Before I start, I just want to make one thing clear. Sexist dialogue might, emphasize on might, make it into this story. If so, it will either be done by Roy (Who will promptly be shot down by Zelda or her lackey Link) or Captain Falcon (Who will be severely injured by Marth, and then, have his skull kicked in by Roy, following which, Link will be ordered by Zelda to severely injure him). It all balances out. Also, I might get things wrong. Please bear in mind, I am a boy! I could ask my girlfriend, but she can spend ages talking about these things, and not say anything. I would hardly ask my sister. SO, AND I'M USINGS CAPSLOCK IN ORDER TO EMPHASISE THIS, NO FLAMES, OR MOCKING!! PLEASE! Phew, felt good to get that off my chest. Though, Roy has a couple of large things 'he' would like to get off 'his' chest.
"Hey!"
Gah! What are you doing here, Zelda?
"No sexism!"
I can explain!
"Link, hurt him!"
"Yes, my princess."
Link, come on. Don't be silly! Hey? Where are you going to put that sword? No! Ow! That hurts!
"Right. While Slywolf has a couple of things explained to him…"
OW!
"I will read the disclaimers."
Put those down! No! Not there! OUCH!!!
"Slywolf owns nothing. Except his comput… Oh, I'm sorry. He doesn't have one any more."
Right. I am an author. I summon my author powers! Link turned into Luna!
"Hey! Turn me back!"
Not a chance, cutie.
"Cutie! I'll show you!"
What can a sewing needle do to me? Wait. Why is it glowing?
"While Luna pokes Slywolf in various tender places with a magical sewing needle, I'll start the story."
It burns!
"Mario, we need a favor." Zelda, Link, Marth, and Roy, sat in the Smashers union office. Chief Smasher Mario stared at her.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't believe you. How can this girl be Roy? It boggles the mind!" Mario stared at the girl for a little longer. She did resemble the swordsman a little. No! What was he thinking! This must be a trick. "I'm sorry, but your prank failed. Now shoo. I have…"
They never did find out what he had, because within 5 nanoseconds of him saying that, Link's sword was at his throat. Link had an uncharacteristically angry face on. "You dare to question Princess Zelda of Hyrule, peasant?" Marth and Roy jumped. This was a side of Link they had never seen before. Marth opened his mouth, but Link silenced him with a glare. The apoplectic Hylian Knight turned back towards Mario. "Out of respect for our long friendship, I will let you live, provided you pick the next words out of your mouth with extreme care."
Mario's mouth opened and shut several times. He didn't know what to say. If he continued along his current course, it could lead to his death. Of course, he knew Link wouldn't even consider helping in a practical joke. The fact that Link was here at all, meant that either he had been tricked too or Zelda was telling the truth. One more look at the girl ought to prove it one way or another. And then god help the man who tricked Link into this. He stared at her. And widened his eyes in surprise. Except for the obvious things, the girl was Roy's splitting image. Mario prided himself on his ability to know almost everything about anyone within a few days of meeting them. Although, the fact that he wasn't aware that Link would quite willingly commit murder to defend the honor of Zelda did kind of mean that he wasn't as skilled as he thought. Roy had no sisters. In fact, Roy's only family was his sick father. That meant that unless Zelda was better at magic than she claimed, this girl was the real thing. "I have to write a speech to inform the other Smashers of this change. That is… if she's staying?"
Link pulled his sword away from Mario's neck and spun it back into its sheath. He turned towards Roy. "Are you? There will be no dishonor in leaving. I would be honored to help you back to your land if you so choose, and are untrusting of your new body's abilities."
"As would I, Roy. We are your best friends, after all. But it is ultimately, your choice." Marth knew she should leave. But a part of him would be sad to see his friend leave. And a darker part of him thought it would be a shame for her to leave before he could find out if the dream really was a prophecy. "I would be happier if you stayed."
Link looked at warningly at Marth. While emotionally, he could understand, Link had learned long ago that when push came to shove, duty came above all else. "Marth, a dream is not always a prophecy." Link could see his duty, and it was clear. Roy's new body could not cope with the rigors of combat, and she lacked the skills that Zelda and Peach had to compensate, and she certainly didn't have a suit of Chozo power armor like Samus. He had to get her to leave the tournament before she was injured. "I'm afraid I misspoke, Roy. I feel that it is in your best interests to leave. And leave now. Perhaps… Yes. I would see to your father, if I was you. Learning his son is now his daughter might kill him if the news came from anyone else."
Roy stared at the Hylian. Why is he trying to get rid of me? He's met my father, and while it pains me to admit, father wouldn't notice if I became a frog. He's just too far gone .Maybe he thinks I can't cope. Yes! That's it. Well, I'll show him. "While I agree broadly with Link, I'm afraid I must stay. I've put in too much to drop out now."
Link stared at her. He sagged his shoulders and spoke in a disappointed voice. "Very well. I'm afraid that it's a bad idea, though. A truly bad idea." He snapped back to attention. "If that is your decision, I will stand by it. But, I am your friend, and so I advise you to reconsider. The tournament is no place for a woman with out any martial skills."
"What do you mean, with out any martial skills? I can use my sword! You can train me in a way that will enable me to more then compensate for my…" Link's face darkened. His mouth twisted into a scowl. His eyes flared.
"Use your sword! Like a Gerudo thief! I will not tolerate it! I will not help! I won't stand here and hear this!" Link started out of the room. Marth moved into his way. "What do you want, Marth?"
"What's wrong with the idea? I think it's brilliant!"
"You would. Out of my way. You can help her in this madness. I will have nothing to do with it."
"Link, why not? She is your friend" Link spun his sword into the door by Marth's head.
"Only one type of women uses swords. Gerudo women." He spat the name out. "They are a blight on the land, and if the goddesses have any mercy, I will be able to kill them all." Marth and Roy looked at Zelda. She seemed as frightened and shocked as them. Link continued in a voice that held barely contained malice. "If she wants to be a Gerudo, she is no friend of mine. Now get out of my way or my next slice will be at your neck." He raised a gauntleted hand and pushed Marth out of the way. Marth was sent flying into the floor. Link stalked off down the corridor.
"What's wrong with him?" Mario asked Zelda.
"Oh… I thought that getting him away from Hyrule would cure this obsession of his!" She turned to the others. "I'm sorry you had to witness that. He has few flaws, but one of them is his hatred of the Gerudo. He wasn't always like this, I promise you. He used to have a couple of Gerudo friends. This started only a couple of years ago. He came back from an adventure and ordered his Gerudo friends thrown in prison as traitors. They disappeared before we could hold a trial. I had no idea it was this bad, though. I know he tried to get Daddy to authorize some type of expedition against the Gerudo. He was refused. I didn't know Link was contemplating genocide. It probably has been made even worse by the fact that he has to be so polite to Ganondorf. You all right, Marth?
"What hit me? There's no way he can be that strong!" Marth felt his shoulder. It wasn't broken, but it was in incredible pain.
'Those gauntlets more than double his strength. You're lucky he's your friend. If he hated you, he'd have punched through your ribcage, and ripped your heart out."
"He… was pulling his punch? I think that I have new respect for Ganondorf being able to survive fighting him."
"Why do you think Link hates the Gerudo so much?" Even as Roy heard the words, Roy knew that wasn't the whole story. It was a part of it certainly, but Link wasn't the type of person who could hate an entire race just because his archenemy was a member of it. There had to be something more. Either Zelda was lying to them, or Link was lying to Zelda.
"Oh. Roy, since the only other person who could train you is Ganondorf, I suggest you quit. You don't want to become Link's enemy." Marth shuddered. "You really don't want to become his enemy.
"What about you? Couldn't you teach her?"
"I can't. I'm not a good teacher."
"Don't worry." They looked at Mario. "Let Zelda work on Link. I'm sure she can bring him around."
"That's right, Roy. While I agree with Link on many things, this hatred of his is unjustified. I've met several nice Gerudo, but he won't hear of it. The only way to fix this is to get him to believe that you will be honorable, which he already knows. He just needs reminding." She sighed and then made an attempt to change the subject. "Oh. We also have to think of another name for you."
"Why?"
"Roy is not a name for a girl. Mario, do you have any ideas?"
"How about… Roi?"
"Roy? But I said a new name."
"No, Roi. With an I, instead of a Y."
"Hmm. I like it. What about you, Roy?"
Roy thought about it. She looked at her new body, and thought about what had happened in her dream last night. She sighed. "Roi it is. But, if I'm a girl, then I need some new clothes."
"After the meeting, I'll take you shopping."
"Meeting?"
"Yes. To tell the other Smashers what happened to you." Zelda smiled. "Don't worry. Me, Samus and Peach can help out. And I'm sure that Marth will be on hand to protect you. And if a fight does start, even Link will help you, though he'll demand repayment from me later."
"Alright. Let's go." Roi nee Roy got up.
"And I'll call Master Hand and inform him of the change." Mario picked up the phone.
* * *
Roi sat on the podium. She looked around at the various Smashers. Bowser, Mewtwo and Ganondorf were sitting at the back, making jokes. Of course they already knew. As far away from them as possible, Link sat glaring at her. Zelda and Marth were sitting next to him, and she could hear snippets of an argument. Sitting right in front of them were Captain Falcon, Fox and Falco. Next to them, Ness and the Ice climbers were smacking each other in the head with bats and mallets. Sitting in the middle, but ignoring it, Young Link was also staring at her with hatred. She shuddered. Link must have told him. She shuddered. Y. Link was worse than Old Link for grudges. Old Link didn't set people on fire. Luigi, Mario and Dr. Mario sat nearby. Mario gave her a cheerful smile. The other Pokemon sat in the front row. Mr. Game&Watch sat next to Donkey Kong. Samus and Peach were in the back, fighting with Yoshi and Kirby. She wondered which group she was in now. Still the warriors? No. Link might kill himself if Zelda ordered him to let Roi back in. The Girls? No. She hoped not. Above her, Master Hand snapped his fingers. The crowd fell into silence. They all feared Master Hand.
"I have been informed of a change in the tournament contestants. While, normally, I would wait until the season officially starts before I inform you people, this is important enough to warrant an immediate meeting."
"Enough talk, Master Hand. Who's the gorgeous chick in the tight clothing?" Falcon. Of course. The prat. Link and Marth looked at each other, and then clubbed Falcon with their swords' hilts.
"Thank you, Links. This young woman was until yesterday the warrior known as Roy. A massive magical accident turned him into this beautiful creature under me. Stand up, Roi." The giant hand was careful to pronounce the I. Roi stood up and turned around in a circle. "Now, I expect you to give her all the respect you gave her when she was a boy. Also, I have been informed that one of the finest warriors here has agreed to train her to her new body. Stand up, Link." Link got up slowly, Zelda and Marth pushing him up. "Link, do you have anything to say?"
"Yes. I have lots of things to say. I do not want to train her. In fact, I urge you all to encourage her to leave. It is in our, best interests for all Gerudo and their like to leave." Ganondorf stared at him. Link met his gaze, and after a few seconds of looking into that blue fire, Ganon looked away. Link smirked until Zelda slapped him. Link sighed. "Yes, Zelda. I order you all to disregard my previous statements. Next, I would like to make it clear that anyone who molests Roi in anyway will be severely injured. And that will be their first warning. The second warning will be having their head ripped off. Understand?"
"Thank you for that, Link. Let me add a qualifier. If you survive Link's punishment, then you will be expelled from the tournament. In fact, molest anyone who doesn't want it, and you will be kicked out so fast, your head will spin. Capish? That's all. Return to practice." The fighters filtered out slowly as Master Hand faded away. Soon, Marth, Link, and Zelda were the only ones left. Roi strolled over to them.
Link scowled. "I have been ordered, so I will comply. But that doesn't mean I must deal with you outside of the practice field. Good day to the rest of you. As for you, Gerudo, I will see you on the practice field tomorrow at 6:00 in the morning. Don't be late." He turned and marched off.
"Oh, Link. Don't be like this." Zelda chased after him. That just left Marth and Roi. Marth sat down.
"Don't worry, Roi. Link will come around eventually."
"But why does he hate the Gerudo so much? He's not the type of person who would hate the entire race on the actions of one person."
"I don't know. Last night, I wouldn't have thought him the type of person to threaten someone with death just because they questioned the princess. And certainly not the type of person who would call Mario a peasant. I guess you just have to avoid certain subjects, and stay within certain boundaries with him." Marth was staring at Roi. Her every curve was revealed under the clothes she had borrowed from Samus. He tried to think of something else.
"Well, if you don't care, I do. Link is our friend, and he must have some reason for so hating the Gerudo. Hatred like that can kill people. It's happening to my father, and it will happen to Link if he's not saved from it. You can't possibly accept Zelda's explanation." Roi was trying to keep her mind off the dream, and what had happened by the fountain.
"I do care. And no, I don't accept Zelda's explanation. But, that is the most we're going to get. Link can be incredibly tight-lipped if he wants to be. Just let him keep his secrets. Meanwhile, you should do your best to find a way to re-prove you're honor to him." He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. Then, looking shocked, he turned and ran out the door. Roi stood there, her cheeks colored. She shook her head and left, trying to clear her mind of the kiss.
Looks like being a girl is the least of Roy's, I'm sorry, Roi's, troubles. Link is probably going to make her life a living hell. She's slowly falling in love with Marth. And to top it all off, next chapter, she's going shopping for clothes… with Peach! The humor will come back next chapter. Also, I will give a little hint about Link's genocidal tendencies. Think back to Ocarina of Time. Or more specifically, the baby Deku Tree's explanation. That's the hint. Sadly, I have never played Fire Emblem 3 (Or any Fire Emblem), so I'm not sure about why Roy's father is at death's door. I think it might have been a poison attempt. Which means hatred did kill him, in a roundabout way. But in Link's case, Roi means he might pop or something. (As an aside, I would greatly appreciate it if someone could send me information about Fire Emblem). Don't worry. Link will return to normal, in just a couple of chapters.
