Chapter 12
Night was descending. Shadow, Link, and Samus had been moving through the woods for some time now. Link felt strung out, if nothing else. So much had happened in so little time, it felt like his head would explode. A love confession, a mass breakout, a culprit track-down, a mastermind track-down, and a mastermind exposition all in less than 3 days. Link wondered if his head could take it.
Link knew he couldn't afford disorientation. Too much was at stake. Even as he thought this now, he knew in his gut that a single mistake now would destroy everything. He, Samus and Shadow now had someone else to track down. Someone far more powerful than anyone they had yet fought: Black Doom.
Link didn't know much about Black Doom, but he knew some information. He knew Black Doom was the head of a massive alien army known as the Black Arms. He knew Black Doom was solely responsible for the complete destruction of over 6 major cities. He knew Black Doom's rampage had killed over 4,000,000 innocent people and had wounded more than 1,000,000,000. He knew that Black Doom's blood had been the source used to create Shadow (a "lab rat", Shadow had once been called). Apart from this, however, Link didn't know much else.
Samus felt similarly. She was tired as well, but knew she couldn't afford much rest. Her power suit was heating up fast and she felt that she need to at least remove her helmet, but ignored her discomfort, knowing if Link could take it, she could, too.
Shadow stopped. He looked back at the couple following him. "I think you two should rest."
Link and Samus both stared in disbelief. Shadow made a very impatient noise.
"Look, we all know that if you try to take on Black Doom in your current states, you'll only be trampled like so many innocents who will be trampled if we fail regardless. You need to rest and get yourselves together."
Samus felt inwardly relieved but kept her outwardly cold demeanor. "If that's the case, then perhaps you would consent to tell us more about this Black Doom. The more we know the better."
Shadow nodded. He understood.
Link, relieved at finally getting a rather well-deserved rest, sat down and removed all of his weapons. "Start talking, Shadow, we're listening."
Shadow inhaled deeply. "I don't know what he is or where he's from, but Black Doom is a diabolical Alien Overlord with the biggest god complex you'll ever see in anyone. He feels it's his duty as the Black Arms leader to conquer as many inferior races as possible for him. As you both know, it was his blood that was used as the source for my creation. He came to my world for one purpose: the Chaos Emeralds. He came on the pretense of completely dominating the planet, and even brought several legions of the Black Arms with him in the process." Shadow shook his head sadly. "The resulting carnage was unbelievable. 6 major cities...completely destroyed. Millions of people died in the chaos that ensued. The only things Black Doom was ever after were the Chaos Emeralds. He knew they would give him ultimate power, even though he already had the power to destroy all life to begin with. He wanted more and more power and the more power he wanted, the more people he was willing to kill to get it."
Link sat in silence, taking all this in.
Shadow continued. "This much is clear. If Black Doom wants to destroy SSB, then you have one hell of a predicament. The three-eyed motherfucker will stop at nothing to gain power and achieve his goal. Our only option is to destroy him."
Samus cut in. "Can he be destroyed?"
Shadow looked at her. "He can be, but it's highly difficult. His Army is gigantic. It could populate my home planet 4 times over. What we saw in the Black Arms invasion wasn't even a quarter of Black Doom's forces. They breed like rabbits. Non stop."
"What about Doom himself?" Link asked.
"Army or no army, Black Doom is still very powerful. I was only able to destroy him using the Chaos Emeralds to fuel my power." Shadow replied.
"Couldn't we find them again?" Samus inquired, "They seem to be our only option."
Shadow sighed. "The search would be long and hard. After the Tabuu Crisis, the Emeralds were sent to 7 different worlds that were unaware of their existence to keep them safe."
"Do you know what worlds they are?" asked Link.
"Hyrule, Planet Zebes, Termina, Brinstar, Big Blue, Mute City, and the Twilight Realm."
Link sat back and thought hard. He knew this wouldn't be easy, but it was their only hope. Samus looked over at Link. He can only do so much. And he knows it. We have to travel to 7 different worlds to track down the Emeralds.
Link finally sat up. "We'll do it. I don't like the idea, but it's our only option at this point."
Shadow nodded seriously. "Where to first?"
Link inhaled. "Twilight Realm."
Samus stared at him.
Link smiled as though he'd read her mind. "I have an old friend there. Two in fact. They could help us."
Shadow leaned in, interested. "Who?"
Link smiled knowingly. "That I will keep to myself til the time is right."
Later that night, Link and Samus sat together in their tent, enjoying each other's company while they could.
Samus smiled ruefully. "So much in so little time, Link. And yet so much still to do."
Link smiled as well. "I know. It's so hard to believe how far we have come."
Samus looked up at him. "Link?"
"Yes, Samus?"
"Who were the two people you mentioned?"
Link inhaled. "One's a former enemy. His name is Zant. I defeated him in battle no less than 5 times before he delivered the death blow to Gannondorf. He's been an ally since, although he was imprisoned for a time for his treason."
Samus smiled. "And the other?"
Link was silent for a moment. The name that left his lips was said so softly it was almost inaudible.
"Midna..."
YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYE SYESYESYES!
Chapter 12, everyone! EXPOSITION AHOY!
Enjoy! I'm sorry, once again, for the delay! Please read and review!