Heroes of Dreamland, Book 3: The World of Nintendo (OLD)

The Beginnings

Nintendo World, Year 5, (198-something in our world,) in Nintendo City:

Shigeru Miyamoto, the head of this project, hung down his head and sighed. "I know, all of you, I know. I do not want to leave the creatures we have made. I do not want to subject them to this Darkness. But what can we do? If we do not go, it will come for us," he reminded them wearily, speaking in Japanese.

Masahiro Sakurai, the head of the Dreamland division, slammed his hands down on the table. "Miyamoto-sama, I have spent the past ten years of my life on this project. I have spent the last five here. We cannot just leave these creatures in sadness, not when we are the ones that made them!"

Tersely, Miyamoto replied to his younger co-worker, "With all due respect, Sakurai-san, I can understand that. But I cannot allow any of my team to stay here."

A quiet, soft voice piped up, "I will stay."

All of the scientists and artists at the table stared at the one who the voice came from. It was sweet little Baika, or 'plum blossom.' She had been the first of the 'manga-heads,' the affectionate term they used for the new race of people they had made. With idealistic proportions, huge eyes, and tiny noses, the name had been perfect for the race. They would be used to populate the Pokémon area.

She was a little bit short, but that was normal for female manga-heads. She had short dark-chocolate-brown hair that had a habit of falling into her huge violet eyes, and a quiet voice that sounded musical. Just like what a leading female character should be like.

Miyamoto shook his head fiercely. "No. I forbid it."

"Otousan," she replied, giving a quick bow, "You made me to be the princess of this planet, to keep it under control. That means through the good and the bad. I cannot just leave my peoples because I am frightened. You can go back to your dimension, I will destroy the transporter so no one will ever come here." Smiling, she reassured him, "Besides, you gave me a regeneration drive just like you gave to all of the Guides. I will be fine. The Darkness may come to Nintendo City, but it cannot last forever. Someone will come and send it away, I trust in this completely."

Sakurai nodded. "I think that sounds like a plan. I do not wish to leave her, either, but she is right."

Miyamoto hid his face in his hands. "Very well, then. I suppose this means we will turn to plan B. We tried to create a world where people could come have fun and be the hero, with Guides to help them along the way. But all we have made is a wasteland, filled with Darkness."

"The Darkness is not our fault. It is the fault of the rival scientists, the ones who wanted to make their worlds first. They could not figure out our technology, however, so they got their revenge," Sakurai reminded him.

One of the other scientists crossed his arms. "That is true. When we return to Japan in our dimension, we must destroy all evidence of how we made this world. We will then use the Guides as the heroes in games for people to play from the safety of their homes."

"Meeting adjourned," Miyamoto ordered simply. As everyone got up and moved toward the transporter, he walked to a window and gazed mournfully out. The Darkness was moving slowly toward the island city over the ocean. "All of the points are now covered. It is over."

"It's not over, Otousan," Baika told him with a smile. "It's only beginning."

Smiling weakly back, he went to the transporter. "Take care of yourself, Baika-chan."

"Of course, Otousan. You take care of yourself, as well. May your days be filled with Light."

As soon as the last of them were gone, Baika sighed and entered the code to have the transporter self-destruct and left the room. All of her pets were sitting just outside in the castle hallway, sad and nervous.