Hi guys. I wrote this one shot a while ago. There isn't really any specific reason for it except my own. One of my friends, always felt so miserable because she lost two very important people in her life. So...I wrote a story, based off her feelings. Now what happens in this, isn't what happened to her family. It's just simply made by me. I just had the urge to write something like this after what she told me. So...it's not going to be a romance by the way. Shocking, huh? But I think I can take a stab at other genres. Except this is the first time someone used Friendship/Family genre in this section! So yay me!

The story actually goes with this Kingdom Hearts song I love called, "Friends in My Heart" There aren't any words to the song, but it's beautiful piano music! Anyway I hope it's likable and if there are any mistakes, don't hesitate to let me know.

Enjoy!

Friends in My Heart

Why do they do these things? Is it to torment me?

Those thoughts swirled around in Young Link's head. The young green clad warrior was sitting alone in the darkness of his room. He sat with his knees huddled close to his body, head hidden under his crossed arms, and his soft aquamarine eyes tightly shut. He didn't want to hear about it, he didn't want to see it, and he didn't even want to think about it. He just wanted to clear his head.

He was the unlucky one. How unfortunate he was. To be one of the only smashers without a family.

Young Link sniffed the cold air when "family" came to his mind again. He shook his blond head, punched his fists lightly against his head. Get out! I hate this. This has to be the stupidest idea Master Hand has ever come up with.

Young Link still remembered yesterday so clearly. The young smasher had come down with such an enthusiastic attitude. He was ready to spend time with his friends, ready for some training, and ready to melee. The day was going just as he planned until Master Hand came to interrupt him and his friends, the Ice Climbers and Ness. Master Hand had asked his three friends to follow him for a meeting, leaving Young Link alone. At first the little hero thought perhaps they had gotten in trouble once again. But he wasn't so right after all.

His friends did not return until much later that day. But Young Link had been attentive enough to notice in the cafeteria, many other smashers were missing too. Perhaps at the same meeting as his friends? When Popo, Nana, and Ness had came over to his table with grins as bright as the sun, Young Link smiled himself as his curiosity grew. He knew it just had to be some big news.

He didn't wait a second in asking what happened. Thinking on it now, Young Link had wished he never asked at all. His friends announced Master Hands's grand surprise. He was inviting all the smashers' families over for one day at the mansion. It was going to be Super Smash Family Melee.

How quickly that curious grin fell from Young Link's face. He couldn't find the words to respond to his friends' excitement.

How could Master Hand decide to do such a thing? Master Hand makes a lot of unfair choices, but…this just takes it to a whole new level. He didn't even think about everyone else. There are others without family, too. Young Link pondered to himself. But the others didn't seem affected by the announcement like he did.

Young Link gave up on trying to escape the truth and flopped back down on his bed. His small legs and arms sprawled out as far they could. It just wasn't fair. The Hylian knew he had parents. The Deku Tree had mentioned how his father was a part of a battle, dying to protect his mother and him. Young Link's mother died for the same cause as his father; to protect who she loved. Young Link knew that was something worth honoring and he was actually proud of them. But still…

...they weren't here anymore.

Young Link placed a pillow over her face. And they never will be. I'm sentenced to a "family-less" life.

The door to his room opened, and Young Link's ears picked up on the sound of shoes hitting his carpet. But he decided to remain silent, hoping for the hopeless wish that whoever walked in, once seeing Young Link, would walk right back out.

"Young Link? What are you doing here in the dark?"

Young Link's pillow was taken off his face, to reveal his own face looking back at him. Well, his face seven years from now. His older counterpart, Link, peered down at him with concerned eyes. Young Link had to admit he was happy to find out that he would still look cool at seventeen.

"It's 3:30 in the afternoon, but you have this room looking like it's 3:30 in the morning." He sat down, on the bed making it sink a bit. He was dressed in the same tunic as Young Link. But instead of wearing a black one like Young Link, he was dressed in his red one. He chuckled and rubbed the young one's messy hair. " Look at this bed head. What are you up to?"

Young Link snatched the pillow from Link and placed it back over his head. "Hiding my face until it's the day after today!" He yelled through the pillow.

Link removed the pillow, and this time threw it across the room to prevent Young Link from doing it again. "Why exactly? You still have plenty of daylight." The younger swordsman didn't reply. "Level with me here. What's the problem, lil bro?"

Young Link sat up and frowned at Link. He unhappily crossed his arms. "Do you have to call me that?"

Link was taken aback by that question. "What? Lil bro? I thought you liked it. You're the one who came up with that nickname." Link reminded him. "I was the one who hated 'big bro' remember?"

Young Link closed his eyes and nodded. "I know... but I'd like it if we could stop doing that from this day on. But now I see it's not only an incorrect, but an insult to call each other by those names. We're the same person. Not brothers."

While Young Link's mature outlook on things amused Link, he couldn't help feeling a little disheartened by this request. "I'm well aware of that truth. But I thought it was just a little joke shared between us. But if that's how you really feel. Fine. I won't call you by that name."

Young Link opened his eyes again. "I'd appreciate it."

"But surely that nickname is not real reason why you've been sitting in the dark all day." Link patted the seat next to him, and Young Link obediently crawled across the bed and sat cross-legged next to him. " Tell me what's up."

"Um…" Young Link paused. I can't go crying like a baby to Link about this Family Melee thing. Besides, I don't want to upset him. He might be missing our parents, too. He shook his head. "Forget it. I have a match soon. I should go." He moved to jump off the bed, but Link placed a hand on his back.

"Young Link, are you sure?" Link asked, once more. Something was off, he knew it. "You can tell me anything, you know."

Young Link smiled and patted Link on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I was just caught up in the moment. I'm fine. Let's head down to the stadium.

Link weakly smiled back. "Alright."

Princess Zelda gaped at Link after her told what happened earlier on. "That doesn't sound like Young Link at all. He is always eager to talk to you about anything."

The two Hylians were sitting in SSB Stadium's lounge. It was a private space for watching matches and separating the smashers from the enthusiastic fans.

"I always thought it was adorable how you to call each other 'little and big bro' all the time."

Link chuckled. "It took me a while, but I grew attached to the nickname, and to him. That's why he can't fool me. I know something's wrong. We're the same person." Link looked at the TV seeing the next two smashers coming out for their match. It was Young Link first. "If we're so close like brothers, you would think he would tell me what's up."

Zelda gently squeezed her friend's hand. "I'm sure he'll tell you. Just give him time. Right now, I think he would really love for us to cheer for him. After all, he will really need some support.

Link nodded as he thought of his younger self's opponent. "Yes, and lots of it."

Young Link stepped out onto the stage and the crowds cheered for him. All his normal fans had come to the event, but then there were the new fans. He could see many adults out in the bleachers. In honor of Family Melee, even the crowds brought their whole families out. It only made Young Link's jealousy grow.

"Are you going to stand around all day, boy, or are you gonna fight?" Young Link glared at his opponent. The holder of the Triforce of Power, Ganondorf, started to cackle, already planning his great victory. "Either way, you're doomed to failure."

"Hmpf!" Young Link couldn't think about the crowd at the moment. He needed to focus on beating Ganondorf to a pulp. This would take all his strength. "Keep dreaming. You're the one sentenced to failure!"

"You tell him!" Young Link had forgotten about his partner Ness. The capped boy grinned at his best friend. "We'll take' em to the cleaners!" he assured Young Link. Though they were fighting Bowser and Ganondorf, Ness gave him an even bigger hope in winning.

"Right!" Young Link smiled. The timer of the clock started to slowly count down.

"3…2…1…GO!"

Young Link didn't waste any time in rushing his opponent. He knew that Ness was well aware of him wanting to fight Ganondorf and he would keep Bowser preoccupied. Sure enough, Ness and Bowser got into mixed combat. Young Link whipped out his Kokiri sword and charge for the large man.

Ganondorf smirked and ready his fist. Young Link shot his sword out, but missed Ganondorf by a hair. The Gerudo made a move to kick Young Link when he missed, but Young Link flipped back out of the way. The Hylian was familiar with Ganondorf's techniques.

"Nice moves, boy. But you can't dodge me forever." Ganondorf charged at Young Link as he did the same. His strong fists clashed with Young Link's sword. The battle pressed on for a long time. Both of the opponents were getting equal amounts of hits. There was a moment when Young Link almost won, when Ganondorf fell off the cliff of the Hyrule Temple, but he used his Warlock Grab to get back up while shocking Young Link on the way.

Young Link fell back, but he stood right back up to catch his breath. He growled in anger as he saw Ganondorf laughing. Ganondorf never had a moment, where he wouldn't be laughing at somebody. "You just can't get rid of me. I am the most powerful being in the universe."

"We'll see about that!" Young Link readied himself to strike again.

"COME ON, NESS!"

"NESS! NESS! NESS!"

Young Link lowered his sword and looked back at his partner. Bowser and Ness were in a battle of strength. Ness was trying to strike the Koopa with the bat, but Bowser had it grasped in his claws. The two were pushing the weapon between them. Young Link turned to see Ness' fans getting up off their feet. Even Bowser's fans were getting excited and cheering. He saw Bowser's family of little koopas, get up to push him forward. How lucky they were.

"WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING?" Young Link snapped back to reality to see Ganondorf using his wizard foot to attack him at the top of his head. The young smasher rolled just in time to evade the attack. Ganondorf had to stop for a second to catch his breath after the attack while Young Link looked at the crowd again. He couldn't even hear any of his fans anymore.

"Hmm, I see." Ganondorf chuckled. "Why didn't I notice before?"

Young Link turned back to Ganondorf and readied his sword. "What are you talking about? Focus on the battle!"

Ganondorf crossed his arms. "I could, but I find this much more amusing. Must be hard for you to fight with all these families around you." His grin only grew when he saw Young Link's eyes widen. "I knew it. I had forgotten how your parents died in the war." He eyed the crowd himself. "All these people here are enough to make any orphan just focus on how they're all alone."

"Shut-up." Young Link said.

"Listen, kid. If you're going to let dead nobodies control your life, why don't you just drop off the stage right now? Save me the time and energy." Ganondorf proposed. "Or you can pretend you're dead like your parents and they'll call it a knock out," he said evilly.

"Don't talk about my family!" Young Link charged at Ganondorf only to be knocked down. Before he could get up, Ganondorf put his foot on his face. "I want to crush you, but let's talk about your dead parents some more. Yes, your father died by a sword launched directly in his neck and dragged down to his heart. I loved the finale: your father's head sliced clear off his shoulders."

"Stop it…" Young Link mumbled.

"And let's not forget Mother dearest. The squad barricaded her whole body with so many arrows, she looked like a hedgehog. Too bad I didn't get to see her shrivel up and die." Ganondorf sighed. "I have to thank you for being born. Otherwise, I wouldn't have seen such entertaining deaths. All to protect scum like you!"

"I SAID STOP IT!" Young Link suddenly had the strength to slip his head out from under the Gerudo's boot.

Ganondorf fell off balance as Young Link escaped and backed up. His eyes were on fire and like a mad dog as he saw his prey Ganondorf. He let out a scream. "I'LL KILL YOU!" While the warrior was down, Young Link used his spin attack to throw him off balance. Then, as he flew in the air, Young Link jumped up and brought his sword down on warlock's stomach! Ganon was sent flying. Young Link landed on the ground so hard, a mass of dust shot up in the sky and he couldn't see a thing.

Young Link was frothing with blind fury. He just wanted to stab Ganondorf over and over till he was good and dead. But he was gone and the match was over. He made a move to leave, but felt a rough hand grab his shoulder. That one hand held him in place. Young Link felt an eerie feeling. A feeling of darkness. He looked through the corner of his eye, to see Ganondorf had a grip of his shoulder. Young Link was paralyzed with too much fear to move.

"You're weak, kid," Ganondorf quietely declared. "Because you're weak, your family is dead. It's all…your…fault…" With that, he spun Young Link around fast, and greeted him with a Warlock Punch. As soon as the punch made impact, Young Link blacked out completely. Before he blacked out, he knew he had lost the match.

Young Link looked up at the night sky. It was hours after the matches and the Family Melee was finally over. As Young Link had guessed, he and Ness did lose the match thanks to him. He apologized to Ness, but Ness said he didn't care. It was just fun to be able to do the matches. Young Link looked down at the people leaving from the roof of the mansion. The mansion roof was the Hylian's favorite place to hang out. Below him, he could see some of the smashers talking with the departing people.

He could see Zelda talking with her father. He had come to see her daughter for the first time in a match. Young Link turned away from them as he saw Zelda hug her father tightly. He turned to Ness, who was introducing his parents to Nana and Popo and their parents. They all were laughing up a storm. Envy started to burn deeply in Young Link's heart.

"So this is where you're hiding."

Up above Young Link, Link had appeared, standing and looking over the edge of the roof. He walked over to his younger counterpart and sat down next to him. Link smiled. "It really is nice up here, huh?"

Young Link looked at him. "How did you know about my secret spot?"

"You mean our secret spot. Your likes and dislikes are my likes are mine We're the same person, remember? " Link explained.

Young Link nodded. "That is true." Silence overcame the two smashers. They watched the people below them slowly depart from the mansion.

"Finally," he muttered.

"Family Melee too much for you?" Link gathered from Young Link's dark tone. "It was for me too. So much family mush, you could drown in it. Plus the families were complaining about how violent we were. Can you believe that?"

Young Link shook his head. "That's not why it was exhausting for me. It was much more than that." Young Link tapped his feet against the roof. "Don't you think it's stupid that Master Hand put together this dumb Smash Family Melee thing? I mean…it's just so cruel. Doesn't he realize some of us are without families?"

"I see," Link said softly. He knew he was right. He didn't know what it was about Young Link, but Link always felt he had a telepathic connection with him. Link could understand his feelings and Young Link could understand his. It was the reason why, Link had ventured up to the little Hylian's room. His friends said they only understand each other, because they're the same person. Link believed that too, but he still felt an even stronger connection. Thinking on Young Link's statement, Link could understand how he felt. Their parents were dead and they had no one. family related, to come and support them. But Link was already used to things like that. When the smashers would go home to visit families on vacation or when they were making gifts for their parents. Link had been there and he had sat through all of it for years. But Young Link was just beginning to experience it. Even if he was very mature for his young age, he was still a kid.

Young Link nudged his older self, a little concerned about his silence. "What are you thinking about, Link?"

"Oh sorry, Lil bro…I mean Young Link. I understand what you're talking about." Link started. He turned to face the younger replica. "We are the unlucky ones aren't we? Our parents died while we were infants." Link placed a hand on Young Link's hair, seeing the subject was still tender to him. "We could have learned so much for them."

"I just wish I could have done something to save them. Though I hate to say it, Ganondorf's right." Young Link felt miserable. "It's my fault Mother and Father died."

Link frowned. "Now come on, Young Link. You know Ganondorf will say anyhin to get it in our heads. He only wanted to win the match. You know there was absolutely nothing you could do. You were just a new born baby." Link placed an arm around Young Link. "It's hard to accept the fact they're gone. But sitting alone in the dark is no way to face this. It'll only make it harder to bear for years to come."

"How do you deal with it?" Young Link asked.

"Instead of thinking about what I lost, I think about what I have. Like my friends here and back in Hyrule. Saria, Malon, Marth, Roy, Fox, Mario, and the list just goes on." Link chuckled. " Plus, you know Zelda is very special to me. If it wasn't for all these friends, I really don't know where I would be. They're…"

"...family. Is that what you're going to say?" Young Link snapped, cutting Link off. Seeing he didn't say no, Young Link rolled his eyes. "I knew it. Link, you didn't really fall silly stuff like that, did you? It is not that simple."

"You're right. Maybe it is a little cliché, but it doesn't change that your friends care enough about you, as mine care about me. That should be enough to make you happy."

"You're wrong!" Young Link shot back with clenched fists. "You don't understand at all! I hate when everyone starts talking about their families. When Popo and Nana complain about their parents not letting them stay up late, or Ness says his Mom is too clingy, I get mad at them. They don't see how lucky they are to have them. I have no one to call 'Mom' or 'Dad'. And I have to pretend like I'm okay with it."

"And you don't think I understand how you feel? I've been through it!" Link felt his own feelings boiling up. "You don't have to tell me anything about how painful it is. But even still, I'm trying to tell you that things will get better! You just have to trust me."

"What are you going to do? Can you bring them back to life!" Young Link shouted at Link. He watched his older self freeze up, before he looked down. Young Link turned away from him. "You see? There is absolutely nothing you can do to make this better. I'm going to live a life without even knowing what my family members even looked like! It can't get better, and it won't." Young Link angrily brought his knees to his chest and hid his face in them.

Link reached out a hand to touch him, but slowly withdrew it. Maybe there really isn't any point in trying to hide it. I'm older, but I still think about my parents. Just wondering, what they were like. I would give anything just to know something about them.

"Hello, boys."

Young Link didn't lift his head to see Zelda had come up on the roof. Link gave her a light smile as she came and sat down on the other side of Young Link. She was carrying a small blue bottle in her hand. The little boy lifted his head as Zelda placed the bottle in his lap. "Here. It's for your stomach. You must still be in pain from that punch. I was afraid he had hurt you."

"Thank you." Young Link opened the bottle. The contents had a fruity fragrance to them. He took a small sip of the medicine. It tasted like green apples. Being one of Young Link's favorite fruits, he drank the concoction down quickly.

Zelda sighed and looked up at the sky. "I'm really proud of how you handled yourself out there. What Ganondorf said to you was wrong." She clenched her fist. "Such a despicable man. I'm proud of both of you." She felt both Links look up at her as she clapped her hands on her back.

She didn't hesitate to tell them. "I know you guys were unlucky. Losing your father and mother at infancy. You don't know how bad it made me feel. I thought you would be so miserable today. But I'm so glad, you two didn't let this Family Melee thing get the best of you."

Young Link shook his head. "I don't know about Link, but I…lost it. Ganondorf just made me so angry. But at the same time, he did prove to me I have no family."

Link nodded, finding it impossible to disagree with Young Link."And that there's no way to bring them back. We can never tell our children of the future what our family was like."

"I see. Well…" Zelda looked from Link to Young Link. She wasn't sure if she could help them. But to return smiles to her friends' faces, she would do anything. "Even so, you are not alone. You two still have your friends."

Young Link didn't mean to, but he raised his voice with Zelda. "Would you stop saying that? It's not the same! Friends can't replace your family!"

Link couldn't find the heart to correct Young Link's snapping at the princess. "They won't be with you always. Sooner or later they go back to their own families and we're left alone. You don't know how miserable it is to sit here alone on the holidays when everyone else goes to see their families."

Zelda paused. She stayed quiet for a moment, but found her voice again. "Friends don't last forever? Then I have a question for you. If this is true, does this mean you don't plan on staying friends with me? I considered us all to be lifelong friends. I consider that with all my friends here. If SSBM ever had to end, I wouldn't let the smashers fade from my memory. I'd keep in contact with everyone and if I couldn't do that…" Zelda placed a hand on her heart. "They would be right here. I cherish them all dearly."

She met her eyes with Link's downcast ones. "Link, I always thought you felt the same about your friends...About me? About the others?"

"I...I always did feel that way." Link gazed at Zelda. He imagined his life; a life without Zelda in it. A life without his friends. He needed them. They would always be with him if he had anything to do with it. He smiled, finding a new resolve. "I still do."

Zelda grinned back at him before her nudging her head towards the resisting Young Link. They both knew he needed to hear this the most.

"You're absolutely right, Zelda. Thank you." Link placed a hand on Young Link's shoulder. "We can't shut our friends out, Young Link. We can't act like we're alone. Our friends are our family."

Young Link frowned. "Link...I already said-"

"Hear me out, okay? Young Link, why do you want a family?" Link asked.

"...why?" Young Link paused. "Isn't it obvious? Families are full of love. They laugh together. Look out for each other. They would do anything for each other. Who doesn't want that?"

"You're right. But, who is to say you don't already have that, Young Link?" Link said. He'd convince his younger self. He would. "This mansion is full of people who are always ordering us around? Particularly two headmasters who tell us what we can and can't do."

"Um…" Young Link scratched his head. Where was Link going with this? "Master Hand and Crazy Hand?"

"Yes. They're like fathers to us...as creepy as that sounds." Link blushed when Zelda giggled at the thought. He suddenly turned to Zelda. "Zelda...and Peach. Aren't they always taking care of you when you don't feel well or get hurt?"

Young Link remembered the bandage Peach gave him after his match today. He remembered the bottled medicine Zelda just gave him with caring smile. He nodded. "They take care of me all the time like..."

"...like any nurturing mother would," Link said. "And what about those little rambunctious friends of yours? Ness and the Ice Climbers. Always playing together. Pulling pranks. Staying up all night reading comics and chatting. And don't forget all these other smashers in the house, running around and causing chaos."

Young Link envisioned this. All these warm memories he had in the mansion. A smile found its way on his face."My crazy bunch of siblings," he said.

Young Link looked at Link and Zelda for a moment. As he peered harder at them, he started to see his parent's faces. His father had brown hair cut like his own, with those same blue eyes. His mother looked beautiful with her long flowing hair pulled into a braid. They smiled at him for a brief second before fading away and his friends' faces came to vision again.

Young Link shut his eyes. He felt a sudden bliss return to his face. "You're right. Our family has been here the whole time. How could I forget how much you guys mean to me?" He suddenly felt the urge to hug somebody. He chose Link to be the victim and squeezed him tightly."Thanks you, guys."

Zelda nodded sympathetically and stroked his hair, as if he were her own precious child. "We're always here for you. Always."

"That's the truth, Young Link," Link said.

Young Link looked up at his older counterpart. "Hey, Link. I have a favor to ask?"

"Mm? What's that?"

Young Link felt a tint of red creep on his cheeks. "Can you...call me 'little bro" again?"

Link pulled apart from Young Link and ruffled his hair, treating him like a kid brother. "You know it little squirt!"

"Hey!" Young Link pouted playfully. "I want you to call me lil bro! Not squirt!"

Link put Young Link's head in a headlock. "Make me!" He started to lightly bop him on the head. "You're not strong enough!" The two "brothers" laughed. Zelda giggled, happy to see their smiling faces again.

"Hey." Young Link looked over at Zelda. He smiled widely. "Is there still some cake downstairs from the celebration? Let's go get some, sis!" Young Link said, catching Zelda's surprise. "No one else can be my sister like you can, Zelda."

Zelda blushed, yet she felt honored. "Oh…Young Link." She said softly to her newfound brother. "That's so sweet."

"Well," Link started. "Too bad you're more bratty than sweet. Makes me want to do this." Without warning, he flicked Zelda on the forehead, who let out a cute cry. He dropped Young Link, when he saw the reddening Zelda approach him."Ha, ha, little sisters."

"Link! You're so immature!" Zelda got up and charged after the Hylian. She shook her fist in the air, playing along. "Get back here, you meanie!"

"Hey! Wait for me!" Young Link scooped himself up off the floor. He smiled to himself while he chased after his friends. His parents may have been gone, but he knew he would never feel a hole in his heart again. Why you ask? The reason is something strong within him is keeping his doubts, worries, and fears patched up, never to break again.

The Friends In His Heart.

A/N: So this is the one-shot. In dedication to my friend in a way. Even though she'll never see it. But it made me feel so much better. I don't know how much feedback I'll get, but I'd love to hear your opinions. Please review and thanks in advance if you do!

Royal Kenya