//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: VS Mario // Story: Light and Darkness // by FandomPlays1234 //------------------------------// Starlight stood before the plumber as he stared her down with his glowing red eyes.A bead of sweat rolled down her face as Mario stood there holding his fists up ready for battle. "Starlight what are you doing?" asked Sylveon. "Oh sorry it's just that the real thing looks so intimidating with those eyes," said Starlight snapping back into reality. "Look we know you're nervous, but if you don't do this the fighters will remain as Galeem's tools," said Smoky Progg. Starlight clenched her teeth. She was able to defeat the past spirits from Galeem's control sometimes alone while other times with the help of Kirby. But this was different, this was an actual fighter who was captured by Galeem and not just any random spirit. Starlight swallowed hard as she watched to see if Mario made any sudden movements but he just stood there waiting for her. Kirby walked up next to her and tapped her by the hoof. She looked down at Kirby who gave her a big smile. Starlight looked at him with a surprised expression. "Look even Kirby's cheering you on," said Eevee. "Don't worry as long as you have us, you'll be fine," said Celeste. "Everyone," Starlight smiled. "Yeah, you're right," said Starlight. She took a deep breath and got into stance. Sylveon smiled and hovered over to Starlight before Smoky Progg and Celeste stopped them. "No just wait a moment there," said Smoky Progg. Sylveon and Starlight looked at Smoky Progg with confused looks. "I guess I forgot to mention this, but there's actually two different kinds of spirits, primary spirits that boost your stats and support spirits that additional effects to help turn the tide of a battle." explained Smoky Progg. "Oh I see what you're getting at," said Sylveon. "What?" asked Starlight. "What he's trying to say is, because Sylveon is your primary spirit we can help Sylveon as support spirits by our skills," explained Celeste. "That way we can add additional effects that can help increase the chances of you winning a battle," "Really?" asked Starlight. "Cool right?" asked Smoky Progg. "So starting from this battle we as support spirits will assist Sylveon, but if you managed to befriend other support spirits make sure you use them," Celeste. "Using different combinations of spirits helps turn the tide of a battle," "Got it," said Starlight facing Mario. "Then let's get this show on the road," said Sylveon. As usual Sylveon began by giving Starlight her power. "Alright and the support spirits, Smoky Progg and Celeste!" Sylveon announced. "Smoky Progg at your service!" he announced. "With me you can start the battle with an item called a Unira," said Smoky Progg. "Celeste is ready!" she exclaimed. "If you use me, I can pull any items that appear in battle to you," explained Celeste. Both Celeste and Smoky Progg attached themselves to Sylveon. Just as they did a small blue object with spikes and two white eyes appeared next to Starlight. "Hmm?" Starlight picked up the object with her magic. "That's a Unira if you're wondering," said Smoky Progg. "Ah I see, so I just throw this?" asked Starlight. "Exactly," answered Smoky Progg. "Alright let the battle begin," announced Eevee. Starlight dashed out and began charging her magic. Mario held up his fists getting ready to defend if Starlight happened to attack. Starlight jumped and fired the magic blast at Mario to which he pulled out a yellow cape and reflected the blast back at Starlight. Quickly taking action she teleported out of the way and landed on the ground. She looked back at Mario who was now running towards her. She held up the Unira and threw at Mario hitting him in the face and knocking him back. The Unira landed on the ground and the spikes extended outwards. Mario slid to a stop as he got back up. "This Mario is much harder to defeat than the puppet," said Starlight. "He IS the real Mario after all," said Sylveon. "Be careful and don't let your guard down, who knows when he might attack next," "Got it," said Starlight. She refocused on the battle and noticed Mario holding a fire ball in his hand. "Tch that's how you want to play it eh," Starlight sneered. She dashed out again, running straight for an attack. Mario hurled the fireball to which Starlight dodged. Mario continued to throw more fireballs at Starlight missing each attack. Just then Mario pulled out a strange object and placed on his back. It looked to be a large pack containing water that connected to a tube and ended with a large yellow hose. He bent forward and aimed the hose at Starlight and fired spraying Starlight in the face with water. "Starlight are you alright?" asked Celeste. Starlight stopped for a moment to move her wet mane out of her face. "Ah great my mane," groaned Starlight. At that moment Mario ran up kicked her legs knocking her onto the ground. Mario raised his fists for a punch, but Starlight kicked him in the face knocking him back. Starlight ran and headbutted him in the stomach knocking him back. But Mario got back on his feet and ran at Starlight. She began charging up another magic attack and fired at Mario as soon as he got close. However, being the stubborn fighter he was he refused to stay down. "He just doesn't give up," said Starlight catching her breath. "Keep going, you can do it," said Sylveon giving her more power. Starlight rushed out and began charging another magic attack. Once fully charged, she fired but once again Mario reflected the attack with his yellow cape. Starlight yelped as the blast hit her knocking her back. As she was getting up Mario rushed up to her and landed a direct uppercut sending her flying. As Mario rushed towards her for another strike, Starlight used her magic to knock Mario into the air. But Mario easily recovered and came down spinning like a tornado, striking and knocking Starlight backwards. "Poyo!" Kirby exclaimed from the side. "You can do this!" said Eevee. Starlight slowly rose to her feet and spit out blood from her mouth. "You ok?" asked Smoky Progg. "I'm fine," said Starlight. "Don't push yourself," said Celeste. "I'm not done yet," said Starlight rushing forward for another attack. Mario did the same and charged towards Starlight. But before he could reach her, he stopped and flipped the cape in her face turning her around so her back was facing Mario. "Wait what!?" Starlight gasped. "Behind you!" Sylveon warned. Starlight quickly turned around but she was too slow and Mario headbutted her, knocking her into the air. He pulled his arms back and as Starlight came down, he thrusted his palm into her stomach with a fireball in his hand. Starlight's eyes widened as she gasped. The fireball exploded sending her flying. Starlight landed on the ground face first. "Poyo!" Kirby yelped. "Starlight are you alright!?" Eevee called out. Starlight's body trembled as she slowly sat up. She began to cough up blood as she held her stomach in pain. Inspecting the damage she could see a large black spot where the fireball burned her. "Starlight he's coming!" exclaimed Smoky Progg. She looked up to see Mario approaching. Starlight tried to stand, but because of her wounds she fell back on the ground. Once again she sat up and looked up as Mario stood before her, his red eyes glaring back at her. he raised his fist and attempted to punch her, but Starlight defended herself with the red shield. Just as she thought she was safe Mario suddenly reached in through her shield and grabbed her by the neck. "Ack!" Starlight yelped. he picked her up and held her in the air. Starlight thrashed around trying to escape, but she had become weak from all the damage she had taken. While Mario held Starlight in one hand, he used his free hand to summon another fireball. "Starlight!" Eevee called out to her. "Oh no at this rate Starlight will..." said Celeste her voice trailing off. Wincing Starlight kicked Mario hoping he would flinch, but Mario remained strong. "Let me go," Starlight gasped. Mario gave an evil smirk as he raised the fireball in the air. As the spirits watched in horror, Kirby suddenly dashed out and kicked Mario in the face causing him to drop Starlight and fall backwards. Starlight fell on the ground coughing. She looked up as Kirby looked at her. "Kirby..." she moaned. Kirby walked over to her and stroked her mane. "Poyo," he said with a smile. He turned around and faced Mario as he was getting to his feet. Angrily he charged at Kirby, who rolled to the side and grabbed him from behind. He began pounding his small hand into his face before throwing him on the ground and kicking him with rapid movement and jumping on top sending him flying. As Mario was getting up he grabbed him again and once again pounded his face before jumping up and throwing him down on the ground. As Mario lay on the ground, Kirby pulled out his hammer and began charging up an attack. The hammer ignited as he slowly made his way to Mario. As Mario slowly rose to his feet, the last thing he saw was a burning hammer, before Kirby swung it into his stomach with great force. Mario wore a shocked expression on his face before he was knocked down and light burst out from his body. Mario's limp body lay on the ground as Kirby walked over to Starlight who was now sitting up. "Poyo," said Kirby in a worried tone. "I'm fine thank you," said Starlight. Kirby then turned around and pulled out two bright red tomatoes with a big M imprinted on them. He put the tomatoes in front of Starlight and stepped back. "For me?" asked Starlight. Kirby nodded with a smile. In reality Starlight didn't want to eat them because her stomach was hurting, but because she didn't want to disappoint Kirby, she smiled, picked up a tomato, and took a bite. Her eyes widened the moment she began chewing. Immediately she felt the pain vanish and noticed that her wounds were beginning to heal. Surprised she ate both tomatoes without question. Now completely healed she looked at Kirby with a smile. "Thank you," she said. "Poyo!" Kirby cheered excitedly. At that moment, Mario rose to his feet groaning. "Ouch my head," said Mario putting one hand to his head. Starlight and Kirby walked over to him as he was getting up. "Well, well look who's back," said Smoky Progg. Mario looked at the two with confused looks. "Who are you and where am I?" "You seriously don't remember?" asked Starlight. "No, the last thing I remember was being Galeem and then after that everything else is kind of fuzzy," answered Mario. "Well before we explain we should probably introduce ourselves," said Starlight. "Well maybe just you, I know Kirby already," said Mario. "Well I'm Starlight Glimmer," said Starlight introducing herself. "Mario," said Mario holding out his hand. Starlight took it and shook hands with him. "So what exactly happened?" he asked. So Starlight explained the entire situation to him. "I did that?" he asked. Kirby and Starlight nodded. "Well I'm really sorry if I hurt you," he said apologizing. "It's fine you weren't in control of yourself," said Starlight. "So you said you were going to Galeem right?" asked Mario. "Yes," answered Starlight. "Well then allow me to accompany you, I have some unfinished business with him myself," said Mario. "Sure why not, it's nice to have a new party member," said Starlight. "I can learn some things from you and it'll make our team more stronger," With that Mario joined Starlight and Kirby on their adventure. Now that Starlight was able to free Mario, not only did it make her team more stronger, but things were going to get more challenging from here on out. With their new member Starlight and Kirby entered the village through the gate preparing for the next challenge.