*Sniff* Yes, someone dies. That's all I can say. And that I apologize for the shortness of the chapter. I'm working on the story now, but I wanted to get out another chapter just because.

Sheik looked up. The Master Core was hovering in the background. As of yet, it had made no move and seemed perfectly harmless and frighteningly ominous as it floated there. Zero Suit Samus was helping her twin and the two Emblem sword fighters attack Master Hand, but he kept dodging their blows. They were tiring themselves out.

There was a cry from behind and she looked towards the mansion as smashers poured from the doors, running toward the fight, yelling. Peach was leading them. She had brought help.

Sheik did not want to leave Cloud. If he died while she was helping the others, she would feel guilty forever. Right now the others had plenty of help to defeat Master Hand. And if he was as easy as Crazy Hand, they had it in the bag. But somehow she doubted that was the case.

Ganondorf was the last smasher to arrive on the scene, but he got the first hit in. And it was powerful. With a roar he brought back his fist and landed a blow on the back of Master Hand. Master hurtled forward and Link and Zelda dove out of the way. Mario was hit and flew backwards, but he got to his feet with simply an Italian exclamation and she heard Ike exclaim, "That's it, Ganon!"

Master flew up suddenly and Sheik knew before it happened that Link was doomed. With his fingers together and a flick of his invisible wrist, Master hit Link broadside, tearing up grass and dirt that flew through the air, Link in the midst. He landed on his back and lay still. Sheik's body trembled, but she didn't leave Cloud.

Master Hand whirled around and his tornado move cleared him ground as smashers flew left and right. Shouts and cries filled the air and Sheik looked at Cloud. His eyes were still closed. She couldn't… but…

Master had Zelda now, holding her with her arms pinned to her sides.

Even from her distance Sheik good hear Marth's strangled roar of anger as he dashed forward, sword stretched out. With two fierce slashes Master began bleeding for his first time, black blood dripping from his thumb. And he released Zelda.

She hurled towards the ground and Sheik took a horrified step forward, eyes wide. But Marth leapt up and his hand found her waist. She settled in his arms like a child, and both fell towards the grass.

With a 'poyo' and a scream, Kirby and Rosalina's Luma jumped forward and the couple was landed almost gently. Kirby leapt backwards and gave another 'poyo' and Rosalina snatched up her Luma and grabbed Zelda's hand, pulling her farther from Master Hand. Marth followed, limping slightly.

Sheik spotted Corrin F, running towards her, white hair flying out in the wind.

"Sheik! What happened?"

"Cloud broke his arm. He's seriously wounded. Corrin, stay with him!" Sheik didn't wait for an answer and ran towards the fray, tripping slightly, but not falling. Her heart was racing faster than it should have been.

She reached Ike, who was yelling an explanation to Roy and Robin M, who were looking worried and absolutely flummoxed.

"Sheik!" Ike roared. "They don't get it!"

She grabbed out her needles. "Suffice it to say, we're going to die if we try to explain now! They're trying to kill us, and that doesn't need an explanation."

Roy and Robin M nodded, brows furrowed. And both pulled out their swords, rushing towards Master Hand. Ike glanced at Sheik, gave a short nod, and followed them. She did as well, bringing back her arm to hurl the needles straight into the thumb.

Unexpectedly, with a last tornado whirl that sent Mario careening into his brother, Master Hand shot up into the air, higher and higher, until he disappeared in the bright blue sky.

A flurry of exclamations broke forth.

"Where'd he go?"

"He can fly so high!"

"Do you think we scared him off?"

"Will he come back?"
"I'm telling you, he's going to come out of nowhere and kill us all," said Zelda.

Sheik found herself thinking along the same lines and scanned the sky.

"I'll go!" exclaimed Pit. "Come on, Pittoo!"

The dark angel swallowed and jumped up after his twin.

"Wait!" shrieked their green haired friend.

Ignoring the protest, both boys flew up into the air. Sheik strained her eyes as they disappeared. She was sure they would both die. Instead, almost ten seconds later, the two shot down from the sky, feathered wings tucked in, bows extended—screaming.

"Run!"

It was too late. Above them appeared, at first just a shadow, and then the form of Master Hand, plummeting towards them, hand flat.

Sheik's eyes widened in horror even as she turned to flee. The crash behind her as Master's palm struck the ground, caused her to flip forward. She tucked in her head and rolled to her feet, turning instantly.

As Master hovered into the air again his damage was obvious. A single smasher, crushed into the ground. Lucina. Dead.

Sheik had never experienced such anger in her life. She would be sad later. Now there was only raw wrath. Behind her Link's yell of rage filled the air and he was running forward, his sword outstretched. Sheik ran with him. As did the rest of the Emblem people, screaming with horror. Not Lucina.

"Luci!" shouted Robin F. "No!"

They struck him all at the same time from all sides. Ike's sword cut deep; Marth's sword jabbed in; Link's sword sliced across a finger and Sheik jabbed in her needles, one at a time, one after the other, with stiff, adrenalin powered, fury.

She pulled the needles out and loved the black shine as blood spilled from the wounds that now laced Master. He seemed to lack strength to fly up. A weak spin knocked Ike and Roy away and Ganondorf stepped up with a heavy step and with a growl of fury, shot purple magic from his hands and struck Master a blow on the back.

The hand gave a roar and dropped the five feet to the ground. The strikes had brought him away from Lucina's motionless body, and he dropped beside her, his thumb on her legs. The second hand was dead.

If you review, I'm interested in what emotions y'all are experiencing. Just... 'cuz. But please review either way. Thanks! And I apologize for any grammatical errors ahead of time.