Swordplay
Captain Falcon and Samus: (walk in randomly, once more)
Samus: (looks around for the author) Oh great, not again...
Captain Falcon: Hey, what's this? (picks up piece of paper and reads aloud:
"Coolios, I'm approaching 10 Chapters! XD I am WAAAAAAYYY too happy. I might not be great at fanart, but I sure as heck know how to write fanfiction, hooah!")
Samus: (shakes her head in despair)
Captain Falcon: Samus, I think we're hosting this episode of Swordplay again...
Samus: Chapter. (rolls her eyes) I'm NOT doing the disclaimer this time.
Captain Falcon: bijoukaiba doesn't own Nintendo, Super Smash Bros. Melee, or any of its characters.
Samus: (packing missiles into her cannon-arm, muttering) Ohhh... just you wait, bijoukaiba... just you wait...
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Chapter 9: No Matter What
DAY OFF: FOX MCCLOUD
Onett: 10:00 am
Samus vs. Ness
Poke'mon Stadium: 10:45 am
Bowser vs. Kirby
Mushroom Kingdom: 11:30 am
Zelda vs. Yoshi
Mute City: 1:30 pm
Roy vs. Pikachu
Termina: 2:15 pm
Jigglypuff vs. Mario
Fountain of Dreams: 3:00 pm
Peach vs. Captain Falcon
Princess Peach's Castle: 3:45 pm
Donkey Kong vs. Ice Climbers
HYRULE TEMPLE: 4:30 pm
LINK VS. MARTH
Marth groaned, grabbing at his hair- delicately, of course. We can't damage such pretty hair.
"I can't believe this is happening to me! I have to fight one of my friends!"
"You think you have it bad?" Kirby scoffed. "I'm fighting someone who considers me a delicacy!"
Link frowned slightly. "C'mon... it's not that bad, you guys..."
Marth stood up from the table. "I'm going to forfeit right now."
Link pinched Marth's ear, Gymshipping style, and tugged the prince back to his seat. "Oh no you don't!" he warned. "We are going to have that match. If you forfeit, you'll be the first to do so. You'll be viewed as a coward, a weakling! Bowser would never let you live it down! Why would you want to do such a thing anyway?"
The prince sighed and glanced down at his empty plate. "I don't want to damage our friendship..."
Link placed a gentle hand on Marth's shoulder. "The only way you'd damage our relationship is by forfeiting that match. It demonstrates you doubt your own skill and lack self-confidence. No matter which one of us wins the match tomorrow, we'll still be friends. No matter what."
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The next morning, Master had made a special announcement.
"This time, we'll be having TWO-stock matches instead of just one-stock! Have fun!"
So, two chances instead of one this time... Link mused, glancing at the prince. How convenient.
Just before the fighting started, Samus's feelings of dizziness returned, but on a lesser scale. She assured Master, Crazy, and Captain Falcon that she would be fine for her match against Ness. And sure enough she was, despite having lost the first stock in her match. With a powerful smack to the jaw from her cannon arm, Samus ended the match with Ness flying against the camera screen.
Poor kid, he can't ever seem to win! Samus thought after watching him go flying.
"GAME!" Master shouted. "This game's winner is... SAMUS!!" The bounty huntress knelt down and shot a row of flames in front of her, nodding confidently, as a sign of victory.
Ness moped out of the elevator. It was rude of him to make such wishes, he knew, but he had hoped Samus's dizziness would have given her a disadvantage. However, she had used homing missiles upon Ness whenever he attempted to pull off an aerial attack of some kind.
Am I EVER going to win? He sulked out of the battle room.
Marth sighed, glancing at Link briefly before he could catch his eyes.
Seven matches left.
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After forty-five minutes passed, the second match occured. Predator vs. prey, in the Poke'mon Stadium. Jigglypuff's eyes sparkled brightly.
"Jiggly! Puff Iggly ig jig, puff jig?" (Kirby! Beat Bowser for me, will you?)
Kirby sweatdropped. "Um... sure, no problem..."
He glanced over at Bowser, who grinned and licked his lips at Kirby. Poor little puffball.
It took only two headbutts from the gigantic koopa to send Kirby flying. Kirby had done a decent job of fighting back, however- Bowser's damage had reached 77 before he had been able to hit Kirby once. By the time he had defeated Kirby, his damage had reached 109.
Kirby immediately shifted into his rock form and managed to send Bowser flying off the stage upon his return. Jigglypuff was squealing.
"JIIIIIG! Jigglypuff, Jiggly!" (EEEEEEE! Way to go, Kirby!)
Kirby had waved to the camera, cheering "Hi!" to his audience, but let confidence get the best of him. A Bowser Bomb and several slashes across his body left Kirby flying off the side of the arena. Jigglypuff sighed as Master announced Bowser's victory and Kirby stepped out of the elevator.
"Remember that, you little puffball! NOBODY beats Bowser, King of the Koopas!"
"Yeah," Kirby muttered, rolling his eyes. "Nobody except Mario, Samus, Zelda, and Captain Falcon."
"You wait and see!" Bowser roared in reply. "I'll avenge all my losses to them soon enough! Besides, they probably cheated to defeat someone like me."
Zelda, Mario, Captain Falcon, and Samus were glaring at the Koopa. Bowser laughed and walked from the room.
Only six matches left.
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Zelda was completely devoured in a loss to Yoshi. He had trapped her in an egg beside the pits, sending her falling in an immobile position. She had nearly been able to escape, but Yoshi had pummel-kicked her into the depths. He repeated his strategy to sweep against Zelda. The green dinosaur was starting to feel better about his previous losses in the past, especially to have defeated Zelda without losing any lives... or taking any damage!
"Oshi hur ararara, hup yoshi oshi hup hur ararara?" (Did you go easy on me, or did you fight me like a real opponent?)
She patted the dinosaur's head. "It's just like I told Fox when I described my match against Peach- I treat all my opponents with equal respect."
"Hur oshi arara yoshi," (I've always respected you too.)
The elevator opened and Zelda and Yoshi exitted. The green dinosaur was instantly congratulated by his best buddy, Mario. Fox and Roy both stepped over to Zelda.
"Well, you did an excellent job fighting," Fox complimented. "That's all that mat-"
"Don't worry, Zelda!" Roy interrupted. "When I meet with Yoshi in battle, I promise I'll avenge you!"
Zelda smiled awkwardly and chuckled softly.
"Hey, back off!" Fox turned his attention on Roy. "I was talking to her first!"
"So? I was vowing to help her feel better!"
"She feels fine, isn't it obvious? I was just paying her a compliment!"
"Oh yeah? Well-" Roy looked up and noticed Zelda had left. "See what you did now? Your arguing stressed her out!"
"See what I did?! You're the only one creating stress here! You're the one who started this!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
Marth, still worried about a certain match at Hyrule Temple, glanced over at the source of the 'Did not vs. Did too' debate.
I really hope something like that doesn't happen after my match with Link...
Five matches left.
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Greek salad was passed around for lunch that day. Zelda ran to grab a table with Jigglypuff, Mario, and even Bowser just to get away from the squabbling going on between Roy and Fox. The fire-wielding swordsman and the vulpine were sitting together with Link, eating their salad and arguing with their mouths open. Gross.
"Can't-a take the arguing-a?" Mario asked.
"No!" Zelda sighed, putting her hands to her temples. "It's driving me crazy having two boys obsessing over me!"
"Tell me about it," Samus agreed, walking past. "One is bad enough..."
Marth gazed across the room at Link. He was trying to cover his ears to drown out Fox and Roy squabbling at each other over Zelda.
They're still fighting? I think this is going overboard. I wouldn't ever react that way... and Link's too noble to do so either. Maybe we won't end up arguing afterwards!
"Attention!" Master called. "Pikachu and Roy, your match will start in five minutes!"
Everyone had begun clearing their trays and plates and passing them to a dish-washing unit. Marth glanced down at his salad. He had been so nervous, he had forgotten to eat.
At least, I hope not...
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Mute City proved to be a fairly challenging arena for Pikachu. Roy had used many a Flare Blade technique to knock Pikachu off the levitating platform and onto the road, which was racking up heavy damage on the poor little Poke'mon. When the platform stopped roaming for a brief moment, Pikachu dashed over to Roy and grabbed him by the cape, before headbutting him into the air.
"PIIKA!" (THUNDER!!) A strong bolt of electricity fell from the sky and struck Roy across the chest. He took 20 damage, and was flung backwards slightly. Pikachu kicked him with its back legs, adding another 6. Pikachu attempted a Skull Bash torpedo-esque attack, but Roy countered it with a swing of his sword.
"Is it just me, or does he have a similar fighting style to you?" Ness asked Marth. The prince shrugged.
Pikachu managed to use a Thunder Jolt attack for 8 on Roy. The swordsman ran forward, leaping into the air, knocking Pikachu backwards, off the side of the road. Pikachu attempted to use Quick Attack to recover, but a highly-charged Flare Blade knocked it beyond recovery range.
It was almost too shocking to believe, no pun intended. Well, maybe. Pikachu had lost.
Roy twisted his blade then tucked it by his side.
"Kurushi takkatta!"
"Hey!" Peach exclaimed, pointing at the screen. "He says the same things Marth does!"
Marth shook his head. "No, I usually say 'It appears I'm the winner, doesn't it?'. What he just said was, 'It was a tough fight!'."
"Oh, right!" Peach agreed. "I guess I just got a little... lost in translation."
Marth didn't reply, staring at the floor.
Four matches remained.
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Fireballs vs. singing... it was pretty clear who won the match at Termina. Jigglypuff had fallen asleep near Mario close to the end of the match for no apparent reason (once again).
What is she trying to do? Mario wondered as she slept by his feet. He politely paused, waiting for her to awaken, then resumed attacking her.
"JIGGLYPUFF!!!" (WOE IS ME!!!) Jigglypuff wailed as she flew off screen on her last stock. The Island Turtle had surfaced just in time to watch the Poke'mon fly off over the moon. Jigglypuff had lost both of her stocks at 78 and 89. Mario hadn't lost any, but was at a high percentage of 132.
(((A/N: "Hey diddle diddle, Mario and the fiddle, Jigglypuff flew over the moon! The evil koopa laughed to see such a KO, and the elf ran away with the prince!" This has been a random, poorly written rhyme, brought to you by bijoukaiba! Now I better get out of here before Falcon and Samus find me...)))
"GAME!" Master shouted. "THIS GAME'S WINNER IS... MARIO!!"
The red-clad plumber leapt up, spinning in mid-air, before landing on one knee and holding up a triumphant fist.
"Here we go!" Mario cheered.
Peach and Kirby came running over to them immediately.
"Mario, you did so well!! Jigglypuff, you did good too! But MARIO! That was fabulous!! You didn't even lose a stock! Congratulations!!" The princess squealed. She dragged the plumber off by his arm, complimenting him the entire way.
"She's right! You fought bravely, Jigglypuff!" Kirby complimented, patting her arm. "We just need to figure out something to do about your falling-asleep-in-battle problem. Maybe Zelda could help?"
Jigglypuff frowned.
"Ig jig Iggly puff jigpuff Jigglypuff?" (What does Zelda know about Poke'mon?)
"Hmm... I guess you're right. Maybe Pikachu could give you some advice?"
"Ig... Puff jiggly jigglypuff puff iggly! Jig, Jiggly!" (Hmm... I never considered that before! Thanks, Kirby!) She hugged him tightly, then ran off to find the electric Poke'mon.
Kirby walked past Marth, grinning as he went.
"I am SO smooth..."
Marth chuckled slightly.
Three matches remained.
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3:00 rolled around the corner quickly. Captain Falcon and Peach stepped onto the Fountain of Dreams, ready for their match.
"FALCON... PUNCH!" Peach recognized that as his most powerful move, and she knew just how to counter!
"EEK!! SAVE ME, TOAD!!!"
The toadstool of a servant reflected the force of the blow and Captain Falcon was flung backwards, with 26 damage.
"Fine... I can play that game!" Falcon laughed, dashing forward and grabbing her. He kneed her in the stomach twice, before delivering a strike from his palm to her chin, sending her flying slightly upwards. Falcon performed two roundhouse kicks in rapid succession, sending her flying onto the platform above him. He leapt up and backflipped in the air, kicking at her stomach. Peach's damage was now at 44.
She leapt down and barraged him with kicks from her high-heeled shoes. Ouch. Captain Falcon replied with another set of roundhouse kicks. He leapt up into the air and kneed her in the stomach. The force of the attack was so great she was immediately flung off the side of the arena. Peach whited out briefly, then reawakened upon a levitating platform.
Oh right! This is a two-stock match!
She leapt down and kicked Captain Falcon some more with her high-heeled shoes. He tried to retaliate by delivering a front kick to her torso, but it seemed to literally go right through her.
What the...? I forgot, she's currently invincible!
She plucked a turnip from the ground and hurled it at him, striking him in the neck for 12.
"I'm unstoppable! You can't hurt me!" Peach laughed.
I don't think that invincibility of yours is going to last long, Princess!
"FALCON KICK!!" In a trail of flames, Captain Falcon sailed forward, kicking her just below her knees for 14.
"Hey! You actually hit me!" Peach groaned.
"Of course! The invincibility doesn't last forever, otherwise the previous five matches would have never ended!"
"Oh, good point!" Peach laughed.
"FALCON..."
"I completely forgot all about tha-"
"PUNCH!!!"
Peach was once again flung off the side of the screen.
"GAME!!" Master shouted. "THIS GAME'S WINNER IS... CAPTAIN FALCON!!"
Captain Falcon knelt down and held his fists at his side, proudly shouting, "YEAH!!"
Peach was consoled by Mario, whereas Marth and Fox went over and congratulated Captain Falcon. Even Samus threw a smile his way.
Only two matches remained.
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Despite valiant efforts from the Ice Climbers, they had been unable to defeat Donkey Kong and his enormous strength. Not only that, but when you accidentally run into a massive version of Bullet Bill... you're pretty much doomed.
Donkey Kong, Popo, and Nana came out from the elevator, with one Ice Climber in the air hanging onto each of Donkey Kong's massive arms. Just because the Ice Climbers are just so irresistably cute like that. (I see you smiling!)
Marth had returned to the common room, dressed in his finest pale blue tunic, snowflake white pants, pearly white boots, and his scarlet and white cape was fitted with a ruby clasp.
"Hey, Marth!" Ness called. "Wow, you look... great!"
"I figured if I was going to fight my best, I ought to look my best as well."
"Why, for your funeral?" Bowser laughed. "Link's going to wipe the floor with you!"
"And what makes you so sure about that?" Captain Falcon asked, defending Marth. "We've only seen each of these swordsmen fight three times! It could go either way! Personally..."
He glanced over at Marth, grinning.
"If I had to, I'd bet money on Marth winning, because he is undefeated. I'm not trying to sound insulting to Link, but I think that gives you a slight advantage!"
"Oh, I don't know... I've had easier opponents and before I was a fighter here, I was technically defeated by Pikachu..."
"Are you calling the Ice Climbers, Fox, Samus, and Pikachu easy opponents?"
"Well, no... but I'd just rather say we're even."
At that moment, Link stepped over to the prince and placed a hand on his shoulder. The prince jumped, then turned to face Link. He was blushing from embarrassment.
"Oh, hi Link! Um... did you want to see me?"
"Just wanted to remind you- no last minute forfeits, no quitting in the middle of battle, and no going easy on each other... from either of us."
Marth glanced down at his boots sadly, then returned his focus to Link's eyes.
"I... I know..." he replied softly.
Bowser began making clucking noises. Captain Falcon frowned at him.
"Quit that!" He commanded. "Marth is nothing like that!"
"No, but he will be if he backs down. He'll be a coward... in my eyes." Link stated. He seemed to have turned colder at that instant. Marth felt a shiver go down his spine.
No... I can't let Link see me like that! I'd never live it down if I ruined the friendship we've begun sharing because of some stupid fight! It's just like he told me...
The prince's face appeared less uneasy and began reflecting a bit more confidence. The Hero of Time smiled briefly. He had talked him into it.
Link placed his other hand on Marth's other shoulder.
"It's just like I told you..."
"No matter what," Marth repeated at the same time as Link.
"See you in twenty minutes!" The Hylian waved and walked off with Zelda.
"Hey, Link?" Zelda asked, tugging at his sleeve. "Can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure, anything..."
Zelda clasped her hands together. "PLEASE," she begged, "DON'T let me eat dinner with Fox and Roy! I can't stand the arguing!"
The Hero of Time raised an eyebrow at her. "Do you have any other reason?"
"That... and the fact we haven't eaten together in a while..."
"Sure! I can agree to that! Hey, do you know what they're serving for dinner?..."
Marth smiled sadly as he watched Link and Zelda walk off.
Only the final match remained... it was coming in twenty minutes...
It was a test of their skills as swordsmen, and a test of their bond as friends...
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Click.
The minute the second hand ticked over the 12 on the clock, everyone's eyes fell to the door. It was finally 4:30 on the dot. Link was standing by the elevator, awaiting his opponent.
He chickened out, I knew it! Bowser thought with a grin.
Come on, buddy... you're not like this at all! Captain Falcon inhaled deeply.
"Well, it appears that Marth has decided to forfeit out of cowardice," Master stated. Link sighed, anger on his face with sorrow in his eyes. "Therefore, this game's winner is-"
"WAIT!!"
Everyone perked up to see the prince enter the doorway.
"All right! I knew you'd make it!" Ness shouted with a grin.
Marth smiled at the younger boy, then stepped into the elevator along with his fellow swordsman clad in an emerald-green tunic.
"I made you a promise. I gave you my word. And I intend to fight you as a true swordsman would!" Marth announced triumphantly to Link as they rode the elevator.
"Good, because I'm certainly not holding back on you, even if you are cute- to the ladies, I mean!" Link stuttered slightly on the last part, then he and Marth laughed.
At last, they stepped out onto the arena of Hyrule Temple. There was a significant difference to the music playing; it was faster, more exciting, and featured triumphant trumpets, synthesized tones and dynamic drums.
"I guess this was one of those 'alternate themes' you mentioned, Master?" Ness asked. The battle coordinator nodded. ((A/N: OMG. I am not kidding about this. Either turn on SSBM, go to Hyrule Temple or the Sound Test if you have it unlocked, and turn on the FE music, or download it off Galbadia Hotel. IT TOTALLY ROCKS OUT LOUD WITH THIS PART!! I listened to the music while typing this, so trust me... I know. Okay, gotta run before Mr. You-know-who and Miss You-know-who find me!))
Link and Marth also noticed the change from the usual melody.
"Hey, this doesn't sound like the Temple theme song..." Marth commented.
"Of course!" Link explained. "Sometimes, different songs play under certain conditions. Don't you get it?"
"Um... get what?"
"This is YOUR battle theme!"
"Oh!" Marth gasped. He felt foolish for not realizing it sooner. "Does it sound okay?"
"Okay?!" Link was laughing a small bit. "This is action-packed! It's got the energy flowing through my veins! This is WAY more exciting than the lame song before it!"
Upon hearing that comment via TV screen, Zelda frowned.
Marth grinned at Link. "Then come on over and show me what you've got! Minna, mitte kure!"
He flicked his sword and swung his hips slightly, then leapt up and slashed his blade forward, earning the first hit in the game. Link quickly retaliated be swinging his foot forward and kicking Marth squarely in the jaw. He was slammed against a pillar behind him. Upon landing, Link tried to swat Marth down again, but the prince gracefully rolled aside and delivered a swooping strike from his blade against Link's left ribs. Link turned around and shot an arrow at the prince, who swept his blade forward in a fast arc to counter the arrow and strike Link at the same time.
"Saseru monoka!" the prince cried. He leapt up again and swung Falchion around his body twice, striking Link with both blows. Link spun himself at rapid speeds, knocking the prince away to a lower room in the temple. Marth returned to his feet quickly and backflipped with his sword swiping parallel to his slender body, just before Link could kick him. When Link landed, he swung his sword heavily in front of himself twice, knocking Marth into the air just above the platform in the lower corridor.
"Oh, he's gone!" Bowser laughed. "The princess has flown too far to the left to have a chance of getting back!"
Much to everyone's surprise, Marth began swinging his blade rhythmically in a Dancing Blade combo, which slowly inched him closer to the ledge. Link dashed forward with a sweep of his blade, but missed Marth completely. The prince flew into the air back upon the ledge with a Dolphin Slash technique, striking Link in the process as well.
"Come on, Link! You can't expect me to go down THAT easily!" The prince winked and flicked his sword in front of him twice.
Clink! Clank! Steel crashed upon steel, the Master Sword dancing in a duel against Falchion. Link smirked.
"I wouldn't have expected anything less from you, Marth," he replied. He managed to strike Marth twice in their fencing match, while he had only been struck once. "But I have a few tricks of my own!"
As Marth dashed forward for an assault, Link whipped out his boomerang, striking Marth in the forehead. He caught it nimbly and used Marth's moment of surprise to strike him with it again. He attempted a boomerang barrage one last time, but Marth countered it.
"You missed!"
The prince leapt into the air, striking Link with a sweep of his blade as he landed near the Hylian. Link plucked a bomb from his weapons array and hurled it at the prince. It struck Marth with a fiery explosion, knocking the prince slightly backwards, but not enough to completely knock him from the platform. Using the smokescreen to his advantage, Link backflipped onto the passage leading to the smaller room and fired an arrow into the haze, only to realize he had missed. Marth leapt into the air and used his upper aerial strike, leaving his blade parallel to his body.
The elf re-entered the fray, holding his sword at a ninety-degree angle below him and fiercely stabbing Marth in the shoulder. The prince grunted in pain and was flung backwards, managing to grab hold of the ledge on the platform. He kicked his heels against it and leapt into the air, swinging his blade below his knees to strike Link in the back of the neck. The Hero of Time made a small shout from the strike and collapsed onto the ground, then rose again, striking his sword next to his body twice. Marth was sent flying to the right onto the edge of the passageway.
Link attempted to give chase by pointing his sword upwards in a ninety degree angle, but Marth smashed his blade forward and struck Link against the bottom of a pillar hanging out of the roof of their arena.
As Marth leapt down to strike Link, the elf shot his hookshot at Marth and dragged the prince's body to him. Cerulean eyes inches apart from sapphire eyes met briefly for a moment, before Link began hammering his fist into Marth's ribs. He threw the prince's body into the air with less effort than he expected- then again, Marth was very slender and therefore he probably lacked in body weight- and slashed his body up onto the second of two levels just below the main platform in the temple and directly overhead the lower room.
Marth was forced to flip onto his feet rapidly and leap back onto the main platform once again to avoid Link's stabbing blade flying in the air. Link leapt up onto the main platform as well, via the same route Marth had "taken".
"HYAH!" Just as Link had leapt up onto the top level, Marth swung a fully-charged Shield Breaker upon his head. The elf shouted upon impact and was sent flying against the camera screen.
Half of the fighters had taken Marth's side, and the others had taken sides with Link.
"All right!" Captain Falcon cheered. "Marth takes round one!" Samus, Nana, Ness, Pikachu, Mario, Peach, and Jigglypuff were applauding. Notice how most of the females were on Marth's side.
"True, but don't count Link out just yet!" Zelda replied. "He's going to be back, ready to strike Marth down!"
Link leapt down from the levitating platform and dashed over to Marth. The prince was also running towards him, but could sprint much faster. Both swordsmen swept their swords in front of each other at the same time, hitting their opponent as well. Link slid backwards only slightly, whereas Marth was sent flying over to the small gazebo on the left side of the temple. Link ran forward immediately, using Marth's recovery time to his advantage. Both swordsmen leapt into the air, but Link managed to swing his sword first this time. Marth was sent plummeting out-of-bounds at the bottom of the screen at meteor speeds. The prince made a valiant effort to return to the stage with a Dolphin Slash technique, but he was too far below the ledge to grab on.
Zelda, Fox, Roy, Popo, Donkey Kong, Kirby, Yoshi, and even Bowser cheered for Link.
"Link's only taken a little damage!" Kirby cheered. "This match is all tied up now!"
"Ka, pi Pi chuka ka Chu pi ka pi." (True, but I wouldn't count Marth out just yet.) Pikachu debated. "Ka pi chi ka pi pikachu." (He still has a slight advantage.)
Marth returned from the levitating platform with a crescent-shaped sweep of his blade directly below his knees, striking Link onto the entry of the passage below him. Link used his shield and dodged Marth's attacks until the prince's state of invincibility ended.
Hookshot time! Link hammered a fist against Marth's shoulders, then kicked the prince behind him. To combo some extra damage, Link made a short hop into the air and made two kicks behind him, sending Marth to the bottom of the passage. The prince stood up and swung his sword around his body twice, to knock Link away as he recovered from the last hit. He then dashed forward and swept his blade at Link's feet, knocking the elf into the air. The Hylian plucked a bomb from his weapon array and hurled it downward at Marth. He then stuck his sword at a ninety degree angle below him and shoved it into Marth's head. Thank goodness the fighters couldn't actually be hurt in the battles!!
"Thank goodness we can't actually be hurt in battle!" Marth commented to Link as he returned to his feet, striking Link with his sword once. My thoughts exactly, Marth... exactly.
Cue the fencing. Clink! Clank! Clang! Clink! Onomatopoeia! Steel crashed upon steel once more, until Link managed to deliver a high stab to Marth's shoulder, or Marth snuck in a jab under Link's arm to his stomach. After Marth jabbed Link for the seventh time (Marth had only been hit five times), he rhythmically began moving in a Dancing Blade pattern. It was hard to tell who danced more beautifully- Marth or Falchion.
A slash to the torso, a jab to the chest, a poke to the thigh, then multiple strikes to the knees ended Marth's sashaying assault to Link. The elf leapt forward and kicked Marth in the face, then began barraging the prince with ten strikes from the Master Sword, until the prince responded with a counter attack.
"Saseru monoka!" Marth shouted. Link was knocked backwards just enough to fall into the lower room. Marth leapt down, attempting to swing his sword in front of his body to strike Link once more, but the Hylian dragged Marth into another pounding thanks to his hookshot. Marth was punched in the chest five times before being able to break free. He swung his sword at his feet twice, knocking Link backwards a foot.
Link fired an arrow at the prince then began spinning his sword around him at rapid speeds, knocking Marth even further down the lower room to a second passage and a small pillar that fighters could stand upon. The prince caught himself in a handstand and performed a half-flip to return to his feet on the limited ground the pillar offered. He leapt forward and swung his blade in front of him, landing safely on the lower room in the temple and knocking Link off the side of their mini arena. The elf shot his hookshot and caught the edge of the platform safely. He leapt up and performed another spinning blade technique, knocking Marth backwards onto the passage that lead to the main platform. Upon standing up, the prince began charging his Shield Breaker technique. Link tilted the angle of his boomerang's trajectory and shot it into Marth's stomach. Link ran forward and tried to deliver an aerial swing of his blade, but guess who was ready to counter?
"Saseru monoka!"
All of this countering is really starting to annoy me!
Link landed on his back on the ground and returned to his feet while swinging out his blade. Marth gave a short cry and was flung to the upper left of the main platform, landing on the roof of a pillared building. Link leapt up with a spinning blade technique and landed on top as well. More fencing ensued. Upon ending the duel, Marth dashed forward, kneed Link seven times in the stomach, then tossed the elf's body to the ground. Link made a smart decision to roll away from Marth to recover rather than strike him with the Master Sword- the prince would've countered it anyway.
Link hurled a bomb at Marth, knocking the prince from the roof. He fell upon his stomach onto the ground with a heavy moan.
Just think mindgames, Link! You have to trick him!
Marth stood up and took notice of Link leaping down directly above him. Marth immediately took his stance to counter as Link edged nearer. Just as it seemed Link would whip out his blade... he dodged instead. Marth was frozen in the pose. The inner energy he had to charge gave him a slight lag after taking a counter pose.
Upon landing, Link slashed his blade forward twice, striking Marth with a powerful blow before the prince had a chance to recover his counter stance.
Marth screamed as he flew off in the background, disappearing in the background as a star. ((A/N: Okay, for those of you who were cool enough to play the Fire Emblem music, you can turn it off now.))
"Pika pikachu kachupika chika..."(There goes another undefeated record...)
Master glanced at the watch on his left hand before making the official victory announcement. "GAME! THIS GAME'S WINNER IS... LINK!"
The victorious swordsman performed two slashes with the Master Sword, before turning around and confidently flicking it at his side.
"I told you sissy-boy would lose!" Bowser laughed, pointing at Captain Falcon.
Captain Falcon ignored the koopa and stated, "I don't care. I think both Link and Marth showed incredible swordplay throughout their match."
The elevator opened to reveal the two swordsmen. Neither of them were speaking to each other. Marth even appeared slightly upset.
"Zelda, what happened?" Link immediately dashed out of the elevator. He was so caught up in the anticipation of the results he failed to realize he had knocked Marth onto the floor.
Zelda glanced over at Link in surprise, then back to the TV screen.
"First, your match lasted 27 minutes."
Link blinked in surprise. That long? I guess time flies when your having fun...
"What about the damage we took?"
"When you were knocked off the arena, you had taken 146 damage, and Marth had taken 149. When you knocked Marth off immediately afterwards, you had taken 14 and Marth was at 161. When Marth finally went down, you had taken 202, and Marth was at 193. What's wrong, Link?"
The Hylian was in shock. He turned around abruptly and marched over to Marth. He stopped at the prince's feet, standing boot-to-boot with the prince who had been shoved to the floor previously.
"I asked for a good match."
Marth glanced up at Link sadly. He had truly tried his best in their swordfight; perhaps Link hadn't considered it good enough. He glanced down at his boots. Perhaps, compared to Link, he wasn't a good enough swordsman...
At that moment, Link chuckled and grinned, catching Marth's attention. He extended his hand down to the prince.
"... and I couldn't have asked for a better opponent, especially in a swordsman."
Marth laughed and took Link's hand, standing up. When he returned to his feet, Link clasped his hand more tightly and warmly. They gazed at each other happily, a bond that could only be shared between true swordsmen... true friends.
Master completely ignored the warm scene. Typical...
"Well, it's time for dinner! Ruby has prepared some wonderful spaghetti tonight, and there's a meteor shower reported tonight, if you want to stay up later..."
Zelda clapped her hands together.
"Perfect! Link, shall we-"
Link had placed a hand on Marth's shoulder. He hadn't been listening to her.
"So, how does that spaghetti sound? Marth, shall we head for dinner?"
"Oh, of course! The meteor shower sounds like fun too! Are we bringing others, or..."
"Nah, just you and I! Think of it as a third-floor-swordsmen-only evening!"
Link walked off with Marth, chatting about their plans that evening. Zelda was left standing in their dust.
"Oh. I-I guess that's okay too... maybe we can meet up later tonight for the meteor shower, or..."
He can't last this way forever, can he?
The Hero of Time had already walked off out of earshot, still speaking with the prince. Although he couldn't hear or see her, the princess could still see him. And Zelda could see Link putting an arm around Marth's shoulders.
-----------------------------------------
Zelda had to sit with Fox, Roy, and Nana for dinner that evening (after a slight quarrel between the lovestruck pyro-swordsman and fox over who got to sit next to the princess, she simply elected Nana to sit beside her).
The entire meal she glanced up continuously at Marth and Link enjoying their spaghetti, garlic bread, and a small Caesar salad on the side. Occasionally, they started having mini-swordfights using their forks, sometimes with pasta still wrapped around the prongs.
I can't believe Link just... forgot me like that! It seems that his duel with Marth has changed their relationship somehow... they've almost spontaneously strenghtened their friendship!
Link glanced over at Zelda and waved briefly (the prince followed suit), then began- once more- to talk to Marth. Judging by the amazed expressions on Marth's face, he was probably describing one of his adventures to save Hyrule.
It's probably just a phase... after the weekend, he'll be back to spending time with me.
"Hey, Zelda!" Fox called across the table. "If you had to date Roy or myself, who would you choose?"
I hope this is a phase too...
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Several towels and blankets had been set out on the grass for those who had chosen to watch the natural fireworks in the sky. Zelda dashed for a towel with Peach, Samus sat with Pikachu, Popo sat with Nana, Kirby with Jigglypuff, Roy with Mario, Ness with Yoshi, Donkey Kong with Bowser (they had an extra large towel), Fox with Captain Falcon, and- naturally- Marth with Link.
Crazy and Master set up beach chairs close to the battle tower. The rest of the staff had brought along their own towels and sat on them for the natural phenomenon.
"Hey! Hey! I saw one! I'm going to make a wish, brother!"
Master rolled his eyes at Crazy.
Several oohs, aahs, "puff"s, "chuu"s, and "oshi"s were heard as the battlers admired the stars.
Marth and Link traced the paths of the falling stars with their finger.
"The stars are like us," Marth philosophized, "They each came from a different place, but they all had their paths overlap eventually and they landed together, just like us..."
Link and Marth both traced two overlapping shooting stars, their outstretched hands colliding when the streaks of light disappeared.
"Just like us..." Link restated with a smile as he lowered his hand.
The hours gradually passed and one or two of the smashers, such as the Poke'mon or the younger ones left for the dorms to rest. The staff (save for Crazy and Master) had left after the first hour, as they still had jobs to do over the weekend.
Zelda felt her eyelids becoming droopy and finally decided to retire. She folded up the towel (Peach had left for bed half an hour prior to her) and walked up to the dorms past the swordsmen. Despite the slight jealousy she had shown earlier, it completely melted away at that moment.
Marth's head was leaning against Link's shoulder, and Link had rested his head on top of Marth's. They were both asleep.
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Samus, Captain Falcon, Link, and Marth were the last to retire, around one in the morning.
"That was quite a show," Captain Falcon mumbled sleepily as he unlocked his room. He lazily glanced over at the stairway, then refocused his attention. There was a body on the stairs. He stepped over to the unknown figure cautiously, his worst fears confirmed.
It was Samus.
She was still breathing and she apparently had no signs of injury, but her face was a flushed red color. He placed a hand to her forehead.
"Captain Falcon!" Marth shouted in a half-whisper. He and Link ran up to the bounty hunter as he gently lifted Samus into his arms. "Captain Falcon, what's wrong?"
"Is that Samus?" Link asked. Captain Falcon glanced at the bounty huntress in his arms, then back to the swordsmen
"Marth, you're faster... go call Joy. Now." He elbowed the automatic-open button to the medical room. "She's burning up with fever!"
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Samus: Excuse me? I'm the one who gets ill?
Captain Falcon: Well, Marth and Link are beginning to develop their friendship... we can't tear them apart!
Samus: I guess you have a point. So, everyone... I guess this is your chance to review...
(a paper airplane flies in and hits Captain Falcon in the ear)
Captain Falcon: Ow! (unfolds the paper and reads) "Happy Halloween to all the readers!"
Samus: (points in the direction the paper airplane flew from) AHA!! THERE YOU ARE!! MY MISSILES ARE READY NOW!!
bijoukaiba: Umm... want some Halloween candy? (runs as a missile flies after her)
Samus: (chases her) GET BACK HERE!! (fires another missile)
