Author's Note: Here we are as we approach the last update of this collective 3. More in the future, but for now, here we go. We take a break from the other main characters and return to Mario, the villains, and Rolf, who all learn some stunning revelations. What are they? Read!
Chapter 40: New Recruits
"It's-a right around here." proclaimed Mario as he reached the depths of a cave. Behind him were fellow Brooklyn residents Pauline and Junior. Both looked around with skepticism, as he finally approached a small chamber, poorly lit.
This chamber appeared to be an old construction site that was never finished. Old lanterns, presumably from a decade ago, still hung from the rafters. A few pipes, now old and rusted due to being unattended, decorated the cavernous area. Sounds of mice scurrying about and bats chirping in the distance could be heard.
"Mario, I don't know about this." Pauline replied, with clear skepticism.
"No, nope, I'm-a sure of it." Mario said, reaching around and feeling the stone walls. "It was right... around here that I feel into the mushroom kingdom for the first time, I and Luigi."
Pauline sighed, looking around cautiously. "No offense, Mario, but um... I..."
"You what?" Mario asked.
"I don't want to do this anymore." she said.
Mario looked up and over to where she and Junior looked on. "But, why-a not? I want you to a believe me."
"I do." said Pauline. "I do. But I don't need to see that world. My place is on this side."
Mario stood, silently at first.
Pauline looked on at Mario. "Things are different now. We've both seen other people. The '80s were a long time ago. Anthony Scapelli and I are doing fine now. You have a new love of your own too, right?"
Mario slowly nodded. "Her name's Peach."
Pauline smiled. "Well, I hope the two of you are happy. Tell her I said 'hello'."
"But-"
"Mario..." Pauline began, her smile fading away. "You told me earlier you came to Brooklyn for another reason. I don't remember if you told me what it is. I don't need to know because I won't play a part in it."
The red-clad plumber approached her slowly, but Pauline took a step back.
"That work you came here for. That life you now live. Live it." She paused briefly, and turned around. "You have work to do. And so do I."
He said nothing more and she turned around and walked away, watching her footing as she left towards the exit. Mario frowned for a brief moment, knowing full well that this would be the last time he would ever see her again."
"Well..." Mario broke the silence. "What about you?" he turned to Junior, who was still standing by.
"Er, well this is a bit creepier then I remembered it." Junior said.
Mario reached towards one wall, and to his nostalgic happiness, his hand started to sink into it.
"Aha, found it! The entrance back to the Mushroom Kingdom."
Junior smiled a false smile.
"...what's wrong?" asked Mario.
"It's..." Junior began. "I can't go."
Mario frowned. "Why not?"
"It's just that... Mario, I'm a little too old for all of that craziness. I graduated earlier this year. I'll be getting into college in fall. And my mom and dad will be waiting for me at home."
Mario slowly nodded.
"Stay in touch, old man." Junior said with a smirk, before turning around and walking away.
The plumber stood, now alone. At first, he felt an urge to turn around himself and say something to Junior, but he stopped himself. It was for the best, after all. On an adventure such as this, your life wouldn't be the same after going through this door. Perhaps it was something he didn't need to do.
Mario reached forward, his hand disappearing into the rock's false surface, as though he were reaching into a body of water. Mario took one last look at the world behind him, then turned and jumped into the portal.
"GET HIM!!"
"NO, RUN!!"
"I SAID GET HIM! FOLLOW ORDERS!!"
Mario's ears were greeted instantly by the sound of shouting as he fell through the other side of the portal. He saw two Koopas rush past him. The were sounds of explosions in the distance, followed by more shouting.
He had been located in a town he was familiar with, named Toad Town. It was the capital city of the Mushroom Kingdom, but it appeared quite different. Many of the buildings appeared to be in ruins. Another house, behind a few blocks of residential districts could be seen burning to the ground. Not many people were present at all, though they could be heard.
"What..." Mario asked, in surprise. He looked around slowly, seeing the clear mess that the Mushroom Kingdom was in. "What happened while I was gone?!"
"You there!" shouted a voice. Mario looked over, to see a Koopa, pointing at him, a strong and intimidating expression radiating from him. "What are you doing in these streets. Toad Town is... is... Mario?! Oh no, it's MARIO!"
Mario smirked. "Did Bowser do this?"
The koopa winched and took a step back. "I'm in for a world of hurt, aren't I?"
"Only if you don't-a tell me what happened."
The Koopa took a step back in defense, an expression of terror streaming down his face. "I, well, that is, I-"
"Mario?!"
Mario turned to his left, and saw a familiar face, of a woman with red hair, dressed in a green suit and a protective helmet.
"Lee?" Mario asked, eyebrow risen. "Lee Kanker?!"
Lee nodded, and rushed in, giving the unsuspecting Koopa a kick, frightening it back into it's shell. She laughed wickedly, and kicked it a second time, sending him fling away.
"Pleasure to see ya again." Lee said. "Welcome back home."
"Lee." Mario began. "What in the world is going on here?"
Lee sighed. "Mario, Bowser came in a couple of days ago. He came looking for Peach. And she ain't here. So he's holding the castle and town as his own fortress, until she shows up. He wants to exchange Toad Town for her."
Mario grunted, surprised. "...and where is everyone?"
Lee looked at Mario for a moment. "Almost everyone fled to Rogueport. Only a few of us are still here, trying to take down Bowser ourselves."
"Who's that?" Mario asked, surprised.
"Let's see... there's me, Ed, Jonny, May, Madame Flurrie, Bobbery, Professor Elvin Gadd, and some few Toads who didn't leave."
Mario nodded. "Well, this shouldn't be-a too hard now."
Lee shook her head. "Mario, there's something different about him. He found one of the relics."
Mario tilted his head. "Relics?"
"You remember, right?" Lee began. "There was the Eye of Wisdom held by Double D, the Medallion of Life held by Beldam. Then the Crown of Strength... the Shadow Queen used to have it, but after she was defeated, Bowser found it. And it's made him, very... very strong."
The room was very dark. Beldam sat down in her chair politely. Still in Robin's body, she changed her wardrobe a slight bit, giving herself a new hat, as well as a black robe, which concealed the medallion of life.
"Yes... yes indeed." She said. "Now this is indeed a body I can get used to. I'm sure the original owner won't mind me using it from now on, heh heh..."
Beldam's smile faded. As she looked around the grand hall room of the temple of time, she saw the damages left behind by recent battles. About 15 X-naut soldiers were walking about the massive elegant chamber, making repairs and replacing old statues and decorations with stone statues of King, and emblems of UPCO everywhere. The room was not lit very well, only by a few candles on the large meeting table.
Beldam was starting to grow impatient. "King has indeed ordered a meeting right about now. But everyone is not here. I can't stand sloppiness."
Moments later, a door opened nearby. Dimentio (who was wearing a large amount of bandages and even a cast on his arm), Lord Crump, and the old fisherman who had joined them in Peru walked into the grand hall.
"So I said to her: That's what she said!" Lord Crump shouted.
Dimentio burst into laugher, grasping at his injured sides. "Haha, now that's just rich!"
"Uh..." began the fisherman. "I don't get it. If she said that, then how could she have-"
"Er, best not to look into it too much, good man." Dimentio said, still chuckling.
"AHEM!" shouted Beldam, siting at the table.
"GULP!" replied Lord Crump.
"You three are late." she said coldly. "You best take your seats now. I can only say that you're lucky that King doesn't know about this."
"Well, you won't tell her now, will you?" Dimentio asked, in the most charming voice he could muster.
"We'll see." Beldam stated.
Dimentio, Lord Crump, and the Fisherman sat down at the table.
"So, what does his highness what with us this time?" Lord Crump asked.
"My guess is that this has something to do with yesterday's failure." Beldam said. "No thanks to you, Dimentio. We lost both of our Crystal Stars."
"You guys should have put me into the battle." the fisherman said. "I would have creamed them!"
"Buh! Buh huh huh huh!!" Lord Crump laughed. "YOU?! You have no fighting skills at all! I would have been better off going there myself!"
"The fact of the matter is, gentlemen, that we failed." Dimentio sighed. "We are at a 3-0 crystal star loss. There are four more out there. Japan. Egypt. Australia. Antarctica."
"So which one do we go after now?" Crump asked.
"The Japanese Star." replied a voice from above.
All four members of the group looked up and spotted King, standing on a balcony above them. He watched on, no longer wearing his mask, his dark cape flowing behind himself.
"Nice entrance!" shouted the fisherman. "Bonus points on the cape, boss!"
King smirked, and folded his arms. "It suits me, right."
"Indeed King." Beldam said, smiling Robin's smile. "Or would it be more appropriate to call you Eddy?"
"Don't bother." King said, his smirk vanishing in an instant. "I gave up that name. Only King will do from now on."
He snapped his right hand's fingers once. In a flash, he teleported, from high atop the balcony, down below to the end of the meeting table. He then sat down in the chair, placing both of his legs on the table.
"I love that power." King said. "I seem to be getting more and more aquatinted with time and space the longer I stay in this temple."
"So..." the fisherman began. "Where are Keaton and Bremen."
King crossed one leg over the other. "Both in the infirmary room. Crump's X-Naut PhD's are currently tending to their wounds. They'll be active in no time. No telling whether Bremen's stupid pet chicken will live or not."
"Heh, I didn't know you cared about that beast." stated Lord Crump.
"I don't. In fact, I'm kinda hoping it doesn't work. I'm in the mood for some fried chicken!"
All but Beldam broke out into a roaring laughter. She merely waited for their idiotic boasting to subside, before she cut through.
"Back onto the topic at hand, King." She said. "What have you called us here for?"
King had to wait a few seconds before he stopped his own laugher. Then, calming down, he took his legs off the table and leaned forward towards them. "I've called you four sub-leaders of UPCO, because I have four new assignments for each of you."
Each went quiet, and began to listen carefully.
"I'll make it simple and brief. Each of you has a very important role. We're going to travel to Japan, the five of us, and we are going to take the crystal star that landed there, as well as a few other things."
King reached upwards, and pointed towards Beldam. "First, you Beldam. Your plan is the simplest. I need you to locate, hunt down, and capture the star. No matter what the costs."
"Understood, sir." Beldam complied.
Next, King pointed to Lord Crump. "Lord Cramp-"
"That's Crump sir." Lord Crump interrupted.
"Nobody cares." King said in a blasé tone. "Your job is to recruit a new person to UPCO." He reached into his jacket, and slid a photograph across the table. Lord Crump picked it up and examined it. It appeared to be an old, thin, bald man in a lab coat, with a disgruntled expression.
"Who's this?" asked Crump.
"His name is Dr. Zalost. He claims himself to be the world's greatest unhappy scientist. Nobody knows how to make people unhappy and empty more then he does. He used to live in Nowhere Kansas, but relocated himself to Japan. We'll need that kind of power on our side in order to help take over this world. You'll be able to find him in a large stone tower with mechanical spider legs on it."
Crump tilted his head. "Uh-huh... buh huh..."
Next, King pointed to the fisherman. "You there, fishy dude. We all know that Double D and his merry band of jerks are going to try and stop us. Your job is to spy on them, track them, and report all of their actions directly to me."
"Gotcha!" the fisherman shouted, a fist risen in the air.
"What about me, my liege?" asked Dimentio.
King laughed. "Couldn't forget about you, fluffy! You have a pretty important job."
"And what would that be?"
"That?"
"Yes, that."
"There's another one out in Japan I want you to locate." King stood up now, and started pacing around the room, arms behind his back. "In an early attempt to recruit Dr. Zalost, I found another man. He is very promising, and he agreed to join UPCO."
"No way." Lord Crump stated, also getting up.
"He did that so easily?" asked the fisherman.
Beldam was silent, watching on as she adjusted her new hat.
"How did you do it?" Dimentio asked.
"I just offered the guy a some great 'fortune and treasure'." King stated.
Beldam lowered her hat. "And how do we know this man will do us any good?"
King looked down upon her as she sat at her seat. "You'll be able to see when you see him."
Lord Crump sat back down, and lazed back in his chair. "So..." he said. "When do we go?"
"As soon as the four of you are prepared. I'll redirect the main gateway into the temple from London to Japan."
"HRUAAAAH!!!"
Rolf cried out as he lay the final blow on his father. The Shepard fell on his knees as his spell ended. Field De Rolf ended, and the two were left standing in the graveyard of the old village.
"It's over." Rolf said, panting heavily. With that statement, he leaned backwards, and fell on his back in a patch of grass.
"Heh heh..." the Shepard laughed. "By the looks of it, it is Rolf who is done."
"Rolf won and you know it." Rolf replied. The worn out boy looked up and saw his Shepard father standing above him, extending a hand. "Need a hand, son?"
He helped the son of a Shepard back up. It was raining still in the early evening, the sun barely rising over the east horizon.
"For beating the Shepard, I will tell Rolf all of my wisdom. And you, Rolf, will know everything there is to know."
Rolf nodded. His father led him to an open patch in the graveyard. Specifically, he led the boy towards an open "clearing", in which a small area of grass was surrounded by a circle of tombstones. Rolf stood off to the side, while the Shepard reached the very center.
"I'll ask Rolf only once." the shepard said. "Are you ready?"
Rolf nodded without a moment's hesitation.
"Very well." the Shepard said. "Allow me to start with the history of the relics." he took a breath before continuing.
"The shadow queen, before becoming queen, issued the creation of 5 relics. These relics were meant to arm those who would follow her during and after the takeover of the world 1,000 years ago. She designed all 5 of them. First came the Medallion of Life. It possesses the ability to house souls. When one uses it, the Medallion of Life, then can kidnap anyone within range if their will is too weak. When a soul is captured, the user can harness that person's power by switching bodies with the captured person. Beldam possesses this item."
Rolf gulped. "Beldam... and her use of it. Rolf knows this relic well."
"The second relic was named the Eye of Wisdom. Originally, it was designed to greatly increase the intellect of the person who used it, and those around the user. It was meant to help leaders in combat to create immense and crafty plans. Edward possesses this item."
Rolf nodded.
"The third relic created was the Crown of Strength. It was created specifically for the shadow queen herself. It increases the brute strength of the user, to incredible lengths. She intended to wear it in order to increase her magical powers to immeasurable proportions. It was through this relic that she managed to destroy the city under Rogueport."
Rolf nodded once again.
"Now, the next relic was not perfected. It was called the Shepard's Cane. It was created to be in the hands of a leader, and when completed, it was meant to be able to control a large amount of people to follow one person. This was never finished, as the queen decided to attack before it was complete. The cane only some some control of the mind, and allows the user to access the mind of a specific person. I have this relic."
Rolf looked at the cane held in his father's hands.
"Last but not least... there was a relic that was more powerful then all the others. You and everyone else refers to this as the fourth relic. It is called..."
Rolf stared for a moment, in wait.
"...the Bracer of Dreams."
"...what?" Rolf asked, tilting his head.
"At first, the relic was not able to do more then increase the defense of the user. It would protect that user from any magical attacks. That is all."
"...wait, hold on." Rolf began. "THAT's WHAT THIS WHOLE MESS IS ABOUT?!"
"No, there is more! Hush now!!" the Shepard shouted, stamping his cane onto the ground.
Rolf let out a gulp before continuing to listen.
"...as the Shepard was saying... each relic hold another mechanism. They are able to store 'super powers'. If someone is to place their power into the relic, it will save a record of that power, and anyone else will be able to use it. This is how Vivian was able to transfer her abilities to Double D. The true danger in the 4th relic lies here. There was... an interloper, 1,000 years ago. Just before the Shadow Queen attempted her take over, this interloper stole the relic from her collection. He traveled to the outskirts of the doomed city. It was then that he, for some reason unknown to us, decided to play some terrible cosmic joke on us all. He transferred one of his powers into the relic. Can you guess what that power is?"
Rolf shook his head, unable to answer.
"...it's the power to alter history."
"?!"
Rolf appeared stunned for a moment. A rough wind rushed through the area, weaving it's way through the tombstones. The current lasted for only a few moments... The Shepard looked down at first, then back towards his son. He could sense the shock in the boy's face, and was hesitant to tell him any more, at first. Then, after summoning his own bravery, Rolf's father continued.
"After bestowing this power to the relic, the interloper and the relic vanished. Neither were ever seen again. And thus, soon, they were turned into rumor. However, about 200 years ago, something new surfaced about them. A music composer wrote a song about what he called the 4th relic. It was very short, and only had 8 verses. But in it's description, it explained exactly what needed to be done in order to find the 4th relic. However, the composer died before he could explain what it meant, and his record of the song was lost. The only verse that was kept in the history books was the 3rd verse... 'And only with the crystal star seven...' Therefore, it is known that in order to know how to get the 4th Relic, one has to obtain all 7 of the crystal stars, and use the 8-verse song's instructions. THAT is how to find the 4th relic."
Rolf nodded, expressing a determined face.
"Your goal, right now, is to grab the 4th Relic. Right now, there is an organization named UPCO. It was formed by an evil man and his associates. Beldam is one member of UPCO. Their goal is to obtain the 4th relic in order to change the world's history so that they can become it's lords. And, as fate would have it, they know the full 8-verse song. You goal is to collect the stars, as well as learn the song. Do you understand?"
Rolf stood for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "Rolf understands..."
"Then take this." the Shepard said. He held out the Shepard's Cane. "From here on out there will be a lot of baddies. You're going to need all of the strength you can achieve."
Rolf reached forth and accepted the cane. He then held it in his hands.
"Recall that this cane will allow Rolf limited access to the elements. Remember to use it wisely."
Rolf nodded. "Yes, of course."
"Rolf... also..."
"Yes?"
"There's something... I need to tell you..."
"..."
"...about your family. About Reina."
Rolf rose his eyebrow. "Reina? You mean my sister?"
He nodded once. "Yes. She... there is something you need to know about her. I've kept it hidden from you for a long time now."
"What could the Shepard possibly tell Rolf about Reina? She has been dead for a long time."
"Rolf..." his father began. "Listen..."
Rolf went silent.
"...Reina is... alive."
Rolf said nothing at first. His face went pale. There were no words he could possible think to say. The cane his father handed him fell slowly from his arms, landing on the grass at his feet.
"...what...?" Rolf finally was able to muster.
His father looked down, also unable to continue.
"...where is she?! Is she OK?!" Rolf began.
"Rolf-"
"WHERE IS SHE?!"
His voice echoed throughout the area. His father looked back up.
"Reina... it wasn't until after Rolf left for America that we found her alive within the ruins of our village. We did not know where Rolf and your Nana went after you left. All records where lost. The Shepard was unable to raise he alone, so... Reina was sent to live in America, in the care of another family. The Shepard doesn't know where Reina is now."
A tear began to form in Rolf's eye. He looked down, at his feet, and rubbed his eye until this tear was gone. "Why did the Shepard tell me this? Why now, after telling Rolf about his mission and everything he is up against?"
The Shepard sat down, and looked up at Rolf. "The Shepard needed to tell Rolf. ...in order to lift the burden off his heart."
"...Rolf sees..."
"The Shepard is deeply ashamed of himself... all he can do is offer... offer..." It was only about then that Rolf's father finally began to cry. "All Rolf's father can offer is the cane. Please forgive him."
Rolf looked down. He gritted his teeth, and snatched the cane from the ground.
"Rolf will leave his old country now. Rolf needs to find Double D-Edd Boy, and the rest, and relay this information. Rolf will then reclaim the relic and save it from UPCO."
"Rolf..." his father began.
Rolf turned around, and began to walk away, toward the cemetery gates.
"Rolf!" his father shouted again.
However, his son would not listen. He would not stop. He wouldn't even look back. Nor would he ever again.
Lord Crump entered the grand hall, with two other foot soldiers at his side.
"Well, that settles that." he said. "I am ready to go."
The fisherman was next, with a large backpack hanging over his yellow jacket coat.
"Ready to go!"
"Finally." Beldam remarked. She got up from her seat, apparently having been prepared since the announcement.
Dimentio teleported himself into the room. "Ah, at least, I am ready for my performance."
King, who was standing at the end of the room, approached Dimentio.
"Oh, by the way fluffy." Began King. "I managed to get in contact with the man we recruited."
"Really?" Dimentio asked, surprised. "And what did he say?"
"You tell me!" King stated, suddenly handing Dimentio a phone.
Dimentio was hesitant at first, but took the phone into his hand.
"Hello?"
KING RAAAAAAAAMSEEEEEEEEEEES!!! The man in gauze, the man in gauze!
Dimentio pulled the phone away from his ears. "What horrible sound was that?"
"It's called waiting music." King groaned, rolling his eyes.
The song was a loud, jazzy piece, with a club beat to it. A singer and his backup singers repeated the same chorus over and over.
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
The man in gauze.
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
KING RAAAAAAAAAMSEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
KING RAAAAAAAAAMSEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
KING RAAAAAAAAAMSEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
The man in gauze.
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
KING RAAAAAAAAAMSEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
HE'S NO SANTA CLAAAAAAAUSSSS!!
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
KING RAAAAAAAAAMSEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
HE'S NO SANTA CLAAAAAAAUSSSS!!
"Please..." Dimentio said, shivering. "In the name of all theater, make it stop."
The Fisherman crouched down, plugging his ears with his fingers, along with Crump's two X-Nauts.
Beldam watched on, remaining undeterred.
Lord Crump tapped his foot and snapped his fingers to the rhythm. "Not bad! Turn up that funky music!"
KING RAAAAAAAAAMSEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!
The man in gauze, the man in gauze,
HE'S NO SANTA CLAAAAAAAUSSSS!!
The man in gauze, the man-
"Hello?!" shouted the voice on the other end, ending the loud jazzy song.
Everyone but Lord Crump let out a sigh of relief.
"Aw..." replied a dejected Crump.
"Hello, sir." Dimentio said.
"Yeah, who the heck are you?" asked the man on the phone.
"Me? Why, I am the pleaser of crowds, entertainer of audiences, performer of-"
Beldam shot Dimentio an unamused expression from across the room.
"...I am Dimentio. With UPCO."
"UPCO?" asked the man. "Oh yeah, you UPCO people! When do I get my money?!"
"Your money?" asked Dimentio. "How annoyingly greedy-"
"What's that?" asked the man. "Speak up!!"
"No, nothing." replied Dimentio hastily. "Listen sir, you will get paid after you start working for us. Where can we find you?"
"Me? Uh, I am in Tokyo Japan. I'm on holiday with me wife."
"Ah, good." Dimentio stated. "I will be the one to meet you there. So sir, what is your name?"
"My name? It's... uh..."
Dimentio paused for a moment. "...well?"
"Don't rush me! Geez. Anyway, you wanted my name right."
"Yes."
"My name is Eustace. Eustace Bagge."
Author's Note: And that concludes the chapter. Chances are, based upon the names Eustace Bagge and Dr. Zalost, you may be able to guess which crossover is meant to come next. We'll explore that soon enough when the 4th arc begins.
By the way everyone, I am probably going to move this story to the crossovers section soon. This story, plus Edventure of a Thousand Year Door, so it'll fit better. Just want to give the heads up.
I am not sure when the next update will be. I hope soon though! Until then, feel free to review, and thanks for reading, in spite of the lateness!