"OLD FRIENDS, NEW THREATS"
Part 3

“Earth to Luigi!,” a soothing child like voice spoke. “Wake up!”

Coming back to his present reality, Luigi was startled to find himself outside rather than in the warmth and comfort of his own bed. The dreams of a past all but forgotten to the rest of the world was still as fresh and clear as mountain spring water in his mind.

    “Huh, where am I?” muttered Luigi confused.

    “Yoshi’s Island of course… Picking fruit for the Mushroom Kingdom Anniversary…”

The series of events leading up to his slumber all came back into his mind. The fight with Yoshi like thunder in his head, the remnants of a lightning that had sparked between his dear brother and his good friend.

    “Wow, you must’ve really dozed off.”

    “How long was I out?”

    “About ten minutes.”

    “That is ten minutes too long. Let’s say we finish this job now.”

    “I couldn’t agree more.”

With a stretch of cracking bone, Luigi was back on his feet and ready to work. Suddenly, he realized that he was missing something important and turned his attention back to the grassy ground where his green hat laid amongst a patch of dark green clovers. Picking up his cap, the gleaming of a good omen caught his eye and sent sparks of hope throughout his entire body. There, in all its glory, grew a four leaf clover. Delicately picking this symbol of good luck, the former Brooklyn plumber carefully placed the rare artifact in his side pocket as if he found some great fortune sought by all. Placing his green cap back upon his head, Luigi went back to work.

The long westward decent of the sun was just now beginning to tip the vibrantly green mountains of the far, signifying yet another day lost to the past. The strange animals and insects of the night were just starting to wake, as the warm creatures of the day took refuge for their slumber, building strength for the next day. Regardless if they were finished picking fruit or not, the human and the Mushroom man would have to head back in for the night, as the Yoshi’s Island could be a dangerous place once the shroud of darkness engulfed the mass of the land.

Reaching his hand through the vine-like tree that bore not just one species of fruit, but all species of fruit, Luigi grabbed and then twisted a bunch of blindingly yellow bananas until it snapped off its branch with a loud crack. He then watched in awe as in a matter of seconds a new group of bananas grew and then ripened before his very eyes. Because of this magical regenerative capability, he always thought that a tree like this would solve the turmoil of world hunger in the Human World, although there was just one problem. The Supper Happy Tree was the product of magic, an occurrence lost to the world without enchantment. Besides, even if the Human World was capable of growing a tree such as the Supper Happy Tree, Luigi concluded that it would eventually die anyway as “ there isn’t enough love and happiness to sustain a plant that literally grows and feeds off of good emotions.”

As Luigi placed the bananas inside the brown sack that was almost full, he would only have to pick one more piece of fruit and then he and Toad’s task would’ve been completed. Crowning the top of the tree grew one large, red, heart shaped fruit known as a hartwen. This species of fruit was one of a kind, only growing from the Super Happy Tree and the Super Happy Tree only. Luigi decided that it would be the perfect piece to mark a job well done. Crouching to the floor and meditating, an energy surged through his body until he leaped off the ground like a startled grasshopper. Reaching the top of the tree, he did a flip and a twist, ripping the exceptional fruit from its parent and landing on the ground smoothly.

    “Wow! Great job Luigi!” exclaimed Toad, surprised at the spectacle. “I didn’t think we would be able to get a hartwen. Princess Toadstool is going to love this!”

    “All it takes is a little concentration and you would be surprised at what ones body is capable of doing,” explained Luigi. “We are done my friend. Let me commend us on a job well done.”
 

Throwing the final sack of fruit amongst twenty other full bags in the basket, Luigi then started to untie one of the four ropes that were tethered to a stake in the ground which kept the hot air balloon grounded. Suddenly, a shadow fell upon the land and a sharp wind stung from out the east. Looking to the west, Luigi could see that of a black cloud covering the sun like two giant hands strangling the life out of it.

    “Toad, you’d better hop into the basket so we can take off quickly,” said Luigi with a shiver down his spine. “A storm is brewing and we are going to be flying in hostile air.”

After untying all but one of the ropes, Luigi became perturbed at the now obvious silence of his friend. Toad wasn’t typically the quiet type. Glancing into the basket filled with bags of fruit, the Mushroom man was no where to be seen.

    “What the…” whispered Luigi confused. “Toad! Come on we need to get going. Now isn’t the time to be lagging!”

Where could he have slipped off too? Luigi silently thought in his head. After receiving no response, he heard a rustle from the back of the Super Happy Tree. Slowly walking to see its source, all that greeted him was a little white wingless bird known as a ‘Goonie’ eating some of the fallen fruit.

    “Toad!” Luigi again yelled startling the bird as he himself began to get worried.

A raspy snake like voice echoed from behind, “Lose something?”

Spinning around, the first image that caught Luigi’s eyes was that of gleaming dagger-like teeth which slowly dissolved into the full figure image of a purple, human sized, crocodilian dinosaur, dressed in a red top hat, a green scarf and brown boots. He was standing in front of the hot air balloon hissing at Luigi. And while a disturbing sight in its own right, it was what was in the monsters clutches that proved to be most troubling; his dear friend Toad.

The intruder cackled maliciously, “Normally when I find something I keep it. Isn’t there a phrase you humans have in the Human World: ‘Finders keepers. Losers weepers‘? After all, I found this little vegetable with its owner nowhere to be seen. Why shouldn’t I keep him? I am so very hungry and I just love to eat mushrooms you know.”

    “Croco,” stated Luigi angry.

    “Ah, so you have heard of me.”

    “I know you are a wanted thief who has been in hiding for a number of years.”

    “Indeed I am. But let me assure you that I have given up my life of crime for a life of barter. Tell me, brother of Mario, are you willing to make a deal?”

    “It looks like I don’t have a choice now, doesn‘t it.”

    “Good assumption. To put it bluntly… I want the fruit you picked today in exchange for this tasty little vegetable I have in my arms.”

    “Why not just pick some for yourself?”

    “Did I leave out the part where I want your mode of transportation as well? You see, I am a lazy creature and you picked just the right amount of fruit so I can sell them on the market. Do you know how much Super Happy Fruit goes for these days? It would be enough to support my starving family for just one more month.”

    “You don’t have a family you snake.”

Croco laughed bemused. “Touché.”

    “I know what you want this fruit for. You plan on selling it to the famished Koopa Empire, our Kingdom’s enemy… For a hefty price I assume.”

    “Clever human. Now tell me, do we have a deal? Or is it mushroom soup for me tonight?”

    “Dare say it, I have no other choice.”

    “Splendid,” stated Croco relishing in his triumph. “Now I am going to get into the basket with your little friend here. I hope you have a good catch because as soon as I know I am safe I am throwing him overboard.”

    After stepping into the basket, Croco then held Toad in one arm as he grabbed the chain that controlled the flame of the balloon with the other.

    “Untie the last rope, Master Luigi, and I will be on my merry way,” demanded Croco.

After Luigi did as he was told, Croco then pulled the chain causing the flame that controlled the balloon to sizzle and grow. As the balloon slowly started to rise, he then started laughing yet again.

    “This was all way too easy. So long flesh bag! Mario would’ve never conceded to my demands. You really are the shadow of your twin brother. And by the way, I like your little friend here so much I have decided to keep him and go back on my word.”

By now Croco’s laughter was uncontrollable and it was during this distraction that Toad bit with all his might the scaly arm of his captor, ripping off some of his flesh no less. As the beast screamed in rage and horror, Toad seized the opportunity and leapt from the balloon falling twenty feet into the safe and trusting arms of Luigi. And with Toad now safe, Luigi smiled and instantly pulled the mythic flora of a Fire Flower out of his pocket, which energized him and gave him the supernatural ability of shooting flames out the palms of his hands. As a fireball soared into the air, its crackling blaze was like that of a brilliant orange and white firework ripping into the balloon, disabling it.

Swiftly did the balloon fall until the now flaming rubble reached the ground. It was silent except for the whipping of the flames and the occasional whistle of wind.

    “Where’s Croco?”  inquired Toad scared.

With a hiss as menacing as a crocodile, the purple fiend flew from out of the flames like a winged demon, tackling Luigi to the ground and knocking the Fire Flower out of his hand. Using his brute strength, Croco pinned Luigi on the ground with his hind legs and then lowered his snout to sniff the face of his enemy with a disgusting snort.

    “A shadow of your twin brother indeed,” he whispered into Luigi’s ear. And with that the reptile opened its jaws ready to tear Luigi’s face off.

In this moment of life or death, Toad heeded Luigi’s advice by concentrating and darting like a ‘Bullet Bill’ using his large cranium to knock Croco off his pal thus saving his life. In a state of urgency, Croco then picked up the enchanted Fire Flower and used its ability to shoot a fireball at Luigi and Toad. However, them having dodged it at the last second, the orb of flames hit the Super Happy Tree.

A new sense of worry hit Luigi as fire engulfed the legendary plant. Fury surged threw his body and this time Luigi tackled Croco to the floor causing the two of them to violently wrestle for the others submission.


Rapidly the raindrops of the heavens quickly showered the earth with precious water, answering the call of the strange voice. As the blaze of the Super Happy Tree diminished, Croco and Luigi abruptly stopped their brawl, as both were confused at the mysterious words spoken by the unseen force.

    “A soft voice calls for rain? What kind of devilry is this? ” stammered Croco with fear.

    “My power is not from any form of devilry, dear thief. But a gift from the powers of above,” the mysterious voice again spoke in the wind.

All eyes turned west as a gleaming white puff of cloud fell from an otherwise blackened sky. Although afraid at first, Croco soon became amused at the new person with whom he recognized and now stood before his very eyes.

    “Well, well, well! If it isn’t that little pipsqueak with whom I stole his precious coin from years ago. I was quite surprised when I found out you had royal blood flowing through your veins. Oh, how far you are from the great kings of the past. You had to have the Super Mario come protect you from me. But all you have now is Luigi, the shadow of the true hero. Have I longed to face you in combat again, Prince Mallow of Nimbus Land.”

A smile befell the little wizard known as Mallow as he remembered the time of his youth when his nerves were like that of the shy and timid tortoise whose only defense was to cower and hide. Long have those days passed as his quality has proven to be much more grand than anyone could‘ve fathomed.

    “No more am I a creature with whom can be pushed around,” echoed his innocent almost choir like voice. “Black is your heart and weak is your spirit. No harm will come to you if you leave now and in peace. There are more concerning matters that must be contended to than the likes of a coward. Go now and leave!”

    “A cloud with a backbone?” defied Croco. “Never thought I’d see the day. Your orders are as menacing as the cries of a dying foul. “

Mallow closed his eyes and softly spoke:


Croco was enraged and about to lunge at the creature who was no taller than that of an ordinary Mushroom person. Luigi then slyly picked a watermelon from the Super Happy Tree and threw it at the beast knocking him to the floor with a splatter of juice and seeds. Suddenly the searing cry of twinkling bells was heard as the heavens started to glow. White and gold sparks then fell in place of rain on the very spot where Croco laid. With this being a warning of things to come, a barrage of shooting stars pierced through the clouds and shot down to Croco, knocking him several feet into the air. As he then fell to the ground with a loud smack… the battle was over and Croco was defeated.

    “Is he dead?” asked Toad with concern. “Even if he was bad, no one deserves death.”

    “Fear not mighty Toad. His consciousness is merely subdued. He is now in slumber,” responded the wizard Mallow with comfort and warmth

Luigi then bowed with complete and utter respect for the Prince who literally fell from the sky and saved the day.

    “Do not bow before me Luigi. For the deeds you have done in this life and have yet to do far exceed my own.”

Luigi was actually standing in the presence of one of the newest legendary heroes of the entire Mushroom World. He had heard with great admiration Mallow’s part in the Quest for the Seven Stars and his recent knighthood by the sacred Star Spirits was known only as myth. But it was true, for Prince Mallow was knighted the earthly Star Warrior, a physical guardian of the Seven Star Road Stars.

    “What chance has brought you here with us, Prince Mallow,” asked Luigi. “Not that I am ungrateful for your being here, but one has not seen you for years.”

Lightening cracked the clouds with a thunderous roar followed by a very hard and rough rain-drenched wind that caused Mallow’s little tuft of curly pink hair to sway violently. He was clad shirtless with nothing but blue and white silk Nimbus pants and exotic brown slippers covering his feet. Luigi could see little goose bumps sprouting about all over the frumpy little creature, that really did look no different than that of a cloud in the form of a frog. Luigi then looked into the deep black eyes of the Nimbusian whose eyes revealed a deep sorrow for what he was about to tell…

            “I am here at the dawn of our demise...”

TO  BE  CONTINUED