Chapter 3: Let Zavok Rain Down

(At a secret base somewhere)

The big red Zeti was standing at this control system for a machine of some sort. Most of the walls of this secret base were filled with capsules with hundreds of unconscious children inside each of them, including Tails and Bowser Jr. The red Zeti pulled out a communicator and began to call someone. Eventually, Tabuu's face appeared on the virtual screen.

Tabuu- Well, if it isn't my good friend, Zavok. I take it you're calling me because you have good news?

Zavok- How about instead of telling you…I show you.

Then Zavok points the communicator at all the unconscious children in capsules decorating the walls of the base.

Tabuu- You and your gang did all this in one night?!

Zavok- I told you we were that good.

Tabuu- I am very impressed, Zavok! I might even offer you a permanent position in my ranks.

Zavok pulled the communicator back to facing himself.

Zavok- I am flattered, but I do prefer to be my own man. I only agreed to this, because this is a promising way to get my revenge like how you crave revenge on the Super Mario Brothers.

Tabuu- Understandable, but it is such a shame too. I'm really beginning to like you. But anyway, are we ready to begin phase 2?

Zavok- Almost, my friend. Two members of my group are doing a last-minute sweep for any children we might've missed, but I told them to be back soon. I just called to show you the hull. We have more than enough to power Fawful's machine to begin phase 2 by tonight.

Tabuu- That is good news, but I don't want you to let your guard down.

Zavok- If the rest of the Super Mario Brothers' Team are anything like Sonic, I wouldn't dream of it. I'm well prepared if Sonic and his dumbass friends find us.

Tabuu makes a faint wink at Zavok's shadow.

Tabuu (mutters)- So am I…

For a brief moment, it was almost as if Zavok's shadow winked back at Tabuu before Zavok even saw or knew anything.

Zavok- Besides, with all the chaos we've caused, I think the Super Mario Brothers' Team will have their hands full.

Then Zavok saw on the video screen of the communicator a woman with short white hair and a black outfit walk up behind Tabuu and hand Tabuu a newspaper. Tabuu takes the paper and shows Zavok the article of all the missing children.

Tabuu- I don't doubt it.

Zavok- Who is that behind you?

Tabuu- Another one of my followers. Her name is Poke'mon Hunter J. She drowned in a lake after Ash got in her way to capture the three lake spirits for Team Galactic. That is until I brought her back.

Tabuu hands the newspaper back to Poke'mon Hunter J.

Tabuu- That will be all for now, J.

Poke'mon Hunter J- Yes sir.

Poke'mon Hunter J took the paper back and began walking out of the room.

Tabuu- But don't make me beg…please don't cease to impress me!

Then Tabuu hangs up and the video screen goes blank. Zavok puts the communicator away as a blue older looking Zeti with a walking stick walked up to Zavok.

Master Zik- I understand you want revenge on what the blue hedgehog did to us, but are you sure that making a deal with him is such a good idea? He has more power than you will ever have in this lifetime and I've been picking up something dark ever since you shook Tabuu's hand and got that mark imprinted on you left palm.

Zavok looks at Tabuu's mark on his left palm.

Zavok- He said he will remove this sample of his power once we leave his service and he also said we can leave anytime we wish. And with what he's offering, how can I say no. I'd say you're just being a little paranoid, Master Zik. But I don't blame you. A wicked god with as much power as he does makes even me feel a little nervous. Also, he said we'll be allowed to keep all the spoils as payment for this. The energy from all their worlds to use as we see fit.

Then another Zeti walks into the room. This one was green and it was a female. She had long green hair, but a bandage wrapped around her hand.

Zeena- Draining the planet's life energy again? Didn't we try that before?

Zavok- Actually, there is an extra twist to the version Fawful and Tabuu made. And trust me…they'll love it…

(Back at Smash City)

The crowd was still outside the meeting room and things haven't calmed down in the slightest. In fact, Luigi had to barricade the door it was getting so crazy.

Luigi- I don't know if we can keep that angry mob out for much longer!

Mario- Just hold them a little longer. Hopefully, Shantae can help Sonic remember what we need to know.

Sonic was sitting in a chair with his eyes closed and Shantae was standing behind him with her hands placed on both sides of Sonic's head.

Ty- You sure this will work, mate?

Link- Shantae used this to help me remember Aryll.

Shantae- Try to focus on anyone you might've faced before who this Z could be.

Sonic- I'm trying…but all I'm getting is images of memories that aren't mine.

Shantae- What do you mean?

Sonic- All I see is a white hedgehog being condemned in some trail of the gods under the charges of treason. This never happened to me. So why am I seeing someone else's memories?

Shantae- I don't know, honestly.

Palutena (telepathically to Sonic)- I remember that trail. That was over 1,000 years ago. The god who you mentioned was my mentor as a teenager. He was also a hedgehog, but was framed for plotting to overthrow the other gods. He was found guilty at first, but he eventually proved his innocents with some friends he made in the mortal world after he was exiled. Strange how you're seeing his memories.

Viridi (telepathically to everyone)- Boy, you sure have one hell of a mess on your hands, don't you?

Pit- You here to gloat or something, Viridi?

Viridi (telepathically to everyone)- As much as I would like to, Pit, I've actually got a solution to help you solve this problem much quicker. You know this group is abducting children. Why not use some bait? Someone who can pose as a child good enough to lead you to where the real children were taken.

Kirby- That's not a bad idea, but where can we find someone like that?

Ash- I think know. Palutena, can you help us find them?