Chapter 3: Take Over
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Mario read over the e-mail he was going to send to Luigi for the third time. It wasn’t anything special or grand, just mentioning their airship has come across the border into Pipe Land. He also called mom a few times to let her know how he was doing and wanted to make certain his brother was doing the same.
“Sir,” a Boomerang brother approached him. “The castle has been sighted.”
“No time to dawdle,” Mario hit send and cracked his fingers. “How are the ground forces?”
“They have crossed over the border a few hours ago and are right below us,” the Boomerang brother said. “Are we certain that the enemy will not fire back with any sort of arsenal?”
“There has been a weapon ban for a couple of years, but that has only for the civilians,” Mario thought it was ridiculous for an all out weapon ban. He knew the king meant things like guns, swords, arrows and the like, but as a soldier Mario knew that anything and everything could be used as a weapon. He could still remember how he had accidentally cut his palm with a butter knife while trying to slice a bagel.
“Soldiers and officers of the law might carry them?” The Boomerang brother asked.
“They don’t even have a real military. They just have soldiers and guards in the castle and officers of the law. This should be easier than the other lands.”
Pipe Organ music flowed through the ship, a hunting melody that Mario had never heard before was being played.
“Sounds like the kid just finished another composition,” Mario said in an amused tone. “I want you to let him know that we will be attacking soon.”
“Yes sir,” the soldier saluted him.
“Time to round up the troops.”
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The various an odd decks of the ships were filled with soldiers. When Mario had his first glimpse of the air ships he wondered how the heck it was able to fly since not every section appeared to be connected with each other.
“Attention,” Mario stood as tall as possible and kept his back straight. He stared into the eyes of his fighters. “They may not have a military that is worth sneezing at, but they have armed guardsmen in the castle. We have also seen a few cannons amongst the battlements, now they may seem to be rusty and corroded, but they may still be able to fire.” He turned to the nearest Bill Blaster. “Captain Buster?”
“Yes, General?” One slick black Bullet Bill slid halfway out of his blaster.
“I want you to instruct your men to take out all of the cannons.”
“Sir, yes sir.” Major Buster slid back inside. While inside he was able to communicate with the other Bullets.
“Captain Parod, Captain Gumball, Captain Blitz,” Mario addressed the leads of the Paragoombas, Paratroopas, and Parabuzzys that came with him.
“Sir,” all three addressed him.
“As soon as the cannons are taken out I want all of you with wings to lay attack. Carry several ground troops, starting with the Boomerangs”
“Sir yes sir,” All three captains saluted him. Captain Gumball used his wing to salute.
“Captain Rick,” Mario had to stare down to address the next captain.
“Sir?” A Rocky Wrench stared back at him.
“When the Bills are attacking I want your men to throw as many wrenches as you can at the cannon balls.”
“Sir yes sir,” Captain Rick slid beneath his cover.
Mario stared through his binoculars at the glossy green castle, He could see the cannons as well as a small crowd of people. He could see them pointing at the ship. “We’ve been spotted.”
“Sir, shall we attack now?” Captain Rick asked.
“No,” Mario held up his hand. “Not yet.” He continued to watch the castle. Some of the people did seem to know what was going on. They were shaking their fists, no wait; they were waving at them. “They are saying hello?” Mario blinked at looked again in time to catch a few bright flashes. “They are waving at us and taking pictures.”
“What are their motivations?” Captain Rick sounded just as confused as Mario felt.
“Either one of three possible things,” Mario continued to watch. “Either they know what our motivations are and they are taking pictures to warn the other kingdoms, or the cameras and flashes are just a clever way to throw us off before they try to attack us, and the third reason is that they have no idea who we are and just think we are making a friendly visit.”
“It almost seems wrong to attack them,” Captain Rick said.
“Without warning,” Mario nodded. “Someone give me my megaphone.”
“Yes sir,” Captain Blitz of the Parabuzzies went below deck and a few minutes later he returned with Mario’s megaphone. “Here you are general.”
“Thank you,” Mario turned on the megaphone and brought it to his mouth. “Attention residents of the Pipe Land Castle. You are about to be boarded by the Dark Land army. Surrender at once or we will use force. Your kingdom is about to be added to the Dark Land Empire.” He lowered the megaphone and brought the binoculars back to his eyes. The crowds that had gathered had immediately vanished, save for those who were gathering around the cannons. “Captain Buster, ready your men.”
“We are ready, general,” Captain Buster said.
“Attack!”
Captain Buster and several other Bills shot out of their blasters, all were aiming straight for the castle’s cannons.
The Castle’s guards fired off several cannon balls.
“Captain Rick, order your men to attack now!”
“Wrenches go!” Captain Rick shouted and threw one of his wrenches. It spun straight into a cannon ball and caused it to drop out of the sky seconds before it could hit one of the Bills.
There were several explosions around the castle. Mario glanced through his binoculars again to see how many of the cannons were taken out. He could hear more blasters continue to fire and watched as several wrenches whizzed after them.
Minutes passed and clouds of smoke had started to settle. The end of Mario’s tail twitched. There were no more of the castle’s denizens milling about, and he could see rubble and battered lumps of rusted metal where the cannons used to be.
“Aerial forces, attack!” Mario gave the command.
The three winged captains lead their forces, each one carrying a Bomb-omb in their hands, or in the Paragoomba’s case, their feet. Several others picked up many of the Boomerang brothers who had gathered around the deck.
Mario waited until the last of the aerial squad had made it to the castle before he gave the next command. “Okay bring her in and drop anchor.” The ship came in a little bit closer and the anchor shot out, and secured itself into the side of the stone castle. “All remaining Boomerang Brothers gather around and meet on the lowest deck with the prince.”
“So this is the Pipe Land Castle,” Ludwig said as he joined Mario on the deck and stared out the porthole next to the anchor’s chain. “After we clean up the damage it will be beautiful.”
Mario had to agree. The castle itself appeared to have been made out of jade. That would explain its color as polished sheen. The turrets were designed to resemble warp pipes. Several windows were made out stained glass to form pictures of roses and other flowers.
“After we conquer this place I need a tour of the castle,” Ludwig smiled. “Considering how the outside appears then the interior must be equally spectacular. I also need to find out where to put my lab and which room shall be used for my music room.”
Mario chuckled. “All in good time, but first we are going to need some boomerangs.”
“Here you are sir,” one Boomerang brother handed him one of his spare boomerangs. “here is one for you your highness.”
“I don’t believe I have to give you instructions on what to do,” Mario said.
“Nope,” several of the boomerang brothers shook their heads and the first one climbed out the window, placed one of his boomerangs on the chain, grabbed the other end of it’s preferred weapon and slid down.
A few more followed before Mario slid down after them and was followed by Ludwig.
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After their feet came into contact with the jade floors of the battlements, Mario, Ludwig and several of the Boomerangs ran downstairs to meet up with the ground forces.
“We already know where the king is,” one of the Troopas said as he handed Mario a bandolier loaded down with bomb-ombs. “We are trying to break down the doors on the throne room. It’s on the first floor.”
“Lead us to it,” Mario said as he was handed a Chomp.
The Troopa nodded. “This way.”
The interior of the castle was built almost like a maze, but the Troopa lead them to a room blocked by two large doors. Several of the kings guards were battling and loosing against Mario’s forces.
“This shouldn’t be difficult,” Mario raised whipped his chomp forward, waited for the fierce jaws to latch on a weapon and pulled back taking the guard’s spear with it. “Almost too easy.”
The Boomerang brothers threw their arsenal at the guards, knocking into the spears and into the backs of the guard’s heads.
Ludwig swung his chomp in the same matter as Mario had a few minutes earlier. The metal bulk of the chomp slammed against the guard’s head and he pulled back as the soldier collapsed on the ground.
“Whoops,” Ludwig smiled weakly. “I did not want to do that, not like that.”
“It was still good,” Mario surveyed the scene. The guards have been taken out and were lying across the floor. “Remove them.”
“The door still won’t budge,” A troopa said.
“Then we are going to have to use force,” Mario removed a bomb-omb from his bandolier. He waited until every one was out of the way before he threw the bomb at the doors and followed it along with several other bombs. Ludwig added his own until there was a good sized crowd of them.
The Bomb-ombs sparked at once. The explosion was loud, even with Mario covering his ear holes he still felt a small ringing after the explosion.
“Follow me,” Mario said as the smoke started to settle. He raced into the room and was greeted by several sharp spears.
“I believe General that now would be a good time for a shake up,” Ludwig said.
“Good idea,” Mario nodded. “He waited until everyone was in their shells before he and Ludwig jumped as high as they could and landed, causing the whole room to shake and the guardsmen to fall.
“They will start moving in a few seconds,” Ludwig called out.
The troops came out of their shells and removed the fallen weapons.
“Please stop,” the voice came from the direction of the throne. The human king stared at them with sad eyes. His beard was as curled as the few locks of hair that protruded from under his crown. In his hands was one of the wands mother had sown them. The jewel at the top was light blue in color. “We shouldn’t have to continue in this matter.”
“We don’t have to,” Mario said.
“Good,” King Wally stood up. “I don’t want to see any senseless deaths, nor do I want to see any of your soldiers hurt as much as I want to see any harm done to my own soldiers.”
“This is what happens in war.”
“Which is why I do not like it,” the king sighed. “I refuse to attack any of the other peaceful kingdoms.”
“What if they tried to attack you?” Ludwig asked.
“I would hope we would come to an understanding first,” the king said. “Like how we are doing.”
“You surrender?” Mario asked.
King Wally shook his head. “Of course not. I want to know why you are attacking my kingdom when I did nothing to provoke yours, unless there is something I, or my people have done to upset you in any way.”
“You have done nothing wrong,” Mario frowned. The King was indeed a true pacifist and Mario wished that it hadn’t come to this.
“Then why are you attacking us?”
“We want your kingdom to be a part of the Koopa Empire,” Ludwig explained.
“I am sorry,” King Wally shook his head. “But I cannot allow this.”
“Then you leave us with-“
“Father I have arrived,” a young man dressed in brightly colored clothes cut off Mario. His slacks were made of dark blue and light blue patches and his shirt was a black and white checkerboard. Even his cloak was made up of bright red and gold patches. His shoulder length hair was ebony on one side and platinum blond on the other. Dark eyebrows crowed bright green eyes. “With reinforcements.” Several more guardsmen flanked him.
“Peter, don’t.” Wally held up his hands.
“Dark invaders, how dare you attack my home,” the prince brandished a sword.” My father may not attack you, but I will. Have at thee.”
“Lets give the kid what he wants,” Mario instructed.
The Troopas fought against the guardsmen and Ludwig took on the prince.
“Ludwig wait,” Mario ran after his prince, but was soon surrounded by several of the royal guardsmen. He swung his chomp around in a circle, taking out all of the soldiers.
Ludwig had managed to wrap his chomp around Prince Peter’s sword and was pulling at it with his entire might. Peter was clearly no match for the Dark Land Prince. “I give up.” Ludwig let go, causing the prince to fall on his backside.
“No,” King Wally lost his calm demeanor as Ludwig pounced on his son. “Leave my son alone.” He raised his wand. The jewel started to glow.
“I don’t think so,” Mario ran towards the king and released a burst of fire from his mouth.
The handheld part of the scepter glowed from the heat and Wally dropped it.
“Now, Ludwig.”
“I got it,” Ludwig rolled off Peter and pounced on the wand. “and I already know what I will change him into.” Ludwig aimed the wand at the king.
A magical blast of light shot out and struck Wally head on. The King turned green and shrank. His clothes fell on him as his head grew and his eyes, hair and nose disappeared while his lips grew thicker and white. His mouth widened and filled with sharp teeth like thorns. His arms flattened into leaves and his feet merged together and thickened, becoming a flower pot.
“Father,” Prince Peter sat up. “What have they done to you?”
The Piranha plant that used to be the king shook its head. “I’m a plant.” He pressed his lips together. “I still have the ability to speak.”
“Do not think me to be entirely cruel,” Ludwig said. “Your mind has been unchanged as well. I even made sure you would have a place for your roots.”
“How dare you,” Peter stood up. “Fiendish creature, I demand that you revoke your black magic immediately.” He pointed at Ludwig.
“Restrain him,” Ludwig commanded and several Troopas grabbed onto the prince. “Take him the dungeon, and make sure you place him in the cleanest and largest cell.”
“Are you not going to transform him?” Mario asked.
“No,” Ludwig picked up Wally’s fallen crown. “I was not ordered to transform the children.” He placed the crown on the Wally plant. “But I will use it on you.” He pointed at the nearest defeated guardsmen. “If you wish to fight me I will have you transformed into plants as well.”
“On your knees,” Mario commanded. “Bow before the new ruler of Pipe Land, King Ludwig.”
“I prefer to be called Lord Ludwig.”
“Bow before Lord Ludwig.”
The Troopas, Paragoombas, and Boomerang brothers, along with the former guardsmen bowed before the eldest Koopaling.
“There are going to be some changes,” Ludwig sat down on the throne. “First I want to meet with the several ministers and department heads. I need to meet with the heads of healthcare, labor, education and others like them.” He pointed to Wally. “I want some one to get watering can and water the former king.
“I am feeling a bit thirsty,” Wally sighed. “Will I be drinking through my mouth, or my roots?”
“Both,” Mario said before he turned to the royal guards. “While Lord Ludwig is meeting with the delegates I want to meet with your captains. You are now part of the Koopa Troop and as soldiers you will be trained better.”
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“Hmmm,” Peach muttered to herself as she flipped through the cookbook titled Baking for Beginners. “I need oil or butter, flour, sugar, milk, eggs, baking powder and vanilla. I think I will use butter. It will make the cake taste even more yummy.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Toad nodded. “But start with a cake, and not cookies?”
“I like cake better,” Peach smiled. Once she gets good at baking cakes she will make them for her friends.
“Princess,” Toadette ran up to them. “You have a call from Emperor Ed of Sky Land. He said it’s an emergency.”
“I wonder what it could be this time?” Toad rolled his eyes.
“Now don’t be like that,” Peach waved her finger at him. “It might be something serious.”
“Like the time he thought he was being attacked by Buzzy Beetles and they turned out to be just a few cockroaches?”
“Well in his defense they were really big cockroaches.”
“You also have a call,” Toadette handed the cell phone to Toad. “It’s your cousin in Desert Land.”
Toad sighed. “I bet he wants money.”
Peach ran to the communication room and turned on the screen. All she could see was an empty throne surrounded by several of Emperor Ed’s guards. “Your highness?”
“I’m under the throne,” Ed’s voice quivered. “This strange ship appeared and flying creatures started to attack my home. I don’t know what they are, or where they came from.”
“Don’t worry your highness,” Peach said. “I shall send many of my soldiers as possible.”
“Oh please hurry,” the screen became static before the scene changed into the throne room of the Ice Land king.
“King Windbag,” Peach nodded in respect.
“Sorry if I interrupted another call, but this is important.” King Windbag said. His mouth was set in the familiar stone cold scowl that became his trademark but his eyes were filled with worry.
“What is it?” Peach asked. It had to be something devastating if it could affect the dauntless king Windbag in that matter.
“They are trying to break in,” Windbag pointed to the doors as a few loud bangs were heard. Several armed guards stood with their backs to the doors.
“Do you know who or what is attacking you?” Peach asked.
“Dark Land,” Windbag said as the bang was heard again and splinters flew. “They wanted me to surrender, but I will have none of that.”
“We will try to send soldiers to you as well.”
“Thank-“ he was cut off by the doors flying open and several bomb-ombs followed by large Buzzy’s carrying chunks of ice broke in.
“Dark Land,” Peach whispered once the screen turned dark. “Bowser is at it again.”
“He’s already taken over Desert Land,” Toad said. “My cousin just told me the bad news.”
“How many kingdoms have been attacked?” Peach asked. She tried to reach several of the other lands, only being able to reach Jewelry land, Dinosaur Land, Sarasaland, The Waffle Kingdom and Harmony Land. “Toad, does your cousin know any possibility of any other land?”
“I’m not sure,” Toad shrugged. “I will try to call him back.”
Peach clasped her hands together. All thoughts of learning how to bake were gone and the only thing she could think about is the other kingdoms.
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