Chapter 15: Registration and Reunion
Isle Juat was one gigantic, overcrowded metropolis that covered the entire chunk of land rising up from the ocean. But enough of rehashing details given in chapter 8, I’m sure you still remembered all that. Oh, and the part about it being the third largest city on Plit, don’t forget that either. The evening was setting in on the island, and Luigi was in awe of the spectacle of lights that perpetually lit the island at any time of day. The green plumber wondered where the island came up with such power. Solar? Hydro? Wind? Nuclear? He couldn’t tell. While paining his neck staring up at the skyscrapers he managed to blindly bump into the back of another pedestrian. His oversized airport-purchased city map escaped his grip and Luigi’s other hand was brought to his mouth, in one of those “oh my!” poses. He looked down to see a short, bird-like Craw kissing the pavement. The height-challenged avian stood up and was furious.
“What the?! Where the fungah are you going?” the Craw snapped.
Luigi was appalled by the use of language. “Look, I’m-a sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
The Craw’s white headband’s two loose ends fell over his eyes and he angrily hurled them from his face. “You’re just another nasty tall guy looking to pick on a little guy. Well you picked the wrong little guy to mess with today, my friend. I’m gonna kick your asinine existence in the ribcage!”
The brown and scrawny craw jolted forward, his right foot shooting like a missile. Luigi felt the full blow of the assault and launched back several meters. The green plumber caught his breath and jumped to his feet as the small fry had another attack coming. This time Luigi rolled out of the way acrobatically, and the Craw continued to fly into a pile of garbage cans near the end of an alleyway. The citizens and onlookers that had been watching the minor skirmish golf-clapped for the victor, only enraging the trash-tunic’d bird further. He snarled and leapt from the container, brushing off the gunk caught on his flesh and in his feathers in mid-air.
“You got lucky, punk!” The Craw walked over and snatched up his pouch. “Don’t run into me again or you’ll be sorry!”
Luigi sighed, thankful that the disgruntled individual had called it quits. He wasn’t ready for combat just yet; he still had to get to the tournament headquarters in the Juat Amphitheater to register.
~*~*~*~
Luigi continued his city surfing, passing down main streets that were bustling with business even in the blooming hours of the evening. This metropolis never went to sleep. Yoshis, Piantas, Nokis, and species of all kinds ran rampant. Upon recovering his large map, he viewed it on the sidewalk to make sure he wouldn’t run into anybody again. His eyes fixed on the amphitheater’s portrayed location, and he slowly scanned the surrounding areas of the map, hoping to recognize a name or landmark he might be near. Just when his concentration was gathered, someone just had to interrupt him.
“Excuse me but,” rang an unsure, feminine voice, “would you be so kind to tell me which way the amphitheater is?”
Luigi pulled down his map from his face and stared at the speaker, not recognizing who she was but somehow knowing she was familiar. Her body was purple and almost gelatinous, however she was not at all overweight. She had no legs; her body ended in a thin tail that sank into the ground. Her hands were gloved. A pink tuft of hair that sank below a red and white striped hat covered her eyes from view, though it was quite obvious from behind the bangs she was staring back at Luigi with just as much confusion, maybe more.
Luigi rubbed the side of his head. “Um, do I know you?”
The girl laughed. “Nice one, Mario!” She embraced him. “I suppose you came to participate in the fighting too?”
“Mario? Um, you’re mistaken, you see…” Luigi began to correct.
“What’s with the weird change of clothing? You don’t look like yourself in green,” she responded, completely oblivious to the last comment.
“Well, that’s the thing, I’m not Mario,” Luigi explained.
The girl tilted her head, silent for a moment. A smile appeared on her face. “Nuh-uh, you’re not fooling me.”
“No, really!” Luigi pleaded.
“Ha! Like I’m supposed to believe what? You’re his twin brother?”
“Well, yes, actually,” Luigi explained. “I’m Luigi, Mario’s twin brother.”
The purple female studied Luigi. “R-really?”
“Yeah, I’m his brother all right,” Luigi chided, almost annoyed at this point.
Her cheeks turned red and she looked to the ground. “Oh my, I’m, I’m sorry. I really thought you were Mario…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Luigi said. “Now, who are you? How do you know my brother?”
She looked up. “Oh! I’m Vivian, I met and traveled with Mario when he went to Rogueport.”
Luigi’s mind jumped. “Of course! The Shadow Siren!”
Vivian chuckled. “Yeah, that’s me.”
“I heard you guys had quite the adventure,” Luigi said.
“Yeah, it was probably the best thing I’ve ever done with my life…” Vivian sighed lustfully. “Err, is Mario here, by chance?”
Luigi grimaced. He didn’t want to go through this again. “Well, no. It’s just me.”
Vivian stroked her long hair with one hand. “Oh, well… oh! You’re going into the tournament too?”
Luigi nodded, almost forgetting his task. “Yeah.”
“Fun!” Vivian shouted. “Any idea where the amphitheater is then?”
Luigi pointed on his map. “Well, I know where it is, I just don’t know where we are…”
Vivian snatched the map from Luigi’s hands; the plumber rolled his eyes. “Let’s see… let’s see… we’re right… here!” Vivian pointed out. “So I guess we’d have to go that way!”
“Guess so,” Luigi agreed, taking the map back when she gave it to him.
The two headed towards the amphitheater. Vivian turned to Luigi, “So how’s Mario these days, anyway?”
Luigi grumbled. “Well… it’s a long story…”
~*~*~*~
The ear-filling noises of Juat City had died down when Luigi and his newfound partner Vivian finally arrived at the city’s amphitheater. It was a glorious sight, to say the least. The round, open-roofed structure was larger than Peach’s Castle and housed more than 10,000 spectators. And that was just describing the above ground portion. Under the soil there was a massive database for the amphitheater and numerous levels for registration, practicing, resting, locker room facilities, etc. The line was long and the wait was even longer. Luigi faded in and out of conversation with Vivian, who felt it necessary to talk throughout the entire waiting period. When Luigi at last got to the head of the line, she stopped talking for the plumber to complete any exchanging of information and such. The clerk he was speaking to was a large Pianta female. She didn’t look very happy to be at work.
“Greetings sir, welcome to the Festival of Rebirth’s World Championship at the Juat Amphitheater, I assume you know all the risks involved and rules and regulations of the tournament. I also assume you’ve filled out all of your forms?”
Luigi swallowed. “Forms?”
The Pianta lady was ready to shoot herself. “Unless you’ve filled out all the forms prior to registration, I can’t let you in. Back of the line, please.”
“But, I never got any forms in the letter!” Luigi pleaded.
“Letter?” The Pianta looked up.
“I received a letter asking me to be in the tournament,” Luigi explained.
The Pianta went to her computer. “What’s your name?”
“Luigi Mario.”
There was a moment of waiting as the computer checked whatever files were necessary. “Oh, I’m sorry, sir.”
Luigi breathed a sigh of relief.
“But why would you wait in line if you were a VIP participant?”
Luigi wanted to cry.
~*~*~*~
After a long walk and a few tears even, Luigi had arrived at the VIP lobby. He didn’t remember any VIP business in the letter he'd got, but now was not the time to dawdle on such things. The room wasn’t too crowded, several of the room’s occupants appeared to be workers or managers anyway, not fighters. Scanning the room, Luigi felt something brush past his leg instantaneously, and then it was gone.
“Hmm, your physique appears able for combat...”
Another quick movement, the wind brushing passed Luigi on all sides. The voice came from his left now.
“But it has yet to achieve its full potential...”
Luigi turned but the source of the voice was gone, and another series of quick movements surrounded Luigi. He felt something on his shoulder.
“But one cannot forget the mind as well as the body influences fighting skill...”
Luigi turned but was again found with no one to view. This time Luigi looked down and caught glimpses of a small figure darting around him.
“However, I’m sure you will remain a worthy adversary, Luigi.”
Luigi turned around and this time was met with Monstro Town’s dojo leader.
“Jinx!” the plumber exclaimed.
“Luigi, it has been some time,” Jinx replied. “Are you sure you’re cut out for this? You couldn’t even handle that Ekin fellow…”
Luigi remembered Ekin at that moment. For a moment he felt something inside him squirm, but quickly he came to his senses. “Oh, well I’ve gotten a lot stronger. Besides, it’ll be interesting to see how I manage solo.”
“You are looking at this opportunity wisely, Luigi,” Jinx said happily.
Luigi scratched his head. “Where’s your apprentice, Jinx?”
Jinx crossed his arms. “His training was complete, and I sent him out into the world to discover his own methods of increasing his strength. I believe he went looking for the fabled Goomstar Temple.”
“I see,” Luigi said.
Jinx smiled. “There’s another here you might recognize.”
“Who?” Luigi asked.
Jinx darted with an infinite speed and landed on Luigi’s left shoulder. He pointed in the same direction. “Does that fluffy white cloud look familiar to you?”
“Mallow!” Luigi said excitedly.
The Nimbian Prince caught Luigi’s exclamation and he turned to look at Jinx and the plumber. A delighted smile appeared on his face. The three did some catching up over the catered food and soon discussed the other fighters and what was to come.
“Do you see that big fellow over at the far end of the room?” Jinx asked.
Mallow and Luigi followed Jinx’s words and set eyes on a very large Clubba. His flesh was an aqua color and his hardened chest was a dull pink. His head was bare, no gnarly mane on this Clubba. His fists were the size of a Chomp, and probably just as strong. His shell was not spiked, but it was very sturdy and a shiny red-pink.
“He looks tough,” Mallow commented.
“Indubitably. His name is Bubba. He’s rumored to be stronger than King Bowser and Mario combined,” Jinx spoke.
“No way!” Mallow shouted. “No one’s stronger than Mario!”
“Except maybe Stario…” Luigi mumbled.
“Yeah…” Mallow agreed, uncomfortable with the remark.
“Even so, I’m betting this Bubba will be a strong competitor,” Jinx explained. “His brother is a very high official in the Juatian Trinity’s military. His name is Colonel Stubba. Very grizzly man. The Tropacine’s militia is supposed to have funded research projects for muscular and physical advances. He may have a genetic advantage over all the other fighters, if his brother used him as one of their guinea pigs.”
“That’s horrible,” Mallow said.
“It’s unethical,” Luigi added.
“It’s Wonkavision,” Jinx joked.
“Maybe that’s the reason why he looks so strange. I’ve never seen such a colorful Clubba,” Luigi mentioned. “And without the spikes and hair, too, that’s strange.”
“Attention fighters,” sounded a voice from the head of the room. “Please listen to our honorable host, the mayor of Isle Juat and the council member of the Juatian Trinity, Mayor Delga!”
Luigi, Mallow, and Jinx turned their attention to the mayor. The host went on about the rules and events of the competition and went over several details that were both relevant and utterly insignificant. For the sake of entertainment however, you’re treated to this exposition and explanation rather than a hearing of the funny-voiced mayor’s dialogue. The most important thing he spoke of was that the next two days were the final registration days and then the tournament elimination rounds began. After Delga had left, another official explained that the city of Juat was paying for the VIPs’ hotel, which was a delight to the uninformed Luigi. The plumber was tired and wanted to go to bed, and left Mallow and Jinx to talk for a further hour or so in Mallow’s hotel room before the dojo master left to his own quarters.
Luigi couldn’t get to sleep, despite his growing tiredness. He felt something deep down inside him, clawing at his chest. Luigi placed his hand where it hurt, remembering the searing pain of the tentacle that had once strangled him at that point. His mind remembered the gruesome sight of the thing, whatever it was. It was unimaginably disturbing to look at, even in memory. The glowing red eyes of pure hatred, not for any individual but for existence and life itself.
Luigi stood up in his bed. Something was wrong at the Mushroom Kingdom.
Chapter 16: Isle Ovaria
Embert opened his beady eyes and the light of the world stabbed at his sight. He winced and nearly threw up as he stood, provided it being physically possible for a fireball to vomit. As his vision and senses returned, he realized he had no idea where he was. He felt slightly chilly, but other than that his physical state seemed fine. His mind was blurry and sickly, though he still couldn’t remember exactly what had happened. He remembered leaving home, a giant robot, a pirate ship, a catapult, a large turtle, and a crash. He pondered over the last event until he remembered Whomp. He jumped up and decided to find his friend, but soon realized he was actually riding on him. Embert stared below him and saw Whomp’s bandaged back. Apparently, Whomp was being a raft for Embert, which was nice since the water surrounding them on all sides would have probably killed Embert on contact. Whomp, sensing Embert’s movements, shouted a very water logged “URRRR!” from underneath the waters and waved his arms. Embert responded with a more audible response. After the two found each other in fine condition, they then started worrying about their location. Embert stared all around him. The horizon surrounding him was dark and endless as it extended from the ocean on all sides. He could taste the pre-morning air settling in as the sky lightened up. The Podoboo sighed, wondering where those Koopas had gone. They were lost and all alone once again.
“Oh boy, we’re in a reeeal pickle now…”
~*~*~*~
…
…
…WAKE UP!
Kammy felt her chest explode, her life force finally kicking her back into consciousness. She felt cold all around, and her lungs were burning with pain. Looking at her surroundings she found nothing but a cold, blue darkness. She then considered the idea that she was submerged in water. As the thought hit her she had a sudden craving for oxygen. She didn’t know which way was up; there wasn’t any sign of light from any direction. She swam chaotically for a moment, then came to her senses and looked for her wand. Just her luck, it was gone. She started to panic as the dying leftover oxygen in her lungs clawed at her ribcage and begged to be let out as carbon dioxide. Kammy withheld from her bursting torture and tried to use her ascended mind’s eye to visualize her surroundings, honing in on any signs of life or warmth. Something tickled at her mind and tried to bring her concentration from her current task of survival. Kammy ignored it at first but it kept coming back more forcefully, and so she finally detached from her internal thoughts and decided to scramble for it. She swam in any direction that was forward, completely blind on what was to come. She felt like some force was pulling her in the right direction, but she was so desperate and crazy at the moment she had no idea what to listen to. She swam fast and furiously, until finally she saw a glimpse of light. She screamed at it, cursing herself out afterward for being so stupid. She watched her air bubbles rise quickly towards the light, and she followed the example. She raced with her fleeting strength towards the surface, getting the sensation that her surroundings were closing in on each other. As she continued after the light, she felt a circular confining starting to squeeze around her body. Vigorously she continued, ignoring the pain from the scraping walls on all sides and the red-hot burning radiating from her lungs. She clawed forward, faster and faster. She tried to scream some more, but she was terrified that her lungs would swell up with water. She could feel the last of her strength waning when her claw sliced through a barrier and into a dry environment. Kammy jolted up and breathed in an insane amount of air at the surface, before yet again slipping into unconsciousness.
~*~*~*~
Bowser felt something warm and loving brush up against the side of his face. His eyes were shut, but he saw vivid images of warm colors before him. He breathed in lazily and rubbed his stomach with both claws. He heard someone say something, but apparently his ears hadn’t yet been reintroduced to coherence. As the warm, tender hand drew away from Bowser’s face, his hand rushed up to seize it and its loving essence. He didn’t want it to go away. He opened his jaws and smacked his tongue around, saying something without recognition but with a childish whine. He heard the voice again, this time it was soft and pleasant to his ears. The whispered words traveled through like a gentle warm breeze on a cool day. Bowser slowly, cautiously opened his eyes, looking into a set of dark maroon ones. The Koopa King leaned back, shocked to see Princess Toadstool’s face.
~*~*~*~
Jagger decided to wake up when he realized he didn’t like the taste of sand. He rose to his feet and dusted himself off. General Jagger found himself on a long stretching beach of a tropical island. Ahead of him was a long clearing before a thick jungle forest, and finally was decorated with a semicircle gathering of mountainous structures that locked in the isle’s opposite side. Jagger looked behind him, no sign of the Koopa Jet II. Just an endless ocean as far as he could see. He placed a foot in front of him and repeated with the other, walking towards the island’s interior. Venturing over the grassy plains, he felt a deep pain in his right arm and shoulder. When he moved it he buckled and fell to the ground. He panted sharply and slowly got up, placing his other hand on his paining shoulder.
No sign of the ship, the troops, no sign of anything. What happened? He couldn’t remember. When he strained to remember there was nothing. He wondered if Bowser was all right, then he wondered about Jade… what if she was hurt? Then his mind dawned on something when he thought of Jade. His mind focused on her shirt, which was torn. Something very primal, yes, but Jagger was perplexed. Why was Jade’s shirt torn when he thought of her? Then he saw a claw. Kammy’s claw. It hit him, the fight. After his initial male musings about the ordeal, he continued to remember several proceeding events during the struggle between Kammy and Jade. He remembered something. Something behind the clouds…
“Hello.”
Jagger jumped. He stared at a Crazee Dazee. His previous thoughts and images were gone, and he focused on the subject before him. She was very pretty and very unorthodox for her kind. Her figure was more human than most he had seen. Her bloomed petals were shaped like hair. Her chest was covered with an amber armor that matched the belt and arm bracelets she was wearing. Hanging from her belt was a beige skirt that was designed to specifically not limit running. The garment ended after her knees but before her ankles. Her feet were garbed in sandals that too were an amber color. Jagger looked at her very puzzled-like, found with nothing to say. She smiled at him flatly, not as if she was really happy to see him but more like she was never aware of another greeting technique.
Jagger managed some words. “Who… are you?”
“My name is Petal,” the Crazee Dazee answered. “Welcome to Isle Ovaria.” Jagger had so many questions, but he didn’t know what to ask. “What’s your name?” Petal questioned, non-intrusively.
“I’m Jagger…” the Terrapin replied.
“Jagger,” she said. The word was fresh; it was new. She liked it. Before the Koopa could say something she spoke again, “Come with me, Jagger, you must meet my sisters.”
Jagger still had no idea what was going on, but he grabbed onto Petal’s reaching hand and followed her into the jungle.
~*~*~*~
Hobbling across the jungle, Admiral Jade of the Koopa Troop wasn’t too happy. She was bleeding in several areas; her face, arms, legs and neck had been cut in various places. Her forefinger on her left hand seemed broken, or at least strained. Her bones ached and her skin was slimy and the moisture and humidity of the island wasn’t helping. Her hair was frazzled and came down in gnarled, scummy strands. Her shirt was torn and her chest scraped. Her pants cuffs were sliced into ragged edges and to top all this off, she only had one of her beloved boots left. When she had awoken face deep in muck it was gone. Now she limped forward painfully, rising up with one boot and then slamming back against the jagged jungle floor with her other bare foot. Jade took three more strides and couldn’t stand it anymore. Quite ceremoniously, she bid farewell to her boot and left it on the trail behind her, stepping forth precariously without any footwear. She didn’t once look back at her large, black boot, the sole caked with mud, but she shed a single tear before coming up to a clearing. The sun pounded her body with its unforgiving rays of heat. Fortunately some luck had finally rolled the admiral’s way; the clearing was blessed with a stone well. It appeared functional too; Jade began lowering the bucket tied to the rope of the pulley system. She started to imagine how delicious the water would taste in her dry mouth when the bucket hit something solid. A ratty squawking followed the impact, and then a voice.
“Who’s up there? Hello?”
Jade frowned. Why did it have to be her? She looked down the well. “Kammy?”
Kammy blinked, trapped down in the well. “Jade, pull me up!”
The Koopa rolled her eyes and began pulling. In a short minute Kammy was on dry land at last. She brushed herself off and vomited up a stream of sickly water. She scratched her gray hair, feeling a touch weak with her hat absent. Kammy turned to see Jade sending down the bucket a second time.
“I wouldn’t do that,” Kammy remarked. “I don’t think that water’s fresh, since we crashed in the ocean.”
Jade let go of the rope and almost sobbed. “Why would there be a sea water well? What purpose does THAT serve? GAH!”
Kammy looked at Jade, who was lying on the ground in defeat. “So, what happened when you came to? Do you remember anything?”
“I was in a pile of mud, I’m thirsty, hot, in pain and I don’t have my boots. That’s all I know,” Jade said angrily.
“Hey, I had it worse than you, I nearly drowned!” Kammy snarled.
“It’s a shame you survived then,” Jade coldly responded.
Kammy was about to lose it but felt the strain on her body. “Look, we don’t have the time or strength to continue arguing. Let’s just try and find the others, assuming any of them are alive.”
Jade stood up and walked with Kammy back into the jungle, heading towards the mountainous areas. A large, black bird with a train of a tail feather soared above them, silently and watchful. Its eyes scanned curiously at them for a moment before the bird flapped strongly and changed direction.
~*~*~*~
Time had passed. After roaming through the expansive jungle for almost the entire day, Jagger had found no sign of his fellow Koopas. His hand was still united with Petal’s as she led him through the jungle. They came to the base of a tall mountain and the moon was full. Petal looked up at the appearing night sky, concerned.
“What’s wrong?” Jagger asked.
“I’m afraid I’m going to worry my sisters…” Petal said.
“Why’s that?”
Petal looked into his eyes. “It’s night time. We’re not supposed to be out after the moon is seen.”
“We must be close, we’ve been traveling all day. We’ll get there a little late is all…” Jagger said.
“No, we can’t continue. We need to hide until morning,” Petal explained.
“How come?” Jagger asked.
“It’s night!” Petal shouted.
“But what’s so bad about night?” Jagger asked.
Petal was about to shriek at Jagger’s insolence when a bone-chilling roar sounded from the other side of the island. Jagger’s eyes were wide and he stared into Petal’s, which were frightened as well.
“What was that?” Jagger whispered.
“There’s no time! We must hide, back into the jungle!”
~*~*~*~
Across the island, Kammy and Jade were dead silent. The roar had echoed in their ears, in their minds. They had heard it before. They hadn’t made it out of the jungle yet, and with the increasing darkness it looked like they weren’t going to that night. They had arranged a camp in a small grove between some trees and had been trying to sleep when they heard the distant cry. They stared across the grove at each other, the stars’ light allowing them to register the other's face.
“What was that?” Jade asked.
“I don’t know…” Kammy replied.
Shortly there was a rumbling, followed by a second roar. Kammy and Jade instinctively stood up, fearing they might have to face something monstrous. They quietly slipped away from the grove and came upon a clearing. In the distance they saw a massive creature coiling into the sky, surveying the island.
“It’s that thing… the monster that attacked the Koopa Jet…” Kammy gasped.
“It’s looking for something…” Jade mentioned.
“Intruders,” Kammy replied.
The large, black bird from before flew into view, soaring above the two Koopas. They didn’t notice it until it cried out.
“What the, what it’s doing?” Jade asked.
“It’s telling the monster where we are!” Kammy shouted.
“What?!” Jade screamed. “What do we do?”
“Listen very carefully, Jade,” Kammy said. “I want you to climb into that tree over there, close your mouth tight, and leave me alone.”
Jade was about to snap when the serpent-like beast shrieked, slithering in the sky towards their location. She ran back into the jungle and Kammy shook herself, preparing for combat. She had no wand and was still tired and injured, so the odds were against her. She brought her fingers to a tight close on her right fist, and held it behind her back. She didn’t know what good this was going to do, but it was all she could muster. Gathering energy very slowly, she studied the immense creature.
The monster was like a giant worm flying in the sky. Its mouth was funnel-shaped and lined with rows and rows of sharp, vicious-looking teeth. The sides of its head were beaming with large, yellow eyes. Its hide wasn’t squishy like a worm though, it was thick and hard as rock. Violently, the creature distorted and slithered forward in the air. Its eyes found Kammy and it roared again, shaking the ground. Kammy nearly lost her balance at the hideous bellow. The monstrosity lurched forward, but Kammy maintained her ground, building the energy. The monster’s enormous mouth swiped passed her and the creature started to coil around the area above her. Kammy watched as its body built a cylinder tower around her, and waited for the beast to rear its ugly head. When the creature had gained enough altitude, it crawled inside the tower of itself, mouth opened wide as it plummeted towards the Magikoopa. Kammy had nowhere to run now; it was a game of chicken. She held her ground and waited for the perfect time. The monster grew closer and her fist grew brighter. A purple glow started to shine from behind Kammy’s back when the worm was incredibly close to her. At the last second she shot her fist into the air and whirled a beam of energy into the beast’s right eye. It jolted back from the attack, uncoiling itself very chaotically. Kammy took this chance to run for cover in the jungle. Her hopes died when the monster shook its head; though it was blinded it one eye it was relatively unharmed.
“Blast!” Kammy snorted.
The worm creature flew around, uncoiling itself and sniffing for its missing prey. An ear-piercing squawk sounded again from the massive bird. Kammy sneered at the creature. She was weak but she flicked her wrist anyway, sending meek sparks towards the creature. The reptilian avian dodged effortlessly and swooped down closer to the Magikoopa. With fearsome, strong talons of gray, the bird snatched Kammy with one fell swoop. The purple-dressed Koopa struggled to get out, slashing with her claws and biting with her teeth. However the bird’s skin was tough, it didn’t notice a thing. Kammy stopped her efforts and caught her breath, watching as the worm creature opened wide below her. This was not going to turn out good. Watching from the sidelines, Jade felt very powerless as her only comrade was about to be swallowed up. Just then something flew by her side. The admiral stared after a figure cloaked in black shooting through the air at break-neck speed. The bird released Kammy, and she fell desperately towards the vile abomination’s jaws when something impacted her. She felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around her waist as they rocketed beyond the monstrosity below and somersaulted as one down onto a clearing below. Gently she was placed on the ground. Kammy looked up, watching Vermik rushing back towards the battlefield with great valor. She worked to find her breath, seeing the shapeshifter run towards the fray.
Vermik leapt into the air majestically, his arms spread and his black robes flowing around him. In an orange glow, the turtle transformed into a spiky Thwomp. With great speed, the rock creature plummeted down and smashed into the worm. The jagged spikes punctured the creature’s tough skin and the beast winced in pain. Vermik reverted and spiraled back, powering up his scepter in the process. Upon landing the black-robed figure thrust his orange-glowing wand forward and released a fiery wave that dug deep into the flesh of the beast. Its pained roars echoed all over the island. Chunks of white meat plopped to the ground, as the worm beast grew limp and weak. Dark black fluids drooped down to the ground like oil. The puddle boiled and started eating away at the ground. Vermik pulled back at the terrible smell. The beast roared again, Vermik now taking sight of its escape. The monster slithered in the skyline, rushing back towards the waters surrounding the island. The black Magikoopa placed his wand away and turned to find Kammy.
Whilst Vermik’s battle was still going on, the wicked bird had found Kammy once again. It shrieked and landed on the ground in front of her. It was immense standing next to it. Kammy crawled backwards as the avian drew closer, bobbing its hideous head and snapping its gray beak. Kammy looked into its red eyes. The red pupils melted like a liquid and the eyes drowned in sight that looked like blood curdling. Kammy felt something tug at her chest. The scent of blood filled the air and Kammy got light headed. The bird took another step toward, opening its jaws and sending out a scratching howl that made Kammy’s head spin. She saw a quick flash of something. Then she saw it again. It was brooding, dark. It appeared once more, and Kammy felt her chest nearly explode. The bird’s head reached down to Kammy, but just before it could strike WHAM! The demonic avian was smashed in the jaw and launched far across the field by a green shell. A jade shell, to be exact. The admiral popped out of her Power Shell after impact and grasped Kammy’s hand, getting the witch to stand up.
“Kammy, are you okay?” Jade asked.
Kammy shook her head, blood dripping down from her nostrils. Her vision was blurry. She wiped her face, “Ugh… yeah, I’ll be all right.” Her vision came into view as she looked up at Jade.
Another shriek sounded as the bird came to and flapped into the air. A roar coming from the monster caught the bird’s attention. Quite venomously, the bird snarled and flapped away into the sky and disappeared beyond the mountains. Kammy and Jade exchanged looks, a half-smile was exchanged between both parties, but hastily buried as Vermik appeared.
Chapter 17: The Plateau
The Apprentice had recovered from his previous mental episode with little loss of brain tissue, but still couldn’t remember his past. He had a few images locked in his brain, but they were frightening, so he didn’t dwell on them. Russ T. and the crew had decided it was best to not ask questions about the strange individual, but when the captain had returned from his swim, he thought otherwise. And so now, the Apprentice, Russ T. and Chud were gathered in the room of none other than Jonathon Jones.
“So he just… fainted?” Johnny asked.
“Yes, Captain,” Russ T. answered. “It seems whatever past our friend may have had is quite disturbing and painful. It comes in violent and fast flashes, apparently.”
Johnny looked over from the Mushroomer to the Koopa. With one fin scratching his belly, he eyed the creature. “What do you gotta say about all this?”
“Um…” the Apprentice started. “I don’t know, really.”
Johnny looked at Chud and Russ T. “All right, I don’t really see any problem with this fella. I haddn’t had the best past with Koopas in chef costumes but we’ll give ‘im a shot. Thing is, if you wanna stay on board, you gotta work.”
“I understand completely, sir,” the Apprentice answered.
“Now don’t start giving me lip, son, I want…” Johnny blinked. “Oh, never mind, then.”
“I’d like to try and be the ship’s cook, if that’s all right,” Apprentice said.
“Sure, we could use someone with a touch of experience,” Johnny replied. “Russ T, if you don’t mind, could you find this fella a room?”
“Of course, Captain,” Russ T. replied. “Come with me.”
~*~*~*~
The scholar Fungi took the Koopa to his room and showed him everything he needed to know.
“So… where are we going, anyway?” Apprentice asked.
Russ T adjusted his glasses. “Well, as for the pirates I can’t really tell you, they’re always at sea. However, I have hitched a ride with them and they’re dropping me off near the Suttina region.”
“Suttina region?” Apprentice responded.
“It’s north of Rogueport, that whole area. Past the Dinosaur Lands,” Russ T replied. “You see, I’ve got a hunch there’s some sort of ancient artifact hidden away there.”
“Ancient… artifact?” Apprentice spoke the words, a memory sliding around in his ears.
“It’s quite an interesting story, actually,” Russ T. explained. “I was sitting at home, brushing up on the ancient civilization of King Gaba, when CRASH! A rather peculiar stone fell through the roof of my house.” The Mushroom removed a flat, square-shaped rock tablet with red carvings on it. The carvings appeared to be symbols. “The symbols are actually text from an eons-old culture. These ancient people are called the Suttinans, named after the area they were discovered in. Anyway, I searched my records for the translation key I’d made a few years back and deciphered what I could of the stone’s message. It says something about a fountain stored in a temple ruins. I’m suspecting this could be the black fountain of legend, where the Suttinans discovered oil. Won’t that be a great scientific discovery?”
Russ .T turned to find his acquaintance on his bed, snoring loudly. He smiled to himself and placed the stone tablet in his pocket as he left the room.
~*~*~*~
“Who are you and what just happened?”
Changling looked at the four figures surrounding him. After the rescue in Glazedon, the four had darted off into the Vanilla Caves. Mervo, Shy Away, and Pudge stared blankly at the Magikoopa. For a moment there was a silence. Then, instantly, the three mischief-makers formed a team huddle and began whispering incoherently. Maggy Mole and Changling exchanged a brief, befuddled glance.
“He’s perfect, we’ll turn him over to the Countess!” Mervo whispered.
“Oh yes! She’ll be very happy with him… I hope,” Shy Away agreed.
“Duh, what if he don’t wanna come?” Pudge asked.
“BLAST! I completely forgot to add that variable into our evil equation. Thank you for informing me, Pudge,” Mervo said. The trio turned to Changling and smiled. “Now, um, what is your name?”
“I’m Changling,” the shapeshifter responded.
“Now Changling, what were you up to in town back there?” Mervo asked.
“I was asking if anyone had seen Chef Torte, in disguise,” Changling answered.
“Chef Torte, eh? You mean, the chef guy?” Mervo took a wild guess.
“YES! You’ve seen a Koopa in a chef outfit?” Changling asked.
“Is Chef Torte a Koopa-chef?” Mervo asked.
“YES! EXACTLY!” Changling was amazed. “Did he have a mustache? And a funny accent?”
Mervo smiled; this was taking candy from a baby. “Yes.”
“Chef Torte!” Changling exclaimed. “Where did you see him?”
Mervo shifted his eyes suspiciously behind his glasses. “He’s um… he’s at the castle…”
Shy Away and Pudge looked at each other, both very confused at Mervo’s plan. Changling was too thick to notice them, though.
“Where’s the castle?” Changling asked.
“Come with us, and we’ll take you to the castle,” Mervo said.
“Oh, awesome!” Changling said obliviously.
“Mervo…” Shy Away began.
“Group huddle!” Mervo ordered. The trio formed a group huddle again. “This is too easy!”
“Mervo, that Chef Torte fella ain’t at the castle!” Pudge said.
“Of course not, insolent fool! But as long as HE thinks Chef Torte is there, he’ll come with us!” Mervo explained.
“Ah, I get it, you’re a quick one, Mervo,” Shy Away complimented.
“Right back at ya, slick,” Mervo replied.
“What about that mole lady?” Pudge asked.
Shy Away and Mervo looked at each other and then at Pudge, asking in unison, “Who?”
“Her!” Pudge pointed towards Maggy Mole, who was contentedly playing jacks with Changling.
“POPPYCOCK! Why didn’t you point this out to me earlier, Pudge?” Mervo asked.
“I was busy having a hernia,” Pudge justified.
“Fair enough.” Mervo turned to the mole. “Excuse me, but who are you?”
“I’m Maggy Mole, darlin’ and I’m the Mail Mole for Dinosaur Land!” Maggy explained.
“Mail Mole! She’ll spill our secret castle location to everyone if we bring her to the Forest of Illusion!” Mervo exclaimed.
“Mervo, we didn’t go back into huddle formation!” Shy Away panicked.
Mervo stared at the Mole. “WHY DON’T I HAVE AN INNER MONOLOGUE?!”
“The Forest of Illusion?” Maggy asked. “Does Eva Thundread live there?”
The moronic trio gasped. Shy Away spoke up, frightened. “You said the Countess’ name! Now she’ll be furious!”
“She’s got a lot of ovuhdue bills to pay, and I think it’d be best if ah came with you to delivuh them to her,” Maggy explained.
“HUDDLE!” Mervo shouted. “This Mole must be a Sage! She knows the Countess’ name and where she lives… we have no choice but to take her as a hostage with us to the castle!”
“But how are we going to trick her into coming?” Shy Away asked.
Once again, Mervo broke the huddle formation. “Excuse me, Ms. Mole, we are in dire need of your assistance at the Countess’ castle. She needs to mail a very important letter and we need you to do it.”
Maggy scratched her head, the beads in her dreadlocks banging together. “Uh, okay, I got some stuff to give to her anyway, so I’ll come.”
Mervo hopped up and down. “I’M BRILLIANT!”
~*~*~*~
Time had passed. Trotting along merrily, Maggy Mole marched in the back of the potentially self-dangerous parade that walked along Cookie Mountain’s lower level. She was singing some song that originated long ago in Moleville and it was driving just about everyone crazy. All except for Pudge and Shy Away, that is. Shy Away sang along with “original” lyrics and Pudge just wobbled with a smile. Mervo, who was at the front of the moveable feast, was twitching and ruffling like an ADD patient after drinking too much coffee. Changling was annoyed but found something to distract himself by repeatedly slamming his fist into his forehead.
“Would you be quiet?!” Mervo yelled.
Maggy silenced herself, slightly embarrassed. Shy Away, however, continued singing the song with made-up lyrics. Mervo pounced on the buzzing creature.
“Um, if I may interrupt…” Changling mentioned.
Mervo looked up from Shy Away.
“How long will it take to reach your Countess’ castle?”
Mervo stood up. “Oh, it’ll be a piece of cake, ya see. Normally it’d take FOREVER for the untrained moron that most people are… but being the GENIUS that I am, I’ll navigate through it in no time. It’ll take us two hours, tops.”
THREE DAYS LATER…
Mervo ran around spastically. Changling sighed and looked at the incredibly familiar trees surrounding them. His faith in the Pidgit was waning with each passing DAY they didn’t find their way through the maze of the Forest of Illusion. So much for two hours…
Mervo rushed to a tree. “This knothole! I remember it! We need to go this way!”
He ran further ahead and stopped, looking at another knothole. “Or… was it this one?”
He dashed ahead again and looked at something else. “Wait a second, NOW I know where we are. We’ll be there in NO time… ten minutes, tops. Piece o’ cake, really…”
~*~*~*~
Genius Guy swabbed his forehead of perspiration, tightening the last nut on his machine with an oversized do-it-all wrench. He stepped around the large heap of metal and wires, scrolling his thumb over a cylinder-shaped dial on his advanced wrench, setting the tool’s new function. The clawed head of the item shifted its matter into a drill. The Shy Guy togged his spectacles for a moment before drilling in some bolts on the side of the nearly complete creation. He stepped back when finished drilling, his wrench restoring its normal composition. The Shyster smiled.
“It’s ready.”
~*~*~*~
Crowds of people from various species that would normally tear each other apart were congregated and were in one mind at a certain event. A large auditorium was filled with these people. And by these people I mean nerds. Glasses, pocket protectors, retainers, and acne couldn’t escape view in this loser haven. Floating peacefully amidst the Science Fiction Convention, the Grand Glum Reaper was donned in a Darth Vader helmet and slurping away at a Yoda Soda. He passed by some more tables, scanning every which way when something caught his eye. Incredibly fanboy-like, the Reaper rushed up to the head of a crowd where a demonstration was being held. A nerdy Nimbian with tiny spectacles and huge buck teeth scratched at his pimples before speaking to the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… the first fully operational light saber parody, the Boo Blade.”
The Nimbian snorted and turned on a metallic object in his hand. A bright green column of light extended outward and the familiar humming noise was present. The Grand Glum Reaper dropped his soda.
“Get yours now! Only available from your good friends at Gadd Science Inc!”
The Grand Glum Reaper removed his scythe and dove into the crowd.
~*~*~*~
Across the calm blue sea soared the dragon of a similar pigment. Soshi had never looked so majestic than in this moment of flight. His wings were spread far; it was a breathtaking sight. He glided above the waves and with the soft white clouds at a very fast pace. Little if at all did he move his wings or flap, lest to gain altitude. His mouth was shut and his eyes weren’t focused on anything in particular. They gazed dully at the ocean in front of him.
Soshi had been flying for a few days now. He took rests when he found a dry spot, but they weren’t necessary, really. He stopped out of habit. Flying aimlessly across the ocean didn’t expend much of the Sky Yoshi’s energy, and he hadn’t felt the urge to eat in a long time. Even being surrounded by water didn’t make him thirsty. It was almost like the dragon was set on cruise control, with a predetermined destination. Where? He didn’t know that answer, he just continued flying southbound from the island in his name. Something was calling to him, something very primal. He felt a pull at his chest and was drawn to the source. An invisible rope tied to his ribcage brought him forward; he didn’t even need to fly. Soshi was almost convinced that if he stopped dead in the air he’d continue floating forward. Of course, he didn’t trust his own judgment.
And then, he saw it…
Appearing in the distance, a massive plateau that rose up from the surface of the ocean. Local plant life and other flora hung like vines from the massive stretch of earth. It was so strange, what was this place? He had searched these seas before the days of the Team of Terror, and he had never come across such a sight. Seeing that the tremendous tower toppled over his current altitude, Soshi changed his direction and began flapping. He felt a pull towards the summit. What was up there?
He passed through a blanket of several clouds, feeling the cold moisture that made them up speckle on his blue scales. He continued to fly upward. It soon got much colder, the water droplets froze to his flesh, and his breath came out in sharp, visible puffs. The clouds grew ominously darker with each flap. Soon Soshi felt the pull weaken, and then break off. All of a sudden at that very moment, he felt the loss of strength and the effects of flying endlessly for days at one single moment. His wings failed him; he fell backward and plunged down.
He fell.
But he couldn’t lose this now.
With one movement, his claw launched forward and dug into the meat of the rock pillar. With a terrible scraping noise, he pulled his descent to a stop. He felt his fingernails burning, and the tendons in his arm were likely to snap. With much effort he smashed his other hand into the stone. He gripped with his talons and folded his wings behind him. It wasn’t flying, but his strength was gone. He needed to reach the top. He needed to climb.
And so he did.
~*~*~*~
After hours, maybe even days, had passed, Soshi could see the top. His track of time died when all the clouds around him had turned dark and obese. It was snowing, and BOY did it snow. Soshi’s body was covered in the white fluff. His bones were quite chilled; he caught his teeth chattering at many times during his venture. The folds of skin on his wings were frozen, and he couldn’t unravel them anymore. His only choice was to get to the top, if he left now he’d end up falling and plunging into the ocean. He knew the top was close because he could see the light coming out from the summit. It was a pure, white light. It hurt his eyes but he was drawn to it like a fly to a bug zapper. His fingers grasped the edge of the world, he felt grass. The feeling danced from his fingertips all down his body, as if he tasted the green shrubbery. With a final pull he lifted his dead body upon the summit. He saw many blurred images in front of him, but he fell asleep before he could make them out.
~*~*~*~
Soshi awoke later, much later. He felt his strength had returned to him. That’s when he first saw the summit in its true majesty. The round plateau edge was covered in grass, lightly frosted with snow. Beautiful trees reached out of the land and swayed with the spiraling wind and snowflakes. The sound of their leaves rustling calmed the dragon. He stepped forward, his foot feeling cold against the iced grass. He walked forward towards a light. Above him the clouds eventually disappeared, and a dome of rainbow stars shimmered above. Yet their light did not compare to Soshi’s destination. He stepped up onto a higher level of soil; this place had no grass and no snow. His feet were warmed almost to the point of discomfort.
Surrounding the holy soil were seven pillars. The pillars were made out of a dark stone that was unlike any ever seen on the planet before. Runes carved into the massive pillars were dull and gray, lifeless. Soshi stepped closer to the middle, ahead of him the white light lay. It was blinding. Soshi arrived at the light in the center of the plateau. He looked down at it and felt empowered, he felt love and full of life. He had hope again. His blue claw reached for it and the light exploded in a flash when his finger touched. Soshi was lifted into the air, his limbs thrown out and his wings spread. His jaw dropped and eyes searched. He was completely confused. What was going on? Everything was crazy. His body swirled around on top the plateau, his view looking at all of the pillars around him. The pillars bellowed to life. They radiated with a white glow at first, then their own specific colors: gold, orange, red, green, blue, silver and pink. Beams of the colors fired from their respective runes and enveloped the dragon. He was coated in the rainbow glow. He felt his soul kindred with another force now. An absolute force, a higher calling. Soshi came to the soil and the runes’ beams dissipated. His body was tattooed with white markings, some ancient language. They glowed with the seven colors. Soshi clenched his fists and nodded. The markings disappeared and his former flesh was seen again. The white-eyed dragon looked up at the Stars. He had a mission now.
~*~*~*~
Embert T. Podoboo found himself in a wee bit of a pickle. He was stranded on his friend Whomp, who was using himself as a raft for the tiny fireball. However, Whomp wouldn’t be much help for what lay ahead of the two. Embert moaned, looking into a conjuring canopy of storm clouds. The ocean ahead turned black and swirled below a funnel forming above. The first bolt of lightning from the storm stabbed at the sea.
Embert sighed. “This isn’t exactly gonna be walking through a field of daisies…”