Editing is major lame. Editing twice is worse.


End of an Era

Chapter 3

Slowly, I open my eyes, feeling weak as I look up at a familiar stucco ceiling. I feel drained for all that I just woke up, not thinking as I roll over in bed, the thick woolen quilt not moving easily from where I am under the sheets.

Was it a dream? Dimly I can recall, of all people, Zelda in the Mansion. Only not here as my friend, but as an enemy, blaming me for, here's the kicker, Hyrule's ultimate destruction! That could never happen, not even the Triforce of Power holds that much sway on it's own, and Zelda would never allow hers to be taken by anyone who would wish for it. Yeah it, must have all just been a long, horrible nightmare…

With that in mind I feel somewhat better about myself, guessing that after getting back to my room I merely settled down for a nap and fell asleep. Yeah, once I finished my shower that must have been what happened, it would explain why my Red Tunic is on the floor, surrounded by the crumpled papers from Marth and Roy's visit. I attempt a yawn as I change position, trying too forget what I've dubbed as a dream.

That illusion quickly shatters though, as my eyes snap open and I try to yawn again. Try, and fail as my mouth won't open. I sit up in bed, my gloveless hands flying to my face as I try repeatedly to open up. My blood runs cold as I realize my jaws are wired shut, as if they had been… broken…

No. That's not possible. I feel myself starting to panic as I throw the covers back, noticing that I'm only half-clothed, bandages wrapped around my torso. I shake my head in denial, were my jaw unwired I would be muttering to myself. It didn't happen, it could never happen; Hyru—Hyrule is still there damn it!

In a rush I get out of bed, ignoring the slight pain from the wounds under the bandages, and not looking at the dressings around my left arm. I snatch up my red tunic from the floor and pause, holding the garment crumpled in both hands. I can remember shattered metal and fire rushing at me from an explosion, but since that was just a dream then my tunic shouldn't be at all…

I drop it and stumble backwards, the backs of my knees colliding with the edge of my bed and bringing me down. Bits of dust and debris are all across the front and back of the tunic, shards of glass and miniscule pieces of metal caught in the fabric…

'No…' I think, feeling dead inside as I accept that this is real. Not a nightmare or twisted prank. 'Hyrule is… Nayru… all those people… all because of…' I can't remember the last time… I felt so lost… so useless and stupid…

Everything from before returns to me now; Zelda's questions, her hatred and pain. The confused, disbelieving look the doctor gave me; and Master Hand's… That twisted hand's last words to me!

Nayru, Din, Farore; why? Why did all of this happen? Why couldn't I stop it…?

I have my head in my hands, my palms wet as my shoulders shake violently. My sobs all but silent even though I just want too scream. I fist my hands in my hair, pulling hard and shutting my eyes tightly as guilt wells up inside of me.

Of course, in that almost darkness, it's simply easier for me too see the faces of the people I let down. Kokiri's, Zoras, Gorons, Hylians, all doomed because I wasn't there, because I wasn't strong enough too—

To do what? Defeat two god-damn hands in a Tournament? In seven years I allowed myself to be kept prisoner like this while everyone else advanced, and earned the right to return to their worlds? Is that really my excuse? That I couldn't do what everyone else, even the Eskimos, were able to accomplish?

'Your time has run out.'

Time… Farore… I'm supposed to be the Hero of Time… but… even I'm… still bound by it…


My eyes flutter open and I look up, my vision blurs for a moment until I reach up to rub my eyes, wiping away the sleep. Sheer cornflower blue fabric is draped across the top of the bed I'm lying in, forming a canopy above me. I'm confused as my memories seem scattered, knowing that the last time I awoke, it was not to such finery.

I push myself up into a sitting position, and now I take in my surroundings. The walls are bare stone but for one or two paintings, the floors the same but for a large blue area-rug. They hold little relevance, merely sketches of a sun-bathing field and whatnot, simply there to take up space. The deep navy of the carpet catches my eye though; in the center is a large image of the Triforce. I look around the room again, noting a few more copies of they symbol on the knobs of the dresser and armoire. The furniture, including the luxurious bed, are all darkly stained wood, each piece lovingly carved and accented with blue upholstery. The colour in all shades in the room, the bedspread and pillows all different hues. On top of the dresser I notice my gown tossed onto the top of it, wrinkled and stained from the abuse it's taken recently.

I frown slightly and pull the sapphire sheets up around me, the white corset I wear under my gown hardly decent. It feels strange though, I should be in pain from what I can dimly remember, but instead I feel no discomfort at all. In fact, if I knew what was going on at all, I would actually consider lying back down, the mattress far more comfortable than any other.

I give a slight start as there's a knock at the door, I glance over and notice there's two, one on the far wall, and another on my right. I don't have much time to react though as the door opens slightly, I give a small yelp and instantly pull the blanket up farther. Such poor manners!

"Hi!" I almost groan at the voice, it's light and bubbly, as if on the verge of constant giggles. I regret not having followed my gut and lying back down, at least then I would have a chance of feigning sleep. It's far too late now as Peach enters a bundle in her arms as she quickly shuts the door behind her.

"Are we feeling better today?" she chirps, I don't reply and simply bring my knees up towards my chest under the covers, remaining hidden as I wrap my arms around my legs. Peach just smiles yet again and drops the bundle on the foot of the bed. I'm beginning to remember more and more about what happened before.

I feel sick inside as I think over my own actions, returning to Hyrule was important, it was the most important, but I had felt so desperate that I had used force against people trying to help. Thinking their own words and actions, I wouldn't have behaved any differently. Because of that sinking feeling, I don't respond to the other Princess's question, keeping my eyes on the dark sheets spread across the bed.

"If you're still uptight about yesterday, the others and I'll explain everything later. Right now though, you need a bath, and I've brought some extra cloths of mine for you until your other outfit is cle—Oh no!" She cries, interrupting herself as she notices my clothing sitting on the dresser, I watch her from the corner of my eye as she walks over, picking up the garment and looking over it in distaste.

"I could have sworn I took your cloths down to the laundry room, I can't believe I forgot, I'm sorry," She whines, "Oh well, we look too be about the same size, so it shouldn't be too uncomfortable for you to walk around in something of mine." She instantly brightens again at her own reasoning. I still don't look at her directly though, allowing the other woman to examine my room for the moment. I acted so foolishly before, according to Peach it was actually yesterday. Nayru, I feel like I'm coming apart at the seams…

"Well, it seems they didn't cut any corners," she exclaims, "The remodeling staff always work their fingers to the bone for every detail! It helps so much with the adjustments, granted I arrived pretty much of my own will, but they made everything look exactly like my own room at home. Is this what your room looks like?" Peach asks, I can feel her eyes on me, but still don't acknowledge her.

That low feeling turns to one of sorrow, I feel so undeniably sad, but I don't know why. I suddenly feel as if I could just cry and cry and cry; I don't understand it though. I should be frustrated with what happened yesterday, concerned with what I've learned so far, I don't know where this sadness—

White light fills the room for a split second before fading, by head snapping up as thunder echoes through the walls. It's like my ears suddenly pop, and the sound of rain tapping against the windows leaps out at me.

"Oh, I hadn't noticed the storm had gotten so bad," Peach mutters, I can barley hear her over the beat of my own heart, pounding hard and fast in my chest.

I had a dream, but in my temporary amnesia I had forgotten. I can see Hyrule, or, at least what remains… the tops of mountains all that can be seen in an endless expanse of dark, raging water. The sky broiling as winds churn the black clouds continuously, water screaming through the air to drown the last of the peaks. I can see Death Mountain, its massive height reduced by more than half, the foreboding clouds hardly visible in the storm. The screams of the dead and dying carried on the wind's breath, the cleansing rains, long since turned to the side of darkness by evil's influence, beating down upon the few high peaks…

There is no sign of any life…

"Oh, Zelda…" Peach says softly, I place one hand over my mouth as my shoulders shake, closing my eyes tightly against tears, the realization that I'm to late finally kicking in. But, why though? Nayru, Din, Farore, why did it have to be this way? The people did nothing, why did they have to pay so high a price?

"Hyrule… It-It's gone…" I whimper, shaking my head slightly as I sob into my hand. I feel a slim arm wrap around my shoulders as Peach sits down on the bed next to me, offering me comfort.

"It'll be alright, Zelda," she says softly, combing the fingers of one hand through my filthy hair. I shake my head violently and pull the sheets up to my face,

"No… No it won't!" I sob, burying my face into the blankets, crying out-loud into the material. "They're all gone! The people are all—!" I lose the will to speak, shaking my head violently in the hopes that this is all just a horrible nightmare, and that I'll wake up soon. I don't calm down as Peach stays where she is, keeping her arms around me as I weep, cramming the blanket into my mouth a ways as I scream into it. Nothing I do at all chipping away at the grief inside of me.

I almost scream again as lightning fills the space, terror running through me as the mirror on the wall shakes slightly, the thunder sending vibrations throughout the building. Growing up I was never afraid of storms, or the rain, I would stand outside for as long as Impa would let me, allowing the cold droplet's to soak me to the bone. But now…

"Zelda, don't be ridiculous," Peach coos, "They aren't all gone, trust me. Somewhere, in the remains of your land, there's a place where there's, maybe ten or fifteen people. In another, there may be twenty, somewhere else, only six." I keep crying even as she speaks, shaking my head in denial, images of the dead filling the flooding rivers filling my mind.

"Zelda, your people are devastated, but that doesn't mean they're gone." She continues, "Things seem bleak now, but they'll improve again!" She sounds so confident, so sure, I want to believe what she's saying, but I can't fight the sinking feeling that tells me that everything's doomed.

"I'll go start your bath," She chirps, the tears only lessoning as I feel drained, the sorrow not fading in the least as she leaves. Coherent thought is too far beyond me as I hear the sound of water moving through pipes. Peach starts humming to herself, her voices sounding distant as she appears in the second doorway, what looks like a robe draped over one arm as she looks over at me.

I'm forced to acknowledge her though, as the other Princess comes over and pulls the covers away from me. The blunt action makes me jump in surprise, snapping me from my thoughts as I'm once again reminded of my scant clothing.

"P-Princess--!" I gasp, startled with tears still in my eyes. Peach merely waves one hand to dismiss what I'm saying,

"Just Peach," She corrects for the second time, smiling brightly as she holds the robe up to me, "And don't worry; we're both ladies, and I only swing one way!" I blink slightly at the comment, a mess of emotions as I simply accept the robe. It's a light china colour with a cobalt ribbon around the waist as a tie. I don't know what exactly it's made out of, but slip the warm garment on without hesitation.

Numbly, the other woman leads me towards the door on my right; I suppose if someone walked in, it would look like the left. I gaze around the tiled room for a moment, recognizing it as a bathroom, blue and green ceramic tiles, accented with tiny yellow triangles cover every square inch, excluding the white sink, bathtub, and toilet. The bath filled with hot water, and coloured slightly with relaxing bath oils I can already smell.

But it's the door opposite the one I came in which catches my immediate attention, for a moment I wonder if Peach's room is on the other side.

"Oh don't worry," she says lightly, gesturing towards the door, "It's locked; the key's right there on the sink. It'd be a good idea when you're finished to unlock it again, I doubt you're too keen on talking to your partner just yet." I notice her frown and look at her somewhat confused. My tears are dry, and for the moment I don't feel as horrible.

"Who is it?" I ask after a moment, Peach's frown deepens and I take another look around the bathroom. There's an identical robe to the one I'm wearing hanging on a hook just beside the other door; only it's green where mine is blue. I also note a small razor on the counter next to the key Peach pointed out, and the details on the triangles jump out at me, clearly sectioned into three parts like the Triforce. My stomach sinks as the answer seems obvious.

"Here," Peach chirps, kneeling next to the tub, "Let me show you what the different soaps are for," I blink at her impossible attitude, it's as if she truly takes nothing seriously. But then why have I begun feeling better?

I listen with half a mind as the other woman explains the contents of each bottle she holds up, remaining very forward as she takes a handful of my hair to make sure it's the proper type for the soaps. I don't quite understand that though, there are different soaps for body and hair, I'm used to that, but even different types of hair?

The biggest surprise is in the form of a bottle labeled 'Garden Freshness'. A thick pea-green container with a much darker cap. She pushes down one side to open it, something that's new to me but fairly simply, and holds the opening up towards me.

Din's Fire, what a stench! If I were ever to walk into a garden which reeked this much I would abandon all dignity as a princess and run!

It's embarrassing to admit, but corsets are not easy to get into and out of on one's own. My face burns as Peach helps undo the upper ties, the other Princess smiling with sympathy as we at last find common ground; the two of us both utterly loathing the constricting garments.

"I'll be back in your room getting an outfit together for you," She says lightly, I nod to her slowly and she leaves the room, shutting the door behind her. I feel odd as I'm left alone in the chamber, not that I require someone's presence, I'm not a child!

But…

This place is all… so strange… True, I have yet to meet anyone here aside from Peach, and a brief encounter with the doctor. That, of course, began and ended horribly… Perhaps if I could speak with someone a bit more serious, Peach's cheerfulness, I have to admit, has improved my mood incredibly, she is a kind person. But she is simply to carefree. Granted, I don't know if this is normal for her; she could be entirely different, and simply feel awkward around new people… unlikely, but still…

After a moment I sigh and remove the robe, untying the rest of the Corset's loops to take it off before slipping into the warm, almost hot, water, sliding the thin green curtain shut behind me. As much as I dislike lounging in such traumatic times; my limbs won't move productively, simply floating in the water as the heat works at the aches and pains I have been feeling for months.

Washing off mud and grime from my hands and whatnot is never something I've skipped, but actually sitting in a tub of warm water is a luxury I've been without for a long while. The grime in my hair is not only from my final encounter with the river; in truth I haven't paid proper hygiene any attention in a horrifically long time.

It takes the better part of an hour before I feel even the slightest bit clean; scrubbing at my skin with a pale blue wash-cloth until I'm blushing not only from the heat. I massage the reeking soaps into my hair just as the other woman told me, surprised at how even straw-like, abused strands begins to soften back to normal after only a few minutes of menstruations. I feel like a fool though as the foam drips down my forehead and threatens to cover my eyes though. And instead of simply allowing this to happen, I blow up to remove the suds, receiving an eyeful and gasping at the sudden pain.

Sweet Nayru, it burns!

I pause for a moment in silence, hoping neither the other woman, or the last person I ever want to speak with hears the small cry. Thankfully, there's no sound on either side, and I bite down on my lip to keep from whining. I can't wipe my eyes, I have soap all over them, and the oils in the water will probably sting just as badly.

Weathering through the pain like an idiot, I rinse my hair in the bath water, and take out the second cream, using my sense of touch as my eyes begin too tear. It smells somewhat better, and I follow Peach's instructions and allow it to sit on my hair for a few minutes, something called 'Conditioner'.

Finally, I reach along the bottom and remove the plug, the water drains and I stand up, still half-blinded. I reach for the nozzle I was shown, and, although it's hard without seeing, at last make somewhat cooler water rain down. I rinse off completely in the shower, at last able to rid my eyes of the horrid scum. I shut the water off and pull back the curtain. Toweling off before putting the robe back on, the towel now wrapped around my hair on the top of my head.

"Goodness, Zelda!" Peach exclaims as I come out, for a moment I think she's going to poke fun at the redness around my eyes, they still sting horribly. Instead though, she merely holds up my still filthy gown, and then gestures to where there are piles of other dresses spread out across the bed.

"You have no hips!" she cries in distain, "None at all! I even went back to find some of my older dresses, and none of them fit in the hips and bust, you're like a toothpick!" I blink at the statement, if not for the heat of the water, I would surly be just as red. Peach sighs and shakes her head slowly, looking fed up with her inability to find me something that will fit.

"I doubt Samus will have anything that will work either," she sighs, still shaking her head as she lifts up a few dresses, looking over the fine, brightly coloured fabrics a moment before tossing each one aside. "She dress's nice enough when it comes to important events; but even then I doubt the style would compliment you at all." She worries her bottom lip and looks back at me. Holding one very plain garment in her hands, she steps up to me; a measuring tape appearing in her hands as if from nowhere.

"Arms up," she states, draping the item over one arm as I sheepishly do what she says. The yellow band wraps quickly around my waist, bust, stretches from shoulder to shoulder, and then to the ends of my arms. One last stretch from my neck to heels gives her my height, and I'm surprised at her speed with the tape.

"With these we should be able to start putting together a suitable wardrobe." Peach giggles, scribbling onto a piece of paper with an odd pen. Again, I don't see any pockets about her person where the items could have come from. "But until then, I'll go and get your cloths washed, and this should do for now." With that, the other woman hands me the garment slung over her arm. It's very light, and can't be half as complex as my Hylian clothing.

Peach acts like a small whirlwind, quickly gathering the clothing from the bed and picking up anything else she apparently brought with her while I was bathing. Half-hidden under the mound of cloths, I hadn't realized there were so many hanging all around the room, she flashes a bright smile before making her way out the door.

I blink at her agility, not quite understanding how she can move in such a volumous gown, I realize how quiet the room is all of the sudden. Shrugging it off, I actually open the dress she gave me so I can look over it. Plainly made and plainly decorated, it's not much in the way of grandeur.

The thick strips of blue material running along certain seams to outline the bodice give it a country appeal. The same leathery cloth forming something akin to sleeves, while in reality, the light-weight, white fabric which makes up the better part of the dress continues down the arm until fanning out across the back of the hand. The outfit in general is not very stiff, the bottom part simply hanging limply, instead of puffing out a bit. A few pairs of gloves and socks are also sitting on the sapphire covers, I frown slightly as I note a corset with them as well. It's only proper that I wear one, but they're still the epitome of discomfort...

Before getting dressed though, I walk over to the small dresser which is, in fact, a vanity table. Opening one of the chestnut drawers, I see many brushes for both hair and make-up, I recognize most of them, but what they're made out of is confusing, some sort of light-weight... I honestly can't describe it...

I sit down on the small stool tucked under the table, finding the mirror placed perfectly as I take out the most familiar of the brushes, and remove the towel from my head. I work carefully through my hair as I take the time to get every last snare and tangle. I try not to think as I watch my reflection, but my mind still wanders… I hear Peach's voice from earlier;

'Is this what your room looks like?' I can only frown as the question repeats itself in my head.

It's… close, that's for sure. Having seen the bathroom, I'm almost positive the walls aren't truly made of stone; it's to warm inside for there to be a storm outside, what with a window looking into my own room. That's a difference as well, not that there's a window, but merely it's location, I haven't taken a look outside yet, but I doubt it's made of the same stained glass like at the Castle…

It's to bright as well; the same odd lighting in this room as well; it take away from the feeling of my old chambers. As I watch my reflection, I can see the changes taking place behind me, my own mind altering the room as I remember my own. The flickering of the bright candles in evening, with the curtains drawn, and myself reading for bed.

It's sentimental but… Impa's chair is missing… I look into the corner of my eye and see the large, comfortable chair my nurse always sat in while taking care of me at night. Her calm eyes watching affectionately as I moved around the room. Often times she would be looking up from a book, or state papers.

My eyes burn at the loving memories, I can see her torn face the last time we were together. Blood and rain splattered across her face as she watched me plummet into the waters. Yet here I am, perfectly fine, while she thinks me dead and continues on in a drowned world.

That is… if she hasn't succumbed to the waters as well…

It is a good thing whoever designed the room thought to leave that piece out. Such a reminder of the calmer years of my life would be far too much to take. For a moment, I almost take comfort in the odd lights, and unfamiliar silence around me… Almost…

I find my hair finished, and tears running down my face, wiping them off on the sleeve of my robe, I then proceed to get dressed. The outfit left out for me fits well enough, bigger in some areas which bring back the lighthearted comment from earlier. It seems to be a rather old gown, but even though I'm defiantly taller than the other woman, this one hangs only just at the right length. I'm skeptical as to how much more either of us could possibly grow at our ages, she seems as old as I, and I've reached my full height. I leave it to simply mean that this one hasn't been hemmed, or the stitches simply taken out to accommodate for my height.

"Oh, Princess Zelda!" I hear as I finish smoothing the front of the gown across the front, the white gloves left for me fitting rather snuggly, and a bit more constricting than my own. There's a slight knock on the far door before it cracks open slightly, Peach poking her head around and smiling brightly at me as she opens the door wide.

"Oh good! You're all ready!" she chirps, I blink at her words and give her an odd look,

"Ready for what?" I ask, feeling as if I'm missing something as she simply giggles and smiles all the more.

"For what you wanted!" She exclaims, looking dazzled, "Everyone's waiting in the Lounge to give you the usual question and answer session!" I sincerely doubt I've ever seen anyone so amazingly star-struck. Not waiting for an answer; the other Princess simply takes a hold of my arm and starts pulling me towards the door. I resist for a moment, before remembering that answers truly are what I want. Despite my vision from earlier, there might be something important in what they have to say.

"I don't think Link'll be there," Peach says as she takes me out into a long hall, doors lining each side as she quickly pulls me around a corner, "I saw him as I was coming to get you; he looked really upset." Walking down a somewhat plainer hall, I frown as she mentions him, "He's probably heading towards the Arena, everyone else is in the Lounge waiting, so I guess he'll just go up against the Multi-men,"

I blink a bit confused at what exactly she's saying, not having any idea what 'Multi-men' are. I suppose I'll have to ask when we get to this, 'Lounge'


"C'mon, we have to go to where everyone's waiting to introduce Zelda!"

"Pi-pikachu!"

"Pikachu's right, everyone's probably waiting for us."

"Link?"

I pause as I'm walking towards the entrance of the Locker Rooms, fisting one hand while I keep the other on the door. Ness, Pikachu, and Kirby following me from the escalator and yammering trying to get me too go back to the mansion. If I could speak I'd tell them flat out that Zelda doesn't want too see me unless I'm six feet under, but the infernal wires clamping my jaw shut make that next to impossible.

'While you all insist on badgering Link, what will you tell Master Hand when you are late, and arrive without him?' A different voice asks calmly, speaking more through a mind link than anything. I look out of the corner of my eye and see Mewtwo where he's hovering just a few paces behind us. A cat-like creature with grey skin, a thick purple tail floating behind it, and showing the pokemon's odd autonomy as he simply gets thinner the closer to his head. Frail-looking arms ending with three-orb-like fingers, attached to the shoulder and collar bones which stick out noticeably. A thin neck propping up a long face, stunted cat-like ears protruding from the top of its skull, two dark eyes focused on the three following me with distaste.

"Uh well, y'see Mewtwo," Ness starts; his voice fading as the Pokemon stares the small boy down.

'Go to where the others are. Link has made it clear he will not be attending, leave him be.' He states coldly, I would smile at the odd display from the other Smasher, Mewtwo often the last person to ever intervene. But I can't manage it over the purely rotten state of mind I just can't shake. I don't turn around fully even as I hear the three younger competitors walking back towards the exit.

'Thanks,' I think, feeling the odd prickling sensation along the back of my neck often associated with Mewtwo's presence.

'Do not think on it,' the feline creature responds dryly, I can see his reflection in the doorway as the creature crosses his skinny, disfigured arms. 'The Hands will not think highly of you avoiding the new Smasher.' He warns; I push open the door with a sigh, holding it ajar as I notice him floating after me.

'The… New Smasher… does not wish to see me,' I think, having to be careful to keep my own thoughts short, Mewtwo able to pick up on almost anything, and I don't need to be giving things away so easily.

'You cannot avoid her forever,' Mewtwo continues, I don't know what exactly he's getting at as I walk over to my locker, clothed in my blue-tunic, my other two still off to be washed and mended.

'I can try, we're melee partners, but double battles are always brief. I can stick around for the battle and then make like the wind afterwards.' I tell him, not looking over my shoulder as I stretch my arms over and behind my head, I rub the area just below my left shoulder as I open the door, getting out my equipment and checking over it a moment.

'You almost sound like you're running from her,' he points out, sounding amused from where he's hovering in front of his own open locker, a silver spoon hovering in front of him, glowing brightly as he tests his powers on it. 'Farore's Chosen of Courage running, how ironic.'

There is a loud bang as I slam my locker shut. Mewtwo's eyes are on me as I turn around, for a moment we just remain as we are, before he lessens the intensity of his gaze and looks away, slowly shutting the door to his own locker with his mind.

'I hadn't been aware of—'

'Are we having a Match, or am I stuck fighting Multi-men?' I ask, drowning out his thoughts with my own. Mewtwo blinks and looks back at me; I smile as best I can with my injured jaw and start tapping buttons on the wall. One of the four pads on the floor along the wall flickering online as I enter in the battle information, Mewtwo still just looking at me for a moment, before glancing away. Unlike the other pokemon, he restricts his physical expressions, but I can tell that he's allowing himself a small smile.

'I accept, but be forewarned; you are merely setting yourself up for defeat, Link.' I smirk as I alter the commands, changing from Multi-men to VS. match.

'Is this a prediction based on your powers, or your experience?' I ask. A coin battle ought to take me mind off things, Mewtwo huffing slightly at the selection before I strike the Random button for the arena. Stepping onto the pad, light shines up and I feel lighter than air. I smile slightly at Mewtwo's warning; he isn't talking about the match though.

The bright, cheery blue skies above Onett are the first things I see, an odd town spreading in all directions as Mewtwo drops down overtop of a shingled home. I draw my Master Sword and get ready, the bit of excitement I have been trying to build up still not taking hold even as the match begins.

'You are merely setting yourself up for defeat.'

Something, I know all too well…


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