(Link Guru, Ike in fact did have to smack Zelda. That action advances something known as the plot.
We arrive at the third chapter mostly intact, maybe with slightly shorter nails due to long periods of waiting or bald spots caused by hair-tearing frustration. But we're here, and maybe we'll find out why Ike has some anger-management issues!
I mean, besides the ones that are caused by the untimely death of people he loves, of course.
Let's begin.
All characters © Nintendo)
Passions
Chapter Three: Visits
For the next week, Ike and Zelda avoided each other like the plague; if they even caught sight of each other across a crowded hall, hateful glares were exchanged before they stormed away.
Eventually, the princess and the mercenary could tolerate being in the same room at the same time; however, communication was still nonexistent... an arrangement that both parties seemed perfectly content with.
"Zel, don't you think maybe you're taking this a bit too far...? I mean, it's been ten days..."
"He slapped me, Peach. And it wasn't a light one, either; my face was sore for three days! And you want me to just forget that?"
"No, that's not what I-- ...oh, never mind..."
With a heavy sigh, Peach rose from her seat on the couch, leaving her friend to fume quietly in solitude.
Quietly, Zelda raised a hand to her cheek; though the actual pain had worn off long ago, she could still feel the sting of Ike's smack under the gentle touch of her slender fingers.
Anger coursed through her mind as she clenched a fist.
"I can't understand what anyone would see in him!"
Ike lay on his bed, growling angrily at nothing in particular. Briefly, he had thought of going to the training arena to let out some of his bottled rage; he'd decided against it-- he couldn't trust himself to keep his anger and frustration in check if he should happen to run into Zelda.
Sighing, the mercenary bit his lip, trying to turn his thoughts to more peaceful things; his home, his friends... his sister--
Ike shook his head.
Thinking of Mist merely turned his rage into depression...
There was a sudden, hurried knock at his door.
"S'open," he called out, too lost in his own thoughts to move.
The door opened, and Link entered, somewhat hesitant to approach Ike.
"Ike, I--"
The mercenary groaned, resting a hand over his eyes.
"If you're also going to yell at me for hitting Zelda, then just do it and go," he snapped. "I get it-- I overreacted. Just hurry up and say it."
"...you could have been more tactful... but that's not why I'm here."
"Uh? ...then why are you here?"
Link handed an unsealed, stuffed envelope to Ike, who took it with a questioning look in his navy eyes.
"Visitor's Week is soon," the Hylian explained. "You put the name of the person you want to come visit on the envelope. One of the papers is a letter inviting them, and the rest of the stuff is a list of things for them to expect while they're here. Master Hand needs the letters back tonight so he can send them out tomorrow morning..."
"Alright... thanks, Link."
"Yeah, no problem. See you later, Ike."
Link left, closing the door behind him as Ike slowly pulled the letter out of the envelope.
Dear Esteemed Guest,
At the request of the representative of your world, you are cordially invited to attend a Visitor's Week here at Smash Mansion. During this week, you will be. . .
Ike fumbled for the pen that rested on the nearby nightstand, quickly taking it and scrawling his sister's name on the line before stuffing the paper back into the envelope.
The first day of Visitor's Week was always hectic... the waiting tended to be the worst part for most of the Smashers. Just because they sent the letters didn't mean their guests had to accept...
"So, you think she'll come?"
"Fox, Krystal hasn't come any of the times you've invited her. What makes you think she's changed her mind? ...and what did you do to make her not want to come at all, anyways? You two were close, I thought..."
"...that's a... long story..."
Falco couldn't help but laugh.
While some guests never accepted, others would just come and invite themselves...
"Hey, Marth... you think Roy's gonna come back and visit?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he did, especially since I didn't send him a letter."
A slight chuckle escaped Link's lips--
The doors suddenly flew open, and dozens of beings of all different shapes and sizes swarmed into the room...
For the few Smashers who had no one to invite, this was the most painful part of all.
Zelda watched as Luigi warmly hugged Daisy, Toon Link ran away from a fierce Tetra's sharp blade, and Link laughed as Ilia regaled him with tales of their hometown, all the while a melancholy smile tugging at the Hylian princess' lips...
Every time, there would be a pang of sadness that struck her heart-- a pang that would not leave until the week would finally end.
Quietly, Zelda turned to leave; no one would be looking for her, not in this group--
She froze.
A young girl, clad in a short red dress and long brown boots, rested a hand against the wall, stumbling forward as she glanced around nervously. Her shoulder-length brown hair was tied back with a thin ribbon...
Her right eye was clouded over, marred by the scar that ran across her face.
(End chapter three.
Remember how I said at the beginning that I would make this a three-chapter story?
I lied. I'm sorry. Only not really.
So, Zelda and Ike are still pissed at each other, and now Visitor's Week is brought into the picture. Hmm, I wonder how this is going to turn out...
Please review!)