Author's Note:

Did anyone else hear about the Smash Ballot? Who did you vote for? Any ideas who I voted for? :)

In other news, it's time for chapter two!

I've been working alot lately, but I did manage to play quite a few games lately and did find myself with lots of ideas for new stories in the future! For now, though, it's time to get back to our favorite Smash Brothers in this series!

Warnings: awwww you know me by now!

'Taking it to the Man'

Ike almost skipped into Samus' meeting room, now dubbed the 'Veteran's Room', looking around curiously. He stopped and began to laugh when he noticed Pit sprawled out on one couch while Fox sat reading a book on another.

"What're you guys doing? The matches are about to start!" he said, placing his hands on his hips as he stared at them.

"Unnnhhhhh...so bored..." Pit whined as he stared up at the ceiling. He suddenly lifted his head and smiled. "Hey bro!"

Ike chuckled. "Good morning Pit. I assume you've been up for quite a while."

Pit grumbled as he rolled off the couch and stood up, straightening out his clothes. "Yah well, Lady Palutena sort of got ahead of herself last night and kept me up working on strategies. Once 4 a.m. hit I figured I'd just stay up the rest of the night. I did end up eventually taking a nap but I just woke up again an hour later. Can't say I didn't try though."

"Well now she's on the battlefield with you, her views have changed as far as you fighting solo and doing your own thing." Ike said. Fox laughed.

"Aw, Palutena's baby angel isn't quite grown up yet!" he joked. Pit scowled.

"Shut up, Fox!" Pit growled. He pretended to roll up invisible sleeves. "Don't make me do my 'General Pepper' impersonation!"

Fox continued to laugh, but put his hands up in defense as well. "Okay, okay!"

"Well, have you guys eaten yet?" Ike asked.

Pit grinned wide. "Sure have! But I could always use some more!"

Fox grabbed a pillow next to him and chucked at at Pit. "You can't quit eating, can you?"

Pit immediately turned around, grabbing the pillow up off the floor after it had hit him. Ike jumped between them.

"Alright guys, you know better than to throw hits in this place off the stages!" Ike reminded as he tried not to laugh.

"Yah because if you provoke a Smasher you better believe they're gonna retaliate!" Pit shouted as he tried to get over Ike's arms that blocked his way to Fox.

"Why don't we head down to the cafeteria and socialize before the brawling begins?" Ike suggested. Pit stopped struggling and the two agreed to Ike's offer. Pit did offer one last glance at Fox, he returning it. "Would you guys knock it off?"

"Sorry Ike."

The three came down the 'Veteran's Quarter' stairs, meeting a few newcomers as they came down a flight opposite them where the newcomers slept.

Pit and Ike smiled as they noted all the new Smashers and Assists. They knew this year was going to be a good one. Fox meanwhile began to reminisce about the first time he'd ever come to this place. How quiet and homey this place had felt with only a handful of Smashers. They had become quite close to one another, all spending each night huddled up and conversing about their home worlds and getting to know each other.

"You know, I'm pretty jealous of that badge you have Fox."

Fox snapped out of his thoughts, turning his head to see Pit staring at him as Ike waved at a few other Smashers walking by.

"Oh, this old thing?" Fox asked as he grabbed the golden star badge on his shoulder.

Pit nodded. "It's pretty cool. All the extra privileges you guys get is pretty neat too. I mean, I'm no newcomer anymore but, I missed two terms!"

"Hey, I've missed two as well Pit." Ike joined in. Pit grinned.

"Yah, at least I'm not alone. Sam, Link and Mario are all 4 out of 4 and Falco, Princess Zelda, and Prince Marth are 3 to 4. I'm still pretty jealous!"

Fox rolled his eyes but smiled as well. "Let's just get to the cafeteria okay? I actually haven't eaten unlike you and would like a nice meal before the first match of the day."

Pit chuckled. "Oh, I can't wait!"

They entered the cafeteria and were amazed by the turn-out. Assists were gathering on one side of the huge table whilst Smashers piled up on the other. The sea of faces was almost dizzying. Laughter and voices carried all over the room as looks were exchanged and conversation was held. Some smacked their legs with their hands as they reacted to a joke, others shoveled down food and demanded a race with another. It could only be described as 'organized chaos'. When the three found their allies from the day before, they waved and headed over.

"Hey! Ready for the first matches of the year? I'm super stoked!" Pit cheered, jumping up and down like a child on his birthday. Ike slid in between Samus and Mario as Pit stood between Fox and Link.

"You act as though this is your first time on the stage." Marth said before popping a piece of toast into his mouth. Pit shook his head.

"Whatever, fancy pants!"

Ike closed his eyes as he tried to contain his laughter. Marth rolled his eyes, glancing at Samus.

"He does remind me of someone else we know." Samus chuckled. No one elaborated, though, knowing who she was referring to though choosing not to dwell on it. Ike didn't respond to it, letting it go. He wouldn't let it bum him out at the start of a fresh year.

"So, who do you guys hope you're up against?" Pit asked eagerly. The group looked at each other, not sure what he was talking about.

"Don't you mean who do we think we're fighting?" Zelda asked.

Fox shook his head as he prepared to take a bite of his food. "No, he's been on and on about possibly going up against Link in the battles."

Ike raised an eyebrow as he looked at Pit. Falco began to laugh. "What the hell you wanna fight Link for anyway?"

Now everyone's attention turned to Link and Pit. Pit was smiling so wide his cheeks hurt. He placed his hands 'triumphantly' on his hips as he proclaimed, "He's my rival! We both use bows and both of us answer to Goddesses that we worship...the list goes on and on! We're both pretty similar!"

"We made an agreement yesterday after everyone got settled in that we'd try to outdo one another for fun. This year Pit's my rival." Link explained, smiling good-naturedly at his friend-and-foe.

"Oh, that does sound kind of fun. I'll have to think about it." Zelda answered. She turned her gaze to Marth sitting across from her. "Perhaps the prince would like to indulge me in this?"

Marth smiled as he bowed his head in mock formality. "I'd be honored. 'Til the end of the term I proclaim that you are my enemy!" he said dramatically, raising a fork into the air. The group of friends began to laugh.

"Well, my rival is easy. I'm fighting with Falco." Fox chuckled. Falco pretended to crack imaginary knuckles.

Ike looked to his left. "Hey Sam, wanna be enemies?"

Samus shook her head at their ridiculousness. "Sure, why not? Don't want to end up a third wheel."

"Who do you pick Mario?" Pit asked excitedly, turning his excited attention to the last of the group. He bounced up and down, fist pumping. "Ooh if I wasn't rivals with Link already I'd totally be yours!"

Mario shrugged, smiling at the angel. "Well-a I might already a-have someone in-a mind."

"Oh? Who'd that be?" asked Ike, turning his attention from the overly cheerful Pit to Mario.

"Mega man." Mario answered easily, looking to another section of the table. "We have-a already talked a little. It might-a happen."

Pit began to jump up and down again. "Oh, Mega Man versus Mario, that's gonna be so AWESOME!"

"Calm down Pit, you're gonna get dizzy and pass out before the match even begins!" Ike said. "Besides, he didn't say it was set in stone yet."

"That's right, he only said he was considering it." Marth said, watching amusedly as Pit sunk down into a chair in front of him.

"Man, don't get my hopes up!" Pit sulked.

The group only laughed as Pit pretended to be disappointed.

"I have to wonder if Master Hand did something similar to what I did to get the Hero King and us in the same place." Lucina wondered aloud. She glanced behind her at her, currently, only ally. When Robin said nothing, she continued. "Do you think he's an Einherjar?"

"No."

Lucina paused again, now turning to face Robin fully. He was seated at a nearby table, hunched over the top as if trying to hide something. She sighed, walking over to him.

"Are you sure?"

Robin nodded. "He was...the real thing."

Lucina crossed her arms, still not completely convinced. Then, she did it again. That thing where she questioned Robin's logic. "How can you be sure?"

Robin shrugged, finally leaning back in his chair as he stared ahead. "I can't. I just have a feeling."

Lucina scoffed, but kept her words in her mouth. The times when she would question Robin's words were few and far between. While neither knew all of what was happening in this world, Lucina did know that Robin would figure it out. He always did.

Robin suddenly stood up, straightening out his robes and stretching. Turning suddenly and flashing a smile he said, "Ready to head down to the stages?"

Lucina wanted to keep brain storming, but decided against it. Robin was right, as usual, even if he hadn't blatantly pointed anything out. It was time to head out to the arena.

Instead, she choose to distract herself from her own questions by joking around. She tugged Robin's sleeve, earning a growl from him. "I keep forgetting that's Plegian fashion sense and not Ylissean."

Robin frowned deeply as Lucina began to laugh. "Don't make me fling an Elfire spell at you." He grinned then, as a thought came to him. "And besides, humor doesn't flatter you at all. You're normally not the wisecracking sort." he joked back.

He ducked and ran, laughing as he did so, as Lucina attempted to slap his shoulder. "Ha ha! very funny tactician! You know you aren't usually so comedic yourself!"

They kept laughing the rest of the way down to the stages.

"Hey!"

Ike looked over his shoulder and grinned. "You went back for seconds? Or wait...doesn't that make it thirds now?" Ike asked as he turned to address Mario next to him.

Pit came down the rows to sit next to Ike, a pout on his face. "...wise guy..." he grumbled. He lifted a small package in one hand and handed it to Ike. "No dummy, it's a snack and I brought it for everyone."

Ike scoffed, taking the 'snack' and handing it to Mario to divide up. "You're like the trash compacter back in the kitchen. You just gobble everything up, don't you?"

Again, Pit grumbled under his breath a few insults. He bit into an apple and glared at his indigo haired friend.

"Well at least it looks good. Thanks Pit." Zelda said happily as she took a piece of cake from Mario. She split her piece in half and handed it to Samus next to her.

Pit continued to chew, never averting his angry gaze from Ike. "You're welcome, your majesty." he said in the most sincere voice he could.

"Well, someone definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morn- ouch!" Ike said before grabbing the top of his head in surprise.

Now it was his turn to glare as Marth walked around him to his own seat, an apologetic Link following.

"Sorry, Marth's rather grouchy today." Link said in Marth's place as his prince turned his head and smiled at him.

"I don't know about that. Perhaps I was and now I am no longer. Thanks Ike, you're a great stress relief." Marth chuckled as Pit gave him a cheerful high five. Ike shook his head, still rubbing the back of it with his hand.

"Yeah sure. Anytime you feel like punching something...you know...I'm here." he mumbled.

Zelda made a 'tsk' sound as she wagged her index finger at him. "Now, now Ike! Let's not be overdramatic! That was more like a friendly ribbing than a punch!" she giggled.

Ike snorted as he turned to look at her. "I thought you were gonna be Marth's rival this season! What're you sticking up for him for?"

Zelda continued to giggle. "Well that's an easy one! The matches haven't started just yet!"

As the whole group of friends laughed at the friendly banter, Marth looked up the stadium style seats. His eyes narrowed slightly at the frantic look on the other smasher's face before they quickly looked away.

"I've got a feeling I'm being watched." Marth whispered out loud. He glanced to his side; Link was looking in the same direction he had. "And I've got a feeling you've been watching them too."

Link immediately turned his head forward towards the stage, his jaw set. Marth smiled weakly. He'd seen that determined look before too.

"Welcome to the first matches of the day! To all newcomers, I wish you good luck and a bit of advice: expect the unexpected!" came a booming voice over the intercom.

Suddenly bright lights filled the stage before them and immediately smashers were summoned to the stage. Although Marth felt things uneasy concerning Link, he knew better than to press for details. Link had learned his lesson last time and would definitely reveal his worries later. He had faith in him.

But even so, as the first match of the season went underway...Marth couldn't help but wonder just why that blue haired woman had been staring after him.

The entire match he'd been feeling conflicted. For no apparent reason, it seemed, he was on edge. He felt worried and distressed but couldn't quite place it. It seemed as though something was going to happen, but nothing did.

'Why am I feeling like this? It's almost like...like my mind is playing tricks on me...'

He paused as the air seemed to shift slightly. It felt like...like he wasn't alone.

He cursed his knack for trouble. He'd gone for a walk alone after the day's matches had gone into an intermission, wanting to nurse his worries and think for a moment. Instead, he found himself in a sort of trap.

His senses were very accurate. Tuned to near perfection. If anyone could tell something was wrong, a sight unseen or a sound not heard, it would be Link.

His ears were now picking up a sound not too far from himself. He blinked slowly, concentrating on the shift in the air. His hands twitched and his adam's apple bobbed down and up as he swallowed.

'creak'

Immediately he turned on his heel, a glare in his eye as his whole body went rigid. He looked ready for a violent fight.

"Of all the lowly tricks you could play, you choose to try sneaking up on me when you feel I'm down and out." Link growled threateningly.

White hands raised themselves in defense as a figure behind the shadows began making its way forward. "Link, Link, relax-"

"But you're not going to capture me off guard villain. I have you always in my sights, there is not a time of which I am not aware of your disgusting presence." Link snapped, cutting off the other. He had a nasty expression on his face, one that made the 'villain' chuckle.

Finally the light found it's way to Link's companion's face. It was Ghirahim.

"Do be careful with that face. It'll stick like that." he teased, placing his hands on his hips as a smug look appeared on his own face. Link barely flinched.

"Good. A permanent sneer might help me to ward off vile insects like yourself in the future."

Ghirahim stepped back, feigning offense. "Please, contain yourself servant of the Goddesses! Your anger delights me!"

He began to laugh as another walked out from behind the shadows, stopping next to Ghirahim. He lifted his face so that his chin stood out mockingly.

"Pathetic scum. You might consider us the insects but I wonder...what makes you think you're any better than the likes of us?"

Link scoffed. "I know the proper side to serve for starters. But to be honest, for the mighty Ganondorf to ask me such a difficult question is surprising." Link mocked back. His gaze became even darker if it was possible at that point. Ganondorf let out a bark of laughter, echoing through the halls.

"Careful. I was never...good for following the rules. You're alone." Ganondorf grinned as he stepped forward, standing directly in front of Link and looking down his nose at him. "And bravery does not equal intelligence."

Link's jaw flexed as he continued to stare back into Ganondorf's cold amber eyes. He was unaffected due to his overwhelming frustration, causing him to act rather odd and out of character. He stood his ground, almost as if he was trying to provoke an attack from the two.

"I'd listen to him. 'Wise' up and toss out that useless character flaw you were dumped with." Ghirahim cackled. Link, again, didn't react physically.

"We've got plans for you..." Ganondorf growled suddenly. Without another warning his fist shot out, grabbing Link's tunic. He yanked the blonde up, pulling their faces up close so they were practically breathing each other's air. "And that plan might involve you laying dead on the floor in a pool of your own blood, oh courageous one."

Ganondorf and Ghirahim both began to laugh again as Link struggled to hold himself up to Ganondorf's full height. He barely touched the ground and didn't want to risk tearing his tunic by fighting back. He wasn't afraid anyway!

"You think you can devalue me with your words? Mock my birthright?" Link said. If this fight was about to go down, he was ready. The weapons would be drawn. Blood would be spilled.

He was ready.

"Your birthright? You've got to be kidding. It was a fluke! A glance of pity sent on it's way from the Goddesses themselves! And you! Pitiful rat! You and your dog of a princess choose to willingly worship them!"

Ganondorf lost his hold on Link, almost dropping him, when the blonde suddenly drew his sword and held it up against the other's neck. His aim was precise. His determination was fierce.

"I'll admit, I stood by uselessly as you made me out to be a joke...but I cannot allow dishonorable words to be spoken so freely about the princess or the Golden Goddesses. I worship them because they are my superiors. I work for and serve only them. I pity you for not sharing in that joy." Link said. Ganondorf shook his head, completely in awe. He smiled, but in disbelief.

"You would consider it an honor? Such a sad soul. Perhaps I really should put you out of your misery." Ganondorf threatened, staring down his nose once again at Link. The two continued in their stare-off, neither willing to back down.

"Vile creature! Unhand him at once!"

The three turned their heads at the woman's voice to find Zelda. Her hand was raised, lit up with magic and ready to fire. She was prepared to protect her knight...her friend.

Ganondorf chuckled at the display. "You think you have what it takes to take me down?"

Without warning he dropped Link. The blonde collapsed to the floor, wincing at the impact, before looking up. His eyes widened at the sight in front of him.

A searing pain pulsed through Ganondorf's hand as he held it. He had dropped the Hylian as soon as he had felt it, and now stared down at the one responsible.

"I can. I'm not quite as powerful as you, and that's okay, but..." Marth growled lowly, before leaning in, "I'm extremely fast. You're a big lug, slow and steady. But power is not the only contender here, not the only winner for sure. I can take you out faster than you can blink...especially if you lay hands on those I care about."

Marth lowered his sword which he had drawn to threaten Ganondorf with. He stepped back and sheathed it completely before reaching his hand behind him without turning. Link grabbing the offered hand and stood up, joining Marth in glaring at the two villains.

Ganondorf kept his gaze locked to Marth. His whole being screamed for vengeance...to take down Marth just to get to Link. But slowly, over time, he'd felt himself becoming more and more angered by the sight of the prince.

"Then perhaps we can settle it the 'right' way and see if you'll still come out the winner." he said. He stared him down only a second longer before he turned and stalked off. Ghirahim smirked and followed after him.

The remaining fighters turned as Ike appeared from around the corner. Upon seeing their tense stances and serious faces he raised his hands defensively. "Look, I don't know what just went down but seriously, we need to head back. Marth's being called to the stage."

Marth turned to Link. "Are you alright?"

Link shook his head, his eyes distant. He just didn't feel right today and now the altercation with Ganondorf and Ghirahim had knocked him off his game. From the very beginning he'd known this would happen...just as soon as he'd heard they were both staying here, he'd known. "I'm fine. Go on, you have a match to take care of."

Marth frowned. He wasn't at all convinced that Link would be alright, but again decided to save it for later. Link still hadn't sorted himself out and he definitely didn't feel comfortable talking about this in front of the others.

Instead, he did something he'd rarely done since they'd first met and reached out to ruffle Link's hair. Link chuckled, his serious demeanor breaking as he tried to stop his green cap from falling off his head. "Knock it off!"

Ike rolled his eyes, but smiled. "C'mon guys! We'll be late at this rate!"

./././././././.

The match began without delay.

Everyone was fired up, cheering and hollering as loud as they could. All day the matches had pushed their excitement further and further until everyone was practically coming apart in the stands. Even Ike, Pit, Zelda, Mario, and Samus were trying to show their support by shouting good luck and the like. For Link though, it seemed like hell.

His worrying intensified and he began to feel something familiar creeping up inside him. It was almost like the first time he'd met Marth...the shift in personality and the overwhelming paranoia that was constantly surrounding him. It was so bad that it almost felt like it was crippling him.

He gripped the side of his head like he had a migraine. The noise and action in the stadium was so powerful that no one noticed as Link seemed to collapse in his seat. He had tried to keep up with Marth's match as a distraction but that only seemed to make things worse. In his sudden delirium he began to have visions of Marth losing or better yet getting badly hurt on the stage. He gripped the edge of his seat as the pressure in his head became that much stronger. In seconds he'd gone from mildly uncomfortable to breathing heavily, ragged even. His muscles tensed and his blood rushed as his heart rate rose higher and higher.

'What's happening to me!?' he thought franticly.

He heard the crowd gasp and immediately he glanced up. Marth had been knocked back by a rather hard punch from Captain Falcon.

'Marth?' He thought to himself, still gripped firmly in his delirium.

Slowly he stood up. He continued to clutch his head as he got up, his eyes trained on the match. Time seemed to slow down as stared at the contenders. Marth swung his sword in front of him, narrowly dodging another shot from his foe. Link swallowed, his hands balling up into fists. To another he looked deadly calm and focused. On the inside, though, Link felt panic tearing him apart.

Zelda looked up at him, still clapping and only just now noticing Link's bizarre behavior. Before she or anyone else had a chance to stop him, however, he took off running straight for the stage.

Author's Note:

Who knows what I've got in store for the Smash Brothers?

Also unknown is what you think of this story so far! But you know, I could totally find out if you leave a review!

Ha ha...alright that's enough for now :)