AN: Hellooooooooooooo Subspace Runner readers! ALBS here, and first off, I am so so so so sorry how ridiculously long this update took. I posted an update on my LoZ fanfic but never got around to one here... long story short, school is absolutely ridiculous and gives me writer's block 24/7 :/ I've never been so happy to update this fanfic. And the last chapter, mind you!

Anyway, buckle up for a long-ass chapter. This is definitely a fast roller-coaster of emotions that hopefully all of you will go through. I cannot thank everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, favorited this fanfic enough. You guys are amazing and inspire me to keep writing, knowing that people really enjoy what I come up with :) thank you so much. Reviewers, especially Steel Fairy, your insights are amazing. Keep it up guys, you don't know how much I appreciate you guys.

YES, there will be a sequel to this fanfic, just like the actual Maze Runner series. I'll definitely need to refresh the plot of the actual MR book before I start writing, so it may be a while...just let this chapter soak for that time being ;)

I hope you all enjoy this final chapter. Let me know of any mistakes that you notice; I wrote this in a fury of inspiration.

Disclaimer: I don't own sh*t & this is rated T

As the Smashers walked farther and farther down the black tunnel, any glow that came from the red outline of the door had disappeared, leaving the group in a pressing darkness, the only sounds their footsteps and breathing.

Mario felt the blackness push in on his eyes, a slight feeling of panic beginning to bubble in his chest from the weird sensation of walking while seeing nothing. He could hear Sonic's breathing to his left, Link's to his right. It felt as if they'd been walking for hours, where in fact, it had likely only been minutes.

"When will this end?" Sonic whispered in an exasperated fashion, before Link responded.

"When we stop walking," Link murmured, albeit irritably. Mario didn't say anything, only squinting, as if he had night vision and could see what was in front of him. He held out his hands slightly, so in case he did run into something, he wouldn't go in face-first.

"I'm gonna walk slightly ahead," Sonic said, before murmurings of 'Be careful' rippled through the Smashers. Everyone was jumpy. They didn't know if Subspace would be revived after being 'killed', if the door shut behind them. They knew they were in a tube-like hallway, as there were rounded walls to the left and right of the group. A ceiling was likely there, but the tallest Smashers, Ganondorf and Captain, didn't feel anything when they reached upwards, even on their tip-toes. The floor was slightly damp, decided by Kirby, who'd felt the ground. He said it was like concrete and gravel, slightly wet to the touch. Zelda suggested that they may be underground.

They likely were, Mario thought, as Sonic's footsteps echoed ahead of him, the steps sounding like he was slightly jogging. Why they would be underground was beyond him...

There was a sudden, metallic bang from up ahead, followed by an exclamation of pain and shock from Sonic.

"OW!"

All of the Smashers jumped, before Link called, his voice echoing in the tunnel,

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah!" Sonic's voice sounded back. "I think... I think this is some sort of door!"

At the word 'door', the Smashers began to murmur excitedly, and Mario felt his heart rose like a balloon in his chest. They wouldn't be walking down a corridor forever till they died! Maybe they were finally reaching the end...

The group shuffled their way to Sonic, who was banging on the door, the noises echoing through the tunnel.

"It's moving, but I need help!" Sonic said, and Mario felt the hulking figures of Captain and Ganondorf move by him, hands held out in front of them as they reached where Sonic was, slightly ahead of Mario. Mario heard the metal door groan as grunts of effort came from the three boys pushing on the door.

This process went on for a couple minutes, various curses and mutters of 'It's almost open,' coming from the boys until Ganondorf roared in frustration.

"STUPID DOOR!" he exclaimed, before he backed up slightly into Mario, before running at the door, kicking it.

The door suddenly flew open, swinging violently on its hinges as it slammed into the wall the door was set in. Blinding, harsh, unnatural lights streamed into the tunnel, making Mario squint his eyes tight, wincing against the light. He heard Smashers from next to him exclaim quietly in shock and pain at the bright lights.

Once Mario's eyes adjusted, he realized the door led out into a long, light-lit hallway. There was a metal door at the end of the hall, with a slight stream of bluish light emerging from behind the slightly opened door. The blue light was flickering.

There seemed to be a silent agreement through the group as they all looked among each other, and Mario cautiously took a step forward down the hall, before taking another. And another.

The quiet procession, broken with the occasional shifting of equipment and ready weapons, along with brief whispers, made their way down the concrete-layered hall. The door at the end of the way appeared metallic in nature, gleaming in the light of the harsh and unnatural lights hanging above their heads. Mario could feel his stomach clenching and relaxing with nerves, heart ready to burst from his chest.

As Mario reached the door, his stomach tightened even more when he saw that the door itself was slightly off of one of its hinges, like it had been forced open. With a shaking hand, he gently pushed the door open, and it swung inward with a long, metallic groan. Mario winced as sparks suddenly flashed in the entry of the doorway, flitting to the ground right in front of him.

There were various gasps of awe and curses as the Smashers filtered into the shockingly large room on the other side of the door, Mario's eyes adjusting to the flickering blue lights and occasional sparking from the light fixtures. To him, the room looked like it could've been some sort of control room - various monitors up along the walls of the room, one large, glass one hanging down into the middle of the room, surrounded by a control console.

His heart bounced into his throat as he saw a pair of legs sticking out from behind an overturned chair, file folders and a mug on the floor as well.

"There're bodies," Sonic whispered as the Smashers began to spread out across the floor, exploring the various consoles and collapsed monitors, skirting around the various bodies splayed out on the floor. Not many reactions were evident on the Smashers' faces at the bodies - it was as if they were numb, too used to the idea of the dead.

As Sonic went to the right of the room, Mario walked forward, toward the largest screen in the middle of the room, surrounded by a large console. Even though all of the other consoles were dead, and monitors either with static or shattered, the middle of the room was untouched. There was even a glowing, deep blue button on the console.

Mario stepped up to the console, the blue glow of the button illuminating his grimy shirt and bloodied hands. Curiosity got the best of him as he moved his hand down towards the button, and as his fingers skimmed the smooth surface of the console, the button dissipated. With the button's leave, the screen in front of Mario was revived, a static image becoming clear, one of an old man.

This man was white-haired and bearded, blue eyes bright and alert. His hair matched his attire of what looked like a lab coat and a near button-down. Behind the man was the room Mario and the other Smashers were standing in, but revived, workers going about their jobs, all of the monitors on or with static. The materialized image attracted the attention of the Smashers, who gathered around Mario as the man on screen began to speak.

"Hello," the man began with a worn, rumbling voice, "my name is Artemis Hand. I am the director of TABUU, the organization tasked with saving this good world we stand on. I am sure you are all confused, but first, I would like to congratulate you all on completing the first stage of your Trials, the Subspace."

At this, Mario looked in confusion toward Sonic, who didn't look back. The Runner's brow was furrowed, staring intently at the screen with an expression of incredulity.

"You are all likely confused. Angry. Wanting answers. But that takes a back seat when you all must realize that you are all part of something bigger. Something that will save humankind. Something that will make you all heroes.

"Many years ago," the video of Artemis flickered away to stills of various scenes - the sun, burning landscapes, charred corpses, devastated buildings. "our world was ravaged by the one thing that life itself depended on - our sun.

"It destroyed our crops, our cities, our populations. The fallout was unimaginable, and those lucky to survive were cursed to live in a hellscape, scorched by fire and brimstone and the world around them collapsed. Climate went awry, animals died off and us humans were left with nothing but loss and pain to live by."

Mario watched the horrific scenes play out on the monitor - flaming buildings, scenes of what looked like a warzone. Piles upon piles of bodies.

"The universe had more played out for us - a wicked, destructive pandemic. The Troph."

Nearly all the Smashers cringed at the next scene. A man was strapped to what looked like gurney - or that is, what Mario at least thought was a man. The individual's veins were protruding black and gold against pale skin, blood bubbling from cracked and bloody lips. Eyes bulging out from their sockets, bloodshot as the man spasmed against his restraints. There were various hands in the frame holding him down, before the scene disappeared and Artemis took its place.

"It spread through our paper-thin population like wildfire, driving people to places beyond redemption. Insanity and a lust for blood. But among this carnage, word spread of individuals, children, who could resist the Troph. People who would hold the key to ridding the world of Troph once and for all. Special people. Our saviors. Gifted individuals that had the key to the survival of humanity locked within them.

"TABUU took the task of finding a Cure. It wouldn't be easy, but forcing these...subjects, through various challenges and stimuli, a Cure would emerge from within."

Artemis paused at this moment, looking behind him. The scientists behind him, Mario now noticed, seemed to be panicking, running around as sparks flew on the right side of the screen.

A chill ran though Mario as Artemis Hand turned back to face the screen, just as two scientists collapsed as a squadron of armed individuals lurked onto the right side of the screen.

"You all must forgive me, for your journey is far from over. The Trials must continue, and they will grow harder. You all must stay strong for humanity to continue. And remember.

"TABUU is good."

Mario only jumped as Artemis Hand brought a handgun to his head, static on the monitor following the bang of the gun.

Silence was what followed, and Mario backed away from the monitor. He tried not to focus on the glass-walled office behind the monitor, where he saw an outstretched arm sticking out from behind the desk, a handgun resting in the palm.

"This can't have happened too long ago." Mario whispered, more to himself than anyone else. Link caught his words, glancing in his direction, jaw tightening.

"I'm more worried about what he said," the older boy said, gazing at the static-covered monitor. "it's not over? This is only the beginning?"

Only more silence met his rhetorical question as the Smashers shifted in an unsettled manner, before Kirby quietly piped up.

"Where do we go from here? I'm scared." There was a slight waver in the boy's voice, as Mario looked at him.

"Don't worry Kirby. We're gonna be okay, we just need a way out of here. I bet there's a door somewhere."

As Mario spoke, the Smashers began to move away from the monitor, spreading out onto the main floor as a large group. Kirby smiled at Mario. "You're sure?"

"Almost positive. As long as we get out of this creepy place, we'll all feel so much better. Agree?"

Kirby nodded, just as a loud bang reverberated through the room, in the direction of the metal door that the group had come from. Mario jumped, whirling around along with the other Smashers.

He could hardly believe who was standing there, just a few yards away.

Bowser's nose was running, his eyes bloodshot and teary. He was sniffling, face grimy and streaked with blood, clothing tattered and filthy. In both hands, he was holding a handgun, the weapon trembling violently as he pointed it at the Smashers.

Mario's blood ran cold as he stared at the clearly unstable boy. How had he survived getting dragged away by a Floow? How did he end up here? And why did he have a gun, of all things?

"B-Bowser?" Link stammered, stepping forward next to Mario. All of the other Smashers began to murmur uneasily, eyes wary as they looked at Bowser.

"S-s-stop what y-your doing," Bowser stammered shakily, gun violently shaking in his hands, "th-they're gonna get y-you anyw-way."

Mario glanced at Sonic, who shook his head slightly. After watching that video left by Artemis Hand, or whoever he was, Mario was seriously doubting his existence as a whole and wanted to find out more. If leaving the Subspace, as it was called, was the only way out, so be it. Bowser could go wallow in his uncertainty.

He was aiming a gun at them, however.

"We don't know what you're talking about Bowser," Sonic said coldly, "but we're getting out of here. We've been stuck here long enough."

Bowser's eyes widened, and he shook his head, appearing to be hyperventilating. "N-no, they-" he seemed to be grasping for words, before they finally stumbled by his lips, "control you. Th-they're in m-my head, a-" Bowser hiccuped, seeming to fight back tears of pain, "and I c-can't get the-m out!"

The boy suddenly roared in anger, the gun trembling even more. All the Smashers stepped backwards in fear. Mario's eyes were glued on the gun as Link raised a steady hand.

"Bowser, you're okay now. Other people can't be in your -"

"Th-they're te-telling m-me to do th-things, and I'm -" Bowser swallowed, and the gun stilled in his hands almost automatically. Mario felt a rising sense of foreboding in his chest as Bowser's eyes suddenly glazed over with something like determination, but Mario couldn't be sure.

The next thing that happened, happened in slow motion.

Bowser had aimed the gun right at Mario's chest, and there was a bang as the gun went off. Mario felt hands shove him aside, and he toppled into Link, before turning to see where the shot had gone, cries of panic and alarm echoing through the Smashers.

Kirby was standing where Mario was, looking down at his stomach, which he was pressing with his hands. He looked at his hands, which were red with blood.

The young boy's legs gave out under him, and Mario fell to his knees next to Kirby, ears ringing.

This couldn't have just happened.

But it had.

Mario turned to look at Bowser, anger rising in his chest as he stared at the shell-shocked boy, whose mouth was slightly open in surprise. There was a sudden noise behind Mario, and a makeshift spear buried itself into Bowser's chest, courtesy of Samus. The large boy collapsed as Mario turned to look down at Kirby.

Sound and the world itself came rushing back to Mario as Kirby's eyes were wide, filled with fear as Mario lifted the boy slightly, looking down with trembling hands at the blood saturating the younger boy's shirt.

"Kirby...Kirby, no..." Mario frantically murmured as the boy coughed, blood burbling on his lips. "Kirby, we're so close, Kirby -!"

"M-Mario," Kirby stammered, grabbing at Mario's shirt, chubby hands trembling, "f-find -"

"Kirby, we're going to get you out of here, stop talking -" Mario said, his voice shaking as he pressed a hand into Kirby's wound. Blood continued to bubble out of the wound as every other Smasher was virtually silent. Mario wanted to scream at Luigi, or anyone to help, but in the back of his mind, he knew.

Kirby was going to die.

The dying boy took a rasping, bubbling breath before he quietly spoke again. His voice was fading, cracking.

"F-find my...m-y fa-fami-ly, p-please..." Mario struggled to keep the tears out of his eyes as he nodded frantically, pulling Kirby closer to him. He closed his eyes tight as he nodded.

"Yes. Kirby, I will, I promise -"

Mario opened his eyes again, looking at Kirby's face before he faltered.

The boy's face was slack, blood staining his mouth and chin as his eyes looked blankly up at the dark ceiling. His body in Mario's arms was limp, unmoving. Ominously heavy.

Mario took a shuddering, shocked breath as he lightly shook Kirby. This wasn't happening. He had been so close, he couldn't have just died -

Dying. Died. Dead. All words Mario never thought he'd put with Kirby's name. Because Kirby was supposed to be alive for outside Subspace.

"Kirby? No, no no no, Kirby! KIRBY!" Mario shook the dead boy in his arms roughly, his eyesight growing blurry with tears. "WE MADE IT! KIRBY!"

Mario let go of the dead boy, Kirby's body falling heavily to the ground before Mario crouched over him, grabbing Kirby's bloody shirt in his hands.

All the other Smashers were in states of shock and grief as they stood by, staring wide-eyed at Kirby's form. There was nothing believable about this.

Mario's final repetition of Kirby's name collapsed into a heaving sob, voice scraping across his vocal cords as he buried his head into Kirby's chest, an unbelievable hole opening up in his chest, threatening to consume him.

As he sobbed, he felt a gentle hand on his back, and he slightly opened his eyes. Peach was reaching over to Kirby's head, pressing the boy's eyes closed, face unreadable through Mario's teary, blurry vision.

She stood back up again, backing away as everyone sank into a shocked, heartbroken silence. This had been one death too many.

All of the deaths had been one too many.

Mario buried his head into Kirby's still chest, body heaving with each painful sob. He could barely feel Sonic's tight grip on his shoulder, the runner's voice fuzzy through ringing ears.

Sonic's abrupt yank on his shoulder forced Mario's hands to leave Kirby, snapping the grieving boy back into reality. Just as Mario flashed back to the present, to what was actually going on around them, the nondescript wall behind them splitting apart at the middle, the loud groan of metal and stone emanating through the destroyed control room.

In a flash of explosive light and rubble being scattered across the room, people in heavy-duty, blacked-out armor stormed the room, harsh lights illuminating the area. Through Mario's teary, blurry vision, he saw these people beckoning to the Smashers, yelling at them to follow them. They were going to help them. They were going to take them to somewhere safe.

Somewhere safe.

But what about Kirby?

Mario numbly watched Sonic being led to the glaring lights of - outside? Outside - before turning around, clutching at Kirby's body. He felt gentle, but strong pairs of hands grabbing his arms and shoulders, pulling him away from the dead boy.

Mario heard himself scream as his hands left Kirby's shirt, kicking out as the hands dragged him backwards, towards the bright lights.

There was a sudden blast of fresh air that Mario inhaled, and he began to cough violently as he was forced up onto his feet. There was sand underneath his feet, bright lights ahead of him, a dark night sky above.

It was so much to take in, the fact that this was the real outdoors, and that this was real fresh air. But Mario's mind could only focus on how Kirby had collapsed to the floor, hanging onto life by a thread.

Again.

And again.

And again.

The yelling of the men holding him up was filling his ears as he was ushered to the source of the lights - Mario kept hearing the word 'chopper' - before he felt hands grab his arms, pulling him up onto a metal platform, the main hold of a helicopter.

"Mario! Mario, listen to me! Mario!" Link's voice met his ringing ears, along with the mechanical whirring of helicopter blades. Link's face was focusing in Mario's eyes, the older boy's face streaked with tears, hair wild from the wind of the helicopter blades. All of the other Smashers were on the aircraft, staring at Mario, eyes wide and scared.

Mario could only focus on the older boy's face as he clutched at Link's arms, before collapsing into tears, screaming muffled by the whine of the helicopter lifting off.

As the aircraft climbed higher and higher into the sky, the large, looming complex of Subspace - high-ceiling, miles wide - disappeared into the dark night below.

The real Trials had just begun.

Back in the now abandoned, half-demolished control room, far below the Smashers and wrecked beyond compare, a group of people stood around a table, fake bloodstains on their jackets, wiping off rubble and dust from the poor ceilings. All were holding file folders, clipboards. Waiting patiently.

An old man stepped to the front of the table, wiping off a red residue from his head with a white handkerchief, before shoving it into his jacket pocket.

"I think the first Trial went very well, don't you?"

Silence met his remark.

"...The Control's death was unexpected, of course, but everything went to plan. Mario is showing some potential. What do you all think?"

Quiet murmurs met the man's words, and he smiled wryly.

"This group is special, we must watch them very closely from now on. And The Traitor...they're turning out well. I'm not sure how their emotional attachments will affect these tests but...hopefully not too much."

The man sat down in his chair, shifting slightly. He clasped his hands on the table, looking thoughtful.

"Their hardest challenge starts now. The Second Trial. I hope they all make it."

Artemis Hand smiled slightly.

"TABUU is good, everyone."

A murmur of acknowledgement met his words.

fin.