Okay, let's continue on, shall we? I got some explaining to do, and explain I shall! Here's chapter two!
Zelda: I'm sure we know what the object that's missing is, but who's the no-show?
Pichu: A prelude to disaster? Wow, I can see it! x) Think the readers will see it?
Perhaps they will, perhaps they won't. I feel like I'm rushing this but…well, let me know, okay? I don't want to prolong, but I don't want to rush either…XP
Falco: RF doesn't own us or SSBM, and she also doesn't own the OCs that you guys created, should she decide to use them (we aren't sure), but she does own her concepts of Demons and Angels, the demon forms and names of the Hand Brothers, her OCs, the Demon's Staff, and a few other things that I don't remember and/or can't mention yet!
Hmm…I believe this is all of importance. Wait…that sounds strange…XD Away chapter two!
"How can this be?"
"Excuse me sire," A male angel entered the room, looking at the shocked Jeffrey Hand. He wore the uniform of a well paid butler. "Is something the matter?"
"Where is the staff that resides here?" Jeffrey asked, rounding and staring at the angel. "It's not to be taken off its stand unless I do so."
"Your pardon, sire; I just came in," The angel said. "One of the maids may know. Shall I ask?"
"Who was working this…last year?" Jeffrey asked. "It's been too long since I last checked if the staff was here…what if it was taken during that blank period? Who was in the house last, do you know?"
"I'm not sure sire," The angel replied, bowing. "I believe your younger brother has appeared once or twice, but I can't confirm that. I shall ask the maids and see what they have to say."
"To think I could be the victim of theft," Jeffrey said. "Not to mention what Nina has told me…I'm going back to Smash Mansion. Question all the butlers and maids, and inform them beforehand I know they're innocent." The angel nodded before leaving. The demon cursed again before teleporting back to the mansion.
Nina and Dr. Mario sat in the latter's office, debating on the suspicious news the former had told her husband. Jeremy had left the mansion, it seems; a note saying he wouldn't be long resting on his desk. While the younger of the two brothers was the crazier one, it didn't sound right to the angel. It didn't sound right to Dr. Mario either. They looked to the door when Jeffrey barged in.
"Well?" Nina asked, standing up.
"It's gone," Jeffrey replied.
"What's gone?" Dr. Mario asked.
"The Demon's Staff; the treasure of my family," Jeffrey replied.
"Wait…is that the treasure you didn't want to tell us about?" Dr. Mario asked.
"Indeed," The demon nodded. "But it seems now I must. Could you round up the other smashers and gather them in the meeting room? Of all the times to have the P.A. down…"
"We could help," Luigi's voice said. He, Mario, Bowser, and Kirby entered the room. "Everyone to the meeting room, right? No problem."
"Wait a minute…" Dr. Mario muttered. "Mario, Luigi, Kirby…should you guys be in a battle right now?"
"Umm…" Kirby stalled, looking at Mario. The plumber nodded, and the Star Warrior cleared his throat. "We were supposed to, but we got stalled: Marth never showed up. It's not like him, either."
"We're looking around for him right now," Mario continued, looking a little worried at Jeffrey's stunned face. "Well, were looking around; it's like he decided to leave the mansion."
"Oh shit…" Jeffrey muttered darkly, running his hands through his hair. "Oh shit. This makes everything worse. I need everyone gathered now."
"W-what's wrong?" Luigi asked.
"I'll tell you when everyone's in the meeting room," Jeffrey replied, banging the wall. The smashers jumped and ran off. "Damn it…this changes everything. I fear for his safety…"
"You know, Nivian wasn't acting like himself during the tournament," Nina said. "I noticed it when I battled him; he wasn't his cocky self."
"And there's Sally; she said Nivian had something to show her, and has vanished since," Jeffrey said, banging the wall again. "Someone's running around with my staff, and Nivian and Sally must've been caught by it!"
"Do you think Marth has been caught by it as well?" Nina asked, worried.
"I know it. I just know it," Jeffrey replied, banging the wall a third time. "Shit…this changes everything. But I don't want this to be publicized; unless the media gets hold of the happenings, they are to remain silent."
"Of course dear," Nina said, nodding. She gestured to the door. "You better head to the Meeting Room; your smashers are waiting for you."
"Everyone, I'm glad to see you all on such short notice," Jeffrey greeted when he entered the room. As he feared, there were only twenty five smashers currently present. "I have much to discuss with you." He walked up to the podium.
"But…everyone isn't here," Peach commented. Jeffrey cursed mentally; why couldn't any of them be unobservant once in their lives?
"That is part of what I have to say," He said, refusing to look Roy's way. "Those of you with me after the Angels' Door happening, I hope you remember I mentioned a treasure I didn't prefer to talk about?" All the smashers, minus Roy and Zelda, nodded. "It's finally time I told you about it.
"As I mentioned before, there are five main noble demon houses. Each of the houses created a special object, and my ancestors created a staff. It has many names from all sides; its main name, translated from demonic, is "The One Who Controls". The mortals have named it "The Demon's Staff", for only demons can wield its power."
"What does the Demon's Staff do?" Yoshi asked.
"It is a staff that controls angels," Jeffrey replied. "It was used long ago to capture the corrupted ones. Only the members of my house used it, for fear that in the wrong hands, its power would be abused. With the staff, a mere demon could manipulate and form a legion of angels to use as he wanted. Angels under its power must obey the wielder, forgoing even the commands of the Gods and Goddesses."
"No way…" Bowser muttered.
"It is as tall as Young Link, maybe an inch or so shorter, with a crystal ball adorning the top. White angel wings are on the ball, and a silver halo floats above it. The staff is striped black and red," Jeffrey continued. "It was currently in my possession, but has vanished from its resting place. I never dreamed that I would be the victim of theft."
"Wait…you said the staff controls angels, right?" Roy asked. "And it's missing right now…right?"
"I'm afraid so," Jeffrey replied sadly. "Strange cases have been appearing up; Nivian wasn't acting like himself during the tournament. Afterwards, he took Sally somewhere to show her something, and no one has heard from her since. Two other angels, both doing their callings, have yet to return back to the Upper Realm, and just now, Marth seems to have vanished without a trace. I do not think these vanishings and the staff's are coincidence; someone has planned all of this."
"We have to find them!" Roy shouted, banging a fist on the table.
"If you wish to search the island, I will allow it," Jeffrey said. "How you will go about doing it is up to you."
"Do you think Crazy Hand's involved in all this?" Dr. Mario asked. Jeffrey frowned in thought; why oh why were they so observant?
"I would like to think he isn't, but I fear he might," He replied. "He had vanished himself; leaving a note saying he wouldn't be long." He added, seeing the other smashers' look of confusion. "But yes, the five angels, the staff, and Jeremy…I think they are all connected somehow.
"That is all. Dismissed."
On one side of Smash Island, the twenty five smashers rose from their seats and left the room. On the other side of the island, Jeremy Hand was leading Marth to "something special".
The younger guardian had light orange eyes and messy black hair; his horns sticking out to the sides. He wore a long, worn orange travel cloak, hiding his clothing and tail. The angel was in his traditional Melee outfit, but his angelic lance replaced his sword.
"I still don't understand," He said, glancing around.
"You'll see!" Jeremy shouted, running forward. Marth rolled his eyes before following.
The two eventually reached the coast, which shone under the setting sun. The waves were low, barely lapping the beach before pushing back into the ocean.
"Now what?" The angel asked. "It's just the coast…" Jeremy didn't respond; instead the demon walked closer to the sand. "Look, I have a battle! It's bad enough I didn't show up…"
"But you don't wanna see the treasure?" Jeremy asked.
"Treasure? You only said we were going 'somewhere special'," Marth was feeling uneasy now. He began to back into the trees. "I'm sorry, Sir Jeremy, but…I think we should head back to the mansion…"
The demon didn't move, and for a minute, Marth thought he had upset him. But he heard the rustle of the cloak, and the clinking of glass on metal.
"What are you holding?" He asked.
"With you, that will make five," Jeremy said, turning around. His right arm was buried in the cloak. In one move, he pinned the prince to one of the trees. "I suggest you don't fight…you can't escape its power, anyway."
He held a black and red striped staff in the air. A crystal ball, adorned with angel wings and halo, decorated its top…
The demon grinned madly as the crystal ball began to shine…
Falcon: O.o
Yoshi: OH NOES! CRAZY! MARTH! THE STAFF! X.x
Marth: I'm screwed…--
Yoshi: It seems Crazy Hand's got something up his sleeve!
Falcon: Yeah; we'll find out as the fic goes on though! But yeah, concerning if she's going too fast and what not, what do you guys think? Be honest, okay? (Shifty eyes)
Marth: With that, we end the chapter. Review!