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Chapter Text

You were lying on your bed sleeping peacefully, until you heard multiple knocks from your door, interrupting your dream-like state. You groggily opened your eyes, then you heard a familiar, soft and friendly voice calling you from outside your room, "Y/N! It's getting late, are you alright?"

You rolled over onto your back and groggily sat up. You were still half-asleep, so you rubbed your eyes to fight off the drowsiness and stretched your limbs for a few times before stifling a yawn. You glanced at the door first, then at the clock. 4:00 AM. Welp.

As you moved your weight to the edge of the bed, you headed towards your room’s door. Turning the knob to open it slightly, you were met with a bright smile from Isabelle, who was already carrying paperwork. Your beloved furry comrade giggled, “We should get ready, our work isn't gonna go away if we don't move."

"You never catch a break, do you?" You sighed, "Can't you just wait a little longer?"

Isabelle shook her head in a stern manner, "Sorry, Y/N. No can do. Everyday is work day, and the earlier we finish them—"

"—The earlier we can have tea with the girls for the rest of the day." You added, albeit a bit tired; she was expecting you to say that anyway. "Alright then. I'll get ready in a minute. We can meet at your work office."

Isabelle smiled, and her tail began wagging in excitement, "That's great! I'll get our breakfast ready too. We'll see each other in a bit!"

Before you could even bid her goodbye, Isabelle was already gone. You smiled, then deeply exhaled from weariness before closing the door. Her workaholic demeanor never really left her alone.

To formally start your day, you begin your routine by entering your large bathroom. You turned the knob on, and enjoyed the shower until your body was cleansed. After the shower, you quickly brushed your teeth, and then your hair. Once you were done, you went back to your room and rummaged through your extravagant closet, in search of your uniform.

And there it was, the gorgeous dress partnered with a feathery apron! If it weren't for the uniform's dazzling design and ideal texture, you probably would've never looked forward to wearing it. The dress was a mix of maid and formal attire. Despite it being a uniform, it looked like something even upper class royalty would wear, which was enough to convince yourself to wear it on a daily basis. And even if you didn't want to, Master Hand wouldn't give you any other choice, so you just (half-jokingly) assumed your fate had always been like this to begin with.

After putting on your uniform, you quickly swept the tiled floor of your room, then made your bed. Your room was fairly wide for an Assist Trophy to reside, so you try to clean faster. It's not like you had the right to complain, though. In fact, your room alone just further convinced you to stay and do everything you could to stay in this luxury.

After putting the cleaning supplies in your pocket and carrying a big stash of paperwork in your arms, you rushed into the hallways. You continued until you were outside from the Assist Trophy section, and then inside the Official Fighters section, and lastly, into the door that Isabelle always resided in where you both work.

The mansion you lived in was more than huge, calling it a 'castle' was an understatement. Including you and the two masters, you have over 151 residents living in this same household! You may have lived in the section of Assist Trophies, but you didn’t exactly see yourself living in a place that looked like a kingdom. The distance between the rooms of the Assist Trophies and the Official Fighters was always the longest walk of your day. You once considered using those cloud thingies that Lakitu had, so that it would make your daily routine easier for you, but you didn't know if there were any consequences over using other people's properties. So, you refused to suggest it.

But then you recalled Master Hand telling you that you were blessed with great stamina that can last a long walk, so for the entire time you just took his word for it.

After making the trek to Isabelle's room, you knock on the door with a pattern; one big knock, four small knocks, and two more big knocks. You and Isabelle made this up.

Not even a second later, the door suddenly swung open, and you were welcomed by a huge smile, “Y/N! At last, you have arrived!”

"Isabelle, as lively as always." You chuckled at her warm welcome. Isabelle was possibly one of the most excitable people you loved getting along with. Despite her being a workaholic, she has always been a lovely canine who was always willing to lend a helping hand. You too, would always insist on helping Isabelle when she needed it most, but she often had her work managed even if the workload was full. Since then, you were always concerned for her.

“Of course!” Isabelle opened the door wide enough for you to enter. As expected, the room was full of paperwork, yet they were all neatly organized. She rushed over to one of the desks that had food ready; the table was full of yummy dishes waiting to be eaten. You glanced over at Isabelle for a bit, and you noticed her tail wagging... it seems like someone's excited to devour the food!

“You can put those at my main desk. I can organize that later." Isabelle politely said, to which you obliged.

You smiled, your heart felt a pang of concern, “No need, Isabelle. It's my paperwork, therefore it's for me to take care of. You are already occupied with yours.”

Isabelle realized what she just said, causing her to rub her head coyly as she chuckled, “Sorry! Force of habit. I have my work around 60% done, so I thought I could load some more to get way more past that."

You shook your head at Isabelle's workaholic demeanor again with a smile, "Oh, Isabelle. I know preparation is key and everything, but please try to rest from time to time. Your health is just as important as your work, perhaps a lot more than that.”

"I–I know that! You don't have to remind me all the time." Isabelle chuckled, to which you scoffed albeit playfully.

"As if you're not always coming to my door just to wake me up at exactly 4 AM." You said, internally clapping back.

Isabelle laughed, "Please, I was already awake beforehand!" She waved her arms in defense, "A–Anyway, we should start eating. We have another day to succumb to."

As you and Isabelle ate, she enthusiastically explained to you every event that happened in each Smash Matches she watched and battled, even telling you about the Assist Trophies she faced. From losing winning streaks to opponents committing mischievous acts, you enjoyed listening to her stories.

"And that's how we discovered that Wario was using cheat codes for the entire match!”

“That’s Wario for you,” You sighed, wondering how it was even possible to cheat in battles. “What happened to him after that?”

Isabelle smiled in response, “He won’t be joining matches for a month.”

Served him right. “Understandable.”

Wario was one of the few Official Fighters you were most familiar with. It was mainly because you two would frequently butt each other’s heads (and you swore he was doing it on purpose) every time he came to visit his brother. The fact that your room was right next to Waluigi’s only added fuel to the fire. And speaking of Waluigi, he was surprisingly pleasant to get along with. You could’ve guessed he was just as bad as Wario because they were brothers and that their similar mischievous aura would radiate oh-so alike, but Waluigi's company was remarkably tolerant. Then again, you only got used to his antics since he was your neighbor since day one. You grew to tolerate him, and you could tell the same for Waluigi.

As for Wario, he was the complete opposite. Sure, Waluigi could be a butthead for not minding his own business whenever it comes to you, but at least he didn’t go as far as to make himself at home inside your own room and start meddling with your personal belongings. You caught Wario red-handed at least two times before he stopped. You were thankful that Mario caught Wario in the second act, causing him to give the biker a stern talk (despite Wario showing no interest in listening). Even Waluigi scolded him when he discovered it later on! At least his younger brother was respectful, but that didn’t stop Wario from ragging you in many other ways for the sake of his entertainment. He would only stop whenever his brother was around, or if he felt like leaving early, which thank goodness happened a lot.

"Y/N!” You snapped back to reality when Isabelle called your name a little louder, causing you to look up.

“Are you alright?" She asked worriedly. You noticed the concerned gaze she was giving you, so you shook your head and smiled it off.

"Yeah, I'm just recalling the times when Wario would cause trouble around me, it's nothing new," You said, then cleared your throat, "You were saying?"

Isabelle gave you one more worried glance before continuing, “Well, because of the punishment, he's been making a big mess. We had to put up with his behavior.” She sighed.

You resisted the urge to roll your eyes upon hearing Wario's manbaby attitude. “All because he couldn’t take a reasonable punishment?”

She nodded, but quickly brushed off her annoyance and replaced it with a brighter one, "But hey! It’s alright! Even if he’s crude, we’re doing the best we can to cheer him up.”

“I sure hope so.” You replied almost sarcastically.

After you and Isabelle finished your food, you drank your entire glass of water before clearing your throat, “Isabelle?”

Isabelle turned towards you. “Do you have to go?” You nodded and she smiled, “Alrighty then. I'll start my work right away– but! B–But, I'll leave some work for you, so– so it's fair.” She scratched her head sheepishly.

You chuckled, “Of course, Isabelle.”

Isabelle nodded, content with your answer, before going back to her work. As she began her duty, you quickly left with the tray of empty dishes at hand.

While you were taking your stroll to the kitchen with the tray at hand, Mario greeted you from far behind.

"Good morning, Y/N!" You turned to see him waving at you while catching up with your pace, "I see you're early. Are you heading off to the kitchen?"

You smiled at him, "Good morning, Mario! You're early yourself too. But yes, Isabelle woke me up just in time to start working." You turned your attention back to the tray at hand, "I'll be washing these first before I start my duties."

At the corner of your eye, you caught a glimpse of Mario's ever-so-slightly shocked expression before it disappeared quickly.

"Oh, well… if you'd like, I can be of assistance!" He suggested.

Mario was the friendliest of the bunch, even if that was to be expected. He would treat you with utmost respect, and you would always curtsy him back. Mario didn’t visit the Assist Trophies that often, but whenever he did, you never had a day where he wouldn’t come by to have a chat with you. But whenever you were summoned in arenas by certain Fighters, you would notice how often Mario would check in on you after each match was over. You appreciated the gesture, but something about Mario’s visits gave you the impression that there was more to something than meets the eye. It wasn’t like you were taunting the opponents or anything; all you did was be Y/N and purely focus on doing your job at hand.

You chuckled, "I appreciate the offer, but I politely decline." You answered, "I can take care of it myself."

Mario laughed nervously, "N-No hard feelings…!" He replied with a forced smile, "I'll escort you to the kitchen instead. It's the least I could do."

You frowned at his sudden change of demeanor, "Is something wrong?"

"Uh…" Instead of answering right away, Mario rubbed his head and turned his gaze away from you.

But before he even could answer, you gave him a reassuring smile, "Whatever it is, I'm sure it won't be that bothersome for me. No need to worry too much."

Mario turned to look at you with a somewhat surprised expression, then returned a smile similar to yours, "Thank you, but it's not that. You see—"

And as if it was right on time, you and Mario arrived at the large entrance doors of the kitchen. Putting your tray on one hand, you opened one door with your other. The scenario awaiting from behind left you in immense disbelief. Your eyes widened in shock, you nearly dropped the contents on the tray; whatever lay in front of you was a mess!

The kitchen was ruined . So ruined and messy, calling it those words was an understatement. The kitchen was a disaster!

Everything you could think of; food, drinks, utensils, empty cans… they were all over the place. You didn’t realize your expression had fallen in spurn until Mario spoke up.

“Wario didn’t take the temporary ban very well.” You turned to face Mario. “He’s been destroying the kitchen for the past week. That’s why I offered to help.”

You frowned upon hearing this news. Mario shook his head then continued, “Poor Isabelle couldn’t catch a break. She’s been cleaning his mess the most. We had to convince her it’s not her job to take care of him.” He crossed his arms.

“That’s Isabelle, alright…” You muttered in a pitiful tone.

Mario sighed and gave you a reassuring smile, “You don't have to worry about Wario, though. I can—”

“—Clean it up.” You interrupted, acting like you beat Mario from saying it first.

Mario looked at you crazy. "What?"

Yeah, you thought you were crazy yourself, but it couldn’t be helped. Nobody deserves to see this horrid sight as the first thing they see in the morning!

"I'll be alright." You said reassuringly, as you caught a glimpse of Wario — wearing his biker costume — who had his arms and head down on the table. "Besides, Wario seems to have passed out. I can clean this off before anyone else comes in."

Mario blinked once with a mouth slightly agape, as if he was processing how incredibly weird you were, "I… Are you sure, Y/N? He might be pretending to be asleep, he would only bother you further. Wario can be—"

"I can assure you that he’s sleeping." You said firmly this time, but Mario was still uncertain at first, so you spoke more, “Surely, you have other errands to attend to this morning, so this problem should not interrupt your routine. And if anything goes wrong…"

You placed your other hand on your chest to show confidence, "...I will call you for aid. Don’t worry."

After that, Mario felt your sincerity and reluctantly shoved his concerns aside. He sighed in defeat, "If you say so, Y/N. I'll inform Isabelle that you’ll take a while to return. I gotta go now. Don't overwork yourself!"

“Thank you, Mario!” You waved at each other until Mario left your sight. You entered the kitchen before closing the door behind you and — wait, was that cream?!

You looked at your hand only to see it was covered in whipped cream. You gagged that irked disgust, then you turned to see the horrible mess from behind the door. Your eye twitched at the sight of it, even the parts where you couldn't reach on your own had stains on them.

At first you thought you couldn't reach it, but you remembered you were practically trained to do your job with ease and skill. Besides, you were doing this not only for Isabelle, but for the rest of the residents too.

You quickly headed for the sink and placed the tray alongside the many other utensils that were begging to be washed. After rinsing your hands for a short while, you walked inside the small storage to scourge for a stockpile of cleaning supplies required to polish this kitchen spotless.

With all the materials needed, you began sweeping the trash into a single pile of hot garbage. Next, you used a soaked, shabby cloth to wipe the wasted food, and would routinely throw the crumbs in a separate trash bag. You weren’t too happy with the mess being this big, but a maid’s duty is a maid’s duty.

After cleaning the entire dumpster truck of a kitchen, you carried a new trash bag, and headed to the messy table. But you suddenly caught a stench that was so bad that you had to pinch your nose. You forgot to wear a mask, but it wasn’t like that would help either; the stink was so strong, you knew you would STILL smell the gunk regardless.

But wait, why weren’t you able to smell the stench this sooner when you were cleaning? Unless…

You carefully walked to where Wario was sitting — or sleeping — and your questions were answered once you were near. The stink was coming from him; you felt like you were about to vomit!

As if it couldn’t get any worse, your eyes widened when you heard a muffled laugh from Wario himself. You watched him lazily raise his head to look at you with that sly gaze. Clearly, he was not sober.

“What’s the problem, sugar? Is my scent makin’ you weak?” He hiccuped. You cringed at the nickname he apparently liked calling you.

You shivered when he placed his hand on your shoulder to pull you closer to him. You cringed even more when you couldn’t hold your breath any longer; already imagining the worst of the worst if your nose DARED get a whiff of this dumpster fire any closer!

You squeaked, jumping away from Wario’s grip. You scurried to keep your distance far from him like he was a cockroach and covered your nose with both hands. “Wario, please! Clean yourself immediately!”

Wario only laughed harder as if that was the funniest joke you ever said. “Nice one, sugar! But I’m (hic–!) not the type to shower everyday.”

You almost gagged at that response, making you furrow your eyebrows, “Wario, I would be thrilled if you offered to help clean YOUR mess to begin with, but your hygiene must be prioritized first. So, I must ask you to leave!”

Wario scoffed, as if he was offended that you would raise your voice like that, “Sheesh (hic–!) cranky much? Liven up a little, sugar. No one likes (hic–!) to see you grumpy in the morning.” Wario grinned, then rested his chin on his arm.

 The more he teased you, the more you gritted your teeth. You had this growing urge to grab Wario and throw him out the window, “Enough with the games, Wario. You have to leave, or I’ll make you!”

“Aw, offerin’ to carry (hic–!) me to my room? You’re not a sugar for a reason, heheh…” Wario cooed as he intertwined his fingers together.

You were taken aback by his insane assumption, “I didn’t say anythi–!” But you were interrupted by his loud yawn, as if indicating that he didn’t want you to finish spurting out whatever comes out of your mouth.

“You’re sweet (hic–!) and I like sweets.” Now he was just spitting nonsense, “Not like I trust myself to walk on my own, anyway.” He chuckled, then hiccuped again.

Before you had the chance to recoil, Wario groaned and sturdily stood up from his seat, then walked towards you in a woozy manner.

His hand was on his head and his body language screamed ‘I’m about to fall’, but you stood in place with your hand still covering your nose, not bothered to move at all. You stayed in place and watched Wario fall flat on his face.

Silence temporarily crept the entire room… until Wario’s snores began filling it instead. You sighed, already distressed at his demeanor; you only walked around past Wario, and simply continued cleaning.

“Uuuuuurrrggghhh…” You tied the knot of the last trash bag, and threw it beside the pile of other garbage. You were gonna face the fact that you would be carrying all those by yourself.

“Why can't you carry me?” Wario muffled, but you ignored him. “Just carry me to my (hic–!) room...”

You kept ignoring Wario's 'pleas' despite growing more and more annoyed by the minute, but you eventually gave in. You couldn't waste your patience on him any longer since he wouldn't shut up .

Exhaling deeply, you grabbed a trash bag then stomped towards Wario to grab him by the back of his jacket's collar. Your face only burned brighter in anger when you began hearing obnoxiously playful (was it even playful to begin with?) complaints from the human garbage.

To make matters worse, Wario's bad odor was really strong. There’s no way that these fighters had any patience to deal with this man’s hygiene, he could win as the worst smelling person in the world if that event was real!

Wario kept laughing, "Ahahahaha (hic-!) hahaha! Oh, c'mon! You can't (hic-!) be silly right now, sugar. You HAVE to carry me by the shoulder!"

"Wario." You stopped to glare down at him, to which he only gave you a drunken grin. He seemed to enjoy watching you become agitated, "If I was a fellow Official Fighter, I will throw you outside of this castle, thrash your belongings with you, and never look back."

Wario laughed even harder, "Ahah (hic-!) ahahahaha! Ain't that adorable! If you ask me, I don't see you doin' that any time soon."

But he stopped when he was suddenly met with a harsh, heavy hit to his face.

"OW! THAT WAS UNCALLED FOR!" Wario yowled, then clenched his fist while staring up at you with narrowed eyes.

Amused, you tilted your head to fake confusion, but you couldn’t stop your smirk from reaching to your ears. "Are you accusing me of hitting you, Wario?"

"Don't get smart with me," He snarled, "You did that on purpose!"

"Not so drunk now, are we?" You clapped back, trying your best to hold your laughter. "But alas, I am but a mere maid, only doing my job."

"Why you–!"

Wario was abruptly cut off when you dragged him a bit too harshly for his comfort. That'll show him.

You only passed the kitchen door yet you were already struggling to keep up with your speed. You grunted over the combined heaviness of two trash bags in each hand. It made you almost wish that you could've left Wario back in the kitchen instead; you could've sworn his weight was hogging your limited strength.

"Just how are you this heavy?!" You grunted in exasperation, as you were practically dragging big dumb bells behind you.

Wario just chuckled, "(hic-!) It's a benefit, sugar. If I eat enough junk, I'll only get stronger!"

You grumbled, "Please, eat something healthy at least once in a while."

He scoffed, "Why would I? Not like I'd (hic-!) listen to anyone suggesting whatever diets they have in mind."

"You eat garlic , Wario."

"What! Can't I eat my favorite food?" He raised his hands in a wild shrugging manner as if it should've been obvious that he won't give up his delicacy that easily.

You only sighed, knowing this conversation would go nowhere, "Whatever you say, Wario. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

Wario only mumbled something you couldn't hear, but you did sense that he rolled his eyes in annoyance.

You struggled for a while before you were greeted by a different masculine voice, making you stop track, "Is there a problem here?"

The source of said voice came right in front of you as Lucario stood there with a vaguely concerned expression. Beside him was his floating companion, Mewtwo. But judging from his crossed arms and fixated gaze at the side, Mewtwo appeared to be completely disinterested in his surroundings.

"Um, not at all!" You answered, "I was just about to take out the trash."

"And you're throwing him out?" Lucario raised his brow in question.

You wanted to say yes, but words that indicate that ‘you don’t wanna appear rude’ or something like that. "Wario is in a stinky drunken state, so I think I'll carry him to his room first."

"{There's no need for that.}" Mewtwo interrupted through telepathy.

Before you could tell what was happening, Mewtwo used his telekinesis to drag Wario out of your grip — much to your and the biker's surprise.

"Hey wha— gouurgh?!" Wario was taken back by surprise as the floating mon tightened his grip on Wario's clothes before they both disappeared from sight. They were gone for 3 seconds, until Mewtwo swiftly teleported back.

You quickly noticed his hands were freshly wet, like he just finished washing his hands. Guess he didn't like those micro creepy crawlies either?

Still confused, "Where did you–"

"{His room.}" Mewtwo flatly answered before heading towards the kitchen. "{And before you do anything else…}"

Mewtwo slightly turned his head to look at you from behind, "{The mess isn't going to clean itself soon. Do your job better.}"

Ouch? And yet here you were, about to thank him for making Wario less of a problem.

Mewtwo's unwanted comment must've caught you off guard, because your grip on both hands became tighter, and both Pokemon could sense your panging heart radiating from those hurtful eyes alone.

But all that negativity washed away in a snap when you felt Lucario gently place his paw on your back.

"That's enough, Mewtwo. You can't start your morning like this." You turned to face him with slightly widened eyes, and you noticed his glare tensing at his companion, "The kitchen is close to being spotless. She's doing her best."

Mewtwo only responded in a grunt, then headed inside the door to fend for his breakfast.

Hearing Lucario's words relieved you, and it made you smile gratefully at the canine Pokemon. "I appreciate it, Lucario. Thank you so much."

Lucario only sighed as he placed his paws on his hips, closing his eyes. Though, in the corner of your eye, you could see his tail wagging. So cute.

"Don't mention it." He simply replied, "Mewtwo isn't really fond of humans, so I apologize on his behalf."

 "Ah… is that so…?" You pondered. "In that case, it's fine. I'm sure that he'll warm up to humans eventually."

Lucario hummed in response. There was some doubt in his tone, but he did try to sound optimistic. "I hope so too."

You curtsied, but before you could leave the area, Lucario spoke up. "If you'd like, I can handle the bags. It's not like I have anything else to do this morning, anyway."

You were kind of hoping that he wouldn't offer help… mostly because you didn't want to see Mewtwo while you cleaned the remaining mess.

So, you shook your head, "It's okay, Lucario. I can take care of it myself. You need to eat your breakfast first."

"No no, it's fine. My breakfast can wait. I insist–"

"{Lucario.}" You heard Mewtwo call from your mind, "{Your dish will get cold if you don't eat it soon. And don't bother helping the maid. It's her job to clean, not yours.}" Was Mewtwo making you listen to him on purpose?

The canine Pokemon huffed as his brows narrowed at the front door and crossed his arms, "I'm sure there's no problem with helping people in need, is there?"

"{Don't test me, Lucario. Get over here now.}"

Lucario only sighed in defeat, he knew that he'd only get dragged by Mewtwo with his powers. He glanced at you with an aloof expression, but you could tell that he was slightly disappointed, "I'm sorry, Y/N."

You smiled weakly, "It's no problem. You should go now, your friend is waiting."

"{Lucario.}"

He had enough with this Mewtwo.

Lucario's eyes shrunk to slits as he growled in annoyance, baring his sharp teeth at the door, "I'm coming!"

Using his telekinesis, Lucario dragged the three other trash bags outside of the kitchen and plopped it down in front of you. He was too pissed at Mewtwo to bid you goodbye, he just quickly entered inside before he could do anything drastic.

You breathed out, drained from the mixed interactions. You then proceeded to drag the rest of the bags from the main ground to outside.

The sky was clear and the sun was shining. You finished throwing the last bag of trash in the dumpster, and you were glad that you didn't encounter any more obnoxious people on your way out.

Feeling sweat emerge from your skin, you wiped the pores on your forehead and exhaled. That should be it for now.

You figured that you should shower since it's been a long morning for you. You were about to enter the mansion grounds, but then a purple paper airplane flew right past you, stopping your tracks.

You tilted your head in confusion as you stared down at the origami. As you further squint your eyes, a breathy laugh escaped from your mouth when you realized who the culprit was.

“We just talked about littering, Waluigi.” You playfully remarked. Shortly after, you heard your comrade’s iconic laugh from one of the bushes behind — you simply rolled your eyes.

Waluigi stepped out of his hiding spot, still laughing, “Wah ha ha ha! Ah, and you still didn’t know it was me? I expected you’d already guessed by then.”

You scoffed playfully, “Even if I did, I still would’ve thought that the paper belonged to someone else.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re flustered,” He laughed again. “But in all seriousness, how’s work? You’re sweatier than usual.”

Did he really have to make that comment?

“Oh, har har! At least I smell better!” You let your eyes roll to outer space as Waluigi snickered at your reaction.

You exhaled exasperatedly, “Jokes aside, I had to deal with Wario this morning. He blasted the kitchen really bad. As in, REALLY, really bad…”

Waluigi groaned and scratched his head, “Let me guess, he didn’t take the ban well?”

You nodded.

“C’mon, Wario…” Waluigi muttered in his breath as he shook his head, then he sighed disappointedly, “Sorry about him. It’s not like I can do much to stop his behavior with ease. He can be—”

“—Stubborn? Obnoxious? Unbearable? Not to mention, extremely unpleasant?” You interrupted, not caring of how cold your voice sounded to Waluigi.

He put his hands up in a defensive manner, “Woah there, buddy! I know you hate his guts but he’s still my brother. The only person who can berate him like that is me,” Waluigi crossed his arms and pouted, “And to think I expected more from you.”

You rolled your eyes again, knowing he was only half-kidding at the last bit.

“Buuut,” He continued, “He didn’t make a weird move on you, did he?” Waluigi asked as he raised a brow in suspicion, also showing concern in his expression.

You shook your head and smiled reassuringly, “Nope. Unless you count the time he tried dragging me closer to smell his strong odor, then maybe.”

“You sure that’s the only thing he did?” He questioned, “He didn’t say anything off putting, forced you to do anything, or…?”

“I wouldn’t say he went that far.” Wario kind of did though, but you knew Waluigi would just sternly scold him anyway. He had done worse stuff before.

You cleared your throat, “Anywho, I think we spent enough time here. I’m about to head back inside to shower and continue my work.”

But then, Waluigi’s expression suddenly shifted, as if he just realized that he forgot something, “Oh yeah! That reminds me, I actually came here to bring you to Master Hand. He wants to meet you.”

Your eyes widened at the news. What did Master Hand want from you this time?

DING!

The elevator doors opened, and laughter erupted from your mouth, "Okay but, are you SURE you don't wanna tell me why I'm here?" You asked as you and Waluigi stepped out of the elevator to walk to your destination.

"Wahahahah! No can do, Y/N." Waluigi grinned, "Master Hand wants to tell you himself, but I promise you'll like it. If I was in your shoes, I know I’d love it!" He chuckled.

You hummed, "If you say so."

You and Waluigi stopped your tracks once both of you found yourselves standing before the big doors of the highest castle floors. You both exchanged glances for a brief second.

You were first to step forward, curling your hand into a fist, and knocked on the door in patterns; three big knocks, then three small knocks.

Watching the doors open slowly, you saw Master Hand and Crazy Hand standing across from each other in the wide table, with the latter looking too busy playing on his floating phone to mind his surroundings.

"Y/N! Alas, you're here." Master Hand greeted, "Waluigi didn't spoil the reason for your arrival, did he?"

You shook your head, "Nope. He told me you wanted to tell me the news yourself."

"Precisely." Master Hand replied, "Good job, Waluigi. Your cue to go now."

Before leaving, Waluigi tipped his hat and surprised you with a rose resting on his hand, with the other holding his hat close to his chest.

It’s not much of a surprise to you anymore, but it never fails to make your heart melt. Ever since you two started to hang out more often, Waluigi would give you roses whenever the time called for it. You had a vase full of them in your room, and they were very adorable.

"Thank you." You accepted his rose and held it close to you. You could feel your cheeks heat up.

"With pleasure." He bowed in respect to you and the Hands, and then he gracefully left the room.

The doors would then close on their own. You put the rose in your apron's pockets, then turned your attention back to your Master.

"What's the news, Master Hand?" You asked.

You felt him gaze at you with this stern yet warm look, then he cleared his throat before he began, "Ever since I took you in, your main job is to housekeep this place and provide comfort for the residents."

You hummed in agreement.

"Well, I've gathered information regarding your job's performance, and I must say, your skills are impressive. I'm proud of you."

You were touched. "Thank you."

"Which is why you'll be permanently moving to the Official Fighters' section starting tomorrow!" He announced excitedly.

"That means so so much to me!" You felt joy rush through your veins, "I appreciate how you would let me rest and not– wait, what?! "

"You heard me the first time," Master Hand chuckled, "You're staying in the Official Fighters’ side of the mansion."

You… you couldn't believe what you were hearing. Did Crazy Hand’s influence drive him nuts? "M–Master Hand, are– are you promoting me as an Official Fighter?"

"Oh, no no no. You're still an Assist Trophy," He retracted, "You're only moving because they're more prone to disorder than Assist Trophies."

Somehow, Master Hand thought that this would be good news for you…? It's just more work! What about the people themselves? What if they’re as bad as Wario, if not worse?

Your Master would notice the troubled expression on your face, "No need to fret, Y/N. This will be a life changing experience for you. Give it a chance."

You pondered on it for a second, before replying to him, "…If you say so, Master Hand. Do the rules still apply the same?"

Master Hand leaned closer, "Do you still remember them?" You could sense the smugness from his tone.

You let out a cocky smile, putting your fingers up as you count the rules, "One, no need to call everyone 'Master' because I have dignity… oh, except you, obviously. Two, respect everyone's privacy unless stated otherwise by Master Hand himself. And three, break up unnecessary fights at all costs." 

"Correct! However, I may as well give you a heads up just in case," Master Hand said, "Unlike the Assist Trophies, some Official Fighters can be very pushy. So if they find more ways to bribe you, it's up to you whether you deny them or not. But if you ask me, I suggest discouraging them."

Oh, geez. Just hearing it from Master Hand alone, you already knew that these fighters would require a lot more work than the Assist Trophies. "Understood, Master Hand. Will that be all?"

Before your Master could reply, Crazy Hand chimed in, as if he didn't want you to forget he was there the whole time, "Isabelle's already packing all your stuff after Master Hand and I casted the news, so you should catch up to her. She sounded preeetty excited about it too."

"Oh! Thank you, Crazy Hand." She really couldn't catch a break, could she? But your heart warmed up at the thought of Isabelle finding comfort in your company.

"I must thank you two again for the update." You thanked them once more, "I will be excusing myself now."

You heard the doors open by itself as Master Hand gestured to himself. "Very well, you're dismissed."

You curtsied one last time, then you turned to leave the room. You heard Crazy Hand's iconic laugh from behind while saying these very particular words.

"You're gonna LOVE this change!"

That was the last thing you heard before the doors closed shut.

Chapter Text

You had been staring blankly at the small coin pouch in your hand, still processing King Dedede's request while he stood there looking all excited.

"You want me to do what, again?" You asked in disbelief, looking up at the penguin in front of you.

King Dedede's grin didn't leave his face. "Serve me for the entire week! And I recommend you address me as royalty, too. Your majesty, my liege, your highness, my royal king, you know the jazz. And if you'd like…" He rubbed his chin and looked up in thoughtful expression, "You can call me Master Dedede."

He sounded overly giddy after suggesting the last one, and honestly, it made you cringe.

Apparently, life wanted to take a quick turn by playing Destroy Your Dignity on fast-forward mode because it was only your first day, and this King Dedede was already testing your level of degradation.

But you decided to reserve judgment just in case he was nicer. After all, this was your first time talking to him.

"Isn't King Dedede already enough, though?" You asked.

He hummed in thought. "Yes, but everyone calls me that, so I can't feel that superior flavor I’m looking for. You, on the other hand—" He gestured to you.

"—You are perfect to live off that particular vibe I want! But don't worry, if I'm nice enough to lend you a generous amount of my money, then I'll have no problem going easy on the orders."

You grimaced at his self-serving nature. "And what if I say no?"

King Dedede gave you a confused look. "Why would you? I think paying you every day for one week is a fair trade."

If it involves your dignity, then it ain't a fair trade.

“The money isn’t the problem, King Dedede,” You replied. “I’m not sure where you’re going with this, but my job here is to housekeep this residence as a maid. If anything, I’m not an accessory for making other people look good.”

Your words seemed to hit him in the chest because you could've sworn you saw King Dedede’s expression strained with mixed emotions.

He laughed it off, but the tone sounded a wee bit cold-hearted for your tastes. “Ahahah! Don’t be silly. Why would I see you as a lesser person? I mean, aren’t you jumping to conclusions too soon?”

“Bribing me to work for you sounds like a good example,” You were close to giving him a deadpan look and leaving this empty hallway, but you weren't about to make more enemies during your stay here. “And it’s not like calling you ‘Master’ for one week is a fair trade either.”

“But I told you that’s optional!” He argued back.

“And I strongly dislike that suggestion,” You said in a serious tone before exhaling. “Anyway, I think your friends are waiting for you by the cafeteria. We shouldn't waste any more time here.”

You took his other hand and placed the coin pouch in his palm. “Have a great lunch, King Dedede. I’m leaving now.”

You curtsied before turning on your heel to leave. But it wasn’t long until you heard rushing footsteps as King Dedede stopped in front of you again.

“Look, I–” He looked agitated and visibly sweating. “–I was just joking! Just joking, okay? Hahaha, I didn't mean for it to be a week! Or to use you to make me look good." He laughed nervously.

You thought otherwise. He was obviously lying!

"In all seriousness, I'll just have you serve me for today. Just today, no need to address me with anything superior or... something."

Now, you're confused.

"Pardon?"

"Yes! It'll only be for a day," King Dedede's eyes darted around as if he didn't want anyone to know what he was doing, "You can cook, right?"

You placed your hands behind your back. "Yes?"

"Perfect!" King Dedede exhaled, "I want you to serve me food for lunch. How much are you willing to get paid to cook a massive meal for me?"

Your eyes slightly widened at the request. "Wait, so you want me to cook for you and not your friends?"

"What?" He looked at you like you were crazy, "No. That meal is for me."

That almost made you want to laugh. Almost.

But you pondered the situation. On one hand, earning more would help you save up faster so you could spend it on travel and materials you want soon. But on the other hand, would it be worth dealing with a possibly demanding penguin king who would make you cook countless times? Would it add to your housekeeping workload if you prioritized his requests?

Then again, you haven't cooked a big meal since the last time that garlic-loving nuisance forced you to cook for him, so...

Why not?

"How does five hundred thousand sound?" you proposed.

King Dedede looked like he nearly had a heart attack, "Half a million?! You better be a five-star chef!" He laughed jokingly. Kind of.

But his reaction was enough for you to let out a chuckle. "Don't worry, King Dedede. Once you smell my food, you won't regret the cost."

He eyed you suspiciously one more time before sighing in defeat, "If you say so, Y/N. But you won't receive the full payment until I taste the food myself."

You blinked. "I'm sorry?" You tilted your head and furrowed your gaze at him. Then you cleared your throat to continue, "Um, are you sure I won't be scammed? Just asking for clarification."

It was King Dedede's turn to chuckle this time, "Don't worry. I always keep my word."

"Tell you what," He began, "I'll pay you half the amount first, and then at dinner, you'll receive the rest of the payment. If I'm left disappointed, you'll only get half the payment."

You pursed your lips in thought, "But why cut the payment in half?"

"Just in case you mess up later in the day, and I have to save you with my over-the-top professional teaching skills." He said.

Wow. Does he have such high standards for everyone he meets?

"So," King Dedede reached his free hand out for you to shake, "Do we have a deal?"

You paused for a second, thinking... There's no way you're going to screw this up.

It's not like Master Hand specifically told you to deny any requests from the residents. If anything, he made sure you would serve them with comfort no matter what, and that includes giving you the freedom to say no.

Anything for the money, right?

"Fair enough. It's a deal," you proclaimed before shaking hands with him.

"Splendid!" King Dedede exclaimed gleefully as he reached for his robe and grabbed a handful of coins, which he plopped on the floor. "That's two hundred fifty thousand. You should take it to your room now. I'm not carrying that thing myself."

Your mouth slightly agape, you stared at the bag. "Do you always carry that much money with you?"

"At all times!" King Dedede proudly answered, "Carrying three hundred thousand is my limit. Not even pickpocketing them is that easy."

Whatever you say, "If you say so. I'll take this to my room first, and then I'll start cooking your lunch."

"Good day, gentlemen!" King Dedede greeted as he sat right next to Meta Knight, "Sorry I took so long."

"Aye, it's not a problem," King K. Rool casually replied, who was sitting on Meta Knight's other side, "We're still waiting for Wolf and Bowser to take care of our orders. Ganon, though..."

"He told us he'd be sitting on his own," Meta Knight added, "He said something about needing alone time."

"Bah, alone time my cruddy butt!" Wario brushed them off, only to lean closer to King Dedede with a devilish expression, "Did ya get Y/N to serve ye?"

The question prodded the three gentlemen to hear Incineroar's sudden burst of laughter, who was sitting beside Wario. Incineroar put his Rotom phone aside and turned his attention towards the gluttonous penguin, "Oh, I've got to know this!"

The four leaned closer and stared at King Dedede intently. Half of them had a hopeful look that screamed 'I hope he got her,' while the other half yelled 'I hope he failed.'

Their stares must have been noticeable because King Dedede sat up straight and smirked, "Yes."

The group's loud reactions were a mix of victory and defeat. Incineroar and Wario high-fived and fist-bumped the air, while King K. Rool and Meta Knight groaned in misery and disappointment.

"And to think I miscalculated..." Meta Knight shook his head in shame.

Incineroar laughed once more, "Looks like she's able to make room for you after all!" He grinned at King Dedede.

King K. Rool grumbled a 'whatever' as he begrudgingly handed the cash to Wario, who took it excitedly.

"But hey now," King K. Rool began, "It's not like it's unreasonable to think she won't have time to serve you for a week. She could be doing more work by now!"

"I agree with Sir Rool," Meta Knight glanced at King Dedede, "Judging from how you ask your people to serve you, you can be quite demanding, especially when it involves food. If they mess up, you'll just keep giving them orders until they get your meals right."

King Dedede chuckled at the masked knight's comment, "I'll take your words as a strange compliment. But uh... about Y/N serving me for a week..."

He grimaced, "It's just going to be today."

"HA!" Wario boomed in triumphant victory and pointed at King K. Rool, "THAT’S DOUBLE THE MONEY! I’M WINNIN'!!!"

King K. Rool growled at Wario and slammed another set of cash onto the table. This guy really sucks at betting!

"Let me guess," Meta Knight cleared his throat, "You got her to cook for you."

"Precisely," King Dedede answered.

"How much does it cost?" Meta Knight asked.

"Five hundred thousand," King Dedede replied, "We agreed to pay her half the total cost, just in case she messes up the meal and I'm unsatisfied."

Despite the mask, King Dedede could tell that Meta Knight was grimacing over his self-serving nature, but it's not like this is any different coming from Dedede himself.

"You asked her to prepare a massive meal, didn't you?" Meta Knight asked again.

He nodded.

Wario's victorious laughter died out when he turned to the penguin with a smirk on his face, "Heh. Good luck eatin’ the entire thing. I pray for yer greasy toilet."

"Oh?" King Dedede frowned at Wario, almost losing his appetite unnecessarily, "She told me herself that I won't be disappointed, so there's no need for me to entertain your abhorrent lies."

"Hah! Ya make me laugh," Wario sarcastically wiped a non-existent tear from his eye, "But hey, I won't stop ya from believin’ me. She cooked me my food once, and callin’ it 'grosser than me' is an understatement."

King Dedede turned to glance at Meta Knight, and the latter understood the meaning behind the glance as he shook his head, "I hear no lies. He's telling the truth."

That caused the Great Dedede to become the Not-So-Great Dedede in just a second. He began to sweat as he looked down and furrowed his gaze.

Before anyone else could speak, they heard the familiar rough and husky voice calling out to them, "Oy! The food's here!" Wolf yelled as he and Bowser approached their table, each pushing a tray cart filled with food that had been ordered by almost everyone in the group.

Incineroar groaned in what sounded like annoyance as the two arrived at their table, "Finally, I'm starving!"

Wolf simply rolled his eyes at the Heel Pokemon. He and the rest of the gang settled into their seats and placed the food on the large table, except for Dedede.

As they began to eat, Bowser looked at King Dedede with a slightly concerned expression, "Aren't you going to eat, Dedede? You don't seem to have your order yet."

"Oh, no. I'm fine," He smiled, "I'm just waiting for my meal to be cooked." He hesitated at the last part.

"He's scared that he'll eat hot garbage for the first time in forever," Wario snickered, but Dedede just glared at him, "All that money wasted. Boo hoo... Heh heh heh."

Wolf hummed as he ate a piece of chicken stuffed in his mouth, "So you got that maid lady to cook for you?"

And as if it were perfectly timed, you arrived with the tray cart smoothly gliding in front of you. The cart was packed to the brim, as if the dishes were meant for a large family gathering on Christmas. You had worked diligently to get King Dedede's order just right, so there was no way he would back down now!

"Here's your order, King Dedede," You announced, too focused on your task to notice the silent stares of King Dedede and his friends.

Clearing your throat, you began to list his order, "For your main course, we have a hundred-layered lasagna, four pieces of roasted beef, and a kilogram of carbonara pasta."

Carefully placing the main dishes on his table, you continued, "For dessert, we have sixteen pastel butter cookies, three cups of creamy chocolate pudding, and twenty-five colorful macarons."

Just like before, you carefully placed the dessert items on the table (and thank goodness the tables were big enough to accommodate them all).

"And finally, your beverages consist of two glasses of water, one glass of iced coffee, and a fancy glass for your pink lemonade cocktail."

With the last beverage in place, you stood up straight, placing your hands on your back, silently triumphant.

Nailed it.

King Dedede took several seconds to inspect the food, ensuring it was exactly as he had requested. He took a sip of water and smacked his beak a few times, as if cautioning himself about the simplicity of drinking water.

"The water's good, and the food smells pleasant," He rubbed his chin, lost in thought. His demeanor concerned you slightly, as he seemed skeptical of your cooking when he shouldn't have been.

You placed a hand over your chest, "King Dedede, if you're thinking what I think you're thinking, I can assure you that the food was cooked without any ill intentions."

"No, it's not that," He replied, still lost in thought. "I was just thinking... about how wrong it was of me to expect so much from you on such short notice."

While it would have been nice for King Dedede to lower his expectations, you also felt a mix of flattery and offense. After all, you had been serving in this mansion for over two years, and he seemed to downplay your skills.

Your gaze shifted to his friends, and you couldn't help but feel a tinge of embarrassment from their likely prolonged stares. Just as Wario's presence dominated your field of vision, you couldn't hide your disdain as you glared at King Dedede.

"Did Wario say something about my cooking?" You asked, your expression contorted with displeasure.

There was a momentary pause before Wario interjected with a laugh, "Don' tell me I lied, sugar! We both know yer the worst cook around!" He continued to chuckle.

Mixed reactions erupted within the group, further amplifying your embarrassment, and perhaps even King Dedede's.

"Aren't you going too far?" Wolf chimed in with a smile, trying to contain his amusement.

"Did you really just call her 'sugar'?" One of the others teased.

"You two must be great friends," Another one added, having a tint of mockery laced in his voice as he stifled a chuckle.

Meta Knight interjected with a warning tone, "Enough, gentlemen. Wario, you should know better than to treat the new resident like that. Mind your manners."

"Pffft! Mindin’ manners is for goody-two-shoes!" Wario retorted. "She ain’t new either, glow eyes. Besides, sugar and I are very close~"

Ignoring Wario's presence, you spoke up, addressing King Dedede, "You can trust my skills and judgment, King Dedede. I wouldn't jeopardize your meal."

"Yeah!" Wario interjected once more, "Then risk destroyin’ your toilet!" He laughed cold-heartedly, taking your dismissal personally.

Before your temper could shorten any further, a deep, rumbling growl made you hold your tongue. It emanated from the beastly turtle dragon, Bowser, who sat at the edge of his seat next to King K. Rool. His eyes remained fixed, gazing down at the stinky biker with a stern expression.

"Mind your manners, Wario. We won't tolerate another fight this time," Bowser warned, his calm voice carrying an undercurrent of intimidation.

Wario closed his mouth and stayed seated, crossing his arms and grumbling inaudibly. Bowser sighed, turning his head to you with a dispirited expression.

"We apologize for him. He's always been crude to everyone, including us," Bowser explained.

King Dedede scoffed, "And I thank him daily for almost ruining my appetite on multiple occasions."

"Make that seven times," King K. Rool chimed in, earning a roll of the eyes from Wario.

The rest of the group snickered, except Wario, at King K. Rool's comment.

"Alright, enough of that," King Dedede said, regaining a serious tone. "In all seriousness, I trust your skills and judgment, Y/N."

You smiled, appreciating the vote of confidence.

You watched as King Dedede spun his fork and took a mouthful of carbonara pasta, savoring the flavors as he chewed. He pulled away with wide eyes, removing the empty fork from his beak.

"Not bad, Y/N," He complimented. "Not bad."

After a few moments of silence, King Dedede wasted no time digging into his food, surprising you with his swift and clean eating. It was as if he had participated in numerous eating competitions in his free time.

Your attention turned to the chuckling Incineroar, who was observing your reaction. "Dedede's a big eater, just like me and this guy," He playfully nudged the grumpy, overweight Wario next to him. “And him,” Incineroar added, gesturing his head to King K. Rool in front of him.

Wario groaned in frustration, "That's not fair! How come he gets yer best-cooked food, and not me?!"

"It's simple," You replied. "One, I'm well-paid, and two, he respects me. Both of which you couldn't manage."

"Sounds like somebody's playing favorites," King K. Rool laughed, taking a bite of his churros. "Doesn't he visit you all the time?"

"Not really," You replied. "He enjoys messing with me—it's his favorite pastime."

"Oh?" King K. Rool mused. "He doesn't cause too much trouble, does he?"

You smiled, knowing it should be obvious for him to guess the answer. "I think I've spent enough time here. Enjoy your lunch, gentlemen."

You curtsied before turning on your heel and trekking away, leaving the group behind.

It's dinnertime, and once again, you're tasked by King Dedede to provide him with a huge meal.

"But why would you need three jumbo burgers for dinner?" You retorted. "Wouldn't that ruin your stomach?"

"I appreciate your concern, but I didn't ask you to question my appetite," King Dedede smiled smugly, crossing his arms. "My stomach can handle a feast at night and still be hungry."

"But… But still," You stuttered, "You ate so much during lunch, and your afternoon snack was no average either. Don't you want to go for a simple appetizer? Like a banana split, a slice of ice cream cake, or any frosted dessert at all?"

King Dedede's stomach rumbled in response, and he patted his belly as if to shush it off. "Now I'm hungry for frosted food..."

"So for that, I'll allow it!" He exclaimed. "Thanks to your suggestions, my stomach is craving an entire piece of matcha ice cream cake."

You blinked. "A full circle?"

"A full circle," King Dedede repeated. "Make sure the cake is topped with ice cream cones, doughnuts, macaroons, chocolate bars, and whole tubs of raspberries."

There was no way around it. This king was the living embodiment of gluttony.

"You got that clear?" He asked.

You had to restrain your face from grimacing, so you smiled. "Yes, King Dedede."

"Wonderful!" He exclaimed. "I'll be waiting in the lobby with the boys. We'll see each other in a bit."

With that, you waved as King Dedede left the kitchen. You sighed, reminding yourself that you were doing this for the money.

Reflecting on what happened earlier, you didn't expect King Dedede to be as respectful as you thought. Your friends had warned you that he was just like any other demanding villain, but you saw a glimpse of his genuine nature while making snacks for him. He even shared stories of saving other fighters back in the Brawl Days when the world needed it. It was enough to convince you that he had some heroic traits. Bowser had confirmed it as well.

The only problem you had with King Dedede was his enormous appetite. He ate a lot, like, a LOT. He consumed so much food that he could practically be the living embodiment of the sin of gluttony. Think of him as Wario, but with multiple tapeworms living inside his belly, all craving a Thanksgiving feast four or more times every single day.

Okay, that probably sounded super gross, but you got the idea.

After waiting a couple of hours, the cake was finally done. You made sure to hold it carefully with two hands because of its heaviness and delicacy.

Once the ice cream cake was ready, you placed it onto a large plate.

Carrying the heavy dessert with both hands, you proceeded toward the closed kitchen doors. To your surprise, one door flew wide open, and the shock came so suddenly that you threw the cake into the air.

"No!" You yelled, reflexes taking over as you jumped to catch the flying dessert with both hands, landing on your stomach. Thankfully, the cake was intact.

You exhaled in relief, staying in that position for a few seconds. Glaring at the clumsy culprit beside you, you saw Incineroar, with Wolf behind him, staring back.

Silence filled the room momentarily, which Wolf took as a waste of time as he nonchalantly walked toward the liquor cabinets.

"Uh, sorry?" Incineroar spoke up, shrugging hesitantly. "I didn't see you there."

Well duh, the doors were closed!

You groaned in frustration as you tried to stand up with the cake in your hands. "Please be more careful next time, Incineroar. Your clumsiness will only lead to disasters."

He seemed to take your polite callout to heart, glaring back at you and crossing his arms in defense. "Geez, I already said I was sorry. I would've gladly offered help if I did ruin whatever food you made."

You didn't have the energy to argue with him (not that you should), so you sighed. "This cake took me hours to make, so I must go before it melts."

"Oh, right!" Incineroar perked up, suddenly remembering something. "You're coming with us. Dedede told us to."

You tilted your head in curiosity at his sudden change in behavior. "Why?"

"We came here to get beer," Incineroar answered. "KD3 assumes you're probably done by the time we arrive..." He paused for a moment. "You're not... done with it yet, are you?"

"...I already am."

Incineroar cursed under his breath as you watched him facepalm and shake his head in shame. His friend, Wolf, sneered from a distance, not bothering to look back as he spoke up, "Looks like some idiot owes the King a ton of solid."

Incineroar scoffed, now glaring at Wolf, who was collecting the beverages. "He wouldn't know that! He's not here, so it's not like he'll know that I'm lying."

You could sense Wolf rolling his eyes in response. He stood up, carrying two sets of liquor in each hand, and walked toward the exit of the kitchen. Prompted by this, you and Incineroar followed, not wanting to waste any more time.

As you followed Incineroar and Wolf, you couldn't help but feel a mix of annoyance and amusement at their banter.

Wolf chuckled. "Well, Incineroar, looks like you're in quite a predicament now. King Dedede won't be happy when he finds out you messed up his dessert."

Incineroar shot him a glare. "Oh, shut it, Wolf. It's not like he'll notice. Besides, it's not entirely my fault."

Wolf raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? Pray tell, whose fault is it then?"

"It's this clumsy idiot's fault," Incineroar retorted, nodding towards you with a hint of frustration.

You rolled your eyes, accustomed to Incineroar's brash nature. "I was simply minding my own business, carrying the cake, and suddenly boom. The door flies open."

Wolf chuckled again, clearly enjoying the situation. "Well, Incineroar, maybe you should be more mindful of your surroundings then."

Incineroar huffed, crossing his arms defiantly. "I am mindful! It was just an accident. Can't you cut me some slack?"

The playful teasing continued as you made your way to the lobby where King Dedede and the rest of the group were waiting. As you entered, you saw the king lounging in a chair, with Kirby perched on his shoulder, and Meta Knight leaning against a wall nearby.

King Dedede's eyes lit up when he saw you, and his gaze immediately shifted to the cake. "Ah, finally! The masterpiece is here."

You presented the cake with a small bow. "Here it is, King Dedede. A matcha ice cream cake topped with all the goodies you requested."

He inspected the cake with a satisfied grin. "Excellent work, my loyal servant. You truly understand my desires."

Kirby, unable to contain his excitement, bounced up and down on King Dedede's shoulder, pointing at the cake. "Poyo! Poyo!" He exclaimed, eager to dig in.

King Dedede chuckled, patting Kirby's head. "Hold your horses, Kirby. We'll feast soon enough."

Meta Knight, who had been observing the scene quietly, finally spoke up. "I must say, the dedication you show to King Dedede's indulgences is commendable. It takes a special kind of servant to cater to his insatiable appetite."

You nodded, acknowledging Meta Knight's comment. "Thank you, Meta Knight. It can be quite a challenge, but it's all part of the job."

King Dedede grinned, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "And a job well done, I must say. Your full payment will await by the door later. Now, let's enjoy this feast fit for a king!"

As the group gathered around the table, ready to indulge in the extravagant cake, you couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie despite the chaotic circumstances. Serving King Dedede may be demanding, but there was something oddly fulfilling about meeting his larger-than-life cravings and witnessing the unique dynamics of his loyal companions.

Incineroar chimed in, a mischievous grin on his face. "Hey Dedede, next time, let's see if we can break our own record for the biggest meal ever!"

Wolf chuckled and shook his head. "You're both insane. But I guess that's what makes you guys so amusing."

King Dedede laughed heartily, raising his glass. "To good food, good friends, and never-ending feasts! Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses, and a chorus of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air.

As you took a bite of the delicious matcha ice cream cake, you couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, being part of the Official Fighters' side wasn't such a bad gig after all.

With a smile on your face, you savored the moment, ready for whatever service escapades awaited you in the future.

This was your life now, and you wouldn't have it any other way.

Chapter Text

‘tip-tap-tip-tap-tip-tap-tip-tap-tip-tap’

‘STOMP-STOMP-STOMP-STOMP-STOMP’

You ran down the hallway, the soft sound of your footsteps paling in comparison to the loud, heavy paw steps behind you.

"GET BACK HERE!" You heard Incineroar yell from behind as you kept running away from him. "YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS!"

This was the first time Incineroar had tried to chase you down, after all, you had been entrusted by his best pal, Wolf O'Donnell, to deliver a 'surprise' gift directly to Incineroar with strict instructions not to reveal who had brought it. However, the surprise gift turned out to be a prank. When Incineroar eagerly opened the box, it sprayed a particular trashy substance on him, leaving him with a scent worse than Wario's. His impulsive reaction led him to believe you were behind it, and despite your attempts to explain the truth, he refused to believe you. You also got a bit too snarky with him, which only fueled the fire.

With all that information in mind, you concluded that Incineroar was easily provoked.

You quickly turned a corner, feeling the pressure in your lungs as you ran, but you didn't dare look back at the enraged Heel Pokemon. You considered turning around and begging for forgiveness, but you couldn't bring yourself to stop running, whether it was due to pride or fear of the inevitable consequences.

Some residents you ran past were initially confused, but they soon caught a whiff of the stench emanating from the Pokemon chasing you. You felt sorry for what they had to endure due to a prank orchestrated by Incineroar's cunning canine friend.

Your breath began to waver. If only you could reach the main staircase, you could slide down the banister and make it to your own room, then lock the door behind you. Easy peasy!

Your heart raced as you neared the main staircase, but alas, your heart came to a halt as Incineroar slid in front of the steps, blocking your path. It seemed he was closer behind you than you had realized.

"You're not getting that far from me, you dumbbell," He growled.

Darn it, what did you ever do to deserve this treatment? Besides sarcastically calling his skills unimpressive when he insulted you first. But it wasn't entirely a lie, so you felt fully justified.

You put your hands up and backed away as he stalked toward you. The unfolding scene felt like a predator cornering its prey. His smell overwhelmed your senses, so you covered your nose with your hands.

"Y’know, I REALLY thought you were gonna be the best maid and fulfill that title of yours as The Royal Maiden,” He proclaimed, “I was in the middle of showing you my factually impressive skills too, and what did I get?"

“...An honest compliment?” You shrugged with an unconvincing smile.

He growled, “WRONG! You had to make me open that dumb present! And for what? Trying to get back at me because you can’t take an insult?!" You knew he was projecting with this accusation.

You spoke from beneath your hands, sighing at his stubbornness, "I already told you, Incineroar. I played no part in this."

"Liar!" He roared, spitting saliva in your face. You had to close your eyes and shield your entire face from it, "If you're gonna make me stink like this, then you're going down with me!"

Oh no. Welp, might as well start praying now.

As if your prayers had been answered, Wolf sauntered in from a side room. You had a lingering feeling that he had been watching the commotion unfold but decided to intervene just now. Both you and Incineroar looked at him.

"Hey," Wolf chuckled. "I heard a lot of commotion. What's going on here?"

You clasped your hands together. "Wolf!" You quickly rushed to hide behind him, peering out from behind his spiked leather jacket to look at Incineroar. Wolf glanced at you, appearing puzzled yet mischievous. Either way, you were grateful that he went along with it.

Incineroar, on the other hand, audibly growled with anger over your decision to seek protection from Wolf. You were certain that if Wolf chose not to show mercy or failed to shield you from Incineroar, you would be in much worse trouble than before.

"Step aside, man!" Incineroar clenched his fists and glared at you with fury in his eyes.

With Incineroar’s anger evident, you desperately looked to Wolf for support. However, instead of coming to your defense, Wolf smirked mischievously and crossed his arms, feigning innocence.

"Step aside? Why would I do that, Incineroar?" Wolf replied, his voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "After all, it seems our dear maid here has something important to say to you. Don't you, maiden?"

Your eyes widened in surprise as Wolf intentionally turned the tables, putting the spotlight back on you. You peered out from behind Wolf, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. This was not the outcome you expected, but you had to play along.

Taking a deep breath, you stepped forward, summoning the courage to face Incineroar. Despite the fear still lingering inside, you had to defend your innocence once more.

"Incineroar, I swear I had nothing to do with the prank," You stated firmly, looking directly into his fiery eyes, "I was asked by Wolf to deliver the gift, but it was supposed to be a genuine surprise. I would never do something cruel as to intentionally hurt or humiliate you."

Incineroar's expression flickered with doubt for a moment, but he quickly pushed it aside, refusing to believe your words. He shook his head dismissively.

"You expect me to believe that, huh? You're just trying to save your own skin," Incineroar sneered, "But let me tell you something, little maid. Your words won't work on me. I see through your lies!"

You stared at him for a brief moment before speaking up again, “If you don’t believe me, then ask him.” You said as you referred to Wolf. He better tell him now or else it would get things worse.

Wolf chuckled, his amusement growing with every passing moment.

"Oh, come on, Incineroar," Wolf said with a sly grin, "You really think I had anything to do with this? You know me, I'm always up to something, but this? Not my style."

Your jaw dropped at him, completely speechless. Incineroar's expression faltered for a moment as doubt crept into his eyes. He glanced between you and Wolf, seemingly torn between his trust for his friend and his anger towards you.

"Seriously, gom," Wolf continued, his voice dripping with false sincerity, "I'm just as surprised as you are. Whoever did this, they really got you good. But don't worry, I'll help you find the real culprit. We'll make them pay." This jerk was smirking!

You couldn't believe what you were hearing... Wolf was actually playing along with the prank! How dare he go so far as to pretend to be innocent and further aggravating the situation! His deception fueled your annoyance, and you really needed to give him a piece of your mind.

Pushing past Wolf, you stepped forward, your frustration boiling over. "Wolf, please !" You exclaimed, your voice laced with irritation. "You can’t be serious! I can't believe you're lying to Incineroar like this. You know perfectly well you planned the gift, playing along with no plans of backing down the prank will only make things worse!"

Incineroar's eyes widened in surprise as he looked from you to Wolf. The realization began to sink in him, and he hated every bit of it. It was as if to save his own face, Incineroar still clung to his trust in his friend, but it was beyond a blind one.

"Wolf, tell her she's wrong," Incineroar pleaded sternly, his voice ever-so slightly tinged with desperation.

Wolf's mischievous smirk wavered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Sorry, Incineroar," He said, his tone now dripping with amusement. "But she's got it all wrong. I had nothing to do with this prank. You're just imagining things."

You knew you were supposed to be the one to mend conflict, but how could you if the REAL culprit refused to cooperate and was instead further twisting the narrative?! The frustration inside you was close to its peak, but before you could rant in front of them, a new masculine voice intervened in your conflict.

“Ahem," Lucario interrupted, stepping forward with a calm and composed demeanor, "I felt the negative aura source coming here, so I figured I should check and hopefully mediate the conflict."

Incineroar turned his fiery gaze to Lucario’s stern stare, momentarily forgetting about his dispute with you and Wolf.

The Heel Pokemon scrunched his nose at the sight of The Aura Pokemon, “Eugh, you again,” He rolled his eyes in annoyance.

He continued, "Mediate all you want, buddy, but I know who's guilty here," Incineroar declared, pointing a finger at you. "This maid over here thought it would be funny to pull a prank on me and now she's trying to weasel her way out of it!"

Lucario's gaze shifted between you, Incineroar, and Wolf, analyzing the tension in the air. He raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical of the situation.

"Pranks can be troublesome, but it is important to ascertain the truth," Lucario said, his voice carrying an air of wisdom, "Tell me, Ms. Y/N, what do you have to say?"

You took a deep breath, appreciating the intervention from Lucario. You knew that the more you argued with Incineroar and Wolf, the less likely they were to believe you. It was time to present your case calmly and rationally.

"Lucario, I swear on my honor that I am innocent," You said, making sure to maintain eye contact with Lucario, "I was only delivering the gift that Wolf entrusted me with. I had no idea it was a prank until it unfolded. I understand why Incineroar is angry, but I genuinely had no involvement in planning it."

Incineroar huffed, clearly unconvinced by your words, "Words are just words," He grumbled, "Actions speak louder, and your actions tell a different story."

Wolf, on the other hand, couldn't resist adding fuel to the fire. He smirked and spoke in a faux dramatic tone, "But Incineroar, the truth is right in front of you. You just choose not to see it. Such a shame."

Lucario's aura flared slightly, a subtle sign of his growing impatience. He decided to intervene once again, hoping to diffuse the tension before it escalated further.

"Enough banter," Lucario said firmly. "The truth can be elusive, but let us approach this matter with logic and evidence. Incineroar, have you considered all possibilities? Are there any other suspects who may have orchestrated this prank?"

Incineroar crossed his arms, his expression stiffening as he glared at Lucario, "Of all the Pokemon I could've asked for help, I would ask for yours the last," He leaned closer to Lucario, near enough where he could smell the stink from the prank earlier, but he didn’t seem bothered enough to cover his nose over the strong odor, “It’s times like these where I would rather be roommates with the obnoxious maid for a full month than deal with your face again.”

Obnoxious? You? This guy…!

But more importantly, what was with beef between these two Pokemon? It almost distracted you from the original conflict you were currently facing.

Lucario exhaled through his nose, clearly aggravated at this Pokemon’s impatience. "Fine," He replied, his tone steady, "If you don’t want to settle this calmly like mature adults , then so be it. I would hope you'll have the decency to apologize once you’ve faced the truth, but I doubt it, as it is rather amusing how you're so quick to accuse others without considering your own shortcomings.”

The Pokemon continued, “Your temper and lack of restraint are well-known, and it's no surprise that you would jump to conclusions without proper evidence."

Incineroar's eyes narrowed, his anger flaring up once again. Growling, he took a step forward, ready to confront Lucario, but you interjected.

“That’s enough! Both of you,” You said, pushing them away from each other. “There’s no need to fight. It is only making us go nowhere.”

Incineroar glared at the both of you, clearly torn between his anger and the possibility of avoiding further conflict. After a moment of intense silence, he huffed in frustration.

"Fine," Incineroar grumbled, his voice low and gruff. He then glared daggers at you, "Consider yourself lucky this time, but don't think for a second that I've forgotten about this. This isn't over."

Without another word, Incineroar stormed out of the room, his departure leaving an awkward silence behind. The tension in the air slowly dissipated, but the weight of the unresolved conflict still lingered.

Annoyed, you glanced at Wolf, who was leaning against a nearby wall with a smug expression on his face. He seemed entertained by the turn of events but also visibly bored.

With a nonchalant shrug, he pushed himself off the wall, "Well, this has been fun and all, but I think I've had enough of this nonsense," Wolf declared, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "I'll leave you two to sort things out. Have a thrilling conversation, won't you?"

You watched as Wolf casually strolled out of the room, leaving you alone with Lucario. It was clear that he was done playing games and had no intention of helping you further. Frustration welled up inside you at his cavalier attitude, but you knew you had to focus on the task at hand.

You let out a breath you hadn't realized you were holding, feeling a mix of relief and unease.

Turning to Lucario, you found the Aura Pokemon observing you with a calm and patient expression. He seemed undeterred by the chaotic turn of events and was ready to guide the situation towards resolution.

"I appreciate your intervention earlier, Lucario," You said, your voice laced with a mix of gratitude and concern, "I don't know why Incineroar is so convinced of my guilt, but I sadly do not have the energy to put up with it any longer now."

Lucario nodded, his steady gaze meeting yours. "I can sense your sincerity, and I believe you," He replied, his voice carrying a soothing reassurance. "Sometimes, the truth takes time to reveal itself."

"Thank you, Lucario," You responded, grateful for his support. "The truth will indeed come to light eventually. But right now, I could use a break from all this tension."

Lucario nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I understand. Sometimes, taking a step back and allowing ourselves to unwind can help clear our minds. In fact, I was just about to join some of my friends for a relaxing break in the warm springs nearby, and I was wondering if you could be of help in providing us your service. It would be a good opportunity for you to forget about this incident and relax."

While you’d still be serving under him, the idea of a relaxing break sounded enticing. You hesitated for a moment, contemplating the offer. Besides, it’s Lucario. It couldn’t be that bad, could it?

"That sounds appealing," You admitted. "I could use a distraction and some time to recharge."

Lucario's eyes brightened with a hint of a smile, and you could see his tail wagging in excitement. "Excellent. We can take this chance to let go of the stress and enjoy some tranquility. It might also give us an opportunity to soothe away from the tension and distractions."

You nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over you. This unexpected turn of events might just be the respite you needed. "Happy to oblige. Lead the way, Lucario."

With that, you followed Lucario as he guided you towards the warm springs, hopeful that serving under him and his friends in the soothing waters would help wash away the lingering unease.

Ah, finally! You arrived at the warm springs, a serene and picturesque location nestled amidst lush greenery. The air was filled with a gentle mist rising from the crystal-clear waters, which emitted a soothing warmth that enveloped the area. The sound of bubbling water created a tranquil melody that resonated through the surroundings.

It was ever-so relaxing.

Upon your arrival, you noticed that Lucario's friends, Mewtwo and Meta Knight, were already present; each enjoying the rejuvenating waters from their own spots, maintaining a fair distance between them. Your heart sank as you felt Mewtwo's piercing gaze meet yours, sending a slight shiver down your spine. You couldn't shake the feeling that he harbored a sense of superiority and disdain towards you. In stark contrast, Meta Knight, while initially formal in his greeting, appeared more welcoming and showed genuine intrigue in your presence.

"{So, you've joined us at last}," Mewtwo's telepathic voice echoed in your mind, his tone dripping with skepticism. "{I fail to comprehend why Lucario finds your maid service necessary in such a setting.}"

Lucario, ever composed, responded firmly, "{Y/N's assistance is valuable to me, Mewtwo. She brings order and ensures a smooth experience for everyone.}"

Mewtwo's eyes narrowed, a subtle challenge in his gaze. "{Order? Such trivial matters are beneath my concern.}"

Lucario's aura flared, a testament to his patience being tested. "Order and discipline have their place, Mewtwo. They contribute to a peaceful environment."

Meta Knight, observing the exchange with mild interest, interjected, his tone measured, "Let us not dwell on these matters. We are here to find solace and restore our spirits."

You took a deep breath, determined not to let the tension affect your demeanor. As Lucario had requested, you began attending to your duties as a maid, ensuring the area was clean and organized. You moved gracefully, fetching towels, offering refreshments, and tending to any other needs.

Mewtwo watched your actions with a critical eye, occasionally remarking with biting sarcasm. While his comments unsettled you, you reminded yourself to stay professional. Deep down, you knew that gaining his approval might be an arduous task, but you were willing to try.

As time passed, the unease gradually faded. You found solace in the warm springs' therapeutic embrace, and the serene atmosphere enveloped you, granting moments of respite. Lucario, ever observant, noticed the change in your demeanor and gave you a reassuring nod—a silent acknowledgment of your efforts.

As the group continued to enjoy the serenity of the warm springs, Meta Knight's calm voice broke the peaceful ambiance.

"Y/N, if it's not too much trouble, could you please fetch some refreshing drinks from inside the mansion?" He asked politely, his eyes meeting yours with gentle respect.

You nodded, acknowledging his request. "Of course, Meta Knight. I'll be back with the drinks shortly."

With a graceful stride, you made your way back to the mansion, determined to fulfill the request to the best of your abilities. As you entered the kitchen, you couldn't help but feel a sense of relief, being momentarily separated from the complex dynamics of the group.

However, just as you were gathering the drinks, a familiar husky voice pierced through the silence, accompanied by a mischievous chuckle, "Well, well, well, look who we have here. The prankster herself."

You turned around, and there stood Wolf, leaning against a nearby countertop, a sly grin spreading across his face. Your heart sank at the sight of him, and memories from earlier came flooding back.

"Wolf," You muttered through gritted teeth, trying to keep your composure. "What do you want?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, feigning innocence. "Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to see how you're holding up after your little trick backfired. Quite entertaining, I must say."

You clenched your fists, determined not to let him provoke you. "I have more important things to attend to than your juvenile pranks. Now if you'll excuse me, I have drinks to deliver."

Wolf's smirk widened, his stare gleaming with mischief. "Oh, but I can't resist teasing you a little more. It's such a delight to see you squirm."

Ignoring his taunts, you swiftly gathered the drinks, focusing on the task at hand. As you made your way back to the warm springs, you hoped that the tranquility would wash away the lingering frustration from your encounter with Wolf.

Returning to the group, you presented the refreshing beverages, each carefully chosen to suit Lucario and Meta Knight's hypothetical tastes. For Lucario, you offered a calming herbal tea infused with hints of chamomile and lavender, emphasizing the soothing qualities it held. And for Meta Knight, a glass of cool mint lemonade, its tangy and invigorating flavors reflecting his lively spirit.

Meta Knight graciously accepted the drink, his eyes conveying gratitude, "Thank you, Y/N. Your service is much appreciated."

Lucario, ever the embodiment of mindfulness, also expressed his gratitude, "Your attention to detail is commendable, Y/N. Thank you."

But just as you were about to take a moment to breathe, Mewtwo's telepathic voice cut through the air with a dismissive tone, "{I have no need for such trivial offerings, especially served by a mere human no less.}"

You maintained a polite smile, even as his words stung. "I thought so, Mewtwo. If there's anything else I can assist you with, please don't hesitate to let me know."

Mewtwo's piercing gaze met yours, his expression inscrutable, "{You may leave.}"

Bowing respectfully, you stepped back, ensuring the drinks were within reach of the others. You couldn't shake off the unease that lingered in Mewtwo's presence, but you remained determined to fulfill your duties and maintain professionalism, even in the face of such challenges.

As you returned to your place to sit near the warm springs, you heard the other two calling out Mewtwo’s insensitive behavior.

Meta Knight narrowed his eyes at Mewtwo, his tone firm and resolute. "Mewtwo, your words were uncalled for. Y/N has done nothing but show kindness to us. She deserves our respect."

Lucario, his aura pulsating with intensity, spoke up. "Your behavior towards Y/N is unwarranted. She has been nothing but considerate and dedicated in her service to us. It is only fair to treat her with the same respect she has shown."

Mewtwo scoffed dismissively, his gaze drifting away. "{Humans are inconsequential. Their actions and intentions are suspect. I have no reason to extend respect to them.}"

Meta Knight's voice grew sharper, "Your prejudice blinds you, Mewtwo. Not all humans are the same. Y/N has proven her worth through her actions. It is unfair and unjust to judge her solely based on her species."

Lucario's aura flared with empathy and understanding. "I understand that we have all suffered from the cruelty of others, humans included. But it is through compassion and understanding that we can find common ground. Y/N has shown us nothing but compassion. It is time for you to recognize that."

Mewtwo remained stoic, his voice devoid of emotion. "{I have no further interest in this discussion. It is of no important matter to me.}"

Meta Knight's eyes narrowed, a determined edge to his voice. "This is an important matter, Mewtwo. The way we treat others reflects our own character. I implore you to reconsider your stance and show Y/N the respect she deserves."

Lucario's voice resonated with unwavering conviction. "Mewtwo, it is not a weakness to show kindness and respect. If anything, it takes great strength to rise above prejudice and embrace empathy. Y/N deserves better treatment from you."

Mewtwo remained silent, his gaze fixed on the distance, as if lost in his own thoughts. The weight of his silence hung in the air, an acknowledgment of the conversation, yet still far from a resolution.

You couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for eavesdropping on their conversation, but Lucario and Meta Knight’s defense of you filled you with gratitude. The realization that Mewtwo might never open up to you, or any human for that matter, weighed heavily on your mind.

But man, dwelling on these thoughts had made you really thirsty. You held your throat and smacked your lips a couple of times as you felt the dryness of your mouth.

You quietly excused yourself from the group, intending to fetch a glass of water for yourself. You believed it would be a quick trip, so you expected to rejoin the others soon.

As your footsteps echoed through the hallway, you turned a corner and unexpectedly came face to face with Incineroar. He appeared cleaner and better composed than during the earlier prank incident, but the tension between you apparently remained palpable.

Incineroar's gaze hardened as he locked eyes with you, his voice laced with a cold edge. "Hah, look who it is," He sneered. "Couldn't stay away, huh?"

You took a step back, not wanting to indulge in his banter. It seemed that Incineroar hadn't let go of his grudge, despite the passage of time.

"I just needed some water," You replied as gently as possible, keeping your tone even. "I didn't expect to run into you."

He crossed his arms, a smug grin creeping onto his face. "Oh, I'm sure you didn't. Just thought you could escape after causing trouble, didn't you?"

You swallowed, trying to maintain your composure. "I didn't cause any trouble intentionally. It was a misunderstanding, so I deeply apologize."

Incineroar's eyes narrowed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Apology accepted," He said mockingly. "But that doesn't mean I have to forget about it! I'm just waiting for the right moment to settle the score."

You froze at his words, realizing that his animosity hadn't diminished. You hoped that the peaceful atmosphere of the warm springs would have helped ease the tension, but it seemed that Incineroar wasn't ready to let go of his anger just yet.

Geez, and you just wanted to catch a break.

Taking a deep breath, you stepped aside Incineroar and continued on your path toward the kitchen.

Incineroar watched you walk away, his eyes following your every move. "Go ahead and hide, maid," He called after you. "You're going nowhere."

Ignoring his taunts, you reached the kitchen and thanked the heavens that Wolf was nowhere to be found inside. Good. You swiftly poured yourself a glass of cool water.

As you drank the refreshing liquid, soothing your parched throat, you couldn't shake off the unease that today's events had stirred within you. You were supposed to relax! But why were these residents making it hard for you?

It was all going so well, too. You remembered how excited Isabelle was when The Hands announced your new assigned room. You remembered serving under King Dedede and being able to enjoy his company for a full day, including the decency that Incineroar and Wolf had shown, at the very least. You had hoped that it wouldn’t be nearly as bad as this!

Then you suddenly recalled Master Hand’s words. He said something about difficulty…? Something something Official Fighters being hard to get along with or... darn it, you forgot!

Did he even mention how difficult it was to get along with them? This wasn’t like the Assist Trophies at all, but what about them was giving you a harder time than before? And given how this new arrangement had made you realize how busy your friends actually were, you couldn’t even spend as much time with Isabelle or any of your other friends. Was this side of the mansion really booming with a dysfunctional dynamic? Were the Assist Trophies genuinely more bearable and easier to live with?

Darn it, the thoughts were going haywire again! You shook your head vigorously, as if to aggressively sweep away the intrusiveness of it all. You took a deep breath and prepared yourself to rejoin Lucario and the others.

Returning to the warm springs, you hoped to find peace once again, ready to immerse yourself in the serene breeze and momentarily forget the lingering tensions that persisted between you and the events that had unfolded.

But life hadn't been very generous because your heart dropped like a thousand weights when you saw Incineroar already immersed in the soothing waters. The shock and dismay overcame you, knowing that his presence would only bring further tension and discomfort.

Incineroar's eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction as he caught sight of you. He smirked, clearly relishing the opportunity to provoke you once again, "Hey guys, look who decided to join the party," He taunted, his voice laced with mockery. "Couldn't resist the allure of our company, or better, ME! Eh? Ehhhh?!" He laughed albeit somewhat cold-heartedly.

You fought to regain your cool, knowing that any display of weakness would only fuel the Heel Pokemon’s teasing. “It’s nice to meet you too, Incineroar.” But despite your best efforts, his words began to chip away at your resolve.

You took another deep breath and attempted to sit nearby where you could watch the warm waters flow, silently praying to the gods to find solace despite the tense atmosphere. But Incineroar wouldn't let up; his relentless verbal assault had made it clear he wanted to make your presence as uncomfortable as possible.

The other two who had been doing in any way they could to make Incineroar stop, didn’t work, and had since been silently watching from the sidelines in their spots. The more Incineroar provoked you, your blood began to boil hotter from within. The icy composure you had worked so hard to maintain as a maid started to crack, and your professionalism gave way to raw emotion.

"Oh, enough already, Incineroar!" You snapped, standing up from your seat as your voice tinged with frustration. "I've had it with your constant need to belittle and provoke others. It's childish and pathetic."

Incineroar's smug expression faltered for a moment, caught off guard by your sudden outburst. However, he quickly recovered, a wicked grin returning to his face.

"Oh, listen to the little maid getting all worked up!" He mocked, a glimmer of delight in his eyes. "Did I hit a nerve? Are you finally realizing how inferior you are compared to a powerful Pokemon like me?"

You clenched your fists, feeling the anger course through your veins. "Inferior? You think you're soooooo hot just because you have some brute strength? Well, let me tell you something, Incineroar. True strength isn't measured by physical prowess alone. It's about compassion, empathy, and respect for others, qualities you seem to lack."

Incineroar's eyes narrowed, his playful demeanor fading away as you watched him slowly stand up from his spot. "Oh, is that so?" He growled, his voice low and dangerous. "You think you're better than me? You're just a weak human, pretending to be something you're not."

The words stung, hitting a sore spot deep within you. It was true that you were just a human, surrounded by powerful supernatural beings. But that didn't mean you were any less deserving of respect.

Tears welled up in your eyes, but you refused to let them fall. "I may be human, but I've seen acts of kindness and courage from Pokemon that put you to shame. They've shown me that true strength comes from the heart, not from flexing your muscles and tearing others down."

Incineroar's gaze softened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. But all that subsided when he shook his head and laughed at you. "You know what? I'm a nice guy, so how about we settle this somewhere else, eh, Y/N?" Incineroar's tone was dripping with sarcasm. "After all, you’re the master prankster here. Hey! Better keep an eye on your belongings, guys! Hahahahahaha!"

His words echoed through the air, causing even more disruption in the once-peaceful environment. Lucario and Meta Knight had given up on preventing the situation from getting worse, their expressions reflecting a mix of annoyance and concern. It was overwhelming them as Incineroar continued antagonizing you.

On the other hand, Mewtwo's patience was wearing thin. His eyes, originally shut, suddenly opened wide as his anger began to flare. His eyes glowed with a light purple hue as he used his psychic powers to halt the disturbance, seemingly keeping only Lucario, Incineroar, and Meta Knight in their places. The water rippled and swirled as he slowly levitated himself from his spot, positioning himself in front of you. His gaze was intense and disapproving.

"{You are no longer needed here,}" Mewtwo's voice resounded in your mind, his telepathy conveying his fury. "{You have proven nothing but to cause discord and disruption for everyone who resides here. Leave, or I'll make you.}"

The weight of his words bore down on you, and you were left standing there, speechless.

It wasn't your fault! You knew, Mewtwo knew... he knew you weren't the one who started all of this, so why was he blaming you?!

"M... Mewtwo..." you uttered, "I'm not—"

Mewtwo's stern demeanor intensified as he stared down at you, demanding your immediate departure. "{Leave now!}" he commanded, his voice firm and unforgiving.

The area fell into an awkward silence as all eyes turned to you, the mistreatment and rejection palpable in the air.

Tears from earlier began threatening to well up in your eyes, yet you mustered up a shaky smile, trying to maintain a calm exterior. "As you wish," you replied softly, your voice quivering. "I'll leave now."

Leaving the warm springs, you curtsied one more time and turned away, doing your best to hide the pain and mistreatment you had endured. You fought back from crying as you quickly wiped away your falling tears and walked away, refusing to turn back.