Hey guys! So, I took a break from writing for various reasons. One was to plan out this story further, and another reason being that I simply had writer's block. I had absolutely no way I could think of on how to advance the story following the last chapter, which was chock full of events. Glad to see this story is still getting a load of attention despite my inactivity, which I'm grateful to you all for! I have finally figured out exactly how this story will enter its next sequence, in addition to the fact that I would like to further this story once this major conflict is solved. What do I mean by that? Well, you're just going to have to keep reading to find out! As always, please review and follow guys, I appreciate it and your guys support!
Arrival
Following the ferocious battle that took place in Sarasa Land, the Mushroom World bid farewell to an elderly gentleman that was famously known for accompanying Peach everywhere as an adviser and guardian. Within the flash of light, Toadsworth had sacrificed himself in a last-resort machine made by Professor E. Gadd, who had suffered a nervous breakdown during the events of the war. Now, with no defenses left to offer, the forces of Dark Land have captured the leaders of Sarasa Land and the Mushroom Kingdom: Princess Daisy and Princess Peach, along with Professor E. Gadd.
Following the capture, the trio was escorted into the domain of Bowser, while the rest of the Mushroom World watched in fear and awe. Throughout the campaign of Dark Land, the trail left behind was that of pure ravaging and sheer destruction. This campaign would become synonymous with raw chaos, as every land that did not immediately surrender to Dark Land was promptly obliterated. With the world no longer having any kind of defense, all bowed before Bowser and the Shadow Queen in their tremendous power. No one could fight back, and certainly, no one could pose any threat by this point.
Within the castle, Mario and Waluigi were in an artificially induced comatose state, seeing as Bowser was not exactly sure as to what to do with them. Similarly, the trio of Gadd, Daisy, and Peach were in the same predicament, as Bowser had never truly anticipated as to what he would do in the case he emerged victorious.
"Leave them, do not kill them. Let them remain as political prisoners to show that we have the most influential figures in the Mushroom World, and we will use them as our example of what happens when the world opposes us." Kammy instructed. The Shadow Queen had opted for killing the group immediately, but the idea was immediately rejected from both Kammy and Bowser, much to her annoyance. It was now January 6th, a mere week after the proclamation to wage war upon the entire Mushroom World, and only two days after the total victory, yet no solution could be completely agreed upon by anyone in Dark Land.
"You know, isn't there someone else that we were supposed to capture. A man who wears colors like Mario and Waluigi?" the Shadow Queen asked. Kammy and Bowser looked at another, desperately trying to think of who they might have forgotten!
"Oh right!" Bowser screamed.
Kammy and the Shadow Queen looked at Bowser totally confused by the strange outburst, unsure as to why he sounded so eager.
"You guys mean Wario!" he explained.
"Yes, yes, that one!" Kammy confirmed.
"Well you see, Wario and I are financial partners. Early on before all these battles occurred, Wario had called me, and he offered to sell all kinds of airships and tanks to me at a discount, as long as we would be partners!" Bowser explained.
"You bought, from Wario?!" Kammy screamed, smacking Bowser with her wand. "How much did you pay?!"
"Geez, calm it. 10 blocks of gold per arti-"
"You fool! Machines are only worth 1 block!" Kammy screamed in horror.
"No you don't understand! Wario explained it, it's all about 'supply and demand, man' as he would say. He explained it good too. Who else had instantly had a huge disposal of artillery and machines already ready, and would be willing to sell it? He did, and was the only one so I figured why not! We control all the money anyways!"
"Even in victory, this man is a fool". Kammy thought to herself, practically hiding her face in sheer embarrassment over the gullibility of the Koopa King.
"Even if he is a total buffoon, I, the Shadow Queen, still reign supreme over the world, with this fool or not." The Shadow Queen thought.
"Yeah but no worries. Wario is a neutral partner who simply supplies us. He scratched my back so I scratch his."
Meanwhile, above the stars...
"Take a melody,
Simple as can be
Give it some words and
Sweet harmony
Raise your voices,
All day long now,
Love grows strong now
Sing a melody of love
Oh, love
Love is the power
Love is the glory
Love is the beauty
And the joy of spring
Love is the magic
Love is the story
Love is the melody
We all can sing"
This melody rung through the heads of several Luma, each of whom had grown to miss their green friend. Rosalina had learned that Luigi had written down this melody in some sheet of paper he may have forgotten, and while he credits it as "Maria's Eight Melodies", no one was all too sure as to when, why, and how he learned such a beautiful melody.
"I think Luigi mentioned it being from another land, but I'm not too sure. Mother, I miss Luigi." one Luma stated. Rosalina struggled to smile, nodding and simply replying with: "So do the rest of us".
Rosalina looked down towards the Mushroom World, panicking over the fact that it has grown to become very dark within the past few days, and showed no signs of change. The Lumas sensed this, all gazing at the darkness that engulfed the planet. One Luma commented on how they managed to spot a tiny orange glow on the planet that was visible to their naked eyes up above. No one was sure of what that could have been, but many presumed it to be Luigi arriving, considering an explosion could radiate that glow if it was his impact.
Spread your love, Luigi
Spread your care
Spread your compassion
Spread your joy
Raise your voice
Raise your soul
Raise your efforts
Love is the power
Love is the glory
Love is the beauty
Save them, Luigi!
The land the Mushroom Kingdom is now a shell of its former self. Once the home to vibrant colors and a constant spring, the land is now contaminated and desolate thanks to the Shadow Queen's power spreading through the lands. The skies are now engulfed in a terrible mist of purple and black, with the sun no longer able to penetrate through any other Kingdom that Bowser had declared as enemies. Trees wilted constantly, day by day as they grew lower to the ground as they struggled to even survive. Piles of rotted leaves littered the land, as the once vibrantly colored glass now withered in a terrifying state of decay. The land was the definition of desolate and abandoned, with not even the slightest tint of wind being audible or felt.
In this land, a green pulsating light radiated, mimicking its original color, until a huge impact was given off that shook the land. Rocks, boulders, grass, dirt and debris went flying in all directions. The impact rattled the land, providing the only sound to come near it within days. Debris settled, covering the explosive landing as a tall figure stood proudly, while desperately coughing thanks to the debris.
"Wha-what in the world. Where I am? No, no. I couldn't...I can't be in prehistoric Mushroom Kingdom. Noo!" Luigi screamed in panic, running around frantically while trying to think of a solution.
"This can't be right! Where is the castle, where the hell is the sun? The sun doesn't even exist! No!" he screamed, getting on his knees while pounding the ground. Luigi found himself pounding on something that was definitely not the grass. Feeling the material, Luigi peered to notice that it was actually a brick.
"A...brick? Okay so maybe I'm not that far in the past. But, where is everything?" Luigi mumbled, realizing that there was no one in his proximity. "Wait, no...not the Ztar...did nothing improve since then?" Luigi pondered. The brick looked familiar, as he inspected it to realize that it was a brick from the Peach's castle.
"But...where is the castle?" Luigi asked himself, approaching the area which would have been the castle. Bricks and foundation lay all over the floor surface to where the castle would stand. "I swear, it's like the castle was just...uprooted."
"The joke is over, what the hell is going on?!" Luigi screamed. Yet, only silence responded to the man in green. Shaking his head, Luigi walked over to Peach's hidden canon, preparing to launch himself far away. Donning his wing cap, Luigi entered the cannon with confidence, immediately targeting himself outside of the Mushroom Kingdom.
"I'm definitely going to talk to someone, and I know just has the answers. That damn slob." Luigi mumbled, as he propelled himself into the area and began his long fight towards Diamond City.
That wraps up this chapter! The one and only has made his not so glorious return back to the Mushroom World, only to find himself completely lost and baffled as to where he could be! Some notes, as always.
1.) First off, that italicized quote that starts with "sing a melody", is not from the Mario games. It's from a separate Nintendo game that I absolutely had to incorporate into my story. First one to figure it out will get a PM from me and a prize! :D It isn't too hard, I promise. I used the quote to highlight the bond with Luigi and others, and to display that it's still going strong!
2.) Diamond City is a dead giveaway to where and who Luigi will be meeting with for the next chapter.
3.) I felt like being poetic for this chapter. Had some help from a friend with the idea, so hope you guys enjoyed it!
4.) Juxtaposition with Luigi, big time. This time around, we're seeing Luigi immediately jump into that canon, as opposed to Luigi's goofiness the previous time he used that canon.
5.) The recurring theme of Luigi being forgotten, primarily in the Mario & Luigi series and Paper Mario, continues.
6.) The base date of January is still used, which was referenced a couple chapters ago if any of you caught it.
7.) The Mushroom Kingdom is pretty much destroyed entirely at this point.
8.) Wario is referenced here, and we learn that he pretty much let his greed get the best of him, ripping off Bowser for some cash as always. I couldn't resist it.
9.) Toadsworth's sacrifice is referenced in here, as the orange explosion that a Luma spots. However, despite thinking it's Luigi, no one except Bowser, Kammy, the Shadow Queen, Peach, Daisy, and Gadd know what that really was. Kind of sad, honestly.
As always, feedback is loved and appreciated. Have a good one guys!