April Fools, everyone!

And another chapter! Sorry if this took too long, guys, I had the minimum of summer to deal with, for now… and I sure worked myself down to the bone.

In here, we have the first time our intrepid protagonists interact. I personally had the most difficulty creating a backstory for the undead, and having a plausible conversation between the two of them. If there's one thing I suck at, it's socializing. I tend to keep to myself these days… but anyways, I hope I don't let you down!

And as per publication standards…

DISCLAIMER! I do not own Dark souls, Smash Bros., or the Super Mario Galaxy series; that goes to From Software, Nintendo, and their associated companies. Peace!

CHAPTER THE FIFTH

The undead was in a state of euphoria. As he watched the woman care for the small, blue thing, and help a similar small brown thing turn into a larger luminescent star-shaped object, his thoughts were all a blur. "Hmm… she is indeed the mother of those things… but what on earth happened to that brown thing? This is one strange brood, indeed-"

Strange or not, I'm quite sure you'll be willing to put up with it all because you're in love…

"You're right, Knightess, I am smitten, and I won't deny it…" He'd caught a glimpse of her entirety for the first time… and now had decided she was way more adorable standing up than sprawled on the floor. She was taller than him by just a wee bit, and she had the right side of her face covered by length of her sandy hair. Her elegant teal dress flowed all the way to her feet, the silver crown now sat neatly on the peak of her head, and she held a strange short catalyst in her hands, emblazoned by a golden star. She exuded confidence and dignity all throughout… but he could see hints of great sadness on her visage, no doubt left by that huge blue murderer.

Aww, that's adorable~ replied the now triumphant sword. The prettiest woman you've ever seen, right here, ready for you to scoop up in your warm, protective arms! I bet you're so happy you could squirm!

"You're not helping, Knightess! Argh, I feel so juvenile right now- this is so strange, really, I'm yet so new to love…. But the thing is, I can't talk, and she doesn't know that, which might cause her to think I'm some sort of silent maniac. What now? "

Then it's up to thine body to speak, of course. Don't worry about that, I've seen you go at it before. Like when you killed that bloodthirsty Lautrec. That gesture, followed by pointing at him, then down to the ground, which just pisses him off, makes him focus less on the actual fight-

"Wait, you saw that?" returned a surprised undead. "You left your post just to see that?!"

Nah, I just sat around minding my own business when I heard sounds of one mighty scuffle upstairs. Then I wanted to take a peek, and since I was a Blade of the Darkmoon I invaded Lautrec's world as well. But you held your own, so I decided to just leave. she returned. Anyways, it's fine, you can do this!

"I never see dear old Knightess this supportive before… oh wait, here she comes-"

The woman in question suddenly drew closer to him, gave him such a magnificent smile, and then…

Rosalina's mind was now set. It was time to collect the anomaly and take it back to Master Hand in one piece. She crossed her fingers, hoping she'd at least manage do this job right. Remember, Rosa, she reminded herself, Follow Mom's advice. He's also got feelings. Don't hurt him in any way, and make sure he's in one piece. Above all… make your mother proud, eh? Here goes!

She steeled herself, making doubly sure she didn't show any wariness, walked towards the knight, put on her best used car saleswoman smile, and started.

"Hello, sir! Thanks a lot for healing me and saving my life. I assume you have also driven off the huge blue murderer. That's quite phenomenal of you!" He nodded, partly in assent and with a small amount of pride at his handiwork, as it seemed. "My child and I are forever grateful for what you have done for us. I am Rosalina, watcher of the cosmos, and this is my remaining child Oliver." she began, gesturing to the Luma, who was now sitting onto her shoulder and bearing a Cheshire smile. Her face betrayed yet a fleeting amount of sadness, but she managed to keep the smile up. Hold it in, Rosalina. Don't let it show. "This is my home, the Comet Observatory. How about you, sir? Pray tell, what is your name?"

A shrug.

She was taken aback quite a bit. "Y-you don't know? Strange… you must be one of those amnesiac types. Do you get what I am saying?" Another shrug. "I see. To be speaking simply, you're one of those people who forgot a chunk of their past." A nod. "Ok. There we go… but why all the shrugging?"

No response.

Feeling wary, Rosalina assumed he was repulsed at her. "You don't want to talk to me?" she returned, quite affronted at his refusal to speak. Hey, you've got a mouth, use it! This rare mannerism of keeping silent when spoken to reminded her of a fellow smasher - Villager, who rarely spoke to people, unless he saw fit. Whenever someone tried to befriend him, talk to him, he'd just… stare with a blank expression on his face. That was one kind of guy no one liked and feared in equal accounts… and she sure didn't want this anomaly to become as such. This is gonna be hard for both of us…

Yet another sullen silence ensued. Suddenly, something struck her. "Are you mute, sir?" Oh dear. If he's going to become hostile all because I was mad at him, I wouldn't hear the end of it from Master Hand.

The undead then suddenly jerkily pointed to his mouth, then quickly afterwards shook his head. That Rosalina immediately understood. "Oh, you are mute… forgive my anger…"she returned quite hastily. She sure didn't want to fail at another responsibility of hers all because of one small assumption. "I prejudged and misjudged you all the same… can I look at your mouth, if it's the cause of the muteness? I might be able to help you remedy it!" A talent granted by the starstuff found in everything - starstuff she could control, meld and replace, and which could coalesce into other objects... or mend them.

After a few moments' waiting, she saw the undead reach up to his helmet, and suddenly she was staring at a mouth opened wide, revealing a short stub of a tongue with a strange set of indentations on it. As if it had been branded in some way. She felt a gut-roiling wave of disgust go up her throat… but she managed to repress the shudder.

Good grief!

The undead seriously thought things weren't going as planned. At first he thought he was fine. Those initial questions were just fine. Then came the issue of his muteness. Sure, she was pissed! But thank heavens, she'd managed to realize he was mute the whole time.

"But why does she have to be enraged, knightess?"

She's assumed you can still talk, and wanted to avoid talking, like any silent maniac. You were right in that prediction, but you're lucky she'd also saw the possibility of your being mute. Clear up the situation. Say, just point to your mouth and shake your head.

"Thanks, knightess." He sighed in relief as the woman stammered out an apology. Then she'd offered something which turned his world upside down. An offer to heal his tongue.

Then did the undead fall into a dilemma. His muteness was strangely one thing he could not heal, even with all the Estus, Humanities, healing miracles, and assorted healing items he had used. It was, unfortunately, one of his most well-guarded secrets as to why he was mute. The story behind that was one fraught with pain, regret and shame... But an offer to heal it, say, straight from the most magnificent lady he'd ever seen, who came from the heavens with power beyond measuring? It was worth risking a secret for.

"What now, Knightess? This offer of hers is… quite tempting…."

Why not, man? , she replied, is it some big issue of thine to be healed from muteness? Or are you hiding something?

"It's the latter choice."

Then don't be scared about losing your secret. You can always say it's a secret as to why you're mute… and if she does find out, maybe there's a chance she'll keep it a secret too. And it'll bring you closer, too! But do tell me this, sir. I'm a sword, I can't just blab about it.

"Oh, I'm sure she'll find out… sooner or later… but bringing us closer? Now that's some good insight. For now, I can't really trust her… but if what she says is a guarantee, then I'll take it. Don't worry. You'll see the memory flash by, I think. Here goes nothing…"

He flipped his helmet's visor up to his mouth, and opened wide. Enough for the world itself to see his shame.

His tongue had been cut out by his superiors, thanks to a certain incident in his training.

The knightess shuddered at what she was seeing. Not only the tongue, and the lady in blue's shocked expression, but the memory flashing through the Undead's mind.

It was one of his earliest remaining memories, and the one that stung the most. It had all started one fateful day when he was still a squire in Carim, at the tender age of sixteen… and while he was still a regular Human, as well. It had all began after training, and he'd heartily got himself cut on the back by his opponent that time. He'd headed to the infirmary, eager for the usual bandage and styptic he'd get for a scratch like that. After the medic set him right, he'd walked out of the infirmary and ran straight into one of his superiors, who suddenly pulled him aside.

"Listen here" he had said, "thou hast done well so far, in thine training. You've proven an excellent shot, a good enough swordsman, and a genteel fellow, lad. Now since thou hast proven yourself, we hast something to show you."

He was quickly led to a kitchen, and was surprised to find out there was a strange mechanism which suddenly opened up a passage leading underground. And I thought most of these secrets were hidden behind the largest shelves in libraries.

They'd passed through a twisting maze of tunnels, and at the end of it they reached a huge cavern filled with the most riches he'd seen in his life. On one cavern wall he saw sets of armour and weapons, and could feel a strange resonance from them. On another side he saw several stone chests filled with the treasures of Carim; like Purging Stones, jewelled rings and heaps of gold. Towering above this all in the middle of this cavern was an immense statue of none other than Velka, the Goddess of Sin.

"So now we show this to thee, noble squire, that you may be motivated in thine training. Thou may choose to avail of two treasures in this cairn when thou becometh a knight. This is the treasure of the late Earl Arstor, the last of the honest leaders of Carim. Since his death, our country has been degraded and mocked by others, no thanks to all the sinners and tarnation flitting about and committing vile acts, left unchecked by our current leader, who merely simpers around in his estate. Unbecoming of great Carim, don't thou think? Understood?"

"Understood, sir!" he had replied quite enthusiastically.

"Let it be that you have three responsibilities from now on. One, to bring the name of Carim to justice. Two, to finish thine training. And three… to keep this all a secret." His superior continued. "If thou even lets slip a word of the sights in this cavern… thou will have to be punished with methods of our own discretion. Understood?"

"Understood!"

For three long years he'd managed to keep it a secret. Despite all the people trying to pry into that particular issue he'd managed to evade all the questions, twisting the story and saying the superiors had been browbeating him for getting wounded that day. That was plausible, but there was always that one guy who doubted you.

And that man was Lautrec.

They'd been to the same camp now, although the squire had been here earlier. Lautrec came last year. They'd gotten along fine, but ever since he'd heard about the incident the squire would always see Lautrec scrutinizing him with those piercing eyes of his with a bitter visage. As if he's sizing up his prey. I'll show him I'm one to be reckoned with.

A few days after his nineteenth birthday (which, of course, they celebrated with a sumptuous feast and a cask of fine wine) he'd been cut again in morning jousts and was heading down to the infirmary. The hallway was deserted that time… or so he'd thought.

Suddenly he was pinned against the wall, being throttled by Lautrec's mighty right hand, the other holding a dagger across his throat. "You think you're all so mighty with that secret of yours, eh?"

"No, but you think you're so high and mighty knowing that I've got one-"he'd retorted before he could check himself. Blimey. He caught me there.

Lautrec smirked a deadly grin, pleased at his handiwork. "Keh heh heh heh heh… so there is a secret! You can't deny it now! Well, well, is it treasure? Or a dragon, hidden away from the populace, perhaps? And don't even think about pulling out that puny sword of yours, bah! It'll cost you!" And now I'm helpless. Damn you.

No answer. I won't give you the satisfaction. He did his best to remain blank… but the tiniest bit of dismay crossed his face.

"So it is treasure! Ahahahahahaha! I can see from your expression" The twisted grin played across Lautrec's face as he chortled at his success, relaxing his stance and withdrawing the knife. The poor squire dropped down to the ground, not knowing what to do next. He knew he was under Lautrec's power now. "What could you hide, so valuable, which even might be pillaged by other countries, perhaps?" Oh. He is perceptive, I'll give him that. The clever, vile piece of filth! "Hmm…. So it's in the kitchen, eh? Thank you then, laddie!" he'd returned one last time. "And I promise you… there'll be a reward for this information of yours!" he finished, walking out of the vicinity. For a few moments he'd stood stock still, unable to comprehend or believe what had just happened. Then he decided to head to his room, stone-face, and lie in his bunk to weep like the pathetic fool he was on his failure. Outwitted like a bloody mouse in the clutch of a cat.

It all ended in the same day, surprisingly. Lautrec, rashly eager and impatient that time, was caught in his attempt to break into the sanctum but had heartily pointed evidence against him. No matter, there wouldn't be any other reason, and we're clearly in the worst messes of my life, he thought as he walked into the superior's room holding the summons sent to him earlier, the afternoon sun lighting the dreaded halls. It simply had four terrible words on it – "You failed. See us." Suddenly, as he walked in, a dart struck his right shoulder and then he was losing consciousness.

The next thing he knew, he was at his room, and it was sunrise… and his tongue was the mere stub you'd see it now. He bore the loss in silence, grieved at failing his responsibility, ashamed he wasn't able to defend himself against the vile beast… but every cloud had its' silver lining, as they said. He was happy that at least the superiors hadn't decided to kill him, and he prayed to Lord Gwyn for a worse punishment to fall upon Lautrec.

Suddenly, one of the superiors walked into his room, holding a pen and a sheet of parchment. "We've heard Lautrec's side of the story, and thine view might be far different. After all, thou would'stve broken into the sanctum yourself, lad. Thou hast proven to have amounts of great initiative. Fret not, thou still hast our favour after the vile brute was captured. But we are still distressed about thine failure." He held out the feather and a parchment. "Indeed there was punishment lad, but we decided to have you feel none of the infernal pain. Write down thine side of the tragedy here."

So in the end, Lord Gwyn proven to be someone who listened to prayers. His side of the story came out as right and true. He was not denied his reward, and Lautrec was sent to Astora, in exile. The squire had managed to retain his honour… but he lived the last years of his Human life in shame at his failure. Many of his cohorts had been sympathetic in spirit, and decided to keep the thing as one of their camp's deepest secrets. Then the curse of the undead hit, and he'd been one of the lucky few undead who had survived the first part of their pilgrimage and ended up in Lordran. There he'd met Solaire, aided him in linking the Fire… and now here he was, gallivanting while the world was peaceful and while maidens in blue offered to heal his tongue.

"And thus is my history, or at least part of it, knightess. The rest is a different story for a different day. What can you make of it?"

Quite interesting and grievous at the same time. You've revenged yourself upon Lautrec and you're your honor intact – admirable! And about your secret… indeed it is a vital secret… but Carim lies desolate now, inhabited by Hollows and monstrosities, as do all the other lands. This is a secret which has somewhat lost its' value. That you can tell her.

"I see. Oh, wait… what is she - my mouth is tingling-" he exclaimed as the lady in blue pointed her catalyst at him and released a starburst of energy. "I - feel - whole!"

"Oh… I see… that looks horrible, to say the least." To be honest, she was quite revolted at the sight. Such torture was prohibited in a sane world, or at least in a world with a twisted sense of morality. "But I can promise you none more of this kind of denigration. Be still, and be free from your muteness…" She held up her wand, and channelled a warm burst of stardust at the mouth. She then began to fuse the stardust with the tiny stub of tongue, letting a new one coalesce as the dust replicated the tongue cells.

She saw the undead test his new tongue out experimentally, worming it around his mouth. Good grief, I bet he's happy! She chuckled, slightly amused, as the knight hurried outside making disgusted noises. She followed him... and found herself looking at one of the most magnificent cities in the world, one that had transcended the history of this world itself, so to speak. The light from the setting sun cast a warm glow over intricately designed spires, towers and minarets, adding to the effect. Oh, the architecture's something i haven't seen before...

After a few moments of gazing in sheer wonder, she was brought back to reality by the sound of retching. Oh. Before I forget... she thought sheepishly, looking first at the Comet Observatory. She pointed her wand at the structure, sending a faint spiral of stardust and energy at it. The Observatory then slowly pulled away from the building they were on, and floated in midair, with the Terrace - now just a mass of scattered dirt and plants - touching the roof as some sort of gangway. She looked at the wreckage appraisingly. Looks like I'll have to do some gardening for a while now. Oliver then leapt out of the Library and onto her head, chirping happily.

She found him doubled over a railing, retching. Must've been the taste of his mouth. He must miss how terrible it tasted, haha! She smiled at him again, and spoke first.

"Feels good to have a tongue back, right?"

"Indeed it is, lady. It's been a long time since I've talked like this!" the undead replied after a few moments, drinking Estus to alleviate the terrible taste coming from his mouth. Strangely, Estus seemed to taste like a strange mixture of honey and hot tea all at once - sweet, with an edge of flavor.

"What actually happened to your tongue? It seemed as if it was quite a terrible punishment for a terrible crime!" She shuddered at the thought. What if I'm befriending a vile criminal? What could we do against a criminal with godslaying power?

"Well, let's say I got framed for something I didn't do." He'd decided to give her the truth... but not all of it. "But now my torment is over... thanks to you, princess from the sky! You have my deepest gratitude! Oh, how impolite of me, not introducing myself! But my name… yes, I've forgotten it, sorry. My past memories have been lost to the curse, damn. But as you can see, I'm a knight. Thus you may refer to me as Sir." He'd slipped his helmet's visor back to original position, once again shielding his face..

She sighed in relief. Not that bloodthirsty after all. And quite... normal and plain, too! From his jolly, esctatic tone, Rosalina now judged she'd made a friend here. And now my job becomes easier! Oh, if only I'd known… But- "Curse? What curse?" she asked, curiosity piqued. "And by the way, I'm no princess, I'm… not really royalty. The crown? Its kind've just for show. I received it way back when I was young, when I didn't have status. So now I just wear the crown because I'm kind of obliged to by my peers. But you may call me a lady, sir! Although I prefer my name above all."

"I see… forgive me, lady Rosalina. So, the curse of the undead." He replied succinctly. "Recently, humans have randomly been branded with the Darksign, marking them as undead. When they die, they revive at special Bonfires fuelled by Humanity, but if they lose sanity they become Hollows, a shell of their former selves hostile to anyone and everyone."

"So no wonder you're labelled undead… that's… I don't know, rude?" she returned. "To me, I'd see your kind as… unique, and a race which needs the very best of care."

"I see. Indeed, it's quite a shame this world has been fraught with fear at our existence. But you seem to be a wonderful, yet rare case." He replied, quite pleased he was able to bring a smile to her placid lips. "So, one of its' unsavoury side-effects is the loss of memory upon each death you undergo – oof!" he grunted as a happy Oliver bounded into his chestplate. "Thank you stranger! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" he squealed as cuddled into the knight's armor, who returned the hug with amusement and a slight hint of affection. "It's good you and mama are now friends! I'm going to be your friend too, now! Yaaay!"

The undead, of course could only hear it chirp and squeal, so Rosalina decided to explain things a bit. "It likes you a lot, sir! Don't mind it if it suddenly leaps into you and hugs you. That's what a Luma like him always does. Adorable, don't you think?"

"Indeed… but what are Lumas?" the undead asked.

"Lumas are what Oliver is, his, um, species, so to speak. They're basically starchildren who grow up to become different celestial bodies in their maturity. You can recall the brown one – it turned into a Grand Star, a source of great power which I use as fuel. But," her face fell and she sighed deeply, "as I came here they all died thanks to that blue murderer."

The knight, seeing Rosalina's face a mask of sorrow, acted on instinct and laid a heavy gauntlet on her shoulder. Surprisingly, she bore the weight well. Her breathing went funny for a moment, and a single tear rolled down her placid face. Then she drew a deep breath and gently touched his wrist,putting on a strained smile. "I've lost a lot, sir, but don't worry about me. I can survive this ordeal. I do appreciate the kindness you've shown to me so far – you seem to be exceptionally hospitable, no?"

"Indeed, lady! But not really with the Hollows; they're keen on hospitality. They're eager to greet you with a sword to the face! But anyways, I've a few matters to attend to down below."

"I'll try my best to help you with that, then, sir." She beamed at him, and looked away quickly, embarrassed at her next choice of words. "Although I need you for something as well." Of all the things she hated, being an expense to other people was the one. Especially to her friends. And she didn't want to be one to her newest friend.

"If it won't be experiments, oh, I'll agree." The undead had enough of all the strange things alchemists and sorcerers did to his body in the name of progress – only for their methods to hurt him most of the time. "Anyways, what is it you'll need?"

"Um, I need to look for more of these things." She rifled her hammerspace, and it took a few moments before she pulled out a Power Star, out of only three left. They'd need at least two more for the return trip to Smashville. "This world seems to be quite deadly at a glance. Could you kindly accompany me as I go about looking for these?"

"Agreed, lady… Rosalina, was it? Forgive me if I can't remember that easily…"

"Indeed it is my name – wait, where are you going?" she said, seeing as he began heading towards a passage she hadn't noticed. "Don't-don't leave us yet, sir! I've a few things to clear up with you!"

"Wait a moment, ok?" the knight exclaimed, turning around for a while. "Before I start helping you out, I have a few loose ends to tie up, lady. Don't worry, I can guarantee I'll come back for you. Just stay in that home of yours for a while, and don't wander around so I can find you easily. Understood?"

"Understood sir. Take care!"

As she watched him leave, Oliver leapt up to her and she expertly caught him in an embrace. He shouted out a loud "Goodbye, stranger!", which the stranger in question heard as a loud, prolonged chirp. He turned and waved, then continued walking to the inside of Anor Londo."Thanks a lot, Oliver! You made him friendly, didn't you?" she said.

"He helped me mama, so I did!" he returned quite proudly.

"You wanna know something, Oliver? That was the guy we're looking for! The guy Master Hand wants us to bring to him! Oliver, I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you mama! Thank you! An you're welcome! I knew I was right when I wanted to stay with you!" shrilled happy little Oliver.

"You're welcome, Oliver. That knight… he's going to be our friend from now on, ok? You all right with that?"

"OK, mama!"

Rosalina sighed in relief, and began to walk back to the Observatory. Taking the anomaly wasn't so hard. Hey, she'd even gained a new friend - and a friend to her child, too! - in the process! But next was of course, the hard part.

Handling the anomaly.

But she smiled and thought to herself. I've done a lot despite all these things happening to me. I can do this. For the cosmos. For Master Hand. And of course… for our new friend. I will remain empowered.

She smiled, taking in the magnificent sunset, and the uncertain, yet always exciting future which awaited her.

And that's about it for now, ladies and gentlemen! I hope I wrote well! Stay tuned, and as always, rate and review!

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