Hah, sorry for upsetting some people with the last chapter. But I'm glad to see you caring about the characters!
Peach walked down the hall to Samus's room. She knocked and waited for a bit. Sighing, she turned around and went back down the hall.
It had been the same routine for the past 3 days. Ever since Tabuu took over, nobody had seen Samus. Peach went to her room a few times a day, but never got Samus to come out or even talk.
Peach went back to the dining hall. At a table sat Zelda, The Ice Climbers, Ike, and Pit. Peach joined them.
"Nothing?" Pit asked.
Peach shook her head.
"Does she really think this is her fault?" Popo asked. "Nobody blames her at all, why is she staying away from us?"
"It's just who she is." Pit said.
"She always traveled and fought around the galaxy by herself. She felt guilty that so many people close to her died." Peach said.
"Yeah, I know." Popo responded. "But what does that have to do with this?"
"Samus seems to have associated herself with death." Zelda told the blue mountain climber. "Samus is strongest when she's alone. She feels no obligation for others, even when on a job. She only feels the needs to take care of herself, something she is very capable of doing."
"But throw somebody else in there with her and all hell will break loose in that head of hers." Ike said, tracing his blade with his finger.
"See, when Samus is in a life or death situation, she has full confidence she'll live." Pit said. "Unfortunately, that means death for anybody else there."
"Almost like it's a balancing act?" Popo asked.
"Of sorts." Zelda said with a nod. "In the sense that in her head, Samus's ability to live makes her think that others will die."
"Which is utter crap." Ike said, putting down his sword. "Like it or not, unless you're the one pulling the trigger or swinging the sword, a death that happens by you is circumstantial. No matter how many times it's happened."
"But people aren't dying here!" Nana interjected.
"Doesn't matter. They aren't here anymore, it's almost as if they died." Pit said.
"We've already lost so many people…" Peach said, hanging her head.
"Well, it's the damn Tabuu's fault!" Ike said. "He changed everything! He gets to choose the two people to fight each other and only lets one of them come out! He can stack the fights in any way he wants! And what's with this 3 matches a day thing?"
"You have a point." Pit agreed. "Why does he want more matches per day?"
"Perhaps he's getting something out of it." Zelda suggested.
"Yeah, if he wants cheap thrills." Ike said sitting back, arms crossed.
"Regardless…" Zelda said, sighing.
"Whatever the reason, he must really want to get to the last person standing." Peach said.
The group was quiet for a long time, contemplating their situation.
"It hasn't stopped raining since Tabuu came here." Nana pointed out. Everybody looked out the window to the dreary outside.
"Samus was the one who saw it first." Peach said.
Pit folded his arms on the table and rested his chin on them. "Now it's the only thing she's seeing."
Ike pushed back in his chair and stood up. "I'm getting her."
"Ike, stop!" Peach said. "She needs to be alone right now!"
Ike turned back, frowning. "No. This time, she's going to see that she doesn't."
Peach and Zelda shared a look, then got up to follow the swordsmen. Pit, Nana, and Popo quickly did the same.
Ike strode right up to Samus's door and knocked. "Alright Samus. Moping time is over, come on out."
There was no response.
Ike sighed. "I'm not one for beating around the bush. Open the door Samus. We both know I could knock it down if I needed, but you have to open it this time."
Still no response.
"Ok." Ike said, arms folded. "Then I'll ask you from here. Just who the hell do you think you are?"
"Ike!" Peach gasped. "What are you-" Pit grabbed the princess's arm. He had a serious gaze. Peach backed up to where Zelda was.
"Samus, it's Pit." The angel said, stepping up next to Ike. "And I want to second that question."
"You think you have some control over people's lives?" Ike scoffed. "You're just some orphan from outer space!"
"He has a point." Pit said. "What makes you think that you're what decides who lives and dies? That's quite an ego you have."
Peach squeezed Zelda's arm. The Hyrulean Princess placed her hand on Peach's. Popo and Nana stood behind the princesses.
"I'll have you know, if I get sent out of this place, it's going to be because of me! Not some self-possessed shut-in!"
"Get out here!" Pit said, raising his voice. "There are things going on that are scaring everybody! You think you're the only one who wants to stay in their room and hide? You think you're the only one blaming themselves for not doing enough to save your friends?"
"How about you just GET OVER YOURSELF!" Ike yelled.
The door swung open. A fist collided with Pit's cheek. Ike watched his partner fall, then looked back to see a helmet being swung at his head. The two were sent straight to the floor, bruises on their faces.
Samus stood in her doorway. She looked angrily at the two lying on the ground. She was still wearing a Zero Suit, but didn't have her hair in a ponytail. Her cheeks were a slight shade of pink.
"Well?" She asked, voice slightly raised. "What are we going to do?"
Pit rubbed his cheek, but smiled up at the bounty hunter. "That's a good question."
Ike got on his feet. "Don't you mean what are you going to do?"
Samus got even more annoyed. "You two insisted that everybody's in the same boat with this, so something better be done collectively."
Ike snorted. "What are you talking about? Yeah, we're all scared, but what makes you think we've forgiven you?"
"What are you talking about?" Samus asked.
"Hey, if you hadn't been here, this wouldn't have happened. You said it yourself." Ike told her.
Samus could feel her cheeks get really hot. "Shut up!" Samus shoved Ike away from her.
"THIS ISN'T MY FAULT!"
Samus stopped dead in her tracks. She was shocked at what she just said. Her hands feel to her side. The four visitors all looked right at her.
Pit smirked. "Glad to hear you say it."
Ike walked over and gave Pit a hand with getting up. "If you want to get caught up, we'll be getting lunch."
Ike and Pit began walking away. Pit quickly turned around, motioning for Popo to follow them. The blue Ice Climber quickly trotted after them.
The three girls stared at Samus, waiting for her to do something. Samus just stared at the ground, shocked. She looked at Peach and quietly said, "It's not my fault…"
Peach gave a small smile and shook her head. "No, it's not."
"It's Tabuu's!" Nana said.
Zelda smiled. "You always knew it, didn't you?"
Samus looked at her, coming back to Earth. "I… guess." She turned and went back into her room, the girls following. Samus sat at the end of her bed. Peach sat beside her, Zelda and Nana just stayed by her dresser.
"What's wrong Samus?" Peach asked.
Samus sighed. "I'm guessing you guys know."
"Yeah…" Nana said. Zelda gave her a small push.
Samus smiled slightly. "I blamed myself for this because people seem to die around me." She chuckled. "I know nobody here is actually dying, but…"
Peach put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "We know Samus."
"We my parents died, or Adam or the baby Metroid, there was nobody else with me." Samus said, sitting up. "I was alone."
"Nobody there to help you?" Zelda asked sympathetically.
Said thought for a moment. "Yeah. But it was more than that. With nobody else around, I felt that there was nobody to blame. Nothing to take my anger out on. I was the only person there to blame." She stood up. "That adds up after a while."
"Samus…" Peach said.
"It's ok though." Nana said, trying to help.
Samus turned to the pink Ice Climber. She smiled. "You're right. I guess I needed that. I needed to not only hear someone tell me it's not my fault. I… I suppose I wanted them to let me say the same thing. To let me say it's not my fault."
Peach and Samus smiled.
"Say it!" Nana said, smiling.
"This isn't my fault." Samus sighed, feeling a huge weight come off her shoulders. "I'm sorry for my behavior."
Peach wrapped her arms around Samus. "It's ok Samus!"
Zelda laughed. "I'm glad you're better!" Nana nodded.
"Now," Samus said, facing the three of them. "What have I been missing?"
"Where to begin!" Pit said. The group squeezed all seven of them at a table for lunch. They were catching Samus up on what's happened. "First, Tabuu has 3 matches a day, all of them with the same rules as the Sonic/Diddy fight."
Samus was surprised. "So how many people are gone? Nine, ten?
"10." Popo told her. "After Diddy, Wolf was the first sent back. He was up against Ness."
"Ehh, I think it was on purpose." Ike said. "He didn't really like this whole place. Changing the rules probably made him stop caring."
Samus nodded in understanding. "I guess that makes sense. Who else?"
"Let's see… Peach said, thinking. "Next was R.O.B. He lost to Mr. Game and Watch."
"Then King Dedede lost to Bowser." Nana said wiping her mouth. "And Yoshi lost to Olimar."
"Wario was defeated by Meta Knight, as well as Toon Link by Captain Falcon." Zelda said, slight sadness in her voice.
"I took out Donkey Kong." Ike said, taking a drink. "Same story as Wolf. He seemed like he didn't care since the little guy was gone." Samus felt bad for the Kongs. But at least they were together.
"Oh! And Lukas lost to Marth." Nana spoke up.
"And Samus…" Peach said, getting serious. "Pikachu is gone. He was up against Mario."
Samus had a small wave of sadness come over. She had grown to really like the little mouse, but understood the situation was bound to take people away. It was beyond her control, she couldn't forget that.
"Oh… That's a real shame… Has anybody tried to just not show up for the match?" Samus asked.
"You mean like not go to the transporter?" Pit asked. "It doesn't matter. Tabuu doesn't need them to send someone to Final Destination."
"I don't know what kind of power he has, but now we know why the bastard was able to take down the Hand." Ike said.
"Wow…" Samus was amazed, while also feeling terrified. "Has he shown himself around?"
"No, he just talks to us." Nana told her.
"Yeah, he announces who's going to fight ten minutes before the brawl." Popo added.
"We no longer use the schedule in the Transporter Room." Zelda said.
"I see. How has everybody been?" She asked the group.
"Everybody is either scared or pissed off." Ike said, gripping his sword handle.
"Which are you Ike?"
The group turned and saw Link, Red, and Marth walking up to the table. Samus was relieved to see them still around.
"Shut it, Hyrule." Ike said, small smirk on his lips.
Red smiled at Samus. "Hey Samus."
"Hey Red."
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"Better, thanks." She answered, smiling. She was actually touched at how much her friends cared about her. They all seemed concerned for her, despite what was happening to them and everybody else.
"Glad to hear it!" He said.
"What brings you all over?" Peach asked with a smile.
"It's almost ten to one." Link said, walking behind Zelda's chair. "Big guy is going to announce the fighters soon." He gave her a kiss on the top of Zelda's head, bringing a smile out of her.
"Any of us could be up." Popo said. "Except Ike, I mean."
Ike leaned back in his chair. "You'd think that'd be a relief, but it's really not. I don't have anything to do but wait."
"Is Ike not going to be chosen because he already fought?" Samus asked.
Pit nodded. "Yeah, we go once until the next 'round', as Tabuu calls them. Once everybody has been in a match, Round 2 will start. Almost like he's organizing some kind of tournament."
"It's pretty ridiculous." Red said, shaking his head.
"THE NEXT MATCH IS ABOUT TO BEGIN."
Everybody looked to the ceiling; the booming voice came from somewhere above.
"WILL THE COMBATANTS — LINK — AND — LUCARIO — PREPARE TO FIGHT."
The group all turned to Link, giving him concerned looks. Zelda had fear radiating in her eyes, Samus thought she may have been fighting back tears. The princess stood up and hugged Link. He sighed, with a small smile.
"Well, let's get this over with." He said.