Post by bobsnicket on Aug 16, 2009 10:39:50 GMT -5
www.imeem.com/loveslaborslost/music/s21VjeLx/thomas-newman-the-letter-that-never-came
As the SSS celebrated their victorious triumph over Crehavos and the forces of Hell in the spacious Skytown hangar, Bob Snicket and Yoshi stood on a nearby platform outside it, watching the sunset together. Neither spoke; each seemed to be content to have the quiet company of the other. The beautiful pink-orange tinge in the sky reflected marvelously on the clouds all around them, the last rays of the bright yellow sun descending almost directly across from them toward the horizon. Dotted speckles of stars were visible here and there beyond the clouds. The air was chilly, and Bob's cloak was thin, but at the moment it did not seem to matter. It was all over, and they had peace at last.
It was the last visitor the young writer had expected who came and interrupted their silent meditation. Coming from the direction of the sun as a black silhouette, the great figure levitated swiftly across the sky toward them, like a giant bird without wings. Upon reaching them, the newcomer stopped in midair, floating a few yards in front of the pair.
Master Hand spoke, appearing to only address Snicket. "We need to talk, young Snicket. Alone."
But Yoshi was indignant. "Anything you have to tell Bob, you can tell me too."
The creator gave an up-and-down gesture which appeared to be a nod. "Very well. Come this way. There is no time to notify the others." Master Hand went off on a path across Skytown, making sure that Snicket and Yoshi could follow across the bridged platforms which sloped up and down. However, the majority of the walk took them uphill, to a platform high above most of the rest, the large dome of the hangar clearly visible far below. Master Hand stopped and turned to face them, an even more wondrous view of the sunset shining between them. Snicket was curious. He had never seen the Hand like this, so abrupt and mysterious.
"Bob Snicket, first of all, I want to extend to you the most sincere thanks a being such as I can muster. Without your help along with that of the others, it would not have been possible for us to seal Crehavos away and redeem this universe from a doomed fate."
Bob merely nodded, knowing he would not have been called all the way up here, away from the rest of the SSS, just to be thanked personally.
Master Hand turned to face the sunset. "This is a beautiful world we are in, is it not?"
"Indeed, it is," the boy agreed, not sure where the creator was going with this.
The Hand spoke slowly. "You know, long ago, when I helped create this universe, each of us Hands were assigned a part to create. Not geographically, but in the type of creation. It was Silver Hand who made the skies and the clouds, but Flame Hand who lit the great sphere of the sun to light the land and give it warmth. And I...well, you may be able to guess what I was in charge of creating."
"Life," Snicket said without hesitation, not quite sure how he knew, but instinctively knowing, nonetheless. "You created life in the Smash Universe."
"Yes." Master Hand paused for a long moment, during which the three of them continued to watch the beatiful blend of colors and shadows. Then: "It truly is a marvelous world we made. And every life form I gave breath to was made to exist in it." He turned to the writer. "Snicket."
"Yes?" he said uncertainly.
"I did not create you."
That took him by surprise. "So?"
"I created most of the people down there," Master Hand continued. "Except the forumers, of course. But the Brawlers. And the Elysians. And Yoshi, I made you too. You were one of the most virtuous, most gentle of my creations, especially among a group of fighters.
"And you belong in this world. They all do. Whether it be Smash Planet, or Skytown, or some other region, all of them were designed to live and grow as the nature Lady Hand made has been given to them."
"Master Hand?"
"Yes."
"I don't understand you. Or the other Hands. You created this world. But it seems from our perspective, from the SSS's perspective, at one point you appear to be helping us, like you did in Hell. Like you did in Subspace. But at other times, you appear to be opposing us. The Battle of the Dojo. The Subspace Emissary. Why is this?"
Master Hand sighed. "Young Snicket, I'm afraid even to you, I cannot impart all of our purposes. I can tell you that I did indeed at one point want you as a scribe, which I now know is wrong. And I can also tell you that we act in the best interests of our creations, even if it may not seem like it at the time. Sometimes, temporary victory is not worth failure in the long term. That's all I will say on the matter.
"You know Eiron, as your friend, correct?" He said suddenly.
Snicket nodded, further confused by the sudden change of subject.
"Well, he is part of another organization besides the SSS. An Order which is dedicated to something you wouldn't believe."
"What?"
"'Preserving and maintaining the balance between good and evil.'" Master Hand quoted the Order's purpose with clear skepticism.
The boy gasped. This was the exact thing he had strived for during the days of the Creators' Alliance. "No! This cannot be! I--we--both of us have made that mistake already! I can't allow that to happen! I have to stop it," he determined.
"Yes, I know, how coincidential, isn't it? I will most likely have to deal with that myself. Now, I hope, you understand my purposes just a little better. Such an organization poses a great threat to the continued existence of my creations."
Having made his point, Master Hand moved on. "But, Snicket, I have brought you here to tell you that you...do not belong here."
This came as the greatest shock of all, and Bob was stunned to silence, waiting for an explanation.
"The land you were born in is much like this one, having much of the same beauty, and even some beyond that. But the civilization of human beings on Earth is so much different than any place here that it is impossible to have the same experience in both. And I understand that in the past years you have developed a deep affection for my world and its residents, particularly Yoshi. You have not only found joy and experience here, but have benefited us in a way no one else possibly could have. For that, we are eternally grateful.
"Yet if you remain here for the fulness of your life, I tell you now that you will not fulfill the purpose in your own world which you were meant to live. You inherited the noble duty from your parents of recording the happenings of the world, but have only been recording those of this one. It saddens me that I must tell you this, but you need to end your solitude as an Earthling, and become one with your own kind.
"You have learned what you can from this world. Now it is time to live in your own."
The message of this speech hardly seemed to register in Bob's mind. How could it be? He had found so much happiness in the Smash Universe, and did not want it to end. Ever. And he dreaded returning to Earth, where he had no friends, no family, only a dream of making a difference in a frantic, confusing world. Yet somewhere down deep, in the inner sanctum of his heart, he felt that Master Hand was right. He had been neglecting his real life, and replacing it with an "imaginary" reality. But he would never be complete with only dreams, no matter how much he enjoyed the idea of them. Still, there was one obvious point that Master Hand had left out.
"But what about the others? Kin, Sour, LGN, and the rest...you're not telling them they don't belong here."
"Ah," Master Hand said, "but their purpose is not yet complete here. Someday, for each of them, their time will come as well when there is no more for them to learn. You just happen to be the first to reach that stage. It is an unfortunate event for you, I will admit."
A series of unfortunate events, Bob corrected in his mind. But he said nothing.
"So. When your heart is ready, I will now take you back home, back to the world where you belong. You have no choice in the matter. It is too late to return to say farewell to your friends now, and it would make the parting all the more difficult even if you did."
Tears were forming in the boy's bright, cerulean eyes. His mind worked rapidly. "That's why you let Yoshi come? Because you knew I wouldn't be going back?"
Master Hand "nodded" again. "It is time to leave the past behind."
Bob grasped for another question, anything to prolong the imminent, permanent departure. "Can I at least write them a letter?"
Considering that for a moment, Master Hand responded, "Yes. I assume you have materials?"
"But of course." Taking out his commonplace notebook, he ripped out several pages, and began writing.
Yoshi stared sadly at his old friend as he wrote, as silent as Master Hand. Finally, after some while, Bob put his pen away.
"Alright, then. I think it's time for one last Illusion." He raised his gloved hands, the right one turning black.
****************************************************
A cloaked figure stepped into the Skytown Hangar, several sheets of paper held grimly in his hand. He reached the masses of celebrating heroes, not responding to obscure greetings and acknowledgements from Brawlers and soldiers. At last, he reached the cluster of Forumers near the middle.
"Friends."
Kin, Dobs, Eiron, LGN, and Zel turned to see Bob Snicket, holding out a small stack of letters toward them. They were taken slightly aback by his somber countenance. "Yeah, Bob?" LGN asked.
"These are for you." The writer went around now, handing out letters. "Take care that no eyes see these words but the addressee."
They took the letters, looking at the figure strangely.
"Are you alright, Snicket?" the SSS leader asked.
The boy offered a small smile, and nodded slightly. Then the illusion of Bob Snicket shimmered and faded away, leaving the Forumers with their letters.
****************************************************
Bob opened his blurry eyes slowly, lowering his hands, the right glove reverting to its normal white color.
"Well, I guess that's it, then."
He proceeded to take out his Super Hammer, his Switch Hook, and his Smash Orb, and set them on the ground. He also pulled off his Illusionist's Gloves and added them to the small pile. "There's no use me keeping these, I suppose. Especially on Earth." He turned to Yoshi. "Will you see that these items are restored to their proper places? Give the orb to Kin, and keep the gloves to remember me by, if you want."
Yoshi, tears flowing openly now, nodded, but then couldn't hold it in anymore, and rushed to the boy, gripping his legs in a tight embrace, allowing Bob to stroke his head slowly.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Bob," Yoshi bawled. "You're the best companion I've ever had, including Mario. I'll keep your gloves, but I don't need them to remember my best friend. I love you."
"Me too, Yoshi," Snicket said calmly, eyes still blurred with tears. "I love you too."
"You won't ever forget me either, will you, Bob Snicket?"
"Never," he responded almost before the dinosaur finished. Then, at that moment, he noticed something peculiar about the gentle Brawler. The spikes his back, at the top of each, had a slight tinge of red. And, even more surprising, two tiny horns protruded from his head. "It seems," he said, thinking about the demon that Yoshi had almost been mutated with back in Reeka's laboratory, "that it won't be a problem for either of us."
"It's time to go," Master Hand said abruptly.
The sun had now almost set completely. Snicket turned to the Hand and nodded, then gazed out at the stars with his longtime companion one last time.
He found himself reminiscing way back to the beginning, when he had first been found by Yoshi after the burning of his home at the tender age of four. Yoshi had cared for him for several years in the Earth world, until Master Hand had, ironically, taken them both to the Smash realm. He had thought until now that it had been a mistake that he, Bob Snicket, had been taken along with Yoshi, that it was only the Brawler that the Hand had intended to bring. But he knew better now. Then he thought of the adventures the two of them had had in the Smash World, chasing the Bandit Syndicate, defeating Bowser Jr, Meowth, Popple, Daroach, the Postman, and finally Chuck Quizmo, each time uncovering a historic treasure to add to Bob's arsenal. He remembered watching the events of RP1, doing nothing but taking notes. Then, in RP2, he had gotten a bit more involved, eventually leading to his saving the Dojo by sending himself to Subspace with the Subspace Bomb. In the RP3 era, a party had set out to rescue him, but afterwards, it had proven to be the darkest era of his young life. The single Shadow Bug had provided a secondary conscience which led him to obsess over balance of good and evil, which had proven to be a terrible mistake--a fatal one to Dobs's newlywed wife Mariella. But once Snicket had learned his lesson, then the days of recent history had been golden for him, going on missions for the Super Smash Saviors and building confidence in himself and his abilities. The Pictochat battle with Game & Watch, journey to the Dark World, Agahnim in the Dark Pyramid, exile in Treasure Trove Cove, return to the SSS to find seven years had gone by for them. The subsequent mission to the Anti-Dimension where Bob had though they would find the one person who could end the war for them: Sovaherc. He was dead now. The assault on their HQ and then Skytown, and finally the final confrontations in Hell, first against his character from The Trophies, Professor U. Reeka, and then against Dark Pichu, and Crehavos himself. What an adventure. What a chance to learn lessons about himself and about the world.
And now it was over. He was saying his final farewell to the Smash Universe, which had taught him so much.
"Goodbye," Snicket said to Yoshi, climbing onto the back of Master Hand's wrist.
"Yoshi!" the native Yoshi Islander responded in his own tongue, waving solemnly as the young author was borne away into the sky.
Boy and Hand sped directly toward the sun, in which direction Snicket just now noticed that a portal awaited them. A black portal.
"Master Hand, I have just one last question. Throughout my life, even on Earth, strange things have befallen me. A purple silhouetted man pushed me from a window of my burning home at birth. A purple tornado has crossed my path on more than one occasion. Who or what are behind these occurrances?"
As they neared the portal, Master Hand answered the question in an unexpected manner. "Bob Snicket, all of us each have our individual mysteries in our lives. Some we will solve. Others might never be. But in your case, I will say this...."
They passed into the black portal, coming out over the alleyway near Quagmire Road. The library where Snicket worked was just around the corner.
"...most of your mysteries seem to reside within yourself. And they are often not as sinister as they may seem."
Master Hand dropped Snicket onto the cement ground, and lifted away, disappearing as a silhouette among the dark star-lit sky.
"Farewell."
Blinking several times, Bob simply stood there for several minutes, wondering whether he should sleep. Eventually, he decided he would sleep in the library, and tomorrow, work on publishing his new book, and hopefully talk to Allison Reed.
He stepped out of the alleyway into the street, beholding the world he had once known. He flexed his fingers and moved forward.
He had his whole life ahead of him.
****************************************************
Dear Super Smash Saviors,
This part of my message is addressed to every member, so please read it out to everyone. I regret that I could not deliver these words in person, but under the circumstances, the illusion was the closest I could get.
I am leaving the Smash Universe, forever. I am so very sorry that this is the unfortunate reality which I must face, but I have no real choice. It would have been wonderful if I could have spent my whole life among you, my friends and companions, serving the cause of the Super Smash Saviors as I have been. If I had stayed, my loyalties would always lie with what we represented together: Freedom, Justice, Peace, Righteousness, Honesty, Truth, Compassion, Friendship. But alas, it is not to be. I am parting ways with all of you, and am trying to make the very best of it. My fate lies elsewhere, in my own world, despite what I had always thought.
It has been a great pleasure serving with you all, whether in happy times or somber, peaceful or contentious, victory or defeat. I cannot express through words how deeply I truly care for and respect each and every one of you. You have been my brothers and sisters in arms, the family and friends which I've never had. I hope you can possibly remember me in a similar light, although I have not lived even close to a perfect life. I apologize again for the many dreadful, stupid mistakes I've made in the past, both recent and distant, both insignificant and terrible. If there is any one of you I have ever offended without knowing, I am very sorry. I hope you find it within your hearts to forgive me.
Although this may seem like the end: the end of our partnership, the end of the reign of Crehavos, the end of the old HQ, and the end of seven long years of painful tyranny, I would submit to you that, more than an end, to all of us this is a new beginning. This is a new chance for us to shine, to begin anew each in our own way. It is the beginning of your struggle to rebuild the worlds Crehavos has left desecrated or broken. It is the beginning of my chance to live not a normal, but a proper life: to read books, meet new people, talk to girls, grow up, and become a part of my own society. With these beginnings, I would hope we might be inspired to HAVE hope. Hope for the future, hope for better life, hope for success in our endeavors. I certainly feel like I can have hope, and I encourage you to as well.
I have enclosed letters addressed to specific individuals, and would ask that ONLY THEY have access to these notes, for they are very personal in nature. Thank you for respecting this call to privacy (assuming that you do).
Ness Longworth,
I am glad that I have had the opportunity to meet such a fearless individual such as yourself. Unfortunately, I did not see much of you during our last adventure together, but I know you were there, and I have great respect for your bravery. You say you are from a future life where you hail, and this piques my interest and curiosity, I'll admit. I wish we had the time to sit down and discuss each others' homeworlds. I would have like that.
For some reason, LGN, I have a bizarre feeling that there was another thing I forgot to do in your presence. Pardon this strange comment, but while we were in the Anti-Dimension, I had the strongest impression that I should steal your helmet. It was probably nothing, forget it.
I do wonder, however, if your future world has any connection to the future of mine...I live on a planet called Earth. Ever heard of it, by chance? Oh, that's right, sorry. You won't be able to respond.
Zel,
You have many natural talents which always impressed me. Your ability to lead many soldiers into battle, for instance; your skill of being able to give inspiring battle speeches, just as impressive as LGN has. Your adeptibility in combat and magic. I admire that. I wish I could use magic....
Anyway, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for always standing by the SSS, even when the situation was dire. You never wavered in the face of opposition, and not only does that make you a remarkable leader, but a courageous one. Do me a favor, will you? Keep Kin in line. He's amazing, but does tend to make some rather unusual decisions.
Dobs,
I do not even know where to begin. It's still just miraculous to me that you have been able to accept me as a friend even after the terrible things I have done. You have a heart of gold, one that never ceases to amaze me, one that deserved Mariella more than a waffle deserves syrup. And that's saying something.
I want to thank you for your advice back in the Anti-Dimension. As I reenter my world, I will most likely still be scared out of my wits of talking to Allison. But your counsel will give me the strength and confidence I need to take a chance with her. What you told me in that weird, bleached-out forest will be one of the few conversations I remember my entire life. Who knows, I might share these experiences with friends who are able to believe a crazy story or two. Or three. Or nine thousand.
You were also there to the end, and I want you to know how much I admire and respect you for that. I know you'll be reunited with your wife someday. Anything else truly would be Hell.
Eiron,
I'll be honest. You're the primary reason that I requested the privacy with the letters. Because--well, first, I'll start with the positives.
Like I told you before in Fallen Angel Castle, you remind me more of myself than anyone else I've ever met, minus several of my weak qualities. I had really only just gotten to know you, and yet I could already tell how strong and level-minded you are. You are the eye of the storm, and people will flock to you when the times are at their worst. You are also very intelligent, and very wise. A lot of people trust you. So this is what I want to say.
Don't let them down.
I have heard about where your allegiances lie, and what type of order which you answer to, and I must tell you that it brings me exceedingly great concern. I don't have the time nor the space to tell you my entire story, but suffice it to say that I once believed in almost the exact same philosophy, and it cost me and others dearly.
Beware the word "balance." Not all balance is good. If you have never seen cause to distrust me before, trust me on this. We know good and evil are as distinct and real as anything. But no matter what happens in the Smash World or any other, evil will always exist. We don't need people to make sure that it doesn't go extinct, not that the idea of extinction is a bad thing. My point is, it's a dangerous path to take, to try and control the balance of forces. I have learned in my experience that it is better to leave such things in more capable Hands.
I do not expect you to change simply from these words of warning from me to you, although I certainly wouldn't mind it. I just want to inform you that someday, you will come to know for yourself that ANY cause other than good isn't worth fighting for, because it will come back to bite you, and it will not create happiness. Remember, during much of Crehavos's seven-year reign, there was peace. During Darth Sidious's 32-year rule as Emperor, there was some peace. But peace is not happiness.
Anyway, all that aside, I hope you continue to do great things in that world where I cannot. Keep things amusing. I had flying waffles, but I know you can do even better.
Kin,
My older brother who has been in the SSS long before I finally joined: thank you. You have shown me what it means to be a selfless leader, a leader that serves his people, not visa-versa. I have watched you fight alongside Snake, and have beheld that you are truly among the greats. I feel that you will be honored in generations to come as one of the major heroes of the Super Smash Saviors, one who led his people to victory, who pressed on even when the road looked bleak, even when our dear Smashbro left us. I miss him as well, and if you ever rediscover him, give him my best regards. Let him know that I came back from the Creators' Alliance a new person, and that he was key in bringing about that change.
Another war has been won, my brother, and there are more to come. For me as well, just in a different way. I will have my challenges, and you and the SSS will have yours. But know that no matter how far away we are, in my mind, we are all fighting the same battle, for our final destination is one and the same: that place which illuminates the darkest corner of Hell and is heralded by angels and trumpets. You are not considered a king, Kin, but I tell you that there is a crown waiting for you in heaven with your name written upon it, if you endure to the end. Keep up what you are doing, and you will not end in failure. Remember, you can't spell "King" without "Kin."
To all of you, I bid farewell, and for those of you who did not receive a personal letter, please do not feel offended. It is not that I care for you less, but that there is nothing that I can teach you, and my compassion for you is encompassed by these general words of last goodbyes. I know the Super Smash Saviors, if they remain united, if they always believe in what they stand for, if they always have hope, and if they always persevere to the bitter end, that they will come out victorious against any evil, whatever shape or form the devil may take.
With love I leave you, known today and yesterday, now and forever as,
~Bob Snicket
As the SSS celebrated their victorious triumph over Crehavos and the forces of Hell in the spacious Skytown hangar, Bob Snicket and Yoshi stood on a nearby platform outside it, watching the sunset together. Neither spoke; each seemed to be content to have the quiet company of the other. The beautiful pink-orange tinge in the sky reflected marvelously on the clouds all around them, the last rays of the bright yellow sun descending almost directly across from them toward the horizon. Dotted speckles of stars were visible here and there beyond the clouds. The air was chilly, and Bob's cloak was thin, but at the moment it did not seem to matter. It was all over, and they had peace at last.
It was the last visitor the young writer had expected who came and interrupted their silent meditation. Coming from the direction of the sun as a black silhouette, the great figure levitated swiftly across the sky toward them, like a giant bird without wings. Upon reaching them, the newcomer stopped in midair, floating a few yards in front of the pair.
Master Hand spoke, appearing to only address Snicket. "We need to talk, young Snicket. Alone."
But Yoshi was indignant. "Anything you have to tell Bob, you can tell me too."
The creator gave an up-and-down gesture which appeared to be a nod. "Very well. Come this way. There is no time to notify the others." Master Hand went off on a path across Skytown, making sure that Snicket and Yoshi could follow across the bridged platforms which sloped up and down. However, the majority of the walk took them uphill, to a platform high above most of the rest, the large dome of the hangar clearly visible far below. Master Hand stopped and turned to face them, an even more wondrous view of the sunset shining between them. Snicket was curious. He had never seen the Hand like this, so abrupt and mysterious.
"Bob Snicket, first of all, I want to extend to you the most sincere thanks a being such as I can muster. Without your help along with that of the others, it would not have been possible for us to seal Crehavos away and redeem this universe from a doomed fate."
Bob merely nodded, knowing he would not have been called all the way up here, away from the rest of the SSS, just to be thanked personally.
Master Hand turned to face the sunset. "This is a beautiful world we are in, is it not?"
"Indeed, it is," the boy agreed, not sure where the creator was going with this.
The Hand spoke slowly. "You know, long ago, when I helped create this universe, each of us Hands were assigned a part to create. Not geographically, but in the type of creation. It was Silver Hand who made the skies and the clouds, but Flame Hand who lit the great sphere of the sun to light the land and give it warmth. And I...well, you may be able to guess what I was in charge of creating."
"Life," Snicket said without hesitation, not quite sure how he knew, but instinctively knowing, nonetheless. "You created life in the Smash Universe."
"Yes." Master Hand paused for a long moment, during which the three of them continued to watch the beatiful blend of colors and shadows. Then: "It truly is a marvelous world we made. And every life form I gave breath to was made to exist in it." He turned to the writer. "Snicket."
"Yes?" he said uncertainly.
"I did not create you."
That took him by surprise. "So?"
"I created most of the people down there," Master Hand continued. "Except the forumers, of course. But the Brawlers. And the Elysians. And Yoshi, I made you too. You were one of the most virtuous, most gentle of my creations, especially among a group of fighters.
"And you belong in this world. They all do. Whether it be Smash Planet, or Skytown, or some other region, all of them were designed to live and grow as the nature Lady Hand made has been given to them."
"Master Hand?"
"Yes."
"I don't understand you. Or the other Hands. You created this world. But it seems from our perspective, from the SSS's perspective, at one point you appear to be helping us, like you did in Hell. Like you did in Subspace. But at other times, you appear to be opposing us. The Battle of the Dojo. The Subspace Emissary. Why is this?"
Master Hand sighed. "Young Snicket, I'm afraid even to you, I cannot impart all of our purposes. I can tell you that I did indeed at one point want you as a scribe, which I now know is wrong. And I can also tell you that we act in the best interests of our creations, even if it may not seem like it at the time. Sometimes, temporary victory is not worth failure in the long term. That's all I will say on the matter.
"You know Eiron, as your friend, correct?" He said suddenly.
Snicket nodded, further confused by the sudden change of subject.
"Well, he is part of another organization besides the SSS. An Order which is dedicated to something you wouldn't believe."
"What?"
"'Preserving and maintaining the balance between good and evil.'" Master Hand quoted the Order's purpose with clear skepticism.
The boy gasped. This was the exact thing he had strived for during the days of the Creators' Alliance. "No! This cannot be! I--we--both of us have made that mistake already! I can't allow that to happen! I have to stop it," he determined.
"Yes, I know, how coincidential, isn't it? I will most likely have to deal with that myself. Now, I hope, you understand my purposes just a little better. Such an organization poses a great threat to the continued existence of my creations."
Having made his point, Master Hand moved on. "But, Snicket, I have brought you here to tell you that you...do not belong here."
This came as the greatest shock of all, and Bob was stunned to silence, waiting for an explanation.
"The land you were born in is much like this one, having much of the same beauty, and even some beyond that. But the civilization of human beings on Earth is so much different than any place here that it is impossible to have the same experience in both. And I understand that in the past years you have developed a deep affection for my world and its residents, particularly Yoshi. You have not only found joy and experience here, but have benefited us in a way no one else possibly could have. For that, we are eternally grateful.
"Yet if you remain here for the fulness of your life, I tell you now that you will not fulfill the purpose in your own world which you were meant to live. You inherited the noble duty from your parents of recording the happenings of the world, but have only been recording those of this one. It saddens me that I must tell you this, but you need to end your solitude as an Earthling, and become one with your own kind.
"You have learned what you can from this world. Now it is time to live in your own."
The message of this speech hardly seemed to register in Bob's mind. How could it be? He had found so much happiness in the Smash Universe, and did not want it to end. Ever. And he dreaded returning to Earth, where he had no friends, no family, only a dream of making a difference in a frantic, confusing world. Yet somewhere down deep, in the inner sanctum of his heart, he felt that Master Hand was right. He had been neglecting his real life, and replacing it with an "imaginary" reality. But he would never be complete with only dreams, no matter how much he enjoyed the idea of them. Still, there was one obvious point that Master Hand had left out.
"But what about the others? Kin, Sour, LGN, and the rest...you're not telling them they don't belong here."
"Ah," Master Hand said, "but their purpose is not yet complete here. Someday, for each of them, their time will come as well when there is no more for them to learn. You just happen to be the first to reach that stage. It is an unfortunate event for you, I will admit."
A series of unfortunate events, Bob corrected in his mind. But he said nothing.
"So. When your heart is ready, I will now take you back home, back to the world where you belong. You have no choice in the matter. It is too late to return to say farewell to your friends now, and it would make the parting all the more difficult even if you did."
Tears were forming in the boy's bright, cerulean eyes. His mind worked rapidly. "That's why you let Yoshi come? Because you knew I wouldn't be going back?"
Master Hand "nodded" again. "It is time to leave the past behind."
Bob grasped for another question, anything to prolong the imminent, permanent departure. "Can I at least write them a letter?"
Considering that for a moment, Master Hand responded, "Yes. I assume you have materials?"
"But of course." Taking out his commonplace notebook, he ripped out several pages, and began writing.
Yoshi stared sadly at his old friend as he wrote, as silent as Master Hand. Finally, after some while, Bob put his pen away.
"Alright, then. I think it's time for one last Illusion." He raised his gloved hands, the right one turning black.
****************************************************
A cloaked figure stepped into the Skytown Hangar, several sheets of paper held grimly in his hand. He reached the masses of celebrating heroes, not responding to obscure greetings and acknowledgements from Brawlers and soldiers. At last, he reached the cluster of Forumers near the middle.
"Friends."
Kin, Dobs, Eiron, LGN, and Zel turned to see Bob Snicket, holding out a small stack of letters toward them. They were taken slightly aback by his somber countenance. "Yeah, Bob?" LGN asked.
"These are for you." The writer went around now, handing out letters. "Take care that no eyes see these words but the addressee."
They took the letters, looking at the figure strangely.
"Are you alright, Snicket?" the SSS leader asked.
The boy offered a small smile, and nodded slightly. Then the illusion of Bob Snicket shimmered and faded away, leaving the Forumers with their letters.
****************************************************
Bob opened his blurry eyes slowly, lowering his hands, the right glove reverting to its normal white color.
"Well, I guess that's it, then."
He proceeded to take out his Super Hammer, his Switch Hook, and his Smash Orb, and set them on the ground. He also pulled off his Illusionist's Gloves and added them to the small pile. "There's no use me keeping these, I suppose. Especially on Earth." He turned to Yoshi. "Will you see that these items are restored to their proper places? Give the orb to Kin, and keep the gloves to remember me by, if you want."
Yoshi, tears flowing openly now, nodded, but then couldn't hold it in anymore, and rushed to the boy, gripping his legs in a tight embrace, allowing Bob to stroke his head slowly.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Bob," Yoshi bawled. "You're the best companion I've ever had, including Mario. I'll keep your gloves, but I don't need them to remember my best friend. I love you."
"Me too, Yoshi," Snicket said calmly, eyes still blurred with tears. "I love you too."
"You won't ever forget me either, will you, Bob Snicket?"
"Never," he responded almost before the dinosaur finished. Then, at that moment, he noticed something peculiar about the gentle Brawler. The spikes his back, at the top of each, had a slight tinge of red. And, even more surprising, two tiny horns protruded from his head. "It seems," he said, thinking about the demon that Yoshi had almost been mutated with back in Reeka's laboratory, "that it won't be a problem for either of us."
"It's time to go," Master Hand said abruptly.
The sun had now almost set completely. Snicket turned to the Hand and nodded, then gazed out at the stars with his longtime companion one last time.
He found himself reminiscing way back to the beginning, when he had first been found by Yoshi after the burning of his home at the tender age of four. Yoshi had cared for him for several years in the Earth world, until Master Hand had, ironically, taken them both to the Smash realm. He had thought until now that it had been a mistake that he, Bob Snicket, had been taken along with Yoshi, that it was only the Brawler that the Hand had intended to bring. But he knew better now. Then he thought of the adventures the two of them had had in the Smash World, chasing the Bandit Syndicate, defeating Bowser Jr, Meowth, Popple, Daroach, the Postman, and finally Chuck Quizmo, each time uncovering a historic treasure to add to Bob's arsenal. He remembered watching the events of RP1, doing nothing but taking notes. Then, in RP2, he had gotten a bit more involved, eventually leading to his saving the Dojo by sending himself to Subspace with the Subspace Bomb. In the RP3 era, a party had set out to rescue him, but afterwards, it had proven to be the darkest era of his young life. The single Shadow Bug had provided a secondary conscience which led him to obsess over balance of good and evil, which had proven to be a terrible mistake--a fatal one to Dobs's newlywed wife Mariella. But once Snicket had learned his lesson, then the days of recent history had been golden for him, going on missions for the Super Smash Saviors and building confidence in himself and his abilities. The Pictochat battle with Game & Watch, journey to the Dark World, Agahnim in the Dark Pyramid, exile in Treasure Trove Cove, return to the SSS to find seven years had gone by for them. The subsequent mission to the Anti-Dimension where Bob had though they would find the one person who could end the war for them: Sovaherc. He was dead now. The assault on their HQ and then Skytown, and finally the final confrontations in Hell, first against his character from The Trophies, Professor U. Reeka, and then against Dark Pichu, and Crehavos himself. What an adventure. What a chance to learn lessons about himself and about the world.
And now it was over. He was saying his final farewell to the Smash Universe, which had taught him so much.
"Goodbye," Snicket said to Yoshi, climbing onto the back of Master Hand's wrist.
"Yoshi!" the native Yoshi Islander responded in his own tongue, waving solemnly as the young author was borne away into the sky.
Boy and Hand sped directly toward the sun, in which direction Snicket just now noticed that a portal awaited them. A black portal.
"Master Hand, I have just one last question. Throughout my life, even on Earth, strange things have befallen me. A purple silhouetted man pushed me from a window of my burning home at birth. A purple tornado has crossed my path on more than one occasion. Who or what are behind these occurrances?"
As they neared the portal, Master Hand answered the question in an unexpected manner. "Bob Snicket, all of us each have our individual mysteries in our lives. Some we will solve. Others might never be. But in your case, I will say this...."
They passed into the black portal, coming out over the alleyway near Quagmire Road. The library where Snicket worked was just around the corner.
"...most of your mysteries seem to reside within yourself. And they are often not as sinister as they may seem."
Master Hand dropped Snicket onto the cement ground, and lifted away, disappearing as a silhouette among the dark star-lit sky.
"Farewell."
Blinking several times, Bob simply stood there for several minutes, wondering whether he should sleep. Eventually, he decided he would sleep in the library, and tomorrow, work on publishing his new book, and hopefully talk to Allison Reed.
He stepped out of the alleyway into the street, beholding the world he had once known. He flexed his fingers and moved forward.
He had his whole life ahead of him.
****************************************************
Dear Super Smash Saviors,
This part of my message is addressed to every member, so please read it out to everyone. I regret that I could not deliver these words in person, but under the circumstances, the illusion was the closest I could get.
I am leaving the Smash Universe, forever. I am so very sorry that this is the unfortunate reality which I must face, but I have no real choice. It would have been wonderful if I could have spent my whole life among you, my friends and companions, serving the cause of the Super Smash Saviors as I have been. If I had stayed, my loyalties would always lie with what we represented together: Freedom, Justice, Peace, Righteousness, Honesty, Truth, Compassion, Friendship. But alas, it is not to be. I am parting ways with all of you, and am trying to make the very best of it. My fate lies elsewhere, in my own world, despite what I had always thought.
It has been a great pleasure serving with you all, whether in happy times or somber, peaceful or contentious, victory or defeat. I cannot express through words how deeply I truly care for and respect each and every one of you. You have been my brothers and sisters in arms, the family and friends which I've never had. I hope you can possibly remember me in a similar light, although I have not lived even close to a perfect life. I apologize again for the many dreadful, stupid mistakes I've made in the past, both recent and distant, both insignificant and terrible. If there is any one of you I have ever offended without knowing, I am very sorry. I hope you find it within your hearts to forgive me.
Although this may seem like the end: the end of our partnership, the end of the reign of Crehavos, the end of the old HQ, and the end of seven long years of painful tyranny, I would submit to you that, more than an end, to all of us this is a new beginning. This is a new chance for us to shine, to begin anew each in our own way. It is the beginning of your struggle to rebuild the worlds Crehavos has left desecrated or broken. It is the beginning of my chance to live not a normal, but a proper life: to read books, meet new people, talk to girls, grow up, and become a part of my own society. With these beginnings, I would hope we might be inspired to HAVE hope. Hope for the future, hope for better life, hope for success in our endeavors. I certainly feel like I can have hope, and I encourage you to as well.
I have enclosed letters addressed to specific individuals, and would ask that ONLY THEY have access to these notes, for they are very personal in nature. Thank you for respecting this call to privacy (assuming that you do).
Ness Longworth,
I am glad that I have had the opportunity to meet such a fearless individual such as yourself. Unfortunately, I did not see much of you during our last adventure together, but I know you were there, and I have great respect for your bravery. You say you are from a future life where you hail, and this piques my interest and curiosity, I'll admit. I wish we had the time to sit down and discuss each others' homeworlds. I would have like that.
For some reason, LGN, I have a bizarre feeling that there was another thing I forgot to do in your presence. Pardon this strange comment, but while we were in the Anti-Dimension, I had the strongest impression that I should steal your helmet. It was probably nothing, forget it.
I do wonder, however, if your future world has any connection to the future of mine...I live on a planet called Earth. Ever heard of it, by chance? Oh, that's right, sorry. You won't be able to respond.
Zel,
You have many natural talents which always impressed me. Your ability to lead many soldiers into battle, for instance; your skill of being able to give inspiring battle speeches, just as impressive as LGN has. Your adeptibility in combat and magic. I admire that. I wish I could use magic....
Anyway, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for always standing by the SSS, even when the situation was dire. You never wavered in the face of opposition, and not only does that make you a remarkable leader, but a courageous one. Do me a favor, will you? Keep Kin in line. He's amazing, but does tend to make some rather unusual decisions.
Dobs,
I do not even know where to begin. It's still just miraculous to me that you have been able to accept me as a friend even after the terrible things I have done. You have a heart of gold, one that never ceases to amaze me, one that deserved Mariella more than a waffle deserves syrup. And that's saying something.
I want to thank you for your advice back in the Anti-Dimension. As I reenter my world, I will most likely still be scared out of my wits of talking to Allison. But your counsel will give me the strength and confidence I need to take a chance with her. What you told me in that weird, bleached-out forest will be one of the few conversations I remember my entire life. Who knows, I might share these experiences with friends who are able to believe a crazy story or two. Or three. Or nine thousand.
You were also there to the end, and I want you to know how much I admire and respect you for that. I know you'll be reunited with your wife someday. Anything else truly would be Hell.
Eiron,
I'll be honest. You're the primary reason that I requested the privacy with the letters. Because--well, first, I'll start with the positives.
Like I told you before in Fallen Angel Castle, you remind me more of myself than anyone else I've ever met, minus several of my weak qualities. I had really only just gotten to know you, and yet I could already tell how strong and level-minded you are. You are the eye of the storm, and people will flock to you when the times are at their worst. You are also very intelligent, and very wise. A lot of people trust you. So this is what I want to say.
Don't let them down.
I have heard about where your allegiances lie, and what type of order which you answer to, and I must tell you that it brings me exceedingly great concern. I don't have the time nor the space to tell you my entire story, but suffice it to say that I once believed in almost the exact same philosophy, and it cost me and others dearly.
Beware the word "balance." Not all balance is good. If you have never seen cause to distrust me before, trust me on this. We know good and evil are as distinct and real as anything. But no matter what happens in the Smash World or any other, evil will always exist. We don't need people to make sure that it doesn't go extinct, not that the idea of extinction is a bad thing. My point is, it's a dangerous path to take, to try and control the balance of forces. I have learned in my experience that it is better to leave such things in more capable Hands.
I do not expect you to change simply from these words of warning from me to you, although I certainly wouldn't mind it. I just want to inform you that someday, you will come to know for yourself that ANY cause other than good isn't worth fighting for, because it will come back to bite you, and it will not create happiness. Remember, during much of Crehavos's seven-year reign, there was peace. During Darth Sidious's 32-year rule as Emperor, there was some peace. But peace is not happiness.
Anyway, all that aside, I hope you continue to do great things in that world where I cannot. Keep things amusing. I had flying waffles, but I know you can do even better.
Kin,
My older brother who has been in the SSS long before I finally joined: thank you. You have shown me what it means to be a selfless leader, a leader that serves his people, not visa-versa. I have watched you fight alongside Snake, and have beheld that you are truly among the greats. I feel that you will be honored in generations to come as one of the major heroes of the Super Smash Saviors, one who led his people to victory, who pressed on even when the road looked bleak, even when our dear Smashbro left us. I miss him as well, and if you ever rediscover him, give him my best regards. Let him know that I came back from the Creators' Alliance a new person, and that he was key in bringing about that change.
Another war has been won, my brother, and there are more to come. For me as well, just in a different way. I will have my challenges, and you and the SSS will have yours. But know that no matter how far away we are, in my mind, we are all fighting the same battle, for our final destination is one and the same: that place which illuminates the darkest corner of Hell and is heralded by angels and trumpets. You are not considered a king, Kin, but I tell you that there is a crown waiting for you in heaven with your name written upon it, if you endure to the end. Keep up what you are doing, and you will not end in failure. Remember, you can't spell "King" without "Kin."
To all of you, I bid farewell, and for those of you who did not receive a personal letter, please do not feel offended. It is not that I care for you less, but that there is nothing that I can teach you, and my compassion for you is encompassed by these general words of last goodbyes. I know the Super Smash Saviors, if they remain united, if they always believe in what they stand for, if they always have hope, and if they always persevere to the bitter end, that they will come out victorious against any evil, whatever shape or form the devil may take.
With love I leave you, known today and yesterday, now and forever as,
~Bob Snicket
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smashbro ~~~ Authority: 20 ~~~ Combat: 10
