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Author's Note:

First chapter of 2018 and it's a month and a half late.

Hello everyone, I hope you all are doing well. Sorry for the late update, but my entire focus during these last weeks had been entirely on my first clinical rotation which I just recently finished. Now, I'm celebrating by finally posting this chapter you all been waiting for.

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Disclaimer: This following FanFiction story is a fan-based parody. "Mario" and all of its respectable characters are all owned by Nintendo and created by video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Please enjoy; favorite and review whenever you want.

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Chapter 86:
A Drifter with Morals

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"Sir… are you sure?"

Doogma asks that question from where he stood in the middle of a fairly furnished but still grimy room. Scorpio was sitting on a faded old red couch, as best as his large body could allow him. In his hand was a refreshing cold glass of water filled with plenty of ice. He was in a good mood; so much so that he had decided to host an auction show as early as tonight.

"Of course," He replies. "After all, a job well done deserves a fair amount of profit."

"But…what if the Pharoah finds out about this…?"

"He won't find out unless someone tells him," Scorpio proclaims as he down his drink. He let out a content sigh when he finishes it all. "And we won't tell him, won't we Doogma?"

Silence was his answer. The Kumo glances up from his glass to direct a raise eyebrow at the Doogans. "Doogma…?"

He flinches. "I…don't know about this, sir. This is The Pharoah we're dealing with…"

"I know who he is, Doogma," Scorpio said with annoyance.

"Then you should already know how powerful he is. And at his level of ranking, you should also know how reliable his sources are,"

Scorpio scoffs. "Those are simply rumors spread around to discourage others from rising into the ranks; only a lesser being will believe them. I for one will not be intimidated by such things,"

"While it's true you've build a rather impressive reputation, the Pharaoh has an even greater one; his ranking of Kingpin demonstrates that completely. Please sir, I'm begging you to reconsider; you don't want to risk angering someone like him."

Scorpio didn't reply for right away and Doogma thought he was actually considering his advice. He could understand where the Kumo was coming from. After all, it took them both many years just to get where they were today. But where Doogma was satisfied with his current position, Scorpio was not.

Scorpio thought he deserves more than the second lowest ranking of Major Mob Boss. It certainly didn't help when the Pharaoh's name started flowing around the dark net pool. A prodigy they say he was; he was talented, skilled, and most importantly brilliant. He quickly earning the title Minor Mob Boss in just a few short months and in five short years, he moved through the upper three ranks until he was eventually announced as one of the Underground's 7 Kingpins.

Doogma knew that it wasn't fair. But then again, nothing from this shadow business was. You take what you can get and if you want more, you'll have to do whatever it takes to get it. It was literally a dog-eat-dog world and Doogma was lucky enough to have learned this early on in his career.

"How's the process going with the prisoners?"

That wasn't what Doogma wanted to hear and the Doogan couldn't compress the sigh that escapes him. "I assigned some men on the case but from what they're telling me, none of them are talking,"

"I guess they're tougher than we thought," Scorpio mumbles to himself. "No matter; sooner or later, we'll get them talking. But for now, we have a show to prepare for."

Doogma shrugs and turns to leave the room. He tried to warn him, but Scorpio was just a stubborn bastard. If he wanted to mess with a Kingpin, then that's his decision. Doogma knew from other people's experience that that can lead you into one of two things…

Power…

…or Death.

And Doogma wasn't interested in either one of them.

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Rocco's mood had been fine this morning. But after the arrival of those kids, it had turned sour quick.

He really wasn't a bad guy; he was only here for the money and maybe some free transportation. He had left his home in Jewelry Land when he was 15 years old, and since then he had become a drifter, traveling to numerous places without finding one to call his own. He didn't have a regular source of income; the normal legal jobs he did pick up were only temporarily and last for a week or two. These 'shady' ones were much more profitable for someone who was constantly moving around.

But regardless of the money, he did have morals that separated him from the other guys here. He only took jobs that required his physical strength, such as hired help or a body guard; he had no weapons on him other than his knife, and he didn't take part in any illegal activities other than betting on fights. If he had known this current job would cause him to take part in a kidnapping and slave trade operation, he would have never agreed to it.

Best thing for him to do in these situations was to just leave. He had a bit of a reputation in the Underground Net-pool for taking in jobs and then leaving so it shouldn't look suspicious. Nor do they have to worry about him going to the police because of say reputation. It was times like this he was glad he never gave out his real name; the last thing he wanted was to be constantly on the run from someone (good or bad).

With his bag all packed and strapped behind his back, he starts his search for Doogma to receive his pay. All the money he earns usually goes to food, drinks, his cigarettes and the occasional motel room. He's been working under the Doogan for a good two weeks so he should have earned enough to last him the next 3 months, maybe 4 if he's really careful.

He founds the Doogan in the basement of the old building. He was giving out orders to his underlings as they try to get everything set up for the last minute auction show. Rocco had only seen a few auction show houses in his time. The rooms were always decorated to look more appealing to the audience. Why, Rocco wasn't sure but he never stayed long enough to find out.

"Yo, Doogma," He calls out, hoping to get the Dog's attention

It did as the Doogan turns his head to the direction of the call. Upon seeing him, he turned his whole body to Rocco with a frown present on his face.

"Leaving already?"

Rocco shrugs. "Is it ready a surprise?"

"No, not really," Doogma jumps down from the box he was standing on and motions Rocco to follow him. "Come with me,"

Rocco trails behind the Doogan through the dusty halls of the abandon building and up the stairs, all the way to the furbished room he had called the Boss Room. The two enter inside, revealing it to be empty. Doogma walks towards a small safe place against the wall while Rocco stood in the middle of the room, glancing at what little furniture they had. The safe was opened and Doogma returns to him with a heavy coin bag.

"Here's your pay," He said. "I threw in a little extra,"

"Thanks," Rocco took the coin bag and glanced inside. This was more than he originally thought. He could live well off for the next 6 months with this much money.

"Sure you want to leave so soon? If tonight does go well, I could probably talk Scorpio into doubling your pay,"

Rocco thought about it. The offer was nice, very nice. Almost a whole year's pay out of a two weeks' job. But Rocco had his morals and he had to stick with them.

"Nah, I'm sure," He said, placing his money safely inside his bag.

Doogma shrugs. "It's probably for the best. This auction show was completely unexpected and I won't want to be here when things go bad,"

'When?' Rocco thought but decides not to question it.

"You know the cargo planes should be leaving any minute now. If you hurry, you might be able to catch a ride with them."

"Well, I can't say no to free transportation," He grins. It was perfect timing. He had planned on walking back to the city, which was only a couple of miles away from here. But if a plane was heading back there anyway, why not hitch a ride.

He let out his hand to Doogma who took with a firm shake. "Thanks for the job,"

"No problem," Doogma replies, releasing his hand. "Maybe we'll work together again someday,"

"Maybe," It was a possibility, depending on where his travel leads him.

Nevertheless, he shared his goodbyes and headed outside. Along the way, he passed by his co-workers for the last two weeks. Some of them he knew by name, others didn't bother to share since he was only temporary. That was just fine with him; he would most likely forget about them within the next few days anyways.

He made it to the cargo planes just in time; they were just about ready to leave. He came up to the pilot window, waving him down. The pilot, a Lakitu, opened his window as he yelled out over the roar of the engine.

"Room for one more?"

"Depend on where you're going?" The pilot replies.

"Anywhere but here is fine," Rocco tells him.

"In that case, hop on in,"

Rocco nods and made his way to the back entrance. Once inside, he places his bag on the floor and sat next to it. He places an unlit cigarette in between his lips as he lean his back against the wall and fold his arms behind his head as a makeshift pillow. Within a couple of minutes, the cargo plane took to the air and started making way to its destination. Rocco let out a tired yawn and closes his eyes. A nap will do him good. Hopefully by the time he wakes up at the new place, this nagging feeling will be gone as well.

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Luigi grunts when he painfully hit the floor on his shoulder. He struggles to get up only to be roughly force back to the ground. He turns his head and eyed the Boom Boom holding him down with the weight of his boot.

"So…" The Chunk starts. "Are you going to start talking or not?"

The green man held his tongue at the question. This seemed to be angering the Boom Boom even more. He firmly presses his boot harder on the plumber, causing him to yell out in pain.

"That's enough for now," The Boom Boom's partner said as he pushes himself off against the wall. "Come on, let's take a break."

He seems unsure at first but nods in agreement at the end. He plants his foot firmly into Luigi's back before retreating outside the room. The plumber lay on the dusty floor for several minutes, taking in deep breaths. After a while, he slowly pushes himself to sit up. His hands were still tired behind his back but he manages to get himself to lean against a wall.

'Damn, you really took a beating,'

"Nooo, you think," The green plumber replies irritably.

His whole body was aching from the beating he's been taking in the last several hours. They tried to interrogate him; asking questions such as "Who are you?", "What's your purpose of coming here?" and "Who are you working for?" Luigi wasn't sure what to say so he decided to keep his mouth shut.

When he refused to talk, the interrogation quickly turned into a beating session. In addition to his clothes being torn and dirty, he was pretty sure he had bruises all over his body. His right eye felt stung and to top it all off, he was having some trouble breathing. He could only conclude that the large Koopa had fractured a few of his ribs out of anger when he wouldn't answer his questions.

'Hey, hey, hey… this isn't about you, remember? Now, do you have a plan to get out of here or not?'

Luigi took a deep breath and let it out shakily, "No, I don't,"

Soon after their arrival to this hideout, Scorpio's men had stripped him of all of his power ups and his wand. To make matters worse, he was separated from the children and his team with one of them currently missing.

'Well, that sucks,'

Luigi resists rolling his eyes; as if he didn't know that already.

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The entire plane ride was uneventful and Rocco managed to nap through the whole hour and a half long trip. When he woke up, he found himself in Deserto Rosa, the capital of the Birabuto Kingdom.

Deserto Rosa was the most populated city in the entire Birabuto Kingdom. Being only 5 or so miles away from the Pyrapt River, it was one of the Kingdom's few thriving cities. Deserto Rosa was renowned as a major resort city whose industry focused mainly on tourism, gambling, entertainment and other night life activities. Because of this, it was widely known for its nicknames 'The City of Dreams' and 'The Rose within the Desert'.

Walking down the city's main street, Tumbleweed Road, Rocco was looking for a suitable hotel to stay in for tonight. For the first time in a long time, he had decided to rent out a fancy hotel room instead of going to a cheap and often dirty motel. He didn't need anything expensive, just some place nice with a warm shower, some warm food, and some cold drinks.

It took a while but he finally found a suitable hotel to stay in. He walks up to the hotel desk clerk and asks him for a room. The clerk looks him up and down, taking in his not-so-clean appearance. He gave him a look as if to say… 'Seriously? You really think you can afford a room here?'

Rocco rolled his eyes and flashes him his bag of coins. The clerk's eyes widen but he quickly tries to cover his surprise with a fake cough. Rocco snorts at his efforts; clearly the guy was not going to get any tips from him.

Once he got his room booked, he heads for the floor it was on. The elevator door dings as it opens its door. Six doors down the hall, he found his room number. Using his room key, he enters inside and closes the door behind him.

The room was nice; it was a one room suite with a small but comfortable sitting area by the window. The bathroom was clean, consisting on a single shower with no tub. The bed was the nicest thing of all. It was a queen size with fluffy soft pillows and warm red covers.

His body was begging him to lie down. He tosses his bag onto the bed before falling backwards onto it himself with a small bounce. He took a deep breath and let out a deep sigh.

"Damn it," He growls in annoyance.

It's been hours since he left Doogma and his crew at their hideout and yet the nagging feeling as yet to leave him. In fact, it had gotten worse.

He fishes through his pockets and pull out a cigarette. Ignoring the no smoking rule, he tries to light it. He became increasingly frustrated the longer it took him to get a decent flame from his lighter. He was just about to chuck it across the room when one finally appears.

With his cigarette lit, he simply lay there silently enjoying the drug entering his system. His body starts to relax, and his mind became clear as he slowly began to realize that strange feeling was actually his conscious.

"DAMN IT!"

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Ending Note:

Next chapter will be up soon. Until then, I hope everyone enjoy their President's Day.

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