Robin (F) POV

Oww…why does my head hurt so much? Why does everything hurt?

"…Robin."

My arms, my legs, my…mind. Why does it ache so much? What happened?

"Robin." I opened my eyes a crack. I was back in the hospital wing. For a scary moment I thought I'd lost all my memories again. Of course then I realised in order to be able to think that, I couldn't have. So that left me…where exactly? "Robin!"

I sprang up, now fully awake; my face collided with a somewhat squishy object. My eyes scanned around quickly until I found a familiar figure (now hunched over on the floor in mild annoyance).

"Shulk?! What happened? Why am I here? And…" My eyes narrowed slightly. "…why was your face so close to mine?" He rubbed his nose at the thought.

"I didn't expect you jump up like that!" He defended. "I was checking your pulse to make sure you were still…" He trailed off. I frowned. Not the response I was expecting.

"I was still what? Shulk…what's going on?"

"Robin I was so worried," he explained, though not actually answering my question, I noted. Still, the relief washing over his features was more apparent than I'd expected. Just what was going on? "You weren't waking up!"

"Well…I'm awake now." I checked beneath the blanket draped over me. I was still clothed. "Start from the top. Why am in bed?"

"I told you, you weren't waking up. Everyone else did."

"Huh?"

"Don't you remember?" He asked, giving me a puzzled expression. "Ashley putting everyone asleep. Us and Mewtwo cornering her and Wario in one of the mansion's back rooms?"

"I remember that. What happened after?" He frowned.

"I'm not really sure. I woke up lying on the floor of that same room. Mewtwo and Palutena woke up soon after but you…you didn't."

"…"

"Next thing I know Master Hand was shouting orders and throwing a fit because someone tried to break into the Vault. I'm assuming that was Wario's work. The weird thing is both he and Ashley were both accounted for back at the stadium and the vault's inner layer was still intact. Master Hand said that whoever it was knew what they were doing but suddenly stopped for whatever reason. Like they'd given up."

"That does sound pretty strange," I admitted. Inside I was just grateful he didn't know the truth. If he knew I'd picked up…no…was chosen by the Monado and stopped Wario and Ashley I don't know what would happen.

"Do you know what I think?" I met his gaze but he gave nothing away.

"…No."

"I think you stopped them." So much for not knowing the truth.

"W-what? That's silly…and also completely unfounded!" I'm not the best liar but there was no way he'd be able to work it out. No way. Admittedly I was sounding less and less confident the more I said it.

"It would explain why you didn't wake up."

"You know how badly I was affected by the nightmares. Just more of the same."

"And why your body aches all over."

"How did you kno…" I quickly stopped myself but it was too late. Shulk raised an eyebrow as if to challenge me.

"Robin…there's only one way you'd have been able to resist sleeping for so long."

"…Shulk I'm so sorry! I swear I didn't mean to…"

"I'm so proud of you!"

"…What?"

"You heard me." His face told no lie: he was positively beaming at me. "Do you know what this means?"

"…"

"I was right! I was right and I'm so happy I was! You are worthy of wielding the Monado! I knew you were worthy I just knew it!" I allowed a small smile to form. He looked like an ecstatic child what with all his bouncing around.

"Well I mean…"

"You've got to tell me everything! How did it feel? What arts did you use?" A groan from me quickly shut him up. "Sorry! I guess you're still aching, right?"

"Yeah. Why though?"

"It's just a side effect of using the Monado. It drains a lot out of you but you get used to it." I would later find out (but not from Shulk) that the reason Dunban's arm didn't work properly was Monado related. I guess he just didn't want to scare me. That was something I guess.

"I guess this means I'm 'worthy' then," I said, miming the little air quotes.

"Exactly! No silly little time travel spell is going to stand in the way of you now. You can finally be with your Lucina."

"Y-yeah." I was honestly too tired to blush but the feeling was there. Happiness tinged with the tiniest amounts of relief. Shulk spoke my next thoughts out loud.

"All this time you were saying how unworthy you were and how it would never work out. I even tried to get you to touch the Monado before but you refused. I guess it took a life threatening crisis to get you to touch it, huh?"

"I…I don't think we were ever in any danger. Not really. Thanks for the support though. I…uh…really appreciate it." He smiled gently.

"Think nothing of it. But what do you mean? About us never being in danger, I mean."

"Ashley and Wario never wanted to hurt anybody. They just tried to make themselves seem a lot more dangerous than they really were so people would get scared and leave them alone."

"Doesn't that make people more likely to try to stop them? Look what happened to us." I sighed, lowering my head back down to the pillow.

"I didn't say they thought it through. They were just desperate, I think. You can't fake expressions and passion like they did. Ashley especially." That was true enough. That look of anguish when I'd finally manage to overpower her was going to stay with me for quite some time. Perhaps it would never be unburned from my mind, who knows?

"Still…doesn't make what they did okay. I mean come on! They made everyone relieve their worst nightmares night upon night and this is the Smashers we're talking about! Between them they've witnessed more trauma than anyone could hope to know."

I sank my head a little lower. He had a point. I still remember walking into the mess hall for the first time after the nightmares came. Those weren't people I saw sitting at the tables, they were ghosts. Broken shadows of their former selves, forced to relieve their most painful experiences. I'd figured out a long time ago the mind is the most terrible weapon of them all…just look at what I had become?

Trapped in a cycle of depression until further notice. Luigi, who I'd initially mistaken (and harshly judged) for an incompetent layabout, was the worst of all. You don't express such pain like that by being player 2 your whole life. Or maybe he did, eternally trapped in his brother's shadow, never getting the recognition he deserved. That'd be enough to make anyone doubt themselves.

"I….I get it. I understand why they did what they did…" Shulk raised an eyebrow. "…but it doesn't mean I have to agree. You're right, they did some terrible things and maybe that's unforgivable but this has gone on long enough. I don't want any else to suffer anymore, guilty or otherwise."

"You're just saying that because you're tired and want me to leave."

"Maybe. You know me too well."

"Well I'm afraid you can't go back to sleep just yet. We've got to see Master Hand."

"Oh? Oh right about the tournament. I suppose we've had to reschedule what with everything that's happened."

"Um…" Shulk turned away, apparently not willing to meet my gaze.

"Shulk…how long was I out for?"

"That was quick. I thought it would take you longer to work out."

"Shulk!" He sighed, propping the Monado against the nightstand.

"A little over a week."

"A little over a week!?"

"I told you, you weren't waking up! Now you know why I was so worried! I thought the Monado had drained you completely. I thought…I thought I'd lost you again." My rising anger dissipated almost instantly.

"…It's nice that you care. Thank you, Shulk. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

"Thanks but…don't mention it." A slightly awkward silence followed.

"I'd hug you but I'm still too stiff to get up properly."

"It's fine."

"…Well now I know why I ache so much. It's not just the Monado's power but lack of muscle usage. They're started to seize up because I've been lying here doing nothing for the past week."

"That isn't the only thing that's being doing nothing for a week."

"What do you mean?"

"The tournament. Master Hand tried to postpone it because of the chaos that happened after our match was interrupted…but eventually conceded that we couldn't delay any longer. Robin, the tournament ended while you were sleeping."

"While I was sleeping," I repeated dumbly. So many emotions flew through my mind in that one second I thought my head would burst. A bit of an overreaction maybe but it was still big news.

"The general consensus among the Smashers was that the tournament couldn't continue until whoever sabotaged our match was found. So…Master Hand created an algorithm that charted the performance of all teams in the final rounds to see who would have likely won. It was based on previous match results and technique and things like that."

"And? Who won?"

"Olimar and Pikachu."

"What?! Are you serious? Olimar won?"

"Apparently he was the ideal candidate. His match stats were the best out of everyone. Pikachu too. Master Hand does have a point."

"How so?"

"If we'd gotten to the final I don't think we could've beaten them. Olimar's Pikmin can disrupt and grab me out of my visions and outrange the Monado. The Pikmin also collectively resist all of your spells. He wouldn't have gotten as far as he did without being able to manage them properly."

"But…but you can't just give somebody the win based on pure probability!"

"I agree with you, Robin, but Master Hand was only operating on the will of the other Smashers. Smash bros has always been a democracy. They have a point too. Speaking from their point of view: 'Who's to say whoever disrupted our match won't try again'?"

"Because we know who was behind it!" I sad, feeling a little exasperated. "We know they won't try again."

"The Smashers don't know that," Shulk reminded. "Are you going to tell them one of their own was responsible for everything over the past few weeks?"

"W-well…no. No, I'm not. Wait, aren't you? I thought you wanted to turn them in?"

"It's like you said. I don't have to agree with what they did…but I understand why."

"Hah. Well that's something."

"Now we just have to convince Master Hand of that."

"W-what?" Shulk frowned.

"We have to tell Master Hand what we know. I said he's a little on edge, remember? Now he can rest easy."

"We can't. I promised."

"Are…are you serious? Why not?"

"You know what Master Hand would do if he found out who it was. Or rather…we don't and that's what scares me more. Wario and Ashley weren't being deliberately evil. They're just…" I struggled to find the right words. "Misguided and very, VERY, desperate. You heard their story, right?"

"Well yeah but…"

"And I promised them in exchange for not breaking into the vault that I'd…" My blood ran cold. I could actually start to feel it congeal in my blood vessels such was the sudden shock. "Oh no…"

"What? What is it?"

"I…I was asleep for a week. With the tournament over there isn't a way for me to legitimately win that money."

"You were…going to give all your winnings to them?"

"In exchange for them not breaking into the vault. I thought maybe Master Hand would be more lenient if nothing was missing."

"Actually I think he's more annoyed that the tournament was disrupted at all and his ideals of 'friendship and camaraderie' were violated. But seriously…you were going to give away all your money…just like that?"

"Well…yes." I met his gaze. He wasn't exactly judging me. Just…observing. "I mean…what would I need money for? I was just going to give it to charity anyway. As great as Ylisse is there are still slums. If Chrom hadn't found me I'd have ended up there. It's only fair I give something back." Shulk shook his head, running his hands through his hair slowly.

"Oh Robin…your selflessness never ceases to amaze me. I wish I was as altruistic as you sometimes." This time I couldn't stop the blush from forming.

"K-knock it off! I'm just saying what I would do, okay? Why…what were you going to do with your half?" He shrugged.

"Give most of it to charity."

"So you're not so different after all!" I said, pointing a finger. I immediately regretted the decision, my arm aching so tremendously I lowered it again.

"But…" he held up his hand, "…I was going to set some aside to build a little place for me and Fiora to share. I feel guilty even taking a penny for myself when there are people less fortunate. Though the way her eyes lit up when we discussed it…how could I resist? A little cottage outside of Colony 9. Nothing special."

"Shulk that is so, so special! I almost wish I had someone to do that with." He snapped his head back towards mine.

"Don't start that again. We've already determined you're worthy enough to wield the Monado for crying out loud! A simple time travel spell should be a piece of cake."

"Should," I pointed out. "And even if that works there's no guarantee she'd feel the same way."

"You're still doubting yourself even after everything that happened? Everything you've done?" Shulk jumped to his feet and grabbed my hand (though with a delicacy I didn't think possible from one so clearly passionate). "Robin I don't think you realise what you did! YOU solved the mystery of the nightmares! YOU discovered the identities of both the nightmare caster and put a stop to their plans. Not only that but you didn't let your anger take control, even after everything they put you through. All those sleepless nights, all that taunting, all that pain…and you didn't give in. You made them a fair offer instead of turning them in. That's the mark of a true hero right there. Or heroine I guess. My point still stands."

I sighed internally. As much as I loved Shulk, was he really going to do this whole speech every time I even tried to be cautious? It was great to know he cared, really it was…but it was just overkill now.

"And the most amazing part about all this is you did it on your own while I was asleep on the floor! The Mondo didn't choose me or anyone else in that room to stop them. It chose YOU. Now stop trying to mope about and get out of bed!"

"Shulk…no."

"W-what?" I raised a tired eyebrow, trying to supress a grin.

"I'm exhausted. As great as your speech was, it isn't just going to wish away my aches. I understand where you're coming from given what I've been like in the past but that part of my life is over. No more moping and feeling sorry for myself…I promise. I'm…at peace now. Whatever happens between Lucina and I."

"…So I didn't have to another uplifting speech?" I smiled again, this time a little more warmly.

"Not really. It's still nice to know you care so much."

"Man…" He muttered, scratching the back of his awkwardly, "…I feel like a real idiot now. Of course you can fend for yourself. The Monado wouldn't have chosen you if that wasn't the case."

"But there was a time when I couldn't fend for myself," I reminded gently. "And who helped me find the light? You did. With as many big, glorious speeches as necessary."

"So you're saying you've outgrown me then," he said, mirth creeping back into his voice.

"I think a little part of me will always have room for you, Shulk."

"…"

"…"

"…You said you're not going to sit up so I can hug you, right?" I gave him a wry smile.

"No…why?"

"I guess I'll just have to come down to you then." Then, before I knew what was happening Shulk had leaned down and embraced me. I was still on the bed so the position was a little awkward but at that moment I couldn't have cared any less. At least until I felt a small crunch in my shoulder.

"Was that…?"

"Yeah. Side effect of lying down doing nothing. Joints seize up."

"…Sorry for popping it," he mumbled, but made no move to get off me.

"It's fine."

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…Even if we're not going to tell Master Hand what we know, he still wants to see you."

"That makes sense," I reasoned. "I was the only person not to wake up. Even then, I only did so after a whole week. He'll want to know why."

"But we can't tell him the truth."

"I'm…a heavier sleeper?" A grin crossed Shulk's face.

"That's the Robin I know!" The smile dropped. "But seriously what are we going to tell him?"

"I don't know."

"We have to tell him something."

"Not necessarily," I figured, brushing a few strands of Shulk's hair out of my eye. "It's like you said. From their point of view they don't know who's behind this. Thus, we have leeway in determining the effects of abilities. Not knowing anything for definite, we can just lie and get away with claiming we don't know either."

"That's…actually really good logic."

"That's why I'm the tactician." Shulk said nothing but gave another small grin. I nodded, taking one last look around the hospital wing. Still as white and boring as ever. Hopefully this was the last time I'd have to be here. "Right then…I'm going back to sleep. When I wake up, hopefully I won't ache as much.

"Right", Shulk said, taking a space on the unoccupied bed next to me. "Then let's go and find Master Hand."

"Agreed."

That was the plan. Not tell him the truth. That's what I intended. So why did it feel, even though I held all the cards…like I was missing something?


Those big double doors never got any less impressive no matter how many times I came here. Now that I thought about it, this might actually be the last time I would ever come here; with the tournament over I wouldn't have any need to see Master Hand…or stay in the mansion in general.

That was a strange thought. Though I'd only been here a few weeks more had happened than I'd ever thought possible in such a short time span. I'd turned up for a fighting tournament only to meet a 'clone' of myself from a different reality. Then I'd gotten depressed because he had a wife and I didn't (which he'd no end made me feel terrible about). THEN the nightmares started and then I'd reconciled with my clone.

Then matches and more matches and getting erased from existence. Never thought I'd say that. Then I came back and 'solved' the mystery. Or rather I didn't because Master Hand didn't need to know that. I sighed. Was my life destined to never be simple or straightforward? I banished the thought. My views on destiny were negative at the best of times and negativity wasn't something I required an abundance of right now.

"Robin, are you alright?" Shulk's voice snapped me back to reality. "You've been staring at the door for a while now."

"I…was just thinking."

"About?"

"So many things. Oh so many. None of which were relevant. Let's get this over with," I said, gesturing to the door.

"Right." Shulk knocked three times in rapid succession.

"Enter." A voice that was unmistakably Master Hand's drifted through the woodwork. The doors were pulled open by an invisible force. We stepped inside. Master Hand was floating above his desk as usual. Did he look more…tired than usual? With no facial expressions to read it was hard to tell. It was just the impression I got.

"Robin's awake," Shulk said.

"Yes, I can see that."

"And I've brought her to you as requested."

"Yes…I can see that too." We just stood there awkwardly until he told us to sit down. We did (immediately remembering how hard the chairs were). Shulk winced slightly, same as me. "Robin, tell me everything."

"I…don't understand? What makes you think I know anything?" I said, in as innocent a tone as I could get away with without seeming suspicious.

"Because things happen for a reason. You were the ONLY one out everyone present not to wake up. You must know why this is."

"I'm afraid I don't. One second I was in a match against Palutena and Mr Game and Watch and the next…I was in bed. Master Hand gave nothing away. He just…floated there, observing the pair of us. Eventually he spoke up.

"…You will forgive me if I believe you to be withholding the truth from me."

"…Look, Sir, Robin has had a rough time lately," Shulk began. Master Hand ignored him.

"However I do not believe your intent to be malicious. I think…no…I will start from the top. I'm going to be frank with the pair of you." He lowered himself slightly to our level; the desk vanished to make room for him. "There are a small, but very vocal group of individuals who think YOU are the one responsible for this."

"This?"

"Everything," he clarified. "Look at it this way. One second a completely normal match of Smash is taking place and the next everyone, including myself, is waking up a sleep they didn't know they'd entered. Except…for you." Two fingers stabbed in our general direction. "YOU were both found along with Palutena and Mewtwo in a storage room of no real significance back in the mansion."

"You can't seriously be suggesting…"

"I am not suggesting anything. I am merely referring to facts…unless there is something you wish to tell me, Shulk? Shulk kept his mouth shut. "No? Very well I will continue. Now maybe a teleporter malfunctioned or something else along those lines but it WOULDN'T explain why Mr Game and Watch was found with us on Battlefield and Mewtwo was found with you."

"…" We both said nothing.

"And why the contents of my vault were very nearly stolen. The damage would suggest a coordinated attack so it isn't a spur of the moment deal. This was planned. The materials used were explosive devices belonged to the Smash matches so they can't be traced. This was organised. The cameras in both Battlefield and the vault were disabled with Megaman and ROB claiming to have no knowledge of these events. ROB's emotional relay was also damaged. This was sabotage. These are all very serious incidents you will no doubt agree."

"Emotional relay?" Shulk asked.

"Yes. He insisted on having it installed after the events of the Subspace emissary. For…personal reasons. That is unimportant right now.

We nodded. A sinking feeling in my chest was beginning to develop as the charges piled up. Still…it was all just wild accusations without proof.

"Now…imagine how it looks from my perspective when this has all happened with you two and Palutena and Mewtwo a relatively short distance away. And ALL of you claiming to be asleep like the rest of us and have no knowledge of any of these events."

"That's…very unfortunate."

"Yes I suppose it is," Master Hand conceded, floating a little higher. "But some people in the mansion don't seem to share that sentiment. They think you, more specifically you, Robin, were involved somehow." For the second time in a short time, my blood ran cold.

"M-me?! You can't be serious!"

"I object to these accusations!" Shulk shouted, jumping up out his chair with enough force to make it keel over. "I refuse to believe Robin had anything to do with this!"

"Sit down, Shulk. I haven't finished yet." The chair righted itself. Though he hadn't raised voice, there was a certain steely quality to Master Hand's words. Shulk, looking down at me then back to Master Hand…and sighed, taking a seat once more.

"I appreciate the defence, Shulk, but we must hear Master Hand out if we are to discover the truth."

"I quite agree." His voice returned to normal "Think of it this way. Of the people in that room, you are the one most associated with magic."

"But Palutena and Mewtwo both use magic or magic like abilities."

"But you are the only one linked to dark magic. Every Smasher has at least a basic knowledge of every other Smasher. It is relatively common knowledge that you were part of…or at least associated with the Grimleal back in your homeland, a cult of dark magic. Palutena is the goddess of light. Mewtwo has supporters and advocates to his case because he is a returning veteran. You're a newcomer with relatively little support. Shulk has no magic. Ether arts are different."

"What?! But that's…that's…favoritism! Fame abuse!" I would've stood up to make my case but seeing how Shulk got shut down for doing so made me think twice.

"Perhaps but they have a point. Also, you were the only not to wake up with everyone else. It has been argued that it could due to you expending a large amount of magical energy at once and needing time to recover."

"That's not true at all! My magic is all offense based anyway!"

"I'm fully aware of your abilities, Robin."

"I…I think I'm going to need a pretty good defence lawyer to get me out of this."

"Maybe. I do know someone but I don't think it'll be necessary."

"What do you mean?"

"Who do you think has been defending you while you've been asleep?" The realisation dawned on me.

"You. You've been defending me? Why?"

"Come now, Robin. Do you actually think that you were responsible for this? You're reading between the lines a bit too much. I'm an excellent judge of character in more ways than one."

"You got that right," Shulk muttered.

"And besides I made it clear it was only a very small minority that thinks you had anything to do with this. You've got supporters as well."

"I…I have?"

"Of course. Your male counterpart and his version of Lucina have been defending you since the get-go. Of course your detractors tend to ignore them because of how close they are to you but the do listen to Lucario. His power to read the aura has put a stop most of the dissenters. He claims you to be clean and they believe him."

"Who are these 'dissenters' then."

"It matters not. Some of the more unruly assists who will take a pot-shot at any Smasher given the opportunity. Try to gain some leverage to be made a proper participant of Smash bros."

"Well that's a relief," I breathed half-heartedly. Even now I remembered the list of names I'd found on Master Hand's desk. All those Assist Trophies signing up for a chance to become a Smasher. I tried to put it out of mind. A problem for another day…and hopefully for someone else to deal with.

"But…my point still stands. I believe you to be withholding information and now that you know my full thoughts on the situation I'm going to ask you again. What do you know about these events?"

"I…" I struggled to find the right words. Sure Wario and Ashley were in the wrong and Master Hand was being much more reasonable than I'd thought he'd be but still…I didn't know what he'd do to them. "I…don't know anything. Sorry."

"Is that so? How…interesting. Do you wish to amend your statement in any way?"

"I…" I stole a sideways glance at Shulk. His face gave nothing away, much to my disappointment. "No." At that, Master Hand snapped his fingers. A small television screen, not unlike the plasma screen that sometimes hung in the courtyard, faded into existence. A still image flickered into view. I waited for it to begin playing but it did not; it appeared there was only a picture.

"Do you know what this is?" We shook our heads. "It was recovered from the video footage in the vault the day it was broken into. Whoever sabotaged it only managed to disable the internal circuits. The external ones, while of a much lower quality were in better condition. This is all that has been salvaged." The image in the centre of the screen enlarged itself. It was blurry and some parts blacked out, no doubt from the attempts to disable it but there was no denying what it was showing. Me. I felt my muscles tense up, locking into position. All that extra rest had gone to waste then.

There…there was no way. What were the chances? It was me but not only that, I was dual wielding both my Levin sword and the Monado mid-swing. The missing pixels had hidden Ashley behind a wa;; of darkness. I thanked Naga for being merciful for if she'd been discovered it would've been a lot harder to explain.

"…" I stole another glance over to Shulk. He looked just as surprised as I was feeling but I could see the tiniest tugging at the corner of his lips was starting to form. I looked back to the image. I guess he was just happy he'd confirmed his suspicions about me using the Monado. I had to admit, I almost looked…no other word other than 'cool' using two swords at once. Master Hand snapped me back to reality soon enough.

"Now…how do you suppose this looks when contrasted with your statements just now? They don't seem to add up, do they?"

"Maybe it's been forged," I tried weakly. Master Hand literally swatted away my attempt, gesturing with his body.

"I do not believe some would go to such lengths to frame you despite how methodically this was planned out. They wished to destroy the cameras as evidenced by the lack of quality, not falsify them."

"Well…I still don't remember that. I must've been controlled or brainwashed into doing this."

"And yet you appear to fighting against someone who unfortunately has not been captured in this image. And before you tell me otherwise your body language and speech patterns have already given you away."

"…"

"The Robin I know would not simply deny or deflect suspicion but offer to help and solve this mystery. Remember we've had a similar conversation before back when this all started."

"I…um…" He had a point. Lots of points, all of which were very good.

"I will reiterate that I don't believe you to be acting maliciously, Robin. Perhaps you are being blackmailed into remaining silent. Is this the case?"

"No, of course not!"

"Then allow me to. How do you think it would look if I showed this image to everyone? Incontrovertible proof that you were not asleep while everyone else was. What would your defenders say then? Would they even defend you anymore? What about your opponents? Though they are small in number now they could easily multiply with this new evidence in hand."

"…You're right," I put in quietly.

"Oh?"

"That is blackmail."

"And so is this. While it is common knowledge of your association with the Grimleal it is relatively uncommon knowledge that you were created solely to be the dark avatar of the Fell Dragon, Grima. One doesn't get a much more villainous association than that."

"The Shepherd's would defend me!" I stated, feeling the anger start to well up again. I knew what Master Hand was trying to do but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. Playing with the darkest part of my life was underhanded. Literally. "They know the truth of me."

"And yet the Smasher's do not. Are they really likely to take the word of some otherworldly beings closely associated with you? Perhaps they think you brainwashed them."

"…"

"Yes. I wish it wasn't necessary to do this but I do not feel I am being unreasonable. I haven't asked anything of you that you do not usually give me. The truth. Why you are not providing it in this instance concerns me. Is someone you care about being held to ransom? Chrom and all the people you invited from your world were all accounted for upon waking up." I hadn't even considered that. Still, it was good to know they were safe.

"No, it isn't that."

"Then what?" He lowered his voice down to a whisper. "Robin, I promise you no harm will come to you or anyone else you care about within these walls. You are perfectly safe. However the events that have taken place recently cannot be ignored so lightly. I must know the truth behind them. If there is ANYTHING you know that can help, I will be indebted to you. Please…I do not want to have to ask again." I grimaced internally. He seemed sincere. At the end of the day he wasn't really going to threaten me, that much was obvious. Still…I had to tell him something. Something I could get away with without telling the whole truth.

"Fine…you got me. I know what's going on." I saw Shulk stiffen slightly but he (thankfully) remained silent."

"Thank you."

"But…" I continued. "I can't tell you all of it."

"And why might that be?" He hummed. The desk faded back into view beneath him.

"Because…they're afraid."

"They? So there is more than one. As I suspected. Afraid of what?"

"You. Many other things as well, none of them within their control. They're just desperate, Master Hand. Now," I said, clearing my throat. "I'm not in any way going to pretend that what they did was right or even justifiable. Mental damage is just as important as physical damage and it is in this way that they have harmed a great many of us. But they too bear severe mental scarring. They did what they did because they were desperate and believed there was no other option. I've made a deal with them that they will cease their activity but in order for it to stand I can't say who they are. You know what lengths I've gone to to do this," I said, gesturing to the still image of me still on screen.

"You know I've succeeded in calling off their attack because your vault is still intact and its contents undisturbed. I just ask that you let this slide because at heart I know they're not bad people."

"…I can tell you've put a lot of thought into this, Robin. However I cannot simply allow these actions to stand if they pose a danger to…"

"But they don't", I argued. "Not anymore. You just have to let me deal with them my way instead of yours. Look at it like this. It wasn't an invasion or an attack or anything like that. They could've kept us in a state of perpetual turmoil by controlling our dreams but they didn't. They could've brought an army into the mansion to take over while we were sleeping but they didn't. They didn't come for conquest like this Subspace army I've heard about. They're not like that."

"That is true. Their actions have only disrupted us and it hasn't gone beyond that. However, you have told me more than you know. I now know the ones behind this are Ashley and Wario." My blood was starting to run cold so often now I might as well have fully committed to becoming a reptile.

"….How…..how did you even…..work that…out?" I finally got out. Was Master Hand psychic? "Are you psychic?" I asked.

"No, just observant." Shulk remained silent, clearly not believing him. I was with him on that. "I've actually known for some time. When we all woke up after your match was interrupted, Ashley had some injuries and mild scarring on her face that were not present before. She also seemed to be limping. When questioned, Wario spoke for her and told me she fell. I…did not believe that. She was also clearly exhausted from something. A symptom of magical drainage. I had Lucario read her aura to confirm that for me. She was totally devoid of magic."

"…"

"Then when this security image was salvaged and I saw you fighting somebody who couldn't be seen, I put two and two together. I guessed Ashley couldn't have been working alone and when you told me 'they' were responsible, there you go. Am I…correct?"

"Yes. Yes you are."

"I don't get it," Shulk said, butting in. "Why did you make it seem as if you didn't know? Why did you ask for me to bring Robin here if you already knew this whole time?"

"Robin has already answered that. I didn't believe their actions to be malicious. I knew Robin was present so must have known what was going on but I had to wait for her to wake up. Then when she did, she gave the most wonderful speech to me just now about how it wasn't necessary for me to pursue them. Her words were filled with a genuine passion and concern for them, confirming my suspicion."

"So…you were never planning to blackmail me?"

"No, what do you take me for? I just wanted to see how far you'd go to defend them. If I judged your conviction to be weak then I would have immediately detained Wario and Ashley. However, since you clearly believe so strongly that they deserve another chance…I will grant one."

"You…you will? Really?"

"I will pretend that this conversation has not taken place and tell the Smashers and guests that I found some Shadow Bugs had made it past the mansions boundaries. It was that which caused the dreams. The vault will simply be an unexplained mystery."

"So…"

"However, as penalty for their crimes, I will not give a single unit of money to either Ashley or Wario. I am aware of their situation and I know to try and steal from me they must be incredibly desperate…however, they have committed grave crimes on my soil and many Smashers have been hurt in more ways than one. They would be very glad to get their hands on the perpetrator but seeing as you are willing to vouch for them I will not give them that opportunity."

"But…"

"But what?"

"Doesn't that mean everything they went through was for nothing? That they failed."

"Yes. It does." He flexed his fingers slightly, the steely edge to his voice creeping in again. "And it is ONLY on your vouch that I don't pursue this any further. We're in a separate dimension and rules are very different. They could never see the light of day again. I consider my actions here to be EXTREMELY lenient. Do you not agree?"

"Your generosity knows no bounds," I agreed, though not daring to look directly at him. Who knew Master Hand could be so…scary? Shulk seemed more conflicted by the idea but ultimately said nothing.

"Excellent!" He said, his voice taking on a more jovial tone. "Then the matter is concluded."

"I…I guess it is." It felt weird saying that. After so many twists and turns it was finally…over. So why, why, why, did it feel like I'd missed something? Master Hand apparently didn't share that sentiment and promptly rose from behind the desk.

"Show yourselves out. I have business to attend to. Some guests I have to send invites to."

"Guests?"

"Future Smash hopefuls," he clarified. "They tend to show up in the week after the finishing ceremony to display their talents and meet with other hopefuls. I don't need to tell you I'm a strong believer in interpersonal relationships. Incidentally, the finishing ceremony will be held tomorrow evening. I hope you can both attend." He made his way to the door as if to leave but turned one final time back towards us.

"In hindsight I should've realised when it was clear the vault had been attacked. Only Wario would try such a thing, seeing as what it contains. Sometimes the most obvious clue seems too obvious and is hence discarded." He chuckled lightly before disappearing. I failed to the humor in the situation.

"So…does that mean we win?" Shulk asked after some time had passed. "We solved the mystery right?"

"But why…"

"But why do I feel like we haven't?" He finished. He scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah I'm not sure. I honestly feel a bit deflated."

"Me too. I know we did the right thing but…I still feel bad about it."

"I don't think it's that simple. There was never any 'right thing' for us to do. Right from the start we only had bad choices. In the end we were still only faced with bad choices. We still had to choose. If I'm honest…I think you made the best one you could have. It may not be right but sometime the best choice isn't the right one."

"Well we both know that from personal experience," I said softly.

"Yeah. I guess we do."

"…"

"…I forgot to ask Master Hand about just giving Olimar the win." I got up from the chair, hopefully for the last time. "Still…probably best not to argue with Master Hand right now."

"He can be pretty scary when he wants to be. I'm just grateful he stayed on our side."

"Me too. Me too."

"…" I wiped the sweat I didn't know I had from my palms and onto my cloak. "I…I think there's one last thing we have to do."

"Oh? What's that?" I frowned.

"I have to be sure. We have to talk to Olimar."


A/N: Because the world of fanfiction and writing in general needed more cliffhangers, right? A bit of fluff, a bit of plot, everyone's happy. I know some of you life the fluff and I don't blame you. I like it too! Also felt I needed to lampshade Shulk's tendency to give uplifting speeches to Robin. Still, all is well.

Many ideas for how this chapter was going to play out crossed my mind but ultimately I went with this one. If it feels like an anticlimax...that's because it was supposed to be. No big bad or ultimate evil that needs defeating as is the standard for Smash fics. Ermegurd guyz Tabuu and subspace r back we gotta stop them. Yeah I've already said what I think of that before so I won't again.

Just some villains with motivations that don't begin and end with 'we're evil and hate the Smashers/want to take over the universe...for some vague reason. Somebody reviewed saying they expected more. I respect that. Anybody who knows me (so no one) knows that Super Paper Mario is a personal favourite game of mine.

Count Bleck did actually cross my mind at some point but figured there's enough fics with a generic big bad as it is (even if in his own game Bleck is more sympathetic). Still, I stand by what I've done with this fic. Hey we've got very few chapters left to go (probably 1-2, 3 at max) so you might as well stick around! If you've made it this far...you're awesome. Have a great day!

XenoEmblem4TW: I agree it was a nice little reference, though one that seems to have slipped Robin's mind as of yet. A lot did just go down so maybe you can forgive her. Glad you like the references.

Wiltarrow: You're pretty much spot on there. Game and Watch's involvement will likely be elaborate on pretty soon.

Skeptic: The Monado being like Mjolnir is actually a clever comparison. I like it!

Spartan Yoshi 90: Not quite sure what you're refering to but it's good to see you're still here!

Thunderbird013: Thank you so much! I'm truly honoured you feel this way and...well I don't really know what to say. The criticism is fair. I never claimed to be a good writer, just a person who had an idea for a fic. I talked a bit about Bleck above so you get the idea. Maybe if things had been different that's the way it would've gone? Who knows. Thanks again for your support.

Heman2000: I'm sure Wario would make a good tactician. He's a lot smarter than he ever lets on. Running a business isn't easy. Not sure what questions you have but I'll do my best to answer them.

Next up, chapter 50. If you too can do basic maths then you'll have figured that also. We're very nearly at the end. Are you sad? I kind am. I put a lot of work into this.

P.S. Olimar is a demon in the right hands. Too bad Cloud shuts him down. I don't like Cloud. Either in FF7 or Smash. Fight me.