Chapter 11
No Match
Salem: KUH!!! AUGH!!!! *hacks out blood and saliva on the tiled floor*
His hands were no longer placed on the tiled floor to keep his face off the tiled floor. Mario repeatedly stomped on his back, causing him to smash harder and harder into the ground. His head looked as though it would break to pieces if Mario stomped on his back one more time.
Mario: Heh…like trying to make a good doormat! *stomps hard on Salem's ribs* It needs to be stomped…flat!!! *stomps again*
Salem: AGHH!!!!!! *blue link uniform gets ribs a bit from the friction*
It was unbearable to watch. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest I was afraid that everyone would hear it. Steve was watching with horror, his eyes wide, looking as if he was getting electrocuted.
Luigi still watched the fight, his arms crossed. He looked as though something was pestering him.
Mario: *laughs* Have any…last- UGH!
With a quick jab of his fist, Salem leapt from the ground and landed a punch right in Mario's gut. The sound coming from his mouth at that point sounded so inhumane and painful that I almost fainted. Salem clutched his arm in pain because the hit must've hurt him too.
Mario: *flies back from the hit and lands on his ass, hands planted on the ground to stop from skidding* Grr…
His Blue Link body looked worse than ever. Still, Salem was in a ready stance, awaiting another attack. Mario smirked and got to his feet.
Mario: You surprised me that time…but I won't be hit like that again! *flies at Salem full speed*
The two of them began their flurry of fists and kicks. It looked as though the two might wear each other down, but the last ditch effort of Salem was short lived. Mario side stepped a punch from Salem and wrapped his massive fingers around his arm.
Salem: *Gasps loudly* ?!
Mario: Heh…*flips him over, slamming him into the ground hard and shattering the tiles*
****
Steve: GRR!!!! I can't take this anymore!! *flies at Mario* RRRR!!!
Dust: STEVE NO!
Mamaho: O.O
The eyes of the diabolical monster Steve was charging immediately turned to him. Rocketing closer and closer, Steve drew his sword from its case on his back.
Steve: HAA!! *thrusts the blade towards Mario's neck*
Mario dropped down, and the sword missed his hat by an inch. Steve, who hadn't bothered to slow down, was still sailing an inch off the ground and right over Mario's foot.
Dust: !!!!!
His foot flew right in, smashing Steve in the ribs. This hit sent him flying away about ten feet. After hitting the ground, I didn't see Steve get up. However, Mario had already gotten to his feet. Salem wasn't moving either.
Mario: *glances at Salem to make sure he's still down* It's a shame that they couldn't put up more of a challenge, eh Luigi? Hahhaha!
The fighter in green just stared and nodded a bit. Mario shook his head and turned away, back towards Mamaho and I.
Mario: Your problem is you aren't that fun Luigi...
I was on my knees, barely able to stand. Slowly, I got to my feet, knees bent to keep balance. My arms were hung limp and my eyes half open. My breaths were deep and harsh.
Mario: I don't know why you even bother! *holds out hand and launches a fireball blast*
The blast rocketed towards me at blazing speed. I was so tired I couldn't even lift my arms to try to block even if I'd had the chance.
Dust: AUGH! @_@ *flies back and skids on back along the ground* …
My world went crazy…all I saw was black, nothing else. I could hear Mario's harsh laughs and heavy footsteps coming closer. Those heavy footsteps...really heavy…
WAIT A SECOND! They were coming from the other direction! Which could only mean…
Dust: F…for- *coughs hard*
Sure enough, something passed right over me. I couldn't see it, but I could sure feel the breeze as it flew by over my body. The loud footfalls told me I was right on who it was.
Forgo: RAHH!!!
Mario: !! What the- AHH!!
All I heard from Mario was his scream and a loud noise that sounded like a truck hitting a phone booth. Then…silence…
Mamaho: …F…Forgo?! Are you alright?!
I slowly sat up, my vision was coming back but remained blurred. Gazing at from Mamaho to Forgo, I saw a large gash down his chest.
Dust: !! Forgo… *Says weakly*
The large, one eyed behemoth growled and put his club down.
Forgo: Forgo showed ugly mustache man!
There was a loud crash because Forgo tripped over something. Focusing my view near his feet, I saw Luigi had just blasted the yellow giant in the ankle.
Forgo: RAHH!!! _
Mamaho rushed over to me and helped me to my feet, but it was all in vain for I just fell down again on my front. No energy was left to stop my face from bashing against the cold, tile floor.
Mamaho: Dust…you have to stay awake!
No signs of life came from my body, not even a painful groan.
Mamaho: *takes a deep breath* WAKE UP!!!
Dust: Ghh…*slowly opens eyes* What happened…where's Mario? *looks weakly at the fight going on as Forgo is on his feet trying to bash Luigi with giant club, but Luigi is moving aside quickly with each bash*
Mamaho clenched his fists and knelt down next to me.
Mamaho: Forgo was able to knock Mario away with his club. I only ho-….Ah…AHH….O.O!!!
A storm of red fireballs rained down from the sky. Forgo was pelted and burnt horribly, and the entire platform quaked as if it would fall apart at any second.
Forgo: N…nrrrrauuughh…*falls on back and doesn't get up*
Mario hovered down slowly, clouds billowing around him. He smirked as he landed.
Mario: How many more ingrates do they keep up here…? Is this some kind of party?!
A slight snort of laughter came from Luigi, but nothing else was heard except for a "TING TING TING" sound.
Mario: ?!
There was an explosion of pink smoke in front of Mario, erupting from a small bronze pearl. The smoke cleared, but left the two evil fighters coughing like mad. Even from where I was, I could smell a strong, smelly odour.
Mario: *coughs* What is…the meaning of this?!
???: *a familiar voice* HA HA! You-…wait a minute, you're not supposed to be alive! Umm…uh...I guess I used the wrong-
Glancing weakly, my eyes shot right open. Tarin stood there, holding a long stick and a bag of what appeared to be more golden smoke bombs.
Luigi: *stares off at Tarin* You want me to take this one Mario?? You look a little tired.
Mario spat at Luigi and glared.
Mario: I'm not tired! You wait here and watch…those two! *points at the downed Salem and Steve, then turns to Tarin* This won't take me long…
He began his walk towards Tarin. In reality, it would take about ten seconds to get to him, but the seconds seemed like an eternity. Tarin gulped and stood ready with his staff.
Mario stopped, directly across from Mamaho and I. He smirked and continued walking.
Mario: I'll be back for you two…
He continued walking towards Tarin, his arms at his side like a machine. Fear enveloped me once again and Mamaho slowly stood up.
Mamaho: N…no! Leave him alone! You can fight me inst- AGH!
A set of arms seemed to appear out of the air and wrap around Mamaho's neck, holding him in place. Gagging and flailing his arms, he struggled to breathe.
Luigi: Hmph…*squeezes around Mamaho's neck*
I struggled to get to my feet, but fell right back down. I was done and I knew it. Closing my eyes, I lay there, wishing it would all end. The only thing that kept me from passing out completely was the sound of Mario's booming footsteps. The sound of those boots…
The boots that would soon be stomping on another helpless victim…