Chapter Text
The hidden figure kept their balance as they slid down the path of light, keeping an eye on the group that came to take down Marx. It felt rather strange. It was like standing on nothing, and it yet somehow felt solid, almost like a landscape in a dream. But to this mysterious stranger, it was completely normal. They had been here for as long as they could remember and they had memorized every nook and cranny of this place. How much of the time they stayed, no one can say for certain - days, weeks, months, who knows? It was the World of Darkness after all, and the time was probably messed up.
They knew Marx was watching them this whole time ever since they got here, and they had always been unsuccessful in trying to get to that damn vortex from within the Mysterious Dimension as they tried to avoid Marx's traps. They know there is no way out, and they know their alliance with these Smashers could break them out of the Mysterious Dimension.
The enigmatic being arrived at the colosseum, planting their feet on the solid ground and hiding behind the pillars at the entrance, watching the group walk through before the stranger themselves climbed their way up to the empty seats in the colosseum. The fighters walked onto the empty arena, the dirt underneath their feet flowing behind them in clouds of dust. The Smashers could hear some sort of monstrous beast clawing at iron bars. The creature was several feet right in front of the fighters, with claws multiple times the size of an average lion's exposed in the faint light. Once they heard the maniacal laughter of Marx, they looked up to see the winged jester sitting in the nosebleed where emperors and empresses of Ancient Roman culture took their places. In his talons was a small remote with a big red button, and he lounged on the dusty ivory throne with his golden wings spread open.
“Hiya, folks!” Marx chuckled, poking his head out from the nosebleed.
“Quit bothering us and let us finish your game, Marx!” Sherry called out. “We’ve had enough of your shenanigans!”
“Ah, cocky as usual,” Marx laughed, pulling out some sort of toy. The toy itself consisted of two flat cardboard hands laid on top of one another - one giving a thumbs up while the other had a thumbs down - and they were both attached to one of the ends of a stick so they acted like a windmill.
“Did you know that when the Roman emperor gave a thumbs down when blood wasn't spilled in a fight, the gladiator that didn't kill was often put to death?” Marx continued, snapping his talons. “This is what's gonna happen if you don't pick the right answer for this question.” Once those talons of his snapped, four teams of Supporters spawned onto the stage.
“Which of these Spirits is Chrom's younger sister?” Marx asked. “I’m gonna make things a little different for you here: if you manage to take down the right Supporter, I suppose I can let you advance to a much easier question. If not, then I'll have no choice but to give out a thumbs down. Once that happens, you can say hi to Eurydice's fiery stomach for me…” The jester traced one of his talons around the big red button, getting ready to push it.
One of the Supporter teams had an orange-clothed Isabelle, a gray-haired blue-clothed Robin, and a dark gray-clothed Chrom, all three under control of the Lissa Spirit. Elincia was the one possessing a red-dressed Palutena Supporter, a pink-clothed Isabelle was under control of Elise, and Mist took a white-and-golden Zelda and an Ike puppet with a golden cape and headband.
“Better move your butts fast!” Marx spoke in a singsong voice, spinning his little windmill toy and tracing circles around the red button.
“What do we do!?” Corrin spoke among his friends. “I know Elise is MY sister, but I don't know anything about Chrom's family!”
“Does it look like WE know?” Samus responded in the form of a question. “Any one of these Supporters could very well be Chrom's sister and we’d still die.”
“So, what do we do now?” Isabelle asked.
“If only Sonic was here with us…” Lucas trembled, sweat rolling down his forehead as he heard the continuous snarling of the beast locked up. “He would know what to do. He knew about literally everything in the multiverse, and he had encyclopedic knowledge of all our memories.” Marx's face lit up with interest as he heard Lucas talk about Sonic the Hedgehog. From those words, the demonic jester gave out a small smile on his face, which blended well with his now-slit eyes.
Literally everything in the multiverse, huh? Marx thought as he didn't think about the spinning windmill toy in his talons or the big red button in his grasp. If he knows the secrets of the She-wolf or even her extended family, then... heeheehee… imagine how fun it would be if those pathetic dweebs learned about her legacy from that blue rodent. However, before the fighters could decide on an answer, Marx's talon accidentally slipped, causing him to press the button much to his surprise. The Smashers watched as the cage slowly opened, and three pairs of eyes flashed a pale yellow from within the darkness of the beast's cell.
“Marx, are you kidding us right now!?” Lucario asked. “We didn't even get the chance!” Marx instantly snapped out of his train of thought and clasped over his windmill toy, preventing it from spinning. His talons glowed a faint red as the toy caught on flames.
“Okay, new change of plans,” Marx spoke, burning his toy into ashes. “If you take down the correct Supporter team AND Eurydice, you advance to the next question. Meanwhile, I get to sit and watch while my girl tears you apart!” The seven Supporters ran towards the beast trapped within the cage: The Chimera. This beast was more reptilian than mammary - a quadrupedal beast with draconic wings and slightly scaly features on her three heads. The lion head with a bulldog-like face in the front had an oily, thin mane with its pointed wolf ears sticking out, the beast's fore legs resembling that of a bear. The goat head protruding from the middle of the spiked spine had a neck long enough so that it was leaning over the lion's head, bearing boar tusks and gills. Behind the horse-like back legs was a tail with a serpent's head at the end, flashing with eight eyes on its forehead.
“That's your pet!?” King Dedede asked, being one of the few fighters, by which I mean all of them, that were terrified by this fearsome creature. The Supporters climbed onto the Chimera's back, with the orange Isabelle Supporter tugging on the lion head's mane. The three heads of Eurydice roared with a mighty rage and flaming mouths, and she charged straight for the group of Smashers. Hiding in the participants row of the colosseum was the mysterious survivor, watching the disarray going on in the battle arena. As the being from the seats leaped into the air, the Smashers took a quick glance at the newcomer supposedly joining to their aid.
The new fighter sported some sort of sword that extended like a whip, slashing at the Chimera's mane before becoming erect. The person in general had bluish-green hair almost like Marth's, but his armor was completely different. For one, he had some sort of medieval suit as though he came from an academy. He quickly pulled out a divine arrow and kept holding his aim in place until it was fully charged, and he fired straight at the monster. Once the Supporters jumped off Eurydice's back and charged towards the newcomer, he pulled out some sort of axe with strange markings and slashed them all at once.
The stranger landed in front of the monster, pulling out what the fighters could assume was a partisan. The Chimera roared before charging straight for the newcomer, but the blue-haired stranger jumped right on the creature's back. The snake head with the eight eyes spat out a long frog tongue with a scorpion stinger at the end, trying to rapidly jab at the professor. Luckily, the stranger stepped on the scorpion stinger and cut it off with his whip-like sword, causing the snake head of Eurydice to squirm in panic.
The stranger quickly jumped off, whipping his sword at the Chimera and making the creature back away. Marx watched in surprise as the stranger singlehandedly whipped at Eurydice, forcing her back into the open cage.
“Back!” the stranger snapped. “Back, you foul creature!” Eurydice roared again before the mysterious weapon lashed at her mane, forcing her back into the cage. The professor reached for the lever and shut the gate to the creature’s cell the split-second Eurydice pounced right for him. Out of all the Supporters, only the orange-coated Isabelle clone teamed up with the Robin and Chrom puppets survived the initial hit. Pulling out that divine bow again, the professor charged up his shot before unleashing it, supposedly killing all three of them as they dissolved into Shadow Bugs and the Spirits floated away.
Once the cloud of sand from the battle cleared up, the stranger looked at the fighters in confusion.
“And what are you all looking at?” the stranger asked.
“Uh… we could have defeated that monster on our own, but thanks for the extra help,” Samus responded.
“And just who are you, exactly?” Isabelle asked.
“Byleth, professor of Garreg Mach Monastery and wielder of the Sword of the Creator,” the stranger answered, showing the whip-like sword he used on the beast to drive her back to her cage. “I take it you guys haven't been here before?”
“Nope,” King Dedede answered. “We don't know a dang thing 'bout this 'Sterious Dimension. Perhaps you can give us an insight… unless you're some sort of demon workin' for Dharkon…”
“Why would I be?” Byleth asked with little emotion in his attitude. “I’m trapped here just like the rest of you guys. I'm looking for a way out and reunite with the rest of my pals. Three of us split up from us five years ago. Two of our group entered the other main realms…”
“Woah woah woah,” Sherry interrupted. “Three other guys just like you? Two friends of yours who went to other sub-areas of Draxia?... You wouldn't happen to be another survivor, would you?” The other fighters looked with surprise as the professor nodded.
“If you've really been here longer than us as Marx claims, then you might know how we can solve the rest of the quizzes,” Rosalina responded.
“Yes and no,” Byleth answered. “I can still help out and be a valuable member to the team, even if my emotions seem to be lacking. There are multiple quizzes I have managed to solve, but I depend on you to work with me as much as you depend on me to work with you.” The Smashers looked at each other in confusion, wondering how this young professor could possibly be a member of their team.
“Another swordsman?” Bowser asked. “They were cool at first, but now they're getting annoying.”
“Patience, Bowser,” Rosalina objected as she held tight to her Luma. “Byleth did say he knows just about everything of this place, and we're in luck. He's one of the survivors of Galeem's attack. We can work together and find a way out of here as long as we see he's a cooperative teammate.”
“Is he, though?” Lucario asked.
“Only one way to find out,” King Dedede answered. “I’m not here to lollygag all day, not with that jester creep Marx watching us 24/7.” The fighters looked back at Byleth, confused at how he even managed to appear right at the last minute.
“I’ll lead the way,” Samus responded, holding Pichu in her arms as she walked out of the colosseum. Wolf and Corrin followed after her, with the rest of the fighters trailing behind. Byleth was just about to join them too before he heard the sound of a rubber ball bouncing on the sand. As the fighters kept walking without looking back, Byleth looked to his right to see a white ball decorated with blue and red stripes. The professor turned around to see a wingless Marx staring at him with anger in his starry violet eyes.
“You!” Marx snapped. “You can't even imagine what you just cost me! I had this whole situation under control, and you had to rush in and save the day!”
“Those travelers were going to die anyway,” Byleth responded as the small jester walked towards him. “I had to do something instead of standing and watching. You're not the one to judge what I can or cannot do.” Marx simply chuckled with a Cheshire smile, shaking his armless head.
“Look, kid,” Marx responded, unfolding his wings and levitating towards Byleth. “On the outside, I may be a cute, lovable creature that I'm sure you can make plush toys out of. But deep down, I've got a tangled web of complications you don't wanna get caught in. Besides, only you and I know what you're truly after.” A small flash glimmered in Marx's talons, revealing the headset/heart pacemaker hybrid device all those years ago. It was the exact same gadget found in the Olympius, back when the Subspace Army attacked again.
“Stole it from the Legacy once the warriors left to fight Tabuu,” Marx spoke, toying with the device in his hands. “Shame they couldn't drag along such a… priceless artifact. This thing may be small, but what it can do outside of recover a trophy's memories is what Tabuu managed to accomplish: omniversal teleportation. With the right machinery, this little thing could kickstart a traveling network of countless universes, each with their own rules and limitations, growing the more you progress keeping the balance between each universe. I know you. You may be an emotionless basket case, but you are curious as to what's out there beyond the stars. Where the multiverse needs your help.” Byleth reached for the device dangling from Marx's talons, but the jester quickly pulled away.
“You ain't getting this thing, not as long as I'm around,” Marx finished. The professor looked at Marx with a stern face, still keeping his eyes on that valuable object.
“Byleth!” Wolf called out. “Are you coming or are you staying? We don't have much time!” The professor of Garreg Mach Monastery refocused his attention towards Group C, running out of the colosseum and leaving Marx alone. The fighters then approached another path of light recently created, and they slid down on it towards the next location in the Mysterious Dimension. In a pissed-off expression, Marx teleported into Eurydice's cage.
“That ungrateful little worm!” Marx growled, pacing the sandy floor while waving his golden wings rapidly. “He thinks he can just show up and do what he wants all because he's a one-dimensional bishounen boy who's not as different as the others! I mean: what does he REALLY know about me!?” The Chimera looked at Marx with soft growls, making the jester feel a little unsafe.
“And what are you looking at?” Marx asked the three-headed creature. “It’s not like this is all my fault!” Eurydice growled again at that remark.
“Okay… it's entirely my fault,” Marx continued. “But that was because I lost my train of thought for a split second. But hey: who can blame me?” The Chimera simply stood up, approaching a frightened cosmic jester. In a quick act of confidence, Marx quickly floated up to the three heads, stroking her oily coat on each one as he sang a song.
My darling dear, your Marx-y's here
My love protects you there's no need to fear
I'm so sorry it all went wrong
Let me sing you a little song
Marx landed on the soft sand, walking over to a bucket of apples as he told the beast the origins of his current appearance while continuing in song form. The jester took one of the apples and tossed it to the Chimera. Her three heads were already snapping each other over who wants the apple, unaware that it ends up the same place.
I took the stars, I took this form
The Star Warrior prepared a mighty storm
And my efforts were brought down low
Tears of joy turned to tears of woe
But worry not! This jester has a plan
I will return and will take back the land
Strength in numbers they have on staff
But I will have the final laugh
Marx teleported out of the colosseum, watching as the fighters landed on a broken sidewalk and followed Byleth. Before they took another step, they were suddenly stopped by a powerful blue flame. Byleth, being the first one to notice, quickly jumped out of the way and pulled out the Sword of the Creator. The Ike Primary stood in their way, possessed by the Spirit of the Black Knight and ready to fight. The Mii Gunner fired the first shot, dodging the swings of the captured fighter's sword and letting Corrin attack.
They'll listen close to what he has to say
They will fight and they will win the day
If I'm patient, they'll carry on
And their sanity will soon be gone
It wasn't long before R.O.B. knocked the Ike Primary off the floating cobblestone sidewalk, instantly breaking the Dharkon Lock. The red mist carried Ike's body back to the fighters before floating away, to which Marx played with the mist for a while.
I must be smart, I must be wise
I must be quick if I’m to claim the prize
Their dear dragon has just begun
To be worshipped by everyone
The survivors and all their friends
Must be dealt with before the story ends
Careful planning is what I need
This is what Marx has just decreed
The fighters managed to wake Ike up and strayed from the path to the vortex, following Byleth as he surfed a path of light towards an uprooted tree. Marx could hear the voices of the Spirits below his feet, singing along with his tune.
We, the hive mind! We, the swarm, have faith in Grendel's son
He inspires us and teaches us and hides us from the sun
If only Dharkon knew his love he wouldn't see a bad guy
For it’s his love that keeps us safe beneath his all-seeing eye!
As the floating Spirits sang that verse, Marx watched as Byleth pointed out the quiz on the tree had multiple answers. Two teams of red Kirby Supporters appeared on different branches, one possessed by the Waddle Doo Spirit and the other possessed by the Whispy Woods Spirit. A third team of red Kirby puppets appeared at the top of the tree, led by a yellow Kirby Supporter as symbolism of the Scarfy Spirit possessing them. An Ice Climbers Supporter in blue clothing was possessed by a Mr. Frosty, and a purple Ridley Supporter controlled by the Bugzzy Spirit appeared on yet another branch. Byleth told the fighters that the quiz was of which enemies Kirby is unable to inhale, and the correct answers were Whispy Woods and Scarfy. The professor teamed up with Wolf and Bowser and approached the Supporter team with Whispy Woods, while Isabelle walked up towards the Kirby team with the yellow puppet.
The other fighters waited behind as each of their friends were teleported to another location: both of the stages being different variations of Dream Land. The Spirits of the Mysterious Dimension singing as the chorus to Marx's lament as he watched the chaos unfold in two different stages.
I can hear your song
It makes me proud to know I’m far more strong
I'll stretch my wings and prepare for flight
I'll bare my teeth and prepare to bite
Byleth, Wolf, and Bowser had made quick work on the windy stage of the Whispy Woods, creating another pathway of light leading up to a tree with orange leaves.
They'll rise and sing and call my name
The Dragon Planet will never be the same
They must act now, the time is soon
So they can take down both the sun and moon
Byleth and his small team instantly confronted the Mewtwo Primary, who was possessed by Infinite, after the captured fighter launched his Shadow Ball move the second he spotted them. Wolf O' Donnell quickly reflected the Shadow Ball back at the Mewtwo Primary and quickly pounced at the captured fighter. The Mewtwo Primary kicked the Star Wolf mercenary off before charging straight for Bowser.
And then I'll feast at any time of day
And I will rule in every single way
No more hiding, I will be free
When the fighters look up to see
With cooperative teamwork, Byleth dealt the final blow towards the Mewtwo Primary, breaking the Dharkon Lock and reawakening the legendary Pokémon. Marx watched as Isabelle successfully managed to defeat the Scarfy Spirit team through no effort at all, creating another path of light towards a broken-down sidewalk decorated with bent lantern posts.
A great rainbow across the multiverse
A fanged jester with a powerful curse
Food aplenty for all my kin
Amongst the others, only I shall win!
This time, Ike, Mewtwo, and King Dedede all followed Byleth as he slid down the path towards the location. It was also the location for another trivia: who teamed up with Alucard to take down Dracula. The options were: Trevor C. Belmont in a team consisting of a blue Simon, a blue Palutena, and a red Sheik, Gabriel Belmont controlling a red Simon, a gray Lucas possessed by Kid Dracula, and a green-clothed Richter reminiscent of Nathan Graves.
Byleth, without letting the other three fighters decide, charged straight for the blue Simon Supporter. King Dedede, Ike, and Bowser followed Byleth in the second he was sucked into the stage referencing Dracula's Castle. Once they arrived, the Spirit chorus overshadowed Marx’s singing.
We, the puppets, will take whatever lands in our grasp
“Sing, my servants! Sing!” Marx cackled as he watched Byleth pull out his lance, the Areadbhar, and thrust it right at the blue Palutena Supporter. The puppet fighter began unleashing Explosive Flame, but Mewtwo quickly used Confusion and reflected the projectile right back at the puppet.
We don't care what price we must pay
The red Sheik Supporter spawned in and charged in at Ike. The Beorc slashed his Ragnell at the puppet, and King Dedede launched his Gordo at her. The Palutena Supporter jumped in front and reflected the Gordo back at the King of Dreamland, but he quickly inhaled the projectile and spat it out much to her surprise. The Palutena Supporter was knocked out as a result. The Sheik puppet was quickly knocked out by a forward smash from Ike a few seconds after.
And in any kind of weather, we all have to stick together
While Mewtwo was attacking the Sheik Supporter, Byleth spotted the blue Simon Supporter spawn in with Alucard himself. The Assist Trophy quickly turned into a bat, charging straight for the young professor. Byleth quickly pulled out his axe, the Aymr, and unleashed a powerful hit upon the Assist Trophy before he could hit the other three fighters, instantly knocking out Alucard.
The Simon puppet quickly jumped in, spamming axes, crosses, and holy water in his wake. As Mewtwo and King Dedede were reflecting the projectiles back with their special abilities, building up damage as a result, Byleth quickly pulled out his Sword of the Creator and flicked his wrist, letting the weapon tether around the Simon Supporter's leg. The professor quickly jumped up and kicked the puppet fighter downward. Since the puppet couldn't tech off the ground, he was instead launched up to the blast zone, earning victory for the four fighters.
And we don't want it any other way
We'll be free!
Upon defeating the Trevor C. Belmont team, another path of light was unlocked. Byleth and his group surfed down the path, landing in a wrecked pirate ship entangled in vines. Who should be waiting for them but the King K. Rool Primary himself, controlled by the evil witch Gruntilda. Once the captured fighter began attacking the fighters with his Crownarang and Blunderbuss, King Dedede managed to avoid the slow but powerful projectiles before hitting the Kremling King in the back with his mallet. As Marx watched the ambush taking place, he continued to sing his little song.
Yes, I do so love my mood
The fight continued on the ship, creating chaos not even Marx could imagine. Eventually, the four Smashers overwhelmed the King K. Rool Primary and knocked him off the ship, with Byleth swinging the Aymr downward in midair. The red mist of the Dharkon Lock carried King K. Rool's body back onto the shipwreck.
It's my heart that feeds this brood
Once the fighters reunited back on the tree with the reawakened warriors, they were ready to continue on the main path to the vortex. Meanwhile, Marx watched as the fighters were progressing without his help, and it wouldn't be long before they find out his secrets.
I won’t let harm come to what is mine!
The jester looked back on the few remaining Supporters he had left, unable to count those that weren't the correct answers. However, he wouldn't give up on the game he was playing with the group, determination crawling through his soft body.
Places now! You must take care
You must be ready and you can't fight fair
With the quizzes of countless kings
Gather all your most precious things
And follow me as I take flight
They can't stop now because the time is right
Raise your voices and fill the air
A hidden monster, I'm everywhere!
Once the fighters continued on the main cobblestone path, they were stopped by the Meta Knight Primary. This enigmatic swordsman was possessed by Galacta Knight, the original form of Morpho Knight, and he wasted no time attacking the fighters with his speed and fast wits translated through his sword.
Corrin quickly got in front of the fighters, his Yato Blade clashing with the captured fighter’s sword. Once the other Smashers started to gain up on the Meta Knight Primary, the Mii Gunner spotted a little path of light straying not too far from the vortex. She slid down to a small battlefield of light, to where she saw the Luigi Primary waiting for her. The lonely captured fighter was controlled by Waluigi, and he was waiting for Sherry to unleash the first attack.
The ex-Ultimate Reborn began spamming her projectiles, jumping back and forth while trying to dodge the Luigi Primary's upgraded Poltergust weapon and cyclone move.
Arcus's time is coming to an end
The age of the jester will begin again
I will conquer and I will rule
And the Smashers will be my fools
Without any help whatsoever, Sherry built up plenty of damage on the Luigi Primary and knocked him out the small battlefield. The Dharkon Lock shattered, freeing the captured fighter and reawakening him. The Mii Gunner then helped a confused Luigi stand up as she carried him back to the group, much to their surprise.
The fighters were almost at the vortex, but they had to answer one more quiz: which enemy is part of Bowser's army. A black Peach Supporter stood in place for a Pidgit, and the Lakitu and Spiny Spirit took control of Iggy Koopa and his team of tiny red Bowser Supporters. Because Bowser knew his history in the Mushroom Kingdom, he approached the Iggy puppet.
Marx watched as in an 8bit version of the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser was knocking out every single puppet with no problem whatsoever with his meaty smash attacks and heavy armor.
They all will bow to my grand masquerade
And they won't doubt the face that's on parade
I'll make them haste so they can proceed
This is what Marx has just decreed!
While all the remaining Spirits of the Mysterious Dimension flew towards the vortex upon Bowser's victory, Marx danced around the vortex as he laughed in his childish tone.
“Yes, my puppets,” Marx spoke, watching as all the remaining Supporters (both those that were not interacted with and new puppets) took their places. “You shall make me prevail. The time for my grand entrance is nigh. Go, my precious nightmares. The bittersweet fruit of freedom for everyone!” The jester dived straight into the center, popping up in a new location. The place Marx ended up had an endless landscape of colorless, jagged mountains and hills. The stone ground looked like flowing lava had cooled down into obsidian, and the sky was filled with stars and galaxies as far as the eye could see.
Marx cackled as the talons on his golden wings began to glow, erecting a stone throne for him to lounge on.
“Ah… it's so good to be the boss of a sub-realm,” Marx sighed, knowing the group will make it through his last pop quiz.
Author's Notes #1 (About the Dragon Arc):
I know this is rather unusual to be writing here, but please keep in mind that there may be a few chapters with musical numbers. What I'm saying is take this story with a grain of salt considering there may be people who disagree with my opinion.
All the songs I will be using in this story belong to their respectful owners. I have no affiliations or threats to the original works. This is for entertainment purposes only. Hope that will clear things up for you readers.
Original song used: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXT-Y3w523A
The main reason why I picked this song for Marx is because I wanted to convey more of his twisted personality while the creatures and puppets he's trapped with see him as a guardian from Dharkon's clutches. Some of the original lyrics had been changed to better suit his cunning and deceitful mind filled with plans that no one should get in his way for. He only sees the monsters in the Mysterious Dimension as broken toys, but he needs them to stop the fighters at any cost.