PHASE TWO:
~ An Age without Heroes ~
Chapter 20: Qualifying Rounds Begin
Mallow stared forward; focusing on a pair of yellow orbs that glared back at him. White foam curled around the rough edges of his opponent’s jaws and the moist, black nose of the Chow danced on the scent of the Nimbian’s anxiety. Alongside Mario back in the days of Smithy, the prince had taken down many of these wolf-like creatures, but standing before a very menacing K-9 solo was slightly intimidating for the sorcerer.
The gray fur spiked out along the rigid, serpentine spine of the massive dog as it lowered its head and bellowed. A red tongue writhed along the white mat of the battle arena. Through two rows of yellowed teeth it spoke to the youth, “You look delectable. I simply must have a taste.”
Mallow listened to the words in his head, the image of his enemy Belome resurfacing. Darkness surrounded him as he recalled the memory of being eaten alive and cloned by the monster’s strange stomach juices. The Nimbian considered if the canine before him might possess a similar technique.
A Lakitu floated above the ring and blew his whistle; the first qualifying match had begun.
The prince leapt forward and flipped forward into the air, coming down to strike the beast with the pointed end of his talisman. FWHAM! The furred paw of the mighty dog smacked the side of the descending Nimbian and flung him to the edge of the ring.
“Haw, haw!” The quadruped creature stepped over to the downed prince, drool raining down onto the floor, where his long tongue dragged and became blistered. “You smell delicious!” The hound’s humongous head loomed over the fallen boy. Weakened, Mallow couldn’t help but shake in his presence. The hot globs of saliva spewed down onto his fluffy back, making Mallow wince in disgust.
Mallow snapped to life and rammed the sharp end of his staff through the fleshy tongue hanging out of his enemy’s jaws. The monstrous wolf reared back and howled in pain, the cry piercing the ears of the onlookers to the fight. Mallow, however, rolled to his feet and opened his palm at the pained Chow. A torrent of electrical bursts fired from the white hands and connected with the Ribbit Stick stabbed into the bleeding tongue of the gray wolf. Lightning coursed through the K-9’s body, its hair standing on end, tears forming along the edge of its mechanical eyes. Pulling his strength back to him, the Chow shook his head and the staff ejected from the punctured tongue.
“Fool!” The wounded extremity of the large dog recoiled behind the rows of teeth. The wolf tasted its own blood in ecstasy. Once again the fur along its spine frizzed out. “Oh… Sweet red wine, the tempting seduction of a fresh kill.”
The wolf, crazy with bloodlust, barreled down at Mallow now. The Nimbian’s eyes dashed back and forth from his oncoming target and his weapon cast to the floor. The wolf’s eyes sparked with red lightning as it pounced into the air. As gravity was taking its toll on the massive creature, Mallow slammed to the ground, flat on his back, and stretched his arm along the floor. The ravenous canine opened its bloody, foaming jaws, as its dinner was even closer. The Nimbian’s fingers wrapped around the discarded staff and quickly Mallow retracted his arm. Within a blaze of seconds, the prince thrust his staff forward and rolled from underneath the falling beast. The wolf slammed to the ground, choking and convulsing in pain. It scrambled to all fours but couldn’t keep a steady balance. Oozing blood poured from the beast’s throat, where Mallow’s Ribbit Stick had made contact. Lying on its side, scratching at its impaled throat with its foreclaws, the wolf was unable to remove the impaled weapon.
The prince stepped forward and retrieved his weapon. “You have skill, but you lack structure and discipline.” Mallow gloated. “You succumb to primal temptations for instant gratification. You, sir, are not Master of your Domain.”
A rousing cheer from the crowd sounded as Mallow walked out of the ring and the tournament medics rushed to help the loser. It was very odd for a qualifying round to have such an effect, but perhaps it was due to it being the first fight that made it so intriguing. Mallow was greeted with the smiling faces of Luigi and Vivian, who he had met just that morning and became acquainted with.
“That was amazing!” Vivian praised. “And that closing line, oh, that was so cool!”
“Yeah, awesome job, Mallow. You’re sure to get in the tournament with your abilities,” Luigi congratulated.
“Thanks, I can’t wait to see you guys fight, myself.” Mallow beamed for a moment but then quickly looked around. “Hey wait, where’s Jinx?”
“Oh, they’re picking up the pace with these qualifying matches. Jinx is preparing for his first match on the other half of the stadium,” Luigi answered.
“What are we waiting here for, we should go watch him!” Mallow exclaimed.
The three began walking over to the left side of the public-closed stadium, weaving in and out of the crowd of fighters, talent agents, and employees of the tournament. As they broke through a heap of people, Vivian came to collide with a shorter individual. They both crashed to the ground.
“Woah, are you all right?” Mallow asked, pulling Vivian to stand.
“I’m fine, oh, who did I run into?” The Shadow Siren asked.
“Hey, why don’t you watch where you’re going, mush-for-brains!”
Luigi looked at the source of the voice and swallowed. It was the foul-mouthed Craw he had bumped into the other day. He wasn’t looking forward to another meeting.
“What? You again! I should have known a dumb broad like this would only hang out with a loser like you,” the Craw snapped.
“Hey, hey; it was a mistake, all right?” Luigi assessed. “Let’s just drop it and move on with the day.”
“You think you’re so tough cuz you came out on top in our last scuffle, don’t ya?” the Craw fumed, jumping in Luigi’s face. “Well you got lucky there, skinny! You wanna see what it’s like to lose? You just ask me, pal!”
“Come on guys, save it for the ring!” Mallow stepped in, his arms outstretched between the two of them.
Luigi grimaced while the short Craw shined all his teeth. “Your friend here is right. If you manage to pass the qualifying rounds I’d love to get a shot to mop the floor with that ugly mustache of yours.”
Luigi shook his head in frustration as the tiny avian stepped out of view. “That guy is very irritating…”
“I’m sorry I bumped into him…” Vivian mentioned.
Mallow looked at his friends. “That’s enough worrying about it. Jinx has probably already started!”
~*~*~*~
A stout figure stomped through a dark corridor, illuminated only by shafts of light seeping down through cracks in the ceiling. The blue figure was equipped with a round shell with bumpy, worn down spikes. The shell’s color was purple. The figure had a short tuft of a mane that was orange. His beady whites eyes shifted back and forth between the black skin surrounding his eyes while a short claw scratched the orange stubble of hair that protruded from his chin and throat. The Clubba creature came upon the end of the corridor, where a tiny scanning monitor and keypad awaited him. His stubby fingers typed in the access code: 7357. A hole in the wall opened and the stout figure entered, the door closing tight behind him.
Now ensconced in the darkness of the room, save a few blinking computer and machine lights, the Clubba stepped forward to a large monitor, where a blinking red light greeted him. He pressed a large circular button that said, "Transmit".
Instantly the monitor lit up with an image of a circular room where seven figures in silouhette greeted him. “Colonel Stubba, what news do you bring us?”
The fat lips of the military officer parted and his shrewd, throaty voice responded. “The ‘tournament’ is underway, as you have commanded. Many of the fighters you requested have arrived here, including the plumber, Luigi; the sensei, Jinx; Prince Mallow; and the Shaman called Shimmra.” He paused. “However there were a few on your list that haven’t shown up. The Mushroom Kingdom’s Mario, Ludwig von Koopa, and Chef Torte did not respond.”
The eyes of the seven figures shifted around, communicating with the other members. One of them spoke up. “And why haven’t they responded?”
Colonel Stubba rubbed his head of perspiration. “I suppose that’s because my men couldn’t locate them…”
“This fault is on your hands, Colonel. A reminder for that we shall journal.”
“Please, it’s not my fault…” Stubba whimpered. “It just seems those three have disappeared off the face of the planet…”
“Impossible!” another voice proclaimed. “We have life data on them; they’re alive and well.”
“My apologies, but please, I beg of you to forgive this failure.” Stubba lowered his head in respect.
“Very well,” a domineering voice spoke from the center of the shady group. “Colonel, you continue your genetic advancement programs and proceed with the tournament. We’ll contact our other agent for this.”
“Oh thank you, thank…” Stubba praised but the transmission was cut. The Clubba sat down and breathed deeply, his heart pounding. “What did I do to get myself in this mess?”
~*~*~*~
Jinx’s fight was already intense when the trio arrived. The small sensei was in heated battle with an airborne Buzzer of the Forest Maze. The fur of the insect was green and black. His large stinger pulsated in and out from the end of his abdomen.
“DOOM TO YOU!” yelled the flying insect.
Jinx rushed along the edge of the arena swiftly as red-hot stingers punctured the mat. The sensei stopped comfortably at the edge of the ring where his friends watched.
“Hello there,” Jinx greeted. “Perhaps you’d like to meet my opponent, er, what was your name again, buzz-boy?”
The ascended bee fumed with fury. “I am Iznor! The feared general of Thoraxia!”
“Ah yes, quite a title that one has,” Jinx spoke to Luigi, Mallow, and Vivian. “I just call him Izzy, myself.”
“AGGAH!” Iznor shrieked in anger. “Pathetic terrestrials should watch their tongues in the presence of superiority!”
“Then why are you talking so rudely to me?” Jinx chuckled.
“I will have your head for that.”
The buzzing bee let loose a concentrated beam from his stinger, a surprising feat for such a weak-appearing enemy. However that had no effect against Jinx’s advanced skills. The small warrior leapt from the beam’s grasp and balanced on the corner pole of the ring before leaping into the air at his foe. Iznor had just turned to fire another beam when the tiny fist of Jinx smashed into his eye. The insect tumbled in the air, struggling to maintain its flight pattern. Jinx, still airborne, twirled his cape to redirect his descent above the steadying bee. The green antennae firm in his grasp, Jinx continued to fall with Iznor’s whole body flipping upside down and falling with him. As the sensei approached the ground he hurled the Buzzer from his grip and the wacky, green enemy slammed into the ropes. Pulling back only so far, the insect was then launched back into the ring like a slingshot’s ammunition. There he met with Jinx’s fist, and he met there again with Jinx’s foot. And then fist, and knee, and head, and this springing back into the ring by the ropes continued until Jinx grew bored. Just before Iznor impacted the tiny fighter, Jinx disappeared from sight. The bug fell to the ground in pain, where he picked himself up angrily.
“FOOL!” the insect snapped. “You’ve made your greatest mistake releasing me!”
“Always be wary of your surroundings, Izzy,” Jinx spoke.
The Buzzer turned to see Jinx pulling back at the ropes with all of his might, then releasing his grip and firing himself as a projectile. Iznor’s eyes widened and his antennae drooped down his face. “This will be painful.”
BOOM! Jinx slammed Iznor in the chest and knocked him out of the ring and deep into the dirt, his feet wiggling above ground.
“The winner!” the Parakoopa referee announced, marking down the information on his sheet of paper.
Jinx pleasantly hopped from the ring and joined his friends. “I’m hungry, who’s for lunch?”
“I’m starving!” Luigi said.
“I’d like to go, but I’ve got a qualifying match myself in not too long…” Vivian explained.
“Oh, well, would you like us to stay and watch?” Luigi asked.
“No, that’s okay. You guys should get something to eat,” Vivian reassured.
“You guys can go, I’m not that hungry,” Mallow said. “I’ll stay and watch your match, Vivian.”
The Shadow Siren blushed. “Oh, okay.”
“All right,” Luigi agreed. “We’ll see you later, good luck.”
The two halves of the party walked away from each other, leaving the buried Iznor to pull himself up from the muck. When the Buzzer finally lifted his large cranium from the dirt he shook himself off and glowered.
“Accursed monkey! He will pay for his shaming of the great General Iznor!” the bug fumed. Just then a beeping noise sounded on the insect’s wristwatch. He looked at it and gasped, pressing a button to silence the alarm. His large, bulbous eyes scanned the area around him. “This place is not safe to receive orders… a more secluded locale I must find…”
With that, the green Buzzer took to the sky and left the stadium.
Meanwhile…
“This place seems best if anywhere,” Yoshi concluded.
The green dinosaur and his two comrades, Splooshi and Orchil, stepped away from the tiny alcove they had dug hidden behind some local shrubbery. It wasn’t very big, but it didn’t have to fit the whole chest. The plant life would do its part to bury the upper portion. Both green and blue dinosaurs heaved with all their strength and pushed the estranged barnacle-coated chest into the hiding spot. With a sigh of relief the trio marched forward towards Midas Mountain in the pre-morning dusk.
Columns of moonlight rained down to light the land they had left, quickly after their departure these columns of light were disrupted by four intruding shadows. Three were very similarly built, but the fourth one, obviously the alpha of the group, achieved dominance by height and shape.
“Lessee what those dummies left behind. Dig it up, boys,” the leader commanded.
“Boss, should we track them?” one of the cohorts questioned.
“Not necessary, lad,” the leader waved his hand in his minion’s face. “We’ve got their chest, I’m sure dis thing’s worth a lot more than anything they’ve got on ‘em.”
“Right-o, Chief!”
The three figures dragged the chest from the shrubbery and placed it before their master. He stepped forward and ran his violet claws over the edges of it, sniffing the ancient beauty of such mystical "booty" that no-doubt lay within.
“Arright boys, le’s bring it back home!”
The three shadows conjured behind the chest and began pushing it towards the western half of Rose Way. The leader stared off to the east momentarily before tossing a cigar into the white sand and following after his flunkies.
~*~*~*~
Ryanoshi passed beyond the edges of the sleeping Rose Town and had at last come to the Pipe Vault. The corners of his mouth malformed and his face became host to a disappointed frown. Sealing off the green tube entirely rested a large tub-stopper device. The spectacled dinosaur scratched his head and attempted removing the stopper with no success. He contemplated a moment in the moon’s glow.
“If this doesn’t work I’ll be forced to return to Toad Town’s harbor… that’d set me back a full day and a half at my greatest speed…” Ryanoshi felt a breeze push his face westward. “Or perhaps I can hire a craft down in Seaside…” A rustling. Ryanoshi stood poised with his sword out in front of him, glaring at the darkness that hid his watcher. “Come out and show me who you are. I’ve smelled you following me ever since Tadpole Pond.” Ryanoshi looked around him for a moment, awaiting his follower’s appearance. To his delight, he was met with a familiar face. “Blue Boo!”
The periwinkle poltergeist flashed all of his pointy teeth and hovered before his green friend. “Long time no see, Ryanoshi.”
The dinosaur smiled and sheathed his sword. “What in the world are you doing here?”
“I could ask the same of you,” Blue responded.
“Correct.” Ryanoshi opened his saddle-pack and removed the stone tablet. “I’m trying to translate the text on this rock. You see, it fell from the sky back at Yoshi’s Island.”
“That’s interesting,” Blue said, floating closer and looking at the stone in his hands. “Where are you getting it translated?”
“Remember that old couple Yoshi brought to Lavalava Island the last time we were there?” Ryanoshi asked.
Blue handed the stone back and looked away, trying to remember. “Uh… sorta?”
“Expected.” Ryanoshi sighed and returned the stone to his bag. “Well the old man used to translate for Mallow’s family and I figure he’d be able to help me with this. It’s not every day the sky’s falling, you know. It has to be important.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it said Eat at Joe’s,” Blue replied.
Ryanoshi glared at the spirit. “Will you do something of use and help me open this plug thing?”
“That’s stuck there, it won’t budge,” Blue said. “Some city officials closed off the Pipe Vault cuz there’s supposed to be criminals or something inside.”
“A heinous trade route to maximize gains for crime lords and transport of illegal narcotics throughout the land… what a devious plot idea! I must remember to put it in one of my books someday,” Ryanoshi commented.
“Err… yeah,” Blue shrugged. “But did you want a way in? I know of a secret passage.”
“You do? Brilliant!” Ryanoshi praised. “Lead the way, ol’ chum!”
Blue Boo nodded and the dinosaur followed after him, towards the northern Forest Maze.
~*~*~*~
Deep below the surface of the ocean, the Pipe Vault was busting with more activity than most of the modern-day Mushroom Kingdom cities. Criminals, crooks, and common thieves alike made their home in the reinvented land of anarchy that slept quietly below the Mushroom Kingdom's judicial system. Baddies of all different species made their way through the dark alleyways of the Pipe Vault, disappearing into shadows and other tubes to attend to their dirty business. Pickpockets were snatching from hired goons, thugs were dumping toxic waste into the water supplies, and a crowd of lowlifes were making chit chat outside a large abode with a pair of tough-looking Hammer Bros. guarding the entrance, one of them petting a vicious golden Chomp Chomp. Inside the crummy guarded shack was the head of the crime circuit of the Mushroom Kingdom, though most weren’t even aware of his existence, he was so well hidden. Two figures, a Bandit and a Goomba, were in conference with this mastermind and his top advisories.
His feet placed atop his large desk and face hidden in the shadows, the mob boss took a deep puff of the cigar in his hand, the glow lighting his pale face as he inhaled. Coiling trails slithered upward through the parted lips of the threatening boss. To his right stood a large rodent named Mouser, who was equipped with flashy sunglasses and a large sack full of explosives. A much smaller Buzzy Beetle stood on the left-hand side of the mob boss, an ashtray grafted to his round shell. The mob boss put his cigarette out in said ashtray with his large, gloved hands and knelt forward over his desk, showing his face. The figure was none other than Blackjack, a rogue Jester with a mind perfected for crime and disorder. The wicked creature smiled at the two before him, the bells on the ends of his black crown hanging at the sides of his face.
“If what you have told me is true,” the Jester spoke, “then we are on the verge of the greatest merging of criminal organizations this maggot-ridden world has ever seen…”
“Indeed, Master Blackjack,” the Bandit spoke.
“Just think of it, our two armies of thieves and crooks combined would be enough strength to overrun the planet, and the mob bosses would rule over the entire land,” Blackjack envisioned. “I like the sound of that.”
“What should we do, BJ?” the Goomba asked.
The Jester sat back in his chair and pulled out a pen and paper. Hastily the ink ran over the parchment, making the words that would create this mega merger. He folded it up and dabbed two fingers in ink, placed them against his lips, and kissed the envelope he placed the message inside.
“Find the messengers who you spoke with and give this to them, post-haste,” Blackjack demanded.
“Yes, sir!” the Bandit exclaimed, rushing out of the room with the Goomba tailing after.
The Jester sat back in his chair, arms folded behind his head. “With this one job we could have peace…” There was a silence for a moment. “Mouser! Find me Croco and Cobalt!”
The rodent nodded respectfully and fled the room. The Jester cackled and lit up another cigar. The Buzzy Beetle rolled its beady eyes as more gray snowflakes found its way to the ashtray on its shell.
~*~*~*~
Ryanoshi and Blue Boo had made their way down one of the illustrious tree trunks of the Forest Maze and now headed down a man-made tunnel that led to the Pipe Vault. Side by side they continued down the ankle-flooded sewer drainage.
“It’s so dark, I can barely see a thing,” Ryanoshi exclaimed.
“Even with those humongous specs?” Blue replied.
Ryanoshi scowled. “Say, Blue, you never told me what you were doing in this part of the world.”
“Yeah, I know,” Blue said, looking forward.
“So lay it on me, stringbean!” Ryanoshi pleaded. “Come on, it might give me an idea for a story.”
“Shut up,” Blue said frankly.
“Shut up? That’s a new one…” Ryanoshi pondered a moment. “Why so rude, Blue?”
“Just be quiet!” Blue whispered, glaring at his friend.
“If you don’t want me talking you could have just said so in the first place,” Ryanoshi snapped.
“That’s not it, we have to be quiet because-!” Blue was cut off.
A large figure stood in front of them, the light reflecting off his oversized sunglasses. “Cobalt, you have an unauthorized guest?”
“Err… no,” Blue looked around frantically.
“Cobalt? What’s this clown talking about, Blue?” Ryanoshi asked.
“Forgive me,” Blue said right before smacking the dinosaur in the back of the head with his largely boomerang. The glasses fell right off his face and his face right into the muck.
Mouser looked up. “Friend a yer’s?”
“No… well, yes; sort of…” Blue scrambled.
“Ya know there’s no transporting those of us who ain’t members in here without the consent of the head honcho,” Mouser forewarned.
“Yeah, I know…” Blue looked down at his friend. “I was using my former acquaintance to bamboozle him of his belongings.”
“I see…” Mouser snapped his fingers. Two Bandits garbed in red appeared at his sides. “Take this schmuck to the holding cells so as Cobalt here can pick him up later.” Blue watched through closed teeth as his friend was carried away. “Youse, I need youse to come with me.”
“Me? Why?” Blue asked nervously.
“Master Beej requests your presence in his pad,” Mouser informed.
Blue swallowed hard. “Oh… all right, um, lead the way.”
Mouser turned and waddled forward. Before Blue began following him he reached down and picked up Ryanoshi’s expelled glasses and placed them underneath his hat.
~*~*~*~
Within the next half-hour, Croco and Blue Boo were both inside the master’s humble hut with no idea as to the nature of their requested presence.
“Arright, out wid it, Blackjack! Me and da boys just brought in some major loot, and I’m hopin’ to crack it open tonight,” Croco explained.
Blackjack smiled and hopped on his desk, his legs swinging freely over the other side. “I have a job for the two of you.”
“The two of us?” Blue asked.
“Him? I don’t even know da guy! How am I supposed to work wid someone I don’t even know?” Croco snarled.
“Because I told you to,” Blackjack fired a knife from his hand against the wall. Blue became nervous and attentive. Even Croco shifted his weight. “I don’t want to give away too much right now, because it’s all very interrelated, ya see,” the Jester was speaking as if explaining something to grade school students, which Croco found very irritating. Blue appreciated it, however. “Wheels are in motion to better our situation, let’s say. But in order to comply, I need the two of you to pull off a heist.”
“A heist?” Blue asked.
“Yes, Cobalt,” the Jester turned upside down and let his arms and legs hang free off both ends of the desk. He winked at the Boo. “I know you’re fairly fresh into our organization, but with your… character, you’re perfect for the job.”
“Then why not have da kid do it all? I’m busy, BJ,” Croco argued.
Blackjack hopped to his feet so his back was facing the two of them. “Your impatience is infuriating, reptile. I strongly urge you to still your tongue and listen.” Croco looked at Mouser, who was juggling a bomb in one hand. The Jester turned and smiled. “Your role is necessary, Croco, as you’re so experienced in these types of operations. You know if you weren’t so reckless I’d have you on my advisory council, that’s how good you are.” Blackjack hopped lightly from his perch and walked up to the alligator, rubbing his cheek with a satisfied grin on his face. “Compliments aside, though, we have business to discuss.”
“Talk,” Croco said.
Instantly Blackjack was back in his chair, his hands folded in on themselves and a cigar poking out from the cleavage of his mouth. “I want the two of you to snag me the Soul Stone from Boo’s Mansion.”
Blue’s eyes widened. The Soul Stone, or Boo’s Charm as it is also known, has paranormal qualities and is rumored to possess the ability to control ghosts.
"It’s currently being held by the Mansion’s mistress, Bow, that prissy little ghost whom everyone seems to adore.” Blackjack panned his vision over to Blue for a fleeting moment. “The rules of the game are as follows. No one gets caught, no one gets killed, and the stone has to be here within two days or it's completely useless to me.”
“If you don’t mind my askin’, what DO you need this rock for, Beej?” Croco grinned.
The Jester smirked. “That’s for me to know and you to SHUT YOUR FACE!” A razor-edged card shot forth from Blackjack’s hand and snatched Croco’s brown fedora from atop his head and pinned it against the wall. “I figure Cobalt here would do best for infiltration to allow you and your ‘boys’ to sneak in and find them Bows. Remember I need it in two days. If you don’t make it by then, don’t bother coming back.” Blackjack puffed his cigar once again. “Job starts now, get lost.”
Blue looked to Croco, who only scowled, retrieved his hat, and left ahead of him. The ghost quickly followed after the reptile and caught up with him out the door.
“Croco… um… when are we leaving?”
“I don’t like workin’ with one not me own…” Croco snarled.
“But… Blackjack ordered us to…” Blue mumbled.
“Ye think I care what HE says? You’re a complete fool. I ain’t scared of Blackjack like the rest of yas,” Croco exclaimed.
Blue was growing desperate. “B-but…”
Croco sighed and turned back. “Look, if you wanna tag along, yer gonna play by my rules. I don’t want you messin’ this up.”
“I understand,” Blue nodded.
“Meet me at the Rose Way exit in an hour, I’ll have my team ready by then. If you’re late we’re leaving without ya, and don’t be tryin’ to catch up.” Croco debriefed.
~*~*~*~
It was a short time before Blue would leave to meet with Croco. Hovering next to his caged friend, he placed the glasses through the bars of the cage when no one was looking. Ryanoshi was still unconscious, but had been stripped of all his possessions. Blue floated as close as possible to the cage without using his abilities to go inside of it.
“I’m so sorry, Ryanoshi…” Blue felt stupid talking to someone who couldn’t hear him. “I feel awful, I never meant for this to happen.” He paused. “Look, I’ll get you out first thing I get back. But for now I’ve got a job to pull… Please, don’t be too mad when I come back…” The ghost took one last look at his friend before finally shrugging and floating off to meet Croco at the Rose Way exit…
Chapter 21: Mysteries of Ovaria
Night had fallen upon Isle Ovaria. Beams of silver moonlight grazed the land when the oppressive canopy of clouds allowed. All but two of the temple dwellers had gone in their mountain home for the night. The two remaining, a Koopa and a Nimbian, carried spears and patrolled by a large torch that rested just ahead of the goddess statue. Red strings of hair were brushed from the Koopa’s face by her free claw. The Nimbian female’s mind was elsewhere as she walked. She was caught off guard when something rustled in a nearby tree. Dead air passed through her parted lips when an owl sprung forth from the foliage and flapped across the horizon. Relieved, she loosened her grip on the spear and went closer to the fire.
The owl flew over the temple and perched on a small ledge outcropping from the mountain. The owl’s large eyes scanned left to right over the island, searching for something. Crashing upon the gray sands, calm waves splashed a white mist into the air. Gusts of wind carried the salty scent onto the island, where it tickled the nostrils of many inhabitants. Flying through the thick clouds with a piercing shriek accompanying it, the sinister bird flapped towards the eastern coastline. The owl sneered and started up its pudgy wings to tail after the creature.
~*~*~*~
Resting his head on a pillow, the King of the Koopa heaved a trapped sigh. He stared up at the ceiling of his chamber, which was carved out from the mountain’s interior. The candlelight in the room flickered briefly as a cool breeze snaked through the cavern opening serving as a window. Mixed around in the air, the aroma of candle wax made Bowser stand up in his bed.
The Koopa King was in paradise, but he wasn’t happy. Fleeting were his thoughts of relaxation and retirement. The powerful tyrant longed once again to be in the heat of battle. He pondered if that were to ever happen again. His army was lost, his main advisory had been captured, and the only leftovers were trapped on some cultist’s island. Bowser lay back. The only good thing about this predicament was Sorcia.
A door closed.
Bowser stood up in bed, not sure if he’d heard something. After a brief moment of silence the turtle returned to his pillow. Outside in the hallway, the black-haired mistress stepped away from the door and proceeded down the corridor.
~*~*~*~
The eyes of General Jagger moved with the figures in front of him. He had decided to take a bath but grimaced upon finding the male Koopalings horseplaying in the interior pools. The hormone-driven teenagers were constantly flirting with the maidens that had been assigned to supervise them, an act the Terrapin wasn’t fully approving of. They knew almost nothing of these strange women, and to be that comfortable with them? Jagger just felt funny about the whole situation. He didn’t know what was going on, but he could smell something fishy in the works. After watching Bowser’s kids tackle each other trying to impress the ladies for a few moments, the officer turned around to leave. The girl he had met when first arriving on island stood before him.
“Petal?” Jagger asked.
“Yes, hello Master Jagger,” Petal greeted courteously.
“What are you doing here?”
Petal tilted her head, not grasping the question. “I’m afraid I don’t quite understand…”
Now Jagger was confused. “What’s to understand? Why are you here?”
“Oh.” Petal’s cheeks reddened. “Because you’re here, Master Jagger.”
“What, you’re following me now?” Jagger accused.
“Well, my sisters elected me to act as your servant during your time here,” Petal explained.
Jagger felt sorry for the young Crazee Dazee at that moment, sensing she’d been pressured by these ‘sisters’ of hers. “Well I don’t need anyone to serve me, I’m fine as it is, thank you.”
The Terrapin warrior stepped aside from the flower and walked towards the exit. Petal called after him, “B-but Master Jagger! If I don’t serve you adequately, my sisters will punish me!”
The soldier stopped at this. “Punish you?” Petal covered her mouth with her hands, wary that her tongue to not slip again. Jagger walked back to the girl, grabbing her shoulder with concern. “What do you mean?”
Petal looked at the floor. “Please Master Jagger, just let me wait on you.”
Jagger was about to say something else when he noticed the Mushroomer Serena T spying on him from down the hall. He looked back into Petal’s eyes. “All right then, follow me.”
The flower smiled and nodded. “Yes, my lord.”
Disappearing around a bend and down another corridor, Jagger and Petal escaped Serena T’s gaze. She placed her finger to her bottom lip and walked away.
~*~*~*~
Circling above the thundering waves, the black bird’s red eyes searched below the surface for something. The avian called out with an ear-splitting caw, but it received no response. For hours it did this, waiting for the arrival that never showed. The night’s time was dwindling. An hour or so before sunrise, the bird gave up and flew back towards the island’s interior. The fat little owl flapped away from its perch on an inland tree and again chased the larger bird.
~*~*~*~
The Mushroom-headed maiden swiftly glided down the hallway, her feet not visible from underneath her trailing dress. The pyres of an orange torch lit her way in the dark, endless temple as she came to a spiraling descent of stairs. Peering over her shoulder before proceeding, Serena T found no one following her and headed down the stairway. After the descent, she entered a tall, rectangular corridor lit by torches along the walls. A long, skinny pool of water was dug into the floor of the room. Rubbing her moist hands over her body, the black-haired woman reminiscent of Princess Toadstool bathed in the pool. Serena stepped forward respectfully, not wanting to draw attention to herself.
“What is it, Serena?” Sorcia asked without looking behind her.
The Mushroomer felt uncomfortable. “I’m sorry to disrupt your purification, Madam, but something important has come to my attention.”
No words were exchanged as the superior continued to wash herself. After the awkward moment of silence had passed, Sorcia replied. “Speak.”
“I’m worried about the males that have appeared on our island. I sense they suspect us,” Serena described. “Especially the one in black, and the one of military office.”
Sorcia stepped up from the pool and began to dry herself. “I highly doubt any of them will cause troubles for us, my sister. You lack faith in Ovaria’s words, males are insolent.”
Serena T looked at the wall. “Yes, that’s true… absolutely when describing that big oaf turtle.” Sorcia shot a hateful look at the Mushroomer, who smiled and turned back. “I knew it. You’ve grown soft, Madam.”
“You speak poison,” Sorcia snarled.
“Don’t let your past get in the way of progress, please Madam,” Serena forewarned.
“Leave this place. I must council with the Guardian,” Sorcia commanded, putting on her dress.
Serena T bowed respectfullly and disappeared up the stairway. Sorcia breathed deeply, ferocious at her lesser questioning her motives. Leading through her dark hair, Sorcia’s hand proceeded from the side of her face to her hip before she walked toward the end of the expansive chamber and entered a large doorway.
~*~*~*~
The first golden rays of the day poured through a square opening in Kammy’s room. The Magikoopa slept in her new outfit, identical to the other females at Isle Ovaria. Her gray hair tumbled over her face but was pushed away when she snorted out. The flapping of wings sounded and the owl appeared in the window. Bobbing its head briefly, the owl hopped to the center of the room and in a puff of black smoke, Vermik had returned to his true form. The darkly dressed wizard placed his hand on Kammy’s shoulder and shook her.
“Kam! Kam, wake up! I’ve discovered something…”
The sorceress jolted awake. Moving the hair from her eyes she came to view Vermik. Briefly, quiet filled the room.
“I’ve found it…” He paused. “Kam?”
“INTRUDER! A MALE HAS BREECHED! A MALE HAS BREECHED!”
Vermik stepped back from Kammy’s pointing finger, not sure what was next on the agenda. He considered turning into the owl again and flying away, but a Lakitu of the tribe appeared to stop him. He looked to the door which was now opened, with about six of the Ovaria natives. His claw rubbing his chin, the shapeshifter came to the conclusion that something had happened to Kammy. The group of females closed in on him as the sun’s glow signaled the new day had begun.
Chapter 22: Attack of the Clones
A storm unlike any other that had consumed the Island of Soshi now loomed malevolently over the Torte tower emerging forth from the volcano. The clouds fused black and red in a funnel above the top and a white flash of lightning summoned a flurry of raindrops. Gales from the beastly thunderheads echoed throughout the tiny island like roars of a mighty lion.
Atop the chef’s hat, stones in the floor split apart and created an opening into the lair. The hiss of oxygen sounded within the fury of the storm as metallic gears began to wind. Rising out of the opening was Soshi’s corpse, now grafted with metallic hides and strung with wires. The eyes of the dead creature were covered with a metallic skull. One of his blue arms was completely imprisoned within the technological armor. Both his wings were remodeled in favor of faster flight and his tail was divided into rigid sections of silvery spikes. A plate over his chest held a semi-spherical object over the dragon’s heart. This twisted machine of a corpse rose on a metal platform with its creator along side.
Genius Guy hopped from his ride to the tower’s surface but Soshi continued to rise into the air. Digging into his coat pocket, the Shy Guy revealed a remote controller, and flicked a switch. Metal spires poked out from each side of the platform. Genius Guy pushed a second button. The spires began to glow with a spiraling green light. This illuminated the platform with a resonating flash of green. Swiftly, the Shyster placed the remote in his pocket and pulled out a pair of welding goggles.
“It’s showtime.”
~*~*~*~
A shadowy figure darted through the dense, wet forest as a heavy front of wind and rain swirled about him. Swiftly and expertly the figure moved; cloaked in darkness. A pair of feet kicked up dirt and only sliced across the surface of puddles while making little to no sound. Of course, the roaring winds of the tropical storm stifled any normal being’s ears, keeping the figure in complete secrecy. Speeding through the foliage the figure brushed all shrubbery from his path like some feral beast hunting on a game trail, the scent of a fresh wound still lingering in the distance. The small figure broke free of the jungle terrain and looked to the dark skies swirling above the bubbling volcano.
Gloved hands of crimson poked out from a dusty, hooded robe. The hood cast a shadow over the occupant’s face. A quick fork of lightning flashed in the sky, showing a brief glimpse of the figure. Two soulless eyes of deep black squinted in the rain as a technologically adept pair of binoculars was placed to the once again shadowed face. Scanning through the storm with a green light, the creature fixated first on the Chef Torte carving at the front of the volcano. Steam rose from inside the volcano and escaped into the air via the nostril openings.
An ominous thundering overhead was heard as the figure looked up the tower of the stone chef’s hat, finally acquiring a view of the top. There he could see someone shuffling around a large mechanical object. The figure placed the binoculars in the folds of his robe and dashed off the hill he stood upon and sped towards the foot of the mountain.
~*~*~*~
The crackling of Genius Guy’s black and white television reception was like the sparking sounds of a fireplace. The replacement goon squad that were the fill-ins for the Team of Terror all gathered around the tiny television set, straining to catch a glimpse of sitcom entertainment. A large bar of lines scrolled up the TV screen and the picture jumped into not one, but two Lucys.
“Oh no! There’s two of them now, think of the mischief they’ll cause!” Nitro squealed.
“Ehhhhh, take it easy, chrome-dome. It’s just the lousy reception on GG’s antennae,” Clyde the Metroid explained in a dry voice.
“Who's GG?” Nitro asked, running and smashing himself into the airborne parasitic jellyfish. “Is GG my mom? Or… or my lawyer? Or maybe… the underpants gnomes?!”
“GG’s my nickname for Genius Guy,” Clyde responded, shoving the Goom-Boom away with his helmet-shaped cranium.
“Genius Guy’s got a nickname? That’s too much for me to remember! He didn’t give me very good memory banks,” Nitro squawked.
“Pipe down and watch the nice glowing box. Happy Days is sure to be on soon,” Clyde reassured.
“Young Ron Howard?!” Nitro spastically whelped, his numeral eyes counting down from 3 to 0. “AGG!”
A green haze followed the bright lime-colored explosion. Clyde shook in disapproval as the television screen had been shattered and the frame wrecked. The smell of burnt glass danced along the senses. Lucy Fur’s red eyes slit open for a moment, noting the destruction of the television. The feline snarled and went back to sleep. Nitro reformed and shook his head, coughing up glass. Clyde sighed.
“That’s a shame.”
~*~*~*~
The cloaked figure arrived at the base of the volcano. With little time to lose, the figure removed a gun-like device from his robe, a large reflective claw at the end. Aiming upward at the chef’s head jutting forth from the rocky mountain, the figure pulled the trigger and let the grappling hook fly. The metallic chain shined as another bolt of lightning thrust to the earth. The metallic hand soared to the brow of the stone chef and smashed into position, locking securely in the rock above the eyes with a sturdy grip. Down below the figure flipped a switch and was wrenched from his spot and dragged through the air as the chain recoiled.
Planting his two feet before him, the figure came to an abrupt and possibly painful stop at the top of Chef Torte’s left eyelid. Taking a quick moment for a breather, the figure then tossed the grappling hook aside, the wind catching it and sending it down into a forest below. Breathing in deeply, the figure extended his arms out to his sides as a mechanical whirring sounded.
A large hump formed on the back of the figure just before four metal spikes tore through the fabric of the robe and extended out into the world. The four spikes were quickly shifted into a mechanical walker system, like an insect’s legs. The four metal legs punctured into the stone wall of the tower and remained secure. Satisfied, the figure’s white lips cracked a smile. The quad-spikes raced along the tower, the figure growing closer to the summit with each passing second.
~*~*~*~
The metal platform was high into the air now and had stopped going up. Genius Guy paced with an unfettered excitement as the lightning showers came ever closer to the activation of his work.
“Oooh, here comes the best part!” Genius Guy shouted with glee.
Forks of white light punched the chest plate and surged throughout the dragon’s body. Small streaks of electricity danced along the surface of its skin, running a current through the metallic hide. The lightning stopped and a small trail of smoke curled up from the blackened chest plate. Soshi’s dead arm hung over the side. One finger began to move.
“Yes! Yes it’s working!” Genius Guy cackled. “COME BACK TO LIFE!”
Before another movement could be made, a second, greater helping of thunderbolts smashed into the dragon. The white current flashed through the metal and the skin to show both skeletal and robotic interiors. A horrid, metallic shriek sounded as Soshi’s mechanized head lurched upward. The eye sockets of the dragon shined bright yellow as the cyborg snapped to life. Wriggling in its newborn state, the metallic dragon flapped its cybernetic wings and flailed its robotic tail precariously. Its fingers and toes wiggled about as it strained to reach its feet. An electric pulse ran down the creature’s re-invented spinal cord that worked like a bloodstream. The new Soshi came to his feet and stretched out both arm and wing and let out a fierce howl.
“YES! Meta-Soshi is born!” Genius Guy says happily.
A large metal spike slammed into the top of a battlement, catching the attention of the Shy Guy. Two more metal spikes wrapped around the tower’s edge. Together they pulled the hooded figure to the top. The figure repositioned itself on the four legs and overlooked the area. Genius Guy cocked his head with curiosity; Meta-Soshi looked with one robotic eye and one of his former corpse. The lightning had subsided and now the rain began to pour even harder. It sounded like a machine gun was firing as the tower. Genius Guy removed an umbrella from his lab coat and opened it to keep himself dry. He stepped forward to speak as Meta-Soshi’s skull popped open and a tiny umbrella spread over his large head.
“Greetings there, long-legged fellow!” Genius Guy welcomed. “I am Genius Guy, and this is the fabled Isle Soshi. What can I do you for?”
The hooded figure slowly turned its gaze to the short Shyster. “Where is the creator?”
Genius Guy scratched his head and looked at Meta-Soshi, who merely shrugged.
The figure took another step closer to Genius Guy. “I will terminate all enemies.”
“What’s he saying?” Genius Guy asked.
“You are an enemy!” The figure took one of its metal legs and swung it hard to smack Genius Guy.
The Shy Guy scientist flew far from the attack and crashed into one of the battlements, crumbling it with the sheer velocity of the smack. With swift movements, Genius Guy grasped onto the edge of the tower as the crumbling stones fell over the edge. As he attempted to pull himself up, one of the figure’s legs smashed into his right hand. Genius Guy cried out in pain and let go with his left hand. The creature swung with a second leg, but this time Genius Guy leapt onto it and freed himself from the other leg’s hold. The figure hissed as Genius Guy scooted up the metal spike to jump back onto the tower. When finally both feet were back on the ground, Genius Guy ran forward with his arms spread out and waving in a panic.
“RED ALERT! ALL-RANGE MODE!” Genius Guy yelled.
The hooded figure turned about and hissed, using one of its long, spidery legs to trip the fleeing Shyper. Genius Guy fell face first on the floor as the hooded figure ambled towards him. The Shyster turned around on his back and looked up at his enemy. A fierce wind blew by and pushed the hood off the figure’s head, revealing the face of Genius Guy himself.
“What the…?” Genius Guy said confused.
The hooded Genius Guy smiled with rows of spiky teeth. “The view is clear.”
The hooded duplicate pulled back its leg again and smashed in into the side of Genius Guy, sending him straight at Meta-Soshi. The two fell and landed in a heap. Instantly, the hooded Genius Guy launched itself with its external legs and landed on top of the fallen duo. Using two legs to balance, the Genius Guy clone used its forelegs to pummel the fallen Shyster. Meta-Soshi recovered and angrily tore the enemy from its perch, grabbing one of the standing legs and using his strength to spin it around.
Whirling around, the Genius Guy clone asked, “Where is the enemy?”
Meta-Soshi released his grip and the clone went flying into the battlements. It righted itself on all fours, but not for long. The robot dragon opened its jaws wide and let forth a fury of fire, scorching the sinister Shy Guy. The hooded Genius Guy placed its true arms before itself as the blast hit.
“Way to go, Meta-Soshi!” Genius Guy praised.
Meta-Soshi closed its mouth and the fire subsided, revealing the clone to still be standing, only on its real legs, the cloak and spidery spikes had been melted.
“Destroy. Destroy.” it said, half of its face burned off to reveal a robotic skeleton within.
“Destroy what? He’s crazy,” Genius Guy said.
The robot rushed forward and Meta-Soshi shot out a spike from his mechanized hand. The spike stopped in the robot’s chest. The Genius Guy duplicate looked down and saw the projectile blinking.
“I must be complete,” were the last words it uttered before the missile exploded.
Parts shattered into the air and a black muck fell down where the explosion occurred. Genius Guy danced victoriously and gave Meta-Soshi a high-five.
“Yahoo! We did it!”
Their fun ceased when another leg reached over the ledge of the tower and pulled up a second hooded clone. And then another appeared, and another.
Genius Guy rubbed his chin. “Oh, fudge.”
Pulling away, it was visible that dozens, maybe hundreds of these clones were now scaling the tower. As they reached the zenith, they swarmed both Genius Guy and Meta-Soshi.