(All rights reserved by Nintendo & Capcom!)

Link was 100% positive his guardian was trying to kill him.

Ok, so maybe that was a bit of a slight exaggeration. It would be illogical to terminate your own reploid with a foreign contract hanging in the balance. Unfortunately, Dr. Avalon had recently made a lot of enemies since the confrontation at Cain Labs. Enemies easy to avoid if Link could stay at home. Only for the man himself to schedule his "dear boy" to interact with these enemies five days a week! One would not blame the young reploid for feeling as if he were caught in a thick web of murderous conspiracy...

"Link. You're not gonna die."

"You're not the bot everybody is mad at, Navi..."

"Its Dr. Avalon their mad at Link! Not you! You're the innocent victim in all of this!"

"I'm pretty sure the Japanese government would feel more at ease if I was recycled into sub tanks than being entrusted with their precarious relationship with Hyrule."

"This is where courage comes in handy, Link."

" That is exactly why I'm even allowing my dear guardian to escort me to a military base of professional bounty hunters. Whose boss butted heads with my so-called dad instead of calling the Domestic Abuse hotline."

To make a long story short, Link was being sent to boot camp a.k.a. Maverick Hunters Headquarters. Even with his military testing and all his acquired abilities, he still lacked real-world experience. Gripping his shield and light saber, he stared apprehensively at the vast, concrete building swarming with dozens of androids slinging terrifying weapons like battle axes with laser blades or gauntlets with mechanical dragon heads.

Not even two weeks old, and he was already being pulled into the global conflict of national security. Being a reploid totally sucked. Navi stared at all the robots who were forced to eke out their lives under constant scrutiny from society and violence from their own corrupted kind. "I'm... sorry, Link." Link blinked with innocent naivety, "For what Navi? Your probably my only ally besides Takeo here. At least you do not want me scrapped."

He stroked the dark-furred beast resting at his feet. Takeo crooning affectionately in response, having found his new master satisfactorily. Navi bobbed no, "No, Link. Not that. What I meant was... that I'm sorry I'm leading you into this, cruel mockery of a life..."

The child-like android still did not grasp her meaning. "How can you be sorry then? You're only going to support me in my chosen designation." "You do not deserve this, Link." "But I'm a battle reploid! Fighting bad guys and saving the day is what I'm built for! There is nothing wrong with that!" "That may be true, but violence is wrong..."

Link still cocked his head in puzzlement. Dismissing the immaturity of the younger A. I., the elder A. I. explained," Dr. Mikaya taught me a lot about the world during testing so I would know what mess I was getting myself into. And from what I learned..." She paused for a moment before going on. "Two of the most persisting issues of our present-day is war and reploids. War for being destructive and mostly unnecessary as the answer between nations. Reploids because...their personhood is still undetermined."

Bells rung in the blonde's mind, "Oh! Is that why Dr. Avalon smashed the TV last week. I remember it was about this one guy's petition to have us reploids be programmed with the Three Laws of Robotics." The teenager would have never expected it from his usually composed guardian. One minute he was leaning in with intense intrigue-the next he smashed the glass savagely with an heirloom chair. (He was more generally surprised with the fact his guardian could lift a chair weighing sixty pounds despite his trim figure.) Navi nodded, "I have a feeling he's one of the scientists arguing for the reploids' side."

Then she continued on, "You live in a depraved world, Link. No matter how wrong it is, people still live by the rule to kill or be killed. This is why countless are apprenticed under the art of war, because at least you're saving an innocent life when you're ending another's... Despite all of our technological advancement and ages' worth of incidents to help avoid future mistakes. We still resort to killing each other...

And the thing that troubles my conscience the most is that you're literally a kid Link! Kids are supposed to play with other kids, go to school, and be cared for by a loving family! Not sent to confront assassins, terrorists, war criminals, and who knows what else!" "But I'm a reploid, Navi. So that cannot really apply to me-" Only to be muffled by a scarf of blue light from his cyber elf.

"Do not let Dr. Avalon ever hear that! You saw what became of the TV. And we still have to continue our investigation undetected!" "Sorry." The green-clad android apologized sheepishly. The hovercar finally reached the parking lot. The cyber elf stared again at the young boy who would most likely die from the cruelty of warfare. "The problem about being a reploid, is that even if you are your own person..."

The car to the driver's seat swung open with Avalon's footsteps following. "You're just a machine to be used in humans' eyes..." Navi whispered with a twinge of heartbreak. When Dr. Avalon opened the side containing Link, he found he had to more or less drag the young reploid from the car. Not because he was worried about a murder conspiracy-but because he was more dumbfounded than ever.

You almost risked everything to construct me with whatever means necessary-than why give me away so readily to Hyrule? He pondered while walking alongside the chattering roboticist.

You treat me like a real human boy, yet I know your trying to accomplish something through me.

He resisted the urge to cling to his guardian's arm when passing the security guards eyeing him with suspicious caution.

Even if you're going to use me, you still defend the dignity of my kind. He stepped into the historic building that have welcomed warriors for centuries past.

Hyrule's hope, your tool, or your son...Why build me?

The question sunk deep into his mind as he prepared to meet Major Signus again. Instead of meeting the towering Head of the hunter force at the entrance. The small group were swiftly accosted by a blazing red robot with a stony glare that could kill... "Why are you here, doc?" The crimson warrior, Zero, hissed venomously. Link felt his courage dangerously dwindling to low levels. Apparently, the roboticist and the war machine had an extremely strained history.

Chikao Avalon kept his cool as always. "A pleasure to see you this fine morning, Commander Zero. I trust your doing well yourself this fine day?" The beastly grimace Zero gave him made Link pray feverishly for courage. Then the commander's sensors alerted him of Link's presence, and he turned his fiery gaze to the kid clothed in forest green. "Who is this, and why is he already dressed for Halloween?" Zero interrogated with a hint of ridicule.

The subject of his gaze ignited his saber behind his back just in case things got out of hand. Only to be rescued by a cheerful voice, "Hey Zero-senpai, don't drive off the newbies or Signus going to accuse you of cutting the recruitments again!" Zero spun around to face a mischievous-looking, black reploid with A-shaped wings anchored to his back. "Ha, ha, very hilarious kid. Can you just scram, Axl?" The younger hunter just stuck out his tongue, "X needs to talk to you right now. So ya gotta be the one to scram!" Axl taunted playfully.

Zero grunted in annoyance but allowed the energetic youngster to drag him out of the room anyway. If Axl was an angel sent in disguise, Link would whole-heartedly believe it. They were soon escorted to Major Signus' office where they could get down to business. In Signus' orderly office, sat the android himself in a large leather-replicated armchair. There were smaller versions of his chair circling the first half of his desk. In the chair closest to the major, sat a young girl rearranging her braid in visible agitation.

When she turned to regard the visitors, deep eyes of twilight met optic sensors of cyber blue.

She's Hylian! Link realized as he spotted her tell-tale ears. I could have sworn he was the Hero's descendant... Zelda stared quizzically back at him. Signus stood at ready attention, "Ah! Dr. Avalon, good to see you made it this morning. Have a seat Link-kun, is that right?" Although he only faltered slightly, the small reploid could tell that the elder still did not know what to think of him.

Not blaming him. After all, I could possibly endanger both nations without meaning to. Link had just ensconced himself in one of the armchairs when his guardian coughed. Link looked up and Dr. Avalon said, "Now Link, my dear boy, I think you should show proper respect towards the princess, first." Link jolted from his seat as if struck by lightning. He crashed to the floor, before scrambling to give a hasty bow to the Hylian before him.

Zelda ripened as a fresh tomato as she averted her gaze from the blundering lad. Major Signus knew how the girl was still uncomfortable with the crown she would inherit. (When she gained the full Triforce of Wisdom.) He quickly came to her aid, "Very courteous of you Link-kun, yet it's unnecessary for now. You see Dr., Zelda-chan is still waiting to be crowned." Avalon reclined in his chosen seat, "Oh really? Then I hope to be sent an invitation to the coronation. I would not want to miss it."

Major Signus ignored the smug statement and started the meeting. "First things first, I'm afraid I bear some grim news. It appears that a rather hazardous crisis has aroused in Hyrule after opening its borders to the globe. They have entrusted us with Zelda-chan's protection until they can fully resolve the situation. Simply put, the Hylian Council had postponed their arrival until next January."

Link and Zelda were taken aback by the unexpected news. Although Zelda felt a little relieved at the prospect of not having to leave her homeland early. Dr. Avalon however, appeared to be unperturbed by all of this. "Oh cher*, that is quite unfortunate for my poor clients! Well, at least I will not have to say bid adieu to my Link too soon." Signus found the roboticist's remark sounding as if he was almost glad about the unexpected circumstances.

Moving on he said, "As agreed upon, Link-kun will train under the hunters until the Hylian Council arrives. In the meantime, he will watch over Zelda-chan. As for the both of us, we need to be heading to R.E.R. Labs. There are a few authorities who need to check the procedures you used to construct Link-kun..." Link's spine, despite being smelted from one of the toughest metals on the planet, quivered with unknown terror. Soon the two adults departed for their meeting, leaving the two kids, a cyber elf, and a mechaniloid wolf alone.

The blonde fiddled with his necklace as he wondered what to do next. "Hello?" The boy looked up to face the brunette across from him. "It's nice to meet you, Link-kun. And I presume your fairy is Navi-chan?" Zelda guessed. Navi buzzed over to the heiress. "Actually, I'm a cyber elf based off the original Navi. But are there really fairies in Hyrule? I mean, magic is kinda scarce around here."

Zelda smiled as she took out a beautifully carved orcarina. Instead of answering, she put the instruments to her lips and began playing a tune. The notes themselves seemed to weave magic into the air. For a few split seconds, it seemed as if they were deep in the vast wilderness of Hyrule. When she stopped, the ringing of bells came within hearing. Followed by two glowing orbs entering the room. "Hiiiiiii!" They both chirped in greeting.

Navi could not believe what her scanners were telling her. "Oh, my goodness gracious! You guys are fairies!" "Aren't you one too?" They asked quizzically. "I'm actually a cyber elf." Navi corrected them. "Oh. Anyway, it's still great to meet ya! I'm Tatl and this is my younger brother Tael!" The yellow fairy bobbed towards the darker purple one.

Link could not help but stare at Zelda's wooden instrument. She played so gorgeously on it, even the simulations' songs paled in comparison with her's." That's an orcarina right? " He gestured. Zelda replied, " Yes. I hope you did not think my fairy call too cheesy or shabby." "Nonsense! You played as entrancingly as a siren." Link praised her.

Zelda smiled again, "Thank you very much Link-kun. I learned how to play in middle school, thanks to the music teacher. She taught a course in Hylian music even if it was still foreign to the rest of the world." For a moment they shared an awkward silence as their hovering companions chattered away.

Finally Link piped up, "Well it looks like the adults practically left us to our own devices." Zelda straightened up as she realized what that meant. "Augh! Oh, my goodness, I'm acting like a social recluse! I have an official tour to give you of the place! Being treated like a princess has made me complacent!" She stood up and suddenly pulled up Link by the hand. "Let's ditch this stuffy office!" Before the poor boy could do anything, the girl was dragging him away.

Soon Link & Co. strolled through the maze-like HQ on the way to Zelda's quarters. The map of the entire place emblazoned in the schoolgirl's mind. They passed several reploids that were either hunters, navigators, engineers, doctors, janitors, commanders, or the maintenance crew. The first one properly introduced to Link was a nurse who was as angelic as she looked. "Hello there! My name is Cinnamon! And aren't you just KAWAII?" The nurse with golden locks cooed as she squeezed Link happily.

The flustered hero-in-training did NOT at all appreciate the snickering behind his back. "Uh, could we just go with classy? I mean, green never goes out of style!" He joked hoping she'll get the hint and let him go. Zelda only snorted at his corny attempt at humor. While Takeo shook his head at the poor joke.

Then a couple of C-rank hunters came dashing up to Cinnamon. "Cinnamon-san! We need your help! Sparks accidentally absorbed all the electricity in common room 13 and knocked himself out!" Cinnamon let out an exasperated sigh. "Oh dear! The common rooms are not meant to be charging stations for electric-based reploids! I'll be right there!"

Before she left however, she gifted E-crystals to both Takeo and Navi as treats. After Link's introduction to Cinnamon, the next one he met was Massimo. A massive jungle green reploid built like a tank, with the heart of a true gentleman. "Seriously? You were once just a butler?" Link asked in disbelief. Massimo eyes seemed to look far away as he remembered his humble beginnings.

He answered, "Yes I was, until the day the Rebellion came and threatened all we stood for. My Master, the original Massimo, fought them as bravely and valiantly as he could. Although he did survive their onslaught, he past the torch to me. At first, I only felt like a cheap clone, how could I possibly achieve what the original Massimo never could? But with the help of my new friends and the belief my Master had in me. I was able to become the Massimo that the world..."

He passed when he realized Link had fallen asleep against the wall. Earning an indignant slap from Zelda which was followed by a small electrocution by a scandalized Navi. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, OW! I'm sorry!" Link cried out after he was punished by the ladies. Massimo frowned a little but assured it was alright. "I know you kids these days cannot spare a lot of time to be listening to your elders jabbering away. But you should listen to them, especially since some of them will be training you.

It is the old generation's duty to ensure the next generation becomes the heroes of tomorrow." "AND I am sure Link-kun will fulfill that promise!" Zelda proclaimed as she shot a steely look at a blushing Link. After departing with Massimo, the company entered one of the gyms. A few reploids were sparring including a hunter Zelda knew well. She sat her group on the sidelines in order to watch the hunter, Spider, fight challenge another fellow hunter.

Spider was a tall reploid whose black armor resembled formal attire. He sported a snazzy fedora which matched his armor and two golden flaps around his waist like coattails. His opponent was modeled after a centaur, with a Wild Western twist. The upper half of his body was a cowboy with red armor and a crystal star on his helmet-er, hat. While the lower half was a rusty red stallion with legs strong enough to crush bodies. The cowboy deployed his guns, huge things that were half the size of Link's own body.

While Spider unsheathed handfuls of cards before turning around. The cowboy turned around as well and began the countdown. "10, 9, 8," Tatl and Tael began squealing in excitement. "I hope he uses the card!" Tatl said. "Yeah! That card is always a sure winner!" Tael agreed. "What card?!" Navi inquired curiously only for the two fairies to shush her.

The showdown was about to begin, "3, 2, 1, ZERO!" The cowboy spun around like a whirlwind and let out a barrage of plasma shots. Spider seemingly disintegrated from the gunfire only to materialize five paces from the cowboy. A card revealing to be a club appeared in his hand. "Rush!" Two shots rocketed towards the cowboy who leapt out of the way. "Tracer bullet!" Spider's opponent yelled black as a large bullet with unnerving eyes aimed straight to Spider.

Spider dashed away from the bullet until he suddenly spun around to face it. "Counter Card!" A shield of holographic cards appeared which pulverized the creepy-looking bullet. "Tri Card!" Spider yelled as he hurtled three cards of fire, water, and thunder at his rival! "Star Shield!" His opponent countered as his crystal star brightened, its light eventually enveloping him like a shield. "Doomsday!" The cowboy exclaimed as he fused his guns into one which launched a huge missile careening straight for Spider.

Spider used Counter Card again before rushing to take cover. The missile exploded and the sharply dressed hunter was still hit. "Ha! Got ya good you rebellious, greedy, copycat mongrel!" The cowboy hooted before unleashing swarms of plasma shots upon his rival. "For crying out loud! I was not the maverick who posed as me!" Spider protested as he narrowly dodged the fierce attacks from his opponent.

The cowboy boasted, "Well, maverick or not, I'll get your fancy coattails this time git!" He let out a wild whoop as he charged at his stylish opponent. Link was disconcerted by what he heard. "Is-was Spider-san a maverick?" He asked Zelda. She replied, "Well, his backstory is quite complicated. Rockman X first met him when he was investigating a rebellion threatening Giga City.

He was ambushed by Spider-san wanting to collect the bounty on his head. Later on, he joined Rockman's side in the Resistance and everyone believed he was the bounty hunter he claimed to be. Then when they confronted the Head of the Rebellion, it turned out to be Spider all along. A disguise for Colonel Redips, the true villain, to use so he could get ahold of enough Force Metal to transform." "Force Metal?" "An element found in a meteorite nearby Giga City.

It enhances the abilities of reploids and has practically revolutionized the field of reploid engineering. After the Rebellion was eventually vanquished, sightings of Spider were reported from Brazil, South America. The Hunters came after him of course to discover that the true Spider-san had somehow been captured by Redips, had his memory wiped, and then shipped to South America. Considering how much trouble his imposter has caused, Spider-san was "persuaded" to join the Maverick Hunters."

Zelda's gaze fell on the subject himself as he barely missed being bombarded by the cowboy who was obviously having too much fun. She admitted, "I feel terribly sorry for him. He had a rough start in life, turning to gambling and bounty hunting to keep afloat. Now he has to scrub clean the dirty reputation dumped onto him by Redips. Some people to this day still believe he has been in cahoots with the traitorous colonel all along. Saying that Redips merely betrayed him as well to reap the rewards for himself."

Link felt sympathy for Spider. No person whether they be metal, or flesh should ever be disgraced in such a cruel fashion. Back in the battle, Spider was not doing so hot. Frankly, he was tired of being taunted for his imposter's regime by his insensitive associates who only lived for the fight. That was definitely not his ideal lifestyle, but he has been pulled into it all the same. Deciding on the spot he had enough of warfare for one day.

He rushed at his opponent like an arrow which caught the cowboy, Desert Fury, off guard. "DOOMSDAY!" The deadly missile targeted Spider once more-only for the hunter to dramatically posed as he unveiled his trump card. "Uno reverse!" The card hit the missile and sent it rocketing back towards the cocky cowboy. "OH DARN-" BOOM! Desert Fury fell like a tree that has been timbered.

Spider let out a huge sigh of relief, to be jolted awake by applause. He looked to see Zelda applauding him, along with her fairies and some new company he reckoned. The usually cool android could not help but let a warm smile grace his face. After all, her kindness and understanding were a welcome respite from the numerous humans or reploids who despised him. The elegant warrior unfurled a bright red rose which he tossed with a flourish to the princess-to-be.

The schoolgirl giggled at Spider's theatrics and delivered a curtsy in gratitude. Spider returned the bow before teleporting himself to the medical ward for a required checkup. After leaving the gym, Link's mind toyed with the idea of using force metal. He was imagining himself lifting a gigantic cruise ship when suddenly- "LOOK OUT!" Navi shrilled as Takeo shoved the kids out of the way of an incoming cart that crashed into the wall! Tools, parts, and small metal hexagons flew everywhere to the dismay of the mechanic that hobbled in. "Nooooo! I hope my parts are intact!"

Zelda approached the mechanic, "Douglas? What happened?" The reploid registered Zelda through his fogged goggles. "Oh! Hello Zelda-chan! I guess I got a little too carried away and lost control of my cart! Could you help me out?" "Of course." The gang picked up the scattered property which was painstakingly inspected by Douglas for damages. After he was satisfied, the brunette introduced him to her new friends.

"Wow! So, you must be the Hero everybody been talking about! Please to meet you in person!" He shook Link's hand as he scanned the reploid. Bzzt. Unreadable. His systems informed him. Douglas became perplexed. That's strange, his DNA is just as unanalyzable as X's and Zero's... Is this Dr. Avalon keener than they give him credit for?

"So, Douglas, I see you been working with force metal." Zelda referred to the pieces on his. Link became enthralled. "Hey! Do you mind if I try one of these force metals?" He implored with what he hoped was a coaxing smile. Luckily, Douglas relented. "Sure kid! Why don't we head over to one of the gyms and test out your moves!" "Yes!" Link pumped a victorious fist while his much gentler companion rolled her eyes. "Boys..."

The troop headed to the closest training room to test out the force metal. The size of two baseball fields with countless dummy mavericks, laser cannons, booby traps, floating platforms, and of course a pit full of holographic spikes. The blonde youngster could not wait to tear through the course like a madman. His cyber elf just hoped he would not go overboard and end up obliterating the entire place... Douglas selected a brown hexagon to hand over to the "test subject.

"Now this little beauty is the first of my force metal pieces. I dubbed it "Monkey", because it enhances your agility, sensors, speed, and leaping ability. So, your end up like a super reploid monkey! But don't worry about sprouting fur and a tail!" He joked heartily. "If Link becomes an uncontrollable monkey, I'm totally holding that guy responsible!" Huffed Navi. "Do not worry Navi-chan, Douglas-san is prudent when it comes to making inventions. " Zelda assured her.

The "test subject" eagerly tried on the piece and almost instantaneously felt the change. He felt his battle prowess increase tenfold. His eyes blazed like ghostly fire. Zelda caught sight of this-and suddenly felt icy dread slithering towards her throat. Douglas on the other hand failed to see the change. Too busy sending commands to the training room's main computer to set the course for Link.

"Alrighty my boy, I set the course to level 20. Not too excruciating but tough enough to make full use of the Monkey!" The room morphed into jungle-like terrain where mechanical beasts materialized to meet the challenger. The unaware mechanic patted the slightly altered Link on the back. "Go get them tiger!" Before Zelda or Navi could stop him, Link bull rushed towards a steel hulk of a gorilla.

Just as they made contact-KABOOM! The spectators were thrown back by the thunderous blast made by Link! They stared at the smoldering crater where the ill-fated gorilla once stood. The android responsible for its untimely doom tore into the jungle like an unleashed hurricane of chaos. If Douglas was human, his eyes would have popped out of his sockets by blubbered, "Wha-wha-wha-I, I, th-how did-Monkey can't enhance physical strength and firepower! WHAT THE SMELT HAPPENED TO MY FORCE METAL?!"

"NOBDY CARES! JUST CALL FOR HELP!" Navi demanded as she bonked the unfortunate engineer on the head! Douglas sent a distress signal throughout the base which sent all available hunters running to their aid. The first to enter the scene was Zero, he did not even flinch when he witnessed the mass destruction the reploid waged within the room. "I am SO betting Avalon's questionable engineering on this." He snarled as he ignited his trusty light saber.

X soon followed and yelled out to the mechanic, "Douglas! Get Zelda and the pets out of here!" The reploid immediately complied with his superior's orders as he ushered the vulnerable out of harm's way. "WE ARE NOT PETS!" The fairies and cyber elf protested to deaf ears. X and Zero rushed headfirst into the flaming jungle polluted with thick smoke and tortured screams of dying mechaniloids. "This is absolute Tarturus..." Zero deemed it. X blasted any scorching debris that got too close for comfort.

He paused for a moment to receive a message. "Douglas just sent me info on what happened here. It seemed that Link-kun somehow became crazy powerful when he tried out Douglas' Monkey!"

Zero gaped disbelievingly as he hacked away at burning vines."What?! But is that supposed to be Douglas' first-time piece?! All it did was give Axl the opportunity to play Tarzan! Why did he upgrade it?!"

"HE DIDN'T! It somehow just happened on his own! X skidded to a stop before a pit of spikes containing the charred remains of incinerated mechaniloids...

"If this ends up in court, I am taking full advantage of the opportunity to jail Mr. Slick for good!" Zero vowed as he chopped down a metal tree to get across the pit.

"Seriously?! Dr. Avalon just met with Signus to confirm Link-kun's safety for the THIRD time!" X shouted when the two separated as a huge chunk of the roof fell between them!

"AND THIS little incident just proved that the doc's actions are illegitimate! You know it X! The doc is planning something-"

"CAN WE FORGET ABOUT AVALON AND FIND LINK FOR CRYING OUT LOUD OR DO I NEED TO RESET YOUR MINDSET?!"

"COME ON X! OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HYRULE AND A REPLOID'S LIFE IS HANGING IN THE BALANCE BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT MADE THE MISTAKE OF-"

"THIS DISCUSSION IS OVER UNTIL WE PUT LINK DOWN!"

Our heroes stopped their bickering as they searched the enflamed jungle for the young reploid. Then Zero spotted a glint of gold out of the corner of his eye... BAM! "Zero!" Link barreled into the crimson hunter out of nowhere. X used Shotput Ice to capture him-but the rogue robot swiftly evaded his shot. Link scrambled up the trees to gain the higher ground. Then began bombarding the duo with bombs.

The hunters dodged the attack and returned fire with ice. Then the crazed android vanished from sight. The two hunters pursued him through the jungle, but he eluded their every move. "Ok, we need a plan. This kid is running circles around us." Zero grunted heavily. X looked at Zero with an inkling of an idea. He sent a private message to Zero's comm.

When Zero received it, he growled in discontent. You want me to be BAIT? Really X?

Then do you have any bright ideas on how to catch Sonic the Hedgehog?

The kid is GREEN, so that's a horrible joke.

Besides the point, we need to nab him somehow.

Fine, but why ME and not YOU?

Axl told me you frightened him, which is probably why he ambushed you first. He's most likely acting out his feelings in his maddened state.

FINE. But you owe me big time X...

Thanks Zero! (:

Whatever, let's just get this over with...

Out loud Zero said, "We need to split up X! Hopefully one of us can track him down! Call me when you find him!" Zero ran off as his blue friend took the opposite direction. The war machine strode at a brisk pace at first to give the impression that splitting up was his intention. After some time, he began heaving and panting to look as if the heat was getting to him. Finally, he came to a complete halt as he did his best to mimic a haggard look.

He scanned his surroundings as he waited for you-know-who to show up... "Gah!" He covered a gaping wound as Link appeared like a malevolent spectral. His own light saber glowed burning white amidst the shadows and flames. He struck and the more seasoned swordsman defended himself. The two opponents exchanged blows with deadly elegance and grace. Yet every time Link struck forward, Zero made sure to jump back.

The two beams of light collided and gave off sparks of white and blue where neither could land a hit. The younger swordsman managed to pepper his foe with light cuts over the face and arms. While the more experienced elder only delivered blows to prevent him from receiving major injuries. They parried, they fenced, they were locked in a lethal dance. After an hour of staving off intense heat and the other's blows, the rogue reploid had the older one cornered.

But the elder was not the least worried, he knew his buddy would not let him down...

Seeing Zero trapped, the crazed robot prepared to fire multiple bombs at him when-BANG!

The smaller blonde fell to his knees after X had fired an eagle eye's shot from half a mile away. The ice formed over the green-clad android's body, with their prey off-guard Zero delivered the final blow with his freezing saber. Soon, the boy was safely encased within ice. Soon the sprinkler system turned on extinguishing the fire. X carefully hoisted up the large, frosty crystal.

"He needs to be examined right away." He spoke.

"DUH, Captain Obvious!" Zero remarked as he shook his ponytail to remove the ashes.

Meanwhile, the sun had long sunk from the sky to be replaced by its softer counterpart, the moon. All seafaring vessels were parked at Iwata harbor* after another day of steady work. One lone fishing boat sailed alone to meet the rest of its companions. The owner of the boat, Enkai*, whistled as he dropped the anchor right next to a cruiser shining proudly in the moonlight. He wore a white shirt, green overalls, and a pair of black boots.

Yet he usually stood out from his fellow fishermen due to the grayish-blue Zora fins on his head and tail always right behind him. His mother descended from refugees who emigrated from Hyrule. According to the news, it seems that relations between his birthplace and ancestral homeland has been going smoothly. The glad tidings giving him an occasion of joy as he dreamed of bringing back fish no one seen before. Who knows, he might even meet some of his unknown kin!

After tidying his boat and securing his catch of the day, Enkai sauntered merrily on his way home. He walked on a path directly by the sea water. He could not wait to tell his wife, Maho*, of the glorious plans he had for the future. That's when he sighted the most terrifying thing, he would ever lay his eyes upon. Enkai gawked as the ghostly shape of a pure black ship came into view. It was not a modern-day vessel, but an old-fashioned sailing ship from the days of yore.

Something stirred for the first time in Enkai's blood. Without warning he dived into the water before anyone onboard saw him. The Japanese Zora cautiously lifted his eyes above the calm waves as he observed the ghastly bulk of blackness cruise through the waters like a fired plasma blast. Balls of sinister purple were seen dancing about the ship. No doubt lanterns held by the passengers whose agenda was yet to be known. He did not dare to leave the safety of the ocean until the bizarre vessel had left at last.

As Enkai swam towards shore, he felt an awakened instinct tell him that the ship was not some optical illusion...

It was a harbinger of peril.

Author: DUN, DUN, DUN! As for the Triforces, it will be quite a long time before the Golden Triangles of Misfort-eeerrrr, I mean Golden Triangles of Epic Heroism shows up again!

Fun Facts: "Oh cher." Is how to say, "Oh dear." In French.

Enkai means deep ocean. While Maho means to cross over the ocean or water.

Iwata Harbor is found in Japan of course.