Samus, alone, sat on a thick tree branch outside Peach's castle. All who helped defeat Tabuu were celebrating inside, drinking, feasting, chatting - if all the noise was any indication. Samus preferred being alone; she enjoyed the quietness around her, the whistling wind, the rustling leaves near her ears, the bugs inhabiting this world. They were quite fascinating.
Perhaps the only reason she stayed was for nature. The sun shone bright, and the wind fierce, but it was a good kind of fierce; a counter to the burning heat her face felt. The vibrant blue above calmed her running mind. She inhaled deeply, exhaled, did it one more time as she watched the fluffy clouds slowly stretch across the sky.
She planned on leaving the planet at the end of the day, so she could go back to the usual bounty hunting. That suited her best. All the people and creatures in the castle she met, they were all good allies - friends even - but there was nothing like hunting space pirates in the darkest corridors of the universe, alone. She missed that.
That's when she spotted the little yellow creature, the one called Pikachu, approaching her from the grass.
She remembered the first time they met. She happened to stumble upon the poor thing while she was searching for her power suit. Pikachu was attached to a device that, from the looks of it, drained its electrical powers. It whimpered in pain before Samus shattered the glass containing it.
After that, it became her closest ally during the war against the subspace army. They made a good team, Samus had to admit. If one thing would sadden her after leaving, not being able to see Pikachu again would be it.
It was a cute creature. It's black and white eyes, red cheeks, small perky nose, and smile so bright made Samus herself come close to smiling.
It was right under her now, covered by the tree's shadow. For a moment there was only silence.
Samus could only wonder why it came to her.
"Pika", it said, staring at her, eyes all big.
"Don't you have friends waiting for you in the castle?
It nodded, tilted its head. "Pika-pika?"
Samus guessed it was asking her something along the lines of what she had asked it.
"I prefer my company to others' ", she said.
"Pika..." its voice sounded lower, maybe a little disappointed. It was frowning now.
"Of course, there are always exceptions. Care to join me?" She wagged her finger at the yellow creature.
Swiftly, Pikachu climbed up the bark like it was nothing, and seated itself beside the bounty hunter.
"So, why are you here?" she asked it.
It's long ears twitched as it smiled. "Pikachu!" It started licking her face.
She rubbed the creature's head, its ears twitched again. "You want me to join you, and the others as well, huh?"
It nodded.
"When I'm hungry I will. How's that sound?"
"Pika!" It smiled and fell into her lap, the way a puppy would.
Samus wondered how the creature's yellow fur felt against her skin. After all the two warriors had been through, she had never once touched it with her hands ungloved. That was about to change.
With a single thought, the blue latex around her right hand faded away revealing a pale hand.
"Pikachu?" It looked at it in wonder. Samus lay her hand into the soft sea of yellow on Pikachu's head. It was warm. Something inside tugged at her heart. She ran her fingers through the fur back it and forth. "Pika-pi!" it chirped then rubbed its cheek against Samus' cheek.
She chuckled. "I'm gonna miss you when I - oh!" She felt a zap. Pikachu eyes got watery. "I'm sorry I can't stay. I have a job to do. You're welcome to come, if you like."
"Pikachu!" It licked her lips.