A/N: Happy new year 2022 even though it's Febs. Sorry for the late chapter. I had to use so many brain meats…. Enjoy!

Chapter 117: Feathers Before the Storm

August 19th

12:00 A.M.

1 Day Let Until Sephiroth Arrives

Parallel Smash Mansion

Makato's Room

After taking heavy precautions with creating her Miru-3000 potion, the little robotic bird came to life, right out of the small cracked-up pot. Makato sweatdropped and relaxed her shoulders, knowing she wouldn't have to slip in a paper ingredient five minutes at a time.

Sky blue and round as it fluttered up in the air. Its eyes glowed a bright yellow, coming into contact with Makato's ocean eyes, it cried out dangerous chirps.

"Ah! Shhh! Please, not so loud!" Makato whispered in a panic, putting her finger over her lips.

Obeying so, Miru-3000 began to flap in place.

She turned to the door, hoping the older and possessive Ike wouldn't barge into her room over a chirp. Hearing only loud snores, Makato took in a silent breath and faced back to the robotic bird.

"I want to explore this place. . . Can you distract Ike so I can leave this room?"

"Tweet! Tweet!" Miru-3000 said.

His chirps translated into a language only she could understand.

"You'll die fighting him? But you haven't even tried. . . " Makato scratched her cheek. "Aren't you a combat bird?"

"Tweet. . ."

"Ah, okay. I'm sorry." Makato apologized. "You fight off. . . dust and small debris. I noticed your memories are quite recent. . . Can you explain to me what happened here? And what happened to me, the other me. . .'' Makato walked to the desk and picked up the picture frame of Ike and Makato, showing it to the robotic bird.

Miru-3000 landed himself on the small table and blinked a couple of times.

"Tweet, tweet, tweet. . . ." The robotic bird continued to chirp for a good five minutes. Makato listened, and the more she continued to listen, the more her eyes saddened.

"So Sephiroth killed all of the girls, including. . . Makato for the 'Promised Land'." Makato lowered her eyelids, staring at the bird. "Everyone died trying to stop Sephiroth. . . Is that correct?"

"Tweet! Tweet!"

"Everyone, but Ike. . . who else is here besides Ike that survived?"

"Tweet."

"Sorry, you wouldn't know yourself, huh Miru?" She showed a sad smile. "Ike. . . he must felt at fault. . ."

Miru-3000 twisted its head. "Tweet!"

"Let's get out of here first." Makato knew the front door wasn't an option and looked up to the ceiling. After searching for some kind of opening, her eyes widened, pointing to the vent in the corner covered in cobwebs. "I need you to unlock the door for me. You can go through there. Please, be careful."

"Tweet!" Shrinking into a candy size, the robotic bird zipped through the air vent.

(oOoOoOo)

Outside of Makato's Room

Eleven made it to the safe point of Makato's room. At least fifteen feet away. He watched the older Ike in deep sleep against the door he was supposed to enter. Eleven gripped the butt of his sword, dragging his feet to a cautious step.

'I can catch him by surprise.' Eleven thought.

"Tweet."

'A bird?' Curious from the chirp, Eleven turned to his shoulder, and the first thing that made his eyes scream with a pair of lightning robotic eyes, staring directly at Eleven.

"AHHHH!"

"WHO'S THERE?!"

'Shit! I woke him up!' Eleven hid behind the wall once more. Sweat trickled down his chin and his breathing became heavy. His cover was up, but he expected Ike to march toward him and slice off his head.

Miru-3000 flew above him, leaving Eleven behind. He glanced up at the bird and furrowed his eyebrows.

'If only you didn't show up and scared the crap out of me, and now you're leaving?!' Unsure about his next move, Eleven leaned his head out of his hiding spot, to check on Ike.

"RUARGH!"

A sword coated in a smoky, purple aura launched straight for Eleven's head.

'He. . . he threw his sword! He's crazy!' Caught to his surprise, Eleven ducked in time before his head was skewered. The damage behind him destroyed his whole mini hideout spot and was left with no other choice but to reveal himself.

Eleven glanced behind at the Ragnell that was stuck to the wall. 'That was a close call. . .'

The older Ike eyed him. The darkness around him erupted more than before, dancing around him to the beat of his steps.

"Kill. . . kill. . .!" Vanguard Ike muttered.

'It was inevitable, to begin with.' Eleven sighed, lifting his sword. 'While he doesn't have his sword, I'll take my chance! Oomph! Psyche up! Accelerate!' The Hero charged himself up with each power-up, rushing all at once. Ike didn't look intimate by the firey and earthy aura that surrounded Eleven, getting closer and closer to him each second.

"Heya!" Eleven charged for him, swinging his sword toward his chest. Ike dodged it and grabbed his arm, firing him at another wall. Debris from the wall collapsed onto Eleven as he groaned.

"He's strangely fast. . ." Eleven got on his feet.

"I won't let anyone. . ." Ike walked up to his sword and jerked it out from the wall. ". . .Get in my way!"

This time it was Ike coming to Eleven with a charge attack. The Ragnell against Eleven's sword was like a boulder. A heavy hitter that could bring Eleven off his feet if it weren't for his balance.

No time to take a breath or a reaction, Ike continued to make heavy swings second by second, without a chance for a counter. Eleven felt the back of his heels against a wall. Not another wall. He continued to block, as Ike leaned on, shoving the sword where he wanted blood. The neck.

'Damnit, if this keeps up. . .!' In a battle against strength, Eleven was at a disadvantage. Just seconds from the blade pressing against his neck, right behind Ike, Eleven's eye caught the little bird using his laser at the doorknob to Makato's room. As it melted away, the door opened, revealing the trapped potion princess.

"H-hurry! R-run. . .!" Eleven called out.

". . ." Ike turned his head back to see Makato. . . free. Out from her room, no- -her cage. Fury burned the vanguard's eyes.

"You. . . Makato!"

"I'm sorry. . ." Makato muttered, whisking away down the hallway with Miru-3000.

"Don't. . . go. . .!" Ike's attention was aimed at Makato. His foot pivoted toward her direction, distracted from the battle.

"I won't let you near her!" Eleven had no intention of killing Ike. Just immobilizing him. He aimed for his leg and thrust his sword.

"You don't treat anybody like a prisoner!" Eleven glanced at his leg, knowing he gave a good hit, but nothing. No scratch. No blood.

"I thought I. . .! -Ugh!" Eleven choked with Ike's sudden hand around Eleven's neck.

"Great. . .!" Ike lifted his sword high in the sky. Dark energy swerved around it like a wind storm.

"Aether!"

(oOoOoOo)

Living Room

"Stop it! Stop it! Hajima!" Peach pointed at Solo. "We are not here to fight! We are here to work together! Okay?!"

'Eleven. . .' Solo thought about his younger brother just at that moment. His gut tightened which drained out the unnecessary rage from before when fighting against Cloud and Robin.

"Good~!"

Robin also could feel Solo's anger dying down as he sweatdropped. "W-wow, treating him like a dog work? I'm impressed, Princess Peach."

Peach smiled. "I give the same treatment to my precious Toads."

"Can you tell him to bark?"

Solo felt dull. Numb. His ears were clogged off, and his vision was blurry. He didn't pay mind to Peach that was nagging at him with her finger.

"No time. . ." Solo said, walking out of the living room, leaving the three of them dumbfounded.

"Finally. . ." The older Cloud sighed, putting away his sword. "It may be best to follow him."

"Yeah," Robin nodded. "I've never seen him this still and calm before. It honestly frightens the living tactic outta me."

(oOoOoOo)

"Hey! Wake up!"

"Huh. . .? W-what?" Eleven murmured with his face planted on the ground. The only thing he could move was his eyes, as his whole body was lead and gravity pulling him down. Solo stared at him from above and went on his knees, picking up Eleven, and laid him against a nearby wall.

Cloud, Robin, and Peach caught up to Solo and noticed the heavily damaged area. Busted up walls, shattered floors, and dead light bulbs.

Robin covered his nose with his sleeves. Smoke was thick in the hallway as if there were a recent fire that was pulled out. "Seems like a battle took place. . . Judging by the smoke, the only one that could use such attack would be Ike."

"Oh my. . ." Peach frowned. "Where is he?"

"Sorry. . ." Eleven coughed, clearing his throat from dry blood and smoke. "I. . . failed. . ."

". . . Shut up. Don't talk." Solo ordered.

"Ok. . ."

Solo got up on his feet. "Where did the hostage go?"

Eleven sweatdropped. "But. . . y-you told me. . .not to speak. . ."

"Speak."

". . . I told her to run. . . But. . . I'm not so sure. . . I think Ike's gone after her. . ."

"Woman." Solo pointed to Peach. "Watch my brother for me."

"It's not Woman, it's Peach!" Peach exclaimed, placing her hand on her hips.

"Whatever, Pecan." Solo drew his sword out and glared down the hallway. "I'll avenge him by finding him! Sephiroooth!"

"Eh? Sephiroth?" Robin felt speechless as Solo sprinted down the hallway searching for a completely different man he so desired to kill. What was left from Solo was the echoing of his maniac laughter.

"Sephiroth's not here," Cloud said. "Is your friend mentally ill?"

"Yeah, he's kinda coco for Sephy Puffs." Robin shrugged. "As much as I'd rather leave him to die- -I mean to enjoy this fine adventure, I'd rather keep him at a watch."

". . . Yeah. . ." Cloud stared down the hallway. "Also, we'll need to search for Makato before Ike gets her."

"I'll do it. I need to save her. . .'' Eleven struggled, inching himself to his knees.

"You're heavily injured!" Peach said, trying to keep him from moving. "Robin, can't you heal him?"

"Heal? Um. . . not in my juror's dictionary." Robin answered.

"This is why cis-males shouldn't bother learning magic!" Another voice popped into the conversation.

Robin blinked a couple of times and cleaned his ear with his finger. "Is it me, or did I just hear a witch screeching at me?"

"Wait till I sue you!"

Peach gasped as tears flooded her eyes. "Robby and Meggy! How did you two get here?!"

F. Robin appeared with Mega Man from the other side of the hall. F. Robin sighed. "It's a long story, so I'd rather not talk about it. . . I can heal him. Leave the rescue to us."

Cloud nodded. "Alright. Let's go, Robin."

Robin turned to his created sister and scoffed. "Heh, you don't have to tell me twice." The two of them ran down the hallway to follow after Solo's war cries, leaving Peach, Eleven, F. Robin, and Mega Man.

"Peach. . . forgive me. Everything's my fault." Mega Man lowered his head in shame.

Peach widened her eyes, realizing the trader. . . the one who brought her here. This mansion. Damaged and destroyed.

"It's okay, Meggy!" Peach smiled. "If not for your, I wouldn't have met Cloud!"

F. Robin opened her tome and placed his hand on Eleven's head. "My healing magic isn't as fancy like Zelda's so bare with it. . ."

"Thank you. . ." Eleven said.

The moment F. Robin plugged most of his wounds, the group hurried down the hallway in search of Makato.

(oOoOoOo)

Rooftop

Arusu and Eight had their swords out, but couldn't make the first move. Like chess, Young Marth had them trapped.

"Two versus one isn't fair, you know." Young Marth smirked. Under his foot was the end of the cross to which Daisy was tied. Sliding his foot, he dragged the cross inches away to the edge of the roof. "How about I just push her off the roof? Dead or alive doesn't matter to Sephiroth."

"Damn it, it'll be too late if she falls," Arusu said. "We need her for our usage."

"Ya, ya!" Eight sweatdropped.

Young Marth kept his foot still on the cross. "Now that I'm in control, you two can fight each other if you don't want Daisy to die."

Arusu stood still, glancing over to Eight and back to the little prince.

"Over my dead body," Arusu answered with a glare. "Kill the woman, we don't care."

"I care, ya!" Eight panicked.

Twitch.

A vein popped from Daisy's head, irritated from what she heard.

Young Marth stood with a puzzled look. "Strange. You really don't care?"

"We don't." Arusu lowered his sword. "Do what you want. She's useless to us if it means hurting my brothers."

"Arusu~! You're making me blush, ya." Eight gritted his teeth into a smile.

Still hung to the cross, she rose like a zombie, ripping the rope that bound her in the process. Regardless of her silence throughout Young Marth and the Heroes' chat, it didn't change the fact Daisy had ears.

"You. Don't. Care? The hell do you think you are?!" Rage filled her from the inside out as flames surrounded the orange princess. She lifted her cross and held it like a bat.

"Y-you still have the strength to move. . .?" Young Marth's jaw dropped.

"She's a monster. . . And this was the girl Robin wanted us to keep as a hostage?" Arusu took a couple of steps back, along with Eight.

"I've been here hoping for my Marth in shining armor to rescue me! Instead, I get these two selfish sour cream, Pringle bitches! I'll kill you!" The cross in her head was ready to hit the baseball, aka, Arusu and Eight's head.

"Run!" Arusu ran ahead.

"W-wait for me, ya!"

Daisy watched the two Heroes flee out from the roof, as she lowered her cross down, dropping it. "Sheesh. . . Not even worth my time."

". . ." Young Marth walked over to Daisy after catching a glimpse of her hyperness. "You've been faking it. . .? How? With your injuries-"

Daisy placed her hand on her lower back, feeling the wrapped bandage. "As long as I'm not bleeding to death, I can bounce back. Weird how you want me dead, and then you aid me. Make up your mind. You want me dead or not?"

Young Marth couldn't help but grin. "Heh. . . hehehehe. . ." He proceeded to laugh as Daisy watched with a confused look.

"Ah. . ." Small drops of tears leaked from his eyes, as Young Marth wiped them away with his fingers. "I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. Perhaps keeping you alive is better. . . At least my Daisy in heaven will be happy to see herself alive once more. . ."

". . . Little Marth. . ."

Young Marth looked up at Daisy and blushed. "W-what I mean to say is, we all die anyway. Go home. I'm done working for Sephiroth."

"Huh?"

"You heard me." He turned his back away from the orange princess, crossing his arms. "You're free to leave. I won't let Sephiroth take you twice. You should hurry before he gets here."

". . ."

Young Marth found it odd she didn't say anything or was waiting for a reaction. He turned around and was caught in a sudden embrace.

"W-what are you doing?" Young Marth became flustered but didn't attempt to push her away.

Daisy closed her eyes and rubbed his head, sitting on her knees. "Thank you. It was fun. . . really."

". . . .Idiot. How could you have fun when you've been taken away by force?" He croaked, feeling his throat dry up.

Daisy then broke the hug and stared at him.

"What is it?" Young Marth blushed. "Stop staring at me, it's creepy."

"Come to our world! It'll be fun!" Daisy said.

"We can't." Young Marth shook his head. "Unlike you guys, we're bound to this place. Ever since we survived, even though we lost hope, Ike, Cloud, and I agreed to stay here and keep the memories alive of those who've died. We just wanted our loved ones back to stay here instead. . ."

"Awww~!" Daisy pouted. "That's so cute!"

"This is. . . kinda strange. . ." Another voice popped up into the conversation.

Daisy froze and shot up back to her feet. She recognized that crisp and elegant voice. Oh, how long had it been to hear such a voice?

She turned around, seeing one figure glowing in radiance. Her jaw dropped, mesmerized at his presence.

"P-Prince Marth!" Daisy didn't hesitate to run up to him and tackled him into a hug.

"Hello, Daisy. . . I hope you're okay."

"I'm better now that you're here!" She smiled.

'That kinda hurt.' Young Marth thought.

"How did we end up on the rooftop?" Roy scratched his head.

"I'm not so sure. But we're here thanks to the feathers. . ." Miru said.

Marth glanced at his younger version of himself. "So you must be the one who took care of Daisy. Thank you so much."

". . ." Young Marth froze, seeing familiar faces. "Roy, Miru. . . and the other me. . . How did you guys get here? It should have been impossible."

"It's a. . ." Marth trailed looking back at Roy and Miru.

"Long story." Roy and Miru finished.

(oOoOoOo)

Vanguard Ike's Room

Makato entered the room with caution, to be greeted with scattered furniture, clothing, and debris from the past destruction.

"Tweeeet. . ." Miru-3000 said.

"Yes, this room is messy. . ." Makato eyed the ground, tiptoeing around large chunks of rock and burnt clothing. Making a way to his bed, she spotted a body pillow that was damaged with plumps of cotton oozing out of the pillow.

Makato saw the figure of the pillow. A cute blonde girl with wings, half-naked in a sleeping pose.

'This pillow infuriates me.' Makato grabbed the pillow and flipped it over, hoping the image would disappear. But it brought up the same girl with her long hair covering her breasts.

"T-tweet!"

". . ." She then covered the pillow with a slab of wood. "There. . ."

As Makato continued her search, she came across graphic writing on Ike's torn-out desk.

!kILLLFuCKMMyfAULTKILL

It was a painful sight to witness. The writing almost spoke to her with rage on such a high measure.

"Ike. . ."

"Tweet. . ."

". . .I need to talk to him." Makato continued gazing upon the desk.

"Tweet?"

"Yes, let's go back-"

"Tweet, tweet, tweet!"

"Yes, I'm being serious. But I won't let him lock me up-"

"Tweeeeeeeeet!"

It was the most panicked tweet Makato heard. Turning her back, a large hand appeared out of nowhere clenching the life out of her neck.

"There. . . you are. . ." Ike appeared to her with red blazing eyes, taking in heavy breaths.

"Tweet, tweet, tweet!"

Makato tightened her eyes shut from the pain, gasping for a string of air. She thought she had more time, maybe even a little to hide. Such a surprise, yet it was to be expected.

'Why is it always my neck? I. . . I can't breathe. . .!'

"Tweet, tweet, tweet!" Miru-3000 didn't dare to fight back the hand that choked Makato, knowing his life with coming to a speedy end. Barking was what he could do.

"Shut it!" Ike grew annoyed at Miru-3000 and glared over at it. Miru-3000 let out another panicked tweet, rushing over to Makato's shoulder.

"Ike. . ." Makato muttered.

"Why can't you behave . . .?!" He loosened the grip, giving her air to speak. "You're not supposed to leave. . .!"

Makato took a couple of deep breaths before she opened her lips. "I'm sorry. . . for leaving, but I had to get your attention for you to listen to me." She cracked her eyelids halfway. "I wanted to know your pain. . . I wanted to know the root behind this. . . anger, and why you've kept me in one place. . ."

"Shut up! Some things are better left unknown." The vanguard said, raising the intensity of his chokehold.

"Ngh. . .!" Back to sipping bits of air. Makato held the wrist that choked her, but her grip loosen as she grew faint. ". . .M-Miru-3000 told me everything and. . . I finally know. What. . . . happened back then. . . wasn't your fault."

". . ." After a solid minute of silence, Ike released her neck. Air flowed in and she coughed, taking back the air. So far the iceberg was melting off of Ike. Only the grimace smoke of rage surrounded him.

It was hard to look away when all she was getting was a pair of red eyes glaring at her to the bone. She had to make Ike sane while she had the chance. And maybe his normal colored eyes would come back to life.

"Makato's death. . . wasn't your fault, Ike." She repeated. Makato glanced down at his hand, reaching for it. She held it and grasped it, staring at his palm.

Ice.

As if she was touching a block of ice.

"Makato would want the best for you. I'm sure she wanted you to be happy just as I do." Makato then said.

". . ."

Silence. The silence was painful and terrifying. Makato couldn't stop her hands from shaking but kept holding onto his hand. Ike stood and stared down at her, neither rejecting nor accepting it.

"Tweet. . ." Miru-3000 murmured.

Makato walked a few inches closer to him, closing the gap. Releasing his hand, she opened her arms and wrapped it around his torso, laying her head on his chest. Part of her regretted it, only feeling an ice wall. This time she could feel his body shifting a bit.

"It's going to be okay. . . Even when you fed me dry bread and milk, I still love you, Ike."

". . .More."

He finally spoke but in a demanding tone.

'Ah. . . what? More?' Makato thought. "I'm sorry, but I'm quite done with bread and milk-"

"Say it again. . . One more. . . time."

At least she didn't have to look into his eyes.

She smiled under his chest. "I. . . love you. . ."

Makato then felt her body being squeezed into a stronger embrace. He then laid his head against her shoulder, and the spikes of his hair poked the side of her neck. At that moment, the presence of his rage began to melt away. The dark aura surrounding him slowly became transparent and thin.

"Again. . ." Ike said.

Flashback

"I love you,"

Ike closed his eyes, enjoying the headrest from Makato's lap.

Makato stared down at him, holding his head. "I'm remembering this dream I had. . . I was at

peace. . . so much peace, but I wasn't in the Smash Mansion. I was. . . so far away in the sky. Ike was there in the mansion, but you were so. . . sad."

"Men don't cry. Ask Richter what your dream meant." Ike suggested.

"I did. . . he said to me, 'I was in heaven with the Lord and Ike's alive in the hell we call Earth.'"

"And you believed him?" Ike smirked. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. I'll protect you."

Makato smiled and poked his cheek. "By the way, I'm still waiting, Ike. . ."

". . ." Ike opened his eyes and lifted his head from her lap. "I've told you, once I get enough money, I'll buy a ring. Your family would crucify me if I didn't try. . ."

". . .The ring can come later. . . I want us to seal the deal. . . before a certain someone steals you away-"

Ike reached for her cheeks and pulled her into a kiss. "Just wait a bit longer, I swear I'll get it."

End of Flashback

It was at that moment, the aura of rage disappeared into thin air. Her eyes widened, feeling a different side of Ike. The Ike from the picture frame.

"Seven years. . . we've been together. . ." Ike started. "Before that One-Winged Bastard, you wanted to seal the deal regardless of a ring. But I was too stubborn and insisted I buy one. By the time I got the ring. . . everything went to hell. . . You were already dead." His voice croaked.

"Ike. . ."

"I couldn't forgive myself. Anger consumed me and I lost sight of everything. . . Sephiroth continued to find his Promised Land in another world. When I heard you were alive, I saw it as a chance to correct my mistakes."

Ike then lifted his head from her shoulder and pulled her out from the hug. "At the end of it all, I wanted you to be by my side. . . I'm sorry. Well, I'm not sorry for keeping you here."

Makato stared at his eyes watching the red glare fade into a gentle blue.

"Stay here with me. . ." Ike said.

"Tweet, tweet, tweet!" The bird shook his head.

"Why you. . ." He caught Miru-300's actions, as anger burned inside of him.

"As much as I would love to comfort you," Makato smiled, placing her hand on his cheek, "your heart belongs to the Makato in this world. We may have the same face, but we're completely different people. . . Cherish her memories."

"You make a good point." Ike held her hand that touched his cheek and kissed her palm.

". . ." Feeling her face heating up, she turned her direction to the ground.

He removed his lips from her palm. ". . .I'll take it as a yes then?"

"N-no, Ike."

"Tweet!" Miru-3000 flew by Ike's side, sitting on his shoulder.

Ike glanced at the bird and looked back to Makato. "What is he saying?"

"He wants to stay with you," Makato said. "And to cherish her memories as well."

"Sounds like a pain." Ike clicked his tongue. "I don't even understand him. . . Also haven't been into meat these days."

"You can't eat him," Makato said. "Actions speak louder than words. . . Think of him as a real bird with robotic benefits."

"Nah, you keep him."

Releasing her palm, Ike picked up his sword and turned to the door. "It'll be best to leave this place. . . Before Sephiroth comes." He said, walking ahead. "If he's here within range, the mansion will get distorted. . ."

"Ah, wait!" Makato followed Ike from behind. "Is Peach-?"

"They're both here. Peach and Daisy."

"Daisy's here as well?" Makato curled her lips, placing her hand on her chest. "Before we leave, I want to see them. . . Peach and Daisy. Please take me to them."

"If you stay here with me-"

"No means no, Ike."

(oOoOoOo)

Library

"W-wamee. . ." Marmalade did her panicked routine. Whenever she was scared, she would grab hold of the nearest hand that was warm and gentle. But she didn't have a choice. All she grabbed was cold and steel.

The mercenary paid no mind to the Inkling as he searched the library in ruin. Books and shelves toppled over each other like a failed game of Jenga. And dust bunnies with cobwebs stretching the walls and ceilings. "I don't even know how we spawned to the most snoozing place of all. . ."

"Wamee. . . "

"Wamee? Wamee tell you this: can't you speak English?" Ike eyed the Inkling. She hiccupped from his glare and turned away, yet never letting go.

"Wh-where's Daisy?"

"Obviously dead."

"Wamee?!"

"I'm kidding. . .! Hopefully. . ."

"N-not funny! Daisy is alive and so is Peach and Makato!" Marmalade cried out. "I wanna get outta here!"

"Calm your ass, else you're gonna get shot like in Squid Game. Get it? Cause you're a squid and- -never mind." Ike kicked a book that blocked his footing and continued searching for the exit. He did some practice swings with his Ragnell, eager for a fight. "Hehehe. . . wait till I see who's stronger: bread and milk version of me or me-me?"

"Wamee. . ."

"Ah, the door." Ike spotted the door, which was blocked by mountains of bookshelves. One quick slash created a clear path. The Inkling clenched his hand and gulped.

Due to the busted library door, Ike kicked the door. The two of them exited out of the library, coming across a sum of people.

"Ike. . . oh. . . um, I-Ikey!" Peach had to pause her exciting greeting after making a double-check. "And my little, little Squidy, Marmalade!"

"What's with the first greeting?" Ike asked.

Ah, nothing~ Teehee~" Peach ran up to the two of them, hugging them both. Mega Man couldn't help but crack a smile at the reunion.

"Peach!" Marmalade ripped his grip from Ike's and ran over to Peach, wrapping her arms around Peach's shoulders.

"Ah, that's the other Ike. . ." Eleven sweatdropped, lowering down his sword.

"As I predicted." F. Robin said. "We've scattered around the mansion after using those black feathers."

Peach broke the hug and backed out. Marmalade held onto Peach like glue, weeping on her dress. "Have you seen Makato?" Peach asked.

". . .Not yet. . ." Ike answered.

"We'll look for Makato." F. Robin said. "The rest of you search for Daisy. I have a feeling she's in more danger than it meets the eye."

"Let me come too," Eleven said.

"Ah. . . yeah, we'll be fine if it's just us two." Ike shook his head, denying another male companion.

"Where do you think Daisy could be?" Mega Man asked Peach.

"Um. . . I'm not sure." Peach pouted. "My poor Daisy. . .! Yes, the faster we find the two the better!"

The decision was made, and they split the group and searched in the ruins of a mansion.

(oOoOoOo)

"The faster I shove my foot down his ass, kekekeke. . .! He will know pain!" Solo grew tired running around the mansion and chose to walk down the hallway. Throughout the search, Arusu and Eight joined in, and Older Cloud and M. Robin caught up to Solo.

"Sephiroth's not here. . ." Cloud said again.

"Yes, he is! I can smell him!" Solo barked back, searching back and forth. "Wait, till I break his fucking neck-!"

"You don't know what he looks like," Robin said. "And neither do I."

"Don't waste your breath," Arusu said. "As long as I'm around, I won't make him act irrationally."

"What are you, my mom?" Solo side-eyed Arusu with intent to murder.

"The moment she abandoned you."

"What happened to take hostage of-. . . I mean. . . searching for Daisy?" Robin whispered over to Arusu.

Arusu scoffed. "Daisy is a monster. She's at the roof if you want her. We don't care about being Smashers."

"I care, ya! Let's just get someone else!" Eight exclaimed.

"What are you guys talking about?" Cloud furrowed his eyebrows.

"Oh, n-nothing of your concern!" Robin waved his hands toward Cloud to gain his attention. "The roof you say?" Robin then whispered. "Better late than never. . . Even just one Princess can shake Mario to meet our demands."

"Yeah, let's go back, ya!" Eight cheered.

"Beat up Sephiroth!" Solo said, raising his sword.

"I said no, we're not becoming Smashers! And we're not fighting Sephiroth-!" Arusu's vision was blocked by a black feather, drifting out from thin air. He stared at it, watching it sway back and forth until it kissed the ground.

"Uwaaaaah!" Eight cried. "I hate you, Arusu!"

Arusu picked up the feather, larger than a crow's. Translucent like mist.

Cloud furrowed his eyebrows and looked up at the ceiling. It started sprinkling feathers.

"We're out of time."

"Yesyesyesyes!" Solo pumped his fist. "He's coming!"

"Ah, don't be pessimistic, Cloudy." Robin laughed. He stretched his hand out hoping for a feather to land on his palm. "Why, these are just your average volcanic ash-"

When a feather landed on his palm, the tactician felt the soft ruffles of the. . . volcanic ash?

"E-ew~!" Robin swiped the feather from his palm and cleaned his hand with his cloak. "I should have stayed home."

"Robin said he's just a mythical being, and myths aren't real, ya!" Eight showed a peace sign.

Cloud glared over to Robin, who stood in silence with sweat raining from his face.

"Sephiroth's coming. . . there's no point taking you guys back to your world if we don't stop him now." Cloud then said. "Let's get Daisy before the mansion gets distorted."

"What do you mean by distorted?" Robin asked.

"His presence alters the mansion. . . the space would change. Things that didn't exist would appear. . ."

(oOoOoOo)

Rooftop

"Prince Marth, can we keep him?!" Daisy held onto Young Marth like a baby.

"L-let go of me, you buffoon!" Young Marth blushed, pulling away from her. Daisy kept him from leaving, locking her arms to keep his feet from moving.

"Please, Daisy, don't treat him like a baby. . ." Marth said.

Roy sat on the roof beside Miru with a huge grin. "You think Marth's child would look exactly like him?"

Miru nodded. "It is a possibility."

Marth didn't bother wasting his breath toward their conversation and stared at the smogged sky. A few minutes, he couldn't help but shiver a bit. The sky was. . . unsettling, noticing the clouds forming into larger ones. A storm of despair was brewing up. The first black feather caught his eye from the sky, and then a few more fell. Roy and Miru stared at the sky, with bewildered expressions.

Young Marth froze at the raining feathers. "We need to leave. Now! At any moment, he'll be here!"

Everyone snapped out from the sight of black feathers and exchanged nods. "Yeah!"

After a few minutes of reaching the rooftop door, Roy opened the door to the rooftop.

"What is this?!" Roy's eyes caught blackness. Pause.

A deep smoky black space swirling right in front of them, like a portal. Expect nobody dared to step into that dark space.

From the shock, Daisy set Young Marth back to his feet, as she gulped at the dark portal. "Should we take a step?"

"Like why would you say such a stupid question? Of course not!" Young Marth groaned, rubbing the root of his nose. "The space in the mansion is becoming distorted. This is worse to come across. A bath in never-ending darkness. Even closing and reopening it doesn't make the darkness go away."

"We'll see, won't we?" Roy closed the door and opened it, seeing the same darkness. He closed it again and sniffled.

"You better not cry. . ." Marth warned. "What do we do next?"

Young Marth sighed. "Either we wait for someone to open the door or we jump."

"Let's do it then!" Daisy pulled out her parasol. The moment she opened it up, the wings of the parasol snapped into many pieces. Anger filled her cheeks, as she slammed it to the ground.

"Fuck!"

"Jumping doesn't mean you land right outside of the mansion." Young Marth crossed his arms. "The whole space surrounding the mansion is distorted. If we were to jump, we could be jumping into an ocean or a snake pit. It can be anything. . ."

"Death at both ends. . ." Miru said, looking at the black feathers falling from the sky. "Please wait a bit longer, Princess."

(oOoOoOo)

Outside of Parallel Smash Mansion

Ganondorf glared at the mansion. "Didn't think it would rain feathers so soon. . ."

Tifa clenched her fist and turned to Cloud that stood by her. "He's here. . ."

". . ." The sight was unsettling for Cloud. He kept his grip at the hilt of his Buster Sword.

"Alright, guys!" Richter approached the three with Bayonetta, dusting his hands. "Just finished parking my helicopter. The next holy missile won't be available until the next day. . . But don't worry, I have. . . other means of purifying."

"Well. . ." Bayonetta gazed upon the sky that showed no sign of the sun. Only dark clouds smothered the sky, almost bringing an early night. "Raining feathers isn't what I predicted."

"Of course, witches like you would know. . . I'm smelling a Lucifreak." Richter said, anointing his hands with oil.

"Sephiroth. . ." Cloud said, taking the first step toward the mansion.

"I must open for business!" Min-Min said.

"Let's hope you don't go to prison for destroying private property." Bayonetta grinned over to Richter.

"He's dead! There's no way he'd survive the flaming hot holy ghost fire!" Richter smirked.

"If he's alive, he might charge you for attempted murder. . . Maybe arson, too." Tifa said.

Flashback

Mishima. . . Dojo?

"I. . . refuse to dieeeeee. . . .?!" Ike shot himself out of the remains of the dojo. His arms weren't broken, his neck was still intact, he could breathe from his nose and lips. His legs weren't crushed by the god statue.

Ike checked his hands with no drop of blood. He looked around and saw piles of wood coated in blue flames.

"I'm alive?"

"Wamee!" The Inkling ran up to Ike, clenching onto his legs.

"H-hey! Squidward!"

"I'm just as confused as you are," Marth said, a few feet away from Ike. Soon, the survivors began popping out from the debris, one by one. All expect. . . Kazuya.

The Smashers gathered up to each other and after doing a quick headcount, they turned to the two late guests that were walking towards them.

"You're all alive because of the holy oil that was anointed on all of you guys," Richter smirked.

"Um, what?" Roy sweatdropped. "I didn't feel any oil."

"Okaaay? How about you explain what you meant by holy oil?" F. Robin said, crossing her arms.

"Before the coffin travel, I made sure each coffin had the perfect amount of oil before the trip. The oil then stuck to your clothes and all and I was able to purify the dojo back to its original state." Richter said.

"Purify, you said. . ." Ike picked up a piece of wood that built the dojo and dropped it.

"Is that true, Bayonetta?" Tifa asked.

Bayonetta smirked. "You guys are still alive after all. . . Richter doesn't do magic. . ."

"Ok, ook. . . ." Marth sighed, ruffling his bangs. "I. . . I don't even know where to start. Like why, Richter? Holy or not, what you did was extremely illegal."

Richter shrugged. "It's not like the guy's alive! If he somehow survived that, I'm probably spending a year or two in prison."

"A year or two you said?" Marth groaned. "Maybe twenty-five to life!"

"Aiya, super cocky." Min-Min shook her head.

"We have the feathers. Let's get going." Cloud said, holding the jar of black feathers.

"Kazuya knows our faces. . . and probably our names. . ." Miru said.

F. Robin puffed her cheeks. "This better not bite us in the back, Richter!"

"Yeah, yeah." Richter waved it off.

"Get a feather," Cloud said to the Smashers. Doing as told, everyone reached their hand in the box, grabbing a feather.

End of Flashback

(oOoOoOo)

F. Robin and Ike did their search together for Makato. As they walked side by side, F. Robin kept her eyes ahead as much as she could while her heart pumped out from her chest.

'Such a chance! Such a chance!' F. Robin blushed. 'But. . . what do I say? Or do?' She glanced up at him, taking little peeks of his blue eyes.

"Do you think. . . Makato's safe?" F. Robin then asked. 'Ah, why did I talk about her?! But as the Goddess of all Women. . . I do. . . worry.'

Ike stopped walking and turned his attention to a random door. "She has to. . ."

'She has to, huh? Such a typical phrase any male would say.' F. Robin nodded and stood in place. She watched Ike walking toward that door, opening it.

"Hey," Ike turned to F. Robin.

"W-what is it?" F. Robin twitched a smile.

"Why is there. . . sand?"

"Sand?" F. Robin walked over to him and checked the room he was staring into. Sand. Lots of sand. The sky was bright and the sun. . . another sun in this room.

"This is a whole desert!" F. Robin shut the door for him and opened it once more. It was now back to a normal closet.

"The spaces are changing." F. Robin said. "Since these feathers started to rain, . . . I'm worried we might open into-"

"I see her." Ike's attention went up to a random pack of swirly stairs. "Makato!"

"Her?" F. Robin looked up as well, seeing Makato with another. . . older version of Ike.

"There's another you!" She said,

"Hey, Makato! Bread Milk Boy!" Ike called out. His voice echoed, but there wasn't a response back from Makato and Vanguard Ike.

"Shit, how do we get there?!" Ike ran down the hall, opening another door. The moment he did, another figure appeared from that door.

"What in the actual-? Richter?"

"Whoa, whoa! Ike?!" Right behind Richter were Tifa, Cloud, and Min-Min.

"Aiya! How we get hiare?!" Min-Min said.

"Hey, guys. . ." Tifa said.

"The devil is a liar." Richter shook his head, pulling out a bag of salt. "The moment I stepped into this place, nothing but evil burned my nose."

"And what's the bag of salt for?" F. Robin said.

"Ike said he saw Makato, right? If this place is tripping our ball sacks, finding Makato would be a cinch with this. This salt will give us a clear path to open the correct doors."

"Cooking salt?" Min-Min asked. "Min-Min needs cooking salt!"

"No, this is spiritual warfare salt." After he explained, Richter went on his knees, holding the bag of salt into his hands. "Gotta pray first." Going down on his knees, the group of Smashers watched him pray for a solid minute. After a minute, three more minutes passed of him worshiping.

"You almost done talking to God?" Ike crossed his arms, growing impatient.

"I don't have time for this." Cloud was about to walk away until Tifa stopped him, holding his arm.

"W-wait a minute, Cloud! This may be our only chance to find the other girls as well."

". . ."

Min-Min's eyes popped with excitement, pointing to the bag of salt. "It glowing!"

"In Jesus' name, Amen!" Richter got back on his knees and opened the bag of salt. A radiant blue covered each grain of salt, coating the whole bag in its royal blue bath.

"God has shown me where Makato is," Richter smirked, taking a pinch of salt and sprinkling it on the ground. The salt gave out blue translucent shoeprints that led in a different direction.

"Follow me." Richter scooped up more salt into his palms and sprinkled more on the ground. The trail continued to lead the group of Smashers, taking them to a door.

"This feels surreal." F. Robin sweatdropped. "I don't believe the Christian faith practices such tactics. . ."

"Alright. This has to be the door." Richter said, opening the door. A strong gush of wind slapped the vampire hunter's face and his eyes caught a bright blue sky and trees. He took a step of air and lost balance in a flash. His whole body leaned toward the edge of the tight cliff, falling straight down.

"WhowhoahowhohowhoeheyyhI'mfallling! Richter exclaimed.

"Aiya! My money maker!" Min-Min's arms changed into spring weapons, lunging her spring arm for Richter to grab hold of.

Ike blinked a couple of times from her sudden arm transformation. "Whoa. . . your arms."

Min-Min's arm tugged a bit, indicating she caught him just in time. "He alive!"

"Good, let's pull him up!" Tifa said.

"Cughhh!" Richter choked. The spring didn't reach for his hand, but it kept him from falling into the abyss of nothingness. The spring held onto his neck, and continued to stretch, making Richter unable to adjust his breathing.

"Why does arm feel tangled?" Min-Min thought, staring down at the small figure of Richter. "Don't tangle arm!"

"No, that's not it! You're choking him!" Tifa said, grabbing hold of Min-Min's spring arm.

"Yeah, at this rate, he gonna die," Ike said, looking down.

(oOoOoOo)

In a different part of the ruined mansion, Robin, Advent Children Cloud, and the Heroes stood in front of the roof door.

"This door should lead us to the roof, correct?" Robin asked, holding the doorknob.

"Yes." AC Cloud said.

Arusu, Solo, and Eight stood behind the two, waiting for the door to open.

"Open. . . . sesame!" Robin clenched the doorknob and opened it wide. Not a Daisy or Young Marth insight but-

"Teehee~!"

"Ooowuuu!"

"Play with us!"

Girls. Girls. Girls. Girls on the beachside of paradise. Small and cute faces. Big eyes. Breast popping in front of the boy's faces. Roses and lavender sprayed their noses, putting them into a daze. The girls waved at the Smashers with their elegant fishtails.

A portal of seducing sirens.

"Daisy. . . must be in here." Robin held a perverted grin as blood gushed out from his two nostrils.

"Boobs, ya!" Eight said, wagging his invisible tail.

"W-what the?!" Arusu blushed madly.

"This is another distortion," Cloud said. Even after that short explanation, Robin, Eight, and Arusu were caught in the siren's beauty and voices.

"I'm sure Daisy is in here! I think I see her far off! Y-yeah!" Robin said. Now the heavy breathing came into place and the drool. "We should check to make sure. I'll grope- -I mean. . . t-talk to th-th-the blondy on the left-!"

"Twack!"

"Ahhhhhhh~!" The sirens in that doorway popped out of existence from Solo's attack. Along with the sirens, the door also whisked away in the twack, leaving Robin and Eight with dried eyes.

"Why?!" Robin and Eight cried, turning to Solo.

"Stop looking at those ugly fish sticks." Solo scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Ugly?!" Robin gasped. "Just what is your type of woman?"

"Someone that would help me kill Sephiroth!"

"There's no such thing, you idiot!" Eight teared up, rubbing the tears with his fingers. "He shut the door on the mermaids, Arusu, ya!"

Red as a cheery, Arusu froze in place, unable to speak, move or think. The siren experience got him speechless.

"Wake up!" Solo slapped Arusu's back, making Arusu grasp back air and his mind.

"Ah. . . thanks." Arusu cleared his throat.

Cloud blinked a couple of times, realizing the damage Solo did. The door to the roof was completely gone.

"Let's try another door and hope it will lead us to the rooftop," Cloud suggested.

(oOoOoOo)

Without snapping the vampire hunter's neck, they were able to pull him up safely. Richter rubbed his neck taking in deep breaths.

"My life flashed before my eyes. . ." Richter couldn't help but grin.

"As you were falling to your death, I noticed a door." F. Robin said, squinting her eyes.

Tifa furrowed her eyebrows and nodded, "Yeah, the distance is crazy."

The door was high above the clouds, floating on a separate island. The best transportation that one could think of would be a plane.

"Arms won't reach!" Min-Min pouted.

"Is this the door that will lead to Makato?" Ike asked Richter.

"Yeah. . ." Richter stared at the door. "Min-Min, use your arms and sling us across!"

"That's suicide," Cloud said.

"We don't know unless we try."

"And what if we don't make it?" F. Robin asked. "We don't know what's at the bottom!"

"The bottom is filled with a deep, beautiful miasma," Bayonetta answered Robin's question, appearing out of nowhere.

"M-miasma?!" Tifa and Robin hiccuped.

"Why should we believe you?" Ike asked.

Bayonetta adjusted his frames and smirked. "Believe me or not, once you fall. . . you'll know your fate."

Richter rubbed his chin. "Now that I think about it, I did see a purple color as I was falling to my death. But don't worry, Min-Min's super accurate!"

Everyone turned to Min-Min. Min-Min eyed each of the Smashers with a spunky smile.

"Maybe we can look for a different door. . ." Tifa suggested.

"We're running out of time. . " Cloud said, gazing up at the translucent feathers falling from the ceiling.

"It's do or die." Ike took a step forward at the edge of the cliff. "Let's do it, Ramen girl."

"Aiya!"

(oOoOoOo)

"I'm curious to ask," Makato blushed, looking up at the older version of Ike. "Did we have any children?"

Vanguard Ike gazed at her eyes and grabbed her hand. "How many kids do you want?"

"Ah, Ike. . ." Makato breathed out a giggle. "I want three kids."

"Tweet!" Miru-3000 listened to their conversations on Makato's shoulder.

"You think I should get four?" Makato turned to Miru-3000. "Three is okay."

"I'll give you the fourth child." Ike offered.

"That's okay. . ."

"You talked about cinnamon rolls being your favorite," Ike said. "Makato loved pumpkin pie. . ."

"I was sure she loved bread and milk," Makato said. "Our taste in sweets is different just as how we make our potions."

As they continued to walk, Makato and Vanguard Ike, came across a door. With the black feathers raining, doors were rare to come across. Finding one was a treasure.

Approaching the door, Makato reached for the doorknob and opened it without hesitating for a second.

Makato's eyes caught blonde hair and a pink dress from the other side of the door.

"Makato!" Peach teared up in an instant.

"Peach? You're okay!" Makato teared up as well. Tears poured from their eyes as they embraced each other.

"I was so worried. . ." Makato sniffled.

"Aww~! Don't cry! I'm perfectly okay! The journey wasn't that bad." Peach petted her hair.

"Wamee!" Marmalade jumped into the hug as well.

"Marmalade! I'm so happy to see you."

After their tearful reunion, they broke away from the hug. Eleven and Mega joined up with Ike and Makato.

Peach cracked her head toward Vanguard Ike, as triggering memories flowed inside her head. "Strange, why is this Ike with you? Wasn't he treating you like a prisoner? I hope to God he didn't feed you stale bread and expired milk."

Vanguard Ike faced himself away from her dagger eyes. Eleven sweatdropped, feeling a different vibe from Ike now than the one leaking bloodlust.

'He's different. . .' Eleven noticed, lowering his sword.

"You need a spanking!" Peach pointed, popping a vein.

"I made it up to her if she stayed with me." Ike then answered.

Peach twitched her eyebrow. "If she stayed?! Quite the spoiled one aren't you?!"

"I apologize. . ." Ike gave a slight bow to Peach. He also turned to Eleven and gave a small bow as well. "I wasn't in the right mind. . . Forgive me."

Eleven glanced at Makato, which Makato responded to his glance with a nod. "Thank you for your help. I wouldn't be able to escape if it weren't for you."

Eleven rubbed the back of his head, "I-I'm glad. . ."

"Hmph. . . You're off the hook for now. We'll continue this later." Peach said. "Okay then! Let's find Daisy!"

"Rooftop." Vanguard Ike said. "That's where Marth is keeping her. Getting there will be a challenge with the distortions happening in the mansion. . . Unless we defeat Sephiroth, we'll keep going in circles like a maze."

"With love, we'll find her!" Peach cheered. "And now we have Makato to make us a nice potion to track Daisy!"

"Y-yes. . ." Makato scratched her cheeks. "I just need some of her DNA. . . Other than that, it'll take a few minutes. . ."

"Ah! The kitchen!" Peach said. "She was bleeding in the kitchen. . . Some of her blood must be there."

"O-oh. . . Is she okay?" Makato frowned.

Peach turned to Ike, and Ike looked wavy from her gaze. "Well~! I know Ike and Marth were with Daisy the last time I saw her!"

"Marth wouldn't kill her off. She's alive. I think. . ." Ike said.

"We'll find her once we know where she is," Eleven said.

"Yeah." Mega Man said.

"Daisy. . ." Marmalade whimpered.

The newly formed group continued their journey to the kitchen to track down Daisy.

(oOoOoOo)

Min-Min did the work and managed to get everyone to the small floating island of one singular door, including herself. Entering the door led them to a different part of the ruined mansion and more faces appeared before them.

"Oh, more faces. . ." M. Robin twitched in stress but still showed a smile.

"Ugh, I was hoping not to run into that Male." F. Robin rolled her eyes.

"There's-! There's two of you!" Tifa looked back and forth with Advent Children Cloud and her Cloud. Both Clouds stared at each other in silence.

Eight sniffled, rubbing one of his eyes. "I miss the pretty mermaids. . ."

"Stop crying, Eight," Arusu said. "Those were sirens manipulating our thoughts."

"Or our boners, but that could go either way," Robin shrugged.

Ike stared at Robin's group with slight disgust. "This isn't Makato. It's just Robin and the Weirdos. I think your salt is lying."

"Hey, hey! Trust the process! My God is an awesome God!" Richter said. He grabbed another handful of salt and sprinkled it on the ground. More steps glowed, leading to another track. "Well, look at that. We're getting close! The salt is getting brighter."

AC Cloud took a step toward his younger self. "Sephiroth's coming soon. How do you feel about that?"

"I killed him once. I can kill him again." Cloud answered in a blunt tone.

AC Cloud nodded. "That's what I wanted to hear. The only way to leave is by defeating him. Or history will repeat itself."

"Hey," Ike approached AC Cloud. "Where's me-me? Am I addicted to bread and milk?"

"Ike. . . he's most likely with Makato. And your eating preferences changed after Sephiroth came to Smash."

"Lemme guess. . .Robin's 30-day meal vegan plan." Ike glanced at the female version of the tactician feminist.

"Ah, what?!" F. Robin exclaimed.

"I mean. . . who else gets excited from vegetarian meals?"

"Everyone does! R-right, Tifa?!"

"Um. . ." Tifa faked her smile while giving a hesitant laugh.

"We also need to find Peach as well. . . At least gather everyone together." AC Cloud added.

"Let's get going, shall we?" Bayonetta said.

The group grew bigger as they now follow a new trail of salt that Richter sprinkled on the ground.

"I want the mermaids, ya. . ." Eight whimpered.

"I know. . .me too." Robin sighed, patting his back. "Don't worry, once we get back home. I'll come up with a way to take us there."

"R-really, ya?!"

"Your mind will be rotten if you listen to him, Eight," Arusu said. He glanced around with his eyes, predicting a rude remark from his second brother.

Since there weren't any rude remarks for a while, he stopped walking.

"Solo?"

This time, Arusu did a 360 search, not a sight of a turquoise head. However, his crown was spotted on the ground.

Arusu furrowed his eyebrows, reaching his crown, picking it up. A sign of his crown out from his head meant he was serious and planned to do things. . . solo.

"Damnit, Solo. . .!" He cursed.