Contrary to popular belief, this chapter has nothing to do with Red Riding Hood. My apologies to anyone who does not understand that, but the world of Pop Culture is a cruel and merciless place, and it does not often slow down for stragglers.

Chapter 2 Part 2

Hoodwinked

"Hurry, hurry. We'll never catch this Sonic guy if you two carry on at this pace." Pikachu urged playfully.

"Alright, we're hurrying, we're hurrying. Young blighter, Squawk." Chatot groaned.

Mario laughed silently as they continued to the city perimeter. They came around a corner and Mario could see a forest ahead.

Mario turned around and pointed towards the city boundaries.

"What's up Mario, Squawk? What's over there?" Chatot asked, confused.

Pikachu looked past Mario. "Yeah, there's just more city over there; nothing special."

Mario looked back in surprise. The forest had disappeared. In its place, there was even more expanse of city.

"Is the sun getting to you Mario? Going a bit cuckoo in the head huh? It happens, usually due to exhaustion." Pikachu said as he walked on.

Mario shook his head to clear it. Was the forest he saw really just imaginary? Oh well, they must be close to the edge now.

As they kept walking, Pikachu had a silent sigh of relief. "That… was close."

They were still walking through the endless metropolis when the walkie-talkie Pikachu was holding suddenly spoke.

"Guys, what are you doing? You passed the perimeter of the city a while ago. You're well out into the forest of Dark-" But Tails was cut off with a fizzle and a crack.

Smoke was coming from the walkie-talkie that was now cut in half and lying on the ground, with an innocent looking Pikachu staring down at it.

"Woops, sorry about that. I don't know what happened there, accidentally broke our only means of communication. Oh well, shall we continue?"

"Wait a minute, Squawk, for one thing, I don't think it's possible to tear a walkie-talkie in half on accident, Squawk, and for a second, I saw what happened. The move you used to destroy that device looked a lot like Night Slash, Squawk. As far as I know, Pikachu cannot use Night Slash. Who are you?" Chatot said suspiciously, eyes narrowed at the guilty Pokemon.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I never used Night Slash and I never broke the walkie-talkie, but if you don't believe me, Mario and I can continue without you. C'mon Mario." Pikachu then grabbed Mario and pulled him along.

Mario looked back at Chatot as the bird looked after them for a moment, then turned around and flew off.

"Here we are. Took us a while, but we're finally here." Pikachu said proudly.

They had finally reached the edge of the city. The dark forest in front of them stretched on endlessly.

"Now we can sit here and wait for this Sonic dude." Pikachu said as he sat down.

Mario stared into the forest in suspicion. He did not like being near it. It gave off the essence of a dark and evil place of secrets. Suddenly, Mario could see something walking out of the forest. It was a tall dark being with a completely black body. It had a white fog substance coming off the top of its head that covered one of its bright blue eyes.

Behind it came many more ghastly looking beings that gave off a feeling of dread and fear. The tall black one came forward with his arms spread wide.

"Greetings Mario, it is good to finally meet you. But where is the other I have heard of, this Chatot? Am I to believe you came alone? Hah, I thought this would be a challenge, but it seems I was mistaken. Oh, well. My master wants you eliminated. I am here to fulfill his request."

Mario was worried. Darkrai alone he probably could've taken care of, along with Pikachu, but the full force of his armada? That was a bit much for him. He would just have to fight to the fullest and hope for the best.

"I thank you, my faithful servant, for bringing him this far. You're very good at your job, that's for sure."

"You are welcome my master. After we have dealt with this one, I will go get the bird and bring him to you." Came a dark voice from behind Mario.

Mario turned around but Pikachu was no longer there. In his place was a fox like creature that had a bright red ponytail coming off the top of it's head. It stood on its hind legs and had red claws. Its slitted eyes glowed red. Looking past him, Mario could no longer see the city. He just saw an endless expanse of forest.

"Let me introduce you, Mario, to Zoroark, the Master of Illusions. He can make himself appear to be a different Pokemon or even alter his surroundings," Darkrai explained. " That is how he led you here. Using Pikachu as a disguise, he led you on and on through an illusional city that was actually this forest. Now, prepare to meet your doom."

Darkrai advanced upon Mario with Zoroark bringing up the rear. Things weren't looking good. Mario would have to be lucky to win this one. Really lucky. Mario got out his hammer and leapt for Darkrai.

Quick as lightning, Zoroark dashed underneath Mario and leapt up, sending the red plumber high into the sky. Zoroark leapt up after him and struck him down with his sharp claws. Mario fell plummeting to the ground. Thinking quick, he flipped in the air and landed on his feet. He looked up to where Zoroark was and leapt up to hit him with his hammer. Direct… hit? His hammer passed through the image of Zoroark that was now fading. Looking down, he spotted the real Zoroark laughing at him.

"Hahaha, you're pathetic. I don't know why m'lord was so worried about you, you're as harmless as a flea."

Mario seethed with rage. The only one whoever got away with insulting him was Bowser when he was running away from him in his hover car.

Still in the air, Mario threw his hammer straight down at the fiendish fox. It struck him straight on the nose. Mario spun in the air and stomped upon Zoroark's head. The fox fell to the ground, dazed. Mario picked up his hammer and swung back for the finishing blow. There was a sudden pain in Mario's back and he was blown forward, over Zoroark.

"You have forgotten Mario, you are not facing just Zoroark, you are also facing me and my army. All of them powerful and individually phenomenal in their own way. It would be hard for an army of your own to defeat them, but you alone? You are overestimating your skills my dear Mario." Darkrai mocked.

Mario struggled upward, but Zoroark put a foot on his back to restrain him. The evil fox looked back at Darkrai. Darkrai nodded.

"Finish him."

Zoroark grinned and raised his claws. He prepared his finishing blow. Mario closed his eyes.

Suddenly, the ground started shaking. Mario opened his eyes and looked around. All of Darkrai's minions were startled. Zoroark jumped off of Mario and looked around. All of a sudden, the ground underneath Zoroark gave way, and he fell with a cry.

"Yaaaaaauuuugh." His scream faded into the dark abyss.

Darkrai looked down the hole nervously. There was a quietness and then…

"Yaaaaaauuuugh." Zoroark flew out of the hole and into the sky, far in the distance. Out of the hole came a giant steel snake-like creature. There was a whirring sound from above and then a high tech looking helicopter came down. Tails waved from the cockpit.

"Me and Steelix came to help." He yelled down.

"A Steelix? I didn't know you had one of these for a friend Mario. Unless… This must be Chatot, or should I say Ditto. Haha, you're a bit late. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to execute the trap I had laid for you. Not even the great Ditto can help your friend now. Time to get you back for those things you said back before all this mess." Darkrai raised his hand.

"Dark Void!" He yelled.

A purple ball formed in his hand. He threw it at Steelix. The big Pokemon groaned and then hit the ground, snoring.

"Oh on! Not again." Tails groaned.

"And now for you!" Darkrai jumped up and smacked the helicopter out of the sky.

"Mayday, mayday. Huston, we have a problem. Going down. Auuuuuuuugh."

BOOM

The helicopter crashed into the ground with a fiery explosion. Mario stared, astonished, as Darkrai descended slowly from the sky.

"I defeated both of your friends with one hit. I am unbeatable. No one can stop me, not even you. Prepare to die."

To be continued…

Sorry this one took so long. My internet broke down and I wasn't able to upload for a while. Anyway, I hope you like my story so far, and don't forget to review.

Chaos 7