//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: The Hardest Choice // Story: Light and Darkness // by FandomPlays1234 //------------------------------// After the long breath taking battle with Mario, Starlight continued her journey to defeat Galeem. She walked through the small village with Mario and Kirby beside her and the four spirits following behind. "It's so empty," said Eevee. "Poyo," Kirby said in agreement. "Do you think Galeem did this?" asked Celeste. "Most likely yes," answered Mario. "He isn't the kind of god who would just leave any creature alive," Starlight stopped. The group turned around confused. "Starlight what's wrong?" asked Sylveon. "Why?" Starlight asked, her voice trembling. "What?" asked Celeste. "Why did it have to be like this?" she asked. "What did these creatures do to deserve this?" Mario was about to say something when Kirby stopped him. "They didn't do anything wrong, they were innocent creatures," Kirby, Mario, and the Spirits looked at each other with worried looks. Starlight looked with an angry glare in her eyes. "I'll blast that Galeem back to the world he came from," "We know how you feel," said Mario walking next to her. "But there's no time to be upset, save it for Galeem himself," "Yeah ok," said Starlight wiping away her tears. She fixed her mane and ran back to join the group. Mario looked up. In the distance, he could see Galeem hiding inside the shield he created. Without saying anything more he walked to rejoin the group. After walking for some time, the group eventually reached what seemed to be the plaza of the small village. There were three paths the group could take, left, right, or straight. In the center of the plaza a large white robot could be seen standing. The chassis stuck out from the base which connected to the body that was slightly smaller than the base itself. Two arms were attached to the side and a cylindrical piece sat on top connecting the body to the head. it's two eyes were closed and the small red light on top flickered. "Well look here, if it isn't R.O.B," said Mario. "Who?" asked Starlight. "A robot that existed before me, although he looks bigger than usual," said Mario. "Does that mean?" asked Celeste. "Yep, most likely a puppet fighter," said Mario. "Poyo," said Kirby excitedly. "He doesn't look active though," said Starlight. "He most likely is, he just doesn't know we're here," said Mario. "Well then maybe if we sneak past him he won't notice us," whispered Starlight. "Wait what!?" asked Mario. But Starlight had already begun sneaking past the giant R.O.B. hoping that she won't disturb it's peace. It wasn't long until she made it on the other side of the plaza. She let out a sigh of relief and turned around waving her hooves. "See that wasn't so bad," Starlight told herself. She turned around and was walking to the other street not noticing Mario and the others trying to warn. It wasn't long until she hear the sound of machines being activated. She stopped as the sound of whirring came from behind her. She didn't even need to ask as the sky above her darkened. "I regret everything," Suddenly the giant R.O.B. grabbed her from behind and picked her up. Starlight screamed as she tried to escape the robot's grip. But R.O.B. turned to face Mario and his friends and threw Starlight down. "What's the big idea!?" Starlight hissed. She froze as a spirit appeared from behind R.O.B. it hovered over and began taking control of R.O.B. It's eyes flashed red as it let out a mechanical roar. "Alright company here we go another spirit battle," announced Sylveon. "According to my knowledge on spirits, that was guardian," said Smoky Progg. "It gives the opponent the Super Armor ability so it makes it harder for us to launch or flinch him," he explained. "This is a stamina battle in which he will constantly shoot lasers out of his eyes, beware," "I think we can finish this battle quicker if we work together," suggested Celeste. "Good point, aye Mario wanna team?" asked Smoky Progg. "Oh yes!" said Mario giving him a thumbs up. "But wait isn't Smoky Progg a support spirit?" asked Starlight. "It doesn't really matter for fighters, considering they're already powerful," said Mario. "Then it's the usual Starlight," said Sylveon. "With Celeste," added Starlight. "Well guess it's just you and me Kirby," said Eevee. "Poyo!" Kirby cheered excitedly. The spirits hovered over their respective puppets and began giving them power. "Alright so here's the deal Starlight," said Smoky Progg. "This is basically going to be like a boss battle, when you drain the enemy's health you win," he explained. "But at the same time, if the opponent drains all of your health then it's game over for you," "Why do you have to make this sound like a video game?" asked Starlight. "Gee I wonder why?" Mario repeated the question in a sarcastic voice. "Poyo!" Kirby cheered. "Alright guys let's let 'em have it!" announced Sylveon.The three dashed out and began their attack on the giant R.O.B. Mario ran up and began pounding him with his fists while Kirby threw rapid fire punches. Starlight punched R.O.B. with one hoof before turning around and bucked him several times. R.O.B. didn't flinch and instead began to look annoyed. He held out his arms and spun around like a tornado knocking the three back. But as stubborn the three were they refused to stay down. They regrouped as R.O.B. faced them. "Guys brace yourselves!" warned Smoky Progg. R.O.B. looked at them and fired a giant beam of laser at them. Mario quickly rushed in and flipped his yellow cape reflecting the laser beam and sending it back at R.O.B. However instead of try to dodge it, R.O.B. ran straight into it. Even though he got hit by his own lasers, the super armor prevented him from being launched. Mario, Kirby, and Starlight scattered and resumed their attack. It wasn't long until Mario made the final strike taking down the giant robot. R.O.B. let out a mechanical screech as it fell on the ground and burst into light. The spirit came flying out and R.O.B's stone statue fell on the ground before exploding into dust. The spirit hovered in front of Starlight and the others. "Hey buddy," said Starlight. The spirit didn't respond. Instead it just went over to Starlight and joined the rest of the spirits without question. "Guess he's not much of a talker now is he?" asked Mario. Starlight looked at the three paths that were open. "Which way?" asked Starlight. "Well if you go one way you should at least be able to come back and choose a different route," said Mario. "Are you sure!?" asked a voice. "Who said that?" asked Starlight. Suddenly a large disembodied white hand popped out and hovered over them. "Hello Mario and Kirby," the hand laughed in a deep menacing tone. "Master Hand what are YOU doing here?" asked Mario. "Oh just to watch you guys struggle," laughed the hand. "Anyways, about that comment you mad earlier about being able to come back," "Yeah?" asked Mario. "Well let's just say you'll have to choose wisely about which path to take," said Master Hand. "What do you mean by that?" asked Starlight. "Oh if it isn't your little pony friend," laughed Master Hand. "That's not funny," said Starlight not amused. "Oh don't ruin my fun little buddy, anyway you have thee ways you can go," explained Master Hand. "Each of these paths lead to certain areas and the entrance is blocked by three different fighters," he added. "If you go left, you'll encounter Marth, if you go straight you'll encounter Sheik, and if you go right you'll encounter Villager," "And you're saying we can go down only ONE path?" asked Mario. "Indeed," boomed Master Hand. The group turned their backs on him "Well what do you want to do?" asked Sylveon. "Poyo," said Kirby. "Well honestly as of now I don't feel comfortable facing off any strong opponents since we JUST had a battle with Mario, so I would say the weakest or at least the easiest enemy," said Kirby. "if you want the easiest then you outta go right to Villager," suggested Mario. "Ok great," said Starlight. They turned towards Master Hand. "We made our decision," said Starlight. "Fast aren't you?" laughed Master Hand. "We choose right," said Starlight. "Are you sure?" asked Master Hand. "Please note that once you've chosen your path, you cannot come back to the other two for some time," explained Master Hand. "We're certain," said Starlight. "Very well," said Master Hand. The group walked over to the right side and was about to start heading down the street when Master Hand laughed. "Have fun," he said. Then without warning he snapped his finger and created two barriers that led down the left and North path before disappearing. "Hey what the!?" Starlight gasped. "That damn bastard just blocked the other two paths!" exclaimed Smoky Progg. "I guess that's what he meant when he said we wouldn't come back to those two paths for a while," said Celeste. "Well too late now, we just have to keep moving," said Eevee. Starlight took a deep breath as she continued down the street. What challenges lay ahead? Who will they meet? Only time can tell.