and you made me change - smg34

under a grey sky...

a part 2??? :0 yeah actually i finished this the same night i wrote the first chapter, but i don't. really have a good idea to keep going??? there's one more piece that i'm writing but if you'd like, you can count the first chapter as its own stand alone and this (as well as ansy future additions) as a semi-canon add on :)

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three finally sat up, looking around at the ruined building and feeling nothing but emptiness. he knew he was supposed to feel rage, supposed to go on and try to delete four and their friends, but three was different. he had changed at some point during the whole zero fiasco, and was someone entirely different. the bitter, lifelong rivalry he had with the man had relaxed into more of a playful bit everyone was in on.

he was back where he started, but with more experience. he could stop himself, he could...

he was back where he had started of course, but he had no clue if anyone else would realize that he was different. and not just physically, he marveled to himself after looking down at his gloves and still retaining the fancy ones four had designed just for him. he was years ahead of everyone in experience, and could not only attempt to stop every oncoming threat, but he could come out on top in the end.

everyone would still see him as a friend if he just... wasn't himself from all these years ago. it would take a while of getting used to, but with enough confidence, he knew he'd be back in the castle (back in the castle!!!) once more with no problems. he just needed to be patient.

he stood up and got to his feet, turning and facing his friends with bright, hopeful eyes. the hope quickly faded as soon as he noticed the almost horrified, borderline disgusted look four had on his face. mario was gazing curiously at him, some sorrow still left in his eyes from the unfair treatment.

"who are you?" four had demanded of him, while mario shook his head, taking a step closer.

"smg3? when did you get a sick new costume? you don't look like mario, anymore, either..." mario took another step closer, three meeting him halfway as he let out his usual smug chuckle, flipping his hair with an almost huff.

"yeah, well, time'll do that to ya. wouldn't wanna go around looking like a hobo all day," three grinned sharply at four, who simply glared in response. three realized his mistake after four didn't quip back, and his brows knitted together in a sort of pout before turning back to mario.

"are you okay? i know four burning your studio down wasn't cool!" mario shouted the last part pointedly in four's direction, the man scoffing and crossing his arms. three grimaced at the attitude but said nothing about it, simply shaking his head at mario.

"water under the bridge and all that. it's been like, what, three years at this point? i can't even remember. i do remember mentioning something about our school days though," three admitted freely, putting a hand on his chin as he thought about his silly angsty speech. (he absolutely memorized all of it; he still felt like it was true for the most part, but he and four had resolved their differences and talked about it-)

"ahaha, yeah... i guess it does feel like years, right?" mario worriedly glanced at the still open fire, three following his gaze in confusion before nodding and humming.

"well, mario. if you couldn't really tell, i'm different, now," three assured, turning away from the fire and the burning red at the edge of his vision that threatened to spread in his heart once more. he put his hands out, and mario quickly took them as three beamed kindly down at his avatar, "it's a bit of a secret for now, but i'm from the future."

mario made a woah sound effect, his mustache and eyes dilating as he looked at his friend, "so you're officially part of the group?" three nodded almost smugly, nodding down to his gloves.

"i am indeed! smg4 even made my sick design. as a matter of fact, everyone will get a redesign in the future..." three trailed off as mario rubbed at the material of his gloves, a conflicted expression on three's face as he debated the potential consequences of telling mario what happens in the future. mario looked up at him with those curious, big doe eyes, and three knew he couldn't resist him for too long.

"i'll tell you everything that happens in the future, mario. but for now, i need to get... home. i have much to do if i can be part of the group once more." three carefully took his hands back from mario, who nodded in acceptance but looked conflicted. three was about to turn away, but three felt his chest squeeze, so he turned around and quickly gave mario a hug.

"i'll be back, i promise. i'll do everything in my power to stay by you and smg4's side."