Chapter 58: Throwdown in Glitzville

Think happy thoughts. Think happy thoughts. That endless conga line of positive noise kept Sora's attention away from his current surrounding: walking through the repulsive digestive track of Glitville's sewers. Loud droplets pounded incessantly into its unsanitary blood stream. Sora pretended the sounds were coming from dew falling off the backs of healthy vegetation.

Trudging through the shallow water was the worst part; he couldn't even imagine the repugnant concoctions that flowed through it. Even a hint of speculation was an invitation for nausea to infringe upon his gag reflex. It wasn't too long before they noticed a tube that led straight up, connected with a fixed ladder for easy access.

Mario climbed up first, with the others behind him like a long, multicolored tail. Sora wished he'd go faster; the omnipresent smell of sewage was seeping through the battlement of his held breath like an unrelenting army. Upon reaching the top, Mario received a warm welcome from the sweet embrace of darkness. Pitch black. Every ounce of light had been inhaled through a dark straw.

Mario held out his hand, producing a small flame to brighten the room somewhat, placing an orange rash on the darkness' oppressive visage. In the corner of the room, he noticed a switch, walked over to it, and flipped it upward. Ceiling lights brighten the entire room, eliminating the darkness with a wipe of its blinding rag. Mario found himself in a storage room containing various cleaning utensils; many were stocked on metal shelves, located on each side of him.

Some were stacked with care; others were placed there with haphazard impatience. Mario beckoned for everyone to enter the room. Sora and Fable were the last ones to crawl out of the pipe; they were relieved to no longer be in the boorish company of slime and filth. In fact, now they were surrounded by the other extreme; the scent of cleaning fluids was overpowering. Still better than before, though.

"Yuck!" Fable said, shaking herself back and forth. "So gross! I'm starting to miss the gloomy appeal of the Underwhere."

Sora shook off any sludge that tainted the glow of his shoes. "How do you plumbers do it? I couldn't stand being down there another minute."

"Well, we think happy thoughts," Luigi said with a wide, over exaggerated smile: "like getting food and shelter."

"That's a sound reason," Fable said.

"So, anybody have an idea for saving the princess?" Sora asked.

An uncertain silence descended upon them like crows, pecking at their skulls with inadequate suggestions.

It wasn't long before Luigi shooed the rejected ones away, filled with excitemen. "Thought of something! This is going to be mind-blowing! Now, what we have to do is…"

Everyone froze as the sound of an opening door interjected with a coarse voice. Their eyes soon met with a Koopa Troopa donned in armor. Metal spikes protruded from its shell. A staring contest had ensued, with neither party exerting a single sound or muscle. Only their minds were rummaging through a cabinet of alarming thoughts.

The hallway was a standard circulatory system of traversal for the Glitz Pit employees. Walls were layered with the drab colors of rain clouds. Long strobe lights hung overhead; some let out flickering yawns, growing weary from their never-ending job. Right now, all was quiet, until the armored Koopa was thrown into a wall, in which he became stuck because of his protruding spikes – a design choice that was coming into question at this moment.

The Koopa wiggled every limb, but the spikes remained insubordinate from those commands. Everyone walked out of the storage room, staring at their effortless accomplishment.

"Or that works, too." Luigi was disappointed. "Seriously. It would've been amazing."

"You can share it with us later," Sora said, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "Right now, let's focus on saving the princess."

Without another moment to lose, the group hurried down the hall, passing by the Koopa Troopa, whose grunts were interspersed between the drum solo of shuffling feet.

Fable hovered over to the Koppa, expressing some form pity. "No hard feelings!"

"Grr! I just had my spikes polished!" The Koopa said, feeling his stomach contorting in a livid knot. "You better believe there will be feelings! As soon as I get down from here!"

"That's right!" Fable said. "Never lose that fighting spirit! How else are you gonna tire out and give up? You keep it up now!"

She soon floated away and caught up with the other moments later. The group was following Mario through the disinterested halls, searching for Peach's whereabouts. Unfortunately, the map Mario drew in his head was a bit murky; he hadn't been here in ages. Intuition was going to be an essential compass in their search.

"Any idea where we should go first?" Luigi asked.

"How about back out the way you came?" someone said.

Everyone came to a halt when three football players blocked their path. They were a subspecies of the Koopa race, having buff arms and shoulders. The football player's eyes were closed, but their desire to hear bones crack like the satisfying swishing of leaves was unquenched.

Sora blinked at them, at first thinking they were staff members unaware of the takeover. "Bowser has football players as bodyguards?"

"Hey, I'm not a part of his human resources division," Luigi said, shrugging. "We just stomp on them. Although, personally, I wish he was stupid enough to send us croquet players instead."

"Eh, guess that's true," Sora said, summoning the Keyblade. "There's no need to question something your about to beat up, anyway."

One of the Koopas placed a football on the ground, balancing it with a single gloved finger. Another ran over, kicking it straight into the air, which landed on Sora's head, and then bounced of Mario and Luigi's, like it was a skipping rock. The three clutched their heads from an aerial assault of pain.

"Ow!" Sora said. "Well, a concussion would be an effective way to stop us."

Luigi groaned. "I told you we should've padded our caps, Mario! But noooooo – you want every heroic rescue to be done in style. Newsflash: showing off is the bringer of irrational decisions."

"This isn't some after school special!" Fable said, in a panic. "Stay on your guard! Look out!"

The three turned to see the football players charging right for them, at the same time. Mario and Sora managed to shield themselves from the stampede, reducing the pain that crawled throughout their bodies like restless spiders. Luigi wasn't as fortunate, receiving the full force of the football players' assault. Once it ceased, the players returned to their original position; in their wake was a dazed and battered Luigi, viewing the world through unfocused, disorienting binoculars.

A crowd rose from the bleachers inside of Fable's emotions, clamoring with dismay. This was the prophecy she wished had remained a fallacy – to watch her friends melt away from the heat of an intense, lethal battle. Nerves started quivering before a blizzard of worry; but she would not become lost in the snowy wind of grief. Fable would help in any way she could.

Mario and Sora were able to stabilize Luigi, although his head was still groping through the muddled fog, searching for his sanity.

"Are you okay?" Sora asked, concerned.

Luigi turned to him with a glazed look in his eyes. "Coconuts have water in them!"

"Erm, not the strangest thing I've heard you say," Sora said, a bit confused.

Fable flew over to Luigi and began smacking him with her pages. "Snap out of it! We need you! Our team won't be the same with you! I can't live with that!" Mario restrained her, and said something. "I don't care if he's at risk for paper cuts! We gotta help him!"

"Can paper people even get paper cuts?" Sora asked with a pondering expression.

"Well, there's a first time for everything!" Fable said.

Luigi shook his head, causing the haze to disintegrate. He rubbed each side of his cheeks from sudden aches. "What happened? And why do I get the feeling bruises await me in the future?"

"Yeah, that was me," Fable said, looking uncomfortable, regretting her eagerness to help. "I was….just worried, that's all."

Sora stared at her, perplexed – what triggered the dam of concern to break. She hadn't displayed concern like this before. But that was the least of their problems right now.

"No need to be," Luigi said with a smile. "Not the first time I've been in a situation that involved pain." (And much to his displeasure, he knew it wouldn't be the last). "This is nothing. Mario and I have dealt with these guys before. Leave it to us."

Fable sighed. He was right – him and Mario have saved the kingdom numerous times, to the point of becoming mundane like combing your hair. She needed to let faith extend a comforting hand, soothing the pulsating doubt. Exhaling, she hovered away from the three, letting them fight the football players.

And she was right to not misplace her faith, as the three took no time in disposing of their adversaries. Sora used his Gravity Spell to weaken them; with the added gear, the football players felt like they were cans in a trash compactor. Mario and Luigi tapped their hammers together, began spinning around each other, and formed a miniature tornado containing a mixture of red and green.

They spun through each player, dealing significant damage. None could survive the rapid strikes of the brother's hammers. Sora's jaw dropped in amazement. What he would've given for the other Mario to assist them on his journey? Sure, he and Luigi worked well together, but the brothers were in perfect sync, like an orchestra not missing a single, violent note.

Sometimes it was fun to speculate about an alternate reality that, unfortunately, would remain stagnant in fiction.

Overwhelmed from the brutal thrashing, the football players collapsed onto the ground; their victory had been pried open with a crowbar of defeat.

"Ha!" Sora said, smug. "Looks like it's back to the showers for them!"

Luigi grimaced, and whispered to Mario, "Think I'm going to need one after hearing that joke."

Mario responded by rolling his eyes. Sora started turning to Fable, prepared to inquire about her strange behavior. But his eyes hit a blockade in the form of Mario – he was scanning the nearby paths in front of him with a frantic jerk of his head. This wasn't the time, Sora thought. Finding Peach took precedence over a confrontation. He could tell just from the obtrusive worry on his face just how much Mario cared for the princess.

And Sora would feel the same way if Kairi was in the same predicament.

"So where do we go from here?" Fable asked. "Mario, you must know the layout of this place. Have any clue."

Mario tried to reconstruct the corridors of the backstage. Some pieces fell into place. Others were misshapen, unable to connect, creating a pile of ambiguity on the floor. But he trudged through the mess, stepping over each piece, until coming across a big door, which opened, revealing a repressed memory that had remained trapped behind it.

Mario pointed town the right hallway. Fable said, "Okay. Lead the way!"

The group continued down the hall. Once again, their mission had stumbled over another intruding indent, ceasing movement, because they heard vicious barking fill the empty halls with dread. Everyone prepared their weapons.

"Guard dogs?" Sora asked. He grinned with pride. "No problem! I'm good with animals!"

But his attitude took a nosedive into a whirlpool of surprise upon meeting the ones responsible for the barking: two anthropomorphic ball and chain like creatures with round eyes and large mouths containing razor sharp teeth that glimmered against the strobe lights overhead.

"Um, nice….doggies?" Sora said, struggling through a quagmire of proper words to describe these creatures.

The next fight ensued. However, it didn't last long, not when all the creatures could do was lash out with their sharp teeth like irate crocodiles. Using Blizzard, Sora froze their mouths shut, creating ice muzzles. The Mario Brothers performed their amazing jumping abilities to shove the creature's consciousness state of mind into a comatose drawer, slamming it shut, and locking it tight with a powerful finishing move.

Sora wiped his forehead. "Y'know, maybe I'm not suited to have a pet."

"Aw, don't be like that," Fable said with an encouraging nudge. "Chain Chomps can be cuddly once you get to know them." Sora gave her an incredulous stare. "I'm serious!"

Much to the group's disappointment, more enemies appeared on their path like tall hurdles; you couldn't jump or walk around them. The only way through was forward. With excessive force. The next enemy was a small dinosaur creature with green skin, light blue hair, and a shell.

"Careful!" Luigi said, summoning his hammer. "Their aim with a spiked ball is deadly."

Sora looked around the halls, puzzled. "What spiked balls?"

It was as that moment Sora wished he'd left that question behind as an unwanted hitchhiker. The creature opened its mouth, placed both hands inside, and removed said spiked ball, which had been bathed in hot saliva. It then held the ball over its head.

Sora grimaced, clutching his stomach as it contorted from disgust. "Ohhhhh. That's just…disturbing. And I thought Yoshi's digestive track was improbable."

Much like the previous enemies, the dinosaur creatures seemed to have a one tracked mind when it came to attack variation. Namely, throwing spikes at the group like slimy bowling balls. Soon, they were cursed with the same stigma of defeat. Mario was becoming frustrated by the constant interruptions. While Peach wasn't in any physical danger, she was suffering on the inside; a swarm of panic stung at her heart like wasps. And it was mostly because she was worried about the fate of her kingdom (and Mario's own well-being).

He never wanted her to be encapsulated within a create of fear; to feel her mental stability erode from endless worry. It was the worst form of torture, which Bowser himself couldn't comprehend. Ignorance was a product of unhealthy, obsessive love. And no amount of rational words could persuade that adamant mindset.

Mario led the group down the hall again, hoping for a respite from the conveyer belt of endless battles. To their disappointment, they were forced engage in another one. This would be their toughest challenge yet – one requiring extreme focus and teamwork. Every skill would be put to the test. By the end, they would be affected by this fight in a profound way, spending sleepless nights reliving every excruciating moment.

Standing before them was a lone Koopa Troopa. No. Seriously.

He even held both fists up, as if the knuckles were eager to sink into the group's cheekbones. Everyone stared in utter silenced. Luigi and Fable then were prickled with thorns of amusement, breaking down into laughter.

"Oh, no!" Luigi said in a mocking manner. "Look out, guys! That Koopa means business! We might as well hightail it out of here."

Fable appeared arrogant. "Why not just cower in your shell now?" She gestured towards the Mario Brothers. "You don't want to know how many of your own brethren had been stomped on by these two."

But the Koopa wielded a sinister smirk, deflecting their threats with off a thick glass layer of confidence. He pulled out a mechanical bomb from behind his shell, which had two beady white eyes, orange feet, a wind-up key behind its back, and fuse attached to the head like a single strain of hair.

The Koopa lit the fuse, which began its descent towards the destructive heart of the bomb. Everyone reeled back as their jovial mood had been overcast in a cloud of alarm.

"He's got a Bob-omb!" Luigi said.

"That's not fair!" Fable said.

"What do we do now?" Sora asked.

Mario scanned the vicinity for a defect in this predicament; and it came in the form of a door to the left. In fact, it was the one they'd been trying to find. Good fortune had rewarded them for all their hard work. Mario opened the door, and everyone ran inside, to avoid becoming hapless debris on the ground. Which would become a sufficient snack for the cleanup crew's ravenous vacuum cleaners.

After the door slammed shut, the Koopa put out the fuse, still retaining his smirk. The trap had been prepared, and would spring on them at any moment. "What suckers! There's no way his majesty would give me a real bomb."

He tossed the bomb away, which, upon hitting the ground, aimed to prove him wrong by exploding. The hall's throat was irritated from the shock wave, debris, and smoke that engulfed it and the Koopa. Once the explosion's tantrum had settled, the Koopa became visible, covered from head to toe in soot.

"Suckers they may be," the Koopa said, dazed, "but fool am I."

His last sound was that of a 'thud' from falling onto the ground, which echoed throughout the halls before growing silent.

The next room was pitch black. Sora and his friends couldn't even see a flicker of their eyes meandering throughout the darkness. Only their hard breathing filled the void with life. Right now, they weren't concerned over their whereabouts – just lucky to not be on the receiving end of the explosion.

"Close one," Sora said, as he stood up, brushing the sweat from his eyebrows.

"Being a part of this action makes me appreciate all the insanity you two put up with on a regular basis," Fable said.

Before they could regroup, a spotlight was shined on them, ending the temporary rein of the omnipresent darkness. Everyone shielded their eyes as the overwhelming light continued peering into the retinas. Moments later, the spotlight sank away into the darkness, and the stadium lights brightened the whole room.

They found themselves in the heart of the Glitz Pit: the arena, which pounded with pride from the electrical impulse of battle. Ahead of them was a light brown, rectangular stage that carried the combined weight of many fighters. Behind it was a huge plasma screen TV. All around them were bleachers, where various members of Bowser's brigade sat, staring at the group with watchful eyes.

A speech bubble appeared in front of them: "Ladies and germs. Please show your utmost contempt for the man who makes my blood pressure shoot off like a volcano. The one, the only, Mario. And his worthless sidekicks."

And the entire was filled to the brim from a pitcher of taunts: boos and hisses squirmed through the group's ears like worms.

"Great," Fable said, dispirited. "Just what I needed – for my self-image to be damaged. What a way to spend my time in this world."

"Could be worse," Sora said, optimistic. "They could start throwing popcorn at us."

As if on cue, the group were showered with unpleasant gifts. Except they were hammers instead of popcorn. Sora would've gladly taken an increase in cholesterol instead of receiving multiple headaches. Everyone ducked to avoid the violent storm of hammers.

"Good job!" Luigi said, annoyed. "They exceeded your expectations!"

"Look!" Fable said.

The others followed her eyes towards the top of the bleachers, and saw the next core.

"We'll come back for it later," Sora said, dodging some more hammers. "Let's find the princess first!"

But their only exit was blocked off by some of Bowser's guards. Freedom had been snatched away from them like the talons of a vicious vulture.

"Really?" the voice asked. "I give you this big introduction, complete with jeers from my guards to lower your self-esteem, and now you're going to walk away? And you say I'm inconsiderate."

The ground began shaking from large footsteps. Startled, Luigi ended up falling onto his backside. Mario knew those footsteps anywhere; they would always pound in his ear like a mallet to an anvil. Irritation vibrated throughout his core from the release of that sound. Both he and Sora spun around to see the paper world's version of Bowser.

There he was, standing tall on the stage, staring down at those that appeared as inferior creatures. His crimson red eyes burned with egotistical flames, growing more intense with each passing second. He loved being on stage, receiving unconditional attention from the submissive eyes that encircled him.

While it wasn't the same Bowser, Sora could feel his lungs expand from the hot pressure of resentment. Both iterations had been weaved from the same thread in terms of personality: self-centered, ruthless, and craving the delicious confection of power. It was that mindset that released a torrent of misery upon the entire world – that same mindset that separated him from his two best friends. The anger inside of Sora wouldn't relent.

Bowser displayed his sharp teeth; they beamed from the stadium lights, as if revealing the intensity of his arrogance. He placed both arms in the air, and gave the peace sign, expecting a choir of praise from his subordinates. But they were too busy booing Sora and his friends to notice.

Bowser growled. "That's your cue to cheer, idiots!" Realizing their blunder, the troops hurried to correct their mistake with cacophonous acclaim. He guffawed in pride. "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about! It's good to be the king!"

Two of Bowser's troops – a Goomba, and a Koopa with a red shell – applauded from a balcony box.

"Oh, boy!" the red Koopa said. "I just know his majesty is gonna clobber Mario this time!" He rubbed his hands in glee. "Then we'll finally get our bonus paychecks."

"Say, what are you going to do with yours?" the Goomba asked.

"Easy," the Koopa said. "Buy tickets to a better show than this one."

They turned to each other with a hearty laugh: "Ohhhh-heh-heh-heh!"

Bowser spat a fireball out from his mouth, hitting the Goomba in the balcony box, burning him until covered in a pitch-black coat of shoot. The chestnut shaped creature collapsed onto the ground, leaving his colleague to let out a sympathetic wince.

"Gee, you try to bring some levity into your job, and all you get is a fireball in response," the Koop said, looking glum. "Welp. Gonna get outta here before I become apart of a bonfire." He tried to leap off the balcony, but some unknown force had his feet stuck to the ground like cement. "Dang it! This is the one time I regret being a red shell! How do those green shells fall into pits with ease?"

Bowser stomped towards the edge of the arena, never taking his malicious eyes off the source of his misery: Mario. And he extended the same glare, not once moving, as if the muscles of his eyes were held together by duct tape.

"Welcome, Mario," Bowser said, as his grin widened. "So nice of you to show up. Like my new arena? Not sinister looking enough. We'll have to fix that."

"Wow," Fable said, leaning in towards the arena. "He's even more hideous in person."

Bowser snorted, contaminating the adequate air with his hot, acrid breath. "What was that, nook? Better watch your non-existent tongue, or else your pages go up in smoke."

"Yipe!" Fable flew straight into Luigi, hugging his face. The two ended up falling onto the floor Luigi sighed in annoyance. At this point, his body had hit the ground so much; he'd half expect them go steady with each other. Luigi then pulled her off his face, revealing red markings all around it. Fable appeared sheepish. "Sorry about that. Least you weren't marked with the obscene words."

Ignoring the two, Sora faced the Koopa King, attaching himself to the same determined chain that protruded from Mario's face. "Why did you take over this place?"

"I'm sorry; have we met?" Bowser asked, raising a curious eyebrow. "What gives some little punk like you the right to speak in front of me?"

"Because I know Mario has beaten your butt hundreds of times," Sora said, feeling an outpour of indignation from within his throat. "Why should I take your seriously?"

Insulted, the Koopa King clenched his teeth, restraining the livid fire from lunging out of his mouth. Small wisps of smoke managed to slip through the crevasse of the sharp, white prison walls. "I see why you're Mario's friend! Just as annoying! But if you must know, my kingdom was completely wiped out. Do you know how much I pride myself on such a luxurious property?"

"Luxurious?" a Goomba from the crowed asked. He shivered. "All I feel is cold."

Bowser spun around to glower at the lone troop that dared leave an indentation of criticism on perfection. "I can make it really hot if you like. Just say the word. Come on. Don't be shy!"

Not risking the chance of being charred like a steak, the Goomba sunk into his seat, as if be pulled by an undertow of absolute dread.

"Thought so," Bowser said, content. He faced the others. "Anyways, I was mourning the loss of such awesomeness when we came across this arena. Not as cool as my castle, but thought it might do the job." His eyes darkened with sinister delight. "Oh, and I received a housewarming gift courtesy of your lovely princess."

He pointed towards a nearby pillar, revealing Princess Peach herself, trussed with rope and gagged with a cloth. She squired to break free, but the iron grip of her imprisonment remained obstinate in its assignment. Mario's shoulders tenses from the build up of rage. Any moment they would've exploded into the sky like rockets.

"Herself!" Bowser said. "What generosity. Truly lives up to her title."

Without a single thought, instinct shoved Mario straight onto the ring. He wielded the hammer in his hands, and unwavering courage in his heart. Bowser flexed his claws with morbid eagerness; he was ready to let them slide across Mario's skin like razors, watching each little piece fall onto the ground and curl up in dismay.

Peach hated watching Mario fight the Koopa King. She couldn't bare the thought of seeing him hurt – all because he put his life on the line for her. It was a burden that weighed in her stomach, like digesting stone. But, at the same time, she knew Mario would succeed. He never failed – the word had no meaning to him. Never had. Never will. The stone dissolved from an acidic splash of hope, making her feel lighter.

Sora stepped into the ring, as a courageous knot tightened itself in his chest. "Sorry. This isn't your home. You better leave before we humiliate you in front of your fans."

"Doubt it," Bowser said, unfazed. Especially from some nobody like Sora. "The only ones who are going to be humiliated made the stupid decision to step into my ring."

"Mario, mind if I help?" Sora asked. "He's a different version, but this might be therapeutic for me."

Mario was perplexed by Sora's statement. But it was irrelevant. Not when someone he barely knew was offering their assistance. Every single line of Sora's character had been analyzed, and its contents contained a recurring word: trust. Deception was absent. It didn't exist. Sora was a truly unique person: he'd put his life on the line, knowing the risk. Mario couldn't be happier to have an incredible ally.

After Mario gave an approving thumbs up, Sora smiled. "Thanks!"

"So, this little worm thinks he's going to play hero?" Bowser asked with a sarcastic roll of his eyes. "How cute. You're out of your league, kid."

Sora summoned the Keyblade, undeterred. Time to once again show why underestimating your opponent was a dangerous mistake. "I faced monsters bigger and smarter than you. You might be surprised by what I can do."

"Oh, it'll be surprising, alright," Bowser said, laughing. "Surprising at how fast this fight will end." He stomped his foot on the ground, prepared to release the full extend of his fury, and watch as the two melt away from its overwhelming flames. "Get ready to see that game over screen for the last time, Mario!"

Mario advised Luigi to keep Fable safe in case something happened – a request Luigi was happy to oblige. But Fable didn't want that notion to become a reality. To never see her friends again, and be unable to follow them into an unreachable plain of existence. It wasn't fair. Her only weapon was knowledge. Sometimes it could useful, but, in certain situations, actions had a louder voice. Like Princess Peach, she needed to let the ink of hope dry on her pages. If not, it'd be wiped away with a towel of discouragement.

And so, the battle began. All eyes were on stage, locked by a key of suspense. They were immovable. Sora took his turn first by lunging straight at the Koopa King, delivering a fierce slash. However, Bowser retracted into his massive shell, blocking the attack. It was like hitting steal; they needed something stronger to chip away at its perfect coat.

Bowser laughed as he popped out from his shell. "Yeah, baby! Your attacks are like toothpicks to me. Not when you're carrying six hundred pounds of spikey awesomeness!"

"Get real!" Sora said. "You're just an overgrown turtle! All they know how to do is hide from their enemies like a big coward."

"Me? An overgrown turtle?" Bowser said, feigning surprise. "How kind of you to notice. I don't care what you think of me, kiddo. There ain't nothing wrong with playing smart."

"That's a first," Luigi said, temping fate by prodding it with a sharp tongue. Bowser roared at him, and he placed Fable in front of his chest. "H-Hey, that's not a bad thing. Baby steps, y'know?"

Fable sighed; she was half expecting Luigi to ask one of the Koopa Troops if they had a room available in one of their shells like an inn. Mario tried next with a swing of the hammer, but the shell wouldn't budge; he was safe inside a stubborn dome.

"Still using that old hammer of yours, huh?" Bowser said. "Jeeze, take the hint – it's completely worn out. Not like this shell – polished to perfection. Perhaps you boys like an up close and personal look at its shine."

Concern lodged itself in their throats; they didn't like what proceeded that ominous detail. Bowser spun around in his shell like an out-of-control carousel, and then rammed himself straight into the two. Luigi and Fable winced from the painful sight. Fable's worry was starting to expand like elastic; if it continued at a steady rate, it would snap with absolute panic. Watching them sustain any damage was like witnessing pieces of their lifeforce fall, like leaves from an old tree.

Fortunately, the two had enough strength to continue the fight. But Bowser's defenses were indestructible – a riddle that would cause harm until they uncovered the answer. They had to make his safe space uninhabitable – to make him feel vulnerable and weak. Mario had just the idea, and, with Fable's help, explained it to Sora. He let out a mischievous smile, like a child about to partake in a prank.

Sora ran over to the shell, pressed the tip of the Keyblade against it, and launched his Fire spell. "Time to dine on turtle soup, folks."

Bowser started feeling the heat's claws scratch against his skin; and then it dug in deeply, causing painful burns. Bowser yelped, and popped out his shell, performing an awkward tap dance to quell the burning sensation.

"Ow! Ow!" Bowser said. "Oh, shroom spores! Why didn't I opt for the fireproof waxing? Stupid, stupid!"

Mario took his chance to leap high into the air, landing on top of steel pipes held the stage lights together. He then jumped to the top of the stadium, descended like a bomb, and kicked the Koopa King straight in the forehead with both feet. The forced sent Bowser sliding back towards the edge of the arena, but he caught himself before falling over it, being struck by gravity's merciless hammer.

Bowser glowered at the two, letting out another livid snort. "Oh, you really are getting on my bad side. Not that you weren't on the spectrum already. But you don't want to see what awaits you at the dead end."

"Probably disappointment," Sora said.

Bowser snarled at him, tired of Sora's endless snarks from cranking in his ears. "No. Adulthood's not at all what it's cracked up to me. Might as well spare you the misery of growing up anymore."

Sora braced himself as Bowser swung at him with his claws, but the boy caught the attack with his Keyblade.

"What!?" Bowser asked, in shock. "You can't block my attack!"

"Why not?" Sora said, grunting, pushing against Bowser's claw. "You did it to us!"

"Yeah, but I'm supposed to be winning," Bowser said. "There's a difference." After releasing his grip, he leaped back towards his side of the stage.

"Right," Sora said, scowling. "Well, let me show you what losing feels like." He raised the Keyblade into the air. "Thunder!"

A lightning bold rummaged through the Koopa King's muscles, pecking them with an electrifying kiss. Paralyzed, Bowser couldn't retreat into his shell for protection. Every tender scale was about to be masticated from Sora and Mario's ravenous weapons. Mario ran straight over to the Koopa King, gripped the hammer with both hands, swung it backwards, and then rammed it straight into his stomach.

Bowser gasped as painful air burst from his mouth like a sweltering geyser. He fought against it by singeing the receptors in a pool of molten rage. No one was going to take Peach or this stadium from him. He had lost everything. Without a castle, he didn't feel like a king anymore; just some random nomad that didn't amount to anything.

But finding Peach gave him confidence. Her kindness knew how to lull him into a state of a security, like an orphaned child finding love. She knew how to sew his happiness back together, with a thread of compassion. He couldn't lose that important person that kept his heart beating. Especially from Mario and some intrusive kid.

Keeping a mental foot on the acceleration of anger, Bowser stomped on the ground, making it quiver in terror; both Sora and Mario fell onto their backs, unable to stand up, no matter how hard they struggled. They had become the hapless turtle Sora had mocked the Koopa King for being earlier. Bowser leaped into the air, and slammed down on the two with his backside.

Fable felt like a page was ripped out every time the two were damaged. Again, what could she do? Hit him with her spine that it'll cause a migraine? Oh, how that would make Bowser vexed. You sure showed him! Luigi noticed Fable's restless demeanor, and placed a comforting hand on her back cover. It did provide a bit comfort, giving her with optimistic sunglasses that could see through the discouraging glare.

Mario had made it his job to defeat Bowser. It was mundane as going through your daily routine. The two stood up, panting, but still in this fight. Their infrangible morale was inspiring. The glare grew meek from her improved faith in them.

"Still think I'm a coward who hides in his shell?" Bowser asked with a smug expression. "Perhaps you should try harder in staying alive."

Sora lowered his head. He was a coward. For relying on the darkness. For having other people do his dirty work. Especially Riku. He potentially ruined a lifelong friendship forever. Sora gazed deep into the Koopa King's eyes. Nothing glimmered with humanity; just a hallow cavern where an uncaring beast lay in the deepest shadows, barking out hateful, envious commands to its host.

Sora gripped the hilt tighter, trying to disperse the contempt that pinched at his nerves like an irate stag beetle. His Keyblade was encased in a golden aur; he channeled that anger into his power. Sora would use it like a machete to cut through the tall blades of darkness, until he uncovered his best friends hidden within them.

"Ooookaay," Bowser said, confused, but a bit anxious. "Care to explain the light show?"

Sora scowled. "You wouldn't understand. Darkness is all that matters to you. Why see a different view through the cracks?"

Bowser didn't have time to question this vague statement, as Sora leaped at him, delivering an over the shoulder slash across the chest. Bowser's painful roars echoed throughout the stadium, rattling the insides of everyone's heads as an earthquake had ensued. The Koopa King stumbled back, clutching his chest.

That one was for my friends, Sora said in his thoughts. And everyone on my island.

"Dang it!" Bowser said, trying to recuperate from the pain. "How is this scrawny kid able to hit hard? Does he eat radioactive vegetables?"

Pessimism and fear started to recede from Fable's spirits, being eclipsed by a tower of confidence. There wasn't any reason to worry anymore. Not when they had the edge. Mario and Sora were unstoppable; no one could scale the indestructible mountain of their strength and claim the flag of victory.

Fable was so exuberant; she started cheering. "Oh, yeah! Who's hot? They're hot! Who's not? Bowser's not."

"Still have time to save yourself from that humiliating defeat," Sora said, smug.

Bowser once again snorted, releasing sizzling air of anger that drifted towards the ceiling. Losing to Mario was aggravating enough. Now he was going to receive an additional bruise of humiliation. From being pummeled by a kid! This was inexcusable! His pride couldn't bare being wrung through defeat again; it just hurts over time.

But what hurt more was being forced to relinquish Peach – the one that sent a wave of loving heat to caress his cold, miserable heart. Bowser's expression was painted with a black brush of rage; any moment it would release a deafening roar, pouncing at the two.

"Think again, wise guy," Bowser said. "Guess what? Feel like spreading the hurt today. Was saving this attack for Mario, but, hey, for the first time in my life, I'm going to be unselfish and share the attack with you. Consider it an honor, kid. Time to shut you up!"

Bowser inhaled, and a flaming spiral of fire illuminated the inside of his maw. It pulsated from his intense, sweltering emotions. Sora and Mario braced themselves, as a sudden breeze whipped them with its torrid breath. They knew this next attack would take a hard bite out of their stamina. Fable and Luigi's confidence were sucked into a void of terror. And there was nothing they could do to help them. Just watch with unblinking, frightened eyes.

Bowser exhaled a long cloud of fire, engulfing the two within its burning form.

"Guys!" Luigi and Fable exclaimed.

Once the fire's hunger for paper skin had been quelled, it vanished, leaving behind smoky remains of its fury. The two emerged from within the fumes, donning a robe of soot, weighing them down from pain and exhaustion. The two leaned on their weapons; both needed a moment to rummage through their bodies for any strength. But every drawer was vacant.

Bowser laughed in triumph, and the audience cheered. Seems their winning streak was about to plummet over a steep curve. Fable shivered; anxiety had evaporated almost all droplets of her hope. She was scared to never see them again; to live with the horrid feeling of grief forever. A gaping wound that would, on occasion, reopen, pouring out despondent blood.

"Not too bad, boys," Bowser said, grinning. "Seems you're stronger than I thought. But don't feel safe. I'll just burn you two into ashes next turn."

Despite being at a disadvantage, Sora let out a weak chuckle. "Don't assume you've already won. I still have a few tricks you haven't seen yet. Mario, I got an idea! Let me place my hand on your shoulder."

Mario nodded in compliance, having complete faith in the boy from the outside world. Bowser raised a suspicious eyebrow; he had made a grave mistake in underestimating Sora. Now wasn't the time to celebrate; his guard needed to remain on an attentive plateau. Throughout his journey in the paper world, Sora had utilized various spell he had acquired from the Star Spirits.

All except one. The Star Spirits haven't disappointed him yet; he hoped this spell would be efficient like the others.

Sora held aloft the Keyblade. "Heal!"

The two were engulfed in a nurturing green glow. They felt like the smudge of fatigue and pain had been rinsed from their bodies by pure water. Even the soot had vanished from their skin and clothes; it was like time offered a merciful flick of the rewind switch. Sora was amazed by the effectiveness of the Cure Spell. It might be the most important spell of all.

Luigi was relieved to see their friends at full strength again. But Fable was still shaken from witnessing the two covered in flames. The fear of losing them haunted every waking thought like a restless specter.

"Yes!" Sora said, cheering. "It worked!" He turned to Mario, who was just as delighted. They exchanged a high give. "Back in the game!"

Bowser's jaw dropped in absolute shock. "WHAT!? That's impossible!"

"Looks like you overhyped that attack," Sora said, appearing sly.

Bowser growled. "Only I'm allowed to cheat around here! Good two-shoes like you should be put into custody for making the very attempt!"

"Hey, we don't make the rules around here," Sora said. He thumbed Fable. "Ask the floating book." No response. She was still trying to shuffle through the emotional wreckage. "Fable?"

Fable shook herself, regaining focus. "Oh, right! Absolutely!"

"Lousy book," Bowser said, crossing his arms with a childish pout. "This is why I never read."

"I can tell," Fable said.

"Shut up!" Bowser said, insulted.

"Alright, Mario!" Sora said. "This is our chance! We need one devastating attack to put him down!" If they could somehow attack at the same time, it would be enough to defeat the Koopa King. Inspiration soon beamed from the Keyblade's tip with a radiant smile. Sora held the Keyblade out to Mario, who responded with a curious tilt of his head. "Use my Keyblade. It'll give you extra power."

Without hesitation, Mario grabbed the hilt. A strange, ethereal power tingled within Mario's hand. It wasn't like anything he had experienced before. And yet, it felt invigorating, as if having consumed an exotic fruit – its juices were pumped throughout his blood stream. Mario was determined to end this fight now.

He prepared the hammer in his opposite hand, ran back to the edge of the ring, and waved to Sora.

"He says, 'Prepare to give me a boast!'" Luigi said.

Sora nodded with a smile. He found himself encircled in Mario's ring of confidence. They would win this fight! Not just to help the Glitz Pit employees, or rescue Princess Peach – because this battle would be a test. To prove that he's ready to face the other Bowser, and reunite with his friends.

"What are they doing?" Bowser asked; he seemed to be unfazed by their next attack. At least, that's what he tried convincing himself. His subconscious, however, seemed to be fumbling over from dread. Sweat sauntered across his brow. "No fancy moves they pull off can hurt me!"

Sora kneeled over, cupping his hands together. Mario ran straight for the boy, pushed off his hands, and leaped high into the air, outstretching both arms. He searched deep within himself for the Keyblade's energy, and light began pouring out of his skin like golden sweat. Soon, his entire body was cloaked in a blinding light like a vibrant star in the sky.

Everyone could feel the heat from the energy. Even Bowser. An unpleasant realization snuggled within the folds of his mind: he wouldn't survive this attack. This was the end of his short reign. He hated admitting defeat to Mario, but you can't rebut the arguments of the incontrovertible.

Bowser went through his shell, pulled out a blindfold, and tied it around his eyes, not wanting to witness the horrific results. Mario charged straight for Bowser like an arrow, hitting him in the stomach with both the hammer and the Keyblade, causing a massive explosion. The Koopa King flew out of the arena, crashed into the wall separating the bleachers, and then fell onto the ground, landing on his stomach.

He tried standing up, but fatigue placed a firm palm on his back, keeping him pinned to the ground.

"Fungi," Bowser said, contracting the illness of defeat. "Foiled again."

He fainted from being berated by exhaustion. Luigi pumped his fist into the air, cheering. Bowser's troops stared at their fallen leader in shocked silence. Meanwhile, Fable stared descending towards the ground like a frail feather, overcome with relief.

"Thank goodness," Fable said. "These boys are making me so nervous; my pages are starting to bend."

She landed on top of Luigi; he looked up at her, frowning. "Excuse me. This head is currently occupied by a hat. Please vacate the premise."

"In a minute," Fable said, tired. "It's nice and squishy."

Luigi lowered his brow, feeling a bit offended. "Excuse you?"

Mario landed on the ground, and took a deep breath. He was glad the battle was over. Least they didn't have to worry about Bowser leaving claw marks over their time of leisure in the foreseeable future. And he had to admit: he wouldn't have made it this far without Sora's help. The boy ran over to him with an overjoyed expression. Once Mario returned the Keyblade, the two gave each other another high five.

"Dude, that was awesome!" Sora said, being invited into the small circle of victory. "You're a natural with the Keyblade!"

Mario hopped and down in response. Fable translated: "Says he couldn't have done without your help,"

"Aw, go one," Sora said, waving a modest hand. He then grinned. "No, seriously. Go on. Tell me all about it."

Meanwhile, Bowser's troops continued staring at their fallen king, lit with a torch of uncertainty, flickering non-stop.

"So, should we do something?" A Koopa asked.

A Goomba appeared perturbed. "I don't know. My non-existent ears aren't used to our king's constant yells. For the first time, they aren't ringing." His composure became lost in an apprehensive fog. "I'm starting to panic. Is this my life? To be nothing more than a submissive henchman? To walk in one direction towards a cliff?"

A Koop Troopa was able detain the erratic nerves of his colleague…by squashing him like a pancake with his foot.

"Thanks, man," the Goomba said, somehow okay with feeling like a flat tire. "Needed that."

Sora noticed many of the troops starting to become hostile; some drew weapons, while others cracked their knuckles. They were prepared to avenge their comatose king. Sora spun around to Mario, on alert. "Go free the princess. We'll worry about Bowser's troops."

Mario nodded, and hurried over to the princess. After untying her, she fell right into Mario's arms. Their bodies relaxed as the tension was squeezed out like a sponge, releasing the grimy, anxious water. They were together again – a sentiment that meant more than all the wonders and riches of the world.

"Oh, Mario!" Peach said. "Thank goodness! No matter where I go, you know just where to find me."

The two pulled away, and Mario placed her on the ground. Peach took a moment to adjust her wrinkled dress. Mario raised his hand.

"Well, I'm not sure," Peach said, thoughtful. "One moment, I was preparing for a kart race: then the next, I ended up here. And Bowser was conveniently right next to me." She was exasperated. "Talk about the worst luck in the world. He kept me locked up in a locker room. Oh, the repugnant smell of body order! I couldn't stand it!"

But the aches of the past had been alleviated as she took Mario's hand. "But I can't complain, because I also have the best luck in the world: you."

Mario rubbed his head in modesty. He never minded. She meant everything to him – a priceless treasure that never lost her kind and caring luster. And if it every grew dim, his heart would regress into a dark cavern of grief. He couldn't imagine a world without her. Peach concurred. His cheerful demeanor always kept her spirits from losing balance on a tight rope of doubt.

"I'm never afraid," Peach said, gazing into his eyes with a gleam of affection. "I know you'll always be there for me. And whenever you need strength, I am there for you. We've be friends for so long. There's something I want to ask you." Mario pointed to himself, surprised. "Yes. Mario, will you be my…"

Before she could finish that important question, they were interrupted by a strange sensation – that prying eyes pulled open the curtains on their conversation. They turned to see the others staring at them. Sora had a sly smirk; Luigi had a look of pride; and Fable was just giddy. The two reacted with frowns. Peach pointed towards the bleachers. Everyone else turned to see Bowser's troops preparing for battle.

Sora chuckled. "Yeah. Those guys might be more important. Sorry. Just interested, that's all."

With the conversation forced to take a detour for now, Mario stepped in front of Peach, summoning his hammer. There were too many troops to face. Sora glanced back at the core; that was their means of escape. It wouldn't be easy; they'd have to push through a violent jungle to reach their ride. But they were confident in persevering.

Everyone prepared for a long, arduous battle. But before movement could occur, it was immobilized by a sharp drop in temperature. Freezing air stuck at their skin with icy daggers.

Sora recognized that feeling in an instant; it was the same one that slithered across his body earlier. When they were at the carnival. His prescience came to light, as a portal opened above them. De Void emerged, hovering around the arena, flaunting a shawl of darkness behind her.

Using her scythe, she released a thin wave of energy onto the ground. Fear had enveloped the once unruly crowd. Sometimes its unwise to trifle with the unknown. Staying alive became their prime objective.

The stadium shrilled from the terrified screams of the troops. They made their way towards the exit in a disjointed mess, pushing and kicking each other aside to reach it first. A group supported by a pylon of rationality ran over to Bowser, hoisting him over their heads, and took their leave.

De Void hovered down towards the arena, where the group kept their weapons close for security. And to protect Peach and Fable, who hid behind Sora and the brothers. They could sense a cold, bellowing rage swarm around her body like horse flies.

"Persistent little insects, aren't you?" De Void said with contempt. "Your meddling is vexatious – ruining all my hard work. Never have I come across such inconsiderate trite. Now a noblewoman such as myself will have to do the dirty work."

Fable couldn't stand the sight of her anymore. Not to mention being percussed by her litany of condescending words. "Shut it! You're no noblewoman. All I hear coming out of your noise hole is "wah, wah!" Your royal tantrum has been the cause of the pain my friends have had to face!"

"Fable!" Sora said, appearing stern.

Fable lowered her eyes in guilt. "I'm sorry. I just don't want…anything bad to happen."

"It's alright," Sora said, trying to be reassuring. He turned back to De Void. "Remember, there's an innocent person in there. We have to save her."

De Void seemed amused by Sora's sudden statement. "Save me?" She laughed. "Please. What is there to save? You stand before perfection. The only dent that chinks this perfection is this miserable little world."

"Fable is right about one thing," Sora said, taking a step forward, with a firm look in his eyes: "You've been trying to hurt everyone. I know you're full of anger, but everyone is experiencing their own pain because of you. What would your father think if he was here?"

De Void was taken aback, feeling perplexed hives starting to irritate her mind. "F-Father?"

"Yeah!" Sora said. "He wanted you to grow up with a strong, loving heart. Seems to me like you broke that promise in spades."

No, this was a trick, she thought. She had no family. Darkness was the breath of her existence. Nothing more. "I don't know what you're…

Or was it? Something started to happen. A high-pitched buzzing noise infiltrated the sanctum of her mind, detonating an explosion of rapid memories. She clutched her head, trembling before the overwhelming slideshow. There was no way to cut the reel; they just continued showing images of the past.

"What's….what's happening?" she said, distressed. "Who is this person? Get out of my head! Stop! I feel…sadness."

"That's it!" Sora said. "Break free from the darkness! It's clouded your mind!"

"No…I know who I am…but, why can't…this feeling go away? Where are….these memories coming from?" Sora words didn't help matters; it seemed to be guiding the reel along. "Stop! Stop!"

She threw a sphere of dark energy at the group; they avoided the blast just in time. De Void took this opportunity to create another portal, and escape through it, knowing full well she was vulnerable to an attack from the group right now.

But the only thing she struggled to escape from was the past. For the memories had been liberated from a dark tomb, and was determined to make her confront them.

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