Why am I writing another chapter this soon? Ah yes, I have time now! Yey for me, again…
Disclaimer: As if I own Nintendo…
Chapter 9: A Great Melee- Part 2
'Who' Link replied to the short man.
'Mario. That's a' my name. I am from the Mushroom Kingdom. We came to help you,'
'We?' Link asked.
'Yes, a group of us are here to assist you.'
'And you suspect me to trust you?'
'Well yes, considering I just helped kill that man.'
'But this could be another tactic to catch Zelda' Link said wearily.
'I assure you it is not' Mario replied while casting his eyes around. Link shrugged and began pacing around this figure, assessing him out.
'You understand why I must be cautious. Since we've come here anyone we've seen has tried to capture Zelda and hurt me. Now seeing new people come along claiming to help, it's kind of hard to believe.'
'Can you take the risk to not take our help?' Mario questioned. Link was about to answer when a green figure shot past his face, in a flame, landing into a large tree trunk. The figure stood up, dusting their clothes of. When they turned, Link saw someone identical to Mario except they were slightly taller and lankier, and their main clothing was green.
'Link, meet my brother Luigi' Mario said. Link suddenly shot around at the short figure.
'I knew it! You must be one of them! I didn't tell you my name, and only them lot know.' Shouted the Hylian as he pressed his sword up against Mario's dungarees.
'What's a going on?' Luigi enquired as he stepped nearer, clenching his fist in aid of his brother.
'He thinks we're one of the enemy' Mario said, not attempting to move the sword.
'What's going on here? Shouldn't we protecting the princess from those creatures?' Came a voice from the shadows of the trees. Link caste his eyes to the right where a new figure emerged. If Luigi was similar to Mario, then this guy must be a clone. He was in everyway identical to Mario, except he wore a long white coat and black trousers. He also had a deeper voice and his figure was much stockier.
'Hey Doc!' Luigi said. 'Doc' nodded and wandered next to Mario and stared Link in his eyes.
'This the guy we're helping?' He asked. Mario confirmed it. The 'doc' looked at Link again.
'Seems to me he isn't so grateful for our help.'
'Well 'doc' ' Link began was cut of.
'Dr Mario is the full title' the figure in white said.
'Another brother?' Asked Link.
'I'm a cousin of Mario and Luigi, hence the reason I have the same last name. Me and Mario also look more alike than him and Luigi because of some sort bloodline thing in our family, it's a very complicated matter, but at this moment it is irrelevant.' Dr Mario said with a wave of his hand.
'Right.' Link said. He still wasn't sure on whether he should trust this little family.
'Link, we can understand why you don't trust us, but believe me, without our help you wont save Zelda, who incidentally has probably been captured now.' Mario said.
Link seemed slightly taken back and removed his sword and nodded. It was true, he couldn't take the risk by not accepting the help. And Mario had saved his life, which the enemy wouldn't have done.
'Good' Mario said. 'After we get out of this with Zelda, we'll answer a lot of questions you have. Now, lets split up into two groups and' Mario said before a rustle was heard in the trees and a fiery punch shot admits the talking fighters. It caught Luigi straight in the face, sending him flying back as he yelled out several times in a comedy fashion. Link didn't even have to look to know who it was.
'Falcon!' He yelled. The Captain smirked and took a swipe at Mario. However, the small fighter pulled out a yellow cape and swept him around, so he was facing the opposite way. Falcon quickly retaliated by sending a quick roundhouse kick back, but missed aimed the height of Mario, therefore, completely missing any target.
Mario and the Dr each attacked at once, grabbing one of Falcons arms and flinging him high above the canopy, then as he fell, the two look-alikes leapt up into the air, fist raised. When they came in contact with the Captain, numerous tiny rings were heard and Link swore he had seen coins fly out of their hands. Evidently, it had hurt Falcon a great deal as when he landed, his face showed many new cuts and bruises and his blue suit showed blood emerging.
Mario and the Dr landed in fighting positions.
'Hey 'a Doc!' Mario yelled. 'Lift him up into the air. I have 'a idea!'
The Dr nodded and lifted the Captain, holding him by the back so Falcon was being held with his arms and legs apart. Link watched in wonder.
'Okie dokie, we're 'a ready Luigi!' Shouted Mario. Link shot his eyes to where Falcon had hit Luigi, and saw that the green man was standing and had spouted a bloody nose. Nevertheless, he was on his feet and was crouching down, his fists raised, his eyes closed and his body shacking and twitching while green fire shot around him and climbed into his eyes. Link was about to ask whether he was having a spasm, when Luigi shot himself from his position, his body was like a missile on fire, shooting under the canopy. Link watched in awe as Mario's brother flew across the ground, completely horizontal, and heading towards Falcon.
Luigi made fiery contact, his head smacking into the gut of the Captain. This already injured area was subjected to a horrendous blow, the full weight of a 'head' on attack from Luigi smacked Falcon out of the Dr's grasp. Luigi himself fell after impact and arose, shacking his head and rubbing his eyes. Falcon however, had landed and everyone present saw more blood spilling from a tear in the body suit. Falcon yelled in pain before collapsing in his own bodily fluids and his body vanished, again.
'What the hell was that?' Link asked. The three moustache fighters all turned and smiled. Mario spoke first.
'That was an attack of Luigi, the Green Missile. It's 'a good, wouldn't you agree?'
'Well, it got the job done' Link commented. 'But anyway, we've wasted to much time, we need to go after Zelda.'
'Agreed' Dr Mario said. 'Now, as Mario was saying earlier, we'll split into two groups and plough through this forest in search of the Princess. If we find her, we'll do the signal, agreed?' Mario nodded. Luigi and the Dr bid farewell and leapt from the scene, in an instance vanishing back through the vegetation.
'What's the signal?' Link asked as he and Mario ran a different way, Link cutting down anything in his way while the shorter Mario occasionally sent out fireballs to do the business.
'It can be many things. A certain phrase we shout, or we shoot 'a fireball into the sky.'
'So what's the phrase?'
Mario looked at him and smiled.
'Koopa-poopa' Said Mario. Link stared with eyebrows raised.
'I suppose you wouldn't get it. I'll explain 'a later' said Mario. Link shook his head and the two continued to run.
Suddenly, around 20 Frames leapt over the two fighters. None of them took any notice of Mario or Link, but then again they never had.
'That's weird' said Link. 'The Frames usually just scatter around in any direction, but just now they are all heading the exact same way. And look, more and more are heading towards that direction.'
'They must 'a know where she is' said Mario. Link nodded.
'Well, lets tag along' shouted the Hylian before running into the crowd of Frames. He ran non-stop for around 10 minutes, non of the other Frames even acknowledged him. Soon, Link saw the hat of Mario bobbing along behind him. Before long, he was besides Link.
'I can't run fast enough with this lot moving around me' said Link. 'Maybe if I just cut a few down, I'll doubt the others will attack since they seem to only care about Zelda.'
'Lets see if they do react' said Mario as he sent multiple fireballs and a Frame in front, each hitting him in his back and his body vanished. None of the others paid any attention.
'Guess they don't' Link said as he began hacking and slashing the purple wire creatures out of his way. Mario followed in similar fashion, knocking Frames down with his cape and scolding them with his fireballs.
Soon, the duo were at the front of the 'pack', well, what remained of it. The forest had gotten denser, so link had had doubts on whether Epona had been able to get away. However, the group soon came upon a small clearing within the forest. And there was Zelda, on the back of Epona, using her spells to send away any close Frames. But Link watched as she was over powered and one Frame grabbed her from the horse and leapt into the treetops, aiming for a getaway. Link was having none of it, however, and sent one carefully aimed arrow into the back of the Frame. As it vanished, Link leapt up high and aimed his hookshot at the same tree, and as he was pulled in, he smacked numerous of Frames to their deaths.
Link arrived in time to catch Zelda in his arms as she fell from the tops of the trees. The Princess had grabbed Link around his neck instinctively, but she eventually showed a smile as she noticed who had caught her.
'You've got to get out of the habit of saving me, Hero. Anyone would think you enjoy it' joked the sage. Link smiled back as he pulled Zelda to her feet, but the Princess kept her grasp around his neck.
'Bravo Hylian' a voice shot out. Link and Zelda turned to see Samus standing in front of a large gathering of Frames. They appeared to be itching to fight, but must have been ordered not to by Samus.
'Samus' Link said through gritted teeth as he pushed Zelda behind him, making sure his body was in front of her. He then pulled out his sword and shield.
'Don't be such a fool. You've been lucky so far, but do you really expect to take on me and over 200 Frames?' Said Samus. Link said nothing, but instead tried to think of a way out of the situation.
'You're all alone, the two of you. There is no way on this planet or any other, that you can make it out of here by fighting.'
'I wouldn't bet on that' a voice shouted out. Link and Samus turned to the source to see Mario leap onto the scene, besides Link.
'Who are you?' Asked the bounty hunter.
'It's 'a me! Mario!' Came the reply. Samus responded by shooting her grappling beam at Mario's throat and successfully pulled him in. When she got hold of him, she held the beam in place.
'I couldn't give two pieces of monkey shit about your name. If you are in league with these two then you must be eliminated.'
Link was about to act when Mario let out a small gurgle of a sound.
'Signal' was all he could cough up. Link stopped in his tracks before realising the message. Taking a deep breath, and swallowing in a gutful of pride and dignity, he let out the cry.
'Koopa-Poopa' he yelled, cringing with each syllable. Even Zelda let out a small giggle. Samus raised (although you wouldn't be able to see) an eyebrow at this totally random saying.
Link felt the need to prove to all around he was still a serious fighter, so he gave his mare a whistle so she would get to Zelda, and he himself charged at Samus.
The bounty hunter threw Mario aside and ran forth.
This time, Samus got the first blow, smacking her fist into the jaw of the Hylian, then whipping him over her shoulder and kicking him as he fell. Mario (once he got his breath back) jumped in to assist Link. He aimed a punch at Samus, but soon fell down in pain.
'I hate the metal!' Yelled Mario as he rubbed his hand.
Samus jumped besides the short man, and got down on one leg and pushed her gun to his head. This alerted Link, who has been helping Zelda onto Epona for a quick getaway.
'You've tried that before' he said.
'Yes, but this time the hostage can't teleport' answered the bounty hunter. Link closed his eyes and frowned; it seemed unlikely that he could get Mario away before Samus shot him. Many questions ran through Links mind, mainly, 'Can it be considered that Zelda's life is more valuable than his'?
Link cursed himself for thinking such things; it was just selfish feelings on his part. Still…
'Link, don't do it. Her life is 'a more important than mine' shouted Mario. Samus responded by giving him the back of her hand, splitting his nose and causing it to bleed.
'Shut up little man' said Aran. Mario hung there, blood dripping into his moustache. How guilty Link felt, there was no need for Mario to get involved, yet he had and his life was now in the balance. Zelda, as you can imagine, felt even more guilty as not only had this Mario guy fought for no apparent reason, Link had also stuck by her when he didn't have to.
'Link, maybe it would be best if I went' said the Princess.
'What? No!' Yelled Link as he turned around.
'Don't be stupid boy. If you resist, not only will this (Samus smacked him again at this point) man die, but also you will most likely get killed by the Frames behind me'. The Frames edged closer at this.
'I'm willing to give up my life for Zelda' Link said in his noblest voice.
'So am I' Mario shouted in a muffled voice. Link was about to ask why Mario was willing to risk his life for someone not from his world, but though it best not to.
'And even if I gave up Zelda, would you really just let the two of us go, no Frames attacking, no shot from your gun? Please, the way I see it, I can give you Zelda then die through attack, or I can'
'Keep Zelda and let me die, but then you would loose your foothold.' Mario finished.
'Exactly' Link began, a smile on his face. 'You hurt Mario, then your have no chance to get Zelda, it's as simple as that.'
'And I'd kill myself before I let you take me anyway, you need me alive and you know it' Zelda added.
Samus responded to this by pushing Mario into the dirt, standing, and pointing her gun to his back.
'We will just see shall we. What if I were to kill Mario right here? What would you do, run? Please, as we've talked, the Frames have, if you noticed, surrounded you completely. Even on the horse, you still wouldn't make it. And I'd personally take Zelda before she could harm herself, while the Frames killed you. Face it Link, you have lost, it is as simple as that' said Samus. Link nearly dropped to his knees when he realised there was no way out.
'Link wouldn't let you take me, he'd kill me with his own sword before he'd let me fall into enemy hands where I could be used for evil' Zelda said. Link turned around, startled. She must be bluffing, there's no way Link could ever hurt Zelda, it would be physically impossible for him to grab his sword and plunge it into her.
'What do you take me for? That boy cares about you a ridiculous amount, he could never harm you, he would be on his knees crying even if he attempted.' Replied Samus. At this, Zelda, Mario and Link, found nothing more to say. She was right. Had they truly lost?
'They don't call me the greatest bounty hunter in all the galaxy for nothing' Samus replied in a cocky voice.
Link really didn't know what to do. He had never lost in battle before, no matter what he had always been able to get out the worst situations. How does one act in such circumstances?
At the precise moment where the Hero of Time could be seen shacking, where the Princess of Hyrule was shedding her first tear, where a small man with a red cap was moaning on the floor, and a bounty hunter was smiling in triumph; a large green missile shot from a nearby by collection of trees. Parting the Frames like a spade in sand, the missile carried its flight along, making impact into Samus's helmet, and (despite the metal and her weight) knocking her out of her position over Mario, her gun leaving his back as she was catapulted across the hard floor, into a group of Frames who simply stood as their commander smacked into them, knocking them apart and killing a few because of their delicate structure.
The 'missile' was evidently Luigi, who got to his feet while gripping his face as he wobbled on the spot, falling on the floor in comical fashion. Before Samus got to her feet, Mario lifted himself up with the help of his brother. They leapt over besides Link and Zelda, and Dr Mario emerged from the vegetation at the same time.
'You guys took long enough, I was beginning to loose hope' Link said as he withdrew his sword when he noticed a certain bounty hunter proceeding towards them like a mad steam engine.
'Well we couldn't act right away, we had to wait 'til we knew Mario wouldn't be harmed by our attack' the Dr commented as he took a fighting stance besides his family members.
'Yep, we heard 'a everything that was said. You were, very noble Mario' Luigi added.
'I was just trying to keep her from attacking me. Death by angry bounty hunter isn't my idea of 'a good time.' Said Mario.
'Don't get to comfortable guys, we've still gotta get ourselves out of here' Zelda said, still on Epona (who incidentally was bored out of her little-horse mind).
'Okie-dokie' Mario said as Samus got closer.
'You no-good incompetent, lanky, meddling green fool!' Yelled Samus.
'Careful, you might hurt my feelings' Luigi smirked.
'Enough of the talk!' Bellowed Samus.
'Agreed' shouted the three Mushroom Kingdom fighters in unison, before unleashing their standard attacks. Mario threw a red fireball, Luigi threw a green. Dr Mario however threw what appeared to be a capsule, blue on one side, red on the other. Link had no idea how that would work.
The fireballs hit Samus and barely seemed to affect her.
'Bring it on!' She yelled as she went to attack. However, she hadn't accounted on Dr Mario's attack being different. Unlike the fireballs, when the capsule hit it embedded itself in the metal before letting out a shockwave through Samus's body, causing her to drop to her knees. The Mario's and Luigi let out a yell of triumph as Samus went to get back to her feet.
Link decided he would attack next, however. Unleashing his hookshot, he grabbed Samus around her abdomen and pulled her in. She quickly was within feet of the five fighters, and Mario took this to his advantage as he grabbed her gun before she could comprehend what had happened. Luigi held back her other arm. She was literally defenceless. Link still had her by his hookshot.
'Well well, for the 'greatest bounty hunter in all the galaxy' as you so eloquently put it, you sure walked into that one. Now, lets see the foul, evil, tainted, heartless beast that appears behind that helmet' Link said as he went for the latches that held the helmet to the suit.
After hitting them in the right order, the helmet arose slightly allowing Link to pull it back, a small whisper of air shooting from it.
'So I wonder, will you be ugly or just down right horrible' Link said as the helmet finally came off. First, his sight saw a length of blond hair roll out down to about her waist. Her face was slightly pale (being inside a suit all day doesn't allow much sun in) but it was pretty cute, showing no sign of any scars or injuries you would expect from a bounty hunter. She had the lightest blue eyes, which done her face justice. As Link removed the helmet, his arm brushed past her face. He noticed her skin was delicate and very soft. Her expression wasn't that of fear, but of anger, which was a shame as Link suspected she'd have a great smile. She was slightly sweaty (why not, she'd been fighting non stop inside a hot helmet) but she still looked pretty.
'Or maybe your drop dead gorgeous' Link said as he first laid eyes on her. He didn't notice (or anyone else for that matter) the small 'humph' from Zelda, or notice her cross her arms and elevate her nose.
Samus took Links moment of weakness to pull out of Mario and Luigi's grasp, and she jumped up to come face-to-face with the Hylian.
'What did you suspect, me to be a hideous monster?' She asked
'Well actually' Link began (once he pulled his tongue back in) but couldn't continue as Samus bought her knees up into the family jewels, and back flipping besides the Frames (who were still carrying out their order to remain still). She smirked an evil smirk as Link collapse onto his knees and then onto the floor, tears in his eyes, and mumbling things like 'shit'.
'Looks like we've found the Hero's weak spot' said Samus as she began to laugh. Mario turned to her and threw another fireball at her, but it didn't even harm her suit.
'That's pathetic short man' she said as she laughed harder. Zelda jumped from Epona in front of the male fighters.
'Is this?' Zelda said through gritted teeth as she sent forth one hell of a Din's Fire into Samus's face. The bounty hunter collapsed in a screech of pain. Zelda then leapt onto her, bringing her hand down (sparkling with blue energy) and slapped her hand onto the scorched face. Link jumped up.
'Yahoo! A cat fight!' Shouted Luigi. Link, Mario and the Doc turned around and just stared at him. He smiled awkwardly before turning his face around as he blushed. Link shook his head and ran towards Zelda, pulling her of. Not an easy task even for him as she really wanted to get to her.
'What you doing Link?' She said through gritted teeth, still struggling.
'Down girl down!' Link said through laughs. 'You're loosing your Princess-ness.'
'Is that even a word?' Said Zelda as Link dropped her to her feet, still holding onto her shoulders. He smiled and looked down on her.
'Probably not' was all he said as she laughed. Suddenly, a sizzling sound was heard. Link and Zelda turned to see Samus's body shining with purple energy.
'Frames…Attack' She yelled as her body vanished. Link reacted quickly; pushing Zelda to her knees and unleashing a spin attack taking care of the nearest Frames who had yet registered the command. The others, however, leapt towards the Hylians. Link simply stabbed and swiped the first few down, and then just as he was about to be overwhelmed, he done his spin attack. However, the onslaught was getting harder and faster. Zelda noticed this.
'Teleport now!' Link said as he back flipped away from the attack, next to Mario and the other. Zelda used Faroes Wind to follow suit.
At once, Mario, Luigi and the Dr began sending their attacks at the Frames. Capsules and fireballs caused a Frame to die in one hit, so this was a good method. Zelda used Dins Fire for similar results while Link used his trusty arrows and the occasional bomb.
This way, no Frames could get close. Soon, the group went from a hundred to about half a dozen. However, once again Links celebration was cut short when hundreds more Frames leapt from an opposite row of trees.
'No, there is 'a more!' Shouted Luigi.
'No shit' replied the Doc sarcastically.
'Okie-Dokie guys. I think it is 'a time we used our new three way combo!'
'Three way combo?' Link asked.
'Each of us has an ability to do a few spins where our fists rotate in a fast motion, like your spin attack. I'd say an attack like that could kill two Frames at once. However, the 'three way combo' combines each of our attacks to take care of large numbers of enemies.' Said the Doc.
'Less talk more spin' said Luigi as the Frames sprinted nearer. The green fighter held his arms out. Mario grabbed the right arm while the Dr grabbed the other. Luigi closed his eyes and lifted his shorter companions above the floor, and began to spin around. Both Mario's yelled as Luigi spun around faster and faster, creating a blur of green, red and white. Suddenly, the Mario's let go, causing Luigi to slip and fall face first into the dirt. However, he had managed to set his family members high above the Frames. They now were spinning incredibly fast, and they began to land. As soon as they did, the Frames started dispersing. Like a spin-top, they rotated around in any direction, and as soon as a Frame touched even as much as an inch of them, they were catapulted backwards and usually destroyed. This caused havoc as the Frames stumbled over each other in their escape. The Mario's were killing at least 10 Frames a second between them. Soon the group was incredibly smaller.
'It is only this successful because those things are so dumb. More intelligent creatures would simply avoid the attack' Luigi said as he got to his feet, his face greener than his suit.'
'Who cares, it's killed nearly all of them ' Link said as he used his arrow to take care of any stragglers that had managed to get away.
Soon though, the Mario's span their way back to Link and collapsed at his feet. Both were moaning but their words were hard to make out.
'Well done guys, you did it!' Link said as he helped the Mario's to their feet.
'Did what?' Dr Mario asked as he held his head.
'Killed all the enemies. They're all gone!'
'Are we Link?' a voice shot out. Link turned and nearly fainted in disbelief. Standing in a row where the Frames had emerged from was Falcon, Samus, Fox, Falco, Marth, Roy, Donkey Kong, the Ice Climbers and Kirby.
'Okay, now that's just taking the piss!' Shouted Link. He quickly shot an arrow at Nana and hit her square in her chest.
'It's pointless killing us Link. We'll come back again, and again, and again.' Said Falcon.
'Like a hungry cat' added Fox.
'You know what' Link yelled. The fighters said nothing. 'I really, really don't give a fuck!' and as he said this he threw a couple of bombs at the fighters. Before they even exploded he grabbed the still dizzy Mario's and pushed them onto Epona.
'Hold them tight!' He said to Zelda as he slapped Epona, making the horse charged of into the deepest parts of the forest. As the bombs exploded, distracting the fighters, Link grabbed Luigi and fired his hookshot. It pulled him and his new comrade so that they also arrived in the dark areas of the forest. They arrived as Epona did. Link turned to see the fastest of the fighters getting closer.
'More Frames!' Mario yelled as a new onslaught of Frames emerged, running from the opposite direction.
'Into the trees then!' Link yelled. Him and the others ran in, Epona finding it hard to move. Soon Zelda fell of the horse. Link caught her before she fell.
Before she could thank him, Popo jumped from behind a tree. God knows how he had gotten there first. But it didn't matter.
He took a swing at Link, who ducked to the side and dived, holding Zelda against him so she wouldn't get harmed. Popo missed but instead hit the back of Epona. The horse neighed loudly, and took of, running in fright. Mario quickly dove onto Popo and flung him back where Luigi uppercut him and the Dr slammed a capsule into his face. This worked and soon the Ice Climber vanished.
'Epona!' Link yelled once he was on his feet. The horse however, didn't return.
'Darn it!' Link shouted through gritted teeth. Mario shook his head before he noticed a looming shadow getting nearer to Link.
'Link!' Mario shouted as he slide kicked Link out of harms way. Marth had been attack from air, aiming to drive his sword into Links back.
But Mario got there in time, and as Marth fell, Mario pulled out his cape and smacked it at the descending swordsman, causing him to flip and twirl over in midair.
He landed hard on his back. Link acted fast and leapt upon him, driving his trusty blade into Marth's stomach. Killing him, again.
'Third time lucky maybe' Link said.
All of a sudden, half a dozen Frames jumped onto the scene. All of them went straight for Zelda, fists raised. Ready to harm the Princess enough to take her away.
Link was to slow to notice, and Mario, the Doc and Luigi were still recovering from their spinning act. Zelda herself also noticed to late to do anything.
Before the day could be made any worse, a green blur came through the leaves. It triple-kicked the first Frame it met. The others went to punch it but instead met a hard surface as the blur went into it's shield form, which incidentally meant it could use its roll attack to take care of four more Frames. The remainder soon met its end with the green creature leapt up high, turned up in a sitting position and let gravity bring it down in a crashing blow.
'Yoshi!' Mario shouted as he ran to embrace his green friends. The creature stood slightly taller than Luigi. It had a hard red patch on his back. It had red bumps along its neck and also had red shoes, and had a long tail and a white underbelly. It stood upright, with small arms and powerful looking feet. Luigi and Dr Mario also greeted the creature.
'Aw how cute!' Zelda said as she walked over to Yoshi. Link felt he should pay his thanks, but he felt kind of stupid, as he thought this was some pet of Mario, or something like the equivalent of Epona.
'Yoshi, this is Link! The one we are here to help!' Mario said as he gestured to the Hylian.
'Yoshi says hi!' Said the cute creature.
'Um, hi!' Link said, obviously taken back that this creature could talk.
'This is 'a great!' Mario said to Link. 'We're being attacked left right and centre, but they're all after the Princess.'
'Which means (Dr Mario cut in) we can use Yoshi, who is much better at the forest environment than your horse, can take Zelda as a passenger back to Peach where she will be safe'.
'Really?' Link asked.
'Yes, I assure you, with Peach they can get away safely. In fact, so can we. Yoshi will get there quicker with Zelda, we can get there on foot, while fighting back enemies' continued the Dr.
'Ok then. Zelly, get onto the dinosaurs back. No offence' Link added. Yoshi simply shrugged.
'Wait a minute, don't I get a say in this?' The Princess said with her hands on her hips.
'Nope!' Link said while smiling. Zelda frowned and went to answer but Mario cut in.
'We haven't got time for this! Please Princess, get onto Yoshi' pleaded the short man.
'She's a bit big for 'a ridding Yoshi though' Luigi said.
'Yeah, Zelda transform into Sheik. That way your skirt'
'Dress' Zelda added.
'Whatever. Your dress wont get in the way of Yoshi's feet then, and your body will be more flexible than it usually is.'
Zelda said nothing and transformed. In Sheiks form, she got onto Yoshi and sat down, kneeling slightly but getting a firm grip around his neck.
'Don't worry about us, we'll be fine.' Link said.
'Now go Yoshi go!' Mario added in a worried voice. The creature nodded and leapt forth, taking a lot of kicks and steps (as though he was walking on invisible stairs) to get high above the trees. Once there, he dove down onto a branch and began leaping away.
'Nifty trick' Link added as a new onslaught of Frames appeared.
'So, is Zelda's body sometimes not flexible enough for you then?' Dr Mario said as he took a fighting pose with Luigi and Mario, in a sarcastic voice, an eyebrow raised.
'Now that's just childish.' Link said as he withdrew his sword and shield.
'Just making a joke before battle' the Dr said as he smirked.
'Save the humour for fighting, it really gets to your opponent.' Link said, also smirking.
'Yeah?' Asked Luigi.
'Yep. The amount of times I mocked Ganondorf's hair in our battle really pissed him off'. And with that, the first Frames got to them, and Links umpteenth battle started for that day.
Sheik meanwhile, was being thrown about as Yoshi jumped from branch to branch, barely taking a step on each one yet still making huge jumps. Sometimes, he wouldn't even land on any flat part of the branches, sometimes at a dangerous angle but still staying in the air.
Soon however, they reached a small clearing where there were no nearby branches, even for Yoshi. The creature fell downwards, landing softly and securely. He than ran head on back into the vegetation, taking huge wide strides, leaping from boulder to boulder, occasionally taking huge turns, nearly throwing Sheik of.
'Um, you do know where you're going?' She asked.
'Yoshi knows' he responded.
Suddenly, their path was blocked by a large group of Frames. Yoshi went wide-eyed and took another turn, only to meet one Frame blocking their escape. This seemingly didn't both Yoshi one bit, as he continued to run. As he got close, he opened up his mouth and shot forth a long red tongue that hit, sticking to the Frame and pulling him in. Yoshi caught him in his mouth and quickly spat him back out. The Frame had become an egg! A huge white egg with green spots. Yoshi continued to run.
'That's a handy feature' Sheik commented.
'Yoshi thinks so' replied the green creature.
Soon they reached a low-lying quarry, much like the one where they had first encountered DK and the Ice Climbers. Except this one had several large trees at its base.
Yoshi took a large leap at a big tree trunk. Landing sideways on, he then wall-jumped of it and then used his multiple jumping ability to jump onto the lowest branch of a nearby tree. Using this method he soon rose above the canopy. However, they were still far from the top of the quarry.
'Yoshi thinks he can make it' said the creature. Sheik thought otherwise. However, the creature didn't ask for her opinion and took a running jump. His first few kicks in the air were powerful and arose them high. However they got weaker and weaker and soon Yoshi could no longer ascend. He was so near to the top as well.
'Jump' He said in a strained voice before he fell. Sheik didn't need telling twice, and done one better. She teleported of the creature and onto the top of the quarry. In Hyrule, as a sage, she could teleport anywhere in a second. However, in this form, both Sheiks teleport and Faroes Wind would only carry her a few feet. It was enough in this situation however.
Sheik looked over the side expecting to see the remains of the brave creature on the floor below. However, she instead saw his head getting closer and closer. Soon, he landed on his feet besides her. Apparently, the loss of weight meant Yoshi could do his triple jump again.
Before leaping back on, Sheik saw in the distance numerous trees moving, no doubt because of the Frames or the reincarnated fighters. She wondered if Link and the others were moving any of them.
After a few more minutes of ridding Yoshi, they came upon unmistakably, the edge of the forest. Sheik wondered why her and Link had never taken this much shorter route. She could see more stretches of plains, but no more mountains. They must be on the opposite side.
'Who are you?' A feminine voice shot out. Sheik turned to see a woman slightly older than her, dressed in a long pink dress and with blond hair slightly shorter than Zelda's. She also wore a crown.
'Um, Peach?' Sheik enquired to the stranger.
'Yes I am Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom, and whom might you be?' Peach replied.
'Oh I am sorry, please excuse me' Sheik replied, before transforming back.
'Oh, so you're Princess Zelda of the land of Hyrule?' Peach said in a shocked voice.
'Yes' Zelda answered, dismounting herself.
'Fantastic. Now please, lets get inside, away from those horrible purple things.'
'Inside where?' Zelda asked as Peach grabbed her arm and began to walk away with Yoshi behind.
'In here of course!' Peach said as they rounded a corner. Zelda laid her eyes on to what appeared her to be a huge cart, except it shimmered due to its metal service. It had large wheals, which were not wooden like Zelda was accustomed to, but rather black. The thing itself was three times the length of Epona and nearly twice as high as her. It had several round windows on the side, and one larger window at the front. Near the front stood a door. The roof seemed to have railings along the edges; evidently meaning it was possible to go on top of it as it moved. The thing itself was an unusual shape to Zelda, but to Peach it was in the shape of a rather large caravan, except it was red and had many signs of Mushroom faces plastered over it.
'What is it?' Zelda asked.
'It's a new vehicle developed by the Mushroom Kingdom army, made in case the Koopa's ever attack again and I need to escape fast.'
Zelda was still confused, but was soon being gently pushed into the 'vehicle' by Peach. Inside, Zelda noticed many bags and sacks towards the back of the room, which was pretty bare. At the front, there were a few controls and buttons and two seats covered in the softest velvet.
Once inside, Peach sat down on one of the seats. A loud bang was heard from the ceiling.
'Yoshi has jumped onto the roof' Peach said to Zelda's unasked question. 'Why don't you sit down?'
'Sorry, I'm far too nervous. Worried about the guys.'
'Yeah, what's going on back there?'
'The short story is that we kept getting attacked, Links horse ran away, so they stuck me on Yoshi and told him to take me here while they fought.'
'Mario didn't say if he wanted me to leave right away? Or if he planned on coming back here?'
'Sorry no' Zelda answered in an exasperated voice.
'That man really angers me sometimes!' Peach commented in an irritated voice. 'I swear, if we get one ounce of a attack, I'm out of here'.
'You mean you'd really leave your friends here? Just go away and leave them fighting?' Zelda said in a shocked and appalled voice.
'Oh sweetie, don't get me wrong or anything. I am worried about them. But they're the fighters. They fight. And they're pretty good at it to. And with your Link out there, they'll be fine.'
'But still' Zelda went to say but Peach go to her feet.
'But nothing. The guys knew your safety was the top priority when they left here earlier. So if it comes down to it, I might have to drive us away.'
'How can you be worried about my safety when you don't even know me?' Zelda said, tears coming to her eyes.
'We know more than you realise' Peach said in a soft voice.
'I'm sick of everyone putting themselves out for me, risking life for my apparent safety. It's not fair on them. It makes me feel so pathetic and guilty' sobbed the sage. Peach responded by gently patting her shoulder.
Meanwhile
'Link, think fast!' Dr Mario yelled. Link spun round to see Roy leap from a tree. Link diverted the attack with his sword so Roy stumbled over his feet and fell into the Dr's path. He laid a punch into the swordsman, which pushed him back. Luigi put his hands behind his back and grinned in a childish manner before putting one leg out and tripping Roy up. Link finished him of with a blow to the chest.
A loud series of shouts was heard and Mario came flying out from behind a bush, Falco in pursuit. The short man got to his feet fast and rolled to avoid Falco's chop. He then grabbed him around the neck and ran along the side of a tree, dragging Falco along. Mario then dropped him head first allowing Link to stab his sword into the birds neck.
'Onwards then!' Mario shouted as the four fighters ran along.
'Are we there yet?' Link asked Luigi who ran besides him.
'Not to far now.'
Without warning, a fast beam of red energy shot at Link, who raised his shield just in time. Fox emerged on the pathway in front.
'C'mon!' He yelled with his hand in a 'bring it' motion. Link accepted.
The Hylian charged at McCloud, Fox set up his shield just as Link made contact. The initial attack sent him flying to the floor. Link quickly responded by taking out Fox's feet, and then ploughing him through a bush. This however, concealed a large drop. Link and Fox fell down, exchanging blows. The Mario's and Luigi watched in awe as the two fighters got to their feet, ignoring the pain they must be feeling.
'Guys, just go!' Link shouted.
'We can't!' Luigi replied.
'We must, otherwise the Frames will get us and both Princess's will be in danger, not just Zelda!' Said Dr Mario. The three yelled 'be careful' to Link before continuing running.
'It's about time!' Peach yelled as Mario, the Dr and Luigi came upon the Princess.
'We had 'a few minor set backs' Mario replied. 'But it's not over yet. Hundreds of Frames are closing in fast. Doc, you get inside and help navigate, me and Luigi are going to use the kart!'
'Mario, where's Link?' Zelda asked as she emerged from the doorway.
'He was fighting the fox guy when he told us to leave' Dr Mario answered as he and Peach ushered Zelda inside. Here, Peach took her driving position and the vehicle started to move. Out of window, Zelda saw Luigi and Mario get into a small red vehicle, with one seat to drive and another place to hold onto at the back where Luigi stood. Soon this to began to move and was much faster than the larger vehicle.
'That's the Go-Kart Mario uses to race in. Made for two people and full of shell weapons, he should be able to hold of any Frames that get near the main truck' Dr Mario said to Zelda. However, the sage wasn't listening. She was more focused on Links whereabouts.
'It's those Frames thingys!' Peach yelled. Dr Mario and Zelda ran to the front where they saw Frames blocking of entrance to the plains.
Mario however, swerved in front of them in his kart and Luigi held what appeared to be large green shells. When he threw one, it hovered above the floor and blasted the Frames down. More and more he dashed, more and more went down. Soon, both vehicles had a clear path.
'Go on Mario Bros!' Shouted Dr Mario. However, several loud bangs on the roof interrupted this.
'Yoshi?' Zelda asked.
'Frames, I just saw them leap from a lone tree.' Peach said. This was drowned out by shouts and howls from Yoshi above.
'Oh my' Zelda said as a hatch which evidently lead to the roof, smacked open revealing one Frame. It jumped down and took one look at Zelda before he jumped forth. The Princess screamed, walk backwards, not knowing what spell to use in such a place. There was no need however, as Dr Mario booted the Frame back, nearly hitting Zelda.
'Princess now, the backdoor hatch!' Dr Mario said to Peach. The Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom nodded and hit a large button, which dropped down the back of the truck. Apparently, this was one large door. It lowered itself down and fell to the floor, causing sparks and a screeching noise as it was being pulled along. The Frame nearly fell of, but grabbed the hinges just in time, hanging on for life as the speed threw it about in the new opening. It clawed at Zelda's ankle. The sage had been transfixed by the door opening and had not moved.
The Frame dug into her bare ankle, causing it to bleed as its nails dug into her. She winced in pain and suspected to be pulled downwards onto the dirt path. The Frame showed what appeared to be a smirk, but this soon vanished once an arrow impaled itself into its back.
Zelda shot up to see Link on Epona, galloping behind the truck–like vehicle.
'Link' she screamed in the happiest voice she could muster. The Hero of Time smiled despite cuts and bruises across his face.
'Link, good to see you're safe. Now ride Epona up the ramp into here. It is big enough and she could rest then' Dr Mario said. Link nodded and urged Epona up the ramp. The horse had to jump it as it was moving fast and it had not grip. This meant Link had to leap of her and onto the roof. Epona squeezed in making the place a lot smaller. She was restless at her new surroundings. Soon Link jumped from the hatch and began to calm his steed.
'How'd you make it?' Dr Mario asked.
'Epona came trotting along just as I killed Fox. Lucky or what?' Link said.
'Link, Mario wants a word with you' Peach shot out. Link walked to her, not knowing who she was. She handed him what appeared to be a mushroom.
'I'm not hungry' he said. Peach laughed.
'No, no. It's a radio transmitter. Just looks like that for show really. Just talk into it and Mario will respond from his kart.'
'Ok. Uh.. Mar…Mario?' Link yelled into the radio, unsure what to do.
'Not so loud Link, I can hear ya! Just wanted to ask how you are' came the reply.
'I'm fine Mario, don't worry about me, but now that we're safe'
'For now' Mario added.
'For now' Link agreed. 'You can answer all of my questions like we agreed.'
'In good time Link, but how about we get 'away first? Into a safer place perhaps?'
'Fine then' Link said as he handed Peach the radio back. Soon however, he was pulled in a rib breaking hug as Zelda jumped onto him.
'I'm so glad you are ok. I though I had lost you.' She said.
'Zelda, I'm hurt, you're squeezing to tight!' Link said.
'Sorry. It's just I thought I'd never see you again. We went through so much since we left the cave this morning.'
Link smiled and pulled her closer. Dr Mario backed of and took a seat, giving them some privacy.
'Link, you reek.' Zelda said as she pulled herself away while giggling.
'You can't fight without sweating' Link joked. Zelda simply laughed some more as Yoshi jumped down, making the place even more cramped.
'Yoshi's head hurt!'
Well there's that chapter done. What a long one! Link and Zelda now have help from five fighters of the Mushroom Kingdom. I didn't know at first how to incorporate Dr Mario in as in the game he is just a clone, but I don't like using clones so I made him to be a similar looking cousin of Mario and Luigi. Oh well.
Just thought I'd mention. I'm going on holiday next week so don't expect any updates to soon.
R&R.