21: A Mix of Punch and Coffee

Johnathen: I'll write those some other time. Also, I hope you don't mind them being one-sided ships.

"Hey, Master Hand?" Toon Linkasked the giant right hand of creation. "If I asked you to describe the mansion in a sentence... how would you phrase it?"

The sentient being turned to the young Hylian, confused. "Now what brought that up?" he asked.

The boy shrugged. "I was talking with Mewtwo recently... and we were watching Samus beat up Captain Falcon for tripping and accidentally touching her boobies." The hand seemed to snicker at this, but he ignored it. "So then, Mewtwo was all like..."

The self-proclaimed strongest Pokemon in the universe shook his head. "If I had to describe this place, it'd be pure chaos and stupidity..."

Toon Link's impression was pure adorableness, as a passing Jigglypuff squealed at him for a few seconds.

"Hahaha, of course he'd be like that," Master Hand said.

"But that's not all," the boy continued. "I later went to ask Mister Mario, and he said..."

The plumber scratched his head. "I would-a say... a magical place of rivalry and-a friendship! The best kind there is," he finally suggested to the boy.

"And then, when I went to ask Link himself..."

"Well, damn, this is hard..." the grown up Hylian muttered. "Fuck it, I don't..." he froze after realizing he cussed in front of Toon Link. "I, uh... HYAH! HAAH!" He ran.

"I'll tell Zelda about that later," Master Hand said. "Anyone else?"

Toon Link nodded. "Just before coming here, I asked Samus after she calmed down..."

"Well, if I had to put that in words..." the bounty hunter said as she rubbed her chin. After a few seconds... "Perhaps 'my perfect cup of coffee'? Since I can kind of relax here at this mansion...? I don't know, I'm bad at thinking of these things."

Toon Link sighed. "I just can't really understand what they suggested that much." Then he raised a finger. "But then I thought, what about the creator of the tournaments himself? That'd be interesting to know."

The right hand seemed to stop floating for a while. "Well, I suppose if I had to put it in words..." His voice faded off and he began thinking.

His fellow Smasher's curiosity seemed to be intense as Master Hand swore he could feel the gaze burn through his glove.

"...well, how about... a mix of punch and coffee?" he eventually suggested.

"Punch and coffee...?" Toon Link frowned. "That's... not really any better."

Master Hand laughed. "Yeah, sounds confusing, probably." But then he patted the boy with his index finger. "But, well... I view this place and the tournament as something I can really enjoy." He seemed to gaze out the window of the hallway. "When I think of 'brawl'... I am given a happy picture of my precious Smashers and their lives here, their happiness and the such." Then he turned back to Toon Link, raising a finger. "Heck, I owe them a lot. I've never told anyone this, but Captain Falcon was actually the one who suggested starting a tournament for the universe's heroes and villains alike!" he said.

"Captain Falcon!?" Toon Link exclaimed. "Wait... punch... Falcon Punch?" he asked. "A pun? Really?"

"Haha, indeed. It may seem stupid." Master Hand patted him again. "But coupling the entire aspect of enjoyment and brawls, along with relaxation and peace within this mansion, I imagine someone enjoying their first cup of coffee in a new morning."

"...I imagine Samus from that," the Hylian intervened.

"Indeed. During my early days, Samus was a fine counselor, calming me down and telling me everything will be alright, and she listened to a lot of my worries." He sighed happily. "She's a fine Smasher and truly makes herself comfortable at the mansion."

"So then... punch and coffee..." Toon Link muttered, scratching his head. Then his eyes widened. "Brawls and relaxation!"

"That's right, boy." Laughing, Master Hand flashed him a giant thumbs up. "I guess that's how I view this place, there you have it."

The Hylian sighed. "Well, at least I understand your phrase," he said. "I'm satisfied enough."

"That's good. Do you have anything on your schedule today?" the right hand then asked, starting a random conversation.

"Well... no, not really." Toon Link then smiled. "Hey, want to see how a mix of punch and coffee would taste like with me? I'm curious thanks to you."

The hand chuckled, regret deep in his mind. "Haha, sure."