Shadow: Yes, I'm updating! o.o; I never update this quickly! XD; Wow...Anyways, you've already seen the last chapter, the longest prologue I've ever really did. Now, here it is, Chapter 1!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Mario, or anything related, blah blah. I do own Tyboo, though.
Chapter 1: Calm Before the Storm
Summary: One day until the competition. Now King Boo must deal with a Piranha Plant with a bottomless pit for a stomach, a shaken host, and a hotel room with no bed. ...Wait, hold on... What?
Chapter Genre: Humor, maybe very slight angst
Chapter Rating: K+
"What IS THIS?"
"B-But you must remember..."
"Remember WHAT! This room has NO BED! Where do you expect me to SLEEP!"
"Boos don't necessarily need to sleep in a bed, Mister Majesty, sir... That's one reason why we float--"
"Well, wouldn't you think it'd be POLITE enough to give me one ANYWAY! Shut up!"
Tyboo lowered his gaze, trying to avoid his king's eyes--it was apparent that he wasn't too happy with the idea of sleeping without a comfortable, plushie-soft bed to lay upon. Petey, though, was a different story.
"Oh-oh, P-Petey Piranha, sir, that's not...that's for decoration..." The tiny Boo trailed off as the said Piranha Plant yanked a small tree-like plant out of a nearby flowering pot...and stuck himself inside of it afterwards. "Yo-You can't sleep there!"
"Keep your noisy trap shut," King Boo snapped angrily, giving the terrified ghost a furious glare. "I'm not finished with you yet."
"Oh, yes s-sir..." Trying to muster the very little courage he had, Tyboo responded with a small, albeit uneasy smile, before following him to a corner of the room. "Yes, M-Mister Majesty? Have I done something wrong?"
To only further the already near-out of control nervousness, King Boo lowered his voice into a tone that sounded rather...deathly. Frighteningly deathly. "Oh yes, you have done wrong... Most definitely, certainly wrong... It may cost me the whole race, the entire competition... Do you know what you have done?"
"...I-I think it...involves Petey Piranha, right? Or the bed?"
"...You are so worthless, you should not even be worthy of the name Boo." His glare softened only slightly, but that didn't mean he would hesitate raising his voice. "Do you realize what has HAPPENED! Look at what you have given me! I, your king and your MASTER, deserve better than this!" He roared, making a gesture towards Petey, currently watching without a clue what was going on.
Trying to regain his composure, Tyboo tried to explain the advantages he would receive by teaming up with said Piranha Plant, "M-Mister, uhm, I mean, sir... If you must know, it's not how i-it seems. Petey kinda... maybe... sorta is a good racer...I mean. He IS a..."
"He better be decent enough to help me claim victory, Tyboo," He sighed, trying to calm himself. "And your English...disgraceful! How many times have I told you not to do that?"
"...Oh... The...kinda sorta thing?" Tyboo squeaked. "...Y-Yeah, that does need to stop... But I'm always at loss about what to say...so I have no choice, really... I can't help it. English...it's not my first language--"
"Yeah, yeah, I KNOW that. Tell me something I don't."
What his master had told him reminded him of yet another advantage: "Did you know that Petey can use all special items(1)? Giant Banana, Triple Shells...things kinda like that?"
...King Boo couldn't stifle a grin. "...Tell me. Say that again, slowly..."
"Petey can use any of the competitor's special items, every one of them." He repeated, his expression visibly brightening at the sight of his master's grin.
"Oh, he can, now can he?" He shot a quick glance at the now-sleeping plant, the words going through his mind over and over--now he was pleased. "...So that is why you chose him to pair up with me. Finally, you attempted to do something helpful, and you have done it successfully."
"...R-Really?" For the first time today, Tyboo grinned widely, but it disappeared once King Boo spoke again:
"But before I declare your decision an excellent one, I must see him race, with my own two eyes--then I will present you with your reward."
He gulped. "I-Is that so?" Now...what if Petey wasn't good enough overall? What if he had done wrong, again? "Well, I, uhh, guess I'll be well-awaiting that moment, Mister Majesty..."
"I'm sure you will," The king arched an eyebrow. "and it's 'Your Majesty', not 'Mister.' Remember that."
"Uh-huh, alrighty then, 'kay..." He mumbled, before bowing. "If I may take leave, Your Majesty, I have much to do, at the moment..."
"...Sure. Go on."
"Thank you..." The corners of his lips tugged, forming a tiny smile before he left though the right wall.
"Oh no, thank you." The grin returning to his almost-transparent face, King Boo slowly turned to face the sleepy, but awakened, Petey. "And as for you, if you wish to race with me, there is one important thing that you must remember--failure will NOTbe accepted. It will only mean the worst for you... Do I make myself clear?" No answer. "I said, do I make myself CLEAR?"
After cocking his head to the side, the plant slowly nodded--but that was enough to tell the royal-blooded Boo that he couldn't comprehend what he just said.
Either he's just THAT sleepy or he's even more idiotic than those Mario Brothers. He thought, rolling his eyes. "...Forget it. You will fully understand if we are defeated," He hissed. "And I will make sure of that."
He immediately noticed that he wasn't listening. Petey simply crawled out of the tiny pot--a bit TOO tiny, perhaps--and stole from the room without a word.
"...Where are YOU going? I'm not finished yet!" But his words fell upon deaf ears. "How foolish of him, running off like that and not listening to me!" And thus, the disgruntled Boo pursued his teammate--or, rather, his hungry teammate.
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Toad Town was usually a quiet, serene place, perfect for the Toads to call their sweet abode. It has become much more lively since only about a few days ago, as the beginning of the Mario Kart: Double Dash competition drew nearer and nearer. Tourists arrived for the spectacular event, many willing to buy souvenirs to bring home, to always remember this tournament and everything related. Residents of this small town were also running about, buying the limited-time-only Mario Kart merchandise before they were sold out.
Many crowds filled the streets, and there was not even one person who did not know why. And, amongst all of the vivacious people, was the King of Boos himself, searching endlessly for the now-missing Petey Piranha--not out of worry for him, but for his position in the race. No partner means no victory--he was only fretting for his selfish desire to win. No care, no friendly affection toward his partner--all that mattered to King Boo was this race, and nothing more.
If he remains missing any longer, they might even remove me from the list of racers! I won't even have a chance because of HIM! The enraged Boo continued to shove people out of his way, just imagining what he would do to Petey the moment he found him--if he found him.
But he wouldn't find him without any help, he admitted.
"You!" He pointed to some random Koopa in the crowd. His garnet neckerchief and blue shell really made him stand out. "Yeah, you! You wouldn't happen to know where my teammate is, wouldn't you? Look, he's ten times the size of you, he has these...these frilly petals around his neck, and, strangely enough, red and white underpants--polkadot, if you must know. Most importantly, he's a--"
"Piranha Plant?" The Koopa asked, cutting him off. "...Yeah, I think I've seen him. He's the guy I saw on TV...Petey Piranha, I think."
"Yeah, yeah, that's him! Where is he?"
The hopeful Boo received his answer, "He's at Tayce T.'s place--or, at least, he was heading that way. He's probably hungry, that's all."
A sigh of relief passed through King Boo's lips. "That's where he went..." And without thanking Kooper, the blue-shelled Koopa, he floated south, heading for the home of Tayce T. in hopes that Petey was still there.
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(Nighttime comes around...)
"...Oh. O-Oh...! Goodness, how can you finish all of that spaghetti in mere seconds?"
"Rrgllflmp..." The Piranha Plant, definitely Petey, handed Tayce T. the bowl that was once filled with delicious spaghetti--all of it gone, eaten so very quickly!
"Ah...ah. You...you want more?" She asked in astonishment, only receiving a vigorous nod. "...V-Very well then..." She muttered before turning to her pot to make yet another dish for this hungry creature.
All was silence... Serenity for the plant...only the sound of boiling water...and then, the silence was broken.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
Petey jumped in surprise, swiftly turning to locate the source of the noise that disturbed him--and, to his delight, it was King Boo. What he couldn't realize what that he was VERY disappointed at him. Despite that, the joyful plant made a mad dash in an attempt to give his 'friend' an embrace...
The king saw him coming...he KNEW what he was about to do... He tried to move to the side to dodge and...
...He failed miserably.
All of the world seemed to disappear from his mind at the moment--all he was focusing on was the fact that this thing was practically choking him to death in a gesture that was meant to show kindness.
He gagged, the scent of what smelled like a mistake(2) making him shudder--that couldn't have been Tayce T.'s cooking. Maybe it was because he had different bits of food practically covering his body, mixing together and creating a scent that was simply unbearable. He couldn't figure out WHY it didn't bother Petey.
But now, it didn't matter--all that DID was getting him back to the inn, and most definitely taking a needed shower.
"Mmmph! Pmmmtiiii!" King Boo screamed out, his helpless cries muffled by his partner's chest. If I stay here any longer, I swear I'll die from lack of oxygen...!
"Bllggh?" Petey tilted his head in confusion--now what would his friend be so bothered about?
He only watched as the traumatized Boo tried to struggle out of his grasp, muttering a few...well, colorful words as he did. Apparently, this seemed to be working, for the Piranha Plant was beginning to feel quite a bit...ticklish. And finally, when King Boo felt as if though he would lose his lunch, his grip loosened enough and he fell to the floor with a light 'thump.'
"Alright... Here is your... Oh my goodness!" Tayce T. gasped at the sight of the obviously sickened Boo struggling to get himself off the floor--she could tell he wasn't too well from the greenish tint on his cheeks. "Are you alright?" She ran to his side and supported him as he got up from the cold ground.
"...YOU!" The enraged King Boo growled at Petey, whose petals were drooping to try to show apology. "How DARE you do that to me! What were trying to do, MURDER ME!"
The only response he received was a bowed head and petals drooping further--and Tayce T. had noticed that. "Now, don't be so hard on the poor thing...He only meant to give you a--"
"AN EMBRACE OF DEATH, THAT'S WHAT!" He yelled, gritting his teeth with pure anger. "HE COULD HAVE KILLED ME!"
"I don't believe he meant it, Mi-Mister Majesty..."
...Only one person--or rather, Boo--called him by that name.
"I think he actually wants to befriend you, sir," Tyboo entered the building, with a sympathetic frown on his face--directed towards Petey, of course. "H-He may have been al-allied with Shadow Mario, and yes, he may have p-polluted Isle Delfino... B-But... He's not really a bad guy, honestly." He gave his king a taut smile, patting the Piranha Plant's head reassuringly.
"HE LEFT WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!" He snarled at his underling, before turning back to Petey. "And YOU! Next time you want to forage for food, TELL ME! Got that!"
"...Please, Mister, just don't hurt him..."
"...I'm not." He took a deep breath, trying to maintain himself, but he didn't stop glaring at them both. "I'm merely trying to tell him that he'd better learn his lesson--if not, THEN I will take drastic measures."
His minion frowned in despair, only hoping for the best for this poor plant--he acted worse toward Petey than he did to himself... And that frightened Tyboo terribly.
He switched his gaze to Petey, whose petals still seem to be withering--he still felt apologetic. "Look, I'll forgive you this time," The plant visibly brightening, petals returning to normal state. "But if you anger me again...Oh, you won't know what I'll have in store for you..."
"...I fear the worst and hope for the best." Tayce T. whispered sadly to Tyboo, who nodded in agreement, as the team headed back for the hotel, where they would rest up and wait for the next day...the competition would soon begin...
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Back at the Toad Town Inn, the innkeeper was beginning to close up the place and prepare to head home for a nice sleep with his wife.
As for King Boo, he was still trying to adjust the large crown on his head after taking a refreshing shower--and he sure did need it, especially after what happened back there.
"And it was your fault." He had told him.
He shook his head, bringing a paw to his mouth and yawning sleepily. He peeked at Petey, who was currently eating all of the spaghetti they had brought back, with one crimson eye open. "You're STILL hungry?"
The only reply he got was a nod. "Did you know I was saving that for myself? I didn't even HAVE dinner, you know." Petey nodded, obviously not paying any attention. "Forget it. I'm going to bed."
He paused after he spoke--he remembered that he didn't HAVE a bed. "...Ehh. I'll go to sleep then." He grumbled, moving to a nearby corner and flipping sideways, floating in midair. He had no choice--that's how he would sleep for the night.
As his eyes slid closed, he heard a light 'woof'-like sound come from Petey's direction--he consider that a way to say 'goodnight.' With a sigh, he rolled over and muttered a quick "G'night..." before falling asleep.
But he was fully unaware of his teammate laying a blanket over his body, making sure he'd keep warm...
Shadow: ...Aw. .-.; Poor little Petey, being so despised by King Boo...Anyways, review please.
Notes:
1. In the fanfic, only Petey is able to use special items, because of plot reasons. ...You'll know when the Sherbet Land chapter comes along.
2. You know, a mistake from Paper Mario? Mix two incompatable items together? Get it?