Chapter 57: Sibling Reunion
After shutting the book on his story, the others huddled around a campfire of fascination, absorbing the heat of each detail. Luigi was hit with a spark of concern for the other Mario. "And you still haven't found him yet?"
"Afraid not," Sora said, his mood leaning against a rail of disappointment. "With so many worlds out there, it's not going to be easy."
Luigi wrapped an appreciative, protective arm around Mario, as if securing him like a padlock, never wanting a similar fate to occur. "Wow. Makes me even happier to have you right now, bro. As overwhelming as that sounds, I would do the same thing in a heartbeat."
Mario nodded in agreement. Just like the one on the outside, Mario held a strong sense of justice over his shoulder like a rifle, prepared to load it at the first sign of trouble. Sometimes he'd go to great lengths to protect his loved ones. He probably would've undertaken the same daunting task without consulting rational sense.
"It's not too bad," Sora said, with a reassuring smile to Luigi. "Yoshi and I have the other you's back."
Part of Luigi was still latched into the skeptical floor. "Well, you're not going to do much for him here. 2D or 3D, my stache needs to be preserved. We've got to get you out of here!"
"Sure thing," Sora said, with a playful roll of his eyes.
Olivia was peering through the window of a cozy log cabin, hovering outside in a dejected blizzard, all alone. Everyone inside was partaking in important discussion, riding on the same wavelength of agreement, leaving her to freeze into a dispirited icicle. Everyone seemed to overlook her own problems. Her heart descended a pit of hopeless.
Luigi noticed Olivia's crestfallen disposition, and winced, having haphazardly pushed her predicament aside. "But I did promise Olivia here I'd help her find his brother. Says that he's somewhere in this place."
Fable wanted to object, but she remembered the ordeal with Huey earlier. Only difference here was, Olly could be anywhere – this world was vast. It could take forever to find him. De Void would bite down on their progress, absorbing the time like a mosquito. The dilemma tugged at the sides of her conscience.
"Are you absolutely sure of that?" Fable asked. "Maybe De Void transformed the Heartless into origami to deceive us."
Olivia's face tightened from an adamant wrench, refusing to let the bolts loosen. "Positive! I know he returned, and ended up here. His heart is strong, too. Nobody's impervious to weakness. That's just part of living, isn't it?"
She wasn't wrong, Sora thought. He believed the same thing about Riku. It seemed discourteous just to abandon her. Suddenly, the forest started becoming darker around him, as clouds infiltrated the unnatural, empty sky. The familiar chill Sora he endured on several occasions wrapped itself around his neck like an uncomfortable, ridged shawl.
Sora spun around, and his eyes widened in shock. "I believe she's right. In fact, I have undeniable visual proof."
Bewildered, and a bit uneasy, everyone focused on the direction Sora was staring. Olivia clasped both hands over her mouth, gasping in horror. Floating above the group, staring at them within a mudslide of his superiority, was King Olly. A thick aura of darkness covered his body like a heavy coat.
"Well, that's certainly off the table for dispute," Luigi said, cowering in fear behind his brother. "Next subject: how to eloquently scream for your mother."
Olivia was unfazed by her brother's threatening appearance. Her unstable emotions stared straight ahead, instead of viewing its surroundings with caution. He was alive. This was her chance to make things right; for a new bridge of their relationship to be built over positive pylons. Breaking free from her rational shackles, she flew right towards him, riding on a mare of desperation. But he smacked her aside without a hint of reluctance.
Olivia looked up at him, feeling despondent cracks starting to spread on her gentle heart. "Olly, it's me! Your sister! Please! I want to help you!"
"No…" Olly said, as despair burst from his windpipe. "I don't deserve a sister. Not even an acquaintance. I'm a danger to all. Only embracing the darkness will set my pain free – to live with the regret forever!'
The aura from his body exploded into a fuming wall of darkness, moving upwards at an incredible pace. Olly screamed, letting the darkness tunnel into his heart like parasites, filling every artery with a pulsating egg of similar power. Everyone gaped from being bludgeon with shock as Olly grew triple his size, towering over them. Pools of darkness flooded out of the space between his folds.
Olivia sat in stunned silence, unable to let this image slide across her head like the carriage of a typewriter. They were together again. She believed he could become a better person. No more fighting. But maybe this was Olly's path – to sit on a throne room of destruction. Panic began pressing against the bridge of her composure, on the brink of collapsing.
Mario turned to Luigi with a serious expression.
"Get everyone to safety?" Luigi asked. "Not a problem. Gotta love your sane ideas, bro."
Luigi and Fable grabbed a languid Olivia, and dove behind a nearby bush. Sora and Mario prepared their weapons for battle.
"You know, I'm glad my Keyblade never goes dull from hitting things on a regular basis," Sora said. "Otherwise, I'd be throwing sand at everyone, and I don't think making them sneeze would do much harm. Thankfully, I'm just stubborn. Always up for a battle!"
Mario gave an appreciative nod, and the two turned to face the Origami King, determined to stop his crusade from leaving everything in shattered ruin, as nothing more than a memory. Luigi and Fable peeked out from behind the bush, praying for their friend's success. But those positive sentiments were brushed away from the sudden sounds of shaken, rapid breath.
Luigi turned to see Olivia had been seized by an iron grip of panic. She started hyperventilating; tears streamed down her eyes with the strength of a waterfall.
"This can't be happening!" she said, as words stumbled between her shallow breath. "I don't want to lose him again! He's family! I love him!"
Luigi walked over to Olivia, leaned over, and pressed her forehead against his own. He closed his eyes, letting every anxious feeling drizzle into a hot, tranquil spring. In a soft, soothing tone, he said, "Close your eyes. Focus on my voice. Let it be your guide. You know we won't let anything happen to him. Think back to your adventure with Mario. You can count on him and his new friend."
His voice felt like a warm, gentle hand, guiding her into that stream, washing away those nervous feelings. She reflected on the past, seeing it stare back with pleasant memories of her time with Mario. Not once did she feel afraid in his presence. He would bat away the fear and doubt with his optimism.
Soon, her breathing became slow, and the panic was carried away by the gentle wind, like superfluous, mangled leaves. She opened her eyes, staring straight into Luigi's, focusing on the curved lines that wrapped around the pupil like a flower.
"Y-You're right," Olivia said, catching her breath, letting the concerned weight ascend into the sky. "Mario always knows how to make things better. I-I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Luigi said, with an understanding smile. "Like you said, he's your family. And right now, if we have any hopes of saving him, he's gonna need you more than ever."
Oliva hesitated for a moment, unsure how she'd be able to help. But she knew letting discouragement pile on was not the answer. It would just make her feel worse. She needed to be strong for him. For Mario and his new friend to succeed. They were bound together through the ties of family. The rope was thin, worn out, but still there, held together with incredible willpower.
"Okay," Olivia said, unfolding a small corner from the page of confidence. "I'll do my best."
Luigi was relieved to see her in better spirits. Besides, he was the only one allowed to collapse into a mess of panic. Having someone else do it just made the situation worse. Fable felt guilty for Olivia's plight. To watch your loved one become a dark, grotesque image of their former self, unable to forgive themselves for past misdeeds, and lashing out in anger without regard. It was frightening to witness. Were these the horrid feelings De Void experienced every waking hour? Fable had shown signs of negativity during their journey – was Olly and De Void's appearance a representation of it? She ruminated over these questions in disquieted silence, feeling those flaws crawl up her spine.
Sora took the first turn by leaping into the air, delivering a downward slash. But Olly folded his body into a shield, blocking the strike.
"Hey!" Sora said, in surprise. "How come you get to transform during our turn!? Fable, I demand I get a free hit!"
Fable peeked out from the bush. "Don't bring me into this! I don't create the rules, just enforce them!"
Sora groaned, leaped onto the ground, and let Mario take his turn. He jumped into the air, preparing to stomp straight down on Olly's head. But the Origami King folded himself into a giant turtle, regressed into his shell, and blocked every stomp; it felt more like a back message. Olly's reign over the battle begun. While still in his shell, he spun straight into the two, dealing damage. Plus, making them spin around, too, watching the world go by in spiral.
Once they recovered, Sora and Mario went into a huddle, exchanging a verbal note of ideas. Well, really, only Sora could, but Mario revised the draft of the note through his gestures. It was then finalized, and the two resumed their positions. Sora conjured every drop of magic from his body, transferring it straight into the Keyblade. A whisp of light blue energy wrapped itself around the blade like vines, encasing it in a light mist.
Sora once again swung at Olly, who transformed into a shield, blocking the strike. Pushing with all his might, Sora transferred the mist straight into Olly's being, imprisoning him behind a block of ice. Mario pulled out an orange flower, held it over his head, and it vanished into his being. His overalls turned red, while his shirt and hat become white.
He raised both hands over his head, forming a giant, hovering fireball; its burning eye was set on the shield. Mario threw the fireball at Olly like a volleyball; upon impact, there was an explosion, which knocked the king onto the ground; but any weeds of fatigue were immediately mowed down by his resilience, as he hovered above them.
"Olly!" Sora said. "Don't let the darkness win! You don't need it! There are people that care for you. Including your sister."
"I can't…" Olly said, shutting his eyes, channeling out any plea from consulting with his conscience. "It's the only way to make everything better. By accepting who I really am. A force made to bring suffering."
His body unfolded, and reformed into a purple phoenix with flaming wings, hair, and a tail. The creature soared above the two, twirled its body around, and released the flames from its wings. Fire rained down on the two like burning spears; they braced themselves as the flames strode across their skin, leaving behind searing footprints.
Sora winced; why was he being assaulted by fire so much today? One thing was for sure: he wasn't eager to partake in a nice rousing bond fire anytime. The phoenix flapped its wings, releasing a sweltering sternutation of air into the atmosphere, touching down on the ground; its small dark eyes were locked onto them like a gun's muzzle.
Fatigue started making its routine visit in Sora's body. But he had to ignore its untoward remarks, and stay focused on the battle. Mario felt a similar sensation. He took his turn providing mushrooms to them both. Although they were reenergized, the heat from the phoenix wasn't close to being mitigated.
They needed a plan before being tossed into the scorching bath again. Sora knew using Aero would be pointless; it needed the company of offense. Then again, Aero did release sharp whisps of wind that struck with the efficiency of daggers. Maybe it was time to experiment. Sora once again focused on his magic, and encased the Keyblade in a cocoon of wind. Which he then swung at the phoenix, trapping the creature inside a razor-sharp vortex.
Panicked, the creature tried to escape, but was struck by the continuous blades of air. Sora pushed his hands together, commanding the sphere to contract, striking with intense, piercing force. The phoenix screamed in pain, unable to block the onslaught of wisps like hornets. Olivia covered both ears, unable to bare the sound of suffering from groveling before her conscience.
Locked behind the sphere, the phoenix was forced to forgo its turn. Although Sora also had to partake in that unfortunate reprieve, as he expelled a great deal of magic. He needed time to let a little seed of residual magic regrow. But Mario was raring to jump back into the foray of battle. He leaped into the air, slammed his hammer on the bird, and knocked it into the ground; debris and grass flew into the air from the intense impact.
As a result of the damage, the phoenix reverted into Olly, who hovered into the air –weak, but being supported by a shoulder of pure, incomprehensible rage. Refusing to accept defeat, he brought those adverse feelings to the surface, being concealed within an aura of darkness again. Everyone watched in absolute dread as the Origami King grew taller in size, towering over the trees.
He outstretched his paper arms, revealing massive hands; the fingers flexed as power pumped through them like blood. Sora and Mario were a nervous, but not intimidated. After all, they have faced foes just as big – if not, bigger. They just walked through a revolving door of Déjà vu. This wouldn't be any different.
But Luigi, cowering under an awning of fear, begged to differ. "W-Well, now. You know what they say about guys with big hands?"
"What do they say?" Fable asked.
Luigi grabbed her by the edges, panicked. "Don't squash me! I haven't reached tenure as a plumber yet!"
"Glad to see you made such a frivolous contribution to this dialogue," Fable said, sarcastic.
Olly attempted to crush the two with both hands, but they caught each one with their weapons, avoiding the fate of slain houseflies. Sora took his turn, leaped high into the air, and prepared to strike, but Olly turned one of his hands into a blade, catching the strike. Sora gritted his teeth in frustration; the darkness must be allowing Olly to bypass the rules printed on this world's pages, as if slipping between the sentences.
But he wouldn't let this technicality discourage him. They'd find a way to redirect Olly onto the correct path, completely disarming him of any underhanded tactics. Mario tried a jump attack, but Olly crushed him in his hand, ending the turn. He then tossed Mario back at Sora, making their heads collided with each like billiard balls. After the two stood up, rubbing away the pain like an eraser, they began devising a plan.
Their goal was to stop Olly from blocking each attack. That's when an idea shoved its way through a crowd of thoughts; Sora whispered it to Mario, who hopped up and down, as if his feet were tickled with enthusiasm. The two prepared their weapons. Sora charged the Keyblade with a Thunder Spell; it let out an erratic cackle while flowing through every part of the blade. Next, he let Mario tap the Keyblade with his hammer, receiving a share of the frantic energy
Sora then went in for another strike; as expected, Olly blocked the attack with the right hand, which was assaulted by electricity, becoming paralyzed, like being bombarded with opiate needles. It went limp, unable to hear a single barking command from the nervous system. Mario took the opportunity to attack the opposite, leaving it in the same lethargic states. Olly was unable to take a turn because he was encumbered by his heavy hands.
This was their chance to finish the job. Mario jumped high above Olly, flipped a few times, and stomped on him repeatedly, dealing massive damage. The king's only form of defense was crying out in pain, to alleviate the awful sensation. Sora finished him off by becoming airborne, delivering a flurry of combos, and revealing the grand finale: his spiral attack, which peppered the king with an agonizing spray of energy.
Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Olly collapsed onto the floor, shrinking in size, as the darkness dispersed from his body. He had returned to normal. At least, on the outside. Pain and guilt were stowaways on the inside, and refused to abandon ship along with the darkness. It was stuck in there, harassing his heart with guilt. He couldn't bare the feeling. The darkness kept them silence.
"It can't leave me," Olly said, as he sat up, looking over his spiked hands, on the verge of an anxiety attack. "I need it. It makes me forget everything." His breathing becoming rapid, disrupting the still air's light sleep.
Olivia flew over to him, tears streaming down her face; she hugged him, refusing to let go, no matter what happened next.
Those infectious tears soon rolled down Olly's face. "I can't go on like this. I just….can't. The hurt will never go away."
"It's okay," Olivia said, squeezing him tight, trying to alleviate his rattled emotions. "It's okay. I'll help you dispose of it."
Any coherent thought was lost in a raincloud of tears. The others watched in sympathetic silence as they cried in each other's arms, letting every unstable emotion be carried away by their echoes into the mournful sky.
Time passed. How much time? Sora couldn't tell. But the origami siblings wandered away to be alone, and begin the long, arduous process of reconnecting the couplings of their relationship. They wouldn't attach immediately, but overtime, there would be a loud snap, symbolizing a new, positive bond. Sora sat against one of the trees, his head upturned towards the blind sky. He was never known to express hate, but the darkness continued to aggravate him.
Its purpose seemed to be destroying the pillars of a relationship with the strength of a bulldozer; and if you were lucky, they could be rebuilt. Other times, though, they would lay in ruin forever, with fragments of halcyon memories sticking out from the undergrowth. The latter was an image Sora didn't want to see take physical form, given his estranged status with Riku.
Luigi remained close to Mario, not taking his sights off him. After what they witnessed, he was determined to keep their brotherly bond afloat; he wouldn't let it sink into an ocean of conflict. Fable appeared restless, growing impatience from lingering, as if restrained by massive arms. It would be hard for the origami siblings to start life anew if De Void and the Heartless snatched it away from them. Along with the rest of the world.
But the others wanted to make sure everything was okay. In essence, she did, too. No one wanted to leave an unchecked thread dangle over your head. Finally, the two returned, having shed away the layer of sadness. Although Olly still seemed a bit dispirited.
"Are you guys okay?" Sora asked.
"Well, yes and no," Oliva said, with an indecisive flicker passing through her eyes. "I'm overjoyed that we're together again, but…."
"I'm not particularly ready to forgive myself," Olly said, battered with guilt. "Which includes communicating with others. What I did was inexcusable. And it was all because I misinterpreted someone's message. It's not easy to move on. And I don't expect any of you to forgive me, either."
Sora couldn't help but smile; it felt like he was watching a reenactment of Isabelle's dilemma with Digby. "Hey, I don't understand what you did myself. And maybe you're right to think that way. But kinda admitting to those faults is a first step. A small one, but it's better than nothing. All you can do is keep taking them until you start jogging." He noticed Olly's small, triangle shaped feet, and cleared his throat. "Well, figuratively speaking."
Mario raised his hand. Olly couldn't help but chuckle. "You're right." He faced Olivia. "Having one person to offer you support does alleviate some of the pain. I'm glad you never gave up on me, sister."
"Of course," Olivia said, with a warm glow. "It's my duty as a sister to look after you. Despite being the younger one."
Olly turned back to the others. "Thank you for the assistance. Especially from you Mario. Still quite the hero, aren't you? No wonder Olivia thinks so highly of you."
Mario rubbed his head, blushing from the warm kiss of flattery.
"Listen, we'd love to spend more time with you," Fable said, as the impatience shoved her spine forward, "but, if we don't stop the cores from eating away at this world, then your family reunion will be postponed indefinitely."
Mario nodded in agreement. Olivia was crestfallen; she was so happy to see him again. To take a long, relaxing stroll down the reminiscing shores.
"Aw," Olivia said, disappointed. "I wanted you to come with me back to the Overwhere. I built a huge cloud fort. We could've have had a huge sleepover, eat donuts, and tell ghost stories!" She noticed Luigi gulping. "After we've covered Luigi's ears with pillows. But, duty calls. Just, promise to come visit us when you're done, okay?"
Mario gave her a thumbs up. They were bounded together by a promise, and Mario wouldn't let the contract expire. With good-byes exchanged, the origami siblings began their journey back to the Overthere. Everyone was glad the tension of this predicament had been cut loose. Although, seeing how the darkness affected a person firsthand still made Fable uneasy.
But there was no time to ponder these thoughts now. Not when they needed to latch themselves back onto time's tail.
"Now that we've departed from that diversion," Fable said, scanning the foreboding area, "we just need to find the core. Could be anywhere." She turned to Luigi. "You wouldn't have happened to have seen any, would you?" Luigi pointed towards the west, and, upon looking in that direction, she was shocked to see the core in the distance. "It was there the whole time, and you didn't notice it!?"
"Of course I did," Luigi said, with an 'matter of fact' expression. "Do you expect me to go near something so obviously dangerous? You clearly haven't been around me long enough."
"Technically I have," Sora said, in a playful manner.
Luigi chuckled. "Was I asking you?"
"No," Sora said, placing both hands behind his head. "But you were thinking it."
Luigi was thoughtful for a moment. "I'm starting to see the kinda conversations you have with the other me."
"You catch on quick," Sora said.
"Come on!" Fable said, as her cup of tolerance was filled with exasperation. "We have a book to save!"
The group hurried towards the core, except for Luigi, who was stopped by soft laughter. He spun around to be greeted by nothing. The area was motionless, resuming its slumber from the earlier commotion. Not a soul wandered between the crevices of the shadows. The laughter's origin was apparent to him. He closed his eyes, channeling it out with confident white noise.
Upon opening them, he saw a pair of red eyes peeking out from the shadows, glowing with vicious intention. But he wasn't afraid. It didn't exist. Just an illusion of the mind trying to harass him.
"Stay in the corner until you fade away," Luigi said, with a stern gaze. "I'll never let you hurt my friends again."
The eyes blinked, as if acknowledging the words, but choosing to ignore them. It didn't matter to Luigi. He was in control of his own life, and wouldn't allow anyone or anything to sabotage that mechanism. Turning away, he hurried to catch up with the others.
Once they arrived at the core, the group surveyed the vicinity for any disturbances. None appeared to draw a blockage on the map of their progress. Besides, they were pining for a pleasant change in scenery, having grown tried of remaining on edge from the Underwhere's unnerving atmosphere.
Luigi glanced up at the core, a bit fascinated, but also apprehensive. "So if we destroy these things, it should restore our world?"
"That's the idea." Sora summoned his Keyblade, and prepared to strike, until an informative thought interjected. "Oh, I forgot to mention. When we hit the core, we somehow see flashbacks of what appears to be De Void's childhood. Just wanted to make sure you don't freak out when it happens."
"O-Okay," Luigi said, still a bit nervous. "If you say so."
Without another word, Sora destroyed the core, and the four were lunged into darkness, becoming spectators in De Void's memories again. This time, though, it was accompanied by upbeat chatter, as if a crowd had gathered in a large area, passing time until something exciting occurred, hushing them with an elegant finger of magnificence. It reminded Sora of being in Pokémon Colosseum, with an ecstatic audience prepared to witness the next intense, heart pounding battle.
"We've arrived, sir," one of the soldier's said to De Void's father, the king. "Good news. Many Toads have shown up for tonight's festivities."
"Good," the king said. "They too knew that a respite from the ensuing drama was needed."
The king's words were soon caught in a crossfire of jovial discussions from the crowd. For a little while, any new speech bubbles remained fainthearted behind the stage of memories. But Sora's feeling received a massage of child-like awe and wonder; it was like being back on his island, wandering across the shore, taking a gander at every lush detail.
A new speech bubble was soon in the spotlight, and it belonged to a younger De Void. "The Mushroom Kingdom. I'm finally here. Everything father said was true. I almost want to live in a place like this. Never felt this happy before."
But an alarming sense of dread hung like a pendulum over everyone's heads; any second it was going to fall, yielding tragedy.
"Oh no!" someone said. "The Koopas are attacking! Run!"
A cyclone of hysteria swept over the crowd, letting out a howl of terrified screams. Strident feet trampled on the ground like frightened wildebeest. Chaos and disorder ran rampant, accompanied with fierce battle cries.
"Quick, hold them off while his majesty retreats!" one of the soldiers said.
"Father!" De Void said.
"H-How did she get here?" the king asked.
Sounds of struggling subdued the clamoring, and the voice belonged to De Void. "Stay away from me, you turtle shaped abomination!"
"Should've kept your mouth shut, sweetheart," the Koopa said, unsheathing a sword of superiority, waving its gleaming blade. "No amount of glue is going to put you back together."
"Unhand her!" the king said.
"Father!" De Void said.
Silence. And then, a bomb of overwhelming emotions exploded, leaving behind radiation of sorrow.
"Oh well," the Koopa said. "Your old man will make up for that snippy little mouth."
"This…can't…he…happening," De Void said, as if being stabbed in the heart with disbelief. "Father! Please, wake up!"
No response. A horrible realization started creeping in like an ominous fog, and grew thicker from despondence.
"Somebody….anybody….help! You Toads over there! Please! He's in bad shape!" Again, no response. Their every movement was locked behind trepid bars. Anger and frustration started banging against them. "Why you are you standing there like cowards!? An innocent life is going to be lost! One that means the world to me! And all you care about is yourselves!?"
"My child….they are petrified by everything." The king's words appeared faded, just like his own life. "Intense emotions can make us irrational."
"Just like how I was." She started crying, releasing her intense guilt along with the tears. "This is all my fault! Father! I'm sorry! Please…stay with me…"
His words were barely readable on the bubble. "It's not your fault. I should have shown you the world sooner. But my love for you is strong; I wanted to keep you safe."
"And you did! But that doesn't mean you have to die. I wanted to see this world with you. Not like this."
"Promise me you'll look after your mother. And the kingdom. They need a loving, strong heart to fill them with hope."
The painful knob tightened, preparing to open the crestfallen door. "I'll do my best."
"I love you…my little munchkin."
"I love you, too, daddy."
And then, the next bubble said only one thing: "…"
Everyone arrived back in the observatory, overcome with shock, and feeling remorse pulsate in their stomachs. The pieces of the past were starting to drift closer. New opinions about De Void were starting to take root. But being in that moment was still depressing. It was like they had donned a coat of her emotions, feeling every painful fiber prickle their skin.
But Fable was the most affected by this revelation. She had never experienced lost before, but now lived it through another person. It was a terrible sensation. You were forced to wear the shame forever. She focused on her friends; they brought so much joy into her life. She couldn't imagine a world where they didn't exist. How do you even cope with loss?
The thought disturbed her. Given the constant danger they were thrusted into, the possibility of their demise seemed real. She found herself huddled within a dark, claustrophobic cave of absolute worry, unable to see reassuring sunlight break through the cracks. Friendship was invaluable; she had become a better book through it, gaining a better understanding of people around her.
But, most importantly, she gained a family – one that was accepting, despite her flaws. And now, she may end up alone again. Well, no. Not entirely true. Grief would keep her company. She'd be inconsolable, no matter how hard she tried reminiscing about her wonderful time with them. Those horrid feelings would be stapled to her pages forever.
The others, however, were able let the sadness subside like a bad headache. Still, they were silent, pensive over what they experienced.
"I may have missed the first act of this story, but, wow, did my emotions take a huge punch to the gut," Luigi said, finally shooing away the uncomfortable silence.
Sora shook his head, brushing off the numbing droplets of astonishment. "I'll say. Makes me feel bad now. Gives you a better understanding of why she feels so much anger."
"But does that excuse everything she's done?" Luigi asked, partially to himself.
"Not sure," Sora said, shrugging. "See, I have a strong hunch the darkness is simply intensifying these emotions. Making her act like a completely different person. I should know – my closest friend seems to be in similar spot." He lowered his head, having inadvertently dug out the hot mess of a dilemma. Just feeling those words about Riku slide through his throat made it sore.
Mario walked over to Sora, giving him a sympathetic pat on the back.
"Thanks," Sora said. Mario raised his hand. "What did he say?"
"Is there any way we can save her?" Luigi asked (while exchanging notes in the Underwhere, he was made aware that Sora couldn't understand Mario without a translator).
Sora placed a hand in his pocket, digging for an answer. There was nothing but disappointing pebbles inside. "Dunno. Defeat might be the only way. It worked on Olly. But I felt De Void's presence earlier. She might not fall quite as easily."
Mario rolled his fingers through his moustache like a loop-de-loo. He then raised his hand again.
"Mario says we should keep moving, then," Luigi said. "Answers aren't always going to be in reach. We have to go out there and seek them ourselves."
"Yeah, you're right," Sora said. He could hear Chrom's inspiring words pound against his ear drums. "I have a friend who told me never give up if that slightest bit of hope is out there. The true De Void has to be in there somewhere; we're just missing that one piece of evidence that can help us find her."
Mario hopped up and down, uplifted from Sora's idea.
Luigi turned to Sora, unimpressed. "Mario thinks your idea is okay."
"He did not say that," Sora said, chuckling, placing a hand on his hip.
"Okay, okay," Luigi said, raising both hands, feigning guilt. "I might have embellished that statement."
"Ya think?" Sora asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mario ended this frivolous chatter by jumping again.
"Then let's keep going!" Luigi said. "The answer's not going to be paying us a visit anytime soon!"
"Okay!" Sora said. "C'mon, Fable!"
Sora, Mario, and Luigi headed over to the next mirror; their heads have fumigated any pestering doubt. They had plans waiting in the wing, prepared to stride onto the field with blistering confidence at any second. Sora was counting on their success. Not just to save this world, but finally go home and see his friends. To continue his crusade in limbering Riku and Kairi from the darkness' infected claws.
But Fable's ambitions had been corroded in anxious rust, immobilized with concern for her friends. And it just seemed to spread throughout her body. For she could never forgive herself if their lives fluttered away into the afterlife – a realm of no return.
Sora's chest inflated from the rush of fresh, jovial air as they arrived in Glitzville. It was nice to be outside again, watching the cloud's swim by like a school of fish. To see ornate architecture give their eyes a warm greeting. It was like waking up from a long, unpleasant dream. No longer did they have to wander while thrusting apprehension between their arms, keeping it close for safety.
Sora scanned the vicinity, taking in the sights, wanting to stroll through each building, opening the pages of their history. "Where are we?"
"Who cares!" Luigi said, relieved. "Less creepy place. Works for me."
Mario raised a hand, which pulled Fable out of her sulking. "Oh, this is Glitzville, home of the famous Glitz Pit."
"Glitz Pit?" Sora asked.
Fable faced the Pit. "A huge fighting arena. I've observed a few matches here. The strongest fighters compete for the title of world champion."
"That so?" Sora said, grinning, feeling the need to flaunt his ego like a badge. "Well, for your information, I happen to be the two-time winner of the Pokémon Coliseum games."
Luigi seemed indifferent to this accomplishment. "Big deal. Whatever that competition is has nothing on Mario. My bro is the champion of the Glitz Pit. No one's been able to best him."
Mario couldn't help but smile with pride. It had been so long since he stepped into the ring, sipping on every little drop of victory. And he couldn't t lie; it tasted good. Maybe he should compete again. Already it seemed he had a new rival, as Sora stared at him with a burning passion for battle.
"Sounds like a challenge to me," Sora said, beyond zealous. "After this whole ordeal is over, we should totally go one-on-one, Mario."
Mario smirked. He was impressed by Sora's skills during each fight, and wanted to put them to the test. It would be nice change of pace to fight someone for sport.
"Hey, this isn't the time to see whose chest hair is big enough to house ten kittens!" Fable said, trying to keep their focus from switching at a junction, onto a track of digression. "We have a core to find!"
Sora noticed sawhorse shaped barricades blocking the entrance to the Pit. A small strand of suspicion dangled in front of Sora's eyes. "It might be closer than we think."
"Man, what a bummer." Everyone turned to see a strange dog-like creature with a small puff of yellow hair staring at the entrance with heartbreak protruding from his eyes. "Been waiting all month for this match. I even got front row seats. Disappointment just loves to stub me in the toe. Repeatedly."
Luigi leaned into Mario, whispering, "Gee someone's a bit too dramatic." Mario just stared back at him, having felt a sudden, sharp breeze of irony. "What?"
"Do you know what happened here?" Sora asked.
"All I know is that a rowdy bunch of characters have taken over the arena," the dog creature said. He formed a frown, which was numbed from jealousy. "Must be for the giant LCD screen they just installed. Who wouldn't want to see Rawk Hawk pile drive someone in HD? Alas, nothing more than a faraway dream for me."
"Rawk Hawk?" Luigi asked. "Isn't he the former champ of the ring?" He waved an unimpressed hand. "Aw, who needs Big Bird on steroids? My bro happens to be the one who clobbered him last time. He's the true champ."
"Sorry, I didn't hear that," someone said. "My ears can't pick up crazy. Care to say that again?"
Luigi flinched, as if instant regret grabbed him by the nape. Forcing himself to spin around, he and the others saw Rawk Hawk, standing there with other Glitz Pit members. The bird loomed over Luigi, glazed in a threatening glow that could erode him into debilitating dust.
"RAWK HAWK!" the dog creature said, feeling utter excitement tremble in in his chest with the velocity of a power drill.
Luigi found himself carved into a petrified statue. "No, no. Crazy is all you heard. I'll let my brother do the talking. He's especially good at communicating with his hammer. Take it away, bro!"
He dove under the nearby hot dog cart in search of salvation from early denture plans. Sora couldn't but shake his head. All Luigis were created equal, it seemed – brilliant fighters prone to slipping on the grease of their own cowardice. Rawk Hawk's gaze fell onto Mario's; it was infused with vindictive cells, growing rapidly from the desire of competition.
"Well, well," Rawk Hawk said. "Look who's harry face decided to show up. If it ain't the Great Gonzales. See you've still got your pasta bod."
Mario responded with his own competitive glare. Sora found himself stuck in the eye of this confrontational tornado. But the name "Great Gonzales" hummed in his head from familiarity.
Then it rang in realization, and Sora turned to Luigi. "So THAT'S where you got the name Gonzales from!"
"What are you talking about?" Luigi asked, peeking out under the cart. "I didn't get anything from anybody! You don't even know I'm here right now." He retracted his head into the cart like a frightened turtle.
Rawk Hawk cracked his knuckles. "So, what brings ya back here? Here to go another round with the Hawk? You know clinging onto your title is pointless. Once you see the full power of the RAWWWWKKK, you'll be begging for me to take it off your gloved digits."
"Do you have to make this a competition now?" Jolene asked, exasperated. She approached the group. "What's the point when we have no ring?"
Rawk Hawk pondered to himself for a moment, weighing the gravity of the situation on a scale of importance. "A compelling argument, ma'am. Alright, Gonzales. I'll let you off the hook for now. But once the ring is ours again, there'll be no escape."
"Sometimes I swear your mind is a record that doesn't know how to stop cranking," Jolene said, brushing her gold bang, trying to quell the aggravation. Mario raised a hand, and she smiled, feeling her worries start to diminish. "It's so good to see you again, Gonzalez. Never thought my prayers would be answered. Oh, and it looks like you brought along some friends." She noticed Luigi. "Including a cosplayer of yourself. Neat. Your legacy has traveled far and wide."
Luigi crawled out from his spot, offended. "Cosplayer? I'm his brother."
"Never mind that," Jolene said. "My name is Jolene, the manager of the Pit." She glanced at it. "As you can tell, we've run into a…huge problem that might yield some house foreclosures."
"What happened?" Sora asked.
With his composure brittle from an incursion of blind anger, Rawk Hawk punched his first into his hand. "Some spike shelled punk and his minions have taken over this place. Claims to be their king." His anger flared into roaring indignation. "Well, I've got news for him; there's only one king here, and I'm going to make his head my throne!"
"Seattle down!" Jolene said.
Fable turned to her friends, suspicious. "Those characteristics sound familiar."
Mario knew them all to well. He frowned, feeling like a concoction of emotions spilled onto his heart, seeping deep into the arteries, leaving behind a disdainful stain. Why did he always cause trouble, Mario thought? Even when he was not the one throwing the levers at the center of it. A massive, disformed shadow that continued to stalk him, his friends, and especially Peach.
But it was okay. Mario didn't mind taking care of him again. There was something cathartic about ruining a troublemaker's fun. Made the day a lot more gratifying. Mario raised his hand again.
"You're right!" Luigi said; he wasn't even surprised. "It has to be Bowser! But why would he take over an entire arena?"
Sora froze in shock. Bowser was here!? Did he follow him into the book? He didn't know how to properly organize this news into a cohesive shelf in his head. Questions were scrambled together in a hurry. Namely, how would he contact the Star Spirits? Was he physically and mentally prepared to take the stage, and confront the maestro that had orchestrated the whole Heartless attack?
But then Sora took a step back from the discord, reminding himself that he was in the Paper World – its denizens were born as a reflection of the Mushroom Kingdoms. Which meant this wasn't the same Bowser. Sora wasn't sure if he should be relived by that conclusion. Mold of resentment for the Koopa King had been growing inside of him; he wanted to bring about an end to this conflict.
But on the other hand, beating up a different version would be good practice (not to mention therapeutic)
"Just what's is this guy's deal?" Fable said, annoyed. "Can't you go one day without him causing trouble?"
Luigi let out a hopeless sigh. "Afraid causing trouble is what keeps him happy."
"He carried in a young woman, too," Jolene said. "Was crying out for someone named Mario."
The Mario Brothers narrowed their eyes at each other, like they've just bestowed a massive brick wall of inconvenience. Wouldn't be an adventure without a princess kidnapping.
"Oh, no," Fable said, in horror. "Don't tell me that's Princess Peach."
"I'm a thousand percent positive," Luigi said. "And then some. Would wager every single hair on my moustache."
"Man, he must really be obsessed with those cakes of hers," Fable said, moving back and forth to simulate the shake of a head.
Sora, however, was taking the issue a bit more seriously than the others. Especially with the Peach of the outside world having also been abducted. He wouldn't let the past pay him another visit, ransacking his happiness. "Well, we can't waste any time. We should help her."
"What about the core?" Fable asked.
Sora focused on the Glitz Pit. "Not seeing it out here. I bet it's inside in there. Works out for us in the end. Would kill two birds with one stone."
Rawk Hawk cleared his throat at the boy, appearing a bit displeased.
"Sorry," Sora said with a nervous grin. "It's only expression."
Mario raised his hand. Luigi nodded in agreement. "Yeah. We shouldn't go headfirst into the stadium. Who knows how many of his troops will be waiting for us?"
"Maybe we can get the jump on them." Sora turned to Jolene. "Is there any sort of secret entrance?"
Jolene shrugged. "Not positive."
"I know a way!" Andy said, running up to the group, propelled forward by a breeze of excitement. "Let's just say I've familiarized myself with this place."
Jolene let out a wry smirk. "So in other words: your nosy."
"I'd like to use the word 'curious,' thank you very much," Andy said, clearing his throat, appearing self-important.
"Cool," Fable said, beaming with optimism. "Where do we go?"
"Behind the building is a sewer," Andy said. "Enter there to find a secret green pipe. It should take you to the janitor's closet."
And that optimism was flushed down the very pipe that awaited them. Fable cringed in disgust. "Wait, a sewer? No! I don't want my pages to get all wet!"
"We don't have a choice in the matter," Sora said with a firm resolve in his eyes. "You can stay out here, if you want."
But Fable rejected the notion with a flip of her pages. Right now, the fear of her friends getting hurt remained stagnant, unwilling to leave. And not knowing their fate would just make the worry burrow deeper into her conscience.
"No, I'll come with you," Fable said. Although she was not looking forward to traversing the unsanitary tunnel of slime and filth. "Guess it won't be too bad. Sometimes having no legs can be beneficial."
"Awesome!" Sora said, smiling. "Glad you're joining us!"
Fable blushed from Sora's upbeat comment. She did feel like a part of the team now. Maybe that's another reason she was inclined to follow – to not disrupt that dynamic. "Th-Thanks."
"I hate to say it," Rawk Hawk said, crossing his arms, forlorn, "but I'll leave this up to you and your friends, Gonzales. Besides, I probably can't fit in those sewers anyways. Nothing can handle this much muscle. You better not let this amateur beat you. Only the RAWK has that privilege. Got it?"
Mario nodded. Rawk Hawk was beyond passionate about having a rematch with him. And he was, too. Something about the Hawk's tenacity was inspiring. He couldn't wait for the day they stepped foot in the ring together again.
"Then move it!" Rawk Hawk said. He rocked his toes back and forth. "Or else Bimmy and Jimmy will do it for you!"
"That's not even a real name!" Andy said, aggravated.
"Just be careful in there," Jolene said.
With good-byes exchanged, the group headed around back, and found the green pipe. Mario and Luigi dove in without a second to lost; it was just like another day at the office. If said office had the delightful fragrance of a cesspool. Sora and Fable leaned their heads into the pipe, hearing the clamors of rushing waters. Darkness stared back at them with an uninviting scowl.
Already the odious smell made Sora's stomach want to spring into his throat. It was terrible. But, working up their courage, they leaped into the pipe, descending into the repugnant intestinal track of Glitzville. They could handle trudging through a sewer for a few minutes.
Because a greater challenge awaited the group on other end, and he had no intention of escorting them off the premise with their lives intact.
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