Crystal Nothings

Disclaimer: All characters and video games represented in this story are owned by Nintendo and its second parties.

Warning: This chapter contains some explicit content. Reader discretion is advised. This chapter is not one for the light-hearted. Rating is officially changed to R.


Link was just strapping his weapons to his back when a loud knock came on the green door.

"Come in!!" Link yelled angrily, fussing with the buckle on his belt that wrapped around the waist of his black tunic.

Link walked in, minus a couple of feet. He smiled weakly. "Troubles with the belt again? Troubles with...Pit, perhaps?" When he was a kid, Link was known for a sharp, dry wit that always got him into trouble.

Now? Well he was the smooth, effeminate type that led the females to gossip about who was 'the man' in 'Plink.'

"Grah..urgh!? Not..any...more!" With a sharp click, the buckle finally snapped into place. He grinned at his younger counterpart. "Morning Y.L. Ready for your big match against Samus today?"

Young Link stared at the ground sheepishly and began crunching his boot into the carpet. "Well, that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm really nervous about the match. Samus is kinda scary. Know what I mean? I'm afraid she'll...you know...beat the shit out of me."

Link bore his gaze on the smaller one sternly. "Watch your mouth kid!"

"Sorry, Mom." Young Link laughed and ducked to avoid a pillow Link chucked at him.

"What are you so nervous about, though? You're a Link!" he said proudly, huffing out his chest and resting his fists defiantly at his sides. "You can beat anyone, even Samus!"

Y.L. chuckled lightly and pointed accusingly at his older half. "Might I remind you that you lost to that very same person in the finals match of the last tournament?" Link's chest deflated instantly and his arms dropped to his sides.

"Well," he said, doing his best to be encouraging, "there's nothing stopping you from winning!!" He placed his hands on...his...own...self's -- he wasn't always sure how to put it -- shoulders. "My mistakes don't have to hurt or hinder you in any way! Come on, we should go get some food. You're gonna need the energy."

Young Link's eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean."

Smiling, Link snatched his cap and ruffled his hair, leading to a frantic chase down the hallway all the way to the dining room.


Samus examined the hand she'd been beating the wall with. A couple of her fingers were still bent strangely, and one looked like a hardened noodle, but she could still flex it, the blood was gone, and it was her arm cannon hand, so there wasn't much to worry about.

She slid out of bed and shivered at how cold it was. Rubbing her hands against her arms for some warmth, she turned down the temperature on the air conditioner. The Hunter first reached into the dresser next to her sleep quarters and pulled out her "Zero Suit." Specifically, a blue skin-tight suit that served as her "undercoating" for if anything ever happened to her Varia Suit. This had come in handy on Zebes when she was shot down by Weavel and those other bastard pirates, leaving her no choice but to work through the Pirate mother-ship with nothing but the jumpsuit and a weak little gun known as the Paralyzer.

Since the incident on Planet Zebes, she had added some new abilities to the gun so it would be more useful in combat. With the press of a button and flick of a switch...and certain other complicated functions one has to be extremely intelligent to comprehend...she could transform the gun into a long laser whip that could easily strike opponents from a long distance, unlike the short range beam of the gun. It also served as a more powerful weapon alternative.

Additionally, she had added moderate cloaking abilities to the device and its holster. This meant she could put the gun away and it would become completely transparent, which gave her the unfair advantage of the element of surprise against all of her foes.

After she completed struggling with the extremely tight suit, she strolled over to the desk she wrote on and grabbed a small S emblem with a yellow lightning bold behind it from the lower compartment. She pressed the button on the center of the device and closed her eyes as she felt her body become encased in metal. Her damaged hand became invisible as it was covered with her powerful arm cannon. She placed her helmet over her head and stared at herself in the mirror.

"Why do I always wear the suit around this place? People know what I look like..." she murmured to herself. But she knew why. She felt insecure. And the recent happenings of the past couple days didn't make her feel any better. Pained eyes behind the visor turned to a target on the wall.

Pow! Pow! Pow! sounds filled the room as Samus fired at the target to ensure it was functioning properly. Those pained eyes narrowed as she mouthed the words "dispicable creature." It was as if she were firing at another mirror. But it wasn't a mirror. It was more like a negative instant photo. Samus stared at her counterpart, completely lifeless. Her paper arm cannon was prepped for combat. That awful fist of hers was balled and her knees were bent defensively. Samus switched to her deadly plasma beam and fired at the image again, burning a large hole directly in the enemy's helmet, seemingly decapitating her. She liked to practice on her evil doppleganger whenever she had the chance. She despised Dark Samus and all of the trouble she had been put through.

She remembered it all. Destroying Metroid Prime. That would-be encounter within the rubble of Zebes after Samus herself brutally wounded Weavel. Chasing her around all of planet Aether, spreading disaster and corruption everywhere.

The final, grotesque battle. As the two volleyed back and forth, Dark Samus weakened considerably, allowing her true-self -- a raw being made solely of Phazon -- to show through the deteriorating Phazon Suit she wore. Presumably, she was dead, but as Samus was flying away from Aether, the Luminoth same once again, she could've sworn she saw particles of Phazon float into the starosphere, but she chided herself for that. She was sure she was just seeing things, visions brought on by her constant relationship with Phazon.

She put these bothersome thoughts aside and left the room. The mighty Hunter would need energy for her battle with Young Link. She will not lose, not after all she's been through.


Outside, pristine red roses unfurled their beautiful new petals, representing a newborn. One who has wonderful potential to display to a cold, expectant world.

But for one rose in the center of this particular batch, that potential will never be realized.

A poisonous hand reaches down and plucks the defenseless piece of vegetation from its resting place in the soil. As this abomination cradles the flower in its fingertips, its ruby-red petals underwent a corrupted metamorphosis. Blue, like a massive tsunami, washes over the red, and venomous spores protrude from its evil roots.


At breakfast, no one seemed to be particularly interested in the disappearance of Fox and Falco. No one except Meta Knight, Luigi, Dr. Mario, Ganondorf and Bowser.

Meta Knight, of course, was to lie to the public about their absence. His eyes shifted back and forth, hoping no one noticed that two were missing from the dining table.

Luigi and Dr. Mario in particular, were anxious rather than nervous, as they had an ongoing bet with Ganondorf and Bowser. Ever since Fox and Falco arrived here at the tournament together, they argued like husband and wife. So what did they bet on? Well, the answer is rather obvious.

Ganondorf sneered. "Hah, they are so together."

Bowser punched him in the shoulder. "Do you know how schoolgirl-ish you sound right now. 'Hah, they are so together.'" Bowser laughed in his high, mocking voice as Ganondorf fumed as his fist glowed with purple energy.

"Wanna run that last bit by me again, dragon?"

"Settle your raging hormones boys. You're not impressing anyone here," Zelda said calmly, blowing on a scrambled egg before shoveling it into her mouth.

Link had stepped within the range of the conversation just in time, and slipped between Pit and the princess, who was receiving dirty looks across the table from the vermin.

"Hey Zelda! What's up with you today? You're so...collected. That's unusual."

"Never you mind, Link. I had a rough night. Can't say the same for you can we? How was your sex with Pit??" The question caused those nearest them to turn their heads. Ironically, Pit was absorbed in a conversation with Marth and failed to notice that Link had turned a heavy shade of deep crimson.

"W-Whuh...we never...sex..." Link just stared at the eggs on his plate and Zelda smiled triumphantly.

"That's one for me and ziltch for you!" She stared eating again as Sheik's voice entered her mind.

"Well, that wasn't very polite now was it Your Highness?"

He was asking for it, Zelda thought back to him. You and I both had strange encounters last night and I was not in the mood to tolerate his nonsense.

Sheik must've given up in defeat, because he didn't respond, and Zelda thought again, just to spite him: That's one for me and ziltch for you!


As Samus Aran sat down to a waiting plate of scrambled eggs, she was oblivious to the Philantrophy solider staring wide-eyed at her. Much to her irritation, he stuck out a hand for an introduction. Grumpily, she turned to face him.

"I--" but Snake cut her off before she could even began to form an intelligible phrase.

"David 'Solid Snake' Hayter. I don't believe we've met before. Are you that Captain Falcon guy?"

Were they in a cartoon, someone would've noticed 3 gray trails of steam rising out of Samus's head as she seethed at the man who had just called her Falcon.

"Let's get two things straight: One; I am Samus Aran, two; who the hell do you think you are just coming 'round here and chatting me up like we're best friends? And three: I am a woman." To emphasize her point, she removed her helmet, letting her ponytailed golden locks tumble down her shoulders.

Snake blushed slightly, though not so much as Link had nervously. "Sorry, Miss Aran. Are we well met?"

Samus shrugged the large shoulder-pads on her suit that had earned her somewhat of a reputation. "Whatever floats your boat Mac."

As she continued eating, he thought; It's Snake. God, what a bitch.


Fans filled the stadium and screamed louder possibly than they had even the previous match. The Pokemon Stadium materialized in front of the Smashers in their special box seats floating above the arena.

"Quite a nice view from up here," Wario commented, staring hungrily at the fans. "I bet I could perform my famous Wario Waft right now on all these fuckers." His statement contracted a glare from Mario and a sigh from Peach.

"Some things never change," she muttered truthfully, shaking her head.

Meanwhile, down on the field, a hush fell over the crowd as two platforms appeared surrounded by those familiar bright, shining lights on either side of the stage. The cheering was loud and rowdy again as Young Link and Samus Aran stepped off their respective starting positions.

Young Link looked nervous, his grip on the "other" Master Sword light and wobbly, as if he were going to drop it and run at any second. His shield hand faired no better, looking as though he were afraid the Hero's Shield would explode in a flurry of a million splinters right there in his hand. The bow, his arrows, the boomerang, and his trusty bombs were all strapped securely on his belt, ready for any action that needed to be taken.

There was no need for the obnoxious and over-dramatic announcer, who was eerily silent and let the giant screen behind the competitors integrated directly into the environment speak for itself.

Combatants: Young Link, Samus Aran
Battle Locale: Kanto - Pokemon Stadium
Match Type: Stock
Stock Lives: 1

Another hush captured the crowd as they stared at the fighters, both of who were unsure if the match had begun.

"WELCOME BACK TO SUPER SMASH BROTHERS BRAWL!!!" the obnoxious announcer screamed. "Today's match is gonna be INTENSE!! They have a mere one life to take each other down! Doesn't that sound like great fun?!" Men, women, and children alike leaped from the chairs, hooting and hollering, promising themselves sore throats in the morning.

Samus wished desperately they would shut up. The cut without mercy into her concentration. And, like she had told herself before, everything there were saying was stupid and pointless. All that mattered was the task ahead.

"All that matters is the task ahead," she grumbled. "Everything they are saying is stupid and pointless."

"So much for missing out on that annoyingly obnoxious announcer," Pit lamented with an inward groan.

"On the LEFT folks, is Samus Aran! Metroid/Space Pirate/Ing/Phazon exterminator extraordinaire!! This young woman has eliminated numerous alien threats across the galaxy and she will surely take down this not-so-alien threat her today! Give her a hand folks!!"

After she waved nonchalantly to the screaming fans, the announcer turned his attention to the trembling boy in green.

"On the RIGHT, is Young Link, who coincedentally has the same name as the big one!! The legends call this one the Hero of Winds" this comment elicited light giggles from kids in the audience. "He, helped destroy the threat of the evil Ganondorf from taking complete over the Triforce and restoring an evil rule over a slumbering kingdom!! Truly amazing, fine audience."

They applauded loudly in reply, while Ganondorf grumbled from up in his seat.

Zelda's ears perked up to the sound of the door opening behind them, and she turned to see Captain Falcon walk in. Arms and legs still covered in his homemade bandages, he gave Zelda a little wave and sat in the back. She turned back to the match, fairly pleased with herself. No one paid the two any mind.

"A one-life stock match?" Link asked worriedly. "That is pretty intense. I'm worried about him."

"He'll be fine. He is you after all."

"READY...?" The crowd waited, the suspense causing some of their teeth to chatter.

"GO!!"


Samus didn't move. She waited. Sure enough, Young Link made the first move. He dashed towards her, small sword drawn. Without warning, Samus whipped her arm cannon out in front of her and fired a high-powered missile.

The boy was caught completely off-guard. The missile hit him square in the chest and he flew backward. Samus leaped, her time was now. As she approached the boy struggling to get up off the ground. She stuck out her foot and delivered a downward kick as hard as she could, burying his tiny nose into the asphalt.

The audience leaped out of their seats and cheered wildly at Samus's sneaky play. But things were far from over. Young Link jumped up, sword still drawn, whipped out his boomerang and flung at Samus. She smirked.

"Amateur, even when he was little." Samus quickly curled into the tiny Morph Ball and the boomerang soared over her head. She rolled towards him and planted a bomb at his feet.

"Ungh!" the blast from the bomb sent Link flying backwards. Terror filled the boy's wide eyes as he saw the blackness below the arena coming to meet him. Desperately, he turned to face the stage and fired his hookshot as a last resort. He was close enough that the hook caught on to the edge of the stadium, allowing him to climb back up.

"Tougher, than I thought," she said. As the little boy hoisted himself onto the stage, Samus looked up and noticed a glowing ball floating on the platform above her head. The rocket thrusters in her boots propelled her through and on top. As soon as she grabbed it, the crowd began another rousing cheer.

"Oh my GOD!" screeched the announcer. "Samus Aran has just grabbed the fabled SMASH BALL!"

Samus was confused. "What in the hell is a Smash B--" she was cut off by an immense energy that began to fill her. She cried out as a fiery orange light surrounded her and, as if it was operating on his own, her arm cannon suddenly spread as though she had fired a missile. Long strips of metal pulled it back as if peeling a sticker. A tiny beam of light appeared directly in the center of the gaping hole and only began to grow bigger and bigger, expanding even beyond the size of her Charge Beam.

Young Link saw his chance. He bounded towards the woman and unleashed an arrow at her. Standing on the platform directly across from her. He fired arrow upon arrow at his opponent.

"Why isn't it working?!" he cried in frustration. His jaw dropped as each of his projectiles bounced off of her like they were gumballs.

The laser continued only larger, until Samus was lost in the bright light. "I understand now," she said with a grin.

She pressed her trigger.

The Zero Laser blast Young Link with such ferocity his weapons clattered to the ground. There was nowhere for him, the blast was so massive it encompassed the entire stage, leaving the audience blinded. He felt suspended in midair by the laser itself. His damage ratio climbed higher and higher. It shot from 50 to 200 in no time flat. Osculating waves and flashing lights overpowered his vision. The laser finally faded and Young Link dropped to the ground, panting and smoking from the pain encountered. He waited for the crowd's wild cheering, but it didn't come. Opening one eye carefully, and examined the bleachers. Even his fellow contestants were completely dumbfounded, and all of their gazes were focused on Samus.

At first he thought the were surprised at the awesome power of her attack, but when he turned to look at her, he fell as silent as the rest of them.

They were not staring because of the Zero Laser's power, no matter how awesome it was. Everyone was staring at Samus herself. Her exposed, cold blue eyes dashed from Young Link, the audience, at the box where her friends were. It was only until she looked herself that she screamed.

"Aiieeee!!" she bellowed. "What the hell happened?!" Her Varia Suit lay in a pile around her, even her helmet and arm cannon. She was completely exposed. She tried to cover herself, but it was too late. Her eyes grew misty with tears, good friends of hers she had become all too familiar with. The Hunter felt as though she was not covered by the blue Zero Suit. She felt completely naked. As though everyone could see all of her true emotions and pain by a simple loss of her Varia Suit.

Young Link was unaware of her pain and he took advantage of the moment. He whipped his boomerang at her again, which hit her in the head. Surprised by the blow, Samus lost her balance and fell off the little platform. She hit the ground with a smack! Opening her eyes, she saw Link falling towards her in the same fashion she had earlier. Except of course, the threateningly sharp blade of the Master Sword was on a crash course for her gut.

No time for pain, she thought. I can cry about this later. I must act know. She kicked her feet into the air and flipped backwards, just in time for the Hylian boy to have his sword embedded in the ground. She wasted no more time. She pulled the Paralyzer from its cloaked holster and aimed it for his head. She charged her shot and fired. The beam was right on course. His damaged climbed to 215... and he was completely stunned. A faint pink glow covered him and his mouth was bent and twisted and his eyes were narrowed in rage as he attempted to pull his sword out.

The effect wouldn't last forever. Samus quickly pressed a button, flipped a switch, and performed a series of complicated functions that one would have to be extremely intelligent to figure out, and a long pink energy whipped unfurled from the compartment of the weapon.

Colour began to reappear in the boys cheeks as the effect of the gun wore off slightly. Samus swished the whip and wrapped it around his neck. She lifted him in the air and threw him off the side of the stage. He was in no shape to do anything about it.


"This game's winner is...Samus!!" The crowd was in ecstasy. They waved and cheered as loud and noticeably as they could.

And for the first time in quite a while, Samus smiled.

She loved the feeling that came with a victory. All worry about her Varia Suit had vanished completely as she smiled triumphantly, just allowing herself to take in the moment. As the Stadium fizzled into the nothingness and the screaming fans were gone, she and Young Link were greeted by their friends.

"Wow, Samus! You did so great! And I simply adore that outfit! You should were it more often!" Peach gushed.

"I'm sorry you didn't win, Toony," Link said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

The young Link was too upset to grumble about the annoying nickname he'd been given.

"It was very exciting," commented Snake. "That girl's got some moves, with and without that big, bulky suit thingy."

Meta Knight nodded in agreement "She is an honourable opponent. I cannot wait to face her."

Ganondorf laughed and shook Samus's hand rigorously, much to her surprise. "Nice job, woman," he said. "That little twerp didn't stand a chance."

Link shot him a dirty look from across the room, where his younger half was being comforted by Ness, Nana, Popo, and Pichu.

"Pichu, pi, PI!!"

"Don't worry about her? Who needs this dumb tournament anyway?"

"Simple for you to proclaim. You're still in it."

"We're here for you buddy," Nana and Popo said in unison, something they did often.


As the adults celebrated with champagne and appetizers in the lounge, Samus stood off to one side, still wearing the Zero Suit and twirling the fizzy liquid around in its glass. She could feel him approaching her. She knew he would.

What do I do now? she thought rigorously, searching desperately around the room. I have no one to escape too...I can't just run away, these people are here to congratulate me. Oh, he's going to bitch me out for shooting him, I know he will.

"Hey, Samus. I, uh...enjoyed watching your match." He cast a momentary glance over at Zelda, who was talking to Link. She winked to indicate he was doing well. After turning back to Samus he said, "Listen...do you want to take a walk?"