And back again :D Time for another chapter!

ENJOY!


Chapter 7. Saving Shulk

Lucina arrived at Final Destination. The view was breathtaking; the sun and the earth were near each other, and the scene then turned back to a large ocean near a sunset. It was beautiful.

However, now was not the time to sightsee; Shulk's in need of rescuing, and if she waited around for too long, well … who knows what Master Hand would do to him?

"Master Hand!" Lucina called, "I am here to challenge you!"

She heard an ominous, evil laugh from Master Hand, and a cackle from Crazy Hand as they fistbump each other.

"So! You arrived all along." Master Hand laughed.

"Enough, Master Hand!" Lucina demanded, "Where's Shulk?!"

"Oh, he's safe in my lair, don't worry. Now, for this match, it's for a prize … a wager, if you will. If you win, he joins you …"

Master Hand snapped his fingers, and a "wall" was opened to reveal Shulk trapped inside the crystal. Upon seeing her, Shulk began to panic. "LUCINA! It's a trap!"

"SHULK!" Lucina gasped, resisting the urge to run to the wall.

Master Hand then closed it, and he continued, "but if you lose, you join him. Now, will you take the wager?"

"LUCINA! Don't take the challenge!" Lucina heard Shulk's voice, "Please! Forget about me!"

Lucina hesitated for a few seconds. She couldn't just leave him there; she had to save him!

"Yes. I will take the challenge." Lucina said calmly.

"LUCINA! NO!" Shulk cried.

"Then, let's begin the fight, shall we?" Master Hand laughed.

The fight began. And Master Hand started off with a quick slap. Lucina was sent flying, but she got back on her feet. They're fast … Lucina thought.

Crazy Hand then had lasers coming out from his fingertips, aiming at Lucina. After being shocked a bit, she quickly recovered and slashed him with a Dolphin Slash.

However, she didn't notice Master Hand hovering above her, and he was sent down to her with a punch, and she was sent flying once again, her damage meter up.

"Lucina!" Shulk cried as he watched from the wall. "Please! Run!"

Lucina slowly got up, hearing Shulk's voice. "I-I can't …" She then grabbed her sword, "I can't let them win!"

With that, she jumped and with a timing Shield Breaker, took out most of Crazy Hand's health.

That was when Master Hand began to wave, sending out icy winds. Lucina was frozen for a minute until Crazy Hand grabbed her and squeezed her.

"LUCINA! PLEASE!" Shulk cried, trying to keep his composure. He had faith in her, but based on what he was witnessing, it was looking bleak for the both of them.

Lucina quickly struggled from Crazy's grip, and she panted. "Hang in there, Shulk," She whispered, "I'll get you out of there …"

Master Hand flew to the right, ready to punch again, as Crazy Hand was ready to catch him.

Big mistake on their part.

Lucina jumped in front of Crazy Hand, and as soon as Master Hand was in contact with Crazy Hand, Lucina countered, destroying them both.

Crazy Hand screeched as he flew to the back of the arena, and Master Hand fell to the ground.

Shulk sighed with relief when Lucina had defeated the hands. She was safe … unharmed …

That didn't last long.

Lucina approached Master Hand, but suddenly he got up and slapped her. Lucina nearly flew across the stage, but quickly recovered.

"Foolish girl …" He then snapped his fingers.

Shulk realized that he was glowing, and he suddenly appeared in Master Hand's palm. Before he could get up, Master Hand tightened his grip on him, squeezing the life out of him.

"If I go down, then BOTH of you will go with me!" Master Hand shouted, squeezing Shulk.

"PUT HIM DOWN!" Lucina cried, slashing at the hand, hoping that he'll release her friend.

It didn't work however, as Master Hand continued to squeeze him tightly. Shulk was unable to breathe, and he gasped, "L-Lucina … run …"

Lucina, however, didn't. What if she did fled? Would Master Hand still squeeze the life out of poor Shulk?

"I won't flee! Not when you need me the most!" Lucina cried out, jumping up and slashing at the hand.

Master Hand quickly let go of Shulk, and the boy fell to the ground … lifeless.

Lucina then, with a final Dolphin Slash, destroyed Master Hand, and Master Hand screeched as he too went behind the stage, exploding.

"I'll … get … you … NEXT TIME!" She heard him say before he disappeared.

She was at Sudden Death mode, but she didn't care. Her mind was on Shulk, and she quickly rushed to his side. She held him close, placing his head on her chest.

"Shulk! Stay with me!" She cried.

No response.

Lucina began to panic, tears in her eyes.

No no no … not again! I can't lose you like I did with Laurent!

She was then relieved when Shulk began groan, but she gasped when he coughed up blood.

"L-Lucina …?" He asked, obviously hurt.

"S-stay with me, Shulk. It's going to be all right." Lucina hushed.

Shulk smiled, looking up at her, "Y-you all right?"

Lucina nodded. "I'm fine … you?"

"I-I'm all right. I-I'm just glad that you're okay …"

Lucina didn't notice the blood going down from her forehead, but upon seeing it, she realized that she was in a much worse condition than he was.

"LUCINA!"

Lucina didn't turn around as the other Smashers and Chrom rushed to them.

Upon seeing his daughter in her state, Chrom kneeled went to her.

"You all right, Lucina?" He asked.

Lucina nodded, though she was lightheaded. "I-I'm fine father … just …"

"Hang on … we'll take you two to Dr. Mario's. Just hang in there." He picked her up in his arms as Pac Man picked Shulk up the same way.

Lucina looked up at her father. "D-Dr. Mario? … I like him …" Due to blunt trauma she got from the fight against the hands, her words were slurred, slipping in and out of consciousness.

Chrom chuckled. "I know. Now let's go."

Lucina, despite the excruciating pain she endured, tried to keep her heavy eyes from closing.

"S-so tired …" She commented.

With that, she drifted off into unconsciousness.