10 10: Tempest
Meggy: SMG4, there's someone who wants to see you.
SMG4: Michael, what are you doing here?
PG: I believe there's something wrong with one of your friends.
(he then reveals the photographs on the now-blown island)
PG: Just shortly after the war, I stumbled onto the mysterious ruins. There have been cave paintings about a star & three pillars stood on the triangle. I tried searching for locals, but they aren't here. It's when I looked at the sky I realized the truth. Atop is a hole that leads to one of the rooms during the final battle. I feared that whatever happened to Lo might be related to this.
SMG4: Have you assigned E.Gadd about this?
PG: Not yet. It is best to talk to you first since you're closer to Lo.
SMG4: Granted. But I felt like this star's a bit familiar...
(Eventually, the MD-5's plan is to hack through a gaming tournament so they can go through TASCORP's files. A lot of training has ensued while Zel feels more & more uncomfortable.)
???: Alright, by the time it happens, place the marker. Then, I will load it in as a new host.
????: As you wish.
Masa: Alright team, we only got one chance, so let's make it count!
MD-5: Right!
Zel: Wait first, I'm gonna call my grandma.
Lo: I don't think this universe can even connect to other universes, in calls that are.
Zel: But how am I supposed to call her?!
????: (watches from Lo's eyes) Logical explanation! (plants the signal spiritually) It's been set up, master.
???: Excellent. There I had found someone who will help us.
Announcer: Are you ready, gamers? On my mark!
Zel: Lo, before this match goes on, I need to tell you something.
Lo: What about it?
Zel: Well, it's...
(the countdown has ended, & before telling it, Lo & Zel then warped into the game)
~Tempest Battleground~
Theo: Masa, the duo's online now!
Masa: Alright team, remember our plan. Protect Tari at all costs until she performs the glitch. If that's done, we'll be out scot-free!
Tari: Aren't there be any other way?
Lamar: Unfortunately, there isn't any other game crashing bugs, so no.
Zel: See you all on the other side.
Lo: (to the other players) Alright, NOW WHO WANT'S TO DIE?!!!! (runs off, massacring any nearby opponent)
Zel's inside mind: Dangit! *sighs* Just wait a bit further...
(By the time Tari did the glitch, something strange happened)
Lo: What in the?
(An ominous symbol glares on Lo, depicting some exponent arrow over a circular W. That's the best I can describe on that logo)
Zel: Lo, what is this? (looks around only that he's not there) Lo?
(Visions then glare as she saw Lo from the fiery rubble, her having both robotic arms, a mysterious metallic sphere in the sky, & a clover enigma)
What's going on?!
(& then, they regained consciousness)
Zel: Lo, Is that really you?
Lo: Have you gone through the vision sequence again? Because I did.
Zel: Wait, where are the others?
Sofia: uhh, guys...
(By the time they looked on the window, the team's caught. The trio then goes down only it's a bit too late)
Zel: Wait! Don't you realize how much effort we put into this?!
Masa: SOFIA, DON'T IF NOT, WE ALL BE- (gets shot his arm clean off)
Tari: MASA!
Lamar: LUCKS, YOU FRICKIN' PSYCHOPATH!!!
Sofia: I had to do it. It ain't be worth all of this.
Lo: Sofia...
Sofia: WAIT! (reveals herself & the others)
Lucks: Oh Sofia, what a surprise.. & your meddling friends as well...
Theo: Lo?
Lo: Sorry dude. We had no choice. (hands over the tablet)
Lucks: Wipe everything on it. Run a worm program to in case she made backups.
(No one knew just yet but Lo kept a backup in his arm at the trash folder)
Such a waste of talent.
~later~
Lo: Question. Do both of us (him & Zel) have something to do with this?
Lucks: Hardly. Now tell me, do any of you know what collateral is?
this... is collateral! (Breaks the cartridge, affecting Theo & the duo)
Tari: NO! (Rushes to Theo)
Theo: Tari, what's happening? Don't worry Tari, I'll just RESPA- (goes offline)
(as Theo disappears, the teammates are left devastated, thinking that their friend's originally gone)
Tari: THEOOOOOOooooOOooo!
Lucks: Here's the counteroffer Tari. Their freedom in exchange for you & those two's undivided loyalty to TASCORP, to me, but if I get anything less, or if they give me any reason to regret my generosity, then your collateral is forfeit! Understand?
Lo: (notices the subtle glitching) Yo new boss, mind me & Zel start work as soon as we return?
Lucks: (thinks about it for a while) Meh, ok. After all, our company is like family, right? TASCORP isn't that bad!
Zel's inside mind: are you sure about that?!
(As the TASCORP officials leave, MD-5 then looks onto their friends, as by the next time they see them, they're TASCORP players)
Lamar: Yo, we're not gonna forget you all! Understand?
Sofia: It's going to be okay everyone. Trust us!
Lo: Don't worry guys. (Both he & Zel vanish as the signal disappears)
Tari: We'll be fine.
Lucks: Come on Tari, let's go.
(the door finally closes between the two, & for MD-5, there's only silence)
(The two then warped back into Peach's Castle, 8 minutes passed)
Zel: What just happened?
Lo: I don't know. It just happened so fast.
Zel: When do we return?
Lo: Perhaps over a year or so.
Zel: Remember that I need to tell you something before it began?
(But then, Tari regains consciousness, while a man comes out from static)
Tari: (notices someone) Aren't you???
Zel: It's just that, you had to-
???: (interrupts the two) Lo, Zel,
(the duo then notices behind them's a familiar man. He's characterized to have a blue leather jacket, a Mushroom shirt, black shaggy hair, whisker-esque freckles, & Mario's cap. In fact...)
Mario: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!
Lo: MARIO?!
Zel: Eh?!
End of Ch.10 & Vol. 1
