Author's Disclaimer: I do not own Super Smash Bros or any of the characters involved in it. I am earning no profit from this story, other than the enjoyment of writing it and sharing it with others! I hope you all enjoy reading it!
"He's a cheater!" Samus accused.
"Yeah!" Captain Falcon agreed.
Fox and Falco nodded.
Bowser seemed stunned.
Wolf shrugged.
Bayonetta appeared amused.
Ganondorf didn't say anything else. He shoved the table over, spilling the remaining cards and chips across the ground. He headed for the door. Link stood in front of him, preventing him from leaving. "You owe us that explanation."
"I owe you nothing!" Ganondorf snarled.
"You did lose," Shulk pointed out. "Cheating is a loss by default."
Ganondorf hesitated. He shook his head. "You forget I'm a thief. And a liar." He reached for the door knob. Link still didn't move.
"Tell us, Ganondorf," he ordered. "I beat you."
"No," Ganondorf answered firmly. "Get out of my way."
Link didn't budge.
"Fine," Ganondorf sighed. "I'll make you." He raised his fist. Link drew the Master Sword.
"You're not going to win that fight, Ganondorf," someone called.
Ganondorf turned around. Standing behind him, with all their weapons drawn, were Sheik, Samus, Fox, Falco, and Captain Falcon. "Tell Link how you got into Master Hand's office," Sheik commanded.
"He won," Samus added.
"If you don't, we'll make you," Fox added.
Ganondorf lowered his hand. "Very well. I'll tell you in my room, hero."
"No, you won't," Falco objected.
"You can do it right here," Samus agreed.
Ganondorf swore under his breath. "Fine. I got in when he wasn't there. He leaves to find new fighters every three weeks. Most often, his searches are unsuccessful, which is why we don't have a new prisoner every three weeks."
"What about the robot guards?" Shulk questioned. "How'd you get past them?"
"Easy," Ganondorf snickered. "Simple spell. Shut them off by cutting off their power source for exactly the amount of time I needed."
"And Crazy Hand?" Shulk inquired.
"He leaves too," Ganondorf explained.
Shulk nodded thoughtfully, already trying to figure out what the next step in their plan would be.
"Am I free to go?" Ganondorf asked sarcastically.
"No," Link answered. "You still have to tell me what you wanted from Master Hand's office."
Ganondorf rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, that. Where did you think he kept all of our weapons that he doesn't let us use? I'm sure Young Link has told you about all the weapons he collected during his journey across Hyrule. Haven't you ever stopped to wonder where they all are?"
Link didn't reply. He had always assumed the younger hero kept them in his room where no one could find them. Most of them sounded ridiculously dangerous. And Link hadn't been interested in getting on Young Link's bad side by looking for them.
"They're in Master Hand's office," Ganondorf went on. "I wanted some of my stuff back."
"Well, I'm afraid that's not happening," Link informed him. He stepped out of Ganondorf's way, allowing him to pass.
"What is it that you wanted from Master Hand's office if you didn't know the weapons were in there?" Ganondorf questioned.
"That is not information I'm willing to share," Link answered evenly. "You may go now."
Ganondorf exited the bar. Everyone sheathed their weapons.
"Come on, Shulk," Link stated. "Let us go. We have what we came for."
"Hold on just a moment!" Samus exclaimed. "You can't just leave like that!"
"Why ever not?" Link asked.
"We'd like to know what you're so interested in too," Fox answered.
"It's not everyday someone decides they'd like to get in to Master Hand's office," Sheik agreed.
Link looked to Shulk. Shulk nodded slowly. Link returned his attention to everyone else. "Very well," he began. "As I'm sure you're aware, Shulk, Zelda, and Robin have been putting together another escape plan with my help. You see, during my adventure in Hyrule, I lost all my memories. For some reason, that experience has given me the ability to regain memories that were once lost to me, when I'm provided the right trigger. Using this ability, I was able to remember my fights. Through these memories, I discovered the existence of these...powerful orbs. When I broke one by attacking it repeatedly, power unlike anything I've ever felt coursed through me. When that power was released, my bow had turned into the most powerful bow in my land, and my arrow into an Ancient Arrow. Ancient Arrows always kill. I hit Yoshi with it, and he was blasted out of the arena."
Link's audience nodded slowly.
"I assume you think those orbs are kept in Master Hand's office?" Sheik concluded.
"Where else would he keep them?" Shulk questioned. "We're allowed to go everywhere else except the torture room."
"He's not keeping them in the torture room," Link promised. He remembered that room clearly. There had been nothing in it.
"So, what are you going to do with these things?" Samus asked.
"Give one to everyone here," Shulk answered. "Then we'll storm Master Hand's office and kill both him and Crazy Hand. Then we'll be free to leave."
"And you're certain giving everyone one of these things is a good idea?" Samus questioned. "Including Ridley?"
Shulk nodded. "I'm more than certain. Everyone here wants to get out as badly as you do."
"Still...old rivalries might be a problem," Sheik sighed.
"They won't waste their shot," Shulk insisted. "That's why we're only giving them one. Trust me. I think if we gave even Young Link two, he'd use one on Ganondorf. We've thought this through."
"Makes sense to me," Fox admitted. "Even if Wolf is a nasty pirate, he'll want to get out. Self preservation is always his first priority."
"I do hope you realize I'm listening," Wolf snickered.
Everyone turned around. Wolf wasn't the only one. Bayonetta was also staring intently at the group, particularly Link. Bowser seemed interested as well.
"If you mutter a word of this to anyone…" Falco began.
"No, it's alright," Shulk decided. "We need to spread the word anyway. I doubt we'd be able to stop them from sharing if we wanted to."
"Got that right," Bayonetta sneered.
"We should really get going," Link stated, turning to leave. "I'm certain Zelda and the others are waiting."
Shulk nodded.
"Wait!" someone called.
Link turned around. Bowser had gotten up, and was approaching him. Link reached up towards the Master Sword's hilt. Bowser froze.
"What do you want?" Link demanded.
Bowser raised his hands in surrender. "I…" he began awkwardly, his voice sounding more like a guttural snarl than actual words. "I...wanted to say thank you."
Link lowered his hand slowly, stunned. "You...are welcome."
"I'm not as bad as Princess Peach and the Mario brothers claim!" Bowser went on hurriedly.
"You capture her literally every three weeks," Shulk pointed out.
"I know," Bowser sighed. "But has anyone ever told you why?"
"Because you are a pervert," Link answered. "And want to marry her."
Bowser looked at the ground. "No! I want her because...I have a child. Nine children, actually. I didn't want them to grow up like I did. Without a mother."
"And yet you spend all your time here in the bar," Link scoffed.
"I'm trying to make some money!" Bowser exclaimed. "I'm practically broke!"
"From what I've heard, you own a castle," Fox laughed.
"Because I stole it!" Bowser replied. "I...don't want to do that anymore. My time here...well...I've become much more familiar with the Mario brothers than I ever thought I'd be. They're not as bad as I thought they were…"
"You don't exactly seem like you're on good terms with them," Shulk noted.
"Well, of course not!" Bowser agreed. "Would you be willing to accept someone who captured you over and over again? I mean, I get it. But I'm trying to be better. I want Jr. and all the others to have a real childhood. Not helping me run a war effort against a perfectly innocent kingdom. If we ever get out…"
"You mean when we get out," Shulk corrected.
"Sure," Bowser shrugged. "When we get out, I'm going to start over. Move somewhere far from the Mushroom Kingdom and maybe get a job or something. But I'm done stealing and burning and capturing." He finished with a huff, and looked up expectantly. No one seemed to know what to do with that.
Link nodded slowly. "Your efforts sound noble." Finished speaking, he turned to leave. This time, no one stopped him. Shulk followed behind the hero. It was after lunch. Pit, Young Link, and Cloud would be outside. Palutena was most likely with Zelda and Toon Link. Robin was probably with Chrom. Link led the way to Zelda's room, figuring that informing her would be most important. That way she and Shulk could start planning a raid into Master Hand's office as soon as possible.
Link gently knocked on Zelda's door, once he and Shulk had arrived.
"Come in," Zelda called.
Link opened the door. Zelda was seated on her bed, a book open in her hands, and Toon Link seated in her lap. Palutena sitting beside the princess. All three looked up expectantly as Link and Shulk entered.
"How did it go?" Zelda questioned.
"It went well," Link answered.
"Well?" Shulk laughed. "I'd say it went better than well! We gained some new allies, learned something invaluable, and even got what we wanted in the first place!"
Zelda smiled brightly.
Toon Link cheered.
"Finally," Zelda breathed happily. "Things going our way!"
"Indeed," Link agreed with a nod.
"So, what happened?" Toon Link asked. "Did you beat Ganondorf? Was he mad?" The young hero's eyes widened. "Did he hit you?"
"I am fine, Toon Link," Link promised. "And yes, I did beat him. He was also mad."
"After Link exposed him," Shulk began excitedly. "Ganondorf was going to leave. But Link wouldn't let him. Ganondorf was going to start a fight with Link, but then Samus, Sheik, Fox, Falco, and Captain Falcon joined Link's side! Ganondorf knew he wasn't going to win against all of us, so he backed down and explained what we wanted. He also told us that Master Hand keeps all of your other weapons in his office. So, we can get that all back too. And we of course now have those people for allies! Even Bowser, Wolf, and Bayonetta seemed interested."
"Wonderful!" Zelda exclaimed.
"Excellent news," Palutena said.
Toon Link nodded happily. He wiggled his way out of Zelda's embrace and rushed over to Link. He threw himself into the older hero and wrapped his arms around him. Link froze, unsure what to do with the sudden physical contact. Then he relaxed slightly, and gently returned the gesture. "Good job, Link!" Toon Link cried, looking up into Link's eyes with a beaming smile.
"Thank you," Link answered, still feeling rather uncomfortable.
Zelda giggled. "Well done indeed. We shall inform everyone tonight before making our next move."
"And we'll of course share how Ganondorf did it," Shulk added.
Zelda nodded. "Yes. Now, we'd better finish our story, right, Toon Link?"
Toon Link nodded and returned to his coveted spot in Zelda's lap.
"Would you two like to join us?" Zelda asked.
"I don't see why not," Shulk shrugged, sitting next to Palutena.
"That would be nice," Link answered, sitting next to Zelda.
Zelda smiled. "Right. Where were we?"
"The hero was just about to beat up the evil monster!" Toon Link exclaimed, pointing vehemently at an illustration of a knight in shining armor staring down a disgusting canid beast.
"Ah, yes," Zelda agreed. She continued reading. Link didn't pay much attention to the story. He had never understood why you would waste time thinking about things that aren't real. It was pointless. Time that you could spend doing something productive. But Toon Link seemed to enjoy it, and Zelda did as well, so perhaps Link had something to learn.
The rest of the afternoon was spent finishing that book. Zelda read slowly so that Toon Link could soak it all in. Link stared at the pages, trying in vain to read the words. Reading was an ability he had lost after the Great Calamity and his memory loss. His princess had offered to help him learn again, but Link had always insisted she had better things to be doing.
Here in the mansion, Link was now hoping that some lost memory would unlock itself and he'd be able to read again. But it didn't come. The symbols inked onto the pages remained frustratingly meaningless. Once Zelda finished the book and closed it, Link stared at the back cover for just a second. Toon Link had already gotten up and was racing down the stairs to the main room of the mansion for dinner. Palutena and Shulk had followed him. Zelda set down the book, then noticed Link's eyes following it.
"You liked the story?" she asked him.
"Hm?" Link questioned, looking up suddenly.
Zelda smiled. "I asked if you liked the book."
Link hesitated. "Yes. Yes, it was wonderful."
"I'm glad," Zelda stated. She returned the book to her shelf and left the room. Link followed after her, berating himself for being so distracted. A knight should never let his guard down like that.
The rest of the gang was already seated by the time Link and Zelda made it down the stairs. Young Link was asking Shulk if they had beaten Ganondorf and, more importantly, if he was thoroughly embarrassed.
Link and Zelda sat down in the only two seats left in their group's area of the long dining table. They just so happened to be right next to each other. Cloud snickered. Link scowled. Zelda didn't notice.
"You did it, Link!" Pit exclaimed happily.
"Well done," Robin said with a nod.
"What's the plan now?" Cloud asked. "When do we storm the castle?"
"Not so fast," Shulk sighed. "First we have to figure out when Master Hand leaves. I think we'll do that by marking the day we don't have a fight on a calendar. Three weeks from that day, we should hopefully not have a fight again. If we do have a fight, Ganondorf lied to us. If we don't, then we'll plan our raid for the next time he leaves."
"So, with optimal circumstances, we wait six weeks," Palutena concluded.
"It is a good plan," Robin agreed. "We must make sure Ganondorf didn't lie. Especially seeing as you pressured him into telling you."
"Yay, more waiting," Young Link grumbled. "We definitely don't do enough of that!"
"I know," Zelda sighed. "But Shulk has a point. We can't just rush in, all guns blazing. We must ensure that everything will go as planned."
"If it doesn't, Master Hand will probably move the orbs, wipe our memories so we don't remember they exist, and then ensure Link has no way of recovering them this time," Shulk explained. "We've only got one shot. This is the best plan we've ever had."
"I suppose you not having any visions of it failing yet is a good sign," Young Link admitted.
Shulk nodded.