"The Mushroom Kingdom just could not get a whole lot bigger. Join a few new characters, Lo, Zel & Maya as they end up on a few misadventures with the SMG4 Crew. However, by each passing journey, their fates will soon be put to the test as something grand is awaiting that will shake the entire universe as they knew it. & possibly get Mario's pingas off of the door when there is still time."
ZERO GLITCH is a SMG4 fanfic written by Electric Logan
.
The story revolves around a few OCs slowly joining in Mario & his gang's adventures, with each one progressively going more different than the original.
The first chapter of the story's originally posted in Reddit, Wattpad, Web Novel, & finally ArchiveOfOurOwn/AO3
, with the most recent version being read there.
ZERO GLITCH provides examples of:
- Accidental Discovery: Mario embracing his untapped power as an Avatar can be stretched earlier at "We Gotta Get SMG4 Back", as part of his Rage Breaking Point against SMG3 & Stacy for the Remote.
- Adaptational Attractiveness:
- Not minding her original CLOVER origins, Kel in this fanfic is represented as a young adult, whereas her original form is best described to be "her mindscape form"
as stated by the creator. - Stacy has changed from a Peach recolor in the original to a completely Original Character by the end of WOTFI 2020. She does manage to retain some of her design in her new form.
- Not minding her original CLOVER origins, Kel in this fanfic is represented as a young adult, whereas her original form is best described to be "her mindscape form"
- Adaptational Heroism: Given that he is interested of one of the main characters Lo, Zero makes his way on giving the green light for Maya to stop the meteor descent. He also lectures Lo about the resurrection shrine at Anime Island, though Lo had used it for other means that what he originally intended. However, there is still a chance he was not fully changed just yet...
- Ascended Extra:
- Overall, Zero makes himself one of the recurring characters in the fanfic unlike the original canon, where they are only briefly present throughout the Cosmology Saga.
- During the Youtube Arc, Stacy (aka. Toad's Mon that appears on the show's early days) takes part as the Anti version of Kel. She would later go on to be SMG3's Right hand Woman while taking in The Nightmare Stone as her catalyst.
- Back from the Dead: The Aelion resurrection shrine on Earth is used to bring back Desti, though she would part from the fanfic & will take a while before she returns for real in the story proper.
- Beware the Silly Ones: If the events of "We Gotta Bring SMG4 Back" were of any indication, it appears that Mario still does not want to be messed with if you go after his friends. Only here, it is represented as a fiery Rage Breaking Point that sends a false Eldritch Zero off to space.
- Crossover: So far, the SMG4 series is now connected with Meta Runner, The Helpful Fox Senko-san (derivatively), & Murder Drones through the series' events.
- At chapter 33, it is also connected to CLOVER 2020, where Kel's ancestors (or coma therapists as she called it) were brought up to stop Stacy's rampage.
- Dies Differently in the Adaptation: The way how Desti died in the Anime Arc had changed differently so that she'll sacrifice herself for the gang's safety. This also helps correct a short-term error from the later chapters.
- In Chapter 26, Francis is revealed to be Not Quite Dead for a few months since getting sucked at the Anime Arc. That doesn't stop Lo for using him as a sacrifice to revive Desti though.
- Given Name Reveal: During The Mario Showdown, after the supposedly rigged duel, Senko wagers one of the Octolings to hand them the weapons. The nearby Octoling reveals her name was actually Dina, which is fitting seeing that the other two AO3 fanfics of the series used that name as well.
- Heel–Face Turn: By Chapter 22, after they witnessed a heartwarming moment between Lo & Kel, Zero officially changes sides & assists with Maya to stop a meteoric descent.
- Locked Out of the Loop: Lo has found himself surprised that the Splatsquad managed to disqualify the Ink Brigade of cheating & won the final Splatfest while he is busy bringing Desti back to life.
- Original Character: Three, actually. With those being Lo, Zel (who later became Kel on Chapter 26 onwards), & Maya.
- Point of Divergence: Stacy's inclusion of the Anti-Cast has her make use of the Nightmare Stone & helped distort reality throughout the Mushroom kingdom, leading to a grander finale of the arc's WOTFI.
- On a side note, having Lo & Stacy in the "Who Can Get Meggy interested into Anime" challenge results in her being a fan of My Hero Academia.
Meggy, while buying various volumes for the manga: I'LL TAKE YOUR ENTIRE STOCK! - Rage Breaking Point: Lo manages to finish off Ztar by throwing him into the meteor that's poorly disguised as the festival's ball drop. & it's just because Ztar complains that all his actions were just a prank.
- Shout-Out: The most recent version of Lo's meltdown against False Sephiroth is a parallel to TSUKIMICHI's incident between Makoto & Hate Sink Elaine. It doesn't help that both scenarios played out at the 11th episode/chapter.
- Wham Line: One brought up on Chapter 21 right at the very end, concerning of Alpha:????: She had made herself the best agent for my plan. & believe me...(Alpha then lands on a nearby porch before hiding her wings, whereas her body slowly reforges itself as she reaches the door)they will not suspect a thing.Maya: (opens the door & sighs) Home sweet home.
