Author's Note: This fanfic is all about what happens after the ending of Mother 3. If you haven't played the game, there are MAJOR spoilers and I suggest that you don't read. Also, this is an alternate universe… that plays out a lot like what happens in the game canonically, up until the game's canon ending. Then things start to change. So… one more thing: there will be an original character. He is a necessary part of the story. Now, sit back and enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters except Steel (he is the only original character I intend to come up with). I also have no ownership of any other part of the Mother series.
"W-what happened…?" I asked just loud enough for others to hear. "Flint! I've been looking all over for you!" Bronson exclaimed. "Bronson, what's going on?" "It seemed as if the whole world was being destroyed and we were afraid for our lives, but everything's okay now! We're all fine! It's as if nothing ever happened!" "Does that mean…" "W-well… I wish it were so Flint… she's not here… and neither is Claus… For what it's worth, I'm sorry…" "Thanks, Bronson." I decided to walk home, marveling at how everything had returned to normal.
I found my hat lying on the table, much to my surprise. I had lost it when I was deep underground near the final needle when suddenly wind blew my hat away… I had dropped it when the masked man attacked… and I had found out that this same man was my other son Claus. The door opened up behind me, and when I looked, I saw it was my son Lucas. "You did it son… I couldn't be any prouder of you," I said. "Thanks dad…" he responded, walking away with his head down. "Lucas…" I said, tears beginning to well up in my eyes. He didn't respond, but instead continued off to his bed. "Lucas…" I called out again, pain creeping into my voice. He decided to lay on his bed facing the wall. I walked over and sat down beside him on his bed. "W-why?" was all Lucas said. I couldn't help the river of tears about to flow out, and neither could I come up with anything comforting to say.
I heard a knock on the door, and when I opened it, I found Thomas. "Flint, I have bad news," he said. "Well, go ahead and tell me," I replied. "Some of those pig guys showed up, along with a couple… I don't know what those things are but they look bad! Bronson and Lighter went to check things out and they haven't come back!" "I'll go look for them. Lucas, you mind tagging along?" He got up from his bed and followed me outside. "We'll be back, Boney, look after the house for us while we're gone," I said. He barked in response. "Where do you think they went, Thomas?" I questioned. "Fuel said something about his dad going to the Sunshine Forest. At least this time it's not in flames."
When we arrived at the Sunshine Forest, we heard plenty crashing sounds, along with explosions and other sounds associated with those weapons those pig guys use. We rushed to the source of the sound and found several of those tanks, along with plenty of chimeras and troops wearing pig masks. I found Bronson lying down on the ground close to where we are. "Bronson, are you okay?" I asked. "Ah… I'll be fine…" he responded. Lucas used PSI Lifeup to heal Bronson, who then got up to his feet. "Lighter's still out there fighting, but he won't last long. I'll go warn the town and tell them to stay inside and be on guard for these guys. Come along, Thomas," Bronson said. Lucas and I continued to the eye of the storm, at which point the attention of every one of those goons was pointed towards us. "Here goes nothing!" I exclaimed, charging at the pig masked troops while wielding the piece of lumber I found on the ground, which I guessed was Lighter's. As they continued attacking me with fierce kicks and blasts from their guns, Lucas used his PSI powers to demolish the tanks while saving me from a few blasts here and there. He kept healing me, but I could tell he was starting to grow tired. I put all my power behind several swings, hitting a few pig mask troops and knocking them out. After Lucas and I knocked out the last of them, more enemies came, and it seemed like an endless amount. Lighter struggled to walk to us, and Lucas used PSI Lifeup to heal him as well. "Lucas, how long can you last?" I inquired. "I'll be okay dad," he said in response. "I see where my other lumber went. Well, that's why I brought two of them. They got the best of me and it seemed like it was going to be the end of the line, but you guys showed up. Glad you made it. I guess it's time to smash more of them with this great two by four!" Lighter roared, charging after a few troops.
We had spent a long time fighting, and Lucas seemed to be getting exhausted. At the same time, Lighter had already left to make sure he made it back in one piece. He was getting injured and needed to be taken care of; as if it couldn't be any worse, I too am getting quite injured. "Agh, these confounded troops keep coming," I stated. "Dad, I think we should run before we end up badly hurt," Lucas suggested. "No Lucas, we can't run. These guys must be stopped, and if we don't, who will?" I replied. Lucas shrugged, and in haste he used more of his powerful PSI abilities to take out some more of them. "The Pigmasks don't quit dad! Did you notice that some of them eventually just get back up and continue fighting, even after being knocked down by your brute strength or my powers? At this rate, we'll end up in pretty bad shape, assuming we're lucky enough to survive!" He was right, but before we could make a decision, we were surrounded. As I stiffened my body up and braced for any incoming attacks, I began swinging at those troops again. After a few minutes, I was knocked to the ground, which was right before I fell unconscious, unknowing of what happened to Lucas.
I awoke in what used to be Aeolia's house. "About time you woke up. My name's Steel. I'm the bounty hunter that's taken down numerous criminals, but right now the Pigmask army seems to be my main concern. You'll do no good just carrying around a stick or a piece of lumber. You need a real weapon." I was handed my hat, along with a pair of weapons I couldn't recall seeing before. "They're revolvers. Ever shot a gun before? If not, you're about to. Come outside." I followed Steel outside, and I saw several cans lying on top of logs. "It's just simple target practice. I know you know what guns are. Your people weren't always on this island, and before you were, you knew of many things. I have a feeling you're the same guy I met a long time ago. I hitched a ride to the Nowhere Islands but seeing as though I figured I needed to keep my memories in case anything happens, since that would allow me to remember all the things I can do, I had to hide away. But when that dark dragon was awakened, everything went back to normal… so it seemed. That Porky guy isn't gone. He somehow found himself back here again. I would've hoped that those with evil intent would've been wiped out, but it turns out the only people that didn't make it are those who are already dead. much to our dismay. Anyways, let's get started."
After spending the whole day training with Steel, I decided to ask a question: "Steel, how do you know who I am?" "Ah Flint, everyone knows everyone in Tazmily. Sure I don't exactly belong, but that doesn't mean I haven't been here. I've always been here, I was just hiding away while watching over the town. When your wife and other son went missing in action, I went hunting for them, but I got stopped by that Mecha-Drago. I was about to kill it until it knocked me away with its tail, and then it took off. I was too injured to chase after it, and I had lost my guns when it knocked me off my feet. So, I had to return to my hideaway and recover. It pained me to see that my failure resulted in what I thought was the untimely deaths of two innocent, kind, wonderful people, but I found out it was only your wife. I'm truly sorry for what happened Flint, I really am. I just wasn't enough to stop that creature… and I knew that it wasn't the creature wanting to kill. I knew the drago meant no harm but those Pigmasks got a hold of it and made it into a chimera, forcing it to obey their will. Hence, it did some damage. I couldn't get myself to kill something that was only tortured into following the will of evil. It just wasn't going to sit well on my consciousness. I also heard about Claus… it truly hit a nerve. I won't say why but… I was hit hard knowing that. But there is yet some hope. I know you want your town to be safe and to avenge your son, so I'm giving you the opportunity to do both. Are you with me Flint? I can't do this on my own." "I guess I have no choice, Steel."
"There's one more thing Flint: we have to find out where the princess went. She knows where the Hummingbird Egg is, and we'll need it for your memory to be restored. That should help you out. Then, we'll look for your other son. Make no mistake, we will find him," Steel declared. "Thanks, Steel." We went back to Tazmily to see Wess, and when we arrived, we found Duster and Kumatora. Apparently Wess's house was just the way it was before the Pigmasks came along and took over the village. "Easy enough," Steel mumbled to himself. "What brings you here, Flint? And who is this man?" Kumatora inquired. "Don't be alarmed. The name's Steel. I've watched over Tazmily for a while now… just out of sight. Flint and I are after those Pigmasks, and we have little time. I think they took Lucas. We need the borrow the Hummingbird Egg for a second," he said. "Well, Lucas is okay. He's downstairs sleeping. When we got to him he was roughed up pretty bad, but luckily Kumatora, my father and I all found him just in time to lend him a helping hand. Kumatora used her powers to heal him and then escort us back, after dealing with the last of those guys, but we found most of them already dead. You were nowhere to be found, Flint," Duster said in response. "I don't see what you need it for," Kumatora retorted brusquely. "It contains memories. I'm sure you all don't want your memories back but Flint here has some skills and knowledge he once had that was sealed away. If you ever want to know what happened, just find Leder and ask him about it. Anyways, where can we find it?" "Something about him seems vaguely familiar. Along with that, I trust Steel," I declared. "Follow me," Wess instructed.
I remembered so many things when I took hold of the Hummingbird Egg that it almost overwhelmed me. "I… I was a vigilante?" I asked in disbelief. "Yes, you were. You were like a brother to me Flint. We were inseparable friends, and we were vigilantes that were well revered, to the point that we were called warriors of justice. We were unstoppable… until evil had completely spread. Anyways, you know how all of us got to Tazmily, Flint. The white ship ported us off here. I just don't see how Porky got here," Steel said. "Time travel," Lucas informed while coming up the steps. "He's alive and well. That's good news. I would ask you to come along Lucas, as well as Old Man Wess, Duster and Kumatora, but this is quite dangerous work here. Seeing as though I don't want Flint to end up with no family like me, I'd prefer you to stay here. But more importantly, Tazmily needs some sort of protection. The four of you should be sufficient enough for that task, especially if you get some help from Lighter and a couple others when necessary. Take good care, and make sure the village stays in one piece. We shall return soon enough," Steel said. He led me out of Wess's house, and I waved goodbye to Lucas and the others.