~Chapter Three: Turning Point~

After Sonic had left, Sheik and Roy had gone through more Hyrulian texts trying to figure out just what happened to Young Link. Eventually Sheik leaned back in her chair as she processed the information. "So we know he was resurrected by the Sages and at some point was reunited with Navi. There's no question as to why he was resurrected, but I'm curious as to why nobody alerted us to the fact that he was alive again. After all, Master Hand should have known, right?"

"Perhaps he didn't want to cause any more trauma to us," Roy suggested. "And he waited until he was sure that we could handle the news."

"We need to speak with Mario," Sheik decided. "We all know how much Young Link's death affected him. He believed he failed as a doctor."

"Right," Roy mumbled. "We better go see how he's taking things."

Sheik stood and made her way to the door, holding it open for Roy to wander through. Together they stepped into the hallway as Peach made her way down the hall with a few unfamiliar girls behind her.

"Doesn't Samus usually show newcomers around?" Roy questioned. Sheik could only shrug.

"Maybe she got caught up with something else." she suggested.

Roy hummed as they exited the dormitories, heading into the main mansion to search for Mario. Along the way they passed Marth who fistbumped Roy and they were briefly stopped by a group of overexcited children who were clearly very happy to be back together again.

After searching the usual places Mario would be, the games room, library and kitchen, they made their way to the infirmary. The closer they got they could hear sounds of a struggle, and picking up the pace the two burst through the doors to find Mario and Mega Man struggling with a giant dragon who had it's jaw wide open, clearly with the intent to swallow Mario whole as Mega Man pelted the dragon with his Mega Buster. Sheik immediately took out a Deku Nut and tossed it at the dragon, the dragon letting out a small cry before it collapsed to the ground; stunned.

"Grazie," Mario thanked, allowing himself to breathe. Mega Man's Buster transformed back into a hand and he shot a grin at Sheik and Roy. "You saved us."

"Don't mention it," Sheik murmured. "Mario, could we talk you you for a moment?"

"Sure." Mario nonchalantly said. "Medical issue or something else?"

"It's about Young Link." Sheik explained, and Mario's mouth formed an 'o' before he nodded. Mega Man politely stepped out of the room before Mario motioned Sheik and Roy over to the waiting room for some privacy away from everyone else.

"I'm guessing Mega Man knows about Young Link as well?" Roy assumed and Mario, with clear guilt in his eyes, nodded.

"He was with me when I told Sonic and Pac-Man knows as well. Other than that no one else knows and I trust those three more than anything."

"You and Sonic broke up though." Sheik pointed out, folding her arms. Mario winced upon realizing Sheik had a point.

"I still trust Sonic," Mario firmly said. "Even though we've had out ups and downs... I know he'd never intentionally hurt you two. He doesn't have any issue with you two, and you can trust him to keep a secret. It's me he had a problem with, not anyone else in the mansion."

Roy and Sheik exchanged a glance. It was clear that Mario still had feelings for Sonic despite all the drama they'd been through. Still, that wasn't the reason they were there.

"So are you going to be okay seeing Young Link around the mansion?" Roy asked. Mario merely shrugged.

"I have to be, even if I know that's a lie deep down. Of course I'm always going to feel guilty over not being able to save him or determine that he was mentally ill before he..." Mario paused, closing his eyes in grief. "Before he committed suicide. And I just hope that he can forgive me."

"Oh Mario..." Sheik whispered, patting Mario's arm consolingly. "You're the nicest person in this mansion. Nobody holds a grudge against you except the villains, but they hold a grudge against everyone."

"Exactly," Roy chimed in. "In fact, I think that us three should go find Young Link and talk with him about what's happened. We'll fill you in on what we've researched along the way and why he's alive now."

"Alright." Mario stood, hesitating as he stared back at the infirmary. "How long do a Deku Nut's effects last outside of battle?"

"Around two hours." Sheik informed. Mario nodded.

"I'll just let Mega Man know and then we can go find Young Link."

/~/

Sonic had managed to catch up with Pit who had met up with Red at some point and all three of them were currently in the music room. Sonic strummed the electric guitar while Red filled his friends in on what he'd been up to on his adventures.

"So Blue's currently in charge of the Battle Tree while I'm here, and I got Ethan to fill in for me. Alola is beautiful as well, you two should really visit sometime! We've got the technology to make it happen, and I'd love to show you around."

"I'll keep that offer in mind," Sonic mumbled. "I could use a vacation. What about you, Pit?"

No answer. Sonic glanced up from the guitar to see Pit sitting on a chair, head down and wings drooping. "Pit? You alright there man?"

Pit's head snapped up. "Uh, yeah, just thinking." Pit replied, though both Red and Sonic could detect sadness in his voice. It wasn't that hard to figure out why either.

"Pit, I don't mean to sound rude, but you didn't have a shot with Samus." Red pointed out. "She always had a thing for Snake, we all knew it, the entire fanbase ships it."

"Not to mention that you're a deity," Sonic added. "You'd outlive her."

"Lady Palutena's with Corrin," Pit grumbled. "And no one bats an eye at that."

"Corrin's half-dragon," Sonic said. "She'll live longer than the average human."

"Are you on my side or not?" Pit cried, leaping up from his seat. "I though you two were my friends."

"We are," Red confirmed. "But honestly Pit, we're just trying to put the situation into terms that you understand."

Pit's blood boiled. "You know what? I'm sick of everyone treating me like a kid! I'm almost two hundred years old and probably know more than you do! So I don't care what you say, I'm going to go and confess to Samus!"

"Pit..." Sonic tried, but it was too late as Pit bolted, leaving a few feathers in his wake. Exchanging a look Sonic put the guitar down and stood, Red following suit. "C'mon, we better go be damage control. The last thing Samus needs today is an angel confessin' his love to her."

Replies

TheGameNguyener: Pretty much same, I usually go isolate myself from everyone when I'm stressed about something. Which is almost every day sadly enough. Ah well. Thank you for the review!

Pamitydesu01: I'm a very sensitive person, so when I write characters I put myself into the situation they're in and try to write out what I feel. So I'm glad that the emotions are believable, that's what I was going for! Thank you for the review!

AN: One chapter left. Like I said, this would be pretty short.

~Steel