Chapter 12
Sudden Outburst
Mamaho gagged, trying to get out of Luigi's grasp. Mario continued his booming steps towards the seemingly scared Tarin, who did his best to stand his ground.
Luigi: Ghh! *squeezes harder when Mamaho tries to get loose*
As if I hadn't figured this out already, this was nuts! I wanted this nightmare to end before it got worse. Of course, it wouldn't be over…
…Until we were dead…
****
The footsteps stopped and Mario stood in front of Tarin, blocking him from view. Even though I couldn't see him, I could sense the little guy's fear.
Tarin: Y…you big oaf, you don't- AH!! NOT IN THE FACE!!! _
Mario picked him up by one of his little red shoes. Tarin (having the stubby arms of Kirby) tried to punch at Mario, but was held out too far by Mario's massive arm to even get close. The evil bully just smirked down at Tarin.
Mario: Now I know…heh…
Tarin: X_X GRR!!!_ *pelts at Mario with stubby fists, but doesn't even get close*
The next thing Mario said shocked me beyond belief, even though I felt rather desensitized at the moment.
Mario: You're the one that we were told to look out for…the greedy traitor who stole valuable materials from the Secret Realm.
Mamaho's eyes widened, even though he was still struggling to keep breathing. I wanted to help him, but could hardly even move.
Tarin: GHH! You…! You've got the wrong guy! I don't know what you're talking about! *shakes around furiously*
The eyes of his captor widened and he threw Tarin onto the ground hard.
Tarin: ACK!! *bounces off the ground, into the air, and back down again*
Mario: Yes…*brushes hands off* The storm must've shaken your memory a little…you don't remember who you are.
Tarin: X_X
This made things even more confusing. Could Tarin have really been related to Mario in some way?
Mario: It matters not though…you were never exactly…important *smirks and raises foot* I may even get ascend in rank for this capture…
****
Mamaho: *Eyes are bloodshot and wide* Kahh….ACHH!!!
I turned my gaze to Luigi and slowly drew my sword from it's sheathe. Luigi's gaze was locked onto the fight, so he didn't notice what was going on around him until he felt a sharp pain in his ankle.
Luigi: AHH!! *jumps back, releasing Mamaho and landing on his feet* *ankle folds and he falls over* .
The old figure who had almost choked to death fell to his knees, coughing like an elderly man who needed his medication. I struggled to get to my feet, but only managed to get to my knees. Unfortunately for Mamaho and I, Luigi was already up and dashing for us.
Luigi: You should've kept quiet!! I'm gonna- O.O!!! *stubs toe on an uneven tile and falls flat on face* AHH!! _ *covers nose with hand and kicks around like a little kid*
Dust: O.O *sweatdrops slightly* Uh??
He stood up slowly, his face red with anger. He stomped towards us and held out a hand, forming a green fireball.
Mamaho: *powers up a golden-white blast and fires it at Luigi, but falls off of feet and into sitting position afterwards since the blast took a lot of work*
Luigi fired his blast and the two collided, canceling each other out. Mamaho's sacrifice of strength had been noble, but Luigi still had plenty of energy left.
Luigi: *forms another green blast on his left hand* This time you won't stop it!
He fired his blast, but just as he fired it, someone slammed into him hard. This caused Luigi to fly off his feet, his arm shifting direction unwillingly.
Luigi: AGHH!! _ *arm shoots up and fires the blast into the sky*
The green blast flew up and exploded in the sky, which separated a pearly white cloud into what looked like chunks of gray fluff.
Luigi: RRR! *winces in pain and sees Steve on the ground next to him, breathing hard and slowly getting up*
It was clear that Luigi had made a very critical mistake. He had been ordered to watch Steve and Salem, but had instead gone after Mamaho. The green fighter tried to get to his feet, but Steve kicked him hard in the face, a sudden anger taking over him. He growled and punched Luigi repeatedly. It took me a while to figure out what he was doing when he stopped moving.
Steve: *struggles to hold Luigi down* DUST! *Turns around to him slightly* I've got him covered…*coughs painfully and gets a shot to the face from Luigi* GRR! Help Tarin! _
Dust: *thinks: Shit…I can hardly move…*
Though he lacked energy, Mamaho helped me to my feet. They weren't too far away from us, and even though it was hopeless, I marched over to Mario and Tarin.
****
His back was turned to us, and his gaze was fixed on Tarin's fallen form. Tarin had no will to fight back, and just cringed on the ground.
Tarin: Please don't hit me!!! I'll get you whatever you want, I swear!
Mario growled and lifted his foot to stomp Tarin flat, but stopped at the sound of a voice.
Dust: Stop it!
I could see the back of his head perfectly as I marched towards him, stopping about eight feet away. Fear wrenched at my insides as the body of this monstrous fighter turned towards me. Tarin took the opportunity and snuck off, making a run for it when he figured he was far away.
Mario: …What did you just say to me?
My heart pounded heavily, making it difficult to talk. It didn't help that those murderous eyes were locked onto mine. I lowered my head slowly.
Dust: This is stupid…meaningless…why the hell are we fighting? We don't have to, and you know it!
Mario just stared at me. His fists were clenched and his brow furrowed. He glared and began walking towards me.
Mario: Don't even try it…if you want to beg for mercy, get on your knees and scream…
I said nothing, but slowly lifted my head. Staring right at him, I glared.
Dust: I won't let you hurt anyone else…*says very low, voice barely above a whisper*
Mario: !! ...Heh…hehe…HA! HAHAHA! *has a huge laughing fit* A threat is no good if you are in this condition, boy! I'll hurt whoever I want to, and you won't be alive to see it!!
Mamaho watched with horror but stayed where he was. The sounds of Luigi's grunts and struggles could be heard. They were all behind me, and I couldn't hear any sign of Salem. Considering the beating he'd received, I doubted he was even alive.
Mario: I'll tell you what boy…I'm going to give you a proper, "in battle" death as a good-bye present…that way, when you burn in hell, you can say that you died fighting someone as great as myself. How's that sound?
The fear clung tighter now, making me want to vomit. So many emotions were sparking off…all revolving around the fear and making it worse. But, there was something else…something inside that made me look that monster right in the eye and growl, despite the fact I didn't stand a chance.
Dust: I say you get lost……or else…
This set him off. His arm reared back and his massive fist flew at my face. The next thing that happened…I will never forget it…the feeling of power, the anger, the pain…something that clings to you for a lifetime…
Mario: Cocky little-!!
Dust: *thinks: CAN'T LET HIM…Gotta…do something…*
My eyes flared a fiery red, and I could almost see it in my vision. This was it, I was pissed off…and no matter what the cost, I wouldn't let him hurt anyone else…never…my jumbled thoughts made no sense to me, but their mission was clear. This monster had to be stopped.
Dust: HAAA!!!! *catches his massive fist and uncontrollably jumps into the air, pulling Mario's arm towards me and catching Mario in the face hard with a roundhouse kick*
Mario: !!ACCK!!!!
I landed, and fell to my knees, not even remembering what I'd just done…tears came to my eyes and it slowly came back to me.
Dust: Wh…*looks at hands, and they tremble like an old washing machine* What's happening to me?! *tears flow down cheeks*
The kick had sent Mario flying across the platform we were on, and he hit a large chunk of stone. He then slid and stopped at the edge of the platform, his arm dangling off.
Mario: Ahh…@_@!!! *gets to feet and roars, a trickle of blood escaping his eye* I'm tired of this!!!!!!!
He stood on the edge of the platform and held his arms out in front of him, completely outstretched. His hands opened, revealing his white gloved palms. A large orange-red blast formed and grew to the size of a boulder within a minute.
Mario: FIREBALL CRUSHER!!!!!! *Fires it*
Whatever strength I'd had before, it was gone now. The ominous looking flame attack blazed towards me, expanding in size and ripping through the platform tiles. It left a trail of fragmented tiles behind it as it flamed towards us.
Dust: !!!! *holds up arms weakly to block, though it won't do any good*
Mamaho's voice was heard behind me, loud and frantic.
Mamaho: Run! Get out of the way!!
I stood there, too frightened to move. This was it…the blast was large enough that once it hit me, it would take out the others too.
Dust: *lowers head, tears dripping to the ground* At least I died *voice cracks* fighting…