A.N. Bam! Another new chapter and it's only been what a few days. I like to think these quick updates will make up for not updating for months on endXD. With that enjoy the chapter lovely readers^_^!
Chapter 17
Hyrule Field always seemed extra peaceful in the spring. Wild flowers bloomed across the open fields, filling the air with their sweet smell. A refreshing rain had fell the other day, and now the field was thriving with new life. After a few cold months of being covered in snow, it was a much welcomed feeling. Especially to the Hero of Time who spent most of the winter cooped up in the ranch, unable to travel far due to the cold. Though Hyrule's winter's were far from harsh they still weren't the most pleasant time.
"And you say Hunter Aran fell from the sky here?" Link looked to his fairy companion, a fairy from Subspace to be exact. The fairy didn't give a name other than saying they were an emissary for Subspace, but that was how it usually went whenever Subspace sent someone to Hyrule to give messages to the hero and ruler of Hyrule.
"Ya, fell out of the sky from a portal a couple months ago." It was hard to believe so much time had passed since the hunter showed up in Hyrule. Not that Link was complaining, the hero had long since began considering the hunter a friend. It took awhile for Link to adjust to the hunter's naturally reserved personality, but Link was slowly getting the hunter to open up.
"On behalf of Master Hand I apologize for such inconvenience. We've been having difficulty with our warp since last year's incident. Hopefully we will have them up to their full capabilities by next week." The tournament was going to begin in two weeks, and Link could hardly contain his excitement. Though last year was a complete disaster, the hero was still excited for this year's upcoming tournament.
"You should apologize to Samus, she's the one who got dragged here after all." Though Link doubted the hunter cared much, she seemed rather content living up at the castle with Zelda. Link had only visited a few times during the winter, but one could have sworn the hunter always lived there by how easily she slipped into life at the castle.
"In any case I must inform Queen Zelda of the upcoming tournament, and now I must meet with Hunter Aran to send her home." The hero nodded, leading the way towards Castle Town.
The fairy followed him up to the castle where two guards stood at attention waiting at the road leading up to the castle. Link smirked it looked like Samus certainly knocked some sense into the guards. From what he heard the hunter had started sparing with them which eventually turned into training for the guards, and now Link could say he definitely couldn't sneak into the castle without someone seeing him. That didn't mean he did't try of course. It was almost like a game now, Samus would only agree to do more outrageous things with him if he managed to get into the castle unnoticed. Unfortunately the green clad hero had still yet to sneak in and convince Samus it was a good idea to blow up some noble snob's house. Link liked to think he was wearing her down though.
The guards gave Link a respectful nod before standing aside to let them pass. Link gave them a friendly wave before walking by. The fairy followed behind silently, Link frowned. Usually fairies were much more talkative, even ones from Subspace.
Link didn't get a chance to ponder the fairy more though, at the castle entrance two more guards stood watch.
"Afternoon guys, Zelda busy right now?" The guards were much less annoyed with Link nowadays. Ever since one day Samus caught the hero crawling through a drain pipe to sneak into the castle. Link wasn't sure if Zelda was ever going to let him live that down.
"Her majesty is having lunch right now Sir Link." The one guard answered. Link grinned Zelda seemed to be getting things to be less hectic, each day the royal was less tied up with her work. Link had a sneaking suspicion it was the hunter's presence doing it, but it didn't really matter as long as Zelda wasn't overworking herself.
The guards let them in, and Link lead the fairy over to the garden where he knew Zelda always had lunch with Samus. When he approached the garden he heard Zelda's voice holding an amused but trying to sound disapproving tone.
"You know there seems to be quite a few cats hanging around the castle?" Link smirked, purposely walking slower so her could hear what the hunter did before interrupting.
"Interesting," The hunter's reply was simple, and Link wanted to laugh. He didn't have to as Zelda giggled.
"Yes, apparently someone keeps bringing in strays from Castle Town. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that?" Samus didn't respond, and Link could only assume she either shrugged or shook her head. That only prompted another laugh from the royal.
"Really? So I didn't see you bringing in a box of kittens the other day?" Link slowed downed a little more wanting to hear what the hunter would say to that.
"It was raining." The hero snorted, this was the scary bounty hunter that everyone feared. The woman sneaking stray animals into the castle so they wouldn't get sick from the rain. Then again she may sneak kittens into the castle, but Samus could still beat the crap out of anyone Link knew of. Perhaps it was a good thing under all that armor was a big softie.
"Of course how silly of me, they certainly are keeping the mice at bay…" Zelda didn't get to finish her thought, as she spotted Link approaching. She gave a friendly smile, and Samus gave a nod in greeting. The hunter's helmet was off allowing Link to see her face. It took long enough, but eventually Samus had let him see her without the helmet one day. More by accident really, the hunter was with Zelda when Link decided to pop in. Her helmet was off and Link finally got to see who was beating him in the tournament since day one. Since then the hunter was much more lax on letting him see her face.
"Hey guys the emissary from Subspace is here." Gesturing to the fairy, it flew past Link to the two former teammates.
"Greeting Queen Zelda, as was Hero Link you have been invited to participate in a fighting tournament in Subspace hosted by Master Hand." Zelda didn't say anything taking a sip of her tea, expression passive. From her manner Link figured the royal still wasn't thrilled over what happened last time. She wasn't too thrilled with the idea of going to the tournament in the first place last time either. It had been a miracle Link convinced her to go.
"Hunter Aran, you also have been invited, and on the behalf of Master Hand I apologize for the portal that brought you here. We are still having difficulties with out warp…" Samus didn't say anything merely nodding in understanding.
"If you are still having problems when will the tournament take place?" Zelda had a calculating look about her, Link frowned the Queen was being cautious about the tournament. Which was understandable since they all nearly died last time.
"Next week, I will provide you with a location and time of when we will be opening a portal into your world to transport you to Subspace. As for you Aran, you can accompany me back to Subspace when I leave. We can send you back to your dimension from there." For a split second the hunter's expression became unreadable, Link certainly couldn't tell what she was thinking. He could see a flash of sadness cross Zelda's face, but then it went back to the expressionless Queen face.
With that the fairy gave them the information needed to get to Subspace. Then it informed Samus to meet them outside the castle in few minutes. There was an awkward pause after the fairy left. Link could tell both former teammates were uncertain how what to say about the hunter's quick departure. Link was almost sad he brought the emissary without notice at least then the former teammates would have time for a proper goodbye.
"Hey! Come on it's only for a week we'll see each other at the tournament." The hero gave the hunter a friendly punch on the arm. Samus nodded standing up grabbing her helmet, but not putting it on yet. Zelda stood too her eyes not leaving Samus. Quickly Link said something about having to catch up with Malon exiting the garden, though he paused after rounding a corner. He lingered for a moment and heard Zelda talking. The hero reasoned that he wanted to make sure his friends weren't too torn up about the hunter having to leave.
"Rather prompt aren't they?" Link assumed the silence was a nod coming from the hunter.
"This time take care of yourself alright?" There was a worried edge to Zelda's voice that Link has never heard before.
"I will," Link heard Zelda sigh, then he heard the sound of Samus' armor shifting he didn't dare to look to see what was going on. There was one thing Link was truly afraid of in this world, and that was an angry Zelda. Eavesdropping on her conversation would most definitely bring the royal's wrath upon him.
"Thank you, now you should probably catch up with the emissary before I change my mind and keep you here." Tiptoeing Link peaked around the corner to see if they were moving yet. The hunter was about to put her helmet back on, but Link saw Zelda stop her asking her to wait. The Queen took hold of Samus' collar, and pulled the hunter down to place a kiss on her cheek.
Link's own shock mirrored the hunter's own, but at least Link wasn't blushing like mad like the hunter. Zelda too was blushing, and the hero decided he'd seen enough. Quickly Link made himself scarce before either noticed him still there.
"Are you ready Hunter Aran?" The small fairy creature asked Samus. The hunter only nodded in response. The bounty hunter was still reeling from the kiss Zelda gave her just a few minutes ago. The logical part of Samus' mind told her it was just a friendly kiss goodbye, or was it? She wasn't sure, Samus barely had the concept of close friendships down let alone romantic. The very thought of anything more than friendship made the hunter shudder.
Samus shook her head trying to focus, it had been a friendly goodbye that was all. A portal was opening in front of the hunter and fairy, similar to the one that brought Samus here. This one seemed much more controlled, a small rift opening in the air before expanding.
"Please step through," Samus nodded taking a glance behind her at the castle that she'd been living at for months. Zelda stood not far away two guards flanking her on either side. She gave a wave upon seeing Samus looking her way. Not thinking about it Samus returned it before turning around. Samus wondered if this was what it was like to leave a home.
She shook the thought away, stepping through the portal. The next thing Samus knew she was walking through a room similar to the old warp room from the first tournament. Samus stopped looking around it was just a plain room with black walls on all sides. She waited and soon the fairy appeared next to her flying pass the hunter towards an electronic door.
"Please wait here, we will create a portal to your world. Where in your dimension would you like us to send you?"
"Tallon IV." The fairy jumped in the air not expecting the hunter to vocally answer. They quickly recovered though flying out the door.
Within moments Samus felt the air shift as she was teleported back to her world. A splash resonated as Samus landed in a puddle on the surface of Tallon IV. The hunter quickly gauged her location, and began walking to where she knew the ship she left here was so many months ago. The rain fell gently on the planet's surface as it always did.
"The fighters are suspicious. Whatever you're doing is going to let them catch on." Ganondorf grumbled to the computer screen, the disembodied hand that was on the other side gave no physical sign to show it cared about what he was saying.
"The lines between dimensions becoming thin was expected. It doesn't matter though, just do as I have instructed and you will get the power you desire." The dark lord glared, crossing his arms.
"The hunter was in Hyrule! And you think this isn't a problem?" That bastard hunter had beaten him, the single thought had gnawed at Ganon ever since he awoke after being dragged to safety after his defeat.
"It does not matter…"
"You won't be saying that when this whole plan comes crashing down because of her." Ganon had underestimated Samus Aran he knew that. He believed that his plan was foolproof, and because of that it failed. It made Ganon sick with rage thinking about how close he was to taking control of not just Hyrule, but dozens of other dimensions. If only that damned hunter had perished in Gerudo Desert like she should have.
Now he had to follow the orders of Master Hand the creator of Subspace, and apparently also the bringer of every hero's upcoming death. Though Ganon didn't care about working with the hand creature. He did not like being treated like a lesser.
"If you believe the hunter is such an issue I may have someone who can help you with it." Ganon was about to ask who when the door behind him slide open. The dark lord jumped into a fighting stance only to narrows his eyes at the creature before him.
"What are you?" The creature smirked, its wings ruffled closer to its body allowing it to fit its large frame into the room. Yellow eyes reflected Ganon's face back at him, yet they held some intelligence in them.
"Someone who hates Samus Aran more than you ever could." Serrated teeth sparkled in the dim light as the creature smirked. Ganon returned the expression, his annoyance with Master Hand forgotten at the sight of such a monster.
"I think we'll get along just fine then."
"You seem distracted your majesty?" Zelda jolted not realizing how long she had been staring out the window idly. The cat that had been purring on her lap made an irritated meow before settling down again. Zelda ran her fingers down the animal's back until it calmed again, purring contently. One of the many stray animals Samus had somehow gotten into the castle without a single maid noticing before it was too late.
"If you wish I can give my report another time your majesty?" Zelda shook her head, finally turning her gaze on her guard captain standing before her.
"I apologize Captain, I find my thoughts are elsewhere." To be exact her thoughts were on a certain hunter that should be back in her home dimension by now. It had only been a few hours, but Zelda already missed Samus' presence at the castle. It was weird thinking that in a few hours she wouldn't be having dinner, or talking with the hunter about the day's events.
"Not to overstep my bounds your majesty. Are you perhaps worried about Sir Aran?" Inwardly Zelda chuckled at the title most of the castle had taken to calling Samus. The perplexed expression Samus took whenever someone addressed her was certainly amusing. Clearly not many people in Samus' world showed her such respect.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't Captain." It was odd, the Captain usually was so formal with her, but Zelda was happy to have someone to talk to. Link was spending as much time as he could with Malon before they left for Subspace, so Zelda was alone at the castle.
"Sir Aran is very capable, I'm sure she will return in full health." The Captain spoke with confidence, the man had been incredibly impressed by Samus' fighting skills. Plus he was grateful the hunter helped whip his men into shape.
"Return?" The thought didn't even cross Zelda's mind of Samus coming back. After all it had been an accident that the hunter ended up in Hyrule in the first place. A very suspicious accident that was definitely making Zelda keep an eye open this tournament.
"Is she not?" Though Zelda joked about keeping Samus in Hyrule, she would never force the hunter to stay. Well, maybe not never, the hunter's tendency to not take care of herself did put Zelda on edge.
"I don't believe so," Zelda spotted the slightest slump in the Captain shoulders, and her ears twitched hearing the Captain mutter a curse.
"Captain?" The man jumped, looking nervous at being heard.
"Nothing your majesty," Zelda smirked, one of the many perks of being Queen her subjects couldn't hide anything from her.
"Really? Well I would like to hear it anyway, no need for secrets Captain." The royal paused waiting for the Captain to answer her.
"I...really it is not appropriate your majesty." Zelda's eyebrow rose, she said nothing her expression saying she wasn't going to dismiss the poor man until he told her.
"I lost a bet that is all your majesty."
"A bet? About what?" The Captain fidgeted where he stood, looking like he'd rather be facing down Ganondorf himself than the Queen.
"Well you see your majesty, since you've refused all other suitors since you took the throne. Then you took in Sir Aran without a second thought, and treated her as you have. A lot of the staff started to gossip. We, I mean they thought Sir Aran was a suitor, so the staff started a betting pool…" Zelda raised a hand to stop the Captain's nervous explanation. Somehow the royal was holding back the blush threatening her face. Zelda was the Queen and she had an image to uphold.
"That will be all Captain, please make sure the money from this...bet is returned. I will not have my staff behaving so childishly." The Captain practically flew out of Zelda's study with a quick 'yes your majesty'. Samus, a suitor? Ridiculous, how could anyone think they were anything but close friends Zelda told herself.
Then why are you blushing? Another part of the royal's mind told her. They were friends, nothing more! The Captain mentioned Zelda treating Samus a certain way. What did he mean? Did she treat Samus different? Zelda didn't know, of course she opened her home to the hunter. She certainly wasn't going to let Samus sleep in some alley in Castle Town when the hunter could stay with her. Knowing Samus, she wouldn't doubt the hunter would sleep in an alley.
Zelda stood stepping away from her desk, the cat jumping down off her lap with an indignant meow. She was going on a walk, she had to clear her head from these thoughts. In a week she would see the hunter again, and it would not do to have such preposterous thoughts distracting her.
A.N. Some might say that since Samus is a woman there's no way she could be a suitor to Zelda. To that I say I'm writing a story about a fictional magic elf lady falling in love with a deadly bounty hunter from space. I threw realism out the window a looonnnngggg time ago. Besides I've always head cannoned that Hyrule was a matriarchal society, so they'd be chill with Zelda being with Samus. Enough about that though more importantly our heroines are beginning to think their feelings are more than friendship. Next chapter officially begins the brawl arc of the story, so I'll see you guys next chapter!
Side Note an answer to SamuraiGunner's question on whether I'm going to include the Smash 4 characters at all
As of now I have no plans to include them. I might mention them or hint about them, but I don't plan on continuing the story into Smash 4. Brawl will be the end of this story. I do love most of the Smash 4 characters, so after this story is over before moving on to a sequel I might do some oneshots about the forth tournament.