World Crossing

by pgasniper

"Unless you can stop it, in five months time our worlds will face their biggest crisis: either they will be fused together, or all dimensions will be completely annihilated. You humans, along with the Smashers are our only hope to stop this crisis."

12. Changes

Maybe I should be playing Fire Emblem Fates... At least that would be what I would be doing if Canada Post delivered it... That may be the last time I purchase something online from Best Buy. (Although, I got the special edition, it was the only place that I could get it as I had missed everywhere else...) Well it will be an absolute last resort if this experience was anything to go by.

Beyond that, I've got nothing up here today.

---

Chapter 12: Changes

Out in space, where the Bottle Ship used to occupy. Another Galactic Federation ship appeared at the now empty space.

"Colonel. We have arrived at where the distress signal was coming from."

There was a portly old man. "What?!" He said rather surprised. "But where is the Bottle Ship?"

"It has been destroyed. It seems that the self destruct sequence was activated." A soldier replied.

"And any sign of Malkovich's squad?" The colonel asked.

"No sir, we can't find any trace of their ship."

The Colonel just smiled. "Well, looks like they got what was coming to them." he said. "With any luck they're all dead, either by the assassin in their ranks, or from the explosion. Do a few more scans of the area. Then we'll go back."

The Colonel just laughed. This was a rather easy job to do. They were just supposed to go capture any survivors to keep them quiet about the Galactic Federation's dirty deeds. The fact that everything was destroyed just made everything even easier. They would probably take a day break just to give the impression that they were scouting the area for any sign of wreckage or any sign of survivors.

"Sir, I'm picking up on some strange readings."

"What are they?"

"They appear to be some sort of wormhole, they lead somewhere else. It may be possible that the ship escaped into there."

"Can we access it?"

"Maybe if we send a probe..."

"Do that!" The Colonel ordered. "We need to find out if Malkovich is still alive, and then report back." The colonel just grumbled. They waited several minutes.

"We've found the ship through the portal." One said. "Our probe can not figure out where they are. It seems like it's completely uncharted space."

"Destroy this portal, so that they never come back!" the Colonel ordered. "This will be easier to clean up than I thought."

---

Claus just staggered forwards and grabbed his head. The images of the blonde boy, with a red and yellow striped shirt flashed through his head. "Who is that guy?" He asked. "Why do I know him? Why is he so familiar?"

He pounded his fist against the wall of the underworld castle, shattering the stones and leaving a rather noticeable mark. He just looked up, he was extremely frustrated and wanted answers. He just began to walk through the castle, looking for wherever Hades could be. But he couldn't find the god, making him even more and more frustrated.

"Oh, you're back from your mission, you failure." A voice said.

Claus turned to see Chara just leaning against a wall. "I don't need this right now Chara."

"Fine." Chara sighed. "Well whatever, I don't care. Hades is in the courtyard. It must be nice being his favorite little soldier. Being sent places. It doesn't matter if you succeed or fail. Meanwhile, I'm just constantly stuck here."

"That's not my problem." Claus said, pushing past Chara.

Chara however just ran in front of Claus. He just pulled out his knife and put it dangerously close to Claus' neck. "I wonder, do you still bleed?"

Claus just placed his arm cannon right on Chara's abdomen and fired at point blank. This sent the child backwards. Chara quickly recovered and rushed for Claus, however Claus pulled out an energy sword and knocked Chara's knife out of his hand. "Don't test me." Claus said as he passed the child.

"You are confused." Chara laughed, as he struggled to get up. "You shouldn't take it out on me! Maybe you should go there yourself and find out why Hades removed your memories."

Claus just looked at Chara. "My memories?"

"You need to find out the truth..." Chara laughed, disappearing into the darkness.

Claus just looked around and began to scour the shadows, looking for where Chara had disappeared to.

"The truth?" Claus muttered. He glanced at the hallway that would lead to the courtyard where Hades was. However he just turned away, and began to run.

---

Magnus was covered in sweat. He was gasping for air. He was only five feet away from Palutena, but the amount of pressure that she was releasing was unbelievable. With every slight glance at him, he felt like he was going to be torn apart. If she even so much as twitched, his body would just instinctively react, and try to get as far away as possible.

"So this is a God?!" Magnus thought.

"Yes indeed." Palutena replied.

Magnus just looked at her rather shocked. "You heard that?!"

"Don't be shocked." Palutena replied. "You are in my domain now. I am omnipotent. I will know your every single thought, and move. And this is only the beginning of fighting a God or Goddess. It is nothing more than an uphill battle for a mere mortal. So, are you going to give up?"

"Fat chance." Magnus laughed.

Palutena just smiled. "Good." She said.

They continued on for an hour until Phosphora walked into the colosseum.

"Phosphora, what brings you here?" Palutena asked.

"Mistress Viridi said that I also have to partake in this training." Phosphora replied.

"Are you sure you can handle it?" Magnus wondered.

Phosphora just began to walk up towards Palutena, she got at least within three feet of her before her body froze. "Maybe a mortal like you should just walk away and get back to your peaceful and short life."

Magnus just glared at her.

"Now, now, Phosphora." Palutena said a bit annoyed. "No cheating."

"What?" Magnus said. "She's cheating."

"Yes." Palutena replied. "This is only the first stage. I will be increasing the intensity later once Magnus get's used to this, and I guess now you too."

Palutena just put her staff on the ground, and light began to illuminate off of her. Floating behind her appeared a symbol. Magnus was just overcome with fear. He couldn't move, and just collapsed onto the ground, averting his gaze. Phosphora likewise also fell to the ground. But soon the pressure began to disappear. Magnus looked up to see Palutena just smiling at them.

"You've both done well." She said. "In battle, Hades could do something like that, and it will temporarily freeze you, in fact he did that during the battle. So now, I guess you understand how dangerous something like that is. Phosphora, your spirit barrier would instantly be broken, so you both need to train to be able to stand up to a God's influence. I'm sure you both know this, but to stand up against a God is to stand up against the very foundation of the world."

"I see..." Magnus said.

"You've done well for today." Palutena said. "Magnus, go rest yourself in our sacred hotsprings, and heal. We will resume tomorrow. You too Phosphora."

"Right." They both said.

---

Magnus had found his way to the sacred hot springs. He had stripped out of his clothing and was now in the hot spring, just soaking in the hot water, letting the water just heal his tired and aching muscles. "That was the first day of training, huh?" He thought to himself. "It's only going to get harder from here on out isn't it."

He suddenly felt the presence of others around him. He opened his eyes, and saw six people glaring at him. He could tell they weren't humans, but they weren't angels either.

"What do you want?" Magnus asked.

"You're going to come with us Human."

Magnus just looked at each of them rather annoyed. "And if I don't want to?" He said.

"Then we'll just bring you by force." One said.

Magnus laughed. "Interesting." He said. "Fine, let's go, under the condition we get changed first."

They agreed, and soon Magnus was in his clothing and light armor. The other six were in armor. They brought him to a field. "All right, why are we here?" Magnus asked.

They just glared at him and pulled out weapons.

"I see, so it's a fight." He said. "Well that's fine with me."

"Why is Lady Palutena training a dirty human such as yourself!" One said.

"I think I'm finally getting it now." Magnus said. "You guys must be spirits like Phosphora." Magnus just grabbed his sword and looked at all six of them. "Well, then, come!"

They all rushed towards Magnus.

Sometime later they had all been defeated, and were just lying on the ground unconscious.

"Hey, if you're omnipotent, you should of been able to see this." Magnus said.

Palutena just teleported right beside him. "I did." She replied.

"And why didn't you step in?" Magnus wondered.

"Well, I wanted to see your progress for myself." Palutena replied. "Starting tomorrow, these six are going to help you train."

"So you planned this?" Magnus asked.

"No, I just decided on it right now." Palutena replied. "If they want to go through the same training as you do, I see no reason why we shouldn't grant their request."

"You are an evil woman, you know that?" Magnus replied.

"I just think this is the punishment deserving of their actions." Palutena replied. She waved her staff and all six of the armored warriors began to float away. "Rest up, tomorrow's training will be much harder than today's."

Magnus just laughed. "Fine." He began to walk back to the hot springs in order to soak his body and relax.

---

The Great Sacred Treasure came out of a portal and entered into the hanger in the Smash Mansion, a moment later it disappeared and Pit, Dark Pit, and Bayonetta fell to the ground. While Pit and Bayonetta landed gracefully on the ground, Dark Pit just face faulted.

"A little bit more warning next time?" Dark Pit muttered.

"You had plenty of warning." Pit said. "Now let's see. Miss Bayonetta, welcome to the Smash Mansion."

"Smashing."

"Would you like me to give you a grand tour?" Pit asked.

"Hey, suck up, where's my tour?" Dark Pit wondered.

"Come on Pittoo, why do you need a tour? You know where everything is."

"Don't call me that!" Dark Pit snapped.

Pit just led Bayonetta towards an elevator, and Dark Pit followed. However as they got closer, sirens began to wail.

"Intruder detected."

"What the?!"

"Oh no!" Pit said realizing his mistake. He glanced over at Dark Pit, he realized that he shouldn't have triggered anything since he had been to the mansion before. His gaze went over to Bayonetta. "She must have triggered the alarms."

"I did?" Bayonetta said, rather offended.

"Well not you, the demon you made a pact with." Pit replied.

Suddenly four alloys appeared. A red, a blue, a yellow, and a green. They just surrounded Bayonetta. Pit just looked rather afraid. "Oh no."

"What? Aren't they just training dummies?" Dark Pit said.

"No, they're set to cruel." Pit replied. "They are to force you out."

"So we just fight them and beat them!" Dark Pit said, rushing towards one. Pit however rushed forwards and tackled Dark Pit to the ground.

"You can't!" Pit said. "If you do they will attack you as well."

"So, we're just leaving her to face them alone?" Dark Pit snapped.

"Don't worry about me boys." Bayonetta said. "Why don't I show you what I can do. And that goes for those of you watching at home." She winked at a security camera. "Or why don't you come here, maybe if you're fast, there might be one left standing. It's not every day I give a live show after all."

"Who is she talking to?" Dark Pit wondered.

Master Hand suddenly teleported in. "Very well." He said.

Bayonetta just summoned four red guns. Two attached to her heels, while she held the other two. The set was known as Scarborough Fair, each gun had a name Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. She just looked at the four alloys.

"You don't mind if I destroy these things?" She wondered.

"If you can." Master Hand replied.

"Interesting." Bayonetta replied. "You seem to have a lot of confidence in these tin cans. Well then, come!"

The Yellow and Green Alloy's rushed forwards towards Bayonetta, they jumped into the air, and threw a punch and a kick at her. Bayonetta however just jumped back narrowly dodging them. However she just looked at them in shock. "What the!?"

She just quickly kicked the Yellow Alloy back and tried to get some distance between her and the green one. However the Green Alloy just remained close to her. She quickly jumped onto the walls, and began to climb them, however the Green Alloy followed.

Bayonetta just quickly summoned a giant fist that rushed right for the Green Alloy, however the Yellow Alloy just jumped and kicked it causing the fist to be pushed away from the Green Alloy.

Pit and Dark Pit just looked on in shock. "No way." Dark Pit said. "Those demon fists where matching Hades' attacks blow for blow."

"An alloy is a metal composed of multiple base metals." Master Hand said. "These are the four strongest, cruelest Alloys we have. Composed of Nintendium, known for being next to indestructible, and then a few other metals. Pit, you remember when I had you and the rest of the Smashers challenge and fight the 100 alloys."

"Yeah, they were super weak!" Pit laughed.

"Indeed." Master Hand replied.

"They cracked and broke after a few hits."

"The alloy they were composed of was cheap, and intentionally made so." Master Hand replied.

"Wait, what?!" Pit said shocked.

"One of the many metals that that those alloys were made of was known as Memory Metal. When broken, it adapts and absorbs what broke it." Master Hand said. "From Donkey Kong's and Ganondorf's brute force, to Bowser's flames. Your holy arrows were no different."

Pit just looked at Bayonetta in shock. "Wait, then that means!"

"All those broken fragments were brought together and mixed in to make the new and strongest alloys." Master Hand said.

"So the power from his holy arrows, is actually in the memory metal and that's what's making Bayonetta have a hard time." Dark Pit said. "Interesting."

Bayonetta, who had been gracefully dodging each of the Yellow and Green Alloy's attacks had been also listening to Master Hand's explanation. "I see, so that's it. Sneaky... Well then, let's have a bit of fun then..."

She rushed right into the Yellow Alloy and fired the two guns in her hands at point blank. She jumped back, and kicked the Yellow Alloy down into the Red and Blue Alloys that were just standing there patiently observing the match.

The Yellow alloy crashed into the Red and Blue alloys. Suddenly being agitated, the Red and Blue alloys jumped up towards Bayonetta.

"She shouldn't have done that." Master Hand sighed.

Bayonetta just smiled. She was suddenly covered with a red aura. She swung her arm, and it was like a sword cut through the air. The Alloys were all knocked back, and there wasn't even a gash on their armor. However, on the yellow alloy, part of her attack had hit a spot on it's abdomen that wasn't covered by the alloy. It seemed to wince in pain.

Bayonetta just rushed forwards towards the Yellow Alloy, placed her two guns on it's abdomen and began to open fire. The Yellow alloy staggered backwards.

"I've seen enough." Master Hand said. He just snapped his fingers and the alloys went down towards him. He just looked over their armor and then at the wound that Bayonetta had caused on the yellow alloy. His hand began to glow with a blue light, and it healed the wound. A few moments later the alloys began to walk away. "Bayonetta, was it? Please come down, there is much to discuss."

"Oh." She smiled jumping off of the ceiling, and landing gracefully on the ground. "Such as?"

"I'd like to invite you into the Smashers." Master Hand said.

---

Zoroark and Noah quickly found that the house was lonely, and empty. Without Saki, Isaac, Lucas there, or even Alex it just felt empty and far too big.

It was a constant and unsettling feeling that Zoroark had, he always thought the house was too big for just Alex and himself, but now, it really felt like that. Beyond that, without Alex there, he felt like he didn't belong.

Zoroark just went around the house, looking for any trace of his Master, but there was none. Just the 3DS that he had left on the charging cradle. He just held it, hugging it, and holding it close to his chest. "Master, please be safe." he said.

That night, neither of them slept more than two hours. Zoroark was afraid that he would never see Alex again, and Noah was outright terrified of what would happen to him now.

In the morning they both struggled to get up, and go to school. Zoroark honestly considered ditching school, after all it didn't matter to him, he was only there to 'fit in' and to hold up the illusion that he was someone else. But, whenever Alex was sick, he would order him to go to school. For that reason alone, he went. All throughout the day, he kept seeing people stare at him, he would glance, and they would realize that he saw them and quickly turned away.

It wasn't until lunch that he knew why. Much to his shock, he saw that Cody had approached him. "Hey, can we talk, Nick?" Cody said.

Zoroark just nodded. They got up, and made their way out of the school. Cody just was constantly looking nervous. They got to the forest, and they both looked around to make sure that they hadn't been followed. Cody just immediately went on his hands and knees. "I'm sorry!" He said. "I couldn't do anything to stop it!"

"Stop what?" Zoroark said confused.

Cody just looked up to see the confused Pokemon. "What, where have you been this weekend?" Cody asked.

"Bionis." Zoroark replied.

Cody just looked dumbfounded. "Bionis? As in the Xenoblade Bionis?"

"Is there any others?" Zoroark wondered.

"I guess not..." Cody replied. "So then, where's Alex?"

"I don't know." Zoroark replied. "Somewhere in the other worlds. We got separated and things happened."

"So, you haven't heard the news..." Cody said a bit shocked. "I'm both relieved and now terrified."

"Of what?"

"Being the one who has to deliver this news to you." Cody said.

Zoroark just looked at Cody. "What happened?" He managed to ask.

Cody just began to pace around, it was clear that in his head he was trying to figure out how to word this. "So much has happened, and urgh, why does this have to be my job?" He just punched a nearby tree. "I guess we should start from the top. I've been given orders to eliminate Alex."

Zoroark just stood there, a bit shocked. "But you work for Nugai, so even if you were given those orders, you wouldn't do it."

"You're right... But that's not all." Cody said. "Nugai, he's been scheduled to be put to death."

"What?!" Zoroark shouted surprised. "But, Canada doesn't have the death penalty."

"I know that." Cody replied. "I know that, but... it's essentially being done off the books. It will probably be publicized as him dying of something else. Like he started to refuse to eat."

"Besides, Nugai won't let that happen." Zoroark said. "Master always said that Nugai was just biding his time."

"I believe that too." Cody replied. "He's well aware that they would eventually try to get rid of him, but there's not much you can do to a person who can bend time and space at will. But, that really wasn't all. You've probably noticed all the people staring at you..."

Zoroark just nodded.

"The building where Alex fought Hero, the security footage was investigated, and Alex is now a wanted criminal. They've identified him and are looking for him. The current plan is to pin the murders on him."

"What?!" Zoroark shouted. "But that was Hero?!"

"They know that, but they also know everything with the Chosen Champions and the Smashers." Cody replied. "And how they are going to interfere with Zenith's plans. The search for him, it's going to be kept low key, only local to try and not notify his mother..."

"Fat chance." Zoroark laughed. "She'll find out from family and stuff."

"Publicly, it's going to be dealt as a missing person case." Cody bluntly said. "Probably the luckiest of coincidences with you not being there this weekend, and away on Bionis... They all ready searched your house and bugged it but Nugai took care of that."

Zoroark just looked a bit afraid.

"But I don't know if they knew what happened in that world then." Cody said. "I thought it was a bit strange that they all ready posted his face everywhere as a missing person. But if they did, it makes sense. But how?"

"Zero." Zoroark replied. "Alex voiced concern to me that one of the chosen champions that remained was a spy, or something, that they worked for Zenith. But..."

"Hold on just a second." A voice said. Appearing from thin air was Nugai. "I've been doing a bit of digging into this Zero person... They are not a chosen champion."

"But Master said that he had the chosen champion program somehow." Zoroark pointed out.

"Zero is like me, an Akashic Point user." Nugai replied. "With that, it's just a simple copy and paste."

"Then he could have been watching us on Bionis... and in the Bottle Ship." Zoroark said. "Then that could have meant that the separating was intentional and not an accident!"

Nugai just stood there. "Yeah." was all he said.

"You seem quite calm considering your cousin is lost in the other world, and it seems like Zenith is making their move, which also includes your own execution." Cody said.

"You're right Tei. We'll I've got my execution figured out anyways." Nugai laughed. He snapped his fingers and suddenly a Wire Frame appeared, with a wave of his hand, it looked identical to Nugai. "This Wire Frame, courtesy of Master Hand, will be acting as a stand in, starting now." He snapped his fingers and the Wire Frame disappeared. "In the mean time, I guess I better start working on my counter plan and trying to find my cousin."

Cody just nodded.

"Just there's one thing..." Zoroark said. "Knowing Master, when he get's back he's probably going to be upset about all of the school he missed."

Nugai just laughed. "That's just like him."

"Is there a way to do his exams for him if he's still missing?" Zoroark asked.

Nugai just nodded. "There is, I just hope it doesn't take that long." He said. "Tei, I'll contact you the usual way if I need you."

Cody just nodded.

"Wait, Nugai!" Zoroark shouted. "There's something else."

"And that is?" Nugai asked.

"I feel like this is partly my fault." Zoroark said. "What if I'm not strong enough to protect Master? Is there a way I can get stronger?!"

Nugai just nodded. He stretched out his hand and two gemstones appeared. "Then use this. It's Zoroarkite and a keystone." Nugai said. "But whether you can use that power it will be up to you."

The two gems floated over to Zoroark. Zoroark just looked up at Nugai in shock. "I can mega evolve?!" He said, rather ecstatic.

Nugai just nodded. "Yes, you can, but that's ultimately up to you."

"I'll use this power to protect Master!" Zoroark said. "Thank you."

"Of course, that method requires you having Alex back here, or forming a bond with another human such as Noah." Nugai said. "There is another method for Mega Evolution." In Nugai's hand appeared a bangle with numerous impressions that looked like something could be placed there. "This is a looplet. Please put it on."

Zoroark just took it and put on the looplet on his wrist. In Nugai's hand appeared what looked like a gemstone. "This is the Awakening Emera." He said. "With it, you can Mega Evolve, however such power is only temporary. If you stay in Mega Evolution for too long in this mode, you will go berserk."

"I understand." Zoroark said.

Nugai just tossed the Emera to Zoroark who caught it. "Good, in that case, be careful. And you will breakthrough your current limits to become stronger."

"Right."

With a simple snap of his fingers Nugai disappeared. Zoroark just sat down on a nearby stump. "So what now?" Zoroark asked.

"I guess you just continue what you're doing." Cody replied. "As far as I can tell, they don't seem concerned about you, at least not yet. All I've heard is that they just seem to think you're a pet that he got through abusing world crossing. But I'd think you should be careful as well, they may try to get to you if you know something, or to bring him out of hiding"

"Have any other chosen champion's identities been compromised?"

"No." Cody replied. "Not even Noah's." Zorark just nodded, at least happy about that. "It seems like the little editing that Nugai and Master Hand did after that incident where he killed his father, there was a small fail safe, everyone just seems to think that he's Alex's half brother. Or another one or something, since it seems like his father likes to sleep around."

Zoroark just laughed a bit, the small bit of levity was needed. The few times he had met Alex's father, he didn't exactly have a very positive impression of the man. "Nathan, he will probably be calling tonight then, wondering what happened."

"How much does he know?" Cody asked.

"Just that I'm a Zoroark."

"Keep it that way, if you can." Cody said. "There's no telling what Zenith will do now."

Zoroark just nodded. They got up, and returned to their school day like nothing happened. At least now knowing why people were looking at him cut out a bit of the iritation. To them, Alex was his brother. They were probably showing as much fake pity as they could muster.

He arrived home, and just began to make dinner. He kept the phone near him, waiting for the inevitable phone call. It rang a few times, and he looked at the caller display, there was a bit of relief when he saw it was just a telemarketer, so he ignored it. But soon the inevitable phone call began. He saw Alex's father's number and just picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Nick!" A voice replied from the other end. "Is my brother there?!"

Zoroark contemplated lying to him. All he would have to do was just transform into his master, the illusion would do the rest. But Nathan would know, Nathan always knew, and could see through his illusions. "No, I'm sorry." Zoroark replied.

It was evident that the kid on the other end's heart just broke. "Then is it true?" He began to cry. "My brother is missing!?"

It hurt Zoroark to say it, but he needed to. "Yes." He replied.

"Where?" Nathan asked between sobs.

"I don't know." Zoroark replied. "He just disappeared. Sorry bud, but you know I'll be looking for him."

"This means I won't be able to come over this weekend, right?" He cried.

Zoroark just looked rather pained. He knew Nathan liked being here and spending time with them, but unfortunately he knew that their parents wouldn't allow it. "Sorry." Zoroark said. "But if I find him I'll let you know and you can come over."

The kid said his good byes and hung up. Zoroark just put the phone down and let off a heavy sigh. "Well, that's one giant weight off of my shoulders. Now for the other one."

"Other one?" Noah asked.

"His mother."

That phone call eventually came. It was a long distance call, the caller display saying it was from a Alex's mother's cell phone. Zoroark just answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hello Nick."

While to the outside world it appeared that Alex and Nick were brothers, to Alex's mother, Nick was just his best friend who happened to live with Alex, because she was never there and always on book tours, or something. Since she was hardly around there was never any need to worry about the stories never meshing together.

"I've been dreading this." Zoroark replied.

"So, I guess that means what I've been hearing about my son disappearing is true." She replied.

"Yes." Zoroark replied.

"I guess the only question is, is there a ransom note?" She asked.

"No, there isn't." Zoroark replied.

There was a sigh of relief. "That's good. He probably just needed time to get away from everything." She replied. "Stress from school, life, I'm sure he'll be back. He's getting older. And as much as I hate to admit it, he's growing up. One day he will have to leave, and possibly start up a family of his own. You two have always been rather big troublemakers you know that. You made my hair go white faster than my editor's deadlines. I regret not being there for him, but... perhaps it's a punishment."

"Punishment?" Zoroark asked confused. "Why would this be a punishment?"

"Things were different back then." She sighed. "I thought I'd have a loving husband to look after him while I was away... We didn't know he was going to be so sick. I didn't know that my husband was going to cheat. In the end, we never did tell him. He doesn't know."

Zoroark could feel the hairs all across his body standing on end. It was like everything went cold. "He doesn't know what?" He asked.

There was just silence on the other end of the line. A few moments later it was replaced with a weak laugh. "Look at me, I've just went and rambled on." She said trying to dismiss it.

"Please, tell me what he doesn't know, it could be related to him disappearing." Zoroark said, of course he knew it didn't, but he desperately wanted to know.

"It doesn't have anything to do with his disappearance, I can assure you of that." She replied.

"Please, tell me." Zoroark said.

"I shouldn't have rambled on." She weakly laughed. "It's my fault. But fine, Alex is adopted."

Zoroark just went white. His illusion actually broke. "What?!" He said.

"It must be quite a shock to you too. I'm glad he at least has a good friend to confide in. If he returns, please watch over him."

"Yes, of course. I'll let you know if he returns." Zoroark said.

"Thank you." She replied.

Zoroark just hung up, and collapsed on a chair. Noah just looked at him. "What were you told?"

Zoroark however just ignored him. "What the hell?" He muttered.

"Hey, Zoroark?" Noah said.

Zoroark just glanced up. "Sorry." Zoroark replied. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

---

At the Smash Mansion, the kid Smashers were playing a game of soccer out in the yard. Or once again it had degenerated into hitting the ball as hard as they could, without breaking it. Popo had hit the soccer ball with his hammer, causing ice to surround it, and go flying.

However, out of nowhere, someone jumped in front of the ball and just cut it into two. He landed and just held out his beam sword in front of them, just pointing it at Lucas. Everyone was rather shocked by his sudden appearance, and took a few seconds to digest what he looked like. A helmet that concealed most of his face. A black jacket, orange pants, and black boots.

Ness just stepped in front of Lucas and held his baseball bat, slinging it over his shoulder. "Everyone, prepare yourself in case of a fight." Ness whispered before turning his attention back to the Masked Man. "What do you want? You're with Hades, right?"

"Yes." The Masked Man replied. "However, Lord Hades did not send me here. I came here of my own free will, I have questions and am seeking answers."

Ness just stared forwards. "And what are those?"

"You, who are you?" The Masked Man asked.

"Well, I'm Ness."

"No, I don't mean you, I don't care about you." The Masked Man replied. "I mean the person behind you, the blonde boy."

Lucas just passed by Ness and looked at the Masked Man. "Can you remove your helmet?" Lucas asked. "And put down your weapon? Do those, and I'll peacefully answer your questions."

The Masked Man complied. He turned off his beam sword and reattached it to his belt and then reached up and took off his helmet. A few of the Smashers gasped, and Lucas just approached him. Lucas just got close and looked at him, inspecting every inch of his face, before wrapping his arms around him and just hugging him. The Masked Man just stood there a bit shocked.

"Claus, it is you!" Lucas cried.

"How do you know my name?" He asked.

"Your my brother." Lucas replied.

Claus just pushed Lucas away, and looked at him. "No, that's impossible." He said. "I've always served Lord Hades..."

"Your memories must of been replaced, or removed or something." Lucas said.

"My memories? Is this what Chara meant?"

"Come on, you've got to remember Mom and Dad and Boney, right?" Lucas said.

Claus just looked a bit shocked.

"Boney?" Popo laughed. "What sort of name is that?"

Lucas and Claus just shot him a glare. "Our dog's!" They both replied. Claus just looked a bit shocked and staggered backwards. Unsure of what he just said.

Lucas began to hug him once again. "You do remember!" However Lucas froze, and stopped his embrace.

Claus was shaking, he was absolutely terrified. "How do I know these things?" He muttered, staggering backwards. "Why? I don't remember this, but I know it?"

Lucas just smiled. "Your memories are bound to come back if you spend more time with me. Come on!" Lucas just grabbed Claus' hand and began to drag him away.

"Lucas, are you sure you should-" Ness began, but he cut himself off when he realized that Lucas probably wouldn't care if it was a trap. He'd take this risk to be with his brother once again. Ness decided to just follow behind Lucas and Claus at a distance, in the event that anything happened he would be there to protect Lucas. They made their way into a forest, and into a clearing where Lucas and Claus just continued to talk to each other.

Ness just leaned up against a tree at the other end, and just watched them. He closed his eyes and began to think about his family. His sister Tracey, his mother and father.

There was suddenly a snap, Ness' eyes opened in time to see a flash of light. A deku nut had been thrown in between them, and stunned them all. As Lucas regained his sight, he saw that Claus had been tackled down by Wolf. A blaster was just placed directly on Claus' face.

"Don't move." Wolf threatened.

There were several other Smashers such as Samus, Snake, and Falco were there. They also had ray guns, blasters or their own arm cannon aimed right at Claus.

"Get away from him!" Lucas cried out, but he was being held back by Toon Link, and Red. Ness was also being held back by Nana and Popo.

"Lucas, stop this right now." Master Hand said. "We are detaining him for information. He is our enemy."

"No!" Lucas pleaded. "Stop!"

However Master Hand, Wolf, Falco, Samus, and Snake just began to walk away. Escorting Claus away. He didn't struggle.

Lucas began to struggle and scream. "Claus! Claus!" He shouted. Claus just glanced back and gave a small nod and smile, and then faced forwards once again.

All Lucas could do was collapse on the ground and break down. Claus had been taken away from him once again. Lucas just broke Toon Link and Red's grip and ran off. They went to follow them, however Ness just blocked their way having broken out of Nana and Popo's grip earlier.

"Get out of the way, Ness." Red said. "Lucas might go and do something rash."

"He won't." Ness sighed. "You should know him better than that. He's just going to go to where he goes every time he's upset, the flower garden..."

Sure enough, Lucas ran to the flower garden, and just hid away on a bench in the flowers. "Why did Master Hand do that..." He muttered. He sat there for a few minutes, and then felt someone looming over him. He figured it was Ness, but when he didn't say anything he just looked up.

Lucas just looked at shock at the new woman. He hadn't seen her around the mansion before. "Is something wrong, little one?" She asked.

Lucas just nodded. "Yes." He said.

"You can tell me about it." She said.

Lucas nodded. "Who are you though?" he asked, a bit cautious of the woman.

"My name is Bayonetta." she said.

"I haven't seen you around the mansion before." Lucas said. "Are you someone who Master Hand is considering to make a Smasher?"

Bayonetta just nodded. "And a boy like yourself is a Smasher?" She wondered.

Lucas just nodded.

"You're much too soft to be a fighter." Bayonetta replied.

Lucas nodded in agreement. "Everyone says that." He sighed. "And I agree with them. But Ness says that's my greatest strength."

"Ness?" Bayonetta wondered.

"He's my best friend." Lucas replied. "And he's another Smasher."

Bayonetta just glanced up to see someone watching them from a distance. A young boy with a baseball cap. "I see." she said, figuring this was Ness. "Well, why were you crying here in the garden?"

Lucas glanced up at Bayonetta. "Um, well..." he nervously muttered. "You see..." Lucas just began to explain the situation, how his brother had disappeared, and on a recent mission he came face to face to him. How he was the enemy. Then his brother appeared outside the Smash Mansion, and was captured and detained by the other Smashers.

Bayonetta just looked at the Smash Mansion.

"Miss Bayonetta?"

"Just Bayonetta is fine." She said.

"I don't know what to do." Lucas admitted.

"Hey there you are!" A voice said. "I've been looking all over for you." Walking towards Lucas and Bayonetta was Dark Pit. Lucas had seen him at the Smash Mansion a few times before, where he was visiting his brother.

"You angels really are rude, you know that?" Bayonetta said. "Can't you see we're in the middle of something."

"Yeah," Dark Pit said annoyed. "I don't care." A gun appeared in Bayonetta's hands, and she just pointed it right at Dark Pit. "Fine, fine, you've made your point."

Lucas' eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait, you two aren't Smashers yet, are you?"

"No," Dark Pit replied. "Honestly I'm leaving. Just Pit told me I might as well say good bye to her before I go."

"Listen, can I ask for a huge favor?" Lucas asked.

"That depends." Dark Pit said.

---

Palutena wasn't lying when she said that the training was going to be much harder. The six that had attacked him the previous night were now attacking him while he tried to progress closer to Palutena. She had increased the intensity of the pressure, so he was much further back and trying to approach her. All while the six of them were running circles around him, trying to attack.

Magnus would swing his sword in an attempt to block, but he soon was finding that they were much more coordinated this time than they were last night. If he swung at one least two others would counter attack. Their weapons for the most part had been replaced, with training weapons, so that their attacks were much weaker, and not life threatening. But that didn't mean that it didn't hurt. Magnus could swear that they were trying to inflict as much pain as possible to him.

"And how goes the progress?" Viridi asked, walking up to Palutena, as though it was nothing.

"He's making some." Palutena replied. "But I'm not sure if it's enough."

"Why?" Viridi asked.

"There's no telling when Hades will strike again," Palutena replied. "And I'd want to be optimistic and hope that he would be ready, but Hades has shown that he can and will attack at any time."

Viridi just handed over a bag to Palutena. "I made what you requested. Use it to make tea." She said. "You are a cruel and evil woman."

Palutena just nodded. "I know. I just hope that they will be able to forgive me."

"Spirit tea..." Viridi sighed. "If they live, they will be much stronger, but there will be so much excruciating pain, they may want to die instead."

"I know." Palutena replied. "Everyone you can stop now, we're going to take a break."

Everyone just collapsed, gasping for air. Magnus was a bit surprised that the 6 fighters were as exhausted as he was, if not more.

A centurion came around with large jugs of water, and they began to drink from it. Magnus figured that the water must of had some magical property to it, as he was instantly finding himself reenergized and ready for the next round.

A few minutes later Palutena approached them with a kettle. "Your training has been going well." She said.

"I'd say." Magnus laughed.

"Since you have been eating, drinking and bathing here, you've been exposed to much spiritual energy and your body is absorbing it and gaining a resistance to it." Palutena explained. "Not to mention that one time from when you wore the ring that Pit was in. But, I feel that even as fast as we're going, it's not fast enough. Hades can and will strike whenever he pleases, he isn't going to wait for someone to be strong enough to beat him, he will nip that in the bud before anyone is a legitimate threat."

Magnus just nodded. "And you have a way to speed up the training?"

"Yes." She replied as she poured seven tea cups. She just looked at Magnus and the six fighters. "This is spirit tea." She said.

"What?!" the six fighters said shocked.

Magnus just looked at her a bit confused. "Mind explaining what it is?"

Palutena just nodded. "It is made from plants that will open your chakra gates, and grant you a boost in spiritual power." She began. "However, it is extremely dangerous. If you drink this, you will be in excruciating pain for quite a while, and you may even die. Are you willing to take this risk?"

"Is this to fast track us?" Magnus asked.

Palutena just nodded. "You can naturally train and gain the resistance to my aura, but this would considerably cut your time down at least in half."

"Then I'm not interested." Magnus replied. "Sorry, but there are no shortcuts in training. Relying on such cheap tricks will just get you killed."

Palutena just nodded. "Very well then, if that is your choice. However the training will get much harder tomorrow. It will always be here to fall back on it."

She waved her hand and a protective barrier appeared around the spirit tea. It was then teleported away.

"Take a break." Palutena said. "We don't want you to overexert yourself. It might be best if you go relax in the sacred hot springs again."

Magnus just nodded. He got up and began to walk away the six fighters also got up and began to follow him. He just glanced at them. "You're not going to attack me when I'm resting in the hot springs again, right?" He asked.

"No, you misunderstood us..." One of the fighters said.

"Is that so?" Magnus wondered.

"For a human, we misjudged you." One of the fighters said.

"For a human you're not half bad."

"And for spirits, or whatever you guys are you're pretty good too." Magnus said. "So can I have your names?"

"Ansel."

"Aias."

"Castor."

"Priam."

"Lycus."

"Deimos."

"Well, I'm Magnus. I'll try to remember your names. Unfortunately names aren't my strong suit."

"I imagine as a mercenary you try not to get too attached to anyone." Aias said.

Magnus nodded in agreement. "Today's ally could be tomorrow's enemy. Or they could die in battle. Well, for right now, let's not talk about these things and just relax in the hot springs."

---

Tuesday, school was mostly boring with nothing of note happening. During class Noah was just day dreaming, he wished he was in the other world, going on adventure and fighting others. Despite all of the danger that he was exposed to, he couldn't help but think that it was exciting, and so much could happen. Thankfully the recess bell rang. All the students in his class got up and made their way outside for 15 brief moments of freedom.

Noah just looked around the school yard. He was currently trying to find a corner, or some spot with some shade, and wasn't too muddy to sit down and play his on 3DS. He turned around a corner and hid behind some stairs. He was ready to play some games, at least until he heard someone crying.

He traveled a bit further and saw a kid sitting down, leaning against the wall. He had rather short brown hair, and was dressed in jeans and a light spring jacket. "Hey, are you okay?" Noah asked.

The kid jolted up and was now staring at him, looking absolutely terrified. His eyes were currently red from crying. "No..." The kid muttered.

"What happened?"

"You wouldn't understand." He said.

"Someone once told me that it's better to just get it off of your chest." Noah said. "Trust me, okay?"

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't be able to help." He muttered.

"Maybe not, but, I might know something that can help, or we could go to the teachers..." Noah said. "Look, I'm Noah."

"Nathan." The kid muttered.

"Okay." Noah laughed. "I guess that's a start. Okay, so, are you going to tell me?"

"No..." Nathan muttered.

For the time being Noah felt that the kid wasn't going to change his mind. So, for right now he decided to return back to actually playing his 3DS. Since he had begun living at Alex's, Alex had said that all the games were fair game. Just if he was going to delete a save file ask him first. Since that was kind of impossible at the moment, he decided to just stick with some games that had multiple saves. Currently he was just playing a game of Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon.

Nathan just glanced over. "Oh, my brother has that game." He said.

"Ah, well, this isn't mine, I'm just borrowing it from a friend." Noah replied.

Nathan just nodded and then pulled out his own 3DS, and started to play. Currently he was playing a game of Pokemon Black 2. Noah couldn't help but glance at his screen and seeing what he was doing. Nathan wasn't afraid to answer any questions that Noah had, and was even showing off his team.

"Oh wow, you've got some really nice Pokemon." Noah said.

"Yeah!" Nathan said rather excited. "Although my big brother's are even better!"

"Is that so?" Noah laughed.

"Yeah, no matter what I fight him with he always wins." Nathan said. "My big brother never loses!"

"Ah, that's great." Noah said. "I wish I had a sibling I could play games with. But I'm an only child... So I just got friends."

"I sort of know that feeling." Nathan replied, now looking rather down. "He's my half brother, and he lives with his mother. I really only see him once a month."

"Oh." Noah said shocked. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"But the time I get to play with him is always great." Nathan said. "And there is the odd family gathering he comes to..."

"Sounds nice..." Noah said. For the first time he began to wonder about his extended family. Did they miss him, did they notice that he went missing after that whole ordeal and the memory altering.

"Hey, Noah!" Some voices said. Noah looked up and saw a few people from his class standing a few meters away.

"What do you want?" Noah asked.

"Do you have any idea who that is you're sitting beside?" One of them said.

Noah just glanced over to Nathan. His happy attitude had completely vanished, he just looked terrified now.

"His name is Nathan, why?" Noah asked.

"You know the person who went missing over the weekend? The wanted criminal?" One of them said.

Noah just blinked a few times rather confused. "Went missing? Wanted criminal?"

"You know that famous author's son."

Noah just continued to look confused, slowly the gears began to turn in his head. "Wait, author's son... You mean Alex?"

"Is that his name?" One of them said.

"I don't know." Another replied.

"Well anyways, that's his half brother."

Noah just glanced at Nathan, and suddenly everything clicked. "You're that Nathan?! But you look nothing alike... And... so that's why... and..." He just turned to face the group of three people. "Why are you here? If you're here to bully him leave now."

"What?"

"I said, if you're here to bully him leave now." Noah said, trying to call forth the most commanding voice he could, which really wasn't that much. He was actually rather afraid. The three of them were a bit bigger than him, and out numbered him. If they did anything, he wouldn't have a chance.

Perhaps if by dumb luck, the bell that ended recess rang. They just turned around to go into the school. Noah just breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Nathan. "Well, looks like we've got to go back to our own classes."

Nathan just nodded and was off.

Noah returned back to his own class and sat down. His mind now focusing on Nathan. He just pulled out the cell phone that Zoroark had given him, it was Alex's, and texted Zoroark.

"Hey, why didn't you tell me that his little brother went to the same school I did?" He texted.

The response was quick. He imagined Zoroark was either equally board, was skipping, or was using his illusions and could be actually dancing around at the front of the class while no one could notice him. "You never asked. Why?"

"Listen Zoroark... I think some kids were picking on him..." He typed.

"What? Master will be furious!"

"I can't do much since we're in different grades, but I can watch over him during recess."

"Please do." Zoroark replied. "For Master's sake."

"Okay." Noah texted back.

Perhaps it was a bit of boredom of listening to the teacher drone on in french. But his attention turned to Alex's phone. He just began to look through the photos. There wasn't a whole lot of interesting things there. There was the odd photo of a special edition version of a game, or a batch of games. That he assumed Alex had done to post online later. The odd photo of something in a store, and occasionally a photo that was saved off of the internet. But then he soon saw a selfie of Alex with Nathan. The two seemed rather happy.

---

School for Zoroark was boring, as usual.

He was walking through the halls, ready to go for his lunch period, when he was stopped in the halls by a girl. "Oh Nick, I'm so sorry about your brother."

"You really aren't." he thought, but he just replied with a simple: "Thank you for your concern."

Zoroark just slipped past them and made his way to the cafeteria to get some food. On his way out, a voice suddenly shouted. "Hey, Nick!" Waving from a table was Hayden, he was surrounded by his friends.

"You know who that is right?" One said.

"Yeah, his brother went missing." Hayden replied. "I knew him from a few classes a few years ago."

Zoroark just sat down at the table with them. "It's been a while, so how are you holding up?"

"Okay, I think." Zoroark replied.

"Well if you need anything, just let me know." Hayden said.

Zoroark nodded, he quickly created an illusion around them. "I doubt you called me over to have lunch."

"Well, I was looking for you yesterday but couldn't find you." Hayden replied. "We need to meet up at the Smash Mansion after school, I received word that something happened yesterday."

"Okay." Zoroark replied. He broke the illusion and returned to eating his lunch. When he was done he just pulled out his cell phone. "If you excuse me, I need to make a call."

He just got up and left the cafeteria. If he had his times correct, Noah's lunch recess should have all ready started.

---

Noah quickly found Nathan again at Lunch and just sat beside him. "Hopefully they won't be bothering us again."

Nathan just nodded.

"So, you're his brother." Noah said.

"He's innocent." Nathan said. "He would never do that stuff that they said he did."

"I know." Noah replied. "This is his copy..." Noah just pointed at the Luigi's Mansion cartridge.

Nathan let out a gasp of shock before asking "How do you know my brother?"

"It's a long story." Noah sighed. "And one I don't exactly think I'm all too sure if I should share out here, where someone could be listening..."

Alex's phone began to ring. The ring tone was a wild pokemon battle from Pokemon Red and Blue. Noah looked at the caller display and it said Zoroark. Noah asked. "What is it?"

"Are you with Nathan?"

"Yeah."

"Hand me over to him."

Noah just glanced over. Nathan was staring at him rather intently. "It's for you." He said.

"Hey Nick!" Nathan said into it. "Why does this guy have Alex's phone?"

Noah tried to listen in. He imagined that Zoroark was explaining the situation as best as he could. There was very few responses from Nathan beyond the odd 'okay', and 'uh-huh.'

"Well, I think I got it, I'll keep my mouth shut then." Nathan said.

He then handed the phone back to Noah. "Okay, I've got the phone again." Noah said.

"Just watch over him, okay." Zoroark said.

"I'll do my best." Noah said. He hung up the phone, and quickly turned it to vibrate.

The two of them just played on their 3DS' for a while, until they heard several footsteps walking towards them. They turned their heads and looked over to see a group of five others. The three had gotten two others.

"Noah." One said. "You're with him again."

"Leave, this instant." Noah said.

"Or what?"

"I'll make all five of you leave." Noah replied.

They laughed, unable to take Noah seriously.

"This is your last warning." Noah said.

"And what are you going to do Noah?"

Noah just glared at them, and he had absorbed Lucas' power. Inside he could feel Lucas' presence.

"So this is what a fusion is like." He heard Lucas say in his head. "I see, and that's what's going on."

"Sorry." Noah replied. "I just want to keep them away."

"Well that's easy." Lucas replied.

Noah just stretched out his hand. "And what's that going to do?" One asked.

Noah just looked at them. "Leave." He repeated.

"And you're not going to make us!" One shouted, rushing towards them. However they soon hit an invisible wall. "What the?!"

The others approached, and confirmed for themselves that there was something there.

"What did you do?"

"Leave." Noah repeated.

After pounding on the invisible wall for several minutes, and realizing they couldn't get in, they just turned around and left.

"What did you do?" Nathan asked.

"Well, I'll explain it like this." Noah replied telepathically. "Your brother is innocent. I'm working with him to try and prevent a disaster. However there are those who are working against us, and that's why he's a wanted criminal. All we know is that your brother is alive, however we don't know where he is. As for what I did, well, it was a psychic barrier. They were trapped outside it, and we were on the inside. I'm just glad that we managed to solve this in a non violent way."

"But I'm afraid even that will have negative consequences." Lucas thought. "I mean, maybe they might go and tell someone about this."

"There's no way they can prove it right?" Noah thought.

"I hope." Lucas sighed.

The rest of the lunch recess was uneventful. Eventually it ended and Noah was back in the classroom. He could feel the occasional glance. There was also a spitball that seemed to make his way towards him. After the third spitball, he merged with Lucas again, and just stopped the spitball in the air and sent it right back at the attacker.

It was small and petty, but it was about the only thing he could do at the moment.

Eventually the final recess began. Before he was able to get to Nathan's hiding spot, he was cut off by the five of them.

They had quickly surrounded Noah. He just looked at them, and sighed. "We're really going to do it this way, aren't we?"

He had absorbed Lucas, and just began to dodge them. They threw rather clumsy punches, which was no problem for Noah to constantly dodge. The fight was also beginning to draw in a lot of attention. But it wasn't long until the teachers had managed to break them up, and take the five offending students away.

Noah just rushed to his and Nathan's hiding spot. "Sorry about that, I was a little bit late." Noah laughed. "I didn't expect them to ambush me."

Nathan just nodded, and they sat together in silence for a few minutes. Eventually Nathan spoke up.

"I really wanted to see my brother this weekend." Nathan said. "My mom doesn't like him for some reason. She's always calling him names. Stuff like freak and monster. She doesn't want me around him."

Noah just nodded. "He's a really nice guy." Noah said. "For what he's done for me, the least I can do is help his little brother."

Soon they once again had to return to class.

After school, Hayden and Zoroark met up with Noah and informed him of what was happening. And they departed to the Smash Mansion to see what was up.

---

Zoroark, Noah, Hayden, Oren, Marco, Rune and Echo were just looking on in shock. The orange haired kid, was just shackled to a chair, chains were wrapped around him so that he couldn't move. Sitting by his side was Lucas. "It was that person who was piloting the Mechon!" Noah shouted in shock pointing at Claus.

"What happened?" Zoroark asked.

Claus just looked up at them, acknowledging their existence.

"Um, well..." Lucas began. He just explained what had transpired the previous day. "And that's that's what happened..."

"Really?" Hayden said a bit uncomfortable.

Lucas just nodded. "Yes."

"Geeze, I really don't like this..." Hayden muttered.

"And have you been here the whole time?" Noah wondered.

"Yeah, since I could be with him, I haven't left his side." Lucas admitted. "Even when you were calling me and we merged."

"I see..."

"And he's been rather quiet too." Wolf growled. "He was nice and talkative while talking to Lucas yesterday, but since then, he's just been silent."

"Gee, I wonder why." Hayden muttered.

"Ah well, we'll get the information out of him, one way or another." Wolf laughed, reaching for a knife that was held on his belt.

Lucas just glared at Wolf. "You will do no such thing." Lucas snapped.

Wolf just laughed. "Oh, so you do have a bit of fight in you. Whatever, you can't be conscious all the time, and when that happens, we'll take over."

Oren just looked around nervously. "Is this really how the Smashers operate?" He wondered.

"Unfortunately, we're at war." Pit replied. "And a commander of Hades' forces is right here. If we can get information from him, and end this crisis of our worlds fusing together sooner rather than later, I think we would all take that option."

"And you're just allowing this to happen?" Zoroark growled.

"I never said I liked it." Pit replied. "I'd like it if he told us everything, but he's just been silent since we captured him."

"I think they made the right move." A voice said. They all turned to see Lily approaching. In her arms was Kirby. "All we know is that he's an enemy. And we don't know what he's capable of. Actually, no, that's a lie. The Masked Man, the commander of the Pigmask Army. Created from Claus, the twin brother of Lucas. One of the strongest and most deadly opponents in the game."

There was just silence.

"Of course, there does appear to be differences too." Lily pointed out. "For one, the Masked Man in the game was a soulless robot. This one appears to have a personality. This could simply be a front, and he's still our enemy."

"Please stop..." Lucas cried.

Lily just nodded. "If this was the only thing I needed to see, I'm going back to my room." She just turned and left.

Walking into the room soon after was Dark Pit. He just looked around at the chosen champions a bit confused. "Who are half of these people." He muttered. He just turned his attention to Claus. "Hey brat. I'm going to go fight Hades again, you want to tell me his weakness?"

Claus just snorted. "You think you can beat him?" Claus laughed.

"Yeah, I think I can and will." Dark Pit replied.

"I'm surprised you lived through your first encounter with Hades." Claus laughed. "He knew you were coming. You idiots walked right into the trap."

Dark Pit just grabbed Claus by the shirt.

"I will beat you." Dark Pit snapped.

"Hah!" Claus laughed. "Sure you speak big now, when your opponent is just some person who's chained to a chair and can't move."

"You little snot!" Dark Pit shouted. He raised up his fist, however Lucas just grabbed his hand.

"And why are you protecting him!?" Dark Pit asked. "He doesn't even know who you are! Why don't you just see it for what it is! Hades is toying with you."

He let go of Claus and just turned around to storm angrily out of the room.

Wolf was a bit annoyed. "Oh, so you talk for him. But what about us!?"

Claus just stuck out his tongue at Wolf. This just annoyed him further. However he was just dragged out of the room by Pit. "It should be obvious." Pit said. "It's because Pittoo isn't a Smasher."

The Chosen Champions stared in shock, but eventually felt like it was best if they left too.

"I don't like this." Rune said.

"Same." Marco added on.

"What choice do we have?" Oren wondered.

Hayden just glanced back at the room where Claus was currently being held. "We return back to our world for right now." He replied. "We can't free him... And he probably won't talk to us. I think it's best if Lucas and Claus are left alone, and they talk it out. Maybe that's the best way to get information out of him."

"Should I stay behind since he's my Smasher?" Noah wondered.

"No." Zoroark replied. "We should just return and wait..."

Reluctantly they made their way back to their world.

---

Claus was woken up by someone entering into the room. It was extremely dark, so a normal person couldn't see, but his robotic eye could still see the heat that the person was emitting. He just stared straight at the person.

"Oh, come to finish me off now?"

A gun was just pointed right at him, a few seconds later it fired, however it broke the chains that were holding him down. Claus just looked confused at the person. "What?!"

"Get out of here while you still have the chance." He replied, putting away the gun.

"Why are you doing this?" Claus asked.

"I'm not a Smasher. They don't have power over me." The person, Dark Pit, said. "Besides, it was your brother who begged me to save you."

Claus just froze. "I don't even know if what he said is true, if he is my brother. Why are you doing this, the Smashers could hunt you down for this."

Dark Pit just shrugged. "I have my reasons." He replied.

"I was perfectly content with staying here!" Claus replied. "Lord Hades would rescue me!"

"You think that he would do that?" Dark Pit laughed. "The Hades I know would abandon dead weight, and if you were unable to get out by yourself, you're pretty much dead weight! I'm also pretty sure he saw this."

"I could have gotten out any time I chose." Claus bluntly said. He held up the chain and then a small spark of electricity just cut through it. "I just wanted to see if they were willing to say any more information!"

Dark Pit just laughed. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, kid. Although, I'd start considering that you're on probation with Hades and any more screw ups might bring an end to your employment, and your life. Now come on, we need to both get out of here."

"Fine, but the first sign of trouble and you holding me back, you're on your own." Claus replied.

"Same." Dark Pit replied.

They just began to sneak through the mansion. Dark Pit had already prepared for it, and had unleashed an angelic hymn that lulled most of the Smashers into a deep sleep. For right now, they were the only two in the mansion who were conscious.

But Dark Pit knew it wasn't going to last very long.

Thankfully they made it out of the Mansion and began to progress towards the forest.

"Pittoo!" A voice shouted. Dark Pit turned around to see Pit jumping down from a window. He was glaring at his copy and was completely serious. "Why did you do that?"

"I didn't feel right about a kid being chained up." Dark Pit said. "Don't you dare get on a high horse and lecture me, I know you better than anyone else, and you don't feel right about it either."

"You're right, I don't, but he was dangerous and the commander in the Underworld army's forces." Pit pointed out. "He was cooperating with us! And came peacefully! He could have given us information to end this!"

"Whatever." Dark Pit said rather dismissively. "I'm not a Smasher. And I have no intention on becoming one if it means following your stupid rules like this."

Pit just raised up his bow and aimed it right at Dark Pit.

"Do you think you can do that?" Dark Pit asked. "I know you can't take both of us on." He just glanced at Claus. "Go now, while I have him distracted."

"What about you?" Claus asked.

Dark Pit shrugged. "It doesn't matter too much. He won't be able to hurt me. But if others come, they will overwhelm me and capture you again."

Claus just nodded and dashed off into the forest.

Dark Pit just rushed for Pit, and punched him in the stomach, winding him. "You didn't even try to block that." Dark Pit said.

"Just go, get out of here." Pit said.

"What?" Dark Pit said shocked.

"Start running Pittoo, and never stop." Pit said. "Not even to eat or sleep, you're going to be hunted down by the Smashers now!"

"So you do care about me." Dark Pit said. "Whatever, fine."

Dark Pit just began to walk away, disappearing into the forest. A few moments later Master Hand and a few Smashers had rushed out, seeing Pit on the ground.

"What happened, where's the prisoner and Dark Pit?" Master Hand asked.

"The prisoner got away, Dark Pit fled too." Pit replied. "I tried to stop Pittoo... But he fought back."

"Should we send a search party?" Wolf wondered.

Master Hand just floated there. "Yes, they couldn't have gotten to far. Bring them back!"

"Fine by me." Wolf laughed. He just ran into the forest after them. However a few seconds later Wolf went flying out, and skidding across the ground. Pit just looked up in shock. "What the hell was that?!"

"An angelic arte." Pit replied.

"A what?" Wolf asked.

"Pittoo, trapped us inside a barrier!" Pit replied.

Master Hand just floated forwards until he came in contact with the barrier. As soon as he touched it the air began to ripple. Master Hand just let off a small chuckle. "Pit, how long will it take you to break this?" Master Hand asked.

Pit looked a bit shocked. "I don't know. Pittoo's Angelic Artes have a tendency to be a bit unconventional."

"Figure it out and break it as soon as you can." Master Hand ordered.

Pit just nodded.

---

Dark Pit had caught up to Claus, and they were now taking a break near a pond in the forest. "We should be fine for a while." Dark Pit said. "I had been planning this for a day, so... I had some time to prepare something that they should only now be figuring out about."

Claus just sighed. "They'll only be after you. Once I return to Hades, they won't be able to get to me."

"But that's just the thing." Dark Pit laughed. "You're not going to be able to return to Hades." He pulled out his staff and aimed it directly at Claus' head. "I'm here to make sure you don't go back. So, we're going to be stuck together and become best friends."

Claus just laughed. "Ha! And how are you going to manage that?"

From Dark Pit's hands came some chains that just rushed towards Claus, and wrapped around him. They glowed with a bright light and a moment later, they had transformed into handcuffs with a large chain. "That's how." Dark Pit replied. "Sorry, I had a day to figure all this out. We're stuck together for quite a while."

"And what does this accomplish now?" Claus wondered, looking at the handcuff around his wrist.

"For one, you'll always be within 5 meters of me." Dark Pit replied.

"Great, I don't even get any privacy in the washroom." Claus sighed. "So what do you gain out of this?"

"We'll, we're just going to become the best of friends, and you're going to tell me how to beat Hades." Dark Pit replied.

Claus laughed. "Come on, you know he can't be beaten by just yourself."

"Which is why you're going to help me." Dark Pit replied.

"Even if I wanted to, you should know that Hades would have made sure I would never be able to attack him." Claus said.

"Then I'll break his spell." Dark Pit said.

Claus just laughed. "Good luck with that."

Dark Pit just began to walk away, and Claus was soon finding himself being dragged. "Come on, I don't know how long Pit is going to stall, we're going to need a large head start."

Reluctantly Claus followed.

---

When Noah got to school on Wednesday, he was in for a rude awakening. As usual he was dropped off about a block away from the school by Zoroark, and then Zoroark went on his way.

Noah made his way onto the school grounds and just began to try and find some shade so he could play some games.

However, approaching him from six different directions was six adults in suits. "Noah, on Tuesday it was reported at about 1:45PM that you had used a mysterious power to create a barrier, and keep five people away from yourself and another child."

"You are coming with us." Another said. "Any and all resistance will be perceived as a threat, and will be dealt with accordingly."

Noah could feel the stares of all the other students. "I knew I should have stayed at home today." Noah sighed.

He was trying to gain Lucas' powers to fight back, but something was wrong, he couldn't fuse with Lucas. He just looked around a bit confused. He considered reaching for his pocket to get the cell phone and text Zoroark, perhaps he would be able to make it back in time. But he realized that he wouldn't even be able to send a text message before they were on top of him.

"Fine." He sighed defeated. "I'll come peacefully. Just, there's one thing I want to know before we leave. How did you know?"

"We had an agent planted and watching Alex's brother." One said. "We expected his allies would approach him and we were correct."

"I see..." Noah said. "Why wasn't that agent stopping him from being bullied?"

"That wasn't the agent's mission."

Noah just looked down rather defeated. "I see, let's go then, and get this over with." They just began to escort him away.

They were however stopped by a man who was dressed in rather baggy clothes, and it looked like he hadn't shaved in a week. He just finished yawning and looking at the six people in suits. "It's far too early in the morning for this shit." He yawned again. "How do you kids do it?"

"Public Enemy Number 1 has appeared!" One of them said into a microphone.

He just walked forwards, paying no mind to the six guards. He just stretched out his hand. "I don't think we've been formally introduced Noah. I'm public enemy number 1: Nugai."

Noah just looked at Nugai in shock.

One of the agents had pulled out a baton and swung it right for Nugai's back, however a sword in a scabbard appeared in Nugai's hand blocking the attack. "Oh, Anti Aura and other anti barrier weapons." Nugai laughed. "You guys came prepared."

"What are you doing here?" Noah asked.

"Eh, I was just passing by." Nugai shrugged.

"Liar." All six of the guards said at the same time.

Nugai just sighed. "It really is. It's like Schrodinger's cat. I can be anywhere at any time..." Nugai muttered. "If I'm not here, I'm there. Now then, might I suggest leaving this kid alone."

"It's his fault for agreeing to participate with you and your Smashers." One said. "You who oppose us, and the way that the world is supposed to be."

"The way the world is supposed to be?" Nugai laughed. "I think you're mistaken. You're the ones who are messing with it." He just turned to Noah, stretched out his arm, and suddenly a bubble appeared around him. A moment later the bubble disappeared. Nugai just turned his attention back to the six guards. "He's gone, where you can't reach him. I suggest you leave, I don't want to have to fight you."

"Well, it's too late for that." Several laughed.

Nugai just glanced at all the children that were watching. "If we have to fight, can we do this elsewhere?" Nugai said. "I don't want anyone to possibly get caught in the cross fire."

"If it's that you're worried about." One said snapping his fingers. Four of them pulled out boxes and they tossed them. From the boxes, energy shot out and created a barrier, separating them them from the kids.

Nugai just looked around. "How tricky..." He chuckled. "So you can do this..." His body felt a little bit more sluggish, and there was a constant feeling of pressure on him. Such a thing wasn't unusual. Strong monsters let off an energy, and claimed the area as their own domain. Nugai figured it was the same principle. They would be strengthened, he would be weakened, and the kids would be kept out.

"Very well." Nugai said. "Let's begin."

All six of them rushed for him with blinding speed. Nugai just let off a small sigh. A moment later all six of them were knocked unconscious, and Nugai hadn't even lifted a finger. He walked over to the edge of the barrier, and destroyed three of the machines before taking the fourth one for himself.

He waved his hand and a few permanent markers appeared. He just began to draw on several of their faces, figuring he might as well have some fun. After he was done with that Nugai closed his eyes and tried to find someone else. Within a few seconds he did and just walked past the confused and scared children.

"Hey, you can't be here!" A teacher said. "Leave this instant or we'll call the police."

Nugai just ignored them and continued on his path through the school yard. Eventually he walked up to Nathan who was surrounded by kids in higher grades. "Get away from him." Was all Nugai said, and they fled in terror. Nugai just sat down in front of Nathan and just ruffled his hair. "Hey, are you all right? Do you remember me?"

Nathan looked up at Nugai and just looked a bit shocked. "Andrew?" Much to the dismay of his mother, Alex had brought Nathan to the insane asylum once to see Nugai.

"Yeah." Nugai said. "Listen, your brother is innocent. And I'm going to find him, okay."

He looked up at Nugai and just smiled.

"Now then, I better get going, okay." Nugai said. "I'll see you around. And don't let anyone else bother you, okay?"

"Okay Andrew."

Nugai stretched out his hand, in it appeared an Aura Sphere that he put into Nathan. "Don't worry, I'll keep you safe if something happens." He said before disappearing.

A moment later, Nugai appeared on the roof of the school building.

"I'm to assume you're the one that was sent by Zenith to watch over Nathan, and the one who reported Noah?" He asked.

Standing right by the edge of the building was a child.

He glanced back at Nugai. "And I thought I had disguised my presence rather well."

"For a normal person, yeah, they would have never detected you." Nugai replied. "So, mind telling me why you are letting him being bullied."

"That's not in my orders." The Child replied.

"Well, here's your new orders. You're going to watch him, and protect him with your life." Nugai said. "You will stop any one else from bullying him. And if you don't." Nugai just simply began to lift up his hand. Suddenly the child felt the full extent of Nugai's power. "You will answer to me, and face my wrath."

Nugai just turned around and disappeared.

---

"That's enough resting, we need to get going." Dark Pit said.

Claus just opened his eyes, and began to stand up. "Really?" He muttered. "Why, they're trapped inside that barrier."

"I imagine that Master Hand will make Pit break it soon, as he's the only one who can figure out my work." Dark Pit replied. "He might be able to stall for a day or two, but that's about it."

Claus just sighed. "Fine, but do you have any idea where to go?"

"I have a few things planned." Dark Pit replied. "I was thinking a nice island vacation."

Claus just scoffed at the suggestion. "I thought you wanted us to find a way to kill Hades."

"Yeah, and that's my plan." Dark Pit replied. "I need new materials to create my next batch of Angelic Artes. And this place should have something. Pure Light Energy."

"Fine." Claus said. "So where are we going?"

"Isle Delfino."

---

Nugai had teleported in front of an apartment. He just hit a buzzer, and waited several seconds before hitting the buzzer again.

"Who is this?" A rather cranky sounding woman said.

"You know exactly who it is." Nugai replied. "And I'm here to talk to you."

"Well, I don't want to talk to you, you asshole." She replied.

The next moment, Nugai had teleported into the apartment building. "Well tough luck. You're going to have to talk to me today."

"You jackass! I'm calling the police. You're breaking and entering."

"Really, I'm just entering. It's not my fault I can pass through concrete matter, so everything is an open door to me."

"I hate you." She said.

"Believe me, the feeling is mutual." Nugai just looked at the woman. "Listen, I don't think we ever really got along." He said.

"Damn right, you crazy asshole!" She replied by pulling out a gun.

"I don't know the full details, about you and my uncle, and to be honest, I don't care." Nugai said. "However, I do care about my cousin. And Nathan was being severely bullied by some older kids because of what's going on."

"And?"

"Don't play stupid with me." Nugai said. "I know you're apart of Zenith. And, he's still your child isn't he? Even if you don't love my uncle, and just infiltrated our family for whatever reason to try and watch me. I know that you have people in the school watching, and looking for signs of the other chosen champions. Or for the event that Alex comes to see his brother. The least you could do is order them to watch over him so he isn't bullied. Which seems to be a bit harder now that you guys have reported the one person who was looking after him."

"Get out." She said, cocking the gun. "It's all your fault... You and that freak's... I'm glad he's lost in the games! Maybe he will never come back!"

Nugai just sighed. "Fine." He said. "It was pointless to talk to you anyways..." He just disappeared.

---

Nugai reappeared in the Smash Mansion. Specifically in Master Hand's office. The giant hand was floating behind a desk. "Nugai, what do I owe this pleasure to?"

Nugai just snapped his fingers and the bubble with Noah in it appeared. A moment later the bubble popped, and Noah landed safely on the ground. "Noah's identity had been compromised on the other end." Nugai sighed. "So, he has to stay here permanently."

Master Hand just floated there, "Looks like I don't have a choice. However, when things return to normal, he will have to go back to school right?"

Nugai just nodded. "I guess."

"Well then, he will have to attend a school here in this world." Master Hand said.

"What?!" Noah said rather annoyed.

"Don't worry about it. Ness and the other kid Smashers will be there with you." Master Hand explained.

"I hope so. I really didn't want to go back to school anyways..." He sighed.

"Sorry kid, unfortunately it's a necessary evil." Nugai said. "But I know exactly how you feel. I had to endure it once too. Now if you excuse me, I have to go see Zoroark. His day going about as well as yours."

---

Zoroark's Wednesday wasn't particularly any better. He was honestly considering just skipping the day, not even knowing why he put forth the effort to get to the school. At least until he got to his locker, and found a note inside it addressed directly to him.

April 16, 2014,

Zoroark, I know who you are are, and I want to meet you. There will be a fire drill today at about 10:30, during that meet me on the roof of the school. If you don't, well, things are going to get ugly, let's just say it won't exactly be a drill. Also, don't tell anyone.

Zoroark looked a bit nervous and quickly crumpled up the letter. He made his way to his classes, and as told at about 10:35 there was a fire drill. The students all got up and began to walk through the halls. Slipping away through the crowds was no problem for Zoroark and his illusions. He just made his way to the roof, and waiting for him there as a single person.

"And to what do I owe this honor?" Zoroark asked.

The person just stood there with his back facing Zoroark, he was looking down at the crowd of people forming below. "Why are you still here?" He asked. "Alex is gone, lost in the games. You'll never see him again."

"You're from Zenith aren't you?" Zoroark asked, not even skipping a beat.

"Yeah."

Zoroark held his nails in front of him, and his claws glowed with a dark aura. "Good. You have no idea how frustrated and badly I want to tear someone up right now." He said.

"Please, you think you can do that?" The person laughed. "Imagine what would people thing when they see us up here fighting. And more or less you trying to kill the student council president."

Zoroark just continued to glare at him. "I don't care." Zoroark replied.

"Clearly, you didn't recognize me." He sighed. "Well, let's begin. Your stupid master got lost in the games."

An illusion spread from Zoroark, covering the entire roof of the school. No one would be able to see him fight and tear this person apart.

"Stupid illusions, don't bother with trying to use them on me." He sighed. "You see, I can see through illusions. In fact, I was sent specifically to hunt you down."

"Me?" Zoroark asked.

"We knew that you would be coming to this world, that you would be there. But when we went to intercept and find you... there was no trace. It seems like someone else got to you first. Since then, I've been searching for a Zoroark, imagine my surprise when I found you enrolled in a school."

"Who are you?" Zoroark asked.

"You can call me by the name I adopted for this mission, Ryan."

Zoroark just rushed towards him. Ryan jumped back to avoid several quick slashes from Zoroark and just sighed. "I was never able to act because of your stupid master." Ryan said. "But when you both disappear."

"I won't die." Zoroark said. "I won't disappear, I won't let you do what you want, because when Master gets back, he will need someone to be there for him."

"Oh, how optimistic, he may be dead!"

Zoroark just nodded. "He may be." He said. "But he might not be. Master is strong, if he's still alive I believe he will find his way back here. And I will be here to greet him!"

"I don't understand!" Ryan shouted. "Why is everything going so differently than what we saw? You, the Chosen Champions were different! What's going on!?"

"What do you mean everything's different?" Zoroark asked.

"Oh, like I'm going to tell you." Ryan sneered.

"Then I will," A voice said. Ryan and Zoroark just turned, sitting there on the roof eating a sandwich was Nugai. He just quickly finished the sandwich and then pulled out a metal nail that he had concealed somewhere.

"What? But you're supposed to be imprisoned."

"Yeah, about that." Nugai sighed. "You know the saying that 'the world's your oyster', how it means you have the freedom to go anywhere and everywhere you choose? That's me." Nugai just walked forwards. "Anyways, what they meant Zoroark was that they can peer into parallel universes."

"The Morophogenetic field?" Zoroark asked.

Nugai just nodded. "Yep, that would be the best way to describe it, I guess. Zenith has people who can peer into parallel worlds. With an ability like that, you're just playing chess, with the advantage of having seen everyone's moves. With that you can easily counter them, and stop them, if you know what's coming, victory will easily be yours."

Zoroark just nodded. "So, they knew that I would come into this world?"

Nugai just nodded. "In a parallel world, a Zoura appeared in the woods one day. It evolved into Zoroark and attacked someone, authorities were sent, and the hostile fox was shot and killed."

Zoroark just gulped in some air in fear.

"In other worlds, Zenith knew about that Zoura appearing and was able to intercept it, and able to find connections to the other world." Nugai said. "But in this one, you were found by my cousin before they could get there. Likewise, Zenith could access the Morphogenetic Field and see into parallel worlds, they could find out who the chosen champions were and stop them from fighting against them through various methods. Ryan, tell me, you're familiar with Sun Tzu, right?"

"Author of the Art of War." Ryan replied.

"'The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.' and 'if you know your enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.'" Nugai said. "I'd say Zenith embodied those quotes quite well. Striking before the Chosen Champions could be chosen, working on everything, knowing about almost every single possibility before acting, how could anyone fight against them?"

"By being a possibility that they haven't seen or experienced before?" Zoroark replied.

"Exactly." Nugai replied. He waved the nail in the air. "Have you heard the poem 'for the want of a nail?'"

"No." Zoroark replied.

"It's about how the smallest things can have large consequences." Nugai replied. "In a simple battle how the lack of a horseshoe nail caused the kingdom to fall."

Ryan just scoffed. "So what."

"For the student council president as well as a member of Zenith, you sure are dumb." Nugai sighed.

"Oh shut up." Ryan snapped. "You can't do anything! We've all ready won!"

"Is that why you're here at this school?" Nugai laughed. "Is that why they sent Agent Tei to look after my cousin, and several other agents after my other family members? Zenith is downright terrified. Because, I'm that nail that has altered everything and has changed the world from what you've seen!"

"You are so full of yourself!" Ryan shouted. He rushed for Nugai, who just stood perfectly still. Before a punch or anything could be thrown, Ryan just was frozen in air. Nugai was just tossing up the metal nail and catching it. He then glanced at Ryan.

"I want you to tell Zenith that I've escaped, that the person they're watching in prison is nothing more than a body double." Nugai said. "If they don't believe you, they will when they execute him and find that it was just a wire frame. Tell them that I'm ready to fight back fully, and I'll stop them from their plans no matter what! Tell them that the first nail has been hammered into their coffin!"

Nugai threw the nail right into Ryan's leg, it pierced it, and was lodged inside. He just fell down to the ground and let out a whimper.

"And I'll be waiting for all the assassins they try to send my way. Good bye." Nugai said walking away to the door.

Zoroark just stood there. "It seems like Nugai has let you live and you have a job to do." He said rather disappointed. "I guess I won't get to tear you limb from limb."

Ryan just laughed. "I'll do his stupid job and we can meet up here during the next fire drill." He muttered. "I'll send you a reminder then."

Zoroark just laughed. "Fine." He said, walking away, and going back to his school day. At least, he would of, he fully expected for Nugai to disappear, but he was still hanging around for some reason.

"I figure you wanted to talk." Nugai said.

"I guess a bit, I do have questions." Zoroark said.

"Well then, come on." Nugai said. He just snapped his fingers and the two disappeared. They reappeared in a forest clearing where it quickly became apparent that this was Nugai's current base of operations. A tent was put up and there appeared to be some security measures that he had, a string with cans hanging from it to make sound in the event of any intruders, along with a barrier beyond that.

"Why didn't you just hide out at the cottage?" Zoroark asked.

"Because, they would be expecting that." Nugai replied. "It's quite simple, you know. I fully expect that they're watching it."

"I guess." Zoroark replied.

"So, what all did you want to talk about?" Nugai asked.

"Alex's mother called the other night, looking for answers and what happened."

"What did you tell her?"

"That he just hasn't been home." Zoroark replied. "She took that to mean that he just needed some time by himself, away from everything."

Nugai nodded. "That's good. The less she knows, the better."

"But, then she told me that Alex was adopted." Zoroark said. "And Master never mentioned that..."

Nugai just nodded. "Yeah." He said. "He is."

"You knew?!" Zoroark said shocked.

"Yeah, of course I knew." Nugai replied. "I'm the oldest cousin on that side of the family. My aunt was sterile and couldn't conceive. So, they adopted. I was what, 8, when he was born, and I was old enough, and the family seemed to frequently see each other, that I was able to notice that my aunt never went through the stages of pregnancy and suddenly they had a baby. And when I asked my parents, they explained to me that he was adopted, and that I should treat him just like any other cousin, and that I should never tell him, because it should be his parents that tell him and all that, and if I ever told him that there would be severe consequences."

Zoroark just looked at Nugai in shock. "I see." He said.

"Still, that doesn't matter. I've treated him just the same as I did any other cousin. I guess there might have been some slight favoritism towards him because I felt sorry for him, for his parent's divorce but, he's just always been my little cousin, just because he's adopted doesn't mean that we can't care for each other." Nugai said. "As far as I'm concerned, even if we're not related by blood, he's still family."

Zoroark just nodded. "Then I guess I shouldn't tell Master this when we find him."

"Probably not," Nugai replied. "I'm sure his Mother wanted to tell him, but because of the divorce, at that moment she probably thought he couldn't handle it, especially since that was during his sick spell. And then she's always away on her book tours..."

Zoroark just nodded. "Nathan called as well. He was wondering about his big brother."

Nugai just nodded. "They're still close. I was afraid that Nathan's crazy psycho bitch mother would influence the kid, but thankfully that seems like it wasn't the case. Either that or she mellowed out since the first time I saw her. But a recent experience leaves me doubting that possibility."

"It's also the third weekend of the month." Zoroark sighed. "He was supposed to come over this weekend. We were supposed to take him with us to a convention next month... I guess all those plans are getting canceled."

Nugai just nodded. "Yeah, there's not a whole lot you can do then..."

"And even when he get's back, what am I supposed to tell him? How much everything has changed in the past week?"

"I say we cross that bridge when we get to it." Nugai replied. "I've been looking for him. I haven't been able to find a trace... But I'm positive that he's still alive."

"How can you tell?" Zoroark asked.

Nugai just pulled out a Smash Pendant along with two small cards. On one was written 'Yes' on the other 'No'. "Is Alex, my cousin, still alive?" Nugai asked. Suddenly the Smash pendant had a flame inside of it light up and point to the yes card.

"It's looking for him." Nugai replied. "And I've been looking for him to the best of my ability."

---

Nugai just walked through the front door of the shop. In his hands was a steel briefcase.

He looked around, games were everywhere, they lined the walls, and were just stacked across tables. It was a mess. Currently some old midi music was playing on some speakers across the store. A glance at the computer behind the counter showed that it was currently a compilation of the "top 100 best N64 songs." Currently playing the oddly fitting shop music from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. There were a few people around a table, currently playing a game of Magic the Gathering. One got up and approached him.

"Welcome, have you been here before?" The person asked.

"No." Nugai replied.

"Well I'll give you a quick tour." the person said. He just began to explain where each and every system's games were located. Which you could easily tell if you actually used your eyes, and explained that they also sold Magic cards. "Were you looking for anything in particular?"

"Yeah, sadly the thing is, I don't know what it is yet." Nugai replied. "I'll know it when I see it." He just had the Smash Pendant currently wrapped around one of his fingers. His fingers just brushed each and every game in the store, hoping for a reaction from the Smash Pendant.

He went through binders that housed some loose Game Boy, Game Boy Advanced, and DS games. But still nothing.

"Are these all the games you have?" Nugai asked.

"Well, there are some games in the trade only section." the person replied.

"Trade only?" Nugai questioned.

"Well, I just don't want to only have copies of sports games, you know." The person replied.

"Ah, I see." Nugai replied. "Oh?!" Nugai just walked over to a case, and inside it was some reproduction carts. "You even have reproduction carts."

"Yes, a local person makes them."

There were copies of games that were never released in North America, such as Terranigma. Hacks of Super Mario World, and Super Metroid. Even a repo cart of Mother 3, and EarthBound Zero.

Nugai ran his fingers over them, but the Smash Pendant didn't react. He let off a frustrated sigh. Nugai just looked at the person. "Can I see your trade only section?" He asked. He just put the briefcase on the table, and opened it. Inside was some 'bargaining tools.' Copies of some rather rare and sought after games. Cubivore, Fire Emblem Path of Radiance, EarthBound, Skies of Arcadia Legends.

For Nugai, he could always just copy and paste to get a new copy. But to the shop keeper, he just saw always sought after merchandise. Nugai almost felt bad about screwing him over, and increasing the amount of copies made in the world potentially destroying the value, but right now he was more concerned with finding his cousin.

He took him back to a shelf that was in the back. "Please let me know if you see anything."

Nugai just brushed his hand over the various games, waiting and hoping for the pendant to react. But there was nothing. "I'm sorry." He apologized. "But there doesn't appear to be anything. Is there any other games you have?"

"Well, there is what's in storage, but I can't lock up the shop right now to go there."

Nugai nodded. He would go there himself later. "Do you have a list of games in stock in storage?"

"No, I'm sorry."

Mentally, Nugai was screaming that, that was an extremely stupid idea, and you should catalog your stock. But all he managed to say was, "I see, thank you for your time."

"Is there really nothing you wanted?" He said. "If you know the name of it, I could help you find it."

"I'm sorry." Nugai replied. "Unfortunately, I don't know the name, I only know that I'll know it when I see it. If that makes any sense."

---

"I went to every game store in this city, trying to find out what game he's lost in. But it didn't point to any of the games in any of the stores, so he was in a game they didn't have, and that just made things more complicated."

"How so?" Zoroark asked.

"Well for one, one store didn't have a catalog of all the games in stock." Nugai said rather frustrated. "So unless I do it myself, I don't know what they do and don't have. Of course, there could be another reason why they didn't have the game he's trapped in, in stock."

"And why's that?" Zoroark asked.

"Because it isn't out or doesn't even exist yet." Nugai replied.

Zoroark looked rather shocked. "What?!"

"Well, there are a few other possibilities as well." Nugai said. "It could easily be super rare, to the point that none of the stores I visited had it. Or even an online game, something like a flash game that has never had a physical copy. Sorry, I don't quite fully know. All I can really do is speculate on why the Smash Pendant isn't reacting. All we know is that he is alive, someway and some how. And that's the best case scenario."

"It is?"

"Yes, he's out there somewhere and right now that is good enough for me. I believe that one day, we will meet up once again." Nugai replied. "Now, we need to go to the Smash Mansion."

"What, why?"

"Something has come up that you need to know about it." Nugai replied. "And it looks like a new adventure is about to begin."

Nugai just created a portal, and the two walked through it.

They were soon in Master Hand's office. The giant hand just floated behind his desk. "And you're back."

"Yes." Nugai replied. "I've brought Zoroark because something happened with him too. It seems that Zenith is getting rather aggressive."

"Wait 'too'?" Zoroark questioned. "Something has happened to the other chosen champions?"

"You catch on quick." Nugai laughed. "Yes. Noah ran into trouble as well, and I had to rescue him. It has been decided that he is staying here permanently."

"I will also be staying here permanently." Zoroark said. "With Master gone, there's no reason for me to stay there in school, or at the house..."

Nugai just closed his eyes and nodded. He knew that this was coming. "Zoroark, can I at least ask that you attend the rest of the week?" Nugai asked.

"Why?" Zoroark growled. "I was attacked by a Zenith Agent today. I'd rather not see what the remaining two days have in store for me."

"I'm sorry, but, just please wait until the end of the week." Nugai said. "I'll be constantly watching and making sure nothing else happens."

"Fine." Zoroark muttered. "But when I'm not at school, I want to be here in this world looking for Master!"

Nugai just nodded. "All right, that's fair, I'll arrange for that then."

"I'm also skipping for the rest of the day." Zoroark said. "I just need to sleep, I haven't had a good night's sleep since Friday night."

"All right, I'll leave you to that then." Nugai said.

Zoroark just exited the office and made his way to the room that was marked for Alex. He went in and just collapsed on the bed. Almost immediately he fell asleep.

---

Noah was finding it rather boring at the Smash mansion. At the very least back at Alex's house he could always fall back to some other games, or watching something online. But here there was none of that.

He had been quickly welcomed and integrated into the nearby school at a terrifyingly quick pace. The end result was that he had only had missed half a day. And the half a day he did attend for the most part had been painless, besides for some mystery meat that the cafeteria seemed to call food. At the very least a bunch of the kid Smashers were there with him. And now he was just lying on his bed at his room in the mansion.

Suddenly a siren began to blare. Noah looked around confused, and a few seconds later, Lucas and Ness were at his door knocking at it. He opened it and they grabbed his wrists. "What's going on?" Noah asked.

"Another mission." Ness said. "Come on, you need to come along, okay. There's a chance that you will be the only chosen champion here."

"Okay." Noah said. He followed them and they made it to the briefing room. Master Hand was floating there in the room, along with numerous Smashers who were waiting for others to arrive. They just took their seat and sat down.

Soon all of the Smashers were there. "It seems like the only Chosen Champion here is Noah." Master Hand said.

Noah suddenly felt a little bit conscious as every head turned towards him.

"Wait, what about Lily, I thought she was staying here."

"She was." Master Hand said. "But she isn't in her room right now and we don't know where she is, and then the others can't make it back here right now."

"That's fine." Noah said. "I can do this mission myself."

Master Hand just nodded. "That's good." He said. "I'm glad you feel that way. Because we're also missing some Smashers. Mario, Luigi, Captain Falcon, Fox, and Olimar, they went out to find Rosalina, but we've lost contact with them."

"Are you sending us out to find them?" Falco asked.

"No." Master Hand replied. "They are still alive. And most likely, they are in a dangerous situation. We can't afford to send anyone else out, we might be putting ourselves and them in a more dangerous situation, all we can do is trust them. If they are fine, they will eventually contact us. Now the reason I called everyone here. I don't know if it's a chaos seed, but, I'm detecting strange energy readings. Noah, you're going to have to go investigate."

"All right." Noah said. "So where is this place?"

"The Pokemon World." Master Hand replied.

Everyone just looked up in shock. "What?!" Zoroark said.

Noah just glanced over to see Zoroark, he was rather surprised that the Pokemon was here instead of living his double life in the other world.

"Yes, the Pokemon World." Master Hand replied. "And due to the nature of this place, I think you understand that only a certain few of you can go."

Noah just nodded.

"Red!" Master Hand said.

"Yes?" Red said.

"You're going on this mission with Charizard, Ivysaur and Squirtle."

"Understood!" Red said.

Master Hand looked out at the others. "Noah, you can either have another human companion, and you will split the 6 Pokemon between yourselves, or you can have all six of the Pokemon as companions."

"Hold it!" Mewtwo suddenly shouted. "Forgive me for being selfish. But, I'm going into this world too. I'll be independent." He said as he put a cloak over himself.

"I understand." Master Hand said.

"If something is happening there, I must know." Mewtwo said.

"That's fair. Now Noah, do you wish to have another human?"

"Well, I guess another human companion would be good." Noah said. "I've all ready got Red, and he's an expert right... Lucas you're my Smasher, we could go together."

Lucas looked up, he looked a bit shaken. "I'm sorry," he said.

"Oh, I guess you haven't gotten over what happened in the last mission." Noah said.

"Don't worry, I can go!" Ness said.

"But maybe you should stay here with Lucas." Noah said.

"I'll go then." Toon Link said. "It shouldn't be a problem if I go, right?"

"I guess." Noah said.

"Good than it's decided." Toon Link replied slinging an arm over Noah's neck. "We're going together!"

"Right."

"All right, everyone you leave immediately!" Master Hand said. "Noah, go get changed into that suit."

Noah looked a bit shocked. "Right!" he eventually said. He just got up and began to go towards his room. However Ness followed.

"Noah, wait a second." Ness said.

Noah just stopped an waited for Ness to catch up.

"Listen, I just wanted to warn you. Watch your food. Whatever you do, don't let Toon Link handle it." Ness warned.

Noah nodded. "Okay."

He soon made it to his room and just went in, finding the suit laid out on his bed. He just quickly put it on and walked out. Waiting there was Zoroark.

"I thought you would be in the transportation room." Noah said.

Zoroark just nodded. "I wanted to say something."

"Is something wrong Zoroark?" Noah wondered.

"It's just, I feel conflicted. I can go to my home, but without Master to be there beside me. I don't know if I should." Zoroark replied. "It's just, I dreamed that one day both of us would be there together."

Noah just nodded. "I see. I understand where you're coming from, but, I think you still need to come. You need to go there to help defend it, so that there is still something there when we find Alex."

Zoroark nodded. "Right." He said.

They made their way to the transportation room. Toon Link, and Red were there. Mewtwo was standing there as well with a cloak around him. There was also a bunch of Pokeballs on the table

"All right, you can choose which Pokemon you want. Zoroark, you should also go into a Pokeball." Master Hand said.

Zoroark however just disguised himself as a human. "Sorry." Was all he said. He just looked at the others. Noah, and Toon Link then divided the Pokemon between themselves.

"All right, I wish you all good luck." Master Hand said.

He began to type something in, and they were all teleported away.

---

At the Colosseum in Skyworld, the training continued. However Magnus was now within 3 feet of Palutena. He just swung his sword, and she actually had to jump back to avoid his sword's reach.

"That's enough." Palutena said.

"Are you sure?" Magnus wondered. "I can keep going."

Palutena just smiled. "Well that's good, because that was only the first part of your training." She said. "I think we're ready to go to stage two."

Magnus just laughed. "Is that so? Well, bring it on!"

Palutena just nodded. "All right, if you insist! But you should take a break and rest up first. Especially since stage two will require a bit of preparation."

---

Out in space where the Bottle Ship used to occupy, the Galactic Federation ship was still there. They were getting ready to destroy the portal.

"All right, good!" The Colonel laughed. "Now, Malkovich and his crew will never be able to come back. Ready... Fire!"

A laser fired at the portal, however a giant mech flew out of the portal, blocking the attack and just immediately began to attack the ship. Within a few minutes, there was nothing left of the space ship. Everyone who was on it was dead.

"The human ship has been eliminated. You can not run, humans." The alien piloting the mech said. "Returning to base."

It just went back through the portal, that slowly began to expand.

---

File 1

Do you want to save?

YES

Party: Noah, Lucario, Zoroark, Greninja, Red, Charizard, Ivysaur, Squirtle, Toon Link, Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Pichu, Mewtwo

7 Chosen Champions Remain

---

And that's it for this chapter. Next story arc, the Pokemon World, but what does it hold?

Looplets and Emeras are from Pokmeon Super Mystery Dungeon

Of course Zoroarkite doesn't yet exist... So we'll see how my envisioned mega evolution of Zoroark will pair up with an eventual mega evolution.

The names for the 6 soldiers, I originally wanted to use the bot names from Kid Icarus Uprising's multiplayer. Except when I looked up a list, they were mostly all joke names or references such as "bots4ever" "Captain N" or "Majora".