"What do I owe, this?" He held up the Bit.

Mario didn't blink. He didn't have to look at Mac and Luigi to know they were probably freaking out. This wasn't any time to do the same.

Yes.

He jumped up off the couch. "By all means, take it."

Mario took a few steps toward this thing. "I have had my fun with it. You're not getting any fight out of m-"


LOADING


You will remain seated until I am finished.

"What?" Mario shrank back into the couch, just a little bit. "I...didn't stand up." I mean, I was about to, but how did he know that?

You left your seat. I had to reset your data for several seconds.

"My data? The hell is my-" Wait, I never left the couch. But if he said I did, and he 'reset' me...he,

he,

Mario's body went rigid at the realization.

He just turned back time.

Holy fuck

Holy fuuuuck...

He shot a quick glance at Luigi. He was looking down at his lap mulling it over, hands in his jacket. No... He whispered to himself.

Then he saw Mario's face.

NO...

I am the Game Watcher. I am the moderator for Master, the Admin. A series of events have led to the 8 Bits being scattered across space and time. Only after eons of floating through dimensions and universes have they been rediscovered and implemented.

"What were they made for?" Using the Bit, Mario pressed down on his knees to stop 'em from shaking. This was no time to show fear. It was time to get some damn answers. I wonder if this fucker is gonna turn back time on this too...

They were in the cartridge of the NES.

"What's the NES?"

Nintendo

Entrapment

System

Hmm? Yes, Master?

"Wha-"


LOADING


You do not need to know that.

"Okay, fair enough. What do I need to know?" At least I got that far.

Master has tasked you to gather the 8 Bits in his name.

"Why me? For that matter, why don't you do it?"

You have only just acquired a Bit. You must be on your way before the enemy notices.

"Enemy?" That line was making Mario's skin crawl. This rabbit hole was getting deeper and deeper by the second. Fighting Donkey Kong was bad enough. But fighting someone that was the enemy of someone that can use time itself...

A champion was recently tasked by the enemy to gather the 8 Bits as well.

The Game Watcher held up its hand. A sphere of white light formed in its palm, before expanding out for all to see.

"Captain Enh, you have a deal."

This is Link. One of the Heroes of Time. The perspective focused on a man in green.

With the sword. And the shield. Mario grunted. They couldn't be talking about the other guy? Who looks like he's late for 4th period?

He must be eliminated.

"What?!"

He is working with the enemy. Other than gathering the 8 Bits, this is your most important task. Also, please be aware: I am the only moderator to Master

"Why don't you do it?! You can literally turn back time! You don't need Mario for any of this!"

Mario turned to his brother, too stunned to speak. Luigi had become irate.

I have other matters to attend to. Matters that mean I cannot be more active in this game.

"Then find someone else to do it! I'm pretty sure there are plenty more people capable than us!"

Mario is the one that is in debt to Master. And for that matter, so are you, Luigi Martinet.

"We used one Bit. That's all we owe you."


LOADING


"GAH!" Luigi slumped over, falling on Mario's shoulder. "MY LEGS! MY LEGS! I CAN'T...can feel. my legs."

"Luigi!" Mario could only hold his trembling brother.

Hiro and Kiyo lept in front of the brothers. Hiro was snarling at the Game Watcher while Kiyo was flying up to nuzzle on Luigi's back.

You drastically overestimate your position to bargain.

Mac was looking back and forth between the 'Game Watcher' and his friends. WHAT THE ABSOLUTE FUCK IS GOING ON? Mario was looking more and more pissed by the second. Something started glowing in his hand...

"Deal."

Hmm?

"I SAID YOU GOT A FUCKING DEAL!" Mario spat out. "Whatever you want done, Luigi and I will do it."


LOADING


Luigi opened his eyes, realizing Mario was tightly hugging him. "What the- hey man, let me up." He pushed his way out of Mario's grip. "The fuck's wrong with you, this isn't any time for a damn hu-"

He realized Kiyo was rubbing up against him, and Hiro was growling at the Game Watcher.

"What the, when did they get in front of us? Weren't they on the other side of the couch with Mac?"

"What?" Mac looked at him astounded.

"Luigi," Mario was looking at him with more...horror. "Are you seriously telling me you dont remember the last few moments?"

"I was talking and...what? What happened?"

Holy fuck. Is this a nightmare? Mac curled up in a ball in his seat. None of this makes any sense. I have to be dreaming. I just have to be.

"Alright, you've made your point. Luigi and I are in."

"Wait, WHA-"

Mario pushed Luigi behind him. "S-Sit back, alright? Just let me do th-"

"NO I'M NOT LETTING YOU SIGN ME UP FOR THIS SHIT!" Luigi pushed him right back. "OBVIOUSLY I MISSED SOMETHING, SO SOMEONE FILL ME IN HERE!"

"Luigi..." Mac squeaked out. "You just got...crippled, again."

"WH-what?" Luigi's glare of incredulousness made Mac retreat into the couch even more. This is not happening. This is not happening...

"Are you serio-" The expressions of everyone else confirmed it. The energy just sapped out out Luigi as he fell back and leaning on the arm of the couch.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this, Luigi. I just-I just wanted to help you."

"Yeah." Luigi's eyes lowered, looking back and forth. Even he didn't know how he felt.

"So, about gathering the Bits." Mario held his Bit up. The D was gleaming at this point. "Tell me all about them."

The 8 Bits will spell out N-I-N-T-E-N-D-O. You already possess the D Bit.

"Nintendo? What the hell is that?"

Our world.

Yeah, doooooon't care. "So, how do they actually work? I've used it before and it's kind of tricky."

They work on what you would call willpower or resolve. The stronger your mental focus, the more use you will get out of the Bits. They also enhance your natural abilities. The more Bits you have, the stronger you will be. But be warned: the Bits are very dangerous.

"They are? How?"

They were never meant to be held by beings as low as yourselves. What you are holding is an infinitesimal fraction of their true power. Having more Bits will erase your life energy. I have no doubt that possessing and using too many at once will lead to your elimination.

"Well if I'm gathering them, I need to know if I can use them." Mario lurched forward with a more staunch tone. This was starting to sound like a suicide mission. And if Luigi was coming with him... "Can I at least use two.

Using two Bits has shown to be very daunting on beings like you. But it is possible to use two without threat of elimination.

"So there are people that have two Bits, right now?!"

Yes. The Game Watcher held up his hand to form another sphere of light. Let's go over the players, shall we? Let's start with the strongest...

Hmm? The sphere dissipated.

"Wait, what's going on?"

I see...

"Hello?" Mario raised his hand "I feel like I'm being left out!"

Yes, Master.

"Okay, hopefully, the powwow is over, now back to the play-"

It is time to take my leave.

"WHAT?!"

My master has need of me. I will be off. You will now be on your way as well.

"You haven't given me all of the details! Where can I find the Bits?!"

The Bits are currently scattered across different worlds. But from all of the data, there is a very high possibility that they will converge into a nucleus of conflict very soon.

"Wait, you mean like a war? A war of the 8 Bits is coming?"

No, Mario Martinet. It's already begun.

"No..." He thought fast. No point arguing. "Alright, what's the easiest Bit we can get to? Tell me there's an easy one..."

Yes. There is a Bit not currently in use. I will direct you to that Bit. You and your party will proceed through immediately.

"Wait, party?" Mario glanced over at Hiro and Kiyo. And Mac. "No, nonononononono."

The data has shown that they are likely to increase your chances of success dramatically.

"We don't need them. They aren't cut out for this. Luigi and I are the ones that owe you."

Would you rather them paused?

"Paused?"

Look out of the window.

Tentatively, Mario stood up. What did you fucking do...

He gasped.

A car was in the middle intersection, frozen. Pellets of snow were hanging in midair, not dropping an inch. People on the sidewalk were locked in step.

"What did you do?" Mario backed away from the window and turned to face the Game Watcher. "WHAT DID YOU FUCKING DO?!"

I paused this world. Walk out of that door and you will be paused as well.

"The entire world? Luigi's heart stopped. "Mom..Dad..."

"ITS US YOU WANT! LEAVE EVERYONE ELSE OUT OF THIS! STOP THIS! NOW!"

You will follow Master's commands. You and your party will not return until you have gathered the 8 Bits. Only then will your world may resume. This portal will take you to the Bit that is out of play.

The Game Watcher made another sphere of light, this one resembled the portals the Bits made.

I can be here no longer. Good day.

Sticking his hand in the TV, the Game Watcher slowly slinked through the TV, disappearing without a trace.

Everyone remained staring at the television in silence. The portal brightly glowing off to the side.

Mario broke the tension first. "Okay, everyone up."

"Wh-wha-"

"Guys, get up. Get up!" He went into the kitchen. "You guys have five minutes. Use the bathroom, take whatever you can carry on you, whatever you want. But we have to go, now."

"Are you reall-" Luigi shook his head. Guess we don't have much choice. "Yeah, lemme piss real quick."

Mario opened a drawer. Spoons, forks, knives, knives. Cleavers. Cleavers? Nah, too overkill. Actually, I'd hate to fall and get stabbed my by own knife. Let me get my switchblade...

Mario went into his room. Opening his bedside drawer, he pulled out a black handle with a metal blade folded inside.

He checked under their beds. Nope, their guns were probably in the car. The way Luigi always liked it. So that was off the table.

"Hey, I'm getting some pens and a notepad, in case we gotta jot stuff down," Luigi called out. From the dining room.

"Good idea." Mario walked back into the living room. "Hey Mac, what are you tak-"

Mac was still in a ball on the couch.

"Ah, fuck," Mario whispered. "Hey...Mac...umm..."

"Don't tell me now you ain't got nothing to say." Luigi rolled his eyes.

"Not fucking helping."

"Oh I'm so sorry, spin doctor. By all means, go ahead."

"So now this is my fault."

"Well Mario, I'm not the one with the Bit."

"And I'm not the one that fucking stopped time!" Mario slammed the Bit down on the table. "I ain't ask for any of this shit! I'm the one that got ran off the road with Pauline! I'm the one that had to chase a gorilla up a burning deathtrap. And while I was doing that, I was thinking of YOU! He pointed at Luigi. So don't turn this shit on me! After my night, I should be fucking dead!"

"Well you know what, Mario," Luigi stopped himself and turn around.

"What? What?! Come on Luigi, speak your mind."

Luigi went into their plumbing kits for something useful. "It ain't time to talk."

"So shut up."

Mario turned back to Mac. "Look, I know you must be so confused right now. I promise I'll answer all of your questions later. But we can't stay here. Mac, I need you right now."

He shook him. "Mac, look at me. Look at me!"

Mac peeked up, tears in his eyes.

"I know how bad this must be. For all of this to happen on your birthday. But we have to go. This is happening. I can't believe it either, but it's happening. The only way we are getting out of this, the only way to save everyone, is to go forward. Now I don't know what's past that portal, but I know its our only way to solve anything. If we can get that second Bit, we can get to work on the rest of them. We'll already be a 1/4th of the way there. You get me? Now, I need you to get up. Can you do that for me? Please?"

"Please?"

It felt like this couch was a black hole just sucking him in at this point. Mario's right but...even though I know that, I can't get up.

It was like someone replaced every bone in his body with lead. All he could do was just lay there...

"Alright, let me help you up." Mario retrieved the Bit and dragged Mac right off the couch. "This Bit is the gift that keeps on giv-"

"FUUUUUUUCK!" Luigi screamed.

"Luigi?!" Mario clutched the Bit.

The adrenaline in Mac's body made him shoot back up to his feet. "What's going on-"

Luigi pushed passed the back door, holding a toolbag. "WE GOTTA GO NOW! THAT BLACK AURA IS STARTING TO SWALLOW THE APARTMENT!"

"What?" Mario looked past Luigi. A wall of black was trailing his brother, consuming everything in its path

"ALRIGHT! TIME TO GO!" Mario rushed to the portal, ushering everyone to follow through before he lept in. Let this first Bit be a cakewalk...


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