Sorry about the long wait, folks. Had gotten some writer's block for this story.
Chapter 4: A battle
After staying at the city overnight, Luigi woke up early in preparation for his journey to the regional capital.
He had a quick breakfast before packing his belongings into his backpack and proceeded to check out.
"Good luck, Luigi, and be very careful!" The hotel owner told him as the plumber made his way out.
Luigi simply tipped his cap and nodded his thanks in reply before exiting.
During his trip to Demphis, Luigi encountered more enemy troops and managed to defeat them with his Superballs.
Eventually, he arrived at the entrance to the underground city Demphis, which is located inside a large, mountain-sized pyramid.
"Better be careful." Luigi thought to himself as he entered the underground city, unaware that he was being watched by a shadowed figure.
Seeing that Luigi has entered the underground city, the figure spoke to the radio.
"Send in the reinforcements, sir. The subject has entered the city." The figure said.
"Right away, sergeant." The major on the other end replied promptly.
As Luigi made his way through the streets, he had to turn on a flashlight due to the darkness inside.
"Mama mia." He chattered nervously. "This city sure gives me the creeps."
He carried on down the street, unaware that several figures were watching him nearby.
Seeing no one around, he remarked, "Hmmm...It's too quiet around here, unless..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he heard something from behind and turned.
A small rock from a nearby cliff has fallen off from where it was and shattered upon hitting the ground.
"Huh." Luigi said, unaware that at that very moment, a dark figure was approaching him from behind, armed with a baton.
However, just as the figure was about to smash its baton towards his head, he suddenly lifted a hand and grabbed onto the baton before turning to face the figure.
It was a larger-than-normal Goombo.
"Thought you could sneak up on me, eh?" Luigi asked just as more Goombos and Bombshell Koopas approached him from behind.
Before the Goombo could react, he suddenly lifted the baton, along with the Goombo, into the air and threw him to his back and let go.
The Goombo ended up hitting his approaching comrades as their planned ambush went south on them.
Aware that there are more enemy troops around him, Luigi prepared himself as he finished off the troops that were knocked over.
Sure enough, the enemy has planted several ambushes in the city, but Luigi was prepared.
Each time he encounters an ambush, he manages to turn the tables around against his enemies. What started out as an ambush, soon turned into a series of cries to retreat, and it didn't take long for Luigi to scare away the troops and rescue the imprisoned citizens.
Just as he finished dealing with another ambush, a giant fireball suddenly appeared out of nowhere and sailed over his head.
"Mama mia!" Luigi exclaimed as the giant fireball sailed over him. "Where did that fireball came from?"
Looking towards the source, he answered his own question when he saw a sphinx-like lion nearby, firing a giant fireball at him.
"You shall not pass!" The figure, who Luigi remembered to be known as a Gao, said as he fired more fireballs towards the plumber.
"We'll see about that, major!" Luigi replied before firing his superballs towards the Gao.
Sure enough, the superball did its job in defeating the enemy, and Luigi was able to carry on.
Along the way, Luigi encountered more Gaos and other enemies, but he was able to defeat them effortlessly and rescue several of the city's citizens.
Eventually, he reached the entrance to King Totomesu's quarters, which was guarded by two Gaos.
"Get out of here while you still can, plumber!" One of the Gao guards roared as they both fired giant fireballs towards Luigi.
"Make me!" Luigi retorted as he ducked before firing his superballs towards the creatures and defeated them both in just one shot.
"And now for Tatanga's lieutenant." Luigi thought to himself as he entered the guardian's quarters.
As he made his way through the quarters, Luigi braced himself for any possible traps or ambushes.
Eventually, he reached the throne room and is surprised to find it empty.
"Hmmm..." Luigi remarked. "Something's not right here. I found the throne room, but where is the..."
Just then, a loud, giant roar from behind cut out his sentence as he nervously turned back towards the doorway.
It was King Totomesu, who is clearly enraged by Luigi's entering of his quarters and is blocking the entrance.
"Who dares to enter my quarters without my permission?" The guardian roared as his eyes settled on Luigi.
"Ah, your majesty." Luigi swallowed. "I was...uh...touring the city and...uh...got lost and ended up here...and I was...looking for directions back to downtown."
However, it was clear that the guardian of the Birabuto Kingdom wasn't buying his explanation.
He walked closer to Luigi and roared at him loudly, blowing Luigi's cap off in the process.
"Nobody trespasses in my kingdom and gets away with it!" King Totomesu roared.
He then fires a giant fireball at Luigi, leading him to jump and duck.
"Yikes!" Luigi exclaimed as he leaped into the air, while King Totomesu looked up and prepares to fire another round of fireballs towards him.
Quickly, he allowed himself to fall fast and ducked those fireballs.
Landing on the floor, Luigi quickly fired some superballs at the guardian, which appeared to not be affecting him as he continued to fire fireballs towards him.
"He's not even responding to the superballs I'm firing." Luigi thought as he ducked from a fireball. "Looks like some drastic measures is needed."
He then skillfully reached into his backpack and grabbed one of his Electro-gloves and took off one of his Superball gloves.
"Time for some electro-therapy!" Luigi said, his left hand wearing an Electro-glove and his right hand wearing his Superball glove.
He then produced a hybrid Electro-Superball and fired it towards King Totomesu.
The Electro-Superball hit Totomesu right between his eyes, giving him an electric shock.
"Yah!" King Totomesu exclaimed as he was being electrocuted by the Electro-Superball.
Just then, Luigi noticed something on the guardian's neme and crown that was producing smoke as the electric shock came through.
The thing suddenly exploded and knocked out the guardian.
"Uh oh." Luigi remarked as he cautiously walked over to King Totomesu to see if he was alright.
For several moments, the guardian didn't respond as Luigi examined him.
Then, the Gao king woke up and as he regained consciousness, he rubbed his forehead.
"Ohhh my...what happened?" King Totomesu asked before seeing Luigi and added, "And what are you doing here in my quarters, green man?"
After explaining his quest to rescue Princess Daisy, the guardian of the Birabuto Kingdom nodded as his Gao guards and servants returned to their senses following Luigi's destruction of the mind-control device on his neme.
"I sure don't know how to thank you, Mr. Luigi." King Totomesu said to Luigi. "That alien invader Tatanga must have used a mind-control device that made me do those weird things, and good thing you arrived."
"Yes indeed, your majesty." Luigi nodded.
"However, I fear the worst for Princess Daisy, Mr. Luigi." King Totomesu continued. "Tatanga has imprisoned her in her own castle, and I don't think any of us will want to know what he has in store for her."
"Which also means that I better be off, your highness." Luigi said.
"Well, before you go, Mr. Luigi, I want to thank you for saving my kingdom, putting an end of Tatanga's control of me and rescuing all of the citizens." King Totomesu smiled. "If it weren't for you, the kingdom would be under dark times."
"Well, I'm just doing my job, your highness." Luigi smiled back.
"Speaking of time, I suggest you spend your night here in Demphis, Mr. Luigi." The guardian continued. "The next kingdom, Muda, is located across a major lake from here and the last boat to Nintanis for the night has departed a few moments ago, plus it will take days to get to the kingdom if you were to trek around the lake shore by foot."
"Good idea, your majesty." Luigi nodded. "I'm also quite worn out from my day and can use some rest."
"Excellant." King Totomesu smiled before ringing his bell and a Gao servant entered the throne room.
"Yes, sire?" The Gao asked.
"Toku, will you kind enough to show Mr. Luigi to the visitor room?" The king asked. "He is worn out from his travels and rescuing of our kingdom and can use some rest and accommodations."
"I'd be glad to, sire." The servant nodded before signaling Luigi to follow him.
So the Birabuto Kingdom has been liberated, with Tatanga's control of King Totomesu no more. However, Luigi's quest is far from over, as he still has to go through three more kingdoms before getting to Princess Daisy.
What awaits Luigi in those kingdoms? Stay tuned, and please read and review!