Current Contest:
Theme: Legend of Zelda
Starting line: "'I don't think you'll make it that far', said Link to his new friend."
Start date: November 20, 2008
Deadline: November 30, 2008
Remember, your entry must be less than 1000 words, and absolutely has to start with the line given above. Good luck!
Past winning entries:
Week 1 winner B!ohazard:Untitled Story
"All was well in the world until one day, we lost control of the virus. My magic could no longer contain the machines inside the confines of the castle. Most of the royal guards have had their bodies consumed by this... strange evil. Once they are infected, the small machines, or 'Vyroids,' as we have come to call them, devour every cell within the host, transforming themselves to resemble that which they have consumed, so they may take form of their host.
"I fear the worst if these Vyroids are released, and I am infusing this sacred stone with this message as a final warning to those who survive. If our plan does not work, and we are extinguished, let it be known that our attempted counterattack can be found in the castle's sub-basements. Perhaps you can improve what we had not the time to modify ourselves..."
"Princess Zelda!" a guard called from the door nearby. "We can not hold this position any longer!" The door was violently being smashed against from the opposite side. Five Hylian Royal Guards were pushing against the door with all of their strength.
Zelda turned slowly and threw off her black cloak, holding a strange, blue diamond; a relic of the goddess Nayru. Her hands glowed with yellow light and the stone floated between them, suddenly descending through the floor. When Zelda felt the stone was at the desired location, she walked over to a nearby wall and removed her sword.
"Your Highness! What can we do?" another guard called out frantically. The door was beginning to splinter and wear. It would only survive a few more hits.
Suddenly, a giant, metal drill pierced through the door at chest level, breaching the chest plate and breast armor of one of the guards, killing him instantly. Zelda raised her one-handed blade and said, "We shall fight."
As the words left her mouth, a giant, scorpion-like creature burst through the door, shredding the remaining guards to pieces, tearing through their armor like paper. A tear was shed by Zelda for her guards, but her body flared up with the magic of her ancestors and she charged forward, her blade held out in a thrusting position.
The Vyroid mecha-scorpion attacked in a flurry with its front legs, neatly deflecting Zelda's thrust and returning the attack. Zelda sidestepped just in time to avoid the loss of her leg. Her dress suffered a large tear. Continuing her sidestep, Zelda swung upward with her sword and embedded it in the side of the mecha-scorpion.
The mechanical beast cried out in a strange pain, or so Zelda thought. As she tried to wrench her sword free, she heard marching. Leaving the blade, she ran around the scorpion and saw, to her horror, Vyroid soldiers lumbering forward, swords drawn and shields raised.
In this moment of distraction, the scorpion used its huge drill-tail to pin Zelda to the ground. A small, yet powerful magical barrier kept her from being torn apart, but it would not last forever. She reached up and tried to lift the drill off, but to no avail. Feeling her strength draining, her muscles began to relax in preparation for the inevitable.
BOOM! A huge blast of dark purple magic and power struck the mecha-scorpion with devastating force, crushing its mechanical body like a tin can. Zelda looked up in amazement to see the whirling of a giant sword, easily as big as she was. The blade was black and silver, and had ancient Hylian runes carved on the side. The sword came to rest, being held by...
"GANONDORF?" Zelda asked incredulously, scrambling to her feet.
The red-headed master of evil, Ganondorf, rested his massive sword on his shoulder and said, "You forget, foolish girl, that this world is mine, too." A loud sound of feet rushing and gears grinding inside heavy armor was heard. Ganondorf and Zelda looked and saw nearly one-hundred Vyroid soldiers rushing at them. Ganondorf said, "Missy, I suggest you get something to fight with. This will be a long battle." He swung his sword to a guard position and the steel lit with a cold, purple fire.
Zelda's eyes opened in shock as she stammered, "B-But... my sword... it's..."
"Right here, Princess," said a tough, yet gentle voice. The hilt of Zelda's sword was extended over her shoulder. She turned and saw the blade in the hands of Link. Zelda nodded and smiled her thanks, and took her sword.
Ganondorf looked over at link, whose green tunic was tattered so badly, his chain-mail armor could nearly be seen everywhere. "Well, boy, it looks like we got here just in time." He chuckled.
Link said to Zelda, "Princess, the Vyroids have spread into Hyrule Town. I had great difficulty reaching the castle, so I had to approach from the back end, near Lake Hylia."
"No matter, Link," Zelda said. "Your sword will aid us nonetheless.
The machine soldiers were now only a few hundred feet away. Ganondorf, Zelda, and Link suddenly felt a tremor in their bodies and looked to their right hands. The respective Triforce pieces of Power, Wisdom, and Courage, began to glow and fill the three warriors with golden light and incredible strength.
Link pulled the Master Sword out of its sheath. The blade was shining like the sun, and he could not look directly at its surface.
Ganondorf laughed. "So, the Triforce has gathered together once more! Perhaps this fight is not a lost cause.." He grinned at Zelda and Link and suddenly dashed forward, swinging his sword madly through the legion of Vyroid soldiers.
Zelda and Link looked at each other and nodded. Zelda tucked her sword inside her belt. Link handed her his bow, took the Master Sword in hand, and ran to join Ganondorf. Zelda's hand brought forth a light arrow in an instant, and she nocked the bow, taking aim into the machines.
The fight began.
Week 2 Winner: FalawfulIt all started with a pipe, which Mario was using to warp directly to the royal castle. Mario and Peach had earlier decided to walk together, as it was a beautiful summer day. After taking care of her royal duties around the castle, Peach caught up to the incredibly patient plumber in red waiting outside. Mario stood at the center of the bridge, and outstretched his hand when he saw her finally step through the double doors. She grabbed it gently.
"Let's go," Mario said in his cheery, familiar voice. Peach was surprised at his lack of annoyance over how long it'd taken her to be ready.
"Sorry for the delay," she said in a voice packed with joy unburdened by worry. "But I'm ready now."
"Okey dokey," Mario replied, beaming a smile her way.
"It's getting rather dark, actually," Peach observed, scanning the reddish-orange sky. "I guess a peaceful walk around the suburbs of Toad Town might not be so bad."
"All right, then," Mario said, and began to walk down the rest of the bridge with the princess in tow. They made their way through the expansive pasture of rolling green hills that surrounded the castle, and were soon strolling past the front gates into Toad Town. The massive stone slabs of blue swung closed by themselves behind them.
"Mario! Peach!" called a voice that startled the people it was referring to. Looking around, they soon found a wizard running toward them at abnormal speed.
"Hello, Merlin," Peach said calmly. "What seems to be the issue?"
"What's the issue?!" he yelled wildly into her face. Mario went into a defensive stance to protect the princess, but Merlin backed off a bit. "The issue is the fact that it is barely past midday, yet there is clearly a sunset happening!"
"It's only midday?" Peach asked, confused. "I didn't THINK my duties took that long…"
"What's more," Merlin continued, "is that the sun actually dropped into the east!"
"That IS rather strange, isn't it?" Peach said quietly. "I wonder what's going on."
"It's a prophecy written in the stars," Merlin said with great fear marking his tone. "Whence the greatest star fails, all shalt follow it to death by path of warrior's palm. The sun has died, princess. Now it is time for his return, and none of us have anywhere to hide."
"He?" asked the princess. "Who's he?" Merlin didn't answer her, but instead looked to the sky. Every star was twinkling peacefully in its own little corner of the black void. But then, just as Merlin pointed to it, the unthinkable happened: a star began to grow to hundreds of times its size. Others surrounding it soon followed, until there were thousands, if not millions of broiling red spheres approaching them. They filled the night sky with their flaming malice and uncontrollable hellish rage, until the air had become practically unbreathable for the people in Toad Town.
"He…" choked Merlin while gasping for breath, "he…is coming." From the crowded mass of expanding giant stars slowly emerged a silhouette. Closer and closer it came, until it finally descended to the ground before the three standing in the town square. It took a few steps toward Mario, who immediately recognized who it was and shook his head slowly. The creature tilted its head back and laughed heartily. It was dressed in blue, and appeared to be made of wood.
"Good to see you again, Mario," the villain said triumphantly.
"Is it you…?" Mario whispered. "How could you do this?"
"Because I want to, honestly," it said through a cackle. "A warrior of the stars truly has nothing else to do these days."
"What do you want from me?" Mario asked, blocking the princess.
"I want to be the most powerful being there is," it said back. "For that to happen, Mario, your blood must mark my hands. You wish to save this world? Defeat me first!" The creature stretched his palm toward the crossroads that split into four streets leading to different areas of the town. From a cloud of sorcery appeared a Jumpstar.
"What are you doing?" Mario asked.
"Fulfilling a prophecy," it told him solemnly. "Follow me." With that, the villain laughed once more and headed back into the mass of stars. Mario looked at the Jumpstar, then back at Merlin.
"Whence the greatest star fails, all shalt follow it to death by path of warrior's palm," Merlin said. "You are the greatest star, Mario. If you follow him through that path borne of his palm, you cannot fail. If you do, the rest of us shall pay the price."
"I understand," Mario said quietly. He turned to the princess. "I've met this person before. There's no describing what he's capable of. I might not make it."
"You will," Peach said through a sob. "You have to." She kissed him gently. With that, Mario turned to the Jumpstar and hopped inside its center. He felt an ethereal glow all around him. He closed his eyes, then leaped. The Jumpstar exaggerated his momentum a thousand fold, and he was flung into the air in the direction of his old rival. Feeling the heat intensify around him, he prepared himself for whatever was coming. He soon could see a shadow hanging against the radiant spheres crowding each other out. It turned to face him.
"It's been some time, Mario," it said. "I've learned a few new tricks since we parted. Here's my favorite." The villain lifted its arms up. In reaction, all the stars that were packed so closely together melded instantly into one unfathomably monstrous star.
"No," Merlin said below on the ground. "Don't do it, Geno…" All he and the princess could do was watch as the massive star burst, exploding into a cloud of brilliance and incinerating everything in its path. The wizard felt all strength drain from his marrow.
"It has been fulfilled." The last words spoken in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Short Story Contest 3 winner: FalawfulThere once was a Zora who decided to run away from home, taking with him a priceless family heirloom. This prince was unbelievably independent and rebellious. His name was Lurin, and he was now swimming furiously from the bottom of Lake Hylia, making his escape for what he wished to be the last time.
The object he held was the crown jewel of his family, the one that had replaced the sacred symbol of Nayru; most of Hyrule turned pagan after the Temple of Time collapsed, taking that as a sign of the goddesses' departure from their midst. The long-revered symbols of the goddesses were cast from tradition, forgotten forever. In their place stood new insignias of various cults and faiths. Among these was the main Zora faith, whose symbol was a blue, reptilian eye with a crystal tear that glinted in even the dimmest light. And it was now in the clutches of Lurin, who finally surfaced and sped toward the shore.
"Young prince…" called an echoing voice behind Lurin, who had just leaped onto the ground from the water. "Young Lurin…come to me."
"Wha?" said the Zora child. "Who's that?"
"One who will grant your every wish, no questions asked," the voice replied. "Interested?"
"What's the catch?" Lurin said, suspicious.
"None," it said to him. "I will fulfill every word I say."
"OK, then," said the prince. "I want to stay away from my parents! I want to be famous! And I want them to be really sad that I'm gone!"
"Patience, little one," the voice said calmly. "Before I can grant those, you must come to me." A blue light radiated on the ground in front of Lurin, startling him. "Trust me…take the path…"
"If it gets me what I want," Lurin said proudly, and walked into the blue light. His body levitated into the air, then began to spin as a transparent crystal surrounded him. When he opened his eyes, he was standing before the ruins of the Temple of Time. There was a sudden presence behind him. He turned to see a hooded figure staring at him.
"I shall grant every wish you made," it said, approaching him. "First, though, I'll need that little trinket you've got."
"Well, I was gonna sell it for money or something, but… this is the next best thing, I guess!" He smiled wickedly, then handed it eagerly to the person.
"My, that was easy," the figure said. "Idiot!" he yelled, and delivered a brutal punch with his free hand to Lurin's face. The Zora fell to the ground, dark blue blood pouring from the corner of his mouth. The person tore the hooded cloak from his body, revealing himself to be someone that even Lurin knew of.
"Ganondorf?" the boy cried loudly.
"Hmph, so the fool has heard of me," the steel-clad warlock replied, smirking down at him. "Flattering. Well, since you're such an avid fan, I'll tell you exactly what I'm going to do." Ganondorf turned to face the temple's ruins, hands clasped behind his back.
"The goddesses never left us," he began. "The destruction of this temple wasn't their doing, nor was it an omen. I destroyed it myself." Ganondorf's hands became fists.
"They did nothing to stop me," he continued. "But I knew they couldn't leave; they've been tied to Hyrule all their lives. Once all the people decided they were gone and set up new religions, the goddesses desired a return to form." Ganondorf held the back of his hand for Lurin to see; a symbol glowed on it. "Those three whose lives are connected to theirs…the Chosen of Power, Wisdom and Courage…were told to eradicate the blasphemy and bring them the symbols of the false paths for everlasting destruction."
"I don't understand," Lurin said, choking.
"But the boy never showed. The princess waited for him to appear, unable to accomplish such a task on her own. And all the while as she hoped he would show, I fulfilled the task." He turned to the injured Zora. "I have killed thousands in the name of power, spirit and love. Eleven crests of those misled belief systems are now mine, all their followers slaughtered by my hand."
"What…" Lurin said, scared beyond words.
"The Zora are now all that dwell in Hyrule. I was about to come kill you and your family and take this from you," he said, pointing to the heirloom, "but you saved me the trouble."
"Why?" Lurin said, crying.
"The goddesses offered a reward in the very same dream," Ganondorf replied. "A single wish. I have since sought that opportunity, as without that boy, the Triforce no longer is within my grasp." He grinned in a way that petrified Lurin.
"Speaking of wishes," he said, "I've a few of yours to grant." He laughed heartily as the prince's heart skipped a beat. Ganondorf raised his arms. Twelve colored lights appeared in the air and shot to the sky; they were the religions' symbols. He turned back and looked at Lurin.
"You shall not be near your parents again."
"You shall be famed as the fool who cut the final string holding this world together."
"You shall grieve your parents through your deeds as they draw their last breath."
"No questions asked."
The sky lit up brilliantly as three golden figures emerged from the clouds and descended before them. Ganondorf laughed again as the area around them darkened significantly. "But it seems you had one last wish," he said triumphantly.
"This is the last time you shall escape the consequences of your actions."
Lurin watched helplessly as black swirling clouds screamed out of the sky, covering the land in columns of twisting darkness that tore the world asunder as the goddesses fled to the heavens. Ganondorf walked over to his body, and drew a long sword.
"And now," he said, lifting the blade, "your consequence." Lurin watched the reflection of the bloody water below him as the sword descended.
Week 4 winner: Phoenix WrightWith the help of a mysterious force, the plan was set in motion...
Gannondorf and his evil empire of the undead planned a nine-step plot to take over Hyrule.
1. Bake pies.
2. Plant hazelnut pies in Hyrule Castle... secretely.
3. Say those are for Link, from Zelda.
4. Link will come rushing in.
5. While eating the pies, a swarm of the undead will jump on him.
6. Excecute him.
6 1/2. Mock him.
7. Repeat the plan, this time for Zelda, from Link.
8. Jump at her and kill her.
9. Rule the world.
Ganondorf laughed evily, and everyone joined in with him.
"Your plan will fall at the first step."
Everyone turned their heads left, to see a gypsy Gerudo holding a crystal ball.
"Yes, Link will triumph this day," the woman said. "It is written in this crystal ball."
Gannondorf went to the old lady.
"Excuse me, Gannondorf said. "But how can my plan fail from step one?"
"He doens't like hazelnut."
Gannondorf watered his face and from the bottom of his heart shouted:
"NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
N
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
N
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
O
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
The end.
*this person won by default... that is all*
This post has been edited by Sedium Darxide: Nov 20 2008, 09:04 AM
Nov 4 2008, 07:51 PM
It may mean that some contests will be a little bit shorter or longer than a week, but I'm sure that won't be too much of a problem.
