//------------------------------// // Chapter 8: The Masked Thief // Story: Super Smash Bros. Ultra Force (Condensed Version) // by FandomPlays1234 //------------------------------// Desmond, Lilith, and Spike stepped out of the warp pipe and walked over to Peach, Illya, Reimu, and Asgore who were waiting for them. "This way," said Asgore. The four lead Desmond, Lilith, and Spike into a small town where several U.S.E. flags flowed in the wind. Upon entering, they noticed several U.S.E. soldiers roaming around. Just like the last village, the people of this small town were chained up and caring for the soldiers. Their clothes were in rags and mos of them were bruised. Desmond witnessed one of the soldiers kick down a villager and began whipping him after he dropped a vase with water. "Such cruelty," said Lilith. "Where exactly are we going?" asked Spike. "To the capital," said Reimu. "The capital?" asked Lilith. "We're going to confront the current ruler of this kingdom," explained Asgore. Just then the group was stopped by two U.S.E. soldiers who were blocking the path. "Halt!" ordered one of the guards. The group stopped as they blocked their path with their staffs. "Where do you think you're going?" asked the second guard. "To the capital," said Illya. "Sorry, but we can't let you do that," said the first guard. "We want an audience with the king," said Peach. "Forget it, it ain't happening," said the second guard. "I swear if you don't let us pass..." growled Reimu. "What?" sneered the second guard. "What're ya gonna do eh girl?" "You'll live to regret it," said Desmond walking up to the guard. "Eh who are you?" asked the first guard. "Desmond, but my friends call me Des," said Desmond. "I'm going to ask nicely, let us pass or else," The second guard grabbed Desmond by the collar of his cloak. Asgore stepped forward to help him, but Desmond held him back. "Are you threatening us kid?" hissed the guard. "I am," said Desmond. "You wanna die?" sneered the first guard. "Not if you go first," said Desmond. "Why you little," the second guard grabbed his staff getting ready to strike. But before he could bring down his staff, Desmond grabbed the wrist of the first guard and pulled him closer. He then picked him up and held him up as the second guard drove his staff into the back of the first. The guard screamed in agony as Desmond shoved him into the second guard knocking them down. As the second guard struggled to get up, Desmond jumped over the gate, grabbed his head and slammed it into the ground, knocking him unconscious. He dusted himself off and looked back to see the others staring at him with surprised looks on their faces. "What a man's gotta learn how to fight if he wants to protect," said Desmond opening the gate. While, Peach, Illya, Reimu,and Asgore remained in their shocked state, Lilith and Spike walked through to join Desmond. "Well you comin or what?" he asked. "Oh right yes," said Asgore snapping back into reality. Peach, Illya, and Reimu quickly refocused and rejoined Desmond as well. "I gotta thank your for helping us get past those guards," said Asgore. "Normally it would be extremely difficult getting past them," "Why's that?" asked Lilith. "Recently there's been rumors going saying that someone has been stealing things from the empire," explained Reimu. "Now you would think that empire might as well been searching through their own ranks, but according to the rumors, this thief has been stealing weapons and supplies from the capital," "Weapons and supplies huh?" asked Desmond. "Because of the thief's activities, the empire has been extremely skeptical and came to the conclusion that someone from the town might be attempting to start a rebellion, therefore they've increased the number of security and made it almost impossible for anybody to reach the capital," added Illya. "Did the activities stop? asked Spike. "No, the thief kept going and more things continue to disappear from the capital," answered Reimu. "Well hopefully, whoever this thief is, they're doing this for a greater cause," said Desmond. He continued to make his way to the capital with his party tagging behind him. Along the way, he had to go through five more gates guarded by U.S.E. soldiers before reaching the castle. "This is it eh?" asked Desmond standing in front of the double doors. "Yes, the castle," said Illya. "This looks kinda creepy," said Spike. "Be careful Desmond, I can sense a lot of dark energy coming from this place," said Ritsu. "Let's go," said Desmond. He put his hands on the double and pushed it open. The doors groaned loudly and a gust of warm air blasted the group in the face. "Whoa," said Spike. Without saying another word, Desmond stepped into the dimly lit castle. Lilith swallowed hard as she followed him in. Spike, Asgore, Peach, Illya, and Reimu quickly rejoined Desmond. Desmond tapped the right side of his visors. "Ritsu can you scan the castle for any enemies?" asked Desmond. "Yes sir," said Ritsu saluting. Ritsu closed her eyes as a wire frame version of the castle appeared on screen. "Scan complete, there aren't any enemies around here, but there is a room where I can sense strong dark energy. "Let's head to that room," said Desmond. "Roger," said Ritsu. The map of the castle zoomed in on a highlighted room on the second floor. "I've labeled the room for you," said Ritsu. "Appreciate it," said Desmond. he removed his fingers from the visor and looked up the flight of stairs. "Up there?" asked Spike. "Yes, answered Peach. Desmond began climbing the stairs with the rest of party following him. Spike looked around nervously as he climbed up the flight of stairs. Eventually they came cross another pair of double doors at the top of the stairs. "In there," said Asgore. A bead of sweat down Lilith's cheek as she looked at the door. Spike swallowed hard as he clung onto Lilith. Desmond took a deep breath as he slowly approached the doors. As he got closer, he could see the U.S.E. logo imprinted on the front. Nervously he put his hands on the door and looked behind him. He could see Asgore clutching onto a large red trident and Reimu holding onto a thin staff with two white ribbons and several cards. Illya had drawn a large silver blade sword while Peach watched with a nervous look on her face. Spike had a scared look on his face while Lilith held him. He turned back towards the door, pushed it open and stepped inside. Inside, he could crumbling walls with brightly lit torches. Several yellow flowers that were on the ground had withered and left dead brown branches. Black thorns choked the walls and a large banner with the U.S.E. logo hung behind a large stone throne on the other side of the room. Several figures stood across from where Desmond was standing, while a large creature was settled on the stone throne. "Well, well what do we have here?" growled the creature on the throne. Desmond stepped forward with his party behind him. Looking next to the throne he could see two more figures that he didn't recognize, but next to the two was Jevil and Dimentio. "Desmond," said Lilith. "Hmph, what a bunch of disrespectful grubs," sneered the creature as he got off his throne. The thing was big and had yellow scales all over it's body. It had a large snout with razor sharp teeth on the inside of it's mouth. Two large horns were sticking out from either side of it's head and the creature's red hair swayed. It had a large green shell with multiple spikes protruding from it, on it's back. "Honestly, I was wondering who this king was, but I wasn't expecting you, King Bowser," said Desmond. "My, my what such disrespect you show our king," said the figure on the right. Desmond looked over to the female figure standing next to Bowser. She had silky red hair tied back into a ponytail and wore a black vest and skirt with black boots. A green U.S.E. logo was imprinted on her vest. Her green eyes gleamed from the nearby torches. 'Oh come now, don't give me that look," she chuckled. "And you are?" asked Desmond. "Dear, you may call me Malty Melromarc," she cooed. "Malty eh?" Desmond looked to Bowser's left and saw the unicorn on the right. But upon closer inspection, Desmond noticed that the unicorn's horn was broken. She had a dark purple coat and berry colored mane. She wore black armor with the U.S.E. logo imprinted on her flank armor. Her turquoise colored eyes glared back at Desmond and his party. "It's Tempest," said Spike. "Who?" asked Desmond. "Tempest Shadow, she used to be an enemy of my friends, but then she became good, I don't know why she's here though," explained Spike. "Whatever the reason, she works for U.S.E," said Desmond. "Of course,after all they promised me my horn," said Tempest. "What are you doing here anyway?" "We got reports saying that your little clowns were causing trouble," said Desmond. "Yeah so what if we were?" cackled Jevil. "We came to ask you to stop," said Lilith. "Ha not a chance," laughed Dimentio. "We don't wanna have to do this by force," said Asgore. "You dare give me orders!?" growled Bowser. "After sending one of your little rats to steal our things, you have no right to give us orders," "If you're not going to listen to us, then we might as well dethrone you right now," said Desmond as he drew his sword. Malty and Tempest quickly jumped in front of Desmond to protect Bowser. "You really think that's going to stop me?" asked Desmond. "I'll take you both on if I have to," "Hmph, alright if that's how you want to play it, " sneered Tempest. Her horn began to spark as she began charging up an attack. "Take this!" Tempest exclaimed as she hurled a ball of blue electrifying energy at Desmond. He lifted his blade, getting ready to move when something jumped out of the shadows and in front of him. The figure took a defensive position as the blast was reflected back at Tempest. She quickly jumped out of the way with Malty as the blast struck Bowser in the stomach and sent him flying into his throne. By the time Desmond and his party could figure out what just happened the figure disappeared in a burst of blue flames which then revealed the person standing there. "Well, well looks like I made it just in time," said the figure. Malty and Tempest ran over to help Bowser back on his feet. "And who are you?" growled Bowser. The person was wearing a black leather coat and red gloves. He had black pants and boots and his frizzy black hair flowed back and forth. "Why don't you ask Desmond?" asked the figure. He looked back at them with a smile. "You know who I am, don't you Des?" he asked. Desmond lowered his sword as he stared at him. "No way is it?" asked Desmond. "Hmm so you DO know me," chuckled the figure. He turned to face Bowser who was now fully on his feet. "But you know, a little introduction wouldn't hurt," he said. "I am Ren Amamiya, but my friends call me Joker,"