Chapter 30:
Weed Problems.

~Masamune~

Mario judged the height of the room, it would be impossible to get up their by jumping or standing on top of eachother. There had to be a way up, some sort of contraption, anything...

"Mallow, can you find some sort of rope or ladd-" Mario began, but was cut off as he he heard something fall behind him. When he looked, a small bag was sitting there with one of the spears he saw the cobrats come from earlier on.

After nothing happened, Peach walked over to pick them up. But was knocked to the ground with the others as a large rumbling began to shake the room. A large thorny vine split the ground, ripping the bag in two as it did. The ground began to rise in a mole like fashion all around the room, then up the walls and even to the ceiling. More vines emerged from all around the room, some with large red buds on the end. Mario and the others had to evade the fast growing roots that peirced the ground. Within a few minutes, the room had become a large thorny jungle. When the group recovered and stood, the thick vines had seperated them from everyone else.

As Mallow looked down at the fast growing spectacle, from the center a enormous red head emerged in the middle. It faced upwards, revealing the larget pirhana plant 'head' ever seen before. Above the creature, Beezo, Shyguy and Snifit watched in fear.

"Ya know guys... I think now is a good time to reconsider out options..." Shyguy said.

"So you're saying we should run away like mad while we go the chance?" Snifit asked.

"Ditto." Shyguy replied.

"This way!" Beezo exclaimed as he led them through a invisible door that led to the outside. After they had left, they were not to be seen again for a great time later...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"VICTORY!" Cried the voice of Kiero, standing before every single occupant of the camp.

"VICTORY!" The groups yelled out in reply.

"Now we march upon them." Kiero announced, "You will obey Sister Kadeja and Lord Ten with the same respect you do for me. Furthermore... this is the final fight. There is now draw or negotiations, only win or lose."

The group cheered in reply as Kadeja and Ten stood behind Kiero. Seeing the the two had came, he walked away to where Toad stood waiting for him. The four met a bit later in private for the last time before they were to battle. In them iddle was a table where four wands were sitting, the only ones that they possesed out of the group of them.

"Take one." Toad said, "We have to make absolutely certain the Magikoopas do not gather them all..."

"Understood." Kiero replied as he took one, "I will die before they shall gain this powerful weapon."

"If it is the only way..." Ten trailed off, taking a wand reluctantly.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Kadeja asked as she took the remaining wand.

"There is no other way." Toad sighed, "Let's go..."

~Later...~

The small army had already began their march to battle, as several koopas, goombas and other enemies awaited them. Toad, Kiero, Daisy, Poochy and the ghsots managed to sneak in with little trouble. Now within the dark cold tower, they had little choice but to continue inside. Clearing the first and second floor, the scenery changed drastically. As they looked through a doorway ahead, they saw a room containing a large thrashing angry creature. It apeared to be some sort of lava monster, but was contained in slight ice and was thrashing in a room with harden lava scattered on the floor.

"Now what do we do?" Daisy asked, "That thing will kill us if we go in!"

"Hmm... Timier, can you go through the wall and see the battle?" Kiero asked.

"Err... sure thing..." Timier answered, goign through the wall to observe the battle below. He returned afterwards.

"Where is the largest brunt of Bowser's army?" Kiero replied.

"Towards his castle, a hundred or so yards from the actual fight. They are overwhelming our freinds in vast numbers..." Timier explained.

"Toad, can you use that wand to teleport things?" Kiero asked.

"I think so... that's what Iwas doing with those rocks when that Magikoopa..." Toad trailed off at the thought.

"Then teleport that monster to the area that your freind just descibed. It will give them a edge and allow us to pass through.

".... I'll try... But I'm not promising anything." Toad replied, as he walked towards the Blaargantua and focused.

~Luigi of the Pipes~

Kamek looked down at the skeleton before him and snarled. Perhaps Karib had been traitorous, but at least he kept Kichra from the hands of that "Toad". And an extra Magikoopa could've been useful for the coming battle.

The wisened Magikoopa tilted his head to look back at the battle, raging some couple hundred meters to his left. Yes, an extra Magikoopa would've been fine.
Of course, Karib would have needed to be "exposed" of properly after all of the wands were in the possession of him and his sister. Oh well, such things happen.

As Kamek watched the crowd to his side, he noticed something about two of the figures. Yes, a koopa and a toad. They were fighting a bit more slowly, and often pausing to give orders, which was an obvious disguise for them to catch their breath and shift something in their pockets.

Kamek called upon the power of his own wand to intensify his vision. He saw them then. Two of his wands were in the pockets of those figures. HIS wands.

"Attack those two in the center!" Kamek screamed at the troops nearest him. Not willing to go against their superior and become like the skeleton near him, the few koopas and goombas dashed to the middle.

Kamek ended his fuming, and tilted his head toward the tower. Kammy was still in there, more than likely shuffling through every last book just to annoy him. Ah well, that's how their life has gone....

~Sapphire~

"Mallow? Hey Mallow! Over here!"

"Huh?" The small prince turned abruptly at the sound of his name, which came from the other side of the tunnel. Realizing that he might not be as alone up here as he thought.

He blinked for a moment, trying to refocus his eyes in his amazment. Jinx! So it had been. But how was he here? He had disappeared a while back, but no one ever took the time to mark his exit. Jinx the small, but undoubtedly very courageous, braving the water without waiting for any of them.

"Jinx, is that you?" He called, as the tiny figure in the small pointed hat came running up to him.

"Yes," He replied upon reaching him, casting his eyes to the tumalt below. "What happened here?"

Before Mallow could speak, they both found that even inside this tunnel, plants wre beginning to push themselves through the stone of the floor. A voice, or several voices grouped together called up to him. "Mallow! Keep on going! We'll catch up later!"

Obviously because they wanted to keep him safe. Mallow was angry, partly because here he was, discovering the exit and now he was powerless to go back and help, and partly because they were telling him to leave, telling him to run. It was always run, run run, they'll take care of everything.

"They're right." Jinx said softly, and Mallow had almost forgotten him. Then again, this could be something new or him; he could be a hero in a different way, by arriving to wherever they wre attempting to get first. He nodded to Jinx, and they began to run towards the end of the tunnel.

While they were running, Mallow tried to bring up conversation. "So, where did you go?" he asked, hoping to get Jinx's version on events.

Jinx was silent for a moment. "I thought you had figured that out," he replied slowly. "You all were so busy thinking and worrying, so I decided to check things out myself. Luckily I was able to get past the monster without him seeing me. I had some time to do some exploring ahead, and then I saw you."

The vines were thinning, obviously the magic was not enough to spread farther in, and once again they wre on the stone floor. The tunnel opened into a wide hall, so the two stopped running and looked around, gasping for breath.

Meanwhile, still in the room that had once contained water, was now a full-fledged jungle, or so it would seem. Mario and the others, tangled up in vines, stared up at what would be their new opponent. A viscious pirahna plant, much larger than the one's that they were used to fighting.

Bowser's sure done a lot of work, Mario thought. The vine's seemed to have a draining effect, drawing more life from the energy that they radiated. Which was convient, since they were feeling very energized at the moment for their defeat of the undersea creature. This one didn't have those red piercing eyes, but instead massive white jaws which held them captivated in fear.

Or the fact that they felt too weak to do anything.

Yoshi tried eating the vines, to no avail. He didn't like the taste, and it just made him feel even more sicker and weaker than he was before eating it. Luigi struggled, keeping his blue eyes focused on the monstrocity that towered above them. The vines would have been useful had they not been coiled determinedly around the stragglers.

Peach found it very uncomfortable as well, but she tried to focus her mind to think. but what was in that bag? The bag that seemed to be the trigger to all of this. Yet she recalled seeing it briefly, in the attic that she managed to climb to. It must be the key to all of this, she thought.

Then suddenly, the vines around each one of them had pulled taut, as they slowly realized with horror that they were being pulled towards the beast, that the vines were an extension and were like fingers, pulling it's food towards it.

And they were to be the main course.

~Ditto McCloaker~

Nestled in a corner of the room, bound by the legs by the vines, and slowly being dragged on his wooden chest slowly backwards, Geno looked over his shoulder to see the face of the distanct Piranha getting gradually closer and closer. His eyes narrowed, and he turned himself over onto his back. He lifted a jointed arm and pointed it at the plant and made a tight fist. With a POP! his arm rocketed from it's socket and slammed straight into the head of the villainous vegetation. It reared back and roared as another arm appeared in Geno's socket. For a moment, everyone ceased being dragged, while the Plant roared, and they felt the vines loosen momentarily.

Back in the tunnel, Mallow plodded along behind the miniature martial artist down a corridor or two.

"Come on, Mallow! Can't you keep up?!"

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" puffed the stubby-legged rough-weather regent. The passage they followed seemed to twist upward, around the tower. At one point, Mallow huffed and puffed his way up a landing, and finally plopped down to rest. Rain poured down his puffy face, and he wiped it off. He glanced to one side and let out a gasp at the sight of three masked figures in red robes lying huddled against a wall.

"Jinx!" he shouted.

"What are you harbinging about, youngster?!" cried the elf impatiently. He turned and saw Mallow in a corner of the landing in a fighting position, across from the heap of masks robes. He chuckled.

"Heh. I don't think y'all have to worry about those three for a few hours! Heh heh!" he chuckled in a shrill, oldish voice.

Mallow looked up at the elf in alarm, and then went over for a closer look. They were piled, rather than huddled, and they were tied up. Further, they weren't making any noise. Mallow looked up at Jinx in askance.

"I passed those three trouble-makers comin' down these stairs earlier. Runnin' like all get out, they was, like they's runnin' from the ghost o' Galloway! They didn't even notice me 'afore I clobbered 'em and tied 'em up there. They'll be out fer quite a good spell, I reckon, and when they comes about, I reckon they'll keep runnin'!" Jinx hearty laughter again filled the stairwell.

Mallow blushed at his mistake and the annoying codger's voice, and proceeded to rush up the stairs after the mini-sensei.

They arrived at the top of the stairwell and found two doors. One was marked "PRIVATE" the other 'EXIT.' Jinx headed for the EXIT.

"Stop!" said Mallow. "What's in this door?"

Jinx, frustrated, barely looked back as he yanked on the heavy iron door. "Ain't none o' our business, young 'un! Now, git over h'yeres and helps me a-jar this here door!"

Mallow, perhaps less inclined to obey after his humiliation, and motivated by the thought of annoying the little know-it-all, walked innocently to the door marked PRIVATE, whistling to himself. With exaggerated ease, he opened the door, and strolled on in, much to Jinx's consternation.

Inside, the room was large and dark. A platform stretched into it, and out towards a large clear glass casement that opened out. The room seemed to be some kind of vantage point for a room below. Mallow walked out, wondering if this was where the Shy Trio had come from, to the end of the platform, and looked through the glass down.

He gasped.

Far below, he could see the vine-filled chamber at the bottom of the tower. Further, he could see his friends feet away from the jaws of the terrible Piranha Plant.

"JINX!!!" he shouted.

Immediately put on alert by the alarm in the kid's voice, Jinx quickly scrambled into the room and joined Mallow, overlooking the scene. His eys got (comparatively) large.

"It's Mario n' his bunch! And they's fixing to be the main course fer a giant salad!"

Mallow pressed his face against the glass, and watched in horror.

But, then, all of a sudden, at this moment of all, he felt a surge of duty. All trepidation fell away as he knew exactly what to do.

"Break the glass." he ordered Jinx, in a voice so low, so confident, so commanding, that Jinx didn't even stop to think. He planted one solid foot through it, and the whole thing shattered around them...

Down below, Mario, feeling too sleepy to be horrified at his last moments, drooped his head back. That's when he noticed the falling shards of glass.

The others looked up, one by one. The shattered glass tinkled and sparkled gently down all around them, like a crystalline rain. With weary and droopy eyes, Luigi, Yoshi, Peach, and Geno followed Mario's glance up. On the ledge above, now jutting out into mid-air over them, stood a small but very determined cloud. His fluffy jaw was set. His eyebrows were drawn. His arms were perched akimbo in a dramatic pose. Even Jinx was impressed.

Without a word, Jinx went straight to his work. Before he even did anyting, a strong, cold wind immediately blew into the chamber. The Piranha Plant shuddered at the slight chill. Mallow then slowly raised his little hands into the air. The cold air swirled and whipped around the entire tower. Jinx's robes fluttered around him, and he huddled within them for protection.

White flakes began to appear, glistening in the air, swirling around in the ever-growing tempest. It was especially strong up around Mallow. It got more and more violent, until bits and chunks of the rouned walls began to come loose. Before long, bricks were dislodging themselves from the walls, and glimpses of the red skies of Dark Land became visitble. Finally, an entire section of wall was obliterated, and pieces of debris flew away. The rest of the walls around the upper floor followed suit, and in an instant, the entire section of the tower around the Control Room where stood the mighty Mallow was exposed to the sooty, ashen air of Dark Land.

The tempest grew larger and larger. More snow flakes appeared from the air. The air became ice cold. Bits and chunks of ice and slush bulked up the swirling white mass, and the small blizzard became a grand blizzard. Mallow's eyes, cold, unmoving, stared out as he concentrated his storm-forming abilities. Soon, he and Jinx were awash in a wildly circulating whirlwind of white.

And then, Mallow brought his hands down, and pointed down to the vine-filled chamber below. The entire storm rushed down immediately engulfing the expansive plant in a white cyclone. It was chaos, and nothing was visible.

And then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the tempest vanished. The chamber below was caked with snow. Nothing below moved. Jinx, peeking up from his robes, stepped over and peered over the edge of the platform, at the mountain of white that had filled the lower chamber.

Suddenly, a thin shaft of light shot upwards, from within, up toward the heavy clouds of Dark Land. The thin beam widened, and down below, the snow began to trickle and melt. Water again slowly filled the circular chamber. Triumphantly, several heads bobbed to the surface. Peach, Yoshi, Geno, Luigi, and finally, Mario, spitting a stream of water out of his mouth. Finally, with a rush, the last of the white pile collapsed down below the surface of the water, revealing the still, brown, wilted Piranha Plant, it's giant head pointing upward, it's large white mouth now still, gaping upward, as though in shock. Then, bit by bit, the behemoth slowly sank beneath the water.

At last, Geno clasped his fingers over his palm and the warm light ceased. He dove down, and came up moments later holding his other arm, which he then fastened back into it's socket, and a the soggy sack in his little nut-cracker-like mouth. Once it was securely in again, he took the bag of spears in one hand, and with the other, gave a 'V' sign to Mallow.

Mallow looked down, and beamed.

Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, and Geno waded over to the entrance to the tunnel, and minutes later, the sound of their footsteps could be heard coming from the stairwell. Mallow and Jinx turned to see Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, and Geno, dripping wet, standing in the doorway looking across the dark room to him.

A small smile formed under Mario's drizzling mustache. His eyes wrinked and his round face radiated approval. His rubber-gloved hands came together and began clapping. One by one, the rest followed suit. It became a rising tide of approval. Mallow blushed, having never had a standing ovation before. Instead, he raised his hands again, and sent a golden wave of heat towards them, instantly drying out their soggy clothes.

The exit door opened, and all stepped reverently aside as Mallow marched between the rows and threw the door open. He proudly marched up to the door, and ceremoniously threw it open, taking the first leading steps outside, into the darkened day.

At his feet was the wooden bridge which led from the top of MagiKoopa tower to a spot midway up the giant craggy mountain, to a spot where the safe footholds began, in a long, rocky, winding circular path up the mountain, where, high above, was perched the high, gray turrets of Bowser's Castle.

Mallow and the rest stretched their necks up high to see it. Up there, doubtless ensconced within that imposing structure, was King Bowser, Emperor of the Koopa Empire, hopefully, also, the end of their adventure.

Prev. Chapter(29)/Next Chapter(31)
Main page