The End of the Tournament

"Good, again." Lucario instructed as I punched the same old sand bag again and again. I had been able to leave the infirmary this morning and had been dragged off for more practice. Zelda had already scorned my elfin magic, as all it could do was create what my other hand destroyed. She tried to perfect that, but as usual I did the worst possible and was given practice for both magic sides of me. Now I was performing a series of punches and kicks to Lucario's instruction. When I finished the only thing I really needed to work on was my endurance so I could go even longer. Then Link stepped up and worked to balance everything I had. Apparently he knew a lot about meditation and had me practice while he weighed my weapons. We ended up with my saber on my left, my gun on my right and my whip wrapped like a hose around my gun case. After then he made sure I could walk and balance okay. It was a whole lot easier than having all my weapons on one side. When we finished I left the room by myself to find the bracket for today. Apparently Wolf and I were facing off the winners of the battle between Link and Ganandorf and Falco and Sonic. I was miffed again that I missed this match but soon found out that Falco and Sonic won and would be facing us around two o'clock this afternoon.

I still had kept my distance from Wolf until this morning. He found me as I was going with Lucario to meet up with Zel and Link, he tried to bug me about something but Lucario made me keep going. I was still mad at him, and it did not do any good that he was a villain.

"So you are going to have to fight with Wolf…that's too bad…" Larry said as I plopped down into a chair.

"Yeah, you know he wants to win so badly…at least that's what I overheard Ganandorf saying." Pit said walking over toward me.

"Just awful…I haven't spoken to him in days." I sighed.

"Not even after that fight you had?" Marth asked standing beside Larry.

"Nope."

"We could always get him back for you." Ness suggested.

"Yeah, it wouldn't be a problem." Lucas added, looking a little more timid about this suggestion.

"Yeah…" I said and stood back up walking away. "I'll see you guys in a second." I walked down a hallway and sat down burying my face in my hands.

"Hey…you okay?" Pit asked sliding down to sit by me.

"Not really."

"Why?"

"Stress."

"I can understand that. I've had to work for some hard goddesses, you would not believe the missions I've been sent on."

"Actually I would believe you…it is you who could not believe me." I said looking into his eyes. He gave a faint understanding smile.

"Don't worry about it, things always work out for us heroes." He said with a genuine smile.

"I'll try my best." I said back standing up and forcing a smile.

"Hungry?" He asked.

"A little." I said and we walked toward the dining room. It was almost one o'clock when we met up with Toon Link, Link, Zel, Peach and Mario for lunch. Apparently Falco and Sonic had won their match and that was who I would be facing along with Wolf.

I grabbed a sandwich and sat down munching on it unhappily, while trying to fake being happy; it was very difficult to do. Finally it was ten minutes till the match and I walked off toward the dressing room. Wolf was in green and I quickly let my own outfit change color before I sat down on a small bench avoiding eye contact.

"How are you?" He asked gruffly.

"Better." I said quietly.

"Ready."

"I think so."

"I doubt it." Wolf interjected and I looked at him with a puzzling expression.

"What do you mean?" I asked sternly in only a whisper.

"Forget it. I was thinking of this training they are putting you through, you must be exhausted." I realized he was hiding something but kept my mouth shut. I did not want to be a part of his plans. Our door opened and we both stepped out. I waved faintly to the stadium and saw my friends all wave back. Then I looked across to see Falco and Sonic. I looked at Falco and realized I had never wanted to be on the receiving end of his gun shot, or for that matter up against Sonic, the fastest thing on feet.

"Go!" The announcer yelled and I froze up a little as Sonic attacked me. The impact was horrendous; I was definitely going to have to avoid that. I unsheathed my saber as he tried again and I caught him off guard, he staggered back and I took the advantage to sweep kick and land him flat on his face. Wolf and Falco seemed to be having a shooting match as sonic and I danced around the field in a blur of blue and green, my dark magic taking effect. Soon a bomb-om landed on top of us and exploded, Wolf must have thrown it because I felt nothing but Sonic flew off the screen. Then I felt a heavy pressure as Falco landed on top of me and quickly jumped off. He then turned, closed his eyes, and fired at me. I flew a few feet before he kicked me in the stomach and I went flying. The battle continued until we all had one life left, Mine and Falco's damage were high while Sonic's and Wolf's were not so bad.

Then Sonic caught the Smash Ball, he ripped it open and absorbed the seven chaos emeralds. Then He flew toward Wolf, Wolf dogged slyly making perfect ducks and jumps. Sonic turned his attention to me and I braced myself. Flaco's eyes grew big and he jumped in the way, he grabbed my dark hand and thrust me to the ground, but my magic had gotten him and he was being almost consumed alive. The power blasted him off the screen finally and I ducked my head away to miss the horror. As soon as Sonic reappeared I waited for him to kick me off the field as he rushed for me. Wolf jumped in the way and attacked fiercely and soon Sonic was thrown from the field. Wolf helped me up as my heart pumped furiously. We had won…but… My thoughts flickered towards Falco and his well being before Mario jumped the chasm between the field and the auditorium of seat and held up both of our hands in victory. I could not smile, I was sick of luck and hope; I wanted truth…unfortunately that was what I got…

"Before anything else, as all of you as my witness I have a statement to make." Wolf said his voice echoing. Meta Knight, Lucario, Samus and Fox all stood. "As all of you as my witness." He repeated. "Look." He instructed and grabbed my right hand. Before I could react he pulled the glove of my hand and everyone could hear the deafening rip and my piercing banshee scream. My hand was only human for a few seconds before it was enveloped in darkness.

"No!" I screamed as high pitched as possible. But I was too late, it was sick of being covered up. Darkness enveloped my whole body and I became my true self. A banshee. I looked the same as the flames dies away leaving my body the same shape but all black, my clothing the same except a dark purple, including my cape.

"Celest had been lying; she is from a far away galaxy but has been working for a villain around earth. She is not an elf at all; she is a true banshee of destruction and darkness, one of Vilgax's bounty hunters." He finished to several gasps. My friends had sat down, stunned…

I tried to say help, but all that came out of my mouth was another piercing scream as I rocketed into the air and stared at Wolf willing death, but a cold rushed over me as I remembered what I had promised myself, and how I had lied… and I turned invisible by wrapping my cape around me before soaring out of the Brawl Mansion with one last scream.

All Brawl members stared at Wolf who was as stunned as everyone else. All that was left of Celest was a ripped white and gold glove and a scream which still rang thro