Chapter 4: The Flooded Basement

(At Scuttle Town)

Mario, Luigi, Shantae, and Princess Peach had just arrived and they explained to Princess Peach about the guardian genies along the way from Bowser's castle.

Princess Peach- You genies sound like an interesting race.

Shantae- Truth is, there aren't many of us left. Most of them gave all of their power to destroy the Pirate Master…including my mother. I never got to know her because of that.

Mario- Shantae, I'm so sorry to hear that.

Shantae- It's ok, Mario.

Luigi- One question. Now that we've got Princess Peach back from Bowser, how will we get back to the Mushroom Kingdom? Because I'm not crossing that desert again!

Shantae- Maybe you can take a boat ride back. I'll ask Uncle Mimic if there are any boats that go to the Mushroom Kingdom.

(At Mimic's workshop)

Mimic was reading a book, trying to find more info about a certain dangerous magic item. Then Shantae entered the workshop.

Shantae- Hi, Uncle Mimic.

Mimic- Shantae?! Don't sneak up on me like that! I'm too old for that!

Mimic quickly closed the book and hid it behind his back.

Shantae- Sorry. I just wanted to let you know I'm back.

Mimic- So how was your adventure with the Mario Brothers?

Then Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach walked into the workshop.

Shantae- We found Bowser, kicked his ass, and rescued Princess Peach. And it was the first time she was rescued by a heroine. But right now, they need to know if there are any boats heading for the Mushroom Kingdom.

Mimic- Hold on. I'll check the boat schedules.

As Mimic went through his files to look up the boat schedules, a small man rushed into the work shop.

Royal messenger- Guardian Genie Shantae! Thank goodness I've found you! There's troubling news from the Sultana's palace!

Mimic (thinks)- Oh no! Please tell me it's not…

Royal messenger- We received a package from Mimic yesterday. Inside was a strange looking ruby and we were given the orders to lock it away in the vaults located in the underground catacombs beneath the Sultana's palace. However, the lady pirate, Risky Boots has taken over the place and is trying to take that ruby out of the vaults.

Shantae- Uncle Mimic, is there something you're not telling me?

Mimic- Alright, alright! During my last treasure hunt, I dug up the Eye of Valdronia. It is a ruby that contains the soul of the dreaded vampire king, Valdronia. Your mother defeated Valdronia 1,000 years ago and turned his soul into that ruby. But there is a ritual to free Valdronia. I tried to bury it back, but Valdronia's undead followers rose from the dead and tried to take it from me. So I thought the best course of action was to hide it in the Sultana's palace. But somehow Risky Boots found out.

Mario- Who is this Risky Boots?

Shantae- She's the nastiest pirate in Sequin Land who thinks she can do whatever she wants. And she is constantly a pain in my ass as Bowser is to you. Well, I better get a move on. I'm Ret-2-go!

Mario- Think you'll be needing some help?

Shantae- Mario?

Mario- You helped Luigi and I find Bowser and save Princess Peach. Now it's our turn to help. That is if the princess doesn't mind waiting a little bit longer before returning to the Mushroom Kingdom.

Princess Peach- I don't mind. I agree she could use your help.

Shantae- Cool! Risky Boots won't stand a chance against the three of us!

(At the Sultana's palace)

The basement of the palace was starting to be flooded with water. Every attempt to try and open the vault caused the pipes to flood the entire place. There were a bunch of creepy little creatures called Tinker Bats holding on to the pipes hanging from the ceiling to try and get out of the water. But there was a pale woman with a big pirate hat and dark hair standing on another pipe and she was looking displeased with the Tinker Bats.

Risky Boots- I can't believe you Tinker Bats couldn't do something as simple as get a vault open!

Tinker Bat- But captain Risky Boots, the catacombs are flooding with the water from all the broken pipes! We need gills for this job.

Risky Boots- Then find a way! I need the Eye of Valdronia to defeat Shantae and take over Sequin Land!

Suddenly, a Tinker Bat came in through a row boat because of all the water and approached Risky Boots.

Tinker Bat in the row boat- Captain Risky Boots! Shantae has been spotted heading towards the palace as we speak. But the oddest thing is she's being accompanied by two men who look like plumbers.

Risky Boots- Plumbers you say? A plumber is just what we need to fix this problem. Maybe we can make this work to my advantage.

(Just outside the Sultana's palace)

Mario, Luigi, and Shantae were approaching the palace and it was within their sight.

Shantae- Oh yeah, Mario, you never told me what Bowser meant when he said another one.

Mario- How do I put this? Even though Luigi and I are great heros, there have been some challenges that are too hard even for us. But recently, we've met a few other heroes from faraway places. Each one of them is a brave and strong warrior and skilled in their own way. One time, me and another hero named Sonic the hedgehog faced a powerful wicked god named Tabuu and it took both of us just to barely bring him down. However, I believe Tabuu might still be alive.

Luigi- What?! You think that monster is still alive?! Oh ****!

Mario- Well, he did say he was a fallen God that was defeated a 1,000 years ago by my ancestor, and it did seem odd that he went down so easily when Sonic and I started working together. But just in case, I've been sort of building a team like Tabuu said my ancestor did. I'm guessing Bowser must've believed you were the next to join.

Shantae- Interesting…

Mario, Luigi, and Shantae entered the palace and noticed it was completely empty.

Luigi- Where is everyone?

Shantae- I would've figured Risky's crew would've tried to jump us as soon as we entered the palace.

Suddenly, a hooded woman appeared and approached Mario, Luigi, and Shantae.

Hooded woman- Thank goodness! Help at last!

Mario- And you are?

Hooded woman- I am the prime minister and caretaker of the Sultana's palace while the Sultana is away on business. I know that she's the Guardian Genie of Scuttle Town, but I don't recognize the two of you.

Shantae- They're the Super Mario Brothers, famous heroes from the Mushroom Kingdom and they've agreed to help me because I helped them earlier. But where is Risky Boots? I don't see her or the Tinker Bats anywhere.

Hooded woman- (mutters) Mario Brothers…yes I heard of them from somewhere before…(not muttering) Risky was trying to steal this odd ruby sent by Mimic of Scuttle Town. The guards put it in a special type of vault that was causing the pipes in the catacombs to flood the place with each failed attempt. My guess is she left after the basement became too flooded. Right now, someone needs to fix the plumbing or the entire palace could be flooded.

Mario- Me and Luigi can fix that. We used to be plumbers before we started kicking koopa ass for a living.

Shantae- Well, I'm not convinced Risky Boots would quit so easily. If she did leave for that reason, she'll probably be back with something like scuba gear. I better go and find everyone in the palace Risky Boots locked up and get them to safety before Risky returns while you deal with the flooded catacombs.

Hooded woman- Actually, it might be best if you go with them to the catacombs. There are some monsters still down there and they might need the back up. I'll handle the people who've been locked up.

Mario- You sure?

The hooded woman nodded.

Shantae- Alright, but let us know immediately if there is any trouble.

Mario, Luigi, and Shantae left for the catacombs under the palace, but after they left, the hooded woman made a faint half smile.

Hooded woman- Oh don't you worry. There will be trouble…