Chapter 4: Further Developments

By storm_the_castle

Ness's room was a mess. Furniture was overturned and ripped. Decorations had been pulled off the walls and scattered across the floor. Various odds and ends had been strewn about as though a tornado had been dancing across the room. Most disturbing, however, were the bloodstains that added a gruesome element to what could otherwise be an entirely innocent scene. There wasn't much blood, the injured party in question wasn't in any life- threatening danger from the loss, but its presence was proof enough of the violence that had sullied this loving home.

Ness himself was nowhere to be found. "Where-a is he? Where is-a Ness?" Mario gasped.

The policeman leafed through his notebook, as if searching for something, but Mario could tell it was a delaying tactic. "About an hour ago Ness's mother heard what sounded like a scuffle coming from her son's room. She ran to see if Ness was all right, but found the door locked. By the time she forced it open, Ness and his attacker were gone. Out the window, apparently," the officer explained, nodding at the open window. A chilly wind blew through it, making the curtains wave like the hands of some dark specter.

Mario bowed his head, and mentally vowed, "Itsa time to a-get a-serious."

*

Far away, in an unlit chamber, the subject of Mario's grief was having a hard time. It wasn't his many injuries, which left him sore but otherwise all right. Nor was it his headache, which pulsed so strongly as to make Ness want to vomit. No, the biggest inconvenience right now was his memory, or, more accurately, the lack of it. It had taken Ness forever just to remember his own name, and in the time since had made no further progress. Perhaps if he took a nap, he would be able to figure it out later. Yes, just a quick rest... But hours later, after a pleasant dream involving a delicious hamburger, a waitress named Paula, and a dancing Shy-Guy, Ness was still no closer to enlightenment.

*

"... and here I am," Misty finished explaining. As she and Brock had sat in the Pokecenter waiting area, the girl had told the tale of the last 24 hours. Exhausted, she leaned back in her chair.

"You mean to tell me," Brock asked, "that you gave Luigi my pizza?" Misty thought of several replies to that question, none of which were very lady- like.

Fortunately, her reputation was saved by the timely arrival of a distraction named Jigglypuff. The little pink Pokemon waddled over to them, and stared up at the young humans. "Hi Jigglypuff," Misty said, "have you come to sing us a song?"

Jigglypuff looked straight into her eyes and replied, "No Misty, I have not. And let me just say, before I proceed, how sorry I am to have to do this." While Brock and Misty gaped with surprise, Jigglypuff's eyes flared with purple light, and both kids fell out of their chairs, catatonic.

*

Far away (not a new far away; we're going back to the old far away) a dark meeting of the minds was taking place. As the robed figure watched, flanked by the giant flying gloves, two holographic figures made their reports.

"Sensor review of the battle shows that Mario and his friends were definitely there." Wolf's image turned to glare at the other holo. "You failed, Meta-Knight."

Meta-Knight was fuming, but the robed figure spoke first. "Yet your targets escaped as well, Commander O'Donnell. I am most disappointed by the general incompetence I have seen as of late." The figure paused long enough for Wolf and Meta-Knight to grow uncomfortable, then resumed his speech. "But your efforts were still enough to delay the meddlers from saving Ness. That key pawn is now in my custody. You may continue with your efforts. But don't fail me again! I sense a new power at work, one who will not allow for any weaknesses."

*

At Hyrule Castle, a similar gathering was taking place. Seated in a circle in the Grand Dining Room were Mario, Luigi, Pikachu, Samus (minus her helmet), Link, and Zelda. All discussion quieted as Ash returned from the infirmary where his friends were being kept. "Any change?" Zelda asked softly.

"No," Ash answered, unable to say anymore. Fighting back tears, he sat down. Pikachu immediately jumped onto his lap.

Zelda spoke up again. "Things are getting out of hand. Three of our friends have been hurt so far, and we still don't know why. We have to switch tactics. Link, if you'll continue?"

The Hylian warrior stood up, used his hand to brush his impeccably cared- for hair, then spoke. "Even though Misty and Brock didn't appear in SSB, I still think we have to stick to our theory on the All-Stars. We'll split into teams of two, and warn or protect as many of the others as we can."

Luigi jumped to his feet. "Dibs on-a Samus!" he called, grinning at the beautiful bounty hunter. She scowled and knocked him back into his seat with her cannon arm.

Link continued as if nothing happened. "Mario and Luigi will go see Yoshi, and if they can, use him to hitch a ride to Donkey Kong. Zelda will take Ash and Pikachu to find Kirby. Samus and I will meet with Star Fox and Cpt. Falcon, since they shouldn't be too far apart. We leave immediately."

*

In a different castle, at the center of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess "Peach"Toadstool awoke with a start. She sat up in her bed, noting that it was still dark out. Then she heard the noise again, coming from the hall. Scared yet defiant, she wrapped a sheet around her body and went to investigate. Tiptoeing past the dartboard with a Princess Zelda picture taped to it, Peach snuck out into the hallway. "Toad?" she called. No response. Suddenly, a fearsome shape leapt out of the shadows, coming towards her. Frozen with terror, all Peach could do was raise her hands defensively, and scream long and loud.

To be continued...