A.N. What's this? An update not too long after the last oneXD! I'm trying to get updates rolling a little more regularly for you lovely readers. Not much else to say other than enjoy for this one.^^
Chapter 10 Heroes and Hunters
"Samus above you!" The huntress reacted quickly to Zelda's call, aiming her arm cannon skywards. Samus fired upon the large ape that was jumping from above attempting to smash her.
Zelda herself summoned Nayru's power to shield herself from the small mouse pokemon's electric attack. Pichu was far weaker than his evolved form, and while he was slightly quicker. Zelda found she easily repealed any of his attacks. Calling upon Din's power with a quick motion of her hand fire flung the pokemon into the rushing rapids flowing beneath them. Zelda resisted the urge to help the small pokemon, as she knew he would be teleported out before any real damage befell him. Still the distressed cries as he hit the water made the princess cringe.
Today's match Zelda and Samus found themselves fighting on a rickety platform suspended over a waterfall. Despite the fear of the wood giving out beneath her, Zelda had to admit it was still less perilous than the fight on the flying ship.
With Pichu defeated Zelda turned to help Samus with the great ape, Donkey Kong. This area must be from his world Zelda assumed, as the ape was in his element. With his partner gone though the odds were against him now.
The large primate was throwing blow after blow at the huntress. Samus dodged out of the way each time, but soon Donkey's fist nailed the bounty hunter in the stomach. The ape let out a cry of triumph going in for another hit. Samus ignoring any pain the blow caused her lashed out with her arm cannon bashing DK right in the skull. The ape made a roar of pain angrily punching the huntress. Side stepping Samus took hold of the ape's arm holding him there.
Zelda joined in quickly jabbing Donkey in the back, magic exploding against him. The ape recovered though spinning around his fists outstretched. Both Samus and Zelda were throw back the huntress grabbing onto a rock jutting out of the waterfall to stop herself from falling. While Zelda managed to grab the other side of the wooden platform keeping herself from meeting the rushing water below.
Before Zelda could pull herself up though a large hand took hold around her waist yanking her back up. Donkey Kong lifted Zelda up high with his one hand, and Zelda tried to use her magic to free herself. Kong didn't allow any room for escape with his other hand punching the struggling royal making Zelda's vision blur. The great ape kept his grip crushingly tight, Zelda hearing a crack ring in her ears.
The next thing Zelda knew she was on the ground picking herself back up. Acting on pure adrenaline she saw Samus viciously beating on the primate. Not letting the ape any chance to retaliate Samus landed hit after hit. A single glance from Samus was all Zelda needed, and fire went hurtling towards the two. Samus jumped out of the way, while DK went flying into the rushing water below.
The world around Zelda became blurry as they were teleported out. The Princess stumbled when the warp room came back into focus. Strong metal hands didn't allow the Princess to fall though.
"Thank you Samus," Zelda grumbled out covering her eyes with her hand. She hoped it wasn't going to become a staple of the tournament for her to get beat to the point of collapsing after each fight. Zelda's silent companion kept the Princess steady though, waiting patiently for when Zelda was ready to move.
Uncovering her eyes Zelda tried to blink away the blurriness only to see red lining her vision. Looking at her hand Zelda saw blood staining her glove a stark contrast to the normally pure white fabric. Taking a glance upwards Samus bright visor was watching her in what Zelda would guess was concern.
Zelda could feel the huntress guiding her off the warp pad, but her body seemed to be shutting down. Donkey Kong must have hit her rather hard, Zelda mused idly her mind becoming foggy. The Princess could see one of Samus' hands trying to sign something to her, but Zelda couldn't make out what. Between her vision blurring out and the red invading it, Zelda couldn't make anything out of the motions Samus was making.
Gritting her teeth Zelda tried to stand straight and walk to the infirmary, but she cursed her own weakness as darkness crept up on her. As her world darkened Zelda expected to feel like she was falling, but if anything the last thing Zelda felt was being lifted up.
Link's boots clicked against the metal floor as he hurried down the hallway towards the warp room. The Hero had been watching the Princess' match on the flatscreen in the lobby, and while he applauded Zelda victory. He could tell the Princess really took a beating this match. Unlike the hunter that was built like a tank, Zelda was more of a glass cannon. Plenty of power with her magic, but the Princess herself could easily be injured.
Though Link knew that if she collapsed on the warp pad it would teleport her to the infirmary. Zelda would be far too stubborn to allow such, she would try walking to the infirmary. Where no doubt she would end up collapsing along the way.
Despite the tenseness between them Link would always make sure the Princess was all right. Though Link still couldn't understand how such a kind compassionate person could stand or even befriend the cold metal warrior. The Hero tried not to think about it. As his own worries over Samus were putting a rift between the friends, and in Link's mind they've been through too much together to let something so trivial pull their friendship apart.
Turning a corner the warp room was right up ahead, but Link had to jump back to stop himself from running into a tall figure also turning around the hall. The Hero froze upon seeing who he had almost ran into. Samus was standing tall blank green visor staring at Link. The sight of the hunter isn't what made Link freeze though.
Zelda unconscious and bleeding was held in the metal warriors arms. Her lithe form limp, head resting against the hunter, she looked peaceful. If it wasn't for the blood running down her face one could have believed she was just sleeping.
The metal clad warrior's gaze locked with Link's for a second, but she turned away sidestepping Link continuing down the hall.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going!" Gripping the hilt of the master sword, Link planted himself in front of Samus again. The Hero was in complete protect the princess mode, and seeing her injured in the arms of the hunter made his blood boil.
That emotionless visor glared at Link in what he would bet was annoyance. The hunter adjusted the woman in her arms holding Zelda up for a moment with her one arm, using the other to point down the hall. Link turned to see the infirmary was what Samus was gesturing to.
Face heating up in embarrassment Link let go of the master sword's hilt. The hunter seemed to take this as the okay to keep moving, but Link stopped her again reaching out to Zelda.
"Here I'll take her, I'm sure you have other things you'd rather be doing." Though it was hard Link kept most of distrust for the hunter out of his voice. He really just wanted to get Zelda out of the hunter's hands. Link was very aware that Samus could easily snap any of Zelda's bones as she held the Princess. Samus simply shook her head easily moving past Link taking the injured Princess with her.
The Hero grumbled following behind the metal warrior. If it wasn't for the unconscious injured Princess in her arms, Link would bash his shield against their head. Though Link found the hunter's behavior strange, why would Samus care enough to carry Zelda to the infirmary herself? Despite what Zelda told him Link couldn't believe that there was a person inside that armor. Samus just seemed too mechanical to be human, and not just because of their appearance. Every move Samus made was precise, calculated, with the skills of someone who has fought much longer than Link has.
Zelda may tease him over being bitter that he lost last tournament, and maybe he was. However the Hero wasn't ashamed to admit there were warriors stronger than him. It's why he entered the tournament in the first place to find strong fighters to test himself against. He never expected to find someone like Samus though, the hunter's skills were on a whole another level.
Link could see the surprise on the infirmary staff at Samus' entrance, no doubt because Samus rarely if ever came here. They quickly recovered though ordering Samus to lay Zelda on one of the many pristine infirmary beds. Link noted that Samus handled Zelda gently, the unconscious Princess didn't even flinch as the hunter laid the on the bed. Link even saw Zelda's face become distraught when the presence of the hunter was no longer there.
Both hero and hunter were shooed away, so that the staff could work. Link went over to a small waiting area, prepared to wait until he could see Zelda. Looking over he saw Samus was sticking around too, though they didn't sit on one of the chairs provided like Link himself did. Samus leaned against the wall, arms crossed visor glowing brightly watching over where Zelda was getting taken care of. Link watched the hunter a confused look on his face.
Samus behavior was nothing like what he had experienced in the first tournament. Then again they didn't have team battles the first time, but Link couldn't understand how that would cause such a change in the hunter. Maybe Zelda was right and this was how Samus was all along he just couldn't see it before. Or maybe Zelda was prompting a change in the hunter?
Sighing Link stood up approaching the metal clad warrior. It was a good thing he didn't get the triforce of courage for nothing, because even out of combat Samus was an intimidating figure. The scuffs and damage done to the amor only made the hunter more frightening.
Samus didn't acknowledge Link as he approached visor still glowing watching over where Zelda lay. The staff had pulled a curtain around the infirmary bed, but Link had to wonder if Samus' visor was letting her see beyond. He wasn't sure if he should feel grateful or worried that the hunter was watching out for the Princess.
"Hey Aran, we need to talk." Link tried to summon the hunter's attention, he was ignored Samus still giving her focus elsewhere. Link grit his teeth silently reminding himself that he was doing this for Zelda. If the Princess could see good in this cold machine then there had to be something redeeming about them.
"Listen we both know I don't like you, and frankly I don't know or care what you think about me. It would mean alot to Zelda though if we were at least civil with each other." Link began, however it wasn't until he mentioned Zelda that Samus seemed to actually begin to listen. Link suppressed a shiver down his spine when that emotionless visor turned its gaze on him. That cold indifference is what made Samus more frightening than Ganondorf in Link's mind. At least Ganon one could tell he was mortal, showing angry and frustration whenever Link defied him. Samus though there was nothing, the hunter could be strangling the life out someone, but not even the tiniest of emotion would show.
Now that he had the hunter's attention Link continued.
"You listening now? Good, now what is your problem? Zelda thinks you're all right, but last tournament I'm still surprised you didn't smash us all to pieces. So if you're planning on hurting her you better come clean now or else." Samus didn't seem at all phased by Link's threat, even as he gripped the hilt of the master sword. Link didn't think the metal warrior would appear threatened though, after all the hunter had proven last time she was more than capable of dispatching Link.
"Well? Say something!" Link demanded staring at the silent hunter waiting for a response. The Hero made a frustrated sounding growl running his hand through his hair. He was about to turn and give up when Samus' hand moved from its crossed position. Gripping the master sword Link was ready incase the hunter made a move at him.
Instead though Samus pointed at herself before raising her helmet to touch her throat. The hunter took hold of her own throat making it look like they were gasping for air or something. At first Link thought the hunter was threatening him, but then he remembered she pointed at herself before doing the motion. He wished Zelda was here, the Princess was much better at putting things like this together. Was Samus trying to tell him something?
"I don't know what...wait your throat...Can you not speak?" Samus crossed her arms again giving a single nod.
Link was floored, Samus couldn't talk? That was why she never spoke to anyone. He wanted to slap himself in the face for being so stupid. No wonder Zelda saw what nobody else did in the hunter. No one was more quick witted than Zelda, no doubt she was able to piece together anything Samus would try to tell her non-verbally.
A shocking revelation, but Link still was far from trusting the hunter. Mute or not the metal warrior still seemed more like a cold blooded machine. There was no way Link would let their lack of speech sway his opinion of them.
"All right well at least now I know how to get an answer out of you. Are you going to hurt Zelda?" The metal armor tensed Samus' entire posture stiffened, and that visor glared almost...angrily at Link. The Hero blinked did he actually get an emotional reaction out of Samus. Either way it didn't matter because the hunter gave a firm shake of her head. Even though Link didn't trust her, it was still nice to have Samus' kindof word she wasn't planning on harming Zelda.
Samus seemed to think this was the end of their conversation, because her visor began to glow again looking back to where the Princess was. Eyebrow twitching in annoyance Link stepped in front of Samus' gaze. It didn't really grant the effect he wanted since Samus towered over him.
"Metalhead! I know talking to me is the last thing you want to do, trust me I don't want to interact with you either!" Link spat angrily before his face became serious.
"It's upsetting Zelda that we're at odds." Link admitted, the Hero feeling pretty guilty that he was causing a rift between them. The Princess was his friend he should trust her to make the right choices, and if Link was being honest he was happy Zelda was making friends. Even if it was with the cold hearted bounty hunter. Back in Hyrule Link knew how lonely Zelda was, though Link visited as often as he could. Zelda was tied to her kingdom, she couldn't take the time to enjoy a relaxing stroll through Hyrule Fields, or trust others that their smiles were for her and not the ruler of Hyrule.
If there was one thing Link would give Samus is that she did seem like an up front person. The hunter would look one in the eyes before shooting them. Maybe that is why Zelda was getting so attached to the hunter, Link mused. No tricks to earn favor, no deception Samus was either friendly towards someone or not.
"I'm not asking to be your friend." Link spoke like the very idea was disgusting. "Let's just get along for Zelda, it would make her day if we weren't at each other's throats." The hunter nodded, Link letting out an inward sigh of relief. He thought it would have been much harder to come to an understanding with the bounty hunter.
Turning on his heels back to the waiting area Link gave one more glance at the hunter, who in turn looked at him. Nodding to the silent warrior Link planted himself on one of the chair to wait for Zelda to be finished being treated. Samus waited along with him from across the room. Link had to admit while he drummed his fingers against the chair's armrest anxiously, Samus barely moved a muscle the entire time. Sometimes her visor would light up looking to the drawn curtain, but it would dull soon after the hunter patiently waiting.
When the curtain was finally pulled away, and the infirmary staff left Zelda to rest for a bit. Link rushed over to her like an excited puppy, Samus followed behind much more calmly.
Zelda was already awake, the miracle of having the medical knowledge from all sorts of dimensions. Though one could tell the Princess was tired, her bandaged head a testament to the fight she just went through.
"Link? Samus?" At first she seemed surprised to see the Hero, no doubt because of the strain between them recently. She seemed even more surprised to see the bounty hunter right behind Link.
"Told you, you were going to take a few beatings here didn't I?" Link joked grinning earning a smile from the ruler of Hyrule. Zelda's soft gaze turned to the metal warrior, and to Link's surprised the hunter made a series of movements with her hand. Zelda smiled at this seeming to understand the motions.
"I'm feeling fine Samus, just a little tired. You're both here though…" Clearly it was surprising to the Princess to see both hero and hunter in one place, without the tense air that would follow them. Link smiled glad he had chosen to make a uncertain peace with the hunter.
"Don't think we're buddies now, but we're done glaring at each other from across the room." Just like Link thought she would Zelda's face lite up at the sight of the two on friendly terms. Taking a look at the hunter Link saw the subtle nod at him, and he returned it. They were far from friends, but it was a start.
Later, Link had returned home after getting a much needed laugh from watching Zelda interact with Samus. The Princess had insisted that Samus get some medical attention herself, but the hunter was having none of it. It was nice, Link had never seen Zelda so happy and open with someone. It made the hero glad he dragged her royal butt to the tournament. Even rulers needed a break once and awhile, and Zelda defiantly earned a break from protecting and ruling over Hyrule. Link wisely choose to leave the two, as they were locked in a silent stare down of who would give in first.
Link knew it would be Samus, no one defied the Princess when she was set on something. Even a battle hardened warrior like Samus.
Entering his temporary home Link stiffened, the air inside was thick with a dark aura. Unlike Zelda who could easily sense even the slightest presence of dark magic. Link could only pick up on it when something especially dark was about.
Pulling out the master sword Link took a cautious step forward. The dark air fled upon the blade of evil's bane being drawn. That was good it meant whatever was creating this dark air was gone. Link kept his weapons drawn though just in case.
Eyes spying around Link looked for anything out of place. On the coffee table the hero spotted a dagger pinning a note to the wood. With care he pulled the blade out inspecting it. The weapon was of no real significance, probably a cheap dagger that would be impossible to track to the owner. Link knew who exactly placed the weapon here though.
Turning to the paper face grim Link read the message scrawled onto it. Face becoming determined Link crumpled the note in his hand tossing it aside. He then went to riding the house of the dark air before Zelda would return. No evidence of the dark message would be seen by the time the Princess returned.
A.N. I always find it fun to do chapters from other characters point of view, and Link's is always extra fun since he views Samus the complete opposite of how Zelda views her. Not much else to say about this chapter, be prepared for the next one it's the longest chapter I've ever written for a fan fiction and shit is hitting the fan. See you guys next chapter^^