NOTES: Sorry I took so long again, as this chapter gave me a lot of trouble to write. Either it sounded too cliché, or it sounded like someone else's idea, or I just didn't like it (Ah, the troublesome life of a perfectionist, lol). Well, I'm not in a good mood right now, mostly because I've started school again, and that mixing with my part-time job on the weekends and after-school activities will mean less time to write. But I'm still determined to keep going, as I truly enjoy it as a hobby, just as much as I enjoy video games. Okay, last chapter we saw Ganondorf preparing to meet with his "associates". I've chosen not to reveal who all of these people are right now, but just keep in mind that they will play a crucial role in the chapters to come (I'll probably introduce them individually as the story progresses). One of my reviewers asked me how far I'm planning to go with this story. I estimated about 35-45 chapters, but before you start thinking I'm insane or something, just remember that some chapters are shorter than others, and I might work on a one-shot or two along the way. Okay, well I'm done now, so here's Chapter 19!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own SSBM, Metroid, The Legend of Zelda, Star Fox, or any other Nintendo-related series. They all belong to Nintendo of Japan/America and the other companies that help make them successful, such as HAL Laboratories, Namco, or Retro Studios. Yeah, you can tell I haven't written this in awhile…

Chapter 19: Revival of a Hero's Evil

"And so far, that's all the information I have for you on all of your enemies' current whereabouts, since you all have recently lost track of them in your own worlds. We'll have another meeting soon, to see that we all are in agreement to this coalition. Until then, I thank you for coming and bid you all farewell. My Iron Knuckles will escort you outside, where your own forces await."

Five figures shrouded in the darkness of the dining room nodded, rising from their seats and filed out of the door, with two golden-clad Iron Knuckles following them. Ganondorf looked on as they went, watching as the two doors closed behind them.

'That went well. I'll have to thank Bowser later for getting me in contact with all of them…' he thought as he left the room, the empty echo of the doors closing bouncing off the walls.

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As he started to head back to his quarters, a Stalfos Knight caught up with him. This particular Stalfos looked different from the others, as his limited armor was glossed over in pure gold, and he had a golden sword and shield attached to his back. His sword wasn't jagged and short like the other Stalfos, symbolizing he was of high stature among his forces.

"Lord Ganondorf!" he exclaimed.

The Gerudo stopped, and turned around to face the voice.

"Yes general, what is it?"

"You requested an update on our continuing progress?"

"Yes, how is the resurrection of our forces going?" Ganondorf asked.

"Thanks to your efforts of reviving more Wizrobes, the continuing revitalization of our deceased forces is coming along twice as fast than originally expected. This includes the numbers of our ReDead, Lizardfols, Dinofols, Wallmasters, Skulltulas, Gibdos, Moblins, and Iron Knuckles. As for my Stalfos Knights, we've been able to find more recruits in the Lost Woods to add to our numbers continuing to be revived daily by the Wizrobes. The recruits are being trained quicker by our veterans from the War of Time, and at this rate all our forces will be ready for your bidding in about a month's time."

Ganondorf was pleased, a slight smile creeping on his lips.

"Very good general, your work is exceptional. I will certainly consider a promotion in your future."

"Thank you, my lord." the Stalfos General said, making sure to keep his excitement in check, like he was trained to do.

"Give my compliments to the Wizrobes as well. If progress continues to be this productive, then we shall surpass even the strength we possessed in the War of Time!"

"Yes, my Lord. We shall be ready for active duty soon!" exclaimed the Stalfos General.

"Very good, you are dismissed."

The Stalfos General saluted, and then took off towards the dungeons to continue training his troops.

Ganondorf started walking again, when suddenly he heard a voice in his mind.

'My lord, are you sure an alliance with those other rulers is such a wise move?'

The King of Evil wasn't surprised to see Mewtwo suddenly teleport in front of him with his arms crossed in front of his chest, his eyes illuminating the dark corridor.

"Yes Mewtwo, I'm confident in my decision. Remember that I don't tolerate any kind of in subornation, even from you. This time however, I'll make an exception. You are, after all, one of the best intelligence agents we currently possess. Bowser was wise in recommending your services."

'That reminds me; our spies have learned the location of that mask you were so curious about. It's currently in the hands of a traveling mask salesman, who has a novelty for collecting rare masks. Currently, he's traveling in the Lost Woods. He believes that the mask's dark powers have been driven from it, ever since Link saved Termina from its clutches.'

"Excellent, Mewtwo. It seems that information I got from Master Hand was correct after all. You are dismissed."

'As you wish, my lord.'

With a brief nod, Mewtwo teleported out of the hallway, leaving no trace that he was even there.

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Ganondorf changed direction, and started off towards a different room in his resurrected castle, passing some of the many pieces of Hylian architecture and art that he possessed. Most of them he had plundered from Hyrule during his tyrannical seven year rule in the alternate timeline, his skills as a Gerudo helping him greatly in accomplishing this. How he retrieved them from that now non-existing time was still a mystery.

Unknown to all but his most trusted forces, the Gerudo secretly has a passion for collecting ancient Hylian art. When he was only king of the Gerudo, he marveled at the magnificence of the few remaining ancient temples and buildings the ancient Hylians had left behind when Hyrule still existed. This prompted him to do some research on Hyrule, eventually causing his interest in the Triforce and its many legends.

Shortly he arrived at another set of doors, painted black and built with the strongest metal. He grasped and pulled one of the golden handles and stepped inside, and ended up in his private summoning chamber, where he created new creatures under his control and summoned new ones. Although the entire room was constructed with blue stone, a golden Triforce symbol was painted in the center of the room. Lit torches surrounded it, providing the only source of light in the room.

Ganondorf stepped into it, and kneeled in the center of the Triforce, muttering incantations in ancient Gerudo. He stepped back, and an ill wind began to conjure in the room, blowing out the torches. The Triforce mark began to glow, and then a dark, circular void opened up where it used to be.

He then raised his arms while continuing to chant, closing his eyes and concentrating. Soon, a figure slowly rose from the void, enclosed in complete shadow. All that was truly visible was its glowing red eyes. Ganondorf opened his own eyes, stopped chanting and lowered his arms. The void closed from whence it came and the wind stopped, revealing once again the Triforce mark and causing the air in the room to be still. The torches relit, and the figure was fully visible now, standing in the center of the Triforce mark.

It appeared to resemble a Hylian, or rather a Hylian's shadow. The figure was clothed in a black tunic and hat, along with matching pants and boots. Strung to its back was a black sheath, containing a sword made of an unknown metal alloy. A solid black shield was also strung to the sheath, its face absorbing all light.

The creature's evil-looking eyes looked around the room, until their gaze met the eyes of Ganondorf.

The dark character immediately got on one knee, bowing its head and gazing at the floor.

"Master…" it muttered in a dark, quiet voice.

"I have brought you back from the void between realms, my old creation. Hopefully your time there has allowed you to reflect upon your failure in the Water Temple?"

The creature only nodded its head.

"Good. I have a job only you can accomplish, since you are the only remaining servant I have left from my reign in that alternate timeline. All my other creations were destroyed by those damned sages!"

"What is it that you wish of me?" it asked.

"There's a wandering mask salesman not too far from this castle. He possesses a mask of great value to me, called Majora's Mask. I want it unscathed and brought to me immediately."

The figure slowly rose to a stand, his face and features coming into full focus with the little light inside of the room. Its face resembled that of a certain Hylian warrior's…

"What of the salesman?" the figure questioned.

"He's of no worth to me. Do as you wish with him."

A small, sadistic smile became visible on his face as he heard this.

"Now go, and be quick about it. Remember I want the mask undamaged!"

"As you wish, my Lord Ganondorf," the figure called Dark Link said, as he strode past the King of Evil and ran out of the room. Ganondorf started to laugh again, his voice echoing throughout the chamber.

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Marth was tired after riding back to the Mansion. After bidding farewell to DK, he departed on his faithful horse back to Smash Mansion, stopping only for fresh water to replenish his supply of water bottles.

Now, as he stumbled up the stairs towards his and Link's dormitory, he felt like he could sleep for a week. He seriously considered going to look for Samus to see if she had returned from Pop Star yet, but he figured that she wouldn't be back until tomorrow, since Pop Star was such a long ways from this planet.

He fumbled in his pockets for his room key outside the door while grabbing on the handle, but found out surprisingly that it was open. Shrugging to himself, he went in and immediately dropped his travel pack on the floor, sighing with relief. He looked around the room, and found his roommate already asleep in his own bed, a small smile on his lips. Marth smiled himself at his sleeping form.

'Hmm…must have had a good time with Zelda. So I guess the speculations I've heard while traveling here were right. Link, I knew you would find the guts in you someday!'

Not even bothering to change, the prince of Altea collapsed on his bed, his exhaustion finally taking its toll on his sore body as he passed out.

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Beneath the darkness of the night, a lone Hylian dressed in strange purple and gold clothing walked through the Lost Woods, a lantern in his hand and an enormous pack containing various things on his back, complete with masks of all kinds outlining the outside of it. He knew the town he was currently searching for was close, yet it seemed like he wouldn't be there until dawn. Despite this fact, he seemed pleasantly at ease, since there was many a night in the past in which he found himself walking alone under the scattered moonlight of the forest.

Unbeknownst to him, a lone figure was tracking his every movement, high up in the branches of one of the taller trees. The darkness of the night helped to camouflage his already darkened clothing and complexion, making the lone figure beneath him totally oblivious to his presence.

Stealthily so as to not reveal his presence, he jumped down towards another tree branch, so as to get a better view. Not once did the sound of his boots landing on the branch nor the straining sound of a branch bending with the added weight alert the oblivious traveler.

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"Oh, I do hope I find that Inn soon…" the Happy Mask Salesman said to himself out loud as he continued to wander the forest in search of the town that was supposedly around here, his lantern illuminating the path in front of him.

After leaving Termina, he had been busy collecting all sorts of different masks from around the world to add to his already impressive collection. When he heard of Hyrule's demise, he was saddened but decided to wander the world in search of more masks. But he still couldn't find a mask worth more than the one that had almost destroyed Termina.

Thankful that the evil power was gone from it, the mask salesman had continued to keep Majora's Mask stored away in a safe place in his pack, away from curious eyes. It had caused him so much trouble, yet he was still very fond of the mask. So he continued to keep it, a burden that he considered to be his and his alone.

Currently, he was en route to Smash Village, where he was going to stock up on supplies and stay the night. However, he had been wandering in the Lost Woods for what he estimated had to be about six hours, looking desperately for the village.

Humming the Song of Healing to himself, he stopped when he heard a rustling in the bushes on his right. He stopped for a second, curious as to what made the noise as he aimed his lantern at the bushes.

"Hello?" he asked the darkness.

An incoming arrow was what answered him.

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Dark Link dropped to the ground, getting an arrow out of his quiver and arming his bow. While moving silently, he brushed against a tree, creating some noise as its bushes moved.

The Mask Salesman stopped, and aimed his lantern at a nearby bush. Dark Link quickly got his bow up, and took aim at his target.

"Hello?" asked the salesman to no one in particular.

Dark Link closed one eye, carefully lined up his target, and fired.

The mask salesman hardly had time to react as he tried to move, but the arrow managed to pierce his shoulder. He cried out in pain, dropping his lantern and trying to pull out the deadly projectile, his shoulder oozing with blood. He lost his balance from the surprise, and fell over with the heavy weight of his pack.

His eyes moved in panic as he tried to pull out the arrow, looking for whoever shot it. To his horror, a creature clothed in darkness emerged from the brush, a black sword drawn at his front.

The salesman tried even harder to pull out the arrow as the figure approached, but to no avail. He tried to run, but the pack continued to hold him in place, obstructing all movement.

Finally, the figure was above him, the sword held over his head in a two handed grip, a sadistic smile on his face. The salesman could only open his mouth in shock at the face of that figure, only uttering one word as the sword came down upon him.

"You…"

Okay, I'm not a sick person, okay? Just making that clear. I apologize to all people who love the Happy Mask Salesman, by the way. I have no grudge against the guy, but I felt that his death was necessary in order for Dark Link to obtain Majora's Mask for Ganondorf, AND to give better insight on his personality. YES, I've confirmed that Ganondorf wants Majora's Mask. This definitely won't be the last time you'll see old DL, by the way. I can most certainly guarantee that. Well, I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but I'll try to get it done in a reasonable amount of time. Thanks like always to all of my reviewers, since you guys continue to empower me with your encouragement! Next chapter will be better, I swear. Oh, I want to know from you guys in your next review, if I should include any of the announced characters from the trailer of SSBB. (Yes, I've seen the trailer. It's awesome!) I've thought about possibly including Meta-Knight or Solid Snake in this story, but I'm not sure if any of the new characters would be able to fit into the plot. So tell me in a review if you'd like to see any of the new characters, okay? Well as always thanks for reading, and please hit that little button down there and please review!

AUTHOR'S NOTE 9/10: Oh my god, I'm such a dumbass! Why oh why did I give away Dark Link's personality in an author's note! Sorry guys, my mistake. Special thanks to BKP for pointing that out to me, as I didn't realize that I had left that there from a previous edit! Well, it's gone now, so hopefully not too much damage done. A character's personality should be described in future chapters, not in one sentence! Again, my apologies. Okay, enough rambling and apologizing. All I've done in this edit is changed that sentence, and one word that I left out of a description. Stupid line button still isn't working, for some reason. I'll fix it if it ever decides to work again. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far, by the way. I'll get back to all of them as soon as I get a free moment, which will probably be in the middle of the week. Expect the next chapter soon! (I hope…)