A.N. Whew sorry for the long delay on this one. I hit a bit of a block with this story, and I decided to take a break from it, and work on some other stuff. Now I'm refreshed though and ready to jump back in. With that enjoy the chapter^^.
Chapter 21
"All right so we found the ship, how are we getting on it? Not all of us can fly you know." Link dryly noted to Meta Knight as the small group watched the Halberd soar above them. It didn't take them that long to find the ship, it was kind of hard to miss. The giant metal vessel could rival some of the larger space frigates the Galactic Federation had.
"Maybe Samus could throw you up there Link." Ike suggested with a laugh, Link's eyes lite up with the idea.
"Great idea! Samus throw me!" The green clad hero jumped in front of Samus waiting on the hunter. Samus shrugged, if Link wanted to get thrown into the air only to face plant into the ground. She wasn't going to argue. She may be strong, but even she couldn't throw Link to that height.
Samus grabbed Link, but before she could even move to throw him Marth stopped her placing a hand on the arm that held Link.
"How about let's not throw each other." Samus dropped Link, the hero huffing in disappointment.
"You have a better idea Marth?" Marth paused having no idea himself. No one suggested anything until Meta Knight spoke up.
"I could carry one of you onto the ship. We only need to regain control of the ship enough to steer it. Then we can let the others aboard, and clear the rest out." The swordsmen shrugged having no better plan. While Samus watched the ship, observing it silently not really paying attention to the others.
"Who are taking then? Sorry but, no matter how strong you think you are. You're not lifting metalhead off the ground." It would be logical to take Samus, after all she was the one who took on entire planets of monsters on her own. A ship no matter the size would be child's play in comparison.
"No, you'll come with me Link. Marth, Ike, and Yoshi will wait here for us to return for them." The two swordsmen didn't look happy about getting left behind, but it was then they noticed Meta Knight didn't mention Samus in that plan.
"What about Samus….!" All three swordsmen spun around to find the hunter missing. If one could see his face one would imagine Meta Knight was smirking under his mask.
"I believe she's finding her own way onto the ship." He pointed out into the distance to the hunter who was running at speeds even Link didn't know the hunter could reach. The heroes watched as Samus ran until she was under the ship, then she jumped and shot into the air like a rocket. The next thing the heroes saw was the hunter hanging off of the bottom of the ship.
"Show off," Link crossed his arms letting out a small chuckle before looking to Metal Knight.
"All right let's go before there aren't any baddies left for us."
Up on the ship Samus grunted digging her fingers into the dent on the ship she made. After watching it she'd figured she could reach the ship with a shinespark. Getting inside the ship however was going to be a new challenge.
Holding onto the bottom of the ship with her free hand Samus charged up her arm cannon. Firing it at the hull close to her the blast weakened the steel hull that wasn't made to stand up to such an attack. Altering her cannon, Samus activated her grapple beam. Taking hold of the piece of metal she fired at. Samus yanked hard trying to rip the metal off, after a few sharp tugs the metal began to bend.
Wasting no time Samus bent the metal until she could crawl inside. Rolling into her morphball Samus rolled inside the inner hull of the ship until she found an air vent that lead her to the actual inside of the vessel.
Scanning the area Samus saw no one walking down the metal halls of the ship. Keeping her arm cannon ready, Samus began moving down the halls. Most ships control centers were at the top of the ship, so she began to search for a way up.
"Get back here runt!" A voice yelled out, a loud bang resonated through the ship. Footsteps were rushing towards Samus, she readied her arm cannon. The familiar sound of plasma fire resonated, making Samus' eyes narrow. Sure enough two space pirates came barreling down the hall.
What the pirate's chased made the hunter's blood boil though. Zelda dodged plasma fire coming from the pirates weapon's as she ran down the hall. Acting quickly Samus rolled into her morphball zooming past the three until she was right behind the pirates.
"Shit! The hunter!" The one screeched as Samus grabbed him crushing his skull against the ship's wall before firing a missile at the other one. Samus kicked the limp body of the pirate aside turning to face the royal, her gaze softened.
"Samus!" The royal appeared shock to see the hunter, but quickly she threw her arms around the hunter's frame.
"Thank goodness you're alright." The royal mumbled holding onto the hunter tightly. Samus returned the hug, her nerves finally calming upon having Zelda safe.
"You okay?" Samus asked, once the two separated. Looking the royal over she appeared fine, but for some reason Samus' scan visor was not able to scan her. The device came up with the same message of unable to gather any readings on the royal. It was Zelda though, and Samus wouldn't be surprised if her strange magic sent Samus' scanners for a loop.
"Fine, though it seems once again this tournament has proven to be a death trap. If we survive this I don't think I'd like returning." The royal crossed her arms looking displeased at recent events, and Samus tilted her head slightly. It was odd usually she would expect Zelda to be more concern about what was going on. It was usually Link making the smart remarks, she brushed it off though.
The hunter turned, gesturing down the hall telling the royal they shouldn't linger here. To Samus' surprise Zelda gave her a blank look as if not understanding her. That was certainly strange, Zelda always knew what Samus was trying to say without actually speaking. Something was wrong here.
Again Samus tried to scan the royal, but her HUD's attempts to scan her told her it was unable to scan the royal. Looking at the royal again, she seemed well, not a single hair at of place. Same stunning dress the royal always wore. She was wearing her hair as the royal always did, her golden tiara shining brightly even in the dim ship lights. The hunter did spot something off though, the earrings that Samus gave to Zelda were missing. Odd because since the hunter gave them to her she has never seen the royal without them. It was then Samus caught sight of the royal's eyes.
This was not Zelda. Zelda's eyes were warm pools of a gentle blue that never looked at anyone with anything but kindness. The woman standing before eyes were dark, none of the normal kindness that oozed off the royal.
The hunter's eyes narrowed, the logical part of her mind told her she could play along with this farce. She could find out potentially important information, but the logical part of her mind was going on deaf ears currently.
All that was going through Samus' mind now was where was the real Zelda. The fake looked like she was about to say something after Samus had spent several moments silent without moving. Then the hunter snapped grabbing the fake by the collar lifting her off the ground.
"Samus! What are…"
"You're not Zelda." The fake's eyes widened before narrowing a malicious smirk appearing on her face.
"And you're not as easy to fool as I thought." The doppelganger raised a hand blasting magic fire right into the hunter's face. Samus stumbled slightly not expecting the fake to be able to mimic Zelda's magic. The double managed to break free from Samus' grasp, and she jumped back sending another blast of magic at the hunter.
Samus grunted the fire dropping the energy on her suit considerably. Samus fired several energy shots, but the doppelganger easily dodged out of the way. The hunter's eyes narrowed, the real Zelda couldn't move with such speed. This creature could mirror Zelda's shape, but it clearly stronger than the form it took.
"You know if you had just played along just a little longer. I might have given you a kiss before slitting your throat." The fake laughed dodging a missile Samus sent its way. Ranged attacks were getting her nowhere, so the hunter charged the double. Swinging her arm cannon Samus tried hitting the fake, but it was almost like it was made of water. It always seemed to flow out of the way of Samus' strikes.
Before Samus could think of a new strategy she heard hurried steps approaching. Down the hall four space pirates were approaching from behind her. Samus looked back to the fake who smirked fire sparking in her hands.
Link slashed the monster down the creature dissolving into black sludge as it fell. The green clad hero looked over to see Meta Knight impaling his sword into the head of a space pirate. Space pirates, Link hadn't forgotten about the monsters that attacked him last tournament. He wasn't too surprised to see them allied with Master Hand's monsters, but still it didn't bode well to see them aboard the ship.
At least Link was sure Samus was probably having a field day cutting the pirates down. The two heroes didn't bother looking for where the hunter entered, as they were both confident she could take care of herself.
The two were moving quickly through the ship clearing out any enemies that got in their way. The ship was vast, and Link was glad Meta Knight was there to guide the way. The hero was sure he would be lost by now if he was just exploring the ship on his own.
A large bang sounded out the whole ship shuddered and groaned. Link stumbled catching himself before he fell. Meta Knight's cape became wings and he flapped them to regain his own balance.
"What in Farore's name was that!" A worrying thought came to Link that the hunter may have run into trouble, but he pushed it away. He was about to keep moving when a warm feeling in his hand stopped him cold. Looking at his sword hand the Triforce was glowing brightly on the back of his hand, and that could only mean one thing. Either Ganon or Zelda was near, and since Link didn't feel the dark lord's presence. It had to be Zelda.
"Meta Knight wait, I have to look around, a friend of mine is nearby." The knight from Dreamland gave Link a look, but he stopped from rushing down the hall, giving the hero a chance to search. Link held out his hand the Triforce glowing, Link took a few steps watching the power shine brightly on his hand. When it didn't dim he continued, letting the Triforce lead him to the other piece that was nearby.
There was another bang and the ship shook again. Meta Knight gave him a look that told him to hurry. The Triforce guided him to a sealed steel door. It shone brightly telling the hero that the one he seeked was behind this door.
Link took the master sword shoving it in the crease in the door. He began to try and pry it open.
"Can't you open this?" Link grunted, slowly prying the door open. Meta knight shook his head sheathing his sword. He grabbed one of the sides of the door pulling it open.
Eventually the automatic door couldn't handle the strain anymore, and it slide open. Rushing inside Link let a grin come to his face.
"Zelda, Peach!" The two royals were suspended in cages hanging from the ceiling. The hylian royal immediately perked up upon seeing Link, but the hero could still spot the blood stains on her dress.
"Link! Thank the goddesses! You have to get us down now Samus is in danger!" Link raised an eyebrow, he wasn't surprised Zelda was worried about the hunter. Her voice sounded like she was certain there was danger coming for the hunter though.
"What you mean? Metalhead is fine she's somewhere on the ship now, probably kicking some poor pirate's face into dust." Link tried to soothe his friend's worries, but his words only seemed to upset Zelda furthered.
"I'll explain on the way just get us down now! We have to get to her!" Link shrugged, looking to Meta Knight the knight nodded. Using his wings the knight flew up to the cages his sword slashing through the chains that held them in the air. With a few quick swipes from the master sword the iron bars were no more freeing the two royals.
Zelda was rushing out the door as soon as she was free of the cage. Link gave a glance to Peach who only returned a worried look before the three went chasing after the Queen. The ship shook once again a loud groan of metal echoing throughout the building.
Samus threw the pirate off her, but it was too late the Zelda doppelganger already sent another blast of magic hurling at her. The hunter's back slammed against the wall from the force.
"Ha! And to think Ganondorf was worried you'd be a threat. Master Tabuu was right all along about you." The copy laughed snapping her fingers sending another blast of fire at Samus. The hunter quickly switched to morphball form rolling out of the way before reforming sending a missile flying at the double. Unfortunately the copy had the pirates on her side, and one of the reptilian monsters jumped in front of the missile taking the hit.
Samus blocked a different pirate who rushed at her saber raised ready to slash the hunter apart. With a swift kick then a missile the monster was thrown back slamming against the closest wall. Dispatching the pirate nearly cost Samus another blast of magic, she just barely jumped back avoiding the explosion of fire.
"Why are you still fighting? It's obvious you're going to lose eventually, so what's the point?" The copy taunted dodging out of the way from Samus as she sprung forward trying to bash her arm cannon into the copy's body.
"Everyone you care for is dead anyway. What was that man's name that was your commanding officer?" The fake Zelda put her chin in her hand in a mock thinking pose before snapping her fingers.
"Adam! He must be rolling in his grave seeing the person he sacrificed himself for become such a failure!" Samus felt something snap in anger, but she quickly regained control getting rid of yet another pirate that came to interrupt the fighting. While Samus continued fighting the pirates dodging blasts of magic, the double continued to laugh. Anger was still boiling inside her, only years of training to control her emotions kept the hunter from snaping.
"And the Chozo, their greatest weapon still carrying out a long dead race's commands. You should have perished with the rest of them!" Samus flaunter for a second upon hearing the name of her long passed family. It wasn't much, but it was enough for her to get the full force of a blast of fire coming from the false royal's hands.
Samus grunted pulling herself back up, how the creature knew so much about her past she wasn't sure. It was clear the double was trying to get a rise out of her. It angered the hunter to hear such a vile creature speak ill of people she once knew, but she couldn't let it control her actions.
"I wonder how long until her majesty joins the ranks of those that died because of you." Samus roughly grabbed a pirate throwing it into two others rushing down the hall. The monsters cried out in agony as Samus fired a super missile at them to end their life. It seemed the pirate numbers had thinned enough that Samus had some time to focus on the doppelganger.
Despite the pirates being gone for the moment the copy was smirking.
"We both know she's going to die, and it's going to be your fault." Samus clenched her fist, raising her canon several energy shots went hurling at the copy. Magic enveloped her and the projectiles bounced away harmlessly.
"Such a shame really, you know she loved you right?" Samus was charging the double when the copy cockly spoke those words. The next thing Samus knew a foot was kicking her visor using the moment to jump away the double had changed into Sheik, though the evil gaze was just as prevalent as the other form. Samus tried to ignore the doppelganger's words, but as soon as she utter the idea that Zelda might love her the hunter faltered. The double smirked fire exploding between them.
"You definitely have the emotional range of a teaspoon if you didn't notice, or…." The double jumped back avoiding a charged shot careening towards her. Samus was still trying to hit her but her blows were becoming sloppy for the hunter. Anger was bubbling within the hunter, and she felt her suit responding to the intense emotions coming off her. The suit only worked if Samus remained calm, and level headed.
"...Or maybe you love her. Oh that'd be hilarious!" Finally Samus' boot made contact with the double's gut slamming the woman into the nearest wall. Samus didn't let up grabbing the doubles' collar pulling them back and slamming them against the wall again. The double had shifted back to Zelda, as Samus charged up her arm cannon to deliver a final blow. The double gaze at the hunter.
"Samus," The copy muttered, and for a split second Samus forgot she was fighting a fake. All the hunter saw before her was Zelda in pain, and she was the one causing it. In that second Samus heard a click and then something was flying towards them. Samus turned just in time to see the missile a pirate fired straight at her.
When the smoke cleared Samus grunted, lifting herself off the ground. She didn't get the chance though, a blast of magic fire exploded and Samus was thrown to the ground again. Samus mentally cursed, she's been through worse than this. She had to survive.
"Such a sad being, just die and join the rest of your dead race in whatever you consider an afterlife." A snap then fire and missile were hurled at the hunter. Samus' HUD was flashing warning the hunter she had only a small amount of energy left. Using the wall Samus pulled herself up, but as she turned to face her enemies she saw a flash and the double was in Sheik form again. This time they threw something on the ground, and with a great flash Samus wasn't able to see the two pirates jump at her sabers raised.
The one Samus reacted quickly enough to blast them away, but Samus let out a short grunt as the remaining pirate's saber broke through her armor impaling the hunter's chest. With her suit's energy so low the pirate's saber managed to pierce the armor.
Samus fired a missile quickly dislodging the pirate from her. The only problem then was without the saber blood freely gushed out of the wound. An explosion of fire slammed the hunter against the wall, and the double grabbed her helmet jerking it up quickly dragging a throwing knife across the hunter's less armored throat. Samus was panting tasting the familiar metallic tinge of blood, mentally trying to tell herself to keep moving. The copy's words echoed in her head.
"Just die and join the rest of your dead race."
"So there's a fake you running around the ship! Great just great!" Link cried out trying to keep up with the royal. Zelda's heart was beating fast barely noticing the ground she was covering her only concern was finding Samus. She wouldn't let that abomination take the hunter away from her.
The ship shook violently only adding to the royal's worry. The small group of Zelda, Peach, Meta Knight, and Link hurried through the halls. As they moved signs of a fight were becoming apparent. Space pirate corpses were beginning to litter the halls, clearly Samus had been through here.
Zelda's ears twitched hearing a familiar sound, the sound of her own magic snapping in the air creating fire. The Queen quickened her pace ignoring the burning in her lungs. They were getting closer, more corpses lay dead in the halls, and Zelda heard Meta Knight mutter something about cleaning up the mess later.
"Are you finally done?" Zelda heard a cold voice question, rounding a corner for the first time Zelda felt herself become completely enraged at the site before her. The doppelganger stood above Samus who was hunched over against the wall clearly injured. Triforce glowing, fire that mirrored the royal's anger stormed down the hall enveloping the copy. The fake Zelda screamed in agony as her body burned, and the flames dispersed the charred mirror imagine of herself would have disturbed Zelda if she wasn't so angry at this point.
The burnt double laughed sinisterly its charred face grinning at Zelda before it began to dissolve into black sludge it came from. Instead of disappearing completely though the sludge moved on the ground.
Both Zelda and Peach realized quickly what the creature was doing, but the sludge was already covering the hunter's prone body before anyone could stop it. Just like when the sludge copied Zelda it coated the hunter's body before slinking off sliding back onto the floor. Within seconds an almost exact copy of fully armored Samus Aran was standing before the heroes. Unlike with Zelda the creature didn't have the time to fully copy the hunter, and the fake wasn't perfect. Blotches of black sludge seeped from the armor and the colors weren't right, sporting shades of black and purple instead of red and orange.
The creature's hollow laugh echoed through the halls. It raised its arm cannon dark energy charging in the chamber.
Samus could hear explosions but they seemed far away. It felt like she was underwater everything was happening so slowly. She could hear her heartbeat slowly thumping in her chest, and her short breaths seemed to be the only thing that told Samus she was even still alive.
Or maybe she wasn't, and this was just the world punishing her for even believing she could be happy. The copy said Zelda loved her, Samus didn't want to believe that was true. How could such a wonderful person like Zelda care about her, a dangerous, cold hearted machine. Love was an echo the hunter barely remembered. She'd loved her chozo family deeply, and Adam and her allies in the Federation were as close to friends Samus ever had.
Samus never felt such pure happiness with any of them that she got when being with Zelda. If that was love then Samus could admit she loved Zelda more than anything. If the hunter could she would have laughed. It seemed to be a recurring theme in her life that she never got the chance to tell the ones she cared about how much they meant to her.
The chozo were wiped out before Samus could tell them how grateful she was they took her in as family. She was too stubborn and still hurting too much as a child to ever say it. Adam sacrificed himself for her believing in her to continue to do what was right in the galaxy. The few friends she had Anthony Higgs, Rundas, and the other hunters all of them gone.
No, she wouldn't let it end like this. The hunter had survived far worse, this wouldn't be her end. The copy's words were just words, even if they were true Samus wouldn't let herself die just yet. Even if Zelda only cared for her as a friend Samus could live with that. To be able to have the royal in her life was enough to make Samus want to live that life.
The pain came like a drop of water in a pond, her chest burned and she felt herself cough blood. It didn't matter though Samus opened her eyes.
"This is bad!" Link shouted as he covered Meta Knight with his shield protecting the two from a volley of missiles coming from the dark hunter.
"Zelda please tell me Samus has some secret weakness she's shared with you!" The hero yelled to the hylian royal who was protecting herself with her magic. No doubt he remembered how his last fight with the hunter went, and that was when he was fighting the more merciful real Samus. Zelda frowned, she did know of a few weaknesses Samus had from sparring with her. However most utilized the hunter's blind spot from having such bulky armor. Useless in a narrow hallway they were in.
The heroes couldn't get close enough to the hunter without getting blasted, and Zelda couldn't risk another blast of magic fire with Samus' prone form next to the doppelganger. The real Samus was the only thing going through Zelda's mind. She could see blood, and the hunter's armor lights were a bright red instead of their normal green.
When Zelda was about to chance sending a blast of magic at the creature she saw Samus twitch. The creature copying her didn't notice the movement, already believing the hunter dead. A familiar visor turned slightly towards Zelda. The two stared at each other before Zelda nodded.
Another projectile went hurtling towards the royal, but this time when she reflected it away. The false hunter didn't get a chance to fire another one. Samus sprung up grabbing the fake firing several energy shots right into their head. Then with a jerk the hunter forced the fake's arm cannon to point away from the other heroes.
Link and Meta Knight didn't waste the opportunity. They rushed forward and soon two swords jutted out the fake hunter's back. A gasp of air was released from the fake, and soon they began to fall apart, black sludge blowing away disappearing into the air.
Even though they were slowly dissolving away the fake still let out a laugh.
"You think you've won, your worlds are imperfect. Master Tabuu will bring perfection whether you accept it or not." Zelda would have let out a sigh of relief as the creature disappeared, but any relief was short lived. Samus collapsed to one knee upon the creature's fall. Zelda was by her side in seconds crossing the distance between them and sliding to the floor to kneel next to the hunter.
The hunter had her one hand over her chest where a sizable hole in the armor leaked with blood. Even worse blood coated the hunter's throat where something had slashed through the less thick black armor covering it. Despite this the hunter's visor was glowing looking at Zelda.
"You okay?" The words were choked out barely audible, but Zelda glared at the hunter. Hands glowing she gently lifted the hunter's helmet placing one hand over the wound on her neck.
"I swear to the goddesses, if you ever scare me like that again Samus Aran I'll…" Zelda was shaking, through her magic she could feel how weak Samus' heartbeat was. If it wasn't Samus there would be no doubt that she would be dead within seconds. The hand covering Samus neck wound shook, she almost lost her. The reality of it was all too apparent looking at the hunter injured so. The Queen didn't notice the tears running down her cheeks, or that Peach had ushered the swordsmen away ordering them to continue clearing the ship. The Princess herself keeping a respectful distance, but still close enough to help if they needed it.
Zelda felt the neck wound finally stop bleeding. She couldn't get it to fully close, but at least blood lost wouldn't take the hunter. She went to move her hand to the hunter's chest, but a metal hand took her's. Zelda was about to abolished the hunter telling her she needed to help her, but the hunter's grip was gentle but firm demanding Zelda's attention.
"Sorry," leave it to Samus to hold off getting a serious injury healed just to say she was sorry. The hunter gently squeezed Zelda's hand showing her she was alright, but Zelda didn't feel reassured. She pulled her hand away tapping the helmet to show she wanted Samus to take it off. There was a hiss of air then Zelda helped Samus pull the helmet off. The hunter was pale from blood lost, but otherwise appeared much the same she did when she left Hyrule.
Zelda cupped the hunter's cheek making sure her gaze was on Zelda. It was of course, even with Zelda's gentle hands holding Samus' face.
"I can't lose you Samus. I know danger and fighting is a big part of your life, but promise me you'll come back. You mean too much to me I…" Then without thinking Zelda leaned in and kissed Samus. In retrospect the taste of blood did not leave one thinking of a memorable first kiss, but it didn't matter because after a second of shock the hunter returned it. Her free hand wrapping around Zelda's waist holding the royal close.
When the two separated Zelda blushed realizing what she did, but she wasn't about to regret it.
"I love you," Zelda spoke first feeling like a great weight was lifted off her shoulders upon saying those words out loud to the hunter. Samus looked like she was about to say something when she cough instead covering her mouth with her hand. Zelda could see flecks of blood, the neck wound would definitely needed more care. Before Zelda could try to help her Samus dematerialized her arm cannon in order to sign something.
The hunter pointed at herself, crossed her arms over her heart then pointed at the royal a happy smile on her face.
"I love you," There was a paused as Zelda realized what Samus just signed to her. Then the royal was smiling, she threw her arms around the hunter holding her close. Zelda let out a small noise of surprise when Samus stood abruptly lifting the royal off the ground twirling her in the air.
"Samus put me down you're still hurt!" Zelda was close to laughing despite being worried for the hunter's health. Grinning the hunter placed Zelda back down, leaning down she placed a gentle kiss on Zelda's forehead.
"Feel better than ever," the hunter's horse words said otherwise. However there was something different about her Zelda noticed. Samus eyes once dull from the horrors she had seen were bright now. If one looked close enough they could still see the darkness that haunted her, but Samus looked at Zelda with a happiness that Zelda has never seen in the hunter before. What Zelda didn't see was she was looking at the hunter in the exact same way, and it didn't matter. This time nothing was going to tear them apart not even the proclaimed Master Tabuu.
A.N. About twenty-one chapters later these two finally admit they love each other woo! This chapter was another fun one to write, originally I did plan on having the fake Zelda be able to fool Samus long enough to get a crippling hit on her. After mulling it over it just didn't fit right, because Samus is the kind of person that would have every single one of Zelda mannerisms memorized. In the end I'm very satisfied with this chapter now all that's left is to kick Tabbu's ass and then happy ending for everyoneXD. Anyway see you guys next chapter!