Chapter 13

"New Land"

The boat cruised through the sea as the stronger waves rocked it back and forth. It was slightly foggy and the sun still hasn't risen, casting a humid air. 5am was Phil's favorite hour, when the day hasn't started and most early birds just wake up. The world felt calm. This could give Phil all the calmness and serenity he wanted.

Phil was at the cockpit all night while the others slept on the bunk beds belowdeck. He had steered the ship towards the next destination, noting that the wavestronger. Last night, the damn autopilot malfunctioned because of a lose wire, causing Phil to captain the ship until morning. 'The autopilot was getting old, anyway' Phil dismissed. He made a mental note to get it fixed once he returned to the Mushroom kingdom.

Phil didn't sleep very often. It was a bad habit, admittedly, but to the captain, it meant that more things could get done. It was a skill he learned when working overtime or staying up all night tending to his boat. It was challenging at first, but now he mastered it. He could lose a night's sleep yet remain strong the whole day.

Phil sighed and smiled as he recalled last night's events.

He was proud of Scuro for his willingness to cooperate. He was proud that the strange being had the courage to attempt something that he thought was impossible. He was happy that Scuro is now building a role for himself in Mario, Luigi, and Starlow's team.

Last night, he could see the bond already growing.

The group had taught Scuro to acknowledge them by their names, to which the ancient relic complied. They chatted about what could be there on the next island and how many experiences they'd gain from it. Scuro of course, wasn't left out of their gathering. Although, he looked sarcastic and somewhat irritated by the trio's conversational topics, Scuro fit in quite well when he wanted.

Phil even discovered that the weird being held some form of innocence behind that mask of malignancy and darkness. Scuro was interested about the "modern world" as Mario put it, and the trio would tell him all about the advancements of the kingdom. The strange being would also occasionally stare at things he found interesting and ask the trio about them. Scuro even asked to touch Mario's mustache out of fascination, much to the dismay of the red plumber.

Phil was reminded of a little kid who would point at things he thought were fascinating. He didn't know if the strange being was a kid or not. Most likely not, because the captain felt that someone with a deep, gravelly, and echoing voice was hard to consider a kid. Scuro was a strange being that Phil had never met the likes of. 'Maybe he was just new to this kind of world', he dismissed.

For now, he watched Mario, Luigi, Starlow, and Scuro talking on the prow with interest. He couldn't hear what they were talking about, but he didn't want to intrude. They looked to be having a serious discussion. There were no giggles, laughter, or grins like last night... just serious faces with thoughtful expressions. He knew that they wouldn't want him to hear, anyway, so he chose to leave them.

He especially observed Scuro talking with the trio as they listened intently. Even though the air seemed serious between them, Phil couldn't help but smile. At least the strange being was fitting right in. Scuro now had a place in the trio's team. He didn't even know if the trio and Scuro where separate matters anymore.

He went back to steering the boat, deciding that the cool morning sea was more appealing to watch.

...(Scuro's POV)...

"So these trees... y'know the ones we fought at Dimble Wood. What exactly were they?" Starlow asked with a curious frown.

"Those trees were undoubtedly influenced by dark power..." I conclude. "They were deceased and withered when we came there... The demised lose their connections to the material world, leaving a hollow shell to remain as a reminder of its existence. This hollow shell, the body, is left like a vessel without its captain. The physical body never actually needs to be alive to move... Once another abstract entity enters an empty body, it would gain control, and be able to move about in the material world."

P

Mario rubbed his chin in thought. "So... To make things simple, you're saying those trees were possessed zombies?"

"Basically, yes. Those trees were dead, but their souls remained."

"Trees have souls?" Mario questioned me with a raised eyebrow.

"Trees are alive. Everything alive has a soul. Plants do not necessarily need to be sentient in order to have a soul." I pointed out. "Now, without any more interruptions... Dark power chokes anyone of their life but drags souls back inside their respective bodies to rot alongside them and disappear forever." I explain.

"That's... disturbing." Starlow blinked.

I continue, ignoring the star sprite's statement. "Those trees were dead, yes? Those trees were left exposed to the effects of dark power. Sometimes, dark power is capable of reanimating the dead. But dark power does not have the capability to control the bodies on their own. That is where the souls come in.

"The souls are dragged back and returned to regain control of their dead bodies. But the dark power does not allow the souls to gain full control. The dark power influences their minds and does the rest.

"So basically, the dead that are influenced by dark power were forcefully brought back to life against their will. The souls, seeing no other choice, control only the movement. The dark power oversees their every move."

Mario rubbed his chin in thought. "So it's like a slave and a master, right? The slave is the soul and the master is the dark power. The slave makes the body move and the master tells them what to do..."

I nod. "It is comparable to that... And yes, the dark power is the mind, whilst the soul is the movement."

"But don't souls have a mind of their own? Can't they fight that?" Luigi asked.

"The souls have no other choice... Yes, they fight, but they always lose in the end."

Starlow had a thoughtful expression as she looked towards the sky. "So... What happens when we destroy the bodies?"

"The dark power retreats and disappears, while the souls are freed." I answer. Starlow, Mario, and Luigi had a look of relief as they took in what I said.

"But they aren't the last we've seen of them... I am confident that there are more of those macabres on the next island." I continue.

Mario and Starlow looked out at sea to wherever they thought the island was. It was as if they were expecting it now, which I suppose is not that far fetched. Meanwhile, Luigi had a thoughtful expression, clearly with something different on his mind.

"Macabres... that's a nice name." He stated as he rubbed his chin.

"This is not a game of names." I remind him flatly.

Luigi shrugged. "I think we're supposed to call them that. We can't just call them undead or zombies or whatever. I just think they're too overused. And besides, I think they're different than those kind of beings."

I can't help but agree. The terms 'zombie' and 'the undead' were overrated and used too much. And yes, the trees that we encountered, even though they were comparable, were indeed different than those two. They may be reanimated being's, but those trees were powered by the darkness and shadows. "Fine. We shall refer to them as 'Macabres' then."

Luigi gave me an approving grin. I heaved a sigh at his childishness. I instead look into the brighter side, seeing that at least we have a form of reference... 'Macabre' was easier to say than 'those trees we fought back at Dimble Wood'.

Just then, we saw the island at the distance, highlighted by the rising sun. It took up most of the horizon as we approached, making it far bigger than I expected. The mountains that lined its horizon were snowy and misty. Trees dominated most of the visible area and a line of them greeted the beach. The beach had yellow sands with black volcanic rocks. Coastal trees such as Palms and Coconuts dotted the beach, their leaves waving slightly in the morning sea breeze.

"Finally! We're here!" Starlow exclaimed.

...

"Well... 'Tis be as far as I go." Phil exclaimed with a sad smile.

It is currently 7am and we were now on the beach. We were bidding our farewells to the captain who brought us here. He has done well to aid us, bringing us here to this island without any complaint. I knew the captain would not be accompanying us on our mission, but I don't want him to leave. I shake my head, scolding myself not to stray from the mission ideal. Captain is needed elsewhere...

"Thanks, captain. We really appreciate your help." Starlow exchanged with her own smile.

"No sweat, lass. Now you kids take care! I do hope yer mission goes well." He said to all of us before looking towards me. He approached me and placed a hand on my hull. "Remember what I said, Scuro. The past needs to be left behind but never forget the experiences gained from it. Make good use of the present and be rewarded by a better future. Saltwater Phil knows a good person when he sees one, and I think you are good person, lad."

"I am not to be considered especially that way, captain..." I said softly.

"Then try to be, lad... Try. Now off I go." He patted me.

"Goodbye, captain." Captain gave me a smile and a nod before waving towards Mario, Luigi, and Starlow. The two brothers waved back, while Starlow nodded gratefully. Captain climbed up the ramp on to his boat and raised the anchors.

Minutes later, the boat was already speeding away. The vague form of the captain waved back at us and we exchanged them with farewell gestures of our own. We observed the boat until it disappeared on the horizon.

"Well, what now?" Luigi asked.

"The Shade Crystal is somewhere to the northeast, right? Then, that's the way to go!" Mario answered before feeling his pockets. "Uh... Does anyone have a compass?" He asked.

"I have one." Luigi answered as he pulled out a round device that had an arrow pointing to one direction. He handed it to Mario, who began to read it.

"Let's head... that way." He pointed towards the forest.

...

The forest eerily reminded me of the Macabre Trees... The trees here weren't dead, but they were tall and grotesque, as opposed to the straight and wide trees of Dimble Wood. The resemblance made me feel insecure, as if the trees would suddenly attack us with their twisted branches. Then, of course, we would beat them the same way we did those Macabre Trees.

Mario led the way as we delved deeper into the forest. The forest thickened and it began to dim. The shade wasn't all appealing... It felt malignant and cold. The leaves would rustle occasionally as a stray wind would wander into the forest. Although the breeze was cool and refreshing, it made haunting howls as it whistled and whispered through the trees.

The forest here was... creepy.

Even though the haunting environment was enough for me to feel unnerved, I didn't feel fear. I snort at the fruitless attempt of the forest to scare me. It was getting uninteresting by the moment...

I glanced around at the others for their reactions. Starlow was right behind Mario. She would glance around at the trees and up the branches, as if she was expecting something to jump out of hiding. Luigi was behind me hugging his arms and glancing around worriedly. He was scared, undoubtedly, but he caught me looking at him and he straightened up. Mario was up front, leading us. He was engrossed on where he was going more than the forest's haunting aura. He would occasionally pause, pull the round device from his pocket, glance at it, then resume his walk.

Truthfully, I was itching for a fight. It was getting boring passing through this uneventful forest. Yes, it looked disturbing and creepy, but that was about the only interest here. I'd rather encounter more enemies than bore myself out.

Things became more interesting when Mario stopped abruptly.

"Mama Mia..." Mario exclaimed as he stared with wide eyes at something before him. Starlow had the same expression when she followed Mario's gaze. Something bumped into me, and I twirled around out of reflex. When I saw that it was only Luigi, I growled in warning before facing Mario, Starlow, and whatever they were staring at.

Then I found it. It was hard to notice since it blended well with the trees. Black splinters lay scattered around the forest floor. The surrounding trees had huge claw marks and deep gashes, and I knew that a fight had happened here. And to emphasize the aftermath of a battle, a dead Macabre Tree lay lifeless before us.

The Macabre was black, indicating that this was once the leader of its own group of trees. It's appearance resembled the ones back at Dimble Wood, but it looked more comparable to the trees in this forest. The tree lacked a big portion of its head, one of its eyes, and an arm. A crack went from one of its dimmed eyes, towards its mouth, and to the base of its roots. All in all, this tree didn't have the best experience.

"What... happened to it?" Luigi asked to no one in particular. I look beside me, and find him mouth agape and wide eyed.

"Killed... preferably by something more aggressive and more powerful than a Macabre." I concluded as I eye the same claw marks from the surrounding trees on the dead Macabre.

"Wait... so there's s-something else other than Macabres on t-this island?" Luigi asked me nervously.

"The chances of encountering a reputed predatory creature on a new island is more likely than encountering a Macabre." I pointed out.

Mario asked without removing his gaze from the fallen Macabre. "Well, what do you think killed it? This island I don't know much of, and I also don't know the creatures and monsters here... This is basically a new land."

"Maybe it's better if we ignore it..." Starlow suggested. We all agreed on it and proceeded to find a way around the demised tree.

But before we could even take another step, a loud screech echoed throughout the forest. Birds that rested on the grotesque branches flew overhead, not wanting to stay anywhere near the source of the sound. A low rumble behind us made us turn around to face it... We were met by electric blue eyes that seemed bioluminescent in the shade of trees. It's body was left hidden in the shadows, but I could see its silhouette. It roared at us, seemingly accusing us of trespassing into its territory.

Finally! A fight with something that is not a vegetable! I roar back at it, daring it to face the Dark Star. It glared incredulously at me with its lightning blue eyes. It lumbered closer towards us, revealing the full monster.

It roared again before charging at us.

Cliffhangers... Why do I like using them sometimes?

Anyway, starting from this chapter, the story would not revolve around what happened in Bowser's Inside Story and Dream Team. I never played Dream Team and I don't want to mess up by writing something that doesn't follow the canon. So to make myself feel safe, I'll be putting in a few new monsters and new lands. Is that okay with you guys?