Wow, this chapter was such an absolute blast that it's my longest one yet. I actually decided to stave off two more segments and save them for the next one. As usual, thanks to Stardown for proofreading :)
Chapter 27: Fall of a King, Rise of a Queen
Polari wandered the different areas on the Comet Observatory in search of his 'Mother'. She wasn't in her usual spots and she wasn't at the gate either. It was unlike Rosalina to leave without prior notice, and it wasn't like her friends had time for another party or social event, given all that was happening. Polari was sure she was still on the observatory, but where? Turning around the domes, the black elderly Luma heard a mechanical noise, as if a door was being opened. Polari approached to investigate.
Rosalina scavenged about the rusty spaceship, browsing aimlessly. She wasn't sure what she was looking for exactly, only that she needed to come to an understanding of her past and her future.
You have until then to think where you stand in this equation. You will not find another chance... Wario's words buzzed about in her ears, looping over and over since the moment he left.
After getting over the fact that she would never see her parents again, Rosalina stowed the rusty original model of the Starshroom, along with the telescope she took from her father, something that she managed to do since she became timeless. But that wouldn't, not with Wario's indignant comment. She couldn't deny her humanity nor her feelings anymore. Something had to be done.
As she shuffled about, the small locker in the airship busted open, letting go of a multitude of drawings. A surge of emotion rushed through her mind as a single tear slipped her eyes. It was the drawings she made during her travels through the stars as a child. She hadn't forgotten about them, but never had the courage to open the drawer and gaze at them anew.
"I didn't expect to find you here..." Polari commented. Rosalina quickly wiped her tear and tried to compose herself.
"I didn't expect to come here either, Polari," she replied solemnly.
"What's going on?" the Luma asked, cutting to the chase. Rosalina simply sighed.
"Change is what's going on, my friend... Change affects the planet, and it extends to me as well," Rosalina declared.
"Don't tell me this is all because of the brute that visited you?"
"That 'brute', as you call him, is one of my friends. I'd appreciate it if you accorded him the respect he deserves." Rosalina raised her voice slightly, something she had never done before. "My apologies, Polari. I'm a little on edge."
"I overstepped," Polari looked down. "I should be the one apologizing.
"It is of no consequence. Things are already in motion. Fate cannot be defied for too long."
"But what exactly are you doing here?" Rosalina hastily returned the drawings back to the drawer, with the exception of one: A picture she drew not long ago, the first time she met with Mario's friends.
"Remembering my humanity..." another tear fell down on the piece of paper.
"You can't be thinking of leaving the observatory! You will die in a couple of years!" Polari exclaimed, having come to an understanding of what she was planning to do.
"I should have died eons ago. I cannot continue cheating my life away while everyone works hard for theirs."
"I-I understand that part, but you belong here, with us! You could still help them from up here," Polari reasoned. He didn't have much choice in the matter. "Your friends can handle themselves. They always did."
"I'm not saying that they can't handle themselves," Rosalina countered. "I'm saying that I need to do my part in this as well, as a human."
Polari stared at Rosalina for a moment and studied her out. The Star Princess wasn't floating, she was instead standing on her own two feet,and standing less uptight than the usual regal figure she presented.
"Rosalina, I have watched you grow ever since you were a little babe. I am your ever faithful and loyal advisor. I wouldn't want to disappoint the trust you have put in me all these years."
"You never did disappoint. That is a fact and I'm thankful for your help all these years." She closed the door to the Starshroom and pressed the hidden garage button, closing the hidden section that housed the space ship. "My mind is set and nothing is going to deter me."
"What of us, then? Who will guide us? What of little Luma?"
Rosalina stopped in her tracks for a second, then turned back.
"It has to be this way. Luma will understand," Rosalina said, sounding like she could cry at any given second, but she pressed on. "You helped me and counseled me, Polari, and I would ask that you do the same for Lubba."
"Rosalina, please reconsider! Lubba is not ready. You don't have to do this," Polari pleaded.
"I'm sorry, but my friend's life is on the line, and I will not repay his kindness and help with selfishness and neglect."
Rosalina walked away with somewhat heavy steps, while Polari simply floated behind her, having trouble coming to terms with what had just occurred.
Peach wasn't sure what was going on anymore. She could remember something about being with Bowser in some abandoned fort of sorts. Why would she be in such a place? After all, such a horrible, dusty and crumbling place was unfit for a baby of one year.
A baby... aren't I twenty-seven years old? The princess was confused and tried to move, but her stubby infant legs weren't co-operating. She heard an echoing voice, a gentle female voice, but it wasn't familiar in the slightest. She could spy a blurry mass approaching her cradle.
The persona approaching her gradually became clearer. Peach closed her eyes for a few seconds and then cracked them open. She was lovingly carried in the bosom of a beautiful woman.
She had long and wavy raven black hair, and her skin was as white as snow. She looked at Peach with such a gentle gaze.
"Morning, my precious!" The woman kissed the child on her forehead and smiled at her. She looked young for a mother, perhaps in her early twenties.
Was this person her mother? Why couldn't she remember? Why did she think she was twenty-seven? if she's still a baby? All these questions rushed through her head. She couldn't separate reality from dreams anymore.
"Ludmilla!" came a commanding voice from behind the door. A tall male entered afterwards. "We're late for our meeting. We must make haste!"
"I'll be right with you, Samuel." Ludmilla smiled at her older brother as she cradled her infant daughter.
Samuel sighed. "You may call me that in private, but do keep up appearances, understood?"
"Of course, my Lord Cousin."
Ludmilla made her way to the door and started descending the spiral staircase on her way to the grand hall. They were expecting an important visitor from the Realm of Darkness who had come to offer them a way out of the predicament that plagued them and the kingdom. The severity of the situation left them with no choice but to consort with demons of the highest caliber. The Tribe of Darkness would have been a better choice, but alas, they are ancient history by this point since the last surviving member had slipped into insanity.
The great hall was empty: No guards, no servants, nobody except the immediate royal family. What they were doing couldn't be well interpreted by the rest of the populace and it had to be kept under tight wraps.
Within the room was the King Samuel Toadstool. He was seated on his throne, awaiting the envoy's arrival. Next to him was his wife, Isadora. She wasn't very tall, and her golden hair covered most of her body. She seemed to be fidgety and uncertain.
Lumdilla had finally entered and joined her cousin's side. The three of them were the only ones that would know what transpired.
There was a knock on the door, only the door itself wasn't pushed open. Something swam through the shadows and entered from underneath. It moved to the center of the room where it emerged.
"Greetings, my lord!" the short figure smiled wryly and bowed in respect. "I bring news from the Shadow Queen."
Beldam?! Peach could scarcely believe her eyes, not that she wasn't sure anymore of what had transpired, or what had been her imagination. But sure enough, it was the old ice crone that stood in front of her, sporting the up-to-no-good smile as always. She could, however, catch glimpses of her staring at Ludmilla, for some reason.
"I bid you welcome, Siren!" Samuel stood up. "I trust you have what we asked of you?"
Muh muh muh... But of course! The Shadow Queen's laugh resonated in the empty hall as clouds of smoke condensed next to Beldam.
"The Queen..." Samuel sat back down on his throne. "I did not expect you to heed our call yourself..."
"It must be done, after all. The Dark Prognosticus could not be handled by anyone." She laughed as a homunculus of her body formed completely. Though she was sealed behind the Thousand-Year Door at the time, the Queen seemed able to be summoned by those who really wished for her presence, so long as they had a Pure Heart. With the mock body she conjured up, she wasn't someone to be feared, beyond her honeyed words.
Peach was dumbfounded. Not only did Beldam appear, but the Queen as well? What were these people planning to do with the sealed up demons, and why was the Queen privy to the Dark Prognosticus?
"And yet, you don't actually own the book, do you?" Samuel glared at her as he tented his fingers.
"But of course not... in its physical form anyway," the Queen laughed as she opened the palm of her hand, causing shadows to condense on top of it. "But I know what's inside of it. After all, I did belong to the Tribe at one point in time. Muh muh muh..." she closed her fist and the shadows solidified into a copy of the Dark Prognosticus.
"That is indeed acceptable," Samuel spoke as he rested his head on his fist. "What does the book say in regards to this particular situation?"
"Hair black as ebony, skin white as ivory, and heart as pure as snow, a wife, and a mother of two forfeits her life for the greater good," the Queen read melodically from the book. "A sea of envy, red as blood, follows in the wake of the kinslayer..." the Shadow Queen smiled as she closed the book. It broke down into smoke and faded away.
"You can't seriously be considering this, my Lord!" Isadora spoke, horrified at what she heard.
"Our hands are tied, Isadora." Samuel closed his eyes and spoke firmly. "Only a few days remain and we cannot afford to waste this chance."
"There has to be another way-" Isadora was interrupted by Ludmilla's raised hand.
"It's alright, Isadora. I want to do this, both for Peach and my unborn child..." she smiled at Peach as she spoke, her voice tinged with a teaful sadness.
"No! You can't! I won't let you!" Isadora cried and ran for the door, tears welling on her eyes. The Shadow Queen observed her and smiled.
"I pray you forgive her behaviour, my Lady." Samuel stood up and bowed in apology to the Queen.
The Shadow Queen stayed silent for a moment, then spoke. "Heed it no mind..."
"If you don't mind, my Queen. What is it that we are required to do?" Ludmilla stood up, the baby still in her hand. "The prophecy you just read explained what must be done, but not how..."
"Patience, my dear." The Shadow Queen dissipated and reappeared behind Ludmilla, holding her shoulder and whispering in her ear. "You will surrender your humanity, and be reborn as one of my lovelies, you and your unborn child. Muh muh muh..." She laughed playfully as she yet again dissipated and re-appeared next to Beldam. "That is all that needs to happen."
Ludmilla stared at her baby for a few moments. "I understand, my Queen," she spoke solemnly, as someone who surrendered to their choices long ago.
"Very well. If you have no more need for me, I shall be taking my leave..."
"But of course! Thank you for gracing us with your presence. May our paths never cross again," Samuel spoke, but did not stand up. The Shadow Queen did not seem offended, however. She simply disappeared into the shadows, leaving Beldam behind.
"I shall be the one to instruct and guide you until the time comes," Beldam declared, bearing a satisfied smile for some reason.
Peach was still attempting to process what had just occurred. The fact that her would-be mother would sacrifice herself to the Shadow Queen. It was like a joke in poor taste. Her entire life, she had never thought of or known her parents, and now, she was being cradled by her in some deranged world of dreams. There was also the talk of her unborn sibling. What is going on...
Isadora continued weeping in her chambers within the Solar. Her mascara stained her face along with her tears. She cursed at her helplessness and at the fact that it had come to this.
"N-No..." she wiped her tears and tried to compose herself. "I won't let it end like this, not again..."
"It never has to end this way, my dear..."
The sudden nature of it spooked Isadora and she gripped her breast, her mind reeling.
"W-Who's there?" she asked as she frantically looked around.
A wisp of smoke formed in front of her, a familiar shape coming to.
"You?! What do you want from me?" Isadora glared daggers at the Queen, the same person who willingly took more lives.
"I come bearing you hope. Isn't that so nice of me? Muh muh muh..." Her laugh echoed in the room as her physical form disintegrated and reformed behind the king's wife.
"You are no hopebringer, demon! And I will not be swayed by your honeyed voice."
"Even if it means your dear princess lives to see past her twenty-third birthday? Hmm?" the Queen rested her arms around the confused woman as she made her statement. She could feel Isadora's heart skip a beat and her eyes widen.
"Do you mean what you're saying, or is this another sick joke?" She turned and faced the Queen, slight hope rekindled in her eyes.
"Of course… I do not speak falsities, " The Queen laughed solemnly as she drew in closer. "The Will of the Masses demands it... Kinslayer!" The Queen of Shadows whispered in her ears, but it was enough for Isadora to connect the chain of events.
"I..." she hesitated for a moment as she tugged at her dress. "I'll do it! Just tell me what you want me to do..."
"Marvelous..." the Queen smiled and enveloped Isadora in her shadows...
Peach snapped back to reality, her mind reeling, her breath heavy, and her vision blurring. It took her a few seconds to assess her current situation. She was resting in Bowser's left arm, much like her baby self was resting in her mother's arm. The main difference was that Bowser's wasn't going to win any points for softness of skin, not with his bulging muscles.
"Good of you to rejoin us, Princess," Bowser said, bring the rest of her psyche back into reality.
"I-I..." Peach struggled to speak as she was mostly concentrating on breathing. "I think I saw a vision of the past..." she spoke as she tried to free herself from Bowser's arm. He let her down easily on her feet. "I saw my mother, Beldam and even the Shadow Queen."
"I guess you got spooked so hard that it carried over to reality," Bowser said sarcastically. Peach started him, confused as to what he was alluding to.
"I think I better show you." Bowser snapped his fingers and drew a circle with his index claw, causing it to materialize into a mirror of sorts. He then lowered to face the princess.
Peach's eyes widened as she looked into the reflection. She quickly pulled the left side of her hair and stared at it: the entire left side of her hair turned raven colored, even its texture had changed to wavy, in stark contrast to her usual straight blonde hair. That wasn't the only change that had occured, however, as her left eye turned golden colored as well. Fortunately for her, her skin tone didn't change, else she would look freakier than she already was.
"It seems you started taking a lot after your mother, princess." Bowser snapped his fingers, shattering the mirror. He had such a smug smile on his face, but Peach was in no mood for verbal-jousting with him.
"How did this happen?" Peach asked, turning her attention back to Ludmilla's portrait.
"The Ludmilla portrait flashed slightly and then you collapsed," Bowser explained. "You'll find some of the answers in that final portrait," Bowser pointed at the portrait that hung next to Ludmilla's.
Lacking any other lead, Peach complied with Bowser's suggestion. She inched closer to the portrait and gazed upon it. Unlike the other ones, this one wasn't a solo piece. It featured a number of people. Ludmilla lovingly held her infant child in her arms, much like what Peach experienced in her pseudo-realistic experience. A few shadow tendrils were vividly and actively surging around her. The painting wasn't completely still, its contents fluctuated slightly. It was almost as if the painting itself was breathing.
Next to Ludmilla was an unfamiliar face... It looked like a female Toad of sorts, her cap wasn't as big as a normal Toad, her skin beige and her spots yellow. She was also a lot taller than most Toads, almost as if she was originally human...
The figure behind the two women was perhaps the most surprising: A towering Koopa, King Tribe no doubt. His scarlet red hair and thick goatee seemed to flare up even in an almost still painting. His black shell complemented his gray scales. He stood behind the two women with a resigned, but ultimately satisfied expression.
"Yazdegar, the Subjugator..." Bowser stated suddenly, breaking the silence that ensued.
The princess was confused by his comment. "That would be my father," Peach's eyes widened at the comment.
"No, he's not your father." Bowser added, laughing mockingly. Peach simply sighed, both out of relief and mild exasperation. "When you collapsed earlier, a lot of things came back to me." he explained. "Last time I saw him was when he asked me to visit the Boo King. I was 13 years old at the time..."
Peach looked down, thinking. By that time, Peach was one year old, which meant that Bowser's father sent him to King Boo about the same time her mother met with the Shadow Queen, 26 years ago. What does this mean...
"That's not all," Bowser added and pointed to the engraved date underneath the portrait: Peach Cordelia Toadstool: 1992-. The ending date was clawed beyond recognition. "It would seem your reign should have ended four years ago, princess, along with your life and mine," Bowser said, crossing his arms.
"What makes you say that?"
"The multiple proofs from the past." Bowser pointed to the other wall, where a multitude of portraits hung in similar fashion to the Toadstool line of queens. "Most of them lived past 23, but they all share the same death date as the Toadstool of their time. And that's not the only thing in common. Yes, I had a bit of time to look over while you were away."
Peach looked closer at the various Koopa royalties. Barely any of them had any familial ties, barring Yazdegar and his son. They all carried the Turannus stone in their claws, however.
"You think our respective heirlooms are the cause of all this?" Peach said as she started to connect the dots. Prior to coming there, they had a hunch that the two gemstones were pulling some strings, this served to confirm such involvement.
"No doy, princess," Bowser growled. He was doing his best to keep calm about the whole situation. "If it wasn't for that stupid pig and the babbling nerd, we'd still be chasing each other in forever game of cat and mouse."
"In the vision I experienced, Ludmilla and her cousin made a deal with the Shadow Queen. I think they wanted a way to throw this loop out."
"It seems they have succeeded to an extent," Bowser crossed his arms as he concluded. "You're alive past your 23rd birthday. Now we just have to finish what they started."
"And how do you suggest we do that?"
"We need to find the sage guy, but first," Bowser turned around to face the royal dais. "I think we should check what those two skeletons have to say about this." He pointed to the throne behind the table that sat on top of the dais.
Peach and Bowser walked the long Great hall, carefully approaching the King's throne. Bowser lit up an orb of light, mostly for the comfort of the princess, if nothing else.
As Bowser pointed out earlier, there were indeed two skeletons, one female human like skeleton that lay sideways on the throne, the other and imposing 9 feet tall monstrosity of a skeleton that stood nearby. Upon closer inspection, both remains had their hair still attached to them. The lady skeleton had wavy raven hair, and the Koopa skeleton a scarlet red patch along with a goatee...
Bowser and Peach exchanged uncertain gazes. The same thought processed in their minds, but there was no proof beyond what they saw in front of them.
Shining the light closer, Bowser could spy the female skeleton's hands gripping a small sheet of paper.
"I bet you that piece of paper is a great clue," Bowser stated flatly.
"Then why don't you pick it up?" Peach raised an eyebrow at him.
"If this fossil is related to you, it's only fair that you do it," he shrugged.
"Ugh, fine!" the princess rolled her eyes and picked up the ball of light from Bowser's hands. She then inched forward towards the sheet of paper, slowly and carefully.
"KINSLAYER!"
Waluigi looked aside and snapped his fingers casually, summoning ten Boo-Ombs that propelled themselves towards Luigi at varying trajectories. The ghostly bombs threatened to hurt like hell if they connected with any parts of his body. Luigi swiftly jumped over the first one that arrived, grabbing it and twirling upwards before throwing it onto the following ones. The chain of explosions obscured the platform they were standing on, giving Luigi the opportunity to flash next to Waluigi and hitting him with a powerful electrically charged uppercut.
Waluigi's face inflated and his eyes bulged, before finally exploding violently, hurling Luigi away with great force. The green capped man formed a glyph of light behind him to halt his momentum and then pushed against it. Coating himself with a surcharge of thunder, Luigi launched himself head-first towards Waluigi, only for the latter to open up a magic portal, rerouting Luigi's Green Missile straight to the floor.
With quick reflexes, due in part to his electrical empowerment, Luigi reacted accordingly and fizzled his body into light particles, avoiding the hard floor.
Luigi reformed his body and stared at his smug opponent. "We need a better plan," Starlow spoke up.
"I need to study up his technique before we reveal our hand," Luigi reasoned. Bow simply looked away without adding anything.
Waluigi conjured up turret loaded with a mass quantity of Bob-Ombs. He seated himself, took aim and started firing and laughing maniacally. Luigi had not much choice against such an assault, except to do his best to dodge it. The problem lay elsewhere, however. If he empowered himself with light to speed himself up and dodge, then it would drain his energy fast. If he did not do that, then the toll of the explosions would get him down.
After a little while, which felt like hours to Luigi, he flipped upwards, joining his hands together as light condensed between them, which he then stretched out, forming a tennis racket. He began swatting the still oncoming rain of bombs. With more familiar motions, the task got a little bit easier, but he still had to do something. There was no guarantee that the Waluigi commandeering the machine was a real one. There was only one solution.
Luigi bided his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity. Empowering himself with light, he quickly caught one, and hit another one flying bomb back at a pair of incoming ones, their explosion causing a chain reaction that obscured view once more. Luigi then quickly flashed to the turret and shoved the lone Bob-Omb inside, before hurrying away.
There was an extremely loud explosion that whipped up powerful winds. Luigi erected a shield of light to protect himself from debris and shrapnel. Unfortunately, such a shield could not stop Waluigi. He extended a purple vine with sharp thorns and ripped through the light barrier, wrapping Luigi in its thorny embrace. With Luigi all tangled up, Waluigi slammed him on the floor, repeatedly, before flinging him upwards. A clone of Walugi rushed in and kicked him in the face, shooting him in that direction, only for a second clone to violently punch him in the stomach upwards. Finally, a third clone grabbed him upside down in mid-air, spinning rapidly, and slamming him headfirst into the ground.
The three clones reconvened with Waluigi as all of them started mercilessly stomping the downed man in green, before finally kicking him towards the edge.
Luigi hung on the edge, trying to get a better grip. Waluigi rejoined with himself and walked slowly towards Luigi.
"Waluigi always knew you were a fraud. Clinging to Mario's power like a parasite," Waluigi smirked as he stepped on Luigi's hand. "No more, for your end is near, dear cousin!"
"It is time I got rid of you, vermin!" King Boo spoke as his face materialized on Waluigi's hat. "Long have I suffered the humiliation of your existence, but it ends today." Waluigi pushed a little more on Luigi's hand, causing him to wince in pain.
"If you have any bright ideas, now would be the time, Luigi!" Starlow said in panic.
"I'm not quite sure. What does our ghost princess have to say about it?" Luigi spoke firmly, still trying to hang to the edge. His comment seemed to confuse Starlow, which shifted her gaze to Bow.
Bow was still seated on her throne. She looked extremely thoughtful and uncertain. It seemed that Luigi was on to her this entire time. I didn't give him enough credit, it seems... She smiled as she thought to herself.
Bow stood up with newfound resolve. The King was too far gone and sometimes, things have to end this way.
"Lebewohl, Luigi! In the end, nobody cared! Wah hah hah!" Waluigi guffawed as he kicked Luigi's hand off the platform.
"You didn't have to hold back for my sake, you know," Bow commented.
"I never have to do anything for anyone's sake. It's just who I am." Luigi smiled as he fell through the dark abyss.
"Idiots, the both of you," Bow smiled.
"That's-a-us, The Marios!" Luigi laughed and smiled smugly.
"Are you guys done with whatever this is?" Starlow rolled her eyes. "In case you've already forgotten, we're falling to our doom!"
"No, we're not!" Bow declared as Luigi's body was engulfed in a ghastly green glow and he could feel himself being lifted upwards.
"The king can conjure up almost anything he feels like out of thin air," Bow explained. "I'll hamper him to even out the playing field, but you still have to deal with the psycho."
"Noted!" Luigi replied courtly. He could feel Bow's powers flow through him.
Luigi kept his arms and legs closed as he shot upwards. Coating himself in electricity, he fired himself at breakneck speed.
Waluigi was back on the platform, celebrating his apparent victory by with his infamous crotch chop dance, when Luigi came in like a shooting star.
Luigi forcefully thrust the top of his head on Waluigi's back, causing him to groan in pain as he was launched away.
Waluigi's momentum came to an instantaneous halt and he lay upside down.
"Why are you still here?!" Waluigi growled, glaring at Luigi and straightening himself up.
"It takes two to tango, remember?" Luigi smiled confidently. "You need a ghost to enter the Land Betwixt. I am no exception."
King Boo materialized himself on Waluig's cap and roared in anger. "I'll kill you and whatever traitor you're harbouring inside of you!"
"Not on my watch," Luigi joined his hands together, condensing light between them. He then shaped it into his Starhammer. Waluigi, on the other hand, pulled out a war hammer out of thin air.
"Hey! That's my shtick!" Starlow yelled out.
"Let us finish this!" Luigi landed back on the platform and assumed his fighting pose.
Waluigi doved straight down, hammer first. He had no intention to talk anymore, and neither did his partner. Waluigi could feel the king's rage seep through him even.
Luigi blocked the assault with the handle of his Starhammer, bracing himself and holding his ground as the force of it slid him backwards on his feet and ever closer to the edge. Luigi gritted his teeth and gripped his hammer tighter, generating a blinding flash of light and pushing Waluigi off of him. He then swiftly launched his weapon at the dislodged Waluigi, but the latter disappeared and reappeared in front of Luigi. War hammer at the ready, he took a swing at Luigi.
Luigi grabbed the war hammer by its long handle and attempted to push back against his aggressor. Waluig's extreme height was a great obstacle to overcome, however, as he was pushing him down to his knees.
Starlow returns in a boomerang swing, ready to be gripped by Luigi. Waluigi anticipated this and kicked Luigi away. He violently swung his hammer at Starlow, halting her momentum and pinning her down on the floor.
Luigi took the chance to stand up while Waluigi was busy with his weapon companion. He raised his hand towards Starlow, breaking her down into light particles and resummoning her in his hands.
Waluigi lunged back, but Luigi blocked with one of the hammer's faces.
"It's days like this that make me happy about having two faces," Starlow commented as the two Luigi pushed against each other so hard that sparks flew from their respective weapons.
Waluigi shot out his foot and tripped Luigi, the latter who balanced himself on one arm and pushed against the former with his legs, causing him to stumble. With a quick motion, Luigi supercharged himself with electricity and a delivered a strong punch to Waluigi's stomach, the discharge causing him to convulse and thrash about.
It was the perfect opportunity for Luigi to gain the advantage. He slammed his fists together and a surge of light covered the battlefield. As the light dissipated, five copies of Luigi appeared, each standing on the edge of the circular platform. The Luigi that stood next to Waluigi took a very powerful swing at him, flinging him in a straight line towards one of his clones. The clone in question delivered a powerful headbutt in the direction of the second clone. The second punted him towards the third clone.
Each time a version of Luigi attacked, Waluigi would leave a thick line of light that connected the clones together. It was soon the fourth clone's turn, and he performed a knife-hand thrust, violently knocking him back towards the first Luigi and formed a five-pointed star with all the lines of light.
The original Luigi grabbed the incoming man in purple by the legs. He then jumped towards the center of the star and performed a fast downwards corkscrew dropkick, slamming him right in the middle of the intersection of lines. Finally, he dropped down on him with his Starhammer, causing the other four clones to follow suit and a powerful ray of light to rage down from above. The force of their assault was powerful enough to crack and dig through the stained glass floor.
Luigi flipped backwards, taking a look at his downed opponent.
"You think that did it?" Starlow asked.
"I'm not sure," Luigi replied, still staring at his opposition. "It's too early to s-"
Luigi was cut off mid-sentence by four thorned vines suddenly collapsing on his limbs. They wrapped him up and lifted him towards Waluigi, who rose from the ground as if he was possessed by a ghost, which technically he was.
"You didn't think Waluigi would give you the slip that easy, did you?" Waluigi smirked as he landed on the floor. "Take it away, kingy!"
King Boo emerged from within Waluigi's cap. "I'll do it, but not because you told me to, human," he said bitterly as he further tied down Luigi with very fine threads.
Luigi struggled to free himself, but the vines were sapping him of his strength, leaving him pretty much helpless.
"Try to stall them while I try to free you..." came Bow's voice from within. Out of choices, Luigi figured he'd indulge in one of Waluigi's favorite pastimes: gloating.
"Eh, you got me, so what now?" He said, trying to sound defeated.
"What now, you say?" Waluigi laughed, and then plunged his hand through Luigi's chest. "Nothing much, just grabbing a precious gemstone for Waluigi's beloved." He dug deeper, searching for the Dream World Regulia, before finally ripping it out of Luigi's body.
Luigi shook his head at the damage he sustained from the violent extraction. "That was all you were after? We need that for more important things than a simple gift," Luigi explained, but Waluigi was having none of it. "Dude, I'll just buy a very expensive gemstone, just give that back."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Waluigi shook his head dismissively. "You take Waluigi for a fool? This stone is very special, and I have very important plans for it." Waluigi smirked and glared at Luigi. "And with that, Waluigi must exit the stage! So long, ghost boy!" Waluigi broke out laughing as he pulled out his special ray-gun that he received from Fawful and zapped the ghost king with it, unbinding them. He summoned a mass of vines that engulfed him and spirited him away from the area, leaving only a blob of amalgamation energy that immediately lunged at Luigi, entering his body.
The vines that tied Luigi down were also recalled by their master, leaving him hanging by the Boo King's threads. The latter, however, was extremely indignant. He knew he couldn't trust humans, yet for the sake of revenge, he let himself be used.
"That filthy low-life cur... I'LL MAKE HIM PAY." King Boo's rage intensified and a malicious aura formed around him. "I'LL KILL EVERYBODY!"
Bow managed to sever the strings binding Luigi, letting him land safely on his feet.
"What the heck are you doing?!" Starlow exclaimed as the area started to shake. The entire platform was vibrating violently, the stained glass shattering gradually under its pressure.
"He's planning to blow up the entire Land Betwixt," Bow explained, looking panicked for the first time.
"We can't have any of that," Luigi said and prepared himself to lunge at the king, only for him to be pulled back by Bow.
"You don't understand. This place is connected to the outside world. If he destroys this part of the Land Betwixt..."
"Then he'll destroy a large part of our world..." Luigi finished her sentence as the gravity of the situation dawned on him. "We have to stop him!"
Luigi jumped up and locked his hands with the Boo King's stubby arms.
"What the hell are you thinking?!"
"I told you, vermin! One of us isn't leaving alive. I'll take you down with me if I have to!" The king pushed against Luigi, his very rage fueling his strength. His body started to crackle and jolt with a multitude of energy, as it seemed he was converting himself into some sort of catalyst for a massive explosion.
"No, you shall do no such thing!" Bow suddenly emerged from within Luigi and put her hands over his, pushing against the king.
"If it isn't my disgraceful daughter," King Boo spat bitterly. "I should have known you were behind this. There aren't many powerful ghosts who would forsake their kin to stand along such miserable insects. It is only fitting that you get crushed alongside them!"
"Forsaken my kin?!" Bow yelled back at her father and pushed harder. "I'm not the one blowing up the very zone filled with countless ghosts, and I'm not the one that ignored their plight when they were being snacked on by Tubba Blubba. I took measures into my own hands and employed someone who you claimed to be our enemy." The ghost princess pushed harder and her gaze fell on the crown. Her expression suddenly turned darker and she reached out for the symbol of power. "You don't deserve the title of a king!"
Her shout reverberated within the now collapsing hall, and the Queen's Heart that was lodged within the crown started to glow…
Alvar...
The king's eyes widened as he heard that name. He hadn't called himself by that name ever since that fateful day.
My sweet Alvar...
The king's form to switch frequently, from his Boo form to his Revenant one. It was a human form like that of Bow. A tall and rugged middle-aged human with a thick mustache and overly gray attire.
"Adalmina..." King Boo growled as he fought the urge to revert to his Revenant form.
"Alvar... This is not you..." Adalmina spoke as her spirit emerged from her heart.
"This is what you turned me into, traitor!"
"Don't you dare speak to her like-" Bow was cut off by her mother as she raised her hand.
"Be at ease, both of you... for everything shall soon be clear." Adalmina spoke with such serenity, that it was hard to believe she could have orcherstrated the Boo Genocide.
A warm green glow spread out from her heart, engulfing the king and his daughter.
They soon found themselves in a room submerged in light, a complete blank canvas.
Father and daughter glared at each other, but were soon interrupted by Adalmina's spirit. She floated silently in front of them, she then began to speak.
"I was the only child of a king and queen of a faraway land. As such, I was showered by gifts the day I was born. Of these gifts, two were extremely powerful artifacts," she explained. Such a story was unknown to Alvar, so he deigned to hear her out. "The first was a pearl that would enhance my beauty, intelligence, and wealth. The second was a magical crown that amplified the effect of the Pearl so its effect activates everyday."
As she talked, the king came to understand why he was captivated by her beauty. All those years wearing those two artifacts would have ensured her position as the world's most beautiful.
"Unfortunately, the crown was also cursed to seal away the kindness in my heart. With each passing day, I grew more proud, vain, selfish and cold-hearted. It was until one day, I decided to escape the castle walls and see the world beyond. After a month of being shunned by people for my cruelty, I found myself being attacked by a pack of Dry-Bones."
At that point, both Bow and Alvar reacted. They both knew what had occurred then.
Adalmina nodded as if to confirm their expressions. "Yes, that was the day a kind and selfless ghost king came in and saved me for certain death. His gentle touch and his might were powerful enough to temporarily disable the crown's magic.
"No..." King Boo said in a low whisper as the matter of things sunk in his mind. "NO! It can't be..." He grabbed his head and screamed.
"Unfortunately, it was, my love," she explained. "You put the crown back a year after our daughter was born, and I was a slave to its vile magic once more." She looked down. "Yet, despite that, your love for me was powerful enough to keep me aware of it. I was praying everyday that you would discover my deeds and end my life sooner."
"Who...Who is behind this?!" Alvar howled in rage, his thoughts more clouded than they ever were.
"Alvar, my sweet Alvar. We have both done terrible things..." She spoke matter-of-factly, as she was fully aware of the atrocities her husband had committed. She was, after all, a prisoner of her own heart that the King had worn everyday. "But it is not too late. Let us repent by leaving it to the new generation." She turned her head to her daughter. "Bow, please have it in your heart to forgive me and your father. For we were both tools in a grand scheme beyond our control."
Bow was unsure on how to feel about the whole thing. She barely knew her mother, and this was the first time she had really spoken to her.
"I suppose one day I'll be able to look past it, but that day is not today." Bow looked away, her eyes tearing up slightly.
"What do you say, Alvar? Shall we leave this to her?"
King Boo looked away as well. His body was too far gone at this point and very close to blowing up. If he wanted revenge, his daughter was the perfect candidate.
"Only if she swears to bring this to an end." Alvar did his best not to let his face contort further into bitterness, to mixed results.
"I swear that will do what I can."
"Thank you, my child." Adalmina grabber her daughter's hand. "Alvar, let us put an end to all our wrongdoings." She turned to her husband and grabbed his hand as well. He reluctantly let her hold him as he switched completely to his revenant form.
A warm glow surrounded both of them, before starting to pour into Bow.
"You are now the Queen of all ghosts," Alvar spoke. "Be the hammer of my vengeance and lead our people to a brighter age." He faded away, completely absorbed by his daughter.
"Though our meeting was brief, I am thankful for a chance to speak to you again, my dear Bow." Adalmina grabbed both Bow's hands as a tear dropped on her cheek. We're proud of you...
The motherly spirit faded away as well, leaving their now orphaned daughter with only the echo of her sweet voice.
Bow closed her eyes, a tear escaping her eyes as well. She was sure it wasn't her that was crying, or she tried to convince herself at least. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Luigi was still pushing against the King's body whose expression was now hollow.
Bow rematerialized back over Luigi and grabbed on to the empty husk.
"Where have you been?" Luigi asked, sound relieved.
"I had to attend a family meeting," Bow replied with a half-smile. "Let us finish this." She dove back into Luigi's body.
Luigi started to glow, surrounded by a majestic green aura. Strength was surging through him, and his earlier wounds were closing down rapidly. He and Starlow had a million quest for Bow, but time was running short.
With his new found well of power, Luigi conjured a sphere of light around the King's body. He then started to compress the light prision with all his might, shrinking it into a smaller size in hopes of containing the imminent explosion. He could feel Starlow and Bow pushing in as well, helping him put a final end to the king's chapter.
Shrinking down to a tennis-ball size, Luigi grabbed the miniature orb and flung it down the dark abyss at impressive speed.
"Arrivederci, my nemesis," was Luigi's final thought as the orb disappeared into the dark abyss of the Soul Termina.
The entire area erupted in disorienting vibrations as the cracking of glass intensified. The trial room was breaking down and it was time to leave.
"Let's get out of here before we get swallowed up," Starlow urgently said as she grabbed Luigi's hand.
"I concur. We've overstayed our welcome," Bow nodded and Grabbed Luigi's other hand, carrying him out of the destroyed battlefield, through the now open door and up the mist-filled vortex.
As they ascended, the mysterious sentences started appearing all over, only some of them were different this time.
I don't want to be queen, I'm not ready yet... / Without the Regulia, I'm screwed. We need to get it back/ I wonder what that loonatic is planning /I wish to be unbound and be free... /I wonder what would happen to me next / I have to sort this mess out quick, for Starlow's sake
Luigi could feel Bow flying upwards much faster, as if she didn't want him to further pry into her thoughts that were spilling through the vortex. Starlow was of the same mind since she put more effort into getting out of there.
A few minutes later saw them finally exit the vortex. Luigi and his friends landed in the center mass of the entire ghost population, topped by Madam Merlar.
There was an awkward moment for a few seconds, before everyone, save Merlar bowed down, Bow being the target of their respect.
Merlar smiled. "Welcome back, Queen Boo," she spoke.
"Oh boy..." Bow couldn't help but sigh. "I don't want any of this." she said then floated upwards a little, so everybody could see her.
"Listen up, you pack of hyenas!" she called out. "I, daughter of the previous king, Alvar Boo, hereby release you from the custody of the Land Betwixt." There was a mass gasp from the collective of ghosts present. "Now, be gone with you!" Bow declared with a commanding voice. Everybody started at her for a few seconds, before deciding to hightail it out of there, in case their new Queen would change her mind.
"Man, those idiots are exhausting," Bow huffed as she floated back down to a dumbfound Luigi and Starlow.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Luigi asked, concerned of what a mass of two-decades imprisoned ghosts might do in the outside world.
"Meh, let them be. I doubt they'll misbehave out of fear of being sent back here," Bow shrugged nonchalantly.
"You're one scary queen..." Said Starlow.
"Compliments will get you nowhere fast with me, you know."
"Uhuh," Luigi rolled his eyes as his expression turned highly sarcastic. "So, I guess this is the end, then? Thank you for your help, your majesty." Luigi smiled as he saluted her and turned around to leave.
"Ah, come on! Not you too."
"It's been nice knowing ya," Starlow added cheerfully. "See yas!" She followed after Luigi.
Bow raised her hand, wanting to say something, but she pulled back. It was then that Lady Merlar approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen to your heart and go with them. The experience would be paramount to your future rule." she smiled gently as she nodded.
"But, what if they don't want anything to do with me?" Bow voiced her doubts. Things would never be the same again.
"Your friends hold you in high regards." As Merlar spoke, Bow began to glow in a purple light. "Your parents are of one mind," she continued as the light condensed in a crown similar to her late father's, except the Queen's Heart was now amethyst.
Bow grabbed the crown and stared at it for a few seconds. It had the same kind of energy exuded by both the king and queen.
As she held it in her hands, Bow made up her mind.
"You're right," she declared. "I need all the experience I can get, and those two would likely fail without me." She smiled and handed the crown over to Merlar. "Keep this safe until my return, please."
"As you wish, your majesty!" Merlar nodded and started to vanish as she grabbed the crown. Best of luck on your journey.
"Wait!" Bow shouted as she dashed after Luigi and Starlow.
Both of them turned back.
"I can't believe you'd just leave me here." Bow crossed her arms and glared at them.
"We're on a very tight schedule, and you're a Queen now. Clearly out of our league," Luigi smiled as he reasoned.
"Besides, your new position comes with a lot of responsibility, you know," Starlow added, being all too familiar with those kinds of things. "We can't take more of your time anymore."
"Nonsense!" Bow shook her head. "In my infinite wisdom and kindness, I have decided to accompany you two peasants on your perilous journey."
Luigi and Starlow simply glared at her, their expression scream 'Really?'
"Yeah, I don't think we peasants are in need of any kindness, your highness!" Luigi shrugged nonchalantly.
"I concur. We can't be suffered to accept your generosity." both turned around and started walking away from the ghost queen.
"No, wait! It was a jest, nothing to be taken seriously." Bow shuffled in panic as she flew in front of them. "Please... I need this..." Her plea sounded too genuine to be one of her tricks.
Luigi and Starlow exchanged looks and then turned back to her.
"Our journey is a dangerous one and none of us knows what's in store. We can't guarantee that you'd get out of it unscathed."
"That goes double for the Amalgamation process," Starlow added.
"Mario had to run me by almost the exact warning. I'm well aware of that and I'm willing to face the consequences of my own actions. I promise to be useful and not slow you down."
Luigi crossed his arms and pondered for a few moments. "Alright then, you can come with us. But no tricks!"
"And no mind-games either," added Starlow.
"I swear it on Mario's name," Bow could barely contain her excitement. She lunged on Luigi hugging him. "Thank you..." she spoke in a whisper. Luigi hesitated for a moment but returned the hug. He could feel his chest getting a little wet.
After a few moments, she let go and wiped the tears from her face.
"I think we spent enough time here," Bow stated. "We should get going."
"I agree wholeheartedly, but first!" Luigi said and turned to Starlow. "I believe you owe me 25 coins."
"Ah, nuts!"
"What's this about now?" Bow asked curiously.
"We had a bet that you'd come and ask to join us," Luigi said as he put his hands behind his head.
"And it seems I was wrong." Starlow let out a sigh.
"Since you mentioned it, I believe you owe me 25 coins as well." Bow smiled mischievously.
"Ah, come on, guys!"
Derick Lindsey: Nice to see you're still around as well :D The idea is that Luigi got over his fear of ghosts (Mostly anyway) at the end of Dark Moon. Wario still has a ton of surprises under his belt, and he'll prove that over and now. That also means he's going to have a considerable amount of screen time. I can't say that Luigi won this battle, but he did some good damage, in a sense. He'll have other chances to prove himself :P
That's it for this time. Until next chapter :)