"It's been a while since I've participated in a Squad Strike! How exciting!" beamed Peach.

"Yup, it's us versus the guys today," I said, calibrating my arm cannon.

"Speaking of the guys…" said Palutena, motioning to them. "Hey guys!"

Marth, Joker and Cloud met up with us; we were all raring to go. I could hardly wait for our match. Just then, King K. Rool was stomping down the hall, looking as haughty as always, when he bumped straight into Sheik, knocking her to the floor.

"Hey, runt! Watch where yer goin'!" he said with a snarl.

I quickly went to help her up, then turned my attention to him. "Apologize."

He laughed, smacking his rotund stomach. "And why should I listen ta ya?"

This time I took off my helmet, anger clear in my voice. "I said apologize!"

Meanwhile, everyone else was silently looking on. Fights outside the battlefield were strictly forbidden. If Master Hand found out about them, smashers could get disqualified.

But at that moment, I didn't care.

"Samus, please don't…" Sheik tried to dissuade me.

King K. Rool grinned at me. "Ain't that cute! Tryin' ta look tough in fron' of yer little girlfriend!"

There was nothing I could do to stop the blush from appearing on my face…

"Yer as red as a Maxim Tomato!" he continued. "Soft like one, too! About as soft as yer girl underneath my foot!"

…But wiping that sneer off his was just too easy. Without another word I left the hall, fist still clenched.