A/N: And here is a new part of Nocturne of Shadow. I hope you like. I delved more into Samus in this part, I think…

Try and get the reference to my favourite Mario Princess in this.

Part two

The night sky, littered with the stars that watched over the widespread galaxy, began to grow darker; a purple hue blended with the blacks. This ominous colour only hung above the forest, like a shroud had been tossed carelessly over the winter-struck canopy of the trees. The sudden change was not only unsettling, but sent truly gruesome images into otherwise innocent, serene dreams that washed gently about in the Smashers heads.

It was when the dark silhouette of a being that paraded villainy appeared, that pandemonium erupted.


"Lucas? Lucas, why do you cry?" at such a time, even hearing the near inaudible, muffled voice of Sheik was a comfort. Lucas had always found her rather frightening, with her totally unique way of doing things and ability to show up at random with such a valid point, it was like she'd been watching everything.

"I… Had a nightmare…" he gasped, "Bodies were strewn everywhere… I was holding a red hat… and it had blood on it, but I'm sure it was supposed to be red anyway… because I think it was Ness's hat…"

"It was just a dream. Phantoms trying to deceive you in the night," the Sheikah serenaded. Her crimson eyes were affixed on the clouds. The darkness, ominous as it possibly could be, meant more to her; it had a deeper meaning. As the hellish clouds sunk lower, a violet mist meandering the area, a song began to play in her head. Not watching her fingers, she began to play it on her harp as the mist rose and fell like steam out of a coffee cup. It was not a tune that portrayed joy, nor was it a tune that portrayed depression. Yet the unsettling aura of darkness that lay in between each note made one who heard it feel insecure.

"The Nocturne of Shadow?" Zelda's voice was a whisper, breathless with fear, "Sheik, I can't find Link."

Sheik plucked a wrong note on her harp, creating a twisted version of the song.

"You can't find… What…"

"Link is missing? Does this mean something?" though he asked the question, Toon could undoubtedly see the fear that struck Sheik's face.

"All this darkness… and the crazy Hylian is missing?" that was Ike's voice, though the darkness had cocooned each huddle of Smashers in the advancing clouds.

"He's not crazy Ike," Marth called through the dark, "but I'm unsettled. Where could that guy be? Also, has anyone seen Angel-cake?"

"No…" Princess Zelda could barely manage a squeak. Toon Link grasped her hand and gave her a comforting look.

All the worrying was cut short when the Pokémon Trainer's voice suddenly broke out.

"Pikachu's found something!" a rustle of paper as the boy took a note from the mouse's mouth, "it's got writing on it. Fresh ink."

"Read it aloud then. What if it contains answers?" Sheik had taken on a tone of aggression. The Pokémon trainer cleared his throat and obliged.

"Well, it's written in slightly illegible handwriting, but I'll try to decipher it.

Everyone,

Link has sworn he'll whip me to death if I let anything slip to you, but it's simply out of order to do what we have to do without giving you any idea of what we're planning. To put it simply, he's gone off to figure out a few things. I suppose most of you know just what by now, and if you don't you're very slow when it comes to news, aren't you? Pit and I have accompanied him, and we've got Meta Knight tied into this as well, because on our journey we're going to finish off something that was started about twenty three years ago. That part will be dangerous, and we may die. If we do, I want you guys to promise that Ridley is defeated by your hands. Just as a last request of mine. Should anything happen.

You shouldn't worry, we're experienced."

"Is that it? No name? Who else is gone?" that voice, drained of its usual optimism, belonged to Peach.

"Who do you think? Who is rarely seen outside of Link and Pit's radius?"

There was a silence as everyone considered. When the wave of realisation hit; it was a tsunami.

"Why would Meta Knight of all people go with them?" Zelda mumbled, "Why would he endanger himself?"

"I think Samus has told us that," Marth stated, "why would she ask for us to kill Ridley if they were killed if it's not him they're after?"

"Uh, I don't know… Let's see… he's her nemesis?"

"He destroyed the Halberd. Meta's pride and joy. The little oddball will want him dead for that. That must be why he's with them, because lets face it. If anyone wants to destroy that thing, it's Samus Aran. Samus won't leave Link and Pit, and Pit will follow Link in everything because they're like brothers."

"Link just left me without a word… left me with… with her," Zelda scorned, in her mind curse words buzzed about in regards to Samus.

"Zelda, you think Link left you for Samus, don't you?" Toon Link accused. Zelda grumbled.

"You don't know him if you think he'd do that. Link loves you Zelda. Nothing, not even the most beautiful girl in the world, will change that," Sheik assured.

"You're wrong!" Zelda's voice was choked up in her tears of anguish, "I've seen the way he looks at her. They're always together."

"They're best friends!"

"Is that all they are?"

"Believe me Princess," Sheik said darkly, "it's not your green clad hero she has her eyes on."

Zelda shot her alter-ego a look that could have been toxic. Yet even the Princess, mad as she was, knew Sheik was correct. Samus and Link never showed romantic feelings towards each other.

"I apologise Sheik," Zelda sighed. Sheik nodded in approval to the whimsical apology.

The next series of events that occurred so suddenly sent the entire camp site in uproar, terrified and outraged. The clouds that barred everyone off drifted away, allowing everyone to see each other but creating an ominous, purple dome encasing them like rats.

The trees in the forest began to tremble, and footsteps in the dust were becoming more and more audible.

Long shadows were cast over the floor.

And from the trees emerged a man, armed with a large, purple glowing blade. It was the remnants of the Sword of Sages that Ganondorf had used as a testament to his power. The purplish glow indicated it had been tainted, and the aura it gave off suggested it had been tainted with Subspace magic, which was possibly the darkest magic in that Galaxy. The man that wielded the blade was an extremely pale character, white as a sheet and garbed in black, aside from a blood red cape that swept the floor with every stride he took. His eyes were the colour of coal and portrayed no characteristics, no personality whatsoever. They were a blank sheet, and that's what made him so demeaning. His face, pointed and heavy with sleepiness around the eyes, was framed with a waterfall of indigo hair. In a way, he was beautiful, but he had such a dark complexion that you simple couldn't see any decent qualities within. His presence was demeaning, and even the hardest of Smashers felt a cold tingle run down their spines. Standing her ground behind Ike, who was the only one who would dare to duel this stranger, Zelda felt Lucas's grip on the hem of her dress. The man's cold, hard eyes surveyed the area, looking over each individual in turn. His lips slowly peeled back into a grimace.

"Where is he?" his voice was a low snarl, a hiss like a snake, "well?" the voice was so loud you would expect for the pieces of silence to fall to the floor like glittering shards of broken glass.

"Who do you require? Sir?" Marth was such a formal man; even to people you had to assume were the enemy.

"Don't think you can hide him, foolish mortals. With little magic ability, you are but empty shells." Princess Zelda followed his gaze as it fell upon Toon Link, "is it him? Garbed in green with long ears and blonde hair. He even carries the legendary Blade of Evil's bane. But no… It is not this mere child," he forced Ike aside and seized Toon by the tunic collar, holding him aloof. The small boy struggled, though had immense trouble breaking free of the terrifically strong grip, "tell me boy, are you the Hero of Time?"

"N-no…" how the youngest smasher could keep a straight face in that situation was beyond some minds, "I'm the Hero of Winds… You want Link…"

"Yes, Link. Where is he?" Hastily, the Pokémon Trainer stuffed the note left by Samus in his jean pocket. The stranger apparently noticed, for he flung Toon Link to the floor and advanced upon the older boy.

"What's that?"

"Sweet wrapper…" the trainer lied.

"Augh, mamma mia," Mario sighed at the rather unlikely comeback.

"Does it tell us where Link is?"

"No. Actually, it's from another friend. And they're… Uhm… Looking for a… Pokémon."

"You'll tell the truth. Who is that note in your pocket from? What are they doing? Are they with the faerie boy?"

There was something about this villainous character that seemed to make the trainer snap. Perhaps the boy could simply not stand those blank eyes, but whatever it was had given them away.
"It's a letter from another smasher…" he was looking pasty in the face and fell to his knees, panting. It made one wonder if he was being cursed, "it says that she's gone with friends to kill the Space Pirate Ridley…"

"Who are these people?"

"I… I can't say anymore… Please…"

"You'll tell me, or meet your fate." The tip of the accursed sword was poised against the Pokémon Trainer's neck. He looked about, his eyes apologetic and terrified.

"S-Samus… Samus Aran, and Pit and Meta Knight… they're with Link but they didn't say where…"

"NO!" Zelda tried to run in and silence the felled child before he leaked the location of her beloved, but Ike seized her arm.

"Princess… No."

"Why do you want Link!" the Hylian monarch shrieked. The man turned on his heel and grinned.

"Aah, forgive me for being so rude. I forgot to introduce myself and my purpose. I am Celus, captain of the Subspace army."

Muffled gasps and whimpers from the crowd.

"I'm here for vengeance in the name of my creator, Lord Ganondorf, whom I believe Link played a crucial part in his death."

"I killed Ganondorf!" Zelda protested.

"Silence. Women have no rights to talk in a man's world."

"Blasphemy!" Ike cursed.

"You think you're strong, wielding that two handed blade in just the one? You are not so strong, with a weak mind and little self control. A true warrior is heartless. They feel no pain. No emotions. The minute a warrior feels is the minute he becomes weak. Thus I believe all of you must be no more than children at heart. You cry, you laugh and you love. All of these make you weak. I seek revenge on the Hero of Time. He is not here. A warrior would fight for the sake of fighting. A warrior does not crack under pressure," he cast a hand in the Pokémon Trainer's direction, "a true warrior only feels hate for the enemy. And a true warrior must be a man. Not a little child or a female. I detest all of you. Why do you protect Link? You know where he is."

"Read the note, Samus never told us where they're headed," Ike spat.

"You do like objecting, don't you boy? If you refuse to give Link up, then I suppose I have to threaten you, don't I? You have three days to find him, or you must surrender the World of Trophies. No, you mustn't surrender just that. I think the Galaxy will suffice. The lady of the stars must resign her monarchy and give it to the Subspace army. I think one boy is a noble sacrifice for the sake of the entire Galaxy. Meanwhile, I think we'll follow the Space Pirate Ridley. I hope you said your goodbyes to Samus and Pit. Their time is running out. As for Meta Knight… He'll die if he provides a risk. Seventy two hours, Smashers. I will not tolerate lateness."

As Celus vanished into the gnarled, winter-struck branches, the subspace clouds lifted and the sky became regular and dark. None of the Smashers could speak.


"So… d-darn… c-cold…" Pit bemoaned, rubbing his bare arms with his hands. His movement was sluggish due to the bitter winds that coursed over his skin, studded with Goosebumps. The snow had begun to fall thickly, settling on the ground and not ceasing to stop its consistent falling which practically tore through the warm defences of the four smashers, leaving them vulnerable to attack. The small angel wrapped his wings around his body and shivered, coming to a standstill. His feet felt like ice, the snow sneaking under his toes and acting as an icy path for his bare feet to trudge across. Large, white flakes battered his paling face, chilling him to the core with every drop that landed on his exposed flesh. Link, Meta Knight and Samus turned to face him, seeing what the holdup was. Pit didn't move or explain- all he could do was stand hunched in the middle of the plains amid a blizzard and shiver. Meta Knight, who had pulled his cape over him for warmth, sighed in irritation and Link shook his head.
"Get over it Pit," the Hylian's voice was shaky with the cold despite him moaning at his petite companion.

"N-no… Too… C-cold…" he stammered, teeth chattering. Samus clunked over to him, the only one barely affected by the malicious winds, and placed her cannon over his shoulder, silently looking down into his glittering eyes. Pit let out a little gasp- the cannon was pretty hot in contrast to the freezing armour that encased his friend. Pit had never understood technology, so didn't know that when things were in use, they tended to heat up quite a bit.

"There, you're getting the colour back in your face," she pointed out in a shaky voice.

"We really ought to find a place to set up camp, out of this abysmal weather before we get ill or freeze to death," Link backtracked so he was stood besides Pit and rested his arm on the heated weapon. The cold could penetrate his many layers of cloth and disarm the feeble body within, so surely a child in a thin layer of fabric would be frozen. Pit was emitting quiet little gasps and clinging onto Samus as if she was the only thing there to stop him from falling into a non existent, never ending abyss.

"There might be a cave or little settlement somewhere nearby," Meta Knight affirmed, "we should bunk there until this snow lets up."

"Pit, hold on tight. I'm going to carry you," Samus stated, scooping him up gently. He seemed so weak and feeble to her, like a newborn baby, and she felt obliged to protect him in this weakened state. Pit shivered as his arm touched the chilled metal, but was fine after he wrapped his wings around himself.

"You look so vulnerable, kid," Link commented.

"Aren't we all? If what you say is true then we're unprotected. We could get sniped out at any given moment, and we could so easily fall," Samus replied, looking at Pit's figure in her arms.

"I'm sorry I succumb to cold so easily…" he mumbled, placing a hand on Samus's breastplate.

"Apology accepted. You're still young, and you're not dressed very well for this weather."

Pit smiled up at Samus who was walking at a slow pace as so to keep him safe.

"Thank you Samus…"

"I'll do anything for you…" her words were sweet, her voice silky and soft. It was a different tone for her to take on, and completely out of character. Samus was out of character for her on the whole, and the mysteries behind this odd behaviour were compelling.

"It's not just a curse…" Pit mumbled in a barely audible subconscious, "It's an emotion far stronger than rage… that can overcome… the rage… with undeniable strength…"

"Pit… That was very poetic of you…" Samus mumbled. Pit had already sunk into a deep sleep.


"I see something in the distance… I believe it's a steeple," Meta Knight stated plainly, peering out over the horizon. The snow had grown thick, unscarred by lack of travellers aside from the four alien heroes, one of which who was still fast asleep and another who merely left the trail of his blade as he floated along. The earlier tracks were probably smothered in a new blanket of chilling ice, so the other Smashers some seven miles away would have little chance of finding them.

"A town church, perhaps?" Link suggested, feeling weary. Meta Knight was so silent compared to Link and Samus's heavy panting and Pit's snoring. Link felt somewhat jealous of his ability to fly, leaving him far from breathless unlike his two comrades, who had abnormally heavy equipment on their person to add another burden. Night was ebbing away into morning and the rising sun tainted the back of the silhouetted steeple orange. They trudged onwards through the snow following the shadow the steeple cast. At the base of the spire lay a sleepy little village with an old timey feel to it. Quaint little cottages lay in rows, covered with a hunk of glimmering white. Wilting plants ascended the walls and trees, perfectly trimmed and obviously evergreens because they were full and vibrant. Link brushed the snow off the sign welcoming visitors to the village and attempted to read the name, though it was not in Hylian- the only language to which he was not illiterate.

"Smashville," Meta Knight read plainly, "the name beckons us…"

"I wonder if there is an inn… With breakfast?" Link mumbled dreamily.

"Breakfast? I'm hoping there is a library, so we can research Hyrule," Samus stifled a yawn and looked to Pit who was still in her arms. Carrying him caused her to ache all over, and the snow had caused her boots to freeze her feet.

"Can't the Ganon thing wait until after Ridley? We aren't stopping here," Meta's voice was dark and firm, but he was countered with Samus's icy cold eyes. The little knight backed down and obliged to the Bounty Hunter's words. The trio began to walk into the sound village, the three of them focussing on something else that was brewing in their minds. Pit began to stir, waking from a tortured dream, and grasped at his cradle, breathing heavily.

"Morning Pit," Samus stated, "you look flustered. Nightmare?"

"Your intelligence surpasses Sheik at times Sammy…" the boy sighed, lowering himself to the floor and stretching his wings out so they caught the light of the sunrise and cast a shadow across the ground, "I'd rather just let it go if you guys will permit it… Where are we?"

"Village somewhere…" Link shrugged, "I suppose it's near the battlefield fortress, I swear Marth mentioned a settlement around there that was occupied."

"It's so peaceful though… There aren't many early risers here," Samus yawned.

"It's nice with it just being us…" Pit sighed, taking Samus's metal encased hand and smiling. Under her visor, she blushed.

"Hey, you there!" a small voice called out into the morning air. A young boy, around the age of thirteen, came walking up, dressed in a heavy, blue overcoat sporting a large bag filled with news paper. He was light blonde and had a cherubic face with glimmering sapphire eyes. Link turned to face him and gazed over him curiously.

"Yes?"

"You're Smashers aren't you?" his voice was going through that phase in boys where it broke and became impaired. He gazed at them all in awe; his eyes passing from the hilt of Link's magnificent blade that peered out over his back, frosty and slick with water, to the demeaning armour of Samus Aran, who was becoming an icicle in herself. Hard frost glazed her visor, making her vision fuzzy. It could withstand water, but if the suit could withstand the arctic temperatures was beyond her. However, as the child's voice became quieter to her alone, the cold was barred off. She could feel the warmth of Pit's hand sinking through the impenetrable metal, rising through her arm and boiling her blood. The frost of her visor was slowly being replaced by steam. The ice of the World of Trophies became the lava of Norfair and she began to sweat.

Was it hypothermia or was it Pit's presence?

'I must be sick…' she told herself, 'there is no other explanation… It can't be him…'

She removed her helmet, hoping for the blast of the cold wind that turned Link and Pit's lips chapped and blue. It never came, as if her skin emanated a barrier that stopped the cold.

'It's not Pit holding your hand… he's let go, it can't be'

Meta Knight and Link were preoccupied with talking to the boy about Subspace, Hyrule, the Halberd and more. Only Pit seemed to notice Samus's discomfort.

'Is it hypothermia? Am I dying? Or is it the phenomenon that affects Link and I?'

"Samus?"

Pit placed a hand on her cheek and gazed into her eyes, fraught with concern. Samus hoped to feel something, more warmth or more cold. Instead, Pit faded.

She blacked out and fell to the floor, catching the attention of everyone in the vicinity. Pit caught her before she smacked her head into the snow. But everything, by then, was unbeknownst to her.


"Link, I'm scared…" Pit mumbled. Link shook his head.

"Don't be. It's the weather."

The Smashers had been lead by the young boy, who had been on an early morning paper round, to his home in the heart of Smashville. The inside of the small cottage was warm and welcoming, a typical country home with modern features. The child had sent for his mother instantly once they arrived, for Samus had not come to and had been drained of all the colour in her face. Pit, who despite her being much heavier than him, returned her previous favour and carried her to the little beige sofa where she was stripped of her armour and allowed to rest. The angel rested next to her, burying his nose into her pasty coloured neck with his hand on her heart. It beat against his palm; a solemn metronome in her chest. No-one knew what was wrong with her, but Meta Knight had become exceedingly worried.

"Is she sick?" Pit squeaked.

"I sense something dark… A curse, perhaps?" the small warrior stated.

"But who…" Link's eyes darted around the room; not wanting to fall upon Samus's weakened state.

"I don't want her to die," Pit rasped, squeezing his eyelids shut so the moisture building within wouldn't show. He liked how warm she felt in his arms, even in her unconscious state. He couldn't stand the thought of her slipping away from him. The angel wrapped his wings around her as a blanket and laid his head on her chest, listening to her heart.

'Thank Palutena her heart is beating fine…'

A stout, middle-aged woman with a kindly face came into the room, followed by the boy, sporting a loving aura that made Link and Meta feel slightly less unsettled. Pit was too fraught with worry to notice, and was beginning to drift off. Samus was such a soft cushion.

"Smashers are you?" she asked in a rough voice, "you all look mighty fine for warriors. Everyone here is grateful that you saved us from Subspace."

"Our pleasure," Link affirmed. The woman bustled into the kitchen and returned with a box full of peculiar substances in neon colours. Link and Meta Knight peeked in at them curiously.

"One of these potions should cure the lass of what ails her," she stated, "I daresay it was the fated Smashville winds."

"Smashville winds?" wind take down Samus Aran? Never, she was the strongest of the four.

"Yes. Our winds were cursed to take down anyone who oppressed the ancients. I s'pose your little friend here crossed paths with them and annoyed them, because she doesn't show any signs of illness. She'll wake up in a few minutes; if she doesn't then it's not our curse at all."

"Tell us more about… the curse…" Link urged. The old woman shook her head, "wait until the girl is aroused. Then you can hear."

Samus began to regain her vision with a throbbing headache. Her brain felt far too big for her head.

"Just as I thought," the woman's voice was soothing in her ears; it didn't do anything to hit her headache up a notch, "I suspect you'll be aching, huh darling? Drink this." She took in her pudgy palms a jar of thick, yellow paste. Samus frowned, not convinced and turned away to watch Pit sleep on her chest.
"How do I know it's not poisoned?" she queried rather snappily.

"You're just going to have to trust me," the old woman replied. This only caused the Bounty Hunter to resent the idea further. The pain in Samus's head was growing stronger in waves. She felt a little sick.

"Samus," Link addressed her firmly. His blue eyes were ice and hers were fire, but this ice was so strong not even the lavas of Norfair could melt it, let alone the fires in Samus's eyes. Eventually Link extinguished her and she took the potion from the woman warily, dipping two fingers in first and investigating it. Her head continued to pulsate like Donkey Kong got his final smash within her skull. She assumed it was safe, for her fingers merely felt that gooey texture that occurred in most pastes, and downed it, the pain in her head dragging her away from her thoughts and into the world of agony. Immediately, the pain killer acted and the bongos in her brain stopped playing. Pit continued to sleep soundly with his head on her chest and Samus buried her fingers into his hair, pushing them under his headwear. The tugging aroused the angel from his sleep but he didn't actually show this- instead he kept his head down hoping that Samus wouldn't turf him away if she caught him awake.

"Explanation time," Link stated. The old woman nodded and took a seat in an aged wicker chair by the sofa that Samus and Pit rested on.

"Very well. Long ago, the elders of this village met with the ancients cohabiting with the R.O.B. tribe. They formed a pact that when one settlement needed aid, the other would provide. A hundred years passed and then a terrible demise met the ancients where a band of monsters, so terrible, so deadly, took over their facilities to destroy the World of Trophies and later the entire Galaxy. The leader of the Ancients had to go into villainy as did the robot citizens in the fear that the monster, Tabuu, would destroy them. Our elders never went to help, for we had already been hit by the terrors that had occurred in the Smash match not six months after the Subspace army was formed. After six months, the Ancients were hopeful when a mysterious set of ships appeared on their island. But they were no more than Space travellers searching for something. In rage, the ancients cast a curse upon our town where anyone who stood on the border who fraternized with the ancients would be taken down by the winds and would undergo a series of torturous fates should they not be fast enough with a cure. You would have had to have killed a R.O.B to be affected by the spell, for our actions killed many under Lord Ganondorf and his pirate partner's iron fist. The curse has only been active a few months, but it has claimed so many victims… so, what business did this missy here have with those ancients?" everyone turned to Samus who gave them a confused look.

"My ultimate ambition on the Isle of the Ancients was to receive my power suit. Waves of R.O.B fighters pursued me, and I fought back. I cut off their power supply by rescuing Pikachu and I defeated their doppelgangers that Subspace sent as a trap should anyone try to take the Power Suit. I was fighting Subspace, not the ancients."

"Possessed or not, you killed R.," Link sighed, "none of us ever fought a R.O.B when we were attacking Subspace, but I…" Link sighed, "on the Halberd, I killed R.… When Samus and I were after Pitus… Why did I not keel over?"

"Perhaps it was the divine power of the goddesses I see lurking in your left hand," the woman suggested.

"The robots were no longer working for the Ancient Minister… Maybe they weren't ancients," Meta Knight added.

"Whatever happened, Samus suffered consequences she didn't deserve. I'm not liking R.O.B much anymore…" Link sighed, ruffling Samus's hair.

"Oi," she warned, pushing him away, smirking deviously. Meta Knight rolled his eyes.

"Is there a way to stop it from happening again? You know she'll just faint again when we leave."

"You don't leave," the woman said darkly, "you stay forever now, or defeat the villains who brought this unto us."

"We're not leaving Samus behind!" Link roared. Samus sighed.

"Maybe if we run…" Pit suggested, forgetting he was supposed to be asleep, "I want to fight with Samus! By her side of course!"

"Welcome to reality sleepy head," Samus grinned, ruffling his hair. The angel turned scarlet in the face but allowed the smooth, gloved fingers of his companion to continue sliding through his hair.

"Is there any way?" Link pleaded, placing the hand on the hilt of the Master Sword. Samus and Pit rose, and the Power Suit materialised onto her body. Meta Knight was a lot less kind when it came to confrontation, with his blade poised for attack. The old woman looked shocked at the sudden realisation that the people stood before her were four extremely powerful warriors, all ready to harm her. The looks in their eyes were stone cold, serious and demeaning. She sighed and walked over to her door.

"There is one way… follow me."


"She's going to kill you two. She'll hunt you down and rip you limb from limb," Sheik warned. As if the Sheikah wasn't even there, Snake pulled out a cigarette and continued walking.

"Bowser has left us and has stolen the Falcon Flyer. As he is an ex member of the Subspace Army, someone needs to go after him. Mario is a key Smasher in your upcoming battle and his absence will only bring you down. Sonic and I are not even from this Galaxy. We will take the Gunship and track down Bowser because he could get anywhere. He must be stopped."

"But to steal the Gunship… If Samus does come back then she'll be infuriated!"

Snake had already finished with Sheik, for he and Sonic had arrived outside the ship dock and were climbing into the only craft that was still in good condition. There were only two that remained, but Olimar's vehicle lacked speed and was just a piece of tin junk. Samus was always picky about who she lent her belongings to, and after an incident involving Snake several months prior, he'd be one of the last on her list of who she'd let so much as borrow her hairbrush, let alone her precious Gunship. Sheik tried to shout a warning up at them, but they'd already got the ship off the ground. Stomping her foot in frustration, Sheik stormed back to camp and set herself down on her makeshift bed.

"Sheik," a small voice mumbled from behind her. Sheik swivelled her body around to see Toon standing behind her with a bag and his items.

"Where are you going?" she asked, disgruntled.

"To find Link…" he said quietly, "with Ike, the Pokémon Trainer and Kirby…"

"Why? We could just fight…"

"We need Link… we're all so worried, and Zelda says that without him, we'll all die. Because if we all get turned into a trophy, that's it… Link, Pit and Samus can't, and we need them to bring us back if we fall."

"Don't do this Toon…"

"Sheik, we must," the little Hylian yelled, clenching his fists, "we must save them to save us! Or everything every single one of us has been fighting for, for so long… It'll all be gone. Everything we love, overruled by the darkest thing this Galaxy possesses! Darker than the darkest magic even the Twilight dwellers can conjure! Don't try to stop me Sheik. Just don't."

"I will not stop you. You have proved that you are a man, Toon. I trust in you all. But please be careful… I guess I can do nothing to stop you."

"No, our minds are set," Toon affirmed, nodding his head and giving his Sheikah friend a quick hug, before racing off to join the other three warriors as they faced the exit. Ike ran a finger along the blade of the Ragnell, the Pokémon Trainer petted Pikachu and Kirby heaved a massive sigh. Zelda, looking forlorn, stood with them, wearing her heavy, black cloak, seeing the warriors off.

"May the goddesses guide your ways," she serenaded, "I fare you well on your quest for our lost Smashers. I hope no ills come your way."

"We accept your guidance my lady," Ike affirmed, bowing his head, "I owe Link an apology for my spite… Now he is gone, I realise how much we need him."

"I'm glad Ike," Zelda sighed, "you have less than 72 hours to find them and save us all. Our lives are in your hands now."

"Don't worry Princess- you can trust us," Toon grinned, unsheathing the Master Sword. Zelda managed a smile as they turned and ventured into the forest, leaving the rest of the Smashers alone.

"Is this really the end of Smashing?" Peach squeaked. Zelda shook her head.

"Nonsense Peach… This is only the beginning."


"It's this way," the old woman ushered the Smashers along, through the thick, icy walkways of the village, "you must promise not to tell a soul."

"We swear on our lives ma'am," Link responded proudly.

"I do have one other request though- you four are warriors, are you not?"

"Yes…"

"Well, the curse can only be broken if the beast Subspace used to wreak havoc on the Ancients is defeated… Would you try to slay it?"

"What would the beast be?" Pit inquired, hopping along so his feet didn't get too cold.

"Ridley," Samus affirmed before the woman could reply, "we fought him many times on the Isle of the Ancients. I fear Ganondorf was using him, because he knew Ridley would want to get to me."

"So killing Ridley will benefit people besides us," Meta Knight mumbled.

"Of course! Ridley is a crazy, bloodthirsty murderer. Everyone will benefit from his death!" Samus snapped. She caught the woman's confused look and explained herself, "I am the sole survivor of a tribe that was brutally slaughtered by the Space Pirates, in which Ridley is highly ranked. I've been after him for the majority of my life. Now we're looking for him because he destroyed Meta Knight's battleship the Halberd. Though we were oblivious, breaking your curse was our first objective. It has been my objective for years."

"If you haven't killed that thing yet, what makes you suggest you'll do it now?"

"You can't be revived on the Isle of the Ancients, without the magic of the Triforce… Ganondorf is dead, he cannot resurrect Ridley and nor can his demonic buddies. This will be it. If I don't kill him this time, it is because I am dead."

"Sometimes, Samus, I forget you're even human you're so determined," Link smiled. She didn't even smirk in return.

"You see the floor you stand on? Watch how the snow melts upon contact," the woman announced, looking to the ground. Every time a snowflake touched the stones, it vanished. The bare ground made a pathway leading up a hill before it stopped abruptly like there was an invisible cover over part of it.

"I feel magic emanating from the cracks," Pit mumbled.

"This pathway will lead you safely from the village without being attacked by the curse the winds carry."

"So we just follow the path to safety? Seems simple," Samus repeated, folding her right arm across her body.

"You really will help this godforsaken community?" the old woman asked hopefully. Link nodded.

"We'll see what we can do."

The four of them headed up the pathway, chatting idly about anything. Samus, for reasons she wouldn't explain, remained silent which was a habit of hers she couldn't break. Instead her mind was focussed on their task and everything Ridley had done.

Luck was not on her side and love seemed to resent her. She couldn't have friends forever, death always claimed them. Paranoia followed her everywhere and optimism was something in which she was not familiar. To her, the task would brutally destroy her closest friends. The last fight would be a fight to the death, and Samus had a feeling that it would be her last. If Link or Pit were killed, even if Ridley met the same fate, she would probably die too. Never had she cared so much.

"Something on your mind Aran?" Meta Knight inquired. Samus shook her head clear of bad thoughts and peered about the snowy landscape. The village of Smashville was far behind them, and they were getting closer to the Battlefield fortress where Meta Knight did battle aside Ike and Marth against Galleom all those many months ago. Night was well away- day had taken over- but it was still so dark. The darkness wasn't regular though.

"Bad vibes, I feel them," Pit shuddered.

"Yeah, me too…" Link mumbled, drawing his blade. The sky was becoming rapidly purple and everything was eerily silent. Footsteps were audible and the four Smashers bunched up closer, breathing heavily and readying their weapons. From the shadows emerged something big, glowing the neon colours of Subspace and shaped in the image of true terror. The dark clone of something advanced towards them, tall and stocky in build, with distinct, pointed ears. The clone of the deceased Ganondorf, as this was who it had to be, was silent as he dragged a hand across the air, forming three swords out of shadow magic.

"Huh? What's he doing?" Link squinted, trying to make out the dark clone's actions. Not focussing on the blades, he didn't notice when they shot forwards, somehow piercing his comrades right in the hearts. The three fell back into the snow, apparently unscathed, with the

Shadow bugs running off their bodies like the blood that should have sprayed. Meta Knight became a trophy instantly, but Pit and Samus's inability to do so left them lying on the ground, motionless as if they were sleeping.

"No…" Link gasped, unable to bend down for his fear keeping his focussed on the culprit. In his palms, the dark clone of Link's nemesis built up a ball of a different magic, one he knew from his previous quest in Hyrule. Before he realised what was happening to him, Link had been hit by this magic and had fallen to the floor. His screams of agony filled the sky as the figure vanished and his head pulsated. Slowly, his screams became howls. But there was nobody around to hear them.