A/N: This is the sequal to Pitus of Time, though it will be slightly longer. I hope you like it, comments and contructive criticism would be appreciated. The Fic name is taken from a song on Zelda: OoT, because it suits the atmosphere.
SSBB (c) Nintendo
Nocturne of Shadow
Part one
Even with the lilac tint of the far off Subspace, the sun still shone down, casting a blanket of warmth and tranquillity upon the drowsy World of Trophies. On any other day, the early hours of the morning would be used for excessive training in the Midair Smash Stadium, or early tournaments that a brawler or two had called, often due to bigheadedness that came about in conversations and the like. However, events prior to that surprisingly sunny winter day had left the stadium in no fit state to be used, even a month after it had been left in ruin. It was no-one's desire to be working themselves to the point of cracking, but if they were to enjoy the festive season then they would have to undergo such a procedure. Most of the Brawlers were perfectly willing; they had nothing else to do besides enjoy themselves. As far as they were aware, the Subspace villainy had been abolished for good and there was no longer any threat to the land. Half of the Brawl-Squad was hasty to finish the stadium, whereas the other half was not. Surprisingly, the slower half was the half that found themselves most involved with the previous ordeal they had faced atop the Halberd, which thanks to the monster known as Ridley, would never fly again. That day, Link had barely overturned a chair in the stadium, and it was nearing nightfall fast. That was partially due to the weather; though it was sunny it was cold, cold enough for snow. Snow was a great nuisance to him; all it did was provide joy to the younger smashers. His lack of work was also to his devoted attention to solving the riddles in his head, which had come about in the final battle with Ganondorf. They were making him lose focus.
"It's cold," Princess Peach complained, huddled up with the other women Brawlers who had found themselves a secluded corner to avoid work. Marth and Pit had sneakily snuck over to hide from Ike who was prowling the vicinity, determined to get everybody working. But he wouldn't argue with Samus, she was lurking about out of view to stop anyone who disturbed the others, and she meant business. It made one wonder why she was doing what she was doing, however, because it was completely out of character for her to allow slacking.
"I know it's cold, but be grateful you're not out there, moving heavy, metal objects sporting a frosty coat," the smooth, formal voice of Hyrule's Princess Zelda sighed. Peach grumbled and pulled her glove higher up her arm, studded with Goosebumps and fairly white.
"It's cold?" Nana yawned, "I guess I'm so used to it, I just don't feel it anymore." Sheik, who had been completely motionless and calm, made an approving noise, still acting like a statue.
"How do you do that?" Peach queried, looking to the Sheikah in awe.
"Years of practise," Sheik serenaded smoothly.
"Years, Sheik, you've barely been alive years," Zelda scoffed. Sheik heaved a sigh and rose to her feet.
"I've been waiting inside you for years, Princess, just waiting to come out. It's like you were impregnated with my soul at birth."
"Charming," Zelda grinned, "thanks for wrapping that up for me," there was a hint of sarcasm in her voice. She, like Link, had other things on her mind and did not care for Sheik's intelligent points. Her green-clad hero's actions since they arrived back from the Halberd had been worrying her; he was pressing extremely hard on that little flaw that cropped up in the battle with Ganon, and the other that the attack by Ridley had brought unto him. She wished he would just drop it and go back to normal. She envisioned him by Christmas with bloodshot eyes, matted hair and foam frothing out of his mouth, like some mad dog. Of course, Zelda's assumptions were out of the ordinary, Link felt perfectly fine despite a slight agitation due to lack of food and sleep. This was his only problem.
Still, it was keeping him awake and malnourished, which was a big problem in regards to his health. The consistent stress of trying to get the stadium up to scratch wasn't doing him any favours either.
Link was lost in his own little world, slumped next to the chair he was supposed to carry to the top row of seats. He tapped the glimmering blade of the Master Sword, a sleepy look brimming in his sapphire eyes. He was oblivious to the fact that Toon and Ike were crouched behind him, waiting for him to snap back into reality so they could question him on his actions, or rather, lack of actions.
"Link," Toon whispered, prodding him in the back after growing restless of waiting. Link grunted in irritation.
"Thanks for popping my thought bubble…" the hero sighed miserably, "though I thought of nothing new. Same old theories on the Triforce and so on. Nothing of interest to you guys."
"The Triforce does interest me," the smaller version of Link bemoaned. Ike rolled his eyes, "but if you have nothing new, I doubt I can input anything of my own. Sorry."
"You don't need to help," Link sighed, rising to his feet. He was true to his word; Toon Link didn't need to get involved in his business. Only two of the Brawlers needed to be involved, but thanks to Snake getting suspicious, Link's business was known by every smasher in the vicinity, and all of them wanted to 'help' him, to get involved.
It was private.
Confidential.
Came in a sealed packet with a stamp on the front, advertising that it wasn't to be looked into by unauthorised personnel.
The only 'authorised personnel' were Pit and Samus, as it had been those two who, like Link, had lost the ability to turn into a trophy when they met the World of Trophies' equivalent to death. At first, they had thought it was merely a case of the monster Ganondorf had used their souls to fuse didn't have the trophy effect on them, so couldn't silence them in a world that barred off death. However, when Ridley knocked the Halberd into the World of Trophies and it crashed, it had been those three who were knocked unconscious instead of transformed into the models that portrayed them. Many nights, he and his two other worldly companions sauntered off into the forest to discuss the problems and possible solutions to take them off their shoulders. They thought they went unnoticed, but after they were found fast asleep in the forest clearing, stripped bare of the greens it normally was enriched with by the winter's brutality, for the third time, it had began to rise suspicion. Link suspected it was Princess Zelda, who had never trusted Samus around Link, whom had told Solid Snake to follow them one night and report back everything. He had obliged to the Princess' whims and of course, Peach had caught word and spread it everywhere like only she knew how, not only making every man and his dog believing it was their problem too, but also making Zelda worry more, because Link had acted rather brutally to the news that everybody knew. The fact that he had kept it a secret, even to Navi, was because he didn't want Zelda worrying, something that was inevitable if she found out.
"She loves you, mate," Pit had told him, "I'm sure love is an emotion that brings on immense worry should something be up with your lover."
Link had replied very snidely:
"What do you know about love? Are you in love? Is there a woman in your life? Well, if there is, let me tell you that there is a massive difference between having a woman in your life and having a Zelda."
Pit had gone silent after that, and had walked off, red in the face. Link was certain he wasn't upset in any way, but rather embarrassed.
"Anyway, why do you want me?" Link asked miserably, placing the Master Sword back in its scabbard.
"Well, we're done for the day, but you looked like you weren't entirely there, so we decided to wake you up to prevent you from staying behind," Ike explained, "anyways, I'm going to throttle Marth and Pit for slacking."
"Hey, they have free will to do what they may. You aren't the leader of the Smashers, Ike, you don't have any authority."
"I'm higher rank than you!"
"Blasphemy!"
"I'm the commander of Greil Mercenaries. What are you, eh? A Ranch Hand! I don't have to obey you."
"Who cares!"
"Why are you yelling? You're such a moody little weirdo at the moment, it's creepy."
"YAAARGH!" Link, blinded with his uncontrollable rage, lunged for Ike with the Master Sword at arms. The glimmering blue smashed against the majestic gold of the Ragnell and Ike began to force Link away. With his free hand, Link grabbed Ike's face and began to kick him, still pushing with his sword, sweat breaking out all over his red face. He just wanted to kill Ike; he was so full of himself to him.
"Can't… breathe…" Ike rasped. Link didn't care. He was oblivious to the protesting from the other smashers, and didn't know they were there until two hands pulled him away from Ike, making him struggle. Marth and Toon Link help Ike up, and had to hold him back to stop him attacking Link. He was breathing heavily, the imprint of Link's hand grip still lingering on his face, the places where his fingernails had been brimming with blood.
"What is wrong with you?" Ike panted, "God, you're crazy."
"ME! WHAT ABOUT YOU!"
"Link, ignore him," one of his restrainers whispered soothingly, their voice shaky with irritation. The voice belonged to Samus, but sounded so different, choked in anger.
"He attacked me! I did nothing to him!"
"You provoked me!"
"Link, block him out," the other voice mumbled. Slightly more scared than enraged, the voice belonged to Pit."
"If Pit and Samus hadn't stopped him…"
"You were going to attack him, even when we did," Samus growled. Beneath the emerald tinted visor of her helmet, she grimaced.
"You're just as bad. I bet you want to kill me too, just like your elf buddy."
"Don't taunt me Ike; you know I'll crush you."
"Only because I'd never hurt a woman or child."
"Samus, don't… Please both of you calm down… Let's just go," Pit mumbled, restraining both of his friends with all the strength he could muster. Link and Samus were both boiling with anger, but they wouldn't hurt Pit even if they were to lose their lives by not doing so.
"Pit's right. We should just go back to camp and calm down," Marth stated proudly, "and stop conflicting each other. Link, you need to rest, I think sleep deprivation is making you cranky, which is perfectly human."
Link scoffed at Marth's comment and broke free eventually of Pit and Samus' grasps and stormed off in the direction of the forest, not giving the others a second glance.
"Can't you just leave Link alone?" Pit asked, "are you driven to tormenting him?" Ike just scowled and began to walk with Toon and Marth back to the Smasher's camp.
It had begun to snow by the time Link arrived at his spot in the forest, the little droplets of shimmering white slowly settling into the mud, which was dotted with wilting flowers and frosty wisps of grass, making crunching noises under Link's boots as he trudged along and sat down against the trunk of the large, centremost tree, stripped bare of its leaves. He just wanted to cry, to rid himself of all his sorrows by sobbing.
"Something the matter, Hero of Time?" a voice queried from behind him, the clattering of metal boots against the mud becoming audible. The voice was deep and muffled by metal covering the speaker's mouth. It could only belong to one.
"Why are you here, Meta Knight?" Link sighed, tears choking his words.
Meta Knight came into view, looking as forlorn as Link did, holding his Galaxia in one hand and some form of blueprints in the other.
"I came here to get away from it all. I didn't feel up to working today," he settled down next to Link and opened his paper. Looking over at it, Link could see it was a faded diagram of the Halberd.
"So you didn't see me attack Ike?" the Hylian sighed.
"Why would you do that?"
"He was acting all high and mighty. It sounded to me like he was teasing me because I grew up on a farm," Link slid into a slumped position and wiped the tears from his face, "and I got angry at him."
"Well, it sounds to me like Ike was in the wrong. I don't see why he should think any lesser of you Link, because you're a farm boy. It's just how you lived your life."
"Huh, if my parents lived then I wouldn't be a farm boy," he scoffed, "I'd be higher up like Ike, I know it. My dad was a knight."
"Yes, fate is funny like that. Sometimes it can be for the better, sometimes the worse," Meta serenaded, "such as the fate of my Halberd. I had to find the blue prints to build it again, but it will take months. I do wish the Subspace army would stop using it, it belongs to me, not them."
"Hey, maybe next time you can make it Ridley-proof."
"I hope there isn't a Ridley next time. There won't be, should I succeed," Meta Knight stated proudly, "I'm going to bring him down, if it's the last thing I do."
"I'm sure you want to, but is revenge really the right way to go?" someone queried from the trees. There was a distinct thud of steel hitting the floor, mingling with scruffy leather scraping against the mud, sprinkled with the snow. Pit and Samus emerged from the gnarled branches of the forest, both of them hesitant in their walking due to the abysmal cold, which was bad enough to tear through a thick layer of metal and fabric. The snow would falter quickly; it was far too cold for it to continue falling.
"Come to tell me everyone is trying to kill me for hurting precious little Ike?" Link sneered.
"No need to talk like that Link," Pit squeaked, sounding hurt, "we were just worried."
"Yeah, I'm sure you were. Worried about me, when Ike nearly died."
"What is it about Ike that makes you so angry all of a sudden? I had the impression you were friends. And don't talk to Pit like that," Samus bent down to his level and gazed into his sapphire eyes, still brimming with his sorrow. Link's gaze shifted from her and he tried to push her away, but she disallowed him to overpower her and took his hand within hers, squeezing it gently.
"Sorry Pit," he whispered, watching a bug scurry along the floor, searching for warmth, "and in regards to Ike, I don't know. I get mad at everybody now, Ike, Zelda, Navi. Even you two and you're so involved it's like we're joined at the hip. It's been happening since… We stole the Arwing actually."
"Not just in you either," Pit added, looking at Samus who shot him a death glare. Pit was generally calmer than his two companions, so neither had noticed much of a change in his temper, aside from those two times when Link blew his fuse. Link and Samus, however, had changed in personality. Link had become snappier, and Samus just didn't seem to care any longer. It was the imprint of a curse that Pitus had cast, though to that they were oblivious. Link had Triforce Slashed the monster fused by their souls before questions could be asked, and had instantly killed her.
"Anyway, Meta Knight, why are you in the forest?" Pit asked, ignoring Link and Samus who were whispering to each other. The audible words were of comfort, and were coming from Samus who was still grasping Link's hand. The whole scene was making Pit's heart sink, though the reason why was unbeknownst to him.
"I'm just planning my aspirations for the future," Meta Knight stated plainly, rolling up his Halberd blueprints and setting them next to him.
"Do they involve slaughter of a certain monster whose name begins with an 'R'?"
"Smart boy," Meta Knight appraised, "of course, I do plan to rebuild my battleship, but not until I'm sure there is no chance of it being destroyed for the millionth time."
"Who knows what could happen though. Can you tell what will be thrown at you in the future?"
"Not even one who makes the wisest of predictions can always be accurate when it comes to the future. The tiniest change of mind can have massive effects on how time unfurls. But I will ensure my ship is better than it ever has been, so I can cheat the horrors of life and keep it flying. Killing Ridley is the perfect way to start; he won't be leaving our world any time soon."
"Are you trying to full fill my destiny Meta Knight? How lovely of you, too bad I want to kill Ridley a million times more than you do," Samus hissed, letting go of Link and walking over to the small, blue ball. Meta Knight prodded her leg with his sword half-heartedly.
"I never said I had to do it alone. If you wish, you may come with me. If you think you can keep up with me."
"Oh, I'm better than you can ever imagine," Samus teased, flashing a devious grin that was barely visible under her helmet.
"I don't doubt you are, but you can't go with him!" Link protested. All three smashers turned to look at him, an air of confusion hanging low in the vicinity.
"Why not?" Samus asked impatiently, placing her right hand on her hip.
"Because I need you to help me!" he affirmed, his voice going up an octave.
"Help you? Link, can't you and I just bounce ideas about without her?" Pit sighed. Something in his voice made him sound like he agreed to Link, though not for the Hylian's reasons.
"No I… I just… Oh, what's the point, you two will just say no."
"Oh, now I have to know what your mind thinks we're disagreeing to Link," the woman stated. The angel nodded.
"Well, it's kind of that… I'm leaving the brawl squad and I wanted you two to join me. Just you two. I'm going tonight, to the Isle of the Ancients. I'm going to find out the origins behind the Light Arrows and the Master Sword, and I'm going to find out why we're so special. My mind is set, I'm going with or without you, but I'd prefer company. Maybe once my task is complete, we'll return to the lives we now lead but that may never happen. It could take months, it could take years. Heck, it could take several lifetimes, but we aren't dying here any time soon."
"And you think Pit and I are going to go along with this?"
"Well, I knew you'd say that but…"
"I'm not saying I'm declining," Samus removed her helmet so she could gain closer eye contact; "I'm just saying I want to know why you trust us so much? Would you rather have us to Zelda or Toon Link?"
"In this scenario, yes," Link stated, "you two are the best guys for the job, and not to mention my best friends." Pit smiled and Samus blushed.
"And how do you know I won't leak?" Meta Knight snapped.
"Well, I'm assuming you're leaving tonight as well, so you won't have time… you will keep your mouth shut, won't you? You won't tell anyone where we are?"
"I swear on it. And considering I'm headed to the Isle of the Ancients too, I guess we'll be taking the same path. After all, that's where Ridley is wreaking his havoc, and he's my goal."
"I can't let you be the one to kill him Meta, I'm sorry but I have to be there," Samus's eyes were cold, hard and merciless. She would never feel right in herself until she saw that monster fall, and if he were to kill Meta Knight... She didn't know the abilities the small warrior bestowed; she had no clue if he was good enough to defeat the thing. She couldn't risk overestimating his power and allowing him to die.
"Well, can't Meta Knight come with us? We can take a detour and kill Ridley, we don't have a time limit," Pit suggested, making himself noticed again after several minutes of silence.
"Come with you?" Meta Knight looked a little surprised at the offer, "are you sure?"
"What harm could it do?" Link shrugged, "I don't mind detouring if it'll make our lives easier. Ridley is hunting Samus, after all. It's better we don't have him on our backs."
"I'm still not entirely convinced this is a good idea. Think of the others for a minute," Samus placed her hand on Link's shoulder and looked into his eyes sternly.
"Zelda will know we left for good cause Samu-"
"This isn't all about Zelda!" Samus cut off in a snappy tone.
"I know, but… Look, I doubt any of them really give a damn. I almost killed precious Ike; they'd probably all prefer to have Tabuu Brawling instead of me now! I think there are only about four people here who would actually be sad if I died, and two of them are Pit and yourself! If you care more about the feelings of selfish little brats who worship conceited bullies than you do your friends, then why don't you join them? And maybe Ridley will slaughter us without you, just like he did your—"
Samus seized Link vigorously by the collar and brought him close to her face, holding her arm cannon to his neck.
"Talk at me like that again and you'll find yourself hanging by your ears from the rim of the Midair stadium, do you hear?" she hissed through gritted teeth. Link resisted the urge to bite her; he'd have been safer against a disgruntled TowTow than Samus at that particular moment in time.
"Answer me! Give me a sign that you understand!"
"Samus," Pit took her hand and prised it away from Link, keeping it clasped within his own. The fire in Samus's eyes was extinguished and she pulled away from Link, looking away in guilt.
"Where do we meet you then?" she sighed in defeat.
"That's my girl."
It wasn't until Link walked through the trees into the clearing that was the camp site that everyone stopped whatever they were doing and stared. Feeling discomforted, Link looked to his feet and sauntered over to Zelda, who thankfully gave him a hug as soon as he sat down. Somebody cared about him. In the distance, Ike was trying to break Pit away from Link, still feeling shaken from events prior. He wasn't having much luck, Pit was staying true to his friends and respectfully declining Ike's every move to rob Link of his only buddies.
"Ike, you're being pathetic. Isn't fighting what we live to do in this world?" Pit sighed, furrowing his brow in irritation.
"What Link did was uncalled for! I have you to thank that I'm not dead Pit, Samus is just as bad!" Ike protested, balling his hands into fists.
"You can't die in this world!"
"Apparently you, Link and Samus can, but knowing that crazy elf, it's probably just some wacky theory!"
"Ike," Zelda called, leaving Link and walking over, her head held high just to portray her status, "as valid as your opinion may be, if you call Hylians elves one more time, I will burn you."
"Hylians, elves, whatever," he snarled, "I really don't care right now. I apologise Princess."
"Ike, please forgive Link. He's just a little unsettled because of all of this. I hope you understand."
"I don't think you should be vouching for him. Nor you Pit, I'm afraid Link has done wrong," Ike scolded. Several other Brawlers nodded, murmuring among themselves.
"What you did was not wise, but you never have been Link," Sheik whispered to him, that misty aura in her crimson eyes ceasing to fade, "Ike's bigheadedness drew you into conflict, and I respect that it's what you do. You're not any less of a person because of it."
"What Sheik said," Toon Link grinned. Link allowed a little grin to slide across his face too. He would miss his little friends, the misfits, when he left. It would break his heart to never see any of them again. Finally he could see what Samus had meant and regretted getting moody with her. He made a mental note to apologise (though he needed an apology too, she had threatened to maim him) and put both arms around the Sheikah and the young, green clad Hylian. He hoped neither of them were mind readers, as he composed a list of all the things he wanted to say to the people he'd lose in his head, holding back the tears that tried to come to a head in his tear ducts.
Look after Zelda, Sheik. Make sure she's happy, and never has the need to want me should I never get back. I will miss you all, as will Samus, Pit and Meta Knight, from the bottoms of our hearts. Should we fall, pass the message on to our peers away from the world we live in. Allow them to know… Should we join the damned…
No longer able to contain himself, the Hylian rose to his feet and went to gather supplies for the road ahead, hoping to the goddesses that nobody noticed. Food, water, potions, arrows… Anything that would aid the survival in the unknown wilds of the world in which they had barely ventured.
"I already got supplies," a hessian sack dropped besides Link as he filled his own, and Samus rested her head on his shoulder.
"The more the better, I guess…" Link mumbled, stroking her cheek. He felt so glad to have a friend like Samus, who was a girl he could treat like he'd treat a boy, but whom he could feel normal confiding in when in need of a hug.
"Link, is keeping this quiet the right thing to do?" she murmured into his ear, "I think everyone has the right to know, so they are not worried that something has occurred."
"It's best not to tell them, even if they do care… So nobody can prevent this. This is going to make me a better person, and I'd rather they be oblivious to my fate than to hate me forever."
"No-one hates you," she reassured, "they just don't understand you. You're not the only one… That is misunderstood…" Samus took Link's hand and intertwined their fingers, "that's why I feel sisterly towards you. I'll stick by you throughout this Link, but let me assure you that I have no joy in keeping such a secret."
"Samus, I want you to trust me on this. I know this is for the best…"
"Okay… I'll trust you," she nodded and drew away from him, looking across the rolling plains ahead of them and sighing, "in a few more hours, we'll be out there… It could take forever, and I've no clue whether to be excited or wary."
"Are you ever frightened of anything Samus?" Link sighed, "because this is something I am rather scared of doing, simply because our deaths could be all that lies at the end of the tunnel."
"Well, that's what adds the element of excitement, the risk. I guess it's how our jobs differentiate that makes our views on death so opposite."
"Well, it's the difference between a bounty hunter and a farm boy."
"You're a swordsman, not a farm boy."
"Well, I was a farm boy before I started this hero business."
"Yeah, well I was a normal kid once, until…" she trailed off into a silence and began to walk back to camp, "we ought to eat something before we go. We need to keep our strength up."
"Yes… We have a big journey ahead of us. A huge journey even. It's best to be prepared."
"I knew Ike would rather leave us than hang with Link," Marth sighed in an irritated tone, "it's being childish."
"I say he's scared of Link," Zelda grinned, handing Link a slice of bread, "I want you to eat that."
"I'm preserving it," Link mumbled.
"For what, winter? Are you going to hibernate? No, so eat it," she let a cheeky grin slide across her face and gave Link a kiss on the cheek. Oh how he'd miss that. The area around him was so serene, with everybody sitting in groups and chatting, none of them with a care in the world. Ike had resorted to talking to the Pokémon Trainer, whom he'd always been friends with but barely saw him. Both of them were staring at the area Link and the others, who he named 'the carers', with an odd look about them.
"What's their problem?" Sheik scorned.
"I think it's Link," Pit sighed, "I wish they'd leave him alone. It's old news." Marth and Peach nodded in agreement and Link gave an approving grunt—he'd shoved all of the bread in his mouth at once to preserve the warmth it contained.
"No, I don't think it is," Samus mumbled, lying on the grass with Pikachu on her front, running her fingers through his canary yellow fur. He was snoring gently, his ears twitching every so often, "I think they want Pikachu back, he hates it when other people handle his Pokémon. Pika's my little furry friend though, aren't you?"
"Piiika…" Pikachu breathed, nuzzling up to Samus's neck.
"I'll catch you one for Christmas," Pit grinned. Samus smiled at him.
"Alright, you have four days. Good luck Angel-cake." Pit blushed at his nickname and kept himself occupied by sharpening his blades.
"Four days? I have a feeling we'll have fun this year," Zelda cheered, "right Link?"
"Yeah… You'll enjoy yourself," he mumbled. Never had he imagined being without Zelda for the special times of the year, of love and care for all. He ignored Samus's 'I-really-don't-think-your-choice-is-a-good-one' glare and looked aside. The look of concern on Sheik's face was slightly unsettling; it looked as if she knew something was up.
"Why were you in the forest with Meta Knight, Link?" She asked.
"I had to get away, and I found him there," he stated truthfully, "we were discussing future aspirations with Pit and Samus."
There was disbelief in her eyes, but she remained silent after that.
"I want undeniable truth Link; I think you're up to—"
"I'm telling the truth Sheik. Why are you so suspicious, do you think I'd lie to you?"
"There's always the possibility. Surely someone with your experience would know that." Both Sheik and Link looked to Princess Zelda, who sighed in a melancholy manner. Even his own Zelda had lied to him, but that was to avoid the wrath of Ganondorf. He would never hurt Zelda again. But his death had wrenched her love away from her, driven Link into leaving. To save her from himself, he'd have to break her heart.
'Is it worth it?' he asked himself 'is it worth abandoning Zelda, leaving her oblivious to where I am? Is it worth dragging Meta Knight, Samus and Pit into this?' They had duties after all, and if Link dragged them to their dooms, he would never forgive himself. He had a feeling nobody else would too.
He hadn't forced them to join him though. Pit and Samus had been given a choice to go or not, and Meta hadn't been invited at all, but just followed the crowd to full fill his own aspiration. It was their faults if they died, not his. What if he died? Would anyone care, or would they even find out? Would Ike regret everything he did against him, or would he still be filled with hate and fury? The night sky began to roll in, tainted indigo by the aura around them. Most of the Smashers by then had already lain to rest for the night. The wind had a bitter chill to it, a chill that turned the blood to ice. It went evermore colder as Zelda finally left Link's side and went to sleep.
"I suppose it's near enough lights out for everybody now," Meta Knight whispered, as he, Pit and Samus joined Link, laden with weapons. Pikachu was looking at them curiously, though he did not go over and pester them, like he often did.
"Pika?" he asked in her sweet little voice. Samus looked forlorn as she shooed him away, as if she were about to break into tears. Yet she never cried, it was simply something she didn't do.
"This isn't right, it's so wrong…" she whispered, looking to the floor. Pit put his hand on her arm and looked caringly into her eyes, which even glistened behind her visor.
"Darn lack of emotional control due to some odd, unexplainable phenomenon," she cursed with a giggle.
"Soon we'll find all of the answers," Link smiled, "soon these problems have a chance of being resolved."
"But first we have to do away with a monster," Meta Knight added.
"In regards to that, there is no time to lose… I guess, to all of our friends here, it is goodbye," the Hylian sighed and looked upon the peaceful scene, taking one last wistful glance at his friends, enemies and those who he barely knew, only talked to in brawls or when he needed an answer (of his three companions, Pit was the only one he ever talked to excessively before the attack on the stadium, so he knew that there was a possibility he'd get to know the others-if he ever returned that was.)
Link, Pit, Meta Knight and Samus turned to face the trees of the forest, which at that moment were like a portal into another world. They were laden with necessities and equipped with all their weaponry they would need, but Link couldn't lead the way no matter what. His legs were frozen, glued to the ground and unable to function and co-operate with the rest of his body. Samus gave him a gentle nudge in the back and ushered him forwards, helping him take the first few steps. It was like trying to walk again for the first time; he remembered that part of his childhood well. He was a quick leaner, and he'd managed to shuffle along the threadbare carpet of his father figure's house after only two or three tries. Those adults had loved him like he was their son, and at that point they were childless, so he was all they had. Though Samus' touch was cold and metal, it reminded him of when he'd been aided in walking.
"Link, you okay?" Pit whispered. Link shook his head of heart-warming memories and nodded in regards to Pit's query. The posse managed to get away from the camp and onto the forest pathway to the plains; though a wave of regret was prompt to follow them. You could only just spot the Isle of the Ancients beyond the peak of the glacial mountain, which punctured the clouds like a pin to a balloon. They tried to ensure no trace of their whereabouts was imprinted into the ground as they walked, but with the thin, thawing lining of snow sprinkled over the dust, it was difficult. Meta Knight and Pit had the ability to glide along, leaving only a faint whooshing sound as their wings rustled in the wind. For Link and Samus, it was hard to cover their tracks, and Samus's bulky armour was of great weight, thus making it difficult to not leave tracks without snow. The only good thing about the glittering white was that it provided a calm, beautiful landscape to trek across tainted with the glow of the unique night sky. As the four warriors advanced on their fates, the world behind them grew dark and ominously silent. Link, Pit, Meta and Samus were oblivious to this. But the World of Trophies was advancing closer to undeniable, unpredictable doom.
Someone villainous was acting. And they sought revenge.