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Author's Note:
Time goes by fast. This chapter was originally longer but after rewriting it about 3 maybe four times I decided to split it in half.
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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 92:
Charge It Up
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Sarsaland,
Chia Kingdom,
Empire City
A few hours eariler
…
Empire City, also known as Outlawed City, served as both the capital of the Chia Kingdom and the location of the Royal Chia Palace. The city consisted of large areas and many buildings, all of which were extensive and finely detailed while being surrounded by a defensive wall and a moat.
The Chia Palace was located at the very center of Empire City, representing the authority and culture of the Chia Kingdom's ancient monarchs prior to it becoming a large part of the Sarasaland Empire. It was the largest and most preserved classical architectural complex within the kingdom.
Just like the city, it too had a vast and inclusive construction, containing large spaces for ceremonies and official business as well as smaller buildings for residences, temples, courtyards, gardens, and other favorable areas.
At this very moment, the Palace's Council Chamber was currently in use. The Room was just as comprehensive and elaborated as the rest of the palace, sporting Sarsaland's official colors of white, green, and golden-yellow. In the very center of the room, there was a lengthy table consisting of all 12 royal council members of the High Court of Sarasaland. Serving at the head of the table, sitting upon what was known as the King's throne chair, was the current monarch of Sarasaland himself.
Also widely known as the Emperor, High King Thorne Busch Florence the Third was a tall, clean-shaven man. He had a rather slender frame, with dark brown hair mixed with some grey due to his age, a well kept dark beard, and green eyes darken from years of wisdom. He wore a reddish – orange long sleeved royal uniform with golden buttons and black trousers with yellow lining and black shoes. The golden royal crown rested upon his head, shining brightly from the numerous emeralds, rubies, and diamonds that the ceiling light exposure.
The King sat slightly slouched in his chair, a clear sign he was tired from a long day. Nevertheless, he continued to listen attentively to his council members as they speak their minds on the issue at hand.
"If I may, My Lord..." The Royal Advisor bowed. He was a Pionpi with a long white beard wearing a long sleeve purple jacket collar button suit with black trousers and shoes. "Perhaps we should continue this conversation in the morning? It's been a long day and it's getting pretty late."
The King sighed tiredly, leaning back in his chair with a soft thud. "Agreed… We'll meet back here tomorrow morning at 10 am. You are all dismissed,"
The council members nodded and stood from their chairs to leave the room. Before exiting fully, one of the members – a medium sized man with a bronze skin, dark eyes, nape-length black hair kept neatly slicked back, and a birthmark across his nose – paused by the double doors and glanced back at the King who was still sitting slough in his chair and the Royal Advisor still standing beside him. He turned back around and approached the opposite end of the table. The Pionpi noticed his presence.
"Is there something wrong, Akaten?" He asked.
The council member, Akaten, bowed his head out of respect. "Your Majesty, I apologize for my intrusion but I must ask... how is the Princess fairing in the Mushroom Kingdom? It's been quite some time since I last heard from her,"
The King scoffed and turned his glance to the seat next to him. That seat was the Heir's Chair where the Prince or Princess was to sit to take part in the day's discussion. Unfortunately for him, that seat's been cold and empty for a very long time.
"I'm afraid the King does not wish to speak upon it at this mome-"
"No, it's fine," The King interrupted with a weary sigh. "To be fairly honest, Akaten, I'm not completely sure. The last I heard from her was over three months ago,"
"Three months?" Akaten claimed astonishing. "That's unusual; she usually sends a letter or two within a week's time,"
"Yes, well... lately she hasn't been finding the need to inform me on her welfare," The king stood up from his chair slowly, stretching his aching limbs. "She thinks that as an adult, she's not required to have to constantly check in with me."
"That doesn't sound like the Princess. She's a bit...sassy, yes; stubborn at times, definitely not as poise or proper as a princess should be, enough to make her stand out... but in a good way of course."
"I am fully aware of that," The King scoffed, walking towards a nearby window. "Daisy doesn't act like a princess. In fact, she downright hates it. Instead, she portrays herself as a tomboy of all things. But despite her rather 'rough' behavior, she understands what being a princess really means and, at times, has acted upon issues with wisdom even beyond her years. In the end, that's all I can really ask from her as it helps ease my mind, knowing she'll be okay when her time to rule comes…
"However…" He continued with a deep frown. "Ever since she started dating that Jalousie character or whatever over a year ago, she's been becoming more improper and out of control. It literally pains me to think about it. Years of preparation for her to becoming Queen wiped clean in a year's time,"
"Perhaps it is just a phase," The Royal Advisor suggested,
"Oh the stars, I hope so; if this keeps up I'll have no choice but to put an end to it myself." He scowled heavily. "And knowing Daisy, it will never be that easy,"
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In the darkest of the night, the flames of the Scorpio's burning hideout were easy to see from a far distance away. A short, mysterious figure stood on top of a sand dune, bright yellow eyes glowing immensely as it watched the fire engulfed the entire building. The figure stood there for several more minutes before turning to leave, cloak flapping dramatically as the figure disappeared into the desert.
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X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X
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"Luigi!"
"You're alive!"
"Thank the stars; we thought you were a goner,"
The green man looked up and smiled when he saw everyone by the trunk. As soon as they were close enough, Brianna jumped out and ran towards him. The green man removed his arm around Rocco's shoulders as the Masrestler Chief's daughter gave him a strong hug. Unfortunately for him, his whole body was throbbing with pain. He let out a painful hiss causing Brianna to release her hold on him.
"Are you hurt? I'm sorry," She said worriedly.
"No, I'm…fine; it's not like it's your fault," He told her.
"Hate to break up the happy reunion," Rocco interrupted. "But we have to go… now,"
He was right. They were supposed to keep a low key, after all; so they won't alert any high authorities on Bowser or his Troops' presence in Sarasaland. If they stay any longer, then it could cause problems.
Luigi nodded in agreement. Rocco went to start the truck as the plumber turned back to Brianna, flashing a smile. "You ready to go home?"
Brianna beamed and gave the green man another strong but also cautious hug. Luigi lead her back to the truck where everyone else was. He was really pleased to see all of the missing Masrestler Children were present and accounted for. He shared a glance with Paraplonk and Guy; both were just as pleased as he was that their mission had been successful.
His joy, however, quickly turned into concern when he remembered Guy's current state of wellbeing. He dug through his pockets, pulling out the Shroom Shakes he stored away earlier. He opened one and passed it around, telling everyone to drink some as it will help heal their injuries. He gave his last one to Sergeant Guy.
"Drink some of this," he offered.
The Sergeant blinked. "What about you?"
"I'll be fine," He told him. "Besides, your injuries are more serious than mine,"
The green Shy Guy hesitated for a moment before taking up the plumber's offer. "Thanks,"
"Bloody fuck!"
The plumber's attention was pulled to the front of the truck. He walked over to the driver's side to see Rocco frustratingly turning the key but all he was getting were splutters and protest.
"What's wrong?"
"The blasted thing won't start," He growled in response.
Well, that's not good. Cars and trucks were more common in areas with large populations such as New Donk City. In their current condition, traveling through the desert on foot wouldn't be ideal, especially without any supplies.
There was a slight clunk sound from the hood of the truck. Rocco walked around and lift the hood up to have a look at it. Luigi stepped beside him, intrigued by the mechanics of the automaton before him.
"Shit," Rocco cursed again. "I don't know what's wrong with it,"
Luigi glanced at him before turning back to the car. "Let me have a look,"
The other man raised a curious brow. "You're a mechanic or somethin'?"
"Actually, I'm a plumber…"
"A plumber?" He scoffed. "Well, what good will that do? In case you haven't noticed, this is a truck… not the toilet,"
"I…know that," Luigi scowled in slight annoyance. "But I tend to have an uncanny act for machinery; it won't hurt if we give it a try."
"Fine," Rocco shrugged. "Just don't make it any worse than it is now,"
He stepped aside, allowing more room for the plumber to work with. The green man took a step closer to get a better look at the truck's components under the dim light provided. He was able to make out a few things like the engine and the radiator, but the rest of it wasn't sure what to make of it. He raised his hand and let it hover over the engine components.
"Do you even know what you're doing?" Rocco asked. A new cigarette was present around his lips as he watches the plumber from the sideline.
"Not really; but I'm not making it worse" Luigi replied. It was true; he wasn't sure what he was doing. At this point, he was just letting his instincts take over.
Slowly, he moved his hand to the right. His fingertips brushed slightly over all the different parts and systems used to make this incredible automobile. He paused above a cylinder shaped object. He leaned in a bit closer to get a better look; a combination of the moon and the flames beside him providing some much need light.
"A/C's broken,"
Rocco raised a curious brow. "What? How can you tell?"
A simple shrug is all he gave him, "Just do,"
He continued to hover and brush his fingers around the truck's components. It wasn't until his hand stop above a square shaped object. He frowned and lowered his hand a little closer. He jumped slightly when he got a small but weak shock from it.
"Don't hurt yourself more so than you already are," Rocco stated.
"I think I found the problem," He told him. "The battery is low,"
The other man blinked. "Uh? The battery… Well shit, there's no way we can change it, much less charge it,"
"I can,"
Rubbing his hands together, light blue sparks begin to form as the green hated man charged up his Thunderhand. The other man watched in astonishment as the plumber placed both hands on each of the battery's terminal ends. After a few minutes, he let go and turned to Rocco.
"Try it now,"
The blond got back in the driver's seat. He turned the key while simultaneously pressing on the gas pedal. The truck stuttered once, twice…before finally let out a huge roar as it came back to life after who knows how long.
"Well, I'll be damn," Rocco laughed. He pressed on the gas pedal once more as he slammed the driver door shut. "Hop in Sparky. Everyone else better hold on tight; we're leaving this burning shithole,"
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Ending Note:
Empire City (Outlawed City) is a reference to the real life Imperial City and Forbidden City in Beijing, China.
Next one will be up faster than this one.
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