My Dream My Life
Chapter XI

"Again…huh…" Staring down at the screen before her, she quietly read the familiar invitation, beckoning her to return to the world of Smash once again to partake in the annual events and competitions. Once more she was being called upon to step into the ring and compete, and once again show that world who was the strongest warrior there was. Unfortunately, Master Hand's invitation also indicated that there was the possibility of another Brawlers tournament, and she was required to compete again to defend her belt. Although she wasn't sure, she had this odd feeling that she was going to end up fighting from the bottom up, with each round most likely becoming increasingly harder and harder.

"Damn that Hand," she muttered, letting out a tired sigh. Starring off towards the stars beyond, she let out a tired sigh, with a part of it directed to the person who had even handed her the title Brawler of Brawlers: Princess Zelda. Ever since they had parted ways one year ago, the princess had been a source of great confusion, in addition to being a constant nagging on her mind. It sort of annoyed her since she couldn't get a moments rest without the princess being on her mind one way or another. She always had this odd ability of being able to just creep on her when she least expected, especially whenever she was out in the field on a mission. Although thankful it had never ended with her running into danger because of it, it often caught her in the most unexpected, and the occasional uncomfortable moments.

And her thoughts ranged anywhere from the time they spent together, to her capabilities as a warrior, to other odd thoughts that crossed her mind from time to time. But regardless, it all still bothered her that she could allow her mind to trail off like that. But despite it all, she had to admit that she wasn't always a bad influence.

It was, in fact, thanks to her that she was finally able to have some closure over her parent's deaths. Reaching up to the small picture frame around her neck, she opened up the cover, revealing the family portrait. Allowing a fond smile to form on her lips, Samus knew that she couldn't fully consider Zelda a useless hindrance to her life. It was through her that she had this opportunity. She had no doubt that without her, she probably wouldn't have ever considered going back home. But now looking back on her visit home, she felt that familiar connection she once held towards Zebes before its fall. But unlike Zebes, K-2L was her true home. It was the world where she was born and raised for the first few years of her life. Although both held fond memories, K-2L held her roots. It was the starting point of her history. She could never really part with it. It was a part of who, and what she was. That would never change.

"Just what are you doing to me," she whispered, closing the frame and let it dangle around her neck. Sending a reply to Master Hand, Samus prepared her ship for the jump to the world of Smash. She was changing, that much she knew. But how she was changing, and what was changing to, she wasn't sure yet. But one thing for sure was the fact that she was more concerned about her life, and how the present life she lived wasn't going to fulfill her in the long run. Having developed her sense of forethought since her youth, she always knew that the path she led wouldn't ever lead to a better future for her, but she had never really bothered with it. She never believed she would live long enough to even have a mid-life crisis. There was just never a point to be really concerned over something so trivial.

But looking upon it now, although she was only 20 at the moment, if she wasn't careful, more than half of her life would flash by, and she would be a 40 year-old woman, who had lived a life of nothing but battles and hunting. She would've spent so much of her life bounty hunting that she wouldn't know what to do. That would be the life she would know if she continued down this path. But what other venue was there for her to choose? She had been raised in the art of war. She grew up to be a fighter. She wasn't sure if she could truly ever put down the proverbial sword, but at the rate she was going, she would most likely never even be able to put it down to rest.

"Friend," she muttered to herself. It was a word that continued to follow her since they had parted ways. Zelda had wanted to be her friend. She couldn't be sure if she could truly say she and Zelda were friends. But at the very least she could say they were allies, and each other's confidants. She could talk to Zelda, and be able to confide things to her that she wouldn't ever dare say to anyone else. She was someone she could really just relax and be able to let most of her guard down, keeping only the most basic security features within her mind active. With Zelda, she could be at relative peace. But a friend, she wasn't too sure. She didn't even have an inkling of the word friendship. It wasn't a word she associated with anymore.

"I hardly remember the meaning of the word," she scoffed. Gripping the picture, she wondered if her experiences with Zelda be able to open the door to something new.

"You and your mysteries," she grumbled, suddenly remembering what Zelda had said to her during their final night. Even after a year of wondering about that moment, over and over again, she still didn't really understand what the answer was exactly. Entering the final commands, she leaned back into her seat, and once again allowed the thoughts to roll over in her mind.

Zelda had asked her what she thought of her. Thinking back on it, again, she relaxed as best she could and allowed the thoughts to slowly roll through her mind. She was a proud warrior that she respected. She was a royal princess who never flaunted her status. Zelda was someone she was comfortable to be around, and to talk to. As a person, she was someone whom she respected and trusted. She was kind, intelligent, and thoughtful even. And naturally being of royal upbringing, she was beautiful in her own right. And looking back on the few times she'd seen her naked in the change rooms, she was downright sexy.

"The hell?" she suddenly exclaimed, bolting up straight. "Hell that came from?" she wondered aloud. She never recalled the thought ever crossing her mind back then, or the few times she actually decided to sit down and think about it. But unfortunately for her, the thoughts began to snowball.

Eventually her mind began to remember the memories and images of that encounter at the bathhouse with greater clarity. With near-perfect recollection, she remembered what went through her mind during those moments: feather light touches; smooth milky-white skin; soft subtle curves; beauty incarnate standing right before her, expressing her concern over her scars; the desire, the need to claim what was hers. The need to run her hands all over that body, to enjoy and appreciate all the wonders it had to offer, to mark it as hers and hers alone.

Again she began to wonder why in the world she was sexually attracted to Zelda. She knew the symptoms. She had seen enough men stare and ogle at her to understand some of the basic psychological workings within the mind whenever one encountered someone appealing. But this was beyond that. Somehow, she knew that there was something more, something profound within the recesses of her mind that was waiting to be unleashed. There was this craving, this yearning, this need to be near Zelda; to encompass her very being with her presence. And it wasn't just on a sexual level, but something within her wanted her as a whole; wanted everything that was Zelda. But the answer continued to elude her as she thought more upon it.

"Just what the hell was she talking about," she sighed, leaning back against the reclined pilot seat. Although the train of thought continued to go nowhere, she felt that this was something of greater importance, something she hadn't really considered back then, until now. Now, she wanted to solve this mystery. Just what was this treasure within herself that Zelda was talking about?

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"Is everything ready?"

"Yes milady," the young maiden respectfully replied. "Everything is prepared for tomorrow."

"Thank you," the young princess replied, offering the young girl a smile. "You may retire for the night. And please give your mother my regards."

"I will, your highness," she pleasantly replied back, and quietly left the room, leaving Princess Zelda alone with her thoughts.

Letting out a bit of a sigh, she picked up a thin robe and wrapped around herself before stepping out onto the balcony of her room. Beyond, she could see the Kingdom of Hyrule, affixed before a breathtaking background of forest and mountains, and of course the night sky. Below, the kingdom lightly glowed from the lights of fires as her citizens when about their evenings. Around, the light of the moon bathed the ground, the trees, and the plants with its gentle white glow, driving away some of the darkness that pervaded the night. The skies above twinkled and sparkled while the full moon floated there in its magnificent glory, shining brightly for all to see and enjoy.

A gentle smile forming on her face, she sat down on the railing of her balcony as a small delicate hand reached out towards the stars, as if wanting to grasp something and pluck it from the vastness of the stars and space.

"I wonder where you are…and how you are fairing…" she whispered. It had been a year since she had last spoken with the huntress. A year since she had met that woman that had started a motion that was becoming increasingly and increasingly faster. Since their departure, there was not a single moment where Samus wasn't on her mind. Many questions always ran through her mind, all of them revolving around the single question of her welfare.

Was she able to heal from her injuries alright? Was she able to walk away from her missions relatively unscathed? Was she getting paid well enough for what she put herself through? And many numerous others that crossed her mind throughout the year.

She had considered contacting Master Hand for a means to contact Samus, but she thought better on the idea, because she knew Samus wouldn't be able to appreciate the value of receiving a letter, or a personal communiqué; at least for now. She took solace though being able to at least see her tomorrow when she would once again undergo her usual two week reprieve from ruling the kingdom. Those who knew of her leave were already prepared for what was to come, and were ready to contact her at a moments notice should the need to have her return arise.

"I wonder what sort of stories you have to tell me," she wondered aloud, again.

To the surprise of those who knew she had made a new friend, except Link, she missed Samus dearly. But no one was able to fathom or figure out why, or what Samus did to make Zelda have such a strong longing to see Samus again. While it had been initially been assumed the usual discomfort felt from not being able to see a new friend for some time, they eventually could see that it was something completely different. Despite the knowing look that was always etched across the young princess's face whenever questioned concerning her mood and attitude, she always evaded the questions, ensuring that no one knew the answer to that question. But it was clear she knew what was wrong, but was absolutely refusing to tell. The only question she had ever directly answered was that Samus had no idea of what was going on.

The thought brought a smile to her lips. "I wonder…have you figured out the riddle yet…" She knew the answer to that, but was wishful anyways. If Samus had genuinely figured out what it was that had been spoken of, she would be utterly ecstatic. But it would be unwise to hold to that thought, and wisely backed off; only time would tell whether her wish would come true.

"A new chapter awaits us Samus…don't fall behind," she whispered once more, giving the skies above a final longing stare before retiring.

Tomorrow would be a busy day.

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Waiting, and the ability to maintain one's patience while waiting, was always a skill that required a fair length of time to develop and discipline. The ability to just sit there, for how long as it may be and not grow tired of the waiting, and possibly lose one's temper, was one of the many traits required for someone of leadership position. Having experienced various sorts of environments and situations where exercising restraint and patience was of the utmost importance, Zelda was no stranger to playing the waiting game. In addition, the task of waiting was always an opportune time to simply sit down and reflect.

Quietly sitting on one of many crates in the hangar, Zelda waited for the arrival of one Samus Aran. Having arrived here a while ago, she had requested that she'd be allowed to stay behind and waited for Samus's arrival, which was met with no objections, and was given an escort to stay with her until Samus's arrival so that they both could be escorted to the rooms once she had arrived. The time spent waiting had been in silence, much to the escort's apparent discomfort.

"Forgive me if I'm troubling you," Zelda stated, somewhat surprising the young attendant.

"Oh, no it's alright," she replied back, albeit it tiredly. It was clear that she had been on her feet all day with hardly a break.

"Sit," she kindly requested, indicating to one of the other crates. "You must be tired. It would be best if you sat down and took a break. I fear we may be waiting for a while longer."

"I'm not sure if that's-"

"It would be even more inappropriate if you were to faint on the job, would it not?" Zelda countered, cutting off the young girl from completing her sentence. The girl only resisted for a few moments before acquiescing to reality, and sat down. "Is that not better?"

"Much," the girl sighed in relief. It was clear that she had wanted to sit down for some time now.

"Pardon me?" Raising a delicate eyebrow, Zelda gave the attendant a surprised look. "Your supervisor requires you to stand?"

"Well on the job that is," she answered back. "I'm not supposed to sit when I'm with a client…none of us are…even if the situation calls for it…" Zelda just simply gave her a surprised stare.

"I am….shocked…to say the least," Zelda commented, taken aback by such standards.

"It's nothing to be shocked about," a new voice stated.

"Samus!" the princess exclaimed, elated that the person whom she had been waiting for had arrived.

"Hey," she greeted back, waving her free hand while the other slung her usual duffle bag over her shoulder. "Don't be too surprised with the sort of working standards. It's nothing new to them. It's unprofessional when they're on duty, but if the boss is telling them to stand up even in this sort of situation, then he's an ass."

"Wait…I'm…allowed to?"

Samus let out a sigh. "Yup definitely an ass. Looks like you guys have a new boss. Generally if you're with your attendee and they're doing nothing but sit around, you are allowed to just sit down if you need to. We're not your masters. Besides, it's never a good thing to faint on the job. It could be as minor as getting a scolding by your boss, or it could get you killed."

"Killed?" the girl exclaimed, shocked by Samus's statement.

"In my line of work, yes," the huntress answered, shrugging as she did, which did little to alleviate the girl.

"I do not believe that your supervisor will kill you," Zelda assured, placing her dainty hands upon the girl's shoulder.

"I think it's more along the lines that I've scared her about certain jobs one can get killed from that sort of mistake," Samus commented, noting how the girl was rather pale at this point.

"You're impossible," Zelda muttered, gently soothing the girl's back. "It's alright; don't let it get to you."

Samus refrained from saying anything. They both knew what she said was true, but she decided against it because the last thing she wanted was the princess to give her a piece of her mind. She no doubt that she would not enjoy that experience at all, especially with that sort of brain she had, she wouldn't expect anything less than a total verbal strip down with the least amount of force used.

A few minutes later, Zelda had managed to calm down the girl enough to allow her to recover her wits, and escort the two of them to their rooms.

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Dropping her belongings onto her bed, Samus let out a sigh and sat down on the bed. "The hell am I even doing here?" she asked aloud. Starring down at her hands, she flexed it open and closed a few times as she tried to clear her mind. She wasn't even particularly motivated to compete. A lot of these people weren't even worth her time. There only so few she could really attempt to fight, and even then they didn't come too often. The only possible regulars were Link and Snake. And even then, they've fought together so often now that they knew each other's moves like the back of their hands. If it came down to them, it would be who could outwit the other first. It all came down to faster instincts, and better ideas.

"Screw this," she groaned, and reached into her back, pulling out a pair of white pants, and a white tank top. A shadow of a smile formed on her face, remembering how after she left home she started to piece back parts of her childhood. One of them was the old training clothes she had long stopped wearing out of the fact she didn't really need it anymore.

However, she had a feeling that Zelda would say it was healthy to occasionally delve in nostalgia.

Changing into the set of training clothes, she pulled out a pair of shoes and armbands to go along with it. Despite the fact most of the Smashers were likely out in the town socializing and catching up with old friends, she would spend it training. She never really made friends with any of the Smashers, except the ones who were with Zelda last year and even then she hardly spoke with them, so she spent most of her time training, occasionally gambling during the night. Besides, they wanted her belt, much to her chagrin for both the fact she held the belt and had momentarily forgotten about it, and she intended to be in top form for when they started to issue challenges for her belt.

Lastly grabbing the water bottle hanging off the side of her duffle, she locked her room, and headed out.

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Stepping into the training room, Samus raised an eyebrow having come across Zelda standing, center of the room, with her sword drawn. Dressed in a pair of sweat pants, a tank top, and her mane of hair braided behind, Zelda twirled her blade around a few times, before assuming a stance and launched into a sequence of slashes, cuts, stabs, and parries. From behind, Samus watched with interest. It was clear she had incorporated the combat style she had taught Zelda the year before into her combat form. But not only that, she had taken it and refined it into something that was unique to her and her alone. Seeing the subtle changes to her movements compared to last year, it was clear she had drastically improved since the days of the tag tournament.

Sharp, and crisp, each and every swing, step, and attack made, was performed with a purpose. No energy was wasted. No excessive moves were performed. Streamlined and elegant, she moved liked wind over water; perfection. With a grace and beauty Samus didn't see before, she could tell she was already becoming a force to be reckoned with. It was clear that in between her duties as a princess to her land, Zelda had trained diligently to become a better swords-woman. Samus could recognise some of Link's style of combat in the practice as well. It was clear that she had asked for help on the training; a wise move on the princess's part. Now there was only one question that she had as she watched.

How dangerous was she using her magic?

As Zelda came to a stop, she let out a slow exhale before slowly standing upright again. Without turning, she warmly greeted the huntress. "Good afternoon."

"You've gotten better," Samus commented, not one for pleasantries or small talk, at least for the last several years.

"Thank you," Zelda sighed. Sheathing her sword, she tossed it towards where her bag laid. "Run training program Zelda-02." Samus continued to watch as the ring Zelda stood in spawned three training dummies.

Springing into action, Zelda dropped underneath a punch to the head and swept its feet out from under it. Without pause, Zelda swung her body around and kicked another in the chest before teleporting outside of the trio of training units. In position, she immediately launched her attack, unleashing a ball of fire towards them. Upon contact, the sphere exploded, ejecting all those within the blast clear of the battle ring. But in their place, three more appeared and quickly charged the young princess. With vigour, she advanced forward and engaged in hand-to-hand combat, calling upon the training she had learned from Samus. Countering with all the speed and agility she could muster from her body, she quickly made short work of her foes, tangling them in a mess of limbs and colour before throwing them aside, and launched another series of magical attacks.

From ringside, Samus watched both in surprise and interest at the efficient rate Zelda was dealing with the training. She had becoming surprisingly better. She was not one to be taken lightly. Anyone who afforded that would be a fool and see the folly of their decision the moment they entered the ring. It was clear she was a forced to be reckoned with. Much like her practice with the sword, her martial capabilities were as equally impressive. Sharp, crisp, clean, she had clearly mastered the basic arts of what she had been able to impart upon Zelda, and taken it to a whole new level, made specifically for her. While she had much to learn, it was clear she was capable of great improvements, if given the opportunity and proper training. It also made her remember how foolish she felt for dismissing the princess as someone unworthy of notice last year. It was still alarming how much Zelda had accomplished in a year. While Samus was sure she would still come out on top in a duel, she knew now that she would have to get serious if she wanted to win.

Letting out a sigh, Samus started on a few stretches to warm-up her body. She had a feeling it was going to be a very good workout.

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"Better than I thought," Samus commented, stretching out an odd kink in her back.

"Thank you," Zelda graciously replied. While having heard that compliment from many others, Link including, somehow hearing it from Samus made it all the better. Perhaps it was the fact she rarely commented, or the simply fact that it was coming from Samus. Either way, it pleased her, and she hoped to be able to hear more compliments from her in the future.

"You're hand-to-hand is still sloppy," Samus continued on, "but a lot better than when I had first taught you." Taking a swig of her water bottle, she led Zelda out of the training room towards the showers. "Considering all you know so far is the basics, you've improved. But you'll definitely need to learn more. You need a range to really develop a combat style that will suit your needs, and preferences; especially since you are also a magic user, it'll come in handy when you're able to actually take what I teach you and put it into practice."

"I look forward to any additional training you deem necessary," Zelda stated, entering the shower room. "However...any initial observations that you would care to make?"

Samus wore a bit of a thoughtful expression as she went over the training in her mind. Picking out a few highlights that she believed were most important, she began her explanation. "Your use of magic can be a useful tool. But don't limit it to just offence or defence. Your magic is a deadly diversionary tool. You can use it to direct your opponents into directions and positions you want, setting up a trap as it were." Dropping her training clothes into a heap, she walked entered a stall and started to shower. "Psychology is one of the most deadly weapons in a battle. If you have the psychological advantage over them, you can make them do just about anything you want or need them to do to win.

"That, however, can be applied to anything, whether it be in a political struggle, diplomatic relations, or a game of chess. To possess psychological dominance is to possess the advantage. That is always a fearful thing in any sort of battle."

Putting her clothes down in a far more refined fashion, Zelda soon entered the neighbouring stall and started to wash up as well, all the while carefully listening to Samus's thoughts and input. She could tell that it was relatively minor information. She had no doubts that a lot of the comments and critiques Samus wanted to make were more appropriate for when they were actually in a training room. "I see...although...this is a lesson I am familiar with, considering my position."

"But it's a lesson that must always be reviewed, and re-taught," Samus stated. "You'll never know when you need to brush up on your ability to play mind games. And…we never stop learning. There are always news way to do the same thing; something faster, quicker, deadlier, more efficient. If you think that you know it that will be your downfall. I've destroyed many people who made the critical mistake of believing that they had the perfect skill set.

"Let me tell you this: There is no such thing, only degrees of mastery. There will-always-be room for improvement; anything less than that will be your undoing. There will always be someone better, someone stronger than you. You must always be improving yourself."

"A wise lesson indeed," Zelda agreed, opting to stand under the shower head as the water continuously cascaded down upon her body, the warmth of the water letting her muscles relax after a fruitful afternoon of training. Having been training regularly over the past year, her stamina progressed on and on as she was able to endure longer and heavier training sets.

"And I agree...it is a lesson that must be taught over and over, even to those who are familiar with the lessons. Anything else would be...disastrous."

Samus said nothing, satisfied that she had made her point towards the young Hylian princess. Hopefully, by the time these events ended, and it was time for them to part ways again, Zelda would become far more powerful than she was when she arrived. Although not likely, she had a feeling that she would somehow come out of this stronger, if only in a small amount. If last year was any indication, she would be taught something else by the princess. But what was the lesson, she would find out in time.