NSFCD

Hello, and welcome to Super Mario Bros. 5.  It's basically the beginning of the end, and will lead to more excitement and drama.  I'm hoping for the series to take a brand new turn.  But based on my ideas so far, SMB6 will be the best so far.

Every one of the Shadow Shrowds, a group of conquerers that are after the Mushroom Kingdom, holds a heart wrenching secret within.  And as the plot thickens, their shocking truths are revealed in an epic tale filled with adventure and heart stopping action!

Fanfic Summaries:

Since the first three weren't so good, I'll be redoing them after I finish this one.  The original, poor ones will not be posted at all.  So here are summaries instead.  I plan to post the new Super Mario Bros. 1-3 in one thread over summer break after this fic is over.

Super Mario Bros. 1: Legend of the Evil Demon- Bowser and King Boo have a scheme to summon a demon that was sealed away in the Shadow Shrine, using the power of the Shadow Keys.  They let the Mario Bros. do all of their work for them, by kidnapping Peach and telling them they had to find the keys in order for them to not kill the princess.  They obtain all of the keys, but as they are at the front of the Shadow Shrine, Mario is able to defeat the duo and avoid the summoning of the demon.

Super Mario Bros. 2: Sunshine Adventure- Nothing here is really that important except the fact that Bowser is working on a new invention.  Basically Mario returns to Isle Delfino and is framed once again by Bowser and Jr.  But Mario proves his innocence and defeats Bowser.  Bowser exits and claims he will be working on a new invention.

Super Mario Bros. 3: The Ultimate Killer- If only I was a better writer at the time out wrote this one.  All you have to know is mysterious characters have made a metal copy of Mario.  He goes around worlds, conquering them.  Mario faces him many times, and in the final battle he wins, but at the cost of his own life.

Super Mario Bros. 4: The Double Agent- Evil has gone amok in the MK again, but Mario's not around to stop it.  The demon Mario was trying to stop in SMB1 has been unleashed.  In a desperate struggle, Mario's friends try to save the world, but to no avail.  Through some strange events with a warrior named Skulleon, Mario is granted another chance at life.  Mario returns, and equipped with a new technique called the Iceball, he makes short work of the demon, Chaos.  But Mario is framed by another copy of himself, and things are once again in an uproar.  Mario proves his innocence and defeats the ultimate tag team of Nightmare, the fake Mario, and his old enemy who has come back to life, Metal Mario.

Prologue: Identities Revealed




?What?!  Tell me again, Wart!?  a cloaked figure roared in frustration.  He slammed his fists on his lap.  ?Slowly, this time!?



Wart was shaking feverishly under the cold stare of the dark lord.  ?Forgive me, sire.  I merely do not wish to displease you.?



?The fool has no backbone,? Grodus chuckled, ?but I suppose we?ll need his army eventually.  Just spit it out so we can make our next move!?



?Uh, Metal Mario and Chaos have both been beaten? by Mario,? Wart replied nervously.  ?Just please don?t hurt me!?  Beads of sweat dropped from the back of Wart?s neck.



?You know how the saying goes, Wart.  Don?t shoot the messenger!  For now you are all needed in order to claim this kingdom.?  The shadowy king turned to face a giant monitor on the wall.  On it, Mario?s battle with the giant Metal Mario was displayed.



?Y- You blasted through my chest?!? Metal Mario cried out in rage.  ?DIE!?



He blasted a huge Silver Fireball right at Mario.  It appeared to hit Mario directly.  The blast went off like a time bomb.  When it was safe to look, Metal Mario scanned his surroundings.  ?Got him.?



?Not quite!?  Mario stood unharmed atop a pile of rubble.  Instantly, he was in front of Metal Mario and knocking him senseless.



?How did you get this strong?? Metal Mario asked, quaking in fear.



?I had a little extra help, that?s all,? Mario replied briskly.  ?Now, I have a job to finish!  It?s over!?



Metal Mario seemed to turn red with rage.  ?Only I decide when this battle is over!!  No more mercy; I?m going to destroy this entire kingdom!?



Metal Mario drifted up skyward.  He lifted his hands to the heavens, and a giant silver ball of energy formed.  ?This is the end!?  He tossed the ball.



?Mario!  You can?t stop that!? Skulleon roared from nowhere.



?I have to try,? he said dryly. 



Mario created an attack of his own: the Ultra Iceball.  He shot it at the ball that would bring the kingdom to its demise.  It was more of an Ice Wave because it wasn?t in the shape of a ball.  Mario was converting it into a wave to reverse the ball?s direction.



It had no effect.  ?Darn!  What do I do now??  The ball drew closer to hitting land.  ?I?ve got it!?



In one hand, Mario created another Ultra Iceball.  In the other, he made an Ultra Fireball.  With one last hope, he launched them at the Silver Ball of Doom, which was only a few feet from his face.



?Hah!  You can?t win with those silly attacks!?



The Fireball and Iceball merged to become a larger, purple sphere of pure energy.  It swallowed up Metal Mario?s blast and hit him directly.  ?My lord will destroy you one day!  Long live the-? Metal Mario was cut off as he slowly deformed and faded away into oblivion.



?Hmm? This Mario character puzzles me. He may be the one spoken of in the prophecy.  I am concerned.  You and Grodus are the next line of defense.  The time is now!  We need those four Oracles of Power!  Do you want me to become even mightier?!  Then hurry!?  He may be the one spoken of in the prophecy.  But I could?ve sworn that he died long ago!



?Yes master!? Wart squealed as he started to back away.



?Wait, before you go, I have a question.  You and Grodus agreed to join my galactic army, the Shadow Shrowds, almost a year ago.  Have you no regrets??



Wart thought for a moment.  Oh yeah!  ?Not a one, sir.  I love working with you, Lord Shade.?



Shade cackled.  ?Excellent, we will make short work of Mario, and then I will rule the world!?



One of Shade?s minions glared at the screen that showed the replay of Mario?s battle with his metal counterpart over and over again.  He seems to become stronger when his friends? lives are in stake.  Interesting?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Gwar har har har!  I?m so awesome!? Bowser chuckled.  ?I?ve got total control of my castle again!?



?Yes sir,? Kammy responded wearily.  ?Tell me again: Why do you want me to build a robotic version of Peach??



?No problem, seeing as how brilliant I am.  First, what I need to do is get the Star Rod.  Mario barely made it out of my castle in one piece last time I got it.  Then all I have to do is use Robo Peach to my advantage, if you know what I mean.?



Kammy sighed.  ?I hope you know what you?re doing.?



?Of course I do!  When have I been wrong before??



But Bowser was oblivious to the fact that he was making someone else?s job way too easy.

Chapter 1: Bowser?s Plan in Action



?Hey, bro!  Wake up!? Luigi called to Mario.  He was standing at his bedside literally yelling in his ear.



Mario finally sat up and looked around.  ?Hey, what?s up??



Luigi glared at him.  ?What?s up?!  It?s noon!  You?ve been tossing and turning since nine o? clock!  What?s wrong??



Mario?s face turned grim.  ?It was a nightmare.  This robed man with piercing red eyes and a blood-curling grin challenged me to a fight.  I accepted, but I was no match for him.  He was two steps ahead of me for every attack I threw at him.  He killed me, and then everyone else in the kingdom.?



?Whoa, that was no ordinary nightmare,? Luigi declared in a choked voice.  ?But hey, we were invited to Peach?s Castle to celebrate the defeat of Metal Mario and Nightmare.  Let?s get going!?



Mario got up and looked at the clock.  ?Mama-mia!  We?ve only got one hour!?





http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2643/80


?Outta? my way, you jerks!? Bowser roared as he rushed past the Royal Guardians of the Star Shrine.



The seven Star Spirits appeared and charged at Bowser.  ?Stupid star things!  Get away!?  Bowser swatted them all away and snatched the Star Rod.  ?With this, Mario will never beat me!?



?Your grunginess, Mario and Luigi are now at Mushroom Castle,? Kammy reported briskly.  She took a bow and turned to leave.



?Wait, Kammy!  There?s no need to fly when we can just warp to the castle gates!  Come on, you old hag!  Get Robo Peach and Jr. into position!?





Peach stood on a podium before hundreds of Toads.  Among them were Mario and Luigi.  ?And lastly, I?d like to thank Mario, for keeping the kingdom safe- Eeek!?



Bowser Jr. grabbed Peach and made a dash for the door.  Mario stood up and chased after them.  ?Not again!? one of the Toads groaned. 





?Catch me if ya? can, suckers!? Jr. shouted back as Mario sprinted after him with his brother close behind.



?Stop, you puny little Koopa!? Miraculously, Jr. stopped and put Peach down.  ?Huh??  Mario finally looked around and noticed that they had run into western half of Forever Forest.  No one could tell their exact location.



?I think this is far enough,? Jr. muttered under his breath.  He took a few steps away from Peach.  ?You guys are faster than I thought.  You win.?



Mario and Luigi skeptically stepped forward to Peach.  ?I guess you?re not that bad after all,? Luigi sighed.  ?Let?s get Peach back to the castle.?



?Suckers!? Jr. laughed as he drew his paintbrush and created a force field around Mario, Luigi, and Peach.  ?Have fun!?



He took out a remote and pressed a button.  A copter with Bowser?s face on it drifted down toward Jr., who hopped in.  He flew away, mad with laughter.



?That dirty little brat!? Peach shouted in disgust.  ?Mario, can you break us out of here??



?I can try,? Mario replied.  He gave the barrier his greatest punch.



DONG



Mario?s fist bounced right off the wall.  ?Err? I was just warming up!?  He punched it again.



DONG



Nothing.  ?What?s with this door?!  Stand back guys; this?ll get us out of here.? 



?I hope he knows what he?s doing,? Luigi whispered to Peach.



Mario shot an Ultra Fireball at the force field.  No effect.  Then an Ultra Iceball.  Not even a sound.  ?That?s it!?  He shot both an Ultra Fireball and Iceball at the same time at the wall.  A cold chill ran through the inside of the barrier, and then they felt a burning sensation.



DING



?I guess we won?t be escaping any time soon, then??

Chapter 2: One Peach or Two?





On the podium that Peach had stood on moments ago was Bowser, gripping Robo Peach in his hands.  He was blathering to the large cluster of Toads about how he saved ?Peach?.



?Yes, it was me that saved Peach!  Mario was no match for Peach?s kidnapper, so I stepped in and saved her!? Bowser shouted triumphantly.



One of the Toads called back, ?But didn?t your son kidnap her in the first place?!?  The entire group began to join in and shout nasty things at the Koopa King.



?That?s what he?uh? wanted you to think!? Bowser snapped back, not too sure of himself.  ?It was really some? other guy? disguised as Jr.!  Do you think I?m lying?  Ask Robo- err? Peach!?



?It?s-true.  He-saved-me,? Robo Peach chimed in. 



?So what?  We still like Mario better!!? another Toad challenged.  ?So put Peach down and scram!?



?Actually, ?Peach? had an idea.  Tell ?em, Peach!?



?I-would-like-to-resign-as-ruler-of-the-Mushroom-Kingdom.  I-hereby-make-Bowser-the-king-of-the-Mushroom-Kingdom.?



?What?! No way!!?  Cries of disgust came from the audience.



?Don?t worry,? Bowser said in a coaxing voice.  ?I have some ?nice? changes for this kingdom.?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Hyah!!? Mario cried as he threw another punch at the barrier.  ?Ayah!?



?Mario!  Calm down!  I can destroy the barrier myself!?  Peach shrieked.  ?You need to save your energy; I have a feeling you?ll need it.?



Mario heaved a great sigh.  Large beads of sweat ran down the back of his neck.  ?So, you think you can do any better??



Luigi cut in.  ?Bro, nine times outta? ten Peach is right.  Just listen up.?



?What did you have in mind, then??



Peach gestured for Mario to sit.  ?Just let me handle this.?  She raised her hands to the sky and closed her eyes.  Clearly she was trying to concentrate.  Mario and Luigi heard a faint ringing sound, which was coming from the barrier.  Suddenly, it flashed three times, each flash quicker than the last.



?Hit it now!? Peach screamed.



?Hyah!?  Mario kicked the force field, shattering it to pieces.  ?How did you do that??



Peach put her arms down and grinned.  ?Royal powers have been passed from my mother to me.  I used them to weaken the barrier, allowing you to destroy it.?



Mario and Luigi marveled at the pieces of the barrier that lay scattered on the ground.  ?Whoa??



?There?s no time for that now!  Let?s get back to the castle!?


* * * * * * * * * * *


http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2643/80 (http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2643/80)


Bowser sat at what used to be Peach?s throne.  He was bossing the Toads around and playing mind games with them.  ?NO!  Idiot!  I asked for a poisonous snake, not a delicious cake!!?



?Hey, why are we letting that scum boss us around!? a Toad bellowed out.



Bowser breathed a long streamed of fire that burnt the Toad to a crisp.  ?Because Peach said I was king!  And the king gets whatever he wants!  Isn?t that right, Peach??



?Yes-Lord-Bowser.?



Bowser snarled.  ?Here that?  I get whatever I want!  Now go get me a poisonous snake so I can throw it at you!?



?Why, sir?? one of the Toads asked sheepishly.



?Why?  Because it?s fun, that?s why!  Besides, as king, I can do whatever I want.  Now get me my poisonous snake!?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario, Luigi, and Peach dashed through Forever Forest without any sense of direction.  ?Hey Peach, do you have any idea where we are??



?Yes.  We?re in Forever Forest,? Peach retorted sarcastically.  ?Where?s Luigi??



Mario turned around and saw that Luigi had stopped.  ?Luigi, why are you holding us up??



Luigi pointed west.  ?I think that?s out house over there!  See?"



?Yeah, I can see part of the roof!  Let?s go that way!  We can use our warp pipe to get to Mushroom Castle faster!?

Chapter 3: Detained With Terror



As they made a dash for the Mario household, time seemed to stand still.  They brushed past an endless array of bushes and shrubs, while tall, thick grass pulled at their legs.  Mario led the group, with Luigi and Peach close behind.  As he drew closer to his house, Mario tripped over something protruding from the ground.



?Whoa!? Mario he screeched as he fell flat on his face.  ?What the??



Luigi and Peach stopped dead in their tracks.  Luigi helped his brother up.  ?Are you okay??



Mario?s face turned pale.  ?I- Is that what I think it is??  He had tripped over a red pipe that stuck up about a foot out of the ground.  ?It is.?



It was Luigi?s turn to become worried.  ?Mario, you know what?s on the other side of this pipe??



Mario nodded.  ?Uh-huh.  Brooklyn.  Exactly where we came from.?



Peach was still confused.  ?So what?  Why are you so worried??



Mario swallowed hard.  ?The pipe is one-way only.  It only appears if something has come out from the other end.  In other words, someone or something from Brooklyn is here.?



?Does it matter?? Peach inquired, still curious.



Luigi explained this time.  ?At the time we first were cleaning out the sewers where the other end of this pipe is, no one without a permit was allowed into the sewers.  We were the only ones with a permit because we had defeated Donkey Kong, so we had experience.?



?Experience with what?? Peach asked.



Mario shivered and began to speak.  ?Some mutant creature lived in the sewers.  We had experience in fighting powerful opponents, so we were sent to clean out the pipelines where the monster lived.  It?s here.  I know it.?



?Eeeek!? Peach screamed.  ?I saw something over there!?




Mario stood ready for anything that came his way.  ?Peach, Luigi, listen up.  Get out of here as fast as you can.  Luigi, I need you to keep Peach safe.  If I don?t come back, then beat Bowser yourself.?



?R- Right!  Not that I don?t wanna? help you, or anything.  I mean, it?s n- not like I?m scared,? Luigi stammered as he and Peach made a break for the Mario residence.



Mario let out a sigh of relief when he saw them jump down a barely visible pipe that led to Toad Town.  ?Alright, where are you??



?Ah, Mario.  It?s been ages since I last saw you in the sewers.  Good thing I found this nifty pipe.?



?Who is it?!? Mario challenged, quavering. 



?Let me introduce myself,? he said in a taunting voice as he stepped out from the shadows.  ?I am Velno.  I have come in search of power, and I will drain the power from every being in the Mushroom Kingdom, starting with you!?



Mario winced in terror as he saw Velno?s horrid figure.  He was about eight feet tall, and his skin was blue with shades of green running down his arms and legs.  Velno was not even close to being humanoid; in fact, he looked like a giant bug.  He stood up like a normal human; on two feet with three sharp claws at the end of each.  His hands were the same way.  Velno?s head was deformed and looked like the head of a fly.



?Ugh, has anyone told you how ugly you are?!? Mario shouted in disgust.



?Here?s a tip: keep your cool!  If you do, maybe I won?t be able to suck the life out of you!  That is, if you can keep up!?



Velno dashed over to Mario and landed a quick punch across his cheek.  Mario flew backward and landed nimbly on his feet.  A cut that ran from his cheek to his ear appeared on his face.  ?How is he that fast??



Velno merely laughed and charged again at Mario.  This time Velno delivered a kick to Mario?s chest, then gave him an uppercut that sent him soaring into the air.  Velno warped up to meet Mario, and then pounded him to the ground.  Mario struggled to his feet and watched in horror as Velno came down toward him with his mouth wide open.



?He?s not gonna? eat me, is he?!? Mario shrieked.  Now his mind was racing.  What could he do?  He?s too fast, I can?t even touch him.  I?ll have to finish him some other way.  ?You seem hungry, Velno.  Then eat this!?



Mario shot an Iceball that went right inside Velno?s mouth, turning him to an ice statue.  ?Now I?ll finish you!?  Mario unleashed a barrage of Fireballs at the ice sculpture.  Then, in all of the confusion, he made a break for his house.



?There?s no way he survived that one,? Mario congratulated himself as he jumped into the pipe that led to Toad Town.



Velno watched him escape through his hawkish, red eyes.  ?You win this time.?  He got up and added with a grin, ?You can only hide from me for so long.  Soon I will suck the energy from everyone in this kingdom!?


* * * * * * * * * *


http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2643/80 (http://gh.ffshrine.org/song/2643/80)


?Hah!  Luigi, you are no match for my might!? Bowser laughed.  ?At least, not when I have the Star Rod, anyway.  If you tell me where Peach is, I?ll let you go.?



?Never!? Luigi snapped defiantly.  ?I won?t lose!  Not for my bro!?



He jumped up and put the remainder of his energy into a single Fireball.  It struck Bowser directly in the face, but it did no harm.  Bowser snickered some more and raised the Star Rod.  A bolt of lightning came out of nowhere and nailed Luigi.



?Bwahahahahahahahahaha!  Shocking, isn?t it?!  Oh, that?s rich!?

Chapter 4: The Fall of Bowser



?Gwahahahaha!  I love being king!? Bowser cackled at the fallen Luigi.  ?Still, you are no use to me if you will not tell me where Peach is.  I guess I?ll just have to kill you.?



?No?? Luigi moaned as he fell to the ground, out of strength.  ?I can?t? go on??



Bowser shot a rainbow colored ball at Luigi from the Star Rod.  A lone Iceball came out of nowhere and countered Bowser?s attack.




?What?!?  Bowser roared as he looked around for the culprit.



?Look above you!? Mario replied from the top of a chandelier.  ?Your guards give the worst takeout.  I asked them for some pasta and they attacked me.  Leave it to you to establish such a lousy kingdom.?



?This isn?t a restaurant,? Bowser growled through his teeth.



Mario wasn?t really paying attention to Bowser.  ?It?s not?  Really?  I thought it was one of those fancy places with the ugly decorations,? Mario added sarcastically.  ?Well I?m not voting for you as king.  Your service stinks!?



?You will pay for your insolence!?  Bowser hopped down from his throne and landed below Mario, who jumped down from the chandelier.  Bowser?s landing created a miniature shockwave that sent floorboards up into the air.



?I see you?ve lost weight,? Mario snickered, ignoring the fact that Bowser was red with rage.



Bowser was furious.  He slashed at Mario, who merely stepped back and became serious again.  ?So, you?d rather get beaten up, eh?  Okay!?  Mario dropkicked Bowser in the stomach and flipped over to his backside.  He grabbed Bowser by the tail and swung him around and around.



?Gah!  You know I hate that!?  Bowser cried out, with pure hatred in his voice.  Faster and faster, Bowser was spinning like a merry go round gone mad.  It seemed as though a mini tornado appeared around them as Mario twirled in circles, grasping on to Bowser?s tail.



At last, he let go.  Bowser shot out of Mario?s hands and crashed face first into a wall.  A few seconds passed until Bowser got his head out of the wall; and then he realized that he was in the air and fell to the ground.



Bowser struggled to his feet and moaned.  ?How can you keep up with me?  I should be invincible!  This can?t be!?



?Let?s just say I?ve been through some changes,? Mario said with a wry grin.  ?Now give up.  Leave the Mushroom Kingdom, unless you?re done eating dirt.?



?What?!  You have to be kidding me!  I?m not leaving until you?re dead!? Bowser spat back at him in disgust.



?Actually, it would be pointless to keep fighting you.  I?ve proven to be better than you in every way.  It?s not fair to fight you with my new strength.  Just go.?



?Shut up!? the infuriated tyrant bellowed.  ?You will bow down to me!!?



?Maybe I?m speaking too soon, maybe you will beat me,? Mario taunted.  ?Face it; you?re so mad that you?ve been blinded by your anger.  Leave, before you end up getting hurt.?



?Enough!!? Bowser screeched as he shot an enormous rainbow beam from the Star Rod.  It traveled across the room and appeared to hit Mario.


* * * * * * * * * *




?Status report, sir,? Wart saluted before Shade?s throne. 



?What is it, Wart?? Shade asked impatiently.  ?Did you retrieve the Star Rod as I had asked??



?No, it was not in Star Haven.  But we just caught a trace of its power at Mushroom Castle.  Fortunately, that is also where the Power Star is located.?



Shade looked utterly shocked.  ?Really?  Go retrieve them both.  I?m counting on both you and Grodus.  Do not fail me if you wish to live.  Now go!?



?Yes sir!? Wart complied as he exited the room.



?Mario? Try your hand at defeating my best henchmen!  It is too late for you now!  I have an army of galactic warriors at my grasp to destroy you!?


* * * * * * * * * *


As the annihilator beam halted to a stop, Bowser thought he had won.  ?In your face, loser!  Oh yeah; I?ll give up to you!?




?It would be a good idea,? Mario murmured from within the smoke.



?What?  I killed you!? Bowser yelled in disbelief.  ?There?s no way!  If you were smart, you would?ve escaped when I thought that I won!?



?Don?t flatter yourself; why would I run from someone I?m not even scared of!? Mario retorted.  ?It?s over!?



Mario shot an Iceball that froze Bowser to a mere statue.  He ripped the Star Rod from Bowser?s hand and aimed it at the oversized ice sculpture.  ?So long, Bowser!?  He shot a rainbow beam identical to the one that Bowser had shot at him, sending the Koopa King flying out of the castle.

Chapter 5: A Dark Uprising



?Nice work Mario,? Toadsworth congratulated him with a pat on the back.  ?And good job Luigi.  If you had not taken Peach to safety, we would be in a terrible predicament.?



Both brothers high-fived each other and nodded.  ?By the way, what happened to Robo Peach??



Peach shivered.  ?Seeing that she was a robot, we are using her as a maid to help clean up the Mushroom Kingdom.  It?s better than making these poor people do it, especially considering all of the damage that has been caused lately.?



Luigi shed a tear.  ?Yeah? So many people have lost their lives recently with all of the destruction.?



Mario?s face brightened as he formulated a plan.  ?I?ve got it!  What if we used the Star Rod to bring them all back to life?  We used it to bring Toadsworth back!?



Toadsworth thought for a moment.  ?Yes, it would work.  However, it can only restore their lives once.  Also, it cannot restore Mario because he was already brought back from the dead.  But all of the Toads that were killed should be able to be brought back.  Just remember that you can't be affected by the Star Rod's magic more than once.?



Mario held the Star Rod in front of him.  He closed his eyes and paused.  ?Great stars in heaven, so many people have died because of evil doers that I was luckily able to defeat.  Here my plea and give them another chance!?



No one moved.  Nobody said a word.  It was dead silent.  Everyone was so quiet that they could've heard a pin drop, and yet no one heard them coming.



?Did it work?? Peach asked suddenly.



Before anyone could answer, a thin, laser type blast came from seemingly nowhere and struck Mario?s hand.  He dropped the Star Rod to the ground, which began to glow feverishly.  There was a blinding flash of light, and then the kingdom was filled with life again.



Mario clutched his numb hand and looked around.  ?Who?s there??




Suddenly, Luigi and Peach were surrounded in a crystal-like barrier.  ?Hey!  What?s going on?!?



?Stop it!? Mario challenged.  ?Where are you?!?



A figure stepped forward.  He was about six feet tall, with pale green skin.  He wore black armor and had a sheath with a red dagger in it.  ?Give me the Star Rod.?



?No way!  I?ll never give a shady character like you the Star Rod!? Mario snapped defiantly.



?Now, now.  That?s no way to treat the new owners of the entire world,? a voice echoed from behind.



Mario glanced at the shadows.  ?I know that voice.  Wart, what are you doing with this creep??



?Ack ack ack ack!  We are no longer individuals looking for world domination.  We are part of the Shadow Shrowds, the group that now owns the Mushroom Kingdom.?



Mario?s eyes shifted over to Grodus.  ?Oh, and you too, huh?  So what, is this a reunion for all of the idiots that I?ve beaten?  I?ll beat you all again, Stupid Shrowds!?



?Allow me to introduce you to Mace,? Grodus replied impatiently.  Mace took a quick bow.  ?Let?s get him, boys!?  The three darted forward like wild animals, ready to strike down Mario at any moment.



?Wait!? roared a voice.  ?He is stronger than you think.  Let me handle him.?



Immediately, Mace, Wart, and Grodus halted and took a knee.  ?Master Shade, we weren?t expecting you.?



?Stand back.  I want to crush this fool with my own hands.  I?ll end his life, just as he did to Metal Mario and Chaos.?



Mario staggered back in fear.  This guy?s power? It?s unreal? What a terrible vibe!  He looked at the lifeless forms of Peach and Luigi, trapped in their barrier.  ?Bring it on!?  Mario charged forward at Shade.



?This won?t take long,? Shade told his followers, keeping an eye on the approaching Mario.



Like lightning, Mario sped toward Shade with amazing agility.  As he was no less than five feet from Shade, he leaped into the air and flipped over Shade?s head, twisting his body around.  Behind Shade?s back and still airborne, Mario sent his foot flying at Shade?s head.



?No?? Mario whispered in disbelief.  ?I was going as fast as I could.  How did you anticipate my attack??



?I didn?t,? Shade responded nonchalantly, grasping Mario?s foot as he struggled to break free.  He raised Mario by the foot and began to deliver painful punches to his stomach.  ?Hmm? You have much power.  And yet? you cannot control it.  But you would make a great servant.  Instead of killing you, I will imprison you and force you to obey me.?



He dropped Mario and created the same force field around him that surrounded Peach and Luigi.  Shade walked over to the Star Rod and lifted it from the ground.  ?With this, my power shall increase.  Grodus, Wart, go retrieve the Power Star and report back to Mushroom Base Alpha.?

Chapter 6: Zeros Become Heroes



?Please input security pass-code,? a mechanical voice recited as Mace stepped in front of the door.  He punched in a six number code and pressed a green button.



ZEEP



The electronic doors that guarded the base slid open.  He lifted the crystals that held Mario, Peach, and Luigi captive.  Instantly, they shrunk to the size of Mace?s palm.  He carried them inside and walked across a narrow corridor until he came to a larger room.  In it were three doors; two on the side and a larger one in front.  Mace chose the right door and proceeded inside.



?Here, little runts, is where your power will be tested,? Mace snarled as he placed them in a small container protruding from the wall.



?Let us go!? Mario challenged angrily.



?You?re awfully bossy for someone so small,? Mace replied with a grin.



He pulled a lever and a green smoke filled the container that held Mario, Luigi, and Peach.  The crystal they were trapped in dissolved.  For a minute they tried banging on the glass, but soon they found that the gas was also used to put people to sleep.



?Now, if I?m correct, two minutes after inhaling the smoke you will return to your normal size.  I better get these guys out of here before they break the container.?



Mace snatched the sleeping heroes from their confinement and took them into another room on the right wing of the base.  This room was filled with chambers that could fit a person inside of them.  Rows upon rows of them were lined up as far as the eye can see.  He quickly put Mario, Luigi, and Peach each into a separate chamber just as they popped back to their normal size.



?Lord Shade told me that this was the room used to calculate the amount of power in an organism.  Let?s see just how much power these idiots have.?



Mace pressed a large red button on the wall and immediately the chambers turned on.  A bar was on each chamber, the more of it was filled, the more power the specimen had.  Shade designed them himself, and he made the highest possible level of power his own.  This meant that only Shade would be able to fill the bar exactly one hundred percent, unless someone was exactly as strong as Shade.  This way he could measure people?s strength and enslave them if they were strong enough to work for him. Or he could tell if someone was stronger than him or not.



?Let?s see how much power Peach has.  Hmm?  Ah, the bar isn?t even a quarter of the way filled.?



Mace walked to Luigi?s chamber.  ?Luigi fills it about one quarter of the way.  That?s pretty strong, actually.  Let?s see the red weakling?s power.  What?!?



Mario?s bar was filled about one third of the way, and it was rising.



?That?s impossible!  My power fills the bar half way!?  Mace screamed in disbelief.  He watched as Mario?s bar finally stopped filling up at half way.


* * * * * * * * * *


?Meh, there?s nothing to do anymore,? Waluigi muttered.  He and his brother were slumped on the side of a tree.



?Yeah, everyone just disappeared.  It?s no fun to steal from people when they?re not even home,? Wario moaned. 



Waluigi pounded the tree with his fist, sending an apple down into his hand.  As he took a bite, he noticed that it was all dried up.  Suddenly alarmed, he got up and looked at the top of the tree.  Its leaves had withered off and the rest of the apples were just as dry as the first.  ?What?s going on??





Wario glanced at the path leading to Toad Town and saw something out of the corner of his eye.  He watched in horror as an army of soldiers were marching down the path toward them.  Each one was about six feet tall, with pale green skin.  They wore black armor and were equipped with a sheath that contained a red dagger.    ?Bro, look!  It?s an army of evil dudes!  Let?s scram!?



Waluigi looked over his shoulder and screeched.  ?Yikes!  We can?t let them see us!  Hurry!  We can hide atop of this tree!?  He scrambled to the top and realized that Wario could barely pull himself out of his bed in the morning, let alone climb a tree.



?Hey, it?s a fat guy trying to climb a tree!  Let?s get him, men!?



They all charged directly at Wario, who stumbled backward and watched as they all surrounded him.  ?Uh? Top of the morning officers??



?We?re not the police,? one of them snapped, ?but we were told to capture anyone we could find.?



So that?s where everyone went, Waluigi thought.  He dived in front of Wario and began throwing Fireballs at the army. 



?Gah!  A skinny purple tree-climber has gone berserk!!? the leader shouted.  ?Get them!?



Waluigi grabbed his brother and used all of his might to throw him at the crowd, knocking them all down.  Wario got up and joined Waluigi to make an exit.  ?Just one thing, bro,? Wario said dizzily.



?What?s that??



?Never throw me like that again.  I?m not a pinball; I?m a person.?


* * * * * * * * * *


After what seemed like hours of running, they finally stopped in Goomba Village.  They settled in a deserted item shop, where they munched on some Fried Mushrooms.  At last, Waluigi spoke.



?I just had an idea.  Why don?t we be the good guys for once??



Wario fell out of his seat and broke out in laughter.  ?Bahahahahahaha!  That?s a good one!?



Waluigi?s face grew serious.  ?I mean it.  Just for a while until everyone is back in their home.  Then we can steal things just like we used to.  Besides, we?ll get fame, glory, and treasures if we help save the world!  What do you think??



Wario thought for a moment.  ?Just this once.  But I won?t like it.?

Chapter 7: Escape? or Escapade?



?This isn?t possible?? Mace shook his head in disbelief.  ?He looked like a fool when he tried to fight Lord Shade.  Perhaps the chamber is malfunctioning.  No mere human can match my power.?



He opened each of the chambers and, one by one, dragged their lifeless bodies into another room.  It was a long corridor that stretched from one end to the other.  It was at least the length of two football fields.  On each side of the hallway were hundreds of cells, each sealed with tight iron bars.  Mace flipped a switch next to one of the cells, and the iron bars slid up into the ceiling.



Mario rolled off of his back and into a sitting position.  Mace was busy pushing Luigi and Peach into the cell.  He didn?t know why, but he felt terribly exhausted.  Alright, I have to use my energy sparingly.  Peach and Luigi need my help.



As Mace turned around he saw Mario leap into the air and land a punch to his face.  He staggered backward, clutching his bloody nose.  ?You?re? awake?



Ignoring Mace?s comment, Mario charged straight at his foe.  This time, Mace was not so easily fooled.  He blocked Mario?s uppercut and sent him hurling into the ground.  Mace quickly kicked Mario into his cell and pushed a red button.  The iron bars quickly came down from the ceiling and locked into place.



?Thought you could sneak up on me, did you?? Mace sneered.  ?It?ll take more than that to beat me.  You may have caught me off guard, but if we ever fight again, don?t think you can pull the same move twice.?



Mace chuckled as he walked away.  Mario listed to his maddening laughter echo through the lifeless corridor.  I have to get out of here!



Now back in the power-testing room, Mace locked the door behind him and shut it.  ?Could he be the one??


* * * * * * * * * *




?How much farther?? Wario wheezed as the two trudged through Mushroom Fields.  Night had settled, but there was not a single trace of the moon.  A few stars were dotted in the sky, but other than that it was all dark.



Waluigi scowled back at his brother.  ?Would you shut up you fat blimp?!  You don?t want to get caught!  See that over there??  Waluigi paused and pointed to a dark fortress in the distance.  ?I have a hunch that everyone?s in there.  But those monsters? Who knows how good their sight or hearing is, so stay low.?



As they made their way to the castle, it became harder to stay out of sight.  Four searchlights waved unpredictably across the grass in a circle around the fort.  Wario poked Waluigi.  ?There?s the entrance,? he whispered.  ?But it?s guarded tightly.  You distract them while I make my way in.?



Waluigi was about to disagree when he heard a yell from one of the guards.  ?It?s a man dressed in purple!  Get him!?  The guards scrambled from their posts and chased after Waluigi, who spun around and ran as fast as he could.



In all of the confusion, Wario was able to sneak around the action right over to the front door.  With a sigh of frustration, Wario realized that he needed a password.  He peered back at the swarm of enemies chasing Waluigi and noticed a paper on the ground.  He waddled over to it and snatched it.



?It?s some kind of code?? Wario muttered.  The paper read: 31254; it must?ve been used by one of the guards to remember the code.  Wario sat for a minute, glancing at the paper and then the buttons near the door, until an idea hatched inside of his head.



?Maybe this is the code??  Hopefully, Wario punched in the corresponding numbers.  Sure enough, the doors slid open.  He took a step forward.  ?Wow??



He noticed three doors; one on the right, one on the left, and one in the middle.  ?Let?s see? I choose right!?  Wario trotted over to the eastern door and opened it.  After exploring the area, he found the Power Testing Room.



?Hey, I could use a nap.  Maybe these things are used as a bed.?  He began to open one of the doors, but then he heard the guards returning to their posts.  They got him.



With a new sense of determination, Wario headed in through the northern door to the Captivity Chambers.  ?Now where are they??  He walked past countless numbers of cells, each one filled to the brim with Toads.  ?I?ll help you guys later.  Let me just find-?



Wario spotted what he had been looking for: the cell that contained Mario, Luigi, and Peach.  Without hesitation, he dashed to their chamber faster than any regular fat person would.  ?Psst!  Guys, I?m here to help you!  How do I get past these iron bars??



Mario grinned ear to ear.  ?Go over to one of the guards and clobber him,? he remarked sarcastically.  ?That should get you a nice place past these bars.?



?Very funny,? Wario replied, ?but could you refresh my memory?  Who is it that is sealed away barely being fed and treated like an animal?!  That?s what I thought.  Now tell me how to let you out.?



Mario?s face grew serious.  ?That button should do the trick.?



Eagerly, Wario punched the button.  The iron bars slid up and into the ceiling, and the three captives staggered out.  ?What happened to you three??



?We can barely move.  Sitting around here with no food or water takes a lot out of you,? Luigi responded.



Wario reached into his pocket and pulled out three Mushrooms.  ?Tsk, tsk, that?s no excuse for the great Super Mario.  You?re lucky I came prepared.?  He tossed one to each of the weakened heroes, and they all greedily devoured them.  Instantly, they regained all of their strength.



?Why exactly are you helping us?? Peach inquired skeptically.  ?Eeek!  Were those Mushrooms poisoned?!?



Wario blushed.  ?Well? um? I just thought that you guys needed help from the great and powerful Wario Brothers!!?



?Hey!  I think I heard someone shouting in there!?



?Uh? Now would be a good time to scram!  Let?s go!?

Chapter 8: The Labyrinth of Ages





Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Wario immediately turned and high tailed it out of there.  ?Hey, Wario!  Where?s Waluigi?? Mario asked as they ran from the guards.



Wario held back his tears.  ?They got him.?



?I see.  Sorry for asking.  But, um, does anyone know where we?re going?  I mean, we?re running in the opposite direction of the exit.?



Luigi looked back and saw the guards getting closer to them.  ?They?re fast!  Hurry up!?  They shoved the door at the end of the room open and charged into the next.  The four just stood there with their mouths agape.  Before them stood an enormous labyrinth shaped with neatly carved tungsten walls.



?It?ll take years to find a way through this!? Wario shouted, breaking the awkward silence.



?Stop right where you are!? the head of the guards barked.  ?Don?t even try to escape.  Either come with us or get lost in the Labyrinth of Ages.



Mario clenched his fists.  ?Of course!  The Shadow Shrowds made another exit to the Captivity Chambers so that they could lock the prisoners in with one door, and use this to escape.  Then I assume that everyone here knows how to get through??



Ignoring Mario?s brilliance, the cluster of guards scrambled across the room.  ?Get him!?



?Go on without me!? Mario commanded over his shoulder.  ?I?ll catch up!?  He shot a few Fireballs randomly into the fray.  ?GO!?



?But you?ll get lost in the maze!? Peach replied, shocked at Mario?s decision.  ?We don?t want to lose you!?



Mario smiled and looked back.  ?It?s not about what you want.  It?s about what needs to be done.  Go!  I don?t intend to get lost!? 



Wario and the others nodded and darted into the labyrinth just as the smoke cleared.  The sentries spotted Mario, and they immediately resumed their pursuit.  ?Hey!  Where did the others go?!?



?For me to know and you idiots to never find out!? Mario taunted as he leaped over the crowd.  ?Ha ha!  You can?t catch me!  Shame on you!?  He continued to do this, running to one end of the Captivity Chambers as the security guards chased him.  When he reached the end, he would back flip over them and run to the other end.



?Troops!  Regroup!  I have a plan.?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Ah, we?ve finally found them,? Wart sighed.  In his hands he held the Power Star that generated energy used to power Mushroom Castle.  Next to him stood Grodus, who was fiddling around with the Star Rod.



?Do you think these things can really make Lord Shade more powerful?? Grodus inquired, scanning the two magical objects.  ?And why would Shade even want to be more powerful than he already is??



Wart shrugged.  ?Your guess is as good as mine.  I thought you would?ve known, seeing the fact that you are a robot and all.  I thought robots were supposed to know everything.?



?No, we do not know everything!? Grodus retorted angrily.  ?We only know what is in our database.  Apparently my programmer didn?t know anything about Lord Shade!  Now let?s get these back to him before he kills us!?



?Right!?


* * * * * * * * * * *


?Which way do we go now?? Luigi wondered aloud, looking in all directions.  ?We?ve been going around in circles for an hour!?



Wario poked at the walls as if searching for an answer.  He moved from one to the next, observing the size and shape of each.  He hesitated for a moment and reached into his pocket.  He pulled out the piece of paper with the code on it and a pencil.  He scribbled down a few notes.



?Wario, what are you doing?? Peach asked suspiciously.  ?And where did you get that pencil??



?I found it at the front desk of a shop in Toad Town.  I figured I would need it sometime later on.  And by using this as scrap paper, I?ve mapped out this entire maze.?



Luigi snatched the paper from Wario?s hand.  ?Lemme? see!  It has to tell us the way out of here!?



Wario looked puzzled.  ?Really?  I was just doodling.  I wanted to see if I could get from one end to the other like those maze games you see in those magazines and-?



Luigi?s face lit up.  ?Wow?  You were so stupid that it actually helped us.  This actually shows one area that we haven?t really gone near.  Follow me!?



With the paper in his hand, he followed the markings and mapped out what wasn?t already there.  In no time, the size of the map had doubled.  Luigi was persistent and wouldn?t give up until they reached the exit.



?I think I found the exit!? Peach exclaimed.  Everyone sprinted over to a giant clearing in the maze.  They were now standing in an enormous rectangular area.  ?Let?s go while we still can!?



Luigi stood his ground.  ?No.  I?m not leaving without my Bro.  I have to at least leave a clue or something to help him.  I?ll trace the right path on the floor with Wario?s pencil!?



Wario glared at him.  ?So you can be the big hero?  No thanks!?



?Give it to me!?



?NO!?



As the two continued their quarreling, Peach watched in horror as a metal door in the floor slid open and a colossal robotic spider emerged.

Chapter 9: Arachnophobia



?He?s my brother!  Let me help him!?  Luigi cried as he jerked his entire body backward.  At the same time, Wario let go, sending Luigi flying backward into the hole that the spider emerged from.



?Ha!? Wario laughed triumphantly as he snatched the fallen pencil.  ?Oops? Now he?s in that hole??



Peach glared at Wario.  ?Didn?t you notice that there?s a giant spider in here?!?  She gestured toward the charging robot.


http://boomp3.com/m/8605508c5060


?Yikes!!? Wario screamed.  ?That thing's disgusting!?



?But it?s a robot,? Peach replied, pleading for Wario?s help.



Wario turned to face the robot.  ?Well I?ll uh? see what I can do??  He dashed at the approaching spider and took a great leap into the air that would almost compare to one of his rival?s jumps.  From there he reared his fists forward and nailed one of its legs.  A hollow DONG rang through the room.



?OW!? Wario shouted as he tumbled to the ground, clenching his bruised fist.  ?That was my hardest punch!?



The robotic spider raised one of its enormous legs and stomped on the ground where Wario was.  Luckily, he managed to roll out of the way.  Peach rushed over to him.  ?Wario!  Do something!?  She grabbed his shoulders and shook him frantically.



Wario pushed her away.  ?I can?t!  First of all, I?m afraid of bugs!  And second; I?m hungry!!  I?ll have you know I haven?t eaten in an hour!?



?You?re such a pig!? Peach snapped as she turned away from him.  The synthetic bug balanced itself and darted over to Wario and Peach.  Wario shut his eyes and quavered in fear.  ?Why did I have to be a hero?! Why?!?



A green Fireball zoomed out from the nearby pit and struck the spider.  All at once it fell in a huge heap that shook the room.  Before Wario or Peach could comment, Luigi climbed out of the gap.  ?Got him!? he bellowed triumphantly.



Wario let out a sigh of relief.  ?Well? Let?s just be glad that I didn?t have to step in.  ?Cause if I had, things may have gotten a little ugly.?



?Now, back to more important matters.  Hand over that pencil!?



Wario glanced back and forth nervously.  ?I? lost it??



Luigi?s face grew pale as he nearly fell backward.  ?You mean??



?Luigi!  Behind you!? Peach shrieked, breaking the silence.



In a flash, Luigi whirled around and saw the spider back on its feet again and slowly approaching him with its mouth wide open.  ?Wario!  Fireballs!?



The two stepped forward and unleashed a barrage of Fireballs at the fiend that got closer with each step.  Peach stared intently at the fray of yellow and green Fireballs.  With a gasp, she saw the horrid figure of the heartless robot growing near to them.  Soon, they would be dead.



?It?s not working!? Wario bawled.



?What do we do now?!? Luigi wailed as he lost all hope.



With one of its strong legs, it knocked Luigi to the ground.  He found that he was paralyzed with fear, and couldn?t move an inch.  The fiend revealed its sharp fangs as it lowered its jaw and slid its mouth just above him.  Luigi saw the dark abyss that was inside, and he knew that this was it.  It was all over.



Altogether, the spider crumpled onto the ground in agony.  It whimpered as sheets of ice slowly took form on its deadly metallic surface.  In no time, it was frozen in a solid block of ice.



?Hey, what did I miss?? Mario inquired sarcastically as he pulled his brother to his feet.



?You made it!? Peach wailed out with joy.



?Yeah.  I was about to help the Toads out of their chambers when I felt a rumbling sound.  That?s when I rushed over onto the scene to help out.  This place seems empty.  Those guards I fought before were the only foes in here besides that robot spider.  Why would everyone leave??



A few rocks from the ceiling tumbled down and nearly struck the group.  Mario?s face became serious.  ?This place won?t last.  The exit is just past this room.  I?m going back to help the others!?



Luigi spoke up.  ?No!  This place will be history in minutes!  Come back the other way with us; it?ll be quicker!?



?I can?t.  The maze is more of a challenge!  Skulleon always taught me to take on the toughest situation whenever given a choice.  Besides, on my way through I heard someone groaning in the labyrinth.  I have to go back and check!  And once I find whoever it was, I?ll help the Toads.  Luigi, I?ll need you to go back into the Power Testing Room and unlock the Captivity Chambers so I can get out.?



With that, Mario turned around and sprinted back into the labyrinth.  ?No!? Luigi burst into tears.  ?I can?t lose you again!?



Wario forced a smile.  ?Hey, Waluigi is in their too.  So don?t worry.  Mario has been my rival for a long time, and I know that luck is on his side.  There?s something strange about him, and I think that we should leave.  Luigi, do as your brother told you to and everything will be fine.?



Luigi nodded and turned back to face the maze.  ?I believe in you, bro.?

Chapter 10: Velno?s Sneak Attack



?I can?t believe this kingdom!  There?s not a single person around to eat!? Velno snarled as he kicked the door down the last house that he had not checked.  ?Not a soul at all?  It?s like they just vanished!?



He took a seat on a pile of dirt and heaved a great sigh.  ?I just don?t get it?  They can?t be hiding because I would?ve been able to sniff them out!  And the only one who knows about me is Mario; Peach and Luigi must?ve completely forgotten about me.?



Abruptly, Velno stood upright and sniffed the air.  ?Is that?  Luigi?!  It is!  I can get plenty of energy if I eat him!  I better hurry before Mario shows up.?  He sniffed a few more times before he took off at full speed into the distance.


* * * * * * * * * *





Mario sped through the labyrinth like a rat looking for cheese.  ?Was it here?  Or there?!?  Darn it!  This place is going to be gone in minutes!?  He took a hard left at the next fork in the paths.  ?Dead end!?  He whirled around and took the right wing this time.  Growing more frantic, Mario realized that he was completely lost.  ?No!  Not now!  Somebody guide me!?



?M?  -rio?a-io??



?Who is it?!? Mario cried out, trying to pinpoint the origin of the voice.  ?Where are you?!?



?Mario? -elp? me??



Mario traced the sound to a dead end, where he saw a familiar friend crumpled on the ground.  ?Waluigi!  Are you okay?  Oh, dumb question.  Let me help you out of here!  Can you walk??



Waluigi slowly pointed to his right leg.  Mario followed Waluigi?s arm and grimaced as he saw a dagger that went right through his leg.  And then he saw blood.  Warm blood.  It was oozing from Waluigi?s gash onto the cold stone floor.  In a flash, Waluigi was on Mario?s shoulder.  Mario quickly rushed back into the labyrinth.  He didn?t care about the blood getting on him; he just wanted to make it out alive.



?I remember the way from here,? Mario whispered to his fallen comrade as he dashed through mind-bending twists and turns.  ?I just hope Luigi has unlocked the door.?


* * * * * * * * * *


Wario, Luigi, and Peach burst out of the left door in the base?s main corridor.  ?So this is where that door led?? Luigi commented as they made their way into the Power Testing Room.  ?I hope Mario made it!?  He punched the button the unlocked the doors and opened them for a peek.



?Hey, Luigi!  I?m almost done!?  Mario called from the other side of the Captivity Chambers.  He raced down the hall, unlocking the cells one by one, until all of the Toads were free.  ?Get out of here, you guys,? Mario commanded the small Toads as they scurried out of the room.



?Mario!  How can I ever thank you??  Peach inquired with gratitude.



?See?  I told you he would make it!? Wario boasted.  ?I?m so smart!  Maybe I?m psychic!?



?Hey Wario!  Guess who I found!?



Wario appeared to shed a tear.  ?You don?t mean??



?Uh-huh!  I found Waluigi!?  Mario bellowed triumphantly as he carried him to Wario, Peach, and Luigi.  ?Let?s get out of here.  Lock the door, just incase any of those vicious Shadow Shrowds are still in there.?  Luigi complied and locked the door.  ?Wait!  Before you close it, let me check to see if anyone?s still in there.  Hold on to the door!?



Mario sprinted past each of the cells, scanning for any stragglers.  ?Nope, everyone?s out of here.?



BOOM!  CRACKLE!  THUD!!



A huge chunk of ceiling collapsed and knocked Luigi over, causing the door the Captivity Chambers to shut.  ?No!  I?m locked in!? Mario shrieked.  ?Luigi!  Wario!  Peach!  Unlock the door!?



Luigi got up and pressed the button that unlocked the door.  ?Hold on, Bro!?



C-CHINK!  THUNK!  BZZZERP!!



Luigi was sent tumbling backward as the button shocked him.  ?It didn?t work!?



Peach gasped in horror.  ?No!  Help him!?



Wario?s face was grim.  ?He?ll have to go all the way around.?



BOOM



Currents of electricity weaved through the room.  ?We?re not doing any good in here!  Let?s hurry out of here before it?s too late!?



Peach put a hand on Luigi?s shoulder.  ?Mario will make it.  Let?s get out of this forsaken place before we?re shocked to death and then buried under rubble.?



Wario picked up Waluigi, and they all made a break for the exit.


* * * * * * * * * *


?Hmm? What?s this??  Velno peered at the large base and saw a huge ground of Toads tumble out of it.  In the mix were Peach, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi.



?Wario, you go seek medical help for Waluigi.  As soon as the Toads get back into town, everything will be back to normal,? Luigi demanded, looking at his rival in empathy, who was resting in Wario?s arms.



Wario nodded and waddled off with his brother.  ?Peach, we should get back to the castle.?




?Yaaaa!!!? Velno cried out as he dashed toward Luigi with his mouth wide open.



?Yikes!  What in the world is that?!? Luigi screamed with disgust.  ?Whatever it is, I think it?s hungry!?

ugh... Serious Writer's Block + Holiday Season = Total Madness

I'm working on Chapter 11, and I'm about 1/3 of the way done.  I've got some ideas to work with, now I just need to put them in writing.  The new chapter should be done within a few days.

Chapter 11: Mario?s Demise?





?Hya!!? Luigi cried as he shot a Fireball into Velno?s mouth.  ?Wait a minute!  That must be the sewer monster we were talking about before!?



?Eeek!!  Luigi!  Kill that disgusting thing!? Peach shrieked.



Velno coughed up a cloud of smoke.  ?Now, now!  It?s not nice to make fun of others!?  He sprinted toward Peach at an amazing rate, once again opening his mouth to its full extent.



?LUIGI!!?



?Get away from her!? Luigi challenged bravely as he delivered a flying kick to Velno?s jaw, sending him tumbling backward as Luigi landed next to Peach.  ?Hey!  Who do you think you are?!  I?ll have you know this is Princess Peach, the ruler of the entire Mushroom Kingdom!?



Velno took a few steps toward them.  ?Really?  Oh, I am so sorry, your highness!  My name is Velno, I am so pleased to meet you!? he exclaimed with a grin.  ?Now I?ve got a great idea.?



Luigi stepped forward.  ?Back off!?



Velno let out a great laugh.  ?Ahahaha!  Look at you, acting all tough and whatnot.  However, my keen eyes have noticed that you?re starting to sweat.  Do you think you can back up your warnings with brute strength??



Luigi took a step backward.  ?No? I?m just? I sweat a lot outside, especially when it?s hot out??



Velno frowned impatiently.  ?It?s eleven o?clock at night.  How could you be hot??


* * * * * * * * * *




?Shoot!  I?ve been through this maze three times already!  Ugh!?  Mario scowled, groping his way through the cloud of debris that pervaded the labyrinth.  ?You?d think I?d have memorized this thing by now!?



He took a right, then a left, and then went straight.  ?Now I know why they call it the Labyrinth of Ages!?  Just then, a huge chunk of the ceiling came down behind him, blocking off the way back.  ?Oh no!  Now I?m stuck??  Mario?s mind was racing.  The clock was ticking.  ?Wait!  What if this is the right path?!  It?s my only hope!?



With that, he sped off into the unknown, his vision almost completely obscured by the clouds of debris.  He had not yet hit a dead end.  But there had not been any forks in the path, either.  Mario wasn?t sure what to make sense of this strange path, nor did he care.  No longer feeling his way through the maze, he sprinted down the straight corridor that was his only chance of survival.



THUD



Mario swallowed hard.  He felt as though his heart had jumped right up into his throat.  He sat on the ground, clutching his bruised head.  With a grim sigh, he muttered the words that best described his situation, ?Dead end.?


* * * * * * * * * *




SLASH



Luigi took a knee.  He clutched the deep cut that Velno?s claw had made.  He brought his hand back to his face and grimaced at the sight of his palm.  Blood.



?Eeeek!? Peach shrieked.  ?Luigi!  Get up!?



Velno chuckled.  ?I guess it wasn?t the best idea to charge at me, was it??  He took three long steps and kicked Luigi sky-high.  In a flash, he leaped into the air and grabbed the green plumber?s shirt, just before using it to slam him into the ground.  ?Oops, sorry, I guess I don?t know my own strength!  Ha ha ha!?



Luigi struggled up into a sitting position.  ?Grr?  You?fiend??



?Hm?  Name-calling, are we?  Isn?t that a bit childish??  Velno raised Luigi by his overalls.  ?Peach!  Relinquish your throne to me, or the plumber dies.?  Velno held his claw up to Luigi?s neck to show that he meant business.  ?Come on; your throne for the life of Luigi!?



Peach was trembling.  ?I? I??



?Peach?  Don?t worry about me?? Luigi coaxed her.



?Silence!? Velno roared, gently tapping Luigi?s neck with his sharp nails.



Peach was speechless.  How could she allow Luigi to die?  If Luigi went, surely she would be killed as well.  But if she gave up her throne for Luigi, then the whole Mushroom Kingdom would fall under his control.  And he would probably kill Luigi anyway.  What could she do?



?Peach!  Think about your kingdom!? Luigi shouted.  ?Aw, who am I kidding?  Peach!  Give him the kingdom!  I don?t wanna? die!!?


* * * * * * * * * *




?I?ve only got one chance,? Mario told himself.  ?I?ve gotta? blow the blockade down and find the way out!?  Large chunks of ceiling began to rain down on the entire labyrinth.  ?Oh no!  It?s going down!?



Without hesitation, Mario took off at full speed back toward the wall.  Rocks the sizes of boulders were coming down just a few feet behind him.  ?I?ve got to? hurry!?  At last, he hit the wall of rock that had blocked his way earlier on.  ?Hyah!?  He hit it with all of his might.



CRACK



?It didn?t work??  Mario wondered aloud, puzzled.  ?One more time!  HYAH!?



BOOM



The wall shattered to mere pebbles as Mario ran through and took a right.  And there, before his very eyes, was the large clearing in the maze right before the exit.  Also there, from its icy tomb, rose the giant robo spider, its eyes gleaming red with hatred.

You knew I was going to reply sooner or later!  :P

I finally joined, and thanks again for convincing me to join.  Back on topic, though, you have no idea how much suspense you left at the end of that chapter.  I almost fell out of my seat reading it!  Keep up the awesome work!  ;)

Chapter 12: The Explosion





?Peach, I?m going to ask you again!  Hand over your kingdom to me, and the plumber will go free,? Velno snarled in an impatient tone.  ?I?ve given you more than enough time to choose!?



Luigi dangled lifelessly from Velno?s claw.  Slowly, Velno clutched Luigi?s neck and raised it high above his head.  Gradually, he began to squeeze harder.  ?ACK!!?  Luigi croaked, desperately trying to break free.  But Velno only tightened his grip.  He was willing to kill Luigi to get what he wanted.



?NO!  LUIGI!  Stop it!  Stop it, please!  If you let him go? I?ll give you the kingdom!!?  Peach cried in empathy.  ?Just stop!!?



Velno loosened his grip so that he was holding Luigi by his chin.  ?Hmm? It may even be too late!  Sign in writing that the kingdom is mine, and he?ll go free.?



?Fine, just-?



THWACK



Luigi delivered a painful kick to Velno?s jaw.



?Oof!  Why you little??  Velno cursed, lying on the ground with a bruise on his face.  ?You?ll pay for that? with your life!?  Velno got up and charged at Luigi, his mouth wide open.



Luigi brushed himself off.  ?Not that old trick!?  With that, he tossed a Super Fireball at Velno, causing him to stumble backward.  ?There?s more where that came from!?  Luigi unleashed a barrage of Super Fireballs all aimed toward Velno.  ?Ngh!  Yeah!  Take this!  And that!?



After Luigi had used up almost all of his energy, he stopped to rest.  Smoke was billowing from the ground and completely blocked his vision.  ?It?s over?  Peach!  I did it!  Peach?!?



When the smoke cleared, Luigi saw that he had made a small crater in the ground.  ?Whoa? Guess I overdid it??



?You bet you overdid it!?



?Yikes!!?  Luigi shrieked as he whirled around.  ?Oh, Peach, don?t scare me like that!?



Peach sighed.  ?Serves you right!  You almost blasted me!  Be more careful next time you go all out!  Wait a minute?  Look at the base!?



Luigi glanced over and saw that three quarters of the entire Mushroom Base had toppled over.  ?It?s not done yet!  Mario can still make it!?



?Hmm?  Luigi has become much stronger,? Velno whispered, watching Peach and Luigi from behind a bush.  ?I?m too tired to fight him now.  And Mario is approaching?  Perhaps I should wait until then to strike.  Yes? They?ll never see it coming.  But for now, I should stay hidden.  I want them all to think I?m dead.  That way the scales will really be tipped in my favor when the time comes.  And then, I will have my day.?


* * * * * * * * * *




?Okay? If you?ll just let me go, that?d be great?? Mario coaxed the oversized bug as he began to creep toward the exit.  ?See, I have to go now??



Immediately the spider charged Mario, its eyes flaring a blood red color.  Mario quickly realized that reason would not win this battle, and that he would have to defeat his foe to escape.  He nimbly dashed under its feet and behind it, where he shot an Iceball at its back.  The ice merely chipped off seconds after its impact.



?Looks like that won?t work anymore!? Mario exclaimed as the robot spider nailed him with one of its eight metal legs, sending him flying into a wall.  Huge rocks began to rain down from the ceiling, setting the whole room ablaze.  ?Looks like I?m running out of time!?



BZERP



Electric currents ran across the room.  Some of them had traveled up the spider?s legs and up to its head, where its critical circuits were hidden.  The robot unwillingly froze, stunned by the electricity.



?That?s it!  Its weakness must be inside of its head!?  Mario concluded.  ?I better end this now, before this whole place collapses!?  Quickly he began charging an Ultra Fireball in his hand.  ?There?s no way he?ll survive this one!?



CRASH



?The ceiling?s caving in!  I?ve only got one shot!?  He dashed at full speed toward the recovering robo-spider, and when he was a mere four feet away, he leaped into the air and sent a fiery punch right through its head.  The spider fell onto the ground in a giant heap.  Its head flashed three times just before the whole arachnid exploded.





?What?s taking him so long?!? Luigi bawled in frustration.  ?Come on!  Hurry up!?



Meanwhile, Peach was sobbing profusely.  Her cheeks were red and soaked with tears.  ?He?s not going to make it??


* * * * * * * * * *


?Got him!? Mario bellowed triumphantly.  ?Now I?ve just got to get outta? here!?  He took off at full speed and exited the labyrinth.  Finally in the main corridor, he made a break for the exit.  ?Almost there!?



BOOM



THUD



The base completely toppled over and burst into flames.

wo.....thats intense... :) keep up the good work! ;)

Chapter 13: Survival



?NOO!!? Peach cried out as she saw the entire building collapse and slowly dissolve within the flames of sorrow.  ?He?s gone!  Not again!?  Her soft cheeks were now damp and swelling with tears.  ?Mario!  No!?



Luigi fell to his knees.  ?No? Mario??  He shielded his face with his arms and began to cry.  ?Why??



Suddenly, Peach?s face lit up.  ?Why don?t we get the Toad Brigade to try and locate him?  Even if he?s just barely alive, we can get him back on his feet!?  She stood up and brushed herself off.  ?Come on!  It?s our only hope!  If Mario hasn?t already died, he will soon!?


* * * * * * * * * *


?This is the last time I?ll take directions from a living being.  Robots are the only mechanisms that can do things right!? Grodus snarled.  ?Honestly Wart, Mace is already back at the Starship!  Why did we have to try and cut through Forever Forest??



Wart groaned.  ?Shut up already!  You?ve been complaining ever since we started on our way back!?  He took out a small piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it.  ?It says we should go? uh? south??



Grodus snatched the paper from Wart?s hand.  ?Lemme? see that!  ?You idiot!  You?ve been holding the paper upside-down!  Imbecile!  We need to go north!  From this point on, I?ll be leading this little expedition.  Follow me!  We need to report back to Lord Shade.?



?Fine.  But it?s not like we have to bring back the Star Rod and Power Star.  It?s a good thing we left that job to Mace.  Now we just need to get our next assignment, which will probably be to go back to Mushroom Base Alpha and check on the prisoners.?


* * * * * * * * * *




?Master, Mace wished to see you.  Should I let him in?? an X Naut asked sheepishly.



?Yes.  Open the doors,? Shade replied eagerly.  ?What is it, Mace??



The double doors slid open, and Mace stepped in holding the Star Rod in one hand and the Power Star in the other.  ?My lord, I have brought you a gift.  Two gifts, actually.  I am confident that you will be pleased with my handiwork.



Shade moaned impatiently.  ?Well, don?t keep me waiting, what are they?!?



?My liege, I have successfully transported the Star Rod and Power Star to you.  Whenever you are ready, I shall bestow them upon you.?



?Just hand them over already!? Shade snapped.  ?And be quick about it!?



Mace placed the two powerful objects on Shade?s lap and stepped backward.  ?There are only two remaining oracles of power.  Once they are in your possession, you will become even stronger than you are currently.?



?Silence!  Don?t you think I already know that?!  If you have nothing else to tell me, leave at once!? Shade growled.



Beads of sweat were now dripping from the back of Mace?s head.  ?Actually, there?s one more thing?  It would be in your best interest to know that somehow, inexplicably-?



?Out with it!!? Shade howled, his face red with rage.



Mace gulped.  ?Mushroom Base Alpha has been destroyed.  I think it had to do with Arachnoid, the Labyrinth of Ages security guard that Grodus built.  Well, it was too big, and I guess it shook the whole place loose.?



?WHAT?!  Why would it even activate in the first place?!?



?I?m thinking that Mario and the others were able to escape their cell, but they ended up having to go through the labyrinth, where they were attacked by Arachnoid.  But if the base is gone, maybe it crushed them??



Shade bolted up from his chair.  Through clenched teeth, he hissed, ?You had better make sure to send someone to find out if they?re dead or not.?



Mace bowed.  ?Lord, I will see to it that Shadoo makes short work of any remaining pests in your way.  This world shall soon belong to the Shadow Shrowds!  That is all, master.?  With that, Mace exited the room.



?Mario?  Is he?  No?  He looks just like him, but I killed him years ago?  I must have him destroyed!?


* * * * * * * * * *


[End Music]


?Well, we?ve searched every nook and cranny of the place, and there are no signs of anyone left in there,? Captain T. of the Toad Brigade saluted.  ?But we will see to it that we get the whole squadron to clean up this mess by the end of the month.?



?T- Thanks.  You may go?? Peach stammered, unable to accept the fact that Mario just could not have survived.  Immediately, she burst into tears and dashed toward the Mario Bros.? House to tell Luigi the bad news.



Meanwhile, Grodus and Wart had come to the path in Forever Forest that led to Mushroom Fields.  ?Why don?t we get a breath of fresh air?? Wart sighed, breathing heavily.



?Fine.  I?ll never understand you living beings, robots are so much more practical,? Grodus grumbled.  The two stepped into Mushroom Fields, and saw their entire base in ruins.  ?How in the world did this happen?!? Grodus screamed.  ?We need to report this mishap to Lord Shade immediately!?



?What do you think happened?? Wart asked bewildered at the sight of the ruins.  ?We have other bases, but still?  Let?s just go!  We?ve taken long enough to get back as it is!?



With that, the two dashed back into Forever Forest and headed north.  But back in the ruins of the Mushroom Base, something was stirring.  A large boulder began to shake until it shattered into tiny pebbles.  From underneath, a beaten and bruised figure stood up and limped out of the ruins.  His legs were badly wounded, and he tumbled to the ground.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Grodus and Wart walking away.



?I? need? a Max Mushroom?  Must? get? into town??



Mario struggled to his feet and continued to limp until his legs ached uncontrollably.  He fell to the ground, unable to walk, and slowly crawled toward Toad Town.



?I can?t let them get away.  I? can?t let them? win??

Amazing... just... amazing...  I can't wait... to see what happens next!  ;)

There is only one word that can summarise this chapter........ EPIC

thanks, both of you.  I've been sick for about a week, which is why there haven't been any new chapters.  But I'm trying my best to get a new chapter before Friday, which is when I will be going away for the weekend.  Chapter 14 is 1/2 of the way done.

Hope you get better soon. ;) pm me when the new chapter is posted.

Chapter 14: Departure



?Alright, nobody move!? a tall Toad dressed in black exclaimed.  ?I don?t want to have to use this!  Just give me the money and no one will get hurt!?  The Toad pointed his pistol at the clerk to show that he meant business.



?I- I?m getting it.  H- Hold on??  The clerk opened the cash register and began to pull out handfuls of golden coins.  ?Is this enough??



?All of it!? the Toad barked.  He stepped closer to the clerk, glaring at him impatiently.  ?Put in the bag!?



The cashier dumped all of the coins into the bag that the robber held out for him.  ?T- There? Take it and go??



Mario slowly crawled in.  ?Need? a Mushroom??  He saw the criminal aiming his gun at the cashier and struggled to his feet.  He aimed his arm at the Toad and held it firmly with the other.  ?Can?t? miss??



?Ah well, I might as well eliminate the evidence.  Say your prayers, scum.?  The Toad suddenly dropped his gun and fell to the ground.  A hole was burnt into his back.  An Iceball whizzed across the room and froze him into an ice block.  The clerk traced the source of the attack to Mario, who was on the ground.



?Please? Help me?? Mario groaned.  ?Can?t live? much longer??



The clerk dashed over to him sympathetically.  ?Mario?  Is that you?  Let?s get you to a hospital, and fast!?  He picked Mario up, threw him over his shoulder, and started toward the exit.  But three Toads similar to the one frozen in ice stood in his way, each pointing a gun at the two.



?No? Mushroom?? Mario grumbled, struggling to maintain consciousness.



?I can?t?? The cashier whispered.  ?It is punishable by law to use Mushrooms to heal severe injuries such as yours.?



?If you don?t? we?ll both die??  Mario responded, practically begging him.  ?Hurry??



He placed Mario on the ground and stepped back toward the counter.  He casually took a Max Mushroom from a nearby shelf and crept back toward Mario.



?Freeze,? the stoic Toad commanded.  ?Drop the mushroom if you want to live.?



Mario used the remainder of his strength to roll up to the clerk?s feet.  ?Whatever you say,? he replied with a sly grin.  With that, he dropped the mushroom into Mario?s mouth.  Mario chewed for a few moments, and then swallowed.  Immediately, his bruises disappeared and Mario was on his feet.



?Now you?re gonna? get it!? the Toads cursed as they began firing at Mario.



Mario back-flipped into the air and behind the three criminals.  He knocked the middle one out with one blow to the head, causing the other two to dash toward him.  Just as they were about to double-team him, Mario spun around at speeds that seemed as fast as a tornado?s winds, sending them flying backward into unconsciousness.



?Well, that should take care of them,? Mario sighed, brushing himself off.  ?I call that one the 'Mario Tornado'.  Make sure to inform Mushroom Castle?s guards; I want them to be on high alert.  Crime doesn?t happen too often here.  But then again, ever since Metal Mario came around, Toad Town has become less safe.  Make sure that nothing happens to Peach.?



?Hey, Mario, I?m gonna? have to charge you for that Mushroom,? the clerk joked, holding back his laughter.



?Don?t worry; I?ll probably stop by to pay you back soon.  I just have to do something first.?  That being said, Mario exited the shop to head for home.



?I was kidding!? the cashier called after him.  ?What a guy!?


* * * * * * * * * *


Mario gently opened the door to his house and peaked inside.  ?It would be best if Luigi didn?t know that I?m alive until I?m gone.?  He crept over to the kitchen and grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil.



CREAK



Mario looked over his shoulder.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Luigi step into the house.  Frantically, he began to write a note.  Just to let him know that I?m alive?  C?mon!



Luigi sniffled as he staggered into the living room and collapsed onto the couch.  ?How could he be gone??



Sorry, bro?  I have to do this.  It?s for the sake of the kingdom.  Mario taped the note to the refrigerator, opened the window, and leaped out.  When I come back, if I come back, we can live peacefully again.  I can take Baby Mario and Luigi out of the orphanage back to our home once it is finally safe.  Until then, I have work to do.


* * * * * * * * * *


?Hey, I?m back!? Mario exclaimed cheerfully as he took out a bag of coins.  ?There you go, Bob.?



Bob T. took the coins that Mario had placed on the counter.  ?But there are extra coins here.  You can pay me for the Max Mushroom I gave you, but I won?t let you pay me any more.?



?Actually, I included the extra coins for another Max Mushroom.  You don?t mind, do you??



?No; here you go!? Bob T. grabbed a Max Mushroom from the shelf and tossed it to Mario.  ?Why do you need this, anyway??



?Where I?m going, I?m sure going to need it,? Mario hinted as he left the store.  ?See ya? around!?


* * * * * * * * * *


?This is where I saw them last.  Where did they go??  Mario wondered aloud.



He stood in Forever Forest, perplexed at where Grodus and Wart had gone.  ?There aren?t any footprints, so they must have erased all signs of what direction they were going.  The only place I haven?t checked is Vista Hill, but I don?t see why they would go anywhere near Bowser.  I might as well check??



Mario searched every nook and cranny of the forest until he reached Forever Cliff, the very end of the forest that sloped down into the Lava Sea.  He looked over the edge and saw the boiling hot magma, daring anyone to try and withstand its heat.  ?Bowser thinks this little sea of fire can keep intruders out, and yet he leaves the key to getting in just outside.?



A Koopa was patrolling the area, pacing back and forth not too far from him.  Mario got down onto the ground and crawled through some shrubs until he was as close to the guard as possible without being detected.  He leapt out and stomped on the Koopa, forcing it into its shell.  ?It?s been a while since I?ve went Shell Surfing!?  He stepped and the shell and used it to surf over the ocean of boiling hot lava until he reached Vista Hill, a rocky hill that was a dark red color from the magma splashing against it.



?Okay, I might as well scout the hill before I check the castle,? Mario declared as he looked left and right, scanning for any signs of Wart or Grodus.  But there wasn?t a trace of a single soul on the hill.  Mario looked high and low.  Not a single area was left unchecked.  ?There?s no one here.  It?s completely empty?  Probably the Shadow Shrowds? doing.  Wait?  That rock is a completely different color from all of the other rocks here.?  Mario stepped toward a pink boulder.  He examined it for a moment, tapped it a few times, and then smashed it with his fists, revealing a blue warp pipe.



?I think I just found out where those two are hiding.?

I like it... No... I love it!  :P  That was pretty insane.  I love how Mario is so noble in this fanfic, not wanting any of his family members involved in the battle.  Only time will tell what will happen in the next chapter.  Can't wait!  ;)  Also, I'm glad you're feeling better.  :)

bad news, i'm sick again.  looks like the disease wasn't completely gone, and now its back with a vengeance.  i cant even stand up; i feel so useless.  i had to type this from my wii, so thats why its a little sloppy.  I'lL do my best to keep working on the new chapter.  :(

Chapter 15: Brawl of the Rivals



?Your highness, Luigi has requested a private conversation with you.  Permission granted?? one of the royal guards asked with a bow.



Peach?s crying immediately ceased.  ?Yes, of course.?



With a flourish, the sentry opened the double doors of the throne room and Luigi stepped in.  His face was pale, and in his trembling hand was a note.  Luigi staggered over to Peach, and without a word, handed her the paper.



Dear Luigi,
     I am writing you this letter to let you know that I am alive.  Thanks to a Max Mushroom from Bob (shh?), I am back on my feet and better than ever.  But that?s not all I have to say.  I have gone to look for the source of all this trouble and hopefully it will all be over soon.  Make sure you tell everyone how much I miss them if I don?t come back.  These Stupid Shrowds are going down!


* * * * * * * * * *




?Hey Wart!  Are you finished making those magic carpets for us yet?!? Grodus scowled.  ?You?re taking an awfully long time!?



Wart was standing at the edge of a steep cliff, creating magic carpets that they could use to get across the valley to the Shadow Starship.  ?I?m finished!  These three carpets are the same models as the ones Pidgits use.  They?re one of the many species of underlings that I have.?



?You oversized gas bag!  We only need two magic carpets!? Grodus snapped.



Mario emerged from the blue pipe behind them.  ?No, actually your math skills worked out perfectly for me!? Mario said with a grin.



?We?ll see about that!!? Wart shot back as he and Grodus each boarded their own carpet.  Moments later, Mario was on one of them as well.  The three of them flew at warp speed above the barren valley.



Grodus took out his staff and aimed it at Mario.  ?Let?s see you dodge these!?  He fired out a wave of electric bolts.  Mario shot several Iceballs at them, freezing them by the time they reached him.  As soon as the frozen balls came close, Mario deflected them toward Wart, who swallowed them all.  ?Good job Wart!  Keep it up!?



Mario zoomed in toward Grodus and delivered a powerful punch to his head, cracking it.  Grodus swung at Mario with his staff, but Mario back-flipped behind him and gave him a midair kick in the back of the head.  Meanwhile, Wart spit out the frozen balls as vegetables and tossed them at Mario.



?Agh!!?  Mario shouted as he shot into the air, hit by the vegetables.



?Gotcha?!? Grodus chuckled as he shot out an electric net from his staff, trapping Mario within it and severely shocking him.  He twirled Mario around using the long electric rope that was attached, knocking him into rock formations as they sped over the valley.  ?Huh??  His grappling net suddenly became encased in a sheet of ice.  ?What do you expect that to do??



Seconds later, the ice melted thanks to one of Mario?s Fireballs.  Water splashed onto the electric rope, sending an intense shock to Grodus and ultimately destroying the net.  Mario landed skillfully on his carpet.  ?How do ya? like that??  Mario taunted as he zoomed over to Wart and punched him in the gut.  He then jumped into the air and stomped on Wart?s head, using it to spring himself up and above Grodus.  He flung downward head first with his fist pointed down toward Grodus.  He nailed his head and completely shattered the glass on it.



Mario, now on Grodus?s carpet tried for one last punch to the head.  But Grodus was too quick, and caught Mario?s fist.  He sent a shock up his arm that electrified Mario, causing him to bolt backward into the air.  Mario landed on Wart?s carpet, but before he got an attack in, Wart punched in right on the cheek, launching him into Grodus.  Suddenly, Grodus and Mario crashed.  Wart, who wasn?t paying attention, also crashed into the tall rock formation.  They were all sent rocketing into the air.  Grodus and Wart landed back on their carpets, but Mario?s had gone too far astray to be caught.  Mario, thinking quickly, landed on Wart?s mat.



?What do you say we end this little scuffle right now?? Mario challenged.



?Gladly!!? Wart exclaimed as swung his tail at Mario, who caught it and began to swing Wart around in circles.  ?Do you do this to everyone with tails?!?



?Hyah!? Mario bellowed as he released Wart?s tail, sending him flying into Grodus?s head.



?GYAH!!? Grodus cried as he exploded into a thousand tiny pieces.




Wart, hanging onto the edge of Grodus?s carpet, slowly pulled himself up.  ?You?ll pay for that!?  Wart leaped into the air came crashing down toward Mario.  Thinking quickly, Mario fired an Iceball at Wart, freezing him in place.  Time seemed to stand still as Mario pulled off his greatest Long Jump toward the plummeting ice sculpture and smashed through it with his bare fists.  Wart, now in a thousand icy pieces, had been destroyed.




?Yeah!? Mario screamed in triumph.  But his celebration was cut short when Wart?s carpet vanished from under his feet.  ?Crud!!?



[End Music]


* * * * * * * * * *


Peach, utterly perplexed, pondered the situation.  ?I guess Mario knows what he?s doing?  But that?s what I thought when he was fighting Metal Mario for the first time, and then he died.?



Luigi, who had been lying down to recover from his shock, entered the room.  ?Peach, I just had the strangest dream!?



?What was it about??



?I dreamt that the world was cold and dark.  All you could hear were the occasional screams in the background.  It was a world where evil and wicked ruled, and that anyone who opposed them were killed.  Everyone had to hide, and if they were found, they would be brutally murdered on the spot.  But there was a blotch of light!  It was just one tiny spot in the darkness. And I swear on my life that that blob of light was Mario.  I was not afraid?  I hid in a beat up house, guarding you and the two babies.  Yet we were not afraid?  We knew that the light would somehow overcome the dark?  Strange, huh??


* * * * * * * * * *




?Just as I thought?  Mario killed them without showing any signs of effort?? Lord Shade whispered as he watched a replay of Mario?s battle with Grodus and Wart on a large screen.  ?His technique far surpasses most of my minions?  It is now clear to me that Grodus and Wart never even stood a chance.?



Two dark figures stepped in.  ?We will help you with your little ?plumber problem?.?



?Yes, get on it right away,? Shade replied.  With a bow, they both left.  ?The more I see Mario fight, the more he reminds me of him.  But he can?t be??

Hey SMG, it's been a while!  I loved the fight between Mario, Grodus, and Wart.  It was just too awesome!  ;)

For some reason, the chapters got a little screwed up through all of this moving.  I'll try to repost them and consider redoing the prologue.  Just hang tight, but until then, enjoy Chapter 16!

EDIT: I also see the chapter index got messed up to.  I'll try to get everything fixed up by Friday.  ;)

Chapter 16: Unwelcome Guests



?Well, well, well?  It seems that Mario has left his kingdom unguarded,? Velno chuckled.  ?It looks as though the time is right for me to strike.  No one, not even Luigi will be able to stop me once I start absorbing people.  As soon as I?m strong enough to fight Luigi, I?ll steal his energy as well.  But where should I go to find the strongest Toads in the kingdom?  Ah? I know??  A wide grin appeared on Velno?s ugly face.


* * * * * * * * * *


Peach shivered.  ?That dream- no? That nightmare sounded real, almost like a foreshadowing.  We should be careful now that Mario isn?t around.?



Peach and Luigi were discussing the matter in the library, the most private place in the castle.  ?I think it was all just a trap in the first place.  What if they lured Mario away so that they could get their hands on the Mushroom Kingdom?? Luigi inquired.  ?It?s a strong possibility??



?Hmph!  I doubt it!? Waluigi intervened as he sauntered into the room.  ?If these Shiny Shrowds of yours are so tough, then why would they do something as cowardly as that?  Not everyone is as much of a coward as you are!?



?How tough? but it?s Shadow Shrowds?? Luigi murmured.



?I see that you?ve recovered from your injuries, Waluigi,? Peach stated abruptly.  ?Good for you!  After all, without you and your brother, we?d still be locked up in that awful fortress.?



?YEAH!  WARIO TIME!? Wario bellowed as he ran into the library and struck a pose.



?Shh!? one of the librarians snapped.



?Oh? sorry? Wario time!? he repeated, this time in a whispering tone.  ?Anyway, we came to see Mario and ask him to come help us find the morons who tried to kill us.  Where is he??



Luigi handed him the note.



?Uhh? I don?t exactly know how to read? It?s been a while??  Wario stammered, his face turning red.



Waluigi snatched the note from his hands.  ?Dear Luigi, I am writing you this letter to let you know that I am alive.  Thanks to a Max Mushroom from Bob (shh?), I am back on my feet and better than ever.  But that?s not all I have to say.  I have gone to look for the source of all this trouble and hopefully it will all be over soon.  Make sure you tell everyone how much I miss them if I don?t come back.  These Stupid Shrowds are going down!  Wish me luck, Mario.?



?So he got ahead of us?!? Wario roared.  ?That glory-hogging no-good ball of red!  I?m going to beat those Shadow Shrowds before he can say another word!?  Wario made a dash for the door.



?We?ll pay you if you come back and get Luigi when you find something!? Peach shouted after them.



?What?!? Luigi asked, confused.  ?Why do you have to drag me into this??



?Will do!!? Wario called back.  ?Save up your cash for me!?



Waluigi groaned.  ?I better catch up with him.  We?ll be back soon!?  With that, Waluigi took off after his brother.



?I hope so,? Peach sighed.


* * * * * * * * * *




?Mace!  Status report!!? Lord Shade snapped impatiently.



?Your highness, Shadoo is currently stationed just outside of Mushroom Castle.  He will strike at midnight, when most of the residents are asleep.  He will start by capturing Peach; that will surly lure any remaining pests right to us.  Also, Cackletta and Princess Shroob are waiting patiently for Mario on the second floor.?



?Mace, tell me: Do you think they stand a chance against Mario?? Shade inquired.



Mace was carefully watching the replay of Mario?s battle with Grodus and Wart.  ?Hmm?  I?d say he?s either a master at fighting??  He paused as the replay showed Mario plummeting down into the valley, ?or a complete moron.  When the time comes, I will defend you if I must.?



Shade?s face expressed that he was pleased.  ?Excellent, Mace.  Station a squadron of your best Sol Warriors on the third floor just in case.?



Mace took a bow.  ?Yes, your highness.  Hail the Shadow Shrowds!?  With that, he left.  Is he the one?  Mario? Yes, perhaps?  But only time will tell?


* * * * * * * * * *


[End Music]



Peach yawned as she crept into the royal bedroom.  ?I want to go to bed, but I don?t feel safe anymore.?



?Don?t worry; you?re safe with the Mushroom Patrol on guard!? one of the armored sentries reassured her.  ?It?s my job to make sure you stay safe.?



?Thanks,? Peach replied as she began to climb into her bed.



DONG!  DONG!  DONG!



The clock struck midnight.  ?Peach, do you know why you feel so uncomfortable?  Well??  The guard drew his sword.  ?While your mind may play tricks on you sometimes, this time your situation is very real.?  He began to creep toward Peach.



?One of my sentries would never call royalty by their first name!?!? she screamed, slowly backing away.



CRACK!  THUD!



Peach had shut her eyes, hoping that it was all a bad dream.  But when she opened them, she saw that her problem just got worse.  ?It?s you!?



The guard was lying on the ground, and above him stood Velno.  The ?sentry? morphed into a shadow version of Mario.  ?Hey, where?d that ugly thing come from?? Shadoo asked, disgusted.



?I know you!  You?re that monster we fought at the bottom of Flopside?s Pit of One Hundred Trials!  And you?re Velno, the creature that eats people to steal their power!? Peach shrieked.  ?This is terrible!?



Velno began to chuckle.  ?Yes, I?ve been absorbing guards across the castle, but I noticed that this one was the strongest.  After I attacked him, I realized he was actually Shadoo, a dark shape shifter closely related to Lord Shade of the Shadow Shrowds.  But now that I know Shadoo is here, I?ll absorb both him and you, Peach.?



Shadoo stood up and brushed himself off.  ?Well, it looks like we?re both after the same thing.  What do you say we settle this now?  Whoever is still alive after this fight will get Peach!?

Well, it looks like I finally found this place again.  I enjoyed this chapter alot, especially since it involved two villains against each other instead of the classic "Hero vs. Villain".  Keep it up!  ;)

Chapter 17: Velno?s Revelations






?Man, this place gives me the creeps!? Mario whispered as he crept through the Shadow Starship.  ?Luckily I was able to find my way to this ship.  It?s my only way back to the Mushroom Kingdom.  Let?s just hope I can win without trashing the starship.?



?Hey!  Only authorized personnel are allowed in here!? a sentry plated in silver armor howled.  ?Say?  You look familiar!?



Mario noticed the guard?s disembodied face with two red eyes gleamed from within two hollow eye sockets.  ?So, you?re just another one of the Shadow Shrowd?s puppets, eh?  Well, if you really want to know who I am, allow me to jog your memory!  I?m the one who has defeated Chaos, Metal Mario, Grodus, and Wart.  That?s right; I?m public enemy number one here.?  The sentry drew his sword and stabbed at Mario, who leaped into the air and above the guard?s head.  With one quick blow, Mario stomped on his head, knocking him out cold.  ?I really need to be more careful,? he sighed.



As he continued to wander, he located an elevator that seemed to lead upward.  ?The boss here must be on the top floor!? Mario concluded as he stepped onto the elevator and rose to the second floor.


* * * * * * * * * *


[End Music]





Shadoo rushed at Velno and attempted to connect a right hook with Velno?s chin.  Velno, more agile than ever, sidestepped the attack and jumped up toward the ceiling.  ?Darn it!  I can?t see him!  It?s too dark!? Shadoo cursed. 



?Over here,? Velno taunted as he landed behind him and slashed his back.  Shadoo quickly recovered with a front handspring, but Velno vanished from sight by the time he turned around.



?How can he see me?  It?s pitch black in here!  Oh well; if I can?t see him, I?ll have to blast him out of hiding!?  Shadoo yelled in frustration.  He began to shoot random Fireballs all around the room.  ?Where are you?!  Come out you coward!!  I know you?re around here somewhere!?



Peach gasped.  ?No!  You?ll burn the whole castle down!?



Velno emerged from the shadows behind Shadoo and prepared to attack.  ?Yes; you?ll give me a lot of power!?



?Watch out!? Peach shrieked.



Shadoo turned around just as Velno opened his mouth to its full length and enclosed it around his body.  In one gulp, Velno swallowed him whole.  ?Ah!  That was delicious!? Velno cackled as he licked his lips.  ?You?re next.?



?Eeek!? Peach screamed.  ?Stay away from me!?



?I?m sorry, but I can?t pass up free energy.  I need it to defeat Mario!? Velno bawled, ready to attack his next victim.



Peach backed into a corner, desperate to escape.  ?Where did you come from?!  Why are you here?!? she cried.



[End Music]



Velno paused and thought for a moment.  ?Well, I suppose I could answer that for you as a last request.  Long ago, Lord Shade had traveled to the planet earth.  There, he planned to conquer it and become its king.  But, as you know, Shade is a very impatient man.  He?s not going to just go out himself and start killing everyone.  Everything has to be planned out for him.  Unfortunately, he didn?t have much of an army back then.  That?s where I came into the picture.



?While he didn?t have much of an army, he had some of the universe?s best scientists on his side.  Even then, Shade had already conquered many planets.  From these planets, he collected as many great scientists as he could.  If they failed to cooperate, Lord Shade would mercilessly annihilate them.  He forced his most intelligent workers to begin project V.E.L.N.O., or Vicious Energy Lacking Nasty Organism.



?By mutating a simple human, they were eventually able to create me.  I was designed to be naturally strong, but I could absorb the energy of others by eating them if necessary.  As soon as I could think for myself, I got out of there as fast as I could.  Shade ordered his men to search for me; it wouldn?t have been too hard to find me because they had inserted a special chip inside of me so that they would always know my location.  Luckily, their radar lost track of me when I escaped into the sewers.



?They searched for me, but I was also designed to be an expert at escaping from dangers that were beyond my strength to overcome.  No matter how hard they tried, they could not find me.  But after their next discovery, they no longer needed me.  While looking for me, Shade stumbled upon a pipe that led to the Mushroom Kingdom.  A quick scan of the area showed that there was a being of unimaginable power in the kingdom.  Lord Shade forgot all about me and immediately left to find this creature.?



Peach was exploding with questions.  ?But who was it?  What happened next?  Why wasn?t the Mushroom Kingdom destroyed by him then??



Velno smiled mysteriously.  ?Those are all questions only Shade can answer.  But think of it this way, this is like a mirrored version of earth.  The Mushroom Kingdom is like a parallel dimension.  The pipe in earth?s sewers led to this dimension, but there must be ways to get back.?



?Then we should look for them!? Peach exclaimed, trying to change the subject.



?There?s nothing worth looking for,? Velno replied grimly.  ?As a going away present, Lord Shade turned the rest of earth into a wasteland.  There?s no one left, and he intends to do the same with this kingdom.  Shade may have left me behind, but I?ll take energy from anyone I can find.  And one day, I will kill Shade with my bare hands.?



Peach?s eyes nearly popped out of her head after she had a stunning realization.  ?If the earth and the Mushroom Kingdom are dimensions parallel to each other, then Flipside and Flopside must be in between them!?



Velno nodded in agreement.  ?That?s why it was so easy to get Wart, Grodus, and Shadoo to join his army.  All he had to do was open a gateway to the Underwhere, or the realm of the dead, and pull them right into Flipside, where he took them back to the Mushroom Kingdom.  Anyway, I?m sure this is all pretty shocking to you.  It?s too bad you won?t live long enough to give your friends this information!?



?Actually, she doesn?t need to tell us!?  Luigi challenged as he, Wario, and Waluigi emerged from the shadows.



?You mean you heard the whole story?? Velno growled.



?Every little bit of it!? Waluigi retorted in a sarcastic tone.



?How did you find us here?!? Velno snapped, his anger rising.



?First of all, we could smell you a mile away!  Seriously, all of those years in the sewers must have really made you stink!? Wario taunted, joining in.



?You three shouldn?t have come here.  Now I?ll have to make sure you never leave!?

Chapter 18: Warriors of the Second Floor



Mario stepped off the elevator as it came to a stop on the starship?s second floor.  The room was pitch black, making Mario hesitant to walk into the darkness.  As he groped at the thin air, he heard a faint sound that resembled the sound of static electricity.  He immediately dove out of the way just as a thunder bolt struck the spot where Mario just stood.  ?Who?s there?!?



Seconds later, a pink energy ball flew out of nowhere and veered toward Mario.  ?Stop hiding, you coward!? Mario challenged before jumping up into the air as the blast hit the ground beneath him.



?Actually, there are two of us!? a female voice cackled wickedly.



?We'll make sure we extract our revenge on you for destroying Grodus and Wart!? another voice joined in.



Mario heard a click, and the room brightened.  In the center of the newly lit room were Princess Shroob and Cackletta.  ?Cackletta?!  Princess Shroob?!  I thought for sure that Luigi and I beat both of you!?



?You did, but Lord Shade kindly revived us.  Now we are back, and we don?t plan on showing any mercy,? Princess Shroob said with a scowl.



?Since when did you speak English?? Mario asked skeptically.  ?You used to talk in the Shroobs? language.?



?I spent a lot of time in the Underwhere, thanks to you!  There, I was forced to learn English so I could communicate with other villains there!? Princess Shroob snapped bitterly.



Mario started to chuckle to himself.  ?How was your stay down in Underwhere, by the way?  I ended up stuck down there for a little while too, and I know how bad their service is!  What about you, Cackletta?  Did you go around stealing people?s voices??



?Very funny,? Cackletta grumbled impatiently, ?but you can see for yourself when we send you there!?




Princess Shroob created a rainbow colored star in her hand and tossed it at Mario.  He ducked as the star passed above him and curved around to attack him a second time.  Mario crouched down and performed a back-flip that sent him flying above the rainbow star.  The star whirled around and homed in on him while he descended toward the ground.



?Let?s see you dodge both of our attacks!? Cackletta exclaimed as she raised her right arm.  Instantly, a thunder bolt rocketed down from above Mario and struck him, sending him tumbling toward the ground.  As he plummeted downward, the rainbow star collided with him and exploded.



BOOM



Cackletta and Princess Shroob coughed and wheezed as a thin haze filled the room.  ?Did we- ack- win?? Princess Shroob asked in a choked voice.



?It looks like it,? Cackletta affirmed as she peered into the dust.



As she spoke, she horrified to see the silhouette of a lone figure in the midst of the haze.  ?If that?s all you can do? then you?re in big trouble,? Mario said stoically.  ?I don?t want to kill you two a second time.  You can still get out of here, and live the rest of your lives as good people.  I don?t understand why you two are so angry at the world!  Why join a group like the Shadow Shrowds??



?Power!? Cackletta spat with a disgusted expression on her face.  ?Before we were a part of the mighty Shadow Shrowds, we were mere individuals.  Our goal in life was to take over the world ourselves, but now we are seeing the bigger picture!  Lord Shade isn?t interested in one world.  He will stop at nothing to conquer the entire universe; and that will be accomplished by working as a team!  He has taken strong and ruthless warriors from across the galaxy and enlisted them in his army.  Together, our name will be feared by everyone in the entire universe!?



?Fine,? Mario replied firmly, ?but I won?t let it happen.  You all think that you?ve become so high and mighty now that you?re with these goons.  But the truth is that you?re not even worth my time.?



?Why you!? Princess Shroob cursed as she warped behind Mario and unleashed a barrage of pink energy spheres.  He launched a cluster of Fireballs into the fray as well, deflecting all of Princess Shroob?s blasts back at her.  She ducked as more than forty attacks slammed right into her.  When the heavy fire ceased, she was severely bruised and beaten.



?No!  Princess Shroob!? Cackletta shrieked.  ?You insolent pest!  You?ll die for that!? Her face grew red with rage, and she nearly tripled in size.  The entire room grew dark, and many dark holes began appearing on the floor in front of Mario.  ?Remember this attack?  I?m sure you?ll have a lot of time to think about it when it sends you straight to Underwhere!?



?Those holes lead to Underwhere?  I better be careful!? Mario shouted as the holes began rushing at him.  He leaped over every hole that came his way, gradually edging his way to Cackletta.  What?s going on?  It feels like some force is pushing me away from her!  If I can?t get close to her, I?ll have to think of some kind of deception.



?Getting tired yet?!? Cackletta roared as the production of the holes doubled.



I?ve got it!  Mario did his greatest long jump in an attempt to reach Cackletta, and to her delight, fell straight into one of the dark matter holes.



?Take that, loser!  And after all of that talk about how we should give up, too!? Cackletta snickered triumphantly.



Meanwhile, Mario was falling through subspace toward Underwhere.  He quickly fired a Super Fireball downward and converted it into a beam, propelling him upward and out of the hole that he had fallen into.  While he was still airborne, he shot an Iceball at Princess Shroob, who was already having enough trouble dodging the dark holes.  She was too distracted to notice, and was frozen into a statue.  Unable to move, she fell right into one of Cackletta?s holes and was sent straight into the Underwhere.



?NO!!? Cackletta cried out.  The shock of seeing her comrade fall to her doom weakened her attack, and the dark holes slowed down tremendously.  Whatever force that had been pushing Mario away from her had lessened too, allowing him to get as close as he wanted.



?That plan worked out all too well!? Mario chuckled as he jumped up and bounced on Cackletta?s head a few times, knocking her out cold.  Finally, Mario picked her up and tossed her into one of the remaining holes before they vanished altogether.  ?That was a little too close for comfort.  But I can?t stop now; Lord Shade is waiting for me at the top floor.  Hopefully I?ll make it there in one piece.?

Chapter 19: Mario?s Biggest Blunder





Lord Shade?s eyes reflected pure hatred as he watched Mario triumphantly approach the elevator to the next floor on a television screen.  ?He?s beaten every single challenge we?ve thrown at him!  At this rate he?ll finish off the Sol Warriors on the third floor!? Shade shouted in disgust.  ?I want him dead!?



Mace bowed hesitantly.  ?I?ll see what I can do??



?You seem? different today,? Shade replied suspiciously.  ?No, what am I thinking?  Mario?s intrusion must be making me a little too cautious today.  Mace, when is the starship set to orbit the planet??



?I assure you I am as genuine as a skyscraper is tall.  I am content with my new life serving you, and I will always be by your side.  The ship will lift off in one hour, and we hope to fire the ?Annihilator Beam? at the planet to ?persuade? everyone to start cooperating with us.  Also, if the beam cuts deep enough into the planet, we can drain some of the energy from its core to resurrect the Dark Castle.  Once we have the Dark Castle, you can live like a king and get out of this cramped starship.?



?That will be all, Mace.?


* * * * * * * * * *


[End Music]





As Mario was about to step on the elevator, he felt a hand clawing at his leg.  ?YIKES!? he screamed as he tumbled onto the ground.  One of Cackletta?s portals had opened up from the ground, and a familiar hand was reaching out of it.  At last, the hand got a firm grip on the ground and hoisted up the rest of the body.  It was Cackletta.



?No one beats me- ack- with my own- urk- technique!? Cackletta cursed, her haggard body now red with rage.  Slowly, she began to shrink until she became a purple mist of smoke.  The cloud charged straight at Mario, but instead of attacking, in went right down Mario?s throat!



?What?!  No? Not that!? Mario pleaded, but he soon lost control of his actions.  He began to inherit some of Cackletta?s traits.  His skin became a light green color, all of the white in his eyes became pink, and a cloak replaced his overalls. 



?Yes? I am? Cacklario!?


* * * * * * * * * *


[End Music]




Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi all stood dead still.  They were waiting for Velno to make the first move.  ?Are you guys going to attack me or just stand there like statues?  I know you must be terrified, but I have better things to do than stare at you all day!?  He paused, taking notice of anyone who might be about to attack.  ?If you won?t make the first move, then I will!?



Velno charged at Wario, his steel claws reflecting some of the moonlight that seeped in through the windowpane.  As he jerked his arm forward at the chunky plumber, Wario leaped as high as he could and slammed down on Velno?s head butt-first.  Seconds later, he recovered and grabbed Wario?s legs.  With a loud cry, Velno tossed him with all of his might, though he did not know what Wario would hit in the pitch black room.



?Wario!? Waluigi yelped as he flung himself at Velno, his arms flailing.  As he came to a mere two feet from his target, Velno performed a sweep kick that knocked Waluigi off his feet.



?You?ll be my first victim!? Velno declared with his mouth wide open.  Just before he engulfed Waluigi, a large green Fireball struck him from behind.



?Stay away from them!? Luigi commanded, though his entire body was trembling.  ?Don?t hurt them, or- or? I?ll blast you into- tiny pieces!  So? back off!  Please??



Velno stepped away from Waluigi.  ?Oh?  You want me to absorb your energy first?  I?ve never had anyone fight over me!  What an honor!  Since you?re so intent on dieing first, I?ll just have to comply with that offer!?



Just a little more?  C?mon, just a bit closer?  Luigi backed away each time Velno took a step forward.  ?Now!?  Luigi bellowed as he launched an Ultra Fireball directly at Velno.  Immediately, Wario and Waluigi emerged from seemingly nowhere and fired their own Ultra Fireballs.



?NO!  My system doesn?t comprehend that attack! I can?t block it!!? Velno screamed as the three Ultra Fireballs struck him in unison.  Under the pressure of the blasts, Velno slowly disintegrated into a mass of tiny little chips, circuit boards, and wires that cluttered the room.



Waluigi brushed himself off and groped around for a light switch.  A few minutes later, he finally located it.  For the first time that night, the room was bathed in a rich, golden light.  ?That was some plan!?



?You mean you had this all planned out?? Peach inquired, shocked.  ?It?s a miracle you three even got along through the duration of the battle!  How did you orchestrate a plan in such a short amount of time??



?When we heard Velno?s life story, we realized that he was one of Lord Shade?s older creations,? Luigi explained.  ?Back then, Shade had no data on the Ultra Fireball.  We all figured that if we each hit him with one, there would be no way he could stand up to it.  Considering the fact that Mario was able to kill Metal Mario with an Ultra Fireball, we knew three of them could easily handle Velno.?



KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK



?Who could that be??




?It?s me, E. Gadd!? an old voice croaked in a wheezy voice.  Peach answered the door, revealing a tiny, wrinkly old man.  On his back he wore a strange mechanical-looking backpack.  ?Hello, your highness.  What have you all been up to?  I heard some earsplitting bangs and thuds, which led me up to this room.  I was hoping Mario would be here, but I guess he?s missing again.?



Luigi jumped at the mention of his brother.  ?What do you want to see Mario for??



?You see, the other day I was fooling around with one of my inventions.  Since you guys are always fighting baddies and whatnot, I thought that it would help if I created a device that could help you get around.  So I invented the Gaddcraft 9000!  It?s the newest method of travel!? E. Gadd exclaimed with pride.  ?It can even travel faster than the speed of light if you have the DNA of a particular person to guide the craft.  It also detects high levels of dark matter, which I wanted to talk to Mario about.?



?So where is it?? Wario asked nonchalantly.



?Oh ho ho!? E. Gadd chuckled to himself. ?It?s right here!?  He removed his backpack and flipped a small switch on its side.  It immediately transformed into a circular, air-tube shaped craft that hovered about two feet above the ground.  ?It?s even portable!  Now, isn?t that something??



Waluigi carefully examined the Gaddcraft 9000.  ?So it?s a hovercraft that can travel faster than the speed of light?  I say we get some of Mario?s DNA from his house and use it to go after him.  That way, he won?t be the only one to get credit for saving the kingdom.?



?You just want to help Mario out,? Luigi snickered.  ?Well, whatever the reason, I say we all go now.  By the way, why did you want to talk about dark matter detecting thingamabob??



?I almost forgot!  I was searching for the highest readings of dark matter on the planet, and two of them came up in an area not too far off from Vista Hill.  The strange part was, a third one randomly popped out of nowhere in the same area as the other two.  But it?s different from the other two; only half of this person?s signal came up.  The other half must be either made of light matter, or the darn thing is busted!?

Chapter 20: Siege on the Starship





?That?s bizarre,? Luigi remarked in a soft, confused tone.



?Well, if I knew it was gonna? get all of ya? thinkin? so much, I wouldn?t have said anything,? E. Gadd murmured.  ?I was really hopin? we could go see what?s going on over there.  I mean, if there are all of these high levels of dark matter, Mario must be in some kind of trouble.?



Wario clenched his fists and punched at an imaginary foe.  ?Pow!  Yeah!  I wanna? show those Smelly Shrowds what I?m all about!?  Wario climbed into E. Gadd?s new machine.



?That?s the spirit!? E. Gadd exclaimed as he hopped into the Gaddcraft 9000.  ?Let?s take this baby for a test drive!?



Waluigi sighed.  ?Well, I guess I don?t have anything better to do.?  With that, he took a seat in the back row of the device.



Luigi joined them and began to dig through his pocket.  ?Peach, you better stay here.  It could get really dangerous, especially if we run into that Lord Shade guy.?  At last, he pulled out the note Mario had wrote to them earlier.



Peach shook her head defiantly.  ?There?s no way that I?ll let you go off on another adventure and leave me behind!  I?m coming too!?



?I won?t allow it,? E. Gadd persisted.  ?Do you have any idea what we might find there?  These people could destroy the world!  Just stay behind until we get back; it shouldn?t be long until we take care of the Shadow Shrowds and return safely.?



?Oh, alright,? the stubborn princess sighed.  ?I need some sleep anyway.?



Satisfied, Luigi turned to face E. Gadd and handed him the note.  ?Why don?t we use whatever DNA Mario left on the note he wrote us?  That way, we won?t have to go all the way back to our house.?



?Sure,? E. Gadd replied as he placed the note on top of a green scanning device.



Scanning?

?

?

?

Scan Results:



DNA Code 1: TAGCGGAAGATCTTA
Subject Identified as Mario Mario.



DNA Code 2: GTACCATCGATCGAT
Subject Identified as Luigi Mario.



DNA Code 3: GATTCAGCTAGAATC
Subject identified as Princess Toadstool.



Please choose the DNA source to track.



?Nifty, isn?t it?? E. Gadd boasted as he tapped the first option.  ?Strap yourselves in boys, because this is going to be one heck of a-? the Gaddcraft 9000 immediately rocketed out of the castle to find a matching DNA source.



Destination: UFO (Unidentified Flying Object)


* * * * * * * * * *


[End Music]





?Eee hee hee hee!? Cacklario cackled wickedly.  ?This new body is perfect!  I don?t know why I didn?t steal this one in the first place.  It?s a lot more efficient than that rotten Bowser?s body.



A faint clicking sound echoed throughout the room.  The intercom had been activated.  ?Cackletta, or as you now prefer to be called Cacklario, we have some unexpected guests, and you know how much I hate guests that come uninvited!? Lord Shade?s voice rang out.  ?Please handle them with great care.?



?Will do,? Cacklario affirmed with a sly grin.  I wonder who it could be?


* * * * * * * * * *


?Now,? E. Gadd began as they stepped out of the Gaddcraft 9000, ?I realize that from this point on the situation will become extremely dangerous.  With that in mind, I will tell you that this is as far as I?m willing to go? physically.?



?Physically?? the three plumbers retorted in unison.



?That?s why I?ve invented these!? E. Gadd yelped with pride as he pulled out two small, telephone-like gadgets.  ?I call them Gaddphones!  They allow two people to stay in constant contact!?



?So they?re basically poorly named walkie-talkies?? Waluigi asked sarcastically.



E. Gadd glanced back and forth nervously.  ?Err? no!  Hohohohohohohoho!  You, my friend, are wrong!  They are brilliantly named and fully functional!  They get perfect reception and also allow you to see what?s going on where the other Gaddphone is.  In other words, you can both talk to people and see them at the same time!?



?So, what exactly do they have to do with you being allowed to stay behind?? Luigi inquired in a confused tone.



?If I give you on of the Gaddphones, I can stay and watch over the Gaddcraft 9000 and make sure you are progressing through the castle safely,? E. Gadd explained.



Wario gave E. Gadd a dirty look.  ?You bum!  Why should I let you stay here while we do all the work?!  Huh?!  You expect us to just go and save the world, while you sit here and watch us like this is one big T.V. show?!  Well I ain?t buying it, old man!?



Luigi put his hand on Wario?s shoulder.  ?You know that?s not true.  E. Gadd is older than you, and he needs to watch his health.  He would have no way of defending himself during our battles.  It would be best if he stayed behind.?



?I always thought people were supposed to respect their elders,? E. Gadd grumbled.

I'm finally back!

My computer was having some "technical difficulties"  :P,  but I see this fanfic has stayed up and running while I was gone.  It was cool to have all these new chapters posted while I was gone, which I ended up reading all in one sitting.  Those cliffhangers were a doozy!  I couldn't stop reading them!  I can't wait for Chapter 21!  ;)

Chapter 21: Cacklario?s Challenge






Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi silently crept through the murky halls of the starship.  Luigi yelped in fear each time he saw one of the sentries lying on the ground, killed by whoever had been there before them.  ?What a battle!  I can?t believe Mario did all of this!?



?I don?t think he did,? Waluigi replied hesitantly. ?Mario isn?t like that; he wouldn?t just slaughter every living thing he found.  I?m sure he would try and sneak by everyone instead of picking fights with small fries like these guys.?



Large beads of sweat ran down Luigi?s face.  All color seemed to be drained from his skin.  ?You mean? someone else did this?  Someone else is in here??



?Could be,? Waluigi snickered, trying to make the situation scarier than it really was.  ?Eh, I don?t know.  I just think it?s hilarious when you start whining like a big baby!  Priceless!?



?Am I the only one being serious here?? Wario murmured to himself.  ?I?m just trying to imagine how famous I?ll be when this is over.  I can see it now!  Super Wario, the Mushroom Kingdom?s most famous superstar!  I?ll be loaded with cash!  Mario will have to kiss his fame goodbye!?



?Try and stay focused,? E. Gadd?s voice came from the Gaddphones.  ?I know you three don?t always get along, but try to stick together until this is all over.?



?Oh, all right,? they groaned in unison.



Just then, Luigi spotted some strange markings on the walls.  ?Look!  There are some hieroglyphics on the walls!  Can anyone make out what they say??



Waluigi squinted at the carvings.  ?It looks like they?re in some other language?  But there are pictures too!  Maybe we can tell what it says from the pictures!?



?It?s all a bunch of scribbles!? Wario shouted in frustration.



?Let me have a look,? E. Gadd requested through the Gaddphones.  Waluigi pointed the lens on the Gaddphones at the pictures to give him a good look.  ?I can?t seem to get a good look because of the hallway?s darkness.  Why don?t you take a picture of it?  The Gaddphones have a built in camera system that will allow me to get a better view on my laptop.  Not only that, but I can save the images onto my hard drive for later viewing.  We can take a look at them later when we are in full sunlight.  Just press the button on the side.?



Waluigi pressed a button a heard and faint click.  He took a few snapshots until he had gotten an image of each of the pictures.  ?Did you get the photos??



E. Gadd glared at his laptop until a few snapshots popped up:

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa206/link2370/carving1.jpg)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa206/link2370/carving2.png)

(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa206/link2370/carving3.png)

?Hmm?  These pictures are very? intriguing??  E. Gadd mumbled to himself.  ?I think I?ve seen some of these drawings before.  I?d like to do some extra research on them, actually.  If you three get the chance, could you try and find some kind of ancient book?  Anyone will do, but it has to be a book written by the Shadow Shrowds.  These pictures mean something, and I want to find out what.?



?Oh great, more work,? Wario sighed.  ?Don?t you think we?ve already got enough on our plate??



?Yes, you have enough to handle as it is,? a voice rang out from the shadows.



?That voice?  Bro?? Luigi whispered, slowly backing away from the darkness.



?Hello Luigi,? the voice greeted him as Cacklario stepped into the light.  ?How?s it going?  What are you idio- err? What are you guys doing here??



?We?re here to take some of the credit for saving the kingdom!  So leave the rest to us!? Wario snapped.



?Bro?  Why are you dressed like a sorcerer?  And why is your skin green?? Luigi inquired.



?Mario? glanced back and forth suspiciously.  ?Well, I?m saving the world, not entering a fashion show!  You?ve got to make due with the clothes you can find when your own clothes get screwed up in battle!  As for the skin? You?d look green too if you?ve seen what I have!  I can?t begin to tell you all the work I?ve done for this stupid kingdom!?  Wow? Mario?s brain sure is quick witted; no wonder he?s such a good fighter!  That sounded totally convincing, and I made it all up on the spot!



?Just shut up!? Wario hissed angrily.  ?We?ve been through a lot too, so don?t hog all the glory!  I think it?s time I taught you who you?re dealing with!?  Wario charged at Cacklario and threw a punch right at his face.  Cacklario ducked under the right hook and hit Wario directly in the stomach with a powerful uppercut, sending him crashing into the ground next to Luigi and Waluigi.



?Hey!  The Mario I know would never strike Wario down at a time like this!  You may be rivals, but you always work together when the situation is bleak!? Luigi exclaimed.



?Alright, you got me.  I?m really Cackletta, and I?ve decided to merge with your brother just as I once did with Bowser!?  She gave them her trademark cackle to prove to them she was who she claimed to be.  ?You?ve seen what Mario has done to all sorts of foes, but you?ve never actually faced this power yourself!  If you pledge your allegiance to Lord Shade, however, I might consider recruiting you as Shadow Shrowds.?



?No way, Cackletta!  I beat you once, and I can beat you again!? Luigi challenged.



?I am no longer Cackletta? I am Cacklario, and will only be referred to as such!  Furthermore, do you really think you can beat me without your brother holding your hand throughout the battle?  Hah!  I?ll take on all three of you? and still win!?

Chapter 22: Cacklario vs. All





BZEERP!



A bolt of lightning shot from Shade?s hand and struck one of his guards.  The sentry was violently shocked until he collapsed on the ground- dead.



?I beg your pardon,? Mace said with a bow, ?but how many guards have you killed already, my liege?  I think it would be wise to calm down and exert your frustration in a different manner.?



Lord Shade turned to face his right hand man.  ?Ah, I suppose I?m simply suffering from anxiety.  I just can?t wait until Cacklario destroys all of Mario?s friends!  What irony!  His own body is being used against his fellow companions!  But more to the point, why do you care about these feeble sentries?  They mean nothing to us; you and I are the strongest Shadow Shrowds.  We don?t really need them.  It seems all they?re good for now is helping me channel my rage.?



For a moment, Mace clenched and unclenched his fists.  No? Not yet? Mario may pull through this one?



?I just hope Cacklario really can take on Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi.  Otherwise, it?ll be all up to you and those Sol Warriors,? Shade continued.



Mace bowed once again.  ?You can rest assure that this will be a battle to remember, your majesty.?



Lord Shade gave Mace a puzzled look.  What is he thinking about?  Even though he is a Sol Warrior as well, he can?t possibly be thinking about his puny species?


* * * * * * * * * *




Cacklario charged forward at Luigi.  As he locked onto his prey, one of his claws emerged from his black cloak and sliced at the cowardly green plumber.  Luigi ducked just as Cacklario ran right over him and performed a back-flip, putting him right above Cacklario?s head.  Just as Luigi was about to land, Cacklario fired an Iceball at him.  Luigi literally froze in his tracks and plummeted down to the ground in a chunk of ice.



?Let?s double-team him!? Waluigi called out to his brother.  From both sides, Waluigi and Wario rushed at Cacklario, who leaped high into the air just before the rushing thieves got to him.



?You want some of this?!? Wario challenged as he shot sever Fireballs at his airborne foe.  Waluigi joined in too, but Cacklario was a skillful dodger and was able to evade their flaming projectiles.



?It?s time to cool you two idiots down!? Cacklario snickered as he sent a barrage of Iceballs into the fray.  Several times an Iceball and a Fireball collided, and their elements cancelled each other out.  This elemental conflict soon diminished the number of Fireballs and Iceballs that were whirling across the room.



?It?s no good!  You thaw out Luigi while I hold him off!? Waluigi commanded.



?Right!? Wario affirmed as he waddled toward the frozen mass of ice that contained Luigi.



?If you think you?re going anywhere, you?re sadly mistaken!? Cacklario chortled as he sent a bunch of Iceballs in Wario?s direction.



?I hate this guy!? Wario cursed as he failed to take cover from the blasts and was enclosed in a sheet of ice.



Satisfied, Cacklario turned his heavy Iceball assault toward Waluigi.  ?Two down, one to go? Where is he??



?Here I am!? Waluigi retorted from up in the air behind him.  He interlocked his hands and smashed Cacklario on the back of the head, sending him tumbling toward the ground.  While he was down, Waluigi made his way to Wario and Luigi.  ?Sorry it took so long.?  Carefully, he thawed the plumbers out with a couple of Fireballs.



?Thanks Waluigi,? Luigi breathed as he emerged from a melted puddle of ice.



?Show off,? Wario murmured to himself.



To everyone?s surprise, Cacklario stood up again.  ?I must say, I?m impressed.  You aren?t as weak as you seem.  But it?ll take a lot more to beat me.  And correct me if I?m wrong, but Luigi doesn?t seem like he?s willing to hurt his own brother.?



Luigi took a step backward.  ?No I?m not!?



?Oh, then I guess I was wrong about you!  I suppose you really can take me on!  Well?  Let?s see it!  One on one; just you and me!  I am, after all, your new brother.  Or are you too scared?? Cacklario taunted.





?Why? you!  I?ll show you!? Luigi cried as he sprinted right at Cacklario and delivered a punch right to his face.  Next he unleashed a powerful uppercut that sent Cacklario sky high.  As if his true strength had just been unleashed, Luigi vanished and reappeared above the soaring Cacklario and gave him a painful elbow blow in the jaw.  To finish this deadly combo, Luigi gathered his strength and launched an Ultra Fireball at Cacklario. 



?Are you seeing what I?m seeing?? Waluigi asked Wario, his entire body trembling in shock.



?Whoa? He?s beating the stuffing out of Cacklario?? Wario said in a whisper.  ?Eh, I could do that??



But Luigi wasn?t done yet!  He flung himself at the weakened Cacklario and began to throw an endless assault of punches and kicks.  After several minutes of pounding on him, Luigi grabbed Cacklario and tossed him to the ground.


[End Music]


Cacklario, beaten and bruised, struggled to his feet.  ?I- guess I can?t - can?t quite control M- Mario?s power just yet?  Luckily, I have a f- few tricks up my s- sleeve??  Cacklario took out a bomb from his pocket and whipped it at Luigi.  Just before it hit, it exploded in his face and released a purple gas that knocked him out cold.  ?That takes care of him!?  Cacklario then opened his mouth and sucked Luigi right in, just as he did against the Mario Bros. when he had possessed Bowser.


* * * * * * * * * *


?Where am I??  Luigi wondered aloud as he scanned his surroundings.  He was in a squishy, pink chamber that rested atop a lake of yellow acid.  Luigi grimaced as his feet sank into the soggy wet floor.  ?I must be inside Cacklario!  And that means I can save Mario!  I just have to beat Cackletta?s spirit!  Once it?s gone, Mario will return to normal.  Cackletta?s spirit should be busy trying to control Cacklario so that he can destroy Wario and Waluigi, so I should be able to sneak up on it and destroy it.?



Carefully, Luigi crept down the disgusting corridor that was Cacklario?s stomach.  As he turned a corner, he saw the menacing creature that was Cackletta?s spirit.  It was a large, purple, ghostlike creature with a head, body, and two arms.  At the center of its body was a heart, which Luigi knew from his past battle with her was her weakness.  Cackletta?s spirit didn?t seem to notice him yet, so Luigi attacked.



?What?!  You?!? Cackletta?s spirit roared.  But it was too late.  Luigi had already sent a vicious barrage of Fireballs at the heart.  Soon, the whole spirit caught on fire and began to fade away.  ?No? The Shadow Shrowds will? destroy you!?


* * * * * * * * * *


Cacklario began to resume his attack on the Wario Bros., when he stopped dead in his tracks.  ?What?!  That pesky plumber destroyed my soul!  NO!  Curse him!  Lord Shade?s wrath will kill you!  It will kill you all!? he shouted as his menacing traits as well as his bumps and bruises faded away until Mario looked just as he did before.

Man, Shade and Mace's conversations get deeper and more mysterious each time they speak to each other!  It looks like it's Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi all up against Shade, Mace, and an army of galactic warriors.  I'd say the odds are slightly tipped in the Shadow Shrowds' favor.  :P

Chapter 23: Approaching Showdown



Mario sat there, puzzled.  ?Hey guys, what are you doing here?  And what am I doing here??  Before anyone could answer his question, Mario began to cough and hack until he spit out a tiny green dot.  This little dot grew into a full sized Luigi, making Mario even more confused.  ?What happened here??



As soon as Luigi noticed his brother, he came running toward him with tears in his eyes.  ?Bro!  Where?ve you been?!  I?ve really missed you!?



?You know how it is, fighting all of these guys that are trying to kill you,? Mario replied nonchalantly.  When Luigi finally reached Mario, he gave him such a big hug that he nearly knocked Mario over.



?Why can?t we get along like that?? Waluigi whispered to Wario.



?Just shut up,? Wario hissed impatiently.



?Luigi!  Calm down!  I?m alright, okay!?? Mario shouted good-naturedly.  ?Would someone mind explaining what happened?



Luigi wiped his tears on his sleeve.  ?E. Gadd invented some kind of hovercraft and we used it to come looking for you.  When we got here you were possessed by Cackletta, so we decided to step in.?



?Thanks, bro.  I guess I owe you one.? Mario turned to face Wario and Waluigi.  ?I guess I have to give both of you some credit, too.?



?Yeah, whatever,? Wario muttered.  ?I don?t need your gratitude.  Just make sure you tell everyone that I did some of the work too.  I don?t want you getting all the fame for this battle!?



?It?s not over yet.  We still have a huge battle ahead of us.  But when this is all over, I?ll make sure I tell everyone how you helped me out.  For now, though, I?m going to need some help getting to Lord Shade.  Does anyone think they can get us past this door?? Mario requested, gesturing toward a steel door that was bolted shut and seemed to have rusted itself in place.



Wario pushed Mario aside.  ?Stand back!  This is a job for the Wario Brothers!?  With that, he grabbed Waluigi and used his head as a battering ram against the door.



CLANG



Wario dropped the half-conscious Waluigi and scratched his head.  The door stood firmly in their path.  ?I don?t get it? That?s always worked before??



?So much for the great ?Wario Brothers?!?  Luigi remarked sarcastically.



?Take that back!? Wario snapped as he charged full force at the door and slammed into it.



THUD



The door fell to the ground as Wario stood above it triumphantly.  ?Yup; that?s what Wario brings to the party!?



Mario nodded and the three of them walked into the next room with the dizzy Waluigi staggering behind them.  This new room was remarkably small- it was no bigger than a closet.  Although it did have one distinctive feature: an elevator.



?I guess we?re going up,? Mario said as he stared up into the darkness, trying to spot was up there waiting for them.



?Are you sure this old piece of junk can support Wario?s weight?? Luigi asked with a grin.



?It?s because I have so much muscle! It weighs down my body down!? Wario barked in an aggravated tone.  Mario rolled his eyes and pulled a lever, causing the elevator to slowly move upward.



?Oh, I almost forgot!  E. Gadd looked at some of the starship?s artwork, and he said he wanted us to find a book that belonged to the Shadow Shrowd?s so he could find out what the pictures mean,? Luigi explained.



The elevator bolted to a stop, and they were stunned to see an entire army of warriors surrounding them.



Now what? Luigi thought to himself as he glanced back and forth nervously.  ?Hey bro; any bright ideas??



?Actually, I do have a plan of attack,? Mario responded quickly.  ?See that door over there??  He pointed to a door that stood right past a dark abyss, with the only way across being the drawbridge that was standing vertically and the lowering switch guarded by Sol Warriors.  ?I?ll bet there?s another elevator past that door.  It should lead me to Lord Shade.  If we attack head on and one of us battles our way to that switch, I can cross it and get to the top floor.  Are you guys okay with fighting all of these mercenaries without me??



Luigi nodded, and Wario forced himself to agree with them.  Waluigi had finally gained his senses back and was in on the plan too.






?Go!? Mario commanded as the four heroes spread out and began to attack.  Immediately, the Sol Warriors sprang forward to attack.  A few attacking Mario unsheathed their swords and sliced at him.  But Mario had already dodged them, and the two foolish fighters ended up cutting each other.  This victory was short lived as another cluster of sentries unleashed an assault upon him.



Luigi leaped high in the air and shot down Fireballs at his foes from above.  As he blasted away at Shade?s minions, one of them grabbed Luigi?s feet and pulled him to the ground.  He avoided the Sol Warrior?s blades and performed a sweep kick that caused them to stumble about and bump into each other.  Some of them even accidentally stabbed each other.



Two Sol Warriors approached Wario from both sides, but he rolled out of the way and smashed the two mercenaries? skulls together.  After they fell to the ground, he grabbed their swords and rushed into combat with a group of sentries.  As he sliced through the crowd, he noticed the switch Mario had mentioned earlier.



Waluigi elbowed one of them in the face, grabbed it, and tossed it at some other Sol Warriors.  While they tried to get back up, Waluigi threw some Fireballs at them, burning them to a crisp.  ?I think we?re doing it!  Mario!  Luigi!  Wario!  It?s time for Ultra Fireballs!?



At once the four of them began putting all of their focus on shooting Ultra Fireballs at their opponents.  Soon, the Sol Warriors began to dwindle in numbers.  Wario finally reached the switch to the drawbridge and pressed it in all of the confusion.  The bridge lowered to its crossing position, and Mario hastily crossed it.



?I owe you one!? Mario called out to Wario as the last Sol Warrior fell to the ground.  It struggled back to its feet and shot a red hot laser beam from its eyes.  The beam struck the drawbridge and lit it on fire.  In seconds the bridge was reduced to ashes.  Luckily, Mario was able to freeze the flames before they burnt the whole ship down.  The Sol Warrior then collapsed onto the ground again; this time, it was dead.



Just as they thought the situation couldn?t get any worse, an announcement rang throughout the starship.  ?Attention all Sol Warriors: The starship will be departing to orbit the planet in approximately five minutes.?

I'm dieing to see what happens next!  Mario just doesn't seem to have luck on his side  :P .  Now I just have to wait for a little while longer, and I'll be able to see how things turn out.  Darn it... I'll never be able to wait at least a week!  Well... Maybe I'm exaggerating...  :P

Chapter 24: Confrontation



?Now what?!? Wario bawled after the message ended.  ?I don?t wanna? get stuck in space!?



Luigi thought for a minute.  ?I?m completely fresh out of ideas.  Waluigi, do you have a plan??



Waluigi hesitated before speaking.  ?I can?t think of any sort of plan that involves getting Mario to safety.?



?I?ve got an idea,? Mario stated in a choked voice.  ?I hate to do this to you guys again, but I?m going to have to do this alone.  If I can get the Star Rod, I should be able to use it to get out of here.?



?No way!? Luigi shouted defiantly.  ?You?ve gone off on your own way too many times!  You can?t do this by yourself!?



?Yes I can,? Mario persisted in a confident tone.  ?I?ll get the book E. Gadd wanted, the Star Rod, the Power Star, and beat the Shadow Shrowds all in one shot.  I have to.?



?But how are you going to take on Lord Shade?  He beat you with ease the first time you fought him!  Let?s do this together!  If all four of us put our strength together he won?t know what hit him!? Luigi exclaimed.



Mario frowned.  ?I hate to admit it, but there isn?t strength in numbers.  I?ve been trained under Skulleon, the Ice God, and I?m- well??



?You?re stronger than all three of us put together!? Wario spat in a disgusted voice.  ?It?s painfully clear that you?re more powerful than any of us.  You defeated all kinds of adversaries we couldn?t dream of beating: Chaos, Nightmare, and Metal Mario all fell victim to your newfound abilities.  And as much as I despise you, I agree with you that you have to fight them alone.  Now get out of my face before I vomit!?



Luigi nodded.  ?It?s true?  I don?t have much of a choice, so I guess it?s up to you, bro.  We?ll be rooting for you!?



?That?s what I like to hear!? Mario cheered as he turned and sprinted into the darkness.


* * * * * * * * * *


?Mace, you?ve got to be kidding me!  Mario and his friends beat all of the Sol Warriors?!? Lord Shade roared in disbelief.  He paused.  He could faintly make out the sound of an elevator rising toward them.



?I assure you, the Sol Warriors you assigned to the floor were all defeated,? Mace affirmed.



?That must be him and his friends now!?




The elevator stopped, and Mario emerged from the shadows.  ?So, this is the control room?? Mario inquired sarcastically.  ?Its kind of spacious for a starship, don?t you think??



?Ah, so Mario has decided to come alone,? Shade confirmed in an amused tone.  ?So far you?ve been quite the troublemaker, wouldn?t you say??



?There wouldn?t be any trouble if you had left this kingdom as it was!? Mario shot back.



Lord Shade shook his head.  ?You?re missing the bigger picture.  I?m a bit of a collector, so to speak.  I have an extensive collection of planets and stars, and I own everything and everyone on them.  My orderly system has always worked before!  I send a Metal Mario to planets that lack strong warriors, and I send fighters such as Mace or the Sol Warriors to claim planets that are a little more resistant.  This was all fine and dandy, until you came along and messed things up!?



Mario stepped forward angrily.  ?You mean, it was you?!  You sent Metal Mario, Velno, and Chaos to kill me?!?



Lord Shade seemed surprised.  ?No, Velno and Chaos were inconvenient coincidences.  Metal Mario was the only one intended to destroy you.  When we learned it had failed, I came to settle the score.?



?You? You go around the universe enslaving any planet you desire!  You?re a freak!?



?Maybe so, but you are in no position to be criticizing me!? Shade replied.  ?I have the ship?s ?Annihilator Beam? set up to destroy a nice blue and green planet as soon as the starship takes off.  Once it breaks through the earth?s crust, I can gather energy from the earth?s core to help resurrect the Dark Castle, where I can truly rule like a king!?



?No way!  I?ll stop you!? Mario challenged.



?Mace, dispose of him, would you??



Mace bowed and stepped toward Mario.  Is it time?  No? Not yet?  I need to make this work?


[End Music]


* * * * * * * * * *


Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and E. Gadd drove away from the starship at lightning speeds.  ?And that?s what happened,? Luigi finished explaining.



E. Gadd looked shocked.  ?What a story!  I sure hope Mario makes it out in time!  I?d hate to see anything bad happen to him.  Luckily, I was able to hack the starship?s mainframe, giving me access to all security cameras.  In other words, we should be able to watch Mario?s battle from my laptop.?



?Let?s see it!? Wario yelled impatiently.  ?It?s so boring on this stupid hover-thingy!  All I have to look at is that stupid ship flying in the sky!?



Luigi whirled around and looked at the sky.  ?That?s the starship Mario was on, you idiot!?



?Are you sure?? Wario questioned.



?I don?t know, it could be one of the other hundreds of dark ominous space ships that hover over the kingdom each day,? Waluigi responded with a wry grin.

Quote from: TeChNiCaL DiFfIcUlTiEs on June 07, 2008, 02:04:44 PM
I'm dieing to see what happens next!  Mario just doesn't seem to have luck on his side  :P .  Now I just have to wait for a little while longer, and I'll be able to see how things turn out.  Darn it... I'll never be able to wait at least a week!  Well... Maybe I'm exaggerating...  :P

Lucky for you I had plenty of fresh ideas in my head to piece together the next chapter fairly quickly.  Enjoy  ;)

Suspense can be a deadly weapon...  Based on what has happened so far, I'm guessing the next chapter is going to be really amazing.  ;)  Keep up the good work!

Chapter 25: Lord Shade?s Right-Hand Man



Mace slowly stepped toward Mario.  ?Before we get started, I?d like to give you one last chance to live.  You don?t have to die here; you could leave in one of our escape pods and drift into the far corners of the galaxy.  It?s not the most pleasant thing to do, but would you rather stay and die??



Mario shook his head emphatically.  ?Sorry; I won?t do it.  I never back down from a challenge, no matter how tough it may seem.  If I put my mind to it, I should be able to make it out of here alive.?



Mace nodded.  ?That?s the right kind of attitude.  Don?t say I never did anything for you after you?ve been beat!?  Good.  Now I know he?s the one.  But is he strong enough?  Let?s find out!




?Alright, then.  No turning back,? Mario whispered to himself.



?You?re speaking as if you had a chance to leave anyway.  I would?ve killed you where you stood if you even tried to escape,? Lord Shade remarked.  ?And Mace, do try not to let this fool beat you.?



Mace bowed.  ?Of course.?



Mario clenched his fists and prepared to fight.  To start things off, he shot an Iceball in Mace?s direction.  Fast as lightning, Mace side stepped the Iceball and unsheathed a long, glowing blade.  After carefully examining its edges, Mace rushed toward Mario.  With a loud cry, he unleashed a combination of slices that would turn any other foe into cold-cuts.  But not Mario; Mario skillfully dodged and weaved around every single slash.



?Pretty good, but this battle has only just begun,? Mace hissed through clenched teeth.



?Bring it on!? Mario challenged eagerly.  Mace tossed his sword high into the air and threw Mario a few punches.  Mario ducked and knocked Mace over with a swift sweep kick.  As he began to pounce onto the fallen Shadow Shrowd, Mario remembered the plummeting blade and dove backward just as the sword soared right through the spot where Mario just stood and into Mace?s hand.  Mace sprang forward with his dagger raised and slashed at Mario, who quickly evaded with a back handspring.



Suddenly, the starship came to a stop.  Mario glanced out the glass window and saw a vast void of darkness, decorated with tiny bright speckles that gleamed in the distance.  ?It looks like you?re too late.  We?re already in space,? Lord Shade snickered.



Mace turned to face Shade. I need to get Mario alone.  ?My lord, may I make a request??



?What is it, Mace?? Shade inquired gruffly.



?It is a bit cramped in here.  I?d much rather fight Mario in an arena as vast as space itself.  Can you deploy the Artificial Atmosphere??  Mace requested.



Lord Shade heaved a great sigh and pressed a large red button on the colossal keyboard that rested beside a long row of computers.  There was a large rumbling, and a green barrier encased the ship along with an enormous chunk of the universe that surrounded them.  ?There.  As long as you remain in the Artificial Atmosphere bubble, there will be ample oxygen for you and Mario to breathe in.?



?Hear that?  We get to fight in space!? Mace exclaimed.  He unbolted a nearby window and climbed out.  Skeptically, Mario followed.



[End Music]



?So, you want to fight me out here, huh?? Mario asked curiously.



?Sure, but only if you feel up for the challenge,? Mace replied sarcastically.




?I?ll show you!? Mario snapped as he tossed a wall of Fireballs at Mace.



?Your puny Fireballs cannot hurt me!? Mace laughed as a force field surrounded him and deflected the projectiles.  He warped behind Mario and delivered a painful blow his back.  Before Mace could react, Mario performed a back-flip and kicked him in the head in mid-flip.



?Is that all you got?? Mario taunted.



Enraged, Mace drew his sword once again and sliced at the boasting Mario.  With almost no time to dodge, Mario lunged backward.  The sword barely cut his overalls, leaving a very faint vertical slice.  Mace slashed at him again, but Mario was ready this time.  He sidestepped the blade and kicked it right out of Mace?s hand.



?You?ll pay for that!? Mace cursed as he warped behind Mario again and kicked him into the distance.  Without hesitation, Mace dashed after the helplessly drifting Mario and prepared to continue his assault.  Mario impulsively gave Mace a right hook to the face, knocking him backward.  The two angrily charged at each other, viciously exchanging painful blows.



Back at Princess Peach?s Castle, E. Gadd, Luigi, Wario, Waluigi, and Peach all watched in astonishment on E. Gadd?s laptop.  ?What a battle!  They?re both equally matched!? Luigi exclaimed.  ?How will Mario be able to beat Mace and Lord Shade??



Mace grabbed his sword, which had drifted toward them while they were fighting.  ?Dodge this!? he bellowed as he tossed the blade at Mario.



?Watch me!? Mario retorted as he flung himself to the side, just barely missing the blade.  Time seemed to stand still as Mario charged an Ultra Fireball and launched it at the vulnerable warrior.  It nailed Mace dead on, causing him to collapse in a heap.  For a minute, Mace just drifted silently around the area.  ?That was a tough battle.  I?m not sure I can beat Lord Shade, but I have to try.?



He turned to head back toward the starship, when he heard a faint moaning.  ?No?  D- Don?t go?  You can?t? b- beat Shade in your c- current state?? Mace murmured.



?What do you intend to do?  Gang up on me?!? Mario yelled with disgust.



?Please? Y- You caught me off g- guard?  I meant to offer my h- help??



?Help with what??  Mario questioned, softening up a bit.



?Help d- defeating S- Shade?? Mace pleaded.



Mario hesitated for a moment.  As he gave the matter some thought, his friends at Mushroom Castle were shouting at him.  ?Don?t trust him!? Luigi screamed.



?It?s probably a trap!? Wario thundered.  ?Trust me; I know a dirty trick when I see one!?



Mario pulled the Max Mushroom he had bought earlier from his pocket.  ?I can tell by your expression that you?re telling the truth.  Here; take this.?  He popped the Max Mushroom into Mace?s mouth.  Instantly, all traces of injury vanished from his body.



?I?m? healed??

Will Mace stab Mario in the back?  Will Mario and Mace take Shade down together in the ultimate final battle?  Will I be able to wait for the next chapter to come along?  Just do me a favor, and NEVER change the way you write this!  It's written in such a way that the cliffhangers will keep you waiting and waiting until the next chapter finally arrives.  ;)

Boy, do I have a surprise for you!  Get ready for the next- and last- chapter!

Epilogue: Mace?s Plea



?Mario?!  What in the world do you think you?re doing?!? E. Gadd screamed at the image on his laptop.



Mace immediately regained his full strength.  ?You actually? helped me??



Mario nodded.  ?For some reason I trust you.  But why would you betray Lord Shade??



?I?ll tell you later,? Mace replied stoically as he started toward the starship.



?Gee, he sure is talkative,? Mario murmured to himself.  Just then, they both heard a high pitched noise; a sound that closely resembled that of a high-powered laser charging.  ?Shade must be preparing to fire that beam!?  A large cannon emerged from the base of the starship.



?We?re too late!? Mace cursed as he rushed at the cannon.  Just as a colossal orange beam came billowing out of it, he kicked the enormous weapon with all of his might, slightly changing its course.



The ?Annihilator Beam? struck the planet with great force, but not in quite the same manner that Lord Shade had planned.  Mace let out a triumphant sigh.  ?It may have hit the planet, but I was able to aim it away from the Mushroom Kingdom.  The beam took off a chunk of the planet that was completely uninhabited.?



Mario wiped off the several beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead.  ?Thanks Mace; I don?t know what would?ve happened if it wasn?t for you.  Now let?s go get Shade and beat him at his own game!?



The two burst into the control room where Lord Shade should have been.  But he was nowhere to be found.  ?Where is he??  Mace wondered aloud.



?Did he run away?? Mario pondered.



Mace shook his head emphatically.  ?I?ve sucked up to Shade for much too long to know that he would never run from a fight.  Even if the two of us work together, he still has a good chance of beating us.  If he were to even power himself up with the Power Star and Star Rod that he has right now, he could pick us apart without even trying.  That?s why we need to stop him now.?



?A wise speech, traitor,? Lord Shade hissed angrily from behind Mace.  As Mace turned around to attack, two red laser beams shot out from Shade?s eyes and pierced through Mace?s chest.  He fell to the ground in agony, clutching his mortal wound.



?Mace!? Mario gasped.  He ran up to the former Shadow Shrowd.  ?Are you okay??




?I?m afraid not, Mario,? Mace replied weakly.



Mario inspected Mace?s wound and realized that he was telling the truth.  Blood had already begun to soak out of the gash.  ?Just rest; I?ll take care of Lord Shade.?



?No?  I have to tell you?  What I?ve endured for years??  Mace persisted.  ?Years ago my planet and its people, the Sol, lived in peace and tranquility.  We were an unusually strong race, but we almost never resorted to violence unless it was mandatory.  I was just sixteen, living with my small family of three.  That was until an evil mechanical nightmare arrived on our planet.  His name? was Metal Mario?



?Metal Mario delighted in killing our people, but it wasn?t long until we were pitting our best fighters against him.  When the situation became bleak, I joined the fight and was able to put a stop to his wrath.  Given the title of the ?Strongest of the Sol?, my life had finally taken a turn for the better.  But no?  Lord Shade didn?t stop with Metal Mario?  He was so curious about our amazing strength that he himself paid a visit to our planet.



?Countless Sol Warriors challenged him and failed, but Shade spared everyone.  We later figured out why?  When he had finally made his way to me, my family and I gave it our all trying to beat him.  Needless to say, he beat us with ease.  That was when it became clear why he neglected to kill anyone.  The more warriors he murdered, the less he would be able to recruit.  After my family?s quick defeat, Shade offered me the position of second-in-command in his army of Shadow Shrowds.  I refused?



?Enraged, he asked me once more.  I turned him down?  And then? he? He killed my parents...  He told me that unless I wanted more dead bodies to pile up, I would join the Shadow Shrowds.  That was when I secretly made a plan for revenge.  I accepted, and the whole race of Sol became Shadow Shrowds.  He forced all of my people to undergo a brainwashing process, changing them from gentle, peace loving people, to mindless, cold-blooded warriors.  I was the only one who was excluded from the process, because Shade felt that killing my parents was the only persuasion I needed.



?After years of waiting, I stumbled upon you.  Ever since our first encounter in Mushroom Castle, I?ve been studying you and your great power.  Each time you were faced with a challenge, you rose up to it and succeeded.  Although my time is limited, I need you? to beat Shade.  I?ve waited for years for someone to help me overthrow Lord Shade, only to be killed at the last second.  But this experience has opened my eyes? you will beat Shade!  You possess the Capacity of Elements!  Somehow, you must seek out the Thunder Palace nestled deep within Forever Forest, and learn under the Thunder God.  Only then can you match Lord Shade?s godly powers.  I?ve already seen one race of people become slaves to him; don?t let it happen to? your race as well?  Defeat him, for me? for my people? for the universe??



Mace shed one last tear before leaving the battlefield for good.  Mario stood next to him in shock.  ?I never knew?  But now it?s all on my shoulders?  The hope and determination of an extinct race is resting in my hands?  Goodbye, Mace?  Hopefully, you and your people can rest in peace.?



[End Music]



?It was kind of a boring speech if you ask me.  It?s too bad he spent all of that time pretending to be my lackey, all just so I could kill him when he finally got his chance.  What a waste!? Lord Shade chuckled to himself.



Mario stood firmly before Shade, his fists clenched.  ?You won?t get away with this!  I?ll stop you!  I have to!?



?Actually, Mace was able to inflict some damage on the starship when he redirected the cannon.  As we speak, the starship is slowly heading down toward your puny little planet.  It?s probably going to crash within six minutes or so.?



?So, I guess Mace isn?t such a failure after all,? Mario snickered.  ?He did put a stop to your whole ?Dark Castle? scheme.?



?That?s where you?re wrong!? Lord Shade taunted.  ?The beam still cut into the planet deep enough to reveal some of its core.  And it has just enough energy to resurrect the ?Dark Castle?!  Not only that, but this starship is going to crash with you on board!  That only leaves me with those other idiots to deal with, and they?re not so tough.?



?What if I beat you?!? Mario challenged.



?Sorry, but I?m not going to stick around for the show!  I?ve already ordered some of my other troops to the Mushroom Kingdom, and I told them not to spare a soul.  Your people aren?t strong enough to make good warriors, so I decided to have them killed.  Soon I?ll find the Z Star and Shadow Rod, and then I?ll have all four Oracles of Power.  And you? will be dead!? Shade exclaimed with an evil glint in his eye.  With that, he snatched the Power Star and Star Rod from a nearby table and vanished in a purple puff of smoke.

And... That's Super Mario Bros. 5!  As I promised earlier, I am going to post the first trilogy completely redone in the detail that 4 and 5 are written in.  At the same time or a little after, I will be starting off Super Mario Bros. 6!  Until then, see ya'!

I did not see that one coming!  That was truly heartbreaking.  I almost cried, but then again I'm an emotional person  :P  I'm looking forward to seeing how the first three turn out after you redo them.  Good luck!  ;)