The second to last chapter is coming right up, I gotta say it was a pleasure writing this.
Disclaimer: Super Smash Brothers and Fire Emblem are created by Squaresoft.
Chapter XV: Purification
Soren stood before Ike while Young Link transformed back into his normal form. The black haired mage was silent for a moment before saying"Where the heck have you been, anyway?"
"It's a long story, and I'm sorry if I worried you and Mist too much" said Ike.
Titania addressed the blue haired commander"We really missed you, and I'm sure Soren did. He'd never say it out loud, though."
Zelda glanced outside the capital"It won't be long until Majora realizes what we have up our sleeve. Ike, what exactly is the Tower of Guidence like?"
"It's a tall tower in the middle of the Begnion Empire, inside the capital of Sienne. people aren't usually allowed there" said Ike.
"Yune made an exception for us, I believe she'll make another one if the enemy's portal is there" said Micaiah.
Sothe shrugged"Micaiah, If you're thinking of going with Ike, I'm going too."
Ike smiled"Okay, who else is coming? I'd rather not take along everyone, we don't know if Majora will launch another attack."
Link squared his shoulders"It makes no difference, Samus can fly her starship ahead of us with Zelda and my younger counterpart and meet us at the tower."
Eirika and Ephraim walked over to Ike. The princess of Renias addressed the blue haired mercenary"We're coming with you, we brought some of our allies from Renias."
"Ike, say the word and we'll follow you" chimed Young Link.
Ike hesitated, then said"I really don't want to endanger anyone, but I know how important the final battle is. Elincia, can you spare some of your knights? My Mercenaries and allies from Smash Mansion can't defeat Majora's shadow army by ourselves. Majora's power is so great, we might be in for a challenge."
Elincia nodded"Yes, in fact I'm coming along to help command our allied forces to save the Tower of Guidence from desecration. Marcia, Geoffrey, Lucia, Bastion, will you join us?"
"We are at your service" nodded Lucia.
Sanaki approached Ike"Tanith and I are coming, too."
"But empress, that's dangerous" protested Tanith.
"It is my duty to protect Begnion, I won't stand by and allow our friends to risk themselves alone" said the Begnion Empress.
Oscar, Rolf, Titania, Soren, Mist, Mia, Rhys and Boyd gathered around Ike and Soren. The Crimean Royal Knights and the Apostle's holy guard gathered near Elincia and Sanaki.
Skrimir addressed Ike"We Laguz will head to Begnion ahead of you as well. At full speed, the Beast and Bird tribes can reach Sienne in less then a day."
"Thanks Skrimir" said Ike.
"What's the quickest way to Sienne?" inquired Zelda.
"There are several routes, travel by ship would take too long and the Kaku Caves are too dangerous. We'll head for Flaggure and from there to the capital" replied Soren."
"That's what we'll do" nodded Ike.
Young Link walked back towards Samus's starship"I'll let Samus and Marth know what the plan is. Ike, we'll see you at the tower."
Sothe addressed the Crimean Mercenary"I hate to ask, but what did you find outside Tellius?"
"It's a long story, and we don't have much time for chit-chat" said Ike.
"Ike, we're ready when you are" said Titania.
Ike nodded"All right, let's do this: Warriors of Magvel and Smash Mansion, Men of Crimea and Begnion, Greil Mercenaries, move out!"
In his citadel, Majora's eyes opened as he sensed the pressence of Dark Pit enter his chamber"What is it you want, now?"
"It's over, I've just been playing along up until now" replied the dark winged warrior.
"I might have known" shrugged the sorcerer.
Dark Pit smirked"Then I have no need to explain, I've always been somewhat of a freelancer. I never take orders from anyone, really, I could kick your butt here and now if I wanted."
Majora coolly responded"You wish to betray me? How amusing, surely you have better targets to fight. I've always been powerful, the most powerful memner of the ancient tribe of legend in fact."
"Don't make me laugh, as Pit's mirror image, I can tell you my counterpart and his friends will soon find this place" said Dark Pit.
"Let them come, I have enough power to rival the Deities of Tellius and your world. Mwa, ha, ha, ha" said Majra.
"I bet Hades could laugh better then you" said Dark Pit.
Majora glared"Such insolence, but I will let that one slide. It matters not what may happen, with Majora's Mask re-imbued with my power, Link will never know what hit him!"
Days passed as Ike and his allies made for the Tower of Guidence. As the heroes stopped near the capital to make camp, Ike went over to Elincia's tent. The Crimean Queen addressed him"It's been too long since we last talked."
"I feel the same way" said the blue haired hero.
"Really? Just when?" said Elincia, surprised.
Ike shrugged"Just now, I just never really thought about it, and the rest of my mercenaries felt the same way when I left the court and reorganized my father's company."
"Ike, you and the rest of our friends are more important to me then the whisperings of those nattering nobles, you should've seen the look on Duke Saron's face when I insisted on heading the defense against the monsters we fought" said the emerald-haired woman.
The blue haired mercenary shrugged"That's true, I just hope you haven't been getting anymore grief from the rest of the Crimean nobility."
"They pretty much accepted me as their ruler. Ike, what will you do once this war is ended?" inquired Elincia.
Ike hesitated"I'm thinking about that myself, all I really know how to do is fight, but even that gets tiring. I gave up my lordship on sheer impulse and my own disgust towards the nobility. What I'm trying to say is, I liked you a little."
"Ike" Elincia looked away, face slightly red at her friend's words.
"Sounds strange coming from me, I know. And I may not be worthy of you, I pushed you, Aimee and Mia away since I've never had any interest in love. Elincia, I wish to start over with you" said Ike.
The Crimean queen was silent for a moment before turning her face back to his"I harbored feelings for you, Sir Ike. I just, no, it probably wouldn't have worked out before I was able to gain the nobles' complete trust."
"Your majesty?" said Ike, puzzled
Elincia continued speaking"If we had started courting right after the Mad King's War, Ludveck's rebellion, or the war against Begnion, I'm not so sure if anyone in the upper classes would've accepted our love for each other. It pains me to say that, as I liked you since we met."
"I never thought of this, so would you court me as soon as we get back?" said Ike.
"I'd like that very much" nodded Elincia. Before either could stop themselves, the pair engaged in a brief kiss.
Just outside the flap, Geoffrey could barely believe what he was hearing'I'm the one who's always sworn to protect Elincia, all this time they've liked each other and never admited that? I'll go tell Duke Renning, hopefully the other nobles won't find out Elincia's going to court a common mercenary.'
"Brother?" Lucia stopped by.
Geoffrey sighed"I just happened to be here, let's get back to our tents before we're caught eavesdropping."
Back inside the tent, Ike stepped back"Sorry, I don't know what came over me."
"It's okay, it made me happy to finally let out my feelings for you. Good night" smiled Elincia.
The following day, Ike and his group reached Sienne and made for the tower. When they arrived, Samus, Marth and the rest of their allies joined up at the tower's entrance.
"Sure took your time" said Samus, sarcastically.
"She was itching to kick some butt already" flushed Pit.
Ike shrugged"Well, we're here now. Let's find that portal and kick Majora out of our worlds."
Link nodded"Now you're talking."
"Hey, don't forget about me" Dark Pit emerged from the tower.
"Pitoo, you with us?" grinned Pit.
The dark clad warrior sighed"I'll ignore that this time, Majora's got the captured heroes prisoner in his citadel."
Even as they spoke, a horde of Primids and Shadow soldiers attacked. Ness groaned"Guess we can't all go in there."
Ike faced the tower entrance"Just like last time, huh? All right, I'll only take a few of with me, the rest will stay here and watch the camp. Elincia, Geoffrey, Link, Zelda, Marth, Roy, Soren, Mia, Rhys, Pit, Samus, Ness, Paula, Eirika, Seth, you're with me."
"I'll help take charge down here then" nodded Micaiah.
"Give'em heck, Ike" chimed Sothe.
Ike and his selected team members hacked past some primids as they charged into the tower. Yune appeared in bird form and spoke"I guess I'll show you the way to the top, again."
The group followed Yune up the tower, fighting past some Primids and Shadow Soldiers as they went. Dark Pit followed after Ike shortly after beating back a few Primids.
"I have a hunch, can't call it a good one though" said Link, once they made their way to the fourth floor.
"A hunch?" Zelda raised an eyebrow.
Link shrugged"Majora's not one to be trifled with, but I know we can win."
"Your optimism is appreciated, now let's get to the bottom of the dark portal that defiled the tower" said Yune.
The group entered the final chamber on the top of the tower. A massive black shadowy rift stood in the center, Soren was astonished"This is the entrance to enemy territory?"
"Looks to be that way" muttered Zelda.
"Indeed, just be careful" whispered Yune.
"I am coming along, too, I had a feeling Majora was going to off me for my failure. Not that I was really working for him, I knew his plan to capture or kill smashers was half-baked" said Dark Pit.
The heroes stepped into the portal to find themselves in front of a medium sized fortress, a purplish aura hung above the air. Pit was taken aback"Majora really lacks tastes in evil fortresses."
"It wouldn't be wise to antagonize our foe, keep your eyes peeled" said Seth.
Eirika squared her shoulders"I'm ready, this is it."
The heroes marched towards the fortress and entered, it's interior consisted of purplish walls and a black cecling. Ike strode forward, followed by his allies up a staircase. When they arrived on the second floor, they were besieged by a horde of primids and some Shadow warriors. The heroes spread out to fight off the encroaching horde.
"PK Starstorm!" A blast of stars smashed into the enemy horde. Poo, Kumatora and several of their allies approached and joined the fight.
"Poo, I'm glad you're okay" breathed Paula.
"No problem, let's wrap this up" said the Dalaamese prince.
As the skirmish went on, two hedgehogs and some pokemon joined the fight with magic and speed alike. Link was amazed"You rescued the captured warriors already?"
"We had some unexpected help" said Kumatora, blasting aside some primids. A wave of raw power blasted more of the monsters.
"Huh?" Zelda glanced ahead to see a familiar brown skinned man with reddish hair beating back some primids.
"Ganondorf's helping us?" wondered Link.
Ganondorf grunted as he shoved aside a primid with a punch"I didn't come to save anyone, Majora unwittingly had the nerve to try to upstage me. I was hiding here for a while for a chance to see Majora eliminated."
"We can't let this drag on though, some of us need to enter the third floor and up the next staircase to Majora's chamber" said Poo, cutting down a primid.
Ike burst through the last of enemy lines, glancing at the stairs ahead"This is it."
Elincia, Link, Zelda and Marth hurried over to the blue haired mercenary's side, cutting down more of Majora's army as they went. Back in the fray, Pit fought side-by-side with Samus as they helped their fellow smashers defeat the enemy horde"Nothing like a little fight before breakfast."
"You can say that" shrugged Samus.
Sonic, Shadow and Squirtle helped smash aside some Primids, Mario grinned as he stomped a Primid"This is nothing."
"Yeah! We sure showed them!" said Peach.
Ike, Link, Zelda, Marth and Elincia climbed two more sets of staircases before marching through a huge set of double doors. On the other side was a shadowy chamber, a throne sat at the end of it. Link glimpsed at the wall above the throne, where a purplish heart-shaped mask with orange eyes hung.
"Majora, we know you're here" said Ike, brandishing Ragnell.
"Ah, accept my humblist apologies for not welcoming into my humble home. I am impressed you got past the last of my formidable army" sneered Majora, stepping out from behind the throne.
Marth stepped forward"Sorcerer Majora, before the King of Altea, it's judgement time for you."
Majora mocked"Should I be scared? I have regained my full power, and there is nothing you can do to stop me."
"You underestimate us" said Ike.
Majora drew forth a wave of dark energy"This won't be quite like when my psyche was transferred to that old mask above my throne and fought Link in Termina. Rather different, in fact."
"What are you up to?" said Elincia.
"Behold!" The sorcerer turned and channeled the dark power to the purple mask. Within seconds, Majora's Mask came alive and floated above Ike and his allies.
"My younger counterpart defeated that posessed relic once, why should this be different?" scoffed Link.
Majora's Mask fired a wave of dark magic from the eyes before turning on it's side and spinning towards Ike's group, the spikes patruding. The heroes scattered to avoid the spin attack, Link quickly sniped a light arrow at the animated mask. Majora's Mask was thrust back from the blow before retaliating with firey lasers.
"If Majora transferred his psyche to his mask, how the heck did he survive?" groaned Ike, tossing a magic blast from Ragnell at Majora's Mask.
Majora sneered"Glad you asked, it was my very soul that allowed the relic to posess that foolish skull kid in Termina. It was not much later after Link defeated me in such a fashion that I used the last of the power to return to my body. Now that I've doubled in magic and might after these past months, you're finished!"
"Then you are the same Majora whom Young Link defeated in Termina?" said Ike, countering a firey wave of magic from Majora's Mask.
"In a manner of speaking" sneered the sorcerer.
Link shot another arrow at Majora's Mask, which dodged and charged with another spin attack. Ike intercepted with Ragnell, while Zelda attacked the dark relic with Din's Fire. This stunned the relic enough for Link to attack with a mighty thrust.
'So revenge was part of his plan' thought Ike, watching Link tear a hole in the monstrosity. Majora grunted before zapping more dark magic into the mask, transforming it into a tall humanoid with skinny legs"Ha, you're not as stupid as you seem!"
Majora's Incarnation dashed around, rendering Ike and Link unable to attack while it sniped the two swordsmen with magic. Zelda immediately transformed into Shiek and charged at Majora's Incarnation. The monster blasted her back with magic, only to be interposed by Ike with another blast from Ragnell.
Shiek got back on her feet, leapt up and landed a flying kick to Majora's Incarnation. Link shot the monster with another light arrrow as soon as it was down. Majora channeled more of his magic into his relic, transforming it into Majora's Wrath.
"Is that all?" Ike wondered.
The monstrosity wrapped it's twin whips around Link and tossed him aside. Ike fired a blast from Ragnell, which stunned Majora's Wrath momentarily. Zelda hit the monster with Din's Fire, only to be countered by the whips. Annoyed, Ike charged at Majora's Wrath and blasted it with Ragnell.
"I wasn't kidding when I said it would be different" sneered Majora, tossing a dark fireball at Ike. Link jumped in front of the Crimean Hero and took the blow. While Elincia went to heal Link with her mend stave, Ike charged at the sorcerer, only to be intercepted by Majora's Wrath. Link shot a light arrow at Majora's Wrath and followed through by hurling his sword into the monster's 'heart'.
Majora shot forth dark lightning at the heroes, which they dodged. Link fired a light arrow at the sorcerer, who teleported out of the way and countered with another lightning attack. Ike thrust at Majora with Ragnell, only to be countered by a dark fireball. Zelda immediately attacked Majora with Din's Fire.
"I can't stand by and watch anymore" Marth brandished Falchion and braced himself as Majora's Wrath attempted to attack him. The Altean warrior dodged, charged at Majora's Wrath and attacked with a flurry of slashes. Under the pressure of the light arrow's magic and Falchion's might, the demon crumbled away.
"Now you have no one left to fight for you, Majora" said Ike, as Link rushed to retrieve his sword.
"Oh? Well, I don't need anyone" growled Majora, unleashing a wave of dark energy. The heroes were thrown back by the powerful magic. Ike stood up and let out another magical wave of energy from Ragnell. Link followed with a light arrow, while Zelda cast Din's Fire.
"I-impossible" gasped Majora, stumbling back from the impact. With that, he channeled the remaining dark energy in his body and cast a massive spell on the castle.
"What's he up to now?" gasped Ike, as the room began to shake.
"The castle's going to collapse, let's get out here!" said Zelda.
The heroes turned from Majora's chamber and ran out. On the first floor, Roy's group greeted Ike, having defeated the remaining monsters"The castle just suddenly began to shake, what's happening?"
"Majora's trying to drag us down by causing the placeto collapse on us, we have to get out of here" said Link.
"What? Hmph, I suppose we'll just have to escape" muttered Ganondorf.
The group hurried outside the fortress and back towards the vortex. The moment the heroes and their allies raced back into the Tower of Guidence, they turned to see the vortex close, leaving the dormat Majora's Mask in it's place.
"It's over, right?" said Eirika.
"Seems to be that way" replied Marth.
"Ike, sorry I couldn't do much to help you back there" said Elincia, apologetically.
"It's okay" whispered the Crimean hero.
Zelda glanced at the purified Majora's Mask"What about Majora?"
"I doubt anyone could survive that without the power of the gods, Majora's gotten his just desserts" grunted Ganondorf.
"You seem so sure, yes? You assumed wrong! Mwa, ha, ha, ha, ha!" came Majora's voice.
"He's still alive, brace yourselves!" said Link.
A shadowy fog spewed from Majora's Mask and took the shape of a man with silver hair flecked with black, orange eyes, a purple cape and a brown tunic with black pants. At his hip was a sword, while dark magic emited from his entire being.
"How the heck?" Ganondorf was astonished.
"How do you like me now in my true form? I may lack the power that you, Link and Zelda have, but I cast an aura around myself. What you see before you is called Majora's shade! I had cast aside my mortal body centuries ago" snarled the man.
Link shruggged"You fancy yourself immortal? Who feels like testing the theory?"
"We do" chimed Ike.
Majora drew his sword, the blade of which emited a purple aura"Time for a little spell-swordplay."
"The worlds have one too many evil villains, and I've no intention of leaving!" said Ganondorf, hurling a fireball. Majora warpped behind the back armored man and knocked him down with a dark burst spell. Link thrust his sword at Majora's Shade, who blocked with his own blade and kicked the Hylian back.
While Link took a moment to regain his balance, Soren attacked Majora's shade with Rexthunder, which was countered by a wave of dark magic. Rhys rushed to heal the Wind Mage, while Ike clashed his sword against Majora's blade. The Crimean Mercenary exchanged blows with Majora, who knocked him back with a Dark Burst.
"Ike!" Mia brandished Alondite and unleashed a magic blast at Majora. The crafty sorcerer dodged and shot a dark fireball. Mia dodged, while Soren recovered and struck the monster with Rexflame.
"Anima-based Magic has little effect on me!" snarled Majora, unleashing red lasers from his eyes. Mia pushed Soren out of the way and was hit in his stead. Rhys healed the Trueblade, while Marth and Roy attacked their adversary with an X-strike. Majora warped around the two and knocked them off their feat.
Link shot a light arrow at Majora, which he warped out of the way of and countered with dark lightning. Zelda smote Majora in the face with Din's Fire, causing him to stagger and retaliate with a dark fireball. Link took the opprotunity to shoot the evil man with a light arrow.
"Is that all?" said Ike.
Majora recovered swiftly from the blast and threw a massive wave of dark magic at the heroes and their allies. Seeing this, Eirika turned towards Seth"Majora's just full of magical power, right?"
"It is as you just said, my lady" said Seth.
Eirika blinked"Let's sneak up on Majora while he's distracted."
Marth interposed as Majora cast a dark fireball at Mia, Ike brought Ragnell down on Majora, who dodged and countered with a thrust of his own blade. Rhys healed Ike, while Soren cast Rexcalibur on the evil sorcerer. Majora was about to cast another dark spell when he felt Eirika stab him. Majora grunted"It'll take more then the bite of your blade to stop me."
"Huh?" Majora teleported behind Eirika and attempted to bring his sword down on her when Seth took her in his arms and took the blow to his back. Ike thrust Ragnell at Majora, who dodged and cast another dark fireball.
"Paula, Poo, Kumatora, we have to do something" said Ness.
"I concur, ready when you are" nodded the Dalaamese prince.
Elincia healed Seth while Link shot Majora with another light arrow. Majora staggered backward and attempted to counter with another dark spell when pure destructive energy waves and two blasts of magical falling stars struck him"Psi Starstorm!" "Psi Rockin'!"
The spells staggered Majora back even farther, giving Ike the momentum to charge at Majora and unleash a magic blast from Ragnell. Battered, but not completely undone, Majora sneered"Was that all you can do? Your efforts are wasted."
"They weren't wasted" said Link, striding forward with the Master Sword in his hand.
"Hmph, try and finish me if you can" snarled Majora, raising his blade and thrusting it at Link. The Hylian hero slashed upwards, disarming Majora while Ike brandished the dawn emblem. Link destroyed Majora's blade with a light arrow.
"What the?" gasped Majora.
"It's over" said Ike. A wave of magic energy burst from the emblem and engulfed the sorcerer. Within moments, the powerful magic dissapated, revealing Majora's Mask. The sorcerer himself had vanished.
"Did we win?" wondered Zelda.
"Yes, you have freed the tortured soul from his eternal bonds" came a voice as Yune appeared.
Ike put the emblem away as he spoke"By that, you mean he's dead?"
Yune nodded"He had been trapped for centuries by his own brother's hex. The dark magic robbed Majora of his humanity and sense of self, but he is purified. Majora's Mask will never regain it's evil power again."
"Well, we're glad to have helped with that. But if he's just been purified, where is he now?" shrugged Link.
Yune replied"His soul has been sent to the underworld in Pit's dimension. While most of Majora's misdeeds were solely his doing, the others of the Ancient tribe who created Majora's Mask had also played a part in his discent into darkness. By purification, it merely means that the dark power has left him for good."
"What about the mask? What should we do with that?" wondered Marth.
"I'll return it to the Happy Mask Salesman, there is no reason why it should be sealed away again now that there's no chance of it regaining it's power without Majora's darkness" said Link.
Ike smiled"Well, I'm sure everyone else is getting tired of waiting. Let's go home."
Okay, sorry to make you wait. But this chapter is now up and running, just one more to go. I kinda took longer then intended, so I won't likely have the ending posted for a few more days. I'll try to have it up on Saturday.
Please feel free to review.