//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Rematch // Story: Light and Darkness // by FandomPlays1234 //------------------------------// The next day Starlight woke up early to train for her battle against the puppet Zelda. She had to be prepared Twilight was counting on her. After a while Mario, Villager, and Kirby woke up and prepared for the day as well. Once they were ready, they set off. When they reached the hill leading to the shore, they could see Zelda waiting for them impatiently. "You ready for this?" asked Mario. Starlight nodded She had told herself that she was going to do this the day before. After all this was for her best friend. "Good luck Star," said Villager. She nodded as she walked down to the shore with Sylveon following behind. "Let's hope for the best," said Mario. "Poyo," said Kirby. "Hmph so you came back," hissed Zelda as Starlight approached. "Yeah but this time she's prepared," boasted Sylveon. "Oh are you?" snickered Zelda. "Fine but are you prepared to get beat again?" Zelda held up her hands as they sparkled. "Starlight," said Sylveon. "Don't worry I got this," said Starlight taking a deep breath. "Sylveon, give me a boost," Sylveon smiled. "Right away," She began sending her energy as usual. She looked at Starlight. "I hope this works," she thought to herself.As Starlight began absorbing the energy, she noticed something was different. She not only felt stronger, but she could also hear a voice from the distant. "Wha?" asked Starlight. Sylveon smiled. That's when she saw it. Her eyes widened as she saw Twilight being restrained by several strings of light. "Twilight?" Starlight asked. She heard. Twilight looked up and gasped. "Starlight, you're ok!" "Twilight what happened?" Starlight asked. "Please, Starlight help me," Twilight sniffled. "It.. it hurts," She winced as the strings of light began to tighten around her. "Hang on I'll get you out of there," said Starlight. "Please hurry, I don't know how much longer I can take this," Twilight begged. Soon Starlight gasped and found herself back on the shore standing before Zelda. "Well what are you waiting for?" sneered Zelda. The look of shock melted off Starlight's face and was replaced by pure determination. "Oh nothing, just getting ready to kick that princess ass back to the master you serve," snickered Starlight. Zelda's eye twitched as she stared at Starlight with an offended expression. "Don't worry Twilight, I'll save you," "Alright pal you think you're so funny don't you?" sneered Zelda. "Well by the time I'm done with you, I'll have the last laugh," "If you can survive that long," snickered Starlight. Zelda glared at her with an even more annoyed expression. "Alright that's it time to die!" hissed Zelda. Starlight waited as Zelda rushed towards her. Just as she got close, Starlight quickly teleported out of the way, catching Zelda off guard. As she looked around, Starlight burst out of a portal behind her and kicked her right in the back sending her face planting into the sand. Zelda rose to her feet with an angry look in her eyes. "You're going to pay for that," she growled. "Aww what's wrong, did I hurt the little princess?" Starlight cooed sarcastically. "Argh!" Zelda grunted. "Get her phantom!" Zelda ordered as a large pile of armor built itself up. Zelda waited patiently as the phantom came rushing towards her. As the phantom got close enough she reflected the phantom so it was facing Zelda. "Nope," said Starlight. The phantom rushed forward and slashed Zelda sending her flying into a nearby rock. "Nice one Star!" said Sylveon. "Thanks," said Starlight. Zelda got up and glared at Starlight breathing heavily. "Come on Zelda is that all you got?" asked Starlight. "You're going to regret doing that," said Zelda wiping the blood off her face. "Come at me," snickered Starlight. Zelda rushed forward going in for another attack. Starlight quickly rolled over to the left as Zelda tried to strike her with a magic attack. Starlight quickly grabbed Zelda and pounded her in the face with her hoof before throwing her into the water. "Wow you're doing so much better today Star," said Sylveon. "It's all thanks to Mario and Villager," said Starlight. Meanwhile as Starlight continued her battle with the puppet Zelda, Mario, Villager, and Kirby watched from the top of the hill. "Looks like she got over her guilt," said Villager. "Honestly I didn't think she'd actually be ready for today," said Mario. "It's strange how she's doing so much better today," "Perhaps she realized that this is the only way, like we said," replied Villager. "Maybe," said Mario. "Poyo," said Kirby. "Geez look at her go," said Villager. "She's really growing fast," said Mario. "I didn't think she would be this good," "I hope she's proud of herself, cause I sure as hell am," said Villager. Mario snickered next to him. "Hmm Mario is something wrong?" asked Villager. "Oh no it's nothing," said Mario. "Really, cause that doesn't sound like nothing," said Villager. "Ok, ok," said Mario. "I was just thinking, do you think Starlight will be able to you know," asked Mario. "What?" asked Villager. That's when it hit him. "Oh no, there's no way," said Villager. "Really?" asked Mario. "I mean come on, why would you think like that?" asked Villager. "Cause she has potential," answered Mario. "Poyo?" asked Kirby confused. "Well even if she DOES have potential, there's no way the others would agree to this," said Villagers. "Ok, ok just my opinion," said Mario. "I mean I'm not saying that she couldn't, we just have to ask," said Villager. "And if they say yes?" asked Mario. "Then it's a yes, though I doubt we have anymore room," replied Villager. "I mean everyone IS back," "I'm sure we can make some space," said Mario. "We can talk about this with the others when we bring them back but for now let's just deal with Galeem," said Villager. "Alright, alright," said Mario. He turned back to Starlight and smiled. "Maybe, just maybe," Meanwhile back on the shore Zelda let out a pained cry as she fell on the ground. Light burst out of her limp body as Twilight's spirit emerged. Starlight breathed heavily as she walked over to the stone statue. "Ouch," groaned Twilight. "Twilight," Starlight called out to her. Twilight turned towards her. "Starlight," said Twilight. "Is that really you?" "Yes," answered Starlight. Her eyes began to water and tears rolled down her cheek as Twilight's spirit hovered over to her, leaving the puppet to crumble into dust. "Are you alright?" "Yeah now I am," said Twilight. "Thank Celestia," Starlight sniffled. "Starlight what's wrong?" asked Twilight. "Twilight I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you," Starlight whimpered. "Oh, Starlight it's ok," cooed Twilight. "No it's not," said Starlight. "I couldn't save you, Cadence, Spike, or Flurry Heart," "Starlight," Twilight said in sad tone. "It's because of me that you had to suffer," Starlight sniffled. "That everyone has to suffer," "No it's not, you did your best," said Twilight comforting her. "Nobody expected Equestria to be attacked out of the blue like that," Starlight wiped the tears from her eyes. "Do you know who's responsible for this?" asked Twilight. "There's an entity called Galeem who calls himself the Lord of Light," explained Starlight. "It's him, he's the culprit," "Galeem," repeated Twilight. "Do you know where he is?" asked Twilight. "Yeah, we're actually making our way there now," said Starlight. "Who's we?" asked Twilight. "Ahem," said Mario clearing his throat. Starlight turned around to see Mario, Kirby, and Villager standing behind them. "We means us," said Mario. "Sorry who are you?" asked Twilight. "Twilight these are my friends, Mario, Kirby, and Villager," said Starlight introducing them. "Hey," said Mario. "Hi!" cheered Kirby. Nice to meet you," said Villager. "It's nice to meet you too," said Twilight. "I'm Twilight, Starlight's friend," said Twilight introducing herself. "Yeah we know, Star told us a lot about you," said Mario. "Star?" asked Twilight confused. "It's like me official nickname," said Starlight. "I figured," said Twilight. "Anyway, we should get going," said Villager. "Ok," said Starlight. "Wait where are you going?" asked Twilight. "If you come with us then you will see," said Starlight.