Chapter 48: The Battle Royale
AN: Hello, my fellow readers! Got a fancy new chapter ready for you. We're ramping up towards the end and I want to thank you for reading the series. Knowing that I have people who enjoy my work makes my heart warm and provides me with the passion to continue writing. So thank you once again and enjoy this chapter.
***I don't own anything in this story, so please don't sue me.***
"I have something to tell you!" Both women spoke simultaneously. "Oh. Sorry. You go first. No you go first. No…" Both women laughed and saw her younger sister running towards her.
"Sam!" Virginia called out as she hugged her fiancé and the two shared a kiss. "Hi Serena."
"Hey you!" She smiled sweetly. "Your friends are here, too!" Torch and Zap ran towards their trainer and Virginia knelt down.
"Torch! Zap!" She opened her arms and then leapt into her arms and hugged the woman while licking her face and she laughed.
"Ah! You guys!" She laughed for a few minutes before sitting up. "Where's Aqua and K-9?" She looked around before hearing them whimper. "They…they're still alive, huh?" She stated with disappointment. Braixen ran forward and hugged her trainer as well.
"Braixen!" Serena gave a great, big, hug to her first pokémon and everyone could see the joy in their eyes. "I'm really happy you're here. Pancham and Sylveon…are they…" Her voice trailed off as she realized they didn't die either.
"Samus, what's my surprise?" Zelda smiled. "But it's nothing compared to your surprise."
"Darling, what is your surprise? I know you well enough to know you struggle to keep secrets."
"So do you! Remember Lucina and Sheena? You couldn't keep that to yourself."
"You lied to get her to confess. I wasn't ever going to tell you!" Samus laughed. "Come on, what's your secret? I'll tell you mine after you tell me yours."
"Alright…but, you can't turn around until I say so. Promise?"
"As long as you promise the same thing when I tell you." Zelda nodded and Samus did the same. Zelda bit her bottom lip and looked just past the former bounty hunter before nodding.
"Sammy?" A deep male voice with a touch of a southern accent spoke up. Samus didn't recognize the voice and she slightly squinted.
"…who is that?"
"Guess." Zelda stated with giddiness. Samus smiled and quickly tried to think.
"Um…let's see…uh…George? Or-no! Wait! What's the priest's name who died last year? Enrique? I think was Enrique."
"Nope." Zelda shook her head. "Alright, turn around." Samus slowly turned around and her smile dropped. She didn't recognize the man standing before her. He rugged looks, golden blonde messy hair, his warm inviting eyes…he wasn't someone who Samus recognized.
"…hi." She responded with a bit of confusion and seriousness.
"Are you…" He cleared his throat and sniffled; holding back his tears. "Are you… Samus Aran?"
"I am. Who are you?" He looked down and quietly began laughing. When he looked up, he was already crying.
"You have your mother's eyes." Samus was now paralyzed. Her eyes began watering and her fingers trembled.
"D…dad?" He voice began cracking and she began crying as well. He stepped forward and hugged her daughter. "Dad!" She cried out and hugged him back; not caring who was watching, but her emotions hit her like a train. He smiled and refused to let her go.
"Hey…it's my turn!" Virginia protested, but Rodney didn't let go.
"Five more minutes." He stated before Samus broke the hug and rubbed her eyes. She turned and saw a shorter blonde woman before smiling. "Mom…fuck, it-it's really you!" She knelt down and hugged her mother.
"My dear Samus…" She tightly hugged her daughter and smiled; like her husband and her daughter, she began crying as well. "Why…why are you so tall?" Samus laughed before rubbing her eyes with one hand and refusing to let her mom go.
"Life was so hard without you two…I…I was all alone…and scared…I know it wasn't your fault, but…fuck, man…I re-really miss you guys."
"It's alright, dear…we're here now. We're not going anywhere." Virginia broke the hug and kissed Samus' cheek. "My looks, my eyes, your father's height, what else did you take from him?"
"You let anyone push you around?" Rodney asked and she stood up.
"Uh-uh." Samus shook her head. "I'm the meanest fuck mothering bitch in the goddamn galaxy."
"She has my attitude and my tongue." He laughed and Samus smiled before sniffling and wiping her nose with her forearm.
"My turn! My turn!" Zelda jumped up and down. "What's my surprise? Samus! Samus! What's my surprise?"
"Jesus, calm down." Samus kissed her wife and smiled. "This is the best surprise I've ever gotten. Thank you, sweetie." Zelda smiled and giggled. "Alright, your turn." Without taking her eyes off her wife; now red with how much she had been crying, she tipped her head back and smiled.
"Zelda Grace Hyrule." The woman stated. Zelda didn't know who it was, but her smile faded and she wanted to know. She began turning her head, but Samus placed her hand on her chin and straightened her head to look at herself.
"Ah-ah-ah! You promised." Samus sniffled once more before waiting a few more seconds. "Alright. Do it." Zelda turned around so fast that most people might've gotten whiplash from the head turn alone. She stared and gasped as she saw the woman in front of her; covered in tattoos, long brown hair, and a big smile on her face.
"You…you're here…m-mother…"
"My child…just as beautiful as the last time I held you." She opened her arms and Zelda practically sprinted forward.
"Oh, mother!" She wailed and hugged her mother as tight as she could. Like her wife, Zelda sobbed and cried her eyes out. The last of clan Sheikah…and the greatest queen Hyrule has ever known…Zelda finally met her birth mother.
"I have listened to you, Zelda. Every story you've ever shared, every tale you've told me…I listened."
"Your tomb-tombstone…you were there?" Zelda sniffled.
"I was, my dear. Every single day you spoke to me." She smiled. "I've heard every conversation and know every little thing about you. Hylia, I'm so glad you're here! I've wanted to do this for the longest time!" She squeezed her daughter a little tighter and kissed her cheek while tears hit her daughter's shoulder.
"There…there is so much…so much I wa-want to say…mother…" Zelda's voice cracked as well and she sniffled. Samantha turned and throughout her journey, she wanted to Find Genny's parents. But now that it was finished, her next goal was right in front of her.
"Marcus?" She asked and bolted to the man.
"Sam." He waved and she outright tackled him. Squeezing him and crying. "Sam…I…ack…can't…buh-breathe…" she let him go and helped him up before kissing him and hugging him once more; this time being cautious of how tight she held him.
"Marcus…I really missed you. I'm…I'm sorry…I should've protected you…that…that goddamn bastard…he took you from me…I…I'm sorry…"
"Sam, it's alright. There's no reason to-"
"I kissed a girl and I'm really sorry…I love you and I want to stay with you, but I wasn't loyal…I'm sorry." There was a long pause between the two.
"Do you feel better that you've told me?" He asked. Samantha nodded.
"Marcus, please don't leave me. I-I screwed up, I know that…but, I need you."
"I'm not leaving you." He smiled. "It's been a long time since we've been together. We were supposed to have a picnic with that girl…did you ever find her parents, by the way?"
"Yeah…um…" she lightly laughed and smiled. "Bay-Bayonetta and Palutena are her-"
"They have a child?" Samus blurted out. "That little girl…that's their kid? Bayonetta and Palutena's daughter…that's their daughter?" Samus asked. "No fucking way!"
"It's true. Virginia chimed in. "She…ah…she was really happy seeing that child."
"…how come she didn't tell us?" Samus questioned and looked around. Zelda was still smiling and hugging her mother.
"Well, I guess I'll enter just to make sure you live long enough to get second place." Tetra walked forward and signed her name. "Where are you sitting?"
"25D." Samantha replied. Tetra looked around at the seats.
"Is that fox boy entering?"
"Yep. I was planning on giving it a try."
"Sam…can I…Can I sit next to you?" Virginia questioned.
"Yeah." She smiled.
"Alright, got it." She took the pin and slapped her chest. "24C. Pirates, take the row."
"Hold up. Zelda, you signing up for the battle royal?" Samus called out.
"Yes…" She spoke dreamily; not really paying attention to her wife's question. Samus walked up and scribbled her name down as well as her wife's. She picked two spots and placed one button against her stomach and walked over to her wife before slapping her back hard.
"OW!" Zelda turned around and glared at her. "You're really mean. You didn't need to do it that hard!"
"Love you…" Samus sheepishly stated before smirking. Zelda pushed her wife and folded her arms.
"You're still a jerk." She turned away and looked up to see her mother walking away. "Mother! Please don't-"
"I've got to protect my child. It is a mother's job to ensure their child's safety after all." She signed her name and looked at the seats. "Samus?"
"25F for me and 25G for her. You'll need to take 25H." Grace complied and placed the pin over her heart.
"Alright, Sammy. Dad's going to save you." Rodney signed up and frowned. "I guess we'll have to take the end spots."
"What? No! I'm sitting next to my daughter!" Virginia protested.
"There's only one seat left and I'm guessing that blue fox over there will probably want it. It's next to that girl and Sammy." Virginia turned and glared at the fox. "…fine." She grumbled.
"Mom, it's for a little bit. When we're done, I'll sit next to you when we do…um…whatever we do after this." Hearing her words, Virginia perked up and smiled.
"Ok!" She cheerfully replied and Marcus went to sign up and claim his seat next to Samantha.
"Alright, I guess we're up next. Dad, you go first. Mom-"
"Be careful, Fox. If my wittle foxy woxy get an owie…"
"Mom, I-I'm not a kid anymore." Fox said with his face turning red with embarrassment. Krystal laughed and kissed his cheek.
"It's a cute name…Foxy Woxy McCloud." The former leader of Star Fox smiled and nudged his wife and smiled.
"You're not helping."
"I never said I would." Krystal laughed and the two walked up and signed up. "24 I and J. We'll sit next to the pirates." James smirked and signed up. "By the way, you must be Sam. Name's James. It's very nice to meet you." The fox held out his hand. Samantha sniffled and rubbed her eyes before smiling as best she could.
"It's…ah…" She cleared her throat. "It's very nice to meet you, sir." She shook his hand and sniffled once more before nervously laughing.
"Marcus, are you sure she's-"
"Gramps, it's been a weird day. I have seen her in…geez, how long has it been?" Marcus quietly thought to himself. "W-whatever. She's a bit high strung today." Marcus hugged his wife once more. "This little gem is the love of my life. She'll show you what she's capable of out there. She's a real piece of work when she's angry."
"Hey." Samantha protested.
"What? I mean, Sam…when you get mad…it's pretty scary. Like, you remember that two-timing thief? We chased him for two full days and I got home early Monday morning."
"I remember that day. I asked my parents for the weekend so we could spend time together. You ended up chasing that asshole for two whole days and we spent no time together. I made a three course meal for the two of us that ended up as leftovers." Samantha folded her arms and grumbled. "I'm still mad at you for that."
"Yeah, I know. You hit me in the head with a pan." Marcus laughed. "But after I showered and you were fast asleep, I'll never forget what happened next."
"Um…" Samantha felt bad because she didn't remember what came next.
"Can't remember?" Marcus asked with a smile. "You were half awake when I finished. You asked me to get in bed and after I did, you wrapped your arms around me and snuggled up next to me. You make me feel important, Sam. Coming home to you is why I fight to protect the people of Corneria. You might even be able to say I'm the king of Corneria." Samantha thought for a moment before speaking.
"Marcus…if you want to kiss someone else…I won't hold it against you. I kissed a girl and…I have shamed the McCloud family name. So…please…" Samantha begged. "It's only fair."
"Any girl?" Marcus asked while he looked around. Samantha nodded.
"Yeah. Or…you know, if you want me to find someone who you're interested in…I can-" Marcus pressed his lips against hers. "Marcus, I meant someone other than me."
"Sam, there's no one else. Sure, maybe you did kiss a girl…or it could've been a guy. But let me ask you something…do you really love me?"
"Yes." Samantha replied without hesitation.
"With all your heart?"
"Of course."
"And you're proud to have McCloud as your last name?"
"It the best last name ever." Samantha smiled, before she glanced at her parents. "Sorry mom."
"Then there's nothing to worry about. But, I wouldn't mind hearing how you feel about me a little more often." He smiled. Samantha hugged him once more and giggled.
"I love my big, strong, brave, handsome husband. His name is Marcus James McCloud." Marcus smiled and after one more kiss from his wife, he turned to his father.
"See pops, you could take notes on how to be a better husband." He smirked at his father who laughed in response.
"When this whole thing starts, I may kill you first." Fox stated and the entire group laughed.
"Alright, show of hands. Who's signed up? Speak now or watch from the sidelines." Rodney stated. Everyone raised their hands who had signed up. "James, Fox, Krystal…" he pointed to the former queen of Hyrule. "Not sure I picked up your name."
"Lady Grace of Hyrule."
"Right. So, Grace-"
"Lady Grace." She corrected him.
"With all due respect, ma'am…I'm never going to learn all that fancy royalty talk." Grace groaned and shook her head.
"Just call me Grace." She stated with an annoyed tone.
"Right…Grace, Zelda, Sammy, Sam, the…uh…pirate…girl.
"Tetra." The pirate corrected him.
"Oh for two." Virginia smiled at her husband. "Please forgive us, your highness. We're more like soldiers than diplomats." Grace smirked and nodded her head.
"That guy and myself. Is that everyone?" Rodney asked and everyone seemed to nod and be in understanding. "Great! Let's head inside. Those who aren't fighting, head up the stairs. The rest of you, we're going to the lobby."
"Sam…" Virginia grabbed her older sister's arm. "Please be safe."
"Don't worry, Ginny. I'm going to win this…you'll see." She smirked and her sister smiled back before they split up. While the few headed up towards the seats, Rodney led the group to a more comfortable setting. It looked incredibly relaxing and felt like a lounge instead of a lobby.
"This place is huge!" Samantha exclaimed.
"It's alright." James replied and took a seat on the couch. "Some of the other people might engage you. Just be cautious and be social. A lot of these folks are good people."
"I'm taking you down today, Greil!" One man yelled out. Everyone turned to see an older gentleman seem completely unfazed by the statement.
"It's nearly been ten years, Ian…but if you've been practicing, you might have a chance."
"That's Greil." Rodney informed his daughter. "He's a good friend, but in there…he's a demon if I've ever seen one." Samus nodded her head and approached the man who was merely listening to the other fellow talk about how he was going to defeat him.
"Listen, I need to speak with him." Samus stepped aside and the guy put his arm out.
"I'm not-"
"Done? Yeah you are. Because if you don't walk away now, I'll be sure to kill you first." Samus stated with a smile. "Trust me, I'm not the kind of girl you want to fuck with."
"Big talk for some nobody." He gently pushed her chest and she didn't move an inch.
"Five seconds." Samus stated before shoving him to the ground. "That's how long you're going to stay in this match. Greil, right?"
"Yeah…and you are?"
"My name is-"
"Samus?" A blue haired man asked with surprise.
"Ike. Hi." She calmly replied before looking back up at Greil. "Is this your dad?"
"Yes. He's the greatest fighter I've ever known."
"Is this that girl you've told me about? The one who dominates and puts fear in grown men?"
"Yes." Ike nodded his head and the man chuckled.
"Ike has told me much about you. I look forward to seeing how far you make it."
"I look forward to beating you."
"You have a lot to learn if you're that arrogant."
"I can back it up. You'll see." The man gave a hearty laugh before nodding.
"Samus Aran…the daughter of Rodney. He's a good friend of mine. I look forward to seeing what kind of fighter you are, Miss Aran. I promise to give you a fair fight…should you make it that far. Sumeragi and a couple others may give you a run for your money. Like that kid over there." He pointed to a young blonde haired boy. "Goes by the name of Mithos. He's a strong one, that boy. I think he's some kind of angel or something. Be prepared, some of the vets enjoy killing fresh met newbies like you."
"No one is killing me. With all due respect to your son, the only one here who has bested me is Fox McCloud, over there." Samus pointed to the group behind her.
"Best of luck to you, my dear. You may need it." Greil nodded his head and smiled. "Your kid's confident, Rodney."
"Well, I believe in her." Rodney smiled and that vote of confidence made the former bounty hunter's heart warm.
Zelda admired her wife speaking the strong-looking man.
"She's crazy." Grace shook her head.
"She's the love of my life." Zelda sighed with content, followed by a smile. "She's really crazy and really strong…maybe she makes me a little crazy too." Grace chuckled.
"She makes you happy. That's all that matter to me, Zeldy-kins." Zelda looked up at her mother and blushed.
"M-mother!" Zelda looked around. "I'm…I'm a grown woman."
"You'll always be my widdle Zeldy-kins." She gently brushed her hair out of her face.
"…at least make sure my children don't hear that." Zelda looked back at Samantha.
"She's a wonderful granddaughter. She very much takes after you…and some aspects of your wife."
"Mother…be honest. Am I….did I…am I worthy of being queen?" Zelda questioned her mother. Grace's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Some days…I feel like I'm not worthy to hold such a title. I did not earn this. I was only given this title because of a promise father made to you."
"He gave up the throne when you found true love…I remember." She nodded her head. "Zelda, let me assure you. You are the finest queen that has ever held the title."
"But I feel like a failure. I'm as bad of a queen as Rachel!" She whined.
"…who's Rachel?" Grace asked as Zelda covered her mouth.
"The queen we-we're not supposed to talk about." Zelda stuttered. "Mother! I'm sorry! Please do not punish me!"
"I'm not…what are you talking about? There's never been a queen named Rachel." Zelda blinked with a dumbfounded stare. "There's Rachelle. That bitch was killed by her own brother…can't say I blamed him."
"R-Rachelle?"
"Oh yeah. Did someone write it wrong? Figures…that asshole doesn't deserve to even be mentioned."
"What…um…happened to her? Like, here?"
"She tried to justify herself to Hylia, but she wasn't having it. She got herself banished and no one has seen her since. I've never even met her and I don't want to." Grace frowned. "Don't worry about her. I've never actually seen you fight. Are you sure you want to? I might cry if I see my widdle Zeldy-kins get hurt."
"Mother!" Zelda sternly stated, but she blushed with embarrassment. Grace laughed. "Will you stop embarrassing me?"
"My dear Zelda…I'm going to embarrass you for all the times I couldn't." Zelda groaned as her mother laughed.
"Marcus, we need to watch each other's back. We stick together until the end." Samantha hashed out a plan.
"I'll protect you…and I know you'll protect me. Just promise that you'll let me get some flashy moves. I gotta impress gramps." He smirked.
"Of course. The same goes for me. Grandma Grace will be watching as well…so let's-"
"Hello." A cheerful young boy smiled at the two of them.
"Hey!" Marcus replied with cheer.
"It's great to see another fellow half-elf in here." Samantha looked at her husband and shook her head.
"I'm not half-elf…sorry." She apologized.
"You're not?" He tilted his head. "But…your ears." He pointed to the firstborn's pointed ears and she gently touched them.
"Hylian." She stated. "My dad…" Her smile faded as she remembered her mother hid her dad's identity from her.
"You're Hylian? Seriously? That's awesome! Hylia's best friends with my older sister." He laughed. "Oh, sorry…I should introduce myself. I'm Mithos."
"Mithos? The great and all powerful Mithos?" Marcus asked. "You're seriously entering this thing? We don't stand a chance against you."
"Well, like she said, it's all in good fun." He waved his hand and shrouded himself in a bright light. Once the light faded, he looked to be slightly older than Samantha.
"Holy shit, how'd you do that?" Samantha exclaimed.
"I've made myself look a lot older than I am." He smiled. "Know that I won't protect you out there, but I wouldn't mind squaring off against you if you manage to survive towards the end." He waved goodbye and left the two alone.
"He's like, a god…we can't beat a god. How the hell are we going to do this?" Samantha asked with worry and fear in her voice.
"Let's just try our best, dear. Focus on staying alive for now and let's pick our targets." A few more people joined and finally the lights dimmed and a door opened with a bright light shining on the other side.
"It's time." Grace gathered everyone from their party and they exited through the door. The coliseum from the outside looked huge; from the inside, it looked massive. The crowd was high above where the action was and it looked like the other side of the arena was maybe two hundred yards in diameter. A giant jumbotron showed all fifty competitors entering the arena.
"That screen will show various replays. Don't get caught staring at it or you'll leave yourself vulnerable." Grace warned her daughter. Zelda nodded to indicate she understood.
"Fighters, take your places!" An announcer called out. Blue lights emanated from the ground in a perfect circle around with equal spacing between each spot.
"Pick a spot everyone." Grace called out. Spots were being claimed until finally all fifty spots had an individual standing on it.
"The battle royal will only conclude when there is only one individual left. Good luck to all competitors!" A giant cache of weapons appeared in the center of the arena. "Ready…go!" Most competitors rushed towards the center to grab weapons while the others waited for the enemies to come to them.
"Zelda, wait for a-"
"We've got our first elimination!" The voice chimed in. Zelda didn't want to look, but her eyes drew to the screen. Samus rushed to the nearest opponent who wasn't related to her. She snapped the neck of the guy who she interrupted before. As his lifeless body fell to the ground, his body disappeared into a clear blue aura before flying in a direction towards the seats. "Forty nine competitors remain!"
"Show off…" Zelda muttered as she looked around. Four enemies were charging towards them. Grace took a step in front of the queen and she was ready to protect her.
"Zelda, just watch and learn. This is the power of clan Sheikah." She took her stance. She charged and the first guy swung the axe in his hands. She easily dodged his attack and gave him a few hard shots to his chest. He swung again and she fell into the splits before standing up and delivering a striking blow; her fingers cutting through his skin and removing his heart from his body.
"M-mother…" Zelda gasped in surprise and fear. Grace crushed the man's heart in her hands and his body fell to the ground. Two more charged the queen and now, it was Zelda's turn. Her hands glowed orange and she held the two other fighters in place. Grace turned around and roundhouse one of them which caused their head to separate from their body. Zelda extended her fingers and she knocked the woman down. She wanted to knock her out, but she hesitated.
"Zelda? You ok?" Grace asked.
"I…" She closed her eyes and clenched her hands. The orange glow around the woman began compressing her organs and the fighter struggled to breathe. Zelda could no longer hear the screams of the woman as she finally disappeared.
"How are you feeling?" Grace asked. Zelda looked sick, but she nodded to indicate she was alright. "It's just a game, sweetie."
"This is barbaric." She whispered before she narrowed her eyes. "For the sake of Hyrule, I will overcome this."
"Atta girl. Stay close." Grace looked around with the intention of protecting her only child.
"Sammy! Four o'clock!" Rodney stated and the bounty hunter snapped his wrist before looking around.
"Eight o'clock!" She called out. Rodney turned around and sidestepped the guy before dislocating his shoulder.
"Not bad." Samus smiled. "This is actually exciting."
"It's a good way to blow off some steam." Rodney saw a man pointing a gun at them. "Move!" He pushed his daughter and took a step back, but the shot barely missed his arm. He fell to the ground and Samus was scared.
"Daddy!" Samus called out and turned to the one who shot her father. "You're fucking dead." He shot at Samus, but she dodged every shot and approached him. She grabbed the gun and punched his jaw. She pulled the gun from his hands and fired four shots into his skull. She quickly returned to her father and checked his arm.
"Dad, you alright?"
"He missed. Did you call me daddy?" He asked. Samus shifted her weight from one foot to the other and acted like a little child.
"Well…it was an accident…" She stated softly and a little embarrassed.
"It's cute…I won't tell anyone." He smirked. Samus smiled and lightly giggled.
"You better not, or I'll turn this gun on you."
"You're threatening your daddy?" He mocked her.
"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
"Nope." He laughed along with the queen. The two of them pursued other enemies to whittle down the numbers in hopes to survive the ordeal and the chaos.
Fox grabbed two guns and tossed one to his father. They took shelter behind the weapons cache.
"Alright, dad…I have a plan. I'll draw them out and you-" Krystal ran forward and grabbed a lance before leaping over the cache and finishing the job for the two men.
"…wow." James replied and Fox felt a little upset that Krystal stole his moment.
"Sorry, honey. I-" Krystal gasped and both Fox and James noticed a sword protruding from her chest.
"Krystal!" Fox yelled, but she was sputtering blood as she fell to her knees. The man standing behind her was a menacing man with a sinister grin on his face. Fox's emotions were getting the better of him as Krystal's body disappeared from the arena.
"Easy, boy. That's Garon. He's a menace to fight up front. Wait for an opportunity to get revenge…she's watching you up there. Just stay calm." James informed the younger Fox.
Samantha looked around for someone to fight. A bandit and what looked like some mean-looking criminal charging towards her and Marcus.
"I have…some kind of criminal? Wanna trade?" He asked.
"You want to fight the bandit?" Samantha questioned him. He nodded and they rotated positions; not facing the opposite opponent. They each smirked and waited for their enemies to attack them.
"He's got a gun." Samantha noted.
"My guy has a sword." Marcus and Samantha charged their opponents and Marcus threw a flurry of punches while Samantha kicked the guy's shins and threw a left handed hook to the guy's chin. He immediately dropped him and continued wailing on him until he was bloody. He remained on the ground and she turned to face the opponent her husband was facing off against. He had him cornered and she looked around. A man with a sword ran up and though he missed Samantha, he connected against Marcus' Achilles heel. He dropped the man and Even as Samantha was within a few steps of him, the swordsman made quick work of the Fox and his opponent before moving on. Samantha was now on her own.
"Sam!" tetra called out, and in the split moment, she realized that she and Will were in trouble. Will tried to keep fighting, but their opponent; the King of Hoshido, was decimating them and finished them off in one blow each.
'Shit!' Samantha thought and looked around. The numbers were quickly diminishing and she needed to figure something out. She pocketed the gun and grabbed the sword.
"I can still win this." She spoke like she was psyching herself up.
"Is Sam alright?" Virginia questioned her fiancé.
"I think so…Marcus is out." He then appeared in his seat.
"Marcus…" Vixy spoke softly. "You were great out there!" Marcus felt his heel and, thankfully, he wasn't hurt.
"I didn't see him." Marcus looked at the match with disappointment.
"Marcus, I thought you were really good out there. You looked even stronger than the last time I saw you." Virginia smiled with her Torch sitting in her lap and Zap barking angrily at her older sister. Torch looked up and growled at her sister.
"Thanks Virginia…I'm nervous for Sam, though." He looked down at the match. "I hope Sam can control her emotions long enough to win. She's pretty fragile when she loses someone close to her."
"Torch, Zap…be nice." Serena rubbed Zap's head. The electric pokémon looked up at her and whined. "Torch will trade places with you soon. Just be patient."
"Brai!" Braixen gently rubbed Zap's back and Zap laid down in Serena's lap and quietly whined with disappointment.
"Zap, Serena and Braixen love you too. I promise we'll switch in a few minutes." Torch whined to the notion, but Virginia nodded her head.
"It's fair, Torch. You know it's fair." Virginia continued rubbing her fire pokémon's back. "Grandpa, I'm sorry you didn't win."
"It's alright, sweet pea." Rodney reassured the princess. "Honestly, I didn't think I'd last as long as I did. I've never actually won." He laughed and the princess smiled.
"I hope my parents and Sam do well." She watched with worry. Torch whined a bit and Virginia looked down. "What's wrong, girl?" Virginia leaned in and Torch licked her cheek. Virginia wiped her cheek and laughed.
"Silly girl." Virginia kissed the top of her head and giggled when Torch licked her cheek. "Zap, do you think your sister is silly?" Zap barked and Torch turned around before glaring at her younger sister. "Torch, be nice or no more petting." Virginia warned. Torch whimpered and laid her head down so Virginia would continue massaging her back.
"You're a dog person?" Her grandmother asked.
"Well…I help lots of pokémon. These two are some of the eevees that I saved. They were some of the first pokémon I saved when I first came to the Alola region."
"They're cute." She smiled. "I like the one in your lap. She's really adorable."
"Torch is the most grown up of her siblings. Aren't you, girl?" Torch looked up and happily barked before looking at her sister. She got up and was going to jump to Serena's lap when Virginia picked her up.
"Hold on, sweetie. Zap, come here." Virginia said and Zap happily hoped into her lap. Serena took Torch and the fire pokémon began to sleep in Serena's lap.
"And this one?" Virginia pointed to the electric pokémon in her granddaughter's lap.
"This is Zap. She tries to act like Torch, but she has a lot to learn." She smiled and gently rubbed her back. Zap yipped with happiness while Virginia's hand continued soothing her back and every so often, she'd gently rub her head.
"How many…what'd you call them? Pokémon?" Virginia asked while her granddaughter nodded. "How many do you care for?"
"Wow…um…" Virginia hadn't thought about how many pokémon she cares for back at the Aether Foundation. "Back home, there are four. But they are well groomed and they protect my family. At the company I used to work for…I think, like…three? Four hundred? I have lost count a while ago.
"That's incredible!" Virginia exclaimed. The princess blushed and giggled.
"Well, this one makes me feel amazing." She tilted her head towards Serena. "I swear, when this is all over…we need to tell your mom. And plan the wedding. I don't want to wait any longer."
"Are you sure you don't want to-"
"No. I want to marry you. I don't care if it's here or back where we were. We're getting married and I won't take no for an answer." Serena grinned as she watched Virginia's determination.
"When you set your mind to something, nothing can sway you. Alright…as soon as we get back. We'll call my mom." Virginia cheered and continued to watch the match unfold down below.
The numbers were falling rapidly as the match continued. One by one, competitors were winning and losing against one another until fourteen competitors remained. Ike was currently in a battle against Mithos. While Mithos had been putting up quite a battle, Ike was matching him blow for blow. Finally, Mithos went for the kill and Ike sidestepped him to deliver a fatal blow the chest. He drove the sword straight through where his heart was and Mithos collapsed and disappeared. Kratos then turned his blades to face the mercenary and Ike was not quick enough to block his attacks. While he didn't drive the blade like Ike did, Kratos did manage to stab him multiple times and eventually, Ike would bleed out and disappear from the match. He then turned his attention to Zelda.
"Stay back." Grace stated and she stepped in front of her daughter. "That boy over there…your son?"
"Yes."
"How about we show our kids what we are capable of?" Grace insisted.
"I do not wish to embarrass you." Kratos stated. "But I swear, I will make your death as painless as possible."
"Wow…that's bold…coming from you, sir. I am Queen Grace. Former ruler of Hyrule and a member of clan Sheikah. You should prepare yourself and make peace with whatever higher being you believe in." Grace charged and Kratos quickly found himself backed into a corner. He swung the blade and Grace blocked it before sucker punching him in the jaw, removing the blade from his hands and jamming it into his stomach. Kratos grunted and tried to reach for the ninja, but he was too weak and he disappeared back towards his seat.
"You killed my father!" Lloyd yelled in anger.
"Lloyd, please…" Zelda stepped forward. "Your father is fine. He's sitting up there."
"My quarrel is with-"
"My mother. Lloyd Irving, I will fight in her place. It is my duty as queen of Hyrule to defend the previous rulers." There was a pause between the two fighters.
"That…that sounds made up." Lloyd remarked; a little less angry than before.
"Well, I want my mother to see me fight. I won't let her take all the glory." Zelda admitted and Lloyd actually laughed.
"So, when I kill you…no hard feelings?"
"When you kill me? Really? Lloyd, I trained with Samus. I have more experience in the tournament than you."
"I've killed more people." He pointed out and though Zelda didn't want to admit, he was right.
"For the sake of our families, let's put on a good show." She nodded and with that, Lloyd charged the queen. Zelda remembered the lessons she had learned in years past and now was the time to put them to use. She blocked his attacks and countered with a spell. He took a step back and she delivered a small spell to generate more space and delivered a hard slap to the cheek. He winced, but swung one of his two blades at the queen. The first one missed, but the second one clipped her arm; it wasn't by much and it wasn't fatal. It looked like a small cut against her bicep, but she powered through it like a champ. She enclosed herself in a diamond and shot a million small shards around. Lloyd blocked a handful, but plenty of shards connected with his face and his eyes. He groaned in pain and left himself wide open to an attack.
"I'm sorry, Lloyd." Zelda raised both hands and shot a blade of light at him. It severed one hand and she picked up the blade before driving it into his shoulder. Then,, from point blank range, she fired another shot and instantly killed the young man. Zelda turned around and smiled at her mother.
"Zelda, focus! Now's not the time for praise!" Grace ran forward and blocked an attack from Garon. Ryoma helped defend the queen and the former Nohrian king was stabbed in the back by the former king of Hoshido. He collapsed and disappeared soon after. Xander charged the former king and as he sidestepped, Ryoma's reactions were not fast enough. Xander's blade cut through his face and Ryoma quickly disappeared. Samantha pulled a bow and arrow before connecting with Xander's neck and knocking him to the ground She ran up to him and grabbed a gun before she approached him. She double tapped him in the head and he disappeared as well. James was taking on Greil one-on-one and before he could counter Greil's attack, the man slammed the axe into James' arms and brought it down in one fell swoop. With the axe buried deep in his chest, James coughed up blood before sinking down to his knees and disappearing into nothingness. The remaining competitors were: Fox, Samantha, Zelda, Grace, Samus, Sumeragi, and Greil.
"Sensei…" Grace stepped forward and bowed her head. "Please battle me. I am confident that I have grown stronger and I want to show off my full power to my daughter." Sumeragi looked at the current queen and smiled.
"Very well Gracehopper. I will accept your challenge." He raised a sword and smiled. "Do not hold back…for the sake of clan Sheikah."
"Doesn't he mean grasshopper?" Samantha questioned, but no one heard her or cared about her question.
"Yes, sensei." Grace smiled and charged the man. She threw of flurry of chops and punches at the man, but he deflected every single shot. He then turned on the attack, but Grace blocked every shot.
"Go mother!" Zelda cheered and looked around. It seemed that everyone else was in agreement to watch these two competitors go at it. Sumeragi knocked Grace down and she fell onto her chest. He went with a horizontal slash as she was getting up, but she pushed off the ground and allowed just enough space between herself and the blade before hitting the ground once more. She got up and proceeded to hit him a few times. He grunted, but recovered and as Grace went for a hard kick to the face, Sumeragi ducked and Grace missed, but she quickly swung back around and went for another kick. Sumeragi dodged again and plunged his blade deep into her calf. Grace grunted and he finished with another stab to the sternum. Grace groaned and fell to one knee. However, that didn't stop her from moving with incredible speed. The next strike, however, would be enough to stop the former ruler of Hyrule. Sumeragi moved and swung his blade from the back… He connected with her spine and she fell to the ground; struggling to get up or fight back.
"I…s-sensei…for…forgive…m-me…" She uttered.
"You are improving young Gracehopper." He smiled. "Every day you grow stronger…you are making clan Sheikah proud." The queen weakly smiled before closing her eyes and disappearing.
"Mother!" Zelda called out but she was gone. The queen turned to her mother's mentor and glared.
"Uh…mom?" Samantha asked and Zelda turned to her daughter. "May I challenge you? I may never get this opportunity again…please?" Samantha begged. "Mom, I really want to try…please? Pretty please?" Zelda smiled and cupped her daughter's cheek.
"Very well. But know that I will not hold back." Zelda and Grace were about to fight, but Fox and Greil were going at it. Fox managed to land a couple solid shots against the man, but he was almost at the end of his rope.
"You have incredible power…son of James and Vixy. Between you and the daughter of Rodney and Virginia. I haven't been this excited for a fight in a while." Griel smiled.
"Gah…such power…what the hell…what are you?" Fox breathed heavy and was unable to block Greil's next attack. He swung the axe and it lodged itself in Fox's skull before he disappeared.
"Fox…" Samus quietly uttered with surprise and a bit of fear. "Jesus, you're insane…" Samus shook her head with disbelief. Never had she come across someone with this much power. Greil was a monster of a man. Power and speed…it was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
"Our turn." Zelda stepped forward and motioned for her daughter to attack.
"Mom…don't hold back."
"You worry about yourself, child." Zelda remarked and with that, Samantha charged. Zelda fired a spell and Samantha dodged. She quickly ran up to her mother and threw two punches at her stomach before Zelda knocked her back with a spell. The power was intense; more than anything punch could have hurt her.
"Do not hold back, Samantha." Zelda stated as she charged her with speed that almost rivaled her own. Two punches to the shoulder and a hard kick to the knee knocked the princess down.
"Better luck next time, dear." Zelda was about to cast another spell, but Samantha thought quickly and swept the queen off her feet. Zelda grunted as she hit the floor, but crawled to her daughter.
"I won't let you win that easily." She crawled on top of her daughter and placed one hand around her neck. Samantha began grabbing for something to hopefully give her an edge in this scuffle. She felt something and winced; she had accidently managed to cut her hand open.
'Wait…my hand? Is that blood?' Samantha looked at it and quickly realized there was a blade of some sort in the vicinity. She reached for it again and picked it up. Her mother focused on winning the match and didn't see the blade that her daughter managed to acquire. She pushed her mother up, but her grip was too tight. She then swung the blade and cut her mother's hand. Zelda yelped in pain and with that small second, she slit her own mother's throat. Zelda placed one hand on her throat in a feeble attempt to quell the blood spilling out, but it was like trying to hold back water with your bare hands. She sputtered for a few moments, before laying down and succumbing to the same disappearing act that the other forty five competitors.
"Fuck…what have I done?" Samantha questioned as she looked at her hand. "I'm a murderer!"
"Sam…it's ok. Come here." Samus held out her hand and helped her daughter up. "It's a game…remember that." Samus hugged her daughter.
"I'm sorry, mom…I'm so sorry…"
"Me too, kid…me too."
"Huh?" Samantha looked back before feeling a sharp pain in her back. Her mother…her own mother…stabbed the firstborn of Hyrule in the back.
"Gotta remember the first rule of fighting. Never let your guard down…even your own family. I promise we'll go one-on-one later. But right now…I want to face off against that Greil guy…"
"Muh…mom…" Samantha's body felt weaker and weaker by the second.
"Love you, darling…I'm sorry." With that, Samantha's eyes closed and she seemed to disappear in a black light. She saw a light and within a few seconds, she looked around and she was in the stands sitting next to Marcus and Virginia.
"Sam!" Virginia cried out. "I'm sorry…I'm so, so sorry…"
"I need to apologize to mom."
"That was an excellent strategy, dear." Grace complimented her granddaughter. "Albeit, it was lucky…but it was indeed a sound strategy."
"How do you know I didn't plan it?" Samantha asked.
"You planned on being choked to death by your mother just so you could kill her to gain the upper hand? Really?" Grace laughed. "That's a dumb strategy." Samantha laughed and turned to Marcus.
"Sweetheart-"
"It's alright. I tried my best and…well, this damn thing is hard. But you had fun, right?"
"Yes."
"Then we're fine." Marcus leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Marcus, I love you so much." Samantha blushed and he grinned.
"I love you more."
"Oh my god!" Serena exclaimed. Everyone turned to the action and Greil had finished Sumeragi and the only two left were Samus Aran and Greil. "Go Samus!" Serena yelled and the two fighters were about to square off.
"You're quite the fighter." Greil remarked. "You said you're a queen?"
"Former bounty hunter. Few years with the federation…I'm good in a fight."
"Grab a weapon. You deserve this fight. I don't take cheap shots against my opponents." Samus walked over and grabbed two pistols. She checked the ammo and nodded.
"You're sure? Guns?" Greil smirked. "Just like your dad. Alright, let's go." He held out his axe and Samus flipped one of the guns so that she was holding the barrel and tapped the steel with the handle of the gun to show respect for her opponent. They took ten steps back and Samus made the first move. She pulled her guns and fired multiple shots at him, but he blocked every bullet. He blocked every single bullet.
"What the fuck…?" Samus quietly asked before he rushed and charged the woman. He swung his axe, but Samus' flexibility came into play as she leaned back and he missed. She raised a leg and kicked him in the chin. He grunted and, to everyone's surprise, he fell to a knee.
"Oh my god…" Rodney said quietly.
"His knee…" Grace quietly gasped.
"He fell to a knee…so what?" Samantha stated.
"Greil has never fallen to anyone. This is remarkable." Grace explained.
"Sammy's got a chance." Rodney leapt up to his feet and cheered. "Get 'em, Sammy! You can do it!" Though Samus couldn't hear them, she continued dodging his attacks. She swung her leg and connected with his head. He grunted and he shook his head. She tried to attack again, but his moves were too fast. He jammed the handle of the axe. Samus hit the ground hard and winced in pain. She was never one to fake an injury…she knew pain."
"Fuh…god…damn it…" She took a few deep breaths before realizing that she needed to finish this now. She rolled out of the way before he struck once more and with that, she ran at him; firing every shot she had left. Greil also charged her and in an anticipated moment, they crossed one another and both competitors froze. Greil placed a hand against the side of his head and there appeared to be a single drop of blood.
"Hm…impressive." He smirked and turned around. "Feeling alright, Miss Aran?" Samus didn't say a word; his attack was deep and fatal. He landed a blow to her chest and she didn't bother trying to hold it together. She fell to her knees and collapsed before disappearing.
"HERE IS YOUR WINNER…AND STILL…THE CHAMPION OF THE BATTLE ROYAL….GREIL!" The voice announced and the crowd roared in approval. Samus returned to her seat and quietly sighed after checking her body like the rest of the first timers.
"Honey, you did great!" Zelda complimented her wife.
"…he moves like a demon…" Samus stated and shook her head. "How the fuck…" Samus looked around.
"Greil's good." Rodney smirked. "Sammy, Greil is a beast…no first timer has ever beaten him, but you came real close." Samus looked disappointed.
"Dad…I didn't win. The Aran name-"
"You made our family proud, sweetie." He replied. "You're a damn good fighter. Much better than I could ever be." Rodney stated.
"You're probably better than your father." Virginia laughed.
"Mother…" The princess complained as her stomach growled.
"Someone's hungry." Samus smiled and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Hey dad, is there a diner or someplace we can grab a bite to eat?"
"Yeah. Just around the corner, there's-" He was interrupted by an individual slowly clapping and walking towards them. Samantha immediately recognized her as Lady Hylia.
"Who are you?" Samus asked as she moved in front of Virginia. Her intention was to protect her children. The woman smiled and her two sons ran towards her.
"Alex…Jackson." She hugged her boys and Zelda walked over to them.
"Boys…what are you doing here?" Zelda questioned.
"Mom, you're not going to believe this…see this lady? That's Hylia. Like, the Hylia." Jackson smiled and Zelda's color drained from her face. She looked up in fear and awe at the woman.
"H-H-Hy…Hy…" Zelda quickly bowed at the feet of this woman. "Samus!" She hissed and Samus folded her arms.
"You're a lot shorter than I thought you'd be." Zelda's eyes grew big and she looked surprised at what her wife had said.
"You are not the first to make that comment." Hylia smiled.
"What are you doing here…um…g-goddess?"
"I wanted to meet your parents…and see you once more." She smiled and looked up. "Besides, I have friends here as well."
"You do? Like who?" James asked as he folded his arms.
"Hylia? Is that you?" Another green haired woman approached the goddess. She was much taller than Hylia, but her hair was a lighter shade of green and she had a warm smile. Next to her was the young boy, Mithos who Samantha met in the lobby. Standing a few feet behind them was Kratos and Lloyd; next to them was a woman with light brown hair and brown eyes. She had an arm wrapped around Kratos' and her other hand was holding Lloyd's. Colette was holding Lloyd's other hand and together, they looked like one big happy family.
"Martel!" Hylia exclaimed and gently waved. "Mithos, I watched you fight out there…you were magnificent as always."
"I'm never going to beat Greil! He's too tough!" Mithos stomped his feet and pouted.
"Mithos, please do not be upset." Martel hugged the boy. "You were incredible. You are the best younger brother I could have asked for!" Her words caused him to smile. "And Kratos…I actually believed you would last longer."
"She's tough." Kratos stated. "She isn't your typical queen."
"I…had a good teacher." Zelda turned to Samus and smiled.
"I could still kick your ass." Samus scoffed.
"You think so?" Zelda questioned. "I've beaten you a handful of times."
"Oh come on! You beat me one time! One time!" Samus laughed.
"What about the other three times?"
"I let you win."
"You are such a bad liar!" Zelda lightly pushed her wife and the two laughed.
"And we're just going to overlook the dozen times I've beaten you?"
"You've…beaten me more times than I've beaten you." Zelda sheepishly admitted before she gasped and looked down. "Lady Hylia…please forgive me…I have seen you in my dreams and the way I spoke to you…I should have never-"
"It is alright, Lady Zelda. There is nothing to be sorry about." Hylia smiled.
"But-"
"I will not hear of it." She turned her head as Martel laughed.
"Still the same old childish brat." Martel joked and Hylia laughed alongside with her.
"You are so mean, Martel."
"L-lady Martel…who is this?" Colette asked.
"This is Hylia. A dear friend of mine that I've met in the afterlife."
"Alongside the many friends we've made." Hylia replied with a smirk. A group of four then exited the coliseum. The two girls looked practically identical and the men were completely different.
"Regal! Genis!" Virginia called out and waved.
"Hello Virginia." Presea smiled at the woman.
"Um…I don't…ah…recognize you." Samantha admitted as she rubbed the back of her head and laughed nervously.
"My name is Alicia." The pink haired girl curtseyed for the princess. "I recognize you, princess." She smiled.
"When did we meet?"
"You came to the roof of the Lezareno Company."
"Hold on…you're that Alicia?" Samantha exclaimed. Even Regal turned in surprise.
"But…Lloyd cut your exosphere. You were to be at rest."
"I was." Alicia replied. "But once I arrived here, I quickly found out that I could visit anywhere I wanted to go. I returned to the Lezareno company and watched over you and my sister." Alicia smiled. "Though I will say that I most certainly did not like that Alice woman. Taking over the great Lezareno company…who does she think she is?!"
"Calm down, Alicia. We…ah…everything is fine." Regal laughed. "Oh, and this is Anna. Lloyd's mother." He gently held out his hand and gestured it towards the brunette haired woman who smiled and was still attached to Kratos' arm.
"Miss…Irving?"
"That's correct." Anna replied. "You are a queen from…is it, Hyrule? Lloyd just told me not that long ago. I've never seen such incredible designs." Anna admired the current queen's dress and especially the triforce.
"It's the symbol of our country. Courage, wisdom, power…these three pieces make up the incredible power that is the triforce." Zelda pointed to the corresponding pieces as she explained.
"Jackson…" Samus asked. "Why don't you and your brother take turns and talk to Serena? We're going to need to make a decision soon."
"Right." Jackson nodded and walked over to Serena. "Miss…um…what's your last name?"
"Yvonne." Serena replied.
"Miss Yvonne…may I speak to you in private?" Jackson asked. Serena looked back at Virginia before nodding. Serena nodded and followed Jackson away from the group while they were still talking.
"Well, should we go grab something to eat?" Zelda asked. "I know that Virginia's getting a bit hungry and, if I'm being honest with myself, I am too."
"Let's wait for Jackson to return and we'll go to the diner." Samus stated and the group looked back to the young prince and potential princess.
"So, how does this work?" Rodney asked Zelda. "You just…take turns talking to her?"
"It is tradition if Hyrule to speak to potential partners in order to determine if they should be allowed in the family." Zelda explained.
"I didn't go through it…" Samus quietly admitted.
"Circumstances were different." Zelda reminded her wife.
"What circumstances?"
"Father was never around and I was an only child. I…I asked Lilly if she would decide for me."
"And she gave you approval?" Samus asked. Zelda nodded and smiled.
"That's nice." Virginia smiled and Jackson and Serena returned to the group.
"Alex-"
"Jackson, we're going to get some food before we continue. Alex will speak to her next and then I will speak with her. We'll take a vote and decide." Zelda explained and though Zelda smiled at the young woman, Serena was worried. She couldn't get a read on anyone and no one was giving her any hints on which way they were voting. The group walked over to the diner and took the largest booth they had.
"You know…this doesn't really have anything to do with my questions, but…do you sing?" Alexander asked Serena.
"What? Alex, what kind of question is that?" Samantha guffawed.
"Yes. Virginia and I enjoy singing together."
"How about you sing a little song for us?" He suggested.
"Will it help me?" Serena asked.
"It might…and it might not. Maybe I just want to hear you two sing." Alexander shrugged his shoulders. Serena turned to her fiancé and smirked.
"We'll need shots." She walked up to the bar stand and motioned for Virginia to follow her. The princess obliged and sat next to her sweetheart. "Excuse me…Mr. Bartender…we need two shots, please." The bartender nodded and poured two shots for the girls. Unbeknownst to Virginia, Serena walked over to the jukebox and smiled before pushing some buttons. There was a slight bit of music that played in the room as she returned to the left of her wife sitting at the bar stand.
"To us." Serena smiled and raised her shot glass.
"To-to us." Virginia did the same and quickly threw her show back and set the glass down. One beat after her shot glass was set down, Serena set hers down and began.
"Right here, right now. I put the offer out. I don't wanna chase you down I know you see it." Virginia smiled and looked at Serena with adoration; this was one of her favorite songs as of late, and she absolutely wanted to join in, but Serena continued.
"You run with me and I can cut you free…out of the drudgery and walls you keep in." Serena slapped the bar stand twice and bartender placed a bottle of vodka on the table. He slid it to the woman and she caught the bottle before pulling a coin from her pocket and flipping it. She caught the coin with the same hand and slapped it down onto the table before pouring two more shots for them.
"So trade your typical…for something colorful. And if it's crazy, live a little crazy." She tossed the bottle back to the Bartender. Zelda quietly gasped, but the bartender caught the bottle like he was waiting for it and she continued singing. "You can play it sensible. A queen of conventional. Or you can risk it all and see…" She turned her back to the bar, tossed her drink back and stood up. "Don'tchu wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play? 'Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take a ride…" She flipped a coin over her shoulder towards the bartender who was now standing at the end of a table. He caught the coin and slid a chair towards her with his foot and she used it as a step stool to stand on top of a table.
"It'll take you to the other side. 'Cause you can do like you do…or you can do like me." She spud around in a circle and shrugged her shoulder. Virginia giggled and she continued. "Stay in the cage or you finally take the key. Oh! Damn. Suddenly, you're free to fly…it'll take you to the other side." She quickly stepped down and just as she finished singing, the bartender placed the bottle in front of her. She placed an arm around her fiancé and now, it was time for the second born of Hyrule to take the stage with her voice.
"Okay, my friend. You wanna cut me in…well I hate to tell that it just won't hap-pen." She removed her fiancé's arm her shoulder. "So thanks, but no." She pushed the shot towards Serena before standing up and walking away. "I think I'm good to go. 'Cause I quite enjoy the life you say I'm trapped in." She spun back around and smiled. "Now I admire you, and that whole show you do. You're onto somethin'…really it's somethin'." She approached the bar stand once more and grabbed a handful of peanuts. "But I live among the swells and we don't pick up peanut shells. I'll have to leave that up to you." She walked by the pokémon trainer and the bartender swept away the peanuts while Virginia continued singing.
"Don'tchu know that I'm okay with this uptown part I get to play? 'Cause I got what I need and I don't wanna take the ride…" Virginia flipped a barstool on its side and used it to climb on top of the bar stand. "I don't need to see the other side." She casually waved Serena away and continued. "So go and do like you do…I'm good to do like me." She began stepping and sliding on beat across the bar stand and the bartender quickly removed the glasses and anything that might result in her tripping. "Ain't in a cage so I don't need to take the key. Oh! Damn. Can'tchu see I'm doin' fine?" Both girls began rushing over to a table next to Virginia's family and took a seat. "I don't need to see the other side."
"Now, is this really hoe you'd like to spend your days? Whiskey, misery, and parties and plays?" Serena folded her arms and tilted her head to the side.
If I were mixed up with you, I'd be the talk of the town. Disgraced and disowned; another one of the clowns." Virginia stood up and began walking towards the door. Serena stood up and turned in protest.
But you would finally live a little…finally laugh a little…just let me give you the freedom to dream and it'll wake you up." The bartender uncorked the bottle the two girls had been drinking , but Serena held out a hand to stop him. Her eyes never left the princess' back while she walked away. "And cure your aching. Take your walls and start 'em breaking…"Virginia stopped walking away, but her back was still to Serena. "Now that's a deal that seems worth taking." Serena sat back down and faced the bartender. "But I guess I'll leave that up to you…" Virginia thought for a moment before turning around.
"Well, it's intriguing, but to go would cost me greatly." She began walk back towards the woman. "So what percentage of the show would I be taking?" Serena tapped the bar stand and nodded her head. The bartender pulled out eight more shot glasses and began pouring drinks.
"well, fair enough you'd want a piece of all the action…I'd give you seven, we could shake and make it happen." Virginia rolled her eyes and shook her head in disapproval.
"I wasn't born this morning. Eighteen will be just fine." Serena laughed as she now rolled her eyes.
"Why not just go ahead and ask for nickels on the dime?" She retorted.
"Fifteen." Virginia reasoned as she stepped closer.
"I'd do eight." Serena replied as she took a step closer.
"Twelve."
"Maybe nine."
"Ten." Virginia stated sternly as the six of the eight shots were set. The bartender set the last two shots in front of the women. Serena glanced at the bartender before looking back at her fiancé. She felt her pockets; frantically looking for a way to pay for all the shots they had taken. Virginia reached into her pocket and removed a crisp hundred dollar bill from her pocket before setting it on the bar stand.
"Ma'am, it looks like you have yourself a junior partner." The man opened his register and a loud 'ka-ching' sounded off. Serena grabbed the two shots and handed one to Virginia.
"What I have is an over compensated apprentice." She clinked her shot against the princess' and the two downed them quickly. They set the shots on the bar stand and stepped back to the next two shots.
"Don'tchu wanna get away…" They sang in unison.
"To a whole…" Virginia held up her shot as Serena quickly downed hers.
"New…" Serena held up her shot glass as Virginia quickly downed hers.
"Part you're gonna play." They both took a step back to their third shots.
"'Cause I got-" Virginia sang before downing her third shot.
"What you need-" Serena finished the sentence before downing her third shot. They stepped back to their last shots and instead of drinking them. they slid their shots to the other. In a seamless movement, the shots passed one another and Serena's shot was now in Virginia's hand and vice versa.
"So come with me and take the ride…" They sang in unison before simultaneously downing their shots and setting them down together in one fell motion. "…to the other side." They returned to their first position next to each other and continued.
"So we can do like I do." Serena took Virginia's hand and the princess spun underneath her arm.
"So if you do like me." Virginia replied as she moved closer and placed Serena's arm on her shoulder.
"Forget the cage 'cause we know how to make the key. Oh! Damn. Suddenly we're free to fly…we're goin' to the other side." They sang in unison and they separated once more.
"So if you do like I do…" Virginia sang.
"To the other side…" Serena sang while Virginia was still singing.
"So if you do like me…"
"Goin' to the other side…"
"'Cause if you do…"
"We're goin' to the other side…we're goin' to the other…" they sang in unison before Serena stopped and Virginia continued on.
"Side." She quietly said before covering her mouth in embarrassment. The table applauded and Virginia giggled before sitting down; her face still red.
"Virginia, that was incredible." Zelda smiled and applauded her daughter as they sat down.
"I-it was…ah…n-nothing…" She nervously replied and her face turned a darker shade of red. Serena giggled and kissed her cheek. After the kiss, Virginia's face went back to normal and she smiled.
"You're a really good singer." Alexander smiled. "Alright, that's all I needed."
"What?!" Serena exclaimed. "But…but you didn't…you didn't…"
"Ask anything? I don't need to. I feel comfortable with my answer."
"What…is…your answer?" Serena asked and Alexander turned to his mother.
"Mom, it's your turn."
"Very well." Zelda smiled and set her hands on the table. "Serena-"
"Hel-lo, beautiful." A strange man spoke up and Zelda's face drained of color. Everyone turned to see a man with a dangerous look in his eye. He had some kind of slit in his hand and he looked none too happy to see the queen of Hyrule.
"You're here, too?" Zelda's expression turned to anger. "I watched Snake kill you…Francis…" Zelda stood up and raised her fists like she was going to fight him. "Excuse me, sorry, sorry…" Zelda made her way out of the booth and now stood across from the man. Samus quickly got up and stood on the other side of him.
"You and I…we've got a score to settle." Samus pushed the man to the ground.
"Bitch, I'm getting what's mine. I've waited a long time for-"
"No, you and I have a goddamn score to settle, asshole." Samus kicked him in the gut and he groaned in pain. "Don't think I forgot that you fucking shot me in the god-fucking-damn shoulder!" Samus yelled and was blind sighted by another guy from behind. He turned around and saw the crew of the guy who had first tried to force themselves onto her wife. "You're friends are here too…good. Kicking your sorry ass would be too easy."
"Wait, hold on…you shot my daughter?" Rodney asked in anger. "Who-"
"Hey guys…look who it is…." Another group of guys approached the table from behind Zelda. Virginia recognized the other man as the one who almost forced himself onto her. She whimpered and hid her face behind Serena. "Hey cutie."
"Oh good…and we get to deal with these fucking assholes. You know…what I did to you…consider that a mercy to what she would have done."
"Killing me is a mercy? You're fucking hilarious." The man laughed. "If you weren't such an old hag, I'd-"
"Old?! Me?!" Samus asked with an offended expression on her face. "You're fucking dead."
"Samus, who is he?" Zelda questioned as Samus smirked.
"You're in for it now…" Samus chuckled. "That little shit tried to rape Virginia."
"You did what?!" Grace exclaimed but she looked at her daughter and though her back was to the men Samus was speaking about, her expression was icy and cold.
"Is this true?" Zelda asked with a brisk tone.
"What?"
"Answer…my fucking question…did you…try to rape…my daughter?"
"You mean that weak, poor excuse of a girl?" He pointed to Virginia. "She's not pretty enough to-" He was now engulfed inside of a blue crystal. Zelda turned around and her eyes burned with anger.
"You are dead." The crystal turned red and the guy inside began sweating.
"Bro, what's…dah!" One of the other guys yelled as he pulled his hands away from the glass. "It's…it's like fucking fire!" Everyone at the table now realized what Zelda was doing; she was planning on burning him alive.
"Zelda." Grace said softly, but Zelda's eye contact didn't break. She glared at the young man who attacked her daughter.
"Let me out!" He yelled while hopping from foot to foot; trying to cool himself off while it appeared that he was sweltering in the heat.
"Zelda!" Grace spoke with a more stern tone, yet she never broke contact. The second born stood up and walked up to her mother.
"Mother, that's enough!" Virginia wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and that snapped Zelda out of her trance.
"Virginia…" She quietly uttered.
"Let them go…please. I don't like this version of you…please…let them go…" Virginia pleaded while sniffling in her mother's arms. Zelda closed her eyes and the spell broke around the man.
":My turn, bitch." He growled and stood up once more. However, before he could rush forward, A man grabbed his head and was one quick movement from snapping his neck.
"It would be unwise to attack them." The man spoke in a calm tone.
"Who are they to you?" He struggled to break free.
"That's my daughter." He replied. Virginia looked up and gasped.
"D-D…Da-David?" She stammered.
"Snake, let them go." Zelda said. "Let them run off."
"And if they come after Virginia?"
"I won't let them go next time." Zelda said. "In this family, we have a few rules we abide by." She turned back to the young boys. "Rule number one: respect everyone until they give you a reason not to. Rule number two: do not tarnish the royal family name. And rule number three…" Zelda looked at her wife and smirked. "No one…fucks with my family." Samus smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, whatever…let me-" The one called Francis walked towards the queen when Samus punched him in the face.
"Motherfucker, we're not finished yet." Samus began throwing punches to his face until he looked black and blue from her beating. She stood up and began beating down his friends. However, due to Zelda letting the first group go, they teamed up with the other group to try and beat Samus down. Though the group failed to land a single shot against the former bounty hunter, she was determined to beat each and every last one of them. One guy got up and spat to the side.
"Listen, bitch…that girl-" A stranger picked up the man and slammed him on the bar stand.
"Shut up." The strange man said before frog punching him in the throat. He gagged and while his friends rushed him, the man turned and knocked them out with one hit. Samus quickly finished off the others and the group let them be.
"You ever come back, I'll kill you!" Samus yelled at them as they high tailed it out of there. Samus walked up to Zelda and checked on her before sitting down.
"You're that guy…David…" Virginia quietly uttered.
"Thank you, David. Er…sorry…thank you, Snake."
"Wait…you're Snake?!" Virginia blurted out. "You…you didn't tell me that. I asked you if you were my father." Zelda whipped her head back at the man.
"You told your own daughter that you are not her father? David…"
"Your highness, she was never-"
"David, she is your daughter! Deny it all you want, but I will not stand it any longer. She is old enough to know who her father is." Snake glanced up and sighed before turning to his daughter.
"Hello…Virginia."
"Father?" She asked as she gulped hard. "You're…you're really my dad, r-right?"
"…yes." He replied quietly. "Look, Virginia…I don't want you to think that-"
"I'm so happy!" She squealed with joy. Everyone else was confused by her actions. "I always wanted to meet you!" Her excitement quickly died down and she looked worried. "I hope I-I am a daughter that…maybe…y-you…could be…p-proud of…" Snake pulled up a chair and smiled.
"Virginia…I could not be more proud of the woman you've become." His words hit the princess' heart and she tried holding back tears.
"Where's dad?" Samantha asked her mother.
"We'll find him later." Samus said quietly as meals began appearing in front of them. "What is this?"
"Food. You…eat it…" Samus' mother spoke slowly and smirked before she laughed.
"Mom, you're so mean." Samus laughed. "What are these meals? And why are they all different?"
"It's all based in your mind. Think of a meal and it appears in front of you."
"I'm still trying to wrap my head around this…dead people eat food?" Samus questioned her parents.
"That's the afterlife." Rodney casually stated while his granddaughter was chowing down on some macaroni and cheese.
"Virginia…mac and cheese?" Samus questioned her daughter as she finished eating and wiped her mouth.
"I…um…i-it's my favorite." She admitted without blushing.
"I know, kid. Slow down though…no one's taking your food." Serena swiped the bowl from her fiancé.
"Hey!" Virginia protested, but Serena stuck out her tongue before returning her bowl. "You're mean."
"I'm just having fun." Serena began eating the mashed potatoes in front of her. Samantha and Marcus were splitting a mouthwatering steak while Fox and Krystal were enjoying a banana split. James was eating a hotdog while Vixy had a cheeseburger and Zelda was eating a soup alongside her mother. Rodney and Virginia were sharing nachos with a side of jalapenos and salsa. Hylia had a simple salad in front of her.
"I'm not…particularly hungry…can I…try some?" Samus asked her mother. Virginia wiped her mouth with her forearm and nodded.
"Use a napkin." Grace spoke with a bit of disgust and handed a napkin to Samus' mother.
"What an interesting family we have." James remarked while Vixy laughed.
"James, be nice." Vixy nudged her husband.
"Actually, mom…dad. I have another question." Samus said as she took a chip and added a few jalapenos before taking some salsa.
"Sammy, wait-" Rodney tried to warn her, but she had already eaten the chip. She swallowed her food and exhaled.
"What's with my name?" Samus asked. "It's…well, I don't hate it or anything. But…I mean, it's pretty weird." Samus admitted before looking down at the salsa. "That is really hot."
"Your father and I love spicy foods." Virginia smiled. "Him more than me. But that's to be expected from a Macon boy."
"Macon?" Samus asked.
"I'm from Georgia, Sammy. A proud graduate from the University of Georgia. Your mom's from Kansas. Anyway, about your name…I really wanted Sam. I didn't care if you were a boy or a girl. I wanted a child named Sam. Your mom wanted us to stay with you forever…she also wanted to give you a one-of-a-kind name."
"Sam-us." Virginia stated. "How many children in the world have that name? It's special and we're always with you, honey." Virginia beamed with pride. Samus went for another chip and added jalapenos and salsa again.
"You like spicy foods too?" Rodney asked.
"Like them?" Zelda remarked. "We should tell them about the dumbest thing you've ever done."
"Please don't." Samus insisted with a huge grin on her face.
"No, they deserve to know. Our children deserve to know how dumb you used to be." Samus laughed and nodded her head.
"Fine."
"Have you heard of the Carolina reaper?" Zelda asked the parents. Everyone shook their heads no. "It's the spiciest pepper in the world. The ghost pepper…I think that's the second hottest one…that has nothing compared to the Carolina reaper. This would be when the boys were three months old. Virginia was four and Samantha was six. A person from the town brought up a bunch of them and challenges anyone to eat one. Our fair queen over here…" Zelda gestured to her lovely wife. "Grabbed a handful and ate them all at once."
"A handful?!" Jackson practically yelled. "Mom, are you crazy?"
"It wasn't that bad…" Samus stated.
"Which part wasn't that bad? The part where you started drooling? The part where you became delirious? Or the part where they had to pump your stomach?" Samus and Zelda laughed along with everyone except the kids.
"You were crying for a week." Fox smirked.
"It was-" Samus still had a smile, but she stopped. "…five days." She admitted. Samus, Zelda, Fox, and Krystal laughed.
"Well…" Hylia dapped her lips with a napkin. "We should visit the rest of your family." The group began to leave and Link began approaching them.
"Link." Zelda stated calmly.
"Who is this?" Grace questioned her daughter.
"Dad…" Samantha quietly uttered while she looked at her uncle. Link looked around in an attempt to seem like he had no idea what she was talking about, but Samantha wasn't buying it.
"Link, she knows." Samus took a seat and he sighed.
"Sam-"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Samantha asked with pain in her voice. "We could've done so many things together. We could've bonded like a real father and daughter family."
"Nothing has changed, Sam." Link reminded her.
"You weren't there!" She blurted with tears in her eyes. "You weren't there, dad! You weren't fucking there!" She took off and left the group alone.
"Sam-" Samus called out, but Link stopped her.
"Let her go." Link said with disappointment in his voice.
"I'll take care of this." James began walking in the direction Samantha ran in.
"Dad-" Fox protested, but James held up his hand.
"She needs someone who understands what she's going through." He explained and Fox understood what he meant. "I'll bring her back. Give me some time." James began walking away from the group to bring back the firstborn of Hyrule.