Game Start.

...

...

...

"...H-H-Hello? Are you still there?"

Mario looked left.

Nothing.

Mario looked right.

Nothing.

Mario's head went swinging in every direction.

Nothing.

Nothing came popping out of the pitch-black air except more little specks of snow. Swirling through the sky before coming to rest in the ground all around him.

I don't know what I was expecting. Hands shot up and slid handfuls of snow off the body; coupled with one last good knock to his hat. That would stave off hypothermia a bit longer.

But it was certainly something.

With all of the nothing was happening, Mario took a quick glance at the Bit. Nothing new. Just shimmering those little gray waves. Whatever this thing is, it didn't seem to change. What did that starting the game bullshit actually mean?

"Are you just not gonna tell me how to use this?" He threw his arms up into the air. "You're not just leaving me here, are you?"

He cupped his hands to his ears. The winds were whipping up more and more noise. Never found out where that damn voice was coming from. Don't see anyone else around, but I heard them pretty clear. Like they were right next to me. But it's snowing pretty decent.

With his fingers shivering, he opted to slide his hands into his pockets. Didn't want those getting numb.

So... they aren't around me. But I did hear them. Were they...were they speaking from inside my head? Can they hear everything I'm thinking?

Something?

Anything!

Nothing.

Well if you can hear this, fuck you, you piece of shit. Just ditching me out here with that fucking gorilla-

A second primate finger twitched. This one rather softly digging into the snow.

"SH-" Mario caught himself. Shit, I gotta stay quiet. He looked down back at the Bit. There's gotta be something on here to teach me how to do this. As the Bit twirled in his fingers, Mario paused at the sight of an insignia.

A white dot with four swords. All linking back to the dot in the center. Those look like serrations, but the swords are twisted. That one kinda looks like grandad's old knife. Mario pressed down on the dot. Nothing. He pressed down on the swords. Nothing.

Wrinkles etched themselves in his forehead as he flipped the Bit over. Certainly, there had to be some other kind of clue. Finding nothing else, Mario went back to the symbol. Wish I knew what this damn thing meant...

A burst of light flashed in front of his eyes.

FUCK, MAN! Mario turned his head and shielded his eyes. When the flash subsided, he looked back at it.

The symbol had become a D.

A D? But why? Out of every fucking thing in the world, why is it a-

With a shove he went forward, stumbling a few paces in a struggle to stay upright.

He looked back. WHAT THE-

Freezing gusts of wind slammed into his body.

"SHIT! G-G-Gotta move." He raised his arms and turned his head away. The wind was screaming more than ever. Howling flooded his ear.

He took a step toward the car. As he raised his bad leg, he kept his eye on his ankle as he slowly put it back down into the snow. Yeah, that's it. One foot after the other. Just gotta take my ti-

His good leg went sliding out from under him. Body crashed into the snow as the other ankle gave way.

"Shhhhhhiiiiiiiiiit." The word barely escaped from his chattering teeth. Back on the ground again. All because of this fucking ankle. Wish I could just fucking WALK FOR FIVE MINUTES!

A glimmer of light peeked out from his right hand. Mario saw it instantly. Wait... what is that?

Beams of white starting pouring out from between his knuckles. More and more light was consuming his hand. Mario turned his eyes. The sight had become blinding. Even as he turned his head left, Mario saw the rays streaking out, piercing the dark with the light.

Then he felt it.

Holy-

Energy was coursing through his body, making a beeline for his ankle. The pain subsiding more and more.

As the glow vanished, Mario stared back at the Bit. He was fine. Healthy. Like it was never even there.

The wind was building into a torrent around him. Frost slowly leaked into his skin. Close by, a third ginormous finger moved ever so slightly. And here he was, lying in the snow gazing at a tiny block no bigger than his thumb.

Ready?

"Wha-"

GO!

Go? Scrambling to his feet, he paused to give his foot a wiggle. Good as new. Fingers slid across his face. Not a smidge of red on his glove. Guess that cut's gone too.

He gave himself one last rundown all around his body. No aches. No bruises. The air around him felt less cold. Even his clothes were less disheveled. New life. Thing just gave me an extra body. I feel great. Holy fuck...

He stuffed Bit into his pocket. Bailed my ass out big time. Can't lose this, no matter what.

As he saw the wind die down around him, Mario looked to the sky. "Did you do that? What is this, show-not-tell?"

All he heard was the crunching of snow under his feet.

"Yeah, why would you respond." He took a moment to adjust his hat. "I'll deal with you later."

Son of a bitch. Brings a blizzard to teach me how to use a fucking Lego. Already gotta deal with a gorilla...

That's... that's right! The gorilla did the same after it came through the portal! Shit, I'm a fucking idiot! How did I forget about that?!

Turning his attention back to the ape, Mario saw the hands sift through the ground, more and more snow being caught by its fur.

It really is getting up soon! I gotta move and save Pauline!

Rushing to the car, Mario got on his hands and knees as he reached the window. All this time, I haven't seen Pauline at all. I haven't even heard her call out. Did she go off to get help? She wouldn't still be in the car if she was awake, right? If she's still in here, that could only mean she's-

His eyes went wide. No.

He dipped his head into the driver's window. NO!

A smear of blood was plastered against the steering wheel. Pauline laid still in the driver's seat, blood running down the gaping wound in her forehead.

Noo...

"PAULINE!" Mario dug the Bit out from his pocket. It fixed my ankle, It can save Pauline! It just HAS to-

Mario fell forward, dropping the Bit.

"THE HELL?!" He looked down at his foot.

The gorilla's hand clasped around it.

"SHIT!" Mario reached out and snatched the Bit out of the snow. The hand dragged him along the car, slashing him through the snow.

Away from Pauline.

Squeezing the Bit in his fist, Mario felt the energy course through his body again.

"FUCK OFF!"

Swinging his free leg, Mario hammered his toe into the primate's fingers. Again. And again. And again. With every kick, he could feel the grip loosening. He looked back at the hand. "Where's your fucking pinky at..."

"...THERE!"

Kriiiick!

The hand shot back. As it dived into the snow, Mario could hear some kind of muffled roar emerging from underneath the car.

"Didn't like that one, didya you son of a bitch?" He gritted his teeth and crawled away, pushing his leg back. I gotta get to Pauline. Going through the window, Mario undid Pauline's seat belt, catching her as she slumped over. He put his finger to her neck. Please don't be dead. Please don't be dead...

Just the faintest hint of a pulse.

Oh, thank fuck she's alive. He turned to the Bit. "What are waiting for? Heal her already!"

Pauline shifted in her seat, a little moan coming from out of her mouth as she fell into Mario's arms.

Mario frantically waved the Bit around her head. "Why aren't you working? She's dying. SAVE HER!" He brought it back to his face. "Don't tell me you can only heal me..."

Pauline's head swayed to the side. As Mario caught her, his forehead touched the Bit. The Bit's glow roared to life. Mario turned his head from the blinding light. Of course, I have to touch her with it! I'm an idio-

The headrest smacked him right in the face.

"What the-"

A purse slid along the front seat. Mario paused. Wait a minute. I didn't kick that, so why is it moving so fast?

As steady creaks of noise emerged all around him, Mario realized his predicament.

NO

He looked back. The door frame was being driven into the snow.

It's flipping the damn car over!

The Bit's blinding light shunned Mario's eyes away. It ain't done with Pauline yet. Shit! If I'd known what to do earlier, she would have been healed by now!"

As the car rotated, the armrest rose inch by inch. More and more perpendicular to the ground.

"OOOOOORRRRAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!"

"SHIT!"

The car re-ascended. Slowly but steadily, Mario was finding his arm slowly being pushing back toward his face. Oh no you fucking don't.

Planting his feet, he leaned against the armrest and pushed forward, driving his legs into the ground. His arm buckled under the strain as he pushed outward.

If this thing gets back on its feet were fucked. Stay down you son of a bitch!

Mario slammed his hand on the armrest. The car lurched downward.

There we...go. Putting as much bodyweight against the armrest as he could, Mario pushed the car downwards. Just gotta keep the ape pinned down long enough to get Pauline out of here.

BOOOPHM!

DID I DO IT? IS THAT IT?! Mario looked out the window. The view was definitely closer to level than before, he could make out several tree trunks a few yards away. Still, it looked just a little elevated...

Must be the gorilla underneath. I crushed it. Good.

"M-M-Mario..." Fingers gently came to rest on his shoulder. "What's happening..."

"Pauline!" Mario helped her get on her feet. "I'm just so glad you're-"

She quickly clutched her head, letting Mario sling her other arm around his neck. "Not so loud...where are we?"

"We're still in the car. But we have to get out. Now. The gorilla ain't staying down for long. Whatever you need in here, get it quick."

Pauline reached down and grabbed her purse, scooping her personal effects inside. "Wait... gorilla? That actually happened? I wasn't dreaming?"

"No. It's still happening." Mario stared at the floor. The gorilla was underneath but had gotten silent rather quickly. It'd grown exhausted from failing to push the car off of it, now pinned down under it. Completely trapped.

Time to get while the getting is good. Mario looked at the Bit. "A portal brought this thing here, now its gonna get us out."

"Wait, do you know how to use that thing? Do you even know what it is?"

"Yeah, it's a Bit. I'll explain later."

He put his hand out to the backseat "Portal, now."

Nothing happened.

"Does it...does it need to know where you want to go, Mario?"

"Maybe. Take me home?"

A flash of light appeared in the backseat, the air quickly swirling around it.

"It's working. Holy shit." She glanced back at him. He was leaning against the dashboard, grabbing the steering wheel as his legs kept buckling.

"Ready to go home?" She offered her hand.

He took it in earnest. "Yeah."

DOOMPH!

Their eyes shot to the floor.

"GET DOWN PAULINE!" Mario clutched the Bit in his fist before slamming his hand on the armrest. "AND AS FOR YOU, STAY DOWN YOU-"

He felt himself rise. Pauline fell into the passenger seat foot space.

"HOW-"

Mario turned around.

The back of the car was rising, towering above him.

"He's pushing up the back of the car now!" He raised his hand to swat the car down.

DOOMPH!

He fell over, crashing into the windshield.

'WHAT?!"

OOOOOORRRRRAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGHHH!"

"IT'S SHAKING THE CAR, MARIO!"

"SHAKING THE-" So I couldn't stand up! He scrambled to his knees. It wasn't just resting, it was thinking!

"THE PORTAL! GET TO THE-" Mario looked at the backseat. The portal was gone.

The car surged forward. Mario's hand was pushed back into his face. Pauline fell over in"to the snow.

We gotta get outta here! He searched for an escape. The car was being flipped on its side. One side of windows was plunged into snow. The other led to the gorilla...

The windshield! It had a hole big enough to crawl through.

But with how unstable the car is. Those jagged edges look dangerous.

"SOMEONE HELP!"

Mario looked at the Bit. Let try this again! "PORTAL NO-!"

The world around him tumbled and he went headfirst into the front seat, the leather seat compressing his neck.

He didn't even feel it.

"PORTAL NOW!"

With the portal forming in front of him, Mario picked Pauline up and plowed through.


Chill enveloped his body as he exited the other side.

"Fuck!" Pauline popped right up. "Shit that's cold. Shit, that's cold..."

"Pauline, are you alright?"

Her hug nearly took him off his feet.

"Thanks, glad we're okay too." He looked away to hide his blush.

"Fuck, you're cold too." She pushed herself off of him and started blowing hot air on her hands and rubbing them together. "Well, still got my purse on me, so that's a plus. Where'd you take us, anyway? Why didn't you take us home?"

"You know, I'm not really sure. I thought I did take us back home. I just wanted to get out of the car-"

CROOUUNCH!

The couple jumped back. Eyes quickly zeroing in on the source.

The gorilla was flattening the Ferrari more with every furious stomp, pounding away at the hood. Tearing away with its paws. Smashing the hood with its feet. As the leaped into the air and came crashing down, the roof gave out and the frame finally collapsed.

"So when you said you just wanted to get out of the car..." Pauline's voice trailed off. Mario saw her body tremble. Quickly, he raised the Bit in the air while putting his other arm around her to bring her in. A portal start forming behind them.

"Just stay quiet. The thing still thinks we're in the car. I'm making another portal and taking us home."

She clasped her hands around his neck. It was so hard to breathe out here. In the cold. With no car. A monstrous gorilla just a few dozens of yards away. But with Mario close to her, with a plan like he always seems to have, things didn't seem so bad. "Th-th-thanks." She whispered, before taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Guess this makes us even for everything, huh?"

"Guess so." He met her smirk with a peck on the cheek.


Nothing is here. The thieves are gone. They took the tool with them.

Stranded? Left in the cold? No...that can't happen.

Their scent is still here. Trapped in the air. Track it.

...

They are still close.


"OOOORRAAUUGGHHHH!"

Mario and Pauline whipped their heads around.

The gorilla was already charging for them. Teeth fully bared. Rapid stomps echoing through the air.

"FUCK!" Mario looked at the portal. It was hovering in the air. Complete.

"GET US THROUGH! GET US THROUGH!" Pauline tapped on his shoulders.

"We can't!" He picked her up by the legs and ran past the portal. Pauline reached out with her fingertips, but the portal was already closing. As she looked back, the gorilla was almost in lunging distance. It howled at them louder and louder with every step.

"WHY DID YOU FUCKING RUN PAST IT?!" She screamed at him.

"We can't risk that thing coming through the portal with us! We have to create some safe distance!"

"BY RUNNING FROM IT?!"

"We can lose it between the trees! No way it's moving that fast in there!"

"CAN YOU EVEN SEE IN THERE?!"

"Yeah."

"HOW?! IT'S PITCH BLACK!"

"That's what the Bit is for." With a grin, Mario ran into the treeline. With the Bit in hand, it was barely different than walking in the daytime. Dipping and ducking between trees. Tiptoeing between roots. Barely losing stride.

"MARIO, YOU CAN'T OUTRUN A GORILLA!" She looked back at the ape. That was...

"Holy shit you're outrunning a gorilla."

Seeing the trees surround them up more and more. Pauline tucked her head in and tried to shrink herself as much as possible. "I'm not a football, and you're not Joe Morris! Be careful!" What is that Bit he keeps talking about?! First, it makes portals, now it gives him fucking night vision?!

A ruckus of snaps and crunches echoes behind them. Mario took it a quick glance back, the gorilla was out of sight. "I think they trees are too thick for it to move well. "Are we losing it? I can't see it at all."

"I can't see anything, but I you can't, I'll take your word for it. We finally got away from it?"

"See? I told you we would-"

A heavy thwack rang out. Followed by another. And another. Creaks and crackles went out above their heads.

"M-Mario...what's happening?" She looked up at him and dug her fingernails into his shoulder.

A tree came down a few feet behind them.

"The fuck?!" Mario stumbled over. Recovering just as he was about to run into a tree.

"Woah! Watch it!" Pauline had both her hands on the tree. Just in case."So that thing just fucking knocks trees over?!"

Another tree came falling over on their heads. Mario jumped out of the way and kept moving, no longer at the same dashing pace as before.

More trees toppled in their path. Mario stutter-stepped back and around them. And again. And again. Heavy grunting and footsteps were quickly getting louder.

It's playing dominoes with the trees! Knocking them over to slow me down. I gotta get out of this forest! He looked around. Shit, which way is out? Mario scanned the area. Trees, trees, and more trees. What if I stood on top of one of the branches, and see if I can find a treeline? No wait, that dumb. I can't climb the trees, I'm carrying Pauline...

As another tree fell over, an idea popped into this head. "Hang on!"

Running up to the fallen tree, Mario hopped on the trunk and started running up the tree, launching himself off as he reached the crown.

"WHAT ARE YOU-"

As he soared above all the trees, Mario scanned the area.

Behind him?

Trees.

In front of him?

Trees.

To his left? Trees. And a rambling dark figure...

To the right? Tre- wait.

Mario made out several dots in the distance. Those are buildings... if we can lose the gorilla in there, we'll be home free!"

"MARIOOOOOO!" Pauline pointed ahead. "THE TREE!"

Mario looked down. He was about to crash.

"Hold on!"

With a kick of his foot, the trunk snapped right off.

Landing in a heap, Mario shook the snow off Pauline and kept moving.

"How did you do that?!"

"I kicked it at the last second.

"No I mean, how did you break a tree with one fucking kick?! How did you even get that high up in this air?!"

"The Bit did all of that?!"

"So it makes portals, can heal things, give you night vision, makes you fucking Batman, what can't that thing fucking do?"

"Scared to find out, but I have a plan!"

Another tree came crashing down, making Mario juke to the side.

"Can we get out of here first before we're smushed?!"

"That's actually part of the plan, so two birds in one stone."

Darting through the trees, Mario made his way out of the treeline. The gorilla burst out of it after him, mere yards away.

"If you're faster than him, can't you just make more distance by just running?"

"I want to be able to get through and then close it behind me. I'll try though." He started sprinting, ploughing through the snow even faster. "Am I losing it?!"

"Slowly, but yeah. Keep going!" Pauline didn't take her eyes off of the ape. It was desperately trying to catch up, and getting farther all the same. In fact...was it slowing down? "I think it getting tired. Start making a portal."

Mario looked at the Bit again. If I can get enough space...

He shot his hand out. "Let's try it now. Take me home."

The portal started forming off in the distance.

"Hey Mario, I think it's giving up!" Pauline watched it go back into the forest. "It not chasing behind us anymore!"

"Got it." He kept is sights set on the portal, quickly approaching it. "Just a little more..."

"OOOORRRRRRAAAAAAAUUUGGGGHHHH!"

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHHH!

Mario turned back. "What's it doing no-"

A tree was sailing through the air, heading right for the portal.

"SHIT! CLOSE!" Mario swiped his fist in the air, and the portal dissipated, right before the tree plunged into the snow. The bottom of the trunk slammed into Mario's trouble knocking him off of his feet.

Mario and Pauline were plunged into the snow. Mario got up in an instant. "SON OF A BITCH! WHERE IS IT?!"

"My shoulder. My shoulder. Oh shit, my shoulder. I think it's broken. Fuck."

"Wait, what?" He got back down on his knees. "Are you serious? Shit, hold on." He got out the Bit. "Use this. It'll heal quick. Don't move. I'll do it."

'Thanks." She settled down in the snow as he pressed the Bit against her. Mario...where's the gorilla?"

Mario scanned the tree line until he saw the monstrous frame slowly emerging out of the treeline. It has us down, but it's not moving fast. Must be pretty fucking tired. Just gotta get away before it catches its breath.

"Don't worry about it. We're gonna lose it in those buildings over here. Don't worry. Just focus on your shoulder. As soon as your ready, we're moving."

He was already picking her back up when she said it, putting the Bit back into his hands.

"I'm okay. Go."

As soon as she said it, Mario started moving.

Running.

Running as fast as he could.

As he took off for the buildings, Mario made a quick check behind him. The gorilla was several yards behind them. Not walking, but not in full rampaging sprint.

Reaching an entrance, Mario saw a sign in the entrance. Finally, let's see where we are. Please be English. Please be English. Please be English...

Bob's Wrecking and Erecting Crew. Yes we can! Contact us at 917-618-1018.

Holy shit! This is one of Bob's sites! The first non-pizza job Luigi and I ever had! Holy hell, that was...'85? Damn, been a minute.

"How are we gonna lose it?! You said you had a plan?"

"We're gonna look for a tight spot where the ape can't get to. Maybe underground or something.

"That's it? You saw what that thing did in the forest? It'll steamroll anything its path!"

"Yeah, I know. Honestly, he's a lot closer than I'd hope he be once we got here. It's gonna be hard to slip through anything with him so close.

"He can smell us too. Don't tell me you forgot."

"I didn't." Mario looked around. Every move I've made, the ape's got an answer for. I don't think I can pull a fast one this time. Pauline busted her shoulder last time, and now we're around the metal. I don't want to make a mistake...but I need to do something different.

"Hey, Pauline."

"Yeah?"

"I need you to get in one of those support beams. The hollows one?"

"What? What are you gonna do?"

"Don't worry, just trust me."

"Mario."

"I'll be fine, I got the Bit. We don't got a lot of time, so just do it.

Pauline crawled inside the pipe "Mario..."

The gorilla paused as Mario turned around.

Mario put his hand out. The air slowly started shifting in front of the gorilla. The gorilla growled and bared its teeth as it shrank back, before recognizing something in the portal.

A forest. Not one covered in snow and freezing winds. Luscious. Green. Warm. Bountiful fruits dangling off the limbs. Teaming life running about.

Home.

"You wanna know something?" Mario leaned against a support beam. "I been underestimating you the whole time. Seems like every time I think I got you beat, you got an answer. You know how to think on your feet. Or paws. Whatever. So I'll tell you what. I wanna go home tonight. And I'm guessing so do you. So go ahead. No bullshit. Let's call this one a draw.

The gorilla's arms dropped as its eyes were locked in on the portal.

Home.

Just a few steps more.

Home.

Food. Rest.

Home...


Master Beam.

Laying on the ground, he could feel every one of his ribs rattling in place. His chest was a burning red, smoking billowing of it. Rolling to his feet, he saw the alpha approach in front of everyone else, weapon in hand.

He protects. I must endanger. Earthshake.

Taking the Tool, he swung his hand over his head and smacked it on the ground. The earth rumbled from the impact. The alpha turned around. Just as expected. One punch set the gnat flying, and all that was left was to escape and live to fight another day...


He slowly walked up to the portal.

Oh thank God, it's working. Mario gave a sigh of relief. Finally, its o-

The gorilla stepped past it and lept at Mario, massive fist cocked back.

They will return.

I will be ready.

Mario went streaking in the air from the punch.

"MARIIIOOOOOOO!" Pauline saw him go flying into a road roller.

"WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? HE WAS TRYING TO HELP YOU!" Pauline shouted as the gorilla crept towards Mario. OH my God, he's gonna kill Mario. I can't just stand here. What do I do?! Is there a pipe around here? Maybe I can hit it and OH GOD NO!

The gorilla was already in front of Mario, hand raised overhead.

'MARIO! RUN!"

As Mario got to his hands and knees, the gorilla brought his fist down overhead.

"MARIIIIIOOOO!"

As the fist made contact, felt something wrong. The fist wasn't going all the way down. Something was forcing it up.

Something is...stopping me?

His hand came shooting back up, and the gorilla stumbled back.

"Now you're gonna get it." Mario took a step forward.

The gorilla charged. "OOOOOOOOOOOAAAAHHHHH!"

Mario jumped into the air. "OOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAA!" Their fists met in midair.

Mario pushed the gorilla's hand back into its chest and sent it flying, colliding with a stack of T-beams.

"Woah." He looked at the Bit. "Didn't know you could do all that. Wish I done that sooner. So wait, so you let me lift a gorilla's hand no problem, punch it off its feet, but you also let me get smacked into next week? How the fuck do you work?"

"MARIO!"

He looked up, blood running cold at what he saw. "WHAT THE-"

The gorilla had Pauline in his hand, holding her up in front of him.

"PUT HER DOWN!"

The Gorilla pointed his free hand at the Bit, then pointed down, and patted the snow.

"Is this what you want?! On the ground?" Mario slammed it into the slush. "Fine, just let her go, and we can both walk aw-"

"Mario, pick that Bit back up right now," Pauline said.

"What? Pauline, what are you doing?"

"I'm saving you. Don't give this thing what it wants, it'll just kill us both."

"No. Nononononono. You are not pulling this sacrifice bullshit on me right now. I'm going to save you."

"Of course you are. But you're not going to do it without that Bit."

"It'll crush you if I don't give it to him."

"Don't you get it, you dolt? This is business, and no one does business better than a Ladee." She gave a grin, tears streaking down her face. "It has what you want. You have what it needs. If this thing kills me, its got no leverage. And if what you're saying is true, it's smart enough to know that. Don't back down. No matter what. So pick that back up, and come on and save me already."

"Are you sure?"

"How could you even doubt me?"

"True." Mario picked up the Bit.

The gorilla, seeing Mario approach him with the Bit in hand, took a step back, held Pauline out, and squeezed on her. The air rushed out of her lungs instantly as her body was slowly being crushed from all direction.

"Pauline!" Mario froze. The gorilla bared its teeth.

"Kick...its...ass..."

Mario took a step forward, Bit glowing in his fist.

The gorilla looked around. Just a few yards away was a half-constructed building. Escape.

Tucking Pauline in its side, the gorilla dashed for the main ladder that ran up the entire building.

"WHAT THE-"

With every push off of his back foot, the ape snapped off a chunk of the ladder and crashing to the ground. Mario never took his eyes off it. As the gorilla settled on a platform, Mario saw a sign next to it.

25 m

END OF FIRST LEVEL

Reaching the top girder on the first level, the ape stared down Mario and stomped his feet. The support beams were easily bending under his force. Stacking on each other in a diagonal back and forth fashion.

The withering glare from the gorilla made Mario's knees shake. A step back. Then another. As he blinked, his vision caught glimpse of something else. Pauline, next to the gorilla. Barely able to stand.

If he can do it, so can I.

A quick glance at the Bit before he swallowed it up in his fist.

And more importantly, so can this.


Little miss strange came out of the darkness
Walked across my head, I stood beneath the light
I'm talking about the dream I had the other night