Chapter 5: Night of the Living Bones

"Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize your neighborhood" -Vincent Pryce, Michael Jackson's Thriller

Logan made his way back to the camp, only to be greeted by the Yoshi Tribe leader, and about 60 Yoshis waiting behind him. Logan saluted, but the lead Yoshi put a hand up as a sign to keep this informal. "These are the sixty best Yoshis on the island. They are yours to command."

The Koopa grinned. "Thank you sir. I'd like a minute to warn these brave souls of the road ahead." He said in a more serious tone, and the Yoshi tribe leader went back to his hut.

"Men, I'm not going to lie. Now that you're with me, taking down Bowser isn't going to be a simple cakewalk. You will face countless endeavors on the road ahead. So far the only thing we've got as far as an army is 50 Toads, you guys, a Magikoopa, me, and the Mario Bros. I don't expect you to obey my orders to the letter, Hell, you might even still think of me as the enemy. That's OK, I look in the mirror and see a monster as well."

He took a quick breath and continued, as Toads gathered around, along with the Black Yoshi, Mortimer, and the Mario Bros. "But, I would only ask that we set our sights to the future. If we can complete our mission, we can rid this kingdom of its worries forever! Don't do this for me, do this for your friends, the island, the whole damned Mushroom Kingdom!" Logan said, throwing a fist into the air. His speech was accepted with a standing ovation, followed by a thunderous applause. "Thank you. You're all dismissed until further notice." Logan said, and before he knew it a small, white envelope had fallen onto his nose. His eyes rolled up to to see a frantic Paratroopa with a small satchel speed back off into the direction of Toad Town.

Logan opened the envelope with his claws, and began to read its contents. It was stamped with Princess Peach's official seal, so it had to be important.

It read,

"Logan!

We are under attack from the Dry Bones and Boos that live in the Forever Forest! This attack was completely unprovoked, and we've managed to stop them as far as the town square. We need you back here double-time!

P.S.: Kent C. Koopa and Kooper have joined the effort, but even their support isn't helping as much!"

Logan crumpled the letter in his hand and exhaled, fire shooting from his nostrils from anger. "ALRIGHT PEOPLE, TOAD TOWN IS UNDER ATTACK BY THE UNDEAD! WE GOTTA GET MOVING NOW IF WE WANNA GET THERE AND SAVE THAT FOOTHOLD! START PACKIN' IT IN AND BE ON THE BEACH IN THIRTY!" He stamped his foot against the ground hard to show that he was pissed, and began to help pack it in as well.

The Black Yoshi from before caught his attention by helping as well. "HOLD IT! WHAT'RE YOU-" Logan said before he tried to shout at someone else, the Black Yoshi interupted him, actually saluting him. "Commander Logan. Noshi, requesting permission to come aboard."

This shocked the hell out of the Koopa, and he shook his head. "...Permission granted. Henceforce, you will be known as Lieutenant General Noshi. Get our men to that whale stat, I have to go make sure they're no stragglers."

While doing so, Logan found a small Toad, still in need of medical attention from the Yoshi attack on the shore. He picked up the Toad and ran to the shore with him, checking for other Yoshis while doing so. He shouted as he actually ran out of the dense jungle, 'YOSHIS ON TOP OF THE WHALE, TOADS, NOSHI, MARIO, LUIGI, AND MORTY INSIDE WITH ME, DOUBLE TIME!" He shouted, jumping into the whale's mouth as it closed with the Toad on his shoulder.

Afterwards, the Toad got medical attention from Luigi (as best that the Green plumber could do), while Mario, Logan, and Mortimer plotted a plan of attack.

"The Undead ones are moving in from the Forest... So that means we have to fortify the area that connects it to the Town, and make sure the Harbor is safe to dock at. Otherwise we'll get overrun." Mortimer said, sitting on his broomstick and pondering.

"They already have the Harbor as a safe zone. We need to move in from behind.. But how?" Logan said, sitting down and scratching his chin. "There's not way we could sneak around all those Dry Bones just to get behind them."

Mario spoke up, and pointed out the Mushroom Sewers on the map. "There's a Pipe that can take us to Gusty Gulch. It'll probably be the five of us, and maybe a couple of Yoshis and Toads for back-up. Plus, I have an ally there who'd be more than willing to help us out." Mario said, analyzing the map further to find any other hidden passages.

"Well, getting to the sewers might be a little tough, but we can make it. Good job, Mario." Logan said, smiling for once. He knew this would be a tough battle, but the addition of the Yoshis and his newest General, Noshi, would help out a lot. "Just get ready for when we dock, it ain't gonna be pretty."

Unfortunately, he was right. Some Boos were terrorizing a few civilian homes, and as the whale opened his mouth, the group could see the Yoshis driving them back already. The Toads also poured out of the whale's mouth, screaming "FOR THE KOOPA ALLIANCE!" They said, and Logan looked at Mario and Luigi, and growled. "Before we go into battle, lemme ask- Whose idea-" He muttered, and Mortimer was smiling from ear to ear. Logan couldn't help but crack a smile as well and say, "I hate you guys."

After a brief encounter with some surviving Dry Bones, the small army had converged on the entrance to Forever Forest, setting up a Base-Camp in the surrounded area. Mortimer had cast a spell so the Boos couldn't attack en mass, and the Yoshis would launch an egg to throw off the Dry Bones everyone once in a while. In a nearby tent, Logan, Mario, Luigi, Morty, and Noshi were looking at a map, discussing a plan of attack.

"Listen up. We've got to attack from the forest's sides. But we need a contact on the inside to guide our men through. Any ideas?" Logan said, drawing up the plans with a felt marker.

"Perhaps I may be of assistance!"

A mint-green shaded Boo with a red boy on her "head" suddenly appeared, laughing and smiling. "Mario, Green-Stache, it's so good to you too again. Don't worry, I got the news on your big friend there. Turns out you're a real card, you're a Koopa who wants Bowser's head on a platter!"

Logan's claws dug into his wrist, causing them to draw a little blood. He was so furious at this point. "If you knew why.." The Koopa said, fire coming from his nostrils. "Just shut the hell up and get us into that forest."

"OK, but I warn you. It won't be easy. King Boo moved in onto my mansion a couple days before the attack, and it's been brutal trying to rally the Boos on my side against him. Hell, some of them up and went to hide in Tubba Blubba's old house! I'll tell you what though, if you can straighten this mess out, I can guarantee you some new recruits." Bow said, taking a more serious tone after she saw Logan sink his claws into his own wrists out of frustration.

"But Bow-a, what about da forest eetself? Won't we get-a lost?" Luigi said, cowering at the prospect of going through another dark forest to get into a haunted mansion.

"Oh suck it up-a, you got-a de Koopa, Me, Morteemer and Noshi-a, you no need-a da vaccuum cleaner!" Mario said, smacking his little brother lightly across the back of the head. "We-a move out when you're-a ready, Lady Bow." Mario had a look of confidence on his face now, after seeing an old ally besides the Yoshis of Yoshi Island. His brother also got some of this newfound strength, however his cowardly nature held him back.

"I still-a think we should-a wait 'til the morn-" Luigi said, and was interuppted by Noshi.

"If we are to succeed, we have to attack the mansion and drive out King Boo. Plus, it doesn't matter- the forest is dark at anytime of day, remember?" The Black Yoshi reminded him, and sighed.

"Well boys and girls, let's-" Logan said before HE was interrupted by an injured Toad warrior.

"COMMANDER LOGAN! They're sending in the Atomic Boo!" A Toad shouted as he rushed into the tent."

"SHOWTIME BOYS!" Logan shouted, and rushed out of the tent, not knowing what other surprises awaited him in the dark wood...