Disclaimer: Of course, I don't Nintendo or anything related to it.
Chapter 10
Roy
The stadium was packed. And I'm not talking 'every seat' packed. There were so many people in Smash Stadium the steps between the sections were packed. Master Hand said there was going to be a surprise concerning the semi-finals.
All of the final four teams were standing in the stadium. The Master Hand was also there, standing near what looked like one those machines TV stations used to pick lottery numbers. I turned my head towards Marth.
"What do you think Board of Directors has in mind?" I asked.
"Who knows?" he said in a low deep voice. "But if Master Hand's actually make a big deal about it, than the Board actually came up with a good idea." There some doubt in his voice, and for good reason. Whenever the Board of Directors try to run things for a bit, it didn't always turn out so well.
I looked around trying at the other fighters. I chuckled a bit. Only two of the four teams matched, more or less. Captain Falcon would have been teaming with Samus and Link would team with Zelda, if it weren't for the incident. But it didn't seem to bother the four one bit. As a matter of fact, Samus and Link seemed...close. I merely shrugged it off as the Master Hand spoke into the microphone.
Master Hand
"Before I begin, I want the crowd to give these four teams a round of applause!" I yelled. As usual, the crowd erupted into Euphoria. I smiled at this and continued. "See, there's going to be a little twist today in this tournament. While there is going to be a two-on-two match today, four of these eight Smashers are not going to compete today." As I expected, the crowd was booing. I merely shrugged and went on. "I would like you finalists to take a look at the other teams, because quite frankly, you may have to put your trust in them." The finalists gave me a confused look.
"See, here is how it's going to go. Each team has to pick who is going to fight today, leaving the other team member to rest for the day." Everyone was muttering to themselves until each team picked a fighter. First was Marth, than Fox, than Zelda, than Link. I nodded than continued. "See, there our four balls in this machine, number one through four. Marth, your number is one. Link, your number is two. Zelda is three, and Fox, you're number four." The four nodded. "This machine will pick two balls. The Smashers corresponding to the number will team up against the remaining two. The team who wins will advance their corresponding teams to the finals." The crowd was pleased, cheering and calling their favorite Smasher's name.
"Now let's begin!" I hit the red button and the machine start sorting until the first number appeared. "Number four, Fox McCloud!" Fox crossed his arms, giving his usual fearless gaze. The next number, and I smiled. "Number two, Link! Ladies and Gentleman, it will be Link and Fox McCloud versus Zelda and Marth. Five stock each! The weapons will be Beam Swords and homerun bats!"
Fox McCloud
I walked over to Link. Link nodded in greeting, than signaled me to come close. I did so, and he put his lips near my ear.
"Fox...I know that you have a thing for Zelda, and I'm glad and all," he said in a somewhat cheery voice. "But do not let your emotions of get the best of you in this match." I sighed out.
"Don't worry, it wont," I muttered out.
"Good, than you can leave Marth to me," he said.
"And why's that?" I asked.
"It's a swordsman thing." I nodded, getting his point. I looked over Link a couple of times. He was actually dressed like a regular human at the mall. He smiled a bit. "Samus and I went shopping." I laughed as I turned to face my opponents. I was telling myself I was ready, but I knew I wasn't. I slowly breathed in and out, waiting for us to be teleported to the stage.
The arena turned black as we were transported to our venue. When I saw where I was, gave off a growl.
This was the Brinstar Depths. I hated everything about this stage. I hated how you had to jump from platform to platform every thirty seconds. I hated how easily you could lose a stock just by one making mistake. And I hated Kraid. Kraid was this creature Samus fought not so long ago. Basically, it looked like an extra-terrestrial, overweight, ugly, three-eyed dinosaur over four or five stories tall.
"FIGHTERS READY?!!!" I growled a bit, feeling a bad vibe from Kraid. The Master Hand said the alien creature never attacked any of the Smashers when they fought in this arena. But I was always paranoid around it. I let my animal side take over part of me, taking heed of Link's earlier warning. It seemed as if Zelda received the same advice, because before my eyes, she transformed into Sheik. 'GO!!!!!!"
Sheik and I quickly ran towards each other. She quickly tried to send a kick towards my head. I quickly slammed her down to the ground. I jumped up, than sailed downward, trying to plant my two feet on her stomach. She quickly rolled, making my feet hit the ground. Sheik quickly launched her chain. The extension wrapped my legs. She yanked the metal chain, causing me to fall on my back. Quickly jumped up and ran forward. She launched a whole flurry of needles. I quickly stopped and activated my Reflector. The needles literally bounced back at her. She was knocked towards the ground. After a while, I felt the arena rotate. Sheik and I abandoned our fight temporary. I performed my Fire Fox to get ahead of Sheik and landed on the platform. Before she was even safe, I turned around, pulled out my blaster and fired, blasting her backward enough for her to be taken out of the stage.
I turned around to see Link and Marth going at it. The sound of metal against keeps was heard as their swords slammed against each other. It seemed as if they were at a stalemate. Link than duck under a slash. As soon as Marth's sword went over Link's head, Link did his signature Spin Attack, magic spewing from his blade. Marth was knocked back towards me. I merely leapt over him as he landed on the ground. I turned and drew my blaster. As soon as Marth stood up, I opened fire.
Or at least I was I going to open fire. Before I could shoot, I was engulfed in flames. I was rolling around the ground to try to put the fire out. I stood up as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it wasn't quick enough. Before I could even try to retaliate, Zelda already teleported away. I looked left and right, wondering where she was, until I felt the arena rotate again. I quickly ran forward toward the next platform and made a jump for it. As I was in mid air, I thought I going to make it. After a few seconds, Zelda appeared in front of me, with a diamond-like field around her. The field shattered, showering me with shards. I was knocked backward, and out of the arena. I snarled as I landed on the floor of the Smash Stadium. Before I was about to step on the return platform, I heard a huge thud behind me. I turned to see Marth. I smiled a bit, seeing that Link and I had a slight lead.
I quickly jumped on to the platform and waited. I blinked once, than looked under me to see Kraid. I shuddered a bit, than jumped down, landing between Zelda and Link. Link was having a hard time, taking a flurry of spell bursts. I landed behind Zelda without her knowing. Before I was going to attack, a homerun bat fell in front of me. I smiled as I got hold of the bat. I got into batting stance, causing the wooden club to sparkle. I quickly swung, hitting Zelda square in the middle of the back. She was quickly knocked off the stage.
"Nice to see that my batting average is above average," I chuckled out. Link smiled slightly and nodded in thanks. His smile quickly faded when he looked over my shoulder. I turned around to see Marth's sword coming down on me. I quickly put my shield up, seeing nothing but red. Unfortunately, I experienced a first hand demonstration of the Shield Breaker. I was launched into the air for a mere second before I landed on the ground. I slowly stood up, seeing a nothing but blue, red and purple in random order. I than quickly felt an object hit my jaw with a meteor-like impact. I was sent out of the arena, with Link only an inch behind me. Somehow, some way, Marth was able to hit both Link and I with the same homerun bat I used to knock off Zelda. I must have dropped it when Marth hit me with the Shield Breaker. Link and I looked at each other when we landed in Smash Stadium.
"What's the score?" I asked, panting a bit.
"You and Zelda are tied three stock a piece, and Marth and I are tied four stock a piece," he answered. I nodded towards him. I than had an idea.
"Hey Link, how about we switch opponents for a while?"
"No," he said sternly.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because last time Marth and I went at it, it was a tie. This is our tiebreaker." I nodded a bit, than stepped on the return platform.
"Well, I hope you win this tiebreaker," I said, sincerity heavy in my voice. Link nodded in reply as he stepped on his return platform. I sighed as I waited for the platform to return to the arena. I quickly landed on my feet in front of Zelda. She half smiled, half frowned. I crossed my arms, than brought my hand out, beckoning her to bring it on. She instantly changed into Sheik, and I quickly went into my fighting stance. We quickly rushed towards each other. I sent a roundhouse kick towards her head. She blocked it with her left forearm, and than sent a punch towards my face. I swayed to the left and sent my right knee to her stomach. She screamed out, bending over the pain. But before I could make my next move, she returned the favor by sending an elbow to my stomach. I bend, snarling in pain. Sheik quickly followed with a double kick,. sending me backward. I quickly jumped to my feet, seeing needles coming my way. I quickly performed my Reflector, turning the attack on her. She quickly jumped, than tried stomp me from above. I quickly performed my Reflector again, knocking he back a step. Than the arena started to rotate.
Sheik and I quickly jumped forward, landing on the next platform. Than we faced each other again. Before we rushed each other again, two Beam Swords fell, one in front of me, one in front of Sheik. We quickly grabbed a sword and rushed at each other. Now there were two duels of swords. I heard the crowd cheered as Sheik slashed at me. I blocked with my sword. This went one for about fifteen seconds, even though if felt like an hour: One would try to get a hit in, the other would. Finally, we discard the swords, leaving the swordplay to Link and Marth. We quickly jumped towards the next platform. Unfortunately, we were the only two that did. Link and Marth was probably too caught up in their fierce rivalry to realize it was time to jump.
Sheik and I continued our fight, exchanging punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. It became quite clear that this was going to be one of those fights that go down in Smash history.
We both looked at each other, panting like we dashed ten miles straight. My fur was drenched with sweat, and I could literally see my breath, as well as Sheik's, as we both breathed out. As the arena rotated, we used every last strength we could muster to jump towards the next platform. While I landed with ease, Sheik had yet to touch down yet. I quickly used the opportunity. Flames were spewing from under me as I performed my Fire Fox, hoping to nail her while she was off guard. Unfortunately, she proved that you couldn't pull the same trick twice on the same person. She quickly transformed back into her original form and disappeared. I landed at the very edge. I turned around to fall victim to Din's Fire. I fell off the edge, almost too tired to hold the edge. I was breathing so hard I'm surprised I didn't hyperventilate. I looked up at Zelda. Gone was the sweet look she always gives you whenever you needed her help. Gone was the nice smile she gives you when she brightened your day. Gone was the little glint of hope you see when you look into her eyes. All I saw was a look that gave no emotion, a smile of opportunity, and fire of determination in her eyes. I knew I lost this round.
In an instant, something exploded behind Zelda, knocking her over the edge. Link than looked over the edge smiling. He quickly took hold oh my hand pulled me up.
"Thanks," I gasped out. He nodded. I looked behind and quickly pulled out my blaster. "Duck." He did so as I let loose a barrage of laser fire, hitting Marth straight into the chest. He was taken back a bit, and before he could react, I ran forward, giving him the taste of the Fox Illusion. I bull-rushed him off the platform. I quickly stopped, skidding to a stop on the edge. I sighed in relief, but as soon as I turned around, I didn't see Link. All I saw was a flashed of light violet before I was knocked out the arena. I groaned as I landed in Smash Stadium. It was a pure tie. Marth and Link are tied at three, and Zelda and I are tied at two.
"Hey, Fox, you okay?" Link asked.
"Does it look like I'm okay?" I gasped out, trying to fix my breathing. "I'm panting like a greyhound on the track, and I'm sweating so much, I don't think Degree Spectrum is going to help me." Link and I looked at each other, than laughed. "So, how did you and Samus manage to bury the hatchet without trying to hack each other with it?" Link laughed some more.
"Well, during that accident with my leg, we decided to forget about trying to win to get at each other and try to win, period," he explained. "And we hanged out, talking about where we came from, how is it. She bought me this new outfit, and I got her to sing karaoke." I raised my eyebrows.
"Really, now. How well does she sing?"
"Evanescence would have given her a Grammy." We both laughed at the joke. "Hey, Fox. Thanks."
"For what?" I asked.
"For not letting your emotions for Zelda get in your way," Link answered. I nodded a bit, than we both stood up straight.
"Don't worry about it," I said. "That's my job."
"Whatever you say, Fox."
"Let us finish this fights, shall we?" I asked.
"Let's do it!" Link yelled out. We both jumped on our respective platforms and return to the arena. I landed in front of Marth and Link landed in front of Zelda. Marth was taken aback. I merely smiled.
"How you like them apples?" I asked before catching a beam sword in my hand. Math smiled.
"I didn't think you were one who indulged in swordsmanship, young McCloud," he said.
"I was taught a few things here and there,." I quickly rushed forward, taking an overheard slash at Marth. He quickly blocked it. I pressed forward, trying to pin him. He quickly placed my foot on my stomach and kicked me backward. I stumbled a bit, but recovered just in time to block his horizontal slash.
"You're good," Marth compliment. "I'm very impressed." He tried to send a slash towards my head. I quickly blocked, electricity flowing from the beam sword.
"Thanks," I said. I than quickly stabbed my sword forward, knocking him off balance. I used this time to hit him with a flurry of slashes. He was hit by one, but ended up blocking the rest of the hits. "You're not too bad yourself."
"Years of experience, my vulpine friend," Marth said with smile. He than thrust his sword towards my side. I blocked with my sword, but I took a hit to the ankle. I quickly fell to my knees, but I blocked another overhead slash. I than whipped my tail around tripping up Marth. As soon as he fell on his back. I quickly retreated. Of course, he quickly came to his feet. But while Marth is faster, I was faster. I quickly did a Fox Illusion, but with a twist. When I came close to Marth, I quickly did an upper diagonal slash across his chest. He flew up word. While I had a chance, I performed my Fire Fox, knocking him upward some more and engulfing him in flames. I quickly landed and jumped upward, and kick him upward again. The arena rotated, and Marth was taken out of the arena. I breathed in and out, trying to fix my breathing. I turned around to see nothing but a homerun bat. I sighed as I grabbed the bat, discarding the beam sword. I just waited, gripping the wooden club. I breathed, barely noticed the sweat dripping from my muzzle. The first person I saw in front of me was Link.
"Hey," he greeted. I was about to return the greeting when I noticed a look on his face. I quickly turned around and let loose the swing, the bat sparkling like a firecracker on Independence Day. The first person I hit was Marth. Unfortunately, as soon as Marth was out of the park, I turned around to fall victim to Zelda's homerun bat. Link and I landed in Smash Stadium. I was snarling like crazy, trying my best not to lose control and go wild.
"Fox, are you okay?" Link said. I nodded quickly.
"It's a Lylatian thing." He nodded as we both stepped on to our platforms. I quickly landed in front of Zelda.
"Sorry, Fox, I just can't let you win," she said. I frowned a bit.
"You do understand that I can't let you win either, right?" I asked. She nodded. I than sighed a bit. "No matter what happens here, nothing is going to change between us, right?" She shook her head.
"Things will change." She than gave me a smile. The same smile she gives me whenever I eat with her in the cafeteria. "But I assure you Fox, it will change for the better." I smiled and nodded. Her smiled than turned into one of determination. "Now, give me everything you got left." She turned into Sheik I than smiled.
"I will." I than quickly rushed forward, performing my Fox Illusion. She quickly jumped over me, than planted a foot on top of my heard. I fell backward. She jumped in the air and tried it again. I quickly jumped upward and hit her with a vertical kick. I stepped backward as she landed in front of me. I than performed a spinning tail attack, hitting her while she was on the floor. She quickly came to her feet and grabbed my tail.
"Ah crap," was all I can say as I was slammed against the floor. I jumped to my feet and send an uppercut to her jaw. She jumped backward, but hit me with her chain. I fell backward, but took sometime to get up. I was starting to lose my energy. I looked forward to see Sheik launch her needles. I quickly performed my Reflector and turn the attack on her. The needles hit her and caused her to step back a few steps. I than jumped forward tackling her to the ground. We were wrestling around on the ground, trying to break each other's hold. I growled as I performed my Fire Fox, taking her with me. She was quickly engulfed in flames. I than landed on the ground. I waited for her to get up when I finished her off with a Fox Illusion, taking her out the arena.
Link
All I could hear was metal against metal while I was blocking slash after slash from Marth. After the last hit, I went on the offensive, unleashing an unexpected flurry of slashes. I landed all eight hits. While he was knocked off guard, I pulled out a bomb and chucked it at him, knocking out of the arena. After a while, I jumped off the platform towards the next one. Marth jumped in front of me. I merely smiled as I sat down crossed legged, my sword sheathed.
"You, The Hero Of Time, is giving up?" Marth asked, obviously taken aback by the sight. I chuckled a but.
"Oh, I'm done, but, I wouldn't say the same thing about my partner." He blinked a couple of times. But he turned around in a flash before he was hit with a homerun bats.
"MATCH OVER! THE WINNERS ARE.....LINK AND FOX !!!" the announcer yelled. Right about now, we were supposed to be teleported, but Fox and I looked at each other with looks of confusion. "PEOPLE, DO NOT PANIC! EVERYTHING IS OKAY!" That was total bull. Because as soon as he said this Fox tackled into the ground, saving me from an attack from....Kraid?!
I looked up at Kraid, who was roaring like crazy. I was breathing in and out, almost hyperventilating.
"Link, remember when I told everyone, including the Master Hand, we were going to have a problem with that creature?" Fox asked. I nodded. "Well, for once, 'I told you so' is not going to fit this situation."
Chapter 10
Roy
The stadium was packed. And I'm not talking 'every seat' packed. There were so many people in Smash Stadium the steps between the sections were packed. Master Hand said there was going to be a surprise concerning the semi-finals.
All of the final four teams were standing in the stadium. The Master Hand was also there, standing near what looked like one those machines TV stations used to pick lottery numbers. I turned my head towards Marth.
"What do you think Board of Directors has in mind?" I asked.
"Who knows?" he said in a low deep voice. "But if Master Hand's actually make a big deal about it, than the Board actually came up with a good idea." There some doubt in his voice, and for good reason. Whenever the Board of Directors try to run things for a bit, it didn't always turn out so well.
I looked around trying at the other fighters. I chuckled a bit. Only two of the four teams matched, more or less. Captain Falcon would have been teaming with Samus and Link would team with Zelda, if it weren't for the incident. But it didn't seem to bother the four one bit. As a matter of fact, Samus and Link seemed...close. I merely shrugged it off as the Master Hand spoke into the microphone.
Master Hand
"Before I begin, I want the crowd to give these four teams a round of applause!" I yelled. As usual, the crowd erupted into Euphoria. I smiled at this and continued. "See, there's going to be a little twist today in this tournament. While there is going to be a two-on-two match today, four of these eight Smashers are not going to compete today." As I expected, the crowd was booing. I merely shrugged and went on. "I would like you finalists to take a look at the other teams, because quite frankly, you may have to put your trust in them." The finalists gave me a confused look.
"See, here is how it's going to go. Each team has to pick who is going to fight today, leaving the other team member to rest for the day." Everyone was muttering to themselves until each team picked a fighter. First was Marth, than Fox, than Zelda, than Link. I nodded than continued. "See, there our four balls in this machine, number one through four. Marth, your number is one. Link, your number is two. Zelda is three, and Fox, you're number four." The four nodded. "This machine will pick two balls. The Smashers corresponding to the number will team up against the remaining two. The team who wins will advance their corresponding teams to the finals." The crowd was pleased, cheering and calling their favorite Smasher's name.
"Now let's begin!" I hit the red button and the machine start sorting until the first number appeared. "Number four, Fox McCloud!" Fox crossed his arms, giving his usual fearless gaze. The next number, and I smiled. "Number two, Link! Ladies and Gentleman, it will be Link and Fox McCloud versus Zelda and Marth. Five stock each! The weapons will be Beam Swords and homerun bats!"
Fox McCloud
I walked over to Link. Link nodded in greeting, than signaled me to come close. I did so, and he put his lips near my ear.
"Fox...I know that you have a thing for Zelda, and I'm glad and all," he said in a somewhat cheery voice. "But do not let your emotions of get the best of you in this match." I sighed out.
"Don't worry, it wont," I muttered out.
"Good, than you can leave Marth to me," he said.
"And why's that?" I asked.
"It's a swordsman thing." I nodded, getting his point. I looked over Link a couple of times. He was actually dressed like a regular human at the mall. He smiled a bit. "Samus and I went shopping." I laughed as I turned to face my opponents. I was telling myself I was ready, but I knew I wasn't. I slowly breathed in and out, waiting for us to be teleported to the stage.
The arena turned black as we were transported to our venue. When I saw where I was, gave off a growl.
This was the Brinstar Depths. I hated everything about this stage. I hated how you had to jump from platform to platform every thirty seconds. I hated how easily you could lose a stock just by one making mistake. And I hated Kraid. Kraid was this creature Samus fought not so long ago. Basically, it looked like an extra-terrestrial, overweight, ugly, three-eyed dinosaur over four or five stories tall.
"FIGHTERS READY?!!!" I growled a bit, feeling a bad vibe from Kraid. The Master Hand said the alien creature never attacked any of the Smashers when they fought in this arena. But I was always paranoid around it. I let my animal side take over part of me, taking heed of Link's earlier warning. It seemed as if Zelda received the same advice, because before my eyes, she transformed into Sheik. 'GO!!!!!!"
Sheik and I quickly ran towards each other. She quickly tried to send a kick towards my head. I quickly slammed her down to the ground. I jumped up, than sailed downward, trying to plant my two feet on her stomach. She quickly rolled, making my feet hit the ground. Sheik quickly launched her chain. The extension wrapped my legs. She yanked the metal chain, causing me to fall on my back. Quickly jumped up and ran forward. She launched a whole flurry of needles. I quickly stopped and activated my Reflector. The needles literally bounced back at her. She was knocked towards the ground. After a while, I felt the arena rotate. Sheik and I abandoned our fight temporary. I performed my Fire Fox to get ahead of Sheik and landed on the platform. Before she was even safe, I turned around, pulled out my blaster and fired, blasting her backward enough for her to be taken out of the stage.
I turned around to see Link and Marth going at it. The sound of metal against keeps was heard as their swords slammed against each other. It seemed as if they were at a stalemate. Link than duck under a slash. As soon as Marth's sword went over Link's head, Link did his signature Spin Attack, magic spewing from his blade. Marth was knocked back towards me. I merely leapt over him as he landed on the ground. I turned and drew my blaster. As soon as Marth stood up, I opened fire.
Or at least I was I going to open fire. Before I could shoot, I was engulfed in flames. I was rolling around the ground to try to put the fire out. I stood up as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, it wasn't quick enough. Before I could even try to retaliate, Zelda already teleported away. I looked left and right, wondering where she was, until I felt the arena rotate again. I quickly ran forward toward the next platform and made a jump for it. As I was in mid air, I thought I going to make it. After a few seconds, Zelda appeared in front of me, with a diamond-like field around her. The field shattered, showering me with shards. I was knocked backward, and out of the arena. I snarled as I landed on the floor of the Smash Stadium. Before I was about to step on the return platform, I heard a huge thud behind me. I turned to see Marth. I smiled a bit, seeing that Link and I had a slight lead.
I quickly jumped on to the platform and waited. I blinked once, than looked under me to see Kraid. I shuddered a bit, than jumped down, landing between Zelda and Link. Link was having a hard time, taking a flurry of spell bursts. I landed behind Zelda without her knowing. Before I was going to attack, a homerun bat fell in front of me. I smiled as I got hold of the bat. I got into batting stance, causing the wooden club to sparkle. I quickly swung, hitting Zelda square in the middle of the back. She was quickly knocked off the stage.
"Nice to see that my batting average is above average," I chuckled out. Link smiled slightly and nodded in thanks. His smile quickly faded when he looked over my shoulder. I turned around to see Marth's sword coming down on me. I quickly put my shield up, seeing nothing but red. Unfortunately, I experienced a first hand demonstration of the Shield Breaker. I was launched into the air for a mere second before I landed on the ground. I slowly stood up, seeing a nothing but blue, red and purple in random order. I than quickly felt an object hit my jaw with a meteor-like impact. I was sent out of the arena, with Link only an inch behind me. Somehow, some way, Marth was able to hit both Link and I with the same homerun bat I used to knock off Zelda. I must have dropped it when Marth hit me with the Shield Breaker. Link and I looked at each other when we landed in Smash Stadium.
"What's the score?" I asked, panting a bit.
"You and Zelda are tied three stock a piece, and Marth and I are tied four stock a piece," he answered. I nodded towards him. I than had an idea.
"Hey Link, how about we switch opponents for a while?"
"No," he said sternly.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because last time Marth and I went at it, it was a tie. This is our tiebreaker." I nodded a bit, than stepped on the return platform.
"Well, I hope you win this tiebreaker," I said, sincerity heavy in my voice. Link nodded in reply as he stepped on his return platform. I sighed as I waited for the platform to return to the arena. I quickly landed on my feet in front of Zelda. She half smiled, half frowned. I crossed my arms, than brought my hand out, beckoning her to bring it on. She instantly changed into Sheik, and I quickly went into my fighting stance. We quickly rushed towards each other. I sent a roundhouse kick towards her head. She blocked it with her left forearm, and than sent a punch towards my face. I swayed to the left and sent my right knee to her stomach. She screamed out, bending over the pain. But before I could make my next move, she returned the favor by sending an elbow to my stomach. I bend, snarling in pain. Sheik quickly followed with a double kick,. sending me backward. I quickly jumped to my feet, seeing needles coming my way. I quickly performed my Reflector, turning the attack on her. She quickly jumped, than tried stomp me from above. I quickly performed my Reflector again, knocking he back a step. Than the arena started to rotate.
Sheik and I quickly jumped forward, landing on the next platform. Than we faced each other again. Before we rushed each other again, two Beam Swords fell, one in front of me, one in front of Sheik. We quickly grabbed a sword and rushed at each other. Now there were two duels of swords. I heard the crowd cheered as Sheik slashed at me. I blocked with my sword. This went one for about fifteen seconds, even though if felt like an hour: One would try to get a hit in, the other would. Finally, we discard the swords, leaving the swordplay to Link and Marth. We quickly jumped towards the next platform. Unfortunately, we were the only two that did. Link and Marth was probably too caught up in their fierce rivalry to realize it was time to jump.
Sheik and I continued our fight, exchanging punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. It became quite clear that this was going to be one of those fights that go down in Smash history.
We both looked at each other, panting like we dashed ten miles straight. My fur was drenched with sweat, and I could literally see my breath, as well as Sheik's, as we both breathed out. As the arena rotated, we used every last strength we could muster to jump towards the next platform. While I landed with ease, Sheik had yet to touch down yet. I quickly used the opportunity. Flames were spewing from under me as I performed my Fire Fox, hoping to nail her while she was off guard. Unfortunately, she proved that you couldn't pull the same trick twice on the same person. She quickly transformed back into her original form and disappeared. I landed at the very edge. I turned around to fall victim to Din's Fire. I fell off the edge, almost too tired to hold the edge. I was breathing so hard I'm surprised I didn't hyperventilate. I looked up at Zelda. Gone was the sweet look she always gives you whenever you needed her help. Gone was the nice smile she gives you when she brightened your day. Gone was the little glint of hope you see when you look into her eyes. All I saw was a look that gave no emotion, a smile of opportunity, and fire of determination in her eyes. I knew I lost this round.
In an instant, something exploded behind Zelda, knocking her over the edge. Link than looked over the edge smiling. He quickly took hold oh my hand pulled me up.
"Thanks," I gasped out. He nodded. I looked behind and quickly pulled out my blaster. "Duck." He did so as I let loose a barrage of laser fire, hitting Marth straight into the chest. He was taken back a bit, and before he could react, I ran forward, giving him the taste of the Fox Illusion. I bull-rushed him off the platform. I quickly stopped, skidding to a stop on the edge. I sighed in relief, but as soon as I turned around, I didn't see Link. All I saw was a flashed of light violet before I was knocked out the arena. I groaned as I landed in Smash Stadium. It was a pure tie. Marth and Link are tied at three, and Zelda and I are tied at two.
"Hey, Fox, you okay?" Link asked.
"Does it look like I'm okay?" I gasped out, trying to fix my breathing. "I'm panting like a greyhound on the track, and I'm sweating so much, I don't think Degree Spectrum is going to help me." Link and I looked at each other, than laughed. "So, how did you and Samus manage to bury the hatchet without trying to hack each other with it?" Link laughed some more.
"Well, during that accident with my leg, we decided to forget about trying to win to get at each other and try to win, period," he explained. "And we hanged out, talking about where we came from, how is it. She bought me this new outfit, and I got her to sing karaoke." I raised my eyebrows.
"Really, now. How well does she sing?"
"Evanescence would have given her a Grammy." We both laughed at the joke. "Hey, Fox. Thanks."
"For what?" I asked.
"For not letting your emotions for Zelda get in your way," Link answered. I nodded a bit, than we both stood up straight.
"Don't worry about it," I said. "That's my job."
"Whatever you say, Fox."
"Let us finish this fights, shall we?" I asked.
"Let's do it!" Link yelled out. We both jumped on our respective platforms and return to the arena. I landed in front of Marth and Link landed in front of Zelda. Marth was taken aback. I merely smiled.
"How you like them apples?" I asked before catching a beam sword in my hand. Math smiled.
"I didn't think you were one who indulged in swordsmanship, young McCloud," he said.
"I was taught a few things here and there,." I quickly rushed forward, taking an overheard slash at Marth. He quickly blocked it. I pressed forward, trying to pin him. He quickly placed my foot on my stomach and kicked me backward. I stumbled a bit, but recovered just in time to block his horizontal slash.
"You're good," Marth compliment. "I'm very impressed." He tried to send a slash towards my head. I quickly blocked, electricity flowing from the beam sword.
"Thanks," I said. I than quickly stabbed my sword forward, knocking him off balance. I used this time to hit him with a flurry of slashes. He was hit by one, but ended up blocking the rest of the hits. "You're not too bad yourself."
"Years of experience, my vulpine friend," Marth said with smile. He than thrust his sword towards my side. I blocked with my sword, but I took a hit to the ankle. I quickly fell to my knees, but I blocked another overhead slash. I than whipped my tail around tripping up Marth. As soon as he fell on his back. I quickly retreated. Of course, he quickly came to his feet. But while Marth is faster, I was faster. I quickly did a Fox Illusion, but with a twist. When I came close to Marth, I quickly did an upper diagonal slash across his chest. He flew up word. While I had a chance, I performed my Fire Fox, knocking him upward some more and engulfing him in flames. I quickly landed and jumped upward, and kick him upward again. The arena rotated, and Marth was taken out of the arena. I breathed in and out, trying to fix my breathing. I turned around to see nothing but a homerun bat. I sighed as I grabbed the bat, discarding the beam sword. I just waited, gripping the wooden club. I breathed, barely noticed the sweat dripping from my muzzle. The first person I saw in front of me was Link.
"Hey," he greeted. I was about to return the greeting when I noticed a look on his face. I quickly turned around and let loose the swing, the bat sparkling like a firecracker on Independence Day. The first person I hit was Marth. Unfortunately, as soon as Marth was out of the park, I turned around to fall victim to Zelda's homerun bat. Link and I landed in Smash Stadium. I was snarling like crazy, trying my best not to lose control and go wild.
"Fox, are you okay?" Link said. I nodded quickly.
"It's a Lylatian thing." He nodded as we both stepped on to our platforms. I quickly landed in front of Zelda.
"Sorry, Fox, I just can't let you win," she said. I frowned a bit.
"You do understand that I can't let you win either, right?" I asked. She nodded. I than sighed a bit. "No matter what happens here, nothing is going to change between us, right?" She shook her head.
"Things will change." She than gave me a smile. The same smile she gives me whenever I eat with her in the cafeteria. "But I assure you Fox, it will change for the better." I smiled and nodded. Her smiled than turned into one of determination. "Now, give me everything you got left." She turned into Sheik I than smiled.
"I will." I than quickly rushed forward, performing my Fox Illusion. She quickly jumped over me, than planted a foot on top of my heard. I fell backward. She jumped in the air and tried it again. I quickly jumped upward and hit her with a vertical kick. I stepped backward as she landed in front of me. I than performed a spinning tail attack, hitting her while she was on the floor. She quickly came to her feet and grabbed my tail.
"Ah crap," was all I can say as I was slammed against the floor. I jumped to my feet and send an uppercut to her jaw. She jumped backward, but hit me with her chain. I fell backward, but took sometime to get up. I was starting to lose my energy. I looked forward to see Sheik launch her needles. I quickly performed my Reflector and turn the attack on her. The needles hit her and caused her to step back a few steps. I than jumped forward tackling her to the ground. We were wrestling around on the ground, trying to break each other's hold. I growled as I performed my Fire Fox, taking her with me. She was quickly engulfed in flames. I than landed on the ground. I waited for her to get up when I finished her off with a Fox Illusion, taking her out the arena.
Link
All I could hear was metal against metal while I was blocking slash after slash from Marth. After the last hit, I went on the offensive, unleashing an unexpected flurry of slashes. I landed all eight hits. While he was knocked off guard, I pulled out a bomb and chucked it at him, knocking out of the arena. After a while, I jumped off the platform towards the next one. Marth jumped in front of me. I merely smiled as I sat down crossed legged, my sword sheathed.
"You, The Hero Of Time, is giving up?" Marth asked, obviously taken aback by the sight. I chuckled a but.
"Oh, I'm done, but, I wouldn't say the same thing about my partner." He blinked a couple of times. But he turned around in a flash before he was hit with a homerun bats.
"MATCH OVER! THE WINNERS ARE.....LINK AND FOX !!!" the announcer yelled. Right about now, we were supposed to be teleported, but Fox and I looked at each other with looks of confusion. "PEOPLE, DO NOT PANIC! EVERYTHING IS OKAY!" That was total bull. Because as soon as he said this Fox tackled into the ground, saving me from an attack from....Kraid?!
I looked up at Kraid, who was roaring like crazy. I was breathing in and out, almost hyperventilating.
"Link, remember when I told everyone, including the Master Hand, we were going to have a problem with that creature?" Fox asked. I nodded. "Well, for once, 'I told you so' is not going to fit this situation."