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!

Cloud woke up in his room in the mansion. He pulled his eyes open, and then realized that he'd done that on his own. For a moment, he just sat and blinked over and over again, relishing in the freedom of his own body.

"I think he's waking up," Pit's voice said from somewhere off to his left. He leaned into Cloud's field of view. "What are you doing, Cloud?"

"Back off him, Pit," Palutena commanded. "No doubt he doesn't feel well. Let's give him a moment."

Cloud was unsure if this was real or not. He didn't see Young Link or Shulk lying around, but maybe he was alone this time. Or maybe Master Hand had fixed the problem. He sat up, his muscles tense, noting that his swords were resting against the wall near the doorway. Not in his hands. He blinked a few more times, then ran a hand across his shoulder blades. His fingers met warm flesh, not cold wood. No strings either. He moved to run both his hands through his hair, feeling the individual follicles and the overall softness that yielded to his sense of touch. He was human again. Well, human enough. Better than being made of wood.

"You're out of there," Palutena said to him, watching him curiously. What had he seen in there that made him so delighted by the feeling of his own hair? He wasn't smiling, but it was as though he was resisting the urge to. His motions were urgent, as though he'd been afraid of finding something other than hair on top of his head, but once his fingers curled around the soft blonde strands, he almost instantly relaxed.

"Where's Young Link?" Cloud demanded. "And Shulk?"

"Waking up their rooms," Pit replied. "Why?"

"I need to see them," Cloud answered.

"Take a potion first," Palutena advised, offering it to him.

He shook his head. He didn't trust her. If he could find the other two, confirm that they were in their own rooms, awake and alive and responsive, he could relax. But for now, he wasn't sure if any of this was real. Besides, he wasn't injured. Being turned into wood had conveniently healed his previous minor bullet wound. He was fine now.

"You really should," Pit said, glancing over Cloud as he stood from his bed. He didn't look that injured, but he seemed truly shaken.

"Are you going to make me?" Cloud asked sharply.

Pit shook his head quickly.

Palutena lowered her hand. "Of course not. It's your choice."

His choice. He had a choice. A small choice. One that didn't matter much on the grand scheme of things. But he had a choice. He relaxed slightly. "I don't want it."

Palutena nodded, stepping out of the doorway.

Cloud practically ran down the hallway, leaving both of his swords in his room. He'd rather be unarmed for now. He reached the staircase and started making his way down the stairs as fast as he could towards the second floor, where Young Link's room was.

In his haste, he almost ran into the kid himself. They both skidded to an abrupt halt, gripping heavily on the handrail to avoid falling.

They stood opposite each other, taking in every detail. Young Link was sweating from his intense and sudden run. Beads of sweat formed on his skin. His skin! Not shiny metal. No gear stuck out of his back. His joints were not adorned with screws and his eyes weren't glazed over. They stood opposite each other, and Cloud was unsure what to say.

Then Young Link threw himself into Cloud's legs, squeezing with everything he could. The Triforce of Courage gleamed brightly on the back of his left hand. But he was still shaking. That last vision had truly messed him up.

Cloud relaxed. Young Link was real. His hug didn't hurt at all. It was just the kid's arms around his legs, his breaths coming in short gasps and his blond hair hanging over his eyes. Cloud knelt down and let Young Link squeeze his torso, the child's small fingers outlining Cloud's shoulder blades and the lack of strings attached.

"You're okay," Young Link got out.

"We both are," Cloud confirmed. "We're fine now. I think we're done."

"T-that's what Zelda said. But I...I needed to see you. You and Shulk. N-not like that."

"I know. It was awful."

"Is that what it feels like?"

"What do you mean?"

"When Sephiroth takes over? And you just can't do anything except what he says? No matter how terrible it is?"

"Kid, I don't want to talk about that."

"...Okay."

They stood in the middle of the stairwell in silence for a moment. Young Link eventually released Cloud, hardening his expression to mask his fear.

"There you both are!" Shulk cried, coming up the staircase. He too looked alright. His face was pale and his hands were shaking almost imperceptibly. But it was much better than a coating of plastic. He ran to Cloud, observing him silently. He offered the ex-mercenary a hand to help him stand from his kneeling position, and though Cloud didn't need it, he took it anyway. Because Shulk needed it. His fingers curled tightly around Cloud's palm, reading his pulse and feeling his heart beating properly.

"We're done with that," Young Link said confidently. "We're...we're out of there."

The other two nodded. They stood in silence for a minute. They were out. But what to do now? It was impossible to instantly get the image of frozen fingers, plastic joints, metal gears, and puppet strings out of their heads. They needed time to relax. Time to calm down.

A laugh from behind them shook them all out of their thoughts. Young Link tensed, staring up the staircase. Cloud turned around. Sephiroth was coming downstairs, a closed book in his hands. "Good to see you all," he said amicably. "It's been quite some time."

"This is all your fault," Young Link spit, his shoulders trembling. "Everything we just had to go through...it was all your fault!"

"Back down, Young Link," Shulk advised. "We don't need to get in trouble again."

"How long?" Cloud demanded, his fingers pulled into fists. "How long were we in there?"

"A week," Sephiroth answered. He grinned malevolently. "I hope you enjoyed your punishment. And learned your lesson."

"Oh, you have no idea," Young Link spit.

"See you all at dinner," Sephiroth said, pushing past them and continuing on his way downstairs.

"A week," Shulk breathed, relief evident in his tone. "That means...we've still got time."

"Just a few days," Young Link said. He glanced at Cloud. "Then we can prove Master Hand wrong."

Cloud nodded.

They were left alone again, but not for long. Zelda peered into the stairwell, cocking her head. "Are you three okay?" Link was behind her. Robin, Palutena, and Pit joined her, standing a few stairs above the three boys. Toon Link pushed past Zelda and almost ran straight to Young Link, but Link pulled him back forcefully.

They were all waiting for the boys' response. The three exchanged a glance. Shulk nodded. Young Link nodded. Cloud looked back at the others. "We're fine."

"You want to talk about it?" Palutena asked. "That wasn't a normal reaction to waking up."

"It wasn't normal torture either," Young Link muttered.

Robin opened his mouth, likely to ask for an elaboration, but Shulk spoke up first. "We can't talk about it." He nodded to Toon Link and Pit, neither of whom had ever been in the torture room, meaning that they weren't allowed to be told what had happened in that room. Their presence and that rule was an easy way to get out of this conversation. Palutena and Zelda shared a glance, both of them realizing that fully, but they reluctantly backed down. If even Shulk was unwilling to talk, just what exactly had they seen?

"You are out just in time," Link said after a moment of silence. "Four days remain."

Four days. That was it. Four days until they could break out.

"Did you figure out Sephiroth?" Cloud demanded.

Zelda nodded firmly. "We did. We have a plan, I assure you."

Cloud was satisfied with that. He wanted to know what it was, but they obviously couldn't tell him without jeopardizing the success of their entire mission. So he could remain ignorant for now.

"It's just about dinner time," Pit added. "Want to head downstairs?"

Young Link nodded. "Now that you mention food, I'm starving."

So was Cloud. A week without food was a long time. He must've had water, for he didn't feel dehydrated, but he was definitely starving. Shulk ran a hand over his stomach, his fingers lingering on the feeling of his own skin underneath his jacket for just a moment longer than would've been normal. Zelda definitely noticed. And no doubt Palutena had taken note of the way Cloud had so eagerly touched his own hair. Their torture would probably be brought up later. But for now, they could go eat. Pit led the way downstairs, the three torture victims falling in line next, their empty stomachs urging them onwards. Toon Link pulled free of Link's grip and ran to Young Link's side, talking urgently to the older hero. Young Link laughed softly, ruffling the kid's hair and promising he was alright.

Glad to see that you are awake, Cloud Strife.

"Glad to be awake, Mewtwo."

Your torture was...unorthodox.

"It was."

And the last scenario was most-

"Don't. I don't want to think about it."

Very well. I'm pleased that you're out now.

Cloud nodded. They left it at that.

They got downstairs and filled in their usual spots at the dining table. The other fighters around the room all congratulated Cloud, Young Link, and Shulk on getting out of the torture room. The robots served everyone food, Sephiroth came downstairs to collect his, left immediately, and then life returned to normal.

Talk at dinner was lighthearted. Pit begged Palutena for her ice cream, and Young Link quickly took to teasing him. Pit just let him without defending himself, feeling much pity for the young hero. Link and Cloud exchanged a few words, the silent knight expressing his relief and Cloud asking how Link's head was doing after Sephiroth kicked him into the wall. Link promised he was fine, a potion had cured him of that minor injury, really, he'd forgotten all about it.

Zelda watched the three closely. They all still seemed tense. Their gazes were veiled slightly, as though they couldn't quite be rid of something they'd seen in that machine. Throughout the meal, Shulk rested his left arm on his right, as though reassuring himself that it was still there. Young Link let his hair hang down in his eyes, continually blowing it out of the way and then grinning slightly, as though amused by the way his hair moved. And Cloud kept reaching over his right shoulder and massaging his shoulder blade like it was hurting him. Something was up with them. Something weird had happened in there. Zelda wanted to find out what.

She wasn't the only one. Palutena and Robin both took note of the three's strange behavior. The goddess made eye contact with the princess, silently asking if she too thought it was bizarre. She nodded subtly. They resolved to ask after dinner. For now, the boys could relax.

But after the meal, when Toon Link had gone on to bed, Pit had left, so had Link, and it was only the six of them at the table, Palutena spoke up. "Did something happen with your hair in there, Cloud? You seemed pretty interested in it when you woke up."

Cloud scowled. "I don't want to talk about it."

Neither did the other two. Shulk again rested his left arm on his right arm, his fingers curling against his skin. Young Link tensed slightly. But other than that he didn't react.

"We're just trying to help," Palutena said.

"Well, stop," Young Link said sharply. "We don't want to talk about it."

"Are you certain?" Robin questioned. "Usually it helps to get something like that off your chest."

"Are you going to make us talk about it?" Shulk demanded. "Or do we get a choice?" He spat out the word choice, his fingernails digging through his jacket and into his flesh.

Awkward silence occupied the table. Zelda, Palutena, and Robin just wanted to help. But if even Shulk was upset by their insistence...it was worrisome. What had Master Hand shown them?

"We won't make you," Zelda decided eventually. "If you really don't want to talk about it…" she trailed off.

"I'm going to bed," Cloud said, getting up from the table and marching upstairs. Young Link and Shulk followed after him.

Zelda and Palutena exchanged a glance.

"Give them time," Robin suggested. "We have four days. They'll be fine in four days."

"And if they aren't…?" Zelda asked.

"They're angry. And not at us," Palutena shrugged. "Really, if we could initiate the attack while Cloud's Limit is being fueled like this, we'd be in good shape. It wouldn't be a bad thing."

Zelda nodded numbly. But still she worried.

The next morning, Cloud felt much better. A night of real sleep had done him a lot of good. The tension he'd been feeling for the past week seemed to dissipate now that he was properly rested. The nightmares of the torture room were over with. He was free, he did have a choice, and in three days now he would be going home to his own world. Until then, he could wait. Until then, he could bide his time. He'd be alright.

He pulled himself out of bed and put the Buster Sword on his back again, no longer feeling wary of his own abilities. He repeated Zack's mantra to himself once more, letting the words empower him. He was almost done with this place. He just had to wait a little longer. The situation no longer looked quite as hopeless. And Cloud hadn't given up. He just had to see through this one last fight.

He fixed his hair, pulled on his clothes, and made his way downstairs. A few other people were already there. He greeted those he knew politely and sat at his place at the dining table. Thoughts of wooden skin and puppet strings drifted further from his mind. That was an illusion. Master Hand's control was not so complete. Cloud could prove that in three days.

Everyone else filled in the dining table and the robots served the food. Sephiroth made his appearance, and Cloud resolved to ignore him. Young Link grit his teeth, but Link quickly advised him to keep his mouth shut. Thankfully, Young Link agreed, bowing his head and keeping his eyes downcast. Shulk kept his focus entirely on his food, pretending to not even notice.

The one-winged angel silently collected his plate. But he didn't hold a book in his hands, Cloud noted. He was intending to say something. Sure enough, Sephiroth grabbed his silverware and approached Cloud, sitting down right next to him.

"Go away," Cloud muttered.

"I can sit wherever I like," Sephiroth replied evenly.

Everyone at the table was staring at the two of them.

Cloud huffed. "Whatever." He turned his back on his nemesis, focusing heavily on Link, who was sitting on his other side. The hero took his gaze off Sephiroth and turned to Cloud, nodding.

"How are you feeling, Cloud?" Sephiroth asked. "Better than yesterday, I hope."

Cloud ignored him. "Can I ride the Master Cycle Zero today, Link?"

Link nodded. "It would be my pleasure to lend it to you."

"Have you got any book recommendations, Sephiroth?" Zelda asked the one-winged angel. "What with how often you read, you must know some good ones." Cloud couldn't believe her bravery. He would be sure to thank her later.

Sephiroth grinned. "I do, princess. Loveless is a favorite of mine. It's a tragedy from my world. My good friend used to be obsessed with it."

Cloud actually didn't know which friend Sephiroth was referencing. Probably just another SOLDIER 1st Class.

"I'll be certain to give it a shot," Zelda said. Theirs was the only conversation being hosted. Young Link had his eyes shooting daggers into his plate of eggs, his shoulders quivering from the effort of keeping his rage contained. Shulk had a hand on his blade's hilt. The others were just staring at Sephiroth in surprise.

"I think you'd enjoy it," Sephiroth admitted. "Friendship, loss, love...it's all in there."

"Why would you ever read a screenplay about love?" Young Link spit, unable to stop himself any longer.

"Probably just to give himself a taste of something he can never have," Shulk replied.

Sephiroth smiled again, Shulk's sharp remark only serving to amuse him. "Perhaps, seer."

"Why are you here?" Cloud demanded, whirling around. He wanted to enjoy his breakfast. He'd just gotten out of the torture room. He wanted to relax, which he couldn't possibly do with Sephiroth sitting right next to him.

"I'm here, Cloud, to ask you a question," Sephiroth answered. "Once it's answered, I promise to leave you alone."

Cloud crossed his arms over his chest. "Fine. What is it?"

"Are you planning on telling your friends about what you saw in that room? Or are you keeping it a secret?"

"It isn't important!" Young Link exclaimed, shivering. His left hand drifted to the small of his back.

"Too afraid to talk about it, Hero of Time?" Sephiroth sneered.

Young Link glared at him.

"Just tell us what the big deal is, and he'll leave us alone," Palutena suggested.

"The goddess is right," Sephiroth agreed.

Cloud kept his mouth shut.

"Or perhaps I should make you?" Sephiroth teased Cloud. "Would you like to be an empty puppet again?" He leaned closer to the ex-mercenary, whispering. "Skin made of wood. Mouth sealed shut. Unable to so much as scream as you destroyed the very thing you cherished most."

Cloud tensed. He stared at his right arm, remembering the way it had been turned to wood and adorned with strings. He flexed his fingers, just to reassure himself that he could. Sephiroth got up, laughing, and returned to the staircase. Of course Sephiroth had gone through Cloud's memories last night. Of course he'd watched that. And of course he was thoroughly amused. But whatever. He'd whispered that last part. It still didn't need to be brought up. Cloud could go back to eating peacefully now.

Link cocked his head. "Skin made of wood?" he repeated, whispering to Cloud, his eyes sliding to Pit and Toon Link. "What does Sephiroth mean by that?"

Cloud almost choked. He'd forgotten that Hylians had better hearing than humans.

"Skin made of wood?" Zelda, who was sitting on Link's other side, repeated, staring at Cloud critically. "And with how often both Master Hand and Sephiroth call you a puppet…" It took her two seconds to put the pieces together. Her eyes widened, and she put a hand over her mouth. "How terrible! T-that's what he did to you in there!"

Cloud didn't confirm it. But he didn't deny it either.

"What?" Pit asked. "I'm confused."

"Good. We won't get in trouble then," Cloud said. "Don't think about it too hard."

Pit nodded slowly. He glanced at Toon Link, then gestured for the younger hero to follow him away from the table. The angel had noticed that Zelda had been anxious all night. Perhaps this conversation could remedy her unease, but it could only happen if he and Toon Link weren't at the table.

Palutena watched her angel and the young hero leave, and then she returned her attention to Cloud. "Master Hand turned you into a puppet?"

Cloud just nodded. No reason to lie about it. Pit had purposefully left so that the truth could be relayed. No reason to try and get out of explaining now.

"And you guys too?" Robin asked Young Link and Shulk.

"Not puppets, no," Shulk mumbled. "Toys." He shakily ran a finger across his arm again. "Plastic…" he mumbled. "P-plastic overtook my entire body."

"And for you?" Link asked Young Link.

"Metal," the kid spat. "And one of those wind-up gears."

"What did he make you do?" Zelda asked, her voice quiet.

"We had to take away the thing we cherished most," Cloud muttered.

"I killed Fiora," Shulk said, his eyes glazed over, his hands shaking again. "Young Link killed Malon. And Cloud killed Zack."

Total silence reigned their end of the table. Nobody knew what to say.

"Sorry for being so pushy," Palutena decided eventually. "No wonder you didn't want to talk about it."

"It's fine," Cloud said firmly. "We're done with that. In three days, we're proving Master Hand wrong."

"We're not just his toys to play with," Young Link muttered.

"He's going to pay for that misconception," Shulk agreed.

"Quite right," Link agreed.

Everyone else nodded firmly.