I LIIIIIVE! Hello my dearest readers! I have returned! Myyy goodness I did not intend to be gone for such a long time! 2021-2 has been rough on me and my family. I won't go into details besides I blame everything on covid and constant shifts of interests. Now let's get this story going!

Please let me know of any mistakes and please review 3

It's night time now. Yellow eyes watched his new owner creep towards him.

Oh...! What's he doing?

Crrreeek...

The door is open, he can go outside... But! He's not allowed! The men in white told him so!

'It's ok... Momma doesn't have to know... Here! You can sit on my hand!'

Hm... Maybe... If he said it was alright.

… His new friend felt warm...

'I got you some berries! Are you hungry Antasma?'

… Yes, yes he is. Always...

…But he now is a good friend that will feed him...

[Mario]

Mario knew he lived a very interest life. He shared many adventures with and without his brother. From saving Peach from the boastful Bowser to rescuing the world from a color cast of villains. He traveled from and wide, seen many places most would only dream of. Mario's adventures led him to places such as the dark lands and to the Bean Bean kingdom. Once he swore he touched the stars. Mario learned many things, made many friends, and many foes. If there is one thing the human has learned, is to spot a liar. A few times people had taken advantage of his kindness for their own goals or flat out liar to get out of trouble.

'Do you believe he's telling the truth bro?' Asked Luigi, still in his dreamy form. His voice tickling the back of Mario's mind. A question he milled over. Mario hummed thoughtfully, eying the hunched over figure of the once proud King of Bats. Many would have death than to admit their faults, he can at least count on one who took his life. Gosh he can still remember that wide grin. But this time was different.

Antasma should have been another run of the mill bad guy. Another villain trying to steal Princess Peach away to gain more power to rule the world, yadda yadda. While it did surprise Mario a tad to see how quickly the King of Bats abandon Peach for Bowser! it didn't change the end goal for the brothers; Defend Antasma before he gets to the Dream Stone. Yet, what Mario didn't expect was Princess Peach's bold wish. It has been almost a month now and yet that memory is still fresh in his mind. Despite it all, with the promise of pain and harsh judgment, Peach made a wish against the Nightmare in form. To have him feel guilt, sharing pain with his would be victims, and to have compassion. Mario is no fool, he can see true guilt in Antasma's golden eyes, The glint of predatory glee replaced with tears of sorrow.

'I believe so.' Replied Mario, his voice above a mumble, just enough where his brother can hear him. While Luigi is rightfully spooked and wary of the mutated Dreamy Bat, his faith in his brother is much stronger.

'Okay Dokay then.' He murmured, his tone soft.

Mario stepped boldly away from the Pi'llo guards, squaring his shoulder and held his head high. Antasma tensed, his eyes snapping towards the human. He watched as Mario walked in confidence up to Prince Dreambert and placed a hand on his shoulder, startling him out of his train of thought.

"Mario!" Dreambert exclaimed, having forgotten the human for a second. Then Mario spoke and his words left everyone stunned.

"Give him a chance."

[Antasma]

His heart beat wildly in his chest, making it hard to hear anything. Hands shaking and his frame quivered in pure shock. Mario, of all people, is vouching for him.

"Y-you... Mean to spare Antasma?" Asked Dreambert, blinking owlishly at the human. Mario nodded, giving the prince a soft smile.

"Yes. Antasma isn't lying about feeling sorry." Was all the human said. Returning his gaze back to the Dreamy Bat, they locked eyes. There was no fire behind those blue eyes, just a soft gentle kindness that Antasma saw once in his life. This human had once hunted him down, battled him many times for good reasons, is telling Dreambert to spare him. Mario is showing him kindness... Showing compassion. Antasma is not used to that...

As the words left Mario's mouth, an uproar happened behind the two. The Pi'llo guards voices their feelings and thoughts.

"He's a monster!" "We need to fight on!" "His death will bring peace!"

Dreambert turned sharply towards his men, his face scrunched up in frustration. As both he and Mario argued with his men about the fate of the bat king, Antasma began to stare at the ground. Some guards begin to shout, hate in their eyes. A hate well earned... Honestly he was a fool to think he can reason his way out of this. After so much pain and suffering, Antasma simply does not know what to do with himself and his sins.

"I believe we should give him a chance!" "Mario you're insane!" "Oy don't call my brother that!" "My prince surely you're not going to listen to this human?!" "Stand down and listen to me!"

As the bickering continued Antasma's vision began to swim. Two of his greatest enemies are arguing to spare him.

"I know Antasma, this is out of character!" "He's able to lie! That freak has done it before!" "Because he was scared of our scientists!" "Still-!"

This is was simply too much, his body started to sway. A wave of dizziness crashed into Antasma with such force it rivals Luigi's hammer strikes. He can't see, he can't stand. With a whine escaping from his throat, Antasma began to crumble down onto the clouds. The A sob bubbled up and the King tried his best to keep it behind his teeth. The arguing halted and all eyes stared down at the crumbled form of Antasma.

" SHREEE! Vhy?!" He croaked, coiling his tail around his aching body. Everything hurts, within his chest, his body, his mind. He felt a wetness sliding down his face. "Vhy are you willing to spare me! Chrr... After all I did to you, to everyone!"

Dreambert was silent. Floating in front of Antasma the prince thought about his words carefully. Eyes searching over the large Dreamy Bat, The Prince could see all the damage the fight brought upon Antasma's body. Even in this battle form, the King is weaken and could easily be taken out and, perhaps, he won't even retaliate...

"Because... I see you are suffering. Not just body, suffering in the heart." Answered Dreambert. "You're a proud creature, not willing to admit mistakes and faults. Yet you said you are sorry and... I am willing to accept."

Antasma opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water, simply too stunned to speak. Shivering on the ground, the King's body began to shrink back down. He is exhausted... With no more extra power to fuel his battle form, Antasma quickly return to his basic form. Now only a quarter in size and a fourth in power, Antasma is at complete mercy of the crowd before him. Breathing heavily Antasma watched as Mario walked slowly towards him. For the first time in a long while, he felt fear.. True fear for his life. Mario is a hero and heroes don't spare bad guys like him. Shutting his eyes, Antasma braced himself for the worst. A kick, a punch or event a hammer strike to end him. Instead, he felt soft gloves sliding under his body and felt his form being lifted up. Snapping his eyes open, Antasma found his head resting on Mario's shoulders and can only staring up at the human.

"We're taking you back to the castle." Declared Dreambert. He glanced back at his guards. "You're no longer a threat to my Nation or any other. There is no need to slay you."

Too weak to reply, Antasma simply shifted his eyes onto the prince. Dreambert met his gaze without fear.

"Until we figure out what to do next, you will be in imprisoned... For now."

And with that, Dreambert turned and began to lead everyone out of the Dreamy Realm. Closing his eyes, Antasma quietly accepted his fate.

Looks like he's going back into a cage.

Just like old times...

However, now, he will not have any warm hands nor friends...