A Journey Worth the Soul
Chapter 8
Fun in Hyrule
The small walled city was bustling with movement. Vendors along the streets peddled their wares while musicians piped and played, entertaining the crowd and creating a light-hearted atmosphere. A small noise to the south of the city, like the far away screech of an eagle, attracted the attention of several people standing about in the main square. Hardly had many of the townsfolk looked in the direction of the noise before it had grown tremendously loud. Many people covered their large, sensitive ears as a sleek looking spacecraft soared only yards above the rooftops of the plaza. Dust and wind billowed throughout the square, causing merchants of all kinds to desperately try to keep their wares from flying off their stands and breaking. Only a few were able to get out a few chosen words before the flying craft disappeared behind the main gates of Hyrule Castle.
-O-
"A bit close there on the flyby weren't we?"
Samus glanced over from the control panel towards a nervous looking Marth sitting next to her. "Not really, do you want to get closer?" she asked, dropping the steering wheel just a tad bit. The craft lurched towards several houses and straight towards a large granite wall causing Marth to grab his armrest and hold it in a death grip. Samus laughed lightheartedly as she pulled the ship up and over the wall at the last second, enjoying her passenger's timidity to flying.
"It really isn't that bad Marth," she quipped as the half finished form of Hyrule Castle came into view. The castle was still in the rebuilding stage from when Zant and Ganondorf had invaded, so signs of recent construction where everywhere. People had come from literally every kingdom bordering Hyrule; Labrynnians, Gorons, Terminians, Zoras. All could be found working tirelessly on the Castle as it slowly was being rebuilt. She edged the ship near some scaffolding around a nearly completed tower, watching the workers below gripping the wooden scaffolding in earnest as the wind from her ship buffeted them. Flying around the entire castle once, she found a large clear patch of cobblestone near the front gate. Samus pulled several levers on the control panel while watching the altitude gauge lower.
"Marth, can you stop clutching the armrest like that, you'll crush it if you hold it any harder."
Marth looked down at his hands and noticed that his knuckles were turning pure white and several stress marks were starting to appear in the steel armrest. He quickly released his grip, laughing nervously as the ship began landing on the ground.
"See," Samus said as she unbuckled herself, "There is nothing wrong with flying. It is perfectly safe so I don't know why you are worrying so much about it."
Marth rolled his eyes as he fidgeted with his own seatbelt. That's what you think he thought as he fumbled with his seatbelt. Miserable invention…Why did they have to invent this torture device…
Samus, watched him struggle for several moments, sighing inwardly. I forget how old school these guys are…she thought as she reached over and clicked a button on the belt. With a small click, the belt released Marth from its leathery tentacles, his face beginning to flush from embarrassment in not figuring out something so simple.
Samus glanced back at him with a smile.
"Don' worry about something like that," she quipped while typing in a combination into a keyboard near the rear of the ship. The back of the ship began to open, revealing a ramp for them to leave the ship.
"Most everyone from your type of civilization has a hard time with newer technology. Except for Zelda," she added as an afterthought. I could probably trust her in flying this ship by now.
"When Link first flew in this ship, he didn't even have a clue either," she added after awakening from her thoughts, her eyes flickering wickedly.
"The only exception was that he found it was no fun flying upside down in a spaceship when you are unbuckled."
A look of horror etched its way onto the young man's face, slowly to be replaced by a morbid grin. "I guess I was lucky then that I knew how to buckle up," Marth chuckled.
"No," Samus replied as she began walking down the ramp. "You're just lucky I didn't take you upside down."
She walked down the rest of the ramp, exiting into the warm sunlight outside, leaving Marth with a look of trepidation as he feared what she might try on the ride back to the Smash Mansion.
-O-
The sun shone brightly down upon the two smashers as they walked across the field that they had decided to park in. Samus watched several of the nearby workers pouring mortar down that would act as the foundations of one of the buildings in the castle complex. It had been about a year since Ganondorf had leveled the castle in his latest quest for power by using Zant and the Twili as puppets. She reflected on the days when she visited the huge, cavernous halls and beautiful architecture within the castle walls before it was reduced to pile of rubble by that cretin. This was only her second trip back to the castle since that event and she was excited to see how much they had built in such a short time. Soon, she thought, the towers where we used to watch the birds soar and the sun set will be rebuilt... She sighed, shaking her head of the joyous memories and continued towards the only completed building in the entire complex. A repeat of those days would have to wait.
In front of her was a semi-large, bland looking building that could house maybe four or five of her Hunter class warship and about two of them wide. Before she even reached the doors, they burst open, revealing a very familiar face.
"Samus Aran…it has been quite a long time now hasn't it."
"Almost two years?" Samus grinned as she walked forward and embraced the young man in front of her. She turned towards Marth, her arm around the man's shoulder and a big smile on her face.
"Marth, I'd like you to meet Ralph."
Marth looked over the man in front of him who was about his height albeit a little shorter and less built. He wore the standard Hylian shield on his back and his sword strapped to his belt, however, the main difference between this man and any other Hylian soldier was his armor.
He wore a large semi-blue breastplate, tinged at the edges with gold trim causing it to gleam with a brilliant aura when the light caught it just right. Large greaves covered his shins and lower legs as well as his plate legs that had the same style of gold trim as the breastplate. Trimmed gauntlets covered his lower arms, leaving only his hands bare to the bright sun. A blue cloak hung from his neck, sweeping down to his lower calves while covering all appearance of the armor to anyone behind him. To top it all off, he wore a large, pointed blue hat that resembled Link's in a way.
"Wonderful to meet another friend of Samus," Ralph said, bowing in his normal fashion while Marth repeated the gesture in return.
"Ralph is my name, second in command of the forces here at Hyrule Castle," the young swordsman said, extending his hand towards Marth.
"Prince Marth of Altea," Marth replied, taking the offered hand, shaking it mildly.
Ralph's eyes grew wide as he shook Marth's hand more furiously. "What an honor indeed then good sir, what an honor!"
"Thanks, I guess," Marth said when he finally was able to get his hand out of the knight's grip. Weird guy…
Ralph turned back to Samus who was busy holding back laughter from Ralph's exuberance for meeting a nobleman. "So, what brings you to my beloved Hyrule? It's not as good as Labrynna but is a fair go at it."
"We are actually looking for Link and Zelda," Samus replied. "Have you seen either of them?"
Stars seemed to form in Ralph's eyes at the mear mention of the princess.
"Ah yes, the beautiful maiden of wisdom. I have yet to gaze upon her wondrous apparition and bath in her knowledge for several months now. Alas I've wished to hear her cascading melodious voice echo in my ears for a while…although compared to the beauty of Nayru, well. " A slight blush crept upon Ralph's face, "not even the beauty of Hyrule could compare to the brilliance of the sun."
Marth nearly choked on a bit of puke as Ralph began describing Zelda in ways that made even Samus visibly blush. Is this guy for real?
After several moments, Marth began to grow somewhat angry as Ralph began a lengthy poem that he had made especially for the princess. He wasn't sure why it was making him angry…it just was.
"I think we get the point Ralph," Samus interjected, grabbing Ralphs shoulder and shaking him out of his Zelda filled stupor, the stars in his eyes disappearing instantly.
"Oh, erm, yeah Zelda…" he mumbled as he scratched the back of his head while his face turned a bright shade of red. "Haven't seen them in months. Although one of the guards said that they came around last night and were heading towards Telma's bar so you might want to check there."
"Thanks again Ralph for your help," Samus replied as she patted the knight on the shoulder.
"No problem," Ralph answered back as both Samus and Marth turned to leave. Just as they reached the front gate, they heard Ralph yell across the field.
"Do you think that you could ask Zelda to…"
"No!" Samus yelled back even before the man had the time to finish his sentence. Marth glanced over at Samus as the guards opened the gates for them.
"He always askes me to ask Zelda is she would consent to marry him. He does it every time anytime I come by since he thinks I could persuade Zelda to agree."
Marth turned his head and glanced back towards Ralph, whose head now hung low as he sluggishly walked back towards the castle. Marth felt a twinge of pity yet at the same time, a slight burst of joy as he watched the man disappear back into the building he had just come from.
I wonder how many times he has asked her that… he wondered, standing in place near the gate. Why haven't I…
"Marth, hurry up!"
The Prince looked up to spot Samus several dozen yards in front of him, waving for him to hurry up. Throwing the thoughts from his mind, he dashed forward, catching up to the bounty hunter in a few long strides as they began heading towards Telma's bar.
-O-
Walking through the town came as a nostalgic moment for Marth as the hustle and bustle of the marketplace felt so much like Altea. The minstrels playing music in a corner, the peddlers selling their ways on every available corner, the adults discussing household concerns while their kids played around their feet, resembled Altea in so many ways. The thoughts made him yearn to see the beautiful fields of his homeland again.
I wonder if Zelda would like to see Altea at some point… he mused as they walked.
The only difference between this town and his home was that he was with Samus. Conversations stopped as they passed. Kids pointed towards the bounty hunter before their eyes were covered by concerned and wary parents. Marth noticed the discreet looks that were shot their way while Samus seemed oblivious to the constant stares and looks she was assembling in the square.
As they passed a set of young minstrels, he quickly shot them a passing glance to see their reactions to check his suspicions. A smile passed his lips when he noticed the song they were playing began to grind to a stop as the eyes of the young men followed the movements of the bounty hunter.
It must be the Zero Suit.
"Do you get this a lot, maybe do you keep a tally or something of how many guys ogle you?" Marth asked Samus as he pointed towards the musicians.
Samus laughed, "Yeah. Especially in older civilizations like Hyrule. Guys just haven't seen women dress in anything less than a blouse and skirt so seeing me is kind of…distracting to say the least."
Marth laughed inwardly as he turned his attention away from the ogling youth and towards another group of younger teens who stood transfixed by the women walking through the town square.
He couldn't blame them. At first marth had the same reaction to Samus when she revealed she would be fighting in the Smash Bros tournament in her Zero Suit as the others had. Although he was able to hide it much better, it had still taken time for him to overcome his abhorrence of fighting a women until after several bouts of being creamed by the bounty hunter. Now he had come so used to fighting Samus without her armor that even his genuine abhorrence of fighting a woman had been overcome.
Maybe I should keep a tally of all the looks she is getting from the guys… Marth thought as they passed by a young couple near a fountain in the middle of the plaza. The couple was busy talking to each other, clearly in love when the man noticed Samus walk past him. Marth watched anxiously, knowing exactly what would happen.
The young man's eyes began turning to follow the mysterious girl as she passed while trying to pay attention to his wife's comments. His wife noticed something was amiss and traced her husband's line of sight directly to the curves of the bounty hunter. The young man's attention quickly came back to his wife as a loud slap echoed across the square. The man turned towards his furious wife as she began what appeared would be a long and lengthy scolding.
Marth turned back to Samus to find any reaction from her and noticed a small smile.
That's one…
-O-
"Midna, can't you change him out of this form? Some of the soldiers already have it out for you because of the last time you did this. It caused complete havoc in the square several months ago!"
The wolf let out a grumpy bark as it pawed at his shadow on the ground. Zelda put a hand to her forehead and sighed as loud giggling appeared to come from the shadow.
"Come on Midna, we need to start leaving for the tournament shortly or Link will be late for his fight with Marth, now change him back."
The wolf let out a series of growls and yelps while a strange laughter came from his shadow. The woman at the bar snorted in laughter as she finished wiping off a dirty dish.
"You are only going to egg her on by being polite you know," Telma stated as she leaned against the bar. "She knows all of your pressure points Zel so don't let her push them too much like she's doing right now. And Link, stop barking, your scaring the customers."
The wolf turned towards a corner of the room where several guards had slunk behind a pile of crates in the corner and had huddled together, shaking in fear.
The wolf looked over towards the large lady and whined while sinking his tail between his legs. Telma rolled her eyes while throwing her hands in the air.
"Whatever, I'm not to blame if Link here loses the competition and his honor if he loses." With that she pushed open a back door and slid into the kitchen, muttering under her breath.
When she left, the wolf's shadow disappeared and reformed above the wolf, lying on the animals back. "Boy is she no fun," Midna sighed as she stretched her arms and yawned.
Zelda rolled her eyes. "Midna, can you please change him back. I know you think it is fun to play wolf and force Link to chase the soldiers around but Link needs to get back into his real form."
A giggling sound escaped from the shadows lips. "Aunhhh. Can't we have just a little more fun?" she plead. Zelda glared at the shadow.
"No. Change him back this instant."
Link added to the mood of the conversation by growling loudly, picking the exactly wrong time to do it.
The door to the bar swung open in the middle of his growls. Both Zelda and Link turned towards the door and spotted two very familiar figures standing in the doorframe…both of whom knew nothing about how Link could transform into a wolf and only saw a growling wolf cornering a concerned looking Zelda..
Samus's eyes widened in shock as she saw the wolf walking towards Zelda. She reached for the paralyzer whip that she kept at her side when a blue blur ran past her, knocking her aside as her gun went sliding across the floor. The wolf turned and jumped back in surprise as a large gleam of metal slammed into the floor inches in front of his nose. Link let out a loud yelp as the Falchion pulled itself from the floorboards and nearly took his head off in the process.
Marth stood as a human barrier in front of Zelda, his falchion at the ready in front of him pointed directly at the wolf.
"Zelda, stay back while I take care of this beast," Marth shouted as he leapt forward towards the wolf as Zelda tried to protest.
Link jumped to the side as the falchion slashed down in the spot where he had just been, splintering the floorboards from the force of the attack. Zelda watched in horror as several more swords thrust came within inches of Links lupine form, with one almost slicing him in two as he rolled to the side and into the corner barely in the nick of time.
"Midna! Change him back NOW!" Zelda roared as Samus finally grabbed her gun and pointed it towards the wolf that was shaking in the corner. The wolf was nervously glancing between the point of the sword in his face, and the gun aimed at his heart.
"Marth, I got it in my sights, just keep him still for me."
Zelda turned in horror as Samus aimed at the wolf who was huddling in a corner with Marth blocking his escape.
Samus aimed at the wolf's head, steadying her arm. "Almost got you now…"
A blur raced in front of her as she pulled the trigger, knocking the gun into the air with the shot blasting a large hole in the ceiling. The sound of metal clanging against wood could be heard as Samus watched Marth drop the falchion to the floor.
"What did you do that for! I could have killed you!" Samus roared as she glared at Zelda who was standing in front of her, her fists clenched and her chest rising and falling in anger. Furious, Samus right stepped around Zelda and re-aimed at where the wolf had been in order to take a second shot. A second later, her gun fell to the floor, a look of complete shock on her face.
Link sat in the corner of the room, panting heavily while leaning his body against the conjoining walls of the building.
"Now who could have killed someone?" Zelda asked angrily as she raced past a stunned Samus and Marth, the latter having watched link transform and had fallen to the floor in shock. As she reached Link, she offered him her hand, helping him to his feet.
"I sure hope your happy Midna," Zelda yelled towards Link's shadow causing Marth and Samus to cast concerned looks at one another. "You almost got Link killed with your little stunt."
To both Samus's and Marth's surprise, Link's shadow twisted and re-formed into the silhouette of a tiny, imp like person floating in the air.
"Don't blame me for not telling your friends that Link here was a wolf," Midna huffed as she floated towards a frightened looking Marth. Midna giggled at his reaction before flying back over to Link's shoulder and leaned up against it. "That was fun, let's do it again some time," Midna stated before disappearing into thin air. Zelda shook her head in anger.
"Midna…some day she is going to get you killed."
Link sheepishly grinned as he walked over to Marth, holding out his hand for the swordsman to grab it.
"Those were some pretty good strikes there Marth," Link said as he helped his friend to his feet. "We could consider this as a warm-up for today." Marth laughed hesitantly, still baffled and confused by all that had just happened.
"I'll explain later," Link said as he patted Marth on the shoulder, "It's a long story…" Link turned to Samus who was shoving her gun into its sheath, a bewildered look in her eyes.
"How…did you…" she stuttered, glancing up at Link after she had holstered her weapon. The Hylian grinned widely.
"As I said, I'll explain on the trip back.
A large blast shook the room as Telma broke through the kitchen door, a large double sided ax in her hands and a vicious look on her face as if she was ready to kill or maim anyone who got in her way.
"Who is invading my bar!" she roared, brandishing the ax in a vice grip.
Marth and Samus looked nervously at each other since they were the cause of all the disruption and noise, then glanced over to Zelda.
"I think Link would like to explain," Zelda responded, twirling a lock of hair with her fingers before she headed towards the door.
"We'll join you as well," Samus and Marth blurted out at the same time as they rushed to follow Zelda to the door. Link watched them leave, laughing to himself until he felt a large hand fall harshly down on his shoulder.
"So I suppose you're going to tell me who caused the large hole in my ceiling and all the ruckus?"
Link turned around gradually, his laughter coming more slowly as he eyed the angry Telma standing behind him, the ax still in her hands.
Drat…
-O-
Link shut the door quietly behind him, letting out a deep breath as it clicked into place.
"So, how was it?" Samus asked a very pasty looking Link.
"Not fun…" came the reply. "You don't ever want to make that lady angry…" he muttered as he walked towards the group.
"I know," Zelda replied as she slung an arm around Link's neck while patting his shoulder. "That is why I let you talk to her instead of me."
Link rolled his eyes. "Thanks."
"No problem."
-O-
The walk back to Samus' spaceship was relatively uneventful compared to the event at the bar. Several more young men were slapped by their dates, including the same guy from before at the fountain who now had matching handprints on both cheeks. The large gate doors of the castle opened for them as they approached, the soldiers saluting them as they passed since no matter what clothes she wore, they always seemed to be able to recognize their princess. The back hatch door of the ship crept open with a loud metallic whooshing sound as the four waited for it to come to a stop before boarding the craft. As they walked onto the platform, Marth placed a hand on Samus' shoulder, stopping the bounty hunter in her tracks.
"Fourteen."
Samus stared at him for a moment before comprehending his statement with a sly grin.
"Sixteen."
Marth stared back at her quizzically.
"Who did I miss?"
She turned her head as she walked up the rest of the platform.
"The guard who opened the door for us. I noticed a little bit of drool hanging from his mouth as I passed.
"What about the last one?"
Samus continued walking up the platform, keeping her back to the swordsman.
I believe you already know who it is… Samus thought to herself as she pressed a button causing the platform to begin to rise. Marth leapt onto the platform barely in time as the hatch began to close behind him.
Besides, you should already know by now.
-O-
Samus made sure that everyone was buckled in before she brought the ship to life. A soft hum echoed throughout the metallic insides of the craft, bringing a static, almost living feel to the air. Zelda sat in the co-pilots chair since she always enjoyed flying with Samus while the two swordsmen sat in the back, both nervous because of their previous flights that they had had with the bounty hunter. As they lifted off the ground, Marth glanced over at Link who sat with his fingers clutched around the armrests, visibly unnerved by the very thought of flying.
"So," Marth began, catching Link's attention. "Do you know how to unbuckle yourself once we get back?"
Link stared at him in horror then glared at Samus, a look of complete shock etched into every feature on his face. "You didn't tell him did you?"
I thought I would end the chapter there. I had a lot more planned, but, it would have made the chapter much too long and I didn't want to go another week without posting anything so…
Also I needed to get started on Everything or Nothing since I finally found my notes and have re-read it so I can start on the next chapter. Anyways, if you haven't voted in the poll, do so that you can have your voice heard in who ends up with who in the story. Right now, the poll stands at…
Zelda & Link: 5 votes
Samus & Ike: 3 votes
Zelda & Ike: 3 votes + (1 extra vote from guessing the movie)
Peach & Mario: 3 votes
Samus & Snake: 3 votes
Samus & Marth: 2 votes
Zelda & Marth: 2 votes + (1 extra vote from guessing the movie)
Remember, you can invite friends to participate as well so…just a little hint to make this more interesting… : )
