Chapter 33

Prepare for Trouble and Make it Quintuple

"Took you long enough!" the leader sneered from the giant Ax-blade that hovered closer. It looked similar to the previous one the original Axem Rangers had used. It was a giant fortress, covered with thick impregnable stone that resembled a tiny castle. A giant blade, which looked like a battle-axe, stuck out like a fin from a dolphin's back. Paint on the steel was a black eye that watched over the fortress.

"If you want the Star Piece," the pink ranger sang, "you have to battle us first!"

Behind her, the black ranger with the cheap shades held the glistening Star Piece. He leaped to the other side of the Ax-Blade and set it down

"We'll leave the Star here, but if you try anything funny like grabbing it and running, we'll slice you to bits."

"Déjà vu, déjà vu, déjà vu," Mallow mumbled in a low chant, unaware that the others had already jumped from the volcano's top to the Ax-Blade. "Hey, wait up!"

As soon as the Prince joined, the Ax-Blade took off into the sky, floating above Yoshi's Village. The dinosaurs below gaped at the dark object that cast shadows over their humble home.

"You may have defeated the original Axem Rangers," jeered Blue, "but we're tougher than them!"

"Axem Rangers: Untamed Strength!" the five chorused, striking various odd poses.

"Attack!" ordered Red, pointing his axe toward the challengers.

Luigi dodged Yellow's battle-axe, which swung in wild arcs. The black ranger approached mallow, while Geno was busy with Blue. The plumber back-flipped out of the chubby flunky's reach and yelled at the wide-eyed Princess.

"Peach! Let us handle this!"

The Princess nodded, since she knew her size would render her helpless and ran away from the battle but a figure blocked her path

"You're mine, sweetie," the pink ranger giggled, batting her eyelashes. "Parry this!"

The new opponent raised her petite hatchet and aimed at Peach's head. The Princess screamed, and barely evaded the weapon; she could feel the distortion of air as it sailed past her harmlessly. Pink didn't seem the least bit disappointed and laughed.

"Oooh, shall we try again?" she tittered. "Of course I would hate to stain that pretty dress of yours with blood."

Pink sprinted at the Princess, before Peach could react. Instead of using her hatchet, Pink lowered her weapon and struck Peach with her metal shoulder, knocking her target back. Peach slammed into the floor, landing on her back, the wind knocked out of her. The girly Axem Ranger cheered and strolled up to her fallen opponent, her axe glistened wickedly. Frightened orbs watched Pink and Peach quickly focused her energy on her only, and most destructive, attack. A small bomb formed into her gloved hands, which dumbfounded Pink.

"Psych Bomb!" the Princess yelled, sitting up, and threw her bomb. The explosive struck Pink's face and engulfed the head with a hot blast. Shrieking, Pink dropped her hatchet and buried her face in her hands. Peach reacted instantly, snatching the discarded axe and held it snugly in her small grip and backed away. The Axem Ranger pulled out a silver-coloured piece from her hip, and Peach realized it was a mirror.

"My beautiful face! It's… ruined!" she cried, her free hand groping her disfiguring melted face, her features barely recognizable. "You… BITCH!"

Outraged, the machine chucked the mirror, barely missing Peach's face. Leaking oily tears, Pink rushed toward her, preparing to ram the Princess. Hatchet ready, Peach held it tightly and swung feverishly in a horizontal direction. The sharp blade made contact with Pink, slicing a large gash across her stomach. The machine faltered, broken circuits cracked with blue electricity as she collapsed. The white light from her distorted eyes faded, and Peach exhaled, precipitation dotting her face.

One down… Four to go. At least my strength didn't diminish.

Rolling on the floor, Yellow and Luigi were struggling. Yellow left limb was missing, and he was attempting to choke Luigi with his right. Luigi's hands gripped the steel claws that threatened to suffocate him, and tried to pry free. Beside him was a yellow battle-axe, but both of them were not aware of it.

"Luigi, look to your right!" Peach shouted. His eyes fixated on the axe and he swiftly reached for it. He slammed the blade into Yellow's torso, distracting him, and kicked the metal body off. With a controlled swing, the plumber hewed the Axem Ranger, the head separating cleanly from his neck. The crumbling body hit the floor, and Luigi sighed, panting rhythmically.

"Geno Whirl!"

"Snowy!"

A combination of red light and snow slammed into Blue and Black, breaking and dispersing their machinery. They scattered on the steel floor of the hovering Ax-Blade and Mallow cheered and gave out a peace sign while Geno crossed his arms in satisfaction.

"Did we get them all?" asked Mallow, then answered his own question. "Wait, where's Red…?"

Red and Bowser were locked in an intense battle, each parrying the other's attacks. Smoke fumed from the reptile's open nostrils, Bowser was trying to burn Red but the leader was too fast. Toad picked up a bolt from a pile of rubble that was Blue and chucked it at Red's back. It caromed off the leader, making a loud 'ping' sound and he turned, facing the little Mushroom.

"Hey Red! Is that an axe or a nail file?" Toad taunted. "My butter knife can cut better!"

The leader deserted Bowser, and rushed to the mocking shroom, smacking him with the flat side of the blade before Toad could react. Toad tumbled back, his face gaping, as he started up at the ranger who loomed over him. Red raised his axe, sneering.

"Burn Ranger, dude!" Toad yelled at Bowser. Bowser opened his mouth, releasing a powerful stream of fire. The blaze overwhelmed Red, the flames licking and melting him. Toad, who was almost engulfed by the flames, yelped and shuffled on his hands and feet backwards.

"You lout!" Toad complained. "I said burn Ranger! Not me!"

"We should look for a way to get off his airship," suggested Geno. "We defeated the Axem Rangers, but what about the Ax-Blade? It's too destructive to leave it, but I doubt anyone can pilot it."

"Hey, look at that," said Mallow, pointing. "I think the Axem Rangers used this to land on Mt. Lavalava."

Hovering with the Ax-Blade, connected only by a thick dark cord, was a circular steel platform that resembled a sphere split in half, with the dome on the bottom. There were no signs of a control centre, and it appeared unstable to Luigi's eyes.

"Great," said Toad. "Let's get the Star and go!"

Without hesitating, Toad leaped on the hovering platform and gestured for the others to come.

"I'll retrieve the Star," offered Peach, and jogged toward the celestial fragment that floated idly. She grasped it, smiling slightly.

Too bad we have to use it to wish me back to normal… Mario needs it more than me.