A.N. Finals week approaches and I'm uploading this instead of studying because I'm terribleXD. Anyway I've been trying my best to keep working on this while getting my class work done, but on the bright side once finals are over. I'll have more time to work on this and my other fics, so hang in there guys I'm working on it. With that enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 23
The octorok let out a low gurgling noise before finally falling off the platform. Both Samus and Zelda watched confirming the creature's demise before relaxing. Zelda looked to her companion noticing the lights on her suit flash to red for a moment before returning to their normal green state.
Zelda took Samus' hand taking a small comfort from the still steady metal grip. The hunter looked at Zelda as if she was about to say something, but again the familiar sound of the soldiers guns charging echoed.
"Not this again," Zelda sighed looking to the now five soldiers holding the two at gunpoint.
"You still want to push this?" Zelda's voice was more exasperated than worried. The royal knew how a fight between them would end, and Zelda didn't want to fight these men.
"I'm sorry Ma'am but command radioed us ordering the capture of Samus." It was clear by his tone that the man didn't want to fight either, but loyalty to the military won out in the end it seemed. Samus stepped protectively in front of Zelda, the battered state of her armor only made her seem more intimidating rather than show weakness.
Zelda could tell the hunter was ready to beat each soldier into the ground, but Zelda still wasn't about to let Samus waste energy on these misguided soldiers.
"This doesn't have to end in violence. Just show us where another portal is, and we'll leave." Zelda offered, still holding Samus' hand squeezing it to reassure her companion, and to keep her from taking action.
"You know exactly how this fight will end." Zelda stated, the hunter raised her arm cannon the weapon charging. A few soldiers shared a glance, Zelda continued.
"Would it really be so hard to...radio your command back and say Samus escaped?" It was going to be the end result anyway and the soldiers knew that. The one that had been speaking sighed. He lowered his weapon and the others followed suit.
"Had to try, Command has been searching desperately for you Aran." The soldier said to the hunter, Samus didn't respond keeping her weapon raised at the soldiers. The man took a few steps towards a metal structure he gestured towards it.
"There's been a pretty constant portal open this way. Only a few monsters have come through it, but otherwise it's the most stable one we've seen." The soldiers began moving out leading the way to the portal. Zelda let go of Samus' hand, holding onto the hunter's arm instead as they moved following the soldiers.
The two kept a small distance from the group of soldiers as they followed.
"You don't think they're leading us into a trap do you?" Zelda whispered to the hunter giving the soldiers a skeptical look. Zelda didn't want to assume anything about an organization she knew nothing about, but she couldn't help but be bias about the organization calling for the arrest of her...girlfriend? Zelda wasn't really sure what she considered Samus right now. They both admitted they loved each other, but they didn't really have a chance to say anything else. Zelda shook the thoughts from her head, now was not the time to let such thoughts distract her.
Samus shook her head answering Zelda's question, though the hunter's visor never left the soldiers. It was clear Samus didn't trust the men, with good reason too.
"Where are we anyway? This is your dimension, but exactly where did that portal drop us?" There was a pause from Samus, and Zelda remembered the wound marring her neck. Before she could take back the question Samus muttered out an answer.
"Norion," She didn't explain any further, either due to her injury or Samus didn't believe any other information was revelate. Zelda didn't mind of course, but she was concerned was it really a good idea to go jumping through another portal. Who knew where it would bring them next.
They didn't have much of a choice though, they couldn't abandon their friends in Subspace. Nor could they stay here, Zelda didn't like the idea of staying anywhere near the Federation.
The soldiers lead them to a corridor with several others standing around, no doubt guarding the portal. They all gave Samus wary looks as she passed, but they wouldn't engage the hunter unless they wanted to risk their life.
Just like the soldier said a portal lay open within the hall. Seeing the portal Zelda tensed, the dark purple energy cut through the air marring the space it occupied. The royal definitely didn't like the idea of putting to chance another portal, but it was either that or sit and wait here.
That certainly wasn't an option. Looking at Samus, the hunter as always showed no hesitation. Samus seemed to notice Zelda's uncertainty though and moved her arm to take Zelda's hand again. Feeling slightly better Zelda nodded, and barely paying the Federation troopers any mind the two passed through the portal.
The first thing Zelda realized upon crossing through the portal was the splashing of water and her boots filling with the liquid. When the darkness from the portal cleared, the bright light that greeted Zelda was blinding. Raising her free hand the royal blocked out the light for a moment before lowering it once her eyes adjusted.
What greeted Zelda was both amazing and terrifying at the same time. Above them was what seemed to be an ocean. Miles of water stretched upwards above them, fish of all kinds swam without a care. The water stopped though at a certain point as if some invisible force was keeping it from drowning them. Well drowning her, Samus' suit would no doubt protect the hunter.
Further investigating their surroundings Zelda gasped upon realizing what they stood in front of. A castle, not just any castle though, Hyrule castle. Some things were off about it, but Zelda wouldn't be mistaken when it came to her home. Glancing around they were standing in what was the garden, but water had flooded the area making it more like a small pond.
"How is this possible?" Zelda let go of Samus' hand walking up the steps leading out of the water looking at what was her home in utter shock. Something was off, there were slight differences in the castle's structure, and ivy and moss covered much of the castle's walls.
Samus was silent, but Zelda could hear her metal footsteps following the royal as she entered the castle. Again things were similar from the last time she was home, but some things were off. The carpet covering the stone floor was a different color than what Zelda remembers. Some of the paintings hanging from the walls Zelda knew were not in the castle last time she checked. The paintings Zelda did recognize were half rotten away, or it looked like someone torn them apart.
Could a portal have swallowed the entirety of Hyrule Castle. That didn't seem right, if a portal transported the castle under an ocean. Then what force was protecting the castle from being consumed by water. Further where was her staff the hylian wondered, Zelda cringed in fear for them. She may not know every member of her staff personally, but that didn't mean the royal didn't care for them.
Zelda's head was a whirlwind of thoughts trying to explain what was going on. It wasn't until a firm hand took her's did Zelda realize she had been rushing through the halls. Zelda blinked, it was a good thing Samus snap her out of it. There could be monsters lurking about, and being distracted would have spelt disaster.
The hunter had a reason for stopping Zelda though. Samus let go of Zelda's hand pausing for a moment before pointing at something hanging on the wall. Zelda looked and once again gasped.
A painting hung on the wall, worn and half torn still though depicted on the canvas was none other than Zelda herself. Zelda knew she did not commission anyone to paint her, taking a step closer Zelda examine the painting.
It seemed like a standard royal portrait that everyone in the royal family would have done at some point. Usually one wouldn't get it done until their rule had been cemented either by marriage or some other major event. Looking at the painting Zelda saw herself sitting on a plush seat regally. Her portrait self appeared older, slight gray hair running through her hair. There was someone else in the painting too, but the canvas was torn as if someone ripped the other person out purposely, or simply age got to the paper. All Zelda could see was the other person's gloved hand resting on her portrait self's arm.
"This is impossible, could the portal be crossing time as well as dimensions?" Zelda looked to Samus for an answer, but the hunter shrugged having none. The royal would have gone back to her musing if she didn't catch sight of the lights on the hunter's armor flashing back to red.
"Samus," Zelda was at the hunter's side in a second. Her hand went to the damaged armor, and she frowned upon fresh blood coating her fingers. The fight with the octorok must have reopened the wound.
"We need to take a moment to rest." Samus looked ready to argue, but Zelda left no room for argument. Taking Samus' arm Zelda lead them to what used to be the castle's main entrance. Now it seemed to still serve that purpose, but Zelda didn't take the time to note the differences. Getting Samus to sit down on the steps Zelda went to work trying to close the wound.
"This would be easier if you deactivated your armor. I can't properly reach the wound." After a moment of trying to get the wound to close Zelda mumbled. It wasn't a request though, it took Samus weeks in Hyrule to be comfortable enough to take off her armor. In an unknown place with a threat looming over them Zelda knew there was no way Samus was letting her guard down.
"I'll be fine," Samus grunted out, armor shifting in pain as once again Zelda managed to get the wound to stitch close. It wasn't perfect though, Zelda was sure the wound would open again if they continued fighting. Checking the gash on the hunter's neck luckily that wound remained closed. Zelda wasn't sure if even Samus could keep going after losing so much blood.
Samus' visor glowed brightly and Zelda noticed her looking over the wound on her stomach that Ridley had given her when he captured her. There was a still a dull pain, but Zelda was mostly ignoring it. The royal was beginning to feel the strain of all this fighting already though, unlike many of the other fighters. Zelda didn't constantly train or fight, her body wasn't used to this kind of strain, and while Zelda endured this kind of stuff during Ganondorf's reign in Hyrule. That was years ago and the royal didn't know how much longer her body could keep up.
The hunter stood up her visor dimming upon seeing Zelda was as good as she could be right now. Offering her hand to the royal Zelda got back as well. Before either could say anything though Zelda's ears twitched hearing the metallic click of a sword unsheathing.
"Hyahhhh!" Both heroines looked up just as a green blur jumped from the balcony above. Zelda jumped back while Samus side stepped catching the offender by their shirt's collar. A metal clang sounded out as their attacker's sword fell to the ground.
Blinking Zelda lifted an eyebrow looking at their would be attacker. It was child, currently squirming in the hunter's iron grip. What was stranger about the child he was like a mirror image of Link when he was younger. Even the same green tunic and blonde hair tucked messily under his long hat. Zelda's eyes widened looking at the child's sword.
Picking up the blade, there was no mistake. It was the legendary master sword, though Zelda could sense that it did not have the power that the master sword Link carried possessed. The sages must not be present in this world to pray and give the blade power. As Zelda could sense the sword's lack of energy.
"Let me go!" The boy brought back Zelda's attention. Samus had no issue keeping hold of him of course. His small arms doing nothing to loosen the hunter's metal clad hand holding his shirt. Samus looked at Zelda with a questioning head tilt. Zelda nodded, the boy would be no threat to them now that he was out in the open.
Samus let the boy down and he jumped kicking Samus' shin only to yelp when his boot connected to the metal armor. Still holding the master sword Zelda approached the boy. Her face wasn't harsh stern perhaps, but the boy did attack them, and the master sword even not at full power could do some major damage.
"Care to explain why you attacked us?" The boy jumped not expecting to be addressed by the royal looking woman. He took an uneasy step back, but only to stumble back into Samus. The hunter's emotionless visor watched the boy, the hunter's arms crossing. Caught between the two the boy glanced at both of them before turning his gaze back on Zelda. He looked her over confusion covering his feature. Then Zelda could see a flash of guilt come to his features as if realizing something.
"I thought you guys were Ganon's monsters…" Zelda wasn't sure if she should be insulted that she was mistaken for one of Ganon's minions, or concerned that Ganon's work was involved with this.
"We're not, how about we try this again with less sneak attacks yes?" The boy seemed to brighten at the idea nodding.
"I'm Zelda and this is my partner Samus." The hunter gave a nod in greeting and the boy smiled up at the metal warrior. Then he bashfully scratched the back of his head looking at the floor.
"Sorry I attacked you, you kinda look like a darknut. My name's Link." Zelda blinked, a boy garbed in green named Link. Now that was going to get confusing. Things began to piece together in Zelda's mind. This must be Hyrule in the future, or one of many possible outcomes. Time was a fickle thing, and even by Samus and Zelda just being here things could be changing from their original course. This boy may be a distant relative of the Link from her time. How Hyrule castle ended up underwater would have to be a mystery for another time they did have bigger problems to worry about right now. There would be no future if all dimensions were destroyed after all.
"It's quite alright Link no harm done. I have to ask you though have you seen any masses of purple energy. They're portals, Samus and I have to find one." Link thought for a moment then he nodded.
"Yep I saw one after I got the master sword, can I please have it back by the way I need it." The royal remember she was still holding the legendary blade. She raised an eyebrow wondering how a boy so young could wield the master sword. When in her time Link had to wait seven years before he was able to wield the sword. Then Zelda caught the younger Link's wording, he said he needed the sword.
"Can I ask what you need this for?" Link's face tightened, his face reminding Zelda of the Link from her time's expression whenever he became determined.
"Ganondorf took my sister I have to rescue her! King of Red Lions says the only way I can beat Ganon is with the Master Sword." Zelda wasn't sure who this King of Red Lions was, but she wondered if they knew the master sword didn't have the power to repel evil right now. Fighting Ganon now with this sword would be a suicide mission. Regardless it was clear by the boy's expression even if she withheld the weapon he would go after Ganon.
"Do be careful with this, it's not a weapon to be taken lightly." Zelda said gently, handing the sword back to the young Link. The boy nodded sheathing the sword behind his back.
"I think I saw one of those portals this way." Link pointed upstairs before hurrying off to show the partners where the portal was. The two followed after the boy wasting no time to continue their attempts at getting back to Subspace.
"Why are you guys trying to find these portals anyway? I thought they were just Ganondorf bringing more monsters to fight." The young hero asked curiously looking at the two women as they traversed the castle. Zelda explained as best she could the events that brought them here. The tournament, the instability between everyone's worlds, and the combined power of the villains following the command of some unknown being. Link seemed to accept this all in stride his eyes narrowing though when Zelda mentioned Ganon was helping with this assault.
"There it is!" Link pointed out the flickering portal brightening what used to be the library. Now cobwebs and dust coated the shelves, spiders scuttled about at the intrusion of the three heroes.
Before they could even approached the portal a table was thrown their way from the other side of the room. The wooden furniture flew at them, luckily Samus caught the piece before it could hit them. The hunter dropped the tabled, all three of them looking at the creature that threw it at them.
"It's a darknut!" Link cried out as the armored figured raised its jagged sword, red eyes narrowing under its helmet. Zelda wasted no time with a sharp wave of her hand a blast of magic fire was hurled at the knight like monster. The darknut slashed his sword through the fire deflecting it away from him.
Link charged forward, Samus firing a missile at the darknut keeping it from focusing on the young boy. Rolling under the darknut's legs Link jumped swinging the master sword upwards a snap was heard and the darknut's armor fell away.
Another missile and a blast of fire and the darknut fell, its scorched body dissolving into the air. Link blinked before he let out a whoop trotting back over to the two women.
"Wow that's so much easier with help. I've only ever seen wizzrobes use magic, can you show me how to do that?" Link was bouncing looking excitedly at Zelda. The royal gave him uncertain smile.
"Another time perhaps, we have to go. Will you be fine here on your own?" Zelda didn't like the idea of leaving the boy alone here, but if this was his world he should stay. Link didn't seem to think so though, he shook his head.
"I'm coming with you! I can't just sit here while my world and everyone else's is in danger!" Zelda could see the same determined spark that her time's Link had in the younger boy. He wasn't going to take no for an answer, and Zelda knew as soon as they crossed over the portal. Even if it closed after that he could no doubt find another to cross. Looking at Samus the hunter shrugged, Zelda huffed the hunter being of no help.
"All right stay close to us, and as soon as things get too violent run." Link grinned, excitedly dashing over to the portal only to stop just short of jumping in. He gave Zelda a sheepish look waiting for the two heroines before all three crossed through the portal.
"I think I'm going to be sick…" Zelda heard Link mumbled after they passed into a different dimension. She looked over to her companions to see Link looking a bit green, and Samus watching unsure what to do. The hunter looked at Zelda then at Link again, as if a pleading the royal to do something.
Zelda went over to the boy leaning down and placing a gentle hand on his back. The royal herself must be getting used to passing through the portals, as each time she found the process less dizzying, but Link has never passed through one. Making the process a little rougher for the young hero.
"I'm okay thanks Miss Zelda." Link brighten considerably, before his face became quizzical.
"Where are we?" Link's words echoed, Zelda looked around they seemed to be in a cave of some kind. A chill ran through the air, and Zelda shivered seeing her breath. The only light were the bright green glow of Samus' visor, and the other smaller lights on the hunter's armor.
"Any ideas Samus?" Zelda asked having no clue herself. The hunter shook her head, craning her helmet around looking at every inch of the cave.
Zelda frowned, holding out her hand a small flame spawned illuminating the cave even more. Ears twitching Zelda looked up hearing something shuffle above them. Above them a dozen bats or what appeared to be bats roosted above them. They were blue and Zelda could see no eyes at all on their small bodies.
"We should be careful, I'd rather not find out if those are poisonous." Zelda whispered noting how Link jumped upon spying the bats. Samus simply nodded, the hunter pointed to a passage indicating which direction she believed they should.
Carefully the three crept through the cave, trending softly as not to awaken anything that may lurk in the darkness. The cave was silent except for the sound of water dripping from the ceiling, and the occasional shuffling of the bats.
Eventually though that silence was broken when the small group made it to what looked like a staircase leading outside. Explosions and the sounds of fighting echoed outside. Along with a monstrous roar coming from outside.
Again they approached cautiously, Zelda peeking out of the cave along with Link. While Samus stayed a little farther back being the most noticeable of the group.
Outside a creature Zelda never seen was raging. A bipedal body with a long neck, pink highlights running down its body and tail. Two large wings extended from its back, and sharp piercing red eyes. Two pearls shined brightly on its shoulders, and the beast's claws glowed slashing through the air sending waves of energy at its opponent below.
Its opponent jumped and dodged barely avoiding the attacking monster above. The being was blue standing on two legs, it looked like a mix of a dog and a person. The dog seemed to be trying to talk to the monster above, but Zelda couldn't understand what the creature was saying. Nor did the monster above seem to care sending another blast of energy at the dog like creature.
Zelda briefly wondered if they should just ignore this battle and find another way. The thought was stopped dead at the larger monster's next action. Pearls glowing brightly the creature slashed in the air, and the world split a tear being created that a blue dragon creature flew out of. The dragon gathered energy in its maw firing it at the blue dog below.
The dog gathered energy in its paws a bright ball of energy being formed before it was flung at the dragon. The dragon veered away avoiding the attack, gathering its own energy. A bright beam of yellow energy was fired at the dog creature. There was no time for it to dodge, raising its arms it prepared to take the hit.
The attack never hit though, using Farore's wind Zelda brought herself to the dog's side. Using her magic the beam of energy was blocked away. The dragon looked surprised at the newcomer but didn't have time to process it as Samus quickly brought the dragon down with several precise shots from her arm cannon.
The dog creature looked in shock at the people coming to his aid.
"Thank you," Zelda heard a masculine voice echo in her head. She knew this it was how Mewtwo, a pokemon from the last tournament communicated. Telepathy, the dog creature must a be a pokemon Zelda realized.
Before Zelda could say anything the dog like pokemon turned its gaze to the creature angrily hovering above them.
"Palkia stop this! You're out of control you're going to tear our world apart!" The pokemon yelled at Palkia allowing what he was saying to be understood to his new found allies. Palkia still didn't seem interested in talking, gathering energy in its one hand it geared up for another attack.
Palkia drew its arm back ready to throw the wave of energy at them when a bomb came from below exploding in front of the large pokemon. Link quickly made himself scarce grinning as Palkia angrily tried to locate whoever dared attack it.
Letting out a deafening roar Palkia landed on the ground with a crash. Zelda jumped back avoiding being crushed by the enormous pokemon. While Samus rushed forward rolling into morphball she planted several bombs under Palkia while its focus was still on Zelda and the other pokemon. Palkia roared as the bombs exploded under it, Samus came out of morphball form behind Palkia. Firing several energy shots at the pokemon, keeping up the momentum Zelda sent a blast of magic fire at Palkia's front.
Palkia let out another noise, but this one was more of a wail of pain than a roar. The glowing pearls on its shoulders dimmed slightly and Palkia shuddered where it stood taking a fair amount of damage.
Before any of the heroes could continue their attack the blue pokemon stepped forward raising his paw at Palkia. Zelda felt the air shift as the dog like pokemon did something, its paw glowed blue its eyes closed. After several moments Palkia straightened back up to full height. Magic sparked in Zelda's hand, Samus readied her arm cannon and Link pulled out a bow and arrow. None of them could take action though as the pokemon spoke.
"Palkia apologizes for attacking you." Zelda blinked, processing the pokemon's words. Magic disappearing from her hand Zelda looked at the two pokemon curiously. The pokemon turned to the heroes giving a small bow.
"Thank you for your assistance, I could not have calmed Palkia alone. Allow me to introduce myself I am Lucario." Both Link and Samus lowered their weapons, though Zelda could see Samus keeping her arm cannon at her hip in case things turned violent again. The two joined Zelda in front of Lucario while the royal introduced them.
"It was no problem, I'm Zelda, this is Samus and Link." Link gave a friendly wave the hunter merely nodded. Lucario gave a short bow to both of them, then he glanced at Palkia who seemed to be saying something to him. The large pokemon was making several noises that Zelda couldn't make heads or tails of, though Lucario seemed to understand. He turned back to the heroes when Palkia went silent.
"None of you are from this world." It wasn't a question, Lucario looked at the heroes a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Yes, we're all from different worlds you see…" Zelda went on to explain the events that brought them here. Lucario's eyes narrowed at the explanation and Palkia became restless its wings fanning out the pokemon making several noises. Lucario looked up at the large pokemon listening to the various cries Palkia was making.
"That explains why Palkia went berserk. Palkia was trying to keep the barrier between our world and all of yours together, but the strain became too much. In our world Palkia is the guardian of space and dimensions." The blue pokemon explained giving Palkia a sympathetic look. The large pokemon made several noises before its wings extend lifting the pokemon into the air. Lucario nodded, turning back to the others.
"Palkia can create a portal that takes us back to Subspace." Zelda caught on to the pokemon's wording, but Link was the one to speak up about it.
"You're coming with us?" Link asked excited at the prospect, and Lucario nodded.
"My world is in just as much danger as all of yours. I will defend my home with all of my power."
With that bright glowing energy formed in Palkia's clawed hands. Both pearls on its shoulder illuminated with a stunning glow, and the spacial pokemon opened a rift in the air allowing the small group to leave this dimension.
A.N. Originally I was going to have them go through more worlds, but I didn't want the dimension hopping to last too long. This chapter was a fun one to write, fun fact I was going to have a humorous scene in this where Toon Link wouldn't understand Zelda as since she's from Hyrule from an older time she would speak the old hylian language that you hear Valoo and the Deku Tree in Wind Waker speak. That would have opened up a whole can of worms on how any of the smash contestants can understand each other, and that's not something I'm ready to come up with an explanation for. Also yes that is indeed Toon Link, but to me it wouldn't make sense for them to just outright call him Toon Link right from the start, but don't worry he'll end up being called Toon Link before they meet back up with normal Link. So don't worry about any confusion that could happen in the future. With that I will see you guys next chapter^^