Journey of the Firebird

Unwelcoming Situation

The next morning... 6:20 am...

Phoenix: *dreaming of something* ...

In the dream...

Phoenix (13 years old): Hahaha! *Running around, playing with everyone*

Future Mario; Come on son! Jump as high as you can!

Phoenix (13 years old): *does so, going about 50 feet in the air* WOOHOO!

Future Meggy: Red! Careful, he could get hurt!

Future Mario: It's a ok Meggy! He's a strong boy!

Phoenix: *lands on his feet perfectly* Phew... How was that, dad?

Future Mario: Very good!

Phoenix: *smiles* Thanks!

Suddenly... They all disappear...

Phoenix: Dad...? *Looks around* Mom...?

No one is there, not even the others...

Phoenix: Boopkins? Aunt Saiko? Aunt Tari? Uncle Luigi? Bob? Uncle Smg4?! Where are you guys?!!

Ominous laughter in the distance...

Moria: Hahahaha... Get used to it kid... You will never see these pests ever again... You're going straight to the next world without them!!

Phoenix: NO!!!

*He wakes up with a cold sweat and heavy breathing as well*

Phoenix: *panting* Darn it... That dream again... I thought I have gotten past it already... *Sighs and thinks to himself* He will pay... But... I'm still not strong enough... *Looks out to the window* ... Not yet... Master... How can I achieve what you gained which couldn't destroy him either...? Crimson Firebird... And... What did you mean by what you said to me all those years ago...?

Flashbacks...

Phoenix (16 years old): *eating a piece of meat*

Ridlay: Phoenix... There is something that I must tell you that you absolutely must listen to...

Phoenix: Ok? What is it, Master?

Ridlay: *sighs* Well... Before I say what I have to say that is important, I must tell you that it will come in handy should I not be able to defeat Moria...

Phoenix: Umm... What does that mean master?

Ridlay: ... Moria is just too strong for me alone to handle Phoenix... And even if I can't defeat him, you have a chance to do so yourself if you get strong enough... Strong enough to end him once and for all...

Phoenix: B-But... You were going head to head against that thing, master! I saw you! You were holding your own!

Ridlay: ... I was at full power... In my transformed state... While he was just using just a portion lower than half of his max power...

Phoenix: *eyes shoot wide open* W-What?!

Ridlay: That is why you must learn the transformation yourself Phoenix... Because I feel that if you learn it, you will wield greater power than I could ever achieve...

Phoenix: Master... This can't be true... You're stronger than me! You're three quarters of a century older than me and you could already transform into the form that you call Crimson Firebird!

Ridlay: ... *Chuckles* You're right... However, I'm not that different from you. In fact, we are the same in a way... However... you aren't that far behind me in power... You are completely in a different league than me...