Mario could hear the rushes of whipping air as he climbed the ladder. Jesus Christ. What now? He shook his head. Doesn't matter. I'm ending this.

Nearing the summit is where he felt the first few shards of ice fall onto his body. It was definitely getting colder the closer he got. Snow's coming from the top of the ladder? So what I'm hearing now must be wind. This ladder's leading outside. If this is the last level they worked on, it's gotta be pretty empty, right?

Gusts of freezing winds rushed to meet him as he poked his head above the top rung. Honestly, after sweating like a pig and almost being roasted alive... He climbed up and got to his feet. This is kind of refreshing.

Mario swung his head up. The gorilla seemed to be high up a series of girders mounted to a back black wall. No barbells. No springs. No cement. No oil tanks. Perfect. It's all out of tricks. He dashed to the middle ladder. I'm just gonna rush it. I have the Bit on my side. There's no way I can lose a head-on collision.

"PAULINE! WHERE ARE YOU?!"

"I'M ON THE TOP BEAM IN THE CENTER, RIGHT ABOVE IT!"

"DON'T WORRY, I'M COMING RIGHT UP! THERE ISN'T ANYTHING IN MY WAY TO THE APE, RIGHT?!"

"NO, BUT I DID SEE SOME RIVETS! I DON'T KNOW HOW STABLE THIS THING IS, SO BE CAREFUL!"

Rivets, huh? He paused. This ape's been playing so many tricks on me. He's had all these tools to fuck with me. Think it's time I fuck with him. Yeah... He started climbing the middle ladder. I thought I was going to have to fight that thing, but if I pull enough rivets out, its fatass with fall right through this thing. When that happens, I'll have enough time to make a portal to get Pauline and I outta here. If I just ran right for it, it would still be near Pauline. I can't risk her safety at all. This is the smarter play.

The ladder violently shook, almost smacking Mario in the face. What the- He looked around. Everything around him was violently erupting.

Several explosions went off beneath him. Mario looked at the ladder entrance he just climbed out of mere moments ago. Smoke was now billowing out, and Mario could see an orange glow rising from below.

YEP. LET'S FINISH THIS!

Hoisting himself up to the second level of girders, Mario looked around. The rivets were on the left and right of the middle platform.

Two already? I'll end this quicker than I thought!

He ran to the blue rivet lodge in the yellow lock. Grabbing the head, he yanked on it and almost snapped his wrist from the reverb of force.

Of fucking course its fastened in there, why wouldn't it be? He pulled the Bit out of his pocket and squeezed down on it. Gonna need this piece of crap to do the job. Lucky I've had this every step of the way.

He reached back down and grabbed the rivet, swiping it out in one motion.

"BURN."

He looked up.

"BURN."

Several fireballs were popping out from the back of the platform in front of him.

Don't need those chasing after me. Mario raised his foot and stomped right down on the rivet lock. It popped right out of place to the base floor. Haven't seen y'all jump over spaces yet. He turned around and ran for the rivet on the other side of his platform. That should buy me some time.

Wisps of smoke greeted him at the other edge. Several fireballs were coming up the bottom right ladder. Just need to stay ahead of them. Mario kicked the lock out of place and climbed up the middle right ladder. As he set his foot on the third level, he looked left. The fireballs were coming up the left ladder. Past the rivet laid a hammer. If the mallet's there... I'll just come back for it. He turned his attention back to the right-side rivet. If I can cut off the fireballs from getting to me this way, everything else should be easier.

As he pulled out the rivet, the structure creaked, leaning over to the side.

SHIT! He lurched forward and found himself on his knees, face to face with a fireball.

"BURN."

"No." He blew it backwards before getting back to his feet.

"MARIO? WHAT'S GOING ON?"

"I'M PULLING OUT THE RIVETS!" He called out as he climbed up the middle ladder

"WHY?! WE'RE STANDING ON THEM!"

"THEY'RE WALL-MOUNTED, REMEMBER?! THEY'LL SUPPORT OUR WEIGHT! BUT NOT THE APE'S!"

"ARE YOU SURE ABOUT THIS?! I REALLY DON'T WANNA DIE HERE AFTER ALL WE'VE BEEN THROUGH!"

"...YEAH?!"

"WHA-WAS THAT A QUESTION?!"

Reaching the fourth level, Mario saw the gorilla towering above the next girder. He was definitely leaning to Mario's left though. But between them was a hammer hanging in midair via chain.

He reached for the hammer, then pulled his hand back. I'll just save that for later.

Dashing over to the right, Mario pulled out the rivet and popped the lock out.

"OOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAUGHHHHH!"

The gorilla was staring right down at him. With 3/4s of the rivets gone on the right side, all parties involved found themselves teetering.

"YOU WANNA FIGHT? COME ON!" Mario motioned him forth with his hands. That thing bent the girders before. If I can get it to stomp its feet enough, it'll fall right through!

Enraged, the gorilla took one step... and wobbled, waving its arms to regain balance. Slowly, it spread itself out along the girder.

It can't move! Now's my chance! Mario climbed up the middle right ladder.

The gorilla reached out and slapped its hand on the girder. The shockwave ruptured the ladder, snapping it right off the girder. Mario fell to the ground with half of it in his hands.

"Eeehehehehehehehehe!" The gorilla learned over the girder and pointed at Mario with mirth; wiping a few tears from his eyes as he cackled away.

Mario looked up at the gorilla.

Then he looked down at his half of ladder.

Then he looked back up at the gorilla.

Then he looked back down at his half of ladder.

He chucked the hunk of metal right into the ape's mouth.

CLANG!

The gorilla sprawled on the girder as it desperately held its mouth in pure agony. "OOOOAAAAGH! OOOOAAAAGH! OOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"

Fun as that was, I need to get to the rivet. Mario looked around. To his right, laid another ladder.

Oh wow, that's actually pretty conven-

"BURN."

He looked left.

A fireball was coming his way, but right past it was a hammer.

I could go up the ladder and get the rivet...but I'd be between the gorilla and the fireball. The ape's hurt, but he's still an ape. But maybe...

He ran left and jumped over the fireball, clutching the mallet and ripping off the chain.

"BURN."

"BURN."

"BURN."

The fireballs were closing in all around him.

Perfect. Mario started swinging. First was the fireball right in front of him. As it hit the metal underneath the frame, the entire girder frame shook from the force and throwing Mario off balance.

"BURN." The fireball below him popped up from the top rung. Mario reached back and snuffed it out in one strike. Crawling back, Mario got back to his feet as the next one came from the top left ladder.

He flattened it without hesitation. "BU-" Smoke emerged was all that was left.

Mario examined the mallet as he brought it back up. the metal was dented, and the wood was splintering. It's probably got one last good hit left in it. That'll do. He ran back towards the top right rivet. I don't have to get up there, I just gotta get the rivet down.

Mario jumped up launched the hammer at the lock, smashed through both lock it and rivet aside. Scraps of metal went flying.

Done. Whole right side's taken care of. He turned back. There was still the top 3 left rivets, and the one on his level was unguarded. The fireballs beneath were moving to the ladder...

But I'll sure as hell beat them there! Mario ran ahead.

Three steps in, the girder leaned over with a creak and his side lowered.

WHAT? He managed to catch himself before looking around. It seemed like all the platforms on the right side were in motion, teetering over as they threatened to collapse entirely.

That's right! All of the rivets on this side are gone! There's not much support on this end!

As he looked back at the left rivet, he saw a fireball coming up the far left ladder

Shit, why did I hesitate? I should have known that would happen. Do I go for it? Do I move around and wait for an opening?

He looked at his fist, feeling the energy of the Bit inside move through his body.

Go for it.

He dashed ahead. Even if I don't believe in myself, this Bit has been more than good to me.

The fireball's smoke got stronger and stronger as they both closed in on the rivet; the fireball from the left, Mario from the right.

"BURN."

The fireball got there first.

As it engulfed the river and moved passed it. Mario jumped over. As he landed, he jerked his back foot out and sent the rivet flying.

"BURN!"

The fireball turned around and came back.

Mario jumped backwards over it. When the landed this time, he took his front foot and stomped the lock out, cutting off the fireball from getting to him again.

He flipped it off as he jogged backward, pausing a second to absorb the wobble of the girder.

Now that I pulled both rivets outta this girder, its gonna move like a seesaw. He got on his knees and set his feet on the ladder in the middle. Good thing this is down the mi-

"BURN." A fireball was climbing right up the greet him.

Shit.

Mario quickly scrambled up and looked around for a way out. The fireball on the left was still hanging near the edge. But right in front of that was the ladder leading to the last top rivet. I could get it, but I'd don't think I could get back down with something getting me. Eh, I need to get down to the left rivet below me anyway. Plus, I think I saw a hammer near that too.

He ran to the right. I'll just loop my way round and-

"BURN."

A fireball was waiting for him on the edge of the platform.

Shit. Nevermind, guess I'll just go the direct route and-

The thick scent of smoke was now unavoidable.

Wait.

Mario looked right past the fireball. Flames were all along the edge girders and ladders. And now that he was listening, the crackle of fire screamed through the air. Smoke was slowly but steadily blurring his vision.

Wait... He wiped his face. When did it get this bad? I thought I had more time than this! Was I tuning all that out?

A nearby explosion answered his question. Peeking down the numerous empty slots on the right side, Mario saw the base level consumed in flame.

THIS PLACE IS COMING DOWN ALL AROUND US!

He looked around. The fireball had made its way up the ladder and charging him. "BURN."

SHIT! Mario ran to it and jumped over. Gotta get down! He ran to the ladder and looked over. No fireballs on that level right now. Great!

He quickly climbed down. Sprinting to the rivet, he pulled out and crushed the lock under his heel.

The entire structure buckled as he brought his foot down, but Mario quickly stabilized himself. Almost there. With only one rivet left, this thing should be fucking falling. I guess whatever safety mechanism they have in place, as long as there's at least one rivet in, it won't falter. Still though...

Another explosion rocked him from his thoughts. The heat. The smoke. The smell. All of his senses were locked in on the intensity of the inferno around him. The fire was making its way up the structure en masse.

"BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN.""BURN."

Fireballs were now popping out of the entrance.

I need an opening to get the top! The hammer! Mario looked up in front of him. The hammer lay hang on the girder ahead of him.

Surrounded by five fireballs.

FUCK ME! Mario looked up. I gotta get to that last one up top! Good news is I've cut off the right side entirely, so no fireballs should be up that way! All I gotta do I climb up this ladder, then the next, and I'll be there!

"BURN."

A much more immediate fireball was bearing down on him from above. Mario waiting for it to reach him before quickly jumping over and climbing up.

KRRRSHINK! KRRRRININGK!

That noise definitely came from over Mario's head. The hell was that?! Don't tell me everything's melting down and faltering? Not yet. NOT YET!

As he reached the top of the ladder, it became quite clear what that sound was. Mario's eyes widened in shock.

Holy shit...

The ape was holding the top left middle ladder in his hands, gorilla pressing it above his head.

"SON OF A WHORE!" Mario looked around. To the left laid another ladder.

Fireballs all over it.

He looked right. To the right laid another ladder.

Fireballs all over it.

"FUCK! WHEN DID THOSE GET THERE!" Mario looked between the girders to trace the path. The had been a series of far-right ladders to the very bottom. Mario had cut them off from getting to him at the center of the structure.

But that didn't mean they still weren't there.

"BURN."

"FUCK!" He looked around again. Both center ladders were destroyed. The hammer at the top was gone. And the gorilla...

The gorilla was walking over to the top right ladder, throwing the ripped off ladder off the top of the building.

"FUCK, I GOTTA STOP HIM!" Mario ran to the edge. FUCKER'S GONNA LET ME FRY DOWN HERE! I HAVE TO-

As he reached the edge, Mario realized that there was nothing he could do about the fireballs huddled together on the platform.

The gorilla stood in front of the ladder.

No...

The gorilla clapped his hands together. The rush of air from the shockwave traveled down, extinguishing all of the fireballs in on fell swoop.

Mario froze. What the-

"BURN."

The fireball was right behind Mario.

He jumped to the other platform and as he landed, the entire structure started shaking.

He grabbed the ladder with one hand, looking up at the gorilla. He looked absolutely livid and insane at the same time. Blood was pouring down his mouth, running through his teeth and the newfound gap in the middle. Heavy grunts made his giant chest rise up and down with imposing rhythm. Staring up at him, he seemed larger than ever before. It felt impossible that the structure was still holding his weight, but here he was, towering over Mario, a rivet on the complete opposite side of the level, Pauline trapped on a girder not even mounted, but supported by two beams just to the side of them both, one Bit between two beings who needed it for their own different reasons.

And a ladder.

The gorilla beat his chest and roared. "OOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAUGHHHHH!"

This is exactly what you wanted, isn't it? Mario took off his hat, putting in in Pauline's purse. Me on the side without the other hammer, and you at the top of the ladder to take the Bit from me.

The gorilla settled down at the top, hands up and ready.

Too bad you're not gonna get it.

He took 4 steps up and the gorilla swiped at him. Mario ducked his head down just out of range. He managed to get one more step up before the gorilla lunged for him again. Mario pulled his hand back Shit, this is just like what Mac talked about. This thing's got hella reach advantage. It can take shots at me all day!

"BURN."

Mario looked down. Three fireballs were coming up the ladder below his. The overall fire had now consumed the second level. Several girders were creaking over as they burned.

SHIT I THOUGHT I DIDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THOSE ANY MORE! Looking down at them, Mario scrambled up the ladder.

The ape struck.

Grabbing Mario's arm, the gorilla held him in place, practically pinned against the ladder.

OH FUCK! Mario wrenched his arm back.

The gorilla complied, letting Mario's own force take him off the ladder. As Mario's feet slipped off the rung, he grabbed another rung with his hand.

The one the Bit was in.

The gorilla grabbed Mario's hand squeezed down.

"SHIT MY HAND!" IT'S TRYING TO BREAK IT AND GET THE BIT!

He could feel his hand constrict more and more each passing second, mere moments from giving way.

Well, guess what fucker... Mario balled up his free hand. I may not have reach advantage, but I don't need to punch your face...

"I JUST NEED YOUR PINKY!"

Mario swung his fist and brought it down the ape's swollen finger, crushing it between against the metal ladder. The ape instantly released Mario's hand. He crawled back from the ladder as he screamed in pain.

Mario saw his chance. He climbed up over the top of the ladder as the fireballs reached the bottom. "Tired of you fuckers. Stay outta this one." He ripped the ladder off the girder and threw it off the building.

"WHY WOULD YOU THROW IT OFF THE BUILDING?!" Pauline shouted at him.

"You don't have to shout. I'm right here! Don't worry, I have a plan to get us down! I'm gonna make a portal and we'll be outta here!"

"YOU COULD HAD USED THE LADDER TO SWING ON THE APE! DIDN'T YOU DO THAT BEFORE?!"

"Oooooooh..." Mario turned around. The ladder had gotten lost in his vision between the flurry of snow and the raging inferno that had all but consumed the site. "Good point. I got caught up in the moment."

"OOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAUGHHHHH!" The ape beat his chest and roared as he got back to his feet.

"PAULINE!" Mario held up his hand and opened it. Revealing the Bit. "CATCH!"

"ARE YOU SERIOUSLY GOING TO-"

Mario threw his hand forward. The gorilla turned around and leaped up, eyes cutting every which way for the Bit.

It was never in the air to begin with.

Pulling his hand back, Mario clenched down on the Bit and sprinted forward, under the gorilla's legs as jumped up.

"PAULINE, GET READY TO JUMP!" He stuck his hand out. "PORTAL!"

The air on the side of the girder swirled, a light started breaking at the center.

The gorilla realized it'd been tricked.

It stepped forward and howled as it went into pursuit. At the first heavy stomp, the level vibrated rapidly. Unable to stay upright, the gorilla slipped and fell right on his back.

"MARIOOOOOOO!" Pauling was clutching to the girder. "I CAN'T JUMP! I CAN'T DO IT!"

"YOU HAVE TOO!" He had his hand on the rivet. "AS SOON AS YOU JUMP, I'LL CATCH YOU, AND WE CAN GET OUTTA HERE!"

"ITS TOO UNSTABLE! AND I...I...I'M SCARED MARIO!"

"I KNOW I AM TOO! I BEEN SCARED THIS WHOLE TIME! BUT WE'RE ALMOST TH-"

The gorilla struck out its leg, kicking one of the support beams clean out of place.

"MARIIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Pauline's support beam fell to the side and she was cast into the air.

"PAULINE!" Mario ripped out the last rivet. The entire structure gave way as he jumped off the building. "TAKE MY HAND!"

As soon as Pauline was in his grip, Mario looked down. They were plunging into an endless sea of white. Orange lights above behind them flashed as the building succumbed to the flames. Metal that was creaking was now giving way, falling under all the pressure around it. Smoke clouded the air with its wretched smell to boot. Debris was free-falling just like they were, swirling through the air. Thorough all of this. Mario could only think of one thing.

"PORTAL NOW!"