Chapter 38: Hesitation
"So this is where Ness used to live." Bowser observed, the building were colors of the rainbow, trees and flowers were blooming all over the place as if Spring had just begun; the people were smiling and greeting each other on the street as they walked down the road. This would be a sight that most people would cherish. "What an abomination. I wish this place was less… stupid."
"Yes, this place is so tasteless." Stated Wolf. "It's too safe and childish. It feels like we're inside a kid's playset."
"Never mind that, I want to know how a world like this could spawn one of the most evil beings into the Omniverse!" Said Wario.
"Oh my god! Can you guys stop whining?!" Snake seethed as they crossed the street, throwing his cigarette at a car that was waiting at the stop-light. "You've been complaining for over 30 minutes."
"We're just voicing our colorful opinions on this damn city!" Spat Wolf. "Lucario, how far are we?"
"If we take a left at the next block and walk through the park. We'll be at the casino on time." Lucario explained as they came close the corner.
"Well let's hope it's just that! I don't want to walk any more than I have to." Wario said as he leaned against a shop window, unfortunately because of his weight he ended up shattering the glass into many pieces.
"Wario!" Meta Knight scolded at the fat Smasher. "You fool!"
"What? It was an accident." Wario justified, picking himself off the ground. "It's not my fault their windows are not sturdy enough."
"Shut your lips and keep to yourself." Gannon responded, not even looking to face the mustached man. "We don't want any more complications, like you."
Wario scowled at the dark king as he muttered obscenities and curses at the villain.
As they traveled across the grassy plain, with the scent of the flowers and the shade of passing trees giving them comfort. They final spotted their destination. The spectacular Jack's Casino.
Although their expectations were heavily subverted.
What stood in the middle of a murky pond-surrounded by dead leaves and fish, were a small size building; about the size of a tool shed. The roof was red as the color of blood, shining with gleam in the light of the sun. The wall was painted in the texture of playing cards: aces, kings, jacks, queens, and jokers seemingly eyed them as if they were alive. Everything was colorful except the door, which was completely black; out of everything in the shack, this door was the only thing that ominous.
On top of this tiny building was a neon sign that glowed brightly. Showcasing the words: Jack's Casino.
"You know, every time I come here, I still can't get over how small it is." Piped up Wario. "I know it's bigger on the inside, but still."
"I still can't get over why Jack would put a casino into the middle of trash and dirty water. This is a casino he's running, why not place it in the city?" Questioned Wolf.
"Because he does, no use questioning it." Replied Snake.
Meta Knight took the communicator from Snake and activated it. "R.O.B., it's my group's honor to say we have arrived at the Casino. Over."
"[Great, this mission is going well so far.]" Said the robot over the com. "Are you inside yet?"
"No, we just arrived at the entrance, none of us have even stepped a foot in the door yet."
"[Well when you get inside, keep your eyes peered for anyone out of character-anyone that would like the Newcomer.]"
"I doubt it would be that easy." Bowser Said. "There are many strange characters inside that weird place, how do you plan to find the Newcomer by looks alone."
"That's easy, me." Explained Lucario. "My aura sight will allow us to detect our newbie. We shouldn't have any trouble."
"Don't jinx our desired mission Lucario." Scolded Ganondorf as Lucario rolled his eyes.
"I don't think detection is a problem. I fear what would happen if the skeleton gets involve in our rescue." Said Snake.
"[Jack usually keeps to himself, but if he ever does that, you can resort to stoking his ego. That worked last time when Wario accidently barfed on his shoes.]"
"It was an accident! I didn't know there was cow tongue in my cheese garlic omelet!"
"And if he decides he doesn't want to play nice?" The wolf grunted.
The group felt highly uncomfortable, especially Snake, recounting on a certain incident that happened on during the Smasher's second diplomatic visit to the casino. One of the "multidimensional" players in the casino, had tried to cheat in a game of Texas Hold'em by bringing in a set of extra cards and hiding it under the table.
This unlucky player might have gone away with it too, if Jack himself wasn't monitoring the game. When he saw the cheating clear as day, when he saw his precious game being tampered with. The skeleton went berserk; his eyes produced blue flames hotter than the fires of hell itself, and went after the cheater for blood.
Jack chased the cheater until both of them went out of sight; going into the kitchen of the casino. The establishment chefs screamed for mercy, flinging their arms wildly as they scurried out of the room.
What followed next was… unsettling to say the least: the shouting and banging was so intense it clouded out the annoying music being blasted out of the speakers attached to the ceilings; wine glass shattered and card towers collapsed from the vibrations of what was happening in the kitchen; and the atmosphere, oh the atmosphere. It was nothing Snake felt before, it was like his entire soul was reacting sickly to the unspeakable horror happening behind the door.
Not wanting to see the result of the altercation, the Smashers packed up as fast as they can, and booked it out of the casino. When they returned for a third time they saw that Jack Grey was back to his normal self: being elusive and unnaturally charming to his guests. However there was something of amiss, the player that had cheated last time was not there at the casino. And was never seen ever again.
Rumors had sprung up among the players to what happened to that guy. Some say Jack Grey beat him to a pulp and banned him from the casino, some say the guy was deformed from the skeleton's punishment, and wore a disguise to hide his scars. But most believe that Jack had actually murdered the player; incinerating him to ash and flushing his remains down the toilet.
Under all this speculation, one thing was for certain.
You do not screw with Jack.
"He'll only get hostile if we directly disrupt his business." Answered Lucario "So if we keep our hands (or paws) to ourselves, we will be fine. So don't do anything stupid like steal his coins alright." The jackal eyed Wario.
"What?! You think I would do something like that?"
"Wario, if the concept of greed was reincarnated into a living being, it would be you." Said Bowser.
"I like money, but I wouldn't risk my life over it!" Wario retorted.
"[Well, if anything happens just let me know. I'm always on call.]" The robot said on the device.
"Alright then, good bye R.O.B." Ganondorf said as he turned off the communicator. "Let's not waste any time, let's get inside before it gets too crowded." Sounds of agreement sounded from the group as they began to cross the bridge.
Unbeknownst to them, behind a tree not far from their location, were two black creatures wearing a green shirt and hat, and brown shoes and gloves; spying on the team with binoculars, with the help of their beady red eyes.