Mario and Blaze

- Mario: Huh? What do you mean by"This cursed power has often brought me nothing but trouble?"

Mario and Blaze are still walking through the forest. Blaze's gaze is as cold as the ice that surrounds her. A certain sadness shows on her face.

- Blaze: I don't really want to talk about it, Mario.

- Mario: I don't want to sound annoying, but...I can't help you if you don't talk to me. Besides, we're a team! And it's my duty as your teammate to help you. So tell me.

Blaze remains silent for a moment before letting out a sigh.

- Blaze: Well...as you may not know, I'm from another dimension...

- Mario: From another dimension? What do you mean?

- Blaze: I used to live in another dimension...in the future. Just like Silver...he and I are from the future.

- Mario:...Oh...I didn't know that. You learn something new every day. Who were you when you lived in that other world?

Blaze doesn't answer right away. She takes a few seconds to admire the snowy white sky.

- Blaze: I'm the princess of this world.

- Mario: What?! You're a princess?!

- Blaze: Yes, but I'd appreciate if you don't call me "princess".

- Mario: As you wish. So...Blaze...you're a princess...

- Blaze: Yes, and ever since I was a little girl, I've been raised to protect the Sol Emeralds...

- Mario: You mean the Chaos Emeralds?

- Blaze: No. The Sol Emeralds are the sacred gems of my world...but it's true that they possess almost the same powers as the Chaos Emeralds.

- Mario: I see...

- Blaze: And ever since I was a little girl, I've also had the power to control fire. But protecting the Sol emeralds...and controlling fire...

Blaze stops dead in her tracks. She turns her back to Mario to hide the tear running down her cheek.

- Blaze: It was...so...hard...because...

- Mario: Blaze? Are you okay? Are...are you crying?

- Blaze: NO! I'm not crying! I'm not crying! I'm...

Suddenly, Blaze runs away. Mario doesn't have time to hold her back.

- Mario: Blaze?! Where are you going?!

Mario freezes in place, dismayed by Blaze's reaction. He immediately sets off in pursuit.

Peach and Amy

- Peach: Huh?! Are you kidding me?!

- Amy: Not at all! I'm dead serious!

Peach and Amy continue their journey around the lake. Peach seems very troubled by Amy's request.

- Peach: Wait Amy...we're trekking up the mountain, and you want me to tell you how to conquer Sonic?! But...I've never done that before! And I don't know how I can help you!

- Amy: Yes, you do! You're always so helpful! And you seem to be very good at all things love-related! So help me! Please...I thought we were friends!

Peach is upset by Amy's request, but also touched. And she doesn't know how to say no to a friend.

- Peach: Okay...I'll do my best. What would you like to know?

- Amy: Well, I'd like you to tell me how I can get Sonic's attention, you know? What can I do to make him interested in me?

Peach thinks while admiring the lake.

- Peach: Well, when I want to get Mario's attention, I bake him a nice cake. So we can enjoy a nice meal and have a quiet chat. You should try that!

- Amy: Ah yes, like a picnic! Great idea! With chili dogs for Sonic! He loves those! What else?

- Peach: Well...let me think...

- Amy: Sometimes I really feel like Sonic's trying to get away from me! It's annoying!

- Peach: Well, maybe it's just because you stick to him too much...

- Amy: Huh? What do you mean?

Peach looks at Amy rather desperately.

- Peach: Sometimes you stick to Sonic too much...and you can tell it's getting on his nerves.

- Amy: But I can't help it, I love cuddling him so much! ❤️

- Peach: Maybe you should stop sticking to him like that. Don't you think it must be annoying to have someone pestering you all day?

Although this remark seems to vex her, Amy thinks it over before bowing her head in shame. Admittedly, Peach is right.

- Peach: I'm not saying you shouldn't be with him, but sometimes you have to leave him alone. That way, he won't be trying to get away from you but, on the contrary, to get closer because he misses you.

- Amy: I understand! That's great! You're much more talented than I imagined, Peach! I'm so glad I asked for your advice!

Peach smiles, embarrassed by the compliment.

- Peach: And I'm glad I could help!

Peach stops for a moment to assess the distance she and Amy have covered.

- Peach: Look! We've crossed about half the lake! That was fast!

- Amy: Once we've crossed it all, we'll just have to climb the mountain to reach the top and the chalet! I hope we'll be the first! But in the meantime, give me some more tips!

- Peach: Okay, but we've got to hurry! Let's get on with it!

Immediately, the two girls start walking again.

Wario and Knuckles

Meanwhile, Wario and Knuckles cross the cave they've entered. The sound of falling water echoes throughout the cave. Many crystals have taken shape on the walls. Visibility was almost zero, so Knuckles and Wario had to get out lamps.

- Knuckles: Wow. This cave isn't exactly welcoming.

Wario peers into every nook and cranny of the cave, looking for gold. But unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much here.

- Knuckles: Have you seen all these crystals? They're very beautiful... they must be valuable.

- Wario: Well, you don't know anything! These crystals are absolutely worthless. Sure, they're pretty and they sparkle, but that's it!

- Knuckles: I didn't know you knew anything about minerals.

- Wario: What do you think? In the world of showbiz, it's important to know everything about valuable objects, including minerals! And believe me, in terms of value, these crystals are worthless!

- Knuckles: Sometimes you have to appreciate things for their beauty, not for their value. If you swear by money, you don't appreciate anything. It's not the only thing in life!

- Wario: That's your opinion, porcupine.

- Knuckles: Echidna. I'm an echidna.

- Wario: Well, it's all the same.

Knuckles lets out a long, exasperated sigh. Wario pays him no further attention and continues to scan every nook and cranny of the cave. But after a few minutes, the two teammates stop. The path ends in a huge chasm.

- Knuckles: Oh no, a dead end!

- Wario: (Dang it! That means the gold is in another cave! I came all this way for nothing!)

- Knuckles: So, what do we do now?

The two team-mates take their time to think of a solution.

Luigi and Shadow

Shadow continues his ascent to the summit at full speed. After just a few minutes, he finally stops. He lets go of Luigi's arm, who can barely stand.

- Shadow: Are you all right? You're not dead yet?

Luigi holds his hands firmly over his head to stop the spinning. He's both impressed and frightened.

- Luigi: WHOUH! That was...great! But a bit scary, too...it's incredible, going so fast!

- Shadow: Isn't it?

Luigi looks around. He and Shadow are at the top of the mountain. The view is splendid.

- Luigi: Have you seen this view?!

- Shadow: Yes, it's quite beautiful. But I've seen better.

- Luigi: Really? Where's that?

- Shadow: On the Ark, the space colony where I was born. There's no better place to admire the Earth.

- Luigi: Admire the Earth from space?! I'd love to see that someday!

- Shadow: Whenever you like.

- Luigi: By the way, where's the chalet?

Shadow takes the map out of his bag to consult it.

- Shadow: We're here, so the chalet should be...

Shadow puts his map away and steps out into the snow. Luigi follows, and a few meters further on, they finally catch sight of the chalet.

- Shadow: Well, there it is. Shall we go in?

Luigi and Shadow enter the chalet. They're surprised to discover a great feast, specially prepared for the teams. A fireplace is lit. Shadow and Luigi walk over to the table.

- Luigi: Wow, a banquet! I wasn't expecting that!

- Shadow: Well, we're several hours ahead of the others. How about a toast to our victory?

Shadow takes the bottle of champagne and pours a glass for Luigi, then for himself.

- Luigi: Thank you! I hope the others won't mind us starting the party without them...

- Shadow: Too bad for them! They should have arrived first!

Luigi takes a sip of his champagne before staring at Shadow.

- Luigi: You know, Shadow, it's strange...at the first sight, you seem quite frightening, but I realize that, in fact, you're a good person.

- Shadow: Thank you. I must confess that, at first, I thought of you only as a pathetic coward...

Luigi seems very offended by this remark. Seeing this, Shadow continues.

- Shadow: But maybe I was wrong. I don't know you well enough to be sure.

- Luigi: Well, we've got plenty of time to get to know each other! Cheer?

Luigi holds out his cup to Shadow. He also holds out his and the two glasses collide.

- Shadow: Cheer.

The sound of the clinking glasses becomes louder and louder. Suddenly, Shadow and Luigi feel the ground tremble beneath their feet. The tremor grows stronger and stronger.

- Luigi: Huh?! But...what's going on?! Where is this tremor coming from?!

- Shadow: Take cover! Quickly!