Chapter Two: The Consolation

The next day, Zelda awakes to the sound of clinking. She yawns and peers out the window where Ike waves to her from below. She smirks and goes to change.

"Good morning, Zelda." Ike says as she walks out the door.

"Good morning, Ike. What brings you here?" she replies.

"Just wanted to stroll through the pastures of your temple." He follows her to the pavilion.

They sit together for a moment when they hear a distant sound.

"GOOOOD MORNING, ZELDA!" Link flies down into the pavilion with his sword. She frowns.

"Good morning, Link. Though you didn't have to be so loud."

Link blushes and sheathes his sword.

"Sorry…" he hangs his head. But then he sees Ike. "Hey what are you doing here?" he points to him.

"I was taking a morning stroll when Zelda and I bumped into each other." He shrugs.

Zelda rolls her eyes and stands.

"I know what you're here for." She smiles.

They both look at her.

"You do?" they say in unison.

"Yes of course. You want to battle! Then let's go now!" she pushes them to the center. "Kirby, Mew, take your places." Zelda calls.

Kirby and Mew appear in front of Ike and Link.

"We're fighting them?" Link points with his mouth open. Zelda nods.

"Have fun!" she waves as she is lifted onto a platform.

"Wait I can't fight this little guy! He's a puffball!" Ike points his sword at Kirby while looking at Zelda. "This i—" he flies across the pavilion.

Zelda laughs and sits down on her throne. Kirby scowls at Ike.

"That little-" Ike gets up and draws his sword. He charges at Kirby who dodges and hits his back. "AHH!" Ike is sent tumbling.

"Ike come on you suck!" Link calls to him. He laughs but Mew kicks him in the face. He falls, dazed. "That's it!" he slashes his sword at Mew but misses. Mew punches and sends him flying. He and Ike fall to the ground next to each other. They exchange glances and nod. They charge together and hit Kirby and Mew but they quickly recoil and kick Ike and Link into an exploding bomb. They both crash into a column and fall to the ground.

"Ughhh." Ike sits at the bottom of the column, holding his head.

Zelda stands from her thrown and lowers the platform. She walks to the columns and stands over Ike and Link.

"You've fought well." She says. "Even after I've set Mew and Kirby to level nasty, you both still manage to last seven minutes." She kneels. "I'll tell you what; as a consolation, I'll go on a date with each of you." She smiles.

They lift their heads, eyes wide.

"Are you serious?!" Ike asks.

"Is this a joke?" Link says.

Zelda shakes her head. She stands and offers her hands to them. They hesitate but she grabs their arms and pulls them up.

"You name the time and place, ok?" she brushes them off and smiles. She walks off into the pasture.

Link and Ike look at each other, their jaws on the floor.

"Did that just happen?" Ike scratches his head with his sword still in hand. He hits himself by accident. "ow…"

"I'm going to tell her first!" Link runs after Zelda.

"Hey! I'm supposed to tell her first!" Ike sheathes his sword and lunges at Link, pulling his jacket and causing them both to fall on their face.

"Get off me!" Link swats at Ike.

"NEVER!" Ike pulls Link down and runs after Zelda. "ZELDA I'M COMING FOR YOU!"

Zelda hears Ike's scream in the distance and turns. She sees Ike running wildly towards her and she smiles. He gets closer to her and waves when suddenly he trips and falls. Link runs up from behind him.

"ZELDA I'M HERE!" Link cries. He runs up to Zelda and holds her hand. "Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow at eight at Port Town Aero Drive?" he asks.

"Yes I would, Link." Zelda replies. Link trembles with happiness and explodes into the sky.

"Yippee!"

Ike scowls at Link and walks up to Zelda. He kneels.

"Zelda, would you like to have dinner with me tonight at seven in your temple?" he asks.

"I can't tonight." Zelda replies.

"Oh then, Zelda, would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow at seven?"

"Link is already taking me to dinner that night."

Ike growls under his breath.

"Ok then, Zelda, would you like to have dessert with me tomorrow at nine in DelfinoPlaza?"

"Yes I would love to have dessert, Ike." Zelda smiles.

Ike blushes and joins Link. "YESSS"

"HAH I GET TO SEE HER FIRST!" Link smirks.

Ike turns around with a furious expression on his face. "WANNA GO?!"

"COME AT ME!" Link draws his sword.

Zelda sighs as the two fight behind her.

"Did I make the right choice by giving them this consolation?" She wonders.

"SURRENDER!" Ike shouts swinging his sword at Link.

Link dodges and shouts back, "NEVERRR! I MUST PROTECT ZELDA FROM WIMPS LIKE YOU!"

Zelda groans. "Kirby, Mew wish me luck."

Kirby and Mew bow their heads in sympathy.

"DIEEEE!" Ike and Link say in unison as they clash their swords together.

Kirby and Mew cringe.

Zelda mumbles under her breath as she walks away, "I'll need plenty."