Return to Sarasaland

The Deep Wood:

For centuries, the lost forests of Sarasaland have been shrouded in the deepest mysteries and most obscene superstitions. The remote inner woodland that exists past the great range of bamboo towards the northeast in the Chai Kingdom has garnered a particularly sinister reputation. Some say it's a hostile place, inhabited by not only the most bizarre creatures ever conceived but the most vicious. Others say that it serves as an isolated gathering area for Sarasaland's most dangerous criminals. There is even rumor of cannibals who take up residence in the interior forestry who snatch anyone daring enough to venture within the radius of their territory. The biggest conspiracy theorists say that the government of Sarasaland has had a secret base set up within the forest and has been killing off its residents as a way to enforce population control. Legend has it that those that are unfortunate enough or foolish enough to traverse through this treacherous region disappear completely, never to be heard from again. Hundreds of thousands of people of all walks, races, classes, nobilities, and professions have fallen victim to the inescapable vortex that is known colloquially as "The Deep Wood." No communications, no search parties, not even Sarasaland's finest police and cavalry have ever been able to so much as even get a clue as to the whereabouts of the missing.

A mother and her son had progressed through the bamboo forest, looking for a great place to set up a peaceful picnic. The parent and child started experiencing apprehension about their decision once they realized that the trees around them became ever more crooked and comically saturated in color as they continued their walk. The strange echoes of unidentifiable sounds failed to offer reassurance to the two, and the bizarre abundance of orange, purple, and red pigmentation throughout the environment only added to the oddity of their surroundings. Yet, they continued walking as if they were somehow drawn to something within The Deep Wood.

Fear – the feeling they felt upon hearing an otherwordly growl that shuttled through the air.

Panic – the reaction they had upon seeing several pairs of red, angled eyes at random intervals of time.

Uncertainty – the state of mind that pervaded their thoughts as they found themselves bound to continue on their way.

Demise – the only outcome once the ravenous hellhounds leapt forward from the bushes and pounced on the defenseless intruders. The mother was able to twist herself just out of the reach of the demonic creatures, but the boy however, not yet developed in his judgment or instincts was quickly wrestled to the ground and dragged off into the mask of shrubbery. Self-preservation violently overtook her mind as she made the decision to try and escape the inescapable, completely forgetting about her only child. Her flight did not last long, as her pursuers were quick, cunning, and relentless in following her. The hellhounds chased her down, caught her by her ankles, and pulled her off to within the sickly looking underbrush. Not a single trace from her nor her son was left behind, apart from her screams of terror and regret. Even her peril eventually ceased though, and The Deep Wood once again grew silent.

"Yes, what is it, Vastus?" asked King Sarasa, sitting atop his magnificent throne in Sarasaland's Central Castle. "This better be good if it warrants the police commissioner's visit this late in the day."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but we have been receiving reports of mysterious disappearances now for almost three consecutive months!" Vastus answered. He stood across from the king and his brightly decorated and ostentatious orange and silver robes that accentuated his black pants and orange boots. The king's absurdly golden crown seemed to shine brighter every time Vastus saw him. The difference was made even more apparent compared to the police commissioner's relatively tired and dingy silver and black uniform.

"What's the problem then, police commissioner?" the king questioned, somewhat bored in his delivery. "Citizens have been disappearing before I even took to the throne. Why is that an issue? Has it sent our economy tumbling? Has it harmed our military might in any way? If the answer to either of these is no, then you are clearly wasting my time as much as you are wasting your breath."

Vastus tried his best to keep his upright composure. "But sir, our people are becoming very edgy, filling with panic and fear!"

King Sarasa cupped his chin into one of his hands. "Let them fear, let them panic. It's really not an issue."

"Well, that's the thing. People are starting to question the stability of the Central Castle. There's many that are speculating that we're the ones behind all the missing citizens. I think they may try to start a rally that could break out into a riot!"

"So? This should already be a given, police commissioner. They're obviously traitors, mischievous little runts who only seek to cause stirs and uprisings. Lock them up, for they are enemies to Sarasaland. They've probably been plotting against us for quite a while now. Weeks, months, years, who knows."

Vastus rubbed the back of his head. "I don't blame them, Your Highness. I mean, I would be upset too if ninety percent of the wealth of Sarasaland was concentrated here in the Central Castle. These people must feel oppressed-"

"If you value what's left of your life, you will bite your tongue with enough force to break through a whomp before you utter anything out of turn," the king coldly snarled.

"Yes sir, but it has really gotten out of hand, and-"

"And nothing!" the king boomed. "They're my people. This is my land. If they have problems, that's too bad, because I'm in control. They have food, shelter, clothing, and residence in what will soon be a historic empire that will transcend boundaries once thought permanent. They should stop being ungrateful and appreciate what I have blessed them with."

"I'm sorry, sir," Vastus murmured, his head and gaze angled down at the floor.

"You should be, commissioner," King Sarasa muttered. "Now get out of here. Come back with something of significance to report next time or you'll be relieved of your duties."

Two koopas walked into a bedroom in Bowser's Palace; the very room that Daisy had previously used before setting off on her next journey. It had been nearly a week since she left the Mushroom Kingdom. In fact, none of the Kruna were in the Mushroom Kingdom or anywhere near it at this present time. Bowser's Palace had been left in the hands of the koopas that lived there with him.

"C'mon man, you know we gotta clean out these guest rooms eventually," said the first koopa. "I mean, we just gotta vaccum and strip the bed, so why not now? You know Bowser's gonna be upset if he comes back and these rooms haven't been tended to."

The second koopa nodded. "Yeah, I'm just being lazy. You know, it's a strange move for Bowser to call off all of our operations against the Mushroom Kingdom, especially after all we've been through quarreling against those guys. It feels pretty nice though, all these tensions wavering and all."

"He said he'd tell us about them later when he got the chance," replied the first koopa, plugging the vacuum into one of the outlets. "I agree, it is weird. I mean, for Princess Toadstool to voluntarily come here by herself in the early morning and eat breakfast here? I'm still surprised by that."

The second koopa went to take the sheets off the bed, but stopped and bent down to pick something up. "Looks like Daisy left something here. I mean really, first she leaves her backpack here – but it seems she's taken it this time – and now she leaves..." He paused, examining the paper in his hand. "Is this a map?"

"Gimme that," said the first koopa, snatching the paper from his counterpart. "Well, this is indeed a map."

"What'dya think it was; a mirror?"

The first koopa cocked an eyebrow. "Hey, were you not the one that just asked if it was a map?" He studied the piece of paper closer. "Eastern Continent... She's circled some place, and if I'm not mistaken, it looks like it's...Sarasaland." He looked up from the map. "Why Sarasaland?"

The second koopa shrugged. "We'll have to show this to Bowser when he gets back. He might know what this means."

"You there!"

"What?! Me?!" asked Koops, trembling and shaking on the sidewalk in the outskirts of Toad Town.

"Yes," Kokoro smoothly answered, walking towards the blue-clothed koopa. The shadows caused by the sunset sky added to his sinister appearance. "There is an earth wielder here in typical earth wielder garb; black shirt and black pants with silver trim. She's got medium-length red hair, blue eyes – under normal circumstances – and is lean with well-developed musculature. She's probably less than a buck-fifty, and about 5'9" with a raspy voice. An annoying, voice at that." He grabbed and pulled up Koops by the neck of his hoodie. "Now tell me where she is!"

"I don't now man; I just got here!" Koops cried out, flailing his legs.

Kokoro sighed. "Okay, brown hair. Take your pick, I really don't give a damn."

"Oh come on! What did I do to you man?" Koops hollered.

"Look – I DON'T have the patience for you, anthropomorphic turtle," the Soul Stealer scowled. "Certain Nova Form Sarasa scum must be dealt with, and so help me if you hold me up any longer, my face will be the last thing your vision registers – now have you seen the wretched woman or not?!"

Koops grimaced, submitting to powerlessness. "NO! I don't know who you're talking about!"

The Soul Stealer started growling, forming a light sphere in his other claw. "Alright then...you know what." He tightened his grip on Koops, eliciting a terrified squeal from the koopa. "That makes you about as expendable as air!" Kokoro flicked Koops from his grasp, sending the koopa skidding a couple dozen yards away from him along the ground. The Soul Stealer moved to bring his hand forward to fire off his attack at the koopa, but stopped. Koops came to a rest at the feet of two renowned elemental wielders. He looked up to see Mario and Luigi, hammers strapped across their backs. Kokoro dismissed the light sphere from his hand, frowning with malice.

"Mario!" Koops exclaimed. He bolted back to his feet and slapped fives with the fire wielding plumber. "How's it going bro?"

"Koops!" Mario hollered. "What are you doing here? How's Koopie Koo? And Petalburg?"

"I had to come visit you bro!" Koops shouted. "But this guy showed up and started being mean for no reason!"

Mario and Luigi took another gander at the Soul Stealer, but exchanged puzzled looks with each other when they could not recognize who he was. In the same vein, Kokoro looked at the Mario Bros with bitter impatience and nonchalance.

"I assure you, I had all the reason I needed," Kokoro grumbled. He was mostly the same as he was when he battled Daisy; a horrific being standing six and a half feet tall, slender yet masculine build, smooth, hard scales that were brown with a purple shine in place of skin. His apparel was the same as well, being his gold and dark brown form-fitting tunic, his black-belted gunmetal gray shorts, and his brown shoes. His case-like bone structure protruding along the whole length and circumference of his arms, claws, legs, and neck managed to invoke a visceral response from Luigi just as much as the Soul Stealer's vampiric, periwinkle face and eyes. The only real difference between Kokoro now and his appearance at the Ice Shrine was the cybernetic brace and attachments around his right elbow; the elbow that Daisy crushed when in her Nova Form. "Kokoro is my name. I'm looking for someone...special. Stay out of my way or perish."

"Then you must be looking for us, troublemaker!" Luigi yelled. Fire and air elementals began to flow around Mario and Luigi's fingertips, a gesture that evoked an amused grin from Kokoro.

"No, I'm actually not," the Soul Stealer replied.

"Well you've found us regardless!" Mario exclaimed, intensifying the flames around his hands.

"How adorable," Kokoro said.

"Adorable?" Luigi repeated, crafting a spheroid of winds in his palm.

"And that's just precious!" Kokoro taunted, unimpressed. "Look, I'm in the middle of something more important than...whatever this is. So if you just wanna get the hell outta here so I can track down someone more significant, that would be wonderful."

"More significant?" Luigi asked in confusion. "Don't you know who we are? We're Mario and Luigi!"

Kokoro stared with a blank face, finding the crickets chirping more interesting than the two plumbers standing before him. "Riveting – okay, anyways! I don't want to have to waste energy snuffing you all out of existence, even though you've wasted a good chunk of my time already, so if you could tell me where I can find Daisy Sarasa...I'll begrudgingly let you all walk away living."

"Daisy?" Luigi asked. "Why her? What did she do?"

"Are you trying to kidnap her?" Mario asked with a grimace.

Kokoro's eyes flared open in surprise. "Kidnap? What? No! What purpose do I have kidnapping somebody? That's just stupid! Why would you even suggest that? I'm just gonna kill her on the spot! Kidnapping? Please!"

Mario and Luigi both looked at each other, dumbstruck by Kokoro's response.

Kokoro went back to grinning at the plumbers. "Yes, now, Mario and...Loogie, was it?"

"LUIGI!" the air wielder corrected.

"Sure," Kokoro condescendingly replied. "Since you obviously don't know where she is, I think I will be on my way-"

"Twin Dragon Flame!" Mario yelled, forcing out from his hands two large tendrils of white-hot fire that revolved around each other as they flew towards the Soul Stealer. Kokoro put out his undamaged arm to block, deflecting both flames upwards the instant they touched his hand.

"What?!" Mario shouted in shock. Luigi interlaced his mass of winds with lightning and hurled it at Kokoro, at the same time pulling out his hammer. Kokoro actually caught Luigi's attack and wound up to throw it back at him, much to the air wielder's own surprise. Luigi originally intended to spin around and throw his hammer at the archfiend, but was forced to be defensive and bat away the incoming projectile Kokoro threw back at him.

"That's cute," Kokoro cooed, sarcasm evident. "Now you are you quite done?!"

"Okay bro, seriously; what has Daisy been up to?!" Luigi asked Mario.

"I know as much as you know," said Mario. "And again, she's not even here for her to tell us anything!"

Kokoro perked up in anger. "Huh?!"

Luigi put a hand on his forehead. "Man, this is all really strange! First, Bowser's not our enemy, and now this guy in front of us shows up outta nowhere!"

"What if Bowser's just trying to trick us?" Mario wondered aloud.

"No way!" Luigi refuted. "Don't you remember his demeanor from a week ago? It's still weird, but I'm all but convinced that the Koopa King's not against us!"

Kokoro was blissfully ignoring the rambling of the Mario Bros, lost in thought. I could have sworn my tracking spell said to come here, but if she's really not here – and now that I think of it, I can't sense her presence – then there's one place she's very likely to be. Heh, she must have finally decided to face daddy. Or if she's smart, she'll steal the kingdom from King Sarasa and rule with an iron fist instead of using a Crystal Fist for useless acts of heroism. But no; Terran's poisoned her mind with his foolish drivel of 'honor' and 'respect'. That's quite alright, because I'll be the one that gets the kill for both the king and his daughter. He started chuckling to himself. They will both literally be skull dragged until the tops of their heads are ripped off and pouring red all over the ground...

"Hey you!" Mario called out at the Soul Stealer. "Are you working for Bowser?"

Kokoro just stared, split between dismissing the two plumbers as ignorant or as annoying. "Okay I'm done with this," he flatly said, forming and chucking a sphere of light high into the air. "LUMINOUS SPARK!" At its apex, the light energy imploded and then reversed its direction and exploded outwards. The result was a blinding wave of white light that Mario, Luigi, and Koops all had to cover their eyes to shield against. After several moments, the light faded away and their vision slowly returned, but Kokoro was nowhere to be found.

"What was that?!" Luigi screamed, rubbing his eyes. "It was like someone brought the sun way too close to the planet!"

"Well, he's obviously a light wielder," Mario muttered, rapidly blinking to restore his vision.

"You don't know him?" asked Koops, scratching his cheek.

Mario shook his head. "Never seen him before in my life. But apparently, he knows Daisy, so Daisy must know him. He's probably going after her as we speak!"

"Who's Daisy?" Koops asked.

"Someone we should probably pay more attention to," replied Mario. "That guy is powerful – so either Daisy's really in trouble...or we've been grossly underestimating her this whole time."

"That doesn't change the fact that we still don't know where she went!" added Luigi. "We never know where she goes!"

Mario took a deep breath, pressing one of his hands to his forehead. "Well, we have no leads. All we can do now is hope that she doesn't run into him. I'd hate to say that because it makes us sound like we're defeatists, but we are in no position to do anything here!"