Chapter 2 Aftermath

Link felt himself standing on a solid surface, the odd sensation from before not going away, now standing as if he was off balance. The black of the void that he fell into from the battle stage in Brawl Land faded away as he found himself back in the waiting room. The room itself was lined with semi-comfortable metal and fabric chairs, a hallway running along one side with doors every few feet. The one he stood near said Battle Stage One, the blinking red light that would have been there during his fight currently lay dormant now that the match was over. Blinking, was even an odd sensation, his eyelids felt heavy and it was like looking at the world through a curtain, his very eyelashes slightly obscuring things. Looking down at himself Link was in for a fright that he was not expecting.

Instead of his normal garb he now wore an elaborate pink and white dress, his hands covered in long white gloves that were suited for a girl dressing up for the opera rather than his normal gear made for battle. “What!” He said, shifting his stance and almost immediately started to stumble in the four inch stiletto heeled shoes that he now wore. Before he had even moved a few inches his other foot moved to stabilize him as his open hand, fingers together came up to cover his mouth. It wasn’t just his body that moved on instinct he didn’t know he had, as he spoke while making the demure action. “Oh my.” His voice coming out softer in a lilting tone.

Eyes bugging out, Link started to take in more of what was going on. His feet were stuck at an odd angle due to the high heels, he could feel a light clingy fabric going up his legs, stopping midthigh and feeling just a little tighter there. Instead of his normal boxers that gave his male bits freedom they were encased in a soft more form fitting material. Under the chest of the dress he could feel straps digging into his shoulders and that dawned on him he noticed the large chest that came out of the dress. A dress that was familiar to him, it was Princess Peach’s gown she wore in their battle. Hands went up immediately to clutch at his chest, a bit of relief moving through him as he felt that he hadn’t suddenly sprouted D cup breasts like the Mushroom Kingdom’s royal Princess. “Peach?” He said allowed, worried.

Only a few feet away stood Princess Peach, now wearing completely different clothing. “Yeah…” she answered in a much calmer voice than Link. Things were going crazy, it was like one of Bowser’s lackeys, the magician, Kamek’s spells went haywire. Instead of freaking out and calling for help though she felt as if she could handle whatever this was and anything else that came her way. The clothes weren’t cute, not that they weren’t fully fashionable, but they felt much sturdier than anything else she had worn. Though the lack of a bra didn’t seem ideal.

When she turned to the side to take in the Hylian boy she found things were more different than she had imagined. Peach never considered herself short, it would be easy for her to consider herself tall considering she stood around six foot one in her heels compared to her Mario’s five foot one. The thing was, Link had been shorter than her, shorter than her even without her shoes and now she was having to look up to him. It was as if part of them had swapped, her now standing at five foot two, her shoulders just a little broader while he had the reverse. “This isn’t good, we should see Dr. Mario, he will know what to do.”

At least one version of him had the Triforce of courage and while Link did not he could easily say one of his greatest strengths was the proverbial steel that ran through his spine. At that second though the idea of someone else being able to stop this madness, to save him felt… right. “Mario can save us?” he asked with hope in his voice. Blinking… fluttering his lashes, Link tried to clear his head. ‘This is all wrong.’ It wasn’t like he had never worn female clothing before, it had been something he had to do in order to get into Gerudo town, but this was much more than just a change in clothing. The idea of changing clothes made him think of his inventory, but when he tried to bring it up, nothing happened. “My inventory isn’t working… wait the Master sword?” Reaching behind him, Link found no sword strapped to him, instead the Princess from another realm had it.

“Inventor?” Peach asked, suddenly a screen appearing in front of her face that changed her expression into a look of wonder and joy. There were so many weapons, swords, great swords, an ice wand, rows and rows of bows and shields. Then there were even different outfits to try on and she was not able to help herself from doing just that.

“Hey, Princess Peach, can you hand me the Master…” His words died, at least momentarily as the pretty blonde woman changed. Suddenly she was wearing a full set of metal armor, the Hylian armor set.

“Ooo.” Peach hopped up and down feeling the protective weight of her armor before jumping back into her menu, the world freezing as she did, just like it once had for Link. The second outfit she chose clung to her body much like her racing suit did and even had a scarf, but the color scheme was vastly different. Tapping her foot on the ground before taking a few steps she no longer heard the normal click clack of her heeled feet on the floor. In fact, she couldn’t hear her footsteps at all, leaving a wide grin on her face, though the only other person in the room wasn’t able to see it with the outfit's mask. “This is nice, your clothes have abilities, we have power ups sort of like that at home.”

Mouth feeling dry Link partially reached out with hesitation. “Peach listen can I get the sword on your back please it is sort of a…” Before he could finish the girl in his clothes changed once more. This time into something with soft fabrics that exposed her shoulders and stomach while a vail covered the lower part of her face.

“I like this one, but why would you wear it?” No sooner had she asked the question when a different window appeared, this one showing quests, specifically ones that had already been done and she was able to see why Link, a male, had a set of female clothing. That screen opening though showed a new quest. Speak with Dr. Mario in the Land of Brawl.

The Hylian’s face grew a shade of pink while it wasn't the same color as his current outfit, it did match. “Take that off, please!”

Giving the troubled dress wearing man a break Peach gave him a wink before changing back to the first outfit she had appeared back in the waiting area with. “Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I normally only change my outfit between realms or games. Like Playing baseball, tennis, and go cart racing… you know. Oh! The sword you wanted.” As if she had done it a hundred times Princess Toadstool slid the Master sword from its scabbard, flipping it around in her hand a few times. The blade slicing through the air with what seemed to be practiced ease, even the weight of it felt right in her hand. With a smile she flipped the blade around so that he could take the handle.

Link hadn’t always had the sword, but it was the blade he needed to banish the darkness and it had taken him a lot of hard work to earn it. Grasping the handle he moved to pull it up into a familiar guard position when the blade tilted forward, suddenly its weight was too much for him to handle. Taking a few mincing steps forward the blade stabbed into the ground and as he tried to pull it back up, his muscles strained to lift it up. He was taller, but weaker; it was as if he didn’t have enough hearts to pull it and as he strained himself to do so his vision began to swim.

“Let’s hold off on that for now.” Peach put her hand over Link’s gently pulling his hand away. Something in her screamed a warning that if he kept pulling the sword itself would drain away his life. While Link knew the sword did that, he had experienced it for himself to prove his worth, but part of that memory felt hazy.

“Yeah… yeah…, you said Mario can help?” He asked out of breath, each deep intake of air reminded him of his situation as the bra straps pulled at his flesh.

Pulling the blade free from the now damaged carpet in the waiting room, Peach swung it around and slid it back into its scabbard. “I said Dr. Mario” she corrected.

Nodding his head Link felt his long hair shift, along with the earrings in his now pierced ears. His hair was no longer in its low ponytail, instead it was styled and he had a little crown placed atop his head. ‘This is all wrong.’ he thought not for the first time as he pulled up the hem of Peach’s dress… his dress, to reveal pink pointed toe high heels and white stockinged legs. The shoes themselves looked like something more feminine than even the Gerudo’s wore. The heels were thinner and taller and somehow he was walking around in them easily and with no discomfort. Without another word Link moved down the hall to the doctors office, one heeled foot stepping in front of the other and his hips shifting with a small sway as he did so.