It seems I have abandoned my other work, haven't I? Eh heh heh heh…

Falco: This is still good, you know!

Zelda: Well, the chapters are still short…

Yeah…either long chapters and long updates, or medium-short to medium chapters and short updates…well, this chapter might be an exception, as the duo below shall tell you. XD

Pikachu: Zelda, do your thing!

Zelda: RoyalFanatic doesn't own us, but she does own this story.

Away, chapter 6, the aftermath of Zelda's death…and more… (Evil grin)

Three still live…and perhaps I can kill again. They may believe they're safe…but I can still get them…there is no safe haven in the mansion. Even the arenas are mine…and they shall die…

I will destroy the Blood Links…

Link and Young Link were both speechless. They merely stared at Zelda's body. How she could've been killed by merely being thrown off a roof was beyond them…unless she couldn't use her powers…

"Oh man! Oh man!" Popo and Roy ran up to the two Links'. Popo was the one talking; he sounded hysterical. "I'm so sorry! It's all my fault; there was a fire…and I grabbed Roy…and…and…"

"Calm down; it wasn't your fault," Link said. "This is a sign…the murderer's trying to tell us something…"

"Partners or groups are useless," Roy muttered. "We'll probably be killed…no matter what."

"We have to tell Master Hand," Link said. He turned back to Popo. "Remember, this was no one's fault. Come on." He picked up Zelda and the four ran to Master Hand's office.

Master Hand angrily banged his hand…well, himself…on his desk.

"We just lost two of the links!" he said angrily. He was mostly angry at himself for not being able to protect the smashers.

"What now?" Link asked. "And…what should I do with Zelda?"

"She's your sister, it's your choice," Master Hand replied. "As for what to do now…find information! We need to know who this murderer is! The mansion will be placed on lockdown; we need to know if the murderer is an outsider or one of us. Popo, you help Link and Young Link. Roy, you must watch yourself! We only have two of the links left!

"What about Luigi and Dr. Mario?" Roy asked.

"I do not wish to put Luigi in danger…we could have another Zelda incident…" Master Hand said. "But we have no choice. I shall speak with them." The four left the office. Master Hand turned on the P.A. system again. "Attention smashers! I have a few announcements.

"The murderer has struck again; Zelda has been killed. Actions will take place, and they are only for your safety. The mansion will be placed on lockdown; no one may leave or enter. This will help us confirm if the murderer is also a smasher. There will be a curfew; everyone must be in their rooms at 9:30 p.m. sharp, no exceptions. Also, I need Luigi and Dr. Mario in my office, now! That is all."

He turned the P.A. off and floated back to his desk. In what seemed like seconds, Dr. Mario barged into the office.

"What's wrong?" he asked, panting. He had run from his office two floors below.

"We lost two of the four remaining links in one blow," Master Hand replied. "It is very dangerous; past mistakes could be made again…yet I need you and Luigi to form a link."

"So we're making a link after all," Dr. Mario muttered.

"Indeed," Master Hand said. "Do you know where Luigi is?"

"The arenas, training," Dr. Mario said.

"What?" Master Hand "stared" at the doctor. "Is he alone? Who's with him?"

The Final Destination, also known as the "In Between Stage", for its connection to the smashers' world, and the fabled "real world". Below the platform where the smashers fight, in the direct center, was the core of the stage, the source of its energy and stability.

Luigi landed on his feet, near the center of the stage, observing the emptiness in front of him. He counted to three, turned, and threw the bob-omb in his hand; too bad Marth countered it away anyway. It flew off the stage and into the darkness below.

"Oh come on!" Luigi said, jumping backwards. "I had you and you know it!"

"You're too slow," Marth said, grinning.

"Yeah, well…" Luigi tried to think of a good comeback. That was when a pokeball landed by his feet. He picked it up. "Let's see how quick you are!"

Instead of throwing the ball, Luigi charged and unleashed his Green Missile attack. Marth sidestepped as Luigi passed him; then put his shield up as the pokeball almost smashed into his head. It opened to reveal a Venusaur.

With a cry of its name, the ground began shaking. The prince found himself constantly being flung into the air. After the Venusaur vanished, he pulled himself up, but was grabbed and thrown by Luigi. Using his double jump, he managed to grab hold of the edge.

That was when he noticed…

"Luigi, something's wrong…" he muttered. The green wearing plumber helped the prince onto the stage.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"The core…it is colored black…" Marth replied.

"Black?" Luigi asked.

Then the shaking began…

"Damnit, we have to get out of here!" Luigi cried. The shakings increased, however, and both warriors fell to their knees. Then Luigi let out another cry; the Final Destination was crumbling away. Soon enough, both stage and smashers followed the bob-omb into the darkness.

Half an hour later, Dr. Mario, Ganondorf, Roy, and Master Hand stared at the ruined site before them.

"What happened?" Ganondorf asked. "How did the Final Destination collapse?"

"The murderer, obviously," Master Hand replied. "And he's succeeded again."

"Master Hand!" Roy and Dr. Mario both cried.

"Think about it, who else could, or would want to, do this?" the glove asked. "They've been killed, and all is lost." Roy looked ready to cry.

"Not yet," a voice said. The four began looking around, but of course Roy was the one who found the source of the voice. His face was pale white, and a makeshift bandage was wrapped around his head. He obviously was hit hard, yet Marth still flashed a grin.

"Marth! You're alive!" Roy cried, giving his brother a hug.

"How about Luigi?" Dr. Mario asked. The grin faded, replaced with a serious look.

"This way," Marth replied. Expecting the worse, the others followed. They were met with a surprise…

Ten hours later, in the infirmary, Luigi finally managed to open his eyes.

"Welcome back to the living!" Dr. Mario said. "Did you sleep well?"

"What happened?" Luigi asked, as the memories of the Final Destination slowly came back to him.

"Bruised ribs, broken ankle, small concussion," the doc replied. "Also, you shouldn't move your right arm for a while, okay? No battle for a week or so."

"Did the Final Destination fall?" Luigi asked.

"Sure did," Dr. Mario replied. "The murderer struck again, yet both you and Marth managed to survive. Got hit on the head hard, but he didn't fall unconscious. If he had, I'm sure neither of you would be alive right now."

"That was too close a call," Luigi muttered. Dr. Mario nodded.

"I completely agree."

Curse their luck! They should've died…both of them! How dare they still live! If they are so hard of targets, or rather, so lucky, then perhaps…well, I shall see…

No matter what happens…I will succeed…

For now…once again, three shall die another day.

Marth: Too close!

Luigi: This chapter is the same amount of pages as chapters on most of her other fics. Interesting.

Marth: Well, she did say there would be some exceptions to the shortness.

Luigi: I suppose. But wait…if we're the ones with the close call…does that mean?

Marth: We shall see. Review!