And the next chapter! Forgive the wait and the lacklustre content, guys, I wrote this through a lot of things; e.g., chores, the terror of card distribution, and having to face my grades. I do admit, I'm terrible at Math. Then as I was halfway through, a power outage happened, erasing nearly all my work. Thankfully, I managed not to ragequit and survive (and finish writing this!) with the grace of God.

Thanks for stopping by and taking time to read this, even without reviewing or following it. All those views have been great help and support in my times of need – and evidence to me that in this world, someone cares, sooner or later.

And as per usual publication standards…

DISCLAIMER! I don't own Dark Souls, Smash 4 or Super Mario Galaxy or their characters; that goes to From Software, Nintendo and their affiliated companies. Peace!

CHAPTER THE SIXTH

The undead had finally reached Knightess's old bonfire, panting. All that running past those Silver Knights was bloody tiring. He sighed, quite in a mood to laugh. He'd expected the bonfire to be extinguished and found it so, much to its' Firekeeper's displeasure. That did little to dampen their spirits, though… or the euphoric mood, for that matter.

You did it, sir! You've actually managed to befriend someone who's a decent person and someone you adore, as well! I'm proud of you… guess my advice worked, huh?

The undead could feel a warm fuzzy burst of joy sprout into his bosom, but all through the haze he could feel something… insidious. As if… as if she had been hurt, in a way that made her angrier and angrier each passing second. But why? He mused quietly, making sure the Knightess couldn't hear. Then a thought struck him. Guess I'm going to have to confront her on this later. For now, we have something to do.

"Hey, it's also thanks to your help, dear Knightess! But for now, I'm going to have to bring your Bonfire upstairs, for a moment – going to try something with it, if you don't mind." I don't mind, go ahead! But how are you-

He pulled out the Zweihander and started bashing the floor around the Bonfire. When it didn't work, he pulled out the Dragon Tooth and repeated the process until he'd formed a large chunk – and it came off, along with the still-intact bonfire. "There we go!" he said, satisfied, as he pried the floor loose and lifting the Bonfire with all his might. In the end he'd managed to make it to the stairwell before he'd finally dropped the gigantic slab of tiles and Titanite with a Bonfire – and all its accoutrements, like the Bottomless Box. He sat on the first step, quite very exhausted. "Damn, the thing's heavy."

Then, he'd decided, it was time for Knightess to face the music.

"Which brings me to a question I haven't dared ask you yet… not with her watching me like a hawk. It might cause you some consternation."

Ok, say it! She's not here. This here is our time. We can talk about things not meant for the cosmos to listen. So, what is it?

"Knightess. Why are you so envious?"

Right then and there, the mood turned upside down for both of them. The sword was silenced for a few moments, shocked. How could he have found out so-

"Don't worry, knightess, I'm not cross or anything. Being envious is just… plain wrong, in my opinion. But it's natural to covet what is owned by another…" The undead was now quite scared he'd lose the trust of his sword all by pointing out her feelings quite brazenly – and losing her favour in the process. "Just tell me why."

After an uncomfortably long silence, the sword finally spoke. Err… dear me, you noticed? Ugh, I guess you felt it, eh? Well… I'll be frank here. I'm quite envious since you've fallen in love with someone else… and you're still part of my affections, yeah. But of course you'd react to that, which I did not like, so I decided to play along for a while. I can't help but desire for you to be mine alone – and now there's a strange, pretty lady in blue named Rosalina who's totally captivated you and has befriended you as well. Sooner or later you'll be… hers. She sighed deeply, and then a wave of pure negative raced through the knight's body – anger, hate, sadness, melancholy, and pain.

He was taken aback. She'd managed to hide all this from him, in some way or another. That was astonishing! "So… this is how much I affect you… well, dear knightess, I'm sorry about that, but-"

And now I'm just a bloody sword - a misshapen, slender lump of steel! All thanks to you! Now that means I can't even just… properly love you anymore… not in this form… and I can only sit, immobile, as somebody takes you away from me! All thanks to you!

"But does that mean you can't love anymore? Knightess, love isn't all about knights in shining armour sweeping you off your feet! It can be some other sort of connection, like friendship, eh?" The knight retorted, now irritated at her. She'd been using the "I'm a Sword? No! Why?!" line for… what? The second time in hour now? And now she was stressed out about not being able to get him! Damn, it was irritating! And now… now she was blaming him!

What ticks me off now is you're in love at first sight! All because she's pretty! And I know I'm right! Even with my kind of luck…

"Knightess, come on! It's not just the façade she puts on! It's what she can do for me as well, and her personality, at that! And count yourself lucky – lucky you're still alive, in a way! And lucky enough to end up with me, if that's something you'd love! Please, don't be so… so single-minded! Look at the bright side for once, you dolt!"

That exchange took the stuffing out of her. A sudden cold shock coursed through the undead – the growing, murderous malice spreading… then suddenly, all of it was replaced by a weak, weak warmth – the warmth of her shattered soul. He then heard a sniffle… a sob… and suddenly his mind was drowned out in weeping. He felt all the heat go out of him as well… and realized he'd done worse. He immediately felt remorse for the poor lady, and tried his level best to placate her, saying, "Oh, dear, here we go… Knightess, I'm sorry… Guess I shouldn't have… said things… the way I said them… come on, I didn't mean to-" But the knightess merely continued wailing. "Um, knightess? Can we still be-"

In all their precious time spent, they failed to hear the lumbering, crashing steps of the Sentinels, now doing their rounds.

Suddenly a jolt of shock coursed from the sword. Look out, she managed to scream through the sobs. It's after you!

The undead wheeled around, startled as well, and managed only a pathetic attempt to block the Sentinel's gigantic Halberd with his bare gauntlet. For second, everything seemed still… then the thick, heavy blade sheared through his left hand and sank halfway into his chest. The undead yowled in pain and managed to roll away, blood gushing from the wounds like warm springs. Weakly, he stood up, and baited the Sentinel into attacking. The enemy took one mighty swing… and missed, as the undead had managed a backstep. The effort was almost too much for him, though, and he crashed to the ground, managing to pull out the almighty Estus Flask. He took one deep swig, and then got up and rolled away as the Estus healed his hand, narrowly missing another crushing blow from the Giant's Halberd.

He quickly hid behind a pillar and drew Knightess, whose sobs were diminishing as of late. He let her let it out for a while, all the while watchful for the Sentinel's approach. Just to be sure, he put on the Fog ring and the Slumbering Dragoncrest Ring. Satisfied of their safety, he continued trying to calm his poor blade, which was now silent. "Knightess? You all right now? Sorry about those things I said… you were just… you blamed me for your plight. Man, I can be so insensitive, eh? Forgive me…"

It's all right, friend. Save the talk for later, the knightess replied softly, yet sternly, and next time draw your shield, idiot!

"Ok, ok… but for now, it will have to be first blood for you!" he replied with a killer smile, drawing the sword and his Grass Crest Shield. "Shall we?"

We shall, sir. The knightess replied somewhat begrudgingly as the knight ran full throttle towards the Sentinel. It didn't notice thanks to the rings he put on, and after a full five minutes of slicing and dicing, the Sentinel was dead, it's souls flowing into the knight's bosom. The undead stood, panting, as he collected his severed hand and gauntlet, and fixed the latter - along with the Estoc - with his Repair Powder.

Guess that's it, eh? My first blood indeed. Life as a sword is... different, ok, sir knight? There are a lot of things I can't control. Try to understand me, and you'll be in an easy state, ok? Hey, I'm like the only living sword you've ever come across, right?

"I see... I'll try my damnedest, then, Knightess. But for now, we'll have to put this thing back on fire..." he said aloud, hefting the thing's weight again. It was staggeringly heavier than even the Dragon Tooth, but he'd placed Havel's Ring on his finger, making stuff easier.

You - you can?! the knightess replied, awestruck.

"I've just got one of those grand ideas of mine..." replied the knight, straining on the stairs, "...but it'll need yours and Lady Rosalina's cooperation. If you can put aside your envy, that is. And I beg of you, please do."

I see. replied the knightess. The undead was particularly wary of another outburst even by just mentioning Lady Rosalina... but instead he felt a surge of happiness course into his chest. I'll try to put up with her, then... if it works. Make sure it does. And next time, remember that Sentinels are hardly hurt by me, ok?!

"Ehehehehe, sorry, I forgot. I'll keep that in mind."

Meanwhile, back upstairs, Rosalina was having a bit of a fit. The Observatory was in a very sorry state after the day's events. Most of the buildings were in pieces, and the Observatory now had run out of auxiliary fuel (Power Stars). They could make the trip, yes… but she needed extra speed getting back to Smash Mansion. Master Hand and her friends would be worried sick at this time. And she had her worries too… like that huge blue idiot coming back, if there was a chance. The happy mood she was in began to fade as she thought of him smashing everything again, mercilessly beating, maiming, slaughtering them again, again, and again -

A sudden smack into her side brought her back into reality. "Mama, are you ok? Mama, answer me!"

She scooped up Oliver into her hands and managed a smile. "Of course, Oliver! Well, can I ask you to do something for me?"

"What is it, mama?" The little blue Luma beamed, quite full of energy.

"Could you please stay near the Beacon and watch if Stranger's going to come back?" She had to admit, that nickname of Oliver's was quite amusing.

"Yes, Mama! Anything for Mama!" returned Oliver, who then bounded away to his post.

Then she turned her attention to the Observatory. She braced herself for a long, long span of work, picked up her wand and began piecing everything back together. Of course she could fix it all… but as she placed the last bricks and chips of plaster of the Beacon's minaret back where they belonged, she started to feel the tell-tale strains wash over her body like a phantom. Ugh, here we go… but at least we've got the outside of the place good as new. Now, to the inside… she thought, semi-nonchalantly, as she headed into the Engine Room first. That was quite a mess. A few fuel conduits leaked, spilling their contents noisily. But she mended all these absentmindedly and went straight to the Gearmo, which was now lying in a corner. As far as she could deduce, the poor thing had been thrown against a wall by an Off Wave, deactivating it and shattering some of its parts. Shoot, this thing's complicated! She mused to herself as she began to toil over the poor thing's arm.

Five minutes later, she was stuck on mending the tiny little parts of the robot's head when Oliver bounded inside, quite worried. "M-Mama! There you are! I-I was so scared!" he shrilled, leaping onto Mama's back and nearly toppling her.

"Oh, why? Is something out there trying to hurt you?" she fearfully asked after she'd regained balance, and hugged Oliver. Oh dear… if the blue Neanderthal heals very quickly and attacks again, we are doomed without the knight.

"No, mama! But it's huge! And it's got something sharp in its hand! And it's walking towards here!" replied a frightened Oliver.

"Oh, I see. I'll handle it, Oliver, and don't worry!" she replied, floating outside the Engine Room and spotting the giant golden armour-clad menace now bearing its way towards the Beacon. "Because right now, I won't have any more antics like this!" she screamed, quickly and effortlessly picking up the Sentinel in a fit of anger. She then proceeded to loose several blasts of cosmic hurt at the foe, and in a few seconds he was dead as a door-nail. Yes, she was civilized, and would have preferred to talk it over, but a scared remaining child and a vulnerable Beacon were reasons not to take the risk of this time and just downright end the threat's life. And lastly, she had enough of people attacking her and gaining the upper hand. She didn't want to be labelled weak, like poor Peach.

She stood for a few moments, panting, letting the anger flow out of her… not noticing the poor Luma, who'd never seen his mother act like that in ages. She then firmly strode back into the Engine Room and continued fixing the Gearmo, making sure not a single bit of stardust landed on the wrong place. Otherwise, it was all over for the poor robot. Oliver, after a few seconds of shell-shocked staring, floated slowly towards Mama and said his thanks somewhat reluctantly. Rosalina sighed and, after finally fixing the Gearmo and giving it a new lease on life, turned towards the poor little Luma and gave it the deepest hug she could fathom. "Sorry about how I acted there, Oliver. I know you're scared of me right now. I just… I just can bear to lose you, Oliver. Not after I lost all the rest of them."

"So you still love me, Mama? I thought you said-you said violence wasn't good once…" replied a doubtful Oliver.

"Indeed it isn't."

The two heard the familiar spectral voice echo from the doorway, and looked to see the Cosmic Spirit floating towards them. Currently, she was radiating intense disapproval. "That sentinel of this city merely was fascinated with your Beacon. You could have merely left it be."

"But-but-but- mother, my child was quite frightened! He might have been killed! We can't really guarantee he's a friendly one!" stuttered a despondent Rosalina. Being chewed out by your mother was a feeling… new to her, and as uncomfortable as she thought it'd be.

"Even then you acted irrationally. You let your anger and worry take over you, and you took a life of something neutral. But you acted with a noble purpose. For that I will spare you further shame. But for now, I will have to tell you two a few things. First, to your child." She continued, approaching the poor Luma. When it didn't let go of Rosalina, she stood up and, letting her mother touch him, said "Don't be frightened, Oliver. This is my mother, and your grandmother as well."

"G-grandmother?! But – but I thought you were – mama told me – "

"I got better." The spectre replied vaguely. "Well, that's what they all say. But I'm here to teach you a few things."

"Ok, grandma!" replied Oliver, now starting to smile. Grandma seemed real warm and nice to him. He could see now how Mama had gotten her good qualities from… and her strictness, too. He smiled at the thought.

"First, my child, you've remained loyal to your mother. You've stuck with her even through thick and thin, even when she nearly was killed and when the rest of your kind left her. I cannot describe how both of us are very proud of you right now. But I can sense you are starting to doubt your mother, most especially after what she has done just now. I know how it feels to see people you love doing something horrible."

"But what can I do about it, Grandma? I don't want to become like Zachary! I don't want to leave my Mama! And yet some evil voice in my head tells me to… and sometimes I almost listen…"

"Then try your best not to. And tell Mama about it too. She might know how to help you. Even if she's made mistakes. And above all, my child, please promise me one thing." The spirit cooed softly, Oliver leaning in eagerly. "Please, never leave your mother behind. You are the last of your kind here – at least for now – and thus the most important. And take care of her."

"I'm important? And – take care of her when she's the one supposed to do that? But how, Grandma?"

"You are her child, after all, and the most loving and loyal one. And if you ever did leave, dear Luma… it will break your poor mother. She will be grieved beyond sanity, and the cosmos will lose a powerful protector. And so will you.

"Oh, I…" For once, Oliver was struck dumb with amazement. Him? A lowly Luma, not even a star yet? Important... to the cosmos, even? But the thought filled him with pride and resolve. "I promise!" he shrieked heartily, leaping into his grandmother's hands. Surprisingly, he could touch her, and she could hug back.

"Very good, little Luma. As for you, my beautiful rosy child…" the spectre turned gently disengaging herself from Oliver and laying a hand on Rosalina, head hung in shame, "worry not about any more calamity falling upon you. The great blue being Tabuu has been injured gravely… but not mortally, it seems. But for the time being, he will be licking his wounds. A good show you did, you, the knight and his cohort!"

Rosalina sighed in relief. Knowing one more threat down was good… but the guilt of annihilating something was still there. But now… with mother around, all the negativity began to race away from her. "So, mother, what should I do now with the Undead? After bringing him home with me, that is…"

Well, of course, stay as his friend. He might want to partake in some fights as well. And above all, help him in anything he needs, and do not make him your enemy. From my observations, I seem to see the knight has the power to control souls and their power… and if you two work in tandem, you might be able to bring life back to beings. Which is why he is so dangerous. He has absorbed souls of this world's Gods, who went rampant.

This was a thought to shudder at. Rosalina had never been able to create sentient life, not in her wildest dreams. There was a strange final component she'd needed for that – one elusive to her – and that was the soul. But now, with a wielder of souls one of her friends… all the possibilities began to stream through her mind. I could bring Mom back… I could bring the dead Lumas back… Then she shuddered as another thought hit her.

"Mother, would that not make death lose meaning? I mean… bringing people back…"

"Oh, indeed it will. That will be the ultimate test of your maturity – to see if you can really get over the pain of death. Then again, the choice… is all yours, dear daughter." The spectre sighed, somewhat regrettably. "Although to be honest, I do miss being in a body."

"I see, mother… but it will also require his cooperation, will it not?" At her mother's nod, Rosalina's gaze softened. "I see."

"All right, my daughter. Little Luma, come hither! I have something to let both of you know, and it is of vital importance." As the two drew nearer she took both of their hands and started.

"Both of you will be faced with a great, terrible war for the cosmos. Because, as you can see, the echelons of Subspace rise once more… and yet another power is rising. This power I cannot discern yet, but it is made… of a terrible, eldritch, all-consuming Dark which stems from an abyss I have not searched yet. Neither will I, and nor should you." Seeing their questioning looks, the spectre decided to make things a bit softer for them. "Because anything the Dark consumes, it converts… and I saw your five rebellious children rush headlong into one of its rifts in a Starshroom. Rescue, for now is futile."

This left the two in a state of shock. "The Lumas – ""Zachary and the rest – ""Gone?!"

"Indeed they are lost… but we must hope they are not consumed or converted yet." The spectre replied gravely. "There's nothing else you can do but that… and search for Power Stars. As for me, I will have to be your – and the cosmos' - scout for the moment... but I will always watch over you, my loved ones. Fret not, and be brave! Take care, both of you…" she finished, wrapping them both in a warm embrace before vanishing.

After a few moment's silence, the staccato steps of something carrying a heavy load broke the serenity. "Oh, the knight's back, Oliver, let's go see him!"

They rushed outside to, only to see the knight fall over and drop a gigantic chunk of tile and concrete with a strange ashen sword sticking out on top right on one of the daisy patches on the Terrace.

"Knightess, I'm screwed."

Told you we should have rested back on the roof.

"What do I do about this? She'll be really mad, for sure!"

Your problem, mister trying-to-block-halberds-with-bare-fists. Guess you should listen next time…

"Ok, ok, you win this time."

Try explaining things. It might just work. And it might work if you'd listen to me too-

"Don't rub it in. Ok, here goes-"

Such was the exchange of the poor, bumbling knight and the jeering, yet now quite pacified sword as he shakily got to his feet – and remained in a prostate position, muttering all the apologies for all he was worth. That did little to help, though, or so it seemed from the lady's and her child's stricken expressions as they rushed over to her flower patch.

"Forgive me – it was an accident – I tripped carrying that - I just wanted you to examine that thing – it's what we call a Bonfire, see, and it's – don't worry, it won't disappoint - "

But the lady paid no heed as she casually lifted the huge pile off the ground, and began to heal the daisies buried underneath. Then she put the Bonfire on the seemingly useless patch of metal. Oh. She then turned towards them, and he expected a full outburst from the lady. But she simply ran a sleeve across her sweaty brow and said, "Gracious, you could've asked for my aid! And you should not have taxed yourself like that! But what is it you want me to examine? Oh, the bonfire, as you call it? Let me see…"

"Hmmm… she is the calm, collected type… but the lifting part I did not expect."

Neither did I, anyway. She seems so powerful… so… godlike, even?

After a few moment's appraisal, lady Rosalina turned towards the knight, and spoke. "It's a curious little thing… It seems it is linked to something living, and it's got a tiny bit of that link still persisting within it. But that is all. Have I helped?"

"Yes, indeed, lady Rosalina. It seems that that Bonfire is linked to my friend, the esteemed Darkmoon Knightess, who gave her life for you," he returned, pointing to the Firekeeper's poor mangled body "and whose soul persists within this blade. Hey, you might even become friends someday, too! Now might I have a request, lady Rosalina?"

"What is it, sir?" she replied, followed by a hearty squeal from the little starchild.

"If you can lend me some of the earth in your home, may I bury my friend there and place her bonfire above her remains?"

After a few moments of deliberation, lady Rosalina nodded. But as he started to leave, she suddenly sprang and caught his arm, holding him back. "No, sir, rest yourself, and let me carry the body here. I know how heavy that thing must be. It's ok, no harm on your honour whatsoever! I am in your debt, anyways, and repaying it bit by bit right now, if you get what I mean. As he nodded in stark comprehension, she enveloped herself in a starlike aura, and launched herself in a graceful leap at the roof, arriving there in seconds.

I see, so you like her not only because of beauty. It's the overall that counts, eh? Good to know.

"I see. Again, sorry, knightess. I'm as brash as you are."

It's ok. No problem sir. Sorry about being jealous, too. Sometimes, a woman just has to indulge…"

Then Rosalina arrived again, telekinetically holding the Knightess' cadaver in front of her. She proceeded to uncover a patch of grass and clumps of earth, and neatly placed the body in. Then she placed the earth back, and then placed the Bonfire on top. It looked really neat… save for one glaringly obvious thing.

It's still doused. The erstwhile Firekeeper was now despondent. But what was that all for?!

"To light it back on… although burying your body was… well, tradition. Has nothing to do with lighting it again. That's why I asked the lady to examine it for anything she could detect. But for now, we'll put it back on."

But how? An why did you – the knightess started.

"Look, she said the connection was still there, right? Now, what if I channel Humanity into you, and you'll-"

Oh, now I get your plan! the knightess realized, joyfully deciding to keep any further questions hushed up. Let's hope this harebrained scheme of yours does work.

The undead grinned under his helmet, and unsheathed his sword. "On the count of three, knightess," he said aloud, pointing the long, slender Estoc at the Bonfire.

"One." He willed a surge of dark, inky humanity at the sword.

Two. The knightess then quickly bent the souls to her will, guiding them to the tip of herself.

"And three."

A spurt of inky blackness jetted out from the tip of the rapier, spreading out like Dark Bead at as the Knightess bent her will, the Bonfire suddenly siphoned up all the Humanity… and then the telltale strands of Estus began to gleam from it, growing in volume until the Bonfire was restored to the vestiges of it's former glory.

Then a spreading radiance seeped into the atmosphere, soothing, calming and easing the three living people in it's vicinity. Rosalina felt totally rejuvenated, as did little Oliver, but the one who relished the experience the most was the knight – who never rested his head upon anything ever since he was branded by the Darksign. To him, the Bonfire, and it's warm glow… it was his sleep.

After the radiance had settled, Rosalina spoke first. "That… that was astounding, indeed. Sir. Indeed it fails to disappoint! You're true to your word –as a true knight should." The knight bowed in pride and said his thanks, and after that she continued.

"But for now, sir, tomorrow's another day full of work… and we'll have to eat and rest. Is that all right with you?"

"Of course it is, milady. But as of now, I'd rather keep watch. There might be more invaders, milady."

"Sure! Thanks for that too. I'll just cook up dinner, and I'll call you once I'm done, ok, sir?"

As Rosalina began heading to the Kitchen, Oliver in tow, the knight and the sword sighed in unison, satisfied they had kept things in a good order.. "Thank you so much, knightess, for putting your jealousy aside! So, what do you think? Have I done well enough for all of us?"

But of course, sir. And now the sun sets. Keep yourself vigilant, the Sentinels will make their last moving rounds now.

"Ok, knightess..." the knight returned, sheathing her and sitting down on a patch of grass beside the Bonfire. "Did I do well enough this time?"

The knightess gave him a lopsided burst of happiness and sarcasm, one unique to her so far. Indeed you did. Keep it up.. and you might be able to captivate her.

Little did they know about the spectral eavesdropper behind them, who could peruse their thoughts and see what they were chatting about. As the undead and the Knightess chuckled over a joke he was telling, the Cosmic Spirit decided there was nothing more of interest, and began to float away.

"Quite an interesting turn of events," said the Spirit to herself as she left, "but I will be content to see this grow alone, without my intervention."

And that's it for now, people! Stay tuned and as always, rate, review and follow! Peace out!

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