Chapter 73: Armageddon

The group watched in horror as the ancient demon was awakened despite their best efforts.

"RISE!" Grodus shouted again.

The dark clouds now in a cyclone around the coffin, began to pick up at a faster pace. It was very sudden as something large shot from its confines.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Jimmy shrieked as he saw it appear.

That is, until Koops and Sarah slapped their hands on his mouth. This figure was enormous, perhaps as tall as Rolf. The scariest thing about it was that it was a hand.

If the hand was big, then how big was the demon?

The huge, dark purple clam slammed on the rim of the coffin, reaching towards. As it slammed, it missed Eddy by inches, though the battle-stained medallion of life shook. Goombella found this as a time to act. She ran over to Eddy, not caring about the claw or the demon it belonged to.

She ran right to Eddy's side and clamed her mouth on the collar of his shirt. She gave a loud grunt and began to pull Eddy away, completely unaware the Medallion of Life was left abandoned near the coffin. She seemed to have done so just in time as the other hand arose from the coffin as well. Now, both hands clamed on the edge of the coffin, the full demon began to arise.

The top of a huge golden crown rose first, with red and green encrusted jewels.

Rolf's eyes met the sight of the crown. 'The third relic, the Crown of Strength! Rolf should have known she would have possessed it all along!'

The towering crown as but a preview. A purple head arose from the crypt. Though the eyes were concealed by the crown, the fanged mouth was enough to show how evil she was. As it arose, her long wavy purple hair spread out in all directions.

Then came her long and dark body. This entire form looked so very familiar.

"…why…the demon… looks…" Flurrie looked lost in words.

"The shadow demon is a Shadow Siren. A seriously advanced-a form, but there is no doubt in-a my mind." Mario added in.

It was true. The eyes concealed, the hair, the body shape with the tail at the end instead of legs. It was all true.

Suddenly, as the demon finished arising from her coffin, the twister of dark clouds flashed, and faded as it headed for the surface…

"I have a feeling we are almost there!" Frankly shouted. "Keep up the pace!"

"Yeah, whatever gramps." Doopliss said.

The white-sheeted one turned his head and stopped.

"What's with you?" He asked Marilyn, noticing she had stopped and was looking at the floor.

Even Frankly seemed interested. "Spot something?"

As if on cue, the ground beneath them began to crack.

"WHOA!" Doopliss ran towards a wall away from the crack. "Move it, slick!"

Frankly promptly ran to follow Doopliss. Marilyn, feeling the desire to follow, decided it would be a good idea. They were correct about moving. From the crack, darkness began to flow in. Devilish looking clouds, shooting out of the floor like steam.

In a perfect line, they continued to shoot up into the ceiling above them.

"Prof, what is all this?" Doopliss asked.

"…this can't be…" Frankly said, shocked. "This is unthinkable! It's not possible!"

Doopliss got the message. "The heroes didn't win?"

'That darkness is headed for the surface.' Frankly thought. 'When it does, all terror will break loose.'

Rougeport was having a slow day. It was like any other. Citizens taking a simple stroll down the safer area, thieves looting in the not-so-safe sections.

Flavio, who was sitting at an outside table by Podley's looked happier then ever. He had decided to enjoy the sun and write his novel, as he stated.

"So…" He thought aloud. "The gallant and brave Flavio sing-handedly saved his crew. Yes, a fine line! The brave and wondrous…"

He suddenly came to a stop as he felt the pencil in his hand shake.

At first, he thought someone had jerked the table. His eyes scanned the ground, but he saw no one aside him.

Flavio gave a growl. "Who dares to hinder Flavio's work of art?"

As he spoke, he felt the table jerk again.

"AHA!" He shouted, looking down.

As he did, he realized no one was there. He could see the aftershock of the shaken table in the ripples in his drink that rested on the table.

"…what's this?" He thought aloud.

He looked under the table.

He noticed the table moving ever so slightly. The glass shaking a bit, drips flying from its rims.

"…oh no." Flavio gasped.

The table's shaking began to intensify. His glass shook until it fell on its side. The beverage spilt everywhere, including on Flavio. Being so scared to be concerned about his attire, he watched as the glass rolled off the table and shattered on the ground.

"EARTHQUAKE!" Flavio screamed.

Others looked at him and gasped as they saw the area around Flavio breaking apart. Cracks appearing on the ground and spreading around the area.

Flavio gave a high-pitched scream and took off. In the next few seconds, the entire area was shaking.

Then came the geysers. Dark clouds shot from the ground.

"EVERYONE TO SHELTER!" Podley shouted, leaving his door open.

The dark clouds began to fill up the air. The sun was blocked off by the evil matter, and the town enveloped in more and more, as it shot from all directions.

Podley watched as hundreds of people in the streets began to run into his Inn for safety. As they did, he looked over at a building and gasped.

The building was sinking into the ground. It was like quicksand. Slowly, yet surely, the earth was swallowing the house. Though it was just a warehouse, it could mean disaster for the town.

"RUN, HURRY!" Podley shouted, allowing more and more into his building.

He waited until all of the people were off the streets before locking his doors.

The dark clouds that enveloped the city were also spreading into the skies above. Spiraling overhead like a hurricane, it began to rattle the town as the cracks spread further from the city.

"HEY!" Koopley shouted, bursting from his house.

Koopie Koo and the other residents outside looked up.

"Listen to this!" Koopley shouted.

He held a radio in his hand and slammed it on the floor. As the other citizens of Petalburg gathered around him, he tuned it to a station.

"…that's right, this is serious!" the reporter shouted. "Breaking news! An earthquake has been reported in Rougeport! It was completely undetected by seismologists, but threatens to be very powerful, and… what? I don't believe this! Dark clouds are literally shooting from the ground! It has been confirmed, ladies and gentlemen! A hurricane is coming from the ground. It's swallowing Rougeport!"

The residents gasped.

"Koops!" Koopie shouted. "He's there, isn't he!"

"Don't worry about Koops!" Koopley shouted. "He's a brave one, he can protect himself!"

"...wait, more?" The reporter asked. "You will not believe this! I am getting reports that buildings are sinking into the ground! That's right! In a catastrophe that can now only be described as a disaster, citizens of Rougeport are urged to evacuate immediately! Escape…"

The reporter was suddenly cut off by static. As the radio's transmission failed, they were suddenly covered in a shadow. Everyone looked up into the sky.

A terrible, dark, spiraling cloud was blanketing their town. The sun, becoming lost in the darkness, faded away. It was instantly like night-time.

"Citizens of Petalburg!" The mayor's voice ran out. "Everyone, grab whatever you hold dear, then make haste to Hooktail's castle! We must take shelter at once!"

"Petuni!" Punio suddenly shouted.

"Yes, brother?" His sister replied.

"RUN!"

Petuni looked at the ground. Where her little legs where, a large crack had formed.

"Uh oh!" She shouted.

Punio rushed towards his sister as fast as his tiny legs could move him. He rammed into her at full force. Both went flying, until they collided into a few others.

"What's going on in here?" Puniper asked, rushing into the chamber.

There suddenly came the sound of whistling, like steam from a tea-pot. Dark clouds shooting out of the crack from the ground.

"EEK!" Petuni shouted, as the chamber instantly began to fog up.

Puniper gazed at the dark clouds. "What the-"

"C'mon!" Punio shouted. "Stmoke rises because it's less dense than normal air! We have to get to lower ground!"

"But it's coming from the ground, stupid!" Puniper argued back.

"What do you suggest then?" Punio asked.

"Uh…"

"Quit fighting, please! This is the worst time! We've got to get out of the tree!" Petuni shouted.

"Er- right." Both of them responded.

The Punnies rushed out of the tree in stampede fashion.

"All Punnies, get organized!" Puniper shouted. "Are you listening to me!? Stop!"

That's all he had time to say before getting run over by a mob.

"ENOUGH!" The elder's voice rung out.

The group all stopped in their tracks, going completely silent.

They looked back towards the tree. The dark, smoke-like substance rising from the tree. It looked as though it were on fire, except for the fact that there wasn't a fire. As this substance began to fill up the air, it blocked out the sun, casting Boogly Woods into darkness.

"…our home…" Petuni stood next to Punio and sighed.

"It's going to be okay." Punio said, comforting his beloved sister.

Puniper sighed. "I hate to say it, but I hope Punio's right."

"That's right, folks." A man over the radio said. "Reports are coming in from all over the world!"

Jolene looked up from her paperwork. Her eyes spotted the radio she had left on, sitting by the desk.

"Dark clouds, earthquakes! Places literally being swallowed by the ground. A horrible phenomenon that could occur everywhere! All are advised to seek higher ground and avoid being indoors!"

Jolene fixed her glasses, then looked back at her paperwork. "A good thing we are up in the clouds. I'll bet we'll get a lot of people trying to evacuate."

Suddenly, she was interrupted by the sound of glass shattering.

Her head turned and saw a flowerpot fallen on the floor.

"What the? Is someone in here?"

She looked out her window and saw dark clouds fogging it up. "What? Where is this coming from?"

There was the sudden sound of screaming from outside. Before she could react, she felt herself leaning towards one side. Picture frames leaning at strange angles, more and more items crashing from the desk. She had to prop herself to a table.

"Glitzville! It's… tilting?"

"That's right, what a fight!" A reporter shouted.

Another battle had ended in the Glitz Pit.

"How do you feel about this battle?" The reporter asked, shoving a microphone into King K's face.

"Oh man. It was totally sweet. Bandy put up a good fight though. He deserves credit."

"Thanks." Bandy said back.

"Wow, how modest!" The reporter shouted.

It was then that there was a quick snapping noise. Backstage, a light had fallen from the rafters.

"What the heck?" The reporter asked.

There was a sudden strange feeling, like how one would feel when they were on a ship. Everything was leaning to one said.

Confused murmurs arose within the crowds. King K looked around the chamber.

"Its' probably just turbulence." Bandy added in.

But the tilting didn't stop. More fixtures began to fall from their places. People began to slide on the floor. The murmurs in the crowds turned to collective screaming.

"This is unbelievable folks!" The reporter shouted, grabbing a hold of a railing. His camera operator was also propped to a wall, still on the air. "The entire city is tilting! I can see dark clouds engulfing Glitzville!"

"You're attention, please!" Jolene's voice shouted over the intercom. "Brace yourselves. The city is losing altitude! I repeat, brace yourselves. This is not a drill!"

"What?" King K gasped.

The fighters on stage began to lift into the air. Collective screams called out.

"What's happening to the gravity?" King K asked, holding onto a rail to keep himself steady.

"Nothing!" Bandy shouted. "The city is plummeting towards the earth!"

Suddenly, the city came to a stop. Everyone crashed downwards.

"We have activated the emergency engines! People are urged to head for the blimp and evacuate at once!" Jolene shouted.

"This is an amazing turn of events, folks!" The reporter said. "As a sworn member of Glitzville news, I swear to stay on the air as long as possible, bringing you coverage of this extraordinary event!"

The city's mayor walked out into the glum atmosphere. The townsfolk walking outside casually (or as casual as twilight town could be).

"A dark twilight day, as per usual." The mayor said, his cane echoing as he walked down the otherwise silent and dark pathway over the decaying grass.

"Ah, mayor." A townsperson said, this one, no more then 11 years old, was perhaps the most gothic-looking one of them all, being covered in black rags.

"Good evening." The mayor said. "Are enjoy you are enjoying the day, Dim?"

"…enjoyment. It is a mere figure of speech. Since I have not been content, I should shay not." Dim commented.

"Must you always be so deep?" The mayor asked. "Just enjoy things once and while."

Dim replied with an emotionless expression. Then he lowered his head and continued to read a book he had in his hands.

Suddenly, the area began to shake.

Dim slowly raised an eyebrow, but kept his face implanted in his book.

A woman rushed towards them, with three children at her feet.

"Eve. Do you know what's going on?" The mayor asked.

"Isn't that your job?" Eve asked.

"Mommy, what's going on?" One of her children asked.

"Nothing dear."

The shaking intensified. Dim finally looked up from the text of his book, still not looking the least bit concerned.

"This place is becoming too populated." Dim said. He closed his book and began to walk away.

Suddenly, right in front of him, the ground erupted, and dark smoke arose from the cracks. Hs stopped in his tracks, this long black cloak whipping in the wind.

"MOM!" The children shouted.

Eve looked down and shouted. The children's feet were sinking into the ground, like quicksand.

"Dear heavens!" The mayor shouted.

"This is absurd!" Dim shouted, placing away his book, he reached down for one of the children and tugged at their hand, trying to free one of the ground.

The other two helped the remaining children.

As they pulled, the dark clouds began to fog up the entire area.

They mayor began to start coughing. "What is this stuff?"

"Pure evil." Dim said, still unshaken.

"Ah… yo, ho ho, and a bottle of Chuckola!" The sailors sang.

The group erupted into laughter. It had been a while since they had sung their little pirate song. The day was extravagant. The sun shone brightly on Keel-haul. Seagulls crying in the air. The fire lit up, the fresh-caught fish sizzling on the frying pan.

"A fine day!" Pa-patch added in.

"Indeed!" One of the sailors shouted. "I have a good feeling about today!"

"Hey, shut up for a sec, will ya?" A Bomb-omb sailor shouted.

"What-chu say, kid?" Pa-patch asked.

"Shut up and listen!" The sailor repeated.

The ground fell silent. In the distance, there was a thunderous sound. They all looked out into the sea. Dark clouds were appearing overhead. That wasn't too alarming, what was alarming was what's was on the sea.

"Looky at that!" A sailor shouted, pointing at the seas.

"Gimme them binoculars, boy!" Pa-patch shouted, holding out the binoculars on front of Pa-patch's eye.

"Oh no…" Pa-Pat shouted. "Everyone get to high ground."

"What is that?" A sailor asked, looking into the sea.

Something was approaching.

"Tidal wave!" Pa-patch shouted.

The group erupted into a panic. People were scrambling for their items, rushing into the jungles. The roaring had grown louder. The huge wave was now casting a shadow over the campsite.

"RUN!" another sailor shouted.

"It's too late! Brace yourselves!" Pa-Patch shouted back.

With that, the huge wave crashed over the camp. Debris flying everywhere, everyone swept of their feet. The tents came crashing down, submerging into the seas.

Now turning into a flood, sailors began to grab onto trees. More unfortunate souls had become swept into the ocean itself, being dragged beneath the raging waves.

"What do you recon caused all this?" One of the sailors asked.

They were suddenly cast in darkness. The dark clouds began to blanket out the sun. The ocean was rising higher and higher on the island. Keel-haul itself was slipping below the waves.

"It must be an earthquake!" Pa-patch said. "It probably caused the wave!"

"No…" Another sailor said, clasping to a tree. "It must be more! It's like that curse, only worse!"

"Excuse me…

sir." The waitress asked.

The engineer looked from the control panel. The waitress, chef, conductor, and Pennington, who had boarded the train again, all stood at the entrance to the room.

"Yes?" The engineer asked.

"Why we have w stopped? Rougeport is but a few hours away." The waitress asked.

"I am hearing reports of something very bad happening there. I received orders to turn the train around and go back to Poshley Heights." The engineer said.

"Something smells fish about this." Pennington said, holding up his trademark magnifying glass. "If that town truly is in danger, shouldn't we go there and see what's wrong?"

"I picked up reports of the entire city under an earthquake! The place is being enveloped in dark clouds, and homes are sinking there. People are trying to get out of there." The engineer said.

"…in that case, we should go!" The conductor said.

"Are you out of your mind?" The engineer shouted. "If we do, we might be killed!"

"But if we make it, think of all of the people we can save!" The conductor shouted.

"So brave. Foolhardy, but brave." The engineer said. "Think about all the innocent men, women, and children aboard already. We owe it to them to keep them safe!"

"Well, take a look outside!" The chef shouted.

The group looked out of the window to star into dark clouds forming over them.

"It's not going to be safe here much longer, anyway. We must go!" The conductor shouted.

The engineer sighed. He looked to the chef, the waitress, and Pennington. They all nodded back.

"I will regret this." The engineer muttered and spoke. "Then let's go, I want a full speed course for Rougeport!"

"What is this?" The general shouted. "Troops, report!"

The Bomb-ombs rushed down the icy paths. They all looked upwards and saw the sun vanishing behind dark clouds.

"What is that, sir?" A soldier asked.

"We must prepare for battle. We may have to defend out outpost against invaders!" The general shouted. "I want all men and women to their posts!"

Troopers rushed to their posts, as sirens blared. The normal citizens rushed into buildings, locking their doors and windows.

"Should we arm the cannon?" A soldier asked the general.

"Not yet! Standby at your posts!" The general shouted.

However, they were all interrupted abruptly. The ground began to quake, cracks and holes forming on the surface.

"We must retreat!" A soldier shouted.

"Remain at your posts!" The general repeated.

Dark smoke began to rise from the ground. Its shape and movements replicating the clouds above them, shooting in directions like geysers, rising into the air.

"What is this madness?" The soldier asked.

"…something serious has occurred." The general said.

The world looked terrible, even from beyond its atmosphere. A broken computer monitor amongst the debris of a ruined moon base looked back to the world below.

The entire world was completely enveloped by this darkness. In fact, looking identical to space, it looked as though the world itself was vanishing.

The demon of shadows had finally arisen from the crypt. Her presence alone was terrifying.

Rolf looked at Grodus angrily. "What have you done!?"

Grodus, who wasn't listening, looked back at the Shadow Queen's face.

"My queen." He said, bowing before the demon.

"Ah, yes…" The queen spoke, her voice alone seemed chilling enough to kill someone. "Who is this that has revived me?"

"It is I!" Grodus shouted.

"Have you brought the vessel?"

"The one is there, at your mercy!" Grodus shouted, pointing his large staff at Princess Peach.

"NO!" Mario shouted, realizing what would unfold.

"I'm… sorry." Peach said weakly.

"Yes… a fine vessel." The demon said, contently. "Now then…"

Her dark form began to lower towards Peach. She gave out a cry as she saw its large arms close around her.

"PEACH!" Mario shouted.

"You're too late!" Grodus shouted.

There was a quick flash. In that instant, the demon disappeared, and Peach was on her feet looking in the opposite direction. For some bizarre reason, her pink dress had turned to a dark purple, gothic looking dress with black lace.

"…princess?" Mario asked. "Peach? Are-"

She suddenly jerked around. They were greeted to look directly into two glowing red eyes, as sinister as eyes could be. Her usual smile was replaced by an evil grin.

"MY WORD!" Jimmy exclaimed.

"Peach?" Sarah asked.

"No, Peach is no longer with us." Rolf said. "Shadow-demon is now here."

"Then she's being possessed!" Mario shouted.

"Ah…so I am in a Princess? How fitting…" The Shadow Queen said.

"Yes, all is arranged!" Grodus shouted. "Now… got to the surface above! Wreak havoc among the world!"

The demon's eyes looked over towards Grodus. "And… who might you be to command me?"

"What?" Grodus asked, a little scared. "I thought that you were bound to the one who freed you! I… I mean, do as I say!" He held his scepter up to her face. "I can cast you back into the depths from whence you-!"

Suddenly, there was a quick flash. Every member of the team gasped. Nothing remained where Grodus once stood. Nothing, except for his decapitated head.

Jimmy fainted again. Sarah and Ed both caught him before he fell down.

The shadow queen walked to where the head rested on the floor. "You best learn to discover what your place is, slave." She gave a look at the rest of the team. "This is what happens to all who oppose me."

There was a sudden flash again. This time, the head was also gone, leaving no trace of him. It where as though Grodus had just been whipped from existence.

Rolf gasped, holding onto his weapon. "She can destroy anyone just like that? She didn't even sweat…"

He glanced over to the others.

"Eddy-boy is out cold, so his new powers are useless. And Double D…" Rolf glanced at Vivian who was holding his weakened body. "He is our only hope, because he has such power… but we don't even know if he is still alive!"

Double D felt himself floating… though unable to open his eyes, he knew he wasn't on the ground.

"Where… am I? Have I died? No… if I were dead, then I wouldn't feel so much in pain."

As he thought, he could hear very distant voices. The voices of his friends talking amongst themselves.

"Vivian? Eddy… Eduardo Jr… Ed…Rolf… anyone." he thought. He couldn't speak, but he was desperate. "Help… me."

Rolf, Vivian, Eduardo Jr, and Ed all gasped. They turned their heads towards Double D but saw him still knocked out. Then how had he just spoken?

"So… who are you creatures?" The shadow queen asked. "…you appear useless, but perhaps you can be useful for something… you shall all make fine servants…"

The group was silent, either too angry or too scared to speak. The possessed Peach raised an eyebrow contentedly.

"…no." Rolf said.

The others gasped. He was being brave.

"No..." Rolf repeated, pointing at the Shadow Queen. "NO! Rolf shall die before serving a witch like you!"

His voice echoed in the chamber.

The shadow queen scoffed. "So, you oppose me? How brave and noble… very well then, you shall all perish."

As the possessed Peach began to walk closer, the group got themselves in a fighting position.