Chapter 19: The Beginning of the End
(Grand Metropolis)
Mario, Sonic, and the others were moving through the city as fast as they could, rushing to reach that machine before the countdown reached zero. Suddenly, an arm reached out from an ally and grabbed hold of Wario.
Wario- What the?!
Wario saw what looked like an ordinary man, only his eyes were nothing but white and he moaned like a mindless drone.
Wario- Hey! Get off me!
Wario punched the man in the face and knocked him to the ground. Suddenly, hundreds more appeared.
Tails- What's going on here?!
Amy- Looks like a zombie invasion!
Sonic- Nazo must be doing something to these people to stall us for time! If we have no choice, defend yourself! But don't you dare take a life or you'll answer to me!
After rushing through the city and trying to avoid fighting the people Nazo turned into zombies, they eventually made it to the center of Grand Metropolis. The countdown for the portal machine was now passed 45 minutes until the portal machine activates. As they approached the portal machine, Nazo was watching them from the top of the machine.
Nazo- They've arrived sooner than I expected. Damn it! And still 45 minutes to go. I need to keep them occupied for just a little bit longer. Time to send in the bigger clowns.
(On the ground level near the portal machine)
Mario, Sonic, and the others got closer until a dark shadow was covering Toad from above and it looked like it was coming closer. Sonic noticed it and quickly took action. Sonic dashed over to Toad, grabbed him, and dashed out of the way before this huge object could land on Toad. When the smoke cleared, they saw it was Bowser who tried to flatten Toad, but something was different about him. The expression on Bowser's face was like the people Nazo turned into zombies. Then Eggman appeared behind Tails and Professor E. Gadd and tried to hit them with a wrench. Luckily, they dodged. Then they saw Eggman had the same expression on his face as Bowser. Orbot and Cubot were spotted in the distance trying to hide behind a stop sign, cowering like crybabies.
Mario- We don't have time for this! Especially with less than 45 minutes to stop this! Toad, I need a flying power!
Toad reached into his treasure chest and pulled out a super feather. Toad tossed it to Mario and when Mario ate the super feather, he transformed into Cape Mario.
Cape Mario- Forgive me for leaving you, but time is of the essence and taking out that machine is our top priority!
Then Cape Mario flew off to the top of the portal machine.
Sonic- Mario, it's too dangerous!
(At the top of the portal machine)
Nazo looked down, but before he could have a chance to react, Cape Mario hit him with a Super Jump Punch and knocked Nazo a few feet away. Cape Mario found the controls for the portal machine and was about to smash it. However, Nazo got himself back up and rubbed his chin a little bit.
Nazo- Oh no, it won't be that easy.
Then Nazo fired an energy ball at Cape Mario from behind and it knocked Cape Mario away from the controls. Cape Mario struggled to get up as Nazo slowly approached him. Suddenly, Super Sonic appeared and hit Nazo on the right side of his body with a homing shot attack. It knocked Nazo away from Cape Mario, but it also did something else to Nazo's body, particularly Nazo's right arm.
Super Sonic- I told you it was too dangerous for you to do alone.
Super Sonic helped Cape Mario up. Then Cape Mario saw Cape Luigi and Super Shadow fly up too.
Super Shadow- The rest of our group is dealing with Bowser and Eggman. I know it's not usually wise to leave them behind, but as you said, this is more important.
Suddenly, Cape Luigi saw something on the ground nearby and had a look of horror on his face.
Cape Luigi- EEEEACK!
Cape Mario, Super Sonic, and Super Shadow looked at where Cape Luigi was pointing and saw Nazo's right arm completely dethatched from Nazo's body and even the bone was sticking out. Nazo walked over to his right arm, picked it up, and reattached it to his body.
Nazo- I would've preferred you hadn't of seen that.
Super Sonic- What the hell are you, Nazo?
Nazo- I guess since you're all about to die soon, it won't hurt to tell you. The fantastic tale starts eight years ago.
(Flashback to the final scene in Nazo Unleashed part 3)
Perfect Nazo- No! NO! I will not let this happen! I've had enough of…
Before Perfect Nazo could finish, Hyper Shadic dashed right in front of Perfect Nazo, put his palm on Perfect Nazo's forehead, and drained him of all his Chaos Energy. Turning Perfect Nazo back into regular Nazo.
Nazo- No, you can't be doing this!
Then Hyper Shadic fired and fully charged energy blast at Nazo.
Nazo- AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
(Flashback to one of the visions Sonic had earlier)
Nazo- Hyper Shadic obliterated my body, but a small piece of my life force was placed inside a ring.
The ring was shown lying somewhere in a puddle while it was raining and during a thunderstorm.
Nazo- While I was tucked away inside that ring, I was sending out a special energy wave that only powerful…and how should we say…"evil" beings could hear.
Then a mysterious figure was shown walking through the rain by the flash of lightning as he approached the ring.
Nazo- I thought I would wait for years, but my rescue was surprisingly quick. Even more surprising was he knew Sonic. And he desperately wanted vengeance on you, Mario.
(Flashback ends and the scene returns to Grand Metropolis)
Cape Mario- Let me guess…Tabuu was the one who revived you!
Super Sonic, Cape Luigi, and Super Shadow looked at Cape Mario in such shock.
Nazo- (Chuckles) You're pretty smart for a plumber. How'd you guess?
Cape Mario- Wasn't that hard. Ever since Sonic and I fought Tabuu after he made Sonic and I switch places, I've been getting numerous signs and messages that said Tabuu was still alive. But the biggest clue is that mark on your left hand. When Tabuu used his strongest attack on me and Sonic, Tabuu sprouted rainbow colored wings with the same pattern as that mark.
Nazo- Not bad. Perhaps you should've been a detective instead of a plumber. You would've made more than unclogging drains.
Super Sonic- That still doesn't explain why you literally fell to pieces just now!
Nazo- I'm getting to that. Sonic, Shadow, as I'm sure you would've expected of me, I would never willingly obey the commands of another. Even if my power can't compare with Tabuu's! And apparently, Tabuu knew this. So when he brought my body back, he neglected to give it something it needed. My life force, the energy needed to keep my body alive. This mark on my palm is more than just a pretty decoration. It's a sample of Tabuu's power and it's what's keeping me alive. Unfortunately, it will not last forever. Tabuu only gave me a week to get what he needed. He fused the two worlds into one to make my job a little easier. But if I don't get my body's life force before my time is up…I'll drop dead where I stand.
Super Sonic- So that's why you were working for Tabuu!
Cape Mario- It also tells us how and why our worlds have merged.
Super Shadow- But what does Tabuu want exactly?
Nazo- As you already know, Tabuu was defeated by the original Super Mario Brothers over 1,000 years ago. Ever since that horrible defeat, Tabuu was imprisoned in a dimension called Subspace. And because of this, it makes exacting his revenge complicated. However, in less than a half hour, this device will create a portal strong enough for Tabuu to cross over, despite the curse that was placed on his body. And that's also why he wanted me to keep you alive. Tabuu wants you to witness the destruction of your world as Tabuu drains all the life!
Super Sonic- There is still one thing that doesn't make sense to me. If Tabuu is hung up on getting revenge on what Mario's ancestor did you him, why does he keep involving me?
Nazo- Tell me something, Sonic. Haven't you ever wondered about your ancestry?
Super Sonic- What are you talking about?! It was Mario's ancestor that…
Nazo- But Mario's ancestor did not do it alone. He formed a group of other warriors to stand against Tabuu. And Tabuu told me that one of those heroes…was a hedgehog who could use the power of the Chaos Emeralds…just like you. Who's to say your ancestor didn't have a helping hand, but you never know.
Cape Mario- In case you haven't noticed, he's stalling us for time again.
Super Sonic- Alright! No more games, Nazo! We're taking you down!
Nazo- Guess I will have to fight after all. Tabuu said you had to stay alive, but he said nothing about unharmed. I guess I can pound your asses until the portal is fully charged.
Nazo tried to punch Cape Luigi, but Super Sonic caught Nazo's attack. Then Cape Luigi hit Nazo with a perfectly timed Super Jump Punch and knocked Nazo a few feet into the air.
Nazo- I let my guard down a bit. You'll have to do better to beat me.
Nazo fired a few energy balls at them, but Cape Mario and Cape Luigi spun their capes around like in Super Mario World and defeated all of the energy balls back at Nazo. This almost blew Nazo out of the air while he was flying.
Cape Mario- You're the one who's gonna have to do better, Nazo. These capes do more than let Luigi and me fly. They can repel almost any projectile.
Nazo grunted and tried to dash towards Cape Mario and Cape Luigi. Then Super Shadow blocked Nazo's attack and punched him in the chest. Then Super Shadow fired a Chaos Spear and blasted Nazo a few distance away. Before Nazo could retaliate, Super Sonic appeared and punched Nazo in the face.
Nazo- Shit! They seem to have a strategy for me. Those capes reflect my energy attack and every time I try to go after the Mario Brothers, Sonic and Shadow use their speed to block me and counter attack. I can't fight them like this! I need more power! If only I were…
Even though the portal was not completed, a shadowy figure became visible within the portal.
Tabuu- You need more power, Nazo? Very well…I shall give it to you…
Glowing red eyes appeared from the blurry image of Tabuu as something strange was beginning to happen. Super Sonic and Super Shadow saw a bunch of dark energy shoot from the Chaos Emeralds and into Nazo's body. The same thing happened with the Master Emerald. Suddenly, a dark light engulfed Nazo's body and the ground began to shake.
Cape Mario- Sonic, what's happening…?
Super Sonic- Trouble…big trouble…
When the dark light faded, what stood in Nazo's place was a red colored hedgehog. The red hedgehog had yellow and red eyes that just screamed pure evil and the quills on his back made a pattern to look like an X was on his back.
Perfect Nazo- Oh yes! It appears I am Perfect Nazo once again. Hehehehe. Thank you, Tabuu. I promise I will not disappoint.
Cape Luigi got up close to Perfect Nazo and did another perfectly timed Super Jump Punch and there was a small explosion, but when the smoke cleared, Perfect Nazo was unharmed.
Cape Luigi- I don't believe it! He didn't even flinch!
Perfect Nazo- I felt it. It was like a mosquito bite. But for someone of your strength being able to damaging me…that's not so bad.
Perfect Nazo tried to punch Cape Luigi, but Super Sonic and Super Shadow tried to block. Unfortunately, Perfect Nazo broke right through their block and hit them both. This caused Super Sonic and Super Shadow to crash into the ground a few feet away from Perfect Nazo.
Perfect Nazo- Now…let's see if those capes of yours can block my energy attacks now.
Perfect Nazo charged up his energy and fired an energy ball at Cape Mario and Cape Luigi. Cape Mario and Cape Luigi tried to use the capes to stop this energy attack, but the force from this one was too great and the capes couldn't deflect it. The energy ball exploded and Cape Mario and Cape Luigi were blown to the ground. Cape Luigi even coughed up some blood. Cape Mario got up a little bit as he saw Perfect Nazo walking towards him.
Perfect Nazo- Pathetic. If you're going to fall this quickly, you'll have no chance against Tabuu.
Cape Mario- Sonic and I beat him once, we can do it again!
Perfect Nazo- You poor fool. Did you ever realize that Tabuu only used half of his power when you and Sonic last fought him?
Cape Mario- What?!
Perfect Nazo- Tabuu was a little too impatient to get his revenge so he went after you and Sonic when he had only recovered 50% of his true power. Last time I spoke with him, he said he had regained about 80%.
Cape Mario- Tabuu nearly killed us all and he was only using 50%?!
Then Super Sonic and Super Shadow got up.
Super Sonic- I don't care if he is a million times stronger than me! I've fought more than my fair share of godlike monsters, you included Nazo, and won!
Super Sonic and Super Shadow- CHAOS CONTROL!
Then Super Sonic and Super Shadow were covered in a rainbow colored light and when the light faded, there stood Hyper Shadic.
Perfect Nazo- Shadic…
Hyper Shadic- You want me, Nazo, you got it! Mario, Luigi, get out of here. Perfect Nazo is too strong for any normal person.
Cape Mario- I'm not leaving. This is my fight too. I won't run!
Cape Luigi- Uh…is it too late for me to run…?
Hyper Shadic and Perfect Nazo dashed at each other and both of them punched each other in the face with a right hook. Perfect Nazo whipped the blood off the side of his face.
Perfect Nazo- I see you're just as strong as ever, Shadic. Good. Wouldn't be fun if there was no challenge.
Hyper Shadic and Perfect Nazo dashed for each other again and they were dashing all over the place, too fast for Cape Mario or Cape Luigi to follow. Eventually, they stopped moving really fast and Hyper Shadic had kicked Perfect Nazo in the face. Then Perfect Nazo used Chaos Control to teleport behind Hyper Shadic and tried to hit him with an energy blast. But before Perfect Nazo could attack, Cape Mario appeared and landed a kick to Perfect Nazo's face and knocked him to the ground.
Perfect Nazo- That can't be! Not only did he hit me, but it actually hurt! How could his power increase that much so quickly?!
Perfect Nazo got up and created an enormous black ball of energy and held it above his head.
Perfect Nazo- Do you remember this attack, Hyper Shadic? It's the same one I that almost destroyed the planet when we were in that stalemate on Angel Island eight years ago. Let's see if you can stop thi…
Suddenly, a surge of pain rushed through his head. Like a pulsing migraine. Perfect Nazo dropped the energy ball, dropped to his knees, grabbed hold of his head, and begun screaming.
Tabuu- Nazo, you fool! You'll risk destroying the planet with that! If anything happens to that portal machine, I can't use it to cross over! You want your body's life force, don't yah? Then you better follow my commands to the letter!
The pain in Perfect Nazo's head stopped and Perfect Nazo looked at the shadowy image of Tabuu in the forming portal with fear.
Perfect Nazo- Uh…yes sir! Sorry, Tabuu! I…I won't let it happen again!
Hyper Shadic- Now this is something I never thought I'd see. Nazo at the mercy of someone else and begging for his life.
Cape Mario- And to think…Tabuu is even stronger…and only at 80%...
Cape Luigi- This just keeps getting worse and worse.
Hyper Shadic, Cape Mario, and Cape Luigi continued to fight Perfect Nazo. Meanwhile, the rest of their friends had beaten Bowser and Doctor Eggman and made it to the top of the portal machine. They looked up and saw Cape Mario, Cape Luigi, Hyper Shadic, and Perfect Nazo battling it out in the sky just above them.
Yoshi- That Nazo? He look so different?
Tails- It appears he's turned into Perfect Nazo again.
Knuckles- But I see Hyper Shadic is back too.
Then Rouge looks up at the countdown and looked afraid.
Rouge- Uh…guys…
Then everyone looked at the countdown and there were only five seconds left.
Perfect Nazo- Hahahahaha! It looks like your time is up.
Suddenly, sparks of energy was emerging from the portal and it felt like the entire planet was shaking violently. Then a huge black light was shot out of the portal and when it faded, Tabuu was now out of his dimensional prison in Subspace. Tabuu looked around and then looked at his hands for a bit. Then Tabuu began laughing maniacally.
Tabuu- Finally! For the first time in 1,000 years, I am free. And now…for the end of your world…