#sergeant guy

From behind the Manor, the Gloomcano already looked incredibly massive… but the walk through its many tunnels only emphasized its size. Mario and Luigi followed Larry up still, awaiting what they’d see on the higher levels.

…Nox and Kaglut were in cahoots, planning something, but what? And what was even on the higher levels to begin with? The brothers could imagine what other horrors the Commander would bestow upon them.

The higher up they went, the more lit up the Gloomcano became. Heat swelled from every which way as the three of them walked upward.

“…All of these levels and tunnels are between the Gloomcano’s thick walls. The center is where all the magma and stuff is.” Larry explained as he lead the brothers.

The Bros. legs began to ache as the walk continued… how much longer until they reached what they needed to see?

“…Surely we can’t be far…” Cosmo said from the aether. “We must keep going!”

Luigi sighed in exhaustion as Mario gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t you worry your stache off, green guy!” Larry said in an almost mocking tone. “We’re almost there.”

It wasn’t long before the Bros. and Larry had taken another turn, stepping into a long hallway that seemed to go on for miles. But that wasn’t the most odd and perplexing part…

“…You see what I mean by it’s hard to explain what’s up here?” Larry asked. “You kinda just have to see it yourself.”

“…O-oh…” Cosmo said from within the Bros. heads. “…Oh, my Stars…”

Larry continued to walk forward with the Bros. close behind him. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

At the sides of the second floor’s tunnel was a line up of large purple liquid-filled tubes that went up to the ceiling. And within these tubes… the Bros. thought they’d never see blorbed Toads again. It wasn’t even just Toads, many of Bowser’s own Minions, even a few Shroobs, were trapped inside the tubes.

Connected around and to the lid of the tubes were pipes that were stuck to the walls of the Gloomcano… what were they there for?

Even as the Bros. continued their walk, they could just barely hear the cries of those imprisoned within the tubes.

“…I wish I knew more about all this. Kaglut barely spoke a single word of it, unless he’d let it slip around me. I would come down here to see what he was yapping about and, uh…” Larry said. “That’s how I found out about these tubes… but what of the Blorbs? It feels like ages since I’ve seen those around.”

…Fawful was all the Bros. could think about at the mention of the Blorbs. Whatever wrought them again, it was his doing… but what about the strange purple liquid and gas? What was it?

“It’s just kinda sad, really.” Larry said as he stopped to look at a blorbed Toad trapped in its tube. “I just can’t help but wonder what’s going on down here. What would Kaglut even need this for anyway?”

The Bros. stopped just beside Larry, looking into the poor Toad’s eyes as their minds trailed off into what could be going down here in the Lava Lands…

~~~

Commander Nox stood within the deepest chambers of the Gloomcano, staring at a fairly large tube in the center of the room. It’s many pipes connected to the walls and ceiling, appearing like a labyrinth of insect legs.

“The scheme of scheme-havings is imminent, Darkness Empress!” Fawful said from within Nox’s cape pocket. “…Soon, Fawful will be full of the Darkness that makes Fawful ecstatic with the happies like a child of power-havings!”

…Nox said nothing, for only an agitated grumble came from her. She was growing impatient with how long everything was taking. She almost couldn’t stand it.

As she stood in silence, the sudden sound of pitter-patter caught her attention. Nox swiveled her head around in annoyance as she heard unknown voices calling to her.

“We’ve got you now!” One voice said.

“Give us what we came here for!” Another demanded.

“Head honcho chairs!!!” A third voice blurted.

The Commander grumbled at the unwelcome intrusion as she summoned her trident… and waited for when the source of the voices would appear.

Just as she saw three faint silhouettes came into her view, she fired a blast from her trident straight for them. Once the blast had cleared, the three figures became clear to her.

The Elite Trio lay knocked down to the floor, dizzied from the unexpected blast. Nox kept her trident pointed at them as they suddenly awoke and rushed to their feet.

“W-we’re not scared of you!” Private Goomp yelled.

“…What are you doing here?” Nox asked coldly. “You’re supposed to be upstairs, last I heard from Kaglut.”

“O-our way down here should be of no concern to you!” Sergeant Guy said… that seemed to anger Nox more.

“It does concern me. I’m in the middle of something very important.” Nox said as she tightly gripped her trident. “And I don’t need some stupid little Minions GETTING IN THE WAY!!”

The Elite Trio cowered a bit before the Commander as she stared upon them with her fierce red eyes. Despite that, they all stood as tall as they could.

“…W-we were promised something… from one of your Spirits!” Private Goomp explained.

“Yeah! Like our head honcho chairs! And our medals!” Corporal Paraplonk said.

…Nox looked at the Trio in utter disbelief. She then groaned. “…He said picking you lot would work out.” She said. “Even with his power of all knowledge, he can’t pick out some lowly Minions to help me get my job done…”

“Lowly!?” Private Goomp exclaimed, offended.

“I KNOW YOU HEARD ME!!!” Nox exploded. “Never in my entire time of trying to avenge him, have I EVER had a SINGLE COMPETENT MINION!!!”

“But… what of Fawful?” Nox heard Fawful say from her cape pocket.

Nox then pulled back her cape to see Fawful peering up at her with saddened eyes. “Fawful gave in his all like a hearty man of business! Fawful gave the Darkness Empress all he could… Fawful even gave those Toadies of annoyance and Minions of Badness the fattening! Fawful helped with all the technological havings like a massive brain computer full of smart-havings…”

Fawful then took a long pause. “…Fawful has even admired the Darkness Empress since Fawful’s eyes first laid upon the Darkness Empress’ anguish-havings.” He said. “Fawful and Darkness Empress Nox are like two peas in a pod of evil and scheme-havings, yes? Fawful is Empress Nox’s only Minion of competent-havings, yes? …Darkness Empress cares about Fawful, yes?”

As Fawful finally silenced, Nox looked at him with a perplexed look on her face… before she suddenly began to snicker to herself. This snickering eventually exploded into full blown cackling. She then grabbed Fawful from her cape pocket and brought him right up to her face.

“…Why, in all the Cosmos, would I care about you!?” Nox said hysterically as her laughing fizzled away. “Why would I EVER care about ANY OF YOU!? ANY OF MY MINIONS!? You are all like PUPPETS to me!!”

Nox cackled once more as Fawful’s will began to melt. “…I only work with one person. I only listen to one person.” Nox said as she calmed down again. She then glared at Fawful. “And that negative energy from those stupid Toads and Minions, and especially your Dark Power… is all I need to get him back.”

…Fawful froze at what he heard. “…B-but Darkness Empress said—!”

“You think I meant it when I said that power would be yours!?” Nox laughed. “You and your admiration have gotten you nowhere else but in the palm of my hand! If I could, I would CRUSH you into a pile of meaningless void!”

Fawful simply had no words… he was dismayed and disheveled, feeling as if he had been broken like a glass bowl. He thought he found someone he could work with, some villain that sought revenge like he did…

But now that wish had fallen apart right before him.

Nox then walked over to the large tube in the room’s center, opening its glass doors with a single button press and chucking Fawful inside it like a piece of trash before shutting the doors.

“…You served me well, little bug.” Nox said. “But now, a new era of Darkness shall rise within this forsaken Kingdom!”

“…Fawful has the hatings to say this… but Fawful yearns for the Darkness Empress to be struck down by the brothers of badness that I HATE!!!” Fawful yelled. “FAWFUL HAS FURY!!! SO MUCH FURY!!! MAY THE FURIOUS AGE OF FAWFUL HAVE THE BEATING HAVINGS OF THE TRAITOROUS DARKNESS EMPRESS THAT I NOW HATE!!!”

As Fawful shrieked and ravaged within the tube, Nox stepped to the schematics at the side of the machine and brought down a large lever. The tube’s mechanisms whirred to life as a violet gas suddenly flooded into the main tube Fawful was stuck in… the Elite Trio watched in horror as Nox took a step back and reveled in her victory.

“…Yes! YES!!!” Nox yelled ecstatically. “May my glorious Master return… MAY THE LORD OF DARKNESS RISE AGAIN!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!”

~~~

The Bros. stood alongside Larry, still trying to figure out what Nox could be planning… before a sudden rumbling overtook the Gloomcano. The three then noticed the liquid in the tubes being converted into gas. The gas then began traveling through the tubes pipes at tremendous speeds…

“…Huh!? What’s going on!?” Larry exclaimed.

Amidst the rumbling, the Bros. quickly began putting the pieces together… Nox and Fawful had teamed up. Only Fawful could create all this tech and bring back the Blorbs... but why? They still weren’t certain.

What they were fairly certain of though was that this gas was possibly an energy source for whatever plan they had… and they had to stop it.

Considering the tech only being active meant they had to be somewhere within the Gloomcano… Mario then quickly turned to Larry and explained they had to find Nox before whatever new plan of hers arose. Larry seemed a tad unsure of where they should go… before an idea struck him.

“Check the fourth level!” Larry said. “…I don’t know, maybe she’s down there?”

…It definitely wouldn’t hurt to try. Mario then spoke to Larry again, asking if he knew his way back to the others.

“You don’t have to ask, mustache! I know my way back!” Larry said. “You go on your way, I go on mine. I’m done here.”

…Mario slowly nods as he turns to Luigi and runs ahead, with Luigi following close behind. Larry stayed on their tails for a time before going his own way.

“Mario! Luigi!” Cosmo said, appearing beside the Bros. as Larry left them. “We haven’t a second to lose! Keep going!”

The Bros. heard him loud and clear as they sped up slightly, noticing the horrible feeling in their souls amplify the further they descend.

~~~

…Running through the mostly empty Gloomcano tunnels was far easier than walking up. Many enemies, even a few Shroob cult members, had faced the Bros. as they descended back down to the lower levels. They felt more than prepared to face Nox once more as they took one final turn.

As they rushed down the long hall at the deepest reaches of the Gloomcano, a familiar figure caught the Bros. eyes. They skidded to a stop and took a fighting stance before the large metal door keeping from progressing further, along with the very figure guarding the passage.

Rotten Peach stood solemn, appearing surprised that the Bros. had suddenly arrived before her… she then slowly relaxed, regaining her poise nature.

“…I didn’t think you’d escape Kaglut’s clutches.” Rotten Peach said. “And I doubt you have business with the Empress… unlike those little pests who stopped by not too long ago…”

As Mario reveled in confusion as to who else could be down here, only one thing crossed Luigi’s mind… the Elite Trio had slithered their way down here and somehow got past the door. What sorcery did they use to get someone like Rotten Peach to coerce her to let them in?

“Not that it will matter. I was ordered to take you out, and I no longer have Bowzer here to slow me down!” Rotten Peach said as she brought two rotten peaches to her hands. “I’ll win this, all on my own! HYAH!!”

Rotten Peach then chucked the peaches the Bros. way, only for them both to jump upward and stomp on them once they reached the ground. The Princess grumbled at her failure before the Bros. readied attacks of their own.

Mario readied up Super Blazer Bros., sending mass amounts of fire and heat Rotten Peach’s way. Luigi utilized the Boo Shroom once more, smacking the Princess with a powerful blast. Rotten Peach could only writhe as she glared toward the Bros. with malice.

“…I will not fail her… not again!” Rotten Peach said. “Why don’t you take me on from up close, plumber boy?” She then glared toward Mario… who couldn’t help but blush a tad.

“Focus, Mario!” The red man heard Cosmo speak.

Rotten Peach then moved back a bit, before running forward and getting to floor, sliding right toward the red plumber with the tips of her heels pointing toward him.

Mario, almost uncertain of what to do in the moment, instinctively pulled out his hammer and smacked her away back to her place on the field.

Rotten Peach huffed. “Not how you treat a lady! …I thought you knew better than that, Mario.” She said in a conniving tone as she smirked.

“Mario! She’s trying to get in your head!” Cosmo said from beyond. “Do not let her fool you!”

Mario then nodded in response… what Nox had done to the Princess made him sick.

The Bros. attacked the Princess once more, slowly but surely bringing her down. Mario hoped to himself that maybe… just maybe, Peach would come back to her senses, but he knew he was wishfully thinking. She wouldn’t be returned to him without a fight, he knew that.

…Rotten Peach then seemed to have read Mario’s mind as she gave him another sickening glance. Mario didn’t seem to notice amidst his thoughts.

“…Mario.” Rotten Peach began. “I’ve got a game for you. Wanna play?”

Mario looked at the Princess with a confused glare, before Rotten Peach brought up a hand, and pointed straight to Luigi. Luigi was then encased in a violet aura as he was suddenly brought into the air.

“…It’s called, Bag the Bro!” Rotten Peach said in a playful tone. “CATCH!!”

The Princess then threw her arm toward Mario’s way, sending Luigi straight for him. As Luigi hurled toward Mario, the man in red jumped into the air, swiftly dodging as Luigi rolled along the floor before getting up and returning to his spot on the field. Rotten Peach said nothing as she looked at the Bros. with a smile on her face.

The Bros. used their Super Blazer Bros. and Boo Shroom as usual… hopefully it wouldn’t take much longer before the Princess was downed.

Rotten Peach still gave the Bros. the same look she had before as she raised a hand in Mario’s direction, bringing him to the air. He glared at Luigi, making sure he knew what to do. Luigi eyed Mario and nodded silently as he fixed his gaze on the Princess.

…Just as she was about to throw Mario though, she chuckled a tad… and Luigi had no time to react as Rotten Peach suddenly threw Mario in his direction, causing them to collide and be knocked dizzy on the ground.

“Hahahahahaha!!” Rotten Peach cackled like an obscenely rich woman, putting a flicked hand to her chin as she laughed. “You fell for it, just as I thought you would!”

The Bros. then got to their feet, firmly glaring to the Princess.

“Mario! Luigi!” Cosmo called from the Bros. minds. “Remain vigilant through this battle! …It appears Rotten Peach has a few unprecedented tricks up her sleeve. For now, give her everything you’ve got!”

The Bros. go all out on Rotten Peach, just as they had at every other instance they could. As the Princess recovered again, she seemed visibly tired and weak.

Rotten Peach huffed, before glaring at Mario with fury. Without a word, she suddenly rushed for Mario, suddenly turning to where her rump would hit Mario’s body. Mario froze for a moment… before Rotten Peach’s backside had collided with his stomach.

Luigi watched in horrified awe as Mario landed to the ground and Rotten Peach’s backside had slid behind him, before returning to her spot… it seemed she had done that out of desperation.

“How was that!?” Rotten Peach asked, huffing. “Is that enough to make you quit this endless fight and face your demise at the hands of the Empress?”

Mario was winded, unable to get up, before Luigi rushed to him and helped him to his feet. Luigi patted Mario on the back and gave him a glare.

“Come now, Mario! Focus!” Cosmo said. “You mustn’t let her take you down!”

Once Mario had mostly recovered, he nodded before straightening. Luigi then returned to his spot on the field as Mario began his attack, followed by Luigi’s shortly after. Once the Bros. returned to their spots, the Princess slowly rose, still appearing determined.

“You want to play it like that, huh?” Rotten Peach asked before chuckling a little. “I’ll show you how true victory is achieved!”

The Princess then began to spin around, creating a little tornado around her. The force of her spinning seemed to pull random objects out from the ground, such as a few Mushrooms.

…Although, some of the Mushrooms weren’t to be trusted. Most of the good ones went to Luigi, while most of the poisoned ones went to Mario. The red plumber had even a few of the bad ones, having little time to react… he was being targeted again, Mario was certain.

By the time the Princess had ceased her spinning, two violet-robed Shy Guys had popped up from the ground.

“Go, my Minions!” Rotten Peach declared, pointing a figure toward the Bros. “Defeat them!”

One Guy began running circles around Mario, attempting to trip him, which didn’t work in the slightest. Mario even got to jump on him a bit.

The other Guy tried the same thing with Luigi… except Luigi was actually tripped up, falling to ground as the Shy Guy retreated. Not that it mattered, for Luigi was quickly able to get to his feet.

Mario was focused as he begun his turn, blasting the Shy Guys with the powerful force of Super Blazer Bros. The enemies were swiftly incinerated into nothing but ash, allowing Luigi to utilize his next attack on the Princess.

As the Princess recovered again, she seemed truly close to being defeated. She puffed and she heaved as she looked upon the Bros. with a fiery gaze.

“…You will not best me, the Empress’ most trusted of Minions!” Rotten Peach hissed. “Not here… not now… not EVER!!!”

The Princess then pulled out her parasol and raised it upward… its shape then began to morph a bit as it glowed a dark violet hue. After but a few moments, the parasol landed back in Rotten Peach’s hands… now in the form of a rifle.

“RAAAAAAAHH!!!” Rotten Peach yelled as she began wildly firing bullets out from her parasol gun. The Bros. dodged as quickly as they could for what felt like ages… before the Princess suddenly collapsed to her knees, winded.

“…No…” Rotten Peach gasped. “I can’t… I mustn’t… the Empress…”

Mario ignored the rotten Princess’ cries as he looked to Luigi with a confident gaze… he was not her puppet to toy with, no one was. And he was not going to fall for her conniving tricks anymore.

…Even if he knew, deep down, Peach was still there… this wasn’t like her in the slightest. The Darkness that had taken her would soon be vanquished, Mario knew that.

“…Just not now, Mario… I do not have the Star Power to save her soul right now.” Cosmo said from nowhere. “With time, she will be free.”

…Mario, albeit saddened, understood.

…Just a little bit-a longer, Princess…

Mario then began his final onslaught on the Princess, giving it his all alongside his Bro. A wave of heat coated the Princess as she suddenly fell flat on her face.

The Bros. relished their victory for only a moment, before the Princess began to rise up again, looking at the Bros. with disheartened eyes.

“…Once I heal and find you both again… I will rain absolute Hell upon you.” Rotten Peach said coldly before she turned her head to face the man in red. “Especially you. Mario…”

At that, Rotten Peach disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. The Bros. then stared upon the grand and ominous metal door that stood between them and Nox…

“Mario! Luigi! You must not wait any longer!” Cosmo said. “Open the passage and hurry to Nox!”

The Bros. then rush to the passage and began to pull on the large handles… after a bit, one of the doors slid open with a loud metallic creak. They sneak past the opening and run through the long tunnel ahead of them.

The tunnel was dark to a point that made the walls appear black. The ground underneath their feet crunched as they ran with as much vigor as they could.

As the Bros. continued their run, they felt the horrid feeling in their souls grow more prominent and powerful. Some rotten, gut-wrenching, unnerving feeling wrapped around their hearts like a tight belt… just what on Earth was going on?

At the far end of the tunnel appeared to be an open hole in the wall leading to another room. The Bros. sprinted toward it, knowing for certain what was on the other side…

As they passed the opening and entered the room, they skidded to a stop and stared ahead. It felt as if time had completely halted as their shaky and exhausted breathes passed through their mouths.

A large tube in the center of the room, connected to smaller pipes that were stuck to the walls and ceiling, being filled with the same purple gas they saw coming from the blorbed people on the higher levels… and just in front of them was not only the Elite Trio, who were also staring upon the contraption in the room… but also the Ztar Commander herself.

The Elite Trio then looked back for just a moment, before falling backward at the sight of the Bros. They appeared extremely shocked and scared, as if they weren’t expecting anyone else to make it here… or something else that happened in this room had set them on edge.

“ACK!!” Private Goomp yelped. “Why’d you sneak up to us like that!? H-how’d you even get back here!?”

Commander Nox’s head swiveled back with a crack as her eyes suddenly laid upon her most hated enemies. She only stared at them as the Bros. pushed the Elite Trio aside and took on a fighting stance… whether they lost or won, they’d fight her again. No matter how they’d end up.

Nox then gave them a cocky look. “…You think you’ve got me now, don’t you? That you’ll get your dear loved ones and Kingdom back? Your Star Spirits and wishes back?” She asked. “No… not in the slightest! You will soon cower before me and my Master! And your home and friends will be OURS to make our own! All of what you know and love will be brought to the Dark as you remain dead within the confines of the Darkness’ everlasting void of nothingness and sorrow!!”

The brothers faltered a little at that, but continued to stand strong. They had to; for their home, for their friends, for the Star Spirits and people of the Star Realm… along with everyone’s wishes.

As their minds had begun to race with thoughts of what they were fighting for, though… something crossed their minds eyes.

…What did she mean by her and her Master…?

The Bros. gathered all they knew in tandem, putting everything together in their heads. As they slowly thought and pondered… Nox began to ramble again.

“The bug and negative energy from those fattened fools was all I needed… so that I can HAVE HIM BACK!! AND SMITE YOU DOWN TO DEATH’S GATES!!!” Nox declared.

…Everything seemed to come together then.

Nox and Fawful weren’t working together, for Fawful had been used for his dark power. The Blorbs were forced into their fattened state to be syphoned of their negative energy, all fueled from their emotions.

All of that, for one thing… the Bros. shudder to even think it…

“…Oh, no…” Cosmo said from nowhere.

“…Only now, shall he rise once again! And we are to conquer this pathetic place!!” Nox cried as she turned back to the large tube and raised her hands upward in triumph. “ONLY NOW WILL WE LAY WASTE TO YOU HORRID BROTHERS, AND FURTHER SPREAD HIS WILL!!! …ONLY NOW SHALL HE RETURN!!!”

As Nox continued to preach, the large tube began to shake and tremble… a few of the pipes then began crack and break, the energy within them spewing it outward into the room.

Even the center tube began to crack.

The Bros. and Elite Trio stepped back as the tube began to crack and shake even more… all while Nox still stood before it, her hands still raised.

“My Master… RIIIIIISE!!!” Nox shrieked.

The tube then suddenly exploded, causing glass and violet smoke to expel outward. Everyone turned away as their vision left them… before the smoke finally began to clear.

Nox stood up first, followed by the others. They all stared into the cloud of smoke before them.

…Just as they see a figure slowly step forward.

The figure was fairly tall and lanky, bearing a similar pair of gloves and boots to Nox, albeit colored indigo. It’s body was as black as ink, and the endless vacuum of space. The figure’s black 'hair' was put up, flickering like a lit candle wick.

And upon its face was a star-shaped mask… and a pair of closed eyes, which then popped open to reveal a void of deep crimson red.

Nox’s breath was shaky as she looked upon the figure, her eyes full of happiness and disbelief. The Elite Trio was horrified by the unknown being before them… the Bros. however, recognized the figure immediately.

He looked just as he had in the Chronicle of the Cosmos book.

The Dark Star had returned.

“…The Darkness…” The Dark Star began as he brought his arms outward. “…Has risen…”

“…M-Master!” Nox cried, voice cracking a bit. She then rushed to him and tightly wrapped her arms around him.

The Dark Star took a moment to process the action, before slowly bringing his arms around her. “…Commander Nox…” He began, before he separated from her. “It has been some time…”

“…It has been too long.” Nox said. “But now, you are back…”

“Correct… no longer does death hold me.” The Dark Star said. His head then turned to face the others. Nox did the same.

The Dark Star looked to the Bros. with anger as he stared into their souls. “…You…” He said bitterly. “I remember you. You and the Koopa… who vanquished me. Where is he?”

“He serves me now, Master.” Nox said firmly. “He has been tainted alongside with his army. I felt they would be acceptable to me and my mission here… along with you.”

The Dark Star hummed as he turned to Nox. “I trust your judgment.” He said as he turned back to brothers. “…I shall wreak death upon you, just as you had with I.”

“Hey! W-wait!” Private Goomp said, standing forward with the other Elite Trio members. “…If we help you defeat the brothers…”

“…Could we get what we asked for, Commander?” Sergeant Guy asked.

“We are still owed those head honcho chairs…” Corporal Paraplonk pointed out.

The Dark Star winced at them, before Nox stepped forward. “…They serve me no purpose. Not anymore.” Nox said.

“Very well…” The Dark Star said. “I shall smite them myself.”

The Dark Star then summoned his bow and arrow, pointing it directly at the Elite Trio. They panicked, barely able to formulate words, as the Dark Star sent an arrow straight for them. The knockback from the hit was so powerful, that the Trio was sent straight through the rooms roof.

The Bros. stared upward as the Trio disappeared, before focusing back on the Dark Star and Nox. They then took on a battle stance once more. They faced the Dark Star once, and they’d do it again.

“…How pitiful of you to face me.” The Dark Star said. “Nothing can stop my reign of Darkness and despair upon this Kingdom.”

The Dark Star then summoned another arrow to his bow, shooting it toward the Bros. It was so fast that neither Bro had time to react to it.

The arrow clung to the back of Luigi’s undershirt, sending him backward and into the wall. The arrow had went in a trajectory that had sent Luigi upward as he collided with the wall, making it more difficult to get him down as Mario rushed to him and reached upward.

“No mere mortal shall dare to usurp me again.” The Dark Star said as he readied another arrow. “…Especially not some measly—!”

Before the Dark Star could continue his sentence, he suddenly grunted in pain, before dropping his weapon, which disappeared in a puff of smoke as it fell to the ground. The Dark Star then began to cough and hack as he too fell down to his knees, causing Nox to rush to his side.

“Master!! What’s wrong!?” Nox asked, trying to hold her Master up.

“…Agh… my head…” The Dark Star wheezed. “And my body… something is not right…”

Nox’s mind raced with what could’ve went wrong. “…Y-your body might not be fully stable…” She said guiltily.

“…W-we must… flee…” The Dark Star said. “…I cannot… fight like this…”

Nox nodded as she slowly brought the heaving Dark Star to his feet and looked forward at the brothers… Mario was still struggling to get Luigi down.

The man in red grabbed at Luigi’s legs for a bit, but nothing seemed to work. As he struggled, the Bros. heard Cosmo again.

“…T-the Dark Star… it can’t be…” Cosmo said, sounding panicked. “…One creature of Darkness is enough, but this? The Spirits will smite me for this… How can I do more? …What can I do…?”

As the Bros. heard Cosmo panic, Mario finally jumped up and pulled Luigi down to the ground, just slightly tearing his green undershirt.

The Bros. then rushed back to the Ztars, ready to fight… they’d question Cosmo, but the dire situation simply didn’t account for that.

Nox then grumbled as the Dark Star breathed heavily in her grasp. “…When we meet again, we will have your HEADS!!!” She said as she then raised her head. “KAGLUT!!! I NEED YOU!!!”

At that demand, Kaglut appeared right beside Nox. “…Oh! Commander!” He said. “Your plan went well, I see?”

“Now is not the time for that!” Nox said. “You take care of the brothers… my Master and I shall retreat to that Koopa’s decrepit Castle.”

“Your order shall be served, Commander!” Kaglut said… Nox groaned at that as she then poofed away with the Dark Star in tow. Kaglut then eyed the Bros., who still took on their fighting stance.

“…You think you can deny my service, tamper with my soup upstairs by infusing it with your Star Power, and expect to get away with it?” Kaglut asked slyly. “No, no! That won’t do! …Perhaps it is time for your last course, meddling brothers! Bon appetit!”

Kaglut then raised a hand, snapping his fingers and summoning a large hovering pan before the Bros., who awaited his next move.

“…Now, how do you like your eggs?” Kaglut asked. “I’ve preferred mine… with something special mixed in.”

The Bros. were then brought up into the air with a simple hand raise and thrown into the pan. A small flame was lit underneath the metal as a giant egg was snapped into existence. The egg was cracked, and the Bros. were suddenly entrapped in the yolk.

Mario and Luigi both struggled and squirmed their way through the tough yolk, barely able to break through its surface. They then began to feel the flame from under them burn their bottoms. After much more scrawling, they eventually popped out, rubbing their bottoms to soothe them from the heat.

“…Hm. You are formidable, I see.” Kaglut said. “Very well, then! Give me everything you’ve got! I’ll take your entire menu, to go!”

“Mario! Luigi!” The Bros. heard Cosmo say. “…I have a strong feeling Mario’s new Bros. Attack won’t hurt him… it would be best to switch up your attacks for this bout.”

The Bros. took heed of Cosmo’s words, and thought of what else they could use… Luigi then remembered the Ice Flower he picked up back in Cavity Falls. Surely that would do some damage. Mario then seemed to opt for the Tanooki Leaf he acquired from Mushdark Forest as he threw one to himself and his brother, giving them the familiar tails and ears.

Mario stood in front of Kaglut, while Luigi stood at the back, as the two of them spun their tails and sent the chef straight into the air. As Kaglut was suspended in the air, the Bros. appeared as blurs before him, smacking the Spirit every which way with their tails.

The Bros. then appeared right above Kaglut, using both of their tails to smack him down to the ground. At that, the brothers retreated to their spots on the field as Luigi prepped for his turn.

Luigi threw an Ice Flower to himself and Mario, making their bodies appear as if they were entirely made of ice. They then began to skate around the Spirit, throwing balls of ice his way, which slowly encased him in a block of ice. As the Bros. closed in on the chef, they readied their hammers and slammed them onto Kaglut, breaking him free and doing a noticeable amount of damage as they fled back to their spots.

Kaglut seemed out of breath as he recovered, shivering a tad from the sudden flash of cold that struck him. “Bah! N-no match for me!” He said. “Eat this!”

With another wave of Kaglut’s hands, a salt shaker appeared above Mario and a pepper shaker appeared above Luigi. The shakers shook, sending large chucks of the condiments the Bros. direction. The Bros. then countered with their hammers, bringing the chunks of salt and pepper to nothing but dust.

The Bros. then began their onslaughts with their Tanooki tails and ice… sending Kaglut to his knees for a moment, before he shook it off and got back to his feet.

“Hmph! This is how you repay me!?” Kaglut scoffed. “After how I treated you? You both should be ashamed!”

…He was manipulating them. Neither Bro would go down that easy, especially not after what he had done to Mario. The man in red would be swayed by him no longer.

“No matter!” Kaglut then said. “…I recall one of your little Koopa friends asking for a check. How’s this for your check, ignorant men!?”

Kaglut then snapped his fingers, and summoned a fairly large stack of cut onions that were set up like a kind of volcano. The mini volcano then shot a large stream of fire upward, which fell back down to the Bros. as fireballs, which they deflected with their hammers. As the attack ended and the onion stack disappeared, Kaglut looked noticeably more agitated, despite still trying to keep himself calm.

The Bros. attacked once more, leaving Kaglut winded. He huffed as he looked to the Bros. with an unfamiliar fury in his eyes. He then got to his feet, his fingers curled and shaking. Even the flame upon his chef hat flickered brightly out of rage.

“Oh, I’ve had up to here with you meddling brothers!” Kaglut said, sounding like an angry parent. “…Perhaps we shall play the long game! My dear Shroobs, come to me!”

Two suited Shroobs then appeared beside Kaglut, holding a platter that had a fancy glass upon it. Within the glass appeared to be a vivid green liquid… Vim? Of all things?

Kaglut then snagged the glass and took a swig of the Vim inside it, eventually placing the glass back on the platter, causing the Shroobs to leave.

“Ah! How energizing!” Kaglut said, giving the Bros. a smug look. “Let’s see you face me now!”

The Bros. attacked as usual… but once they were done, Kaglut didn’t seem nearly as winded before. It appeared that the Vim didn’t just heal him up…

“Hah! Your attacks mean barely a thing to me now!” Kaglut said. “Face the might of the greatest chef in all of the tainted Kingdom!”

With yet another snap from Kaglut’s fingers, a giant meatball suddenly appeared upon the field, sending the Bros. running as the meatball rolled along the deep red ground. Kaglut hovered close behind the ball, directing it toward Luigi with a swish of his hand.

Luigi brought forth his hammer and smacked the meatball away, sending it back Kaglut’s way, before he moved it toward Mario’s side. Mario did the same action as his brother, sending the ball back toward the chef.

After many hits, Kaglut then sent the meatball forward, in between the Bros. individual paths. Before it could hit either of them, Luigi smacked the ball with his hammer, bringing it to a complete stop as he held it in place. Mario then brought out his hammer as well, bringing forth his fire power to catch his hammer ablaze, and sending the meatball straight back to Kaglut with a powerful strike.

The chef barely noticed the meatball slamming him right in the face and sending back to his spot on the field. As he struggled to rid himself of the meat, the Bros. also returned to their places.

Kaglut shuffled the meat off of his suit and slacks before angrily huffing toward the Bros. like a bull. “Ooohh!! …No, keep your composure…” Kaglut said as he breathed. “You will soon regret your horrid actions!”

The Bros. paid no mind as they attacked again… Kaglut still seemed to be tanking the hits, albeit slightly less than before. He faced the Bros. in frustration as he continued to try and keep calm… it truly did seem he was starting to near his breaking point.

Without another word, the Spirit clapped his hands, bringing forth a Shy Guy and a Ninji. The Ninji then disappeared into a puff of smoke, taking on the same form as the Shy Guy. They swapped places a bit like moving cups, attempting to confuse the Bros. While Mario knew who was who… it seemed Luigi had lost track.

The Shy Guys ran forward, letting the Bros. instinctively pull out their hammers. Mario smacked the enemy before him, having caught the real Shy Guy.

Luigi, on the other hand, smacked the enemy on his side… and the Shy Guy went into a cloud of smoke, and into a wooden log? The man in green could also faintly hear Kaglut chuckling to himself as Luigi fixed his gaze back on the log.

…Then, in the blink of an eye, did the log become the Ninji the chef had summoned. The Ninji held a pie in his stubby arm, which he swiftly threw into Luigi’s face. The Shy Guy and Ninji fled as Kaglut’s chuckling quickly became audible to the Bros… all while Luigi struggled to get the mess off of his face.

“Hahahaha!! What a good laugh!” Kaglut chortled. “Ahh… it’s always pleasant to watch someone fall for such an obvious trick! Hah!”

Mario then wasted no time in throwing an Herb Luigi’s way, which landed right onto his face. Luigi picked at his pie-covered face until he finally found the Herb and ate it, the pie’s frosting and such simply melting off of his face.

The Bros. then continued on, only able to have Luigi attack, for Mario had already used his chance. It appeared the effects of the Vim had about worn off, as Kaglut seemed more winded than he had a bit ago.

“Hm… the Vim’s strength appears to have weakened now…” Kaglut said as the Bros. ended off Luigi’s attack. “But regardless of such, your souls shall be at the mercy of the glorious Commander and righteous Dark Star!”

…It felt so odd, hearing of the Dark Star again. It made the Bros. tense up a bit as Kaglut began his next attack.

“…My creations! Rise!” Kaglut called out with a wave of his hand. Out from the ground then came three reanimated and slightly charred bodies… all of which were Toads. The Bros. recoiled at their disfigured forms as they twitched where they stood.

“Go! Attack them!” Kaglut demanded as he pointed toward the Bros. “Wreak upon them the sweet agony that has twisted your wills and souls!”

One of the zombies hobbled forth toward Mario, making him pull out his hammer and swing at the creature… causing its head to propel to Kaglut like a baseball. The head hit him square in the face, making him recoil.

“Ack!” Kaglut yelped, rubbing his face. “Blasted man in red!”

Mario swung at the zombie again, throwing its upper body Kaglut’s way, which hit him right in the abdomen. Mario struck once more, bringing the lower body the chef’s direction, hitting the Spirit in the knees.

The red plumber eyed Luigi as the second zombie raced toward him. Luigi struck just as Mario had, sending the three segments to Kaglut one after the other. Mario did the same with the third, and at the final hit was Kaglut brought to his knees.

Kaglut recoiled a bit as he tried to get back to his feet. “…Never did I ever think… my own dishes would go against me…” He said.

The Bros. attacked again, smacking Kaglut around like a ping pong ball. Once their attacks had ceased, Kaglut finally got to his feet, steaming like a kettle… it felt reminiscent of Alskol with just how angry Kaglut had become.

“My patience wears thin with you!” Kaglut said. “I shall defeat you brothers, and watch as the Commander and Dark Lord tear your bodies apart!!”

Kaglut snapped his fingers in such a way where both Bros. could wholly feel the anger that had been boiling within the chef’s usually cool head. Another meatball came rushing forth, making the Bros. run away once more.

The Spirit sent the meatball Mario’s way first, his hand swiping his way with vigor, only for Mario to smack it away with his hammer. Luigi did the same as it was sent his direction, keeping a keen eye on the ball as it moved back to Kaglut’s spot.

The back and forth was constant, slowly but surely getting faster as Kaglut became more frustrated over the Bros. usurping him. The meatball was eventually shoved between the Bros. path again, just as Luigi readied his hammer in his hands and struck the ball, keeping it place. Mario charged up his fire power within his hammer and collided his own weapon with his brother’s, propelling it back right into Kaglut’s face, and promptly sending him backward.

The Bros. returned to their spots on the field as Kaglut sat on his knees, trembling a bit… likely out of frustration, but also weakness. They could barely hear Kaglut grumbling to himself as he struggled to get the meatball mess off of him.

“Mario! Luigi!” Cosmo called from the Bros. headspaces. “You know now what you must do!”

The Bros. initiated their respective attacks one final time, causing Kaglut to eventually get to his feet… he slumped a little where he stood, as if he had given up, before disappearing into a puff of bright orange smoke. Out from the smoke then appeared Kaglut’s Sprite form, which stood upon the ground almost motionless… before suddenly bouncing up and down in irritation.

“Gaaaahh!!” Kaglut yelled. “You haven’t seen the last of the Darkness’ fearsome gaze! You shall pay!! The Commander and Dark Star will have you slain!!!”

“Brothers! Now!” Cosmo called again. “Serve this foul Spirit his last meal!”

The Bros. nodded to each other as they moved back and leaped upward, their souls and power merging with Cosmo’s as the orb of pure and unbridled Fire and Thunder flooded into their cupped hands. They raised their hands up as the orb reached its limit, only then throwing the orb down upon the Spirit, making the world go white once more…

…The Bros. eventually awoke, slowly rising up to their feet. They looked around, not seeing much of a difference in the Lands from where they were… maybe it looked more drastic upon the Lava Lands’ surface.

They looked forward to spot their next Star Spirit upon the ground. The Bros. approached the greenish Star that slowly heaved… before his solemn eyes popped open with a gasp. The brothers moved backward, allowing the Spirit, Kalmar, to rise upward.

Kalmar’s eyes closed as he relaxed, his open mouth just barely being visible behind his bushy mustache. “…O-oh, my… I apologize.” Kalmar said. “I’m not myself at the moment… everything that happened, it feels so long ago, but it still brings me on the brink.”

The Bros. shake their heads, he need not apologize… whatever happened in Star Haven must’ve been truly terrifying, especially if it’s effecting such a usually calm soul.

“I appreciate your consideration, dear brothers… but it appears I cannot lament on what’s befallen my family. I must tread onward for them.” Kalmar said. “…For now, we must leave this place, and go to the surface… follow me!”

Kalmar hovered past the Bros. and out of the room, leading them through the long hallway… the Bros. felt hollow as they traversed this hallway again.

As they passed through the volcano’s many tunnels, they passed the sacrificial room that the Minions and Toadsworth were huddled in. The Bros. skidded to a stop, hollering for them follow them out. Kalmar stopped as well, taking a peek inside the room.

“About time!” Junior said as he and the others rose. “What took you so long!?”

“Master Mario! Master Luigi!” Toadsworth then said as he hurried to the Bros. and clutched Mario’s pants. “Whatever has happened!? What of the Princess!?”

…The Bros. and Star only wished they could easily explain it all. None said a word as the Minions rushed to their side and followed them to surface of the Dark Lands.

~~~

The group slowed as they re-entered the Manor, noticing it looked as it had when the Bros. and Koopa kids had entered. Kalmar then appeared on edge… as if some form of guilt was crossing his heart by being here.

The Bros. were also shocked to spot the Shroobs… but they looked nothing like they had before. No longer were they purple, but rather a bright red reminiscent of Mushrooms. They looked confused, a bit dazed. They were no longer suited and instead walked around trying to regroup.

A thought then passed the Bros.’ minds as they exited the Manor… was it possible that the Shroobs weren’t always malicious?

…Had they crossed paths with Ztars in the past…?

The Bros., Star, old Toad, and group of Minions stood just outside the Manor’s entrance, noticing the slight change in scenery. The Lava Lands didn’t feel nearly as hot or bright as they had once the Bros. and Koopas first arrived.

“Look! Over there!” Lemmy then yelped as he turned his head to face the far end of the Lands, where Bowser’s Castle sat.

“That’s Lord Bowser’s Castle!” Captain Goomba yelled. “But… what’s with the shield?”

The others looked on at the Castle to see a large violet barrier around the Castle, likely formed by Nox and the Dark Star. The barrier only signified their reign over the Minions’ King… making the Goomba Captain’s blood boil.

“I already know what you’re thinking, Cap.” Captain Shy Guy blurted as his leading Captain grumbled.

“We go in there, and we’ll get captured again!” Captain Boo cried.

“…Or worse…” Captain Koopa Troopa then sunk a little where he stood.

“Everyone! We must remain at peace!” Kalmar called out to the Minions. “We mustn’t falter at the hands of Darkness… you all shall remain under my watch until your King’s Castle is freed.”

“Great…” Wendy sighed. “You’re even worse than Mamar, I bet.”

Kalmar took a long pause, facing toward Wendy… he then sighed. He had no desire or time to argue… even if she had spoken as poorly as she had about the Star he was closest with. He then silently raised his stubby arms upward, forming a golden barrier around the Lava Lands… only where Bowser’s Castle sat did the barrier not reach.

Junior and Ludwig then approached the Bros. “We haven’t much left… Roy is all that’s left.” Ludwig said.

“And two more Star Spirits… I pray they are faring well, even amidst the Darkness that has claimed them...” Kalmar said. “Mario, Luigi, and you fair Koopa children, you all must make haste to Rickety Rock Ridge! The next Spirit and Koopaling shall be there.”

“And we still need to find a way to rekindle the brothers elemental abilities…” Ludwig pointed out.

Mario then stepped beside Ludwig, bringing a fireball to his hand. “…Ah, I see.” Said the Koopaling. Luigi then sighed, appearing left out.

“…Worry not Luigi.” Ludwig said. “We’ll find a way to get your thunder power back as well.” Luigi then seemed a tad satisfied at that.

Junior then stepped forward, fidgeting a bit, as if he had something on his mind he couldn’t push aside. “…Are you sure we can’t just… find a way to break that barrier around the Castle? What if Mario and Luigi’s moves could break it?” Junior asked. “This is my dad’s Castle we’re talking about! We’ve come so far, why move on now? It’s what that Nox lady deserves after imprisoning us!” Captain Goomba seemed to silently agree for a moment, before Kalmar approached the young Koopa.

Kalmar then hummed sadly. “…Even if it could be broken, I fear with the Dark Star having now returned, it is best not to approach the Commander just yet.” He advised. “Save the last of the Koopalings and Star Spirits first, then they shall be faced.”

“…Hold up…” Junior began after a long pause. “…D-Dark Star?”

Kalmar then flinched a bit… he immediately regretted his choice of words.

The Bros. then slowly began to explain to the others what had transpired while they were away… everyone’s faces began to twist into terror and fear. No mention of the Dark Star within the Dark Lands had been brought up for around a year, and for him to now suddenly return… they were silent amidst their horror.

“I am so sorry for you all to discover it this way… but the Dark Star has indeed risen once more.” Kalmar said. “This is why you shall stay with me, and keep away from the Castle until the Dark Star and Commander Nox can be vanquished. The other Spirits will be notified of your absence.”

“The same still applies once we retrieve Roy.” Ludwig added.

The Minions firmly understood, nodding altogether… they needed to cooperate while the Bros. They needed them, along with Junior and Ludwig, just as much as they needed each other. They were knee deep into this alliance stuff.

Among the silent agreement though, Toadsworth suddenly stepped forward before the Bros.

“Oh, I beg of you all!” Toadsworth yelled. “Masters Mario and Luigi! You must press onward! For the Kingdom! For the PRINCESS!!!”

“…Ease yourself.” Kamek whispered. “We don’t want you passing out again.”

Toadaworth was then silent at Kamek’s words, still reeling from earlier… he couldn’t even look the wizard in the face.

“Well, what are we waiting for!? We can’t just keep moping around here!” Junior exclaimed.

“Yes… Mario! Luigi! Let us move forward!” Ludwig said.

The Bros. nodded as they traversed forward, with Junior and Ludwig following behind.

“Keep your souls steady with peace and tranquillity!” Kalmar called out. “May you be blessed with victory!”

“And get Roy back for us!” Wendy yelled. “…Even if he’s a jerk sometimes…”

“BAHAHAHA!! Go give them all clobbering!” Iggy hollered.

“GO GET ROY BACK! FOR LORD BOWSER!” Morton called out.

As the heroes left, Ludwig’s mind started to think… “…Did Morton just use proper grammar?” He asked himself… maybe he learned a thing or two from Skolar and Klevar.

The group cheered them on as the quartet of heroes progressed onward… the Bros. feeling something odd within their souls. Not what they felt from within the volcano, but… something else…

Cosmo was eerily quiet, way more than before. It was if the Bros. could feel what he was feeling…

Guilt.

“…I’m so sorry. The Dark Star returning… it’s not boding well for me.” Cosmo then said. “I will be fine… I just need a moment…”

…Did he really mean that?

The Bros. could only ponder such as they began to travel down a bridge leading to base of Rickety Rock Ridge.

~~~

Commander Nox peered outside the Castle’s front gates, taking notice of the golden barrier covering the other area of Lethal Lava Land just ahead. She sneered at the sight before shutting the door and heading deeper into the Castle…

…Deep within the Castle walls, the Dark Star had perched himself upon Bowser’s throne. He had already aquatinted himself with the Dark Order and other Minions that roamed here.

The Commander then approached the Dark Star upon the throne, giving him a stern yet sincere look as she gazed upon him.

“…Are you feeling any better?” Nox asked quietly.

The Dark Star hummed. “…I am fine. How is the Princess?”

“She is away, healing…” Nox said. “But I have other matters to address, Master.”

“Speak, Nox.” The Dark Star requested.

“Another Star Spirit has been freed.” Nox said, a tinge of guilt in her voice as she sighed. She then grumbled to herself. “Those brothers must be heading to Rage Rock Ridge as of—!”

“AAAGGHHH!!” The Dark Star suddenly shouted, grabbing his head.

“M-Master!?” Nox yelled as she rushed to his aid. “What—!?”

“…T-Those… brothers…” The Dark Star stammered… his voice was distorted, as if another voice was hidden amidst his own. “…T-the brothers… brothers of BADNESS!! BADNESS THAT I HATE!!!”

Nox stepped back in shock, barely believing what she heard come from her Master’s mouth. Her mind scrambled to think of a reason for this sudden outburst as the Dark Star arose from the throne. Nox only got a single look into her Master’s eyes as he rose… they had these black swirls in them…

“Big Koopa of magic-havings! Sprite of fist-punchings!” The Dark Star called, his now familiarly high-pitched voice echoing off of the walls. “HAVE THE ARRVINGS!!!”

“Master! What is this!?” Nox exclaimed. “Forgive my rising voice, but the matter is delicate!”

“Hey!” Bowzer suddenly called out. “What’d you need us for? …Your, uh, Darkness?”

“We arrive at your command, mighty Dark Star!” Ztarlow responded… it felt weird for her to call him out. He’d been dead before, and now he’s suddenly back…. And what of the tone? He hadn’t spoken like that before…

“…I have the needings of you… have the arrivings to Rage Rock Ridge!” The Dark Star commanded, pointing a stern finger at the generals. “Find the fink-rat brothers of badness and HAVE THE BEATINGS OF THEM!!! HAVE THE BRINGINGS OF THEIR SANDWICH OF DOOM!! THEN, BRING THEM TO I, THE DARK STAR OF DARKNESS!!! THEY SHALL BE FULL OF DEATH HAVINGS ONCE THEY FACE MY FURY!!! I HAVE FURY!!!”

…Everyone else in the room was in complete shock… Nox could barely process a thing he said. Bowzer and Ztarlow were extremely confused… but not even just at his speech.

“…Y-you’re expecting me to go with him!?” Ztarlow yelled. “I’d rather have my game ended!”

“Yeah!” Bowzer oddly agreed. “Why would I ever wanna go with some dumb Sprite with terrible anger management!?”

“AS IF YOU’RE ANY DIFFERENT!!!” Ztarlow shrieked.

“I’ll show you different, bug!!” Bowzer growled, summoning the Ztar Rod and pointing it her way.

Nox wanted to step in, but she couldn’t do a thing before the Dark Star spoke again. “HAVE THE OBEYINGS OF THE DARK STAR!!! Or the Dark Star shall give you the fate havings worse than being full of death havings and nothing!”

…Despite the absurdity of the threat, it appeared Bowzer and Ztarlow couldn’t just say no.

“…Ah… we shall obey!” Ztarlow said.

“We won’t fail you!” Bowzer said soon after, putting the Ztar Rod away.

The two then rushed out, running away like their lives depended on it. The Dark Star then set himself back down, heaving a bit.

“…M-Master?” Nox asked, extremely perplexed and confused. “What has overcome y—!”

The Dark Star then suddenly grabbed Nox by the shoulders and held her face close to his. His swirly eyes stared back into hers, leaving her deeply concerned… almost terrified.

“…The Furious Age of Fawful will have the arrivings!” The Dark Star said in an eerie tone. “And the Commander and Dark Star of badness that I hate will have the payings! FAWFUL IS FULL OF VENGEFULLNESS! AND FURY!!! SO MUCH FURY!!!”

As the Dark Star heaved and struggled, a large toothy grin began to take shape within his inky black face. He stood upward with strain, his newly formed toothy mouth then popping open and letting out a horrible cackle that echoed and bounced off the walls. The sight sent terror into Nox’s cold heart.

As Nox tried to step up and help, the Dark Star then pushed her away, almost throwing her backward. The Lord of Darkness was then hunched over, breathing heavily.

“…Master… Master, please.” Nox begged. “Are you alright…?”

“…Ughh… what…” The Dark Star began, sounding like his usual self as he looked up for a moment, the large toothy smile now gone. He then grabbed his head. “…I recall… a soul like that… the bug who drained me of my power…”

The realization had hit Nox hard… somehow, Fawful still lived within her Master’s head. And he was out for their souls. Guilt overflowed into her as she stared blankly beyond the throne.

“…I-I… this is my fault…” Nox said, her voice quiet and quaking. “I never should have—!”

“…No… no.” The Dark Star started. “…I will not let this bug control me. He will not… get in the way…”

“But what of the Koopa and Sprite?” Nox began. “I do not mean to offend you, but you… sent them off, without even thinking. It’s not like you…”

“…I know…” The Dark Star sighed. “There is no point in stopping them… not after what the bug has started… we must remain certain that they succeed.”

Nox silently nodded as she placed a hand on the Dark Star’s shoulder. The Dark Star only responded by clutching her hand.

“…I… am sorry.” The Dark Star said, his eyes squinting in guilt.

“…You are fine.” Nox responded, her grip on his shoulder tightening. “It’s not you.”

“Yes.” The Dark Star said back. He then clutched his free hand into a fist. “…It’s not me…”

Silence engulfed the throne room as both the Dark Star and Nox sat with their thoughts… the Dark Star felt as if he could faintly hear the chortling bug within his headspace…

- END OF CHAPTER 5.5 -

~~~

NEXT CHAPTER

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

A Meeting With The Elite Trio (also on ao3)

"-Anyway," Bowser said, "I guess I think Mario's brother is hot now. So next time you fight just don't aim for the face."

The Elite Trio blinked at their boss, trying to wrap their heads around the last 3 hours of conversation. Seeing that his troops didn't have any questions, or just not caring to answer since his word was literally law, Bowser decided to smoothly excuse himself.

"Get back to your stations by the time I'm gone," he grunted, dismissing them with a wave. "I gotta take a piss."

And with that he was gone, heavy footsteps thudding through the door.

"..."

"Well that happened." Sergeant Guy said. "I mean, I think we all kinda knew, but at least he thinks we're important enough to be told in person?"

Private Goomp shrugged as well as a goomba could without shoulders. "All I know is that I owe Goombella 20 coins now."

"When did you get in contact with- hey, Corporal, you ok, man?"

Now that he mentioned it, Goomp could see Corporal Paraplonk's skin had been mushroom red for a while now. "Plonks, do ya need t'see the doctor or somethi-"

POOF!

( °0°)!! ( °O°)!! (/)///(\ )

Ah. Well.

Fuck.

There, in the place the Corporal had been seconds earlier, was Green Stache (what was his real name again??) himself. The plumber was wearing a kitsune outfit, voice muffled as he made noises into his hands. Guy could see his ears getting redder.

Not a moment later, the familiar flaps of the real Corporal Paraplonk could be heard.

"Hey guys, what's up!"

Paraplonk smiled, casually waving at the rest of the Trio and the oddly dressed plumber.

Luigi returned the wave and immediately jumped out a nearby window to freedom.

"Huh," Paraplonk said, looking at the window then back to his friends. "What was his problem?"

BONUS: played with the idea of mario being the spy that way the trio could try and capture him before he tells luigi