REVIEW RESPONSES:
Royal Kenya: Thanks for the suggestion; it helped me make the decision to…not use it! By the way, I just want to say that I really enjoy your story, and I hope that you keep updating it!
anime/videogame freak: Don't worry, I'll keep going. Sorry you hate cliffhangers, but you'll be glad to know that this chapter won't end in one!
WildGamer: Glad you like it!
Numdenu: Don't worry, no cliffhanger in this chapter, but it is really LONG, so don't worry.
Thanks as always. You guys rock!
NOTES: I apologize, really! I hope I haven't lost anyone in my absence. I've been busy with my own life and I've also had writer's block for this chapter. I appreciate the support from all my reviewers and the people who bother to read this story, it helps me carry on. I hope you enjoy this chapter; it's VERY long to make up for it! I'm working on a tight schedule, which will be even tighter once school starts, so I'm going to get as many chapters in as possible before I go back, which is about a week from now. Bear with me, okay?
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Legend of Zelda, or Metroid Fusion. These franchises belong to Nintendo and SSBM also belongs to HAL Laboratories. I guess I should also mention that I don't own StarFox: Assault or any games of the series either, as this franchise also belongs to Nintendo. That particular game also belongs to Namco. The only thing that belongs to me is the name 'Great Fox II', and the last part of Samus's story not in Metroid Fusion, completely made up by yours truly. You can tell I'm busy, as I have absolutely no time to procrastinate about writing this disclaimer!
WARNING: If you are a Metroid fan who hasn't yet played Metroid Fusion (You really should if you're a true fan), I suggest you skip Samus's explanation of what happened to her before the part I made up, as it contains some MAJOR spoilers. If you spoil the game for yourself, don't blame me because I warned you!
Chapter 8: Total Recall
As they rushed to the Hospital Wing, Link and Roy both tried to get more information about her condition from Fox, but he just simply shook his head.
"You'll see when you get there," he kept saying.
When they finally arrived at the doors of the Hospital Wing, all three rushed inside, the two swordsman barely keeping up with Fox. No one was there to scold them for running, as it was a rarity to even see beings in this part of the mansion, except when one of the Smashers was accidentally hurt inside or outside the ring.
Ever since the damage percent system, which completely nullifies injuries, was adopted in matches, no one came into the Hospital Wing unless a problem developed outside the matches. Dr. Mario and Nurse Peach are basically the only ones that inhabit the bare white halls.
Eventually, the trio arrived at the door to Samus' temporary room. When it slid open, they found Dr. Mario, Zelda, Peach (regular, not nurse), Falco, and, most surprisingly Marth, around an unconscious Samus. Marth was right at her side, stroking her hand gently, as Dr. Mario finished writing down some notes about her condition before turning to face the new arrivals.
"Glad you two could make it. Fox, thanks for fetching them for me."
"No problem, Doc. I'm just as concerned about Samus as you guys are." Fox replied.
"Doctor, how's Samus? I mean, what happened?" Link asked concerned.
"First of all, she's going to be fine. She has a few cuts and bruises, a mild concussion, and a broken collar bone. I easily patched up her cuts, and her collar bone should heal in time for the tournament thanks to some megavitamins. She should be waking up shortly, but I guess we should brief you on everything. Fox, Falco, I guess you should tell the tale."
Fox cleared his throat and started first:
"Well, my team and I were on patrol on the borders of the Lylat System, looking for any surviving Aparoids at the request of General Pepper, when I discovered on my radar a floating..."
"Wait a sec Fox, you didn't discover it, I did!" Falco snapped.
"No, I picked it up on radar first! YOU just happened to be the first one to reach it!" Fox retorted.
The two members of the Star Fox team continued to argue with one another until Zelda finally lost it:
"SHUT UP! This isn't accomplishing anything!"
Everyone's eyes went wide, and the two bickering animals ceased any conversation, both filled with embarrassment. Link was slightly amused, as no one but he knew that when Zelda got annoyed, you'd better hope that you weren't the one making her mad. He learned that right before he left for the Lost Woods to find Navi seven years ago...
'No, I can think about her later...I mean those memories! I mean…awh, forget it.'
"Can we get back to the story, now?" asked Dr. Mario, who was as annoyed as Zelda.
"Yeah...I'll just say Falco and I both discovered it. The ship was floating towards our ship, Great Fox II (A/N: This story takes place after Starfox: Assault, if you hadn't figured that out by now). I had ROB check for any lifesigns, and he confirmed just one." (A/N: I know that Samus discovers those non-X host animals on the station, but just for this story's sake, I'm not going to include them. I just couldn't fit them in to the story, as I don't know enough about them yet.)
"I then had ROB bring the ship inside the Great Fox's docking bay, where we boarded the ship. We discovered Samus, unconscious and in a suit we have never seen her wear before. We transported her to our Medical Bay, but thought it best to get her to you, Doctor, so we took in the ship and made a course for Smash Mansion immediately," Fox finished.
"Yeah, and after that, I walked in on Fox and Krystal making out…" said Falco snickering.
"Shut up Falco! At least I HAVE a girlfriend to make out with! Not like you and Katt, who still remains missing to this day thanks to you!" Fox snapped.
This obviously struck a nerve with Falco, as he tried to punch Fox, who blocked it easily and aimed a kick to his ribs. Falco caught his foot, gave it a sight twist, and Fox lost his balance, landing on the cold white floor.
Fox scrambled to his feet and was about to punch Falco in the beak, but gloved hands were holding him back. Link had trouble holding on to the struggling Fox, who kept telling him to release him. Falco was also held back by Roy, who was having similar results. An unknown female voice suddenly shouted:
"IF YOU GUYS DON'T SHUT THE F#C$ UP, I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE BOTH OF YOU NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GIRLFRIENDS EVER AGAIN!"
Fox and Falco instantly stopped struggling and just stood there, flabbergasted, as they turned to face a VERY annoyed Samus, fully awake and not showing any signs of pain.
Marth had pushed his seat back, as he was the first to notice Samus awaken, but now was sliding it back to its place while laughing his head off, along with everyone else except Falco and Fox.
"Sam, you're awake?" asked an astounded Zelda from the corner of the room.
"YEAH, why else would I be talking to you all? It was their meaningless bitching that woke me up; I just couldn't stand it any longer!"
Everyone (except obviously Fox and Falco), started laughing again, while the two animals just stared at the floor, looking for an excuse to go. Then, Fox finally spoke up.
"Um, glad to see you're feeling better, Sam. We're just going to go down to the docking bays now to work on our Arwings. Captain Falcon was just going to show us how to improve our G-Diffuser systems, right Falco?"
"Um, right Fox. Uh…just brief us later, okay?"
"Bye!" they both said and ran out the door, red with embarrassment.
This caused yet another chorus of laughter from everyone, until finally Dr. Mario stopped everyone, his eyes wet from tears.
"Well…I guess that takes care of it. Samus, can you tell us what happened to you?"
The laughter died down as everyone listened to Samus's tale of everything that had happened that weekend from the moment she set out for SR388. She described in graphic detail how the X, a parasitic organism, kills the host creature, taking its DNA and assimulating its form. She then described how she was almost killed when she was infected by the X, and how only the Metroid vaccine saved her life. She told them how the Federation explained that they had lost contact with the B.S.L research station orbiting SR388, and that she was to investigate immediately.
She then told horrific tales of her battles against the X, and especially with the SA-X. This specimen, armed with Samus' old Power Suit at optimal efficiency, hunted her all throughout the research station. She later found out that there were actually 10 SA-X on the station from her computer, named Adam, and that the Federation was interested in the possible military application of the parasites. She also found out that the Federation had been secretly breeding Metroids aboard the station. Knowing the danger the Universe was in and how ignorant the Federation was, she was successful in eliminating one of the remaining SA-X, blowing up the station while taking the planet with it, and escaping the station after fighting an Omega Metroid. She also explained how Adam, her computer, had kept her alive by giving her advice on the mission and providing mechanical support.
No one asked any questions during her explanation, they all just listened to her tale. After she had finished explaining how she had escaped, Marth was the first to ask anything.
"Sammy, that still doesn't explain how you were found unconscious with your ship floating through space."
Samus, slightly amused and taking note of how her name was used, explained how she had to flee from her galaxy while evading Federation patrols looking for her ship. They apparently weren't happy with how she had handled the X situation, and were prepared to court-marshal her, even though she, a bounty hunter, had saved them from total destruction.
"Right before I was out of the system, I came under fire by a massive armada of Federation ships. Adam and I did our best, but we couldn't fight them head-on, no matter the number of different weapons I had on my ship. We slipped in to an asteroid field, pursued by Federation fighters. My shields came down as I got hit by another volley missile, but Adam was successful in bringing us out of the asteroids. My sensors showed no more fighters on radar, apparently they retreated after taking so many casualties. Then, I remember hitting lots of turbulence leaving our galaxy, jutting forward and hitting my head, and losing consciousness."
Dr. Mario then filled her in on what Fox and Falco said, while everyone else vividly remembering the fighting that went on between the two. He also told her what he told Roy and Link when they arrived.
"So that explains why my arm hurts to move. When can I get out of here, Doc?"
"Well, since you've waked up and have suffered no severe trauma, and that your arm should heal functionality in about 4 hours thanks to megavitamins, I'm going to say you're good to go."
"Great! No offense, but I have this hate for hospitals after the X infection."
She got up, declining help from everyone, but then noticed that something was missing…
"Does anyone know where my Fusion Suit is?"
"Um, I heard that Fox has it stored inside your ship, which is currently in the hanger of his ship, which is in the docking bay," said Dr. Mario.
"Ok, I'm going to pay those two loverboys a visit, and maybe embarrass the crap out of Fox while I'm at it. Anyone want to come?"
Marth nodded with a slight glint in his eye, anxious to get some alone time with Samus. Link and Zelda looked at each other briefly, exchanging small smirks.
"Ok Marth, let's go."
They both walked out, hand in hand. As the door slid closed, Link and Zelda both picked up a bit of their conversation with their keen sense of hearing.
"I thought you said that you always come back in one piece…"
"Yeah, but what I didn't mention was the shape I come back in."
They laughed and continued down the hall, heading for the docking bays.
Link, Zelda, Roy, and Peach
After leaving the Hospital Wing, Link, Zelda, Peach, and Roy made their way down the long hallway, filling Peach in on the new "Smasher" that would be introduced at the start of the tournament. Zelda added her side of the story too, as they reached the end of the hallway.
"It just doesn't make sense. I mean, how does a dead guy that gets a sword implanted in his skull end up here of all places?" Roy asked.
"That's what we were wondering. But, if he still holds the Triforce of Power, it's not impossible." Link assessed, remembering how the King of Evil had escaped death when his castle collapsed the last time they fought. Only he and Zelda remembered that encounter, as they were both transported back through time after he was sealed inside the Sacred Realm.
"From what my father said though, the Triforce split again after he touched it. Unless…"
"Unless he regained Power because he represents it best." Roy said.
"Maybe, but we should think about this later. This will probably be the last day we'll have free-time until next weekend. We should enjoy our remaining three hours before dinner." Peach said.
"I agree. See you at dinner, you two." Roy said as he and Peach walked towards the lounge, leaving Link and Zelda alone.
"So…what do you want to do, Link?"
Umm…why don't we drop in on Marth and Samus and see what they're doing? Didn't the Doc say that the ships are in the Docking Bay?"
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I want to catch up with Krystal anyways, if she's around that is."
"Why she didn't become a Smasher?" Link asked.
"She wanted to keep earning money for the team in Fox and Falco's absence. At least, that's what she told me."
"Oh…well, let's get going."
"Okay."
As they headed towards the elevator that would lead them towards the Docking Bay, Link just couldn't stop thinking about Roy's advice.
'The Docking Bays? How romantic is that? Roy takes Peach to the lounge and I'm taking Zelda to the Docking Bays. Why am I so stupid? Roy's right……I have to act soon, or she'll never know how I truly feel! Goddesses, how did Roy go through with it?'
Little did Link know, Zelda was thinking the exact same thing, just not as dramatic:
'Goddesses, I wish he would take me somewhere like the lounge, then maybe I can finally say something to him. I mean, why can't Link be more like Roy? He certainly didn't have a problem asking Peach out, did he? Maybe it's not as easy for guys to ask girls out as I originally thought…'
They both pondered how to confess to one another as they arrived at the elevator…
I hope you're still awake after reading all this. I'm barely awake to type, so again bear with me. I'll have the next chapter up a.s.a.p, and this time, I'll keep updating my profile for everyone. I'm really trying, so don't think for one minute that I'm not, okay? Thanks for reading and waiting for the update of this story, and please review!