A/N: Wow, thank you so much for the support on this story! If amount of reviews were to decide, this would be by far the best story of mine. Thank you TwilightWakerofTime, InkWoven, PsychComposer and Eternal Nocturne!
I've now got all the plot laid out, and I like where this is heading. However, again, despite this being an SSBB story, the plot will have so many Legend of Zelda elements. A lot of them. So... yeah. I'm also going away for three days starting on Thursday, so don't kill me if I don't have Chapter 4 in by then. XD
So, enjoy!
Chapter 3: Arrival
At long last, Zelda could make out a speck in the distance.
After the battle with Matic, Aliah and Matic had invited Zelda as Sheik over to their house for a small time, where Sheik had reluctantly taken their services for a night. When Sheik had to go, Aliah had been quick to provide Sheik a satchel of food that thankfully included a lot more than apples.
Zelda smiled as she finished off one of Aliah's pastries. For most of the journey to Smash City, Zelda had rode as Zelda- despite all the clothing Zelda wore, she found it more comfortable than riding Twilight with Sheik. Zelda supposed she was just more used to it.
Zelda's eyes keenly inspected the town around her now- a gleaming metropolis, with silvery buildings reaching to the sky and illuminated by the bright sunlight.
A smile tugged on Zelda's face. Smash City was very nice- but yet again, that's what a city should be if it's a connection to all other lands.
Zelda's pulled on Twilight's reigns suddenly when she saw a ball bounce in her direction and a kid scampering up to it afterwards. After that, Zelda rode on, looking at everything she saw in Smash City- especially the posters.
Everywhere Zelda looked there seemed to be a poster or some kind of advertisement for the Smash Arena, which she still couldn't see. True to Aliah's word, a poster displayed two people- the one pictured on the left was a smart looking brown fox dressed modernly, holding a gun level with his shoulder. The one on the right was a stout but fierce looking being- the body was pretty much a ball, masked by a knight's helmet and yellow eyes gleaming intently at the viewer. In one of his gloved hands he held a gold, lethal looking sword. At the bottom of the poster Zelda read in white, boldened and italiced letters, FOX VS META KNIGHT. At the top Zelda read JULY 17th AT THE SMASH ARENA.
Zelda had to ride on for a couple more minutes until she could finally see it- a gleaming, gold, dome-like building sparkling in the sun. The Smash Arena.
Zelda knew it was time to change quickly once she saw the Smash Arena loom into view. Anxiously Zelda looked around for a kind of stable that could take care of Twilight should Zelda make it into the Arena. After riding for a few minutes, Zelda spotted a building that looked smaller than other towering buildings with stables next to it.
Zelda swung her legs off of Twilight's black mane and landed on the sidewalk. Zelda turned to Twilight and soothed her arms down to signal to him that she'd be back in a moment. She then turned sharply on her heel and walked into the building.
It was empty, just like the inn at Aliah and Matic's town. Zelda smiled somewhat wearily and requested, "I have a horse that may need to stay a night here… can you take him in for at least one night?"
The stable mistress eyed her. "What money do you have?"
Hopefully Rupees would work in Smash City. Zelda opened her silk pouch and freed a few Rupees from it. Zelda turned her hand over and dumped them on the table, praying that they would work.
The stable mistress examined each one of them closely before deciding that they were legal. "Stable 12," she gruffly said. "Come back and pay more if you want your horse to stay."
Zelda nodded before leaving the building.
She sighed as she led Twilight to the stables, whose dark eyes darted about uneasily. When Zelda had opened one of the stables, Twilight neighed offensively.
Zelda smiled wearily. "Don't worry- as soon as I find another place for you to stay you'll be out of here," Zelda attempted to sooth as she led Twilight into the stable.
Almost reluctantly Zelda slid the panel, locking Twilight in. Twilight's eyes pleaded with Zelda for a bit. Not able to stand the pain, Zelda tore her gaze away from Twilight and quickly crossed outside.
Zelda looked around, trying to make sure no one was watching now. She walked around Smash City for some time before finding a small, deserted alleyway that no one seemed to be paying attention to.
Once Zelda was positive that no one was watching, she closed her eyes before swinging her arms around, energy enclosing on her, the familiar chime being heard slightly. The energy broke with a small zing once Zelda looked around the lower half of her body- sure enough, it was different.
Zelda emerged out of the alleyway as Sheik, hoping no one would notice the change or get suspicious.
The walk to the Smash Arena was somewhat long, and Sheik almost quivered under the harsh glances Smash City residents threw at her. The hot sun settled mercilessly on Sheik's back, and under the suit Sheik felt herself almost boiling. It was quite a relief when Sheik arrived to the front of the golden Smash Arena.
People were swarming around it. A pair of double doors hosted the same poster Sheik had seen all over the place, and right next to that were multitudes of ticket booths, all of which were crowded. Who should she talk to in order to get in…
Sheik quickly decided on talking to one of the people behind the ticket booths. Standing in line behind all those people took almost forever, as the Smash Arena was very popular for its matches, but it was worth it once it was Sheik's turn.
"How many tickets?" the man asked monotonely.
"Actually, I'm here to become a Brawler," Sheik explained.
The man's breathing snagged, and he looked around at the line before leaning in to Sheik. "Look- we already have a lot of Brawlers," he told Sheik. "And we're already busy as it is hosting the next match-"
"You're always hosting matches," Sheik pointed out.
"True enough," the man quickly admitted, "but even so, it is dangerous to become a Brawler. There are a few people that have gotten killed in matches- and they were experienced people."
Sheik flinched slightly when she remembered the newspaper article a year or two back that said Dr. Mario had been accidentally killed by Solid Snake in one of the matches. "I can handle it," Sheik insisted, hoping that the man had noticed no pause.
"Look, kid- it's really nice that you want to become a Brawler," the man said. "It really is- but the thing is, without a recommendation, it is very hard for inexperienced people-"
"You're calling me inexperienced?" Sheik clenched hands into fists. "Oh my Goddesses. Look, if you don't let me in, I'll show you how experienced I-"
"Sheik?"
Sheik spun around, her red eyes bulging when she saw a boy in his late teens standing in shock. He was dressed mainly in green- a green tunic, green-white leggings, leather boots that reached not quite to his knees, and a green, sock-like cap was placed on his blonde head. The sheathed Master Sword was strapped to his chest, and sky-blue eyes gleamed at her.
Link.
Sheik smiled insanely under the cloth, her heart fluttering in multiple directions. Before she could stop herself, she felt herself running up to him and embracing him. "Link! So nice to see you again!"
Then Sheik realized what she was doing, and immediately she felt her forehead and cheeks heat up. Mortally embarrassed, Sheik quickly broke apart from Link, not daring to meet his eyes. "Heh… sorry."
Thankfully, before Link could say anything about it, the man in the ticket booth turned to Link. "You know this kid?" he inquired.
Link veraciously nodded his head. "Oh yes!" Link answered simply. "Z-Sheik and I have been friends for a long time- we share a history together."
Sheik couldn't believe her luck as the man looked up to the top of the ticket booth thoughtfully. "Would you say that this kid, Sheik, is an at least exceptionally good fighter?"
Link looked almost offended by that question. "Exceptionally?" Link repeated in disbelief. "Exceptionally? Sheik is a very good fighter- one of the best I've seen, at least." Then Link's smile vanished as he knitted his eyebrows together. "Wait… why?"
"I'm trying to become a Brawler, just like you," Sheik quickly explained. "It was a bit painful for me to… leave, but if I get to be a Brawler and fight here, it'll all be worth it."
For a moment, Link looked shocked that she would leave her country in order to become a fighter, but that transformed into a smile as Sheik went along. "You're going to become a Brawler? Awesome!" Link turned back to the man in the ticket booth. "That is the case… right?"
The man hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, it is, now that she's been recommended by you. Take her to see Krystal."
Link looked back to Sheik, waving his hand in a gesture to the door that said plainly, "Com'on".
The lobby was at least exceptionally large. The carpet had separate colors mixed into it, but all in all it displayed black. The sky-high walls were painted a bright gold and several tapestries of Fox and Meta Knight hung. A huge main desk screamed that was the place where you could redeem tickets, with a glass overhead the desk.
"So who's Krystal?" Sheik inquired.
"She's a friend of Fox's," Link explained. "Krystal's in charge of the new recruits, really. When you first meet her she's really harsh and strict, which, well, she is, but if you get to know her over time she shows a softer side."
"A friend of Fox?" Sheik raised an eyebrow. "So is Krystal a fox or vixen?"
"Yeah. Anyway-" Link began as he spun around abruptly. "You're still Zelda, right?"
In response, after making sure no one but Link was seeing her, Sheik closed her eyes and felt the energy mix around her, shifting body parts slightly. When it was done, it decapitated and revealed the Princess of Hyrule.
"You dyed your hair," Link noted.
Zelda chuckled. "May as well. Can't be spotted as the Princess at all."
"But… why?" Link asked. "You left Hyrule-"
"So I could fight here and see you," Zelda calmly explained.
"But you left Hyrule for it?" Link exclaimed.
"Relax, Impa's there," Zelda reasoned. "She's the Shadow Sage after all, she could know a thing or two about running a country. And I've left her with my location if Hyrule's ever in any danger."
Link drank this all in, slowly seeing Zelda's reasoning. "Well… why'd you come to fight here?"
"Simple," Zelda said. "I don't want to be as helpless as I was when Ganondorf kidnapped me. I need to learn to fight- people will be after me, as I have the Triforce of Wisdom."
"I can defend you," Link suggested.
Zelda smiled wearily. "Thanks, but… what if you're not there?" When Link took too long to try to find something to say to that, she continued. "You've been here for the past year or so- what if someone had tried to assault me?"
Suddenly Link looked horrified. "Oh, Zelda, I'm so-"
Zelda giggled, somewhat amused. "Hey, it's okay," she said simply. "Anyways- that's why I want to try to protect myself. It's always really nice to have you there with me, but what if I'm alone?"
Link didn't say anything for a few moments. "Well… I guess I can see your point." Link admitted.
"Hey, you try getting kidnapped," Zelda pointed out.
"You try being the one that always has to save people," Link teased.
Zelda laughed, considering this. "True." Then her smile faded. "So, anyways," Zelda closed her eyes, swung her arms, and felt the magic swirling around her- when it broke, she could feel herself emerge into Sheik's body.
"Where's Krystal?" Sheik asked.
"Just over there," Link pointed to a door over his shoulder that Sheik hadn't noticed. "Follow me."
Link spun around on his heel and crossed over to the door, Sheik in tow. Link pushed open the black painted door, holding the door open for Sheik. Sheik nodded quickly in acknowledgement, hoping Link didn't notice her blushing a bit.
Sheik scanned the room. It was a little lounge. Two couches were divided by a coffee table, and the floor was a lush white carpet. Up ahead was a little counter and fridge.
Link walked past her as Sheik asked, "What's this place?"
"Smash Lounge," Link answered. "It's where we can all get together and stuff in the Arena. We do most stuff in the Smash Mansion, but whenever we come here-"
"Link. What're you doing here?"
Both Sheik's and Link's attention were diverted to a new person- or animal. A mix between a person and animal, really. A blue-furred vixen was standing up on her hind legs, wearing a purple spacesuit. Green eyes dazzled in the light sternly, which flickered to Sheik.
"Who's she?"
"Krystal, I'd like to you meet Sheik," Link began. "Sheik, this is Krystal."
Sheik raised a hand weakly. "Erm- hey."
Krystal said nothing, only glaring at her hostility as if she were some bad smell under her nose. Krystal stared at Sheik for a few moments before turning back to Link. "Why is she here?"
Link opened his mouth to say something, but Sheik wanted to prove to Krystal that she at least had enough backbone to explain. "I'd like to become a Brawler," Sheik explained calmly. "What do I have to do?"
Krystal ignored Sheik, continuing to look at Link. "I'm guessing you know her?"
Link nodded. "'Course. Why else would I know her name?"
"A good fighter?" Krystal arched an eyebrow.
Link nodded again. "One of the best I've seen."
Sheik crossed her fingers behind her back. If she got into the Smash Arena, she seriously owed Link. And she thought he knew that.
Krystal took this into heavier consideration than the man at the ticket booth. Sheik waited with snagged, anticipated breath for answer… it was all up to her…
Finally Krystal sighed. "I suppose we can test her, see how she is."
YES!
"We'll have her fight five Assist Trophies."
Sheik stared at Krystal. "Wait… don't I have to fight Brawlers in order to get in?" Sheik asked, confused.
Krystal barked a nonhumorous laugh. "Of course not!" the vixen scoffed. "In order to fight a Brawler you have to be a Brawler. That's what the matches are all about! So when people attempt to become a Brawler, we have them fight five Assist Trophies. The Assist Trophies are also really good fighters- fighters who've made it just short of becoming a Brawler."
Sheik took this into consideration. Krystal made sense, she supposed. "So, how many do I have to fight?"
"As I said, five," Krystal said. "They will be completely random, so you have no time to strategize. The best of the best fighters can improvize on the spot and still win. So that's what you have to do."
"How many do I have to win?"
"All of them. If you can't handle the Assist Trophies," Krystal smiled menacingly, as if she absolutely knew that Sheik wouldn't complete the task and it greatly entertained her, "than you won't be able to handle the Brawlers at all. But who knows? Perhaps you'll actually be good enough that you can become an Assist Trophy."
Sheik clenched her fists. She hated Krystal. Sheik would show her…
Krystal clamped her hands together. "Anyhow, let's get this show started! Come with me to the Simulation Arena- it's where we have our tryouts."
With that, Krystal spun on her heels as she dropped her hands to her sides and began to turn down a hall.
Sheik exhaled a deep breath that she hadn't known she'd been holding. How'd she become a Brawler with someone like Krystal in charge of it?
Sensing her anxiety, Link squeezed her hand comfortingly, and Sheik felt her heart flutter again as she embraced the warm, smooth touch. "Don't worry," Link said. "I promise you, she's like that to everyone."
"She seems to hate me in particular," Sheik grumbled.
The thought amused Link, as he chuckled. "Oh, don't be so nervous- when you make it in, if you get to spend time with her, you'll find Krystal really isn't all that bad."
"You said when I make it in," Sheik noted. "Not if."
Link smiled genuinely. "That's because you're going to do great. I have no doubt that you'll become one of the best Brawlers there is."
Sheik smiled, and she sensed that Link could see it under the cloth. "Thanks."
Link dropped his hand from Sheik's, which she immediately longed for again-the warm touch was soothing. Without it, she felt the same feeling of dread sneak up on her, slithering up her body slowly.
Link patted her shoulder, and she felt that same touch, but only for a moment. "Good luck."
Sheik began to walk away, turning her head and nodding back to Link for a second before racing off to join Krystal.
