The characters and all their elements of video game references are properties of Nintendo.
Chapter 14.
Link smiled to himself as he finally managed to thread the needle. "I think I'm mastering this," he said, a bit of pride sneaking into his voice.
"You should be proud," Sheik replied calmly. "It's a result of your effort and perseverance."
"It's about time," Link muttered, shaking his head. "I've been working on this for almost a week."
For someone who was known for his precision with a bow, hitting targets from incredible distances without fail, the delicate task of threading a needle had proven surprisingly challenging. The irony wasn't lost on him, but it didn't diminish his determination.
"Don't rush it. You've come a long way, and Samus will appreciate the effort," Sheik added.
Link smiled again at the thought. The truth was, this wasn't really "ninja training" like he had told Samus—it was something much more personal. The entire purpose of these sessions with Sheik was to secretly craft a special suit for Samus, something inspired by the attire Sheik wore. Link had overheard Samus casually mention once how much she admired Sheik's clothing, and from that moment, he had been determined to make something special for her.
He chuckled quietly at the thought. "Ninja training," he mused. The real "training" that was exhausting him lately was his time with Samus, and it left him sore in ways far different from combat.
Sheik, noticing Link's quiet amusement, raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. The bond between the two had grown through these shared moments. Sheik didn't offer many words of encouragement, but the small gestures—like staying to help with this project—spoke volumes.
Link glanced at the half-finished suit, the result of countless hours of work and quiet determination. It wasn't perfect by any means—he had pricked himself with the needle more times than he cared to count—but it was getting there. He couldn't wait to see the look on Samus's face when he finally gave it to her.
"I'm almost done with this part," Link said, more to himself than to Sheik. "Just a little more, and it'll be ready."
"Good. Take your time. She'll notice the care you've put into it," Sheik said with a rare hint of warmth in his voice before returning to his quiet, composed self.
"Thank you so much for all this, Sheik," Link said earnestly. "For taking the time to teach me. One day, I'll pay you back."
Sheik, however, interrupted him before he could finish. "You don't owe me anything. Honestly, this is more like a hobby for me," Sheik replied with a rare smile.
Link chuckled softly. "You're a very nice person."
Sheik gave a slight nod. "You are too, Link. Though you're different from Young Link, I can see that same heroic spirit in both of you."
Link smiled at the mention of Young Link, recalling the younger version of himself from the past. The memories brought a mix of nostalgia and pride. Though they shared the same essence, the differences between them were distinct—Young Link had his own journey and path, but that same spark of courage resided within them both.
"He's a good kid," Link said, his voice soft as he reflected. "He reminds me of how I used to be... or maybe how I still am in some ways."
Sheik observed him quietly, letting the moment hang between them before finally speaking. "The spirit of a hero never fades. It only grows stronger, no matter the path you take."
Link nodded, appreciating Sheik's words. He had grown a lot since his earlier adventures, but deep down, the heart of a hero was still the same—driven by a sense of duty, loyalty, and, most of all, love for those he cared about.
"Well," Link said, turning his attention back to the suit he was working on, "I hope Samus sees a little bit of that hero spirit in this gift."
"She will," Sheik assured him. "More than you know."
With those words, Link felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was nearing the finish line on this project, and soon, he would be able to surprise Samus with something truly meaningful—a testament to the connection they shared.
"Hey Samus, I see you've been a really good influence on Link," Zelda said, a teasing smile on her face.
"Like that? I don't understand," Samus replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I mean that Link has adapted a lot to your lifestyle. He's using more advanced technology now," Zelda said, her grin widening.
Samus chuckled, "Oh, of course. He always had an interest in those things, but now he barely leaves my room." She laughed at her own comment, but as Zelda started giggling, Samus paused, realizing the unintended implication
"You have a very perverted mind," Samus said, her tone mock-serious, a faint blush creeping onto her face.
"I didn't say anything," Zelda said, still laughing.
"Likewise, thanks to Bayonetta's advice, things have gotten better for both you and Link," Zelda added, changing the subject slightly.
After lunch, everyone went their separate ways. Samus joined Zelda, Bayonetta, and Lucina for a chat, while Link went off to finish his work with Sheik. The conversation among the women was lighthearted, though Bayonetta seemed a bit riled up.
"Sometimes I just want to slap that immature angel," Bayonetta said, clearly referring to Dark Pit.
"You could wait for a combat and get your revenge that way," Lucina suggested with a smirk.
"It wouldn't give me the satisfaction of taking revenge for all the nonsense he's said to me," Bayonetta replied with a sigh.
"I can't believe Dark Pit gets you so worked up," Zelda said with a surprised look.
"Those vulgar comments he makes about me would drive anyone mad," Bayonetta countered.
"I know what you mean," Samus chimed in. "He tried to mess with Link and me once."
Samus then recalled the encounter vividly:
She and Link were walking through the halls of the mansion when Dark Pit appeared in the opposite direction, his usual scowl suggesting he'd just lost another match. As they passed, Dark Pit shoulder-checked Link, almost knocking him off balance. Samus immediately reacted.
"Hey, watch where you're going," she said sharply.
"What did you say?" Dark Pit spun around, glaring.
"You heard me. You should be more careful," Samus repeated, meeting his glare with confidence.
An unimpressed Dark Pit sneered, "An exhibitionist like you has no right to tell me what to do."
That comment hit a nerve. Before Link could say anything, Samus responded coolly, "Hey Link, don't you think copies of other people always act like this? It's like they're defective or something."
Dark Pit's face flushed with rage. "I'm not a copy! I'm authentic!" he snapped.
Samus and Link exchanged amused glances, a smile forming on both their faces. Without another word, they walked off, leaving Dark Pit fuming behind them.
As they continued down the hallway, they couldn't help but laugh at how worked up he had gotten, especially at his final futile attempts to insult them.
Back in the present day, Bayonetta leaned back with a smirk. "That angel has been one of the few here who really gets on my nerves. If he were in my world, I would've already taken off his wings," she said, her tone light but with an edge of mischief.
The others chuckled, sharing in her amusement. Samus felt a warmth in her chest; she hadn't realized how nice it was to be surrounded by friends. Who would have imagined she would forge such bonds in this place?
"Hey, have you all realized that in just a few days, this will all be over, and everyone will go back to their worlds?" Zelda suddenly said, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
"Yes, what a shame," Lucina added, her expression thoughtful.
"What will you do?" Samus asked, curious about their plans.
"I'll return to my kingdom. I need to take possession of the crown, and Link is waiting for me," Zelda replied, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks as she mentioned Link.
"I'll go back to my world, continue training—it's what keeps me sharp," Lucina stated with determination.
"I'll return to my world as well. I still have some unfinished business to take care of," Bayonetta added, her tone shifting slightly serious.
"What about you, Samy?" Lucina inquired. "I'm also curious about Link."
Samus took a moment, her brows furrowing in thought. "Well, I'm not sure yet. I haven't had the chance to talk about it with Link," she admitted, her mind racing with the possibilities.
"You really should think about that," Bayonetta advised, her playful demeanor giving way to sincerity. "After everything, it might be tough—if not impossible—to see each other again. You need to have a conversation with him."
Zelda nodded in agreement. "You have to figure out what you both want. It's important."
Samus sighed, looking down for a moment. The idea of leaving Link behind was daunting, but she knew she needed to address it. "Yeah, I'll talk to him. I don't want to leave anything unresolved."
The room fell quiet for a moment, each woman lost in her thoughts about the impending goodbyes and what the future held.
Link chuckled along with the group as the conversation shifted. Everyone had their own opinions on the strongest fighters, and it was a lighthearted debate.
"As far as I'm concerned, Captain Falcon is the most complete hand-to-hand fighter," Sora said, leaning back confidently.
Pit shrugged. "He's not a big deal. His attacks are strong but too slow. He's easy to take down."
"I agree. My strength is definitely superior to his," Ike added, crossing his arms.
Sora laughed. "Alright, alright. Skilled warriors, who do you guys think is the most complete fighter?"
Ike didn't hesitate. "Meta Knight. His attacks are fast, and he can fly."
Link chimed in. "I think Kirby, for the same reasons as Meta Knight."
Sora snorted. "I can't believe you guys are calling two flying balls formidable warriors."
Pit, who had been quietly thinking, suddenly spoke up. "I consider Bayonetta."
The room went silent for a moment, everyone turning their attention to Pit. Ike smirked. "We're talking about battles here, not someone who intimidates you or throws double entendres your way."
Pit's face turned bright red. "Don't get the wrong idea!"
Sora joined in on the teasing. "You get awfully defensive when it comes to Bayonetta, Pit."
Pit stammered, "I—I just think she's a strong fighter!"
Sora wasn't letting up, still laughing. "She's good, but Pikachu wiped the floor with her once."
"Well, that's because our skills are balanced here! Even someone like Isabelle can beat you on a good day," Pit retorted, crossing his arms.
Sora and Ike couldn't contain their laughter as Pit blushed furiously, clearly flustered by the teasing. Even Link had to chuckle at the scene before Pit, in a desperate attempt to steer the conversation away from Bayonetta, blurted out, "What are you guys going to do when all this is over?"
The laughter faded as the group grew thoughtful.
"I'll head back to my world," Sora said, smiling fondly. "Goofy and Donald are waiting for me. We'll have more adventures for sure."
Ike nodded, crossing his arms. "I'll stick with my friends in my world too. No real plans beyond that. And you, Pit?"
"I'll keep serving Lady Palutena, leading her army," Pit said with a proud smile.
As Pit finished speaking, Dark Pit walked by, muttering, "Hahaha, indoctrinated," under his breath. Pit gave him a sharp look but didn't respond.
Link had been quiet, lost in thought. "Well, I'm going to go back, but..." He trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence.
"What about you and Samus? You're not thinking of splitting up, are you?" Sora asked, raising an eyebrow.
Link sighed, scratching his head. "Honestly, I don't know yet. We haven't talked about it."
Ike nodded seriously. "You guys need to figure it out. I mean, it's not like you can just travel to another world easily, right?"
"Well, maybe he can," Pit chimed in, eager to support Link. "Bayonetta can travel between worlds with her powers. Maybe she could help?"
Sora and Ike erupted into laughter once again. "Bayonetta's definitely got you under a spell," Sora teased. "You can't stop talking about her!"
Pit's face turned bright red again as he realized he'd brought her up yet another time. I really need to stop mentioning Bayonetta... he thought, embarrassed as the conversation drifted back into playful banter.
Link and Samus were back in their room after a long and exhausting day. Link's heart raced with anticipation, knowing the moment to give Samus the gift he had worked so hard on had finally arrived. He wanted to surprise her, but his nerves were getting the best of him.
"Hey, Link, you've been acting strange. What's going on?" Samus asked, her tone curious but concerned.
"Nothing," Link replied a bit too quickly, trying to sound casual.
Samus raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Are you sure you're not hiding something?"
"Nope, nothing at all," Link said, his voice tense and unconvincing.
Samus crossed her arms, eyeing him suspiciously. "I don't know why, but I've got this feeling that all this talk about your 'training' with Sheik is just an excuse. Something feels off."
Link swallowed hard, trying to stay calm. "Why would you think that?"
"Well," Samus said, stepping closer, "for one, you said you've been working on stealth techniques, but your hands are all roughed up—like you've been doing something else entirely."
Caught off guard, Link faltered, struggling to respond, but before he could say anything, Samus closed the distance between them. Her eyes were sharp and intense as she studied him.
"You're really bad at lying, you know that?" she said, her gaze unwavering. "What are you hiding?"
Link sighed, realizing there was no point in keeping up the charade. Without a word, he reached into his bag and pulled out a small box, handing it to her.
Samus looked at it curiously before opening it. Her expression softened instantly, her face flushing as she took in the contents. Inside was a beautifully hand-stitched Sheikah suit, designed with care and precision.
"Link, what is this?" Samus asked, examining the outfit in awe.
"It's a Sheikah suit I made… with Sheik's help. You once mentioned how much you liked his style, so I thought I'd make one for you as a surprise," Link admitted, his cheeks turning red as he nervously scratched the back of his neck.
Samus's tough demeanor melted away as she held up the suit, a soft smile spreading across her face. "This is adorable, Link. You made this by hand?"
"Yeah… I wanted to give it to you when the time was right," he said, still a bit embarrassed.
Samus chuckled, a little ashamed of her earlier suspicion. "I'm sorry for all the questioning. I don't know what got into me."
Before Link could respond, Samus leaned in and kissed him softly, catching him by surprise. "Don't say anything," she whispered in his ear, wrapping her arms around him.
As Samus finished adjusting the Sheikah suit, she turned to look at Link. "How does it look?" he asked with a playful smile.
"You look great," Link said, his eyes widening as he admired how well the outfit fit her. "It looks comfortable, too. Can you move well in it?"
Samus nodded and tried out some of her combat stances and quick movements. "It's very similar to my Zero Suit. I have full mobility in this."
Link smiled and walked over, holding the mask that matched the suit. "Come, let me help you with this."
Samus nodded slightly and allowed Link to gently place the mask over her face. He carefully arranged her hair, making sure the hat that came with it fit perfectly on her head. When he stepped back to look at her, he gasped.
"You look… beautiful," Link stammered, looking to the side as he blushed.
Without warning, Samus, in one fluid motion, took Link into her arms, taking him completely by surprise. "I'll save you from the monsters now," she said, chuckling at the playful role reversal.
Link couldn't help but laugh, his face still slightly red. "I think I'm in good hands."
The two shared a lighthearted moment, enjoying the fun in their unique relationship.
Samus lay on top of Link, her warm presence close as she hugged him. Link, still a little shocked, wrapped his arms around her, feeling the comfortable weight of her body against his.
"It's so hot tonight," Samus said, her voice low but with a playful tone as she snuggled closer.
Link laughed softly, trying to relax. "Yes, it is," he said, closing his eyes, trying to fall asleep. But Samus had other intentions.
She shifted slightly, her touch lingering, causing Link to open his eyes again. He looked at her, noticing her mischievous smile and the twinkle in her eyes. It was clear she wasn't ready to sleep yet.
"You seem wide awake," Link said with a smile.
Samus leaned closer, her face inches from his. "Maybe I'm not so tired after all," she whispered, teasing him as her playful attitude took over.
Link smiled as he realized the night might not end as peacefully as he first thought.