Chapter 2: Android Ambush

The party of four had now escaped Bowser's castle. Clearly, they needed to find more aid before they could take on the Koopa King. They walked on and on, a long silence following, until Mario broke the silence with a question.

"So, where are we going, and why?"

Cloud, who was enjoying the silence, responded in an annoyed tone. "We're going to this laboratory that belongs to a man named Dr. Light. He created a powerful fighting machine named Megaman, and we're going to recruit him for our cause."

Luigi nodded his head, but Mario was a bit slow. "And why aren't we in Bowser's room, killing him?"

"Two reasons. A: We don't know how powerful he is, and B: He could have found a few allies already. You were unconscious in that cell for a couple days."

Luigi laughed out loud. "Bowser? Find an ally? He's not a very… charismatic fellow. He has a hard time forming an alliance with his own minions. The only way he can get any aid is…"

Master Chief interrupted. "By force. And Bowser, from what I heard, is very forceful. He could command a league of villains by force if he wanted. The HQ told me that Astaroth had attacked Bowser, was beaten, and, impressed by his strength, joined up with him. He's likely doing that for other, stronger villains as well."

Mario wasn't surprised that Bowser had forced an alliance, but he was surprised at something else. "Did you say HQ? You mean, you're not the only ones?"

"Well, for the most part, we are. We're a relatively new group, but our boss isn't with us. You may have heard of him before."

"We're not from his world, I'm sure we haven't."

"His name is Link. He's the hero of time. Does that ring a bell?"

Meanwhile, in an area close to Bowser's Castle, the nemesis of that very Hero of Time was listening to Bowser's proposition of an alliance.

"So, Ganondorf, the way it appears, you've got two choices. Join me, or die. Just the two."

"I will join you… if I can be the leader. Your brute strength would make you a good minion, but not a ruler."

"You don't think I can rule? I'll command you and anybody else in my path with an iron fist! This new world… will be mine!"

Begin Battle

Bowser: 3000/3000 HP

Ganondorf: 1000/1000 HP

Bowser slashed at Ganondorf with his claw.

Ganondorf began charging energy.

Bowser: 3000/3000 HP

Ganondorf: 600/1000 HP (Charging Power)

Ganondorf laughed. "Not bad… but I am obviously not showing you what I am truly capable of. Let me show you my real form, and perhaps you will change your mind about your strength."

Resume Battle

Bowser used Fire Breath on Ganondorf.

Ganondorf turned into Ganon. A flash of light appears, and Ganondorf is no longer standing there. To replace him is a giant, pig-like beast wielding two swords.

Bowser: 3000/3000 HP

Ganon: 7500/7500 HP

Bowser, instead of showing the look of horror that Ganon had expected, laughed at him.

"Not bad. But do you think that will stop me? I'll toy with you for a while to see what this form of yours can do."

"You dare defy me?" Ganon shouted with a thunderous voice.

"Oh, I don't just dare. I do."

Resume Battle

Bowser used Fire Breath on Ganon.

Ganon swung both swords at Bowser.

Bowser: 2200/3000 HP

Ganon: 7000/7500 HP

Bowser slashed Ganon's tail with a claw. He hit a weak point, dealing double damage.

Ganon fell down and can't move.

Bowser: 2200/3000 HP

Ganon: 6200/7500 HP (Can't move)

Bowser slashed Ganon's tail again, just before he got up. Double damage.

Ganon still can't move.

Bowser: 2200/3000 HP

Ganon: 5400/7500 HP (Can't Move)

Ganon suddenly got faster, and hid his tail.

Ganon will now attack first, and is no longer paralyzed, and his weak point is gone.

Ganon attacked Bowser with a Flame Wall.

Bowser threw a Hammer at Ganon's face.

Bowser: 1200/3000 HP

Ganon: 5000/7500 HP

Ganon looked down upon Bowser. "If you have any tricks up your sleeve, now is the time to use them."

Bowser called upward, "I said I would toy with you for a while. I meant it." He drew out a weapon that Ganon couldn't see. He bent down, and saw a tiny wand with a star on its tip.

"This is called the Star Rod. I stole it from Star Haven, and it will let me become invincible. But in case that wasn't enough, I took this as well." Bowser pulled out another identical weapon. "I took THIS one from the Fountain of Dreams. Double the stars, double the power!"

Ganon laughed in his face, a laugh that could cause an earthquake. "You're obviously bluffing. You know nothing of wizardry, and if that wasn't enough, having two of them makes it all too obvious."

"Gwa ha ha! From what you've been telling me, I'm too stupid to bluff! No, you're gonna die right now, unless you reconsider my offer."

"Never!"

Resume Battle

Ganon slashed at Bowser with both swords.

Bowser used the Star Rods to become invincible.

Bowser: 400/3000 HP (Invincible)

Ganon: 5000/7500 HP

Ganon summoned lightning bolts to strike Bowser.

Bowser took no damage.

Bowser began charging energy.

Bowser: 400/3000 HP (Invincible)

Ganon: 5000/7500 HP

Ganon tried to stomp on Bowser, but just hurt his foot on his spikes.

Ganon fell down!

Bowser continued charging.

Bowser: 400/3000 HP (Invincible)

Ganon: 4990/7500 HP (Can't move)

Ganon can't move.

Two gigantic stars came out of Bowser's Star Rods, and exploded in his face.

Ganon was defeated!

End of Battle

Bowser is standing on top of Ganon, his claws pointed at Ganon's face.

"What do you think, buddy? Join up with me, and forget any of this ever happened?"

Ganon winced. He did not want to work for any man, but he had no choice. He weakly nodded his head.

"Good. Now, if you wouldn't mind turning back to normal…" Bowser stepped off of Ganon. He reverted to Ganondorf.

Ganondorf finally found the strength to speak. "I will join you… but this humiliation… I will not forget."

Mario looked at the small laboratory. "This is where Megaman was created?"

Cloud was annoyed with all of Mario's stupid questions by now. "For the thousandth time, yes, this is it."

They ventured inside, and the sounds of fighting were apparent. They walked, and the sounds grew louder, until they found the room.

Megaman was standing there, fighting 6 robots at the same time: Fireman, Iceman, Elecman, Cutman, Bombman, and Gutsman. Megaman was clearly losing.

Without thinking, the party rushed into the fight.

(Note: Only 4 people fight on each side at a time.)

Begin Battle

Mario: 250/250 HP

Luigi: 220/220 HP

Cloud: 250/250 HP

Master Chief: 400/400 HP

Bombman: 300/300 HP

Cutman: 200/200 HP

Fireman: 250/250 HP

Iceman: 230/230 HP

Mario used Hammer on Bombman.

Luigi jumped on Iceman.

Cloud slashed Bombman.

Master Chief threw a grenade. It will explode in 2 turns.

Bombman threw a bomb. It will explode in 2 turns.

Cutman threw a Rolling Cutter. It hit the entire party twice.

Fireman shot a fireball at Mario.

Iceman fired an ice shard at Luigi.

Mario: 200/250 HP

Luigi: 170/220 HP

Cloud: 230/250 HP

Master Chief: 380/400 HP

Bomb will explode in 2 turns.

Bombman: 220/300 HP

Cutman: 200/200 HP

Fireman: 250/250 HP

Iceman: 190/230 HP

Grenade will explode in 2 turns.

Mario used a Fire spell on all enemies. Bombman took double damage.

Megaman noticed this, and weakly pointed it out to the party. "Each of the robot masters are weak to a certain type of attack. I'm not sure which ones, but apparently, Bombman is weak to fire."

Resume Battle

Luigi used a Thunder spell on all enemies. Iceman took double damage.

Cloud used an Ice spell on all enemies. Fireman took double damage.

Master Chief pulled out a Brute Shot.

Bombman held a bomb over his head. It doubled in size.

Cutman threw a Rolling Cutter, hitting the entire party twice.

Fireman began charging power with Iceman.

Mario: 180/250 HP

Luigi: 150/220 HP

Cloud: 210/250 HP

Master Chief: 360/400 HP (Has a Brute Shot)

Bomb will explode in 1 turn.

Bombman: 180/300 HP (Has Big Bomb)

Cutman: 130/200 HP

Fireman: 210/250 HP (Charging Power with Iceman)

Iceman: 150/230 HP (Charging Power with Fireman)

Grenade will explode in 1 turn.

Mario cast Fire on Bombman for double damage.

Luigi cast Thunder on Iceman for double damage.

Cloud slashed Cutman.

Master Chief fired a rocket, hitting Cutman directly, and Bombman and Fireman with shrapnel.

The bomb exploded.

Bombman hurled his Big Bomb at the entire party.

Cutman started preparing a Limit Break.

Fireman and Iceman unleashed a swirling blast of fire and ice at the entire party.

Luigi was defeated!

The grenade exploded.

Mario: 20/250 HP

Cloud: 60/210 HP

Master Chief: 200/400 HP (Has a Brute Shot)

Megaman: 300/300 HP

Bombman: 100/300 HP

Cutman: 70/200 HP (Charging Limit Break)

Fireman: 200/250 HP

Iceman: 120/230 HP

The good guys stared at the stats. Silence ensued, until Megaman asked, "How can we be losing this badly? They still have two in reserve."

Cloud still had hope. "There's one chance… You all have special attacks called 'Limit Breaks.' When you lose more than half your health, you can charge up an extremely powerful attack. Hope that we live long enough to use them."

Resume Battle

Mario began preparing a Limit Break.

Cloud used Cure, healing the party by 50 each.

Master Chief began preparing a Limit Break.

Megaman jumped on a Rush Coil, and came down on Iceman.

Bombman threw a bomb at Mario.

Cutman threw a giant cutter, hitting the entire party for heavy damage.

Mario was defeated!

Cloud was defeated!

Fireman shot a fireball at Megaman.

Iceman shot an ice shard at Master Chief.

Master Chief: 120/400 HP (Charging Limit Break) (Has a Brute Shot)

Megaman: 180/300 HP

Bombman: 100/300 HP

Cutman: 70/200 HP

Fireman: 200/250 HP

Iceman: 70/250 HP

Master Chief asked Megaman, "Do you believe in God?"

"Who's God?"

"I'll take that as a no. But pray to him anyway, not that it'll do you any good. Even that guy can't save us."

Resume Battle

Master Chief unleashed his Limit Break. A Scorpion Tank came into the room, running over all enemies.

Cutman was defeated!

Iceman was defeated!

Bombman was defeated!

Megaman shot Fireman with his Mega Buster.

Fireman summoned a pillar of fire, hitting Master Chief from underneath.

Elecman joined the battle!

Gutsman joined the battle!

Master Chief: 60/400 (Has a Brute Shot)

Megaman: 180/300 HP

Fireman: 70/250 HP

Elecman: 300/300 HP

Gutsman: 500/500 HP

Master Chief fired his Brute Shot at Fireman, hitting Elecman and Gutsman with shrapnel.

Megaman shot Fireman with his Mega Buster.

Fireman summoned a pillar of fire, hitting Master Chief from underneath.

Master Chief was defeated!

Elecman used an ElecBlast on Megaman.

Megaman was paralyzed.

Gutsman grabbed Megaman, threw him to the ground, and jumped on him.

Master Chief, as he was fading into unconsciousness, saw four figures out the window. "Heh. It's all up to you… boss…"

Resume Battle

Megaman: 70/300 HP

Fireman: 10/250 HP

Elecman: 290/300 HP

Gutsman: 490/500 HP

Megaman can't move.

Fireman shot a fireball at Megaman.

Elecman slashed at Megaman with an ElecBlade.

Megaman was defeated!

Gutsman looked at his fallen opponents. "We won?"

Elecman did some disco moves.

Fireman ran around, happily screaming "We beat them! We beat them! Bad guys win! Bad guys-" but he was cut off mid-sentence when one of the figures outside finally made his move. Fireman was impaled by a grappling hook. Fireman was defeated!

The party of four came inside. One of them was a blonde-haired teen, wearing green clothing, wielding a magical sword, and a shield that appeared to be made from a mirror. The second was an armored Orlando Bloom-looking person with a giant sword. The third was a robot with a big head, a white helm, and a pink pom-pom on that helm. The last one resembled a piece of bubble gum with an attitude.

The green-clad one spoke. "I'm Link, the big guy's Siegfried, the white robot's Bomberman, the pink guy's Kirby. That's all you'll ever need to know about us."

Resume Battle

Link: 330/330 HP

Siegfried: 300/300 HP

Bomberman (not to be confused with Bombman): 200/200 HP

Kirby: 210/210 HP

Elecman: 300/300 HP

Gutsman: 500/500 HP

Link shot an Explosive Arrow at Gutsman. Double damage.

Siegfried slashed at Elecman. Double damage.

Bomberman threw a bomb at Gutsman. Double damage.

Kirby inhaled Gutsman and got Suplex power!

Elecman fired an ElecBlast at Siegfried.

Siegfried was paralyzed.

Gutsman threw Link at Siegfried, who was sent flying into Bomberman, who was sent flying into Kirby.

Link: 300/330 HP

Siegfried: 270/300 HP

Bomberman: 170/200 HP

Kirby: 180/210 HP (Has Suplex Power)

Elecman: 200/300 HP

Gutsman: 360/500 HP

Elecman looked at Gutsman. Gutsman looked at Elecman. "What an interesting turn of events," Elecman muttered.

"We don't care how many of you there are. We'll crush all of ya!" Gutman shouted in a battle cry.

Resume Battle

Link slashed at Elecman. Double damage.

Siegfried is paralyzed.

Bomberman held a bomb into the air. It became a Big Bomb.

Kirby grabbed Elecman and threw him at Gutsman.

Elecman charged a Limit Break.

Gutsman threw a rock at Link. It bounced off his Mirror Shield, and hit Gutsman.

Siegfried can move again.

Link: 300/330 HP

Siegfried: 270/300 HP

Bomberman: 170/200 HP (Has a Big Bomb)

Kirby: 180/210 HP (Has Suplex power)

Elecman: 120/300 HP (Charging Limit Break)

Gutsman: 310/500 HP

Link slashed at Elecman. Double damage.

Siegfried grabbed Elecman by the neck, and slashed him. Double damage with the slash.

Elecman was defeated!

Bomberman hurled his Big Bomb at Gutsman. Double damage.

Kirby grabbed Gutsman, threw him to the ground, and jumped on him.

Gutsman threw Link at Siegfried, who was sent flying into Bomberman, who was sent flying into Kirby.

Link: 270/330 HP

Siegfried: 240/300 HP

Bomberman: 140/200 HP

Kirby: 150/210 HP

Gutsman: 50/500 HP

Link fired an Explosive Arrow at Gutsman. Double damage.

Gutsman was defeated!

The six Robot Masters were all in a daze. Cutman asked to Megaman, "Whoa, what happened?"

Megaman was dumbfounded. "All six of you attacked us. You mean, you don't remember that?"

Iceman answered in a worried tone of voice, "We were supposed to be on your side, remember?"

Bomberman was also a robot, and he was puzzled. "Even if you were evil, robots can't ever harm human beings. Some major reprogramming must have been done to you."

Mario didn't really care. "Well, what's important is that we won."

Siegfried was pissed at him. "Won? You lost miserably! We had to jump in there and save you."

"Oh, so that's what happened. I was wondering why I didn't remember victory."

Luigi looked at the group, and asked Cloud, "The man in green… that's Link, right? Your boss?"

"Correct. He seems to have found a few recruits as well."

Kirby, the pink ball of energy, was happy with the results. "That's nine of us. NINE! At this rate, we'll have an army by the time we go back to Bowser's Castle."

Link calmed him down. "Though there's many of us, we're still not strong enough. According to my reports, Bowser has not one, but two Star Rods, weapons of incredible power, one which can control dreams, the other which can grant wishes. Even if Bowser were still alone, and we had an army, we'd have to find a way to beat his Star Rods."

Among the talking, a gray-haired old man was watching from his own castle, through a telescope. Behind him was a giant hammer-wielding robot who looked a bit like Santa Claus, and a fat, bald scientist with sunglasses.

The Santa-looking figure, apparently the boss, asked to the old man, "I thought that your new program would make the robot masters invincible, and their berserk condition irreversible, Dr. Wily."

"The Maverick Virus should have done its work. The other four were an unpredicted variable. What do you think, Robotnik?"

The bald man heartily laughed. "This was only a test. We'll crush them all soon enough."

The three evil geniuses shared an evil laugh.

The robot, finished with his laugh, mumbled, "And when they are out of the way, Bowser and his little gang will be next. Hope and humanity will all crumble to dust. I, Smithy, will rule a new world. A new world, a world without wishes. Only weapons!"