RECAP:
Through deductive reasoning and discussion, Junior's group was able to settle on their plan of action at last. They were to head for Sarasaland in search of Daisy and to investigate the bizarre change in weather she previously spoke of at her last Kingdom Council meeting. But to get there, it was decided that they would first need to return to Bowser's castle in order to commandeer an airship to fly. Junior was prepared to dive head-first into his magic training with Merlon so that he would be ready for action as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Mario and Bowser followed Leanna's hand-drawn map through the city and encountered a large abandoned estate. Upon entering, it wasn't long before Bowser realized this was no ordinary home, but an orphanage. It was then that he revealed to Mario that this orphanage was where he adopted the Koopalings many years ago.
Mario pressed Bowser to talk about his past and his vulnerability, which Contemno had violently unearthed earlier. After tearing down the walls of insecurity and anger between them, Mario and Bowser were at last able to form a true pact of friendship as they resolved to leave the past behind and work together to stop Contemno so they might find a brighter future.
Junior crossed his arms and shook his head dismissively.
"No, I don't like this at all," he denied.
"Come on, squirt. It'll be fine," Roy argued.
"How is it fine? I thought we were supposed to stick together. Now you're wanting to leave me behind! This isn't what we agreed on!"
"We're not leaving you behind," Larry reasoned. "If anything, we're just giving you some space so you can focus on your training. We won't be around to distract you."
"But what if something happens to you? I won't be able to help!"
"We need to find out what's going on at Bowser's castle. We can't afford to walk in blindly, and we've spent enough time sitting around as it is," Iggy explained. "The sooner we can secure our infiltration route to the ship, the better." Junior's expression still conveyed zero confidence in this plan. Larry placed a hand on Junior's shoulder.
"We won't do anything reckless. I promise," said Larry. "We're just going in to take a look around. At the first sign of trouble, we'll get out of there." Junior looked away. Roy stepped in and guided the Koopa Prince's attention back at them by his chin.
"I know how badly you wanna get out there. We all do. But the best thing you can do for all of us right now is to stay here and do your training with Merlon. The rest of us can't just sit around while you're working so hard. We gotta put in some real work too." Junior glanced around the room at his three siblings. He was met with reassuring smiles all around.
"We'll be back before you know it," Iggy declared.
"You better keep that promise…," Junior replied reluctantly. With nods of acknowledgement, the three Koopalings turned to make their way towards the front door.
"Is everyone ready?" a voice chimed in. Descending the staircase was Peach; dawning her new attire.
The princess was freshly dressed in a pink blouse with red stripes laced around the collar, sleeves, and bottom. Her blue pendant was as prominent on her chest as ever. She also wore magenta pants with pink stripes along the bottom hems and tennis shoes that were half pink in the front and half red in the back. Her hair was looking to be the most groomed and well-kept it had been in days, and she kept a portion of it tied in a ponytail in the back. Peach's iconic crown rested proudly atop her head. The boys were taken aback slightly by her clean, clear skin and the determination radiating from her face.
Peach joined the Koopalings at the bottom of the stairs and looked over at Junior. He frowned, but his otherwise blank expression didn't convey much emotion at the moment.
"Woah…you clean up good, princess," Larry commented; trying his hardest to keep his blushing cheeks in check.
"Thanks," said Peach. "I figured you guys had seen me looking like a mess for too long. Thanks to Merlon's teachings, I learned how to conjure up some new clothes. I hope it's not too much…"
"Nah, you look more ready for an adventure in that than in a dress," Roy assured.
Merlon appeared behind Junior and nodded his head; motioning for the Koopa Prince to follow him into the training room nearby. Junior took a deep breath and his eyes met Larry's.
"You better be here waiting for me by the time I'm finished," he threatened smugly.
"Count on it!" Larry agreed, flashing a peace sign with two of his claws.
"Safe travels," wished Merlon. The group nodded as they proceeded out the front door.
Mario and Bowser explored the derelict orphanage together. Although the overwhelming darkness and intoxicating abundance of decay all around them was certainly unsettling, their newfound comradery helped keep their nerves at bay.
"I still wonder if this was the place Leanna wanted us to find," Mario wondered.
"Who knows? Honestly, I don't think I even really care about her or what she wanted from us at this point. This place…just brings back some nice memories," said Bowser.
"Really?" Mario asked with a hint of disgust.
"Well, it wasn't always a dump like this. I don't know what happened over the years, but this place was at least somewhat pleasant when I first came here."
"Since you're bringing that up again, there's something I've been wondering. If you adopted the Koopalings, does that mean you know who their real parents are?"
"No," said Bowser as he shook his head. "As you saw, there wasn't much to their case files. Nobody has a clue who any of their parents were or what might've happened to them. We don't even know if any of their parents are even still alive. I want to believe the Koopalings are all biological siblings who came from the same family, but the directress told me when I met her that they didn't have the funds to do any sort of DNA testing to be sure."
"That's so sad…"
"Yeah well, life's a crapshoot and nobody gets out of it alive in the end."
"Didn't you ever think of trying to do some kind of test yourself. I mean, with your resources as a king, you probably could've-"
"Remember that I adopted them for a reason. I had my own plans for them."
"Well, at least you gave them a home. You know, even if it was so you could turn them into child soldiers."
"I mean…sure, and I probably could have given them a normal life with a semi-normal childhood; same for Junior. That is, if I had been a…different person back then."
Mario and Bowser continued to search the orphanage. Both of them knew they hadn't the slightest idea if they were in the right place or what Leanna could've possibly wanted them to find here. So they wandered aimlessly through the dark corridors; snooping around in the handful of empty bedrooms for some kind of clue and taking caution to avoid the hidden dangers of an ancient building that was practically on the verge of collapse.
Feeling drained and defeated from their fruitless expedition, Mario suggested they step outside to get some fresh air; reasoning that this might help clear their minds a bit. It didn't take much for Bowser to agree following a hardy sneeze from him as a result of the ingesting some of the dust that lingered all around.
After passing through a pair of double doors that were practically falling off the hinges, Mario and Bowser stepped out onto the porch of a wide open courtyard behind the orphanage. They were astounded. It was practically the size of a football field!
The skeletal remains of bald branches and dried up roots suggested that a hedge maze once grew here, and the garden seemed to have been deprived of crops or any semblance of organic life for ages. At the far end of the landscape several yards away, the world's horizon was lost to an endless fog. It was impossible to tell what lied beyond the outskirts of the property. Even more peculiar, the yards that would've belonged to the neighboring buildings on each side of the orphanage were obscured by the fog as well.
"What is this place?" Bowser wondered.
"It feels like we stepped into a completely different world…," said Mario.
"Of all the places that you could've scurried off to, I must admit I'm genuinely surprised you chose here." Mario and Bowser turned to see a familiar character perched atop the broken stone water fountain in the middle of the yard.
"Contemno!" they exclaimed together. Immediately, Bowser dashed towards the fountain and smashed it to pieces with a single punch. Contemno gently floated down to earth nearby.
"How did you find us?" Mario asked.
"It wasn't hard. As long as you're in my kingdom, there's nowhere you can truly hide from me. It all comes down to a matter of when I choose to approach you, is all."
"Your kingdom? What are you talking about?"
"Who cares! Now that he's here, let's pound him into a paste!" Bowser interrupted as he beat his fists together. Contemno folded his hands behind his back and strolled casually towards a stone bench overtaken by moss nearby.
"There's no need for aggression," the mage replied calmly as he took a seat. "I already control your entire world. My ultimate goal is very much within reach, so I'm in no hurry." Bowser stalked towards Contemno as if he were cornering his prey. He made every effort to shake the earth beneath his feet with every step in order to intimidate the mage.
"After everything you've put us through, how could you possibly think we'd ever settle this peacefully with you!?"
"I've done some thinking in the time since our last encounter. Even though this domain is ultimately mine, I have come to recognize the two of you for the positions of power you held in your world. After all, you've already proven to me that you cannot be manipulated into traditional slavery. I see no reason then, why we can't attempt to settle our differences as diplomats."
"What do you mean?" Mario asked as he slowly descended the porch's stairs leading to the yard's ground level.
"I could chase the two of you all around my realm as mindlessly as how you used to chase after your silly princess," Contemno answered. "But it would accomplish nothing. There's no escape for you, and hiding will only serve to waste time. Instead, I motion we resolve our dispute like gentlemen."
"Enough with the riddles," said Bowser as he waved his hand dismissively. "If you want to try killing us again, just do it already."
"If I wanted to kill you, I would've done so already, and I certainly would not have made my presence known like this. As I said before, I've done some deep contemplation since I last saw you. To that end, I recognize now that there is much more to be gained if I keep you alive."
"Is that so?" the Koopa King asked, mockingly.
"Yes. That is why I will answer any questions you have." Mario and Bowser froze and exchanged confused, skeptical glances.
"Are you serious?" Mario asked.
"What would you like to know?" Contemno inquired.
"Why don't we start with the obvious?" Bowser proposed. "Who are you? Take off that stupid mask and let's see your real face!"
"I said I would answer your questions. I did not say I would obey your commands. Unmasking myself before you is out of the question. As for my identity, I am a pioneer of retribution towards the world. I was once destined for greatness; but it was stolen from me. Thus, I have set out to claim your world for myself as your rightful ruler."
"Alright, so you're just another power-hungry loon. Is that it?" Bowser scoffed. "Are you at least gonna tell us your real name?"
"Ah, so you've gathered that Contemno is not my real name, then?"
"No mom would be stupid enough to seriously name their kid that," said Bowser.
"Perhaps not," Contemno agreed. "But my real name and face are not important because I don't need you to remember them when you're lying on your deathbed in your final hours of life," Contemno replied. "I wish for you only to know me for my status; my legacy. I want the people of the world to know that there is no mistaking it. The seat of power over all lands is, was, and always will be rightfully mine."
"Sounds to me like you're just side-stepping our questions," said Mario as he crossed his arms. "How do we know we can really trust that you're telling the truth about anything we ask?"
"I never promised you would like the answers I give. Whether or not you believe me is entirely your choice. You can either take my word, or leave it. Either way, it won't change the situation you're currently in. But is that really all you wish to ask me?" Contemno asked. Mario and Bowser looked at each other once again.
"What did you really do to me back in your lab? What happened to my memory?" Mario pursued.
"I knew from the beginning that you would be an obstacle, Mario. I have seen for myself that your reputation as the defender of the Mushroom Kingdom precedes you. If I was ever going to succeed at taking over your home, I knew that you would have to be dealt with sooner or later. But, challenging you myself would be difficult. Few have come close, but none have ever actually triumphed over you. Unlike the rest of your little rogue gallery however, I saw another path."
"Another path?" Bowser repeated.
"Why not make Mario fight for me?"
"For…you?" Mario echoed.
"If I couldn't stop you myself, then surely no one would be able to stop me if you were my ally. Still, recruiting you wouldn't be easy. After all, you'd already seen my true nature 10 years ago. So, I knew a clean slate was in order."
"Just get to the point," said Bowser. Contemno extended a finger towards Mario.
"I locked your memories away in the most obscure corners of your mind. If you couldn't remember who you were, then surely you would turn to me for guidance. Thus, I could rebuild you as my ultimate apprentice." Mario pinched his chin with his thumb and index finger.
"And…you couldn't tell me any of this because…if I remembered who I really was, I would never serve you," Mario surmised. Contemno nodded.
"Precisely. My intention was to ensure that you would have no choice but to follow the path that I had created for you. In the end however, it would seem that losing access to your memory just wasn't enough. You've shown me now that it wasn't your memory of who you were that would keep you from siding with me, Mario. It was your tenacious spirit. You always fight for what you believe in, even if you have no idea who you are. As ridiculous as that sounds, I must admit that you are a truly remarkable individual indeed," Contemno praised.
"Stow your petty compliments. Since taking Mario's memories away didn't do squat for your little plan, how does he get 'em back?" Bowser asked.
"I'm glad you asked," said Contemno as he held out his hand towards Mario. It began to glow in an intense, red aura. Mario felt a burning sensation in his stomach. It was as though Contemno was grabbing something inside of him. Suddenly, a glowing lock materialized over Mario's chest with chains wrapping around his waist and back. Bowser's eyes widened as he recognized the device. It was the same lock that had appeared on his own chest back in the tower.
"Hey, what are you doing!? Leave him alone!" Bowser exclaimed. He raced over to Mario's side. Using his free hand, Contemno blasted a wave of purple aura towards Bowser, which launched the Koopa King back several feet.
"Patience, beast," Contemno replied. "Just watch."
The mage closed his hand and twisted his wrist as if he were turning a doorknob. The burning sensation inside Mario intensified. Then it suddenly leaped out of his chest and up into his head. The plumber cradled his head as he endured an erupting migraine. Yet as quickly as the pain had arrived, it suddenly disappeared seconds later. Mario collapsed to the ground unconscious for a moment. Contemno didn't move from his spot. He seemed to have anticipated this reaction.
Moments later, Mario woke up and shook his head, groaning.
"Uggh…Mama Mia…," Mario moaned.
"Mario!" Bowser called out to him. Their eyes met. "You okay? What happened? What did he do?"
"You remember now, don't you?" Contemno asked. Mario examined his gloves. His blue eyes widened.
"I…I do. I remember…everything," he confirmed with disbelief. "I was on my way to find Rosalina. The Star Spirits told me…she had visions…of the danger. But…I was attacked by the Broodals."
"The Broodals!?" Bowser repeated. Mario nodded.
"They shot down my ship. That's the last thing I remember before…everything went black. But…it's all coming back to me now! Bowser, your story makes sense to me! I remember my brother Luigi and Peach and Yoshi and Daisy! Cappy, Pauline, Toad, Rosalina, Toadsworth and…and you! I-I live in the Mushroom Kingdom! This is great! I'm back to normal! I remember!" the plumber cheered as he jumped to his feet.
"Of course you remember. I just unlocked the mental barrier I had created in your mind. Your memory was never truly lost. You just couldn't access it," Contemno explained. Mario turned to Contemno as his excitement faded in an instant.
"But…why would you do that?" he inquired. "Considering everything you put me through when I thought I was Maldeon, why not just wipe my memory clean then if you really didn't want me to remember my past?"
"If your memory was truly lost, I wouldn't have been able to offer it back to you as a peace offering just now, would I?"
"Wait a second…did…you plan this? All of it!? You even knew I would betray you!?" Mario exclaimed in disbelief. Contemno stood up from the bench and casually strolled through the dirt garden.
"I'm no fool, and I'm quite serious about conquering your world. To be worthy of such a title, I have to anticipate every outcome; every possibility. I must be ready for any slight setback."
"Sounds to me like you're just cocky. Something didn't go according to plan, and now you're just backpedaling and trying to save face by acting like you actually meant for all this to happen," Bowser taunted.
"You can hide behind your brooding, antagonistic wall to your heart's content," Contemno retorted. "It only means you have yet to understand how futile your resistance to me truly is."
"What about his voice?" Bowser asked. "Mario could never talk before, now he's suddenly doing it like he's been speaking his whole life! Was that your doing too?" Contemno nodded and turned to Mario.
"Do you recall the last thing I said to you in our previous encounter?" the mage asked. How could he forget?
"I already gave you what you wanted most. Without me, it'll never truly be your's…"
The plumber clenched his throat.
"Y-you mean…?"
"This brings us at last to my true purpose for approaching you today," said Contemno. "This land that you have come to call the 'Rain Kingdom,' is the realm that exists within my heart: my heart's kingdom."
"'Heart's…kingdom?'" Bowser repeated.
"It's the most powerful manifestation of spiritual magic I currently possess, and only the greatest magic users in history ever obtain the power to create their own worlds," Contemno explained. "Everything in this world that you see around you was created by me. It is a world disconnected from your reality. The only way in or out of this realm is through me. I no longer have intentions of holding either of you as my immediate prisoners because as long as you are here in my heart's kingdom, there's nowhere you can go."
"Bah! This just sounds like more of your cheap tricks!" Bowser scoffed. Contemno shook his head.
"You certainly are a stubborn one. Although I hate to repeat myself, I will do so this one time. You are free to believe what you wish. But it won't change reality."
"Just tell us what you really want from us then," said Mario. Contemno pointed a gloved finger at him.
"What I want is you, Mario."
"Me?"
"I want you to join me, just as I had originally planned. Swear your allegiance to me; devote yourself to my cause; fight alongside me and me alone. If you agree, I will not only permit you to leave my heart's kingdom, but I will also allow you to keep your voice."
"Ah-ha! So it was because of you that Mario started talking all of a sudden!" Bowser interrupted.
"Yes, that was also by my magic's design," Contemno affirmed. He lifted his hand again as it began to glow red once more. The lock materialized over Mario's chest. "I can allow you to leave this realm with both your memory and voice intact. But only if you swear your undying allegiance to me." Mario's intense glare confronted the mask.
"And if I refuse?" he asked.
"Then you shall remain trapped in my heart's kingdom for all of eternity," Contemno answered. "And if you attempt to escape from this realm without my approval, you will automatically lose both your memory and your ability to speak. That is what the heart lock is for."
"Heart lock…?" Bowser muttered.
"That lock is bound to your body forever. With it, I can control your voice and your memories at leisure. Any semblance of free will that you think you have is nothing more than an illusion. Understand that I still control what matters to you most, even if you refuse to serve me."
Mario examined the glowing lock still present on his body. But his expression didn't change. He didn't appear to be fazed by this in the slightest on the surface. Deep down however, Mario's heart nearly stopped in its tracks. Still, he couldn't let this show. He couldn't let Contemno get through to him again.
"Put on a brave face all you like," Contemno continued. "I already know how devastating it would be to lose your new gifts after you just acquired them. I know you want them not only for yourself, but for Princess Peach as well."
Mario's head fell. Bowser looked to him, but couldn't find anything to say.
"You can't have it all, Mario," said Contemno. "It's a cruel truth; one I learned long ago. But it is one I will teach the world. You are no exception."
"You can take your offer and shove it! There's no way he'd agree to any of that!" Bowser exclaimed.
"This is Mario's decision to make. It does not concern you," Contemno countered. Mario stared into his gloves.
"I…can finally talk…there's so much I want to say to her," Mario thought aloud. He looked up to the cloudy sky above. "I have to get back home. I can't stay here…" Bowser rushed over, gripped his forearms and shook him. Their eyes met, but only Bowser's were ignited with passion.
"Mario! Snap out of it! You're not seriously thinking about taking this loser up on his offer, are you!?"
"Bowser…you don't understand. Peach and I…we had a fight. After the way things ended between her and I…I have to get out there. I have to make things right."
"But what if he's just bluffing, huh? What if you don't keep your voice, or you lose your memory again when he lets you out! Agreeing won't do you any good if you can't actually talk to Peach or if you forget who she is again!" Contemno crossed his arms and chortled slightly as he watched this scene unfold from the sideline.
"He said he'll let me keep both of them." Bowser slapped Mario across the face as hard as he could. The plumber stared at him in horrified disbelief.
"He'll never let you see her!" Bowser reasoned. "You already said before you would never serve Contemno! Even if you get out of this place, even if you still remember her, and even if you can still talk when you're out there, he'll never let you see Peach again! You know that deep down! I know you do! You can't trust Contemno!"
"Bowser…I…" Without warning, the Koopa King slugged Mario across the face. He fell backwards and slid a few feet.
"No. I'm not letting you do this," Bowser declared. Mario sat up and wiped the blood away from his nose with his thumb.
"Bowser, this is my choice to make. You can't-"
"LIKE HELL IT IS!" Bowser roared. "WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PARTNERS, REMEMBER!? WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT, HUH!? AFTER WHAT YOU DID FOR ME BEFORE, ARE YOU REALLY GONNA TURN YOUR BACK ON ME NOW!?"
True enough. He was the one who had defended Bowser back there after all...
"He's the key to getting my memory back. I'm leaving, and I'm taking him with me."
"To hell with all of this! I'm going to remember who I was before you came into my life, and Bowser's going to help me do it!"
"Bowser, snap out of it already!" the man yelled angrily. "Come on! Where's the cold, ruthless prisoner I first met a few days ago!? Where's the evil genius who helped me see through Contemno's lies!? Don't tell me you're taking back what you said before!"
Contemno found Mario's silence unsettling. He knew he had to stop this seed of doubt before it sprouted.
"Mario, don't entertain this idiot's nonsense," Contemno reasoned as he approached him. "He's only thinking about himself, just as he has always done. He's trying to drag you down with him. You remember your true relationship with Bowser now. You're much too smart to fall for his tricks."
"I…," Mario hesitated.
"Oh give me a break! Mario, he's just pulling your chain again! Snap out of it!" Bowser exclaimed.
"Mario!" called Contemno.
"Mario!" called Bowser.
The plumber fell to his knees, shut his eyes and covered his ears to hide from the pressure.
"DECIDE!" Contemno commanded.
"FIGHT HIM NOW!" Bowser ordered.
"Quiet! Both of you! I need to think…"
Out of the corner of his eye, Bowser saw Contemno winding up for another attack. A purple chain flew through the air. But it was stopped in its tracks. Mario open his eyes and witnessed it. Bowser was choking the chain with one hand as he stared Contemno down.
"You called us diplomats before, right?" Bowser asked. Contemno didn't respond. "You said we had 'positions of power in our realm.' Those were your exact words."
"What of it?" Contemno replied. Bowser pointed his thumb casually over his shoulder back at Mario and smirked. The mage was admittedly unsettled by this.
"Well it just so happens that he and I came into a partnership not too long ago," Bowser explained. "I'm sure there's some other twisted little definition of that word in your dictionary. But let me spell this out for you, freak." The Koopa King cracked his knuckles. "He's not making a decision without me, and I'm making a decision for the two of us right now. We're choosing to exercise our diplomatic power right now by telling you to get lost!" Contemno grunted angrily.
"I grow tired of these games! I have tried to be civil with you, but it would seem that you leave me no choice! If you will not stand at my side, then I will end both of you here! This realm will become your eternal resting place!" The mage clapped his hands together slammed them down into the dirt below.
Suddenly, the entire yard began to shake and tremor violently. Mario and even Bowser found it difficult to keep their balance. The ground rocketed high up into the sky all around them as they were boxed inside walls of rock and gravel. The cliffs grew taller and taller until climbing out of this newly formed canyon seemed impossible. Shadows blanketed them as the cliffs blocked out what little light of day existed outside. Contemno pushed the corresponding walls to his right and left sides several feet away; widening the arena.
The mage gripped a pair of magic chains in his gloves. Bowser clenched his fists and Mario positioned his feet into a fighting stance. The pair knew they had Contemno outnumbered, but they weren't confident this would give them much of an advantage when considering whom they were up against.
Contemno whipped the chains out forward with great ferocity. Mario attempted to leap out of the way, but his leg hesitated, leaving him to falter, take the lash from the chain head-on, and tumble to the ground after. Despite having his memory back, it would seem that his body wasn't quite used to performing his usual acrobatic feats again just yet.
Bowser caught the other chain before it reached him. Gripping it tightly, Bowser yanked it forward, which pulled Contemno hurdling straight toward him. The Koopa King curled his free hand into a fist and delivered a crushing below to Contemno's mask when the mage arrived before him. Contemno found himself launched back in the opposite direction in a sling-shot maneuver after taking the full brunt of Bowser's attack. But the mage managed to land on his feet.
Mario charged full-speed at Contemno. The latter dodged the incoming onslaught of punches and kicks, clapped his hands, and summoned a sword. Contemno swung the sword horizontally, but Mario ducked under the blade with little time to spare. Aiming his kick low, Mario tripped Contemno off his feet and followed-up with an uppercut.
With his free hand, Contemno stopped Mario's fist and twirled his blade around in his other hand before swinging it once more. Mario abandoned his offense and jumped out of the way. But this time, he wasn't quite fast enough. The sword cut clean through his coat and shirt sleeve; leaving a minor cut on Mario's arm.
Like a bull, Bowser raced towards Contemno. The mage clapped his hands and threw his sword into the air. The blade transformed into a metal mallet. Contemno caught his new weapon just before Bowser could reach him. The mage swung the mallet directly into Bowser's chest; halting all of the latter's momentum. Contemno continued his assault. He struck Bowser's arm, ankle, cheek, and finished off with a clobbering to the top of Bowser's head; sending the latter straight into the ground.
Mario jumped in to aid Bowser, but Contemno swung the mallet down on him as well. Mario managed to catch the weapon with his hands as he brought the weapon's advance to a halt. The combatants found themselves locked in a clash. With his remaining strength, Mario delivered a high kick towards Contemno's arm; breaking the mage's grip on the weapon as it was sent flying.
Mario caught the mallet and swung it furiously at Contemno. In a slight daze, the mage attempted to counter each blow with thin walls of purple magic, but he was only able to stop half of the attacks; freeing Mario to deal a few clean hits. Finally, Contemno was able to repel Mario and the mallet back a few inches with one of his magic walls as he jumped away to get some distance. Contemno's gloves began to glow with a sinister purple lightning. Bowser stood up in time to witness the mage preparing for his next attack. He had to stop it.
Bowser inhaled and blasted as much fire as his lungs could muster towards Contemno. The mage abandoned whatever attack he was planning and cast a magic wall that was both tall and wide enough to cover the fire's entire range of attack.
With Contemno distracted, Mario sprinted around the magic wall - mallet in tow - and prepared to deliver a fatal blow. But when the moment of truth arrived, something grabbed Mario's wrist and jerked him back. He turned around to find…a second Contemno!?
A nearly identical doppelganger of the mage now stood behind Mario; armed with the same sword that had been used before. When did Contemno have the time to create that!?
The second Contemno swung his sword furiously. Mario was barely able to block each strike with his mallet. Simultaneously, the two Contemnos shot a burst of aura from their palms that repelled Mario and Bowser away until the two were standing back-to-back with one another. Mario held his weapon close to his face in irritable protection, and Bowser wiped away a small bit of molten saliva from his lip; both of them breathing heavily. As the pair of Contemnos stalked towards their prey, they each snapped their fingers. Mario and Bowser's eyes widened in horror as Contemno duplicated himself again…and again…and again!
Suddenly they were surrounded by an army of Contemnos!
"Your fate has been sealed…," the mage declared in an ominous echo. It was impossible to tell which one was the original.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Mario asked in defeated desperation.
"Shut up! It's not like you to complain!" Bowser scolded.
The arena was lit up in a purple glow as the army of Contemnos charged another lightning attack; one from each of them. There was nowhere to run. No conceivable way he could miss his shot.
"I didn't come all the way out here from that tower just to lose to this dweeb! I'll tell you what we're gonna do. We're gonna win!" Without warning, the Koopa King gripped Mario's arm and pulled the plumber inward to his immediate side.
"W-wait! What are you-"
"Stay close to me!" Bowser instructed. He hugged Mario tightly to his chest and crouched down. Each Contemno clone thrusted his arm down in a domino effect. The mages rained seemingly endless bolts of lightning down on their targets.
But just before the projectiles could strike, a green spike ball rolled out of the line of fire in a flash. The ball plowed through a handful of Contemnos; forcing them to disappear in an instant. The remaining mages continued to fire lightning bolts at the now-mobile target. The ball raced up the side of the wall and began to circle along the wide barrier that made up the arena. Round and around and around the ball rolled.
A few Contemnos took turns trying to halt the spike ball, but were crushed effortlessly and left to vanish.
Contemno's mind burned with rage. He was furious at this reminder of how Junior had used a similarly cheap rolling maneuver back in the castle. This would not stand. A repeat performance was utterly unacceptable.
"COWARDS! YOU KOOPAS ARE ALL ALIKE!" the mage roared. The spike ball finished clearing out the remaining clones until only the real, original Contemno remained. He thrusted his arm forward violently. The large burst of purple aura transformed into a giant hand and snatched the ball up. Bowser's spikes poked through the hand slightly and formed small cracks in it all around like breaking glass, but the hand's grip on him endured.
The hand threw the spike ball back down at the ground with exasperated power. The thundering impact forced Bowser to uncurl on his back as Mario spilled out to his side. Contemno curled his glove into a fist. The magic hand mirrored his movement. The hand rose slightly in the air. Mario and Bowser each awoke in a daze. They were just in time to see what was about to happen next.
"I WILL BURY YOU IN THE DIRT LIKE THE WORMS THAT YOU ARE!" Contemno exclaimed. The fist rocketed down with tremendous speed. Mario rolled out of the way, but Bowser caught the fist with his arms and legs.
It was moments away from crushing him, and it took every ounce of strength Bowser had left within him to hold the fist at bay.
Mario stepped back a few paces, then ran forward as he gave in to blind fate. The plumber managed to channel his dormant acrobatic ability and jumped high into the air. He landed on top of the fist and had a clear shot at Contemno from here. But Contemno had already spotted him.
With no time left to think, Mario leaped higher into the air and prepared to strike Contemno with all that he had. He needed to land this shot. If he didn't, Bowser would be crushed. With his free hand, Contemno launched a chain at Mario.
Unfortunately for him, Mario anticipated this.
The plumber grabbed the chain and swung in a circle to build momentum; releasing his grip and flying ever higher at the height of his swing. Mario flew closer towards Contemno and readied his fist once more.
The mage took a direct hit from Mario's punch and was sent hurdling back down towards the ground. The chain disappeared, and the magic hand – which had still been copying the mage's movements – flew backwards and collided with the wall; creating a large, gaping hole.
Mario landed on his feet and helped Bowser up, while Contemno staggered to his feet as well. The mage smacked his palms together once more. The entire arena began to quake. The pair seized the opportunity to escape through the hole in the wall.
Contemno waved his arms, twirled, and jerked his body around madly in a sinister, hypnotic dance. Cracks in the remainder of the arena formed all around. With one slicing motion after another, severed chunks of the arena began to levitate and flew towards Mario and Bowser. The pair managed to escape before a chunk of rock collided with the ceiling above them and brought the entire structure down.
As the piles of rubble and rock grew, Contemno continued his assault. He chucked pillar after pillar at the duo, and barely missed each time.
Suddenly, the onslaught stopped.
Mario and Bowser could hardly see or breathe as they were engulfed by the dust cloud. Everything went quiet. Too quiet. Why did he stop? When the dust cleared, Bowser immediately looked over at the last position he had seen Contemno. The mage had disappeared.
"D-did…did he give up again?" Bowser wondered. The only answer he was met with at first was the disgusting sound of punctured flesh. The Koopa King's head turned mechanically.
"Not this time...," said Contemno. Mario was stunned as a numbness consumed him. Blood leaked from his lips and he eyeballed the red sword that had been thrust straight through his chest.
"This game is over."