Oh boy, chapter ten…man, I'll miss writing out a psychopathic maniac…
Falco: Geez, you sure are…an emotion that's not positive yet at the same that's not negative.
Well, it's a shame. But anyways, yah, this chapter has the last of the angst; afterwards, it'll start focusing more on action/adventure.
D.K.: If this is the last chapter with the angst…and you have Marth holding a blade to his heart, then that means…
Pikachu: Just try to refrain from killing RoyalFanatic, okay? Bad mediums don't mean there won't be happy endings. Anyway, she doesn't own us, SSBM, the Devils or their King, and your immortal OCs (including Nox's heir), but she does own The Demon King, Nivian's partner (who will be revealed in this chapter, huzzah!), Young Link's friend Bridgett, the Hands' true forms, other angels and demons that don't belong to you guys, and the Underworld Realm.
Falco: RF promises to do her best with this one. Away chapter!
At long last, everything was in place. The setting was clear, the actors were coming; it would all begin, and end, soon enough.
Soon enough, however, wasn't fast enough for the angel.
He absentmindedly tossed the sword into the air, catching it by the hilt. After doing this eight times, he pointed the blade to himself. The wind was gentle, calm. Too bad such a wonderful afternoon would be spoiled by blood.
The waiting was starting to do his job for him, and it took what little sanity, if he actually had any little left, to stop himself from botching the job, and doing it too soon.
The door slammed opened, and there they were.
"Whoa wait, time out," Falco spoke up. "Put the sword down."
"Why should I?" Marth asked; his face merely passive. It was almost as if he was…interested in what the group had to say.
"We found out everything," Mr. Game and Watch replied. "And we're so sorry; truly and honestly sorry. Please, put the sword away."
"Fire is most interesting," The angel suddenly spoke. "It destroys, it conquerors, yet it also guides. It can be easily removed with water…but once it gets too out of control, then what? You're stuck with an inferno you can't control."
"Wildfire…" Young Link muttered.
"It's too late for you," Marth said, revealing his wings, which had turned jet black. Even knowing that it was going to happen, the female smashers still gasped. It was almost as if seeing Nox again. The angel turned to look at them; they all could see the wildfire burning in his eyes. Only the brawniest of the bunch, and Master Hand, did not flinch.
"You must calm yourself," Master Hand said, calmly.
"No way," Marth said, frowning. "Why should I?"
"Mortals make mistakes, yet they are still able to be forgiven," Master Hand said. "They make mistakes, but are able to fix them, make them as if they never had happened. You know that."
"I do, but don't think I'm going to just "go back to normal"!" The angel shouted.
"Since when did you have so much pride?" the glove asked, a little surprise in his voice.
"Since the day my angelic side died," Marth replied. "The day I foolishly told people I called friends the truth, and refused to believe me. The day my old self died."
"Died? But you--!" Roy stepped forward, hoping to help in some way.
"You." Roy flinched at the amount of venom in his brother's voice. Anger, pure and raw, burned in his face; the wildfire grew even more out of control in his eyes. "Of all people, I would have expected you, my own brother, to take my side. Not tear my heart into pieces!"
"I'm sorry!" Roy shouted. "Please, I…I'm so sorry. Don't do this to yourself…I'll make this up to you, no matter how long it takes!"
"Did you know what it was like to hear you say those words to me?" Marth asked, anger still emitting from his voice. "It was hell, pure hell. You, all of you, made your action. Now it's time for the consequence of your action."
"Brother…NO!"
"Goodbye, Roy."
And with that final statement, the deed…was done.
The pain dropped him to his knees, yet it was fading…as was his life. He gave in the darkness, and was dead even before he hit the ground.
Dr. Mario rushed over to where he had fallen. Master Hand slowly floated over the edge of the roof, hanging in midair and forming a shaking fist. He knew what the doc was going to say, and was merely…waiting for it.
But the doc didn't say it; he couldn't. He looked to the smashers; he looked to Master Hand…
He shook his head. That was enough…
"DAMMIT!" the glove shouted, flinging himself to the ground. There might've been a little earthquake, but no one cared.
It was cold…too cold. When did the wind become so fierce; so cold?
Falco kept muttering "Oh Geez…" over and over. The others…just couldn't speak.
Roy's vision blurred; he couldn't take it. He ran off; he had to be somewhere else…anywhere else. Wordlessly, Zelda followed him.
From near the edge of the forest, Crazy Hand saw all. He swore to himself, quite badly, although by the sound of his voice he seemed…angry? Rather so than sad? The left handed glove vanished into the trees.
"What a damned week this was!" Falco shouted.
It had been a slow week that passed since the angel's suicide. Master Hand had all but vanished, researching something the smashers knew nothing of. They feared for needing to find another smasher, but the Crystal Boy of the lance was wandering around. And according to the boy, it was still possible to bring the angel back.
"Yeah, but anyway, let the boy continue," Peach said, shushing Falco.
All the smashers, save Young Link and Mewtwo, were in the living room, listening to the Crystal Boy.
"Angels that die and go to the Underworld are those that died unfair or unfinished deaths," The boy said. "And since I know for a fact the Crystal Prince is down there, there's still a way to get him back."
"And that's what we shall do," Master Hand said, entering the room.
"We're going to go to the Underworld?" Roy asked. "But, isn't Nox waiting for us?"
"Yes, and he's probably surprised that you haven't foolishly ventured forth yourself," Master Hand said. "But you won't have to worry; I am a Guide of the lower realm, and guide is what I shall do. I will lead five of you down to the depths, where Nox's Shadow, and Marth's spirit, both await us."
"That means the Crystal Prince died? It seems I am too late," A female voice said. Everyone turned to the sound of the voice, an open window, where an angel sat.
She had orange hair, and clear dark blue eyes. She wore a long white shirt and a long black skirt. She also had red gloves and silver boots. Her sword hung on the right side of her body, indicating she was left handed. The first thought that came to some of the smashers' minds was the solar and lunar eclipses.
"Sally! Is it great to see you again," Master Hand said. "Everyone, this is Sally Lune, the Eclipse Princess. Sally, the smashers."
"An honor," Sally said, smiling. "Hmm…Nivian spoke highly of you, especially you three." She pointed to Peach, Luigi, and Roy.
"You know Nivian?" Peach asked.
"Nivian and I are partners, both trained under Sir Rick Shino," Sally said, smiling. She turned to Roy. "It is truly an honor to meet you again, young Roy. I suppose this is hardest on you."
"Meet me again?" Roy asked.
"You were little last I saw you," Sally said. "I doubt you would remember me."
"So Sally, you said you were too late?" Master Hand asked.
"Yes. I have a letter for Marth here, but if he is dead, I can't deliver it to him," Sally said, holding up an envelope she was holding on to.
"A letter for my brother?" Roy asked. "From who?"
"Take a look yourself; I give the letter to you," Sally said, handing him the envelope.
Puzzled, Roy took the envelope. He frowned at his brother's name, written in script, on the envelope's front. Written…Roy's frown was gone, replaced with shock.
"The handwriting!" He cried. "Father?"
"I too was surprised," Sally said. "Yet it is the handwriting of Sir Rick. At long last, he tries to communicate with his family."
"I will hang on to it," Roy said, tucking the envelope away. "Thank you."
"If you need help down there, let me know, k?" Sally asked. "I would love to help."
"Indeed," Master Hand said. "Of course we will let you know. Roy, I want you to pick four others, and meet me in the center of the southern continent." Roy nodded, and the glove teleported away.
"Four others? Hmm…Zelda, will you come?" Roy asked. Zelda nodded.
"Of course," She said.
"Let me come," Mario said. "All this doing nothing is making me feel useless."
"I'm coming too," Pikachu said. Pichu frowned at his dad. "Don't worry Pichu! I will return to you alive."
"So it'll be me, Zelda, Mario, Pikachu, and…" Roy began to think.
"Me," Yoshi said.
"Alright then," Roy said, nodding.
"To the Chariot!" Mario shouted. "Then to the Underworld! Where we fight for our friend's freedom!"
Falcon: And that ends the chapter.
Yoshi: RoyalFanatic wasn't too sure about adding the aftermath to the chapter, but if she didn't it would've been too short! So she added it anyway.
Marth: The deed has been done, and the time has come. What will happen?
Yoshi: Marth's current fate, the first time appearance of the Devil King, Master Hand's true form, and more await you in the next chapter.
Marth: Tell us what you think!
Falcon: REVIEW!