The main reason Im writing this is the P.O.V. of a female charatcer is because basically, I thought it'd be a little bit of a challange. They say you can do things like this to "test you skill". Hey, I dont really think of it as skills, more so as luck in my case. but let's give it a go anyway, ne?

Don't know who our mystery femme Smasher is? You will...

Behind The Mask
by Ta-kun

Again Marth charged towards Link, and I watch from the veiwing area for the old Yoshi Island arena. Unfamiliar terrain to the newcomer, and Link and I both knew that Link's knowledge of the ground from the previous Smash league would serve him well. I could see it in his eyes as soon as it was announced: his tactical skills remembering every corner of the course, from how long the clouds supported his weight to the Yoshi's trademark 2D Tree of Happiness. I could even see him working out his weight in comparision to the last time, adding the heavy quiver of arrows and mentally remembering the differneces between his hookshot and longshot. Hey. All that chain can be heavy you know.

Yes. Link planned this. Maybe that's the result of this slump I'm seeing. From what I understand, the ammount of times he's wandered into dungeons without a clue is signifficantly larger than the times he's been able to plan them out. Actually, from what Zelda says, he's never really planned it out. "All he does is shrug and wave some bottled fairy under my nose! He relies too much on whatever new toy he's found. Let everyone else worry!" She can really whinge. Zelda I mean. But hey, if you ask me the difference between courage and ignorance is to not get yourself kidnapped. But we all know if I told her that, some royal complaints will be thrown my way.

But Link has planned this, and already Marth's fallen for one such trap. After Link knocked him onto one of the "solid" clouds at the side of the book-shaped platform, Marth struck out with a slash and Link was knocked back. What ole Marth didn't see was Link pull his longshot out and clutch the the side of the pop-up book that was Yoshi's Story. I couldnt help but grin one hell of a grin when the cloud Marth was standing on caved in while he was taunting my Link and he fell down into the pit, priveliged enough to get a glimps of Link hanging onto the arena, waving a cheeky wave. Um, forget I said MY Link...

But now the tide has turned significantly. Marth has struck back. Constant slashes have ripped and torn at some of Links tunic, exposing some old scar along his right shoulder. A not-so-deep cut near his jaw has stained part of green tunic red. Marth, meanwhile, is virtually free of any inflicted injuy. Come on Link, bomb the brat! Okay, I got nothing against the guy, before you ask. I just know I'd prefer Link to win over him. Then again, I prefer my Link over most people. Did I say "My Link" again? I did, hey?

Hey, before you get all defensive, know Im not the only one who's got bet's on Link wiping Marth off the board. Yoshi was clearly proud that his homeland was being used, and having personally fought Link there last year he naturally put his bet on the Hylian. Luigi and Mario have some kind of argument going on. One yay, one nay. Even Falco is muttering under his breath. A chance to make some more money never went astray, especially over a match with no real advantage to anyone. And I guess Link and Falco have some sort of understanding with each other. What it is I'm not too sure but anyway.

"Watch out for that parry... backflip... backflip... shield! Shield!"

Even through clenched teeth, I don't think he could hear you too well Falco. And give him credit! Everytime I've fought against Link he's always used his sword instead of his shield. And God, the way he moves that thing so damn fast and well, he deserves credit. Even Ganondorf is pinning his win on the Hero of Time. "Come on boy..." I hear him growl quietly. Did you know he buried his pride to try and offer Link something called the Gerudo Blade Feint? True as God. I guess they have some sort of understanding these days too. And I don't think Ganondorf is a Marth fan either. Heh. There was once a match where him and Link fought Marth and Roy, and damnit, they were actually a good team! Who'd have known? Link even blocked one of Roy's blazer attacks! Well, it's not too surpriseing. The real surprise was when Ganon grabbed Marth by the neck and threw him while Link was stunned from a broken shield. I tell you, strange stuff happens sometimes around my Link.

I said it again. Okay, okay. Don't say it, I know. Blah blah blah. How about I tell you what's happening now instead? Yeah, that'll do. Well, right now Link just did his double smash attack and rang Marth's bell a bit. Finding out Link could perform his smash move twice was another little "Link-only" skill. He needs it though. One stock each left, and the difference is... scary. Christ, his tunic is more red than green, what's left of it. And... damn. He's got more than a few scars too. Even the small scar on my right hand isn't that bad. Not that anyone would see it. That whole part of my body has been given a certain amount of distance, so I doubt even without my daily suit that anyone would notice.

"Behind you!" Okay, so I couldn't help myself. Ah, and I sucessfully earned myself a few strange looks from people. "Jeeze, a little louder, huh -?" I tune out Popo's voice in time to see Link jump up and spin in mid air, avoiding Marth's backstab attack. Holy hell does he make that look good. Definately another "Link-only" thing. Theres no way it's the same as when Mario: King-Of -Jumpers can do it. Come on, Link. Thrust down! Yes! No! Damn you, Marth!

Well, in case you're wondering who won... Heh. Yeah yeah. I hate breaks too at cliff hangers. Seriously, Link's downwards thrust was enough to send Marth spirialing out into the distance. But not before Marth whipped his sword up one final time, enough to catch Link's ribcage. No, it didn't throw my Link out of the arena, but it did enough to knock him flying a few feet to land on his back. Come On, Link. Move... Please?... Oh no...

"Hey, where you 'spose she's going?"
"Hm? Where who'se going?"
"Didn't you see her? It was-"

Well, that's all I heard of Popo and Falco's discussion before the chamber door shut. Stepping onto the "angelic" platofrm, Yoshi's Island suddenly appeared beyond a wall of light and I dashed out. And bloody hell...

Now, usually when one Smasher runs towards a downed Smasher, it's to make them stay down. I wonder if that's what the others who are still watching are thinking. But hah, one perfect slide and a bit of kicked up dust and voila. One heroic pose of a silent warrior kneeling guard over a kindred spirit... What the hell do you mean I'm covering myself up? Well... okay, so the heroic pose bit was only a second thought. My first thought was making sure my - the! The Hylian! The Hylian wasn't bleeding as much. Hopefully clamping my hand over his shoulder will be preasure enough.

I wonder what Zelda will have to think when she hears I rushed out to "her" fallen hero's side and started taking care of him? Heh... Okay, how do you know I'm just saying that and it's not really on my mind, hmm? 'Cause you're holding Link's like he's you're...' ... Well, fine. You got me on that one.

"Link? Link! Link!" A few blonde hairs that have pulled free from my braid are clinging around my eyes. Like my vision wasn't already limited without my hair making it worse. Still no response, and I gently rest my hand against his side. There. A groan and I'm not surprised. It'll be awhile before you fight again, Link. Not until the rib re-knit's. I softly poke along him - nothing else broken I'm guessing, but God, are the little squrims he's making cute. Not the best though - the groaning gives that away. Come on Link, open those peepers...

There's one eye open. One peircing blue eye. Really peircing. "Huuhh.. Is that you -"
"Shh. Relax. It's all over, just stay still..."

".. Samus?"
All of a sudden my suit's become very hot. Very. Maybe the cooling system's broken. Maybe it's those eye's of his. Whatever it is, it's enough for me to have to open the visor on my helmet and wipe some sweat from my cheeks. Damn those eyes. Damn them for being so... Link-ified. And I better not shut my visor again, because more of my hair that''s pulled itself free from my braid is now hanging out through the opening. Well, maybe the blonde will prevent any blush from showing...

"Yeah, it's me Link."
Aw, now he's eye's have widened. Damnit. If they go anymore cute I'll be in trouble. It must be from the visor being up. Well, it's not like it's the first time he's seen it. Or without my whole helmet for that case. Guess it's just another of "those things" you don't expect much. Speaking of the whole thing off, I swear this thing is getting more hot around the collar with him staring at me like that. Ooohh, if you were anyone else all I'd have to do is poke that rib and you'd look away... But it's another of those "Link things" that you just can't do. Or I just can't do. One of the two.

After this I'm seriously giving this suit a power up. There must be a coolant leak. Must be! Ah, to hell with it. In for a penny, in for a pound...
Okay, I gotta admit... I'm still hot without the helmet on. Oh, and now he's gone even more cute by looking surprised and... um, I guess that one I'm looking at is gladness. Or happyness. Or something. Captain Falcons got one of those looks too, but with different effect. Seriously, his look is what us girls affectionately refer to as the "Im hitting on you. Subtle huh?" look. Well, thats not Link's look, but it's got some kinda smile thing there. First time I seen it anyway. Therefore I offically name it "Link's smile he gave me and me only" look. Hah. Take that, everyone else.

Okay, so maybe taking my helmet off wasn't such a good idea. I'm still hot, flustered, and Im damned sure that look is making some color leech from my suit to my face. But hey, I still got that look. And maybe Zelda's watching too. Samus: 2. Zelda: 0. Well, except for all the time's he's rescued her and all.

... How long does it take for 2 angelic platforms to come already? I mean, the match is over, Link won, theres 2 people stranded on Yoshi's Island, and one of them needs to have a doctor look at them. By NOW you'd think someone would have acted, wouldn't you? Or at least Doc Mario'd be here or something, sticking that silly stethoscope all over and trying to get Link to cough with a broken rib. But I'll admit, it'd probably be another of those cute things he'd do if he started wriggling around from that stethoscope. I dunno about you, but every doctor I know keeps those things cold. Heh. Score. I get a special look and see him all cute (but wounded).

Actually, now that I look at it, he really should have a doctor here. Is it me or is there even more blood on his tunic?

"Hey! Doctor! Now damnit!"

Ahh, and theres the tinny little reply in my hemlet now.

"Yeah yeah, tha' doc, right? He's on his way! ON HIS WAY!.. You better have heard me! Aran? Aran? I know you can hear me! Your helmet ain't that far away!"

Ah, hell with Falco. Instead I take Link's hand. Ooohh, Golden Guantlets. Idea via Shiek: If you're taking on a prince, look your best. She knew her stuff allright. Then again, she knew Link didn't she?
"Hear that Link? Doc's on his way." Time for my Link to get better! And it's stethoscope time! Well, I guess I was more right the first time. No matter how much seeing the elf fumble around under a cold stethoscope, I'd prefer him to get better. And yeah, I know what I called him. Shut up.

"Are you sure you don't want us to hold the doc back a bit Samus? After all, it'd ruin your oh-so romantic scene!"
"Yeah! Hee hee! Muah muah! Samus and Liiiink, sitting in uhh... the 2d Yoshi Tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

Now I regret taking my helmet off fully. It's not worth the look I got either, considering I probably look like some kinda anime person with the wide ayes and the set jaw. And Link's not looking in my direction either. Thank you boys. Ah, and the damned brat and bird are singing together now.
... Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Falco and Popo. The blue bird's getting his feather's plucked tonight. And oohh, I havn't played a good game of hunting in a long time. That little Ice Climber has just set dibs on being a rabbit.

Ah, and finally, FINALLY, here comes everyones favourite plumber-turn doctor. Busy little guy too. What? Oh, and he's ordering me to pick Link up under the shoulders... Damn those two. They ruined this moment. Damn them.
"C'mon Link. Up you get."
Well, not altogether ruined. At least he's not resisting me. And I just realised.. my arms are around him. Samus: 12. Thats worth ten, so nyah.

"Right! Now, what we gonna do is open up a' angelic here..." Lil Doc's pointing at one end of the stretcher, just to paint the picture.
"..and I bring this end through, you push other end."
Before I can really nod or anything, he's gone and I'm pushing Link through.

"Hey... Samus?"
Oh God. This is gonna be embarrassing thanks to those two nitwits... and I was right. HE'S embarrassed. Aww, and he's all red an flustered. Damn. Hentai thoughts. Damn damn damn... Eh, I'll indulge them a little bit... Oohh... heh... Okay. There.
"Hm?"
"Thanks."
And then he was gone. Guess ole Doc M thought we were taking too long. Yeah.. I think I'll follow them in a second when my face cools down a bit... Oh! Helmet too! There we go. Jeeze, never thought anyone'd make me almost forget this. Heh... yeah. Oh well. ...And theyre still singing!

"Red-suit baby! Spa-ace ady! Hunter for the band!
Pretty eyes! Pirate smiles! She'll marry the Hy-li-an!"

Maybe I'll wait until after Link's recovered a bit. Oh sure, I risk putting myself at the end of Zelda's glares for all this, but it was worth it. And it'll be worth it after too. No matter what agreement Link and Falco have, I know my (I know. Be quiet.) Hylian elf won't mind watching me pluck his feathers. And who knows? Maybe he can help me hunt my favourite blue Ice Climber after too. Hey, he knows it's all in the name of fun.

And besides, any time you get to see him smile at you the way he did at me is worth the princesses ramblings and taunts of a bird and a boy. Cuz' I tell you, Link sure did smile.

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