Light Meetings
Showcased before her was the most beautiful gem she'd ever seen in her life.
"It's known across the world for his great beauty." He told." And I think it's deserving for only you." Gruntilda slowly turned, showing him her back as she lifted up her hair. With this silent consent he placed the item around her neck so it hung on her chest. Once he was done he took a step back. And she turned to him with a giddy smile across her face.
"How do I look?!" He took the step he'd taken away back, to be closer to her. He put his hand up and cupped her cheek in it.
"Beautiful." He answered. He tilted himself down and closer to her. Gruntilda perked her lips and prepared for a kiss. But it would never come.
"Uh." They both heard a voice. Annoyance was on the Sorcerer's face now. With a sharp twist of his head he turned from his lady to see Solid Snake in the doorway.
"What is it?!" He barked. Snake shuffled in his place, evidently he'd walked into something he wouldn't have liked to.
"We've run into a small problem."
"Problem?" Ganondorf rose up to his full height lashing out his arm, forcing his cape back.
"We've caught some trespassers. Trying to sneak into the Castle."
"Very well. I'll be along in a few moments." He waved the Sorcerer off. Snake did not overstay his welcome and hurried off. Still annoyed Ganondorf watched him go off. His attention was brought back to Gruntilda as she reached out and held his left hand in both of her's.
"Come on." She urged with a smile." We'd best get out there." Ganondorf turned sideways to her, offering his right arm. With a bigger smile she put her arm around his and allowed him to walk her away.
Just a few minutes. And once all this business was over it would just be the two of them. Just him and her, together forever. Blissfully Gruntilda rested her head on his shoulder.
Solid Snake was waiting for them in the Throne Room. But he was not alone. The entire Star Wolf team was there, each with a weapon in their hand. And before them were two figures. They were on their knees, their hands and legs bound together, their faces covered.
"Reveal them." Ganondorf commanded. At his command the two were revealed to him. Fox McCloud and Douglas Falcon better known as Captain Falcon. Their faces were not known to Ganondorf or Gruntilda but they were to the rest.
"They've come for the woman." Snake told." One of them."
"I've come for the one you didn't take." Captain Falcon let out." You killed her." He said turning his head around to Wolf. His head didn't remain there long as Leon swung up the butt of his rifle and hit Douglas across the face, sending him to the ground.
Fox was much calmer about the whole situation. He was a seasoned soldier. A veteran of many battles and dangerous situations. As a result he knew when he was beat.
Captain Falcon was brought back up to his crouching position.
"What will we do with them?" asked Solid Snake. Gruntilda answered.
"Kill them." Ganondorf turned his head down to her beautiful smiling face. He agreed.
"Kill them." He answered. Fox could feel the barrel of Wolf's rifle against the back of his head.
"This is how it ends McCloud." He heard Wolf say."In the end I won." Fox closed his eyes and prepared for the inevitable.
Suddenly the doors of room came crashing down, with some of the stonework coming with them. And in the aftermath of their fall who should stand in the doorway but Knuckles the Echidna.
"I'm HERE!" He yelled with his arms out. His eye went first and foremost to Gruntilda, the only one in the room he recognized."YOU!" he yelled pointing at her. Frightened she clung to Ganondorf's arm.
"How did you find us?!" She let out. Looking out into the hall it was clear Knuckles was not alone. Sonic, Mario and his Chaotix move din beside him. Ganondorf grounded his teeth together.
"Take care of them!" he ordered with a wave of his hand.
The battle was quickly on and the two sides wasted no time in rushing into eachother.
The Star Wolf team forgot about their prisoners and turned their blasters on them. Pointing down range with the heroes in their sights and letting a never ending volley of blasters go.
Knuckles was the first to react, punching his fists into the ground and uplifting a chunk of the floor to use as a shield. Mario was the one who returned first. Jumping out from the cover of the stone shield and sending a fireball from each hand at the villains. Making them either jump for cover or stay and be burned. The fire scattered them around the room.
With their moment of opportunity found Fox jumped to his feet then turned to help Captain Falcon do the same. He turned in the only safe direction, in the direction of Sonic and Knuckles.
Solid Snake was never one to jump into a fight outmatched. As such he too matters in his own hands. Reaching into his belt and reaching for his grenades. With one in each hand he pulled the pins out with his thumbs before tossing them into the middle of the room. Now it was the heroes turn to duck for cover. Before the explosion went off they scattered.
"DUCK!" Fox McCloud yelled as he dived to the ground. Picking his head up Fox saw Wolf's figure disappear down one of the castle's hallways. But his comrades in Starwolf were not the ones who followed, it was Captain Falcon instead. "DOUGLAS!" Fox called. But his cry went on deaf ears as he disappeared in the hallway following Wolf. Fox quickly picked himself up and followed after him.
He wasn't the only one. The fighting had separated everyone as they all went into different rooms to have their battles. The only ones remaining in the throne room was Knuckles on one side of the room, Ganondorf on the other and Gruntilda between them.
The Echidna dashed forward ready for a fight. But Ganondorf's attention was not on the attacker but on Gruntilda between them.
Knuckles raced forward, raising his fist back. Gruntilda shrunk away from him. She knelt down and closed her eyes to a blow that would never come. When she looked up she saw Ganondorf between them, having caught Knuckles fist in his hand.
Ganondorf said nothing but raised his hand and blasted Knuckles right in the chest. The Echidna grunted as he flew back across the room, crashing into the wall. Ganondorf seem rather pleased with himself. As a living God Knuckles had given him trouble but now as a mortal he was nothing more than a fly.
Gruntilda clapped her happiness forcing Ganondorf to turn his attention to her. He moved towards her until the sound of crumbling stone got his attention. He turned around fast to see Knuckles standing upright.
"Is that all you've got?!" He questioned. Ganondorf turned around, his black cape twirling behind him. In response Knuckles put both his fists up, then began to punch at the air before them.
"C'mon then!" Knuckles dared.
The ancient halls of the Dark Castle were vast and endless. The only sound that accompanied Wolf O'Donell's escape was his own heavy footfall. But as he moved one he thought he heard the sound of a familiar footfall echoing in the halls around him. Wolf stopped and waited.
At first he held out hope that Leon and Panther had managed to get away. And thinking like their leader had made a retreat, and dashed for freedom. But as he listened it became clear that it was only the footfall of one person not too. Too heavy for Leon's light step. Which could only leave Panther. But when it turned the corner Wolf saw it wasn't him either.
"You." Wolf said upon seeing him." I had expected someone else." Out stepped Captain Douglas Jay Falcon.
"I'll bet you did." The big man said as he rounded the corner to stand before Wolf completely. It was easy to read his intentions. "Fox will come for you I'm we have unfinished business."
"Do we?" Wolf asked casually.
"I'm here for you." Captain said as he pointed." I'm going to kill you, for what you did to Samus." Wolf raised both his arms and waved his hands, signaling for Falcon to attack.
"Come on then." He boasted. Falcon took one long stride and began crossing the distance between them.
Wolf put both arms up to cover his face. As Captain Falcon came closer he threw a punch only to collide with Wolf's forearm. They were there for that purpose, to block incoming blows. Falcon came in with another so Wolf blocked again. Each and every punch was met in the same manner.
But Captain Falcon was no fighter, or at least not one on Wolf's level. O'Donnel had been training ever since he was a boy. And attended the Cornerian University where his skills were improved. Giving him advanced knowledge of Hand to Hand Combat and military tactics, he was out of Douglas' league.
After another blocked blow Wolf decided to go on the offensive. Swinging a punch of his own back, hitting Douglas right on the nose. A powerful enough punch to not only bloody him, but to stagger him.
Captain Falcon took an dazed step back. At the same time Wolf advanced, punching him in the face once more. He stumbled back, his back slamming against the wall. Just in time for Wolf to punch him in the face once more.
Fox had tried to follow his friend. But he must have taken a wrong turn too early because no he heard no sign of the Captain at all. As he swung around the corner he suddenly was stuck in the face and knocked onto his back.
Fox collapsed onto his back. And looking up he saw a Racoon handing from the rafters above him.
"Take a wrong, turn?" Sly asked him. He pulled himself up and disappeared into the darkness above. The last Fox saw of him was his black tipped tail.
McCloud had very little time to process the stranger before he heard a continued thumping coming from down the halls. Fox looked up to see a big pink Hippo stomping in his direction. Fox hardly had enough time to get to his feet before Murray sent him crashing through the stone wall and into the next room.
The middle of the room was their battle ground. The Dark Sorcerer versus the Guardian of Angel Island.
Knuckles swung up and landed a punch on Ganondorf's face. The Sorcerer responded by punching the Echidna in the same manner. Knuckles next blow went right into the Dark Wizard's stomach, followed by an uppercut to the chin. Ganondorf lifted his leg and kicked Knuckles in the face, sending him into the air. He pressed his attack and jumped after him. When he was before Knuckles once more he threw another punch. But this time Knuckles managed to dodge and instead landed his own punch on the Wizard.
Ganondorf went back to the ground only to look up and see Knuckles coming down towards him. But he teleported from his place as Knuckles came swinging down punching a chunk of the stone floor away.
When the Echidna looked up he saw only Gruntilda present. No sign of Ganondorf anywhere….. at first. Knuckles only knew of his return once he felt the Sorcerer's arms tighten around his neck.
"Die you miserable wretch!" He grunted.
Gruntilda clapped her enjoyment as Knuckles tried to struggle against him. Finally Knuckles put a grip of his own on his arms. He held onto the wizard and then willfully fell to the ground, taking Ganondorf with him. And as they tumbled managed to get free of his grip. Quickly turning on him and punching him in the face. But he was quickly countered as Ganondorf laid his hand on Knuckles chest and with one easy push launched him off him and across the room.
The Wizard was quickly back on his feet, looking for his foe. But now it was Knuckles turn to disappear. Ganondorf couldn't see him anywhere. That was until he took a step forward.
He turned around to see Knuckles, both hands gripped onto his black cape. Then with one great tug Ganondorf was taken off his feet. Knuckles then turned and began twirling him around and around. Until he finally decided to let go sending the Sorcerer flying into the nearby wall.
But in a mix of black shadow Knuckles saw Ganondorf emerge from the rubble, his long black cape flowing behind him. He casually rolled his head from left to right, cracking his neck in the process.
Captain Falcon charged forward and tackled Wolf. But as he came into him, O'Donnel shifted his body weight and instead swung Douglas into the wall. After he'd crashed into it Wolf swung up and punched him across the face. Then followed with an uppercut.
Blood spattered from the Captain's mouth with that blow. Another punched to the face staggered him more and one hit to the body collapsed him. At his feet Captain Falcon was spread out. Trying to keep himself propped up. Blood still pouring from his face.
"Wolf!" Leon called out. The Leader of Starwolf turned to see not one but both of his teammates standing in the hall beside him. At once Powalski was quick to give an update." This situation has turned sour. "He said in a hiss. Wolf didn't have to read too much into that. This situation had become too dire. And if the shaking of this castle wasn't enough to prove that then nothing else would.
"Right." Wolf answered." To the ships." He prepared to lead the way. But before he could march from the hall he found a hand gripping at his ankle. Wolf looked over his shoulder to see Captain Falcon while still on the ground had grabbed him." Let go." He told.
"We...We." Captain Falcon said in shallow breaths." We aren't done." Wolf kicked his leg free.
"Yes we are. "He told. He turned his back on the Captain. He would only take a step before he was attacked. Douglas reached out for something on the ground that might help him turn the tide of this battle. He reached out and grabbed a stone, one big enough to fit in his palm.
He jumped up and hit Wolf in the back of the head with the stone. The Leader of Star Wolf stumbled forward and might have fell it the wall hadn't been there to stop him. Leon and Panther moved in after that. Each grabbing Captain and then pushing him back across the hall.
It was in this moment that Douglas realized that the stone could not save him. Both members each drew out their blasters on him.
"WAIT!" commanded a voice like Iron. Wolf stood between the outstretched arms of his teammates. His one metal eye burning red as he looked down at the Captain." I gave you the chance of keeping your life." He told. In one swift motion he drew his own pistol from his waist and fired a single shot. The blast found it's mark dead center in Captain Falcon's chest. Wolf holstered his weapon before he even hit the ground.
"Come." Leon said tapping Wolf on the shoulder." Let's go." He was the first to leave down the hall.
"Are you sure you know where your going?" Mario asked as he followed Sonic.
"Well if I had a big castle I know where I'd keep unwanted guests." The Hedgehog answered as he turned the corner. Their search had finally yielded some result. Just not the one they expected. Sonic took a half step but then suddenly stumbled to the ground.
"Sonic? Sonic?" Mario asked as he dived down next to him. "You alright?" The Hedgehog was covered from head to toe in a thick sweat." What's the matter?"
Sonic's heart was beating like a drum inside his ribcage. It was practically punching against the inside of his chest like it was trying to break out. And when Sonic looked out the nearby window he saw why. The sun had gone down, the night was upon them.
"R...u...n" He grunted.
"What?!" Mario asked confused. Sonic reached out and pushed Mario off him. At once the plumber realized it was a stronger blow then Sonic had ever hit him with.
"RUN!" Sonic roared as he looked at him. At once Mario realised something was wrong. Not only had Sonic's voice changed to a deeper, more menacing growl. But his fur had turned dark blue. Sonic stumbled down the hall in the opposite direction, moaning and groaning as he did.
Mario did not have time to argue with him. Whatever was happening it couldn't be good. And Sonic had commanded Mario to run. The Plumber would find his friend later. First he would find Peach.
Knuckles and Ganondorf continued to square off in the Throne room. Knuckles flying around the air while Ganondorf tried to blast him. His stray blasts causing his own castle more damage than his enemy.
Some stone from the ceiling began to fall. And right now one of them was heading right towards Gruntilda. Ganondorf saw it before she did. Quickly abandoning his fight with Knuckles teleporting away from him to save her.
Gruntilda saw it at the last minute. But she had no sooner seen it than she saw Ganondorf standing over her, shielding her from the incoming debris.
It had fallen near Gruntilda on accident of course. She wasn't fighting Knuckles and was the least of his worries right now. But the Sorcerer didn't see it that way.
He rose to his full height, towering above Gruntilda. With a face of stern rage that Knuckles had never seen before. But that wasn't all that happened.
Knuckles watched as Ganondorf's nose twitched. At first he thought nothing of it. But then it happened again. Then the Dark Wizard jerked his head forward and snorted like a beast. But that wasn't the only strange thing happening.
In that same jerking motion he saw the hair on his head start to stand up, his teeth grown sharper and jagged. When he straightened out back to his full height Knuckles saw his face had morphed into that of a big. His body followed.
"What the..." The Guardian let out.
Ganondorf bent down on all fours, growing sharp claws as his hair spread along his back. He snorted and grunted like a pig all the while He grew larger and larger nearly as tall as the ceiling. Gruntilda look on in awe as Knuckles stepped back in shock. Now the transformation was complete.
Ganon, the Dark Wizard's true form. The body of a lion, his orange hair like a mane but his face was a boar. With two great tusks poking out of his jaws. He reared his head forward and roared at Knuckles.
The Echidna stood his ground despite the ferocious' beasts cry, not to mention the smell. Then Ganon charged forward and at him. And with one swing of his giant arm, slapped Knuckles and sent him through the castle wall.
With heavy hands Murray grabbed Fox by his shoulders and sent him flying across the room. McCloud rolled and tumbled. Picking himself up he saw Murray stomping towards him.
Once more Murray picked Fox up. This time putting him in a piledriver. And wasted no time in slamming McCloud's head against the stone ground. Then casually tossed him aside as if he was throwing out the garbage.
"Hey big boy!" roared a voice. Murray turned away from Fox to see an incoming Werehog Sonic charging towards him." Pick on someone your own size!" Sonic crashed through the doorway and with one punch sent Murray flying through the wall and into the next room. Laughing as he went, Sonic charged after him.
Fox hardly had enough time to register what had happened. All he knew was that his obstacle had been removed. Which left him to continue on his own mission. Besides he didn't whatever to get infront of the Werehog he'd just seen.
Like McCloud, Mario was on his own. Wandering the vast, vacant halls of the castle hoping it might lead him in the right direction. Eventually he found a dungeon. Not only that they found prisoners. But also their guard.
"MARIO!" yelled Peach. The Plumber was ready to run to the Princess. If the barrel of a gun didn't stop him first. He looked to see the direction it was coming from.
"Take a wrong turn?" Snake questioned. He raised his weapon and prepared to fire. But before he even had a chance to let it go Mario shot out his arm and hit Snake with a fireball. Knocking him back and into the hall.
"Nope." He answered once he was back on his feet." I think we're in the right place. I'll take those, thank you. "He said snatching the keys from Snake's side. Then he set about unlocking the cells.
The first to unlock was Peach's. Mario was the first one to greet her on the outside where she showered him with kisses.
"Hurry up." Carmelita said from behind a locked door." I don't want to wait around for someone else to show up." She wasted no time in kicking open the door to freedom.
"Mario." Krystal said when he arrived at her door. "Have you seen Fox?"
At that same time Fox continued his fruitless quest down the dark halls of Ganondorf's castle. So far he had only managed to run into trouble. First being captured and then finding Murray. And as he turned another corner he found some more.
He didn't see what he'd tripped over. Only the floor was he went face first into it. Groaning he turned around to see what it might have been. And it brought him to a familiar sight.
"Douglas." He gasped. But Captain Falcon didn't move." Doug." He said again as he crawled over to him. Fox wrapped one arm around Captain Falcon's shoulder and rolled him over. And that's when he saw the blaster shot right through his chest." NO!" McCloud let out, his voice echoing around the vacant halls.
He'd seen the injury on Douglas before. Blaster fire. And he knew exactly who had fired it.
Samus, Captain Falcon both dead. And it only left him wondering what could happen to Krystal. He left Douglas were he lay and ran down the nearest hall, only hoping it could lead him in the right direction. After all the trouble he'd bumped into, he had to run into something good at some point.
Once more Ganon charged him but Knuckles jumped back. The Beasts reached forward lashing out with his sharp claws and palms. But each time Knuckles jumped out of his reach.
The Beast roared in anger after being avoided again. When Knuckles touched back on the ground he charged aiming his tusks at his little, red foe. Knuckles turned right as he came charging at him.
The Guardian put up his hands and grabbed both the tusks as they slammed into him. He lost some ground as he was pushed back but then he finally managed to stop the beast. Ganon snorted as he tried to push against him but Knuckles pushed just as hard back.
Then with his strength Knuckles turned and flopped the big beast onto his side. He quickly jumped forward to try and punch him but was stopped as Ganon turned and flattened him with his paw.
Gruntilda smiled thinking that was the end of it.
But then to her surprise Knuckles pushed the giant paw off him. In the same motion he jumped up and tried to take the beast head on. Ganon roared as he swatted Knuckles mid-air, sending him threw one of the columns and into the ground.
When Knuckles looked up the beast pounced on him. He quickly took to the air while Ganon went face first into the stone. Glancing over his shoulder he saw the beast back up and following him around like a cat chasing a fly.
Knuckles glided from one room to the next, followed the whole time. Ganon raised up to his hind legs and swatted at Knuckles with his paws. The Echidna flew up and down avoiding them both.
Then he took to the offensive and dived down at him head on. He went right down and hit him in the face, knocking Ganon off his feet. Knuckles flew on after that and onto the ground. He quickly turned and gripped his hands into Ganon's mane. Then he lifted the beast up and over his head, tossing him across the room.
Ganon flew over Gruntilda's head smashing threw the wall and into the next room.
As the dust settled it appeared to Knuckles as if the fight was over. And he turned his attention from Ganondorf to Gruntilda.
The shifting of the rubble got both their attentions. A moment later the stones were removed and there Ganondorf stood once more. The monster had gone and only the man remained. Ganondorf in his original form.
With a wave of his hand Ganondorf sent the stones that had once covered him and sent them flying at Knuckles. But one good punch for each reduced them to nothing more then pebbles.
"IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO?!" Knuckles demanded. The dark sorcerer sneered at him. He'd underestimated Knuckles great strength, but he was not one to be outdone.
"Hardly." He answered. And from his hand shot a magical blast that sent Knuckles across the room.
As Ganondorf emerged from the rubble Gruntilda ran to him.
"Your hurt. "She said.
"I'll be fine." He assured her. Gruntilda smiled, she believed him.
"Don't be so sure about that." said a voice. The smile left Gruntilda's face and Ganondorf angrily turned around to see a new threat.
It was Mario who spoke but he wasn't alone. With Vector, Mighty and Espio. And they had freed the maiden's he'd captured.
Mario was the first to attack. Jumping forward and sending a fireball at Ganondorf and Gruntilda.
The dark wizard swung up his cape, shielding the two from the fireball. When he removed it he'd seen that the heroes had moved. They fanned out and surrounded the two.
"Stay down." Ganondorf told as Gruntilda cowered next to him.
Sonic was the first one to charge in. Rolling into a ball and blasting at Ganondorf. But he was swatted down as easy as a fly.
Together Julie-Su and Carmelita fired their pistols at him. But with a simple wave of his hand their weapons left their grasp and flew into his own, where he crushed them. Then with his other hand sent both of them flying back from a gust of wind.
Mighty charged in and tried to punch him. The Sorcerer avoided the blow and responded with one of his own, sending the Armadillo to the ground.
Suddenly Ganondorf felt his throat tighten. Vector had snuck up on him form behind and grabbed his cape. Then in one great swing took the Sorcerer off his feet and sent him crashing into the ground.
From his back Ganondorf shot out a magical blast that sent Vector back slammed into the he sat back up Mario jumped forward with another fireball that engulfed the dark wizard. Only for him to walk out a few moments later unharmed.
At that time Knuckles re-emerged from the rubble. He quickly took to the air and charged towards Ganondorf. As he flew towards him the wizard fired a magical blast to knock him from the sky. Suddenly Mario ran up punched Ganondorf across the face, causing his head snap to the left. Julie-Su followed with a punch of her own knocking the Sorcerer back to Vector. Who then punched the Wizard. Finally Knuckles came swooping down and with one great punch of his own sent the Dark Sorcerer onto his back.
For a moment of silence everyone thought he was done. But in the next, Ganondorf appeared hovering over all.
"I grow weary of this." The Wizard proclaimed. He stretched out his hands, covering himself with all the Dark Magic he could summon." This ends NOW!" he declared.
In one punch he sent Knuckles face first into the ground. It broke when his head crashed into it, and buried his head in it. He turned around next and swung his leg up kicking Vector dead center in the chest and sending him crashing back into the wall. One punch sent Carmelita crashing into Espio and Mighty. With a swing of his cape Julie-Su and Sonic trapped in darkness. Only for them to reappear in the ceiling before crashing onto the floor.
Suddenly the floor began to rumble under them. And the next moment the floor was unearthed and the figure of the giant Werehog crashed into the room. Ganondorf had hardly any time to register the arrival of the beast before it punched him across the face, sending him stumbling back. Then a second time. Then with a final roar and a third punch ,the demon wizard was sent flying across the room.
Sonic was proud he'd managed to flatten the villain so easily. He but may have just traded one problem for another.
"YOU!" Knuckles yelled getting to his feet." Ready for round two, huh?!"
"Knuckles!" The Werehog said in a gravelly voice." Don't it's me!"
"Me?!" The Guardian questioned. He paused to look at the beast. "Shadow?"
"WHAT?!" Sonic let out. "No! It's me Sonic! It's SONIC!" Knuckles had hardly any time to comprehend before Ganondorf appeared between them. His hands flowed with electricity as he reached out and slapped a hand onto both of them. One hand on Knuckles head, the other on Werehog Sonic's shoulder. And at once began electrocuting them. Then with a bolt of lightning sent the duo flying across the room.
In the aftermath of their down, Mario jumped forward with a fireball. Ganondorf met the fire with it's opposite. Water from his own hand. It overwhelmed the fire and the one who made it. Like w tidal wave it washed over him and across the room. But it also splashed elsewhere.
Gruntilda had hunkered down just as Ganondorf had advised her. And up until now she had been safe from every fist flying, from every chunk of rock falling. Safe from everything except this.
"No!" The Witch screamed as the water splashed onto her." No!" Her body was suddenly covered in smoke and a gust of wind blew. Forcing all those around her to cover themselves. But in a flash it was all over and there was Gruntilda on her knees.
There she was although not as anyone else had seen her. Her black, silk-like hair was completely gone leaving her bald. Her thin hour-glass body had turned fat and round. Her soft clear skin was now covered in warts.
A heavy boot stomped down before her. Gruntilda took her hands away from her face to see Ganondorf standing over her.
"My love." She said in a scratchy voice." Do not look at me, I'm hideous." The dark wizard said nothing but instead leaned down and put his arms around her. Gruntilda felt a blissful calm as he helped her to her feet then guided her head up so she could meet his eyes. And she could see a warmth in them, a kindness. He looked at her no differently now than he had before. He still loved her.
He lowered his hand and placed it over the necklace he gave her, over her heart. Then all at once Gruntilda's happiness was taken from her.
In one move Ganondorf ripped the necklace off her. Then he swung forward with his other hand and placed it in the same spot. Then Gruntilda felt all the dark magic could muster blast from his hand and through her body.
As she fell back the witch looked up to see her beloved looking down at her. His brow was narrowed his face stern and cold. As Gruntilda the beautiful she was his everything but as Gruntilda the ugly she was less than dirt.
His face was the last thing he saw.
But his magic did not end there. It not only blasted a hole straight through Gruntilda but then began to slowly eat away at her flesh, bone and all.
As she screamed her ugly screams Ganondorf pocketed the necklace he gave her. In the end it was all that remained of her.
The Dark Wizard looked at the item in his hand before enclosing it in his dark fist. Then he turned to see he was still not alone.
Mario, Sonic, Knuckles they were all still here and ready to fight him. With all them here that meant that his special force had been defeated. Not only that but Peach, Carmelita, Julie-Su, and Krystal had all been freed. As it seem ed they had accomplished what they'd come here to do, while Ganondorf had not. There did not seem a purpose for Ganondorf to fight them. But he had lost in more than one way today.
He grabbed his black cape behind him and tossed it over himself. Standing tall and firm before disappearing into the ground like a shadow.
"Is it..." Peach let out." Is it over?" Her voice echoed around the dark castle.
"Yes." Mario said in an exhale." It's over. He's gone."
Knuckles was the first to let out a defeated sigh as he sat to the ground.
"Done already?" Sonic asked."We've still got the walk home-"
"Shut up." Knuckles growled at him.
"I expected more from you." Sonic said. As he spoke he flexed his muscle's." Maybe in this form I'm not only stronger then you but have better endurance-"
"Stronger?!" Knuckles let out." Then me?! BAH!"
"Well." Carmelita said as she stepped up to Knuckles' left." I'd say you went above and beyond what I asked you for."
"Hmmm." Knuckles grunted." What about Cooper?"
"Gone." Vector answered." He and his gang high- tailed it outta here."
"I'll chase him another day." Carmelita said. She reached over and wrapped her hand around Knuckles." Thank you" She said in a softer voice." For what you did here."
"Your welcome." Their hands weren't together too long as Julie-Su appeared between them to rip their hands apart.
"Ahem!" she let out as she did so.
"Oh." Sonic commented." And just when I thought it was getting good." He finished with a sag of his shoulders." Whelp" He clapped his hands together." All's well that ends well-"
"Not yet!" Krystal let out." Where's Fox!"
Fox McCloud was hot on the trail. The endless dark corridors of the castle had finalyl yielded some light. None other then a makeshift hanger bay. Where three familiar looking space ships awaited. With three familiar pilots as well.
"O'Donnell!" McCloud yelled as he raced into the hanger. The leader of StarWolf turned around just in time for his rival to be on him. As he leapt forward Fox swung out his leg and kicked Wolf in the face, sending him to the ground.
Before Fox could continued his attack both Leon and Panther were on him. Each jumping in and grabbing him. As they closed in Fox swung his arm back and elbowed Panther in the nose, sending him stumbling back. This allowed him to turn on Leon with both hands freed.
Fox turned and stomped on Leon's shin, staggering him. Then with both hands clasped onto him he swung Polawski around and sent him into Panther. The duo crashed onto the ground leaving Fox to give his full attention to Wolf.
"I can't say I'm surprised that your alive." Wolf admitted. Fox went right for the heart of the matter.
"Krystal." He said." Where is she?"
"I couldn't say. In some othe part of the Castle most likely." That answered Fox has expected.
"And the man I was with." He saw a small smirk grow on Wolf's face." You did it? Or one of them?" He nodded his head in the direction of Leon and Panther. But Wolf could confess to it.
"I killed him." Fox's hands balled into a fist.
"Yea well that was my friend."
"He had the chance to run and he didn't." Wolf replied." But you" He pushed himself up to his full height." You won't have that option." He quickly darted forward, rising up and tried to grab and Fox.
But McCloud was quick and jumped out of the way of the incoming charge. Wolf quickly redirected himself and stood opposite Fox, squared off in the middle of the hanger.
Leon and Panther shook their heads and picked themselves up. Then seeing the condition of their team leader prepared to jump back in and help him.
Wolf moved forward with one strong punch, followed by another. Fox ducked below the first and then the second. Moving in to counterattack he sentan uppercut to Wolf's chin, then followed with a straight kick to the torso. O'Donnel stumbled back. Fox prepared to continue his attack but once more he was caught by the surprise attack of Leon and Panther.
Panther punching at the back of Fox's head causing him to buckle over. Leon grabbed Fox with both hands and kicked at him. As one kick came towards him Fox put out his arms and blocked. Then before Leon could pull away Fox rolled into him, taking Chameleon to the ground. McCloud rolled off him and jumped to his feet just in time for Panther to appear before him.
"LEAVE HIM!" Wolf called out as he rose to his feet." Leave him to Me! To your ships!" Panther while visibly confused did not argue with the command. He turned away, picking up Leon as he went. Fox turned away from them and turned to Wolf." It's you and I McCloud." He wasted no time in attacking first. A wild haymaker that Fox jumped back and dodged. But a follow-up punch found it's mark fight on Fox's nose. McCloud staggered back so Wolf continued his charge. With punch after punch. Fox continued to avoid or block the blows as they came until one managed to hit him in the face again.
As another punch came in Fox ducked under Wolf's outstretched arm and responded by punching Wolf in the face. Then swung out his leg to kick the bigger man in the knee and send him to the ground. But Wolf stepped back avoiding the blow. He tried once more with a straight jab but Fox blocked the blow and responded with his own.
Leon had done as Wolf had answered. Climbed into his Wolfen and prepared to take off. Wolf was too preoccupied with his fight to notice his surroundings. Leon saw what his team leader didn't.
"WOLF!" he yelled out. O'Donnel took his eyes away from the fight and to his teammate." TROUBLE!" he pointed. Wolf followed his finger to see they were no longer alone.
Leading the charge was the blue vixen and fellow Starfox pilot, Krystal. Following was the Guardian of Angel Island, the Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom, The Fastest Thing alive now in a more vicious and terrifying form and many more who Wolf did not recognize. It was clear that his one on one battle with Fox had come to an end. And with how outnumbered they were it was clear Team StarWolf needed to live to fight another day.
"FOX!" Krystal called. Like Wolf, McCloud forgot all about the fight and turned to her.
"KRYSTAL!" He yelled."OAF!" He let out as Wolf used the opportunity to sucker punch Fox, sending him to the ground. He wasted no time in turning and fleeing to his own Wolfen.
Mario jumped forward and sent a ball of fire forward and destroying Wolf's Ship.
"NO!" O'Donnel yelled a he watched his ship go up in fire. No his route of escape had narrowed.
Seeing the situation turn dire, Panther took off and flew off into the night. Leon was slower. He took his ship to air but his flight to the air was slower. He looked down to see Wolf being closed in on by their enemies.
"WOLF!" Leon yelled from his cock-pit. O'Donnel looked up to see the lower wing of the Wolfen within his reach. With no other options he jumped up and clung to the wing for dear life. Then Leon took high into the air. And Team Starwolf was gone.
From the ground Fox groaned as he held his jaw.
"Fox! Fox!" Krystal said as she knelt down beside him.
"Oh, oh." Fox groaned." What happened? What- KRYSTAL!" He let out." Your alive! Your okay!" He reached out and hugged her. At the same time everyone else began to crowd around them.
"Oh don't you just love a happy ending." Sonic chuckled.
THE END