A.N.

Hello lovely readers! Not much to say in this opening note, but this is the final chapter of the melee arc of the story. Though I thought about splitting this story into two and calling the next one The Grand Brawl. I feel like it would be easier to just keep everything together in one story. That way its all rolled up into one, no one has to follow another story to read the rest. So don't worry this isn't the true ending;). With that enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 14 Game Saved

"What a mess this turned out to be." Link heard Marth say from behind him. Looking around at what was left of Subspace he had to agree. Just a few hours ago the portal that had destroyed a good chunk of Subspace had disappeared. A good amount of monsters running through it before it disappeared.

"You known when they told me the tournament would be exciting. I didn't think they meant villain taking over the world exciting." Roy said, and Link frowned still looking around at the ruined Subspace. Out there somewhere in the ruins was his friend. There were still plenty unaccounted for, but the only one that concerned Link was Zelda.

Zelda and Samus must have defeated Ganondorf, that was the only explanation for the monsters' retreat and the portal disappearing. The only place the heroes haven't checked yet was where the portal once was. There were still a good amount of monsters lingering around, so the area was still fairly dangerous.

Pikachu, Ness, Zelda, and Samus were all still missing, and the heroes were determined to find the other fighters. Hefting his sword in his hand Link used it to point out into the distance.

"All right break time over guys, I'll check around the crater itself. Split up and search the remaining buildings." Both swordsmen nodded, they both understood how important to Link it was to find Zelda, so they didn't complain when he gave out orders. The hero of time was still injured, but after the heroes had regrouped Link was able to get his lost gear and get himself some medical attention. Though he was told to rest, it would take nothing less than the goddesses themselves to keep Link in bed while his friend was still missing.

Rubble crunching under his boots Link moved towards the sizable crater that the portal had left. Though he wouldn't admit it, Link was worried about the hunter too. He knew all too well how powerful Ganon was, and despite Samus' strength Link worried.

Link raised his sword spotting the large form of a moblin. He lowered it slightly though upon getting closer to the creature, it was dead. The hero hummed to himself there were other dead creatures laying about. Someone had fought here that was for sure.

Eyes widening Link rushed over to the fallen form of a lizalfos. In its neck was a knife, but not just any knife. Sheik's knife, she had been here fighting from the looks of it.

Getting up Link kept moving he was close, but Zelda obviously wasn't here anymore. When Link got closer to the portal he spotted more dead bodies. These monsters were slain in different fashions, some by knives, others by explosives.

He kept moving, a big battle must have happened here, and Link had an idea who the contenders were. Looking at the ground Link saw blood, red not from a monster. Leaning down Link touched the tiny puddle, it was still fresh. Whoever the blood belonged to couldn't be far.

Not too far away a couple more droplets of blood lay on the ground. Forgoing checking the crater Link went over to the blood. It was a trail more droplets lead to whoever was leaving them.

The blood trail lead him to one of the collapsed buildings. Link thought he could see figures moving inside, but before he could check something large landed behind him with a thud.

Link whipped around shield raised, heart pounding only to lower both his weapons and smile.

"Metalhead! Never thought I'd be glad to see you!" Link's grin upon seeing it was just Samus turned into a frown rather quickly. The hunter looked like hell, their normally bright orange armor was covered in dust and dirt. Chips and dents marred the armor, the one shoulder guard was completely destroyed. There was blood leaking out of a stab wound. It must have been Samus' blood that he followed here, Link realized. What startled Link the most though was the hunter's cracked visor. The normally opaque visor could been seen through now, and the piercing eyes that gazed at Link erased any doubts he once had about her. Those were not the eyes of some emotionless machine, they were human.

Before Link could say anything else a familiar voice yelled.

"Samus! I told you to stay put and rest!" Link grinned hearing that tone, grinning even more when it wasn't directed at him.

Out of the building came Zelda a glare on her face looking for the hunter. Pikachu close behind, Link gave her the widest grin waving.

"You know I kind of like it when it's not me you're yelling at. It's pretty funny!" Link called out Zelda looked at the hero in shock but she recovered quickly. Before Link could blink he was being embraced by his friend.

"Thank the goddess you're okay." Link didn't say it, but he thought the same thing. When the two let go of each other Link looked over the Princess. Compared to her metal companion the Princess appeared in decent shape. No worse than when they first fought Ganon back in Hyrule.

Link was about to say something but Zelda turned to Samus.

"Don't think I've forgotten, you should be resting." The hunter raised her hands about to make some sign to the Princess, but Zelda silenced her with a glare.

"If that sign starts with I and ends with fine, I am going to knock you out." Link couldn't help but choke on a laugh. Samus had stopped her signing and raised her hands in a passive manner. While Link felt maybe he should help the hunter out, himself having been under the scrutiny of Zelda's glare many times before for the same reason. It was just too funny watching the intimidating hunter yield to the Princess.

"Come on Zelda, it's a hero thing we don't know what rest is." Link said, finally deciding to save the hunter. Zelda huffed, turning back to Link her face becoming concerned.

"Are you okay? We were going to try and find others after resting for a bit." Zelda's statement was followed by a pointed look at Samus who shrugged. Mentally Link agreed with Zelda, the hunter looked like she could stand to rest for a bit.

"As good as can be considering everything, what about you guys?"

"I've had better days I'll admit, but I'm fine. Pikachu and Ness are doing well, Samus has the worst of it." Zelda motioned to the building where Pikachu and Ness were. Link was about to ask what happened to them when a monstrous growl echoed through the air. Samus had her arm cannon up and was scanning the area within seconds.

"Let's swap stories later, the others are looking for you guys too. Let's all meet up and get somewhere safer." Zelda nodded, she glanced at Samus who gave the Princess a nod. The hunter went back into the building returning with an unconscious Ness in her arms. Pikachu trailed behind the hunter ears perked up looking for potential threats.

Once they had met back up with Roy and Marth the small group began the walk back to where the other fighters were gathering citizens of Subspace. Samus had handed Ness off to Marth for him to carry. On the way Link explained what happened on their side. With Ganon bringing a horde of monsters into Subspace, trying to sow chaos so he could kill all the fighters with ease.

Zelda went on to explain their side, and Link felt his blood boil when the Princess explained how Ganon sent them to Gerudo desert in order to kill them.

"It's a good thing you two got there when you did, or else we would have lost Ness." Marth said grimly, glancing at the young hero. Zelda nodded in agreement, at the time the gravity of how close Ness came to death hadn't hit her. She was too busy worrying about Ganon himself.

"So Ganon's dead?" Roy asked glancing where the portal had been. Zelda frowned her brow furrowing she crossed her arms.

"I'm not sure, we didn't get a chance to check. The portal began to close after he fell, and monster began fleeing. We couldn't chance getting into a another fight, so we retreated back to where Link found us." Samus nodded in confirmation, though Link could see anger in the hunter's eyes. Inwardly he smirked like any true warrior, the hunter was not satisfied not knowing if Ganon was truly gone. Outwardly Link frowned, Ganon lived he knew it. The bastard was probably back in Hyrule right now licking his wounds.

"At least everyone is safe now." Marth said with a small sigh brushing some of his blue hair out of his face. Roy crossed his arms.

"Yah, everyone is safe and that's all well and good, but I doubt the tournament is going to continue now. So does this mean Zelda and Samus win, since they sort of did save the day." Roy looked to the Princess who immediately shook her head.

"I didn't do much, Samus was the one that did most of the fighting." The hunter shook her head, but she was walking behind Zelda so the Princess didn't see it. When she did take a glance the hunter stopped, and Link grinned wondering how he hated Samus again.

"I'm sure Samus would be happy to share the title, right metalhead?" Samus nodded, while Zelda sighed defeated.

"Don't encourage her, she's hard enough to argue with as it is." Link and Roy laughed while Marth merely shook his head in exasperation at his fellow swordsmen.

The rest of the journey back was mostly quiet, so Link took this time to observe his friend. Zelda had her arm linked with Samus', holding onto the hunter which Link found odd. The Princess despite being one of the most kind hearted, friendliest person Link knew, she was not a touchy kind of person. It was part of being royalty Link knew, touches even friendly ones were a private matter. Sure she just hugged him, but that was from relief that they were both alive. Normally, Zelda restrained herself. If they were back home people would assume that Samus was courting Zelda by the way the Princess held onto her now. A funny thought, but it did make Link happy seeing Zelda so relaxed.

Link almost missed it, but being the swordsman he was he spotted Samus flaunter as if she was about to collapse for split second. She stayed upright of course continuing to move as if nothing happened. The hero frowned continuing to walk behind the hunter and Princess. Link saw Zelda whisper something to the hunter, but even with his hylian ears he didn't hear it.

The hunter gave Zelda a small nod, leaving Link to wonder how injured the hunter truly was. Zelda seemed to have an idea going off of how she yelled at the hunter to rest earlier. Speaking of rest, the hero felt his own exhaustion creeping up on him. He had barely stopped since Ganon's attack began. Now that his heart was at ease with everyone safe, he was beginning to feel the strain that he was sure everyone felt.

Looking at the sky the sun was above the horizon, it was hard to believe hours ago they were all fighting for their lives. Turning his gaze back ahead a good rest would certainly be welcomed by everyone.

"He has failed as predicted." Master Hand's voice was emotionless giving no clue to how he felt on the matter. Nor did the being he spoke to gave any indication that he cared.

"I am aware puppet, do not restate things that I already know." The almost god-like being spoke, his voice sounding like a chorus of thousands rather than the one he appeared to be. The disembodied hand floated below the being not saying anything.

"He has done what was predicted, bring more chaos to this already despicable world. Order must be brought to this world and all others...Recall the R.O.B.s have them begin construction, have Ganon kept in the dark." The being moved his hands and small bubbles appeared around him. Like tiny televisions each showed a different world, the fields of Hyrule, the Mushroom Kingdom, skylines of Corneria, and the forests of Tallon IV. The human figure stared at these bubbles with eyeless sockets that seemed to see everything.

"Imperfect, all of it." With another wave of his hand out of nothing black masses bubbled and took shape. Creatures with purple skin and red eyes crawled out of the darkness.

The being paused then it raised its head as if realizing something, it looked out into the distance at something.

"Nayru gives you foresight, but this future is inevitable. I am order, I am peace, I am Tabuu. Begone."

Zelda awoke with a jerk panting, her thoughts jumbled. Sitting up she ran a hand through her mussed hair. A dream yet she couldn't recall what happened in it. The Princess rubbed her forehead, she hated when this happened. Her dreams warned her of danger, but sometimes she wouldn't be able to remember what happened in the dream.

Shaking her head it was pointless to worry about something she couldn't remember. Perhaps it was just a normal bad dream, and she was worrying over nothing. Looking out the window sunshine flooded the small room. Like most of the fighters Zelda had taken up residents in a hospital room, in one of the less damaged hospitals in Subspace.

Though Zelda felt fine now, a few days of rest doing her wonders. After they had regrouped with the other fighters, and everyone was fix up as much as they could. The more technology inclined fighters had fixed the communications, so word could be received from Master Hand.

Zelda's eyebrow twitched thinking of the creator of Subspace. He claimed he had no clue of Ganon's plans, and was just as surprised as everyone else when he attacked. Zelda found that suspicious, but didn't comment on it. Everyone was safe and Ganon was gone at least for now.

Master Hand declared the tournament over, since half of Subspace was tore asunder. He stated it would take a few days to get the warp technology ready to send everyone home, but in the meantime most of the fighters were happy to lend a hand to the citizens of Subspace in fixing the destroyed city. Master Hand claimed the tournament would begin anew in a years when Subspace was repaired. Zelda just hoped he won't make the same mistake and invite some terrible villain that would try and bring ruin to everyone again.

Getting out of bed Zelda got dressed, and fixed her hair before exiting her room. Quickly she left the hospital happy to get out of the way of the many doctors and nurses so they could do their jobs. Outside she saw Mewtwo across the street using his psychic powers to help put a pokemon center back together. The Ice Climbers were helping a frazzled looking toad repair his flower shop, and Zelda spotted Bowser helping a group of Goombas carry rubble from a destroyed building away.

After Zelda herself had gotten back to full strength. The Princess had used her magic to help heal others, but today Zelda had other plans. She has not seen Samus since they got back with the others, and Zelda was concerned. In fact the hunter was being elusive as of late to everyone. The few times she asked Link if he had seen her Link reported he hadn't. Same with a few of the other fighters she asked. Even Pikachu had made a whining noise, indicating he hadn't seen her.

The hunter, while she would say otherwise, was badly hurt in the fight with Ganon. Knowing Samus she probably didn't get proper medical attention like everyone else. So today Zelda was going find Samus yell at her for being so reckless, then either heal her, or drag to a hospital to get medical attention.

Stopping her walk Zelda thought for a moment, where would Samus be? If she were Samus and she'd want to avoid everyone where would she go, the Princess mused. Zelda frowned right now there were a lot of places. Subspace was still a mess, there was a large amount of monsters leftover that didn't make it to the portal before it closed. The little grove in the park came to mind, but Zelda remembered the park had caught fire during the attack, so Samus couldn't be there.

Most of the city was still considered unsafe… Zelda eyes narrowed, of course. Walking briskly to the largely ruined part of the city. She was definitely giving Samus a word or two when she found her. Going off and fighting while everyone else either rested or helped with repairs. The hunter was going to be the death of her.

Then again Zelda knew she shouldn't be surprised, Samus wasn't really the relaxing type. Getting to the edge of the more intact part of the city Zelda found Roy standing lookout for any monsters that would try to get in. He gave Zelda a friendly grin waving at the Princess.

"Hey Princess, what brings you out here?" The fiery haired swordsman was patrolling around looking for monsters, making sure nothing would threaten the citizens of Subspace.

"I'm going to go look for Samus. I have a feeling she's out and about…" Roy cut her off grinning.

"And you're going to go give her a good lecture on resting after fighting the lord of darkness." He laughed as Zelda didn't say anything to confirm or deny it.

"Have fun Princess I think I heard some explosions a little north of here, might be her." Zelda thanked Roy ignoring his laughter. She headed out in the direction he suggested having nothing else to go on.

Zelda's ears twitched listening for anything out of the ordinary. She was confidant that she could handle anything left over from Ganon's attack, but being by herself after having her metal companion by her side for so long was strange.

In a way, Zelda felt more at ease with Samus when they were in the horror that was Gerudo desert. Than right now by herself in the collapsed ruins of Subspace.

When she was a good distance away from the safer area of Subspace Zelda heard something click. She jumped out of the way just as a lizalfos came from the shadows. It hissed at Zelda, fire ignited in her hands ready to end the monster.

Before she could though a missile came from above exploding in the lizard creature's face. It cried out before falling dead. Then a large thud sounded out behind Zelda.

She turned to see Samus getting up after jumping from the building she shot the creature from. Zelda hurried over to the hunter looking them over. Her armor was still dirty not its normal bright orange, but the damage from before was not there. Her shoulder was repaired as was her back, even the crack that had marred her visor was gone. Zelda wasn't so certain about the person inside the armor though.

"Samus there you are, I've been looking for you." Samus tilted her helmet as if confused as to why Zelda would be looking for her.

"Yes, I've been looking for you. I was worried, I didn't see you get any help after all the fighting." Zelda could see the beginnings of Samus signing I'm fine, but was cut short by a glare. Instead the hunter corrected and signed something else.

"I've had worse." The Princess withheld an exasperated sigh, she could tell that was just another way of Samus saying she was fine. She crossed her arms eyes glaring at the hunter.

"That doesn't make it okay for you have injuries Samus. Now either let me look at your wounds, or I'm dragging you back to the hospital." Samus form straightened to her full height, usually Samus knelt down a little when speaking with Zelda so it was easy to forget she towered over even the fairly tall Princess. Her posture spoke that she'd like to see her try and force her to do anything.

Clearly Samus didn't expect Zelda to actually do anything, because when Zelda moved the hunter was on her back in seconds from Zelda kicking her legs out from under her. Zelda smiled sweetly down at the hunter.

"Now if you don't make a fuss I promise not to tell anyone how I knocked the scary bounty hunter over." The Princess teased helping Samus back up. Samus looked at Zelda indignantly, but she nodded. Zelda grinned taking the hunter's hand they began walking back.

"Thank you, I'd rather not worry about you pushing yourself and getting injured while we're still here. I'm already going to be worried when we all leave." Master Hand gave the promise the warp would be back up by the end of the week. While Zelda couldn't help but be excited at the thought of going home. None of them would be coming back for a years, it was hard to fathom not being around her metal clad friend for so long. Life and death situations tended to forge such bonds Zelda supposed, but still with the small glimpses that she got of Samus' life. The Princess was half tempted to drag the hunter back to Hyrule.

Samus tilted her head in questioning.

"Of course I'll worry about you. You have a nasty habit of not taking care of yourself, and I take upon myself to do it for you." Though she couldn't see it she knew there was an amused smile under the helmet.

Zelda stopped walking, they were still a good distance from anyone else. The Princess frowned and Samus waited for her to speak her mind.

"I'll miss you," the statement clearly surprised the hunter. She didn't sign a response only waited for Zelda to continue. Jokes aside it was finally sinking in that they would be leaving soon. After everything Zelda found the thought of so much time without Samus around left a cold feeling of loneliness creeping up on her. She rubbed the back of her hand anxiously just thinking about it. Samus took Zelda's hands causing her attention to return to the hunter.

"I'll miss you too." The hunter admitted after letting go of Zelda's hands to sign.

"Promise you'll be careful, I don't want to think about coming back and you not being here." The thought made Zelda shuddered. She remembered the vile looks the space pirates gave Samus when they came to attack Link.

"I promise." There was a finality in Samus' motions, and Zelda knew Samus wouldn't break a promise. Without a word Zelda wrapped her arms around the hunter's frame. Samus returned the hug without hesitation this time. They stayed like that for a moment longer before Zelda pulled away. She took Samus' hand smiling.

"Come on let's enjoy the time we have left. It isn't forever after all, we'll see each other again." The hunter nodded, following Zelda without a word as always. Not that Zelda cared, as long Samus was by her side, silent or otherwise everything was fine.

A.N.

Bam that is the end of Melee, feeling pretty proud of myself for getting this far. Now there's going to be a two chapter interlude then we'll get into Brawl:D. I hope you've all enjoyed the story up to this point, because the romance is finally going to be coming soon. I wanted to cement Samus and Zelda as close friends before moving onto romance for them. They're pretty much the best friends that everyone thinks they're together, but they keep telling everyone they're not. Of course that's going to change though, with that reviews are loved as always and I will see you guys next chapter!^^