Chapter 25

Fionie

The Dark Daughter revelled in her new-found abilities. She had, quite at random, discovered that she could attack using darkness. She could form weapons with darkness and dark energy, throw it as energy balls, fire it as a beam, and even cast magic that Pent called 'Elder Magic'. Vincent, too, had begun to use light. In fact, using this light had changed him. He had become more gentle, and more compassionate. He was more caring, and polite. Luigi simply smiled knowingly when Fionie told him about this, but Lakitu hadn't been so pleased. Curious as to why, Fionie decided to eavesdrop on Lakitu and Luigi while they talked, standing by the door of the room they were in. She used a new trick she had learned recently, and sent a tiny patch of darkness into the room. Then, she sent her hearing into it, effectively making it a listening device.

"Alarming." Was the first thing she heard. It was Lakitu who had spoken.

"Maybe. But, maybe not." Luigi.

"Perhaps you're right. But, I'm still concerned."

"Understandable."

"If light magic, the supposed magic of 'good', changed Vincent like that, then what would dark magic do to Fionie? The so-called magic of 'evil'? Would it have a similar effect as Vincent, because it is magic, and the type doesn't matter? Or would it do the opposite, being of opposing alignment?" He sounded very concerned.

"There's no way we can tell right now." Luigi sighed. "Fionie doesn't seem to have changed, yet. We'll just have to watch carefully."

"Yes, but if she does turn-" Fionie stopped listening then. Her breath was coming gasps, her head was spinning, and she had fallen to her knees. What Lakitu and Luigi had just suggested terrified her. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed likely. Since learning how to use darkness, she had been having urges to use it on people, to test it's power. She found she cared less about Vincent and Connie, and more about practising her skills. Was she really turning evil?

"Silly girl." A voice murmured beside her. Fionie turned her head to see Majora. "Just keep doing what you're doing. We'll take care of you. We won't let you turn evil." Yet, even he seemed concerned. "Of course, we're all worried about you turning, but we'll do everything we can to prevent that happening. Just continue as normal."

"But... how can I? Knowing what could happen?"

"Because you're not supposed to know." Majora grinned. "Of course, I could always lower the shield on that patch of darkness in the room, so Lakitu will sense it. That way, you could refuse to train, and he'll know precisely why."

"No!"

"Of course, he'll be really angry that you spied on him. And even angrier that one of the New Heroes won't train any more, for fear of becoming evil."

"No, please! I-I'll keep training, okay? Just... don't tell Lakitu about this!"

"Of course not, dear." Majora chuckled. "I won't tell him. I can't guarantee he won't fnd out, though. In fact, he'll find out any second now unless you remove that darkness."

"Oh!" Fionie gasped, quickly calling the darkness back to her. A tiny circle zipped along the floor, and disappeared under buttocks, before crawling up to her chest, where it faded out of sight. Majora stared at this with keen interest. "I'll... I'll see you later, Majora." She hopped to her feet and ran toward her rooms. Majora stared after her, ensuring that she had gone, then marched into the room.

Majora

"Lakitu, you know where Fionie gets her darkness, don't you?" He asked as he entered.

"Hm?" Neither Lakitu or Luigi were startled by his entrance. "From around her, right?" Lakitu replied.

"No." Majora shook his head. "I just saw her use some. It comes from her heart."

"WHAT?!!?" Lakitu howled. "It... her heart? Majora, are you...? Does it really...?" He was lost for words.

"I'm sorry, Lakitu. I know that leaves only two possibilities, but it's the truth."

"What possibilities?" Luigi asked.

"One..." Lakitu, who had gathered his thoughts now, replied. "She will be fine. By using the darkness in her own heart, she will stay as evil as she originally was. Excess darkness gained between times of use would be removed, with only the original darkness returning."

"And two?"

"Each time the darkness returns, it could poison her heart further. I say poison... affect, alter, or change, would be better words to use. Every time she uses her darkness, her heart and mind will grow darker, because it will be like gaining a new darkness each time."

"So, she would turn more and more evil every time?"

"Yeah." Lakitu sighed. "Unfortunately, there's not really any way to tell how evil someone is until it gets to the point of no return."

"That's-!"

"Wrong!" A sweet voice said. The three jumped, gasped, and span around. Adi stood nearby, looking furious. "Wrong, wrong, wrong!!"

"A...Adi..." Majora began.

"Fionie is not evil! She's not!"

"Adi, this is something that-"

"Wrong!" Adi snapped again. "You're all wrong! Fionie would never turn evil!" Tears of rage were in her eyes, and her normally pale face was flushed with anger. "Just because she's dark, it doesn't mean she's bad!!"

"That-!" Lakitu gasped. "Adi, my dear, you're brilliant!!" He cried. All of Adi's anger disappeared, and she stared at Lakitu in confusion. Luigi and Majora sported similar looks. "Darkness and evil are not the same thing, after all. In my many years, I had almost forgotten that! Of course, most beings of darkness are evil, but not all. Fionie was made dark by Fate and Destiny. Her Mask, also dark, was created by Fate and Destiny. They would not make a Hero who would turn evil. I would have been able to get that out of them if they had." The two were still mildly confused. "Fionie will be fine. You said yourself, Luigi, that she will have perfect control over darkness, only gaining more power as she trains. Well, that control would surely extend to keeping it within, and not being overcome by the evil that often accompanies it."

"Ahh..." The pair sighed in realisation.

Fionie

However, Fionie was still worried. In the following weeks, it began to show, and Luigi saw it straight away. One day, he took her to one side after their afternoon training session to speak with her.

"So, what's wrong, Fionie?" He asked.

"Hm? Nothing. Nothing's wrong. What makes you think that?"

"Do I have to point it out? You've all but stopped using your dark energy. At first, you were really excited, and practised as much as you could. Now you practise as little as possible. Tell me something's not wrong."

"Something's not wrong." Fionie replied immediately. "Honest."

"Tell me the truth, Fionie. I'll find out sooner or later. One way or another." He stared intently at her. "You know I learn everything there is to know about the New Heroes."

"Ohh..." Fionie sighed. "Al...alright. It's just..." She thought quickly. She couldn't tell Luigi that she'd overheard him and Lakitu. "Every time I use my dark energy, it feels... like I'm turning darker. Sometimes I wanna use my energy on people just to see how strong it is. I'm not as bothered about Vincent and Connie as I used to be, and-"

"That's quite enough." Luigi cut in. "You're worrying about nothing."

"But... I'm turning more and more dark! I'm turning ev-"

"No, you're not. There's a difference between 'dark' and 'evil', you know. You don't need to worry about a thing."

"But, what about me wanting to hurt people? Or me not caring about my own boyfriend?"

"Stuff happens. It's part of being mortal. Even I find myself not caring about Daisy occasionally. I find myself wanting to try out my strength on random people. All mortals experience such things at some point in their lives. It's normal."

"But... because I'm darkness, it means..."

"That you're dark. Not evil. There is a difference, Fionie. People of dark alignment can be good. Look at Ganondorf. He's good now, right?"

"Yeah..."

"And he was once known as the King of Evil, and the Lord of Darkness, or something similar. If you like, I could get Lakitu to talk to you. He's got a knack for making people feel better about things."

"Uhm... no, no... I'll be okay." Fionie tried to assure Luigi. The Hero Guide wasn't convinced.

"Go take a rest in your room, Fionie. I'll have someone bring you lunch."

"... 'kay."

--

A few hours later, a knock came at Fionie's room door.

That'll be a Mushroom Person with my meal. Fionie thought with a sigh. She pulled herself off her bed, and walked toward the door, tugging it open. She had only been half right. Someone had brought her meal, but it wasn't a Mushroom Person. It was Lakitu.

"Evening." The tortoise greeted her.

"Good... evening." She replied, startled. Seeing Lakitu carrying a tray of food was not something she had expected to see, ever.

"Your meal, Dark Daughter." He lifted the tray a little. "May I come in?"

"S...sure..." Fionie stepped aside, and Lakitu floated into the room. He set the tray down on her bedside table, then turned to face the girl who had just closed her door.

"So, I hear you've been getting quite concerned with the darkness in your heart. And you've also been using that same darkness to eavesdrop on people."

"Eaves...?" Fionie frowned, then gasped. Lakitu knew that she had listened in on them.

"Of course, you were probably just practising your skill. You couldn't have known that a very serious conversation about you just happened to be occuring in that room, right?" He had an odd smirk on his face. He clearly knew why she had listened. "Fionie, the Dark Daughter. The Daughter of Darkness."

"Um, I-"

"Shush. Relax." He smiled in usual gentle manner. "Every time you use dark energy, you feel your heart getting darker. You find that there are times when you don't care about Vincent. You stop caring about Connie on occasion. You want to attack random people, to see how strong your dark energy is, to see what you can do. Right?"

"Y-yeah." She stared at the floor, feeling ashamed. When Lakitu pointed things out, it seemed worse than when you realised them yourself.

"What an awful shame. So awful. Terrible, in fact." Fionie could feel herself about to cry. "Absolutely horrible that even the Dark Daughter can fall victim to Mortal Dillema." The strange term stopped Fionie's tears, and she looked up at the orange tortoise. He was smiling in his usual way.

"Mortal... what?"

"Mortal Dillema. Occasions when a mortal finds themselves doing the opposite of what they'd like, or what they think is right. When someone is in love, and they either hate or don't care about their partner. When someone believes in defending the innocent, and they end up wanting to attack them. When someone feels as though they should take care of someone, but then wants to stay away from them. Mortal Dillema. Doing the opposite of what you want, or feel is right."

"You say that, but... my heart is getting darker every time I use the dark energy."

"And Vincent's heart is getting lighter every time he uses light energy. Is he becoming a little goody-two-shoes?"

"He's become more polite, and more gentle."

"And you've become more angry, and more violent."

"That's not a good thing, though."

"Depends on the situation. All you've done is gained more of something you didn't have much of in the first place."

"Huh?"

"If a person can't get angry and violent, they tend to get walked over by everyone. They'd become a doormat. Hardly a suitable personality for a Hero, wouldn't you agree? Conversely, being impolite and violent isn't much good for a Hero, either." His smile widened. "So, you and Vincent are gaining personality traits that you lack to be a good Hero."

"Gaining..." Fionie stared at him. "Personality traits?"

"Certainly. Do you really think you could stand up to Eo and his army if you weren't capable of getting angry or being violent? Likewise, could Vincent defend others if he wasn't a gentle person?"

"I... guess not."

"So, you're just getting enough darkness to do what you need to do."

"You're right."

"And besides, if you were evil at all, why would the Master Sword choose you as its' wielder?"

"Yeah!" Fionie realised with a gasp. "It wouldn't, would it?"

"Precisely." Lakitu grinned. "Enjoy your meal, my dear." He turned to the meal, cast a quick spell which heated the meal up, then floated toward the door. Fionie opened it to let him out.

"Thank you, Lakitu."

"Any time, Fionie." The tortoise exited the room, and Fionie closed the door. A relieved smile spread across her face as a happy sigh escaped her lips. Fionie picked up Umbra, smiling widely.

Hello, Umbra. She said to her beloved Mask. The one thing she hadn't stopped caring about.

Hello, Master. I see your heart has lifted.

Yeah, it has... Another happy sigh. I was just worried about nothing, huh?

You were indeed, Master. Embrace your darkness, Master, as it is part of who you are. Your own darkness will never steer you wrong.

I know that now. She hugged the Mask. I love you, Umbra.

And I you, Fionie. The Mask replied. Luigi had been right. Lakitu really did have a knack for making people feel better.

Vincent

The Son of Light smiled happily at his Mask. He hadn't really realised it before, he cared alot for Aurora. Of course, he'd always known on some level, but recently he had seen just how much he cared. Aurora meant alot to him. More, he realised with sadness, than his own girlfriend.

Only because I am a part of you. Aurora murmured. And because I am still relatively new. Soon you will adapt to me as a part of you, and have greater love for something that isn't a part of you. Your love for Fionie will grow beyond anything you can understand right now.

I hope so. Vincent sighed. As much as I love you, Aurora, I love Fionie, too. I don't think it's fair on her for me to care more about you.

It isn't, you're right. Don't worry, it will happen. The Mask seemed to smile. You realise where this care and compassion comes from, don't you?

I do. Vincent nodded. My light energy. It's almost like it's purifying me, and making me kinder.

Correct.

But then, the same would be happening to Fionie, only opposite, right?

In a sense, Vincent. Only as much as needs to happen, though. Umbra would never allow Fionie to be consumed by darkness.

I guess, but still.

You still worry. That's understandable.

I've got a bad feeling, Aurora.

Bad feeling? A frown seemed to appear on the Mask. What bad feeling?

I don't know. I can't describe. I think something bad's gonna happen to Fionie. I can't put my finger on it. There's just... something telling me.

You should leave such concerns to the Cloud-Rider and the White Witch.

I think I'll have to tell them about it.

There is no need. Surely they would know already. Why waste their time with information they already have?

I guess... they're super-smart, after all. Yeah, they gotta know already. And, they'll be trying to do something about it.

Precisely. Aurora sighed. Speak with me, Vincent. I want a normal conversation. Tell me how your day was. Tell me what your plans are with Fionie. Anything. I tire of constantly talking about fighting evil.

Siure thing. Vincent grinned, and laid down on his bed, placing Aurora on his face. Let's talk.

Pent

The Rune Mage stared at the girl sat besides him, a smile spreading across his face. Rune, the girl in question, glanced quizically at him, cocking her head to one side. Pent's smile widened, drawing a smile from Rune. He beckoned her closer, slipping his arm around her waist as she shuffled toward him. She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes as she sighed dreamily.

"I love you, Pent." She whispered. Pent kissed her hair, revelling in hearing those words.

"I love you too, Rune." He replied, hugging her tighter. Rune shuffled her position, wrapping her arms around his chest.

"You won't leave me, will you?" An odd sense of pleading tinted her voice.

"Never, Rune. Never."

"Even if I'm bad?"

"Even if you're bad, Rune. Though I doubt we'll get the chance to find that out."

"Why?"

"Because you're such a good girl. You can't possibly be bad."

"You're just saying that." Yes, she squeezed him tighter and her smile became a radiant beam.

"And I'll keep saying it until you believe me." The two shared a kiss, then held each other for a long while, enjoying each other's company. Yet, as they sat in an embrace, something entered Pent's mind. Someone entered Pent's mind. A someone he hadn't really taken the time to get to know. But now this person almost filled his thoughts completely. This person was Connie.

Connie

The Twilight Angel still had thoughts of that mysterious stranger in her mind. She had tried, to no avail, to push that stranger from her thoughts. No matter what, the stranger continued to sit at the very front of her mind. She wanted to meet this stranger. She wanted to know who he or she was. She wanted to be held in that persons' arms, to be with them, to be happy wth them. To be kissed by them. Those urges and desires were what proved to her that she was in love. She had spoken at great length about this with Kaishin. At first, he had said that maybe she was just extremely curious. That had settled her down for a while. Maybe she was simply morbidly curious as to who this person was? But as time wore on, she started wanting to be held and kissed by them. Kaishin had only one explanation for this. Connie hugged herself tightly, trying to imagine that her arms were the strangers'. She wished with all her might that the stranger would come to see her again. Then, someone did in fact appear in her room. A young girl, shorter even than her. Her hair was grey, and her face was brilliantly smooth, and almost glowing, as her cheeks burned with a bright blush. She was biting her lip, staring at Connie with a sense of yearning. Staring with her pretty silver eyes. Those eyes. Exactly the same as the eye that Connie had seen behind her door. It was as if Connie's wishes had been heard and answered. This tiny girl was the stranger who Connie had fallen in love with.

"We... we meet again, Connie." She said breathlessly. Her breathing was coming short and fast.

"Who... who are you?" Connie asked. She remembered asking this person that same question before.

"I... am Isabel." The girl told her.

"Isabel? Eo's puppet?" Connie gasped.

"Y... yes. I mean, no. I mean..." Isabel shook her head. "I was. Not any more. I, uh... I thought about it. I realised that I was being tricked. I can't be on his side any more. Especially... especially when he's your enemy, Connie."

"What do you mean?" Though, Connie felt like she knew what was coming.

"I... I don't want to have to fight you..." She started finger the hem of her white sleeveless shirt, and stared down at the floor. "I'd feel awful if I did... I... I-I... I love you, Connie. I can't stop thinking about you. I'd... understand if you... if you're not like that, but... I can't help it. I love you so much." She occasionally glanced upwards to look at Connie. "I just wanted to say that, that's all. I just wanted to tell you. I'll... go now... if you wa-" She didn't get to finish her sentence, as Connie leapt to her feet, throwing herself at Isabel, wrapping her arms tightly around her tiny frame.

"Don't go, Isabel." She whispered in the girls' ear. "Don't go. Stay. Stay with me. I love you, too."

"You...!" Isabel gasped. Then she gasped again, but in delight. "Connie!" She returned the embrace with as much strength as her thin arms could manage. "Connie!" She started to weep. The two girls held each other for a long while, feeling great joy in being able to hold the other in their arms, to be able to feel the others' warmth. After that eternity, the two pulled apart, and stared at each with huge smiles. "You are beautiful, Connie." Isabel sighed, reaching a hand to touch Connie's face.

"You are, too, Isabel." Connie breathed. "So beautiful." And before either girl could think of another word to say to each other, their lips met in sheer love and passion.

--

A certain tortoise hovered outside the door to Connie's room, smiling to himself.

"I guess I wasted my time, coming to warn Connie." He sighed. "To think, Isabel's feelings grew so quickly, and became so strong." He turned to the large, wolf-like creature besides him. "Are you alright with this?"

"It's her wish." The creature replied. "I will follow my Princess wherever she goes."

"Then, everything's fine. I assume you'll be coming to us, now?"

"No." The creature smiled. "Isabel decided to stay with Eo, but work from within to bring him down."

"Double agent, I see." The tortoise grinned. "Nonetheless, you are on our side?"

"We are."

"I'm glad you worked out who Eo really is."

"As am I." The creature sighed. "It was only when Isabel suggested calling herself the Evil One to scare her enemies that I started to suspect. She found it odd, too. So, we decided to investigate a little."

"I guess your bond was stronger than Eo's hold after all."

"You talk like you planned this all along, Lakitu." The creature said, then glared at him. "Did you? Did you plan this?" Lakitu chuckled.

"That, my dear Taken, would be telling." Then, Lakitu teleported away.

Epilogue

The New Heroes stood at the main door of Sarasa Castle, staring out over the fields ahead of them. Their goal seemed so simple. Head to Top Side, and defeat Eo once and for all. But, all four New Heroes, and their companions, knew that it wouldn't be so easy. Eo surely had some tricks ready for them. They turned to look at their Guide, who was smiling at them like a proud parent. Besides him stood his wife, and the Heroes' parents. The New Heroes had been training for a few months now, and their Guide had now declared them ready. Eo was finally beginning to get serious with his attacks, forcing the Old Heroes to work ever harder, coming close to death on occasion. The New Heroes had no choice but to move now, and stop Eo before it was too late. There was no turning back; the only way was forward. They all knew this. Fionie gripped Vincent's hand tightly, and trembled in both anticipation and fear. Rune clinged to Pent, fearing for his safet. Connie stared blankly ahead of her, wishing she could be with Isabel again. The four Bora companions stood before each of the New Heroes. The Boras had grown considerably in the past months; they now stood at the exact same height as the New Heroes. They were examining their companions, ensuring they had all that they needed. Vincent was armed with all of the weapons that his father had provided him with, as well as a sword from his uncle. Fionie had her fathers' former weapon; the legendary Master Sword, along with the items her father had given her. Pent had all his tomes, and a magical extending staff from his mother. Connie was the only New Hero with no weapons, as she fought with her fists and feet. Instead, her parents had given her special gloves, with metal over the knuckles and along the back of the hand, and special boots with metal plates, to give her extra power in combat. Satisfied that their companions were fully equipped with both weapons and food provisions, the four great birds took to the air, and circled slowly above. This was the New Heroes' cue to depart. However, it was not so easy. All four New Heroes turned and ran to their parents, sadness staining their faces, and gave a tearful farewell, while Rune wished Lakitu and Adi a fond farewell. Then, the five of them walked toward the horizon, making their way to Top Side, and Eo.

To be continued...

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And that's it. LoZaP 3 is finished. It took me a while to finish off these last couple of chapters because I've made a start on LoZaP 4, and as I've mentioned several times, starting a story is the hardest part for me. I've still yet to think of a title for LoZaP 4, but for now it's got the working title of 'Partners and Enemies'. I might change it at some point. Oh, and sorry if any recent chapters have been riddled with mistakes and spelling errors. I've only been able to find any inspiration late at night, when I'm really tired, so I can't type as well as normal. As you can see, this story actually has less chapters than the first one. Size-wise, it's alot bigger (100KB bigger), but it has one less chapter, and no preview. I failed my 27 chapter target T_T. Sorry if the ending isn't as good as the others, but this was the best place to end it. If I didn't end it quickly, it would've just dragged on into boring filler and a load of crap that you'd soon get bored with. I had to end it where I did so I could move the story to its' next arc.

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LoZaP 4 will be coming just as soon as I finish off the current chapter. Hopefully some time next week. As for LoZaP 5... still in the thinking process, at the moment. I'll have to see how LoZaP 4 goes first. The two stories might end up becoming one story. It all depends on how LoZaP 4 works out.

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So, I'll see you guys in LoZaP 4.

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