So uh…here's chapter eleven! The beginning of the descent, another King (one that I do not own), and Master Hand's true form! Woo!
Falco: You're faking it…
So what if I am? Actually, yeah, I am…I'm not one hundred percent sure how I want to do the Underworld, so I might actually put this on temporary hold or something. But I said I own the Underworld, so I'll think of something!
D.K.: But this chapter—
Only have the lowest level, where Nox and Marth are, and the Gate itself. I have a sketchy idea, but that at most…Anyway; let's move on, shall we? I'll worry about all that when the time comes.
Pikachu: RoyalFanatic doesn't own us, SSBM, the Devils or their King, and your immortal OCs (including Nox's heir), but she does own The Demon King, Sally Lune, Young Link's friend Bridgett, the Hands' true forms, other angels and demons that don't belong to you guys, and the Underworld Realm.
Okay, so now I'll officially shut up. Away chapter!
The trek to the Southern Continent was a silent one; Roy had never felt so nervous in his life. He was thankful that Zelda stood by his side and offered her strength. He also grew thankful to Mario, Yoshi, and Pikachu.
Pikachu's decision to join the descent was sudden; it was an "Act First, Think Afterwards" moment. Yet he wanted to help, or maybe it was because he wanted to see the Realm of the Underworld…or maybe he just wanted to confirm if Nox was able to return to this world or not; to make sure that the world would be safe for his son.
Yoshi just wanted to join; he felt that his abilities would come in handy, and he didn't mind if he had to carry anyone. Not to mention he was deciding to research the demons and perhaps seeing their world would help. He also decided to be the comic reliever of the group; making sure to smile no matter what. He was doing a good job of it.
Mario stood true to what he said; all the waiting was starting to bore him, and make him feel as if he just wasn't doing enough. He knew both Luigi and Dr. Mario understood, and he wanted to give his younger brother a break and more time to spend with Peach. He absentmindedly stretched as they headed south.
Zelda was glad that Roy had asked for her help; she felt that it would ease her two brothers more that he asked for her assistance rather than jumping up and proclaiming she was going, like Pikachu did. Besides, she remembered what she told Young Link before all of this happened, and she felt a little guilty.
In what seemed like no time, the Chariot finally landed in the center of the Southern Demonic Continent.
There was very little vegetation left as they looked around. There were no trees, no plants, and what little grass there was yellow and dried; dead. The sun seemed to be the harshest here, although perhaps that was because there was no shade. The ground was covered with bright red-brown dirt.
"Wow…talk about lifeless," Yoshi muttered. "It's the perfect place to fit the Underworld's Gate, right?"
"But don't some call it Hell's Gate?" Zelda asked. "I wonder why that is?"
"It's merely two names for the same place," A familiar voice said, speaking rather than being projected. "Some call it Hell, while others call it the Underworld."
The five turned around, and there he was. His hair was a raven black, short and bushed back, much like a raven's feathers. Two small horns, also raven black, were brushed back like his hair. His eyes were violet, and seemed to glow. His face was clear, save for a dark purple scar that stretched from his left cheek to the tip of his nose.
He wore a dark indigo shirt, with the Super Smash Brothers logo stitched on both the left and right shoulders, dark black pants that surpassed his ankles, hiding what would later be seen indigo boots. He wore a black belt that camouflaged itself; the only way the five knew it was there was because of the long gold gun that was hanging on the right side. He had wings much like a raven's on his back, and his tail was shaped like a raven's as well.
"I know; not what you thought of; am I correct?" Jeffrey Hand asked; his smile both humorous and easy going at the same time. "Well, as you can see, I am very respectable about ravens."
"Hell ya you are!" Mario shouted, wide eyed.
"You should've seen Nina's reaction when I told her I was hiding my identity," Jeffrey said, chuckling. "She told me "Handsome men like you hiding your identities should be a crime". But now, let us get to the real reason we're here: The Underworld."
"Yeah…" Roy muttered, not wanting to delay any more. "But…wait. Do you still want us to call you Master Hand? Or Jeffrey Hand? Or…"
"It's up to you," Jeffrey said in reply.
"I'm too used to "Master Hand"," Pikachu confessed. The others nodded in agreement.
"That's decided?" Jeffrey asked. Everyone nodded again. "Very well then, let's get on with this."
With a small sigh, the Guide turned and faced the most barren of the land. Holding out his hands, he began chanting in Demonic. Roy looked over to him; he recognized some of the words he was saying. At long last, the Demonic turned to English.
"'Unholy ones! Grant the foolishly wise to thou domain! Open the gate!'"
The warmth and light of the sun vanished, despite the fact it was still in the sky, and the winds picked up. From that most barren of all the land, a giant steel gate, much like the ones to graveyards in the horror movies, rose to the sky. At its tallest, it was twice the height of Ganondorf. It seemed to be millions upon millions of years old.
The giant gates creaked when they opened; a lot of oil would've been needed to quiet them down. Black mist seeped out as the five smashers and demon stared into the darkness that led to the Underworld.
Jeffrey made a step forward; then stopped.
A man had come out.
Or at least, he looked liked one. He had a handsome face, almost perfect, and red eyes. He had blood red hair that fell to his lower back. He wore huge black armor that was plain, save for two spikes that shot out from his shoulders that also had a human skull dangling from each spike. Zelda felt nauseous.
"Well, Jeffrey Hand of the demons. It has been a very long time," The man said. Jeffrey bowed.
"I guess you can say that, His Highness of the Devils, King Lucifer."
"The Devil King?" Yoshi asked in a loud whisper. "Oh wow…"
"For what reason are you here?" Lucifer asked. "If I remember correctly, didn't you say you were going to quit your job, and focus more on…mortals?"
"I did say that," Jeffrey replied. "However, a situation has come up, and I must guide once more."
"Yes, you do that," Lucifer said, sounding bored.
"And if I may ask, King Lucifer. What brings you here?" Jeffrey asked. "You were never one who came up to the mortal realm."
"One of my subjects told me of a hospital sent up in flames," Lucifer replied. "I'm merely going to watch the show; I've grown bored recently."
"That's horrible!" Pikachu cried.
"It's entertainment," Lucifer said, with a malicious grin. "Now, if you excuse me, demon. I do not wish to miss the show."
"As you say, King," Jeffrey said. The Devil King vanished.
"What a…character!" Mario cried, trying not to sound disrespectful. The plumber felt that the King of Devils would be a horrible foe. "But, why was he human?"
"Indeed," Jeffrey muttered. "And as for your question, he and his top four commanders all have human forms. No one knows why, and no one dares ask, for fear of vanishing…never to return. But now a spirit and a shadow await us. Let us go."
And with that, they stepped into the Realm of the Underworld.
Down in the lowest of the depths of the Realm, there was the sound of obnoxious giggling. One would think they were coming from the two inhabitants of the room, but neither were in the condition; one, a spirit, being chained above a pit of flames, a most solemn expression on his face, and the other sitting on a chair, observing the chained one.
She had gold eyes, and black hair that fell to her shoulders. Sticking from the top of her head were two demon horns. She wore a black and maroon blended sleeveless dress that slightly parted on both sides, the front end of the dress reaching down to her thighs and the back end reaching behind her knees, and black leggings. A black cape was trailing behind her, reaching to her feet and hiding her tail. She also wore black boots and fingerless gloves.
The woman sighed heavily, revealing two demon fangs and normal teeth, before finally speaking. "Okay Nox; why the hell are you so happy?"
From the ground a shadow could be seen. However, the shadow was not pitch black, as usual shadows are, but had all the features of its once alive owner, the Demon King. With a flash, the shadow stood rightfully; with another flash, it became three dimensional. The giggling finally came to a halt.
"They have finally come, and now I will get my revenge, dear, dear Syleen," The shadow said.
"Yeah; that obviously makes any demon skip around and giggle like a little school girl," Marth muttered, his voice filled with sarcasm.
"SILENCE!" The King screamed. "Those smashers…all of them, and you! You'll all pay! For ending my life! For ruining my glorious reign that would've happened! For not being able to finally remove those worthless mortal worlds!"
"Mortals have done nothing to deserve such destruction," Syleen said, frowning. "Hopefully when I'm on the throne, demons may have a better chance at getting along with the mortal race!"
"Like that'll ever happen," The Shadow muttered. He snapped his fingers, and a random demon appeared. "You. Locate and observe the mortals who just entered the realm. They should start their descent soon. Tell me how many there are, their hair and eye color, and what weapon they hold." The demon nodded and vanished.
"I wonder who came, and if they came alone," Syleen thought out loud. "This realm is harsh without a guide."
"It does not matter," The Shadow said. "They won't make it all the way down here. And I will have my revenge." He began to laugh as he flatted himself again and dropped to the floor, turning back into a regular shadow. Laughter turned to that obnoxious giggling, and the shadow began to skip around again.Marth swore mentally, wondering just what he had gotten himself into.
A tension rose throughout the Realm, it seemed. Everyone, the two down below and the six traveling down there, could feel it. What would the Underworld show them? What would the six traveling see? And could they reach their destination; not to mention return home alive?
A candle of hope shined in each of their hearts…
Falcon: And that's that! Oh, and RF apologizes if the ending suxs!
Yoshi: Falcon…--;
Marth: … …can't think of anything to say…damn!
Falcon: Then don't speak, right? Anyway, yeah, Syleen is Nox's heir, in case you didn't quite get that. Although she's technically Demon Queen (Queen because of her age), she has to wait until the right time to actually take the throne. Yeah, it's complicated, but that's how it is. XD
Yoshi: Till next time then! Whether or not it's a few hours, days, or even weeks! O.o
Marth: Review!