The cave shook as the monster took a step towards the Hero of Hyrule. Link raised his sword, ready to strike. Smoke blew from the nostrils of the monster, its eyes narrowing. It let out a low growl as Link dropped into a battle stance. Link smirked.
"Heh, you don't scare me, I've trashed things twice your size," The monster growled and raised a arm, its hand curling into a fist. Link narrowed his eyes.
Here it comes!
All of a sudden, a loud humming sound made Link blink in surprise.
"Eh…? What tha-" An enormous beam of blue light suddenly slammed into the monsters side. The monster roared in pain as it was thrown into the cave's wall. The cave rocked and crystals broke and fell from the walls, crashing to the ground. Link stared in astonishment as the monster fell to the cave floor, its roar dying.
"What the…" Link said slowly, turning his head. Link's eyes widened when he saw a tall figure standing a few dozen feet away. It looked like a person, only its body was made out of a shiny metal colored orange and red. A strange cylinder was in place of where its right hand should be. It was glowing slightly and a bit of smoke was coming out of the end. Link quickly pivoted and raised his sword.
Great…what the hell is this thing?
He blinked in surprise when it spoke.
"Relax you idiot, It's me," Link could only stare, his eye twitching in confusion.
"…what…?" Was all he could say. The thing sighed and tapped something on its right arm. A second latter the metal around the head was retracted into the back, revealing a young woman with blond hair. Link gaped.
"Ah! It's you!" he exclaimed, "W-what the hell! What is that thing you're wearing!" Samus looked at him with a slightly tired expression.
"It's my power suit," She said, "It's a high tech armor," Link cocked his head slightly.
An armor…I've never seen armor that can do that…
"Anyway," Link said, not going to attempt to try to understand what Samus was talking about, "What's going on? Why'd we get sent here? And where is everyone else?" Samus sighed.
"I don't know where the others are. You're the first one I've seen, besides those monsters," Link's eyes narrowed slightly.
Monsters…there are more of those things?
"And obviously this is some sort of test that Master Hand wants us to pass before we enter the tournament," Link stared at her with half lidded eyes.
"…You know you don't have to sound so condescending when you talk," He said dryly.
"It's not that hard if you think about it. It's simple to figure out why we're here," Samus replied in the same tone. Link's eye twitched in irritation.
"Fine…" He hissed, "Then how about you tell me where we are," Samus looked at him.
"…Dunno,"
"What you mean to don't know! I though you just said it's easy to figure out! If you don't know anything don't talk like you do!"
"Would you relax," Samus said, "It doesn't matter where we are. As long as we pass this test of Master Hands then we'll probably be sent back to that mansion,"
"Hmm…" Link said, still irritated.
Probably huh…?
"You said there were more of those monsters right?" Link said, calming down, "So pass this test we just need to beat them all right?" Samus glanced at him.
"…That's what I was thinking," She replied.
"Alright then," Link said, punching into his hand, "That sounds easy enough,"
Master Hand sat on his throne, his head resting on his hand as he watched the three teams take their respective tests, displayed on separate screens. His eyes lingered on Alpha's team. A small smile crossed his face.
"Well now…" He said coolly, "They're pretty good,"
"But not the strongest," Star said, standing beside him, "Not even close. Alpha team has one more member than the other teams,"
"Yes," Master Hand said, not taking his eyes off the screen, "To keep the balance the weaker ones were sent to that team," He smirked slightly, "But I wonder…if their weakness is a result of their power? Or simply their own personalities?" Star glanced at them.
"Master?" She asked, "I don't quite understand,"
"All of them could be labeled as 'heroes'" Master Hand continued, "I wonder if that sense of honor and justice obscures their potential?" Before Star could respond the door behind the throne opened. A scowling man with spiky red hair stepped into the room. Master Hand didn't even turn around as he spoke.
"Rouge, you've arrived," He said, "How are your injuries?" Rouge scowled and rubbed his shoulder.
"That damn princess bitch was stronger than I thought. Can't believe she managed to wound me,"
"Well perhaps you had tried to persuade her instead of taking her by force you wouldn't have made such a mistake," Master Hand said. Rough gulped.
"Y-yes…Sorry master,"
"Hey now," A new voice said, "Don't get so worked up Rouge," A smiling man with glasses stepped into the throne room.
"Tiger," Rouge said, "Shut it," Tiger smiled kindly.
"You lose it too easily," He said.
"Tiger, is your work finished?" Master Hand cut in, silencing the two. Tiger smiled and nodded.
"Yep, sure is," He replied.
"Good," Master Hand said, "Each of you go to your respective stations, and prepare for each teams arrival," Star, Rouge, and Tiger nodded.
"Yes Master," They all said. As they left the room Master Hand continued to gaze at the screens before him. A smirk crossed his face as he watched.
"This really is going to be fun,"
"…Hey…" Samus said, walking through the glowing cave, "Why are you following me?" Behind her Link cocked his head slightly.
"We've got to beat a bunch of monsters right? Wouldn't it be easier to if we teamed up? Considering, you know, we're on the same team," Samus glanced back at him, her expression hidden behind her visor.
"I fight alone," She told him, turning back ahead.
"So so I, usually, but I'm also not stupid enough to turn down help when needed," Link said.
"Who says I need help?"
"Who says you don't?" Samus was silent for a minute as they continued walking. The only sound was the echo of their footsteps.
"…Fine…"She finally said, "But don't expect me to protect you,"
"I've never needed protecting," Link replied.
"Hmm…" Was all she said. They continued to walk for several more minutes. The cave was quiet. The walls were lit up in a green glow as the crystals emitted a weak light. Link almost ran into Samus when she suddenly stopped.
"What?" He asked, looking around her toward the end of the tunnel.
"That," She said. There was a small light at the end of the tunnel. Link stared at it.
"Looks like that's our exit," He said. Samus nodded stepping forward. Suddenly the cave shook. Link's eyes widened as rocks began falling from the top of the cave.
"What the-!" A snake like monster burst from the top of the cave, heading straight for Link and Samus.
Another monster!
Link reached back and grabbed his sword, pulling it out of the sheath. As the monster sped towards them Samus calmly raised her right arm. The air was filled with a humming sound. Suddenly a beam of blue light erupted from the 'arm cannon' as she had called it. The beam slammed into the monsters head. The creature was instantly blown apart. Link stared wide eyed as its remains splattered the caves walls. A moment later, Samus lowered her smoking cannon.
"That was annoying," She said. Link let out a breath, his shoulders sagging as he sheathed his sword. He glanced at the woman in front of him.
Hmm…
She may be as annoying as hell…but she's strong…no doubt about that…
"Let's get outta here," Samus said, motioning towards the end of the tunnel. Link nodded.
"Yeah," They both raced towards the light. Soon enough the end of the tunnel came into view.
Finally! Time to get out of this hell hole!
As soon as they left the tunnel they both immediately stopped. Their feet slid across the ground as the planted themselves into the broken stone. They had entered an old ruin. Stars hung above them as they shined in the night sky. Both fighters stared wide eyed at the sight before them.
"Oh,"
"Shit,"
Dozens of monsters prowled the ruins before him. Some hung of broken pillars while others slithered across the ground. The larger ones caused the ground to shake as the stopped around the ruins. Link gulped as he reached for his sword.
"This isn't going to be fun at all,"