[Deleted]

Distant sirens and emergency readings within the various outposts and radar detection equipment around the Evershade Valley would begin to spring to life. Several reports and signals would detail large bursts of energy appearing, disappearing as spontaneously as they appeared.


Within the Mushroom Ruins, a young woman by the name of Harmless seemed to be busy running away from a small squadron of rogue Goombas, fighting back and kiting them with all sorts of mannerisms. Such actions included uprooting trees to toss their way, launching an occasional Aura Ball to deter their approaches, and picking up environmental objects such as logs and boulders to smash them into the ground!


Needless to say, the ruckus was rather continuous, and according to a small trail of destruction she left behind her, had been ongoing for at least a week or two.


The only question is... who would respond to such a strange threat?


...


Presently, a somewhat exhausted Harmless, fearful for her life, had sat down on top of a relatively flat rock, no taller than her shins and no wider than five feet. Labored breathing and beads of sweat presented themselves fully, a testament to her endurance keeping her somewhat ready for the next problem to chase her.

"I think... they're gone?"  She panted worriedly, her eyes darting around nervously.  "I hope that's the last of them, a-anyway. Now, I just need to somehow get off this planet..."

(Looking for a response from anyone!)

[Maverick Hunter Zero]

Most unfortunately, the girl would be watched by someone in the shadows of the trees, almost as though there were a hungry look in their eyes like a predator stalking it's prey, at least until they spoke. "You not able to leave? Safe to head where many people are, if not hurry, may get infected." the voice said. Almost as if the source of the voice were urging the person to make for civilization because the lands outside were not safe because of the Starvia.

And there, looming in the darkness, were a pair of green eyes, looking at the girl before they blinked, and vanished from sight.

[Deleted]

"I-Infected?!" Harmless quickly stood up, backing away a few steps with her fists at the ready. She stared intently for a few good moments... and realized that they had vanished from sight completed.

For a brief moment, she was conflicted, deliberation running madly inside of her thoughts. Who was the individual? Why did they say what they said? Was it possible they, if a foe, could have attacked her out of nowhere instead of giving a courtesy warning? What was this about being infected?!

… She concluded that perhaps, they might be telling the truth. She had been feeling marginally funny over the last few days, and it didn't seem to get any better. It was safe to say, the vicinity wasn't safe, and they may have just done her a solid favor.

With a small sigh, she picked herself up again, and continued towards the large, city-sized bubble shield in the distance. Although many things had gone rather unfortunately for her so far, this one may have been rather fortunate. The target she was said to travel to couldn't have been missed after all, with its looming presence in the distance...

(End.)