A/N: Welcome back! So, in addition to my one old story that I still haven't written more than a chapter for (:sweatdrop:), I've been thinking in my head about writing a big multi-crossover story. It'd combine Heroes, Pushing Daisies, House, and maybe The Office. Now if I could just work in Grey's Anatomy, it'd be all my TV shows in one ;). In any case, on to the next chapter here!

Disclaimer: I do not own Heroes, NBC, Super Smash Brothers, Nintendo, Sega, Konami, or anything contained herein.

(Open on the pub in Eagleland. There's police tape and cops all over. There's also a chalk outline on the floor, containing the title card: "Chapter 6: The Line." Mario and Jigglypuff stand nearby.)

Mario: I'm sorry I let him cover for me.

Jigglypuff: (shaking her head) My brother made a choice. I've come to terms with that.

Mario: I'm going to go to the Cerulean Cave. Maybe I'll find the girl that did this.

Jigglypuff: I'm coming with you.

Mario: No, you can't –

Jigglypuff: I'm in the painting too, so I think I'm supposed to go. And when you find Ness's killer, I want to be there.

Mario: What for?

Jigglypuff: (with anger) To kill the bitch.

(Cut to Peach's high school in Pallet Town. Several cheerleaders are doing tryouts, Pikachu and the other cheerleaders supervising. Peach is among those trying out. She does a back handspring and does well. But Pikachu just sighs heavily.)

Pikachu: Great. But none of you were good enough to make it on the team. Next!

Cheerleader: What? Peach was awesome! I vote yes.

Pikachu: Okay, that's one vote yes. Anyone else want to risk sticking their neck out for her?

(None of the other cheerleaders speak up. They all look terrified. Peach sadly goes up to the helpful cheerleader.)

Peach: Thanks for trying.

Cheerleader: I think Pikachu's crazy, I have no idea what she's thinking.

Pikachu: (walking up) What I'm thinking is that Pallet Town High deserves cheerleaders that are extraordinary. And you, Peach, are simply not extraordinary.

(Peach just raises an eyebrow at her.

Cut to a gymnasium at the Company facility in the Mushroom Kingdom. Kirby does a handstand on a balance beam, duplicating a video running on a screen nearby. He gets to his feet and dismounts perfectly. Diddy comes up, grinning.)

Diddy: That was great!

Kirby: (crossing his arms) Are you ever going to tell me what I'm doing here?

Diddy: You're in the Mushroom Kingdom, at a private funded facility whose sole purpose is to help you and others like you.

Kirby: (unbelieving) Like me. With…powers.

Diddy: (taking notes on a chart) Yes. Though I've never seen one like yours before. Adoptive muscle memory.

Kirby: So that's what you call it? Mmmm. But do you know why it's happening to me?

Diddy: I'm not sure. There are some genetic markers. It could be an inherited trait. (He smiles) You have been given an extraordinary gift.

(Ash comes walking in through the door.)

Ash: Hello, Kirby. My name's Ash, I run this facility.

(Kirby just gets a look on his face, unimpressed.)

Ash: Doctor Kong. A word in the lab, please.

(They leave the room, Kirby staying.

Cut to another lab room. Ash puts a folder down on the table as he goes to a cabinet.)

Diddy: I've established a baseline for his abilities. It's quite amazing.

(He notices Ash in the cabinet and leans forward to look at the folder. It bears the name "David Monroe.")

Ash: Good. (He takes a vial out of the cabinet.) Now we can determine if this stops all of that.

Diddy: (looking up sharply) What is that?

Ash: A variation on the Kiddy virus.

Diddy: (surprised) You're experimenting with the virus?

Ash: Manipulating a live virus is essential for creating a vaccine. This should remove Kirby's ability without harming him.

Diddy: How can you be sure it won't?

Ash: There are always risks involved with cutting-edge science, Doctor Kong.

Diddy: You don't know what you're working with! You could create an incurable strain that could cross over to the general population!

Ash: (with a look) Do you even know how many people Mewtwo killed? There are some abilities in this world that must be stopped at any cost.

Diddy: Kirby is a good kid who loves his power.

Ash: It's for the greater good.

Diddy: (incredulous) So he's a lab rat.

Ash: These are your orders. Don't disappoint me.

(He puts it down on the counter and leaves the room. Diddy watches him go, then takes out his phone. He dials.)

Peppy (through phone): Hello?

Diddy: They're asking me to experiment with the virus on someone! If the biological structure of the virus has been altered, I'm not sure I can save Kirby. He could die.

Peppy: Well, you're going to have to take that chance.

Diddy: I never agreed to experiment on anyone.

Peppy: You brought them Mew, didn't you? That's how they're making you do this.

Diddy: I had to help her, I didn't know what to do.

(Cut to Peppy. He's standing outside an apartment complex in Fortuna. Bowser stands behind him as Peppy rubs his temple with his other hand.)

Peppy: Look, if you refuse to do this, they're going to get rid of you. And then we're gonna lose everything we've been trying to do and, worse yet, you're going to lose Mew. And that's fine. But to bring down this company, sometimes we have to do bad things. Don't disappoint me, Kong.

(He hangs up. Then he turns back and nods at Bowser. They walk forward toward the building.

Cut to inside the apartment. A pink cat stops in front of a mirror, adjusting her makeup. She calls out.)

Katt: Come on Krystal! We're going to be late for the party.

(Her young daughter, a blue fox, runs in and jumps into her arms. A tall blue falcon, her husband Falco, also walks in.)

Falco: And what time should I expect you back?

Katt: Around 3. See you then!

(They kiss. Katt and Krystal leave as Falco watches them go. He turns back into the room, and Peppy and Bowser are standing there.)

Peppy: Falco, my old friend!

(He backhands Falco hard across the face. He drops to the floor.)

Peppy: We need to talk.

(Cut to the cafeteria at Peach's school. She sits a table, eating her lunch, when Doug comes up and joins her.)

Doug: Hey! Why do you look so down?

Peach: I told my dad I tried out for the cheerleading team. But I just tried out and didn't make it.

Doug: (with a smirk) That's fine. You can just tell him the truth, that you're dating this awesome guy.

Peach: I told you, my dad's way overprotective. He doesn't want me dating.

Doug: And you do everything your dad says?

Peach: (with a look) Don't you?

Doug: (laughing) Peach, I can fly. That kind of exempts me from the listening to my parents thing.

Peach: Well, I hate lying to my dad after everything he's done for me.

Doug: Alright. Then we just have to find a way to get you onto the team.

Peach: Can't. Not with super-bitch Pikachu running the show. I knew girls like her at my old school. All it would take is one person to stand up to her.

Doug: Then be that person!

Peach: How can I? I'm not "extraordinary."

Doug: (rolling his eyes) Please. You're a total babe AND you have a power. That totally makes you better than her.

Peach: You're sweet.

Doug: Come on. What do cheerleaders fear the most?

Peach: (after thinking) Public humiliation?

Doug: All right then. Let's do that.

(Peach looks at him, wary but agreeing.

Cut to the car in Game Cubeland. Amy's driving with Mewtwo next to her. Sonic is asleep in the back seat.)

Mewtwo: You have a gift. It's amazing.

Amy: It's not a gift. I kill people, even though I don't mean to.

Mewtwo: I used to be able to do all kinds of amazing things too.

Amy: Really?

Mewtwo: Move objects with my mind, freeze things, melt things…

Amy: (not believing) With your mind?

Mewtwo: But I lost them. That's why I have to see Doctor Kong. To get my powers back.

Amy: You want to be different?

Mewtwo: I want to be special. To be the only one…(he slowly reaches out and strokes her hair)…to be able to do things…

(Amy looks at him, affection in her eyes. They smile at each other. But Sonic jerks awake in the back seat.)

Sonic (translated): Where are we?

(Amy and Mewtwo back away from each other, back into their seats.)

Amy (translated): Almost at the border.

Sonic (translated): Then stop. I'll find us someone to take us across the border.

Amy (translated): What about Gabriel?

Sonic (translated): (with a look at him) Leave him behind, I don't trust him.

Mewtwo: What's going on?

Amy: My brother wants us to stop and find someone to take us across the border. But I think we should follow you. (to everyone) Gabriel is a gift from God. We should trust him.

(Cut to the office in Japan. Roy comes in to see the restorer already reading the scrolls.)

Roy (translated): You started without me!?

Restorer (translated): I'm sorry! It's so compelling.

Roy (translated): (sitting) Well, what happens next?

Restorer (translated): They're trying to escape from Medeus's camp –

Roy (translated): No no! Don't jump ahead! Start where we ended yesterday!

(The restorer nods and they begin reading.

Cut to Japan in the past. Elincia is drawing out a plan of the camp as Marth comes up to her.)

Marth's scroll (translated): Even with my and Anri's powers, this will not be an easy rescue.

Marth (translated): I do not think you should come. It will be dangerous.

Elincia (translated): I can take care of myself. As long as Anri is by my side, I have no reason to fear. (She looks at the drawing) Where will we find my father in all of these tents?

Marth (translated): (going to his memory of the story) The swordsmith…is in the tent that smolders. (He looks at the drawing and points at a tent with smoke rising from it) There! That is where we will find your father.

Elincia (translated): You're guessing? My father's life is at stake!

(Marth just weakly laughs and smiles.)

Elincia (translated): (softening) Why are you still here, Marth? Fighting for a man you don't even know?

(Marth opens his mouth to answer when Anri comes up the hill.)

Anri (translated): I saw him. They took him into that tent down there, the one with the smoke coming from it.

(Elincia looks at Marth suspiciously. He puts a fake smile on.)

Marth (translated): We should trust in Takezo Anri! He has led us this far!

Cut to Falco's apartment in the present. He's now handcuffed, sitting in a chair.)

Peppy: Where are the paintings, Falco?

Falco: I don't know why you're talking about.

Peppy: Douglas Mendez. He painted a series of paintings, beginning with the death of Ike Nakamura and ending in mine. I know they got shipped here to you. Just tell me where they are.

Falco: I'm not in the business any more.

Peppy: (getting angry) Cut the crap. Tell me. Now.

Falco: (incredulous) You think you intimidate me? I trained you! You and your invisible partner, Fox! I taught you everything!

Peppy: (getting in his face) Then you know what I'm capable of. Don't make me do this!

(Falco just turns away, not saying anything. Peppy takes a step back and Bowser moves forward.)

Peppy: Fine. Don't want to talk? My friend here can take your memories. A man of your years, your memories are pretty important to you. Give your life meaning. (leaning in close again) Your wedding day. The birth of your daughter.

(Falco still doesn't say anything.)

Peppy: Alright. Let's start with the day he met Katt.

(Bowser steps forward, his claw reaching to Falco's head.

Cut to the Game Cubeland/Nintenworld border. Amy drives toward it.)

Mewtwo: That's it. That's Nintenworld right there.

(They drive across the border. Suddenly, several Humvees and guards with guns come out and block the road. Amy stops the car.)

Mewtwo: Don't worry about them. They're the only guards around here. Just drive around them.

Amy: My God…

(Cut back to Falco's apartment. Peppy paces in front of him.)

Peppy: And where did you meet Katt, anyway?

Falco: I…(he realizes) I don't remember…

Peppy: Now. Do you want to tell me where the paintings are?

Falco: Go to hell.

(Peppy lunges forward to hit him again, but his phone rings. He freezes. He answers it, stepping toward the window.)

Peppy: I can't talk right now, Peacy. What is it?

Peach: (through phone) I just wanted to know if I could borrow the car tonight. There's a cheerleader party.

Peppy: Did you ask your mother?

Peach: She said to call you.

Peppy: Well that's fine. Just promise me one thing.

Peach: What?

Peppy: Lock the doors this time.

Peach: (laughing) I will. Where are you right now?

Peppy: Management training in Katina. I'll call you when I'm coming home.

(Cut to Peach, standing outside the school. She looks suspicious.)

Peach: All right. I love you, Dad.

Peppy: (through phone) Love you too.

(She hangs up. Doug comes up to her, holding a ski mask.)

Doug: Well?

Peach: I'm in.

(Cut to back to Falco's. He smirks at Peppy.)

Falco: It must be difficult for Peach, always worrying about being discovered. Aren't you tired of running?

Peppy: I'm doing all this to protect her.

Falco: You can't hide forever.

Peppy: (looking worried) Take everything about my family from him. Leave nothing.

(Bowser steps forward and Falco cringes back.)

Falco: Wait! (Bowser pauses) Family is important to me too. Maybe we can make a deal.

Peppy: I'm listening.

Falco: Just come back to us. The Company is forgiving. We'll even leave Peach alone.

(Peppy looks past him to a picture on the wall. It shows Falco, Katt, Krystal, and an orange triceratops.)

Falco: You'll get your life back. And all the information on the paintings you want.

(Cut to the Mushroom Kingdom. Diddy and Kirby set in a medical room.)

Kirby: So what's the shot for?

Diddy: It's just a supplement. Standard procedure.

Kirby: Well, I don't really like needles.

Diddy: (fakely smiling) It'll be fine.

Kirby: OK. Just make it quick.

(He turns away, holding out his arm. Diddy takes the needle and holds it close to Kirby. But he stops. He thinks for a while.)

Diddy: I can't do this.

(Cut to another lab room. Ash looks in a microscope when Diddy storms in. He throws the needle at the far wall.)

Diddy: I'm not going to do it. I will not willingly spread this virus.

Ash: (standing up) If you don't do it, someone else well. There's plenty move vaccine.

(He gestures to the side, where a big glass cabinet full of test tubes and beakers sits. Diddy looks at it in anger and picks up a chair.)

Ash: What are you doing? No!

(Diddy heaves the chair at the cabinet. It shatters, destroying all the vials within. Diddy, still seething, turns back to Ash.)

Diddy: I'm done with this research program. I'm taking Mew and we're leaving.

(Cut to the football field at Peach's school at night. Pikachu and the other cheerleaders are there. She has a bottle wrapped in a paper bag in one hand and a Sharpee in the other. She's writing the cheerleaders weights on their foreheads.)

Pikachu: Being a cheerleader is about looking the part. This is so you know where your teammates stand. And you know how much weight you need to lose.

(She takes a swig from the bottle. Peach comes up to her.)

Peach: Hey, Pikachu. Can I have a word?

Pikachu: Sure, whatever.

(They walk over to the steps of the school.)

Peach: I was hoping I could get another chance at tryouts.

Pikachu: (a bit drunk) Another chance? You already got yours. Everybody has their place in this world, Peach. Just accept it. You're just not extraordinary.

(She goes to take another swig from the bottle. Suddenly, Doug drops out of the sky. He's got the ski mask on and he grabs Peach. She pretends to resist as he flies high up into the air.)

Pikachu: Oh my god. Peach!?

(Doug releases Peach. She falls, screaming, onto the steps. Her body lays twisted and bloody.

Doug then turns to Pikachu. She turns and, stumbling, starts to run away. Doug swoops after her. Pikachu screams.

Cut back to the Nintenworld border. Some of the guards come up and start rocking the car.)

Amy: (distraught) What are we going to do!?

Mewtwo: You have to use your ability!

Amy: No! I won't!

Mewtwo: If you don't, you'll get caught. And then you'll never get to Doctor Kong. And you'll just keep killing people, and it will all be your fault.

Amy: NO!

(She gasps as her eyes fill with blackness.)

Sonic: Amy!

(He reaches forward, but Mewtwo grabs his hand and keeps it away.)

Mewtwo: Don't!

(He gasps as his eyes also fill with blackness. The guards stop shaking the car. They all slump to the ground.)

Mewtwo: (gasping) Drive!!

(Amy floors it.

Cut to Peach's school. Pikachu talks to a police officer there.)

Cop: And then he…flew after you.

Pikachu: Yes! I told you, he dropped Peach, he killed her! Then he came after me.

(The other cheerleaders stand nearby, looking on warily. Peach walks out from the school.)

Peach: (concerned) Pikachu? What's going on?

Pikachu: (dumbfounded) Peach…

(Another cop walks up. He shows the questioning one the paper bag with the liquor bottle in it. The cops shake their heads as Pikachu looks down sadly.

Cut to Japan in the past. Anri, Marth, and Elincia run up and hide behind some bushes. They peek over to see the tent with the smoke coming from it nearby.)

Anri (translated): I want to thank you again, Marth. You've given me purpose, you've made me a better man.

Marth (translated): You're welcome. Now hurry!

(Anri nods. He stands up and casually walks up to the guard of the tent.)

Anri: Pardon me, but you wouldn't happen to have a swordsmith in there, would you?

(The guard yells and draws his sword. He stabs Anri in the stomach.

Anri gasps a little, then looks up and smiles. The guard is amazed. Anri pulls the sword out and smacks the guard with the handle.)

Anri: (shrugging) That was easy enough.

(He motions to the bushes. Marth and Elincia run out and into the tent, Anri following. Inside, they find a Japanese man bound to a post with chains.)

Elincia (translated): Father!

Swordsmith (translated): Elincia? Is that you?

Elincia (translated): This is Takezo Anri and his assistant Marth. We're going to free you!

(Anri steps forward and raises his sword. But the swordsmith shakes his head.)

Swordsmith (translated): No! I cannot go yet. Medeus has built an arsenal of guns. I must destroy them, since…he made me build them. He's going to overthrow the emperor.

Marth (translated): But guns are not allowed in Japan…(to himself) Not yet anyway. (He turns to Anri) You must stop him. Destroy all the guns! That is how you save Japan!

Anri (translated): (smiling) Very well.

Swordsmith (translated): Free me, then. I will take you to the guns.

(Anri swings and sword and cuts the chains holding him down.

Cut to the Company facility. Diddy kisses Mew, still unconscious, on the forehead. Ash comes to the doorway.)

Ash: Doctor Kong? A word, please?

(They step out into the hallway.)

Ash: I want to apologize for asking you to inject Kirby. I know it's not an excuse, but I am dealing with someone right now who could be even more dangerous than Mewtwo.

Diddy: David Monroe?

Ash: Yes. (He smiles a little) You don't know how valuable you are here at the company. It's not just your blood or your scientific knowledge. But your moral compass always points true north. You keep us all in line.

Diddy: (shaking his head) I just wish Mew was well enough for me to take her home. And now I don't think I can trust you, either.

Ash: Very well then. I can provide you with someone to make sure there are no more…misunderstandings.

(Cut back to Japan in the past. Anri, Marth, Elincia, and the swordsmith run out of the tent. Guards sees them and start yelling. Anri clears them a path, protecting the swordsmith who is directing him.

Suddenly, a guard runs up with a gun from the stockade. He aims at the group. Marth sees him and turns to see Elincia exposed. He runs over and grabs her. Right as the guard pulls the trigger, the two disappear.

Cut to a forest. Marth and Elincia suddenly appear. She rounds on him, surprised.)

Elincia (translated): What happened!? Where are we!? How did we get here!?

Marth (translated): Elincia…

Elincia (translated): What did you do??

(Marth turns and starts to walk away. She follows after him.)

Elincia (translated): What happened? One second we were in Medeus's camp, the next…

Marth (translated): (quickly) I didn't do anything. Anri can explain it all.

Elincia (translated): I know you did it. You grabbed my arm. And then we were here. You can move people from one place to another.

Marth (translated): (turning to her) Elincia, please.

Elincia (translated): (realizing something) Wait…(She puts her hand out to cover the bottom half of Marth's face) It was you. Who saved me from Medeus's men.

Marth (translated): (desperate) I only wanted to fix history.

Elincia (translated): And it was you…under the cherry blossoms. Do you...love me, Marth?

Marth (translated): I do! Very much!

Elincia (translated): (smiling) Everything I loved in Anri came from you!

(She moves toward him, closing her eyes for a kiss. Marth closes his eyes too. But with a whoosh, he stops time. He looks at Elincia sadly.)

Marth (translated): But...the space/time continuum...

(He quickly closes his eyes and restarts time, rushing forward and kissing Elincia.

We pull back to see Anri behind a rock, watching them. He turns away, looking lost.)

Marth's scroll (translated): It was the kiss that fractured time.

(Cut to the restorer's office. Roy and the restorer reach the end of the scroll.)

Marth's scroll (translated): It changed me forever, Roy.

(The restorer stops. Roy turns to him.)

Roy (translated): Well? What happens next??

Restorer (translated): I don't know. That's the end.

Roy (translated): The end!? There has to be more!!

Restorer (translated): I'm sorry.

(Roy sighs in frustration.

Cut to inside the Nintenworld border. Sonic swings and punches Mewtwo. Amy comes around the car, breaking them up.)

Amy: Stop it, both of you! I did what I had to to save us.

Sonic (translated): You have to choose, Amy. Me or him.

Amy (translated): Don't make me do this. He can lead us to salvation.

Sonic (translated): Fine. But the next time your eyes go black, don't reach for my hand. It won't be there.

(He turns away from her. She sighs and turns back to Mewtwo.)

Amy: I'll get something for your lip.

(She goes around the back of the car. Mewtwo, dried blood on his face, smirks at Sonic.)

Mewtwo: I know you can't understand me. But I want to tell you why I'm helping you. Once I get my abilities back, I'll kill you. Both of you. And take your abilities. And even if I don't get my power back, it's not a total loss. Because Amy's learning quickly. She's a shiny new toy. And she's all mine.

(Sonic just looks at him with distrust.

Cut back to Peach's school. She walks up to her car, Doug already there waiting.)

Doug: Well? How'd it go?

Peach: I think we made a mistake. We shouldn't have done that, somebody could have seen us!

Doug: It's fine, nobody saw. And they all think Pikachu was just drunk.

Cheerleader: Peach!

(The cheerleader who's been helping Peach runs up.)

Cheerleader: Sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting. I just wanted to tell you that Pikachu failed the breathalyzer. She got suspended and kicked off the team, so…now we have a spot open.

Peach: You mean it?

Cheerleader: Sure thing! Practice starts Monday. See you then!

(She leaves. Peach turns to Doug, smiling. He smiles back at her.

Cut to Falco's apartment. Peppy walks over, picking up the family picture.)

Peppy: You never mentioned having a son. He died, didn't he?

Falco: (nodding) Leukemia.

Peppy: I'm sorry. (He puts the picture back down) To think, all you have left of him...is your memories. (Falco looks at him in horror) It would be awful if they were taken. Almost as if she never existed.

Falco: No! Don't take them, please!

Peppy: (to Bowser) Go ahead. Every last memory of his son.

Falco: Wait! They're in the warehouse! Near the train yard. Where we tagged the liquid man! You'll find the paintings there!

Peppy: (gratefully) Thank you.

Falco: (chuckling) So now what? Your dragon friend makes sure that I forget you were ever here?

(Peppy nods toward Bowser. He turns and leaves the room. Falco looks confused.)

Peppy: I wish it were that easy.

(He goes to the desk, throwing things around the room.)

Peppy: Once the Company discovers your memory loss, they'll trace it back to Bowser, which will lead to my family. And I can't have that.

(He continues knocking things over and the like.)

Peppy: Just like you taught me. Make it look like you were never there. Everyone will just assume it was a break-in…(he pulls out a gun) a break-in that went terribly wrong.

Falco: What are you doing!? I'm offering you a way out! Shoot me and there is no way back! You'll condemn yourself to hell!

(Peppy pauses for just a second, then pulls the trigger. Falco jerks back, dead.)

Peppy: I know.

(Cut to Japan in the past. Anri crouches over a small fire, poking at it. Marth runs up to him.)

Marth: Anri! I've been looking for you for hours! We must go and destroy Medeus's guns!

Anri: Why don't you do it yourself, Marth? You've already taken everything else from me.

Marth: What are you –

Anri: I saw you, Marth. I saw you kiss Elincia. You treacherous snake.

Marth: No, I didn't.

Anri: You didn't kiss her?

Marth: No…I did. We shared one kiss. We are in love.

Anri: (with rising anger) So you've been lying to me all along. First you show me how I can be harmed by no weapon, then you cut me deeper than any blade possibly could.

Marth: I will not pursue my love for her. She is the princess of Takezo Anri. But you must stop Medeus. The fate of the world rests in your hands.

Anri: (nodding) Alright. Let's go.

(Marth starts walking down toward the camp. Anri runs up behind him and hits him in the back of the head. Marth falls to the ground, unconscious.

Medeus and some of his men run out of the bushes. They have Elincia and her father captured.)

Medeus (translated): For helping me, I will give you whatever you want, Takezo Anri.

(Anri just turns and steps over Marth, walking away.

Cut to Dedede's house in Dreamland. Kirby opens the door and enters, Ash behind her.)

Ash: You're covered at work and at home for your absence. And here's this. (He hands her a video iPod) It's fully loaded with everything you could want to learn how to do. So you can practice.

Kirby: Wow. Support, advice, and now gifts. Like my own personal Oprah. (A/N: That's right, Oprah even transcends into this universe.)

Ash: You have an amazing gift. So, look around. Seems like this town could use a little amazing.

Kirby: Thanks.

(Ash nods and walks away. Kirby smiles and shuts the door.

Cut to the lab in the Mushroom Kingdom. Diddy looks in the microscope when Zelda walks in.)

Zelda: Doctor Kong.

Diddy: (looking up to see her) Zelda! How are you doing?

Zelda: Feeling much better. I'm back to my old self, thanks to the Company.

Diddy: I'm glad.

Zelda: I'm also your new partner here. Ash told me that you were having some trust issues. I'm here to make sure there are no more misunderstandings.

(Diddy looks at her, a little wary.

Cut to a warehouse in Fortuna. Peppy and Bowser open a crate to find the paintings stacked up. Peppy looks at them, arranging them in order.

There's Ike's death, then a hand holding a test tube. The third one is a blonde girl laying bloodied on a set of steps, and the next is an angry blonde woman punching at a door. The fifth is a short man with a mustache standing in front of a window, frightened. There's a biohazard sticker on the window. The sixth painting is a Japanese man and a brunette man with a goatee sword fighting. There's also a chimpanzee with a bandage over his nose holding a smoking gun, and the painting of Peppy's death.)

Peppy: (to himself) What does it all mean?

(Cut to outside the Cerulean Cave. Mario and Jigglypuff look at his painting to see they're at the same place. He notices the circular symbol carved above the entrance.)

Mario: Well, this looks like the right place.

Jigglypuff: I guess we go in then.

(They go in and flick on a light. The place is filled with all kinds of memorabilia. There's also a note taped to the mirror by the entrance reading "Mario.")

Jigglypuff: Look!

(They run up and Mario grabs the note. He opens it and reads it.)

Mario: "We were right about the Company. The world is in danger. It's up to us. David."

Jigglypuff: Do you know any David?

Mario: No. None of this rings a bell. I don't know any company. And the world is in danger? What am I supposed to do?

Jigglypuff: It'll be OK.

(She goes and hugs him.)

Mario: (whispering) Please tell me who I am. What the future holds.

(There's a whoosh that neither of them notices. They open their eyes to find they're suddenly outside the Royal Plaza.)

Mario: What the –

Jigglypuff: How did we get here??

Mario: I don't know. We're in the Mushroom Kingdom.

(They look around and notice the whole place seems deserted.)

Jigglypuff: Where is everyone?

(Mario bends down and picks up a flyer being blown by the wind. It's an evacuation order from the Center for Disease Control – dated June 14th, 2008.)

Mario: An evacuation notice.

Jigglypuff: For 2008. Mario, this is next year.

Mario: We're in the future.

(They look at each other, terribly confused.

Slam to black.)

New characters:

Katarina – Katt

Kolya – Krystal

Ivan – Falco (35th/38 Smashers)

A/N: Figure David out? There's a hint in this chapter. I'll include him in the "New characters" for the next chapter, since that is his first appearance…and you'll understand who he is (hopefully). And for those keeping track, that's twice in two volumes that Peppy has killed Falco. Ha! Anyway, R/R and I'll see you again soon!