Eventually, everyone had gathered in the dining room thing. Peach was at the head of the table, looking at the congregation of smashers. She gave a thumbs up to Bowser, who burped loudly. Everyone stared in their direction, and Peach smiled winningly at them. A large screen lowered behind her. On it appeared a photograph of Brinstar Depths.
"Home, sweet home," Samus whispered.
"As you all know," Peach began. "This is Brinstar Depths. I would like to once more go over the.situations of the tournament. Now, you see this battlefield?" She pressed a button on a controller she was holding, and the photo zoomed out, revealing a large circular force-field like thing. "This is a forcefield! When you are inside it, no. erm, fatal injuries will come to you. In fact, you won't be able to get bruises or die. Only bleeding and broken bones! Now, ain't that just great, y'all?" The smashers applauded approvingly (except Ganon, who was frowning slightly). "And just one more thing.after the game is one, the force field tightens and you are not able to wa-fall off the edge."
"Heeeyyyyy," Captain Falcon said slowly. "Samus didn't jump off the poop deck to commit suicide. She's sitting right over there, across from Zelda!"
"NNNOOOO, YA THINK?!" Samus said in a mocking dumb tone. Zelda laughed. Then, the eating and conversing began.
"So Link," Zelda said to the elf next to her. "How'd the pool game go? You did play a game, didn't you?"
Link smiled. "The way you know everything.Actually, to be quite honest, I won. Though I must admit, it was a tough game."
"Really? Oh, good for you!" Her smile faded somewhat when Marth began trying to engage her in conversation (he was sitting on her other side).
"Oh, cue sticks are nothing Princess," the Altean prince said.
"Please, try to be a little more formal," she said as kindly as possible. "I mean especially you-you're royalty as well."
"All right then," Marth said grinning. "Anyway, you know what they say: the sword is mightier than the.cue stick."
"Forgive me," said Link, cutting in. "I've never heard that one before." Once more, Zelda was forced to transform her laughter into a hacking cough. "Although don't get me wrong, Marth. I'm not so bad with a sword myself."
Marth stood up. "Ready to check on that?" he said, with a hint of anger.
"Oh, Marth," Zelda sighed with exasperation. "You'll have your chance soon enough, when the tournament begins. And besides, that way no one gets hurt too seriously."
"I hope you're not worrying about me, Zelda," he said. "I've yet to lose a battle to anyone. I'm undefeated!"
Link snorted. "If Jigglypuff had managed to lull you to sleep, you'd have lost that last match, and gone snoring off into the lava. I guess I gave you that last touch of adrenaline by shouting, 'Geez, Marth! Your reputation is at stake!"
At that, Zelda fell off her chair laughing. Link laughed too, and offered her a hand to help her back up. He sniggered when she sat straight, trying to look dignified. It was very clear to him that she was mocking Marth and Roy's manner.
Peach's eyes were focused on Zelda and Link. She wished that she was down there with them, and not at the head of the table. It was so miserable, watching Zelda enjoying herself so much, when Peach longed to do the same. It was dreadful sitting between Bowser and Gannondorf, who seemed to be obsessed with talking about kidnapping princesses. She sighed, and looked over at Link's back pleadingly.
Zelda, who had still been talking to Link at this point, saw Peach's misery. She excused herself and walked up to her fellow princess. Summer was skipping along behind her. Peach forced a smile.
"Hey, Peach," Zelda said. "Wanna have a game of shuffleboard? I couldn't help but notice you sitting here so alone and sad looking." She smiled brilliantly, and Peach couldn't help but smile back.
"Oh, all right," she said. "Does Summer want to come too?"
"Yes," Summer answered. "I don't really play shuffleboard, but I'll just, uh." She looked over at Zelda, who was giving her a let-us-have-some- time-alone face. "I'll stay here. After all, dinner's not over yet." Peach nodded, and the two of them walked outside.
"Where are Zel and Peach going?" Link and Marth asked Summer. They glared at each other.
"To play a game of shuffleboard," she answered. "But I think they wanted to talk or something, 'cause Zel warned me not to follow her."
Meanwhile, Peach was starting the game of shuffleboard. After scoring, she turned to the Hylian princess.
"All right Zellie," she said. "Tell me. "What's the real reason that we're out here? You wanted to talk about something that's bugging you, don't you?"
Zelda chewed her tongue, trying to find the right words. "Well."
"Is it about Marth?"
"Yeess.." Zelda drawled. "He's not leaving me alone! It is getting so annoying! I'm just trying to talk with Link and Summer, and he barges into the conversation! And Roy too, he's not helping. I have this nagging feeling that the two of them are up to something."
"No, they're not!" Peach defended. "They just.Ahg, you know! They like you! You know it too, you just don't want to admit it!"
"Oh.erg! Fine, I admit it! But I wouldn't mind so much if I was trying to be nice and courteous to them! AND I'M NOT!" Zelda shoved her puck angrily across the board, scoring fifteen points.
"Then.does that mean you have 'feelings' for someone else?" Peach asked innocently. Although Peach could be a great friend, sometimes she could really start prying. Zelda realized that the Mushroom Princess was trying to get something out of her, and she wasn't about to let it happen.
"Peach, what you say has absolutely nothing to do with my affairs, and will not change my opinion whatsoever! So please, stop prying!"
"I wasn't trying to pry!" Peach scoffed. "Besides, YOU are the one who asked me to come out here, so don't get all mad at me!" Zelda sighed.
"You're right Peach, I'm sorry. I think I've a little too much excitement today. Too many people jumping into my arms.little people." She brushed away a loose strand of hair. "I'm really sorry, Peach. I think I've got to go to bed and get some rest."
Peach rested her arm on her friend's shoulder. "All right dearie, it's okay. I don't blame you. No doubt you're tired. I'll see you in the morning."
"Good-night, Peachie."
"Good-night." Peach stared after Zelda. Funny how she turned the tables on me when I was trying to find out what her big deal is.she thought to herself.
Walking back to the dining room, Peach bumped into Link. "Oh, hi Link," she said. He smiled.
"Hi Peach. That shuffleboard game was awful short. Where's Zel, did you beat her so quickly she's gone to hide her face in shame?"
"Not just that," Peach answered. "She jumped off the poop deck and committed suicide." They both laughed. "But really, the poor dear was feeling a bit tired, and went off to bed. AND I suggest that you don't go wandering around to her room." As they started returning to the table, Gannondorf got up.
"Going somewhere, Ganon?" Link asked.
"As a matter of fact, yes," he answered. "I happen to be a quick eater, and was going to retire or something of that sort. I'll see you later." He swiftly left the dining room.
"So-a Peachie," Mario said. "How is-a Zelda at-a playing shuffle-a board?"
"Oh, she's all right I guess," the princess answered. "Probably not her strength, but she's a fair player. I mean, I don't really think she could beat Luigi."
"Ooh, that was-a some insult to-a Zelda, Peachie!" Mario shouted.
"Hey! That's-a no funny!" Luigi retorted with annoyance. "I just-a happen to-a be a beginner!"
Link and Peach laughed.
"My my, what an adorable couple," Mewtwo whispered to Jigglypuff.
"Jigg, Jiggly-puff puff?" she asked.
"Yes, Link and Peach! What did you think I meant, Nana and Bowser?!" He rolled his eyes. Suddenly, Jigglypuff's pink puffy face got angry. "Don't start having your fanciful daydreams about revenge," the psychic cat said, annoyed.
"PUFF PUFF JIGGGLLLYYY!!" the poofy pink puffball exploded. Everyone in the room stared at her. Pikachu smacked her.
"Pika-pi!" the rodent scolded. Everyone turned to Mewtwo.
"She said 'I don't like this broccoli,' and he said 'I made it,'" the cat lied. Pikachu and Jigglypuff glared at him. "Now they're asking me to join their sides. But, I decide to remain neutral. However," he said turning to them, and speaking like they were small children. "You're free to ask everyone else what they think of the broccoli." The two pokemon looked down at the table, fuming their revenge at him. He smirked, and everyone resumed eating.
Suddenly, a high-pitched scream erupted from outside the room!!! DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN!!
"What was that?" Peach screamed. Marth looked around the room.
"It must have been-"
"Zelda!" Link finished for him. "She's the only one outside this room! Well I mean, besides Ga-GANNONDORF!! OH NO!! SHE'S UNPROTECTED!!! WHO KNOWS WHAT HE COULD BE DOING TO HER?!?"