I don't owe the characters of Cold Steel and Mario bros.
(New Super Mario Bros Wii ost - Overworld)
As Mario, Luigi and Class VII are walking down the path as they are having a conversation.
"So that was a Combat-Link?" Mario asked.
"Yeah. Combat-Links are special mechanism in our ARCUS unit." Rean nodded. "Combat-Links are sort of like bond connectors. When we fight alongside someone we know or not through bond or so. We 'Link'. We somehow can reach each others movements, making the battle more turn in our favor."
"Wow. That's amazing." Luigi replied.
"Yep. It surely is." Sara nodded and then she see a sign ahead. It read. "You're entering the Desert region. Beware of Pokeys, quicksands, Fire Snakes, and one very angry sun. There's also a chain you will encounter some chain chomps but it depends on the area you're in. Also, if you're wearing dark clothing. You are strongly advised to change color."
"We're entering a desert?" Laura asked.
Alisa frown. "Ugh. Please tell me we're not actually going into a desert."
"I'm afraid so." Mario said.
"Well, lucky none of us are wearing dark clothing. Because if one of us was, then they would be in serious trouble." Sara said.
"Yeah." Machias tuck in his glasses. "Dark clothing will absorb more of the sun's heat and make you sweat more quickly."
"Then perhaps my hair might be a problem in that." Rean sighed. "We should be careful and find a shade to cool down. Hopefully, we'll find some water refreshment in case."
"But hold on. Are we actually considering going through the desert of all places?" Machias asked.
"Yeah I rather not as well because desert are usually hot, right?" Alisa asked
"Yeah that is true but..." Elliot trailed off.
"Don't worry. We been though the desert plenty of times while rescuing Peach." Mario reasured. "And other times then that so we can guide you on how to survive the desert."
"Well... if the Mario bros has many experience handling the desert..." Laura hummed.
"Then I guess we can learn." Emma added
"In addiction. I also think this is also a good exercise. But just to be sure. I want nothing bad happening to my students. So I hope you all brought some water. And if things get too hot. We leave or use water arts to cool of us."
'I wonder if Celine would be okay with this...' Emma thought.
World 2-1 The cruel evil of desert heat.
(New Super Mario bros Wii ost - Desert Main Track)
"So a Pokey is a cactus monster?" Rean asked Mario and Luigi.
"Yep. Pokey are quite dangerous if you don't know how to deal with them." Mario nodded. "Learn from experience."
"So how can you handle such a creature?" Elliot asked.
"You aim for the head." Luigi answered.
"The Head?"
"Because Pokey can regrew their body, but not it's head." Mario explained.
"Yes, that make sense." Emma nodded. "The head is the most irreplaceable part of your body. But what's a Fire Snake?"
"Think of it like a snake but it's entire body is made out of fire. Literally."
"A snake made out of fire?" Fie asked
"That sounds impossible to believe. There's no way that's true." Machias stated.
Then Jusis see something ahead. "Then pray tell, what exactly is that?"
In sight, there are a couple of Fire Snakes resting.
Crow whistle. "Damn, look at that."
"So that's a Fire Snake, huh?" Sara hummed.
"I can't believe this…" Machias frown. "The desert must be getting to me."
"We all can see it. It's literally right in front of us." Alisa stated. "This desert heat really is taking a tone on us through…"
"I have to agree. It's just like summer season has arrived. Except there's no water to dive in, and the oppression of the sun's heat is stronger." Laura nodded
"The desert is the ideal place to die." Fie bluntly said.
Millium frowned. "I'm reaaaally don't like the desert. My feet feels so hot. Lammy, carry me."
Airgetlam appeared and Millium hop on it. "Ahhhh. Much better."
"Must be nice to have Airgetlam carry you while we walk, Millium." Alisa muttered.
"This is a good experience for you all. If you ever wonder about the desert, be sure to check your surrounding and have proper desert clothing." Sara said. "Plus also be careful with quicksand too. That's natures deadliest traps."
Soon, Class VII begin to arrived at the next area.
World 2-2 the Pokey area.
Class VII and the Mario bros arrived at the next area. The desert's heat is getting stronger. Worst yet, There are no shades.
"Ugggh… this deserts is killing me…" Alisa panted as she wipe off her sweat.
"This is truly troublesome… There isn't a shade in sight." Laura added.
"Yeah, we might be in some big trouble…" Sara nodded.
"Yeah… no kidding. Even Lammy is taking in some of the heat that I can't relax on him…" Millium groan.
"The sand itself is getting hotter…" Jusis muttered as everyone is feeling tired.
Gaius then see something up ahead. "Wait… what's that?"
In sight, there are cactus in sight.
"They're cactus! Oh thanks Aidios!" Machias sigh of relief as he charge in.
"Machias wait!" Elliot stated.
However, Sara, Fie and Rean notice something off with that cactus.
"Wait, Machias-" Rean tried to stop him butt too late. Once Machias got too close, the cactus turn around revealing a happy and oddly creepy face.
(Trails of Cold Steel ost - The Glint of Cold Steel)
"AAH!" Machias screamed at the sight of this monster.
Before the cactus monster can attack Machias, Fie shot bullets at the cactus monster body parts as it shrike down as Machias land on his butt. Then Class VII and the Mario bros caught up with Machias as he got back up and dusting the sands from his ass.
"Are those the Pokeys you mention?" Laura asked as she and the rest of her Classmates got out their weapons.
"That's the one." Mario answered.
Luigi frown "Talk about worst possible timing…"
The Pokey regrew it's body. And soon after. More begin to pop out from the ground. It begin to surround Class VII and the Mario bros.
"Oh great. We got more of an ambush!" Crow muttered. "And with this heat, we might be in for a pickle."
"Yeah, we better get out of here and fast!" Rean nodded
"Remember everyone! Aim for their heads! They can't regrow a head if it's lost!" Sara replied.
"Right!" Everyone said.
And so Class VII and the Mario bros begin to prepare for a Pokey ambush. Mario was already fire Mario and then Luigi pulled out a fire flower from his shell and change into fire Luigi. Then shoot fire balls at the Pokey's head. Sara along with Alisa, Fie, and Machias begin to shoot the heads of the Pokey. Emma begin to use her Orbal Staff and scan the Pokey for data.
"I scan the Pokeys. They're not weak to anything asides looking their heads." Emma report to her classmates and allies.
"It shouldn't surprise me since the monster of this world don't have the same weaknesses to our world." Jusis said as he begin to cast an Orbal Art.
Elliot jump back from a Pokey head slash and then he swirl his Orbal Staff and unleash Orbal staff attacks and push a Pokey back. Rean dodge the Pokey attack as he strike as a counterattack on the pokey's head. It got off the head and the whole body shattered. Gaius use his Craft: Gale Stinger and flow away the Pokey. Soon more of them begin to appear.
"More of them?!" Machias exclaimed.
"At this rate, we're going to get ourselves in deep trouble…" Rean muttered. "The heat is already taking a tone on us."
"And without any shades to cover, we're on the hotspot now…" Crow panted.
"Perhaps we wouldn't be in this situation if it hasn't been for a certain someone charging in." Jusis comment.
"Say that again you pompus-" Machias growled as suddenly something was fast swirling and strike at the heads of the Pokeys. Soon all of the Pokeys were wipe out. "What the-!"
"Holy crap!" Crow exclaimed.
"Was that an attack?" Sara asked as she eyebrow.
"Are you guys alright?" A new voice came in.
(New Super Mario bros Wii ost - Desert Main Track)
Class VII and the Mario bros turn to the direction to the voice of the newcomer. It revealed to be a young man. The young man has medium-length silver hair with the right length of his hair extended to his shoulder-length while his left side reach his cheeks is scene walking through the desert. He's wearing a casual white shirt with a gray jacket with blue Trousers with brown boots. He has purple eyes. He's also quite good-looking too.
"Yeah, we're all right. You save us from a situation there." Rean replied as he and the others withdraw their weapons. "Thank you for saving us there."
"There's no need to thank me. Anyone who can do the same thing I do. It's dangerous to be in this desert area. This place is homes to those cactus monsters you guys were in."
"So we trespass into those Pokey's territory." Jusis sighed. "Let us be off before more of them show up."
"Yeah, the sun is killing me. I don't think I can make it." Alisa added.
"If it helps. I did found a pyramid we can use to take shades not far from here." The young man suggested.
"Yes, please!" Machias begged.
"Then follow me."
The young man then walk towards the direction and Class VII and the Mario bros followed him. In a few minutes of walking through the intense heat. They arrived at sight of a Pyramid. They arrived at the shade part where the sand is cool ti sit down.
"Pheeeeew. We made it…" Millium said as she collapse at the cool sand.
"Oh thank Aidios we made it out okay." Alisa nodded as she using her hand as a fan.
"You guys look thirsty." The young man said as he pull out his bag and bring out a water bottle. "Here, drink this."
"A water bottle?" Elliot look surprised.
"Oh your a life saver!" Machias sigh of relief as he got up to get the water bottle
"Now wait just a moment Regnitz! Don't think you can take the whole water bottle to yourself!" Jusis remarked.
"It's all right. I have more water to spare for each of you." The young man said as he brought more water bottles out from his bag.
"Oh."
"Thank you so much…" Alisa replied as she and her classmates along with the Mario Bros begin to take a water bottle from the young man.
The group begin to drink the whole water bottle and some even splash water onto them to cool down.
"Man, that's the stuff." Crow sigh of relief.
"We owe you one for saving us." Rean smiled to the young man.
"There's no need to thank me. I'm just glad I ran into you." The young man smiled.
"Even so. You pulled us out of a dangerous situation." Laura stated.
"Yes, if it weren't for your emergency assistance, we would most likely be suffering from the hands of those Pokeys and even mirages from the desert heat." Emma nodded
"Yeah…" Machias look down. "Hey guys… I'm sorry…"
"Machias please don't feel bad about yourself…" Alisa replied.
"It's understandable that you were hoping the cactus would provide some water to survive." Gaius nodded
"Honestly. I was going to do the same." Millium added.
"Even so… I nearly cost us our lives because I was so thirsty in this desert…" Machias replied.
"That much is certain." Jusis said.
"Jusis, please." Laura glared at him.
"Listen Machias. No one here blames you. What's more important is we're alive and we experience survival in the desert." Sara said as she place her hand on his shoulder. "I get that you feel responsible for what happen. But as your classmates pointed out. They would have done the same. So cheer up. We managed to find a good place to relax, didn't we?"
"I guess…" Machias trailed off. "Still… I'll learn from this experience. And one of them is NEVER, go into the desert without getting some extra water. Which… sorry…" Machias said to the young man. "By the way, who are you?"
"Oh right. I guess I haven't introduce myself." the young man said.
Mysterious Youth - Levi Sullivan
"My name is Levi Sullivan. And don't worry about the water bottles. I've got enough to spare. I was already planning to get out of this desert." Levi said. "But… who are you guys? And are those uniforms?"
One introduction later.
"I see… Nice to meet you all." Levi said. "Thors Miltary Academy… I don't think I heard of it."
"Well Thors is from our homeland called Erebonia so you won't hear the name here." Rean said.
Levi look surprised. "Erebonia? You mean you guys are from Zumeria?"
Class VII look surprise.
"We are actually. Are you from Erebonia too?" Rean asked
"I honestly don't know if I'm from Erebonia. But I am from Zumeria." Levi answered
"You're from Zumeria like us? But how did you get here?" Elliot asked.
Levi rub his chin in thought. "I think it was like a few weeks ago. I stumpled upon a crack in the forest. I got curious and begin to look at what was on the other side. And I found myself in a strange place. A land filled with mushrooms and floating block with question marks on it. A strange and mystic land we're in. And when I ask the resident of this place. It's called the Mushroom Kingdom. I was able to get a map from a kind toad, and I also purchase from water using the coins I found while dealing with some interesting enemies. And I travel here to the desert because I was trying to find a way back home. But no such luck. But what brought you all here?"
"We're here on our field study. In addiction, we also here to rescue the princess of the kingdom." Jusis answered.
"What? The princess of the desert has been kidnapped?"
"Not the desert exactly." Machias shrug. "But this desert is part of the Mushroom Kingdom."
"What he means to say is that the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom was kidnapped by another kingdom's ruler." Laura explained. "His name is Bowser."
"A ruler kidnapping another ruler? For what exact purpose?" Levi asked
"Well, Bowser is in love with Peach." Mario said.
"So… he kidnapped her because he's in love?"
"Yes. But she doesn't."
"Wow… That's sound sad."
"I know. This happens often and we end up rescuing the princess."
"Wait, this happens all the time?"
"Pretty much. But we can talk about that another time. Right now, let's go back to rescuing Peach."
"Aww, but do we have to go back out there in the desert?" Millium asked.
"Hey, look at this!" Luigi pointed and see a yellow pipe in the Pyramid.
"Oh, a Warp Pipe!" Alisa said.
"Wonder where it leads." Fie hummed.
"Guess we'll find out when we go there." Elliot said.
"Right." Rean nodded before he turn to Levi. "Thank you for helping us. We'll be on our way."
"Wait." Levi called out to them.
"What's wrong?"
"You don't mind if I join you guys on your adventure?"
"You want to join us?" Sara asked.
"Yes. I'm pretty good in a fight. Plus I'm curious about this place. So If I stick with you guys. I might learn more. If that's all right with you."
"I don't see the problem with that." Alisa said. "Plus you did save us there so we owe you one."
"Plus, I can tell you're an experience warrior. That you did to those Pokeys shows you have experiences in combat." Laura added.
"What weapon did you use?" Crow asked
"Oh, this." Levi said as he pulled out a Glaive.
"Whoa. That's one fine-looking weapon." Millium replied.
"It looks like a spear. Different from how I use." Gaius said.
"It looks eastern… yet it's not." Rean said.
"You're correct. This is a Glaive." Levi nodded
"So that is what you use to defeat the Pokeys." Emma said.
"Right. Shall we get going?"
"Right." Every one of them nodded
They begin to line up and then begin to head to the yellow Warp Pipe and awaits to the other side.
Please welcome my own OC Levi Sullivan! Oh, I'm guessing some of you must have learned about him from my other study. Well, some parts of it will be different. But the rest are true to him. Levi will join the party to rescue Princess Peach! I wonder how much help he can be.