Chapter 11: A Wish Come True
AN: Hey everyone! Next chapter is ready to go! Let me know what you think and, as always, enjoy!
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
Morning arrived and there was the sound of clanging, banging, and yelling coming from outside.
"Sam, what's going on?" Genny asked while she pushed Samantha's arm.
"Nngh…Genny…" Samantha yawned and rubbed her eyes before stretching. "Genny, stay here. I'll…" Samantha yawned again and slowly walked towards the door. She opened the door and the first thing she registered was some purple being holding a sword. He raised his sword just as her eyes lit up and she slammed the door shut.
"Shit!" Samantha yelled as she immediately became more aware of her surroundings. "What the fuck? What the actual fuck is going on?" She looked at Genny, who stared at Samantha with worry. "Genny, we need to go."
"I have to go to the bathroom." She said quietly. A worried Samantha looked at the door and then back at Genny.
"Ok, let's go quickly." Samantha took Genny to the bathroom and set her on the toilet. She then heard her door open and slam shut.
"Sam…" Genny whimpered.
"Stay here." He said as she stood against the door.
"Samantha?" She heard Felicia call.
"Felicia? I'm in the bathroom. What's going on?"
"Uh…if you come out here, I'll tell you." Samantha peered out the door and Felicia was facing the door ready to attack anyone who opened the door.
"Felicia?" She asked as she breathed a sigh of relief. "What's going on out there?"
"Well…um…we…ah…" Felicia stammered.
"Felicia!"
"We're under attack!" She yelled and covered her head.
"What? But how?"
"Sam!" Genny called out. "I'm done." Samantha walked back into the bathroom and helped Genny wash her hands before redressing her and carrying her outside.
"Flora and I have been instructed to get out of Hoshido."
"I thought we had perimeters set up and Gannondorf couldn't get in." Samantha asked.
"Well…Xander is leading this army. We…We were caught off-guard." Felicia said quietly.
"What about Ryoma?"
"Uh…y-yeah…" Felicia clenched her teeth and rubbed the back of her head.
"What are you not telling me?" Samantha asked with a bit of fear mixed with anger.
"Ryoma…Ryoma is dead."
"WHAT?!" Samantha said with big eyes.
"And Lady Sakura. She's…She also died."
"How…"
"It was an ambush. We need to go, now!" Felicia opened the door and looked around. Samantha quickly rushed back to grab Genny's doll and necklace. "The coast is clear. Let's-" Felicia was struck by a spell and Leo stood in their way. Genny screamed and hid her face against Samantha's arm. She quickly looked the other direction, and a purple monster that looked an awful lot like Ryoma stood in her way.
'I need to be stronger. But I can't fight here…time and place, Sam. Time and place' Samantha thought to herself. Leo attacked Samantha, but she dodged the attack. Ryoma charged to attack, but Felicia recovered and managed to cause a snowstorm. Though it was a slight distraction, it was enough time for Samantha to grab Felicia's wrist and maneuver right by Ryoma. To add insult to injury, Samantha pushed Ryoma forward and he fell into Leo and both fell to the ground face first. They sprinted down the hallway and exited towards the front of the castle. There were plenty of smaller fights all around, but Samantha was looking for a quick way out.
'Find a door. Find a door!' She couldn't find a door, but she knew she had to get away from where she was.
"Where are we-?"
"The playground. Let's go there and get our bearings together." Felicia said.
"Felicia! Help me!" Flora screamed. She was fending off some low level grunts but there were too many for her to handle.
"Flora!" Felicia called out. "Go. I'll catch up with you later." Samantha looked back and saw Ryoma and Leo charging towards her. She ran towards the playground as quickly as she could. She ducked and weaved her way through the battles. Genny whimpered and cried as she looked back and helplessly watched the families of both Ylisstol and Hoshido fighting against the unknown forces that practically destroyed Nohr. She finally made it to the playground and looked around for anyone.
"I don't…don't see any…anyone." Samantha huffed and puffed before checking on Genny.
"Is everyone ok?" Genny asked.
"Yeah…" Samantha said as she set the child on the swing and gently pushed her. "Now…all we need to do is wait."
"What are we waiting for?" Genny asked.
"We're waiting for a friend to come by and tell us it's ok to go back." Samantha told the child as she pushed her on the swing.
"Samantha, is everything ok?" the Hylian princess turned and saw Robin approaching them.
"I thought you'd be involved in the battle."
"What battle?" Robin asked.
"The one happening in Hoshido." Samantha gave the child a push and Genny giggled as she went higher and higher. She turned to face Robin, but she had already begun running towards the castle. Samantha spent time pushing the girl on the swing.
"Sam, I'm hungry." Genny whined. Samantha looked around for someone to start heading back from the castle.
'Come on…come on…' Samantha thought as she looked around and saw another red door.
Another door?" She asked herself quietly before looking around again.
"Samantha?" She turned around to see Kana and Shigure walking towards them.
"The fight's at the castle." Samantha said while Genny hopped off the swing and flapped her wings by Samantha.
"We know. Mama asked us to check on you." Kana smiled as her hands rested on her knees. "Mama was right. Genny is a real cutie-pie!"
"Are you hurt? Mother's biggest concern was ensuring your safety as well as Genny's."
"We're fine." Samantha reassured the two of them. "Do you two see that door?" She pointed at the red door on the other side of the slide.
"You mean that red door? Yeah, I see it."
"I see it as well." Shigure added.
"It's not just me…good." Samantha remained quiet for a few seconds. "I think I'm going to go through it."
"What? But-" Kana began.
"Every time I go through one of these, I usually end up away from the fight. Maybe…Maybe it'll take me to Tellius. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can get Genny home."
"You're taking quite the risk, aren't you?" Shigure asked. "There's no guarantee that you know where that ends up. Plus, what if it takes you into…I don't know, a volcano, or the top of a cold mountain?"
"It's a risk I'll have to take. Since I can't ask mom for advice, I need to rely on my gut instincts. It's telling me that those doors are good."
"Well…I…I guess if you're sure that's the best choice." Shigure rubbed the back on his neck.
"But we never got to hang out." Kana whined.
"I'll come back. I promise." Samantha vowed. "But I have a good feeling about this." She walked towards the door and waved goodbye.
"Bye bye!" Genny said and waved her hand as they walked through the door.
"Should we tell mother?" Shigure asked.
"I kinda don't wanna go back there…" Kana puffed her cheeks out.
"I suppose we could go visit Lady Charlotte and ensure that she is doing well." Shigure said with a smile as the two of them walked towards Nohr. Samantha walked through the door and as she exited through the other side, she appeared on a ship.
"Oh…this is…nice." Samantha looked around for someone, but there didn't seem to be anyone around. Samantha suddenly felt a sharp pinch in her arm.
"Sam?" Genny asked as it suddenly felt like Genny weighed a thousand pounds.
"Genny…wha…" Samantha let Genny go and reached for the area that she felt the pinch. She pulled something out of her arm and examined it. It looked like a small tranquilizer dart.
"Wha…What's…" Samantha's eyes closed as she fell to the ground. When Samantha woke up, the first thing she noticed was Genny wasn't around; the second thing she noticed was she was in a room with solid metal bars.
'I'm in jail?' Samantha thought as she heard a loud clang followed by some footsteps.
"Excuse me, but I think there's been some kind of mistake."
"Nah, ain't no mistake girly." A man with a deep voice spoke up. He was tall and had messy brown hair to go with his discolored crooked teeth. Samantha started backing up and immediately felt uncomfortable around this man.
"Where's Genny? Tell me now!" Genny demanded with anger in her voice.
"The sub-human? Yeah, we're gonna sell her."
"Sell her?! She is not an object!" Samantha tried to reach for him, but the bars prevented her from reaching him.
"We sell her to the right person, we can easily clear four…five hundred k. After that, don't worry…you'll get your turn. Well, we'll get our turn…with you." The man winked and walked back upstairs. Samantha screamed in anger as she tried to shake the bars, but they wouldn't budge and she walked back to the wall and sighed.
'How am I getting out of here? I wish…I wish I never came through that door. Mom…' Samantha sniffled and heard the door open once again. This time, the guy who came down was extraordinarily fat, with brown balding hair, and the shirt couldn't contain his gut and had a dopey look on his face. He pulled up a chair and sat in front of her.
"Y'know, you're really purdy." He said with a low chuckle after he spoke. In that moment, Samantha had an idea.
'He doesn't seem very smart. Maybe I can convince him to break me out.' Samantha thought. 'Play it sexy or…'
"Yeah, you're real purdy." He started laughing as he smiled while staring at her. As he smiled, there was a gap between his two front teeth.
'Sexy it is.' Samantha decided as she slipped out an arm from her sleeve and revealed her shoulder. "You know…this jail cell is…it's so empty. If only I had a…big, handsome, strong man with me."
"Yeah?" He said as he stood up.
"How about you open the door, so I can…" Samantha quietly groaned as she had to pretend that this guy was attractive. "…you know…" The man thought for a moment, but then he decided to go for it. He unlocked the door and as soon as she had an opening, Samantha charged the door and slammed him against the outer wall. She punched him hard in the face and after throwing a flurry of punches; she knocked him out and looked around.
'Where am I? Forget it, find Genny and get off this boat.' Samantha looked down at the now unconscious man and gagged for a moment. She then heard an explosion and felt the entire boat rock back and forth.
"All hands on deck!" A voice called from above followed by a bell ringing. Samantha quietly walked up the stairs and opened the door. Out there, it looked like chaos. There was another ship across the way and what looked like a cloud.
'A cloud? We're in the sky?' Samantha thought. 'Where's Genny?' She asked.
"Protect the sub-human. No matter what!" One man said.
"Where is it?" Another man asked.
"It's in the quarterdeck. Cap's guarding it closely."
'Quarterdeck…that's…the captain's deck, right?' Samantha thought as she glanced around for it. She unfortunately didn't see it as she heard and felt another explosion. 'Fuck it.' She burst out from the cellar and looked around. The quarterdeck was behind her and she quickly entered the captain's deck. Inside she heard Genny crying and followed the sound.
"Kid, you're going to make me rich!" He cackled and rubbed his hands together.
"No! Stop! Sam!" The child screamed and continued crying while clutching her doll. Samantha clenched her teeth as her anger grew. She tiptoed towards the man and was almost in an arm's reach of Genny when she stepped on a loose board.
Creak…
The man quickly turned around and Samantha tackled the guy.
"No! She's going to make me rich!" The man protested and swung a knife at Samantha.
"I won't let you sell her!" Samantha yelled as she grabbed the arm holding the knife. She managed to dodge his attack and slapped him twice in the face. He knocked her back and pinned the princess against the wall.
"I have no need for a useless girl like you. We can always find another girl for entertainment." He sneered as he flipped the knife in his hand. Samantha struggled to break free of his grasp.
"Sam! Help me!" Genny called out, but Samantha was tightly pinned against the wall. She felt a sharp pain against her left leg and he held up the blade which was now drenched in her blood. Samantha winced in pain as she tried to fight back, but she was still pinned against the wall.
"I've entertained you long enough. Time to gut you like a pig." He cackled again, but a third explosion caused him to lose balance and drop the knife. Samantha yelled as she collapsed and braced her leg as she looked up and saw the knife. She crawled towards the knife while the captain opened the door to take a look at the damage.
"Blow them out of the sky!" He ordered as he slammed the door shut. "I gotta finish this dumb bitch." He looked around for her, but all he saw was Genny. "Where'd she go?" He asked the girl. Genny rubbed her eyes, sniffled, and shook her head. "Useless…" He grumbled and started searching for her. Samantha hid underneath the bed and waited for her moment. She saw his shadow walk towards one side of the bed.
"Listen, if you show yourself…I'll let you live. How 'bout it? You get to keep your pretty little head and all I want is to sell this sub-human. Come on…we're just talking about one crummy sub-human." Samantha noticed the knife on the ground as the man walked away from the bed. Samantha rolled over and grabbed the knife before she felt his boot holding her hand which was holding the knife.
"Gotcha!" He pulled her out from under the bed. He kicked her in the gut and laughed. Samantha struggled to get to her feet, but the man grabbed her by the hair and pinned her against the wall in a sitting position.
"Genny, cover your eyes!" Samantha yelled and Genny did as she was told.
"You know, you're really starting to get under my skin." He said with a scowl on his face.
"No…" Samantha said quietly as she plunged the knife straight into his heart. The man remained speechless as she twisted the blade and caused him to groan in pain. "Now I'm under your skin." She pulled the blade out and stabbed him two more times before he was coughing and sputtering blood on the ground.
"You…agh…fuh…fucking…bitch…" Samantha stabbed him one more time and his now lifeless body collapsed against her. Samantha rolled the captain off of her before she got up and staggered towards Genny and opened the cage she was in.
"Sam…" Genny sniffled and hugged the girl tightly.
"Keep your eyes closed. We're…" She sharply exhaled. "We're getting out of here." She staggered towards the door and left the now dead captain on the ground in a pool of his own blood. She looked around and saw another ship directly next to this one. The crew panicked and began launching cannonballs at the other ship; failing to connect on a single shot.
'It's our only shot.' Samantha thought. "Hey, Genny…" The child opened her eyes and looked at her. You see that…ngh…that ship over there?" Samantha pointed to the other boat across the way.
"Uh huh."
"I'm going to throw you and you're going to fly there."
"But-"
"It's the only way…I'll…ugh…I'll be right behind you. Just…just do as I say." Genny nodded as Samantha climbed up the stairs and got a good vantage point.
"Ok…ready?"
"Uh huh."
"Go!" Samantha threw the child and hard and as far as she could. Genny flapped her wings and quickly made her way to the other ship.
'Ok…good. Now, all you need to do is…' She glanced at a plank that the crew laid against their ship. A few members tried to board the ship, but the other boat turned away and they started falling and screamed as they descended downwards. The princess quickly looked around and noticed an old grappling hook on the ground. She waited for her moment and then another explosion went off and the ship was now on fire.
'Wait for it…wait…wait…' With the ship making a circle, Samantha realized that the other ship was passing behind the ship she was on. She made her way to the back of the ship and the other ship crashed against the ship.
'Do it!' Samantha thought as she threw the grappling hook. It hooked onto the side of the ship and whisked Samantha away before the ship pulled away from the ship, followed by a fifth and final explosion blew up the ship. Samantha's concern was to climb up the rope so she didn't fall. But she couldn't help but notice that with the last explosion there were multiple explosions before the entire ship was engulfed and destroyed. Samantha continued climbing until she reached the top. She climbed over the railing and took deep breaths as her back was against the floorboards she sat up and she winced in pain. She took a look at the gash in her leg and it was maybe half an inch long and she couldn't tell how deep by looking at it.
"Sam?" A man's voice asked as she looked up. The man was wearing light brown boots, an all blue outfit with a red neckerchief. He had light brown hair and an eye patch over his right eye. Samantha's smile grew as she, like yesterday, had a genuine smile on her face.
"Uncle Vyse?" She asked.
"Hey kid, what're you doing here?" Samantha covered her face and started crying.
"You don't know…how happy I am." She sniffled and continued crying.
"Here." Vyse offered a hand to help the princess up. Samantha took his hand, but groaned as her leg gave out from the pain.
"Sam, shit. What happened to your leg?"
"I…I hurt it."
"Aika!" Vyse called out and walked back to steer the ship. A woman with orange hair and a yellow outfit came running up the stairs.
"What do you want, now?" She looked irritated until she saw Samantha. "Sam!" She exclaimed with excitement and rushed to her side and hugging the woman.
"Hi Aunt Aika." Samantha said with her smile growing. Her smile faded as she inhaled sharply.
"Careful, it's her leg." Vyse told her without taking his eyes off the blue sky.
"Her leg?" Aika looked down and her eyes grew big.
"How did this happen?" Aika asked as she acted as a crutch and helped her walked towards the cabins below.
"I had to save her. Wh-Where is she?" Samantha asked while Aika helped her down the stairs and to an empty bedroom.
"You mean that sub-human? She-"
"Laguz!" Samantha snapped. "She is laguz."
"Right…sorry." Aika said quickly. "She's downstairs. She's not talking to anyone, maybe you can…" Aika looked over at Samantha who was now fast asleep.
"Ah…shit." Aika carried the woman to the empty bedroom and quickly left to grab the third member of their team, Fina. Aika entered the bedroom adjacent to the bedroom where Samantha was in; she had light brown hair and a mostly white outfit aside from a blue top and a lighter shade of blue for a bandana over her head. She was on her knees trying to talk to Genny, but Genny was shaking out of fear, crying, and hiding behind her doll.
"Fina…I need your help in the other room."
"What's wrong?" Fina asked.
"Bring your medical stuff. I'll stay here with her, but…it's a surprise. There's a nasty looking cut on her leg." Fina grabbed her bag and left Aika with the laguz child. Fina entered the bedroom and slightly turned the woman's head.
"Sam…?" Fina asked with big eyes before shaking her head. "Her leg." Fina told herself as she examined her right leg and there didn't appear to be any cut. She took a look at her left leg and Samantha lightly groaned before she saw the cut.
"Oh no…" Fina gently cleaned the skin around the cut and mended the cut. "You'll be fine, Sam. I don't know if you can hear me, but this may pinch a little. But it'll help you get better." Fina placed her hand against Samantha's. "If you can hear me…squeeze my hand if you feel pain. I'll help you get through it." She placed some liquid on a rag and wiped the area around the wound. With her free hand, Fina felt Samantha squeeze her hand.
"It's ok, Sam…that's it. Now I'll apply some ointment and wrap and we should be good. After a few seconds, Samantha's grip loosened and Fina went back to work. She applied ointment to Samantha's wound and then finished it with a wrap. She then tucked in the Hylian princess and she walked back into the other room.
"How's she doing?" Aika asked.
"It's wrapped and cleaned. Sam is going to be fine." Fina said as she lightly hit Aika's arm. "Why didn't you tell me Sam was here?"
"Sam?" Genny asked and the two women looked at the girl.
"You…You know Sam?" Fina asked as she knelt down again. "Do you want to see her?" Genny nodded and flapped her wings. The three of them entered the room and Genny flew right next to Samantha.
"Sam!" Genny said as she snuggled next to the princess. Though Genny was trying to get under the covers and yet, Samantha was completely out of it.
"Let me help." Aika said as she went to grab the blanket.
"No! Genny yelled. "Leave me alone." Genny started crying once again.
"Honey, I just want to tuck you in." Aika grabbed the blanket and motioned for the girl to get underneath. Genny crawled under the covers and Aika gently tucked in the girl. She finished by guiding Samantha's arm over the child. Genny snuggled up with the doll she had and, for the first time on their ship, she closed her eyes and smiled. Aika and Fina quietly closed the door and went up to the main deck while Vyse continued steering the ship.
"Sam's going to be alright." Fina said with a smile. "That girl seems awfully attached to Sam though."
"It's like she's her mother or something." Aika gasped quickly. "You think Sam had a kid since we last saw her?"
"No, I think you know who would be telling everyone." Vyse said.
"Well, what do we do with her?" Aika scratched the back of her head.
"I have an idea." Vyse smiled as he continued sailing. "We're about an hour out…let her sleep for now and when she wakes up…" Vyse chuckled. "This'll take awhile. If either of you two need to rest…"
"A quick nap sounds pretty nice right now." Fina yawned and went downstairs. Aika sat down on the stairs and sighed with content.
"I can't believe that Sam is here again. Should we take her back to Hyrule?"
"Later. First, let her rest and then let's get some grub. We can catch up and talk." Vyse said as they continued to sail through the blue sky. Samantha finally woke up and looked around. She was inside a wooden structure; tucked in bed, with Genny fast asleep next to her.
"Wha…where am I?" Samantha asked as the young girl sat up.
"Sam?" Genny rubbed her eyes and asked. "Are you ok?" Samantha smiled and hugged the young girl.
"I'm ok, Genny. Are you ok?"
"Yeah!" Genny cheered followed by a knock on their door.
"Y-Yes?" Samantha asked with hesitancy. The door opened and inside stepped Aika.
"Aunt Aika." Samantha smiled. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a proper greeting." Samantha looked down at Genny who was clutching her doll and hiding against Samantha's side.
"I'm scared…" Genny whimpered.
"Genny, it's ok. This is my aunt. She's really nice." Samantha gently rubbed the girl's back. Genny looked up and wrapped her arms around Samantha's. Samantha moved Genny from her side to her lap.
"Who is she?" Aika asked as she took a seat in a chair opposite of the bed.
"She's just some girl I found. I've been taking care of her in the last few days, but lately, I've been cursed or something."
"Cursed? Sam, aren't you…exaggerating a little bit?" Aika asked.
"I'm serious. Mom, Marcus, Krystal, Lucina, Xander, Leo, Ryoma, and Sakura…all dead."
"Sam…I don't know about all that. You're with us now and the Blue Rogues will take care of you. I tell you what, we got a nice haul from those losers. Why don't you help yourself to some treasure?" Aika smiled.
"Treasure?" Genny asked and Samantha smiled.
"Maybe later. For now, I'm actually kind of hungry." Samantha said as she stretched.
"Alright…Vyse, Fina, and I need to wash up. Why don't you go claim our table? Tell them to add two seats for you and…what's her name."
"Genny. Her name is Genny. And that sounds great." Samantha moved out of bed and winced as she put pressure on her left leg.
"Still hurts?"
"A little." Samantha admitted.
"You'll be fine. Just take it easy and don't push yourself. Fina will check on you later." Samantha walked out with Genny in her arms and they looked around. It was a lively port town; people walking around and from what Samantha could see, there were no problems. Samantha saw Vyse carrying a crate and setting it outside a building.
"Uncle Vyse, what are you doing?" Vyse leaned back with a hand pressed against his back.
"We need a bit of money, so we're doing a few odd jobs for decent pay. These are some books for the library."
"Sam…I'm hungry." Genny whined.
"Feel free to head to the tavern." Vyse pointed towards the tavern, but Samantha didn't move. "What?"
"A tavern." Samantha said quietly. "You want me to walk into a tavern…with her?"
"Well…there's someone who wants to meet you there."
"Who?"
"Go find out." Vyse smiled. "I'm almost certain you're going to be happy." Samantha rolled her eyes and, along with Genny, they walked towards the tavern.
"I'll be there in a bit, Sam." Vyse waved while the two left. They entered the tavern and it was a bit frightening. There were a few patrons and an older man behind the bar. Samantha walked up to the man cleaning dishes behind the bar.
"Um…excuse me."
"Hey, how ya doing?" The man asked cheerfully. "What're ya havin'?" The man stopped and noticed the child in Samantha's arms. "Kids ain't allowed here."
"I'm looking for someone."
"Don't care." The man said as he pointed towards the door. "Kids ain't allowed in here. There's a lotta nasty people here. Not as nasty as 'The Cauldron' though…" The guy continued cleaning a plate.
"I just need to-"
"Out!" He pointed towards the door and scowled. Samantha quietly walked towards the exit, when a tall, dark skinned man stood in her way.
"That's a pretty sub-human you got there."
"She is laguz." Samantha said as she held Genny a bit tighter. Genny hid her face from the man.
"I think we'll take her off your hands."
"No." Samantha said sternly.
"I wasn't asking." The man said as another guy stood up behind her, then a third, and a forth, and finally a fifth.
"Looks like you're outnumbered. So let's try this again…hand over the sub-human."
"Sam…no…" Genny begged.
"Don't worry Genny, I won't ever hand you to these guys." Samantha said as she turned to protect the child.
"Hey beefcake." A woman's voice spoke up The five guys glanced over at the individual who spoke up. Samantha turned and her eyes grew as big as dinner plates.
"M…M…Muh…Muh…Mom?!" Samantha asked with a barely audible noise. Standing in the walkway towards the back was a woman with long blonde hair. She had on a black t-shirt with a rainbow colored triforce and black pants and black shoes to match. Her eyes were blue-green and her arms folded while she glared at the man. Samus glanced at the Hylian princess before her expression softened.
"Sam?" She whispered and stared in shock and worry before looking back at the main guy with anger. "You're going after my daughter?"
"We just want the sub-human." The guy said.
"No." Samus said. "You can't even say their name correctly. They are laguz, you fuck."
"You know what? Boys, let's go after her first. Then we'll deal with the sub-human."
"Sam." Samus said without taking her eyes off the man who had been speaking this entire time.
"Yeah?" Samantha asked.
"Do you have money?"
"Why?"
"Buy yourself a new outfit. I don't want you here for this. Things are going to get ugly." Samantha was going to head for the exit, but one guy cut her off.
"Excuse me." Samantha said.
"I don't think so." The guy sneered before ducking as Samus threw a chair towards that guy. Samantha used the distraction and ran for the door.
"I'll be honest…" Samus began. "I've never been with five guys before. Just promise you won't be gentle…I like it rough." Samus smirked and Samantha left the tavern.
'That…my mom was there! Mom was actually there!' Samantha thought as her mind was racing. She looked around and found a wardrobe shop just down the road. She entered and heard a light bell as the two entered. A young man turned around and approached the two. Genny whimpered and hid her face once again.
"Hello. How can I help you?" He asked.
"I…can you help me pick an outfit for her?" Samantha looked at her. Genny refused to let go of Samantha. "Hey, Genny…we're going to pick out a new outfit for you. And I promise I'll be right there with you." Genny looked up and nodded before flapping her wings next to Samantha.
"Well, let's see what I have." The man stepped into the back to grab a few outfits while Samantha and Genny waited. The man returned with a few shirts, skirts, pants, and dresses.
"There's a changing booth in the back, but here's a few options." He handed them to Samantha and she carried the outfits and Genny to the changing room.
"How about…this one?" Samantha held up a purple t-shirt, but it was too big for the girl. "No…how about this one?" She held up a yellow long sleeve shirt and it was too small. "Hm…" Samantha searched through all the tops. "What about this?" She held up a white floral print tank top. "Do you have a pair of scissors I can borrow?" She asked.
"Here." The man held the scissors underneath the door for Samantha to take. Genny reached for the print and Samantha cut holes in the back of the tank top before putting it on the child; it was a perfect fit for the young laguz girl.
"Excellent." The young man smiled. Now, for her bottom half…how about…" She checked through everything she had and finally pulled out a long white skirt with the same floral pattern as her tank top. She changed into the dress and, like the top, it was a perfect fit for her.
"Oh that's beautiful." Samantha said with a smile and the two exited the dressing room with all their clothes.
"You found the outfit you want?" The man asked as Samantha smiled and nodded her head. "Excellent. How will you be paying for this, miss…?" He asked while waiting for her to finish his sentence.
"Aran. Samantha Aran." Samantha finished his sentence. "I got the money right-"
"I got it." Samus said as she walked in and approached the counter.
"Mom…" Samantha said quietly. She paid the man with a handful of coins and received her change before the three of them left. Genny's old clothes draped over Samantha's should and Genny started flapping her wings and admiring her new outfit. As soon as they walked outside, Samus gave her daughter a hug and Samantha couldn't help but start crying.
"Sam?" Genny asked, but Samantha didn't try hiding herself. She squeezed her mother as tightly as she could and Samus embraced her daughter without saying a word. After a few minutes, Samantha eventually broke the hug and rubbed her eyes.
"How've you been?" Samus smiled and asked quietly. "God, I've missed you…" Samus kissed her daughter's forehead and wiped away a tear falling down her face.
"Mom…" Samantha sniffled. "I…I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Mom is dead…" Samantha hung her head in shame.
"Zelda…she's dead?" Samus looked concerned for a minute before closing her eyes. "Damn it…fucking…damn it."
"I'm sorry. I couldn't save her." Samantha sniffled one again but Samus hugged her daughter again.
"Hey now…don't cry. You're with me and you can stay as long as you want."
"And Marcus, and Krystal, and Lucina, and-"
"Sam." Samus cut her daughter off. "You're with me. And nothing's going to happen to you." Samantha smiled and nodded. "I just…I'm so happy that I'm here with you. But…why are you here?"
"The good news is, I finally found my suit." Samus told her daughter.
"Are you serious? That's great!" Samantha exclaimed. "Where is it?"
"That's the bad news…" Samus sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "It's in a lab and getting in is going to be tricky."
"That's not a problem for you."
"No, but…" Samus groaned in frustration. "It's…It's fucking annoying." Samus looked at the child in Samantha's arms. "Who's the kid?"
"Oh. This is Genny. I…sort of took her in. Genny, this is my mommy."
"Your mommy?" Genny asked as she blinked and stared at Samus.
"She's cute." Samus smiled. "Is she from Tellius? Want me to make some calls?"
"Sam!" Genny whined.
"I think we need some food first." Samantha, along with Genny and her mother, walked back to the tavern.
"What happened to those guys?" Samantha asked.
"I dealt with them." Samus said as she took her seat in the back. "Harold."
"The usual, Miss Aran?" The bartender asked before his expression turned angry. "I told you that kids ain't allowed-"
"Harold…shut up and get her some food." Samus said. The bartender growled quietly and then pulled out a pad and a pencil.
"Whadda ya want?" He grumbled.
"Pizza!" Genny declared happily.
"Damn kids."
"Harold…" Samus said with a warning tone. "Make it two large pizzas. Extra cheese. Soda for the kid and a hard cider for her. Put it all on my tab." Just as they sat down in the back, Vyse, Aika, and Fina walked in after them.
"Two beers and a hard cider." Aika set down a few coins and walked towards the back to see Samus and Samantha sitting alone.
"Samus!" Aika said cheerfully.
"Aika, darling." Samus stood up and hugged her old friend. She placed her cheek against her friend's and kissed the air before doing the same to the other. She broke the hug and Fina was next to hug Samus.
"I can't remember the last time we were all together." Fina said with a big smile across her face.
"The last time we all hung out…Jesus…I can't remember." Samus smiled. She then turned to Vyse and hugged him.
"I thought you'd like this little surprise."
"This is the greatest gift I have gotten in a while, Vyse." Samus kissed his cheek. "Aika is lucky to have you."
"…stop it." Vyse chuckled.
"No, keep going, I want to hear more." Fina giggled and took her seat.
"By the way, those bodies? Don't worry, they're gone." Samus stopped smiling and tried to subtly kick Aika's leg. "Ow, Samus!"
"Shut. Up." Samus said through her teeth.
"Bodies?" Samantha asked. "Did you…did you kill them?"
"Aika, what was the one thing I asked you not to say?" Samus closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Don't tell S-" She looked at Samantha and then back at Samus. "…oops." Samus sighed with frustration.
"So…you've killed people too?"
"Yeah, I-" Samus paused and then stared at her daughter with shock. "Wait, too? That means…" Her expression turned to anger. "Sam…"
"I can explain."
"Start talking." Samus said with restrained anger.
"He…He was on that ship. He was going to sell Genny. He was going to kill me if I didn't kill him first!" Samantha blurted before Samus covered her mouth.
"Keep your voice down." Samus said with a hushed tone.
"What ship?" Aika asked with a whisper.
"The one that blew up. I was in the captain's quarters, Genny was in a cage…and stabbed him and…" Samantha lost her voice and shook her head.
"…Artie?" Vyse said.
"Who?" Samus asked.
"Arthur Robinson." Fina said quietly. "He sells people, items, anything and everything on the black market. Black Market Artie is what he goes by. There were rumors that he sells laguz to slave owners, children to…" Aika gulped hard. "…undesirables." Samantha's heart sank as she knew what she meant by undesirables. "If he can make money from it, he'll sell it."
"Now that I know that, I'm actually kind of glad he's dead." Samantha said quietly. Her mother's expression softened and her anger subsided.
"Ok." Samus said.
"You're not mad?" Samantha asked.
"Of course not. He sounds like a piece of shit. I would've killed him too." The food finally came out and each person was served. The server walked back into the kitchen and grabbed all the drinks and served them as well.
"Who are her parents?" Samus asked.
"I don't know." Samantha said as the pizzas were set down and the drinks were all served as well. Genny's pizza looked quite delicious as well; the cheese looked like it was still melting and her beverage set next to her.
"Yay!" Genny clapped as she was going to grab the pizza, but Samantha stopped her with one hand.
"Genny, you'll burn yourself." Samantha warned as she began cutting the child's pizza. She blew on it to ensure it was cool enough and picked up the piece with a fork and fed the young girl. Samus picked up a piece and Samantha's mouth began to water. The pizza was incredibly gooey from all the extra cheese. Samus took a bite and smiled.
"Harold, you're the best damn cook this side of Arcadia."
"Is it good?" Samantha asked and the girl giggled and nodded her head.
"She's so cute." Fina gushed. Genny looked at everyone with an uneasy expression before looking up at Samantha.
"Pirates…" Genny said quietly like it was a bad word and she was afraid to insult them.
"They're the good guys. You're safe here." Genny smiled waved at everyone at the table.
"This is nice." Vyse said as he took a slice. "A nice family meal…doesn't happen often."
"I'm just glad I got someone here who's just as pretty as me." Samus joked and took a sip from her beer. She belched and then proceeded to crack her neck.
"Excuse you." Samantha said with a smirk. Samus rolled her eyes and smiled.
"I keep forgetting that Zelda's been pampering you on being the next queen." Samus laughed.
"A princess has a set of rules that she must-"
"Shut. Up." Samus said with a smile across her face. "You know I don't care much for those rules." Samantha grabbed Samus's hand and gently squeezed it with a warm smile on her face.
"You know, if you want to wait here, we can take you to Tellius and sort this whole thing out." Vyse offered.
"Perhaps." Samantha said as she stretched her arms up as high as they would go. "For now, I think I'd like to get a room."
"Room three hundred." Samus tossed her key onto the table. "You're staying with me."
"Mom, I couldn't-"
"Sam, I haven't seen you in awhile and I'm not letting you spend a single penny while you're with me." Samus glanced back at the door where a familiar face started walking towards them.
"Krystal?" Samantha asked.
"Sam…" Samus said quietly. "When you were listing everyone who died…you said Krystal was one of them, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Take the girl and the key. Go out the back and head to the inn." Samus instructed her daughter. Samantha knew better than to question the bounty hunter, so she scooped Genny up and looked around for the exit.
"Vyse, take the girls and escort Sam to the inn." Samus said without taking her eyes off of her dearest friend.
"Sure." Vyse said softly. "Aika, Fina, let's go. Sam, stay close."
"Wait!" The child said as she reached for the pizza.
"We'll get some more later." Samus told the young girl as they all walked through the kitchen while Krystal stopped walking as she stood on the opposite side of the table.
"Hey Harold!" Samus called out.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"Why don't you take a walk?" Samus suggested. "Lock the front door, too." Harold glanced over at Samus and then back at the purple fox.
"Alright. Make sure the place don't burn down." The man grabbed a pack of smokes and walked out the front door. He locked the front and went for a little walk.
"Krystal, darling." Samus smiled. "Had I known you were visiting, I'd have planned accordingly." Krystal didn't say a word as she glared at the bounty hunter. "What'll you have? Cornerian whiskey? Daein vodka? Or would you rather go for something a bit stronger? I'm sure I can probably find some Ylissean bourbon." Again, Krystal said nothing and Samus sighed. "Krystal, I don't know if you can hear me, but Sam told me that you've died. I don't know what the cause was, but whatever possesses you; know that I am only doing this to ensure you rest in peace." Krystal stood across from Samus. Samus quietly removed the knife Samantha was using from the table just before Krystal charged the bounty hunter.
Samus flipped the table and just as Krystal dodged it, Samus threw the chair she was sitting in at her. It hit the fox and Samus charged her. She stabbed her in the shoulder and pulled her gun from her leg. Samus fired twice and both shots connected. Krystal swung at Samus and missed. Samus grabbed a broken plate off the ground and threw it towards Krystal. She missed and Krystal charged Samus again. Samus swung, but Krystal grabbed her by the waist and continued running until Samus slammed her back against the wall. Samus grasped both hands and started pounding into Krystal's back. Krystal let go and tried to strangle her friend. Samus pushed her friend back and grabbed Krystal's head before kneeing her in the stomach. She pulled the knife out of Krystal's shoulder and tried to stab her again, but Krystal blocked the attack and the knife was dropped and slid across the floor. Krystal threw a flurry of punches that connected with the bounty hunter. The final shot was a hard hit against her cheek. Samus spat out blood and charged her. Krystal grabbed a fork from the ground. Samus grabbed a small, mostly intact plate and used it as a shield. Krystal lunged forward, but Samus deflected it. She lunged forward again and, once again, it was deflected. Krystal kicked her friend to the ground and as Samus was lying on the ground, she grabbed another chair and smashed it against the bounty hunter. Samus grabbed a beer bottle and smashed it against Krystal's face. She then used the broken half that she held and stabbed the fox. Krystal grabbed Fina's cider bottle and threw the liquid in the bounty hunter's face. Samus yelled in pain and felt Krystal bust the bottle against the back of her head. As she collapsed, she put a hand against her head and she saw it was covered in blood.
"You know…" Samus grunted as she looked around and saw the knife. "I think…I think I've…entertained you…long enough." Samus said as she was breathing hard from her scuffle against her friend. Krystal sat on top on the bounty hunter and she was strangling her friend. Samus tried to fight back, but was losing consciousness. She reached around and, in a last moment of desperation, she managed to grab a different fork and stab the fox woman in the side. She quickly scrambled for the knife and managed to retrieve it before Krystal could recover and pretended to collapse on her chest while concealing the knife. Krystal turned the bounty hunter over and, in a split second, Samus dug the knife deep into Krystal's neck and slit her throat. Krystal let go of the bounty hunter and rolled to the side. She then was engulfed by a white light and after a few moments, she was once again a statue of her former self. Samus remained on the ground; taking deep breaths and recovering from her fight. Her back was bruised, her body was beaten and her face was bloodied.
"Hah…" She looked up at the statue and crawled over to the statue. She tried to stand up, but she had lost her strength. She closed her eye her hand gently tapped the base of the statue. Unbeknownst to Samus, the statue began glowing white and soon after, Krystal once again began moving. She shook her head before placing a hand against it.
"Wha…Where am I?" Krystal coughed and looked around. "What is this place?" She asked and then tripped over Samus's body.
"Samus?" She asked and looked around and realized she was in a tavern. "Of all the places…I thought we were past this." Krystal muttered as she walked towards the sink behind the bar to get a cup and a glass of water and a couple towels. She returned to her friend and sat her upright.
"Wha…?" Samus asked and she began coughing.
"Honestly, Samus…I thought we were past this." Krystal grumbled as she gently started cleaning the blood from her mouth. Samus turned her head away and spat out a bit of blood.
"You're…You're supposed…supposed to be…dead." Krystal held the glass while she took a sip of water, swished it in her mouth, spat it on the floor.
"Samus, what are you doing? What happened here?" Krystal asked as she looked around.
"I kicked your ass…I won…by the way." Samus laughed before wincing in pain as she tried to stand up, but failed.
"Where are we?"
"Sailor's Island…" Samus said as she reached for the glass to take another sip.
"The last thing I remember…I was on Corneria." Krystal said to the bounty hunter.
"Talk to Sam. I don't know…about any of that…Just gonna…rest my eyes…for a minute…" Samus closed her eyes and quietly fell asleep. Krystal rolled her eyes and started to pick her friend up. She struggled at first, but eventually she hoisted the now passed out bounty hunter over her shoulder. She began walking towards the front door and it was locked. Krystal set Samus down on a chair and walked behind the bar to find the key, but the doors opened just as she stood behind the bar. The man looked at her and then his tavern.
"…what'll you have?" Krystal asked as she nervously laughed.
"What the fuck happened?!" He asked with anger.
"Uh…it…it was like this when I got here." Krystal said as she walked back towards Samus to pick her up.
"What? Now hold on a second-" Harold said with anger, but the blue fox quickly left the bartender alone in the tavern. She walked towards the inn and walked up to the receptionist.
"Hi. Listen…does Samus Aran have-"
"Krystal?" Vyse asked as he came down the stairs. "What are you doing here? What happened to Samus?"
"Can we talk somewhere private?" Krystal asked and the two went upstairs with Samus. Vyse knocked on the door that Samantha was in.
"We're in the next room. Fina's in the room next to ours. Come to our room when you're ready." Vyse took Samus from Krystal's shoulder and walked towards Fina's room. He knocked on the door while Krystal waited for Samantha. Samantha opened the door and her jaw dropped.
"Krystal? Oh my God, Krystal?!" Samantha tightly hugged her mother-in-law.
"Samantha…listen, we need to talk in with Vyse. Can you grab Genny and meet me over there?"
"Where's mom?" Samantha asked.
"Let's go." Krystal said with a stern tone. Samantha quietly shut the door and then opened without Genny.
"She's asleep. But…How are you alive?" Samantha whispered as Krystal met with Vyse and Fina.
"I was hoping you would know." Samantha then noticed her mother draped over Vyse's shoulder.
"Mom?!" She asked with fear in her voice.
"She's still breathing." Fina told her. "But, Krystal…I have some questions for you."
"And I have questions for you as well." She said as Aika opened the door.
"Where's the kid?" Vyse asked.
"Her name is Genny." Krystal said quietly. "Samantha said she's asleep in the other room."
"I'll keep watch on her. Aika will inform me of everything that was said later."
No." Samantha said quietly. "Krystal, answer their questions. Aunt Fina…please help my mother. Krystal, when you're done, come to my room and we'll talk. Please." Samantha begged. Krystal held her daughter-in-law's hand.
"Alright." Krystal said quietly. Fina opened the door and gestured out the door.
"Aunt Aika, Uncle Vyse. Don't interrogate her too hard." Samantha looked at all three of them before leaving. She returned to her room and Fina did the same. Samantha sat on the edge of her bed and grinned like a child.
'Mom's alive…and Krystal's back…this is the best day ever!' Samantha's smile quickly faded as she thought of a situation. 'What if mom and Krystal switched places?' She started taking quick breaths while she waited. In what seemed like an eternity, Samantha simply watched the young girl sleeping. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Sam…" She said quietly. "I have to go to the bathroom."
"Ok, honey." Samantha picked the child up as she heard a knock at the door. Samantha opened it and walked towards the bathroom. Krystal entered and quietly shut the door.
"Everything good?" Samantha asked as she helped Genny before standing in the doorway facing Krystal.
"Yes. I explained everything to them." Krystal said.
"I want to hear everything." Samantha said.
"Sam." The child called out. Samantha turned around and carried the child to the sink. She washed her hands and Samantha tucked the child in bed once more.
"Ok." Samantha said quietly as she sat on the other bed. "I want to hear it all. From the last thing you remember to now."
"I remember fighting Gannondorf. He had…he had a gun. Much like the one Wario had."
"Wario?"
"He was the fat man…yellow clothes…purple overalls."
"The one that killed mom." Samantha said quietly with anger.
"Yes. What happened next…I don't know…All I remember is there was a large capital building made of solid gold."
"A large gold capital building?"
"Yes. Thousands of people, animals, laguz…it was incredible."
"Where?"
"I don't know. It's…it's unlike any place I have ever been." Krystal shook her head. "But, hey. Tell me. Did you go through that red door?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"It took me to Ylisstol."
"Ylisstol?" Krystal asked.
"I went through another one and ended up in Forget-Me-Not Valley…then I traveled to Nohr and then Hoshido. I went through another door and ended up on some asshole's pirate ship and I ended up here."
"Ok…" Krystal said trying to get a grasp on what's happening. "What should we do now?"
"Rest." Samantha said as she stood up. "You take this bed and I'll sleep in that one. When mom is better tomorrow, we'll ask her what happened and figure on what we do next."
"Ok." Krystal said with a sigh. "I'll make some calls home tomorrow and we'll get through this." Krystal crawled to the end of the bed and tucked herself in.
"Krystal…"
"Yes?" Samantha knelt down and kissed the blue fox's cheek and hugged her once more.
"I'm so happy you're alive." Samantha's bottom lip quivered.
"I could not have asked for a better daughter-in-law." Krystal smiled and lightly pushed her daughter-in-law away. "Now go to bed." Samantha walked over to her bed and carefully crawled under the covers next to Genny.
"Sam…" The child asked.
"Yes, Genny?"
"Are there monsters here?"
"Why would you say that?" Samantha asked and realized that Genny must have heard her talking to Krystal. "Honey, you remember Krystal? The blue fox? She's sleeping in the bed over there." Samantha turned on a light and Genny looked over at the other bed. Krystal waved at the young girl and Genny waved back.
"There are no monsters, honey. Let's go back to bed." Samantha turned off the light and closed her eyes.
"Sam…"
"Yes, Genny?"
"Thank you." She said as she snuggled against the princess. Samantha's ears began to burn as her heart warmed. She closed her eyes and smiled as she fell asleep. She made a vow to keep this young girl safe. Genny trusted her and no matter what, Samantha would never betray her trust.
'I'll get you home. No matter how long it takes.' Samantha thought as she held the child's hand and slept through the night.