After breakfast was over the majority of the Smashers all headed over to the office of the infamous Master Hand. It was located in the Mansion's East Wing where also most of the recreational areas like the library and game room were. Usually the master of the mansion resided in this office and would call for any individual to come in for something important. In this case though it would be the first time nearly everyone as a whole group came in together.
Walking in Link led everyone opening the front double door entering the oval shaped office. The large being Master Hand was... floating, above the space where a chair would be in front of his desk before greeting the Smashers.
"Ah! There you all are, I see Crazy informed you of my message?"
Most of the Smashers stood fine in the office but mostly crowded together in front of Master Hand's desk. Before anyone else could respond to Master Hand Ike spoke up.
"Yeah we got the message. What do you want Hand?" the swordsman crossed his arms.
"I'm glad you asked Dwight." Master Hand floated over to a chart on the other side of the office before Ike could question the nickname. The Hand then unveiled a graph with a line rising up and down.
"Currently the funds for the Mansion are dropping. Since we still don't know when the next game will come out we have to rely on our own to replenish our funds."
Most of the group stared plexed at the Hand. The floating being sighed before clarifying.
"Money is low. We need to make more or they will evict us."
Now the Smashers heads raised up in understanding while others nodded in agreement. Pit waved his hand around impatiently several times which did not go unnoticed by the Hand.
"Yes Pit?"
"What do you mean 'they' will evict us? Who's 'they'?" Pit asked.
This caused several of the Smashers to also blink and realize they too didn't know who these 'they' were. The Hand scratched his... inner palm, before responding.
"Ah yes, they would be our sponsors. You know, the United Nations and Nintendo of Japan."
"We're sponsored by the UN?" Snake asked. Out of all the people here he the most 'normal', that being an ordinary human, should have been aware of this.
"But of course!" Hand twirling around. "After all do you really think the entire sales of each of your video game franchises alone could pay for all your expenses here at the mansion?"
This actually got several of the Smashers to think back on just how much stuff they had at the mansion. Not to mention the free rooms they had access to a library, swimming pool, medical facility, baths/showers, free food-which strangely all was from the Smasher's respective worlds and suited their respective tastes- plus parking garage and access to high tech transporters. It now dawned that the Mansion had to have some sort of funding from somewhere.
"You see freeloaders-I mean residents," Master Hand cleared his... means of speaking. "Until we can get a concrete release date for the next big crossover game money is lower and right now your respective owners won't be able to support your lodging. So you each need to earn money by the sweat of your brow!"
"Is that it or do the creators feel like holding onto their cash?" Ike asked skeptically.
"Maybe!" Master Hand offered no counter.
"Well this is great... I'm broke." Snake said arms crossed.
"What are we gonna do!?" Lucas said nervously.
"We'll figure out something..." Samus offered unfazed.
"If you want to collaborate together you all can try but until then good luck. Oh and Luigi..." Master Hand motioned to the Super Mario brother.
"Ah! When did he get here!?" Snake said realizing the green clothed plumber had been standing next to him.
"I've been here the whole time!" Luigi said annoyed.
"My dearest Luigi Mario, you've been confirmed to be in the next game! But we still don't know when it's coming out, so there you have it. You still have a job with us!" Master Hand congratulated the green plumber.
'His last name is Mario?' Lucario wondered confused.
'Must be weird at reunions.' Marth thought.
"Now my residents... DISMISSED!" The Hand announced with his voice carrying out through the room.
The Smashers each left unsure whether to comment on that at all.
Later~
"All right then this better be important!" Ike slammed his hands down onto the makeshift desk. He had just stepped into Lucario's room and taken a seat on the ground right next to his comrade Marth and the other four Smashers Link, Zelda, Solid Snake, and Samus Aran.
Lucario himself, who was seated on his mattress, opened one eye before blinking several moments. The six humanoid Smashers glanced at the Pokémon while he scratched the back of his head.
"Um... why are you all in my room?"
"I called them here for a meeting Luc!" Snake offered stepping up.
"But why in my room?" Lucario asked.
"This meeting is to figure out what to do to raise up our funds!" Snake declared the point of the gathering. Though annoyed with being ignored Lucario sighed in defeat taking a spot next to his fellow Smashers.
"So do you have a plan then Snake?" Link asked. The mercenary of fortune sat back down legs crossed facing the Hyrulian.
"Actually... I thought you guys could brainstorm something."
The rest of the gang-minus Samus who sort of saw it coming-sighed. Snake still held a serious gaze with his hands resting on his knees facing the gang. Clearly he was awaiting for one of them to respond.
"...would if we just look for jobs?" Marth offered.
"How do we do that? We're videogame characters, do you seriously think they'll take us seriously if we say 'Im Link I want a job!'?"
"They took me seriously at the Library."
All heads turned towards Lucario who remained fixed where he was. The Pokemon of Aura raised a brow at them while they kept their stares.
"You got a job?" Snake asked confused.
"Yes. You fill out an application, get an interview, and then you wait till they give you a call. It's not that hard." Lucario explained.
"They didn't laugh at you at the interview?" Ike asked. Lucario shook his head.
"Well it went sort of like..."
"Hm... I see, Lucario, your resume is flawless! But why are you interested in working for our library, you seem to be over qualified." The elderly librarian asked. Lucario, seated across from her wearing a suit and tie folded his paws together.
"I need to raise money to stay at the mansion. Master Hand will kick us all out."
"Oh... well, you are such a gentlemen. I don't see why we can't hire you!"
"...and that's how it happened." Lucario finished.
"What did you put on the resume?" Marth asked. This made the others also wonder not really knowing that the Pokémon ever had any jobs at all before.
"Oh you know... Aura Guardian, Pokémon, Fry cook, busboy, janitor, world war veteran, security guard, and Smasher."
The rest of the gang blinked. Lucario raised his brow again at their wondered expressions.
"What?"
"There's a lot we don't know about you is there Lucario?" Zelda finally said.
"Or you made up half of that up." Snake said with a grunt.
"I'll let you choose what to believe." Lucario leaned back on his bed turning away from the rest of the gang.
TheFlyingLion:
For the record Master Hand calls Ike "Dwight" in reference to US President Dwight Eisenhower. There was a famous phrase people would say which was "I Like Ike" during the Cold War period and Master Hand is kinda calling Ike that in a reverse reference.
The beginning with Master Hand kind of addressing the financial problems was kind of difficult for me I'll admit. Mostly though it was trying to make it humorous but also jump start where everyone has to begin the task of raising money. I think though I accomplished it more with Snake bringing several of the Smashers together. He's a bit goofy too but in Smash Bros it works well for him cause he does get that goofy sometimes.