Ok so
This *was* gonna be the big angsty chapter, but it was getting too wordy and I wanna pace better, so rest assured the big angsty chapter will be the next one. There's plenty of development in this first half anyway, I'd think.
(also I did a crazy amount of browsing the F-Zero Wiki for the characters' backgrounds and I love how developed and well written they are? seriously we need a new F-Zero game, hopefully one that doesn't try to retcon anything like the anime and its two GBA games did. X and GX had a perfect thing going on and there's several plot elements I'd LOVE for them to touch more on)
Title based on "What If" by SafetySuit
Hiding in my Skin, Broken from Within
Chapter 8 - What If
"Okay, you can open your eyes now, Lucina," Captain Falcon instructed Lucina. "And welcome...to Mute City."
"Ah...?" The sight before Lucina's eyes was unlike anything she ever saw in her life. What stood before her was a neo-urban jungle of tall, metal architecture, holograms and neon lights all around amidst the muted greenish-blue backdrop of the night sky, as "cars" that seemed to hover above the ground, much like Captain Falcon's own Blue Falcon, drove across the streets. It was very much like a futuristic version of Smash City, like in the science fiction comic books Robin and Shulk would show Lucina whenever the three decided to visit Smash City's comic store on a whim.
"Amazing..." she murmured.
"Right?" Falcon concurred. "It may be a wonder unlike anything you've ever seen to you, but to me, it's just the world I've known all my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Of course Captain Falcon wouldn't have it any other way," Lucina teased him, elbowing him playfully. "You're the famous bounty hunter and pilot of the famed Blue Falcon!"
"Haha, don't wear it out now," Falcon laughed, returning Lucina's mischievous gesture by softly mussing up her hair, eliciting a giggle from her lips.
We've bonded so much, it feels unreal, he thought. We're already at the stage of exchanging playful banter with one another when we're not doing anything serious. I've missed such simple joys... And above all, lately I've been feeling...that whenever she's happy, I am too...
"Hey, Lucina...?" Falcon began, softly placing his hand on her shoulder.
"Yes?" She turned her head to face his.
"Ah..." The Captain hesitated, lifting his hand off her shoulder. "I figure...if it's okay with you, that I maybe show you around the place before I go in for a racing tournament?"
"Sure," Lucina nodded, smiling. "I hope the races are televised. I'd love to see you in action doing what you're best known for outside of Smash City." Looking around, she mused, "But...wouldn't it be more practical to ride around in the Blue Falcon, or something?"
"Well, about that..." He answered her. "There's...usually not enough room in a single F-Zero machine for two people. There was this one time I had another rider with me, but that was a bit of an...emergency situation. I do know someone who can get us around town easily, though."
"You do...?" The Exalt asked the racer.
"Just one second..." Sliding a panel out from one of his wristcuffs, he input a series of commands with the buttons underneath. "Our ride should be here soon."
"You...have tech under that wristcuff?" Lucina questioned. "Why didn't you just...bring your phone?"
"I decided to leave it back at Smash City," Captain Falcon answered her. "It wouldn't be of much use outside of Smash City anyway. As for the technology you just saw, it interfaces with my helmet and provides basic functionality like bio-scanners, and contacting people in my world. It's like a bare-bones computer."
"Interesting," the Ylissean mused. "And you invented it yourself?"
"I did," the bounty hunter confirmed, "As well as the Blue Falcon itself. I will admit though, my helmet tech is nothing compared to Snake's tech, like his codecs... I hope he can return to Smash City someday. I'd like to introduce you to him. He's a good friend of mine."
"I see," Lucina said. "I'd like to meet him, too."
The Captain really is amazing... She thought. I can't help but admire him, now that we've gotten closer and I'm learning more about him. But...there's still more I want to know...
"Say, Captain?" Lucina asked Captain Falcon. "Why did you choose to become an F-Zero racer? I imagine everyone here has a reason they did."
"You're correct, but..." The Captain looked down, somewhat regretfully. "My past...and the reason I'm doing all this...to this day, I haven't told anyone. Only my sworn nemesis, Black Shadow, knows, and even then, he doesn't know the whole story..."
"I guess it's something that means a lot to you..." Lucina said, sighing.
He is secretive, but I guess it lends to his mysterious character. There's more to him than I thought...and I guess that's why I both admire him, and want to become closer still, despite the risks...
"But," Falcon began again, "Maybe one day, when you get to know more of the real me, I might tell you..."
"Thank you," Lucina answered him. "But...you don't have to do so if it makes you uncomfortable. I'm content just getting to know the person you are now."
"That's...awfully sweet of you, Lucina," the Captain chuckled, holding his right hand to his lips and blushing slightly.
I'm...blushing? Again? He thought. Why does this happen whenever she shows kindness to me? What's this feeling...? It's a bit embarrassing to do this in front of her.
Just then, a loud honking horn broke through the sounds of city life. Turning to the direction of the sound, Falcon told the swordswoman, "Our ride's here. Follow me."
The two walked over to a yellow vehicle hovering above the ground that looked a lot like a traditional taxi, but with the typical F-Zero "flair". On its sides were written the number 38 and the words, "Groovy Taxi".
"Hey, Cap!" The driver of the Groovy Taxi called out as he rolled down the window to his driver's seat. He appeared to be a short yellow alien of a somewhat stereotypical appearance, with an oval shaped head and large black eyes that seemed to pop out a bit. He wore a yellow uniform with a green vest, a black and white checker pattern on the sides of his pants, and a green cap.
"Hey, PJ," the Captain greeted. "I need a favor...if you could please take me around town."
"Why not just use your Blue Falcon..." PJ trailed off before noticing the bounty hunter's female companion. "Wait a minute, who's she? Never saw her in these parts before."
"Lucina, meet PJ. He's a fellow racer and one of the best taxi drivers in the whole galaxy," he introduced her to the alien driver. "So now you see why, PJ. It's travel for two."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, buddy," PJ said in a slightly snappy tone. "You two ain't...an item, are ya? Cause buddy, lemme tell ya...some of my worst customers are couples, particularly those that have a hard time keeping their hands off each other."
"I- we're not a couple..." The Captain countered, only to be interrupted by PJ's continued rant.
"Lemme tell ya, man. I just wanna transport people in peace, but you know what they say. Three's a crowd, and four in an F-Zero machine just ain't allowed. Especially when I have one customer in the front and a couple in the back...God forbid when they start moanin' real loudly and making my other customer reeeeeeal uncomfortable, and I end up getting a negative review because the hormonal duo in the back wouldn't—"
"T-that's quite enough, PJ!" Captain Falcon blurted, blushing intensely. Lucina was doing the same, hiding her face in her hands from hearing PJ's vivid description. Taking a deep breath, the Captain calmed down and said, "She's just a friend. I just want to show her around town."
"Well, why didn't ya say so?" PJ asked. "Come on in, you two." Glaring at the woman he never saw before, he told her sternly, "And no funny business, missy!"
"Ah!" Startled, Lucina gasped, but regained her composure. "I don't think you'll have to worry about any 'funny business'...the Captain said I'm just a friend to him."
Why do those words...leave such a dull stinging feeling in my heart, though...? She thought, looking down and holding her hand to her chest. We are just training partners after all...it shouldn't make me feel this way...
"Lucina...?" Falcon asked her.
"...Oh," Lucina said, snapping out of her daze. "O-of course. Sorry."
As the two stepped into the back of the taxi-like machine with the Captain sitting on the right and Lucina on the left, PJ asked them, "So, where to?"
"Hmmm..." After a few seconds of contemplation, the Captain made a decision. "I think we'll be heading to the Dollars Lounge. There's some people I want her to meet."
"Really...?" Lucina inquired.
"Of course," Falcon said. "But you'll have to stay close to me the whole time. Just in case...those people may be around. We'll even go for a little walk together before I head in for the races. Don't you want to see more of the town?"
"A walk together..." Lucina mused, a slight dreamy look in her eyes. "Yes, that would be wonderful."
"I'm glad you think that." The Captain smiled softly at her, and she returned the serene smile.
God, Lucina, Falcon thought. Your smile is so...captivating. I feel so...at peace whenever I see you smile...
"You two SURE ya ain't a couple? Cause it looks like you're makin' goo-goo eyes at each other," PJ interrupted them.
Startled, the Captain immediately retorted, "Just shut up and get us there. And don't drive like you're in a race, ok?" A mischievous smile crept on his face as he jested, "Otherwise, I might just have to leave a not-so-great review..."
"Okay, okay, geeze!" PJ cried. "Pushy much?... Anyway, off to Dollars Lounge, Bar & Inn." He briefly muttered under his breath, "Least I still get paid for this..."
Lucina burst into giggles at the scene before her, raising her left hand for a high five, which the Captain gladly gave her.
...
"Alright, we're here," PJ announced as the Groovy Taxi pulled into the Dollars Lounge's parking lot. "You two stay safe, now."
"Thank you, Mr. PJ," Lucina thanked the alien taxi driver with a bow as she stepped out of the vehicle.
"Aw, please, missy, just PJ is fine!" PJ chuckled. "And Cap, don't drink and drive!"
"Can't afford to drink, anyway," Falcon commented. "I've got a race in about forty-five minutes. Look forward to seeing you there."
"You too, Cap," PJ said with a wave before driving off.
Turning to his partner, the Captain asked her, "What about you? Do you want a drink, or?"
"...No thanks," Lucina declined the offer. "I tried alcohol once...I hated the taste."
"Heh, fair enough," Falcon said. "I guess I'll get us both non-alcoholic drinks, then."
"Thank you..." Looking down, Lucina grinned shyly and wiggled her foot. "Um...you wouldn't mind if we...had a bite to share, too?"
"You mean, like a...?" The Captain trailed off, unsure where she was going with this.
"...Oh, n-not like a date or anything," Lucina chuckled nervously, waving her hands in front of her face. "I'm just...sure you want a bite before you go in, and we haven't had dinner, so..."
"...I guess so," The Captain said with a grin. "I'll find something we can both enjoy. Just...nothing too messy, okay? Don't want to ruin these clothes after we just had them cleaned at Clock Town."
"Heh, true," Lucina giggled.
"Let's head on in, then," the Captain invited her. "Like I said, I'd like to introduce you to some people."
As the two walked in, they were greeted by a variety of unusual faces, including an anthropomorphic dinosaur-like person drinking wine right out of the bottle, spilling some on himself; a couple in costumes that made them both look like superheroes; an old man with a strange gadget on his back that had two mechanical arms protruding from it; and someone in a full-body robotic suit.
"I guess F-Zero attracts a lot of different people, huh?" Lucina asked. "Even if they're not necessarily...human."
"You might say that," the Captain said with a slight chuckle. "Just stay close." He led her to the bar, taking a seat and motioning for his companion to take the seat next to him.
"Hey, if it isn't the great Captain Falcon," the old man with the bizarre gadget said, standing behind the bar.
"Long time, Dr. Clash," The Captain greeted him. "This is my traveling companion, Lucina. Figured I'd show her around Mute City."
"From Smash City, I take it?" Dr. Clash asked. "No matter, anyone from Smash City is welcome here! Just seeing the camaraderie unfold between the Captain and anyone he brings here from Smash City just warms this old man's heart. I remember the times he brought his friend Snake here..."
"Heh, yeah," The Captain said. "Though, I wouldn't call you 'old'...not when Silver Neelsen's around. Guy's two years away from the big century and he's still at it!"
As the two racers laughed, Lucina pondered, "He's almost...100 years old?!"
"Medicine has come a long way in my world," Falcon clarified. "Most humans' maximum lifespan has been extended to around 173!"
"Interesting..." Lucina mused.
"And of course, you'd probably live even longer if you were a cyborg like Mighty Gazelle," Captain Falcon said, glancing at the person who appeared to be in a full-body robotic suit from earlier.
Following his gaze and realizing who Mighty Gazelle was, Lucina gasped, "He's a cyborg?! But he's...nothing like Fiora."
"Our cyborgs are different," The Captain explained. "Due to the Horrific Grand Finale, he was wounded so badly that they literally had to transplant his brain into a mechanical body to save his life. I remember his fiancée didn't take it too well...she straight up dumped the poor guy afterwards."
"How awful..." Lucina murmured. "I guess his fiancée didn't really love him if she left him after that."
"Apparently not," The Captain concurred. "I'm surprised, Lucina. For someone who's never actually experienced romance, you seem to be very knowledgeable about matters of the heart."
"Call it...a woman's intuition," Lucina answered him.
"Yeah...the Horrific Grand Finale was pretty bad for us all," Dr. Clash said. "I was lucky to make it out with minor injuries."
"It really was..." The Captain murmured, his voice sounding vaguely regretful. It was terrible for me, too...I could have died...I became hospitalized, and in the process one of the worst threats to Mute City was born...
"...Captain?" Lucina asked him.
"Ah," The Captain gasped faintly as he broke out of his deep thought. "I was doing that...thing where I'm deep in thought again, wasn't I? I know that worries you, Lucina. I'm sorry."
I still do want to show you more of the real me, Lucina, Captain Falcon thought. When I do...I pray I won't have to keep anything secret from you anymore. Like you wanted, I'll open up to you more...tell you how I feel. But I don't feel safe doing that now, and I don't really know why...I have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that something bad will happen soon.
"It's ok, Captain," Lucina reassured him. "Don't worry about it."
"Thanks," Falcon thanked her with a reassuring smile.
"Anyway, what can I get you guys?" Dr. Clash said. As the duo glanced at the LCD menu on the wall behind the old bartender, the Captain spoke first. "Nothing alcoholic, that's for sure. She doesn't like the stuff, and I can't afford to, since I'm gonna race soon."
"Oh?" Dr. Clash questioned. "Look forward to seeing you there."
"Same here," Falcon said. "As for me...I'll take a frozen lemonade. Keep it simple."
"Got it," Dr. Clash confirmed. "As for the young missy?"
"I will..." Lucina thought out loud, looking intently at the menu. After a while, she made her decision. "I'll have the frozen cherry limeade. And, um..."
"What's up?"
"Would you happen to have...anything I can share with him?"
"Ohhhh," Dr. Clash said, holding his hand to his chin curiously. "I see what's going on here. You two are sweethearts, eh? I guess you like 'em older, missy. I ain't judging, though, haha!"
"Dr. Clash, please," Falcon urged him, sounding somewhat irritated as he blushed. "It's not like that. Sorry, I just...people have been asking if we're a couple as I went around different places training her, and the assumption makes us a bit...uncomfortable. We'd just like a quick bite before I go in. Just...nothing messy, if it can be helped."
"Sure," Dr. Clash said, chortling a bit. "I'll see what I can do. No worries."
As Dr. Clash headed to the kitchen, the Captain turned to his companion. "So, Lucina...do you feel confident enough to return to Smash City yet, or...?"
"I'll have to think about it," Lucina answered him. I can't tell him about what's weighing me down right now...I just want a distraction. "Although, when I do..."
If I do...
"...I don't want to have a do-over of the last tournament, or anything. I never cared about earning the privilege to fight Ryu or any famous new face that joined Smash City. I just want everyone to know I've gotten stronger overall."
"...That's very noble of you," The Captain complimented her. "Remember what Fiora said when we were leaving Gaur Plain? Everyone's proud of you and can't wait to see you return."
"I know, and I won't let them down. They all mean so much to me," Lucina declared. "Joining Smash has really broadened my horizons and introduced me to so many people. When we're not on the battlefield, I like to hear their stories and know why they're fighting. And just...getting to bond with them as individuals, too." Looking ahead, she continued, "Zelda and I have gotten along really well...we're roommates, after all. She's always there to hear me out on anything. And I admire Shulk for wanting a better future for his friends. It sort of rings home for me, wanting a better future for my father..."
"That's understandable," the Captain said. "I was that same way when I first joined Smash, all the way back in its inception. I was there to see some new faces join over the years...and some others leave, sadly. Some came back, but others..."
"I see..." Lucina looked down, understanding how dismayed the Captain felt as he said those words.
"Although, the fact that some old friends are coming back, it does make me a bit hopeful...I never saw it as a 'goodbye' you know? It was more of a 'see you later'. Maybe someday, everyone will be there again. I know it's a bit foolishly optimistic, but...it's like you say. Getting to know everyone at Smash City truly does broaden your horizons, and you also end up forging bonds and making memories that are just...irreplaceable. You just...can't bear being apart from them too long."
"I know..." Lucina agreed softly, trying not to think of how sad Young Link seemed over not being called back to Smash City when she spoke with him earlier.
"I know it seems a bit...sappy, sentimental even, for me to say these things, but...I guess you're getting another glimpse at the real me." The Captain smiled at her softly.
Returning his smile, Lucina complimented him, "Nothing to be ashamed of. It's actually really nice of you to think that way."
"Heh, thanks."
"Here are your drinks, you two," Dr. Clash said, handing the duo their icy drinks. "Food's on the way."
"Thanks," Lucina thanked him as the two took their drinks. Directing her gaze at the TV screens on the left wall which showed reruns of past competitions, she asked him, "So this is F-Zero racing in action, huh? It's amazing...such speed and precision."
"Indeed," the Captain agreed. "Just wait until you see me in action."
"I look forward to it," Lucina told him. Unbeknownst to her and her partner, a large-bodied man with white hair, a monocle, and a cane seemed to be watching them from afar. Without either of them realizing it, he backed away after a few seconds and vanished into the shadows.
"Captain!" A heroic, somewhat booming voice called out to the duo.
"Oh, hey, Super Arrow," Falcon greeted the superhero and his wife as they approached the duo sitting at the bar. "Lucina, this is Super Arrow and his wife, Monique L'amoreaux."
"That's Mrs. Arrow to you, Captain," Mrs. Arrow corrected the Captain in a somewhat snarky tone.
"Hahaha, sassy as ever, I see," The Captain laughed, shaking Mrs. Arrow's hand first, then her husband's. "What brings you two here?"
"We were going to ask the same thing," Super Arrow answered him. "It's been so long since we saw you here! Let me tell you, hunting down criminals across the galaxy isn't as exciting without you around!"
"So you're like... a superhero?" Lucina asked, her eyes lighting up in wonder.
"He IS one," Falcon explained. "Not quite a bounty hunter like I am, but he's a defender of justice on Earth and even makes use of his superpowers in a race. He really is a true hero."
"Oh, you flatter me, Captain!" The self-proclaimed superhero guffawed heartily. "But don't sell yourself short. You're a hero, too!"
"You also have a hit song by a band who wanted to pay tribute to you," Mrs. Arrow added. "Forever he will be my hero~!" She sang.
"I guess I am, in my own way," Falcon giggled, and Lucina and the Arrow couple followed suit. "Anyway," the Captain answered Super Arrow, "I was training Lucina here outside of Smash City, and she wanted to take a break. She's come a long way. I figure I'll even participate in a race for old times' sake. I know she's wanted to see me doing what I do best, and I couldn't say no to that."
"You can't say no to almost anything, Falcon," Mrs. Arrow teased. "Like that time someone left a baby on the train tracks and..."
"Please, Monique, not here..." The Captain grumbled, hiding his face in his hands in embarrassment. Lucina burst into giggles, knowing what Mrs. Arrow was referring to.
"Oh, so she knows?" Mrs. Arrow asked slyly.
"We've been traveling together for a while, so we've learned a bit about each other," Lucina answered her. "And thanks to my training, I hope I can one day protect him, too."
"Well, what if that 'giant' flying roach showed up here right now? What would you do then, Lucina...?" The Captain teased his companion, grinning mischievously.
"Oh?" Mrs. Arrow held her left hand to her lips curiously.
"Captaiiiiiiinnnnn!" Lucina cried, her face turning beet red.
"Hey, you made it known that you knew my dirty little secret, so it's only fair I tell them yours," The Captain teased Lucina some more.
"B-but Mrs. Arrow started it!" Lucina stammered.
"Ahuhuhuhu," Mrs. Arrow laughed. "You two just love to tease each other, don't you? If I didn't know any better I'd say you two were in the honeymoon phase of your relationship. Ah, brings back memories of how Super Arrow and I met. Whenever I tease him, he's as docile as a puppy!"
"Moni-" Captain Falcon was about to interrupt her at her comment suggesting he and Lucina were a couple, but then stopped to think. "You know...I never really thought of it like that. Though, don't get me wrong, our relationship isn't anything like that..."
"I didn't know, either," Lucina commented. "Though I do know my mother likes to make cheesy puns at my father sometimes when they flirt."
"It's the little things that make love so endearing," Mrs. Arrow sighed, holding her hands together and leaning her head on them as if she were dreaming. "And you want to protect him, miss...?"
"Lucina."
"Well, it's very commendable of you, Lucina," Mrs. Arrow complimented the Ylissean. "Reminds me a lot of myself, if I can be brutally honest. Gender roles and expectations have changed drastically over the years, and I'm proud to see another young woman stepping up and protecting the man she cares about!"
"Y-Yeah..." Lucina stammered. I certainly care for him, that much is certain...
"Regardless of how you feel toward him, as long as it's in positive regard, I'm glad he has someone like you willing to protect him!" Super Arrow commended Lucina, saluting her.
"Thanks..." Lucina said, trying to imitate the superhero's salute.
"I know how crestfallen Cap here must have been when he had to break up with Jody," Mrs. Arrow told Lucina. "He told my husband he felt guilty he couldn't protect her well enough, so I'm sure he's content having someone determined and strong willed like you by his side."
"Say, Mrs. Arrow," The Captain began. "How is Jody doing...? I haven't spoken to her since the Lightning incident."
"She's doing fine," Monique told him. "I saw her earlier with John Tanaka. They're happily together now, despite her not thinking much of him before the incident. They're thinking about getting married soon, too!"
"Really...?" The Captain sounded wistful as he looked down and held his hand to his chest, his face turning a bit solemn. "At least...I'm happy she's moved on."
"Captain..." Lucina looked at her companion compassionately, her heart aching slightly at seeing him express such a bittersweet emotion. He must not have wanted to leave her...I wonder if he still has some feelings for her. I can't even see your eyes at this time, Captain...if I saw them, I could at least know more of how you're feeling.
"But above all, she misses you...as a friend," Mrs. Arrow continued, her face and voice turning serious. "A few days after the breakup, you agreed to being friends with her, and you did save her that day, after all. She feels bad she never got a chance to thank you..."
"I...see." The Captain looked up. "If I see her again, I'll do a bit of catching up...maybe congratulate her, too."
"I'm sure she'd appreciate that." Looking at the clock, Mrs. Arrow told her husband, "Come on, dear, let's go. We should get a bit of practice in before the race starts."
"Of course," Super Arrow answered his wife. Turning to Captain Falcon and Lucina, he waved and said, "See you around, citizens!"
"See you later," The Captain said, also waving. "Bye!" Lucina called out.
After they left, Dr. Clash returned from the kitchen. "Alright, guys. I got some boneless BBQ wings for ya. Not too messy, either. Enjoy!"
"Thanks, Dr. Clash," Lucina said, starting to dig in. The Captain was about to take a bite himself when he hesitated.
"...Something the matter, Captain?" Lucina asked him.
"Do you...feel like we're being watched?" Falcon asked her suspiciously.
"Not really..." She said after swallowing her mouthful, taking a sip of her drink.
"I...guess it's just my imagination," he said, proceeding to take his first bite. However, after swallowing and taking a sip of his icy lemonade, he looked back briefly, expecting to see someone spying on them in the corner. To his surprise, nobody was there, and if they were, they were especially cautious about not being spotted.
I swear, I could feel a pair of eyes staring daggers into my back...if they've been watching us...Maybe that's why I have such a foreboding feeling in the back of my mind.
...
After the two were done at the lounge, they walked out into the city once more. "So...you up for a little walk around town...?" The Captain invited her.
Lucina felt her heart skip a beat in joy. "S-sure," she said, smiling.
Why does the idea of just spending time with him make me so happy all of a sudden? It feels like yesterday we were fighting one another...it's all just water under the bridge now. But...surely this kind of development in how I feel toward him isn't normal...is it? I'm sure he doesn't feel the same about me...he did say I was "just a friend" to PJ earlier.
"Okay, come with me," Falcon said, gesturing to her to come to his side. "It's 25 minutes till the first race, and there's a stop I need to make at our destination, but I figure I'll let you take in the sights a bit with me."
"Sounds great," Lucina told him, catching up to him. "Say, mind if I..."
Even so...I don't know if these moments will ever come again.
"If you...what?" The Captain asked before Lucina swiftly wrapped her left arm around his right arm. "L-Lucina? This is all of a sudden..."
"It's nothing, just..." The Ylissean trailed off before looking the racer in his visor-obscured eyes, "You said you wanted me to stay close to you, right? I've...never been this close to a man before, so just this once, I wanted to experience what it was like...walking together arm in arm."
"Aren't you...worried what others will think, though?" The Captain asked, chuckling nervously and faintly scratching his left cheek with his left index finger.
"It's...just for this moment, right?" Lucina questioned. "Just for those twenty-five minutes."
"Heh, okay..." The Captain said, smiling gently at her. She smiled back softly, looking away briefly, perhaps out of shyness.
Your smile...and your voice when you speak to me so kindly...they're so comforting, Lucina thought. Is this where these feelings are coming from? I feel like this is more than just respect...
The Captain was lost in thought as well. Lucina...you're so compassionate and kind, and even though you've known a lot of sadness in your life, you find reasons to smile. Not only that...you're putting the circumstances of how we met behind you and happily going wherever I go. Hell, I've long put it behind me. You've grown, Lucina, and I couldn't be more proud of you. I'm sure your father would be proud if he could see you like this too.
He felt his heart skip a beat suddenly. Am I really just proud of you...? Or is this...something deeper? I still don't know why, but I feel so...at peace around you. Like I can be myself...
Neither seemed to notice the other being lost in thought this time, so when Falcon said "Let's go," Lucina seemed a bit startled, but quickly snapped back to reality, happily staying close to the Captain as the two took a walk around the futuristic metropolis.
"Wow..." Lucina whispered as she looked around, still clinging to Captain Falcon's arm as the two walked. The sights and sounds of the advanced civilization couldn't help but fill her with wonder, even more so than Clock Town did. "It's all so foreign to me, but amazing nevertheless," she commented. "How far technology has come in your world...never in my dreams would I have imagined such things coming to pass."
"That's the miracles of science for you," The Captain told her. "Our achievements only advanced further following the invention of G-Diffuser technology."
"G-Diffuser?" The swordswoman asked.
"It's the technology F-Zero machines run on," Falcon elaborated. "Though, I imagine you wouldn't want a full explanation..."
"Yeah," Lucina agreed. "So many big words I can't fully understand..." She clung tighter to his arm, a slightly wistful expression gracing her face.
I just want to enjoy these moments with you, Captain. I...don't know how much longer I'll be able to...
A few minutes passed and the two were close to an alley between a clothing store and a technology store. As they arrived there, Lucina heard two familiar voices calling out to them.
"Hey! Captain Falcon!" Shulk called out as he ran toward them, but what was more surprising was the voice that followed.
"Lucinaaaaa!" Fiora was right there with Shulk as they caught up to the racer and Exalt.
"Shulk? Fiora?!" Lucina gasped. "What are you two doing here?"
Scratching the back of his head, Shulk admitted, "You know how it is in Smash City. It's been a dull several months...I decided to visit Mute City on a whim, and I remembered the last time I visited the Bionis, that Fiora was excited to see Mute City for herself after what Captain Falcon told her that day. I just couldn't say no to bringing her along!"
"Hahaha, I can imagine," The Captain said, laughing heartily. "Good to see you again, Fiora."
"You too, Captain!" The cyborg girl said with a smile.
"Hey, Shulk..." Lucina began. "Has it really been...several months?"
"It has," The wielder of the Monado confirmed. "Time passes slower off world than it does in Smash City. Luckily, we can track the status of everyone off world to make sure they're fine."
"Yeah, I remember..." The Captain recalled, as that was how Ryu helped him find Lucina at the start of his journey with her.
"Plus, it's not like we age in Smash City, so by the time you two get back, it'll be like nothing's changed!"
"I see..." Lucina said.
I hope so...that is, if we both get back. I guess Young Link was right...
"Something the matter, Lucina?" Fiora asked her friend.
"Huh?" Lucina murmured. "No, nothing..." Turning to Captain Falcon, she asked him, "I'm guessing this is your stop?"
"Yeah," the F-Zero racer confirmed. "I'll be calling PJ over here to take you guys to the Casino. There, you can watch the races."
"Sounds great!" Shulk said.
"I'm sooo excited!" Fiora chirped, bouncing on her heels gleefully.
"Do your best out there, Captain," Lucina encouraged him. "We'll be watching."
Slowly looking at the companion he'd been traveling with all this time and her two friends, he gave them all a confident smile. "I won't let any of you down. Especially not you, Lucina. I want to make you proud of me, like how you've made me proud of you."
"Ah..." Lucina felt a bit warm inside at his words and the confident grin. "Of course...I look forward to see you do your best." She held a hand to her face and smiled dreamily.
"Heh...well, I'm off," the Captain announced as he turned around and walked down the alley, but not before turning around and waving at the three friends. "Stay safe, guys!"
But still... He thought, his face bearing a worried expression when he turned his face away from the others' view. Why can't I shake this...foreboding feeling? Like something's about to go horribly wrong...?
"Of course!" Shulk called out.
Noticing Lucina still standing there with a dreamy look on her face, Fiora said, "...Lucina?" When the blue haired young woman didn't budge, Fiora went in to get a closer look. "Hello, what's this...?"
"...Fiora?" Lucina inquired as her face turned serious, questioning.
"Ohoho, you can't hide that look from me," Fiora teased, playfully booping Lucina's nose with a robotic finger. "Sounds like someone has a cruuuuuuush~!"
"Fiora...!" Lucina grumbled as Fiora burst into laughter.
She's...not entirely wrong, though...she was right. I think the Captain and I are getting closer. Or at least, I'm getting closer to him...
Hearing the honking of a car horn, Shulk called out to Lucina and Fiora, "Hey girls, our ride's here!"
"Coming!"
"Hey, it's you again, missy," PJ called out to Lucina as he rolled down his window. "The Captain called me here to take you to the Casino." Glancing at Shulk and Fiora, he asked, "These your friends the Captain mentioned?"
"Yes," Lucina confirmed. "He's Shulk, and she's Fiora."
"Ahh, I see. Nice to meet ya," PJ introduced himself to the two Homs. "Just please, I'm beggin' ya two lovebirds over there, don't canoodle too much during the ride, ok?"
"Uhhhh...?" Shulk chuckled nervously, softly scratching his cheek. "What's he on about?"
"PJ...doesn't like it when couples get too close and personal in his vehicle," Lucina explained. "Are you two even...a couple, anyway?"
"Heh, I was hoping to keep it on the down low, but..." Shulk scratched the back of his head shyly, and then confessed, "Yes, Fiora and I became official not too long ago. I didn't want to make it too obvious to everyone at Smash City since our relationship is more of the long-distance type, cause I'm mostly in Smash City nowadays and she's still on the Bionis."
"Part of the reason I want to join Smash is so I can be closer to Shulk, too," Fiora added, cuddling her boyfriend. "But it's like I told Captain Falcon when you guys visited Gaur Plain: I don't care if I'm not a fighter. As long as I get to be with Shulk, and you, Lucina...I'll be the happiest girl in the world."
"That's my Fiora," Shulk giggled, playfully nuzzling noses with Fiora.
"Hehe...how nice," Lucina commented. Thinking back to Super Arrow and his wife from earlier, she thought, Love comes in all different kinds of forms, doesn't it? So many different dynamics between different lovers... But they love each other all the same.
Holding her hand to her chest and looking down, she thought, The kind of dynamic the Captain and I share, the way we interact... It does seem like the way a couple would interact. I wonder...
"You guys coming or what?" PJ called out to them.
"Oh, sorry!" Lucina cried, snapping out of her trance. "Come on, Shulk, Fiora. Let's go."
After Lucina sat in the front passenger seat next to PJ and Shulk and Fiora sat in the back and they all buckled their seatbelts, PJ said, "Alright, to Dollars Casino!"
As they rode off, Shulk and Fiora took in the sights around them, with Fiora gushing excitedly at all the advanced technology the city and everything in it was built on.
"Mute City. Is. AMAAAAAZIIIIING!" Fiora cheered, flapping her hands excitedly.
"Hah, it sure is," Shulk agreed calmly. "I'm amazed we're even going this fast, and we're not even feeling it!"
"That's the miracles of the G-Diffuser technology," PJ boasted. "I'm usually a lot faster than this when transporting customers, but the Captain gave me strict orders to not let loose with you guys, either."
"He just wants us to be safe," Lucina told the driver. "But thanks, PJ."
"I'm just glad your friends are enjoying themselves," PJ answered her before muttering the following under his breath, "And that they're not getting too affectionate over each other..."
"Heehee..." Lucina giggled.
"Say...Lucina, was it?" PJ began. "Do you...like the Captain?"
"I...how do you mean?" Lucina was surprised by the sudden question. "I mean, I admire and respect him, but..."
"I mean...like like him?"
"Ah..." Lucina couldn't help but feel she was being put on the spot. Leaning closer to him, she whispered, "I...think so. I'm still trying to figure out if that's it."
"I see..." PJ answered her quietly. "Your secret's safe with me, missy, and I wish you luck in figuring it out. But I must advise you...it could be dangerous. You might become a target of people like Black Shadow."
"I know," Lucina answered him. "I'm aware of the risks, and if it should come to that, I'll take my chances. I've been training with the Captain, after all...I'm sure I can handle it."
"For both your sakes, I hope so," PJ said, a trace of uncertainty in his voice as they continued to drive off.
As the Groovy Taxi passed by a corner, the figure that was watching Lucina and the Captain back at the Dollars Bar and Lounge hid in a dark alley, pulling out a communication device.
"This is Don Genie. I've got visual."
"Will you track them?" A mysterious, menacing male voice said on the other side of the line.
"I will," Don Genie confirmed. "I'll keep you posted, sir."
"Excellent..."