A/N: Last chapter of the arc and setup of the next one. If you want to see our heroes travel to a game universe, make your suggestions before the end of this coming arc so I can work out the details!

As it turned out, Ethan and his dad had been watched over by a Team Rocket plant within the expedition. Link reached them just in the nick of time; when all the fighting started, the spy took it as his time to strike, but quickly found a blade held perilously close to his neck. It didn't take long for him to surrender after that. Unfortunately for him, we still had some unanswered questions, which is why he was currently tied to a pole in a tent with the members of the Royal Guard surrounding him.

"If you think I'm gonna tell you anything, you're wasting your time. I don't know nothin' that could help you, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you!"

"Well, normally we'd believe that. After all," Rock said, staring intently at the grunt, "you're obviously not that high up on the totem pole in your organization. Guys as low as you generally aren't told anything anyway. But that's not the case here. We know this because on both occasions when you attacked us, some low-level idiot like you made comments about information that we don't have. For example... the term 'Gamemaster'. If you weren't told anything, you wouldn't use that kind of title. Your boss would just describe the individual in question and give orders to capture, and not much else. They wouldn't give you a title if you didn't already know how to spot the person it applied to. So as stupid as you are, don't pretend you're completely ignorant."

I could have sworn the guy flinched at the sheer condescension coming from the blue robot's tone. Even so, he didn't say anything in response. Rock leaned in close.

"So, mind telling us what a 'Gamemaster' is, and why your employer wants you to capture him?"

"Get bent."

Rock nodded a bit, then looked at Simon. "Well, I tried. Simon, your turn."

The Vampire Killer took full advantage of his height and strength, lifting the poor sap off his feet by the collar with one freaking hand and glaring at him.

"Care to rethink your answer? Or should I start breaking things?"

The man was definitely intimidated, but not overly frightened.

"You think you scare me? There's nothing you idiots can do to me that'd be worse than what the boss would do to me if I told you anything."

A deeper glare from Simon. "Are you sure about that? Because those legs of yours look pretty fragile to me. Be a shame if you couldn't walk anymore."

The man kept his mouth shut and glared back. Finally, Samus rolled her eyes and stepped forward, looking at the rest of us.

"Ugh, typical men. You don't have a clue how to interrogate someone. Give us some time alone, would you?"

We all exited the tent, leaving Samus and the Rocket grunt alone together. After a grand total of ten seconds, we heard a terrified voice cry out from inside.

"OKAY! OKAY! I'LL TALK!"

Samus swaggered out of the tent with a smirk on her face, looking at Simon and Rock. "All yours, boys."

I turned to the latter, recalling his mechanically-enhanced senses. "So, did you hear what she said to him?"

"Yes."

"What did she say?"

He shook his head, a somewhat frightened look on his face. "Nothing I really want to repeat out loud."

I made a mental note to myself to never, ever, ever anger Samus Aran as we re-entered the tent to continue the questioning.

We later found ourselves sitting around the dining table at the Argento household for breakfast, the Unown Tablet resting in front of Dr. Argento.

"So you're allowing us to keep it after all?"

Link nodded. "Yeah. Whatever the enemy wanted it for, they don't need it anymore. And while it probably still holds some secrets, without Team Rocket after it the safest place for it might be in the hands of a scholar who knows how delicate these things are, and who won't just experiment on it without thinking it through. Good thing we know at least one, isn't it?"

The professor smiled back. "Indeed! Don't worry, Goldenrod University is always careful with this sort of thing. Whatever secrets it holds, we'll study in as safe a manner as possible; you can rest easy on that. And if we uncover anything that might help you, we'll be sure to contact you with the details."

Dr. Argento turned to his son next. "Also, thank you, Sir Link, for keeping me and Ethan safe from harm. I can't believe that they infiltrated our expedition so flawlessly. If it weren't for you..."

Link shook his head. "No need for thanks. I was only doing my job. So, Ethan, you still plan on going on your journey after all of this excitement?"

"Are you kidding? Of course I am! Pyro and I didn't do much here, but with a little more training, I know we can make it. Heck, just meeting you guys and seeing you in action got me pumped for it! Besides," the pokemon trainer said, looking at me, "once this is all over, I might have some competition in the pokemon department! Have you given it a name yet?"

I looked down at the pokeball in my hands. "I think I'll call him Sparks. It's as good a name for a pikachu as any, right?"

Link smiled before motioning for us to stand up. "Well, with that out of the way, we ought to be going. It was an honor working with you, Dr. Argento."

"No, no, the honor is definitely all mine. Good luck on your mission!"

Before we could leave, Ethan ran up to the five of us, rubbing the back of his head nervously with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Wait. Before you go... can I maybe... get an autograph from one of you?..."

"How about one from all of us?"

Simon held out a pokeball toward Ethan covered in signatures and well-wishes from each member of the Royal Guard.

It was super effective. Ethan fainted.

"I assume the lack of a tablet is a sign that this debriefing will bear somewhat unpleasant news?"

"I'm afraid so, Your Highness."

We returned to the palace at the Hub without incident, where Princess Zelda awaited our return. After a brief rest, we gathered around the table in the war room for the after-action report; Link, as leader of the Royal Guard, took the floor.

"On one hand, we managed to discover new information about the nature of our enemy, as well as what they're after. On the other, sadly, this enemy may be far more deadly than we initially conceived."

The Hero of Hyrule spoke with a grave tone. "We still know very little about them, but here is what we've pieced together. Evidently, some ancient evil was sealed away ages ago, around the time of the last individual of Casey's people to come to our world. Nothing is known for sure, even by the enemy forces, but what is known is that while it can't escape its prison on its own, it was able to contact one individual in particular through telepathy and magic. This individual serves as the go-between and the de facto leader of all the enemy forces in the multiverse—and you'll never guess who it is."

Zelda narrowed her eyes. "Ganondorf."

"I'm afraid so. After our last fight, I thought for sure he was gone for good. But it turns out he just has a new friend, and that friend offered to give unlimited power to anyone willing to break it free from its prison. Ganondorf then contacted some of the worst scum in the multiverse, and together they all serve as a sort of war council. Together, they're trying to gather together all of these artifacts with the intent of releasing their boss from his prison, wherever that is. Casey inadvertently activated one, but according to the Team Rocket member we interrogated, the seal wasn't as weakened as it would have been had it been taken to the site of the prison. That, plus the fact that they're only working together out of self-interest, at least gives us a VERY slight advantage."

"As for Casey," he said, gesturing to me, "they referred to him as a 'Gamemaster'. Evidently, it refers to his people, though I'm not entirely sure of the significance of the term itself. But the last of his people to come to our world was the original 'Gamemaster', and considering the fact that this particular individual was responsible for sealing the enemy away to begin with, I suspect their reason for wanting him alive has to do with that."

"Have we any idea of WHERE this ancient evil was sealed?"

"No. Only the top-tier members of the organizations making up the enemy's army know that."

Zelda furrowed her brow in thought for a while before turning to Samus. "Do you have any thoughts on our strategy from here on out?"

The bounty hunter shook her head. "Not much beyond what we're already doing, Ma'am. For now, the best we can do is try and stay one step ahead of them, but aside from that, we definitely need to find out more about this whole thing. I'd suggest you set as many eggheads as you can find and get them researching the legends connected to all of this, no matter how far-fetched. Lack of information is why they've been ahead of us for so long, and if we can learn more about the nature of the enemy, we might be able to find a way to turn these artifacts against it. If they can open seals, it stands to reason they can close seals as well. Our next target is the Fire Emblem, in Ylisse."

The Princess nodded in approval. "Very well. I shall make the arrangements with our scholars; please send Exalt Chrom my warmest regards. As for our Gamemaster... Casey, I would like you to step up your training, especially your shapeshifting abilities. Try and see if you can extend the number of times you can use your powers, and perhaps try to find a way to gain new ones."

"I'll do my best, Your Highness."

"Good. On that note, this debriefing is hereby adjourned."

"Sparks, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pika...CHUUUUUUUUU!"

A surge of electricity shot towards me as I held out my right hand, an open book in the other. To my surprise, I successfully 'caught' the lightning using what little magic I had managed to learn.

"Wow, I actually did iiIIIIIIIIIT!"

Until I lost control and got a shock for it. Lucky for me the attack was non-lethal.

"Ugh... I was sure I had it that time..."

"I hope you are not overly straining yourself."

I turned around to see Zelda standing in the doorway to the library. "Is there something you want, Your Highness?"

"Samus told me about your actions on the mission. You displayed quick thinking and a concern for the safety of others; this was a clear contrast to the incident in Hyrule."

"So, does this mean I'm not grounded anymore?"

She smiled warmly as she approached. "Indeed. I believe you have more than earned your privileges back. But that is not all I came to discuss."

I looked at her in confusion as she sat down next to me. "What else is there to talk about?"

Her smile faded, replaced by a sad expression. "I fear that my attempts to find a means of getting you home have failed for now. I know you have more pressing concerns, and that we need your power to save the multiverse, but I thought you deserved to know."

I had almost forgotten about that, but upon hearing those words my heart sank. As amazing as this all was, I still wanted to be able to go back after it was all over. To my surprise, though, despite my grief, I didn't cry. Deep down, I still had hope that I might see my family again, but at the same time the more realistic side of me knew that if Princess Zelda couldn't find a way, that way might not exist.

"So what now? What happens if we win and it turns out I'm stuck here?"

"That is what I came to discuss, in fact. In that event, we would be willing to let you stay with us on a more permanent basis, and not simply as a member of the Royal Guard."

I perked up, not sure what was being said. "What do you mean?"

"Though you are brave, you're still young, and it would be irresponsible of us to allow one as young as you to go without a home or a family. After this is all done, my time as Ruler of Worlds will have passed, and I will have to return to Hyrule with Link. Between the two of us, Link and I plan to wed after this war is complete; we would be willing to take you in ourselves, should you desire it. You would not technically be royalty, but at the very least you would have a home. Does that appeal to you?"

I reeled from the weight of the offer. This wasn't something I could accept lightly; my real family, my real mom and dad, were still waiting for me in my old world. At the same time, though, I didn't like the idea of suddenly being alone after it was all through in the event I couldn't go back. The future itself was uncertain, and I had no idea whether or not I'd even survive long enough to have to worry about all of that. In the end, though, there was only one right answer.

"I'll think about it..."

She smiled approvingly. "Wise words."

UNKNOWN LOCATION

Ganondorf knelt before the shapeless black form. This was the extent to which his benefactor could directly affect the world, and even then it could only occur for brief periods in this location alone.

"Our forces are making final preparations for the invasion of Ylisse. With any luck, we should be able to move within the week."

"Perfect. I must say, you've done quite well so far!"

"Thank you. You do me far too much honor."

"Ha. As if you can fool me with that act."

Ganondorf frowned before grudgingly accepting the point. "My apologies. I often fail to realize that there are still those who cannot be affected by charisma. There are so many weak-willed fools in the multiverse I almost forget what it is like to converse with one of my own intellectual level."

"Just as long as you remember which of us is more powerful. I know you better than you know yourself, Ganondorf. Don't even think about betraying me as you do everyone else!"

"So long as you maintain your end of the bargain, it won't come to that; you still need us to set you free. And with that, I am off to see to 'your' army."

As the Gerudo sorcerer left the chamber, the black shape hung in the air for a few moments before dissipating with one last unheard comment.

"I may need you less than you think, fool."

I couldn't resist adding some heartwarming stuff in the middle there. Also, I would have done Marth, but I never played the remake of his game and the original was Japan-only. Besides, Fire Emblem Awakening was awesome.