Super Mario: Galaxies Finest
Chapter 7
The Hunt Begins
He stood near a window staring at the sun in the distance. He swayed his head back and forth as he went into deep thought. Things were going pretty good thus far, but little margin for failure of any kind. He stood there for a little longer as he heard foot steps from behind.
"Sir, there's someone here to see you."
"I'll be right on out."
It didn't take very long as he looked up to see he was back in the cave. He hopped off of the Redbird as he took off his suite and headed straight for the waterfall. As the water came down upon him he stood there as he began to plot out his next move. His train of thought was broken to the sound of his computer beeping. Tim walked over as he dried off and put on a new set of bandages. He then directed his attention to the computer.
"Let's see what's got the computer so riled up."
His eyes narrowed to see that he had received an email. He took a seat as he opened it. It read,
"Very good young detective I'm pleased in what I've seen so far, but the real test for you will come in time. Be prepared."
"King De, it has to be him. Then again how would he know I'm a detective, and how would he have been able to know where to contact me?"
Tim sat back in thought.
"It's way to early to be out on the streets, but if I stick to the sewers I should be able to effectively maneuver around." Tim said as he sat up.
"But first I'll add the finishing touches to the project I've been working on." Tim said as he looked over to the corner.
"Computer, try and trace that message back to it's original sender."
"Processing."
He sat in his office as he stared out the window. He got out of his chair as he stared at the city below, wondering if anything would ever go back to normal. Suddenly a phone goes off in the room. He picks it up with a slight nod.
"Hello, this is Toadsworth."
"Hello sir, we've just got word that the Mario Brothers might be on there way back to the city along with the Princess."
A long moment of silence goes by.
"Mr. Toadsworth are you still there?"
"Yes of course, it's about time." He said in over relief.
"We'll keep you updated, they should arrive at the airport around 10 P.M. tonight."
"Great, thank you."
With that they both hung up.
"Finally, the kingdoms hero's have returned."
The next second a knock can be heard at the door.
"Come on in." Toadsworth said.
To his surprise it was none other than Detective Razar.
"I assume you've heard the good news."
"Of course." Toadsworth said with a smile.
"They've been gone for a long time."
"Yes, a little over a year to be exact."
"It will be nice to have them back."
"About that, I was wondering if you could tag around for a little longer."
"Sir?"
"Just until things clear up a little."
"Of course."
With that Detective Razar left the room.
A couple hours had gone by. At this time it was a little passed mid day. Tim Drake walked over as he suited up. He then made his way out of the cave to see a gloomy sky filled with many gray rain clouds. It was a little chilly out, it didn't bug him much. Not with the warmth of his suite.
"On second thought I may be able to scourer the rooftops without grabbing to much attention."
With that he quickly made his way to the city. A slight rain began to come down as he looked down towards the streets filled with many vehicles driving by.
"I think it would be best to wait for Detective Razar before going after Croc, at this point if he's down there he'll probably know that place inside out. But at the same time, it's my task to find him, a very dangerous one at that."
Suddenly something caught his attention, a pick up truck. It was the one he had just seen the previous night.
"Who says I can't keep myself busy in the meantime?"
With that Robin jumped from building to building following the truck.
"My only question is, why would they be driving the same vehicle they were in when the cops went after them."
Suddenly the large truck came to a stop. Thinking quickly Robin glided down on top of the truck laying flat. The truck began to move slowly as they entered a garage. As the door shut behind them the room became pitch dark, only for a second. Robin slowly crawled closer to the front of the truck as he saw people exiting.
"Wario." Robin muttered under his breath.
Wario, Waluigi, and a couple others walked over to a door as they entered what appeared to be some kind of club. Robin put a tracer on to the truck then glided to the ground.
"Let's see what these guy's are up to."
Robin walked up to the door as he slowly opened it. Flashes came to his eyes from the blinker lights. He quickly closed the door as he went in. It was loud, filled with many people and different creatures.
"This must be some kind of bar."
Robin slowly made his way through the crowd as someone bumped into him.
"Hey look at this guy, this isn't a Halloween party."
A couple people laughed at this remark. Robin brushed this off as he continued through the crowd. He looked around noticing there was a pool table contest as well as a dart competition going on. Suddenly he noticed a guy sitting in a corner alone drinking.
"Maybe this guy can direct me to where Wario is." Robin thought to himself as he approached him.
The man looked up as he stared Robin in the eyes.
"Who in the princess neckales are you supposed to be?"
"I'm the Red Phantom." Robin said.
"Ya do know this aint no theatre right?"
"I must of taken a wrong turn." Robin said sarcastically.
"What is it ya want?"
"I'm looking for Wario, you ever seen him?"
"Yea he's a usual, he went in the back room there, you can't miss him."
With that Robin made his way over to the door. Before he could attempt to enter the door crashes over as a body comes rolling out. Everyone directs their attention to this. Robin slowly goes into a corner as to not attract more attention himself. Not even a second later guns shots start going off from all areas of the room. Robin quickly locks on to those with weapons. Seconds later Waluigi comes out of the room firing a pistol. Many duck for cover. Robin quickly pulls out his staff as he lunges forward.
"While I still have the element of surprise."
He quickly throws a couple of smoke bombs to the ground as he quickly disarms those with weapons using his staff.
"Well well, it seems Robin is here." Waluigi said as he took aim.
Before he could pull the trigger Robin threw a birdrang disarming him.
"Yes, and I'm here to serve you to the authorities." Robin said as Wario appeared from the room along with Dry Bones and Petey Piranha at his side.
"How many times have I taken you two down, can't you two ever learn a lesson?" Robin asked.
"Where I'm from consistency is recommended." Dry Bones said with a smirk.
Suddenly more gun shots began to go off as Robin flipped behind a table.
"It seems I've been caught in the middle of something."
Robin quickly glimpsed from behind the table to see Wario and Waluigi getting away.
"To much shooting to risk it, besides I have a tracker on their truck."
Robin looked around the room, looking for any escape options. From the side of his eye he caught sight of a vent in the corner of the room. He flipped to his feet as he darted across the room. Once next to the vent he slowly pulled it open as the nails fell to the ground.
"Good thing I stay in shape."
Robin then slid into the vent as he crawled away from all of the action. Once out he found himself on the roof of the building. As expected the police were headed in his direction.
"No time for pep talks." With that Robin grappled away.
The rest of the day was spent in the cave, he was hard at work trying to trace the email he had received back to it's sender.
"Whoever sent this is extremely advanced at covering up their trail."
Tim sat in silence for a long moment as he stared up at the cave walls.
"The night is young, which means it's time to head out."
Tim glanced over at the Redbird but decided to go on foot yet again. As he walked out of the cave the first thought that came to mind was that he needed to improve the security for the entrance. Robin stood at the top of the hill as he stared down at the lit up city. He smiled knowing the search would soon begin. Robin jumped up as he glided to the city below. He stood next to a couple of statues that filled the rooftops as he looked down in search of Detective Razar.
"Hm, he's not usually out this early anyway, I'll give him a little longer."
They waited, anxiously. It seemed like they had waited an eternity for this moment. Nothing could be seen in the dark sky, nothing except that of the stars and moon. They waited some more, in the far distance a small light could be seen, it got closer and closer. Everyone began to cheer as they waited.
"Finally they're here." Toadsworth said as a tears came to his eyes.
It didn't take to much longer as the plane slowly descended. Minutes later it landed as everyone broke out in cheers. The plane slowly pulled up as the stair way slowly pushed out. Not even a second later the door slid open. Everyone clapped as Luigi made his way down the stairway along with Yoshi and a couple other toads. They were greeted by many cheers and hugs.
"Luigi, where is Mario and Princess Toadstool?" Toadsworth asked.
"They won't be here for about another week, they flew to a place to help with more foreign relations." Luigi replied.
"Hello Luigi, I'm Detective Razar. I'm sure you haven't heard what's been going on since your absence."
"What's a been going on?" Luigi asked.
"You and Yoshi follow me to my office, I'll explain everything." Toadsworth said.
They followed him back to his office as he explained everything to them.
"I can't believe all of that happened while we were away." Yoshi exclaimed.
"Not just that, even with Bowser gone it still seems things haven't changed much." Detective Razar said.
"We have to a do something about this." Luigi said clenching his fist.
"We have been doing the best we can." Razar explained.
"I'll a be out on the streets." Luigi said as he left the office.
"Toadsworth is there anything else important we should know?" Yoshi asked.
"Other than be careful, I have nothing further to tell you."
"Are you sure we can't get in contact with Mario and the princess?" Detective Razar asked.
"Where they headed to, almost next to impossible." Yoshi explained.
"You three will have to do, the city needs you."
"Yes sir." Razar said as he looked over at Yoshi who nodded.
"We'll be back with any updates." Detective Razar said.
With that Detective Razar and Yoshi left the office as well. He walked down the street, looking at what became of the city while they were gone. Store windows had been busted open, more homeless could be spotted, and the streets were a mess.
"How could we a let this happen."
Before Luigi could take another step he felt himself being pulled into the air. The first feeling that came to him was fear as he came to a stop. He fell to the ground as he looks around to see the city below.
"How did I get up here?" Luigi questioned.
"I brought you here."
Luigi turns to see none other than Robin himself.
"Who are you?" Luigi asked.
"I'm Robin and I've come to put a stop to you and your brothers operations Luigi." Robin said.
"He must be a hired hit man, a Bowser follower maybe?" Luigi thought to himself.
"You're right this ends tonight." Luigi said as he charged forward.
Luigi charged forward as he threw multiple punches as Robin dodged them all. Luigi then jumped up as he did a spin kick. Robin simply ducked dodging the attack. Robin then tried to trip Luigi who did a back flip over his foot. Robin then threw two birdrangs at Luigi who karate chopped them to the ground. When he looked back up Robin was gone. He then turned around as he meets a punch which sends him spinning to the ground. Luigi slowly try's to get to his feet as he reaches for his hat which was knocked off in the scuffle.
"I will not let you win." Luigi protested as he put his hat back on.
"Why do this, what do you have to gain?" Robin said in a negotiating tone.
"I want to preserve this city." Luigi replied.
"Through terror, why?" Robin asked.
"What do you a mean?" Luigi questioned.
Suddenly Luigi hears foot steps from behind as he turns to see Detective Razar and Yoshi.
"That will be just about enough you two, we're all on the same side."
Robin gives Detective Razar a confused look.
"But the Boo Ghosts said the Mario brothers and that dinosaur creature with you work with them."
"You ran into the Boo Ghosts?" Razar asked.
"Yea, I almost spent a night in their low budget castle."
"I'll bite, what's going on?" Yoshi asked.
"They must of tricked you, I'm a here to save the city." Luigi said.
"In that case I'm sorry for confronting you in the way I did." Robin apologized.
"And I'm a sorry for charging you." Luigi replied.
"So the Boo Ghosts told you about us?" Yoshi asked.
"Indeed they did, they even impersonated you for awhile."
"That's why you came after me?"
"That is correct."
"Let's save this little talk for later, we have bigger problems to attend." Detective Razar said as he walked up to Robin and handed him a map.
"Great, the floor plants to the sewer."
"What do you need that for?" Luigi asked.
"Hunting, croc hunting." Robin replied.
Chills went down Yoshi's spine at this comment. Luigi scratched his head at this.
"It's a long story, I think it would be best if you and Yoshi stay up here. You know, to watch the streets." Robin said.
"It sounds a dangerous, but me and my bro know the sewers just as good as anyone. I think it would benefit you if me and a Yoshi tagged along."
Robin thought about it for a second, he then looked over at Razar who nodded.
"Very well, but we all need to stick together."
"So what's this thing we're looking for?" Luigi asked.
"His name is Killer Croc, a mutated man if you will."
Luigi gulped at this.
"We better hurry, every second we waste can be the life of someone." Razar said.
"I just have one question, what exactly are you supposed to be?" Yoshi asked.
"A vigilante." Robin replied.
Yoshi thought about this for a second.
"What's a vigilante?" Yoshi asked only to see everyone already leaping down to the streets.
"That's right, ignore the brains of this operation." Yoshi said as he plummeted along as well.
They made it into the sewers. It was dark, very dark at that. Robin pulled out his mini flash light, lighting a path for them.
"Remember, stay close together."
Everyone nodded as they walked on. As they walked deeper down the sewer halls the air seemed to be much more damp then it had been earlier. The water slowly made it's way close up to where their knee's were. Robin put a hand up signaling for them to stop. He slowly walked over as he tapped the pipes a couple times.
"What's that for?" Razar asked.
"We're coming up to a point where we have to make a decision soon."
"What do you mean?" Yoshi asked.
"There are about three paths to choose from about a half mile up." Robin explained.
"You know sewers better than I thought." Luigi said.
Robin smiled at this. As they walked walked on voices can be heard as they come up to a new hall, one filled with three other passage ways. They turn to their left to see five people sitting near a beat down coach, a couple of chairs, and a table. It was clear they were homeless.
"What brings you folks down here?" One of them asked.
"We're looking for a beast." Robin replied.
The five of them laugh at this.
"Everyone you meet down here are basically beasts my friend."
"Everyone?" Yoshi asked.
"Yea, there's many who live down here. Can't afford up top." Another laughed with a sickly cough.
"The beast I speak of is a predator, one which won't have any type of room mates." Robin said.
"You must mean that new guy, yea I heard he's called Killer Croc."
"That's him, where can we a find him?" Luigi asked.
"Nobody trying to mess wit him, you'll have to go to the hells gate." Another said.
"Which way is that?" Robin asked.
"Straight my good fellows, the one in the middle."
With that Robin and the group pushed on. They could hear hectic laughs from behind. As they made their way down the hall they noticed scratch marks on the walls. Suddenly Robin singled for them to stop again as he looked down at the map.
"How come the map stops here?" Robin asked.
"Obviously someone didn't want anyone to know about certain parts of the sewer." Razar said.
Robin dropped the map to the ground as they walked on. After about another five minutes of walking they came to a stop. They looked down knowing they would be heading deeper into the sewer. Robin went first as they climbed down a nineteen foot ladder which placed them deeper into the sewer.
It was much darker then before, and much quieter than before. Only the dripping of water could be heard. They walked forward for about another two minutes as they approached a large gate. Robin grabbed one side as Luigi grabbed the other. They slowly jilted the rugged gate open. Before entering Robin flashed his light around as he caught site of a sign right by the gate door, it read,
"Welcome to Hell"
"Let the hunt begin." Robin said as they all entered with the gate slamming behind them.
To Be Continued