A.N. Sorry for my long absence, I decided to do a last minute rewrite of this chapter that changed the course of where the story was going.(In other words I was three chapters ahead, and had to rewrite them all sorry.) Don't worry though things are back on track, and I should have things going smoothly until the end of the melee tournament^^. So for now enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 11 A Plan in Motion
Samus had to wonder why she agreed to this again, looking around the warp zone's lobby that was decked out with various tables of small foods and decoration. Along with several of the fighters mingling in small groups. The huntress sighed, it only took one look from Zelda to get Samus to agree to come to this get together. Samus blamed it on the happy hopeful gleam in Zelda's eyes when she asked her if she was coming to Peach's get together. The huntress didn't want to cause the Princess to lose that gleam.
The bounty hunter wasn't a people person, she prefered to be alone. Most people didn't enjoy her company anyway, so why bother being in their presence. When Zelda asked if Samus would be coming though, Samus felt she had to agree. For these past weeks Samus has come to enjoy Zelda's company very much.
Samus had almost forgotten what it was like to interact with someone on a regular basis. There were no constants in her life. She would go from place to place, fight all manner of horrid creatures or ruthless criminals, with no family or home to call her own. Zebes was the only place Samus had ever considered home, and it was gone. Destroyed into a million chucks of rock and debris because of her actions.
Nearly every day Zelda would spend time with Samus though. At first it made sense as the Princess would train with her, the two becoming quite efficient in battle. However Zelda seemed content to spend her downtime with Samus as well. Not that the huntress was complaining. Zelda always seemed happy to relax in silence, or talk to the huntress, completely okay with Samus only giving a small nod or shake of her head as an answer. Samus had never encountered someone who wasn't put off by her inability to speak. Combined with her reputation and robotic appearance it was rare to find someone who didn't have fear in their eyes when dealing with Samus.
There was never any fear in Zelda's eyes when she looked at Samus. Perhaps that was why Samus found herself slowly opening up to the Princess. Even in her own dimension people were suspicious of Samus. After all the huntress did have the most powerful piece of technology ever crafted by the Chozo, they were right to be wary.
Zelda trusted Samus, unlike nearly every being in her dimension and subspace. Zelda trusted Samus, so Samus would put her trust in the Princess.
The wary looks Samus got upon entering the warp zone lobby, she ignored. Samus had no desire to mingle with the other fighters, it's not like she could anyway. Surprisingly Samus noted Link was no where to be seen. The green clad hero was usually at the center of any social gathering. His heroic charm made him a natural at speaking to others. Samus pushed the thoughts away. They made be on better terms, but Samus was still far from caring that much about Link.
Before Samus could locate the Princess though, a familiar yellow blur flew by. The next thing Samus knew Pikachu was happily perched on her shoulder.
"Pika! Pika Pi!" The pokemon happily chirped, and Samus smiled under her helmet. Pikachu was no doubt surprised to see Samus here, and by the way he excitedly chattered away in his pokemon language. He was over the moon to have Samus here.
Ignoring the downright flabbergasted looks of nearby fighters who couldn't believe the terrifying bounty hunter had the cute pokemon on her shoulder. Samus went over to one of the tables set up, grabbing a little cheese cube from a platter laid out as a snack. The huntress offered the snack to Pikachu, who happily accepted.
"Chuuu," Samus scratched the pokemon's head earning a purr like sound in response.
"With all the treats you give him I'm surprise Pikachu is still as small as he is." A teasing voice noted, and Samus turned to see the Princess of Hyrule smiling at her. Completely healed from their last fight Zelda looked every bit of the royal princess she was. Brown hair neatly tied in a braid flowing down her back, pristine dress without even the slightest wrinkle.
"Pika!" Pikachu cried out at the assumption he was gaining weight. Zelda grinned reaching out to scratch the pokemon under the chin. She was quickly forgiven after a moment of giving the pokemon attention.
It was then Samus noticed Zelda was not alone, a young man with fiery red hair, and a sword at his hip stood with her. Roy, Samus believed his name was. He was one of the newcomers to the tournament along with Zelda. The Princess saw Samus looking at the swordsman curiously.
"Right, you two haven't meet yet have you?" Zelda gave Pikachu one last pat on the head before introducing the two.
"Samus, this is Roy he's from the same dimension as Marth correct?" The Princess looked to Roy for confirmation, and the man nodded grinning.
"Right you are Princess, nice to meet the champion from the last tournament. I've heard a lot about you, and I look forward to testing myself against you." There wasn't any uncertainty in Roy's eyes Samus noted. He seemed genuinely enthusiastic about facing her in the tournament. Glancing at Zelda Samus smiled lightly under her helmet. The only way Roy would hear about Samus and not fear or believe her a villainous machine was if Zelda told him about her. Though Samus didn't care about what people thought, she was grateful Zelda combating rumors about her.
Roy held out his hand and Samus took it in a firm shake.
"I'm glad you and Link worked out whatever problem you two had. You have no idea how long he could rant about you. It was hilarious, but there's only so long Marth and I could watch him bitterly glare at you before it got annoying." Roy laughed, while Samus smirked under her helmet. Finding the thought of Link so frustrated about her that he would rant slightly amusing.
"It's a relief to everyone," Zelda commented dryly not amused by the green hero at all.
"I'm sure it is to you Princess." Roy grinned clearly getting a kick out of Zelda's irritation.
"Anyway Samus, tell me where do you hail from? A warrior of your skill must have some interesting tales to tell." Samus was going to shake her head and deny answering the question, but Zelda gave Samus a questioning look. The huntress nodded giving Zelda permission to speak for her.
"Roy, Samus is actually mute unless you know sign language…" Zelda trailed off letting Roy realize Samus wouldn't be able to answer him. The fiery haired hero blinked before throwing his head back in a laugh.
"Ha, no wonder you have a reputation for being silent." Roy spoke in good humor not intending any insult. It was then Roy and Zelda began talking about something Samus missed, as the hunter noticed another yellow blur rushing towards her. Pichu the younger first evolution of Pikachu came rushing over. The pokemon came right to Samus pawing at her hand trying to gain her attention. It wasn't the playful grab for Samus' attention that the pokemon normally tried with the hunter. Pichu seemed downright panicked.
Pikachu hopped off Samus' shoulder to the other pokemon. The younger of the two seemed to frantically communicating with the other. Pikachu's body became tense, and the pokemon turned to Samus.
"Pika! Pika pika!"Pikachu jumped up to grab Samus' hand jerking the huntress down so he could hold it. Tugging furiously Pikachu pointed towards the door with his free paw.
"Pika!" His frantic movements caught the attention of Zelda and Roy. The Princess appeared concern, looking to Samus for an explanation on Pikachu's behavior.
Samus didn't take the time to form any response. Something was clearly wrong, nodding Samus straightened up ready to follow the pokemon. Both pokemon sprinted out the door Samus following close behind just barely hearing Zelda tell Roy they'll talk later before following them.
"Samus!" Zelda called out to the huntress, though struggling Zelda managed to catch up to the running huntress.
"What's going on?" Clearly Zelda could tell Pikachu wouldn't demand Samus follow him without reason. Just like Samus she understood that something must be amiss.
The streets were empty, it was late enough in the day that things were winding down in the city. With the sun setting off in the distance things would seem peaceful, but Samus only felt a sense of dread. It was odd Samus sensed something familiar, but she couldn't place where she got this dark feeling before.
Pikachu and Pichu bolted down the streets at breakneck speed, racing to get to their destination. People became even more sparse as they reached the far end of the city. It seemed like most cities Subspace had a darker area. Subconsciously Samus slowed down a bit to stay closer to Zelda just in case.
"Come on is that all you got!" Samus recognized that voice, it was Link's. The pokemon lead the teammates to what looked like an abandon warehouse. The sound of laser weaponry resonated from the building. Samus' face tightened, always fighting against such weapons, Samus has come to recognize the sound certain weapons made. It sounded like standard space pirate plasma rifle fire.
At the sound of Link's voice Zelda's eyes narrowed taking on a determined look, but Samus could still see the hint of worry and fear cross her face.
Before entering the warehouse Samus turned to the pokemon, giving a silent order for them to guard the entrance. The pokemon nodded electricity sparking in the crisp night air. The hunter looked to Zelda and the Princess nodded, fire erupting in the palm of her hand. It would be foolish to rush in blindly when Link was possibly in danger, and both hunter and Princess knew this.
Double doors to the warehouse creaked opened, as the hunter slowly entered. Zelda behind her sharp hylian ears listening for anything amiss. The warehouse itself was nothing of significance. Crates stacked on top of crates filled the relatively open building.
A monstrous roar resonated through the building, clashing metal and more weapon fire.
"Come on maggots! First one to bring me his head gets extra rations for a month!" Samus eyes narrowed, foregoing any stealth Samus looked up seeing whatever was going on was happening on the other side of a large stack of crates. Glancing at Zelda the hunter pointed up quickly before wall jumping off the wall to get on top of the crates, knowing Zelda could use her magic to join her.
The Princess was soon beside her gasping at the sight before her. Space Pirates, though to the Princess they probably just looked like reptilian monsters. Samus however knew these scum all too well. They were they murders who killed her parents, then annihilated her adopted family taking their home as their own.
And now they were trying to killed Link. The hero stood strong surrounded on all sides by five pirate troopers, and two commandos. While one elite pirate commander stood watching the fight from a crate stacked high in the air. The blonde was panting Samus could see blood soaking through his green tunic. He had held his own, Samus spotting two dead pirates laying dead on the floor.
Though she may have only observed the situation in the span of seconds, the hunter acted as if she had every movement planned out from the start. Springing down from her high point Samus fired a missile at the elite commando before landing on the back of one of the troopers. One could hear his spine crack as Samus landed on him full force. There was brief pause as everyone froze, the pirate troopers looking at their greatest enemy in horror.
The commandos were the first to act, their single goal in life to hunt the hunter. They fired their plasma guns at the hunter, however none of them noticed the lithe hylian slip in behind Samus. Zelda's magic reflected their weapons the pirates having to jump out of the way to avoid their own plasma fire.
Link used the chaos to impale one of the distracted troopers with the master sword. This brought the others troopers attention back to the hero, but a missile to the skull of one of them reminded the pirates of the true threat.
"Hunter!" Recovered from her opening missile blast the elite jumped into the fray. His wrist mounted saber slashing at the huntress. Samus easily dodged kicking the creature in the stomach. It only irritated the pirate, but Samus left no room to retaliate firing a charged shot at the elite pirate.
He snarled, clutching his now wounded shoulder where Samus' charge shot had hit him.
"Enough!" The pirates all stopped their attacking, the two remaining troopers slowly inching behind their commander. While the commandos snarled at Zelda who held magic fire threateningly in her hands, one of her arms was bleeding though one of the sabers managing to nick her. The commandos heeded their commander's order, slinking behind the elite. The elite pointed a clawed finger at Samus.
"You weren't supposed to be here hunter. Some credit isn't worth losing a another platoon to you. We're leaving." The elite was about to drop a smoke bomb to give them cover to retreat, but he never got the chance. Samus was in front of him in a flash arm cannon painfully shoved under his jaw. The other pirates raised their weapons to fire, but the elite raised a hand stopping them.
"What do you want hunter, because of you we're forced to take these pathetic mercenary jobs. Do you intend to slaughter us to the last?" The arm cannon began charging its energy burning the leathery skin of the pirate's throat. The pirate's eyes narrowed something akin to a smirk forming on his lips.
"Information for our lives then. We weren't paid for silence, so we walk and I'll tell you who hired us." Samus kept her arm cannon charged and burning into the pirate's throat as she nodded.
"Didn't give a name, but we were supposed to kill him, and I believe her." The elite pointed at the hylians. Link was using his sword as a crutch, as Zelda used her magic to patch him up as best she could.
"It was supposed to be simple, but of course you had to be here. So are we free?" Samus didn't let her arm cannon leave the pirate's throat. The elite smirked, looking almost pleased.
"Hmph, we would have done the same. Burn in hell hunter," the elite snarled. Just as the other pirates opened fired, Samus released her cannon on the elite. He fell in a heap the energy burning through his skull. Samus jumped avoiding the pirates firing upon her. She landed next to one of the troopers grabbing him, Samus kneed him in the stomach. As he hunched over in pain Samus grabbed him throwing him into the other trooper. Their lives ended together by the explosion of a super missile.
The last two commandos stood their ground. One threw a plasma grenade, while the other fired upon the hunter rapidly trying to keep the hunter at a distance. Going down into her morph ball form, Samus easily dodged everything they threw at her. Racing over to the two Samus changed back as she met the pirates, her fist connecting with the one pirate's face. The other got several energy shots before a missile ended him.
Helmet cracked the pirate coughed blood growling at Samus. He raised his weapon to shoot at her, but it was swatted away like a toy by Samus. Kicking the pirate to the ground Samus slammed her boot onto the pirate's neck.
"Curse you hunter!" The pirate breathed, with a snap Samus crushed his neck with her boot.
Samus stood still for a moment then she removed her boot from the pirate's neck. She didn't noticed the stunned looks of the hylians, as she stood there. All that was going through Samus' mind was Ganondorf had aligned himself with the pirates. Before Samus hadn't even considered him a major threat, now he was on the top of Samus' priority list. A list no one ever stayed alive on for long.
Zelda couldn't stop her hands from trembling. The Princess despised violence, she had seen enough of it in the alternate timeline to last for two lifetimes. More importantly though her closest friend nearly got himself killed.
"How could you be so stupid!" Link flinched at Zelda's voice, it was rare for the royal to ever raise her voice. The Princess could face shouting nobles with a serene smile, and answer them calmly. This time though Zelda was couldn't believe the foolishness of Link's actions.
"I didn't think…"
"Clearly!" Guilt was clear on Link's face, and Zelda felt a tinge of her own guilt for causing it. But by the goddesses did Link scare Zelda today. How could he get a message from Ganondorf to meet him at an abandon warehouse, and not tell her? Obviously it would be a trap, no doubt Ganondorf accounted for Link's blind courage to force him to rush in sword ready.
Even worse Link had destroyed the note Ganon had left him, so now there was nothing linking the villain to the attack. While Link's word did carry a lot of weight being a hero known across dimensions. It wasn't enough for Master Hand to punish Ganon for attack done by creatures not connected to the dark lord at all.
Link snuck deeper into the infirmary bed, frowning. Zelda tried to keep a stern face, but sighed. Though foolish Link did what he thought would protect them from Ganon. Resting her hands on the bed Zelda slumped a little in her chair seated next to Link's bed.
"Sorry I yelled," Link shook his head a small grin lighting up his face.
"Only you would apologize for yelling at me when I deserve it. I had it coming, it's fine." Taking one of Zelda's still shaking hands Link gave her an encouraging smile. Zelda returned it, happy her friend was fine.
Link had taken quite a beating from the monsters Zelda would later hear someone call space pirates. After Samus had annihilated the last of them the commotion attracted the attention of Subspace's residents. Soon Link had been whisked away to get medical attention while Zelda lost track of the silent hunter as she followed to help her injured friend.
Zelda didn't want to admit it, but she now saw Link's perspective on Samus. The hunter was downright terrifying tonight. She killed every single one of those creatures almost single handly.
The Princess didn't know how to feel about the whole thing. Logically Zelda knew those creatures were evil, and they deserved the end Samus gave them. However she couldn't suppress a shiver recalling the efficient brutal way Samus dispatched the pirates.
The creatures acted like they knew Samus, and by the way they cursed the hunter it was clear they were enemies. It was a worrying thought that Samus dealt with those creatures regularly.
Link saw the dark expression on Zelda face, and decided it was time to break the Princess from whatever dark thoughts were bothering her.
"You know where Aran went off to? I'm surprised you didn't drag her to the infirmary too." Zelda's lips upturned in a small smile, despite Samus taking little if any damage in the fight earlier. Zelda probably would have drag her to receive medical attention, or at the very least check the hunter herself.
"I don't know, I was just focusing on getting you some help." Link took note of Zelda conflicted expression thinking of the hunter. The blonde raised an eyebrow surprised Zelda wasn't running off to find said hunter and check on her.
"What's wrong? Zelda rubbed the back of her hand unconsciously frowning.
"Nothing, I supose I'm just finally seeing your side." A small part of Zelda was frightened at the brutal display. Samus didn't fight like that in matches, it was clear to Zelda now that the hunter held back against others fighters. It was no wonder the huntress was such a strong fighter. In her world it must be kill or be killed, and unlike Hyrule there were no fairies to bring you back from the brink of death.
"Yah, well my side was stupid and wrong." Link smirkd at the surprised look he got from the Princess.
"Mealhead isn't too bad, she saved my ass back there. Sure she smashed a few heads, but did you see those guys? They were as bad as Ganon. I know you would have wanted a peaceful solution, but I'm pretty sure those monsters would have ripped me in half if Samus hadn't ended them." Link knew how much Zelda hated pointless violence, yet he did sound sincere when saying he thought Samus wasn't that bad. Zelda smiled, leave it to Link to stop her from overthinking things. There was a threat, Samus protected them the way she thought best. Simple as that.
Rising from her seat Zelda grinned at the hero.
"I should go find her, I seem to attract the heroic types that ignore when they're injured." The blonde laughed giving Zelda an innocent look.
"It's your own fault us heroic types need someone to tell us when we're being stupid." Zelda shook her head in exasperation leaving the hero to rest.
Zelda's boots clicked against the smooth sidewalk she strode down. There was a frown drawn across her features. The Princess had been looking for the hunter, but there was no sign of her anywhere. Having checked both her ship and the hidden grove in the park Samus was nowhere to be seen. It would forever surprise Zelda how a six foot tall metal clad warrior could go missing so easily.
Despite the events of the night, things seemed peaceful. It was late, and the moon was high in the sky. Yet something felt amiss to Zelda, a familiar dark tingle running down her spine. The Princess had to wonder if Ganon was up to something else tonight.
Her answer came in form of an explosion rocking the entire street. Zelda stumbled, regaining her footing before snapping her head in the direction the explosion came from.
Smoke billowed from the next street over small embers flying into the air as well. Wasting no time Zelda hurried to see what was going on, despite her body protesting exhausted from the events of today.
The Princess rushed to the next street, but skidded to stop upon seeing the destruction before her. What looked like an apartment building was on fire, a large gaping hole blow into its front.
On the other side of the street struggling to get untangled from the twisted metal of a car was Ganondorf. The lord of darkness spotted her standing not far from him. Sharp features narrowed dark power glowed in his hand, as he aimed it at her a missile flew out of the burning building nailing the gerudo in the chest.
Samus emerged from the building barely a scuff to speak of on her armor. Ganon ripped himself from the car, whipping around he grabbed the hunk of metal throwing it at the hunter. The huntress jumped over the car flying at her, the poor motor vehicle slamming into the already falling apart building.
Ganon smirked his head craning to look at Zelda, the Princess froze. Even as a ball of dark energy came flying at her, every memory and fear from Ganon's seven year rule of Hyrule rushing back to her. Luckily the metal clad hunter sprung forward grabbing Zelda pushing her out of the way.
The black energy exploded where the Princess once stood. Zelda blinked her mind coming back to her. She was on the ground Samus having tackled her out of the way of Ganon's attack. The hunter was knelt down beside her, green visor looking at her to confirm her safety before gazing back at Ganon.
The villain smirked before laughing, pulling something out of a pouch tied to his belt.
"Perfect! Two birds with one stone! I'll deal with you soon enjoy the trip!" With that Ganon threw something at the teammates. It looked like a grenade of some kind, landing right beside them. The circular ball snapped opened into a pill shape, energy resonating from it.
With no time to get out of the way, Samus protectively shielded Zelda with her own body. The Princess herself calling upon Nayru's power to shield them both. When the device's energy exploded Zelda vision immediately went black, and she felt like she was being blow away then pulled back. Wrapping her arms around Samus' waist for fear she would lose the hunter. Zelda felt the dizzying sense of floating, but it didn't last long as the next thing the Princess knew the teammates were literally in the air falling.
"Samus!" The hunter seemed bewildered by what was going to, but acting quickly righting herself in the air. Holding Zelda bridal style in her arms Samus landed on her feet. Sand splashing out around the hunter as she landed.
The hunter let Zelda down, and the Princess' boots sunk into the hot sand. Looking around Zelda's mouth hung opened. They were no longer in Subspace the bustling city was replaced by an empty desert. It was no longer night, as the harsh sun was shining proudly in the sky. Looking around Zelda spotted a wooden post jutting out of the sand. Hanging on top of the post was a flag fluttering in the breeze. A red flag with the mark of the Gerudo emblazoned on it.
It couldn't be possible, but here they were. They were in the middle of the Gerudo Desert back in Hyrule.
Back in Subspace Ganon smirked triumphantly at the empty ground where the hunter and Princess once were. His original plan was to use the device some unknown supporter had sent to him to be rid of the hunter. The foolish Princess decided to make his work ten times easier though by making an appearance. Now they were both lost in the wasteland of the Gerudo Desert. Ganon could easily deal with them later after he has killed Link.
Weakened as he was by the space pirates Ganon had hired, he would easily fall. Once the Triforce of Courage was in his hands Ganon could deal with any hero Subspace had to offer. Aran had been the only true threat to him, with her out of the way. The Triforce would be his, and Hyrule and Subspace would bow to his might.
A.N. You guys thought you were going to get your epic fight between Ganon and Samus weren't youXD. Sorry just a little longer the melee arc of the story is only a few more chapters long so its coming.
On a different note it just came to me writing these few chapters that I really point out how strong Samus is compared to the other fighters. While the other fighters are tough, it's my belief that out of the melee roster. When it comes down to it Ganon and Samus are the strongest fighters. I mean Ganon is a demon lord of darkness and Samus destroys entire planets of monsters alone for a living. Just some of my thought process that I'm sharing because why notXD.
Final note for you guys an anonymous reviewer called April asked about how the fighters aren't getting vaporized by Samus or worse since I have them keeping injuries from their battles. To answer their power is suppressed while fighting in the tournament, some unknown tech Master Hand has keeps anyone from getting killed. It will be mentioned further in the next chapter I believe since a lot of fighting will be happening outside of the official tournament now. Hope that clears things up for you^^.
With that I will see you guys next chapter, reviews are loved as always see ya'!