Chapter 76: The Queen's Final Attack!

"This is it." Jimmy sighed.

"Yes, it is." Rolf stated.

"So, let's take this witch down already!" Eduardo Jr. shouted.

"I have misjudged you. I shouldn't have let you live this long! I'm sick of you all!" She held up her hand, ready to cast a dark spell.

Everyone got themselves in a position to defend. Suddenly, dark lightning burst and crackled.

"Flare/Volt Shield!"

Thus Eddy's, Vivian's, and Double D's three shields all appeared before the group. Sparks from the lighting shot everywhere, sending electric pulsations and small flames about. …but their shields never broke. Damaged but strong, the shields had won. Victoriously, the three spell-casters canceled their spells.

"…what is this? How can this be?" The Shadow Queen looked mortified.

"You can beat us anymore!" Eddy said. "Cause we're back with a vengeance, baby!"

"To put it mildly." Double D added.

The queen shouted in disgust and swiped at the group with her large arms.

Double D quickly reached for Eduardo Jr., the little Yoshi unharmed by his flaming body. He then levitated into the air to save him.

As a counterattack, he gave battle cry and shot Eduardo Jr. right at the Shadow Queen's face. With the added propulsion of a rocket, Eduardo streamed quickly across the room, looking like nothing more then a red streak. The Shadow Queen gave a grunt as her face snapped to a side as Eduardo gave a speedy attack.

"Not a bad idea." Eddy swung his arm and quickly grabbed the medallion, grasping it tightly in his right palm before looking back up at the demon. "Lightning-Sprint!"

Suddenly, Eddy vanished. Just like that, he was gone.

"Where did he go?" Goombella asked. "Eddy?"

"He's fine…" Double D said. "…I think he's moving at light speed!"

Double D's suggestion became clarified as a yellow streak zoomed back and forth around the room. As it flew, it struck the queen a few times.

"…all of a sudden, this is becoming too easy." Kevin said.

"You pests!" The queen shouted.

She reached down on the ground with her claw. In the next second, Eddy gave out a cry. A spiraling yellow streak flew overhead and smacked into the wall.

"Eddy, you okay?" Goombella asked.

Eddy weakly gave a thumbs up.

"Look out!" Koops shouted.

Goombella looked up and saw a bolt of dark lighting flying towards her. She gave a yelp.

"Volt-Shield!"

Sparks shot in front of Goombella. She watched as a shield appeared before her, protecting her from the attack. She looked to her left and saw Eddy standing in a fighting position. The bruises and cuts on his face and the semi-tattered cloths made him look like some sort of hero.

"Thanks." She said.

"…hey, I think I have an idea. I'll need your help." Eddy said.

"Ready, Kev?" Nazz asked.

"Yeah, do it!" Both of them held hands.

Kevin gave his normal laugh, then suddenly jerked to his right. Nazz lifted off the ground and began to spin in the air. He gave strong swerve and released. Nazz flew in the air, with her foot ready to strike. She hit the demon's side, kicking off and landing on the ground.

"Enough." The demon said, rasing a strong claw and slammed in on the ground.

Nazz, whom had just struck the Shadow Queen was closest, and fell backwards, slamming her head on the floor.

Kevin began to run. "Nazz-"

"I'm fine…" She said but groaned. "…ow. This battle will be easier if we handle ourselves."

"Right, sure." Kevin said.

The Shadow Queen growled in frustration. She was taking so many hits all of a sudden. She looked behind her and spotted a green Koopa shell flying directly at her. The demon reached down to the ground and merely picked up the shell.

She gave a swing and threw the shell back into the group. As he flew, Koops emerged from his shell and gave a scream.

Ms. Mowz turned her head and looked up, spotting Koops flying right at her. "What the-"

Koops collided into her, and they both collided into the wall behind them.

"Double D-Edd boy!" Rolf shouted. "Assistance!"

Double D, who remained hovering in the air, threw his flaming rod back down to the ground. Rolf caught it, immune to the flames that surrounded it. He took off running and ran straight for the queen.

The queen had no time to react. A mighty blow struck her side. She shouted in pain and held out a claw as if to cast a spell.

Rolf held the rod in front of him, ready to defend himself against whatever attack she had in store. He was right to be worried, because dark lightning filled the air again. She spun the rod rapidly in front of him. The sparks merely flew off, keeping Rolf unharmed.

Though in his defense move, he failed to notice a second attack flying at him. He was suddenly lifted off the ground, screaming in pain. The rod flew from his hand and pierced into a wall. Rolf came to a skidding halt on the floor.

Not it seemed that the shadow that had taken Johnny's place was up for a turn. He ran ahead with amazing agility, ready to strike with everything he had.

"Deciderate!"

"What?" The queen looked worried. "They have a fourth spell-caster?"

The shadow demon was quickly struck with a twister of leaves. Instead of phasing her, it looked like it had just made her snap.

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

The Shadow Queen gave a roar that caused them all to look up and scream. Her body was now beginning to glow a bright purple. She looked to be beaming with rage.

"What's going on?" May asked.

"She's charging up." Ed stated.

"…so is she going to blow or something?" Eddy asked.

Double D could sense power, rage, bloodlust… this horrid demonic wrath was even scarring Rolf, who gave a gasp, eyes widening.

"What do we do?" Jimmy asked. "…Sarah?"

"I swear I will destroy you all here!" She shouted in rage.

They each took a few steps backwards.

Double D however, didn't let fear interrupt his plans. His intelligence was at an all high with the glowing power within him.

"Vivian, Eddy, …uh… Shadow-Johnny, Doopliss! If you value our lives, join me in creating a shield! Everyone else, duck for cover!" Double D shouted.

Double D lifted off the ground and into the air. The others ran to the corner of the room screaming, while Vivian, Eddy, Doopliss and the shadow appeared. Each of them stood in a line, holding out all ten of their hands ready to attack. Suddenly, the Shadow Queen gave a shout, with her crown of strength glowing like a star. Dark clouds rapidly shot at them, like explosions.

Doopliss quickly enveloped in pink smoke and transformed into an enormous shield. Two more shields of fire burst into materialization. A fourth, electric shield joined in the mix. The explosions met the shields.

They were all instantly overcome by the amazing power. All four of the magic shields shattered, causing all four spell-casters to fall backwards, screaming. Doopliss had resumed his normal form as was sailing above their heads to smack into the wall. He crashed and fell at the opposing end of the room, taking out a series of dark candles, and yet they still gave the dark burn after being knocked on the floor. Doopliss looked hurt, to say the least.

The dark attack struck everyone who was hiding. The group gave a collective shriek as they were all hit. The attack finally stopped, as the satisfied demon queen looked upon the damage she had dished out.

All of her victims lay scattered on the floor, including Frankly who was just a bystander.

"At long last…" The queen said, eyeing the heroes. "Victory is mine. It is time to take over this world, once and for all… and to gain that power, I shall take the souls of these fools…"

The queen lifted both hands and then lowered her palms to cover Kevin, Nazz and Koops underneath one hand and Mario, May, and Eduardo Jr. beneath the other.

Double D, still being powered up with the extra fire boost awoke. He gave a horrified glace at what he saw. Small wisps of smoke were rising from the fallen bodies of six of his friends and into the demon's hands. Their souls were literally being stolen.

He gave an angry glace and shot fireballs from his hands. The demon had to retreat to avoid the on-coming fire attack.

Double D flew over to the six fallen ones.

"…oh lord, no! My friends, please tell me you are alive!" He dropped on the floor and began to check them. No pulse… their lives had all been taken away.

"Kevin…My rival, and friend…"

His tearing eyes switched to Nazz. She looked so terribly beaten up. He lowered a hand and brushed her forehead. "…how in the world could anyone kill someone as kind as you…"

"…you annoying little monster!" the Shadow Queen shouted. "Why won't you die like the others?"

He sighed. "Mario… Koops… May…"

So many dreams crushed.

Though his heart truly broke when he saw Eduardo jr, lifeless on the ground.

"No… he was so young…" Double D reached down on the little forehead of the Yoshi. "…how can anything kills anything as young and pure… he thought of me like a father… .I suppose I was, in a way…"

A teardrop fell. He collapsed on the ground and began to sob. "I… even thought of him as a son. I… can't believe it…"

He gave a loud sob, surprised the others hadn't noticed him. "…I'm sorry, Eduardo jr. I'm sorry that I never told you, but I did think of you like a son. …I'm sorry."

He looked around the room but saw all of his friends scattered. Each and every one one of them appeared lifeless. He realized it wasn't just these six who's souls where stolen… it was all of them.

"No…" He fell down on the ground, the flames around him growing weaker and weaker. It was horrible… everyone he ever cared was-

"That's enough! For the last time, I command you, DIE!"

Without even looking up, he raised his right arm into the air and shielded himself from a dark magic attack.

The demonic queen looked enraged again. "What is this? Why?"

Double D slowly got to his feet, facing in the opposing direction of the demon.

"…I don't understand it. How can you bother to rise-"

"Be quiet." Double D said with a quiet, though dead serious voice.

His body was suddenly surrounded in larger flames, ones that illuminated the entire room. He gave a loud growl and turned his body around, revealing glowing white eyes.

Even the evil demon herself seemed stunned to see this fire-boy filled with such power.

"…you. I have never met someone as evil as you…" Double D growled. "I swear upon my life that I shall exterminate yours!"

"Then what are you waiting for? Come and get me!" The Shadow Queen shouted.

Double D gave a loud growl and ran right at the demonic creature with a jet of fire streaming behind him.

The queen had no time to react. She was given a blow right in the face as he crashed into her with an angry rage. Before she even recovered or saw it, Double D struck her again, and again… each attack stronger and more infuriated then the last.

Vivian sighed and shook her head, letting her pink-messed up hair flow. She spotted a strange red glow that illuminated the entire room. She looked up and saw Double D mercilessly beating the shadow demon.

"…he has become quite strong." She tilted her head and saw Rolf slowly getting up.

"Rolf… are we still alive?" She asked.

"It would appear so." Rolf replied. "Before we came here, Double D-Edd boy was but a smart coward. Now he has become this…"

"…how are we alive?" Vivian asked.

"Rolf thinks your connection to the Shadow Queen kept her from killing you. …as for Rolf… he swore upon his life never to let his sister's death be in vain. He promised to forever rid any world of this evil's existence, and that is a promise Rolf will keep!"

"I see." Vivian said.

She looked and saw the shadow that had replaced Johnny was now gone, Johnny was left unconscious on the ground beside his wooden Plank. Though there was some stirring somewhere within the crowd of fallen heroes.

"Uh… I fell like I just got attacked by the Kankers."

"Eddy, is that you?" Vivian asked.

"…granny, are the waffles done yet?" Eddy's dizzy voice asked.

"Greedy-Ed-boy, awaken!" Rolf shouted.

Eddy shook his head, with the medallion flying to and fro as he did. "Uh… what happened?"

"Eddy… the queen attacked us… and defeated most of us." Vivian said.

Eddy looked down and gave a shout, spotting all of his fallen allies. He crouched and glanced and gave sad stares at everyone around. These where his friends… and to see them scattered like so…

"What the heck happened?" Eddy asked before his eyes suddenly spotted Goombella, lying motionless on the ground. "Oh man, no! C'mon, this can't be real! I've got to be havin' a bad nightmare!"

Vivian rubber her eyes as Rolf looked down and shook his head.

"I will kill whoever did this." Eddy growled, shaking his hands in rage.

"Then kill her!" Rolf shouted, pointing at the Shadow Queen that Double D was rapidly striking.

"I have been waiting for this!" Eddy said, cracking his knuckles.

The three of them stood side by side now, ready to attack or help Double D. For now though, it was up to the legendary hero.

Double D wouldn't cease in his increasing anger, striking again and again at the demon.

Suddenly it looked as if the Shadow Queen rage exceeded that of the fire-boy's. She gave a yell and thrust him off with her giant claws. He spiraled in the air like a fireball and collided into a wall, sending debris flying everywhere.

"Double D!" Eddy, Vivian, and Rolf all shouted.

As soon as they had, they saw Double D's still flaming body walking out of a cloud of dust. "Rolf? Vivian? Eddy?"

The four of them ran to each other, gathering in the center of the room.

"…I can't believe you are alive." Double D said.

"There's no time." Rolf said. "We must avenge the loss of our allies… now."

"Yeah… for the others." Eddy said, looking down.

"And for everyone else too. This has to end right now." Vivian said.

They each nodded.

"THIS IS ENOUGH! I WILL DESTROY YOU FOOLS!"

All four of them glanced back at the Shadow Queen, the most evil being in this dimension.

"I think I speak for us all when I say just how much we hate you. Never in all my years have I seen such a horrid demon! You are worse than anything!" Double D shouted. "TAKING INNOCENT LIVES!"

The demon backed off. She could tell that the combined energy from these four was very strong. The Eye of Wisdom and Medallion were now both glowing brightly, as well as both of the Eds and Vivian's hands. Rolf stood back to watch.

"Where does this power come from!?" The Shadow Queen questioned, unable to believe what she was seeing.

"It comes from the will to protect!" Double D shouted. "It comes from one's heart, and you, demon, have none. That is why you will never be as powerful as we are!"

"Is this a trick?" The demon asked.

All three of the spell-casters began to glow. Energy was radiating from them all, forcing Rolf to take another step back.

"Take this!" The three of them shouted in unison.

Suddenly, all four of them were enveloped in a tower of light, that blinded the Shadow Queen.

When her demonic eyes opened after the light faded, she was greeted to the sight of four glowing dragons, one made of fire, another made of shadow, another made of lighting, and a fourth, radiating blue dragon.

"WHAT? NO!" the demon cried out.

All four dragons flew at her at a great speed.

"This is like before, when I was defeated 1,000 years ago by four heroes! Can this be a reliving? No… it… mustn't be…"

Nonetheless, all four dragons were flying right at her. Each one collided into her.

"AIIIYYYEEE!" The demon screamed out in pain and terror.

As she fell, the crown flew from her head and landed on the ground with a loud clang. The demon began to vanish into a cloud of dark smoke. It was like she was disintegrating. She gave a final shriek as her body slowly vanished, leaving only the crown behind, which had shrunk in size.

The dragons also vanished, to be replaced by the four standing heroes.

They all watched as the unprocessed Peach fell to the floor. Unconscious, but alive.

The four severely battle-scared heroes looked at each other. Hurt, but alive, they sighed in relief. The demon was gone at last… but at what price?

"…what about the others?" Eddy asked.