Chapter 12: One on One
AN: Hey everyone! I'm really sorry it took me so long to publish this one. There's been a lot of things that happened and I needed to clear my mind.
Still, I published this one and I'm going to keep writing. Once again, thank you for reading my work and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
The sun peaked through the curtain. Samantha slightly opened her eyes and didn't see Genny in bed. She sat up and looked around, but Genny wasn't anywhere.
"Genny? Genny!" Samantha panicked and searched all over the room. The door opened and both Krystal and Genny walked in. Genny was eating a cheese slice while Krystal walked in with a plate of food.
"Did you sleep well?" Krystal asked. Samantha looked over and saw Genny holding Krystal's hand and she offered Samantha her cheese.
"Don't scare me like that." Samantha told the blue fox.
"I thought we'd be back before you'd wake." Krystal explained. "I brought you breakfast." The plate held a few strips of bacon, a muffin, scrambled eggs with cheese mixed in, a banana, and potatoes. Samantha grabbed the plate and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Blueberry?" Samantha asked.
"Your favorite, I know." Krystal sat down on the bed that Samantha slept in and flipped on the TV. There was a knock on the door and while Genny was watching cartoons, Krystal opened the door. Samus stood at the entrance and walked in with Fina behind her.
"Morning, Krystal. Sam." Samus sat neck to her and lightly groaned.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I was hit by a truck. Fina says I'll be fine in a few days."
"I'm grateful that she's been taking care of you." Krystal smiled. "Look at it this way, at least you're not being taken care of by some ugly, nasty looking pirates."
"Like Wolf?" Samus smiled.
"Wolf isn't ugly…he's…misunderstood."
"Like his crew? They're not bad guys, they just rob people for a living. Actually, they're not too far off from-"
"Don't say it." Fina said with a smile.
"Mom, do you want my breakfast?" Samantha asked.
"I'll grab my own. When we're done, we'll do our stretching. You…do your stretching every morning, right?" Samantha remained quiet. Ever since she was a little girl, every morning she woke up, after breakfast, she and Samus always did yoga as the sun rose. Lately, Samantha had been neglecting her routine. Instead, she had other worries at the forefront of her mind.
"That's a no." Samus said as she stood up.
"Well-"
"It's fine." Samus stood up and lightly groaned. "We'll get you back in routine." Samus walked towards the door and left. Fina stayed behind with Samantha.
"You're not upset, are you?" Fina asked.
"No…just…disappointed in myself." Samantha sighed.
"If it makes you feel better, Samus has been trying to get us to join in on her stretching."
"Anyone take her up?" Samantha asked.
"No. Vyse and Aika are impossible to wake up, and I'm not interested in being as flexible as your mother." Samantha smirked as she watched the TV. An episode of Dora the Explorer played. Samantha quietly ate her breakfast and watched along with Fina and Genny. Samus returned with Krystal with her breakfast.
"So…" Samus bit into a piece of toast. "After we stretch, what do you-"
"Mom…not while you're eating." Samantha said quietly. Samus finished eating and chuckled.
"Just like your mom." She laughed. "You know, she was a stuck up bitch before-"
"Mom, if you're going to be around Genny, you need to cut down on the cursing." Samantha said with a stern tone. Samus chewed another piece of bread before swallowing and nodding her head.
"Sorry…I'll do my best." Samus said quietly while she continued eating.
"We'll do a bit of stretching and…then…maybe we could…catch up. Just you and me. Not Krystal, not Genny, just us." Samantha asked with a hint of hope in her voice.
"Mmm-hmm." Samantha nodded her head and took a bite of her scrambled eggs. "I'll talk to Vyse and see if he'll let me borrow the ship. We could go sailing, or-"
"I was thinking more like…we sit at the tavern…" Samantha said with a smile creeping on her face.
"I don't know. Krystal told me that place was damaged." Samus said with hesitancy.
"We can always ask. If he won't serve us, I'll let him toss me out for your entertainment." Samantha smiled. Samus chucked and she smiled as well.
"It would be funny…" Samus said. "Alright, we'll see what we can do." Samus continued eating.
"Swiper no swiping! Swiper no swiping!" Genny said with an angered tone.
"Oh man…" The television fox snapped his fingers and ran away. Genny cheered that the sneaky fox's plans were foiled. Samus finished her breakfast and set the plate on the nightstand.
"Alright, you ready?" Samus stood up and Samantha did the same.
"Sam?" Genny asked.
"I'm going to do some stretching."
"Can I come?" Genny asked. Samantha looked at her mom and Samus shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, this is just for us, honey. We'll do some stretching later. Ok?"
"Ok." Genny said with content before turning her attention back to the television.
"Take as much time as you need, I'll keep an eye on her." Krystal said with a smile.
"Thank you, Krystal." Samantha hugged her mother-in-law and the two women left. While they were walking, Samantha started thinking about the other problems happening in her life.
'Abandoning your kingdom…getting mom killed…getting Lucina, and Xander, and Leo, and Ryoma, and Sakura killed…' Samantha gave a heavy sigh as they boarded Vyse's ship and Samus found two mats in storage on the ship. She set one out for Samantha, and one out for herself.
"Shoulder width apart." Samus instructed. "Breathe in…" She inhaled and held her breath. "…and out." Samantha did as she was told. "And again…" Samantha closed her eyes and remembered the first time she started doing yoga with her mother. "Once more…" Samantha pictured herself at the young age of four.
'Just like mama!' Samantha declared as she bent her legs and imitated her.
'You're doing great, Sam. Keep your legs straight.' Samus replied as she gently straightened Samantha's legs, but now Samantha couldn't touch her feet.
'Mama…I can't reach!'
'It's alright, Sam. We'll do this every day and soon, you'll be just like me.' Samus said with a motherly tone.
'When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!' The young princess cheered.
'Samantha Grace Aran…you will be, my child…you will be.'
"Reach up." Samantha looked up and stretched as high as she could towards the sky. Her mother, on the other hand, bent backwards and placed her hands around her ankles with her head facing Samantha. Despite her age, Samus was still the most flexible person in all of Hyrule.
"You want to tell me what happened?"
"What…What do you mean?"
"Krystal and I talked about what happened. The bomb…Wario…your mother…red doors…I figured I should hear your side of the story." Samus stood upright and breathed in slowly.
"Mom and I were going to take a vacation to Delfino Plaza. Just the boys, her, and myself." Samantha breathed in and exhaled.
"Downward dog." Samus instructed and Samantha followed her mother's orders.
"Marcus took me to Corneria and I met Genny on the roof." Samantha explained.
"Her parents are from Corneria?"
"No, Krystal thinks they're from Tellius. She said Tibarn wouldn't say who they were…" Samantha inhaled and slowly exhaled. "We think that if we take her to Gallia, Skrimir or Ranulf might be able to point us in the right direction."
"Dolphin." Samus said and she moved her arms forward she her body was resting on her feet and her forearms. "Samantha, once again, followed instructions.
"Anyway, Marcus was killed by…Pigma…I think. She spent the night, we went to the mall the next day and…" The princess inhaled and then exhaled. "…Krystal died. We panicked and ran home. Tiffany is house-sitting while I'm gone-"
"Dolphin plank." Samus said and both women moved again.
"We went through a red door and ended up in Ylisstol. Mom attacked us…"
"Mom attacked you? She's supposed to be dead."
"I don't know…maybe it was an evil spirit or something…" Another inhale then exhale.
"Extended puppy." Again, both women moved.
"Went through a portal and ended up in Forget-Me-Not Valley. Then Nohr, and then Hoshido before I went through a door and ended up here."
"Upward dog." Once more, both women moved.
"But, if I kill mom…maybe that's what Sheik was telling me."
"Sheik?"
"Oh yeah! I met mom's protector. A member of Clan Sheikah!" Samantha said before breathing in and then out.
"King pigeon."
"No." Samantha said as she stood up. "Warrior one." Samus chuckled as she and her daughter did different poses.
"I can't believe she's still..." Samus trailed off before breathing in and out.
"I know, right? Now all we need to do is figure out how to bring mom back home and-"
"Sam…I don't even know how I got Krystal back." Samus stood up from her pose. "Warrior two." Both women moved to a new position.
"But…you said you killed her."
"I did, but she was a statue…that's the last thing I remember before blacking out. Breathe in." They took another breath and exhaled. "Finally, tree." They moved again.
"So, now you have no idea how to bring mom back or-"
"Sam…" Samus said with her eyes closed. "Focus on your center…relax….inhale…" Samantha breathed in and held her breath for a short while. "And exhale…" She let out all her air, but glared at her mother.
"Mom, how are we supposed to bring everyone back if we don't-" Samus walked towards her daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"We'll find a way." Samus reassured her daughter. "For now, we need to spend some time catching up. Let's grab Vyse and the crew. He'll give us a nice view of the skies and we can talk up here."
"Alright." Samantha smiled and the two women walked back to the inn. Genny was sitting on a bench outside looking at the clouds with Krystal and Fina.
"…a pie." Genny was explaining what one of the clouds looked like to both women.
"A pie?" Krystal asked. "You couldn't eat that giant pie."
"Yuh huh. I'm a big girl."
"But your tummy would be so full…you'd float away like a balloon." Fina said and the child laughed.
"What are we laughing about?" Samantha asked.
"Sam!" Genny cheered and she leapt off the bench and into her arms. "Are you all done?"
"Yep! In fact, mom even said we might be able to go flying through the skies."
"We can?" Genny asked as she flapped her wings.
"Well, everyone's can come. Aunt Fina?" Samantha asked.
"To be up there in the clouds…it's beautiful." Fina sighed with content. "Stay here. I'll go ask Vyse and Aika if they're up for it." Fina got up and walked into the inn.
"Sam, take a seat." Samus instructed her daughter. Samantha sat down and Genny sat with her back towards Samantha as she looked up at the clouds.
"Krystal, did Sam talk to you about Sheik?" Samus asked.
"Sheik?" Krystal looked at Samantha and then back at Samus. "No…why?"
"She claims she met Sheik."
"It's true!" Samantha blurted. "Sheik is real! Sheik-" Samantha glanced at both Krystal and Samus. They both looked at one another without saying a word before Krystal shook her head.
"You need to talk to her." Krystal said quietly.
"Yeah…" Samus nodded her head just as the three members of the Blue Rogues returned.
"Alright. Shall we get going?" Vyse asked. The group went towards the ship.
"This is going to be great!" Samantha said with a big smile on her face. Once everyone was on board, Vyse took off and he began sailing through the skies.
"Woah…" Genny said as her eyes lit up while they sailed through the white clouds high above the sky.
"Genny, stay away from the rail." Samantha said and Genny walked over to the princess. She sat in Samantha's lap while they soared across the sky.
"Sam…" Samus took a seat across from the princess and the child. Genny, still scared of the older woman, hid her face from her.
"Genny, can you say hi to my mom?" Samantha asked with a soft tone. Genny looked up and shook her head.
"That's ok, Genny…Samus is hard to like." Krystal sat down next to Samus and Samantha. Genny walked over to Krystal and hugged the blue fox.
"She'll hug you but not me?" Samantha asked before she scoffed.
"I am a better mother." Krystal remarked as she ran a hand through the girl's hair. Genny smiled as she looked at Krystal with adoration. Samus shook her head and smiled.
"I'm still a good mom, right Sam?" Samus asked as she smiled at her daughter. Samantha thought about her answer for a moment.
"Do you want the truth? Or…" Samus gently slapped Samantha's arm and the three of them shared a laugh.
"Look at all the clouds." Genny smiled and reached for the clouds.
"Sam, let me ask you something…has Sheik…said anything to you?" Samus asked with a hint of concern.
"Said anything to me? Not really. It's just been me talking to her." Samantha said. "You should meet her."
"We're already met." Samus said.
"Why have you never talked about her?" Samantha asked.
"Sheik…she's…" Samus looked at Krystal and then sighed. "…a mystery."
"Even so, I bet mom would love to meet her." Samantha looked down. "Do you miss her?" Samus looked at the clouds and sighed.
"I've missed her every day that I wasn't at home. I miss you, and the boys, and Virginia…" Samus sighed.
"I miss Fox…and Marcus." Krystal said while she rubbed her arms and it looked like she was about to cry.
"Hey mom, can we train a little?" Samantha asked in an attempt to change the subject.
"Train you? Now?" Samus asked.
"Why not? I worked with Sheik and-"
"Wait, hold on…Sheik trained you?" Samus asked.
"Well…yeah. A little. Mom, I just…" Samantha sighed. "I want things to go back to what they used to be." Samantha pouted and looked down in shame. Samus looked at Krystal and then back at her daughter and smiled.
"You know what? Sure. We can train a little."
"Seriously?!" Samantha's face lit up.
"Sure." Samus walked over towards the middle of the ship and Samantha followed her. "Ready?" Samus held up her hands and Samantha stood across from her; Samantha was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Alright, let's begin." Samus held up her hands with her palms facing her daughter and Samantha started throwing punches and her punches started connecting with her mother's hands. Samantha spent twenty minutes just throwing punches at her mother.
"Sam." Samus said and Samantha was breathing hard and looked to her mother for some kind of approval.
"What are you worried about?" Samus asked.
"I'm…n-nothing." Samantha replied.
"Don't lie. There's something on your mind." Samus said.
"Mom…" Samantha quietly said. "Do you…do you think I'm…bad?"
"Bad? You mean that killing thing? No, you're good."
"But…I let mom die, and abandoned our kingdom-"
"Everyone does stupid shit, Sam." Samus told her daughter. "Did I ever tell you about the time your mother flew across the galaxy to come find me at a shady bar?" Samantha's eyes grew big.
"We're talking about the same woman?" Samantha asked.
"We are." Samus nodded. "And then there was the time that we got so drunk that we slept on the front lawn."
"Really?" Samantha asked. "I never knew mom was so…wild. I thought she was such a rule follower."
"The point is, everyone does stupid shit. Everyone does things that they regret. Your mother, me…even dad…er…grandpa." Samus corrected herself. Samantha was slightly happier, but she still felt like her mom was saying this to make her feel better.
"Can we get back to it?" Samantha held up her fists and the two continued training for another thirty minutes. Once again, Samantha was breathing hard while Samus lowered her hands.
"Sam…can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why didn't you keep your name?"
"My…name?" Samantha asked with confusion.
"You are Samantha Grace McCloud. Yet in the clothing store, you referred to yourself as Aran. Why?"
"Why? W-Well…um…th-that is…I…" Samantha stammered while trying to buy time for her to come up with an acceptable answer.
"Sam…are you ashamed?"
"No!" Samantha blurted. "I'm proud to be Marcus's wife. I just…when he died…I…I was scared." Samantha sank to her knees and started crying. "I'm not like you, or him. I'm not strong. The first moment I had, I abandoned my last name like I abandoned-"
"Sam, calm down." Samus kneeled down and Krystal walked over to her.
"Samantha? What's the matter?" Krystal asked. Samantha sniffled and wiped her nose.
"N-N-Nothing." She said as she rubbed her eyes again.
"She believes she isn't strong because she hasn't been using her married last name."
"Mom!" Samantha said with anger.
"Honey, that's nothing to be ashamed of." Krystal reassured her daughter-in-law.
"But…But…"
"Honey, if you haven't noticed, I don't use the McCloud name either. Everyone just calls me Krystal." The blue fox pointed out. "And Zelda is just Zelda. Link and Ike…many people use only single names or don't use their last names."
"But-"
"I won't hear of it. You are a McCloud…you are also an Aran. You are Marcus McCloud's wife and he loved you with all his heart. You loved him even more, and you're just scared. You feel comfortable using Aran because your mother is alive and well." Krystal smiled. "But it's ok. We'll bring Marcus back and the two of you can be together and give us grandchildren." Samantha laughed and rubbed her eyes. "I'm serious, Samantha. I want at least one grandchild."
"I want at least two." Samus said with a smirk. Krystal placed a hand over Samantha's.
"Samantha, the point I'm trying to make is that even the strongest warriors have moments of weakness. You are strong, you are courageous, you are a wonderful daughter-in-law, and you are a wonderful princess. Never believe anything other than that, dear." Samantha nodded her head and put an arm around Krystal and Samus.
"I love you both so much."
"I love you too, Smanatha." Krystal smiled.
"I love you more." Samus added.
"No." Krystal said with a motherly tone.
"Don't challenge me on this, Krystal. I will kick your ass on this." Samus said with a positive, yet warning tone.
"Is that a threat?" Krystal asked with a sarcastic tone.
"Yes. Yes it is." Samus started laughing. "Sam, you've cleared the air. Ok, we're fine. You want to keep training or call it a day?" Samantha looked over at Genny. She was now holding a wooden stick and was engaging in a non-aggressive sword fight with Aika. She poked Aika in the arm and the woman went over the top and pretended to die. Genny and Fina cheered and the girl hugged the woman. Aika sat up and began tickling the young girl.
"No, I want to keep going. I made a promise to protect that girl. If more people are coming for her…or coming for me, I need to be stronger." Samantha smirked and raised her fists.
"That's my girl." Samus said and, with more confidence, Samantha threw hard punches at her mother after thirty minutes, Samantha was breathing hard again.
"Are we done?" Samus asked.
"No…let's…step it up…" Samantha threw another punch, but Samus stepped out of the way and went for a high kick against her daughter. Samantha used her mother's momentum against her in an attempt to put her on her stomach. Samus, however, placed her hands on the ground and flipped back upright. Samantha threw two punches followed by a roundhouse and Samus ducked and gave her daughter an uppercut to her daughter and knocked her off her feet. With the initial shock of an uppercut, Samantha wasn't able to react in time and Samus placed a foot on her stomach. Samantha grunted and Samus laughed.
"I win."
"Stop it!" Genny called out as she tried to hit Samus and Samus stepped off of her stomach. Genny flapped her wings and flew right next to Samantha and hugged the woman.
"Don't hurt Sam!" She yelled at the bounty hunter.
"Genny, we were training." Samantha said, but the young girl continued hugging her caretaker.
"Hey, Genny…if I say sorry, will you stop being mad at me?" Samus asked. Genny looked up and nodded. "Sam…I'm sorry."
"It's alright." Samantha smiled at her mother. "Are we ok?" Samantha asked Genny.
"Ok." Genny said with content. She walked over to Samus and reached up for her. Samus held Genny and she ran a hand through the girl's hair.
"You're such a cutie." Samus said with a smile. Genny smiled and held Samus's hand.
"I keep Sam safe." She informed her.
"You do? Well, you're doing a great job!" Samus gushed. "You're so strong and beautiful. I'm glad you're protecting her." Genny beamed with pride while Samantha rolled her eyes. Samus offered a hand and helped her daughter to her feet. They walked towards the side of the boat and watched the clouds pass them by.
"It's so peaceful." Samantha said as she reached out for the clouds. She was too far away from them. Samus wrapped her free hand around her daughter and kissed the top of her head.
"Sam…I love you." Samantha's cheeks were bright pink and her heart warmed.
"I…I love you more, mom."
"You shouldn't lie, Sam." Samus said without taking her eyes off the skies. Both women laughed and sighed contently.
"What do I do now?" Samantha asked.
"How about when we get back, we call home? I haven't spoken to the boys or gramps in awhile. I'd like to see them again." Samantha nodded and walked up towards Vyse while he was steering the ship.
"Hey Sam…how're you feeling?"
"Honestly? I'm happy. I'm not just saying that either. I'm genuinely happy." She smiled. "I haven't been happy since…" Samantha dropped her tone and immediately felt embarrassed.
"Sam, you want to take the wheel?" Vyse asked.
"Uncle Vyse, you never let anyone fly."
"I do too. Here, take the wheel." Vyse stepped back and, in a moment of panic, Samantha took the wheel and started moving it back and forth frantically.
"Sam!" Vyse said as he stood behind her and grabbed the wheel. "Calm down…it's just like driving." He carefully let go of the wheel and Samantha was barely turning the wheel.
"I've never done that."
"Are you serious?" Vyse asked. "Ok, you've flown a ship though, right?"
"Well I've flown an Arwing…" Samantha said as she turned the ship portside and continued flying straight.
"That's great!" Vyse said proudly.
"…simulation." Samantha finished her sentence.
"Well…hey, you're doing great right now." Vyse said trying to be encouraging. Samantha smiled and continued sailing across the blue skies.
"What's going on up here?" Aika asked as she walked towards Vyse and Samantha. She kissed Vyse and he started chuckling.
"You guys are weird." Samantha said as she shook her head and continued flying. Samantha was slightly veering off to the right as she continued flying the boat.
"Sam…you're turning to the right." Aika pointed out.
"S-Sorry." Samantha said as she corrected the path, but started to veer off once again.
"Sam." Vyse said and Samantha corrected herself again.
"Fina and I can steer for awhile. Vyse, take five. Sam…"
"I can do it! I swear!" Samantha insisted as she straightened her path.
"Sam, you're doing fine, but flying a ship like this…it takes more than one day. You did good, but now…we'll take it from here." Aika took the wheel and Samantha reluctantly hung her head.
"Hey, don't beat yourself up." Vyse insisted. "You did good. I remember the first time we flew a ship. I tried to fly without sails…you know, being overly cautious and all that." Samantha smiled as Vyse's face turned bright red. "Aika was all over the skies-"
"Was not!" Aika protested as she turned slightly towards starboard and turned the boat around. "Maybe we should head back for the day."
"She was flying all over." Vyse whispered. "Hard left…hard right…hard left again…hard right again…" Vyse motioned with his hand the flight pattern Aika took. Samantha quietly laughed and watched Aika's improved flying techniques; she was now as smooth as Vyse was when she took the wheel.
"And then there was Fina." Aika said while laughing.
"Aika was a good flier…she just…never learned how to stop." Vyse chuckled.
"You all suck at flying." Samus said as she approached them. Genny waved at the group. She was now sporting a pirate hat and an eye patch over her left eye. "We found a bunch of stuff down in the hull. By the way, I found this gorgeous necklace…how much?" Samus pointed to this necklace around Genny's neck.
"You found that on the ship?" Samantha asked.
"No, I found it downstairs." Samus corrected her daughter.
"No, I mean…I…well, Sakura technically…she technically bought it for me to give to her…and…" Samantha touched the necklace and smiled at her. "I'm glad she has it back."
"Sam, look! I'm a pirate!" Genny waved her hand and gave her most ferocious scowl; it was more adorable than frightening.
"Oh dear…" Samantha said. "Genny the Terrible. The most ruthless pirate in the blue skies."
"Grrrr…" Genny growled before covering her mouth with both hands and giggling.
"She's such a vicious pirate…" Fina smiled and approached the group. "What a fun day of looting and fighting."
"Yar har har!" Genny said proudly.
"You're an honorary Blue Rogue!" Fina tied a blue piece of fabric around Genny's arm.
"Sam! Look!" Genny held up her arm and proudly waved her blue fabric in the skies.
"Welcome to the gang." Samantha smirked as Genny smiled and flapped her wings in excitement.
"We should head back." Vyse said as he headed back for the small island they left. As they arrived, Samus placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Sam, I know I promised you some one-on-one time with us, but…do you think we could postpone that until tomorrow?"
"Sure…but…is this one of those promises you don't intend on keeping?" Samantha asked with skepticism.
"Sam, I promise…on my kingdom and on the good name that is Aran…I won't break this promise to you." Samantha nodded her head and smiled.
"Ok. I'm holding you to this." Samantha said and gave her mother another hug. Genny flew over and bumped into Samantha. Samantha grabbed the child and started tickling her.
"Help! Ahh!" Genny squealed and giggled while squirming in her arms. Samantha eventually stopped and Genny hugged Samantha's neck.
"Hey mom…can we still call Jackson and Alex?" Samantha asked.
"Sure." Samus smiled. "Let's go back to the room and we'll call 'em." As they arrived back on the island, everyone walked back to the inn. Samus and her daughter split from the group and Samus dialed the number for home. A screen popped up and a butler from the castle answered the call.
"Hyrule Cas-" The man paused as he saw who was video calling. "Lady Samantha! And…Queen Samus!" He sounded overjoyed. "Oh how my heart is blessed! Shall I connect you to Lord Daphnes?"
"Actually, can we talk to the boys?" Samus asked. "I want to check in on them."
"At once!" The video paused for a moment as the butler went to fetch the two princes of Hyrule. When the call picked up again, two young men looked back at them.
"Mom!" Jackson cried out and followed it with a smile.
"Sam!" Alex cried out just as loud at the same time.
"Hey guys." Samantha said with a smile.
"Are you behaving yourselves?" Samus asked.
"Yeah! We're doing good. Um…S-Sam…can I ask you something?" Jackson said as he voice became quiet.
"Sure." Samantha said just as quiet as her younger brother.
"Are you…did…" He stopped talking and collected himself for a minute. "Is mom dead because of you?"
"Jackson!" Samus said with a stern tone.
"Well…mom, people are saying stuff here. They're saying Sam's a murderer. That's why she left. That's why she's gone."
"Your sister is not a murderer. She did not murder anyone….past, present, or future."
"But-" Samantha quickly stopped talking when Samus kicked her leg to get her to shut up.
"Now I don't want to hear any more of that nonsense, is that clear?"
"Yes mom." The boys said in unison.
"Alright…so what have you been up two?" Samus smiled.
"Alex caught a fish yesterday." Jackson told his mom.
"It was huge! Maybe twenty pounds!" Alexander said loudly. Jackson quietly shook his head behind him.
"It was no bigger than a sardine." Jackson smirked and Samus laughed.
"It was not!" Alexander said with a hint of anger.
"Was too!" Jackson said back.
"Boys…" Samus quietly said in a motherly tone. "I miss you both. I miss your wild stories and your crazy antics. Jackson, have you been practicing?"
"Yeah. I've been shooting hoops all week. If you can keep your bones from rattling, I think I can beat you this time."
"My bones from rattling?" Samus asked with a big smile. "Jackson, if I win, you are grounded for the day."
"And if I win, you'll let me enter the tournament. I've been working in the training simulator. I'm getting better. I'm on level six. Mom, please?" Jackson asked.
"We'll talk more when I return home." Samus said while Jackson nodded. "And Alex…any good jokes? Dark jokes? Let's hear some! I miss your humor."
"Well…" Alexander thought for a moment before a smile. "What washes up on mini beaches?"
"What's that?" Samus asked.
"Microwaves." Samus lightly laughed.
"Come on, I'm not like mom. Give me a good one."
"Uh…" Alexander quietly laughed. "One man's trash is another man's treasure. It's sound advice, but it's a terrible way to find out you've been adopted." Samus rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"That's weak, Jackson." Samus joked.
"Do you have one?" He asked.
"What did the leper say to the prostitute?" Jackson thought for a minute before shrugging his shoulders. "Keep the tip." Jackson burst out laughing while Samantha started smiling and she shook her head.
"Mom…that's horrible." Samus looked back at Samantha with a smile.
"It's dark humor, kid." She turned back to her son. "So how's grandpa doing?"
"He's alright. He sleeps a lot more than usual, and the guards are asking us questions like, what do we do and stuff?"
"Just…keep an eye on him. Your grandpa is getting old and…just, be careful boys."
"Sure, mom. We'll keep an eye on him." Jackson nodded to his mother. "Lilly's doing well too. She's spending a lot of time talking to Gram…she sounds really sad."
"Well, Lilly's been through a lot. She was there when your grandma died. And when mom…" Samus gulped hard. "Boys…can you grab her for me? I'd like to talk to her."
"Yeah." Alexander quickly left to bring Lilly in front of the screen.
"Hey Sam, what have you been up to?"
"Oh you know…stuff."
"Where's Marcus?"
"He's…he's dead." Samantha said quietly while pouting.
"Oh…Sorry…" Jackson said with a somber tone. Samantha sniffled and rubbed her eyes.
"Jackson, it's not your fault. Don't apologize."
"Still…you're my sister and I'm…I'm sorry." Jackson nodded his head and looked up. "Um…" Jackson cleared his throat. "Lilly's here. So, I guess I should…"
"Jackson." Samantha said as he looked back like he was at a loss for words. "I love you, Jackson."
"I…I love you too, sis." Jackson weakly smiled at his older sister.
"Hey now, Jackson…keep your head up. Things will get better, I promise." Samantha smiled. His smile grew as he got up so the senior caretaker could sit down. Her hair was white, her skin was wrinkled, she had soft eyes, but her intentions were always pure.
"Boys, can you leave the room so we can talk in private?" Samus asked.
"Yeah mom." Alexander said. "I…we love you, mom."
"I love you more." Samus smiled and waved goodbye to the boys in the background. They took off and Lilly was watching them walk away.
"Lilly, I need to-" Lilly held up a single finger and continued looking past the computer. She then looked back at Samus and Samantha and nodded.
"Lilly, I must request that-"
"Samus…you have never spoken like a queen before." Lilly pointed out. Samus sighed and rephrased her words.
"Lilly, what the fuck is going on? Zelda's dead? Kingdoms are falling? What is going on?"
"I am unsure. But the response from our allies has me concerned."
"What are they saying?" Samus asked.
"Lord Takumi has blamed Lady Samantha for the death of his siblings."
"Fuck him." Samus said with a tense tone. "I get it, he's upset. But there must be another reason this is happening." Samus began thinking of something.
"Mom, what happened in Hoshido-"
"Is not your fault." Samus interrupted her daughter.
"Queen Kagero and Queen Charlotte have agreed that Samantha is not to be blamed. They are rebuilding and planning for a unified attack."
"Ok…do we have any allies who are still in one piece?" Samus asked.
"I apologize, my queen. I'll double my efforts and-"
"Lilly, you are pushing yourself too hard." Samus said with a cautious manner.
"I am always willing to serve the queen."
"Please don't do anything reckless." Samus begged.
"I…" Lilly sighed. "As you wish, my queen."
"Seriously, Lilly…I'm getting gray hairs because you won't take it easy." The older woman laughed while Samus smiled.
"And what about all this?" She ran her hands through her hair. "All of this…is your fault." Samus's smile grew a little wider.
"Hey, it wasn't all my fault. Zelda is partially to blame."
"It is my understanding that she is no longer alive." Lilly said with a distraught look on her face.
"Lilly…listen to me. I am told Sheik is around."
"Sheik?" The older woman asked. "Sheik is alive?"
"Lilly, what do you-"
"You know what that means." Samus said without paying attention to her daughter. Lilly remained silent before nodding her head.
"…I do."
"We need to get going. I love you, Lilly." Samus kissed her hand and moved it towards the screen.
"I love you too." Lilly smiled at the queen. "Samantha…" She turned to the first born. "Please be safe. This family has lost so much."
"What do you know about Sheik?" Samantha asked with anger. Lilly looked down and stayed silent. "Answer me!"
"Sam, stop it!" Samus said.
"No! I'm tired of being left in the dark. I want some answers! And I want them NOW!"
"Samantha…" Lilly shook her head and remained silent. "I'm…young Samantha, you must forgive me. But…it is not my place to speak of Sheik." Samantha clenched her teeth, but looked down with frustration.
'I need a lead on something…anything!' Samantha thought and she remembered something Genny said to her a while back.
"Miss K would be mad at me."
"Miss K…"
"What? Who's Miss K?" Samus asked quietly.
"Lilly, can I ask you for a favor?"
"Of course." Lilly smiled warmly.
"I need information on a woman who goes by the name Miss K."
"Miss…K?" Lilly asked.
"I don't know anything other than her name. But perhaps someone else does. Maybe the Apostle or King Skrimir…or maybe Nasir. I need to know something."
"I will make some calls and try to find something about this mysterious woman."
"Thank you." Samantha smiled weakly.
"Samantha…cheer up, my dear. Everything will work out just as it should."
"There's just…I have so many questions and so few answers." Samantha said quietly.
"Follow your heart, my dear." Lilly told her. "The answers you are looking for will come in time. You must be patient." Though Samantha didn't like Lilly's response, deep down, she knew she was right.
"Yes." She nodded.
"I should get going." Lilly groaned as she stood up. "I'll…I'll get started right away."
"Lilly, go to bed." Samus told her.
"Samus-"
"That is a direct order. Get some rest and do it in the morning…or afternoon."
"But-"
"Are you going to defy an order from your queen?" Samus asked.
"I suppose I'm a lost cause. What are you going to do?" Lilly shrugged. Both women laughed. "I must inform Lord Daphnes that Sheik…has made herself present. Goodbye, my queen…princess."
"Goodbye, Lilly. I love you." Samantha smiled and waved once more.
"And I love you, Samantha. Be safe…and Samus, be safe. We've already lost one queen…I do not wish to put Samantha in the same position that Lady Zelda was once in." She ended the call and Samus stood up.
Samus yawned and stretched her arms out wide. "I'm exhausted."
"Yeah…me too." Samantha yawned and the two walked upstairs. Samantha walked to her room and her mother stood behind her.
"Mom, isn't your room…over there?" She pointed to where Fina was staying.
"That was for one night. Tonight, I'm crashing with you and Genny."
"But Krystal-"
"She won't mind." Samus insisted. Samantha opened the door and Genny was inside watching a movie while the shower was running.
"Sam!" Genny leapt up and flapped her wings towards the princess. "Where were you?"
"I had to do…something. But now I'm here." Samantha sat down on the edge of the bed and watched the movie with her. Samus laid down in the opposite bed. The bathroom door opened and Krystal had one towel around her waist. She ran a hand through her hair and stepped out.
"Samus! Samantha!" Krystal said in a cheerful manner. "Samus, you're in my bed."
"Actually, this is my room." Samus corrected her. "You're more than welcome to stay. But I got dibs on the bed." Krystal folded her arms and smirked.
"I suppose we'll need to share." Krystal smirked.
"Can't you stay with Fina?" Samus asked.
"I could but my stuff-"
"I will throw you out if I have to." Samus threatened. Both Krystal and Samus laughed.
"Such a bully." Krystal walked over to Genny. "Keep an eye on this one." Krystal told the young girl as she pointed to Samantha. "She's a troublemaker." Genny looked at Samantha and then back at Krystal.
"Ok." She said with a big smile on her face. Krystal walked towards the door and waved goodbye to the others. Once the blue fox left, Samus placed her head against the pillow.
"You should head to bed soon, Sam." Samus told her as she closed her eyes.
"Night mom." Samantha said as she got under the covers herself. "Genny." She turned around and crawled towards Samantha. She turned off the TV and flipped off the light.
"Night Sam." Genny said as she closed her eyes. Samantha smiled as she watched the young girl sleep. She glanced towards the window and quietly sighed.
'What do I do now? Where do I go from here?' Samantha thought as she got out of bed and walked towards the window. All that she saw were dark clouds as far as her eyes could see. It was a view that was more enjoyable while the sun was out.
"Sam…?" Genny quietly asked. Samantha looked back and crawled back in bed.
'I'll figure it out in the morning.' Samantha thought as she crawled back in bed. She needed a plan. Tomorrow, maybe while she's alone with her mom, she could figure something out.