Another short one. That always makes me sigh. Next chapter will (maybe) be longer. If not, I'll post two. Either way, the stories almost over! :O

Enjoy!

Zelda glared at Marth, "You're an idiot and I hate you."

Marth scowled at Zelda, "You're such an ingrate."

"If it's any conciliation." Link put in, looking at Zelda, "I agree with you, my love. He is a waste of space."

"Shut up." Marth snapped the same time as Zelda. Link sunk back to his corner.

They were in the cell again. Well, a new cell. The old one was mysteriously missing a door. They were in an identical one, though. It even had hay.

"I don't think you're a waste of space." Zelda mumbled after a moment. Marth glanced at her, wiping the appreciation from his face the moment she added, "No, you're a waste of air."

Marth gave her a very dark look, but she ignored him and went on, "It's like a punching bag. They're not a waste of space. But when the punching bag breaths, well..."

"Fine." Marth snapped, "Then the next time you get kidnapped, you can rescue yourself."

"I was in the middle of doing that, actually." Zelda replied crossly, "When you two showed up."

"Well I'm sorry for trying to help." Marth snarled.

"Help?" Zelda demanded, throwing up her hands, "You call this help? God, Mewtwo could have at least sent someone remotely competent to save me!"

"He probably did." Marth growled, getting to his feet, "They just haven't gotten here yet."

Zelda watched him with a puzzled scowl as he walked to the opposite side of the cell and sank down, "What do you mean? Wasn't he the one that sent you two?"

"I'd tell you," Marth said dryly, "But I don't want to waste anymore air."

And that was how a very tense, very awkward silence descended on the cell. Nobody tried to break it, not even Ganondorf, who started to open the dungeon door to go down and gloat when he sensed the atmosphere and quietly shut the door again.

Zelda glanced at Marth, but he didn't look at her, and he didn't say anything else. Frowning to herself, Zelda drew her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. What was his problem? He was used to her getting angry at him, and he'd usually get angry right back, or make some sarcastic comment and walk away.

Zelda peeked at the bars. Ok, maybe walking away wasn't an option, but still, she wasn't used to silence.

Then she realized it wasn't silent, not completely, because the shunned Link had started muttering, "If only someone had given me a slingshot..."

-(space)-

The next morning Ganondorf awoke to a knocking at his bedroom door. Opening it, he found a larger than normal Kirby.

He frowned at the master of disguise.

"Where have you been?" he demanded.

Kirby wobbled a bit but made no reply.

"No matter." Ganondorf went on, "We have three prisoners now. Go bring them breakfast." he handed Kirby the key ring he'd taken from Zelda.

After Kirby accepted it, Ganondorf waited for the signature 'Buyoo!' but it didn't come. So Ganondorf nodded to Kirby and closed his door.

-(space)-

Roy awoke to a pounding at their front door.

Late last night, Mewtwo had finally allowed the smashers to return to their apartments, requesting they don't leave Smash Stadium's property, and promising information as soon as it was available.

Rolling out of bed Roy slunk out of his room and down the hall, expecting it to be Marth or even Pichu with news of his brother's and Zelda's return.

It was neither.

Ness stood on the other side of the threshold, looking extremely unhappy. Roy raised a questioning eyebrow at him.

"Mewtwo told me to come get you." Ness grumbled, "He said the finals will go ahead today."

Roy's eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Is Zelda back?"

"No." Ness muttered, "Queen Jigglypuff is bored without Kirby around, and she wants to go home as soon as possible, but she can't leave until the tournament is over."

Roy stared at the boy. "But that means..."

"Yeah." Ness growled, "I'm going to lose my money."

I'll update again tomorrow! Thanks (like always) for reading!