Ghirahim and Groose sat on a log, overlooking the waterfall that fell into Lake Floria. Ghirahim had requested some time alone with Groose to sort everything out. By this time, Ghirahim had sobered up for the most part, the effects of his plentiful drug diet wearing off.

"So what did you bring me in to deal with, exactly?"

"Well… we figured that if anyone was going to help us on this quest, it was going to be you. I figured your connection to demons previously could be an asset to us now, plus your relation as a sword spirit gives you the same abilities as Fi, does it not?"

"You are correct in your part of relations to demons. I can indeed help you in terms of any demons you are dealing with. In terms of the abilities of a sword spirit… my powers have been all but lost. The powers I had were far in contrast to the abilities of your previous aid, Fi. I was powerful, she was wise. I was devious, she was forthright. I was cool, she was annoying. She was really annoying. Anyway, my powers are all but gone for the time being. Without someone to- are you paying attention?"

"Wait, were you saying something?" Groose asked. "I was fixing my pompadour. Not that it was imperfect, I just made it… more… perfect."

"Okay, just what exactly do you need me for?"

"If I told you that I needed to find some demons, could you locate them and possibly help me destroy them?"

"Sure, I can do that. I sensed eight signals appear recently, are these what you were talking about?"

"I think so. When can you start?"

"This all depends. When do I get my paycheck?"

"Paycheck? What paycheck? You expect me to pay you for helping us? You must be high!"

Ghirahim laughed. "Why should I help you?"

"Because it's for the greater good. Your old master was an asshole, this is a chance to show him up. Besides, what are you going to spend money on?"

"I would like to save my money and put it into a joint check-savings account."

"Why do you need a bank account?"

"Because one day, I want to buy a house to live in."

Groose was fairly puzzled by this intriguing request, but he accepted it none the less. He shook Ghirahim's hand. "You'll receive your paycheck in rupees, if that's okay." Groose let his hand go. "I think you'll do just fine." he said, and pat Ghirahim on his back. With that, Ghirahim toppled over and plunged into the waters of Lake Floria.

"…oops."

Link and Cheeb were greeted in the forest by a sopping wet Ghirahim and an ecstatic Groose. "Guess who's joining the party?"

"What the hell is this, a Super Smash Bros. Announcement?" Link muttered.

"Hopefully!" Groose said. Somewhere, a certain author knew a certain game developer was laughing at a certain character's chances of making it into a certain game. He began laughing uncomfortably to himself.

"What was that?" Cheeb asked, looking around. "Did you guys hear that?"

"That happens from time to time around here… you'll get used to it." Link assured Cheeb.

"So where are we headed first?" Cheeb asked.

"Actually, there's a strong presence emanating from Lake Floria."

"Really? How'd you know?" Groose asked. "Demon powers?" Groose taunted, nudging his shoulder.

"No. I saw the Triforce piece at the bottom of the lake when you pushed me in."

"I said 'oops', didn't I?"

"Come on, let's get going." Link said, leading the group towards the Lake.

"This is a big lake, Link."

"Indeed it is, Groose. So how do we decide who goes in?"

"I'll go in." Groose offered. "All I'm doing is just grabbing that piece of Triforce at the bottom of the lake, right?"

"Actually Groose, that's not quite how it works. To release the piece from the summon it is held in, the demon must first be defeated. There's no escaping a fight."

"Okay… then I'll go anyway. After all, I am the hero, right?"

"Actually Groose… I think I'll take this one. I've been… itching for a fight." Ghirahim disappeared in a puff of diamonds, leaving the other three on the cliff of the lake, looking down.

"Show yourself, demon." Ghirahim said, holding a dark black saber. While he wasn't at full power, summoning weapons was his specialty. He ran his fingers down the blade itself, smirking.

"Ghirahim… you abandoned us…"

"Ha. Now I repeat, show yourself."

"You can't stop it…"

Ghirahim spun around, slashing his sword to come in contact with nothing but a rock. His eyes spanned the cave, his ears ringing with each drop of water falling to the floor. Outside, the rush of the waterfall created a wall that Groose, Link, nor Cheeb could see through. Carefully spinning, Ghirahim held his blade aloft.

"It's coming. Can't you feel it… rushing through you?"

Ghirahim spun around as a wet arm wrapped around his face, then his legs, and then his arms. A bright eye appeared through the darkness, followed by many others. Ghirahim wrestled his arm from the shadowy grip of his opponent, and began to wildly swing with his free arm, hacking and slashing away.

"Feel it flowing through you… You can't escape it… You're still one of us…"

"My ass I am!" Ghirahim screamed, digging his feet into the ground. He drove his sword into the eye in front of him, the demon chief hissing in pain. He pushed forward, at first inch by inch, but slowly advancing. He was now at a full sprint, the monster still speared through the eye. Ghirahim exerted his strength, running forward towards the mouth of the cave.

"You're too far in, Ghirahim… You're no hero…"

"Piss off, you worthless sack of shit!" Ghirahim drove through the waterfall, bringing himself and the demon into the light.

"I hate this game."

"Oh come on Link! This is a special edition!" Groose began to shake the dice again as he threw them onto the Pompanopoly board.

"Groose, we've playing this for hours!"

As Groose was about to protest, a loud noise interrupted them.

"Did you hear that?" Groose asked, "It sounded like a big 'splurgh' noise?"

"A what?"

"It sounded like 'splurgh'."

"No, it sounded like 'kersplooch'."

"Should we go check that out?" Cheeb asked. Link and Groose stopped arguing and looked down. Something dark was in the water.

"Yeah, let's go check out the 'kersplooch' noise." Link said, sprinting ahead.

Groose ran after him, calling out "It was a 'splurgh' noise, I swear!"

Cheeb waddled after. "Groose! Wait! You didn't collect your two hundered!"