Chapter 16: Choice of Partner
Marth peeked out from his room. He would have to walk through the entire hall to reach Zelda's door and Link was taking such an awful long time saying goodbye. The prince could feel his insides turn inside out as the Hylians whispered softly to one another, but then, finally, she closed the door and Link fortunately decided to walk down the stairs instead of going Marth's way.
The prince tiptoed down the hall, clenching the bag with the dress in his hand. He glanced uncertainly down at the many creatures in the living room when the walls no longer shielded him. He would rather die than have anyone spot him.
He wondered whether she heard him knock as he stood there enduring a few very long seconds, but then she hesitantly peeked outside before opening the door wide. She did not say anything. She simply stepped aside and allowed him to enter which he gratefully did.
"Princess Zelda," he said quietly and greeted her with a nod as he walked past her.
"Prince Marth."
Behind his back he heard the soft sound of the door being shut and soon thereafter Zelda brushed by his side, sending a shudder up his arm, before she positioned herself opposite of him.
Zelda scrutinized him in silence. He had not changed his clothes and they were now moist and wrinkled. His hair lay damp over his forehead and he looked more cross than ever. She was surprised since she was used to his otherwise dignified look, both in manner and attire. She almost smiled as it hit her how easily she had thought of being used to him.
What mainly was on the princess's mind now, however, was how to start a conversation with the prince. His gruesome frown confirmed what she had feared, that she had dropped all her efforts to make sure he did not despise her down into the ocean. Yet, no matter how much her weak mind wanted her to, she could not shed tears or beg for his forgiveness. Why? Because she would surely do it all over again if faced with a similar dilemma.
She had not doubted his good intentions and she had not been blind to his air of victory. Still, it had not stopped her from robbing him of it all. It was like firing her bow, watching the arrow pierce the air to then penetrate the wing of a proud eagle and send it plummeting to the earth. An unforgivable act.
That he willingly came to her made her happy. The one once above all crawling to the red-handed hunter's feet.
"Marth… I am glad you came to see me," she said, speaking her thoughts as she could not think of anything else to say.
He really should doubt her, he reminded himself. How come then he could not when she tentatively took a step closer with her hands locked together and with worry searched his gaze.
"I'm glad you feel that way," he said but could then think of nothing else that could prolong the conversation. If he handed her the dress he would have to leave immediately afterwards.
"Is that my dress?" she asked and he could feel her drain him of what little hope he had left. Unwillingly he held it out for her, his gaze travelling up from the golden belt hugging her waist all the way up to the bun on top of her head. Her hair looked so soft it was a wonder it did not slide out of the chignon.
"Your hairdo will greatly compliment that dress."
"Oh, thank you," she said in surprise and was about to start fingering on the ringlets of hair that fell down on either side of her face but resisted it. It caused Marth to recall Link playing with the very same locks and it felt like a fist grabbed his heart and squeezed.
That fool who knew nothing about her, when he himself could already guess her every whim. How come they were not closer than strangers after all these feelings ensnaring them and pulling them together? Also, he knew that "more than strangers" at this moment would not be enough. Maybe it was because of that tight feeling in his chest, but right now he wanted to be "more than Link".
That one desire erased what little logic was left in him. He caressed her face and felt the bag drop to the floor beside them.
"Your bare neck, to be able to run a finger along your collarbone…" His eyes trailed downward. "…with the exposure this dress contributes, will be irresistible."
While he whispered words that would make any prudent girl blush scarlet, and he did make her reconsider her choice of dress, he brushed the back of his hand against her skin beneath her jawbone, like Link had done. Just that he did it softer, more confident of where and how to touch her, he was sure. At least he chose to interpret it that way.
She grasped his wrists, as if begging him to strange her, as his other hand also slid down from her cheek. He was not pressing hard enough to feel her pulse, but he was certain her blood flowed like his. Blue blood. They were bare and stripped of their masques in front of each other.
He could not help but to feel like they were performing some kind of sacred rite. It only had to be completed. He took a step back and as he did so it was as though their eyes were inescapably drawn to the bag lying between them. They faced each other, both gripped by a realization of what had to be done, and obeying his senses, Marth turned around.
He heard the quiet rustle as Zelda picked up the bag, the sound of the lid being removed from the box. Just by hearing, it was as if he could see a clear image of what was taking place. The only obstruction was that he under no circumstances was supposed to see what these sounds painted up before him, not even inside his head. He could hear the clinking of her pauldrons being taken off as well as the soft click from her belt being removed. He clenched his hands into fists and closed his eyes as the sound of fabric sliding off her body reached him.
Zelda adjusted her breath to calm her racing heart as she stepped out of her clothes. She focused not on what she was doing but on Marth's back, appearing broader than it really was due to the cape falling over the shoulder armor that concealed his slim shoulders. She reminded herself to purchase a folding screen. Peach would surely be delighted over the idea.
How come she had ended up undressing in the presence of a man? One second she had found herself looking at that innocent bag, then he had turned around and her body had moved on its own.
To her, this was a trial of their trust for each other. She had to trust him not to turn around, as well as trust him enough to dare risk her purity and he had to prove himself worthy of her trust by not turning around.
No matter how silly it was she quietly wondered if this could affect her chances of marrying. Her eyes narrowed at him as she concentrated on a spot between his shoulder blades. One part of her screamed not to do it, another, a small but very loud one, to go through with it. Her quandary would not bother her long though, because she changed her clothes while pondering if it really was the right thing to do.
She pulled on the new dress quickly, trying not to be too loud as her hurry made her struggle to get it on. She inhaled, not more used to wearing anything this tight than the first time she had tried it on.
"Please, turn around," she said when she was done, standing as if she was about to be showed off in front of the court. He folded his hands behind his back and turned around with one elegant step. His eyes were downcast, and he looked at her from her shoes up to her head before taking in the full sight of her. She noticed him swallowing discreetly but strangely enough she did not feel like cringing as she normally felt like when people gave her their attention. Not that it would show on the outside how she felt about it either way.
"Is it awful?" she asked and an elusive smile crept up her lips.
"Stunning."
Marth was a man of few words but this one word had stumbled out of his mouth so quickly Zelda felt slightly disappointed. It was more of an excuse than an honest opinion, which was what she really wanted.
It was a bit anticlimactic after the tension she had felt while changing her clothes. Now it seemed ridiculous and she felt regret over what she had done take over her. She loathed the feeling of regret.
"I see," she said and Marth, who had evaded looking at her, faced her again. Surely, he could sense that more was expected from him.
"I…" he forced out and she was surprised to find that his voice trembled.
"Oh," she uttered softly as realization struck her and Marth looked away from her again. "Thank you, Marth," she added. "That is the greatest compliment I could have hoped for."
At once his sudden loss for words seemed to disappear and that haughty smile he usually presented people returned. Just that she could see that it was a different smile. A smile of complete satisfaction.
An arm wrapped around her waist and his hand tilted her chin up.
"Stunning," he repeated, but it sounded different in a thousand ways to earlier. He bent down and angled his head to the side so that he could plant a light kiss high up on her neck. She could feel her blood run cold and her lips parted in a silent gasp. His thumb stroked her chin as he pulled away and looked at her with deep affection.
"Marth," she whispered, not quite sure if she was scolding him or if she was taken by the moment.
"The ritual has been completed," he said when he stepped back.
It reminded her of the seriousness with which children would treat what was only play pretend, like sealing a promise to keep a secret by slitting their fingertips and blending their blood. And she had thought she was the only one who could imagine something as silly as this being something that carried the same childish significance. The way their thought mixed felt too incredible to exist. She flung her arms around his neck and embraced him. Just when he put his arms around her, a knock interrupted them and Zelda pulled away.
"Zelda, Zelda, we're going to gather downstairs."
The door was pushed open and there stood Young Link. At first there was an eager look on his face but when he saw Marth stand with his arms around Zelda and her arms resting on his chest his smile faltered immediately as his eyes turned hollow. The next moment his mouth was forming an "o" and his blue eyes widening.
"What are you doing?" the little boy cried and his eyes quickly narrowed at Marth who glared back. Zelda took a step back, or at least she tried, because Marth would not let go of her.
"We'll be there in a minute," Marth told him, pulling Zelda closer. The princess could feel something unsettling in the air and she did not like it, nor did she like this kind of embrace.
"You have to come now," the boy insisted, his voice taking on a whining tone and Zelda was certain that it was a lie, and that Marth knew that too.
The prince gave the boy a stare as if he was dismissing a servant speaking out of place. Zelda could bet that he was not going to give him any elaborated explanation as to why they would not listen to him.
"We will be there, Link," she said, trying to pull off a reassuring smile and judging by the boy's look she succeeded.
"Come then, Zelda," he said and ran over to her. He tugged at her arm and she heard a quiet grunt escape Marth when she allowed herself to be brought out of his embrace.
"Can't you stay next to me, Zelda?" Link asked as he grabbed her hand with both of his own and walked backwards out the door.
"Of course I can," she promised. Then she looked over her shoulder. "Are you coming, Marth?"
The prince strode after them with his shoulders pulled up to his ears and glaring at the ground. Yet he managed to walk with a surprising amount of grace.
The Smashers were standing in a half circle inside the living room with the Noki in the center. Young Link kept dragging Zelda by the arm through the crowd so that she quickly was separated from Marth who stayed in the back, wanting to avoid crowding with the rabble.
"Pardon me," Zelda whispered when her elbow nudged Captain Falcon who nodded at her distractedly. When Young Link finally stopped, Zelda found herself next to Peach who gave her an appraising look before leaning over to whisper in her ear.
"Marth really made an excellent choice with the dress. Have you shown him? And it suits the hair nicely too."
Zelda nodded and tried to listen to the Noki who had already started talking a while ago, but Peach appeared to think that it was of little importance.
"You have? Well, what did he say?"
Zelda was happy she did not blush since it made her recall the kiss and she clenched and unclenched her right hand as not to touch the place where Marth's lips had touched her neck. It all of a sudden itched terribly.
"Zelda?"
"He did not say much."
Peach crossed her arms and eyed Zelda in suspicion. Then she started pushing her further back and Zelda had to apologize a second time to Captain Falcon as she stumbled into him, all whilst young Link stubbornly hung on to her arm.
Peach craned her neck to find Marth and shoved Zelda over to him when she finally spotted him in the back. She smiled expectantly at the prince but Marth gave them a side-glance and said nothing as they showed up beside him. Young Link on the other hand glared daggers at Marth while he clung to Zelda's waist (deciding that holding her arm was not enough in this company) and pouted.
"Dear Lord," Peach sighed when she noticed the little Hylian but decided that he was no threat. "I'll just go and tell Mario something," Peach whispered to Zelda and walked off, discreetly peering over her shoulder. She had not been gone for many seconds before the adult Link turned up and forced himself in-between Zelda and Marth.
"He-llo," he said, ignoring Marth completely. Nothing else had the time to be said before Peach magically returned and forced herself in-between Zelda and Link.
"He-llo," she said sweetly and turned her back towards Link.
The hero and the prince each exchanged a very displeased look, neither happy with where they had ended up, before Link decided to take up the fight with Peach.
"You're wearing your dress, Zelda," Link said and put on a smile, at the same time grabbing Peach's shoulders and gently tried to push her aside, with little success.
Link's profile did not put Marth in any better mood than if his face had been seen from any other angle. Why was the idiot grinning? And why was he blushing? He had seen the dress before. There was definitely nothing to blush about. The stupid imbecile could blush somewhere else. He really had no reason to stand here and blush.
"Yes, I had to try it on," Zelda replied.
Marth cleared his throat and stared intently past the crowd at the Noki as if to imply that he wanted to hear. What he really wanted, badly, was to prevent the inescapable praise from Link. There was not a chance he could come up with a compliment that was even worthy an ant.
Zelda put a finger over her mouth to hush Link whose ears drooped when he did not get a chance to flatter her. Young Link was still pressing his cheek to her body with his arms tightly wrapped around her waist.
"And that was all," the Noki finished.
"I did not hear," Zelda said disappointedly. "Marth, you were listening. Did you hear what this was all about?"
Marth gave Link an accusing stare, as if he was to blame, before replying with a short "no" when in reality he had not paid attention to a single word from the Noki.
"I heard," Link told Zelda, very happy to contribute when his rival could not. "He thinks we're tired of all the fighting."
"But the fights haven't even started!" Zelda said and pulled her eyebrows together.
"Yeah, that's what Falco said but the Noki's answer was just that yeah, yeah, you're all exhausted so we'll be having a little competition on one of the battle arenas, all together."
"We are?" Zelda said, staring at Link.
"It's impossible to reason with that little seashell so let's all just play along, 'kay?" Link said. Just then Peach cleared her throat.
"It's nice that you pay such attention… but could you please tell me this? Why haven't you gotten your dirty hands of my shoulders?" and with a battle cry she grabbed one of his wrists with both of her hands and flung him over her shoulder and Link flew into the crowd. A loud "ouch" rose from somewhere in the middle where he landed. Marth nodded approvingly, something which did not pass young Link by and he hugged Zelda a little tighter while giving the prince one of his fiercest glares.
"Pervert," Peach muttered and dusted off her dress.
While Ganondorf pulled the older Link up from the floor by his collar, hollering at him for having the guts to push the great King of Evil, Nana and Popo were standing a few steps away. The Smashers around them were either paying attention to Link and Ganondorf or mumbling things like "fights?", "we were supposed to fight?" or "oh, that's right!".
"Can you believe it Popo?" Nana asked with shimmering eyes. "A three-legged race! We are sure to win."
Popo nodded, agreeing but too humble to voice that he did so.
"Now, I've put all your names in this hat," the Noki spoke again and Nana's head snapped in his direction. "So you all come over here and pull out the name of you partner."
"No…" Nana whimpered and her arms flew around Popo's neck. Popo hugged his friend back tightly, clinging even more desperately to her than she to him.
"Blue Eskimo, why don't you start?" the Noki suggested and pointed at Popo with the hat.
"You'll pull out my name, I know it," Nana said with a look of confidence and gave Popo a squeeze before releasing him. The little boy in his blue parka dragged his feet over to the Noki, his vision going blurry.
Popo blinked at the hat. He was not even sure it was the hat as he stood there in front of the Noki who was not taller than himself. He gulped and stuck his mitten down among the many folded notes.
"I'll pull out your name, Nana," he thought and his hand closed around one. The bond between them would pull through. He knew it, as he knew without looking that her eyes were on him only. He bent over the tiny piece of paper and unfolded it.
"Donkey Kong," he read off the note and then it fell out of his hand. The little boy stared straight ahead, not being able to turn around and face his dear partner and friend. He was useless. Why could he not just be run over by that hideous bus?
"Donkey Kong, come here and pull the name of the next one who will choose a partner," the Noki called out to Donkey Kong's head rising above the crowd while Popo stood beside him like a statue. The ape jumped over to them, accidentally pushing Luigi, and then put his big hand down in the hat, pulled out a note and squinted at it.
"Let me see," the Noki said and tugged at Donkey Kong's huge hairy arm. "Dr. Mario?"
The doctor stepped forth and wasted no time grabbing a note.
"Pikachu," he read and the Pokémon sneaked out between Roy's legs. "Lucky a-me," Dr. Mario added and bent down to Pikachu's level. "The perfetto partner."
"Pika," Pikachu replied and then got up on two legs to walk over to the hat that the Noki held out. He fiddled with the note and then naturally read "Pikachu", as he could hardly say anything else.
"No, no, you can't pull your own name," the Noki explained and wagged a finger at the Pokémon. Pikachu quite obviously thought the Noki was stupid and threw the note in his face before positioning himself at Dr. Mario's feet, a person whom he had already taken a liking to.
"Aha, see, it doesn't say Pikachu, it says Yoshi," the Noki told the crowd after removing the note from his face.
Yoshi pulled out a name and made a complaining noise.
"Who is it?" the Noki asked curiously.
Yoshi shied away and waved the note at the Noki, as if he could not bear to read it himself.
"Bowser," the Noki read aloud.
"Poor Yoshi," and an agreeing "Yeah!" was heard from somewhere in the crowd and then a crunching noise quickly followed by a "MY FOOT!"
Bowser pushed Ness out of the way to step out of the half circle and snatched the hat away from the Noki.
"I'm not exactly thrilled myself," he told the room indignantly when he dug through the many notes. "Jigglypuff."
Jigglypuff skipped over to them, her big cerulean eyes gazing happily at the hat in Bowser's hand.
"I lied," Bowser told her gruffly and kicked her across the room like a football. A gasp went through the crowd, but luckily someone rose above it and Jigglypuff crashed into this person and was safely brought to the ground. Kirby, her savior, checked that she was okay before striding unbendingly between the legs of the Smashers over to Bowser.
Bowser snorted at the little puffball, that looked anything else but intimidating. Kirby could barely look angry with his oval friendly eyes and a not very remorseful Bowser waltzed back into the crowd, receiving quite a few glares from the other Smashers and a terribly unnerving grin from Ganondorf.
Kirby kept his not-quite-as-happy-as-usual expression and followed, climbing over one of Roy's boots.
"Well, the real name drawn was Mr. Game and Watch," the Noki said like he just pointed out a cloud in the sky.
Mr. Game and Watch pulled out a note but as he was about to read it Bowser, who must really have been upset earlier and just could not keep quiet just yet, shouted: "How come he's not in the hat?"
A few snorts and laughs disguised as coughs were heard and Mr. Game and Watch slumped like a towel thrown on the floor. People never seemed to realize how often he had to endure those paper jokes. Crying, he threw the note on the floor and ran away.
"Lucky he's one big napkin himself," Bowser said.
"Pichu," the Noki read, unaware as always about everything outside his own head, but the little Pokémon stopped worrying about Mr. Game and Watch and obediently hasted over to him.
"Pichu," Pichu read in his clear voice and the Noki shook his head.
"It runs in the family, doesn't it?" he said to Pichu whose black eyes turned into tiny black pits before he tossed the note on the ground and with sparks erupting from his cheeks let himself be swallowed by the crowd once again.
"It clearly says Roy," the Noki stated and Roy eagerly stumbled out to draw a name. He smiled sheepishly over his shoulder, trying to spot Peach or Marth. He did not mind too much who he ended up with but like anyone else he had his preferences.
"Just let me cross my fingers," the red-head begged, shutting his eyes and then crossing his fingers. "Okay."
He swiftly pulled a note out from the ugly grey hat and triumphantly held it up for everyone to see before reading it himself.
"Samus?"
People stepped aside and a narrow path opened where Samus walked forward to end up standing with her hands on her hips in front of the young general.
"A pleasure to work with such a tall person," Roy blurted out, grinning like a fool. His height was not all too impressive and Samus did nothing to lessen that impression. Rather, the contrast made the bounty hunter appear more dangerous.
"Roy won't have it easy," Falcon thought aloud with an amused smile from where he stood, still waiting for his name to be drawn. That incomparable strength and also the focus with which it was wielded would inevitably fill anyone with admiration and was what had made him take an interest in Samus during the last competition. Also, there was something about being watched from behind that visor which sent chills down your spine.
"I'd kill to be in his place," Fox told Falcon in a whisper.
Samus looked at her note in silence before glancing hesitantly into the crowd. "Jigglypuff," she mumbled as if she was ashamed to call forth the innocent Pokémon after what had happened to her earlier. If she had spoken a bit louder perhaps Falcon would have come to a certain realization about her, but as it was now it ended up being put off until later.
"Jigglypuff," the Noki called out a bit louder and Jigglypuff was led over to them by Kirby who gave her an encouraging pat. Of course she happened to be a romantic and she glanced with deepest appreciation at him, her round cheeks a rosy color, when she chose among the notes. The color on her cheeks deepened when she silently read the name written on the one she picked. Kirby also looked at the note and his face lit up.
"What a cute team," the Noki commented, sticking his face between them.
Jigglypuff tucked the note away for safekeeping when no one looked and remained at Kirby's side when he pulled out a name from the hat.
"Marth," the Noki read, popping up between them again and Jigglypuff did not look too pleased.
The silence grew grave as Marth walked straight through the crowd without caring for those who got in his way, not that anyone dared. He stepped up to the Noki who had to stretch his arms towards the ceiling because Marth did not bend down.
Marth's gaze was not very gentle and no one wanted to be in the hat's position. Marth stared at the pitiful thing this utmost concentration. Roy was already chosen. If only, if only he could be with… He focused on the hat with his most demanding, royal order stare and gripped a note, gave it the same dark look and then nimbly unfolded it.
"Ness," he read with the voice of an executioner calling a condemned to the guillotine. The boy took off his cap and inched closer to the hat, not wanting to pass Marth who was staring at the note as if wanting to tear it to shreds, send it to the dungeon and step on it before giving the boy the same treatment, to put it in the kindest phrasing.
"Okay… I'll pull out the next one to get a partner," Ness declared bravely and took the first note that touched his hand to get it over with. "Link."
Link stepped out with his fingers crossed, giving Marth a challenging look when he walked past him. Zelda's name was yet to be drawn and Marth had just increased Link's odds. Something they both were aware of as their eyes met for a brief second.
Link exhaled, choosing his note with care. What about the one with a wrinkled corner? Or that one, the one that was a little bigger than the others? He could barely open the neat note he decided for.
"Nana."
The silence was unbearable, thus people were grateful when Popo threw his arms around Nana and wailed loudly over the unfairness of this cold, cold world. Nana walked up the Noki, dragging Popo along since he was still hanging around her neck, bawling. Ness rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure we'll do great," Nana said and gave Link a sweet smile that he tried his best to return. Then she pulled a note.
"Ganondorf."
The villain had spent the many days together with the Smashers unnoticed. Not the smallest of evil deeds had he made a try at, with the tiny exception of dealing with Bowser's meddling concerning their bet, and still people could not bear to look at him. Granted, Ganondorf could be very likable if he wished to, but he expressed such unnatural cruelty that any person with any good within would want to flee him.
"Pick one," he calmly ordered the Noki, towering over the tiny creature and the hat. With shaking hands the Noki did as he was told, reading the name with a voice that could barely have travelled over the front half of the crowd.
"P-Peach."
Princess Peach did not hesitate to walk up to Ganondorf, neither did she neglect him a smile. No one could be lovelier than this princess and none could believe in good like she did.
"I hope you are a good runner," she said pleasantly and left no room for any reply when she brushed by him to draw a piece of paper. "Young Link."
Young Link was, by Marth, torn away from Zelda's waist and pushed forward.
"Just you watch when I pull out Zelda's name," Young Link muttered darkly and chose a note with the same care as his future self.
"Mewtwo."
Mewtwo did not show up.
"Mewtwo?"
Donkey Kong plied through the crowd once more, pulling along a floating Mewtwo who mumbled "it's pointless" to no one in particular. The primate placed Mewtwo in front of the Noki and the hat, but all Mewtwo did was give it a look of apathy.
"It's pointless."
"No, it's not," the Noki said and waggled the hat a little, the white scraps of paper shuffling around not very unlike popcorn in a saucepot.
"It's pointless."
"No."
"It's pointless."
Donkey Kong kindly offered to pull a name in Mewtwo's place, as the Pokémon obviously wanted him to, and then put the note in Mewtwo's hand. However, Mewtwo did of course not read it so the Noki had to instead.
"Falco."
"Pull out a chick's name! According to the plan!" Fox yelled after his friend who gave him a thumbs-up.
"Behold, Zelda!" Falco cried, because Zelda was the only female left, when he pulled out a note. "Mario…" he then corrected himself as he bent over the little piece of paper.
"Grande! Let's-a do our best-a!" Mario said and offered a hand to Falco who sighed and walked back to Fox with his head hanging. A fat, short, Italian plumber with a moustache covering half of his face? That had to be as far from a gorgeous woman you could get.
"I failed you, boss", he sulked.
"Yeah, you're an idiot," Fox agreed and crossed his arms. "I can't even stand to look at you."
Meanwhile Mario pulled a name out of the hat. "Captain Falcon-a."
"Very funny," Capain Falcon muttered as a few snickered at the way Mario's accent had made his name turn out. Either way, he confidently strode forward, thinking that the laughing ones were too childish to bother about and it showed on his face, or at least the half not covered by his dark visor and red helmet.
"My partner will be… Zelda."
Zelda glided over to the racer and shook hands with him, while the two Links watched in deep disappointment from the background. Samus also looked on, against her own will, feeling something tightening inside her chest.
"Luigi?" Zelda read and a cry of victory escaped Luigi.
"I wasn't the last-a nome to-a be drawn! Take-a that!"
No one really took part of his celebration as none knew how often he was the one to be chosen last in every game resembling this. Meanwhile the one who was the only one left let the realization sink in.
"I can't believe it," Fox mumbled while shaking his head and having Falco pat his shoulder consolingly.
"Fox-a," Luigi read with a voice full of pride.
"We'll begin the race tomorrow morning," the Noki announced.
This was quite a troublesome chapter, the reason being that I suddenly entered a phase of insatiable want for zelink. I really could not get around the dress situation without some Zelda and Marth interaction which left me awfully frustrated.
This chapter is also a proof of that I got way too much free time. One day I was so bored I wrote down all the Smashers' names on a couple of tiny pieces of paper and then pulled them in the exact same order as in this chapter. So the teams were all chosen by fate.
To clarify, the teams are: Popo – DK, Dr. Mario – Pikachu, Yoshi – Bowser, Mr. Game & Watch – Pichu, Roy – Samus, Jigglypuff – Kirby, Marth – Ness, Link – Nana, Ganondorf – Peach, Young Link – Mewtwo, Falco – Mario, Captain Falcon – Zelda, Luigi – Fox.
I think Jigglypuff and Kirby are so cute. Therefore, I was highly amused when they ended up being a pair. Jigglypuff has already developed a crush on Kirby (but I'm pretty sure he's still pining for Ribbon). So Kirby has lots of ladies to make up for that stolen cookie.
Back to Zelda, Link and Marth. I still have this nagging feeling of Marth having the upper hand which has left Link with a whole lot more opportunities. So here's the thing: Marth has development with Zelda whereas Link is still on square one despite all his time with her. Oh, and I still haven't decided who will get her as I constantly change my mind.
And most important of all, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. I really, really appreciate it (am still as awed about how people can find such nice things to say). I would say more but I've already written too much again…
-Smiles evilly- I have a date planned for Zelda and Marth but I'm not sure it'll be written (I have to write the three-legged race first too).