End of an Era
Chapter 4
"So it's… a competition of sorts?" I ask, looking around the assembled group. One man wearing a tight blue outfit with an odd red helmet on his head, and golden falcons imprinted along his chest nods slightly from where he's sitting. One gloved hand holding his chin as he leans onto the counter of the strange kitchen-like area. I myself am seated on a black ottoman-like piece of furniture; only it's far too large to be merely a footrest.
There are perhaps, twenty, other people in the lounge; I would have called it a Salon, a large open common room. Although the colors are bland, the people scattered around are much more vibrant. Introductions have already been made, but even I can't remember all the names despite the fact that while growing up, I was constantly introduced to countless officials, lords, servants, and had to keep everyone straight.
"Yes." Samus Aran, I honestly thought her a man with that strange armor of hers, replies with a nod. "But obviously on an extreme scale. And instead of fighting to get into the Mansion, as you'll soon find, it's more a matter of getting out."
I look down at my hands clasped in my lap, thinking over the answers I've received so far. I look up briefly as three other people walk inside; a young boy dressed in odd clothing wearing a yellow hat followed quickly with something resembling a yellow rabbit, a lightning-shaped tail and red circles on its cheeks somehow making the animal appear friendly, the brow stripes across it's back, and the black tips of it's long ears giving it more appeal. Lastly, what can only be described as a large, pink, ball of fluff with red circular feet comes in behind them, to oblong arms swaying back and forth as the spherical creature walks inside. I quickly remember my manners, and stop staring at them,
"And-a where have you boys-a been?" Mario, a short man dressed all in red overalls asks. At first I thought he was merely the doctor with a different outfit on, but before I could even ask his brother, who frankly I though was the older because of his height, told me very kindly that they are in fact two different people.
"Trying to find Link!" The pink ball exclaims, waving his handless arms in the air, his bright blue eyes shining oddly. For a moment I tell myself that wearing pink must symbolize excitability in this place, before I realize how low that sounds, and crush the idea. But… after a moment I wish I had continued with it, feeling my somewhat light mood being crushed with the mention of… Him…
"HI!" I look up in surprise as the pink ball appears right in front of me, even sitting I'm taller than him, and his glistening eyes seem to have grown dramatically as he taps the ends of his arms together rapidly above his head, he almost looks like he's trying to fly away. "I'm Kirby!" he squeals, I clasp one hand over my mouth to keep from laughing; he looks simply ridiculous standing there flapping, the very image of innocence.
Kirby makes an odd squeezing sound though as a foreign shoe suddenly comes down on his head, I look up a bit more and see the dark-haired boy standing with one foot on his companion. He looks like a performer, trying to maintain his balance while standing on Kirby's round form, one hand out above his head, and a leg behind him.
"I'm Ness!" he proclaims, Kirby making a loud noise before popping out from under the boy. I make to grab him, but Ness falls backwards and away from me, landing on his backside. He can't be more than twelve, but simply blinks where he's now sitting for a moment before standing up.
A pig-like… thing… crawls out, looking a bit dazed as it waddles back and forth in circles. On dark hair sticking out of the top of its head decorated with a small bow, its long nose somewhat flattened, and long black whiskers bent from acting the cushion.
"Mr. Saturn!" Ness cries, looking horrified at the small… thing… as it stops walking for a moment, stunned from the impact.
"Oh, calm down will yeah?" one of the other people calls, a man named Falco, who looks like a bird with clothing on. He's lounging in the back on one of the long couches, one leg over the other and arms behind his head, looking as if he's about to take a nap. He doesn't seem like a cruel person, just… arrogant. Very, arrogant… "That little piglet's come face to face with Bowser's ugly mug; he can stand being sat on."
"What did you say?" Bowser roars, he looks like some sort of dragon-like beast with a spiked shell on his back. Fiery red hair atop his squashed head, long, pristine white fangs and talons bare as he glares at the other Smasher. "I dare you to repeat those words you budgie!"
"Say what? That you're as glamorous as a bucket of mud, and half as bright?" Falco retorts, standing and looking very full of himself as Bowser growls in agitation. The two continue with this tirade for a moment before dull lights begin forming on the floor; I blink in surprise as neither one notices the odd occurrence. The light under them begins to grow brighter, and a moment later their voices simply cut out and they vanish. I sit there; stunned. No one else paying the disappearance any mind at all, Samus shaking her head slightly, as if the two simply walked out of the room, no one offering any explanation as I simply don't know what to say.
"And that's what happens when two hot-headed Smashers start fighting," Someone says, I look up from where I'm sitting in surprise, my eyes meeting with a pair of deep blue. Untamed, navy hair falling over his face slightly, his features very calm and collected as he smiles slightly. His clothing is far more familiar to me than even Peach's, complex armor, speaking of great wealth shrouded under a dark sapphire cloak. He looks somewhat dirty, as if he has been doing something physical, but appears unarmed as he cradles the small animal… Mr… Saturn… in his gloved hands.
"I am Marth, Fallen Prince of Altea," He says solemnly as I stand, he is clearly well mannered as he takes my hand lightly in his, placing the creature in the crook of his free arm, and gently kissing the top of my left hand. I smile politely at the gesture, and feel the need to funnel a bit of power into the Triforce in my hand, only enough to create a dull glow around my fingers. Marth looks surprised as he lets go of me, not saying anything as the Triforce symbol appears through the slim glove.
"And I am Zelda, Princess of Fallen Hyrule."
He rigged the stage, I can't believe, he rigged Onett.
I simply cannot wrap my mind around the fact that Doctor Mario disabled the warning in Onett so that we never knew when those damn 'Cars' were coming. Not that I thought it was possible anyways, but still…
'Some power of prediction…' I think sourly.
'Oh, shut up.' Is Mewtwo's curt reply. The pokemon lying in the hospital bed next too mine. He may be one of the better Smashers, but those arms really are frail. 'If you had simply gone to the doctor to remove those wires from your mouth, he wouldn't have done that in the first place.'
'He didn't tell me anything!' I fire back, 'How is it my fault that he just assumed I knew he wanted to see me? Assumptions are never good; it's like assuming DK doesn't have a flower garden.'
'Donkey Kong has a flower garden?' Mewtwo asks; eyes wide as he regards me with outright curiosity.
'Oh shit…' I remember half a second too late that Mewtwo can hear that as well, but at least am able to keep from replying again. Not that he needs another reply, looking instead at the far wall for a moment,
'Interesting…'
"How are you both-a feeling?" Doctor Mario asks brightly, walking into the room with a tray in his hands, two Maxim Tomatoes and glasses balanced on top as he sets it down on the low shelf in the corner. He glances back at the both of us for a moment, myself feeling rather sour and Mewtwo looking dangerously at the small doctor.
Without a word, the stunted man picks up the small knife on the tray and slices open one of the tomatoes. He pours the runny insides into one of the glasses, squeezing slightly to soften the insides before scooping them into the cup. Dropping the skin into the waste basket, he walks over to Mewtwo and hands the lumpy drink to the pokemon. Violet light surrounding the glass as it's held mentally. Doctor Mario does the same thing with the other tomato, but before giving it to me, he simply takes a hold of my jaw, something I wish he wouldn't do, since after we were pulled from the arena, he moved like lightning to gas me and cram multi vitamins down my throat before removing the wires from my jaw. The lower half of my face hurts like hell, and I dislike him holding so firmly, at least the bone's solid again.
"Drink," He says simply, handing me the glass as he at last lets go of me. I was never very fond of Tomatoes, growing up it wasn't as if they grew in the Kokiri woods very well, but after seven years I've come to respect the healing potentials of just about all kinds of food. I feel a tingling sensation begin in my mouth, and then run through the rest of my body as I drink. The feeling most noticeable anywhere I was injured by those damn cars…
"And a next time, Link, you come on your own." He says in a huffy voice, "I you don't-a get healed, it will-a only get worse."
"I didn't know you wanted to see me today," I say huskily, coughing slightly to get the last bits of tomato down. Not speaking isn't something that bothers me; there were never any people to talk to in those dungeons and mazes, and it could take anywhere from an afternoon to three days to find what I was looking for.
"Mama-mia; did you think you were-a going to walk around without-a speaking, or eat through a straw for six weeks? No. You should know-a that." I frown slightly at his logic, still not seeing why he had to go to such extremes; it's not like I would have shrugged off getting my jaw fixed if he'd just called me. One of the many reasons why I despise that Programming book Ness gave the Doctor…What are 'com-put-ors' good for anyway?
"Thanks Doc." I say lightly, feeling rejuvenated as I pull back the covers.
"Link," Dr. Mario frowns for a moment though as I stand up, I can tell that Mewtwo's already gone; having teleported from the room after finishing his drink.. "Are you-a feeling alright?" He asks, my smile falters for a moment, but I cover the lapse with a shrug,
"I'm not at the top of my game, but things'll get better," I reply, the doctor only frowns deeper.
"That is not-a what I meant," He says, I sit back down on the bed, realizing he really does want to talk. "Your arm; how is it?" Dr. Mario questions, "No lying, tell-a me the truth." I sigh deeply, although not with exasperation, and look off to the side, unconsciously flexing my left hand.
"Bleeding a bit, but, that's to be expected." I answer slowly, "There isn't as much pain." I look back at him through my bangs, noticing the scowl forming across his face. How the hell can he always tell when people aren't being truthful.
"It's getting worse…"
The last time I was able to sit down and eat a full, warm, dry meal, is so far away that I try not to even think about it as Marth hands me a plate. He called the style of meal a 'Buffet'. You go up, and chose what you want, similar to a sit-down meal, only far less formal, and then find a place to sit, it doesn't even have to be within the dining hall.
I almost embarrassed my self when I stepped onto the patio, and saw the sun spilling down across the Mansion grounds. So green and filled with life, bright blue skies soaring up ahead, with only a few white, cotton clouds scattered randomly across the blue abyss. It looks so much like Hyrule did before…
It takes all of my self-control to keep from shoveling the food into my mouth, a combination of soup and sandwiches. The soup is a type I've never seen before, and the bread is almost too soft to the touch, but it all looks and smells so good. I remember that I hadn't eaten at all in the two days leading up to the bridge, something which drove Impa up the walls, and have had nothing since my arrival.
"It is alright, Zelda." Marth says with a chuckle as I slowly spoon the soup into my mouth, trying to keep from shaking as I'm starving on the spot. "There's no one judging you, after watching Pichu steal half of Fox's lunch, I'm sure you can tell things are fairly open around here." He smiles a bit and looks around. The two of us are sitting at an outdoor table; a parasol stuck in the middle and shading us from the bright sunlight; Ness and Kirby are running around with Mr. Saturn, who is seems to be a group pet, their dishes abandoned on the tiles a short ways from the table. The mouse and ball; Pikachu and Jigglypuff, having wandered in another direction, apparently arguing with each other.
"Go ahead, eat up." Marth pushes, "You look famished."
I tried so hard to remain composed, but with him egging me on, I just give in. Picking up the bowl with one hand, I still retain some dignity with not abandoning my spoon; merely eating as swiftly as I can, scalding my mouth by accident, but not pausing to even taste the soup.
With only a small amount of the red broth sitting at the bottom of the bowl, I finally take a moment to breathe, feeling stupid for wanting to scrape at the sides. The spices quickly catch up with me though, making my throat burn, and eyes water a bit. I cough delicately into the napkin in my lap, cursing myself for not having realized this would happen.
"Here," He says, setting down one half of his sandwich as he pours me a drink from the pitcher sitting in front of me. Placing the sweating container back into the shade of the umbrella, I not politely as I accept the glass; the juice is startlingly sweet, and I blink as my tongue jumps back. It has little of the tang and bitterness of regular drinks, no pulp at all, making it feel almost like water as I swallow.
"Thank you," I say, feeling my face heat up a bit at his quick actions.
"It's alright," Marth responds with a slight chuckle, reclaiming his seat, he turns to his own food again. "I did the same thing when I arrived; it never tastes that spicy while you're eating, only afterwards."
"If you don't mind my asking, how long have you been here?" I ask, I'm still ravenous, but now I force myself to take smaller, slower bites of the sandwich halves on my plate. The white meat is carved insanely thin, and is somewhat salty. It feels cold as I chew, and the softness of the white bread makes it almost melt in my mouth, an odd sauce adding a bit more flavor to the very light serving.
"It doesn't feel that long, but in reality I've been here almost six months," he responds, looking rather dignified as he looks over the gardens spreading out behind the mansion. "I think Mario was the one to point out that Time moves somewhat different here than in the other Worlds, sometimes faster, sometimes slower, depending on events in that world." Marth looks almost sad for a moment as he goes back to his food, I feel a small amount of guilt as I continue eating, slowly losing my appetite despite my still being hungry. Was it really my place to ask such a question? I think not. It's difficult to remain concerned for one's personal needs while badgering someone else.
"So…" Marth starts, breaking the short period of silence; "You and Link know each other from your land?" The last of my appetite completely fades with that, and I set the second half of my sandwich down half-eaten. I fold my hands in my lap, picking at the design on the front of the borrowed gown for a moment before nodding,
"Yes," I say, "We knew each other quite well, we were good friends…" I find my eyes traveling along the same path Marth's took along the gardens. Despite the storm this morning, it has cleared up beautifully since I awoke. Sunshine streaming down onto the somewhat wooded grounds; shrubs and well-tended paths shaded by the trees which go off in multiple directions. I almost thought it looked like Hyrule, but seeing just how, perfect, as in cropped in place, different plants never mixing, it could never capture the harmonic beauty of my country…
"And you're angry with him for not coming when your land was in need of him?" I don't understand why he brings something like that up, it's none of his business, and so I shouldn't have too answer. But, even though I don't want too, it would be nice to carry a serious conversation; I've only spoken partially in-depth with Peach, and that didn't work very well.
"Angry, sad, frustrated, betrayed," I rant, giving a sour chuckle as I place one elbow on the arm of my chair, holding the lower half of my face for a moment too keep from either flying into a rage, or crying. "He was always, always there for us, so many countless times he would have the answers, or the skills, or, or whatever it was we needed." Marth is silent for a moment. Sitting back in his chair, thinking something over before speaking again.
"Princess, do you know what exactly one needs to do in order to leave the Mansion?" He asks slowly. I frown after a moment and look at him,
"I was told that you have to fight and defeat Master Hand, along with another one called Crazy Hand in a fight." I reply, feeling bitter as I keep my eyes on the trees, my hand falling from my face and onto the arm-rest again. Link has battled so many terrible monstrosities before, even if he had to try multiple times to do so, he never gave up, and he never allowed something to keep him down for so long. I just can't come up with a plausible explanation for his behavior this time around.
"Sort of…" Marth mutters, I glance over at him, but he doesn't meet my eyes. "It isn't a battle like what goes on in the Stadium most of the time. The entire purpose of the Arena is to make each of us better warriors, so that we can reach our goals back home. Until you reach the level of capability, it's impossible." I scowl at him and look away, folding my arms in frustration.
"Link has been gone for over seven years, how can you say that he couldn't be powerful enough to defeat Ganondorf a second time?" I ask sharply, "I don't know your views on the matter, but what your saying is coming out more as both an insult and a defense for him." I try to keep myself calm, but tinges of anger begin bubbling up. "What is the point of, training, in this place, if he never returns to fulfill his own destiny?"
"Princess," Marth sighs, I don't look at him, but something in his voice tells me he's beginning to regret this topic. "I didn't m—"
"Oh man, are you guys going on about Link's world?" A new voice asks, the accent is much the same as Marth's, only if anything it's so much thicker than his. A red-haired young man comes strutting up to the table. Armor similar to Marth's, only bright red, and covered in gold leaf shines in the sunlight as he leans on the table. I half-hear Marth mutter something in a different language, and the other man, somewhat younger as well, gives him a flat look. He says something quickly which I can't understand, and I glance over in time to see Marth flush despite his attempts to keep his face neutral.
"I am Roy," the young man says, giving a well-practiced bow as he addresses me. I blink for a moment before remembering myself,
"I am Princess Zelda," I say, nodding to him to complete the introduction. Roy straightens, and for a moment I almost think he's going to pull up a chair and join us. But instead he just looks at me for a moment before speaking again,
"You're from the same world as Link, and you're mad at him." He says blankly, I blink and hear Marth muttering something again, but this time Roy doesn't reply. Seeing no need to keep him waiting, I simply nod and the question. Roy nods as well and I find his behavior very peculiar.
"I mean no disrespect Magesty," He says, "But to be frank; I think you're being unfair to Link about what's happening in Hyrule." My eyes widen in surprise at his statement. But Marth stands up before I can say anything though,
" Roy." He snaps; the other swordsman merely crosses his arms, giving him a defiant look.
"You can't say you disagree with me, Marth." He challenges, "I've been here for less time than you, but even I can see what's been happening to Link. Isn't he suffering enough without her adding to things?" Now I'm somewhat confused, Roy must have heard what we were talking about and chose to intervene. Defending Link even though I hadn't known we were debating anything. That the Hero of Time abandoned his duties has been a clear fact from the start.
I feel cold anger rising at this Roy acting as if he knows everything. In truth, no one here knows the slightest bit about what Hyrule has gone thought! They haven't seen the pain, the death, the hopelessness; all of which is Link's fault!
I want to say something to express this anger, but I can no longer follow the argument as both Marth and Roy begin yelling in that same odd language. Light begins shining from the ground under their feet, getting brighter as Marth gestures rapidly with his hands, his calm voice gaining more force.
"Hyrule's dead; get over it!" Roy shouts, his voice hanging in the air as both swordsmen vanish. I blink in shock,;feeling as if I just received a slap in the face as everything suddenly seems deathly silent. The outdoors quiet with the argument so abruptly cut off, it takes a few moments before I again begin to hear things such as the wind rustling through the trees, or the commotion of the servants clearing away the large pots and trays from Lunch.
'Get over it!'
I feel numb as Roy's words echo in my mind. Such a simple answer to an unbelievably complex, emotional question. Am I just supposed to, forget, everything that's happened? Just, move on?
I slowly stand and make my way back inside, the sunlight no longer offering any warmth as I slowly trek down the halls, back towards my room. I wander for a moment, ending up going in the wrong direction repeatedly, before at last I find the hallway with the two doors carved with the Triforce symbol.
The one on the right is mine, the portion of the fine rug stretching down the corridor dyed blue, while in front of the left one it's green, but when I try to open it, I find the door locks. Instantly I can visualize the golden Key I was given sitting on the vanity table from after I finished dressing.
'Hyrule's dead!'
He probably just got caught up in the moment; if I see him again he'll probably take it back. He must be a friend of, his, so perhaps he just heard about how I behaved the day before. It would make sense for a friend of his to be angry with me, I tried to kill him the moment I saw him.
But, then again… Roy may just choose to confront me again, and throw such a blunt idea in my face a second time.
I place my forehead against the carved part of the door, jiggling the handle again only to find it's still locked. I squeeze my eyes shut as they begin to burn I was so angry just a few minutes before, but now that empty feeling is returning. I've just been such a mess today!
I probably should have stayed outside; in the halls it feels dark. I know it's well lit of course, but after the sunshine. It's enough to see by, but feels shadowed, like, when it rains…
"No, don't think about rain…" I whisper to myself, covering my mouth with my other hand as I try the handle again. If I could just get someplace private I would be all—
"Princess?" My head snaps up instantly, I didn't hear anyone coming down the hallway behind me. How long could I have been standing here, or consumed with my own thoughts that I would miss another person?
I don't want to turn around, I really don't. I haven't let any tears fall, but that resolve hangs only by a thread. But right now, I can't speak, no more than I can stop my shoulders from shaking the way they are. Slowly though, I have too. I have to turn around, and see the dark blue of his tunic, how it matches his eyes and makes his dark golden hair stand out. Strands which have escaped from under his cap curled behind his pointed Hylian ears.
I hate him; I hate him so much. I loath everything that's happened all because of him, how he wasn't there, how he didn't try, how he ran away. I want to slap him till his mouth is bloody, run him through with his own sword; I want to rip out those deep blue eyes.
But, when I actually look at his eyes, and see, the guilt, and the pain, and the hopelessness reflected in them. When I see the emotions he tries to hard to hide, but just can't. I feel myself go weak, and my watch my vision finally blur.
And all I can do is fall against him; and cry…
I like this chapter. :3
