Chapter 7
"So now we know who was behind this but now the question is why."
Samus answered his ponder for him. "I can answer that. You know all that stuff in the papers about robberies and girl kidnappings and then murders?"
Link nodded.
"Well, that was Captain Falcon. All of it. I found out a little later when I had to spend my time with him."
"No way." He looked at her to see if she was joking, but she nodded. "He really did, huh?"
Link thought for a moment. "Hey. Sorry for asking this. But if you were with Falcon all the time, how come he didn't kill you?"
"He still loved me, if that's what you wanna call it. So, he didn't want to. He found better ways to amuse himself with me." Samus said sheepishly.
"Oh." Link then realized what she meant. "OH! Didn't understand the first time."
"Yeah, I know how slow you are." Samus giggled.
"I'll pretend you didn't say that. So, no suicidal?"
"Now that I got that off my chest, no suicidal." She replied.
"Alright then, let's go see if we can still catch some of the matches."
"Yeah, okay." She got up as soon as Link did and they started to walk back to the stadium.
When they reached the corner turn to where the stadium was, they stopped. They backed up behind the house to stay hidden and slowly peeked around the house.
There were giant men walking out of the stadium. Each of them had something in their arms. Until finally they peered closer they noticed it was someone they were holding. They each had a smasher in their arms and were taking them to the mansion. All of them were unconscious. Lastly they saw Captain Falcon walk out with a pleased look on his face. Samus had her hand clasped over her mouth and Link looked on in anger. He saw all his friends including Zelda being carried out last.
How did he catch them all? He wouldn't…he couldn't possibly- Samus said to herself.
"Sam?"
Samus looked at Link. His eyes were still fixed on C.F. "He wouldn't be trying to kill everyone would he?"
"Huh?"
Link turned to face her. "Is that a yes?"
"Yeah most likely he would. I don't know why though." She tried to think for a moment.
Link pulled out his sword. "Well, we got to stop him then."
Samus blinked fiercely from shock. "You want to take him on with all his minions with him?"
"Why not? He's the same jerk who tried to kill Zelda and me. Let's not forget Mario, M.H, and Roy. Besides you want to be lose from his grip, so let's do it."
She just stared at him for a while and then a smirk appeared. She pressed her wristwatch button and her suit appeared on her. "I am over this hold he has on me! I'm right behind ya."
"Well let's get to it." Link tried to make a run to the front, but Samus grabbed his arm. "What?"
"We shouldn't go through the front. I got a better idea."
Inside Mansion
Zelda's eyes slowly opened and tried to look around.
She tried to get up but couldn't budge. Why can't I move? Oh no!
She gasped when she saw that she tied up and when she saw further across the room Peach tied up as well.
Peach was trying to get her bindings loose when she saw Zelda awake. She gave her a weak smile. "Finally you're awake."
"Did Falcon do this to us?" She tried to sit up and this time she was able too.
"Yeah, him and his thousands of men with him."
"Why is he doing this? We never did anything to him."
"SEEMS EVERYONE IS AWAKE NOW!" a sound came from the speaker.
Zelda and Peach turned their heads to the speaker. The voice spoke again.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS PLACE. IT'S NOTHING BUT A BIG FAMILY LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACE. I HATE FAMILY TOGETHERNESS! SO LET ME END THIS NIGHTMARE BEFORE I GAG!"
"What did we do?" Zelda exclaimed.
The voice came back. "YOU'LL ALL DIE ONE BY ONE."
Peach yelped in fright and started working at her bindings again. Zelda quickly started to work on hers also.
Zelda heart pounded rapidly. If we don't get out of here soon, we're done for!
Samus and Link stood in the backyard. Above them was Samus' room. Link used the hookshot and grabbed on to the railing of Samus' balcony. Samus used her grappling hook also. They both shot up into the air. When they reached the top they both pulled themselves over. Link planted his feet on the ground first and put his hookshot away.
"Well that was simple." He reached for the door but it was locked. He looked at Samus. "Great idea, but you forgot to mention the fact that your door was locked!"
"Well don't act like you're hopeless without a key. Use one of those many gadgets you own."
"It's not like I'm supplied with everything. You have a powered up suit do something about-"
Link stopped talking and looked out past the balcony. His eyes were fixed on something.
Samus had no clue what he was looking at. "What? Did I offend you or something?"
"No. Turn around and see for yourself." Link pointed in the direction.
Samus turned around and just stared. A figure was running off that way and had Marth over his shoulder still unconscious.
Link started to head towards the balcony edge. "Captain Falcon's getting away. Let's stop-
Link was cut off by Samus' arm that went in front of him. She turned to Link. "No. I'll go get him you go inside and free everyone."
"But, Sam." Link tried to protest.
"No. This is my battle. Besides. if we both go, who's going to take care of the others? Someone's probably in there, torturing them right now."
Link was going to speak again but Samus turned to him and smiled. "Link don't try to talk me out of it. You've always been protecting for the four years we have been here and now it's my turn. Even though I hate to admit it, you're pretty skilled with that sword."
Link looked at her shocked. But then a smile formed and he flipped his hair. "I am pretty good, aren't I?"
"Don't push it. I trust you with saving the others. Do it for our family, Link." She put a hand on his shoulder.
"Okay, you can go. But be careful."
"You too." Samus ran to the edge and jumped off the balcony.
Link smiled. "You better come back alive, Bounty girl!"
Samus turned back around. "Hey Link catch!"
She threw something small and Link caught. He glanced at it. "A key?"
She laughed. "Turns out I had it after all."
"Once again Sam, your forgetfulness kicks in. What would I do without you?"
"I'll just take that as you trying to say good Luck!" She turned back around and started running again.
Link quickly used the key and walked inside. Samus' room was pitch black.
Better leave it this way. Don't want to start anything. Link thought to himself. Just then he heard a loud scream.
"Huh?" Link went to the door connected to Samus' room. He peered in. Peach was being held by one man. He had a knife inches away from her neck.
Link kicked the door open and ran inside. I've always wanted to do that.
The man looked at him. Peach's eyes became filled with joy. "Link!"
As Link advanced towards her. The man pushed the knife to Peach's neck making a little bit of a cut. Link fell back.
"One step closer and I'll kill her." He said.
Link grunted in anger. But unknown to the man someone was behind him because as soon as he said that he was knocked over the head and he let go of Peach as he fell to the floor. Behind him was the man in red, Mario!
Link smiled. "Looks like you're up and around!"
Peach turned and her eyes filled with tears. "Mario!"
Mario smiled as he hugged her. "Good to see you too Peach! Can't stay in bed and let you guys have all the fun. But before we get all emotional we need to save the others. I already set a few free."
Peach gasped. "That's right! Link, three of the guys took Zelda out of here and went down to the basement. You got to go get her."
Link nodded. "Okay. You guys free the others." He ran out the door. Don't worry, Zelda. I'm coming.
Zelda was scared out of her mind. Three big men had come into their room. They untied her but two of them held a tight grip on her as they carried her down to the basement. Zelda kicked and tried to get out of their grasp, but they just held her back even tighter. They took her toward the corner of the basement. Two men held her against the wall.
The last man started to advance on Zelda. "We're not going to kill you just yet."
He pulled out knife. Zelda's eyes widened. The man grinned. "We're going to have a little fun with you."
Zelda knowing what they meant, tried to get free again but their grip was too tight. The man reached her and grabbed onto the top of her dress. He got his knife and cut a slit in the top of her dress.
Zelda felt tears coming down her cheeks. "No… please don't."
Another man grabbed the top of her dress and slowly ripped it. Zelda was horrified as they laughed at her pleas. "Please just leave me alone."
But they slowly kept ripping. Zelda started sobbing. "Please stop! Please!"
Just as they were reaching her chest the man reaching for her exosed body, fell to the ground. The other men looked around. But as they turned they fell too. Zelda looked up. Standing at the top of the stairs of the basement was Link. He had shot all three of them downwith his arrows. When he saw Zelda slumped against the side of the wall in complete shock, he jumped over the stairs to her.
Link helped her up. She looked at him. Link looked really concerned. "Zelda are you okay?"
His eyes widened when he saw what they had done to her. "Those bastards."
Zelda finally managed to say something. "Link." She hugged him and started sobbing. "I didn't know what to do. If you came any later...I..I..."
Link hugged her back, giving her all the time she needed to cry. "It's okay, Zelda… I'm here."
She kept crying into her shoulder. "I thought no one would save me."
"You know I'll always be there for you Zel. No one will ever do anything like that as long as I am around. I promised to you when we were little I would always be your protector."
"But when you weren't here, I thought you broke your promise. When I first came here it was like you always tried to avoid me." Zelda looked up with her sapphire eyes, shimmering with tears.
"It was because I heard a lot had happened to Hyrule while I was gone. And I thought it was all my fault and when you returned I thought you would be angry with me for not being there."
"I wasn't mad, Link. I mean I was at first when I was at home. But I realized that wherever you were, you were probably helping others. And I was right… you were." Zelda said.
Link smiled. "I really am sorry Zelda. I'm always going to be there for you from now on."
Zelda felt more tears coming on and she just started to cry on his shoulder again.
Link looked through the small window at the moon shining in the starry sky. Samus you got to end this.
Once Zelda recovered from her incident and felt ready to walk, the two ventured up the basement steps. Once Link and Zelda entered the lit corridor, the first thing they saw was Roy, Mewtwo, Falco and Fox around.
"Hey guys." Link called.
"Link, just in time. We got to go after Falcon. Marth's with him." Roy said.
"Right. Samus is already out there." Link said. "Fox and Falco can you handle things here?"
"Those goons don't stand a chance against us. They'll be out of here in no time." Falco said with a thumb's up.
"You just go and help Marth and Sam out." Fox said. "We're going to free the rest of the smashers. Let's go Falco."
Link and Zelda watched as they left.
Link looked at Roy. "Maybe you should stay too Roy. They probably can't do it alone."
Roy hesitated but nodded. "Okay, see you guy later." He followed after the two Arwing pilots.
Link looked at Zelda. "Zel, you should stay."
Zelda shook her head. "No, Link. I'm going too."
"But Zelda-"
Zelda held her hand up and cut him off. "Link, I am no longer that Princess who spent her life in her castle. I was chosen to be a smasher and I'm going to help you. Besides my friends are out there too."
Link sighed in frustration. "You and Samus are so stubborn." But then he smiled. "Come on let's go."
The two headed towards where Marth, Samus, and Captain Falcon were but Link stopped and turned to Mewtwo. "Mewtwo?"
Mewtwo looked up.
Link gestured to him. "We need you to come with us."
Marth was thrown to the ground towards the edge of the cliff. Captain Falcon kicked him and smirked. "Sorry, if it was rough."
Marth glared at him. He couldn't do anything since his arms were bound together. Falcon pulled out a gun. "I never liked you, pretty boy. Always eyeing Samus. Well it ends here."
"There's a story she's hiding. She didn't tell me what, but I know for a fact that whatever it is...you're holding it against her. You can try to bound her to her secret if you want, but she doesn't want to be with you. And never will." Marth said angrily.
Falcon put his foot on Marth's head so he could get a good headshot. "Well if I can't have her no one else will."
He aimed the gun at Marth's head. Marth shut his eyes, waiting for death.
"I have had it with you!" a voice said.
Marth heard Falcon scream. He opened his eyes to see Falcon sprawled out on the ground. He saw that Samus had shot him. She was breathing heavily.
"Samus." He called weakly.
She ran over to Marth. "He didn't hurt you, did he?"
She started untying him. Marth sighed, but managed a small smile. "Not much."
"This is all my fault," she said as the bindings came loose.
"No, don't say that. I blame myself for being stupid enough to fall for this, " Marth said weakly.
She moved back as Marth tried to stand up. "I should have told you from the start."
"But you're too late for that," a voice said.
Samus slowly turned. A beam was shot at her. Marth pushed her out of the way and the beam hit him in his right arm. He screamed in pain and then fell back to the ground.
Samus's eyes widened. "Marth!" She went down to his side. "Are you okay?"
"He's all you ever care about these days," The voice said.
Samus' head shot up and she looked around angrily. "Who are you? Show yourself!"
"You couldn't have forgotten me already, could you?"
Samus turned and gasped when she saw who it was. A teen that was no more than three years older than her appeared. He had long black hair with red tips. He was wearing a long black trench coat. His eyes were a light brown color.
"Prince Blade?" Samus said quietly. He nodded. Samus spoke again. "Why are you doing this? Are you working for Captain Falcon?""
Blade shook his head. "No. He worked for me. He has been keeping tabs on you for me. Thinking in return he would receive your love. What an idiot he will look like when he realizes only I get you." Blade shot something out of his hand. The light took away Samus' transformation watch. He threw it far away somewhere else. Samus' armor went away only to reveal her regular clothes. He then used his power to lift Samus and bring her over to him. She fought hard to stay near Marth, but she could not overpower his hold.
Marth still on the ground helplessly watched. "Samus."
He stopped Samus right in front of him. She still couldn't move. Blade circled around her. "Still the same girl I fell in love with."
Samus with the strength she had left to control her body looked at him. "Fell in love with?"
Blade glared at her. "Don't tell me you don't remember?"
She just continued to look at him. "Remember what?"
He sighed. "Four years ago you saved our planet from destruction. You were only twelve at the time, and yet you were still so strong and you have no problem defeating the enemy. I had wanted to meet you. Finally we met and you told me you had always wanted to meet me. You stayed a few days and we became real close. I asked you the last night you were here will you come back for me. You said yes and you told me you loved me."
Samus gasped. "What?"
Marth was shocked too.
"I never said anything like that, Blade."
He started again. "I thought you would be true to your word. But I find out you are around with new friends forgetting about me. So that's when I decided to kill them all."
Samus stared at him. "You mean you tried to kill my friends? But those innocent girls?"
"I was trying to find you but none of them were you so I killed them."
Samus glared at him. "If your father knew-"
"He wouldn't do a thing. He tried to stop my plans, so I killed him too."
Samus was horrified. "What's wrong with you? I did cherish our friendship back then. But now...you've just changed so much. I can't believe how low you've sunk."
Blade advanced towards her and touched Samus' cheek, making a chill run down her spine. "All for your love Samus, and now this boy who has been causing nothing but trouble will die also."
Marth glared at him and tried to stand.
"You leave him out of this. He has done nothing to you." Samus snapped.
"Nothing? He tried to move in on you. And you fell in love with him in an instant. He is my problem."
Blade grabbed her chin and stared into her eyes. "You know what else? It wasn't you who destroyed that planet. I destroyed it!"
Samus' mouth dropped open. "It wasn't me?"
"Yeah, you pressed the button but I changed your buttons on your ship so you would destroy it. Devious isn't it? You know it surprises me you haven't told Marth about any of this."
Samus looked back at the injured Marth, making direct eye contact with him. "I couldn't …he wouldn't understand," she said softly.
"But you're supposed to tell your loved ones everything correct?"
"He just couldn't know!" Samus shouted.
"But how can you say you love someone if you don't show compassion for them. Just like your mother who never said bye to you. Leaving you all alone."
"No… that's not true. You don't know anything about my past." Samus was still being held paralyzed by Blade.
"And do you know anything about it?" Blade asked coldly.
Samus could not answer that question, so she slowly shook her head.
"Loneliness, for 16 long years and soon probably to be more. Why would you go to people who will show you the same cruel fate? Don't you want to come with me? I would never leave you by yourself like he probably will." Blade turned his eyes to Marth for only a moment before looking back at Samus. "He only likes you for what you look like on the outside… he doesn't care a single thing about who you are in the inside where it counts. Come back to my planet with me Samus." Blade said.
Samus' eyes flashed red. "With you." But then her eyes went back to green. "No I can't!"
She struggled to not lose to him so he would have control. Blade laughed, finding this amusing.
"Even though you claim that those people at that mansion were your friends. They never were. They just felt sorry for you. And Marth...he never cared..you're just a bounty hunter, Samus. Not some dainty princess, the only thing that Marth truly admires. But you see, Samus. I'd never try to change who you are."
His words are convincing but it can't be true. She thought trying to break free. "I...I just..."
Marth couldn't stand it anymore and he got up through all his pain. His rising caused Blade to look back at him. He only growled in anger and let Samus drop to her feet. Marth could see her eyes changing back and forth. She was hugging herself in complete fear.
"Why are you standing?" Blade asked in anger. "Don't you see she no longer cares about you." He moved to place an arm around the traumatized and dazed Samus. "She knows the truth. That you're just some uptight prince. Only wanting the best things in life...not someone whose just plain and normal..."
Marth was going to snap back. But he looked at Blade and spotted something. His amulet was glowing red just like Samus' eyes. If he could just get a hold of that amulet...
"Samus," Marth said softly, looking in her confused eyes. "He doesn't undertand at all..."
"Hahahaha, are you joking? I'm the only one who understands her," Blade moved in to kiss Samus. "The only one who..."
"..who needs power just to have Samus love you." Marth answered. He knew he would anger Blade. Just what he wanted. He took the time to pick something up from the ground and secure it in his fist. "Without it, Samus wouldn't love you at all."
"Shut up!" Blade roared, stepping away from Samus. "How could someone who never thought as Samus as anything but pitiful..." He was cut off by Marth's laughing. He was surprised. "What's so funny?"
"I laugh because you'll never understand the length of me and Samus' relationship." Marth raised his hand with the stone in it and aimed it in Blade's and Samus' direction. He locked his eyes with Samus' again. Watch me, Samus. I'll show you how much I really care for you.
Without warning, Marth threw the stone at full speed.
Blade's eyes widened. He wondered why he was throwing it at him? He knew that he'd dodge. He swiftly moved and thought he had successfully dodged the rock. But he was wrong.
"Ahh!"
Blade looked to his left to see that the stone had actually hit Samus and she now had raised her arms to her shoulder. He didn't understand. "Wh-what? is this? Is your aim really that bad? You should really-"
Blade was cut off when he turned to see Marth had snuck up to him and grabbed the amulet around his neck with his sword out. Marth was only trying to distract him. And now he had hold of his power. Marth smirked. "Trust me. I wasn't chosen to be a smasher for nothing."
He stabbed his sword into the amulet breaking it and leaving a cut in Blade's neck. Blade gasped as he started to fall back to the end of the cliff and then Marth pushed him off the edge of the cliff, pulling off his amulet. Marth tried to pull Samus out of the way, but Blade was quicker and dragged her along with Marth over the cliff's edge. "I'M NOT GOING ALONE! SAMUS WILL BE WITH ME ALWAYS! SHE'S THE ONLY WHO UNDERSTANDS ME!"
They kept falling. Marth thought it was the end till he saw an edge. He saw Samus was totally unfocused and Blade was falling without care as long as everyone went down with him. Marth reached out for Samus pulling him away from Blade. Blade eyes widened as Marth and Samus stopped in midair and he kept falling. Marth looked on as he saw Blade continue to fall until he couldn't be seen anymore.
And yet Blade, you're still one who could never understand her. Marth quickly pulled Samus close to him in his arms. "Samus please…wake up!"
Samus's eyes slowly looked at him. "Marth… I...I can't..." They were still flashing red and green back and forth.
The two were pulled up by whatever stopped them in midair. When they were back at the top of the mountain they found out it was Mewtwo who pulled them up. Link and Zelda were there also.
Mewtwo saw Marth's wound. "I will get Dr. Mario." He teleported to the mansion.
As they landed on the ground, Marth dropped on one knee with Samus still in his arms. He was still in pain.
Link looked from Samus to Marth. "What's wrong with her?"
Zelda sat down on her knees right next to Marth and started to heal his weak legs. When she was done, she looked at Samus. She lightly shook her. "Samus are you okay?"
She didn't respond her eyes were still flashing. Marth spoke answering, Link's question as he let Samus sit on the ground. She immediately went to her knees and stared off into space. He looked at Link. "I don't know. But Blade did this to her."
"Blade?" Link raised an eyebrow.
Marth explained the whole story. After he was done, Link just looked at Samus. "She went through all that?"
"Guys, she's muttering something." Zelda called.
They bent down next to her and listened in on her.
"I'm meant to be alone." She said quietly.
"No you're not, Sam. You can't listen to what he says. He doesn't know what he's talking about." Link said while shaking his head.
Samus continued talking. "My friends were only pretending to be nice to me. They only felt pity."
Zelda was horrified. "Samus he's lying."
Her eyes slowly looked at Marth. "You don't care a thing about who I am or what happened to me. You only care about how I look. You don't care the least bit of my past. You lied when you say that you loved me."
"Samus… stop this. He's been filling you head with lies. Nothing he said was true. You're not meant to be alone, we are your friends, and I care a lot about you in all ways."
She didn't respond. She just kept staring out. Her eyes were fully red and wouldn't change back to her normal color.
Link gasped. "Her eyes they're…"
"Fully red." Zelda finished his sentence.
Samus continued to look at Marth with no emotion on her face. "I do not believe you."
"He got to her!" Marth started to shake her roughly. "Come on, Samus. Snap out of it! Samus!
Through Samus' Eyes
Samus was surrounded in darkness. She sat hugging her knees to her chest. Her eyes were still red. Her clothes were dark and her hair was messed up. She just sat there.
When will I be free? He is gone and I am still having this dream. But now I think it's become a reality.
Her eyes saw a dark portal form right in front of her. "Is this where I need to go? Away from everyone else?"
She got up and walked over to it. It was pitch black.
"It must lead to my place of loneliness where I need to be. I never told anyone about how lonely I felt even if they were my friends. They'll be fine without me. This darkness is still inside of me. I should let it engulf me."
She walked to it. Hands started coming out of the portal trying to grab for her. She reached out for one when all of a sudden unnoticeable to Samus, her necklace she wore around her neck started glowing.
All she could see was the glow. It was a gold shine that blinded her. All the darkness went away leaving Samus in the warmth of the shine. Her clothes had changed to white now and her hair was fixed up pretty.
Samus felt arms go around her like she was being hugged. A voice spoke to her. A woman's voice.
"Don't let anyone ever take you to the world of darkness. You are of the world of Light!"
The flash happened again and Samus felt herself leave the woman's arms. She started to fall and fall.
Normal POV
Samus felt light-headed and fell forward. Marth caught her. He turned her back towards him and cradled her in his arms. "Samus? Please get up."
Marth heard Samus make a small groaning noise. He felt overjoyed when he saw her open her eyes and they were her beautiful emerald green ones.
Samus looked up to see Marth smiling at her. "Marth?"
Zelda and Link who were on their knees sighed a breath of relief. They were relieved to see her awake.
Marth pulled Samus to his chest and hugged her. "Samus, you don't understand how glad we are that you're awake. We thought we lost you."
"You did?" Samus asked. "I just didn't think you guys cared and..."
"I don't care what he said to you Samus. It was all a lie." Zelda said. "We are your friends."
Link nodded. "What she said. I mean he's got some serious issues if he thinks he can just ruin this friendship bond we all have."
Samus decided to rest in Marth's arms again. These people were her friends. Friends that would stick with her through thick and thin. She looked up at Marth, wondering what he was going to say and Zelda and Link did the same. Marth felt eyes on him. He knew what he had to say. "I just want you know, Samus. You never have to worry about being alone. I'd never let that happen because..." his voice fell short.
Zelda and Link looked at each other and sighed while rolling their eyes. Here he goes again... They thought.
Samus looked at him confused. "Yes?"
Marth felt a pain in the back of his throat as Samus just stared at him."I…"
"Hey guys!"
The four friends looked up to see Roy on his way with Peach not far away. He passed Falcon as he reached them and looked at him. "Looks like I missed all the fun. But it looks like he's still alive."
Peach looked at the four on the ground. "So whoever did it is gone?"
"Yes he's gone. And he-
Roy cut Marth off. "Hey Marth. So you finally swooned Samus enough to fall in your arms. Just like you always wanted, right?"
Samus looked at Marth. "What?"
Zelda and Peach looked at Marth too. "Huh?"
Link's eyebrows rose. "Never heard that one before."
Samus blushed and silently giggled to herself. "How flattering... I think."
Marth wasn't listening to any of them. His eyes were on Roy as he removed Samus carefully from his arms and stood up. "Roy!" he growled angrily as he walk slowly and dangerously over to him. "You have five...seconds," he said as he reached for his sword. "5..."
Roy realized he had made a mistake. "Oh… um… uh was this a bad time?"
Marth pulled out his sword. "4...3...2..."
"I'm sorry Marth! Really! Forgive me!" Roy pleaded as he ran off.
"ONE!" Marth lunged after him with angered cry.
Zelda laughed as she placed her hands on Samus's shoulders to keep her from falling over. "Those two…"
Link smiled. "Yeah, I better go calm them down." Link went running after them.
Peach sat down next to Zelda and Samus. "What friends we have… huh girls?"
Samus finally smiled. "Yes. What great friends we have."
The girls watched as Link caught up to the two. He had his shield out blocking Marth's sword from slashing Roy and Roy was standing behind Link.
Samus sighed happily. I wouldn't trade them for anything.
"You're going to let him stay?" all the smashers said.
M.H was back in action. C.F was by his side, "Well from the story Samus told it seems it wasn't really his fault. So he's staying."
Everyone groaned. Falcon was still a smasher.
After the meeting everyone parted so they could do what they do best. Fooling around. As for Peach and Roy, they continued biting each other's heads off.
Young Link and Link were walking to Young Link's room.
"You promised big bro! One game and then you'll never have to play chess again." Young Link said.
Link rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
"Link?"
He turned to see Zelda standing behind him. She looked like she wanted to talk privately so Link gave Young Link a little shove. "I'll catch up. Set up the game."
Young Link nodded and ran off. Link walked back over to Zelda.
"You know, I never properly thanked you for saving me yesterday." Zelda said sheepishly.
Link shrugged. "You don't have to. Like I said yesterday, protecting is what I do for you."
"Well I still need to congratulate you with something." she responded.
"Like what?" he asked.
Zelda held out her hand. "A handshake."
"Um… okay." Link shook her hand.
Zelda slightly smiled in relief. "Well…okay then."
Link smiled. "Alright then. See you later."
Zelda watched as Link turned back, getting ready to turn the corner. She called his name again. "Um…Link?"
"Yeah?" He turned around again to see her holding her right arm with her left hand, looking down.
Zelda looked up and she revealed her nervous face as she walked over to him. She stared into his eyes and he stared into hers. She finally spoke. "There's one more thing."
Young Link was in his room setting up the board. He sighed. "Where is he?"
All of a sudden, the door flew open and Link walked in, shut the door, and just stood there. His face had bits of sweat on it and his eyes were looking astonished. Young Link cocked his head to the side. "What's wrong with you?"
Link saw Young Link looking at him and snapped out of it. "Nothing."
Young Link wasn't quite convinced but shrugged it off.
When he turned back to his game, Link touched his lips. He smiled as he felt the warmth of them.
Garden
Samus watched the birds chirping in the trees. She was thinking about yesterday night.
Someone pulled me away from that portal. It was a voice that sounded so familiar. I can't put my finger on it. She rubbed her chin.
She heard footsteps and she turned around. Marth was standing there.
"Oh… bad timing." He asked.
She shook her head. "Actually…good timing."
She patted the empty seat left on the bench gesturing him to sit there. He sat there and they both just stared out at the lake in the garden.
After a long silence, Samus spoke. "I'm sorry."
"You sure are apologizing a lot lately. Why now?" he said looking at her.
She didn't look at him. "I never told you anything about this whole thing. I was afraid of the risk of someone getting hurt and saw some of the results of talking about it."
"It wasn't your fault. Blade had you thinking everything was your fault and he lied to you about everything."
"Not everything." Samus said.
"Huh?" Marth didn't understand.
Samus frowned at Marth. "Marth. He said that you didn't care a thing about me except how I looked. How beautiful I am. As much as I wanted to say that it was not true, I wasn't sure. Marth, I'm not some beauty queen, in fact I'm far from it. But at the same time, I'm not ashamed to be a bounty hunter. I love who I am and...I just don't think me as a bounty hunter will do you any good." Samus looked at him with a serious face. "Don't you think so?"
Marth looked at her for a second before he laughed and shook his head.
"Marth, I'm being serious." Samus stood up.
Marth stood up also. "Yes, I know. I just couldn't help it. Samus, he just doesn't know a thing about me. That day I told you I loved you I didn't care a thing about how you looked. I mean I do… and you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. But the beauty I fell in love with is who you are as a person. You're witty, funny, and indeed, a very strong woman. It won me over so easily and as for your past it does hurt me. After all, you're not the only who is without parents in this world."
Samus looked at him. "I did forget about that. But yesterday you didn't agree with Link and Zelda about his lies so I thought maybe that he…" her eyes were looking sad.
"That he was right about me? Samus, you are my friend. I shouldn't even have to remind you of that. In fact, you're one of the best ones I ever had." Marth placed his hands on her shoulders. "And I'm not just saying that."
Samus smiled. "Okay… I believe you. I don't know what made Blade so evil." Samus started to remember the horrible forgotten memories and flinched. "But let's stop talking about that." She turned to him. "What did you want to see me about?"
Marth blinked. "Oh right. Um… I got you something."
Samus locked her eyes on him. "Really… what?"
He pulled out a gold bracelet. It had her name carved into it. He handed it to her and she looked at it and felt joy. "Oh Marth this is beautiful."
"It was nothing." He watched as she put it on. "I thought it would look beautiful on your hand. Like I said, you're a very dear friend of mine and I never want you to forget that."
"Marth you're so sweet. Remember that day you told me how you loved me?" she said still looking at the bracelet.
"Um…yeah?" he said.
She looked at him with her emerald green eyes. "Well…"
She moved in close to him and kissed him. Marth never thought this would happen but he kissed her back. Then she stopped and smiled. "I just wanted to tell you I feel the same. And not just because of this bracelet."
"For how long?"
"Since we spent that day that balcony. You mean a lot to me Marth. I know I won't get through life without you." She said.
"And I can't live on without you. I want to be with you till the end of time." his cobalt eyes were shining in hers.
"That will be a long time." Samus rested her head on his chest.
Marth smiled and ran his fingers through her blonde hair. "As long as you're with me, time doesn't matter."
Marth wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer. "I never want to be without you Samus."
Samus wrapped her arms around his neck. "You took the words right out of my mouth."
And with that, they shared a long passionate kiss. But within the middle of that kiss Samus smiled and thought to herself.
I truly am free now.
The End