Author's Note:
Y'all know the routine...
"Will Wizeman and Antasma be the villains for the next arc? Who is teaching Pit to read and write? Can you add a scene of Viridi hanging out with Futaba or Ann? (As part of her character development) a scene of Jun Kazama or Ling Xiaoyu trying to get the Mishima family to reconcile? And finally, what are your thoughts on Atlus caving in and censoring Catherine: Full Body?"
Nope. Palutena and Viridi are teaching Pit (just pick one). I can do that scene in a later chapter. I can do that Mishima family scene as well. And I've never heard of Catherine: Full Body, but judging by Google Images...I don't think I want to. Next is El Pollo Campero:
"Two questions. Can't Joker use his actual name, or is it some identity thing? Also can we have more of Pit T-posing while he asserts dominance?"
Joker can go by Ren, but I prefer the Joker moniker anyways. Also, Pit T-posing will only be used in extreme moderation. Derick Lindsey has a question about a certain couple:
"By the way when does Fox and Krystal's wedding happen since I noticed it hasn't been brought up the past 2 chapters so I guess soon?"
I'm getting to it...there will be a wedding soon. Walter Hitchcock has three questions for me:
"1. Will we see other Persona characters show up (Persona 1, Persona 2 duology, Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5)?
2. Will we see other Shin Megami Tensei characters show up as well (Main Series (I, II, Nocturne, IV, Apocalypse, if..., Strange Journey), Devil Summoner (Raidou Kuzunoha), Digital Devil Saga, and Devil Survivor)?
3. Can Bart Simpson prank call all of the residents of the Smash Mansion?"
1. Other characters from Persona 3, 4, and 5 will appear. A little iffy on characters from Persona 1 and 2.
2. If possible, then yes.
3. No, but I can have someone else doing prank calls.
And last up is PinkRose4452:
"1. Will the Velvet Room assistants appear in the Q2 chapter?
2. Will there be a Sonic Movie chapter when the movie gets released next year?"
1. They will appear in the next chapter - the Persona Q2 chapter.
2. If I deem the Sonic movie good enough to warrant a chapter...then yes.
Episode 180: Damages
Mornings at the mansion were always pleasant for the mansion residents. No Master Hand, no horrible breakfast food from Palutena - just over a hundred residents gathering around the dining room table and having a jolly good time.
For a moment, it appeared as if the residents were having another mundane breakfast. Today on the menu was pancakes, bacon, and eggs, all cooked and prepared by Cilan. You'd be hard-pressed to see Cilan having an off-day, when it came to cooking breakfast. Or anything in general.
"More pancakes over here, please!" Coco called out to Cilan, who kindly gave the bandicoot another helping of pancakes. "Thanks a bunch, Cilan!"
"You're more than welcome, Miss Bandicoot!" replied Cilan, as he happily poured syrup over Coco's pancakes. Didn't even ask the bandicoot if she wanted syrup. How rude of him.
"Can you pass the syrup over here when you're done, Cilan?" Wario asked the connoisseur, having finished his pancakes. What did he even need the syrup for?
"Sure thing, Wario!" Cilan passed the bottle of syrup to Wario, who pour some syrup inside his empty glass. Cilan looked at the fatso inquisitively. "Mario and Luigi do the same thing, so why shouldn't I?"
"Drinking syrup like that seems like a waste to me. But hey, to each their own..." Cilan would return to the kitchen, leaving everyone alone to enjoy their breakfast.
As breakfast continued, Bayonetta started to sniff the air. She smelt some smoke, and the Umbra Witch didn't know where the smoke was coming from.
"Is it just me, or does it smell a little...smoky in here?" Bayonetta asked her fellow residents, as a few folks started sniffing the air. They too smelt the smoke.
"I think there might be a fire nearby..." assumed Zelda, as the residents were surprisingly tranquil. "If I had to guess, that Bowser's up to no good again..." Bowser wasn't even present at the dining room, confirming Zelda's suspicions.
"Oh boy, another fire safety drill!" exclaimed Sonic, rubbing his hands together; unlike the previous three fire drills, hardly any of the residents were panicking or trying to find a way out. "Can't wait to see how we're gonna 'pass' this one!"
Tails: I think it's safe to say that we all have become indifferent to Bowser's unnecessary fire safety drills over time. We've already had three at the mansion, so we kinda got used to them. If another fire drill ever happens, we'll just go about it coolly, and take it one step at a time...
"A fire at the mansion, are you for real?!" panicked Ryuji, being one of the few residents to be in a state of panic. He and his Shadow Thief friends have never experienced a fire drill before.
"I'm sure this is just a prank..." assured Andrew, who deep inside was just as worried as Ryuji was. "...this is a prank, right?" Andrew asked Wolf.
"No it's not a prank, it's just another one of Bowser's stupid fire drills," replied Wolf, apathetic to the situation, as he tried to open the backdoor. The door handle was pretty hot. "No need to panic, we've been through this before..."
"Does anyone know where the smoke is coming from?" questioned Chrom, as the residents abandoned the dining room table. "It seems like it's coming from many different directions!"
"Greninja and I will dispose of the fire!" volunteered Corrin, as he grabbed Greninja's hand - only for Greninja to slap the prince's hand away. "What gives, Greninja? Do you want people to die or not?!"
"Chill out Corrin, nobody has ever died during a fire drill before," stated Diddy Kong, gathering all of his bananas just to be on the safe side. "Bayonetta passing out was the worst that's ever happened."
"Where's Bowser, maybe he can tell us how to stop the fire!" said Lip, as Cilan entered the dining room with a plate of biscuits. He was greatly confused by what was going on. "You guys did say that he started the fire, right?"
Right on cue, Bowser showed up, entering the dining room from the kitchen. The koopa king looked around, befuddled by what was happening.
"Why does everyone look so tense this morning?" questioned Bowser, with his hands on his hips. "Is my very presence that intimidating to you?"
"There you are, Bowser," Chrom approached the koopa king, needing to ask him some very loaded questions. "Did you start another fire drill?"
"Another fire drill? And you guys didn't even tell me about it?! I know I was responsible for the past three, but the least you could've done is..."
"Sorry to cut you off, Bowser...but you didn't start the fire in or near the dining room this time?" This was greatly concerning to Chrom, and many of the others.
"Heck no, this is the first time I've ever heard of such a fire! But I can tell you that there's a fire going on in the printing room! I was just about to tell Master Hand about it, but he wasn't there...so I wanted to tell you guys."
"A fire broke out in the printing room?!" exclaimed Gerudo Ganon, as there was a level of uneasiness building inside of the residents. "You've got to be kidding!"
"No, I'm dead serious...saw a bunch of smoke flying out from the printing room and everything! I think one of the printers caught on fire."
"Well it better not be Zero's printer!" said X, as the robot ran out of the dining room in a hurry. He couldn't afford to have his hi-tech printer go down in flames.
X: Zero has worked hard on that printer - had to sacrifice hanging out with friends like myself just so he could have that printer finished. So if his printer turns out to be destroyed, then someone - like me - is gonna have to pay.
Zero: I haven't even received a patent for my printer yet...Master Hand won't let me. He has a thing against anyone but him making money. You got no idea what Fox and Wario have to go through, when the cameras aren't rolling.
"Where is Zero headed off to?" Isabelle wondered, watching Zero run off as she entered the dining room. "And why do I smell smoke?"
"There's a fire nearby, I'm afraid," stated Chrom; Isabelle knew these fire situations all too well. "Also, there's another fire happening in the printer room. Bowser thinks one of the printers caught on fire, somehow."
"Really? Because I just saw another fire in the gaming room. Wish I could've notified Master Hand about it, but he's not home so..."
"A third fire going on at the mansion?!" panicked Bowser, with his hands on his head. "Not even I would think about doing something like that! Who started them?!"
Everything was much more peaceful at Mario's home, as Mario and company had finished their breakfast. Mario had just finished brushing his teeth, when Cappy came flying into the bathroom in a frantic manner.
"Mario, Mario, it's an emergency!" the talking hat alerted the plumber, with eyes bigger than the sun. "The mansion's on fire!"
"Must be another one-a of Bowser's fire safety tests," assumed Mario, as he placed his toothbrush back where it belonged. The plumber exited his bathroom and went to his closet, throwing on his overalls.
"This isn't just a fire safety test...this fire just might be the real deal." Mario could only smirk, as he put on his shoes. "You gotta come downstairs and see for yourself, I'm not kidding!"
"How bad-a can it be? The worst that could happen would be some-a smoke coming out from a dining room-a window. That's where the fire usually starts-a anyway, in the dining room!"
"It's more than just the dining room that the smoke is coming out from. Hurry, we gotta head downstairs, the residents might be in trouble!"
So Mario and Cappy headed downstairs and went outside, where they saw Peach, Spyro, and Hunter at the front yard. If those three were outside, then Cappy might be right about something...
"Princess-a Peach, what's the matter?" Mario asked his wife, joining her and the others at the front yard. Peach pointed at the mansion, and Mario looked at the mansion himself as his eyes grew wide. "Mama mia!"
"The entire mansion's on fire!" exclaimed Peach, as the mansion was indeed set ablaze. The roof was on fire, a few walls were on fire as well, as smoke rose up into the sky. "The mansion must've been attacked!"
"Eh, I'm sure someone accidentally dropped a candle and started the fire," shrugged Hunter, looking and feeling pretty nonchalant about the situation. "No biggie."
"Or maybe the dudes from the manor are back at it again," suggested Spyro, providing a much more reasonable and likely theory. "Looks like they're actually trying to hurt people!"
X: Phew, some good news...I managed to save Zero's printer, from destruction. *holds up Zero's printer to the camera* Got it just in time before it could catch on fire. The bad news? Turns out the printing room wasn't the only place set on fire.
As Peach had mentioned moments ago, the mansion in its entirety was on fire. The residents had left the dining room and were trying to flee, but everywhere they went there was a fire. They could leave through the front door, but there was one problem...
"AAAAAH, THE DOOR HANDLE'S SO HOT!" Lloyd screamed in pain after grabbing the door handle to the front door, jumping back as he held his burning hand. "WHY DIDN'T ANYONE WARN ME!"
"Kid, Meta Knight tried to warn you moments ago," Snake said to Lloyd, as he was looking for a way out of the mansion. However, the former spy couldn't focus, as residents were literally running around screaming their heads off.
"We're all gonna die, for real this time!" shrieked Young Link, with Toon Link carrying him on his back as the Hylian ran across the foyer. Buddy cops for life.
"Where oh where are my Waddle Dees?" wondered King Dedede, as he searched high and low for his lowly servants. "I'm not leaving this place without my Waddle Dees! Waddle Dees, where are you?!"
"Can you please pipe down, I'm trying to focus here!" Snake snapped on King Dedede, before turning his attention to Joker, who was with Morgana. He saw the young man open the trapdoor in the foyer, and letting Morgana inside.
"Good thinking, Joker!" Morgana commended the young man, heading in through the trapdoor. Joker was about to head in himself, before Snake caught his attention.
"You want to come along too?" Joker asked the former spy, who was more than eager to say yes. "You do realize there's a tunnel that leads to..."
"Yes, yes, I know, leads directly to Mario's bunker," nodded Snake, almost feeling like he had his intelligence insulted. "I'll let the others know about the passageway."
"You can go on ahead, I'll just send a mass text to everyone." Joker allowed Snake to enter through the trapdoor, as the young man took out his cellphone so he could send a mass text. Lloyd looked over at Joker, seeing the open trapdoor.
"Hey guys, there's an escape route in the foyer!" Lloyd called out at the top of his lungs, before hopping through the trapdoor. Moments later, several nearby residents showed up and left through the trapdoor, trying to escape the smoke.
"And...sent." Having finished sending the mass text, Joker placed his cellphone back in his pocket, ready to enter through the trapdoor. However, he saw Shovel Knight showing up...holding Makoto in his arms.
"Art thou safe, my dearest Queen?" the knight asked Makoto, who was understandably feeling awkward and uncomfortable.
"Yes I am safe, thanks for asking..." the awkward and uncomfortable Makoto replied. The brunette took sight of Joker, who was cringing.
"Shovel Knight, what are you doing with my girlfriend?" Joker asked the knight in a slightly threatening tone. Shovel Knight better know whom he was messing with.
"What does it look like, I'm saving thy mistress from the fire! I had just crossed over from the tower, and when I realized that the mansion too was ablaze..."
"Hold on, the tower is on fire too?" questioned Makoto, fearing for the worst. This was undeniably an attack from the manor. "That's...that's not good."
The tower, just like the mansion, was caught on fire, and the denizens of the tower couldn't escape. They were all trapped inside the dining room, with the dining room door jammed shut and a fire close by.
"Why...won't...this...stupid...door...OPEN?!" growled Samurai Goroh, who was trying repeatedly to open the dining room door. He was pulling on the door handle, with both hands, but nothing worked.
Midna: Apparently the dining room door is jammed - very unfortunate, since there's a fire going on. But, while the others will likely attempt to crash through the dining room windows, and risk serious injury, I'll just fly my way out...which was exactly what I did. Ah, it feels great being an imp...
"Take it easy Goroh, it's just a door," Ghirahim advised the samurai, placing a gentle hand on the samurai, before Goroh slapped the demon in his face. "Oh, my face!"
"I can't afford to go out like this!" Samurai Goroh expressed his feelings to Ghirahim, tears running down his face. "None of us can afford to go out like this! We all have so much to live for!"
"That's a giant overstatement, if I've ever heard one," remarked Shadow; the hedgehog's been in so many perilous situations, being trapped in a fire meant nothing to him.
"Aw shucks, I thought I would've avoided those stupid fire drills when I moved here!" moaned Knuckles, burying his face in his hands on the dining room table. "Bowser's back at it again!"
"I highly doubt Bowser has anything to do with the fire," said Bomberman, not wanting to risk using his bombs to open up a way out for the tower denizens. "Chef Kawasaki, did you turn the oven off?"
"Yes I did, I actually remembered this time!" Chef Kawasaki defended himself; the fact that he routinely forgot to turn off the oven should make him lose all his cooking privileges. "I didn't start the fire!"
Suddenly the dining room door came crashing down, as a red tank powered through inside the dining room. Accompanying the tank were three infantry soldiers, adorned in their red military suits.
"We have a code red, I repeat, we have a code red!" the lead infantry soldier announced to the denizens. "My men and I can confirm that this tower...is on fire!"
"The whole tower's on fire?!" fretted Knuckles, acting irrationally as he stomped his foot on the floor. "Bowser has taken it way too far this time!"
"As of right now, we don't know who started the fire. But we do know that we have to get all of you outta, quick! There is fire every step of the way, so just follow our lead and you'll be okay!"
The infantry soldiers successfully led the tower denizens out of the tower, as their red tank rammed the tower's front door down to the ground and led the denizens out of the burning tower. Many fire trucks were already at the scene, to take care of the ongoing fires. Residents from both the mansion and tower were outside, safe and sound, watching as the firefighters did their thing.
"Thanks-a for calling 9-1-1, Luigi," Mario thanked his brother, who was outside along with Daisy and Yuffie. The Mario Bros' neighbors were outside as well, watching the firefighters doing their jobs. "I was too lazy to get my own-a phone."
"That's no excuse...especially with so many lives-a in danger." Luigi told his twin brother, wagging his finger. "Laziness waits-a for no one! I think that's an actual quote...correct-a me if I'm wrong."
Isabelle: Master Hand and Crazy Hand are out today, enjoying their "secret breakfast". Trust me, I don't know what that is either. Sounds like a honeymoon-type thing to me. I'm expecting both hands to be VERY unhappy campers when they return soon.
While everyone got out of the mansion and tower alive, not everyone got out uninjured. For instance, Layton injured his leg trying to escape from the mansion, and was helped over to an ambulance by some paramedics.
"The fire came out of nowhere, I'm telling you," Layton told the paramedics, as he hopped over to the ambulance nearby. "It just flew right out of that door, out of nowhere. Twisted my ankle trying to get away!"
"Will Professor Layton be okay?" Luke asked one of the paramedics, who was rolling out a stretcher from another ambulance. "Is he hurt pretty badly?"
"Layton will be fine, sweetie - he just twisted his leg," the paramedic responded, giving Luke a heartwarming smile. "Should be lucky that he got out of the mansion!"
"Can we please go inside and look for our dad?" Morgan approached the paramedic, along with her twin brother Marc. "We haven't seen him yet!"
"A bunch of firefighters are already in the mansion, looking for anyone still trapped inside. Your dad will be out of the mansion shortly!"
"How can you be so sure?" questioned Marc, not believing the paramedic for a second, as he tried to run inside the mansion before the paramedic grabbed him. "Let us see our dad!"
"Stop, it's not safe yet to enter the mansion! Just wait outside, and let those firefighters do their thing. You have nothing to worry about!"
A few firefighters exited from the mansion through the front door, carrying some burnt items in their hands. The firefighters dropped said items on the ground...and one of the items was a pink laptop that a certain bandicoot recognized.
"Is that...my laptop?" wondered Coco, as her eyes laid upon her now scorched laptop. The bandicoot looked distressed, placing her hands on her cheeks. "No way..."
"Look on the bright side, Coco - the laptop could still be operable!" Aku told the bandicoot, trying to cheer her up...before several firefighters doused water on the burnt items with a water hose. The laptop was doused by the water, as Coco shed a tear while Crash patted her sister on the back.
"You were saying, Aku?" Coco looked at her guardian mask, with an angry frown. Way to give Coco's hopes up, Aku.
Just then, another crew of firefighters exited from the mansion, coming out from the door that led to the basement. Accompanying them were a bunch of Rabbids - and a mage.
"We found somebody!" one of the firefighters announced, as he and his men brought Robin and the Rabbids to the front of the mansion. "Found these guys hiding from the fire in the basement."
"...R-Robin?" Lucina uttered her boyfriend's name, as she ran up to the mage. The princess embraced Robin in a hug. "Oh, I was so worried..."
"It's okay, Lucina - I was just trying to keep these Rabbids safe," assured Robin; at least someone cared enough for the Rabbids' safety. As Lucina continued to hug Robin, the Rabbids joined in for a group hug.
"Dad!" Morgan cheered, as she and Marc ran up to Robin. A few Rabbids moved out of the way, so the twins could join in on the group hug.
"There you kids are! So glad you two are safe. But I don't see Chrom or Raven anywhere. Did they make it out yet?"
"MY HAIR, MY HAIR!" Chrom screamed at the top of his lungs, running around with his hair on fire. Raven was chasing after him, trying to fan the flames.
"I think Father is a little preoccupied at the moment," remarked Lucina with a smile on her face, as one of the firefighters used the water hose on Chrom.
Rex: Could you imagine if Chrom had his hair burnt off? Especially from his scalp? That would be funny... *laughs nervously* ...unless he starts taking out his anger on me.
Raven: Chrom just burnt his scalp, so he should be fine. That being said, however, expect Chrom to be hysterical about it. Anything involving the potential loss of his hair will make him go crazy.
As the fires at the mansion and the tower died down, thanks to the firefighters' efforts, Master Hand and Crazy Hand returned to the premises as they magically appeared. That Isabelle better be ready for some explaining...
"Not gonna lie, Crazy Hand, we had a real fun time during our..." Master Hand was speaking with Crazy Hand, before seeing the damage done to the mansion and tower. The giant hand was understandably bewildered. "What happened to my precious mansion?!"
"And what happened to my TOWER?!" boomed Crazy Hand, seeing the fire at the tower starting to die down. "Who on EARTH is responsible?!"
"It was Bowser's fault, he was doing another one of his stupid 'fire safety tests'!" accused Knuckles, as he pointed his finger at Bowser. Bowser was deeply offended, as he clutched his pearls.
"Sure, put the blame on the guy that breathes fire..." growled Bowser, wanting to sucker punch Knuckles into the sky for his baseless accusation. "...I don't see anyone blaming Spyro! It's because he's a 'good guy', isn't he?"
"Actually, Master Hand, Bowser said that he had nothing to do with the fire," Isabelle stated to the giant hand, sticking up for Bowser. "Bowser claimed that he saw a fire start in the printing room."
"In the printing room, of all places?" questioned Master Hand - sounded like a very weird spot to start a fire, to him. "Did one of the printers catch on fire or something?"
"I went to the printing room myself, to save Zero's printer from the fire," responded X, as he was holding Zero's trusty printer in his hands. "To me, it seemed like the printers just got caught in the fire."
"I see...this sounds like a deliberate attack, more than anything else. And I think who exactly is responsible for this heinous crime..."
"Hey guys, what did I miss?" someone asked, as a certain angel arrived at the mansion with some grocery bags. It was Pit. "Just got done running some errands for Lady Palutena. Did I miss breakfast?"
"Yes, yes you did...and you almost missed the fire," replied Leaf, as Pit gasped and dropped the grocery bags to the ground in response. "The mansion caught on fire, and we all had to evacuate."
"Not only that, but the tower was caught on fire too," added Knuckle Joe, before looking towards the infantry. "If it weren't for those infantry soldiers, we would've been done for!"
"If only they those soldiers opted to leave a few people behind..." Shadow muttered under his breath, with his arms folded. Shame on that hedgehog, wishing fatal consequences on others...
"Aw what, I missed a fire at the mansion?" whined Pit, as the angel fell to his knees. He buried his face in his hands and moped, acting like a college student who failed his final exam. "No fair!"
"It's all good, kiddo - you just so happen to be one of the lucky ones," one of the firefighters approached Pit, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Some of your fellow residents ended up pretty hurt!"
"I know people got hurt and all - I'm just salty that I missed one of the biggest moments to ever happen at the mansion. All because I was doing grocery shopping for Lady Palutena! Nice going, Lady Palutena!"
"You're...welcome, Pit?" Palutena awkwardly responded as she eyed around, wondering why Pit was so upset for. Maybe he wanted to witness the fire, just for the sake of experience.
Palutena: Had to send Pit to the grocery store to fetch me a few items, for my celery stew. Just a little something I've been wanting to attempt, for quite a while now. But thanks to the fire, that attempt might just have to wait...
Once the firefighters took care of the fire, Master Hand and Crazy Hand met with one of the firefighters, before the fire trucks could return to the fire department.
"Just how BAD are the damages?" asked Crazy Hand, not expecting to pay too much for the tower's damages. Part of him wanted the city to pay out of their pocket.
"I'd say that both the tower and mansion were hurt pretty badly by the fires," the firefighter replied, as several police cars arrived at the mansion premises. "It would take about a week for everything to be repaired."
"What exactly do you mean by 'everything'?" questioned Master Hand, as he started to fear for the worst. Anything drastic would ultimately break the giant hand.
"Just the parts of the mansion that were badly damaged. The gaming room is scorched, the lounge is scorched as well, the printing room is almost nonexistent, the recording studio at the top of the mansion is nearly falling apart..."
"Alright, alright, I've heard enough." Master Hand simply couldn't bear to stomach anything else the firefighter said. "I can see that a lot of work needs to be done."
"Affirmative. I think those police officers are gonna scope the mansion, and see any signs of wrongdoing. As you said, this definitely feels more like an attack, than an an actual accident...especially if both the mansion and tower were caught on fire at the same time."
"Wait, before you go...what should we DO with the residents?" implored Crazy Hand; those residents really needed a roof to live under. "Where will they LIVE at?"
"That's up to you and Master Hand to decide. I'll leave it up to you two to figure the living situation out for your residents. Take it easy now!"
The firefighter boarded one of the fire trucks, as the fire trucks all departed from the mansion. A police sheriff soon approached Master Hand and Crazy Hand.
"We'll take over from here, boys," the sheriff informed Master Hand and Crazy Hand, triggering both of them. No one referred to those hands as "boys" and expect to get away with it. "We'll look around the mansion and tower, for any signs of criminal activity."
"Thank you very much, sheriff," Master Hand thanked the sheriff, who nodded as he and his fellow police officers entered the mansion. Master Hand was sure to get retribution on that sheriff, for calling him and Crazy Hand "boys".
"So how long until it's safe to go back inside the mansion?" Pac-Man approached Master Hand and Crazy Hand, holding a mug in his hand. That mug definitely had the phrase "World's Best Dad" on it.
"The firefighter we spoke with said it'll be up to a week," replied Master hand, as Pac-Man took a sip from mug. "But until then, where will our residents live at?!"
"Don't tell me you two forgot about your neighbors!" Pac-Man gave a hearty laugh, laughing at how worried both Master Hand and Crazy Hand were. "No worries, I have a couple of residents living over at my house. Got enough space and sleeping bags for everyone!"
Heihachi: It was a very nice gesture of Pac-Man to let me in his home! But you know what isn't nice? Having to sleep in a sleeping bag on the living room floor. I'm way above that garbage!
Gil: Pac-Man's house is comfy and all, but I'm worried about those books in the library. There's simply too much literature in that library than can be easily replaced.
Palutena: Pac-Man wouldn't mind if I made my celery stew over his stove, would he?
Excitebike Racer: Thank goodness my stay at Pac-Man's place is only temporary...because that dog is already getting on my nerves. If he pees on my leg ONE more time...
"Letting the residents LIVE at the neighbors' houses, what a SPLENDID idea!" exclaimed Master Hand, willing to take all the credit for the neighbors' selflessness.
"Yeah, we all had to take in as many residents as we could," stated Pac-Man, before taking another sip from his mug. "Berkut was very picky, only letting 'those with royalty' in his house. But the rest of us neighbors were open to just about anyone!"
"But what about the remaining residents, where are they living at?" asked Master Hand, refusing to leave a single resident behind. This was perhaps the most the giant hand cared for the residents' well-being, ever. "Like Captain Falcon, and Toad?"
"Captain Falcon is living in his vehicle, as I speak. I think Jacky and Sonic are doing the same thing too. Link as well. As for Toad, he's driving the remaining residents around town on his bus, looking for a temporary living space. Kapp'n would've done the same thing, but he's low on gas."
"Toad is looking for a temporary residence? What a guy, that Toad is...I could give him a big fat kiss if I wanted to. If only I had a mouth..."
Mario and Peach were absolutely no strangers to letting guests stay at their house, if Spyro and Hunter were any indication. The married couple happily let Isabelle, the Koopalings, the Crash clan, Ashley, Dillon, and Guile in their house, without the slightest hint of hesitation.
"Coulda stayed with my dad, but Berkut turned down me and my siblings because we didn't have enough 'royal prestige'," Bowser Jr. said to Mario and Peach; Berkut was truly as boujee as they come. "Thanks for taking us in!"
"You're-a welcome, Bowser Jr," replied Mario, before the plumber turned towards Dillon. The armadillo would thank Mario by simply tipping his cowboy hat. "You're welcome too, Dillon."
"Mario, Coco is up in your room and she's in a crying fit," Guile approached the plumber, notifying him about Coco's status. "Either someone died, or someone showed her a great picture of the Grand Canyon!"
"What do you want-a me to do about it? It's not like I can make-a her stop crying. I'm a plumber, not some kind-a of emotional therapist!"
"I highly suggest that we take her to the nursery, if she doesn't stop crying. That's where all the crybabies belong." Mario didn't want Coco crying all day long, so he had to take matters into his own hands.
"You know what? Follow me..." the plumber said to Guile, leading the major upstairs to his bedroom. He would find Isabelle standing near the bedroom door.
"Sir Mario!" Isabelle greeted the plumber, as she looked up from her clipboard. "About time you showed up. Coco is in some very depressed spirits today."
"Why is she so sad for?" inquired Mario, as Isabelle led the plumber and Guile inside the bedroom. There Mario found Coco sitting on the bed, crying her eyes out, as Crash, Aku, and even Ashley were around to comfort her.
"I'm guessing it has something to do with her laptop. Think it got pretty damaged in the fire. I can tell that she had that laptop for a very long time!"
"Pfft, that's nothing...I've had a glazed doughnut with me since the early eighties," scoffed Guile, in an almost bragging manner, as Mario and Isabelle gave the major weird looks. "Didn't eat it till ten years later. It was hard, yes, but did I cry about it? Not at all..."
Mario: Yeah I bet it really was-a hard...the doughnut itself, I mean.
Ashley: Really couldn't care less about Coco's stupid laptop. I was only filling in for Peach, since her baby had her preoccupied.
"Should we rule out buying Coco a new laptop?" pondered Cappy, his eyes looking down at Mario. "It might not ever replace the emotional attachment Coco had with the previous one, but what other choice do we have?"
"I'm afraid it's the only choice-a we really have," replied Mario, before turning his attention to Isabelle. "Isabelle, get-a me my wallet..."
Luigi and Daisy were certainly no strangers to letting guests stay at their house for a while, as they too welcomed a few residents to their abode. Luke, Skull Kid, Simon, Richter, Alucard, Rodin, Yuri, Miu, and Devil. Kat, Ana, Zelda, Greninja and Asuka were brought in as recommendations from Yuffie...any guesses as to why?
"Wonder what's on television today..." said Luke, seating on the sofa in the living room as he flipped through the channels on Luigi's television. Luigi came over to the young detective, looking displeased.
"Luke, can you move some-a where else, you're sitting in-a my spot!" Luigi told the young detective, looking and feeling impatient already. "You have-a no right to sit in my sofa!"
"Aw, but it feels so comfy..." Luke adjusted to the sofa, moving about in place to get himself situated. "...can't you just sit somewhere else in the living room?"
"I'm afraid I cannot, Luke. That sofa is only meant-a for manly men, like-a myself. Having someone else-a sitting on it will result in some bad-a omens, like the ceiling in my bath-a room leaking!"
"The bathroom ceiling leaks all the time," stated Daisy, as she was fixing herself a delicious salad. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Luigi shushed his wife, before redirecting his attention to Luke.
"Is it really that big of a deal, Luigi?" questioned Luke, flipping through the television channels like a veteran couch potato. "I think it's about time you let someone else sit on this sofa."
Luke soon found the channel he was satisfied with, as a Fantastic Four movie appeared on the television screen. It was the 2015 movie...only a weirdo like Luke would willingly watch that trainwreck. However, something in that movie triggered the young detective...it was the moment that the Human Torch turned into, well, the Human Torch, as flames engulfed his body.
"What's-a the matter, Luke?" asked Luigi, as Luke started to hyperventilate with sweat running down his face. The young detective got up from the sofa, still looking at the television screen at the Human Torch, before falling down on his knees.
"Oh no!" panicked Daisy, dropping her salad on the kitchen counter as she ran over to Luke. Fortunately, Luke didn't collapse to the floor or anything, as Daisy helped the young detective up to his feet. "Luke, sweetie, are you okay?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine," replied a flustered Luke, taking out a handkerchief and using it to wipe the sweat off his face. "I really don't know what got to me there."
"Maybe seeing the Human Torch-a triggered you somehow," assumed Luigi, as Luke placed his handkerchief back in his pocket. "Is there by any chance-a you saw some flames during the fire?"
"I saw the giant flame that nearly took out Professor Layton...but it was no big deal, Layton dodged it in time." Luke confidently folded his arms, trying to feign confidence, although it was quite apparent to Luigi and Daisy that Luke was feeling the exact opposite.
"Did it not scare you, seeing the flame nearly attack Layton?" Daisy asked Luke, who was doing everything he could to keep his confident facade intact. "I mean, he nearly broke his leg trying to escape! "You had to be at least a little scared!"
"Princess Daisy is one hundred percent right, zzrt," Rotom interjected itself into the conversation, hovering over to Daisy and company. "Just the thought of black smoke, suffocating your lungs, choking at your neck, and the smoldering heat knocking the fight out of you..."
"STOP IT, I SAY, STOP IT! I'M NOT SCARED!" boomed Luke, the loudest the young detective has ever yelled in his life, as his facade was now broken. Luke yelled so loud, that he could be heard upstairs.
"Can you please keep it down there, we're having a ninja initiation!" Yuffie yelled from upstairs; obviously the plucky ninja girl was spending time with her ninja pals.
Yuffie: After much thought and consideration, Sheik, Asuka and I mutually agreed that it was time for Kat and Ana to join our little friendship circle. (Greninja was wholesomely indifferent to the decison, just like he is with everything else.) Kat and Ana, they may be kindergartners and all, but they're still ninjas at heart. I just hope they don't force us into playing with their baby dolls, if they have any.
"Why are Yuffie and the ninjas doing their 'initiation' upstairs?" Daisy asked Luigi, knowing that the ninja pals could have done the initiation in Yuffie's room.
"I just hope they aren't-a using our master bedroom," replied Luigi, before looking at Luke, who was walking away. "Where-a are you going, Luke?"
"Going out on a walk...taking my mind off of things," responded Luke, as he left the house through the back screen door. Luigi and Daisy exchanged looks of concern, as Luke went outside.
As stated by Pac-Man, Toad was riding a majority of residents around town on his bus, looking for a place to stay. At the suggestion from one of the residents, Toad drove the bus to B.D. Joe's private home, knowing that the taxi driver had enough space for everyone.
"So Pit, why didn't want to stay with Palutena?" Toad asked the angel, who was accompanying the bus thief (you know Toad stole that bus) to B.D Joe's doorstep.
"Because thanks to her, I missed out on witnessing the big fire," responded Pit, who was still feeling pretty salty. Even though he had no right to. "I'm sure the fire was awesome!"
"Yeah, if you consider having your life and safety endangered, then it was awesome...just promise me you'll be on your best behavior."
Toad and Pit reached B.D. Joe's doorstep, as they were standing at the front door. Pit rang the doorbell - since Toad couldn't reach - as B.D. Joe answered the door.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Toad and Pit!" B.D. Joe greeted the duo, with his classic toothy smile, as he saw Toad's bus from afar. "Lemme guess, some evil entity took over the mansion again?"
"Hi, B.D. Joe - our mansion happened to be caught on fire," said Toad, greatly alarming B.D. Joe as the taxi driver's toothy grin faded away in an instant. "The tower suffered from the same fate, too."
"Yeah, and it was epic!" exclaimed Pit, brushing Toad to the side. "The mansion at the fire, I mean. The black, thick smoke filled up the hallways, making it hard to see anything. The heat, oh man the heat...it was like being stuck inside a fireplace! I tried to fly away from the flames, but due to the dastardly flames..."
"Pit, what are you even talking about? You were the only resident that was absent when the fire took place! You were running errands, remember?"
"You're right, I wasn't there...but what I just recited were true stories told my first-hand witnesses. I'm here to tell their stories, since they're too cowardly to carry the burden themselves!"
"Soooooo was there a fire or not?" questioned B.D. Joe, unsure of what to believe anymore. Pit really knows how to screw things up.
"There was a fire; I'm sure the local news will run a report on it sooner or later," replied Toad, making B.D. Joe's disbelief and skepticism vanish away. "Anyways, would you mind letting my friends and I stay at your place, till the mansion's repaired?"
"Sure man, I'd love to!" Toad and Pit were delighted by B.D. Joe's response, happily giving each other a high five. "...but the thing is, I have to prep up my house for a house party soon. Sorry, but I can't take y'all in."
"Oh...I see. In that case, we'll just to keep on looking for a temporary residence. Have fun and good luck with your house party!"
Captain Falcon, thinking one step ahead, took upon himself to live in his Falcon Flyer. In the vehicle, Falcon had the wherewithal to do things like sleep, make food, urinate, make out with Nowi, etc. The Falcon Flyer was parked at a random park in Seattle, where Captian Falcon wouldn't have to worry about being ticketed.
"Ah, I could really go for a sub sandwich right about now..." remarked Captain Falcon, stretching his arms as he opened up the hatch of his Falcon Flyer. After his stretch, the racer looked out and saw something that made him go, "Huh?"
Near his Falcon Flyer were other vehicles from the mansion. Link's truck, Jacky's car, Sonic's corvette, Samus' Gunship, and even Fox and Wolf's Landmasters...they were all at the park. Captain Falcon observed this, with his hands on his hips.
"A bunch of copycats, I see..." the racer mumbled to himself, as he leaped down from the Falcon Flyer. "...I oughta give these posers a piece of my mind!"
Captain Falcon: Living inside my own vehicle was an idea that only I had the right to make. Mainly because my Falcon Flyer is superior to everyone else's vehicle. Name me ONE vehicle that has a portable toilet you can freely pee and poop in. I'll wait.
Captain Falcon angrily marched up to Link's truck, Epona, and knocked on the passenger door. Cloud opened the passenger door, but it didn't seem like he did it in response to the knock. It looked the swordsman was just leaving the truck.
"Where do you think you're going, hot shot?" Captain Falcon questioned Cloud, stopping Cloud as he put his hand in front of him. "What are you planning on doing?"
"I'm going away so I can reflect on the horrible decision I've made," replied Cloud, as Captain Falcon felt very skeptical of the swordsman's reply. "Living with Link and Champion Link was a mistake..." Cloud was about to continue walking, until Captain Falcon stopped him in his tracks again.
"I believe that following after that copycat Link is a much more horrible decision! What were you thinking, my man?"
"I'm sorry, did someone call me a copycat?" questioned Link, overhearing Captain Falcon as he opened the driver's door. The Hylian looked mangled, like he hadn't showered in a week, as there were flies flying around him. "And where do you think you're going, Cloud?"
"Obviously away from you," replied Cloud, wishing that Captain Falcon wasn't holding him up. "It's really starting to smell in there."
"Like it's my fault I kept a pizza in the truck...it's called 'being prepared', Cloud. That pizza is an emergency pizza. Who knows when you would have to live inside your truck because of some stupid fire!'
"The 'emergency pizza' tastes old and clammy," Champion Link was heard from inside the truck, sounding very disgusted in his tone. "Not to mention very cold!"
"Shut up Champion Link, you're only making me look bad!" Link snapped on his fellow Hylian, before turning back to Cloud. "You better come back to this truck, or else. Not like you have anywhere else to live!"
"Sure, I'll think about it," responded Cloud, moving Captain Falcon's hand out of the way as he walked off. No way Cloud was coming back to Link's truck; he'd fare much better at a run-down inn.
"As for you..." Link redirected his attention to Captain Falcon, angrily pointing his finger at him. "...why don't you waltz back to your Falcon Flyer, and leave us alone? I didn't choose to live in his truck, you know..."
"And you didn't have to choose to follow after me," retorted Captain Falcon, making Link even more angry. "But don't worry, I'll return to my Falcon Flyer...after I get my sub sandwich. Have fun with your old-as-heck pizza!"
Link angrily slammed the car door shut, returning to his car as Captain Falcon walked away. The racer would interrogate Fox next, as he walked over to the pilot's Landmaster.
"Open up, open up I say!" commanded Captain Falcon, as he knocked aggressively on the Landmaster. Falco would approach Falcon, holding a Jimmy John's sub sandwich and a fountain drink in his hands. Because sandwich.
"Sup," Falco greeted Captain Falcon, before taking a sip from his drink. Captain Falcon looked at the avian pilot, and then at the sub sandwich in his hand.
"That sub sandwich, where'd you get it from? Jimmy John's?" the racer interrogated Falco, as he felt his stomach grumbling. "Where is the Jimmy John's at?"
"Found one near Seattle University. Since school's out, it's not as hectic inside as I thought it would be...still gotta be on the lookout for those old guys, though."
Falco: Imagine being inside a sub sandwich place, or any other restaurant, and there's two old guys seated in their chairs, waiting on their food...and they're looking at you. Not at the television, or the menu...just at you. Not even saying a word...and they're just staring at you. Scary, ain't it? If it were old grannies instead, we'd be telling a different story.
"Who keeps knocking on my Landmaster?" questioned Fox as he opened up the hatch to his Landmaster, sticking his head out of the flying contraption. He saw Captain Falcon down below. "Was it you, Falcon?"
"Yes, Mr. McCloud, it was me...you're in my spot!" Captain Falcon pointed at Fox, who rolled his eyes in disbelief. "I had this park all for myself, but NOOOOO, bums like you have to occupy my space!"
"Look Falcon, this is a free country, it's not like you own this park. Now how about you stop acting so salty, and go back to your stupid Falcon Flyer. I'm trying to spend some quality time with Krystal!"
"Can you please let me in, Fox?" Falco asked his best friend, itching to get back inside the Landmaster. Fox took heavy notice of the sub sandwich in Falco's possession.
"Is that sub sandwich for me?" Reluctantly, Falco shook his head no, leading Fox to close the Landmaster hatch. "You're on your own now, buddy..."
"No, let me back inside man, you can't do this to me!" Falco impetuously dropped his sub sandwich and drink on the ground, before leaping atop the Landmaster and banging his fists on it. Captain Falcon took sight of Falco's food, and grabbed it in a hurry.
"This should save me a few extra bucks..." the racer smiled to himself, greatly pleased with the grub he collected as he returned to his Falcon Flyer.
While Fox was busy spending time with Krystal, two other members of Star Rox - Peppy and Slippy - were paying a visit to Layton, who was at the hospital. Very kind gesture from them. Having paid their visit to Layton, Peppy and Slippy were about to leave the hospital as they walked through the hallway on the first floor.
"I don't get it, Peppy, why are we leaving so soon?" Slippy asked the hare, while eating from a bag of potato chips he acquired from a vending machine. "I thought we were allowed to stay as long as we like!"
"It's because you wouldn't stop toying around with that IV machine," replied Peppy; he should've kept a better watch of Slippy. "The hospital workers made it very clear as day that..."
"But why does Layton need an IV for? He just has an injured leg. Not like he was terminally ill or anything."
"Now, Slippy, don't be so insensitive...the nurses were only just doing a solid for Layton. They're trying to keep him hydrated."
"Oh, so Layton was parched from the fire? Now it's starting to make sense! Shoulda given me a heads up, Peppy!"
As Peppy and Slippy arrived in the hospital lobby, they came across a fellow resident as they were about to leave. It was Cloud.
"Ah, Cloud, didn't expect to run into you here!" Peppy greeted the swordsman, smiling with his hands on his hips. "What brings you to the hospital?"
"I just needed to get away from Link, for a little bit," stated Cloud, who was lowkey wishing he hadn't ran into any familiar faces.
"Understandable. In case you might be wondering, Layton is at this hospital, on the sixth floor. You might wanna check in, if you wish to see him."
"Eh, I suppose I can pay him a visit. Not like anyone else is gonna give him any attention..."
"Luke? Luke? Where are-a you, Luke? Luke!"
Luigi would call out the young detective's name, as he and Skull Kid were looking around for him. Luke had walked out of Luigi's house and hasn't been seen since, which obviously worried Luigi and Daisy.
"Why am I even a part of this, what even is my contribution?" wondered Skull Kid, who was feeling bored already. Anything that didn't involve causing mischief greatly bored the imp.
"You said you were well-a renowned when it came to exploring around-a the woods, correct?" Luigi asked Skull Kid, to which the imp reluctantly nodded his head. "Good, and that's-a why you're here!"
"But we're not even anywhere close to the...ooh, how I could just kill this man..."
Skull Kid: Why do I constantly do things that present myself as useful to ungrateful peons?
"Luke, where are-a you?" Luigi called out the young detective's name once more, hoping for a response. The plumber marched forward, only to be grabbed and pulled back by Skull Kid. "Hey, what-a gives?"
"Do you know that chick?" Skull Kid asked Luigi, as he pointed at a fox lady near the mansion, speaking on the phone. Luigi squinted his eyes and pulled his head closer, trying to make out who it was.
"Let's-a see...fox lady, with blue hair, tied up-a in a ponytail..." Luigi would put all three traits together, before coming to a realization that soon made him gasp and exclaim the following: "Carmelita Fox!"
Skull Kid aggressively pulled Luigi back, hiding himself and the plumber among some shrubbery. The fox, Carmelita Fox, looked around in confusion before returning to her phone call.
"...yeah, as I was saying, the mansion looks pretty damaged," Carmelita continued her phone call, while Luigi and Skull Kid spied on her. "The tower, too. And Master Hand and Crazy Hand are nowhere around..."
"Lemme guess, she's another one of those manor scum," Skull Kid told Luigi, knowing that Carmelita was up to no good.
"Most-a definitely so - she's one-a heck of a butt-kicking lady, I tell you what," answered Luigi, while he continued to eavesdrop on Carmelita.
"The police just did their thing, inspected every inch of the mansion," Carmelita spoke into her phone, finishing up her phone call. I'll let you and your boys handle the rest. Stay safe, Sly..." Carmelita ended her phone call, as she walked away from the premises.
"Aha, just as I figured! Carmelita's presence only meant-a one thing - Sly Cooper and his sidekicks are on their way to the mansion. Probably to steal some of the residents' belongings!"
"Why don't we steal some of the stuff before Sly and friends steal it first?" suggested Skull Kid, just dying to do something remotely mischievous today. His suggestion made Luigi stroke his chin in thought.
"Ya know, that doesn't sound-a that bad of an idea..."
Having checked in with the hospital staff, Cloud went up the elevator to the sixth floor, where Layton was at. The swordsman would visit the British detective in his room, with Layton's right leg held in a cast.
"Heard that Slippy was trying to mess around with your IV machine," Cloud spoke with Layton, trying to drum up a conversation with the detective.
"Yes he did...that frog's curiosity certainly knows no bounds," remarked Layton with a smile, before looking out through the window. "I wonder how Luke is treating himself."
"He's staying over at Luigi's place, for the time being. Wanted to stay with Alm and Celica, but Berkut turned him down because he wasn't 'royal' enough..."
Berkut: This is a travesty...I already have the greatest of kings under my roof, in Ganondorf, King Dedede, and Bowser...but Makoto is nowhere to be found. Shovel Knight keeps talking up a storm about how Makoto was queen; surely I must have such a dignified lady in my abode. Speaking of Shovel Knight, he should be here, too - his knighthood must not go unwarranted!
Alm: *popping up behind Berkut* Why do you need Makoto so much for? Because of your fear of being seen as sexist by not having a woman at your fancy party?
Berkut: One, that's not even a real concern I have. And two, who even told you about my party?! *marches away* RINEA!
"Well Berkut does have high standards..." remarked Layton, before looking at the door that was open. "Can you close the door, Cloud?"
"Uh, sure thing, Professor Layton," replied Cloud, as he closed the door to the room shut before returning to his seat. "You do realize the nurses have to come into this room to check on you, right?"
"Yes, I'm well aware of the fact...but I have something I need to get off my chest. Can you come closer?" Although he really didn't feel like doing it, Cloud leaned in close to Layton, expecting to hear a secret or two.
"This better be good...what's this thing you need to get off your chest, Layton?"
"Well, I had a brief conversation with Peppy and Slippy, when they were here." Layton looked around, like he saw someone secretly eavesdropping on him.
"Yeah, so what was this brief conversation about? Did they tell you about some mystery you could solve?"
"Not quite, but something Slippy said made me feel some type of way...he was talking about my daughter, Katrielle."
"Katrielle?" Cloud remembered when Katrielle was a big deal three episodes ago; some assumed that Layton went out looking for her. "What about her?"
"Slippy talked up a storm about how 'hot' Katrielle was, and how worried she might be with me in the hospital. And that had me thinking...my Katrielle is only two years old! The fact that Slippy called Katrielle hot when he and Peppy first joined the mansion also had my brain racing as well."
"Calling a two-year old hot sounds extremely weird in context, I'll admit. But there's gotta be more than that, right?"
"Surely there is. After Peppy and Slippy had left, I immediately got to thinking, about Katrielle."
"Okay...so what did you conclude upon, Layton?" Cloud was awaiting a response from Layton, who let out a deep sigh.
"I have a theory...that an older version of Katrielle is out there, somewhere, and Peppy and Slippy (or both) had a chance encounter with her."
Upon hearing Layton's theory, Cloud looked at the British detective like he was insane. The swordsman backed away, getting close to the door.
"Professor Layton, that's gotta be the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say," remarked Cloud as he opened the door, ready to leave. "I think you should get some rest, you really need it. Goodbye."
"It's only just a theory!" Layton called out to Cloud, who left the room. Layton looked down, hoping there was someone out there who might believe him.
Toad was driving the residents around on his bus, looking for a temporary living space. Every destination Toad made, the bus thief was turned down. And along the way, Pit would tell fabricated stories about the fire he never witnessed.
"Pit, you really need to stop telling others stories about the fire," Viridi scolded her boyfriend, while she and Pit were riding on the bus. "Besides, they're not even stories - the fire actually happened!"
"No big deal, Viridi - it's not like I'm hurting anyone's feelings," responded Pit, acting cool and calm as he looked out through the bus window. "The people enjoy my stories! At least until Toad tells them they're made-up..."
"I'm sure Morgan and Marc would be hurt by your storytelling. Their father could've died in the fire, had the firefighters didn't find him in the basement!" Don't forget the Rabbids, they would've been goners too.
"Oh, I guess you're right about that...I never thought about it that way." Pit showed signs of remorse, as he looked down at his clasped hands. "How about I tell everyone stories of how the brave firefighters used axes to chop through the doors?"
"Some people will never learn..." Viridi turned away from Pit, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. You can bet Pit was feeling remorseful now.
Toad: Went to B.D. Joe's private home...got turned down. Went to the Four Seasons hotel...got turned down. Went to Paul Allen's estate, as a random suggestion from Geo...you best believe we got turned down there as well. This hotel just down the street is our last chance left!
Toad arrived at a hotel down the street, as he and Pit hopped out of the bus. Geno hopped out as well, probably because he wanted some fresh air.
"X and Zero keep arguing in the back about who gets to hold unto that dumb printer," Geno explained to Pit and Toad, looking very annoyed. "Mind if I come along, so I can reclaim my sanity?"
"You're more than welcome to, Geno!" Toad happily replied, as he led Pit and Geno to the hotel. "Let's speak with the front desk people, and see if they can take all of us in."
So Toad, Pit, and Geno entered the hotel - the Sheraton Grand hotel - and arrived inside the lobby. They found a man sitting at the front desk, who spotted Toad and Pit and recognized their faces. The man panicked, as he grabbed a nearby walkie-talkie.
"Hello, sir, I think we have an emergency..." the man spoke into the walkie-talkie, fearing for the worst as Toad and company reached the front desk. "...it's those miscreants from the Four Seasons hotel incident." Pit would place Toad on the front desk, making the man shriek.
"Good afternoon, sir!" Toad greeted the man, who shrieked once more as he jumped back in his chair. "We're just wondering if you have any available space at your lovely hotel."
"So you're not like, gonna blow up this hotel or anything?" Amused, Toad and company looked at one another. "Phew, okay then...the management from Four Seasons told us how you guys were bad news."
"It's because of that whole wedding explosion, isn't it?" asked Pit, as the man nodded his head. Pit and company should've known. "Figures..."
"How many rooms do you have available?" inquired Toad, as the man put away his walkie-talkie. "Our mansion was set on fire, and so we're looking for somewhere to stay, temporarily."
"Wow, you guys really are a beacon of trouble..." the man remarked, as he got up from his chair and went to the back. "Wait right here while I go check the files." The man entered the office area, ready to open some cabinets and whatnot.
"A fire at the mansion, eh? That must be a major pain on the butt..."
Pit, Toad, and Geno all looked around, when they heard that familiar voice in the lobby. A whistle was soon heard, directing Pit and company's attention to a couch in the lobby. Sitting on that couch was a certain tanoki.
"Tom Nook!" Pit, Toad, and Geno exclaimed the tanoki's name in unison; Tom Nook's eyes widened, not expecting to receive such a heartened response.
"My goodness, I didn't expect such a positive reception," remarked Tom Nook, as Pit and company came over to greet the tanoki. "Had no idea I was that popular!"
"How have you been, Tom Nook?" Toad asked the tanoki, sitting on the couch next to him. "It really has been a while!"
"Yes, only two months...I've been treating myself well. Been staying at this hotel, during my ban - had enough funds to afford an 'extended stay' at this hotel. How are Timmy and Tommy handling themselves?"
"They're both doing just fine. They're still waiting for the day you can come back to the mansion. Especially now since Master Hand bought a new Lamborghini!"
"Master Hand FINALLY bought himself a new Lamborghini?" Tom Nook's eyes widened once more, as the tanoki was left in shock. "I figured he'd wait out a whole year, just to keep my ban going on even longer."
"Yeah, he had a little help...from the people of Seattle. Enticed a whole bunch of 'em to tour around his mansion, and attend his little party. Believe me, he raked in a whole lot of dough!"
"All that just to buy himself a new Lamborghini...Master Hand is one very shrewd individual, I'll give him that."
Pit: Master Hand, a shrewd individual? Does that mean he's a mouse of some kind?
"We really need you back at the mansion, Tom Nook, we miss you," Pit told the tanoki; if Master Hand were here, he'd laugh and ridicule Pit for being a liar. "I'm sure Master Hand does too."
"I'm willing to bet he misses me, from the inside," responded Tom Nook, before realizing something he wanted to share with Pit and company. "Speaking of the mansion...did you mention something about a fire, to the man at the front desk?"
"Yes we did, Toad brought it up," replied Geno, seeing how invested Tom Nook was into the incident. "Why do you ask?"
"While I was in the lobby, I saw three animals come inside to discuss things; it was a raccoon, a turtle, and a hippo. I don't think they noticed me, but that didn't stop me from eavesdropping on their private discussion."
"Private discussion about what?" inquired Toad, interested in what Tom Nook had to say.
"They were having a private discussion...about the mansion and tower being set on fire. They talked about looting as much stuff as they possibly can out of both buildings, once both fires died down.
"Oh man, this has to be the manor's doing! Did this trio mention who started the fire?"
"Heard Sweet Tooth's name mentioned here and there - I'd have to assume that he's from the manor you speak of. What does this manor do?"
Pit, Toad, and Geno looked at one another, with pained faces. Looks like the three had to do a LOT of explaining for Tom Nook...
Being the kind, generous couple that they were, Marth and Caeda offered to let the Fire Emblem bros and gals stay at their house. Sure there wasn't any electronics, thanks to Marth, but nobody seemed to mind.
"Do you think Master Hand will send us back to Nohr if the mansion doesn't get repaired in time?" Flora asked Felicia, briefly uncertain about her future.
"I'm sure the Carpenters will patch everything back up," responded Felicia, who was feeling a whole lot more optimistic than her twin sister. "We have nothing to worry about!"
"But what about our belongings? Those can't obviously be replaced..." That's why we have insurance, to replace anything that was lost. Well, mostly anything...
"It's not like we had to bring much to the mansion, anyways. Quite being such a worrywart..."
While Feicia was worrying her butt off, Morgan and Marc were worrying their butts off too...for more understandable reasons. Their father, Robin, was almost a goner, until the firefighters saved him (and the Rabbids) from the basement. Robin was in kindred spirits, as he was hanging out in the living room with a family of Waddle Dees (remember them?).
Caeda: The firefighters had found the Waddle Dee family near the mansion, after their little house burned down. Marth and I took them in, and since they're Waddle Dees, we have absolutely no problem with them! Well, save for them tampering with the house phone.
Marth: Come to think of it, why do we even need a house phone for? I thought we agreed to have NO electronics or appliances!
Caeda: Because, Marth, other people have grown-up problems that need solving, too. Soon you'll understand...
"I would charm you guys with a joke or two, but I don't know if you can laugh at my jokes or not," Robin spoke with the Waddle Dee family, as Morgan and Marc approached their dad. "The lack of laughter would hurt my confidence!"
"Father, are you feeling any better?" Marc asked Robin, who looked up at his children from the future and smiled.
"I feel just fine, thank you for asking! Haven't felt any better. Feels like I'm on cloud nine! Hmm, what's another cliche line I can use..."
"You're not going out anytime soon, are you?" Morgan asked Robin, letting her dad know how concerned she was. "Because we think you should just stay inside."
"If I had a place to go, I would go outside..." Robin sensed the concern radiating from his future kids, as he smirked. "...why act so concerned for?"
"It's just...just that Marc and I are afraid that you might get hurt again. Because of the whole fire, and you in the basement, and..."
"Oh, dear...you kids are acting like I had burned to a crisp or something. What's there to be so worried about?"
"The possibility of you being in peril again...presumably by Grima or something," answered Marc; Robin smirked and shook his head, as he walked over to his twins.
"Let me tell you kids something - you've got it all wrong! It's my job to worry about you, not the other way around. All that worrying at your age will only drive you insane, eventually."
"We know, we know...we just don't know when something inevitable happens, and you won't be around anymore. Whether it's some fire, Grima, or..."
"...you have nothing to worry about. Nothing. No fire, no evil dragon, no whatever is going to separate me from you both." Robin looked at Morgan and Marc wholeheartedly as he said this, making the twins smile in response. "Now give your dad a hug!"
So Morgan and Marc both hugged Robin, embracing their dad as Lucina proudly looked on. To see Robin go from hiding from his kids to embracing them meant the world to the princess.
"Is it just me, or does anyone hear a loud vehicle outside?" the Black Knight asked everyone, grabbing Lucina and the others' attention.
Indeed, a loud vehicle was outside, parking itself in the mansion driveway. It was some kind of getaway van, perfect for making getaways from bank robberies. Three men hopped out of the van - a raccoon, a hippo, and a turtle on a wheelchair.
"Wow, Sly, the mansion sure looks different from the pictures!" the hippo said to the raccoon, marveling at how the exterior of the mansion looked. "Looks like it was caught on fire!"
"That's because it was caught on fire, Murray," the raccoon - the one and only Sly - responded before taking out his trademark cane. "See anyone outside we should take care of, Bentley?"
"Nope, I see absolutely nobody in sight!" the turtle responded, looking around through his binoculars. "No vehicles in the driveway - save for the Lamborghini - and no Master Hand or Crazy Hand to be found. We're in the clear!"
"Great! Doesn't seem like anyone would be crazy enough to remain in the mansion, so this should be a piece of cake! Bentley, Murray, you guys stay out here, and be on the lookout. I'll head inside the mansion, and see anything useful I can find."
"You got it Sly, you can count on us!" Murray saluted Sly, who nodded as he walked up the steps to the porch and crept inside the mansion. "We should go get some ice cream..." Murray whispered to Bentley.
"And leave our posts? No way!" frowned Bentley, pulling out his laptop so he could surf the Internet to pass the time. "If only my ice cream machine was still working - we'd be eating for days!"
While Bentley had his laptop, Coco did not, and the bandicoot was still sad about her laptop being singed in the fire. The bandicoot was in the living room, watching television with Crash and Aku, as Mario came over.
"Oh, Coco...guess-a who bought you a new-a laptop!" Mario said to the bandicoot, whose eyes grew wide as she looked at the plumber.
"Ooh, will this new laptop have the same personal information and memories from my old laptop?" asked Coco, as Mario nervously bit his lip. He knew that question was coming from a mile away. "In that case, I'm not interested..."
"It was worth a shot..." Mario hung his head low, as he walked away from the premises. Hopefully the plumber didn't spend TOO much on the laptop.
Mario: *sighs* ...well, that's $2,700 I won't get-a back ever again. I should just give-a the laptop to Marth, as a friendly gift. Man needs to get with-a the times.
Enjoying his break from Link, Cloud decided it was time to return to Link's truck, so Link wouldn't put up a fuss about his best friend's whereabouts. Cloud returned to the park where everyone's vehicles were parked at, having finished his trek around town.
When Cloud returned to the park, however, he spotted Link outside his car, speaking with Zant. Link was holding his hands behind his back, trying not to pull any punches whatsoever.
"Enough with your vague answers, man - spit it out already!" Link commanded of Zant, as Cloud crept closer to the Hylian. "Are you really working with the manor or not? Tell me, TELL ME!"
"My goodness, you are so nosy..." grumbled Zant, before muttering some choice words about Link under his breath. "...I personally don't see how Zelda let alone Midna can stand you."
"Um, what the heck is going on?" Cloud asked Link and Zant, desiring to know what the Hylian and Twili were discussing. "I go out for a walk around town, and this is what I miss out on?,
"This man, this man, refuses to admit that he's working with the manor," Link said to Cloud, as he pointed accusingly at Zant. "He's literally making up lies!"
"Am not...I was just telling Link to be careful and vigilant," Zant said to Cloud, unnerving Link by "lying" to the Hylian's best friend. "How he interpreted my words as lies is beyond me."
"Well yeah, Link can be a little on the crazy side sometimes." Cloud's response earned him a quick glare from Link. "What, I'm not siding with Zant! Relax, Link..."
"I should be get going now...before Link continues to call me a 'liar'." Zant summoned a Twilight portal, and was about to enter it, before looking at Cloud. "Let me give you the same advice I gave your friend: be careful..."
"...and vigilant, yeah, I know." And with that, Zant entered through the portal, before said portal went away. Soon Sonic approached Link and Cloud, yawning and stretching his arms.
"That nap sure did the trick..." yawned Sonic, as he joined Link and Cloud near Link's truck. "So, who were you guys speaking with?"
"Some bum named Zant..." grumbled Link, with an angry scowl on his face. "...he floated down out from nowhere, and started speaking random nonsense with me. If only I had that hookshot with me..."
Where was the hookshot, you ask? It was still at the mansion, left in Link and Cloud's room. Skull Kid found the hookshot, as he and Luigi were searching the room for any valuables.
"Doesn't Link have a clawshot, what does he need this for?" Skull Kid asked Luigi, who placed Cloud's Buster Sword in a bag. Or at least he tried to.
"Just put that hook-a shot in the bag, you can ask-a Link about it later," replied Luigi, as Skull Kid did as he was told. Done with their deed, Luigi and Skull Kid left the bedroom, and were on to the next one.
As Luigi and Skull walked through the hallway, they failed to notice Sly spying on them, climbing on the ceiling. Sly looked down at Luigi and Skull Kid, waiting for the most opportune moment to strike.
"This mansion has a sanctuary full of Pokemon, right?" Skull Kid asked Luigi, wanting to have a conversation to kill the awkward silence. "Did any Pokemon made it out alive?"
"Apparently, that sanctuary's fireproof, since-a Master Hand didn't feel like-a having to rescue the Pokemon during an emergency," stated Luigi; sounds oddly insensitive on Master Hand's part. "The Pokemon should-a be fine."
"Did someone say, 'Pokemon'?" questioned Sly, before leaping down in front of Luigi and Skull Kid. The raccoon turned around and looked at Luigi and Skull Kid, with a confident smile.
"Mama mia, it's-a Sly Cooper!" exclaimed Luigi, dropping his bag of valuable items to the floor in shock. Skull Kid just stood there, no reaction.
"He's not even that scary..." the imp remarked, believing that Luigi was overreacting just a little. "...he's only some scrawny raccoon."
Murray: Man, I could really go for an ice cream cone right now! Can you please make me one, Bentley?
Bentley: My...ice cream...maker...does not...WORK! Do you need me to repeat that one more time?!
Murray: I'm so hungry... *squints eyes* ...hey Bentley, you know that fella over there?
Bentley: What fella are you talking about? *pulls out binoculars*
"Luigi and Skull Kid...nice to meet you both," Sly greeted the plumber and imp, coming off as very friendly. "I'm Sly Cooper, but judging by your reactions...one of your reactions...you already knew that."
"Alright, Skull Kid, just act-a cool and he won't hurt-a you..." Luigi warned Skull Kid, only for Sly to leap up in the air. "...where-a did he go?!" Sly landed behind Luigi and Skull Kid, before taking out a handcuff and cuffing the both of them.
"I didn't think I would have to do this, but...you two are gonna be my 'prisoners'." Sly grabbed the chain attached to the handcuff, and guided Luigi and Skull Kid down the hallway. "My goal here was to gather some stuff, but it seems like you boys had the same mindset!"
"This is all your fault, we should've taken the elevator..." Skull Kid seethed at Luigi; taking an elevator wouldn't have made much of a difference anyways.
"Now, how about one of you dudes tell me where this Pokemon sanctuary is? Better have some really strong Pokemon, if you know what I'm saying!"
"Hey Sly, can you hear me? Sly!" Bentley's voice was heard, as Sly pushed his finger into his ear. Inside that ear was an earpiece. "Murray and I found some kid meandering about near the mansion!"
"What kid, was he threatening? Or was he just minding his business? If it's the latter, then let him go, he's probably just harmless!"
"He's not just any kid - he's a kid from the mansion!" That made Luigi weary about who exactly this kid was. "Said his name is Luke Triton. Murray is holding him in his arms as I speak!"
"Ah, another 'prisoner'...you and Murray meet me inside the mansion. I wanna get a look at this kid myself." Sly took his finger away from his earpiece, as he turned his attention to Luigi and Skull Kid. "Let's get moving, boys!"
So Sly turned around, and led Luigi and Skull Kid down the hallway to the foyer. As Sly and company walked down the hallway, someone poked their head from the corner of the hallway, and it was...Makoto?! With her was Shovel Knight. Hmm...
"Spotted Luigi and Skull Kid with a raccoon," Makoto said, as she spoke into her cellphone. The brunette followed after Sly, keeping a considerably close distance, with Shovel Knight accompanying her. "I'll let you know when the trapdoor is ready..."
Bitter about spending close to three grand on a laptop that Coco didn't even want, Mario went outside so he could let loose. While outside, the plumber spotted Murray's getaway van.
"What the..." wondered Mario as he walked over to the mansion driveway, failing to notice that the mansion's front door was open. The plumber saw the getaway van, and he also saw something else...
...Bentley's laptop, sitting on the concrete. Mario picked up the laptop, and looked around, before running away with it.
Bentley and Murray were waiting in the foyer, expecting Sly to show up. The raccoon would appear, walking down the staircase with Luigi and Skull Kid in tow.
"Alright fellas, here I am," Sly announced to his compadres, with Luigi and Skull Kid still handcuffed to one another. "So, show me who this kid is!"
"Here he is!" exclaimed Murray, as he brought out the kid from behind him. It was Luke - the young detective who had walked out of Luigi's house earlier.
"Luke!" Luigi shouted out the young detective's name, relieved to see him again. "Thank-a goodness you're okay!"
"Hi Luigi..." Luke faintly waved to the plumber, feeling bad for having been captured by Murray and Bentley.
"Whaddaya think of him, Sly?" Murray asked the raccoon, who was analyzing Luke while scratching his chin. "He's a worthy prisoner, huh?"
"I'd say he's pretty serviceable," replied Sly, coming to a conclusion as he took out another pair of handcuffs. "Let's cuff him up!"
Makoto: While everyone had escaped from the mansion through the underground tunnel, Shovel Knight and I opted to stay behind in the tunnel until the coast was clear...No, it's not because we were going to "rekindle our love". Which is gross...Shovel Knight wanted to stay with me, because I was his "queen". I opted to stay behind for a reason I can't really give away...
As Murray brought Luke over to Sly, the trapdoor in the foyer suddenly moved. Murray shrieked, as he jumped back and pulled Luke away from the trapdoor.
"Woah, what was that?" marveled Bentley, as he looked at the trapdoor on the floor. "Is that some kind of trapdoor?"
"It's a trapdoor with a tunnel underneath, that leads to Mario's house," stated Luke, before he covered his mouth. Luigi facepalmed in response.
"A trapdoor, you say?" smiled Sly, folding his arms as he looked at the trapdoor. "I think we should go pay Luigi's twin brother a visit..."
"Nice-a going, Luke..." Luigi scolded the young detective, as Sly opened the trapdoor. Makoto appeared from behind the staircase, watching Sly very closely...
Layton was chilling out at the hospital, eating some hospital food while resting in his hospital bed. As the detective ate his food, he heard a knock at the door.
"Come in!" shouted Layton, as four guests entered the room. Layton was delighted to see Toad, Pit, Geno...and Tom Nook, joining him at his bedside.
"Howdy," Tom Nook greeted Layton; you bet Layton was most delighted to see Tom Nook, out of everyone else.
"Ah, Tom Nook, aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" Master Hand would feel brutally disgusted seeing how friendly people were acting around Tom Nook. "Looks like your friends found you!"
"Yes they did - found me at a hotel I was staying at. Had to check the residents into the hotel, after the mansion and tower were caught in flames. I see that you got hurt pretty badly!"
"You can say that again..." remarked Pit, who was actually starting to feel remorse for those stories he told after seeing Layton in the hospital bed. "...had no idea the fire was that serious!" Ya think?!
"I injured my leg while dodging the fire," explained Layton, as he pointed at the cast on his leg. "I'll be in a cast for who knows how long. Say, Tom Nook, did you hear about Master Hand's new Lamborghini?"
"Toad and friends told me everything," replied Tom Nook. "Guess that means Master Hand will finally let me back in the mansion now. If he wants to, that is...it would require him to suck up a lot of pride. And ego."
"Undoubtedly so. Also, who knows when it'll be safe to live in the mansion again." Layton scratched his chin, as he lowered his head. "I hope nobody is trapped inside that mansion...I had seen Joker remaining in the trapdoor, while I was running from the fire."
"Golly, I completely forgot about Joker!" squealed Toad; took him long enough to realize. "And Makoto, I forgot all about her too! Shovel Knight as well!"
"Maybe Makoto and Shovel Knight stayed behind, so they could do things to make Joker jealous," assumed Pit, as everyone gave the angel weird looks. "What?"
"We gotta head back to the mansion, STAT! Can't believe we left those three behind!" Toad led Pit, Geno, and Tom Nook out of the room, leaving Layton alone by himself. Layton didn't mind, since he had hospital food to enjoy.
"I still wonder if there's a Katrielle from the future wandering about..." Layton said to himself, as he enjoyed his mashed potatoes.
Pit: Joker might be a joker, but everyone knows a knight trumps a joker any day of the week. Props to Makoto for knowing what's up.
Sly and company managed to climb down the ladder from the trapdoor. They would've reached the bottom of the ladder sooner, but Murray being fat posed problems for everyone.
"Knew I should've cut back on those doughnuts," Murray smiled sheepishly, after Sly and company reached the tunnel. Sly suddenly heard some music, opposite from the tunnel that led to Mario's bunker. Sounded very jazzy, an awful lot like "Last Surprise..."
"Why do I hear party music..." the raccoon furrowed his brow, as he led the group down the tunnel towards the source of the music. Soon Sly and company reached the end of the tunnel, and arrived at a room that made everyone go "Woah..."
But this wasn't just any room, mind you. It was a large, wide-open, and spacious room, with red and black colors littered about. Almost resembled a subway station, with subway cars on the side. In the center of the room was a movie theater of sorts, with a giant screen and movie seats.
"What even is this place...?" marveled Sly, as the group walked forward and soaked everything in. They failed to notice three young men showing up, on the left.
"Looks like you stumbled upon our little hiding place..." one of the three young men said, grabbing the group's attention. It was Joker, and he wasn't alone...standing by him at his side were Yu and Minato. Evidently, Toad forgot about those two as well.
"Sly, it's that Joker guy we tried to kidnap months ago!" exclaimed Bentley, as Sly wielded his trusty cane. "You remember him from those videos, right?"
"Of course I remember, Bentley..." replied Sly, leading Luke, Skull Kid, and Luigi to wonder what videos Sly and Bentley were referring to. "...this might be our chance to redeem Big Daddy and Little Sister."
"Aw, don't tell me we have to fight Joker!" moaned Murray, as Sly was itching for a fight. "He looks so handsome...I refuse to mess up his face! Who else will I base my looks off of?"
"One, Murray...you're a hippo. And two, messing up Joker's face is kinda necessary since we're beating him up and kidnapping him. Like we agreed upon before, Joker would be a great asset for our manor."
"Whoever said anything about that?" questioned Joker, wielding his knife. Yu and Minato wielded their sword and gun, respectively.
"It's a fight you want, huh?" Sly knew that Joker and company were in the fighting mood, as the raccoon smirked. "Then it's a fight you're gonna get!"
The trio of Joker, Yu, and Minato would clash with Sly, Murray, and Bentley in an epic three-on-three brawl. Minato went toe-to-toe with Bentley; Yu went mano-a-mano with Murray; and Joker would clash with Sly. As Joker's knife clashed with Sly's cane, the other trio of Luigi, Skull Kid, and Luke watched from afar, before someone tapped them on their shoulder. It was Makoto.
"Come with me!" the brunette whispered to Luigi and company, who watched the three-on-three fight ensue as they followed Makoto out of...well, wherever the heck they were.
Mario had brought Bentley's laptop to his house, putting it in the living room next to Coco. Guile entered the living room, spotting the laptop.
"New laptop?" the major asked Coco, who was still feeling a little out of it. "Must have been some very speedy delivery!"
"Nope, just something for me to 'hold on to,'" replied Coco, sounding very annoyed in her response. Guile nodded his head, as he walked away.
Makoto: I know I shouldn't be saying this, because of Joker...but that place you saw, under the mansion? That's called "Mini Mementos". It's based off of the real Mementos, in the Metaverse. The Mini Mementos is something my friends and I have building, ever since Yu and Minato joined the mansion. Because of how secretive it is, only we - the Phantom Thieves - and Yu and Minato are allowed to enter Mini Mememtos...if you must ask, it's a rule Joker set in place.
With Shovel Knight waiting in the foyer, Makoto guided Luigi and company to said foyer, before taking the trio outside unto the porch. Luigi was out of breath, for some strange reason.
"Makoto...why did you...stay behind...with-a the others?" Luigi asked the brunette, as he took a breather. Funny enough, everyone else felt fine but him.
"Because Joker kinda told me to," replied Makoto, as she walked everyone down the porch. "He knew that the fire was the manor's doing, so he stayed behind in the tunnel with Yu and Minato so he could possibly find the culprits involved. He wanted me around, as his side kick."
"I was there for moral support!" Shovel Knight shouted for no reason, raising his shovel up high. Makoto groaned, as she rolled her eyes.
"I don't know about you guys, but I feel a lot better now," said Luke, who appeared to be back to his normal self again. "Not as scared of the fire as I used to be."
"Promise me you won't-a walk out on me and Daisy again," Luigi told the detective, patting him on the back. "Had the both-a of us worried sick!"
"It won't happen ever again - to you, Daisy, or anyone else!" Luke smiled at Luigi, who would smile in response.
Luigi and company would be joined by two very powerful individuals, as Master Hand and Crazy Hand appeared at the front of the mansion. Where have those two been this whole time?
"We should really have another 'secret lunch', Crazy Hand - I had the time of my life!" Master Hand said to the giant hand, before peering down at everyone near the porch. "What are you guys doing here?" he asked.
"Better question is, what have you and Crazy Hand been doing?" retorted Makoto, curious about what this 'secret lunch' entailed. Couldn't have been anything good.
"You seriously think the two of us would just sit around, at some burnt up mansion? As if! Now, answer my question!"
Before Makoto could answer, some yelling could be heard as Sly, Bentley, and Murray were all sent flying out of the mansion and landed on the ground. The three pals were tied together via rope, and looked pretty banged up.
"That takes care of the trash..." remarked Joker, exiting the mansion along with Yu and Minato. Sly saw Master Hand and Crazy Hand, looking at him and his friends.
"Sly Cooper..." Master Hand uttered the raccoon's name, with an extremely heavy amount of abhorrence in his voice.
"Um...hi," Sly nervously greeted the giant hands, with sweat running down his face. "...we've never met before, have we?"
"WERE YOU FOOLS THE ONES WHO TRIED TO BURN OUR ESTABLISHMENTS DOWN?!" boomed Crazy Hand, so loud he could've burst anyone's eardrums.
"No sir, it was our friend Sweet Tooth who was responsible!" confessed Murray, as Sly and Bentley both groaned at the hippo. "Hey guys, what else was I supposed to say to them?!"
"Is that your getaway truck over there?" inquired Master Hand, as he pointed at Murray's getaway. "How about you three get inside that getaway truck, and get away OUTTA HERE!"
Crazy Hand would rip open the roof of the getaway truck, as Master Hand picked up Sly and friends and dropped them in the getaway van. Crazy Hand closed the truck roof, before Master Hand picked up the truck and threw it far, far away.
Master Hand: I'm going to be the most ticked off being in existence if Sly and his friends somehow survive being in that truck. The less manor dorks I have to worry about, the better!
"Well that takes care of that," remarked Master Hand, as he dusted himself off with Crazy Hand. Just then, Toad's bus arrived, pulling up to the mansion. The bus door opened, as Toad got out in a snap.
"I'm coming for you, Joker!" the bus thief squealed, only for Master Hand to pick him up by the head and hold him in the air. "Oh, hi Master Hand!"
"Hi Toad. Did you find everyone a residence to stay at, until the mansion and tower both get fixed?"
"Sure did! Found a hotel with oodles of available space. Had to bend some of the hotel rules to fill up the rooms, though. Also, you won't believe who we saw staying at the hotel!"
Master Hand began to fear for the worst, when Tom Nook walked out of the bus. The giant hand dropped Toad to the ground, looking at Tom Nook like he was seeing a ghost.
"Good afternoon, Master Hand..." Tom Nook greeted the giant hand, shuddering just a little. How will Master Hand respond?
"NOOOO! GOD!" cried Master Hand, acting like the entire universe was coming to an end. "No, God, please no! No! No! NOOO! I can't let him back in!"
"But Master Hand, you promised to reinstate me if you bought a new Lamborghini." Master Hand knew he should've hidden that Lamborghini, just in case.
"Well yes, but...there's more to it than that. You haven't learned your lesson. Your lesson in, um...why do I have to let you back in?!"
"Hold on, Master Hand, hear me out!" Toad said to the giant hand, wanting to reason with him. "I was speaking with Tom Nook on the bus, and I talking with him about the fire damage. He said he knows someone who can repair the mansion and tower in a snap!"
"It's true - I know some folks from Smashville who could repair both buildings in less than a week or two," affirmed Tom Nook, doing his best to sway Master Hand's mind. "They can also replace any belongings lost or damaged in the fire. They're really good at insurance."
"Are you sure you aren't lying?" questioned Master Hand, as Tom Nook honestly shook his head no. "Okay then, I'll take your word for it...I'll let these Smashville folks fix everything, and then some."
"Superb! And then you'll reinstate me and let me back inside the mansion, right?"
"Yes I certainly will...but only if you learn your lesson. Till then, you can just hang out at Mario's place."
"What lesson...?" Tom Nook was left confused, Master Hand floated away. Appeared as if Master hand was still too reluctant to let Tom Nook back in.
Whatever "lesson" Tom Nook had to learn, he better learn it soon for his own sake.
