Chapter 4: Hang in There, Michelle!

After the Links got dressed and equipped their weapons, they met Falco and Fox at their doors. They re-briefed each other about the mission and started off towards the basement. But before they could take even three steps, the rest of the Smashers stopped them. Most of them looked confused, some afraid, some weren't even awake enough to know what was going on. Link explained to everyone what was going on and everybody began to understand.

"You mean Kimoru's back," shrieked Peach, making Bowser, who was standing right next to her, jump about two feet in the air and two feet away from her.

"Yes, Princess," groaned Bowser, rubbing his ear. "That's what the boy in the dress just said."

"It's a tunic, you freak," growled Link.

"Are we just going to stand here, or are we going to go save one of our fellow Smashers," cried out Marth.

"She is not one of us, Prince," growled Samus. "She's afraid of the pokémon, she can't handle a blaster, she can't even wear my armor!"

"Will you get over yourself already," screamed Link, half angry, half upset. "She helped us defeat the Phantom AND the Hands! She helped us when we needed her most! And now she needs our help!" Everyone turned and looked at him, shocked. They never saw Link get this angry with anybody, except for Ganondorf. "If you don't want to help us, fine! Just stay behind and be quiet!" Samus stood there stunned for a few moments. She removed her helmet, letting her blond hair fall over her shoulder. She looked at Link with apologetic green eyes.

"After that speech, I couldn't say no to you even if I wanted to," said Samus softly. She put her helmet back on and turned to the rest of the Smashers. "What are we just standing around here for!? We've got a fellow Smasher to save!!" Everyone got into an uproar of cheers and started heading for the basement. Samus looked back at Link and saw that he was looking at her. Through her helmet, she could see him mouth a "thank you" to her. She smiled and nodded back. The two of them started running after the Smashers to catch up.

"They're coming, Brother," laughed Crazy Hand.

"And not a minute too soon," grinned Master Hand. The two hands parted ways to let a cloaked figure walk up to the unconscious Michelle. He put a gloved hand on her cheek and grinned. He slowly slipped his hand off her face and walked to the north end of the platform, preparing the ritual. All of a sudden, he hears many footsteps. Loud, angry footsteps. Some big, some small, some metallic, some on all fours. He could then see them, the Smashers, running into the room. They all froze in place once they saw who was in the room. To the left, Crazy Hand. To the right, Master Hand. Dead Center-

"Giga Bowser," shrieked Peach. Bowser jumped again.

"Right in my ear, woman," Bowser roared. "Right in my ear!"

"None of you shall interfere with the ritual," boomed Giga Bowser.

"Ritual!? What ritual," screamed Zelda in question.

"The one that will regain and strengthen my powers," laughed the cloaked figure standing behind the unconscious Michelle. He removed his hood and revealed to everyone that he was-

"Kimoru," growled Fox, glaring daggers into Kimoru's eyes. Falco firmly gripped Fox's shoulder from behind to make sure his leader didn't do anything stupid. Just then, as Master and Crazy Hand and Giga Bowser were closing in on the Smashers, there was a bright flash of light, and when the light died down, both Kimoru and Michelle were glowing an eerie purple light. Michelle's facial expressions showed that she was in pain and weakening while Kimoru grew stronger, a sinister grin forming across his face. Link's face went from angry to worried, shocked, and scared at the same time. He started running towards Michelle, but Captain Falcon and Marth grabbed either arm, holding Link back with a strong grip.

"Let me go," cried out Link. "MICHELLE!!!"

"Link, get a hold of yourself," ordered Marth. "You could end up getting her and yourself killed if you interfere!" Link kept on struggling, but slowly gave up trying to get himself free, a hesitant look on his face. Marth looked at him worriedly, then glared at the three large figures approaching him and the rest of the group. He let Link go and drew his sword while everyone who had weapons got them ready, Zelda changing into Sheik.

"Attack," ordered Mario at the top of his lungs. All the Smashers charged at the Hands and Giga Bowser. The Smashers, after a while, got the three giant, evil ones on the defense until there was a bright flash of purple light. Everyone stopped to look at a now floating Kimoru, who was laughing maniacally and charging up two large blasts of dark energy in either hand, leering at the smashers with glowing purple eyes. Peach and Zelda gasped, the pokémon hid, and half of the guys looked at the phantom wide-eyed. Giga Bowser and the Hands started laughing.

"Yes," cried out Master Hand with glee. "The Phantom is back and more powerful than ever!"

"Now we can use him to take over Nintendoland," laughed Crazy Hand.

"On the contrary," started Kimoru, aiming the blasts at the Hands. "It is I who will rule Nintendoland!" He sent the two blasts at the Hands and they disappeared as they screamed out in agony. Giga Bowser ran towards Kimoru to contain him, but shared the same fate.

"You destroyed your own allies," Zelda started crying out, "just so you can rule Nintendoland by yourself!?"

"Yes, and because I am not a being to be controlled," stated Kimoru wickedly. "And my 'bride' shall be sharing their fate!"

"No," screamed Link, full of rage. He drew his sword and shield and darted at Kimoru, slicing at him like a madman.

"Focus, Link," shouted Fox. "Don't let your anger consume you!"

"You sound too much like Peppy, Fox," said Falco after putting a hand on his shoulder. He then looked at Link and cheered, "Kick his sorry butt!" The other smashers started cheering for him, too. The rest of the smashers started following Falco's lead as Link and Kimoru started a heated battle.