World of connectedness

by nintendikt64

The Universe, on a vision of many others. Some were created by Gods or a high amount of energy. Many threats wanted to rule the world and yet so many heroes have appeared, many villains born. Light against Dark, Freedom against Control, Bonds against One, Angels against demons, Good against evil. Observe if the Cycle Continues or finally breaks...

9. Smash CastleLevel3-6 Ranks up secrets

Link opened his eyes, and the white ceiling in his room greeted him.

He could feel how some parts of his back cracked as he rolled in his mattress, which was too comfortable and warm to leave.

" Take some moments." Link said to himself in a tired manner, he really wanted to stay in bed because he knew, Today will be hard, no, It was already the entire week, It just drags on. " Just five minutes more..."

Then there was a knock, and Link knew that he can forget his five minutes. " I'm coming..." Link slowly raises up from his bed, and he let out an audible yawn.

He then opened the door and the knocker was Ash.

"Good morning, Link!" The Pokemon master waved with his hand, and Pickachu, who was on his shoulders, did it too.

Link who yawned again said tiredly. " Moring..."

" Did you sleep well?" Asked Ash, and Link just shook his head in response.

Without any words, they left the room and go the Dinning hall.

---

The Fork softly Digg itself into the omelet with salad and beef.

" So?" Ash asked with a full Mouth from a bread roll. " Who do you think you're going to fight?"

Link slowly pulled his Fork into the air and sighed. " I have no idea..."

Ash roses his eyebrow in confusion, he swallowed his meal before he continues. " Really no clue?"

"No..."

" Did you sleep well?" Ash asked as he moved the bread to his Mouth again for another bite. " You seem tired."

Link slowly nodded his head. " Yeah...Zelda spoke about some cards...what were the names again? Ugh...Didn't pay attention."

" Cards...?"

" Yeah, she talked about some scythe. I don't what this is about."

Ash nodded for a moment and took another bit.

Link followed with the same thought and put the food into his mouth.

He could almost taste the flesh, but he was far too tired and annoyed to pay mind to the flavor.

Then he heard steps behind him, and with tired eyes, he saw a blond-haired young boy, who, Link believed was Ryuji.

"Sup." He said casually, as he struck a relaxed pose. His brown eyes fixated on Link. " So who are ya?"

" My Name is Ash Ketchum!" Greeted Ash, waving his hand gleefully. Pikachu greeted also quickly.

Link's hand threatened to almost fall off, as it struggles to look awake. " Link Fiàne..."

The blonde student blinked dazzled for a moment before putting his hand behind his head." Fiàne? Isn't this french?"

Now Link was the one who was confused. " French? what is french?"

The blonde Japanese opened his mouth but shook his head. " Nevermind. I'm Ryuji Sakamoto!" Ryuji placed himself on an empty chair and placed his elbow over the seat." So? anything special?"

"Not really." Said Link as he took another piece of his Omelet." Just the fact that Today, Mario will actually fight. Until now he didn't join the roster, since he did not fully had his gear."

Ruji's eyes widen in surprise. " For Real? That Man is also a fighter? Kinda hard to belivin'."

Ash looked for a moment surprised by the Phantom thief before answering. " I kind of understand you...but he has also has some leadership skills."

" Too?" Said the blonde thief abgasted. " What else is he?"

Ash put down his bread and started to count the things Mario told him, with his fingers. " He is a hero of the Mushroom kingdom, the servant and best friend of Peach, the princess of said kingdom. Then he saved her multiple times when she was kidnapped, multiple times on islands, two times into space, Lucky guy, then saved rescued her from a bat that can use nightmares as his powers."

Ash paused and pondered about more of Mario's adventures, whilst Ruji's jaw hit almost the floor after hearing the Information, and Link's eyes widen further as he saw a shadowy figure behind Ash.

The Figure slowly put his hand on the Chair and Ash hasn't noticed the figure behind him, and on Link's face, a small grin beginning to form.

" First: You forgot the Thing on the moon. Second: Me fighting multiple Dragons." Mario suddenly said in a calm tone, which makes Ash jump off his chair with a scared scream.

" Don't scare me like that, Mario!" Ash looked at his friend who tries his best to not chuckle.

" Well, and I notice you've talked to one of the guests, what a nice sight." said with a joyous smile." And It appears you've made yourself comfortable, Ruji."

"Uh...Thank's a bunch?"

Mario turned to Ash, who had just returned to his breakfast. " and Is the food still good?"

Ash nodded confused with his head.

Mario then turns to Link, whose eyelids almost fall over his eyeballs." Haven't slept well, have you, Link?"

Link just tiredly waved his hand, and thankfully Mario accepted the lazy answer.

" So how will ya fight?" asked Ruji as he repositioned himself. " I've never seen you fightin', what do ya usin'?"

Mario was quiet for a moment, and his hand was positioned on his chin. " Many things...mostly hammers, tools, companions. But I Prefer using just my fists, legs, and feet, so yeah. I Kinda lack a fighting style, but I can be creative!"

He said while Ruji's eyes got smaller. " I have one question for ya'...How'd you react to Mona's true appearance? Got freaked out?"

Link started to eat again his Omelet, and he felt Mario was, in a fleeting moment, staring confused at Ruji.

" Not really. It wasn't that kind of a big deal. I was a bit surprised that Morgana wasn't actually a Cat, but I figured that Akira must have registered Morgana as a pet because he didn't believe that the world of trophies will change him." said Mario, while scratching his hand as Link shoved another piece of the Omelet in his mouth.

Link could hear Mario's shoe moving. " and what about your Friends? They don't have a bad time, right?"

"No...the others have still had trouble getting used to it, especially you pal pay us all a visit. Futaba showed, that Guy some romance anime."

Link looked up from his plate, and saw how Mario looked at Ruji confused. " Anime? Do you mean the Japanese animations?" Mario Paused. " I've never actually liked those."

" You don't Like anime?" squeaked a voice. Followed by quick steps.

The figure's hair floated past her face, and her Glasses almost fell off her face, as her body halted her sprint.

" You really don't like anime?" gasped Futaba in horror.

" No?" Mario asked confused by the sudden shock of The orange-haired Girl. " Why are you asking?"

Futaba's eyes gleamed for a moment, and Link thought she might jump at him at any moment.

" How? and why do you not Like anime?"

"The thing is..." Mario pauses, as he helplessly looked at Link for a moment, before shaking his head. " The women are way too over...uh, ostentatious, the men, either too cold or 'edgy'. And the fights are, as so far I looked, only consist of yelling, saying the names of their attacks, which is actually not very smart to do, and somehow no injuries. That's my gripe I can think of right now."

Futaba went silent for a moment before she asked slowly. " Is that all?"

Mario nodded his head. " Si. Unless you have something to change my mind, since well, Information can change a thing or two." he said.

Futaba chuckled. " I have those things, but I'll show them later! Better pick your waifu." with that, she vanished quickly as she appeared before.

Ash looked confused at the direction she vanished.

He put his meal and said with a dumbfounded Voice. " That was weird..."

" Agreed." Said Link casually.

Ryuji let his head dangle in annoyance. " Just Futaba being Futaba..."

Mario nodded calmly his head. " Some people are Like that..." Mario began to smile slightly at Ryuji. " I am kind of excited to know her better, I think Peach met one of your group, right?"

Yeah, she did, Haru is her Name."

"Mario quickly pulled out his phone and started at the Screen. " Well, it's time for me to Go. It was nice to at least talk with you a bit, Ryuji."

Then he vanished also, almost soundless.

Ash ate his last bite and stood up. " I'll get ready for the next match! See you later, Link!"

Link looked at Ryuji as he put the rest of his Omelet into his mouth.

" Those fights..." Link said as he slowly emerges from his seat. " have become too exhausting."

Ryuji looked at the Hylian hero confused. " Really? I'm still rootin' for our Leader!"

" I am happy that you support your friend that great." Said Link while putting his hands on his Hips." But I tell you that the fights will get more chaotic because there are only two days left. So everyone tries his/ her best to brawling up the ranks." Link paused as he picked up his plate.

His eye turned to a frown, which to his misfortune Ryuji noticed.

" Are ya alrigh'?"

" I am fine..." Link slowly said as he shook his head. " I wonder where Necrozma is..."

" Uh...who was the guy again?" Ryuji looked at him Puzzled.

Link let out a sigh. " The prism friend of Mario."

" Ah! That guy! But...why didn't you ask Mario about him?"

" I..." Link paused as he looked guilt-ridden at the reflection of his somewhat dirty plate. " I didn't want to stress Mario more out."

Ryuji's eyes softened for a moment. " You don't have to think that way. yeah I know, I don't know him that long, but from what I've seen, he seems a pretty chill dude, I think he wouldn't mind."

Link let out a sigh of relief. " Well, let's hope you are right. But I am kinda worried for Necrozma, despite the accident..."

" What Kinda accident?"

Link could slap himself for that.

He silently admits defeat. " Fine, I'll tell you."

Ryuji's eyes rose up. " W-What? Hol' up a sec'!"

He flailed his hands like a drowning man, which confuses Link to a great extent.

" What is the matter?"

" Well, the matter is that that's way too direct!" Ryuji looked at Link sternly. " I may have to get Akira since he can listen better to people's problems than I do! Trust me, he ain't effing around to steal that kind of mask off you, and by that I mean, that he'll listen to your words, and give some advice."

Link did a quick check on the clock on the wall, and almost let his Plate fall. " By Hylia! It is that late already?!"

Ryuji looked at the Clock, and almost Jumped from the chair. " The eff?! How fast the time went?"

" Well, it looks like we have to talk later!" Link said, and without waiting for a response, he vanished.

Ryuji shook his head and talked mostly to himself. " Aw, man...It's almost like being in school...Link, is kinda right, It is starting to get boring. Better join the Others."

He stood up and left the table. With that ended the Morning.

---

The heat started to hurt in his Lungs like two hot stones, as were his eyes, as he entered the Norfair stage.

The mixed color of yellowish-brown and hot white color danced on the surface of the Magma, and the many stone pillars, that also could be used as Platforms were in the far background, mocking him at his unsafe battleground.

He looked to the left, and the ugly green from those strange spheres that were infesting a part of a stone terrace, if it was even called that.

Link looked behind, which he wondered why he did even after so many times of being here, and without much surprise, A pillar of magma was behind him, and which in time of the match it will come closer.

He heard the other Fighters are also getting on the stage, he readied his sword and shield.

Little mac put on his green boxing gloves.

" FIVE." The announcer counted down.

" FOUR." Pit's wings spread out.

" THREE." Samus lifted her arm cannon in front of her Face.

"TWO." Fiana moved her Legs.

" ONE." Link took a deep breath.

"GO!"

Little mac and Pit immediately Jumped on the middle stage, while Fiana jogged quickly to a nut that had appeared before her.

She was one step away from it, But Samus fired at the Nut with a missile and said Nut imploded, causing Fiana a headache.

Link Jumped forward to Pit with a slash of his sword, a replica of the Master sword.

Pit reacted quickly, causing Little mac to get hit instead.

The young boxer shouted as Link's sword slashed across his arm, leaving a gap, in which no blood came out.

Link felt a short coldness washing over his back.

Even after the many times he has been here, he still cannot get used to the fact that the Blood from the wounds just vanishes into nothing. It is almost like they all have been turned into Toys.

Little Mac continued to stumble, but before he could regain his Balance, Fiana Kicked in his back with a strong kick, Sending the Boxer towards Link again.

Link kick into the boxer slamming him to the Ground.

Before he could push his Sword into Mac's body, a missile Hit him.

The explosion's heat burned three marks on his face, as he flew on an upper Platform.

He landed on his back and heard the clanking of Metal.

Link jumped up before Samus's orange Leg kicked on the spot where he just was a moment ago.

The green light of her Visor shined at him, and he knew that she was intending for winning that Match

Link pulled out a slate, the Sheikah slate, and pushed a button.

With a blue Light, a blue sphere appeared, which Link picked up, and dodged Samus's arm, which the latter tried to Hit with.

Link threw the sphere, and Samus jumped backward.

The sphere rolled from the Platform and landed behind Pit, who was fighting Fiana.

It rolled between his legs, and Link, while in his head shrugged his arms, and simply pushed another button on his slate.

With an electric roar, the Bomb imploded into blue sparks, sending both Pit and Fiana to the platform behind them.

Link drew his sword, and dashed towards Samus, who jumped out of the way.

Then shortly she fired a charged energy ball, It roared with electricity.

He pulled out his Hylia shield, the ball hit the shield, and for a moment could feel his legs being pushed.

Link quickly jumped forward to perform a quick stab against Samus, who couldn't dodge in time.

The tip of the sword sank into Samus's armor, in which a small grunt was heard from the Visor.

She returned the Favor with a strong Kick into Link's left leg, and Link shouted.

He bit on his teeth and slammed with his Shield, Samus from him.

She staggered and jumped off the platform, and Link went after her, only to get a punch into his midriff, and said punch came from Mac, who has recovered.

The boxer followed with another but this time Link dodged it, and counter it with a quick jab from his leg.

" Stop that!" Little mac grunted as he gave an uppercut.

Link spat out salvia, which vaporized as soon it felt near the magma underneath.

He just adjusted his head back into position, as the boxing glove hit in his Upper body.

Then as he fall down on his back, he could feel the heat behind him, and he knew that one of the magma pillars was now closing in on the Platform.

Little Mac stood now before him, the amber light of the magma reflecting in his eyes, as though his Determination, of winning that match, was burning inside them.

Then the boxing glove smashed into Link's left cheek, then into the right, then again to the left.

Link vision turned almost black with each strike, threatening to pass out, and lose the match. He gasped at air, as the boxer kicked against his Midriff.

He then quickly grabbed onto the Leg of the boxer, who grunted.

With a strong swing, the Boxer landed on the ground, and Link got up.

He pulled out his Bow and shot into Mac's knee.

Little mac screamed, and Link Jumped off the Platform.

He saw a golden Light, and Jump to the side as the Light passed by Him.

In the distance, it dissipated into sparks.

Fiana fired that one, and he could hear her taking a deep, breath.

He darted towards her, she step aside, and slammed her hand against his chest.

Link fell backward on his back, and Fiana breathe again.

She glowed in slightly blue light and breathed out, then she jogged towards him.

Link tried to stand up, but was stopped by a quick smack of Fiana's arm, followed by a quick kick.

He gasped for breath, and Fiana struck a tree pose.

Link saw a blue light appearing behind her, and without a second, Fiana shouted as she was bathed into a white Light.

The trophy slammed on the ground, and Pit landed right in front of Link, which the latter quickly jumped up.

" Are you ready to get slamme-"

Link interrupted the Angel with an annoyed grunt and slashed in his direction, which the latter screamed surprised. " HEY! Don't interrupt my monologue! Are they really that bad?"

Link didn't answer, and tried again with a slash, and one of the Feathers came off.

" My feather!" The Angel shouted in despair and countered with his weapon Link's sword. " Gee, calm down! Why are you so worked up, right now?"

Link then kicked into Pit's left leg, causing the Angel to trip over.

As soon Pit landed on his rear, Link's Sword dug into his chest, and he then got Launched upwards.

Link followed suit, and jumped onto the next Platform, where he just saw of how Samus was Holding the Angel with her grapple beam.

" Samus..." Pit choked out as his face slowly turns blue. " I can't breath..."

Samus just shook her head, and punched the Angel with her fist, sending him flying again, this time past Link.

Link gave Samus a quick look and the latter charges at him at full speed.

Link dodged Samus's leg and Arm, and he pushed against the Armor.

The Bounty hunter grunted and Jumped into the Air twirling around.

He followed her movements and reacted with a Jump, but the Hunter must have seen it coming, as she jolted her leg downwards into Link's head.

The pain of the kick made Link's ears ring, and he shouted as he spirals down on the Platform.

Link gasped for air, as the Platform slammed into his back, he feared that his spine has splintered, and he took that thought back.

Samus slammed her Arm cannon into Link's chest and he spat out, as the pain almost crushed his heart.

A white glow emitted from the cannon followed by a buzzing sound.

Before the beam came out of the Cannon, a sudden rumble drove through the entire stage, and Link could hear a mechanical sound, that he knew all too well.

Samus kicked into his midriff, the pain caused Link to let out a sharp breath, and his eyes rose up as saw a large wall of Lava rise up into the air.

Link was on his feet and ran from the platform, and he saw the safety capsule, that would shield him from the Magama flood.

Little mac, was brawling with Pit, which the latter was screaming in panic. " Mac, I don't wanna get roasted!"

" Forget that, Pit!" The boxer gnarled his teeth. " I am going to win, and you are not going to die anyway."

" But I hate that Void! It's so empty and Cold!"

Little mac grimaces, as the Lava wave came closer. He then grabs Pit's left arm. " Then how about some Fired chicken!? This will warm you up!"

With a panic scream, Pit tried to shake his arm free, and in the Boxer's eyes determination glowed.

The Hero of the Wild let out an annoyed sigh and touched again on the Bomb symbol.

If they are already busy with each other, then he can exploit this. He thought to himself.

He threw it, in an almost bored manner, and with barely hearable 'ding', It landed right beside The Angel's feet.

Without any second, the bomb blew, and both of its victims were sent in the Air.

Pit immediately kicked into Little Mac's body, sending the screaming boxer in the Magma wave, where he completely vanished into the molten rock.

The angel entered the capsule and Link follows.

But to their horror, the Bounty hunter was there, and both knew that this will be a brawl about who can stay in the capsule before it closes both its entrances.

Samus fired at Pit with another missile, and he dodges with a slight hop, then Link tried to slash her again, but she morphed into a small orange sphere, which still amazed Link at how she could even fit her whole body inside.

She jumped and underneath the ball, a smaller blinking ball appeared, and without any hesitation Link pulled out his shield.

It exploded in smoke, and Link was slightly pushed out.

He then dashed forward, as he saw Pit using his weapon trying to shoot at Him, while Samus emerged from the sphere casually.

She then sprinted towards Pit, who quickly jumped sideways. " You can't catch me, Samus!" and gave a wink, which he'll regret soon as Samus kicked into his stomach of his.

The angel's face contorted into a pain full shout, and his skin turned paler as sand, which makes Link almost chuckle at the scene.

Pit was sent out of the capsule, and He groaned.

Then an orange light reflected on his cheeks, and with horror, in his eyes, he sprung towards the capsule...and to his bad luck, it closed.

They could hear the banging, which was soon drowned by the sound of the wave.

Samus turned around as the Orange light came weakly through the blue shield from the outside, then her arm cannon charged up.

Link darted toward her, shield at the ready, and began slashing at her.

The bounty hunter blocked the sword with her Arm cannon and countered with a slight kick into Link's leg, he gritted his teeth and pushed her Canon away, she staggered, and the sword slashed across the Armor.

Samus shouted in pain, and kicked into Link's midriff, sending him flying against the lid, he shouted as slid against it.

The Hunter began to charge up her arm cannon, as Link picked himself up.

He realized that he didn't had enough space to jump to the side and blocking with his shield would only push him into the wall again.

He braced himself and charged at Samus, who remained still in his Surprise remained still...Then there was a jolt of electricity coursing through his body and felt a strong kick.

Link quickly stood up, and charged at her again.
She tried to punch him again, but this time Link dodged and stab his Sword into her Armor.

A white Light blinded him, and Samus fall to the ground as a Trophy.

Link held up his sword in victory, as the Light enveloped him again, and then saw white.

---

After he exited the Door, Samus hold her hand to Link, and Link shook in respect.

"Good fight." Samus's mouth had moved to form a small smile.

Link put his hand behind his head. " You also did a good job of holding me back, but I guess in a small space, even a sword has the upper hand. By Hylia, Little mac was very aggressive."

"Now that you mention it, where are those two?" Samus let go of his hands.

Link nodded. " Their defeat was kinda brutal if I can say so. Let's look after them." Samus was for while silent and nodded.

After some time they both Found Pit and Mac, who was sitting silently on the Couch.

The small boxer punched an innocent Pillow next to him. " Dammnit! I was so close!" he almost screamed, which made his sitting neighbor almost jump.

"Woah! Calm down! Why are so worked up?" Pit yelp, which Link and Samus made rise up their walking speed.

The boxer turned on the couch and look him straight in the eyes. "Do you even realize how many times I got my butt kicked in the last tournament? I haven't even won a single match yet! I am such a stupid man against all of you." The boxer said with a trembling voice. " I shouldn't have taken that invitation."

Pit who was confused asked carefully. " B-But at the start of the week you were so determined. Why are you so mad?"

Link and Samus could saw of Mac slowly pulling up his Fist, and Samus reacted fast enough to grab him by the arm. " Stop."

"Let go!" Mac yelled, and Pit slowly backed off. " I said let go!"

Samus who has a firm grip on Mac's arm said with a firm voice. " Stop."

Link who slowly approached Mac, breathe out. " Mac, Please, calm down."

Mac's face began to relax, and Link gave a slight nod.

" See? It was easy. I think you can let him go, Samus."

Without a word Little mac was free from her grip and sat lumpy on the Couch, he avoided Link's eyes.

Pit who was seemingly shaken was comforted by Samus.

" So what is the matter?" Link started casually, waiting for an answer as Little Mac still was silent. " I mean, I kinda understand you. I've met someone who acted like you." Link's voice softens, as Little mac started to face him.

"The person that I met was also acting bitter because he worked so hard and yet, he felt like a mismatch among others, so he became more distant to others since he thought like..." Link's pitch in his voice changed to a slightly higher one. " this,' I at least putting some effort unlike those descant from their leaders and that champion who got selected by the Legendary sword.' I think you can tell that he was clearly unhappy with himself, but did he tell me that?"

Link pauses as he let out a sigh. " No...he didn't. He kept it himself because he was given high expectations, and that kinda went sadly in his head. So much that he didn't realize that the other champions have also worked hard, and weren't given their positions like that. So..."

Link pauses as Look into Little Mac's eyes, who have completely calmed down. " Can you please enjoy your time with the others? Then, spending time with them is valuable and yet it can easily be taken away."

Little mac stood up and gave a handshake to Pit, who was glad that the boxer calmed down.

" I am sorry for the Outburst from before."

The Angel let out an awkward laugh. " No problemo! Everything is good!" Pi's face changed from happy to full of curiosity. " But what happened to the one guy, Link?"

Link's eyes looked down for a moment before he began to smile " That's... another story for later."

Pit shrugged and went away with Mac, laughing at talking about what to eat at dinner.

Link let out a breather, he was at least happy that Mac was no longer angry.

Before he could think further, Samus sat down next to him, and the hunter starrted at him, with a mixture of coldness and confusion.

" What is the matter?"

Samus turned to him as she then looked forward, avoiding eye contact.

" I have a suspicion." she said calmly as if it were a casual topic like the weather.

Link was more confused and before he could ask, Samus turned to him. " I am starting to think that there is something wrong with this place, did you not think about this?"

" Where did you get that Idea?" Link leaned closer to her. " Did someone mention something strange?"

Samus folded her arms. " Yes, there were people who mentioned something strange. They've mentioned that the night suddenly comes."

"But..." Link paused. " Don't you think that's about the fights themselves? They are intense and can make the time feel shorter."

Samus went silent for a moment before answering. "No, it isn't the fights themselves...some of the fighters had said the same thing without fighting beforehand. There seems to be some meddling, I know that it sounds strange coming out of my mouth, of Time."

"I think you are talking to the wrong Link." Answered the Champion with a smile. " Is there more to say about this or not?"

Samus nodded. " Yes there is, and Ridley is the reason why I get that thought from..."

"Really? and Why?"

"Have you not wondered about our roster at all?"

Link gazed at her confused. " uh...not really?"

"It's so weird. The very first thing is Ridley, which you know I despise truly to my bone, what in the hell did the hands think about this? He committed genocide! How can they let in someone who committed genocide, in a tournament? and we have some criminals in the tournament as well! Do they think this is funny?"

" I.." The champion paused. " I rather hope not...but I get you I find it strange too, which makes me wonder why Mario or Luigi aren't doing anything."

Samus's eyes went for a moment cold. "Right...Mario and Luigi...I like them, I really do...but I start to wonder if they are in some shape or form, being forced to not being able to do anything."

" That seems to be a bit of a stretch..."

" It does sound strange, but after we had three incidences at the tournaments, the first was Giga Bowser, the second the subspace army, and the third master core,I have the feeling they happen for a reason Link...I have really a odd feeling about this, and it coming from me, a bounty hunter."

" Now I am starting to get you..." Link pauses as the air lingers on him. " It is indeed very strange that since the second tournament bad things happened, I am starting to wonder what will next be going to be? Necrozma? I better hope not, if he will take the path of evil, I dread what will happen..."

Samus nodded in response, and the two sat there in silence.

Thinking about the odd-time mystery. Link's eyes rose up. "Wait...Zelda annoyed me yesterday by talking about a scythe and fortune cards! There might be a connection to it!"

Link quickly stood up and walked away, followed by Samus who let an annoyed sigh.

" Slow down! We don't know if Zelda is in a match right now!"

---

Indeed she was... The princess of Hyrule dodged quickly the incoming sword of the former Gerudo King.

Then countered with a quick magic spell, that ended Ganondorf a few steps back, The King let a dark chuckle before his right hand engulfed into a swirl of black and purple flames, and he dashed forward with a sinister grin to the Princess.

She again tried to dodge, but she tripped and the hand firmly closed around her Face, fingernails digging into her soft skin.

Ganondorf laughed sinisterly, and with a roar dark flames exploded into the Princess's face. She hit the floor, and Ganon lifted his leg very high up into the air.

Then with a quick swing, his leg dived into the princess's midriff.

Zelda let out a gasp of pain.

She then got launched from the Ground, and the Gerudo King punched again into her midriff.

Zelda was then landed again on the metallic edge of the flying ship, her head looking down and the passing buildings of the stage underneath her, even tho she knew that those are much smaller, her brain still thought she was very high up in the air and she would surely die if she ever falls down.

She shook her head, why was she thinking that? Annoyed she quickly got up and jumped luck in time to let the incoming grab only air.

A slight snarl was heard, as she landed on the ground, then she run to the back side of the replica of the Great Fox, the Main ship of the Star Fox team, towards the rear wing.

She manage to reach the peak of it and quickly looked down to see Ness fighting against Diddy Kong, where both charged their attacks. Ness's body was covered in a green Light, and Diddy charged his peanut popgun, where the latter began to bloat in the middle.

Zelda clutched her left hand at her body, the pain from the brutal kicks still lingers, but knew if she is fortunate enough she will get an advantage. She pulled out her right hand and prayed to the Gods that she will get it.

Ness yelled and fired swirling sparkles at the chimpanzee, which the latter dodged while his gun grow more and became more unstable.

Having a shock on his face, the gun exploded, covering both him and Ness completely.

Zelda's arm, without any seconds to think, jumped forward and closed a fist around the fortuned catch.

She opens her palm quickly, as she heard The Gerudo king getting closer, and she let out a sigh of relief as she swallowed the Peanut.

The healing power spread weakly through her body, it wasn't much but at least it lifted the pain of the kicks from earlier.

She saw of the King almost hurled himself at her, and she sidestepped, causing him to run past her.

With an annoyed shout, the king fell down, and Zelda heard violent punches and screams, which were mostly Ness and Diddy. She silently prayed for forgiveness, before charging another spell.

In her palm, a small flame began to stir, and before long, she heard the trophy sound, as the Gerudo King jumped up.

She responded with a small spark of fire, and the tiny fire explosion hit Ganondorf in his face.

He shouted in anger, and his eyes hardened.

His other hand was again engulfed in the same flames and dropped quickly.

Zelda tried again to dodge but only trip over her own feet.

Before she could even curse the King pinned her down on the ground, and again pulls out his sword.

Zelda saw the sword falling down on her, and she could feel her neck snapping. Everything went dark.

---

She left the door in slight disappointment.

" By Hylia...I thought I had him." She sighed, she look at the screen nearby showing that Ganon was now a rank higher.

She moved exhausted to a chair and pulled herself into it, Almost wishing not ever to get up again.

" Hi, Zelda!" Called Link exhausted from the running, and she let out a small sigh. She noticed Samus walking calmly behind Link.

The champion of Hyrule's upper body dangled down. " I...'ve found...you." He said in short breaths.

Zelda who look for a short time into empty space and back to Link said in a dumbfounded voice. " D...Did you just run around in search of me, while the obvious thing is that I was in a match?"

Samus gave her the look of 'I've-tried-to-tell-him'.

"Y-Yes." Link said, his eyes blinking short. " I...want to...ask you something..."

Zelda somewhat rolled her eyes. " And what is it?"

Link catches his breath, and awkwardly asks "What was the thing about the scythe again?"

" The scythe? Are you speaking of cards?" Zelda's eyes widen.

Link only nodded. Zelda then said in a curious tone. " There were two scythes, One has something to do with Yoshi, and the other with Necrozma. which one do you wanna know?"

" Just tell me exactly what the scythe is."

She then tells both Link and Samus about the Tarot and Lenormand cards that Chihaya told her. She explained that each set, Card, and position meant always something different. Then she explained the scythe, which symbolized some dangers, or what Zelda herself found out by asking Chiahya, which also represents the removal of something.

"So, that was all I know now." Zelda paused, and for a moment was silent. " But why are you asking me this in the first place?"

Link looked at Samus who seemed to be a bit annoyed at his silence. " well... Me and Samus are having a suspicion about something bad is going happen in the tournaments."

"And what exactly? That Mario is somehow evil or else?" She asked with a mixed tone of smugness and concern.

Samus walked in. " There is somewhat manipulation of time itself. Do you have any Idea of what It may be?"

" No...not really, but Daisy has told me about a thing she saw outside the window. It was a red portal."

Link and Samus gave her a look of confusion. " A portal?"

"Yes, a portal," Zelda replies annoyed. " She saw it in the progress of being closed already. She wasn't able to see what was on the other side, but she told me, that she doesn't believe it herself, because she thinks that her own mind played some trick, due to the exhaustion she feels from the fights."

Both of the blond heroes stared at her in silence. and Samus broke it. " Do you have the feeling too, that since the second tournament strange things happen?"

Zelda gave her a simple nod. " Yes, Indeed I have. I started to get suspicious about the attack of the subspace army. But at the time I simply brushed it off as a strange case of misfortune. Then the thing happens with Master hand by the last one, that's when my suspicion fully evolved."

They paused again after a while, and this time Link broke the Silence. " I will get off topic for a moment, but did you see Necrozma? I haven't seen him since yesterday, I am getting worried."

Zelda let out a short hum, then she shook her head. " No, not really either, The last time I saw him that he went to search for Mario. The Love thing seemed to bother him immensely."

" Love thing?" Link gawked at her puzzled. " Did I miss something?

"Yes." Zelda put her hands on her lap, and she looked Link into his face. " Necrozma asks us to explain love to him. Wich had small results, according to him. Then he just went away to search for Mario, and that was the last time I had seen him."

Samus gave confused look. " 'small results'? why did he say that?"

"Well..." The princess went awkwardly silent for a moment. " He didn't exactly say that...I only saw it like that, he actually said something along the lines of this what is the true limit of love?' and we kind of sent him away because that is something that I, and, if not by extent, all of us can't answer."

She gave Link a cold gaze, which only makes the Hero look at her puzzled. " Is something?"

"No."

Samus let out an annoyed sigh. " So, in conclusion, you don't have a clue of what the time thing is, or where Necrozma is?"

" Like I had said, No. I am not Necrozma's caretaker nor I am seeing time itself." Zelda said with a clearly tired mind. " You really should ask Mario where Necrozma is. But we shall rather focus on the Time distortion since it's a bigger matter than him."

She said as she slowly rose from her seat.

" That is all you're going to say?" Link almost spat out in disappointment.

Zelda just smirked cheekily. " Yup, I do wonder who will win the tournament, since it is now Saturday, and just two days left! Good luck with fighting Ganondorf, if you manage to have a match with him!"

Link just stared at her, and then shouts. " WHAT?! You mean he is a Rank higher?!"

The corners of Samus's mouth had curled a little into a grin.

---

Akira swiped across his phone to check any messages from his fellow thieves.

Some of them managed to ask the other fighters about the effects of the smash ball, and they found out that for each of them it feels different.

'Some of them say, that their mind was opened by the smash ball!' Futaba wrote.

Akira examines Yusuke's post: 'Pit says that the smash ball reacts to his happy mood. Wonder what he exactly meant with that.'

Ann's post was more elaborate, and more in detail: 'Yoshi said that the smash ball makes him feel more alive, and more in control over the situation. While Marth said that it makes him feel that his loved ones are always close to him, Sounds like you, right, Akira?'

The leader of the Phantom Thieves smiled confidently. He tipped quickly in: 'Maybe I am a long-lost relative of his! ;)'

Then the post was sent.

The annoyed posts popped up, and Akira smirked as he felt rolling eyes and the annoyed groans of the others.

'ugh, lame!' Futaba posted. ' I know this may be a bad time to show you this...but is everyone okay if I post this? This a bit...not great.'

Ryuji send in a confused emoji, while Haru posted a concerned reply: ' Uh...what exactly? You seemed a bit worried. Is everything alright?'

' Did someone threaten you, Futaba?' Makoto replied.

'Not really...but I think we should take look at this.'

After some time since a picture of news was posted, having multiple headlines that read: ' News of the Murder at the Galar-mines! We have got new pieces of information about the murder that occurred yesterday, which has been brought by one of our reporters. The Police have been called by Fero Luto, who has still been missing from the scene, and sadly the woman, a loving mother,t was found in the Mines and has reported being dead. " Mommy was marked cold by a green Light." said her daughter, she leaves behind. May Arceus bless her and her daughter's protection. The Police have found no clues, besides a struggle near one of the exits of the mines. The child of the victim is still at the Hospital for recovery and has unfortunately been unable to see the murderer's face. Further pieces of information will be brought as soon as possible. Please remain careful on your journeys, young trainers.'

A long silence occurred before Ann posted: 'Uh...where did you get that from, Futaba?'

'Fron the News of the Pokemon world.' Futaba posted with a slight shrug. ' Where Ash is probably coming from.'

Akira paused for a moment, and then tipped:'Why are you posting this? Is there a connection we aren't even seeing, or else?'

'Not really at first glance...but thought that this may be important. we should keep this back in our mind.'

They continued with their research on the effects of the smash ball. Wich at first glance, it appears that they are purposefully ignoring the info about the murder, but the fact is, they shove it aside, for the moment, since they couldn't do much until they all got out of the tournament.

After reading the posts, a sudden hand landed on Akira's shoulder.

Inside his body, his heart jumped for a moment, and Akira cranked his head around, To see Luigi staring at him.

"Uh...hi?" Akira said in an awkward tone.

Where did Luigi come from? Akira could swear that he hasn't heard any footsteps coming from behind. Were his Thief skills slacking off, since he was, at least trying, to live a normal life? what does Luigi even want from him?

Luigi coughed, and Akira felt a coldness in the room, on his arm, the hair became erect.

"I want to ask you something." Luigi began, his long nose bouncing up and down as his lips moves. " What did Necrozma learn from you yesterday?"

Akira looked at him with confusion in his eyes. " Uh...I didn't do it...It was Futaba?"

Luigi went silent for a moment and answered. " I ask you this since yesterday Necrozma has been more closed off, he is currently with , I dunno of what he doing with Necrozma, and for my other half. He is getting ready for his first fight. They will soon begin." The coldness that Akira felt had vanished and now he felt more comfortable.

"So...? Are you going or what?" Akira said in a witty tone, causing Luigi's cheeks to turn red.

He stumbled on the next words. "N-NO! What makes you say that?"

"Because we just meet now, and were you going without even attempting to tell a bit about yourself?" Akira said nonchalantly.

Luigi stared at him and breathes out. " If there is nothing else, then I will tell a bit of myself."

Then he started to tell his stories to Akira, at least some of them.

How long they tried to fiend off Bowser, the one time Peach was kidnapped at her birthday, the Times where they saw so many locations that others would never see in their lives, the times when the incidents of the tournament occurred, where Luigi gave credits to all of the Heroes, who fought well until the end against Tabuu and his Sub-space army, including himself of course.

The other times he told the Phantom thief how his brother Mario was the one who came to the Idea of throwing parties, with various hosts he found and paid, excluding the ones who did it for free and were Magical. The other time where they meet a paper version of Mario, himself, Peach, and Bowser, not excluding the paper version of the latter's army.

" And that's how I found my ghost dog, what a great boy, do you not agree?"

Akira yawned from the exhaustion of the stories that Luigi just told, and slowly nodded his head. " he surely is... you and Mario live some strange life."

" Yep, you are right. There are still many things I could tell you, but we don't have much time, and I don't want to be you feel small. I am sure you have some interesting stories to tell!" Luigi beamed a smile, as Akira began to think about the opportunity.

He thought of how he should Tell Luigi about his awful upbringing and the other stuff, but he decided he would tell the story to the others with the rest of the Phantom thieves.

" I am sorry, but would rather tell with the others, but I can guarantee you that, It won't be boring! Okay?" Akira said, and the green plumber let out a disappointed sigh.

Before Luigi could walk away his body jerked up, and he crank his head in Akira's direction. " Did...you about the News of the Galar-mines?"

Visibly taken back, Akira answered. " Uh...Yes?"

" I find this very worrisome of not being able to do anything..." Luigi said. " I hate being useless you know?"

Akira nodded. " Yeah, I know someone who also hates that feeling. But you should accept that you can't do anything right now, since, well, we're kinda trapped here."

Luigi laughed at the acknowledgment and leaves Akira, not before saying. " Good to know I am not alone in this, see you later!"

He quickly notified the other Phantom thieves, who were surely wondering why he suddenly didn't reply back for a long time.

'HEY! ARE YOU STILL ALIVE!' Ann had posted, and with a quick smirk, he posted if they had the mood to tell Luigi and the other fighters to tell their stories.

They agreed, and Akira slowly saw a light surrounding him. He knew what it was and quickly posted that now it was his next turn.

---

Akira saw that he was now on a watery surface, which reflected the starry sky above him. Next to him was a fountain where the majority of the water came from, on the top of the fountain was a sphere surrounded by stars, that were held by a silver ring.

There were also places where the water was sprayed into the air.

Right beside the water's surface were multiple small towers, colorful plants, and stones in the shape of stars.

He then turned, and to his surprise, the only opponent was Mario.

The Plumber of the mushroom kingdom twirled his cap, which appeared to be his way to greeting his opponents.

" Let's-a-GO!" Mario shouted as he charged towards Akira.

The Phantom thief pulled out his model gun and fired five shots at the plumber.

Mario jumped to side and side, dodging three bullets and two hitting him in his upper body.

He grunted in pain and Jumps high into the air, fist at the ready.

The phantom thief steps aside, leaving the soaring fist landing on the ground, water splashes in Akira's face, as he stumbles.

Mario seeing the opportunity, punched Akira in the stomach.

He was flung away, and before he find his footing, Mario tripped Akira's legs, and the Thief fell down on the water.

Akira cursed for a moment, before he rolled to the side in time, as Mario's fist again hit the ground.

He jumped quickly, pulled out his knife, and slashed across Mario's arm.

Mario jumps away as he clutches his hand on the bloodless injury, which still makes Akira uncomfortable.

Mario opens his palm, and in his hand, a fire emerges from it. Akira saw it and pulled out his gun.

It fires, and as soon the fire became a ball of orange. The ball of fire and the bullets soared through hit, making holes in Mario's lower body.

The phantom wanted to sigh in relief, which soon ended as the fireball engulfed his face.

Akira shouted in the sudden heat of the fire, his eyes teared up, and if it weren't for the tournament's strange mysteries, like with the wounds without blood, his face would've been burned, if not worse, completely seared.

Mario jumped into the air and fall towards the thief.

Akira dodges the attack.

As Mario landed, Akira pulled out his Knife again, trying to stab Mario in the thigh, but he had expected it from Akira and used his hand to stop The Thief's arm, and punched his face.

He was sent flying away into one of the plants, he could hear its leaves rattle, and also, heard Mario's shoes approaching him fast.

Akira pulled out his knife, and stepped Mario into the leg, as the latter tried to give him a kick.

The hero grunted, as the Thief jumps up, and readied his Knife.

Mario gripped his leg for a moment, before rolling sideways, just in time as Akira soared on the ground.

Mario kicked into his side, Akira swears as he hunched, and Mario, without waiting a minute punched him into his midriff.

Sending flying again, Akira landed on the water and slide across the other end of the stage.

Trying to find something to hold onto, he flails his arms, and couldn't find anything. Then he prepared his hands, and as soon he felt that his head was falling over, his hands automatically grab the edge.

His fingers jerked at the sudden halt in the fall, and Akira's body tensed up as he looked up to the stars, which were probably some artificial lights.

Mario's face peeked over the edge, staring down at Akira with a determined face.

He felt so small as Mario stared at him, and then suddenly grab both of his arms, and hoisted him upwards, throwing almost the thief onto the stage.

Akira, who was rightfully puzzled, looked at Mario, to which his mouth opens. " I'll give you another chance." and then charges towards him.

He pulled out his knife, but his other hand slid to the other pocket of his, pulled out his Gun, and fired.

Mario, who expected a slash, was of course taken off guard, all of the bullets carved holes in his overalls, and he falls on his back with a grunt.

Akira runs forward to kick the plumber, which became a mistake, as Mario kicked into Akira's legs, causing him to stumble.

Mario punched Akira as he was getting up, and then kicked him in his stomach.

He could feel how his vision is slowly getting darker, by the constant pain, but inside his heart burned a small blue flame. That flame roared out, and before long he calls the fire's name in a rasped tone. " Ar...séne!"

Blue flames erupted around Akira, and The Persona, Arséne, burst out from them. His black wings hovered over his demonic face, which had a certain confidence.

" Mama mia..." Mario stopped his attack to marvel at the Persona and without a second, Mario pulls up his arm, and let it soar down to the thief.

"Tetrakarn!" Akira gasped.

A golden sphere engulfed Akira, and as Mario's fist pass through the sphere, it launched him back with a yelp.

Akira slowly rose up, as Mario also does it.

He could feel his Persona behind his back, and Akira ran toward Mario.

The hero of the mushroom kingdom jumps over the Thief and tried to attack from behind.

Mario, unsurprisingly, meet the barrier again, and this time he caught himself in the air.

" You seem to be more capable than I thought." said Mario with a grin, before charging again to Akira, who despite the fact that he had awoken Arséne, was feeling the exhaustion on him.

Then Mario Jumps onto the platform, and Akira cranked his head to see the reason why he jumped up. His heart sank, as he saw the flashing smash ball hovering above.

Like in Auto-pilot, he shifted his body, and his exhaustion vanishes as Akira jumps up, and pulled his Gun.

The bullets flew towards Mario, who grabbed inside his pockets and pulled a golden cape out.

A flap. Mario swung the cape, and the bullets hit the cape and flew toward Akira now.

The Thief dodged the bullets as he jumps over them. He saw Mario punching the ball, and by each time one of his fists hit, the Ball flew away.

Akira jumps and shot again, this time aiming for the Ball.

Two bullets hit, while the rest flew outside the stage.

Akira jumps, higher, and Mario answered with a fireball coming from his hands.

The thief dodges and his heart sank as he hears the crashing sounds of the crushed smash-ball.

Mario, now engulfed in ever-shifting colors and golden eyes, stared at him. While Mario stood there unmoved, his gaze betrayed his feelings of slight disappointment.

Mario jumps backward, his hands engulfed in flames, and he bellows: " Let's-a-go!"

From both of his hands, two blazing fireballs emerge, and two purple lines of electricity tailed behind the two.

Akira then, gradually, braced himself for the oncoming Fire defeat.

He then felt a strong wave of heat, burning to his bones, then the air passing around him.

The blackness greeted then him.

---

"Ugh." Akira let out a tired and annoyed sigh as Mario shook his hands in respect.

Mario's smile beams warmly. " Hey. You did hold out long. Maybe you beat the next one with grace, that is until tomorrow. Then Tomorrow will be the great finale, which I hope doesn't get interrupted by something...by the fourth time." He said with disdain in his voice, which Akira caught up.

" Something's wrong?"

Mario nodded his head. " Yes. since the incident of the second tournament, things happens. I don't know if someone told you those yet, but this time me, and my bro, took some preparations, in case something happens again."

" Welp, kinda understanding that it frustrates you very much."

" It really does it." Mario said with a rising voice. " It's not like I have enough to worry about. First I have to take care of Necrozma, granted, I volunteered for this. So the blame is on me. But for real, I am sleep deprived, I am in a constant rush of checking things, need to keep the food in check. Ect, etc!"

"That sounds like a lot of work...but if you are sleep deprived. Then how did you not pass out in the fight?"

Mario gave Akira a warm laugh. " Many cups of coffee does the Magic... which I don't recommend for trying! But still is kinda strange I didn't pass out or have a heart attack from the coffee. I am going to see Necrozma, do you wanna come with me?"

"Yes, I want to see him more."

Both went down the Hallway.

They walk in silence. Akira stared at Mario's back, and in his head, several questions run wild.

Did he disappoint Mario? What was that attack before? Why was Necrozma by this strange ?

Before he could ask Mario he saw a double door, which Mario opens without a word.

He saw that floating glove behind the desk writing something with his pen.

The ground of the office had blueprints strewed around, some screws here, and some tools there.

" Can I bring some cables in here, Master Hand?" Asked a small man, with his last piece of hair standing like a candle on his bald head. On his ears the Large glasses bounced around, as his small brown shoes hopped with each step, his lab coat was slightly covered in Coffee stains and other kinds, of which Akira couldn't tell what it was.

" No." came a blunt answer from the floating glove. " I do not allow it, to have Cables laying around my office space that I had provided for you, Mister Gadd."

moaned annoyed. " Good... where did I put the wrench?"

Akira leaned towards Mario. " So... this Ice cream hair, is Professor E. Gadd?"

" Yes, he is The founder and Boss of Gadd industries. His name choice, not mine. A very good friend of mine and Luigi's. He has helped us with many adventures with his Inventions. A bit too eager sometimes, but a good soul nonetheless."

"Oh?" The professor notices Akira and Mario. He Daddled towards them. " My name is Elvin Gadd. What is yours, youngster?"

"Akira Kurusu." he said while posing dramatically.

The Professor went silent for a moment before turning away. " Alright. I met an odd youngster. Now Where is the wrench?"

The Thief went silent and looked at Mario, who simply shrugged. He then pointed at the professor's back pockets and shouted. " ! It's in your back pants!"

"Oh? I am getting old." Gadd laughed. " So you are here to see how Necrozma is doing? Then come! He's right here."

The professor waved with arm, and Akira and Mario follow suit.

He leads to a wall divider, those kinds you find in a doctor's office.

The thief wondered what and why needed one for.

vanished behind wall-followed by Mario- Akira came last.

They saw Necrozma laying still on a large patient bed. He turns his head towards Mario and Akira.

"Oh...you brought someone with you? I have seen him before...," Said Necrozma exhausted, while Mario silently nodded and walked away, " You were there when I had my...what is called again? My breakdown?"

Akira looked at Necrozma with concern. His black hands dangled over the rim of the bed, his small legs laid there motionless, and his chest was wrapped in bandages, which underneath glowed a weak light.

" My Name is Akira."

Necrozma rasped. " What a nice Name. Do you feel well, seeing me? Are you afraid of being hurt by me? If so, I am deeply sorry for it. But I do like your Name, the ones who gave it to you knew what they choose."

"Yes, they did..." Akira answered in a cold tone. If only Necrozma knew. The leader of the Phantom Thieves could tell him about his true feelings for his 'parents', but decided of not to do it. Necrozma would think that he burdens him, and he already is having trouble talking to him.

"But...why are you here? What happened?" Akira asked, and Necrozma paused for a moment.

"Oh... Nothing worrying. wanted to help and gave me something to make it less painful, and that something caused me to fall asleep."

Akira paused," 'Make it less painful'? Did you get surgery or something similar? Based on the bandages it seems that you have survived...if it even can be seen as a feat, by the strange turn-into-a-trophy-upon-dying rule."

Necrozma chuckles: " Indeed. I have survived, but why are you here? I don't have anything to give you."

Taken by surprise Akira answered," What? I am here just to see how you're doing. I don't want anything from you. Is that an old habit of you, giving things to strangers like that?"

The prismatic being went silent. For a moment Akira thought he had now scared Necrozma, but he answered with sorrow " I was once a kind God..."

" A God?"

" Indeed. My power is to steal the Light, but I decided to steal the light from places that don't need, it and gave it to the ones who didn't have it. I am sort of a distributor, or was to be more direct." Over Necrozma's face, a shadow crept.

" Was?" Akira asked in a more serious tone. " Did something happen that you've lost that job?"

" Yes..." Necrozma said sorrowfully. " I was betrayed by some members of the People I've lived with. They tried to steal all my light for themselves, and upon doing so, My body Exploded. A Large burst of light engulfed everyone-the women, the children, the men- got turned to mere bones and ashes. As I woke up, I felt something horrible inside of me: It was pain, a pain that I never felt before, it coursed through my body like I was being stabbed by a thousand knives. But, The worst pain I've felt was: Betrayal. I never had that feeling before: Such rage and sadness; I wanted to burn everyone in my path, and steal every world its Light. In my raging heart I only thought one thing: ' They don't deserve the light, everyone is just greedy and thirst after power and exploit those who offer them kindness- like they did to me. But then, as Fate wanted, I met them, and him, Mario."

Akira nodded silently to the Prismatic god- not knowing what proper answer to give him.

Necrozma continues: "I attack them first, due to the thought of being the same selfish humans from before. What a blind fool I was. They bested in my attack, and crash-landed on a snowy mountain- that was in Aloha- and I passed out there. After I woke up again, they all spared me, and Mario had taken me under his wings. Four weeks, it has been four weeks since the incident, and my physical pain is lesser, and soon may become even lesser. But...in my heart, feelings tell me: I should've died on the mountain. I have still the guilt of exploding. Not to mention that Mario is so exhausted after so much guardianship and serving me, I feel like a greedy parasite that only sucks his inner light dry. can I ask you a question Akira? Do you think I deserve mercy and kindness?"

" That's a difficult question...but I do believe that you deserve mercy," Said Akira " What happened was an accident, and you didn't kill any more people. Mario seems to be capable enough to put you under his wing. Look at you, you have it good enough, there are people who care about you a lot. Like, yesterday we tried to teach about love- even with small success. Speaking of which...", He pauses. " Why do you want to know about Love? This has quite bothered me since yesterday, so what's up?"

Necrozma turned his face away from Akira," I...I..." Necrozma let out a deep sigh of defeat, " I searched for something... and that something, is what I heard, was called: Connectedness. Have you heard that name?"

" No... but I know what you're talking about." Answered Akira who leaned forward to better hear Necrozma.

The prismatic God continued: " I wanted a place to belong to, and I thought sharing Light was the right choice to achieve connectedness. But... I have let me being exploited and reduced to this state I am in now. Heh, pretty sad. While Mario has taken care of me, in those four weeks, I've seen his kindness and saw for many Days the interaction between him and Peach. This is what birthed the question of love, in my own knowledge it must be part of said connectedness, this feeling of bonds. So I ask you, is my guess right, Akira?"

Akira nodded: " Yep. One hundred points to you! Love is indeed a very important ingredient in making strong connections. I too love my friends dearly, Lucky for me Morgana, or Ryuji aren't here because One would shout, while the other would moan sadly. The point is there are different ways to Love, you have to choose the one who drives to take care of other people. That is the love of kindness: To give with not expecting a reward because you're loving them and they'll love you back. But you have to be very careful there are some people, which you already know of, that will shamelessly exploit such people. But yesterday you seemed very eager to understand the Romantic side of love, so is there more to it?"

"Yes..." Necrozma's voice went quieter, " I... I wanted to know... how love behaves...for the reason: I might have left someone behind, who may have Loved me, and I was too blind for seeing it. Since yesterday, as I understood it more, I felt this guilt inside me, and I wondered...Is she still alive? When she finds me... does she still care about me? Or will she hate me...?"

" What is her Name?"

Necrozma sighs, " I rather do it not... I burden you enough, and I find it difficult to just think about her... I am truly despicable am I not?" His face and eyes dimmed.

"No." Akira spews the word almost out. " You didn't know any better! Don't be so hard on yourself! I know it is pretty hard to feel not awful, but please consider- If she was alive and sees you like this and hear those words- what would she say and react?"

Necrozma pondered a while before giving an answer, " I think she would be angry at me for leaving her, but a small corner of me hopes for her to be forgiving. Do you think she will approve of this place? She is...was quite spacious. She would laugh at that comment..."

Akira nodded, Necrozma was getting distracted which is good. It is not pleasing to see a soul that needs care to be harsh on itself.

" ...sadly I don't think she is alive anymore." Necrozma looked back at Akira sadly, his voice rising: " I was such a fool! Why did I not stay with her? She showed me clear sighs of Love, and yet I left, blind by the truth that what I sought; Was with me all the time. No matter, I should rather focus on getting better, than breaking my mind over it." Necrozma said in a now calm tone and looked at his bandages. " Professor, when can I remove the bandages?"

who tinkered with a seeming vacuum cleaner, moved his head to look at him, smiling proudly. " Mostly likely tomorrow! The thing needs to calibrate properly to work its magic!"

Necrozma let out a sigh of expectancy, and Akira looked behind to see Mario leafing through some pages that were written by Master hand.

Akira could hear Mario mumble,"That looks good...maybe changing a little...the words look not grandiose enough..."

" Hey, what did you get there?"

" Not really interesting," Mario said without looking up, " Just you know, tomorrow is the big day! The 27th of August! Mama Mia...four weeks since July, time passes quickly!"

Akira looked at him before answering: " I heard you mumbling. Is there a problem?"

Mario gave a grunt: " Yess there is. I don't think that the way that the words are written is passable enough."

Akira got up and walked toward Mario.

He looked at the cursive words on the paper, that were to his eyes written beautifully, they say: ' Winner of the Smash tournament of 2023!'

" That...doesn't look bad at all... I don't know what the issue is."

" It feels cheap...", Mario answered reluctant, " I feel there should be more text. Like some more grace and...I dunno, drama...? No...That sounds wrong. Ugh! Help would be appreciated."

Akira nodded, even if he was a bit against it, " Sure. Maybe some edge here and there, and here could be..." And so a few minutes ended at the moment.

Some time passes, as they discuss the design of the text and what it could say, after a while, Mario gave a thumbs up. " Yes! That sounds good! Thank you, Akira! You're the best!" He said and put the written versions of the winning line into his pocket.

Akira touched his glasses, " Nothing new." He said with a smirk. "I'm always there for surprises!"

Mario chuckles, " Ragazzo! You do like being overdramatic, aren't you? But oh well! Thank you again for the help, especially talking with Necrozma. He seems to have gotten better, it must have weighed on him. I do wonder sometimes if I am the wrong one to take him under my care..."

" He just doesn't want to burden you, that's what he told me." Akira said, " Just let him rest, you already have much work to do. I think tomorrow will be fine, and nothing bad is going to happen."

Mario gave a silent nod and Akira left, saying, "See you tomorrow!", to everyone in the room.

The Grandfather strikes, and a deep resonating gong echoed across the room.

---

Akira left the door behind his back close as he walks down the hallway.

He wondered of who Necrozma's lover is, he understood why Necrozma wasn't keen on telling him, that kinda stuff eats away at anyone. Akira hopes that he'll eventually find peace.

Then he stopped, heard a slight crack before him, and saw a double door.

Was that the same door he came out of? He could've sworn that he went to the side and said goodbye to them.

The door was open a slight crack, he peeked inside and saw only a thick blackness. Trying to appease his curiosity he stepped inside the blackness.

" It is sure dark in here..." Akira muttered to himself as he walked deeper in, " Hello? Is anybody here? Mario?"

Behind him, the door fell shut, and he heard a beeping sound.

Fearing of what just happened he bolted to the door and pulled out his keycard in the dark, and heard a disapproving beep.

Anger rises up his face," Nonono! Dammit! This isn't happening!" he was locked in! The Phantom Thief of Hearts was locked in because he walked in the door like a moron.

He then groped the wall for a light switch, and after a while he found it.

It clicked, and the light turned on.

Green wallpaper reflected the lights onto the red carpets on the ground.

Akira looked at the small hallway that lead into a room and decided to go deeper if the door was closed might as well take a look around.

The Room he entered was huge in comparison to the office, a golden Chandelier hung on a purple chain; Its light darken the ceiling, Making it difficult for Akira to properly see the Ceiling, which could be going on for several Kilometers.

A large staircase lead to an upper part with a balcony, and Akira could make out a large frame of a painting behind the fence. Fence? Were those things in such places called fences? Nevermind.

He walked up the stairs, wondering why the hands since he'd figured that he may be in their residence, need those stairs In the first place. They can just float up after all.

Akira reached the top of the stairs and can fully see the painting: It had a creature on it, wrapped in black tendrils with the texture and appearance of the roots of a tree, crimson crystals were at the tips, and some specks of purple were in between the black. What stood out in the middle was an electric blue eyeball with a golden slit pupil.

On both sides of the entity were two halves of stars in black.

" That's rad.", Akira said aloud and grab inside his pocket to pull out his phone, and to his misfortune, he felt nothing.

He curses, did he really forget his phone at the very 'full' office? Dammit! It can't get any worse!

Akira looked closer at the frames and noticed they were root-shaped, he then looked at the lower part. Written in purple letters stood: 'Sit in tenebris Mundus protegatur.'

What is this language? He didn't recognize it. It wasn't English that was for certain. If they only learned more languages than just English and Japanese!

He shook his head and looked to his left where he saw another set of stairs, he walked up and reached an even higher floor. He was now facing a bookshelf that was led against the wall.

Akira inches closer, and notices that the books were unlabeled. He wondered why they were like this and without any thinking, he grabbed one that was bound in green leather, and open it.

The smell of the yellowed pages stung his nose like an electric charge.

He look at the letters and date, which were written in a scribbled manner: 08/20/2023; 'I've finished the closet at the ground level for the Items that are hidden in there, they both do have good ideas, which isn't honestly surprising given that what this place really is.'

Akira blinked in confusion, who has written this? Is it one of the hands, and while at it, he has never sawn the other hand around, who was called crazy hand? Was it his writing?

He had questions, but one of them stood out. What does it mean to 'what this place really is'? Is what they have been living, fighting, and spending time in for a week, and not forgetting the other fighters that came before Akira and the phantom thieves, for years- not what it appears?

Akira turned a page, and continued reading:08/22/2023; 'They are constantly checking the closet, to see if they have enough. This is good and the fighters are better than last time, I think they are slowly done. I am already getting the nostalgia, I will be missing that place for sure. You Will miss that place too, right, brother?'

'Miss that place'? Akira begins to feel uneasy- is_ is this all going to end? or is something very foul going on?

Given that, Akira slowly realizes of how weird everything is. why was the door open to begin with?

He looked up from the book and stared down at the door, he could almost not see.

Akira could have sworn he was walking straight as he left the office, and he was usually attentive when it comes down to orientation; which should've not made him walk inside and literally wait to be let out. This was probably the most awkward thing that has ever happened to him, and many awkward things happened to him due to his desire to strengthen his bonds!

He shook his head and continued to read:08/24/2023; Okay something bad had happened, they have entered THAT place. Which should have not been entered! That is so crazy of how his Bard powers lead them to it and I did not expect that underneath the board is the clock! Why does HE still do that, Master hand? Brother, I honestly have a very hard to actually understanding him, sometimes he does this or that with no little explanation! My fingers hurt by writing this down... I almost have a seizure of HIM.

Akira shook his head. This was getting ridiculous, the more he reads the more question popped up in his head.

What place? Bard powers?! Clock? and who was HE? A being like the god of control that Akira and the rest of the phantom thieves had fought? Or is it someone like the long-noosed Igor?

He shoved the book back into the shelve before he starts questioning his very identity.

Akira noticed another staircase, and hoping to find at least Crazy Hand that he could let him out, he climbed the stairs.

In the end, waited a door and he saw the stars on the handle before opening it.

He steps into another darkness and immediately searched for a light switch, which he found.

The light flickers, and he to his greater confusion framed paintings, his eyebrow lifted in confusion. " What?" he whispers, " What is this?"

Steps closer to the frames, the sounds of his steps being absorbed by the carpet, as he inches closer.

The Paintings were made in oily colors, and what confused him more was, that the one he was approaching was depicting a strange creature with a lion head, behind the head was a sun, and the head was attached to a long slender body of a snake. What makes him gasp in a mixture of shock and puzzlement was the name that was written under the painting: ' Yaldabaoth.'

The name that has ruined all his life in his own world back In Japan, the one who was behind making the Palaces' rulers and the sloth of society, the one who manipulated Akira and CROW for playing a game that was rigged from the start. That Name who tried to enslave humanity was right in front of Akira.

His heart soared with anger, but his mind tamed it quickly to point that at the Odd painting. The Yaldabaoth they fought had was a fusion of an Angel and a Enmorus robot, but this seemed way too different, he certainly doesn't remember That Yaldabaoth had a Lion's head, not to forget, a snake body.

Then he wondered why such a Painting was even here in the first place.

He look closer at the image and noticed several things: Behind the Lion's head were several flower petals, some were pinkish, while others were in a deep black. The eyes of the Lion were closed in a manner that looked...sorrowful? The heck is that painting trying to tell? Is it like an art piece? But given the odd look at the eyes, it may be more something else. He stepped away and looked at the Next.

The painting was showing a multiple-headed snake, each had an ornate crown resting on their heads, and the scales were a wonderous blue. Like in the other painting, their eyes were also sorrowful, and the same petals were behind the heads.

The name was: Shesha.

" That's strange, isn't he one of my Personas?... What is going on...", Akira whispered to himself and looked at the other paintings. The Various paintings depicting Gods and Demons, whose names were those of the various Personans he could have in the Velvet Room, but while they had the Names, all of them looked different from those he has as Personas' and all of them looked sorrowful, even if it was difficult to see like the likes of Beezelbub, and had those black petals behind their heads.

Akira stuttered the words in the growing confusion," W-What is this all?" he looked at a Painting showing a human with wings like a bat portuing from the back, and wearing armor, whose name is ' Satan.'

What is this room? Why are the Personas depicted, and why do they look so different?

Then his eyes gazed at a painting of a man in a top hat, and suit, the same look in his eyes. Akira's eyes rose up in horror as he read the name that stood underneath: Arséne Lupin.

"W-what...", Akira gasped at the Name, his heart shrunk, from his face cold sweat formed, his the salvia in his mouth warmed as the breath leaves his mouth.

What is this? Is that a Human version of his most trusted, his first Persona? Arséne?

He tries to call out his Persona, but he doesn't know why exactly. Was he trying to confront him? trying to find comfort in his black wings? Or seeing a friendly face?

But his horrors, he felt nothing, no blue flames nor chains. Only his beating heart, which rhythm got more out of control... why couldn't he call his Perona? Where is Arséne...? Where is he...? WHAT EVEN IS ARSÉNE?! If there is a painting of him as a human, what was Arséne? Who was he as a Human? But does that mean, that all of the Paintings are Gods and Demons? B-But why do they look so different, are they just clon..es? Or...something else?

He didn't like the room. He didn't like it at all! His heart screams to get out of here, he the confident Leader of the Thieves felt Fear making his legs jelly, he'd never felt this feeling in a long time, Not Even Crows Breakdown, didn't make felt so much fear, and being naked. Without his Persona he feels so naked, even he felt his Warm clothes, they felt like glue on his skin, waiting for a monster to tear it down, and eat that fearful heart.

His mind was screaming to leave the room, Akira almost spun around, he could feel the gaze of the painting digging holes inside his body from their sorrow, it felt almost they are begging him to help them.

Each. Step. Was heavy. It felt like there his feet has turned into rock, threatening him to sink under the carpet, and never to be seen again. His hand reaches to the door handle...

" Please..." He heard a voice behind him, it was pleading. His neck was frozen, he couldn't turn it around, even if he wanted to., " Please...avenge us." The Voice was female, and another voice chimed in, " Your friends, the ones dressed in red and green, will bring everyone and your world the Ligh of the great cleave... there's no need of running away." it was a male, and sounded like a dozen insects. Akire could've smelled something rotten.

" They've seen things, they've witnessed things, that not even a reality with the most pleasure, the one which was offered to you and which you have declined, will not be enough to cleanse and to ever forget what they have seen. Their souls have been burned by it. They can not unsee the truth, they've seen something so horrendous, not unlike an ant who has seen the circuit board of a computer, the ant could not return as an ant, like before that cursed knowledge. Although, they never could have experienced a before, as it happened in their months of birth."

"W-What are you?", Akira asked, in fear, he still couldn't move his head, he wasn't sure if an unknown force was keeping it in place, or if his body just refuses at looking at them as if very life was dependent on it of not looking at them.

Another female voice speaks, her voice dried out, " We are not something that lives or is there anymore... you could call us embodied guilty memories, the beings you've seen in the paintings are no longer there. We are something that a former cold God remembers and haunts him relentlessly, we can't do more, as HE allows it. It was HIS intention that you came here. It was not your own choice, it hasn't been as soon as you've received that letter. We Will be part of HIM until it is done."

" He?", Akira Let out a choked gasp, " What is his name?"

" There's is no reason to know his name...if you allow it, it will reveal itself, to you and the whole world. There are no means to escape the fate of truth, the only choice you have in that manner, is WHO and WHAT your position of all of this will be."

Akira's heart bellowed, making the Hand click down the knob, before, he find out what is happening, his body stormed through the door, turns around, and shuts the door. He could only see a glimpse of the dozen Gods, and demons that were behind him, as the Door obscured the view of him, and his hand slammed against the wood. His feet to a few steps back.

He breathes in and out. Slowly... and out...until fingers stop trembling... and his heartbeat slows down.

After getting his bearings, he slowly walks down the stairs. Even though he has calmed down, he looks around to see an incoming threat. He was sure, that something was slowly approaching him, he was feeling dread.

As soon he walked down the painting, the creature on it starring in his back. He hears something moving...above him slither.

He swears that his dumb decision o f Looking up, he didn't know why he decided to look up. What greeted him was an electric blue, the same eye on the Painting, and something with a long slender body.

Before long the black snake soared down on him, and the head quickly coiled around him. Akire could feel enormous muscles, pushing all air out of his lungs, his eyes saw for a moment darkness, and his eyes regained the light, and his body was lifted into the air.

The snake's head was a few inches away from his face, Akira could see, it was triangular. He moved his head to the side and notices several purple crystals were like bones looking out, staring at him with their crimson glow.

" Akira, Kurusu.", The snake's black tongue flickers in front of Akira. " You've decided to scoop around? It is amusing...even after you did raids of the corrupt after you try to live an unsuspecting life, you are still at your heart a Thief."

Akira's heart tightens from the strength that lies in the muscles, and fear, he was in deep trouble, but he also was curious, the way the snake spoke, felt so oddly familiar, the manner and the rhythm...where did he hear them before?

" But...", The snake interrupted him, " you are without your power. He has sent you here on purpose, did He not? You have seen them, you have emerged from the door. Your soul also has been touched by a small glimpse of truth. I cannot allow you to reveal this to others. It's too soon."

Akira coughed, 'he'? That he that those 'versions' talked about is not that thing on the Portrait? Is the 'he' the same as which crazy hand was writing about? and what does the snake mean by 'too soon'? Too soon of what-

" Now..." The snake interrupted his thoughts, " This is certain the second time I do this. This time you won't be able to ruin everything, there's only one day left."

Akira's widen in surprise, " A-a second time?"

"Yes... You've seen my face already...directly at your arrival... I've had to knock you out, due to the strength of your persona, HE did test my powerful side. Your heart is truly strong I give you that, but this time, I had removed the ability to call him by his name, and like last time, your memory will be gone too. It will only hurt if you rebel, Thief." The snake said the word with spite in his voice, and Akira's eyes rose, as the head of the snake slowly got up to the ceiling, dragging him along.

Akira tried to scream, but he could barely breathe, as the coils pushed harder on his chest.

The chandelier passed his face, and he looked down, before looking up to the blackness that was the ceiling, the snake hisses, " You were truly troublesome. Very. Troublesome. You will serve the truth, one way or another, as Fate dictated it. It will happen quickly." The serpent flickers his tongue to the void, chanting a name, " O The-one-who-remebers, seal his memory, so he can't interfere with fate, I am sorry for asking for a second time."

In the darkness an eerie blue glows emits, and just at the small spark, Akira's mind burst at its seams, while he screams at the pain.

His memory is trying to swim against the current of being suppressed, it writhes and shouts, against that dark ominous wave of this blue spark.

Akira, was trying to fight back, and the glow shine brighter and brighter, the wave was towering over his mind, but remained stron-

" Akira?", said a familiar voice, and He turn to it, and the dark wave drowned the memory...

Before he forget of what he had learned, about Gods, demons, and Crazy hand, he heard another unknown voice, in a proud tone, "You've done well, Dharkon... your time will soon come."

---

"Akira?", said Mario, as he snapped his fingers in front of his face. " Are you awake? You have forgotten your phone." Akira blinked at Mario with confusion on his face... what happened? He left the office, and... his head was filled with dark water, did he... stand there for a while?

He took the phone from Mario's offered hand, and Mario's eyebrow twisted to concern, " Are you okay? You seem pretty exhausted. I recommend you lie down, Tomorrow is a long and exciting day. For me, I am pretty happy about tomorrow, so, go to bed, and take a long and deserving rest."

with those words left Akira, who stood there, as he watched his phone.

There was something on his mind, but he didn't know why he had simply stopped in his tracks, a name. There was a name that kept appearing in his head when he thought about it. Dharkon. why, Dharkon? That name...did he hear that one before?

He shook his head, No, there's nothing worth at it to think about. Time to hit the hay, and he left.

... Behind the door to the strange room was slightly cracked. A blue light shone, and in slow motion, it closed.

" Soon, it won't take long anymore... The clock will strike, and the past will be brought up to the surface... sins must be known. Darkness will be there... the suppressed side will burst out...and will serve." From the crack of the door, some oily substance leaked out, " This dream from the past will no longer be after tomorrow...we will and have already met again, Phantom thief of heart." Dharkon hissed, as a purple glow emitted behind the closed door.

The clock's bigger hand is now on the star, and the small one is on the church.

END OF DAY 6

---

Phew. I finally ended that chapter, man...that was quite the chore. I know It seems short, and the ending is again, rushed. But okay, I was preparing to move out with my family, at the time of writing that Note, I am currently in the new house. The View is a bit niece. I am fine, as far as I am concerned.

The Picture part was me trying to point at the fact, that this story is more than just a battle between good and evil. There's clearly going on here, that None of the smashers aren't aware of fully.

So I hope, I am budling off enough ground, as the other chapter the final day of the Tournament will be more, than the previous ones. My battle writhing has gotten better, while still mediocre, I am still trying to learn, so some criticism is wished, thank you. If you think the next chapter is the end, no, it isn't it more another step for Necrozma's character, a very important one. If you wonder why Necrozma is put in so much focus, is that there aren't many Fanfictions of him being good, most of him he takes a villain role, and I felt I want him to be good. Not only a side character but a main one, which is also unusual as he is a Legendary pokemon who is a main character in a Super Smash Bros. fic, so I hope I have built up enough for the next chapter to pay out.

See you later, and have a great day!

Farewell, Charles Marinett, the Oirginal voice of Mario! You are our super star, and will be gladly remembered by the fans. ( He isn't dead, if you don't know, just retired.)