Chapter 51
Steel and Flesh
Razor-sharp claws slashed through the machine, ripping it apart, cut wires crackled as the artificial goomba slumped to the ground. Bowser didn't hesitate, and immediately torn another machine, his nails easily slicing the steel into ribbons. Luigi managed to wrestle an axe away from an Axem Ranger, and used the weapon to hack foes. With mangled limbs, and large gashes marring the robots, a simple kick or punch sufficed in bringing them down.
Geno was correct about the minions being weak, but the group was greatly outnumbered. How long could they endure the assault?
If this keeps up, thought Luigi, we won't be at full strength when we battle Forgeron! We have to reach him before his creations wear us out…
"Star Rain!" Mallow summoned, as a giant stellar object crashed into the ground. It bounced twice, crushing a team of spear-wielding Shy Guy replicas.
Toad wasted no time in obtaining a weapon and fished a broken spear from the rubble. Skilled with a spear, Toad pierced the last surviving Shy Guy's socket, and it shrieked loudly as sparks flew from the wound before crumbling to the ground. Yanking the spear free, Toad held it close, ready to defend himself.
Round bullets sprayed from Geno's fingertips, damaging the outer frame of a mechanic Koopa Troopa before finishing it off with the Geno Whirl. The wooden doll turned, his eyes focused on Forgeron, who was safely guarded by his minions.
"Mallow, cover for me!" Geno shouted to his friend, his hand withdrawing into the limb. "Hold off any attackers, I'm going in."
Lightning flashed around Geno, stunning approaching targets momentarily. Protected by the Nimbus Prince, Geno quickly leveled his gun at Lord Forgeron, who was less than ten metres away, drawing energy into the barrel.
"Geno Beam!"
A thick yellow stream of light radiated from the arm. The doll smiled. It was going to hit…
Forgeron raised his decomposing hand, emitting an invisible barrier around him. The Geno Beam struck, separating symmetrically into smaller rays, as it dispersed with a loud explosion, covering the bubble-shaped force field like a thin blanket before disappearing.
Forgeron chuckled mischievously at the strange caped figure.
"My turn," he mocked, the cold blue orb in his socket suddenly turned bright scarlet as he made a fist with the same decaying hand.
Geno inhaled sharply, as an invisible power wrapped tightly around him, crushing him. He struggled, but his arms were pressed against his body, as if a giant hand was squeezing the very life out of him. He could hear the body groan and bend under the force while he suffocated. Forgeron then tossed him aside carelessly, laughing as he did so.
"Geno!" Luigi and Mallow chorused.
"Mallow, scan him," gasped Geno. "See if you can find a weakness."
The Prince frowned. "I'll try, but it'd require some concentration."
"We'll handle the machines," assured Luigi. "Do whatever it takes."
A strange hooded creature crept toward Luigi, wiry tentacles wiggling out of the fabric. It looked as if the robe was sole reason for keeping the machine intact. A fiery sphere conjured in the plumber's gloved hand. He threw the orb, which burst the robe into flames. The creature shrieked as the robe burnt away, revealing a mass of live circuits. They hissed, and struck out – trapping Luigi's legs, biting him, delivering nasty electric shocks. He thrashed wildly, as the wires slithered around his limbs, cutting into his overalls like a swarm of snakes.
Luigi realized the machine was trying to assimilate him, to become a host for the bodiless wires and circuits. He grunted, as he tried to pull his arms free – his legs were already tangled. The wires traveled up his body, creating a cocoon around him up to his neck, piercing his body and drawing blood from the tiny wounds.
Luigi heard a snarl as the wires fell loosely, creating a puddle of copper around his feet. Bowser had sliced the living strands, releasing him.
"Thank you…" said Luigi, greatly stunned by the turtle's heroic actions. The Koopa growled.
"I'm only doing it so we can defeat Forgeron…"
Before it's too late to save the Princess, he added silently, fighting back despair of seeing Peach alive again. Be brave, Princess… Just hold on.
Toad hid from the dozens of machines still leaping from the towers – using one of the fake Shy Guy masks. Just when they defeated the first attack, another wave of enemies would come… Toad shuffled quietly, toward Forgeron. He saw the Lord repeatedly press buttons on his forearm and the retainer suspected it has something to do with the machines.
Geno's magical attack may have failed… but what about physical? Toad pondered, clutching the tiny spear in his stubby hands. He had to stop Forgeron before his companions were overwhelmed – the armies of robots were endless! The little mushroom gulped, trying his best to fight the urge to give up his plan and retreat.
I have to do this… he thought, quivering violently, for the Princess… and all the citizens of the Mushroom Kingdom!
Forgeron was too interested in the battle to notice a malfunctioning Shy Guy, or so it looked like if anyone glanced in Toad's direction.
Six metres was close enough! Toad cautiously estimated his aim, and the speed and power he needed to destroy the device on Forgeron's arm. Experienced with a spear, Toad was confident in his abilities.
"Take this, you morgue reject!" he screamed, and threw the spear directly at Forgeron's limb. The metal tip penetrated the keyboard, causing smoke and blue sparks to erupt from the control pad.
The Axem Ranger Luigi battled froze, followed by multiple spasms before collapsing, unable to fight any longer. Like a virus, it spread – weapons fell, joints locked together, eyes dimmed, and the machines dropped.
The putrid Lord howled, despite that he lost the sense of pain long ago, and glared at the short fungus in fury.
"How dare you!" he cursed. A strong gale blew, throwing Toad backward. He skidded and rotated several times before slamming onto his stomach, whimpering softly.
"Toad!"
Luigi knelt down and touched the retainer's shoulder gently. Luigi sighed; Toad was fine, thankfully.
"I destroyed the control pad on his arm," Toad mumbled.
"I'll take you all on," Forgeron spat as dark clouds swirled above him, radiating an evil aura that chilled the companions to the bone. "I will have the pleasure to slay you all!"
"He's tenfold the strength of Smithy," reported Mallow. "T-this is his weakest state. Without the power from the Star Road…"
The green leader nodded. "We have to destroy him now. This is the only chance we have."
Luigi turned to face Forgeron, who smiled cruelly, amused that the pitiful weaklings would be bold, or foolish, enough to challenge him.
"This is the end," he hissed sugary. "And I assure you… it'll be a slow and painful death."
Kittykatstar: Phew! That was a LONG writer's block. I am slightly satisfied with this... after all, I had difficultly getting it all down. I'm sure the read of the chapters will be more smoothly though - after all I have to make a great ending... wish me luck on that! (If not, I can redo it... again... and again...) Finally, Toad did something extraordinary... he's one of my favourite characters, too.
