Lay Off My Guy!

by Royal Kenya

Zelda and Link have been friends for a long time. It's been so long that Zelda has developed a love for her good friend. But a new face appears at the mansion has taken a liking to Link also, and she's not going to let Zelda have him without a fight.

20. Tragedies Never Die

(ENTER Pichu with a piece of paper in hand)

Pichu: Greetings, Readers. I am Pichu, and I will be reading the author's note today. Royal Kenya could not make it because she has the flu and because she is sulking since she's been officially working on this story for over a year now, and she's very angry and sad. And she's one person not to mess with when she's angry and sad at the same time. Total Rampage. So she told me she would need some time to pull herself together. She had some things she wanted to say. For one thing, she says she was very excited when she reached over 200 reviews. RK says you guys are the world's greatest, and she thanks you. Anyway, through her sulking she was able to write a chapter for you as a little gift to you from her. So, here you go!

Chapter 20

Tragedies Never Die

Zelda's Flashback

"Mommy…"

"…"

"Mommy."

"Yes, dear."

"I can't sleep. Will you play your harp for me? It always makes me happy."

Zelda's mother shook her head. "No… let's do something different. Why don't you play for me, Zelda?"

"Me? But I'm not as good as you. I'm always playing my notes wrong and they never come out right."

"I've been listening to you, and I think you are doing well." Her mother coughed as she sat up in her bed.

Zelda placed her hands on her mother's. "Mommy, lay back down. You'll never get well if you keep rising out of bed."

"I'll be fine." She cupped her daughter's face in her hands. "Honey, I need you to do something for me."

"What do you need?"

"I want you to promise me something. Can you do this for me?"

"You have to tell me first."

"Of course. Zelda, when I and your father go on to the next world, I want you to stay strong."

"Stay strong?"

"Yes. I want you to do whatever you can to be the best queen you can be for Hyrule. I want you to be there for your people and never let them down. I want you to live as long as you can. And when your time comes I want you to already have a child of your own who will help you rule Hyrule just like you're helping me. And when you have to leave, I want your child to do the same, from generation to generation. This is what your grandmother told me to do when she left me and now I'm telling you, and I want you to tell your child and your child to do the same."

"Mommy, why are you telling me this?"

Her mother's blue eyes trembled a bit, but she refrained them from continuing. "I'm not going to last much longer."

"Don't say that. The doctor said you would be well soon. You'll still be here with me and father," Zelda said.

"He may have said so. But I'm being called home, my dear."

"No… I don't want you to." Zelda started to cry. "You can't leave me, Mommy."

"I know." She wrapped her arms around her daughter and hugged her tight. "I know it's hard. But my time has come, my darling daughter." She lifted Zelda on to the bed next to her while still hugging her. "I have done what I was told to do. My duties are completed, and now I must cross over the river back home."

"Mommy, please. Don't leave me. I don't want to be by myself. Take me with you at least. I can't live without you."

"You must, Zelda. What about your father and Impa? You will be missed if you leave with me."

"They can come, too." Zelda cried against her mother's chest. "We can all be together forever. Isn't that good?"

Her mother slowly shook her head. "No. You're still needed here along with your father and Impa. Hyrule will not stay strong without you here. You may not see it now, but you help keep Hyrule beautiful, peaceful, and united."

"I do?" Zelda said in a tiny voice.

"Mm-hmm. If you go, who knows what will happen to Hyrule or your father. With me gone, he will need his other piece of joy and happiness to be by his side. Do you know who that is?"

Zelda looked up at her mother from her warm embrace. She knew and she now understood. "Okay. I'll stay and do the best I can for Hyrule. I promise."

The Queen of Hyrule smiled at her. "I'm glad to hear this. I have my faith in you."

"Mm-hmm." Zelda tried to smile, but no avail. "But that doesn't change that I'm going to miss you." She threw herself on her Mother's pillow and continued to sob. The queen started to lie down next to her. She pulled Zelda away from the pillow and let her weep in her arms. She saw Zelda's harp not too far from her hands. She sighed. "Here, let me play for you."

She picked up the harp with her free hand and brought it over to her. She took her other hand and placed it on the harp's strings, as she got comfortable on the bed. She started to play Zelda's favorite lullaby. Zelda's sobs turned into small whimpers as she played the musical instrument. She kept her head on the pillow and listened to her mother play. She just closed her eyes and remembered all the memories of her 6 years with her mother. As her mother continued to play she heard her mother say something softly to her.

"I love you, Zelda."

"I love you too, Mother," she said softly. She almost drifted into sleep, but she heard one more thing.

"Please, Zelda. Keep Hyrule safe for me. We will see each other again one day. Until then I'll be with you in spirit."

End Of Flashback

Zelda stopped the dagger inches away from her chest. Her hands trembled as she dropped the bloody dagger. "I can't do it." She looked at her hands. "I made a promise. And right now I'm breaking it."

I promised my Mother I would live on and protect Hyrule until its my time to go be with her, And now isn't the time. Hyrule still needs me. And I won't let my people down. I already let one person down. She looked down at Link's lifeless body. "I have to let him go. Let him be with his mother, father, and Veronica." She placed her hand on his scratched up face. His once handsome face was damaged by her hand. The wound from the dagger had bled out over his tunic. His face had a couple scratches and a small bruise on his forehead when he hit the rock.

She laughed to herself. "Well, Veronica… like you said… you won. You have Link and I don't. I hope you two will be happy together." She stood up and looked over at Mewtwo. He was glowing a purple color, mentally healing himself. Sure enough, as she watched for a little bit longer, she saw Mewtwo twitch. The purple glow around him stopped. She got up and walked to him to help him if necessary. When he opened his eyes, Zelda was standing above him.

"Hello."

"Hi," she said softly. "I'm glad you're okay. "

"She didn't hit me too hard. All she did was slightly clock me on the head." Mewtwo looked at the sad princess. "You made a wise decision to stop, Zelda." He got up and looked past her. "But I wish I could have been awake to stop you from what happened."

"It's okay. I'm ready to accept whatever consequences fall on me. But I must get back home right away to keep my promise to protect Hyrule. That is, if they'll even accept after what I've done."

"But what about your friends?"

"I don't know. Maybe I should leave without talking to them. Besides, it's possible three of them are already." She thinks back to the state she left Peach, Samus, and Pichu in. Did they make it out okay or did she lost them too?

"I think we should try and find your friends. At least you could say a few words to them. Don't you believe they deserve to know what going on?" Mewtwo suggested.

"But it's too painful to say goodbye to all of them. I don't think I can handle this at all."

"I'm sure everything will go well." Mewtwo looked back the way they came. "Let's head back down the mountain. I can't sense your friends from here. If we go a little further down the mountain, I'll be able to pick up on their life force. Shall we?"

Zelda nodded. "Yes. But I want to do something before we go."

"Yes, what is it?"

"Can you help me build a burial ground for Link? I don't want to leave him out in the open."

"Of course, Princess. That would be proper for him."

"That's what I was thinking. But it may take a while to make a big enough grave for him. We don't have any shovels. So we'll have to get our hands deep in dirt."

"There will be no need." Mewtwo closed his eyes and remained silent. He started to build his psychic energy inside of him. The ground, not too far from Zelda's feet, started to shake. Zelda stepped back and watched in amazement as Mewtwo lifted the soil from the ground and moved a little to the left as the mud soared past her and over to Mewtwo. While he was doing this, his eyes were yellow. He was not making any straining noise but he did look like even the littlest distraction would throw him off balance. He stopped it in front of them and let it drop on the ground. His eyes turned purple again. "Finished."

"That does beat digging with my fingers," she said with a smile. "Hmm… I wonder if there are any flowers around here."

"I believe I saw some nice wildflowers at the bottom of the mountain earlier. How about I get them for you?"

"That would be nice. But you don't have to if you don't want to."

"It is fine with me. I will bring some back for you momentarily." He teleported away.

Zelda sighed and walked back over to Link. She sat down next to him. He was in bad shape. Zelda closed her eyes and held a hand out. Her hand started to glow a light pink color. As she used her healing magic, Link's scratches slowly faded. His face was scratch free and the bruise left existence. And lastly, the wound on his chest started to close up and the blood started to disappear. His clothes looked brand new. She stopped her magic and opened her eyes. She looked at him and smiled. "If only I could bring you back. I would apologize for everything."

"You know. When we always argued about Veronica, I couldn't understand it. I liked you so much and I thought you liked me too. But here's the thing: I couldn't stay mad at you every time you kept saying you liked Veronica. I thought I hated you for it, but I didn't. Instead, my connection to you grew stronger." She ran her hand through his blonde hair. "I never wanted to be mad at you because you were one of the very first friends I had when I was in Hyrule. When we first met, I didn't think of you as anyone but the Hero of Time, but as time passed, when you saved me and our kingdom from Ganondorf, I felt something. It was a friendship. But as you continued to fight for me, get hurt just to protect me, I realized it was much more. I wanted to be with you, but I made a promise to my mother, and I have to keep it."

She knew there was no point in talking to a dead body. But somehow she thought he was still listening. "I'm not sure if you loved me or if you just liked me. I know you told me Veronica was your love, but you kept me alive. I think there was more to your feelings. But who am I to say what's the truth and what's not? Only you knew the truth, Link. But I always knew the truth about how I feel about you."

Zelda leaned down and kissed Link's lips. She felt tears coming down, but she let them fall. She slowly pulled away from him. "I love you. Even if we're in two different places, I'll always love you."

Mewtwo returned at the time she stood up from Link's body. "Princess Zelda, I was able to find the flowers you were looking for." She rose up and took the flowers as Mewtwo used his psychic power to send them over to her. "Are you ready ?"

"I am."

He closed his eyes and started to concentrate again. He focused on Link. He lifted Link's body with his psychic powers again. Zelda watched Link start to float upward and go towards the grave. When Zelda saw him above the hole she walked over to it. She looked at Link one last time before shutting her eyes and turning away. "Okay, do it."

Her mind slipped back in time; a time when she and Link were together. Everything came back: When she first met him when he appeared at her castle, when she saw him seven years later while she was disguised as Sheik, when they both stopped Ganondorf together; there was the time when she had to send Link back to his own time; seeing him back when he was younger and when he left.

Forward in time to a few months ago when she reunited with Link at the SSBM mansion, she couldn't forget all the time they had together. She saw the time when the minions invaded the house, and then tried to take advantage of her but he saved her just in time. (A/N: Part of these memories are from my fanfic, Free Me) She remembered when she thanked him later with a small kiss on the lips. While they were on a Serine Isle, she remembered their walk and how they almost kissed again. But she could not forget the bitter times: her arguments with Link, the tears she cried for him choosing Veronica over her, and right now: when she kiled him.

When she turned back around, she saw that Mewtwo had already placed his body in the grave and had piled the dirt on top of it. She was glad he did it, because she wasn't so sure she would have been able to. As Mewtwo finished, she walked over to the grave and stared at it. Link was no longer visible under the pile of dirt. He was completely buried. It wasn't anything special, but Zelda was just happy to not leave him in the open. She got down on her knees and placed the flowers on the grave.

"I'll give you some more time," Mewtwo said as he went through the bushes.

"Mm-hmm." Zelda clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. She started to pray. Her tears kept falling as she thought about what she was doing. But she prayed and prayed. She never wanted her prayer to end. How could she just say goodbye?

Flashback

"I'm always going to be there for you, Zelda. I am your protector," Link said to Zelda one day.

"Protector? You don't have to be. I mean, since Ganondorf is gone, you don't have to stay around here anymore. You can live a normal life."

"Sorry, you dragged me into this. So, now I'm stuck." Link said quietly.

"I didn't want to drag you into this."

"No. I'm glad you did, Zel." Link smiled and patted Zelda's shoulder. "Thanks to you, I learned much about my past. I'm not just some fairy boy anymore. I'm a Hero of Time because of you."

"Does that make me like a hero?" Zelda asked.

"Sure does! Hey! Maybe we should start calling you The Heroine Of Time." Link laughed at his own joke.

Zelda rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless, Link."

"I'm just trying to make you laugh. You know I'm funny right?" Link stared at Zelda with a pouty look. Zelda couldn't resist the look and started to giggle. "Told ya. No one can resist."

Zelda continued to laugh. She saw the sun setting. "Well, you better get back before dark. The guards increase during the night time."

"Oh right," Link said sarcastically. "Like they can catch me."

Zelda bit her lip. "Link, please. I'm being serious." She grabbed his hands. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."

"…" Link looked at Zelda's hands holding his.

Zelda blushed and pulled her hands away. "Sorry."

Link got up. "I'll leave. I'll be back tomorrow okay?"

Zelda stood up with him. "You don't have to. You're free now to do whatever you want now."

"Yes, I know, and I want to come see you everyday, Zelda." He brought his head closer to her right ear. He whispered, "Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who can protect you from all harm. It's like destiny is telling me to be with you at all times."

Zelda silently gasped. But she formed a small smile. "Thank you, Link."

Link backed away and smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow, Zelda." He started to leave.

"Be careful!" Zelda called.

Link turned around and gave Zelda a thumbs-up. "Of course. How else am I going to be your protector? Remember, I'm going to be with you, and no one's going to separate us!"

Zelda stared at him for a moment and thought about what he said. She closed her eyes and nodded. "Yes." She started to wave as she opened her eyes. "No one will."

End Of Flashback

Zelda sighed and opened her eyes. She whimpered quietly. No, Link. We are separated, and the worst part of it is I was the one who broke our promise to each other.

Front Of the Estate

The sun was starting to set as the four friends walked up to the estate. Pichu was leading the way by pointing in the right direction on Marth's shoulder and Roy and Peach were behind them. But Peach was slowly falling behind as she read the ingredients of her perfume bottle. "I wonder why this stuff made Ace fall out like that?" Peach held the bottle up to her face and shook it to look at its contents. "I never fainted from this perfume, and I've been using it for months."

"Hey! Don't play with that stuff. In fact, I think I need to confiscate it!" Roy grabbed for the bottle. But Peach pulled it back. "Give it, Peach!" When he reached for it this time he was successful in grabbing it, but Peach still held onto it.

"No, it's mine!" Peach snapped. "Why do you want it? It's a girl's perfume."

Roy tried to pry her hands off the bottle. "So, what is it? A deadly poison for boys who get on your nerves?"

"If it means hurting you, I hope so! Now, let go!"

"No, you let go!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

Marth rolled his eyes, and Pichu sitting on his shoulder did the same. "Come on." Marth walked back over to them. He got in between them. "Stop playing around-"

"Fine, you want it? Take this!" Peach pushed her finger down on the nozzle. But she didn't hit her target. Roy moved away quickly, but Marth and Pichu were still in the line of fire. Peach gasped as Marth and Pichu started to cough and make gagging sounds. "Oh my gosh. I am so sorry!"

Marth brushed the fumes away. "Perfect. Like I really want to smell feminine all day."

Peach glared at Roy. "I told you it was harmless." Roy frowned and started to mock her. After that, the group traveled in silence till they reached the front door of the estate. Peach tried the front door but it wouldn't budge. "The door is locked this time. Last time they left the door wide open."

"That's because you were naive enough to come through the front door not knowing it was a trap," Roy muttered.

Peach opened her mouth, but then she thought about what Marth had said earlier about Roy being worried about her safety when she emerged from the train. She ignored him and looked at Marth. "Do you have any ideas?"

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you hear what I just-"

"No," Marth interrupted. "But we need to get in there and save Samus and find Zelda. Who knows what that guy could be doing to her? And Zelda could be anywhere..."

"Man, forget the ideas." Roy unsheathed the sword. "Just blast down the darn thing!"

"Roy, no!" Peach said quickly.

Roy, of course, didn't listen. He used his Flare Blade attack on the door, causing a massive explosion and leaving broken pieces of wood from the door. Marth, Roy, Pichu, and Peach just stared at the debris. The door was completely demolished.

Marth gritted his teeth. "There was a better way to avoid this than bringing attention to our arrival."

"I know that," Roy said. "...now," he added.

Peach was annoyed, yet she wanted to laugh. Roy can be so stupid sometimes. And it's kind of well… cute. Aah! Get a grip! Think about what you're saying. This is the pyromaniac boy you hate to the max. But he can be so…

Marth looked back at his friends. Now what? I have no idea. "What's your next move, Roy? I wait with baited breath," he said sarcastically.

"I have an idea, and it's good too! Scatter!" Roy ran to the right and left the others.

Peach and Marth stood there and watched him leave. Marth continued to stare in the direction Roy took off in. "Now what if the enemies are in that direction? He's walking into a death trap."

Peach shook her head as she kept her eyes in his direction. "He's a real idiot. I'll go with him. What about you?"

"I'll go the other way. I can handle things on my own." Marth replied.

"With an injured arm?"

Marth brushed off Peach's comment. "It's getting better. I'm not some weakling, Peach." Without waiting for another comment, he left Peach and Pichu.

Peach sighed. "Boys. Don't know why they were created. Pichu, go with Marth okay?"

"Pi." Pichu scampered off after the swordsman.

"Roy, is going to need help if he's by himself." She took a deep breath and then jogged in the direction Roy went.

Marth stopped running when he came to a three-header. There were three paths and he really didn't have the patience to find out which one was right He wanted to get Samus and leave as soon as possible. What is she going to say when she sees me? She'll probably say something like "I don't need any rescuing. I can handle things on my own." I can imagine her saying something similar to that. Am I making the right decision here?

Marth heard footsteps by his feet. He looked down and saw Pichu down at his side. Marth had remembered saying he wanted to go alone. But then he realized Pichu could come in handy. He crouched down next to Pichu. "Hey, Pichu can you get a whiff of Samus's scent?"

Pichu understood what he had said. She closed her eyes and sniffed the air. Unlike Pikachu, Pichu couldn't pick up on scents as fast as he could. She took a couple more sniffs and then opened her eyes. She went to the farthest door to the left and pointed with her tiny paw. "Chu."

"Alright."Before Marth got up and went over to the dooe, he scratched the back of Pichu's ears. "Remind me to get some cheddar crackers for you later."

Pichu smiled when she heard her favorite snack. She felt like she was on cloud Nine. "Pichu!" She started to imagine eating them as Marth got up to leave. She stood there for a few more seconds imagining it and then she noticed Marth had left. She sighed and almost followed him but something caught her eye. She saw a piece of cheese on the floor. Pichu went to investigate it. She sniffed it and as she tried to bite it, it zoomed away in a farther away spot. Pichu was confused and followed the cheese, as it went around a dark corner.

Marth followed the long hallway into a very large room. It looked like a lounge. The room was further down the hallway. Marth's patience started to boil over so he broke into a run. He needed to get some hints around here. When he reached the door he sighed. "Okay… here goes…" He tried the door. The knob slowly moved and he opened the door all the way. As soon as he saw what was inside he walked in. The room was empty just like the other ones.

"Well, this is disappointing. Where are they keeping her?"

Marth heard a door click. He looked up and saw the closet door open. Someone came bursting out of the door. He knew the person right away. Samus stopped running as soon as she was out of the closet. She started breathing heavily.

"Samus!" he called.

"Huh?" Samus heard the familiar voice and looked up. She gasped when she saw Marth standing before her. "Marth? You're here?"

Marth didn't move. "Are you okay?"

Samus looked at him for a long hard time. She missed him so much. To find he had concern for her made her feel like just hugging him and never letting go. But she wasn't feeling anything in her legs. She felt like she was going to keel over. That dumb device. It's messing with my head. I can barely keep my eyes open. I can't have that much longer before this thing sets into my brain permanently. I need to warn him. But I don't have a single bit of strength in my body. Is it the chip?

Marth walked closer to her. "Sam, what's wrong?"

"S-st-a…b..a.." Samus couldn't form any words. Was the device already taking hold of her mind.

"What?" Marth continued to make his way towards her.

"…" Samus tried again. "g-go… b-ba.." she muttered.

"Samus, what are you saying?"

"Stay…back…" Samus looked at Marth's face. He didn't comprehend it fast enough. She gathered her last bit of will to speak. "Stay back!"

"Stay back?"

Samus didn't answer. She collapsed to her knees. No. I can't go out yet. He needs to know. But Samus couldn't stop herself as she fell to the floor, clawing at the carpet. Marth, look out! I can't speak anymore. Garrett is stopping me. Marth didn't waste another second. He moved to get to her side but stopped when someone came out the door. Garrett was came out of the room Samus came out of with his arms crossed.

"As I told you, Sam. Even when I let you run, you wouldn't get far. " He grinned evilly as he saw Marth from the door. "Ah, Marth. Sam and I have been expecting you. What took you so long?"

Marth glared at him. How dare Garrett even think he could call Samus that. "What did you do to her?"

Garrett raised his eyebrows. He looked down at Samus on the floor breathing heavily. "What did I do?" he said softly as if he didn't know what he was talking about. "I don't understand."

"What just happened to Samus? Your pal Ace told me she was being kept up here with you. I find her and this happens." Marth placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. "I want answers. Don't disappoint me."

"Or what?" Garrett walked out of the closet door and shut it behind him. "You're going to slice me with that sword of yours?" Garrett reached behind his back and pulled out his own sword. It was similar to Link's but only in size. The blade was a lot thicker. "I wouldn't count on that."

Marth kept his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Don't give me a reason to draw my sword. Tell me what you did to her, and we can skip the violence."

Garrett placed his sword's sharp end hard into the ground. "Skip the violence? That sounds...dreadfully boring." He put all his weight against the sword as he leaned against it. "I've got a better idea. If you beat me up enough with that child's toy of a sword, then I just might tell you what I've done."

"That's not possible." Marth unsheathed his sword. "Because as soon as I attack with my sword, you won't have the strength to tell me anything."

"No chance in hell that will ever happen. Let's just settle this right now, and see who gets to her alive." Garrett readied his sword.

"Fine." Marth got into his fighting stance. "Have it your way." He didn't take his eyes off Garrett as he moved back. He kept a sharp lock on his eyes for any subtle hints of his next move. Garrett was just smiling as if this was all a game to him. I don't like this. That smile on his face. He's got something up his sleeve. But he could be trying to psyche me out and make me think he has a plan as if he's maybe stalling for time. Only one way to find out. Marth made the first move. He charged straight ahead at Garrett going at top speed. He moved his sword when he reached him, but Garrett disappeared in front of his eyes. Marth came to a halt. "What the…"

"What? Too fast for you?" Marth turned around to see Garrett behind him. He had his sword laying over his shoulders. "I knew I would be too much."

Marth smiled and readied his sword. "Actually, you're fine. I was just surprised at how fast you are." Marth knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary match. "...of course, not as fast as me."

"What?"

"Come on, Garrett. I am a smasher after all. I was just going to slow to get a read on my opponent. At my regular speed you would look as if you were standing still." Marth explained. "I was expecting more of a challenge."

Garrett closed his eyes. "Heh, that's what you wanted? Well, you're looking at one. You see, I didn't put all my effort up to bat either. As you were doing, I was testing your skill. You're impressive, but I hope that's not all you got, because I will be stepping up my game."

Marth growled in agitation. "Enough talk. Let's go."

As they went on, Samus only stared at them from her fallen position. Marth...

Other Side Of Mansion

Peach felt like falling over her. She hadn't had a moment's rest since she snuck up here the first time with Samus and Zelda. When she thought about Zelda, she bit her lip. She had no idea how the young princess was doing. After pushing her out of a train, Peach couldn't deny she was worried. But she hoped Mewtwo was able to get her to safety away from Veronica. It would be her fault if she led her into a trap. She had not been successful in finding Roy yet, but she had been successful in locating one of the creeps, Jay. Luckily he didn't see Peach scurry past the room he was in. She wouldn't have to scurry past anything if Roy wasn't such a pyro-loving maniac. She hoped to find Roy soon, so he wouldn't get ambushed by all of the flunkies. Peach placed her hands towards the sides of her mouth. "Roy? Roy where are you?"

No answer yet again. After a number of tries, Peach was ready to give up. She decided to give it one more try. "Ro…" A hand went over her mouth, an arm hooked over her waist, and then the person dragged her over to a room. Peach tried to break free but the hand was way too tightly clamped over her mouth. She screamed but it only sounded muffled. Not knowing what else to do, she opened her mouth to the best of her ability and bit down hard on the victim's hand. The person let go immediately.

"What the heck is wrong with you, Blondie?" the voice hissed in a whisper.

Peach stopped struggling and turned around. She came face to face with Roy, now holding his stinging hand. She frowned. "My problem? I'm not the one who tries to scare girls by grabbing them by surprise."

"Well, I didn't know you were going to react like that. I guess I'll have to be more careful around you."

"You could have just called my name."

"No, I couldn't have. If I didn't grab you right then, those three goons would have saw you."

"What?"

Roy didn't answer. He shut off the light to the room. "Stay down." He placed an arm around her and made her crouch down behind one of the beds beside him.

"Roy, what are we-"

"SHH!" he said quickly.

Peach was about to say one more thing, but then she heard footsteps coming closer. They were walking right past the room. She heard a thunderous voice.

"This room's perfect! Let's crash in here."

Roy pulled up the sheet of the bed. There was nothing under it. He looked at Peach. He tapped her quickly. When she turned in his direction he pointed a finger under the bed. She didn't argue as she dove under. When she was safely under, Roy crawled under the bed next. There was just enough room for them both.

Peach lightly hit Roy. "Get your cape under the bed," she whispered.

Roy quickly jerked his cape under bed and tucked it under his body to keep it from getting in view again. His ears picked up to the sounds of more voices. The light flicked on.

"You in here, Hyde?" Peach recognized the voice as Jay's. She held her breath, hoping not to make a sound as he entered the room. She could see his green shoes frsd,ep! Come on in. I found a tube with cable!"

Roy scrunched his eyebrows. Since when do tubes have cable? This language is the weirdest among most. He heard a static noise. They can't stay in here. What do we do! Roy's plans for escape quickly ended, when he felt a hard impact from the bottom of the mattress. Th mattress hit Roy on the head hard before he hit the ground hard with his face. He heard a small whimper from Peach, and saw the same thing happened to her.

Peach knew that one of them had just flopped on the bed. If I'm correct… The mattress came down again hitting her on the head again. She contained her whimper this time. ...the other guy's going to jump onto the bed. They're a lot heavier than they look. I'm surprised Roy is holding it all in. She thought as she looked at the swordsman straining his eyes shut.

"Hey guys! I brought the food." Another person had entered the room. Peach's eyes widened. She knew exactly who it was. She recognized the voice to be Moe's. "I brought popcorn, peanuts, hotdogs, soda, chips, nachos, and what kind of party would this be without any beer?"

"Alright!" Jay said, "You got all my favorites. And I brought the cigarettes."

"And I brought a caged rat!" Moe added.

Caged rat? Oh no! Pichu! Sure enough, Peach heard the Pokemon chirping in her language, trying to get free. Peach looked at Roy to see if he knew it was Pichu. He nodded but he didn't move."Come on and have a sit down, Tubs!" Hyde said in glee.

No! No! NO! Roy and Peach thought at the same time.

No mercy. Moe did a large flop on the bed. The mattress came crashing down on their backs and only went back up a little bit. Peach bit her tongue and Roy gritted his teeth as they made inaudible noises. The guys above didn't hear a thing over the blaring TV. Peach and Roy were paralyzed for a moment.

This can't get any worse. Peach said in her mind. She heard Roy sniffing something in the air. He made a small gagging noise. Peach's nose started to pick up on it too. It was a foul odor.

"Oh geeze, what is that?" Jay said loudly.

"Eww. Moe? Did you just break wind?"" Hyde asked.

"Sorry guys. You know beer makes me gassy."

Peach and Roy covered their noses as he let out another gaseous fume. Peach wanted to just die. Obviously it can. Why me?

---

"Hah!" Garrett let out a battle cry as he tried to attack Marth up front. Marth moved aside quickly making Garrett miss the attack. But Garrett recovered quickly and attacked again. Marth barely dodged it as he rolled backward. He paused on one knee while catching his breath.

"I know we're in the midst of fighting, but I have a question for you." Garrett was catching his breath. "Why are you here for her?"

"Why am I here? That's a stupid question. She's in danger, and I would do anything to protect her from monsters like you." Marth lifted his body up with his sword.

"Why bother when it's clear she no longer cares about you?" Garrett started to attack again. Marth still hadn't recovered fully so he used his sword as a defense this time. He was luckily able to stop him from slicing him in the face. "Samus told me everything about you. Specifically, how you viciously attacked her at Serine Isle."

Marth countered the attack, making Garrett back off. He watched Garrett back flip to the other side of the room. This accusation again? He felt his irritation flare up. "Just as I told her, I'll tell you the same. I never attacked her, nor would I ever hurt her."

"Hmm…" Garrett looked up at the ceiling. "Well, you got that part right. Samus doesn't have the whole story."

Marth lost his focus. "What?" Garrett attacked him head on and was able to knock him down. Marth got up quickly from the ground. "What do you mean?"

Garrett didn't answer. He attacked him head on again but Marth didn't let him get far. He used one of his counter attacks to knock him back and onto the floor. Marth wanted to know, and he pointed his sword in Garrett's direction. "Tell me what you know. What happened that night?"

Garrett sighed, a strange smile on his face. "You and me both know it couldn't be you. Not gentleman Marth. Not the Marth that Samus who preaches about how perfect and kind you are."

"She said that?" Come on, Marth. Focus. He's trying to throw you off. But why is he telling me all this? "Why would she tell you that?"

"She trusted me. I'm quite the charmer. I can make a girl trust me with just the snap of my fingers. Of course there was something different about this girl from the others." Garrett sighed. He looked at Samus on the ground. She was so still and quiet. Garrett was certain it was too late with the device injected in her brain. Why not gloat a bit? "Sam is so fun to play with. Lonely little Sam: someone as naive as her would never be able to pin a liar in me. She's so needy, and that's why I need to hold onto my little play toy. You think the same way about Sammie, don't you?"

"Don't you ever call her that again." Marth glared at him. "Lonely? Naive? For you to say that about her..." This guy was making him sick. He attacked him again, but surprisingly Garrett dropped his sword. He grabbed Marth's sword with his bare hands. Marth's eyes widened.

Garrett sighed again. "Okay, Marth, I'm done playing with you." He snatched the sword away from him and threw it. Before Marth could react Garrett gave him a hard punch in the stomach. Marth felt the wind being knocked out of him. Garrett kicked him hard making him fall over. "You don't stand a chance. You might as well listen. I told Samus a little secret.""

Marth grabbed his side. "What… did you…say to her?"

"Well, before I took care of her, I told her who really sliced her, and let me tell you. She wasn't too pleased to find out it was me," Garrett said evilly.

"That… that attack…it was…"

"Me? Of course. Marth, why would you do that to your beloved? Haha, the thought of you doing what I did to her. Taking a sword, slashing her right shoulder blade and then her left. Slashing her leg, and stomping her hand. Oh, I couldn't imagine it," Garrett laughed, as the color drained from Marth's face. This was the first time anyone had told him specifically about Samus's attack. Had this really happened to her? This man...did this to Samus?

"You love Samus, don't you?" Marth didn't answer him. He glared at him. "But you never told Samus those words did you? Or wait, I suppose in the past you did tell her you loved her, but she ran off didn't she? Pretty pathetic, aren't you?" (A/N: Again, more from my fanfic, Free Me)

Marth's mind was a mess. Garrett knew everything about him and Samus. He took advantage of Samus. Marth turned to Samus in what felt like hours. He couldn't hear her heavy breathing anymore. Her face was pale and she was no longer moving. "Samus… you didn't…" Marth turned back to his opponent.

"No. How would I look if I killed a woman? Don't you realize what's happening here?" Garrett asked. "Samus tried to warn you earlier. She had a device on her neck that was infecting her brain. But she couldn't get the words out in time. And while we were fighting, the device was permanently settling in her brain."

Marth paused for a moment. He remembered what Peach had told him earlier. "A device? That's the-"

"The mind-controlling device that was on her earlier." Garrett finished his sentence. "Except this one has a twist to it. This one's permanent. She's a slave to me and she always will be. She won't even remember you."

Marth got on one of his knees. "You're lying."

"No. It's the truth. I'll have her tell you herself when she can be controlled. Or she'll die. Slave or dead, I guess it's alright. I've had my share of fun with her. But that'll take another hour, and I suppose I can't have you waiting that long. So, I'll just have to handle you myself." Garrett smirked at the pitiful looking Altean. "You're pathetic, Marth. You should have known earlier something was up. The first time I met her I thought she was going to find me out. But she fell for me easily. The more she talked to me, the more she started to hate you. But who wouldn't fall in love with me anyway? You two are just too gullible."

Marth was tired of Garrett. He got up and narrowed his eyes. "You're the reason she's mad at me." Marth walked slowly and angrily over to him. "You're the reason she hates me. You slashed her body, tormented her mind, and now this." Marth shook his head as he continued to advance step by step."It was all you."

Garrett frowned and ran towards him with his sword when he picked it up. Marth didn't move. He didn't seem to want to do anything at that moment. When Garrett reached him he slightly moved aside and with an angry fist, he rammed his fist hard onto Garrett's nose. Garrett let out a small scream and grabbed his nose. Blood was flowing from it.

Marth looked at his hand. Garret's blood in his own hands. He smirked. It felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. He felt pleasure. He needed to do it again. When he saw Garrett on the ground his face started to angrily flare.

"You're a sick monster," Marth quietly said. "You take pleasure in harming the people I care about. The woman I care about."

Garrett snarled like a rampaging dog. He brought up his sword but Marth smacked it out of his hands and then he stomped on his right hand hard. Another agitating scream was let out but it stopped, when Marth stomped on it again. And again. And again. At one point, Marth thought he heard a sickening crack. But what did it matter to Marth if Garrett broke a bone? It would be deserved after what he did to Samus.

Garrett got up quickly and tried to attack but Marth used the sword again and this time he knocked Garrett into a shelf. He looked at Garrett's sword. It's just the right size to leave a nice deep cut in him just like he did to Samus.

Marth picked up the sword. "I told you violence was the last thing I wanted to here. But no one can ever seem to learn this. You'll be another one to learn the hard way."

Garrett strained to get a good look at Marth. "You aren't going to kill me. After all, what would Samus think?"

Marth kept his eyes on Garrett. "You're right. Perhaps in a different scenario, she wouldn't want me to kill you. But I don't think she would want me to leave you alive after what you did to her." Marth raised his sword. "She'll thank me for ending your pathetic life."

"Marth, stop,"a voice cried.

Marth stopped the sword inches from Garrett's neck. He knew it was Samus. He looked over at her and saw she was still on the ground but her eyes were open and she was looking at him with a worried look on her face.

"Don't do it, Marth," Samus said.

"Samus, " He protested. "After everything he's done to you, everything he's said, you don't want someone like him to live."

"I...I know. I know what you're feeling right now. He's hurt me. He's hurt you, too. But you don't have to be like him," Samus said slowly. "You're nothing like him."

"Samus, I just can't. After all he's done to us."

"I understand, Marth. But please listen to me. I don't want to see any more bloodshed, and I know that you hate it too. Please just let him go."

Marth struggled with the sword in his hand. He had always tried to avoid death by his sword to others. But it wasn't his sword, it was Garrett's. Though it still felt like a murder to him even if it wasn't his. He looked at Garrett glaring at him. No, he couldn't move, but he needed to satisfy his anger. He took the blunt of Garrett's sword and slammed it hard on Garrett's skull. Garrett let out a small cry and then blacked out. He picked up his own sword and went back over to Samus.

"Samus, are you alright?"

"I'll be fine." Samus strained to smile. "Now that you're here."

Marth helped her up so she was on her knees. "Gods, I was worried about you." Marth pulled her into a hug. "I don't want to lose you."

Samus wrapped her arms around his neck. "Neither do I." She closed her eyes. "I love you and that's why I..." her voice became quiet.

"Huh?" Marth tried to look back, but Samus had a tight grip on him. He couldn't break free. "Sam, you're squeezing too tight." She didn't respond. All she did was squeeze him harder. His breathing grew tense, and in slow motion he felt the following words whispered in his ear.

"Marth…I'm sorry." Samus took one hand off of him. She had a small device in her hand. She placed it on his neck. "It's for your own good."

"Samus, what are you…" Marth felt a tweak in his neck. It made him scrounge in pain. "Aah!" Samus had placed the upgraded controlling device on his neck. It sunk in quickly. Marth roughly pushed Samus aside and grabbed his head in pain. "What's…happening…" Marth started to cough violently and sweat. My neck is on fire. His bones soon felt like they were breaking. He felt like air was being yanked from his lungs, as he heard a laugh in the background.

"Samus." Marth said slowly. His eyes were halfway closed. He looked at Samus, who only stared back at him with dead eyes. "Why did you just-"

"She's being controlled, Marth. She has no control over her body. And now that she's implanted that thing into your body, you don't have long to live. So, you better say your goodbye to your little girlfriend," Garrett cackled.

Marth used every bit of his strength to get back up. It was brutal. Painful. But his pain mattered little to him, when he realized the danger that Samus was in. He grabbed Samus by her top. "Samus… look at me. You need to come back to me."

Samus didn't speak. She only stared through him with her empty eyes. Marth groaned in pain. She's not listening. I've been in this situation before when I almost lost her, and I will not let it happen. But what do I do?...What is that smell? Wait a second. Isn't that Peach's perfume? I don't know if this will work but if it worked on that Ace guy... I have no other option! Marth pulled Samus close to him, crushing her head against his chest. She floundered about, trying to get loose, but Marth held onto her with all the strength he could muster as his body continued to shut down.

"Let me go!" she said in the struggle.

"No. I'm not going to let him do this to you. You're stronger than him, and I won't let him break you." My hands are getting weaker from this device. I don't know how long I'll be able to keep a grip on her. Come on, Sam. Smell the perfume.

Samus's struggling started to falter. Her once flailing arms simmered down. Samus let out an exhausted groan, and Marth could tell she was finally resisting the device. Soon her arms fell to her side, her body collapsing into his embrace. Marth smiled. "She's returning."

"No! The device is malfunctioning! What did you do?" Garrett yelled.

Marth didn't answer. He fell back with Samus still in his arms. He didn't let go of her. He looked at his sword inches away from him. He tried to reach his hand out but he let it fall back. It's not important. This device is already killing me from the inside. I'll have to accept my fate. And Samus is safe now, so it's okay. Marth wanted to kill Garrett badly, but all he could think about was Samus. He looked at the girl lying on him unconscious and silently breathing on him. He pulled her more up on his body so he could look at her face.

He gently touched it. "Sam…he did this to us so we couldn't be together, and he may have gotten me. But please, fight him back with all you have."He could feel his consciousness slipping. "This it for me, but I'll always still love you even in the afterlife. No one could ever replace you in my heart." He reached his hand over the back of her head and brought her head closer to his so he could kiss her lips. He knew this was the last time. He didn't shed a tear though. He smiled as he broke the kiss. And with one last breath, he closed his eyes.

The Room

Peach felt like passing out. This is so disgusting. Not only is it gas fumes, but now there are cigarettes. I can barely breathe. I need to cough, but I'll give away my cover.

Roy looked at Peach. He knew she couldn't take it much longer. But he wanted to see if they could get out of there alive. Just hang on for a little bit more. But I'm not sure I can hang for much longer either.

Peach was choking with her mouth still covered. Roy couldn't stand to see her suffer anymore, and he couldn't stand anymore suffering either. "That's it," he said quietly. He unsheathed his sword. Roy readied his point of the sword to stick upward into the mattress. "1…2…" he readied himself.

Moe burped. "Man am I…YEEOOWWW!" Moe jumped off the bed and fell forward, knocking over the TV.

Jay looked at him crazy. "WHAT THE HECK MOE!"

"Something sharp poked me in my butt." Moe showed him his sore spot. "See…"

"What the…" Jay felt the bed getting hot. All of a sudden…

BOOM!

Roy used his flare blade attack again, making the bed blow up into little pieces. Jay shot up off the bed. He landed on the floor with a thud. He got up quickly. "What's going on here?"

"I'll tell you what's going on." Jay turned around and met with Roy and his sword. "We're seizing this mansion and claiming it as our own."

Peach glared at Roy. "Roy, this isn't one of your battles."

"Oh, right," Roy laughed, slightly embarrassed. "I forget that sometimes." Roy grinned mischievously. "We're going to give you guys a reason to go crawling back to your moms." He looked at Peach through the corner of her eye. "How was that?"

Peach wanted to laugh, but she just smiled instead. "That'll do."

"As funny as this is…" Jay pulled out his gun. "We have to end these little interruptions."

Roy smirked. "You can try if you want to." Roy charged with his sword, but Jay shot his gun faster. But Roy ducked and used his sword to trip him up by the feet. He fell on his back. Roy kicked the TV on top of Jay making him stable. "That'll hold you for a while."

Peach was fiddling with Pichu's cage. "I'll get you out of there." She tried to pick at the lock with the pin she pulled out of her brooch. "This lock is tough."

Pichu removed her eyes from Peach and looked behind Peach. She gasped. "PI!"

"Huh?" Peach heard heavy footsteps behind her.

Moe readied his barb-wired 2x4 to hit Peach hard on her head. "Lights out, Princess!"

Peach screamed and covered her head. Pichu growled and electricity jolted from her body. She shot out the biggest thunderbolt she could muster. It hit Moe and stunned him. Pichu's shock broke the cage she was trapped in. She leaped out of the broken cage and into Peach's arms. Peach made her golf club appear and she whacked Moe in the stomach with it. He fell back into one of the large dressers. The dresser fell on him.

Peach sighed in relief. "That was close." She hugged Pichu and kissed her on her forehead. "Thank you, Pichu. I thought I was a goner."

Roy smiled. He was going to walk over to them but he heard something behind him. Peach yelled, "Roy, look out!"

Roy turned and saw Jay up with the TV raised over his head. He threw it at Roy. Roy dove out of the way, but it got the back of his leg. He fell to the ground. Peach rushed to his side and helped him up. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He looked over where Peach had come from. Moe was lifting the large dresser off his body. "No way. How are they getting up?"

Peach shook her head. "That thing should have knocked him out. What's going on?"

"Don't know. But stay back." Roy started to scoot back with Peach and Pichu protectively behind him. He readied his sword for his Flare Blade attack. The two men started to advance towards the trio.

"We don't want to hurt you," Jay said. "Especially you, Princess. I just want to take you into my sweet, warm embrace. Just come on over here."

Peach was ready to hurl an insult, but Roy interrupted her. "As long as I'm here, she's going to stay with me. I will protect her!"

Peach was shocked by his words. Roy. Her heart did a little flutter as her cheeks flushed to a rosy color.

Roy didn't look like he realized what he just said, but Peach would never forget it. Roy started to power up. Just a little bit closer. Moe and Jay started to attack at the same time, but Roy shot his attack off first. It was much larger than the last one. The room started to shake. Peach, Pichu, and Roy flew back into a wall. Roy slumped to the floor in exhaustion. There were small flames igniting on the walls, but too small to spread.

Pichu looked at the swordsman. "Pi?"

Roy slowly patted her on the head. "I'm okay. They're… no…" Roy looked through all the smoke. He could see them coming through the smoke. They had no scratches on them. "That can't be. That always works…unh." Roy's shoulders were hurting. "I'll try...I'll try one more..."

"No, you'll exhaust yourself." Peach helped him stay up. "Roy, hang on." Peach discovered a small bleeding cut above his forehead dripping down his face. Peach grabbed for her handkerchief, but her hand fell on something. She pulled it out and looked at it. It was her perfume bottle.

Moe and Jay laughed. "As long as we're standing you don't stand a chance. Let's do this, Moe!' Jay and Moe lunged at them.

Peach stood up. "I hope this works," She said quietly. She shot out her perfume in front of them and sprayed the fragrance in their path.

When they reached the fumes, both of them immediately started to choke. They started gasping for air and fell to the ground quickly.

"My lungs are on fire!" Moe said in gurgling noise. "Help me, Jay!"

Jay didn't answer. His body already stopped functioning and he was curled in a ball onto the floor not making a sound. Moe soon fell to the same fate.

Peach squinted her eyes at the duo. She sighed in relief when she saw them immobilized. She just hoped they were alive like Ace. "That was way too close."

Roy was slowly standing up. "I told you that's a pepper spray for boys."

Peach lightly hit him. "Be quiet!" she giggled again.

Roy smiled. "We better get going. Marth's going to need our help." Roy scratched his head. "Wasn't there another guy in here with them?"

Peach thought about it for a moment. "Yes, there was. He probably left while we were dizzy from these fumes. Let's go find Marth!"

The three hurried out of the room, leaving the room a messy heap. They made their way back to the front entrance quickly. Peach was very tired but she was worried about Samus, Zelda, and Marth, so she continued to follow Roy. Roy still had the energy to run, even though he was very weak from his attacks. Peach started to lag behind and get tired. Pichu slowed down so they wouldn't lose Peach.

Peach brushed Pichu away. "I'll be fine." She stopped in front of a bookcase and bent over placing her hands on her knees and catching her breath.

Roy turned back. "Peach, come on."

Roy failed to notice the person hiding in the shadows. He readied his gun aiming it on his target. Roy heard the clicking of a gun and he knew one of the other two were the target. "PEACH! PICHU!" he shouted. "MOVE IT!" Roy heard the gun go off.

Peach turned and gasped when she heard a scream. She saw who the real target was. "Roy!" She shouted as she saw him get hit in chest. He fell on one knee. She moved but she heard two more bullets go off. She didn't know where they landed, but they were close. She heard two ropes snap behind her and Pichu. Peach turned and saw the bookcase behind her had its ropes cut off and was falling towards her and Pichu. Peach couldn't move her feet. She was frozen in fear.

She was about to let out a cry when she was roughly pushed out of the way. Peach fell out of the falling bookcase's way and slid across the floor. She rolled across the floor until she hit a desk in the corner of the room. There was a loud crash and dust filled the air. Peach moaned and got up quickly to see what had happened. Books were everywhere and the bookcase was snapped in half. She saw the man who did it. Hyde was on the ground with a sharp dagger in his right shoulder. He was down for the count.

"What happened?" Peach asked as she rubbed her head. "Did Roy do that?"

"PICHU! PICHU!"

Peach looked in the direction of the pokemon's shouts. Pichu was standing by the bookcase and she was tugging at something. Peach looked at what she was pulling. It was a purple cape. Peach looked even harder to see someone under the bookcase. When the person's face became clear, Peach let out a loud scream.

---

Mewtwo's eyes finally opened. "I found them."

Zelda looked at Mewtwo from the tree she was leaning on. "What?"

"Everyone's at the mansion. And someone's in trouble, we need to get there. I can teleport us there if I channel your memories."

Zelda got up from the tree and ran to Mewtwo's side. "Let's go!"

Mewtwo closed his eyes and concentrated on Veronica's estate. He locked onto it quickly and soon they teleported. Zelda opened her eyes and saw the familiar estate in front of her.

"We're here," Zelda said softly. Zelda noticed something when she looked at the front door. For one thing it wasn't there and secondly she could see Peach on her knees inside. She was crying.

"Roy, wake up!" she was saying through her sobs. She was desperately trying to lift what looked like a very large bookcase.

Roy? Something happened to him? When did he get here? That must have been what Mewtwo was talking about. Zelda ran inside with Mewtwo close on her heels.

"Peach!" Zelda called.

Peach turned around to the sound of her voice. She had tears streaming down her face. "Zelda! You're alright!"

Zelda didn't waste anytime. She hugged Peach and Pichu at the same time. "Oh, I thought you two were dead."

"We're fine," she said as she continued to sob. "Thank goodness, you're alive. Oh, Zelda." She continued to cry. "Roy. He's-"

Zelda looked at Peach. "What happened?"

Peach moved aside for Zelda to see the tragedy. Zelda gasped. The bookcase had crashed to the floor, and Roy was trapped under it. He was on his stomach was lying with his head to the side and his hands laid out in front of him. He was unconscious, but breathing. Not only did she see him, but also the injured Hyde on the ground.

"Oh, goddesses." Zelda said quietly.

"The bookshelf fell on him when he pushed me out of the way. But it was supposed to fall on me, Zelda. He risked his life for me and Pichu. If I was only faster, Zelda, this wouldn't have happened! I could have moved faster! I could have!" Peach hysterically explained.

"Shh, Peach." Zelda tried to soothe her. "It wasn't your fault. Roy wanted to protect you. It's alright."

"No, no it isn't!" Peach cried into her friend's embrace.

Mewtwo came into the room. He inspected the accident, and the broken bookshelf. "I can remove it."

Peach teared herself away from Zelda's embrace. "You can?"

"Yes, but it'll take a little bit longer since my psychic powers have not fully returned. Just give me some space." Mewtwo closed his eyes.

Zelda squeezed Peach's hand. "Don't worry. Mewtwo will get him out."

"What if he dies while he's stuck under there? I wouldn't be able to handle it. I don't want to lose any friends." Peach wiped away some of her tears.

Zelda wasn't quite ready to tell her about Link. She looked to see Mewtwo had stopped concentrating. "What's wrong?"

"I can't seem to completely concentrate on this, something keeps pulling me away. Someone else in this house needs help," Mewtwo said with his eyes closed.

"Oh!" Peach exclaimed. "Marth and Samus! "

"Marth is here, too? Samus is okay?" Zelda hoped her friend was all right. "She's not being controlled anymore?"

"I don't know. I'm still confused about the whole Samus thing on the train. But Marth went to get her alone. Let's go find him, I worried." Peach started to get up, but Zelda grabbed her hand. Peach turned back.

"You stay here, Peach. When Roy gets free, he'll need some medical attention. Someone needs to keep a lookout while Mewtwo is concentrating on the bookshelf anyway."

"I don't think you should go by yourself. Let me go with you."

"No, stay here. You've been through enough. I'll be okay." Pichu hopped onto her shoulder. Zelda patted her on the head. "Besides I'll have Pichu with me."

Peach thought for a long moment and then nodded. "Be careful. Marth headed that way to the left. Pichu will know the way." Zelda nodded and let the little Pokemon guide her. Peach remembered something. "Zelda, wait!"

Zelda turned back around. Peach came running towards her. She stopped in front of the unconscious form of Hyde and sprayed something on him. He started to cough and choke. Peach then made her way to Zelda and gave her the bottle. "What is it?" Zelda asked when she received the bottle.

"It's my perfume. For some reason, the men keep falling out when they get sprayed with it. I haven't seen Garrett yet, and he may need a dose of that," Peach said quickly.

Zelda clutched the bottle tightly. "Thanks, Peach!" She hurried up to catch up with Pichu.

Peach sighed and watched her friends leave. Be safe. Peach looked at Roy still trying to get air in his lungs, making more tears build in her eyes. I'm not leaving without all my friends by my side.

The Lounge

Samus opened her eyes. She came face to face with Marth. Except his eyes were closed. She realized that she was on top of him and pushed her hand against the floor. She was moving it on her own. I have control of my body again. Marth must have stopped Garrett from taking complete control of me. I knew he would save me. But why is he sleep? Samus lightly shook him when she lifted her body off him.

"Marth?"

She expected him to wince but he didn't move at all. She shook him again. He still didn't move when she stopped shaking him. She started to panic. "Marth, hey, get up!" He still didn't move. Samus placed her ear to his chest. She listened carefully. I can't hear anything. He's not breathing. Samus shook her head. No… he can't be…no, not now. Not here! She shook him again. "Please get up!"

"It's no use."

Samus looked up from Marth and saw Garrett looking back at her. He was looking at the fallen swordsman. "He's no longer with us."

"What?" Samus asked. This, it had to be lie, she thought.

"Face it, Samus. He's dead and he isn't coming back," Garrett said flatly. Garrett had his sword in his hand. His finger was pressed onto the blade cutting it.

"No, that can't be. In order for me to return back to normal, he had to be alive to stop me. He can't be dead."

Garrett looked at her. He knew it was false confidence. "It's true. He did save you. But he was already dying when he did it. After you were free, he was finally able to let himself die."

Samus put her hand to his forehead. He still wasn't moving or breathing. Her whole body started to tremble. This isn't happening. I must be dreaming. He can't leave me like this.

"I'm surprised he was able to deactivate the mind controlling device."

"Huh?" Samus stopped paying attention to Marth to check if she heard Garrett correctly. "Did you say he deactivated it?"

"Yes I did."

"But you put that newly modified device on me."

"No, I didn't. I put the old model on you. And I tested the new model on your boyfriend. Based of what happened to Marth, it needs some work."

Those words hit Samus like bullets going through her body. Sure enough, she felt the device on the back of her neck. He was supposed to put the new model on me. He told me that was what he was going to do. He lied from the start. "Why did you put it on him?"

"Like I told you earlier on, it was new. And I wasn't going to test it on you. What if you died from it?"

"So it's better he dies, than me?" Samus said it more as a matter of fact than a question.

Garrett already knew the answer to that retort. "Obviously. Samus, I still need you. Why would I try it on you?"

"Why? Did you really just ask me that question?" Samus found herself gripping the carpet floor hard. "He had nothing to do with you! He was innocent!" she snapped back.

"He was in the way just like all your other friends. If I had my way, I would have killed them too."

Samus couldn't look him in the eyes anymore. He was too heartless to look at. She looked back down at Marth. "You can't be dead. Come on, please open your eyes."

Garrett grew agitated. "He's dead, Samus! Stop lying to yourself!"

Samus snarled. "Shut-up! He wouldn't fall to someone like you!"

Garrett walked angrily towards her. "You need to realize what you're saying. You can't love a dead man."

"How can anyone believe what you say?" Samus still didn't look at him as she turned her back towards him. She saw something on Marth's right side. She placed her hand on it.

Garrett was furious. "Do you want me to prove it?" Garrett looked at his sword. "I'll kill him again, and make you watch with your own eyes! Are you going to believe me now?" he asked on last time. She didn't answer him. He raised his sword. "Fine! I'LL PROVE IT!" Garrett brought down his sword.

Samus flipped around and whipped out Marth's sword. She held it defensively. She was able to stop his attack but Garrett didn't back down. He was pushing the sword down on Samus but she continued trying to stop him. "I won't let you hurt him!"

This enraged Garrett. "Why do you keep defending him? He's dead!"

Samus grunted as she tried to keep the sword back. "I refuse to believe that. He would never leave me alone like this! Now back off!" Try as Samus may to protect Marth's body, she was no swordmaster, and Garrett was much stronger.

"You killed him when you put that device on the back of his neck!" Garrett shouted, throwing off Samus's focus.

"You used me to attack him?" Samus was livid. How could she be this weak to let this happen? "You using me for your selfish ambitions is despicable!"

"I may have done so, but who is the one who trusted me in the first place, Samus?" Garret noticed her defense dropping and he knew now what to do. "Who made the decision to bring her friends to this estate and put them through all this mess? And who came to save you because you decided to trust, and now suffered because of you." Garrett looked Samus straight in the eye. "You brought your friends, Marth, everyone to ruin, Samus. This is your fault!"

Garrett's words had an impact on her. It is my fault, all of it is. I caused it by my foolishness and now my friends are suffering because of me. Garrett was starting to test the might of Marth's sword. Worried for the state of the sword, Samus broke her concentration.

Garrett was able to find her weak spot and knock the sword out of her hands. Before she could even get it back, Garrett grabbed the back of her neck, and made her face Marth. "Let go of me!" she shouted.

"Look at him, Samus!" Garrett pushed her head down so she could get a good look, not caring what pain she was in. "Can you honestly say he's alive?" he said in a loud, echoing voice. She didn't answer him, but he knew she was thinking about it. "Do you really think he's going to get up and start walking again? Get it through your head, Samus! He's not…coming… back!" With that, he let go of her neck and she gripped the floor with her hands to keep balance.

She kept her head down and her eyes away from Garrett's uncaring face. Garrett sighed and continued to hold his sword in his hand. "I'm not trying to hurt you, Samus. But you need to accept what happened. I care about you." He held out a hand to touch her cheek, but she smacked it away. Garrett growled and raised his sword again. "If I have to make it permanent, I will. Now move! I don't want to hurt you!"

Samus was staring at the floor in defeat. She felt like she could no longer function anymore. Garrett told her again. "Samus, move."

She didn't move. "If you're going to do it. You'll have to go through me. "

"I'm not going to kill you. I will force you to move," Garrett threatened her, and Samus looked up with the most menacing glare he'd seen from her.

"By what? Controlling me again? Using me to hurt the people I love? I swear if you put that disastrous device on me again, I will do everything in my power to kill myself." Her green eyes pierced his eyes. "That's how much Marth matters to me!"

Garrett stared at Samus. He knew she was telling the truth. She was too much in love with Marth. He knew spending time wouldn't be enough, but with this he would stand of chance of making her his. But nothing could break them. Marth proved that himself in their fight. No mind control device was stronger than their bond. He heard the door open behind him.

"Samus!"

Garrett turned around. He saw the Princess Zelda standing by the door. She was looking straight at him with her powers glowing at her fingers, ready to attack. Garrett looked at Samus. She still hadn't moved from the floor. She was still looking at the fallen prince.

"Get away from her!" Zelda said directly to Garrett.

Garrett kept an eye on Zelda. He looked at her fingers. They were trembling. He knew he could take Zelda out easily in her weak state. He closed his eyes and chuckled. "There's no need for an attack. I'm not going to attack you or her anymore."

Zelda's hands dropped a bit. "What did you say?"

Garrett prepared himself. "I surrender. Samus came out victorious." He walked over to Zelda slowly. Zelda stood her ground but her nerves started to rise. When Garrett was right in front of her, he saw something in her pocket. He moved his hand so quick past her pocket that Zelda barely felt it.

Zelda's eyes widened when she saw Garrett had grabbed Peach's perfume. What is he going to do?

Garrett looked at the bottle. "This stuff: it is the end of anyone who gets sprayed by it."

He looked at Samus one last time. Samus was looking in his direction, but even now, she still looked right through him. "Samus: so beautiful. So strong." He shook his head and laughed an odd laugh. "But you were far more superior to me. I never would have been able to make you happy. It was wrong to call you naive and lonely. No, you are strong and loved."

Garrett looked back at Zelda, who was still confused. He smiled defeatedly. "Princess, take good care of your friend. She's really going to need you."

Zelda finally found some words. "But what are you…"

Garrett didn't listen to the rest of her sentence. He took the bottle and sprayed it straight in his face with his eyes open. He felt all parts of his body start to come to a halt. Garrett's eyes started to close but he took one last glance at Samus. Still looking though him, she understood what he did. He fell to the ground and did not wake again.

Zelda couldn't believe her eyes. She looked over at Samus, sitting on her knees. "Samus?"

Samus looked away from the fallen Garrett and saw Zelda running over to her. She was happy to see her friend alive but she had no way to express her happiness. Pichu entered the room when she saw Garrett was down since Zelda had told her earlier to stay outside unless there was trouble. Samus sat quietly as Zelda got on her knees in front of her and Pichu came running up next to her. "Are you okay?" Samus didn't say anything. Zelda then saw Marth's body on the floor.

"Oh, Nayru," Zelda said quietly. She looked at Samus. "Samus… he isn't…he can't be."

Samus's eyes fell back on Marth. There was no going around it. She slowly nodded. "He is." Her tears finally formed. "He's gone." Samus broke out in sobs as she collapsed on Marth's chest. "Zelda, he left me!" she cried.

Pichu went by Samus's side and patted her head. She tried to do the best she could. "Pichu pi."

Zelda felt tears fall down her face. Not only did she lose Link, now Marth was gone. Who was next? But she saved her tears for herself. They were tears for Samus. She gently rubbed her friend's back. "Samus, I am so sorry. I wish I could have been here earlier."

"Why? Then you would have seen me kill him," she said in a muffled voice.

"What?"

Samus lifted her face from her fallen love. "Garrett used me, Zelda! I killed him when I had that chip on me. I put a device on him and it poisoned his body. Marth saved me, and then he died because I was weak!"

"But, it wasn't you. It was the device. You can't blame yourself."

"Yes, I can. I made you guys come to the estate so we could find more clues because I trusted him. And Marth came back to get me." Samus sniffed some of her tears back. "Sometimes I wonder why I'm even here." She looked at Marth's sword. "Earlier when he was trying to kill Marth for good I was only wishing one thing."

"What was that?" Zelda had recovered from her crying much faster than Samus.

"I was wishing he'd kill me too. I knew Marth was gone, but I didn't want to say it. My life without him, I don't deserve it," Samus cried out through her endless tears.

"Don't say things like that. You know Marth wouldn't want you to-"

"-Give up my life after what he did to save me." Samus finished her sentence. "Yes, I know. Maybe living without him is a cruel enough punishment for what I did," Samus looked at her braceletless hand. "Even though he promised to be with me forever." She lightly laughed in an effort to brush off her tears. "But promises are meant to be broken, right?"

Zelda nodded, thinking about Link. They had made so many promises, and now all of them were broken because of her. "Yes… but you'll get through it. I'm trying to."

"Trying to what?"

Zelda realized she was about to confess what happened. Samus had enough on her plate to deal with, and she didn't want to hurt her even more. Samus looked like if she heard one more upsetting thing she was going to break into a million pieces. "It's nothing. Come on, Samus." She tried to help Samus stand on her feet. "You shouldn't look at him anymore. Let's go back to the others. They're worried."

"No, you go. I'll stay here. I still need some time," she said quietly.

Zelda understood. "I'll check on you later." She hugged her friend from behind, placing her head on her shoulder so she could whisper in her ear. "You'll be okay, Samus."

"Mm-hmm..." But Samus sounded very unsure. "Zel, you say I'm someone to look up to. But I envy you so much. You always make the right decisions."

Zelda didn't want to respond to that. "Please, I do not deserve such gratitude. I'm merely trying to be normal like everyone else."

"Well, so far so good," she said quietly without turning around.

Zelda let go of her friend and stood up. "Come on, Pichu. Samus needs some alone time."

Pichu nuzzled her furry head against Samus's right arm. Samus scratched her head in response. "Thank you, Pichu."

Zelda stood by the door and waited for Pichu to come closer to her. When Pichu stepped out the door, Zelda took one last look at Samus. She was back to running her fingers across Marth's face, trying to calm herself. Zelda sighed and shut the door.

Alone, Samus let her sobs fill the room. "I am so sorry, Marth. I can never forgive myself for being so weak."

---

Zelda was heading back, when Mewtwo appeared in front of her. "Mewtwo?" she wasn't surprised by his appearance. "What is it?"

"I see you walking out here without your friends. Were we too late to save them from the enemy?" Mewtwo asked.

Zelda shook her head. "We were on time for Samus. But…"

"Yes?"

"We were too late for Marth."

Mewtwo's eyes barely showed a reaction. "He's dead?" Zelda nodded. "And where is Samus?"

"She's in the room." Zelda pointed back to the door. "She needs some time to herself. It may take her a while."

"I see." Mewtwo looked at the door. "I need to talk to her."

"Talk to her? Mewtwo, she's really devastated right now. I don't think she wants to talk about anything."

"Is she in there blaming herself for his death?" Mewtwo questioned.

Zelda thought of his question as weird to ask at the moment. "I guess you could say that."

"Then I must speak with her." Mewtwo moved past Zelda. He turned back around and stopped Zelda from speaking. "Trust me on this one. You can help Princess Peach. The young swordsman is out from under the bookcase, but he needs some medical attention."

Trusting Mewtwo was no problem for Zelda. So far, ever since she's met him, he's been a trustworthy Pokemon and has helped her so much. Still, Zelda was curious to know what he wanted to talk to Samus about. "Fine. Just don't tell her anything upsetting." Zelda turned to look at him. He was already gone.

---

Roy's nose sniffed a heavenly scent. He slowly opened his eyes. In front of him was a piece of chocolate. He regained his vision and looked at the candy in a confused manner. "What the…"

"Good, it worked." Roy looked up to see Peach waving the chocolate in his face. She smiled down at him. "At first I thought it wasn't going to work. But I guess it's true. The smell of chocolate can wake up anyone instantly from the unconscious state."

"Peach?" he said slowly. He tried to get up, but he felt pain shoot through his whole body. Peach placed her soft hands on him to set him back down on the floor. "What happened to me? I remember pushing you out of the way of that bookcase and then what?"

"Hyde shot you, remember? I guess you whipped out that small dagger and threw it at Hyde, right?" She watched Roy try to remember before he nodded. She continued. "Then you pushed me out of the way along with Pichu. Unfortunately for you, the bookcase came crashing down on your body. I'm hoping your body wasn't paralyzed from the crash."

"Paralyzed? I can't move a muscle?" Roy said in shock. He did find it difficult to move.

"Well, we're not sure." Peach corrected him. "I think you just twisted one arm. But don't worry. When Zelda comes back, she can heal everything."

"I thought she only did wounds."

"We'll see, but I'm sure she can do more. Such an amazing girl."

Roy rested his head, finally being able to relax, knowing he would be back to normal soon. He looked at Peach and saw that her right arm was scraped. "Peach, are you okay?"

Peach was surprised by that question. "Huh?"

"I asked you if you're okay."

"Um…yes, I'm fine. I don't have any injuries unless you count scratches." Peach smiled down at him. "Thanks for asking."

Roy smiled back. "No problem." He heard heels from the back of his head. When he tried to look up he saw Zelda get on her knees behind him.

"Hey Roy. Are you still hanging on?"

"Barely," he replied.

Zelda held her hands out. "This will only take a second." Zelda closed her eyes and summoned her healing magic. His scrapes and cuts, the bullet injury that only grazed him disappeare. Roy started to feel his legs again as they twitched. She continued on for another minute before she opened her eyes. She took a deep breath and then exhaled. "Finished."

Roy felt like a brand new person. He stood up quickly with no problem. He looked at his arms and started to flop them around. He then looked at his feet and clicked them together. "Good as new!" He looked up at his healing friend. "Thanks, Z."

Zelda sighed in relief. "You should stop saying things like that. I have to heal you every time you do something foolish. A thanks coming from you is starting to get annoying."

"Yes, but he was heroic." Peach defended Roy, leaving both Zelda and Roy in surprise. "You should have heard what he said earlier when we took down the other guys. He was swearing he was my protector."

Those words came back to Roy quickly and he frowned. "Don't get used to them, Princess. How else will I be recognized as a hero if I don't defend obnoxious and bratty princesses as yourself?" he said plainly.

Peach immediately stopped smiling. And these are the reasons why I hate him. "Well, it's not like I wanted you to say those things to me anyway. I can get along fine without you. I'm starting to wonder why we even saved you!"

Zelda looked at Peach in disbelief. "Didn't you just say…ow!" She was cut off when Peach punched her in her back. She knew what that meant. She wanted Zelda to drop it, never bring it up again, and forget all about it. The two argued right on the spot.

"STUPID PYRO LOVING IDIOT!"

"STUCK-UP PALACE BRAT!"

"OBNOXIOUS MENACE!"

"HIGH MAINTENANCE PRINCESS!"

Zelda rolled her eyes. The typical fighting duo was back.

"MY HOUSE!"

Zelda, Peach, and Roy stopped thinking and arguing when they heard the thunderous voice. They all turned around and saw Mr. Walden looking at his demolished front door. Behind him were a few officers. Master Hand was floating right next to him.

"Mr. Walden?" Zelda said quietly. "What are you doing here?"

"Shouldn't I be asking that question? It's my house!" he snapped. He was gripping his black hair in agony. He looked like he was going to spit fire. "What are you doing here?"

Zelda didn't know how answer that question.

"Isn't it obvious, Daddy! She's trying to commit more crimes!" a voice barked loudly.

Daddy? Zelda saw someone come through the crowd. If anything before had shocked her to the extreme earlier, this topped it. A very familiar and unforgettable girl came in front of her dad and glared at Zelda with her harsh, purple eyes. These eyes belonged to Veronica.

P/N: (Pichu's note) Ha! I liked the sound of that.

Pichu: Okay. End of the chapter! Whew! Wasn't that long? You know the drill. Please Review and maybe she'll come back. She said at least give her two weeks tops to quit sulking in her room. I can't stand this! I want to know what happens. She won't even tell me! And I'm cute! Let's make her update fast. So answer this multiple-choice question. It's a secret Royal Kenya doesn't know about. Here it is.

Ways to Make her Update Faster

A. Leave her a nice review and encourage her

B. Make her brownies

C. Shoot her with a harpoon gun! (Pichu: I made that one up myself!)

D. All Of the Above

E. Other

Pichu: Okay (looks at paper) Oh yeah. She also says once again, be ready for her surprise soon to come. You'll never guess what it is in a million years. Okay that's all so bye readers! Pichu signing off!