Oh aren't I nice? Giving you another chapter in such a short space of time.
Disclaimer: Nintendo nothing to do with me
Chapter 6: Fox Mc-what?
'Zelda! I mean, Sheik duck!' Link yelled as he aimed another arrow at the frames head. This time, it didn't dodge and was caught right between its eyes. In a yell of pain and aguish, it vanished in a flash of magical energy. Sheik got to her feet and surveyed the situation.
'You've got to admit, I am good!' Link said in boastful arrogance. While doing so he closed his eyes and adjusted his hat with one hand. Sheik rolled her eyes.
'So why don't you take care of those frames who are about to leap onto your back?' Sheik asked with one eyebrow raised. Link reacted quickly, pulling out his sword; he performed a marvellous spin attack, completely vanquishing two of the three frames behind him. The other leapt back, and offered out his hand in a taunted position.
'Oh you really want me to bring it do you?' Link said with a smirk. He leapt at the frame, sword a ready. However, he didn't see the trap, while in mid-air, 4 more frames leapt out from behind the other. The first one who met Link was unfortunate enough to give a whole new meaning to the term 'half a man'. However, Link wasn't lucky enough to escape the other 3 frames. Two pulled his arms back in mid-air, while the others plunged their fists into the Hylians face and stomach.
'Ignorant fool' Sheik muttered under her breath. She ran to Links aid, flipping over the frame in her path as though it was a mere obstacle. When she got to the melee, she performed a devastating kick to one of the frames on Links arms. Following off with a few needles to its throat, it was soon destroyed. Link used his free hand to pick up his sword, and proceeded to stab, slice, and spin his way out of trouble. Soon, after a few more slashes, and after a good combination of chains and needles, all the frames in the area were destroyed.
'Seems our good friends, the 'frames', are getting stronger. I mean, they can plan attacks now. That must require the intelligence of a garden gnome.' Link finished with laughter, expecting to see Zelda (who had changed back) laugh along with him. Instead, she stood there with her arms folded and with a sour expression.
'I don't think its funny. The frames are getting stronger, smarter, and harder to beat. I mean they seemed to realise that it would be best to attack us at night (Zelda gestured to the darkening sky when saying this.)'
'Zelda, you're good with dreams, gods, and sage stuff. But please, leave the battle assessing to me.' Link said with a smile.
'Yes. After all you had things completely under control back there didn't you?' Zelda said in a sarcastic voice.
'I was biding my time. You see, a warrior like me attacks the 'mind' first before the 'body'' Link said while trying to put on a serious tone.
'Oh that's it. You weren't getting the crap beaten out of you, you were 'biding' your time, making them think they were winning.' Zelda said while rolling her eyes.
'Exactly'. Link said, still smirking.
'You used to be such a nice honest boy. What happened Link? When did you become a sarcastic big-headed little git?' Zelda said, and with that, she walked of to where they had set up camp.
'About the same time you started using that kind of language!' Link yelled. 'Women' he mumbled.
'Oh and also Link, when I'm fighting as Sheik, please call me that and not Zelda.' Said the princess, her back still turned on Link.
'Why? I mean your still the same person, just wearing different clothing.' Link said while trying to get into Zelda's view. It would have been easier if she didn't keep turning away from him every time he got near.
'I like to stay in character'. Zelda said while smirking herself.
'Stay in character? Zelda, this is battle, not a theatre production.' Link said while grabbing onto Zelda's shoulders, keeping her in place.
'Oh it is a theatre production Link. Don't you know? It's the story of the Princess and her troubles with the king of evil'. Zelda said in a mocking voice.
'Yeah, I know this production. It's the one where a handsome warrior saves the Princess from weird fighters during her journey.' Link replied in a sarcastic voice, playing along. Zelda looked up to him and smiled.
'No, this is the one where the Princess has to put up with an annoying little boy who thinks he can wield a sword!' And with that, Zelda sat down, resting on a patch of soft dirt and began her quest to get some sleep. Link merely stood there, his hands in place where Zelda had been, with a flabbergasted expression.
'Oh and Link, while your on night watch don't even try to cuddle up to me. I know it was you last night and not 'Epona trying to keep warm' as you suggested. Understand?' And after that the Princess rolled over again, trying to get to sleep.
'Yes my lady!' Link said in a mocking voice while doing a fake salute. He walked away from her to where his horse lay.
'You would of thought I'd get some respect, right Epona?' Link said as he began to stroke his sleeping horse, which snarled and moved away from his reach, apparently pissed off at being awakened.
'What is with you females? Is that time of the month of something?' Link said with his hands on his hips, to which Zelda replied by sending a small Dins fire at his feet, making the hero of time yelp and begin to do a good impression of the can-can while trying to extinguish the flames.
The rest of the night continued with very little events, unless you count Link practicing his sword techniques on a tree at midnight to which he received another flaming from Zelda. As the early morning sun rose, Zelda, shaking him hard on his shoulders, was forcing Link awake.
'Link wake up, come on, no time for sleeping, we have another morning of travelling to do, wont that be fun?' Zelda said, with a very cynical tone on the word, 'fun'.
'Zelda, please, give me 5 more minutes.' Link muttered while burying his face into the ground where he was lying.
'No, get up now Link!' Zelda demanded as she walked of to do what ever it is a princess turned sage does in a forest during early morning. Link however, didn't wake up and managed to get another 2 hours sleep before Zelda could be bothered to wake him again. This time she used the traditional 'water over the face' technique.
'What the hell are you doing?' Link yelled as a bottleful of water was thrown over his face.
'I'm using more persuasive methods!' Said the princess as she dropped the bottle into Links lap. 'Now get up and go and get some water from that stream we passed earlier. We seem to of ran out' Zelda said while laughing. Link arose, shaking water of his tunic.
'I swear, if you weren't a sage and a female…' Link mumbled.
'Don't sulk Link, and get going!' Zelda demanded. Link smiled at her.
'She's quite cute when she's like that (Link thought).'
'You still here?' Zelda said.
'I'm going right away dear!' Link said with a goofy grin. As he walked away he had to duck as he felt another flame fly past his face.
'She's been cranky lately.' Link thought 10 minutes later as he walked towards a route they had been on earlier that let to a small stream. They were still in the forest, but it was getting less dense. Link was soon upon the stream. He had seen a lot of streams within the forest; he guessed they all met up at the main river, which he thought began in the mountainous region he had seen upon arrival.
The water gently flowed; it was a clear blue and Link could easily see to the bottom. As he was refilling his bottles up, he heard a rustling in the bushes besides him. Without thought, he dropped the bottle and span around, Master Sword unsheathed and Hylian shield ready. However, he noticed nothing there.
'Must be the wind' he thought. He filed up the remaining bottles, and packed them up. As he went to stand, however, he caught a glimpse of a reflection of something, or someone, on the waters surface. Link pulled out the sword and shield again, but like last time, saw nobody.
'Who's there? Come on, show yourself.' Link shouted. No one answered as such, but a beam of red energy did come pelting out of the bushes towards Link. The Hylian rolled out of harms way as the beam hit the waters surface, causing it to steam and bubble.
Link turned to where the shot had came from, but saw nothing. He knew however, that he wouldn't get away from whatever had shot that easily. Instinctively, he flipped into the bushes, just as he predicted, another shot hit where he had previously been. However, he wasn't alone in the shrubbery.
Link was smacked in the face before he knew what was happening. His vision was temporarily blurred, and he didn't see the kick come to his stomach, or the punch to this jaw, or the chop to his neck that followed.
Link rolled out of the bushes to avoid more hurt, ignoring the threat of being shot at. He quickly got to his feet and decided to take a chance, pulling out his hookshot and aiming it to where he had been. He successfully hit his attacker. He heard a yell as a figure was pulled towards him. Link planned the use the impact of his fist as a welcoming present, but he forgot his plans when he saw his attacker.
Out of the bushes and into the clearing, at the other end of the hookshot, there was a bizarre figure. A fox, that was all Link could say. It was a fox on hind legs, a sort of fox human hybrid. It wore a white jacket, had green trousers, and a red bandana. He had strange metal encasing around the back of his head. A small piece of metal was wrung around to his mouth. Link wouldn't know, but it was in fact a small microphone. This fox figure also held what Link now knew (due to Samus) to be called a gun. As Link took all of this in, the fox took his opportunity and done a mid air bicycle kick which took Link out. The hookshot was released, and Link began to fall. He noticed that the fox seemed temporally hovering in mid air, before glowing a steady orange glow, and he eventually was catapulted backwards in a light of flame.
The fox landed on the opposite side of the lake, crouching down from his impact. He didn't say anything though; he just took his blaster, aimed and fired at Link. The Hylian thought it to be too risky of he tried to move, so he held his ground. Each shot the fox took let out a similar red beam that hit Links shield. It wasn't powerful enough to penetrate it, however, it was making it hotter for Link to hold and the burning stench of metal was making his eyes water. Luckily, this gun didn't seem as strong as Samus's but it was capable of being fired quicker in succession. Each hit Link took pushed him further back, so he dug his boots deep into the soft soil.
The fox soon realised he was getting nowhere, so he stopped his attack, put his blaster back in place and casually faced Link.
'I'm sure you understand the procedure now Link. We're here for the Princess and to stop you if, or rather when, you get in our way.'
'Nice to see you get the formalities out of the way first.' Link spat. The fox smiled.
'Yes Link, I find it better to introduce yourself to people when you fight them. The names Fox McCloud for reference.'
'Fox Mc what?' Link said with a raised eyebrow.
'McCloud. Something funny?' Link smirked.
'I could tell you, but I'm sure that every joke, every pun has already been used for that name.' Link said with a goofy grin. This seemed to really piss off Fox.
'Shall we just stop procrastinating and get to the fighting now!' Fox spat while going for his blaster. Link was quicker however. By the time Fox's hand had touch his weapon, Link had unleashed his boomerang. It was flung from his hands and skimmed the surface of the water, heading straight for Fox. However, isn't it said that fox's are cunning? This one certainly was.
As Links boomerang hit, Fox acted by touching something on his wrist, which set up a blue shield around him. When the boomerang hit, the shield acted by glowing a brighter blue and with its full force, sent the boomerang flying back to its owner at a higher speed and velocity. Link had no time to dodge. It hit him right in the gut, sending him flying backwards, his head grazing the thorns on the bushes. Link was dazed and hurt, but he could deal with it. He arose is anger, but only caught a glimpse of Fox and inch from his face and two other blue illusions behind him, which went straight through him along with Fox. He was smacked back, right to the edge of the stream, getting his arm slightly drenched. He tried to get up in complete anger, but stupidly didn't see Fox dash through him again. Link arose again, and while on his knees, saw Fox standing above him, his blaster pointing towards Links face.
'Strange, they said you were tougher than that. Oh well, any requests you care for us to pass onto the Princess?' Fox said with an evil grin.
'Well yeah there is one' Link said, then, in one movement, he threw his shield in front of his face, and then in the same motion, followed through with a swipe from his sword. As expected, Fox fired but the shield protected Link, and his sword smacked the blaster out of Fox's hand, into the stream where it sank.
McCloud reacted first. He crouched into the position Link now knew to be the start of his illusion dash. When Fox unleashed it, Link simply side stepped and left his foot in Foxes path, which (childish as it may be) tripped the fox and the impact caused him to fall head first into the stream.
Link had no time to rest, when he noticed the water boiling where Fox had fallen. Soon, Fox was leaping through the waters surface, glowing orange again and heading towards Link. The Hylian timed a spin attack just right and caught Fox in midair while he was in his flaming stage. This sent him flying back, over onto the other side of the stream again. He stood, shaking of the water and rubbing what looked like to be an injury (a small sword swipe) across his chest. He began tapping the microphone on his face.
'McCloud to Lombardi, come in Lombardi.' Fox said while repeatedly tapping the microphone. Link was slightly amused; to him this guy was talking to himself.
'I have engaged the enemy alone. I am slightly injured and request back up. The target is not in sight, I repeat, the target in not in sight, attack with full force. I am sending you my coordinates now.' And with that Fox merely nodded his head and took a fighting position again, but fell slightly due to his wound.
'Shame you never got to meet the Princess. Her father was always into Fox hunting. I'm sure she'd show you how its done.' Link said while smirking.
'Mock me all you want, but if it wasn't for the fact I've been tracking you for 2 days, I'd be in better condition and you'd be the one inured.'
'Yeah well McCloud, I have been fighting frames for 2 days, as well as DK and the Ice Climbers. Aside from that, I have also had a run in with Samus and Captain Falcon. Yet, despite from all that, I'm still standing.' Fox laughed at this.
'You wont be when the reinforcements show up, oh I do believe he's here now.'
Link span around, thankful that Fox was injured and blaster-less. He couldn't see who was supposedly attacking him, but it seemed he would get a 'hard hitting' introduction soon enough.
Out of nowhere came a punch to Links jaw, sending him to his knees. Links eyes were slightly blurred, he only noticed a figure dressed in the same fashion as Fox.
'McCloud?' Link questioned.
'Lombardi, actually. Falco Lombardi.' Link could now see another person dressed identically to Fox, same weapons equipped. However, instead of being a Fox, it was a bird. A huge blue bird with a big beak.
'What's with the similar clothes? Some kind of fetish?' Link said in a sarcastic voice, despite the fact he wasn't in a situation to be making sarcastic comments. This caused Link to get another blow to his face, from Falco's hand. Actually, it was more of a wing than a hand, but either way it sent Link straight into the floor. He let out a gasp of breath and moaned due to the pain, kicking up some dirt in the process, which got down his throat and caused his to choke and cough on the floor. He then felt a pain in his back as Falco apparently kicked him hard. Link felt even more grounded.
Falco grabbed Link by the ears and pulled him up. While standing, slightly weary, Falco performed an attack similar to the Fox Illusion on Link, which sent him back again. That attack really made you sore after a while. However, it also apparently wore out the user as Falco was catching his breath. Link wasn't the sort to lie down and let his injuries stop him; he could mentally control the fact that although his body was in pain, he wouldn't feel it as such. The only draw back to this was once the fighting was over; the pain would all come back at once.
Link span his legs around, successfully coming in contact with Falco's feet and taking him down. As he fell, Link positioned his elbow under the bird's beak, and rammed it under. Falco let out a wail of pain before aiming a kick at Links temple. Fortunately, the Hero of Time managed to dodge it, and as Falco's legs passed over Links head, the Hylian managed to get right under the bird and lift him up on his shoulders. He quickly then dropped him onto the floor and booted him in the gut. Falco leapt up almost immediately and let out a series of martial kicks at Link, who used his shield as defence. While Falco tired himself out, Link took a running leap at him, bring his sword down vertically at Lombardi's head. However, just before contact was made and skin was torn, Falco set up an energy shield, which not only blocked the attack but also sent a shockwave into Link as a result, sending him face first into a pile of damp soil.
'Falco, enough.' Fox shouted across the stream. 'Go and find the Princess, she must be close in the vicinity, she is more important.' Falco nodded in response before taking of down the path.
Link stood up rubbing his back. The tunic (which Zelda had repaired earlier) was now torn again as his skin bore a nice new wound to add to the collection. Slowly, Link began to comprehend the current situation.
'Zelda' he gasped before heading after Falco. However, as he got to the small clearing leading to the path, a small pink object came rolling into view.
'A pink blob? Well, that's a new one.' Link thought. The 'pink blob' however, was actually smiling at Link. It was roughly the height of an Ice Climber, and seemed completely round with the exception of two red feet under its body. The only noticeable features Link could see were two eyes a large mouth.
'Hi!' The creature said while flapping his pink arms around.
'Link, meet the other person sent to destroy you. Kirby.' Fox yelled. Link rounded on him. 'Why don't you come and fight me McCloud instead of playing commentator over there?' Fox was about to respond, but then Kirby decided to try to get noticed by Link, and what better way to do it than to give him a boot up the rear end?
Link yelled and turned around Kirby. The pink creature however didn't stop his attack. He soon let out a series of lighting fast punches and kicks at Link, who tried to retaliate with his sword but simply couldn't hit the creature. It was too small and surprisingly fast.
Each punch was weak by itself but together they were beginning to hurt Links knees, as most were directed there. Soon, Link was on the floor, face level with Kirby. The creature smirked a smile that covered its entire 'face' before kicking Link between the eyes. Link was flung backwards, holding his head due to the throbbing pain. Not looking where he was going, he accidentally slipped and fell head first into the water.
Links first instincts were to panic, but noticing the water was neither deep nor fast flowing, he soon clamed down and made to swim to the surface. Upon arrival, he saw no Kirby. There was only McCloud grinning. Link stared at him, and saw that his eyes were drifting upwards slightly. Link took the hint, and looked up just in time. All he saw as a fast moving object hurtling towards him, which Link decided to avoid like the plague. He dived under again and using the streamside, pushed himself out of danger as the object fell into the water, sinking straight to the bottom. Link checked it out. It seemed to be a huge grey brick, with some sort of face. Link thought the water was messing with his eyes, so he swam to the top and got out.
Fox stood still there, this time he seemed rather wet. Link withdrew his sword as Kirby leapt from the stream.
'You're so lucky my brick didn't squash you!' Kirby shouted in a rather childish voice.
'That was you?' Link said in amazement. 'Bloody hell, you can morph?' He questioned. Kirby merely nodded, before flipping into the air and pulling out a small sabre, which glowed blue. As Kirby bought it down, it let out a fresh wave of energy, which took Link of his feet. He quickly arose, throwing a boomerang at Kirby's face. The creature quickly (as if by magic) changed the sabre into a large hammer, which he used to smack the boomerang back into Links hand.
'Impressive' Link grumbled. Kirby smiled again, the hammer disappeared and he ran towards Link, who withdrew his sword. Instead of attacking, however, Kirby stood still and opened his large mouth to an unnaturally large shape. Link stared in disgust and wonder. Then, Kirby started sucking in air. Heck, it was like a power vacuum. Link was sucked in; he had no chance to get away. All he saw after that was darkness and felt slightly wet. Then, he was out on land again. He stood up, shaking.
'That's a disgusting and low trick' he stated before turning around, only to see Kirby wearing a green….
'…hat?' said Link. Indeed, Kirby had morphed himself a green hat identical to Links, he also held a bow and arrow set in one hand, a smaller version of Links.
'That's just weird.' Link said before pulling out his shield as Kirby began an assault of fired arrows. Each one bounced of the shield, but Kirby didn't stop. Fox was laughing and Link was angry. Taking his chance, Link side stepped from an oncoming arrow, blocked another and rolled into a fighting position near Kirby. He quickly booted the pink ball away; its rubbery surface making it go far. In fact, it was heading towards Fox, and hit him off his feet. It was Links turn to laugh.
'Didn't see that one coming right McCloud?' Link yelled. He had no time to laugh anymore, as Kirby was floating back over, a muddy print on his now red face. Link was now far to worried about Zelda to want to let this fight to continue any longer. Quickly, he let out his hookshot at Kirby, and made contact. The creature screamed as he was propelled to Link, who let out a huge spin attack. The energy from it sent Kirby high-flying. Link then withdrew his own bow and arrow, took an aim and fired. It hit Kirby head on and as the creature floated down, it stared to glow. Soon, its body vanished.
Link then grappled himself over to Fox, who was just standing up. His wound was now bleeding fiercely.
'What happened?' He questioned, and as he saw Link, he let out a gasp of fright. Link stood there, breathing heavily, his sword clutched in one hand, shield in another.
'You wouldn't hurt a wounded man right?' Fox questioned.
'No.' Link said, and apparently went to drop his sword, but instead stabbed it into Fox's stomach.
'But your not a man' he whispered as McCloud vanished.
Link was soon running down the path leading to the campsite. The fact he had heard nothing suggested that maybe everything was all right, or it could mean it was already over.
He was wrong on both accounts. At the camp he saw a ragging battle. Zelda was crouched behind a small boulder, her garments very dirty, and she seemed to have spouted a bloody nose. Falco was too behind an opposite boulder, trying his best to aim a shot with his blaster that would harm Zelda but not kill her. Zelda was making live difficult by setting up Nayru's Love to stop and deflect each blast, making the camp look like it had been near an exploding volcano.
Neither fighter had seen Link, so he quickly dived behind some tall grass, and took out his bow. He aimed a shot at Falco's chest. It seemed all too easy.
It was.
Link fired the arrow, and it parted the blades of grass before heading towards Falco. However, it didn't hit. Instead, Falco set up his shield again, and the arrow changed course and headed straight back at Link. Dazzling with energy and at an incredible speed, Link was overwhelmed by it, and the arrow hit, lodging itself just below Links right shoulder. The Hylian didn't scream, didn't cry. He just sat there, still, quiet, shacking. Blood began to pour, staining the forest green tunic to a dark red.
As Link fell back he realised Falco had outsmarted him, and that Zelda was in deep trouble. His last conscious thoughts were that it was his fault. Zelda screamed when she had witnessed the attack. For her to watch someone she cared for suffer as a result of an arrow going straight through their body was traumatic.
Zelda screamed some more at Falco, who had dropped his guard in success. He began to laugh, whether it was at Link or Zelda remained unseen. The Princess was fuming. In tears of anger and sadness, she launched a Dins Fire at Falco. He quickly reflected it back using his shield; he was using the same technique again. However, Zelda was a fast learner. As the spell came back to her, she cast Nayru's Love and too set it back. This time, it was far too powerful. It engulfed Falco and the fighter screeched in pain. Zelda quickly changed into Sheik, and flipped over to Falco. Before he could react, she pulled out the chain, and, ignoring the flaming feathers, wrapped it round his neck and stuck her knee into his back and pulled in anger. The effect was imminent; Falco's neck twisted once, turned again, and then broke. The fighter disappeared in a flash.
Zelda changed back, and let out a sigh and collapsed onto her knees. She began to cry, not for the first time in this world. Dragging herself to her feet, she reluctantly wandered to Links side, tears of sadness down her flustered cheeks, as she began to fear the worst.
Ok that's chapter 6 done. I guess if you're here you've already read it so do the other thing that begins with 'R'!
Very perceptive of you zeldaisthebest! Yes, the Ice Climbers were acting that way for a reason; trust me, all will be revealed soon enough.