Chapter 15: Bowser's Ruse

"Bwa ha ha ha ha!" Bowser bellowed in laughter as everyone in the stadium began to panic. Hugo was stunned, but like a veteran professional athlete (not that he's one like Rolf), he kept his composure. And so has his friends behind him. Mario stood beside Hugo as well.

"What do you want, Bowser?!" Hugo cried, "And what have you done with Emily?!"

Bowser laughed some more. "Bwa ha ha ha! I predicted that you would succeed in crushing Mario! Everything is going according to plan!"

"What do you mean, 'according to plan'?" Troy cried out, "What are you on about, you big, turtle freak?!"

"Didn't you remember, Zeta?!" Bowser cried out, "I told you that I am going to make mincemeat of out your club!"

The members of the Love Tennis Club looked at Zeta. Zeta couldn't help but look down. She knew what she had done. Once again, much like five months ago, she had double-crossed the entire group. She can't imagine how much backlash she would take this time.

"And it begins with you, Hugo!"

Bowser pointed, with his spiked nail, directly right at Hugo. "I have to admit that you've played a fine match against me in the Star Cup! And for that, I should be thankful for that effort you brought! But… I'm not going down that easily! That match was just a warm-up! I challenge you to ANOTHER one! And THIS time, and I promise you… the stakes are MUCH higher!"

"What makes you think I want to challenge you anyway?!" Hugo cried out,

"Bwa ha ha ha!" Bowser laughed as he places his right claw back to the rim of the Clown Car, "Because I have something you have!"

And with that, Bowser opened up his palm. A dark purple ball began to form and it formed a cloud, with lightning shooting around it. Soon, a small river began to flood the ball. The river began to show an image of a familiar young red-haired girl with a matching skirt and a yellow shirt. Hugo gasped as soon as he recognized the young woman, who as he is seeing her, has fainted and is floating. "Emily!" He then began to growl, "What have you done with her?!"

Bowser closed his fist. As he did, the dark purple and cloudy ball dissipated, along with the image of Emily. "Here's the deal!" Bowser bellowed, "Accept my challenge, defeat me in a match, and I'll let your girlfriend go!"

"You decline or fail to defeat me, I take over the Mushroom Kingdom AND the Earth along with it! And you know that an honourable club like the Love Tennis Club never turns down a match!" Bowser then laughed and yelled again, "I'll be opening up a portal for you to walk in outside this stadium tomorrow! If you do accept my challenge, come alone! And you better, if you want to see your girlfriend again! Bwa ha ha ha!"

Bowser flew up in his Clown Car and disappeared in the dark purple clouds. And then, the clouds disappeared along with him, making the sky sunny again.

Everyone stood in stunned silence. However, the Toads in the crowd continue to quiver.

"I can't believe you!" Those were the first words that were shouted from some of the Love Tennis members when they returned back to their hotel space.

"How come you knew about this and you didn't tell us?!" Bridget cried out to Zeta.

Zeta simply put her head down and said, "I can't help myself…"

"You can't help yourself?!" Troy mocked, "You feed us this story of bringing joy of tennis to the world and you still think about world domination?!"

Hugo looked on, but didn't really participate in the argument between his fellow members and Zeta. He continued to show remorse over his loss and kidnapping of Emily. Lani, Toshi and Amorette noticed this and decided to walk up to Hugo.

"What's wrong, Hugo?" Lani asked,

Hugo was still pouting. He then said, "I'm sorry… I'm sorry for not noticing that Emily is gone!" He then began to sob.

Toshi decided to place his hand on his shoulder. "It's OK, Hugo." He said, "We're going to help you get her back."

"Yeah!" Lani cried, trying her hardest to retain her happy attitude under the circumstances. "To be honest, I'm glad to have hung around with you guys…"

"I agree." Amorette said, "We've battled so much to get to where we are. This changes nothing, with regards to our philosophy towards aspiring players."

"What Bowser did is dishonourable." Toshi said, "That being said, what and how Zeta concealed about Bowser's plans was also intolerable. But I don't believe it's time to point fingers at anyone in our clan."

"I'm with Toshi here." Amorette agreed, "We can't blame anyone now. And since Bowser only wants you, we're going to do what we can to cheer you on. And train you for the big match."

Hugo looked up, despite teary-eyed. He knew he had the right friends to support him when times are difficult. "Thanks, guys…" He began, stammering, "I couldn't ask for a better group than you."

"If anything," Lani said, "Consider this a Trial, like the ones I have!"

"You're right, Lani." Hugo said, "This is nothing like I haven't faced before. I'm going to get better at my game and defeat Bowser for Emily's sake!"

He then continued to see the adults (and Troy) argue at Zeta. Hugo said, "I'm going to stop this nonsense…" He then walked.

"Guys! That's enough!" Hugo cried, silencing the room

Once he had everyone's attention, Hugo began his speech. "Listen. We've gone through a lot to get to where we are now. And what just happened is yet another obstacle that we have to overcome. And I know Zeta's at fault for not letting us know that Bowser was planning to take over the Mushroom Kingdom AND the world. But it isn't time to start blaming one another."

"It's me that he wants. I've been stepping up since the Love Tennis Club has formed. And if he wants to take me on, then by all means, let him take me on! He believes that I'm the 'Mario' of our group and Emily is the 'Peach'. And I'm willing to be the one who saves the princess and defeating this Koopa King."

"But… I can't do it alone. It was the reason our numbers grew when we had our adventure five months ago. Our philosophy is always has been spreading love and joy to the game of tennis! This message will continue to etch in our minds, despite what happened!"

Toshi, Amorette and Lani stepped in front of Hugo. "I agree with Hugo." Toshi began,

"And I as well." Amorette followed up,

"Me too!" Lani cried out,

Then, the four of them formed a circle. They then circled each other and placed their right hands on top of one another.

There was silence. Finally, after a good two minutes, Colin said, "Well… We have never been involved in takeover plots often, so… this will do well in my resume." He smiled and walked towards the group and placed his right hand on top.

"Never have I taken on a challenge of this magnitude." Fong said, "But no matter how hard the wind blows, we are like mountains. We never bow to the wind." He walked and placed his right hand on top of everyone else's.

Sam couldn't help but smile at how corny Hugo and his bunch looked. Then, she said, "Well, then… If you need a 'Luigi', Hugo, then allow me to be at your service." She then walked up and placed her right hand on top of everyone else's.

Suzuki and Gloria looked at each other and nodded. They walked and placed their hands on top of everyone else's.

Rolf looked at everyone else. He smiled and said, "Well… If it means there's glory on the other side of this, I'm in." He walked and placed his hands on top of everyone else's.

Zeta then said, "I don't expect you all to forgive me… But, at the same time, I do want to help. Not just for myself, but I want to redeem the trust in you all." She then walked to the group and placed her right hand on everyone else's.

Troy and Bridget looked at the group. Troy said, "I can't believe we're doing this…"

Bridget gave Troy a short chop to the arm. "Ow!" He cried, "What was that for?!"

"Have you forgotten what was said?" Bridget whispered, "I'm sure that if you were in Hugo's shoes, you would do the same for me! And let's not forget, that you won the Flower Cup for my sake!"

Troy winced but then he said, "All right… Besides, I do owe Hugo and Emily some thanks for that moment when I was a weakling."

"OK! I'm going to give back to you, Hugo!" Troy cried and he and Bridget walked up to everyone and placed their right hands on top of the rest of the group's hands.

"Well, then…" Hugo said and everyone hit their hands down.

Over the course of the day, Hugo needed to prepare for his match against Bowser. He began by doing a Ring Shot session with Amorette at the green stadium where the Flower Cup took place. Sometime during the 3-minute rally, as both players got ten rings, Hugo hit a ball in the net.

"Come on, Hugo!" Amorette cried, "You've got to keep the rally going! Concentrate!"

She then served and both players got four more rings. "Aw, great!" Hugo cried, as the ball hit the net again.

"It's OK!" Amorette cried, "It happens. Just relax and play your game!"

In the end, both players picked up 72 rings.

Hugo then went to an Open Court near the resort beach. He brought along Sam to help him out, in a 3-ball Ring Shot session. On the first ball served by Hugo, he and Sam rallied to collect 19 rings. Sam assessed Hugo saying, "Good control. Well done on keeping the rally going. Just work on your high shots."

Sam served a ball and Hugo returned it back to get two more rings. But Sam couldn't return it back. "Sorry!" Hugo cried, "I hit that one way too hard!"

"It's OK!" Sam cried, "It's good! I think Bowser will like a good long rally!"

In the end, both players picked up 34 rings.

Hugo then travelled to the Hard Court where the Mushroom Cup tournament occurred. He met with Fong, along with Yoshi and Baby Mario for yet another Ring Shot session. But they've set it up so that, although they are in teams with Hugo and Fong on one, Yoshi and Baby Mario on the other, they are actually against one another. They decided on first to nab 50 rings is the winner.

After an uneventful coin flip to decide first service, Yoshi took to the service line and began as the golden shiny rings, which are as large as big circus hoops, appeared. The Ring counter on the scoreboard on the stadium's jumbotron read the number 1.

The green dinosaur tossed the ball up with his left hand and hit the ball through a ring. Hugo returned the ball back. Yoshi saw that the ball went up and smashed it down as it approached him. Hugo was ready for it and returned it high. Baby Mario hit the ball back to Hugo. Hugo backhanded the ball back from a wide angle to Yoshi. Yoshi hit the ball to Fong, and Fong volleyed the ball out of reach.

"Hm, yes." Fong said simply as he earned seven rings on the rally.

Hugo began to serve the ball. It went through a ring and whizzed past Baby Mario. "Yes!" Hugo cried, despite the low ring count of 2 to add to his score.

Fong served the ball over to Yoshi, and the green dinosaur returned the ball back. Fong returned it long back to Yoshi. Yoshi tried to aim it above Hugo, but the young kid was ready and volleyed the ball back. Baby Mario, however, was right in Hugo's face to intercept the volley and both rallied on each other. Then, Hugo sent the ball right to Yoshi. Yoshi chopped the ball past Hugo and Fong. He cheered happily as he scored 4 rings.

At the end of the match, the results stood as follows. Hugo came away with 54 rings to claim the match. Yoshi ended up as the runner-up with 27 rings. Baby Mario ended the match in 3rd place with 23 rings. Fong finished in last place with 21 rings.

The next day, a Toad was walking along outside the Star Cup Stadium. He seemed like he was minding his own business, until… A small tremor occurred. He was anticipating something bad could happen as he shook his small body.

But then… the tremor stopped. And then it grew quiet again.

He thought, "What am I worried about? It's probably nothing."

Just then, a lightning bolt came down from the sky and struck the ground just inches from where the Toad was standing! The Toad jumped up in fear, tripped up and ran off. The ground broke and a dark purple cloud began to ooze from the crevice. Lightning surrounded the cloud and from the other side… was the sound of a familiar evil laughter.

A few minutes later, everyone was crowding around the area where the dark purple cloud still remained. Hugo was with his Love Tennis Club friends, along with those who he met at the Mushroom Kingdom.

"Well… This is my calling card." Hugo said, as he looked at the dark purple cloud "Bowser really wants to meet with me and have that match with me."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sam asked, "You do know that this is the point of no return."

"Of course, Sam." Hugo replied, "It's not just to save Emily, but also the Mushroom Kingdom and Earth. I wanted to ask the other day to every one of you. What would Mario do if he was under these same circumstances?"

"Of course, he would go and save the princess!" Troy answered,

"That's exactly right." Hugo said, "Bowser has crossed that line. And I intend to do what is right. I'm sure each and every one of you might have some last words with me… But I do want you all to know that I want to thank you all in preparing me for what is going to be a great match between me and the Koopa King. I don't know what's in store for me, but I also know that I have no regrets on my part."

"Hugo…" Amorette said,

Toshi then cried, "Hugo, you honour that Love Tennis code. Punish the Koopa King for everything he's done!"

"You go get him, Hugo!" Daisy cried out,

"You know your role, Hugo!" Colin cried, "It's your show now! Go for that great final act!"

Baby Mario, Yoshi, Birdo, Donkey Kong, Paratroopa and Shy Guy made noises as if to cheer for Hugo. Baby Mario clapped at Hugo and continued to cheer.

Suzuki and Gloria cried out, "You can do this, Hugo! Do it for love and joy!"

"Oh yeah!" Luigi cried out, "You can-a do it!"

"H-U-G-O!" Bridget chanted, using her moves from her past life as a cheerleader from Jocksford University "Love and joy is the way to go! Go Hugo!"

Wario and Waluigi simply had their arms crossed, although they gave a slight wave to Hugo… "Don't-a you foul this up!" Wario cried, "I'm-a never talking to-a you again if you fail!"

"Me neither!" Waluigi cried before giving his trademark cackle

Lani cried, "You can do it, Hugo!"

Hugo continued to hear cheers from the rest of his friends from both the Mushroom Kingdom and the Love Tennis Club. Soon, he gave a wave and headed towards the dark, purple cloud.

Just then, he heard "Hugo!"

Princess Peach, Mario, Zeta and Rolf walked towards Hugo. "Hugo…" Zeta began to speak, "I'm impressed to see that you've matured so much. I know that I can't ask for your forgiveness for what I've done… But know that I never once doubted your abilities either."

"Zeta…" Hugo began, "It's OK. I said this already tons of times. You don't have to apologize for your actions. It's not how hard you fall, it's the ability to get back up after the fall that defines whom you are. And I, never once, thought of you as heartless, even during our adventure five months ago."

"Thanks, Hugo…" Zeta said, looking down. Hugo then hugged Zeta.

He then said, "Thanks for everything. I'm going to take what you've taught me and win it for our club, the Mushroom Kingdom and Earth."

After a while, both Zeta and Hugo let go of one another. "Heh." Rolf looked on and said, "It seems that the student has surpassed the teacher. Hugo, you go and rain that Koopa King with everything that you've got!"

"Thanks, Rolf." Hugo replied,

Peach began to speak, "On behalf of everyone of the Mushroom Kingdom, thanks for everything. Your club has given us great joy and love to the sport of tennis. You, though, showed the most talent and heart among everyone in your club and for that, I'm giving you this."

Peach gave a light kiss on Hugo's head. "Whoa…" Hugo thought, as he smiled a bit

"I also have to admit…" Peach continued, "You and Emily go well together, just like me and Mario."

Mario nodded and grunted in approval. Both Hugo and Mario shook their hands, as a sign of respect. Everyone cheered.

Soon, Hugo picked up his tennis bag. And walked over to the dark purple cloud. He then gave one last look to his friends, albeit a happily sad look over what is about to come. And then he walked through. A lightning bolt struck the dark purple cloud and it dissipated.

Hugo had shut his eyes as he walked through the cloud but as he opened them, he looked over at the dark purple cloudy tunnel with a straight pathway to the other side. He slowly walked through the pathway, anticipating a trap from Bowser.

As he walked, he was showing signs of nervousness, which included sweating on his forehead. But his face has shown that he's more than capable of handling his emotions on and off the court. He can be happy-go-lucky when he wants to, but also, he can be calm and composed.

Hugo walked through the tunnel and noticed a pathway into a courtyard that is just outside a castle with grey bricks and dark purple roofs. But the sky is anything but blue… Instead, it was dark and it was showing black and dark purple clouds. Hugo continued to walk the pathway into the courtyard, knowing full well what he must do.

After a lengthy walk, he finally made it to the courtyard. Inside was a tennis court, but although it was floating over lava, the court was chained up to four corners. Hugo entered the tennis court, and put down his tennis bag.

As soon as he did, he heard evil laughter. "Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! I've been waiting for you, Hugo! What took you so long?! I was getting bored!"