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!

"What in the name of Hylia is going on down here?" Young Link's voice called from the staircase. He was the first fighter to come downstairs this morning, and he was rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he crossed the room to the four's strange little huddle. "What is this? Some kind of late-night meeting? What were you talking about anyway?"

"Microwaves," Link answered.

"What in the world is a microwave?"

"Okay, that's not the important thing right now," Shulk said.

"Then what is? How long have you been awake? Not long, surely, you don't look tired."

"We've been up since 3am," Zelda answered.

Young Link just stared at her. "But...why? And how do you not look dead inside?"

Shulk explained what he'd seen and why Cloud hadn't been allowed to sleep. Zelda jumped in and explained why she had been involved, and Link briefly elaborated on why he'd been woken up, along with why they 'didn't look dead inside,' as Young Link put it.

"Sounds like you've had quite the night," Young Link said to Cloud. "Is he still in your head?"

Cloud paused. It didn't feel like it. With the rise of the sun, Sephiroth had vacated Cloud's mind. He shook his head.

"Good. Because I've been thinking," Young Link said. "To avoid torture, you need to not do damage, right?"

"Yeah?"

"So hand over that sword, and then you're basically useless," Young Link suggested. "Give it to one of us and we'll take it up to our room."

"That's...not a bad plan," Zelda admitted.

Cloud nodded. He slung his sword off his back and gave it to Link, who needed to hold it with two hands, and even that looked like a struggle. "Take that up to Zelda's room. Not yours, it's right next to his."

Link nodded.

"You need a hand with that?" Shulk asked.

Link nodded. The two of them were able to share the weight, and they began carrying it up the stairs.

Young Link shook his head in disbelief. "Sometimes I forget how heavy that thing is, what with how easily you carry it around."

Cloud shrugged.

"Back to more important things," Zelda suggested. "Have you any idea when Sephiroth will do it?"

Cloud shook his head.

"He might wait if you're not upset," Young Link suggested.

That was possible. Cloud wasn't super angry, but he certainly wasn't calm. That had been a long and boring night. Sure, watching Link struggle to comprehend basic feats of technology was pretty funny. But listening to Sephiroth pick at him for four hours straight had definitely thinned his patience. So, if Cloud had to guess, Sephiroth wouldn't wait. Not to mention that the one-winged angel knew full-well that they were going to execute an attack in less than two weeks. Despite his assurances that his loyalty wasn't theirs, surely Cloud's allies' confidence was at least a little concerning. They were so certain that Cloud almost believed they already had some kind of plan regarding his nemesis. What it was, he couldn't possibly guess, but he trusted Zelda, Shulk, and Robin. Whatever they came up with would work out.

"For now, let's act normal," Zelda decided. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was about 7am. Breakfast would be served in half an hour. "We've got a couple hours until that elixir wears off."

Cloud nodded.

"What happens when it does?" Young Link asked.

"All that exhaustion we're ignoring comes back," Cloud answered.

"Yikes," Young Link admitted. "Somebody's going to be taking a nap." He looked at Zelda.

She nodded. "Certainly. And Shulk too, probably."

"Not Link? You think he'll be alright?"

"We'll see."

The rest of the fighters started coming downstairs and filling in the dining table. The rest of Cloud's group one-by-one joined them at the table, Link and Shulk returning last, the Buster Sword safe in Zelda's room. It felt odd to be unarmed. The familiar weight on his back just..wasn't there. He felt weakened without a sword, but for once that feeling was somewhat comforting. If he was weak, he couldn't do damage. And if he couldn't do damage, he wouldn't be put in the torture room for too long. But still, as he ate, he kept shifting in his seat, flinching slightly when his blade didn't shift with him.

He got about halfway through his meal when Sephiroth made his appearance. His portion of the meal had been left alone despite the fact that nobody had been defending it, as though the usual thieves were too afraid to mess with the one-winged angel's food.

But today, Sephiroth ignored his breakfast. He wasn't carrying a book in his hands either. He had his left hand on Masamune's hilt, and a devious grin on his face.

"Heads up, Cloud," Shulk whispered.

Cloud glanced up, watching with tense muscles as the one-winged angel walked right over to him, ignoring the stares of all the other residents.

"I hope you had a good night of sleep," Sephiroth said.

"Get out," Cloud muttered. "You've bothered me enough already."

"I haven't, actually. Your Limit is intact."

"I'd rather break it on you than those gloves."

Sephiroth sneered. "Is that right? Unfortunately, you haven't got a choice."

Cloud stood up, squaring his shoulders. But he was without a blade for now, so he couldn't exactly challenge Sephiroth to any sort of battle.

Sephiroth drew his blade. Cloud took a step back.

"Where's your sword at?" Samus demanded.

Cloud shook his head nervously.

Link stood up, drawing the Master Sword and pointing the tip at Sephiroth's throat. The blade glowed with white magic, activated by the darkness in Sephiroth's heart.

Sephiroth smiled malevolently. "Why are you willing to defend him, hero? What has he ever done for you?"

Link remained silent, his blue eyes burning with hatred.

"Link, be careful," Zelda protested.

Link didn't move from his position.

"I'm not interested in you, boy," Sephiroth spat. "Move."

Link stood tall, though he only came up to about Sephiroth's stomach.

Sephiroth kicked him aside. Link was sent into the wall, his head smashing against the hard surface and starting to bleed. Zelda cried out, running to his side immediately.

"Will you let another suffer in your stead?" Sephiroth demanded of Cloud, watching Link and Zelda with cold amusement. "Or do you have the strength to defend yourself?"

Cloud lacked the strength needed to even reply. He stood and watched as Zelda pulled Link's head into her arms, his eyes flickering as consciousness fled from him.

Master Hand appeared in the room, silently noting Link's injuries and glaring down at Sephiroth in disapproval.

Sephiroth stared up at his captor, grinning. "Join me, Cloud. Let us defy this villain together."

Cloud shook his head vehemently, backing away. "N-never."

Sephiroth raised his hand, and Cloud fell to his knees as the one-winged angel pressed into his mind. "I wasn't asking. You haven't got a choice."

Cloud lowered his head into his hands, gritting his teeth and trying not to scream. The other fighters watched with dismay as Cloud shivered under Sephiroth's control. He fought with everything he had, but this was not a fight he could possibly win.

Eventually, Sephiroth overpowered him. Cloud lost control of his entire body. His hands lowered from clutching his head. He raised his gaze to Master Hand, his eyes serpentine and void.

"That's right, Cloud. All you are, and all you'll ever be, is an empty puppet," Sephiroth laughed. He turned Masamune towards Master Hand.

"Do you really wish to do this?" Master Hand demanded, annoyance souring his tone.

"You grew too ambitious, glove," Sephiroth spit. "How many gods can you possibly hope to contain here?"

"As many as I desire," Master Hand replied. "And that includes you and your puppet."

"Arm yourself," Sephiroth commanded Cloud. "It won't do to fight without a weapon."

Everyone in the mansion tightened their grip on their respective weapons. Fox grabbed his gun and held it close to him. Shulk wrapped his hand around the Monado's hilt. Young Link drew his short blade and held it outwards. Cloud's eyes landed on Link's discarded Master Sword.

"Cloud, no!" Zelda screamed, kicking it away from him. "Sephiroth, he can't!"

"Why, princess? Is he unworthy?"

"Yes, he is! Everyone here is except the three Links! That sword will hurt him!"

"What a shame. You act like I care."

Cloud's body advanced towards the sword. Its blade glinted in the light, its full power activating in the presence of true evil.

Young Link got up from his chair and ran towards the blade, scooping it into his arms and holding it behind his back. "You can't have this, Cloud. Come on, fight harder!"

Cloud's Limit threatened to break. It wasn't like he wasn't trying to fight! He was doing all he could, he just wasn't strong enough.

"Enough of this," Master Hand decided, signaling for his robots' assistance.

Sephiroth scowled. He clenched his fist, exerting true control over Cloud, and the ex-mercenary's hesitation was now gone. He charged Young Link, and the hero threw his ordinary sword to the ground. Sephiroth allowed Cloud to pick that one up, sparing himself the pain of holding the Master Sword, and turned toward Master Hand. With a tiny sword like this, surely he still couldn't do much, he hoped.

Robots swarmed from the staircase, and those stationed around the room began advancing. Sephiroth ignored them, his only target being Master Hand. With a flap of his wing he suspended himself in the air, Masamune clutched tightly in his left hand. At his command, Cloud jumped towards the glove, his dagger held outwards as he approached. Master Hand flicked him into the ground, and he was sent sprawling. He pulled himself to his feet and tried again. And again. And again. While Sephiroth just watched. No damage was being done. Cloud couldn't get close. He was just hurting himself over and over. He couldn't stop it. He screamed every time he met the ground now, his bones breaking upon impact, and still he pulled himself to his feet. Was this what Link remembered every time he had a fight? Unable to help himself, stuck in a cycle of being hurt and standing up again and again and again?

None of the residents moved. They watched with pity as Cloud was repeatedly flung into the floor. Cloud's anger finally gave way and his Limit broke. Sephiroth made him use it immediately, calling on Meteorain to destroy some of the robots. Most of the wayward rocks were blocked or deflected. Several fighters were hit in the chaos. Sonic took a boulder to the head. Palutena just barely pulled Toon Link out of the way. Ken blocked one with his bare arms, earning him a solid bruise.

Cloud shivered, watching the insanity unfolding below him. His fault. All his fault. And yet he couldn't stop himself. Sephiroth stayed out of the way, just high enough that the robots ignored him and just far enough that Master Hand focused on Cloud.

It was a pathetic battle. Cloud stood no chance. Sephiroth wasn't helping. He seemed content to watch Cloud get abused. His green eyes glowed with glee and his control became sharp and painful. Every ordered motion was stiff and rigid. Cloud stumbled as he stood up yet again, a lot of his bones broken. Jenova would not be aiding him. Not with this many wounds. And not when her favorite child was causing them. Cloud coughed up blood, Young Link's sword clutched in his shaking fingers.

"Cloud, stop it!" Zelda screamed at him, Link's head in her lap, her eyes leaking tears.

But Cloud couldn't. He jumped again, and was immediately thrown into the ground.

"See, Cloud? You're useless. Just an empty puppet," Sephiroth teased.

"That's enough!" Shulk decided. He stood from his chair, but kept the Monado on his back. Cloud crashed into the ground and Shulk ran to him, pushing his shoulders into the ground and pinning him there. "Come on, Cloud!"

Cloud's eyes flickered. He pushed against Sephiroth's hold on his mind. He was already in trouble. But he wanted this to end. Everything hurt. Shulk's pressure on his body hurt. His mind was fogged by pain and Jenova. He couldn't fight it. He threw Shulk off himself. The visionary slammed into the wall, but the hilt of his blade kept his head from smashing against the stone. He grimaced, pulled himself to his feet, and powered on the Monado.

"You idiot," Young Link muttered as Shulk rushed Cloud, both of them with weapons held high. The child hero hefted the Master Sword in both hands and ran to join the fray. "Shulk, don't do this!"

Zelda's eyes widened as the three made contact. Cloud's short sword pressed against the Monado's electric blade. Young Link's oversized broadsword interlocked with the other two.

"Push back against him!" Young Link commanded.

Shulk nodded, leaning forward and pushing Cloud back. But the two were no match for Cloud's Jenova cells. His eyes slitted once again, and he shoved them both aside. They got up and tried again. Young Link smashed Cloud into the wall. Red leaked through Cloud's thick blonde hair. Sephiroth's sneer spread wide across his face.

Cloud got up again, dashing across the room to where Young Link was struggling to stand, Cloud's sword poised to attack. He swung vertically, his balance faltering from the strength of the swing, his stomach now painfully exposed. Young Link took advantage of it, thrusting the Master Sword into Cloud's gut and launching him again. He landed, sharp cracking resounding through the room as more of his bones broke.

"Young Link, stop!" Palutena cried, watching Master Hand worriedly. But the hero couldn't hear her.

Cloud dragged himself to his feet, this time focusing on Shulk. Why was he doing this? Why was Sephiroth making him do this? Surely Master Hand was the target. But Shulk was now Cloud's only focus. He rushed towards the visionary, but Shulk got a solid hit against Cloud's shoulder, making use of the Monado's long blade compared to Cloud's dagger, sending the ex-mercenary tumbling to the floor. Sephiroth's eyes sparked with the light of victory. Cloud groaned as he was forced to drag himself to his feet again, his gaze still on Shulk. Master Hand signaled for his robots to stop their assault momentarily, watching cynically as his prisoners fought amongst themselves.

"Shulk, leave him alone!" Robin urged, eyeing the robots that were now silently watching the proceedings, but Shulk too was deaf to the words of his allies.

He blocked Cloud's first swing and retaliated with a horizontal slice. Cloud was flung into the ground again. He struggled to stand up this time, despite Sephiroth's command. This was worse than after the first escape attempt. He didn't believe that he had any bones in his body that were still whole. And yet Sephiroth refused to let him fall unconscious and escape his pain.

Young Link and Shulk locked eyes. Sephiroth grinned malevolently as they both ran towards their fallen comrade, their weapons raised high, intent upon doing damage while Cloud lacked the strength to stand. And then Sephiroth let his puppet go.

Cloud lay on the ground, breathing hard, his vision blurry. He lacked the strength to pull himself up, to open his eyes all the way, to do anything. He just lay there, quivering, waiting for an order that never came.

Shulk reached him, the Monado still powered on. "This is for your own good, Cloud. I'm sorry." He swiped the blade across Cloud's torso. Per his curse, the ex-mercenary was not cut, but he was sent rolling again. He collided with a pillar and his motion stopped, leaving him lying against the wall, his eyes half-open. Shulk saw his blue irises instead of the green ones, and he realized exactly what Sephiroth had done.

Young Link only recognized that Cloud was still conscious. He ran towards his target and slammed the butt of the Master Sword against his head, rendering him fully unconscious. Shulk didn't even have time to object before Young Link had completed the action, leaving Cloud lying at his feet, his body bruised and battered, the Master Sword's true power flickering as it struggled to decide Cloud's morality with the presence of his Jenova cells.

Sephiroth lowered himself to the floor, and the robots in the room ignored him. They rushed Cloud, pulling his unconscious body onto a stretcher and carting him to the torture room. They rushed Young Link, who took a moment to realize why he was being targeted. His eyes landed on Cloud's unconscious form, and he glared at Sephiroth, realizing what the one-winged angel had done. And they rushed Shulk, who stared at the Monado in almost betrayal. Even his mystic sword had failed to warn them of Sephiroth's ultimate goal, which was now clear; to make Cloud suffer, and to tear his allies apart. Which is exactly what he achieved. Cloud lay broken and bleeding, but he only had more suffering to come. Shulk and Young Link would also be punished. And the mastermind behind the entire thing got out of jail for free.

Total silence encompassed the room. Sephiroth didn't need to say anything. His point had been made. He was not to be taken lightly. He was in control here, he was crafty, and his streak for vengeance ran deeper than could possibly be imagined. He let a dark smile slide onto his face, his eyes glowing with ecstasy as the other fighters backed away from him. Nothing like this had ever been done. And the one-winged angel had managed it so easily.

"You are in trouble," Master Hand told Sephiroth sharply. "Not as much as them three, but I am cross. On the list of transgressions, possession is admittedly low. And you did the least damage out of you four. A fight for today will suffice; you against Mewtwo. I don't usually put three people in conditioning at once, but after that catastrophe, I'll make an exception. Young Link, Cloud, and Shulk will be released when I see fit. The rest of you are dismissed."

Zelda fell to her knees, her head on Link's chest, her shoulders quivering. How could this have gone so wrong? How could they have been so blind? But there was nothing she could do about it now. Nothing anybody could do about it now. It was far too late to fix this mess.