~Chapter Six: Feelings~
Mario hesitantly took a few steps forward, taking in his new surroundings. The World of Dark was an even more chaotic mish-mash of their different worlds clashing together, creating a distorted amalgamation. He thickly swallowed and glanced back at his brethren who looked as equally disturbed by their surroundings. Rose clung to Isabelle and tucked her head into her shirt, whimpering in fright.
"The path splits into three," Shulk observed. "It may be in our best interest to split into three groups, right Mario?"
Mario nodded wordlessly, taking note of who would be best to bring with him. Mega Man and Pac-Man of course, Pikachu would be helpful, he didn't want to leave Yoshi and Peach behind...
"So my group will go to the left path," Mario decided. He wasn't sure why, but it felt like something was pulling him in that direction. "Samus, your group will head north and Captain Falcon, you'll take the last path. Does that sound alright with everyone?"
While most of the Smashers nodded Peach frowned and glanced north, where Samus' group was heading. "I..." she paused, contemplating her words. "Mario, I need to go north. Something's telling me to go that way."
Realization crossed Mario's face as he realized Peach had experienced the same feeling he had. Bowser - on Samus' group - roared and stomped over to Mario's side. "As much as I'd like to stay with Peach something's telling me to go to the left too. Glad to know it wasn't just me."
That in particular made Mario nervous - how an unspoken force had seemingly forced their hands into the paths to take. Still, they needed to explore these areas anyway so he shook off the paranoia and nodded again. "Alright, so we'll meet back here when we're done exploring. Please be safe everyone."
And with confirming nods the group split again.
/~/
They weren't too far down the path before Little Mac paused, glancing around. "Do you hear that?"
Mario didn't have time to ask what Little Mac had heard before a fireball wizzed by, igniting a nearby tree in flames. Mario quickly glanced around for the source before his breath hitched. "Incineroar..."
The Pokémon stood menacingly before the group, hands engulfed in fire and pupils as red as the fighters under Galeems control. The only disturbing difference was that the sclera was an angry purple and Mario quickly realized that the fellow Smasher must have been under the control of Dharkon. He didn't have much time to process anything else as Incineroar let out a cry and charged at the group.
"I'll hold him off! Run!" Little Mac ordered, swiftly landing a punch on the Pokémon. "Go!"
"Mac..." Mario tried before Little Mac shook his head.
"I have a score to settle with him anyway. I'll catch up with you!"
Mario hesitated for a moment before turning heel and motioning the rest of the group to follow him. He forced himself to not look back when he heard Little Mac scream out in pure agony followed by a victorious howl from Incineroar.
/~/
It's time my puppet...
Their eyes opened - they were standing on a grassy plain with mismatched checkerboard dirt. It looked familiar but they couldn't pinpoint why.
He's almost here... the Star Child of destiny...
A vision flashed before them - a stout man dressed in overalls wearing a red hat with the letter 'M'. A pang hit their heart - they recognized him as well.
Destroy him... you must...
They robotically nodded, lips curling into a twisted smirk. "Yes, Master Dharkon."
/~/
Mario wasn't sure how long he'd been running - at some point the group had been separated from each other in the ensuing panic to get away from Incinaroar. Eventually though his legs gave out and he collapsed, gasping for air.
At first he thought he was alone until he felt a tiny paw tug at his sleeve and a tiny voice squeak, "Pika?"
Pikachu. Pikachu was with him. He slowly pulled himself off the ground and smiled at the Pokémon. "Well, I'm glad we're not completely alone. Hopefully the others had better luck in staying together."
He glanced around, noting that the scenery around them had changed again. A thick fog hung over the ground and Mario quickly summoned a flame in the palm of his hand and gestured for Pikachu to hop up on his shoulder. Together they maneuvered through the mist, Pikachu sparking every once in a while to help Mario light the way.
The only sound for several minutes was Mario's footsteps echoing with seemingly no way to go in sight. It wasn't until he felt Pikachu tense on his shoulder that he paused, glancing at the Pokémon.
"What is it Pikachu?"
Pikachu's ears twitched, his head swiveling as he picked up on a sound Mario could not. Pikachu hopped down to the ground, cheeks sparking and standing defensively in front of Mario. Mario himself stood on guard, hearing light footsteps heading towards them from the fog.
Suddenly the surrounding area cleared and Mario's breath hitched as he faced his and Pikachu's opponent.
"Sonic..."
/~/
Mario hesitated as he stared down Sonic, the hedgehog staring back with the same red irises and purple sclera Incineroar had. Pikachu's ears drooped, not wanting to fight the one that had attempted to save him from Galeem.
"Aw, what's wrong Mario?" Dharkon taunted through Sonic, his voice distorted. "Don't wanna fight the one you still have feelings for?" he laughed when Mario tensed. "Surprised I know? I know everything about this puppet, and all the others I've possessed. I can see his every thought, all his memories... and there sure are a lot about you."
Pikachu growled, electricity crackling in the air around him. Mario ignited his hands in flames, it looked like he wouldn't be getting out of this without a fight.
"Oh he's mad right now," Dharkon continued, casually taking a few steps forward. "He doesn't want me to fight you, how cute." he cackled; an insane sound. "But that's just too bad! After all, fun is infinite! And I like having fun~"
Dharkon quickly closed the gap between him and the two Smashers, a bloodthirsty sheen in his eyes, and the fight was on.
/~/
Since Dharkon had possessed Sonic he had all of his abilities, and he was certainly using Sonic's speed to his advantage. Mario had already suffered a few blows to his torso and he was having a hard time keeping track of his opponent. Pikachu darted about, valiantly attempting to hit Dharkon with a thundershock but just missing every time.
"You're too slow~!" Dharkon sang, landing another direct hit on Mario and laughing again. "Give up! You and your ragtag group will never defeat me!"
Mario remained silent, contemplating his next move. Something Dharkon had said was bothering him, how Sonic was apparently able to communicate with Dharkon through the possession. That meant that Sonic still had some semblance of control, right? So if he could just coax Sonic into taking hold of his body for just a moment...
"Pikachu."
Pikachu turned towards Mario, cocking his head. "Pika?"
"I need you to trust me, alright? Sonic's in there, and we're gonna need to fight strategically to get him back."
Pikachu nodded, determination set in his eyes. "Chu!"
"Here goes nothing..." Mario breathed. "Pikachu! Agility!"
Pikachu took off towards Dharkon, darting back and forth causing Dharkon to snarl and quickly dodge out of the way, curling into a spindash.
"Pikachu! Keep using agility, and when you get an opening use skull bash!" Mario kept his left hand hidden behind his back, praying his plan would work.
"Annoying rodent!" Dharkon growled, dancing around Pikachu's attacks. "Do you honestly believe you can harm me?"
"He's not meant to harm you!" Mario shouted, racing forward as fast as he could with his left hand engulfed in fire. "He's meant to be a distraction!"
The flaming punch connected with Dharkon and Mario winced, silently apologizing to Sonic. Still, he managed to shove Dharkon to the ground, shifting all his weight into his arms to keep him pinned to the ground. Dharkon snarled, glaring up at Mario while he attempted to wiggle out of his hold.
"Sonic!" Mario called out. "Sonic, I know you're in there! Fight him!" he winced as Dharkon delivered a swift kick to his leg. His grasp was weakening, Dharkon had heightened Sonic's already impressive strength.
"Fool..." Dharkon muttered, freeing himself from Mario's grasp and tossing him aside. "He's nothing but a puppet for me now! The Sonic you knew is dead and gone, and he's not coming back no matter how much he wants to!"
"You're wrong..." Mario muttered out. "Just because you think you know everything about Sonic because you're possessing him means nothing. Sonic's too strong to lose himself. You and I both know that. And you know what else?"
"What?" Dharkon spat, folding his arms and tapping his foot.
"If you were fully in control right now, you wouldn't have green eyes."
Dharkon hissed and attempted to move forward, but found he couldn't. Mario shakily stood, glancing over at Pikachu and giving him a nod. "Thunder."
A bolt of electricity fell from the sky onto Dharkon and he collapsed along with his plans into a heap on the ground.
Review Replies
SilverXephon: I also chuckled writing Mrs. Fit saluting the sun, it just seemed too good to not do. And it looks like we finally have Sonic back (double yay for me, it's been difficult without him for sure) Thank you for the review!