Estimated Reading Time: 23 Minutes

.

Boys Chillin

Excitement buzzed through the group as they lounged on deck, basking in the sun while the ship glided across the sea. Laughter and conversation filled the air, blending with the crash of waves. Everyone relaxed—except Sonic. Seated off to the side, he nursed drink after drink, his gaze distant as he drowned himself in alcohol instead of the moment.

Ness closed his eyes, letting the gentle sway of the ship lull him into a rare moment of peace. A soft sigh escaped him as he rested his arms behind his head.

"This is nice," he murmured, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Lucas: "I know right~"

Gordon: "I could get used to this."

Little Mac: "You can say that again."

Toon: "Is Sonic okay?"

Ness: "He's fine. Who cares."

Pit: "Geez, why do you hate him so much?"

Ness: "He breaks into my room and bullies me. Why wouldn't I?"

Lucas: "Ness likes it."

Ness: "Hey! Stop being on his side."

Lucas: "No~"

Toon: "So Little Mac, tell us what you like about Kirby?"

Little Mac: "Oh where can I begin?"

Pit: "Begin anywhere."

Little Mac: "I love how she took an interest in boxin'. She even became better than me. We're like the perfect workout buds, and bein' with her just makes me feel whole."

Toon: "Aww, that's cute~"

Lucas: "That's very sweet."

Little Mac: "I just love her so much."

Gordon: "Love is a beautiful thing. Congrats on the wedding."

Little Mac: "Thank you, uh—what's your name again?"

Gordon: "Gordon Ramsay."

Little Mac: "And where are ya from?"

Gordon: "The real world."

Little Mac: "Wait, isn't this place real?"

Ness: "No. We're in the digital world."

Little Mac: "Wha?"

Lucas: "We're programs."

Little Mac: "And he's not?"

Gordon: "Nope."

Little Mac: "Then how'd you get here?"

Gordon: "Through the travel machine."

Little Mac: "Wait, what the fuck? I'm confused."

Ness: "He came here through the travel machine."

Little Mac: "I get that, but I didn't know it connected the digital world and the real one."

Pit: "He makes a good point. I don't get it either."

Gordon: "Yeah now that I think about it, I'm not sure how it works."

Little Mac: "So wait, are you code too?"

Gordon: "I—think so?"

Little Mac: "So you're not real? Am I real?"

Ness: "We're real."

Little Mac: "But you just said we're code."

Ness: "Well yes, but…"

Little Mac: "Is Jordan real in his world? Are they code too?"

Gordon: "It's Gordon, and yes I'm real."

Little Mac: "You could be a part of a program in your world too."

Gordon: "I'm not."

Little Mac: "How do you know? I didn't know I was code until now."

Pit: "Whoa… my brain hurts."

Lucas: "Same here."

Toon: "Popo, what'd you think?"

Popo: *Snores*

Toon: "He's out haha!"

Little Mac: "Hold on I'm actually freakin' out."

Ness: "Nobody has true answers. Let's just change the subject."

Lucas: "Yeah, let's talk about Kirby."

Little Mac rambled on about how much he loved Kirby, his voice full of excitement. Ness, however, barely heard him. His mind drifted to Nate, replaying their last conversation. The way he had shut his clone down so abruptly—it was harsh. Too harsh.

Guilt settled in his chest as he pulled out his phone, ready to make things right. But no signal. He frowned, tapping the screen as if that would help.

"Hold on, guys. I'll be right back," Ness said, pushing himself up from his seat.

Ness wandered the deck, holding his phone high, hoping for even the weakest signal. Nothing. Just an empty screen mocking him.

His steps slowed as a sinking feeling crept into his gut. They were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an endless stretch of sea. Wait… what?

This was supposed to be a simple cruise around Gelato Beach. But now, the island is gone. Completely out of sight.

His grip tightened around his phone.

"Where… are we?"

Ness hurried back to the group, his heart pounding. His eyes landed on Sonic, who was swaying unsteadily, his eyelids drooping as he clutched an empty bottle.

"Sonic, don't panic, but I think we went off course," Ness warned, his voice low.

The hedgehog just let out a slurred laugh. "Whoohoo! Yeah, water. I ain't afraid of no— hic!—ocean," he babbled, throwing an arm out dramatically. "Cheddar— hic!—Biscuit don't know what he's talkin' about. He dumb. Very, very, very, very dumb."

Ness pinched the bridge of his nose. "Great."

The brunet sighed and hoisted Sonic in his arms. Step by step, he carried him back toward the others, who were still lounging comfortably, completely unaware of the growing problem.

Ness eased Sonic onto the lounge chair, watching as the hedgehog immediately sprawled out, mumbling incoherently. With a sigh, he glanced down at his phone—still no signal. Not wanting to risk losing it, he tucked it securely into his rucksack.

Lucas looked up from his seat, a knowing smile on his face. "Sonic's drunk, isn't he?"

Ness: "Yes, but there's a bigger issue here."

Lucas: "What's that?"

Ness: "Um, don't panic, but I think we went off course."

Lucas: "Wha?"

Little Mac: "Oh. Yeah, we're gonna go on a treasure hunt."

Ness: "What do you mean?"

Little Mac: "Captain K. Rool is takin' us to an island full of treasure."

Ness: "How do you know this?"

Little Mac: "Because he asked me if it was okay, and I said yes."

Ness: "Wwhat!" No! Why?"

Little Mac: "Why not? I thought it'd be fun."

Toon: "It does sound like fun."

Little Mac: "Riiight."

Ness: "A-are you guys seriously okay with this?"

Pit: "I don't see the problem. It's his party."

Popo: "Uhhh… where am I?"

Ness: "Good question, Popo. I have no fucking idea."

Popo: "Wha?"

Little Mac: "Relax. Everything's gonna be fiiine."

Ness: "What if we end up in the Smashuda Triangle?"

Little Mac: "I dunno anything about this triangle or whateva, but the chances of that are slim."

Ness: "Oh god… we have to turn this ship around."

Little Mac: "No wonder why he told me not to tell ya. You worry too much."

Ness: "He said not to tell me in particular?"

Little Mac: "Yeah."

Ness: "Are you kidding me?!"

Toon: "I mean—you're bein' a wet blanket right now."

Ness: "I'm being a wet blanket? I didn't sign up for this."

Pit: "Cheer up. You might enjoy treasure hunting."

Ness rolled his eyes, frustration bubbling up, and stormed off without a word. His footsteps were heavy against the deck as his mind raced.

Lucas quickly followed, concern written all over his face. "Ness, are you okay?" he asked gently, reaching out to place a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"No, I'm not okay. I'm terrified. Where's K. Rool?" Ness muttered, his eyes darting around as he scanned the ship's interior.

Without waiting for a response, he marched to the wheelhouse, his pulse quickening. Pushing open the door, he found K. Rool at the helm, his massive claws gripping the wheel as he steered the boat through the endless sea.

Ness: "K. Rool!"

K. Rool: "It's Captain K. Rool to ya."

Ness: "Turn this ship around."

K. Rool: "Arrg! Not gonna happen, squirt."

Ness: "Where're you taking us?"

K. Rool: "To this fun island I know."

Ness: "Okay, but where? What's it called?"

K. Rool: "It doesn't have a name. I found it years ago."

Ness: "I didn't sign up for this. Turn the ship around or else."

K. Rool stood up, looming over Ness with his massive frame. "Or else what?" he rumbled, his voice dropping into a menacing growl.

But Ness didn't flinch. His eyes locked onto the crocodile's, unwavering. "I'm stronger than you. Sit down," he said, fists balling at his sides, energy humming beneath his skin.

K. Rool: "Oh? You think yer stronger than me, aye?"

Ness: "I know I am."

Lucas: "Um, Ness, maybe we should just go."

Ness: "No. He's taking us somewhere dangerous. I can sense it."

K. Rool: "Listen to yer boyfriend, kid."

Ness: "He's not my boyfriend, and I'm not a kid. I'm nineteen."

K. Rool: "Go back and be with the rest of yer group, or else."

The tension between them was thick, a heavy silence hanging in the air as the two locked eyes in a dramatic stare down. Lucas stood off to the side, frozen in uncertainty. His heart raced, unsure of what to do next.

S-should I stop them? he thought, his hands trembling. The fear of watching them clash was enough to make him feel like he might implode.

Before anyone could react, a loud crack of thunder echoed through the air, jolting them all. The three of them rushed to the window, eyes wide in shock as dark clouds swirled ominously above them.

Ness and Lucas exchanged a quick glance, panic rising. They didn't need to say a word.

They rushed out, sprinting to rejoin their friends.

Popo: "Oh shiiit. Everyone, let's head inside!"

The group scrambled toward the door, desperate to get inside the ship and out of the storm. But before they could reach safety, a tornado suddenly formed, tearing through the air with terrifying speed. It swept them all up—except for K. Rool—and carried them off into the unknown. In the chaos of swirling winds and debris, everything went dark, and they all fell unconscious.

Lucas was the first to stir. Groggily, he blinked his eyes open and found himself on the ground, surrounded by the sound of crashing waves. The scent of salt and earth filled his senses as he realized they were on an island.

He tried to sit up, but his body screamed in protest, sore and battered. Panic rose in his chest as he attempted to use PK Lifeup, but nothing happened. It felt like some unseen force was blocking his powers, an unsettling weight pressing down on him.

Lucas crawled over to Ness, his body aching with each movement. He shook his friend's shoulder gently, desperation in his eyes. After a moment, Ness stirred, groaning as he slowly sat up, rubbing his eyes in confusion.

"L-Lucas? Hnn... w-what happened?" Ness mumbled, his voice thick with sleep as he tried to process their situation.

"We're stranded," Lucas replied, his voice steady despite the panic that surged beneath it.

Hearing that, Ness's grogginess vanished. His eyes snapped open as he took in the unfamiliar surroundings—a barren stretch of sand and a forest.

"No…" he whispered, his voice barely audible as his eyes widened in shock.

Lucas: "W-what'd we do?"

Ness: "This can't be happening."

The brunet struggled to his feet, but as soon as he stood, a sharp pain shot through his body, forcing him to collapse back down. Gritting his teeth, he tried to focus, reaching for his PK Lifeup, but nothing happened. His powers remained blocked, an invisible barrier preventing him from accessing them.

"W-why can't I use my powers?" he muttered, frustration and fear creeping into his voice.

Lucas: "I can't either."

Ness: "What?"

Lucas: "Something is blocking our powers. Don't you feel it too?"

Ness: "Y-yeah, kinda."

The blonde fought through the ache in his body, pushing past the pain to wake up the rest of the group. One by one, they groggily stirred, all of them wincing as they tried to sit up, their muscles stiff and sore.

"Yo, Ness, help a brotha and heal me," Sonic groaned, leaning back and placing a hand on his aching back, his voice slurring slightly from the aftermath of his earlier drunkenness.

Ness: "I can't."

Sonic: "What'd you mean you can't?"

Ness: "I can't. Something is blocking my energy."

Sonic: "Ha ha very funny. Now heal me."

Ness: "Didn't you just hear me? I can't!"

Sonic: "Fuck you. Lucas, heal me since Ness isn't takin' my pain seriously."

Lucas: "I can't either."

Sonic: "You guys are seriously pissin' me off."

Toon: "Ugh, I feel awful."

Pit: "S-so do I."

Gordon: "Oww…"

Little Mac: "Guys, I think we're stranded on an island."

Sonic: "Yeah no shit Sherlock."

Little Mac: "Who?"

Gordon: "Fuck! FUUUUCK! I CAN'T DO THIS SHIT AGAIN!"

Little Mac: "Can any of yu's use your powers to teleport us outta here?"

Ness: "I know teleport, but I can't use my powers."

Little Mac: "Why not?"

Ness: "I don't know."

Sonic: "I'll scout."

Sonic, with his usual confidence, took off running, but something was off. To his shock, his legs weren't moving at their usual lightning speed. He was barely going faster than an average person.

"W-what the fuck! Why am I so slow?!" he shouted, his frustration growing as he struggled to push his speed, only to feel more and more hindered with each step.

Little Mac, trying to shake off the unease, walked over to the nearest tree and threw a punch, hoping to knock a coconut loose. But when his fist hit the bark, he barely made a dent. The coconut stayed firmly in place.

"G-guys… my strength is gone," he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. He shook his hand, staring at it like it had betrayed him. "I feel like just some guy."

Toon: "Hold on, lemme get me wind waker. Maybe I can… uh oh."

Ness: "Uh oh? Uh oh? Why uh oh?!"

Toon: "I don't have it."

Sonic: "I would look for it, but I ran all the way to the forest area and back. I'm fuckin' tired. I never get tired! What is this shit?!"

Pit: "I can't contact anyone through telepathy either."

The group turned to Popo, who stood frozen in place, staring at his hands in disbelief. His usual layback energy was replaced with something unfamiliar—fear.

"Guys…" his voice wavered. He clenched and unclenched his fists, as if willing his powers to return.

"I can't make iiice."

Ness: "Oh no… don't tell me we're in the Smashuda Triangle."

Little Mac: "No we're not. We're just stranded on a random island."

Ness: "No! Don't you get it? If it's a normal ass island, we could still use our powers. The Smashuda Triangle is where all the crazy unexplained shit happens."

Gordon: "I don't care where we are. I want out!"

Toon: "Gordon calm down."

Gordon: "Calm down? DID YOU JUST ASK ME TO CALM DOWN?!"

Chaos erupted. Sonic paced back and forth, his hands on his head. Gordon was outright screaming. Pit and Lucas clung to each other, tears streaming down their faces. Toon frantically tried to calm everyone down, but his voice was drowned out by the panic. Little Mac was shouting in frustration, while Popo rocked back and forth, mumbling to himself.

Ness stood in the center of it all, watching the breakdown unfold. His mind raced for a solution, but for the first time in a long while, he had no idea what to do.

Growwwwll

The group went silent.

Little Mac: "Who's stomach was that?"

Sonic: "Mine."

Lucas: "Oh god, what're we gonna do about food? I didn't think about that."

Sonic: "I-I'm fuckin' starvin'."

Toon: "Already? We've only been here for like five minutes."

Sonic: "Yes, dude! I'm fuckin' starvin'. I need to eat. Now."

Ness: "Alright, we can look—

Sonic: "I call eating Pit."

Pit: "What!"

Toon: "Mate, what the fuck?"

Sonic: "He got wings. I bet he tastes like chicken."

Popo: "I... I wanna eat Pit too."

Ness: "Popo?!"

Gordon: "What the fuck is going on?!"

Sonic: "Yeah let's eat em!"

Pit: "WHAT!"

Sonic and Popo's frantic energy shifted into something more unsettling. Their panicked expressions twisted into something darker—eyes wide, furious, and… hungry.

Pit's breath hitched as he noticed their slow, deliberate steps toward him. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to move.

"H-Hey, guys…?" he stammered, raising his hands in defense as he cautiously stepped back. "W-what's with those looks…? Y-you're not actually serious, are you?"

Pit's blood ran cold. His wings stiffened, and his breathing turned shaky.

"You lookin' tasty, Pit," Sonic murmured, his voice low and predatory.

Pit's heart pounded as adrenaline surged through his veins. This wasn't a joke. This wasn't Sonic messing around. He seriously lost it.

"I-I don't like this," Pit stuttered, taking another shaky step back, but Sonic and Popo only advanced closer.

"Sonic, Popo, knock it off!" Ness snapped, stepping in front of Pit with his arms outstretched. His stance was firm, but his voice wavered with unease.

"We've only been here for like ten minutes," he added, eyes darting between the two. "You can't be that hungry already."

Sonic's ears twitched, and Popo's fingers curled. Their breathing was heavy, their eyes still dark with something unnatural. Ness swallowed hard. This isn't good. My friends are already losing it…

Gordon: "ENOUGH! No one's eating anybody!"

Little Mac: "Yeah, what the hell guys."

Lucas: "Let's check the forest area first."

Popo: "I don't want no fruit. I want meat."

Toon: "No! We're not eating our friends!"

Hearing Toon Link's voice cut through the tension, Popo blinked rapidly as if waking from a trance. His breathing slowed, and the wild hunger in his eyes faded. He shook his head and frowned, gripping his arms as guilt crept in.

"I'm sorry… y-you're right," he mumbled, voice shaky. He took a step back, glancing at Pit with regret. "Let's go search for food."

Sonic, however, remained eerily silent, his fists clenched at his sides. Lucas offered a small, reassuring squeeze on Sonic's shoulder. "Hey, everything will be okay."

Sonic turned to look at him. He saw the fear in Lucas's eyes—fear he was trying so hard to hide. Guilt weighed heavily on the hedgehog's chest. He clenched his jaw, then exhaled slowly, forcing himself to calm down.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, closing his eyes. His body still ached with an unfamiliar hunger, but he pushed it down. He wasn't about to let it control him.

Sonic glanced down at their joined hands, feeling the warmth of Lucas's grip grounding him. He let out a breath and gave a small nod.

"Yeah… let's do this."

With Lucas leading the way, the rest of the group trailed behind, their earlier panic simmering into tense determination. The dense forest loomed ahead, shadows stretching between the towering trees. Every step felt uncertain, but they had no choice. If they wanted to survive, they needed to find food—and fast.

Ness clenched his fists, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling creeping up his spine. Why does this bother me so much? He told himself it was nothing, just stress from their situation, but he couldn't ignore the way his stomach twisted at the sight of Lucas and Sonic standing so close.

It's not a big deal… he thought, but his narrowed eyes betrayed him. He stayed quiet, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand—finding food.

Little Mac: "Uhh… Ness?"

Ness: "What?"

Little Mac: "Yo, you good?"

Ness: "No. I'm stranded in a fuckin' island."

Toon: "You've been staring at Sonic and Lucas pretty intensely."

Popo: "Oh shiiit. Are ya jealous?"

Gordon: "So, they finally got together, huh?"

Ness: "No I'm not jealous. I-I'm just staring off into space."

Gordon: "You hesitated."

Ness: "No I didn't. I don't like him like that."

Popo: "Which one?"

Ness: "Shut up."

Popo: "Haaahaaa~"

Pit: "Hey guys, I think I found some berries!"

The group's focus shifted to Pit as he pointed to a bush brimming with ripe berries. Sonic, Little Mac, and Popo wasted no time, snatching handfuls with eager grins. Just as they were about to take a bite, Ness's voice rang out—sharp and urgent. "Stop!"

Sonic: "What! I'm hungry!"

Ness: "What if they're poisonous? Remember the time you ate that mushroom in the cave? You totally lost it! You could've died."

Sonic: "Look, that one was obviously poisonous and I wasn't in my right mind. These berries are fiiine. They're ripe."

Ness: "You're still not in your right mind!"

Sonic: "Yes I am."

Ness: "Four minutes ago you tried to eat Pit!"

Lucas: "I think you should listen to Ness."

Sonic: "Quit backin' up your boyfriend. I'm fuckin' fine! Just lemme eat."

Gordon: "So they are dating."

Toon: "Yep."

Ness: "We're not."

Sonic: "If I don't eat soon, I'm gonna lose it!"

Ness: "You're acting like you've never had a day without food before."

Sonic: "We're trapped in a fuckin' island with barley any resources!"

Little Mac: "There's food. I saw a coconut earlier."

Lucas: "Coconuts are hard to crack though."

Little Mac: "We'll slam it against the tree."

Sonic: "But I want meat…"

Popo: "I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! I'M EATING PIT!"