Chapter 14: When Needed…Friends Will Come

(At the front gate of Tabuu's palace)

Ash just spaced out for a split second, like he felt something was calling to him.

Pikachu- Pika Pi?

Ho-Oh- Master Ash…is something wrong?

Ash- I'm not sure how or why or even how to explain it…but I just know Mario needs my help. I need to get into that palace and help Mario and Luigi.

Ho-Oh- You want to just leave your friends to do this battle that you dragged them into to begin with?

Ash- I…I don't know…I know my friends need me to help lead them through this…but I also know Mario needs my help to fight Tabuu…what should I do?

Ash looked behind him and Ho-Oh to look at his friends. Them and their Poke'mon were looking a bit scratched and they were obviously hurt a little, even Giovanni and his Poke'mon were looking a little roughed up. Yet at the same time, they were all still doing a great job at fending off Tabuu's minions. They all paused for a moment when they realized Ash was in conflict about staying and helping them continue this battle…or leave to help Mario fight Tabuu. After a moment of silence, Goh made a half smile and looked at Ash.

Goh- Ash…you don't need to worry about us!

Ash- Goh…

Brock- You were chosen to take Prince Calmly's place for a reason.

Misty- Still not sure why, since there are so many better choices out there. And yet…you haven't let us down once.

Serena- And defeating Tabuu is the sure way we can end this war and take back our worlds.

Gladion- We're all just as strong as you. So, you don't need to worry about us. Just promise you'll return in one piece when this is over.

Kiawe- Because we promise we will when you return!

Ash- You guys…(sniffs)…you're all the best friends any Poke'mon Trainer could ever hope to have! Thank you!

Then Ash turned to face Tabuu's palace.

Ash- Alright, Ho-Oh! Feel speed ahead! Straight to Tabuu's throne room!

Ho-Oh- You got it, Master Ash!

Ho-Oh flew off with Ash and Pikachu on his back and was about to rush to Tabuu's palace, but Poke'mon Hunter J and her Mega Salamence cut them off.

Poke'mon Hunter J- Going somewhere, Ash?

Ash- Out of the way!

Pikachu- Pika pika!

Poke'mon Hunter J- Hmmm… no. You see, Tabuu gave me strict orders to not let you reach the Mario Brothers while he is dealing with them inside his palace. Salamence, dark hyper beam!

Mega Salamence- (ROAR)

Mega Salamence fired that darker version of hyper beam, but Ho-Oh blocked with his hyper beam. Then Ash and Ho-Oh tried to fly past Poke'mon Hunter J while there was smoke everywhere, but Mega Salamence nearly hit them with dragon rush from below. Ho-Oh managed to use protect just in time to block the attack.

Poke'mon Hunter J- Like I said, I'm not letting you go anywhere!

Pikachu- Pika…CHUUUUUUU!

Pikachu used thunderbolt and that managed to shock Poke'mon Hunter J and Mega Salamence. However, it didn't stun them for very long.

Ash- Guess we'll have to try a different approach. Ho-Oh, fly upward! As high as you can!

Ho-Oh- Sure thing!

Ho-Oh rushed to fly as high as he could.

Poke'mon Hunter J- You can't run from me! Salamence, after that Ho-Oh!

Mega Salamence rushed after Ash and Ho-Oh as they flew higher and higher into the air.

Ash- That's right, J. Follow the little birdie…Pikachu…

Pikachu- Pikachu!

Ash- Alright, go for it, Pikachu!

Then Pikachu jumped off of Ash's shoulder and began falling from the sky. But just as Poke'mon Hunter J noticed Pikachu falling towards her, Ash revealed he had a Dynamax Band tucked underneath his Z-Ring.

Ash- Let's see how J likes this! Pikachu, Gigantamax!

Then a bright light was admitted from Pikachu's body as he suddenly grew to giant size.

Poke'mon Hunter J- What the ****?!

Then Giganatamax Pikachu literally stepped on Poke'mon Hunter J and Mega Salamence. Gigantamax Pikachu lifted his foot and saw both Poke'mon Hunter J and Mega Salamence still alive after that, but they were twitching as if they were trying to recover from broken bones.

Ash- How did they not get turned to goo after that?

Ho-Oh- It's Tabuu's power. It can be used to strengthen them or protect them from what could have been a fatal encounter.

Then Gigantamax Pikachu jumped into the air before returning to normal size and landing back on Ash's shoulder as Ho-Oh flew by.

Ash- Now let's to that palace!

Poke'mon Hunter J- Mean…look…

Suddenly, Ho-Oh froze in his tracks and couldn't move any further to Tabuu's palace.

Ash- Ho-Oh, what's wrong?

Ho-Oh- It's like…my body…can't move…

Pikachu- Pika Pi!

Ash looked above him and saw Runerigus using the Poke'mon move, mean look on Ho-Oh.

Poke'mon Hunter J- Mean look prevents the opposing Poke'mon from running away…I said I wouldn't let you reach the Mario Brothers and I mean it…

But just as Ash was trying to think of what to do next, a flock of Butterfree suddenly appeared from the forest. The Butterfree flew just above all of Tabuu's minions and began springling stun spore on the Primids. This allowed all of Ash's friends to fight back against the Primids a little easier. The stun spore also got on Poke'mon Hunter J, Mega Salamence, and Runerigus. Once Runerigus was paralyzed as well, the mean look wore off on Ho-Oh. But then one of the Butterfree approached Ash.

Butterfree- Free!

Pikachu- PIKA!

Ho-Oh- Master Ash, do you know this Butterfree? Because it's claiming to know you.

Ash took a look at the Butterfree and it took a moment to realize why that Butterfree was familiar to him.

Ash- It's you…my old Butterfree!

Butterfree- Free!

Ash- Ho-Oh, this is the very first Poke'mon I ever caught, back when it was a Caterpie. I let Butterfree go so it could mate with another Butterfree. Can't believe you came back to help me. How did you even know I was in trouble?

Butterfree- Free.

Ho-Oh- (Chuckles)

Ash- What's so funny?

Ho-Oh- You Butterfree said that someone named Kyrin sent him and all the other Butterfree a telepathic message informing them that you were in need of assistance.

Ash- Good old Kyin. Wish we could catch up, Butterfree, but I have a friend I need to assist. Think you and the Butterfree can help my friends fight off Tabuu's minion?

Butterfree got a serious face on and nodded to Ash.

Butterfree- FREE!

Ash- Thanks, Butterfree! Ho-Oh!

Ho-Oh- Time to take off!

Ho-Oh began flying towards Tabuu's palace and was about to strike the top of the castle with sky attack. However, Star Dream began to target Ho-Oh.

Star Dream- Not so fast! I have orders not to let you reach Tabuu as well.

Star Dream was about to fire a laser at Ho-Oh, but Sparky jumped over Star Dream's mechanical eye and gave Star Dream a sinister grin.

Richie- Sparky, thunderbolt!

Sparky- Pika…CHUUUUUUU!

Then Sparky shocked Star Dream and knocked it to the ground.

Richie- Now Zippo, use flamethrower!

Mega Zippo- (ROAR)

Mega Zippo hit Star Dream with a stream of fire and made it lose sight of Ash and Ho-Oh.

Richie- I guess you forgot that I was your opponent, Star Dream. For a super computer, that was pretty stupid! Now, go get'em Ash!

Ho-Oh finally reached Tabuu's palace and smashed his way into Tabuu's throne room using sky attack. But little did Ash, Pikachu, or Ho-Oh know that Poke'mon Hunter J, Mega Salamence, and Runerigus managed to grab hold of Ho-Oh's leg while Ash was talking to Butterfree. Which means they were brought along for the ride.

(At the back end of Tabuu's palace)

Super Sonic spaced out for a moment. Super Sonic felt like he heard Mario call to him just then.

Tails- Sonic, are you alright?

Super Sonic- I'm fine, Tails. It's Mario. I need to get into that palace and help Mario deal with Tabuu!

Perfect Nazo- You're saying you want to just leave us here to deal with Infinite, Black Doom, and the rest of Tabuu's minions while you rush to save Mario? Not to mention probably be taking the Chaos Emeralds with you which will force me, Shadow, and Silver back to our normal forms.

Super Sonic- Well…I didn't mean it like that! I know it's not right to ditch you all…especially since I'm the one who dragged you all out here to fight. But I'm still part of the Super Mario Brothers' Team and it's my duty to help the Mario Brothers defeat Tabuu. Just like Chaos before me.

Super Shadow- Then go…

Super Sonic- Huh…?

Super Shadow- Tabuu is like the king piece in a game of chess. Topple him…and we win.

Super Silver- That is true. Best way to ensure victory is to defeat Tabuu himself.

Super Sonic- But…what about you guys?

Knuckles- It will take a lot more than this to take us down! And you should know.

Tails- We all believe that you can defeat Tabuu!

Super Sonic- Thanks Tails!

Perfect Nazo- I guess it can't be helped. But just hit Tabuu once in the nuts for me. I still owe Tabuu that much for what he did to me in the past.

Amy- Just make it back safe and sound, Sonic.

Super Sonic- No need to worry about me! Off I go!

Super Sonic attempted to dash off to Tabuu's palace, but Infinite created a giant badminton racket with the Phantom Ruby and knocked Super Sonic to the ground.

Infinite- It won't be that easy to reach the Mario's!

Devil Doom- Asides from making you fall for Tabuu's trap, Tabuu ordered us to keep you from reuniting with the rest of the Super Mario Brothers' Team to unite against Tabuu.

Super Sonic- Damn it! Got to figure out a way to get past them if I want to reach Mario.

Then Devil Doom spat out a stream of fire from his mouth, but Super Sonic and the others managed to avoid it.

Super Sonic- I think I have an idea that might help me get past them. First, we need to neutralize Infinite so he can't use the Phantom Ruby to keep me away.

Perfect Nazo- And Devil Doom?

Super Sonic- How good are you at bowling, Nazo?

Infinite fired a few more energy blasts at Super Sonic and the others, but they got out of the way. Then Knuckles rushed in to try and punch Infinite. However, Infinite created a cage around Knuckles to trap him.

Infinite- Looks like someone forgot to lock the brainless monkey in his cage.

Super Silver used his psychic powers to lift several large rocks and trees and launch them at Infinite from behind. Tails also fired a laser from his arm cannon at Infinite. However, Infinite made them all stop in time before they could hit him.

Infinite- You'll need to do better than that to get the jump on me.

Infinite might've spoken too soon, because Amy then got up behind Infinite and whacked him on the head with her hammer, knocking Infinite to the ground. Before Infinite could get back up, Super Shadow used Chaos Control to warp in up to Infinite and grab him by the neck and pin him to the ground.

Super Shadow- Chaos…BLAST!

Then a huge burst of energy erupted from Super Shadow that also blasted Infinite. Meanwhile, Super Sonic was charging up for his light speed dash while also being held in Perfect Nazo's palm while Super Sonic was in ball form.

Perfect Nazo- You better be ready, because you'll have to dash as soon as I fire.

Super Sonic- Ready…

Then Perfect Nazo fired an energy blast to launch Super Sonic towards Tabuu's palace. As soon as Super Sonic was launched, he used his light speed dash.

Devil Doom- Oh no you don't!

Devil Doom tried to stop Super Sonic, but Super Sonic literally rushed right through him and made a large hole in his eye.

Devil Doom- MY EYE!

While Devil Doom was screaming in pain, Super Sonic dashed right through the side of Tabuu's palace and into the throne room.

(In the skies above Tabuu's palace)

Pit suddenly spaced out for a moment, but still remained in the air.

Phosphora- Pit…?

Dark Pit- Hey, get your head back in the fight!

Pit- Sorry, but…I can tell Mario need me…but I also can just leave you guys…

Pyrrhon- Hey, if the Mario Brothers need you to fight Tabu, go for it!

Phosphora- Defeating Tabuu is our primary objective.

Dark Pit- And this wouldn't be the first time I took care of the enemies outside while you went after the big boss. That happened twice in Kid Icarus: Uprising.

Pit- Thank you! And you all better be here to congratulate me when I return victorious!

Pit attempted to fly towards the palace, but Hades suddenly appeared in his path with a giant baseball bat and wearing a baseball helmet.

Hades- Hey batter batter! Swing!

Then Hades swung the baseball bat at Pit. Luckily, Pit protected himself with the Neo Mirror Shield, but he still got knocked back away from Tabuu's palace.

Hades- Sorry Pitty Pat, but Tabuu gave me clear instructions not to let you anywhere near his palace until after Mario's head mounted on his wall.

Suddenly, Medusa rush Hades and managed to pin him down.

Medusa- Pit…I've got Hades…hurry up…I don't know how long I can hold him…

Hades- Get off me, bitch! ZERO!

Pit made another attempt to reach Tabuu's palace, but Zero2 blocked his path.

Pit- Shit! Almost forgot about him!

Then Kamek looked down and saw Bowser through one of the windows in the palace and Bowser was looking hurt.

Kamek- Master Bowser is in trouble! I have to help him…if only I could help that angel get past that giant eyeball…

Bowser Jr.- Giant eyeball…Hang on! I think I have an idea. Hey, do any of you goddesses have a bottle of hot sauce on hand?

Palutena (telepathically to Bowser Jr.)- Hot sauce? I don't see where you're going with this.

Viridi (telepathically to Bowser Jr.)- Hehehe…I do!

Then a large bottle of hot sauce materialized in Bowser Jr.'s claw.

Viridi (telepathically to Bowser Jr.)- Here you go, squirt. Have fun and make sure it stings! HAHAHAHAHA! I can't wait to see Zero2's reaction!

Palutena (telepathically to Viridi)- Reaction to what?

Viridi (telepathically to Palutena)- Trust me…it will be better if I don't spoil the surprise! Hehehehehe….

Then Bowser Jr. moved the Shooting Star up to Zero2 while also dodging all of Zero2's energy shots.

Bowser Jr.- Here, have some hot sauce!

Once Bowser Jr. got close enough, he threw the hot sauce bottle directly into Zero2's eye and the sauce got all over his eye. After a split second, Zero2's giant eye was now burning red, blood veins were popping up all over his retinas, tears were forming from his eye, and the sound of a fire alarm was playing in the background. Zero2 frantically rushed around all over the skies above the palace like a mad man. When Zero2 flew by the camera, a cartoonish flame was seen in his eye. When he flew by the camera a second time, skull and crossbones was seen in his eye. After writhing in pain for a bit, Zero2 spotted the mote around Tabuu's palace and immediately dove into it.

Viridi (telepathically to Bowser Jr.)- HAHAHAHAHA! You are an evil little genius! That's comedy gold, baby!

Bowser Jr.- GWAHAHAHA! Thanks. I saw this cartoon when they put hot sauce in this guy's eye and I figured it would work on that big eye too. Hell, it also did a number on Kamek when I swapped his eye drops with a bottle of hot sauce and…

Kamek- Young prince…please don't bring that up! That prank was the reason why I'm forced to wear glasses!

Palutena (telepathically to Pit)- Oh…oh my…well…regardless of how extreme that might've been…Pit, you know have your chance to reach Tabuu's palace!

Kamek- And we have our chance to reach Lord Bowser.

Bowser Jr.- We're coming, Papa!

Pit then flew towards Tabuu's palace as fast as he could. However, Hades managed to slip out of Medusa's pin by shrinking himself back to normal size. Then Hades managed to grab hold of one of Pit's wings as he flew right past them. But that didn't slow Pit down and Hades ended up being dragged along as Pit flew through one of the windows to Tabuu's throne room.

(In the foyer of Tabuu's palace)

Donkey Kong suddenly spaced out for a moment. Diddy Kong jumped on Donkey Kong's back and waved his hand over his face.

Diddy Kong- DK…? Earth to Donkey Kong! Are you still in there?

Donkey Kong- I'm fine, Diddy. It's just…I've got this feeling Mario needs me…I have to get to him!

Tiny Kong- Hold on! You're just gonna leave us to fight the Snowmads without you?

Donkey Kong stopped for a moment to look at all of his fellow Kong's. Donkey Kong felt uneasy at first, knowing he'd have to leave them to continue this fight alone if he went to help Mario fight Tabuu.

Diddy Kong- If you have to, then go! I'm sure Mario needs you more than we do.

Donkey Kong- Diddy…?

Dixie Kong- He's right. We've beaten the Snowmads before and won.

Lanky Kong- We'll be alright. Just defeat Tabuu so we can claim Kongo Jungle back.

Donkey Kong- You Kong's are the best! I promise I'll be back once Tabuu has been defeated!

Donkey Kong rushed to the stairs in the foyer, but Lord Fredrick jumped in his path and swung a giant spiked club at him. Donkey Kong managed to block with his Monkey Punch.

Lord Fredrick- Oh no you don't! Tabuu insists you don't go anywhere near his throne room!

Donkey Kong- Out of the way, Fredrick!

Lord Fredrick- Make me!

Just then, General Klump and Krusha jumped Lord Fredrick and pinned him to the ground.

Lord Fredrick- Get off of me!

Then Lord Fredrick unleashed a burst of Tabuu's energy from his body to knock Krusha and Klump into the air. But just as Fredrick got back up, he saw Chunky Kong swing his fist as Chunky used his Primate Punch to knock him back to the ground. But before Lord Fredrick could get back up, Cragalanche dropped on top of him from above.

King K. Rool- That should hold Fredrick long enough.

Donkey Kong- I still need to get to Mario quickly…say K. Rool. Think you can launch me to Tabuu's palace with your Blunderbuss?

King K. Rool- If you insist.

Then King K. Rool pulled out his Blunderbuss gun, sucked Donkey Kong into it, and aimed towards the ceiling.

King K. Rool- Next stop…Tabuu's throne room!

Then King K. Rool fired Donkey Kong out of his Blunderbuss and launched him through the ceiling.

(In another part of Tabuu's palace)

Link just froze for a moment, like he knew someone was calling him.

Aryll- Big brother…you ok?

Link- Yes, Aryll. I feel as though Mario is calling for help…and that I need to answer his call. But if I do that…I'll be abandoning you all! I don't know if my warrior's code will allow that.

Impa- If that's what you gotta do to stop Tabuu, then go ahead!

Sheik- We can handle this on our own.

Then Fi jumped out of the Master Sword and landed next to Link.

Fi- You won't be alone, Master. I'll still be there with you.

Link- Ok, but just stay alive when this is over.

Fi returned back into the Master Sword and Link was about to make his way up to the higher floors. However, Vaati was about to rush at Link with his sword.

Vaati- Not a chance! Master Tabuu said not to let you progress any further and interfere with his rematch with the Mario Brothers!

But before Vaati could reach Link, Ganondorf stopped Vaati with Ghirahim's black sword form.

Ganondorf- Ghirahim, get this piece of trash out of my sight!

Ghirahim- With pleasure, master!

Then the black sword began to make a bright red glow.

Vaati- What the hell is?!

Then Ganondorf performed a special slash with that black sword, similar to Link's Triforce Cut. This sliced right though Vaati's sword and knocked Vaati to the other side of the room.

Ganondorf- Now go and defeat Tabuu! The sooner you do, the soon we can go back to setting the score between us.

Link- Sure thing, Ganondorf.

Aryll- Hang on. I'll use Farore's wind to send teleport you to Tabuu's throne room.

Then Link was engulfed in a bright green light and instantly vanished when the light faded.

(In another part of Tabuu's palace)

Ty froze in his tracks all of a sudden. Like he was lost in thought for some reason.

Shazza- Possum…?

Sly- Hey, snap out of it, bro!

Ty- Sorry about that, guys. It's just…I know me mate, Mario needs me help! But I can't leave Bush Rescue to fight the Quinkan without me help.

Fluffy- Hate to say it, but you helping Mario in his fight with Tabuu is more important. It is the reason you were picked for the Super Mario Brothers' Team.

Shazza- We'll need Tabuu back in Subspace if we want Fang to grow up in a world that isn't overrun with Tabuu's monsters and followers.

Sly- You don't need to worry about us! We're definitely capable of handling a few Quinkan!

Ty- Thanks mates!

Then Ty tossed his Kaboomerangs to the ceiling and blasted a hole in it.

Quinking- Leaving so soon? Sorry, but told me not to let anyone see him until he was finished with his first guests.

The Quinking rushed at Ty, but a laser shot hit him in the face and his shapeshifting powers went haywire, like with Gooboo Steve's magic seals.

Susie- Tabuu's powers might prevent Steve's magic seals from harming you as a trap, but let's see if they can when mixed with my laser gun!

Susie fired another shot and knocked the Quinking to the ground. Meanwhile Ty jumped to the next floor through the hole his Kaboomerangs made.

Ty- I promise…once we beat Tabuu, we'll all return to Buramudgee together!

(In the dining room of Tabuu's palace)

Yoshi stopped all of a sudden and looked towards the ceiling.

Vivian- Yoshi…

Yoshi- Yoshi feel Mario's in danger. Yoshi must help Mario's! But how? Yoshi still leading other Yoshi's in fight and Mario's at top floor.

Vivian- Don't worry, Yoshi! Goombario and I will make sure nothing happens to the other Yoshi's.

Goombario- And if you need a way to get upstairs real quick…

Then Goombario head bonked part of a table and made it look like a ramp going upward.

Goombario- Instant ramp for your eggroll attack.

Yoshi- Ok…Yoshi do!

Then Yoshi turned into a Yoshi egg and rolled towards the ramp Goombario just made. However, Dimentio jumped in the way and used his hands to halt the rolling egg.

Dimentio- Not so fast! I'm not about to make Tabuu any angrier than he already is and let you get away from me! Besides, he already has a full audience for his show with the Mario Brothers!

Yoshi's egg was still rolling, but not going anywhere. But then the egg was suddenly lit on fire while still rolling.

Dimentio- What's going on?!

Vivian- Just added a little spiciness to Yoshi's eggroll. Let's see if you can stop him now that he's on fire.

Dimentio's hands were starting to burn like sliding down a poll type of burn.

Dimentio- OOOOO! HOT! HOT! HOT! HOT! HOT! HOT!

Eventually, the flaming Yoshi egg pushed through Dimentio and ran him over. What Yoshi didn't know was Dimentio was now stuck to the other end of the egg as it was rolling. Yoshi rolled up the ramp and smashed through a few floors as he rushed to reach Tabuu's throne room. And with Dimentio stuck getting smashed through the floors as well.

(In another part of Tabuu's palace)

Kirby spaced out for a moment.

Daroach- Kirby…?

Taranza- It's usually not like you to zone out when food isn't involved.

Kirby- I know. It's just…I feel like Mario needs me. I have to get up there and help him!

Ribbon- But Kirby, if you go after Tabuu to help the Mario Brothers…

Bandana Dee- You'll be leaving us behind to deal with Tabuu's minions.

Kirby- I…I never thought of it like that. I can't leave my friends behind…but I also can't leave Mario behind…

King DeDeDe- Hey, it will take more than some monster with an exploding head and the end of the world to do me in! If I've learned anything during the past fanfictions, it's that when you heroes all unite, you become the best thing we have to defeat Tabuu. So, it's probably for the best.

Bandana Dee- Hey, we're definitely capable of handling Tabuu's lackies.

Kirby- You guys are the best. I'll try to hurry it up and get back to you guys once I'm done with Tabuu.

Fawful- I have fury! Fawful heard that! Fawful no let pinkie get to Tabuu!

Fawful's pulled out a laser gun and fired at Kirby, but Robobot blocked with its fist. Then Adeleine painted a glowing hammer on her canvas before it came to life and tossed it to Kirby.

Adeleine- Kirby!

Once Kirby saw the hammer Adeline drew, he instantly inhaled it and turned into Grand Hammer Kirby.

Grand Hammer Kirby- POYO! Alright, let's make a path to reach Mario!

Then Grand Hammer Kirby swung his large mallet and hammered Fawful through the ceiling and caused Fawful to fly through several floors.

Grand Hammer Kirby- Sorry to do this to you, Robobot. Eject pilot, now!

Then Kirby was ejected out of Robobot's control and he followed Fawful through the floors he was crashing through.

(In another part of Tabuu's palace)

Shantae felt a sudden feeling, like a signal that was calling to her.

Shantae- Mario…I don't know how I know, but I know Mario is in trouble!

Then Shantae looked at her squad and realized what that would mean.

Shantae- If I leave to help the Mario Brothers…I'll be ditching you guys and leaving you to face the Pirate Master and Tabuu's Primids by yourselves. I just don't know if I can do that…

Squid Baron- After working with Kyrin for so long, the only real way to defeat Tabuu is when you heroes are together. This might seem hard, but it might be the best chance of defeating Tabuu and saving Kyrin from Subspace.

Sky- I agree. This madness will never end if we don't take out Tabuu.

Bolo- Go and kick his ass! We can handle the rest from here!

Shantae- Thank you! Just try to survive until we defeat Tabuu.

Shantae rushed for the stairway to the next floor, but the Pirate Master jumped in her path. Shantae jumped over him, but then the Pirate Master imprisoned Shantae in a magical sphere like he did with Sky and Risky Boots earlier.

Pirate Master- Oh no you don't! Tabuu told me not to let you pass until after he's finished with Mario and Luigi! Can't have the Super Mario Brothers' Team coming together like you mother and the team of old did 1,000 years ago.

After the Pirate Master was done taunting Shantae, he suddenly felt something. Like someone had wedged something into his chest. When he looked down, he saw that Risky Boots and stuffed a lit bomb into his ribcage.

Risky Boots- I have to say, a perfect fit.

Pirate Master- Risky…I swear, once I'm put back together, the first thing I'm going to do when I get my hands on you is skin…

Before he could finish, the bomb went off and the Pirate Master fell to pieces. A hole was blown in the ceiling and Shantae turned into Harpie Shantae so she could fly to the next floor quickly.

Shantae- Thanks, Risky. Just hang in there, Mario. I'm coming!