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What does A03 stand for?

AO3 (letter O, not number 0) stands for Archive Of Our Own . It's a nonprofit website that allows you to post stories (fanfiction as well as original works) and basically, the rule is there are no rules. Here are the Warnings and Ratings you can give a story.

What is not allowed on AO3?

to impersonate any person or entity, including, but not limited to, an AO3 or OTW representative or volunteer, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity (fiction marked as such, including real-person fiction in first-person format, is not subject to this policy);

Podfic is fan fiction read out loud —specifically, fan fiction that's performed verbally, recorded, edited, and then shared in audio format. It is also sometimes referred to as audiofic, though the "pod" prefix is more common.

How is AO3 better than Wattpad?

Wattpad is definitely a widespread and popular used site as a means for sharing stories, but AO3 (Archive of Our Own) is a better site because the tagging system is amazing, doesn't use book covers or chapter art, and generally has an older audience .

While this cannot be guaranteed, children who use AO3 may become used to accessing explicit and violent images and videos without consequence , which can have severe consequences when attempting to access similar material on their own or when encountering similar situations in life.

What is an A03 phone?

The Samsung Galaxy A03 is a series of budget Android smartphones manufactured by Samsung Electronics that includes the A03, A03s and A03 Core . They have a 6.5-inch FHD+ Infinity-V display, a 5000 mAh Li-Po battery, and ship with Android 11 (can be upgraded to Android 13). Samsung Galaxy A03. Samsung Galaxy A03s.

How do I find hidden apps on my Samsung A03?

Step 1: Select three dots from the app drawer in the upper-right corner. The 'setting menu' will open. Step 2: Select the option that shows 'Hide apps' with the help of the drop-down menu. Step 3: You will see a list of applications from the app list that have been concealed on the screen.

Is wattpad better than A03?

Overall I'd say that they're pretty equally matched, but if you! re looking to socialize and just read anything, Wattpad is better, but if you're looking for something extremely specific, AO3 is better .

World of connectedness. Archive of our own EDTION - Chapter 10

Chapter Text

In dark space, where in dark indigo floated diamonds, some of those diamonds have bridges between them, connecting them. This is the Temporal world, the Home of Dialga, the legendary Pokemon of time, and those shimmering minerals, and their bridges? different times, and rivers of times.

If one looks closer, one can see glimpses of futures, pasts, and presents, which are confusing to truly determine, as Past and future are in their own way Present.

Dialga, the Legendary Pokemon of time. Floated through the space, his four legs dangled in the air, loosely. His fin-like back glowed in a diamond blue, and his horns and metallic accents gleamed silver. The blue diamond of his chest shimmered, and his crimson eyes observed the strings of times. He sometimes stops to look at them, his eyes darted quickly.

Normally, in calmer moments, he would gaze and gawk at those rivers, seeing with awe the dozen paths and choices that each being took. He likes to Observe Ash Ketchum and see the what-if he took. But right, now he was looking for something, and fast.

His search halted, as one of the Diamonds turned black, so black like a void and with an awful crack, that almost tears at his heart, it dissolved into fine black dust. Another timeline was gone...but he didn't know why. He, the guardian of time! or, supposedly, as he was doing it poorly.

A red orb appears between two timelines, and Dialaga immediately forces his gaze on it. Flying there like a tiny dust speck floated this orb to the next diamond.

He has seen those lately, wondering and pondering, if they are related to the dissolving of the rivers. what it was, it could definitely travel among different days, years, and other parts of time, it definitely was a time-traveler. It wasn't Celebi, as the fairy Pokemon, had more green or pink tones, than red.

Dialaga looked inside the Timeline, and he saw Ash, in Green clothing, sleepy lazily under a tree, nothing, that helped him to understand the mystery of the destruction of the timelines. Darn.

" By our Father Arceus, When did it happen?!", Dialga shouted in frustration. He didn't know when those timelines started to vanish. There were lately many time travelers, far too many for his own liking, and far more erratic than Celebi, or constant battles between Groudon and Kyogre, he could almost understand Rayquaza's pain.

He saw the red orb disappear into the crystal, Dialga examined it with keen eyes. He saw Ash Ketchum, fighting against...Necrozma?! That Prism Pokemon, who is a menace in so many timelines?!?

Dialga saw him causing so much devastation across time and space, due to his reasons, in most, that he wants to take revenge on those who diminished his light, and in many, he dies trying. While Dialga felt so degree of pity, he couldn't fully, as Necrozma only cared for himself...but this one... seemed different. There were no twitches, at least not strong ones, and appeared more somber than angry... is it an 'exception' or is just pretending?

He needed to observe him, Necrozma is one of the few beings, who could threaten his own Universe the most...but was he capable of dissolving the diamonds? and what about that red orb? Why did it enter? Is it maybe seeking corrupted versions of Necrozma, or is it perhaps trying to stop him...?

Dialga's eyes flared up, as he looked at the Temporal diamond closer...this one... is special, and it has...time shortened, On some days, entire hours are skipped over like waves washing over constructs of mere sand like human children and their Pokemon sometimes build.

He growled, there's was a pain in his head and mind as if some sharp mineral or blade had dug into his thick and strong skull and had skewered some important part of it, it pained him. Must be the strain of trying to find the source of the issue.

Necrozma seems to be talking with another human, wearing a red cap, as Ash did. Dialga wondered who that man was, on his face a round nose, and hair under it, was it was the humans called a ' Moustache'? Dialga also sees a red distortion around that Castle, as he looked, which is caused by Gravity... It wasn't Palkia, it was something else...more out of control, and yet strangely, in 'control', a forced kind of control, almost like a subjection.

Dialga went silent. It was perhaps wise to observe this flow of time, it may be interesting, and he may be able to find the source of all of this. His Eyes glowed blue, as he focused on Ash.

The headache violating his eyes and preventing to see the flow of time in clear.

" Are you ready, Ash?". asks Mario fastening his glover over his hand. " Today is going to be tough, the big finale is right at the doorstep."

Ash breathed in and then out, " Yes, I am...But for real, I am so nervous about today. Even If I became Pokemon master, would it be enough to win this?"

" Mamma Mia, what happened to your Optimism? Did it just deflate yesterday?".

"No,", Ash pauses, " It's more I am going to be more realistic about it, and mind you, I wasn't in the Tournament last time, and I usually fight with other Pokemon Trainers and not people like you."

Mario laughed, " Ha! You're right, you don't fight a super plumber or God-slayers every day! In my case, I am ready as a shoe!"

" Yea- wait, 'God-slayers'? What?! We have people who have slayed gods?". Ash spat out in shock and confusion. To which Mario awkwardly laughed: "Whoops."

Ash's eyes squint in the size of nuts, " Don't you dare to 'whoops', me, Mario!"

" It's complicated so I'd rather tell you later, as it would just ruin your focus on the Tournament. We do not want you to be unfocused and distracted by titles. Be ready, they won't stop you from being confused, they'll exploit it, and I even would do it. But hey, a bit of fun in a friendly battle is allowed, right, Ash?"

Ash shook his head, " Yes, you got me! I am ready! Let's go!". He said and fixed his cap on his head.

" Okay then, Let's-a-go!"

Ridley screeches as he lands on the Stage where the final rounds would take place, the Battlefield; the very first stage where on the first day Mario and Kirby fought.

No stage hazard, or some hidden tricks that will tip them off or slip. The only thing that will be, are the fighters themselves or the items that will show up. "it's for fairness' sake", rang Master Hand's words in Ridley's memories.

He scuffed, he hated the items, as they were so chaotic and unpredictable. But, Ridley tolerated them, as they could help to strengthen his Tactical skill, and besides, his sad*stic Imagination had bred some destructive ways of utilizing them.

Upon the corners of his mouth, small curls appear.

This was going to be fun.

Seven other fighters came, it was a round where eight fighters will pummel each other, and Ridley was the eight.

Three.

Two.

One.

FIGHT!

An explosion.

Charizard has headbutted a rock on King Dedede, who held a bomb seconds ago, causing Little Mac and Roy to be sent into the Air. Without batting an eye Ridley flew into the air, and grab someone, he didn't care who the poor sab and f*cker was, as long he punched them into the ground, he will make some nice abrasions on their backs. Sadly they won't lose blood, would beatfully paint the marble red.

It was Roy's head that was found in his claws, he smashed that Red-haired prince on the floor, and dragged him over, like a squished bug from a vehicle, to wich Ridley's eyes were similar.

as soon he had finished he threw Roy from the stage. One out.

Little Mac threw a punch, and Ridley dodged and was greeted by a fireball of Zelda in the face.

He roars. Then a punch to his jaw sent him up soaring, he recovered and saw Little Mac jumping high, with determination in his eyes.

Ridley did not waste a second, he changed posture, wings pointing, and dive bombs. The sharp tips of his wings dug into Little Mac's chest, causing him to yelp in pain.

" Heh, hope, laughable." Ridley taunted, as Little Mac landed on the ground.

Then he opened his mouth, and a streak of small fireballs engulfed Little Mac, who writhed and screamed before Ridley stabbed him with his tail.

Little Mac was out. Two birds in a such short time.

Ridley grunts. He wished to inflict pain longer, savor their screams, maybe slightly peel their skin off, but in such matches he not many seconds for such amusem*nts... maybe weeks later he has perhaps time for it.

King K. Rool fired a canon ball after him, Ridley jumped over it. He heard him grunt.

If he wanted to hit him, rool should shoot, if he was distracted. Ridley could tell that the 'King' wasn't that experienced in fighting, well, he admits, that his exploitive tendencies are useful, but Rool cares too much about showing off.

Then one of the cannonballs suddenly changes direction, now doing loops in the air. Right, he forgot that Rool could do that, Toon-link greeted them yesterday.

The cannonball gets closer, and Ridley spits out another fireball and the projectile explodes.

As Ridley tried to charge an attack, his face was hit by something golden, its spikes dug into the flesh: Rool had thrown his crown at him...how cunning.

Ridley clawed at the Crown and was punched by Rool's hand, which wore a boxing glove, and another. With each punch, the Crown sunk deeper and deeper into his skin as if it were a nail that was hit repeatedly with a hammer strike.

Ridley's teeth drill themselves into his maw, as he grabs one of Rool's arms, and stops it, and he slashes the other arm with his right hand.

" Wha-". Rool grunted as Ridles used his tail to wrap around Rool's neck and threw him to the side. Ridley then pulled out the crown, where for a moment, he expected his red warm blood to seep out, only to remind himself, that he wouldn't bleed in the Tournament.

Ridley opens his jaw and speaks with a dry voice: " You need more than a crown to defeat me, Rool."

Rool grunted, and Ridley charged up his next attack... they saw a white flash and a blue blur, Sonic and Marth were jumping in front of them. Great.

Sonic turns into a small sphere, and makes quick work out of Rool, while Marth focuses on Ridley.

Falchion dashed through the air, and the tip of Ridley's bladed tail intercepted the movement of the sword. Both tail and sword, clang and grind at each other, Marth is pushing forward, while Ridley nearly takes a step back, before rearing the tail back, staggering Marth, and Ridley slashing him with one of his claws across the chest.

Marth flew backward and Ridley smashed him down with a fist, not strong, among the others, Bowers and Ganondorf were Physically stronger than him, followed by Wario to his surprise, but his own strength was acceptable.

Marth quickly stood up after the smash, and swiped with his sword a bloodless small gap in Ridley's abdomen, if it weren't for the rule, the field would be drenched in the red life sap.

The pain was present as a bang, and Ridley clenched his teeth. Damn blue-haired human, Ridley was the leader of the superior space pirates, King K. Rool's damage was acceptable, and his personality reminded him of Kraid...only for a little, but Marth?! without that sword he's nothing! Nothing like Samus as she had been once a feeble child!!

A scream soared through the air, and Sonic crashed into Marth's back, and Rool began to kick both of them.

Ridley looked down at his wound... on his chest was just an empty hole like an abyss on a planet's surface. He out of morbid curiosity puts his hand in and feels nothing...

He felt for a moment a bang of cold running fast down his spine, such an uncomfortable feeling...so hollow. In this world, they were just shells not unlike toys in the mercy of the hands of children who just play...heh, hands.

He looks up to Rool, and both Sonic and Marth are Trophies, with a grin he flies toward him, and the King's chest shines golden. Ridley had already regretted his attack before his snout even touched the plate.

Rool's belly inflates, knocking Ridley back, and before the space pirate leader can balance himself, Rool boxes him into the open wound, and a pop sound is heard coming from the hollowness of the body.

Ridley's face grimaces at the sound.

He landed on his back, and Rool started to load his blunderbuss and fired.

The cannon balls landed on Ridley causing explosions to envelop him. Ridley could feel more holes in his body made, and as the black smoke cleared, he saw multiple abysses on his chest, and from some, he could see the white glow of the Marble glowing troughs like flares.

sh*t.

It was unsettling to him how his organs seemed to be gone too, at this point, he was more of a sentient flesh suit than a living being. For once he wished to be defeated, as the sight of it made him slowly gag. It felt so wrong...

As Rool reloaded his blunderbuss, then a bang, a sigh of relief, and then darkness.

Ridley looked at the screen and saw that K.rool would proceed with a rank higher. While the Space Pirate would have wished to fight longer, there was something on his mind. Their 'informant' has messaged them, that they have from yesterday and now, 'Free' time. The others just went on, Ridley couldn't believe it was a mere 'kindness'. Their partner is definitely hiding something, not to mention he contacted Ridley, BEFORE getting the invitation to the Tournament. That Figure had timed that too well, for Ridley's taste.

He has promised him powers, something that fits Ridley's desires to the core, and he took it, out of thirst for power and sheer curiosity of what it could be. Curiosity is another 'Positive' trait of the space pirate, and it was born out of the desire of the quest to conquer and hunger.

To think of it, They never, or at least himself, didn't work with someone like this for since the third tournament in 2021: The Subspace incident. He was not invited to the tournament, which he also finds odd. He was a pirate that has committed Genocide across several planets! What did this glove-no, those Crazy hand gloves think? He hated them, they irritated him, more than Incompetent pirates, or the Kriken empire.

He shook his head, as Ridley realized that he had been off track...where was he again... oh, right. The figure... He gave some directions on what to do and asked the others if they wanted to help or not. But since then, Ridley has always thought all is planned, and wondered if the Hand of the Tournament is into this as well, like why is he, out of all possible beings, allowed to fight with? Why did their partner say; they have a 'break'? Ridley also wondered about the strange mission that Wolf and Wario went on, they just found them passed out in the vent after the power outage, where a lightbulb necklace in his closed fist. The other villains had scoffed at them, and Ridley also at first, but remembered that there wasn't a vent in the dining hall normally, and he was talking with them on his device, where they claimed, they couldn't see him.

Wario and Wold didn't answer as Ridley asked them what they saw, probably their pride got hurt and were embarrassed of themselves as they were found unconscious in the vents. Not to mention those strange jumps in time.

Ridley had so many questions that it almost hurt his brain.

" Hey! Watch out!" Shouted a gruff voice, speaking of the Devil, Wario came around the corner and almost bumped into Ridley's chest.

" Dammit, not you again!", he scratches his butt. " You're going to give me another earful? Another attempt to mock me, as snoozed in the vent? Huh? Like Ganon?"

Ridley scoffed, his warm breath leaving through the clenched teeth, " No! I was just thinking about everything that happened so far! This damn partner of ours is too odd. He orders with those strange requests, and we do not even know what he looks like. To me, he's strange and knows to stay in the shadow...but how did he to you pull in?"

" he just said, that I'll be stealing so much, that I am the most valuable person in the group. I will be so filthy rich! So many Mansion-no, Castles just for me and ME ALONE! YES!"

Ridley rolled his eyes...and remembered a sentence their partner said," Do you remember that one comment he said, on your mission? He said you can successfully or shoot it from the sky? what the hell did he mean?"

" I dunno...hey! What did he even say after you found us in the vents?" Wario's eyes gleamed.

" He said, that Mission was a success. I do not know why it was a 'success'. You stole some necklace and nothing else. I think there's more to it, than a mere necklace. It feels special in a way... is it maybe just for you."

" Heh." Wario chuckled, " Feeling like that the GREAT Wario and his muscle body deserve everything? HECK I DO!!!" and he showed his muscles to the Pirate leader who went silent for a moment.

" Are you that strong or just fat?" he said unimpressed, and Wario gnarled.

" Yes! But I have so much beef the whole fat just goes somewhere else!"

" And where if I am allowed to ask?" Ridley's mouth curled up again, and started to point mockly at the legs, " Here? Which would explain why you are so slow." and then moved his long finer on the position on Wario's neck, if was still present behind the huge cleft chin, " or the pig's neck?"

Wario's eyes widen, " Hey! Stop it, you oversized lizard! show some respec-"

Ridley's teeth gleamed, " or what? What are you going to do to earn the respect of a being who SLAUGHTERED planets for fun? Hmm? Well, I like you. You do not seem to be afraid of me, unlike other humans like Samus." He said the name in disdain. " But you are far too greedy, you would make such a good Pirate if you weren't a human..."

Wario's face relaxed, " That's funny, in one Ma-er, In one Party, where I came in uninvited, disguised as a Pirate to snatch away coins. Fitting!"

Ridley went silent, as he saw something dangling around Wario's neck. " Are you wearing the light bulb?"

" Yes, what's the problem with it?"

" Why? It looks dumb. There's no reason, and seeing it irritates me more, why did he send you and Wolf to receive it? and what matters is doing that he commands us to we just fight, until another order comes. What is he doing??"

Wario raises an eyebrow, and Ridley cuts him off: " I am talking about our ' Partner'. The thing he is doing must be so important, that he leaves us in the dark. What if, he's planning against us?"

Wario's teeth twisted in a mocky face, " Heh, you are getting paranoid, should I get the tinfoil hat?"

Ridley's face gleamed, " No." he said in a knife-sharp tone. " But I do wonder who will be at the top in the Tournament. I hope It's not Samus. Ugh." He looks up the scoreboard that is on the screen. Huh. It is going to be very interesting, the final is already starting... so quickly.

The Bout before the finale was on a falling platform, with a clock face.

The winner of the match will fight against Master Hand and Crazy Hand.

Lucas threw a PK thunder against Heinz, whose clay pigeon caught in mid-air causing it to explode.

Some meters from them, on the clock, face itself, Link threw a bomb against Pit, the latter screamed, as it flew past his wings. The bomb exploded, as one of Bayonetta's bullets hit it.

She smirked, and posed sexy, laying behind her were the Trophies, of Mario, and Ryu.

Link grips his sword tighter, and Pit, steadfast but trembling in his knees, faces the Umbra witch.

" Scared, pretty boys~?" she asked in a seductive song, Link gave her a hardened gaze, meanwhile Pit's cheeks reddened.

Pit then jumps forward and Bayonetta dances around Pit's miserable attempts to scratch her, and she playful shots wither bullets from her hands and feet.

Before long Pit was already riddled with holes, like cheese, and promptly turned into a trophy.

Link's face is still undeterred, as he takes a strong breath, and darts forward. Bayonetta, who smirked, reports with a kick, which Link dodges, and slashes across her clothing.

The witch groans, and Link seems to be on quicker feet.

She smirked, and let a storm of her kicking against him, Link pulled out his shield and got pushed a few inches back, behind him a blue explosion was heard, and he steeled his nerves.

Samus was behind him and was already charging up. Link let out a sigh. Great.

The missile was fired, Link quickly jumped to the side, and Bayonetta, with a smirk danced stylishly around it.

Link tightened his grip... he and both of them were now on the stage, the robotic replicas of the Angels of the world where Bayonetta comes from, flapping in the distance.

He was now ready for the Walzt between the bullets and missiles.

Sword strikes, missiles flew, and bullets hit. some fall off, another stab in the soft flesh, a kick into the back, jumping back on the legs, only to get punished by the array of violence.

Link breathes erratically and the heart pumps his blood, his replica sword's grip is drenched in his wet palm. Samus with some scratches on her armor was kneeling on her right knee, and Bayonetta swiped the sweat off her face flamboyantly.

" Making a Lady break a sweat. Ugh, I'd hope, my hair doesn't get sticky. What a strong boy you are, Link~"

Link could almost barf at the comment, he didn't really know why if it was that he was stunned by being talked to like this, or appalled, or annoyed. But he certainly knew that Samus was not enjoying it, he could feel how she was rolling her eyes under the helmet.

Before anyone could answer, the gasps of the crowd were being heard, and all three knew what it was. One second they were on the ground, the next they were in the air, having their weapons pointing at each other, their eyes fixed on the floating smash ball.

Again, sword slashes, missiles, and bullets were fired. Kicks and punches were made in the air, to get the one-way ticket to victory.

Then The ball smashed into pieces.

Bayonetta laughed, as the colorful flames radiated from her, and without delay her eyes glowed, and she seemed to move at a blinding speed.

She fires at Samus and kicks Link multiple times in the gut.

Link in the wave of pains, grab something hard and metallic.

Then a large portal opens under Bayonetta, red circles, black hair, and purple lighting.

A large monster, almost the doubles size of a large house, bounded by black hair, was roaring. It maw opens and starts to bite at Samus and Link, him griping the object harder.

The monster's jaw closed, crushing Samus under its teeth, Link heard the sound, as he fell, and landed on his back, the object he held was no longer in his hands, and he saw it drop behind the witch, as she strides toward him.

" Still breathing, pretty boy?", Samus's trophy falls on the clock's face, and Bayonetta smirks devilish. " you are quite tough I must say~."

Link saw the item he dropped, stirr and walked on two legs. Bayonetta seems not noticing yet.

" But you have bad luck, Mommy's going punish you, for being naughty. Bad boys get spanked, remember that~."

It inches closer, as a footfall of the witch get's closer to Link's own face, he can smell the burning fire from the object waft over.

Bayonetta smiles, " and get ready for the punishment-" Then the Bob-omb explodes, she gets flung away, falls without drama from the stage, and turns into a trophy.

Link was more perplexed than feeling victorious, that... shouldn't have worked, at all.

" GAME!!! LINK CAN RISE TO THE FINALE ROUND!!!" Master Hand bellows.

Then a light blinded him.

He was back in the Lobby, and Bayonetta gave him a sly smile, but he saw she was annoyed at her loss.

" You were lucky," she said in a honeyed voice and winked.

Link moves his shoulder. " Yeah pretty much, that was not fair, if I say so- those battles are too random, I bet even a Boklblin could win in those matches, and trust me: They make rocks or Pit look smart, which is not that much."

She smirked, shook his hand, and left.

The other fighters said their gratulations, some with smiles and thumbs ups, some more respectful and some...bitter, which was understandable than most wanted to go into the Finale.

Link spotted Mario sitting on one of the couches, and he approached him.

Mario sat on the couch, leaning on a purple pillow his head hunched over, as Link walked in front of his friend, he heard a slight snooze, and mumbling of: "Spaghetti, ravioli, Princess Peach...Necrozma..."

By the looks of it, Mario was exhausted, which finds Link odd, yet again given how much work he does, that is little to no surprise.

" Mario?" Link asked as poked him in the cheek.

Mario jerked by the finger poke, he let out a tired groan, and yet he kept his eyes closed.

"Who...was...that ?" he struggled to speak, and his cap moved. Cappy's eyes appeared.

" Link was poking you, Mario."

Mario slowly turned his head to Link, his eyes squinted, " what do...you need, Link?"

" Nothing." Link said with a neutral tone, " Just checking on you, I made it into the finale."

" Oh...That's good. Grantulations..." Mario tried to sound happy, but his tired body was almost too much. " Now...if you don't...mind... I want a snooze..."

Mario turns his head to the ground, and Link shakes his head. " Why are you so tired? I have never seen you like this."

He snorted. " Necrozma... I barely... slept because of him... I am thankful for Bayonetta for defeating me... I can now sleep for a moment... F.L.U.D.D?" He asked the Maschine he had placed on the Table in front of him.

Its nozzle moved and it spoke in a robotic voice: " Yes, Mario?"

" Can you...please, wake me up...after ten...minutes? I need...to...nap...fight...has...taken...s..o...much...energy..." he fell asleep and he began to mumble again.

" Geez, he so tired out." Cappy moaned, and Link silently nodded.

Mario, in his sleep, took off his cap or cappy in this case and lay down. " Necrozma must have drained his energetic lights out of him. " Link adds, as Cappy stares at Mario. " He looks so peaceful while sleeping... and his breath is so quiet it is almost unbearable, if it weren't for his mumbling, I would think he is dead."

Cappy looks at Link with an understandable, horrified expression. Link Realizing his mistake, answers quickly: " I am sorry, that one slipped out!"

" Don't say that! Even when had seen Mario being unfazed by some many dangerous things, I fear he will die one day, and even do not know him that long." Cappy's eyes darted around the hall, seemingly to look at any threat that could come to Mario.

Link gave the ghost a reassuring smile, " Don't worry, he will be fine."

F.L.U.D.D chimes in: " Positive: Mario being not in danger is near 94%. There is no need to worry."

Cappy let out a sigh of relief, and Link smiled at the hat ghost. " See? Nothing to be scared off."

" But..." Cappy stuttered, " I feel something bad...and Important is going to happen today, I do not what."

" Okay, when did you start to have that feeling?"Link's voice changed to a serious one, he and hopefully, Zelda had learned from the events of Calamity Ganon, that such feelings shouldn't be ignored, he felt a single tinge of worry creeping its ugly fingertips in his heart, " What does it feel like?"

Cappy's eyes closed in trying to remember, searching the words and found them: " It was right in the morning. An awful pang in my ghostly 'gut', and I feel like I am being observed by something, and I felt it so strong...at...ugh, the stage with the falling clock tower!"

" The Umbra tower? You've felt being watched? You are not talking about the audience, because you would've felt it before, and Mario told me you aren't that shy. Weren't that robotic angels? what else is there in your gut feeling?"

Cappy paused and had an answer: " It feels like.... something cold and scaly slithers around in my head, and I felt the most...when Mario sleeps, it almost that its presence in underneath us."

Link felt...strange, for an unknown reason the mere mention of being 'underneath' them, made the hair on his arm rise, his skin shiver, and his breath feel icy.

Is he feeling slightly...scared? But why and how the last time he felt afraid was....was...He needed to think that if he was once scared, his mind had suppressed it somehow. Was the calamity or when he found Nydra in its corruption by malice back in Hyrule? If it were so, he wasn't sure if the goosebumps back then weren't just from the cold.

" Link?" Cappy spoke with worry, and Link was interrupted in his thoughts.

" What?" He shook his head, and careful looks at Cappy, who seemed to be more calmer, " what is it?"

"... I think you should be bothered at this, you have the match with Master Hand and Crazy Hand, I and F.L.U.D.D will take up here, Mario regularly snoozes, and besides if something were to happen there are plenty enough heroes and noble fighters, who will jump in!"

" What is with the sudden change? Did you get over it so fast?" Link said puzzled, and Cappy winked with his eye.

He got up, and looked at Mario who still slept, poor guy. " Well, see you later then."

Link walked around, and so that some fighters were just talking, even Little Mac was calm and he was talking with Pit about dreams and hopes, and never giving up.

Link smiled inside his mind, he always liked the positive effect he had on others, and he continued to walk. Some fighters were bitter about not being able in the finale, and others, unsuringly, were angry and scoffed, which were mostly...the bad ones. Ugh, he couldn't still wrap his head around the fact that those evil beings and that greedy Wario are in the Tournament. It was more likely that Pigs could learn how to fly without wings than he accepted this strange and unreasonable choice made by those Hands.

Ridley and Ganondorf, like really? Both who committed great evil are allowed to be in the Tournament. This is so unbelievable, it is not even funny.

He shook his head. Nevermind, this tournament will be finished soon, and hopefully, the next time, The Hands know better.

The same similar Light appears around Link. He breathes in and out, slowly, picking his thoughts, and closes his eyes in determination.

He was Ready.

The stage he was on was named: The Final Destination. It was black, amber and blue. Part of rock and magical technology, like the ancient Sheikah. The sky above him was slightly red and pink, somewhere in the sky a cloud vortex was seen with an empty space in the middle. Dozens of sparks and tails of light floated between the many white clouds, and underneath a teal abyss was seen.

He heard two laughter, one was loud and demeaning, and the other was screaming and dripping with madness.

Link pulls his sword out of its sheath, and the shield is already in hand.

Master Hand folded his finger to a pistol, and the Fingertips glowed, Link jumped, and dodged one extending finger from Crazy Hand, The finger dug into the ground like a spear, and the stone broke off as He pulled his finger out again.

From Master Hand's finger, two golden bullets fired, Link side jumped, and he threw his Boomerang, hitting the middle finger, causing Master Hand to groan.

He heard Crazy Hand landing on the stage, his finger twitching violently, and he used his fingers to skittle across it as if he were a spider.

Link jumped, his feet barely touching the Hand, and was greeted by Fingers that closed around him, and it went dark.

The finger pressed on him and squeezed tight only to release, again, and again.

Link with the small space he had left, moved his sword and stabbed into the Glove.

Master Hand screams, and he lets Link go, and he Lands on his feet.

A small black vortex soared over Link's head, and Crazy Hand shrieked, he landed on the ground, right in front of Link and started to writhe around, as if he was having a seizure.

Link heard movement, and tried to sidestep, only to have a fist knocking into the entry of his body, making him fly.

He landed on the back, and jumped back on his feet, in time to see Master Hand's fingers erupt laser beams, and Crazy floated above him, and from his fingers bombs rained upon him.

Link pulled to his shield and blocked one of the lasers, a bomb fell near him, searing his back. He grinded his teeth in pain, as he reered forward, right into one laser.

It pushed him down, Link rolled over and it burned away some of his Pant.

Link stood up, just in time to dodge another Bullet from Master Hand, and Crazy Hand swiped across the stage like Link was just an annoying fly.

The fingers buried into his body like the stings of bees and LInk was flung again, but he held out the sword and impaled Master Hand, who screamed in pain, Link pulled it out, leaving a huge gap in the Glove. Crazy Hand laughed awkwardly and apologetically.

Link could feel the sweat collecting in his armpits, drenching the fabric. He pulls out his Bow and tensing the line lets go of the Arrow.

With a swirl, it pierced between Crazy Hand's middle finger and ring finger.

He shrieked, and Link grimaced at the hit. He quickly darted forward as Master Hand still recovering from the wound.

The sword was risen and penetrated the Glove. The Fabric ripped open, and with a bellow of insanity, Crazy Hand shook Link off and floated into the distance.

Small pillars of Light erupted from Crazy Hand and in an orange Light, he turned into a Trophy.

Master Hand makes a gnarled Sound, as Link faces his Palm.

Master Hand's finger curled up, and underneath the side a blue flame erupted, before long he was flying like a Rocket, and Link jumped in time, enough that Master Hand's middle finger grazed Link's Foot.

Link spun around while slashing, another wound appeared on the Glove, and other bullets were fired, barely missing Link at arm's length.

Then a roar and Master Hand flew into the and in the same manner as his Crazied brother, he imploded in a fire.

Link felt In his heart a raging fire, a current of joy, and He lifted Proudly the sword in the air.

He has won the Tournament.

Master Hand, who has changed back from his Trophy form was floating above Link.

With a booming voice, he spoke: " Link Fihàne. You've fought diligently, always having Courage in your Battles, you never waver, no matter how strong the enemy is. Yet you have respect and a sense of danger, as you are, despite your heroic bravery, you know that one shan't ever underestimate your enemies, but you did also demonstrate a strong will. I here I solemnly announce you, to be this tournament's winner."

Link fell his one his right knee with respect, in his mind, it wasn't necessary to jump up and down for a title....even if he was tempted by the idea.

He looked up and saw the trophy of his victory floating toward him in a white sphere. It was golden with lines, and purple roots on its bronze surface.

On a plaque stood:' You, the one who won that Thropy, you Possess a determined and strong-willed heart, one who will beat strongly. You've earned it fully. Take with a pounding heart.'

Link smirked a little, how fluffy that text is, he imagined the reactions of the likes of Bowser or Wario who would've gotten that. Probably hilarious.

He stood up and took it into his hands. Looking closer he notices it had several small red and green stars on the bronze, which from a distance were hard to see, and they seem vaguely form a constellation...of something Sleek, like A head and just a tail.

Link held it tighter with a slight hop, and carried it out.

He was back in the hall again, where the fighters almost swarmed him to catch a glance at his Prize, not noticing how Link was sweating, and he quickly placed it down on the Table where everyone could see it and Touch it. While he sank himself into the Couch."

"Uff so exhausting.", Link huffs and turns to Mario, who seems to have teleported right beside Link, " You're feeling better?"

Mario stretches his limbs, " Could be better, but I'll take it." He yawns before resting his head on his hands, " How was the fight?"

" Good. Sweaty and very exhausted. The Hands always look weak, and surprise, they are tougher than a rock. I almost lost. But I won. How's Necrozma?"

Mario pauses before opening his mouth, " Good actually. E.gadd did have an Idea of helping him out. I wonder if it works. But other than that, he is fine. I am pretty sure he is going to be Okay. Oh." Mario said as they saw a Trainer in a Red cap come toward them.

" Hey, guys!", Said Ash Ketchum with a cheeky grin, and Pikachu greeted them too. " What's up, Champ?" he pointed at Link who lazily waved his hand around.

" Tired."

" That's okay.", Ash laughed, " Do you mind me joining?"

Both Link and Mario just nodded their head, and he sat down. " Pretty long week, was it? Felt like years."

Mario moves his body more comfortably, " Yes, but to me it felt more like months."

" Really? you two must've been bored.", Said Link as he leaned forward, " To me, it felt like just days."

Mario looked at Link in silence before he responded: " yep, everyone has a different sense of their own personal time. It was pretty long and short for me, I mostly took naps in between my tasks and battles. Which reminds me of something. Ash, what are your responsibilities as a Pokémon Master?"

Ash pauses before signing, " Ufff....uhm. There isn't any."

Mario lifted his eyebrow while Link eyed Ash, " No one before me was a Pokémon Master...so there isn't anything more than that. I know I got a trophy, but there's no clear answer to what it means to be a Pokémon Master. So I decided, to be a master one has to be friends with every Pokémon out there!"

" Oh...a title that means nothing then, but out of Nothing infinite things can be born from. You have earned much freedom of that, Ash." Said Mario calmly, as his eyes radiated wisdom and knowledge, and Ash and Link gazed at him with surprise.

" That...was surprisingly wise of you.", Said Link with awe, " why are you so... thoughtful?"

Mario let out a warm chuckle, " That's called being attentive and humble! You could try if you want to. Speaking of attention, do you like the Trophy? I know the other fighters are pretty over their head of the design and I want to ask you: Is there something bothering you about it? Since Master Hand created it and asked me to ask you this, and the text was with the help of Akira, what are your thoughts about it?"

Link presses his lips in thought then he answers: " It looks good. I am a bit puzzled why it's bronze, but it adds more to the golden lines and the purple 'roots'. I also like the addition of the small red and green stars, which are hard to see. But overall I like it for what it simply is- a symbol of Victory. Nothing more or less. The text I find it... a tad bit...what's the word. Cheesy?"

Mario beams a grin, " Yep that line is cheesy, but that was mild in comparison. Mamma mia. Some of them are so cheesy you could use them as a cheese replacement. But the stars, I did not know about the stars. Can I see them?"

At the time no fighter was touching and looking at the trophy, Link pointed with his fingers at the stars, Mario squinted his eyes in concentration, and Ash tried to see it too.

Mario went silent for a moment before he answered, " Serpens." Link and Ash stared at him with confusion.

" Serpens, what's that?" Ash asked.

Mario smiles wide, " Serpens. The star constellation of the Snake. How a curious choice by Master Hand. I wonder...maybe it slithered on the trophy?" He laughed heartily.

" You know about the stars? You're like Zelda when she is observing the night sky," added Link, and Mario's eyes shine with longing.

" Yes, I do. I like the stars. What would I give to go star gazing with all of you in your respective worlds."

Ash and Link looked at Mario with surprise in their eyes, and Link slowly spoke, " You do? Do you want us to gather to look at the stars? It does sound nice."

" Yes, I agree." Ash chimed in "Something that is just as relaxing. Besides the star Island and Aloha... We didn't do much together besides battling each other, right?"

" You are right...", Mario said solemnly "It would be nice if weren't just seeing us in the tournaments. It is the only reason why I am even looking forward to them in the first place. To see all you."

" You really must like us." Said Link, and Mario, again, nodded.

Link looked at the Trophy one more time, and wondered if they would ever visit each other as much as they pleased.

He did drive in one of Mario's go-kart races, if he remembers right, with Orenji, Ao, and Isabelle. This was done and achieved with a little help from Master Hand, Crazy Hand, and Power Stars, Peach had called them. Only that one time and Rosalina said it took many Power Stars for them to open that Portal for so Long. It was oddly fun, Link Imagined the joyful chaos, and shouting, if the rest of the Fighter were on those Races as well. Link also wanted to experience those 'parties' Mario and his Friends always did, it sounded exciting and thrilling.

Link sighed. They could count themselves so lucky to have at least gone to the star island to the Mushroom kingdom two years ago, and to Aloha in Ash's world. He understood why Mario craved their bonds, it's almost so irritating and frustrating to be so close and yet so far away from each other in different worlds. If he had a wish, he'd wish that all worlds are in a state of connectedness. Happy, peaceful, and be together strong.

Link sighed thoughtfully, and He looked at the trophy again, Serpens... why does it feel important? To him, it feels like no coincidence that the stars are red and green, serpens. It feels like in the future they are going to find out about it...and it will turn the world upside down.

As he almost finished the thought a sudden shake was felt through the castle, knocking off some of the vases without shattering.

Link, Mario, and Ash jumped off the couch. The fighters gave each other confused looks, and the castle shook again.

Almost guided by an unhearable command they'd run out of the door, and Link quickly lost sight of Mario in the crowd, wondering if Mario could get crushed underneath the wave of fighters.

They burst through the door, Bayonetta smiled and said playfully: " It seems we have uninvited guests over."

She pointed her gun toward the sky, and Link followed with his eyes.

It was no longer blue, but golden, and a dozen beings with wings were in the sky...the same angels on the stage.

" What the?!", Terry shouted as he looked into the sky" What is going on? did we insult a God?"

Pac-man squeezes his eyes in terror, while Akira sighs, " I think the chaotic nature of the tournament was insulting for them enough."

" Heh. Could always get a new challenge", Sonic said, stretching his legs, while the Belmonts had their face determined, yet in their eyes were sparkles of Confusion.

" I do not want to ruin it, but", Banjo added, " does this not put us on the naughty list if we bash angels?"

Maximell shivers, " But I've worked so hard to be helpful! I do not want to be on the naughty list!" he moaned

Little Mac looked at the kid and bear perplexed, " Is that your only concern? I think there is a bigger problem than the naughty list."

Kazooie appeared from the blue bag, looking up at the angels: " Whatever, let's shoot those chickens down!"

Jeanne laughed, " I like that bird, she knows what naughty girls like us do!", she chimed.

Peach looked around and neared Link, " Where is Mario?" she asked with worry, and Link shrugged in response. How would he know? He has lost sight of him, Mario could be anywhere, but Link knew that Mario must have planned something.

" People", A voice boomed, it has a divinity in the tone and yet was piercing like an icicle in their ears, and the fighters looked up. They saw a huge creature with two heads, that were Dragons, one on the right had a blue jewel on its forehead, and the left had a red one. the two necks ended into a marble human face that was upside down.

Its mouth moved and with each word, it penetrated their ears, " You have two umbra witches and a dozen beings of Darkness among your ranks. Hand them over and be blessed by the Light of Paradiso."

" The hell? What the eff are you talking about?", Ryuji yelled as he points at the Angels with a rising rage, " we ain't gonna give someone who is 'dark' to you!"

Akira smirked, while Morgana hopped, " Yeah! We've defeated Angels one time, we won't fall for it! What do you actually want from us?"

The Large Angel's eyes grimaced for a moment before voiding out that feeling. " You carry sullied hearts, if you do not wish for the blessing... then simply be purged by it. The Light can't be smeared by small Rebells."

Some of the smaller Angels began to descend, their weapons ready and so were the fighters.

Marth let out a sigh, " I suppose to negotiate would've been a fruitless endeavor." He pulled out his sword, and leaped in the Air, with a golden elegant swipe, Falchion managed to graze on the marble arm of the smaller angel.

Pit, with an apologizing look on his face, strikes to, but is blocked by another Angel's golden weapon.

The Angel scoffs, " What a Hypocrite you are. You claim to serve the divine, yet here you are defending them. You should feel disgusted, but we will forgive you if you help us cleanse them." " it replied with controlled scorn.

" That's rich coming from you!", screamed Fox Mccloud as fired with his pistol, hitting an Angel in the face with the laser " You are the ones who appeared and attacked us first place!"

Another Angel appeared, this time it was larger than the smaller one, and had a larger blue cloth dropping, which had purple-black complicated lines, " Silence Beast!" It swang its Golden Weapon at Fox, who side stepped.

Link gripped his sword and dashed to the angels, he slashed.

The Larger Angel dodged the blade, and it only managed to rip some of the fabric in a clean cut.

Sonic spin dashed into the angel, and the other Angels were finally in fighting distance.

The fighters where ready.

Lucas and Ness fired with Pk Fire hitting some of the smaller ones, and setting their clothes on fire, which they panicked to put out.

Little Mac, Ryu, Ken, and Terry toward a small group and rain fists on them, one smaller, yanked his weapon and threw away three leaving only Little Mac.

Little Mac breathes in and out, his mind sharpens as the Angels grip its weapon tighter.

He jumped up as the Angel swang its weapon, the golden rod almost touching his boot soles, and with a swift punch, hit square in the beak of the Angel, which staggered a bit back.

Even if Mac was one of the weaker fighters, he was one of the quicker ones. As soon he landed on the ground, without wasting another second, he dashed into the air, giving the Angel a nice uppercut, its fleshy tongue flopping out of his mouth, like an exhausted dog.

Before Little Mac could manage another punch, Ken Master gave the Angel a flying kick into its torso.

" Not bad." He said while giving Little Mac an acknowledging nod, " You have great potential in the future."

The Angel regained its bearings before a voice shouted: " Hadoken!!" A flame. A blue flame hit and seared the Angel's feathers, as Ryu regained his fighting stance.

" Cursed hearts!" The Angel shouted as another Angel appeared right beside it, wearing Red armor plates, with a golden Sword, and shield.

Jeane, who was dangling many small ones with Bayonetta in the air, kicking and smashing them around like balloons in a dazzling dance on a ball, hums. " Oh, an Ardor! You naughty boys have caught the attention of the principalities. I bet you can handle it like the Green hero with the Applaud, but keep those un lady-behaving Affinites at bay, they do not like to have fun~"

The Ardor's arm crocked, and swang the sword. All three jumped into the air, and carried out, a small combination of kicks and quick punches. The Ardor's red shield blocked them in time as the fists tried to connect with the body, making a loud clang of muscles meeting metal.

The shield was pushed forward to push away all three, and the Ardor made a quick slash, creating a gap in Ken's chest, whose face grimaced at the newly bloodless wound.

" Ow...That's what I call a gash. " He bit his lip, and Little Mac looked at him with worry and horror.

Before he could make a move, the Ardor was right in front of him and tried for a dash attack, only for a blue ball appearing, and kicking it back with a swift kick. Causing the Ardor to sway backward.

" Hey! Pay attention to the action, Mac!" Sonic said as he sprinted away to save Isabelle, who was dodging the assaults, from another attack of an Affinity that she wasn't seeing in time.

Little Mac grinded his teeth and began to charge up his attack, while Ryu, without a Word understood, started to Punch the Ardor who was still recovering from the hit. Fists on red.

With a quick jerk in his leg, Little Mac jumped forward, the Ardor let a small grunt, and tried to push away Ryu. But Ryu clung on, letting Little Mac a small opening, which he flashed through, and gave the Ardor, a strong uppercut on the beak.

The Ador's head quickly swung backwards, before shaking the headache away.

Little Mac's eyes grew. If that only did so much little damage.... how would they take on the rest of the whole bunch?!

He looked at Ryu, who was determined as ever, and Little Mac knew, that if they lost,(except Bayonetta and Jeane, who were more than fine) they would not go in defeat without trying.

The Ardors growls yet again, readying his sword, and strikes.

Cloud flashes in with a quick step, his enormous buster sword blocks the Golden one. " Not so fast, Asshole.", He pushed back the Ador, from where a growl was heard inside the Body.

Cloud looks back at Little Mac and Ken, who seemed to hold at the wound still grimacing from the pain.

" Are you alright?" He said in an almost nonchalant tone with a hint of concern. Ken tried to give a thumbs up but failed to hide the shaking in the arm. Cloud sighs annoyed, and his eyes fixated on Little Mac. " Just watch of him not passing out. You seem fast enough."

Little Mac was taken aback by the answer but agreed to the request with a nod.

Cloud fastens his grip on the sword, blood flowing in his Arm.

He started to remember the SOLDIER trainings, and the Adventures he did, and swang his Sword.

Pushed away the Golden Weapon of the Ador, who Shriek as it fell out his hand, but before it could Retort back, the Buster Sword Impaled it.

" Inconcviabl-" It tried to scream before it illuminated, and turned into Could's surprise into a Trophy. It's frozen elegantly on a Golden pedestal.

Underneath with a grow and red light, a portal Opened, and Cloud Jumped backward. Many hungry hands appeared around the Trophy and dragged the defeated Ardor into the Ground, closing it, to be never be seen again...in the foreseeable future.

Cloud looked back at Little Mac, his stare showing respect and awe, with Ken smiling co*cky at Cloud and Ryu.

" That was amazing." Suttered Little Mac, to which Cloud sighed.

" C'mon, you three did the most work, I just managed to swoop in time." Cloud crossed his arms.

They heard some skittering as Link slid backward to them, The Applaud running toward them, in its trail several Affnites carrying what seemed to be like... Trumpets and some other thing, what was it called again? Sousaphone?

Cloud rose in confusion and shook his head, he never was good in Music.

He looked at Little Mac, Ryu, Ken, and Link. " Get ready, the Party is far from over."

One of the Affinities put his mouth against the Trumpet and fired a sphere of energy, making a high-pitched musical note, soaring in their direction.

Cloud Jumped over the sphere and could see How the sphere hit King Dededde, who was walking other affinities with a hammer, square in his body. A shrill tone was heard, and Dedede's eyes almost bludges out of his head, as he held his mittens over his ears.

Cloud landed and swung his sword to block the Applaud's weapon.

It snapped with its beak at Cloud, as the Affnites came closer to them, Little Mac Focused on the one who had fired the Music sphere at King Dedede and started to box.

He looked at Link, who had both a shield and a sword ready.

Link Dashed forward with a scream, the Applaud tried to kick him, but he leaped in the Air, trying to stab the head through.

the Applaud managed to push away, Cloud, and its weapon to smash Link away from its Face. Link landed on his feet, his face red from the blood flooding his head.

His legs buckle, and Cloud runs toward him. " How long have you been fighting it?"

" Too...long. " Link's voice sounded rasps, and Cloud already imaging that his heart was beating faster than an engine, " The Finale of Tournament...is taking a toll on me."

Cloud breaths out of frustration, " Great...that's just fantastic. We need to figure something out fast, we can't keep up with this."

He looked over King Deede having his tongue hanging from his mouth in exhaustion, Kirby and Meta knight floating and jumping around to shield the King.

Cloud saw Heinz and Mara, where dodging, and barely getting any shots on the Angels, while Maximell was running around, Fiana was attacking with...hoops, and with a normal soccer ball she headbutted. That woman is crazy about how seriously she takes her getting fit methods.

Then there was Pac-man who was hopping around, which Cloud was guessing was his way, of trying to find a good angle to assault. Samus who managed to doge a beam that was fired by one...the Sousaphones...

It was not looking good for them, and there was also that huger Angel in the sky with those two dragon heads, it was lucky that it had not attacked yet. He Could hear farting, and knew it was Wario, and heard another, what he assumed to be gagging sounds.

Cloud turns his head, to investigate, and sees the following: There was a green fog near the water, where multiple Affinites had their clawed hands holding at their Marble throats, and trying their hardest not to barf their stomachs out. Wario, who was laughing confidently started to throw fist after fist, even managing to throw some of the unfortunate in the Air.

He was readying himself to jump into the air before Ganondorf simply kicked him away, where the former just shouted, and the latter's hands were Engulfed in purple flames, with a strong sprint, he dashed to one Affinites, grabbed at their neck, and with a disgustingly crunch, it turned into a trophy.

Orenji who was tensed up before, and was firing with her Orange ink, looked at Ganondorf with horror.

Cloud just simply shook his head, well, it was good that some of the bad ones were on their side, For now.

Peach was floating around in her umbrella, and Paultena waving her rod, Cloud was gritting his teeth, they were just too many. Captain Falcon was at the point of time, flaming like a gas stove, kicking and punching The Angels with his famous ' Falcon Punch' and 'Falcon Kicks', Terry was jumping and side-stepping around, with a tired smirk on his face, and Daisy, who to his surprise was full engaged with pummeling them with her strong rear, and was fluid in her motion, despite the obvious that she was wearing a dress. Aerith could learn a thing or two from her.

But as he looked and dodged the attacks of The applaud and the Instrument-wielding Affinites, what was a truly strange thing, noticed something odd... even if he had a full gaze despite the chaos, didn't see Mario nor Luigi, who for no doubt would have joined the Fray.

" Seiten Taisei!!!", screams a gruff and yet youthful voice, which is recognized as, Ryuji, one of those...Phantom Thieves.

He was walking into Cloud's view, and he was now wearing a jacket, yellow gloves, a red ascot flapping almost loosely from his neck, and black shoes. His face adores a mask similar to a skull.

Behind him was his persona, a monkey-like being who was standing on a Cloud, with a red rod, that had the number' 8000K' written on it, in hand, it seemed to be waiting for Ryuji's input. " Give 'em hell! Ziongna!"

Seiten Taisei swayed its rod and a small thunderstrike hit the Applaud wings first, and its movement seemed to be ceased for a moment. The Electricity was coursing through the damaged clothes and it crackled.

Ryuji turns to Cloud with a confident smirk, " Pretty cool? Yeah?"

" You sure it is enough?" Cloud said with a slight indifference, he admitted inside his mind, that Ryuji managed at least paralyze the Applaud.

Link wasted no time, and slashed on the hapless Applaud with a scream, the blade gleaming in the Light of the sky.

Cloud jumps in with his buster sword, and both of them gleam in their slashes, as they finish off the Applaud, and it also turns into a trophy, that was then dragged into another red portal...its Fate is unclear.

" Thank Hylia. " Link huffs, as his knee buckles, and Cloud manages to catch him from falling. " You did...good."

Ryuji smiled and gave a thumbs up, " No problem for me. But get some rest we, the Phantom Thieves watch your back."

Link gave a weak nod, his eyes fluttered, and Cloud dragged him to Eleven, who stood in front of Link, no word was exchanged, as Cloud put Link down.

Marth joined Cloud, and pointed with his Sword at Mewtwo, who was flinging some of the Affnites with his Telekinesis, throwing flails and axes around, while the angel feathers were strewn all over the ground.

" Alright, lead the way." Marth nodded with his head in silence and dashed forward with his Falchion, and Cloud leaped holding the buster sword.

They swung their swords, blended dancing, metal slicing, but for each fallen and taken Angel, even more, Affinities appear not unlike ants, whose nest has been disturbed.

" Does this ever end?!" Ash shouted as Charizard, Squirell, Bulbasaur, Grenija, and Pikachu attacked various Angels as individual parts.

Akira who had joined the Fight was firing multiple spells, and shouting "Eigaon!" in rapid succession, and it was taking a toll already. The Other Thieves had only their Personas out and used their abilities to attack the Angels that got too close. Cloud saw that one Makoto seemed to hold back, he could see in her eyes, the burning fury of a fighter. But due to them having no single weapon they only use those Personas, which was draining them, like Akira.

" Zoro! Garu!" yelled Morgona, his strangely humanoid Persona with a black cloth and silver plates, it swung its Rapier, and a gush of sharp wind gashed the wings of a bunch of Affinites that were encroaching Ann, who was wearing a red-tight skin suit, with a panter-eared mask and tail.

Ann let out a sigh of Relief, as she summoned her Persona in a red dress and black pigtails, like tornadoes, and a bunch of crackling small explosions formed under other Applauds. " Thanks for the Help, Morganna!"

Morgana's cat ears twitched a little, before two small lines of red, somehow appeared on his white fur, his eyes closed for a moment before he said yearningly: " All for you, lady Ann. I will protect you forever."

Ann, who seemed to be oblivious to his confession, turns to Haru. " Damn! How long can we keep this? There are way too many!!"

" We have to stay together. Do not give up!" Haru said in a determined and firm voice, her noble hat's feather flowing in the wind " We had such situations like this!"

Yusuke uses his Persona to freeze some of the trumpet-playing Affinites, eyes squeezed from strain. " Forgive me for being gloom-ridden, but I fear we might have some difficulties of keeping up...ugh, I should've eaten Breakfast." He held his stomach from hunger, his attached Foxtail dangling from his rear, and his Fox mask almost slipping off.

" Dude! That Food is free! You don't have to pay, and yet you still eat so little?!" yelled Ryuji bewildered, as Seiten Taisei performed another Lighting. " C'mon, don't tell me you ate just an apple yesterday!"

Makoto boxes him in his arm, as her eye glared daggers at him. " Aggrue about that later! Focus!! Futuaba, do you have any ideas that may help?"

Cloud looked around to see where she was, and her voice came from a... machine that was in the shape of a flying saucer. " Nope. There are way too fast, to get any good readings! We're under-leveled! Keep my back free, I don't think they're going to ignore me!"

An Applaud tries to sneak behind the Saucer, and Cloud reacts quick by Jumping into the air and slamming it into the ground with a shout.

" Do not give up. Keep Going.", Cloud said to the Phantom thieves, and they nodded in response.

Cloud was readying his sword again, seeing how Mr.Game and Watch, was throwing his two-dimensional projectiles, and R.O.B. firing lasers, and he felt his fatigue creeping in his arms, the whole tournament and this attack were sapping them all well. Except, of course, Bayonetta and Jeane, who let many Angels get dragged to wherever the hell the portals lead to in the same rapid succession of rain. But Cloud could feel that even they were getting tired. One was from the Tournament, the latter perhaps of not fighting and training in the last six days.

A Sausphone-playing Affynity was hurled toward Cloud, and he kicked back to the sender, was King K.Rool, who probably was just shooting them away randomly, and Donkey Kong, who also flung them away, but throwing his arms and the likes, while Diddy Kong's weapon of choice where peanuts. Where Cloud is wondering if that biological ammunition is even doing any good against the angels, whose body is protected by layers of marble, and he hasn't ever heard of any cases of peanuts shattering minerals so far... but it wouldn't be that surprising given the whole situation, and the very colorful diversity of the Fighters.

He swung his sword, again, His breathing labored. Then he heard the door of the Castle being flung open, and two white-gloved hands came out. Fists balled and flew like two rockets through the horde of marble. Explosions of dozen lights as if they were fireworks blinded the fighters as the sound of trophies rang in their ears.

Cloud saw something more surprising, on both of the Gloves were spots of Red and green, the latter was screaming, and holding onto the second Hand, who chuckled madly, while Red was sitting on Master hand, with a Huge Sack behind him.

" Mario! Luigi!" Exclaimed Peach, where her Face was warming up with relief. Mario gave a quick thumbs up, and with a nod to Luigi, who was still screaming, he grabbed the sack, and both Jumped down.

The Sack fell with a thud, several things rattled inside, and before long Mario was untying the golden knot, without waiting for them to set a question.

" Wowowow! What you got there?!" yelped Pit out loud.

Mario without turning around has Fludd on his back, while both floating hands where Busy slapping the Angels away, says. " Something I am not sure it will work. I am still surprised we've managed to fit all of this in that bag and the closet. Mamma mia."

" The closet...? Wait, you mean the Janitor's closet?" Ash called out, " I knew something about it was odd, you two spent the day in there, in and out!"

Mario's just nodded, and Fludd's nozzle moved. " It is a very, very risky move, as due to the lack of proper information, there's no guarantee it will affect you. Due that all of you came from different worlds"

The sack falls to reveal a heap of Items, some have been used in the Tournament, but most were unfamiliar to the Fighters.

" What are those?" Asked someone in the fighter group.

Luigi stared at the one in the crowd and shrugged. " Items of our worlds. After the third time of incident in the tournament, the master core. We've realized something, according to the motto of, uh, 'one is an accident, two a coincidence, and a third is a pattern.' and we've decided to try our luck, and bring those items in case something like this happens again."

David nodded surprised at how Luigi knew about that motto at all, as it was not a very well or in better said words, an acknowledged rule of coincidences, but he shook his head. There are more pressing matters than this, and he admires them both, while Luigi, is even more planning. Clearly, Luigi wasn't just second bananas.

Luigi grabbed an orange mushroom, with two beady eyes, and a yellow propeller on its cap. Luigi then threw it toward Pit and instructed him to eat it while grabbing for another Item, a brown leaf.

Pit ate the shroom and a bright light engulfed, while Luigi handed over the Leaf to Robin, and he was familiar with the leaf, as it was used in the tournament itself.

" What in the heck? How you do look ?!" Kazooie shrieked at Pit, who was wearing a white flight suit, brown shoes, and a helmet with a yellow propeller on top. His wings looked from his back

Pit blinked at Kazooie confused. " Huh? what's wrong with that? Do I have something on my face?"

" You Look like an absolute idiot!"

Mario faced them again, face palmed at the exact time, as Master Hand swiped many Angels away. " Mamma Mia, Luigi! I've said you should give Pit the Cape feather!"

Luigi's eyes dropped, and Mario quickly shook his head. "Never mind, what's done is done. Our Plan was and is to give you Power-ups to face, whatever threat would have shown up, in that case..." Mario pauses and looks at the angels who get shot by Master Hand's bullets and Crazy Hand's seizures, " Uh...un-lovely Angels. and yes those items were stored in the Janitor closet. They work so, that everyone can quickly grab an Item, their usage isn't that complicated, you get used to it fast. The Hands can't fight all angels for all eternity, the knuckles are going to hurt soon."

Each Fighter grabbed one of the power-ups and an Item from the tournament, swords, baseball bats, Lip's sticks, explosives, and the like, and they stormed the angels with those objects in hand.

Cloud saw how Robin had now gained two additional ears on his Head, and a big fluffy striped brown tail, and flew in the crowd with stretched-out arms, it looked weird, but it was useful, that was, what he at least learned at the tournament.

Robin fired multiple slashes of wind spells, as he dodged in the air, and two Affinites were hurled down, and beaten up by Ryu and Mac without any mercy.

He then saw how Mega Man fired a rotating leaf shield at an Applaud and its clothes were shredded by the leaves, and screamed.

Lucas who had a yellow feather (which he presumed was the aforementioned Cape feather) disappeared in a patch of smoke, and Lucas gained a yellow cape, like the one Mario uses to reflect the attack. A musical sphere was hurled into his direction and Lucas answered with a swift motion, and the sphere was hurled back.

The cape spread behind him, and Lucas, to his surprise was lifted into the air by Cape and he heplessy was flung into the air.

Cloud senses that The Angels will try to attack Lucas in his situation, and shortly his instinct proves to be correct, as they ready their golden spears to skewer him. Seeing those winged angels with the intent to stab the child triggered Cloud some unpleasant memories of a similar moment in his life, and without waiting for a second, he leaps into the air and intercepts the Angels' attack on Lucas.

His Buster-sword clashed with their divine golden weapons, and Lucas let sigh out of relief. " Thanks. " Lucas mutters, as he tries to grab the edges of his golden cape. " I need to get control over it. "

" No Thanks needed", as Cloud tried to push back the Angels and stare at them dead in their faces, gnarling his teeth. " You're trying your best, kept at it."

Lucas managed to grab it with his fingers, and he glided to the ground, and Cloud Pushed back the Angel, and slashed it.

Akira also had a yellow cape, and in one hand he holed onto the cape over him like it was a parachute, in the other he was fringing his pistols, damaging two applauds. Impressive, but not masterful like Bayonetta who was dancing around the Angels, shooting and kicking with everything, while Holding a Lip's stick, and blooming flowers appear on The Angels' faces and they are slowly sucking their energy out. Snake was holding a Steel Diver gun, which was formed like a submarine, and fired torpedoes, which at first moved slowly before it got fast and imploded in contact with multiple Angels.

Angels after Angel got defeated and dragged into the Portals, and now the Larger one seems to getting involved too, as one of the Dragon heads reared back and spitting fire.

Several yellow, blue, pink, and white Pikimns were heard screaming, and only the red ones were unmarred, some of them, Cloud could see, shielding others by standing in front of them.

Daisy Jumped to the side, and Ash's Squirtle used Water Gun, The Ice Climbers and Yusuke used Ice against the torrent, creating a fog of molten Ice and water.

" Enough of this. Be cleansed from sin at one." The Angel boomed those words with poison dripping from the marble lips, " So despicable, so rebellious. May Julibeus grace you all, and may the subjected abomination to Paradiso's Light eradicate you all. Your Time is descending in mere moments."

'Abomination'? Cloud thought is a growing concern. What Abomination?

The Angel slowly flies down and fires balls of fire, Pit, who is still in the Propeller suit, dodges the flames, and spirals around trying his hardest not to hurl. Sonic dashed to Toon-Link who was about to be Hit by a large jet of fire.

Snake, consumed an Ice flower, his clothing changed from grey to an icy blue, and his boots became winter shoes.

He opened his palm and fired ice-shaped balls that froze some of the Angels, he gruffest as he looked at his hands, shook his head quickly, and muttered to himself " Nothing has changed, huh? Just the enemy has but not the battle."

The Angel landed on the ground, and the second dragon's head spits out more fireballs. " So Fortitudo has finally joined the party. You should feel ashamed for letting a lady wait." Bayonetta grins, as she fires a bullet, which the first dragon head took the hit.

Mario dashes forward, his hand engulfed in flames, and Mario jumps into the air, soaring to Fortitudo, whose expression changes. " Another huma- wait, what is thi-" He was interrupted by Mario's fire, searing his marble eyes.

Fortitduos screams, and a small laser hits the other eye. Mario and the Fighter in front turn around, and Cloud's eyes follow suit.

Necrozma was floating in front of the open entrance, his black prismatic arm stretched in the direction of Fortitudo.

" You..." Fortitudo snarled, forgetting Mario as he saw the Pokemon, " A disgraceful thief! FIEND!!! HOW DARE TO DISRUPT OR-" Necrozma dashed forward, his Claws glowing in sliver light, and trying to swipe the Angel in the face, Cloud noticed an odd device on his chest, it had a logo of the head of a man with only a stripe hair on it and glasses. The Device itself has multiple small solar panels, that bend easily in the quick movements of Necrozma and do not break off.

" Silence!" Necrozma's voice growled at Fortitudo, as he damaged one of the Dragons' necks, " I will side with those who saved me. Cease your attack, there are other ways to end, than violence. " He said the last word like a pleading or a threat, Cloud wasn't sure, as the voice was echoing oddly.

Necrozma's hand glowed as fired a teal-colored laser missing Fortitudo by meters. " I should have not ceased my aim practice. " he cursed under his breath and fired another one.

Mario jumped sideways, dodging a fireball from Fortitudo, and kicking against the Mouth. " So you're helping now, Necrozma? Neat, that thing you have is probably made by E.gadd."

His palm opens and a fireball hits Fortitudo in the face, which Cloud exploits to Slash at the Face.

Fortitudo roared, and one of the heads swang its neck, Cloud, Mario, and Luigi jumped in time, while other Angels and some of the Fighters, others dodged or ducked in time.

Banjo jumped forward, holding a golden feather with eyes in his palms. It glows and vanishes into the Kazooie's wings, they shine and she holds the wings in front of Banjo, who charges at Fortitudo, with determination.

It hit the Nose of Fortitudo, and Kazooie taunted with a shrill " Is that all you've got? Show me something good, Ugly Nugget!"

Fortitudo's eyes grimaced, and then they shinned triumphantly, as a sudden change was felt through the air.

The sky changed from gold to orange and slowly became a deep crimson red, purple electricity crackles across the air, and clouds depart.

" What in the world?" Corrin said while she punched away another Affinity in her dragon form.

A strong gust of wind came crashing down, blowing away Kirby, Morgana, and Ness away. Kirby rolled in the direction of the Castle wall, and also some of the Angels too.

Futaba was gasping from inside her Persona. " Guys! There is a huge power spike up in the air!"

" This ain't sound good!" Ryuji trembled as he kicked away another Affinity, and near him Ridley had impaled an Applaud with his barbed tail and was smiling cruelly, seemingly ignoring the oncoming danger, he tilted his gaze to spot something interesting. To which Cloud did not see what, as Ridley seemed to sprint forward to it.

Cloud looked up and saw a coiled-up-like structure in the sky. It was descending, its color was a bright shade of red or pink, having dark rings and spikes that were exerting outwards as if They were needles trying to impale the air itself, its body was lengthy like a snake. Black tendrils were wrapped around the slender part, and In the middle of the coil was a glowing pink sphere in a cage of even sharper spikes. The front of the slender part was hard to see down here, but Cloud felt an energy like a stone pushing down on him. Was that the Ambonation that Fortitudo spoke about? The one they have subjected? If yes, what could it do, and why did they do it? They must be really confident or desperate to defeat the darkness, and the Umbra witches: Bayonetta and Jeanne. This is going to be tough sh*t, Cloud was sure of that.

Cloud cranked his head to see Necrozma was looking up to it. While his face was pretty featureless to read his emotions, him looking up at the thing, Cloud was certain that Naecrozma was trying to find out what it was exactly.

" Help!" Luigi screams as one of the Affinites seems to corner Luigi, one of them is trying to sneak behind him, while three have their weapons pointed at him. Cloud seeing this goes into a spring, before being interrupted by an Applaud, who is fighting Bowser, and his fiery breath forces Cloud to jump back. " Watch it, you idiot!"

He curses himself. The Applaud now slows him down as it shifts its focus on him and Bowser's breath slowly burns out, due, probably, to exhaustion from the attacks.

Cloud saw Mario rushing toward his brother, jumping to the side to dodge the Applaud's leg, which was trying to kick him away.

" LET GO OF MY BETTER HALF!" Mario screams, inside his heart is a fit of anger. Mario didn't even think of what would happen to him nor why he was angry so much. Sure he always saved his brother from other attacks, but this felt so insulting, wrath-inducing. He wanted to peel off their wings, as a way to punish them for not doing their roles, and being his foes.

Mario managed to stomp on an Affinity, and he could feel the skull of the Angel slowly, cracking. Not enough. More, it needs more, they NEED to feel pai-

Mario's heart stopped, as he landed. His head began to throb. What is going on? what are....those feelings...? The pain in his head was like a hot needle, throbbing, stunning, his mind roared with disappointment....? why was he disappointed? The angels are not his....right? No, they are his enemies! Their light is so blinding, so mocking, so ridiculous-

His hands and fingers began to tremble, the corners of his face twisted and turned at the emotions.

"O...order.... ch...aos...", Mario spoke and gasped those words with an almost maddening obsession, " Orde...r and cha...os." He chuckles. As another Angel came closer, Luigi screamed as two arms trapped him under his own two. Something snapped.

Mario's mind blanked out. He leaped into the air, trapped one of the Angel's weapons, and pushed to the horrid being's neck, and with a swift motion. It felt limp and turned into a trophy, with a cold piercing gaze, Mario shifted his gaze to the others, a flame roaring through his Palm.

Two attacked, Mario hopped around the two, and the first one met with his shoe, cracking the chest as it was flung. The second one opens its mouth to say something, and Mario coldly, shoves his fire-induced hand into's maw, and the fireball erupts. The second one turned into a trophy as well, which was then claimed by the Hands of the Portals.

The last two were shaking, and Luigi's eyes rose in horror, only then also turning cold. With a sudden and mysterious surge, Luigi turns around, twisting the Angel's arms, which leads out an ear-piercing shriek, startling the other one.

It turned around, only for Mario to crush the head, the moment its neck was cranked it flashed into a trophy, and as Luigi turned around, the Angel that previously held him a mere moment said in a terrified voice: " W-what are you, two?" It slowly steps back, as Mario and Luigi go silently and slowly walk to it.

Its 'face' was boobing at them, like a terrified chicken realizing that is about to be killed. " Y...your souls....what are those.... they are.... they are....by Jubileus....you are monster...and yet...my heart wishes me for your forgivenes-" it was shot in the head as Jeanne shot with her sick moves, and Cloud came to the aid.

" Still need some help?" Cloud said as he landed in front of them both. He casually turns around, and his usual stoic expression softens to confusion. "Uhm...hey? You two alright?"

Mario's Mind woke up again, Mario blinked confused as though he woke up from a horrid nightmare. " Hmmm? what? Oh no, I am fine." He looked around, and Luigi staggered puzzled.

" T-thanks for saving me, bro."

"That's good!" Mario gave a thumbs up, and he turned to the being " What do you think this is?" He says with usual determination, unaware of the brutal execution before.

Cloud folded his arms, " I dunno, do you have an-" A sudden hear was heard and all three turned around, behind the Angel who got shot in the head, which got turned into a trophy, a portal opened, but instead of the ground it was in the Air, and a tentacle trapped the Angel, and vanished as quick as it appears.

Luigi let out a blunt " Wow...how much is going to happen today?"

" I have seen weirder stuff," Cloud said rising in annoyance, and then turned back to the thing in the air.

Mario's hums, and F.L.U.D.D on back, soared to life. " Callibarating, calibrating."

"Huh? When did he shut off?" Mario asked with confusion, " Did the Thing in the sky cause him to shut down? Mamma Mia, that thing is more powerful than it looks."

Luigi who was silent for the money gave a realization. " Uh...where's Cappy, Mario?"

"Cappy? He was looking for the others and bringing them to safety. Like Sojiro, and the likes, they can't fight, even if we gave them the Items, which we now know would work. But they lack experience in battling such...foes. I am sure, he'll show up soon, and join, even if I'd rather have him not fight them. But, hey! Can't stop him."

Luigi stammers before answering, " A-are we just going to ignore and forget what happened to the Angel?"

"Yes, we can't do much or figure out, where that portal led, and we have bigger problems. So whatever those portals are, they can do much as they want, as long they take the Angels with them, they are fine to me."

F.L.U.D.D's nozzle dinged, " Finished Calibrating, strong spikes of Unknown energies detected. Recommend caution."

Mario gave a thumbs up, " We'll find out in time what the thing above is. Let's go!"

Mario ran up and jumped at Applaud's head with a Jump, Cloud stabbed it with his buster sword, and Luigi landed on the neck of the Applaud. While it was distracted, Cloud pulled his sword in a sharp diagonally right, making a huge gap, and the Applaud turned into another trophy.

Mario gave a thumbs up to Luigi and Cloud.

They do it with other Affinites and Applauds, with Bowser begrudgingly Helping with his shell, causing the Angels to trip over, and Meganman who was bombarding them with bombs, and now and then, grenade of Snake, who now also was wearing a cape.

Necrozma was still firing and swiping at Fortitudo, and the solar panels on Necrozma seemed to glow and as the same his prismatic body. Mario wondered inbtween his flight and his Jumps, what the pannels were for.

An Affinity who was pulling out its weapon and holding it in the air to impale him in the fall, has, even the lack of eyes, an enraged feeling emanating from it.

Mario pulled on the levers of F.L.U.D.D and the Nozzle changed into two smaller ones, from the nozzle came small squirts of water, splashing into the Affinity's face causing it to cough out the water that landed into his beak, and Mario hovered backward for some moments before he the water stopped, and he dove down with his fist stretched out in front of him.

A small crack was heard in his ears as his fist connected with the Affinity's head, and with a loud soaring scream, Eleven slammed his sword into the Affinity.

" Thanks!"

" You can spare it for later!" Eleven shouted as he held out his shield.

A fireball soared past Mario's cheek, searing a bit of his mustache, and exploded upon touching the shield. Eleven grinded his teeth at the now glowing shield, and Mario hissed in sympathy.

Mario changed the nozzle of F.L.U.D.D and squirted a small portion of water onto the glowing red fingers, and Eleven's pain-filled face slowly relaxed, while Cloud and Luigi blocked away any Angel that got too close to them.

The thing in the slowly was getting bigger and bigger, as it was closer to them. The energy felt similar to a heavy weight to them, and Mario could see on Cloud's face how it was pushing him slowly to his limits.

Mario looked at the others, as a wind was picking up strength, and his gaze turned to the structure again.

It moved... the coil unraveled itself and at the end of it, was an enormous hand, it opened its palm, and in the middle of the palm was an arranged structure of spiked and a white glowing orb, its five fingers also open, revealing tounges as it roared at them.

From the middle of the Palm, a small sphere of energy was being gathered, and with a soaring bang, it fired at the large portion of Angels and Fighters. It imploded in a swirling purple as the energy from before spiked even more.

Mario could feel How F.L.U.D.D was glitching out, and it spoke. " W-Warnining energy detected. B-Booting up defenses, due to collected data of the unknown energy... Calibrating. Caillibratining. Mario. The energy is through analysis ties to spatial and mass. Must collect more data to find more knowledge."

After the energy dissipated, he saw the fighters turned into Trophies: Palutena, Little Mac, Kirby, and Ken Masters. Not a huge bunch to Mario's surprise, and Sonic was already on it of turning them back. But Mario was certain in his heart if they did not take care of that thing, it would blast the-

Before he could finish off the thought the air dissorted around, as if it was a hot summer day, and then, it wrapped and groaned with the same energy.

The holes open in the Air, and there, are several things being seen, and Mario realizes those are Portals.

Inside the Portals, he saw Cloud on a bench staring into it with rising confusion, and motion sickness. It closed before Cloud reacted, in another one he saw Daisy standing up way too quickly, one showed a Floating Castle where dozens of ships were flying to it, he saw in the next portal the same thing that was floating in the air...and Necrozma floating near it? There were so many it would take too long to look at all of them, and they were gone before he could even manage to gaze a second at their other side.

" The thing must be disorting time.", Cloud said, as he ready's his sword. " The me on the bench was when I arrived here, I was dizzy as I saw it in the sky, back then. It must be the reason for the strange time distortion. We must do something."

Mario's fingers closed to a determined fist. " Then we do it... You and Luigi look after the others and plan a way to attack that thing. While I am trying to get close and understand how to defeat it." Mario commands his voice firm but falters softly. " But make sure of not utterly destroying it. Fortitudo had mentioned that they have subjected the abomination, and it sounds like the 'abomination' is forced to hurt us."

With those words, he gave Cloud and Luigi a reassuring and trusting look.

Mario dashes forward, and Jumps on Other Angels' heads, using the hover nozzle to float over the lake and getting closer and closer to the being.

The being's size was more enormous, and Mario could feel its power was slowly pushing him away. He hears a flapping of an Angel coming nearing from above, trying to hit him away from reaching it, not flying down but plummeting to him. Mario barely dodges the attack and fails to see the other one who manages to push him down.

The Wind soared around Mario's ears, as he tried to punch himself free, the hover nozzle was useless, and he couldn't get a hold of the grips of the levers of F.L.U.D.D. Another Affinity was coming closer and was about to impale him, from Mario's pocket a yellow balloon with the Letter 'P' on it fell out and landed in the Mouth of the Affinity.

Mario was glad he had picked the item up before fighting. He had planned to use it when it required him to fly but that will also work for what happens next.

The Affinity who had swallowed it, began to cough and gag. Its Marble Body started to inflate like a balloon, its legs, and the body slowly turned to useless, ranging, stumps, and its main body was swollen.

The Angel floated helplessly away. Mario knew that either the Being's power would get rid of it or that the transformation would be undone, no matter what, it gave Mario plenty of time to free himself.

Mario was wiggling around and tried to kick the Angel, which tightened its grip on him. It did not take long before both splashed into the water. The feeling of the water hit them into their bodies like a blunt weapon, and the Angel let go.

Mario swam up, the surface breaking and air hit his face. Water poured at his nose, but something grabbed his ankle before he could inhale the air. The Angel of before was trying to drag him under the surface, probably trying to get them both to drown and turn into trophies.

Mario pulled the lever, switching the nozzle again. Thank the stars that E.gadd thought of making it possible that F.L.U.D.D has now multiple Nozzles, that at his vacation on Isle Delfino always had to pick out of certain blocks. The rocket nozzle was on his back, and with a tug on the lever, a huge jet of highly pressured water shot out of it, and Mario was flung out of the water.

He looked down and saw how the Angel fought to get to the surface, thrashing his wet wings out of the water. Mario just shook his head. Why are they even trying to attack them? Couldn't they just accept that their view was wrong, and that the world isn't simply white and black?

Mario sighed. Not the time to think about it, he was already falling. He switched back to the hover nozzle and got to his actual goal closer.

The Hand of the being seems to Notice Mario and growls again

As quickly as he could, Mario tried to look for any weaknesses the being could have. The hand-collected energy again, and F.L.U.D.D was beeping danger.

He noticed that right in the middle of the core in the cage was a golden halo etched into the white or bright pink, like a burned sigil. Strangely it wasn't even the most noticeable thing, it was a small green plant bud, on top of said core.

Mario raises his eyebrow in confusion. he knew that the halo was like one of the Angels, meaning that the Being indeed was enslaved and turned into a weapon by the Angels. But the Bud, why was it 'growing' on the core? The Angel, he was certain, did not plant it there. Why would they? The other Angels do not have anything plant-like on them, save for the golden laurels unless they were just golden metal, molded, and shaped after said plant, not the plant that had been turned into gold. Did the bud simple grew there?

He looked closer. It almost looked like the healing sprout from the tournament, making the whole situation bizarre.

The Energy grew increasingly, and to Mario's horror, F.L.U.D.D shut down and plummeted.

"Mamma Mia!!! No!" He yelped as he fell. He saw an Applaud nearing him with great speed, and something white was nearing behind it, almost quicker than the Applaud. The dot was screaming, it grew louder and louder. It turns from a speck to a hat-shaped thing with red eyes.

" CAPPY!!!" Mario screamed at his companion as he reached out his hand, trying to get ready to catch him. He had hatched a plan that may help him out.

Cappy reached his hand, jumped into his cap, and Mario. He threw his iconic red cap on the Applaud almost as fast as a light switch. " Please, work."

His cap landed on the Applaud who managed to grunt confused, Mario sighed to his relief, his body sighed golden and stretched out like rubber as he got sucked into the Applaud's head.

He was pushed into the water without his hat and thrown around, his arms and legs flailed around helplessly like he was in a washing machine, Mario's mouth agape to a surprising scream. He was in, the first step was done!

Mario was on the way to the mind of the Applaud, memories and thoughts swam past him. In one of them, he saw the light of Paradiso. A place in which the sky is pure golden and white, feathers gently fly around like snow, the islands in lush green, and the floating rocks levitate in an orderly rhythm of peace. It was the Applaud's home, it was nice. Mario could feel the joy and a sense of wanting to go there at the sight of the place.

Another memory: the Applaud saw visions, which seemed to be Fortitudo looming in the distance, of how Bayonetta and Jeanne brutally killed their brothers. Their demons ripped apart some, some screamed in the name of the Great Jubilee, and some were despairing for failing their purpose.

Mario could feel how a rope tightened around his heart as a snare. The fear of failure. Mario was all too familiar with that fear. He was a hero, the bravest in the mushroom kingdom, the one who always is in the aid of others, the one compassionate, and the one...who is seen as the symbol of hope and liberty.

While those were great titles of acknowledgment and adornment... Mario is scared of failing. He is afraid of saving Peach, the Toads, and getting hurt by the likes of Bowser. he is afraid of letting everyone down when he is supposed the one in whom they put faith in him. He is the big bro that Luigi looks up to, and he is... Necrozma's caretaker... The rope tightens even more on his heart, threatening to squish it to mush. His mouth twitched in almost pain like he was an animal being pierced by a knife, or caught in a trap.

As he swam through the flow, the liquid vibrates. A strong current pushed against his mustache. " what the?" Mario barely said with energy, the force was going like a moving wall.

He realizes in his horror, that The applause was trying to force him out. " Mortal..." It spoke with a contempt similar to a distance storm, " You and your brother are so tainted with the grime of Sin, and yet you persist as you were a determined low bug or a disease... If I even could call you that. You and others out on the castle have felled many of my brothers, the two witches having the greatest numbers of slayed Angels. You all are so despicable and so, unpure...But You and your brother...Oh, you two." Its voice lowers to a hateful snarl, as Mario tries to swim against the sudden stream of the water. " You two are more wretched than those witches ever will be. I despise myself so much for even admitting that I almost rather want to be devoured by the demons of Inferno instead of being honest, but I am more terrified of you than the pain that awaits me after my defeat. Your heart is sullied, I- no, we had desired beforehand to try to guide you. Still, you two are so committed to your 'freedom' to your 'heroics' that it is almost like a jester against The great Julibee's power, and yet, even if I fought among the ranks of Paradiso, I wonder, what are you both? You are not a mere 'mortal' I can sense that.." The Applaud pauses, and Mario is forcing his 'body' through the water.

Mario wondered what the Angel was blabbering about. It sounded desperate to get Mario too confused and distracted so that it could push him out. But Mario felt an odd feeling or rather a feeling he knew what it was, but not knowing for what. It was almost like the feeling of a child being caught having their hand in the jar but not knowing why they had their fingers' hand inside the jar in the first place. Mario's forehand wrinkled at the strain of the flow, Mario shook his head as he got closer slower to the mind, it was like trying to swim against a raging storm, he pushed away his confusion at the strange ramblings of the Angel, it was irrelevant to think about them he could it later, and The Applaud resumed his speech.

"...You and your brother have seen and felt much pain, and mistreatment. It is a pity you still choose to fight for the sake of others, it is wasted, but it is too late to Join forces in the Name of Julibee. You are tainted...But I digress, I know what you are trying to do, and I regret saying this...But it is impressive that you try to possess me." It said with an almost unsettling uncaring tone like an old computer, " I am impressed, not even those two witches managed to do that to a single Angels of Paradiso, and yet you did that. Wretch. I will no longer try to resist your encroaching grip, as I already lacked the true will for the exchange for serving Julibee."

Mario's face wrinkles at the words, and a cold feeling slides down his back. Do those Angels have no free will? They serve that Julibee, or had served it ( Master Hand had provided him some files on some of the fighters, so he and his brother knew, what they could and how to handle them,) Bayonetta had murdered Julibee, by punching that Godess into the sun in her world. He let out a shiver out of realization, The Applaud seemed to laugh at his reaction.

" Afraid? How amusing... You also give up your desires in exchange for serving others...But no matter....come and claim me...."

Suddenly the current stopped, and Mario to his shock was flung into the light, which was the Applaud's mind, and with a last word, he said. " Claim me, tainted and sinful ser-" The last word was cut off before Mario was blinded.

He opened his eyes and saw that Thing was starting to finish its charge. Mario out of reflex jumped to the size, and the flapping of the wings startled him for a moment, causing him to stumble in the air weirdly.

" Shoot.", he said with the rattled voice of the Applaud, and the Being beam barely grazed at his Mamor body, he could still feel his mustache on the beak of Applaud, almost tickling his mouth like a pair of feathers.

After the beam landed in front of the castle and imploded a bit, Mario decided and remembered that he should return to the others, and wanted to ask someone if they knew of the sprout on the being head. It was far more important than what the Applaud said to him, he didn't matter as much as the whole battle was more relevant.

As he flapped his wings, having the experience of using the wings of captured Paragoombas on his odyssey worldwide, he glided over the lake, the Golden weapon in his hand, and was amazed at how the body felt. The muscles under the marble beat in a divine rhythm, the blood veins flowed harmoniously, and the air dancing around the feathers felt amazing. He breathed in and out, letting the oxygen course through his beak, the tongue felt cool. He dangled his newfound weapon between his four fingers, while unusually, he quickly got used to lacking the fifth finger.

He got closer and saw Cloud assisting Necrozma with slashes, and he fired light against Fortitudo. Mario also noticed a large heap of Angels turned into trophies, probably from the beam. Mario was in his thoughts shaking his head, he couldn't for the best of his ability not know why The angels decided to Subujagted that being, if the only thing it does is to make chaos. It hits more their own than rather their targets: The fighters. Either they have lost their mind or they are that desperate to Kill Bayonetta, and the rest, so much, so that they are willing to get themselves caught in the fire.

Luigi was jumping on some of the Applauds, and Link assisted him with the swords and Bombs, Near was Little Mac hitting other Affinities.

Mario was now gripping his weapon harder, its gold rubbing against the mamored hand. His muscles tighten like a string of chains, and prepared to swing it at an Angel.

His staff was intercepted by a sword, which was held, by his greatest surprise, in a scaly purple hand: Ridley's.

He smiled cruelly and his eyes were half on the sword he Held and Mario, to which Mario guessed, belonged to an Ardor that had dropped in its defeat. " What a neat dirty trick you have, Mario. " Ridley says it amusingly, almost like he was singing, "A bit amateurish to just waltz in, and just assuming no one will attack you in that form. You are lucky, that I am having too much fun slicing those Lifes with that weapon of them. In a way, I like it, and the Faces of shock and horror when I use the weapon that belonged to their former' brethren.' It is a lot of fun. So I will let you go." Ridley says, and he pulls the sword away, Mario, trying to push Ridley away, hurls himself into the ground. He could feel how the hard ground pushed the Mamor into his flesh like a hard lid of metal.

He heard Ridley chuckle darkly, and he heard something being stabbed by his barbed tail or his newfound toy. " Come at me! I will happily destroy any piece of hope you have!!!" His voice was almost similar to a royalty who had fallen into a maddening glee.

Mario slowly stumbles up, using his staff to assist himself. The Place was covered in holes in the snow-white ground, burning marks, and magma that was about to cool down and was already black at some points.

He heard feet quickly dribbling toward him, and Mario Looked up to see a bunch of fighters. Cloud's and Simon's stoic faces shoved genuine confusion at his form, Luigi smiled with pride, Akira with awe, and Little Mac's expression...was flatter than a flounder.

"I...Is that you, Mario?" Asked Akira with surprise, and as a means to gesture, Mario, feeling the need to be funny, showed a peace sign with his three fingers, which proved to be rather difficult, and made the gesture look half-strained and sloppy. " Yep, It's-a-me, Mario!"

Cloud just blinked, " was that necessary?" He sounded annoyed, which Mario couldn't blame him for, yet he caught a small smile on his stoic mouth's corners, " Okay, how'd you do it?"

" By throwing Cappy on The Applaud", His voice was the one of the Angel, loud and raspy like sandpaper. " Cappy and his people have the power to 'capture' beings, and can choose certain people or themselves to control their targets."

" And you just casually did that?" Akira looked surprised. his eyes full of respect and Mario gave a simple nod. " You are cool, you know that? Just taking control over an Angel like that."

Mario tried to smile with the beak-shaped mouth, it was pulling at his nerves like a dried rubber hose, and he quickly stopped.

"As I got closer to the abomination, I noticed that on its, presumably, The Core was a halo, like the Angels. Not world-changing I know, since we already know that they subjugated the being. But! An odd bud of a plant was growing on top of it, and I doubt the Angels have a hidden hobby or desire of tending greens on their enslaved victims. We could try to make it grow and see what happens." Mario ended his speech relaxed as if reading a simple text in a presentation.

Little Mac looked at him, " So you just want to bloom some random plant you've just seen, not knowing what it could do? I would say that you are insane or reckless, but you already did that by just trying to get closer to the thing. So I doubt I can stop you, so let's go."

Little Mac's blunt response caught Mario and the other fighters, and Mario let out a defeated sigh. " You're kinda right, my plan was not thought through. But I needed to know, and I knew it was a very risky move, and the next one was also a huge gamble. We do not know what could happen if the bud blooms, and we hope it may bring us luck against the Angels. So...do we have anything to make a plant bud bloom in an instant? Does anyone have some fertilizer or power to make Plants grow?"

" I dunno, perhaps Yoshi or..." Cloud shrugs before his eyes lit up, " Necrozma. He can manipulate light, right? wouldn't his light or laser be able to let the plants grow? Speaking of Light, can someone explain why he has those weird solar panels? What's up with them?"

" It may have to do with Light?" Akira speaks, " I haven't seen how he steals light, but if he is weak, he is pretty confident in fighting with us, you know? It may help him to collect more light for himself. He did mention to have something that I.gadd gave him to make it less painful, and I think it's Light."

Mario nodded, "Yep. He needs light against his pain. So we have to try to get Fortitudo from Necrozma's turf, and Necrozma is going to use some vital Light against the bud, and we see what will happen. We have to give it at least a try, we're about being outnumbered and drained, and I am reaching and picking any straws that even look remotely useful."

"We can do this, come on!"." Said Little Ma in confidence, and raised his arm in an awakened determination, Mario liked how Mac burned with the hope of pulling this through he could of why Little Mac had more potential than most of the fighters think and say. Mario nodded in acknowledgment in his Applaud body.

Mario took flight, weapon in his arm, and started to dash through the crowd, hitting Angel after Angels, who were, unsurprisingly puzzled and perplexed of why one of their own suddenly began to attack them. That's until they noticed that their 'bother' suddenly was wearing a Red Cap with the Letter 'M' on its head, and suddenly had grown a mustache, that flapped in the air, and they've counted two and two. They screamed in a brew of Fearing a man having Possessed an Angel, the confusion of how it was even possible, and the Anger of Mario just taking one of their own against them.

Sonic rolled and kicked into the Angels, who were distracted by Mario. Sonic Jumped off an Angel hurling it toward Donkey Kong who smashed it in the ground so hard it made an explosion of white marble and brown dirt, spraying the air.

" Hey, Mario!" Sonic said snapping his finger while in the air, his teeth glowed in that cheeky smile of his. " Gott a new haircut? you look awesome!"

Mario just a dried chuckle through his beak, and He swung his weapon again to knock an approaching Affinity behind Sonic. " Thanks for the compliment, Sonic. Let's help Necrozma out. I need him to do a certain thing, and Fotitudo is kinda in the way. How do you think it takes to distract that Huge Angel?"

" Not so much I am sure, we're beating that thing, and send it to the sky it came from!! No big deal, just be careful of not being turned into a trophy!"

Sonic leaped into the air and turned himself into a blue sphere, the wind whirred around him. He then launched himself to Fortitudo's dragon heads which were charging up for another jet of lava, targeting Lucas.

Sonic with a short and small bang crashed into the Head causing it to rear back in rage, and the charged attack imploded in the face of it.

" How dare you, Foul beast?!" Fortitudo screams and his piercing white marble eyes glare swords at Sonic.

He responded with a small tsk tsk, and moved his finger smug. " Me foul? nuh-huh! If I were Foul, I would be fatter and sink more than Eggman. That is a Fact!"

Necrozma who noticed that Fortitudo was distracted fired another colored laser, this time a purple one, and hit the Angel in the face. It was staggered, and his legs buckled, and the turned-up side down face grimaces. " Cursed Traitor of Light..." he spat venom as his eyes locked at Necrozma.

" a' traitor'..." Necrozma repeated the words with a confused tone in his raspy voice " From what I am the traitor for? The Light? Light is simply a form that exists in the void of the space outside of this Planet, it can not think of its own, and neither can be betrayed in the slightest. So I must be a 'traitor' to you then."

Fortitduo's eyes widen with a boiling rage, even ignoring Sonic's Marth, and Ness's, who joined Sonic's cause, assaults on his staggered movement " Light is a 'simple' form?!" He said the word with white-hot fury " How dare to mock the divine order of the LIGHT?!?!"

This time Necrozma's voice rises, " 'Divine order'? The only 'order' I see here is your twisted judgment! When was Light orderly? The dozen stars out there glow and shoot flames when they desire to do so. I had lived enough in space to see, that Suns appear out of tone-less explosions of birth, they can give warm and annihilate planets. Light can bring life and sear it to ashes. But even seeing all that stars can do, I never thought of them belonging to your so-called' order'. You must be truly living in the clouds if you believe that." Necrozma's voice had risen in volume and was firm. it took Mario off guard, as he was shy, recluse, and felt so measly in the last days and yesterday, and now he was here Floating right in the middle of attacking Angels, Fighter who throw every move and item around in the collage of explosions and the sounds of Thropies like a rock amidst the crashing waves, sounding like a Judge to a being, who ironically, had passed its own 'judgment' on them.

Something felt familiar to Mario, that odd mysterious feeling....Mario couldn't pin down the emotions. Was it anger? confusion? Coldness? But... the strangest parts of what his heart felt, like a creeping mold or a suddenly stunning smell of a small thing being burned black by a short forgetfulness of something in the oven...it was...sadness...and guilt? Why? Mario thought to himself, for what does he feel guilty for? He doesn't know the angels personally.

He shook his head again in a growing frustration. NO. He needed to focus and put his Light on the things that matter more than those...useless emotions. Mario's emotions quickly turned to Pride as he saw that Necrozma was talking down to Fortitudo, he paused now, and he could of how that huge Angel was silently fuming and Gnarling his brain behind that unmoving marble face.

Mamma mia...Necrozma surely had grown or changed for the better, didn't he? The Wings of the Captured Applaud he now occupies flapped more of the feeling he felt.

After a long quietness, which was even a miracle amidst the chaos and the attacks of Sonic, Mart, and Ness's PSI abilities, Fortitduo spat out a shout. " WE CANNOT BE WRONG. YOU ARE FILTH. YOU SHALL BURN IN INFERNO FOR WHAT YOU ARE WORTH!!!" The booming voice seeing the three flying. Shouting came from them, even Sonic, whose Eyes widened in surprise.

Mario reacted fast, and his strong arms grabbed Sonic and Ness. Their weight almost broke his flight in the air, while Marth managed to get his Footing by slamming the Blade of Falchion into the ground like a pickaxe.

"Thanks for the Catch man!" Sonic gave a thumbs-up.

Ness groans from the throw and after the sudden stop, " Are you okay?"

" Yes, I am." Mario replies while the strain of his voice is heard, " Marth, you good too?"

" Certainly." Marth pulled himself on his sword up. " It appears that Necrozma now has angered the Angels greatly. What is the next step of your plan?"

Mario's neck lengthens to hear Marth, which he needs to get used to. " Telling Necrozma to use light on a plant bud on that 'Ambonation's' head, and see what happens."

" What?" Marth almost spat out as his eyes widened. " Do you know how reckless that is? This is madness!"

Mario tilted the long neck, " I know it is, but we don't have much of a choice. It is either continue fighting until we drop 'dead' or we risk it and do something crazy." the wings dropped a bit.

Marth sighed exhaustedly, " I hate to submit, but you are correct. We must risk it, or we may face possible destruction. We must now cause Necrozma to his powers on the bud without letting the enemy know." Marth raised his sword and dashed forward, blade gleaming.

Mario flew closer. Ness and Sonic ran past him, the latter focused on any Angels that tried to get closer to Marth, and the former was busy assaulting any distant enemies who tried to ambush other fighters, who were distracted.

Ash, who was too focused to give commands and reassurances to his Pokemon failed to notice an Applaud trying to impale him above. Ness shouted " PK Thunder!" and above his red cap a small sphere of crackling white and blue electricity appeared. He directed with physics waves of his own brainwaves to the Applaud's chests. It shrieks and Ash's Pikachu notices the Angel, he jumps up and gives the Applaud an Iron Tail on his beak.

Ash looked up, and he stepped aside as he noticed the Applaud plummeting down on him. He gave Ness a thankful nod and changed his gaze to his Greninja.

Mario was flapping faster to reach Necrozma who kept firing lasers at Fortitudo, who in the meantime, haw already back in the air. Flames meet the Light, and Necrozma swayed around to not get hit by the scorching fire.

Mario uses his weapon to deter any Angels who try to bring him down from the air, he hits some square in their faces, even sometimes folding their wings awful and rendering them useless. Mario shudders as a thought comes to his head, if they wouldn't be in the world of trophies and instead any other. This whole battlefield would have been drenched in complete red and flesh.

He gagged as he felt certain things inside his marble throat come up like some spider crawling inside. Not lingering on those thoughts, or he's going to vomit off whatever does beings have eaten today...if they even eat in the first place.

Mario looked at Necrozma in an attempt to think of something else. He notices that even after Necrozma has judged them, he seems to still holding back. He fired lasers but only appeared to make Fortitudo stop, and Mario realized what he was trying to do. Necrozma is trying to reason with him, and perhaps only to plan to defeat him and make Fortitudo hopeful to listen to him. Mario wasn't wondering from what, or rather whom he got the idea.

Necrozma scratched at the Angel as Mario got closer, and Necrozma sensing him approaching twirled around, a sphere of color hovering above Necrozma's claw was mere inches away from Mario.

Mario quickly realizes what Necrozma was about to unleash, and shouts: " Necrozma! Wait, it's me!!!".

Necrozma turned around and the sphere flew into a bunch of Affinites, whose screams were drowned in a beaming explosion. " Mario? What has occurred to your appearance, my Friend?"

Necrozma then let out a wheeze, seemingly as his way to clear his throat. " I meant, what happened to your body? Force of habit." Mario rolled his eyes, Necrozma due to his long time spent here, was slowly talking less divine and more like the Fighters themselves, but Mario didn't have the patience to mind it and spoke again.

" I took control of the Body with the help of Cappy. I need your Light for something, Necrozma."

Mario held his white arm out, and Necrozma followed it. He pointed to a small spot of green of the abomination. " You want me to be to fire light on this? Are you sure, that is wis-a good idea?" Necrozma's voice was slowly filled with concern, probably thinking if his friend and caretaker had, perhaps, gone mad.

" I know that is an absolutely horrid plan, maybe one of the worst ones I ever made. But I feel that is the right decision we could make. The best one." Mario said with firm determination as if he would already know the outcome.

Necrozma went into silence, he looked up at the creature in the sky, and Mario noted that his eyes emitted a confusion of said being's appearance. Necrozma's voice spoke without breaking his gaze from the creature. " I'll do it, but I need more light. If we wait long enough, I may even go in my true form and give more light to the spot you've pointed to."

Mario smiled and lifted off to help against Fortitudo. Rod in hand, and he started to hit the blue dragon head, who was trying to bite Ness.

The rod clanged with the armor of the head like thunder, the neck bent downward as if it was a wet rag on a clothes rag. It wasn't enough to make bruises but would cause some swollen muscles underneath the white material and blue metal.

Fortitudo's face snapped in his direction, and the blade-sharp hatred was so impaling that Mario 'jumped' backward in the air out of shock, Cappy's eyes reappeared on his cap and gasped in surprise.

"YOU." His voice rolls him over as a tidal wave like Mario was a pebble, throwing it around beneath water. "YOU DARE TO POSSESS ONE OF US? AN ACT THAT NOT EVEN BAYONETTA HERSELF COULD EVEN HAVE DONE HERSELF. YOU ARE TRULY TAINTED. PERHAPS I NEED TO SUBJUGATE YOUR MIND AS WELL."

Then with a loud ringing sound the marble eyes began to glow, and Mario's widened. He felt something divine and burning reaching his head; throbbing it like his brain was something to be touched. He and Cappy scream in a terrified duet....and it stops before it reaches its finale.

Necrozma managed to interrupt Fortitudo by ramming into him. The Marble let out an awful crack.

Fortitudo screams in agonizing, and possible pain that burned like ember. Glass on the windows of the castle imploded a dangerous rain of glittering shrapnel. Mario placed his Hands on the sides of the head he occupied.

He looked at Angel, and one of the Eyes was cracked and smashed by the sledgehammer that was Necrozma's body. He could already imagine how it would bleed so much of a fountain of red. It didn't and, luckily, will never.

Cappy was breathing, and his eyes widened. " M-Mario, what was that?"

" You're fine, everything is okay," Mario said and placed his hand on the cap, stroking his friend under the fabric. He was careful not to dig into him with his golden claws.

Speaking of which, Necrozma gave Fortitudo scratches like he was a cat.

Mario flew toward Fortitudo and aimed for the red dragon's head. The weapon was used again this time to hit the mouth, and a few golden teeth were sent flying, and the greedy eyes of Wario would soon find them, and he would steal them.

The head rears back but is punished for doing so by Mario, who hits his weapon horizontally on the face.

Mario looked down and saw Necrozma grappling the nose of the Angel, and trying to crush it with his prism hands—the grinding of stone ring in Mario's ears.

Fortitudo uses his two feet and pushes Necrozma away. A loud yell from Marth and he Jumped on the Nose of Fortitudo and left a bloodless wound. He looked at him with more Rage, and it was almost causing his marble face to thicken and possibly implode.

" GIVE IT UP!!!! BE PURGED FROM ALL OF THIS!" his claws dig into the ground, and Mario swears to see veins about to pop and pulse underneath the white.

Mario pauses in his thoughts. He... didn't have an actual plan, right... Necrozma only needs to get enough light and get a shot on that plant bud, all of this, based on the current situation needs luck, and luck afterward. He has no clue what will happen if they make the bud bloom. That is almost a bad move in a movie.

He looked down, Luigi was sprinting toward Fortitudo with Meta Knight behind him.

Meta Knight's sword gleams golden in the Light of the battle and slashes across the Angels, Luigi jumps on the Heads of those in front of him, giving Meta Knight openings.

Luigi almost danced in the air, if it weren't for the fact that it was fluttering his feet like a beetle on its back. He kicked one Angel in the legs or rather jumped on it.

The angels roared, and Luigi gave Mario a thumbs-up. " good job Weegie." Mario's raspy voice scratches against his throat in the pride of seeing his bro fighting through.

His heart swells up from adoration, He keeps getting better and better. Mario knew that Luigi may even have the potential to surpass him. Luigi's eyes and soul were so full of light, and his yet hidden potential slept in the void of his mind. Mario feels the wonder of a child eyeing a neatly packed Christmas present not knowing what was inside.

A green fireball from Luigi's palm was hit across an Affinity, and Meta Knight came forth to slay it.

Mario's view shifted to Necrozma and he saw that his panels had small red lights underneath them. Did they finish gathering light? they were solar panels after all.

Necrozma growls in acknowledgment and he spreads out his arms as a whistling sound emits from them. Small white wisps of light emerged from the ground near Necrozma's body, swirling upwards to his body, which now began to glow slowly.

The black body was becoming golden and white. His body was dismantling itself and his parts were floating around, the panels gleaming in an orange light.

Golden mineral rearranges glow on Necrozma's true and shimmering body. He roared, his voice echoing as a booming wave over the lake.

Fortitudo stared at Necrozma with wrath at what he perceived as a desecration of Light. He stormed to Necrozma.

Necrozma replied with a swift motion of his wings and weightlessly dodged Fortitudo, his jaw with sharp teeth, open. He bites on the upside-down nose of his, the marble cracks awfully, and Fortitudo bellows.

The nose broke to pieces With a strong, almost feral yank of Necrozma's mouth. Mario opened the maw of the Applaud he was steering, tongue hanging out to the sheer nose brutality that had unfolded in front of his face. He instinctively tried to grab his nose out of discomfort and felt the marble snout forgetting that his nose was safe.

Necrozma fired a beam of Light from his mouth on Fortitudo, who had too little reaction time to evade. It hit him fully on his surface, coating into a burned coal blackness.

He then swipes with his claws on his feet and arm to scratch many gaps in the Fortitudo. Mario sensing a Cue flew to it and assisted Necrozma with his close-range weapon hitting.

The metal clangs against the damaged Marble, and soon Sonic, Marth, Meta-Knight, and Luigi joined in on the Assault.

Mario looked up at the Being in the sky and the Fingers seemed to shake and tilt confused. Mario's brain was hit by a train of thought, was it eyeing Necrozma? what is their connection?

Before he could notice more of the 'tongues' or what he suspected were the eyes, returning inside the fingers, almost too quickly and forced. It seems to Know Necrozma in some way—perhaps an ancient enemy, or a rival- No. Mario shook in his mind the head. That couldn't be right, Necrozma would've known it, and it doesn't appear he has seen it before...right? Necrozma did for a moment look up to it, with the same confusion the being has. Did it remind him of something or someone he cares about?

Mario's muscles tense up, they NEED to make the bud bloom, something inside him tells or rather screams just to do it. He wants and needs to know that the thing is, the behavior is mysterious and weird at worst, and he needs some clarity for the moment even if it means that the thing is just another threat they have to deal with!!

Mario jammed his weapon into Fortitudo again, and he roared once more. One of the still intact Dragon head's necks hurled itself against Mario, who only saw a churned Marble hit into his beak, and gets flung.

Mario felt a tug inside his body, and before he could yelp, he was already out of the Body of Applaud. Cappy was screaming and F.L.U.D.D was slowly stirring to life.

His movement was then abruptly stopped, and a small bubble embraced him in a shield. Mario turns and sees Rosalina have her star wand pointed at him, the starry tip glowing in a warm yet intense teal color. The Bubble slowly descended at the same time as her rod does.

" Are you alright?" Rosalina's tone is motherly and caring as the bubble dissolves, and Mario simply gives a thumbs up.

The Applaud on the ground stirs, but before it can get its bearings its head is impaled by the Sword that Ridley is still wielding. His tongue hung out as he saw how the Applaud turned into a trophy. In his gaze was the crazed look and yet inside was disappointment. Mario knew why, Ridley's throat yearned for blood, even if it was a mere droplet, he wanted to see their insides, the screams, their pain.

Ridley's eyes flutter in the rhythm of their language: they say that will wait, and when the chance appears Blood and gore galore!

Mario's body shivers at the Thought and he knows that he will indulge in that twisted desire or try to as soon he leaves the world of trophies.

Stone flew again as Necrozma was head budding Fortitudo and Cloud Nears Mario. " So is that How he looks like?"

Mario nodded to Cloud as he got back on his feet. " We are fortunate that Mario has taken care of him, and he trusts us." Roslina has rested the wand's tip on her palm, her eyes full of understanding and a bit of pride toward Mario.

" Yes you are right and It is also a good sign that Ridley is temporarily on our side...for now... mamma mia. " His voice lowers in concern that Ridley or worse Samus hears it, but it wouldn't matter anyway, she must accept that fact no matter how much she hates that Dragon.

Captain Falcon was pushing more Affinities, and his Crazy hand rolled over them, his fingers squirming around as if he was like an injured animal.

Peach, in her Pink catsuit after getting a cat bell, scratches every Angel she can see and find, with Jeane kicking them and shooting them to Kingdom Come.

Master Hand was burning them with the lasers. They shrieked as the blue lights seared and even punctured through some of them.

Mario readied himself and ran into the fray again. he jumped, kicked, and threw fireballs at the crowds of Angels, which was finally getting fewer and fewer.

His arm jerked as he gave an Affinity right hook after dodging flail, and a sun-shaped ball, attached to the golden chain, flew over Mario's head and hit an Applaud in the stomach. " Take that!! Give it up already!" Mario wasn't even sure to wich Angel he was shouting at it, or if even cared. He was to make sure that they heard his frustration and the fact that they couldn't win. They are embarrassing themselves.

Necrozma was roaring, and his tail pushed away some of the trumpet-wielding Affinities with his tails, and he started to try to aim at the sprout on the core of the being.

Fortitudo pushed him away, causing the light that had gathered in his jaw to fly off somewhere else. Hit many angels in the process and almost hit Snake, Peach, and Wario, who managed to use his motorbike, and the white-hot, glowing projectile seared its back tire.

Wario's forehead was covered in sweaty pearls, and it was as if he remembered a similar scenario involving flesh-vaporizing gleaming attacks. His widened eyes seemed to suggest that, Mario deeply thought. Full of nervousness and, a little pinch of fear as well. While he raised his right arm, The irises darted around on his fat face as they tried to locate any Angels that wanted to get close and getting A Knuckle sandwich a-la-Wario in their beaks.

Banjo and Kazooie fired grenade eggs against Fortitudo in an attempt to distract the Angel, giving the Other fighters a chance to hit him.

Mario jumps again over some heads and sees how Akira shoots them then slices some of them with his knife gracefully. Then he somersaults backward, and Tery's fists engulf them into flames and yells " Buster Wolf!" and unleashes a flurry of flame and hooks.

Snake, still in his Ice flower form shoots white balls of cold against the legs of Fortitudo, they freeze over in an icy vapor, and he shouts yet again.

Necrozma fired a beam into his face, reering the main body back, while the icy structure bound his feet.

Not wasting a chance, Mario yells to him, the voice almost loud like a general " Necrozma, NOW!"

Necrozma opens his mouth and a small ball of light forms. small enough to make a plant grow in an instant, before it got even bigger he fired it.

The ball of light flew in the direction of the Creature, it passed its 'fingers', the slender part, and reached the cage. It grazes the bud, the green reflecting the light slightly, like small mirrors and the leaves grow quickly. It got bigger and bigger. A blue flame slightly erupted and formed a blazing blue flower that had opened.

The Creature reared back, the hand was trembling as if it was cold, and the flame fluttered.

"N..." The creature began to stutter with a shaky voice, trying to speak and those words and letters were seemingly draining every piece of will to pierce through the mind control. " Ne..c" It sounded higher, less rough, more Female. " Ne..c..cr...c...crozm....Necrozma...T...there are...y-you..."

The flaming flower waxed and died...The creature's shaking ceased and its 'fingers' were stiff, with no sign of will anymore.

Mario was about to let out a sigh of disappointment, it appeared it was a waste of effort to make the bud bloom, but he saw that Necrozma's head was fixed on the creature. He hears small gasps of shock from Necrozma's mouth.

" What..." his voice was full of confusion, and shock, and yet sounded so hollow. " what," he repeated, his eyes began to gleam brighter with a strong red and blue. His jaw began to almost vibrate in sheer disbelief and emotion that was slowly surfacing, almost threatening his mouth to fall off, due to the strength of the emotion.

" You..." his voice was filling with the same flame Mario heard as they first met him in Aloha...oh no... " It can't be... It can't be..."

Necrozma's body intensive its glow, and Mario felt a slight heat that was raising up. Sweat started to collect on his forehead, running down like water droplets.

The stones he and the other fighters were standing on began to feel hot and some of the ice from attacks started to melt.

" How..." Necrozma was growling those words, " How...could you...? HOW COULD YOU." The water over the lake bubbles and a faint layer of steam lay over it.

Then a rage-filled scream came out of the glowing maw of Necrozma.

He then to Mario's widened eyes, filled to the brim with shock and concern, threw himself against Fortitudo and like a wild animal started to bite at his face of marble, even at one point bashing his snout against him. He flew away from Fortitudo, only to charge at him again, and Cloud jumped in time to the side, with a shocked gasp and his hand on his sword tense. Necrozma crashed into Fotitudo and managed to rip his legs from the icy prison and he carried them into the air, while he and Fortitudo were screaming like a duo in a song of wrath.

Luigi and Link ran toward Mario, Luigi's voice was full of fear and confusion. " Mario! What has gotten Necrozma so worked up out of the sudden?"

Mario wastes no time and spoke: " I dunno what exactly, but as the bud bloomed the Creature said his name, and along that it also said: 'There you are'. I suspect that both know each other somehow."

" Should we Do anything?" Link ask, his shield and Sword ready for defense in the case if the battle gets even more intense.

Mario with a firm look said, " We should look for cover or some distance, Necrozma is getting intense with Fortitudo. We have to move, and react to any possible light attacks that could come from Necrozma."

As soon he finished the line like he uttered a command, a jet of stone-melting Light hit close by, and Necrozma was bellowing in a rage, that had already surpassed his outburst on Aloha, where they had met him first. Where, four weeks prior, he was just a roaring black prism who attacked them.

Mario sighed with a warm feeling that was similar to bathing in the sun, a memory that had already become nostalgic,...where laid in that bed in the Pokemon center, and where he became a new friend of his.

They ran and gathered every fighter who was now too weak to fight exposed to the light. They passed Akira and Ryuji, where the latter smacked some of Affinites with a black baseball bat. Feathers were falling everywhere, and he occasionally fired bolts of electricity from his Persona.

Mario looked up as behind him Sonic, Ness, Marth, Captain Falco, Cloud, and Elven were prepared to deter or attempt any beams of Light that may fly in their direction. Pit looked with eyes so big as Melons to Necrozma's rampage while his dark reflection, Dark Pit, crossed his arms, and looked on the skirmish with half-boredom and curiosity.

Lady Paultena waved her hands, a shield erected around the fighters, that glowed in slight golden-violet tones Separating them from the Angels, and they watched the being in the sky fire another beam from the 'palm'.

A dozen Angels scream up in the explosion, Simon and Richter look to the trophy forms with a mixture of cold judgment and disappointment.

They looked at Necrozma and he bit one of the Dragon heads, they roared, and the Being's hand swayed around. The Angels' control over it wanes.

" He is really going at them," Kazooies replied with an almost cheeky tone, " Didn't think that shiny was that explosive."

Mario gave her just an acknowledging nod. some of the light's beams hit the barrier, causing some rippled run across it like it was rubber.

Necrozma flew or rather leaped off Fortitudo. He opens his mouth yet again and gathers Light.

A ball of Light engulfs his mouth, and Fortitudo tries to lift his talons to dig into him. The being's fingers jerked to the side, and hit Fortitudo, seemingly willingly hindering him to escape.

Then the sphere of Light flew. Mario's heart heightened its rhythm, and everything felt so painly slow. The sphere engulfed the screaming Angels, and the abomination's form imploded in a white glow, Necrozma's head jerked to the side and he screamed in utter...horror and worry.

Mario couldn't make it out, and then the sphere of Light exploded into an ear-blowing boom. The fighters inside the shield were thrown back, Fortotudo's form was just a silhouette of pain and disgust, vanishing into the golden Light of trophies.

Fotitudo's frozen body fell into the water, where a dark Portal opened, and the hands captured him, dragging him into their lair.

Mario looked up, again, and saw Necrozma floating near the glow, where the abomination was inside.

The Light that had obscured the creature died down, and it was visible. It had changed its hand form into a slender shape, with purple structures that resemble a spinal column. Its head was no longer a palm, but a triangular head with shape edges, and red translucent film was in front of its face. On the sides two pairs with three circles on each side, presumably its eyes, and five long spikes extending from the red, which reminded Mario of a crown. The lower jaw or something close to one, had teeth that were shaped like diamonds.

The core of the being was now in some ribcage, swirling in purple clouds, that were flickering weakly as the glow. On the sides of its two tendrils, constructed from small triangles, were flowing in the air as if they were wind streamers. Two long appendages were most likely its arms, ending into four claws on each side. It had a red or magenta glowing tail hanging weakly behind it.

Necrozma for a moment, his golden light flickering, stared at it....almost with care. It was painful and silent, and wishing to break it, he slowly widened his jaw to say something.

...The being fell from the air before he could utter a sound. He bellows "NO!" and follows downward.

The shield around the Fighter dissolved, as the remeaning Angels screamed with their beaks wide open, as they witnessed how their leader was taken to its demise. Their wings flutter and they run away in fear and cowardice. The rest of the fighters stormed on any that couldn't get away quick enough, and they were hounded. Especially the poor sabs who get choked by the whips of the two Belmonts, and the ones tormented by Bayonetta.

Mario didn't have the desire to rub it into their faces, and ran his already sore legs to Necrozma was flying to the creature underneath him.

He saw that Necrozma's mouth was open with sheer dread. scared that he wouldn't make it in time or something else was causing this strong emotion. Mario could imagine Necrozma's exhilarated breaths as if he were running in a marathon on a hot and searing day.

His form flickers like a dying light bulb, and his body was slowly turning dark.

Mario was bombarded with questions in his head, as he leaped over stones and pieces that had been broken off from the ground. Why was Necrozma acting to the being with such fear? He wasn't scared of the creature itself, but, it being inured. Was this a close to his? A friend? A god? or even, the craziest thought, his Parent?

He looked up again, his light was sputtering like a candle that was running out of wax. His wings outstretched, Necrozma caught up the creature and flew right past it.

what was he doing? Mario wonders as he jumps over a frozen Affinity that was dragged into a portal.

With a sudden jerk, Necrozma dove under the being, and embraced it protective. Nercozma's snout blackened out, and his light body dissolved.

His body has steered their direction to the marble floor. Then a huge dust cloud of debris and dirt flew into the air.

"Necrozma!" Mario exclaimed, his legs jumping into the air. His heart hammered against his chest. why...why did he do that? That wasn't an act of mercy....could it be?

As he reached the site, in the side of the small crater Necrozma had turned back into his prismatic body, and Mario could hear the breaths of the two beings. The being was nestled carefully on Necrozma, who had his black claws and arms on her like a shield.

Necrozma's voice pained from the fall whispers to it and Mario hears it, " A...are you alive...?" he lifts his face from the being and stares at it, in eyes betrayed fear like his traitorous shaking. " Eternatus?...do you hear me?"

Eterntaus, that was the being's name... Eterntaus's body began to stir, her breath was weak, and her eyes seemed to enlarge. " I...is it you....? Truly...you?" her voice flutters, and she was about to try to suppress an emotion seemingly, she succeeded.

Mario heard high heels, shoes meeting the ground, strides of feet and legs foot falling behind him. The others or some of the fighters had joined him, to see the event with their eyes.

He hears Peach gasping behind him, and he can already see in his mind how she planted her hand on her chin. " Why is Necrozma holding the being?" her voice filled with surprise and sympathy, " Is he alright?"

" Yeah, is he like, Okay? He had given it all..." Ash's voice was filled with awe that was drowned in a flood that was concern.

Necrozma, ignoring the Fighters above, focused on Eterntaus, " Yes...it is me..." He pauses the weight on his heart was more than the whole battle they had all endured, more than his true form, the weight of Guilt was so crushing. " I am..." He gathers any ounce of courage, scraping at any side to get enough, " I am...sorry for abonding you... I do not expect forgiveness. I only want to enlighten you that I am guilty of leaving for the foolish understanding of Connectedness. It was a great mistake. When I..." He stopped and then continued, " As I came into a different world where I lost my light, then attacking innocent beings out of pain and, unjustifiable hatred. They spared me and a human took me under his wings, then I came to this Tournament, and I witnessed and saw what love is and meant. Only the realize that you showed me, the me who was too blind to know love..."

" Et...Eter...Eternatus....I-" His Voice stumbles over the words as if he were a child learning to walk, " I...I Love you..."

Eterntaus was slient. Her eyes seemingly stared into something in the space that only she could see. Necrozma's body got tensed, she was angry with him, not much of a huge surprise, she would hate him.

Then she leans her face closer to him, touching his prismatic body, her tendrils on her side move slow and deliberate, they stroke over the body. " You have saved me, braced yourself, softened my fall with your body as a shield, acknowledged finally my affectionate acts, apologized, and admitted your heart. Of course..." her tendrils stroke his black hands, " I forgive you, my love." Her snout touches his body.

Necrozma let out a shiver of relief as his weight was lifted from his heart, and Mario could Imagine his heart feeling like a feather.

" Thank you...Thank you..." Necrozma's voice was shaking with gratitude before he calmed down again. " But what was the form you had to wear?"

Upon hearing that Eternatu's eyes widen in shock, and her tendrils freeze, " what? The f-form? You have seen it?" Her tone shook at the fact he had seen that form, " T-the angels have corrupted and mutilated my body as they controlled me! Trust me, I am healed, and it will not return when I am with you. You should not be wary of that form, it was a corruption." She surprisingly answers quickly, as though it suddenly had spun in her mind spontaneously.

Necrozma seemingly held her tighter, afraid that she might get lost, and be corrupted, " They had touched, and forced your form? that is unacceptable, I am on your side do not worry. I will not leave you again," his voice lanced with promise.

He slowly raises, and Eternatus sees the other fighters. This prompts her to hide her spindly and long body to semi-disappear behind Necrozma. " w-who are you?" she sounded scared, and there's nothing from her speedy answer from before left, almost as if her statement was...untrue.

" Those are the beings who helped me to save you," He pointed with his black prismatic hands to Mario, " and he is the one who took me under his wings. He has become a friend of mine, his given name is Mario."

Mario felt a sudden pang of pride spreading from his heart and through his body, quickly like fluid from a syringe- he lifted out his thumb, to which Eternatus was eyeing with growing confusion, and she looked at Necrozma and back to the thumb.

" I trust you. " as she slowly comes forth. The spikes of her head grew in length in caution, and one of her tendrils coiled around Necrozma's hands. Mario realized that she wouldn't let go of him for a long time, and she certainly would not loosen it even for a second.

Eterntau's body trembles, and she falls from exhaustion. Necrozma manages to catch her in time. His hands carefully lift her, and her tendril fastens its coil.

" I think it is better if I carry you." Necrozma's voice was gentle as he used both of his hands to lift her.

Eternatus moved her head up and down, her core glowed soothingly.

Before long Necrozma has left the crater with her.

Many fighters, were staring at the pair with mixed emotions. Some were confused at the sight of those very beings, some were scared more of Eternatus, like Luigi who taped his foot nervously, then were some who were -nonchalant like Sonic, who like Mario, gave a thumbs up to Eternatus. Then some thought the pair was plain adorable, and Mario could see How Peach's heart warmed up, Futaba managed to let an "Awww, so cute~!". Rosalina simply looked at them both as she was feeling a strange feeling of familiarity.

" But isn't Necrozma scared of her?" asked Lucas with a tone of wary and curiosity, which Necrozma heard, and Eternatus's tendril tense up

" No, I am simply not." His tone firm, not seeing and feeling the tendril on him, " When I saw her out in the world. Near a black hole, I treated her the same I treat any other beings back then. Open-minded, and nothing more. So If I am allowed to be impatient, I want to take my love to shelter. or, was it called a Bedroom? The battle has taken some...toll."

Eternatus seemed to chuckle at his short perplexion, and it was echoing playfully from the air.

They continued their path into the castle. Mario raised his hand and spoke aloud " Everyone here should look around and at each other to see if everyone is alright. No one knows if someone in the whole ordeal had a berserk mode, or is mentally exhausted. Please check your mental health before we go back inside."

After not long, everyone seemed fine. Fiana offered to do some stretching for mental health, which half of the fighters declined politely, and the other one did so more aggressively.

They were eating, all of them were eating in the dining hall. Or, they were trying to. Mario stirred in his spaghetti with tuna and tomato. Slow and tiered, fighting against his fluttering eyes as if they were a boss in a video game.

He had managed to put the noodles on his fork and quickly put them in his mouth. The taste was strong, the tomatoes were sprits spicy, mostly had some mild spicy sauce or some very weak peppers. Today, as it was originally planned, the Kitchen went all out, with very several meals as today was, of course, the last day of the tournament.

He gulped another one. Mario saw how Peach had sat down to him. She had chosen to simply go with some bread of cheese, meat, and eggs. In one small bowl was a green salad that had glittering water droplets to make it look fresh. There was also a cup of fruity tea in brown color and a muffin. He didn't know the kind of Muffin, but a muffin for the sweetheart that she was.

" Hey." Peach simply began, her tone soft as she diligently cut a piece of her bread with the knife. " Are you alright? You are so drained." Peach then grabbed the cut bread with her delicate hands, she had put off her gloves before and her fine care skin was clean. She bit into the bread heartily.

Mario let out a measly attempt of laughter, and began with a funny tone " No, I am all good. I am just training my eyelids....", only then to deflate halfway. " I am tired. That battle took so long, and the fact it happened right after the finale, did the last."

He took another gulp, then sighed. " I can already imagine it, Necozma and Eternatus will also be under my wing. Great, but I can't say no. She is exhausted, and I don't know how long the Angels had her in their control."

Peach has swallowed her piece of bread. He gingerly placed her hand in front of her mouth, blocking a burb. " I understand. This is going to get hard. You can ask for help though. The toads and I will gladly help, and our friends."

" Yes...our friends in the Mushroom Kingdom." His tone became somber and longing. he looked up from his plate and looked to the other tables. He saw how Ash Ketchum was devouring his plate like he was a starved animal, or Pokémon in his world, not even swallowing whatever he had put on his plate.

Mario looked to Pit, who was also tired from eating...then with a sudden snore, he fell face-first into a soup, causing it to splash into Cloud's hair next Table.

Mario could hear Him sigh. Cloud turns to Pit, only to see his face in the soup....the bubbles of Pit's slumber emerge on the surface. There was a long pause not knowing what he should do, then Ruyji came to Could, and both gave each other silent glances. Both nodded got up, picked the sleeping Pit by his arm, his face covered in soup, and they dragged him away. Presumably to the bathroom, and then possibly to bed.

Futaba told her and Akira's friends how they fought against the Angels, whereas Sojiro was smiling proudly at her, and his eyes glistened with confusion and concern.

Peach has eaten her bread and in her eyes, empathy reflected. " Oh...you want them? I understand it is sad that we can't spend time with them outside the tournament. But hey, we should enjoy the time we have them. Alright?"

Mario simply nodded as he finished the plate. She was right, they should enjoy every second they'd have, but his body yearned to sleep, and his heart wanted to slumber as well.

Mario let out an audible yawn, stretching his arms. " That diner was good. Peach, if you don't mind, I am going to bed." He slowly got up and picked up his plate. " Good night."

Peach who was now aiming her salad nodded. " Goodnight to you as well." She smiled at him, and its warmth was like a stroking on his heart. Mario manages to say good night to Luigi who had a snuggling Daisy that her head placed on his shoulder. His brother gave him an embarrassed laughter at his love and simply tilted his cap, as he wished for his brother to sleep well.

Mario walked through the hallway tired, each step was slow and wobbly like some wet rag. He stumbles a bit but mostly never was in the threat of falling over.

His mind went through some thoughts, thinking of what happened in the entire onslaught so much as he continued to walk steadily, the voices from the dining hall vanishing to a muffled echo until they were silenced.

so much happened in that entire attack, Mamma Mia. The angels attacked them first, and all managed to work together to fight against a common threat. Then he and Luigi got the Items they had stored in the Janitor's closet, he was still determining how the other fighters did beforehand, he would ask them morning if he remembers to ask.

He reached the door to his room and was reaching to the door knob. Then he thought more of the battle, of how one of the Angels had grabbed his bro... had grabbed his bro...

His brain suddenly jolted for a moment... they had grabbed his bro, and one of the Affinities had wrapped their arms around Luigi's... then...then...

Mario's fingers started to coil around the knob and they turned it, shivering. He enters his room, and his brain runs up and down.

In his mind, he heard faint echoes of words as if it was a distant radio that was playing two rooms apart. "y-your soules...what are those...my heart wishes for your forgivene-" Then a bang in his ears...

Mario's body had finished brushing his teeth, and pulled on his pajama, without him actively thinking about almost as if his body went on auto allowing him to think about that strange memory hole.

His heart tightens up. he wonders what is going on, and he hopes he can rest and forget all of this. Then his mind recalls the words of the Applaud, what did it mean that he and Luigi are more wretched than the witches? what did he mean that he wasn't a mere 'mortal'? It wasn't a ruse, or was it?

Mario's head shook, as he was to his confusion already under the blanket. His heart was pounding, and he swore under his breath. " No no no. I can't get a rest, do I? Why does it haunt me now? " his eyes stared at the ceiling empty as though a miracle would appear from it, and answer his memory hole.

what was missing? and is wrong with him and Luigi? He wanted to sleep. SLEEP. His body hunger for rest, yet those stupid thoughts won't let hi-

Mario's ears picked up some muffled sound outside, his head snapped to the direction of his door.

" How heavy is that guy?" A gruff voice whined, and Mario immediately recognized that it was Ryuji's.

Then the Voice of Cloud spoke up, " Stop complaining. I knew that Pit would fall asleep on his way here, be careful to not step on his toes."

A sound of something and light movement occurs, then a shout of pain, " OW!! for real?! He is flapping his wings in his slee-OW!!"

Mario's lips slowly curl up, his heart relaxes its beat. " Hol-watch out. sh*t! Oh the wing, oh the wing! How far is his bedroom? aw sh*t, a crap. Don't walk faster!"

" I ain't walking faster! His wings make him lean forward!" Ryuji shouted almost, and Mario let out a small chuckle, his mind imagining the whole scenario in his brain like a funny movie on TV.

" Stop shouting, some of the fighters are in bed." Cloud's voice slowly loosing his typical stoicism, and the tone of embarrassment swam up from the ocean. " If they would see us, I would be red..."

" would be?! You ain't white, red, or whatever! You already look like you would rather be sinking into the floor!"

Clould's voice stutters as he tries to sound cool and unprashed, which fails on flying colors, " N-no! I am not! shut up."

That was it, he couldn't hold back anymore. Mario managed to burst into a small and quiet laughing fit, at the mere image of his brain conjuring up of Both of Cloud and Ryuji walking, stumbling, and swaying Pit around like some cartoon figure.

His mind got finally rid of those thoughts, as his heart was filled with butterflies, and sunshine on his lips.

After a while, he finally calmed down, and he felt his mind heavy from exhaustion.

His eyes closed before he could even utter a thought to them, and he felt how quickly his body was slowly sinking into the realm of sleep.

"Well..." Mario let out a strong yawn, that almost felt his jaw splitting up from how he stretched out, "Goodnight world...I can think about that in the morning." Then further ado his body went on stand-by, and he couldn't process his sleeping mind...

He felt his body turn, and something was lying gently on his body.

He hears what he believes Ryuji and Cloud- if it was their names- outside grunting and dragging someone along the hallway.

The room returns to Necrozma's view as his eyes begin to collect Light in his surroundings.

He tilted his head, and his face glowed up in warmth, as his face saw Eternatus sleeping on his body. Her head rested on his chest, and her slender body raised and lows to her rhythmical breaths.

Necrozma stared for a moment and examined her body fully. Drinking her details in. Her triangle-shaped tendrils and her sharp angles across her body were beautiful, and orderly almost with a sense of grace that only his eyes see as such. Her head and red film, almost inviting with the color, had some sense of strength and yet gentleness.

Necrozma could simply stare at her form for hours or even days. his heart relaxed, and yet there was a sense of weight on it. To think that he in the past didn't even pay attention to her loving gestures was mindboggling to him...how foolish he was back then. But it was over now, and he only needed to permanently gain his light so she could truly love him.

He looked down, and Eternatus has still her tendril wrapped around his hand as if he was her greatest treasure or her greatest purpose that existed in the world. As though he would simply fly away when she lets go for even a fraction of a moment.

Necrozma chuckle warm as the sun, and in his soul an array of colors burned in a gentle star across the void, that's how love feels...how nice. He like-no, he loves that feeling of it so much that every inch of pain he could feel, is right now, turned into mere vapor, it melts all away.

In his state of that divine feeling, he whispers to her, " I love you...I will never leave you ever again. Ever. I wish to be with you, fly, play, love, and all other gestures of affection with you and me..." He pauses, and in his mind, his true form gently nuzzling her in his thoughts. He resumes, his voice dripping with anticipation, " You only have to wait when I am permanently back in my Light form, only in that...you can love me and my light."

He lifted his right hand and gently drove over her head. She let a content gasp, which made his heart shine even brighter.

Necrozma returns with the same gasps, and he returns to his slumber.

END OF DAY 7.

Oh my God, What a Behemoth of work, almost or more than a year in the workings, holy molly. Well, it is quite lengthy, and a lot of stuff happened in that chapter. I am fine, very good actually, in case you were worried in some way or the other. You can read through the entire chapter, and practically feel how I improved, I am quite proud of myself If I am being honest. The fights are good, I read it multiple times to check for any things that I glossed over, so the fight is not too chaotic, and to see where the characters are at. Then I almost read the entire battle again of how got reeled into it.

There is also a ton of stuff that hints at many further events and some of them are foreshadowing. The ability of all fighters to allow them to use the power-ups is something that I have long decided, and the reasoning is: To make the fights more exciting, less predictable, more 'fairer', and more fun, to me at least.

so to the soundtrack that I have linked here, I did that to make some atmosphere, and I won't do it so often, since well, it is bad and very immersion-breaking if you need to constantly switch the tabs of the new links, and every time to pause the track or close the other is very distracting. I also chose tracks that fit the scene, which may be a struggle, imagine instead of 'Those Who Fight' some battle tracks from Bayonetta had played, were not fitting for the overall mood.

So to address the shipping between Necrozma and Eternatus, I simply did it because it felt both fit the narrative well and trust me, I am not even done with them in the slightest.

I also wanted to say I use A.I., BUT! Before you all pull out your pitchforks, and burn me to crips, I only use it to gather new ideas or to find new angles, or let it point out some details that I have not thought about it. I swear on my heart, that I am not using A.I. to write my story, I only use it to find new ideas or plot points or improvements. I write my stories in my own style, and stiff fingers.

When you read this, know THIS: I am already working on the next chapter, like I did before. yes as soon I have uploaded a chapter, I, if I can and have the time, I immediately jump to the next chapter, and I write at least every day something, and recently I have managed to even write before I go to work.

So then I have bit off your eyes long enough, and see you next time!

World of connectedness. Archive of our own EDTION - Chapter 10 - nintendikt64 (2024)

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