Sticking his head through a bush, Popo tried to find any edible berries or fruits. So far, he'd had no luck. Maybe just fish would be best. It wouldn't be a bad dinner anyway.
Suddenly, the sky turned dark. It all started from a single point and grew to cover most of the firmament. However, Popo couldn't see anything else past the forest canopy. He got a sense of dread that coursed through his body. Dropping everything he was doing, he ran back to the campsite.
A few minutes later, he arrived there, only to find the campfire still blazing but its creator to be absent. "GREG!" shouted Popo, trying to find the Villager. "Greg, where are you?" but the answer was quiet emptiness. Not even the normal sounds of the forest could be heard, as if the creatures living there were as afraid as he was.
It wasn't just his friend's safety that worried him. It was the fact that, unlike him, he didn't know his way through the forest and feared being lost.
It was then that a strange thing happened. A hole opened in spacetime a few feet from him. Though the Ice Climber could tell that it led somewhere else, he couldn't tell where. What could this mean?
Popo gasped. What if... Grabbing his trusty mallet, he ran towards the Mansion, trying to remember what the correct path was. He feared the worst could happen or could've already happened. Nana, please be okay...
Roots tripped his feet. Tree branches slapped him and tore his clothes. But he couldn't slow down. He had to make sure.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, he reached his destination. Or what was left of it. Popo looked at in horror.
The Mansion laid in shambles. The garden, being the closest to him, was either on fire or torn apart. Everywhere he looked, clones of Crazy Hand chased after wayward fighters, tore apart what was left of the precious building or flew away carrying something, what it was Popo couldn't tell. Or maybe he just didn't want to know. He felt like crying.
In the distance he saw the figure of someone fighting, accompanied by the occasional "Take this!" and "Fire!". The Crazy Hand copies gathered there more than any other point, letting others escape. This could be my chance!
Carefully as not to bring attention to himself, Popo moved through the ruined garden. He knew how much Nana loved it and it broke his heart even further the more he saw it. Berating himself, he pushed forward, keeping low and an eye out. Nana, where are you?
However, his luck wasn't mean to last. As soon as he traveled thirty feet, he was found by a pair of Hands. Popo, having been on the lookout as well, realized this immediately. Frozen in fear, he was forced to make a choice.
As soon as his enemies made their way towards him, he knew what he had to do: with a heavy heart and his blood running cold, he turned tail and ran headfirst back into the forest.
His enemies weren't done, however. They chased him through the thick grove, carving a path in their wake. Knowing that any mistake could lead to his capture or worse, Popo made sure to watch his step, weaving through the trees and hopping above the treacherous roots. The portal! I need to reach it!
Hoping above all else that the path he took was the correct one, he ran without stopping to catch his breath and clutching his mallet like it was the only thing keeping him alive. Popo could hear the sound of the forest being torn apart behind him. He didn't dare look back, wary that any hesitation could spell his doom.
Eventually, after what seemed like forever, he reached the campsite. It still stood as if nothing in the world had changed. Looking around, the Ice Climber tried to find the portal, his only hope for salvation. After a few desperate seconds, he found it, still glowing and welcoming him in. Exhausted, afraid and with a very heavy heart, Popo stood in front of the white glowing doorway. Nana... please be safe!
He then jumped in as the Crazy Hand copies closed in. Landing in something familiarly soft, he felt his consciousness fading away...