Finally, a new chapter is up. I'm okay now, sick is definitely gone. And even better, it's Spring Break this week for me! So that means there may be an extra chapter in a few days! Unfortunately, this week involves two of my least favorite things: yard work, and homework. Darn you AP Bio! Why do you have to give me such annoying assignments on my week off?!
But, putting that aside, let's get on to the story. And also, please continue reviewing! I would like to thank Drrockz for all of his reviews. Glad you're enjoying the story Drrockz.
Chapter 8: Information and a Fight
After the disappearance of Luigi, Mario and friends began a desperate search for the missing Mario Brother. Splitting up, Mario, Shelly, and Boone each went their own ways in the futuristic city of Koopolis, looking long and hard for him.
The search lasted hours, and they made little progress in that time. Mostly, this was due to that each was impeded by the relentless flow of creatures walking through the opposite ways as them. Boone very nearly had the police force at him again, just for looking out of place in society. As their search ended, they met back up at the port to report their findings.
"I couldn't find Luigi anywhere," Shelly said glumly, her smile disappearing for a moment. "It's not like I could have anyway. These freaks here kept pushing me everywhere and are not even minding their manners. What is wrong with this place?"
Boone shrugged. "I can't be too sure. This is entirely different from what I've ever experienced." He shifted his boomerang, which was currently slung to his back. "Poor Luigi though, I hope that he's okay. I mean, I'm sure he is Mario, so I wouldn't worry."
Mario nodded, albeit half-heartedly. He motioned for Shelly and Boone to follow him, and they began to make their way through the city, walking through the endless crowds and past the relentless Dimentio screens.
It was then that Shelly was really beginning to be irked by the televisions. To no one in particular, she let out a yell saying "What is with these screens?! I have just about had it with the clown!"
A random passing Koopa heard her over the drowning voices of the pedestrians. Stopping suddenly with wide-eyes, he ran over and clamped a hand over Shelly's mouth. "Quiet you! Do you want the Police to take you to Penitentiary D?"
Shelly struggled for a moment, her rants muffled by the hand. Soon enough, she calmed down, and the Koopa removed his hand. Turning, Shelly gave the Koopa an icy glare for interrupting her.
"Well at least someone was listening here," she said, her voice clearly calming down, even though her hands were balled into fists. Deciding to see if the Koopa could be of any help, she began inquiring as much as she could think of. "Can you tell us anything about this city? It seems so weird here, like nothing is right. And what is with this 'Dimentio' on the screens?"
The Koopa sighed, taking a breath before answering. "Well, Dimentio is the mayor of Koopolis. Or more like the dictator, but he doesn't like that term," the Koopa whispered. "Since he came, he installed those screens there to keep hammering us with his propaganda, and he created the police force here with his Penitentiary D. Ever since then, things have just been out of whack, since most people have blindly followed him. Add that to the sky getting dark and I'd say things have gotten as bad as they can."
Mario began talking to the Koopa, who was clearly overwhelmed over the situation. As Mario stepped back, the Koopa calmed down some, and regained his composure before talking again.
"Yeah, you're right. It could be worse," the Koopa said, picking up his briefcase with a nervous chuckle. "Thanks for that, and I was glad to tell you guys about everything. But I better be off, it's not really safe to stay in one spot for long. The police find it suspicious." He said, waving as he scurried off to wherever he needed to get to.
Mario and co. were left standing in the middle of the shifting crowd, watching as the Koopa ran off so hurriedly down the road, running through a nearby skyscraper. Taking mind to what he said, they began to slow move through the crowds, trying to find a way out.
Hours later, and the midafternoon sun was beginning to make its slow approach to the horizon (Not that you could really tell). By this time, the group had managed to work their way to the outskirts of the city, which reminded Mario all too well of Rogueport. Shady characters were walking all over, their faces concealed by various measures, no doubt hiding from the law.
Stopping in what they deemed as the most tolerable of inns, they took a rest from a day's worth of walking to grab a bite to eat. They sat in a secluded corner of the inn's bar, away from much of the other visitors. Shelly was looking around the place from her seat. She could see a Bob-omb, a Koopa, a Goomba, and a Cheep-Cheep, each looking ready to take apart the others. They sat at a table across the room playing poker. Some other random Koopas, Goombas, and even a few shady Toads were scattered throughout, each either keeping to themselves by eating or knocked out on the floor, asleep.
Shaking her head in disgust, Shelly made a gagging sound. "I could never stand this kind of life. These guys probably wash themselves, what? Once a year?"
"Actually," began Boone. "I haven't for a few months and-"
Shelly held up a hand, motioning for Boone to stop. "Ew. Not what I wanted to hear."
In the excitement of the day, Mario had forgotten perhaps the one reason they were really here. To find the second Mega Star. As he pulled out the Star Navigator, he activated the map, which popped up, displaying a 50 mile radius around them. A few seconds later, and the second Mega Star showed up on the screen, slowing moving to an area southeast to them.
This grabbed Shelly and Boone's attention, which both looked over at the Navigator with Mario, seeing the area where the star was. A river ran down from the city to the Star, following a trail that seemed to end up at a large castle. A village, only a few miles from the castle, was also seen.
"Well, I guess we now know where the next star is, huh Mario?" Shelly asked. "But a castle? Really? Isn't it always a castle for you?"
The noise Shelly had made had managed to attract the unwanted attention of some of the other visitors, some of whom merely grunted, and went back to what they were doing. However, one Robbo became curious about the Navigator that Mario held.
Grinning, he casually walked over to their table, clearing his throat to grab their attention. As they looked up at the grimy Robbo, his grin grew ever the larger before he began to talk to them.
"My, my, that is quite the device you got there my friend," he said, pointing to the Navigator. "I'm sure that such a thing would be oh-so valuable, and would undoubtedly fetch a fair selling price, if fallen into the wrong hands."
"Yeah," said Shelly, eyeing the Robbo suspiciously. "What's it to you?"
"I could just help you guys out here. If you let me hold that for you guys for tonight, I could prevent it from being stolen while you sleep."
"I...don't believe that's a good idea," advised Boone as he turned to Mario. "I'm not too sure we can trust this man."
Mario nodded, and pocketing the Navigator, they each stood up from the table, and were about to walk away before the Robbo put an arm in front of Mario. "No, I don't believe you understand," he said, irritation evident in his voice. "You really should let me take that for you. It wouldn't be…safe, if you didn't."
Mario pushed his arm out of the way, and walked past the Robbo, who was clearly infuriated by this act of defiance. Boone followed suit, walking right on past. Lastly, Shelly waltzed by him, and stopped for a moment before turning around to look at him. Sticking her tongue out at the Robbo, she giggled before running to join the other two.
The Robbo was seriously angered at this point. Pulling a small sword, he tossed it at the door, just as Mario was about to open it. Striking a few inches away from Mario, the knife stuck into the door. The team turned around, only to see an irate Robbo staring them down, holding another sword.
"Apparently, if you guys aren't just going to let me have that thing, then I have no choice but to take it from you."
"Wait," started Shelly as she took a step forward. "I don't think it'd be wise to fight. What if the police come here?"
The Robbo snorted a laugh. "Hah! Those guys never come out here. We'd overwhelm them, those fools." He chuckled to himself, the image obviously giving him a laugh. Quickly though, he regained his composure, his face coming back to the former seriousness. "Now, back to the matter on hand. Give me that device. I think that your lives are much more worthwhile than that."
Mario shook his head, instead sliding into a battle stance. Boone took a spot beside him, while Shelly retreated off to the side for a moment. The ruckus had gained some attention, as the rest of the bar began to form a ring around them, each expecting a brawl.
"So, that's how you want it? A fight to settle this? Alright then, bring it you fool!" the Robbo shouted, pulling up his sword and charging Boone with it.
Boone acted quickly, despite his older age. Pulling his boomerang off its sling, he held it like a bat, before using it to knock the sword from the Robbo, and launching the Robbo back a few feet.
"Grrr, so, you guys can actually fight. No matter, I can take you."
Boone decided to attack first, pulling his boomerang and making a quick toss, the oversized object knocking the Robbo in the head, before somehow coming back to Boone. The Robbo was clearly shaken, and was beginning to lose his grip, fear of losing starting to eat at him. However he didn't give up, and pulled back into a defensive stance as Mario came at him.
Jumping, Mario landed on the Robbo's head, jumping up with an action command before landing on his head again.
The Robbo was almost finished, his breathing ragged, and half-unconscious. Shaking it off, he pulled out a last resort, a single spear he had strapped to his back. Steadying himself, he chucked it at Mario, who was unable to dodge it. Thankfully, he only took minor damage from the attack.
Shelly whooped a "Go Mario!" as Mario ran for the finishing blow, pulling out his hammer, Mario held it back, bringing it down on the Robbo a few seconds later. The Robbo was dazed, his head moving in circles as he fell down to the floor. A mass cheering of the bar visitors rose up, and the bartender came out and pulled the Robbo out from the main floor, and over to a bench where he laid the unconscious bird upon.
Shelly ran up to Mario and Boone, both who were clearly okay after the scuffle. "You guys did great!" she said, her smile bigger than before. "But, I think we should probably get out of here and head on our way. We could probably find someplace off the road to sleep, especially with Boone's help. Plus, it'd ensure we're not attacked by any of these other creeps."
Mario and Boone quickly agreed, and the group soon was on its way out of the limits of Koopolis, leaving behind the Dimentio-ruled city. Heading on their way to the next Mega Star, Mario began to think of the city, about where his brother was, and what he could do. But he made a silent vow that no matter what; he would free that city at some point in the near future. He had no idea how soon that was.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Oh…" moaned Luigi as he grabbed his head. A large Floro Sprout was protruding from his hat, but it's effects didn't seem to be having a hold on Luigi.
"Hmm, it seems you have built an immunity to my Sprouts," said Dimentio. "No matter. I'm sure that we'll find some way to break you. Sooner or later, Luigi will be no more, and it will be Mr. L, forever." he finished with a smile.
And that's done. Next chapter will be up in a few days. Look forward to it people, it only gets better from here (Maybe not for Luigi). And you know what, I'm going to be nice. I'll go ahead and say, next chapter comes a new partner. But I won't reveal more than that. I'll keep the suspense up.
