Ace: I just realize that chapters 6-12 all occurred in one day. (And the chapters before, 1-5, were the day before that). The last chapter was six days after chapter 12, so skip forward to 4 days later for this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Super Smash Bros.
Chapter 14: Video games v Reality
Isa
"Freedom!" I cheered happily as I followed Link and Pit out of the hospital wing. We had finally been released, after much persistence from Zelda that we needed to help with the search for Seth, although I had feeling that she wanted to be with Link.
At the same time, I was hoping to escape the persistent questions about the video games from the Smashers. Word had spread about it (probably from Navi), and everyone was desperate to know about the games, much to my utter discomfort and annoyance.
"...run into a wall," Pit sighed as I was snapped out of my thoughts. I looked over to him, and proceeded to walk into the stairwell and fall down.
"Told ya," he smirked.
"Told me what? I zoned out," I admitted as he helped me up.
"I said, 'Isa, look where you're walking. If you don't, I'm just going to watch you run into a wall.' And I was correct."
I pointed to the stairwell. "That is totally not a wall!"
"You still ran into something."
"A stairwell! Not a wall!"
Link merely watched us argue. He began up the stairs and waved without looking back. "Bye."
"Hey!" I stopped arguing with Pit and dashed after Link with Pit behind me. Link was already up a flight and was patiently waiting for us to catch up.
"You suck," I told him after I regained my breath.
"Your welcome, Isabela."
"Whatever," I muttered as I walked off. I decided that it would be best for me to go to my room and relax by playing on my Wii than to annoy Link and potentially get hurt.
"Isa, who's your favorite video game character?" Link asked. "Me or Pit?"
I sighed. "Both of you have your merits and issues that anger me. Also, that is a stupid and awkward question."
"How?" Pit questioned.
"It just is!" After a few seconds I realized something. "Why are you following me? I thought you were going to a different place..."
"Oh yeah," Link said. "Isabela, can we see some of the video games in your room?"
I did a face palm and leaned against my door. "You ask that AFTER you follow me?"
"We forgot," Pit admitted.
I sighed. "It just freaks me-"
At that second, my door opened in a flash and I fell flat on my back. "What the hell happened here?" I muttered.
Zelda looked down at me. "Hi Isa."
"What are you doing here?" Link and I asked simultaneously.
"Toon Link claimed that there were photos of us here. Except we can't find them."
"Does that mean that you raided my room?" I muttered angrily.
"No, everything looked in place and Isa has so many boxes a hoarder on TV would be jealous of her.*"
"Blame my brothers. They did it."
"How do you know?" Pit asked.
"I told them, 'I'm am not taking anything to Smash Manor except clothing, some basic necessities like my toothbrush, my phone, and a charger.' So they went and packed a bunch of stuff when I wasn't looking."
"That explains why there's names on them."
"How long have you been here?" Link asked.
"An hour. While we waited for Isa to come, we watched some stuff on Netflix."
"That's nice and all," I stated as I got up, "but I have to put my stuff up. So could you guys not bother me?"
"If you don't bother us," Marth replied.
"The heck?" I asked as I entered. Marth, Ike, Roy, and Dark Pit were surrounding my computer, watching stuff on Netflix. Angrily, I grabbed my Nerf gun and shot a bullet at Marth, who ducked it. "What was that for?" He asked angrily.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because you're near my computer and you entered my room. Maybe I'm annoyed right now at Link and Pit. Maybe it's because I'm bored."
"Can we use your Netflix account?" Ike asked, completely ignoring my rant.
At this point, I threw my hands up in the air like I was giving up and sighed. "Why?"
"You're the only person who has it."
"Technically it's my brothers' and mine, but sure. As long as you don't mess anything up."
"What about your video games?" Roy asked slyly.
"Off-limits," I grumbled as I began to put my Attack on Titanmanga away.
"Knew it."
"Why?" Link had started to move some of the boxes around at this point. I shot him a look, but he ignored it.
"You wouldn't let Link and Pit play," Roy answered. "So I doubt that we could."
"Actually, we took her 3DS, games, and ear buds from her when she was asleep and played them was she was either asleep or texting a friend," Pit admitted.
I aimed my Nerf gun at Pit. "And you will pay for it with your lives." I said teasingly. Pit seemed to notice this and proceeded to make a face at me.
"We beat her high score in a few of her games," Link said to Ike.
"Not to be rude Isa," Marth interrupted suddenly. "But can I ask you something?"
"Other than the question you're asking now, yes," I threw my gun on the bed, freaking Diana out.
"What's in that box?" Marth pointed to a rather large box, labeled "Cos".
"It could be one of Hiro's jokes. For all I know, it could hold calculators or textbooks that doctors use," I said offhandedly. "
Marth opened it. "What the hell is going on?"
"What?" Ike asked, not really paying attention to us as he was playing Slender. How he figured I had it was beyond me. Then again, I had it under "Scary Awesome Games" and he was near my computer, so it shouldn't be that shocking.
"Did you copy my style, Isabela?" Marth asked as he pulled out an item from the box. My mind snapped back to reality. The item was a replica if Marth's outfits, albeit slightly modified to fit me.
I snatched it from him, embarrassed that it was found. "That was my Halloween costume from last year."
Link raised an eyebrow as he was going through my sketchbook. "So you're one of those fans."
"Shut up," I responded, "and put my sketchbook down."
"Why am I getting hit by chickens in this picture?" Link asked.
"I'm done talking," I said.
Zelda pulled a Sonic doll out from a box. "Is this yours?"
Tears stung my eyes, and my breath increased rapidly. I looked at it closely, and grabbed it. "It's Takahiro's."
Before Zelda could ask or Link could explain, Diana rolled her eyes. "Honestly Isa. There's no need to get emotional over a stupid toy."
Those words entered the depths of my soul and stung me hard. The tears flowed down my cheeks, and I bolted out of my room with the doll. I had no clue where I was going, but I wanted time myself, away from everyone. Eventually, I wound up in the attic, crying hysterically. I fingered the doll and looked at it.
You'll never be alone again, Takahiro. I promise you that.
Y-you sure?
Of course! You will be my brother and I will by your side for as long as you live! You can count on that!
T-thank you...
I closed my eyes and sighed. That day seemed so long ago, yet I remember like it was yesterday. I remember how Takahiro lost his family to disease and how my family adopted him. He was timid at first, but gradually became more social and stronger. I wish he hadn't been killed. That is my one regret.
"Isa?" Link asked.
I blinked sleepily. "Rinku?"
"Are you okay? You bolted off after Diana insulted you."
I didn't respond. Instead, I looked at the doll.
Link noticed this. "That doll had something to do with your brother."
I nodded wordlessly.
Link held his hand out. "Come on Isa. Let's join everyone downstairs." He said it with a smile in order to reassure me.
For a second, I saw my brother standing there- His blue hair swept like Link, the same expression on his face, and the same amount of life in his eyes.
I can't believe it- Link act like Takahiro at times. It's really scary… I guess suppressing the memories of my brother in order to not feel guilt or lose myself failed. As long as Link is here and acts like Takahiro, I will forever be reminded of my failure to save my brother from his demise.
After a few seconds, I tentatively grabbed Link's hand.
Ace: Mizuneko was in Isa's room; hence she wasn't there during the last part of the chapter. Also, she was asleep during this entire time.
Lots of stuff happening, and one thing I want to state firmly: NO Isa x Link. He reminds her of her brother, and Isa still feels guilt over Takahiro's death, so that is going to be a problem (if Link acts like Takahiro too much.) Also, Link has interacted the most with Isa so far, so that's why he went to find her. He doesn't have a crush on her, and he won't ever have a crush on Isa.
Anyhow, this chapter is to show what happens when the characters find out about their video games.
Note:
* Like 11 boxes of various sizes could put Isa on TV.
One last note: Next chapter will have a lot of surprises.
Ace