Chapter 23
Luigi
Luigi yawned, and stretched. He had been oddly tired ever since he had arrived. Zelda said that she had felt the same way, but had recovered a few days later. Luigi had been here for almost two weeks, yet he still felt tired, more and more each day. Nerra had shown great concern for this.
"I'll fall asleep one night, and not wake up." Luigi joked. The pair were stood in the kitchen.
"Don't say that!" Nerra gasped. "What would I... I mean, we, do if that happened?"
"I was only kidding." Luigi assured her, shocked at her reaction.
"Well, don't!" Nerra snapped. "When you say things like that, I get worried!"
"I'm sorry, Nerra." Luigi said soothingly. "It's just that I'm used to talking like that with my brother."
"Oh." Nerra seemed to pale. "Sorry. I hadn't thought- I mean... I should've realised..." She floundered.
"Don't worry about it." Luigi told her.
"Alright." She mumbled, turning her head away, looking thoroughly upset.
"Nerra..." Luigi groaned. "It's okay."
"I know." She told him. "But... I upset you, and I don't want to upset you. I love you so much." Then, she gasped. She had said it. She had told Luigi how she felt! She blushed a bright red, and hid her face in her hands.
"Oh." Luigi replied. "I... didn't realise you, uh..." He stared at her for a moment. "I'm sorry, Nerra, but..."
"I know!" Nerra cried. "You already have someone! I... I didn't want to tell you how I felt... I knew it would make you uncomfortable." She was crying. "I didn't want to do that to you!"
"It's okay, Nerra. I'm glad you told me. At least now I know how you feel. I can't return your feelings, but I think of you as a very good friend. Is... that okay?"
"Yes..." Nerra whispered. "Thank you."
"I heard Nerra yelling." Zelda said, walking into the kitchen. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine." Nerra told her. "Sorry if I scared you."
"Oh, alright." Zelda said slowly. "If you say so."
"Good evening." A voice said from the door. The three turned around.
"You!" Zelda gasped.
"Lakitu!" Luigi shouted.
"What do you want?" Nerra asked him.
"Now, now, no cause for alarm. I'm just here to take the princess back home." Lakitu told them.
"Take me home?" Zelda asked. "Are you the one who sent me here?"
"I was indeed."
"Why?"
"To protect you. But now, you need to go back."
"Is the threat gone, then?" Zelda asked.
"Uh... in a sense." Lakitu replied. "But, we really have no time for argument. We must go. Now."
"Wait! What about Luigi and Nerra?"
"I'll take Luigi home later. Nerra can go back the way she came in. Now, let's go!"
"Back the way she came? What does-"
"ENOUGH!" Lakitu howled. He grabbed Zelda's wrist. "Let's go." A circle appeared on the floor, and the two disappeared.
Daisy
"It's got to be Quetzalcoatl." Daisy muttered. She was sat in her room, studying all the notes she had taken on the beast that had been attacking the world of Mobius. "But it doesn't feel right." She frowned. "What else could it be?" She looked at the various drawings people had made, then at the picture Tekno had made by piecing together bits and pieces of information, and using the drawings. At a glance, it could easily be mistaken for a Quetzalcoatl. But, it had what was clearly a pair of hind legs.
Knock knock. Lakitu's voice echoed in her mind. Again, that familiar surge of strength welled up within her, and flowed calmly with all the other strength that had appeared whenever Lakitu called. I see you still have control of the strength I give you. He sounded amused. Excellent. Don't use it yet, though. I'll call a few more times, then we'll see what we can't do about unleashing it.
Alright. Daisy replied in her mind. She had learned that she could communicate with Lakitu herself, if she thought about him with the right frame of mind. The first few attempts, however, had failed. One time, she found herself in a pitch-black chasm of nothingness, with several orbs of light, some larger than others, floating around. Most remained stationary, but others moved, and at different speeds. Sometimes, a large spike would erupt from an orb, and stretch out among the blackness, many times almost touching another orb. Each time, someone with a red cloak and purple hair forced the spike back into the orb. Occasionally it was a strange thing with extraordinarily long arms and legs, which seemed to sprout from what appeared to be its head, as it had no body. Daisy had always wondered what that things was. And who that cloaked man was. She felt that she should know him. When she raised the question to Lakitu, he had replied 'Now's not the time to be worrying about such things, Maiden. I'll explain someday, I think.' And he said no more on the matter.
Maiden. Lakitu's voice brought her from her daydream. Please stop thinking about that. It doesn't matter to you right now. Stop thinking of the Void, the giants, and your friend. Daisy heard him gasp. Had Lakitu actually said something without meaning to? Just stop thinking about it. By the way, you are right about the creature. It is Quetzalcoatl. Where it got its legs and claws, and its fire and ice abilities, I do not know. I will send someone there soon enough. Hopefully. Report this to Sonic and Shadow.
Right. Daisy agreed, standing. She felt light-headed.
That's also interesting. Lakitu seemed to purr. Thank you, my Maiden. Daisy felt his mind depart from hers.
-
Daisy ignored Lakitu's warning. She thought again of the thing he called the Void, and of the strange giants, and of the man in the red cloak, whom Lakitu had called her friend. She decided to reach out to that place again, and see if the man would appear again. Daisy focussed, and soon found herself there. She looked at the orbs of light, wondering which would the first to get a spike. She looked for a long time, moving around the Void. Why were none of the orbs sending out spikes? This was strange. Usually they were erupting all the time. Was the giant or red-cloaked man stopping them before Daisy saw? A glimmer of light caught Daisy's attention, and she turned to face it. A spike! She thought. Maybe I'll see him! Her excitement was quickly replaced with horror. It was a spike, but it was heading straight for her. Daisy tried to scream, but in the Void there was no sound. The spike engulfed her, and a pale yellow glare blinded her.
Skull Kid
Something was coming. Skull Kid couldn't tell what it was, but it was big. It was possible that it could shake the very foundations of reality. What could it be?
"Enough worrying." Majora's Mask said to him. "We must deal with the spikes." Lately, the spikes had been getting bigger, and more active. To such an extent that the giants had called upon his help. 'But what of Termina?' Skull Kid had asked. The giants had replied that unless the spikes were dealt with, there might not be a Termina any more.
"Of course." Skull Kid said absently. He tried to shake the strange feeling, but to no avail. He still worried about it.
"Focus." The Mask chided him. "You won't be able to handle the spikes like this."
"You're right, you're right. I'm sorry." Skull Kid focussed his mind, and entered the Void.
-
The Void was surprisingly still this visit. Normally, Skull Kid was stopping spikes the moment he entered, but today there were none. Skull Kid moved around the Void for a while, wondering what was going on. He decided to telepath Lakitu.
Lakitu. He called. Lakitu, answer me.
I'm here. What's wrong? Lakitu's voice replied.
There are no spikes. I'm in the Void, and I can't see a single spike coming from any of the worlds.
Not a single one? Even a tiny one?
No. No spikes whatsoever.
Strange... Lakitu mumbled. Skull Kid could hear mumblings in his mind; Lakitu was thinking. Hyrule, Termina, Mushroom Kingdom and Mobius should be spiking like crazy. And all the other worlds send off the occasional spike. But... no spikes at all? That's worrying. I'll need to consult some of my friends. Stay there awhile longer, Skull Kid, and see what turns up.
Right. Skull Kid disconnected.
"I have just seen something very worrying." The Mask told him.
"What is it?"
"A young girl in black was in the Void. She was engulfed by a spike."
"She was?! I'll have to tell Lakitu that, then... I wonder what happens when a person is swallowed by a spike?"
"Wonder later. I suggest we stay here for a Hyrulian hour, then leave. Report to Lakitu afterwards."
"I suppose." Skull Kid sighed. He still couldn't shake the feeling that something big was looming on the horizon. He knew it wasn't the battle between Mario and Ganondorf; that wasn't as big as this feeling. What could it be? Could that girl, who was engulfed in a spike, be involved?
Lakitu
"Lord Pent." Lakitu said to his former mentor. "I received a worrying report recently."
"Oh?" Lord Pent replied.
"Yes. About the Void."
"Wait a moment. I'll bring Erk. No doubt he'll be interested. Or maybe he can confirm your report."
"Yes, yes. Bring him."
"Nino will probably want to come, too."
"That's fine." Lakitu said as Lord Pent left the room.
-
Half an hour later, Lord Pent returned.
"That took a while." Lakitu commented.
"Erk and Nino were out in the dunes, training." He replied. "Come in, you two." He called out the door. He sat down on chair. Two people walked in a short a moment later. One was a tall boy, with long purple hair, plain black top, black jeans and a red cloak. The other was a short girl, with short green hair, with a plain blue top, white skirt and white cloak. Both wore large brown travelling boots.
"Hello, you two." Lakitu greeted the two.
"Lakitu." The purple-haired boy said. "It's an honour to see you again."
"Haven't I told you to stop being so formal, Erk?" Erk smiled.
"You'd be the only teacher I don't listen to, Sir."
"That much is true." Lakitu chuckled. "And how are you, Nino?" He said to the green-haired girl, who blushed suddenly.
"Um... I-I'm fine." She replied.
"Still shy around me, dear?" Lakitu asked. "I'd have thought you'd be used to me by now."
"S-sorry, Sir."
"No worries."
"Sit down, you two." Lord Pent told them. "Lakitu, what is this report you received?"
"Well," Lakitu said, getting comfortable. "One of my friends enters the Void occasionally, to deal with the spikes. He went just a short while ago, actually."
"Did something happen?" Pent asked.
"No, quite the opposite. Nothing happened at all."
"Then... why is that worrying?"
"Lord Pent," Erk spoke up. "It happened to me, too. These past two days, there have been no spikes."
"At all?!" Pent gasped. "That's impossible! At least three worlds should be spiking constantly, and the others always send off random spikes! How can there be no spikes at all?!"
"Go and see for yourself." Erk told him. "There are no spikes."
"I suppose I should. This is something I need to witness myself." He closed his eyes in concentration. A few moments later, he disappeared.
"What does that mean?" Nino asked. "Isn't it good that there's no spikes?"
"In a way, yes." Erk told her. "But it's worrying. A few worlds are experiencing a major upset; there are outsiders there. Because of that, they should be spiking constantly. The only way for the spikes to stop would be if they either returned home, or were dead."
"Y-you mean-?"
"We're not sure." Lakitu cut in. "I know for a fact that the outsiders are still in those worlds, and are alive and well. The spikes shouldn't have been reduced at all, let alone stopped. Like Pent said, other worlds spike occasionally, but there were none."
"And," Erk added, "If you consider how many different worlds there are, what are the possibilities of none of them spiking at all? At least one should be spiking at any one time. In at least two worlds, at any one time, something has happened to upset the natural balance."
"Balance!!" Nino shrieked suddenly.
"Did you think of something?" Lakitu asked sharply.
"It... it's just a stupid idea."
"Tell me." Lakitu insisted.
"But it's..."
"Tell me!"
"Tell us, Nino." Erk urged.
"Well... I-I just thought... that maybe... only maybe..." She gulped. "Those two outsiders have been in those worlds for so long, that the worlds think they're a part of them. Y-you know, like... the outsiders aren't outisders any more, but a part of those worlds." Lakitu and Erk stared at her, gobsmacked. "I-I told it was a stupid idea." She blushed.
"My god..." Lakitu whispered. "In all my years, I'd never have thought that could happen."
"But, it makes some sense." Erk said. "You once said yourself Mario's body began to transform, to account for his abilities. What if it happened to Link as well? Both of them have transformed to accomadate for their abilities, and have begun to be a part of the natural order. Plus, you keep saying that Link seems to fit in the Mushroom Kingdom well. It's possible, for sure."
"It is." Lakitu mumbled. "Nino, I think you might just have it."
"There's still the question of why no other worlds were spiking."
"Well, we can't see every single world at the same time, can we? We have to move around to see. It's possible we just missed a world spiking."
"I suppose, but I don't like that idea." Erk grumbled.
"Scholars don't like the idea of what we call 'Mortal Error'. Basically, we miss something because we weren't looking." Lakitu smirked. "They like to think they're perfect." At that moment, Lord Pent returned.
"I saw a spike. Actually, I saw three." He said smugly. "But, there were none from Mushroom Kingdom or Hyrule." He frowned. "'That is strange."
"Nino came up with a brilliant theory." Lakitu told him. "A bit... radical, perhaps, but very good."
"Really? What is it, Nino?" Lord Pent turned to the girl.
"Just that Mario and Link have become a part of the natural order in the worlds, because they've been there so long." Nino said.
"That's a bit far-fetched."
"But," Erk leapt to Nino's defence. "Don't more far-fetched ideas turn out to be more accurate than simple ones?"
"Mario's appearance," Lakitu added, "Has changed dramatically recently. Aside from his transforming into a woman, of course. He now has rather large muscles. Hyrule must have changed his body, to account for his super-human abilities."
"I... suppose." Lord Pent admitted. "I still think it's far-fetched, but there's some sense to it. I'd prefer to think that some displacement spell had been placed on the worlds."
"Who in the all the worlds is powerful enough to displace the spikes from a world to elsewhere in the Void?" Lakitu asked.
"Well, I don't know." Pent said. "We haven't explored all these other worlds yet, so there's no telling what powers other people could have."
"There's a point to that. But, the spell would have to be huge. As well as constant. I daren't think what kind of creature could have such tremendous power." Lakitu trembled.
"I think Nino's idea is the most realistic." Erk said. "There's always someone in the Void, and we always focus on Hyrule and Mushroom Kingdom. If someone put a spell on them, we would have seen. I know that none of us are powerful enough to cast such a spell."
"I guess." Pent sighed. "Stranger things have happened. We still don't know everything about the worlds and the Void. I suppose I should announce to the others."
"No need." Lakitu said. "I'll do it. I don't want your name being disgraced because of me."
Lakitu. Skull Kid's voice echoed in Lakitu's mind. Are you busy?
"Excuse me a moment, please." Lakitu said to the others. "I'm being telepathed."
"Another thing that isn't yet possible in this world." Pent mumbled.
What is it? Lakitu asked.
I saw someone else in the Void.
Who?
A girl. She was wearing black clothes. She got caught in a spike.
What?! D-do you know who it was?
I don't. Sorry.
Okay. Thank you, Skull Kid. Lakitu cut off.
"Is there a problem?" Erk asked Lakitu.
"It would seem so. If you'll excuse me, I have to go."
"When will you be at the Council?" Pent asked.
"The next meeting is this evening, their time. I'll go to that one."
"I'll go, too. I'll support your theory."
"Thank you, Master." Lakitu said, sounding very relieved. "I'll try to get Gaea to come, too. They respect him."
"Yes, they do."
"Can I come?" Erk asked.
"No. You'll be in the Void then. There may or may not be spikes, but we need to be sure." Lakitu told him.
"What about me?" Nino asked.
"Should we bring her, Lakitu?" Pent asked the tortoise.
"Well, it was her idea... but the Scholars aren't fond of children... If you think she should come, bring her. I really have to be on my way." With that, he teleported.
-
"Daisy!" Lakitu reappeared in Daisy's room on Mobius. "Daisy!!" She wasn't there. He rushed downstairs.
"Lakitu?" Shadow asked, looking surprised. "Where did you come from?"
"Never mind! Where is Daisy?"
"Daisy? She's been in her room all day. We haven't seen her since breakfast. Is something wrong?"
"DAMMIT!" Lakita roared. "That stupid girl!" He closed his eyes, and entered the Void.
-
Lakitu looked wildly around for Daisy. If Skull Kid had seen her, she must have been within five senrels of Hyrule. A senrel is a unit of measurement used within the Void. One senrel is equivalent to 3.5 miles. There was no sign of her. Where could she be? Had she been sucked into the world that had spiked?
Skull Kid! Lakitu yelled. Come to the Void!
I am here. Skull Kid said, materialising next to him. What do you want?
Where did you see the girl?
Over here. Follow me. He flew away, and Lakitu followed. She was by this world. Right about... He floated around for a moment. Here. She was floating right here, when she was swallowed.
What world is this? Lakitu asked.
I believe this to be Elibe, but I'm not sure.
Elibe?! Did this mean something? Had Daisy somehow done this? She had been desperate to meet the 'red-cloaked man'. Lakitu had mistakenly told her that he was her friend. Had she come to the Void looking for him? Had her thoughts of him been so strong that his world had sucked her in? No, no. This was no time for theorising. Lakitu had a council to get to.
-
"How nice of you to grace us with your presence, Lakitu." The Head Scholar said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What incredible discovery have you made this time?" The other scholars chuckled. The room was circular, with benches and desks encircling the wall. The Head scholar sat at the peak of the semi-circle, while Lakitu, Pent, Gaea and Nino stood before it.
"I don't care for your tone, Siranos." Lakitu said calmly. "Perhaps it would be better if Gaea or Lord Pent delivered my speech?"
"It is your speech to give, Lakitu. Gaebora and Peregla may support you. But, who is the child?" He pointed at Nino.
"She is the one who introduced my idea."
"You trust the word of a child?" The Head Scholar snorted.
"I believe there to be some truth to her suggestion."
"She is little more than a baby. Do you expect us to believe her words?"
"No more than I expect you to believe mine. Alas, I must try. If our suspicions are correct, then it may change how we feel about travelling between worlds."
"Then tell us quickly so we may move on to more important and relevant matters."
"How does Lakitu put up with these people?" Nino whispered to Pent.
"He doesn't have much choice. Don't worry, you'll see his rage in full after we've left. Probably." Pent replied.
"The worlds of Mushroom Kingdom and Hyrule currently have two outisders dwelling within." Lakitu announced.
"We know that much, Lakitu." The Head Scholar sighed.
"As such, those worlds have been spiking on a regular basis."
"We know that, too." The Scholars began to whisper among themselves.
"Recently, however, the spikes have stopped." Silence fell across the great hall.
"What is this nonsense? Are you saying the outsiders have gone home? Why bother telling us such trivial-"
"They're still there, Headmaster." Lakitu cut in. "The outsiders remain in those worlds, yet the spikes have stopped."
"Wh- of all the- where is your proof?"
"Enter the Void, and see for yourself. The spikes-" Lakitu, there's been one spike from Hyrule. Erk's voice sounded. "The spikes have lessened dramatically. They have been reduced to the occasional spike."
"You just said they'd stopped! You are contradicting yourself!"
"I have just been informed that Hyrule has spiked. That leads me to believe that the spikes have returned to the normal pattern."
"If what you say is true, then why? Why would the spikes decrease so drastically, if the outsiders are still in those worlds?" The Head Scholar was on his feet.
"As far-fetched as it may sound, we now believe that the outsiders have become a part of the natural order of those worlds, on account of their spending so long living there."
"That's... completely ridiculous!" The Head Scholar spat. "That sort of thing does not happen!"
"And yet, during his time in Hyrule, Mario has changed. His body has become more muscular, to account for his superhuman abilities. I believe this is the Will of the World, attempting to overcome the anomaly within itself. Much like the mortal body will destroy or transform viruses and alien substances, it is possible that the worlds could also do this." The Scholars muttered to each other. Some were insulting Lakitu's suggestion, but most where agreeing that there was some truth to it.
"We have never heard of such a thing, Lakitu." The Head Scholar finally said, drawing himself to his full height. "I cannot recognise your suggestion as worthy of research."
"Just because you've never seen something," Lakitu said, clearly trying to hold back his anger. "Does not mean it cannot happen, Headmaster."
"It is too radical, and positively too far-fetched. I will not warrant research on it." Lakitu snapped then.
"If you don't, then-"
"I support the idea." The voice was neither Gaea's or Pents. It was in fact the Deputy Head Scholar. "I believe Lakitu's idea holds some significance." Several others murmured their agreement.
"It is a silly, immature idea, wrought from the brain of a mere child!" The Head Scholar growled.
"Nino is no 'mere' child, Headmaster." Pent spoke up. "Her ideas and input have greatly assisted my research on magic."
"Nonsense! Children have wild, and over-active imaginations! How could they possibly have a clear, worthwhile thought or idea?"
"Headmaster." Gaea said. "Children are not so worthless as you might think. You, for all your intelligence and mental skills, can only see what seems most obvious. The imagination of a child, however, can see through deceiving imagery, and calculate an idea that can be radical and far-fetched, yet surprisingly accurate."
"You cannot," Lakitu added, "ignore the fact that Mario's body has changed considerably during his time in Hyrule. The balance of nature was clearly trying to give him a body that allowed him to perform his amazing feats in that world."
"But... I..."
"All who support Lakitu's theory?" Pent roared to the Scholars. Seventeen of the twenty-six assembled rose from their seats.
"Regardless of how radical it is, Headmaster," One of the Scholars said, "It is definitely worth researching. Supposing it is true. People could travel to other worlds, and spend so long there, and become part of the natural order. That generates two results. One: The possibility of moving to a new world, and being able to stay there. Two: The difficulty in returning to your homeworld."
"This is more than 'worth' researching." Another spoke. "This is vital! We must research this!" The Scholars began talking excitedly, and angrily, among themselves.
"Think we should bring up the girl of memories?" Pent asked Lakitu.
"I don't think so. We shouldn't push them too far. Besides, I need to go and check on Maria and Link." He chuckled. "I suppose Maria has changed back to Mario now, though."
"I will not allow it!" The Head Scholar howled. "Lakita Tuan's idea is too absurd! The worlds do not have minds of their own! It has not been proven that they think for themselves!"
"At the same time," Lakitu said gently, "Neither has it been proven that they don't. You should not dismiss an idea just because you think it is ridiculous." This time, all the Scholars agreed.
"You are all idiots!" The Head Scholar yelled at them. "How can you possibly believe the words of this... this... outcast! And a pathetic little girl!?"
"That's it." Erk's voice growled. Silence fell, and Lakitu, Pent, Nino and Gaea looked behind them. "I will not have this man insult Nino any more."
"When did you get here?" Nino asked him.
"Somewhere about 'we must research this', I think." Erk told her. "Head Scholar." He said loudly to him. "I believe it is time you step down from your high perch. The future is coming, and you are not equipped to deal with it."
"How dare you!" The Head Scholar roared. "You have no authority to-"
"But I do." The Deputy Head said. "Siranos, you are too set in what you already know. You no longer follow the way of the Scholars. We live to discover and research. But you insist that what you already know is the absolute truth. This is not an attitude we can allow. We demand you step down."
"I'm starting to like these people." Lakitu smirked.