Face Off

The lights to the stage went dark, so the characters began pondering as to why they did so. Mario came up behind them and spoke suddenly, which spooked a few of them.

"It's fine, there's just a short intersession. We will start up again after we eat."

They all turned to the sun, then were warped back to the mansion. One by one, they entered the doors and made their way to the spacious dining hall. There was more than enough for everyone to eat, as it was pre-prepared, so plenty of people stuffed themselves until they felt like they were going to pop.

Ness, having finished his second sandwich, stepped back from the table and grabbed his crutches and began walking back outside. Claus followed him, noticing the sad look on his face. He continued to follow him, until Ness found his way to a place in the fields. Ness sat down, and laid back in the soft, green grass. Claus laid down next to him, and attempted to make some small talk.

"Hey... Why you down?"

Ness sighed, and continued looking up at the sky. It was nearing dusk, so the sky had the appearance of being painted a mellow orange color, with a mixture of pink in there as well. The clouds were shadowed by the setting sun.

"Claus, I don't know what to do... You both face each other five rounds after Jigglypuff and Pikachu, and I'm stuck on who to cheer for. I like both of you, but this is one of the times where I can't decide..."

"Do whatever makes you feel right, man. I honestly don't care anymore; after my first round, I was a little upset that I didn't get knocked out of the match... Don't tell Lucas I said that!"

Ness let out a soft chuckle. "I won't, but I would've loved to have fought against him, to see how much he's improved on his movement speed and skill. He's always so sweet and loving, but I don't want him worrying about me too much. I didn't want to tell you, and neither did he, but he and I are in a relationship; it's not a serious one, but it's to the point where we're hiding our actions from the others..."

Claus wants to lash out at Ness for what he said, but he can't even be mad. Claus remembers his first encounter with someone he liked. He was afraid to make the first move, and he kept everything hidden from the public, but eventually, word came out and he got laughed at.

"Ness, I get it. You're afraid of other people judging you for the way you are, and that's completely normal. I won't tell anyone about this, which will make Lucas happy; I won't even tell him that I know. Just a little secret between friends..."

Both boys smile, then hear people yelling for them. Ness gets to his feet, but falls over onto the grass again. Claus helps him up, and grabs his crutches. He walks himself and Ness out of the fields, and back to the mansion. Chrom and Roy were calling for them, then they saw the two coming their way.

"Where were you two; the next round is starting and Mario wants you up there."

"Sorry Chrom, we were just enjoying the sunset for a bit before we had to leave. Give us some time, and we'll get up there..."

Chrom rolls his eyes, and turns his back to them.

Claus looks at Ness. "Nice save, dude."

"Well, we were actually doing that. Now hurry up, Mario gets pissed after a while..."

Claus lowers his head, and they get warped to the new stage that has been prepared for Jigglypuff's and Pikachu's fight. Ness steps back into the shadows, and Claus watches from the sidelines, like all the others. It came down to the last few seconds, but Jigglypuff won in the end. Some were upset by the outcome, but it's mainly just a friendly competition between old pals. The next fight was Chrom and Young Link...

Lots of sweat and tears poured out from all the fighters during their matches, then it came down to the twins. Claus, fighting in Ness' place, and Lucas, the timid village boy. Lucas wasn't about to let himself be shown up by his brother, so he's not holding back. Claus never really holds back in any situation, so Lucas is going to have to fight hard to be on top.

"Are you ready to lose, bro?"

"I'm gonna make you eat those words, since there's no way you'll beat me. It's been eleven long and grueling years, but it's finally time. I'll show you what it's really like to be a Smash Brother!"

They looked into each other's eyes, with faces of steely determination. Fiery spirits stirred deep within them as they charged head on. They came into contact, by punching each other in the face, then proceeding to attack viciously.

Ness watched from behind the other characters, worrying for the safety of both of them. (This is what I worried about... I know that these two are really competitive about a lot of things, and a stupid little victory is one of them. If there was only one way I could stop this... If I interfere, though, I won't be able to participate in the next one. I just hope they don't get too physical...)

Punch after punch, kick after kick, the twins attacked each other, showing no mercy. Lucas hated every second he was fighting his brother, and Claus felt the same way. Lucas began crying the longer he pounded his fists onto his brother's bruised arms.

"Claus... I-I don't want to do this anymore..."

Claus could see the reluctance in Lucas' eyes, even though they were closed and filled with tears. "I don't want to fight either. Why... Why are we even doing this?"

Lucas got off of Claus and shoved his face into his brother's shirt. "Hey Lucas, it's OK. I just don't get how we got so full of ourselves so fast... We wanted to win, and make fun of the other, but I don't even care anymore... I just want to go home; Smash Bros. is way too much for me..."

Lucas looked back up at his brother, his face wet from the tears, and kept a firm hold on Claus' striped shirt. "I don't even care about the punishment; I just want this stupid tournament to end!"

Claus comforted his brother as the others watched from the side. They were very empathetic for them, yet Mario follows the rules very strictly. Mario didn't like seeing everyone struggle during their fights, and he didn't like seeing the emotional damage that was being caused. Then, the stage began collapsing, since the twins spent too long waiting. Piece by piece, they were slowly losing their footing, and Claus fell into the void. Lucas felt bad upon his brother's loss, and jumped in after him. They appeared on the sideline, and the results came onto the screen. Claus was eliminated, and Lucas moved onto the next round. He didn't even want to fight anymore, but Ness and his brother reassured him.

"Make me proud, bro. I didn't expect to fall so suddenly right there, but there's nothing I can do about it now..."

Ness hugs Lucas and kisses him on the cheek. "Do it for us."

Lucas nods and waits with the rest. This is possibly his final match, but he's going to make it the best one he's ever had.