This is a chapter I've been greatly anticipating. Now I think chapters might come out quicker, but who knows. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy! For Wattpad and Ao3 readers, I hope you like the art I made for this as well. I'm quite proud of it. Enjoy!
-Joost
Shattering the Stars
Chapter 24: The Passion
"To think that he, defender of the South Seas, one Mr. Michael Jones… That he is…" Empyrea was at a loss for words. Another shudder rippled down her spine and she extended her talon, summoning a bed of ocean-blue vines from her claws. They wrapped around Freddy's phone and yanked it out of his hand.
"Wha-?! What the?! Empyrea! Stop!" Freddy tried to reclaim his property, but to no success. Empyrea brought the device close to her eyes, the dark determination blazing within her irises.
"THAT BASTARD!" Empyrea's voice echoed through the dry, depressing world, and the crusaders had to cover their ears. The Godbird's scream was deafening, but she didn't silence herself.
Erdrick and Eight had never seen anything close to such rage come from Empyrea, nor did they think it was natural. Something about the revelation, about whoever this 'Mike Jones' was, it brought fuel to the already fiery pit of the Godbird's soul. Together, pushing away any hesitation that might've halted them previously, they pleaded for Empyrea to calm herself and refrain from such anger.
"How DARE he?! How could he fall from such grace!?" The vines constricting Freddy's phone tightened, humming lightly as Wave Energy flowed through them and caused the screen to crack a bit.
"Empyrea, stop this!" Landia intervened, two of his heads latching onto her wings and ripping her out of her fury-induced frenzy.
The Godbird resisted for a moment before the look in Landia's eyes brought her back to reality. She huffed, the vines releasing Freddy's phone and letting it drop, where the blue Inkling was luckily able to catch it before it got damaged further. The mystic liana disappeared, leaving the rest of the group wildly confused as to what they were and why Empyrea was led to such an extreme bout of rage. They'd remain without an answer for the time being, the phoenix refusing to speak for a couple of minutes as things calmed down.
Landia, genuine concern covering his four faces, stayed close to Empyrea as she kept to herself, staring out into the distance, her mind just as cloudy as the sky had become ever since Freddy showed the others the image on his phone. The wind was howling, the weather sporadic and messy. One minute it was clear as a glass of water, now it was blanketed by thick, shadowy clouds.
"For…" Empyrea turned and faced Freddy, and by extension, the rest of her crusaders, "Forgive me, anger took a hold of me… My deepest apologies, my friends," Shame washed over her. Freddy looked at her with slightly confused sympathy, while the others were just plain confused.
"What the hell was that?!" Violet didn't know how to express her bewilderment.
"Yeah, uh, we don't know who this 'Mike Jones' is, so how does that help us?" Solo asked, hands on his hips.
"I do, actually," Mario raised his hand, stepping forward. Freddy's face lit up, surprised that Mr. Jumpman himself knew of anything about the topic. With a critical eye, Mario explained, "I have a game console back home, I played a little bit of StarTropics. It was fun, never beat it though, but I know about the main guy from it."
"I think I remember the manual, actually!" Luigi added, "At one part of the game, you had to dip the letter that came with it into water to continue!"
"Wait huh? Is that when that computer guy asks about some 'secret code' or whatever?" Mario looked back at his brother, shocked.
"Yeah, you never knew?" Luigi tilted his head.
"No! That's why I was never able to beat it! Why didn't you tell me?"
"I just thought you were bored with the game!"
"Guys! Focus!" Link interjected, waving the Mirror Shield in between the brothers to get them back on track. "Alright," he placed his hand on Mario's shoulder, "You said you know who this guy is, right? So what do you and Freddy know?"
"Well, I haven't played the game in a while," Mario scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment.
"I never got far in it either, but I do know that he was a decent guy, Mike," Freddy said.
"No need to strain your minds with remembering," Empyrea finally spoke up, still facing away from the group. All of them directed their attention to her as she elucidated her crusaders about the history of the man who they knew as Shatterhand.
"In his world, Mike Jones was a hero… He was brilliant," The shame seeping out of Empyrea's tone was infectious, "Defeated an alien named 'Zoda', who abducted the boy's uncle. He traveled to a distant planet, and even through time in order to stop that fiendish little pest of an extraterrestrial. Only fifteen years old, he got into this sort of work at a young age, similar to you, Link," she peeked over at the Hero of Termina before continuing, "He was an honest man after all was said and done, truly… however… I cannot fathom what happened to him that caused such a decline in both morals and sanity…"
"Freds, is there any way you could figure out why this 'Mike' guy is doing all this?" Amy asked, walking up to her companion.
"If I could, I have no clue where to start, I'm just a nerd who likes video games," Freddy blushed, feeling like he had run out of usefulness for the others, "But we know who he is, that's what's important!"
"Indeed, and now, Freddy, Violet," Empyrea finally turned around to face her crusaders once again. Her face, regardless of whether it was of a bird in nature, gave off the most earnest sense of thankfulness anyone had ever seen. With a smile, she said, "I believe it is time for our deal to continue."
"Yeah, I was afraid you'd mention that…" Freddy looked down again.
"Though this does not mean you are out of this fight. What you've done for us, helping us figure out who Shatterhand is, is invaluable. Furthermore, you will be ready to defend your home if the time comes, correct?" Empyrea took both Freddy and Violet into her wings, walking with them slowly.
"Heh, you know it! I'll take Shatterhand down with my own fist if I need to!" Violet's spunk was to be admired.
"Wait!" Crystal bolted over to join her friends, "We have to say goodbye first, y'know, just in case…"
"C'mon, Crystal, we'll be fine," Amy chuckled as she gathered with her teammates, "We've got this whole team with us, don't worry. I trust them!" Crystal nodded in agreement, easing her worried soul.
"Very well," Empyrea allowed Team Inkstrike to share a moment together while she opened up a portal back to Inkopolis.
"Alright, first off," Crystal brought the rest in for a hug. The four teenagers smiled as they embraced, a few of them wondering if that'd be the last time they'd have such an honor. "It's not really gonna be the same here without you…"
"Yeah, probably gonna be lonely without my awesome jokes," Violet boasted.
"You know it will," Amy punched Violet in the shoulder playfully, and the group walked towards the portal that Empyrea opened. The wind from the foreign word was almost sucked through the opening in reality, just like it had when Link used the Ultra Sword before.
"Bye guys! Good luck out there!" Freddy considered lifting up his mask to fully display his enthusiasm, but decided to just wave his friends farewell, "I know you can beat him!"
Violet, leaning against Freddy, elbow resting on his shoulder, said sternly, "Don't die. I know that's obvious, but like, I never know with you two."
"Like I said, we'll be alright," Amy assured her friend, holding Crystal's hand. With that, Freddy and Violet walked through the portal together, ready to defend Inkopolis if the time came. As the tear closed up, the lovers felt a wave of melancholy wrap itself around them, bringing fear along with it.
"Hey," Mario approached Amy and Crystal. The pair simply turned and looked at him meekly. "You guys'll see them again, I promise," the red plumber said. He fully intended on keeping that promise, no matter how hard it'd be.
The Inkling and the Octoling smiled, just a little, appreciating the comment. For the two of them, once again, it didn't hurt, it just ached.
A veil of awkwardness enveloped the group, the dread of what was to come constricting their souls. Their journey was far from over, the foreboding sword of fate shredding through the air without any trace. Empyrea could sense it though, the vines of emotion alerting her. To her, things were moving a little fast. She didn't expect to accidentally reveal her gift to her crusaders early with her impulsive anger.
Not yet. Empyrea still needed a little time to cool down, some of her fury not having fizzled out yet. Even though she had reaffirmed it in her mind, a part of her still couldn't begin to comprehend the one big question. 'Why'?
Why did Mike Jones lose his once noble character? When? How? Why target individuals that were just faintly related to him in the grand scheme of the cosmos? Empyrea figured the only one who knew the truth was Shatterhand himself, but it'd be difficult to take his word if he even managed to delineate the details. If he was willing to go so far as to kill fellow defenders of worlds, then he was not above lying, at least to the Godbird.
Link found himself staring at the picture of Romani again. For an unknowable amount of time, he just gazed wistfully at the photo of his expecting wife, wondering if she was alright. Things had been so crazy as of late, he had lost track of time. Had it been a month? Two? Was their child already born? He hoped not. He prayed not, he didn't want to miss such a special moment.
"I miss them too," Tael mumbled, sitting beside Link on a pebble as the Terminian sat on a flat-faced rock.
"I can't help but think… What if Shatterhand visited home?" Link said blankly, eyes trained on the picture in his hands, "Does he know about her? About Tatl? About mom and dad?"
"I sure hope not, but it's best not to think about it. You know how worried you get when you think about stuff like that," Tael warned, knowing how Link could spiral down into a state of angst and worriment if he continued to dwell in his darkest fears.
"Yeah…" Link just shook his head slightly.
"Hey, you two alright?" Eight parted from his main companions and joined Link on the rock he sat on. When he was given no response from the blonde hero, he nodded his head, the silence itself being an answer.
"Just worried about home," Link explained, his voice plain and uninterested at the moment. He hated to be reserved like this, but he knew he would just give his fellow hero the silent treatment.
Taking a deep breath, Eight concentrated, considering what he could just from Link's expression, appearance, and everything he knew of the man up to that point. His eyes lingered on Link's left hand, locking onto the silver ring around the finger beside his pinky.
"Your wife, I presume?" Eight said, not even leaning over to try and peek at the photo Link held.
Link's ears perked up, secretly impressed at Eight's perceptiveness.
"Y-Yeah," Link fixed his posture slightly and cleared his throat.
"My friend, trust me, I'm thinking about mine too," Eight held up his own left hand, letting his ring shine in the sunlight. However, there was something else he noticed in Link's eyes. A glimmer of concern that was on someone besides just his spouse. With a surprising amount of apprehension, Eight asked, "A little one?"
Link again was shocked at how punctual Eight was.
"We're expecting, yeah…" He murmured, just barely audible.
"Congratulations. I have a little boy back home," Eight smiled at Link, a little excited to share about his family to a man who also had one. His other companions, Erdrick, Solo, and Eleven, either hadn't settled down just yet or didn't even indulge in the topic.
"A boy… My Goddess, I hope we aren't having a boy, to be honest," Link said, ashamed to admit something like that. When he felt the curious presence of Eight's stare, he explained, saying, "I'm afraid, if it is a boy, he'll turn out like me… To a fault," Link looked at his hands, then his sleeves. Rolling up one, he gazed distastefully at his scars.
"I first started with this when I was only eleven, and… it took a great toll on me. The way I thought, acted, my mother always said it was as if I lived for an eternity," Link remembered a certain conversation he had with Anju before he really considered her his mother. Back when, to him, she was just the innkeeper that took pity on him and let him stay for a while. It all felt so quaint.
"Well, let me tell you, it might not be all bad if it is a boy," Eight said, taking off his bandana, "In my perspective, if they turn out like you, that's just a greater opportunity to make sure they have everything you didn't."
"Hm…" Link thought about the idea for a moment, picking the statement apart and digesting every meaning. When he was finished, he smiled, just faintly. It would be fulfilling to try and give his hypothetical son everything that he couldn't have when he was young. Although, that was only if it turned out to be a boy or not.
"Is that a smile, I see?" Tael lit up at the now-rare sight of Link smiling.
"Oh, shush, Tael," Link couldn't help but chuckle, his fairy friend becoming even more satisfied at the occurrence.
"Huh, well, now you've gotten me curious. Tell me," Eight put his bandana back around his head, "What's it like?"
"What do you mean?" Link asked.
"You mentioned that you really got involved in this life at a young age, eleven, right? If you don't mind, I'd like to know more," Eight smiled sincerely, showing Link that he didn't intend to insult or confuse him.
"Hm…" Link thought about it for a moment. While Eight was still basically a stranger, he knew that he and the other three fellows he arrived with ought to get to know him, and likely the rest of group. Deciding that it wouldn't hurt to simply talk about life a little more, "Sure," Link said, "It all really started just a little while after I was born… From what I was told, there was this war that put my birth parents in danger…"
Link proceeded to tell Eight about the peculiar tales that led him to venture out into Hyrule, defeat the King of Evil, then literally fall into Termina, stop the moon, fall in love, then head back to Hyrule when he was a teenager. To his surprise, it was fun recounting his various troubles, looking back on them with a strange fondness that he never expected to feel. Telling stories was almost healing for the blonde hero in green, and even when he found himself remembering the friends he had lost, Saria, Darunia, Ruto, and especially Skull Kid, he realized that he was happy. Happy to pass around the knowledge of such powerful bonds to new ears.
Tael was encapsulated by Link's words, laughing and adding his own little tidbits from what he remembered to bring even more heart to his stories. The pair painted such a vivid picture of the far-off world known as 'Termina', for the bandana-wearing swordsman.
Not wanting to miss a thing, Eight listened carefully to Link and Tael, absorbing every word with meticulous certainty. He didn't express it, but something about Link called to him when they first met. He felt something strong coming from the hero's noble stance and self-contained demeanor. Before him was a man who had seen so much, and the things he learned through the course of his life easily matched Eight's own.
"Everyone!" Empyrea called out, catching everyone's attention. Link, Tael, and Eight removed themselves from their concentration, the latter a little miffed that he had to wait for Link to get into the details of how he vanquished his own shadow atop the Spirit Temple.
The crusaders regrouped in front of the legendary Godbird, and she spoke with a soft, agile whisper, afraid that somehow, someone untrustworthy was listening. She never knew, and she had to, needed to keep this a tightly bound secret.
"There is something that Shatterhand does not know, something that I have that may be the key to defeating him," Empyrea said, the mood becoming as mystic and mysterious as she was. Everyone exchanged glances, all confused, except for Landia.
"Poy poyo?" Kirby chirped quietly, tilting his body as he looked at Landia.
"You'll find out, Kirby," Landia said, before telling the rest of the heroes, "You'll all find out. I know this is odd, the secrecy, but trust me, you'll learn why Empyrea is being careful."
Mario and Luigi shared a look that could only be read as hazy. Internally, they made subtle faces to each other that carried the weight of a conversation. They were brothers, twins, so such a way of talking without words was naturally easy for them.
"For the longest time, I have been able to influence the abilities of others, enhance them even. I plan to do the same for you all, but first, Link," Empyrea singled out the Terminian, lowering her head until she was eye-level with him. The others backed away, allowing the phoenix to approach, slowly. She said, "It occurred to me that you are here because of your variant. You made a promise to him, no? Since there is no end, nor any beginning, there is only the infinite passion of life!"
Link grew serious, his bangs hanging over his eyes, casting a light shadow across them, asking grimly, "How do you know about that?"
"I was watching over you during that moment, Link, as I had with all of you during some of your darkest times," Empyrea said, her eyes on Amy and Crystal specifically. The Inkling and the Octoling felt small again, holding each other's hands as they thought about some of the worst times of their lives. "For all of you, your passion and will to persevere is something rare and unique. However, it alone is not enough to finally put an end to the rat we call Shatterhand!"
"Then what do you suppose to give us in order to bridge that gap?" Link wondered out loud.
"Allow me to give it to you now!" Empyrea exclaimed. Then, taking in the deepest breath possible, her lungs filled with air and sacred magic, magic that hadn't been used in eons. Performing an art known as the Phoenix Exhale, she emitted a blessed breath that covered her allies.
For all of the crusaders, their hands started to tingle. The ethereal dust rested on their fingers and arms, being absorbed into their skin and unleashing divine power throughout their bodies. Slowly, it made each of them drop, the potency too much to handle all at once, putting them to sleep. Mario and Luigi were the first to pass out, then Kirby, slumping down into a pile, the plumbers snoring loudly. Amy and Crystal followed. Link was next, falling to his knees, his consciousness fighting to stay active until it couldn't any longer. The last to fall were Erdrick, Solo, Eight, and Eleven. They were more prepared than the others, but even they were no match for the overwhelming power.
"When you awaken, you shall see…" Empyrea bellowed, holding her wings into the air.
Link's ears twitched, picking up the sound of… something. It was a hum, like when some gently played a flute, or his own ocarina. However, it didn't stop. The music lasted longer than any normal being could feasibly play, still remaining the same tone, unhindered by any loss of strength while playing the instrument. Opening his eyes and stretching, he noticed the ground felt different. Instead of the hard, rough texture of the rock, around his body he experienced buoyancy, like he were laying on a mattress.
Fully coming to, Link sat up and tried to see. At first he was blinded by the harsh sunlight of the bare, open sky. Groaning, he closed his eyes and positioned his head down, opening them again, slowly. This time, expecting to see the beige-brown ground he was becoming used to, he saw blue.
"What the…?" Link scooted back, instantly put on alert by the unknown mass of blue beneath him. Rubbing his eyes, he noticed his arms felt just a bit heavier. Now he could identify just what the blue was. Those vines.
The vines Link first witnessed crawling towards him in that void-like dream he had, during his first night in the Mushroom Kingdom. When he saw them rest on his own arms and do the same for the rest of his companions he noticed across from him in that same dream. Those same vines he and the others saw Empyrea refer to when she visited them back in Inkopolis. Those same vines that they saw her summon during her fit of anger at Mike Jones.
Link opened his palm, watching as the vines reacted. They quivered at first, clearly unprepared for even the faintest of movement from their owner. They managed to follow his actions, rising into the air and positioning themselves like an extension of his own limb.
"Ugh, what is this?" Link heard Mario groan, guessing that the plumber noticed the same strange sensation as he did when he awoke.
"WAAH! Ew! What the-?" Luigi's signature wail of confusion caught both Link and Mario's ears, also waking up Kirby, Amy, and Crystal. They too shared the same reaction, startled by the new presence wrapping itself around their arms and legs, hugging them passionately.
"Hey, Link! What… What is all this?" Mario called over to Link, seeing how the vines around his hands moved around with him. Deep down, he was experiencing a sensory overload. His hearing, along with everyone else's, was heightened, as was the rest of their abilities.
Sparks born of flame were coming from the tips of Mario's vines, and ones from electricity were flying from Luigi's. For Kirby, his Warp Star reverberated in reaction to the new, powerful stimuli, forcing itself out of the Star Warrior's pocket, desperate to expel some of the excess energy. Without needing Kirby's command, it enlarged and darted around the sky, it's rider unable to control it for a moment as he tried to call it back.
"Poyo!" Kirby puffed up into the air, flying over in front of the path of his out-of-control Warp Star. It didn't even slow down before it collided with him, zooming around like a child on a sugar rush.
"Your Warp Star is now in 'overdrive', Kirby," Empyrea chuckled, knowing that the pink puffball would regain control over his precious item momentarily. She knew all this would likely disorient her crusaders, but what was better than a test run of this new, unimaginable power?
"Empyrea, what is this?!" Link demanded, clenching his fist, the vines wrapping around his hand and humming loudly as a result.
"We know," Erdrick said, being the first of his colleagues to awaken. Solo was next, then Eight and Eleven. They all stood up straight, something Link had tried to do at first, but failed due to his legs feeling too wobbly. "This is Empyrea's gift, something to help, I presume?"
"Correct, Arusu," Empyrea commended Erdrick's quick thinking, "This is what I believe is the key to finally defeating Mike Jones, a power I have bestowed that will enhance all of your already fantastic skills and abilities. I call it…"
Empyrea lifted her wings again, the same vines that her crusaders now held coming from her feathers. Wave Energy dispersed throughout the tender, yet strong foliage, crackling and emitting a soft, tender light.
"The Passion!"
Link sat on the ground, staring at the vines. By now, all the mass of liana had disappeared from beneath him and the others, now coalescing around their hands as they all worked around its bizarre properties. Taking off his leather gauntlets and rolling up his sleeves, Link tried to get the vines, or The Passion, to return. They did so, appearing as if they retracted into his arms and vanished. Then, effortlessly, he extended his arm and The Passion shot out, springing forward at least twenty feet. They cracked like a whip, slicing through the air and making a mini-vacuum as they reached their limit.
"It's amazing!" Mario exclaimed, doing the same thing as Link did, his own gloves off and sleeves scrunched up by his shoulders. Using his Passion, the red plumber shot them towards a rock, the vines wrapping around it and constricting it. He only stopped when he saw the rock visibly crack, now aware of just how much physical strength the heavenly plants were capable of.
"Bro, watch! I can even use Thunderhand with it!" Luigi said excitedly, sounding like a child eager to show their parent something they made in class. Extending the Passion, Luigi made the white-blue sparks that came from his powers fire from the thorns, beaming with pride.
"Haha, I expected such a reaction from the Mario Brothers," Empyrea chuckled to Landia, the pair watching the plumbers play around with the gift. Those two were easily the most eccentric of the group.
"Indeed, though I fear that it may be a bit too much for Kirby, look," Landia pointed out how Kirby, trying to ride his Warp Star, could hardly catch it as it flew through the air at breakneck speeds.
"Worry not, my dear friend," Empyrea was surprised that she used the word 'dear', "We will work with him specifically to control what The Passion grants him. I estimated that it would give his Warp Star immense speed."
Kirby, giving up on trying to catch his Warp Star for now, went to find Link. He wondered what the hero was up to with his set of vines, curiosity visible in his wide, starry eyes. Finding his friend, Kirby chirped, making Link's face light up.
"Hey Kirby," Link said, shifting around on the rock he sat on to face the Star Warrior. Kirby came up and sat down beside him, kicking his feet absentmindedly and summoning a single vine from his little, pink paws. Link mimicked him, letting all but one vine disappear from his arm, letting the remaining plant wave around.
Kirby realized that Link was copying him and embraced it, calling upon more vines, waiting for Link to do the same. He did, causing Kirby to giggle.
Behind where the two boys sat, Amy and Crystal were basking in their all-time high. Testing their weapons, they stood in the ink that splattered along the ground, relishing the new, refreshing feeling that came with hiding in the puddles.
"My Cod, it feels better than the couch at home!" Amy said breathlessly, returning to her teenage form and laying down, back facing the ink. As the liquid shined in the sunlight, it gave off the slightest jolt, not enough to be uncomfortable, just barely sensed by the Inkling.
Crystal was no different, swinging her Octobrush around and watching the results literally paint themselves along the ground. She found that her ink flew farther now as The Passion was wrapped along her arms and extending to coil around her weapon. It was magical for her, feeling like she was on top of the world at that moment.
"Amy! Watch this!" Crystal swished her brush wildly, far faster that she normally could. Amy sat up and was awestruck, the ink flinging around like a barrage of strikes as potent as a punch.
"Ah! Hey!" The ink flew so far that it landed on Link and Kirby, who were sitting over ten meters away. Kirby just giggled at the feeling, actually enjoying the sensation of the ink covering his body.
"Ha, sorry guys! I guess- I guess I got a little carried away!" Crystal apologized to the others, but Link wasn't very pleased.
"It's alright, I just don't want it to stain my tunic!" It was too late, as there was a big splotch of pink on the lower frills of his outfit, along his right hip. It wasn't that much of a bother, but he was still a little annoyed.
As Link worked to get some of the ink off him, Kirby noticed something odd about his friend's left hand. The Passion was still wrapped around his arm, his wedding ring reflecting the dim, blue light the vines gave off. As the hero of Termina wiped himself off, Kirby stood before his left arm, and his eyes widened in realization at the seemingly meaningless thing he saw.
Kirby saw, just for a second, Link's arm extending out towards him, the vines intertwined with his fingers. He recognized the moment from an odd source, and he backed away.
"Huh? What is it?" Link asked, immediately noticing Kirby's startled expression.
"Poy…" Kirby started, working to put his nonexistent fingers on it. Then, he exploded in surprise, "Poyo poy poyo! Poyoo!" he cried, both excited and confused.
"What?" Link was lost on Kirby's meaning, at least until he remembered the 'nightmare' the puffball spoke of. He tilted his head and furrowed his brow, unsure why Kirby was bringing it up now. "What do you mean, Kirby?"
Kirby didn't quite respond, only walking up to Link's hand, taking it, and inspecting it. By then, The Passion had returned to the hero's arm, vanishing again. Kirby, anxious to see it again, asked Link to bring the vines back out.
"Alright…?" Link did so, and Kirby saw the final image that the nightmare he had back in Inkopolis showed him, now before him and tangible. A person wearing a ring, extending their arm out towards him, vines wrapped around their hand.
"Eh? What're they talking about?" Crystal pointed out Link and Kirby's strange interaction to Amy, and the two went to investigate.
"He… He said he saw me in his dream, something about my hand," Link explained as best he could, he himself still lost on what Kirby was so interested in.
"Hey, wait, I remember Violet telling us about a dream!" Crystal said.
"Nah, it was a nightmare Kirby had one night, to her it was really random. She said you and the Brothers came to comfort him after he started bawling," Amy added, unsure as to why she held onto that detail so cleanly up to now. It was probably because when Violet told her, she could tell that Violet had been crushing on Link at the time.
"Pooooy! Poyo!" Kirby wondered, turning away from Link and putting his paw to his chin. Then, without warning, he bolted off to see Empyrea, knowing that she was the one to ask about dreams. She had affected his and the other's dreams twice before.
"Hm?" Empyrea looked down to see Kirby approaching.
"Poyo! Poy poy poyo poy! Poyo poyo!" Kirby went on, not waiting to take a breath until he was done.
"Oh? Ah, yes, don't worry, Kirby, that was indeed me," Empyrea said, sounding shockingly disinterested, turning back to observe Erdrick, Solo, Eight, and Eleven testing their now empowered abilities courtesy of The Passion.
"Empyrea, do you know what he's talking about?" Link asked from a distance, catching up with Kirby.
"Yes, Link, he was alarmed that his dream was accurate," Empyrea decided to take the matter a bit more seriously now, trusting that her heroes would be fine with casting various spells. "Kirby, what I showed you is crucial, every single thing, I assure you. Link, do you really wish to know what is making him so alarmed?"
"Well," Link thought for a second, "It does mildly interest me. Dreams are important to me, as some have shown me the future," Link thought about the nightmare he once had about his wedding. It ended in terror, but when the day came to pass, it was perfect.
"I was the one who gave you that dream, Kirby, the one of madness that caused you to awaken in tears. I deeply apologize, but I needed to show you what has happened," Empyrea explained, her voice becoming deeper. Kirby was off-put for a second, a bit confused.
"Poyo poy poyo?" Kirby asked.
"I cannot tell you what exactly it means yet. I mentioned before that I had reevaluated you for this task, being one of my crusaders," the phoenix grew saddened, "There is knowledge you are not supposed to know yet. I can only warn you that it brings great agony," she sighed, and then repeated what she told him back when discussing Wave Energy, "It is not your burden to carry yet."
"Poyo…" Kirby trailed off. He had a feeling he knew what it was but decided against sharing with Link or anybody else.
"Although Link, what you said about dreams telling the future, you are correct," Empyrea said, "I managed to show Kirby the future. It was not much of it, as such an ability is not my specialty. Other gods are more versed in that matter, like one you know of…"
"The Goddess of Time…" Link knew instantly.
"Destiny is something I do not know for certain, but I needed to show Kirby that his part in all of this lies with you and The Passion," Empyrea summoned a vine from her talon again.
"Poyo," Kirby said, a bit of finality alongside his word. He then walked away to think, leaving Link with Empyrea.
"Thank you, I suppose," Link said, not looking the Godbird in the eye. He had to think as well, but about something different. Destiny was something he hated to say, he feared, but to know that it was tied to this journey and Shatterhand was a bit of a wake-up call.
"Hm, I didn't think you'd actually tell them," Landia thought as Link left.
"I didn't either, but a part of me wanted to. Destiny hasn't been kind to any of us, and that boy," Empyrea watched Link sit beside Kirby, "He wields the greatest fear of it because of what he's fighting for."
"I guess it's understandable," Landia thought.
"You guys okay?" Amy asked, the distracting, solemn aura coming from Link and Kirby unbearable. She hadn't been able to focus on training with her newly enhanced Dualies now that her teammates were visibly distressed.
"Just a little tired," Link replied, hand on his cheek.
After a minute, a shot of ink whizzed past his face, putting him on alert. He swung his head to meet Amy's gaze, and she chuckled, holding her Dualies defensively. She wanted to spar, all to help Link get out of his funk fast.
Smiling, Link stood up, unsheathed his sword and strapped his shield onto his other arm. He figured a little friendly match wouldn't hurt. The Mirror Shield blocked another ink shot, and Link was off, jumping up over the rocks to join Amy and Crystal. Even Kirby was drawn out of his silent introspection from the sounds of ink flying and splatting around the ground.
"Come on, Kirby, join us!" Crystal asked. Kirby, with a smile on his face, sprang up and quickly inhaled a glob of ink that was shot his way. He swallowed, but no ability emerged. Shrugging, Kirby inhaled another shot and spat it back at Crystal, guessing that was the best that he could do with it.
Link blocked another swipe of Crystal's Octobrush with the Mirror Shield, and then swung the blunt of his blade to meet with the weapon directly. They collided, The Passion overpowering the Gilded Sword, stunning Link.
"Woah! That's not a bad idea, actually," Link said to himself, holding his weapon tightly and summoning The Passion. It crawled up the hilt of the sword and wrapped around the blade, humming. Now his strikes would be stronger than ever, the blade able to deflect and even cleave shots of ink without trouble.
"Looks like they're having fun, c'mon, bro!" Mario caught a glimpse of Link, Kirby, Amy, and Crystal sparring, and with his brother by his side, also joined in.
"Link! Watch out!" Tael alerted Link to the new 'foes' incoming, and the hero prepared himself. He anticipated Luigi would be the first to strike and swung his sword accordingly.
"Hey! That's cheating! Having Tael with you in unfair!" Mario shouted playfully. Link just rolled his eyes, wearing a smirk, as Luigi's Passion reached him first. He managed to get the vines around his sword, and he yanked Luigi in for an attack.
All the while parts of the group sparred or simply tested out the limits of their powers, Empyrea and Landia watched with pride. Just a few days of training would be needed, knowing that her crusaders would be adept enough to figure out what they could do with The Passion quickly. A grin appeared on both Empyrea's beak and Landia's four maws, and confidence radiated off their expressions. They could rest assured that these heroes were everything they hoped they'd be.
"Funny, it reminds me of the crusaders of old, that coalition of defenders from across the realms. I forget the name… Ah, the 'League of Heroes'," Empyrea chuckled again.
"That's from before my time," Landia noted.
"Well, no matter, I don't know what happened to the old League, but perhaps these ones could match up to them. They are more modern, after all," Empyrea said, still thinking about the former League of Heroes. She could hardly remember a detail about them, all except for the fact that it was made up of heroes from many worlds, just as varied as the group before her.
It felt almost too coincidental, but she brushed it away for now, focusing on her crusaders.