Chapter Eleven: The Celebration
"Is…is that…Rosalina's castle?" Ike asks in awe. He and Zelda are holding on to starry side by side as they glide through the evening sky.
"I believe so…It's…amazing." Zelda replies. In the distance, a gigantic marble castle floats on a sea of twinkling stars.
We will be going through the atmosphere in ten seconds! Please press the white button on my belly! starry says, cheerfully. Zelda and Ike
both do so and a glass dome covers them as they continuing soaring higher. Soon they are in space surrounded by other people on stars, all
gliding towards Rosalina's grand castle.
Here we are! the starries say, dropping off Ike and Zelda. They thank the stars and wave goodbye. The stars quickly fly below the castle
with the others and cause the castle to slowly float upward, deeper into space.
"Welcome, welcome!" they hear Rosalina call. The two guards open the doors for them where they find Rosalina greeting guests at the bottom of the stairs.
"Princess Zelda!" Zelda hears someone call her name. She turns and sees Captain Falcon waving at her. "Haven't seen you in years!" he says. "Oh hello Ike! Did you enjoy the ship." He winks at him.
"Uhh, yes I did…" he smiles, nervously.
"I did as well." Zelda laughs. Suddenly, the ground shakes and a screeching roar echoes through the castle.
"That must be Bowser." Captain Falcon sighs.
"Rosalina invited Bowser?!" Zelda asks, in shock.
Falcon nods.
"I don't know why though. Perhaps he's changed."
The three of them watch as more people crowd through the door and make way for Bowser. He stomps up the steps to where Rosalina stands
and the room goes quiet except for a few whispers.
"Good evening Bowser." Rosalina offers her hand to him. Everyone gasps as they watch him take her hand gently.
"I believe he has changed." Zelda whispers.
"Now now, everyone follow me to the ballroom." Rosalina waves her hand and walks up the stairs. The crowd bursts into talking and chatting again as they follow her.
"Why was everyone so quiet when they saw Bowser?" Ike asks.
"He's the mushroom kingdoms worst villain!" Captain Falcon exclaims. Ike nods understandingly.
"I just realized, none of us have changed into our masquerade clothes." Ike says.
"Rosalina said in her invitation that there will be a surprise right when we enter the ballroom and that we don't need to change into our
clothes." Zelda smiles in anticipation. She holds Ike's arm as they watch Rosalina open the tallest Oak doors anyone has seen.
"Whoa…" Ike's jaw falls open. Then Zelda's, then Falcon's. The ballroom was as big as two regular sized houses and instead of walls, there
were windows. Rosalina claps her hands and the drapes draw themselves and the lights turn on. The ceilings are so high that they seem to
disappear into the light. The marble floors are polished and gleaming. At the far end of the ballroom, a large banquet table sits on a platform with as many chairs as Zelda could count.
"Please step down into the dance floor!" Rosalina calls over the excited crowd. They walk down and as soon as someone touches the marble,
they appear in their masquerade clothes. Zelda quickly takes Ike's hand and walks him down the stairs to the dance floor. A faint light
surrounds them both and when it fades; they're both dressed and masked.
"Zelda…You look beautiful." Ike says. She smiles and looks down at her dress. The dress: a long, silky blue gown that starts slim and fans out
at her feet. The dress gleams like the evening sky and her mask matches it perfectly. Blue and black jewels line the rim and white silk covers
the interior. Her hair which was tied with white string is now draped over her shoulder.
"You did choose this dress." She says. He smiles and takes her hand. "You look very nice as well."
Ike's mask is covered with black jewels and the interior is lined with white silk. His cape is now black and his usual clothing has turned into a
red and black tuxedo.
"Lookin' good ladies." They feel someone's arm wrap around their shoulder.
"Hello Zero." Zelda laughs.
"Did she just call me a lady…" Ike growls. Samus laughs and smacks him on the back as she walks to Peach.
"Oh she looks so pretty today." Zelda says. "She never wears dresses."
Ike looks to Samus again and sees that she's wearing a light blue long sleeve gown the same color as her usual Zero Suit. Her hair is tied up
in a fancy bun and her mask is decorated with diamonds.
"She does look pretty. But you look the best." He holds Zelda's hand. They start walking toward the banquet table along with everyone else.
From the window walls, you could see more stars than you've ever dreamed of and more. Though space is dark, the stars, including the yellow
starries, brighten the room. Over head hangs a chandelier the same shape as the ceiling. Zelda sees Rosalina walk to the head of the long table.
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday with me!" she says happily, holding up a glass. Everyone smiles and cheers. After their toast, the guests take their seats and chat as they wait for Rosalina to go around the table.
"She must be exhausted already." Captain Falcon says, watching her talk to Snake who's staring at her so intently that he falls off the chair.
Zelda, Ike and Captain Falcon laugh together and enjoy their second course of curry and lamb. After ten more minutes or so, Rosalina makes
her way to Zelda and Ike. She wears a green gown that's as puffy as the one they saw and a blue and purple mask. Though it was so puffy, it suited her very well.
"Happy Birthday!" Zelda and Ike shout. Rosalina beams and hugs them.
"Zelda I haven't seen you in…how long was it? Oh it doesn't matter now. I'm moving the castle down to Earth!"
"You are? We'll get to see you more! Is your work in the Cosmos all finished?" Zelda asks.
"Almost. I'm taking a rest right now and I can't wait to see all that's changed here!"
"We could show you around sometime." Ike suggests. Rosalina smiles at him and nods.
"Oh and I also heard some interesting news." She lowers her head and looks at Ike and Zelda. "Are you two…?" she winks.
Ike and Zelda exchange embarrassed looks and nod. Rosalina claps excitedly and takes both of their hands, bringing them to the dance floor.