Hey guys! This is the long awaited chapter 7 of this story. I just finished my finals, and I aced my Theology final! And I have Christmas break! A whole month off from college! Which means, a lot of updates! Now, I warn you. This is where the story starts to become a little dark, so if you feel uncomfortable about any part of this chapter, and the chapters beyond this one, then you have the right to stop reading this story at anytime. I don't own anything except my OC, and the Telum de Lucis. The rest belongs to Nintendo, and an author who let me use his OC. You know who you are, and thanks! So, read and review, and enjoy!
Out of all the people I expected to see, I did not expected him. Maybe cause of how this adventure was going so far. I found myself somewhat relived that it was him. Sure, we were never on very good terms, but at least it was someone who somewhat liked me, and didn't have something against me. Pit, however, was another story. I decided to stop making this awkward and greet the guy.
"Hey Nick. What a surprise." It truly was a surprise. I wasn't lying when I said that. But there he was, Nicholas Gerard Smeake, standing in front of us. So, Nick was a friend of mine that I met on Facebook a year back. We went out on a date, but it never felt right with him. He kept insisting that we were dating and everything, and even tried to "win me back" from Pit. Though I was flattered, and quite confused, I had to straighten this whole thing out before it got out of hand. But, I don't know if he's still trying to win me back, or this was a fair coincidence.
"Felicity. You look lovely as ever." I slightly blushed from his comment.
"Thanks. You haven't change a bit." When I said that, I meant it. He still looked the same way I saw him a year ago. He still had the same zits on his face, along with the same glasses. He wore the same blue jeans that I remember, but he was wearing a shirt with the Florida Gator logo on it, along with the 1998, 2006 and 2008 BCS National Champs on the back. Yes. He was a Gator fan. I didn't even know he liked College Football. I'm more an NFL person myself (New York Giants rule.) Back to the situation at hand, I felt Pit walk past me, and before I could ask what he was doing, he punched him right in the face with no warning whatsoever! I was so shocked, I couldn't find my voice to say anything to him.
"Ow! What the heck was that for?" He asked as he got up from the ground, rubbing his face. And to be honest, I was about to ask the same thing. I looked at him with my eyes widen, and my mouth was open. His eyes never left Nick's face for a moment. As Nick finally got up from the ground, he gave Pit a furious look.
"That was for everything you wrote on Facebook to her. And if you just came here to try and 'win her over' again, don't even try it."
"First off, I'm not even here for her. For your information, I am over her thank you very much. And even if I was trying to 'win her over', I would have already done it."
"Then what are you doing here, then?"
"That's enough!" The guys stopped bickering and looked at me. I had to rub my head to ease a headache coming on, and take deep breaths before I could talk. I walked toward the arguing boys, and looked at Nick first.
"Though, I somewhat agree that you deserve that, Pit shouldn't have done it anyway. Isn't that right, Pit?" I said sternly to my boyfriend, who gave me a goofy look in return. I smiled and rolled my eyes at him as I faced Nick again.
"So, what brings you here anyways, Nicky boy?" I said, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Well, I was at home, minding my business, when the sky suddenly got dark. I heard the Shadow Queen was back, so I decided to investigate it for myself. What about you two?" Pit and I looked at each other, thinking what we should say. Should we tell him the truth?
"Actually we were going to find Merlon, but Doopliss manage to find us first." I said somewhat honestly, as I looked at his unconscious body. It was the truth, just not the whole truth.
"And you said you knew where we could take him?" Pit asked, trying to get us back on topic.
"Yeah! I was about to tell you to bring him to Merlon, but since you're going there already, mind if I tag along?"
"Uh well-"
"Sure, why not? The more, the merrier." Pit said nonchalantly. I gave him a "Are you crazy" look. He faced me and gave me a look that said "Trust me. I know what I'm doing.". I had no choice, but to follow along.
"Thanks guys!"
"No prob. Could you carry him, and bring him to Merlon's house? We're kinda tired from our fight." I said sweetly, making Pit look at me.
"Sure thing!" He said happily. He picked him up, and walked to Merlon's. Soon as he was out of sight, I turned to face him.
"So, wanna explain to me why you let him come along without consulting me, or anything?"
"Yeah. I know it was wrong, but it's safer for us to know where he is. Sides, we can't exactly trust him. He just popped out of nowhere right after we fought Doopliss. That's seems a little sketchy to me."
"While you have a good point, you really think Nick would be working for the Shadow Queen? He couldn't hurt a fly! And how would she even know about him?"
"We can't be too careful around here. Our friends could be enemies in disguise."
"Fine. We'll keep an eye on him. But why don't we make this interesting?" I said slyly to him, making him raise an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"A little bet perhaps?"
"Felic, I'm an angel. We don't bet."
"Than a wager, perhaps?"
"What did you have in mind?"
"If I'm right about Nick not working for the Shadow Queen, then you'll have to sing 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias in front of everyone."
"And If I'm right?"
"Then I do whatever you want. Embarrassing or otherwise."
"Done."
"Aren't you gonna tell me what you have planned for me?"
"Nope." He said as he quickly kissed my lips, and ran away while laughing. It was nice to laugh once in a while throughout all this seriousness that was around us. It was a very nice to laugh every now and then, and soon, I found myself laughing as well.
"Hey! You're not getting away that easy, Pit Icarus!" I screamed as I ran behind to catch up with him laughing all the way of course. I finally caught up to him when he stopped at a house that was nearby Professor Frankly's. And to my surprise, Nick was standing next to him, carrying Doopliss with ease. And they're weren't arguing at all.
"Aww you guys waited for me? That is so sweet." I said with mock sarcasm.
"Just knock on the door Felic." He said with a smile on his face. I carefully knocked on the door. We waited for a few minutes, until the door was finally opened. A man wearing nothing, but a blue cape, and had a giant gray moustache. It actually look pretty awesome in my opinion. I couldn't see his face. All I could see was his yellow eyes.
"Hello, young ones. How may I be able to help you?" He said in a cheerful voice. I guessed he doesn't get many visitors.
"Excuse me, are you Merlon?"
"Yes, I am. And you all are?"
"These are my friends, Nick and Pit. I'm Felicity. Kamek sent me here." I said as I curtsied to him. His yellow eyes widen in complete shock. He looked at me from top to bottom, like I wasn't good enough for him or something. Sure, I don't look like the average princess, or hero, but it makes me unique. I never regretted having brown hair, brown skin, or brown eyes. I love my brown features, and I would never want to change them for the world. I knew I wasn't the typical blue eyed barbie look a like. I was more like a Bratz doll. A modernized Barbie doll. I wore more modern-like clothing, had modern like views about the world, spoke with modern-like slang. It was then I realized: I was a modern version of my mother.
"You indeed are your mother's daughter. I see her throughout you." I blushed at his compliment, but it made me think if he was referring to me as my mom's carbon copy, or otherwise.
"But, I do not only see her. I see Mario through you as well." So I wasn't my mother's carbon copy. Thank goodness. But, I was Mario's "little girl". See, ever since I was 10, the Toads around Toad Town always refer me as "Mario's little girl" cause we were so close since the first time we met. He was the first adult I ever opened up to since my dad died. After that, I frequently came over to visit Mar and Lou. I always helped around in the house, and stayed till I had to go home. Whenever I had errands to do in Toad Town, Mar always came with me, and vice versa. They always saw how close we were, and to them, it looked like we were really father and daughter. I had to hold back tears as I remembered the good times I had with them.
"And yet, your own personality and touches shine through, creating a wonderful, and equal balance of a young woman. Especially, a young woman who is destined to save the world, no doubt." He said as he tried, but failed miserably at trying to lighten the situation. Since none of us wanted to ruin his mood or anything, we all laughed very fakely.
"Ho ho ho. Now, come along children. There is work to be done." We all followed him inside as he led us deeper inside his house.
"You may lay the Doopliss is one of the spare rooms I have in the back, young Nicholas. And would you mind staying with the lad until he wakes?"
"It's just Nick, and no I wouldn't. Thanks." Nick said as he carried Doopliss off to a separate room. Merlon watches him to make sure he's in the room.
"I assume your friend doesn't know much, am I right?"
"He only knows about the Shadow Queen, but not the reason."
"Hmm. I see. Now Pit, please tell me why did you come along with the Princess Felicity on this adventure. Surely, you knew the risks, and perils you would run into on the way."
"I do, but I honestly didn't want Felicity to be facing them alone. It's never easy when you go on your own. And, I love her too much to let her face all this on her own. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her that could have been prevented if I came along."
"I see. Your love for her is the reason. A strong, but caring young man you are, Pit. I am truly glad you decided to accompany her on this adventure. Now, Princess-"
"You can call me Felicity. Just Felicity is fine with me, Merlon sir."
"Only if you call me Merlon."
"Deal."
"Now then, Felicity, would you mind explaining how you received the Telum de Lucis in the first place?" I took a deep breath, and shifted in my chair.
"It happened four years ago. Mar, Lou, my mom, and Daisy were kidnapped by Tatanga and Waluigi. Their plan was to force my mom and Daisy to marry them by using the guys as hostages. I teamed up with Bowser to rescue them. But, they kidnapped me while I was coming out. Instead, we decided to do four one on one battles to settle this once and for all. Bowser fought Hiyohoi, a giant rock creature. I had to defeat Sabasa-"
"The former Mistress?"
"Yes. We had to fight each other because we were the only ones who were capable of using magic efficiently. Mar had to fight Tatanga, and Lou, Waluigi. Bowser won his fight, so it was my turn to win as well. Sabasa and I fought long, and hard. She cast dark spells with her wand, and I used white magic from my own hands. It was a very close battle, but in the end, I defeated her. As soon as I won, her wand transformed into a necklace. Kamek actually came back to explain the necklace, and the title to me. I choose to give it to him for safe keeping to not only protect myself, but the people I love as well. I wanted to receive it when I became old enough to handle its power, or when it absolutely necessary to retrieve it." I finished my story as Merlon, and Pit looked at me in shock and much interest.
"Incredible! You obtained the title and weapon when you were only twelve years old! Not even a teenager!"
"I just wanted to save the people, and things I loved from evil. I had no Idea that she had a title to her name, that necklace, and such."
"And that, my dear is what makes you more powerful. You only fought Sabasa for selfless reasons. You wanted to save your family, friends, and home from corruption. You only had the purest intentions, and you still do. And that is why you are the only one who can defeat the Shadow Queen."
"Me?
"Indeed Felicity. Only the Mistress of Magic and the Telum de Lucis can defeat the Queen of Shadow to shield the world from shadow, and preserve the world with light. It is your destiny to fight the Shadow Queen, and be victorious." It was my destiny? I admit, I felt really responsible to save the world cause of that necklace and title, but destined?
"All I did was win a fight, and now I have to save the entire world from darkness?"
"Yes. It was your choice to give the Telum de Lucis away when you first received it." His words hit me like a ball to the face as they slowly sunk deep in me. If I hadn't given away that necklace, Mom and everyone would have been safe and sound, and be wherever they were suffering. I didn't even notice, or feel the tears fall down my cheeks.
"Felic, are you alright?"
"It's my fault. It always is."
"Pardon, Felicity?"
"If I had never took the necklace, my family would be safe! Because of me, they're god knows where, going through god knows what at the hands of Pauline, who hates my mother with a passion! I am the reason why they're suffering! I was always the reason why!"
"Felic, that's not true-"
"Yes it is!" I screamed at my boyfriend while I stood up from my chair. I was so angry with myself. I was the reason why everyone got hurt. I was the reason why the world was in danger, and why Sabasa died! She died protecting me cause of that weapon. I didn't realized that I was breathing heavily, and I was crying even harder.
"The entire world is in danger, my family is kidnapped, and my mentor is dead because of me! And you was almost killed by that Gooper Blooper that was under her control! All I do is bring pain and suffering to people. I'm not good for anyone! Not you, mom, anyone! You're better off being single, so I won't hurt you anymore. And I'm better off dead, so I won't hurt anyone ever again!" I ran out of the house, while hearing voices screaming my name. I didn't care. I truly believed the world was better off without me in it. I didn't care where I ended up. I just wanted to get away from everything, and everyone I caused so much pain, and suffering to. I ultimately ended up in the town square, where the gallows, and a lone noose stood. It was then I decided: to end everyone's suffering at my hands, I had to die by my own hand, and no one else's. I took a deep breath, and walked to the gallows. I climbed on it and grabbed the lone noose. I put the noose around my neck, and tightened it to fit my neck.
"I'm sorry mom, dad, everyone. I have to die to make sure you all are safe. I love you all, and I hope one day, you would find it in your hearts to forgive me for this." I slowly reached for the lever of the trap door. As soon as I felt, and got a secure grip on the lever. I took a deep breath, and pulled the lever. I felt the wood underneath my feet disappear, and my body drop. Then, I was slowly losing feeling in my body, and my view of the beautiful Rogueport sunset was fading to black.
I had died. By hanging myself in Rogueport town square. And I would never come back alive. Or so I thought.
