I don't know where this came from, and I'm not sure I want to know. Also, this is AU regardless of the ending one gets in Pikmin 1.

Title and summary borrowed from Linkin Park's "In the End".

Warning: Contains very mild - and onesided - slash, if you believe that a technically genderless machine is capable of being slashed...

It was the end of Day 26.

Captain Olimar had just blown the end-of-day whistle, calling any Pikmin out in the field back to base camp for the night. Those carrying carcasses were fast approaching, having dropped their cargo and sprinting full out to reach safety. Each Pikmin climbed up into their own Onion, and soon the only visible beings were Olimar and his ship.

Olimar took a moment to survey the Forest Navel for any sign of other, slower Pikmin. Another whistle to call any last stragglers before liftoff, and when none showed themselves, the ever-loyal Pikmin following their Leader were dismissed.

It was then that the Dolphin spoke. "We are out of time, Captain."

"Just hang in there, Dolphin... we have three days left."

"No... I'm afraid not."

Olimar frowned up at the Dolphin, unwilling to believe what he was hearing. "Dolphin... what are you saying?"

"It's too late, Captain," came the gentle response, "We are not going to make it off this planet alive."

He shook his head fiercely. "No. NO. I refuse to think that way. I will see my family again-"

"Olimar, there is NO TIME LEFT!" the ship practically bellowed, "There are only THREE days left until your air supply runs out, and only SIXTEEN of my parts have been located. It is IMPOSSIBLE to collect the remaining fourteen in three days. I am SORRY."

"Where there's a will there's a way!" Olimar shouted back, hands balled into fists. "And I most CERTAINLY have the will! We can DO this, Dolphin-!"

"Captain..."

"Your logic may very well say otherwise, but I don't give a damn about your machine logic! We can at least TRY!"

"Captain, please, listen..."

"You machines may very well give up before you've tried, but I REFUSE to. I promised myself that I would see Hocotate again, and I fully intend to keep that promise! LET. ME. IN!"

Several Pikmin poked their heads out of the Onions, as if wondering why their Leader hadn't lifted off yet. One made a questioning sound and Olimar whirled around, making the return-to-the-Onions whistle. At first, none moved, but one by one they retreated inside, and one by one the Onions lifted into the air.

The Dolphin still did not move, did not open his cockpit for his Captain. "Olimar... I do not want you to die of oxygen exposure. It is most... painful to experience and watch." The ship sounded almost... broken. "I love you too much for that."

"If you loved me... you'd let me in so we could continue our quest, however futile it may be." Olimar replied softly, all traces of anger gone.

There was a long, painful silence. By now, the Dolphin and Olimar's lights were the only sources of illumination, and the cries of wild creatures were growing closer.

"I am so sorry, James..."

Olimar finally looked up when the Dolphin, for the first and last time, used his given name. "Dolphin..."

"Goodbye..."

Olimar took a step forwards, and then another, expression openly scared and pleading. "No no no no... please, Dolphin, don't do this to me..."

And the wollywog behind him leapt with deadly accuracy.

Alone, now, the Dolphin began to sing.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine... you make me happy when skies are grey... you'll never know, dear, how much I love you... so please don't take my sunshine away..."

There was a sharp intake of air and the sound of something large and heavy rolling across the ground. A crunch of rock-on-metal; a short scream, and the emergency lights on the ship's hull abruptly went out.

And darkness fell.