Chapter 10*Awakening The Dragon*
A woman walked into a large, dimly lit room. The room was ancient looking, like it had been there for centuries. She walked up to a stone tablet, that was carved into the wall. The carving was in the form of a large dragon, she knelt down to it and placed her hand on the head of the dragon. "My love, soon…very soon…you shall return…" ,said the woman. "How will this be accomplished?" ,asked the dragon. "I shall use the power of those men, the guardians of life…they will be your energy source…" ,she replied as she began to stroke the carving. "Then go my sweet, and do not fail…I can not love you properly until I am free from this curse…" ,said the dragon as the woman rose to her feet. "It's my turn to cause a fuss…" ,she said with a smirk on her face as she walked away.
"My sweetheart, the battle is not over yet…" ,Rosalina heard a voice say as she walked up the stairs. She went to the room where the baby was sleeping, watching her snooze away. "This girls will be an important part of your mission Rosalina, protect her…" ,the voice said again. "I will…" ,Rosalina whispered as she walked out of the room, closing the door gently behind her.
Rosalina walked into the kitchen and saw Fax, Peach and Allister talking and eating breakfast. "What up girl!" ,Fax shouted. Rosalina looked at her funny as she put her finger across her mouth. "Be quiet, the baby is asleep!" ,she whispered as Fax blushed in embarrassment. "It's quite nice out today, don't ya think?" ,Peach asked randomly as she looked out the window. "Umm, yeah…I guess…" ,Allister chuckled. Peach began to get nervous as Fax pulled her out of the room to talk, leaving Rosalina and Allister in awkward silence. "What are you doing? Just talk to him!" ,Fax whispered harshly. "One, your spitting on me. And two, I'm not even sure he likes me anymore…" ,Peach said with her head hung low. "What are you talking about, of course he does…you can see written across his face!" ,Fax said not realizing that Rosalina and Allister were standing right behind them. "Umm…" ,Peach began to blush and slowly walked off in embarrassment, while Fax walked away calmly, whistling as if nothing had happened. "Did you here that?" ,Rosalina asked. "Oh yeah!" ,Allister replied as the two of them split ways.
Bowser and Rosalina ran across the north bridge, dodging falling brick and fire, trying to get out of the castle area. Titan was fighting Greyback, and Allister was trying to protect Fax from the four guardians long enough for her to cast the spell. After Rosalina and Bowser made it to the field, they turned around and saw the castle being torn apart. "Quite a beautiful sight, isn't it brother?" ,asked Hollister who appeared right behind Bowser. Rosalina was then quickly pushed to the side as Bowser entered in combat with his younger brother. As soon as Fax made it up to the alter, she saw a blast come flying straight for her, ducking, she missed it but it caught hold of Allister, rapping him in a huge energy field. "Fax, do it now!" ,Allister shouted as Fax prepared to perform the spell. She raised her wand, but nothing happened. "I don't understand, what's wrong?" ,she asked Luigi who was in the command center under the castle. "You must not have enough power, you look pretty worn out. Suddenly, Fax was hit by one of the guardians, bringing her to her knees. She heard a sound coming from above her, suddenly a bright bubble appeared and stood right in front of her. It was her sister Callista come to protect her. "Callista? Luigi what is she doing here?" ,Fax asked as Callista formed a shield in front of them both. The guardians started firing constant beams of lighting as Callista's shield began to receive them. "I get it now! Fax, Callista is using her shield to absorb their attacks and transfer the power to you, you have to perform the spell now!" ,Luigi said as Fax's eyes widened. "I can't do it, I have to protect her, she's the only thing I have left!" ,Fax cried as she tried to blast down the guardians with some quick long range spells. "Fax if you don't do it, then she'll have sacrificed herself for nothing!" ,Luigi shouted as he stood up from his seat, pounding the computer desk.
The shield began to crack under the pressure, as the attacks it was receiving increased strength. Callista was losing control of it, as Fax got up to perform the spell. All of a sudden, the shield broke apart, sending Callista flying backward down the edge of the cliff, heading straight for the water. "Fax…Fax…wake up!" ,shouted Rosalina as she tried to shake Fax awake. Finally she awoke, in tears. "What was going on up there, you were crying and rolling around…are you ok?" ,Rosalina asked. "Yes, I'm ok…I'm gonna go take a walk…" ,Fax said as she got up and headed out the door of the house. Rosalina just stood there for a moment, worrying about her friend, wishing she had followed her out.
Peach and Crystal had decided to take a trip to the mall, and instead of staying at the house bored, Allister decided to tag along. The trip didn't turn out the way he thought it would, with him having to carry the majority of the bags, stand outside in a girls clothing store while Peach and Crystal tried on clothes, and walk into uncomfortable places in the stores. "I think I should have stayed home…" ,Allister let out a great sigh as Crystal walked by him giggling. "I warned you!" ,Peach said as they walked past a bridal store. Instantly Peach backed up, the store having caught her eye. "Oh no…" ,Crystal said as she smiled. "Oh…I wish it could happen to me…" ,Peach said as she stood in awe of the dresses on display outside the store. Allister began to blush as he smiled big. He then quickly changed expressions to a more stupid, not really paying attention look as Crystal turned around to speak to him. "You know we're gonna have to go in right?" ,she asked as Peach opened the door and entered, not really caring for Allister's opinion. "I don't care…" ,he said as he followed the girls in. Peach took one step in the place and instantly her eyes were fixed on a particular white gown with pink lace. "Oh my gosh!" ,she mumbled as she pictured a scene in her head. She was standing in a large hallway, wearing the same dress, waiting on her love to arrive. "Wake up girl friend!" ,Crystal shouted as Peach popped out of her day dream. "Umm…sir can you help me?" ,asked the clerk of the store. Allister and the girls turned around to see the woman standing beside to large boxes. "I need someone to carry these boxes to storage for me, and you're the only one I see that looks…strong enough to do it…" ,the clerk said in a flirting manner. "Umm…sure…I guess ma'am…" ,Allister replied confused at her invitation. "Oh no she didn't!" ,Peach whispered to Crystal as both of them watched Allister walk back to the storage room with the boxes. "I'm sorry girls but the store is closing in…now!" ,the clerk shouted as she pushed them both out the door and locked the place up tight. "There is something hugely wrong here!" ,Peach said to Crystal as the two of them continued to bang on the windows and the door. "Hey! Ladies is there a problem here?" ,said the mall cop as he ran up to stop the girls.
"Hmm…I wonder where I'm supposed to sit these?" ,Allister whispered to himself as he looked around the room. "Oh, anywhere will be fine!" ,the clerk said as she stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. "Um…ok…" ,Allister said as he began to sweat. "What's wrong? I don't bite!" ,the clerk said as she reached down in her pocket, pulling out a deck of cards. "What are you doing?" ,Allister asked as he dropped the boxes in the floor. "Tell me Allister…do you like to play cards?" ,she asked as she shuffled the deck, chuckling under her breadth. "Umm…I guess…hey, how did you know my name?" ,he replied as she held up a blank card in her hand. "Your about to find out!" ,the clerk shouted as the card began to glow, sucking Allister's soul inside it. "Well that was easy…" ,the woman said as she stared at the card. "My name is Corona, and I need your strong soul…trust me, I plan to put it to good use…" ,she giggled as she placed the card back in the deck and put it back in her pocket, leaving behind the empty building.
"Mother, I am here…I need to speak with you!" ,Rosalina said in her mind as she attempted to contact her mother. "Yes my darling, I am with you…" ,Lucinda replied. "Mother, what is going on…this new evil I feel…what is it?" ,Rosalina asked as the two of them walked and talked. "It is something that I had to deal with in my lifetime…my sister, Corona, she fell into very dark temptations…there was a man named Rocmar…he was a foul man, but he and my sister fell madly in love, to the point that my sister aided him in his quest for power…finally when our mother and father saw that I was the one that they could count on to protect the kingdom, they entrusted me with the throne…my sister resented this and so Rocmar and his followers tried to take me down…after realizing my sister would not listen to me, I transformed Rocmar into a dragon…and sealed him inside a stone tablet, never to be reawakened…but now my sister has returned, determined to set him free once more!" ,Queen Lucinda explained as Rosalina took it all in, trying to understand. "So, how is she going to do it…and how can I stop her?" ,she asked her mother as she tried to continue. Rosalina apologized for her interrupting words as her mother continued. "The only way the curse can be lifted on him is if he consumes the power of seven warriors of the past…the only way she can be stopped is if you find the seven warriors from the star kingdom, and awaken their true powers…only then can they aid you and destroy Rocmar's soul forever…" ,Queen Lucinda said as they stopped walking. "It shall be done!" ,Rosalina said with confidence. "You are so brave my darling, but do not walk into this battle unprepared…Rocmar is stong! I must leave you now…" ,Lucinda said as she turned to her daughter, placing her hand on Rosalina's cheek. "I'm glad we can do this mom…I miss you so much!" ,Rosalina said as she held onto her mom's hand and closed her eyes, while the tears ran down her face. "I am too darling…I am too…" ,Lucinda said as she faded away.
That night, Bowser was fast asleep, deep in a dream or rather a vision…The atmosphere was dark and cold, he could only see two figures, but he knew exactly who they were. "My queen, your powers are strong, but you are still too weak to do this…" ,said Beldam. "No! I am strong enough! She will die, and this time…I will not fail!" ,shouted the Shadow Queen as she slapped her servant across the face. Bowser began to sweat and groan as he rolled around in his bed. "The time is coming close…and we must…be ready! Do not fail me this time Beldam!" ,shouted the Queen as she sent Beldam, Marylin, and Vivian off. She then limped over to the window of the room, staring out at the view of Mushroom Castle. "Rosalina Toadstool, I shall have victory…no matter how many times I have to try…this war will rage on!" ,she chuckled. Bowser then woke up, covered in sweat as he jumped to his feet and ran towards Rosalina and Fax's room.
Fax heard a large bang on the door as she rose out of bed and walked over to the door, opening it to see an excited Bowser. "What is it?" ,Fax mumbled half asleep. "The Shadow Queen is back!" ,Bowser shouted. Suddenly the whole house awoke and rushed to the room. "What the freak are you talking about…Rosalina killed her off Bowser, we both saw it…now everyone get back to bed!" ,Fax shouted in anger. "It's true, I swear…where is Rosalina?" ,Bowser asked. "She's in her father's study." ,Fax said as she slammed the door. Bowser quickly shoved everyone else aside and ran for the study. "Rosalina!" ,he shouted as he opened the secret passage and saw he sitting at her father's desk. "Bowser? My gosh…what happened to you?" ,Rosalina said seeing him all torn up and sweaty. "The…Shadow Queen…is back…" ,Bowser said quietly expecting a huge freak out moment from her. "…I know…" ,Rosalina said calmly sipping her tea. Bowser was dumbfounded at her response. "What?" ,he said as he closed the door behind him. "Well…you didn't honestly think I had finished her off that easily did you?" ,Rosalina asked as Bowser remembered what happened.
Rosalina fell to the floor, looking at the Shadow Queen who came walking towards her. "This is it…you foolish brat…no more shall you continue to survive my attacks!" ,Arabella said, struggling to catch her breadth. Rosalina noticed the sword was laying right in front of her, she quickly crawled towards it, attempting to grab it as the Shadow Queen placed her right foot on top of it, keeping it at bay. "Hahaha, resistance is futile, oh I do enjoy your feeble attempts to try and stop me!" ,chuckled Arabella as Rosalina watched her in misery. Suddenly the sword began to glow, Arabella noticing it's shine from beneath her. The sword than blasted her back on the ground, attaching itself to Rosalina's hand. Arabella rose to her feet as did Rosalina, knowing what was about to happen, Arabella made one last attempt to stop her by sending out a blast of dark energy which Rosalina blocked with the sword. The sword then reacted, clearing a path through the beam, allowing Rosalina to take a deep breadth and throw the sword at Arabella. The sword flew through the air as Arabella tried to dodge, but before she could move the sword entered through her chest. Dripping in blood, Arabella fell to her knees as her eyes released a black smoke along with her mouth, until nothing but black smoke was seen, releasing itself into the air. After the smoke had retreated, Rosalina could see her body dark and shriveled, the Shadow Queen was dead.
"But that was a very convincing death! Me and Fax were standing right there when it happened!" ,Bowser argued. Before Rosalina responded she took another sip of her tea and sighed. "Bowser…Arabella…was just a pawn of the Shadow Queen…the Queen's actual soul still exists…and as of now, I still have not figured out a way to destroy her soul…you see…a thousand years ago when she destroyed the old kingdom, and the four guardians sealed her away…they destroyed her true body…when Grodus released her, she possessed Peach…when Mario defeated her, she left Peach's body…and later found Arabella…every time she has been fought and defeated, instead of just dying off, she fled from the person she was using…" ,Rosalina explained. "So what you're saying is that, Arabella and the Shadow Queen were two different people?" ,Bowser asked. "Yes, exactly right…my guess is the only way we can defeat her, and rid the world of her spreading evil, is to keep her from having a host, and then take her down…" ,Rosalina said as she got up from her father's desk. "So we have another job then?" ,Bowser asked reluctantly. "Exactly…" ,Rosalina replied as the two of them left the room.
That same night, Peach called Crystal wondering if she knew about Allister. "Hello?" ,Crystal mumbled from being half asleep. "Umm, Crystal…Allister never came back to the house…" ,Peach whispered, hoping that Rosalina and Fax, who were sleeping away in the beds across from her, did not hear her. "What! We need to go back to the mall then!" ,Crystal shouted. "Um…I'm not a night shopper!" ,Peach said sarcastically. "Just shut up and meet me there in ten minutes!" ,Crystal said before hanging up.
The two girls met that night in front of the mall as they tried to figure out a way to get in. "We could just use the front door!" ,Peach said. "You idiot, I don't want to go to jail, I'm sure there is security in there. Let's go through the back!" ,Crystal whispered as the two of them rushed to the back of the mall, slowly breaking the door to the bridal shop open. "Are you sure this is it?" ,Peach asked as Crystal continued to pry the door open. "Yes…I'm…sure…why else…would…it say Bridals are us…on the door?" ,Crystal asked sarcastically as she opened the door, leading them into the empty storage room. "What! I don't understand, did they just pack up everything over night?" ,Peach whispered as they both looked around the rooms. The storage room was empty, the main shopping area was empty. It was as if there hadn't been a store there for years. "I have a feeling that this wasn't a real store to begin with…I knew there was something off about that clerk!" ,Peach whispered. "Ya think? Someone's coming!" ,Crystal whispered loudly as she pulled Peach behind the front desk. They both watched as a security officer walked by the windows, looking inside the store to make sure he didn't see anything, finally walking off giving the girls some relief. "Let's get out of here, he obviously isn't here…" ,Crystal whispered as her and Peach crawled out of the room, through the storage area, and out the back door of the store.
"We made it!" ,Crystal let out a sigh of relief as she closed the door behind them. "Yeah but what about Allister…we sure have some explaining to do there!" ,Peach said as she wiped the sweat off her forehead. "That's for sure!" ,said Bowser who was standing behind Crystal the whole time. "Whaa!" ,Crystal shouted as she leaped into the air higher than any normal person ever could. Bowser chuckled a little before turning back to a serious face. "Now…what's all this about Allister missing?" ,Bowser asked. "Why the hell did you scare me for?" ,Crystal whispered as she tried to shake off her fright. "I believe my question is more important right now…" ,Bowser said as he smirked. "Ok fine…Peach you tell him!" ,Crystal said as she shoved Peach in front of her. "Ok…it goes like this…so me, Crystal, and Allister went shopping today right…and we went in side this bridal shop…so the clerk inside was trying to be all seductive with Allister…asked him to take some boxes to the storage room…and after he went in there…she pushed us out of the store and locked it up tight…" ,Peach said. "I see, and you didn't even try to enter the back like you were just doing right now?" ,Bowser asked. "No…" ,both answered as they hung their heads. "And you just left the mall?" ,Bowser asked. "Yes…" ,both answered. "We were expecting him to come back to the house…you know…he's a big boy…but…" ,Peach was interrupted. "But instead of looking for him, when that 'Clerk' had him go back to the storage room and pushed you guys out, you…didn't you guys find it just a bit suspicious?" ,Bowser asked in confusion. "Sort of…" ,they both answered with their heads held low.
"Ya know…the one on the left looks right, but I think the girl on the right ought to color her hair blonde…at least then you'd have a reason for being so stupid…" ,chuckled a woman who warped in behind the group. "Who are you!" ,Bowser asked. The woman giggled as she looked down, twirling her hair around. "The names…Corona…I'm the one who stole your boy friend…" ,she giggled as Bowser began to clench his fists. "Why did you do it?" ,Peach asked. "Because I need his energy…it will…help me out so to speak…" ,Corona replied, showing some amusement in her tone. "You bring him back now!" ,Crystal shouted in a threatening voice. "Or what…If you couldn't even figure it out that I was faking the store earlier…what makes you think you can handle me now?" ,Corona asked as she reached in her pocket. "What are you doing?" ,Bowser asked as the three of them stepped back. "Let's play a game of cards…shall we?" ,Corona giggled as she shuffled the deck a held up a card that had Allister on it. "Is this your man?" ,she said laughing maniacally. "Give him back!" ,Peach screamed as she leaped forward trying to attack. "Don't think so cutie!" ,Corona shouted as she held up and empty card, trapping Peach inside. "What the heck are we dealing with?" ,Crystal asked Bowser. "Hmm…well I can't use you, but I'll at least let you rest." ,Corona said as she threw the card in the air, sending back towards the house. "That's it! Static E!" ,Crystal shouted as a powerful storm of lighting blasted towards Corona. Instead of running or even warping away, Corona just held up one of the empty cards, allowing it to absorb the lighting.
"Is that all you got?" ,Corona asked. "Yeah, but that's not all we got!" ,shouted Birdy as she leaped in followed by Toadette, Haylee, and Timpani. "Feel the wrath of the seas! Ocean Brave Tsunami!" ,Toadette shouted as she guided a rush of water towards a surprised Corona. Corona was then blasted back for she did not expect any surprise attacks. "Don't think so girl, your not taking this one's soul!" ,shouted Timpani as she turned and looked at Bowser. "What?" ,Bowser asked in confusion. "We'll explain later! Mind Rattling Wind Buster!" ,Birdy said as she called forth a gust of wind, hurling Corona into the air. "I don't think so girls…maybe another time!" ,Corona shouted as she warped away. "Well now that that is over…I guess I owe you guys an explanation…" ,Timpani said.
"So that's what's going on?" ,Bowser asked in shock. "Yes, she needs the souls of the seven warriors from the Star Kingdom…" ,Timpani replied. "Who else is one of the warriors?" ,Peach asked as Birdy laughed. "You need to catch up on come history…" ,Birdy mumbled as Toadette slapped her back. "Well…obviously…Bowser and Allister are, and also Titan…as for the other four, even my powers of fore sight do not help me…" ,Timpani replied. "Well…with that being said let's leave Mr. Marauder and the blonde chicks for now…" ,Birdy laughed as she walked off. "I'm not like that anymore!" ,Bowser shouted. "I'm sorry about that…" ,Toadette said as she turned and followed Birdy, Haylee and Timpani bowing before following as well. "So what now?" ,asked Peach. "Well, you and Bowser need to talk to Rosalina…I on the other hand, have some sleep to catch up on at home!" ,Crystal said, stretching her arms and yawning. "Really…you mean at that cheap rundown place you crash in?" ,Peach mumbled. "What was that?" ,Crystal asked in anger. "Uh…nothing, le…let's go Bowser…" ,Peach said as her and Bowser split ways with Crystal.
"Mother…it's me again…we have a huge problem…" ,Rosalina said as she walked through the clear corridor of her mind. "Your friend Allister…he has been captured…" ,Lucinda replied. "Yes, we now know that Bowser and Titan are two others, but how can we find the other four?" ,asked Rosalina. "No…don't look for them…they will come to you when the time is right…you cannot rush destiny…" ,Lucinda replied before leaving once more. "Mother…mother?" ,Rosalina shouted before she was caught back in sleep.
Corona walked into the dark cave, holding up the card that held Allister inside. "Rocmar…I have him, one of the seven…" ,she said as she walked closer to the stone tablet. "Excellent…place him on the pedestal in onve of the seven slots…" ,Rocmar whispered as Corona kneeled down to the pedestal and did as he asked. She stood back up, placing her face against his, rubbing his stone head. "Soon…very soon we will have our revenge, and my sister is not here too stop us…" ,she said. "Yes, but her daughter is…and she is not one to reckon with…her powers if fully tapped into, could very well be stronger than her mother's…beware!" ,Rocmar said as Corona got up and left the room.
"My queen, shall we initiate our first move now?" ,asked Beldam. "No! We must wait, there is another force attempting to take down the girl…we must wait until Rosalina destroys her." ,said the Shadow Queen. "Are you sure she will my queen?" ,Beldam asked reluctantly. "You dare question me?" ,the Queen shouted as she turned and slapped Beldam in the face, knocking her to the floor. "She is not one to take lightly, but when the time is right…she will be mine!" ,said the Queen as she walked away.
The darkness is spreading…soon this world will face it's ultimate battle, but will Rosalina be ready when the time comes…or will she be lost forever?
This is a stopping point for now. Just so everyone knows, my story will be split into parts. Part 1 is now officially complete with chapter 10. I will be taking a short break in between parts to be able to work on part 2 and take a breather. Thank you to all of you that have continued to read and I hope that everyone is enjoying the story so far, trust me it will be even better as part 2 progresses. As of now Part 2 Chapter 1 is scheduled to be released August 10th. I will continue to leave release dates at the end of every chapter from this point on.