Disclaimer: I do not own Super Smash Bros. Melee. The characters and such are property of Nintendo. (*Although, I do wish I owned Link! He's my fav!*) All of these writings are pure fiction and came from my imagination! (*Um.. what little imagination I have, that is!*) I am also sorry if any part of my story resembles anything else that has already been done or any other idea.
On another note, I do not own Kairi, Sora, Kingdom Hearts, Yugi or Yu-Gi-Oh! since I used them in the story. ^_^
See Chapter One for additional author's notes and information.
Fiction By Sherri
SSBM: What The Future May Hold
Chapter Fourteen -- Memories Of The Past
Roy tried his hardest to swallow the knot that had formed in the center of his throat. His mind was racing terribly. He knew the truth, but explaining to Marth the events that had happened -- and why he had allowed them to happen -- would be next to impossible. Because he knew that once his best friend's mind was set on something, it was a one-way street, and there was no changing his thoughts.
"Roy, what's happened to you?" Marth asked. He dropped the bra back on the floor, then gave it a disguested look. "You said you weren't with Kairi. So who were you with, Roy?" Marth sighed heavily. "Roy, don't do this to yourself. You've always been so strong, but for the past several... somethings, I don't know what you've let yourself become. And whatever that is, please, don't let it continue. Tell me the truth, Roy. Who was it, and why, why did you let it happen?"
"And I've already told you that you're my best friend and you will find out anyway." Roy smiled a weak half smile, hoping that it would lighten the mood. "It's too damn easy for me to tell you things, you know that?"
Marth chuckled. "Come on, I'm anxious. Who? And I cross my heart that I won't flip out."
"Samus," Roy admitted. He sighed a mental sigh, relieved that the name had come out clearer than he expected. But the younger swordsman wasn't sure what reaction he expected from Marth.
"Samus?" Marth asked, in shock. "You two... "
Roy rolled his eyes. The bra in the floor told Marth the obvious, or at least the obvious of what could have happened, not what actually did. "Not all the way, but things did get a little -- "
"Yeah, I kinda see that," Marth interrupted. "Please, I beg you, just... don't, alright? Please. I love Peach and Kendall very much, but... I just wish it would have happened a little later on in my life. And this recklessness of yours is going to end up getting you, and not to mention someone else, in a lot of trouble and heartache."
"I know. And that's what stopped me."
Marth smiled a smile of relief. "You've always had a strong will, you know?"
"I try," Roy said quietly. "But if I had such a strong will, I wish it would show up more often."
"Trust me, if you'd let it, it would." Marth sat down beside him. "Besides that, how are you feeling? Physically, I mean."
"I'm feeling pretty darn healthy, considering the events that have happened over the past couple of weeks. You know, I realized... Kairi isn't what I need. She's put me through nothing but pain, and let me to believe that it was Teen Link's fault."
"I guess that's the way you could look at it. So what made you see?"
"A number of things, Marth. When you're very close to losing your life, you see things much more clearly than the average person. Suddenly, the little things become more important and the things you thought were your whole life -- you realized they were nothing but meaningless."
"I can honestly say that I cannot relate to you," Marth began. "I've never had an experience like you've had. Of course, your whole life has been hard. Why can't Fate just give you a damn break? Things are beginning to get way out of hand in your life, and you sure as hell don't need to add to the problems you're already facing."
Roy only looked down at his feet, which were crossed beneath him. He couldn't find a reply. Things had been terribly hard for him in the past, but he planned on making his future better. The young boy's mind wasn't sure what to think, but his heart knew well what it felt.
"Marth, I can honestly say... I do not feel anything for Kairi anymore. And I don't know how it happened. As I've already said, I've begun to see things differently. She's not worth the trouble I've put myself through. If Teen Link saw that, then I can, too."
Marth gave his best friend a disbelieving stare. "I just hope you know what you're doing, Roy. You can only have so many second chances."
"And I plan on making the most out of them. Just let me make this decision for myself. Kairi isn't right for me. Sora came back for a reason other than visiting me and accompanying my mother. He came back for his childhood love, and that's Kairi. With the bond they shared, I honestly don't see Kairi in my future. She belongs with Sora."
"And you?"
"I'll live," Roy replied. "Marth, you've got better things to do than worry about me."
"Like what?"
"Like taking care of your daughter," Roy said sternly. "She hardly gets to see you as it is. Now go, while you have some free time, and be with her. Peach is out at the moment right now, too, so one of her attendents has Kendall."
Marth's eyes met the floor. "Roy, I feel absolutely awful. I fathered a child I hardly ever see."
"Then change that. Take that blasted vacation already! I'm fine, don't worry about me. Spend some time with your daughter... because you never know what's going to happen tomorrow. I think I proved to be an example of that."
"You're the best friend and advice giver I've ever known, Roy," Marth said warmly, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "It will be arranged, and I'll get to spend a little time with Peach and Kendall. But after New Year's. I'd rather do that here with all of you instead of on some tiny island in the middle of the ocean where they don't even keep track of time."
Roy laughed. "Which is just what you need! But fine, fine! After New Year's it is!"
Marth patted Roy on the back and left his room.
Roy kicked back on the couch and looked at the bra that was left lying in the center of his large bedroom.
I'm not sure if I should be scared of what might have been, Roy thought, or if I should just let it go. Either way, I have to be strong... if not for myself, then for Marth.
** ~ ** ~ ** ~ ** ~ **
Fox threw himself onto one of the plush couches in the main lobby of the Smash Building. He fluffled one of the pillows and crossed his arms behind his head. Thoughts of what he had told Young Link earlier that day came rushing back to him.
He figured it was time... time to finally ask Krystal to marry him.
Fox was somewhat frightened of the idea, but it pleased him all the more. Fox knew good and well that he had to make certain he was ready for such a committment.
"Hey, buddy, what's up?" Falco asked suddenly, coming from behind, scaring Fox.
"Falco!" Fox exclaimed. "There's nothing much going on, just got back from school."
"I still find the idea of you teaching absolutely absurd. Even if it is science. You belong doing other things."
Fox sat up straight on the couch, making room for Falco to sit down. "Listen, Falco, I know that you're not too fond of the idea, but it's something nice I can do. And I really do enjoy it. I'm interning for one of Young Link's classes, by the way."
"Oh yeah," Falco said, "he went back to public school today, didn't he?"
"Yes, and he's fitting in quite well again with all his classmates. And he's made a few new friends along the way."
Falco reached for a remote control. He turned the television on, looking for something to watch.
"Nothing interesting as usual."
"You haven't even flipped through all the channels yet... "
Captain Falcon, from the corner, laughed at the two. "Just check the preview guide that comes with the TV."
Fox smiled. "Sounds like a good idea, Falco, have you ever heard of doing that?"
"Leave me alone."
Fox began to laugh, along with the few others in the room.
Pichu, however, just sat in the corner, playing with Kendall. Kendall loved playing with the smaller Pokémon, especially Pichu.
Marth entered the room and looked around. He smiled when his eyes met Kendall.
"Hi there," he said, picking her up. "Why don't you come with me?"
"Daddy!" Kendall gave him a huge hug when she realized who had picked her up from her spot next to Pichu.
Marth smiled as he admired his daughter, a true princess. For her, it wasn't just a nickname. And explaning that to her at the age of two and a half was a little complicated. But her beauty, even though she was still a toddler, was evident. She looked just like her father, and Marth couldn't help but smile when he saw his daughter, no matter how awful his day had been. True, sometimes he wondered what might have been if the events of three years ago hadn't taken place. But holding his daughter made him forget about wanting to forget.
"Isn't that cute?" Peach asked Fox, startling him once again.
"Yup, sure is," he agreed, letting himself daydream. His mind always found itself wandering to Krystal, but this time, it wandered to the future, where he saw himself with Krystal -- and a few children.
"Hi everyone!" Young Link said as he and Nana came through the door. "Sorry we're late!"
"About time you showed up," Popo said angrily. "Sister, what took you?"
"Don't be so accusing, brother. I was simply spending time with Link."
Popo rolled his eyes and Ness, who was beside him, remained quiet. But both the boys were thinking the same thing.
Nana flipped her hair behind her back. It was now out of the braid and just flowed freely down her back.
Young Link smiled at his two friends across the room. "So are we going to train or what?"
"Or what is more like it," Ness said, finally speaking. "Link, I think your new little girlfriend's brother wants to have a talk with you."
"Huh?" Young Link asked, shocked. "Wha -- "
"Sister is the one I'd rather talk to," Popo said. "Come, sis."
Nana obeyed her brother's orders and followed him into a safer room where no one was present.
~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~
Link layed down on his bed, his face burried in a pillow. The night before had been wonderful for him; a true memory. But his real feelings had been concealed, hidden away from everyone. Even Zelda.
No, he wasn't angry. He wasn't in the least bit jealous, either.
He hated himself for letting his relationship with Zelda come to the terms it had.
They, in everyone's eyes, were the perfect couple. It seemed to the world that nothing bad every happened to them, at least until Zelda's car accident with Roy. But even then, they managed to remain strong in the worst of times, keeping their vows of "for better or worse".
And Link planned on keeping "til death do us part", as well. But to his dismay, Zelda had let herself taste another man's kiss, and to Link, that was more than untolerable. They had been each other's first real kiss, and Link hadn't even desired to feel any other woman than Zelda.
He knew that what Roy had done was not her fault. Roy had simply taken a kiss from his wife spontaneously. But it still didn't feel right, and it still hurt him to think....
Link was glad that Roy hadn't shown up for his and Marth's training. His mood had gotten considerably better when Marth noticed Roy's absence. But his mood only returned back to its original state of depression when he left the grounds to lie inside of the bedroom he shared with his wife.
Instead of going back to the Smash Building, Link had decided to go home. It was too much for him to bear, having to face the person that had kissed his wife agaist her own will. So retreating to the castle seemed a much better idea for him.
Link's ears perked at the sound of Zelda singing softly as she walked down the hallway. The doorknob then turned, and in came the woman who could change his mood.
"Link, you're home," she said happily. "I wasn't expecting you."
"I thought you went to do a little shopping?"
"I came back early, right after I got done. No extra stops this time."
Link smiled and reached out for her. Zelda fell into his arms and the two shared a warm embrace.
"Where did that come from?" Zelda asked curiously. "Feeling awful?"
"Yes," Link mumbled. "Zel, ever since you told me about Roy... I can't face him. Nor do I want to. It's like I want to forbid his face and every other aspect that belongs to Roy out of my mind for good."
"I thought you told me that it was okay, Link."
"It is," Link replied. "On your behalf. I just want to know what possessed a good friend to take my wife and taste her kiss while I'm not there."
Zelda placed her hand at the back of Link's head and played with his hair, twisted several strands around her finger. She knew that Link loved having his hair played with, and she watched as a smile swept his face.
"Link, Roy was just as depressed as I was. Remember when you talked about my body's deprivation of affection? Roy was feeling it as well. That's what got us all into this mess. Roy needed love, and he sought it from me."
Link's face softened. "I guess you're right. But... do you still... think about that kiss?"
"Of course not!" Zelda defended herself. "And I'm being completely honest. I've already told you, Link. You're the one I love, and the only one. You're not sharing my heart with anyone, I promise."
Link brought Zelda's face down to his and kissed her gently. "No more secrets between us, alright? We've already been drifting away from each other. You and I -- we need more quality time together."
Zelda continued playing with her husband's hair, trying to think of something else she could do to lighten his spirit.
"Link, how about we do some of the things we used to do? Like going to Lake Hylia. Remember that time, before we got married, that you took me to Lake Hylia during school hours?"
Link laughed and nodded his head. "I'll never forget how scared I was when Impa came over the hill."
Zelda giggled, recalling the memory vividly. "And neither will I! It might be too cold for a picnic -- "
"I don't think it will be," Link said warmly. "All we have to do is make sure we're dressed appropriatley. Besides, I love cold days when the sun is shining. It makes me feel so comfortable. I'm cold, but yet, I feel so warm, too. And not just because of the sun. I'll have you in my arms."
"Everything will be fine, Link," Zelda assured him. "I can already feel our strong bond returning."
"My love, it never left. We just... abondoned it for a short time."
Zelda and Link shared another embrace before leaving the castle to go to the Smash Building.
~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~
"Popo, what is it? Do you not like me spending time with Link?" Nana asked innocently.
"It's not that, Nana. You've been spending an excessive amount of time with him, more than usual, and if you remember, the three of us were practically inseparable in the first place."
"But what does that have to do with why you're so upset with me?" Nana asked, feeling anger rise inside of her. She often found herself arguing with Popo, so the feeling wasn't exaclty new. But there was something different about this particular emotion.
"Because, Nana. Lately, you've been breaking promises and skipping out on doing things with me and Ness just to spend time with Link. Nana, we're twins, and I know that you want to spend more time with Link for only one reason." Popo crossed his arms over his chest. "It's true, isn't it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Nana replied defensively, taking the same action her brother had. In fact, the female Ice Climber knew well what her brother was referring to. She just didn't feel like admitting it.
"The fact that you like Link," Popo said, almost triumphantly. "You like him. And it explains why you like doing things with him alone. Just so you can get closer."
Nana's cheeks grew hot, not from anger, but instead, embarrassment. She hadn't realized that her actions were that extreme. But come to think of it, she had been exclusing her brother and other best friend for the sake of having a few, precious moments alone with the object of her affection.
"Fine," Nana said, trying her best to sound harsh, but failing miserably. "I do like him. It's not like it's too big of a secret. Most everyone probably suspects it."
"And that they do," her brother replied. "You always want us to fight on a team with him during our battles, Nana. And you absolutely hate it when we oppose Link. You always try your hardest not to do much of anything during those battles."
"Popo, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't know it offended you so much that I actually like someone."
"It's not the fact that you like someone, alright, it's who it is that worries me."
"And why does that worry you?!" Nana snapped, making Popo jump at the sound of her voice. "I don't think it should matter."
"It does when you've been friends with him for so long," Popo replied softly. "Nana, don't yell or even pretend to be mad, because I know that you're not. Relationships like that -- "
"Don't coach me on my feelings, please," Nana said, almost begging her brother. "He's the first boy I've ever liked."
"Nuh uh, Sister," Popo said, shaking his head. "That Yugi guy, remember?"
Nana swallowed hard. "Yes, but... I don't talk to him much, and he doesn't seem my type. I just thought he was so cute... "
Popo laughed quietly. "You're just the typical girl, you know? Like them for their looks."
"Oh, come on!" Nana argued. "Link is more than that to me."
"As we're been friends for so long. I know," Popo said, putting his hands on Nana's shoulders. "Just be careful, okay?"
Nana smiled and nodded. "Alright, I promise."
"Link just went through this stupid thing with Kairi. Even though he won't admit it, he hates the fact that he surrendered to Roy. You know how much he hates surrendering. Even if it was for his benefit."
"True," Nana replied. "Very true. Look, can we go back out there now? We can talk more about this later."
Popo sighed. "Sure thing, Sisiter. Just don't let yourself become obsessed with him, alright?"
"I'm not obsessed, nor will I be," Nana assured him.
"Okay." Popo smiled and the two made their way back to the main lobby.
~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~
Samus was in the gym, but found no strenght within her body to actually do anything. So she sat on the bleachers, watching various others.
Her eyes wandered to the corner where Link and Zelda were exercising. Link was lifting weights and Zelda was not far, stretching. Samus could only laugh every time Zelda would get up to place a hand on Link's naked chest and rub him softly. Link had almost dropped the weight he was lifting several times because of this.
"Zelda!" Samus called, hoping that her best friend would hear her. Samus needed someone to talk to, and Zelda was the perfect companion.
Zelda's head snapped to Samus' direction once she heard her name called. Zelda whispered something to Link, and before long, she was sitting beside Samus.
"What's up?" Zelda asked, breathing heavily.
"It's... well, a little bit of a personal deal," the bounty huntress said quietly. "I was hoping we could go outside to talk."
"Sure," Zelda replied. She followed Samus as she lead the way to a shady area outside. It was cold, and Samus suddenly felt guilty for leading Zelda outside, speaking they were wearing shorts and tank tops. But Samus didn't want anyone butting into their conversation.
"Zelda, I'm having some problems with my feelings," Samus started slowly, hoping Zelda would actually listen to her. "You helped me through the times with Falcon, but now, there's a new feeling for someone else."
Zelda raised her eyebrows in suprise. "Someone else? Not Ganondorf again, at least I hope -- "
"No!" Samus shreiked. "Of course not! But it's probably someone you didn't expect."
"Like who?" Zelda asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"Like Roy," Samus admitted, slanting her head to look at the ground.
Zelda gasped. "Roy?" she whispered, for no reason in particular. It truly was a suprise to her.
"Yes, Roy. And he knows. He and I talked about it, just a few moments ago."
"So this is why you've been zoning out on everyone today?" Zelda asked. "This morning, you were totally out of it."
Samus sighed deeply. "It's because of these confusing feelings I have for Falcon, but then... these newfound feelings for Roy. Roy's so sweet and will actually listen to me. Falcon hardly gave me the time of day, even when we were going out."
"What brought on these sudden feelings for Roy?" Zelda asked her best friend, slightly confused. "You were so caught up on Falcon... "
"Yes, I know," Samus said, somewhat sadly. Even though he was in her past, his name still brought back painful memories to her. "But Roy... "
"Just tell me how it started, Samus," Zelda said.
Samus once again sighed, ready to begin her story. "Zellie, I'm not sure how it started, but earlier, Roy and I talked as I have already told you. Roy was in his room, I was walking down the hall. He was yelling at himself, and I wanted to make sure he was alright. So I knocked on his door and he opened it for me. We then sat down on the couch and began to talk. It was then we addmitted we had feelings for each other. You know that Roy and I have been spending a lot of time together."
"Yes, I do," Zelda said. "I just find it hard to believe that he let go of Kairi... or did he?"
"He told me all about it. He said that his feelings for Kairi had dissolved, mostly because Sora had taken her back."
Zelda sighed. "Yeah. Poor Roy. I hope something will actually work for him for once, you know?"
Samus smiled a dreamy smile. "I know all of Roy's secrets. Malon ran out on him because of what happened between him and Marth. But I already know that, and it doesn't bother me."
"You'd be wonderful for Roy. Finally, someone to understand him."
Samus stood up and brushed herself off. "Thanks, Zelda."
"Anytime, Samus." Zelda stood up as well. "So what now? Going to go talk to Roy?"
Samus nodded. "Yup. Maybe he's still in his room. He and I need to have another talk."
~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~*x*~
Nana smiled to herself as she saw Young Link standing there, sword in hand. He looked so powerful yet so delicate at the same time, just standing there, hardly moving at all. The only motions were the wind blowing his hair and swirling the dust around his feet.
But seeing him standing there with his favorite weapon... she cringed. It hurt to see him looking so beautiful. If it was possible, he was even more beautiful to her than the person he was supposed to resemble perfectly, the person in every essesnce that was supposed to be him.
"Link!" Nana finally decided to call out to him. Young Link turned around gracefully at the sound of his name and made long strides to reach her.
"Yes?" he asked, standing only inches away from her.
Nana was speechless. She only looked up at him as his voice flowed so smoothly, his words making her tremble. Before she knew it, he leaned in to her, finally acknowledging her true feelings...
Nana shook her head as she stopped her daydream abruptly. She dared not to look at the younger Link. Nana knew she was blushing fiercly from the heat of her daydream. In reality, Young Link was lying on a sofa in the main lobby, stretching out, taking almost the entire lengh. He had gotten so tall, almost taller than his older self now.
She was sitting at a game table watching Pikauchu and Pichu setting up dominos. Jigglypiff just watched the two other Pokémon set them up.
Nana sighed, hoping that Young Link would notice her alone... finally, for once, without her brother being right with her. As the two Ice Climbers got older, they spent more time apart, finding new interests and making new friends at their high school.
And finally, he did it. He took notice of her... and smiled. He smiled a smile that melted her inside and out.
She shook her head, and just managed to smile and wave back. She loved her brother, but honestly, this was one of the times that she didn't want to heed to his advice. Popo had been telling her periodically throughout the remainder of the day to try to keep her distance from Young Link; Popo had said that he had seen his other best friend's actions as well, and even though he didn't want to admit it, Popo resented the fact that he was taking interest in his sister that way, after all the years they had been friends -- just friends.
"So why this now?" Popo had asked his sister.
"Because things change," was the only reply Nana could come up with to summarize her feelings. These feelings were new to her. She had only just turned fourteen, and younger Link was the only person she had ever felt this way towards before.
And she didn't remember Popo's reactions. Maybe it's because she was doing her "selective listening" and only choosing to hear what she wanted to.
Young Link finally sat up on the couch and stretched. He yawned and shook his head, trying to make himself wake up. He got up out of his seat and walked over to Nana at the game table.
"Hi," he whispered to her, trying to keep the quiet in the room.
"Hi," she whispered back, trying to make the hot feeling in her cheeks subside.
"Want to do something?" he asked, blurting it out more than anything.
Nana's eyes widened with shock. "Um... sure, I guess."
"I mean, you know," Young Link started nervously, "it's just too quiet in here. And it's dark outside, so there's really nothing we can do except stay inside. Let's go up to the upper levels of the building and find a room to talk in."
Nana nodded and followed him upstairs.
Once there, Young Link smiled. Memories of the past were coming back to him. Memories of not only himself and Nana as younger children, but of his older self and Zelda.
He remembered clearly the incident that had all but scarred him for life. Walking in on Zelda and Link still had its effects on him. He was only ten when that happened, and was for the most part, even though he knew what was going on -- for the most part, he was still confused.
But he decided that he was getting older, and he had to start making a life for himself instead of losing himself in the past and start trying to live in the present -- and hopefully, build a future.
"Hello?! Earth to Link! What's going on, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Link replied to her. "Nana, I was just wondering... uh... this is going to be hard for me to ask."
Nana's heart began to race; it could be a number of things. But she still tried to mask her excitement -- and her fear. "Yes?"
Young Link walked over to her and took her hands into his own. His feelings had been so jumbled up, making him an emotional mess at times. Sometimes he thought he couldn't get anymore confused than he already was about life, but it was just part of living. It had been several weeks since he had lost all feelings for Kairi. Why he even tried holding on to her, regardless of the fact that no feelings were present, was beyond him. Maybe it was because he had never experienced what Kairi had let him feel.
So he took a deep breath, and hoped that the advice his older self had given him would work. Trying his best to raise his own spirits and find the courage within himself, he finally spoke, hoping his words didn't come out slurred or misunderstood.
"Nana, will you go out with me?"
** ------------------------------- **
Author's Notes: End Chapter... uh.... *crickets chirp* CHAPTER FOURTEEN! *glass breaks*
*lol* It appears that I am in one of my silly moods again, lol! And I noticed that I mentioned New Year's! I had a referrence to some mistletoe a couple of chapters back, and didn't even write about Christmas! AH! But if I can remember *with as scatterbrained as I have been here lately*, I could plan a New Year's Celebration for the Smashers! *grins*
I didn't make this chapter quite as long I originally wanted to, but I guess that's alright. ^_^ Next chapter should be up very soon, though, as I try desperatley to make something um... ... uh... exciting? different? happen. Maybe it's just because I feel like this was a "dead" chapter.
And I actually figured out how to better format my stories, you know, make all the bolds and italics appear like it's supposed to. I'm glad I finally got that fixed!!
Sorry for any typos and such. And let me know what you think! And by the way, thanks for the reviews/emails about my cousin. I really appreciate it. =)
-- Sherri
