Author's Note: Hey all, sorry for the wait because I was busy lately with school and work. But, that still will not stop me from completing this story. Here's the next chapter and enjoy! :)

Chapter 21

The morning rose up like any normal day; the orange sun elevated through the light blue sky slowly, presenting a new day for anyone to embrace. Leaves were being blown away from branches by a breezy wind that surprisingly created a cool morning. As everyone was waking up from their sleep, so were Palutena and Lucina who happened to not be in their rooms for some strange reason. What could possibly be the reason for it?

"Good morning, Lucina," the goddess said graciously to her swordswoman as Lucina opened her eyes, seeing that her head still rested on Palutena's chest, and yawned by waking up. "Did you sleep well?"

"Morning, Lady Palutena," Lucina responded with a smile. "I don't recall a time where I slept on something beyond comfortable before. It was a magnificent sleep for me."

"Aw, so you do like sleeping on my chest?" Palutena teased the bluenette in a way that Lucina didn't even realize that she slept on her goddess. "I'm flattered."

"Um, well," the bluenette awkwardly responded as she unusually positioned herself away from the greenette after realizing that she slept on her crush's chest and blushed because of it. "Yes, I do like sleeping on your… chest."

"That's very sweet of you even if you slept for ten hours."

"Wait a minute, I slept for that long?" She sounded so stunned that she had done something like that. "B-but how?"

"Oh, yeah, after training all day yesterday, you were so exhausted that we ended up sleeping here for the night," Palutena mostly summarized the events of yesterday, intentionally leaving out partial information since Lucina knew what followed afterwards.

"Wow," was her first response after being amazed by what Palutena was saying. "I can't believe we slumbered on nature."

"I know, but we should get changed inside. My clothes are dirty from lying down for a long time."

"Indeed," Lucina sat up first and then stood up, cleaning herself up by straightening her armor and dusting off some dirt before lifting Palutena's hand in order for her to get up as well. "My attire has some stains on it, so I have to wash it immediately."

"Same for me," the greenette observed her clothes the second time to inspect any odd colors. "I wonder if Pit's worried about me since I'm not in my room."

"He probably is, but it'll be fine if he sees both us. I hope he doesn't suspect anything," Lucina began to worry and overthought the situation.

"Relax, honey," she gently patted the swordswoman's shoulder. "He thinks you're trying to be friends with me after that incident, so let's keep it that way."

"Understood," Lucina agreed before she and Palutena reached to the backdoors of the mansion. Moments before they entered inside, the goddess grabbed the swordswoman's cape, turned her around, and stole a kiss from her lips, shocking Lucina as a result. "Whoa, why did you kiss me all of a sudden?"

"I just want to kiss you before we part ways for today," Palutena answered back with a smile. "It isn't a problem for you right?"

"Oh, no, I don't mind at all. Thank you for being so nice," the bluenette responded, having her face redden from the sudden kiss.

"Anything for you, Lucy."

Inside, they saw that the common area wasn't much occupied, but that didn't really help much as a white angel was in their presence.

"Lady Palutena, there you are! I was worried about you because you weren't at your chamber last night!" Pit said in a positive and concerned tone as he stood erect in front of his goddess.

"I do apologize for that, Pit," Palutena responded sincerely before making up a reason instead of telling him what happened with Lucina. "I was so tired from training yesterday that I spent the night at the common area. Then I woke up early and went for a walk with Lucina, and here I am."

"Oh, I guess that's why you weren't at your room then," he just accepted her lie as gullible as he was. "At least you weren't hurt or missing, otherwise I would have panicked."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want that."

"Yeah. Oh, Lucina, I almost didn't see you there. Hi!" He waved at the swordswoman contently.

"Hello, Pit, it's a pleasure to see you," Lucina waved her hand back, giving off a smile that was formed from her lips since Pit was nicer to her, which still surprised her. "How was your training yesterday?"

"It was pretty awesome training with Pittoo," he answered at an indoor voice. "I think we're doing well with everything. What about you?"

"My training with Lady Palutena was incredible," the bluenette began naturally. "Training lasted enough to earn my satisfaction, but Lord Master Hand advised all Smashers to rest today, which bothers me a little."

"I mean everyone was training so hard yesterday, so he would have scheduled something like this," Pit argued.

"Indeed," Lucina agreed.

"So, you're becoming friends with Lady Palutena right?" Pit asked after a short pause.

"Why… yes," Lucina answered back after being confused with what Pit just said. Soon she suddenly realized that her goddess had something to do with it, so she had to go along with it. "Our friendship has gradually increased since the incident."

"Yeah, I'm sorry for being so harsh and over-reactive on you accidently hurting Lady Palutena," he scratched the back of his head and felt extremely guilty just thinking about the horrific things he had done to the bluenette.

"Don't apologize," Lucina's response surprised the white angel as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "It is normal for you to react in the way that you did because you care and love someone who's been very special to you."

"You're right, Lucina, I do care and love Lady Palutena because she's been with me through times of good and bad. But, I still think I should apologize for treating you so cruelly."

"If you do insist on an apology, then I will gladly accept it," Lucina could now breathe better now that she was becoming friends with Pit.

"That's awesome! We're friends now!" Pit cheered excitingly as he jumped numerous times to display his feelings.

"I'm very content that you said that. I know we'll hold a strong bond together."

"That's right! We should hang out today before the tournament tomorrow begi-" was all he said before he was interrupted.

"Geez, what's with all the noise? I just woke up man," a voice Lucina recognized instantly as she turned her face towards the sound that was behind her.

"Robin," Lucina greeted by addressing her friend's presence. "Good morning."

"Yeah, morning," she grumbled, massaging her shoulders from the strenuous training yesterday while holding her hot cup of caffeinated coffee.

"Are you okay?" The bluenette questioned Robin, feeling concerned for the mage's condition.

"It's just that I've been exercising so much yesterday that I feel like I'm dead," she took a sip from her cup of coffee in order to stay awake for today. "By the way, where's angel?"

"Angel? Well, Pit is here," Palutena misinterpreted the tactician's question.

"Is there something you need, Robin?" Pit asked nicely after his goddess mentioned him.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Robin sheepishly responded. "I was referring to Dark Pit. Sorry if I offended you, Pit."

"Nah, that's fine. It's cute that you call him that," the white angel answered back in an amusing tone since he knew that she was Dark Pit's crush.

"I mean," the female tactician began with a slight awkwardness in her voice. "It's his nickname I made up and he happens to like it, so I don't see anything wrong here."

"I'm just saying that you hang out with him a lot, even though he is not your teammate."

"True, but that doesn't prevent us from hanging out."

"I suppose so."

"I got an idea," Palutena added in the conversation by surprise. "Why don't we all spend our rest day together just Pit, you, Lucy, Pittoo, and Avatar? It'll be a great time for us to bond and strengthen our relationships."

"That's such a great idea, Lady Palutena!" Pit responded jovially, pumping his fists in the air and jumping upwards again. "Let me get Pittoo and we should be on our way."

"Don't rush things so quickly, Pit," the goddess restrained the excited angel by gripping on his shoulders. "We need the approval of everyone else before we can proceed."

"Sorry, Lady Palutena," he apologized, calming his excitement down. "So, Robin and Lucina, will both of you hang out with us today?"

"I'm cool with it as long as I finish my coffee," Robin deadpanned, taking another sip of her coffee. "What about you, Lucy, dear?"

"I would be delighted to socialize with everyone," Lucina answered with a positive tone. She then thought of something else that she hid from everyone else because she didn't want them to know the additional reason why she agreed to hang out with her friends. "Especially with Lady Palutena. Spending time with her just makes me happy. I hope no one else figures out about our kiss."

"Yes! I'm going to get Pittoo now!" Pit said as he was prepared to run to the dark angel's room.

"Actually, let me get him," Robin interrupted. "He'll like to hang out with everyone if I asked… just saying."

"Okay then," the white angel was fine with it, so he waited until the group was present and ready to head out.

Robin did so, and Dark Pit and Avatar agreed to hang out with Pit, Palutena, Robin, and Lucina. Once the entire group was ready and accounted for, the six Smashers departed to Smash City and had fun for the day.

Just an hour after entering into the city, the group had only looked around and bought things for tournament purposes or personal uses. While they were walking around, they ran into someone who happened to be Lucina's father.

"Father," Lucina greeted nobly as she bowed down first then hugged her father. "Hello, it's so good to see you again."

"Hello, my princess Lucina," Chrom hugged his daughter back and smiled. "I see you are socializing with your new friends."

"Yo, Chrom," the female tactician humorously greeted the blue-haired swordsman after everyone else had done so. "How's it going?"

"I'm doing very well, thanks for asking. So what's with you guys being together today?" Lucina's father wondered as he saw it as unusual.

"We're just hanging out. You're more welcome to join if you want," Robin asked, not minding if Lucina's father decided to spend his time with the group.

"You know since I don't have much of a schedule today, I can devote my time with you all for the time being," he smiled, anticipating many pleasant reactions from everyone else.

"Yes, thank you, father for spending time with everyone and me as well," Lucina said with excitement because it was quite some time since she spent time with her father. Now that she thought of it, ever since her arrival, she rarely had the time to be with her father due to their conflicting schedules with calendars that outlined days of training and tournament matches, which made them top priorities for Lucina.

"Of course, my princess," Chrom again embraced his daughter once more before releasing his hug. "So, are you all hungry? I'll pay for everything, my treat."

"You don't have to do that, Chrom," Avatar spoke, thinking his best friend was being too generous. "We're capable of paying our own things."

"I just want to show you my thanks for putting effort into your attempt to bring me into this world. I should at least return-" he was halted by two young kids who had paper and pen grasped on their hands.

"It's the Super Smasher Brothers fighters," a little girl exclaimed cheerfully, exuberant to see her favorite fighters be in front of her. "C-can I have all of your autographs?"

It was quite astonishing to see children want to get signatures from the most famous people in Smash. Some were delighted to do so, and some were absolutely stunned, giving off extreme reactions.

"Of course, you can," Palutena replied kindly as she took the girl's notepad and signed her signature with a little smile written on the side to reveal her emotions through the paper.

Soon the goddess and the rest of the group signed their names on the little girl and boy's notepad. It was this kind of thing that the Smashers loved about fans: they just admire and venerate the fighters where the Smashers feel much better about themselves. Instead of arguing who was the best and who was just the worst, it was simply being glad to see someone who was chosen to be a Super Smash Brother fighter. A smile on the Smashers' faces proved it, otherwise.

Lucina was usually hesitant and pessimistic with people who want her autograph since she still was emotionally hurt from the consistent criticism and hate of her inclusion into the Smash competition. Because of this, whenever someone wanted her autograph, the bluenette felt like it was out of pity rather than actually liking her for her. There would be no significance or value every time Lucina was asked to sign her name. However, in this case, a peculiar event had occurred that may have changed her view of the Smash world.

"Lucina?" The little girl stood in front of the swordswoman quite shyly.

"Yes, young girl?" Lucina responded nicely and cautiously as she placed her right knee on the ground.

"May I have your autograph please?" She sounded the friendliest towards the bluenette out of the entire six fighters. "You're my favorite Smasher out of the entire roster."

Her response just took a huge surprise blow to Lucina's mind. The young child's tone was truly honest and sincere due to her powerful smile. Never in all of her time in Smash had Lucina heard something that would positively compliment a fighter who received so much hate across the Smash world. For a moment, Lucina thought it was a dream, a fantasy for hers that would make her feel happy towards people. But that now became a reality.

"Y-you really feel that way, that I am your favorite fighter?" The swordswoman asked in order to confirm that she wasn't delusional, having her eyes widened and pupils dilated from the girl's statement.

"My mommy told me that I shouldn't lie whenever I tell the truth," was the little girl's response.

Lucina almost had tears come out from her eyes. It was noticeable, and it blurred her vision. It didn't necessarily escape from her eyes and travelled down her face. The swordswoman then wiped the water from her eyes and signed the little girl's notepad, feeling absolutely touched with what was happening to her.

"Thank you so much, Lucina! I hope you win the tournament," the child hugged the bluenette tightly.

"Thank you and I promise you that I will triumph in this tournament for you," Lucina embraced the little girl with her hands wrapped around the child's head like how a mother would hug her offspring with so much love and compassion.

"Promise?" She looked up.

"That is a promise from me to you," the swordswoman and the little girl made a pinky swear in order fully fulfill the promise that they made.

Then the parents arrived and apologized for their kids to run off by themselves because they saw their favorite Smashers at a close proximity. Despite their worries, the Smashers didn't mind one bit, so the parents were safe from any embarrassment. Once their children fulfilled their desires, the group continued on with their plan to eat lunch somewhere in town, a buffet would be ideal for them.

During that time, Lucina had never smiled so brightly before in her life. First, her magical kiss with Palutena was definitely one thing that made her beam with happiness, but experiencing a fan who really venerated and liked Lucina pushed it even more, better if not. It changed her way of seeing people in Smash world: from all cruel beings to some people who truly cared about her. Her behavior didn't really catch the attention of everyone because they were just glad to see Lucina be emotionally positive throughout the day. However, Robin was the only one who noticed that the bluenette didn't smile that much, so she mused and assessed the reasons. So far, all she knew was that the little girl gave Lucina an influential impact about herself. The tactician also knew for a fact that there was another reason for why Chrom's daughter became so content but had no profound progress.

By the end of the day, Robin did not mention nor discussed about Lucina's odd behavior until the group returned to the mansion. Once Chrom and everyone else remarked their goodbyes and went to their rooms, Robin initiated her move by knocking on her friend's door.

"Robin, is there something you need or help with anything?" Lucina opened the door and saw the female tactician, not expecting her to be in her presence at this time.

"There is something I need, but it's more personal between us only. May I come in?" She asked in a nonsuspicious tone.

"Absolutely," the swordswoman stepped aside and allowed the female mage to walk into her abode. "Would you like anything to drink, Robin?"

"Nah, I'm fine, thanks for asking," the tactician declined politely, resting her elbows on a table while standing up and also seeing the swordswoman in the kitchen. "Okay, now it's time to get serious."

"What is it that you want to discuss about?" Lucina became inquisitive with what Robin was going to say.

"You haven't been acting like yourself lately," she began with a firm tone.

"I don't quite comprehend with what you're claiming," Lucina responded bewilderingly because Robin's words confused her somewhat.

"I've known you quite well enough to know that you never smiled that much at all. So tell me, Lucy, why are you excessively happy today?" The latter of her response made her look a bit harsh as she leaned her head closer to Lucina's face, becoming more curious than she was just moments ago.

"If you want to know, then I will tell you," the bluenette answered calmly despite being under pressure.

"Please," Robin gestured her arms in a way that looked like she was begging for Lucina to explain.

"The little girl who asked me for an autograph said to me that I was her favorite Smasher out of the entire roster. I was so touched by her words because she gave me hope in this world. I found a lighter side towards people who I originally perceived as ruthless and dissolute."

"Yeah," the female tactician slowly began her response, displaying a negative tone. "I don't buy it."

"I beg your pardon?" The bluenette responded a bit upsettingly. "Did you not hear what I just said? It really did impact me. Why do you think I'm lying?"

"I never said you were lying," Robin corrected her friend's response. "I'm saying there's more to that."

"Explain to me then."

"While I do believe the little girl story since I was there, that alone isn't enough for you to be really content. Something's off. There's something else, something else that happened yesterday that is making you behave this way, but I can't put my finger on it," Robin scratched and played around with her hair with her right hand, trying so hard to solve Lucina's strange behavior.

Oh, no, is Robin onto me and Lady Palutena? Lucina thought to herself in a frantic tone as her pupils dilated and shoulders stiffened. "No, it was just the little girl, that's all."

"Hold on a minute," the female tactician snapped her fingers, having an epiphany of some sort. "I just remembered that you trained with Palutena yesterday."

"That is true," the swordswoman maintained a neutral expression without trying to give any takeaways.

"Then that means something happened between you two. Tell me, Lucina! I must know!" At this point, Robin was getting inquisitive as she was extremely hyped up on the possible romantic intimacy. She had her palms against the table, making her arms extend at a straight position with her head hung a little lower than usual.

Lucina took a deep breath in order to calm her psyche and be prepared for Robin to react crazily. The more Lucina wanted to reveal the truth, the more she couldn't say it. It was as if it was impossible for her to open her mouth and reveal the words about how she and Palutena shared a kiss. But, this time, it was much simpler than she anticipated.

"If I tell you, will you not disclose this to anyone at all?" The swordswoman asked in a serious manner. "Not even the male Robin."

"You have my promise," Robin reciprocated the same tone Lucina had. "Now, tell me!"

"Okay," another deep breath came from Lucina once more as she was now more nervous than before about revealing what happened between her and the goddess. She was a bit irritated by the female tactician's strange behavior, but that was part of her character in a way. "Lady Palutena and I did train all day together yesterday. After our well-developed training, she tackled me towards the ground. We then laughed together because it was humorous, and she complimented how my eyes were crystallized with beauty. I complimented back. Then, we… ended up kissing. I mean, Lady Palutena kissed me, and I kissed her back."

Robin widened her eyes but froze like a stone in response to hearing what her friend said. Lucina waved her hand across the tactician's face but to nothing happened. It was like she was some inanimate object that talking to it was merely pointless.

"Robin?" Lucina said to her friend in a concerning tone. Still, there wasn't a response. "Are you-"

"AAAHHH!" She shrieked that was nearly tantamount to princess Peach's. Her strident scream engendered Lucina to flinch. "Oh my Naga, please tell me you're telling me the truth!"

"I am. Why do you-" again, Lucina was interrupted by Robin.

"Lucy," she punched Lucina playfully, showing that she was happy for her friend. "You kissed her."

"Yes, I said that."

"You kissed her," it was suddenly beginning to feel creepy for the blue-haired princess because the volume of Robin's voice was gradually becoming louder.

"Um, Robin?"

"You kissed her?!"

"Robin!" Lucina yelled.

"YOU KISSED HER?!"

"Yes, I kissed her! And she kissed me! What's wrong with you?!"

"Sorry, it's just that I'm so happy for you, Lucy," Robin began feeling emotional based on the watery eyes she had.

"Robin, are you crying?" Lucina asked in concern.

"Yeah, but not out of sadness, but out of happiness. Lucy," she had both her hands on the swordswoman's shoulders. "I'm so glad that you've found someone special because I've never seen you feel so rejuvenated with light. Ever since Palutena came into your life, you've become a much better person than the Lucina I knew. You were once an isolated, oblivious, and serious princess who now found people who care about you. Now you're this compassionate, considerate, and noble woman who never lets anything bring her down as long as the people that you love are there with you, physically and spritually."

"Robin," Lucina hugged her tactician firmly. "That was well said. You're so supportive of me. I wouldn't know what I would have become had I not met Lady Palutena."

"You wouldn't be yourself now that your girlfriend kissed you," Robin smirked, returning to her normal personality once more.

"I like the sound of that," Lucina smiled after thinking about the word "girlfriend" since she was now more lenient and open towards it after kissing her woman. "But will Lady Palutena think so, too?"

"Um, yeah," she teased. "She freakin' kissed you, Lucy, and had no regrets about it, so obviously you two are a couple. I support you two all the way no matter what."

"You're right, Robin. Thank you," the bluenette once again hugged her tactician. "Well, the tournament is tomorrow, so I have to be well rested."

"Hell, yeah, I have to sleep as well. So, goodnight, Lucy," Robin walked towards the door, but before she opened and exited, she decided to have fun with her friend one last time. "I think I'm going talk to Palutena about our little conversation."

"Don't!" Lucina begged embarrassingly, stressing out already on the possible awkward encounter in the future.

"Kidding," Robin chuckled as she placed her hands as if she was clean from having weapons on herself. "One of the few drawbacks of dating someone while a friend isn't, I just had to, so goodnight," she had exited Lucina's room and closed the door.

"Sometimes, I just don't understand that tactician," Lucina admitted as she entered her bedroom and changed into her nightwear. "Why is she my friend again?"

She chuckled at her own humor before falling asleep, preparing for another tournament with her goddess that would change everything, including the future.

Damn Robin, you are such a fangirl. Just kidding lol XD. Anyways, I want to thank the person who is a Guest when reviewing my fanfic. I know there are multiple Guests on my review section, but the one person who begins by saying ":Halo" has been encouraging me to continue on with this fanfic. Thanks for giving me encouragement man, and I want to thank you in a better way, if you had an account, so I can reply to your review. Anyways, thanks again for the encouragement along with everyone else who has been reviewing, following, and favoriting this story. You all are awesome and amazing for that.

Chapter 22 will begin the tournament with a little drama. Find out soon.