Bowser stormed through his throne room like a living hurricane, his roars of fury shaking the walls as he smashed furniture and panels in his rampage. Debris flew through the air, narrowly missing his cowering minions. Even Robotnik, usually composed, found himself ducking and dodging, desperately avoiding the wreckage Bowser hurled around the room.

Bowser's voice rumbled with rage, every word dripping with fury. "How could they defeat us? Ganondorf was supposed to be unstoppable! This... this is an embarrassment!"

His eyes burned with fiery hatred, and he smashed his fist through the arm of his throne, splintering it into pieces. Bowser wasn't thinking of strategy anymore; all that consumed him was the need for revenge, for destruction. The defeat had pierced his pride like a sword, and now all he wanted was to make them suffer.

Robotnik, finally regaining his composure, straightened up, adjusting his glasses as he tried to calm the situation. "Well, perhaps it was a mistake to rely on him," he said, his voice smooth. "He was weak, and we both know it. But you, Bowser, you are powerful! You can lead us to victory!"

Bowser's fiery eyes narrowed as he slammed his fist down on a nearby table, splintering it further. "Get Andross on the line! I want an update on his fleet!"

Robotnik, eager to please, quickly pressed a button on the console. The screen flickered to life, revealing Andross's imposing face, surrounded by swirling galaxies.

Andross, as calm as ever, greeted them with a steely smile. "Bowser, my fleet will arrive in two days," he reported. "We'll bring the full force of the Space Pirates with us."

Bowser growled, leaning forward, his claws digging into the shattered remains of the table. "Listen closely, Andross. When your fleet gets here, they had better be ready to attack the moment they arrive. I won't wait. I want them to hit the Mushroom Kingdom hard, and I want them to hit fast. No delays."

Andross's smile widened slightly, his confidence unmistakable. "You have nothing to worry about. There's no one left between us and the Mushroom Kingdom. Not even Starfox and Samus can survive the combined might of my fleet. The attack will be swift, and it will be devastating." Andross then focused on Bowser, "But you remember the deal, as soon as this war is over, I take some of the Robot Master back with me to finish taking Corneria for myself"

Bowser's eyes gleamed with savage satisfaction. "Yes, I remember the deal. Don't fail me, Andross." With a spine chilling smile, Bowser continued "I'll be leading the charge myself. They won't know what hit them."

Andross gave a slight nod, his voice cool and assured. "I expect nothing less from you."

Bowser slammed a clawed fist into the console, cutting off the transmission. He turned sharply to Robotnik, his voice still seething with impatience. "What about the modifications you promised me? Is my kingdom ready for battle?"

Robotnik, eager to avoid Bowser's wrath, quickly responded. "The modifications are complete. The fortress is equipped with every defensive measure you requested—shield generators, upgraded artillery, and reinforced walls. Your kingdom is now a flying fortress, ready to launch as soon as you give the word."

Bowser's expression was one of fierce determination. "We're not waiting. I want to launch as soon as Andross arrives. No more delays, no more failures. We hit them with everything we have, and we finish this!"

Robotnik nodded vigorously. "Understood, Bowser. I'll make sure everything is prepared. We'll be ready to strike the moment Andross's fleet enters the system."

Bowser shot a glare at Robotnik, his voice a low growl. "You'd better be ready, or I'll make sure Ganondorf's failure looks like a victory compared to what I'll do to you."

As Bowser's rage echoed through the halls, a world away in the quiet corners of Hyrule, the aftermath of war took a different shape. Far from the heat of battle and the furious roar of monsters, the castle walls held only the soft sound of footsteps and whispers of hope.

In the quiet corridors of Hyrule Castle, Peach and Samus walked side by side, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. They approached a large, high-tech chamber where Link lay motionless inside a glowing resurrection pod. Zelda sat beside the chamber, her face a mix of worry and hope.

Peach spoke softly as they approached. "How is he, Zelda?"

Zelda looked up, her voice steady but carrying a note of concern. "He was placed in the resurrection chamber just in time. He didn't have much life left when we brought him here... but now he will recover fully. It will take time though."

Samus leaned closer to the chamber, examining the advanced technology surrounding Link. Her eyes lingered on the intricate systems, her mind already mapping its intricacies. She could tell it was ancient but highly advanced—a marvel of engineering that might even rival the Chozo tech she relied on. "I'm glad you got him here when you did. It must be hard for you to wait."

Zelda nodded, her gaze shifting back to Link's resting form. "It is. He's fought so hard for Hyrule. I don't know what I would do without him, my faithful Hero of Hyrule."

The thought had crossed her mind too many times during this war—what would Hyrule be without him, and what would she be without the one who had stood by her side through it all?

"Today that title belongs to you," Samus said.

Zelda, still fixated on Link, responded quietly. "Perhaps, but without everyone's help, this would have never happened. Sonic especially. He will be held in high honor among my people... you all will."

Peach reached out, placing a comforting hand on Zelda's shoulder. "We're all in this together. We fought for Hyrule, and we'll help it heal."

Zelda smiled at Peach, her gratitude shining through her exhaustion. "Thank you, my dearest friend. The people are ready to heal, but we have much work ahead."

Peach reached behind her and handed the Hylian Shield back to Zelda. "This belongs to you. It was an honor to use it." Peach smirked. "I think Proto Man may have been a bit jealous of it."

Zelda took the shield with a slight chuckle, her fingers tracing the familiar crest with reverence. "This shield was meant to be in that battle. You honored it well. But we can't rest just yet. The war isn't over."

Samus crossed her arms, her expression serious. "What are your plans, Zelda?"

Zelda stood up, her voice filled with determination. "I will continue to support you and the Kongs. Bowser won't give up easily, and we need to prepare for the next attack. Hyrule deserves peace, and I will fight for it."

She gripped the Hylian Shield in her hands, the weight of the legendary artifact reminding her that the battle was not just for her kingdom, but for all who had fought and fallen.

Peach nodded, equally resolute. "We'll work together. With our combined strength, we can protect Hyrule and everyone we care about."

Zelda looked at her two friends, feeling the strength of their bond, knowing they were ready for whatever came next. "Then let's get to work."

As the heroes in Hyrule gathered their strength and prepared for the battles to come, high above the world, far beyond the reach of kingdoms and wars, the stars told a different story.

Daisy sat in the vast library, surrounded by stacks of ancient books, frantically turning pages as she scanned for any mention of the golden rings that had been haunting her thoughts. Her brow furrowed in frustration as she flipped through another tome, finding nothing.

Rosalina stood nearby, her hands folded calmly, watching Daisy with a serene expression. There was a quiet approval in her eyes, as if she already knew what Daisy was planning—perhaps even more than Daisy herself. She didn't need to say anything; she knew that Daisy would find her way soon enough.

Daisy slammed a book shut, her voice edged with frustration. "There's nothing here! No mention of golden rings anywhere. Do they even exist in this world?"

Rosalina stepped forward, her voice as gentle as ever, but with an undertone of knowing. "No, they do not come from this world."

Daisy looked up, her expression shifting from confusion to curiosity. "Then how do I get one? How do I find a ring?"

Rosalina's smile deepened, her gaze soft but knowing, as if she already anticipated the question. "All you need to do is ask."

Daisy sighed in frustration, running a hand through her hair. "Ask? But the only person who has those rings is Robotnik! He won't just hand one over."

Rosalina's gaze remained steady, the hint of approval still in her eyes. "There is one ring in this universe that is not in Robotnik's possession."

Daisy paused, her mind racing. Rosalina's words seemed almost like a gentle nudge, guiding her to an answer she already knew but hadn't yet uncovered. It took a moment, but slowly, an image formed in her mind—a small, orange fox with two tails, working frantically on a machine. Her eyes widened in realization.

Rosalina continued, as if reading Daisy's thoughts, her voice calm and almost prophetic. "The universe has shown you what you needed to know."

Before Daisy could ask further, Rosalina added with a serene smile, "His name is Tails."

Daisy blinked, absorbing the new information. She stood up from her seat, her pulse quickening as her thoughts aligned. "How soon will the Comet Observatory reach the Mushroom Kingdom?"

Rosalina's eyes glimmered with a knowing look, as if she already understood the urgency in Daisy's question. "We will arrive when we are most needed."