Chapter 14: Onward to Castle Koopa
(Dark Land)
Dark Land is the kingdom ruled by Bowser. Like the name suggest, it is a real dark place with dark gray clouds covering the skies, dead trees all over the place, and fire and brimstone was all over the place. Sort of like a cartoon version of Hell. A green flash appeared somewhere in the middle of Dark Land and Mario, Luigi, Sonic, and Shadow appeared from it.
Shadow- So this is Dark Land?
Sonic- Kind of fits since he's an ugly freak. Now which way is Castle Koopa?
Luigi- That's an easy one. Try the large structure over there.
Sonic and Shadow looked at to where Luigi was pointing to and saw a large castle in the distance with Bowser's name shining above the front entrance in neon lights.
Sonic- Wow! He really does have a bigger ego than Eggman if he's flashing his name in neon lights like that.
Mario- True, Bowser does have a big ego. He wanted his castle to be visible from every corner in Dark Land.
Sonic- Then why are we just standing around here? Let's get to that castle and kick some ass!
Little did the four of them know, a mysterious hedgehog appeared, watching them from the top of a tree close by.
Mysterious hedgehog- (Whispering) The appointed hour is almost upon you. Ooooh, how I've waited to see you again…Sonic! And your new plumber pal will be in for just as much as a treat as you will be. Soon it will be time for the greatest nightmare you've ever faced to show itself.
Sonic's ear twitched a bit as he thought he heard something. He turned around at the tree behind them, but saw nobody.
Mario- Hey Sonic, everything ok?
Sonic- Uh…OH! Yeah! I'm fine! I just…thought I heard something…
(Castle Koopa)
A handful of Bowser's minions were patrolling the main entrance to the castle. Two Hammer Brothers, a Thwomp, and three Goombas were taking point before the door was suddenly knocked down by Sonic and Shadow. Mario and Luigi were close behind.
Goomba- Intruder alert! Sound the alarm!
(Bowser's throne room)
While Mario, Sonic, Luigi, and Shadow were beating up Bowser's minions and smashing Eggman's robots, Bowser and Eggman were watching through a window in Bowser's throne room.
Eggman- I see our little friends have arrived. That was pretty quick.
Bowser- Then let's get our special surprise up and ready right now.
Eggman- You read my mind.
(Inside Castle Koopa)
Eventually Mario, Sonic, Luigi, and Shadow got inside the castle.
Sonic- Yoshi wasn't kidding when he told me how tacky Bowser's main castle was. What an airhead.
They came across a hallway that had eight possible doors to choose from.
Shadow- Which door?
Luigi- They all lead to him, but behind each door has a different challenge on the other side.
Behind them on the other side of a window was a shadow of a hedgehog with glowing red eyes, staring at the four of them. Sonic thought he caught a glimpse of something and quickly turned around to look at the window. However, all he saw was nothing in the window.
Mario- This again? Sonic, are you really feeling ok?
Sonic shook it off and whipped his forehead with his arm for a bit.
Sonic- Yeah…I just…thought I saw someone…
Mario- Maybe you're just being paranoid.
Luigi- Mario's got a point. Dark Land is a very creepy place.
Right before they chose a door to enter to get to the throne room, Shadow put his arm around Sonic's shoulder and began whispering in Sonic's ear.
Shadow- Sonic, I know you sense something is wrong. What is it?
Sonic- (Whispers) I'm not entirely sure, but it feels like someone was just watching us. I don't know how, but it feels dark and powerful…and…familiar…like we've faced this person before.
Shadow- Fine, I'll keep my eyes peeled too.
After Mario, Sonic, Luigi, and Shadow picked a door to enter, the figure of a hedgehog appeared in the window again. Lightning struck and showed a light blueish grayish hedgehog with red and blue shoes. He had the grin of a murderer and his eyes were filled with evil. When a second flash of lightning struck, the mysterious hedgehog was gone without a trace.