Author's Notes: Hey there! Sorry for the late update. I got sick and I spent my time sleeping to recover. So I present you with a late chapter 6! Please Read and Review! Enjoy!
Chapter 6
"Of Birthdays and Videos"
Inside the main hall of Peach's castle, the party starts. Banners lined the pink and yellow walls. Tables were arranged and spaced a few yards apart so it wasn't crowded much to the satisfaction of everyone. Glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling casting a bright white light on the partygoers below.
The lights turned off and all attention was now directed to the princess under the spotlight and the glowing, blank screen behind her.
"I would like to thank you all for being here tonight! This is a very important occasion to me and I am very happy that all of you wish to celebrate that!"
Everyone cheered for Princess Peach who is giving a welcoming speech for her birthday party. She was on a pink and yellow stage designed with mushroom emblems and roses. Behind her, the screen now projected images of her ranging from her baby years to adulthood. Red and yellow banners with the emblazoned crowned, golden mushroom hung on either side of the screen.
Partygoers feasted while the princess gave her speech. Fortunately for them, it wasn't too dark that they can't see their food.
"For years, I have ruled this kingdom and considered it as my child. I had cared for it and made sure that every citizen that lives within its walls will be happy. I made sure that I would be a good ruler and care for everyone in the kingdom with all my heart. You have repaid me with your thanks and many gifts and I am thankful for that. For your unwavering loyalty and support, I reward myself and all of you with the party of the century! Tonight is my 25th birthday and I would like to welcome you all to this special occasion!"
Shouts, whistles, whoops, and applause filled the hall in cheer. The princess giggled at the festive mood as she began to give special thanks.
In the party were many royals who were good friends and invited by the princess herself or by Mario and Luigi. There was Prince Peasley and Queen Bean, the respective prince and Queen of the Beanbean kingdom, accompanied by their ambassador Lady Lima; Princess Daisy, princess of the kingdom of Sarasaland; and Dreambert, accompanied by some of his fellow Pi'illos from Dream world, even managed to attend.
On a table just before the stage sat Mario, Luigi, and Daisy. Since Starlow couldn't sit, she only floated above her seat. They cheered in support for their friend onstage. They also discussed a few things while waiting for Princess Peach to finish her speech. Mario, Luigi, and Starlow didn't want to let Daisy know that the Dark Star was still here. Unfortunately, it's hard to not bring the subject up.
"So, what were you guys up to while I was away?", Daisy asked.
"Nothing much. We just finished dealing some things in the Dream world." Mario answered with pride.
"All right. What version is it this time?" Daisy asked with a smirk.
It was their inside joke that every final battle Mario and Luigi had was with a different version of Bowser. It was a terror when it happened. The aftermath only led to another win in Luigi's bet that the final boss would be a version of Bowser.
Luigi chucked a bit before answering. "Dreamy Bowser. Oh, and Mario?"
"What?"
"You still owe me."
They all laughed at that, even Mario who knew he would be losing 10,000 coins.
It became cold all of a sudden as if someone turned the thermostat to negative. Mario, Luigi, Starlow, and Daisy shivered feeling the sudden change in temperature. They felt a shiver down their spines and their feet turned cold. Mario, Luigi, and Daisy felt goosebumps forming on their skin and the hairs on their necks stand on end (Starlow doesn't have hair and a neck so she can't experience goosebumps).
They glanced around at the other partygoers to check if they also felt the sudden change in temperature. They didn't look affected by it and were still doing their businesses. Then as fast as it came, the cold feeling stopped.
"Did you guys feel that?" Starlow, who was still shivering slightly, asked no one in particular.
"Yeah... What was that all about?", asked Daisy who hugged her arms.
"I-I don't know, me and Mario felt it too earlier on our float." Luigi answered. He breathed into his hands and rubbed them together to warm them up. "Ugh, my fingers don't feel so good..."
"This doesn't feel so good to all of us, at all." Mario exclaimed clamping his hands under his armpits.
"I wonder what's causing this..." Daisy said her thoughts aloud.
"I have a hunch." Starlow narrowed her eyes clearly reminded of something... or someone.
"Who do you have in mind, Starlow?" Daisy asked the star sprite.
Starlow slapped herself mentally for actually giving a hint of Dark Star. She saw Mario and Luigi with wide-eyes silently pleading with me to not tell Daisy about the ancient relic just below Toad Town.
"Huh? Um... Nothing."
"Starlow, I'm not stupid. Just at least give me a hint on what you're thinking." Daisy frowned knowing Starlow was hiding something. Starlow struggled to find an excuse and pass it out as a valid answer. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of an excuse to hide the Dark Star.
"I, um... Maybe it's just the wind."
"There aren't any windows here."
"No? Um... Maybe it was just the air conditioning."
"Maybe... But why didn't keep on feeling cold?"
"Erm... Glitch?"
"Hmmm... Maybe so."
Mario and Luigi exhaled just realizing they had been holding their breath in anticipation. Starlow held her's for longer while Daisy still studied her. Daisy sighed with her head bowed down a bit and eyes closed. Starlow took the chance to finally breathe.
The lights then turned back on signaling the end of Princess Peach's speech.
...(Scuro's POV)...
It's just been ten minutes when I awoke from my little nightmare and I can't seem to go back to sleep. I didn't even feel sleepy at all. I would have guessed it is around 9pm by now; still early for me. I tried forcing myself to sleep by simply closing my eyes and refusing to open them. I had hoped that would encourage me to sleep, but it only made things worse by making me think of things.
Memories of my defeat a few years ago played itself again and again. I saw many flaws in my actions that I had not considered wrong during that time. Why did I enter that brute's body? My dark power was absorbed by that scientist, maybe I just needed to find a way to defend myself by absorbing the brute's DNA?
I did get what I initially needed and I absorbed the DNA. It granted me the brute's capabilities. It gave me arms to punch with, fire to breath, a hard and spiked shell for armor, and the ability to inhale anything.
The two plumbers had followed me inside the brute's airway, trying to stop me. They failed and only succeeded in making me familiar with my new powers. I should have just killed those two plumbers when I had the chance. I had underestimated them and I dismissed them as a petty nuisance. I shouldn't have waited until they cornered me inside the airway.
They defeated me out of all odds. I wouldn't accept that and I attempted to inhale them as a last effort. They barely escaped when my body gave out and became a semi-physical form of the brute I absorbed the DNA from. I escaped from inside the brute.
Later, after I had inhaled the scientist-bug who absorbed my power earlier, I regained the rest of my power and completed it. My semi-physical form became fully material and I became an exact copy of the brute, much to the latter's surprise. He had challenged me for "copying" him and I accepted it. That little game ended in a draw.
I had also taken Princess Peach to the top of her castle knowing she was the key to finally complete and release the dark power. The brute had followed me there and we fought the final battle. He defeated me just like how the two plumbers did, but I didn't stay down. I could hear the crazy laughter of the scientist-bug inside me as he helped me back on my feet from the inside. Not only that, he also managed to make me bigger than before.
I was then twice the size of the brute, granting me the upper hand in strength, resilience, and power. I shouldn't have been so confident and mindless of my actions. The brute had hit me in the gut causing me to cough out the scientist-bug. He then proceeded to inhale the scientist-bug allowing the two plumbers inside him to finish the job.
I grew weaker when the scientist-bug lost. He held part of my power, and now that he's gone I became unstable and immobile. That was just enough for the brute to land the finishing blows on me. I lost.
I wished I could return to finally exact revenge for my defeat; to spare me the humiliation of such weakness. Now that I have returned but without my powers, I don't know what to do. I couldn't do anything about that. I didn't even have much of a valid reason to return here.
I only had two defeats at most and I didn't stay defeated very long. The nightmare made me question that.
I had my share of nightmares in the void, but none of them ever hit hard like the one I just had. What did it mean about my failure millennia ago? I don't remember such a thing. I didn't think the nightmare would be ringed with truth. It is just a dream, anyway; nothing is real.
I would've thought so until another question surfaced. Do I even remember anything before I was sealed away centuries ago? It dawned on me that I had no memory whatsoever of what happened to me before I was sealed away.
What happened before that? What did I do during that time? When was I even first introduced to the world?
I wouldn't exert myself for thinking too much of things that will never affect me. So what if I don't remember? So what if the answer is somewhere out there waiting to be revealed? So what if I don't even know myself completely?
I growl in frustration. My curiosity never knows when to shut up when I need it to. I can't control it, much to my annoyance. Whenever I force it to keep quiet, it still manages to slip a bothersome question. It wouldn't stop asking me like a child begging for answers that even adults wouldn't understand. I'm so... young.
I have lived through many experiences to consider myself knowledgeable. I have lived for centuries and surpassed many generations. But I am not wise. All the knowledge I acquired through experiences only gave me the idea of destruction and how to inflict it.
I lived for centuries sealed away underground, unable to experience life fully and discouraging me to do more than just destroying and sleeping. I lack the time to be a living being and instead turned myself into a heartless and destructive relic.
Many people don't even know I exist. And if they do, they consider me a legend. I couldn't blame them. Nobody has seen me until several years back. Even if only a few know I exist, at least they all know I'm alive and sentient... They thwarted me off because I plan to destroy everything they care for. I didn't regret that.
It had been too long since I destroyed something. I needed to quench my thirst for destruction and destroying kingdoms and cities aren't going to be enough. Then I thought of destroying the world with the dark power.
Having failed to do so and returning back several years later, I would've thought that thirst would grow. I was surprised it didn't. It had actually deteriorated itself into a simple wish and not a need.
The princess had given me a second chance. I know she wouldn't have just given it to me if she hadn't sensed something. Either that or she just believes in destiny. Is this the first step to change? To stop wanting my past desires? I had to ask myself if it is really me wishing to be something different or the princess knew sorcery and used it on me.
I guess the answers would reveal themselves... eventually. But that isn't my problem for now. My problem is how to finally get some sleep uninterrupted by my own stubborn thoughts. As if the world decided to rebel against me, I hear the guards give loud whoops just outside the chamber.
I could see 6 of them through the gate on the other room cheering on something. They had their backs on me and were bundled up on a guard who held a tablet-like gadget that projected images. I didn't think they'd be cheering on a piece of the technology like cavemen. Perhaps they were cheering on something from the images the gadget projected.
With my enhanced eyesight, I could only make out a mass of clashing colors. It vaguely reminded me of social events called "parties". I then remember that the princess had informed me of my birthday today.
These guards obviously think their princess's birthday is very important. They go as far as looking into a live feed of the party as if they were there. To me, they were crazy. They look into an image and cheer at the top of their lungs even if they know no one would hear them. Perhaps they really are cavemen...
And I don't even understand the use of parties. They waste a lot of resources just to cheer everyone up for only a moment. Even the celebrants exhaust themselves moving their bodies in weird Then again, I am no caveman.
Just then, one of the guards glance at me, catching me staring at them. He tapped his companions and they all looked at me. The guard with the gadget left the video playing as he tapped his gadget with his fingers out of anticipation. The guards looked at each other as if discussing something mentally.
I hadn't left my gaze out of the contraption out of curiosity, though. The guard holding the gadget noticed this and he told something to the other guards before they all approached me. I left my gaze from the gadget and instead glared at the approaching guards.
They paused a bit upon noticing that my point of interest is now on them. I could visibly notice the guard with the gadget, who is now on front still holding his contraption, gulp in agitation. But he straightened himself before resuming his approach. The other guards weren't far behind.
They were now just a few feet from my pedestal. They made their way closer but I growled warning them to keep their space. They all looked nervous, but they still held their ground. My eyes glowed brighter demanding an explanation. Thankfully, the guards understood this and they nudged the guard with the gadget to explain.
"Uh-um... We c-come in peace." He stuttered as he looked at me with respectful submission.
"We, erm... The princess told us to, uh... look out f-for you. And, um... She also told us to, um... you know, be approachable t-to you... Um...uh. And I-I..."
I watch with amusement as the guard kept on stuttering, his bottom lip quivering greatly. The guards shifted uncomfortably in their spots itching to keep even more distance from me. They respect me in fear and I like that. But sometimes, too much fear just make things more complicated like making people unable to talk properly.
I made a sound that resembled a snort, scolding the guard with the gadget. He stuttered and stammered too much and I couldn't understand anything he was trying to say. He stopped talking and tried to recompose himself. He took in a deep breath and exhaled it in a long sigh.
"Huh... Sorry. Um... The princess told us to watch over you... I mean, look out for you. Like tending to you or something like that, if you know what I mean..."
The princess told guards who were tasked to make sure I don't cause trouble and/or escape to take care of me? The princess is a very complicated character indeed... Why the princess even feels the need to tell the guards to care for me is beyond my understanding. Yes, I understand the princess wants the best for me. What I do not understand is why I still need to be taken care of.
One, I am Scuro the Dark Star. I am Darkness and the harbinger of fear, sorrow, and destruction. I do not need to be babysat by some petty guards.
Two, I do not need food. I do not have a stomach and I feed on the energy of shadows which is very bountiful in this dark cave. And I have slept for so long underground, it would take me centuries to actually feel hungry again.
Three, I don't even want to be bothered. There were too many interruptions if the guards would try to take care of me. They just interrupted me trying to sleep and now they were invading my space.
"We noticed that you seem to be interested in my portable Toad-pad. Do you, um... wanna join us?"
I looked at the guard with the gadget in disbelief. He is offering me... to accompany them in their little gathering? His other companions were nodding on me encouragingly even with uneasy expressions on their faces.
Another guard just left from the guard with the gadget spoke up. "You remember that today's princess Peach's birthday, right? Well, we're just looking how things are going there."
I nod in understanding. They may still be cavemen guards to me, but at least they care about something. I could see they wanted to go to the princess's birthday party so badly. The princess had ordered them to stay here and keep an eye on me and they accepted it without batting an eye. They're unwavering loyalty earned themselves here but they didn't complain. They respected their princess too much for that and they didn't want to break their promise to her.
I respect them for that.
They stand strong even if they know their wishes wouldn't always be granted. They accept everything like it was meant to happen. Even though they obviously fear me, they still approached me like they were ordered to.
The guard at the far right spoke. "We guessed you want to watch with us, too. Well... Do you?"
I would've outright said no or simply shoo them off and I can return back to my sleep. I stopped myself from doing so. It is quite intriguing to actually know what's happening in the castle aboveground. It wouldn't hurt to watch with some cavemen guards a live video of the party right?
My eyes dimmed a bit in approval and I nod to make it clear. The guard with the gadget turned his contraption to face me as he sat down with his back on me. The other guards proceeded to go into an angle where they could see the video, too. They were careful not to actually block my view and I was grateful for that.
They soon all sat down just before my pedestal. Surprisingly, I wasn't bothered by that. It actually felt... comforting. It felt comforting to know other people are in here in this cave even if they were meant to be to make sure I stay here in this dark, cold, and damp cave. But then they were also meant to stay here with me.
I watched the video with the guards huddled up in front of me still careful not to block my view. I could see the princess give her speech while cheers would occasionally sound. The guards however, didn't cheer like a while ago. They made sure that they wouldn't make a sound to bother me.
I could sense the very festive and colorful mood just from watching the video. No wonder these guards wanted so badly to go there... It really contrasted with the dark and gloomy mood here in the cave. I eye the guards studying their reactions. I was fascinated to find out the guards had satisfied looks on their faces as they focused on the video before them, seemingly forgetting that I was right behind them.
Hours later, the video showed the party still hasn't ended. I felt myself become sleepy and my eyes started to become heavier every minute I try to keep them open. Before I knew it, I fell asleep with the guards already leaning on my pedestal; not caring that I, a dangerous being of darkness, is also huddling up with them.