Icicle Mountain 5

The mountain rumbled, and Nana began to wail. Mario kicked the door of the Landmaster. Fox pushed it open, his face red. "What's your problem?"

"Tell-a your friend to hurry up."

"Relax. He's here now." Strong gusts of air wafted from above, adding another layer of chill to the blistering temperatures. Fox sighed.

"What is it?" Pokémon Trainer asked.

Fox rubbed his forehead. "Why have they sent the Great Fox?"

"Relax, Fox," Falco said to him over his earpiece. "I'm here to save your behind once again."

"I thought you were bringing the Arwing?"

"Peppy told me there were a few of you. You can't all fit in an Arwing, you dumby."

Fox muttered under his breath. "That was the whole point."

"Besides, this way you get to listen to the new music project Slippy has been working on."

"Great. That's just what I need."

The Great Fox landed on the snow and opened its doors. "We need-a to move quick," Mario said. The icy surface of the mountain was breaking, purple tendrils emerging through the cracks. The group moved onto the opening ramp of the ship. An almighty roar caused the icy surface to shatter.

"What is that?" Captain Toad said.

"It's the rider in black!" Pokémon Trainer shouted.

Indeed, Ganondorf emerged through the hole in the mountain. But he was not alone. It was not just the cold that froze the Smashers in place as they stared at the devilish monster Ganondorf rode. A fearsome, purple beast. Ridley.

"Shut the doors, Falco," Fox ordered. "Everyone, get in." Pokémon Trainer jumped back out onto the snow. "What the hell are you doing?"

Pokémon Trainer stared defiantly into the face of the king of evil. "Somebody needs to stop them." His Poké Ball hit the cold surface, and out came a recharged Charizard. The Great Fox doors shut as the ship ascended. Pokémon Trainer climbed atop Charizard, and they rose into the sky. Two goliaths of the air stared across from each other. The fiery intensity in the eyes of Charizard, the all terror-inducing roar that came from Ridley.

Fox and the others joined Peppy, Slippy and Falco in the control room. "That's one crazy kid," Falco said, watching the Pokémon Trainer.

"Shouldn't we-a help him?" Mario said.

"It's too late," Fox said, watching the purple tendrils emerge over the mountain. "We must leave this place. Better only one of us dies than all of us." The Great Fox rose into the icy sky.

"Charizard," Pokémon Trainer yelled. "Use flamethrower!" A wave of fire left the dragons mouth. No order from Ganondorf was needed; Ridley let out his own wave of fire. The flames danced in the sky, turning the snowflakes to embers in the air. Ridley's fire overpowered Charizard and scorched his face. Charizard grunted as smoke blared out his nostrils. "Wait, Charizard. Don't lose composure." Charizard did not listen to his master. He zoomed forward, striking his tail at Ridley. Ridley stuck out his own tail, both beasts striking and blocking each other like they were fighting with swords. Charizard pulled out a rock and headbutted it into Ridley's face. Ridley roared, beaming a psychotic grin in Charizard's face—it was like he took pleasure out of the pain. He swung his claw, swiping the Pokémon Trainer into the sky. Charizard gasped, looking down at his master falling into the purple dome taking shape over the crumbling mountain. Ridley clutched Charizard around the neck. Charizard struggled, veins coursing through his eyes, smoke leaving his mouth as he let out desperate waves of fire. Ganondorf laughed, creating a purple forcefield around himself and Ridley. Little breaths of fire puffed out of Charizard, until he puffed out no more. Ridley let go of Charizard, watching him turn into a trophy as he fell through the sky.

Ganondorf smiled. He looked up at the glint shining amongst the clouds.