Mario and Luigi

The Shaman of Shadows

Area 2: Mt. Chimney

2-3: Charcoal Chase!

*Wildfire Woods*

Luigi entered the Wildfire Woods and used his Thunderhand to help him see through the fog, "The trees here are strange but pretty! I like the white bark and grey leaves," Luigi said with admiration. As he investigated further, the orange light of campfires came into view and they seemed to be littered throughout the woods.

He approached a campsite that was tended to by five pyromancers. They sat happily around the campfire they had built and seemed to be telling ghost stories.

"Did you hear this one?" started a little girl. "I heard that you can hear the Wheezing Wizard's cough at midnight if everything is dead quiet!" she said with a spooky tone to her voice.

Everyone 'oohed' and 'aahed' as they listened to her. An older, motherly pyromancer noticed Luigi. "Well hello and salutations, good sir!" she said cheerfully. "Are you by any chance lost? If so, you are welcome to sit with us and rest if you like!" she continued with an inviting tone.

Luigi rubbed the back of his head anxiously, not wanting to intrude. He sat down on a log as many of the wizards ate marshmallow treats. "Hello, my name's Luigi, so what are you guys doing out here?" he said breaking the ice.

Before anyone could respond, the little girl cheerfully jumped up from her seat with her arms outstretched. "We make charcoal!" she replied with a smile.

"Oh dear, please do settle down and eat your marshmallow!" the motherly wizard scolded. She then faced Luigi with her hand placed gently on her cheek. "First, let me introduce myself. I am Merlerin and that one there is Merleit, my daughter. These nice gentlemen here are my assistants," she explained. The three male wizards greeted Luigi casually while they ate away at their treats. She continued, "We are pyromancers that make a living out here in these woods doing things like selling firewood or making charcoal for the artists back in the village or elsewhere. It's a humble living, really. At night, we build campfires and tell stories to one another."

"That sounds nice, my brother and I are plumbers. We fix pipes and other general handy work things back home in the Mushroom Kingdom!" Luigi stated.

"How nice, so you're a handyman? Would it be so much trouble for me to ask for your help?" Merlerin asked shyly.

"Not at all. What do you need help with?" Luigi asked with a friendly tone.

"Well, do you see that caravan over there? The one being pulled by the two red Yoshi? It's full of charcoal and we would like an extra hand in finishing the load. In addition, many pyromancers here are talking of a haunting here in the woods. If it's not too much to ask, would you accompany us until we get to our cabin? We can be safe there," Merlerin spoke sweetly.

"Sure, I would be happy to help!" Luigi said cheerfully.

Greaper and Mario appeared behind Luigi, just out of sight. Greaper spoke first, "A haunting? Sounds like it could be trouble..."

"Weeg, let's stay on our toes!" Mario followed.

They vanished and Luigi approached Merlerin. She spoke, "You see these blackened logs of wood? This is the charcoal we make out here. It's for all kinds of things as I mentioned earlier. We were just finishing up this job when these three got pooped. Would you mind going into the woods and gathering about three more loads for me? I will gladly compensate you!"

"Sure thing!" Luigi said as he went into the woods.

The smokey fog filled the air and gave it an oppressive heat. Luigi adjusted his collar as he sweated. He continued down the narrow path until he came to a small clearing. The space had piles of charcoal that were neatly prepped for transfer. As Luigi approached, a sudden dread came upon him and the charcoal logs began to shake violently as ghostly giggles could be heard. Around thirty small logs of charcoal levitated into the air and vanished into the woods leaving the clearing empty. Boo emerged from Luigi's shadow, "Oh, of course, that would happen..." he snarked.

Dry Bones followed, "Well, this stinks..."

Luigi sighed in irritation and went deeper into the woods. The woods were filled with wild and gnarly paths. Immediately, Luigi witnessed three floating logs of charcoal. The invisible ghosts laughed as they noticed Luigi's presence. They came at him in an attempt to smash him with the logs. Luigi shined his Dark Light on the three spirits as they came within range and they reappeared. As they suffered, Luigi shined his Thunderhand on them and the Poltergust consumed them. Luigi then collected the three logs under his left arm.

As he continued, he dispatched four more. Now he slung the charcoal logs over his left shoulder as he carried them. He bashed blocks and found another three. Another two hid behind a tree. Five more were hidden in shrubs. Four more were hidden around warp pipes. Two were found underground when Luigi used his ground pound technique. Another four were found with the Dark Light. Finally, the last three were found in the tree tops.

Proud of himself, Luigi easily carried the thirty logs over his left shoulder and shined his Thunderhand with his right. "Great going, Weeg, now let's get back to Merlerin!" Mario said as he praised his brother.

He did so, and upon returning to Merlerin, she was amazed at his strength. "My, my, you sure are strong! Most these fellas can carry is two or three!" she marveled.

"Oh, this is nothing! I've lifted heavier before!" Luigi said confidently. "By the way, ghosts tried to snatch up these logs, but I got rid of them!"

"Oh dear, then we must hurry," she urged. "The paranormal activity must be getting worse!"

Luigi agreed as he placed the last of the logs neatly onto the caravan. Off to the other side of the caravan floated a Hint Block that was hard to notice. Luigi luckily noticed it and recorded its message. He then wiped himself off and got onto the caravan with the rest of the wizards. Merleit spoke excitedly, "You can come to our house and rest! I hear mom has a nice reward for you when we get there!"

"Hush now child, and take your seat. I don't want you falling out of the caravan!" Merlerin said sternly.

"Okay, mom!" Merleit complied as she sat next to Luigi.

Merlerin then commanded the Yoshis to go forward, "Come, Yoshi, let's go home!" she said cheerfully.

"Yoshi!" said the two Yoshis happily.

The two Yoshis effortlessly pulled the caravan onto the main road and their journey home began. The three wizards began talking amongst themselves about magical trading cards while Merleit turned to Luigi. "Hey mister, did you know the Wheezing Wizard has that title because he has trouble breathing? I hear he has some sort of lung disease. It must be kinda scary not being able to breathe all the time... I heard from the adults that there was a master pyromancer who had trouble breathing and lived a very long time ago. Y-you don't think it's his ghost do you?"

Luigi seemed to stare off into space and become pale, "I do...," he muttered.

Merleit gulped in fear as something caught her eye in the distance. "Hey mister, w-what's that?" she asked fearfully as she pointed behind them.

Luigi gazed into the darkness of the woods behind them and noticed the horizon glowed orange as a massive forest fire erupted. It approached quickly and Luigi stared into the roaring flames as they engulfed the entire woods behind them.

The Yoshis suddenly stopped and shivered in fear. "What's wrong?!" Merlerin asked with astonishment.

"We have a problem madam," said one of her assistants nervously.

Merlerin joined Luigi and her daughter's gaze, bearing witness to the approaching firewall. She didn't have time to think before the Yoshi's whined in torment. Luigi turned around and jumped out, knowing what was wrong. "Ghosts are nearby, most Yoshis are afraid of supernatural things!" Luigi said scanning the area for the culprits.

Then, appearing from thin air, three Boos made their presence known. The largest one spoke first, "Hello, my name is Bootch and these are my friends..., wait, that guy over there is my friend!" he said slightly confused as he pointed to the medium-sized Boo. He turned to the small Boo, "Who did you say you were again?"

The small Boo shivered, "Uh..., I'm Boopi..., I'm new remember?"

"Oh, oh yeah, and what were you supposed to do again?" Bootch asked, raising a brow.

"Um..., I'm 'Job Shadowing' today...," Boopi claimed.

"Hah, I see what you did there! Ahem, so yeah, me and friend, Boogzy here, are here to light up your life a little!" Bootch claimed as he chuckled. "And that guy's here to watch and learn!"

"Yeah, so no funny business, see?" Boogzy followed like a ghostly 'yes' man.

The three Boos vanished and the Yoshis perked up ready to move as the fire drew closer. Luigi boarded the caravan, "Tell the Yoshis to keep moving, I have a plan!" he said.

"Right, no need to tell me twice!" Merlerin said as she signaled the Yoshis.

The Yoshis took off as the forest fire quickly approached. Luigi hopped onto the back of the cart on top of the charcoal load. The caravan picked up speed as the flames drew closer. Luigi took his Dark Light and shined it into the flames. The Dark Light repelled the flames slightly as he heard the shriek of a Boo. He followed the shriek with the Dark Light and caught Boopi in it. "Merlerin, slow down a bit so I can nab the Boo!" Luigi instructed.

"What? Well, okay! If you think you can!" Merlerin agreed reluctantly.

The caravan slowed and Boopi got close enough for the Poltergust to notice him. Boopi stood no chance, being inexperienced, and was sucked into the device. "I gotcha!" Luigi said satisfyingly.

The other two Boos howled, "No, not the new guy! We barely knew ya, kid! That's it, let's kick it up a notch!" Bootch roared.

"That was amazing mister!" Merleit cheered.

Then suddenly, the caravan hit a bump and Merleit stumbled, "Watch out little Bambina-!" Luigi shouted as he caught the girl's hand before she fell overboard.

"Merleit!" Merlerin shouted with concern. The other wizards crowded Luigi to help him stay aboard.

Without a breath of relief, Boogzy emerged, "Ha, now I gots ya!" he said as he began to collect blue fire in his mouth.

"Oh no," Luigi moaned as he closed his eyes to prepare for the attack.

"Not yet mister! Use this Magic Mirror!" Merleit said taking a Magic Mirror out from her robes.

Luigi opened his eyes and snatched the Magic Mirror just before Boogzy's ghostly flames engulfed him. Luigi rose from the flames completely unharmed, "Oh yeah, just what I needed!" he said as he held a cheering Merleit in his arms. He placed Merleit down and now that Boogzy was stunned by having his attack thrown back at him, the Poltergust easily slurped him up.

The Poltergust easily drew in the Boo as Boogzy cursed his luck. "Get'em for me boss!" he said with his last words.

Bootch roared in anger and the forest fire intensified. "You'll pay for that, see?! Let's see how you deal with this!" Bootch said as he fired a ghostly fireball at Luigi whose reflective body shrugged it off. However, this was a ruse as Bootch snatched Merleit right from behind him.

"Bambina!" Luigi shouted angrily.

"Ha, I know all about your fancy tricks from King Boo! You won't dare attack me while I have this little pest!" Bootch threatened.

Merleit grumbled, "Oh yeah, stupid! Hey mister, don't move!" she said as she cast a large fireball at Luigi. Luigi gasped as the fireball collided with him. It reflected at Merleit and Bootch engulfing them both. Bootch shrieked as Merleit emerged unharmed. Luigi managed to catch her with his open arms.

"I'm a pyromancer! Fire can't hurt me!" Merleit claimed. "Now mister, get that other one!"

"You got it!" Luigi said as he handed her off to Merlerin's assistants.

Luigi held out his hand and collected a spark that danced between his fingers. Raising one finger into the air and aiming the other hand at Bootch. Luigi sent forth a lightning bolt with his Thunderhand. Bootch was completely disoriented as the Poltergust reacted.

Bootch vanished into the vacuum, cursing his luck as Boogzy did. "Blast it all!" he shouted.

Just as Bootch vanished, the forest fire had vanished without a trace. Luigi, now back to normal, looked back into the dark woods, still as foggy as ever, but no fire at all, quiet and still. "It was an illusion all along, Weeg!" Mario spoke with a cheer.

"I had a hunch that's what it was!" Luigi said as he rubbed his nose.

The caravan came to a stop as it came to a nice cabin made from sturdy logs. Merlerin jumped up and hugged Merleit tightly. "Thank you so much, Luigi! Words cannot begin to express my feelings of appreciation! Please, come into my home so I can properly thank you!"

Another pyromancer came from the cabin and showed concern. He was a fatherly gentleman with a stern expression. "What's going on out here?" he asked deeply concerned.

"Oh, Merlsius, my loving husband! I have much to tell you!" Merlerin said as she disembarked with everyone in tow.

*Later, Inside the Cabin*

Merlsius faced Luigi, "So, from what my wife tells me..., you saved my little girl's life, my wife's, and my workers. You also helped with the charcoal as well. Hmm, I really don't know how to thank you, but we are in your debt. I know, I'll have my workers fetch the old trunk from the attic!" he said as the three workers did the task without being told.

The three wizards placed the trunk in the middle of the living room and it was quite dusty. "Go ahead, take whatever's inside. You've earned it!" Merlerin said to Luigi.

"Okie dokie!" Luigi said as he helped himself. He opened the chest and it contained many Gold Coins, Gold Bars, and some Wizard Coins. He quickly scooped up every last piece of treasure.

"I know who you are...," Merlsius claimed. "You're the one spoken of in the prophecy about the Shaman of Shadows, the 'Green Thunder', aren't you? Yes, I see it now. Heh, never thought I'd ever meet you face-to-face. We never considered the thought that you would be a simple, yet very powerful human. We always believed you to be a wizard of some kind. It doesn't matter though. You're here for the Wheezing Wizard? If you're truly the Green Thunder, then you'll trounce him. I know a little bit about him. You probably already know of his breathing condition. This matches the description of a master pyromancer of the past that existed during Merloom's age. He was a great teacher and was very stern. He didn't like horseplay in his classes. Anyway, the prophecy tells us of your victory, so we have faith you'll win. Thank you again and blessings be upon you, Green Thunder!"

"Oh, one more thing," Merlerin said as the thought crossed her mind. "Up ahead, to the north is an area known as the Clay Pits. It's the place where we collect clay to make pottery in this land. It's very slippery and it's the last area before you reach the Foundry at the base of Mt. Chimney."

Luigi thanked them and said his goodbyes as he politely excused himself. Outside, Mario and the Three Musty Fears emerged from his shadow.

"Well, that sure was some trip, wouldn't you say?" Greaper said sounding tired.

"Yeah, I like the part where we won!" Boo said with a laugh as he contorted his face.

"That's always my favorite part too!" Dry Bones followed with a chuckle.

"I knew you could do it, Weeg! Now, let's get to that Wheezing Wizard! He must be getting bored waiting for his butt-kicking appointment with us!" Mario said confidently.

Everyone cheered, "Alright, here we go!"

*End of Chapter*