Chapter 13: Nightmares

The Smashers had set up camp on the beach that Link had lost consciousness on. The Melee Master watched over Link carefully only leaving his side once or twice. They considered moving but most of the Smashers were still beat up from facing their invisible foes. The Smashers had gathered around The Melee Master as per instructions.

The Melee Master faced the Smashers seriously. "It has begun." He sighed not exactly relived. "The takeover. At this rate he will last at the most another day. I believe that we may be unable to find and kill Dark Link so I will say this here and now. I will most likely be unable to slay Link. I need someone else to do it." with that Kirby's stubby arm and Pikachu's paw shot up into the air. Everyone shot them a glare of utter disgust. The Melee Master however felt relived. "There is also something else." his head turned to Samus. "Did we find those Smash Shards?"

"No," She replied. "Must be like the clones the shards were invisible, and unlike the clones they were undetectable."

"Which brings me to my next concern." He sighed. "I think that we may be attacked by several clones tonight. From what little I can remember of Master Hand it isn't beyond him."

Everyone left to prepare themselves incase of an attack. Some of the Smashers started to dig pitfalls, while others chopped down some trees and prepared various weapons and other traps. They had determined to take shifts in the night watch. When everyone had nearly fallen asleep Ness shouted out.

"Get up!" Ness shouted. "They're here!"

"How many?" Pikachu asked.

"39!" Ness anounced. "No wait... 53!"

"53?!" Everyone said in shock.

"That has got to be overkill!" Zelda muttered. "53 to retrieve two smash shards?"

The Melee Master was listening through a barrier he created to protect Link. He began to think as to why Master Hand would send that many. "No this has to be for a lot more than just those two invisible shards. With 53 clones he would want all of the Smashers to fight to gather data on their fighting styles for future clones that is if Samus' theory is correct. Perhaps they also have an ulterior motive, but the only thing that would require an attack force this big was if Link was fully taken over."

"No!" Link moaned having regained consciousness. "They might also be after all of the Smash Shards that we have also. But I think it might be Dark Link who prepared this attack, not Master Hand. I can sense it, he knows I've strangely grown weaker and been affected faster. He wants to guarantee that no force can kill me."

"Is it possible that Dark Link is working with Master Hand?"

"I think so." Link looked up noticing that a few clones had all ready fallen into the prepared traps. "I should join them." Link said grabbing his bow and arrows. The Melee Master however stopped him.

"Don't!" He ordered. "They should be able to take care of the clones."

"I'm sorry," Link replied walking out of the barrier.

Outside everyone was fighting against the 53 clones. The traps had destroyed about 10 of the clones. Everyone however began to run away from a giant Yoshi and Giant DK clone that were inexplicably berserk and were destroying their own team mates.

"They are like empty hollow shells," Ness commented using his hands to basically control them like puppets. When all of the clones were destroyed Ness forced the two remaining clones to kill each other off.

In the shadows someone raised their hand, and all 53 Smash Shards went flying to that person. In his fist a Smash Crystal was born. Everyone looked but he was concealed by the shadows. He then began to clap. "You did well," he laughed stepping out onto the moon lit beach. His dark body armor glistened in the moon light and his cape fluttered in the wind. On his back was a large sword, one that would weigh about 150 pounds. On his forehead was a jewel that also glistened.

"Are you a clone as well?" Zelda asked confused. "Or are you the real one?"

"He's definitely the real Ganondorf." Samus replied. "I've been unable to find any traces of the Smash Crystal in him."

As those words left Samus' mouth a light arrow flew past Ganondorf's head. Link stood against a tree with his bow in hand gasping for air.

"Ganondorf, are you working for Dark Link?" Link asked.

Ganondorf floated down in front of Link. "Wouldn't you like to know." With that he punched Link in the abdomen. Link quickly fell unconscious. Ganondorf grabbed the falling Link and then flew off into the air however all ready waiting to intercept him was The Melee Master.

"Put Link down on the ground!" The Melee Master ordered while pointing the N-Sword at Ganondorf's head. Ganondorf however just began to laugh hysterically. "What's so funny?"

"You challenged me during the night," Ganondorf laughed. "And that will be your undoing!" Out of nowhere several lances pierced The Melee Master while Ganondorf disappeared in front of him.

In shock The Melee Master fell down. Everyone rushed to his aid. "Damn it!" He shouted frustrated. "Don't worry about me!"

"Says the guy who has 10 lances sticking out of his body." Roy replied sarcastically.

"Link, you have to find Link!" He pleaded.

"You should be our first priority!" Peach said trying to reason with him.

"Link has the bag with the Smash Shards in them." The Melee Master blurted out. "I'll be fine, I'm immortal! Besides we either have to find a way to save him or kill him."

"But we don't even know where they went!" Zelda replied.

The Melee Master lifted up the N-Sword and pointed it at where Ganondorf disappeared. There a gate that looked like it was made out of the shadows and gas was created. "I'll catch up," He promised. "The gate probably won't lead you directly to Dark Link's layer. He probably thought that something like this would happen." he reached for the first lance and pulled it out wincing in pain. "Go you don't want to be near me when I pull the last one out." At those words the Smashers glanced at the lance that was implanted in an unpleasant area, which they assumed, was what he was referring to when he said the last one. However the Smashers attention was quickly grasped by the hole that the Melee Master had through his abdomen instantly healed. "Why aren't you going?" He asked.

"Well perhaps you didn't notice but we really can't fly!" Marth replied pointing to the gate that was suspended 10 meters in the air.

"Oh," he replied, he then raised his hand. Magically the gate moved downwards onto the ground and the Smashers walked through it.

To be continued...