Chapter 8: Planning to Take Back the Mushroom Kingdom
(Tabuu's Palace)
Tabuu was throttling the Pirate Master, despite that he didn't have a neck due to being a skeleton. Tabuu then slapped the Pirate Master in the face several times before pulled his face up to his own.
Tabuu- I hope you realize what your incompetence just cost me! Not only did you let Mario and his retarded group find the one thing they can use to destroy me, but you took Galleom without my permission and turned him into scrap!
Pirate Master- You are aware I can't be strangled since I'm a skeleton?
Tabuu turns to look at the audience with an annoyed look on his face. After a moment or two, Tabuu pulls out a cartoon style bomb with a lit fuse.
Tabuu- Then perhaps this one move from Link's play book will help you get my point…
Then Tabuu crams the lit bomb into the Pirate Master's rib cage and wedged it in there real good.
Pirate Master- No fair…
Then the bomb explodes and the Pirate Master's bone rained down all over the throne room. Tabuu turned around to face Vaati who was cowering in the corner.
Tabuu- And as for you, Vaati…
Then Tabuu places several of the Pirate Master's bones into Vaati's hands.
Tabuu- You are not to go to sleep or even do so much as go to the bathroom until you've put Humpty Dumpty back together again! Is that clear?
Vaati- Ok…but what about Marx? He screwed up just as much as we did. Shouldn't he be punished as well?
Tabuu- Marx? He is unfortunately going to be out of commission for some time. When Mario stabbed his wing with Marco's sword, he shattered my mark. This caused the sample of my power that he was carrying to become unstable and begin to rape his body from the inside-out. I had to extract my power from his body completely before it destroyed him. Now he's out like a light and will be for some time. However, once he's fully recovered and I've reapplied my mark to his body, he will be getting his punishment. Now get to putting the Pirate Master back together! Chop, chop!
Vaati got a little nervous, but he then began to try and fit the Pirate Master back together bone by bone. Meanwhile, Tabuu walked over to Peach's crystal statue and glared at his own refection. It wasn't long until he saw Hades' refection as well.
Hades- A little harsh…wouldn't you say? Blowing up the Pirate Master and having Vaati try to fit the bones back into place like a structure of Lego's.
Tabuu- Shut it, Hades! Or would you like me to have Vaati reassemble two people after I've taken them apart? Right now, I'm so angry…
A black aura surrounded Tabuu's body and his already red eyes appeared to be glowing red completely for a moment. But Tabuu's shadow actually changed in appearance for a split second.
Tabuu- I'm so angry…I almost turned perfect just now…
Hades- Ok…sorry I asked…but now that the Mario Brothers have that sword, do you suppose they'd be coming after you next?
Tabuu- Mario's not that stupid. He'd want to develop a plan first before rushing in like that. And I can't allow them to have that time! If Mario is like Marco, whatever plan him and his team will eventually come up with will most likely work and I'll…hang on a second…just like Marco…
Hades- Uh…are you going somewhere with this?
Tabuu- If it were Marco in this situation and Princess Amethyst turned to crystal and in my clutches…Marco would make it his top priority to get out of my palace and to somewhere safe…you know, I think I've figured out the perfect way to lure Mario and the others to us…
(Smash City)
Mario and the others returned to Smash City by crossing a portal Palutena and Viridi had made.
Pit- I sure am beat. Maybe there's enough rest time to put my feet up for a moment.
Then they were approached by both Palutena and Viridi.
Viridi- Fat chance of that, Pit!
Palutena- She's right! We got some big news!
Luigi- Like what?
Palutena- Tabuu has suddenly vanished!
Mario- What?!
(Later in the meeting room)
Mario and the others were in the meeting room and Palutena and Viridi were showing them Ty's radar that can detect Tabuu's power.
Ty- They're right! Tabuu is nowhere to be seen in his palace!
Risky Boots- But why would Tabuu leave his own castle?
Viridi- It happened right after you defeated that huge machine. My guess is you must've spooked Tabuu knowing that you have the one weapon that could help you turn this situation around in your favor. And that he must be trying to hide from you.
Palutena- Or tying to conduct the search for you personally in an attempt to dispose of you before you figure out how to use Marco's sword to finish him.
Mario- And he's not at his palace…
Luigi- Mario?
Mario- Palutena, Viridi, is we bring Princess Peach to you, can you turn her back to normal?
Palutena- Well…maybe…it's possible…
Viridi- I think we'd need to examine the magic Tabuu put on her when he turned her to crystal before we'd know for sure. There are some spells Tabuu can cast that we alone can't reverse, but I'm also doubtful Tabuu would use one of those spells just to turn Princess Peach into a crystal statue.
Mario- Then I think our next course of action is clear.
Mario then turned to Luigi, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Kirby, Ash, Sonic, Ty, Pit, and Shantae.
Mario- Listen up! Gather every able fighter you can and bring them to the meeting room! I'll be giving a mission briefing in five minutes.
(Tabuu's lab)
Marx was strapped to an operating table and was out cold. However, his body was still thrashing in pain. But at least the sparks of energy from his wing had stopped. Marx was obviously given a sedative to put him under to ease the pain he was experiencing. However, his left wing looked blank. And even though Marx's body was still experiencing great pain, Marx was muttering something in his sleep.
Marx- Uh…Void…Jambastion…Kimberly…Dream Friends…Jayx…
(Marx's dream)
Marx woke up in an unknown area, but he had an idea what was going on.
Marx (in an annoyed tone)- Oh would you look at that…I'll bet Jayx will be here any minute…
Then Jayx popped his head over Marx's shoulder.
Jayx- You got that right, my friend.
Marx- Get off me! And I ain't your friends. Also, is this really the best time to talk to me again? I just went through what could be the most painful experiences of my life!
Jayx- Sorry. When I suggested to Mario to shatter Tabuu's mark, I wasn't expecting you to writhe in that much pain.
Marx- Hold on?! That was you?! You told Mario to plunge that sword into my wing?! What the **** did you do that for?!
Jayx- Actually, you should be thanking me. I know that was…unpleasant…worse than the pain from child birth…but have a look at your wing now. Noticing anything?
Marx looked at his left wing and didn't see anything new there.
Marx- What are you talking about? I don't see anything!
Jayx- It's what you're not seeing. Or rather, what isn't there anymore.
It took Marx a second to realize it, but Marx saw that Tabuu's mark was missing from his left wing.
Marx- What the…
Jayx- And that's not all. Tabuu's power is also no longer inside of you. When his mark shattered, your body couldn't handle or control that sample of Tabuu's power anymore. So, Tabuu had to remove it from you. And with this, a once in a lifetime opportunity has arrived for you.
Marx- Opportunity?
Jayx- You now have a window to become free. No dark power to corrupt you. No magic mark to control you. But this window will not remain open forever. Once you are fully recovered from that incident, Tabuu will attempt to brand you as his slave again. What you need to do is escape before that happens.
Marx- Why do you keep coming into my dreams over and over again? You keep telling me to break free, but I feel like there is more you're not telling me. Sure, you were the first of Tabuu's followers to escape and you say you found redemption, but what does any of this have to do with me. Be honest, what aren't you telling me?
Jayx- (Sigh)…I guess there's no fooling you. Like how Marco and his team couldn't finish Tabuu and only imprison him in Subspace…Kimberly and the Dream Friends were only able to imprison Kimberly's father. I've felt it…she's felt it…and I think you and Kirby might've felt it even if you don't know what it is yet.
Marx- Felt what?
Jayx- Kim's old man…the God of the Void. Not as powerful as Tabuu, but still dangerous none the less. And if he does come back, he'll most likely case after Kirby's energy signal mistaking it for Kimberly's. A new Dream Friends might need to be formed when that comes.
Marx- And you want me to take your place?! I'm not Kirby's or the Mario's biggest fan and I don't like to be used like that! Then again, I'm also not Tabuu's biggest fan with all that he's put me through lately.
Jayx- Who said I was using you? Ture, I believe you'll be needed when Kirby reforms the Dream Friends, but everything I've been saying to you…it was all true. I really do want you to be free from Tabuu. I've been his slave and went through the same things you're going through. And I believe you can do better than this. But if you really are sick of me…Azra told me that she can only send my soul into your dreams one more time. So my next visit into your dreams will be my last. But I'll make sure my last visit will be worth something. But please, don't let this small window of opportunity I've given you go to waste. Until the final time, Marx…
Then Jayx disappears, leaving Marx all alone in his dream.
(Back in Smash City in the waking world)
Mario, his team, Bowser and his team, all of Kyrin's followers, as well as every available ally they could call on were gathered and all seated around this huge table in the center of the room.
Mario- This everyone we got?
Viridi- All that are willing to and competent enough to fight, but beggars can't be choosers.
Pit- You know, Viridi, your troops like Phosphora and Cragalanche are in this crowd as well. Don't think they'll want to know you're insulting your own troops.
Mario- Thank you all for coming. I know things are looking grim, but we are about to make our first counter strike against Tabuu's forces. And we need every able body we got to take Tabuu's palace.
Magnus- Hold on a minute. You call us all here because you want to knock on Tabuu's front door?
Goh- Sorry to say this, but that's suicide, Mario.
Mario- Normally it would…if we were attacking while Tabuu is in his palace…
Most of the people in the crowd were shocked to hear Mario say that.
Mario- Ty's radar had informed us that Tabuu had disappeared…completely for some reason.
Knuckles- That doesn't make any sense. Why would Tabuu vanish during the middle of his invasion of our worlds?
Sonic- One of my guesses is Mario's new toy has gotten him spooked and he's on the run.
Knuckles- Huh…?
Tails- New toy?
Sonic- Believe it or not, we actually found this sword that was wielded by his ancestor, Marco. From what we've seen so far, it can cut through Tabuu's power. You should've seen what it did to Marx earlier.
Mario- While I doubt that's the reason why Tabuu suddenly left…this seems to provide us an opportunity to strike against him. Our main goal is to rescue Princess Peach, but if we can take Tabuu's palace before he returns, we take away his base of operation and weaken his control over our worlds. Ty, the holo-map.
Ty reached down and pushed a button under the table. Then a holographic projection of Tabuu's palace appeared on the table.
Mario- Now, let's go over the plan of attack. First, we'll send in a small assault squad at the front gate.
Ash- That's where I come in. Me and the all the Poke'mon Trainers here will ones who go in first. We'll use our Poke'mon's ranged attacks to get their attention and draw them out. Still important to keep our distance from the palace since out goal is to draw them away from the palace.
Sonic- Next is where my squad will come in. Me and all others who are good with close rang combat will then attack back end. This should cause confusion within Tabuu's forces, not knowing if another assault will come and from what angle. Not to mention it will also draw out more of Tabuu's troops.
Pit- And then there's my squad. Me and every available flyer will be making our strike from above. Probably the last place they'd expect us to strike next. It will also draw their attention to the sky and flush out Tabuu's flying monsters.
Luigi- That should cause enough chaos among Tabuu's minions for the rest of us to slip through and get inside. But of course, we're also no fools. Tabuu might've vanished from his palace, but the rest of his followers like Fawful and Hades are still there and accounted for.
Donkey Kong- That's where the remaining squads will come in. I've got me and the other Kong's.
Link- I'll take any sword wielders for my squad.
Ty- I've got me fellow rescue team from Bush Rescue, mates.
Kirby- And I got my helpers from Popstar for my squad.
Yoshi- Yoshi got other Yoshi's for Yoshi's.
Shantae- And I guess I'll take any who's left for my squad.
Mario- And with this all going on, Luigi and I should be able to find and retrieve Princess Peach and rejoin the action. And if we can defeat all of Tabuu's leading commanders and take his palace before he returns, we'll have struck a critical blow to Tabuu's hold and make our first step towards taking back our worlds. Just…try to all survive this…we begin at dawn and the best of luck to you all. Until then, dismissed.
Everyone rose from their seats and began exiting the room. Bowser then walked up to Mario.
Bowser- That was one motivating speech you gave there, Mario.
Mario- Ok…thanks, Bowser.
Bowser- And don't you go and die out there either! Because if anyone is going to defeat you one day, it's going to be me!
Luigi- Don't worry. I'm sure with Marco's sword, we can make all of Tabuu's followers end up like Marx did.
Mario- One weapon will not guarantee victory. While it is obvious that Marco's sword is essential to defeating Tabuu…it will take a lot more than that if we are to prevail.
