Shadow Fire

As Zidane continued to shiver, he suddenly jumped as Steiner's booming voice sounded. "Bravo!" the knight exclaimed. "Master Vivi's grandfather must be quite a scholar! We must thank him upon escaping the Mist!"

As the group made it to the Ice Cavern, Zidane shivered as a chilling wind blew towards him. "So..." he muttered, teeth beginning to chatter. "This must be the cavern..."

The thief gave his heart melting smile and nodded. "Yeah..." he murmured. "I'll let you wake up first." The blond then cast a glance over at the princess' tent.

The next morning, Zidane woke bright and early. Glancing over at Vivi, he gave a slight smirk as he saw the mage sleeping. Sudden shuffling noises coming from the direction of Garnet's tent indicated to the blond that the princess was awake, however, when he approached, he found the blade of Adelbert 'Rusty' Steiner was pointed at his face. Giving a snort, he turned and went back to the young mage, where he knelt down and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey..." he murmured. "Vivi... wakey wakey... Eggs and bakey..."

Director: Dylan Cuthbert Producers: Satoru Iwata, Shigeru Miyamoto, Tadashi Sugiyama Music: Koji Kondo Starring: Mike West, Issac Marshall, Lyssa Browne, Mark Lund Rating: Plot Corneria, fourth planet of the Lylat System. The evil Andross turned this once thriving system into a wasteland of near extinction. General Pepper of the Cornerian Army was successful in exiling this maniacal scientist to the barren, deserted planet Venom. Five years later, General Pepper noticed strange activity coming from Venom. James McCloud, Pigma Dengar, and Peppy Hare of the Star Fox team were sent to investigate. Upon their arrival, Pigma betrayed the team, and James and Peppy were captured by Andross. Peppy barely escaped Venom and returned home to tell James' son Fox about his father's fate. A few years have passed. Andross has again invaded Lylat system. General Pepper has turned to a new Star Fox team headed by Fox McCloud to save Corneria and free the Lylat System once again. ...yes, I copied it from the actual in-game plot. Review So, Nintendo has remade one of the N64's classics, Star Fox 64 (known in Europe/Australia as Lylat Wars), but was this a waste of time and money? Well, put simply, NO EFFING WAY! The Star Fox team is back and in stunning 3D. A lot has been redone since 1997, including the visuals, vocals, and even the music has been remixed. The worlds you go through are very immersive, and look very clean. The game is made slightly more difficult, especially for those of us used to the PAL version, as it runs at its full 60 fps. The original multiplayer has been removed, replaced with a Battle Mode, which uses Download Play, so only one game card is required. New items and levels are available. Also new to this remake is a Score Attack mode, where you can complete single levels to see how high you can score. Can you achieve all Gold Medals? At the time of writing this review, I must admit, I only have 2 Silver Medals... >.> Overall Personally, I think the Battle mode is a little too tricky with the AI, and I find that some of the musical remixes aren't as good as the originals. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this game.

Umbra shook his head, before reaching over and taking Dusk's hand, casting a glance back over at Midna. "Get used to it, Midna. I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon, and I would kill if it meant keeping Dusk here with me. Now... all I need to do is open the door to the inner lair."

"Of course... but first thing's first... Midna..." Glancing down at the imp, he pulled away from his lover, reaching down to help her up. "Do not be concerned for Link. He is still there... I will keep him safe, as he has unknowingly done for me for many years. Let us find this power you seek."

Umbra cast a quick glance at Midna, before returning his attention to Dusk, draping his arms around the other. "I am sorry for what happened. These past several years have been torturous. But to be with you again... I am truly happy once more." Reaching a hand under the other boy's chin, he tilted Dusk's head up and glanced into his eyes. "I always did get lost in those eyes... do anything for the one who tamed my heart." With a smile, he leaned in and pressed his lips against the older male's. My heart... it still belongs to you... beats only for you...

Link stared back at Umbra in horror, finding himself unable to move. What do you--? I told you... but if you want a history lesson, I'd be glad to tell you. See, you are me... and I am you. We are one and the same... the only differences being that the way I look, is what is real. Shaking his head, Link desperately tried to pull free, but found he couldn't move. Umbra gave a haunting smile and continued. What Lanayru showed you, was what you were like before this life. I knew a boy... he and I were totally in love, but we sought a power which we could not comprehend. I sought it for his sake, because he was injured. However, I performed many misdeeds and was to be punished. However, what the light spirits did not know was that I was destined to hold a piece of that power. In order to maintain the balance of order, I was reborn... as Link. As for my love, Dusk... he is someone you know well. You've even seen the real him on a few occasions. Link's eyes widened. You can't mean... not Diggs?! Umbra glanced to the side and nodded, before looking back at Link, a cryptic grin on his face. Yes. Dusk sought me out on his own, but found I had been destroyed. In his rage, he attacked everything, and thus, he had to be dealt with. Sadly for them, they couldn't totally destroy him. Once again, it would disrupt the balance, so another child was born, and Dusk was sealed inside with the power of his mother's Starryway band. You caught a glimpse or two of him, although I took over your body when I realised he was still alive. But, I... Don't concern yourself. I will not cause any unnecessary harm to come to you. I only want what is rightfully mine. When the time comes that we obtain the power we seek, I may separate from you, and let you continue with your naive existance. Now, hold still... This won't hurt... much. Umbra leaned in and pressed his lips against Link's, ignoring the other's muffled cries. A glow surrounded them, and moments later, everything went white. ----- Back in the Lakebed Temple, a soft groan was heard. His hair seemed to darken and his eyes shifted to a reddish glow. Looking up, he stood to his feet and walked forward. "I have returned... my beloved."

The Usurper King merely smirked and released him. "Very well, Dusk... you probably do not know this, but it was your father who wished me to do this. The twilight is a facade... merely a test to draw out the real you. Now that you have awoken, I shall leave you to enjoy your return." ----- Meanwhile, inside the Lakebed Temple, Link had managed to pass through much of it, but as he went back to the central chamber to prepare for his fight with the dungeon master, he suddenly stopped, seeming to sense a disturbance. "Diggs..." he murmured. "I hope you're... ungh!" Dropping to his knees, the blond collapsed to his knees. Clutching his head in his hands, he screamed in pain, before it dissipated. Suddenly, he heard a soft snicker. Looking up, he saw that he still seemed to be in the Lakebed Temple, but things were different, and before him, stood a discoloured version of himself. Wow... it's like looking into a mirror, only... not... Gasping, Link took a step backwards, but as he did, his duplicate took a step forward, without missing a beat. What...? What are you? I think you know, Link... you saw me... saw through my eyes... when Lanayru showed you that tale. But if you need a name, call me Umbra. Suddenly, Umbra stepped forward, and cupped Link's face in his hands, smirking wider. I never really realised just how cute I really was... but I suppose it shouldn't be surprising. Anyway... on to more pressing matters, I have returned to take back that which is mine... my body...

A wicked laugh came from the king, his lips curled in a demonic smirk. "Well, it's so good to finally see you again... Dusk..." Finally, Zant lowered the boy to the ground.

Zant hissed in pain, but quickly recovered, looking down at Diggs with a sadistic glee. "You're coming back... but there's nothing you can do. How about I just destroy them from here?" The false king began charging a magical attack. Of course, it was harmless, but it looked fearful enough to be seen as a threat. "Death awaits them..."

His cruel laugh continued, his eyes burning into the other's. Just a little more before he pops... His smirk became devilish, Zant once again walking to the water. "I'd like to see you try. You'll be too late to stop me... they will perish by my hands."

Caught by surprise, Zant managed to block the attack, but inertia pushed him back a little. Blinking for a moment, the Twilight King suddenly began to laugh. Such fire... let's see if I can't use this... Remaining in his current position, Zant continued to laugh at Diggs. "Your efforts are in vain... As for your little companion in the temple, I think I will pay them a visit... We'll see how long they last against me..."

Zant dropped Diggs to the ground, glaring at the insignia that had burned him. "So... you defend him against me? Well, it is fruitless... I will bring back what was lost all those years ago, and you will not stop me." Casting a smirk down at Diggs, the Usurper King simply shrugged. "You will rediscover yourself... what is it you call yourself? Diggs? Hmph... what a strange name..."

Zant's eyes flashed with amusement, soft snickers accompanying. He continued to walk closer to the boy. "That is no way to speak to your king, child." He reached down suddenly and lifted Diggs into the air with inhuman strength.

His helmet retracting, Zant's eyes gleamed. "Such an honour to me that you remembered my name, after all these years." His lips curled into a smirk as he took another step towards the boy.

A soft snicker came from behind the brunet. The self-titled King of the Twilight stared at Diggs, his expression unreadable under his great armoured helmet. "So, you're finally alone..."

Leaning up, Link removed the mask, before reaching up and kissing Diggs tenderly. A few moments later, he pulled back and nodded. "I will..." he promised. "You take care up here too. I will be as quick as I can." With those words, Link dove under the water and made his way to the Lakebed Temple. Blasting open the entrance using his new water bombs, Entering, he swam through, before coming up inside the actual temple. Well, this is kinda creepy...

Link gave a confused expression to Diggs. But he just let it go and chuckled. "Okay..." he said softly. "Time to get wet..." With those words, he dove into the water from the top.

Link smiled, giving a nod as he lifted Diggs to his feet. Moving close, he pressed his lips gently to the brunet's. ----- Sometime later, thanks to Epona's swift galloping, the two were back at Lake Hylia. After paying 20 rupees to play a game, Link picked up a cucco and used it to fly down towards an island with treasure chests on it. Landing on the top one, he was awarded with 200 rupees. Glancing back, he scanned the skies for Diggs.

Link returned to the village with the armour still in his hands. He glanced at it in confusion, and was almost tempted to start taking deep sea swims, so he could look for things, but he was brought out of his thoughts by noticing Diggs nearby. Walking over, he draped his arms around the Twili from behind. "I can only imagine what you're feeling..." Link said softly. "...but know this: I love you, and we can work through anything together."

With a cute, cat-like smile, Ryuichi nodded, eyes sparkling. "That would be awesome!" he chirped, nodding at an accelerated rate. "IwannaIwannaIwannaIwannaIwannaIwannaIwannaIwanna!"

As he ran through the graveyard, he saw Queen Rutela pass through the rock face, a strange stone with the Zora insignia disappearing to show a hole that he could crawl through. When he did, he glanced around. The Zora queen was positioned next to a big tombstone.

Link gave a slight gasp as Telma blew a kiss, before winking and running off to join Renado. "Did she..." he began, before shaking his head. "I won't worry about it. Probably her way of being nice. Anyway, we sh-..." Giving a soft blush at Diggs' kiss, Link was about to give his love a kiss of his own when suddenly, he noticed a glowing nearby, and saw the ghostly form of Queen Rutela. As he took a step, he watched the ghost float away.