Chapter 7: The Triforce of Courage

The battle between the Toad Brigade and the X-Nauts was still raging on outside of Peach Castle. Daisy and Rosalina were still fighting off the Koopa Troop horde. By this point they had grown very fatigued. No matter how many enemies they had defeated, it felt as though three would instantly take their place.

"When is this going to end?" Rosalina whined, using her magical barrier to reflect the umpteenth fiery projectile.

"As if I know!" Daisy growled, having grown rather irritated by this point. She aggressively tossed a frozen goomba into a group of Koopas, which had knocked them all over like bowling pins. "Just keep fighting until it's over!"

Each of the Toad Brigade executives had been trying their best to make it to Daisy and Rosalina, but even with the amount of enemies that they had each defeated, the horde was simply too dense to navigate through. Katan T., Ax T., and Lana T. had no choice but to simply defeat the enemies that were surrounding each of them.

Captain Toad was battling Kammy Koopa. He had a determined expression on his face as he plucked turnips from the fertile soil outside of Peach Castle. He was quite proficient at this, as he would have about three large turnips on hand by the time Kammy Koopa could even charge up an attack.

Kammy Koopa launched a magical attack from her golden wand. Colourful geometric shapes launched from the ruby tip of her magic wand, swirling rapidly towards the leader of the Toad Brigade.

"Hyah!" Captain Toad cried, as he launched a turnip through the air.

The turnip successfully intercepted the magical attack, which caused a very colourful light to pulse aggressively as the turnip proceeded to transform. A bewildered green frog fell from the point of impact. It proceeded to eagerly hop out of the way with a nervous sweat.

Captain Toad tossed his other two turnips, but Kammy Koopa was too fast on her magical broomstick. She dodged them with ease as she flew with a strong lean around to Captain Toad's six. Now behind him, she proceeded to charge up another magical attack. Captain Toad jumped and landed such that he was now facing her with a mean glare.

"Ha HA!" Captain Toad laughed, shocking her by turning on the headlamp that he was always wearing so proudly. "Maximum power!"

"Eeeek!" Kammy Koopa cried, shielding her eyes from the blinding light. This had cancelled her magical attack which she had been charging.

Captain Toad proceeded to twirl around a rope, tossing it in an effort to lasso the evil magikoopa. Kammy Koopa was so blinded by the light, that she didn't even know he was doing this until she felt herself wrapped tight within a hoop made of rope.

"C'mere, you!" Captain Toad growled, pulling on the rope.

"Eyyaaaaah!" Kammy Koopa cried, as she was pulled off her broomstick. She landed face first into the dirt, her arms tight to her sides.

"Gotcha!" Captain Toad grinned, giving a thumbs up. Kammy Koopa lifted her face from the dirt.

"Ooooh, why you!" Kammy Koopa growled. "Now is that any way to treat an old lady?"

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry." Captain Toad apologized with a sorry expression, genuinely feeling guilty about it.

"Magikoopas!" Kammy Koopa cried.

A single red magikoopa had immediately soared over. It launched a fiery orb at the rope that Captain Toad had used to seize Kammy Koopa with.

"Uwah! Oh no!" Captain Toad cried, dropping the burning rope immediately. "It's burning!"

The rope was now fully aflame, eventually disintegrating and freeing Kammy Koopa. She stood tall, dusting herself off before facing Captain Toad with an angry glare.

"A dirty trick." She scowled, snapping her fingers in order to create another magical broom. She boarded it and proceeded to rise higher, purple rings puffing from the brooms back. "I won't let that happen again!"

"Bring it on!" Captain Toad challenged, standing bravely before the enemy. "I'm chock-full of surprises, lady!"

"Oh, who cares? It's time to bring in the big guns!" Kammy Koopa declared, proudly raising a gnarled finger. She suddenly smiled sheepishly, like a school girl with a crush. "Ohhh boys~!"

"Big guns? Now what are you going on about?" Captain Toad barked, shaking his head with his hands on his hips.

A red magikoopa had sent another fiery orb Rosalina's way. Rosalina was about to use her magical barrier once again, but suddenly her head started pounding for a brief flash. She brought her right hand up to her forehead, swaying to the side in a disorderly manner. She had just barely dodged the flaming attack that was now raging arrogantly on the grassy field. On the back of her right hand, the Triforce was glowing dimly. The bottom left triangle however, was shining brightly as her head ached. Daisy turned and noticed that Rosalina was having some trouble.

"Hey! Are you alright?" She beckoned her from afar.

"S-Something is coming!" Rosalina warned, her serious tone laced with fear.

Then suddenly, a black spiky shell had launched towards them from within the horde. It twirled rapidly as it travelled across the ground, knocking Ice Daisy right off of her feet.

Rosalina had widened eyes, time appearing to be in slow motion as she reached for Daisy with an extended hand. Daisy had an expression of surprise as she fell to the ground, the black spiky shell now spinning towards Rosalina.

Time resumed normal speed as the armoured koopa, who were known as Koopatrol, stood tall before Rosalina right around the time Daisy had landed flat on her back. Daisy was blinking between her current ice outfit and her regular outfit, before finally concluding the strange transition in her usual attire. This of course, had meant that she no longer possessed the power of the Ice Flower.

The Koopatrol that had knocked Daisy down had claimed Rosalina, standing behind her now with an arm around her neck and with a short sword held near her chest.

"Rosalina!" Daisy cried with an expression of horror, extending a white gloved hand as she held herself off of the ground with the other hand. A black gauntlet had claimed her, bringing her to her feet and silencing her with a hand. "Mmph!"

Yet another Koopatrol had claimed Daisy from behind, also holding a short sword to her chest. The Toad Brigade executives were currently busy fighting off the Koopatrol that had come for them. Katan T. was protecting Ax T. by fighting off two of them, while Ax T. swung his giant axe at the seemingly infinite horde of weaker minions.

Lana T. had clenched teeth as she was stepping backwards, blocking the multiple sword strikes of a single Koopatrol with her lance. She went for an air slicing stab, but the Koopatrol ducked into its shell and zoomed aggressively in a semi circle path. The black armoured foe stood tall behind Lana T. and went for a quick stab, which Lana T. had just barely managed to block.

"L-Like..." Lana T. wheezed, her voice strained as she struggled to maintain the block against the powerful foe. "These guys are totally tough!"

"DAISY! ROSALINA!" Captain Toad cried, with an expression of horror.

"NYEAH HYEAH HYEAH!" Kammy Koopa cackled. She swiped an arm victoriously. "It's over! Surrender now, or they shall breathe no more!"

Captain Toad's eyes were trembling, his posture weak. He had an expression of despair cast upon his face as his army continued to fight what appeared to be a lost battle.

/

"So what exactly did the message say?" Geno inquired, his wooden body rocking as he sat upon Mario's shoulders.

Mario and Princess Peach were running down Castle Road as evening approached. Having recently only left Mushroom City through the northern gates, they still had a long ways to go before they made it back to Peach Castle.

"Daisy and Rosalina are back at the Castle, which is currently under attack by both the Koopa Troop and the X-Nauts." Peach informed, having checked her cell phone back at the Mayors Office.

"So the X-Nauts and the Koopa Troop... they are two enemy armies that have formed an alliance?" Geno questioned, holding onto Mario by the shoulders with both hands.

"Yup." Mario confirmed, with a nod. "The big guy we were fighting, Bowser, is the leader of the Koopa Troop. Those X-Nauts are a despicable bunch that obey a terrible bastard by the name of Grodus."

"Grodus." Geno pondered, tapping his chin in thought. "Ah, yes. I remember you had mentioned him back in the trials."

"I just hope Link has already made it back." Peach thought out loud, sighing deeply. She was somber.

"He's definitely already back." Mario assured, with an optimistic nod to Peach. They were now facing each other as they ran down Castle Road in the twilight. "I'm sure everything will be just fine by the time we make it back!"

Peach couldn't help but smile. She faced forward with closed eyes, a soft smile still remaining upon her face. "You are right. Thank you, Mario."

"Oh?" Mario barked, flushing slightly. He directed his attention forward once again as he continued to sprint alongside Peach with Geno on his shoulders. "Y-Yeah, no problem."

/

Things were certainly grim back at Peach Castle. Rosalina and Daisy both looked terrified as they were held hostage by the two armed Koopatrol. The Toad Brigade was currently preoccupied with fighting the horde of Koopa Troops and X-Nauts. With the X-Naut elites and Koopatrol working together, the red and blue guards of the Toad Brigade were gradually thinning in numbers. The three executives were too busy holding their ground against the Koopatrol that Kammy Koopa had summoned, so they were unable to come and help Rosalina and Daisy. The battlefield was bathed in twilight as Captain Toad stood there silently in deep despair.

"Uhh, hello? Are you going to surrender, or not?" Kammy Koopa howled, snapping Captain Toad back into focus. "You've been defeated! So surrender already! Surrender Peach Castle, or else!"

Captain Toad examined the battle field. Rosalina and Daisy were at Kammy Koopas mercy, and he was losing troops by the second. He couldn't count on his executives, either. He looked downward in utter despair.

(Sorry, Princess...) Captain Toad thought, sighing deeply. He looked up at Kammy Koopa, who was slowing forming an ear to ear smile. "I-I... Surr-"

"What's going on here?!" A voice had suddenly intervened.

The fighting was brought to a halt. Armies from both sides had stopped what they were doing in order to direct their attention to the end of Castle Road.

"Huh?" Captain Toad barked, directing his attention to the newly arrived group.

"WHAAAAT?!" Kammy Koopa cried, irritated beyond belief from the sight.

Standing heroically in the sunset was none other than Link, his hair weakly blowing in the evening breeze as he proudly wore his champions tunic. He had his travellers sword and shield on his back, a serious expression on his face. On Link's right was Navi, who had her arms folded proudly as she hovered nearby. On Link's left was Luigi, who had his hands in his pockets as he stared down the enemies with a serious expression.

"L-Link?" Rosalina softly cried, tears welling in her trembling eyes.

"L-Luigi?" Daisy added, her blue eyes trembling with joy.

At this point, all three of the Toad Brigade executives and their opponents were facing the heroic trio. It was so silent that you could hear a pin drop. Kammy Koopa rushed forward, pointing a gnarled finger in angry protest.

"YOU THERE!" Kammy Koopa cried. "Yes, the handsome boy, with the sword."

Link said nothing as Kammy Koopa continued holler from up above on her broomstick.

"As you can see, I have captured your little friends!" Kammy Koopa informed, waving a hand.

Link, Luigi, and Navi directed their attention to Rosalina and Daisy, who were currently being held hostage by two heavily armoured enemies.

"We're so sorry." Daisy pleaded, the pain of shame and guilt aching in her heart.

"H-Help us..." Rosalina pleaded innocently, her eyes teary.

Link said nothing, directing his attention back to Kammy Koopa. Luigi and Navi also remained unmoved.

"If you want them to live, you will stab that sword of yours straight into the dirt!" Kammy Koopa ordered. Her eyes were lit up wildly, as a sense of power had suddenly surged all throughout her. "Then, you will march over there, and allow yourself to be captured as well!"

"Don't do it, Link!" Captain Toad cried, hands by his face.

"THEN," Kammy Koopa continued, silencing Captain Toad with a glare. "Then, you will surrender this castle to the Koopa Troop! NYEAH HYEAH HYEAH HYEAH!"

"If I abide by your terms, will you promise not to harm them?" Link questioned, his face proud and noble.

"Yes, yes of course." Kammy Koopa sang, her ugly smile revealing multiple gnarled teeth. It could hardly be deemed as trustworthy.

"Very well." Link accepted, with a nod. "I accept. I trust that you will hold your end of the bargain."

Kammy Koopa's eyes were positively beaming as she saw Link remove his travellers sword from its scabbard. Everyone watched, some even winced, as he stabbed it into the dirt.

"Oh yes, yes, of course!" Kammy Koopa sang eagerly, rubbing her scaly hands together in excitement. "Of course!"

Everyone watched silently as Link marched towards Daisy and Rosalina, leaving his sword behind. He was defenseless as he marched through the idle horde of enemies. Hundreds of eyes were examining him. There was a third Koopatrol that was waiting for him near the other two which had seized Rosalina and Daisy. The awaiting Koopatrol grinned at him menacingly. Link darted his eyes away as he marched through the whispers of the crowd. He could hear their voices. Some were judging him, while some were genuinely curious over what was about to happen. Others were mocking him by calling him a coward for giving up so easily.

Katan T. watched this happen with folded arms and narrowed eyes. Ax T. and Lana T. watched with much more nervous expressions upon their faces. Captain Toad was chewing fingernails, hunched forward in trembling fear. Rosalina and Daisy watched with somber, trembling eyes.

"Link..." Rosalina had softly whispered, her eyes trembling and lip quivering. Somehow, she couldn't take her eyes off of him.

(What's going on?) Daisy thought, her eyes trembling as she pensively analyzed the situation. (Is he really just going to give up?)

She saw that neither Luigi nor Navi appeared to be worried. They weren't doing anything, and Link did not seem to mind the fact that he was marching through a horde of hundreds of enemies without a sword. Then, Daisy's eyes widened as she saw Kammy Koopa raise her wand behind Link, an ear to ear smile on her face.

"I said I wouldn't harm them, but I didn't make any promises about you." Kammy Koopa grinned menacingly. "ATTENTION SOLDIERS! KILL THAT MAN!"

"HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The entire horde had roared in unison, racing black lines launching from the enemy army from a top-down perspective. They raised their weapons, and all at once they charged towards Link.

Rosalina gasped loudly, her jaw dropping in absolute betrayal.

"No!" Daisy cried, lunging forward with a grasp. The Koopatrol brought her closer, and Daisy helplessly struggled. "No! Let me go, dammit!"

Time appeared to be slow motion for the approaching enemies. But for Link, he continued to walk forward with his eyes concealed in shadow. For a moment, all that could be heard were his slow brown booted steps against the dirt. The enemies were all screaming, but they could not be heard. Link had a calm, serious expression on his face. He was facing slightly downward as he slowly marched forward.

Time resumed speed, and the battle cries of the enemy armies could be heard once again. The castle front was teeming with the horde of enemies that trampled the grass and dirt as they made their way to Link with murder on their minds.

"Run Link!" Daisy cried, with a few stray tears flying from her face. Rosalina was helplessly watching in despair nearby. "They'll kill you!"

The horde was closing in on Link. Then, Link stopped in place, jerking his head up so that he was facing forward. The sound of a harsh and rapid gale accompanied this. He stared straight ahead with piercing blue eyes, and his eyebrows were as harsh as they had ever been. He had a dead serious look on his face, his eyes almost glowing gold with anger. The Triforce was dimly glowing on the back of his left hand, but the bottom right triangle was glowing brightly.

Then, something incredible happened.

A large green ring of light shot out from where Link was standing as a single, rapid pulse. As a passing wave, it smothered each of the enemies within seconds, causing them to instantly freeze in place. For each victim, a single, potent shiver had travelled from the crown of their heads to the bottoms of their feet. Each enemy had been petrified, as if they had looked into the eyes of a gorgon. Each of them had suddenly felt overwhelmed with a sense of fear for the unknown, a sense of deep intimidation, and an undying fear over their own inadequacies.

It was as if every ounce of courage that they once possessed had suddenly been robbed from the deepest parts of their being.

Link stood there as the green, fiery light ring continued outward, eventually fading once it had passed over the entire crowd. Daisy, Rosalina, Captain Toad, and every member of the Toad Brigade had felt nothing. Neither did Kammy Koopa, who was flying high enough to avoid it. But for all of the X-Nauts and Koopa Troops, it was the most overwhelming and powerful sensation that they had ever experienced. One by one, their eyes went white and devoid of life as they each proceeded to collapse to the ground.

No one could believe their eyes. Hundreds of enemy troops had suddenly started to collapse all over the battlefield. Each of the Toad Brigade members watched in awe as their enemy fell to the earth all around them, one by one. Rosalina gasped as the Koopatrol that had been holding her hostage had suddenly collapsed down to the dirt beneath her. Daisy gasped just as well when the same thing had happened to her captor. Rosalina directed her attention to Link, who was simply standing there ahead of her, as hundreds of enemies collapsed all around him. She was so fixated on Link, that it felt like it took the surrounding enemies forever to fall. What did he do? He hadn't even lifted a finger, she thought.

"Link..." Rosalina softly cried, a single tear sliding down her face.

Kammy Koopa was utterly gobsmacked as she watched her entire army collapse before her in an instant. Even the magikoopas that had been buzzing around like flies had suddenly fallen off of their broomsticks. She clenched her broomstick tight, staring and speechless with her jaw dropped.

"So." Link summoned, his hand grasping the hilt of his discarded travellers sword.

"Eeek! Kammy Koopa squealed, snapping back to reality from the sound of Link removing his travellers sword from the earth.

Link directed the sword at Kammy Koopa. It pointed at her straight and true, the tip of the blade gleaming in the evening sun.

"Congratulations on honouring your end of the deal." Link smirked. "I'm sorry that I couldn't do the same."