The World Rings, Night 11: A Better Family

Enigma Explorer

And thus, I had chosen to join the Kids Next Door on their valiant quest. I took delight in knowing that these snot-nosed urchins finally respected me for the genius that I am, and I will do my part in nurturing their premature brains until they're ripe.

I had strongly mixed feelings about Riddler joining our team, but up close, he doesn't seem all that evil. He had a bad past with his father, and I can sort of relate to that. Well, with my mom. What I'm really dreading is the thousands of riddles he'll ask us to solve. Since I already helped Mr. York, I wonder if he'll be more lenient with me?

To me, it was a little bit weird seeing a Quirkless supervillain. Well, unless you count his World Ring power. It was kind of ironic how my ring took away my power, and yet Riddler acquired a power. Not to mention a pretty handy power. There were lots of questions I wanted to ask him, from how Quirks were developed or any other planets like ours, but I held off on asking him.

I was glad to have found a new friend in Riddler. Maybe one day, I can get him to read my fanfictions. Which reminds me, this whole quest has really cut into my writing time, but at least I'm finding a bunch of new inspiration.

The others were staring confusedly as Riddler, Nagisa, Deku, and Lotte were mumbling to themselves. "We got ourselves a whisper party here." Killua remarked.

"You know, guys," Lotte began, "seeing how big our group has gotten, I think we need a team name. I mean, we're not all Sector SA, are we? Some of us are from different KNDs altogether. But since we're a united team for this mission, we need a name that distinguishes us."

"That's simple." Riddler folded his arms. "We'll call ourselves the Seekers of Knowledge."

"You're the only one who likes knowledge!" Maria remarked.

"Okay, how about this:" Deku smirked proudly. "We'll be the Lords of the Rings!"

"Definitely not, NERD! Let's call ourselves the Adventure Friends!"

"Yuck." said Killua. "I got a better name: the Seven Ring Hunters."

"Mmm… seems kinda basic." Nagisa replied. "I mean, yeah, we're hunting for seven rings."

"It's as basic as 'The Gang.'" Goombella remarked. "I think it has a nice ring to it."

"You sly shroom!" Maria snickered, doing a "knuckle"-touch with the armless Goomba.

"Yeah, I kind of like it." Lotte said. "The Seven Ring Hunters! Simple, yet powerful!"

"Sigh, you literature types." Riddler sighed.

"Then we'd best keep finding those rings to live up to our name!" Maria declared. "So, Shezzy, tell us about the Ring of Love."

"Well, the Love Ring has the potential to draw the full strength and power out of the Bearer. This power would only come forward when the Bearer feels a strong burst of love for a certain individual. If you want some history," Index smirked, "we once tried giving the old Disney princesses this ring, but none of their love was strong enough to hold it."

"HA HA HA!" Lotte and Goombella laughed.

"It's a joke of course, but yes, the love has to be serious and genuine. Now, the Bearer's power can either be drawn from friend or family love, but they'll be at their strongest when close to their 'True Love.' It may be an old tradition, but romantic love is the way to go with this."

"This sounds like the dumbest ring so far." Killua said with arms folded.

"And the Sadness Ring ISN'T?!" Deku yelled in offense. "If you ask me, the Love Ring sounds pretty useful, as long as you're in love with someone!"

"In fact, if Killua had it, he would probably draw power from Gon." Nagisa remarked.

"Yeah, and you would draw power from No Shoes." Killua replied with a smirk. "Ain't that right, Morgie?" He looked over at the girl.

"Hm?" Morgiana gasped and looked up. "Right, well… we all have someone we're close to."

Nagisa cocked a brow. "Is something bothering you, Morg?"

"No, I…I'm just hoping we won't have to go on any detours. I mean, the planets can only stay broken for so much longer, right?"

"Yeah, I share your sentiments." Index replied. "But if people won't be excited to ride a blimp with a giant creepy face, all hope is lost."

"Hm… Yeah…"

Goombella was staring at Morg in worry. You can't hide it from me, Morgie. Planet Secco… is your homeworld.

Santa Hylia

A throbbing pain was present in Louise's mind, a fiery red aura flashing around her body. "What is the matter, Louise?" Meta Knight asked. "Are you in pain?"

"SHUT UP! I just… have this terrible headache. Ergh, don't we have any pills in this damned ship?!"

"Whatever it is, it must be a side-effect of the World Ring." Vaati deduced. "It may be that when she goes too long without exerting her anger, the rage starts to build up in her mind. I fear what may happen if this continues."

Meta Knight took out an eyepiece scanner and examined Louise, a star-shaped cursor locking on her. "Louise, it seems that your Power Level is gradually increasing. It used to be 2,041, but now it is 5,000 and rising."

"Wait, are you serious?!" Louise asked in shock. "If it keeps going up like this, do you think I could kill Bowser with my own two hands?!"

"You are long from reaching that sort of power, and I do not want to risk it. I think it is best that we burn off your excess energy somehow."

"And I think I may have a way to do that." Vaati replied with a smirk. "While we are waiting for our intrepid friends to collect the World Rings, we should put Louise's powers to more productive use. Tell me, Louise… are you familiar with Cheadle Yorkshire? She is the current chancellor of Mobius."

"Yeah, what about her?"

"She is a rather kind leader, but it does not change the fact that she rules all of Mobius. I don't want to kill her, but I would like it if she were to see things our way. After all, Mobius once had a famous group known as the Freedom Fighters. It would be nice if we could rekindle that tradition. So, Louise, with your new strength, perhaps you can breach the Grand Hall of Mobius and pay Chancellor Yorkshire a visit, while your crewmen handle the messy work outside. It would be a great way to burn off your rage."

"You know, that's actually not a bad idea." Louise replied with a wicked smirk. "After all, Mushroom and Mobius are friendly rivals in the Intergalactic Olympics. Perhaps I should put a little kindling on this fire."

Planet Secco

"Well, there it is, friends." Index said. "Planet Secco in all its sandy glory." As she spoke, their ship was nearing the atmosphere of the endless sandy yonder. "Famous for annoying mariachi bands, historical futuristic ruins, and a hotspot for important quest collectibles, such as a Star Rod Piece, Hookshots, Dimension Fragment, or a World Ring. Speaking of, where do we land, Hoopa?"

"I…I can't tell."

"What? What do you mean, you tracked it to Secco, didn't you?"

"I know, but like… now there's a lot of interference. It's like, too dark to see."

Morgiana repressed a gasp, great anxiety building up inside her. No…No, it can't be! Of all the places, why did it land there?! Why WOULD it land there?!

"Focus harder, Hoopa. You would be able to track the rings even through dimensions. Come on, you can do it."

"Okay. Hmmmmmmm…" Hoopa closed his eyes and summoned more chi. "Er, there! In that direction!"

"Then let's hop to it!" Index sped the ship up, soaring over a chasm that divided two parts of the planet.

"Yeah…Yeah, there it is. I feel it in that great big hole over there." Index nodded and steered the ship toward a hole in the distance. It looked fairly small from far away, but as they drew closer, they were in awe over how monumentally humongous it was. The hole could have been the size of a country. And the closer they flew to it, the more Morgiana grew afraid.

"No, wait!" Riddler exclaimed. "There's some kind of electromagnetic field over the pit, if we fly any closer, the ship will crash! Just land us here and we'll make the walk."

Index complied and landed the blimp on the sandy ground. Nagisa and his team were the first to step outside, breathing in the rich, dusty scent of the desert. "Feels just like being at home! Hey, Morgie?"

At that moment, her heart skipped a beat. "What?! …Oh, you mean… y-yeah."

"If I'm gonna be walking a desert, I need a change of clothes." Lotte said, coming out in a cool sky-blue dress with high-heel sandals. "Ahhhhh! Perfect! It doesn't look like much, but my friend Hannah designed it with Glacian fabric. It's like standing over a cool air vent!"

"Deku-san, it's so hot." Eri said, holding a hand over her eye.

"You can use this." Maria said, getting a blue umbrella from her hat, decorated with stars. "I think my mom meant for me to use this as a weapon, but I'm more effective with my feet and hat." She opened the umbrella and gave it to Deku to hold over Eri. They noticed Alluka climbing on the interior pole.

"I'm a pole dancer! Kiss me, Big Brother!"

Morgiana remained in the shade of the ship, staring down and wiggling her toes in the golden soil. "Hey, Morg." She looked up at Nagisa. "You okay? You've been acting weird ever since we left Poké."

"I'll tell you what's wrong." Goombella spoke seriously. Now, Morgiana knew there was no hiding it. "Morgiana's come down with a cold and the poor girl's too proud to admit it."

"Really? Is that true, Morg?"

"Hm… Thanks, Goombella, but I'm fine." She said strongly.

"You sure? I don't want you to fight if you're not feeling well." Nagisa said.

"That's alright. You'll need me, Nagisa." Morg bypassed them and walked forward. "I know you will."

"Yeah, because Girl Power." Killua remarked, having ditched his sweater and now wearing a dark-blue sleeveless top. "Come on, let's get the stupid Love Ring and get off this dust pile."

The Hunters approached the edge of the endless abyss, seeing a very faint path deep within the darkness. "I guess we'll have to climb down this cliff first." Index figured. "Watch your step, you guys." (Play "Strange Universe" from Gravity Rush.)

Stage 9: The Great Rift

Mission: Get to the bottom of the rift.

Lotte used her broom to slowly float down, Goombella riding with the witch, and Riddler was being carried by Kazooie, whom Lotte helped summon from his Game Pak. The others began a slow and careful climb down the cliff. There was a very tense atmosphere about them, for it felt like they were climbing off the very planet itself. (And given the circumstances, that may have been the truth.) They were very careful in where they stepped, knowing it was a long way down should they slip. Deku was especially careful for Eri's sake.

"This is the kind of activity that's fun to do with friends." Maria said. "It's less scary and life-threatening-y."

After what seemed like ages, they finally set foot on the path, partially swallowed in the darkness, and their hearts easing a tad. "So much for having good summer clothes." Lotte commented. "I don't think the sun is even reaching down here." The group progressed down the path, toward a patch of dark-yellow cacti. These cacti caught on fire and grew into Fire Pokeys, who fired spikes at the group as fast as bullets, and there was little room to maneuver on this path.

Nagisa slashed Tempest Kicks to cut them down, until Morgiana yelled, "Keep one of them alive! The path up ahead has magic vines that only the Pokeys can burn."

"Oh, I can handle that." Maria said, tossing her hat onto a Pokey to possess it. After Nagisa had disposed of the others, Maria wobbled ahead, seeing the path covered in dark vines. She ditched a few of her segments so she would be short enough to roll along the width of the path, burning the vines as her friends followed her. She reached a dead end and saw four unlit torches over the chasm, so she had to grow another segment and toss four of them to light the torches.

They watched as some platforms arose from the depths, each one lower than the previous. The only problem was the distance. "Wait, they're like 20 feet away from each other!" Maria said, ditching the Pokey head. "Are they expecting athletes for visitors?"

"Yes." Morgiana replied, walking several feet back before running forth and kicking off the cliff with prime power in her legs. She landed on the first platform, turning back to her friends and hoping they would make it. Nagisa and Killua easily crossed with Moon Walks, Maria and Deku performed a classic Long Jump, and Riddler and Lotte carried Index over. They repeated these maneuvers for the following platforms, although each one was just a bit lower, sending a greater rush through their hearts with each jump.

When there were no more platforms to jump to, they were required to climb down some more. Metal-backed centipedes (Metalpedes) crawled up the pillar to feast on this new prey, leaving the strong-legged climbers to fend them off. Eventually, they set foot on new ground and followed a path to a drafty chasm. Morgiana leapt in the updraft, holding her skirt down as she floated peacefully. "Hmmm… I remember always dreaming about how it would feel to fly. It was a lot more pleasant than it actually is."

Nagisa exchanged a glance with Index, sharing a look of worry for their friend. "Index, do you think this place could be…"

"Finally putting it together, are you?" Riddler asked.

"Shut up, we've known her longer than you."

"Wheeeee!" Maria leapt in the draft, arms raised as she floated. "This is like an amusement park!"

"I think I'll give this a try!" Lotte said, landing her broom and floating in the draft. "Hehe, I feel like I'm gonna freeze!"

Everyone but Riddler took delight in using the updraft, floating over to a taller draft and looking down at the next updraft path. "We need to move in and out of this draft." Morgiana informed, demonstrating as she made her way downward like this. "If we just drop down, we'll fall too fast and go right through the short drafts."

"Geez, this is weird science." Killua replied, mimicking the action. As they were floating ever further into the abyss, the sky drew further away. They could make out some kind of structure within the darkness, and as they got closer, they realized it was a gigantic, monstrous skull and body. "Oh my gosh! What is it?!" Goombella asked.

"It appears to be a Great Leviathan, native to Secco and other planets." Riddler answered. "It was left here by the natives of this land, with the updrafts to keep it up. Also, this counts as your question, Goombella."

"Hey, I could've figured it out with my Tattle! I just didn't because… never mind."

"How come when I asked that Newborn question, you had to do a fancy display?" Nagisa asked.

"So that the knowledge would stick to you better, of course! It's just like a game with great graphics."

The group had to land on the skull and venture across the spine of the great beast. Maria tried to possess the head, but as the leviathan was dead, she was unable to possess it. Cannon Beetles were occupying the interior of the spine, and when they sensed intruders marching over their home, they emerged and spat boulders their way. Morgiana effortlessly kicked them back like soccerballs and sent the beetles falling, leaving them to float in the updraft.

The spine of the skeleton brought them to a platform, yet there was nowhere else to go except the abyss. "This may be the trickiest part." Morg said. "We have to dive together and use our combined strength to push open a great stone door. If we're off, we'll miss the updraft at the bottom, and if we just fly down, the guards will eat us. Also, the door will close shortly after we make it through, so all of us need to jump, and pour as much power as you can into your fall."

"Sounds like this potion will come in handy after all." Lotte said, drinking a light-gray potion. "Nnngh!" Her knees gave up on her for a bit. "It makes me really heavy for a few minutes… I think Sucy meant for me to use this on enemies."

"I'll carry you, Goombella." Index said, picking her up. "Killua, you hold Riddler."

"Of course I do." Killua sighed, hugging the taller man.

"I'm not pleased with this either, boy." (End song.)

"Okay, on three:" Morg said. "One… two… three!" Everyone jumped and fell, with Maria delaying just a bit to perform a Ground Pound. Morgiana's feet were aimed directly down, burning red as she channeled power, as did Deku. Nagisa and Killua hardened their bodies and Lotte just let her own weight work its magic. They fell faster and faster, wondering when they would hit the bottom, every second made their hearts race.

And finally, they SMASHED through a floating stone door, and everyone fell through before it sealed back a second later. They continued falling, but now it seemed that an entire landscape was appearing around them. There was an entire savannah of exotic animals, and a torchlit town in the distance. While there was once blackness all around, a purple starlit sky now gave light to this wonderful world.

"OH GOSH, LOOK!" Lotte screamed, beaming at the sight of ferocious red lions, which seemed to have the bodies of furry dragons, soaring with flaming wings as they watched the visitors fall. "They're Red Lions! I read about them in Fantastic Beasts of the Galaxy!"

"Yes, I remember!" Riddler followed. "The Link from Wind Waker had a boat that was modeled after them. I admit, even I'm astonished by the sight of them."

"Hey, guys? We're still falling." Maria reminded.

"Oh, that's right." Riddler looked down, seeing the ground a few seconds away. "WAAAAAHHHH!!" They got out their last few screams before a strong updraft caught and broke their fall. The kids maneuvered out of the wind and set foot on the rich soil.

Nagisa glanced down, seeing Morgiana wiggle her toes in the dirt. There was a look of strong familiarity on her features. "But if these are Red Lions… Morg, that means…"

"Yes." She faced him. "This place is Fanali. My homeland."

The others but Sector SA and Riddler nearly fell back in shock. "Th-This place?!" Deku exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us before?!"

"Because I was banished for failing a tribal ritual. I was… hoping I would never have to come back. And when I heard we were going to Secco, I was… afraid. They were going to cut off my legs." She lifted and rubbed her right leg. "And since then, I've used these legs to protect my friends. My…My new home."

"Then why didn't you stay behind?" Nagisa asked.

"Because you would've died at the Final Jump. You needed me to get here. And besides…" she walked forward, "it can only be Fate that brought me back here. And now that I'm here, I want to tell my people that I found a new family. A better one."

"Oh, Morg!" Goombella wept, leaping on her friend's shoulders. "Don't worry, we'll protect you to the very end!"

"Yeah, Morg!" Nagisa cheered, touching her shoulder. "Those Fanalis haven't seen anyone like us!"

"Hmm… thanks, guys." She smiled. "Well… let's go get that ring."

"Yeah, good point." Maria said, twisting a finger in her ear. "If the ring is here, then we're obviously looking for another Finalist. I hope whoever it is isn't too mad at Morgie for ruining their ritual."

"Don't ruin the moment." Index said.

The group began their walk up the trail, having completely lost the tension they had while climbing into the unknown. "This is finally starting to feel like a real adventure!" Lotte cheered, skipping merrily. "It's not just some random planet and town, it's a secret civilization secluded within a beautiful place! We'll learn the tribal customs, meet the people, and save them from bad guys that just so happen to be terrorizing them at the moment, just like in One Piece!"

"Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Killua shrugged.

"WATCH OUT!" Riddler yelled, whipping left as a young Fanalis flew out of the bushes, aiming for Lotte. Nagisa jumped in the way and used Iron Body, but the boy's leg pierced his defense, enforcing a stomach cramp in Nagisa. The others readied their guard when two more Fanalis men leapt out, baring golden armor and muscular arms. "BACK, you foul brutes!" Riddler ordered, yanking off the head of his staff. "I am no longer afraid of you, for I have a SHOCK… Rod?" The electric part was gone. "Shoot! I forgot all our technology is shut off!"

Killua ran up to PUNCH the short-haired Fanalis's stomach, breaking a hole in the armor, but the man retaliated with a kick, sending Killua flying. The long-haired Fanalis swiftly countered Deku's punches with his own, allowing Maria to sneak behind him and kick the back of his knee. Her tiny leg was strong enough to weaken his guard, so Deku could throw a good punch to the chin.

"Agh!" Riddler grunted when the first Fanalis grabbed him by the neck. "Unhand me! I am The Riddler and I will not be bullied by some primitive ape!"

"Well, this is one rambunctious child." The Fanalis remarked.

Nagisa was using Paper Art to dodge the boy Fanalis's kicks, until Morgiana blocked his leg with her own. They pushed against the other with equal strength, and during this, the boy took the time to observe the female Fanalis. "M…Morgiana?"

She stopped struggling. "You… know me?"

The boy put his foot down. "I knew it! Morgiana, you remember me, don't you?" he asked with a grin and open arms. "It's me! Karma."

Morg gasped. "Karma…"

"You know him?" Nagisa asked.

"We used to play together."

"Huh?" The man holding Riddler looked over. "Did he say 'Morgiana'?"

"That's EXACTLY what he said, fool! NOW LET ME GO!" Riddler demanded.

"Masrur…" Morg acknowledged the short-haired man. She then faced the long-haired one. "And Alexius…"

"Our little Morgie, all grown up." Alexius smiled. "I was afraid you'd never return."

"So, who's this girl?" Karma asked, referring to Nagisa. "I would say she's an Imuchakk, but she's way too small."

"I'm a boy, genius. And what's an Imuchakk?"

"They're a tribe of large humans from Glacia." Morg answered. "Kind of similar to us, except blue-haired and water-based. Anyway… why are you so happy to see me? I was banished. I disrespected the Lions."

"Oh, that?" Karma chuckled. "We stopped caring about that ages ago!"

"What?!"

"It's true." Masrur replied. "Morgiana, it was your parents who convinced the chief to merely have you banished instead of a worse punishment… but they have long joined the Red Lions. If you were to return, we would carry out the punishment originally set for you. However, our new princess has convinced us to pardon your past crime."

"P-Pardon me? The princess? But why?"

"Heck if I know." Karma shrugged. "She knows you or something. Why don't we go ask—she's dancing in the square right now!"

The Fanalis led them into the village, where many of the houses were two-story stone buildings, laden with animal skins and tribal markings. As they drew close to the center, they could see a dancer on a stage, glowing with a pink light. "That light… could it be?" Index whispered.

"Just so you know," Morgiana began, "the title of 'Princess' is one given to the best dancer in Fanali. She isn't actual royalty."

"No, but she might as well be." Alexius replied. "A few days ago, this pink ring fell from the sky and hit her in the head during a dance, causing her to fall over. Which was pretty funny! But then she picked it up and it went inside her body."

Realization struck them. "OH, BOY!!" Maria exclaimed. "That means we're gonna add a PRINCESS to our team!"

"Weren't you listening at all?" Killua asked.

They could clearly hear the princess's vocals up close. Her voice was like that of an angel, and her movement captivating. "Loooove iiiis the best around. And somewhere True Love is sure to be found."

"PRINCESS, PRINCESS!" Maria excitedly jumped over the Fanalis' heads and onto the stage, flashing her Gold Mushroom Card. "I'm Princess Maria of the Mushroom Kingdom, wanna come to my Princess Slumber Party?!?! I mean, first I gotta drag Louise back by the hood, but then I promise it'll be the best slumber party ever!"

"Maria, get down!" Index shouted. "You'll get us in trouble!"

"Huh?" The pigtailed princess ceased and looked down at Maria with curious blue eyes. She wore a glittering white skirt and a heart-shaped top that covered her chest. "Hello, little girl. Would you like to dance with me?"

"Hey, we're sorry!" Nagisa chuckled nervously, climbing onstage. "She's with us. We…" He took a moment to analyze her. "AAAAAHH!" His jaw dropped in realization.

"Huh? HUUUU!" The princess gasped in utter shock, pointing at them. "Y-You guys are Wendy's friends! I remember you!"

"No way!" Goombella exclaimed, she and her friends equally surprised to see her here. "CHELIA?!"

Deadpool's ship; somewhere in space

"These are the operatives that took Killua and his sister." Vanessa said, handing photos of Sector SA to two assassins.

They were fellow CP0 agents, Chase Young and Slade Wilson. "The Nagisa boy, huh?" Slade noticed. "Killua must be following through with his mission… Wade, what can you tell us about-?" When he turned to Deadpool, said assassin was sitting in the corner, facing the wall.

"I told everyone there were no fish or bug Mobians." he said, crying. "I forgot about Charmy. No wonder the author fired me, I'm a terrible intro host."

"Wade."

"I guess I can just recap stuff people already know. Not like my memory's any better. Heck, I would assume April Dickson and Noah Heart are the same damn person."

"Wade."

"You think Grunty has trouble remembering things? She's so good at making quizzes, I'm so jealous of that headless bitch." Slade walked up to him and drew his sword. "I could just-" Slade SLICED his head clean off, rolling to a stop on its side.

"DAYAMN, SLADE, you crazy bitch!" Dead's head said. "You know my movie airs tomorrow! You want old Deadpool to walk in the theater with a missing head?!"

"Give us a progress report on Killua's mission!" Slade ordered, planting his foot on Dead's head.

"Fine! Look, Killua already told his new buddies about his secret mission. He done blew it 'cause he's in love with Nagisa or some sh**. I think they're in Finally or somethin', on that desert planet everyone always goes to."

"You must mean Fanali. Well, then… if he abandoned his mission, I guess we'd better go and discipline him. Maybe twist a few heads while we're at it."

"I wonder if Alluka picked up any combat tips from her brother." Chase thought aloud. "But if she hasn't, I can always wish her to be a worthy assassin."

Planet Mobius; Grand Hall

The Grand Hall was located north of the capital city of Zootopia, situated over a lake and connected to land via a long bridge. The building looked like a small, white palace with a fountain and palm trees, and a dome to bring light into the central office. There, a green-haired Mobian dog woman was speaking to a purple Mobian cat with a red gown and hair tied in a flame-like ponytail. "So, have you discovered the cause of the planet's condition, Blaze?" asked Cheadle Yorkshire.

"Yes, I think." replied the Queen of Sol, her hologram fizzing. "My daughter tells me that the Kids Next Door were asked to find these golden pages scattered around the world. And it seems the Eggman Empire is trying to steal them, too. I've already sent my army to hold back their forces."

"Well, leave it up to the Kids Next Door to repair a planet. In any case, I have faith in them." Cheadle smiled.

"So do I. But if what Cinder says is true, the same thing is happening to other planets. Perhaps we should contact Peach to see if-"

Cheadle felt the area shake, and Blaze silenced herself, seeing the distraught look on her face. The chancellor faced up, seeing the force-field around the building had been activated, and the hat-shaped ships beyond it. "Blaze, I think I'm under attack!"

"What?! By who?"

"I can't tell. I'm going to see for myself." Cheadle switched off the hologram and ran outside.

"Chancellor, wait!" yelled a short, brown badger guard. "We must head underground, they're probably here for you!"

"I can hold my own against common invaders, don't mistake me for Queen… Peach?" As Cheadle stepped outside, she was surprised by the puddle of pink goop that was spilled around the fountain.

"This stuff came down before the ships began attacking." The badger explained. "Because it wasn't laser or cannonfire, the barrier didn't react to it. But whatever it is, it sunk all the guards outside!"

"Hold on, something's moving inside." Cheadle said, seeing five creatures swimming toward her in the goop. She readied her guard, expecting the worst of what lay beneath.

Five pink squids leapt out of the goop and transformed into humanoid kids, three boys and two girls, with pink hair that looked like goop. "WE'RE KIDS NOW!" they cheered, landing before the chancellor and drawing goop guns.

"Who in blazes are you pests?!" the badger shouted, drawing a gun. "AGH!" He was shot by one of the kids, sinking into a puddle of goop.

"TREVOR!" yelled Cheadle.

"WE'RE THE INKLINGS!" they shouted in unison. "We're from the backstreets of Mushroom's Prism Island!" the lead boy explained. "And we're placin' you under arrest, Puppy Lips!"

"I'd say this prank is far too elaborate for your likes. Who commands this fleet?"

"I do." Cheadle's ears twitched, the woman looking up at the roof to see Louise Mario. The Mustache Girl attempted a Ground Pound, but Cheadle dodged it with ease. "The name's Louise, Captain of the Sky God Pirates. I've come to liberate your planet from your oppressive rule!"

"Oppressive rule?! I never assumed I was a perfect leader, but I would think I'm far below the level of 'Dictator'!"

"Don't make this any harder than it has to be, sweetheart. Just burn your constitution, abolish all the laws on your planet, strip naked and join a gang, do whatever you need to do to establish complete and utter chaos, 'kay?"

"And what will you do if I say 'no'?"

"I'll make you BLEED." Louise wasted no time in lunging at Cheadle, who punched a gloved hand in defense, but Louise grabbed hold of it and flipped above Cheadle, grabbing the Yorkshire's head.

"AAAAH!" All of Cheadle's pain receptors went off at the same time, forcing her to promptly grab Louise and throw her off. Cheadle panted and felt her face, but no wounds were present. The Inklings tried to shoot her with goop, but Cheadle reactively dodged them and threw kicks, splatting the squid kids into goop. Cheadle watched as Louise began to spread black goop around with her Paint Staff, then she swallowed a Fire Flower to set the oil aflame. Growing worried when the fire spread to the Grand Hall, Cheadle grabbed a communicator and yelled, "This is Chancellor Yorkshire, I need waterbenders! My office is on fire, and some of my guards are trapped in-!" Louise rolled a bomb by her feet, exploding and knocking the woman on her back.

Louise proceeded to crush the communicator as she marched up to Cheadle. "Not an oppressive ruler, are you? Well, I couldn't care either way." Cheadle got back to her feet, glaring at the child with gritted fangs, the embers blending beautifully with Louise's aura. "People like you are so admired, so looked up to, that everyone forgets to look down at the people that've fallen. You never look down and see the horrors that have taken place under your rule, all the rage and torment people like ME have to go through. Well, I'll TAKE that rage, and give you every… last… OUNCE of it."

"Aw, don't waste it on her. I would be happy to take your rage." A sweet voice spoke.

Curious, Louise turned, finding a humanoid girl with yellow hair, cat ears, and black and red clothing. "Who the bloody hell are you?"

"I love what you done with the place. All the fire and pain…" she said with a loving smile. "My name's Moge-ko. Lord Bowser sent me a lock of your hair, and I used it to sniff you down. Sniff…sniff…sniff… The fire helped, too. Hey, Louise, do you like to squish bugs? I can smell dead bugs on your shoes. I like to squish snails. They're so crunchy. Squish…smash…smoosh…"

"Wait… Lord Bowser sent you?!"

"No, King K. Rool did. But he wants me to bring you to Bowser. He wants you in one piece, so I guess I can't carve your skin up." She frowned in disappointment. "But maybe I can torture you in other ways. Have any fetishes you like?"

"I don't want to hear another word!" Louise yelled, drawing her gun. "I'm about to shoot all nine of your lives into nothing!"

Moge-ko smirked, her eyes turning bright red. "But just how many lives can you lose before you can?"

The second Louise stared at the eyes, a wave of red aura burst from the catgirl's body, washing over Louise and blinding her from the surrounding world. "W-What? What's happening?"

"King K. Rool gave me the Pain-Pain Fruit." Moge-ko said as the aura cleared, revealing a realm of chainsaws, swinging axes, and flamethrowers. "Combined with my fearbending, it adds a whole new meaning to torture. The only way to escape this nightmare is to beat the obstacle course. But you'll be with Bowser LONG before then. Bye-bye, Louise-chaaaaaan." A red cloud carried her up and away.

An angry Louise pursued her, but quickly stepped on a floor panel that spring up a chainsaw. "YOWCH! !" She was sliced clean in half, but reappeared at the start in one piece. "I'm alright! But that felt so real…" Louise ran forward again, evading the panel—a trapdoor opened and dropped her in lava. "AAAAH!!" Her skin and bones melted, but she was alright. She retried and jumped tiny platforms across the lava, but one of them snapped her in teeth. She retried and jumped quickly to evade the teeth—giant hands flew up and clapped her. She tried again, using the hands as boosts and climbing up even more clapping hands—a hail of bullets rained down and punctured her. She fell in the lava again, got cut by the first saw, but she was soon able to dodge the bullets as she leapt toward a rising balloon, intending to jump it.

The second her foot hit the balloon, it popped and made this sound: "Oh yea, Mr. Krabs! AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" The sound was louder than anything, and Louise took the fall into a chainsaw sea.

In the real world, Moge-ko was gently stroking Louise's cheek, the princess shaking on the ground. "Oooo, your skin hurts my hand! So, that's the power of your ring. Just like my power, except not as fun. It's too bad, Louise. We have so much in common, we could be best friendies. Well, maybe if Lord Bowser is nice enough."

"FREEZE!" Moge-ko found herself surrounded by Mobian cops and helicopters. The chief, a bison, held up a wanted poster: Moge-ko the Mad Trainer – 1,000,000,600. "Moge-ko Leijon, by order of the Zootopia Police Department, you are under arrest for assaulting the Chancellor, and for torturing countless peoples in inhumane ways!"

"Meow… I just don't have time for all of you." Moge-ko frowned, sad she wouldn't get to see all these people suffer up close.