After the defeat of Galeem and Dharkon, the lands of Smash were still filled with Spirits. Though many were restored to the real world, some were left in the spiritual form, unable to even be seen. However, in the months that followed, and as the countries and kingdoms began to rebuild, some developed the ability to see and interact with the Spirits. Those certain few eventually developed a relationship with these Spirits, one that the Spirits became dependent on. For some, the Spirit was nothing more than a parasite, feeding off their host and eventually taking over their body. Others found that their relationship with the Spirit was the opposite; the Spirit became an extension of themselves, and they became extremely more powerful as a result.

The Spirits changed whomever they were paired with, either for better or for worse. But only a few even knew about this development; only a small percentage of people were even able to see the Spirits, let alone interact and develop a bond with them. Because of this, the world of Spirits remained relatively obscure to the public.

Our story begins four years after the final battle against Dharkon, in a world that has been rebuilt after the chaos of that climatic fight. Spirit Masters, those who have learned to make a Spirit an extension of themselves, are capable of changing the world, though they live in the shadows of society.

PART I: SPIRITUAL POWER AWAKENS

"Sir, we've received our intel from Hyrule," somebody in a hood muttered, making sure to cover his face under the moonlight. Stood in front of him, outside of a large, extravagant castle, was a large figure with a hood covering most of its face, but his fangs were visible. The yellow colour of his mouth looked grey because of the night.

Half of those large fangs shifted into a grin, "And…? Has our hero returned from his journey?"

"Yes he has," the smaller figure said, almost in a sigh, "Though he is not a Spirit Master, he is extremely powerful; he relies on his swordsmanship to fight."

"He has not changed at all," said the large figure, "His way of fighting is so primitive… Yet, he is one of the best I've ever faced with a blade."

"That was before you gained your Spirit, sir," the smaller figure moved to face the moon, which was high over the mountains that the castle overlooked, "Nobody can hold a candle to you now."

"Rest up," the large figure advised, "You will go to Hyrule and bring him to me. You can go alone; you're strong enough to handle this mission on your own. I cannot make the journey… My wounds have not fully healed since that day…"

"Of course. You can count on me, Lord Bowser."

In the rebuilding world, Kirby took his time traveling the world, ranging from the Mushroom Kingdom to the collapsed Kingdom of Ylisse. Before he began his travels, he thought that he had seen everything. However, as he looked to end his four years of traveling in Hyrule, he was about to learn that he had not seen anything yet.

Walking through New Castle Town's market, Kirby rested by the fountain in the middle of the square. Still in it was the crack from a battle Kirby fought alongside Link during the wars against Galeem and Dharkon. He shrugged; his prime was long past, and he did not even want to think about having to punch nor kick. Besides, the final battle, which had killed many, left Kirby unable to fight again.

After spending some of his money on food, Kirby made his way to the castle. He was well-known around Hyrule, so the guards let him through without hassle. He got to the throne room, which was a great, long hall with a bright purple carpet that led to a throne. Behind the throne were stain glass windows with Hylian religious symbols on them. In the center of the hall, Kirby saw Link looking at the throne, where Zelda sat as an advisor counseled her. She wore a white dress with pink dominating most of the torso, and it appeared that she had golden lapels on her shoulders, almost the same colour as her hair. In addition, unlike her predecessor, Zelda had a youthful, naturally joyful face. However, she looked rather bored with her advisor.

"Link," Kirby said, greeting the knight. Link turned and nodded his head with a small smile, "How'd the trip North go?"

"Meh," Link responded, turning back to see the Princess, "There were reports about Spirits "haunting" the Rito Village. But I don't believe in ghost stories."

"Ghost stories? What do you mean by ghost stories? You don't believe that Spirits are around anymore?"

Link shrugged, "I mean… They were describing it as "hauntings" and "possessions". You know, ghost stories you tell around a campfire to scare somebody. If there was something there, it was not a Spirit."

"With the things that I've seen," Kirby replied with a sigh, "I wouldn't rule that out."

Turning to him, Link raised an eyebrow, "What? You think that Spirits, even if they're still around, haunt people and possess them like a demon or something?"

"You ever been to the ruins of New Pork City?" Kirby asked suggestively, "One night there, and you'll believe just about everything."

Link smirked, letting out a chuckle, "I forget how well-traveled you are, friend."

When the advisor left, Kirby and Link walked up to Zelda. She sighed, clearly mentally exhausted from the counseling, but soon changed her expression; she tried to look happy and welcoming. "Kirby," she said, still smiling, "I'm glad you're here."

"Well, it's about time that I visit the rebuilt Hyrule," Kirby said, "I haven't seen you or Link since I began traveling, actually."

"Kirby was just telling me about his time in New Pork City," Link commented, standing as straight as possible. He ran a hand through his long hair, beginning to speak with a clever tone, "Apparently, one night there will change your life."

Kirby rolled his eyes, "Not like that."

"Link, my anointed knight," Zelda said, beginning to look down at her feet, "Can I ask a favour?"

By his tone, Link became more formal, "Yes, Your Majesty. What is it?"

"Talk to my father, and he'll give you a package," Zelda began in a dry, orderly tone, "Bring that package to the Temple of Time. I know it's quite a ride from here, I trust you to get this task done as fast as possible?"

"Of course," Link said with an obedient nod of his head. He left the hall as fast as he could, leaving Kirby alone with Zelda.

As a few guards arrived inside, Kirby felt the temperature drop. It took him by surprise; he even skipped a breath. In addition, although it was midday when he came in, the clouds blocked the sun, bringing the hall into an uncomfortable shadow. Zelda took a breath and said, "I apologize in advance for this, Kirby."

"Your letter was very vague," he said, walking away from the throne. With Zelda a few steps behind him, Kirby turned and saw Zelda clasping her hands together in front of the pink part of her dress, just below the shoulder, "When did this… Thing possess you?"

"It happened a few days ago," Zelda said with a sigh, "It's different than being a puppet of Dharkon, though. I don't feel like I'm possessed."

Thinking, Kirby tried to ask another question. But he stopped himself, then he was able to say something, "How did you find out that… A Spirit is with you?"

"I was walking through Hyrule Field…" Zelda told, seemingly getting lost in her story. As she spoke, Kirby gradually backed away, as a purple colour began surrounding her, "Link was still traveling North, so I was out with a few Sheikah. When we passed a small wood, I saw a moblin hunting; he was trying to shoot a boar with a bow. I guess he saw me and charged, overpowering the Sheikah I was with. Now, I could take care of myself, but before I could do anything… Kirby, what are you doing?"

To Zelda's surprise, Kirby was nearly ten feet away from her at this point. He was not even looking at her, but something behind her; there appeared to be a Phantom, horned hat and all. It was massive, towering to be two feet taller than Zelda, and much wider than that. The Phantom's shield was raised, and its sword held high. Then, it charged at Kirby. However, it stopped, the sword mere inches away from him. He looked and saw Zelda clinching her hand.

"That's why I apologized in advance," Zelda sighed, clearly disappointed. The Phantom returned to be behind Zelda, "I can barely control whatever this is…"

Kirby stared at the Phantom in awe; it disappeared within seconds as Zelda took a breath, "Incredible…" Kirby muttered, approaching Zelda again. She was slightly embarrassed that she almost killed her friend, "You've said this only began happening a few days ago?"

"I started to see Spirits a few times a day at the beginning of the year," Zelda explained, "I've never been able to interact with them until the moblin attacked me."

Nodding, Kirby said, "You have to come with me; I know exactly who you need to talk to."

She shook her head quickly and said, "I can't just leave. I have responsibilities here, Kirby; I'm a princess. Can you at least tell me what's going on with me?"

"A Spirit seems to have attached itself to you," Kirby said, trying to be as brief as possible, "And it's not leaching off your life force, which is good. But you have to learn how to control it, and I can't teach you that. I can only see Spirits. I can, however, take you to a Spirit Master."

"Even if you've lost some of your fighting skills, you haven't lost your head," Zelda commented, "I guess that you've gotten smarter since you started traveling?"

Kirby responded with a laugh, "Well, Dreamland's full of lazy idiots. You can say that I'm more… Knowledgeable."

Around sunset, Zelda returned to the great hall. Link had not returned to her after his task was complete, but she had seen him talking to her father outside the castle's gate. She had seen it from her room, a place she regularly read in. However, all the books in the castle's library had not prepared her for the so-called Spirit that possessed her. After all, Kirby said something about a life force and Spirit Master. Both of these things were never mentioned in all the scholarly books and articles she was familiar with. However, ever since the wars against Galeem and Dharkon, Zelda trusted Kirby with her life.

She remembered being possessed by the forces loyal to Dharkon; it was a feeling of powerlessness as they used her body like a puppet. When Kirby and company appeared out of nowhere, she had no control in their fight. She only remembers witnessing Kirby, Link, Peach, Mario, and Bowser approaching her. Then, she was back to her senses, her anointed knight holding her in his arms. However, as Kirby filled her in on the whereabouts of others, such as Samus and Marth, she noticed Bowser had vanished.

After that point, Zelda traveled alongside Kirby, Link, Peach, and Mario, forming a bond with all of them. Besides Link, Kirby was the one she kept in contact with most; Peach and Mario were often too busy, trying to rebuild the Mushroom Kingdom. Kirby always seemed to know what was going on around the world.

Dusk quickly set in, but some orange light from the sunset still broke through the stain glass windows behind the throne. "Princess? What are you doing here?" Kirby said, entering the hall from the side across from Zelda.

"I thought Link would be in here; I haven't seen him since I sent him to the Temple of Time," Zelda said, "Do you know where he is?"

"He went back, actually," Kirby told, "I think your dad sent him."

"Do you know why? He was there earlier," Zelda pondered, "It takes about an hour to get there by horse… Why would he be sent back?"

"Before I forget," Kirby said, "I was just talking to Mario. He said that he'd get us in touch with a Spirit Master."

She turned to Kirby, looking at him oddly, "Mario's a Spirit Master?" she shrugged, "You know what? That makes sense…"

"I didn't say that," Kirby replied, "I said he knows someone that can help you learn how to control your Spirit."

Suddenly, a voice spoke up, it's condescending tone echoing in the hall, "Oh? Does the Princess have a Spirit, now?"

Kirby and Zelda both turned quickly, as they recognized the voice as soon as the person spoke. It was the voice of a man whom they both had a hatred for. At the entrance of the hall was a cloaked figure, who appeared to be short and wide. Once the hood was removed, Zelda clinched her fist.

"Wario, the man who sided with Dharkon," Kirby sighed heavily. He stepped in front of Zelda just as royal guards began pouring into the hall, "What are you doing here? I thought you'd still be hiding in shame."

"The decision that we made only made us more powerful after the Dark Lord was defeated," Wario said, basically waddling further into the hall as he adjusted his yellow cap, "Y'know, the Lord Bowser grows stronger by the day. And, he is in the need of some Spirits."

"There are thousands of Spirits roaming around; I'm sure you'd find ten closer to wherever you hide," Kirby fired back, clearly making each word count in his verbal spar, "I'll ask you again; what are you doing here?"

"Low-life Spirits are not good enough for Lord Bowser," Wario said, stopping in his tracks. Kirby and Zelda looked ahead, seeing a trail of bodies left behind by Wario. As the royal guards began closing in on him, Wario's body began to glow with purple energy, "He sent me to retrieve the Hero of Hyrule, but it seems that he is not here. Then again, you and Zelda will more-than make-up for it."

"You're a Spirit Master now?" Kirby said, trying to get himself mentally ready to fight.

"Like I said, I am infinitely more powerful thanks to Dharkon and his successor, Lord Bowser," Wario muttered, a toothy grin appearing on his face. He threw both his hands down to his side and shouted, "PURPLE PLUMBER!"

Suddenly, much like the Phantom, an apparition appeared out of nowhere and launched forward, knocking down all the guards. Zelda barely stayed on her feet, but Kirby was knocked onto his side. She helped Kirby rise, and both looked straight ahead: in front of them was a purple Spirit, on with a large nose, zig-zag mustache, and long, brown hair. He appeared as a large, muscular man wielding a tennis racket and wearing overalls as well as a purple hat.

"Waluigi… Is your Spirit?" Kirby muttered, struggling to his feet. He looked away, muttering, "This is ridiculous… Never in my travels have I seen something so bizarre, yet so fitting…"

"Unfortunately, Waluigi did not survive the war against Galeem," Wario said, flicking his wrist. The Purple Plumber Spirit moved forward just as Zelda unclenched her hand. Kirby was too in the moment to see that energy began forming around her, "However, Purple Plumber is one of the strongest Spirits there is. He may not have a strong attack, but he is incredibly quick; he'll make you miss, then he'll make you pay with his tennis racket! I'm surprised, Kirby, that you can see my Spirit. Regardless, you're coming with me conscious or unconscious. Really, I'm fine with either. Now, let's see how you can handle my attack! Purple Plumber—"

Almost as sudden as Wario's first attack, Zelda flung her finger forward, hurling her Phantom into the Purple Plumber. The strike was powerful, knocking Wario's Spirit back. Kirby looked ahead, seeing Wario grab his arm in pain; the strike on his Spirit damaged his own person.

"Clever. You got him monologuing," Kirby said with a grin. Zelda panted, letting her Phantom relax, "That gave you time to land a powerful attack on him. If anything, the element of surprise made it hurt more."

"Damn you! You got me monologuing!" Wario shouted, but Kirby interrupted him.

"I literally just said that!"

"SHUT UP! NO MORE MONOLOGUING!" Wario screamed, clearly enraged by the attack. He shook his arm, and Purple Plumber reset, "Your Spirit maybe incredibly strong, but that attack did take some time to land. Let's see how you like this! SHOWTIME!"

Zelda watched Wario's Spirit move incredibly quickly, dodging several swings from the Phantom. Her attempts left an opening, and Wario took advantage of it; Purple Plumber landed several strikes onto the Phantom, some punches, some kicks, and some wacks with the tennis racket. Zelda felt all those strikes in her side, falling to a knee.

"Damn! Zelda's Spirit may be strong, but it doesn't have the quickness to protect itself from Wario's Spirit," Kirby said, helping Zelda up as her Phantom landed a strike onto Purple Plumber, "His attacks aren't powerful, but they are so quick and there are so many."

"I have an idea," Zelda said, flinging her fingers around, trying to control her Phantom. Sweat began streaming down her face. However, the Phantom was to slow, and Wario shouted another attack. Purple Plumber stomped onto Phantom's arm, stunning Zelda for a second. She then was launched into a wall just as Wario's Spirit smacked the tennis racket into the Phantom, making it crumble.

"Zelda!" Kirby shouted, running over to her. As Zelda struggled to her feet, Purple Plumber disappeared, leaving a bed of roses where he once was. He turned to Wario, who looked bored.

"I feel like I'm wasting my time here," Wario said, picking up a rose, "You took me by surprise, Princess; you are strong, but I can tell you're inexperienced. Your Spirit will simply not suffice Lord Bowser's."

Zelda tried to stand, with Kirby's help, but she fell back down. As she tried to clench her hands again in the rubble, she panted, "Don't you dare touch my anointed knight."

"Cute language, but you can't do anything about it," Wario said, seeing Zelda's energy appear again. Zelda did not notice, but Wario rolled his eyes, and muttered, "Purple Plumber."

"Zelda, stop it. He'll kill you if you're not careful," Kirby said, "You said it yourself; you're a Princess! You have other responsibilities!"

Ignoring Kirby, Zelda sprung up quickly and flung her arm forward. However, as her Phantom launched, swinging its sword upward, Purple Plumber appeared in front of Wario. His Spirit swung its tennis racket, smacking the Phantom again. However, this time, Zelda felt her left arm shatter. As she screamed in pain, Wario muttered, "Such a shame," letting Purple Plumber break his racket on the Phantom's head. As the Phantom crumbled again, Zelda fell to the ground unconscious.

"Princess Zelda!" Kirby shouted, trying to wake her up. As Wario scoffed and walked towards the exit, Kirby muttered, "In my prime, I would have eviscerated you the moment you came in."

The next morning, Princess Zelda woke up from the sounds of a fairy. She saw the pink fairy flying around her head, seemingly healing her wounds. She looked down at her arm, seeing another three fairies dancing around it. It was not shattered anymore, but it was still sore and noticeably bruised. She sat up as much as she could, only to hear Kirby say, "Relax, Zelda. You're still pretty beat up."

"What happened to Link?" Zelda asked, clearly ignoring his advice. Sighing, Kirby looked out the window near her bed, which was in some sort of hospital.

"Wario tore through Link's brigade at the Temple of Time," Kirby told, "It wasn't even a fight."

"Did he…?" Zelda asked, stopping herself in shock.

"No, no. Link's alive," Kirby said, "He's… He's just Wario's prisoner now."

She closed her eyes, clearly frustrated and angry. How could Wario, some coward from the wars against Galeem and Dharkon, single-handedly take out all her royal guard, nearly kill her and Kirby, then kidnap Link, the Hero of Hyrule?

"Zelda, listen," Kirby continued, "I've seen some things in my travels. But what I saw with that Spirit fight was… It was something I had never even comprehended before. Like, I've seen other Spirit Masters use their Spirits for goofs and jokes, or to put somebody in their place, but… Never in my life have I seen a Spirit Master fight another."

"Spirit Master? I'm not a Spirit Master," Zelda said, letting her frustration show, "Sure, I was a little clever, but I couldn't actually fight. Once Wario rattled me, I couldn't recover… Now Link's been kidnapped, and it's all my fault because I don't know how to use this… Spirit or whatever the hell it is…"

Thinking hard, Kirby smirked at Zelda. She returned this gaze and said, "Why are you looking at me like that? If you didn't notice, we're in a really bad situation, and you look like you're trying to make this a whole joke."

"Remember what I said last night?" Kirby asked Zelda, still smirking, "I know someone who could teach you to control your Spirit."

"Teach me?" Zelda asked, looking at Kirby oddly. She looked, down, thinking, "Right… You mentioned that yesterday…"

"We'll set out for the Mushroom Kingdom as soon as you get better," Kirby said, "A train to Mushroom City takes four hours, maybe five. I have a feeling that you're going to have to fight Wario again."

"That fat…." Zelda stopped herself, almost biting her tongue, "I'm going to make him regret not killing me when he had the chance."

Sighing, Kirby walked away from Zelda's bed as she began brooding. As he turned the corner, Kirby thought to himself, 'I thought Bowser was dead, and the same about Wario, Falco, K. Rool… Those with weak minds were easily seduced by Dharkon… Does that mean they're all Spirit Masters, using their powers working for this Cult of Lord Bowser? Good grief… I never wanted to fight again after the final battle… But I guess my trip to Hyrule has to be cut short.'