Power of the Gemerelds

The day was hot, and the ground was burning, yet the high temperature didn't seem to harm Yoshi at all, and Mario was thankful for being able to ride on him. Mario had many problems in the desert heat. For instance, one time he thought he saw a chain of hot dog stands in the distance, and ended up biting a rock. Another time he swore he thought he was beating up a pokey, until Yoshi finally told him he was beating on a cactus for five minutes. That resulted in Mario sporting a very prickled hand.

"So…where are we going?" Yoshi asked, trotting along the ground in the direction Mario said.

"I told you, Dry Dry Outpost!" Mario sighed, shifting himself on the saddle, "I know a friend who can help us."

"Who?"

"He's named Moustafa. He's sort of the leader there." Mario explained.

"What makes you think he'll help us…and what do we need help for anyway?" Yoshi asked.

"Well, let's say he thinks I'm a nice guy, and we need to find out what happened to the dry dry ruins, Moustafa would know."

"I see."

"Hey bubs! Howza bout you stop for a bit?" A drawling voice called from behind them.

Mario a Yoshi spun around to face a group of seven bandits. The one in the front, likely the leader, was the one who called. In a matter of seconds they surrounded Yoshi and Mario.

"What do you want?" Mario asked.

"Me? Well, we just want ta talk." The drawling voice said, as he swaggered forward and put his arm out…Mario ignored it, "I'm Butch."

"Heh…talk." One of the other bandits muttered, rubbing his hands together greedily.

"Well Butch, we have to be going, so if you don't mind…" Mario said, starting to move forward.

"But I do mind, now listen here bubs, we want all yer coins, and yer gonna hand 'em over!" Butch said stepping in Mario's way.

"We don't have any." Yoshi said shortly.

"Don't give me that, Yer Mario! You must have thousands." Butch said.

"We aren't giving you our money." Mario said.

"Then it's gonna be taken!" Butch yelled, charging at Mario.

Mario jumped off Yoshi and landed behind Butch, but was hit by his partners on the head. He fell to the ground, and felt himself being dragged up onto his feet. It took four of the bandits to hold down Yoshi, who was still struggling. Two bandits were holding Mario.

"Heh…Empty his pockets!" Butch ordered.

Mario was quickly lifted upside down and shook him violently. First a few coins fell out, enough to last him a while, then some of his plumber's tools, and finally the ever-glowing Ruby Gemereld.

"Well Well, what do we have here? She is a beut!" Butch said, picking up the Gemereld.

"Put it down!" Mario yelled shaking him self from the bandits grip and falling on his head, only to be yanked up again.

"What's so special about this? Looks like a normal ruby ta me! Howza bout I keep this!" Butch said, pocketing the Gemereld.

"No!" Yoshi snarled.

"Aw shut up!" one of the bandits said.

"Now, men let's-OW!" Butch started, when his pants caught fire, and the Gemereld flew into Mario's hands, blasting both bandits away from him, their hands on fire.

"Whoa!" Mario shouted.

"AHHHH! It burns!" Butch screamed, completely aflame, and running in circles.

"Settle down boss!" A bandit said, trying to catch Butch with a bucket of water.

"Well of course it burns boss, its fire!" The other bandit said, letting go of Yoshi, who kicked both other bandits away from him, and ran to Mario.

"What's happening?" Yoshi asked, looking at the Gemereld, which was vibrating violently in Mario's hands, glowing so intense, it hurt to glance at.

"I…Don't…know!" Mario panted, straining to keep hold of the Gemereld.

Suddenly the Gemereld flashed yellow, then orange, and then finally red, before it Shot a beam of burning fire straight at one of Butch's bandit's. The bandit made a small noise, and then dissolved.

"You just killed Kramer! That's just perfect, now I have to tell his mom!" One of the bandits yelled.

"That's it! Everyone eliminate Mario!" Butch, who had extinguished himself, yelled.

"Ah!" Mario shouted, jumping on one of the bandit's heads, and bouncing behind Butch.

"Arrg!" One of the bandits yelled, a young one, as he was eaten and tossed quite a few yards away by Yoshi.

"Get Mario!" Butch screamed, turning around.

"Leave him alone!" Yoshi yelled, jumping over one of the bandits, only to be hit by a rock, on the head, and rebounding a few yards away, next to the bandit in the egg.

"No!" Mario cried before being dog piled by half a dozen bandits.

A sudden piercing red light started to shine from the pile, and all of the bandits suddenly jumped off Mario.

"Hot! Hot! Hot!" Butch cried.

"Owowowowowow!" Another bandit yelled.

Mario was standing, fire surrounding him like a blazing aura. "What's happing?" He asked no one in particular and the flames around him suddenly expanded and incinerating all of the bandits in the vicinity except for one, who was currently covered in bits of egg, and quietly mugging Yoshi's saddles. But he was staring at Mario, a sack of coins in his hand and his mouth open, in horror. The flames suddenly died away.

"Erg…Huh?" Yoshi mumbled, waking up and grapping the bandit, who didn't seem to notice.

"What should we do with him?" Yoshi asked, "…Well? Mario? Are you ok?"

"It was…horrible…I slaughtered them…I don't know what happened…"Mario whispered.

"Why? What happened Mario?" Yoshi asked.

"I…don't…know…" Mario said quietly, looking at the Gemereld in his hand, "But whatever happened, it's this things fault!"

"He…it…he was on fire…then he blew up or something! Next thing I know, everyone's gone." The bandit, who had somewhat regained his voice, stammered.

"What's your name?" Yoshi asked.

"Me? Um…I'm Clyde." The bandit said.

"But you're just a kid! What are you doing with bandits?" Mario asked, poking Clyde.

"I'm…my mom…she's like…well…she's sick, so I needed money for her operation." Clyde explained.

"Wait…are you a bandit?" Yoshi asked, "Or like…a shy guy…I mean you both wear masks."

"What?" Clyde said, "I'm a bandit…"

"So your…species…is called a bandit?" Yoshi asked.

"Yeah…"

"But…you're not a bandit?"

"No…well yes…I mean not all bandits are…um…bandits."

"But that doesn't make any sense…you're a bandit, but you're not a bandit?"

"Yeah…"

"Ok, now I'm confused. Why are we even talking about this?" Mario butted in.

"I don't know." Clyde said, "Ask Mr. doesn't get it over here!"

"Mr. doesn't get it?" Yoshi repeated.

"Will both of you please shut up? We have to get to Dry Dry Outpost!" Mario shouted.

"You can't go there!" Clyde yelled, "You'll be killed on the streets!"

"What? Why?" Mario questioned.

"Well…by now the Moon Clan will know you've taken out Butches gang!" Clyde explained.

"Moon Clan? Wait, who are they, and how could they know?" Yoshi asked.

"The Moon Clan is the current Bandit Clan in the Dry Dry Outpost. I think the Frog clan is in the sewers, and the Splinter Clan is in the woods, plus the Terra Clan, in the mountains. And trust me, they will have found out somehow, you go to Dry Dry Outpost, you'll have to deal with a bunch of Moon Clan members." Clyde explained.

"Great, how are we ever see this Moustafa guy now?" Yoshi asked sarcastically.

"Huh? That green nomadmouse?" Clyde asked, "Moon Clan kicked him out a while ago, something about not cooperating, rumor is he's in the mountains right now."

"They did what?" Mario yelled.

"Kicked him out."

"Um…So now what?" Yoshi asked.

"We head to the mountains." Mario said, turning around.

"I guess…" Yoshi said.

"Um…could…could I come with you guys?" Clyde asked nervously.

Mario and Yoshi both looked at each other for a bit, before looking back at Clyde, "Uh…sure." Mario said.

"Whoa! What in star's name is that?" Yoshi shouted, pointing to the left, where once Mario and Clyde looked, they could see a two small dots fall, right at the edge of the mountains, from the storm known as Yosunastrom.

"I don't know…but am I the only one who saw them fall from the storm?" Mario asked.

"No…I did…" Clyde replied.

"Well…uh…that was awkward…maybe we'll see what it was later, we are headed in that direction." Yoshi said, scratching him head.

"I'm not sure if I want to…Mario said grimly, jumping on Yoshi's back and Clyde ran along side them.

-5 hours later-

"How…are…we…not…there…yet?" Clyde panted.

"Ok…I'm losing my patience, not only did I have to listen to you asking, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" for the, like, millionth time this day, but you also have the nerve to act tired, when you're the one riding Yoshi!" Mario yelled.

"Um…oh yeah…I am!" Clyde laughed nervously.

"Any sign of that thing we saw earlier?" Yoshi asked.

"Nope, not one glimpse." Mario shrugged.

"It was five hours ago, hey could have went into the mountains." Clyde said.

"Ok…has this desert just gotten bigger since I was last here or what? It was easy travel back in the day!" Mario complained.

"Well…actually yeah…The founder of the outpost had the town completely moved deeper into the desert since the Toads from toad town started to gip them off. They charged 100 coins for a mushroom!" Clyde explained.

"Yeah…in that case, those things are most likely-hey there they are!" Yoshi shouted, pointing ahead of them, where two shadowed figures were walking.

"Hey…looks like, looks like I know those things!" Mario said, staring intently ahead.

"Let me see!" Clyde said, hopping up on Yoshi's head, who sneered at him, and pulling out a telescope from his clothes.

"Hmm, it's a koopa and a Yoshi, Blue, it's a blue Yoshi." Clyde said.

"A blue Yoshi and a koopa?" Mario started.

"Sounds like Dave and Boshi!" Yoshi finished.

"Dave and who?" Clyde asked, hopping down from Yoshi's head.

"Friends." Yoshi said shortly.

"Oi!" Mario yelled waving his hand in the air.

In a matter of seconds the two bands reached each other, and sure enough it was Dave and Boshi. After a short introduction sequence, they both decided to camp out.

"So…you guys got your Gemerelds?" Yoshi asked.

"Um…well…stupid face here messed it up, and we didn't get it!" Boshi blamed.

"What? It wasn't my fault!" Dave yelled, walking over to Clyde.

"I see, where was yours?" Yoshi asked, "We got ours from Moltar!"

"Well, your not gonna believe this! Yosunastrom has ours!" Boshi exclaimed.

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"So he does exist!"

"Yeah, and get this!" Boshi said, as he explained the story Yosunastrom had told them.

-On the other side of the campsite-

"So, you're a Bandit?" Dave asked.

"Yeah." Clyde replied.

"Then what do you steal?"

"Oh, I'm not a bandit."

"Wait what? You just said you're a bandit!"

"I am."

"So you're a bandit, but you're not a bandit?"

"Oh no, not this again!"

-In Mario's tent-

"Zzzzzzzzzz!" Mario snored, "Snort!"

-In the morning-

After packing all of their stuff, everyone knew it was time to say goodbye, and be on their way.

"See ya Boshi!" Yoshi called.

"Bye Yoshi!" Boshi yelled.

"See ya later, Koopagator!" Clyde shouted.

"After a while, Banditdile!" Dave

"See ya later!" Mario laughed.

After a few more hours of walking, Mario, Clyde, And Yoshi finally reached the mountains.

"Phew, was that not the most challenging thing you've ever experience before, or what? Am I right? Can I get a hallelujah?" Clyde asked, holding his arms out, as if to catch something.

"Um…Sure…" Mario replied.

"Hallelujah?" Yoshi hesitantly said.

"Alrighty, let's keep going!" Clyde laughed.

"How good are you at climbing, Clyde?" Mario asked.

"Well, I wouldn't say I'm bad, but…well…yeah I can't climb." Clyde said sullenly.

"Ok then, we'll have to find a way to get you up the cliffs." Mario said, slowly edging behind Clyde.

"I don't know do-Ow!" Clyde yelled, as he was kicked up a steep wall, which Mario and Yoshi easily jumped.

"Stars almighty, didja have to kick so hard?" Clyde asked, rubbing his butt.

"No, but I wanted to!" Mario laughed, patting Clyde on the back.

"Whatever man." Clyde muttered, moving down the path.

"Hiya!" A voice said.

"Ah, who's there?" Clyde asked.

"I'm Whacka mole!" The voice said.

"Whacka mole?" Clyde repeated.

"Yep." Whacka mole said, popping out of the ground.

"Hey Clyde who are ya talking to?" Mario asked, running up the path.

"AHHHHH! It's the Red Demon! He's come to make it hurt more!" Whacka Mole Shouted, cowering the best it could.

"Red demon?" Yoshi questioned.

"Yeah, about that, see, When I was here before, I met the little fellow, and then I, it seems mean I know, hit him on the head, and it gave me a super yummy food, called the whacka's bump…quite tasty." Mario explained.

"No more hurting! Please? Oh please don't make the head hurting begin again. Not to mention the head hurting!" Whacka Mole begged.

"Um…should we be going?" Clyde asked, through the whimpering coming from Whacka mole.

"Yeah, that would be best." Yoshi said.

"Ok, um, bye bye Whacka mole." Mario said.

"Eep! I'm sorry! Please, I'm not worthy! AHHHHH! It's the apocalypse!" Whacka mole shouted.

"Yeah, bye, and good luck with that whole apocalypse thing." Yoshi replied.

"Ok bye!" Whacka mole replied cheerfully.

After a short distance away, they reached the bridge, connecting two parts of the mountains.

"Ok…last time I was here, there was a condor named Buzzar, I think, but I beat him up, so he should be gone." Mario said, stepping on the bridge.

"Hey you! Yeah you chump!" A voice from above yelled.

"What?" Mario asked, looking up at the two small condors falling from the sky.

"This is our turf, see!" One of them said.

"Yeah!" The other replied.

"Um…can we pass?" Yoshi asked.

"No, this is ours and da bosses only, see!" The first one explained.

"Yeah!" The other one said.

"Please?" Clyde asked.

"No! I already said no! Now we got ta beat you all up, see!" The first one growled.

"Yeah!" The other one cawed.

The Birds were just about ready to charge, when a voice came from behind Mario and the others.

"Stop!"

"Hey! It's the boss; don't get mad boss, we only trying ta help, see!" The first replied, looking bashful.

"Yeah!" The other one said.

"Hey! Moustafa! We've been looking all over for you!" Mario said, looking at the source of the voice, which was a small green-colored nomadmouse.

"Do I know you? Wait, yeah, you are that nice guy!" Moustafa grinned, before looking back at the condors, "Buzz, Saw! Get back to your patrol!"

"Yes boss, ok boss. We'll go back ta work, see!" Buzz said, flying up over the hill.

"Yeah!" Saw agreed, flying after Buzz.

"Wow, those kids were freaky." Clyde laughed.

"Why did you want to see me?" Moustafa asked, walking up to Mario.

"Did you know about what happened to the Dry Dry Ruins?" Mario asked.

"Yeah, horrible, but I heard someone fixed it." Moustafa said.

"That was kind of us." Yoshi boasted.

"Ah, I should have known nice guys like you would go out of your way for the better good." Moustafa praised.

"Well, we also heard you were kicked out of the Outpost! Is that true?" Mario asked, sitting cross legged on the ground.

"Yeah, well, I'm here now aren't I?" Moustafa grinned, and then frowned, "It was those stinking Moon Clan, and they totally wanted to use me."

"What about the Terra Clan? I heard they were up here!" Clyde asked.

"Hmm? I haven't seen 'em!" Moustafa replied, sitting down across from Mario.

"Well, we need to know one more thing." Mario whispered, leaning in close.

"Yes…ok…no…definitely not…slightly…ok…yeah…well…gotcha!" Moustafa said, listening to Mario whispers.

"Ok, good doing business with you!" Mario laughed, standing up, "Hup two, let's go!"

"Ok." Yoshi said.

"Bye Moustafa, remember what I said!" Mario replied, walking across the bridge.

"What did you say?" Clyde asked when they were out of moustafa's earshot.

"Nothing." Mario grinned, and as they rounded the corner they were hit with a fast-moving downpour, in the face.

"Aw! What's this? Water, from the sky? How absurd!" Clyde said, through spluttering mouthfuls.

"You haven't been out of the desert much have you?" Yoshi asked.

"No, never in my life." Clyde responded, still looking up at the sky.

"It's called rain." Mario stated.

"Rain? Strange. I could become a writer, and write about weird non-desert things." Clyde pondered.

"Yeah right, you a writer?" Yoshi said sarcastically, "You'll sell millions!"

"Hey, don't diss a guy because of his dreams." Mario said.

"Yeah!" Clyde said.

"Can we get back on track?" Yoshi yelled through all the rain.

"Yeah, where are we going?" Clyde asked.

"Toad Town! We can hit the docks there, and then sail to Yoshi's island." Mario explained.

"Is there anyone crazy enough to sail in this weather?" Yoshi asked.

"I have someone in mind, don't worry!" Mario replied.

"Who is it you have in mi-Whoa!" Clyde started, but before he could finish he slipped down a muddy slope, and into a mud hole, which Mario and Yoshi, laughing, followed.

"What is this gunk-like brown liquid?" Clyde asked, shaking his hand around.

"That, my midget friend, is mud." Mario explained.

"Mud? What is it?"

"It's what's created when water is mixed with sand; I'm surprised you don't know it." Yoshi said.

"Oh, that's what that brown stuff is when we dump out our laundry water." Clyde replied.

"Um…yeah, let's just get going." Mario said, pulling Clyde out of the mud pit.

"Ok…" Clyde said dejectedly, before brightening up, "Ha! This is just more stuff to write about."

"Perfect, just keep thinking of the bright side of thing." Mario agreed, while Yoshi smacked his forehead.

"I can't believe it!" Luigi complained.

"I should've known!" Gilbert said.

"Now what do we do?" Boomer asked.

Luigi Gilbert, and Boomer were currently standing on the hill where they came from, staring into the pipe. The pipe was now filled with water, hindering anyone to travel it without drowning.

"Curse you Yosunastrom! Curse you!" Luigi yelled, shaking his fist in the air.

"Let's get out of these woods then." Boomer said, floating down the path.

"Thank stars." Gilbert replied, following Boomer, with Luigi on his back.

"Does anybody know where the exit is?" Gilbert said once he caught up with Boomer.

"I do, I have lived here my entire life!" Boomer replied.

"Excellent, show us the way Boomer!" Luigi shouted.

"Let's see, it's a left." Boomer said.

"Left it is!" Luigi said, turning Gilbert left.

"Wait, wait its right." Boomer corrected.

"Ok…right." Luigi said, turning around.

"Or was it north?" Boomer said.

"Ok do you have any idea where you are going?" Luigi asked.

"No." Boomer replied.

"Perfect, now what?" Luigi asked, throwing his hand in the air.

"Don't worry; I'm sure that it's left." Boomer assured.

"Ok, let's go." Gilbert said, steering Luigi left.

"At least I think…" Boomer whispered, so Luigi and Gilbert couldn't hear him, before shaking his head and floating after.

After a few hours of wandering in the forest, Gilbert and Luigi started to get mad. They both spun around to face Boomer angrily.

"You're sure it's left huh?" Luigi growled, taking a step towards Boomer.

"Of course, I know it is!" Gilbert said sarcastically, "I bet you it was the right path!"

"But guys…" Boomer started.

"I don't want to hear it! You've already got us completely off course!" Luigi roared.

"This will be another Bazillion hours of walking!" Gilbert complained, walking over to the side of the path and pointing at a rock, " I swear to the Stars above that we passed this same stone five freaking minutes ago!"

"If you'd listen…" Boomer began.

"I don't want to listen; we are never gonna save the mushroom kingdom now!" Luigi shouted, taking another step closer to Boomer, who looked around nervously.

"I say we burn him at the stake!" Gilbert snarled, before scratching his head, "Wait, he's a ghost, never mind."

"Look, the exit is right there!" Boomer yelled pointing past Gilbert's and Luigi's shoulders.

"Oh…um…I knew that." Luigi replied, shifting his eyes back and forth.

"We were…uh…testing your strain under heavy conditions, yeah!" Gilbert agreed.

"Look here, I think you guys owe me an apology!" Boomer said, floating closer to Luigi and Gilbert.

"Nuh-uh! I had perfect rights, I'm tired and the rain was confusing me, all I need is rest in an inn…bye!" Luigi yelled, dashing towards the exit, but slipping on a pile of mud.

"Ha! Loser!" Gilbert laughed, walking up to the now mud-covered Luigi, but he stopped laughing as he was pushed into the pit with Luigi.

"Me? I wouldn't be talking!" Luigi growled picking himself out of the mud, and stomping towards town.

"Whatever." Gilbert laughed, following after Luigi, with Boomer trailing behind.

-In town-

The town was thriving like normal, even in the rain. Toads with heads of all colors were walking around with umbrellas up, visiting friends and even going to the very few vendors that were out.

"Look at him!"

"He is the cutest thing!"

"Oh My Stars and just want to hug him!"

"I wish he'd dump those two other losers."

"He is so buff!"

These were the various things heard as Luigi walked down the street.

"I get this all the time." Luigi stated, waving to someone at the street.

"I know, if that's not the coolest Yoshi I've ever seen, then I just don't know what to do!"

That's when the realization they were talking about Gilbert settled in.

"Get that all the time huh Luigi?" Boomer said sarcastically.

"Shut up."

"Is that Luigi? Oh My stars it is!" One Toad girl called, "Luigi over here! Hi!"

"Hi." Luigi said, waving, "See, I'm slightly well known, it's just that they don't see Yoshi's very often, they're surprised."

"I mean, I see Yoshi's all the time, and that Is the best one!" Another girl shouted.

"They don't see Yoshi's often huh Luigi?" Boomer laughed.

"Shut up!"

"It's ok Luigi; they just can't resist my Yoshi charms." Gilbert said.

As they were right in front of the Inn's door, a female toad ran up to Gilbert, "Um…Hi…Could I have an autograph?"

"Uh…Sure." Gilbert said nervously, making an egg and Signing, 'Gilbert' on it.

"Thank you!" The girl cried running back to her friends.

"Come on lover boy." Luigi grumbled walking into the inn.

"Hello, welcome to the Toad Town inn, would you like to stay? Only five coins." The Lady at the counter asked.

"Yes please." Luigi replied, handing over three blue coins to the lady, who put them in a drawer.

"Thank you, you're beds are upstairs, for an extra two coins each, we can have your cloths washed and dried."

Luigi took a brief moment to look at Gilbert and Boomer before nodding at the receptionist and dropping a red coin on the counter, "That would be nice."

"Thank you; just drop the clothes down the laundry shoot."

"Ok, um, goodnight." Boomer said, floating up through the ceiling, then a scream was heard and Boomer floated back down, a blush on his face, "Yeah…maybe I'll use the stairs."

"Good idea." The receptionist said, looking at him angrily.

On the way upstairs Luigi stopped to look at a poster on the wall. It read,

Urgent Warning to all Mushroom kingdom and other residents!

Princess Peach and King Toadstool have both been reported missing.

Bowser nowhere to be seen!

Recent Reports also report Princess Daisy Missing as well!

The kingdom is in chaos!

Any information to whereabouts of any of these people will be rewarded!

100,000 Coins!

Watch out for our next poster for more information!

If you're the Tenth reader, Gain tickets to The Coral zone, then to Yoshi's island!

Yours truly, The Poster Bros.

"Guys! Look at this!" Luigi whispered, motioning Boomer and Gilbert over.

"Dude, we can hitch a ride to Yoshi's island, we just have to be the tenth person to read this poster tomorrow!" Gilbert hissed.

"Yeah!" Boomer agreed.

"Yeah…Yoshi's island…But…" Luigi trailed off.

"What? What's wrong?" Boomer asked, following Luigi's eyes, "Hmm…Princess Daisy huh? Does someone have a crush?"

"What? No! Of course…not…no…" Luigi said, "Maybe we should try to find her though!"

"Um…hello….we have a world to save!" Gilbert said, smacking Luigi in the back of the head, "Damsels in distress can wait!"

"Yeah…let's get to bed." Luigi sighed.

-In the morning-

"Ahh that was a good rest." Luigi yawned stretching out of bed and getting dressed, then looking out the window, "Yet the weather is the same, it's like it's still nighttime."

Walking over to another window Luigi could see another part of town. Just in time to see a toad looking at a poster on the wall.

"Ahh! Quick wake up wake up!" Luigi yelled, pushing Gilbert, who was curled up on the ground, and poking Boomer, was floating by the ceiling.

"Wha? Why?" Gilbert asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"The poster!" Luigi responded.

"What? That's right! We gotta go!" Gilbert yelled, rushing down the stairs.

"Meet you outside!" Luigi yelled to Boomer, before rushing down the stairs after Gilbert.

Out on the streets Luigi and Gilbert ran over to the poster and looked at it, reading it out loud. Nothing happened.

"I don't get it…are we too early or too late?" Gilbert asked.

"I don't know."

"Move over chumps." Boomer smirked, floating to the poster and reading it.

Suddenly a balloon floated down from the sky, inside it was three tickets and a card saying congratulations.

"When is the cruise?" Gilbert asked.

"Um…3 Minutes." Boomer said slowly.

"What? That's not enough time!" Luigi yelled, "We have to hurry!"

"Let's go!" Gilbert yelled, pulling Luigi on his back, and rushing down the street, dodging toads, Boomer flying through the sky.

"ALL ABOARD! THE S.S. SHROOM IS LEAVING!" Came the voice of the captain, just as Yoshi, Boomer, and Luigi pulled up, showing him their tickets.

"Hmm, looks good, I'm Admiral Teach." Teach said, shaking all of their hands.

Admiral Teach was a short Toad, even shorter then a usual Toad, with a blue spotted head with a peg leg, and a seagull on his shroom, which people and himself didn't seem to notice.

"Your S.S. Shroom, she's a fine ship, I'm happy to sail on her." Gilbert complemented.

"Thank you, my Yoshi friend; I hope you enjoy your cruise." Teach happily said

"We will." Boomer thanked, "Um, where's are cabins?"

"You all have cabin seven, it's the biggest one next to mine." Teach replied.

"Thanks." Luigi thanked.

-About two hours into the Cruise-

It was about two hours into the cruise and the storm got even worse, plus the ship was slowing down, while Gilbert and boomer tried to sleep, Luigi went on the deck to talk to Teach.

"Um…Admiral, Why are we slowing down?" Luigi asked, putting his hands on the railing, looking at Teach, who was leaning against the railing himself, the seagull trying to stay on.

"Well, my green clothed friend, this area is home to Lorvicious! If we move to fast, she just might get too angry." Teach replied.

"Um…Lorvicious?" Luigi asked.

"She's the great mighty Blooper who lives here, she was once a normal blooper, who even had a kid, but she got toxicated by some…uh…toxic stuff, and grew to enormous size." Teach explained.

"Can I ask another question?" Luigi asked, and after seeing Teach's nod, he continued, "Why did you set sail in this weather anyway?"

"Aye, my mate that was because I love adventure, half of me is hoping we meet Lorvicious." Teach responded.

"I see thanks for your time, admiral." Luigi thanked, starting to walk back to his cabin, when the ship suddenly lurched, knocking Luigi to the ground, and then stopped.

"What was that?" Gilbert asked, walking out of his cabin, Boomer following, along with other crew members who were curious.

"I don't know, but something has stopped the S.S. shroom." Luigi said, standing up, before moving over next to Teach again, looking over the railing into the churning waters.

Suddenly a huge tentacle rose out of the water, along with six others, which all grabbed one side of the ship, tilting it right. Soon after the tentacles rose up and large blooper rose also, it's eyes glaring at them.

"Blub blub bla bluba!" Lorvicious yelled.

"Um…Hi?" Teach stammered.

"Blub? BLUB!" Lorvicious roared.

"I think it's mad at something." Gilbert whispered.

"Noooo, ya think?" Teach said sarcastically.

"BLUUUUB!" Lorvicious Screamed, rocking the boat.

"Man, I wish Bloomba was here, he can probably speak Blooper." Luigi stuttered.

"Blub?" Lorvicious Asked, looking at Gilbert, Boomer, Teach and Luigi.

"Um…" Boomer said, "Do you know Bloomba? Psst, who's Bloomba?"

"A friend." Luigi said.

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere a tentacle came ad scooped up, Teach, Luigi, Gilbert, and Boomer.

"AHHH!

"ARRR!"

"EEEP!"

"WHOA!"

They were swept under water, Luigi could barely see. All three of the others must have hit their heads on the railing because they were all unconscious. The last thing Luigi saw was a bright light before his consciousness was swept away.

-Um…later-

Luigi woke up in a dimly light cavern sputtering water out and looking around him, behind him was a large pool, and in front of him was another one, with Lorvicious in it. The floor was wet and there was seaweed floating around. On the side of him Teach, Gilbert and Boomer were still out cold. He noticed there was a Toad in the corner, and that Lorvicious was looking at him intently.

"Welcome to the Lair of Lorvicious. Sorry she was so rough brining you here but, you know." The Toad Greeted, "I'm Da."

"Um…Hi Da." Luigi said, standing up.

"Blub bluba." Lorvicious said shortly.

"She says hi." Da translated.

"Oh, hi." Luigi greeted.

"Blub, Blub bluba blub?" Lorvicious asked.

"She asks 'How do you know bloomba?'" Da repeated.

"He adventured with us in search of the Gemerelds, he went somewhere with a Yoshi." Luigi explained.

"BLUB? BLUB BLUB?" Lorvicious Snarled.

"She asks 'Did he look well?'" Da spoke.

"Yeah, he even saved my life." Luigi said.

"Blub." Lorvicious stated.

"She says 'Did you say thank you?'" Da Relayed.

"Um…Yeah." Luigi Replied.

"Blub…Blub…Blub?" Lorvicious asked hopefully.

"She asks 'Do you…think you…could take me to him?'" Da translated.

"Well…if you could take me and my friends to Yoshi's island, you'll find him." Luigi promised, motioning to his friends.

"Blub!" Lorvicious agreed.

"She says 'Deal!'" Da said.

"Ok, but we need to leave quickly." Luigi said.

"Bla." Lorvicious said, turning and whispering to Da.

"'ok.'" Da said, she also says "We'll have to stop somewhere else."

"If you don't mind my asking, who are you?" Luigi asked.

"Blub…Bluba!" Lorvicious said sadly.

"She said 'I am…I was his mother." Da repeated.

"Oh…" Luigi said quietly, "we should…be going."

"Ok, let's go lorry." Da said, walking over to Luigi.

"Lorry?" Luigi whispered to himself, before following Da.

Toad and Fade got to the pipe leading to the sewers, only to find that it was frozen over.

"Now what, this is the only other way to toad town!" Toad yelled through the snow.

"I don't know, should we go back?" Fade asked.

"No, then we'll get stuck in the town." Toad replied.

"I have an idea." Fade said slowly.

"What?" Toad asked, huddling with himself.

"We could slide down the mountain, but…"

"But what? Are you crazy? Are you out of your mind? Are you getting delirious from the cold? Remember what happened last time we decided to take a 'joyride' down the side of a mountain?" Toad yelled.

"Yeah, but it wont be as bad, there's more snow and less rocks." Fade argued.

"That doesn't matter, do you think that beac-AHHHHHHH!" Toad started before Fade casually shoved him down the hill, and then sliding after.

"Ow - you are – ouch - gonna die little – eep - man!" Toad yelled through snow rain and the occasional bump.

"Oh stop – oof – complaining – whoa – this was the – my Spleen – best plan." Fade called.

"Ah!" Toad shouted, smacking his head on a rock, "Oh yeah, less – ouches – rocks, I see."

"Meh, one rocks not – stars almighty – gonna make a difference." Fade said.

"I'm so cold." Toad complained.

"Me too." Fade agreed.

After what seemed like an eternity of rolling and falling down the mountain, Toad and Fade finally made it to the bottom, cold and scratched, but alive. Looking around they realized they were a small forest, next to a large fort.

"Brr, if my coordination isn't out of whack, then we should be next to Koopa bros. Fortress." Fade said, brushing snow off himself, and trailing his finger on the wet stone surface of the castle.

"Ok, now what, I'm so cold, let's warm up in the castle!" Toad suggested.

"Ok, but we should be careful." Fade agreed.

-Inside the fortress-

"Hello? Hellooo? Anyone home?" Toad called, but the only answer was his echo.

"No answer, something's wrong, this place should be inhabited by bomb-ombs." Fade whispered.

"What do you think happened? Toad whispered back.

"Maybe all the rain scared them off?" Fade suggested quietly.

"Why are we whispering?" Toad asked.

"I don't know." Fade replied, stepping forward into the castle more, "I don't know how to navigate this place."

"Neither do I, but it doesn't matter, we're just here to rest. Then we're leaving." Toad said, "Maybe we should head upstairs, fire places are up there….I think."

"Got any matches?" Fade asked, climbing the stairs.

"Yeah, let's go." Toad replied, looking behind him into the shadows before following Fade.

"Heeheehee." A voice giggled in the darkness.

Toad and Fade made there way to the top easily enough, and found a room with a fireplace, a window, and the walls were mostly covered in bookcases, plus there was a comfy chair and a small table. After Toad started a fire, the both sat down next to the fire place.

"What's wrong toad?" Fade asked.

"Why?" Toad asked.

"Well, you look…scared, or something, you were freaked out by something."

"Well duh, according to you there should be bomb-ombs galore around here! But I don't see anything. And I could've sworn we were being watched from the shadows down there." Toad explained.

"The shadows? That's my specialty! Why do you think my name is Fade?" Fade asked, standing up, "I can go look in the shadows!"

"What? No that's ok, I'm good." Toad said.

"No, too late now, I'm going. I'll be back in a jiffy." Fade replied, walking out the door to that room.

"That's great, now I'm all alone." Toad shivered, moving closer to the fire.

"What should I do? Why is it taking him so long? Why am I talking to myself? Am I going crazy?" Toad muttered, standing up and walking to the window, staring out into the night rain, "When is it going to stop raining?"

Suddenly the door opened up and Fade walked in.

"Nope, nothing, I didn't see anything." Fade said sadly.

"See, I told you." Toad yelled, "You know how spooky it is here alone?"

"Yeah, I was even freaked out." Fade said.

"But you said you loved shadows."

"Yeah…um…but you know, it's still freaky." Fade replied, walking over to the fire and sitting down.

"You didn't see anything?" Toad asked.

"Nope. Want me to check again?" Fade asked getting up.

"Actually, yeah, I could've sworn there was something." Toad said, peering out the window again.

"Ok, I'll be back." Fade said walking out the door again. Right as the door closed…it opened again and Fade walked in.

"Nope, nothing. I didn't find anything." Fade muttered.

"That fast?" Toad asked in disbelief.

"Um…I was gone for like five minutes." Fade said.

"But…oh…ha-ha, funny, go and check!" Toad Laughed.

"But this will be my second time." Fade complained.

"It will be your third time, third, smart guy!" Toad yelled holding up three fingers.

"What are you talking about?" Fade asked.

"I…wait…I'm confused." Toad said.

"You? What about me?" Fade yelled.

Suddenly the door opened and Mario and Yoshi walked in.

"Whoa! Toad? Fade? What are you doing here?" Mario asked.

"Mario? This castle is freaky!" Toad said.

"I know…spooky." Yoshi said.

"We thought we heard saw something downstairs." Fade shivered.

"So did we!" Mario said.

"Did you guys find your Gemereld?" Toad asked, pulling out the crystal Gemereld.

"Um…no….we still have to." Yoshi said.

"Oh, mine is cooler then yours will be!" Toad bragged.

"Whatever." Mario said, "So what are you doing here?"

"We rolled down the hill." Fade said.

"Yeah, thanks to fatty here." Toad growled.

"Fatty?" Fade asked.

All of a sudden the Crystal Gemereld flashed a white then the entire room flashed white a bunch of times. When the flashing stopped, the spot where Mario and Yoshi stood suddenly had someone else standing on it. Instead of Mario and Yoshi there was two Dooplaghosts.

"Uh-oh…I think we've been found." One of them whispered.

"No ya think?" The other one, obviously the leader, said smacking the first one.

"Hey! Who are you two?" Fade demanded.

"Um…I'm Dwop, and this here is Gost." Dwop, the leader said.

"Nice to meet'cha!" Gost said.

"You idiot! Don't greet them like friends!" Dwop muttered.

"And what were you doing impersonating Fade?" Toad asked.

"Um…looking for some loose change?" Dwop said.

"Not good enough." Fade growled.

"We were trying to steal that Giant crystal you have! We were hired by these guys in blue suits!" Gost replied.

"You Numbskull! Don't tell them!" Dwop yelled, smacking Gost.

"Ah-ha! Now, I think we should teach these two a lesson!" Toad yelled.

"Eep! No, take Gost!" Dwop yelled, pushing Gost in front of him.

"That's it! I'm through with you!" Gost yelled, turning around, "All you ever do is whine, boss, yell, hit, and whine! I'm tired of it!"

"What? Don't you speak like that to me!" Dwop yelled.

"No, you don't speak like that to me!" Gost yelled, head butting Dwop in the gut, and running over to Toad, "Please! Let me come with you?"

"What?" Fade asked.

"Please?"

"Um…Fade?" Toad asked.

"Sure, if you help us beat this doofus up!" Fade said.

"Deal!" Gost agreed, shaking Fade's hand.

"Dieee!" Toad yelled, throwing a poison mushroom at Dwop, which shrunk him.

"That was easy." Fade said, grabbing the tiny Dwop, who was yelling, and dropping him into a glass jar, which he pulled from his saddle.

"Wait, you said you were hired by a guy in a blue suit?" Toad asked Gost.

"Um…Yeah, and he had a raindrop pinned on It.!" Gost replied helpfully.

"Sound like Aqua Co.?" Fade asked, setting Dwop down on the table.

"Yeah, it's definitely them." Toad agreed.

"Where did you meet these guys?" Fade questioned.

"Me and Dwop both met the guy in Toad Town, his name was Zander." Gost explained.

"Zander? I've met that guy before, he kept insulting me!" Toad growled.

"Yeah, plus we found out who the leader of the Aqua Co. is! It's–" Gost started, but before he could finish his sentence there was a shatter of glass.

"Ha-ha!" Came a squeaky voice from under them, "I'm free!"

"Hey! Get him!" Fade yelled diving at Dwop, but missing and smacking his head on the table.

"Hee-hee!" Dwop yelled running up Fade's back and jumping off his tail, straight onto Toad's head.

"Ahh, get it off, get it off!" Toad shouted desperately whacking his head over and over.

"I got him!" Gost yelled smashing Toad on the head right as Dwop jumped off, and out the window.

"No! He got away!" Fade yelled, running to the window and peering out through the rain.

"Oh, well, um…we could search for him in the morning." Gost suggested.

"Yeah, let's get some sleep. We'll be more energized in the morning." Toad agreed, slumping down on the chair.

"Yeah, well, goodnight." Fade sniffed, lying down on the carpet.

"Ok..." Gost said sleepily, leaning against the wall.

-During the night-

"Um…Excuse me? Where is the Toad Town Inn?"

"Oh…it's...Um…do you need a mushroom?" A Toad asked, as he spun around and saw the tiny Dwop.

"Well, I could use that too." Dwop said grabbing the mushroom and eating it, bringing him back to full size.

"Oh, and the Inn is over there, Next time try and avoid the Poison mushroom patches." The Toad said, walking off.

"Yeah will do." Dwop said, and as he was turning towards the Inn, his smile turning into a scowl. Dwop entered the Inn and walked up to the counter. "Give me a room."

"Um…Excuse me, you could ask me a little nicer." The Receptionist said.

"Please, give me a room." Dwop demanded.

"No, you're the rudest person I've ever met, please leave."

"What? You can't be serious."

"Leave!"

"Give me a freaking' room!"

"Rocco!" The receptionist called as a clubba came out of a door, "Please escort this…thing…away."

"Yes ma'am." Rocco said, pushing Dwop out the door. Once outside Rocco Found himself facing himself, as Dwop become Rocco, swiftly knocking him out with his club, and walking back into the Inn.

"Did you take care of the nuisance?" The Receptionist asked.

"Yes ma'am."

"Good, thank you Rocco." The receptionist thanked as Rocco/Dwop moved up the stairs and into a darkened room. Room 2.

"Who's there?" Asked a voice as an Aqua Co. member swirled around on a chair, "Dwop? What are you doing? Where's Gost?"

"Sir Zander! Gost is a traitor, he switched over to the Gemereld owner's side."

"What?" Zander yelled.

"Sir, they were too powerful, I had to run."

"It's ok, if not, we might not have known of this…Meet me outside in ten minutes, I'm going to round up the Tsunami Squad."

"The entire squad sir?"

"Yes, we're going to storm the castle." Zander said, getting out of his chair.

-Back at the castle-

"Who is it?"

"Is it the koopa bros?"

"No, it's a Yoshi and a toad and a ghost!"

"G-g-g-ghost?"

"Are they dead?"

"I don't know."

"Poke it!"

"I'm not gonna poke it! You poke it!"

"Whose gonna poke us?" Toad grumbled opening the door completely, so he could view what awoke him. There was a dozen bomb-ombs, each looking at him.

"Oh…um…hello…" Toad said, completely awake, "Uh."

"Are you gonna eat us?" A blue bomb-omb asked, and another one looked at him severely.

"Jozzo! That was extremely rude!" Said the bomb-omb, who had a motherly voice, "Please excuse Jozzo, he hasn't even blown up for his first time yet."

"Um…ok…how many of you guys are there?" Toad asked, slowly edging into the room.

"Oh, I'd say about five hundred. It's quite crowded." One bomb-omb replied.

"Cool…" Toad said.

"Hey what's going on Toa–GREAT FREAKY FUZZIES!" Fade yelled, coming to the door and seeing the bomb-ombs.

"Hi. These are the resident bomb-ombs." Toad explained, "Bomb-ombs Fade, Fade Bomb-ombs."

"Uh…hi." Fade stuttered.

"Hi!" Rained out a dozen replies.

"Uh, guys there is a very angry looking army heading towards us." Came a voice from inside the room, and Toad and Fade rushed into the room, unknowingly followed by a dozen bomb-ombs.

"Hey, that's Dwop; he gathered an Aqua Co. team!" Fade cried, pointing at Dwop, who was standing below the castle.

"Surrender to the Tsunami squad, and hand over your Gemereld." Dwop shouted.

"Never!" Toad replied, bringing his head in the room, "How can we win? There's so many of them.

"Ah! We'll help you!" Jozzo shouted, running up to Toad.

"What? How?" Gost asked.

"Were not defenseless!" A red bomb-omb yelled, "Isn't that right, we're not gonna let some two-bit pushover army…uh…push us over!"

"Yeah!"

"Let's go!"

But, before the bomb-ombs could start their counter-attack, there was a rumbling, and a torrent of water flowed into the room, before flowing back out.

"What was that?" Toad wondered, sticking his head out the window.

Outside Dwop was setting down these golden antennae, which slowly expanded, and then a huge wave formed from the antennae, flowing at the castle, wetting them down again. Toad had just enough time to see him setting up another one, before he was washed into the room. "Ahh! Start attacking!" Toad yelled, shaking himself off.

"Oh, right…Attack!" Jozzo yelled, as Two hundred or so Bomb-ombs, rushed out the windows, and started blowing up at the Aqua Co. members.

Back in the room Toad was pacing back and forth, Jozzo watching him, while Fade and Gost went out to fight. "We need more Bomb-ombs, where are the rest?" Toad asked.

"Uh…oh…Giganto took them around, to attack from behind." Jozzo replied.

"Good, is there anywhere we can go to see a better view?" Toad asked again, not knowing, nor caring, who Giganto was.

"We could go to the north tower? It's the tallest place." Jozzo said.

"Good, let's go." Toad said, opening the door and following Jozzo out of it.

-At the Tsunami squads area-

-Two hours after the first attack-

The first battle was over and both sides of the army's had set up camp, Aqua Co. on one side, while Bomb-ombs in the woods. Zander was in a large tent, looking at a map, when Dwop busted in.

"Sir, what's next?"

"Hmm, oh, well, it's not good, that rear attack really left us wounded, but I think we can manage." Zander explained, "But look, we found out that their general, that toad, is in the tallest tower, if we can knock that down–"

"Then victory is ours!" Dwop finished, laughing.

In the sewers, both Xoshi and bloomba were completely and utterly lost, while they had escaped the chomps, they got lost in the sewers. Walking down a narrow ledge, trying not to plunge into the sewage water, Bloomba was doing his best to instead, whine as much as possible.

"Man it smells horrible down here!" Bloomba complained, shuffling along the edge, Xoshi behind him.

"Well obviously, I mean, it is a sewer! What do you expect?" Xoshi replied.

"Yeah, but what do these chomps eat? Come on!" Bloomba said, looking into the water, "Ok, I swear I just saw a body!"

"Don't kid yourself, no bodies are down here!" Xoshi assured.

"I saw one, by the way, how does this sewer lead to Yoshi's island? Is it completely under water?" Bloomba asked, walking out onto a wider part of the ledge, so he could walk next to Xoshi.

"Yeah, we and the chomps built it, long time ago." Xoshi replied.

"So, like, what if it broke? Under water I mean?" Bloomba asked, looking nervously around, "While we're down here?"

"Well." Started Xoshi, "I'd expect the water pressure would crush us, if not, we'd probably drown or be eaten by Cheep-cheeps, I've heard some pretty big ones live way out in the ocean. In a worse-case scenario we'd be pierced by a chunk of metal, implying that the tunnel bursts, and be stuck under water, drowning, while bleeding and attracting all sorts of blood-thirsty, giant-teethed–"

"Enough! Man, I didn't ask for your life story!" Bloomba whined.

"And I didn't give you it! Of course, the odds of this tunnel bursting is very small, unless, of course, you imply Quantum-torticullar-cellular physics, that's an entirely different story!" Xoshi said, and the next hour was spent with Xoshi explaining Quantum-torticullar-cellular physics.

-One (incredibly boring) hour later-

"So then, if you add Quintistical-atohsophorical-atotomical Pressure, then we'd be annihilated. But that will never happen!" Xoshi laughed, before plowing on with his explanation.

"Heh, yeah, Quatawhatashumina. Never happen, sure." Bloomba said sleepily.

"Ok, that's enough! Your making me fall asleep!" A voice came from behind.

"Huh?" Bloomba asked, whirling around, as a group of three gloombas walked up to them.

"Hi, I'm Sunny." One of them said.

"Hello, I'm Gus." Another replied.

"And I'm Lowell." The last said.

"Hi, Um, I'm Bloomba, and that is–" Bloomba began.

"Xoshi." Xoshi finished.

"Wow…we rarely see Yoshi's down here. Where are you headed?" Sunny asked.

"Well, we're trying to get to Yoshi's island." Bloomba replied.

"We were out looking for Tribu…I mean…food for the U.C." Lowell said.

"U.C.? What's that?" Bloomba asked.

"Underground City, it's where we live." Gus explained.

"If you are all headed to Yoshi's island you're gonna hafta go through the U.C." Lowell said, "Why not come with us?"

"I guess, don't see any problems with that." Xoshi said, starting down the path again.

The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful, besides the occasional complain about feet hurting, which resulted in someone riding Xoshi. Other then that, nothing happened.

Finally arriving at the U.C. Bloomba found it wasn't as exciting as he thought it would be. The stream of sewer water flowed through the middle of the city, with some bridges with broken railing. Almost all of the buildings were gray, or graying. Everything smelt of scum laden water, but considering that it was an entire city built in a sewer, it wasn't half bad.

"Uh…Is there an Inn? I'm beat." Bloomba asked.

"Yeah, the Miscellaneous Robot, over by the corner of Dank Street and Soggy Boulevard." Lowell replied, "Meet us here tomorrow, please."

"Um…yeah sure, come' on Xoshi." Bloomba replied, walking towards the Inn.

"Ok." Xoshi said, walking a few meters behind Bloomba, he noticed a Gloomba peeking at him from a window, and then looking away when he saw Xoshi was looking. Suddenly he got the most eerie feeling and stopped dead, scanning the rooftops. He suddenly saw a cloaked figure, its cape flowing behind it, standing on the rooftop. Xoshi quickly looked at the retreating shape of Bloomba to see if he noticed, but when he looked back to the rooftops, the cloaked figure was gone. Xoshi shuddered a bit, and started walking again.

-At the "Miscellaneous Robot"-

"Hello…um are you needing a room?" A Gloomba behind the counter asked.

"Yeah, any room please." Xoshi said, dropping some coins on the table.

"Thanks, room 2 ¾." The Gloomba replied, handing Xoshi the keys.

"Uh…ok." Bloomba said skeptically, walking up the stairs.

At the top of the stairs they easily found a door labeled 2 ¾ which lead to a grimy room, in which Xoshi even refused to use the bathroom. Bloomba even swore he saw something alive in the fridge. They both slept, very uncomfortably I might add, to awake at (what they hoped) was the morning. Outside they met with Sunny, Gus, and Lowell.

"Hi, listen; do you know who Lorvicious is?" Lowell keenly asked.

"Um…no…why?" Bloomba replied.

"Um, well Lorvicious is a mean, horrible, yet grand colossal blooper who lives around here." Gus put in plain words, edging around behind Xoshi.

"And every once and a while we have to give a tribute to her, or she'll attack the U.C." Sunny sighed, "Unfortunately, Xoshi, you're the next tribute."

Before Xoshi could reply, or even turn his head, Gus tackled Xoshi to the ground, while three other gloombas quickly tied him up.

"Hey! What? Get off me!" Xoshi feebly struggled, as the gloombas carried him to a platform, next to an extremely large porthole, hidden behind a building.

"Let him go!" Bloomba yelled attempting to head after him, only to be stopped by Gus and Lowell.

"We can't let you do that." Gus said in a freakish monotone.

"Yes, doing that would be catastrophic!" Lowell agreed.

"Get away!" Bloomba yelled, headbonking Gus, but having him get bit by Lowell.

"Owowowowow! Get off!" Bloomba whined, flailing around, as Gus picked himself up.

"For fhe groombash!" Yelled a muffled Lowell, which roughly translated to (for the gloombas!)

In the meantime, Xoshi was being tied to the platform as Sunny, who had a maniacal grin on his face, was on a stone consol with a big red button on it.

"Heh Heh Heh!" Sunny giggled, "When I press this button, the porthole will open, and we'll please Lorvicious!"

"Let me go!" Xoshi yelled, looking around for some signs of help, and for the second time in two days, he saw the cloaked figure up on the roof. "Help!" He yelled at it.

The figure leapt from the building and landed on the ground with a silent thud, dust springing up around him, before turning and heading off in the direction of Bloomba.

Bloomba had just finished pummeling Gus and was being attacked by Lowell, unaware of Gus standing up again. Suddenly Bloomba heard two soft thumps on the ground and realized Lowell was off of him, looking around he saw a cloaked figure standing, looking at him, before running back towards Xoshi.

"H-hey wait!" Bloomba yelled, kicking Lowell one more time and chasing after the figure.

Xoshi was barely aware of what was happing around him, all he knew is one minute, their was a bunch of crazy Gloombas around him, the next a cloaked figure practically flew from one gloombas to another, swiftly knocking them out with a Bo (a long stick) and Bloomba untying him.

"Who are you?" Bloomba asked.

"Ask no questions, receive no lies." The figure responded, in a melodious tone of voice.

"What? Come on, who are you?" Xoshi asked, getting off the table.

The figure eyed both of them before answering. "I am known as thee defender, but thou can call me William."

"Well, William, I wish to thank you…uh…what species are you?" Xoshi asked trying to peer under his cloaks hood.

"Ask no questions, receive no lies." William repeated.

"Grr, come on!" Bloomba whined pushing the cloak's hood down to reveal a koopa, who then quickly pushed the hood up again, glancing around.

"Why did thou do that? I could have been recognized; thou art thee third peoples I have saved." William hissed.

"Well sorry, just trying to found out more about you." Bloomba said.

"You shan't get involved with me, I…I only would cause thou trouble." William said sadly, turning around.

"Wait don't go!" Bloomba yelled, but it was too late, William had already jumped off onto the rooftops.

"What was that guy's problem?" Bloomba asked, turning towards Xoshi.

"I don't know, but I have a feeling this isn't the last we've seen of that guy." Xoshi answered, "But for now we have to get moving, I want to leave this…place right now!" Xoshi said.

"Ok, let's go!" Bloomba agreed, heading for the exit.

Let's take a second to zoom over to Luigi, for what happens next plays an very important part in our story.

Luigi was currently being carried, along with Gilbert and Boomer, in a large bubble Lorvicious created. Lorvicious was heading towards, what looked like (to Luigi) a large pipe system. Near a large expansion is where Lorvicious stopped. There was a large porthole, big enough for Lorvicious to fit in. Lorvicious carefully looked inside, her tentacles holding onto the pipe, and Luigi saw three, very disgruntled, Gloomba apparently communicating with her. Suddenly one of Lorvicious's tentacles flew above the pipe. Then another on did. Then another. Then another. Then another. And so forth, until seven (One was holding Luigi's bubble) separate tentacles were above the large pipe. All at once the seven tentacles smashed into the pipe, breaking through it like a rock breaking a piece of paper. Lorvicious then rose up to the stormy surface. Luigi noticed the pipe was continuing to collapse and Luigi figured it was maybe five minutes before the entire pipe system imploded.

-Back to Bloomba and Co.-

Xoshi and Bloomba, both had walked for a solid minute, suddenly stopped. There was a loud groaning.

"Uh-w-w-what is it?" Bloomba stuttered.

"I don't know, sounds like something putting more pressure on the pipe, just ignore it." Xoshi assured, continuing to walk.

From behind them came a terrible groan, and there was a horrible creaking. Then silence, before a huge crash and an all too familiar sound. Rushing water. But to Bloomba it sounded like the charge of death.

"Impossible!" Xoshi yelled, yet he grabbed Bloomba with one hand, pulling him onto his back, and eating a piece of super happy fruit, before speeding down the pipe as fast as possible. To Bloomba, who was barely hanging on, everything around him was a blur, and he could see the pipe collapsing behind him, water flowing in.

"How come we aren't squished yet?" Bloomba asked.

"Because, the building pressure hasn't reached us yet." Xoshi yelled back, eating another piece of fruit.

Suddenly, at what seemed like impossible speeds, In front of them he saw a ladder leading upwards.

"Listen, when we're about to reach the ladder, I need you to jump towards it!" Xoshi commanded.

Bloomba didn't say anything, but nodded.

Almost to the ladder, bloomba leaped, managing to bite the ladder with his teeth.

Xoshi, who had also leapt, was at the peak of his jump and he scooped Bloomba up in his mouth. The tunnel, which was breaking below them, was reaching incredibly close. Xoshi just kept thinking, it's over, I'm too tired, why…why…But that was before he felt the rain drop, to Xoshi it was a beacon of hope, being close enough to feel the rain. With one final burst of speed, Xoshi flew out of the pipe, which exploded with water under him, flinging him higher. He landed with a thud in the mud and Bloomba flew out of his mouth, and into a tree, Xoshi who was completely worn out, fainted from exhaustion. Bloomba was knocked out from a tree in his way.

In the desert, after their meeting with Mario, Dave and Boshi reached, what to Boshi seemed like a broken down shack.

"What, in star's name, are we doing here?" Boshi asked, leaning against the wall.

"Sssh! Quiet!" Dave hissed, bending down and feeling along the floor, gently knocking every while.

"This is point-" Boshi started, before Dave hit a hollow sounding spot.

Dave looked up at Boshi, smirking triumphantly, "See just wait."

Dave bent lower and carefully knocked on the door in a strange pattern.

Knock a, knock knock…knock

In response;

Knockity knock a knock

A hoarse voice whispered from through the floor, "Password?"

"Koopatastic!" Dave replied, and a trap door mechanically opened up.

"Prince Daveth, How fares thee?"

"Knock it off Travis, and call me Daveth again, I'll personal kill you. Come on Boshi." Dave said, descending the steps.

Down the stairs, were polished silver walls, mechanically doors, and lots of koopas.

"See, a while back, dad thought we should be monitoring the desert, so he, ahem, we built this under ground base. Pretty tight huh?" Dave explained.

"Uh, yeah, where we going?" Boshi asked.

"To see a friend." Dave said, as a door automatically opened, reveling a elaborate laboratory.

"Who's there?" A voice called, from in the corner, from a Yellow-shelled koopa working a buzz saw.

"Guess." Dave called, as the Koopa spun around, looking happily at Dave.

"Dave is that you, it's been years, what brings you here?" The Koopa said, hugging Dave, and then noticing Boshi, "Who's the Yoshi?"

"That's Boshi, I'm here on important business, and we need a Blue shell and a pair of Para-wings. I'm sure you have that, Bob." Dave said.

"You know, Sapphire will be very angry you came without saying "Hello" Bob said, nudging Dave, as Boshi shuddered slightly.

"Yeah well, this mission can't be delayed, you got what I want or not?" Dave asked, crossing his arms.

"No, but Ruby does." Bob smirked.

"Oh come on, you know If she she's me she'll tell sapphire instantly." Dave sighed.

"Well, she is my girl; I'll see what I can do." Bob shrugged.

"I'm whose girl?" Came a demanding voice from behind Dave.

"Um, no one but yourself honey!" Bob quickly said.

"That's what I thought, now if I he-Dave? Dave is that you?" Said the red-shelled koopa, squealing with delight, "It is! Wait 'till Sapphire finds out!"

"Wait Ruby!" Dave called out, but she was already gone, "Um…you might want to cover your ears." Dave said, talking to Boshi.

"Why?"

Suddenly and incredibly loud shriek was heard, and Boshi winced.

"That's why."

"Dave I'd be careful, if she knows you weren't planning on saying hi, She'll go…well…ballistic!" Bob warned.

"I know." Dave sighed.

The door opened and a Blue-shelled koopa appeared, behind her was Ruby.

"Dave! It is you!" The blue-shelled Koopa said.

"Um...yep. Hi Sapphire." Dave responded, "This is Boshi." Dave said, pointing at Boshi, obviously trying to change the subject of him being here.

"Hi." Boshi said, waving.

"Why haven't you visited earlier?" Sapphire demanded, ignoring Boshi.

"Well, uh, you know important business stuff." Dave said quietly, edging behind Boshi.

"Oh no, not this time, Dave, I know the only "big important stuff" you do is eat and hang out with your servants! Where have you been?" Sapphire said, stepping closer to Dave.

"Now wait just a minute!" Dave yelled, walking in front of Sapphire and sucking in a breath in order to look bigger, "I'm the prince of all koopas, don't talk to me like that!"

"Me? What do you think your doing talking to me like that? First you say "Oh yeah, I'll visit all the time" then you have the nerve to show up, and yell at me!" Sapphire yelled, as Dave actually deflated under her gaze.

"You go girl!" Ruby cheered.

Suddenly the door opened up and a koopa walked in. immediately sensing the tension in the air the koopa looked as though he was going to turn around, but instead he walked up to Bob and whispered something into his ear. Bob went pale and left the room, saying he'd be right back.

"Hey, baby, I'm sorry, ok, I just didn't want to walk all the way over here, but that'll change, I swear." Dave said, looking bashfully at the ground.

Sapphire looked as though she was going to slap him, but instead said, "Ok I'll forgive you."

Suddenly an explosion rocked the base, and Bob rushed in, "Everyone, we're being attacked, go into battle positions! Dave here!" Bob tossed a blue shell and a pair of Para-wings over to Dave, who caught it. Dave tossed the shell to Boshi, who ate it at gained wings, then fixed the Para-wings on himself so he could fly, both of them flew towards the entrance they came in through. Outside were a bunch of bandits and snifits, who each were attacking a legion of Koopas. One of the snifits aimed a bullet bill right at Dave and Boshi and fired.

"Crap! Run!" Dave yelled, flying faster upwards, which both Boshi and the bill followed.

Dave flew up and spiraled downwards, and Boshi spun a loop-Dee-loop and followed Dave, the bullet bill homing in on them. After five minutes of pointless chasing, Dave realized they were tiring, and the bill wasn't, so he yelled over to Boshi, "I've got a plan, follow me!" After Boshi nodded and turned to go behind Dave, they both sped off towards the clouds, the bill right behind them.

Dave, who didn't actually have a plan, was thinking madly and not watching where he was going, crashed right into a hard mass of clouds, which turned out to be Yosunastrom.

"Heh heh heh, well look who decided to drop by, I GROW TIRED OF YOUR EXSISTENCE!" Yosunastrom bellowed, turning into all the colors again, and rising in front of Dave. Suddenly Boshi zoomed by, and barely missed Yosunastrom, who turned to look at Boshi. The bullet bill hit Yosunastrom and exploded on impact. In all the smoke the Emerald Gemereld flew right into Dave's hands. Dave flew over to Boshi and they both quickly sped off to Yoshi's island, not looking back, but hearing Yosunastroms bellow of "FOOLS, I STILL HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO LAST WEEKS! HAHAHAHA!"

While flying through the air, Dave thought he saw a giant Blooper, but shrugged it off. Both Dave and Boshi landed on the ground, Dave ripped off his wings and Boshi spit the shell out.

"Finally!" He cried, and then he kissed the ground, "My home!"

"Knock it off, the temple's right there, let's Talk to Raz, and give him our Gemereld." Dave sighed, entering the temple with Boshi.

"Hello? Hello? Raz?" Boshi yelled, looking around.

"You came, do…do you have it?" Raz asked, floating down from the ceiling. Raz squealed with joy as Dave pulled out the Gemereld, and his smile became a smirk when Dave handed it over.

"Why, thanks for helping me rule the world, Ha!" Raz yelled, as two Aqua Co. members came out and grabbed Dave and Boshi.

"What? What's this?" Dave asked, struggling.

"Well, see, I'm not the real guardian of the Gemerelds, and you just delivered them to me! HAHA!" Raz yelled, "Take them to the cage." Raz continued laughing as Dave and Boshi were brought to Princess Daisy and Peaches Cage.

Bowser and Roshi were both inside the rebel's territory, while Koopa and Kamek were outside, gathering Bowser's troops.

"Ok, so we have to find Renaldo's place. That's clear right?" Roshi said pacing back and forth in the storage room.

"Yeah, from the map I stole it should be way in the back." Bowser said.

"Hey, hey hey, come here, what are these?" Roshi asked, pointing at a bunch of miniature koopa shells.

"Gah! What? Impossible! This has been were all my Koopa Kapsules have been?" Bowser Yelled.

"Sssh! What are Koopa Kapsules?" Roshi asked.

"They hold things, now shut up look, this one holds a seaporter! And this one has a Koopera!" Bowser exclaimed.

"Huh?"

"We can use these; the seaporter will transport you into a seagull!"

"Me?"

"Yeah, and using the Koopera I can see where your going!"

"Why me!"

"Don't ask stupid questions!" Bowser growled, opening two seaporter Kapsules and a Koopera Kapsule, "Eat the seaporter, then I'll tie another seaporter to you, then I'll direct you using the Koopera, when you get to the place, turn back into A Yoshi, tie the Gemereld on to you, then eat the other seaporter, and fly back, it's perfect."

"Fine, give me that thing." Roshi snarled, eating the seaporter.

-Outside-

"Everyone, Bowser needs your help!" Koopa yelled, standing in the great hall.

"Who are you?" One koopa asked.

"I'm koopa the quick, now li-"

"Really?"

"Yes. If you would pleas-"

"Are you sure?"

"What do you mean am I sure? For star's sake, yes! Now listen pleas-"

"How fast can you run?"

"Um…Who cares, li-"

"I have to use the bathroom!"

"Then Use it! LISTEN TO M-"

"Eww! He just pee'd on me!"

-Back to Bowser and Roshi-

Roshi was flying through the air, as a seagull, and grumbling to himself in his mind, When Bowser's voice started him. With a quiet caw he laded on the ground.

"Ok, so if this map reads correctly, just keep flying straight, got it?" Bowser explained, as Roshi flew up and headed straight. After few minutes, Roshi practically flew right into a koopa, but swerved up and over his head without being noticed.

"Turn left." Bowser said.

"Caw!" Roshi responded, turning.

"Now there's his door, and it's open?" Bowser said, "Well, fly in there and grab the …."

"Caw?" Roshi said, looking down at the Koopera, which had fallen and broke, before flying into the room.

Oh great, now how do I change back…I guess I just have to grab the stupid jewel now.

Grabbing the jewel, Roshi flew out the door, but found it closed. Thinking quickly, he landed under a desk.

"Arrg, this be a tiring day, can't wait for some slumber." Renaldo yawned.

Suddenly the door burst open, "Captain Renaldo! The koopas, they know we're here! They're attacking!" A koopa yelled.

"Aye, I knew they would, let's be going." Renaldo sighed.

Roshi followed silently, and made his way to Bowser. After changing back and giving Bowser the Gemereld, they both snuck out of the storage room.

"What happened to the Koopera?" Bowser asked, running towards the exit.

"Meh dropped it." Roshi replied.

"Well I expect you to pay me back, those cost a lot!"

"Whatever."

"Bowser! Roshi! Over here!" Koopa called, waving as they meet up with him and Kamek.

"We have to go to Toad Town; there we can find a way to Yoshi's island." Kamek said.

"Ok." Bowser agreed, leaving the castle, Koopa, Kamek and Roshi behind him.

-At Toad Town-

"AHHHHH! ITS BOWSER, RUN!"

"THE WORLD IS DOOMED!"

"ALL IS LOST!"

"Heh, I'm so good!" Bowser bragged, walking to the docks of Toad town.

"Well, hello partner, how ar- AHHHH!" yelled a toad who was on a boat.

"Shrimp, we need your boat!" Bowser rumbled.

"Take it! Take it! Don't eat me!" The fisherman cried, as Bowser, Koopa, Kamek, and Roshi stepped on.

"Ok, why does everyone think I'm going to eat them?" Bowser asked no one.

"Well, ya look lie you'd eat people." Roshi said.

The boat lurched forward and th Gemereld flew out of Bowser's grip, right into the toads face. With a puff of purple smoke, the Gemereld bounced back into Bowser's hands, but when the toad inhaled the smoke, he turned into a raven, which then hopped onto Koopas shell.

"That was…strange." Roshi muttered.

"So…who are you?" Peach asked Dave.

"I'm Bowser's son, this is my Yoshi friend." Dave replied.

"Wow a Yoshi? Cool!" Daisy exclaimed.

"Duh, this is Yoshi's island!" Dave muttered.

"Shut up!" Daisy said, pushing Dave.

"Your Bowser's kid?" Peach asked.

"Yeah…"Dave replied.

"Well, getting to know each other, I see." Raz said, floating down, along with another star, "I'd like you to meet my brother, you can call him Rat Z."

"When are the other's getting here?" Rat asked.

"Soon, You'll be with your friends too, Dave." Raz said, floating away.

Rat observed the room, and then floated up after Raz.

"Whoa, that Rat guy is freaky." Boshi shivered.

"Yeah, he is like, pure evil!" Daisy exclaimed.

(Well that was my next chapter, another thanks to Animefangirl11, you rock! Sorry the last part, with Bowser was so short, but I wanted to finish this chapter up!)

Sparky J.