(A/N) First off, sorry.
I've been so freakishly busy lately and have been struggling with coming up with an idea for this story for a while now. Hence why a month later, you guys are finally getting something. I just kind of sat down and started typing to see where it ended up, and I'm decently surprised that what I got was an okay chapter in my opinion.
Happy reading as always!
It was when he opened his eyes that his senses began to return him, one slowly after the other. A sharp pain shot through his head, as though a knife was being driven through his skull, when the bright sunlight greeted him by practically blinding his sight. The initially stinging sensation had calmed down slightly as the minutes passed, becoming nothing more than a dull ache.
Mario grunted as he pushed himself in an upright position. He gasped, his body shaking at the new pain he registered, one situated in his lower abdomen area. The air was knocked out of him and he fell back onto the tree behind him, wheezing and struggling for breath. Sweat trickled down his forehead. His left hand rested on his side that was suffering, holding it in a death grip, as though attempting to squeeze the discomfort right out of his system.
The plumber reopened his eyes, not even realizing he was squeezing them shut in the first place. He glanced around him, his focus landing on the slumbering ape across from his. The memory of what occurred a few hours ago flashed across his mind; the chaos in the mansion, the dark creature running amok, Pit falling victim to them, and the ape himself saving the plumber's life when death was extending his hand out to Mario.
The pink blob next to Donkey Kong shifted suddenly. Mario squinted at it as it flipped over onto its back. He sighed in relief to see Kirby unharmed, his body showing no signs of damage, not even a single scratch visible. The pink warrior blinked before staring at Mario. He remained silent for a moment, a small grin breaking out onto his face.
"You're finally awake!" Mario suspected the boy wanted to cry out in joy, but due to their final companion still being asleep, reduced himself down to an excited whisper.
A grin erupted onto the plumbers face. Kirby's happiness was contagious, and despite the dangers they could be surrounded by at any given second, Mario could help but smile back and nod enthusiastically.
Mario's face immediately paled, and he turned over to his side, retching uncontrollably. Kirby cried out in concern, but it fell deaf upon Mario's ears. He spit in disgust, his stomach cleansed and now barren. His head spun and he felt dizzy, the light of the day becoming an annoyance once more. A gloved hand was lifted and held up weakly to block the light from his clouded eyes.
The puffball walked over to the plumber, and began to move his round hand in a circular motion on his back. The soothing sensation sent pleasurable shivers through Mario's body, aiding his recovery from vomiting.
"You gonna be all right?" Mario nodded, rubbing his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I'll survive," he snorted. The plumber ran a hand through his unruly hair. A thought crossed his mind suddenly, and he turned to Kirby, blue eyes widened with curiosity. "How'd you find us?"
Kirby shrugged, peering around the forest briefly. "I escaped sometime last night. I ended up hiding out in the forest and you guys just so happened to pass by." He paused before continuing. "You looked awful."
"I feel awful," Mario admitted, looking down in shame.
"You shouldn't… feel bad about confessing to being in pain you know."
Mario glared at Kirby for a moment. The latter noticed his statement hitting a sore spot in the hero, and he backed up, holding his arms up in surrender.
"No offense I mean! The entire place was a mess. You made it out in one piece and that's all that matters."
The plumber's eyes softened and he mumbled an apology. "I know. I just failed," he stated. "I should have been able to save Pit, and instead he got taken away."
The smile that landed on Kirby's face caught Mario off guard. "We're all guilty of something. You tried at least-that's what matters." A solemn expression took place of the smile. "I just ran… I knew I was way out of my league alone."
Silence grew between the heroes, Mario looking over the pink blob at Donkey Kong. The ape was still in a state of slumber, bliss apparent from the look on his face. Kirby kicked aimlessly at the dirt floor. He finally broke the silence.
"You… shouldn't have to fight alone. None of us should."
Mario chuckled, grunting as he pushed himself off the ground. His red hat fell off his head in the process of him leaning forward, drifting and landing gently onto the forest floor. He narrowed his eyes at the condition of his favorite accessory. It was slightly torn and appeared to be almost singed in varying spots, dirt smudged on the 'M' logo.
With a heavy sigh, he snatched it off the ground, slapping the hat against his free hand, tiny dirt clouds erupting and floating around it. He placed in on his head, adjusting it until it sat right.
"We can't. We may have to fight, but we have to fight together."
The sword slashed cleanly through the branches and bushes. The forest debris fell to the ground, and the legs of the swordsman stepped over it, crunching underneath his boots. Link's eyes remained glued to the ground, searching for the next sign of direction leading towards the other Smashers who managed to escape. A large handprint molded into the dirt caught his eye. The fingers were positioned towards the rising sun, and Link began walking with the tracks as his guide.
Captain Falcon and Samus lingered behind the swordsman, judging from how silent he had become since disaster struck, signifying that it was a better option to give him space and allow him to do his work. Sparks occasionally flew off from Samus' power suit, and every now and then her vision would get interrupted by a malfunction. The Captain realized the woman's difficulties she currently endured, and settled for remaining by her side in case she needed assistance.
Samus stalled briefly, stopping in her tracks. Captain Falcon shot her a concerned look.
"Do you need to take a break? Your suit is pretty damaged…" he questioned, his voice trailing off towards the end at from the silence he was receiving. He didn't need to see her face to know the massive scowl that was more likely than not plastered onto her face.
"No," Samus snapped. "We keep moving."
The woman walked past, her power suit eliciting a creaky noise as she moved. She made her way to stand next to Link. The swordsman was stoic, but appeared to be in a state of observation, eyes distant and clouded over, mouth forming a straight yet firm line.
"What is it?" She whispered. Link held a hand up, silencing Samus and causing Captain Falcon to freeze.
"Voices," he mumbled. "Someone is close."
The woman nodded, holding her breath and straining her hearing to try and pick up on what Link spoke of. She swore to herself when she found it impossible to focus on other noises when the crackling of static was all that floated to her ears.
Link jumped through the shrubs, his companions following him closely behind. Samus rolled her eyes at the lack of communication. She deduced that what he heard was likely another enemy, that they would have to apprehend, and in their conditions, if it was anything like how it was earlier, they would have their work cut out for them.
The Hyrule warrior moved like lightning, quick on his feet and ducking under stray branches, the master sword brandished by his side. Occasionally, he would swing his arm that held his sword to clear the path in front of him.
Normally Link wouldn't find himself rushing as urgently as he was at the moment through something that held such beauty such as the forest. The way the light weaved through the greenery and shined in bursts was generally breathtaking, but the three Smashers would not know this as they ran quickly. Samus and Captain Falcon would yell out every now and then, complaints of Link moving too fast or being too vague, unaware of where he was leading them, whether it was sanctuary or a battle.
Link slowed to a stop, his jaw dropping. Samus and Captain Falcon ran to his sides, Samus with her arm cannon pointed forward and the Captain holding his fists up. Both of their eyes widened, expressions morphing to match Link's.
The sight in front of them caused the feeling of panic to pass, and Link grinned wider than he had all day.
"Nice to see you, Mario."
Mario tipped his hat to the swordsman, grinning himself.
"You too, Link."
(A/N) And so they begin to come together! Mario, Kirby, and D.K. are found by Link, Samus, and Captain Falcon.
How exciting. We are going to be checking in with the others next time(:
Hope you guys enjoyed this shorter chapter, and that it kind of sufficed for my absence. Writer's block is the worst man.