Wow….I am sorry everyone…Almost 2 months…Well I just want to say school plus personal things are the culprits again…Also there was something I was waiting for (that had to do with this chapter) that unfortunately wasn't able to get done in time…Not wanting to make you all wait any longer I'm just gonna have to post without the extra feature I wanted *shrug* It may appear on DeviantArt sometime later, but for now….Chapter 45 Commence!
All together Yoshi and the others walked towards the portal, excitement and fear plaguing al their minds. Yoshi felt Birdo squeeze his hand as the group entered the portal.
"We're finally here Yoshi…" Birdo whispered her voice trembling, quiet enough that only Yoshi could hear. Yoshi squeezed his wife's hand in response, he wanted to say something back to her but his thoughts were cut short as suddenly the portal's light grew even brighter and the group of 6 disappeared from where they had originally stood. Yoshi suddenly had to catch his breath as he opened his eyes. Exclamations of fright came from all 6 friends as they stared at the daunting sight looming in front of them.
"Th-this is B-Bowser's new Ca-Castle?" Yoshi stuttered as he felt Birdo's arm cling tightly onto his.
"Wh-what Yo-Yoshi said…." Luigi's voice stuttered immediately after. A castle double the size of Bowser's original Castle, it was built with bricks as dark as night and that wasn't even the most intimidating thing about it. What unnerved the group the most was that the front of the Castle itself was a large statue of Bowser, he sat on a large throne. Yoshi, Mario and Luigi took deep breaths as they stared at the statue's hands, in his left hand he clenched both Yoshi and Luigi, the detail of their faces were very convincing, the intense pain on their face was obvious. In the statue's right hand he clenched only Mario, this was the hand that the statue's face was staring at, a look of sheer triumph on his face as he squeezed the life out of his greatest enemy. Birdo, Peach and Daisy immediately clung onto their husbands, completely terrified by the sight. Bowser's hatred for them had most definitely amplified in those 20 years. Eventually the group forced their focus off the frightening sight. Mario turned to the group.
"This is obviously not the same Castle or Bowser from twenty years ago….We need to keep a lookout at all times! And most of all we need to stay together, we can't allow ourselves to straggle…." Mario spoke his voice was firm but did have a hint of worry in it. Yoshi and the others nodded. "We don't know what kind of tricks or traps he has up his sleeve for trespassers….If he's even had trespassers at all, after all this time…." Looking around Mario motioned to the group. "Let's-a-go…" He whispered, quietly yet swiftly the group ran towards a large boulder just a few feet from the Castle doors. Yoshi stared at the doors, anxiety plagued him, he knew this Castle was dangerous, but his parental instincts were screaming at him to ignore all that and make a run for the doors and start searching for his daughter. A tight grip on his arm caused Yoshi to glance over with his eyes. Birdo's attention was also fixed on the doors and she too looked as if her instincts were plaguing her as well. Yoshi turned his head back towards the doors, suddenly voices caused Yoshi to avert his focus to his left. Panic rushed through his body, he quickly turned to the others and hushed them.
"Hammer Bros heading right this way!" Yoshi whispered, gently pushing Birdo backwards causing the group to hide on the other side of the boulder.
"Seriously what's the point of guarding this Castle? Nobody ever comes here!" One of the Hammer Bros grumbled turning to his cohort.
"It's King Bowser's orders, we can't really argue with that…." The 2nd Hammer Bro answered shrugging his shoulders.
"I'm sorry man, but twenty years of guarding a hidden castle isn't my idea of an exciting job….The only thing remotely exciting that has happened all this time was that Star Shower 3 weeks ago….But still when that happens only once every twenty years…Yeah…Not an exciting job…"
"I'm totally in agreement with you on that, but King Bowser's orders are King Bowser's orders…Maybe he'll switch our positions with one of the guys inside…." The two Hammer Bros walked past the group's hiding spot, nothing suggested that they had noticed the 6 friends.
"Like the guys inside do anything more exciting!" The 1st Hammer Bro's voice grumbled as he and his cohort disappeared out of sight. The group of 6 let out sighs of relief.
"Good catch Yoshi….." Mario whispered, giving Yoshi an appreciative nod. Yoshi simply smiled and nodded, as the group gave their attention back to the Castle doors. "Well Bowser obviously has guards scouting all over the place…I'm-a-thinking we need to look for another way in…If he has guards patrolling the outside, he most likely has a guard or two right inside the doors…" Mario whispered frowning at the doors. Looks of disappointment spread across everyone's faces.
"Mario's right…We can't take that risk…." Daisy whispered, despite the disappointment on her face. "We're too close to make mistakes now…" Everyone seemed in agreement, however Birdo didn't seem as enthusiastic, her attention went back to the doors. Yoshi noticing this grabbed her hand, causing her to glance at her hand, before looking up at him. He didn't say anything to her, however his eyes shared the exact same expression hers did. He also wanted to ignore the possible risk and instead follow his instincts…However they had been through so much to get here and they could not afford such a risk, not with their daughter's life hanging in the balance. Birdo stared into her husband's eyes for a moment before her eyes softened, her head slowly turning towards the ground. She didn't want to admit it but Mario, Daisy and Yoshi were right, they had come too far, as much as it made her heart ache, she would have to be patient for a little while longer.
"This way everyone…" Mario whispered, pointing towards another boulder on the right side of the Castle. Murmurs of agreement and the group slowly and cautiously headed towards the safety of the next boulder. Birdo glanced one last time at the Castle doors, before Yoshi took her by the hand and they both followed Mario and the others.
"Are those Hammer Bros up ahead?" Luigi whispered as the group hid behind the boulder. Cautiously Mario slowly peered around their hiding spot.
"No…I don't see them, they must've reached the back of the Castle…" Mario answered back, looking over at his brother.
"What's going to be our next move now Mario?" Yoshi's voice spoke. "I don't see anymore boulders up ahead….What's going to keep us hidden?" This time Yoshi's voice held worry. Everyone looked ahead frowns spread across their faces, Yoshi was right, the rest of the surrounding area was free of any hiding places.
"Look, near the right….The ground goes a bit downhill there…" Peach's voice sounded. "We can head down there, it'll keep us hidden just enough for us to scan over the boundary of the back of the Castle…." She finished, pointing at the small hill.
"Good idea Peach…" Daisy whispered. Mario nodded in agreement as he led the group slowly. The only one not following was Birdo, she had completely missed Peach's suggestion and instead was staring at the Castle. Yoshi slowly followed behind Luigi, uneasiness plagued him, he turned his head. Panic pulsed down his spine as he realized that Birdo was not following behind him. Quickly looking around Yoshi caught sight of Birdo, she was walking towards the side wall of the Castle.
"Birdo!" Yoshi gasped loudly, Birdo didn't seem to noticed, however it did catch the attention of Mario and the others.
"Yoshi, you've-a-got to be quie…" Mario had started until he had realized what was wrong.
"Birdo, dear…..We mustn't get separated!" Peach gasped panicked. Once again Birdo didn't seem to hear anything. Yoshi quickly turned towards Mario and the others when suddenly, something made his body go cold….Voices…Quickly turning around Yoshi's eyes shrank with fear as the two Hammer Bros from earlier were making their rounds again and were heading straight for Birdo, who was completely oblivious as she drew closer to the Castle wall.
"B-Birdo…N-NO!" Yoshi squeaked his voice labored as panic took him over, but also trying not to catch the attention of the 2 Hammer Bros. Giving a desperate glance at his friends Yoshi quickly ran for Birdo. He wasn't going to allow Bowser's troops to take his wife from him as well, if they caught Birdo they were going to take him along with her. Running as fast as his feet would carry him, Yoshi suddenly felt his heart stop as he tripped over a rock. Stumbling Yoshi was unable stop himself as he collided with his wife, to his shock however they didn't hit the wall in fact, within seconds Yoshi found himself on the floor of a narrow hallway. Quickly regaining his composure Yoshi immediately looked around for his wife. Birdo laid on the floor, she seemed a bit dazed. "B-Birdo are you alright?" Yoshi choked crawling over to his wife. At first Birdo didn't respond as she slowly sat herself up, however as soon as she saw her husband she quickly nodded.
"I-I'm fine…" She whispered, quickly looking around. "We….We're inside the Castle…." She gasped, looking up at where she and Yoshi had fallen. Panic suddenly took over Yoshi.
"Birdo…Keep watch, I-I need to see if Mario and the others are alright…." He whispered his voice shaking. Fear gleamed in Birdo's eyes as well, however she quickly nodded, looking around the room. Cautiously Yoshi climbed on top of a small pile of bricks next to the wall and slowly looked outside. Fear that Mario and the others had been found by the Hammer Bros plagued Yoshi's mind as he looked around.
"C-can you see them Yoshi?" Birdo asked desperately. Yoshi didn't respond as he continued to scan the area. Just as fear began to set in Yoshi's heart leapt as he suddenly saw Mario's head slowly peer from behind the hill. Yoshi let out a gasp in happiness as Mario and the others waved at him, looks of relief on their faces.
"They're safe Dear!" Yoshi gasped, quickly looking down at his wife. Birdo quickly put her hand to her chest.
"Oh thank goodness…." She whimpered, her eyes tearing up. Yoshi quickly turned to look back at Mario and the others, he gave them the signal that it was clear for them to come over. After cautiously looking around Mario and the others quickly rushed over towards Yoshi.
"You both had us worried there Buddy…." Mario gasped, a look of relief on his face, Luigi, Peach and Daisy shared similar looks. Yoshi smiled.
"Same here….." He laughed nervously jumping down from the brick, to allow Mario, Luigi, Peach and Daisy to climb down as well.
"Are you alright Birdo?" Peach asked, quickly taking her friend into a hug. Birdo let out a sigh as she squeezed her friend tighter.
"Yes, I'm so glad you all are safe!" She answered, nodding at Peach before turning to look at Daisy, Luigi and Mario.
"Well it looks like we've managed to get into the Castle…" Luigi laughed nervously, as he looked down the long narrow hallway.
"This is where we gotta keep our senses sharp…." Mario spoke firmly, turning to look at each of his friends. "If any of you notice the slightly movement or sound…Let the rest of us know, we can't let anything catch us by surprise…"
"Right!" Everyone replied nodding. Yoshi turned to Birdo, they both gave each other reassuring smiles.
"We're coming Shelly!"
The group wandered down the same hallway for about 30 minutes and yet they didn't stumble across any problems. This however only increased the groups' cautiousness as they reminded themselves of what they had saw when they had first arrived. If that statue meant anything it was that Bowser wasn't to be taken lightly this time, the one time they let their guard down may quite possibly be their last. Yoshi couldn't explain it but the longer they walked down the hall the faster his heart began to race. Yes it could be from the anxiety of wanting to find Shelly, but for some reason Yoshi felt that this was the result of something else, he just couldn't figure out what. Finally after what seemed like an eternity, torches began to line the walls. Mario stopped the group.
"Okay…As always keep sharp everyone….I think we're going to start seeing some guards fairly soon…." He whispered, nodding at the group. Everyone nodded and murmured. Continuing to walk, the narrow hallway began to expand allowing the group to walk in twos rather than a line of six. For the most part everyone kept their attention ahead of them, they knew that most likely a guard would come from ahead of them. Mario however was looking in all directions, he had explored Bowser's old Castle enough times to know that danger could come from any direction. While the Castle's layout so far didn't seem to change much and didn't seem to have many hiding places for Bowser's minions, Mario wasn't going to try his luck. Something suddenly caught his attention. Up ahead Mario saw what appeared to be a door. Cautiously he led the group in that direction, finally he stopped. He looked the door and the hallway over, the door seemed to be a dungeon cell. As Mario peered inside he was immediately overtaken with anger. Peach noticing the aggression on her husband's face came up to him.
"Mario what is it?" she asked gently, still anxious to find her children.
"Yeah, what is it Bro?" Luigi who suddenly came up to Mario, with Daisy following. All 3 of the latter gasped, as they saw the horrific sight within the cell. Clearly unconscious, dirty, injured, and OBVIOUSLY undernourished, with her left ankle chained to the wall, laid Shelly. Mario and even Luigi clenched their teeth in anger. Just a few inches in front of her was a small chair…On top of it…A bowl of fruit. Shelly's hand was unmistakably reached out for the fruit. Also knowing of Shelly's inability to use her tongue only drove the Bros. anger further.
"This is LOW EVEN for Bowser!" Mario snarled, staring at his longtime Friend's daughter treated in such a disgraceful manner. Peach nor Daisy could say anything, they were in shock. They didn't think that Bowser despite ALL the horrible things he had done in the past, could be capable of stooping so low. They couldn't bear to see Yoshi and Birdo's reactions to seeing their daughter treated so harshly. However to their horror…..
"What is it Mario?"
Came Yoshi's voice as he and Birdo advanced the group. At first none of the 4 wanted to move, in fact Luigi stepped in front of the small window blocking it from view. However, Yoshi and Birdo seemed to have noticed the gesture and reluctantly Luigi, Mario, Peach and Daisy allowed Yoshi and Birdo to look into the room. Glancing one last time at their friends, Yoshi and Birdo slowly peered into the cell. Birdo let out a heaved gasp, Yoshi on the other hand was silent, however his face was twisted with horror.
"SH-SHELLY!" Birdo choked, grabbing the small bars. Yoshi gave a distressed gasp as he stared at his daughter.
"Oh Shelly….."
Yoshi shivered as he stared at the horrendous state his daughter was in. Glancing over to his left, Yoshi saw something that made his blood boil…..
The full bowl of fruit…
Yoshi let out a growl, before also grabbing the cell bars and tugged at them aggressively. Quickly looking around he saw a few cement blocks without even thinking Yoshi immediately ate one of the blocks, turning it into an egg. Glaring at the door Yoshi threw the egg with all his might, shattering the lock. Birdo was the first to force the door open. Both parents rushed over to their unconscious daughter.
"M-my Baby…." Birdo choked, immediately kneeling next to Shelly and lifting her onto her lap. Yoshi remained standing, as he got a better look on how bad of shape Shelly really was. Her entire body was covered in the filth from her cell, bruises covered every inch of her body. Her body was completely still, she didn't appear to be taking in any breaths. Birdo caressed Shelly's cheek and cradled her cold seemingly lifeless body. Yoshi stared at his wife for a moment, before turning to the entrance of the cell, where his friends still stood.
"Mario you all go on, we'll catch up with you….." Yoshi whispered his voice almost cracking, as he heard Birdo whimpering next to him. At first Mario and the others simply stood there, somewhat reluctant. However, Mario gave Yoshi one last reassuring glance before nodding at him.
"Let's-a-go" Mario said firmly as everyone followed him out of sight. As soon as everyone was out of sight Yoshi gave his attention back to Shelly and Birdo.
"Shelly…..Honey…Wake up…Please wake up…" Birdo whispered desperately, suddenly pressing her face against Shelly's. Yoshi kneeled next to Birdo and Shelly. Mixed feelings of fear and anger tingled in his body. Birdo began to plead for Shelly to wake up again. Yoshi took his hand and caressed his daughter's cheek. Yoshi was taken aback by the unfamiliar presence he felt. There was no warmth present in his daughter's body, almost empty….As if lifeless….
"Shelly…..Come on Shelly….."
Hearing nothing in response, Yoshi shut his eyes tightly, hopelessness quickly taking him over…
Sorry everyone leaving you all on a sad cliffhanger….Well after so many battles and hardships Yoshi and Birdo have finally found Shelly….But it didn't turn into the happy reunion everyone was hoping for…It seems Yoshi's paranoia back in Chapter 40 has come back to haunt him….
Again I'm sorry for the long wait….But this time I'm not going to promise a quick update…I may get lucky, but I don't want to promise something and then have something come up…So I'll try to update faster than this one, but I can't make any promises. See you all in the next Chapter!
Mario related material Property of Nintendo
Story and FC characters (meaning Shelly, Dash, Ilario, Angela, Azalea, Koop, Parry, Surge, Lilli, Phoenix and Karrie) Property of MCGoldYoshi