I'm finally back with another V-E-R-Y long chapter. I'm really sorry to keep u ppl waiting. I hope some of you ppl abandoned me! I only got there new reviews for that last chapter. Anywayz, the second round concludes, with a little post-game partay. u wont wanna miss this next chapter! oh, andone thingabout that last chapter. Link's Farore's Wind was introduced in Zelda: Ocarina of Time (many ppl know that), but i never used it, so i dont really know how it looks. i just made it up. now, onto the story.

XXIX. ROUND TWO, PART TWO: The Belated Dinner Date

"Well it's about time you showed up!" Ronald said grumpily, "We were about to disqualify you."

"Well, I'm back," Zelda said, "So let's get this started."

"Next. Zelda versus Captain Falcon."

Oh no, not her again! I guess I can say goodbye to any future children…

"Step lively! To the portals!"

Zelda and Falcon walked up to the round platforms. They stepped onto the portals to travel to another distant land.

They reappeared, on a stretch of grass, interrupted by two pits on either side of Zelda and Captain Falcon.

"Where are we?" Zelda asked, taking in her surroundings.

"I have no clue, baby." Said Captain Falcon, also staring at the strange scenery.

Zelda's face grew hot. "That's Princess Zelda to you."

"Oh, please accept my apology, Your Highness." Captain Falcon spoke with an unnatural air of sophistication as he bowed deeply before Zelda.

"That will do," A sudden gust of wind knocked Zelda off her feet, "Oof! A tad blustery isn't it?"

"Th-that's not the wind… it's a tree!"

Zelda was blinded by the wind, "A tree? A tree can't make wind. What, is it just blowing air into my face?"

"YES!"

The wind died down, and Zelda found herself looking at a tall tree, with black eyes and a wide mouth.

"I swear! It just opened its mouth and started blowing air!"

Zelda was sceptical, but she didn't have much time to dwell on the thought as the impatient voice of Gerald Smash boomed over a loudspeaker.

"Take your positions!"

Zelda and Captain Falcon moved to opposite ends of the battle stage.

"Ready? GO!"

"I'll take it easy on your crotch." Zelda said as she leaped into the air.

Captain Falcon jumped up. "Falcon Kick!" He blasted towards Zelda, engulfed in flames and kicked her with great force.

She fell to the ground.

"Come on, baby!" Falcon said, landing on the ground, "Show me your moves!"

Outraged, she sprang up and electrocuted the F-Zero racer. She grabbed him and threw him away forcefully, aided by her magic.

Captain Falcon was sent off the stage, but managed to jump back to grab the edge.

Zelda looked down as he struggled to get up, "It's Princess to you!" And she stomped on his fingers.

He hollered in pain, and let go of the edge, falling to an empty black void. An explosion of smoke and light emitted and he reappeared on a recovery platform. Not wasting a second, he jumped down, pulling his arm back. "Falcon PUNCH!"

Before Zelda could block, the fist connected with her stomach and she flew away. She was expecting to fall through on of the gaps in the stage, but to her surprise, it had filled up with yellow bricks, emblazoned with stars. What a lucky save! Zelda had gotten out of her last two battles victorious from constant dodging, but she found it increasingly difficult, as Captain Falcon proved quite nimble. He had underestimated me the first time, he wont make the mistake again. Zelda had gotten up to take a swing at Falcon, but he had already started punching the daylights out of her.

With each blow, Link could see his beloved's damage counter increase at dreadfully high increments. How he wished he could be there, to yell words of encouragement to Zelda. He yelled daftly at the television. It did neither him nor Zelda any good, as she was sent away from a strong smash attack from Captain Falcon.

Taking advantage of her split second recovery invulnerability, she grabbed Captain Falcon and smacked him to death; she then set him ablaze with Din's Fire and electrocuted him once again. She had powerful magic at her disposal, and was using it well against her foe. However, where Captain Falcon lacked in that area, he made up for that with brute strength and lightning speed, two things Zelda found hard to beat. The clock indicated they had little over forty-five seconds left, the score and even one-one tie. Zelda decided to play defensively, using her blocks and Nayru's Love effectively.

"5! 4! 3! 2! 1! TIME!"

Zelda stopped to catch her breath.

Captain Falcon had his hands on his knees, panting.

"SUDDEN DEATH! Ready? GO!"

A wind picked up, and Zelda saw that it was indeed the tree that was blowing all the wind. The gale was against Captain Falcon, almost completely immobilizing him. As the tree blew gusts of wind, it's branches shook and fruit fell to the ground.

"Hm…" Zelda thought, "Well, when life gives you apples…" She picked one up and tossed it at Captain Falcon. He rocketed into a wall of yellow blocks, ricocheted and flew into the background.

"GAME! This game's winner is: Zelda!"

Zelda merely brushed her hair out of her face and walked to a portal.

When she returned to the stadium, Link was waiting. Arms wide, he engulfed her in a big hug. "Congratulations! You were so awesome you Captain-Falcon-ass-kickin'-machine!"

Zelda laughed.

"Next is Link and Ness!"

Link pulled back from Zelda and cocked his head in surprise. "Ness?"

"Oh no." Ness said. He looked devastated. I'm gonna die. He slowly creeped to a portal.

---

Roy and Peach waited in agony to hear anything about Samus. Finally, a nurse came out.

"You can see Ms. Aran now."

"Is she okay?" Roy asked

"She is awake and talking, but not quite walking yet." Roy and Peach got up. They followed the nurse through the doors and into a stark white room, rows of beds lining the walls. They found Samus.

"Samus! Are you okay?" Peach cried.

"Just fine." She said in a weak voice.

"We ran blood tests on her," said Dr. Mario, "A foreign substance was found in her bloodstream."

Peach and Roy gasped.

"Oh my god!" Peach exclaimed.

"Sadly, we couldn't identify it. Not a common chemical. But we've stabilized her, she'll be fine now. All she needs is rest."

Peach hugged Samus.

"Take it easy on her." Roy said.

Peach pulled back.

"What happened?" Samus asked, "When I was knocked out."

"I… I don't know Samus; you were with Zelda. I heard Zelda scream, and you were on the ground shaking breathing really fast. Then you just, fainted."

"You don't remember any of it?" Roy asked.

"No, last I remember, I was watching Mewtwo and Bowser on the TV. I don't even remember talking to Zelda…"

This got Peach worried. "You… You don't?"

"No…"

"Ms. Aran," A nurse said. "A Link and Princess Zelda wish to see you."

"Oh! Zelda! Link! Send them in!"

Link and Zelda entered. Zelda found Samus and rushed to her.

"Samus! Are you okay?"

"Yes."

Zelda took her hand. "Did the doctor say what was wrong?"

"They found an unknown chemical in my blood."

"Oh my Din."

Link came forward. "We got you some Caramilk bars." He held out two chocolate bars.

"My favourite! Thank you." She squeezed Link's hand. "Anyone want a piece?"

"No thanks," Roy said, "Kit Kats are better."

"Sorry, I'm on a diet." Peach said.

"Enjoy your chocolate." Zelda said.

Samus unwrapped a bar and snapped off two pieces. She popped them into her mouth. "Mmmm."

"Is Marth coming?" asked Roy.

"After the second round is over. He's last with Young Link." Link said

"How'd you two do?" Samus asked.

"Barely won against Captain Falcon." Zelda said.

"Him again?" Peach said.

"Unfortunately"

"And what about you, Link?"

"I had to fight Ness."

The other three had astonished looks on their faces.

"Yeah… felt so bad for him. I went really easy on him, just shot arrows at him and threw my boomerang around. He blocked them easily. He has weird psychic powers though. He's like Zelda; he can summon fire and electricity. Anyways, we just shot eachother with arrows and fire until the match ended. Then, when it came to the sudden death match, he burst into tears and just jumped off the stage."

"And so, you won?" Roy asked.

"Yup… He said he was too scared to face me."

"Aaw." Peach said.

Just then, Marth burst through the doors. "Samus!"

"Marth!" Samus's eyes filled with glee.

Marth ran up to Samus and kissed her on the cheek. "How are you?"

"I'm fine! Oh Marth!" She sat up and hugged him.

Zelda and Peach shared a look of satisfaction.

"It worked." Zelda whispered.

"Oh my god yes!" Peach excitedly whispered back, "But will it last?"

"We can only hope for the best."

Link and Roy were dumbfounded. Link looked to Zelda. She mouthed the words 'love dust'. Their eyes lit up. Link and Roy understood immediately.

Roy whispered to Link. "Speaking of the love dust, Dr. Mario said he could cure us."

"Really?" Link said.

"Yeah."

Link paused. "…Do you really want to be cured?"

"Well, ya!" Roy said, "I mean, it's not that I don't like, y'know, liking you, but, it'd be nice to look at you and not have to hold back a hug."

"I guess…" Link felt slightly disappointed, but another part of him told him Roy was right.

"Well, we'd better head off." Zelda said.

"Yeah, we're going out for lunch. Come on Roy, Link."

The four stood up.

"Thanks guys." Samus said.

"For what?" Roy asked.

"For bringing me here! It shows me how much you guys care about me! And the chocolate is good too!"

Peach smiled, "Anytime, hon."

"Bye Samus." Link said. He, Roy, Zelda and Peach left the room.

In the hospital parking lot, the four stood.

"So where are we going?"

"A little café downtown," Zelda said, "Think of this as that dinner date you two promised us to."

Link's mind was brought back to heated arguments with Zelda. "Right, the dinner date…"

Peach's limo pulled into the parking lot.

"Oh good. Toad's here." Peach said.

Toad got out of the car, smiling this time. "Hello Princess Peach."

"Good afternoon. Glad to see you in a better mood." Peach said.

"Always happy to serve you."

"Oh, you're so cute sometimes." Peach said. Samus had talked to Peach about Toad, and Peach found now that is was easier to get along with him.

"Well, into the limo now. Your reservations are booked for one o'clock, and you don't want to be late."

"Thank you." Said Peach, as the four got into the car.

"Man, I'm starving." Roy said.

"Yeah, me too," Link said, "All I had for breakfast was an energy drink." Link rubbed his empty stomach

Roy was now rummaging through the mini fridge for any scraps of food.

"Roy, there's no food in there, only drinks." Peach said.

"But I'm so hungry!" Roy whined.

"Oh calm down."

"SOO HUNGRY!"

"Roy! Shut up."

"TOAD STEP ON IT! I'M DYING!"

Peach clamped both of her hands over Roy's mouth. His muffled cries could still be heard. Then they stopped.

Through Peach's fingers he spoke. "PEACH! You've been eating chips!"

"What? I have not!"

"YES! You have! I can taste the salt on your hands!"

"No! It's not true! He's lying!"

"Peach!" Zelda gasped, "You're on a diet!"

Peach let out a wail "WAAH! ZELDA! IT'S JUST TOO HARD! I NEED TO EAT! I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT FOOD!"

"YOU HAD FOOD ALL THIS TIME AND NEVER GAVE ME ANY?" Roy screamed. "WHERE ARE THEY?"

"I'LL NEVER GIVE THE UP! THEY'RE MINE!"

"HAND OVER THE CHIPS"

"NEVER!"

"HAND THEM OVER!"

"NO!"

"AAAAAAHHH!" Roy let out a fierce battle cry.

"ACK! Roy what are you-- No! NO heheeeheehaha! NO STOP! NO THAT TICKEHAAHAHAHAHA!"

Roy was fiercely tickling Peach's ribs. "Hand them over or I'll never stop!"

"NO NO NO NO! Heeheehahaha STOP!"

"Princess Peach?" Toad said, "Were here."

"Oh good heehahe OH ROY STOP!"

"FINALLY HERE!" Roy jumped out of the car and pulled Peach to the café. "FOOD!"

Peach instinctively grabbed Zelda's hand, and Zelda instinctively grabbed Link's hand and the three were yanked out of their seats and dragged along the ground as Roy raced to the restaurant.

"ROOOY! STOP! YOU'RE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION!" Peach screamed "THE LIGHT'S RED!"

Roy didn't seem to notice. He was thinking of only one thing. Food.

The four somehow managed to cross the busy downtown intersection unscathed and finally stopped in front of a little building that Zelda was hoping to be the café.

"Good lord Roy." Zelda wheezed

But Roy had already dashed into the café knocking over the maître d'. Link, Peach and Zelda followed.

The maître d' stood up and brushed himself off. "Table for four?"

Peach gave Roy a cold look, "Well, I don't know if I want to sit with him."

"Yes, table for four." Zelda said, elbowing Peach's ribs.

"Outside?"

"Yes. Roy's to immature to use his inside voice." Peach spat again.

"Peach," Zelda murmured, "Stop it. You're being very immature too." She sighed. They always get like this when they're hungry. "Shall we order right away?"

"A club sandwich and coffee." Roy said.

"I'll have the same," Peach said, "But make my coffee a decaf."

"A scone and some earl grey tea." Zelda said.

"Do you have any pizza?" Link asked.

"No, I'm sorry."

"Fries?"

"No."

"Cuccos?"

"Er, no."

"Then what do you have?"

"Sandwiches, biscuits, scones…"

"I'll take one of everything then."

"LINK!" Zelda said, smacking Link's arm, "We only have so many rupees!"

"What are you talking about? You're a princess! You're loaded!"

"I'M NOT WASTING A SINGLE DIME ON YOU AFTER THAT REMARK!"

"Argh. Fine, club sandwich and an iced tea."

Zelda gave Link a cold shoulder.

"Zellie, I'm sorry."

Zelda said nothing.

Just then, Marth and Samus walked in.

"Hey Marth! Samus!" Roy said, waving them over.

"Hey. Samus was feeling better and the doctors let her go. We thought we'd join you. If it's all right of course."

"By all means, join us!" Zelda said. She offered Marth a seat between her and Link. Samus sat beside Peach.

"So Samus, you're all better now?"

"Yes. I made a fast recovery. Doctor said my immune system is very strong."

"Just like your will." Marth said.

Samus giggled.

Something caught Zelda's attention. She looked up and gasped.

"Zel, what is it?" Link said. He turned around and saw what she was staring at. "Ganondorf!" Link unsheathed his sword, which caused many onlookers to shriek and drop their coffee. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

"Come to bring some happy news."

"Oh? And what news would that be?"

"Samus. You're DISQUALIFIED FROM THE TOURNAMENT!"

Marth gasped "WHAT?"

"You heard me. Dr. Mario still says she's still in no condition to fight."

"Can't you reschedule the fight?" Marth pleaded.

"No." Ganondorf said simply

"YOU'RE LYING!" Link shouted.

"Foolish idiot." Ganondorf raised his hand and shot a ball of dark energy at Link.

Zelda was quick to react and formed a spell barrier. It bounced off and smashed through a plate glass window.

"You dare defy me?"

"Yes."

"Then I see no point in pressing the argument. Believe what you want, Samus is exempted from the tournament." Ganondorf turned on his heel and walked off, cape billowing behind him. He then disappeared in a flash of light.

"That Ganondorf…" Link growled.

Everyone was staring at where Ganondorf left. Then, Marth heard a big sniff.

"Samus! What's wrong?"

She looked up. Tears were streaming down her face dropping into her tea. "It's over! That's it! I'm done!"

Marth got up and stood by Samus's side. She threw her arms over him and wailed. "I'm a failure!"

"Samus! No you're not!"

"Yes! I didn't even make it past the second round! What will people think of me?"

"Samus, it wasn't your fault!"

"Yes it was!"

"Sam, listen to me…"

Wow, they already have nicknames for eachother! This love dust is working great! Peach thought, not caring much about Samus being disqualified.

Whatever Marth said to Samus didn't seem to help. Face in her hands, she stood up and away, crying.

"Sam, wait!" Marth called, but Samus was gone now. He slumped in his chair. "God damn that Ganondorf!" He pounded the table, so that a spoon flew out of Link's coffee, splashing his nose.

Roy snickered, and Link answered with an angry glare. Knowing better than to incur Link's wrath, Roy took and napkin and wiped the coffee of Link's nose.

Peach was now filing her nails, humming a little tune. Link and Roy were eating sugar. Zelda was absent-mindedly ogling at Marth. It seemed Marth was the only one that really cared about Samus being eliminated from the tournament.

"Listen, I'd better go now," Marth said, "Take care all of you."

"You too, love," said Zelda. She hugged Marth and lightly kissed his cheek. Marth wasn't expecting this, but couldn't really care less at the moment. He pushed Zelda away and walked off.

Surprisingly, Link did not make his usual angry "don't flirt with Marth" glare at Zelda, as he was too busy picking sugar out of Roy's hair. Peach was still filing her nails, not noticing anything else at all. Zelda just stood there. Her eyes followed Marth as he walked down the sidewalk and hailed a taxi.

Sheesh, some friends. dont even care that samus is disqualified! o well. next chap up soon... hopefully. lol, jk, it should be up fairly soon. some other things: i changed the summary again and updated my profile. well thats all for now, ciao!