Chapter 11: The Return
Fox was watching the tournament on the monitor to pass the time. He had gotten himself quite a distance away. He had missed the final battle of the day, which was the last of the semi-finals. In a day, once both winners were rested, the finals would begin. And it would be between Link and Marth to see who the champion would be.
But Fox had a feeling that the battle wouldn't end as it should with one or the other as a victor. Fox had to warn the Master Hand. He was the only one who could protect Link and Marth.
Maybe. Pyra had grown so strong. But there had to be a way to beat him. There had to be. All Fox had to do was find his weakness and exploit it as best he could. Fox leaned back and tried to get some sleep. He was in for the fight of his life, and he would need all the recuperation he could get.
The next day, Fox arrived at the tournament's location and entered, via Arwing. Quickly, he ran to the dormitories, where the Smashers could stay until they were no longer needed for the tournament. That was the only place he contact the Master Hand. But as he approached, a muscular figure blocked his path.
"I'm sorry," he said. "But only tournament entrees allowed in here. Security reasons."
Fox grumbled to himself. "I am an entrée. I'm Fox McLoud. I was knocked out earlier."
"I realize that, sir. But you are no longer considered an entrée. Therefore I cannot let you pass."
"It is imperative that I speak with the Master Hand," Fox demanded.
"The Master Hand is not to be disturbed under any circumstance. Him and his brother must devote their full attention to the tournament."
Fox ran a hand over his face in irritation. "Look," he said. "The two finalists are in danger. I must warn them and the Master Hand."
"I'm sorry," the guard said. "I cannot allow you to pass."
"Fine," Fox grumbled to himself. "Don't let me through."
He turned and began to walk away. Then he stopped after about fifty feet. And began to run at the guard. The guard was frozen for a second. Then he braced for an impact from the little fox that wasn't even half his size. But Fox didn't collide with the man. Two steps from collision, Fox shot forward and passed right through the guard. The guard dropped his defenses in astonishment when a light blue illusion of Fox slammed into. He went down, hard. Fox left him once he made sure he was still breathing.
Fox ran to the dorm rooms. He didn't known when the fight was going to start. He had to hurry before they left for their final match. Sword Master versus Sword Master. That would be a sight to see. But he couldn't let the fight happen. Pyra would wait for them both to tire themselves out. Then he would strike. Fox couldn't allow that.
He ran to Link's dorm. He pounded on the door, waiting for some answer. He listened to his knocks as they echoed through the room. But after that, there was silence. He pounded again. Still no answer. Fox kicked at the door, trying to break it down. He door held firm. Then he shot a Fire Fox directly at the doorknob. The door still didn't break.
Fox searched his pockets and found the Beam Sword. He cut the doorknob away and kicked the door open. He went in, calling out Link's name. But there was no response. Fox searched every room, but he didn't find Link. Plus all his equipment was gone. He must have gone to warm up or something. The fight couldn't start already. Not so soon.
Fox went to a video screen and turned it on. It was broadcasting information about the tournament. Fox scanned it for the time of the Finals. It was hidden behind a picture of Zelda that was taped on to the top corner.
He pulled the picture down and looked at the time. Then he looked at his own watch in disbelief. The match was to start in five minutes. He ran from Link's room. He had to get to the waiting room. Both Link and Marth would be there. If he could only get there in time, he could warn them both.
But that wouldn't necessarily mean anything. He had warned Mario, but now he was floating around in Pyra's ring, feeding his already phenomenal power. But what else could he do? He couldn't let them be absorbed. Then Pyra would have all the strength he would need to take out the Master Hand and his brother.
Fox burst into the waiting room just as Link and Marth were getting on their loading platforms. Link disappeared in brilliant light. Marth turned to face Fox as the light surrounded him. Fox took a running start and leapt at Marth. Marth couldn't react in time. Fox slammed into Marth chest plate as both of them were sent to the final match of the tournament.
Fox looked around at the arena. It was of Hyrule Temple. One of the larger arenas. Link was on the slanted platform to the right of the stage. Fox and Marth were both under the other platform to the left. The Finals had started. Fox had arrived too late.