Author's Notes: Hey there! Yawn... It's getting pretty late here in the Philippines and I just wanted to upload a chapter before I hit the sack. Have a nice time reading!
Chapter 5
"Still Here?"
"You did what?!" Starlow asked in utter disbelief.
The parade has already started and Princess Peach along with Mario, Luigi, Starlow, and her trusted advisor, Toadsworth were situated on a pink, red, and yellow float. The clashing colors of the gold that outlined the float and the dominant pink color grabbed the attention of every spectating Toads and travelers. Balloons and roses decorated the vehicle and a golden star statue topped it all off.
Princess Peach is on the center with Toadsworth on her very left side. Mario and Luigi who had been oddly quiet since the Dark Star's recapture flanked behind the princess on either side. Starlow floated shoulder-leveled on the princess's right. They all tried their best to smile at the cheering crowd that lined the streets and on every home.
Fireworks of different varieties colored the sky. Trumpets fought for dominance in being the loudest. Many toads waved their flags emblazoned with the mushroom kingdom's logo.
It had already been ten minutes into the parade and the princess and company were already a few miles towards the castle where a party would be held. It is Princess Peach's birthday and the princess is ecstatic for the party. The only thing that seems to weigh down the festive mood was knowing that the Dark Star is just below their feet.
Peach had told her friends about their conversation with the Dark Star and they didn't seem thrilled of the idea of giving the ancient relic another chance.
"Starlow, I do not see why it is wrong to do that."
"Princess, you just went and gave a really dangerous, evil, and powerful ancient relic that threatened to destroy all of us a second chance! After everything it did and you just waved it off like it didn't happen! Not only that, you just named it Scuro!"
"Scuro is a he, Starlow. He has life and must be treated as such."
Princess Peach's royal advisor, Toadsworth spoke. "With all due respect, princess, I do not think that the Dark- ahem, Scuro will ever change. He is a relic of profound evil and he will still be that way. He was hidden away and buried beneath the earth for a reason, princess."
The princess knew it was true that the Scuro is a true evil. He was brought into the world that way, but that didn't mean he was meant to stay that way. She wanted to believe he would change. She was a selfless person that way.
Although it might ruin her affiliation as princess for conversing with the dark relic in such a trusting way, it would be worth it. She has a feeling things would get out of hand and the safety of the Mushroom kingdom would once again be tested. Scuro would be part of that, no doubt. But it wouldn't be the same as last time...
"And there is a reason he has returned. The future has plans for Scuro. I can just feel it."
Everyone couldn't question that. The Dark Star wouldn't have returned if there was nothing big going on. Though it can mean two things. Either for the better or for the destruction of the world.
While Peach, Starlow, and Toadsworth talked, Mario and Luigi had been discussing among themselves. They had whispered to each other weighing their own opinions about the Dark Star.
"Do you think the Dark Star will cause any more trouble?" Luigi asked worriedly at his brother.
"You can't deny that, Luigi. The Dark Star is dangerous even though it can't move. It- I mean, he is an intelligent being. He can still manipulate us to do things." Mario whispered back.
Mario hadn't intended his words to be comforting. He knew his brother was aware of the Dark a Star's capabilities. He intended to remind his little brother of that.
A ghost of fear suddenly crept up Mario's spine forming goosebumps and causing him to shudder. It felt like the temperature dropped a few degrees and Mario noticed Luigi shudder too. A soft wind passed by and Mario and Luigi heard a low hum. The constant pause of the wind made it sound like a cold laughter.
"Did... Did you feel that?" Mario asked his little brother.
"Yeah... I-I have a bad feeling about this." His worry had now turned into slight agitation.
They ignore it so they wouldn't grab any attention. They could only shrug and dismiss it as the trick of the wind.
The parade finally ended a half-hour later and the party starts. The floats were parked along the castle grounds and the royals and important people that were situated there dismounted them. As Princess Peach and company dismounted their float, a familiar voice grabbed their attention.
"Hey Peach! Happy Birthday!" A young woman bounded over to them with an enthused grin on her face. She has thick brown hair that ended at her waist. A golden crown was perched on her head. She is wearing an orange dress similar to that of Princess Peach.
Princess Peach couldn't help but let out a huge smile and giggle as she approached her friend. "Hello, Daisy!"
Princess Daisy and Princess Peach hugged each other. Mario, Luigi, and Starlow smiled at their happy reunion. It had been awhile since the princess of Sarasaland visited the Peach. They had heard about the many problems that hit Sarasaland during that time ranging from stronger natural calamities, random attacks, and political controversies. It was no wonder Daisy would be so busy; but she wasn't busy enough to miss her best friend's birthday.
The two princesses broke the hug and Daisy noticed the others. "Mario! Luigi! And... you're Starlow right?"
"Yep! It's nice to meet you princess Daisy!" Starlow exclaimed.
"Hey princess! Long time no see." Mario waved at her.
"Daisy! I missed you!" Luigi gave a light hug to Daisy in greeting.
Princess Peach beckoned them towards the castle doors. "Come on guys, this party would not be celebrating itself. And we can't delay the feast now would we?"
Upon hearing the word 'feast' everyone except Toadsworth scrambled into the castle navigating the numerous hallways in order to get to the dining hall. The princess chuckled to herself as she climbed up the stairs into the castle doors. Toadsworth was by her side as always as he let out a hearty laugh. "Hoho. Feasting never disappoints anyone, not even masters Mario and Luigi could resist."
The princess nodded in agreement. Nothing would go wrong.
...(Dark Star's POV)...
I am back inside the void again. I felt something odd within myself. It felt cold and a shiver from within my center threatened to surface. I fought it down and suppressed it. It was foreign to me... Is this fear? I resent fear; it makes me weak and vulnerable. After all, I fear nothing. What would cause me to feel such discomfort?
I heard a whisper. It was barely audible but it still echoed in the empty void. It gradually became louder and the whisper revealed itself to be a wispy yet gravelly and deep voice. 'You... Cannot... Contain me'
"Reveal yourself" I demanded.
'You cannot contain me... Not for long... I have been suppressed for too long... And now... You cannot stop me... I am darkness... Darkness cannot be contained...'
I let every word sink in. The last phrase bothered me deeply. Wait... I say that phrase to assert my identity as darkness itself. Does this unknown being refer itself as darkness, too? That is unacceptable.
"I am darkness and no one else. I will not accept the fact that you think of yourself as me. You have no right to challenge me." Every word was laced with venom and my eyes glowed menacingly to emphasize that point. Whoever was there wouldn't miss it.
'The same... As how you have rights... To suppress me for so long... You have already failed millennia ago... You are of no use once I... am done with you.'
I didn't understand what this unknown being meant. I failed in what? The only failures I remember was my recent defeat several years back and my submission against the star sprites allowing them to seal me away underground centuries ago. I know no failures the last century before nor a defeat millennia ago.
"I do not know what you talk about."
'You are not... Supposed to understand... You do not... Deserve such knowledge... But... I'll give you this... You are not... Who you think you are.'
I am not who I think I am? I am not a powerful being destined to shroud the world in darkness? Does this being think it would surpass me? Is it calling me stupid?! How dare it say that!
"You lie! You dare to COMPARE me to you?! You are nothing against me!" My voice boomed throughout the empty void. My eyes glowed even brighter and I hiss trying to vent out my anger.
I felt the odd feeling again and I tried to suppress it again, but it didn't work this time. The void suddenly shifted as if it were a large creature. It took me a while to notice it is a huge being; about the size of Peach's castle. I couldn't see much of the black behemoth before me. My peripheral vision can only take so much. What I did make out were the large, long, black, and bristle-like spikes that protruded from its back, elbows, and head. It had arms longer and larger than its legs. It shifted until I could only see the huge bristled head. It opened its eyes to reveal a single, glowing, orange orb that made my threatening glare look like sore eyes. Its jaws which held large, forwards-pointing, crooked teeth shifted as it laughed coldly.
It spoke something before it lunged at me.
I awoke finding myself back in the cold, dark, and wet Toad Town Caves. I was panting and I would've sweated if I had any sweat glands. My eyes flitted fiercely looking for the dark monster that threatened to kill me in sleep. It took me a while to register everything.
I just had a nightmare...
I saw one of the guards peeking through the main gate towards my chamber looking at me. He had a nervous look on his face as he eyed me wearily. I glare at him for looking at me that way and he flinched back before returning back to his respective post.
The nightmare left me nervous as I pondered the last words of the dark behemoth.
'I am everything you are.'
What do you guys think? So the Dark Star's new name is revealed to be 'Scuro'! I have to admit, Nyctus is kinda cheap but that's not the point. What is that creature in Scuro's dream? Find out in the next few chapters! Please Read and Review!