Chapter 3: Mama Shantae Returns

(Unknown island)

The lifeboat the Sirens were using managed to reach the island before it eventually collapsed. The Empress Siren was still in bad shape that Water Lilly Siren and Octo Siren had to grab hold of each of her shoulders just to help her up.

Angler Fish Siren- Looks like that boat we salvaged after our airship crashed finally gave in.

Tubeworm Siren- Now we're stranded on this island.

Then the Coral Siren looked at her radar again.

Coral Siren- Well, the source of genie magic is close. We should be able to find it and get our empress back on her feet.

Then the Empress Siren took a whiff into the air and seemed to raise an eyebrow.

Empress Siren- Faint and small…but familiar at the same time…I think I know…who's magic this belongs too…

(Another part of the island)

The submarine arrived at the beach and Ty, Shantae, Sly, Shazza, Fluffy, Sky, and Bolo exited the submarine. However, Rottytops and Fang stayed at the sub.

Rottytops- Darn it! Why do I have to stay behind? It's not fair!

Fluffy- Someone has to keep an eye on the sub.

Shazza- And keep an eye on Fang. You be careful with Fang. He can be a handful sometimes.

Ty- But we're keeping this brief, since we still need to deliver those supplies while they're still fresh.

Shantae- Got it, Ty.

After everyone left Rottytops alone with Fang, she picked Fang up and held him up to her face.

Rottytops- I don't see how an adorable Tasmanian tiger cub like you could be a handful.

Rottytops wiggled her finger at Fang in a playful manner, but then Fang literally bit the finger off and began sucking on it like a pacifier.

Rottytops- Uh…please give me back my finger…

Fang spat out the finger and it bounced off of Rottytops' face before hitting the floor. Rottytops put Fang down for a moment as she reached over to pick up her finger and place it back on.

Rottytops- I guess this is what your mother meant when she said you could be a handful. But how about we…

When Rottytops returned her attention to Fang, was not on the seat where she placed him and was crawling away.

Rottytops- Hey! Where are you going?! Stop!

Then Rottytops began running after Fang.

(Later on another part of the island)

Ty, Shantae, Sly, Shazza, Fluffy, Sky, and Bolo were moving through the island as Shantae was leading them.

Sly- If you don't mind me asking, what are you worried the Tropical Night is in danger of?

Shantae- What do you mean?

Sly- You said you had a dream that there was a shadow of someone you recognized, shela. Was it Risky Boots or something?

Shantae- Actually, that silhouette resembled the Sirens, even though I disposed of them not that long ago.

Fluffy- Sirens?

Shantae- You see, not that long ago, I received an invite to take a vacation at this festival on Paradise Island. I figured since we all needed a break after we dealt with Perfect Tabuu…and Mario clearly wasn't asking for help in stopping Bowser's little wedding…I figured it would be ok to spend a week on vacation and meet the other half genies. Little did I know it was a trick orchestrated by Risky Boots. The island was actually named Siren Island and it was where the Seven Sirens were locked away after another Guardian Genie defeated long ago. And no, it wasn't my mother who banished them. Risky Boots disguised herself as the mayor of island and lured me and four other half genies to use as a sacrifice to restore the Empress Siren to her full strength. And all because she wanted the Siren's airship.

Ty- Guess she wanted to keep up with the Shooting Star we have or Bowser's Doomship.

Bolo- Actually, there was another supposed half genie…

Sky- Bolo, please don't remind us about how Rottytops crashed our vacation!

Shantae- As I was saying…I rescued all the other half genies and used their borrowed magic to defeat five of the Siren. Lobster Siren was actually a nice Siren and even helped me during my adventure. But when I defeated the Empress Siren, both her and her airship crashed into the ocean.

Fluffy- And you never bothered to check if she was still alive?

Shantae- Truth was…I was focused on saving Risky Boots from drowning. But I figured if the Empress Siren did survive, she'd eventually starve out with no magic to feed on and that she wouldn't be a threat anymore in her weakened state.

Sly- And why do you think she would come here if she is still alive?

Shantae- Possibly…my garden. You see, I left a trace of my genie magic to keep the garden healthy and growing so the Tropical Night can always get food whenever he needs it. There is a slim chance that my magic, even if it is just a small chunk, could attract the Sirens and that could lead to the Tropical Night.

Shazza- I'm sure he'll be fine with us here to protect him.

Shantae- I hope you're right on that.

(At this small garden)

The Tropical Night was eating some to the vegetables that were growing in this nice-looking garden. Not great, but not bad either. However, the Tropical Night was not twice as big as it was in the previous stories. Like it had grown up a bit. As it was nibbling away at a carrot he just plucked out of the ground, the Sirens were spying on it from a distance while hiding behind the bushes.

Water Lilly Siren- Well look at this cute little fella.

Coral Siren- Oh my gosh! That's a Tropical Night! A creature with the ability to control the minds of other living beings with its stinger! I thought they were extinct!

Then the Empress Siren managed to stand and not fall over, despite here crippled state.

Empress Siren- It appears one still exists. Though this Tropical Night is still a child and not fully grown. Yet, I believe I know who watches over this young Tropical Night. I thought I recognized her magic being the one responsible for keeping this garden growing.

Angler Fish Siren- My empress, you know who?

Empress Siren- Yes…the same wretched half genie that did this to all of us back on our island not that long ago…

Just then, the Tropical Night stopped munching on the carrot as he picked up a scent that was very familiar to him. He quickly turned around and saw Shantae and Ty approaching him. The Tropical Night smiled and rushed towards Shantae.

Tropical Night- Mama!

The Tropical Night tackled Shantae to the ground as he began licking her on the cheek.

Shantae- Easy there! It's good to see you too. Though I'm a little surprised as to how much bigger you've gotten since I last saw you. You're about as large as a retriever now.

Sly, Fluffy, Shazza, Sky, and Bolo caught up to them as Shantae was getting back up.

Sky- See Shantae, the Tropical Night is just fine.

Bolo- Guess you got worked up for nothing.

While they were all focusing on the Tropical Night, the Sirens were still in there hiding place watching them.

Octo Siren- It's her!

Angler Fish Siren- That half genie who ruined everything back on our island!

Tubeworm Siren- But why did the Tropical Night call her it's mother?

Empress Siren- It appears that it sees Shantae as its mother. Must be why Shantae left a trace of her magic to keep this little garden growing for the Tropical Night to get food. But that Tasmanian tiger she's with…I've never seen him before…but can tell he's just as much trouble as the Shantae is.

Back over with Ty, Shantae, and the others, Sly noticed something through his peripheral vision and quickly pulled out one of his boomerangs. Sly turned around and swung his boomerang to slice the net that was about to be launched at the Tropical Night in two.

Bolo- What was that?!

Sly- We apparently have company, mate.

Then everyone turned around, they saw Risky Boots holding a net cannon with Boss Cass standing behind her.

Shantae- Risky Boots!

Risky Boots- In the flesh.

Ty- And Boss Cass is there too!

Boss Cass- CAWHAHAHAHA! I have to say, I was right that it was a good move to follow you. Now we know where you've been keeping the Tropical Night. Although, I'm surprised its gotten much bigger since we last saw it.

Risky Boots- Must mean it's all grown up now.

Sky- Wait…you followed us!

Boss Cass- I noticed that Shantae seemed real eager to hitch a ride and figured it must be for something important. So I convinced Risky over here to trail you and see where you were heading.

Shantae- But you should now just as well as Risky Boots that the Tropical Night will never work for you jerks. She and K. Rool failed to do that already.

Boss Cass- Actually, I bet I can analyze the venom from his stinger to create a serum that can control minds like he can. I am capable of doing that since I'm just as good with machines as Ty is.

Fluffy- That's debatable!

Boss Cass- Hey, harsh words for someone you used to work for!

Fluffy- Inference on used to!

Risky Boots- Oooo! Burn, Boss Cass!

Boss Cass- Shut it…

Then the Tropical Night raised his stinger from the tip of his tail.

Tropical Night- (HISS)

Risky Boots- Oh please. You think we wouldn't take into account that mind control stinger of yours?

Then Risky Boots snaps her fingers a bunch of her Tingerbats appeared while wearing some kind of metal armor.

Risky Boots- Not much good that stinger will do if he can sting can't actually sting their body.

Then Ty tossed his Thunderangs at one of the Tingerbats and it immediately electrocuted it.

Ty- Yeah, but all that metal just makes them one big conductor for electric attacks like from me Thunderangs, shela!

The Sirens were still watching from their hiding place as this was happening.

Empress Siren- Perfect! That fool, Risky Boots has arrived to make this much easier. We'll let those fools battle it out…and then…we'll strike while they're weak…

Some of Boss Cass' frill soldiers and Risky Boots Tinkerbats tried to rush them, but it didn't go so well. Shazza pulled out her shock pistol and zapped all the Tinkerbats while they were wearing the metal armor. Meanwhile, Fluffy's rocket launcher blew away the frill necks.

Risky Boots- This isn't going so smoothy as you were thinking it would be, Boss Cass.

Boss Cass- Calm down. We still have that old weapon I modified for you.

Risky Boots- Better hope that's enough!

Then Risky Boots pulls out a remote and pushes a button and this giant slug appeared while having giant rockets attached to the sides of the plated armor it was wearing.

Shantae- Hey, isn't that the P.O.O.P. T.O.O.T.?

Risky Boots- I thought I told you not to call it that!

Ty- You've fought this thing before?

Shantae- Risky's Tinkerslug? Yes, I have. However, it only capable of traveling on sea, not air.

Boss Cass- That's because I modified it. That orange rat boy might be the tech expert in the Super Mario Brothers' Team, but I'm clearly the tech expert in Bowser's Team.

Risky Boots- And now let's see how well the new and improved Tinkerslug performs! Fire the ash cannons!

Then Boss Cass and Risky Boots got on board the Tinkerslug as it began firing its cannons. Luckily, Ty and Shantae dodged. But then the Tropical Night crawled up the back of Shantae, almost like she was not wearing the Tropical Night like a backpack.

Shantae- What are you doing?! You should be staying back!

The Tropical Night just shook its head, insisting it stick with her.

Shantae- Fine, but get out if things get too ugly. And you're also a lot heavier than I remember. Must be because you're also much bigger.

A cannonball was launched at Shantae, but she still managed to dance out of the way, even with the Tropical Night on her back. But while Boss Cass and Risky Boots were focusing on Shantae, a strange pair of boomerangs stuck themselves to part of the Tinkerslug's armor plating.

Boss Cass- Oh shit! Out of all of Ty's boomerangs, those are the worst!

Risky Boots- Uh…what do you mean? They don't look any different from his standard boomerangs except they look like giant X's.

Boss Cass- Those are his Kaboomerangs…they explode with the force of dynamite…

Then the Kaboomerangs exploded and the Tinkerslug dropped from the sky. It was left dazed after if crash landed.

Risky Boots- Hey! Get up! Boss Cass, do something!

Boss Cass- I'm trying!

As Boss Cass tried to work with the controls, Shantae got up close to the Tinkerslug and stuck it with her hair whip attack a few times. Risky Boots pulled out her pistol and fired at Shantae. Shantae danced out of the way of the bullet while still having the Tropical Night on her back, but little did Shantae know that her tiara with the Eye of Merlin was knocked off. Eventually, Boss Cass got the Tinkerslug airborne again and it flew out of reach for Ty and Shantae. However, Ty heard a beeping sound from one of his boomerangs. Ty pulled out his X-Rangs and pointed them at the Tinkerslug. Then Ty saw some kind of black box camouflaged with cloaking technology on the underbelly of the Tinkerslug.

Ty- Clever, Boss Cass. Using a stealth cloak to hide the power source. But not good enough. Shantae, the power box for those new upgrades Boss Cass made is on the slug's belly, directly underneath it!

Shantae- How do you know that?

Ty- Me X-Rangs can detect and reveal most invisible objects. And I see a circuit breaker concealed with cloaking tech on its belly.

Shantae- You really are a tech nerd! Just how many more of those fancy boomerangs you've infused with your tech do you have?

Ty- Not the point! And not the time to bring back a little…mistake…you and I made a long time ago! Hit that power box with an electric attack and it will crash back down and shut down for good, shela!

Shantae- Ok, I hope you're right on this one, Ty.

Shantae fired a bolt of lightning and managed to strike the power box, despite it being invisible to the naked eye. The controls suddenly shut down and there was nothing Boss Cass could do about it.

Boss Cass- Oh shit…

Then the Tinkerslug fell from the sky with Boss Cass and Risky Boots still riding it. However, it literally blew everyone away when it crashed to the ground.

Sky- That was a bit reckless. Even for you.

Fluffy- That was nuts! We could've all been crushed by something that big falling from that height!

Shazza- As much as I don't like to, I agree with Fluffy on this one. What were you thinking, possum?!

Ty- Sorry, Shazza! Guess I didn't take into account of the impact it would make when it fell from the sky.

But as Ty and Shantae (who still had the Tropical Night on her back like a backpack) were getting back up, they were both suddenly struck with some kind of energy attack from their left and knocked them back to the ground.

Shazza- Ty!

Sky- Shantae!

When the smoke cleared, Ty managed to sit up and cough up some dust. Meanwhile, Shantae was checking it Tropical Night was hurt. Luckily, it wasn't hurt too bad.

Ty- Where the hell did that come from?!

Mysterious voice- That would be my doing. Remember us, you wrenched half genie?

When Ty and Shantae looked towards where that voice came from, they saw the Empress Siren and her five other Sirens behind her.

Shantae- You!

The Tropical Night got up and stood between Shantae and the Empress Siren with his stinger held out and ready to strike.

Tropical Night- (HISS)

Ty- I take it they're the Sirens you were telling me about?

Shantae- Yes. That old hag is the Empress Siren. And I see she's still crippled after Risky tricked her into absorbing some of Rottytops' energy.

Empress Siren- And I see you have a pet Tropical Night. And I must admit, it's adorable that it believes you're its mother. But we'll be taking that little guy off your hands.

Shantae- Over my dead body.

Angler Fish Siren- That's basically the idea.

Coral Siren- And you're clearly spent from that other fight you just went through. Which is why we sat back and waited for you to tire yourselves out.

But before the Sirens could move in closer, a rocket was launched at the Empress Siren before she could take one step. After barely dodging it, the Empress Siren saw Fluffy holding her rocket launcher.

Fluffy- Oh, I wouldn't say it will be that easy. After all, we're here with them as well!

Standing next to Fluffy were Sly, Shazza, Sky, and Bolo. Then Ty and Shantae got back up.

Ty- And we're not as spent as you might've been hoping for, shela. Even if we were almost crushed by a giant slug we shot out of the sky.

But before another battle was about to take place, the Empress Siren noticed something shining on the ground near where her feet were.

Empress Siren- Hey…what's this?

The Empress Siren reached down and picked up Shantae's tiara. As soon as Shantae saw it, she immediately felt around her head only to realize her tiara wasn't on her head.

Shantae- The Eye of Merlin my mother left me!

Empress Siren- Eye of Merlin?! You're telling me this is one of the five stones that the father of all magic left behind which contain his magic he left behind before his passing?!

The Empress Siren made a grin that stretched across from ear to ear as she clenched Shantae's tiara.

Empress Siren- On second thought, keep the Tropical Night. I'll be able to restore my strength, my youth, and then some with the magic of Merlin the Great stored in this stone. Tubeworm Siren, we're leaving.

Then a giant version of one of Tubeworm Siren's worms appeared out of the ground and seemingly ate the Sirens as it then burrowed under the ground.

Shantae- Damn it…this is very bad…

(Subspace)

Tabuu was sitting on his throne as he was gazing into a crystal ball. Tabuu was still wearing bandages over several parts of his body, including his entire left arm, but he seemed well enough to use his powers to look outside of Subspace. And Tabuu seemed really interested in what he was seeing in that crystal ball.

Tabuu- Well, I think I might be able to make good use out of this. Ouch…still not doing so well…after Marco drove his sword through my left hand and pierced my mark…but I can still make this work.

Then Tabuu pulls out a silver hand bell and rings it. However, the bell was so loud that it sounded more like someone shouting into a megaphone.

Tabuu- Oh Hades…

Then Hades walked into the room, only he was holding a plunger and looked soaking wet.

Hades- You rang, Tabuu?

Tabuu- Uh…what's with the plunger…and why are you dripping with toilet water…?

Hades- You see, I was using the bathroom when I discovered the toilet was clogged and I…

Tabuu- Enough! I don't think I want to know…anyway Hades, I think I might have a job for you.