Thanks for the reviews!

Enjoy!


What Lies In the Dark

Chapter 9


I can't be late…

Fox gripped tighter to the book, as his panting grew heavier. He sprinted out the back door of the mansion, and hurried down the pathway leading to the tournament building. Zelda had spotted Ganondorf in this direction. He must hurry if he wants to locate him, before the Gerudo decides to run once more.

The sun was slowly setting in the distance, casting a pinkish red color in the sky. The temperatures were dropping steadily, and pretty soon the mansion was going to go into another one of its panic phases. Fox slowed his pace, as he crossed the long sturdy bridge, that stretched over the lake.

The tournament building was now in perfect view.

Fox lifted his head, searching the area closely. The dome shaped building sat in front of him, silent and dark. Only a few search lights were on, shining on the building. Ever since the tournament had ended, this side of the campus had been closed down, but smashers were free to roam. Ganondorf isn't able to go inside the building, which meant he was hiding outside. He was probably watching Fox, at this very moment.

The thought caused the smasher's heart to pick up pace. His throat went dry, and his hands trembled. Fox held tightly to the book, making sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands again. The silence that surrounded Fox didn't help him, as he continued to walk closer to the abandoned building. He wanted to turn and run back, but he wanted to find Ganondorf. Even if Ganondorf was the murderer, he had nothing to worry about, for it wasn't his time to go.

Once Fox had finally left the small woods the path runs through, he felt his nerves calm down. He stood on the rocky road, right in front of the large dome shape building. Fox bit his lip, as he searched the area with his eyes. Everything around him was still, and silent. It was unbearable.

The old broken down truck that a group of smashers had graffiti, on the last day of the tournament, still sat in front of the building. Everyone's signatures were still marked on the truck, including Falco's. Fox chuckled at the sight of the truck, but his calm feeling abruptly vanished once he heard footsteps coming from his right.

Fox jumped to the side, and pulled out his laser gun, as he searched the darkness from where the noise came from. As the footsteps grew louder heading in his direction, Fox immediately pointed his laser gun. The book fell to the ground the instant Fox clutched his gun. His arms shook, as he took uneasy steps back. A short figure appeared from inside the darkness, as it walked closer, almost stepping into the light.

" Get back or I'll shoot!" Fox closed one eye, just about fire when the figure appeared in the light.

" Wait Fox!" A young familiar and friendly voice appeared, causing Fox to lower his weapon.

Fox squinted, and sighed with relief at Young Link, who stood in front of him. " Young Link? What are you doing here?"

Young Link's widened blue eyes finally calmed down, once Fox dropped his weapon to his side. Young Link frowned, and lowered his head, looking down at the ground, refusing to look at Fox. " I was just…taking a walk."

" You scared me…" Fox stated, holding his chest.

Young Link lifted his head. " Really? I didn't mean too." He explained. " I was just…"

" Are you still upset about Link's death?" Fox questioned, as he bent down picking up the book.

Young Link held his arm, nodding. " Yes…"

Fox sighed putting his laser gun away, walking up to the young Hylian. Some smashers just can't get over certain death's, especially Young Link. He was only ten years old, and already lost his older brother. Fox knew what he was going through; Falco was considered like an older brother to him. They both had lost someone they cared about, but for younger kids, it takes longer to move on from the pain.

" Why are you here, Fox?" Young Link asked, looking up at the older smasher.

" I was looking for--"

"--Fox, look out!" Young Link's eyes widened as he abruptly pointed to something behind Fox.

Fox immediately spun around, only to find a hand violently hit him in the chest. Fox grunted as he fell, landing hard on his back. The book flew back toward the frightened Young Link, who turned about to run.

The smasher easily recovered from the blow and jumped back to his feet, grabbing his laser gun. He was about to fire, but was surprised to find that it was Ganondorf. The tall Gerudo stood in front of Fox, his crimsons eyes glaring down at the smasher.

" What the hell are you doing here?" Ganondorf questioned. " Why do you keep following me?"

Fox stood up straight, lowering his weapon to his side. " I want to know the truth, Ganondorf." He demanded.

" The truth about what?" Ganondorf crossed his arms, his red eyebrows arched in fury.

" You know who the murderer is." Fox explained.

Ganondorf stayed silent, as he continued to stare down at the young fox. He sighed deeply, as his eyes rose to the young elf in the back. Young Link's eyes widened as he picked up the book, running next to Fox.

" You know who the murderer is?"

" I didn't say, I did." Ganondorf replied bluntly.

" It's obvious you do, but you're protecting them." Fox explained. " Or maybe Roy was right…maybe you are the murderer."

Young Link frowned, as he steadily stepped back from the Gerudo. Ganondorf frowned, and shook his head, turning around. He was about to walk off, but Fox stepped forward, confronting him once more. He wasn't going to let Ganondorf run. He was tired of playing games. He wanted answers and wanted them now.

" Why are you running? Is it seriously that big of a deal?"

Ganondorf suddenly stopped. He lowered his head, looking down at the ground. " Leave me alone…it's too late to save me…"

Fox's eyes widened.

Save him? Was Ganondorf…going to die?

" Ganondorf! Don't move!"

Fox and Young Link both turned their attention to Master Hand who soared out from within the woods. Zelda, Marth and Captain Falcon all followed him, as he flew up in front of Ganondorf.

" You better come back to the mansion, now." Master Hand ordered.

Fox raised eyes his perplexed. Marth and Zelda walked over to Fox and Young Link, explaining to them that they had told Master Hand everything that had happened. They told him that Ganondorf might be the murderer, and now the Gerudo is going to be questioned.

" I don't want to go anywhere." Ganondorf explained.

" You have no choice." Master Hand replied. " I want you in my office. You are accused of killing the smashers and I want you for questioning."

Ganondorf reluctantly gave in, and turned walking back down the path. Master Hand and Captain Falcon followed closely behind, making sure the Gerudo doesn't flee again. Fox watched as the rest of the smashers steadily followed. It seems that none of them noticed the look that Ganondorf had gave.

Fox saw it clearly.

Before the group disappeared heading down the pathway, Ganondorf looked over his shoulder back at Fox. Instead of the angered look he usually gave, this time he held a different expression. He seemed distraught, and in his eyes was forgiveness and plea. It was an emotion, Fox never knew Ganondorf had.

Young Link looked up at Fox, and handed him back his book. Fox frowned and took the book from him, turning his attention to the group crossing the bridge.

" Is Ganondorf really the murderer?" Young Link questioned softly.

Fox looked down at the book. He remembered that Luigi was next on the murderer's hit list. He had already sent Roy to save Luigi from the destined death, but if Ganondorf was the murderer, why would he be at the tournament building? It didn't make sense. What if Ganondorf was refusing to name the murderer, to save himself? Or possibly another smasher?

Fox looked down at Young Link and shook his head disappointed. " No…." He lifted his head looking back at the mansion. " He's…not…"


Roy pushed his way through the crowd of smashers blocking the hallway, as he stormed his way upstairs to the second floor of the mansion. He had just gotten a message from Princess Zelda, that another smasher was going to be killed. It was up to him to prevent this from happening. Luckily, Fox had read ahead in the book, and had given the exact location and name of who was next.

Luigi. The attic balcony.

There were four floors to the mansion, and the attic balcony was on the top. The third floor of the mansion was filled with all of the extra rooms, and was closed off during this tournament. Somehow, Luigi found a way to get through the locked doors and headed all of the way up to the attic.

Roy continued down the hallways over to the back side of the mansion. He located the back stairway and immediately ran to the third floor, surprised that the locked door was busted open. Roy hurried to the next floor and abruptly located the spiral staircase leading to the attic.

Roy's heavy footsteps were heard clearly, on the metal staircase as he continued up. His panting grew heavier as he felt himself becoming exhausted. Nothing was stopping him right now. He had a chance to save a smasher's life, and he wasn't going to fail.

Once in the attic, Roy stopped and abruptly looked around the large dark room. The attic was dirty and dark due to the lights shut off. The attic was filled with extra weapons, a bunch of large dusty suitcases, a broken scoreboard, old mattresses and TV sets, and a bunch of other now useless junk.

Roy stepped forward, his blue boots stepping down on the squeaky old wooden floor. Dust immediately flew up into his face, as he continued deeper into the attic. Roy violently coughed, as he closed his eyes swinging his hand back and fourth in front of him.

The redheaded prince, stopped in the middle of room and turned to his right where he found the attic continued on. At the other end of the attic, was the large side balcony. The green plumber, Luigi, was already outside, looking around at the scenery the balcony offered.

A smile appeared on Roy's face, as he hurried over toward the plumber. Maybe he wasn't late after all. He just might have a chance to save Luigi's life; all he has to do is get Luigi out of here.

" Hey Lu--"

Roy's voice was cut off as a short figure leaped out from behind a loveseat. Roy gasped and slid to a stop, but had collided right into the figure's foot, flying back to the ground.

Roy moaned as he abruptly sat up, and looked at the figure in front of him. The short figure wore a long black cloak that covered its body. It was obviously the murderer, but their identity was hidden behind the clothing.

" Who are you?" Roy demanded, as he stood and took out his sword.

The figure remained quiet, as it abruptly turned running straight for the unprepared Luigi. Roy's eyes widened as he immediately ran after the figure swinging his sword out in front of him. The figure ducked, dodging Roy's attack and grabbed a weapon off the ground. The figure gripped tightly to the sword, and spun around swinging it sideways.

Roy jumped back, dodging the figure's attack. The two immediately began fighting with their weapons, their swords clanking loudly from the impact. Luigi steadily turned around, and gasped at the sight of Roy and the murderer fighting right behind him.

The two continued to fight, in the attic, running around back and fourth until Roy managed to knock the sword out of the figure's hands. Roy swung his sword forward, slashing the murderer's cloak, causing it to tear in the arm. The figure jumped back and took out a surprise weapon, immediately swinging it forward.

Roy cried out in pain, as he flew back toward the door, after feeling his chest collide with a heavy metal. He took a deep breath and sat up, noticing that his lip and nose was bleeding. Roy's eyes widened as he saw the murderer run straight for Luigi. The green plumber only screamed in terror, unsure of what to do.

" Luigi! Run!" Roy cried, but it was too late.

The murderer held out its dark weapon and swung it forward, hitting Luigi right in the head. Luigi's scream immediately died off as the green plumber fell back unconscious, falling right over the railing.

Damn….Roy panicked as he jumped to his feet and ran toward the balcony.

Just as he got there, the murderer disappeared leaping over the railing as well. Roy stepped out to the balcony and grabbed the railing looking down at the ground below. His eyes widened, as he spit a small chuck of blood out of his mouth. He bit his lip nervously, as he shook his head staring down at the sight in front of him.

" No…" He cried. " NO!"

The prince's scream echoed into the endless sky, as he finally closed his eyes, refusing to glance upon Luigi's body…lying lifelessly on the ground below…


A/N:

You didn't think I would update this quick, huh?

Well, yesterday it was raining uncontrollably all day where I live. So, I decided to go downstairs, and sit at my computer. After figuring out that a lot of you wanted me to update, I did just that, and wrote the next chapter.

Go Babygurl! Go Babygurl!

Poor Luigi. What a way to go, falling off the balcony of the mansion. Well at least he was unconscious, right?

And Roy actually got to fight with one of the murderer's. He's a lucky guy, well…not really.

Also, more about Ganondorf will be uncovered in the next chapters. I actually enjoy writing about him in this story. I don't know why…hmmm….o well.

One more thing, I believe we have just reached the half-way mark of this story. Yes, there are more chapters to go, which means a lot of things to uncover, and more deaths! Yah!

Until Next Time!