Soshi opened his eyes and yawned. His long tongue stretched out of his mouth, then curling backward to it's home. He shook his head of sleepiness and looked around. He was inside his cave of Isle Soshi, it felt nice and warm due to the volcano's geothermal heat. The blue dragon stood up on his clawed feet and folded back his wings. When Soshi looked out of the cave's entrance, he viewed the volcano's edge. He spied a second figure at the volcano's top. It was also a Yoshi, with red skin, yellow spikes, and draconic wings. Soshi recognized the being as Soshu, his father. Soshi took to the sky and flew up to his father. He was about to say something but was stopped by his father's voice.
"Soshi... my child."
Soshi looked at his father, he did not turn when he spoke. His red tail flicked about, showing he was nervous.
"I have many things to tell you. Are you prepared to listen?" Soshu asked.
Soshi nodded in response, forgetting his father wasn't looking back at him. Before he could say yes, his father continued.
"Eons ago, before the time of the Mushroomers and the Koopa, before the time of the Kingdoms, when Plit was merely ripening..."
Soshu paused. Soshi was confused at why he was being told this, and why his father was acting so strangely.
"... The supreme species of the planet. It was the Yoshis. Long ago when Sky and Land Yo'sters got along peacefully. It was harmonious time when the planet's land was formed into a giant mass in the center of the sea. All refer to this as Panjeya, Plitian for beginning."
Soshi had heard this tale before. Why was he being told this again?
"Yes my child. I am aware you have heard this story. But I will tell you more now, heed my words."
Soshi nodded again, knowing his father wouldn't see. He paid close attention now.
"Though times were harmonious, those who were wise knew of the oncoming time of war. Something had caused a rift in the peace. Soon dragons and dinosaurs were enemies. The Land Yoshis had great numbers in their forces, but we were masters of the sky. This terrible war lasted centuries. When it was finally over, both sides had lost. So few numbers were left. During the war Panjeya had broken apart, and the land formations of today were slowly shaping. The Koopas and Mushroomers started their species' journey. Now after so very many years, I have this to tell you. Soshi, you are the last Sky Yoshi."
Soshi's eyes widened at the sound of these words. He had never seen other dragons like him before, but he never thought that was because he was the last. But... his father remained...
"Soshi, my time has come. You are the last. Your destiny ahead is very hard to see, but I know it will begin with a Koopa that speaks in a confusing way and wishes to rid Plit of it's fruit. Follow this Terrapin, your destiny will unfold with him."
Soshi finally spoke. "What you mean speaks in a confusing way?"
Soshu sighed and held his head down. "I... I can't be sure my son."
Suddenly Soshu's wings unfolded and started twitching about. This usually meant something negative. A red claw moved onto the dragon's chest, over his heart. He closed his eyes and his breathing became longer and slower. Soshi clenched his fists tightly, slightly digging his own claws into his palms. Then a chill fell down Soshi's spine when he witnessed his father collapse to the ground. Soshi bolted to his side, lifting him and placing his head in his lap. Soshi looked down at his father's face. His eyes were still closed, and he was still breathing heavily.
“Father! What’s happening to you?” Soshi cried.
Soshu forced a chuckle. “I told you, that you were the last... my son.”
Soshi thought for a moment, then looked angry as moisture was visibly gathering in his eyes. “No, father you can’t! I’m not ready...”
“Please forgive me Soshi, if I had the strength, I would never have let this happen to you...” Soshu paused. He spoke again and opened his eyes. “Your mother, Soshi...”
“What? My... mother?”
“Yes. I must tell you the… truth...” Soshu closed his eyes again and coughed. “She... she...”
Soshi’s face was streaming tears all over it, through all of the nooks and crannies between his scales.
“She was a... a...” Soshu coughed again, this time much more violently. His strong red color was fading to a paler tone. “Soshi, your mother is alive.”
“She’s alive?! But you said...”
“Please don’t... I know what I have said... and I was foolish to say it. Find her, and you must know this...” Soshu’s breathing had slowed and was nearly inaudible. “She was a...”
Soshu’s exhale was his final breath. His son could feel that he was no longer there. He had died. But what was he telling him? Soshi’s eyes closed as well and tears ran down his cheeks. He set his father’s body down on the ground and fell on his back. Soshi fell into a deep sleep.
Great orange pyros ate away at Soshu’s body. His son had decided to burn the body in the volcano, wishing that somehow the spirit of his father would linger in the island watching over him. It was just a simple comforting thought. It was night now, far into the dusk. A single star shining a brilliant blue twinkled above in the cloudless sky. From atop the edge of the volcano, Soshi watched the rest of his father’s body be swallowed by the lava. His head turned upward from the red fire to the black sky. A fire inside of Soshi was also burning. It had always existed, but as a few sparks only. Now it was a roaring flame. Soshi couldn’t handle the sadness of his father’s death, so he morphed the emotion into rage and vengeance. Irrational thoughts of trickery and deceit filled his unstable mind. He fixated on the idea his father was killed. He recalled the story of when his father had fought a Land Yoshi long ago; he was green and much smarter and stronger than any other of his kind. Soshu told his son that the Yoshi had cast some type of curse on him, mortally injuring his very source of life, his dragon heart. Soshi would find this green dinosaur, and destroy his heart as well.
A nippy bite of cold air smacked Soshi hard in his face. The blue dragon shook his head and slowly took in his surroundings. He realized where he was, the Pirate Ship, in the crow’s nest. It all flooded back to him. Up ahead of the Sky Yoshi was an enormous landscape of tundra and icebergs. They had finally arrived at Proarctica, and Torte’s plan was underway...
Chapter 21: Koopas on the Rocks
As Cap’n Torte and the Team of Terror docked at Proarctica, across the iced isle, Bowser’s boat approached the cold kingdom.
“Soon, we will resurrect the Reznor! The heat is on!” Bowser roared. “Jagger, can’t this thing go any faster?”
Finally, the long awaited arrival… arrived. Bowser, Kamek, Kammy, and the Koopalings left the ship behind, guarded by Jagger. It was mind-numbing cold. Luckily they all had parkas to wear, but that wasn’t much reassurance. Bowser didn’t feel cold though, he knew they’d be firing up Plit soon. And that in itself was enough to warm the evil flames inside the King of Koopas. They quickly found a cavern entrance and climbed down the long way into the dark icy underground Proarctica. Kammy and Kamek used their brooms to get down safely. Bowser used his Koopacopter, and Junior had a smaller version prepared for the occasion. The other Koopa Kids were left to climb down the old fashioned way, by using a rope. Once everyone was safely down, they saw five paths to choose from.
“Okay, everyone pair up with someone and choose a path! Come on, Junior!” Bowser said.
Bowser and Junior started off down one. Kammy and Kamek took one path, Roy and Morton took another, Larry and Wendy had the next one. The last one was left to Iggy. Iggy turned as if to see Lemmy, but found himself all alone. The others had already departed. Iggy nervously walked down the remaining cavern.
“Boy, now that Lemmy’s gone, I’m more solo than ever! Even that one time when I had the ugliest boil in the universe!” Iggy mumbled.
The spectacle-wearing Koopa continued down the icy path. Meanwhile, Roy and Morton walked down their path and entered a large room. The ceiling had rows and rows of dagger-like icicles dangling above. Roy stepped forward but Morton stopped him.
“Are you nuts?! I’ve played enough platformer videogames to know that any icicles will fall, and hurt!” Morton yelled.
“You’re probably right. What should we do to get ‘round ‘em?” Roy asked.
“I’m not sure. Wait, maybe we could just melt them with our fire breath?” Morton asked.
“Not a bad plan. Let’s do it,” Roy said.
The Koopa kin belched up fireballs and melted the icicles. Then Morton jumped with joy and rushed across the room.
“Wait!” Roy yelled.
It was too late, Morton slipped on the water and banged his head. “Ow...”
During this, Wendy and Larry walked down their path until they came to a deep, dark pit. There was a tiny twisting bridge of ice reaching to the far other side.
“After you, Larry!” Wendy said persuasively.
“Oh no, ladies first!” Larry replied.
“Shut up and get out there!” Wendy said, pushing Larry onto the bridge.
Larry flailed his arms, trying to get a good balance. Once steady, he slowly tiptoed across the bridge. He made it safely to the next room.
“Come on!” Larry beckoned.
“Okay...” Wendy hesitated.
She stepped her foot firmly on the bridge. She walked across and about halfway slipped on the ice and landed hard on the middle of the bridge. Her head hung down, and her blond wig fell into the depths of darkness. She cried, and the ice started to crack.
“Hurry up baldy!” Larry laughed.
Wendy zoomed across the breaking bridge of ice, and smacked Larry hard.
Kammy and Kamek were having an easy time on their trail. Any gaps they flew over, and traps they zapped. Then they came to one room with a dead end and a large twister of freezing air emanating from the room’s center.
“What to do now? We’re not sure what the twister will do… but we must find something to test it with,” Kamek said.
Kammy didn’t hesitate and kicked Kamek straight into the twister. Kamek turned violently, and shot up far into the air. A loud crash came from above. Kammy pulled out her broom, glided upward, and went through a Kamek-shaped hole in the ceiling.
Bowser and Junior roamed their path into a large room. The exit was blocked with stalactites. A white-robed Shy Guy was frozen in a block of ice in the center of the room. As Junior took a step forward, a boulder of ice blocked the way they just came in and the iced Shy Guy broke free and floated to the center of the room. Snow crystals circled him; when he spoke you could see his breath.
“I AM KUNQUAT! LORD OF THE TUNDRA!!!” the white Shy Guy shouted.
Bowser picked him up and tossed him through the boulder blocking the way out. Bowser and Junior walked passed the downed Shy Guy and left him delirious.
“I.. .am Kunquat... Lord of... the Tund...”
Chapter 22: AHH! Pirate Poltergeists!!!
After setting sail early in the morning, leaving Lavalava Island far behind them, the three treasure hunters were now far beyond the farthest outcroppings of the Mushroom Kingdom. Hours passed into the late afternoon and the clouds bellowed from above. The wind picked up, and droplets of rain began to shower down from the mighty thunderheads. A perplexed look radiated from Mallow’s face. The Cloud Prince scratched his puffy fluff head and made a confused grunt with his mouth closed.
“What wrong Mallow?” Splooshi asked, trying to lick the raindrops up nearby.
“Oh nothing really. It’s just... I didn’t sense a storm brewing in our direction...” Mallow mumbled, looking out further into the ocean, not really listening to Splooshi.
“Hmm... that kinda odd, innit? Cuz you’re supposed to be like, in tune with the weather...” Splooshi concluded.
“Yes. But I’m probably putting to much concern into it...” Mallow said, with a grin. Splooshi didn’t really trust Mallow’s response, he still seemed uncertain.
“Hey, if you two would stop chatting an’ come down here for a moment...” Yoshi called from below.
Mallow and Splooshi exchanged looks and nodded. They proceeded to their friend below deck. Splooshi walked in smiling. “What up Yoshi?”
“It strangest thing you guys...” Yoshi answered. “I came down here to grab some fruit to munh on, but I saw... something.”
“What you mean? What you saw?” Splooshi asked.
“Well not sure how to explain it. I came down and lights flickered on and off lots. I saw something move from table out window... but I didn’t see it...” Yoshi explained.
“Wait, what do you mean you didn’t see it?” Mallow questioned, trying to ignore the feeling at the back of his mind.
“Well it was almost like... the something was invisible... from what I can tell, it was looking at the map...” Yoshi said.
“Invisible?!” Splooshi thought aloud, as if the concept was unheard of.
“It also fingered through your items, Mallow,” Yoshi mentioned.
Mallow stepped forward to a yellow sack and opened it. A few Mid Mushrooms, some Maple Syrup, a Kerokero Cola, two Fire Flowers, and a vial of rare Red Essence were inside.
“Hey, I had a Gaddlight in here...” Mallow wondered aloud.
A bright flash of white light emanated from outside the ship, then a thunderous roar startled the three travelers. The lights in the ship went completely black. Each of them walked up on deck, looking about. It was considerably dark, for the time of day, even with the storm clouds. A continuous rumbling of thunder sounded like a deep growl from their old time foe, Bowser. Then it came into view. Splooshi screamed, Mallow gasped, and Yoshi growled.
Not far in the distance, a semi-transparent pirate ship with a dim green glow rose and fell as the strong waves pushed the ship forward. The wood it was made of seemed old and worn, cracks and small holes decorated the exterior. A torn and tattered darkly-colored sail blew about in the wind. The green glow enveloped the ship like a smoldering ghostly fire. The ship continued nearing the sailboat.
“... Wh... what it THAT?!” Splooshi whimpered.
Mallow stared in awe and said nothing. Yoshi growled through his teeth. “Me no know, but I know I don’t like it...”
“It’s... it’s... a... a...” Mallow paused and swallowed hard. “... GHOST SHIP!”
“GHOST SHIP?! NO! They’re just make believe!” Splooshi shouted.
“Splooshi! It can’t be make believe if it’s right in front of you!” Mallow shouted in anger.
“Calm down!” Yoshi barked with an annoyed tone. “We obviously little scared... but we gotta do something... our boat isn’t moving anymore...” Yoshi said.
Splooshi and Mallow looked to find the sail no longer flowing; the wind had stopped, as had the rain. It was an eerie feeling. Upon turning back to the frightening ship, they saw that it had stopped abruptly very close to the sailboat. Splooshi’s knees started wobbling. Mallow wiped perspiration from his forehead. Yoshi clenched his fists together. They all jumped when the first figure rushed out onto the deck from the darkness of the hull. It appeared to be a young human girl. Her eyes were yellow and her hair was red. A long violet dress sank all the way to the deck of the ship, covering her feet. Her skin was slightly blue, and her arms waved frantically as she noticed them. She looked terrified. Just then four frightening figures surrounded the girl, slowly appearing from a state of invisibility. They all had a strange blue luminosity coming from them.
One was a Koopa, or what remained. It looked more like a Dry Bones in actuality, but some pale-green flesh remained on its snout and ribs. Its eyes also still remained in its skull, but no pupils were visible, just a milky white with faint red at the sides. It wore a blue bandana on its head and a dull brown belt around its waist, holstering a cutlass. Another was a Boo, it also had a blue bandana and held a cutlass in its right hand. Its long silver tongue shimmered, nearly licking the floor. Instead of the usual fangs, it had two spiky teeth pointing from the bottom of its mouth, ending in an odd underbite when it closed its mouth. A scar was visible on its left cheek. One eye was yellow, the other orange.
The third ghastly figure appeared to be a zombified Yoshi. Most of its pale flesh still remained, but a few open areas showed bones, mainly on its chest, parts of the tail, and a clawed hand. The Yoshi wore no shoes and showed long claws jutting from its toenails. One eye was slightly closed, two dark purple eyes beamed out of both sockets. It didn’t appear to have a weapon like the others, and it didn’t have a saddle but was also wearing a blue bandana atop its head. The final fearsome figure was a Shy Guy. A long gray beard dropped from its chin to its belt buckle. It wore a beat up black jacket and a captain’s hat complete with skull and crossbones. One of its dark eyes was covered by an eye patch and its left hand was missing, a hook in its place. A wooden peg substituted for a left leg as well. Its right hand gripped a large blade. A disturbing grin showed sharp jagged teeth and spots where some were missing. In one blinking moment the four ghost pirates had appeared, in the next they surrounded the little girl, and in the third, all five mysterious figures vanished.
A brief moment of unsettling silence followed the event. Finally it was broken by the familiar whine of Splooshi. “Wh- wh- what was th- th- that?!” Splooshi asked, frightened.
“Yoshi don’t know for sure... but we have to help little girl!” the green dinosaur said.
“SAY WHAT?!” Mallow yelled. “Are you insane? Didn’t you see those guys?! They look really scary, and tough too!”
“Since when did we stop being the heroes?” Yoshi asked, trying to make everyone feel better. “C’mon! As the good guys we have to help! It’s in The Rules Of Super Mario Fan Fiction!”
“Fan fiction?” Mallow asked.
“Never mind. I just know if we don’t help that little girl like we should, the consequences could be disastrous! Possibly the end of everything!” Yoshi warned.
“All… all right. I suppose we have to,” Mallow agreed.
“Hey! I’m not going, no way! I’m not a hero!” Splooshi argued.
“Well fine Splooshi, you don’t have to come with us,” Yoshi said, preparing some classy reverse psychology, no doubt.
“What? Really?” Splooshi said, his face lighting up.
“Sure! You can stay here all alone and watch boat while me and Mallow go,” Yoshi said.
Splooshi thought for a minute. “Uh, heh, I’ll come too.”
Yoshi, Mallow and a trembling Splooshi hopped from the safety of their sailboat, over to the ghost ship. They landed with a comforting bang, instead of the splash they feared. Regrouping from the crash landing, they entered cautiously into the hull of the ship, uncertain of what lay ahead. As soon as the trio of heroes entered the ship’s hull, an orange glow lit their path. Torches were magically lit as they continued down a long out-of-place staircase. When they reached the bottom all the torches went out, and all was dark. Splooshi was about to cry out to check if his companions were still there, but a blue glow interrupted him. From the center of the wide room, an eerie blue flame emanated. The room lit up and revealed its large size. It was impossible! There was no way this huge room could have fit into the ship! Their train of thought was interrupted once again as the four ghostly figures appeared. Evil glares punctured the trio’s confidence.
“Oh ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho!” the Shy Guy laughed. His voice seemed to be split into two different voices saying the exact same thing, one very low, spooky voice raspy with old age, the otheralmost comical because of its high pitch, but it had a frightening effect to it that made it seem very creepy. His disturbing laughter was silenced when the Shy Guy glared back and looked angered.
“Why have you come?” the Shy Guy said.
Silence. Not a word could come to any of the three heroes’ minds. They were speechless. The situation seemed so unreal... almost familiar. The Shy Guy closed his eye and sighed. Then he burst out in a monstrous roar. “ANSWER ME!!!”
Splooshi, scared out of his wits, answered immediately. “We come to save the girl!”
The Shy Guy’s angered look reverted to a ghastly grin. “I see. I see. Well you’re not getting her without a brawl!”
“A brawl?!” Mallow asked, his confidence falling fast.
“Yes. Or my name isn’t Captain One-Eye Guy!” Capt. One-Eye Guy rose into the air and turned to his immediate right, where the pirate ghost Yo’ster stood. “Banshi, I want you to combat against the green one.”
Banshi, the hideous zombie-dinosaur, nodded in response. One-Eye Guy turned to the left and looked at the Dry Bones.
“Skullshell, fight with the blue dinosaur,” One-Eye Guy commanded.
Finally the captain turned to view the Boo floating behind him. “Long Tongue Silver, lick the puffy one.”
Banshi looked terrifying, a heartless look upon his face as he stepped toward Yoshi. He stopped,bent his knees, and raised his claws in a fighting stance. Skullshell rubbed his bony claws together with a merciless grin before drawing his cutlass and approaching his combatant, Splooshi. Long Tongue Silver unsheathed his blade and sucked in his tongue. His two fangs poked out from his bottom lip and curved inward slightly due to a creepy smile. Silver hovered over to Mallow. Captain One-Eye Guy floated into the air, his saber raised. With a mighty downward swing he shouted, “BEGIN!”
Chapter 23: LVK Industries Located!
Luigi’s vision slowly flooded back to him. It was blurry at first, but he could see colors and rough shapes. Someone was standing in front of him. When his vision was fully restored, he saw the figure to be a small caped person with tall green hair. Jinx hopped up on the bed Luigi was occupying. The tiny martial artist smiled. Luigi shook his head and sat up. He put a gloved hand to the side of his head and moaned.
“Mamamia... What happened? Where am I?” Luigi asked.
“Calm down Luigi. I am Jinx, you are at my dojo in Monstro Town,” Jinx replied.
“Jinx? Wait, we’re in Monstro Town? Of course! The traveling Nodimouse!” Luigi exclaimed.
“What are you talking about, Luigi?” Jinx asked.
Luigi stared at Jinx and looked confused. “Where is my brother, M... Stario?”
“He’s still unconscious. He’s resting on the other bed in the next room,” Jinx answered.
“How did we get here?” Luigi asked.
“You were battling a strong monster, he put both of you out of commission, luckily myself and my apprentice Dasher found you fighting. We destroyed the monster with a strategic attack and brought you back here, to get you back to health. That was this morning,” Jinx explained.
“Ekin! I remember now! Oh, my thanks to you for saving us, Mr. Jinx! I remember Mario talking of you,” Luigi thanked. “But… Stario… he is not well?”
“Most unfortunately, he suffered a far greater beating than you. He is recovering, however. I have sent my apprentice out to find a special healing potion. It is brewed far away in the Barrel Volcano. He should return by tomorrow morning. Not only will this potion heal your brother, it will also make him stronger!” Jinx explained.
“I see. I am very thankful for your hospitality and everything. But I have to go out and search the town. When I find the information I need I will return,” Luigi said.
“Yes, I understand,” Jinx responded.
“Oh, and would you happen to know where the Traveling Nodimouse lives?” Luigi asked.
“Hmm... I believe he resides through the farthest door down,” Jinx answered.
“Thank you. I’ll be back shortly,” Luigi said before exiting the dojo.
The plumber garbed in green walked down the stairway carved out of the hillside. He walked up the promenade and entered the farthest door. Inside he found a Mushroomer woman. Her head was decorated with yellow spots.
“Oh hello there. Do I know you? You look familiar...” the Mushroomer said.
“Hmm, you may have met my brother Mario once...” Luigi said.
“Doesn’t ring a bell... Anyway, what can I do for you?” she asked.
“Does the Traveling Nodimouse live here?” Luigi replied.
“Oh yes, you must mean Gary. He’s upstairs. Go right on ahead,” she confirmed.
Luigi nodded and walked past her. He climbed up the staircase and entered the upstairs room. A starfish stood on top of a desk in the corner. It looked over at the newcomer and showed a happy expression. A mouse and a chest with eyes sat around a table.
“Who are you?” the chest asked.
“My name’s-a Luigi.” Luigi replied.
“Luigi? Are you that famous guy’s brother, then?” Gary (the mouse) asked.
Luigi rolled his eyes. “Yes, but that’s not important. I’ve come here to ask you, the Traveling Nodimouse aka Gary, a question.”
“Me?” Gary replied.
“Yes. I have heard you travel all over Plit. Have you ever come across a place known as LVK Industries?” Luigi asked.
“LVK Industries... hmm...” Gary mumbled. “As a matter of fact, I think I recall a large building reading that name.”
“You do?! Can you tell me where it is?!” Luigi asked excitedly.
“Let me think... how long ago was that. I think it was only a year ago, maybe two. Chester, can you give me Log VIII?” Gary asked the treasure chest.
“Hmm, let’s see… here you go!” Chester said, coughing out a stapled stack of papers.
The traveling Nodimouse fingered through it. “Here we are! LVK Industries. I found this place on my trip to the west. It’s beyond the kingdom of Sarasaland and Kitchen Island. Far to the west. It’s in the sea of death. The water color seems almost black it’s so dark. The island it was on was lonely in the middle of the ocean. I didn’t shore to it, but I did take a good look with my telescope. The island has a large cliff as it ascends out of the sea. On top of the cliff is a huge tower reaching into the sky. It was surrounded by fencing. The sky in that area was always stormy, but above that island was truly ominous. Here, I’ve marked it on this map of the western Flora Ocean.” Gary said, handing the map to Luigi.
Luigi looked at the map and smiled. “Thank you so much! I have to go now... can I repay you in any way?”
“No, that’s fine, you can... what?” Gary was interrupted when Chester started whispering to him. “Oh... as a matter of fact there is. Can you go to the shop and bring back some Koopasta?”
“Sure. No problem,” Luigi said.
Meanwhile Dasher Koopa, Jinx’s apprentice, had just arrived in the Barrel Volcano not too long ago. Jinx had described his destination as a small cave carved into the rocks of the mountain. Dasher removed his silver gloves and placed them in his shell, it was too hot for them. He turned from left to right in search of anything remotely like it. After walking through more of the volcano, he saw what he was looking for. Two holes were carved out of the brown rock. One was as large as a tall Mushroomer, which Dasher guessed was the door. The other was off the ground and half the size. A window, the Koopa thought. He stepped up near the door and knocked on the stone.
“Um… excuse me? Is anyone home?” Dasher called.
A fiery tiny Podoboo with a pink bow answered the door. She turned from a bright orange to a strong red. She rushed back into the house. After a moment, another Podoboo came out. This one was bigger and wore a purple bandana on its head.
“Hello there. My name is Kindella A. Podoboo! Who might you be, and please step inside,” Kindella invited.
Dasher arched his back and entered the small home. He was sat down in a less than comfortable chair, also carved out of stone.
“My name’s Dasher Koopa, my sensei Jinx sent me here to acquire a healing potion,” Dasher said.
“Oh, you’re Jinx’s new apprentice then? I wondered what happened after Jagger went back to the Koopa Troop...” Kindella said, hovering into the other room.
The tiny Podoboo who answered the door poked her flaming head around a corner, spying Dasher. “Hello little girl. What’s your name?” Dasher asked.
The young Podoboo turned red again. “My... my name’s Ashley E. Podoboo.”
“That’s a nice name. Is this a picture of your family?” Dasher asked, noticing a picture on a nearby shelf.
The picture had four Podoboos in it. Two in the background were no doubtedly the parents. It showed Kindella and what Dasher assumed to be her husband, who wore a pair of glasses and a tie. Below it showed Ashley and a slightly bigger fireball not wearing any attire.
“Yes. That’s a family photo,” Ashley answered.
“Is this your brother then?” Dasher asked.
Ashley nodded. “Yeah... except he doesn’t live here anymore. He had to move away because-”
“Now, now dear!” her mother interrupted. “We don’t need to tell our guest these things.”
“Right Mommy, sorry,” Ashley said before hopping out of the room.
“It was fine, I didn’t mean to intrude though,” Dasher said.
“Oh that’s okay. I just don’t want to worry anyone,” Kindella replied.
Another Podoboo entered the room through the door. He wore glasses, a tie, and a hat. Putting his hat on a rack and smiling he said, “Honey! I’m home!”
“Oh hello dear!” Kindella answered, walking up to her husband and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “We have company, this is Jinx’s new student, Dasher.
“Oh hello Dasher! My name’s Pyrone C. Podoboo!” Pyrone greeted.
“Hello sir,” Dasher responded.
“Oh call me Pyrone,” Pyrone said.
“Okay sir… I mean, Pyrone. I guess it’s a reflex. Sensei has taught to speak this way out of respect.”
“Of course, shoulda known! Heh, so how is old Jinxy? Me and him go way back...”
“He’s fine... but one of his friends needs your wife’s special healing potion... he’s very hurt,” Dasher answered.
“Oh dear. That can’t be good. Kindella, you better give him some,” Pyrone said.
“Don’t worry honey, some is already being made,” Kindella replied.
“Great!” Pyrone exclaimed.
A knock sounded at the door. Pyrone looked out the window and he seemed a little less cheery. “Could you excuse me for a moment?” Pyrone said, going outside the house.
“I’m gonna go check on that potion...” Kindella said, leaving the room.
Dasher heard Pyrone from outside. He peeked out the window and saw the family man surrounded by three other Pyrospheres. They looked angry. “Hello Blaze, Chuck... and Mantle.” Pyrone said non-enthusiasticly.
The middle Podoboo called Mantle hopped forward and smirked. “Hey Pyrone. Guess what? I’m the new leader of the Czar! Torch has left for good, and I’d like to change the situation we got goin’ on here, alright?”
Dasher’s attention from the conversation outside was averted when Kindella called. “Here it comes!” she said, entering the room.
She held a clear jar with her head. Dasher retrieved the item. It was filled with a red, blotchy liquid that glowed orange in a rhythmic sequence.
“I hope that will help out your friend. Good luck, and I hope to see you again. Give Jinx our regards!” Kindella said.
“I certainly will, and thank you,” Dasher said while nodding.
Pyrone re-entered the house and said goodbye also. Dasher left and started heading out of the volcano. He had to get the potion back to Monstro Town as fast as he could!