The characters and all their elements of video game references are properties of Nintendo.
Chapter 2.
The atmosphere in the Smash Mansion was surprisingly pleasant. Despite being home to fighters of all kinds, battles or picking fights were strictly forbidden inside its walls. This wasn't much of a problem, as most residents respected one another, and no one held grudges over their defeats in the arena. Still, for some fighters, sharing the same space with their enemies could be challenging, as was the case with Link and Samus.
Samus found it hard to believe she had to breathe the same air as Ridley, the creature responsible for many of the traumas she endured in her childhood, adolescence, and even adulthood. She knew she couldn't do anything about it here; she wasn't one to stir up trouble or cause a scene. Over time, though, she found herself caring less and less. After everything she had been through, Ridley's presence no longer filled her with fear or hatred—it simply didn't matter anymore.
Although she would never admit it, she felt a deep sense of loneliness. Samus, with her cold and stoic demeanor, had always chosen to work alone, preferring solitude over companionship. Yet, there were moments when that solitude weighed heavily on her. To make matters worse, the only being from her past she regularly encountered now was the very creature responsible for much of her pain and trauma—Ridley. His presence did little to ease her isolation.
For Link, the situation was similar, yet different. In his time as a hero alongside Princess Zelda, they had faced and defeated the Ganondorf of their era. But the Ganondorf in the Smash Mansion was different—he appeared younger, and his fighting style relied on brutal fists and kicks. Though slower than many of the other fighters, his blows were devastating. His transformation into a massive, wild boar was still terrifying, but it no longer intimidated Link. Nevertheless, sharing the same space with him was unsettling.
Link vividly remembered the first time he encountered this Ganondorf. Unlike the one he had vanquished, this version carried a more warrior-like aura. The dark cape draped over his shoulders made him look like a twisted king. He recalled the moment when Ganondorf flashed a sinister smile, as if fully aware of the countless atrocities he had committed.
Living in the Smash Mansion, Link had encountered other versions of familiar faces. There were two Princess Zeldas—one with the appearance of a ninja, known as Sheik—and other heroes like Toon Link and Young Link, both of whom had saved Hyrule in their respective timelines. Young Link had even told him about his journey through time and his victory over the same evil king. The more Link thought about these parallel worlds, the more confused yet fascinated he became by the idea of meeting these other heroes.
Despite these strange connections, Link often felt alone. Solitude wasn't new to him—he had always valued it—but at times, it became tiresome. Though surrounded by others who shared similar experiences, the weight of his own journey was something he carried alone.
The Smash Mansion was always a lively place. When the smashers weren't fighting, they were busy with other activities. Some trained, while others spent hours talking, discussing everything from tactics to random musings. Samus, dressed in her Zero Suit, found herself wandering the mansion. Though she wasn't fond of crowded spaces, she also didn't like the idea of being cooped up in her room all day—she wasn't a hermit.
She observed the scene around her, noticing how it seemed like each group of fighters had their own place. The princesses gathered together in conversation, while the hand-to-hand combatants seemed to bond over their similar styles. Even the villains had formed their own loose guild. Of course, not everything was perfectly divided. Pit, an angel, got along just fine with Mario and Donkey Kong, a mix that made Samus smirk a little.
Suddenly, a familiar shout caught her attention—Link?
She turned her focus to a small group of Smashers sparring nearby and decided to take a seat on a nearby bench to watch. Link, Shulk, Ike, and Cloud were locked in a friendly match. It was a fierce battle between swordfighters, each with their own unique style. Cloud's agility and massive sword stood out, Shulk showcased his specialized abilities, and Ike's raw strength was undeniable. But Samus's attention stayed on Link.
There were many swordsmen in the mansion, but Link was different. He wasn't just skilled with his sword—he was a master of the shield as well. She realized she had never seen another fighter use a shield the way he did. It wasn't just for defense; Link wielded it creatively, using it to dodge projectiles, strike opponents, and block attacks with precision.
What impressed her most was how effortlessly he integrated the shield into his combat style, making it a versatile tool rather than just a barrier.
Samus was so absorbed in watching Link that she didn't notice someone sitting down beside her.
"It's an interesting fight, but I think Shulk will come out on top," said a voice, startling Samus and almost making her lose her balance.
She quickly looked to see who it was—Lucina, smiling at her.
"What's the matter? You seem a bit jumpy," Lucina teased.
"Nothing. Just… please don't do that again," Samus replied with a serious look.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I just saw how focused you were on the fight and thought there might be something special going on," Lucina said with a grin.
Samus didn't respond, but now her attention had completely shifted away from Link.
"You're watching them to study their fighting styles, right? That's smart, Samus," Lucina continued, still smiling.
"Uh, yeah... of course," Samus stammered, trying to sound composed. The last thing she wanted was for Lucina to figure out that she had only been focused on Link the whole time—it would be embarrassing.
"A good warrior always studies their opponents for future battles," Lucina said with a knowing look. "Speaking of which, how about we spar a little? It could be good practice."
"A match? I'm not sure…" Samus hesitated.
"Oh, come on! One quick match won't hurt, and it'll help keep us sharp," Lucina said playfully, her tone encouraging.
Samus sighed. "Alright, fine," she agreed, giving in to Lucina's enthusiasm.
"Great! Let's not waste any time," Lucina said, standing up and motioning for Samus to follow her.
Without protest, Samus got up and trailed behind Lucina, ready for their impromptu training session.
Link was feeling a bit worn out after the battle. Shulk had claimed victory, and Link had come in second place. Ready to collapse into his bed, he noticed a small group of Smashers sparring in the distance. Curious, he moved closer to get a better look, and something caught his eye—Samus. She was in the arena, locked in a fight with Lucina. It was an unusual matchup but an intriguing one nonetheless.
Link found himself watching the match, though his attention was more on Samus than the fight itself. Her combat style fascinated him. She was incredibly agile, moving with remarkable speed, and her technique reminded him somewhat of Sheik's swift, evasive movements. But Samus was different—she incorporated futuristic weapons and technology into her attacks. She was one of the few, if not the only, female fighter who used such advanced gadgets and gear.
In her Zero Suit, she relied on agility, but it was clear she lacked some strength and durability compared to others. When she donned her Power Suit, however, the dynamic changed completely. She sacrificed agility for raw power and resilience, becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Although it wasn't something he often admitted, Link was intrigued by technology—especially the kind Samus wielded. He found himself wanting to ask her about it, to understand more about the advanced tech she used in battle. But for now, he simply watched, wondering what it would be like to learn from someone so different from him.
Link was so lost in thought, fixated on watching Samus, that he didn't notice someone approaching until he heard her voice.
"So, this is how the Hero of the Wild spends his free time, huh?" a familiar voice teased.
Link jumped, startled, and turned to see Zelda smiling at him.
"Relax, I'm not Ganondorf," she said, laughing.
"Don't sneak up on me like that," Link muttered, still a bit flustered.
"Sure, sure," Zelda waved off his complaint. "What are you doing? You've been standing here for quite a while, watching that fight."
"Nothing much, just observing their techniques," Link said, quickly diverting his eyes back to the match.
"Their techniques, huh? Or is it just one fighter in particular you're focused on?" Zelda asked with a knowing smirk.
Link turned sharply to face her, startled.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, a little too defensively.
"Oh, nothing. As the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom, I tend to notice things," Zelda teased with a laugh.
"That has nothing to do with it!" Link replied, his face flushing as he looked away, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Haha, sure, keep telling yourself that. Your red face says otherwise," Zelda said, giggling as she turned to leave. "Goodbye, Link."
Link stood there, too flustered to respond, still processing Zelda's playful teasing. Moments later, he heard another voice, one that made his heart skip a beat.
"Link, are you okay?"
He turned, and to his misfortune, it was Samus—of all people. His awkwardness only intensified.
"You're sweating and look a little anxious. Is everything alright?" Samus asked with genuine concern in her voice.
Link scrambled for a response.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine! I just… I have to go!" he stammered, hastily retreating before she could press further.
Samus watched him leave, puzzled by his strange behavior.
"Link seems a little... special to you, doesn't he?" Lucina asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I just asked if he was feeling alright," Samus replied dryly, brushing off the comment.
"Well, I only say that because you said it with a very strange tone just now," Lucina teased, laughing.
Samus blinked, unsure of how to respond to that. She could feel her face gradually warming up, a slight blush creeping in. The sudden embarrassment made her decide it was better to cut the conversation short.
"Uh… I have some unfinished business to take care of, so I should go," Samus mumbled awkwardly, turning away. "See you around, Lucina."
Without waiting for a reply, she quickly walked off, leaving Lucina standing there, more confused than ever.