What a Horrible Night…
The Mushroom Kingdom was in chaos. Though this wouldn't exactly be a surprise considering how often the citizens ruler, Princess Peach, was kidnap. But tonight…tonight something felt wrong, there was a heaviness in the air that clung to Mario like syrup as he dashed towards the castle. Screams, raw and full of fear, could be heard for miles as the residents' homes were set ablaze, the orange flames providing a backdrop to the dark night sky. Through all the chaos, Peach's castle stood as a beacon of light, keeping most of the darkness away.
The moon had gone through a drastic change, while it was once provided a helpful and calming figure, tonight it had changed into a malicious, tormenting, and unmerciful figure. The moon had grown larger in the sky, its once pristine white surface transforming into a harsh red. Just looking at it made Mario's stomach curl into knots, and dread filled every pore in his body. Swallowing hard, Mario ran into the city…
Mario gagged as the smell of rotting flesh hit him full force. Blood had begun to dry on the cobblestone streets of Toad Town, though the flames illuminated the blood that was still fresh on the ground. mutilated Toad laid scattered haphazardly on the ground, various body parts were scattered as the screaming of the residents began anew. The crooked lampposts flickered desperately, as if they were trying to cling to their last breaths, and glass from the broken lampposts littered the ground.
Drybones dashed to and fro, capturing Toads in their powerful jaws before clamping down on the necks of their unfortunate victims, blood splattering everywhere as their prey stopped struggling and became limp. The Drybones then dropped the corpse on the ground and it and its comrades would descend on the corpse like hyenas, tearing as much flesh and meat off the body, raising their heads lazily as they chewed the meat, blood dripping down their mouths in rivulets.
Their attention then turned to him, and they slowly began to stumble their way towards him before breaking into a full out dash. Mario clenched his fist as he reached into his pockets and pulled out an ice flower, transforming into Ice Mario. Mario raised his hand into the air and fired a ball of ice at the Drybones, instantly freezing the ones at the front of the pack. Mario then rushed forwards and kicked the iced Drybones at the ones in the back of the pack, killing them instantly.
Mario continued to run through the city, the two paths to Peach's castle becoming clearer as he could see paratroops surrounding the castle. Deciding to pick up the pace Mario ran even harder, but then suddenly stopped and jumped back as large object impacted the road in front of him. The giant Goomba's eyes rolled around in its sockets wildly as inched closer to Mario, the pavement cracking under its weight and it opened its mouth
"Ki…M..rio" It spoke as it swayed on its feet. Its eyes stopped spinning as it focused on Mario and bared its fangs, "Kill Mario!" It bellowed as it rushed at him. Mario threw himself to the side as the Goomba continued its charge, demolishing a house as it skidded to a stop. It turned around and rushed at Mario once again, Mario backflipped over the charging Goomba and hit it with a few blasts of ice.
The ice had apparently no effect as the blasts bounced harmlessly off the Goomba's back and fell to the ground, coating it in a thin layer of ice. Glancing back at the house the Goomba had just destroyed, Mario saw the exposed support beams and came to a sudden realization.
Coating the ground with ice, Mario took position behind the support beam, and the Goomba once again charged at Mario. Then, as the Goombas footsteps pounded on the ground as it charged at him, Mario dogged at the very last second. The Goomba, seeing its approaching demise, attempted to slow down, but the ice made it difficult and the support beam ran the Goomba through, killing it instantly. A red orb popped out of the Goombas body and Mario quickly snatched it, jamming it in his pocket as he turned around and considered his options.
He could head out on the first path, it was the easiest way to get to Peach's Castle, but he'd have to deal with the bulk of the force outside the castle. Or he could use the second path, it was a bit more tricky to use that one though, as it cut through the forest where the Boos resided, not to mention the slippery rocks he'd have to jump on if he wanted to get to her castle, but it could save him from having to deal with the paratroopas and get to the princess in time.
Decisions, decisions…
[] A path(easiest way to get to Peach's castle)
[] B path(Harder path to Peach's castle)