Ghastly Odor
What's happening and welcome back to some wore Strikers Road Charged! I won't your time letting get write back into the action.
I do not own Mario or Mario Strikers Charged all rights to Nintendo and Next Level Games.
Seven days had passed since the eighth week of the season, continuing to the ninth. Mario's leg had not improved with all the treatment he applied and was forced to skip practice during the week. He would play the game but how well and for how long the plumber could withstand was a true mystery.
First, Yoshi duked Waluigi at Konga Coliseum. At the end of regulation both sides were tied, two goals a piece. Moving to overtime the match dragged out, both teams yielding only inches on the ground. After four minutes Waluigi disappeared, reappearing behind Yoshi's goalie winning the game three two.
Following afterwards Junior and Daisy met at the Lava Pit. For anyone tuning in for a competitive contest it was anything but. The tomboyish princess wiped the floor with prince Bowser with the end score being a lopsided eleven to nothing!
With that loss BJ was officially eliminated from playoff contention. From Fire Champion to last place, the fall from the top was a steep one.
Week nine capped off with a heated rivalry, Mario versus Wario. The field was Pipeline Central, forecasting a heavy downpour for the evening with strong gusts arriving from the east.
Ponchos filled the seats as onlookers braced themselves for an eventful night. Thunder rumbled above making a thunderous crashing noise causing everyone to flinch. After the scare passed the players and fans settled in, raindrops sliding down their faces and cheeks turning pink.
Both trio of sidekicks stood soaked and shivering. The cooler months of the year were dawning upon them with cool afternoons and skin numbing nights. The falling water didn't help as body heat was more difficult to store. The only thing the players could do was bear and push the thought back.
The red Fireballs were happy to be back in their home venue. The city loved them, people were always willing to buy them a drink or eat for free in exchange for an autograph or a shoutout. The kindness opened their eyes realizing the team not only won for themselves but their supporters who cheered them at their highest of highs and lowest of lows.
Wario fell from above, a sadistic grin creeped on the treasure hunter's face. Dragging a finger across his neck Wario made a small croak from the base of his throat imitating a last breath.
Mario's sidekicks fixed their glares at the yellow captain. His scare tactics were getting stale and the heavy rainfall made the mood damper. Thankfully the crowd aired their grievances booing but nothing over the line.
Their unpleasant moods flipped when a certain plumber flew in. The sea of Fireballs' fans cheered for their mustached hero. Mario's smile grew a little to the warm reception in otherwise horrible weather.
His shin was still standing but the Brooklyn raised man struggled to put weight on the leg on the fly. The massive showers saturated Mario's clothes as his jersey and shorts stuck to his body almost as another layer of skin. His sleek brown hair was now flat, his front locks glued to his forehead, some strands annoying his eyes.
The winds roared, almost blowing the red and yellow caps of the longtime rivals. Mario caught his precious hat before it flew away.
"This could be bad, my-a fire is useless in the rain." Mario thought of, placing his cap on his moist hair. His powers depend on if he was dry and air suitable to spark a flame, rainfall blocks those two requirements leaving him without his elemental ability.
"Leg still wobbly ugly." Wario taunted, causing his red enemy's brow to scrunch.
"Shut it Wario! You-a don't know anything!" the princess rescuer's balled his fists, his features grew fierce. Streams of water sliding down his face adding to his death stare.
The unfazed strong man grinned at his ticked off opponent. "Oh but I do know your leg will not be leaving in one piece."
Mario's anger soared higher, his suspicions were confirmed. The Warheads planned on targeting his injured shin. Now precaution was of the most importance to surviving another day.
The squads lined up accordingly, Mario and Wario forwards, Kenny and Birdo as left wingers, Henry and Wario's Hammer Bro holding the right and Dean and Boo anchoring the back. No possible earthly action could stop the clash from delaying any further. The first whistle blew beginning the second to last primetime game off the Crystal Cup season.
The Warheads gained priority breaking in Mario's home side with ease. Kenny ran for Wario, each step splashing puddles formed from the rainfall. The zig zagged mustached face leader suffered a body bruising check plentiful to knock him down.
The steel ball became loose, Kenny chased after but lost his footing on the slippery terrain. Wind started roaring the skyscraper field blowing the ball away into Wario's half of the pitch.
Dean made an out of ordinary play, he left his defensive position to the away side. He collected the ball and used his shocker skillshot. The ball's electric aura grew as the falling water acted as a conductor.
The metallic sphere struck Wario's goalie, his semi wet coat on his body allowed the currents to run wild with much more power if dry. The tall croc fell holding his gut, not being able to bear the electricity.
The nimble skeleton awaited for the maxed charged ball's return. Before the metal ball could arrive Boo pushed him down. He scraped his chin against the concrete fielding as the helmet wearing ghost floated away with the ball.
Boo made it as far to the center circle before Mario's Koopa sniped him with green shells. Kenny delightedly dashed for the idle ball, being more thoughtful in his actions to not lose his footing.
Before the shell carrying left fielder finished his run Birdo appeared in his way. The fog conceded her from the turtle's eyeline allowing her to slam his chest with a bone breaking headbutt.
There was no ease in stage, both sides were at hundred percent from the start. The middle became a hellish battleground of physical attacks and items. An unending loop of unwarranted checks equated to items being given as compensation.
Mario entered the war zone and automatically Wario targeted him with a line of five bananas. The tubby plumber swerved out the range, his muscular antagonist charged at full speed. Mario copied Wari, approaching him with every intention of hitting him.
Both readied their fist and threw them. Both connected their shots, Mario's slamming the yellow caption's chin and Wario tucking his fist in the red lionheart's cheek. Both stumbled back, Wario held his ground while Mario fell from his legs.
Wario regained his bearings, clenching his mouth. The Warheads' captain eyes narrowed at the plumber and sprinted. Mario was defenseless, he was unable to stand with his leg sending a sharp pain through his veins.
Wario intended to finish the job but a giant red shell crushed him. The face of the plumber formed into a look of astonishment and stared where the homing shell was thrown. He saw Henry standing, with a grin the hammer holding sidekick sent him a thumbs up.
Henry himself moved over, collecting the ball. Vision set on the yellows' goal in the hail of rain. To the best of his abilities the moderately slow snapping turtle traversed the storm, closing the gap between him and the net.
He shot and missed, his attempt hitting the top crossbar. The ball rebounded back in his possession, wind assisting the round object travel. Lightning struck nearby, many shrieks consumed the arena as the discharge of natural electricity hit only miles away from the city.
Henry frightened, checked his surroundings in case of any dangers to his natural existence. Viewing around Henry caught a glimpse of Dean, his undead pal was back on his feet, still in Wario's area.
The red Hammer Bro was intrigued if Dean could be their ace. Though he didn't witness the skillshot, the utter spine chilling screams of the opposing Kritter painted a vivid image of the damage he did.
A smirk quirked on Henry's face thinking an encore was due. "Hey Dean, Buddy!"
Mario's star defensemen turned to the sound of Henry's voice who had more to say. "I think you're due for another try, here!"
The ball cruised, breaking up the water as it went. Dean received the ball and reenacted his previous skillshot aiming for the barely recovered goalie.
"Aw, come on man!" Wario's Kritter whined before suffering the same fate from before. The metal ball pulled back to a waiting Dry Bones for a picture perfect header. The attempt sailed in scoring with plenty of power left.
The crowd in the frigid conditions cheered for Dean as the rain poured. The ecstatic skeleton performed his worm for the thrilled fans. In the sour weather at least Dean's dance could bring some smiles.
The field already looked considerably damaged. The warfare cracked the stone rooftop pitch from a once stunning venue to a hunk of debris. The repair crew contemplated pausing the match to mend but realized Mario and Wario would destroy the field after reconstructions and allowed the damage to be done.
Kenny's game so far had been riddled with shortcomings. It seemed on the fateful day the Warhead decided he would be their punching bag. Wario suffocated the unfortunate turtle under his weight after his poor judgement in going after the smelly leader. The Warheads' sidekicks also got some licks on the Koopa.
Wario's Hammer Bro took the lead handling the ball. The away right fielder had a difficult time passing through the rain as the wind was going against him. With his vision impaired the bird faced reptile trudged forward.
The pink nosed captain's mallet carrier held his black head gavel fearfully. From the fog appeared Mario using the thick air to hide his tracks from the Warhead. Wario's right winger noticed the red hero too late for him to defend, only enough to see him make his way to him.
Mario's plans were foiled by an unstoppable force. Wario pummeled the plumber with his stout shoulder busting his chest. The red leader flew back falling on his back, his body dragged on the wet stone flooring.
The Warheads went into offense mode going all in. Kingston held his ground remarkably well, not letting the pressure or the downpour unsettle him.
Henry and Dean with teamwork squashed Wario checking him from both sides with no glimpse at escape. Dean came to terms that the fog limited their draw distance, an idea sparked in his hollow head.
"Henry!"
Dean's thick headed friend tilted his head hearing his name. "Yea, what is it?"
"Let's stick together, one holds the ball the other protects."
Henry gave a blank face, not catching on. Dean rolled his eyes and tried once more.
"We'll use the power of numbers and beat up Wario's guys some more."
The muddled Hammer Bro's look lit up and portrayed a toothy grin. "Let's rock!"
Henry dribbled the ball, Dean tailed from behind. "Alright Dean! I'm trusting you with my life, don't let me down!"
Dean smiled, staring at the back of Henry's head, the trust Henry placed on him made the undead Koopa flush. Dean's golden pupils shifted at the sound of distant chuckling.
"Henry, keep going and don't stop!"
The front lead snorted at the comment. "Don't have to tell me twice."
The bare bone defender moved over to the running Hammer Bro's side. His prediction was correct as Boo's silhouette formed in the white fog.
The ghost saw the red duo marching across towards goal from the bottom sideline. Sourcing the thought the mist would cloak him the sphere shaped spirit flew at the risky two versus one.
Unknown to him Dean saw his plan from a mile away. Mario's defender smashed the apparition before returning to protect Henry.
The two's plan was working as Henry started seeing the goal from a distance. "Dean, give me some space!" he shouted. The quiet defender backed away per request.
Henry jumped up and threw his hammers haphazardly at Wario's goalie. The worn out crocodile had only recently regained his consciousness for his first sight to be hammers on their way to him.
"This can't be real." Wario's Kritter whispered in disbelief but acknowledging the writing on the wall. The green goalkeeper got buried, not bothering to fight the inevitable.
Henry perked up and shot, scoring an uncontested goal. After landing on his two feet the Fireballs' right winger found Dean, embracing him. The two clever teamwork allowed Mario's side to pull ahead even further.
Henry and Dean ran back fist pumping the whole run. Countering out the good mood the weather only grew with time. The night sky had no stars to soothe the eyes of the crowd replaced by black fearsome thunder clouds.
Anger brewed in Wario's body, a shade of red tinting his unpleasant features. Mario's team was playing like a bunch of sissies in his eyes, not leaving one another's side. Though his bitterness ran deep for him, Wario appreciated Mario not relying on his sidekicks to guard him as a damsel.
Sadly Mario became an afterthought in the primetime matchup. His undeniable presence was washed out and the crowd's hero was a shelled version of himself at the moment. Restarting, the week nine spectacle the home side held a solid two zero lead entering the last two minutes.
Kenny learned of Henry and Dean's tactic after the break in play. Running around solo was foolish in the weather. Strength in number was the route to go, the three made a pact not split in three for the remainder of the game.
Ball stayed in Fireball territory held by Kenny. When felt in a predicament the Koopa passed the ball out. A defensive blueprint which slowed the contest but a way to drain the last minutes out of the game.
Henry traveled back, reaching the back end line near Kingston.
"Say I didn't know tough guys ran away from a fight." the goalie mocked snickering at his comment.
"Put a sock on it, you jerk. This is called winning the game." Henry talked back. not in the mood for his teammate's taunting words.
The taller crocodile scoffed. "More like running away from your problems,"
"What did you say!" the red uniformed snapping turtle barked back.
"Nothing at all." Kingston answered, lying through his teeth.
"How about instead of standing there you give the ball off to Wario."
Henry's face dropped. "WHAT! Are you insane!" believing his close ally lost his mind.
"No, I just want a challenge. I've only made two saves so far in this lousy game. I'm a brick wall of a keeper."
Henry chuckled deviously. "Brick wall as in unstoppable or how slow you are."
The reptile's smug demeanor turned pissed. "Say something like that again and I won't mind pummeling you after this is done."
The red right fielder laughed snarky. Now knowing him for almost two years Henry figured the threat was empty. At first the Kritter was cold towards him and Dean for the sole fact they were new and unproven. But as time passed Kingston opened more accepting Henry and Dean but never losing his tough exterior.
Their conversation came to a close when Wario charged through the fog. Henry in quick fashion gave Kingston the ball and drew his hammer. Running to him Mario's red Hammer Bro smashed the yellow captain's foot.
Kingston finished the attack, punting the antihero's abdomen launching him on set course out of Mario's side of the pitch. At the moment the two Fireballs felt great, but Wario would have his retribution.
Because of the brutal one two punch from the plumber's fielder and goalie, the officials believed Wario was owed an item. To bring hope to his team the league gave the unlikable leader his ace.
Not being cheered Henry and Kingston knew they messed up when the small but passionate crowd gasped. The ugly Warheads' leader acquired his unique captain ability ready to flip the game on its head.
Kingston kicked the ball back out to the middle of the field. Kenny made a move down to the inner center field circle for the yellow glowing ball. A foul odor drifted in the air flowing in the engrossed Koopa's nostrils.
Kenny went down to his hands and knees. The smell made the turtle gag, dry heaving because of the nauseous funk. The Koopa's mind spiraled out of control from the toxins and common sense went out the window.
The man responsible laughed maniacally twisting his sharp mustache with his pointer finger and thumb. Wario couldn't wait to hold in his trump card using Kenny as an unwilling puppet in his demonstration.
Gas Mask, Wario's special item was him farting leaving clouds of pernicious gas clouds clogging his sufferers' airways. Only he was immune from the stench being around the smell all day. On people not used to the nasty odor the effects were devastating, short breathing, vomit like gagging and tears were common side effects.
Wario jogged past the curled up Koopa Troopa leaving him in his gas. Mario chased after the gluttonous strongman. Birdo pestered the plumber not allowing him to throw her off and bring a thorn in Mario's tubby side.
The Warheads' captain overheard the commotion brewing between Mario and Birdo. In Wario's mind he foresaw the knight in blue overalls breaking free and setting his sights on the yellow purple dressed leader.
The microgame master wafted his foul farts. The green gas cloud was in the two players' path leading them to run through the fart cloud. Mario and the yellow Birdo tripped instantly, crashing on the ground.
"Ugh! Why Wario," Mario croaked with an ill breath. Birdo had it worse as the stench went down her mouth, tears building in the dinosaur's eyes.
The move was seen as unforgivable as disapproving stares and gasps came from the Fireballs' fans. Wario, the head of operation, willingly threw his devoted sidekick in harm's way. A partner who took bumps, scratches and bruised bones who was rewarded by being caught in friendly fire.
However the microgame guru countered the opposite. He was leader, his action should not be questioned. As the head honcho he had full authority to do what's necessary to win and protect himself from threats.
The smelly aroma wafted into the bleachers for the fans to get a firsthand account of the pain the strikers went through. Coughing, disgusted faces and screams were seen and heard from the seat. A young child Toad vomited on the Goomba sitting a level below him from Wario's gas bomb.
The rampage continued as the CEO of WarioWare stormed near Kingston. The veteran's night became more intense dueling Wario in a test of grit. No matter the pressure Mario's keeper would not yield and ended the push.
Snagging the ball firmly the Kritter held until he was not allowed and punted it out. Mario won a header over Wario's Hammer Bro rebounding over as far from the home team's net. Time winded down to zero bringing a close to the game.
The reds defended their turf with a two to zero margin of victory. The stars of the show were the Fireballs' trio of outfielders and goalie, with the massive absence of Mario all stepped to the plate performing on the biggest stage.
The Fireballs' walked off jumping through the exit tunnel. Well for the plumber more like hobbled, wrapping his arm over his abdomen. The five settled in their personalized locker room with heavy breathing.
"Nine and oh baby!" Henry cheered with good spirits. "We can't be beat!"
"You're right Henry, even with the odds stacked against us we still pull through!" Dean added to his friend's ecstatic bragging.
"Hey!" an irritated voice said from across the room causing Henry and Dean to turn their heads. Kingston walked to the duo with a stern glare, once over the two his face softened and put an arm around both shoulders.
"Don't forget about your amazing keeper who kept those suckers out of the goal!" the confident crocodile smirked.
"Of course not, this was a team effort!" The relieved Dry Bones answered, scared Kingston would bash them.
While good times occurred Mario sat mutely hanging his head down next to his locker. His body hurt but his self worth was worse. He had been nothing more than a piece of meat moving around while his crew played their hearts out. Shame washed over the savior of many kingdoms sitting alone.
"What's gotten into you Mario?" Mario's head raised to see Kenny sitting down next to him. The Koopa hadn't joined the ruckus in the middle, he couldn't with watching how flat the usual joyful man in red was.
"Bummed out you couldn't do that much?" Mario slowly nodded his head, not in the mood to speak.
Kenny gave an understanding smile and chuckled lightly. It wasn't uncommon for a player to fall into a sulk after a lackluster outing. He would know having some of his own struggles with feeling dejected.
"Don't worry about it, we win as a team and lose as a team. When one part isn't working he all suffer. We competed together and won so don't think you hinder us."
The plumber's mouth turned into a small smile. The thoughtful words helped the hero feel better about himself. The two were soon pulled in by the others and forced in their little party. Good times occurred that night of a team on the foundations of loyalty and camaraderie celebrated till the late hours of the night.
Author's Notes
Hi once again and thanks for making it through another chapter. We're so close to the Crystal Cup knockouts but one more week remands on the board. Daisy with her eight and one record would be hurdle in the otherwise meaningless week ten encounter.
Heads up the next update will be delayed because of school and I'll writing a special for a certain game's four year anniversary. Can you guess which?
See you till then stay safe!