CHAPTER 38

10 Hours Remain...

After a couple minutes of trying, Daisy and Maxil are able to wake those who were manhandled by the mechanical menace known as M-A-R-1-0.

"You can tell we're getting close to Bowser and Ganon," Peach says, rubbing her eyes. "Their defenses just keep getting tougher and tougher."

"I've been to Ganon's tower once before, his ballroom where Link battled him is just up those carpeted stairs." Zelda states. "Ganon has clearly upped the ante after aligning with King Koopa. We must be prepared for anything and everything! Our final battle will soon be at hand! We need to be ready for any type of trick that Bowser and Ganon might spring on us!"

Maxil tries waking up some of the many Toads, but the only one up and ready for battle is Naranjo. "Let's go private, we don't have time to waste" Naranjo states. "We're going to have to go straight to the heart of the castle and deal with Ganon. Those Toads played their part, the nine of us are the only ones able to enter combat. I refuse to risk a soldier's life."

"The General be right," Burnscar says. "We need not to risk our crew more than we should. We should take the steps up into the castle and find Ganon. We can make our way from there. What say you, General?"

Naranjo nods his head in agreement. "That's what I had planned on doing...I'm actually kind of scared I'm agreeing with a pirate captain."

"Ex-Pirate," Burnscar corrects. "Me days of plundering be over. I be thinking of having a new life after our adventure is over. I be thinking of settling down, maybe with a nice lady, I be thinkin' of raising some children."

"Well," Naranjo says. "You've impressed me Captain, maybe I can find you a nice rank in the Shiver City brigade."

"Captain? I be thinkin' of somethin else, General."

"Oh really now?" Naranjo asks. "What would that be?"

"I be thinkin' of having a new name." Burnscar says. "Something along the lines of 'General Burnscar'."

"Hmmmmm," Naranjo says as he scratches his chin. "I think I like that. What do you think...General?"

Burnscar stands tall and proud, wiping a tear from his eye. "I like that, I like that very much!"

"Ok, if you two lovebirds will stop dilly dallying, how about we go take on Bowser and Ganon?!" Daisy interrupts the two, dragging them by their wrists up the stairs.

"You were very brave, Maxil" says Yashil. "Standing up to that monster."

"I didn't really do much though." Maxil says with a frown. "I just didn't want it to hurt you."

"We're proud of you, either way." Yashil says.

"Thank you" Maxil says with a smile, and then the three begin to walk up the stairs together.

"Looks like everyone's pairing up" Zelda notices, turning to Link and Peach. "I guess that means the three of us are in a group."

"Sounds perfect to me!" Peach says. Link nods, then the symbols of their portions of the Triforce light up.

"Guess this means we were always destined to work together." Zelda says.

"Well, you two did willingly share your pieces of the Triforce with me." Peach adds. "So, you can say that the three of us have been forging our own destinies!"

"I hope you're right," Zelda says. "Cause the destiny I want to forge is a kingdom where that thing no longer exists." Zelda points to the Moon of Majora looming over Ganon's Tower.

"I don't think we'll ever see the day where that thing is no longer here." Peach says sadly.

"I wouldn't bet on it, either." Zelda says, walking to the railing. "Even if we defeat Bowser and Ganon. A new threat will arise. Whether it be while I'm still alive, or if it will come when one of my descendants comes into power. We can never truly purge this world of evil."

Zelda looks down at the canyon below, Peach and Link each put a hand on one of her shoulders.

"You are right, no matter how many times you defeat evil. It just keeps coming back, I know that better than anyone." Peach says, she looks at Link. "I'm sure Link knows that too, but that doesn't mean we can just stop fighting. That's not what being a Queen is about. It's about standing strong, and facing the darkness, even if you don't know how long you'll be able to stand. You just keep standing and keep taking on the toughest it has to fight until you can find someone worthy enough to pass that responsibility onto when you can fight no longer!"

"That's true," Zelda says. "You are the true Queen of Mushroom Kingdom, and I am honored to stand beside you."

"You are the true Queen of Hyrule," Peach says, smiling. "I am honored to stand by you."

Link puts a hand on both of Peach and Zelda's back, then uses a third to point up the stairs.

"He's right," Zelda says. "Let's go face down the darkness."

When all the members of the Rainbow Alliance reach the top of the stairs, they open two giant hand carved wooden doors to enter a grand ballroom surrounded by murals of Ganon, and Bowser. In the center of the room is a grand piano being played by Ganon, Bowser stands to the side as Kammy is on her hands and knees groveling at Bowser's feet.

Kammy starts crying, "Please...please...don't let me die Lord Bowser...I promise I'll do whatever you want...I'll get you anything you ask...just please spare my life from the moon..." Kammy continues her begging while Bowser looks on with a cold glare.

"You couldn't even protect King Dodongo!" Bowser scolds her. "You failed to defeat Luigi, and now we can't take over Sarasaland using him as leverage against Daisy! Quite frankly I'm surprised Ganon's magic decided to bring you along with us!"

" Lord Bowser, I thought you said we could rule the world together?" Kammy asks.

"I did," Bowser growls. "Because I knew I could count on you back then to help me achieve my goals. That was all the way back when you stole the Star Spirits, you failed then, and you failed now!"

"Lord Bowser, I don't understand!" Kammy pleads. "I was just trying to protect myself!"

Bowser picks up a sorrowfully squabbling Kammy "Protecting yourself from what?" Bowser asks. "From that robot Mario we got? You knew he wasn't going to actually hurt you! Why for half a coin I'd pick you up and-"

Suddenly the Triforce pieces in Ganon, Link, Peach, and Zelda begin to shine. Ganon stops playing.

"Let her live," Ganon states to Bowser. "They have arrived." Ganon turns to the Rainbow Alliance. "Welcome to my home. I am Ganon, ruler of this land."

"That's what you think!" Peach says, crossing her arms.

"Oh I know I will be." Ganon replies. "In just about 9 hours, the Moon of Majora will land and this land will become an inhospitable wasteland. One perfect for myself to rule over."

"For "Us" to rule over, right?" Bowser asks.

"Yes yes," Ganon says. He stands tall and proud, looking at each member of the Rainbow Alliance. "The fate of the world rests in my hands. Surrender yourself to me, beg for your life, offer your piece of the Triforce if you have it. Then I will consider sparing you and letting you live as a servant, one to replace the many you have laid waste to in your climb to meet me"

"How kind of you," Peach says sarcastically. "I think we'll pass on that though."

"Don't you dare defy us!" Bowser growls.

"So, you will have your way." Ganon says "I hope you didn't plan to spend your final moments together though, for you all will soon be separated from your friends! Kammy! Fire the portals!"

Kammy laughs and uses her new wand to fire three portals under the feet of the Rainbow Alliance. Link, Peach, and Zelda fall down one portal. Burnscar, Daisy, and Naranjo fall down another. Finally Azura, Maxil, and Yashil fall down a third.

"Pick whichever portal you wish to finish off these cretins!" Ganon says. "Whichever you want, those Triforce pieces are mine!" Ganon jumps into the portal where Link, Peach, and Zelda entered.

"I'll take the one with the kid!" Bowser shouts. He jumps into the portal Azura, Maxil, and Yashil entered.

"I suppose that leaves me with this one." Kammy says, whistling for her broom. It flies over to her and she gets on it. "Don't worry Lord Bowser! I promise I won't fail you this time!" She cackles as she flies into the final portal.