Chapter 9: The Crystal of the Stars

Link jumped out of the portal and onto the fountain of dreams. He suddenly collapsed onto the ground. "What's wrong?" Metaknight asked. Quickly rushing to Link's aid.

"There is an evil tension in the air…" Link said. Gasping for air with every word. Metaknight simply nodded.

"Then we don't have that much time…" Metaknight replied. "Nightmare might be released soon… we must return to Pop Star to treat Kirby to the best of our abilities! He might be our only hope!" Metaknight's bat wings appeared, and Link grabbed the ocarina of time and played the Song of Soaring the angle wings appeared on Links back and they began to fly down to Popstar. They then landed on the ground and Metaknight motioned for Link to follow him. They ran across the plains until they came across a farmer's field.

Link suddenly froze. He gazed upon several giant tomatoes. They were about the size of his head. "They're huge…" Link muttered.

"Maxim tomatoes, capable of giving a large chunk of vitality back to the one who eats it…" Metaknight said. He quickly ran up to one, and looked for a ripe one. "Link you must go to the mountain over there!" Metaknight pointed to the direction they were flying towards. Link however saw no mountain. "When you get there you will see a cave, go in there and protect Kirby! I'll follow when I find a ripe Maxim tomato!" Link nodded and dashed away.

He didn't look back at whether or not Metaknight was looking around the field. He just ran ahead. The mountains didn't seem to be anywhere in sight. Link suddenly stopped moving. He could feel something in the air, something strange. It seemed like a dark force beyond compare. "What is that?" Link asked out loud.

The NES sword respond quickly "I don't know! We best find that cave that Metaknight was talking about!" Link nodded and continued to run forwards until he came to a beach; there he stared at the ocean. It had no end. Depressed Link sat down and put Kirby onto the ground. "Did Metaknight trick us?"

Link didn't talk for a second. "No…" he responded to the NES sword. "Metaknight doesn't seem like the backstabbing type…" Link paused for a few more seconds. He then glanced around. "Well… I think we should head back and try and find Metaknight…"

Link turned around and put Kirby on his back and flew off to the field.

Master Hand floated down slowly to the fountain of dreams, there was something mysterious about this place that he didn't understand. And yet he could feel some sort of dark energy hidden within it. 'This energy,' Master Hand thought slowly. 'I am drawn to it. Yet what is it that brings me here?' A glow radiated from the Smash Crystal and it floated down onto the liquid substance of the fountain. The glow suddenly became a blinding white light that consumed everything. As the light died down there was a large shadowy figure standing in the center of the fountain of dreams. In his right hand was the Smash Crystal.

"Such a dark weapon…" the shadow laughed. "Tainted with malice, death and despair!" The crystal slowly went into the figure's skin. A strange red pattern appeared as though it was being etched into the dark figure's skin. It was indeed painful as he was beginning to squirm nearly uncontrollably. "KIRBY!" it shouted. "I WILL KILL YOU!" The dark figure jumped up into the air and flew down towards Dreamland.

"Hmph…" Master hand scoffed. "For a monster supposedly called Nightmare I was expecting more…"

Link continued to fly through the air. He then saw the tomato fields down below and landed there Metaknight lay down looking rather exhausted. "Why did you come here?" Metaknight asked. Link just froze and his eyes set upon a giant metallic bird, which had several scratches. The bird was diving towards Metaknight with its talons ready to rip him apart.

"Get down!" Link shouted, and Metaknight dodged. The bird continued to fly and hit Link sending him flying back, onto the ground. The bird then flew away. Link slowly got up and made sure that nothing was broken. "What was that?" He asked Metaknight.

"Dynablade…" Metaknight said, weakly falling forwards. Link rolled him over and realized that his iron mask had fallen off revealing him to be a blue puffball. Across his face was a giant gash that Dynablade most likely gave him. Link quickly began to look through his inventory for an item to help Metaknight. "Don't worry about me…" Metaknight muttered weaker than before. "You need to find a ripe tomato in there… and help Kirby…"

"And what about you?" Link asked. Metaknight just lied down silently. "If your wound isn't treated it could be fatal!"

"Fine…"

Link got up and ran to the tomatoes; quickly he looked around the field and saw a big red one, with a giant M on the center of it. Quickly Link ran over to the tomato and picked it. "Metaknight at least eat this!" Link said, giving Metaknight the tomato. Slowly Metaknight chewed on it and his wounds disappeared. Slowly Metaknight got up, and grabbed his mask putting it back on.

"Where is Kirby?" Metaknight asked. There was a rather panicked look on Link's face, and he began to open his mouth. "Don't tell me… Dynablade took him…"

"I don't know…"

Metaknight sighed. "Well she most likely took Kirby back to her nest… Now then… we have to find another ripe Maxim tomato!"

"We don't have time!" Link said. His wings extended and he flew off. "Besides I have something better! It should be able to heal Kirby!"

Metaknight extended his bat like wings and began to fly after Link. However he stopped and turned around to look at the tomato field. "No… not now…" Metaknight muttered. At the Tomato field there was a dark shadow. All of the plants it touched began to wither and die.

"Kirby!" the voice shouted out in a scratchy voice.

Metaknight flew in front of Link. "I'm going as fast as I can so you better be able to catch up!"

Link just nodded "Ok!"

"Now then Dynablade's nest is on the highest mountain on Popstar!" Metaknight began to brief Link. "Do not underestimate him! He is a strong monster! Wait…" Metaknight suddenly stopped flying and looked into the distance. "Dynablade is still flying towards the mountain! Then we still have a chance we will both attack Dynablade, and then when she is down for the count we will heal Kirby!"

Both Metaknight and Link flew towards Dynablade, and slashed at the behemoths wings. Both of them hard like iron, yet it their attack was strong enough for her to drop Kirby, and send him down to the land below. "Link save Kirby!" Metaknight shouted. Link obeyed and dashed down to the ground, and grabbed Kirby. Quickly Link safely put Kirby on the ground and grabbed something from his pockets. It was a small red bottle and he put the contents in Kirby's mouth. The wounds instantly began to heal, and Kirby slowly stood up.

"Kirby" the voice shorted out in disgust. "I will have my revenge"

Both Link and Kirby looked behind them to see Nightmare. "Crap!" Kirby shouted surprised. Quickly both Link and Kirby jumped behind a bush.

"I'll destroy all of Popstar if you don't show your self you coward!" Nightmare shouted. Link looked down at Kirby. He was shaking

"I have no other choice" Kirby silently whispered "Even if I can't win… I have to protect Popstar…"

Meanwhile in the air:

Metaknight and Dynablade were still fighting. Neither of them seemed to be getting the upper edge, or was aware of the presence of Nightmare. Dynablade tried to peck Metaknight, who was able to counter her beak with his sword. Both Dynablad and Metaknight backed away from each other and stared. Dynablade used her wings to send a giant gust of wind at Metaknight, who just used his sword beam to counter. Both of the attacks neutralized each other and the stalemate continued. Metaknight slowly floated closer. He then extended his sword and began to rapidly move his arm at a fast speed. One that the human eye couldn't easily trace. Each time he moved his arm the tip of his sword hit Dynablade's thick steel body. Eventually with every hit Dynablade screeched out in pain and fell down onto the ground. Metaknight floated down onto the ground and fell over using his sword as support.

For the first time he noticed Dreamland's condition. It had become a desolate wasteland. Quickly Metaknight rushed over to Kirby, and Link who were both standing out in the open.

"My home…" Kirby managed to say just looking around. "Nightmare destroyed everything…" It was easy to see that Kirby was upset. A gust of wind began to pick up and in front of the three fighters was Nightmare.

"So how do you like the new look of Dreamland?" His voice croaked. "I modeled it to my liking! Despair and a real nightmare!"

Metaknight just walked in front of Kirby. "We only have one chance for this…" He muttered. "We will try and buy you some time, but you have to go get the Star rod, and backup! Ready Link?"

"Ya sure…" Link said rather bored.

Both Link and Metaknight dashed towards Nightmare who just swung his hands out forwards sending Metaknight flying back, while Link could easily contend with the breeze.

"Crap!" Metaknight muttered, getting up off of the ground. "My use of the Barrage of ten-thousand swords drained my power!"

Kirby stared wide eyed. "You mean you used that attack against Dynablade?" He asked somewhat surprised.

"I had no other choice Kirby…" Metaknight managed to say. "We were at a stalemate and if the fight dragged out any longer it would have gone in her favor!" Metaknight glanced at Kirby. "Why are you still here? Run! And get the Star Rod! It's the only thing that can defeat him!"

"I can't leave you guys!" Kirby shouted. "You'll both die!"

Metaknight turned away. "Then if we were to die… you will avenge us?" Kirby stared at Metaknight not knowing what he was asking. "This isn't just a battle for Popstar, it is in fact a battle for the whole universe! This battle… you must win it!"

Kirby just nodded his head and began to run the other way. Quickly he jumped up into the air and landed on what seemed like a Star. It however was a bright yellow vehicle known as a warp star. Quickly he flew away.

"You won't escape!" Nightmare shouted, his shadowy hand extended reaching towards Kirby. Metaknight however jumped up in front of Nightmare's hand, whit his sword out, and his bat wings extended.

"Nightmare! Your fight is with us!" Metaknight gasped for air. Nightmare didn't look too amused.

"Very well!" Nightmare shouted, clutching his fist and punching Metaknight down to the ground.

Link just looked at Nightmare, and drew the Master Sword. With out hesitation Nightmare sent his fist down towards Link who used the Master Sword to block. The attack was repelled by the Master sword. Metaknight slowly walked towards Link. "That sword…" He muttered. "It has similar powers to the Star Rod!" Nightmare just extended his hand and reached towards Link. This time dark electricity came from his hands and surrounded Link. The electricity hit Link, and sent him down to the ground weakened. Metaknight tried to drag himself forwards to Link, who was now surrounded by a dark shadow like barrier. "Its no good…" Metaknight muttered to himself. "Calculating Kirby's weight, and the maximum speed that the Warpstar goes at while Kirby rides it, he could of only gotten to the fountain in this time! And that of course isn't even assuming that he went for back up first!" Nightmare's other hand reached for Metaknight, snapping him out of his deep thoughts, using most of his remaining strength Metaknight jumped away. Dark electricity suddenly rushed at Metaknight, who used his sword to defend and knock away every bit of electricity. Metaknight however drained by his last defensive moves fell to the ground, and Nightmare's hand slammed down crushing him.

"What? I didn't feel Metaknight's body crushed under my power…" Nightmare shouted angry. "Its almost as if he vanished into air…" Nightmare lifted his hand and looked underneath it to see nothing. "I see you dodged the attack at the last second!"

"I couldn't move… Thank you Coo, and Pitch!" Metaknight laughed. "The 7 of you must hold him off until Kirby gets back!"

Nightmare looked at all of the fighters. "The last 7 fighters of Dreamland, will Kirby continue to run, while his friends die? Or will he save you all from your horrible fate?" The seven warriors were old partners with Kirby. They had helped him defeat Dark Mater, another foe of Kirby's who was seemingly immortal. The first one was a strange blue blob of goo, and was named Gooey. Next was a foot tall hamster, which was adept for fighting on the land, his name was Rick. Then there was an owl one of the 2 creatures that had just saved Metaknight moments prior. This was Coo. Then there was a sun fish that seemed to float in mid air, and could somehow breathe in oxygen. This was Kine. Then there was a rather fat cat, known as Nago. A small bird rested on Nago's head this one was the second one who had saved Metaknight: Pitch. The last warrior was a pink octopus who wore a red bow on her head. She was known as Chu Chu.

"And just how is it that 7 worthless creatures are going to defeat me? The all powerful Nightmare!"

"We aren't!" Rick shouted. "We are just going to fight you until Kirby gets here!"

All 7 of Kirby's friends charged forwards at Nightmare. Immediately Gooey's long tongue went around Nightmare's right hand. This distracted Nightmare long enough for both Rick and Nago to bash into Nightmare. Nago using his front claws began to violently scratch, as though Nightmare was nothing more than a scratching post.

Chu Chu jumped at Nightmare's left hand, while Pitch, and Coo, began to viciously peck at the monster. Agravated Nightmare just swiped at all of the creatures sending them flying back. Nago once again tried to pounce on Nightmare, but Nightmare flew backwards over a rather big lake. Nago like all cats was petrified of the water and slowly backed up. Kine however jumped into the water and began to swim around as fast as possible, occasionally lunging out of the water to bash Nightmare. Pitch and Coo also continued their attack, and Chu Chu and Gooey also attacked. It seemed that the only two who were hindered by Nightmare's move was Rick and Nago.

Kine shot out of the water like a torpedo, but Nightmare floated up to the point where Kine could no longer reach, then using his long hands he sent Coo, Chu Chu, Gooe, and Pitch smashing into Rick , Nago, and Kine. All 7 fighters were in a nice pile.

Nightmare's hand slowly reached for the downed fighters, when suddenly a beam of multicolored energy came bashing into his hand, and through the shadow prison that Link was trapped in. The prison shattered and Link came out, exhausted, and he collapsed on to the ground. From a distance, flying towards them was Kirby. In his hand was the Star Rod. Nightmare looked up at Kirby and just laughed, stretching out his hand he tried to grab the star warrior but Kirby was able to evade it. Kirby then shot several stars out of the Star Rod. Each of them hitting Nightmare and appearing to do damage.

Nightmare then reached out again and tried to crush Kirby but once again the star warrior was able to evade. Kirby shot out this time one hundred stars at Nightmare each one hitting, yet they didn't seem to do any damage. Nightmare once again reached for Kirby but this time an arrow went through his hands. Link was able to get up and fire a light arrow at the monster, destroying most of Nightmare's right hand. As though nothing had happened, the hand began to reform. Kirby had gotten off of his warp star and rushed over to Link.

"What took you so long?" Link asked weakly.

Kirby just looked at Link not answering. Then he waved the Star Rod, and the multicolored energy came out, and healed Link. "I thought you were tougher!" Kirby finally answered just looking at Nightmare. "Where is Metaknight?"

"DIE!" Nightmare's voice shouted out his hands reaching for both Link and Kirby. It was to late for either of them to dodge, and Kirby turned around and this time sent a multicolored beam at Nightmare, this one breaking apart both of his hands, and a majority of his arms and body, all that remained was a small chunk of skin, about the size of a fist, and a dark aura glowing off of it. Then with out warning the chunk was absorbed, and what remained was the Smash Crystal.

Link reached into his pockets and grabbed a few more bottles of red potion. "Thankfully I stocked up!" Link muttered to himself, opening a bottle and taking some. Instantly his wounds were healed. Link then gave two bottles to Kirby. "Take one to Metaknight, and drink the second Red Potion!" Kirby quickly drank the potion, and ran towards Metaknight, who also drank the Red Potion. Both Kirby and Metaknight walked over to Link.

"Link," Metaknight began "That potion you gave us, it tasted just like a Maxim Tomato!"

"Now that you mention it the two do taste exactly the same!" Kirby said.

Link stared dumbstruck at the two. "But how?" Link asked.

"There is only one logical explanation!" Metaknight said. "It could be that perhaps the Maxim Tomatoe is an ingredient in the potion!"

"There might be another…" Link just looked around. "It could be that both Hyrule and Popstar are parallel worlds, neither knowing of each others existence. Both of them have several of the same elements, and yet are also very different. Perhaps this is one of them, both the Red potion, and the Maxim tomatoes! I have come across one before."

"Now then… I think we need to move on to more important matters!" Metaknight pointed his sword at the Smash Crystal. "Why was Nightmare absorbed by that crystal?"

"I can answer that!" Master Hand laughed appearing in front of the Link, Kirby and Metaknight. "To purge the world of darkness, and leave it pure, is the crystal's purpose! In the end our goals are the same. We both want a world rid of evil!"

"Who are you trying to kid?" Link spat at Master Hand. "Your goal is to become the ruler of the multiverse!"

"Heh… only the pure can survive! You know this affects you as well Link! You are impure, the light of the triforce, on your pathetic hylian body, along with the darkness of Majora a God of evil! Join me and I can make your body pure! And rid it of Majora!" The smash crystal floated up in front of Link. "Now all you have to do is grab the crystal and once again you will be pure, and saved!"

Slowly Link's hand moved towards the crystal, it was almost as though it was against his will. Suddenly it stopped. "No… I must protect Zelda" Link said. "Our love… will conquer even you!"

"Love is but a word, given to a useless emotion!" Master Hand said, disgusted. "I gave up on it long ago, along with all other of my emotions, except for anger, and hate!" The smash crystal floated back to Master Hand. "But you were right not to touch the crystal. The fate for those who trust the Seal of Smash is the same, despair, loneliness, and eventually a premature death! Its rather ironic, everyone wants the power, yet in a twist of events they themselves cannot comprehend it! And it only leads them closer to isolation!"

Link grabbed the NES sword, and pointed it at Master Hand. "Its time to end our battle!"

Master Hand floated closer to Link. "Well then your move!" Link looked at his opponent just floating in the air waiting for him to attack. They then froze, staring at each other for minutes. "Well then… If you won't attack then I will!"

Master Hand charged forwards towards Link, and Link charged towards Master Hand. Link stretched out the NES sword, and slashed at Master Hand, who just used a small object to counter.

A crimson light began to explode from behind Link. And the NES sword began to glow a bright white color. Both the white and the red merged together.

"Bwhahahahaha…" Master Hand began to laugh. Link turned around and faced Master Hand.

"What's so funny?" Link asked, holding onto the NES sword.

"The Smash Crystal!" Master Hand just held it out, allowing Link to see the crystal. In it were cracks, and it looked like it was about to shatter. "Gives birth to the seal of smash, both of them have been around since nearly the beginning of time, and both of them have also withstood the test of time. Ancient civilizations harnessed the true power of this small crystal. To evolve, and to become stronger. Yet wars had begun for this. Greed had consumed all of man, and there were those who wanted it to know all of its secrets. Then a great war began in order to obtain the crystal. It was this crystal that bore your NES sword. I wanted to make the crystal stronger but I never knew how. Then I decided to destroy it, and scatter the shards across the universe, to make it absorb evil in the hearts of every being! The first part of my plan is in motion!"

The NES Sword felt lighter all of a sudden. Link looked down on the ground and saw the crystal that Kirby had fused with it had fallen. And soon every item that Link fused with the NES sword also fell onto the ground. And it once again it no longer had a blade. The light died down Kirby, and Metaknight were in view.

"Link we all have to attack him at once!" Metaknight said. Link just stood his ground and glared at Master Hand and tried to think up of a plan. At the moment it did seem that they should charge at Master Hand and try to overwhelm him.

"Okay… all right! We attack him all at once!" Link shouted charging forwards. However the smash crystal exploded sending the shards up into the sky, and several bright crimson explosions of light began to appear, across the sky. Link, Kirby, and Metaknight stopped moving.

"What is this?" Metaknight asked, staring at the spectacle of fireworks in the sky.

"Part 2 of my plan has begun!" Master Hand laughed. "Across the universe these fragments go!"

Link, Metaknight, and Kirby charged at Master Hand, Link now using the Master Sword. Master Hand just floated in the air and made his hand shaped like a gun. Pointing it at Kirby, several golden bullets shot out and bashed him away. Metaknight jumped behind Master Hand and tried to vertically slash him, but Master Hand just dodged. Link had stopped rushing towards Master Hand in order to take out a Light arrow. The Light arrow was shot at Master Hand but he created a barrier of shadow energy, protecting him.

"That barrier was made out of shadow energy!" Link said shocked. "You're using the power of the sages against me!"

Master Hand didn't answer, Kirby had sent a multicolored beam from the Star Rod at Master Hand, this time the shadow barrier shattered.

Metaknight jumped up and slashed Master hand, this time his sword cut through part of the glove, and blood came out.

Master Hand regained his footing after Metaknight slashed him. "I have found the first bearer of the crystal's power!" Master Hand threw a strange shard at Metaknight, and it landed on his forehead. Metaknight was sent down to the ground weakened. Both Kirby and Link ran to Metaknight's aid. Master Hand took this time to disappear.

Master Hand fell down on to the ground of the fountain of dreams his blood mixing with the dreams and causing them to become poisoned and corrupted. Soon the fountain stopped overflowing with water and began to overflow with a crimson mist. "Yes…" Master Hand muttered now recovering. "This wound proves it… Metaknight was evil at one point…" Master Hand dragged himself towards the edge of the fountain. He looked down at Dreamland. "Now let your dreams be filled with evil… And feed your hatred to me!"

To be continued…