Super Smash Bros. 2.5: Game Over

Chapter 3: The Encounter

The ride to Altea was quicker than expected. Mario, Sonic, and Ike went around telling of their experiences during their time as revenants. They weren't happy stories. Just tales of destruction and sadness. Finally Falcon landed the ship a little bit away from the castle, out of view. The group snuck up to the castle, which thankfully was still in one piece. They walked up on the draw bridge, before stopping at the entrance.
"Okay: Zelda, Ike, Lucina, Simon, you're with me on the inside," Luigi said.
"But what about us?" Shadow asked.
"We're going to make sure it's clear on the inside. Once we're sure, I'll send you a signal or something. But we might be walking into a trap, and all of us can't get caught," Luigi explained.
"You're right. Just make sure you make it out okay," Mario replied.
"Here take this. In case you happen to run into some revenants," Shadow said, handing the small device to Luigi. Luigi nodded, and beckoned Zelda, Ike, Lucina, and Simon slowly walked through the gate. They soon disappeared.
"You think they'll be alright?" Ken asked.
"Knowing Luigi, he'll be okay," Shadow replied. They continued to sit in silence.
"You're pretty good...," a husky voice said. Suddenly, a man grabbed Mario and put him in a choke hold!
"Mario!" Shadow replied in shock. The man went to slam Mario on him his head. Luckily, Mario flipped off the man, then ground pounded. The man rolled out of the way, before pulling out a pistol and firing a few shots. Fox quickly used his Fox Illusion to slide in front of Mario, before reflecting the bullets. The man dodged the attacks again, before putting his hands up in defense.
"It's okay! I'm on your side!" The man protested.
"I'd believe you if you hadn't snuck up on me!" Mario said, readying his hammer.
"Listen, I'm sorry. Stealth is kind of my thing. But my goal is the same as yours," the man replied.
"You want to take out Waluigi?" Shadow asked.
"Yeah..."
"Well, Mr...
"Snake. Solid Snake," Snake replied.
"Why do you want a shot at Waluigi?" Mario asked. Snake sighed.
"About a month ago, I recovered a blue stone and returned it to Foxhound, a black ops operation I work under. Little did I know that that was the Space Stone, part of the six Power Stones for Waluigi's Power Glove. About a week later, after returning from a mission, I found everyone I knew there dead. The Colonel... Lei Ming... Otacon...," Snake said, bowing his head. Shadow's mind went to first seeing Waluigi with the Power Glove. At that time, he'd only seen one of the stones: the Space Stone. That meant Waluigi had targeted Snake's world first, and Snake had gotten the brunt of it.
"Luckily, I found Waluigi and followed him before he escaped. He ended up going to Corneria, where you two went. I followed you two back here. I watched your battle with Waluigi. It's a wonder I didn't get disintegrated," Snake continued. Mario processed this.
"So, you followed Waluigi into Corneria, then saw Sonic and I with Fox and Falco, matched the description of Waluigi with who we were talking about, then followed us as we left Corneria, and entered Altea?" Mario asked. Snake nodded.
"And in that entire time, no one noticed you?" Mario asked immediately. Snake nodded again. Sonic looked impressed.
"Man, he's good," Sonic concluded.
"Too good, I'd say. You're saying that even Waluigi didn't even notice you?" Fox questioned.
"I think that's enough questions. I think your point is obvious, Snake. Waluigi killed everyone you knew and worked with."
"I want Waluigi to know there's a price to pay. He killed my friends. No, my family... and that is where he crossed a line," Snake said. Mario nodded.
"I've heard some pretty personal things Waluigi has done. And I think he might have done the worst to you. So Snake, I trust you. Welcome to your new team. For now," Mario said, extending his hand, which Snake shook.
"Let's just hope Luigi gets back soon. We need our HQ back online," Fox said. The group stood, hoping Luigi and the four others would let them in soon.