Prologue
Lakitu sat on his cloud and sighed, hovering in the Void, staring at an orb of purest white.
This is the only way. He reminded himself. The only way Majora can come back. He moved closer to the orb. And... the only way the worlds can be free of Eo once and for all. Four-hundred years of planning, and now the time has come to set it all in motion. The only problem I have... A silent sigh escaped his mouth. Is whether or not the legend is true. He touched the orb, expelling magic as he did so. The orb shuddered, and a hole spread open, revealing a small, pathetic-looking figure within it. The creature was weak, fatigued from centuries of attempted escape. Lakitu knew that, given a few more years, this creature would have succeeded. The figure turned to stare at him.
Who are you? It asked.
My name is Lakitu. Lakitu told him. I have searched the Void for years, searching for your prison, my lord.
You know who I am? My name has not faded into the tapestries of history?
My lord Eo, I have searched for you alone. All others, save those cursed Scholars, have forgotten you.
I thought as much.
But on this day, my lord, all shall know of you, and shall tremble in fear as they did so long ago.
You release me? Eo asked, staring at him.
I not only release you, but I offer you energy, so that you may regain your strength quickly. But, there is one small problem.
Which is?
Upon your rebirth, your body and mind will be split into two. In order to rule as you should, you will have to join together again.
Will you help me with this?
I am yours to command, my lord. Take my hand in your own, and soon all life shall sit upon it. Lakitu extended his hand.
I am in your debt, Cloud-rider. Eo said, moving his skinny arm, reaching out with his withered hand. You shall sit beside me on the throne of the world.
You are too kind, my lord. Lakitu said as Eos' hand grasped his own.
--
"You're... you're back!" He embraced Majora, wrapping his arms tightly around him.
"I'm back, my love." Majora said softly in Lakitu's ear. Lakitu moaned softly. "But." He pushed Lakitu back. "You made quite a mess in my absence."
"W-well, I..." Lakitu sighed. "I'm sorry. I just... wanted you back so much, I..."
"You brought back the single biggest threat to existence."
"It-it's okay, because... Link and Maria defeated him, right?"
This is killing me... I can't tell Majora what I know, or else it might ruin everything.
"Lakitu." Majora sighed. "Yes, they defeated it, but they did not kill it."
"What? But... l-look! His body is in pieces, frozen solid!"
"Lakitu, Eo is the Evil One. He is Evil. Evil cannot die."
"You mean...?"
He will come back, and we will fail to hold him off a second time.
"He'll come back." Majora said, nodding. "We'll have to figure out how to seal him when he does."
"Y-yes. Oh, I messed up so much! I... I could have destroyed everything! I'm so stupid!"
"Hush, my love." Majora said, kissing Lakitu on the cheek. "Eo won't rise to threaten the worlds for a while yet. We have plenty of time to plan. But we can do that later. You and I have a lot of catching up to do."
We do. Lakitu thought. And I have alot more planning to do, to ensure that all happens as it should.
--
"I said leave her!!!!" Lakitu shrieked, flying at Eo. "Enough of your black-tongued lies!" He charged a spell, and fired it at Eo. Eo lazily stepped to one side, and fired a beam at Lakitu. It engulfed his head, and knocked him into the far wall. His cloud, floating where Lakitu had once been,sailed silently to the ground
"MASTER!!" Adia wailed, rushing to the fallen tortoise.
"Lakitu!" Majora cried, running beside Adia. Everyone else rushed over to the Scholar.
"Ma...jora..." Lakitu groaned weakly.
"Shush, my love." Majora whispered tearfully. "Save your strength. I'll save you."
"No, dear heart... this is my fate... I must die by Eos' hand."
"No, Lakitu, no! You... y-you can't die! Don't l-l-leave me! I love you, Lakitu! I love you, Lakita Tuan! I love with all my heart, mind, body and soul! I am yours forever! You can't leave me! Please... please, don't leave me..." Majora started to sob. Lakitu raised a tiny hand. Majora clutched in his own. "please..."
This is my last chance to ensure the future goes as it should. Lakitu thought to himself.
"I... love you, too. But, Majora... you... must not weep for me. Move on with your life, my love. Find another, who will love you and whom you will love in return."
"There will be no other. Only you are for me."
"There is always another. Find that person, Majora. Adia... my apprentice."
"M-master?" Adia hiccuped.
"Take my place... as Head Scholar. Lead the Scholars into the future. But before that, lead our Heroes to victory, and seal the Evil One."
"Y-yes, Master. I will do as you command."
"Then, I can rest. Farewell, everyone." He sighed long and slow. "Majora..."
"Sweetheart?" Majora leaned closer to him.
"One... last... kiss..."
For my back-up plan.
"Of course." Majora sobbed. He moved his face to Lakitus' and Lakitu mentally prepared a spell. Majora pressed his lips against his fallen lovers', kissing him with as much passion as he could. Lakitu cast the spell, drawing a slight trickle of energy from Majora, under the pretense of attempting to return the passion. Then, Lakitus' body went limp, and the tortoise died.
--
In Eos' fortress, sitting at the top of the combined worlds, a corpse lay in a large hall. The corpse of Lakita Tuan, one of the greatest Scholars ever. Besides the body, magical energy was forming a shape. More magic ran into the shape, giving it life, and Lakitus' knowledge. The figure altered from a shape of magical energy to one of flesh and blood. It stared at itself, taking in its new body.
"Hm... interesting." It said. "So, I am technically Lakitus' daughter." It, who had at that moment decided to be female, turned to face the body of the Lakitu. "Ah, father." She crouched beside him. "I will see your dream become reality. The threat of Eo will be removed, once and for all." She kissed Lakitu on the forehead, then got to her feet. "First, a more definite form..." She closed her eyes, and transformed herself into a human form. She smiled, flashing pointed teeth. "This will do for the time being. Now, a name..." She thought deeply for a while. "Ah, of course. Thank you again, father. My name will be Adia." Adia closed her eyes and entered the Void, then searched for the TimeLines. Finding them, she travelled back as far along as she needed, then flew into a world. There, she found who she was looking for, cast a time-released seal on her memory, and prepared to await the coming of her father.
Chapter 1
Adia
Adia stood frozen at her door. She stood by the front door of the house she and Mitrea lived in, on Kanto Side of the combined world rule by Eo. Her mind had flashed wildly, while her body remained locked in place. Now that she could move again, the first thing she did was move her hand to touch her damp cheeks.
"F...father..." She whispered. "Lakitu... was my father..." She stared at her hands, her fingertips, moist with the tears she had been crying in remembrance. "I sealed my memory, in waiting for this day. I was created by Lakitu, to rid the world of Eo once and for all. But... this all still rests on the hope of a legend. What's to say it's true? And... and even if it is... Eo himself may go, but the person..." She shuddered and shook her head. "No, no, don't think about that. Focus on Father's plan and last wish. I will see Eo defeated." She gripped the door handle, and walked into her house. As she walked, she remembered how exhausted she was from the days' events. She passed by the living room, from where Mitrea greeted her warmly.
"Hey, Adia." She called.
"Hey, Mitrea." Adia greeted her with a weary sigh.
"How'd it go?"
"Alright, I guess. There's still alot to dig up, but we're getting there."
"I'm still kinda surprised that the Scholars were defeated so easily. Any word about Majora and Bowser?"
"Majora is alive, and resting at Castle Reglais. Still nothing about Bowser. The last time anyone saw him, he was apparently crushed by seventeen huge bookshelves, then blown apart."
"Surely that wouldn't finish him. Bowsers' made of tougher stuff than that."
"That's what we're all hoping." Adia sat on the sofa. "In a few days, I think we should go the Nether again."
"Again? Think they'll have changed their minds?"
"I'm hoping." The pale girl said in a sigh, closing and rubbing her eyes.
"You're exhausted, Adia. You need rest." Mitrea told Adia, getting to her feet. "First, I'll make you something to eat, and then you're going to bed."
"I've still got-" Adia complained, for she had yet to look through her recent research notes, and begin preparing a paper to present to the other Scholars.
"Shush. There's no point in killing yourself trying to get everything done. You need to rest."
"Alright. Could you bring my food to my room?" Adia asked as she walked toward her bedroom.
"Sure thing."
Mario
Mario was awoken by someone shaking him violently. He sat up in his bed, looking around with hazed eyes. When his eyes focussed, he recognised Eraf stood next to him, holding a white tube-shaped object. She looked surprised, and possibly scared.
"What is it, Eraf?" He asked, laying down again.
"Mario... I..." She looked at the white object again. "I'm not sure how I..."
"What?"
"I'm... um..." She stared intently at the white object, as if this would help her speak. "M-Mario, I'm... I'm pregnant."
"What?!" Mario sat up again, staring at her with wide eyes. "Ar-are you sure?"
"Positive." Eraf nodded. "Just like this test." She showed him the object. A pregnancy tester. Mario looked at it once, and saw that it did indeed show as positive.
"You're..." He was lost for words. "H-how? We... we always..."
"I... I'm sorry?" Eraf squeaked, not sure if Mario was angry or just shocked. "Do you want... want me to have an ab-"
"NO!" Mario roared, leaping to his feet. "Eraf, we're keeping it. Even though we didn't plan it, we're keeping it. I'm just... surprised. I always wore a..."
"I know." Eraf sighed. "Maybe it... broke? It can happen, after all."
"Maybe." Mario sat down on the edge of the bed. "Oh, come here, darling." He said, holding his arms out. Eraf sat on his knee, cuddling him gently. "We're gonna be parents, Eraf." He said, a smile playing across his lips as he whispered in her ear. "We're gonna have a baby."
"I know..." Eraf looked at her pregnancy test again. "Should we tell Maria?"
"We should tell everyone, dear." Mario hugged her tightly. "Everyone."
"Alright." Eraf found herself smiling. "I'm gonna be a mommy! Fairies can't have children, so..."
"You're human now. And you're going to have my child."
"I know! I'm so glad I'm having your baby, Mario. What should we call it?"
"Why don't we wait until we know the gender?"
"Aww, but... can't we think of names for both? It could end up being twins, you know."
"Alright, alright. But, for now, I need more sleep. I was up all night, remember."
"I know, Mario. I'm sorry." Eraf released Mario and stood up. "Go back to sleep, my love. Can I tell everyone now?"
"Sure, go ahead." Mario said, pulling the bedsheets back over himself. "I'd love to tell them with you, but..." He yawned.
"It's fine. You get some sleep. See you later." She kissed him on the cheek.
"Yeah." He smiled at her, watching as she left the room. As soon as the door closed, he groaned. "Dammit..." He muttered. "I'm not ready to be a father."
Eraf
Eraf went straight to Hyrule side, to tell Link about her pregnancy. She knocked on the door of Links' house, waiting impatiently for someone to answer.
"Hello?" The door swung open, and Fionie stood there, wearing her usual loose green gown. "Oh, Miss Eraf. Can I help you?"
"Can I come in?" Eraf asked.
"Sure. Mums' upstairs, and Daddys' in the garden, training with Ganny." She stood to one side, allowing Eraf access.
"Can I go into the garden?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"Thanks." Eraf patted Fionie on the head, and jogged through the house, and into the garden. "Link!" She called to the elf. Link, who was currently on the floor, having been put there by Ganondorf, looked over to her. He stood up and walked over to her.
"Hi, Eraf. What's up?" He asked.
"I've got some big news!" Eraf said excitedly.
"Oh? Has Bowser been found?"
"What? Um, no."
"Then what's the news?"
"It's about me." She grinned, and grabbed his elbows. "Link, I'm pregnant!"
"What?" Link gasped. "Oh my Goddess, really?!"
"Yeah! I just found out this morning!"
"Wow, Eraf! I'm so happy for you!" He hugged her tightly. "Does Mario know?"
"Of course, silly. He's the first person I told."
"So how come he's not with you?"
"He's sleeping in. He was up all last night, chasing Eo supporters out of Brooklyn."
"Ah, I see."
"What's so exciting?" Ganondorf asked as he strolled to them.
"I'm pregnant!" Eraf told him.
"Oh, wow!" Ganondorf smiled widely, his eyes shining. "Congratulations!" He hugged her, too. "Wow, that's huge news! I've got to tell Nerra!" With that, he teleported away.
"C'mon, let's go tell Malon." Link said, taking Eraf by the hand and walking her into the house. "Malon!" Link called as he walked through the back door. "Ma- Oh, Fionie." He said as he noticed his daughter sat at the table. "Go tell Malon that I want to talk to her."
"But, Daddy..." Fionie whined. "I'm still eating."
"You can finish your meal when you fetch Malon. Go on, there's a good girl."
"Fine." Fionie hopped off her chair, and pattered upstairs. Link took Eraf to the living room, and sat her on the sofa. "I told her." Fionie said, coming back down the stairs. "Can I go eat now?"
"Of course you can." Link told her.
"Something important happen?" Fionie asked as she reseated herself at the table. "I heard you and Ganny squealing."
"Yes, Fionie. Something incredible."
"Did they find Bowser?"
"No, not that." Link smiled.
"I'm pregnant." Eraf told her excitedly. A happy scream erupted from the bottom of the stairs, and an excited Malon stormed into the living room, throwing her arms around the former fairy.
"Really, Eraf, really??" Malon gasped, crushing her face against Erafs'. "Wow I am so happy for you! How did Mario take it?"
"He... he seemed pretty happy about it. Excited."
"I think I'll go talk to him." Link said suddenly. "Big news, and all. I should congratulate him."
"He's sleeping in, because he was up late last night."
"Chasing Eo supporters out of Brooklyn. I know, I helped. Be back soon." Then, using the magic he had learned only recently, Link teleported to Earth Side.
Mario
Link appeared outside Marios' apartment, and knocked on the door. After a few moments, Maria answered.
"Hey, Link." She smiled at him. "Come on in. Mario was hoping you'd come."
"Thanks." Link said as he walked past her. "How's he doing?"
"He's not too pleased." Maria shut the door. "He knows he's not ready to be a father. He's worried about what'll happen to the baby, too, what with him being a Seperationist."
"Yeah, I figured as such. Good job he's got you here, eh?" Link looked around the tiny kitchen.
"I guess. It was difficult, deciding to seperate again, but it's necessary for the group."
"I know. So, where is he?"
"He's in his and Erafs' room, worrying. Better get in there before he goes looking for you." Maria pushed him gently toward Marios' bedroom door. Link made no resistance or response, instead knocking and entering the room.
"Mario." He called quietly as he walked in.
"Hey, Link." Came a tired reply. "Come on in, sit down." He was laying in his bed.
"How're you doing?" Link asked, sitting on the edge of Marios' bed. The plumber slowly sat upright, staring at the elf. "Sorry, stupid question."
"No, it's not. Eraf told you first, right?"
"Yeah. She's really excited about it, you know."
"Only because I seem to be okay with it."
"Which you're not."
"Not really. I mean, yeah, I'm glad I can have a kid, but... I just don't think I'm ready. And on top of all that, at a time like this..." He gestured toward his bedroom window.
"I understand. But, you're not going to get rid of it, are you? You wouldn't do that."
"No, I wouldn't. We're keeping it, and I'll do everything I can to make sure it's raised right and happy, but I doubt..." Mario stopped and sighed. "I dunno. Eos' really gunning after us, and it'd be easy for him to resort to using my child as a tool."
"We all know that Eo has no limit in his cruelty." Link said, not knowing what else he could say.
"But, what can we do? In a few months, Erafs' gonna have trouble walking, or whatever. I'm gonna have to stay and look after her, I won't be able to help you guys. I don't wanna be deadweight. I don't want to be sat here, when I could be helping you. And when the kid's born, I'll still be here, looking after it. We'll be vulnerable to attack, because we'll have a child, and you'll be two people down, and..."
"Mario, calm down." Link grasped Marios' right shoulder. "Look, it'll be okay. Everyone'll understand that you can't help us. Sure, losing you will be a big loss, but we'll manage. Just worry about your kid for now, okay? If you really need to, you can help us until Eraf needs you more than we do. But, once Eraf needs you, that's it. I'll personally drag you here, if I have to."
"I get it, Link. I get it." Mario groaned, laying back down. "I just... it doesn't change the face that I don't feel ready to be a father."
"Think I felt ready?" Link asked, surprisingly sharply. Mario looked at him with a small look of surprise. "When I found out Malon was pregnant, I felt awful. What did I know about parenting? I barely even knew my parents. How would my kid turn out, would I raise it right? I worried so much about everything, Mario."
"I... but, Fionies' already-"
"Fionies' still a child. She may look older than she should be, and act alot older than she is, but she's still a child. I still need to be a father to her."
"How did you... how..." Mario sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I-I'm not sure what I'm asking."
"How do I manage? How did I become 'ready'?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"You make yourself ready, Mario. It's what I did. It's what Malon did. Eraf'll go through the same. Once it hits her properly, she'll probably be more worried about it than you. You'll both need to make yourself ready, when the time comes. It's all you can do. No point in worrying about it. Just do it. Understand?"
"I guess so." Mario sighed. "You say that, but..."
"But you'll still worry." Link grinned. "I'd be concerned if you didn't." He got to his feet. "You'll be fine, Mario. You'll make a great dad, and your kid'll have a great mother, a great uncle, and a great life. If nothing else, you can show it a real life castle. Either a princess castle, for a girl, or a monster castle, for a boy." Mario chuckled at that. "Take care of yourself, Mario. I'm gonna go home and train with Fionie some more."
"Thanks, Link." Mario smiled at him. Link smiled back, and closed the door.
"Thank you, Link." Maria said, approaching him. "Whatever you said or did, thank you." She placed her hands on his arms. "It kills me to see my other half so miserable."
"I don't exactly like seeing Mario feeling down, either." Link told her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "And I don't like seeing you so down, either." The pair gently hugged. "I'm surprised you didn't come looking for me."
"I was about to." Maria whispered. "I've... missed you, you know."
"As much as Mario, I'll wager."
"M... more, actually." She pulled away from Link, and stared at him.
"You could've visited, you know."
"You know I've been busy lately." Maria frowned. "I did want to visit, you know."
"Alright, I'm sorry." Link sighed. "I should be getting back. I promised Fionie I'd teach her how to use a sword."
"Okay." Maria said quietly. Almost softly. "Take care of yourself, Link."
"You too, Maria. See you again." Link walked out of the front door, then teleported to Hyrule side. Though he had learned to teleport recently, he still struggled to teleport from within an enclosed space, like Marios' apartment. He only felt confident teleporting from his own home because he knew it so well.
Kae Saea of the Bora
A giant owl sat on a tall tree by the Kokiri forest in Hyrule Side. Next to him, stood his sister.
"Gaea," The female owl said. "I beg of you to reconsider."
"I have considered and reconsidered this many times over, Saea." Gaea said slowly. "This is the only way. I assure you I will return."
"But... this is madness! It's insane!"
"No, Saea. This is the only option left. On the topic of insanity, why do you insist on being called 'Kae', and referred to as a male? That is insane."
"You know the Bora think lowly of females. I am a very wise Bora, everyone agrees. If it was known that I was female, I would have no say in the Bora Elder Council. So, I pose as a male in order to be able to help my people."
"I suppose. But, Saea, why not join the Scholars? They have no discrimination of gender or race. Your talents will be put to much better use."
"You are the Scholar of the Kae family, Gaea. My place is at home, helping my people."
"No, Saea. I remind you, I am leaving. I would ask you to take my place among the Scholars, but Majora and Pent would instantly see through you. Instead, I will ask you to join the Scholars as a temporary replacement for myself."
"Brother..."
"Please, Saea. For the good of the worlds, including our own. Go to Kanto Side, and find a young pale female humanoid named Adia. I believe she is an Elarian, a race from the planet Erinara."
"Yes, Brother." Saea sighed. No matter how wise or headstrong Saea might be, no matter how high her position Bora Elder Council, she would obey her older brothers' every word. "I will take my leave now." She spread her great wings.
"When I return, am I to ask for Kae?"
"Yes." Saea then took flight. "Godspeed, Gaea."
"Godspeed, Saea."
--
Saea, who would now be referred to as Kae, landed by a small house in Kanto Side. People passing wondered if she, who would now be known as a he, was a new kind of pokemon. Kae stared at the door, walking slowly toward it. Before he had even pondered how to go about alerting this Adia person to his presence, the door opened. Stood there was a short, pale humanoid with pale blue streaked with dark blue. She was so pale, she was almost completely white.
"Gaea?" She asked uncertainly. "No. You're not Gaea. Who are you?"
"I am Kae." Kae told the girl, putting on his best masculine voice. "I am Gaea's brother."
"Why isn't Gaea here?" The girl frowned. "He was supposed to be meeting us."
"Gaea has left this world. He believes that there are other worlds in existence that escaped Eo's wrath, and still stand strong by themselves. He has gone to search the Void for these worlds, and try to enlist some help."
"I see... and he has sent you in his place?"
"Correct."
"Then, I am Adia, the Head of the Scholars. Please, come in." The girl, Adia, stepped to one side and allow the owl to enter. "From now on, if you know how, you can teleport to the inside of the front door."
"I can teleport. Thank you." Kae walked through the doorway. Adia closed the door behind him, and then led him into a room containing a sofa, a table, a strange box with a glass veil on the front of it. There were a few other items that he didn't recognise. Among the items, there were several lifeforms, including himself and Adia.
"Everyone, this is Kae. He's Gaea's brother. He'll be coming in place of Gaea from now on."
"Where's Gaea?" The human with pale hair and lavender cloak asked. Adia repeated what Kae had told her. "I see."
"Kae, let me introduce everyone." She indicated each person in turn. "This is Pent, Mitrea, Erk, Nino, Ganondorf and Nerra. Link, Mario and the others should be here, but they're... busy." She sounded somewhat evasive at that point. Kae wondered what had happened to those people. "Has Gaea told you about us Seperationists?" Kae nodded. "Then, there's no need to explain it to you. I'm sure you can pick up as we go along." She turned to the others. "Pent, Erk, Nino. How's your Side?" Kae caught the capital S.
"Our creatures are still reacting in an odd way. The Pegasis struggle to fly, and the Wyverns are still docile. Several are even becoming kind toward humans, helping us in any capacity they can."
"That's strange. Could Vahlia be responsible?" Kae wondered who Vahlia was.
"If we had Mario and Maria, we could ask, and investigate this further. Erk and Nino have asked, but Vahlia won't tell them anything helpful."
"What does she say?"
"Just that life and energy is progressing and evolving, as all things should."
"Hmm... I'll talk to Maria." Adia said with a thoughtful nod. "Ganondorf, Nerra. What about Hyrule Side?"
"Nothing to report." Ganondorf shrugged. "Eo's followers are still trying to drive me out of the Dark Realm. My own followers are doing a decent enough job of holding them off, but I don't know how long they can keep it up. Sereng and Charzli are on the front lines, so we've got a while. But, the loss of life on my side... it's having a very negative effect on my people. And I'm worn thin trying to create more people. I don't want to create more people who're going to die in a few minutes."
"I'll see if I can get anyone there. I'll send a Scholar or two, and maybe some fighters."
"Why not ask the Rebels?" Erk suggested. The Rebels were the the resistance group formed by Sonic and his friends, but Shadow and Amy were part of the Seperationists." Adia grinned at this.
"Knuckles and Mighty would love a chance to face new opponents." She said, looking thoughtful while still grinning. "Mitrea, if you'd be so kind."
"I'll go once this meeting is over." Mitrea said with a nod.
"So, now it's your turn." Pent told Adia. "What's been happening on your Side?"
"I've been focusing on trying to convince some Nether creatures to help us."
"Are you sure you want to trust them?" Pen frowned worriedly.
"I'm only asking the wrongly judged creatures, and the ones that live there by choice. I'm not going to ask the criminals."
"How's it going with entering the Ether?" Erk asked.
"Not good. I've got millions of spells at my disposal, but none of them have any effect."
"Don't you have infinte wisdom, or something?" Nerra asked Erk. "You said Saint Elimine blessed you with it."
"I said that she gave me wisdom and knowledge beyond Lakitu's. Not endless knowledge." Erk sighed. "I don't know how to enter the Ether."
"Any suggestions, Kae?" Adia asked the great owl.
"I have none. My people know little of Void and its' phenomena. Gaea, of course, is the exception, being a Scholar." Kae said regretfully. "I'm sorry I cannot help more."
"It's okay. Well, we'll have to close this meeting early. Through no fault of his own, Kae has caused this. I've no doubt that people saw him, and Eo has been alerted."
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault." Adia assured him gently. "So, everyone go home. Mitrea and I will find a new place to stay." Everyone but Kae, Adia and Mitrea teleported away. "Kae, I think you should stay with the Scholars." Adia turned to face him. "They'll teach you what you'll need to know. You might see me from time to time."
"Very well."
"I'll guide you there. Mitrea, go and see the Rebels." Mitrea nodded and disappeared. "Can you follow my signature?" Adia asked Kae. Kae nodded. "Then let's go." Adia teleported, and Kae followed.
The Rebels
Mitrea appeared outside the new house the Rebels had set up on Mobius Side. She knocked on the door, and waited. It took a few moments, then Sonic himself answered the door.
"Mitrea?" He asked cautiously. "What brings you here?"
"The Seperationists need a little help. Can we borrow Knuckles and Mighty?"
"What for? Oh, wait. Come in, before we're seen." He all but pulled Mitrea into the house, and slammed the door. "So, what d'you need 'em for?"
"Ganondorf is struggling to fight against Eo's supporters in the Dark Realm of Hyrule Side. We need some good fighters so he can cut down their numbers. Ganondorf is losing alot of followers, and he's killing himself trying to replace them."
"We can't really afford to lose those two right now..." Sonic said slowly.
"You owe us for Corneria." Mitrea reminded him.
"I... guess we do." Sonic sighed. "Knuckles is out at the moment." He walked toward the dining room. "Mighty! Hey, Mighty?"
"Yeah?" The response came from the kitchen.
"Seperationists need you. When's Knuckles coming back?"
"About an hour." Mighty said as he walked toward them. "What do you guys need me for?" He asked Mitrea.
"To help Ganondorf fight off some Eo supporters."
"Cool." Mighty grinned. "Is it okay, Sonic?"
"Sure. We owe them." Sonic heaved a heavy sigh. "I'll tell Knuckles when he gets back. How long do you need them?" He directed the question to Mitrea.
"I'm not sure." Mitrea said thoughtfully. "We'll give them back as soon as we can."
"How's Shadow and Amy doing?"
"They're good. They're doing some work for us in Esosa. That's the Scholars' World."
"What's going down there?"
"You know about Bowser, right?" Sonic nodded. "Well, they dug up the place where he was crushed and blown up. He wasn't there. So, Shadow and Amy are scouring Esosa for him."
"Right. Well, anyway, we've got some stuff we need to do. So, if you'll excuse us." He indicated the door.
"Yeah. I'll see you again." Mitrea took hold of Mighty's wrist, then teleported.
Daisy
"Luigi..." Daisy sighed in her room. "What am I supposed to tell him?" She sighed again and laid down on her bed. "And at a time like this, too." She pressed her hands against her face.
"Something wrong, your Highness?" One of her attendants asked as he entered. "You didn't reply when I knocked."
"Oh... I'm sorry." Daisy sat up slowly. "I'm just worried."
"About what? Should I bring the Counsellor?"
"No, no... he can't help. I... need to tell Luigi something, but I'm worried about what he'll say."
"What is it? Could I deliver the message?"
"No, it's something I need to tell him myself."
"Should I bring him?"
"No!" Daisy gasped. "I just... need time." She laid back down. "I'd like to be alone, please."
"As you command." The attendant bowed and left. Daisy sighed again, her anxiety building, getting stronger and stronger.
"I know, Daisy." Luigi's voice said quietly from the door. "I was just waiting for you to tell me yourself." Daisy gasped and sat up quickly.
"L-Luigi!" She stammered, staring at her lover. "You... knew?"
"I overheard when you found out. I figured you'd want to tell me yourself, but I didn't know it'd make you worry like this."
"Oh... I'm sorry."
"For what?" Luigi walked into the room and sat next to her on the bed. "You've nothing to apologise for."
"But... at a time like this... if we were in peaceful times, I'd be overjoyed, but..."
"Relax. It's not something we can control."
"We can. On Earth Side, they have a way to-"
"No!" Luigi snapped. "We're not doing that." He grabbed her hands, and held them tightly. "I'm pleased. I'm sure the Seperationists can live without us for a while. It's not like we'll become completely useless."
"I guess..." Daisy sighed, then pulled her hands free from Luigi's and hugged him.
"Hey, Daisy. I know you still want to say it to me. It'll put your mind at ease, no doubt. Go ahead and say it. You already know that I'm okay with it."
"Okay." Daisy smiled to herself. "Thank you." She released him from the hug, and sat upright. "Luigi... I'm pregnant."