PROLOGUE

While relatively small, the group's power was unparallel to any other. Their immense strength was widely accepted within the community, and their benevolence was respected as well. The group, consisting of Link, Falco, Ness and Yoshi, often set out from their own village when any news of suspicious activity aroused. Generous though they were, Falco and Link revered fighting, and frequently started brawls because of trivial reasons while the other two watched exasperatedly, having long given up on interfering.

The lowering sun gradually deserted the sky, allowing darkness to hungrily envelop the forest. Most of the forest they traveled through boasted lively elm trees, standing proudly and swaying in the breeze, equally bright bushes, free of detrimental consequence, and an occasional fox, surreptitously darting across the trails. This forest, however, had decaying, trees, brown and insipid, puddles of mud on the bare ground and no trace of life other than the four walking along it.

Princess Peach had one day vanished and it was suspected that she was kidnapped around this location. The thrill of adventure was engendered in the four's hearts and they set off.

"Damn," said Falco. "I don't see her anywhere..."

"Just keep looking," said Link irritably. "We won't get anywhere complaining about it."

A few miles away, stood a tall mansion. It was composed of ancient wood and shattered windows, thrown up in random places, it seemed. Lucas was walking toward it, glancing around apprehensively and sweating. He had also snuck out of the village after having heard of the princess' kidnap, and set off to find her. Gulping, he decided that she was in this mansion, so he continued forward. However, no fewer than two steps forward, he heard a voice. Actually, it seemed to be several voices, all speaking at the same time.

"Do not enter."

One voice was incredibly high pitched, giving off the impression of nails on a chalkboard. The other was low, but not morbid. It would've almost been comical alone, the way it lingered on one note, but combined with the other high pitched voice, it sounded terrible.

Suddenly, Lucus felt trapped. His most ominous memories and his most vivid nightmares swam through his brain, he was buried underground, alive, with no one to help him get out, screaming and punching at the walls--

But he wasn't really there, he was outside this mansion, and he had heard a voice...

He must escape...

"PK freeze!" he screamed in agony. He let the ice elevate momentarily before coming back down to him, freezing him and ending his life.