Samus Aran, master bounty hunter, exterminator of Metroids, and bane of all hostile alien races, tried to decide what to wear. She pawed through some of her clothes, unable to find something that would be loose and comfortable compared to her battle armor. Finally, she found a simple black sweatshirt, and put it on. She grabbed some loose leggings and began brushing her hair, looking at the orange and yellow suit that hung in the corner. She sighed.
It was that armor that caused her so many troubles, so many problems. Although she got the giddy thrill of power when she could use the blaster that was the arm of the suit, it was nice to be free from it for a while. Although she hadn't gotten a bounty in a while, she had spent far too much time in her suit for her tastes. With the new tournaments going on, she barely had time to think...
There was a knock on her door, and she sighed heavily, knowing who it had to be. Whoever it was that gave out her address was going to pay...
The impatient knocking came again, a quick tapping as if someone couldn't wait to do something. She could tell who it was simply because of what it sounded like. She opened the door, and stared.
She was right of course. It was exactly who she expected. Captain Falcon.
Ever since she had beaten him badly in a match, he had stared at her with utter hatred. She wasn't surprised...she had beaten a lot of the members of the competition, and they all seemed to glare at her as she was encased in her powerful armor. As if she was cheating.
But it was afterwards, when everyone was heading home, that the trouble started. It happened when she took off her helmet to get some air. Apparently, Captain Falcon, who was eating some three tables away, had no idea that she was a woman. As soon as she let loose her hair, she heard a loud choking as Captain Falcon gasped in surprise.
"You're a woman!"
"Of course I am." she had replied simply.
Captain Falcon had stared at her the rest of the time, whether in surprise or fascination she couldn't tell. But when she had left, she could feel his eyes on her as she walked out. She felt so uncomfortable she put her helmet back on. But from what she had heard from Luigi, Captain Falcon obviously had some interest in her.
What an egotistical brainless idiot. She thought to herself. Changes his opinion just because he sees my face...
Captain Falcon was dressed as he usually was, in dark fitting-blue. The visor of his helmet was up so she could see his eyes, although he was still twitching energetically. She had thought some time ago that perhaps Falcon was just nervous before a battle, but that was before she had encounter his almost spasmodic speed in battle. Captain Falcon seemed to constantly be on overdrive. It was logical, considering his profession, but it was still unnerving. She wondered if everything looked extremely slow to him or if he was aware of how fast he was constantly moving. He jerked his fist up quickly and opened it with the same energy, waving at her quickly before it darted back to his side.
Samus was not amused.
"Hello!"
Samus sighed. "What do you want?"
"Who me?" Falcon tried to look innocent. It didn't work, the emotion only spending a fleeting moment on his face. "Why would I want anything?"
"Shouldn't you be out winning trophies or something?" she said irritably, putting a hand on her hip. She was considering slamming the door. However, it was entirely possible that Captain Falcon could block that movement. He was certainly fast enough. The real question was if he was intelligent enough.
"According to that logic, you should be fighting the airborne life-form Metroid, but neither of us are!" Falcon said, looking slightly aloof. A hand rested on his chest for only a second. "And for that matter, a lot of our fellow competitors aren't fulfilling their supposed descriptions either. Link, for example-"
"What do you want?" Samus asked again, getting annoyed. This guy wouldn't shut up and he was not getting to the point. He paused.
"Is this what you look like without the suit?" he asked awkwardly. Samus had apparently just found a winner for the biggest-idiot-of-the-year award.
"Of course it is. What did you think I would look like?" Irritation was making its way into her voice. She could not believe he had not noticed.
"So why do you wear it?" Falcon changed the subject again. Every question just was getting more and more stupid. She readied her hand behind the door to shut it.
"Isn't it obvious? It enhances my abilities."
"In my opinion," Falcon flashed a huge smile. "I think you look a lot better without the suit."
Samus half-closed her eyes.
"You're not very good at this, are you."
Falcon was perturbed by this response for some reason, and looked slightly surprised. He almost physically struggled to find an appropriate response. "I've got a preposition."
"I'm not going anywhere with you." Samus said, sounding bored.
"Go to dinner? With YOU?" Falcon looked mock-horrified. "I was simply inviting you to the competition this weekend!" Falcon then smirked and winked. "Why would you think I would invite you to dinner, hmm? Do you WISH I did?"
More and more irritating with every passing moment.
"I'll go to the competition just to win another a trophy away from you." Samus was annoyed that he was twisting her comment around. "So now that you've delivered your 'news', go away."
"Such bad manners. Aren't you supposed to invite me in?"
"No."
"I guess killing aliens has an effect on your social life..." Falcon shrugged. Samus leaned against the doorway, finding herself getting involved in the conversation despite her best efforts to extricate herself.
"Racing is hazardous to your life too. Besides, I'm not the only bounty hunter." Samus crossed her arms, smirking. Falcon looked extremely surprised by hearing this from her, so much so that it struck Samus as extremely peculiar. She rolled her eyes, deciding she may as well enlighten him.
"I heard it from Luigi."
Falcon looked offended. "Luigi! He's all talk talk talk..."
"And so are you, or so he tells me. Go away."
"Don't you want to know about the tournament?"
"Not really, but alright. If it'll make you leave."
"I talk better if I'm sitting down." Falcon pouted. Samus rolled her eyes, finding the fingers on her right arm twitching. She had to remember that she wasn't wearing her suit at the moment, therefore putting a missle right in his face was not an option.
"You're very persistant."
"You have to be if you're going to race! If you're going to WIN! Show your moves!" Falcon struck a dramatic pose. Samus turned with a sigh of irritation, heading back into her house. Falcon, noticing her departure, quickly accompanied her before she slammed the door on him.
"Ah hah! Here's the little problem!" Falcon noticed her battle armor hung on the wall of her living room. He reached out and grabbed the blaster cannon, lifting it upwards and staring almost directly down the barrel.
It was almost unbelievable.
"Don't touch that." Samus took this opportunity to shove him out of the way, resetting the suit back the way it was. She could not help brushing it off as if he had contaminated it. Falcon recoiled from the shove quickly, looking highly offended.
"I didn't break it or anything. I just touched it."
"Touch the blaster and it'll go off. Even worse, it might start charging up." Samus couldn't hide a slight touch of pride from her voice. "Only I know how to handle it, so don't touch it."
Falcon noticed a couch, and sat down on it, trying to regain his dignity and failing. That, however, gave him credit for having dignity in the first place.
Samus made sure her suit was properly in place, then walked to the kitchen to get a snack. Falcon kept talking as she was walking, as if ignoring the fact she was staying as far away from him as possible.
"Anyway, it's with all of the normal contestants. Ness and Jigglypuff MIGHT show, but they're both 'busy'. Ness claims that some of his friends are having problems and the Mr. Saturns need something. That boy sure is mysterious. Anyway, Jigglypuff says that it might be recording a CD, so is a bit busy."
Samus grabbed a box of cookies and walked back into the room, munching on one slowly. Falcon stared at her blankly.
"What?"
"You eat cookies?"
"I like cookies. Don't you?" Samus was getting irritable again. Falcon shook his head.
"Well, I expected something more...healthy."
Samus just remained silent, sitting down on the couch opposite him, but noticably not looking at him. Of course, Falcon did not notice, only continuing with what he was saying.
"Anyway, I think Mario might be showing."
"Mario?"
Mario was big problem...the plumber knew exactly how to exploit her weaknesses in battle and use them to his advantage. Mario gave her trouble and they were equal in skill...except sometimes she couldn't help wondering to herself if Mario was better.
In their one-on-one matches the outcome was usually random. There was no way of telling who would win...
Mario could be a problem if he was going to battle at the tournament.
Although Captain Falcon had kept an energetic, light tone in his voice, it noticably changed with his next sentence. It was a sad kind of pity.
"Luigi says he's going so he can beat Mario."
Samus shook her head despite herself. She had always felt bad for the lonely Mario brother. After all, Mario had all the fame and glory while Luigi seemed to have nothing. He was constantly forgotten and Samus herself was not blameless, overlooking the younger sibling despite her best efforts sometimes. Luigi had long resigned himself to such a fate, but he still had the Mario spirit in him somewhere, the spirit that wanted to win.
Sometimes Luigi would beat his brother and he would be happy for the longest time. It wasn't often. But Samus liked to see her friend winning.
Falcon, trying to think of any news, failed and leaned back, switching to a default conversation.
"Don't you love the competition in this? The sheer thrill of winning a Smash Brothers trophy?"
"Brothers, hah." Samus scoffed to herself, taking a bite out of her cookie. "I'm female, but they still call it brothers."
"Look, I would have to say that the ratio of females to males is slightly uneven." She was surprised that he could manage sarcasm. "And they couldn't call it Super Smash People, could they?"
"Hmmph." Samus knew that he had a point.
He stared at her. Samus was beginning to feel uncomfortable again.
"Are you done?"
"Hmm?" He seemed surprised.
"Is that all you had to tell me?"
"Uhh..." Falcon looked very thoughtful. Samus had difficulty imagining anything going through his head at that moment.
"Or is it that you don't want to go?" Samus fished in her box for another cookie, her tone bored and disgusted. Falcon again got the mock-horrified look on his face.
"Why would I want to stay here? Do you want me to?" he said, looking much like he did before. Samus rolled her eyes and took a bite out of another cookie. He had a marvelous gift of missing the point.
"No. I don't. If that's all you wanted to say, then leave."
"Hmmm..." Falcon looked thoughtful again. "Let's see...there was something else that I wanted to say..."
"What?"
"The competitors for this tournament are coming out in force this time. It's not a full battle...like I said, Ness and Jigglypuff aren't showing, but almost everyone else is."
"Is Mr. Game and Watch coming?" Samus perked up for a moment. Even if the tournament was boring and irritating, there was something about Mr. Game and Watch that could make her smile. There was just something inherently...silly about him.
Captain Falcon looked at her in confusion and what almost seemed to be, unbelievably, jealousy. "Uh...yeah. I think so. No one can understand him anyway, but yeah, I think he's coming."
"Finally some good news." Samus mumbled to herself. Captain Falcon was silent for a moment, as if expecting some kind of follow-up, before continuing.
"Um...the Hyrulians are all coming of course-"
"That means Ganondork is coming." Samus barely controlled her disgust. If Mario gave her a few problems, Ganondorf made more. He was so slow and yet, somehow she could just never dodge his attacks. Mario and Ganondorf at once...this was going to be interesting.
"Ganondork?" Captain Falcon raised an eyebrow at her, and Samus did not feel like justifying herself. He shrugged, rolled his eyes, and continued.
"Kirby and the Ice Climbers...Fox and Falco..." Captain Falcon smirked at her for some reason. Samus was slightly confused, but didn't even bother asking. "Marth and Roy too, actually. Bowser, Mewtwo, Pikachu and Pichu..."
Samus wrinkled her nose for a moment. She could barely stand Pikachu originally, but somehow it had managed to find a form that could be even more irritating. Falcon noted this.
"And of course, yours truly." Falcon flashed an arrogant smile, and Samus rolled her eyes again.
"You're right, almost everyone is going to be there."
Another abrupt change of subject. "I was just wondering if you would like-"
"I already said 'no' to dinner." Samus finished off her cookie irritably. Falcon again looked mock-horrified.
"Why, you almost seem as if you want me too! Why do you keep asking me if I will?"
"This isn't endearing or cute, it's just irritating." Samus narrowed his eyes at him. "What is it you want?"
"Since you are going to the tournament and I'm going to the tournament-"
"And so's almost everyone else, excepting the psychic boy and the puff. Your point?" Samus was getting annoyed and impatient. She noticed that Falcon was turning slightly red. Was he blushing?
"I mean, I could...uh...I could...uh..." Falcon stuttered. "Well...uh...I could...uh... maybe..."
"Spit it out." Samus grabbed another cookie and took a bite out of it moodily. She resisted the urge to add "you moron" after her statement.
"Well, I could take the Blue Falcon and come pick you up...we could go together!" Falcon seemed relieved that he had finally said it.
Samus choked on her cookie in surprise, sitting up jerkily. Falcon hurried over to her. His close proximity cause her to immediately back away from him, even though she was still choking.
"Are you okay?" he asked. Samus coughed for a few minutes, then managed to swallow. She panted, then noticed Falcon had his hand on her shoulder. She almost threw it off.
"You want me to go with you?" Samus said, half in surprise and half in confusion. Falcon nodded quickly, as if there was any other way for him to nod. Samus stared at him in utter disbelief.
"I can go by myself...I have my ship." She regained her cool composure, transforming her confusion into anger. She hated being treated as if she was helpless, therefore she decided that was what Captain Falcon was trying to do. Somewhere in the logical part of her mind she knew this was not true, but she did not want to go with him.
"But I can go so much faster! It's a famous racer...it's won dozens of-"
"No." Samus said. Falcon got up, and managed to look very pathetic and downcast. Samus crossed her arms.
"Please? Just this once? Please?"
What is he, three?
"I said-"
"Just this once, Samus Aran?" Falcon reached out a hand to put it on her shoulder, and she grabbed it out of the air. She began to apply pressure, noting the first startled look on Captain Falcon's face at her behavior, then his attempts to escape her grip.
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"No."
She released his hand and Captain Falcon pulled it back, rubbing it absentmindedly as he stared at her. He did not look upset or broken-hearted, only confused. She bet that was the first time he had recieved such a reaction to one of his proposals. She continued staring at him, determined not to let anything sway her decision. Captain Falcon seemed to be trying to decide what to do.
"Fine." He shrugged in what seemed to be a carefree manner, putting his hands behind his head. "Fine. That's okay. Instead..." Captain Falcon smirked to himself. "Instead, let's make it a wager, shall we? I bet I can get there before you.
Samus walked towards the door and opened it, hoping it would be enough of a hint. "Fine. Fine, I don't care. My ship can easily beat yours. Now get out of here before I change my mind."
Captain Falcon leisurely strolled towards the door, stopping at the last minute to look back at her. "Mine's built for racing, but I'm afraid yours isn't."
Samus smiled at him in a mocking way. "I'm afraid brains are built for functioning, but it seems like yours isn't."
She slammed the door then before he could think of a reply. Angry and filled with unspent energy, she headed for her weight room, still shaking her head at his idiotic behavior.

~~~

The day after. Simply put, morning. Awake and ready. She tried a few poses in front of the mirror, making sure she was ready for the excursions to follow. She smiled underneath her helmet.
Samus carefully adjusted the suit she wore, making sure it was snug and wouldn't move around. She looked at herself in the mirror through her visor. It gave her small comments in the field of her vision, telling her whether it was safe to take off her helmet, if there were any alien life-forms around...
Samus held up the blaster on her right arm dramatically, staring at it. Her companion through many battles. By concentrating, she could control which beam she wanted from it. Spazer, Freeze, Wave...she had all varieties, although the Super Smash Brothers tournament restricted her to her Grappling Beam and her regular blaster. Too bad. She bet she could so some real damage if she had, say, the plasma beam...
She made her way to her ship, relishing the thought of waiting for Captain Falcon expectantly while he stumbled his way to the home of the tournaments. It would be sweet to rub this victory in his face.
As her ship started up with its familiar and comforting roar, she smiled. This was going to be all too easy.
Of course, she had assumed that Captain Falcon was going to play fair. However, that was not how he managed to become a bounty hunter and it certainly was not the reason he had quite so many trophies.
It's hard to beat someone who had left a few hours before you had even woken up.
The sight of the Blue Falcon resting in front of the main building, complete with a little sign proclaiming Captain Falcon's victory in the race in obnoxiously large letters, complete with an equally insulting caricature of herself, was enough to send Samus into a blind rage.
Samus did not have to play fair sometimes either.

~~~

"Another day, another battle, right?" Captain Falcon walked non-chalantly where the other competitors had gathered. So far Fox, Luigi, Kirby, and Link were presently in the room. The others had either not shown up or were off doing something else. This was understandable considering how early in the morning it was.
"Oh man, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes." Fox was sitting in the corner, his feet propped up on one of the tables. He had backed his ears at Captain Falcon's approach and the normally cocky look on his face was now one of condescending pity. "You're in huge trouble. Samus is on a rampage."
"Ms. Aran?" Captain Falcon struggled to feign innocence and failed spectacularly. "Why, whatever's wrong? I have no idea why Samus would be so upset, particularly after I drew such a lovely picture of her." Falcon gestured at something that wasn't visible.
Luigi silently sat in the corner, staring at Falcon curiously. This wasn't like him. And it wasn't like Samus, either.
"You've done something extremely stupid." Link was not sitting, instead leaning against one of the walls with an air of indifference. Link had mastered the art of looking beautifully disinterested in everything that was going on. Fox rolled his eyes at Link in response, but Link studiously ignored him. Captain Falcon continued keeping his amazingly transparent show of ignorance.
"Oh boy, oh man!" Kirby said in his slightly high-pitched erratic voice, hopping up and down. "You in big trouble! BIG trouble!"
"Where is she, anyway?" Falcon looked around worriedly, despite his outward appearance of disinterest. Link smiled secretively.
"You'll see her soon, no doubt about that."
Sure enough, the tell-tale sound of Samus' blaster charging up was heard. The collective wince was enough.
"Uh.." Fox looked at Captain Falcon again with pity before sliding off the couch, heading for the door. "I think I'll go...have some water..."
Luigi sat in the corner, deciding that being silent would more then likely save him from being attacked. After all, people were able to ignore him when he was talking, therefore he should be veritably invisible if he was silent.
And it might explain what's going on.
Link moved to where Fox was sitting, leaning back against the wall and looking relaxed.
Falcon began to look slightly worried.
"How far away do you think that is?"
Link looked up. He seemed peculiarly amused by the entire affair. "Not far at all."
"I didn't do anything. I don't know why she's so uptight." Falcon imitated Fox's carefree tone unsuccessfully. Link smiled finally moved off the wall, waving a hand at Falcon in passing.
"Good luck...you're going to need it. She's going to kill you." Link's voice was surprisingly soft as he amde his way out.
"Wait! Don't leave me alone in here! You know, with her." Falcon now seemed almost genuinely frightened, grabbing Link's arm as he passed by him.
"Sorry, but it's not my problem." Link said, smirking. He easily shook off Captain Falcon's hand and continued his way out of the room.
Falcon cringed as he heard angry, metallic footsteps coming close.
Perhaps the mocking sign had not been such a good idea. He looked around desperatly, but the other contestants had long since vacated the area. Except...
"Luigi!" Falcon said in relief. He dashed over to his friend who recoiled from him in fear, looking around the room rapidly for Samus.
"You're in trouble now." Luigi's voice was deeper then his brothers, but for some reason was far less imposing, especially when it was lined with worry and fear as it was now.
"You got to help me! You're her friend, right? Make her calm down!"
"What-"
Luigi struggled to think of something to say while Falcon squeezed by him, taking Luigi's previous place in the corner. He tried unsuccessfully to hide behind Luigi, but Luigi was too short to make a good barrier. Realizing that, at this point, there was nothing that he could do to avoid his crispy fate, Falcon lowered his visor, then stood up dramatically, picking Luigi up under one arm as he did so.
"Even though the paths are cruel and inhumane, my young life ends here! Oh, the tragedy of all the trophies I won't get to win!" Falcon managed, somehow, to strike a pose. Luigi waved his arms around frantically, panicking at the sudden and quick movements that had gotten him where he was, which was an extremely bad position.
"Put me down!"
The door slammed into the opposite wall as Samus, her blaster crackling with energy, stood there, looking for all the world as if she had once again found the Metroid Hatchling in Ridley's claws. She stared at Captain Falcon, who stood, one hand in the air, one arm around Luigi, looking comically surprised. Luigi just looked terrified.
Falcon ducked quickly at the sight of her, trying to use Luigi as a shield again. Samus stomped over, her voice distorted by the helmet. She raised her arm to aim at the duo in the corner, but Luigi's presence forced her arm away.
"I should kill you for what you did!"
Meanwhile, outside the room, the other competitors were listening and snickering.
"Falcon's goin' get it." Fox smirked, finding the prospect amusing to say the least.
"What he did, he should no did it!" Kirby poked out from behind Link's legs. The hyrulian youth watched carefully, wincing at the thought of what he was sure would come next.
"This is not going to be pretty."
Luigi, who was frightened and nervous, closed his eyes helplessly, holding his gloved hands up as a peace offering. Meanwhile, Falcon continued to hold Luigi above his head as an ineffective shield.
"Samus, please try to calm down..." Luigi's voice was frightened and weak. Samus raised her arm again.
"Luigi, could you please move for just a moment?" Her voice was frighteningly calm.
"I'd rather he not move, actually." Captain Falcon ventured from behind the plumber's back. The snarling, angry tone in Samus' voice came back.
"I wasn't talking to you." Again the dangerously calm voice. "I can't get a clear shot with you in the way, Luigi."
Luigi opened one eye slowly, his hands still held up in front of his face. He looked back at Captain Falcon, then shrugged helplessly. "This isn't exactly my decision..."
Samus sighed and then was quiet for a moment. "Alright. Stay still."
She lifted her blaster upwards toward the ceiling, concentrating until the charge faded into her suit for later use and the materials in her suit changed their function. "As long as you don't move, this homing missile should do the trick."
"Missile?" Luigi and Captain Falcon spoke at the same time. Samus stared at them as an audible click came from her arm.
"Just don't move, alright?"
Of course, moving was the one thing that Captain Falcon was particularly adept at. With a quick heave, Luigi was sent flying towards Samus, knocking her off balance, while Captain Falcon ran out of the room, almost faster then the eye could see. When he had to, Captain Falcon could definitly move.
Samus disentangled herself from her shorter friend, sighing in irritation. "I'll catch up to him later. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Luigi felt deeply embarrassed by what had happened. He could not even defend himself against something this pathetic...it was embarrassing. He was trying to hide it as he brushed himself off, trying to regain his dignity. If there was something that Luigi did not look, it was dignified. "You'll meet up with him later anyway though, right?"
"Yes." The fury that had been present when Samus had entered the room apparently had dissipated in Luigi's presence. He had always had a disarming effect on others. "Later I guess. Then I can finally finish this once and for all."
Samus stood awkwardly for a moment, her blaster clicking a few times, before she turned and walked out of the room. "I'm going to go visit the Wire Frames."
"Alright." Luigi called after her. "I'll get you when everything begins."
Samus waved a hand in response, then was gone.
Slowly, the other competitors poked their heads out from where they were hiding.
"Holy moly!" Kirby said, hopping out next to Luigi. "Falcon no short of courage, is he?"
"I'll tell you what he is short of though." Fox said, walking out. "He's short of brains."
Falco, attracted by the commotion, had managed to find his way over to the main hall. The action was over, but he nonetheless entered the conversation as if he had been there the entire time.
"Ever since he choked when he saw her in the restaurant, he's been acting weird..."
And thus began the gossiping.
"Yeah...since Captain Falcon was late in joining the whole Smash Brother's thing, he never knew Samus was a woman." Link gestured more to himself then to the others.
"Don't blame him." Falco rolled his eyes.
"Hey, you don't..." Fox said, looking thoughtful. The others stared at him. "You don't think...maybe Mr. Big-Shot-F-Zero-Prix-Winner may have a little crush on Samus."
There was a moment of silence before it was brutally broken by Falco's humorless laugh.
"This is going to be good."
Link looked at the door where Samus had made her departure. "Falcon could not have chosen someone worse."
"There's an abusive relationship for you." Fox smirked to himself again, finding the concept of Captain Falcon in pain extremely amusing. He had found himself on the recieving end of many a Falcon Punch, after all. There was no love lost between the two. "It would be great to see him get what he deserves. He's got such a massive ego..."
Falco made a kind of snorting sound as he crossed his arms, turning away from Fox.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Fox glared at his fellow pilot, who just rolled his eyes. "I don't have a big ego."
Falco just stayed silent, prompting Fox further into indignance. "I do not have a big ego, Falco."
Falco mumbled something under his breath before he left the room. This resulted in Fox following him at a speed that could almost match Captain Falcon's, and the two Starfox pilots were gone.
Link shook his head, brushing back his hair with one gloved hand. Fox and Falco's arguments were almost predictable. "This entire thing just gets more ridiculous everyday."
Kirby shrugged as best as a pink puffball could. "Where Ness and Jigglypuff?" he asked.
"They didn't want to come." Link shrugged. "What can I do?"
The robotic voice of the announcer came over the speakers.
"Five minutes until first battle. The competitors are Kirby and Luigi."
The two named walked forward, looking at eachother for a moment.
"It start!" Kirby said, smiling broadly. Luigi brushed himself off distractedly
"I hope my brother shows up soon...he's late. As usual." Luigi and Kirby walked off as Link leaned against the wall again, pulling out his ocarina and playing a few soft notes.

~~~

Samus glared from behind her visor at Captain Falcon, who was standing in a ready stance in front of her, holding a bob-omb in his hand. She heard the background music of Donkey Kong's level playing faintly as she waited tensely.
It was the irritating DK rap again...she had no idea where the speakers were hidden on each of the stages that had been created for the tournaments, but considering they were created specifically for this tournament, she was sure the speakers had to be in the plans somewhere. There were a lot of mysteries associated with the stages, such as the source of the items and other minor things related ta specific stages, but Samus had long ago decided that she could never figure it out. Besides, she didn't spend all that much time on them anyway.
Icicle Mountain...now there was a veritable headache of a level.
Trying to take advantage of her apparent carelessness, Falcon threw the bomb at her with an emphasizing yell. Samus was not that slow and easily sidestepped it, watching it fly off the edge of the stage to disappear into the teleportation field.
Falcon rushed at her, apparently thinking that she might be off-guard or unprepared after dodging his thrown item, but she easily avoided him, taking that opportunity to release her grappling beam.
The shimmering blue energy shot from her right arm, zipping towards Captain Falcon who had just turned around, trying desperately to recover from his failed dash. The energy wrapped eagerly around his neck, pulling him in towards her.
So now who's better?
In spite of the electricity that was flowing through his body as a result of the beam, he smiled at her.
Furiously, Samus whirled around, releasing the beam as she did so and sending Falcon flying off behind her. She dashed off, taking an easy opportunity to get underneath him. Smirking, she could almost see the dismayed expression on his face. It was never a good idea to get beneath Samus on any level, as this was an opening for one of her more irritating and almost unavoidable attacks
Her body curled into a less-compact form that she used for her Morphing Ball, shredding electrical energy crackling around her and giving the disctinctive whir a voice. Falcon did not have the time to dodge and she tore into him. She could feel the energy slashing into his chest, sending electrical currents throughout his body, as she remained safe inside her protective ball.
Jumping clear from the attack, she landed and immediately whirled around. Captain Falcon, despite having taken some damage, was not to be caught idle again. He was already ready on his feet, his eyes flicking towards her and trying to guess as to what her next movement would be. His entire body was twitching, but he was always doing that.
Samus tried to decide what would be the best method to finally smash the arrogant pilot off the stage. She noticed an item near her. A capsule...if not only damage, there was always the chance it could be explosive. Wanting to give it some added impetus, she dashed towards him, pulling her arm back.
"Falcon..."
Oh no.
She struggled to skid to a stop, watching as Captain Falcon's fist burst with flame. He reared back and she desperately tried to backpedal. It was too late now, she couldn't avoid this. Just hope that you can recover.
"PUNCH!" With a burst of flame that formed into a spectacularly detailed and beautiful falcon, the punch flew forward and connected squarely with her breastplate.
As she sailed through the air, her suit automatically gave her damage reports, giving her an indication of how close she had to be to finally being knocked out of the ring and losing one of her stock. However, she had the more pressing problem of even making it back onto the stage at all. Keeping her focus on the edge of the stage, she flipped upwards, glad that she could use her Screw Attack at least once to help her get back on the stage.
There was a blur of black and blue above her and she cursed to herself. She mentally prepared herself to launch into a premature Screw Attack, but she was too late. Captain Falcon dropped into her vision, seizing her arms and pressing one knee against her already singed breastplate.
Flames again began to flare around his legs and with a characteristically showy flip, Samus was sent sailing before she had even touched ground again.
"YES!"
She could hear his voice faintly as she sailed through the air. She was almost positive that she could not make it back on stage, but maybe...
A flash of white destroyed that hope. She had hit the teleporter field after all. More rage built within her at losing even only one of her stock and she planned to use this to her advantage when she arrived back on stage.
Finally she could feel her body again and she descended back down on the stage on the hovering platform.
She had been keeping count. Captain Falcon was on his last life and he was damaged. However, she had a moment of invincibility due to her recent recovery that she planned to promptly abuse.
Standing and flickering in and out of sight, she charged her beam, glaring at Captain Falcon who was standing on the edge. He apparently waited until she was watching before striking a pose.
"Show your moves!"
A click and blue sparks flew around her. Letting the blast go now would not be in her best interests...he had seen her charging and knew it was coming. She had to time it correctly...
Aha. Another capsule. No dash this time. Dropping through the floor, she seized it and threw it at him directly, intercepting him on his way over to her. She thought he would have tried to stop her.
A turtle shell fell out of the capsule. Seizing it quickly, she darted upwards toward the higher platforms. She lept as Falcon jumped at her, dodging as he attempted to grab her again. Without a pause, his body fairly exploded with flame as he dove down directly at her. Unalarmed, Samus rolled out of the way easily, then tossed the turtle shell straight up.
Captain Falcon laughed at her mockingly, apparently too out of breath to give a more verbal response, then dashed towards her. The way he lingered in front of her was exactly what Samus had expected. He had to go for a showy, impressive finish. It was in his nature.
"Falcon..."
Ah, the shell.
Captain Falcon had forgotten about it and was quite painfully reminded. Sent sailing, he headed for the edge of the stage. Determined not to see him come back, Samus jumped off her platform, matching her fall with his, then finally fired her charged blast. With an explosion of noise, the blue blast connected with him. She didn't even see him move as he hit the teleporter field with a white flash and a surprised, choked cry.
Smirking, she held her blaster up, letting it beep in her own mocking victory pose.
She felt better already. Maybe this hadn't been such a bad idea after all.

~~~

The area where competitors waited for battles was outfitted with several couches, boothes, chairs, and other various places to rest and relax. Even the larger battlers, such as Bowser and DK had places where they could sit and be comfortable. It was a relaxing and calm place to relax before and after battles typically, but sometimes, after emotions were charged after a particularly embarassing defeat, scuffles broke out. These were broken up before any serious damage could occur, but on the whole the waiting area was a safe haven.
Falcon materialized unharmed. Although he was sore, there were no burn marks or any permanent damage. In the area along with him were several competitors, each waiting for their call to come forward.
Captain Falcon was exceptionally angry, one of his clenched fists glowing with barely suppressed fire.
"I could have avoided that, I should have-, if only I hadn't-" Falcon finally just made a disgusted growl.
"Lost again, huh?"
Fox and Falco had returned during his absence, the two of them sharing a booth near the teleporters. Fox had his feet propped up on the table again while Falco was leaning against one of the cushions, his arms crossed. Falcon looked over at them and just shook his head. This amused them both greatly.
"You know she always wins against you." Falco's voice was particularly malevolent. Falcon glared back at him, putting uncharacteristic sarcasm in his voice.
"And you know all the secrets to beating her, of course. Oh wait, I forgot! You've never beaten her!" Captain Falcon put a hand to his chest in an exaggeratedly mocking surprised way. "How could I forget?"
Fox and Falco's amusement soon turned to quiet resentment. Regarding the conversation as being won in his favor, Falcon walked towards one of the empty seats nearby, still mumbling to himself.
"I don't know why you all have so much trouble with her. She's not that hard to defeat if you know how."
A cheery, italian, slightly high-pitched voice. Mario walked in as if he had been there the entire time, although this was the first time anyone had seen him all day. He was almost irritatingly pleased with himself all the time. Then again, he had every right to be proud of his accomplishments and therefore proud of himself. It didn't make him any less annoying, however.
"You just get lucky everytime." Captain Falcon did not want to admit that he was lacking in skill. Mario knew this.
"You all just aren't as skilled as I am." The typical loud noise accompanied Mario tripling his size in a mocking way. Mario did it often. Thankfully, it left him open for attacks. On the stage, anyway.
Fox spoke up again in response. "Keep talking like that and you'll sound almost as egotistical as Captain Falcon."
Falcon aimed a glare in his direction, but didn't say anything. After regaining his normal size, Mario noticed his younger brother sitting, as usual, in the corner. Kirby was nearby, looking rather sulky. Apparently Luigi had won the first battle.
"Hey Bro! How's the battling going?" It was obvious to everyone that Mario was asking this only for appearances. Luigi, just sighed and looked off to one side, crossing his arms. As usual, his voice was soft.
"Same as always, I suppose."
Everyone turned at the sound of the teleporter activating, and Samus reappeared. Everyone stared at her as she took her place at one of the closer tables, studiously ignoring the attention everyone was paying her or the awkward silence that accompanied her appearance.
"Next battle - Donkey Kong versus Pikachu."
The two of them ran for the teleportation deck, and stood still.
"Running Stage Selection Program..." the announcer intoned. "Random Stage chosen is...Kanto Pokéfloats."
Slowly, Pikachu and Donkey Kong faded from view, and the attention was drawn back to the room. Samus, seemingly noticing Mario for the first time, stared at him in silence. The two combatants stared at eachother, sizing the other up, then turned away. Samus turned her attention to her blaster and Mario back to imitating a conversation with Luigi. Captain Falcon made his way over to Samus, sitting across from her with stony silence for a few minutes. This had more of an effect on the hyperactive pilot then it did on Samus, who continued to inspect her blaster.
"That was cheap." he said finally. Samus did not look up.
"You wanted a showy finish to the match. I think that was rather impressive, don't you."
"You hit me as I was flying! You shot me right off the stage!"
"That I did." Samus paused. "A nice shot if I say so myself."
Falcon stared at her indignantly, trying to think of some way to respond.
"I should have won. One more Falcon Punch and-"
"If you hadn't been stupid and flashy, you would have remembered the shell." Samus was putting uncharacteristic venom in her voice. "But since you wanted to do a nice finishing move for the nice people, you forgot something important." Samus finally turned towards him. "Too bad for you."
Captain Falcon could not think of a response, only crossing his arms and staring off to one side. He muttered under his breath as Samus went back to her arm cannon.
With a bing, Pikachu appeared from one of the teleporters, looking worn.
"Pikachuuuu..."
Fox and Falco both laughed in unison at the tiny Pokémon. Samus noted with some boredom that they were being slightly more vicious then usual today, but then again they had never gotten along well with others anyway. The members of the Starfox mainly kept to themselves and the fact they were arrogant and cocky did not help. Fox had a decidedly more sarcastic streak to him then his feathered counterpart and often their time was spent mocking other players or lauding their own abilities.
Samus was willing to wager that they had learned that behavior from some of the other competitors. After all, she wasn't blameless in that department either. Egos did tend to run high.
Pikachu was not in the mood for the vulpine and his cohorts cruelty and customary sparks of lightning began to form around it. Narrowing its tiny eyes, it took a few quick steps towards the pair, tail held high. Fox and Falco both recoiled but, situated as they were, had nowhere to go. Pikachu had blocked the way out of their booth.
"Hey! No fighting in the lob-" Someone began before they were drowned out by the small rodents furious scream.
"PiiiikaaaaaCHUUUUU!"
"AAAA!"
Fox could be extremely fast if he had to be. There was the Fox Illusion of course, but on a whole Fox was almost as fast as Captain Falcon. However, without an avenue of escape, all he could do was try to scramble back away from Pikachu uselessly. Falco was a bit more intelligent in deciding how to best avoid the large shock of electricity that was heading for them both and moved away from Fox, hoping that the shock would target him or at least be diffused by the distance.
Pikachu was not happy. The shock easily encompassed them both despite their best efforts and the smell of burning fur and feathers filled the air. It was not pleasant.
Samus decided it was time for action. Without actually even looking up, she aimed her arm at Pikachu and fired her grappling beam. The irate rodent was still busily shocking the bird and fox and was entirely unprepared. Within moments it was trapped against the front of Samus' blaster. The slight charge of electricity of course did not seem to bother Pikachu, but the constriction of the beam around its neck definitly did not make it happy.
Samus sighed somewhat and turned towards the pokémon, her voice bored.
"Stop."
"PIKACHUUUU!" Desperate to be freed, Pikachu sent a current of electricity back into the barrel of her arm cannon. Samus watched her visor give her status reports as it absorbed the energy easily, converting it back into the grappling beam. She shook her head and opened her mouth to explain to Pikachu how dire the mistake it had just made was going to be.
Suddenly, there was a flash of blue as Captain Falcon grabbed Pikachu from her beam, tearing it free, and threw it to the ground hard. Pikachu bounced on the rebound with a sharp cry.
"PII!"
Samus blinked under her helmet at Captain Falcon with both surprise and slight disdain as the F-Zero pilot looked down at Pikachu.
"Watch it, you electric rat!"
Does he think he's protecting me? Oh please.
Samus stared at him angrily, but under her helmet it was impossible to tell she was going so.
"Piii..." Pikachu, already tired from the previous battle, decided to leave the altercation as it had ended and walked off to sit by itself. Captain Falcon brushed off his hands proudly as if he had actually accomplished something while Samus rolled her eyes.
"Wow. So impressive." Samus kept her voice carefully monotone, leaning against her one hand as she chanced a glance back at Fox and Falco. The bird was brushing soot and loose fur off of Fox, who was sitting and looking rather dazed. He was mumbling something to his compatriot that seemed inaudible, but he did not seem happy.
Of course, he did look concerned. Samus shook her head as she watched Falco brush his feathery hands across Fox's face, finally getting a reaction. Fox recoiled from him and twitched compulsively, apparently irritated by the feel of feathers. This led to a quiet, angry argument between the two of them in which the alternately looked back and forth between Pikachu and the other pilot.
"I think so." It was hard to tell from Captain Falcon's tone whether he was trying to be sarcastic or was actually proud of himself. Already Samus just wanted to go home. There were so many complicated relationships going on between the battlers that it was a hassle to simply watch. Besides, she had already beat Captain Falcon to the ground, so that thrill was over.
"Next battle - Fox versus Link!"
Both Falco and Fox looked up at the mention of the vulpine's name and Fox slid out from the booth with a parting comment to Falco. Falco made an angry noise and crossed his arms, leaning heavily against the side of the booth. Fox still seemed to be slightly disoriented from the attack, but he managed to make it to the teleporter okay.
The intercoms ran all over the building, so the fact that Link had been in a different room when the match was announced was not a problem. The Hyrulian made his way into the room quietly and stood on the teleporter, giving a momentary glare towards the Arwing pilow. They had never gotten along, but then again, it was hard to mix fighting styles like that with good results.
"Running Stage Selection Program...Random Stage chosen is Super Flat Land's Flat Zone."
"Ah, that reminds me." Samus watched as Captain Falcon sat and studied his hands carefully. Almost like he was checking for a broken nail, but she doubted that even he could be that vain. "Have you seen Mr. Game and Watch lately?"
"Game and Watch?" Captain Falcon looked confused for a minute, then snapped his fingers. "Ah, no. I don't know where he is."
"That's too bad." Samus sighed and leaned on her hand more heavily. "I would love to see him right now."
She was sure now. Captain Falcon seemed jealous although that made no sense. Standing up with a slight noise of disgust, she looked around the room quickly, scanning the people present. Pikachu, Kirby, Falco, DK...
When her eyes moved to the corner, she found Luigi and Mario. Luigi was huddled in the corner, his arms curled tightly around himself and his legs drawn to his chest. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be trembling. Mario was sitting next to him in a clearly aggressive stance, saying something in a level yet dangerous tone. Worried and angry at Luigi's treatment, Samus made her way over, only catching snippets of the conversation.
"Luigi, you don't know what you're talking about. I don't know what you're talking about. You've got to learn sometime that some things just don't change."
"That's not true, I know it isn't." Luigi was desperatly trying to match Mario's tone, but the more submissive Mario brother was not winning. "I know that sometimes...it happens, you know...its happened twice now...you know it has. I know you remember...sometimes..."
"Just try and understand, alright? There are some things that only I can do and that's the end of that, alright? You know that. It's my responsibility, not yours. You've got to stop-"
"I don't...it's not..." Luigi shook his head softly, his eyes still closed. "It's not like that, I didn't mean it like that. Honestly...I...just sometimes...I mean, I can do it, I know I can do it...you know I have before. I know it...she-"
"There are things that are yours and things that are mine." Mario prodded Luigi, but he did not uncurl from his ball. "It's been that way since we were little, remember? And that's something that's mine. Just like-"
"Luigi?" Samus finally ventured into the conversation, not sure if she could watch Luigi like this anymore. He looked so terribly pathetic, curled up as he was and trembling, and it hurt her inside to see him being treated like this. She had always liked him far better then Mario. She never found him threatening. Mario looked at her in surprise for a moment before lapsing back into his more customary demeanor.
"I'm going to talk to Peach." The way he said it was peculiar as Mario walked off. Luigi uncurled from his tiny ball and looked up at Samus with confusion and some degree of relief.
"Oh...Samus..."
"Are you okay?" Samus sat down next to him, worried and concerned. She had seen this happen before. Not only did Mario have an advantage over his brother physically, but he was able to completely weaken him emotionally as well. She knew at these times that Luigi was glad for her company.
"Yeah..." Luigi took off his customary hat and scratched at his hair before putting it on slowly. He seemed distracted. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'll be fine."
"Have you seen Mr. Game and Watch?"
Luigi blinked at her and then smiled weakly. "That's right...you've always liked him."
"I just think he's amusing." Samus tried to keep a playful tone in her voice. "Do you know where he is?"
"I saw him earlier today...I don't know where he went after that, though..." Luigi looked thoughtful, staring down at the table with one gloved hand to his mouth. He seemed glad to be thinking of something else then whatever he was discussing with Mario. "He may show up a little later for a battle or something."
"That's good to know." Samus leaned back and stretched as best she could in her suit. "He always makes me feel better, you know? There's something about those beeping noises he makes...it's just not threatening."
"I guess." Luigi mumbled, slowly slumping down onto the table. Samus watched this for a moment, then leaned down beside him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"It'll be okay, alright? Don't worry. Someday things will change."
"I guess..." Luigi buried his face in his arms, his voice soft and almost sad. "I guess someday..."
Samus knew Luigi had problems commiting to arguments and left it at that. She noted Captain Falcon staring at her from across the room and felt a new surge of distaste.
The customary sound of the teleporter came to them and Fox stumbled outwards, singed a little.
"Motion-sensing mine...forgot he put it there." It wasn't clear who Fox was talking to, but the laugh from Falco definitly showed who was listening.
There was a buzz as Link appeared, smiling for once.
"Another victory for me!" The elven boy seemed to be uncharacteristically pleased with his success. That was peculiar.
"You got lucky." Fox turned and lashed his tail angrily, moving back towards where he had been sitting. Falco snickered as Fox took his seat and Fox glared in return.
Link only smirked and made his way out of the room. "Keep talking like that and you'll sound just like Captain Falcon."
"Hey!" Falcon protested.
"Next battle - Marth versus Mr. Game and Watch!"
Samus and Luigi both looked up. The strikingly beautiful blue-haired prince made his way into the room with almost childlike confusion. He looked around before saying something in Japanese. Samus mentally searched through her suit's options, searching for the language section. Chozo, Space Pirate...where was it? She knew she had it on file somewhere...
Marth at least was a bit more pleasant then Roy, although the two were rarely apart. Roy was slightly more egotistical. He struck her as a less irritating version of Captain Falcon. Marth, however, seemed rather quite and reserved, resembling Luigi to some extent. She liked him.
She looked around and heard Mr. Game and Watch before he actually appeared. The distinctive "dit-dit-dit" noise of his steps was unmistakable.
The almost incomprehensibly flat character stepped into the room with a screeching kind of beep, then rang his tiny 2D bell. Almost everyone in the room rolled their eyes, but Samus had been correct in her assessment of Mr. Game and Watch. Not only did he not seem threatening, no one could ever truly be irritated at him.
"Mr. Game and Watch!" Samus waved over at him, noting that Luigi was sitting up properly again. That was good. The 2D sprite turned towards her with a beeping noise, then ran over in his peculiarly segmented way.
Mr. Game and Watch was confusing in how he had no depth, but then again, there were more peculiar characters in tournament, including younger and alternate versions of existing characters, so she had just learned to accept it. Mr. Game and Watch stood in front of her, doing his peculiar little kind of dance for a few moments.
"Nice to see you too. What have you been up to?"
Mr. Game and Watch beeped and waved his arms around. Samus could not understand Mr. Game and Watch's beeping noises, but she was able to guess at what he meant by his gestures. Mr. Game and Watch was not a particularly complex person anyway.
"Anyway, good luck on your battle."
Mr. Game and Watch stood there for a moment, then raised a sign above his head with a beep, accompanied by a hammer strike. Seven. A hamburger fell on the floor and the 2D sprite picked it up, placing it on Samus' table before darting off to join his competitor on the teleports.
"Random Stage Select...Mushroom Kingdom II!"
Samus watched Mr. Game and Watch disappear, still dancing as he went with a smile. She shook her head, noting that Luigi looked much happier then he had been before.
"I don't know. I can't help myself, he's just...I don't know." She shrugged. "He's Mr. Game and Watch. What can I say."
"I know what you mean." Luigi pulled the hamburger towards him and Samus let him have it, not finding herself particularly hungry. He even smiled slightly. "He's just...Game and Watch."
"Beebeebeebee." Samus did a fairly good impression of the frantic beeping that accompanied Mr. Game and Watch's exit off stage and watched Luigi smile again. That felt good.
"Exactly."
She heard Captain Falcon snort some distance away and found her distaste for him growing with each moment. Maliciously, she raised her voice specifically so he could hear her.
"I sure do love Mr. Game and Watch." She turned and watched Captain Falcon twitch visibly at her words. "I may go so far as to say he's my favorite person here of all."
Captain Falcon glimmered with fire for a moment before it vanished. He was mumbling to himself, but not loudly enough for her to hear. Smirking, she turned back to see Luigi staring at her oddly.
"Samus..."
"I didn't mean that...you know what I mean." Samus wasn't sure how to explain it, but Luigi shook his head.
"No...I mean...why are you doing this to him?"
Samus turned towards Captain Falcon again, then stared back at Luigi. Her voice was dead-serious.
"I think I hate him."
"Next Battle - Link versus Samus!"
Luigi was silent as Samus got up, but she was not afraid. If anyone knew what she meant, Luigi would. She headed for the teleporter, watching the Hyrulian take the other side. Link's expression was unreadable, but it didn't bother Samus. Link was hard to understand and she appreciated that in other people. She waited for the typical disorientating feeling that came with being teleported, so unfamiliar from the elevators she had known on Zebes and SR-388 to name a few planets she visited.
Then again, there were some present who had never even been to foreign planets, the concept of space travel incomprehensible and foreign.
She waited for the stage to phase into view, readying herself. She wasn't worried about the outcome of the battle.

~~~

Victory of the tournament eventually did go to Samus, although it had, as usual, been a close run against Mario. The shorter plumber had gotten a bit careless while fighting the electric Pokémon, and in the end that had cost him a precious battle. For some peculiar reason, Ganondorf did not show up. After Samus won her match with Link, he disappeared as well and did not return for some of his scheduled battles. It was rather peculiar, but it didn't really matter to her. A victory was a victory and it was probably a good thing Ganondorf had not showed up.
Samus won the tournament and accepted the prize with little emotion. These tournaments to her had become so meaningless, so repetitive. She longed to have a mission again, to have a definite goal. To live this kind of frivilous life was entirely against her nature. She wanted direction. These tournaments did not provide it.
Furthermore, when she and the others visited the restaurant afterwards, as had become custom, she noted that their looks and stares had changed. Usually there was muttering and sullen glances, anger at being defeated, but this time there were smiles and covert whispers and that she did not approve of.
In her opinion, most of her competitors in these competitions weren't fantastically intelligent and their slavery to their own emotions made them put the most ridiculous of plans into effect, as she was sure they were planning to execute now. For a moment she pitied whoever it was they were going to rope into whatever elaborate scheme they had worked out before realizing that it had to be her. She sighed, trying to keep her emotions quiet and controlled, sipping her tea and ignoring the whispers and noise around her.
Her logical guess would have been that Falcon would have been bragging about his conversation with her or perhaps even making stories up about the two of them, and therefore that was generating all the rumors that were no doubt flying among the other competitors. The very idea made her wrinkle her nose with distaste. To think that they could even imagine that such a bumbling egotistical fool such as "Captain" Falcon could ever even be considered as a potential partner for her was ridiculous. She had learned long ago that relationships were temporary and painful and unnecessary...and only ended in loss.
She was not about to take some fool underneath her wing, putting aside the life she had chosen to lavish attention on someone else. There were bounties to be collected, aliens to be vanquished, and should Mother Brain ever rise again...then everything she had would have to be put on the line. Anyone who chose to get involved with her had to be aware of that. She could never put someone ahead of her life, put someone ahead of the responsibilities that the suit she wore had given her. She was proclaimed a protector, a warrior raised to protect others by the race that had kept her alive, and that was all that she would ever be.
She wouldn't be some giggling fool to be romantically manipulated by her competitors.
The silence that had grown around her caught her attention, and she looked around curiously, noting that the others who had previously been pointing and talking were now studiously minding their own business. She noted something small flashing near the corner of her visor, and found that while she had been thinking, her beam had been charging. No doubt her emotional anger, which had been growing as she continued thinking, had made her unintentionally trigger her blaster. She let the collected energy dissipate back into her suit, noting the collective sigh of relief from all others present. Usually she had more control then that.
Too many angry thoughts running through her head. She had to make sure to work some of it off tonight.
Finally she could hear the purposeful steps that could only belong to Captain Falcon coming her way. She rolled her eyes, considering putting on her helmet once again just so he would not get any ideas or have any opportunities, but decided to leave it off.
He slid into her booth with familiarity, and Samus' previous train of thought only made him more distasteful to her. She almost felt guilty inside, but then remembered what had happened earlier that morning.
"And how are you?"
Samus paused before responding, her voice cold and emotionless. "Fine."
She found the look of surprise on Captain Falcon's face somewhat pleasing as she sipped her tea again, wondering what he would counter with.
It took a few minutes before he could either think or work up the courage to say something else. "Another trophy you got instead of me. Such a pity too, I can really appreciate them better."
"I'm sure you can." Samus took on the tone of a distracted parent to an insistent child, and decided that would be the best option in the scenario. Captain Falcon gave her a strange look, confused. It was obvious that he wasn't expecting this kind of reaction from her.
"What's wrong?"
"What do you mean?" Samus continued to study her tea as if it was trying to tell her something vitally important, her face passive. Let this end quickly and painlessly and let that be it.
"You're acting very...distant."
Samus noted that all other activity in the restaurant, besides those present at her table, had ceased. A slight tinge of viciousness made its way into her tone. "That happens when you kill people."
There was a long silence, and it was difficult to even hear anyone breath. She sipped her tea once again, put it down, then picked up her helmet, setting it over her head. Through her visor she could see the confused and conflicted face of Captain Falcon, apparently still trying to think of something to say. She stood quietly, glancing over all the others present. The only one who did not shy from her faceless gaze was Luigi, who was sitting in a corner. His eyes met hers for a moment, and she knew that if anyone would understand why she was doing this, it would be him.
Feeling slightly better from such a small reassurance, she kept her voice passive as she spoke. "I think I'm done."
No one said anything as she left, almost frozen in their previous positions. As she left, she wondered what was so terrible about what she said, then finally decided it was just that no one expected her to say something like that at such a time.
I was right all along, I don't really belong here. She smiled to herself softly as she signaled for her ship to arrive to take her home. But it's always nice to know I'm right.

~~~

How long has it been...?
She was on her back, the heavy metal bar pressing into her palms, as she forced the metal weights back into the air.
How long has it been since you have been connected to anyone?
I'm not doing this so I can think.
Well, it's a valid question. How long has it been since the Metroid-
Her muscles gave out momentarily, and the bar came down towards her chest with frightening speed and strength. Her natural reflexes, however, honed through years of use, allowed her to remedy the situation before she was injured. The break in her natural rhythm made her pause and breath for a few moments, the pain of what seemed like such a recent memory already causing her throat to feel tight.
The rational part of her mind kicked in, struggling in its never-ending battle to justify what happened and help soothe the wounds that had been inflicted in the last battle with the ruler of the Space Pirates.
You've killed Metroids. You've watched them die. As a matter of fact, you almost single-handedly destroyed the entire species.
But that was a mistake...the scientists said that the Metroids had energy-producing properties...that they could be an energy source, could have been useful...
Since when have you ever questioned your orders? You were paid to exterminate them and you did...or almost did, anyway...
The Metroid Hatchling...
She put the barbell back on its supports, sitting up, letting sweat run down her face near her eyes. The tightening around her heart, the pain that always associated itself with the thoughts of the Metroid Hatchling...how it had screamed in its final moments...and how rage had replaced sadness. Now rage was gone, inappropriate, and grief kept coming, kept resurrecting itself. It was frustrating, but in a way...it was almost comforting.
She ran a hand across her forehead, trying to keep her breathing regular. She had become distanced from her feelings during her life and that was the way that she would prefer it to stay. It was the only way to deal with all the things she had seen, all the people she had to kill, all the creatures that had perished beneath the energy blasts. She could not become attached and she should not become attached, and she still agreed with that philosophy.
However, when she remembered what the Chozo's had told her so long ago, that emotions could be the greatest gift for a warrior, she worried. It had been a long time since she had ever been emotionally attached to anything and she had become worried that she never would again.
Then the Hatchling appeared. The Metroid Hatchling that should have perished so quickly instead bonded to her, and she could not help that moment of weakness where she bonded back. To keep it was foolish and impossible, so she gave it to people she was sure would keep it safe.
But then Ridley...Ridley...
Eyes narrowing, she got up from the bench she had been lying on, leaning down and picking up two hand weights from the floor with deliberate, angry motions. She watched her muscles contract and expand as she lifted them, anger filling her body without her control. Ridley...
The phone rang, jolting her out of her thoughts. Confusion quickly led to irritation as she put her weights down, heading for the phone and picking it up angrily.
"This better not be Captain Falcon-"
"Samus?" The soft plumber's voice came through the phone and Samus let out a deep, heavy sigh of relief.
"Oh...sorry. I've...sorry. I've been thinking a lot lately." Samus sat down on the couch. Her muscles still could have handled more work and insisted on continuing doing so. Obligingly, she picked up one of her weights and worked with one arm, supporting the phone with her other hand. "It's..." She made a frustrated noise. "It's very...stressful."
"I know." Even over the phone, she always got the impression that Luigi was looking somewhere else, whispering, expecting not to be heard. "That's kind of why I wanted to call you..."
"Oh?" Samus was interested now. She lifted her weight and watched her muscles contract again with satisfaction.
"Yeah..." Luigi paused for a moment. She could envision him running a hand through his hair nervously. "Um, I was wondering if you're doing anything tonight."
A shock accompanied these words, but she gave Luigi a little more credit then that and waited for an explanation.
"Because Mr. Game and Watch and I...well...mainly me...he can't really talk, but I think I know what he wanted. He says he noticed you seemed really angry today and I think...I think he wanted to throw you a party or something. To make you feel better. I...think that's what he meant." Luigi paused for a second. "He threw a party ball in the air and danced around...and he pointed at me and then up at the sky. So I think that's what he wanted to do."
Samus actually felt genuinely touched. Despite her misgivings about getting attached to people, she knew this was a nice gesture and she appreciated it. But she still had some weight-training to do...
"Where is it?
Okay, I guess I will go then.
"Um...he originally wanted to the Flat Zone, but I convinced him to go somewhere else instead. Is, um, is the Mushroom Kingdom okay?"
"Your kingdom?" Samus smiled at the pause that followed her words. She was positive that Luigi had to be blushing on the other end of the line.
"The Mushroom Kingdom II..."
"Yes, your kingdom." Samus smiled again at the awkward silence in response to her words. "It does belong to you, you know. You own that place."
"I do not..." Luigi was not really protesting but felt obligated to do so. Samus smiled to herself.
"Alright, that sounds like it might be fun. As long as it can get my mind off Captain Falconhead's stupidity."
"It'll be fun." Luigi had a way of making it sound as if he wasn't sure of anything he was saying, but he was honestly trying to sound sincere. Samus knew that he was. "Is it okay if we start in an hour?"
"That sounds fine." Samus smiled. "I'll see you then."
"Alright. Bye."
"Goodbye."
She hung up the phone and sat there for a moment, smiling at the thought of two of her friends throwing a party for her just because they thought she looked upset. That had never happened before.
Don't get too attached again. You know what happens.
What can one time hurt? It'll be fun.
The phone rang again. Leaning over, she picked it up with a smile.
"Did you forget something?"
"Samus? It's Falcon. I-"
Samus slammed the phone down then tore the cord out of the wall. She stood there, the telephone cord dangling from her fist, before she released it. It fell against her carpet with a muffled sound as she headed for her dresser, looking for something comfortable to wear.
She was definitely going now.