17
As the two brothers backed away from the pedestal, the ground beneath them started to shake and rumble as the cave started to collapse. Rocks and pebbles were raining from the ceiling and the giant rock structure that the brothers were standing on was starting to give way and crumble down into the darker areas of the cave. Mario and Luigi panicked as they frantically searched for an escape route.
"Oh, shit!" Mario said. "I think we're fucked!"
"What are we going to do?!" Luigi asked. "The whole place is falling apart!"
"Just give me a moment!" Mario said. "I'm trying to think!"
"Well, hurry!" Luigi said. "We can't stand here forever!"
Luigi screamed as he suddenly fell down as the unstable earth tried to take him to his demise. Luckily, Mario was able to grab his hand and pull him back to safety. Mario then jumped out of the way as a large boulder tried to crush him, but was also quick in being careful not to run over the edge of the now smaller central rock platform. There was so little space left, that both brothers were literally standing neck to neck. It seemed that all hope was lost.
"WE'RE TRAPPED, MARIO!" Luigi shouted. "THERE'S NO ESCAPE!"
"I'M TRYING TO FIND A WAY OUT!" Mario said. "BUT I NEED YOU TO HELP ME!"
"WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M TRYING TO DO?!" Luigi shouted back.
Suddenly, a large portion of the ceiling crumbled and large boulders started falling over the brothers. They were quick to dodge the large heavy rocks as light suddenly poured down upon them. Mario and Luigi looked above them and saw the ceiling had given away to the outside world. The morning sun was still rather low in the bright blue sky, but it was shining brightly and the brothers almost felt blinded by the light after being in the dark for such a long time. The brothers were also confronted with a nasty surprise from the surface above. Waiting for them just above their heads were three carnivorous piranha plants, each snapping their jaws like a deranged Chain-Chomp. Mario and Luigi were especially frightened.
"Now we're really fucked!" Luigi said.
"I don't know how to say this, Luigi." Mario said. "But I think we've reached the end of our journey."
"What?!" Luigi said. "You mean you're giving up on the princesses?!"
"I'm afraid so." Mario said. "It's the only option we have."
"That's not the Mario I know!" Luigi said. "The Mario I know never gives up! What happened to you?"
Mario looked up at the evil plants. They gave him a crazed look which translated to a desire to kill. As he looked up, he could not help but think that he was missing something, something that he could use to get him and Luigi out of the caves. Then, it hit him.
"Alright, Luigi." he said. "Stand back and watch your brother do something amazing."
Luigi watched as his brother took out another fire flower and rubbed it in his hand. Mario was now 'burning' and getting a fireball ready. Luigi knew what Mario was trying to do, but at the same time he did not quite understand the entire plan. Mario readied his aim and then threw the fireball at one of the piranha plants with ease. Then, Luigi watched as his brother suddenly jumped at the screeching plant and started climbing up the stem.
"Come on, Luigi!" Mario shouted. "Hurry before the ground collapses beneath you!"
Luigi jumped up and barely managed to grab the green stem as the ground finally collapsed. He reached out for his brother's hand, but remembered that it would burn him if he tried to take hold of it while the fire flower's power was still in effect.
"Mario! Toss me a fire flower!" Luigi shouted. "I need to grab your hand before I lose my grip!"
"Here!" Mario said, throwing a flower down to his brother. Luigi reached out to grab it, but was unable to catch it.
"Shit!" Luigi shouted. "I missed it!"
"For heaven's sake, Luigi!" Mario said. "Now's not the time to waste all of our supplies!"
"I'm not trying to waste anything!" Luigi said, his grip becoming weaker by the second. "Toss me another one!"
Mario reached into the bag and tossed Luigi another flower. Fortunately, he was able to catch it this time and rub its powers into his hand.
"Grab my hand, Luigi!" Mario shouted. "Don't keep me hanging around!"
Luigi grabbed Mario's hand and continued climbing up the stem with his assistance. Suddenly, the piranha plant started to jerk violently as it began to realize that the brothers were climbing on its stem.
"Hold on!" Mario shouted as him and Luigi were thrown around like a leather belt when someone is receiving a beating. The other two plants realized what was going on and started attacking the two brothers with their large sharp teeth. Mario and Luigi threw fireballs at them, knocking them out for a few moments to avoid losing their grip. Then, the brothers were sent flying upwards incredibly fast as the first piranha plant started shaking them off. Pretty soon, Mario and Luigi were sideways in the air and then upside-down and the force of motion became too much for them to handle. The brothers were sent flying into the air for a few seconds before making a hard landing on the soft grass above the cave. Mario and Luigi got up and threw one last fireball at the three plants and watched as they were all sent ablaze. The plants lowered their heads as they suffered a slow and painful death. When the screeching ended, the two brothers looked at one another and hugged each other.
"We did it, Luigi." Mario said. "We have the first star."
"Thank you for saving my life!" Luigi said.
"The same goes for you too, bro." Mario replied. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Mario and Luigi starred out into the open green landscape and enjoyed the quiet, cool morning air that blew through their hair. They survived another night of horror and unspeakable obstacles and they were growing very tired. Luigi felt his stomach growl intensely, suddenly remembering that they have not eaten anything in over twenty-four hours.
"Come on, Mario." Luigi said. "Let's get some breakfast."
"You're not going anywhere." said a disturbing voice from behind the two brothers. They turned around and saw Lord Crump standing there, getting ready to throw a swift attack on them…
Finally! I've been able to update this story! I've been playing a game called Clock Tower (it's a PS1 title), and oh my gosh it is addicting!
Anyway, the two brothers finally made it out of the cave, but they still have one more problem before moving on to World 2: Lord Crump. How long will it take the two brothers to force him onto his knees to beg for mercy? Will he escape and attack the two brothers at a later point?
There are only three more chapters for part 1...Part 2 will be very interesting, so stay tuned and start making predictions (if you so desire). I look forward to starting another mini adventure in a different setting. Until then, see you next time :)
saturn95