SPACE

SAMUS' gunship is flying through the emptiness of space

SAMUS
Day... Day... I don't even know anymore

SAMUS' GUNSHIP

SAMUS narrates over her tending to SNAKE

SAMUS
We've been out here for some time now, fuel is low, I've had to take the fuel from the escape pod and put in the ship, there was some power issues, I hooked up my varia suit and diverted the power to the ship but that's only bought us so much time. Snake is hurt, he's only been conscious for moments before needing rest. The little ones are doing their best but they are clearly fatigued. Supplies are running low, splitting food four ways is getting challenging to say the least

SAMUS is sitting by the side of SNAKE recording her thoughts

SAMUS
And we're floating through the stars with no hope in sight and very little resources to keep us going. I just don't know how we're going to get through this, but I'll keep pushing to the end. That's all I can do

SAMUS ends the recording and rubs her hands over her eyes and lets out a sigh

LATER

SAMUS is asleep with PIKACHU and PICHU by her side, SNAKE starts shifting in his sleep seemingly in discomfort, that discomfort turns into small groans of pain before SNAKE starts letting out loud pained noises, SAMUS shoots awake to check on him

SAMUS
Snake, snake?!

SNAKE is having trouble breathing, SAMUS goes to grab something to help SNAKE while PIKACHU and PICHU watch in horror. SAMUS returns and uses an assisted breathing machine on SNAKE which stabilizes his breathing. SAMUS puts her hand on SNAKE's forehead

SAMUS
You have to pull through, you have to

SAMUS then goes over to PIKACHU and PICHU who look worried

SAMUS
He just needs rest, and we do too.

SAMUS then takes the two back to bed

LATER

SAMUS is once again asleep with PIKACHU and PICHU, SNAKE slowly starts to open his eyes, his vision blurry. He takes off the assisted breathing device and goes to sit up but struggles. SNAKE then hears someone chuckle

UNKNOWN VOICE
Well isn't this a sight, I warned you that we were on the verge of death

SNAKE looks around but doesn't see anyone

UNKNOWN VOICE
And now here you are, you feel it in you, gnawing at your insides, you don't know when it will take you out but you know that time is not on your side.

SNAKE then sees someone off to the side but his vision is still blurry

UNKNOWN VOICE
Dying in the vacuum of space, somehow a fitting end for the legendary mercenary

SNAKE's vision finally clears and he sees LIQUID SNAKE

SOLID SNAKE
That's... That's not...

LIQUID SNAKE
Surprised to see me brother?

10

SURPRISED TO SEE ME/THE BEACON

FOREST - NIGHT

A quiet forest in an unknown location

A portal then opens up and flying out of it are IKE, ROY, NESS, LUCAS, THE ICE CLIMBERS, PAC-MAN, MR. GAME and WATCH and the DUCK HUNT duo who crash hard into the terrain around them, following out shortly after them is KINTUNE

ROY
(Pained grunt) Ow... I think my insides are mush now

IKE is the first one to stand and collect himself

IKE
What is this place?

KINTUNE
This place is home to the beacon

ROY
What's the beacon?

KINTUNE
The light to guide you to the weapon

NESS
I don't see anything though, where is it?

KINTUNE points to a cave off in the distance

KINTUNE
In there you will find the way to the beacon

ROY
Well seems simple enough

ROY goes to walk towards the cave but IKE holds him back

IKE
It is never that simple, so what exactly do we have to do?

KINTUNE
Inside you will be tested, if your heart can be cleared than the beacon will be lit

LUCAS
The test of the heart, what does that mean?

KINTUNE
You will know when you see it

IKE
So why do we need to be tested, you brought us here to end this madness

KINTUNE
The test was designed so those who do come here are clear of mind and soul and are shown to have only the righteous of intentions to activate the beacon

NESS
So do we all go in there?

KINTUNE
No, Only two of you will enter and be tested.

ROY
So we just need to decide who of us should go in and pass this test. That's great, just great

KINTUNE
I believe in you, I know your hearts will be in the right place, but you have to understand that it will require something of you, something you are hiding deep down that you will need to face

KINTUNE then stumbles down, everyone comes to her side

KINTUNE
My time has come, I have done what I need to do. My children the journey ahead is terrifying and commanding but I know, I just know in my heart that you will be triumphant. Hold strength in your hearts and minds, and know that you have each other. Never forget, you are not alone

KINTUNE then starts to fade into small firefly lights

KINTUNE
I always wondered what it felt like... It is peaceful

KINTUNE closes her eyes and fades away, everyone has a moment of silence

LATER

Everyone is sitting down in a circle wondering how to go forward

ROY
So we haven't exactly said anything about what we need to do

IKE
She said going in there will be tested, our hearts will be tested

ROY
I know, she also said only two of us will be going in there and I feel like that's the thing we need to be discussing

IKE
We shouldn't be so eager to go in there

ROY
So we should just sit out here and wait, what good is that going to do us?

IKE
When we go in there we have to face something that we are hiding deep down in ourselves, she might have believed in us... But I don't know if anyone of us are ready to face those demons

ROY is quiet

NESS
So we all have things we're scared of?

IKE
Scared is... Maybe not the full word but... There are things that would be difficult to face

ROY
So what should we do?

IKE
I'll go.

ROY
What?

IKE
There are things I need to face and if we are to win this then I need to stop running from them

ROY
If you're going in there then I'm going in with you

IKE
Are you ready to face your deepest fears

ROY is hesitant to say anything

ROY
I don't know, all I know is I can't let you go in there alone

LUCAS then thinks on what he should do and keeps quiet as IKE and ROY continue to talk, after a few seconds LUCAS speaks up

LUCAS
I can go

Everyone looks at LUCAS

LUCAS
If Roy is unsure... Then I can go

NESS
You don't have to do that

LUCAS
But someone has to... And... I want to be... Useful... I want to help

IKE then goes over to LUCAS and kneels down in front of him

IKE
No one is saying your not useful, don't put that in your head. You don't have to prove anything to anyone

LUCAS
Please... Let me do this. I know it's scary but... I just want to show that I'm not scared

IKE somberly smirks

IKE
Alright then, it's you and me then

LATER

The team is gathered in front of the cave, inside is pitch black and no sounds are coming from inside. IKE looks to take a step before POPO and NANA grab his legs with tears in their eyes

IKE
Hey Popo, Nana, I'm going to be okay, we're going to be okay, I wouldn't abandon my favorite climbing duo

ROY
Well they're the only climbing duo we know

IKE
Roy

ROY
Right ruining the moment

NESS goes through his backpack and gives LUCAS his yo-yo

LUCAS
What's this for?

NESS
To keep you safe. I don't know, it's something that makes me feel safe, maybe it'll do the same for you

LUCAS
Thank you

PAC-MAN, MR. GAME and WATCH and the DUCK HUNT duo then pat LUCAS on the back showing their support

LUCAS
Thank you guys, I appreciate it

LUCAS takes a deep breath and looks at IKE and nods that he's ready. IKE and LUCAS then look to enter the cave

ROY
Hey, make sure when you come out of there your still you. We're going to need you both

IKE and LUCAS nod and take a deep breath before heading into the cave. Even after they leave everyone keeps their eyes on the cave hoping they come out soon

NESS
How long do you think they'll be in there for?

ROY
(Sighs) As long as it takes for them to come to terms with their past

CRIMEA FIELD - DAY

IKE vision is white before coming to in a field, IKE slowly gets up and looks around to see that he is in the land of CRIMEA

IKE
This... This doesn't make any sense

UNKNOWN VOICE
Hello Ike

IKE freezes recognizing that voice, he turns and sees ELINCIA

IKE
Elincia?

ELINCIA
It has been some time hasn't it?

LUCAS' BEDROOM - DAY

LUCAS wakes up in his bed and is somewhat distressed on how he is there

LUCAS
Ike? Ike where are you?

LUCAS then leaves his room and heads downstairs. He is stunned that somehow he's back in his home. After going down the stairs he sees someone facing a window but it's too bright to see who it is, after getting down the stairs the person turns to LUCAS and he stumbles back

UNKNOWN VOICE
It has been some time hasn't it, your heart has been so heavy during this time

LUCAS recognizes the voice but doesn't want to believe what he is hearing

LUCAS
No... No... That's not... It can't be...

The person finally comes into view revealing HINAWA, LUCAS' eyes immediately fill with tears

LUCAS
Mom? But you... You...

HINAWA
My sweet boy, you have been through so much haven't you

SAMUS' GUNSHIP

SAMUS, PIKACHU and PICHU are still asleep while SNAKE has managed to sit up and tries to walk, after taking a few steps SNAKE falls to the ground, LIQUID SNAKE is heard chuckling

LIQUID SNAKE
Ooooh, tough landing there, you want to give it another go, maybe this time your legs will actually crumble

SOLID SNAKE
Shut up, you're not real

LIQUID SNAKE
But I am very to real to you right now, In your darkest moment, at the most dire time, deep down in your mind, you are seeing me, you hope what happened to me doesn't happen to you, yet it is.

SNAKE then pushes himself to stand again and is able to get up and walk a bit before having to catch himself

LIQUID SNAKE
I'd say this is painful to watch but then again I would be lying

SOLID SNAKE
Well lying isn't exactly a tough task for you

LIQUID SNAKE
Ooooh, you still have some fight in there after all. But I think you are mistaken brother I am not a liar, I was always honest with you

SOLID SNAKE
I really wish I could have that much confidence in being a two faced like you

LIQUID SNAKE
Alright then, tell me something how much do they know about you, have you told them everything about who you are and what you've done. Do they know how much time you have left?

SNAKE is quiet

LIQUID SNAKE
I'm sorry, what was that, please speak up I couldn't hear you just then

SNAKE then throws a punch at LIQUID but falls to the ground as LIQUID disappears. The commotion wakes up SAMUS, PIKACHU and PICHU, who see SNAKE on the ground and immediately rush over to him

SAMUS
Snake, you're awake. You shouldn't be moving around too much, you still need to rest your body

SAMUS then helps SNAKE up and moves him to her resting spot

SAMUS
Are you feeling any better?

SOLID SNAKE
Define better?

SAMUS lets out a small chuckle

SAMUS
Well at least you still have some sense of humor

SOLID SNAKE
Where are we?

SAMUS
Somewhere between lost and nowhere

SOLID SNAKE
Maybe I should've just stayed asleep, how much fuel is left?

SAMUS
After the cells I took from the escape pod we have...

SOLID SNAKE
Wait you took the fuel from the escape pod?

SAMUS
Yes, I had to

SOLID SNAKE
We could've used it if we needed to get off the ship

SAMUS
And go where, there is no planets in sight we would be in the same situation but obviously worse

SNAKE sighs

SOLID SNAKE
I just... Hoped there was a way out if you needed it

SAMUS
David... Look at me

SNAKE looks at SAMUS

SAMUS
We are in this together, we all are going to get out of this together.

PIKACHU and PICHU rub their heads against SNAKE's hands, happy that he is awake, SNAKE smiles

SAMUS
Alright you two, let's give him time to rest up more, you two can keep me company while I work on the engines

SAMUS then grabs PIKACHU and PICHU and takes them to the engine room

LIQUID SNAKE
Wow, now she is something else, I can clearly see why you are enamoured with her

SOLID SNAKE
Why can't I be rid of you?

LIQUID SNAKE
Don't worry I won't be here long but neither will you, but I want you to think on this before I go, can you live in your last moments lying to someone close to you, wouldn't you want them to know what is happening, so that when you're gone it doesn't hurt as much. Can you tell the truth?

SNAKE lets out a disgruntled breath

SOLID SNAKE
When it all ends, will I see you?

LIQUID SNAKE
I do hope so, but it's tough to say, after all I'm not even really here.

SNAKE then tries to rest as LIQUID SNAKE disappears

CRIMEA FIELD

IKE is stunned to see ELINCIA

IKE
Elincia, how... How am I back here?

ELINCIA
This is not your home, not really, this is your test

IKE
What?

ELINCIA
The test of your heart, and your heart hangs heavy on your home and the one you feel you have abandoned

IKE then starts to piece things together

IKE
You're not Elincia

ELINCIA
No, I am your memory of her

IKE lets out a soft shuddered breath

IKE
Then I know what this test is. How I abandoned her and all my friends. I ran away from my responsibility and now I have to face that

ELINCIA then holds IKE's hand

ELINCIA
That is not your test

IKE
But then... Then what is it, what do I have to do?

LUCAS' HOME

HINAWA sits down a couch

HINAWA
Please come sit next to me

LUCAS then sits next to HINAWA. After a few moments of silence LUCAS wipes away the tears in his eyes and takes a deep breath

LUCAS
You're not really my mom are you?

HINAWA
Unfortunately no, I am your memory of her

LUCAS
Is my test facing what I did wrong? That I wasn't brave enough to save her?

HINAWA then places her hand atop LUCAS' head

HINAWA
Guilt is not the test, the test is can your forgive yourself and let go of that pain

CRIMEA FIELD

IKE
Forgive myself? I don't understand?

ELINCIA
A true test of the heart is forgiving yourself. When you left you felt that your actions could not be forgiven and you feel that you must punish yourself but that is not what you need to do.

IKE
I abandoned my friends, I ran as far as I could from that world, how is that not my fault. I disgraced my family name

ELINCIA
You cannot continue to have these thoughts, you will never be able to live if you keep them in your mind

LUCAS' HOME

LUCAS
I should've done more, If I was brave and... Mom would still be here if I did more

HINAWA
Don't, you cannot think like that, what had happened was not your fault

CRIMEA FIELD

IKE
Yes it was, I could've stayed to help instead I chose to run, I am no warrior, I am no hero

ELINCIA
Why do you chose to hurt yourself?

IKE
If I forgive myself what does that make me?

LUCAS' HOME

HINAWA
What it does is let you rest, that pain was never yours to burden

LUCAS
Then whose it?

CRIMEA FIELD

ELINCIA
No one's, there is no blame to be had, because you can still go back and make things right

IKE paces back and forth

IKE
How do you know they'll forgive me?

ELINCIA
Because of your bond. Maybe it won't be immediate, but they will forgive you, do not run from those who love you.

LUCAS' HOME

HINAWA
Your mother would want you to keep going, she may be gone but you are still here, and the thing she'd want the most is for you to keep going and to live knowing that happened to her, was not on you.

Tears stream down LUCAS' face

LUCAS
I just... I just wish she was still here

HINAWA
She is, she always will be with you, your heart is strong, the love you have for her will keep you going in your darkest days. Always know that

LUCAS then hugs HINAWA burying his head in her shoulder and letting himself cry

HINAWA
My sweet boy, I will always love you. One day we will see each other again

CRIMEA FIELD

IKE walks in front of ELINCIA and holds her hand

IKE
When I see you, will you forgive me?

ELINCIA presses her forehead against IKE's

ELINCIA
I never once blamed you for what you did, when this is over, just come home

IKE and ELINCIA are forehead to forehead with their eyes closed holding each others hands tightly

FOREST

The team of ROY, NESS, the ICE CLIMBERS, PAC-MAN, MR. GAME and WATCH and the DUCK HUNT duo are sitting in a circle waiting for IKE and LUCAS to come out of the cave. After a few moments of silence the ground starts to shake causing everyone to stand and worry about what's happening

NESS
Okay is this supposed to be happening?

ROY
I don't know

The ground starts to crack open

ROY
Oh not this again, move!

Everyone starts running away as the ground beneath them crumbles, eventually the ground stops to crumble as the team stops to catch their breath but before they can collect their thought the ground rumbles again but this time a large pyramid emerges from the ground

THE BEACON

The team makes their way inside the pyramid and after walking through it for a few moments PAC-MAN points out something, everyone turns to see IKE and LUCAS face first on the ground. Everyone rushes to their side to see if they are okay

ROY
Ike, Lucas, c'mon you two, we need you

NESS
Wake up, please wake up

IKE slowly gets up and looks at his friends, who breathe a sigh of relief, POPO and NANA immediately hug IKE

IKE
I appreciate it, but I think you guys might kill me with your love right now

LUCAS slowly gets up and takes NESS' yo-yo from his pocket and gives it back to him

LUCAS
Thank you

NESS smiles and takes another breath of relief. IKE looks at LUCAS and without words the two acknowledge that they are changed for the better

ROY
Uhh guys, why are your pants glowing?

IKE and LUCAS see that something in their pockets is glowing, they both take out glowing stones

NESS
What is that?

From the ground a statue rises with two holes in it. IKE and LUCAS slowly approach the statue and place the stones in it. The only thing that happens is the ground once again shakes but stops after a few seconds. The air is still and everything is quiet

ROY
So something is about to happen ri...

The statue shoots out a large blue beam into the sky, the beacon shines so bright that other worlds can see it.

SPACE - THE NEXUS

From the nexus the beacons light can even be seen from there

Aboard the main ship the villains (BOWSER, GANONDORF, WOLF, KING K. ROOL, RIDLEY, DARK SAMUS, WARIO, WALUIGI and BOWSER JR) all see the beacon

GANONDORF
What is that?

Entering on the bridge is ERAGUS

ERAGUS
That is a hopeless attempt to stop us, it is a useless gesture. It is not of any concern to us

ERAGUS walks off and talks with himself

ERAGUS
The beacon, you actually made it a reality sister, let them come together, it won't mean anything. Once they lead me to the lightsbane, nothing will stop me

THE BEACON

Everyone stares at the beacon's light

ROY
So what happens now?

IKE
We sent the signal out, now we wait for everyone to come

ROY
People are going to see that and think to come here?

IKE
Yes, we let people know that they aren't alone in this fight

SAMUS' GUNSHIP

SNAKE is sitting up holding his hand over his head still hearing LIQUID SNAKE

LIQUID SNAKE
Can you tell the truth? Do they know how much time you have left?

SNAKE then looks in front of him to see PIKACHU and PICHU just looking at him

SOLID SNAKE
I don't know what I need to do, I should just say the truth but... I'm going insane if I'm talking to you two

PIKACHU
Well only a little bit

SNAKE doesn't acknowledge at first but his eyes quickly go wide and he looks back at the Pokemon to make sure that what just happened actually happened

SOLID SNAKE
Pikachu, did you just talk?

PIKACHU
Well talk is a funny word, I mean I'm always talking but you and Miss skin tight space suit only ever hear "Pika Pika" so we don't exactly fully understand each other

SNAKE then lies back down

SOLID SNAKE
I think I want to go back to sleep now

PIKACHU
Well before you do that you should tell her what's going on with you

SOLID SNAKE
How do you know something is going on with me?

PIKACHU
Well you're not exactly the hardest book to read even though I can't read. But something is clearly bothering you and you want to tell her but for some reason you don't

SOLID SNAKE
Yep it's official I've gone insane

PIKACHU then jumps next to SNAKE

PIKACHU
Look pirate man, we don't know how much time we have on this strange Pokeball, so if you have something to say, you need to say it now.

PICHU
He's right you know

PICHU also jumps next to SNAKE

PICHU
You two clearly are connected and if something bad happens wouldn't you want to let her know what you're feeling before that?

PIKACHU
Listen pirate man, don't go through life with regret, wishing you said something to that person in that moment, you have to go for it otherwise, it could be gone forever

PICHU
Whatever you have to say, I know she will still want to be by your side

SNAKE then takes in what he has heard

SOLID SNAKE
This isn't really happening is it?

PIKACHU
Well of course not, I mean how ridiculous would it be to see a talking Pikachu. Although...

SNAKE then shoots up awake and looks to his side to see PIKACHU and PICHU looking at him

SOLID SNAKE
Hi

PIKACHU
Pika, Pika!

PICHU
Pichu!

SOLID SNAKE
I really have gone insane out here

SAMUS' GUNSHIP - ENGINE ROOM

SAMUS is working on the engines when SNAKE walks in, she worries that he is out of bed

SAMUS
Snake, what are you doing out of bed, you should be resting

SOLID SNAKE
That can wait

SAMUS
No it can't, you need to rest now, you're not remotely...

SOLID SNAKE
Sam, I need to tell you something, and I'm sorry that I didn't tell you this earlier

SAMUS is quiet and lets SNAKE speak

SOLID SNAKE
Sam... I'm dying.

SAMUS' face is just frozen not knowing what to think

SOLID SNAKE
There's a virus in me called Foxdie that is killing me, I still have time before it takes me out but I've started to feel the effects. If I'm lucky I'll have a few years left. When I asked you about the escape pod I was hoping that if it came to it, you and the little ones could get out here, if you left me here...

SAMUS
Why didn't you tell me?

SOLID SNAKE
I'm sorry, I didn't... I didn't want you to worry. If there's any consolation, this virus only affects me, I was designed to be expendable

SAMUS is quiet

SOLID SNAKE
There are no known cures on my world, and before all of this I was searching for something, anything that lead me to a way to beat it, now well it seems like my world is another lifetime I lived and right now I just want to do right with the time I have left

SAMUS still remains quiet

SAMUS
You said you have a few years?

SOLID SNAKE
If I'm lucky yes

SAMUS
Then don't talk like all hope is lost, when we get out of here I will go with you to every end to find a cure

SOLID SNAKE
Sam, there are no known cures

SAMUS
Known, we still don't know if your world carries one, and if not then we go to every corner of the galaxy to find you help. The universe is a large place and many civilizations have advanced medical facilities that could help you

SOLID SNAKE
Sam you don't have to do this for me

SAMUS
But I will, I'm not going to abandon you

SOLID SNAKE
Why? Why are you doing this for me?

SAMUS stares at SNAKE before closing the distance between them and pulling him in for a kiss, after the kiss SAMUS caresses SNAKE's face

SAMUS
Does that answer your question?

SNAKE then pulls SAMUS in for a kiss as the two Pokemon cover their eyes

LATER

SNAKE and SAMUS are lying down together with PIKACHU and PICHU sleeping at the foot of the resting area, SAMUS narrates over her ship flying through space

SAMUS
The journey has been rough to say the least, David told me a virus is killing him and has at best maybe a few years before it takes him out, if we get out of here my goal is to travel with him to every end to find a cure. I never knew what it was like to have someone, someone you would do anything to protect and want to hold onto whenever things are tough, I wonder if this is how mom and dad felt for each other. Hopefully soon we will be able to find something or someone to help us. Only time will tell

SAMUS' gunship flies through space for a few moments before a large shadow is cast over it revealing a dark realm starship above it