Chapter 4: Take Care

Mario had seen many villages, from all over. Link would show him different paintings in Hyrule's many textbooks, and Pit always had a photograph on hand. Even Luigi had something new to show him. Somehow, this generic, plain village was entirely foreign to him. It was driving him mad. As he shuffled along the hills, squinting as it came more and more into view, he found himself baffled. It was brown, it all looked to be constructed of wood. It was familiar in the worst way possible, and instead of relief washing over him as he passed the large gate shivers ran up his spine. Let's take a rest, he thought, but the only one allowed was the poor puffball on his back. While Kirby had found himself snug under the blanket of an unfamiliar bed, Mario was rummaging all throughout each village house. No running water, but he did find a loaf of bread inside a cupboard. It was stale, but he couldn't find any patches of mold or damage. Honestly, it was better than anything else he expected to find. He had to find something, anything to justify coming here. Even if it wasn't for a person somewhere among the tiny homes, even a glass of water would be perfect. And while he did keep his eyes open for any signs of the flickering, by now the exhausting walk and Kirby's condition had sent his mind else where. Again. He could never keep a tight grip on his thoughts, it was hard not to look right at the next obstacle. Right now, he was terrified about Kirby. There weren't any signs of dehydration yet, but already guilt had built up in his chest. That heavy, black feeling pressed hard against his lungs, and he found himself struggling to breathe. Suddenly, he wasn't so sure what he had seen. His memory may have been wrong. It probably was, he thought, in fact it most definitely was. He had skipped an entire pond, possibly full of plenty of drinking water, all to run after something he thought might be someone.

There's no time to dwell on mistakes. It was still dark out, though the stars high in the sky kept the world brightly illuminated, like street lamps along a path. Right now, with a forced smile, it was time to check up on Kirby. His legs shook as he passed each home, but he swore he wouldn't rest until he found what they needed. Inside, Kirby was still resting, but he finally felt cool to the touch. What ever exhaustion that had weakened him so fast, it looked to be gone. What a relief then, Mario thought with a warm chuckle, and here he thought the problem was water. It looked as if he was perfectly fine then. He could leave the bread on the nightstand right next to him, a surprise to wake up to. And as he turned, his blood ran cold.

Right on the night stand, clear as day, sat an empty glass of water and a plate with scattered crumbs.

It was fresh, there were still droplets all along the inside. The plate even looked to have some kind of icing along the edges... And a glance at Kirby's bed made him go dizzy. He was tucked in, nice and neat, and a handkerchief by his pillow. But Kirby was still out cold. He should know, his hands nearly lunged at him as panic set in. Answers, he just needed answers. Just wake up, he thought, tell me. Kirby may have gotten up and taken care of himself. Wake up. He had thrown the covers off him now. Tell me what's going on. But he'd never know. Even after throttling him, his own hands shaking horribly, there was no answer. Just the gentle rise and fall of breathing. Don't panic, don't panic. He told himself that over and over again, his chest aching. The plains were empty. There wasn't a creature in sight. If anyone was here, it was just a smasher, someone he knew. But wasn't he wrong about someone being here? Just minutes ago that was what he had convinced himself. His head ached far too much for this. He couldn't think, he couldn't breathe, not with that weight now building in his chest. He was exhausted, he was collapsing... He just needed to sit, just for a moment. The second he had himself on the floor, though, his head was spinning, pounding. When was the last time he had rested, anyway? Had it really only been a day so far? Only one? It felt like a year already... Everything was off, his mind just couldn't take the confusion and fear. The only way to block out reality for a man like Mario was sleep. And soon, he was sprawled on the floor, hiding away in sweeter memories.

What ever happened to conversation, anyway? Mario didn't know who asked it. He had his hat, tight in his hands. Ganondorf, look at him go. So strong, so dependable. They'd win the tourney for sure.

"Well, yea, of course he's doing great. Ganon's the strongest guy I know."
"You don't need to convince me of that!"
"He has the Triforce of Power for a reason, Mario."

Who was talking? Who cared? They were voices, something he could listen to and understand. They were figures without faces, but something he could put names to. Like his stars, in the night sky. Let's name this one Link, this one Snake, and that one Mario...

When his dreams finally slipped away he awoke with a groggy sigh. His body felt heavy, his muscles sore, but his headache had faded away. He could think clearly, at least. His bursts of hysteria made him blush, how could he be so rough with Kirby? Ah, but beating himself up over it would just start his mind racing. He shoved the events of past away, it was a new day after all. The sun was up, though Kirby was still asleep besides him. How funny, Mario thought, he didn't remember getting into a bed. The covers were warm, though, and his mind was already starting to cloud once more. If one nap had healed his mind, perhaps another could loosen his shoulders up. Whatever helped convince him, he was out cold minutes later.

"Tch. He hadn't even looked at what I brought out for him. How ungrateful." Soft steps from brown boots followed the tired voice. "I go through all this trouble just for a disgraceful runt... What a delirious man, breathing so frantically even in bed. Ah, I'm talking aloud again. Lady Corrin always said she wished I'd knock that off... I ought to sew my mouth shut, displeasing her like this." And despite the flustered, frustrated look now etched onto his face, he continued on. With careful steps he sat at the bedside of Kirby. At least he looked healthier, he thought, and prepared another tall glass of water. Rest, he just needed a bit of rest. And a pinch of medicine mixed in certainly helped him fall asleep. He never mixed in too much now, it was far too strong for it's own good. It struck him as odd that Mario could just fall right back asleep, he didn't even have a sip of water. With a sigh the man rose, making his way back towards the kitchen. When they awoke, he could prepare them a meal before figuring out what was happening.

"You know something, Ganondorf?" Mario could feel a warm feeling wash over him. Finding himself in town, his town, that was the only time he truly felt happiness return. "I'm happy this tournament pushed us to be partners. It's crazy, really! We've only spoken for a day, but I already feel so much closer."

"I'm happy to hear that." His voice was flat, his face unrecognizable. But he knew deep in his heart that this was meant to be Ganondorf. "Hm. When things are bad, you'll ask me for help."

"Oh, gosh, I couldn't do that. I'll worry about the bad things. Besides, there's no need," Mario said with a big smile. "We can all just be happy here! Look, there's Bowser, Dedede. I can see Snake over there, too! Pit, Kirby, Fox, even Wolf is smiling our way!"

"Things are happy."

"Things are very happy, Ganondorf! I don't think I've ever seen you smile. Let's smile, together, and then we can go win that tourney."

"Of course."

But Mario never saw if he actually smiled. He awoke with a jolt, sitting straight up. His chest still ached... Ah, Ganondorf really was on his mind, huh? Or maybe just the tourney... Yea, when things go back to normal, he and Ganondorf can win it. And Ganondorf right now was probably preparing to take on whoever destroyed everything. Maybe the dreams were simply telling him to keep looking for him, then. Who knows? With a sigh and scrambled brain he glanced over at Kirby. Still sleeping, how exhausted he must be... The air smelled off, he couldn't quite place it, but while he tried to find the source his gaze fell upon his own night stand. He wanted to say seeing his own glass of water had made him nervous, but he felt a wave of reassurance keep his mind focused: Just ignore it till you know it's safe. It can't hurt you if you don't have any. He forced himself out of bed, his shoulders still tense but his feet less sore. As he was gathering his thoughts he heard the softest clink of pots and pans, and the strange smell finally made sense: eggs.

"Ah... Hello..?" He called out, inching beyond the bedroom doors. The clinking came to a halt.

"You're awake? It's about time."

A voice he could understand. One who might have answers. Mario found himself clamoring down the stairs, nearly tripping himself on the way to the kitchen. He stopped dead in his tracks in the doorway, his stomach churning.

"Link?"

"Hm?"

It didn't sound much like Link. He rarely had that sort of agitation in his voice for no reason, certainly not towards a friend. But in the face, it was undeniable. Same blond ruffled hair, same blue sharp eyes, same pointed ears. It was Link, it had to be Link, and yet even the way he stood on his feet was convincing him otherwise. This man, he stood rigid, all proper... But right now he couldn't care. Despite his hesitation he smiled wide, holding onto him tight.

"Link, I can't believe it... Kirby said no one else managed to get away! You're ok, you're really ok!" Link, however, pushed frantically out of his grasp.

"Gods, I was going to tell you that you seemed fine but apparently you're still a feverish bloke!"

"Feverish?"

"You and the little pink one, you looked quite ill. In need of rest."

He spoke so sharply, like he didn't even know him... Mario could only stare.

"Gods, such bug-eyed sick fools Lady Corrin insisted on surrounding herself around..."

Corrin? Mario racked his brain, trying to recall a single interaction they might have had. Nothing came to mind.

"I didn't know you and Corrin were close, Link."

"Of course we are close, and I'd appreciate it if you'd stop making up names for me. If you do not know of mine, simply ask."

Something was very wrong. Mario tried not to let this get him dizzy. He cleared his throat.

"... Sorry. What's your name, then?"

"Jakob," he said sharply. "I serve Lady Corrin, and..."

He went on for quite some time, but Mario couldn't listen to a word of it. There had to be an answer, something logical behind this. He wasn't blind, this was Link! He knew Link for years, decades. That was his face. That was his body. But here he was, talking about the royal family of Nohr.

"...and I go through the trouble of distributing precious water that I have to leave town just to fetch, mind you, even concoct medicine with local herbs just for you to come down here and lunge at me."

"I'm sorry, you found water? Drinkable water?"

"Of course, I'd be dead by now if I hadn't. Up North from here is a little stream of fresh water. It is a bit of a hike, but certainly manageable to fetch with two pails."

"And food..."

"Certainly. I gathered it all from the cupboards of each home and stored what I could find in these cabinets. Now," he said, gesturing to the pan over the fire. "Consider yourself lucky I'm sharing these eggs with you all. They were a lucky find this morning. A nest looked quite abandoned with these eggs. I've only had the chance to have eggs twice so far, and I've been here... gods, I think at least a month now. So these are quite rare. Cherish it."

"Oh, thank you..." Though he was smiling to be polite, he felt that weight on his chest start to worsen. A month? That didn't sound right. No, it wasn't right, he decided, he was mistaken. "Jakob, if it isn't too much to ask-"

"Here," he shoved a cup into his hands. "Don't bother drinking the glass upstairs. It has a strong medicine mixed in. It inspires the body to replenish itself, but you'll probably be unconscious for most of the day, and you seem fine. The pails of water are right by the cupboards back there."

"Well, that wasn't what I was going to ask, but thank you," he said, quickly pouring himself a drink. "I actually think I'll check up on Kirby, if that's ok with you."

"Do as you wish," he said, and Mario shuffled back upstairs taking long drinks. He hadn't realized how thirsty he had been till the first drop was on his tongue and the next moment a single sip had downed half the glass. To his surprise, Kirby looked to be coming to.

"Poyo..?"

"Hey, Kirby." He took care to speak softly. "You took a pretty long nap. Are you feeling any better? I know when I ran off, you looked a little sick."

"Poi!" Kirby plopped himself down from the bed and ran right to Mario's side.

"That's great!" A genuine smile crept onto Mario's face. "Now, well, we do have a tiny situation going on."

"Poh?"

"Well, ah, it's good in some ways! Link is downstairs right now, up and about. He just, well, he just doesn't know he's Link. He thinks he's a man named Jakob..." He expected Kirby to look confused, maybe even distressed, but he just smiled wide. He nodded his little head, pat Mario's leg, and then was happily running downstairs.

"Kirby?" He stood in quiet disbelief before, just as Jakob was asking how Kirby was feeling, there was a loud bang. Mario flew down the stairs, running into the kitchen. Kirby had that hammer of his in his hands, and Link was on the floor holding his nose.

"Gods..."

"KIRBY, Kirby don't do that he's sick!" Despite how Mario ran to break them up, Kirby went on happily swinging his hammer around.

"Poyo!" Another hard hit, just as he was pulling his hands from his face. He fell limp after that...

"Kirby! Oh gosh, oh gosh... Y-You don't just do that! You don't hurt people who are confused! When I was lying in the field did you hit me?! No-..."

Mario paused, growing pale. When he came to, it felt like someone had smacked him across the face as hard as they could. He chalked it up to that attack on the cliff at first, but... His thoughts were cut off by gasping for air. Link choked and gagged, struggling to find his breath, before eventually just lying still. His body twitched moments later, and with heavy panting he managed to turn his head up, blood drizzling down his nose from the harsh hit.

"Link..?"

"Poi poh?" Kirby crouched down to get a better look at Link's face. He seemed to be staring right into his eyes, searching for something... With another choked up breath, Link said, "I always forget how hard Kirby can hit..." He managed to steady himself and stand, though he looked as dizzy as Mario felt the first time.

"Link, it's you right..? You're Link?"

"Yes, yes, I just-," he muttered, rubbing his temples. He sat down with a heavy thud. "I'm sorry, my head-."

"No, please, take your time. It's dizzying, waking up..."

So that was what had happened. Hypnosis? Possession...? It seemed only Kirby knew. If he could just find Meta Knight, or even Dedede, they might be able to translate, but waiting for an answer was killing him. Just the idea of his body, wandering around without him knowing... It made him quiver.

"Here, ah, do you want anything to eat? Drink? There's eggs cooking right now, I think." He could already feel Kirby eyeing them up. "Ah, you might want to chose quickly though."

"No, no, you guys eat first, I don't-... I don't need to eat right away."

"I'll just cut up the eggs for us all then," Mario said, putting out the fire.

"Take care of yourselves first," Link was saying, but his voice was too soft to hear.

So Mario cut the eggs into three large chunks and divvied it out to each of them, all sitting at the simple table. And despite the new questions and fears, Mario let himself feel content in knowing Link was safe with them.

Ah~, this chapter was fun to write! Thanks for reading this far and for all the views guys! Hope this adventure keeps on rollin'!