Chapter Thirty:

The Fall of a Castle

Mario and Meggy evaded the demonic goop as they ran across the roof, even as tentacles came after them. They just managed to jump off the edge and made it onto solid ground right as they spotted Luigi, Tari, Bob, Boopkins and Saiko running towards the castle with bombs in hand.

It was clear what was about to happen, even before the bombs were thrown.

The fuses were lit and the group threw the explosives into the dried-up moat surrounding the demonic goop-infested castle. One after another, balls with skull symbols and lit fuses fell into the trench that was once a moat. Luigi, Saiko and the others threw the last bombs in and made a run for it as Swag counted down.

"...Three, two, one." The guard announced, "Hey, ugly monster! Here comes the boom!"

A hand pressed the detonation button and the bombs ignited. A mass of fiery explosions engulfed the area surrounding the castle and shaking the earth. Swag stood up on top of the tank, his arms raised as he beheld and reveled in the sight of the explosion, as if he were an almighty deity taking pride in the destruction raining down upon his enemies.

"Best day ever!" He cried, he hopped back in the tank and shook Chris' shoulder, "Isn't this the best day ever?"

"There it goes..." Tari whimpered, "Farewell, castle."

"Look!" Luigi exclaimed, pointing to the goop, "The creep stopped!"

"Wow!" Bob exclaimed, "I can't believe it actually worked."

More explosions shook the grounds and everyone watched as Peach's Castle slowly sank into the earth, covered in demonic goop. Part of the wall exploded, the flag atop the castle tower burned, part of the red-colored castle roof crumbled away and one of the eyes in the goop exploded in a torrent of black demonic blood.

Leaves fell from the nearby trees and birds flew into the sky, tweeting with fright as they'd been awakened by the commotion. Part of the nearby bridge smoldered and half of the fence overlooking the dried moat burst into flames from the explosions.

The destruction of Peach's Castle, the seat of power in the land, was so immense, that the rumbling and the sound of explosions went beyond the grounds and it wasn't just the Glitchy gang who felt it. In Toad Town, Toads going about their lives felt the rumble and heard the booming in the distance.

A couple Inklings visiting the land and taking photos of the scenery in the countryside heard the blast and spotted the castle sinking into the earth. Even a pair of Goombas were so baffled by the sight, they wondered what was even going on.

It wasn't long before TV news stations were covering and broadcasting the story, they'd already been covering the news of the goop consuming the castle and now there was no avoiding the story of Peach's Castle sinking into the earth.

News helicopters had been in the air, near the castle grounds for minutes, and the reporters had kept their distance as the chaos unfolded.

While watching TV at his castle, Bowser was blipping to another channel after watching a movie when he caught sight of the news and his eyes widened.

"...Astoundingly unbelievable!" An Inkling reporter remarked, "We are now watching as the earth consumes the castle after bombs were thrown into the dried-up moat. There is nothing else we can do but watch and wonder how this land will continue on. And the big question of the hour is, where is Princess Peach as all of this is happening?"

"Dear god..." Bowser breathed in shock.

In the castle grounds, Fishy Boopkins yelped in shock as a realization dawned on him. "Guys, we still need to go get Mario, Meggy and the others!" He exclaimed, "They're not out here!"

"Oh, are we?"

Everyone turned and relief washed over Luigi, Tari, Boopkins, Saiko, Bob and the army, seeing Mario and Meggy safe and sound. The two friends approached them and Luigi hugged Mario with relief, even Meggy gave Luigi a hug before Tari hugged her. However, there were two more people missing from the group.

"You guys made it!" Boopkins exclaimed.

"Yeah, we got SMG4 too. He should be right..." Mario started, then his eyes widened, "MEGGY! WE FORGOT SMG4 AND SMG3!"

All eyes turned towards the top of the castle, knowing where the meme man and his former enemy were. Yet, there was nothing else they could do, as the castle continued to sink into the earth and hearts became filled with worry as to how SMG4 and SMG3 would make it out alive.