Baby-G is here with my latest from the story. I'm sorry about the late update, I had many excuses and don't feel like explaining myself.

My author's note is short this time around and I'm sad to say length wise this chapter doesn't match to RoyalFanatic's.

Enjoy!

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La Belle

Chapter 13

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Silence. Sobs.

It was the only thing anyone had heard in the area as the eyes of the smashers glanced upon the event in front of them. It was a change in history at the moment, or at least that's what it felt like. The execution of Ganondorf ended the madness. It ended the horror, the murders and spirits as well. There was mixed of emotion within the small crowd that gathered in the forest to attend Ganondorf's funeral. Half of which were pleased the evil Gerudo was gone. For them it was a time of rejoice because the mansion was now safe. Of course those who were upset about Ganondorf's death also rejoice because of the new freedom; but they also held sorrow within them. In their minds, Ganondorf was innocent.

Peach Toadstool was one of the few smashers who believed so. She stood in the front row. Her location was near Falcon and Marth, two of the jurors who sided with her on the matter. They watched, as silence overtook them, the coffin holding the late Ganondorf Dragmire. The coffin was already placed in the desired hole waiting to be buried under the earth as Ganondorf now joined the other departed smashers.

Albrecht stood up front facing the group of smashers standing behind the hole where the coffin rested. Bowser and Samus both stood off to the side with shovels ready to finally put Ganondorf to rest. Albrecht was ready to say a few words before the funeral comes to an end. The smashers didn't plan to go all out for the funeral, since he was the murderer who killed ten smashers and Master Hand. They just planned something short and simple. They were all still going to remember him either way. Forgetting the horror and tragic that fell in the mansion was something impossible to move on from.

Peach learned it the hard way but was still grateful she was alive. She felt sorry for all of the smashers who had lost their lives and pitied Ganondorf. She believed that the Gerudo was innocent, but it wasn't enough to save his life. Sure the Gerudo's appearance was evil and maybe he did commit some crimes, but was that enough to force the blame on him? Why couldn't Bowser be put into the hot seat? Of course, Peach had nothing against the giant lizard, but those where the questions that entered her mind and demanded answers.

The Mushroom Princess briefly scanned the group of the smashers as she took her mind and focus away from the coffin. Fox, Roy and Zelda were lined up in front as well, paying their last respects to the Gerudo, even though both Fox and Roy accused him of being guilty. She couldn't really come to any guesses whether or not Fox and Roy had somewhat re-thought about the situation and their final answers. It didn't matter that her friends had different opinions than her. They all were still in it together. The results decided the fate of the one of the smashers. Ganondorf's life had been held within their hands and it was then Peach now understand Samus' feelings.

Peach's fragile azure eyes turned her attention toward the bounty hunter who stood quietly near Albrecht. Samus had fought and argued to save Ganondorf's life. She was more responsible for saving him, because she was the one chosen to prove his innocence. Out of all the smashers, she was the one who showed that she cared for another life other than her own and Peach admired her for that. Although she also pied the failure that Samus endured. The bounty hunter expressed a strong calm look, obviously to hide the grief. Peach saw it within her. The dismay of failing to save another life. It was something that was going to take a long time to move on from; a long time to finally accept.

"We are gathered here today to say good-bye to a smasher who was once one of us, a competitor and a friend." Albercht began with his short speech. "But he was also the one we feared and hated. Ganondorf Dragmire was convicted of eleven murders here at the mansion, one including Master Hand himself. His actions have been put to rest and his crimes will no longer be committed. We now say good-bye to a smasher and murderer. We now try to move on from the pain and anger, and with this new fall we become stronger as one." Albercht paused as his eyes scanned the crowd. "Would anyone like to give a their last respects?"

The smashers began turning their heads to each other, thinking of something important to say in front of everyone. Whispers and murmurs began to fill up the forest. Peach was the only one who stood quiet. She thought and thought until something finally came to mind. Though she regretted it, she took a stand and stepped forward.

"I do." She spoke.

Albercht looked down at her and nodded stepping out of the way. Peach walked forward and turned facing her fellow smashers and friends. "Most of you think Ganondorf is evil, which was one reason why he was accused of being the murderer. Just because some people may seem evil, doesn't mean they always are. I believed Ganondorf was innocent and I'm not afraid to say it out loud. Ganondorf was one of our friends and he was considered a fellow smasher. He fought in this competition with the same amount of pride and courage like all of us. One incident leads to a huge problem and eventually everyone was put in the hot seat of being accused. I pity Ganondorf and I give my gratitude to Samus who fought to keep him with us. But what would happen if everything turned around?" Peach briefly paused as everyone began to face each other. "How would everything changed then? That's what keeps entering my mind. Ganondorf will be missed whether he was good or bad. Just remember that. He wont be forgotten; and he never will."

Peach ended her speech there as she took one final look at the coffin next to her. With everyone pondering over what she had spoken, the mushroom princess quietly left center stage returning to her position within the crowd.

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"So everything is finally over..." Islode ended her sentence there as she silently continued to think.

Fox crossed his arms as he turned his head to Ganondorf's grave. His coffin was now buried and the funeral had ended. He, along with a couple of other smashers, remained at the grave site within the forest. Most of the other smashers retreated back to the mansion in the distance with a new relief within them.

"I guess so..." Fox spoke softly. He chuckled turning back to Islode and Roy. "It's hard to believe so."

Roy raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"

Fox shook his head. "I don't mean it in a bad way. I'm glad it ended, but I'm surprised it had ended so soon."

Bowser laughed as he leaned up against one of the trees. "We're just that good."

Mario who was sitting on a log lifted his head the small group. The temperatures had suddenly began to drop as the sun was now setting hidden behind the low clouds in the sky. A couple of lanterns and the lights from the mansion had lit the area. Usually if the murderer was still about, most of them would have retreated back to the mansion. With Ganondorf now put to rest in his grave, the smashers found no reason to be afraid anymore. Hiding was not an option.

"So what's going to happen now that Ganondorf is dead?" Mario questioned. "Did Albercht say anything?"

Islode shrugged. "I don't think my father did."

Bowser walked up to the group. "I think we're going to just continue with the competition."

"Really?" Mario questioned.

Fox nodded. "If we continued with it while Ganondorf was roaming free, why would we stop now that he's dead?"

Mario shrugged. Fox did have a point. "You are right..."

A small bit of silence formed in the area, as a gust of wind blew through the forest. The tips of the trees swayed back and fourth as the leaves brushed against each other. Islode shivered as she looked around the area. Fox ignored the howling wind as he stared at Ganondorf's grave. It was over. He was finally able to admit to that. He was content Ganondorf had died. Now all of the smashers who had the same fate, were avenged. Ganondorf now joined them in the afterlife, he was now considered another departed smasher.

All that was left was to end the competition.

"I'm heading back, guys." Islode explained as she began to follow the trail. "I'm getting cold."

Roy nodded in agreement. "I'm with you. Later guys."

"Bye." Mario waved as the two disappeared within the forest.

Bowser walked up to Fox giving one last glance at the coffin. He took a deep breath as he turned following the dirt road leading back to the mansion.

"I'm turning in for the night. It's been crazy week."

Fox and Mario both turned facing the mansion, when a faint yell echoed into the forest. The three smashers suddenly stopped in their tracks as footsteps were heading in their direction. Fox ignored the rapid beating of his heart, telling himself over and over again that Ganondorf was dead. No more murderer was free to continue to kill.

"Who is that?" Mario questioned.

Bowser huffed. "Probably Roy unsure of how to get back."

Bowser was correct that it was smasher heading in their direction, instead of it being Roy it was the young Ice Climber Nana. She panted as she ran through the forest toward the three smashers. Mario and Fox both walked up to the young girl, curious as to why she would track through the forest alone. Her face was flushed and held her chest as if it burned from the run.

"What's wrong Nana?" Fox placed his hand on her back.

"I just thought of something." Nana explained. "Ganondorf is dead...by us."

Fox and Mario both nodded. Nana was part of the few who didn't attend the funeral, but she was well aware that Ganondorf was killed. Mario seemed puzzled by what she pointing out. "Yes, what does it have to do with anything?"

"Weren't you the ones who pointed out that the murderer kills the smashers who loses?" Nana cried as her eyes switched back and fourth from Fox to Mario.

Fox remained silent as he began to ponder her question. Mario was quick to answer. "Yes..."

"Did you guys forget that Roy won the battle?" Nana questioned. "Ganondorf had lost..."

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Author's Note:

Well, I hope you enjoyed it. Like I said, it wasn't long but length isn't always an issue.

Now the man with the plan is up next. It's Herr Wozzeck's turn.

Until Next Time!