Ok, I've seen some comparisions of this story to Total Drama Island, as well as a few others, so I just wanted to say that no, I've never watched Total Drama Island and I don't intend to. That show looks really ugly and kind of obnoxious, so I never bothered with it. My biggest three inspirations for this story was the Zero Escape series (mostly Virtue's Last Reward), Big Brother and The Ship: Murder Party.
While neither Jeff or Lyn had any idea where they should head first, the swordswoman had suggested that maybe they should check the poorly scribbled map Crazy had made for them. They decided to visit the kitchen first, if only because they were getting hungry and they wanted to see if they had enough food for a month. So far nothing indicated that the mansion was lacking anything, but you'd never know.
As they passed by the large corridors, Lyn couldn't help but notice just how nervous Jeff was, be it from how stiff his shoulders were to how he couldn't stop fidgeting his hands.
"Dueling with unpleasant thoughts, are we?" she asked.
"How can I not?" Jeff let out a sigh. He was shaking beyond belief. "I really didn't want to be here."
"None of us wants to be here," she said, nodding her head at him. "Worry not, though. I promise to watch your back."
"You really don't need to go through the trouble of protecting me," the boy frowned.
"You say this like I'm doing it out of obligation," Lyn said with a warm smile. "Well, rest assure I'm not."
"You must think I'm pretty pathetic, don't you?" Jeff bitterly said, coming to a halt and making her to stop as well.
"What do you mean?"
"Just look at me, shaking in fear like I've never had to go through worse things," he put his hands in is pockets. "I have faced the literal incarnation of evil, Lyn! I had to transfer my soul into a robot, so I could go back in time and face said thing. I have gone through so many trials just to get to that point… Yet, here I am, shaking in fear over something so trivial. Haven't I learned to control my fear better after all this time? I just don't understand..."
"Jeff, now listen to me," she said, putting her hands over his shoulders and forcing him to look at her in the eye. "Nobody likes to face their own death, even if it's not permanent, like it is in this case. You're still at the risk of going through a lot of pain, of course this would make you anxious. I too am feeling nervous about this game, believe it or not."
"You don't look nervous."
"I guess I'm really good at hiding it then, because I truly am," Lyn took her hands off his shoulders. "You are not weak for being afraid, that's a perfectly fine feeling. It is what you do with this fear that counts."
"I guess..."
"And like I said, I promise I will watch your back. If trouble befalls you, I will be there to help you."
"Thanks, Lyn..." he took a deep breath. "And I promise that if anything bad happens to you, I'll be there to help you too!"
"That's good to hear," she smiled. "Thank you, Jeff."
As they continued walking, they passed by Riki, who bounced his way to the opposite direction without a care in the world. He waved one of his big, floppy ears at them and continued on his merry way. At least he seemed happy enough. Could nothing shake the Nopon's resolve? Jeff really wished he knew what went through his head sometimes.
They ended up reaching the kitchen and were actually surprised at the stark contrast it had with the rest of the mansion. While every other room and corridor they have been to looked old fashioned, the kitchen looked like something that came out from a cooking reality TV show. The whole place had a very sterilized feeling to it, with white walls, a cream marbled floor and mostly white furniture. Everything looked really clean and clear, without a hint of dust anywhere.
Which was why Midna and Chrom stuck out like a sore thumb as they looked around the kitchen.
"Oh, hello you two," Chrom greeted with a welcoming smile.
"Looks like we weren't the only ones who thought about checking on food supplies," Midna smirked.
"Can you really blame us for worrying?" Lyn asked.
"Not at all," the prince chuckled. "However, Crazy seemed to have some sense and gave us a generous amount of food."
"Generous doesn't even cover how much food we have," Midna said, using her hair to point at the chromatic door behind her. "Go check it out for yourselves. The storage is right behind this door."
They opened the appointed door and had their jaws practically on the floor from just how much food there was inside the room. Crates upon crates with all kinds of different labels were there. From fruits and vegetables to junk, processed food, it had basically everything they could have asked for. There wasn't anything there indicating that there was meat, but that mostly because all meat was stored in the huge fridge at the opposite side of the kitchen.
By the gods, that was enough food for a whole army! They could be locked inside that house with both Yoshi and Kirby and they could still survive a good few months, that was insane!
"I am going to eat like queen," Midna said with satisfaction. "At least something positive is coming out from this experience."
"Aren't you technically a queen already?" Jeff asked. "Or… princess, in this case?"
"Yeah, but if I was the true princess of the Twilight Realm, the real Midna, there would probably be people searching for me now, wouldn't it?" she gave a bitter chuckle and rested her hands behind her head. "But I guess that's not the case. I'm just a copy, I'm no princess. The real Midna wouldn't be in this place."
There was an awkward silence between them. Somehow Jeff felt he had stepped into over sensitive territory.
"Anywho, I'm off to explore the rest of this dastard place. I'll see you people later."
They watched the imp walk away, hands still behind her head, and exchanged glances between them.
"Is she okay?" Chrom asked in concern.
"She'll get over it," Lyn said, putting a hand on her hips. "If her problem is what I think it is, she'll get around in no time. We all did at some point."
Jeff looked around, feeling a little distracted and eager to leave the kitchen and explore the rest of the mansion, when he spotted the small black camera hanging high on the corner of the ceiling. Both Chrom and Lyn ended up realizing where he was looking at and turned their attention to the camera as well.
"So those things are showing everything we say and do, uh?" Chrom frowned as he analyzed the device that looked so foreign to him. It wasn't as if he hadn't seen a camera in the time he has been living at the Smash Hotel, but he still had to get used to the device's concept of storing and reproducing images like that.
"I wonder who Crazy's broadcasting this game to," the boy commented.
"I suppose it's for the other Assist Trophies and Smashers, right?" Lyn suggested.
"No, that can't be it..."
"Why not? That seems like something he would do."
"Yeah, but think about it from the Smashers' point of view, Lyn. Do you really think they would just watch in silence? Do you think there wouldn't be an uproar?"
"When you think that way..." she muttered.
"I'm pretty sure if either Lucina or Robin were to watch Chrom get killed onscreen, they would throw a fit," Jeff continued. "Even you Lyn! Do you think Roy would just sit by and watch quietly you fight for your life because Waluigi's out for your head just so he can win some money?"
"And if Ness were to ever watch you get stabbed and Crazy just shrug it off like it's nothing, he would report it to Master Hand," Lyn crossed her arms. "Considering how he's part of the original twelve fighters of Smash Bros and how Master Hand is especially fond of them, he might reconsider aborting this game if Ness ever gets upset."
"Crazy wouldn't risk getting caught by the Smasher's ire," Chrom nodded. "He knows he can do whatever he wants with the Assists, but if he messes with the Smashers, he messes with his brother."
"Then… to who could he be streaming this game?" Jeff rested his hand on his chin.
"Who knows? Probably some rich bastards who enjoy watching others suffer," the blue haired prince scratched his head. "Or maybe he's doing this for his own amusement. It isn't as if Crazy's omniscient or anything, of course he would like to have eyes everywhere."
"Not an impossible theory, but it's also unlikely," Lyn said. "In any case, we should probably continue exploring the mansion before our two hours of rest are over."
"Right… Where do you two plan on going right now?"
"Probably the library, or even the movie room," he turned to Lyn. "I mean… if you're okay with it."
"The library sounds good," she smiled. "Chrom, are you coming with us?"
"Not really," he shook his head. "I'm really curious about what the terrace looks like. Here's hoping we get some sunlight."
Jeff highly doubted it, but he still hoped Chrom was right. They ended up parting ways and going to opposite sides of the mansion.
As soon as Jeff and Lyn stepped inside the library, they were greeted by a deadpan, yet hostile, voice:
"Oh, great, you two are here..."
"Hey, Ashley," Jeff frowned, not really pleased with her tone of voice.
Ashley just brought the book she held closer to her chest, avoiding eye contact with the two newcomers and searching for a cushion to sit on.
"Um, wouldn't you rather go take a look around the mansion instead of staying and reading?" Lyn asked, her voice sounding as careful as it could get.
"Why? This is probably one of the few moments I'll get any peace," Ashley shrugged her shoulders, still looking away. "Once our victims are announced, I'll be too busy worrying about how to stay alive and how to get my victim."
"When you say it that way, I suppose you have a point."
"Of course I do," the witch sat down on a dark green cushion and opened her book. "We have all the time in the world to walk around like scared animals and explore. I'd rather enjoy peace while I can."
"You mentioned you'd be too busy on planning on how to attack your victim," he said, raising an eyebrow at her. "Are you seriously thinking about getting into this whole murder thing?"
"What other options do I have? In this game it's either kill or be killed," she said and turned a page. "If you're going to be merciful and spare your victims, then suit yourself. I refuse to hand my life on a silver plate to my possible murderers, thank you very much."
"Ashley, we are not going to let them hit us like this," Lyn explained. "If someone attacks us, we'll attack back. But if we can avoid conflict, then that's what we're going to do."
"If everyone thought like you, there would be no killing," Ashley shot back. "And then what? Someone would still be sacrificed. At the end of the cycle of three days, someone's still gonna die."
"And you're okay knowing that you killed someone in cold blood?"
"I just don't want to be picked at random at the end of the three day cycle and be injected with poison because nobody could gather the courage to play this stupid game right. Is it such a terrible thing to look out for myself?"
"It is when you step on other people for personal gain," Jeff retorted, angrily, "What a horrible way of thinking!"
His demeanor softened for a moment as he thought for a split second that Ashley seemed genuinely hurt by his comment. However, her expression grew cold just as quickly and she got up from her seat.
"I'm not obligated to sit by and hear about your opinions on wherever you think I'm right or wrong," she said, passing by them and bumping into Jeff's shoulder. "I'll be in my room. Have fun being just a victim."
They just watched the witch exit the library, book close to her chest and steps as quick as they could get, feeling completely dumbstruck. "What's even her deal," Jeff pouted. "I can understand Waluigi wanting to kill, because he's a horrible greedy human being, but Ashley… it's not like she wants the money or enjoys killing."
"I think she's just scared."
"So?"
"Jeff, when people are scared, they are capable of doing the most horrible things," Lyn explained, "We both know that."
"I'm scared too! But you don't see me announcing that I'll play along and kill people like it's nothing."
"Well… let's hope Ashley's just bluffing or really incompetent," she twisted her mouth.
"Here's hoping."
They walked around the library for a few minutes, checking the bookshelves and whatnot, before leaving to explore another room. Jeff could see that his friend was struggling with some really unpleasant thoughts, given how she wouldn't stop biting her nail beds, but it didn't look like she was in the mood to talk about her problems.
"I just wish I didn't have to spill any more blood," she murmured, her voice almost in a whisper, low enough for Jeff not to hear. "I've already done it so much in the past..."
"Lyn, you're too nice for your own good."
If there was one thing Jeff shouldn't be surprised it was that the terrace would be covered in one shape or form, making it look like it was just another room. There was a large, bright lamp attached to the sky blue ceiling, managing to cover the whole terrace in a warm white light, almost as if the sun itself was shinning down upon them. Resting on the various reclined white chairs were Phosphora, Dillon and Waluigi, chatting their problems away and seemingly having a good time.
"Waluigi, nobody cares about what you're going to do with the money," Phosphora complained. "You don't even know if you're going to win, just shut up already!"
Seemingly being the key word here.
"Wah, Phosphora, if you want something strong enough, then you'll surely get it," Waluigi waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "You're just jealous because you know you have no chances of winning, now that you don't have the powers you depend on so much."
"Like I care about the money," she scoffed. "It means nothing to me."
"Good, then just make this easier to everyone and leave the competition."
"I'm not going to kill myself."
"Then make everything easier to your killer and..."
Phosphora, second participant
"Look, I'm not into the idea of murdering people for funsies or whatever," the Commander said as she examined her manicured nails. "But Waluigi is by far the WORST. His face is already an insult to nature itself, but his personality doesn't even make things better. If he ends up as my first victim, Viridi help me, I'm going to cut a bitch!"
"Would you two please lighten up?" Dillon said, throwing his arms over his head. "I just came here to enjoy the fake sun, not listen to you bicker and throw insults at each other."
Jeff couldn't help but look at the ceiling once more. If he pretended hard enough, it could pass off as a sunny afternoon sky. Too bad he was not in the mood to play pretend, so that cheap knock off of a sky just annoyed him. Lyn, on the other hand, didn't pay any attention to her surroundings and just concentrated on the three resting Assist Trophies that faced the opposite direction.
"I can see you are getting acquainted with each other," she simply commented.
Dillon was the first to turn around. He greeted them with a gesture that made it look like he was tipping his hat at them, despite the fact that his hat was currently resting at his chair's side. "Howdy," was all he said.
"Take a seat, if you want," Phosphora motioned for the other available chairs. "Dillon's not helping with shutting Waluigi up."
"Wah! Then leave if you're so annoyed by Waluigi's presence!"
Dillon just gave a sigh and got up from his chair, irritated as he could get. He grabbed his hat and left the terrace in heavy steps, boots thumping against the glazed wooden floor and curses being thrown under his breath. Lyn and Jeff decided to follow him, as they were also not in the mood to tell them to knock it off.
They entered the dinning room, as it was connected to the terrace, and Dillon finally relaxed for a bit. "I can't stand those two," he said, without turning around to face Jeff and Lyn. "If they continue annoying me like that, I'll..."
"You'll what?" Lyn asked.
"Nothin', I'll do nothin'," he gave a withdrawn sigh. "But a guy can dream, can't him?"
"So you also won't murder anyone?"
"Only in self defense, partner," the armadillo adjusted his hat on his head. "I want Crazy Hand to realize how ridiculous this is by not playin' along."
"We think the same way!" she exclaimed, relieved to find yet another Assist who shared their views.
"Listen, you two try to take care of each other, 'kay?" Dillon said, switching glances between them. "Y'lucky you are such good friends. Havin' an ally here will be useful."
"What about you, Dillon?" Jeff asked, suddenly worried about the armadillo. "Don't you need an ally too?"
"Don't worry 'bout me, Jeff. It's not like we're close friends," he chuckled. "I don't trust you enough and I'm sure you don't trust me that much as well. Am I wrong?"
Lyn wanted to say he was, but couldn't gather the rights words and say it in the right tone that didn't make her sound like she was giving a suspicious denial. As much as it stung to admit, Dillon was kind of right. This was probably the biggest conversation they had ever since they started working together. What did they know about each other other than name and bits of their past?
Dillon was a nice person… armadillo… but he was still not trustworthy. And they knew the sentiment was mutual. They didn't know each other very well, who was to say one couldn't fall into temptation and stab each other in the back? Jeff knew he was not this sort of person and he also was pretty confident that he knew Lyn well enough to trust she would never betray him, but what about Dillon?
"I'll be checkin' around some more," Dillon tipped his hat at them. "I'll see ya around."
I have no idea what I'm doing with Dillon's accent here, I'm sorry.