Reunited

Chapter 17- Cackletta Speaks

Eggo, Koops, Goombella, Vivian, and Ms. Mowz all ride in the back of a large truck, being carted to Ludwig's own dungeon for his own reasons.

"I can't believe this," Goombella tells the others as she sits with her back against the back wall of the truck. "All this work for nothing."

"I can't believe Ludwig would go through such drastic measures just for shielding someone who hasn't paid taxes whenever none of the money from it would have gone to him at the time anyway," Eggo answers as he lies on the floor.

Vivian, who is sitting in one of the corners, suddenly falls over, groaning and grasping onto her head. The others gasp and begin trying to figure out what happened. As Vivian sees nothing but pure darkness, she hears a voice- not her own- inside her head, "See? It all works out my way, Vivian. You did the work, and now I'll just send my Apprentice to take those pesky jewels from Ludwig. Funny how it all works out, huh? She killed Bowser, and she will kill you too."

Just as Vivian starts to come to, she hears Cackletta once more, "Oh, and by the way, you remember your friend Flurrie? My Apprentice killed her as well. And those two old men? Both are in the hospital because of her efforts. So just give up and accept your fate." Vivian's eyes open, and she looks at her friends, suddenly looking terrified.

"What happened?" Koops asks while holding Vivian up by her arm for support in case she is weakened.

"Cackletta was talking to me. She told me that her Apprentice, whoever that is, killed Bowser, and she'll kill us and-" Vivian begins to sob a bit, "And she killed Flurrie and put Gadd and Frankly in the hospital and..." Vivian suddenly breaks off.

Hearing this, everyone in the truck except Goombella begins to show signs of remorse, consoling each other as well as Vivian. Goombella breaks up the conversation by saying to her friends in order to bring them back to the realization of what this means, "Well, the first shot has been fired. Are you ready for the barrage?"

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Sometime later, the heroes arrive at what was once Peach's Castle but is now in Ludwig's property. As they are led out of the truck, Ludwig walks behind them. He goes with them to the dungeon where he sticks around after that guards leave.

"Trust me, I have been wanting to take my stress out on someone for a long time, and it's going to be you five. You'd be lucky to not be hung."

"Ludwig," Vivian starts, talking for the first time since she told the others what Cackletta had told her, "We know who killed your father. But if you don't let us out, they'll take over the world as we know it."

"I've heard of strange excuses to get out of prison, but this is something new! How is it you expect me to believe that you can actually help me get what I want more than anything else in this world?"

"Simple," Vivian answers with her head down, "I'll stay here while they go. If they do not bring you the killer within a month, you execute me."

"Vivian!" Goombella shouts out, shocked that her friend would even suggest such a thing.

"Fair enough."

Ludwig opens the door to the cell and, much to his surprise, Vivian does not attempt to escape. The others very reluctantly leave, only because they realize the world is on their shoulders. Ludwig closes the cell door once more before escorting the four out of the building.

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Goombella, Koops, Ms. Mowz, and Eggo walk around the side of the building with all of their possessions with them, getting ready to leave Toad Town and try to stop Cackletta. As soon as they round the building, all four friends see a sight that brings a smile to their faces, namely Vivian emerging from the shadows as is her specialty.

Upon seeing all of her friends startled and elated reactions, Vivian jokes, "What, did you think I didn't have a plan?