Author's note: What the!? Ok, sorry problem is fixed. It seems that when I tried to upload chapter 6, it just uploaded the first sentence of chapter 7. Just the first sentence. I still don't know what happened.
Dark Dawn Chapter 6: Escape
"Retreat!" called the angel as he tried to fly backwards. Pit didn't know what to do. His mission was to kill Dusk, but that was beyond him now. It was beyond any of them. He tried to fly back to the clouds to regroup, but found that that his ascent was blocked by an invisible force.
Dusk waved his sword in Pit's direction, and the same force slammed into the angel, tossing him to the ground. He tried to get up, but was held down by shadows that seemed to reach from the ground itself. With one hand, he lifted his bow into the air. It flashed with golden light, dispersing the shadows. In one movement, he got to his feet, whipped around, and fired. The arrow sped towards its target, but was deflected at the last moment by a semi-solid barrier that sprang up around Dusk.
"Your arrows are useless now, Pawn."
A flash of green caught Pit's eye and he turned to look. Link, in human form, had retrieved his sword and was slowly maneuvering himself behind Dusk. The Hylian winked and then pointed. Mario was also sneaking behind the monster; he mouthed the word "Run". Pit gave only the slightest nod to show his understanding.
"Try this then, Demon!" Pit screamed. Before his opponent could respond, he nocked an arrow of light and fired straight up. While it flew, Pit dashed away, scooping Young Link into his arms as he ran.
"What are y-!" Dusk was cut off as a sword appeared between his ribs. He quickly turned only to receive a fireball to his face. Realizing too late that the arrow was diversion, Dusk screamed in frustration.
Link found himself without his sword when Dusk turned, ripping the blade from his hands. He jumped backward, landed gracefully, and pulled a bomb from his pack. He hurled the explosive right as Mario tossed another fireball. Both collided with the dark shield and exploded. Dusk burst from the smoke, the sword still in his chest, and stabbed at Link with his own blade. The Hylian barely managed to get his shield up in time, but the force behind the blow still sent him flying.
Dusk turned to Mario and held up one hand. Shadows leapt from the ground, rushing at the plumber in thin strands of darkness. They struck at him repeatedly, forcing him to devote all his energy to dodging; he could only watch as Dusk approached him, sword in hand.
"Mario," Dusk said mockingly. "The 'hero' himself, at my mercy."
Mario ducked under a shadow thread, lifting his foot to dodge another. He said nothing, but glared at Dusk while he avoided the strands. His eyes remained focused on the blade protruding from the monster's chest.
Dusk followed his gaze and looked down, seeming to notice his injury for the first time.
"Ah," he said. "That." He reached behind himself and gripped the sword by the hilt. Sparks erupted from it as soon as his hand came near. He grunted and pulled harder. It came free soon after; leaving a large gash that glowed with white flame.
Dusk dropped the sword with a grunt of a pain, his wounded hand and chest already repairing themselves. After a few moments, there was no evidence that he had been stabbed. He returned his attention to Mario, still trapped in the dark cage.
"Hmmm." Dusk looked the plumber over. "What to do with you? As far as I know, you have never been tainted by evil."
Mario still said nothing, but a faint smile played on his lips.
"Perhaps I can use Shadow Mario," Dusk continued. He stopped to think for a second. "No, that would be useless," he said, dismissing the idea.
"Do you always think out loud?" Mario asked seriously. "Revealing your plans to anyone nearby?" He smirked. "You sound like Bowser."
Dusk glared at him. "You may not be tainted," he said, now smiling himself. "But your brother…"
Mario's grin vanished; fear and anger covering his face.
"Stay away from him," was all he could say.
Dusk laughed. "If only you could watch while I crush your brother's mind." He held out one hand. Black energy began to form. "But should I let you live, you will continue to be a thorn in my side. Goodbye, Mario."
Before the blast even left Dusk's hand, Mario was moving. He dashed forward through the threads, reaching into his pocket as he ran. The threads tore into his body, ripping flesh and clothing alike. Mario ignored the pain. He produced a yellow cape from his overalls and, with a spin, brought it between himself and the incoming attack. The black ball collided with the cape and immediately reversed direction.
"Goodbye to you!"
In the space of a second, Dusk's expression went from surprised to angry, before finally settling on a look of sheer determination. With a blur of movement he took a step back, planted his feet, and thrust both arms forward. He braced his hands against his blade, held in a defensive position. His own attack slammed into the sword, pushing him back a step.
Mario wasn't finished. He reached into his pocket and pulled forth an odd plant. The flower itself was a brilliant red and yellow color, but its black eyes, staring into the distance, offset its beauty somewhat. Its small mouth let out a barely detectable amount of steam, along with occasional sparks. Mario squeezed the stem, causing the entire plant to burst into flame, and noticeable smile to appear on its face. With the Fire Flower in hand, Mario drew his arms back before unleashing a massive torrent of flame.
"Mario…Finale!" he cried, collapsing a moment later.
Link chose that moment to re-enter the fight. A giant metal ball came out of nowhere and smashed directly into Dusk's left side; the attack didn't do any real damage, but it shattered his concentration. The dark blast being held at bay exploded, leaving Dusk standing directly in the path of the second blast. His barrier appeared a moment too late, and the flames rushed into him. Pieces of Dusk's corporeal body burned away, leaving only shadow in their wake. He fell to the ground missing one leg, half an arm, and most of his mask-like face.
Link pulled on the chain and caught the attached metal ball, then swung it over his head, preparing for a second attack.
"No!" cried a voice. It was Pit's. "He is still deadly, we must escape!"
Link glanced at him, looking slightly annoyed, and then nodded. The ball and chain disappeared into a small pocket on his tunic. He helped Mario to his feet, giving him a potion in the process, and began walking away.
"Where are you going?" Pit asked, "The city is the other way."
In answer, Link picked up Roy and slung him over his shoulder, before doing the same with Sonic, holding the hedgehog in one hand. Once both were secure, he retrieved his sword, sheathed it, and started off in the direction Pit had indicated.
"Of course," Pit said. "Forgive me. We may need them in the future, especially the dimensional traveler."
Mario perked up. "Sonic?" He looked at Link. "Didn't you end his game?"
Link chuckled at the euphemism and looked down at the hedgehog. He placed two fingers on Sonic's neck, then, with care, handed him to Mario. The plumber repeated Link's inspection and his eyes went wide.
"Mama Mia!" He exclaimed, "He's still alive! And still in super form, no less."
Link and Pit gave Mario confused looks at his last statement.
"Well, you see," Mario began, "this isn't his normal form. See those white lines on his fur? I'm pretty sure that means he's Darkspine Sonic; and this longer fur means Werehog Sonic."
Neither Link nor Pit had any idea what he was talking about, so they just nodded and kept walking. Mario didn't continue with the explanation. After a few minutes of walking, Pit suddenly spoke up.
"Oh, Hero, I meant to ask you about something."
"Yes?" Mario asked. Link merely grunted a response.
"Oh, my apologies," Pit said. "I meant the Hero of Twilight."
"Ah, well, his name's Link." Mario said. "Doesn't talk much, though."
Link grinned silently.
"Understood. Link, I wanted to ask about this child," he motioned at the unconscious Young Link. "What is your relationship with him? I have noticed multiple similarities, but cannot identify him. Is he your brother? Son?"
Link noticeably blushed at the last question, but shook his head.
"Reincarnation."
Pit gasped. "You…he…" Pit shook his head, then tried again. "Your soul was reborn before its previous vessel's ascension?"
Link nodded. Mario had also become visibly interested.
"Amazing." Pit said. "Three bodies sharing one soul. Truly amazing."
Link stopped walking. He pointed at Young Link, then himself, holding up two fingers with a questioning look on his face. Mario did the same.
"What?" Pit asked. "You did not know? Back at the city, there is one more."
Link shook his head, and then began to laugh. He started walking again, much faster, almost dropping Roy in his haste.
Pit looked at Mario. "I do not see the humor in this."
Mario shrugged. "He's probably just excited."
Shortly after, all conversation ceased. The trio continued their journey, each carrying an injured companion, only stopping when one seemed to wake up. None did. After what seemed an eternity, they came across a familiar sight.
Pieces of metal were strewn across the ground; some seemed to be buried, while other, large twisted chunks jutted out at odd angles. What used to be a wing had pierced the side of the huge object. Dark smoke curled towards the sky as flames consumed the once proud ship. Plastered on its side, in large letters, was proclaimed: T… reat…F…x.
"Fox!" Mario cried.
He began to run forward when a sudden explosion rocked the ship, stopping him in his tracks. A large machine burst from the hull, smashing through walls and debris alike. The thing looked partially destroyed and was beginning to succumb to the flames. Multiple cracks lined its side. It was white and blue, resembling an Arwing with treaded wheels. A cannon protruded from the front end, pointing directly at Mario.
"Fox!" Mario shouted again.
A hatch opened at the top, revealing the brown furred pilot. Fox McLoud jumped off his vehicle and landed in front of the group.
"Hey guys, you all right?"
"We're fine." Mario responded. "How about you?"
"Fine. But you wouldn't believe how hard it is to maneuver a Landmaster inside a ship." Fox paused before looking around. "Hold on a second." He turned back to the Great Fox and shouted, "Clear!"
After a few seconds, two figures emerged from the wreckage. Slippy and Mewtwo.
"Hey guys!"
"Hello."
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Mario exclaimed. "Everyone, this is Pit."
Once introductions were finished, Pit spoke up. "Alright everyone, let us go to the city!"