Prologue
Author's note: Hey there! This is my first submission to FiMfiction and my first Pony related fan fic. I'm a fan of both FiM and classic Video Games so I thought a good ol' fashioned crossover was the best way to go. I'm going to test the waters with this to see if people like it. If there's editing or revising that needs to be done, let me know and I'll do my best to listen to critique and write a better story. Thanks and enjoy!
Nothing. There was nothing.
This place was a void. This place? No, this void was a prison. Oh, how he longed for the grinding of gears, the whirring of gyroscopes, the pumping of pistons, the buzzing of electronics.
But where was nothing. Nothing except an infinite expanse of perfectly flat and blindingly white land stretching forever in all directions until it disappeared into a horizon of equally white nothingness.
Doctor Eggman hated this place. Almost as much as the rodent that trapped him here.
He had long abandoned his temporal doppelganger. While they were working together to exterminate the blue vermin he found his company and equally ingenious mind to be most enjoyable. But since their failure and subsequent banishment to this infernal cage Eggman found the mere presence of past Robotnik to be beyond insufferable. They bickered, belittled and bemoaned one another until neither could tolerate the other any more. They went their separate ways--or what you could define as ‘separate’ in this place--and Eggman had been alone in his wanderings ever since.
Wandering. Forever. Or at least until he perished from starvation. Eggman abhorred the thought. He pushed it back to the depths of his masterfully adept mind whenever it reared its ugly--but inevitable head.
The most brilliant scientist, roboticist, and mastermind ever known...starved to death in an inter-dimensional void.
Eggman really hated this place.
As he trudged forward ad-infinitum into the infinity Eggman thought he saw something curious, something out of place from the corner of his eye. A wisp of condensed air, lingering just above the horizon before vanishing further beyond in the distance.
And it was...pink?
Eggman groaned and held a hand to his head, “Great. Fantastic. Now I’m honestly becoming that crazy.” The fact he was now talking to himself was not helping things, either.
Nonetheless, when Eggman continued forward and was now scanning the horizon more attentively, the pink mass danced tantalizingly in the distance for a brief moment before disappearing once again.
It was too much for a curious mind to take. Eggman changed direction to walk cautiously towards the last visible location of the anomaly. Something was better than nothing in a place where the latter was literal.
As he approached where he thought he had seen the thing, as there was nothing to make reference of any amount of distance traveled, he let out an exasperated groan.
Nothing. Again.
He really was losing his mind, he thought. Despair beginning to overcome his usual air of haughty intellectual superiority. Maybe there really was no way out of this. Maybe escape was futile, and mental, shortly followed by physical expiration was the only outcome that awaited him. Maybe--
Eggman felt something wet fall on the top of his bald head. He blinked beneath his goggles before reaching up with a gloved hand to wipe away the droplet that fell on his pate. When he looked down at his finger it had a brown splotch marring the fabric of the glove. Slowly he brought the finger to his mouth.
It was...chocolate?
Eggman craned his neck upwards. Above him was a small and flamboyantly pink cloud. It hovered mere inches from his head.
He arched a bushy eyebrow, thoroughly perplexed. The first thing he considered was full blown insanity. The physiological effects of existing in a perfect nothingness of empty space had obviously been too much for his gargantuan intellect to process. His mind had now cracked to cope with the horror of his situation and was now generating delusions to lull the great Doctor Eggman into sweet, blathering madness before his timely demise.
However...this pink apparition had seemingly performed a very physical action by dispensing a droplet of liquid cocoa onto Eggman’s head. Something that would be difficult for any delusion to do.
And there was the fact Eggman was still considering all of this with perfect mental clarity that leaved him to believe something more than simple insanity was afoot.
He reached upwards to the cloud, but to his surprise it moved just out of reach. He jumped up as high as his thin legs could propel his...generous mass and took another swing at the anomaly. Yet again it evaded his grasp. The pink cloud then lowered itself in front of Eggman, almost as to taunt him. Eggman spent the next few minutes exasperating himself by chasing after the pink blob of air in a vain attempt to capture it.
It was always too fast, always out of reach. It began to remind of something blue that always did the same. The thought annoyed him. Enraged him.
“Will--you--be--still you ludicrous pink pile of pathetic vapor!” Eggman finally screamed in frustration as he stomped his feet on the ground like a petulant child.
The cloud dissipated.
There was a laugh.
It was a long and hearty guffaw that echoed off into the outstretched oblivion.
It turned Doctor Eggman’s blood cold. The hairs of his long mustache stood erect. The silence that followed the echo lingered for a painfully long moment.
“H-hello? W-who is that? W-w-where are you?” Eggman could not stop his voice from quaking. For the first time he wished that there was nothing instead of something.
“Haw haw haw! Ha, heh hee hee! Haw hah ha!” Another laugh. It sounded closer.
Eggman gulped, pulling at the collar of the jacket he was now sweating in. “Identify y-yourself! I am D-Doctor Eggman!” He sputtered, attempting to sound composed and in control when he obviously was neither. “I...I’m the genius mastermind of the Eggman Empire! I control a vast army of robots--deadly robots!--I am n-not to be trifled with!”
‘So please leave me alone...’ Eggman whimpered to himself.
“Gaw haw haw hee! Don’t get yourself all stirred up, Eggman. It would be a shame to see you scrambled. Personally I prefer sunny side up! Haw ha ha!”
“Who...who are you?” Eggman persisted, calling out into the void.“I demand to know who--or what you are...”
“Oh, you mean little old me? I’m in the same boat as you are. Trapped for eternity in a prison from where there is little chance for escape...” The voice trailed off in farcical mellow-drama. “Although the conditions of my particular prison are bit more...stifling. Stupid pigeons...”
“Pigeons?”
“Heh, nevermind. All you need to know is that I’m your friend. And friends help friends. Meaning I want to help you.”
Eggman raised another eyebrow, at ease that the disembodied voice was--hopefully--not a threat, yet he remained suspicious. “Why me?”
“Ugh...see anyone else around?”
“Oh...good point.”
“Look, this is hard enough for me to do in my current...condition, so use that big brain of yours to pay attention. This may surprise a mortal like you, but I come from another world--”
“Dimension.”
“What?”
Doctor Eggman crossed his arms over his belly, “Dimensions, parallel universes, alternate histories. You’re hardly the first extra-dimensional being I have encountered. Being a genius of such high caliber, I myself have investigated the possible exploitation of the fabric of reality and subsequent cosmic--”
“Blah, blah, blah. You really like the sound of your own voice, egghead. I’m offering you a chance to go to an unspoiled world. Filled with riches and resources beyond your wildest imaginations.”
“Hmmph. I can imagine a lot.” Eggman retorted, remaining skeptical.
“Can you? Take a good look.”
There was a sudden sparking and fizzling of air in front of Eggman’s begoggled eyes. The space in front of him began to twist and warp as churning energies from an unknown power bent reality into a inter-dimensional window. Eggman stepped toward the spectacle in a trance. Beholding a glimpse of a new world.
There were rolling hills of verdant green, fields of lush crops and beds of vibrant flowers. The land was encased by dark tall mountains that stretched far into the sky. There were villages, cities, and a magnificent castle perched precariously upon a mountainous overlook. All across this picturesque landscape it was inhabited by small, colorful...
“Equines...?”
“Heh, heh...ponies.”
“Ponies,” Eggman mused. He had encountered stranger things, he supposed. Heck, the anthropomorphic semi-sentient vermin and rodents he sought to enslave on his own world appeared only slightly more advanced than this medieval civilization of pack animals.
Already Doctor Eggman was calculating the possibilities that could come from putting this world of ponies under the heel of his boot.
“There’s a catch, however.”
Eggman stirred from his inner machinations, “And that is?”
“There are two specific ponies that could be troublesome for you. I’d guess you could call them living Goddesses if you wanted to be polite.”
Eggman would not be so easily dissuaded. Confident his great mind could defeat any foe, “How powerful are we talking about?”
“Oh, you know. Immortal caretakers of the sun and the moon. Controlling moonrise and sunset. Really boring if you ask me.”
It was a substantial ‘catch.’ From what he could tell this would not be as easy as he was lead to believe. Especially after recent...setbacks. Unless...
“I’m going to need help.”
“Ugh." The voice groaned, "Can’t you listen? I already said--”
“Not from you. He’s an acquaintance of mine. He’s a brute and a dimwit, but he leads a substantial army of lesser brutes and greater dimwits.”
“Ahhh,” the voice purred in diabolical anticipation. “A good old fashioned team-up, eh? Now this is going to be fun. I’ll get your egg out of here before you go bad...you get your friend...”
“And you will get us to this new world?”
“Equestria. Heh, hee haw...”
Eggman grinned from ear to ear, “Deal.”
“This is going to be so much...fun.”
Author's note: Hey guys. As a fair warning, Chapter 1 introduces the protagonists from the video game side of things, so there is a distinct absence of ponies. But don't worry, chapter 2 (possibly 3 depending on the length of 2) will have the Mane 6 side of things. Also I wanted to conclude this introduction in one chapter, but for the sake of putting out a page I decided to have it conclude in the next. I hope this is alright. If there's a certain length you think Chapter's should be, let me know. :P Hope you enjoy!
Ripple Star. A peaceful planet residing in the same solar system as Pop Star; home of the legendary Star Warrior and Pink Puffball, Kirby. The inhabitants of Ripple Star were a race of small fairy creatures. They were a peaceful people, who were utterly harmless.
It was the perfect place to lure the mustached one out, even if he did get the Puffball to help. It would not be enough to stop him. Not this time. Revenge shall be his at last.
“Yes...like a mustard smothering ham! The plumber will come, and fall right into the trap!”
The crazed Beanish madman grinned insidiously. Fawful had come to Ripple Star.
And he did not come alone. He brought a small army of his followers to subdue the hapless populace. Shy Guys, now dubbed Fawful Guys with their distinct masks replaced with ones that resembled the face of their master, had quickly instilled fear in the fairies and were now rounding them up as Fawful had ordered.
Fawful had the planet’s greatest city held captive and now wished to make a ‘public service announcement.’ The Fawful Guys herded the terrified inhabitants into the city square. Fawful overlooked their arrival from his jet-propelled platform hovering in the air above. He snickered to himself as he caught glimpses of their fear-stricken faces. It was time to make the announcement.
“The Great Fawful welcomes pathetic Fairy-folk and appreciates your cooperation!” The crowd turned their eyes upwards at the sound of their oppressor. “Fawful hopes you enjoy yourselves this fine evening. As for the purpose of your being here, Fawful would like to turn your attention to the device below.”
On cue, a pair of Fawful Guys in the center of the city square pulled a tarp away from a large box-like object. Unveiling a strange mechanical device that had many wires and coils protruding from it. On the face of the device was a digital clock.
Counting downwards.
“This...is a bomb.”
The crowd erupted in terrified screams and pleading. Fawful’s already enormous grin widened. It was music to his Beanish ears.
“Yes, Fawful agrees that it is a bit simple for Fawful’s tastes...but Fawful is on a budget.” The madman giggled, savoring the moment. “ Now, now little Fairies. We’ll just have to make do. Let Fawful explain your terms of service...”
“Sorry, but I think I’ll have to decline!”
“What!?” Fawful looked around to find the one who had voiced their resistance. “Who said that!? Fawful demands--” He stopped himself short when he spotted something in the distance.
The intruder was masterfully acrobatic. Leaping from rooftop to rooftop, jumping an unbelievably high distance in the air before landing with unmatched precision only to perform another more impressive feat. Flipping, twisting, and summersaulting into the air as he closed the distance to the city square. The figure was garbed in blue overhauls, big brown boots, white gloves, and a bright red hat with a trademark ‘M’ insignia on the brim. He was incredibly agile, yet short and stout. He had bright, determined blue eyes and a large furry mustache on his face.
The Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom performed one final leap into the air to clear the crowd of Fairies and Fawful Guys and landed a few feet away from the bomb in the center of the square. There was silence as all eyes were on him as he turned his steely gaze up at Fawful.
“Mario.” Fawful intoned with contempt dripping from his lips. “So the plumber has finally arrived. Enjoy the trip?”
Mario smirked, standing tall. “Inter-Dimensional portals Aren’t usually my speed. I prefer a good ol’ warp pipe any day.”
Fawful nodded his head in mock agreement, “Yes, Fawful thinks we both have to thank recent dimensional instability for our travel plans to this fine planet.”
Mario clenched his hands into tight fists, dropping their ironic exchange. “I don’t know how you came back after you blew yourself to pieces inside Bowser’s gut, but if you have any sense left in that crazy bean of yours you’ll turn that thing off and turn yourself in. Before I stomp you into bean soup.”
Fawful cackled at Mario’s boast. “Ohoho! Is that true? Fawful thinks you will have a hard time with that, seeing as their is only one of you...”
A swarm of Fawful Guys encircled the plumber. More minions then climbed to the surrounding rooftops, while even more flooded the streets leading to the square. “And only one of you.”
“Make that two, bean-brain!”
There was a sudden rush of air as something blitzed down the streets at an insane speed. Something that could only be described as a blur of blue navigated the winding city roads, making its way to the action in mere seconds. Rolled into a spiky ball, it barreled into the Fawful Guys surrounding the plumber--knocking them to the ground like bowling pins. He sped round and round the center of the square until he finally came to a sliding stop besides Mario.
“About time you showed up,” Mario teased with a smile.
Sonic the Hedgehog grinned back at Mario, hands held idly at his hips. “Hey, you got to have your own intro. I thought I’d take time to make mine. Besides, you seem to have a history with this dude. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Who...who the heck is this guy!?” Fawful screamed in indignation. His own grin having been replaced with a confused--and angry--grimace.
Sonic shrugged, appearing uninterested in the bewildered Fawful. “Oh you know, some call me the ‘Blue Blur’, the ‘Quickster’, ‘Fastest Thing Alive’...but most just call me Sonic.”
Fawful groaned before calming himself, still believing he had the overwhelming advantage. “Fine. Whatever. Fawful still thinks the two of you are completely outnumb--”
“Hey Mario?” Sonic turned to Mario.
“Yeah, Sonic?”
“The kid with the sword should be showing up about now, right?”
“Any moment now.” Mario answered.
“Kid with the...Sword? What!?” Fawful bellowed, his outrage returning.
A silver spike with chain in tow shot from a rooftop across the square and embedded itself in the wall of a building on the opposing side. The chain retracted rapidly, pulling a figure along with it. A golden-haired boy in a distinct green tunic descended from above and landed alongside the plumber and speedster with a heavy thud. Rising to his feet, the boy--who was a bit taller than Mario, mind you--placed his hookshot back onto his belt. Reaching to his back he pulled a sturdy shield from its strap and drew a brilliant sword from its sheath.
Brandishing the ‘Sword of Evil’s Bane’ Link, Hero of Time and bearer of the Wind Waker, stood poised for combat.
“Simple, yet effective. I like his style” Sonic complimented the Hylian on his entrance.
Link gave a simple smile in turn, never one for much talk.
Fawful ground his teeth, his temper beginning to come to a boil. “Three. Three of you--”
A sudden commotion stopped Fawful mid-rant once again. Fawful Guys who had commandeered one of the buildings adjacent to the city square were shouting in fright as something very large, and very strong climbed to the rooftop. The beast tossed Guys left and right as he swatted them away like insects. The animal leapt to the streets and plowed through any minion stupid enough to get in his way. He winded up a swing with a sinewy arm and knocked at least a half-a-dozen Guys straight into the air with a single blow. Running on his feet and knuckles, the captive crowd parted to let the great ape through.
Donkey Kong of Kong Country beat his fists on his massive chest. “Get ready for a poundin’, pip squeak! Kong style.”
Before Fawful could even muster another response towards his ever increasing opposition, the piercing sound of an explosion caused him to almost fall off his hovering perch. A powerful blast ripped through one of the small shops on the edge of the square. Fawful Guys were blown outwards in a torrent of fire, smoke, and flying mortar. An odd looking man in a blue and white space suit calmly stepped out of the smoking wreckage. The man was casually tossing a lit bomb up and down as if it were a baseball. The crowd of fairies parted once again, wary of the man’s idle toss of the high explosive.
Bomberman joined his compatriots facing Fawful. “I’d give up right about now if I were you. We wouldn’t want to make a mess, now would we?”
“Alright, alright ALRIGHT! Is that all of you?!” Fawful yelled down at the assembled heroes. Nearly reaching his breaking point for tolerating the growing spectacle that was getting out of hand, quickly. His hands, into theirs.
It was at that point something expected finally did happen. A bright yellow star soared into the city and zipped above the inter-dimensional saviors and villain. The star flew back and forth, up and down and around again in what almost looked like a dangerously out of control spiral. The Warp Star corrected itself and came in low over the City Square.
The oddly shaped craft seemed to have simply passed overhead, until a small pink ball began its terribly slow and ponderous descent. The over-inflated puffball flapped its tiny arms as it deflated itself to lose buoyancy.
Kirby of the Stars landed with a soft plop before turning to face the onlooking crowd of Ripple Star Fairies.
“Poyo!”
A cheer went up for this galaxy’s native hero.
“Heh, that’s our Kirby.” Bomberman chuckled fondly as he shook his head.
“GET THEM. MASH THEM. JUST DO ANYTHING TO STOP THEM FROM GETTING TO THE BOMB!!!” Fawful screamed at a terrific volume. Shaking with palpable rage.
“Shall we, bros?” Mario turned to the others, grinning under his mustache.
Sonic and DK gave him a thumbs-up, Bomberman and Link nodded and readied bomb and blade. Kirby...
“Poyoo!”
Kirby was Kirby.
“Here we go!”
