; by the time he reached them it had become apparent that there was a full-fledged argument brewing, and that two sides had developed.

"Do you even realize what you're suggesting?!" exclaimed Blaze, in a voice that was as close to fury as they had ever heard. "She has spirit, yes, but a brawl? On her very first day?!"

"She had the freedom to choose," said Meta Knight calmly, "yet with all of you as my witnesses she agreed to the terms."

Marth was holding up his hands helplessly as though there was only one clear course of action for them to take. "We have no way of knowing how much time we have – best to give her the best possible training now, before things really start to get serious."

Midna was nodding along. "She had the chance to refuse."

By this time, Lucario had joined them. What in the world is the matter?

Link slid to one side of the pool recliner he was occupying, and Lucario happily sat beside him as the Hylian offered an explanation. "We were just chatting with Vick about how to proceed with today's training, and Meta decided that throwing her into a brawl on her first day sounded like a totally genius idea." He ended by shooting a disapproving glare at Meta Knight, who merely shrugged his shoulders as though he had done nothing worth arguing over.

Did you really do this? Lucario asked.

"Of course I did," Meta Knight confirmed. "What better way is there for us to teach her? If she is really serious about learning to protect herself – and I believe that she has made her stance on the matter quite clear – then we cannot afford to waste her time in simple training sessions. We are all in agreement that she should take the time to learn the basics, of course, but before this day comes to a close I believe that it would be beneficial to her if she tested her newfound abilities in combat."

Lucario's eyes were flat black, and by the time Meta Knight had finished explaining the Pokemon's pale blue Aura was shimmering around him. Out of the question. Victoria is a human woman with no extraordinary talents to speak of, Meta Knight. Such a situation can only end badly. She will certainly be hurt.

Midna picked up the dainty margarita glass she had discarded on a poolside table when the argument had started to gain momentum and sipped thoughtfully at the piña colada she had made. "Who's to say she'll get hurt? Just because Vick has never burst into flames or displayed the ability to run at mach speed doesn't mean that she can't, Lucario. We have to give her the chance to show us what she can do before we can truly assess her abilities. She's a human woman who comes from a normal human background, yes, but how many of us came from the most mundane situations imaginable and became a hero simply because there was no other choice?"

A decidedly uncomfortable silence followed this question before Link finally leaned forward and admitted, "I know I did."

"So did I," said Marth, looking sheepish. "My greatest aspiration in life was to just run away from my responsibilities – something it turns out you can never outrun."

"And you two aren't the only ones," Midna continued. "At least half of us have a similar story. The point is this – heroes aren't born, they're made. Vick is ready and willing to become the next one, but she needs us to work hard and teach her everything we can. Every time we fight, somebody walks away hurt. We all have to accept the fact that one day, Vick will be that person. And I know that she means a lot to all of us, but we can't let the way that we feel about her keep us from doing what's right."

Meta Knight nodded his approval. "Midna is right. We must teach her without restraint."

Link, Lucario, and Blaze exchanged a glance, concern and grim acceptance apparent in their faces, and when they had reached a kind of wordless agreement Lucario asked, Alright – it is settled, then. Where is she?

"She went back in the house looking for Wolf," Marth answered, and his cobalt eyebrows drew together a little when he added, "We're not really sure, but it seems like something is wrong."

With Wolf? Lucario asked, and Marth nodded but no one had any more information to contribute; as if in answer to their wordless questions the sliding glass door opened and Vick stepped out onto the patio, and after a moment Wolf followed with his custom rifle slung over his shoulder. As the lupine prowled across the porch and hefted himself onto the roof they scooted their pool chairs into a tighter circle and shared their thoughts at a much softer volume.

"Is it just me," Midna began in an undertone, "or is he looking even more like a crabass than usual?"

Link snickered beneath his breath. "Is that even possible?"

Lucario said nothing at first, watching Wolf's every move as the lupine thrust a hand out for Vick to take and then helped her clamber onto the roof beside him, but after a moment's musing felt compelled to add, Marth is right. Something is wrong with Wolf.

"But what?" asked Blaze, her golden eyes slightly narrowed with concern.

"Now, unfortunately, would seem a bad time to pry," Meta Knight insisted, "for it appears their lesson is about to begin."

As if on cue, Wolf began shouting down at them – none of them imagined the added edge to his voice, further confirming their suspicions that something was amiss. "Hey, I need one of you pansy-assed momma's boys to volunteer." When no one responded, the lupine swung the rifle down from its perch on his shoulder and balanced it in both hands, adding, "Front and center! I've got a date with a bottle of Jack that I don't wanna be late for, so can we get a move on?"

"Oh hell, I'll go," sighed Marth, and with a little push from Midna he was off his pool chair and striding leisurely through the yard as he called, "What the hell could you possibly need me for? You've got your rifle, you've got your student… what else does a rifle lesson require?"

"Stop right there!" Wolf cried, and when Marth halted confusedly in the approximate center of the yard the lupine added, "A target, of course."

Marth roared as though he had been betrayed and flung himself unceremoniously to the ground, curling into a fetal position and flinging his arms over his head. Those among their group still seated around the pool howled with laughter, Wolf smirked with satisfaction, and Vick snickered into the back of her hand.

"Good, yeah, stay just like that," Wolf called down. "That way if she actually does hit you, the worst she can do is make it hell for you to sit down for a couple of weeks. No worries!" Then turning to Vick the lupine thrust the weapon out for her to take, and clutching it in her hands she fixed him with an expression not unlike one a baseball player might wear when asked to perform a triple bypass. "Okay, now don't puss out on me, cuz I'm not in the mood for it, capiche? Now listen – the butt of the rifle will rest against the inside of your right shoulder, that tender spot just off the side of your collarbone, and your left hand will go just where the grip is, midway down the barrel, see it?" Wolf moved closer, helping Vick get the rifle situated before stepping back and appraising her with a practiced eye. She was holding the rifle almost perfectly, but her stance was tense and uncertain. "Okay, now take a deep breath, babe. You're so nervous that you're starting to freak me out."

Vick inhaled deeply through her nose and exhaled through her mouth, giving her head a little shake. "Sorry. Right. Calm. Got it."

Wolf crossed his arms. "Relax the set of your shoulders. These models from Zoness have next to no kickback, but if you tense up the butt is gonna give you a nasty bruise after a few shots. The key here is to take your time; snipers are generally the people that are furthest away from where combat gets hottest, and I've waited hours to take a single shot in some cases. So instead of cracking off the first shot you get, wait for it. Take a deep breath, or whatever is gonna give you the extra little spurt of patience you're going to need for this. Being behind the barrel of a sniper rifle is different than any other firearm because every shot really does count."

"No pressure," Vick stammered, her voice tense with strain.

The lupine circled around to Vick's back so as not to be distracting, and she allowed her eyes to drift closed as she sucked in a long, slow, deep breath through her nose, struggling with the idea of clearing her mind so that she could take her best shot at a friend of hers.

The very idea that she was about to cause bodily harm to someone that she cared for was completely and utterly ludicrous to her. She could feel Wolf's familiar presence lingering behind her in its least imposing form, silently willing her to dig deep within herself and find the courage to do what was necessary, but how? What if she was such a terrible shot that she didn't come anywhere close to her target, and the others never learned to take her seriously? Or worse, what if she hurt Marth? What if she was so successful that she killed him by mistake?

She was just opening her mouth to admit that she couldn't follow through with it when she heard Wolf growl, "It's gonna be alright, babe. I've got your back."

Vick opened her eyes, quietly reminded herself just why she was doing this, took careful aim through the scope, and squeezed the trigger with her index finger. The sharp crack of the rifle echoed in her ears as it fired and the butt bumped gently against her shoulder, but neither sensation was altogether unpleasant – in a way it was actually reassuring, a kind of reminder that she was at last being proactive about helping her self-proclaimed protectors and friends. The rifle bolt zipped through the air too quickly for her to track with her eyes, but when Marth yelped and leapt to his feet Vick cried out in alarm and nearly threw the weapon down in disgust.

"Holy shit! I actually hit him?!" Vick's eyes were already blurring with tears. "MARTH! Are you okay?! Oh my God I am SO sorry!"

"Goddammit!" shrieked Marth, hopping from foot to foot with both hands clapped firmly over his left butt cheek. "That smarts! Ow ow ow ow ow!"

The mansion residents still lounging poolside were in hysterics, clutching their sides and laughing uproariously; Vick was about to scream at them for being horribly insensitive when Wolf drew level with her and pulled the rifle out of her grasp, ejecting the magazine and dropping it into her disbelieving hands. Extracting a rifle round from the clip Vick held it up in front of her eyes; she wasn't necessarily an expert on firearms per se, but she had grown up in the bad part of Bullet End. She knew the sound of a nine millimeter Glock, and she knew a blank from a live when she saw one.

"Dummy rounds. Wolf, you really are a son of a bitch."

Wolf ruffled her ponytail affectionately with one hand and chuckled gruffly beneath his breath. "Square in the ass, and on your first try too… babe, I think you're a natural."

---

Vick was preparing for her swordplay lesson with Link and Meta Knight when Lucario sensed an Aura he was completely unfamiliar with lingering a few yards into the tree line rimming the southern edge of the backyard. He knew well enough by now what Wesker's presence felt like, and he wouldn't soon forget the sensation of cold dread that had gripped his entire body the moment Legato's influence had crept into and enslaved his mind, so Lucario was confident that their group wasn't in any immediate danger – still, it was better to be safe than sorry. Excusing himself from the others he made his way across the springy grass and drew right up to the point where the forest thickened, where a smooth dark voice wafted up to meet him almost at once.

"You miss nothing… It's good that she has you."

Lucario stepped beneath the jade canopy, leaving the baking sunlight and clear blue sky in favor of sweltering undergrowth and dappled patches of emerald light. The mysterious man who called himself Akabane Kuroudo was leaning against the trunk of an elder maple tree, watching Vick's lessons from afar. The fine azure furs on the back of Lucario's neck stood on end at being alone and in such close proximity to this man, the unknown entity who had gone toe to toe with Albert Wesker and lived to tell the tale, but he did not shudder and he refused to run. He kept a respectable distance, choosing an oak tree about fifteen feet away to put at his back as he sat before offering his response. Yes… just as it's good that she has you, in a way.

Akabane raised his head a fraction, just enough for Lucario to catch a glimpse of one cold eye studying him sidelong; the dark violet hue of the pupil was mildly unsettling. "You waste your time with these meaningless training sessions. It is best not to humor the girl's ridiculous notion of standing on an even playing field with these particular adversaries – your time would be much better served in honing your own skills. From what I have seen your collective abilities are as diverse as they are impressive: if you focus your time on becoming stronger and devising strategies for better dealing with your enemies, you may have a slim chance of surviving this."

The Aura Guardian lifted a brow, feigning surprise. You concern yourself with our well beings now?

The scowl Akabane gave him in response was fleeting, but Lucario did not miss it. There was silence between them for half a minute or so as Akabane seethed quietly to himself and Lucario considered just how much information to divulge, but it didn't take Lucario long to make up his mind. There is one thing we can teach Victoria that may actually be worth the time and effort… One thing that, were she to unlock its full potential, may give her the ability to stand against Wesker and Legato.

It was Akabane's turn to cock an eyebrow, not in surprise but in disdain. "You jest."

On this matter, I wouldn't dare.

"Then tell me."

Lucario closed his eyes and retreated within himself, reaching deep into the wellspring of awe-inspiring energy that was his Aura until he felt its comforting warmth spreading all throughout his body; when next he opened his eyes he hardly felt exerted, yet the wild blue flames of his Aura blazed all around him. Akabane's unnaturally pale face looked as though it were fighting hard to remain impassive. "Ah, yes… your Aura. I have heard of such things – the harnessing of one's emotions into powerful offensive and defensive forces. A skill that all living creatures are born with, but few can actually control."

Your understanding of Aura is surprisingly accurate, Lucario admitted, and though he sounded begrudging he privately admitted that he had suspected Akabane would know as much. There are numerous known reasons why not just anyone can use Aura for this purpose – the most common among these is the fact that most living creatures simply do not possess the mastery of self that is necessary. Emotions are ever-fluctuating and nearly impossible to predict – one may be joyous one moment and overcome by grief the next, and with no warning to alert one to the change. I am an old creature – older than this body may suggest – and I can tell you that I have spent decades of my existence struggling to subdue the body's baser emotions, and bring to a head the ones I depend on most to access my Aura. Long has it been assumed that, in order to fully master one's Aura, one must first master oneself.

Akabane chuckled then, a low, dark sound that was devoid of any real mirth. "You have just listed every reason why it would be pointless for the girl to attempt to learn it. The average living creature struggles on a daily basis to remain in control of its emotions – consider the additional factors working against her in this instance. The fact that she is not only young and prone to emotional outbursts is counterproductive enough, certainly, but keep in mind that she is also a woman. Is there any such creature in all the world more prone to emotional instability?"

Lucario turned his eyes through the break in the trees, watching with his characteristic protectiveness as Vick engaged Link in a simple offensive sword maneuver; Meta Knight was giving her verbal instruction, but the Aura Guardian's ears could not make out the words. His eyes softened with a hint of a smile as he said, Just this morning I thought as you do. When Victoria asked me to teach her how to tap into her Aura, I confess that I had to suppress the urge to laugh at the request, and for all of the reasons you have just given. But in the last hour I have given it a great deal of thought, and I am starting to believe that those factors may actually work in her favor.

"Then you are a greater fool than even I guessed," drawled Akabane, "for she is even more emotionally impulsive than most, with a temper as quick to flare as the flame on a match when struck. How could you ever hope to harness something so unpredictable and inconsistent into a weapon?"

Another silence stretched between them, during which Lucario's eyes bored into Akabane's with unrivaled intensity. Gradually the Pokemon's Aura died down, and when it had fully diminished Akabane at last came to understand.

I will not. Lucario rose but did not depart, watching now as Link easily disarmed Vick and immediately set about consoling her when her face crumpled with a sudden rush of despair. I will not mold her into a weapon and I will certainly not restrain the way that she feels. Instead I will encourage her to use the greatest weapons at her disposal – her admirable determination, her unshakeable willpower, her everlasting courage, and perhaps the greatest of all – her loyalty and love for us. For those feelings in her are so great that she will have far more success in learning to use them to her advantage. Forcing her to sublimate them can only end in failure.

"I do not understand." Akabane's eyes were following Vick's movements now as well, though the look in his eyes was nothing akin to protectiveness and Lucario was loathe to name it. "What is so remarkable about her simple human emotions that has you so convinced that she could be successful in this?"

Can you think of no instance that proves what I have said? Lucario spat, growing tired of Akabane's continued pessimism. Was she not just as willing to sacrifice herself in All God's Village for you, a man who was barely more than a stranger to her, than she is for any one of us, her greatest friends?

There were several instances Akabane could think of, but the entire ordeal of All God's Village felt somehow too private to share and so he chose not to divulge them. Instead he snapped, "Since when have you believed a word of that tale? The girl has told me that she confided the entire story to several of you in confidence, and that each and every one of you took her words as falsities – the ramblings of the insane. I wonder – how much longer can you pretend that her story is untrue, and that it was really I who terrorized her?"

By now Lucario was long since irritated by all that he had heard, and so he had a scathing question of his own to ask. I wonder – how much longer can you pretend that you are here simply for the sport of battling Wesker and Legato, and not merely because you so desire Victoria's company? Calling her 'the girl' all the time and steadfastly refusing to even cross the property line but appearing in her moments of greatest need… your actions contradict themselves.

"My intentions are none of your business."

Victoria IS my business.

They stared one another down, intense dislike apparent in their eyes, until both heard Lucario's name being called and looked up; Vick's swordplay lesson appeared to have ended with a resounding lack of success and now she was standing in the middle of the yard with Link and Meta Knight, hands on hips and looking both suspicious and slightly concerned. Lucario took a step in her direction, drawn to his best friend like a magnet with the precise opposite charge, but glanced Akabane's way almost as an afterthought. Bear in mind that you are not the only man who vies for her affections. It wasn't long ago that Lance – by all accounts the Pokemon League Champion and a far more benevolent man than you – had a mind to ask for Victoria's hand. And though I cannot speak for Wolf, I feel obliged to tell you that the way he feels for her is more akin to passion than anything else.

"Why do you waste my time with these words?" Akabane demanded, but he failed to keep the barest trace of genuine interest from his voice.

Lucario's face grew intently serious when he confided, Because the man whose heart is purest and whose actions are the most selfless will be the man who wins her heart in the end. Akabane rocked back a step, taken aback by what he had heard, but Lucario didn't give him any time to recover from his shock. Come back this evening. The brawl will take place after dinner, around seven… I have a feeling I know how it will play out, and I think that your presence will be helpful to Victoria in a way.

Akabane scowled, clearly displeased at being told what to do. "In what way?"

Just be here. You will know precisely what to do, and when.

---

The afternoon quickly turned into an all-out training session; Link and Meta Knight sparred together for at least an hour, and Marth and Midna quickly took up their example and did the same for almost as long. Blaze and Kirby worked well together, Sonic put himself through some very rigorous endurance exercises, and Falco collaborated with Wolf to set up a less dangerous practice range for use with their various menagerie of firearms. Lunch was also a group affair; Yami ordered Chinese takeout for everyone and they ate together around the pool, discussing the days' events and congratulating one another on jobs well done.

All the residents in Brawlers Mansion turned out for Vick's Aura lesson with Lucario, but when Vick approached her best friend with a look of optimism on her face Lucario stopped her in her tracks with an upraised palm.

Before we begin, Lucario addressed the group at large, I would like to make a few requests. The first is this: all of you may stay and observe, if Victoria will not be distracted by your presence, but only if you give me your word that you will remain quiet throughout the duration of her training. It is also very important that, whatever happens from this point forward, you vow not to intervene.

"They won't bother me," Vick assured. "I'd feel better with everyone around, honestly."

The rest of them exchanged a collective glance, expressions ranging from curiosity to open alarm; since Link often found himself being recognized as their undisputed leader he asked, "Anybody have anything to say?"

"We promise, Lucario," Blaze murmured softly.

"We all trust you," Midna put in.

Wolf crossed his arms over his chest, looking even surlier than usual; his eyes were practically boring holes into Vick's back when he growled, "If you hurt her, Luca…"

"Relax, Wolf," said Vick with a little giggle and a dismissive wave of one hand. "He would never hurt me. Right, Luca?"

Lucario's face contorted strangely then, as though he was struggling within himself between two very disparate decisions; at last his expression grew noticeably more serene, though Vick noticed that his eyes had darkened to a deep crimson. Instinctively she took a small step back, but it was his reply that frightened her the most: I cannot make that promise.

Wolf bristled, and Falco threw out an arm to hold him back; Sonic clenched his hands into fists, and Midna and Yami each clapped a restraining hand down upon one of his shoulders. Only Link seemed unconcerned by Lucario's sudden change in demeanor, which he explained away by telling them softly, "Don't. We promised. She has to learn."

Lucario nodded his appreciation in Link's direction before turning his eyes back to Vick, who by now was barely suppressing the impulse to tremble in fear. He chose to turn a blind eye, gesturing instead to the grass at his feet. Sit. Vick did as she was told, though her face was still tense with nervousness; once she had seated herself she glanced to him for guidance, and he continued, Make yourself comfortable. Do as you did this morning when you were under Wolf's command, and relax yourself as best you can. When you seem calmer, we will begin.

The others took seats around the pool, patting one another's arms in reassuring manners and shooting neighbors glances of encouragement; Vick shifted so that her back was to them, and closing her eyes she inhaled and exhaled slowly and deeply. She did her best to recall the training she had gone through hours ago and how she had prepared for that, and at last remembered that only by reminding herself of her reason for participating in these exercises had she found the resolve to follow through. Silently she thought of each and every one of her friends, picturing their faces in her mind until her body felt more relaxed and her heartbeat seemed more regular than before. Opening her eyes again she nodded once at Lucario, who by then had taken a seat directly across from her and was patiently waiting for her signal to continue.

Aura is everywhere – it is all around us. It exists in every living organism and resides in every creature we see. However, the ability to use Aura as a weapon is an intricate and complex procedure; because of the very precise balance between control and abandon that is necessary, very few beings have ever learned how to control it. Lucario hesitated for a moment, deciding how best to proceed, before adding, Your training will be… quite different… than mine ever was.

Vick raised one pale eyebrow. "How do you mean?"

Lucario's gaze was far away. The man who trained me taught me to always be in control of my feelings, to never allow my emotions to breach the surface and get the better of me. But for you I feel that a different approach will be necessary; I think perhaps you would be better suited seeking the opposite emotional state that I did. If you were to focus on heightening your emotions rather than suppressing them…If there was a way to urge you into a hyper emotional state.… Well, it has never been attempted before, at least not to my knowledge, but I believe that may be our best course of action.

"I don't really get it," Vick admitted with a sheepish shrug of her shoulders. "But if you think it'll work… Just tell me what to do, and I'll try."

Lucario sat back on his heels, deliberating. Now that it was time to put his theory to the test, he wasn't at all sure how to proceed – after all, which emotion was strongest in his pupil, and how best to bring that feeling to the surface in its purest, most powerful form? He closed his mind off to all but one individual and asked the question: How to make her feel?

Link did very well not to react in any way – he even avoided Lucario's eyes, gazing blankly at the ground underfoot when he thought his reply. Start off simple and make her happy. Scratch that – go for overjoyed. She has a pretty sunny disposition; you'd think it would be easy…

Very well. Lucario allowed his mind to become open once more, so that all of them could hear his next words. Victoria, I want you to focus now. Think of the happiest moments of your life, and nothing else. Recall the way those times made you feel, and bring those feelings to the surface of your mind.

Vick was nodding even as Lucario was speaking, and seeing the determination on her face they couldn't help feeling optimistic that she would be quick to make progress in the right direction. She closed her eyes again, casting her mind around for moments that fit Lucario's criteria, and so linked to Vick's psyche was Lucario that he caught fragments of her thought process and even brief flashes of images as she allowed her elation to bubble to the forefront of her mind.

Something happy. Not my old man… probably not mom either… Toshi. The bar.

There was a brief image, crystal clear, or a younger Vick Ralis standing behind the bar at The Shadow; she was a little leaner and her face didn't carry as many lines as it now did. She was spinning a bottle in her hand, showing a few other bartenders the proper way to perform the trick, and they were gaping at her with awe. Lucario admired the clarity of the vision – almost as if he was present and seeing the events for himself, and not glimpsing them through a memory – and felt fascinated by the way Vick recalled events from earlier in her life. She didn't see the moment through her own eyes, but rather as an outsider watching herself at whatever task she was remembering. He had never known a person to imagine their own life in such a way.

The image blurred and changed, yielding a picture of a version of Vick that was more childlike even than the first. She was huddled in the alleyway behind The Shadow, in almost the precise place where she had been when Wesker had attacked her a few weeks previous; she was crouched between two trash cans and soaked to the bone as rain pelted down from above, her frail arms wrapped around herself for warmth and her teeth obviously chattering. And suddenly there was the harried owner of the bar that Lucario knew so well –Toshi – kneeling down beside her and wrapping a blanket around her. Lucario felt keenly the warmth associated with the memory, and though he watched Vick's face intently as she focused her face betrayed not a hint of emotion.

Nothing doing – that's not good enough. Nothing is happening. What else? Something happier… The guys.

The memories came quicker then, as though Vick had so many joyous thoughts to recall that she couldn't make up her mind which to linger on. Flash – Vick had a Nerf gun in her hand, and she and Wolf were pelting Link and Midna with foam darts. Flash – There she was singing on stage at The Shadow, while a scantily-clad Marth danced before a crowd of shrieking women. Flash – She was hurling a Poke Ball at a Sentret while Lance looked on proudly, shouting words of encouragement.

Flash. She was gazing blearily up at Akabane, her dislocated shoulder hanging uselessly at her side as he hefted a strange camera with his free hand and glanced down at her with fierce protectiveness in his eyes.

Flash. She was stumbling out of the forest, half blinded by the sun and overwhelmed by the pain in her dislocated shoulder, before falling into Lucario's arms; the others crowded around, stroking her face and calling her name with obvious love in their voices, and when the words I'm home reverberated through Lucario's mind he was so taken aback by the emotion he felt there that he almost flinched away.

Home! That's it! For the first time in my life I'm not alone, and there are people who want me! I'm loved… I belong somewhere!

The warmth Lucario felt no longer seemed to be associated with Vick's memories, but a tangible thing that he could almost reach out and touch; with difficulty he pulled his focus away from the jumble of images flitting through his pupil's mind and forced his eyes to glimpse what was occurring in the present. Vick was still seated before him in precisely the same place she had been before, but her figure was outlined in what appeared to be a haze of silver smoke; behind her the others were staring at her with wide eyes and gaping mouths, whispering excitedly amongst themselves. Their excitement broke Vick's concentration a half second before Lucario could hiss at them to be quiet; her memories began to falter and dissolve like grains of sand slipping through her fingers, and the tighter she attempted to cling to them the swifter they faded from her recollection. Her eyes flew open, her mind processed the haze of silver Aura that was barely visible around her, and she gasped in shock –

- The Aura vanished as quickly as the memories associated with it. Vick threw up her hands in frustration, clearly disappointed, and Lucario knew that he had no choice but to be firm or risk her quitting the exercise altogether.

That is enough! he growled, and lurching forward he gripped her none-too-gently by the shoulders and forced her to look him in the eye. You will NOT surrender to your frustrations and I will NOT allow you to give up, do you understand me? Do you not know the magnitude of the incredible feat you have just accomplished?!

Vick burst into laughter. "Oh come on! I made myself happy for what, half a minute? Give me a pitcher of margaritas and the effect will last a hell of a lot longer, believe me."

Half of the mansions residents chuckled softly to themselves at this; the other half looked deathly serious. Lucario's eyes had now darkened to a flat black, the last warning sign before his Aura flared out of control. Listen to me, Victoria. What you just saw was your Aura struggling to make itself more tangible, fighting through your negative emotions and attaching itself to the memories you brought to the forefront of your mind. Do you have any idea just how long it took me to reach the stage that you just met on your very first attempt?

"No," Vick admitted flatly, cocking her head curiously to one side, and Lucario sighed.

Months, Victoria. Though my intentions were pure and my determination was at times almost frightening, I showed no sign of improvement for the first three months or so. Even the slightest manifestation of Aura is a rarity for anyone in even their first month of study. It proves my theory about you – that we are much better served encouraging your emotions than working to sublimate them.

"So… I should try again?" Vick asked uncertainly, and that was when Lucario was accosted by another's train of thought.

You're going about this all wrong.

Lucario glanced over Vick's shoulder to find Wolf staring pointedly in his direction, arms crossed over his burly chest and a grim sort of glitter to his single functioning eye. How do you mean?

Wolf rolled his eye skyward. I mean that if you're looking to get the strongest emotional reaction you possibly can out of Vick, you're tugging at the wrong heartstring. Consider the source here – it's not like her childhood was all sunshine and roses, so quit trying to throw glitter in her eyes 'cause that's not gonna work. And don't start getting all depressing and try to make her cry, either, because that's got disaster written all over it. This chick not only had a crap childhood but she let it make her tough, not soft. You need to hit her where it counts – we all know her biggest weakness is us.

So what are you saying? Lucario asked, puzzling over all Wolf had told him.

Wolf stared back for a moment, brow furrowed as he considered how best to proceed, before wondering cautiously, Do you mind if I…?

Lucario shrugged, now more intrigued than anything, and all eyes were on Wolf as he separated himself from the group and took his first tentative step forward. Vick's eyes were closed and her body mostly at ease, though it was clear in the set of her face that she was fully aware of the moment when Wolf knelt down behind her and brought his lips in line with her ear.

It was for the better that only Lucario and Vick heard the words that next came from Wolf's mouth.

"Imagine that you're standing here with us the night Wesker and Legato came to find you. We've spent all day preparing ourselves for what we know is coming, but we all know there's no way it'll be enough. We've all promised that we'll protect you no matter what happens – we've even sworn that if we have to die just to keep you safe, we'll all do it, no questions asked." The lupine paused for a moment, studying the profile of Vick's face that he could see, grimly pleased by the tense focus and genuine concern he found there. "That's when they show up and start decimating us. Legato's mind is more than a match for anything we have to offer, and your friends start killing each other while you stand there. You are completely powerless to stop what you see."

Wolf – Lucario began to protest, horrified by the all-too vivid images flashing through Vick's mind, but Wolf shook his head insistently once and continued on.

"The ranks start closing around you just like we'd all promised, but now Wesker's coming. It only takes one strike for him to tear someone's arm from their socket, or shatter someone's spinal cord… or lop the head from someone's shoulders. By the time he gets to you there are only a handful of guys left to stand up to him, so you do the only thing you can think to do… you start running.

"Behind you, Legato breaks Lucario's mind so soundly and easily that the brain damage is too severe for recovery. Link has lost so much blood that no transfusion could possibly save him now. Shadow's cracked skull has impacted his brain and his neural system is beyond repair." Vick was trembling now, biting her lip to keep from protesting, and her eyelashes were damp. "Imagine that the bullet from Wesker's gun actually killed me… imagine you never got to say goodbye.

"Imagine that everyone you have ever loved died right before your eyes, and you could do nothing but stand there and watch."

An animalistic growl tore itself from Vick's throat and her eyes flew open; her face was flushed with terror and despair, tears streaked down her cheeks, and though her eyes were wide they were empty as though she were seeing things beyond the real and present. As they watched the silver mist swirling around her grew more and more tangible, like smoke made almost solid, and Lucario and Wolf were close enough to notice the odd hue her eyes had taken on – a brighter gray than her usual storm cloud, a backlit, molten silver. She stumbled to her feet, gaze rooted upon her own hands wreathed in a kind of gray-white flame, and then her eyes flitted up and fell upon Wolf.

"Oh!" she gasped, relief flooding her face, and just as suddenly as the silvery Aura outline had framed her body it now vanished; she began to swoon from the exertion but Wolf was there, and reaching out he caught her in his arms and locked her in a strong embrace close to his chest.

"You lied to me," she mumbled, her voice partially lost in his flight jacket, and Wolf rumbled a laugh but his real reply floated through Lucario's mind.

There's probably another way. He didn't want to explain much further – perhaps the words were upsetting to him somehow? – and so he simply projected the desired images with his imagination. Lucario tuned in well enough despite the fact that the lupine's mind was not nearly as sharp and clear as Victoria's, though he needn't have focused too hard – the gist was easy enough to catch.

Not now. Their eyes met over Vick's shoulder, and Lucario shook his head sternly.

You said yourself we can't afford to go easy on her –

And I don't intend to, Lucario interrupted, but what you suggest has already crossed my mind. It will happen tonight.

I don't understand. Wolf had released Vick by now; she had darted away from him and fallen upon the others, grasping their hands and stroking their faces as if to assure herself that none of them had truly been lost. You got this planned already somehow?

Lucario watched Vick carefully, his expression guarded, his eyes deeply speculative. Wolf was beginning to think that the Aura Guardian had no intention of answering him when Lucario at last said, This situation is delicate, Wolf; it is more sensitive than you know. For Victoria to push through this final barrier and have the most dramatic surge of emotion she can muster, everything must be carefully thought out. Not a single detail can be overlooked. They stood together, somehow isolated from the rest of the group as Vick seized both of Midna's hands and gushed about her success. I need you involved in tonight's brawl – I can count on your protectiveness toward her just as much as I can count on you to be volatile when the time comes, can I not?

The lupine smirked. Today, volatile is kind of my middle name. Just tell me what you need done.

That won't be necessary. Lucario strode nearer to the pool, his signal that their private conversation was coming to a close. You will do precisely what is needed, and at precisely the right time, I am sure.

Wolf brought up the rear, and taking Lucario's lead he addressed the group at large. "Alright, you pansy asses – let's talk brawl." A dozen mouths opened, though to protest or to volunteer Wolf would never know. "Rule number one – three on three. We can't all participate in Vick's first fight no matter how much we all want to, capiche?" He cocked his head in Vick's direction; she was standing a few feet away, arm in arm with Falco and her other arm draped around Yami's too-skinny waist. "I think it's only fair that we leave the majority of this up to you, babe – what do you say? Pick five guys from the group here, then we'll split up."

Vick nodded first in Lucario's direction, then in Wolf's, and finally in Link's; as they were separating themselves from the larger group Vick followed them, dragging Falco and Yami with her. Wolf and Lucario exchanged a mildly surprised glance. Here they'd assumed that the process of Vick choosing from a group of people who were all inexplicably close to her heart in their own way would take quite a long time, only to find that she had settled the dispute on her own in little more than five seconds. Most of them were watching Wolf somewhat expectantly, as though they assumed he would delegate the rest of the set up, so he cleared his throat and hastened to oblige.

"This is a good group… diverse. That's what you need – exposure to a wide range of different battle techniques." The lupine cracked his knuckles, his claws glinting in the sunlight. "Alright, I'll head the other team against you. Pick your first teammate."

Vick's face fell – Wolf felt a twinge of guilt at her expression. "I… have to fight against… you?"

Wolf allowed his expression to soften just a little when he said, "Did you want me on your team?"

"Well, yeah!" She bit down on her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. It really was fortunate that Wolf was naturally so taciturn, otherwise he might have changed his mind with just one glimpse at her piteous face. Nevertheless, he plastered a cocksure grin onto his face and crossed his arms.

"Well tough shit, toots. You'll be fighting against me, so put your big girl panties on and put the cheese back in the fridge."

Vick's pout abruptly vanished. "What cheese?"

Wolf chuckled cruelly. "The cheese you got to go with your whine."

"Dude," Falco crowed, thrusting out a hand for Wolf to high-five, "burn."

"That was lame," Yami chuckled, "but freaking hilarious."

Vick was rolling her eyes so hard that Wolf wouldn't have been surprised to find she'd wound up with a headache, but when their eyes next met she was all business. It was fortunate, Lucario wondered bemusedly, that Wolf seemed to know precisely how to handle her; Vick's determination to fit in and pose no liability to them of any kind was her single greatest motivation, and when Wolf challenged her she was quick to take the bait. Vick pointed in Lucario's direction, ending his train of thought. "You." When her tone came across a shade sterner than she'd intended, however, her face softened. "I… I need you, Luca. I need your support."

And as in all things, you shall have it. Lucario moved close to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, balancing his chin upon her shoulder. Vick smiled sweetly at Wolf, and he scowled back at her.

"Smile now, because later you'll be holding a steak on that cute little bottom lip of yours." Wolf appraised his options but knew already his choice. "What do you say, ostrich? Feel like being on the winning team for a change?"

Falco took a step toward Wolf, paused to ponder the implications of his question, and asked, "Just who was that insult aimed at?"

"I know, right? Only a real asshole can insult multiple people at once." Wolf winked at Vick. "Your move, sweetheart."

Vick cocked her head toward Lucario's ear. "Who do we want?"

Lucario growled low in the back of his throat and did something he very rarely did – he dropped a sexual innuendo. I know who I want. His eyes darkened to crimson as he said this, and he regarded Link with dilated pupils. Oblivious as usual, Link smiled mildly back and waggled his fingers in a kind of timid and awkward wave. Vick rolled her eyes again.

"Go get him, tiger." Vick crooked a finger, motioning for Link to join them.

Wolf's expression soured. "Guess that leaves us with the high and mighty King of Lames."

Yami glared daggers at the lupine and didn't move even a fraction to join him, despite the fact that Falco hovered nearby. "It's the King of Games, you backwoods trash."

Wolf shrugged as though it hardly mattered. "Potayto, potahto. Brawl on at seven?"

"Oh good," Midna interjected, one hand rubbing her stomach now. "I'm about to chew off my own arm over here."

"Ditto," agreed Sonic. "Food?"

"T Bell!" Falco and Yami shouted together, and they spent the next twenty minutes taking everyone's fast food orders.

---

They were waiting in line in the drive-thru three cars back, Yami with one arm out the driver's side window of his sinister '51 Mercury and Falco slouched low in the passenger seat, when Falco decided to pop the question. "So you free tomorrow?"

Yami started and snapped his head around to regard the avian. "Beg pardon?"

Falco leaned forward and dialed down the volume on the Led Zeppelin tune they had been mouthing the words to until it was little more than an incomprehensible murmur in the background. "Well while this fly by the seats of our pants method we've been practicing is both irritating and fun, I think it's obvious that we're never gonna get some time to ourselves unless we start planning it. So what do you say? Tomorrow?"

Yami couldn't help but laugh. "I can't exactly tell you I'm busy – we live in the same house, and none of us ever have plans. How do our days fill up so fast?"

"You got me." Falco cocked an eyebrow. "You dodging?"

It was all too easy. "We playing dodgeball?"

Exasperation colored Falco's tone. "No, moron – you dodging the invite? Cause don't worry, I don't get all Madonna-drama when somebody turns me down for a date."

"I'm not turning you down," laughed Yami, doubling over and clutching his sides as he chuckled now. "It was an honest question! I can see where you would assume it was a dodge."

Falco motioned toward the asphalt curve they were supposed to be following – they had fallen two car lengths behind, and it was almost their turn to order. Yami hastily put his foot down and the '51 eased forward with the grace of a hunting cat. "Well, drinking and staving off the occasional attack from a psycho rapist does take up a lot of time."

"You think Wesker's a rapist?" Yami's face lost some color.

"You think he had Vick's pants down because he was about to give her a gyno exam?" Falco spat as an uncouth reply, and the King of Games shuddered delicately. "Can we focus? We have the rest of our lives to develop ulcers over this whole Wesker/Legato thing."

Yami pulled himself together. "Right, tomorrow." He was unable to suppress a snicker. "I'll have to check my schedule."

"Oh forget it! I've lost interest. My day just filled up."

The '51 glided up beside the ordering screen, the marquee filled with descriptions and images of trashy Mexican food looming over them. Yami was suddenly busy giving thirteen separate orders to the overwhelmed high school boy who had been unfortunate enough to don the drive-thru headset for the dinner shift. Ten minutes later they were pulling away from the ordering screen, taking bets on just how incorrect their order would be.

"Ten bucks it's three items." Falco fingered the volume dial as they settled back to wait at the firmly closed drive-thru window; Styx was on.

"Double or nothing, five." Yami tilted his head lazily in Falco's direction. "So, tomorrow?"

"You said you were busy."

"Did not. Said I'd have to check my schedule. You said you'd lost interest."

Falco theatrically threw an arm over his eyes. "We could do this all day. We'll rent a boat, tool around on the lake for awhile, hit up my fashion consultant for a meeting? I'll call Angelique and see if I can set up a glance into the trunk show or something."

"A hooker on our first date? Isn't that usually a third date kind of thing?" Yami's face was red with barely contained laughter, and Falco glowered at him.

"You've been hanging around me waaaaay too much," chuckled the avian. "Angelique is my contact at Fortunata Fashions. I Skyped with her a few nights ago and she mentioned they were launching the summer goth line next week, if I was interested in hitting the trunk show or hanging catwalk-side. You still interested in that?"

"Sure." The drive-thru window opened and the frazzled adolescent in the headset started handing sacks of food out to Yami one at a time, doing his best not to ogle at the car. "What the hell do you wear to a fashion consultation?"

"We'll go through your closet. If you don't have anything, we'll hit up Hot Topic." Falco passed Yami a credit card – the young employee, in his haste to be rid of them, had forgotten to ask them to pay. Yami's mouth twitched upward when he read the name printed on the front of the card – it was Marth's of course.

"So it's a date?" gushed Yami, unable to keep from sounding like a sixteen-year-old girl who had just been asked to the prom. The drive-thru guy rolled his eyes as he passed the credit card back through the window.

"You bet. I'll drive. Just make sure you bring your keys, cause I'm driving your '51."

---

After two and a half beers, Link felt just brave enough to go looking for Lucario. He found the Aura Guardian alone in the middle of the backyard, his pale blue Aura flickering around him and the grass beneath his feet whipping up as though caught up in a strong wind. Intent on watching instead of intervening Link took a seat on the bottommost stair, cradling the half-full bottle of O'Douls between his hands and rolling the cool glass in his palms as he looked on with quiet awe. After a time Lucario's Aura dulled, and when all was calm and silent he half-turned to regard the Hero of Time.

"Sorry… did I distract you?" Link ran a hand through his hair, tousling the strands messily and wringing a small chuckle from Lucario.

I felt your presence. Lucario loped the length of the yard until he had reached the wooden staircase; there he leaned against the banister, looking down at Link with his familiar expression of serenity. When I am tapped deeply into my Aura I am far more in-tune with everyone's whereabouts, and a person's state of mind becomes easier to interpret. It's a sixth sense, so to speak.

"So, what, you were trying to sense something?" Link glanced past Lucario to the approximate spot the Pokemon had been standing on a minute ago, recalling what he had seen. What reason did Lucario have to be tapping into his Aura now, of all times? Was he preparing for the upcoming brawl?

Lucario shrugged. Not particularly. Occasionally if I am deep in thought I will tap into my Aura subconsciously, which heightens my emotions. Often it is a useful slip of my self control – it tells me how I truly feel about a given situation.

"What were you thinking about?" Link asked densely, and Lucario couldn't help but chuckle again.

To be honest… I was thinking about this… situation… of ours. Lucario crossed his arms over his narrow chest and his eyes slitted as he frowned.

Link swallowed hard – his throat suddenly felt like sandpaper. "Oh?"

Lucario waved a hand at empty space in a haphazard means of gesturing to Link. You have been battling back your discomfort with small but meaningful gestures all day – the kiss on the cheek, sharing your chair with me – and never once have you complained. I feel… almost guilty. It seems that you are really struggling, Link.

"Well… it's new, and confusing. In a lot of ways it feels like a struggle." Link wanted to kick himself the second the words had tumbled from his mouth. Here he was, alone with the man he cared more deeply for than ever, and he was bluntly admitting that expressing his affections was more or less a chore?

Lucario sighed and slumped down to sit beside Link on the bottommost stair, accepting the bottle of O'Douls and taking a grateful swig. When he handed the bottle back to Link their eyes met, and Lucario voiced the rest of his thoughts. Link, it's alright – I am not angry, and you haven't upset me. I have made it perfectly clear that I care about you, and I am willing to give you a second chance. However, I understand that the prospect of entering into a relationship with me could be frightening for you. I would be no better than Mewtwo if I pressured you to get past your discomfort so quickly.

Link sipped at the beer thoughtfully, his eyes fixed upon a ladybug slowly traversing an extra-long blade of grass at his feet. There was a deep, dark, seldom-addressed fear lingering in a black crevice within his mind, the entire reason that he was entertaining doubts at all, and he felt he would go mad if he didn't voice it. "What if I can't give you everything you want? Don't get me wrong – I'm ready to try this, and I'll do my damndest to make you feel the way that you deserve to feel, but… What if it isn't enough? What if I don't make you happy?"

Lucario answered with his warm eyes-only smile. What if I don't want perfection? What if I just want you?

"Well that I can do," Link chuckled, his face growing hot as a blush crept up his neck. "I do imperfection pretty well."

Link –

But the Hylian silenced Lucario with an expression of desperation, the kind of look someone wore when they had something more they couldn't bear to let go unsaid; he seized Lucario's hands in both of his own and said in a tormented voice, "It's the truth – I'm not perfect. I couldn't be more your opposite. You know exactly who you are and how you feel and what you want and I'm still a little vague on all of those details, myself. You're at peace with yourself and the man you've become and I'm still wrestling with the prospect of making this change. Because I don't want this to be a temporary thing… I…" Link sucked in a deep, steadying breath before finishing, "I want this to be a permanent change. I don't want to hide anymore… I want this to be who I am."

Lucario leaned forward and nuzzled into Link's neck; the Hylian paused only for a moment before disentangling their hands so that he could wrap his arms around the Aura Guardian. Holding Lucario to his chest made Link realize just how physically fragile the Pokemon truly was; it reinforced in him the desire to be his protector, to be the man that Lucario depended on. Lucario issued a sigh of contentment before saying, I believe that it is who you are – I have suspected as much all along. But do not forget that this is not as simple as deciding where you should eat for dinner, or even where you should live… This is your lifestyle, Link. This is a decision regarding the person you will be from this point forward. These changes do not occur in the course of a single day. You must allow yourself time to adjust.

"I don't want you to wait. I want to make you happy, right now."

Lucario shifted and raised his head, though he didn't make a move to leave the circle of Link's strong arms; his breath tickled Link's cheek, and they were almost nose to nose. I am happy right now. And he leaned a fraction closer so that he could press his muzzle briefly to Link's lips.

The simple gesture lasted barely a millisecond, but it incited within Link some of the strongest physical reactions he had ever felt. The moment their lips touched it seemed that a mild electric current passed between them; for Link, this was both terrifying and undeniably pleasant. The electric charge raced from his pale lips and straight down his spine in a way that made him shiver involuntarily, and the resulting shudder left what felt like a pool of molten heat deep in the pit of his stomach. That fraction of a second with Lucario, he silently decided, was more intense than the half-formed, hazy images of the entire night he had spent with Zelda.

His words failed to mirror the extraordinary emotions he was feeling – as they often did. "Oh. Wow."

Lucario blinked slowly once, somehow managing to convey that he was deeply flattered using just his eyes. The expression faltered almost at once, though, and dissolved into deep concern. Are you alright? Was that… okay?

Link opened his mouth to say something reassuring, but then realization crashed down upon him as swiftly and mercilessly as a tidal wave. He had just shared his very first kiss with a man – and not only had he enjoyed it immensely, the amount of pleasure it had given him was simply overwhelming. Fear replaced happiness then, and before he knew it he was hugging Lucario fiercely to him and fighting the urge to tremble.

Link? Lucario's voice was frantic as he struggled to look the Hylian in the eye, but Link overpowered him easily, his arm locking Lucario's head gently yet firmly to his chest. Link, what is it?

"I'm alright," Link managed to gasp out, though his voice betrayed his inner terror. "I'll be alright, just give me a second."

Ten minutes later, Falco found the two of them in precisely the same position; thankfully, he had a Budweiser on hand for each of them, and he distributed both before taking a seat on the grass facing them. "Something happen?"

Unwilling to release Lucario from his arms, Link pried the top off the bottle with his teeth before spitting it into the grass and taking a grateful swallow of the beer. Thankfully with Falco, there was never a need to beat around the bush with any topic. "Yeah – he kissed me, and I ruined the moment by bawling like a baby."

Oh hush, snapped Lucario disapprovingly, in a defensive tone of voice that made Falco smile. You didn't bawl like a baby.

Falco went for a humoristic approach. "Were you crying because Luca is such a bad kisser?"

"Of course not!" Link raged.

He wasn't crying! howled Lucario.

"Then what's the problem?" Falco continued to pry, and it was evident in his voice that he was genuinely confused. Lucario squirmed in Link's arms, obviously determined to break away, and this time the Hylian allowed it.

I… I apologize, Lucario mumbled, and Link narrowed his eyes.

"Don't you dare apologize! It was just new, and I wasn't really prepared to be so…" Link cast around for the appropriate word before finishing, "…overwhelmed."

Lucario's face lit up like a Christmas tree. I overwhelmed you?

"Oh trust me," Link insisted. "That was more overwhelming than the last ten minutes of the movie Titanic."

Falco burst into laughter before clambering to his feet and ruffling Link's hair with his free hand. "Buddy, no offense, but if you're referencing Titanic it's pretty obvious that you're gay… not that there's anything wrong with that, of course." He squeezed in between the pair of them and headed up the wooden staircase to the back porch, where he called over his shoulder, "Food's here, by the way."

Link leapt to his feet at once, pulling Lucario with him; the moment they were nose to nose the Hylian encircled the Aura Guardian with his arms again, pulling him closer until Lucario's head rested against his chest. "Go out with me tomorrow. Please."

As part of a date-type setting? Lucario chided, and Link sighed.

"Come on, I'm really putting myself out on a limb here," he begged. "Say that you'll come. I… I really like you. I want to be okay with this."

Lucario giggled into Link's chest. Where are we going?

"Dammit," said Link with mock irritation. "Is there no mystery left in romance anymore?! Can't a guy take another guy out to an as-yet-undetermined location?!"

Oh, I suppose, Lucario sniffled, and then he burst into a round of giddy laughter.

Link exhaled sharply as though he had been holding his breath in trepidation, prompting Lucario to laugh again. "Okay, then let's go eat. All of this nervousness has got me famished."

---

Wolf took his four bean burritos and a third-full bottle of Jack Daniels straight to his bedroom without a word to anyone, and amidst glances that were half concern and half suspicion Vick gathered up her chicken quesadilla and her daiquiri-filled margarita glass and headed after him. Climbing the flight of stairs up to the second floor felt somehow ominous; every other member of the household had congregated in the kitchen to share a conversation over their food, and the second floor of the mansion was vacant and eerily silent. Vick tried the knob to Wolf's closed door and was unsurprised when it wouldn't turn.

As her hands were full, Vick settled for kicking the door with the toe of her boot. "Your door is locked! Let me in!"

"You're damn right the door is locked, you fuckin' genius," came the gruff reply from the other side of the door, "and it's gonna stay that way. Get lost."

This time, Vick stood her ground. "No. I'm not going anywhere so you might as well let me in. You should talk to someone – self-isolation is the first sign of clinical depression."

Wolf scoffed. "You a psychologist now?"

"Nah – I totally made that up. I only want in because I'm gonna want a shot of Jack after I pound this daiquiri, and you have the bottle in there with you." This was, of course, a lie, but it served its purpose when moments later there came the sound of a lock being slid back. Never one to question good fortune, Vick shouldered her way in and then hip-bumped the door shut behind her.

Wolf was seated on the floor in the precise center of his room, cross-legged upon one of the bean bags he had stolen from Marth's room. Two empty burrito wrappers lay crinkled in front of him, and a third was open with a half-eaten burrito laying forgotten on top of it; the television wasn't on, the stereo was quiet, and even Wolf's beloved Xbox was powered down. Vick's heart panged with sympathy when her eyes fell upon the bottle of whiskey – Wolf had put a significant dent in the remaining alcohol already, and since she didn't see a glass anywhere she assumed he had been drinking it straight from the bottle in unmediated amounts. She pulled up a bean bag directly across from him, plopped down into it, and added her food and drink to the pile in the center. "So… what happened?"

The lupine regarded her with his single visible eye; though the other worked perfectly now that he had sold his soul to the demon lord Sebastian, he still preferred to wear his eye patch. The eye Vick glanced back into was already slightly glazed with inebriation. "I'm sitting alone in my room drinking Jack straight from the bottle. What the hell do you think happened?"

Vick tore into the flimsy quesadilla wrapper and devoured the first slice, knocking it back with a sizeable swig of the daiquiri. "So he just owned up to everything? You must be pretty persuasive – how did you get him to confess?"

Wolf attacked the rest of his third burrito the way Vick imagined a wild animal would take down its prey; had the situation been different, she might have laughed. "I made it impossible for him to lie. I called Leon's cell while I was on the phone with Fox, and I heard it ring, and then we were all screaming at each other." Wolf seized the bottle of whiskey by the neck and overturned it, guzzling the alcohol like water; Vick watched him without protest but couldn't help feeling mildly disgusted by what she saw. "Leon spilled the entire story, and Fox didn't deny any of it."

"So that's it?" Vick sounded highly offended at the thought, which Wolf supposed she was on his behalf. "Fox left you for that… that sadist?"

"Babe, don't knock the sadists – let's face it, they're exactly your type. And hell no, they're not together: I told Leon that if he ended his whatever-you-call-it with Fox that I'd offer him his place back on Star Wolf with full benefits and job security for life. Call Powalski whatever you like, but at the end of the day he's still all of the things I want on my squad."

"Emotionless?" Vick spat. "Cold? Murderous and unpredictable?"

Wolf's expression neared a glare; it was clear that he didn't take offensive comments against his favored wingmate and longtime comrade very well at all. "I'll give you that he's aloof, but under all of his emotional bullshit he's still one of the best strategists I've ever met – not to mention that his hand-to-hand combat skills are superb, and he's damn good in the cockpit of any single-man spacecraft. That's the kind of man I need at my back in the war."

Vick went for another quesadilla, tugging at strings of cheese with her fingertips until they broke. "You're not in the war, Wolf. The war is on hiatus, and that's not why you did this."

"What the hell do you know about my intentions?!" Wolf roared, and he made to snatch up the bottle of whiskey again but Vick darted out with one hand and grabbed it first.

"I know that in spite of your would-be-tough-guy act – which is completely believable, by the way, so bravo – you're really hurting over this. You're just like me deep down: you're a suffer-in-silence type. And I've been watching you stew over this thing with Fox for weeks now, ever since he interviewed with Black Sapphire and quit hanging around here. You can say whatever you like in your defense, but the reason you're acting so hostile toward me is because you have no other outlet for the way you feel. Fox isn't here so you can't scream at him, or break his ribs, or set your demon butler on him, or whatever – you're stuck stewing over it in your own head again. You didn't renew Leon's contract because you wanted his service – if that was true, you would have made amends and never fired him in the first place. You renewed his contract because you knew he would willingly ditch Fox if he thought that was the only way he could get back in your good books. You did this because you wanted Fox to wind up alone and miserable, just like you have."

Wolf made another desperate grab for the bottle – it was amazing just how much hand-eye coordination he had retained despite the amount of alcohol he had already consumed. "So what if that's why I did it? You gonna judge me?"

Vick laughed out loud once as she shifted the bottle into one arm, and with her free hand she caught Wolf's groping arm at the wrist and tugged; the lupine overbalanced and lurched forward, and sliding the bottle safely behind her along the carpet Vick wound her arms around him and held him fast to her chest. For a moment or two the mercenary commander attempted to resist, but just as quickly as his rage had descended upon him it evaporated; mere seconds later he went limp against her and returned the embrace with desperation, and they clung to one another in an odd position over the pile of half-eaten Mexican takeout. Vick thought she felt the lupine's broad shoulders bob once or twice as she held him, but when he at last drew back he looked as surly as ever.

"Thanks," he grumbled, and he slit the wrapping off his last burrito with the claw of his index finger. "I guess I needed that."

"You're welcome." Vick shoved the rest of her quesadilla toward him, not at all surprised when he inhaled the fourth burrito and immediately set upon devouring the last of her food also. She capped the bottle of Jack Daniels while he thoughtfully chewed his last few bites, and only when he glared at her expectantly and held his hand out for it did she continue. "No, you're not getting this back – I want you at your best for this brawl tonight, because if you come at me with only half your heart in it I am gonna be offended. You got it?"

Wolf heaved a sigh. "Yeah, yeah, I got it."

It was the complete and utter misery saturating Wolf's tone of voice that prompted Vick to ask, "Hey, what are you doing tomorrow? Are you free?"

"I'll be doing this." The lupine scooped up the empty food wrappers and deposited them in the waste basket standing beside the television before flopping down on his bed, staring up at the ceiling with slightly-glazed eyes. "Laying around, boozing… with any luck I'll feel up to gaming a little, but I doubt it."

"So… you're free?" Vick prodded.

Wolf lolled his head to one side and glared at her through his good eye. "You deaf? I just said I was gonna be drinking my body weight and shooting Nazis. That means I'm busy. Soy ocupado."

Vick shrugged. "Too bad. I'm staging an intervention. We're going out tomorrow, all day, and we'll do whatever it takes to put you in a better mood, okay? I hate seeing you like this. We'll have a good time, I promise."

"Then the first thing on my list is going to a strip club," Wolf admitted.

"Fine by me," Vick fired back. "I'll buy you a lap dance."

---

It was overcast, breezy, and almost unbearably humid when the members of Brawlers Mansion congregated on the back porch for the proposed seven o' clock three-on-three match; the not-so-distant lake was devoid of any boat traffic, and small whitecaps formed on the water's surface as the canopies of the nearest trees bowed beneath the wind. Yami was quick-shuffling through his Duel Monsters deck, occasionally plucking out a card and replacing it with one from his reserve deck; Falco was loading his belt down with clips of energy ammunition, and Link was walking the Master Sword through a few last-minute warm up maneuvers. Lucario had returned to his place in the center of the yard and seemed to be meditating on the battle that was to come, while fifty feet away Wolf re-checked the magazine of his reserve rifle, an outdated but well-cared-for Katinan make with a shorter, thicker barrel . Vick stood alone on the porch as the bystanders clambered up to the best spectator spots on the roof, the custom Zonessian rifle resting along her back and her hands clenched into slightly-trembling fists at her sides. It may have been ten minutes or just one, but before she was ready Link and Lucario were scaling the porch steps to set up a battle strategy.

"Falco is armed with short-range firearms," Link said in an undertone, "which means he's planning on staying in close. Luca, this one is going to get physical."

Lucario's brow was furrowed – he was deep in thought. Wolf has a rifle loaded, but it looks like he's also brought a revolver. He nodded to indicate the adamantine revolver strapped to the outside of the lupine's thigh, and Vick made a note not to get within three hundred feet of him. I would guess that Falco and Yami are intending to pair off against us, and Wolf will be testing Vick's long-distance skills.

"That's the only logical explanation I can think of," Link agreed, and he glanced Vick's way. "This is probably Wolf's idea, Vick… Think you'll be okay? It's not that I don't think you can handle it, it's… well…"

Vick shrugged, hardly offended by his uncertainty. "It's what? That he's got years of experience under his belt? I'm not stupid, Link. I know that if I give him half a chance, he'll blow my head off."

Though Vick said the words flippantly and they both knew she was joking, neither of them could quite suppress a wince. "And what if Yami manages to get in close?" Link asked as an afterthought.

Vick sidestepped her two teammates and approached the railing, and after shouting Wolf's name to get his attention she asked, "Are you opposed to the use of your rifle as a baseball bat?"

Wolf glowered back at her, but the mental image her question brought to mind was so entertaining that he said, "Whatever – you break it, you buy it."

"Deal." Vick cracked her knuckles. "Game on?"

"Deal? That's a vintage sniper rifle, woman – one of only a few dozen left in the entire galaxy. You'd need at least a quarter mil to repay me. And I gotta say – if you're lookin' to pull down that kinda cash, you're gonna have to start dancing on a different counter. Probably with a pole between your legs."

"Or I could steal one," Vick shot back disdainfully. "You think you're the only one with a shoplifting career under your belt?"

"Can we focus?" Falco shouted up at them, spinning one of his energy-powered pistols end-over-end in an anxious sort of way. "Kirby? Wanna get this show on the road?"

The chubby little pink denizen of Dreamland bounded out to the center of the yard, one of Wolf's stolen Nerf guns clutched in one of his stubby arms; he chattered incomprehensively at all of them for a few seconds, presumably outlining the rules they had laid out earlier that day, before lifting the plastic firearm over his head and pulling the trigger. The moment the neon-orange foam dart jettisoned from the barrel and launched into the air the six of them burst into motion, and the spectators situated on the low-hanging roof leaned forward in anticipation of the brawl that was about to unfold.

Lucario flung himself over the rail of the back porch and floated gracefully to the ground as Link barreled down the stairs after him, and before either of them had quite found their feet Falco launched his first volley of shots in their direction. Most of these shots flew wide simply because the avian was aiming at moving targets, but a few of them almost found their mark – a flare of Lucario's Aura deflected a few that would have otherwise inflicted superficial wounds, and Link's reflexes were quick enough to block another handful with the blade of the Master Sword. The moment their feet hit the grass of the backyard and they started forward to confront their adversaries Yami drew a handful of cards from his dueling gauntlet, studied them with the quick but keen eyes of a seasoned professional, and launched two of them into face-up position.

"In attack mode, the Celtic Guardian. In defense mode, the Castle of Dark Illusions!"

The first card was one that Link and Lucario were vaguely familiar with, for it was one of Yami's favorite opening plays and they had both battled it in training sessions past. Link raised his blade into an overhead parry and effectively staved off the celtic swordsman's first stroke, a downward slash that was aimed directly at Lucario, and as the Hero of Time engaged Yami's swordsman in one-on-one combat Lucario strafed around him with his eyes on Falco –

The second card struck the ground and burst into a cloud of shadow particles, and from the dark fog materialized a three-story floating castle. The structure was grand enough to draw the gazes of everyone in attendance – except for Link, who knew that even a moment's slip of focus would likely cost him a great deal – as it rose from the ground with its great black turrets stretching toward the sky. Wolf snickered to himself and leapt onto the base of the floating castle, taking cover as it continued rise into the air and saying, "Nice move, Yami, I'm gonna need some height because I have a feeling I know where Vick is gonna go next."

Lucario drew up short, ogling the dark castle as it floated into position and hovered ominously several hundred feet above them. I think for the time being I'll just ignore this.

"Agreed!" shouted Link, who was so busy fending off attacks from Yami's Celtic Guardian that he couldn't even spare a glance in Lucario's direction as the Aura Guardian dodged the next round of energy bullets from Falco's pistol.

Vick watched the entire thing unfold with a sort of quiet terror rimming her eyes, and didn't snap out of her reverie until Wolf cracked off a shot that was so close to her face that it stirred her hair as it went past; whipping her head to one side she glimpsed the neat little hole the laser round had burned through one of the sitting room windows, and in a fit of panic she slung her own rifle over her shoulder and scrambled up the low-hanging roof to fling herself behind the chimney.

"I'll give you a little credit," Wolf called from the safety of the dark tower. "If I were you, that's exactly where I would've gone."

"Gee, thanks," Vick shouted back, and from the cover of the chimney she rolled her eyes.

"You're not gonna get any decent shots if you hide back there all day!" As if to prove his point Wolf leaned around the parapet currently serving as his defensible position of choice and sighted down the barrel of the Katinan rifle briefly before firing on Link. Vick clutched the rifle with both hands and listened for a cry of pain that would serve as a clear indicator Wolf's shot had found its mark, but the sound of swords continuously clashing together suggested that perhaps the second shot of the lupine's had missed also.

"What was that you said earlier?" Vick chided with an ounce of superiority in her tone. "Wait for the right shot, and all that?"

"Yeah?" A little of the brick that constructed the chimney flaked away near Vick's right ear as Wolf targeted her position and fired off a shot meant just to rattle her. "You think about that, babe."

Lucario took advantage of Wolf's momentary distraction and broke free of his battle with Falco long enough to send an Aura Sphere spiraling upward toward the spot where the lupine had taken refuge; Wolf noticed it coming out of the corner of his eye just a split second too late, and though he managed to minimize the damage he still took the blast to his left arm. The sphere scorched the sleeve of his flight jacket and singed the hair beneath, but other than that it wasn't a serious injury.

Still, Wolf was irate. "Goddammit Luca, this jacket cost me a fortune!"

Then I recommend that you either stop giving in to your inherently expensive tastes, or stop being such a bully, Lucario shot back scathingly, but by then Falco had taken up his pistol and started shooting again, effectively ending any further debate.

Yami's Celtic Guardian was a hulking brute of a swordsman, Link decided, for he stood head and shoulders taller than Link and outweighed him by at least fifty pounds. Though his strokes were not as complicated or as quickly executed as Link's the celtic swordsman was still far stronger of arm, which he proved when a backhand swing of his broadsword stung Link's fingertips so badly that the Master Sword was jolted from his grasp. He managed to dodge a few more of the Celtic Guardian's attacks, all the while backpedaling in search of his fallen blade, but Wolf was now sighting the Hero of Time down the barrel of his rifle and his finger was inching its way toward the trigger –

Vick risked a quick glance around the side of the chimney and assessed the situation as thoroughly as she dared, and taking note of both Link's predicament and Wolf's momentary shift of attention she set the butt of the rifle against the inside of her shoulder, leaned around the pale brick chimney, took a deep breath, and fired her first shot since the brawl had started. She could have shot at Wolf, knowing that if her aim was true he would surely be unable to avoid it, but she chose instead to target Yami's Celtic Guardian as it raised its broadsword to cleave Link in two. The shot was right on the money – though she would have been angry if she had missed, for her target was quite broad – and drilled the Celtic Guardian square in the chest; Yami's monster exploded into thousands of shining particles as the card zipped back into his hand, and frowning he drew again from his deck.

It was fortunate that Vick ducked back behind the chimney the moment her shot was away, for in the next instant Wolf and Falco both trained their weapons in her direction and peppered both sides of the chimney with laser energy.

Get him! Lucario shouted at Link, who was scrabbling back to his feet. Before he has time to summon another card!

Falco trained his gun on Link and opened fire, forcing Link to dive to one side and roll several times to avoid taking any fire. Lucario's Aura flared to life around him and he formed an Aura Sphere in his hand to cast the avian's way, but Wolf fired from the dark castle and the sphere flew harmlessly wide as he danced away. By the time either of them had regained their footing, Yami was already tossing his next card combination to the ground. "Doma, the Angel of Silence! Attack mode!"

"Hands over your ears!" Vick cried, and though Lucario heeded the warning and clapped his paws over his ears Link could only cover one or risk dropping his sword and leaving himself open to attack. The moment the card was in play and the dark angel called Doma had materialized in front of Yami it opened its mouth wide and uttered an awful shriek, much like the cry of a banshee; the terrible sound struck Link's unprotected ear and he buckled to one knee, throwing his sword up clumsily over his head in the best form of defense he could muster.

Vick heard his growls of agony and leaned around her protective cover to size up her next shot, but Wolf was waiting for her this time and pulled the trigger first. It was really a superb shot; Vick had only exposed her right arm from shoulder to elbow as well as the right side of her face, and still Wolf managed to hit her! The laser bullet passed within inches of the pale brick of the chimney, sliced across her right cheek just millimeters from her lips, and zipped right on by as though its trajectory had not changed. She put her hand up to her face and dabbed gently, unsurprised when she pulled it back and found that her fingers were stained crimson.

Rage bubbled up inside of her. "You bastard! That was my goddamned face!"

And she leaned around the chimney, fully intending to unleash hell in the form of a stream of uninterrupted rifle bolts, to find that retribution had already come Wolf's way in the form of Akabane Kuroudo.

Wolf never even saw him coming; one moment he was sighting down the barrel of the outdated Katinan rifle, preparing to shoot Vick's way again if she so much as left an eyelash exposed, and the next moment Akabane had materialized behind him on the very parapet behind which he crouched, leapt, and struck the lupine square in the back of the head with his elbow. The strength behind the blow was enough to knock Wolf down from the dark castle, and if Yami hadn't ordered his Angel of Silence to his aid the lupine may have fallen to his death. As it was he stumbled out of the angel's arms, his good eye slightly unfocused, and opened his mouth to violently curse his attacker –

To find that the demon in possession of his soul, the man he knew only as Sebastian, was already standing there facing Akabane in his stead.

For a long moment there was silence on the battlefield as Akabane and Sebastian stared one another down, and then, if possible, Akabane's face grew even more deathly pale than his usual abnormal pallor. Some sort of comprehension dawned on Sebastian's face, and for whatever reason he chuckled lightly into the back of his white gloved hand.

"Akabane!" the demon greeted, his tone cordial and friendly, and all heads swiveled in Akabane's direction.

"S-Sebastian?" Vick actually leaned around the chimney and brought herself fully into view, for she had never known Akabane to stammer and didn't consider him the type to fear anyone. "Is it… Can it truly be you?"

"You guys know each other?" Wolf asked, though his words were mildly slurred and his vision still hadn't quite refocused.

"Of course we know one another," Sebastian replied, as though the lupine's question were absurd. "We are brothers. Akabane is my twin. He murdered me when we were children."

This was more information than any of them were prepared to absorb in such a short amount of time, and in an effort to ease some of the tension Wolf said, "Dude, you killed my demon butler? That is so not cool."

"It was necessary at the time," Akabane growled defensively, though his eyes never left his twin's. "We were under the impression that my brother's sacrifice would keep hell from spilling over."

"Are we talking about the creepy haunted village with the crazy occult camera that supposedly takes pictures of ghosts?" Midna shouted from the rooftop. "Because I'm still not sure I buy that story… Didn't somebody say the camera disintegrated or something?"

Enough, Midna, Lucario warned. Now is obviously not the time.

"Wait… so…" Link was shaking his head rapidly from side to side, working to catch up. "So you killed your own brother?! Like, actually killed him with your own hands?!"

"Literally," Akabane clarified with a kind of rueful smile. "Asphyxiation."

"Heavy," Falco croaked out, and snapping his head back and forth from one to the next he added, "You know, you do look a lot alike. Same complexion. Same hair color. Same uber-creepy eyes. I buy it."

Sebastian spread his arms as if to draw Akabane's attention, and when he was certain his twin's eyes were upon him he gestured toward Wolf and said, "Unfortunately I have come here because I felt that you just attacked Mr. O'Donnell. You see, Mr. O'Donnell and I have reached an arrangement. Not long ago he was killed in battle, and when I arrived to accompany his soul to heaven he rejected the promise of a pleasant afterlife in favor of returning to the living world. Naturally I claimed his soul for my own, but I made good on my end of the bargain by bringing him back here. Until he passes on again and I can take his soul with me back into hell, I am bound to protect him. If you insist on harming him further, I will have no choice but to intervene… even though you are my brother."

Every eye was on Wolf now – several of them stared at him with gaping mouths, and more than one of them regarded him with eyes filled with tears – but the lupine steadfastly ignored all of them, keeping his gaze fixed stubbornly upon Akabane. Akabane cocked his head to one side, seeking the silver-blonde bartender who was peeking around the side of the chimney. "Your face?"

"Er," stammered Vick, half in trepidation and half in embarrassment. "Bleeding?"

Akabane held one hand aloft and summoned a handful of his wickedly-sharp scalpels at will, his dark eyes reflecting some sort of resolute malice. "Then that is your answer."

The first of the scalpels actually slipped right over Sebastian's shoulder and tore through one of Wolf's ears on its way by, and the lupine clapped one hand over it and swore. "Holy shit! Goddamn it! Ow!"

"An eye for an eye," Akabane hissed, and he launched himself toward Wolf.

Sebastian intercepted him before he had even made it five feet, and the sound of their bodies colliding in midair was rather akin to the crack a pair of large boulders would make upon impact; with gritted teeth and infuriated snarls they wrestled one another, leaving the others momentarily awed by their godlike strength –

"Oh fuck you, you almost tore my ear in half!" Wolf shrieked, and tossing the rifle to the ground near the Angel of Silence's feet he lowered himself into a predator's crouch before launching himself into the fray.

I'm with Akabane this time, Lucario told Link flatly, and when the Hylian nodded his agreement they both leapt after Wolf and joined in. Unwilling to be left out Falco hefted his laser pistol and charged in with a battle cry, and upon recovering himself Yami ordered Doma the Angel of Silence to attack on his behalf.

"Twenty on the demon butler!" Marth giggled gleefully.

Midna rolled her eyes. "Double or nothing on the guy with the bizarre scalpel fetish!"

Vick rose from her crouch with the rifle clutched loosely in one hand, watching the carnage unfold before her eyes and feeling powerless to stop it. She had loved everyone who lived in Brawlers Mansion since the moment she had met them and vividly recalled every sacrifice they had made on her behalf, but still couldn't quite put her finger on just why they did the things they did. She had never considered herself to be anything special and had never really understood their blind devotion to her, and scenes like this one didn't make her happy, or feel honored. She cried for them to stop, she begged them to listen if only for a moment, and when none of them so much as turned an eye in her direction or even hesitated she began to feel the strongest emotion she had ever felt welling up deep within her chest. It seared her lungs with its intensity, it warmed her extremities, it blazed in her eyes a chilling and hardened silver that was almost white –

It wasn't the vague bliss she had felt before, and it wasn't the gut-wrenching despair that had followed. It was a white-hot, all-consuming rage.

"STOP!" she shrieked, her voice ripping through several octaves in her anger, and as they all watched her body burst into furious snow-white flames; she stretched out a hand toward them, seeming more like a destroying angel than the human they were all so familiar with, and a pure flurry of Aura descended upon them all like the millions of crystalline snowflakes that comprised a killing blizzard. The others ran for cover, their arms over their heads for protection as they sought refuge beneath the patio's overhang –

Lucario and Akabane stood together in the center of the backyard, gazing all around at the havoc Vick was wrecking, and exchanged a knowing smile with one another.

Mission accomplished, said Lucario with quiet pride shining in his eyes. I told you it could be done.

Akabane nodded, wearing the closest expression to a grin Lucario had ever seen, and quoted, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."