**Chaos in the Lobby**

Just as Toon Link warned, Zelda emerged from her room, her eyes scanning the lobby with a look of concern. Peach quickly ushered Mario and Luigi to one side, trying to block Zelda's view of Link's battered body. "Ah, Zelda, dear, what brings you out of your room?" Peach asked, attempting to sound casual. Zelda's gaze swept the lobby, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of the stained carpet and the worried faces of the gathered crowd. That's when she saw him - a glimpse of Link's injured body, partially hidden behind a nearby pillar. Zelda's eyes widened in horror, and she let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the lobby. "LINK! OH NO, LINK! WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM?" Mario covered his ears, wincing at the sheer volume of Zelda's scream. "I didn't think it was possible for a princess to scream that loud," he muttered to Luigi. Luigi nodded in agreement, his eyes wide with alarm. "We're in trouble," he whispered back. Peach rushed to calm Zelda down, trying to placate her as she rushed towards Link's side. "Zelda, please, he's okay, he's just... um... a bit battered. We'll get him fixed up in no time." But Zelda was beyond reason. She pushed Peach aside and knelt beside Link, her hands flying to his face and chest as she examined his injuries. "This is all my fault," she whispered, her voice trembling with worry. "I should have been there to help him. I should have protected him." Samus stepped forward, her voice calm and reassuring. "Zelda, it's not your fault. These injuries are the result of a fierce battle. We'll do everything we can to help Link recover." But Zelda was inconsolable, her eyes welling up with tears as she gazed at Link's battered body. The lobby fell silent, the only sound Zelda's anguished sobs and the soft murmur of Peach's attempts to comfort her. As the scene unfolded, Toon Link slipped away, his face pale with worry. He knew that Zelda's distress was only the beginning of their problems. The question was, how would they manage to keep Link's injuries a secret from the rest of the kingdom?