A/N: Hehe... Sorry for the long wait... Um... I don't really have much to say, except summer's here and my birthday's in a couple weeks. Other than that, here's the next chappie. Enjoy!

"Excuse the mess, I didn't see you from behind.

I caught a glimpse, but the reflection's only mine.

It's almost like I'm paralyzed and locked outside myself.

What I don't need is to concede because I won't be someone else.

I am not perfect and I don't claim to be,

And if that's what you wanted,

Well, then, I'm so sorry..." -A Better Version, Shinedown

Brother Squadron: Chapter 10: A Proposition

"Luigi... Wake up, kid..."

Luigi gave out an involuntary groan.

"Come on, kid, your bro's up already." Link's voice, strangely lethargic and sloppy, echoed in Luigi's tired mind. He groaned once more as he began to awaken, sliding up to his elbows and heaving up his gaze to Link. His hair was a mess, golden blonde mixing with violet, and his hooded eyes were supported by dark purple rings from a sleepless night. The elf gave a numb grunt and turned away to bundle up the blankets on the hammock. Luigi watched him and moved to his feet cautiously. Link's appearance made him a little nervous, but he felt brave.

"Link..." The Hylian turned to give him that hollow gaze. "No offense, but... you look like shit."

Link continued to stare at him, then his face lifted slightly in a feeble chuckle. "Yeah, feel like it too. Couldn't sleep last night. Had a... bad dream." He turned away hastily to hide his face from Luigi, and that was the end of that discussion. "Food's ready. You better go get some 'fore it runs out."

"What about you?"

"I ate already. Get moving."

Luigi eyed him thoughtfully, then finally approached the exit and left Link to himself. He was bundling up the blankets, but doing a very sloppy job as his thoughts distracted him, not to mention his fatigue. He paused as he stared at the mess of cloth, then leaned over and buried his face within them in frustration. All these responsibilities, all these frustrations, all this sorrow was slowly killing him altogether. He felt like telling someone, expressing his agony, but there were his problems, and he had no right to impose them on anyone else. They were his responsibility, just like...

Suddenly, a gun was cocked, and Link felt the cold barrel of a revolver point at his neck, and a dark and composed voice spoke, "Don't move, point-ears. Don't even try."

This was the second time he had been caught off guard. Damn. Must be getting rusty.

Luigi gazed around the cavern which had become much more lively as more Nintendians had awakened. The smell of bacon and smoke poured out of Yoshi and Kirby's caravan, and Nintendians entered and came back out with food. Encouraged and hungry, Luigi retrieved his meal and found his brother and Fox settled by the cave's entrance. Their meal began in silence, then to no one's surprise, Luigi spoke up first.

"Hey, haven't you noticed that Link's a bit... off this morning?"

"He just didn't get enough sleep, that's all," Mario replied, chewing his undercooked bacon like taffy. "Fox'll be driving today to make sure Link gets some shut-eye."

"Hmm," Luigi grunted, poking his flat egg with his fork. "Said he had a bad dream..."

"Nothing new about that..." Fox stated bluntly, catching both the brothers' attention. "He gets nightmares a lot, so it's no surprise..." He looked out towards their caravan. "But I think the dreams may be getting worse, 'cause he's looking more and more like crap each time..."

Luigi brought up his gaze in realization. "You don't think he's...?"

"Nah," Mario shook his head in disagreement. "Link's tough. He's not the kind of person who'd let a few nightmares get to him."

"Still... It's so... weird to see him like that..."

"Get used to it, 'cause his nightmares are getting more and more frequent now," Fox replied, a tinge of regret in his silky voice, and he went back to his food, ending the discussion.

Mario soon set his plate aside, ending his meal with a soft burp, sighing in satisfaction. With no food or conversation to distract him, he gazed around the cavern until his sharp eyes caught something suspicious. A great shadow crept out of the back of Yoshi's caravan, heaving a crate that must've contained rations as he sneaked towards the cave entrance.

"Guys, look!" Mario exclaimed in a hushed voice, pointing towards the figure. Both Fox and Luigi saw him clearly trying to escape with his ill-gotten goods.

"Bandits," Fox snarled in contempt, facing the Squadron. "Code 22, repeat. Code 22!" The Nintendians scrambled around for weapons, and the vulpine turned back to the confused Mario Brothers. "Mario, get your sniper and find a hidden scoping location." Mario nodded and ran to fetch his weapon. "Luigi, get your rifle and stick close to the group. We're intercepting this guy before he gets away."

Luigi nodded and followed his brother towards the lead caravan. Before he could even so much as enter it, however, Mario swiftly came back out with both his sniper rifle and Luigi's gun in hand. There was a somber look on his face, and Luigi knew something was wrong.

"Mario! What is it?"

"It's Link."

"What about him?"

"He's gone. I didn't find him inside."

"..."

Mario shook himself back into his composure, handing his brother his rifle. "Get up there with the group. I gotta feeling that bandit's got something to do with it."

Luigi took it and nodded, catching up with the rest of the group as they formed a straight line, facing the cave entrance. Fox stood in the middle, hefting his rifle and intently watching the fleeing figure.

Finally, he waved his arm in a boisterous wave, ordering, "Charge! Block all his exits!"

The Squadron charged, united in attack. The thief noticed at last, but a moment too late. The Nintendians surrounded him in a tight circle, the points of their weapons enclosing him in a tight barrier with no escape. He looked not human, but like a large reptile, a turtle spawned from Hell. Spikes peppered his shell, sharp as ice crystals. He wore no cloth, but plenty of spiked collars around his wrists, ankles, and neck, accompanied by dog tags. A mess of what used to be a red Mohawk was flanked by sharp horns. His jagged teeth barred and his ember eyes burned in contempt at being caught so easily off-guard. The crate containing the goods was held tightly in his claws, and he looked unwilling to give it up easily.

Fox cocked his gun as a warning, then spoke. "Drop the crate. Now."

Those fiery eyes narrowed into silts. "Go on and make me, fuzzhead," he snarled in a deep voice that fit the exterior well.

In response, the Squadron all clicked in unison and pointed their various weapons at ready. Desperation and calculation scuttled across his eyes, knowing that escape was futile. Luigi lowered his guard slightly, taking a close look at this vile creature. He looked awfully familiar, but the youth couldn't quite remember from where...

"Don't you motherfuckers dare shoot!" another dark and gruff voice shouted, causing all to turn away from the circle and towards the desert. There stood a man too tall and bulking to be human, yet too scarred to be a Wire Frame. He had a dark tone of skin, with crimson hair to match the dark eyes. He wore the expected black and dog tags, with his trench coat flapping in the desert winds and brushing the lifeless ground. His sinewy figure and Magnum strapped to his sack gave off a fair warning. At that point, he had an agitated Link at his feet, jamming a revolver further into his neck.

The Nintendians lowered their guard after seeing the danger their leader was in. The massive reptile sought his chance and broke through the circle, moving to the man's side with the crate. The circle broke into a crowd, all facing the dangerous strangers as the morning sun crept into the sky overhead.

Fox looked at Link uncertainly, as they had never encountered a circumstance like this before. The elf kept a stern, fearless look on his face as he nodded in assurance. In a difficult decision, Fox raised his rifle once more and regarded this man with scorn. "Let him go, or I'll be forced to shoot."

The man gave him a sick grin. "You go ahead and try. I'll be more than willing to blow your leader's face off!"

Despite his current position, Link grinned smugly. "So, Ganondorf, this is what you've been reduced to? Looting any group or settlement that crosses your path?"

Ganondorf snarled and shoved the gun in more. "You shut up!"

"Link, you know this guy?" Fox asked, astonished.

"Yep. We go way back to Hyrule." He smirked up at him. "And by the way, I must thank you for leaving all that meat for us at Krakow."

"Hey, you shut your damn mouth!" Ganondorf was growing angry. "We didn't have time to raid the slaughterhouse, alright?" The sick grin returned. "Which brings us to here and now."

Fox sighed in frustration, lowering his rifle. "What do you want?"

"All your rations!"

"Impossible! We need to eat too, y'know!"

"And what makes you think I gave a rat's ass about you freaks?" Ganondorf retorted hotly.

Fox was growing angry himself, then he finally regained his calmness once he realized something. "Alright, you know what?" He threw down his rifle. "Go on, run away with what you've got. I won't stop you."

The Nintendians behind him were utterly confused. Link gave him a look that suggested that Fox was insane. Ganondorf and his companion exchanged glances, slowly beginning to move back, the reptile still holding the crate like a treasure chest and Ganondorf still holding Link at bay.

"But our sniper will."

The two paused, slowly turning back, growing hesitant and nervous. The Nintendians slowly got the idea, more confident in the circumstance now.

"That's right, we've got a concealed sniper with you in his scope, and he has direct orders to gun you down if you try to run," Fox explained coolly.

Ganondorf stared him down, trying to keep his composure. "You're bluffing."

"You wanna bet?" Fox grinned as he remembered who he got that from. He whispered to Kirby, who brought out an empty can of beans and handed it to him. Fox tossed the hollow can idly about in his hand, then allowed it to rest upon his flat palm. He then spoke into the open air.

"Sniper, shoot the can."

There was a clank, and the can bounded off the palm of his hand. Fox withdrew his fingers and let the can plummet to the earth. It bounced a few times before it rested upon its smashed middle.

The two stared at the can, bewildered. Realizing the danger they were in, Ganondorf spoke up at last. "Alright... We'll give back the food and... discuss things civilly... if the sniper comes out of hiding."

Fox glanced down at Link, who nodded as subtly as possible.

"Alright, then. Put down the crate."

"Bring out the sniper first."

Fox sighed. "Fine. Sniper, come out."

The crunching of boots in the sand was the only thing that pierced through the silence besides the desert breezes. The strangers looked up as the figure stepped out of the cavern, and the reptile gaped, dropping the crate in shock.

"Oh my god..." he breathed. "I don't believe it..."

"You'd better believe it, Bowser," Mario replied. There was a sulking look on his face, as if he wasn't thrilled by this reunion.

"Damn..." Bowser was in total shock as Mario walked up to him. Though Bowser was bigger, he was hunched over by the shell, and the two met at eye level. He looked the sniper up and down, then continued. "...When the heck did you learn how to use a gun?"

"When it was necessary," Mario answered in a heavy voice. Luigi looked between the two, not knowing what to think. He had forgotten Bowser's face over the years, and seeing his face alone and that agitated look on Mario's face brought back memories. Unpleasant memories.

Bowser got over his shock and grinned smugly. "Well, you've grown unpleasant over the years."

"Shut the fuck up."

"Ooh, dropped the F-bomb! That's new!"

Mario was not in the least bit amused. "I'm serious."

"What, what're you gonna do? Shoot me with that?" He laughed as he pointed at the sniper strapped to his hip. "That's thing's useless at close range! So, what're you gonna...!"

In a split second, Mario reached into another hoister and brought out a pistol, spinning in his hand. It halted with a click, and the loaded gun was pointed straight at Bowser's face.

"I swear to God, I will polka-dot your stupid face if you try anything!" he snarled, pointing at Ganondorf as well. "You too, freak!"

Mario looked as if he was dead serious, so Bowser wisely backed off, nervously pushing the crate in front of him as if giving an offering to a merciless god.

Fox rolled his eyes. "Well, this is just one delightful reunion after another..." he muttered.

"Now, as I was saying before..." Ganondorf continued. "We want all of your rations, down to the last smoldering piece of fat!"

"If you get any at all, you aren't getting all of it!" Fox shouted, highly irritated by the atrocious demands.

"Y'know, Ganondorf..." Link spoke up, gaining the man's attention. "If you let me go, I may be able to make you a proposition."

Ganondorf was hesitant, reluctant to strike up a deal with his obnoxious archrival.

"It'll be in your best interest. Trust me."

Ganondorf's upper lip twitched in irritation, then he withdrew the gun and pushed Link away in scorn. The elf stood, brushing his pant leg indifferently, then stood as tall and strong as he could, even though Ganondorf was much taller.

"Alright," Link spoke calm and composed like usual, which was comforting to his Squadron. "Now, instead of you stealing our meat, I can make you two new recruits in the Brother Squadron."

"What?" Fox exclaimed in the loudest whisper he could manage. "Are you insane? They threatened to kill you!"

"Quiet!" Link snapped, then turned back at Ganondorf. "You can join our entourage, or you can crawl back to whatever outlook you call home."

Ganondorf glared spitefully. "What's in it for us?"

"Food. Shelter. Protection. Companionship."

"I could do without the Companionship," Ganondorf growled, then sighed. "...But I guess it's better than looting for a living."

"So, it's a deal?" Link brought out his gloved hand to seal the agreement. Ganondorf stared at the hand as if it was a rattlesnake coiled and ready to strike. He looked to Bowser, who shrugged, a silent gesture meaning "You're the boss."

Ganondorf let out a guttural sigh, then reached out with his own hand to grasp the elf's. But before he could grab it, Link quickly withdrew it.

""Don't shake... unless you know for sure," he spoke heavily, eyeing Ganondorf levelly. "Know that I'll be in charge of you from here on out. You'll do nothing unless I give you the orders to do so."

Silence filled the air as Ganondorf thought carefully of his next decision. The rest of the Nintendians waited, the tension building up with the thoughts of former bandits joining the Squadron. Mario glared icily at Bowser, incensed by the thought of the filthy Koopa becoming his fellow Squad-mate. Luigi was also a little tense, but decided that Link must've known what he was doing if he was giving such a generous offer to these rouges.

Finally, Ganondorf, with immense reluctance, gripped Link's hand and slowly shook it, resisting the temptation of crushing those bony fingers. The proposition was sealed.

Link grinned, shaking with a bit more enthusiasm. "Alright, then. Welcome to the Brother Squadron."

Ganondorf's glare worsened. "I still hate your guts."

"Nobody said you had to like me." Link quickly turned back towards the cavern. "Let's go! We're heading out!" he ordered, and the Nintendians all quickly branched off, still perplexed by the events that had just transpired.

Fox caught up with Link to speak with him and fully express his doubts. "Link, are you sure about this?"

"No," he answered bluntly, giving Fox his trademark sly smirk. "But then again, is anything certain?"

"I'm pretty certain you're going crazy."

"Ha, ha." Link wasn't amused. "Come on, Fox, there's enough doubt out there already. All you've got to trust are your instincts."

Indeed, Fox would've usually agreed... "I really don't know about this..."

"Hey, come on, you know our rule. Nintendians..."

"...gotta stick together," Fox finished, sighing. Trying to waiver Link from one of his decisions was like trying to break through reinforced concrete. "... You sure about this?"

"Sure as the fur on your face."

"Would your decision be any different if you didn't know him before now?"

"..." Link calculated his response carefully, then looked straight into the vulpine's emerald eyes and answered absolutely honestly. "No."

Fox finally gave in, shoulders slumping. The two looked out into the unappealing wastelands as the two new recruits trudged towards the cavern. "So, which caravan are they staying in?"

"Ours," Link instantly responded, gaining a look of surprise from Fox. "I still don't trust them one bit," the elf added before resuming his walk into the cavern.

Fox quietly watched him take leave, then breathed out in exasperation before following.

"It's an amalgamation of the things

You aren't, the ways you wish you were,

A split second perceiving of the way

You really look to everyone of them.

I wish that you could get a glimpse,

I wish that you could see because

The look on your face was priceless!" -Priceless, Incubus

A/N: URGH! I hate typing up long chapters! T.T; And now I have MORE projects to do! NO! (bangs head up against a wall) I... hate... History... Projects! Ouch... I may have lost a few brain cells. Great. Well, there's another character debut for you. Two, actually. Next chappie will be another one. Yay. Review, please.