Chapter 22: Kidnapping
“Keep low,” Luigi instructed his small army behind him. He was crouched behind clumps and rows of shrubbery behind Peach’s castle. “We don’t want any of the guards to find out we are here, now they are not the problem. The problem will occur when they alert my brother.” He was still trying to figure out he had gotten himself talked into this situation.
“Should we surround the castle?” One of the boomerang bros asked. He was the one who was in charge of the other boomerang throwers.
“Not completely surround it,” Luigi shook his head. “Just about one third, near the garden.” He inhaled deep. “I have never really done something like this before.”
“I think you are doing a pretty good job,” the same brother said. “Then again these have become somewhat routine, we go and scope out the area, notice that they never have bothered to find someway to improve their defense. We tell our king and he kidnaps the princess, and this goes on over and over and over.”
“There does need to be some variety,” Ludwig’s conversation with him appeared in his mind. “Maybe he should release and onslaught and outright just take over the kingdom.”
“We were thinking the same thing, sir,” the brother said.
“What is your name?” Luigi asked him.
“Swish,”
“Swish, I am going to tell you a small plan that I have just thought of,” the small plan was part of a larger plan. If all goes well, then Bowser’s recent plan will be defeated, Luigi will look good in his eyes and make him proud, Peach and Mario will know about the problems with Sugar Land and in a few days He can also join them. He just hoped he would be convincing enough. “I am going to kidnap Princess Peach, and take her to the fortress.”
“Whoa,” Swish blinked. “If you don’t mind me asking sir, how are you going to do that? Bowser usually has several ways of getting past the guards and making sure Mario isn’t at the castle.”
“The first part is easy. These idiots think that I am still on their side. Peach will follow me out and the guards won’t even bat an eyelid.”
Slash nodded. “What would you like us to do?”
Luigi pointed to the nearest pipe. There were several small trees and bushes surrounding it. “I want the sumos to hide in the vegetation. When I get Peach past them they jump out and make the grounds shake.” He pointed at the nearest mole. “I need you guys to dig small pits, ones shallow enough for the boomerangs to sit in and then cover them with leaves.”
“When the guards come past we jump out,” Swish understood that part of the plan. “The king has no idea what you have in mind.”
“No one does.”
-
Larry stared down at the address written on the note in his hand and the number on the door. They were at the right place and they were on time. The address lead them to a small house in the middle of a suburban community. There was nothing ominous about the place. It was still kept in good condition; the light blue paint had no signs of cracking or peeling. The lawn was well manicured and even the curtains appeared to be new.
“Nice place,” Silhouette stared at the house and then glanced around the neighborhood. “Probably has one of those lames signs that said ‘If you lived here you would be home right now.’”
“You don’t like this place?” Kamron asked as Larry knocked on the door. “This looks like a nice and cozy place to live. I wouldn’t mind living in a place like this.”
The front door opened to the length the small gold chain from within allowed it. “State your names,” the man on the other side said.
“Larry Koopa,” Larry introduced himself. “Someone gave us this address.”
“I just want your names.”
“Kamron Runes.”
“Silhouette Mcgee.”
The door closed and the click of the chain being removed was heard before it opened wide. “You may enter.” The toad behind the door was somewhere around his late fifties. His salt and pepper colored beard was as scruffy as his long scraggily hair. His mushroom cap was almost gray with brown spots. He was dressed in a wife beater, black leather vest, black sunglasses, and cowboy boots.
“Than you sir,” Kamron addressed as they entered into what appeared to have been a basic and normal living room. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.
“I like this one,” the old man pointed at Kamron with his black cane. “He knows his manners and doesn’t just walk on in and gawk.”
“Sorry,” Silhouette said. The end of her tail was flicking back and forth. “We are on edge from the fighting.”
“You don’t think you are the only one who is out fighting these blood sucking sons of a bitches, do you, missy?”
“Hey,” either Silhouette did not like hearing profanity out of old people’s mouths or she did not like to be called missy. Her tail had bristled up and her ears flattened against the top of her head.
“No offense but we haven’t seen you out there,” Larry curled his fingers into fists. “Maybe you were fighting in a different area and we didn’t see you, but we have been up since dawn.”
“I apologize for them,” Kamron held up his hands. “We all are a bit edgy because of the zombies and we don’t know you.”
“I still like you the best,” the toad said. “You are right in that I didn’t give you my name. You can call me Howls. This way.”
He lead them down to the basement where Larry was hit with the scent of fried ford, burgers, fries, onion rings, chicken pieces and something that smelled sweet. He could also detect the scent of another toad.
“I hope you are hungry,” Howls said once he had reached the bottom step. “Not that I think you would be appreciative.”
“Did they come?” Another voice asked. “I got the food spread out. Everything is still warm, except for the sodas and shakes.”
“Shakes?” Silhouette’s voice came out in a squeak.
“Are you okay?” Larry never saw her with such an odd smile on her face before.
“I’m better than okay,” her smile grew larger. “We have milkshakes?”
“I hope strawberry is okay,” the toad setting down the last beverage container was the toad equivalent to a Sledge brother. He was a little over six feet in height and built like a brick. He had a prominent chin and dark eyebrows. He was also wearing a wife beater and jeans, but instead of a leather vest he wore a denim jacket that was cut off at the sleeves. His mushroom cap had orange spots.
“Strawberry is fine,” Silhouette never lost that smile of hers.
“Whoa,” Kamron eyed the large toad up and down. “May I ask who this is?”
“This is Squishy,” Howls introduced. “He is another strong fighter. I asked him to get you food.”
“Thank you Mr. Howls,” Silhouette’s voice dripped honey before skipped ahead to the table. “Thank you Mr. Squishy,” she held out her hand. “I’m Silhouette.”
“Nice to meet you,” Squishy held out a metallic hand. Silhouette didn’t balk and accepted it. “But Squishy is my first name.”
“She certainly remembered her manners,” Howls adjusted his sunglasses. “Squishy, did you give Madam S her drink?”
“She has her medicine,” Squishy picked up one of the small bags of fries. “And she is taking her medicine.”
“I dreamt I held you in my hands last night,” Silhouette cradled one of the milkshakes to her chest, before she brought the straw to her mouth and slurped.
“You two might as well start to eat up,” Howls said. “We have a lot of things to cover.”
“Like what?” Larry wasted no time in grabbing one of the burgers and unwrapped it.
“Everything you know about the vampires and zombies.”
“Ouch,” Silhouette pressed her fingers against her forehead. “Oh that was worth it.”
“Everything I know,” Larry inhaled and took a large bite out of his burger.
-
It was too easy, Luigi had thought as he and the Princess walked through the garden. Not a single person had even thought twice of what had happened. “I am still not certain if it should be two separate gifts, or one for each of you,” Luigi said.
“You don’t have to think too much on the subject,” Peach said. “I’m sure whatever you come up will be nice.”
“Maybe it will be the grand gift for you and Mario and then when I take Mario out for his bachelor party, I’ll get him something a little personal.”
“As long as it isn’t something that is too kinky,” Peach held out her hands as they passed by a tree and caught a falling red leaf. “We have to prepare the garden for the upcoming winter.”
Luigi nodded. They were at the edge of the garden and there were no guards around, but he still felt the timing was off. “What do you know of Sugar Land?”
“I have never been there,” Peach dropped the leaf. “I know it is next to Harmony Land and the ruler is only fifteen years old.”
“He sounds to be a pretty ambitious king,” Luigi took her hand into his. “How many times has Bowser kidnapped you?”
“I have lost count,” she stared at the ground. “I know, I should be able to defend myself better. I never know when he is going to attempt.”
“You know what I think?” he grabbed her by the waist. He ignored her gasp and picked her up. “I think you should defend your whole damn castle better.”
“What are you doing?” Peach asked.
“We are going to see my master,” Luigi lowered his voice as he ran towards the warp pipe he had set up. “King Bowser.”
“No,” Peach’s eyes widened. “You said you were pretending to be on their side.”
“And you fell for it,” he laughed. “You are so gullible, you are not even worthy for King Bowser, or for my brother.”
“Mario,” Peach cried out. “Guards, someone help me.” Good, she alerted the guards and called out for Mario that means his brother was going to come to rescue her.
Luigi ran past the area where Swish and the others were hiding. He glanced over his shoulder to see that there was another handful of guards after him. He didn’t have to look to see or hear his troops attacking them.
“Luigi stop doing this,” Peach was crying. “We love you, don’t turn your back on everyone.”
“Why? They have turned their back on me.” It hurt him to put her through this.
“Help me,” Peach continued to cry out to her guards and struck Luigi on the back and shoulders with her fists.
Luigi waited until they were next to the warp pipe before he set Peach down and tried to catch his breath. He kept one hand firmly clamped onto her wrist. “Good, they know you have been taken by Bowser’s forces. I didn’t hurt you?”
“What?” Peach stared at him in confusion.
“Everything will be explained here,” Luigi removed the note that was folded up around a key. “This will explain everything.” He placed it into the false pocket underneath her top hem. Destroy it once you read it.”
“Oh,” realization crossed her face before she screamed again. “Mario, help me.”
“Good,” Luigi picked her up and carried her into the pipe.
-
“That pretty much covers it,” Larry placed another fry into his mouth. “I never fought vampires before.”
“You do know how to kill them?” Howls asked.
“A stake through the heart,” Larry listed all the ways he knew how to kill them from what he read in books and seen on television and in the movies. “They fry up in sunlight, holy water burns them and so does fire.”
“I heard the also don’t like garlic,” Kamron wiped his beak with a napkin. “I don’t know if that is true.”
“They are not fond of it,” Silhouette twirled an onion ring on her finger. “Doesn’t really hurt them, just works more as a repellant. Vamps also die if you cut of their heads, and it doesn’t have to be a stake, although it has to be wooden. Wooden swords, arrows, spears, axes, and good konk with a wooden club can also work.”
“You’ve come across them before,” Squishy said. He shoved the last remaining fraction of his burger into his mouth.
“I started my training when I was ten and I started to hunt when I was twelve.”
“Pretty young,” Squishy gave her pat on her shoulder. “What was your motivation?”
“Does one need a motivation to fight against the undead?” She popped the ring into her mouth.
“Most would want to fight them,” Howls leaned back in his chair. “But most are too afraid, or just hero wannabes, they lack the drive and the determination.”
“You said you lost someone,” Larry turned to her.
“Figures,” Howls said. “She lost someone close to her.”
“We all have lost someone close to us,” a frail voice from the top of the stairs said. “It is never the same.” It was the woman from the graveyard. She was still wearing the same material as before and seemed to float to the bottom of the stairs. “Do not brush it off, Howls. Their pain is different than your but it still cuts and stings, just the same.”
“Kids this is Madam S,” Howls stood up. “You may not pay any respect to me, but you damn well better mind your manners around her.” He pulled out another chair.
“Hamburgers again, Squishy?” Madam S asked as she sat down.
“You wouldn’t let me go and get pizza,” Squishy said before he let out a loud belch. “Excuse me.”
“No one around here ever makes it right,” Madam S brought her fingers to her veil. They were paler than Larry remembered. “You never allow me to cook for you.” She pulled back the material. She was close to Howls age and her face was as pale as her hands. Lines were etched around the corners of her eyes and mouth. She had noticeable shadows under her pale bluish purple eyes. Two thick streaks of silver ran through her dark and graying hair. She was probably a beautiful woman when she was young.
“We don’t want you to push yourself so hard,” Squishy said. He reached for one of the last milkshakes.
“Who did you lose?” Madam S asked as Howls unwrapped a burger for her. “Unless it is too painful.”
“I didn’t exactly lost anyone,” Silhouette sighed. “Just parts of my parents, It was when we were still living on Isle Del Gato. My father was an officer and my mother was a librarian. She came across one book on the Lazarus stones and decided to check it out for herself. That evening the vampires came. They wanted the book. I hid in my room, but I heard my parent’s screams as they were tortured and they forced my mom to watch as the continued to torture my father. Hunters tracked the vampires down before my parents could be killed.”
“That was all?” Howls placed his hands on the table. “They killed my wife and my oldest child before my eyes and all they did was torture your parents while you hid?”
Silhouettes ears went back and she hissed. “My mother is in a mental hospital, you jackass and they broke my father’s back. He was in a coma for months.”
“Howls,” Madam S glared at him. “Sit down and allow the poor dear to continue.”
“Mom didn’t start to really lose it until after father came out of his coma and was released from the hospital. He can never move his legs again. On his days off he liked to go on jogs. He also enjoyed playing soccer. He went through a mild depression and mother just babbled to herself and went on walks, walks that ended up lasting for days. They had to commit her, for her own safety.”
“I’m sorry,” Larry wanted to reach out and take her hand to assure her.
“Dad is better now,” Silhouette continued. “He is still in a chair, but he has a more upbeat attitude. He still has a job with the force, albeit it is behind the desk and he has taken up some hobbies, loves model kits. Mom has her good days and her bad days.”
“They took my girlfriend,” Squishy set his shake down. “We were going to the beach, whoever thought vampires would end up at a beach? Who ever thought vampires were real in the first place? They took my girlfriend, made her into one of them, and then they came for me and got my hand.” He held up his metal hand. “Actually it was one of their hell beasts. Bastard bit it right off.”
“Wow,” Kamron stared at him in amazement. “How did you fight back?”
“I was tracking that particular group of vampires,” Howls said. “I teamed up with Squishy and we fought those sons of a bitches together.”
Larry felt sick, and not from the food. “I just came into Tempo Town for a visit, didn’t know there would be zombies. I met this girl; Chloe and she taught me how to fight. We tracked them down to the lab run by Doctor Howard. A bomb was set off. Chloe stayed back while I was dragged away. I promised her that I would fight them again.”
“I didn’t loose anyone,” Kamron stared into his soda. “My teacher told me to go with Larry to keep him company.”
“I’m sorry if this is too painful,” Silhouette stared up at Madam S. “But what about you, how did you get in this mess?”
“My story is far too long,” Madam S said. “I have lost everyone.”
“We need to get the weapons ready,” Howls stood up again. “The boys can help Squishy sharpen stakes. You ladies can round up as much pure water, holy water, garlic and every ward you can think off.
“Don’t forget salt rock,” Larry added.
“We won’t,” Silhouette stood up.
“I’ve heard how kids been fighting, moving from town to town and taking out the trash. We are going to cut this short. We are going straight into the city to take out this bastard.”
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