I'm alive!

Okay, over the past however-many months, I have been reliving my love for Super Smash Bros., specifically Brawl, and wanted to write something about it. I also have just recently gotten into the MOTHER series (I won't be calling it Earthbound). MOTHER 3, to be specific. (wow, I have to be really specific)

The reasoning behind writing this is pretty complex, so feel free to skip it if ya just want to read.

Anyway, my friends and I were watching the Subspace Emissary cutscenes and where trying to figure out when during MOTHER 3 it took place (which was really stupid of us, but whatever). My friend thought it happened after Claus died, while I thought it took place between chapters 3 and 4, since Lucas was still a wimp. Welp, we found holes in our theory, obviously (Lucas pulled the Needle and the world was ?, Lucas stayed by Hinawa's grave all three years. And, besides, the Ruined Zoo is and area in MOTHER 1.) But, then, I great idea sparked in my mind. What if this did take place after Lucas pulled the last needle? The Dragon was either going to save the world or destroy it, so, maybe, before this new world is created, Lucas has a dream, kinda like the one in chapter 6, where he lives his own fantasy. What if Subspace Emissary is all of the Nintendo characters fantasies? (I know the more plausible theories, too, but this is an elaborate excuse to write about one of my favorite video games and maybe a little bit of shameful OTP)

Okay, I'm done rambling. I'll try to be more consistent with updating this, as it's fresh on my mind, but school's starting so I may not be crazy-consistent.

(whatever i'm sure this'll suck hrrrrmmm)

...

Are we all just a figment of someone's imagination? Or are we just a figment of our own imagination?

The time has come to pull the final needle.

Much has been sacrificed to get this far…

The Dragon shall inherit the heart of the one who pulls the needles...

Don't be scared…

The Dragon stirs…

Lucas started to pull the final needle.

It was, at first, pretty difficult to think about happy thoughts and the like after just watching his friends almost get killed, his dad suffer mortal injuries, and his brother commit suicide, but the boy knew he had to do. As he pulled the last needle, he cast a glance at his friends. Kumatora gave him a thumbs up. Duster waved at him. Boney gave a small bark. His dad nodded slowly as he held Claus' broken body.

My friends…

The world became a blur.

"Hurry up, ya slowpokes!" Kumatora yelled behind her. The tomboyish princess ran down a narrow dirt path winding through a thick forest. Boney, who was usually the fastest, followed at her heels, but was panting heavily. (I hope you know what you're doing, Kuma)

Lucas lagged behind, waiting for Duster.

"I dunno what got Kuma's attention," Duster began, out of breath. "But whatever it is, it better be good!"

"Don't worry, Duster. I don't think Boney has even run this fast before." Lucas coaxed.

"She's too rash for me…" Duster sighed. "She's the one who got us lost in the first place."

"Where's Mapson when you need him?" Lucas moaned.

"C'MON GUYS!" Kumatora hollered.

Duster and Lucas exchanged annoyed looks. "Coming…" they said in unison.

"Woah,"

"Now you know,"

The four were standing in a large clearing, outside of the forest. A large metal gate stood in front of them, wide open, almost in a taunting manner. A metal fence ran from either sides of the gate ran down as far as the eye could see. Inside the gate seemed to be cage-like enclosures, but rusting and falling apart. Any normal person would've called the place "eerie". On the other hand, Kumatora called it "AWESOME!"

Boney whimpered. (If I were a betting dog, I'd say that used to be a zoo)

"It looks pretty spooky," Duster mused. "It's probably been abandoned for a long time."

Lucas was silent. He could feel the air catch its breath.

"What? You scared, Lucas?" Kumatora asked playfully.

"Huh? Am not!" Lucas yelled, balling up his fists.

"Here we go again…" Duster said extremely softly.

Kumatora huffed. "Then I dare you to go into that zoo, pick up some sort of artifact, and come back out here to show us."

"What?! No!" Lucas said, becoming very flustered.

"Aww… someone's a little scardy-cat!"

"Am not!"

"Are, too!"

"Am not!"

"Are, too!"

"Bark!" (I don't like cats)

"See, even Boney doesn't like you right now. You better face your fears, young Lucas!" Kumatora began to chant.

"Then why don't you go in there, Kuma?" Duster asked.

Kumatora shot a glare at Duster. "Oh, you know I would. But I'm asking Lucas. Not myself."

Duster shrugged. "It's Lucas' choice…"

Lucas felt three pairs of eyes staring at him.

I've been in a situation like this before…

Wait. Why were we in this forest in the first place?!

Claus. I won't be scared. I'll show you I'm not scared.

None of this is real!

I'll show you how brave I am!

Is it all a dream?

...

Lucas approached the gates.

"I'm going in, guys."

Boney and Duster stared at Lucas in shock while Kumatora screeched in delight.

"Good luck, Lucas! Stand up to your fears like a boss!"

I'm not going to look back.

STOP!

Lucas walked through the ruined zoo gates…

I hope no one was too out of character...

(btw, the bold and italics is Lucas' conscience)