Super Mario RPG
The Second Coming
Chapter Two
Enter Evil
WARNING: I just realized that I didn't put a warning up for this story. It's much, MUCH darker than the game, and also can get a little gory during the battle scenes. I want to warn you about that now, so if you don't want to see the gore, skip the battle portion of this chapter, and if you don't like dark stories, then you shouldn't read this at all.
AN: I haven't updated for a while, and for that, I'm sorry. The muses ran from me, I'm afraid, but now they're back, and ready to write. So, without further ado, I'll get right onto the chapter.
"I am the boiling man, come to break the bones of your sins, meat puppet…" Jame's O'Barr's The Crow
The sight that greeted the three heroes when they exited the castle was nothing short of astounding. Creatures were destroying the Mushroom Kingdom, killing men, women, and children alike. These creatures were like nothing anyone had ever seen before. Their skin was black as the abyss, wrinkled and dry, cracking in some places. Their eyes burned a fiery orange, and there were no irises to speak of. Their bodies, though twisted and grotesque, were muscular and deadly, hands tipped with razor sharp claws that were being put to efficient use. Grimy, oily hair hung limp from grotesque heads, whipping about as the creatures ran from mushroom to mushroom, killing indiscriminately. They were armed with all sorts of instruments of death: Swords, axes, sickles, spears, and crossbows. A few even had something that only Mario recognized, something that made his blood run cold: Guns. Not the kind of guns that would develop slowly, either. These were the kinds of guns that Mario knew existed on Earth, in the present.
This sight even made Bowser's jaw drop, while Peach seemed to be barely keeping herself from sobbing. Mario's face hardened, his gaze locked on one of the guns, and he uttered one word. "No." He would not let weapons of destruction such as those horrific things pollute this world. He refused to let this world fall victim to such terrible pain. He could do nothing to stop such developments on Earth…but here, in the Mushroom Kingdom…in this world…here, he could do something.
Peach struck first, screaming out at the top of her lungs and charging into the fray, swinging her frying pan in a rage the likes of which no one had ever seen before. Bowser was right behind her, shouting out an incomprehensible battlecry. Mario snarled, kicking his Lazy Shell with all his might, aiming for one of the creatures carrying a rifle. The creature's head was caved in with the sheer force of the attack, and the Lazy Shell came right back to Mario, the boomerang-like enchantment still working, despite the time that had elapsed since its last use. Mario continued his attacks on the few creatures that held guns until all of them had been downed, and from there, he switched over to his most powerful gloves and dove into melee, backing up Peach while Bowser plowed through the creatures as if there was no tomorrow.
In the end, though, it was Toad who saved the day. He grabbed at Mario's hand and pulled him down, shouting above the chaos of battle. "There are too many of them! We have to retreat!"
"Never," Mario snarled, unable to see past the red haze that had descended over him upon first sight of the guns.
"What good is it going to do for you to die here," Toad shouted, indignant. "Answer me, Mario! What good could it possibly do for you to fight a losing battle here, only to be skewered by one of these monsters?! Who would save us then, huh? Frogfrucious? Gaz? Dyna and Mite?!" Before Mario could answer, Toad continued with his tirade. "No! They would all die! Mario, you and Peach and yes, even Bowser, are our only hope! Mallow's people don't pay attention to what goes on down here, even though Mallow himself is an alright guy! Or are you expecting Croco to the rescue?" The red haze slowly cleared, and Mario could see that Toad was right. There were just too many of these things, even if Geno and Mallow came. He hated to admit it, but the Mushroom Kingdom had been overtaken. They needed to retreat to Mario's house, just like Geno had said.
Mario called out for Bowser and merely pointed in the direction of his house. Bowser nodded and retreated until he was back-to-shell with Mario. "Get the princess," Bowser commanded, "I'll clear us a path!" Mario knew the princess would never leave her people like this, so he just grabbed her around the waist and threw her over his shoulder, hauling Toad up onto his other shoulder as he followed closely behind Bowser as he carved a path through the creatures with his claws. Despite Bowser's immense physical power and Peach's still-swinging frying pan, it didn't look good. There were just so many of the creatures…they had formed a wall blocking the front exit of the mushroom kingdom, while the other exit had been blocked earlier, broken signs and pieces of broken homes piled in front of it, fortified with the corpses of the citizens. None of the heroes wanted to attempt that exit. They're only hope – diminishing as it may be – was to get out through the main gates. In the end, though, such a feat looked hopeless. Even Bowser wouldn't be able to get through the ever-thickening wall of creatures at the front gate.
There was a loud explosion behind them, and all combat ceased immediately. The heroes spun, Mario putting Peach down so that she could see. What they saw was a man, tall and muscular, floating in the air. His black robes billowed in a cold wind that began to blow. His hood was pulled back, revealing his long, flowing silver hair. It stretched down to his waist, and whipped wildly in the wind. His eyes were jet black, with no irises whatsoever. His hands, as far as they could tell, were snug within clawed gauntlets that covered his entire hands and disappeared up his sleeves. He wore black boots, and a huge, demonic looking sword was strapped to his back. He didn't speak, merely kept a cocky grin on his face as he surveyed the three who had failed to save the people that lay before him. "So…you are the great Mario, eh? I don't see anything great about you." His eyes then fell on the princess. "And you, princess…tsk, I'm disappointed. Running away when your people need you…if there are any of them left, that is." The princess attempted to start forward, but Mario held out his arm to stop her. "You couldn't harm me even if you tried, my dear. Be grateful for the fat plumber holding you back, or I would have dispatched you quite easily." He chuckled and gestured towards the hilt of his sword. "This isn't just for show, you know." Finally, his eyes turned to Bowser. "Last, and certainly least, is you, 'King' – and I use that term terribly loosely – Bowser. Just what do you think you could do here, turtle? Throw your considerable weight around? Peh. I'm far more powerful than you could ever dream of. No arrogant turtle with a superiority complex could defeat me."
"You should talk," Bowser, replied, calmer than he usually was when challenged. "Who are you, anyway?"
"You can call me Astazar," the man stated. "Soon, you will call me Dark Lord of this world. Though I suppose, at that time, 'Master' will suffice." With a sigh, he turned away, and began floating towards the palace. "Now, if you would kindly leave my kingdom. You are beginning to bore me terribly, and there are matters that I must attend to. Brakus, Graf, see them out." Two creatures stepped forward, snarling softly. The wall of creatures at the main gates parted, and the four survivors knew that it was time to leave.
"I will be back, monster," Peach shouted. Astazar merely laughed before disappearing inside the palace doors. Brakus and Graf continued to advance, and the despondent quartet slowly made their way out of the mushroom kingdom. The gates were slammed shut behind them, the noise making the princess wince. Mario knew she was on the verge of breaking down, and slid his arm around her waist in an attempt to comfort her. Oddly, it was Bowser who offered comforting words.
"We'll get him back, princess," he said softly. "Even I can't stand killing like that. We'll get him back." Those were the last words spoken for quite some time, as the group trudged along unhappily. They reached Mario's house later that night, and for lack of anything better to do, tried to sleep. Little did they know what news the sunrise would bring….
