“Wait…what?” Ike cocked his head in confusion. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” Dee gave a small nod.

“It must be Diddy Kong…” Marth said. “Is there another with him?” He asked, knowing that surely Donkey Kong could be with him too.

“I-I’m not sure…maybe…It’s hard to tell…sorry…” She trailed off at Marth staring at her.

“Right, well I guess we might as well see what the commotion is, are they down stream?” Ike looked off in that direction.

“It seems so.”

The group then began to head further downstream to check out the source of the commotion. As they began to get closer Diddy’s cries grew louder and it also became apparent that Donkey Kong was there too. Ike began snorting to himself at the thought of crazy, angry monkeys quite unaware of the impending danger that they were about to face.

“Wow, something must really be wrong by the sounds of it.” Marth began to feel a little apprehensive, he was used to dealing with enemies on the battlefield, dragons even, but he wasn’t sure how to deal with monkeys and gorillas.

Metaknight glided down infront of them. “They are just up ahead around the bend. We must take extreme caution…as the situation is not as it seems.”

The group took in what Metaknight said straight away. Even if he hardly said a word, whenever he spoke, it was with wise words. As they gradually pressed on around the bend, Marth clasped the Falchion’s hilt and Ike brought his sword down from off his shoulders and held it slightly infront of him. Metaknight also drew his blade. Finally the scene appeared before them, the canyon had gradually opened up and become more shallow, greenery had slowly began to appear on the sides of the walls and sure enough the stream lead into a jungle area. The dry, desert like ground slowly changed into fertile soil as a few metres in front of them the jungle trees and shrubs began to get more dense. However along with this they indeed saw Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong in front of them with a mid-sized group of Subspace creatures.

“Whoa!” Ike blurted out. And as he did the Subspace creatures turned and faced them. Marth brought his palm up to his face and shook his head.

“Dammit Ike! There goes our surprise attack…” Marth grumbled.

“No Marth, I mean…check out Diddy…”

Marth looked at him, he knew by Ike using his proper name something was up. He looked over at Diddy and sure enough something wasn’t right at all. The small monkey had what appeared to be a small cloud of purple puffs on his back and his eyes had become black while his irises were a sickly, bright yellow green. He then noticed Donkey Kong had a rather anxious expression on his face.

“Whoa indeed.” Marth was taken aback by Diddy’s appearance. “Since when…”

“The Subspace army must be able to possess beings. Be careful.” Metaknight said gruffly.

“What should we do?” Dee asked.

“We don’t have much time…thanks to Ike. Dee…can you fight?” Marth looked at her hoping that she could.

“Yes I can if the time calls for it…” She replied shyly. Bringing out her hand and causing a staff to appear out of mid air.

“Excellent.” Marth seemed somewhat relieved. “Right, Dee you go with Ike and fend off the Subspace creatures. Metaknight and I will try and sort Diddy out with Donkey Kong! Got it?”

The group nodded and headed into the fray.
~~~

“Wow check that out…I didn’t know they could do that!” Roy exclaimed.

“Do what?” Raz replied and went over to Roy who stood in front of the portal. She looked at it and saw what he was referring to, the possessed Diddy. “Gah!”

“Heh yeah. I wonder how they’re gonna deal with Diddy? I mean…it’s a tight situation, they can’t exactly defeat him. They’ll need him as an ally…I guess they could just bring him back after he’s turned into a trophy, but it seems a little morbid and drastic. Diddy will have used up his second chances or lives.” Roy pondered. Putting up his hands and gesturing the quotation marks as he said ‘lives’.

“Yeah, you’re right…”

~~~

Dee and Ike managed to subdue all the Subspace creatures with relative ease, but when it came to Diddy, Marth and Metaknight weren’t too sure what to do. They were stuck in defense mode, fending off his frenzied attacks. Donkey Kong didn’t want them to hurt Diddy, which was easier said then done. Marth dodged a round of peanuts from Diddy’s gun.

“We’re getting nowhere!” He cried. “But...There must be a way around it without doing fatal damage to him!” Diddy lunged at him with his fists, Marth defended himself and hit him back with the hilt of his sword, sending him careering backwards. Metaknight swooped in for a follow up attack on Diddy, but he dodged his blade. However the very tip caught the purple cloud like substance on his back. For a split second Diddy’s eyes returned to normal as he let out an un-monkey like squeal.

“THAT’S IT!” Ike yelled out from where he was standing, away from Marth and Metaknight. “HIT THAT WEIRD CLOUD THING ON HIS BACK! DID YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS HIT?! DO IT AGAIN!”

“Of course…” Marth said with a little elation. “Got that Metaknight?”

Metaknight gave a grunt in agreement.

“Donkey Kong! We have this under control! We promise Diddy will be ok, just let us do what we have to!” Marth shouted at the gorilla who was standing a little away from them. DK looked at the ground for a second then brought his head up and nodded.

The movement on the battlefield changed, Metaknight and Marth took in turns at trying to distract Diddy as the other would try and strike at his back.

“This is working…but…we need a strong attack to get rid of it for good!” Marth instructed Metaknight as he ran. Metaknight gave a slow nod from the air and dodged another barrage of peanut shells. He had an idea. It was simple but it just might work.

“Stay back for a second!” Metaknight growled. “When I say go strike him with everything you’ve got! Be prepared!”

“Alright.” Marth nodded and leapt back allowing Metaknight to do his thing.

Now with his focus on Metaknight as Marth backed off, Diddy started intently at the winged creature. “Monkey, want a peanut?” In his gloved hand he held a peanut shell that he had picked up off the ground. He swayed it in front of him and Diddy followed the movement. He began to fly in slow circles around the monkey and gradually picked up speed, making sure to keep the peanut in view.

“He’s making him dizzy and disorientated so Marth can get a clear shot at him.” Dee pointed out.

“Smart cookie.” Ike chuckled at Metaknight.

And sure enough as Metaknight sped up Diddy began to sway. Metaknight himself was also becoming quite dizzy and before he faltered he yelled out to Marth.

“GO!” And Metaknight broke out of the spin and flew off out of the way to recover.

Marth had been quietly charging energy in the Falchion as Metaknight had flown around Diddy. He looked up as Metaknight had said ‘go’ and charged forward at the swaying Diddy, just as he reached him he flung his body up into the air and performed his Dolphin Slash attack on Diddy’s back, Diddy whipped around and flung out his pop gun striking Marth in the side causing him to crash land. But it was not before the damage had been done. The purple cloud on Diddy’s back flew apart in all directions and Diddy swayed and sat down shaking his head as he returned to normal.

The group gasped and Ike yelled out in victory.

~~~

The yell was joined in by Raz and Roy.

“I knew they’d be able to do it!” Raz beamed.

“Uh…I don’t think I’d celebrate just yet….” Roy stopped cheering abruptly. He stared into the portal at the scene. Raz glanced too at Marth who was slowly picking himself up off the ground and was rubbing his side. She felt a jolt of concern as she saw him.

“That must have been quite a hit…” Roy winced. But he wasn’t referring to Marth being in pain to cease celebration. The small purple cloud had reformed and flashed bright purple for a second before it flung itself at its next target. It wasn’t directing itself at Diddy again, but Marth.

Raz gasped. “MARTH!”

~~~

“MARTH LOOK OUT!” Ike shouted at him.

Marth glanced up at him and then saw what he was referring to but it was too late. The purple matter struck him and Marth gave out a yell in desperation, doubling over. The matter then began to form on his back as it did with Diddy.

“Marth?…Girly Man?…are you ok?” Ike was now notably concerned as well as the rest of the group. They watched him in anticipation.

Marth slowly began to pick himself up off the ground with a cold laugh. “Why…of course I’m ok.” He flashed a glance at them with the same yellow-green eyes. “Why do you ask…Ike?”

“Oh-” Ike swore. “This is just what we need…”

Suddenly another group of Subspace creatures began to form behind Marth.

“It looks like my friends have arrived to take you away…” Marth smirked.

“MARTH SNAP OUT OF IT!” Ike yelled at him and approached him.

“IKE NO!” Metaknight barked from the ground.

Dee stared on, not sure what to do. Marth was an incredibly skilled and powerful swordsman, flying into battle with him was very risky, and now even more dangerous with Subspace creatures around them.

Marth stood, unflinching as Ike stood in front of him. “Why should I?” Marth said calmly.

“STOP THIS, DON’T BE STUPID!”

“I’m not as thick as you…I know that if you can’t beat them join them…” Marth wasn’t himself at all. “Come Ike, I’ll give you a chance…join us or else.”

Ike’s anger and frustration began to rise. He clasped Marth’s shoulders and shook him. “GET OUTTA HIS HEAD YOU STUPID SUBSPACE THINGS!”

Marth frowned at him as he was shaken, he then struck out at Ike with a powerful blow with his forearm. Sending Ike flying backwards.
“I must say…I like this new power.” He looked at his hands and smiled coldly.

Ike lay on the ground and Marth began to approach him slowly, drawing his sword.

~~~

Raz had fallen apart emotionally and frantically fidgeted.

“I can’t take this anymore, Roy we gotta do something! He’s gonna kill him!”

“We cant do anything! We were told that by Master Hand! As much as I want to we can’t! ” Roy sounded almost desperate as Raz.

“Forget Master Hand! Marth’s in trouble!” Raz picked up her spear.

“Raz…no come on don’t be irrational! They still have that Dee person and Metaknight!”

“Against Marth and a whole pile of them things?! They don’t stand a chance! Especially after that battle!”

Roy grumbled, not being able to get through to her. He knew what she was thinking. “Don’t do it! You don’t know what will happen!”

Raz wasn’t listening and charged forward towards the portal, spear in hand. Roy groaned and picked up his sword, he grabbed her as she leapt into the portal, but was unable to stop her and flew in with her.

~~~

“I’m going to enjoy this…after all the trouble you have caused this being.” He raised his sword above Ike’s body. Ike looked up at him, petrified. Dee and Metaknight looked on in horror.

“MARTH! NO!”

Marth stopped suddenly and looked up where the voice came from. Raz appeared in a flash of light followed by Roy, who was still in mid-grab motion and fell on his face.

“I’M OK!” He muffled and stood up quickly.

Ike shuffled back away from Marth. Bewildered. “Carrot Top?!…and…Cutie? Am…Am I seeing things?”

Metaknight and Dee also stared in amazement at their appearance.

Raz wasn’t focused on Ike and moved towards Marth, Roy ran over and stood in front of Ike. “Yep its us...” He sighed. “There was no getting through to her…”

“SO SHE DOES CARE ABOUT ME! SHE LIKES ME!” Ike beamed. Roy face palmed.

“FORGET IT IKE!” Raz yelled at him. Though as much as she couldn’t stand Ike, she couldn’t let him die. She approached Marth gazing into his glowing eyes.

“Marth…?”

He snorted. “And what do you want missy? Think you can save your friends? Its hopeless…”

Raz felt herself flinch inside at the person standing in front of her who appeared to be Marth. But she stood her ground.

“Marth…I know you’re in there somewhere…please come back…” She pleaded.

“Heh…why should I? This could be fun.”

Her gaze never faltered. “Marth it’s me…don’t do this!”

“I don’t have time for your mind games…I have other things to do.” He turned his back on her and started heading towards the Subspace creatures.
Raz flung herself forward to grab his shoulders. Marth whirled around and struck out at her as if protecting his back, she collapsed to the ground.

“Don’t even think about it…” he said, emotionless that he had hit her.

Raz sat up and held her now grazed cheek. She stared up at him fighting back tears. She knew that it wasn’t Marth that hit her, but the strange, purple, Subspace matter. But it was hard to think that when it appeared as Marth. He stared back but didn’t move as she got up. ”NO!…” the true Marth awoke and protested in his possessed mind. …”I won’t let you do this!.

“SHUT UP!” Marth yelled out loud at the true Marth in his head and pressed him back deeper into his mind.

The group stared at him, perplexed at the random outburst when Raz had said nothing. Marth glared at them and turned away once more, heading towards the Subspace creatures. Raz was on her last tether, she pointed her spear at him.

“Why are you running?!” She spat. “Are you afraid we will beat you?!”

Marth froze. “…I’d have no trouble beating you girl.”

“Funny…you had trouble a few days ago…” She smirked.

Marth turned around. “Fine…but don’t go crying to your friends after I defeat you.”

Ike had gotten to his feet. “ALRIGHT GANG, WE HAVE SOME SUBSPACE BUTT TO DESTROY!”

Dee, Metaknight, Roy, Donkey Kong and Diddy nodded. Although Donkey Kong made Diddy sit on the sidelines after his ordeal, much to Diddy’s protest. The group then charged forward past Marth and Raz to the Subspace army.

The battle raged on, and gradually the Subspace creatures were defeated. All that remained was the possessed Marth. Raz was battling him the best she could, but she was finding it difficult to land a blow on his back. His increased power was wearing her down. She knew she had to do something, and that something had to be powerful enough to completely eradicate the purple, possessing subspace matter.

“ROY! I need you to distract Marth!…Well...Everyone can!” She yelled.

“I’M ON IT!” Roy dashed forward.

“Foolish boy…” Marth sneered and prepared to counter. Roy however feinted the attack and jumped backward as Ike came running in from the side and tackled him. Marth landed with a yelp and threw Ike off. Roy came at him again and the fight began to go in circles. Roy and Ike hoping to wear Marth down.

Raz on the other hand had moved back from them, she knew in this form she wouldn’t have enough power to get the attack she wanted. She focused the last of her energy and began to glow. Her body began to change, wings sprouted from her back, she bent down and her limbs changed, her arms turned into those of a bird of prey, her legs changed into those of a lion's, her face became elongated and into that of an eagle's. She had grown to almost double in size into her Phoenix Gryphon form. Her reddish brown feathers glinted with an iridescent gold and yellow, a crest of 5 large feathers resembling that of a peacock's sprouted from the back of her head, her black talons razor sharp, her lion’s tail twitched from underneath her Phoenix-like long tail feathers. She gave a loud roar.

“WHOA!” Ike exclaimed.

Roy chuckled. “Well, there you go. There’s her Phoenix Gryphon form.” He had seen it before on the battlefields at home.

Dee was astonished at the site of the Phoenix Gryphon in front of her. She had never seen anything like it before. Sure, there were the Phasignus and the normal Aquileo, but the power radiating from a combination between the two was phenomenal.

The possessed Marth gaped at the form, Ike and Roy knew this was their chance to get him, but DK got there first. He leaped forward, grabbed Marth and launched him skyward. Leaving a stunned Ike and Roy. Marth gave a mighty yell as he was flung upward. As he flew upward Raz launched herself into the sky after him, glowing a golden yellow with flames trailing behind her, as Marth reached the apex of his flight she caught sight of his back and fired a fiery blast directly at the purple, cloudlike substance on his back with a screeching cry. The strange substance was completely obliterated as the blast connected with it, incinerating all the subspace particles, which had been possessing the Prince. Raz watched as Marth fell back to the ground, with her last burst of energy she flew forward, swooping to catch him before he collided with the ground. Landing back on earth she dropped him, before she swayed backwards, her energy depleted, transforming back to her normal self and collapsing.