Author's Notes: Ok, ok, I guess Goombella doesn't have a big of a role in this one as I had originally intended to. Ah well. Amazingly, I was able to make one scene an entire chapter, which I didn't realize I would do until I did. Heh, ah well. Oh, and this chapter kind of has some extreme stuff in it too, just to warn all. So, without further ado:

Chapter 34: Nazz's Last Stand

"YES! I WIN AGAIN!!"

Goombirro threw down his set of cards on the table (with his mouth), and jumped on top of it; causing the lamp to shake and flicker.

"What? You got to be cheating!" he shouted.

"Nope, I win." Eddy said. He rose a smug peace sign. "Good, ain't I?"

"I-I want a do over!" Goombirro shouted.

"Nope, those are the rules of Poker." Eddy said. "It's not my fault you got a bad hand."

"WHY YOU-"

"GUYS!!" Goombella shouted.

They both stopped and looked over to her.

She, who had been sitting on a couch in their hotel room, sighed. "You two get like this every time we need to make a decision."

"Sorry, sweetie, but I got to beat him! We already decided, the winner of this match gets the other bed! Loser gets the closet." Goombirro said.

"Hah, and you just lost!" Eddy shouted.

"No, you cheated!"

"I did not!"

"Yes you did!"

"GUYS!!" Goombella shouted. "This won't work. Just flip a coin already or something."

"Ok, fine!" Eddy shouted. He reached into his pocket and took out a quarter. He angrily pointed at the coin with his free hand. "YOU BETTER NOT FAIL ME, PRESIDENT LINCOLN!"

"Wait, I thought Double D said that it was President Washington…" Goombella said.

Eddy ignored her, and flipped the coin into the air.

"HEADS!" Eddy shouted.

Both he and Goombirro watched in suspense as the coin spiraled upwards, and then down, back to the back of Eddy's hand.

However, as it landed, it bounced off his arm. It preformed another spin, and landed between their feet, into an air vent on the floor.

"Waaaaaa!!" They both shouted.

"Oh, what now?" Goombella asked, getting impatient.

"Goombella, it's up to you!" Eddy shouted. He and Goombirro walked up to her.

"Goombella, please decide." Goombirro complied. "Should I or Eddy have the last bed?"

"…what?" She asked.

"Choose, Goombella!" Goombirro said. "Me, or Eddy."

She blushed on the spot. "I… uh, I…"

Both of them stared at her, with raised eyebrows.

"…I…" She suddenly bolted for the bathroom door-and slammed it shut behind her.

"Goombella!" they both shouted.

"I'm going to take a shower. You two figure it out!" She called to them from behind the door.

She attempted to drown out their overlapping arguments as she reached into the bathroom closet for a towel.

"…they bring up a point, though. While I am on this world… I will have to make a decision… about them."

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Eddy and Goombirro stopped arguing at once. They both looked at the door.

"Is someone there?" Eddy asked.

Before either o them could answer the door, it opened on it's own. There was a tall man, dressed in a green tunic. He had a sword and shield on his back, which gleamed under the lights of the hotel lamps.

"A sword?" Eddy thought.

"HEY! What do you think you're doing?!" Goombirro shouted. "Entering a room uninvited is indecent!"

"…it is?" asked the tunic man. "Usually, it's a bit more accepted in my world…"

"What do you want?" Eddy asked.

"Listen, you two. I just came to warn you about someone." he said.

"First, tell us your name." Goombirro said.

"Oh, yeah." he said. "My name is Link, Rancher of Ordon."

"I'm Eddy McRich, multi-zillionaire of Peach Creek." Eddy mocked Link.

"Geez…" Midna said quietly in Link's shadow.

"What was that?" Goombirro asked.

"What was what?" Link and Eddy asked.

"…never mind." Goombirro said, a bit shaken. "Anyway, I am Goombirro, Student at U-Goom. Now talk, what are you doing here?"

"…er, well I just came by. See, there is somebody dangerous nearby, so I came to warn the this city's townspeople. They all laughed at me though, when I told them about the witch-"

"WITCH?!" Eddy and Goombirro asked.

Link gasped in surprise.

"Would this witch's name be Beldam?" Eddy asked.

"Well, yes, but-"

Eddy suddenly lunged at Link, and grabbed him.

"Where is she? Where is BELDAM?!"

"I- she-"

"SPIT IT OUT, GREEN FACE!!" Eddy shouted.

"I don't know, I just know she's nearby this hotel." Link said.

"Eddy, no! He has a sword!" Goombirro said.

Eddy released Link and walked away from him. He looked over to Goombirro. "Goombirro! She's here! That means that the Crystal Star has to be close by too!"

"Crystal Star?" Midna and Link both asked.

"We got to go right now!" Eddy said. "Get Goombella!"

"Why don't you get her?" Goombirro asked.

"Because!"

"Is this really the time?" Link asked, giving a surprised expression.

Knock, Knock, Knock!

"Come in!" Eddy and Goombirro shouted, annoyed.

The door flew open and slammed against the wall. It revealed a young, teenaged girl, with blonde hair that covered her eyes.

"Hello, boys." she said.

"BEEEELDAM!!!" Eddy, Goombirro, Link, and Midna all exclaimed.

"Hello." she replied back simply. "I assume you know why I am here."

Link withdrew his sword, and Eddy assumed a fighting position. Goombirro growled and jumped in front of both of them, whilst Midna continued to hide in Link's shadow.

"Is that beastly shadow imp still with you, Link?" Beldam asked.

Goombirro and Eddy glanced at Link; just for a moment. They then began to understand the scope of their position.

"This is bad." Goombirro thought. "There's no doubt in my mind, Beldam came here for the Emerald Star that we have been using to power the Van. What do we do now?"

Eddy suddenly laughed.

"What is it, shorty?" Beldam asked.

Eddy reached down, and grasped the corners of the Air Ventilation cover. He applied all of his strength, shouting, as he tugged on the cover.

"What are you doing, child?" Beldam asked.

They watched on as Eddy managed to make the bolts pop off the sides, one by one. The metal cover then popped open. He had been pulling on it so hard that he almost flew back. Eddy then tossed the covering behind himself. Then jumping into the open air duct, he challenged Beldam. "Come and get me!!"

The others all watched as Eddy vanished from view into the shaft.

"Ha ha ha, so that's it then?" Beldam asked. She jumped in after him with a ravenous expression.

"Get back here!" Goombirro shouted, following directly behind her.

Link shrugged, before following the group down into the shaft as well.

Eddy landed at the bottom of the vertical shaft first. He looked down, noticing the same quarter he flipped before. Upon quick examination, it had landed tails.

"CURSE YOU, PRESIDENT LICOLN!" he screamed.

Beldam landed on top of him, doing a drop-kick on his head. He screamed and fell down on his back.

"This is easy." Beldam remarked.

To her sudden dismay, Goombirro dropped on her head, forcing her down to the ground.

Eddy seized the chance. He got to his feet, grabbed the quarter, and ran as fast as he could down the horizontal passage. Though the shaft was small and narrow, he was still short enough to run through it.

"Wait!' Goombirro shouted, running after him. He was also small enough to run through the vent.

"…why you…" Beldam growled. She began to crawl after them (she was not small enough to stand inside).

"She's coming!" Goombirro shouted, having caught up with Eddy. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"I really don't have a clue, it seemed like a good things to do at the time." Eddy said.

"WHAT?!"

Link finally landed, having his fall slowed down upon reaching the bottom of the vent.

"How do you do that?" Midna asked him, revealing herself from Link's shadow.

"I don't know!" he said, somewhat creeped out. "That happens every time I fall down a hole."

"Well, let's not worry about it now. You have to stop Beldam, before she kills those two."

"Right." Link said.

She disappeared into Link's shadow yet again, allowing him to focus. Link began to crawl through the vent, closing in on Beldam.

"Get back here, witch!" Link shouted at her.

She turned her head, to spot him in pursuit. She pointed a single finger at him, and whispered a faint: "Frost Shield."

A small, circular barrier appeared before Link, stopping him right on he spot.

He shouted and banged on the blockade, but to no avail.

"NO!" Eddy shouted.

They reached the end. Going any further into the shaft was impossible, as a rapidly spinning, cooling fan blocked their path. They both looked behind them. Beldam had caught up, and was pointing her right index finger at them.

They both went silent.

"…surrender." Beldam said. "Or you two both get a trip through the fan."

Eddy peered over to Goombirro. "Maybe we can take her. She's not even standing up."

"I don't even need to be on my feet to defeat you two, you know."

"Shut up!" Eddy shouted. He lunged at her.

"Eddy, don't!"

She direct her finger at his chest, and whispered: "Ice Sphere."

A small ball formed of ice appeared, and shattered upon impact, a direct hit against Eddy. He instantly took critical damage as he soared. His flight towards the fan was in slow motion, or at least it felt like it. Eddy coughed in mid-flight, and writhed in pain. Goombirro watched in horror, unable to stop him.

He watched as Beldam's sinister expression grew as he flew into the air.

"…I'm… gonna… die…" he thought.

Oddly enough, he noticed a strange, golden light coming from behind him. It was interrupted by the vent's fan, in a way that made the light flicker.

At that moment, Eddy fell into the spinning fan. However, he speed was great enough so that he smashed the fan right off it's support, causing it to fall down to the ground. He crashed further into the shaft, only to land on something sharp.

"Waaaah! OW!" Eddy shouted.

"You… you idiot!" Goombirro shouted.

"I second that notion." Beldam added.

Eddy looked down., to spot what it was he had fallen on. There, underneath him, was a glowing, shining, rock, that appeared to be large gemstone, with a golden color.

Eddy gasped. "You have to be kidding me…"

"What the-" Goombirro asked.

"…is that? …the 3rd Crystal Star, the Gold Star?" Beldam asked.

Indeed it was. The star, shining brightly, lit up the dark ventilation shaft. Eddy, Goombirro, and Beldam, all completed baffled by it's appearance, were silent for at least 30 seconds. What was such an important relic doing here?!

"This…" Eddy sighed. "Is maybe the luckiest thing that's happened to me in years."

He took a glance at the star. "If I remember correctly… this star came from Glitzville…"

Eddy was suddenly taken aback, to a day years ago. He recalled it very clearly…

"Man, why do I have to watch it, it's just an egg."

Eddy looked across the stand, keeping his eye on a strange-colored egg, which was peeking out of Double D's backpack. He left it here, at Eddy's Souvenir Stand, so that he would be able to fight his match. Eddy also had a small TV, set up on the counter-top. Here, he was able to watch the fights while he worked. The current match was Double D's team, against Bandy Andy's team, the Hand-it-overs.

All of the customers were not there, though. It was around noon time, and many of the people who were not watching the fights were at the Juice Bar, having their lunch.

"C'mon, ladies and gentlemen!" Eddy called out to the people. "Get your I LOVE RAWK shirts here! Half-price, today only!"

"Hey, Eddy, calm down, huh?"

Eddy looked up. It was King K, and one of his friends, Master Crash. They approached, looking tough and strong.

"Heh, sorry." Eddy laughed. He looked back to the TV, just for a moment. It was then that he noticed that Double D, Nazz, and Rolf (Jimmy was beaten by then) were holding some kind of large bomb, with a star and clock symbol on it.

"What are they up to?" Eddy asked while watching the TV broadcast.

"Hey, Eddy, don't you ever take a break BOMB!" asked Master Crash. "C'mon, King K's treating us to free juice at the bar!"

"Heh, I can't. You know, work?" Eddy asked. He went silent for a second. "By the way, do you guys know what's with Bandy Andy lately?"

"Oh, he's just suspicious about everything nowadays." King K said. "He thinks there is something called a Crystal Star here."

"A what?" Eddy asked. He briefly recalled Double D mentioning something like that earlier.

"Oh, it's just some rumor, but it's supposed to give somebody a huge surge of power when they use it." said King K.

"Sounds crazy BOMB!" replied Master Crash.

"Geez, you're telling me." Eddy said.

The three of them could suddenly hear screams coming from the TV. They looked at the screen, to watch in terror.

"What the-!" Eddy shouted when he saw the ring was on fire.

"Let's go see what that's about!!" King K said. Eddy nodded. The three of them left the spot, and raced towards the Glitz Pit…

Eddy smiled. "That was the last time I heard of it for a while. …but now, the same legendary star is in my hands."

"I don't know how the Gold Star happened to get into your hands, let alone this insignificant hotel, but I assure you, I shall take it here." Beldam said.

Eddy laughed. "You think you're sooo powerful, huh? All someone had to do was put a necklace around Nazz's neck, and then all of a sudden, you're the queen of the universe. It is time for me, the real KING, to show you the truth."

"What?!"

Eddy grasped the Crystal Star, which suddenly glowed a much stronger golden light.

"Eddy…" Goombirro said, astounded.

"Power Lift!"

Eddy suddenly began to glow, as power surged throughout his body. His fists grew larger; his expression fiercer; his will stronger.

"No!" Beldam thought.

Eddy reached Beldam, and with a focused, powered-up thrust, punched her right in the face. It smashed so hard, that he had left an imprint on her left cheek.

Beldam shot backwards like a bullet. She smashed right through her own frost shield, crashed into Link, hit the end of the passage, and ricocheted off the wall and up the shaft, until she crashed back in their hotel room.

"…whoa…" Goombirro said, still amazed.

"Come on, Goombirro!" Eddy shouted. "We got to finish her, before Goombella finds her!"

"W-wait, Eddy!" Goombirro shouted.

Eddy ignored Goombirro, and ran down the vent. With his enhanced strength, he ran faster then normal. He unintentionally trampled over Link, and, with great speed, ran back up the walls of the vertical shaft.

The shortest Ed jumped from the top, and landed gracefully, now back in their hotel room again.

He spotted Beldam, hunched over, on the couch.

"Game over, Beldam!" Eddy shouted, still glowing from the power lift.

Beldam moaned. She was in a great deal of pain; her face was red. She was bleeding, apparently, and had been hit with so much force that there was still the imprint of his knuckles, which almost looked like they were smoking.

She coughed, sounding very injured.

"B… bravo, Eddy." said Beldam. "Bravo."

"What's the deal?" Eddy asked.

Meanwhile, Goombirro and Link (along with Midna) arose from the top of the ventilation shaft.

"…you see, this is funny." Beldam said, laughing in between her moans of pain. "Remember, I'm in Nazz's body."

Eddy gasped and froze.

Beldam laughed. "Ha ha ha-" and then coughed again. "Do you understand now, Eddy? I'm fine- COUGH -but… Nazz. Well, you just gravely injured her. I'll be surprised if she survives into the next hour."

"…what?" Eddy asked. He dropped to his knees slowly. As he did, his body stopped glowing, and he released the Crystal Star from his hands. His expression was that of extreme remorse. "…what…"

"If she dies, then you go down with her, then." Goombirro said.

"Not exactly." she said. "…keep in mind, I have an ace up my sleeve. You are still aware that I am a spirit, right?"

"What?" Goombirro asked.

Beldam looked downward, peering at "Nazz's" trembling hands. "Nazz, it was fun. You've always been my favorite host. But now, that you've failed me, it is pointless to stay with you. Let me say it, Nazz, my heartfelt goodbye. I hope the afterworld rewards you kindly for helping me so much, you would deserve it."

"Shut up…" Eddy said weakly.

"I've had enough of you two children." Beldam said. She snapped both of her fingers: "Solidify!"

Goombirro suddenly froze on the spot. His expression was still that of anger, and he was posed in a defensive position a few feet in front of Link. Eddy was also turned to stone as well, in a position on his knees, and a face full of sorrow.

Link was left standing, alone, and in amazement.

The green swordsman grabbed the Master Sword from his sheath, and held it outwards. "What have you done, witch?!"

"Only what seems fair, I think." Beldam said. She coughed again, and whipped some of the blood off of her face. "Nazz has less time then I thought. I better act fast."

"Sorry." Link said. "But if you don't stop this now, I will be forced to kill you."

"Wait, Link!" Midna's voice said from his shadow. "What about the girl?"

Link hesitated. "…I-"

"That will be your last mistake, Link!" Beldam shouted. With the absolute last amount of Nazz's strength, she lunged forward, at Link. She grabbed the Medallion of Life off of her neck, and in a split second, wrapped it around Link's.

"NO!"

A purple, half transparent wisp of smoke, one that resembled Beldam's true form, flew out of Nazz's body, and vanished as it entered Link's.

Link began to scream, as dark, cold energy began to surge into him from his neck. The surge was so strong, that Midna was literally cast from his shadow, and assumed her physical imp form. She proceeded to crash into the couch behind her.

This did not stop her, though. Midna growled and grasped the necklace. She was being forced back by dark energy that surged from him. After a few seconds of trying to rip of the Medallion, in an explosion of energy, Midna flew back again, onto the couch. She looked down at her hands, to realize that they were coated in a layer of ice.

"LINK!"

Link continued to scream. As he did, his face started changing. His blue eyes began to glow a brighter blue. Fangs began to appear from his teeth, and his expressions changed.

Link rose his arms into the air, releasing both the Master Sword and his shield, and let out one last, agonized scream.

"…no." Midna gasped.

Link suddenly stopped screaming. He lowered his arms to his sides and relaxed. Link's tunic was replaced now. It looked like a dark purple tunic, that matched the shadow sirens. His hat also changed. It was still like a wind sock, only now it was blue and purple striped.

"…that's better." Link said, in Beldam's voice.

Midna shivered in fear, still sitting on the couch.

Nazz, now freed from her evil spirit, slowly turned to look at Midna. Her expression was one of both an relieved smile, and extreme pain. Half of her face was covered in her own blood. Her eyes, her true eyes, were half closed, slowly closing.

Nazz breathed once more, only once more. As she exhaled, she used the last of her life force to utter her heartrending message:

"…run…"

With that, Nazz closed her eyes, still smiling. She collapsed to the floor, landing on her front, with her arms still reaching out towards Link. Nazz didn't breath after that.

Midna gasped, and obeyed the girl's final request, and ran out of the hotel room, slamming the door behind her.

Link smirked Beldam's smirk. "I should follow her then."

Beldam picked up "her" Master Sword and Shield. As she did, she felt the sword give her a sting. She groaned in a quick amount of pain, before forcing the weapon into it's sheathe.

She looked down, to see what she caused. Goombirro and Eddy remained, stuck as statues. She walked past Eddy, and picked up the Gold Star.

"I'll take that."

She smiled and evil smile. "…with two Crystal Stars, combined with my own ice abilities… and now this former hero and the triforce of courage… little can stop me now."

She looked back at the Nazz, who lay motionless on the floor.

Beldam smiled again. "Sorry, Nazz. That's just how it happens."

With that, Beldam bolted away. She rushed for the door, laughed evilly as she opened it, and ran out. "I'm cooooming, Imp!" the door then slammed shut. The room fell silent.

The bathroom door, minutes later, opened up.

"Helloooo?" Goombella asked. "It got quiet. Did you two decide who gets the be-"

Goombella walked into the room. Goombirro looked back at her, as a statue. Eddy was still stuck in his grieving pose, on his knees nearby the couch. Nazz was lying down on the ground, somewhat covered in blood. All three of them were completely still.

Goombella gasped. A single tear streaked down her eye.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

Author's Notes: Well then, that's quite a twist. Bravo to anybody who might have predicted it. So, what became of Eddy? Goombirro? Nazz? I shant reveal just yet, I'll leave that up to everyone to decide for themselves what happened, at least for now. Until next time!