Chapter 5: Orphan Town/Johnson's Vendetta revealed

(Disclaimer! I owe nothing of Nintendo, or any quotes you may even recognize!)

Toadstool and I were heading far from the Mushroom Kingdom to find shelter. "I should've known my own trusted companion was behind this entire attack," said Toadsworth. "I was trying to tell you he was evil," said Toadstool, "I saw it in his eyes that he couldn't be trusted." I kept walking. I remembered the thing I did at Blue Shell Business Boarding School. "Why did I do that?" I asked myself. I looked at my hands. "Were these hands meant to destroy?" Toadstool took my hands. "Don't let it get to you," she said, "You did what you thought was right." "I know," I said, "But I didn't mean to kill him." She gave me a hug. Saria heard something. "You know, you should think of this as a start of something new and…." said Cloud. "Shh," said Saria. "Did she just shush me?" asked Cloud. "Listen Cloud, I appreciate the concern but…." I said. "Shush," said Saria. "Don't you shush me," I said. "Do you hear that?" asked Saria. I started to hear it too. We started heading closer.

"I hear it now," I said. "Where there's music, there's people," said Saria. "Do we even know who's on the other side?" asked Toadsworth. Toadstool, Saria, Cloud and I were going further and leaving Toadsworth behind. "I'm too old for this," he said. I smelled brimstone. "I have a bad feeling about this," said Cloud. Some steam came out of a hole. "What was that?" asked Toadstool. More steam came out. "The Dark lands," said Toadstool, "We're in Dark Land Territory." "Wow," I said, "It looks creepy, but isn't it great?" "We could get in big trouble for being here," said Saria. "I know," said Cloud. "We were looking at the skeleton of a strange creature. "Are its guts still in there?" asked Toadstool. "There's only one way to know," I said, "Let's go check it out." Toadsworth finally caught up to us. "Alright," said Toadsworth, "but after you check out whatever you're checking out, we need to check out of here right away." "What's the big deal?" asked Cloud. "We're in enemy territory right now," said Toadsworth. "Looks like Fungus man is scared," said Saria. "Its Mr. Fungus man to you little girl," he said, "And right now we're all in serious danger!"

"Danger?" I asked, "I walk on the wild side, and laugh in the face of danger." I laughed out loud and heard someone else laugh. The others got behind me. There were 3 man sized turtles in spiky shells. One of them looked familiar. "Well, well, well, Wendy what do we have here?" asked the purple one. "I'm not sure Roy," said Wendy, "What do you think Larry?" The blue one laughed crazy. "I was thinking of that too," said Roy, "A group of children on our territory." "We came here by accident let me assure you," said Toadsworth, "A navigational error." Roy looked at him. "I know you," he said, "You're that mushroom head from the MK." "I am the chancellor," said Toadsworth. "So he's the prince, she's the princess," said Wendy as she looked at me, "And that makes you?" "The future knight," I said. "Do you have any idea what we do to knights who step into our territory?" asked Roy. "You can't do anything," I said.

"Technically they can because we are on their territory," said Cloud. "Cloud have you forgotten that I took on this idiot at Kongo Jungle?" I asked. "Who are you callin' an idiot?" asked Roy. Toadsworth got in my way. "Look at the sun," he said, "Its time for us to go!" "What's the hurry?" asked Roy, "You could stick around for dinner." "I'm up for some mushroom soup," said Wendy, "I'm sure you'd taste really good." "How about, Toadstool soup," said Roy. Larry was trying to get their attention. "What's wrong Larry?" asked Wendy. Roy saw us run. "Did we order this dinner to go?" he asked. "No, why?" asked Wendy. "Because there it goes!" We started running. Roy caught Toadsworth. "Did we lost them?" asked Saria. "I think so," I said, "Where's Toadsworth?" "Watch the old mushroom man walk all the way into the fungie boiler," said Roy. "Oh no, not the fungie boiler!" said Toadsworth. It steamed his mushroom head. They laughed. "Hey!" I said, "Pick on somebody your own size." "Liiiiiike you?" asked Wendy. "Oops," I said. We started running.

"Get back here!" said Wendy. We kept running. "Wait," I said. I remembered I still had my fire technique. I shot a fireball at them to slow them down. "How'd he do that?" asked Saria. "Less talking, more running," said Toadstool. We met a dead end. "We're trapped!" said Saria. They caught up to us. "Prepare to feel the wrath of the koopalings," said Roy. "You think you can take me on?" I asked. I took out my staff. "That's your weapon of choice?" asked Wendy, "Hit me. I dare you." Someone suddenly shot an arrow. "What was that?" asked Saria. A kid in a green tunic showed up and started fighting them. They ran from him but he stopped them. "What did I tell you about messing with children around my territory?" he said. "We're sorry," said Wendy, "We didn't know." "I'm in a generous mood today so I'll let you go," he said, "But don't expect me to go easy on you next time." They started running.

He looked at us. "You kids ok?" he asked. "We're fine," said Saria, "You saved our lives." "I didn't recall being asked to be saved by a boy in a dress," said Cloud. "It's a tunic," he said. "Whatever," said Cloud. "That was pretty brave of you," said the boy as he looked at me, "I've never seen someone fight a koopaling before. You've got guts mr…" "Shay," I said, "Nicholas James Cornelius Mikhail Lee Shay." "Long name," he said. He saw Toadstool's Necklace. "Your majesty," he said as he bowed, "Come with me, I'll show you to our sanctuary." We followed him. "I thought that was really brave," said Toadstool. "If its not already obvious with that cutie…. Dibs," said Saria. Johnson was watching us. We walked over to a village that looked as if it was made by children. Which it was. "I'm back," said the boy. A male with snow white hair appeared. "Glad to have you join us," he said, "Who are these kids?" "I found them," said the boy, "This little guy risked his life to save himself and his friends from koopalings."

"How come you couldn't do it by yourself Zelda?" asked the white haired boy. "How many times do I have to tell you Robin, my name is Link!" said Link. "You wanna go?" asked Robin. "Yeah I wanna go," said Link. "Well bring it on," said Robin, "Draw your sword!" "Robin!" said a person, "Enough." A man with blue hair and a cape appeared. "Master Ike," said Cloud as he bowed. "An honor to see you again Prince Cloud," said Ike, "And you too Princess Toadstool." She smiled. "Who is this young man?" asked Ike. "He's the boy who saved Kongo Jungle," said Toadstool, "He's the chosen one." "Does he have proof?" asked Link. I showed him the Star. "He who holds the star holds the power of fire," said Ike. "That's right," I said. I did some fire moves and amazed everybody. Some more children showed up. "The chosen one is here," said one of them. "Did I hear someone say chosen one?" said a girl. A blue haired girl with a cape and a sword showed up. "Lucina," said Cloud. "Prince Cloud," said Lucina. She hugged him. "Its been so long," she said. "Yeah," said Cloud, "How have you been?" "Doing good," said Lucina.

"What's going on here?" I asked. "Lucina and Cloud have been friends since before you came to our world." "So what brings you here?" asked Robin. "The Mushroom Kingdom was brought to ruin," said Cloud, "By an evil man named Tatanga." "Oh my," said Robin. "Well thank goodness you're ok," said Lucina. "Yeah," said Toadstool, "Thanks to Nick, the new knight." She hugged me and I blushed. "I'm glad," I said.

Meanwhile in an unknown area, the koopalings were sitting down. "That lousy Link," said Roy, "He's lucky I can still sit on my butt." He had scars on his butt. Larry laughed. "This isn't funny Larry," said Roy. He kept laughing. "Shut up!" he said. He kept laughing. "THAT'S IT!" he said. He tackled him and they started fighting. "Will you two stop fighting?!" said Wendy. "He started it," said Roy, "But you're right. Its no wonder why we're om the low level of supreme." "I hate low levels," said Wendy, "If it weren't for those humans, we'd be ruling the earth." "Man I hate humans," said Roy, "They're so pushy." "And crazy," said Wendy. "And stinky," said Roy. "And man are they," said Wendy. "UUUUUUUUUGLY!" said Roy and Wendy. They were all laughing. "Surely we humans aren't all that bad," said a voice. It was Johnson. "Oh Johnson, its just you," said Roy, "We were afraid you were someone important." "I see," said Johnson. "But you're not like the others," said Wendy, "You're our pal." "Charmed," said Johnson.

"You have any food for us?" asked Wendy. He pulled out a piece of meat. "I'm not sure if I should give this to you," said Johnson, "I practically lured that boy over to your world and you couldn't even dispose of him." He threw it down and they started eating it. "Well, it wasn't like they were alone," said Roy. "They went over to Orphan Town," said Wendy, "Koopalings aren't allowed there. That's where King Ike lives and if he sees us we're dead." "So?" said Johnson. "So what are we supposed to do?" asked Roy, "Kill him?" "Exactly," said Johnson. He stepped down. "I understand that your powers of retention are as wet as your backsides," he said. Larry was chewing on a bone. "But thick as you are… PAY ATTENTION!" he said as he swiped the bone away, "My words are a matter of pride." "Its clear from your expressions that your brains aren't exactly turned on," he said, "But we're talking kings and successions that even you can't be caught unawares. Prepare for the chance of a lifetime for a shining new era is tiptoeing nearer." "Well where do we feature?" asked Wendy. "Just listen to teacher," said Johnson, "I know it sounds strange, but you'll be rewarded when at last I am given my dues, and injustice is deliciously squared. So be prepared."

"Oh we'll be prepared," said Roy, "What are we preparing for?" "For the death of King Ike," said Johnson. "Is he sick?" asked Roy. "No you fool, we're gonna kill him, and Nicholas too," said Johnson. "Great idea," said Wendy, "Who needs a king?" "There will be a new king," said Johnson, "I will be their new king and turn Orphan Town into a business and force the children to become my slaves. Stick with me and you'll never go hungry again." They cheered. Johnson got a spell and made more koopalings. "Of course you're all expected to take certain duties on board," said Johnson, "The future if littered with prizes. Though I'm the main addressee, the point that I must emphasize is…" He did a spell that unleashed fire. "YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME!" he shouted. He created one more koopaling. "Behold your new leader. A giant koopaling with a green shell with spikes all over the shell awoke. "Its alive!" said Johnson, "Rise Bowser!" He rose up and the koopalings bowed to him. "Prepare for the coup of the century!" said Johnson, "And the murkiest Scam!" The koopalings rose up and started making weapons.

He created a costume based on the grim reaper and a new mask. "The time has come for the new ruler of Orphan Town to rise," he said as he put on the mask, "You will call me… The Reaper!" He rose up to the top of the crowd."Meticulous planning, tenacity spanning, decades of denial is simply why I'll be king undisputed, respected, saluted and seen for the wonder I am!" said Johnson, "My magic and ambitions are bared. So be prepared!" They were all laughing.

Looks like Johnson is cooking up trouble for Nicholas Shay. What does he have planned? Tune in and find out!