CHAPTER TWO: DOUBLE TROUBLE
-o-o-o-o-o-

"Hello, Miss Peladral."

"Who's talking to me? How do you know my name?"

"There's no need to get upset. All you need to know is that I'm a friend. Put away that sword of yours."

"Who are you?"

"I'm the Pig King, Miss Peladral…"

=x=

"Lianna! C'mon, wake up! It's dinnertime! If we're late, all the good food will be taken!"

Lianna woke up to the pounding on her door. Ike's voice came again. He sounded extremely impatient. "Lianna! I know you're tired and all, but I don't want to be late for dinner. If you aren't out here in five minutes, I'm going without you!"

She blinked. Ah, yes, dinner. Perhaps some food would clear her mind of that disturbing dream. Lianna fastened on her sword and opened the door to an exasperated Ike.

"I apologize for causing you inconvenience," Lianna said. The latter rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. Let's go."

Marth was with Ike, and he gave a stiff nod. "Douzoyoroshiku.Pleased to meet you." He began to walk briskly down the hall. Ike sighed.

"C'mon, let's go. I gotta tell you something on the way."

Lianna had to admit that she did not like the Smash Mansion very much right now. Although someof the Smashers were friendly, she felt alien, out of place here. Not to mention that she had a very odd dream. Who the hell was the Pig King, anyway? She glanced at Ike's stern face. "What is it?"

Ike stopped, turned around, and firmly grabbed her by the shoulders. "Look, I know I've already said this, but you can't keep up your cold act. It's not helping at all, if you want to know. You have to fit in here. If anyone sticks out…"

"Wouldn't that be a good thing?" Lianna said. "You would be noticed, wouldn't you?"

"Not in a good way, Lianna. I'm trying to help you." Ike sighed. "Master Hand doesn't like anyone who sticks out, all right? So we've all got to stick together, blend in."

"That is something I will not, and cannot, do," Lianna walked ahead, head held high, an air of disdain around her. Ike rolled his eyes and trailed after her.

=x=

The dining hall of the Smash Mansion wasn't a hall at all. It was a modest cafeteria, with some of the Fighting Alloys manning the food stations. Fragrant aromas floated in the air, an occasional bowl or spoon was dropped, and the room was filled with endless chattering. Ike was speaking in fluent Japanese with Marth, ignoring Lianna completely. She glared at him, but the warrior only turned away. Some help he was.

Lianna found an empty table to sit. It was tucked away in a nice little corner, away from everyone's sight. As she nibbled on her food, she pondered her mysterious dream. Was it a sign from the gods? A warning, perhaps? Who exactly was the Pig King, and why did he contact her?

"Mind if we sit with you?"

Lianna looked up to see Lucas and Ness standing there. How nice of them to offer a gesture of kindness. "Take a seat," Lianna said.

The two boys plunked down onto the rickety plastic benches so fast that the table trembled. Ness said cheerfully, "How'd you like the Smash Mansion?"

"It's adequate."

"Brrzoing?" A big-nosed face popped out from Ness's backpack. He picked it up and set it on the table.

"Meet Mr. Saturn!"

Lianna looked at the strange creature incredulously. "I see. A pleasure to meet you as well."

"Why are you sitting here by yourself?" Lucas asked. "You're more than welcome to join us."

Ike happened to pass by. He hung by the salad bar, pretending to be interested in the tomatoes as he kept an eye on Lianna. She glanced at him. Ike made a slight gesture with his hand. Make conversation. "I suppose I don't feel very… social today." Lianna scoured her mind for any topics to talk about. "Do you have any siblings?"

Ness seemed a bit worried at the question. He looked at Lucas in a fretting way. His friend showed no hesitation when he answered, "A twin brother."

"Really?" Lianna cocked an eyebrow. She did not seem to notice Ike's now-frantic signals. One of his hands hit Bowser in the face, which made the Koopa King growl fiercely at him. Ike quickly moved away. "What is his name? I would like to meet him sometime."

Ness was about to hastily interrupt when Lucas stopped him. "You don't have to treat me all special, you know Ness? I'm fine." Ness solemnly nodded and Lucas looked Lianna squarely in the eye. "My brother's name is Claus. You can't meet him."

"Why?"

Behind Lianna's back, Ike slapped his forehead. Ness was ready to interrupt once more until Lucas signaled for him to keep quiet. "He's dead." Lucas's voice was steady. There was no quavering, no visible signs of his sorrow. Lianna felt a slight blush rising to her face.

"I'm so sorry–"

"It's all right." Lucas stabbed his food. "You didn't know. Ness, you want my steak?"

Food was exchanged silently between the friends. Lianna scrambled for another topic to talk about. "Well, where do you come from? You must tell me."

"Onett," Ness said. "Lovely town. The best place in Eagleland, in my opinion. You have to visit it sometime, you know? But you have to be careful of the hippies. They're… dangerous."

Hippies? How could hippies be frightening? Lianna frowned and shook her head. Where the heck was Eagleland, anyway? "I see. Where do you come from, Lucas?"

"Tazmily Village. It's on Nowhere Island." Lucas nudged Ness. "You know, we're actually centuries apart from each other?"

Lianna blinked. "What?"

"It's true!" Ness exclaimed. "He's, oh, five centuries or so ahead of my time. Cool huh? And they still don't have flying cars. Sure, we have flying saucers, but where the heck are those flying DeLoreans?"

Lucas smiled. "Sorry, but we only use Ferraris."

"Oh, we'll need to change that!"

The two burst into laughter. At this point, Lianna was completely lost. She gave up on trying communicating with them all together and silently ate her meal. Suddenly, a huge glob of mashed potatoes hit Lianna squarely in the chest. Ness and Lucas sat up straight, looked at each other, and said in unison, "Food fight!" They both dove under the table. A bowl of macaroni hit Lianna in the face. Enough was enough. She wiped the gooey mess off and scanned the cafeteria for her tormentor.

Her eye landed on Toon Link, standing on a table and laughing his head off at her. Without a second thought, Lianna dove at him.

Toon Link rolled out of her way just in time and the cafeteria became deathly quiet. Lianna held the bowl that he had thrown at her and said coldly, "I believe this belongs to you."

Toon Link snickered. "Nice makeover on your face. You look a heck lot prettier like that. Why don't you keep it on? It's a big improvement!"

Lianna threw the bowl at him. She didn't mean to hit his face, or throw so hard, but that was what it did. Toon Link was sent tumbling through the tables and came to a stop a good foot away. The cartoon hero got up and unsheathed his sword. A small whisper rippled through the crowd, and soon everyone was yelling.

"Fight, fight, fight, fight!"

The chants made Lianna's warrior blood boil. Toon Link gave that irritating smug grin of his and crowed, "Bring it on! You want a fight, you'll get a fight!"

Lianna was about to draw her own sword when a booming voice screeched, "What is going on here?!"

The chants died away and the crowd parted to let Crazy Hand pass through. The Hand looked around him, at the mess, at the now silent Smashers. "You." He jabbed a finger at Lianna and Toon Link. "You two are coming with me! You are in serious trouble, more trouble than you can ever imagine!"