The four prisoners started freaking out. Ness couldn't believe it. He witnessed his friend torturing Simon! What exactly did he do to him? Ness prayed that Villager would come back, but he never did. This isn't real. He's known Villager for so long. Ness isn't the friendliest, but he did enjoy Villager's company. Villager, Popo, Nana, Toon Link, and of course Lucas were his closest friends. Villager never acted like this before. Oh god, he's a psychopath. He's working for Mario, isn't he? This makes everything worse! Ness started to hyperventilate. How long has Villager been working for Mario? How long has he pretended to be Ness's friend?

Gordon: "Ness, was that guy your friend?"

Ness: *Puts his hand on his chest and continues to hyperventilate*

Sonic: "You ok?"
Kawasaki: "Oh dear, what happened?"

Gordon: "Kid, listen to me. Look into my eyes."

Ness: *Ignores Gordon*

Gordon: "Deep breaths. Follow my rhythm. Take a deep breath for me, big boy."
Ness: *Sucks in a bunch of air*
Gordon: "Ok hold it for 3 seconds and then release for 6."

Ness: *Holds it in and releases*

Gordon: "Ok again."

Gordon helps Ness meditate and control his breathing. They did this for 5 minutes. It helped. Ness's breathing went back to being normal. He sat there and closed his eyes. He needed to think to gather his thoughts. He needs to stay positive.

Gordon: "Feeling better?"

Ness: "Yeah, thank you. What was that?"

Gordon: "Meditation."

Ness: "Thanks, it helped."

Gordon: "Listen Ness, I know we got off to a bad start. You're the only one that still has hope. I uh… I'm sorry if I attacked you for it. Honestly, if you lost hope, I don't know if I could keep going."

Ness: "Gordon…"

Gordon: "I mean it. Stay strong, kid. We all need your courage."

Sonic: "Yeah, I'm sorry too. That crazy shit with Villager opened my eyes. We gotta get out of here."

Ness: "Thanks guys… You have no idea how long I wanted to hear this."

Kawasaki: "Who was that, Ness?"

Ness: "Villager."

Gordon: "You said you guys are friends, yeah?"

Ness: "Yeah, we're friends, but I guess not anymore."

Sonic: "Was he always a psycho?"

Ness: "No. I've never seen him like that."

Sonic: "He always gave me the creeps."

Ness: "Me too a little, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt."

Kawasaki: "What did he do to Simon?"

Ness: "I… I don't know."

Sonic: "Do you think he killed him?"
Ness: "I…" *starts sobbing*

Gordon: "Guys, let's give him a minute. We should talk about something else."

…

Little Mac refused to leave the ship. Metaknight has gone bonkers. He doesn't know where Popstar is. They're never going to find it at this rate. The boxer decided to look for Cut and Swipe. He walked around for a bit, but this ship is huge! It took him a while, but he found uh… Swipe or whatever his name was. He waved at the short guy.

"Hey Edge!" Little Mac greeted.

"What did you call me?"

"Uh.. Is that not your name?"

"It's Blade."

"Metaknight said your name is Swipe."

"What?"

"Yeah, I dunno. Look, Metaknight took us to the wrong planet again. You know where Popstar is, right?"

"Yeah, but so does Metaknight. There's no way he took us to the wrong planet."

"Well I dunno about you, but Kirby explained the planet having luscious green grass and a beautiful blue sky. The planet we're on only gots lava."

"Lava?"

Blade rushed back to the main lobby. He saw Metaknight fully naked, his mask was gone and so was the rest of his armor. Little Mac followed behind and oh my god Metaknight is naked.

Metaknight: "Heya, guys."

Blade: "S-sir… Where's your armor?"

Metaknight: "Oh that silly ol' thing, I decided to get rid of it."

Blade: "You got rid of it?"

Metaknight: "I threw it in the lava."

Little Mac: "Oh nelly, you… you look like Kirby used to."

Metaknight: "Well duh, she's my twin sister."
Little Mac: "Holy shit."

Blade: "Uh, hold on Sir, I gotta talk to Little Mac for a sec."

Blade motioned Little Mac to follow him. The two went to visit Sword. The three of them were now in Sword's room discussing about the Metaknight situation. Blade made sure to tell Sword everything that the two saw.

Sword: "W-what!"

Blade: "Guys, I don't think that's our Metaknight."

Little Mac: "Wait, what? Is that why he's been acting weird?"
Blade: "Metaknight would never take off his armor in front of others."

Little Mac: "Well who is that then?"

Sword: "That's the problem. We don't know."

Little Mac: "So what do we do? Do we beat him up?"

Sword: "Yeah, we need to knock him out and go back home."

Little Mac: "Leave it to me."

The three went back to the main lobby. They saw Metaknight steering the ship naked of course.

Metaknight: "Oh hey guys, I do believe I took us the wrong way. Don't worry, I found Poptart's coordination."
Sword: "You mean coordinates?"
Metaknight: "Yeah coordination. Alright, buckle your belts because we're warpin'."

Little Mac: "Wait! No-

Too late the ship once again did the warp shit. None of them except Metaknight was strapped in. Everyone else hit the wall and couldn't move. They all felt like they were getting spaghettified. It was a horrible experience, but luckily warping doesn't last long. Once the warping was done, they all fell to the floor. Little Mac needed a second, but once he was able to catch his breath he looked out the window. He saw a giant Star shaped planet. It was beautiful. He's never seen anything like it.

Little Mac: "It's Planet Popstar! Metaknight you did it!"
Metaknight: "See I told you!"

Little Mac eagerly left the ship to go explore. Metaknight was going to follow him but Sword and Blade blocked his path.

Blade: "What did you do to Metaknight?"

Metaknight: "Why, I am Metaknight."
Sword: "You're a fraud. Metaknight would never take off his armor."

Metaknight: "How do you know? You're not me."
Blade: "Tell us what you did with Metaknight or else we'll be forced to take you down."
Metaknight: "Is this a threat?"

The two swordsmen unsheathed their swords. They changed their stance to an offensive one.

Metaknight: "I see, well if you're going to be like that then…"

Metaknight pulled out his sword Galaxia. "A fight you will receive."

…

Mario arrived in his bunker. He checked his phone. He was able to break into the real world's internet. He watched a Youtube video about Gordon Ramsay. Everyone is wondering where he went and his crew. They suddenly disappeared. Everyone figured that the Chef passed away. Everyone was crying; especially his wife. What a sad sight. They have no idea what really happened to him. Mario wanted to keep it that way. However, everyone will suspect that Nintendo killed him. He did go to Japan to get transferred to the smash universe. This wouldn't look good for Nintendo including himself. Luckily his Gordon Ramsay and Kawasaki Clone finally developed. All he needs to do is train them. First he needed to make up a story.

Let's see, the reason why Gordon hasn't come home is because he's been training Kawasaki to become a full fledged Chef. He also wanted to explore the smash mansion more. He had so much fun that he forgot the plane ride back. He decided to use this excuse to hang out with the smashers longer. However, he finally booked a new plane ticket and now he's ready to share to the world how amazing Super Smash Bros is and how Nintendo treated him like a God. What a perfect story.

The only problem is the training. It's going to take a while. He didn't train Sonic and Ness well. He thought about starting over, but so far they have been changing their ways. That Sonic Clone's idea to meet the originals was a good one. If they keep this up, he won't need to create new clones. Creating clones took so much time and it didn't always work. There were lots of failures before these two. Sometimes the clones didn't even look like them at all. It was a pain to create more. It's fine, these two are doing better. The other smashers haven't said anything out of the ordinary about those two yet. Yet. It's late, there's no way any of the clones would be out yet. They shouldn't be, but… Ness. He should go check on him.

…

Clone Ness had a great time with Lucas. Lucas ended up staying over and they cuddled each other to sleep. Ness was about to fall asleep, but he got a text from Leaf. That's right, he promised that he was going to spend time with her tonight. It wouldn't hurt to sneak away for a bit. He'll spend some time and then come straight back to his room. No biggie. Lucas is in a deep sleep anyway.

Ness wiggled out of Lucas's grip. He made sure to close the door quietly. He began heading to Leaf's room, but he saw Mario instead. Ness froze. No, not now. Fuck! It's fine, he needed to keep it chill. Right, he's uh.. He couldn't sleep so he was going to head to the library. Yeah! Perfect excuse.

"Oh hey, Mario," Ness forced a smile.

"What are you doing out so late?"

"Oh, ya see I couldn't sleep, so I'm gonna head to the library. I shouldn't force myself to sleep. Gotta do something productive that's not looking at a blue screen, haha."
"The library is closed."

"Oh is it? Darn! Well I guess I'll head back to my room."

Ness turned around and began walking the other direction but Mario grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back.

"Not so fast," Mario said.

"Huh?"

"Say, Ness, where's your hat?"

"My hat? Oh uh, I forgot it."
"Ness never leaves without his hat."
"Huh, is that so? Well now I know. Anyway, I gotta catch some Z's so I'll-

"Go get your hat."

"Huh?"
"You heard me. Come back here with your hat."

"It's late. I should sleep."
"Ness, you're hiding something from me."
"Whaaaat! No, I wouldn't hide from my own Boss."

"You seem to be in a rush. This is the first time you forgot about your hat."

"It's because I'm sleepy."

"You said you couldn't sleep."

"Well yeah, I can't sleep doesn't mean I'm not sleepy. I got insomnia."
"Ok, well go get your hat and come back to me."

"What? Why?"

"I have something for you to do."
"But it's bedtime."

"Well, you clearly can't sleep, so I got a job for you."

"B-but-

"Don't argue with me. Get your hat and come back."

"Fine."

Ness walked back to his room with Mario following behind. Ness was going to open the door, but then he remembered that Lucas was on his bed. Oh god, wait no! He can't let Mario in. Lucas is naked, he couldn't even make an excuse that they were hanging out and he decided to sleep over. Mario is definitely going to know what they did. This is bad.

"Ness, aren't you going to open the door?" Mario raised a brow.

"Oh, well I just remembered that my room is super messy."

"Ok, and?"

"So I'll look for it alone."

"You don't want me to go in your room?"

"Only because it looks horrible."

"Ness, I don't care. I get it, you don't want me in your room. Go get your hat and come back."
"T-thanks."

Ness opened the door and immediately shut it. He was sweating. Thank god Mario didn't press it. He checked on Lucas and the blonde was still happily sleeping. Ok good. He used his phone as a flashlight and flashed it at his closet. Thankfully the original is a clean freak because the hats were tucked away nicely on top of the drawers. His signature blue and red hat was still at Leaf's. Grabbing another colored hat isn't too big of a deal. A hat is a hat. Mario won't care. It was a little weird that the plumber wanted him to wear the hat so badly right now, but hey it's because the original never leaves without it. He gets it. He needs to stay in character. Ness grabbed the green and yellow one. He quietly opened his door again and posed in front of Mario.

"See, I got it right here," Ness confidently laughed.

"Ness…"
"Alright, what do you want me to do?"
"Where's THE hat?"

"Uh, on my head."
"You know which one I'm referring to."

"Oh, you mean THAT one. I uh, I couldn't find it."

"You lost it?"

"Y-yeah."

"You're hesitating."

"I'm telling you the truth."

"Ness, I know you're lying. Where is Ness's signature hat?"

"I lost it."

"If you don't tell me, I will replace you. Do you understand me?"
"B-but if you do, then 'Ness' will go missing again."

"Oh don't-a worry, I'm fully aware."

Ness didn't want to mess with his boss. This guy is crazy smart and always two steps ahead. He wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but losing his life wasn't worth it. Shit, this means he has no choice but to tell him the truth. Dammit, if Mario finds out he slept with Leaf, he'll punish him for sure. Wait, he doesn't need to give him the details. He could lie a little. This way the punishment won't be as severe.

"Ok fine, I lied. It's at Leaf's," Ness admitted.

"Why were you at Leaf's?"

"We're friends ok! I know the original wasn't friends with her, but I am. It's fine she doesn't know the difference. Also who's to say the original wouldn't not become friends with her in the future. Anything can happen."

"You're friends?"

"Yeah, it's cool. She believes I'm the real Ness, so who cares."

"Oh Ness, I feel like you're lying to me."

"Listen, we were hanging out and I forgot my hat. That's all."

"You forgot your hat at her place?"
"Yes."
"Just friends, huh?"

"Yes! I promise we're nothing more. I mean, I'm Ness. You know, the loser who can't get girls."

"Ok, go get it then."
"What? She's asleep right now."

"Hmm, ok what if I knock on her door. This way it's my fault if she wakes up."
"No! T-that's rude."
"I don't care."
"Wait, ok hold on. Can I text her at least?"

"Why? Got something to hide?"

"No! I just want to notify her that I'm on my way instead of showing up randomly."

"Fine."

Ness took out his phone.

Ness: Hey so I ran into Mario. Ok so long story short he thinks we're dating and he won't stop teasing me about it can u pretend that ur sleeping? He wants to knock on ur door and ask u about it

Leaf: what? Why? Wait we're not dating? I thought we were

Ness: We are?

Leaf: u just wanted to fuck and that was it? I thought we were more

Ness: oh shit I thought…

Leaf: So u don't like me like that?

"Ness, what's taking so long?" Mario tapped his feet impatiently.

"Hold on, sorry."
"I thought it was going to be a short text."

"It is! Hold on."

Ness: I do! I assumed you didn't want to make it official. We never asked each other out

Leaf: I thought it was obvious

Ness: I'll make it up to u. I want to ask u out properly somewhere special

Leaf: that does sound romantic

Ness: Ok can u do me a favor? When Mario knocks on ur door can u pretend that ur asleep. He's probs gonna ask creepy questions

Leaf: Sure I guess

"Sorry, Mario, she never texted me back," Ness shrugged his shoulders.

"Why were you taking so long just to say that we were on our way?"

"Oh, I was texting Lucas. I didn't realize he texted me a couple hours ago. It was about his uh… Mom. He wanted to vent, I'm sorry."

Mario knew not to mention Lucas's mom. It was a touchy subject that everyone knew. Lucas only trusted Ness about that information. He decided to drop the subject and let it slide this time.

"Fine, let's hurry to Leaf's."

The two made it to Leaf's door. Mario knocked but no answer. He continued to knock for a bit, but in the end he got no reply back. Wow, she really is asleep.

"Fine, I guess you're-a right," Mario sighed.

"She wouldn't pick up my text."
"Listen, you need to stop making these small errors. Ness never forgets his hat. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes, Sir."
"I'm onto you. If I find out you're doing things Ness wouldn't do, I'll replace you."

"Ok, I get it."

"You can be friends with her, but nothing more. We both know Ness couldn't get her even if he wanted to."

"Alright, I got it jeez."
"You know what will happen if you mess up."

"I know."

"Alright, now get out of my sight."

"What about that job?"

"Oh, I was only testing you. Now go."

Leaf heard everything. She was at the door sitting down in the dark. She could have opened it at any point, but she wanted to keep Ness's word. Even though the two were talking quietly she was able to hear bits and pieces. They started talking about what Ness wouldn't do. That was odd. Mario also mentioned about replacing him. She didn't know what he meant by that. Ever since Ness got back, he's been acting differently. Could it be that he's not the real Ness? Wait, but that also doesn't make sense. That guy is definitely him. He looks and sounds like him. Nothing is different about him except his new found confidence. Even that's not enough evidence to say that he's not the real Ness. People change and can change suddenly. They must be talking about something else. She couldn't hear everything, so being suspicious might be an overreaction. Besides, he's going to ask her out officially tomorrow. He's probably going to take her somewhere special and ask the magical question. She couldn't wait. In fact, she got up and went through her clothes. She wanted to look the best for her date.