Hello, everyone and welcome to another fic written by yours truly, Icee the Hedgehog. Hopefully, this fic is one I won't end up forgetting about, as I've had this little idea in my mind ever since I first played Miitopia back in sure how many will truly read this as this isn't a popular archive, but hey, might as well try!

This is AU, slightly, so some things that may have been supposed to happen in the game might not have (IE: I'm not making Dominic the Dragon appear in this, as I don't include him in my canons...etc). Most of this will be described but it you are unclear, just review and I'll try and clarify.

Anyway, enough blabbing from me. Enjoy!

**Please be aware that this is a PROLOUGE and will be short, actual chapters will be longer**

Prolouge

"Don't let it be too late...please don't let it be too late...!"

Those were the words I screamed as I rushed through the empty corridors of the castle, lightning flashing through the windows, being the only light aside from the light of my own staff and the flames in the windows. They must've already gotten through all of the monsters in here, as I haven't had to fight any at all since I've entered. I should be happy about that, but I find myself only with a feeling of dread.

I originally wasn't planning to show myself again to them. Quick Man had already helped six of his ten friends with my help, and that was more than enough firepower, I felt. I didn't need to hover over him anymore. They had the capabilities to defeat Dark Lord Senka and save Miitopia.

It wasn't that I didn't want to help them, even though Quick Man seemed rather upset when I left him and his friends to do the rest on their own. I suppose you could blame it on a sort of fear I had. I didn't want to face up to Senka again. I only managed to do so once, because if I hadn't, Quick Man would have fallen much before this point. Then, who would save Miitopia? Even I doubt I would have the capability... No. I wouldn't have. I just can't stand to face her again...

Beleive it or not, Senka was a close friend of mine, back before all of this happened. She wasn't always this evil Dark Lord. In fact, she was amongst one of my close friends prior to all this. She dreamed of starting her own HP Banana factory, though she never had the money to buy a place of business. The best she could do was be employed at a factory. She was delighted with her work when I met her. I'd often stop by, in private of course, and we would chat until her shift was over.

That was, until she found that room. The room I'd totally forgotten about from years past. I'd thought that the room was locked tight, but it was anything but. And Senka wandered into it.

I'd come by her work, planning to help her finish her shift and have dinner afterwards, only to not find her in her usual working spot. As soon as I heard the screams from the basement, I knew what had happened.

By the time I'd arrived down there, Senka was standing by a treasure chest, the light blue wisp known as the Dark Curse hovering around her. I'd sealed it away long ago, back when it first came to be. I didn't expect anyone to find the box it was sealed in, especially not her. I could only watch as the wisp took over Senka's body, transforming her into the Dark Lord.

I tried as I may to defeat the Dark Lord right then and there, but it avoided me, fleeing off to Greenhorne. Even I was not quick enough to stop the destruction it'd cause...

As I remembered these things, standing outside the Dark Lord's Castle, I began to fear that Quick Man might end up like Senka. The Curse would move to him, wouldn't it? He was the most powerful and the fact that he can speak to the Gaurdian Spirit (and my father), StarArc, only makes it all the more likely. Hopefully I didn't think of it too late...or...

When I arrive in the Dark Lord's throne room, I find that their battle has ended. Quick Man and his main team, a Cat named KittyMetal, a Cleric named Junko, and a Mage named Zero are all celebrating, unaware of my presence. I look up. The Dark Curse is nowhere to be found. Did it leave? If it did, it's best we find it right away...

I notice Senka awaken from unconsciousness, confused as she looks around. She doesn't even recognize me, and I don't press the issue. I am glad she was released nonetheless.

"Huh...?" Senka blinks, still in her HP Banana Factory uniform. "I...I feel so wierd..."

She walks right on by me. I let her though, knowing she needs some time to recover. I'll go and check on her later. I walk over to the celebrating friends, watching Senka fully leave.

"...Huh." I pretend I am intrigued, just to avoid them worrying a moment before looking at them. "Did you just beat the Dark Lord?"

An excited nod from Quick Man.

"I can't say I'm too surprised." I continue. That is true. I didn't expect any complications with defeating the Dark Lord. It's the Curse that I'm worried about. "I knew you had it in you!"

Quick Man giggles sheepishly. I don't know why he's always so embarrassed when I praise him, but I never bother to ask.

At that moment I hear a noise. Looking up, I gasp as I see the Dark Curse floating above us. It bounces a bit, purple aura flaring as it prepares to launch itself at Quick Man.

"Ahh!" the Theif yells, swinging his hands about, as if his hands will deflect the Curse. Not even thinking about it, I rush towards him.

"Look out!" I yell.

...However, my yell is entirely futile. The Curse launches itself at Quick Man, and even my effort to jump in front of it does nothing. The wisp hits its target. I hear Quick Man yell in pain, followed by a loud scream from all of us:

"QUICK MAN!"

His Amulet soars from his hand at the last second, hitting my face before all goes white...

When I can finally see again, I see KittyMetal, Junko, and Zero staring up with wide eyes at something. I follow their gazes, nearly yelping myself.

Quick Man is no longer here. Or...I guess he is, if you really want to call it thar. In front of us floats a being much resembling the Dark Lord is floating, except it has copied bits of Quick/s attire, only tinting it blue and making it more ghost-like. His hair is pretty much the same, aside from being blue purple, and he has the signature purple-blue hands with purple claws that all beings possessed by the Dark Curse have. His sword now has an eye design on its hilt, and he's waring the same necklace the Dark Lord had.

"I definately didn't expect this!" he declares, looking at his new form. "To be able to take the Chosen Hero on my first try? I thought for sure that someone was going to intervene!"

"Mar-Mar," I state, using the Dark Curse's true name, the name of the Mii he once was so long ago. "Leave him alone! It doesn't have to be like this - you don't have to keep possessing people!"

"Mar-Mar? There's no such person here!" the being declares, swinging his sword at me. Luckily, I am able to avoid it. "I am now more than a Dark Lord...I'm...an even Darker Lord!"

Everyone else is too consumed by fear to make any moves. I, however am not. It's bad enough that he's posessed Senka. And now he's taken Quick Man too? This has gone too far. I am not going to allow any more of this! I launch a beam of light at him, but he blocks it, much to my shock.

"Do you think you're going to win with the same stupid tactic?!" he yells, before slashing at me with his sword. I'm not able to put up a barrier in time and thus am hit, slamming to the ground. "I'll spare you all for now - I've got to make some other preparations before my true reign of terror begins! Farewell!"

And in the same purple aura, the now Darker Lord, as I will call him, is gone just as quickly as he appeared. But luckily, he wasn;t able to get the Amulet. He must not have noticed , or cared, to grab it.

Well now, you all have found yourself in quite the mess, haven't you?

I blink, ignoring the wound on my arm, hearing StarArc, the Gaurdian Spirit.

So the Dark Lord's true form is that wisp, huh? It's possessed Senka's original body...and it's now moved on to Quick Man?

"Give Quick Man back, nya!" the cat, KittyMetal shouts, jumping up and down, asif doing that will magically make the Darker Lord reappar.

Now you all face an even greater threat. I never expected Quick Man to end up falling, but nonetheless, your mission must continue. Afterall, there are still many innocent Miis still counting on you all! So, you must press forward!

"But without Quick Man...who will lead us?" Junko asks.

"And how are we going to break this to everyone back at the inn? They're going to be so devistated! How are we possibly going to move on?!" Zero asks as well.

On the friends go, mumbling things to themselves. But StarArc doesn't even answer their questions. I know StarArc well enough. Some things are on us to figure out.. But, it's at that moment I find myself saying something I am not sure what provoked me to say:

"I'll lead in Quick's absence." I tell them, making them all blink and look at me. "It's...it's what he would have wanted to happen, afterall. Since I couldn't protect him, the least I can do is lead his friends in his absence."

"Great Sage Koko? Leading us?" Junko asked.

"All right, nya!" KittyMetal giggles, jumping up again. "We might have a chance afterall!"

However...it is more than just the body that you will need to be concerned about. Quick Man has unlocked his divine magic, and there's no doubt that the Darker Lord will use it against you. I will happily guide you all along your journey though, so don't be afraid! You guys can do this!

With those last words from StarArc, Zero takes it upon himself to lead us to the Inn that the other friends are staying...