A Bloody Legacy
Each Ninji revealed a shuriken of some sort, whether it was a ninja star, a kunai, or even small knives. Zelda teleported to Peach and cast Nayru's Love just as a first round of shuriken were tossed at Peach. The blades bounced off and the Ninji hopped back to avoid being hit. They all stood still as Zelda and Peach, still shielded, slowly moved toward the statue.
"Don't think it'll be that easy," Bandita smirked. "Now prepare to meet your DOOM!" The final word echoed through the air in the form of visible musical notes and disappeared into Zelda's shield. The shield was immediately dispelled, much to Zelda's surprise.
"That was Doom Reverb," Peach said. "You won't be able to use magic unless I…" Zelda grabbed her and tossed down a Deku Nut just as more shuriken came their way. As soon as they were spotted a short distance away, the agile Ninji attacked directly, leaping at them with kicks and punches. Zelda, still holding Peach, ducked, sidestepped, and dodged, but was soon overwhelmed. They were both batted around until Zelda threw down another Deku Nut.
One of the Ninji predicted where they would appear and threw a small needle. Peach yelped as soon as it struck her arm. There was a puff of smoke and a pink mushroom was in her place.
"What did you do to her?" Zelda yelled, picking up the mushroom.
A Ninji leapt at her with a kunai in its paw. Zelda deflected it with her Gilded Sword and kicked the monster away. Another Ninji approached from behind, but she backflipped over it and slashed it out of the way. She jumped as another round of shuriken came at her, and ran towards the forest. Three Ninji leapt down in front of her and kicked her consecutively in the stomach. Zelda tumbled back, but held tight onto Peach. She felt a sharp pain as a ninja star dug into her back. She turned and saw that it was Bandita, who had been standing in the same spot smiling smugly.
"We're not after you, Zelda," she said. "Just give us the half-breed and we'll get out of your hair."
"I am a half-breed," Zelda said angrily, pulling the shuriken out of her back.
"Whatever. Just give us the mushroom." Zelda saw that all the Ninji had shuriken ready. Conveniently enough, the mushroom reverted back into Peach, causing Zelda to fall over with her.
"Great timing," Zelda muttered. Peach quickly revealed a Psych Bomb and the circle of Ninji stepped back cautiously. Bandita threw a kunai, knocking the bomb out of her hand and into the forest. The 8-bits Club members all stared at the explosion, having never seen it up close before. It was enough time for Peach to dispel the Doom Reverb on Zelda.
They both got up and ran towards front door of the house.
"Hey, don't let them get away!" Bandita yelled. They all tossed their blades, but the door was closed just in time.
Zelda and Peach held the door closed, despite the banging and pushing coming from the other side. As Peach leaned against the door, she knelt slightly to use her Gard Gloves, hoping a few turnips would scare them off. Instead of a turnip, however, she uprooted a lit bomb. She dropped it instantly and got Zelda's attention. Zelda took hold of her and teleported away with her.
Their pursuers quickly burst through the door, just as the bomb floated up and out of their sight. Bandita stomped in saying, "All right girls! Where are you?" The door slammed behind them and the bomb plopped in front of them. "Aw sh…"
Zelda and Peach snickered from the second floor, peeking through the hole in the floor as the bomb went off. Then, they heard a rattling noise behind them. A Dry Bones was steadily approaching them. As soon as they turned around to confront the skeleton, it stopped in place. It pulled off a rib and lobbed it. Zelda raised her hand and stopped the bone with her telekinesis, accidentally crushing the bone into dust. The Dry Bones was taken aback at the sight. Zelda seemed surprised herself, but directed an evil grin to the Dry Bones.
"BOO!" came a voice from behind them, startling them. They turned around and saw a transparent Boo covering its face. The Dry Bones took the opportunity to make another attack, but was knocked to pieces with an effortless backhand from Peach.
Zelda attempted to blast the Boo with her Shining Ray, but the beam merely went through the ghost harmlessly.
"Like this, Zelda," Peach said, turning around. Zelda about-faced as well. As soon as the Boo uncovered its face and made its approach, Peach took a wide swipe at it, knocking it into the next plane of existence. "Most only attack when you have your back turned."
"I see," Zelda said. "We should get out of here. I doubt one bomb took care of all of them."
"Right," Peach agreed. Before they could even take a step, a Big Boo with a crown appeared before them.
"Ha ha ha!" he laughed. "You're not going anywhere!"
"This one doesn't seem so shy," Zelda said, stepping back.
"King Boo?" Peach said, as more ghosts began to appear around the room.
"The one and only!" he laughed, baring his fangs. "I heard you passed through here a while ago, so I stopped by in hope of stealing your soul for myself. I brought a few friends of mine just for the occasion."
"Why?" Peach asked. "Is it because of Bowser's orders? Or are you just under the pay of the 8-Bits Club?"
"Not that it matters," he snorted, "but word has it you're the Wanderer's daughter. What better irony than to off the child of the one who offed me."
"You mean she killed you?" Peach said. "But…you're a Boo…"
"Silly girl!" a Dry Bones cackled.
"We're ghosts, remember?" a Boo said.
"We're all dead!" they all said simultaneously.
"Oh yeah…" Peach said, feeling stupid. "But why are all of you doing this? It isn't as if she killed all of you." The clownish demeanor of all the Boos disappeared. The Dry Bones somehow seemed to sneer. The dino-like Eeries, who always floated silently, seemed even more silent. "Right?"
A Boo Guy, essentially a ghost Shy Guy, appeared next to King Boo. "Actually, deary…to be perfectly honest…half the undead beings in the world are her doing."
Peach looked devastated. Zelda spoke up, becoming worried about how outnumbered they were, "That seems a bit unrealistic. No one could cause this much death in a lifetime…not even the Wanderer."
A Greaper appeared on the other side of King Boo. It slowly floated around Zelda and Peach, dragging its sickle along the floor. "We may be seem to be a happy bunch…well, not me…but they do. Regardless, what do think it is that keeps us on this plane?"
"That lil' Boo Buddy of mine you just clocked," a Boo said, with a frighteningly serious face. "He'll be back because of her."
"So, you see," King Boo said, licking his lips and letting his slobbering tongue hang out of his now smiling mouth. "We all just want a little…closure. All the pranks and stuff are just fun on the side. So, what'll it be? I'll gladly do the honors. It'll be painless… I promise…"
Zelda stood in front of Peach and blocked her. "It's not going to happen today. I don't care what the Wanderer did. You're not taking it out on her."
"Hmph!" King Boo grunted. All of the ghosts disappeared instantly.
Bandita's voice could be heard echoing in the house. "Come out here cowards! You wanna play dirty! We'll play!" Soon enough, a stream of daggers was popping out of one hole and going into another.
"Aaaaaah!" Peach screamed.
"Peach, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" Zelda took hold of Peach, who was still screaming, but she was completely unharmed. "What's the matter?"
"Stop!" Peach screamed, falling back and squeezing her eyes closed. "Zelda, help me, please!" Zelda took swipes through the air, but felt nothing.
"Peach, there's nothing there!"
"Where'd you go? Don't leave me!"
"I'm right here!" Zelda said, holding her cheeks. Peach's eyes opened wide, but for some reason she could not see Zelda. Peach began to squirm furiously, eventually slapping Zelda by accident and kicking her. "Ouch! Peach, calm down!" Zelda tackled Peach to the ground just as a stream of daggers went over them. Peach was becoming so violent that Zelda had to pin her arms and legs down.
"No, stop it!" Peach cried. She formed a Psych Bomb in one hand. "Please!"
"Peach, no!" Zelda exclaimed. She took the Psych Bomb and tossed it down one of the holes. Seconds later, there was a small explosion.
"Son of a Blooper!" Bandita exclaimed. "Why won't you die!" The air quickly filled with daggers, forcing Zelda to stay low. Lying on Peach while restraining her was more challenging than she had thought because of the lack of leverage.
"Peach," Zelda said in a gentler voice. "I'm here for you. There's nothing to be afraid of."
"Zelda? Is that you?" Peach said, still panicked and frightened.
"Yes, now tell me what's wrong?"
"They won't go away," Peach cried. "I can feel them inside me…tearing my soul apart…All I can see are the horrible things she did…I can't bare it!"
"Show me," Zelda said, closing her eyes and focusing.
The jungle was on fire. Spear Guys and a few stray Koopas were all running in the same direction, as if to escape something. All had a tribal motif. All were also terrified. They frequently glanced over their shoulders into the distance, while hopping over small patches of flaming bushes. Just behind them, a cloaked figure dashed through the foliage, paying little mind to the fire.
One Spear Guy tripped over a tree root. The other Spear Guys slowed only momentarily before continuing their sprint at full speed. In seconds there was a bloodcurdling scream echoing in the distance. Eventually, the Spear Guys began to see bloody masks scattered across the ground, along with a few fallen maskless Spear Guys lying face down, all with a few pools of blood beneath them. The supposed leader spoke an unknown language, commanding the others to form a circle and wait for their pursuer to show herself.
One of them gave a call, pointing to the cloaked figure mumbling to herself a short distance away. Though they could not see her face, she seemed to be whispering magic words. The pre-Shy Guys knew that such action would mean their doom. They pointed their spears and charged at her. She stood her ground, seeming to ignore them. Suddenly, a large lightning bolt blasted into their ranks, killing most of them in the process. The figure walked amongst their fallen bodies, glancing at them. One Spear Guy moaned and began to crawl away. The figure picked up a spear and held her foot on the Spear Guy. The Spear Guy cried for mercy. The figure heartlessly skewered him through the back of his head and walked on. Finding no more living Spear Guys, she sprinted off after the others.
There was a village of Toads, obviously in a different part of the world. It was reminiscent of Kakariko Village.Children were running about playfully. The adults went about their everyday business. Only a few guards, wearing some plate armor, stood at various important areas of the village, such as the bank, the courthouse, and the jailhouse. It was a peaceful, sunny place.
Suddenly, the sky turned fiery orange. Everyone stopped what they were doing to gaze into the sky. Their curious gazes soon turned to looks of fright as balls of fire rained onto the village. The first few were small and simply caused small fires on the roofs of the houses. Much bigger fireballs followed, destroying whole houses and creating small, blackened craters in the ground. Many people were killed in minutes. Survivors screamed in horror. Once the fire stopped raining down, the blazing village was eerily quiet, save a few pained moans.
A Toad boy, who was lucky enough to remain unharmed, raced to his home and found his mother's body covered in flames. His injured father, a guard, knelt crying before her. Then, he glared off into the distance. The Toad boy turned as well and saw a cloaked figure slowly walking into the village, surveying the damage. She did not notice the two survivors. The guard raised his sword with his good arm and ran at her, screaming the whole way. She quickly took notice. The Toad never got a chance to strike. His head plopped to the ground, leaving blood spurting out of his neck. The Toad boy stood with wide, teary eyes focused on the glowing, yellow sword that had slain his father. The sword had a ghostly aura. It appeared to be made of metal, liquid, and pure light all at once. The boy glanced once again at his mother's quickly disintegrating form and then at his father.
The cloaked figure took notice of the child, who was quickly approaching with a small plank of burning wood. The boy broke into a run and charged just as his father had. The figure voiced a warning that he would meet a similar end. The boy did not care, never slowing in his charge. In an instant, his life was ended as well.
The stars themselves were bombarding a vast city within a valley. The city was obviously in Easton, as could be told from the presence of numerous stone heads across the land. Most of the people had fled to the underground shelters where the heavens could not reach them. Despite their relative safety, they knew that today might be their last. The legends always spoke of a woman who could smite even the most powerful empires. So many great kingdoms and armies had fallen solely because of her. Now, it would be their turn.
The being known as the Wanderer walked through the ruins of the city. Survivors were thankful that she did not bother with them. Soon, she reached one of the entrances to the shelters. Several of the stone guards had already fallen from the onslaught. She moved past them and down the long, dark trail of stairs. A few brave guards attempted to strike her down, but they were all defeated. Eventually, she reached main shelter.
The crowds were too petrified to even scream. There were humans, a few Toads, Nokobons, Chichibos, Pokotokos, and Bunbuns. In the dark rooms and halls, what little of her skin that could be seen seemed to give off a haunting glow. Most frightening of all, however, were her shining blue eyes, which could only barely be seen under her hood. No one dared to approach her, except a few ultimately doomed guards. It became evident that she was going straight for the Emperor's quarters. Once she left the civilian halls, they heard nothing but battle cries and screams, none of which were hers. People prayed for the safety of their leader, for he had conquered so many lands and brought them so much. And yet, the deathly silence of the Emperor's quarters revealed to them the horrible truth. The Wanderer walked out, no longer opposed at all. People only stared at her bloodstained cloak with quiet sobs as she exited the shelters.
"I see," Zelda said, choosing to break off the telepathic connection. It had only been a couple seconds, yet she saw so much in such a short amount of time. "You can end their hold on you by calling on your Shining Star. It worked last time."
"Peach isn't in control anymore, Zelda," Peach spoke, with wide empty eyes. "Her soul is ours now."
"What! Get out!" Zelda yelled.
"Or else you'll what? Kill her? You can't hurt us. We're already dead. But if you want to break her little neck, we won't stand in your way."
"You fiends!" Zelda growled, almost forgetting to stay low. "You can't punish someone for what their parents may or may not have done. I won't let you."
"You can't trick us again like last time," Peach said, putting on an uncharacteristic grin.
"I don't think I need to," Zelda said, taking out the Star Piece and forcing her to swallow it. Peach coughed a bit.
"What was that supposed to do?" she said. "It was useless."
"This can't be…" Zelda said distraughtly. "I was sure it would work…"
"Well you thought wro…wron…" Peach lost her voice. Feeling the effects already, the ghosts made her push Zelda aside and attempt to stand up into the stream of daggers. Zelda tackled her and held her down. She managed to wrap her legs around Peach's neck, squeezing tightly, while locking Peach's legs into Zelda's arms. It was both a sleeper hold and a leg-lock. Eventually, Peach got dizzy and fainted. The ghosts all appeared around the two as Zelda released her. Inconveniently, the stream of blades had stopped.
"If we can't have her soul," King Boo said angrily, "we'll just have to clobber you both." Just then, Bandita and her band of Ninji hopped up through the hole.
"…Did we interrupt something?" Bandita asked nervously.
"Kinda," a Greaper said. "But I guess we could always have more punching bags."
"Hey, who's side are you on!" Bandita yelled. As the ghosts began to close in on them, Bandita fearfully muttered, "I wish Bolt were here."
