Chapter 4: Demonic Battle
Kalcia squeaked with glee as she watched the demon face off with Kamek. She noticed that the once all-powerful Head Koopa Mage now seemed a pitiful thing under the towering monster. Beside Kalcia, Sniper observed the scene through his scope, still unable to shoot Kamek due to the lingering loyalty curse.
Kalcia: You're not using that thing! Gimme that!
The female Koopa Mage grabbed the rifle from Sniper and looked through the scope for a better view of Kamek's last moment. It seemed that Kamek was babbling something to the demon. Probably begging for his life, mused Kalcia. Kamek stopped flapping his lips for a short moment, and then the demon talked. Kalcia heard the thing’s voice even with such a long distance.
Demon: Pitiful mortal. Your dealings fall on deaf ears.
A quick flick of his wand and Kamek threw a spell at the demon. Green sparks engulfed the beast for a second, then disappeared. Kalcia chuckled at the sight.
Sniper: What's so funny? What's happening?
Kalcia: That fool. No magic can hurt a demon of that power. This should be interesting...
Sniper: Be careful what you assume. Kamek is a genius when it comes to deception. I know.
Kalcia: Yes... you do...
A low growl escaped Sniper's lips, but Kalcia was not listening. The demon spoke again, this time with a sense of amusement in its voice.
Demon: A cheap trick, Mage, but well done. For that, I will spare your miserable life.
Kalcia: WHAT?!
Kalcia sent a mental message to the evil spawn she summoned, but there was no longer a magical connection. She no longer had the power to control the demon. Right after the failed attempt, the fiend looked straight at Kalcia as if seeing through the scope as well.
Sniper: What happened now?
Kalcia: The demon has turned against us! I cannot command him!
Sniper: Then we're in trouble...
The entire palace shook then. No... the tower the two villains were on shook. They looked down the edge of the roof to see the demon clawing at the tower wall so forcefully that the entire structure threatened to collapse. Sniper was yelling something, but the Koopa Mage didn't... couldn't listen. Kalcia was frozen as fear took a death grip on her.
~ ~ ~
A loud rumble echoed through the halls.
Lioshi: Sounds like it's coming form the courtyard!
Quickshot and Zelda: What're we waiting for? Let's go!
The two glanced at each other in amusement for a second before the two groups headed out to investigate the disturbance. As they passed a large open window, they saw the source of the rumble: a large black demon raking at a nearby tower. The damage caused was incredible! The tower could not take much more of the attack.
Zelda: Big and ugly is mine!
With that, Zelda launched out the open window and flew towards the large demon.
Concord: Wait!
Concord also launched out the open window and flew after Zelda. The blue Yoshi flew as fast as he could, but Zelda had a major head start. He was only seconds behind, but a few seconds could be the difference between life and death.
Zelda drew her weapon in mid-flight and charged fearlessly. She flew past and slashed with all her strength at the demon's head. The fiend howled in pain, then looked at Zelda and howled in fury. A deep scar scratched across his growling face.
Zelda: Yeah, ya like that? Here's some more!
Zelda started to charge once more, but held back with a gasp. The demon's face shifted together and the scar mended itself. The demon took advantage of Zelda's surprise with an attack of his own, a vicious tongue lash. The saliva-covered tongue whipped from the demon's mouth and snapped at Zelda's arm. Fortunately, Zelda managed to parry the tongue, but not before receiving a nasty gash on her shoulder. Zelda fell back another step, holding her shoulder. The demon smiled, showing off his sharp teeth. Wisps of smoke escaped the demon's mouth as he opened it once more. Zelda stepped into a defensive position, ready for another tongue attack.
Concord: No! Look out!
Concord dove from the sky and pushed Zelda out of the way. The demon let loose a horizontal pillar of fire from his jaws. The stone floor where the two Yoshis once stood now bubbled and steamed from the fire attack before finally cooling down into a smooth puddle of solid rock.
Concord: We have to work together to beat this thing!
Zelda: (smiling) I thought you’d never ask!
Both of the fighting Yoshis got up and took their fighting poses. Concord gripped both of his hands on his crystal sword while Zelda, now well balanced, drew out a thin throwing dagger with her left hand. The demon tilted his head while he appraised his new opponent. A wicked grin appeared on his gruesome face.
Demon: Ahh... the Star Sword of the Crystal Cave. How fortunate that I have a chance to claim it for my own. You will now give it to me, Concord of Yoshi Village!
Concord felt the demon’s voice carrying a strange compulsion to his mind. Strings were being pulled and his will power drained. He began losing grip on his sword... A red-hilted dagger found the place of the demon’s eye socket. The thing howled with pain and grinded his teeth with anger.
Zelda: Don’tcha tell me that you almost fell for that ol’ suggestion spell!
Concord: Thank you...
Zelda: Now’s not the time for that. Let’s get Ugly! You remember all that Fabul training, right?
Concord: The Art of Twin Attacks?
Zelda: You read my mind.
Both Yoshis exploded into action, Concord leading. The demon made a straight attack at the blue Yoshi, but missed as Concord dodged low while Zelda jumped high above the creature’s outstretched arms while drawing her second sword. As one, three swords pierced the stomach of the demon in a triangular formation. A kick too fast for a creature of the demon’s size sent Concord into a nearby stone wall and another tongue lash forced Zelda into defense. A quick glance by Zelda told her that Concord was either out cold, or... she shook her head to clear it. She mentally cursed herself for letting her eyes off her opponent as she turned back to the demon, who was already shooting another breath of fire at her. A rope appeared around her and before Zelda could think of how to get out, she was pulled out of the way, out of harm‘s way... and literately fell into the arms of a grinning Quickshot.
Quickshot: The next time I lasso you, I promise I won’t be so rough...
Zelda: There ain’t gonna BE a next time unless we get ol’ Ugly over there! Now lemme go!
Quickshot: Hmm... ain’t gonna be a next time unless... Oh! Sorry!
Quickshot released Zelda with a flick of his wrist and readied his crimson six-shooters. Zelda untangled the rest of the rope and stood once again in her fighting pose. The demon stared at its new rivals as Ioshi spoke to the group.
Ioshi: Ok, we need to attack the demon while it’s distracted-
Quickshot: Hey, HEY, HEY! Who died and made you boss?
Tek: *sniffle* Um... Quickshot?
Quickshot looked at the non-moving body of Concord at the opposite side of the courtyard.
Quickshot: Wrong choice of words...
Lioshi: Your leader’s down, so listen to ours, ok?
Ioshi: Ok, if we fight this demon smartly, we might find a weakness and-
Tek: Wait...
Tek paused and put his fingers lightly on his right temple.
Tek: Scanners detect that his regeneration is total, but not perfect.
Ioshi: So if we keep attacking at one spot-
Quickshot and Zelda: We’ll take ‘im down!
The two single-minded Yoshis once again glanced at each other in amusement before getting serious.
Ioshi: Ok, I’ll slow him down with an ice blast, and you all do the damage while I get Concord out of harm’s way. It looks like the demon’s belly is the most damaged, so it’s not going to be easy. Ready?
Quickshot: I was born rea-
Ioshi: GO!
Quickshot stood dumbfounded for a moment,
then joined the other four Yoshis in the battle plan. As she said, Ioshi
launched a deep blue blast from her outstretched hands at the demon’s feet.
Bone-chilling ice thickened and solidified around its legs, but melted
seconds after from the demonic creature’s heated hide.
The three attackers took those few
precious seconds trying to get a clear shot at the demon’s weakened underside.
Zelda flew high, setting up for a high-speed dive attack, while Lioshi
went into a series of jabs and swings with her lightning-quick sword. Quickshot
darted around looking for an opening to shoot, but then changed his mind,
drew his crystal sword, and charged instead. As Ioshi ran around the fray,
Tek kept in between her and the demon in case the devilish fiend had yet
another trick in stock. The demon did have another trick, but not for either
the running Ioshi or the protective Tek. It easily lifted its leg, shattering
all of the remaining ice, and dropped to his hands and knees. Before Lioshi
or even Quickshot could react, a scorpion’s tail ripped out of the demons
back; the tip of it dripped with venom. The tail quickly darted at Lioshi,
who was now fighting to keep it away from her. Zelda flew in and, with
a yell of anger, sliced at the newly grown tail. The body piece slid on
the stone floor and spasmed before laying still. Quickshot rushed in and
attempted to stab at the demon’s belly, but fell short as it dodged backwards.
Instead of continuing the attack, he stepped in front of Lioshi.
Quickshot: Stay behind me, ma’am. This is a dangerous fight!
Lioshi: Is that so? Just a second, and maybe you should stay behind me instead...
Lioshi lifted her sword to her mouth and chanted softly. The blade of her broadsword began to glow with a bright yellow light. The demon hissed and cursed at the light.
Demon: That... sword... that glow! You!
Quickshot: Lioshi! What are-
Lioshi: Keep it... distracted a little longer...
Quickshot looked at the glowing blade, then back at the demon, falling for the same mistake Zelda made just moments ago. The demon, still on all fours, was poised to make a wolf-like leap at the distracted red Yoshi. As if time slowed for the advantage of Quickshot’s observation, the demons powerful leg muscles tightened and claws dug deep into the stone floor of the Palace of Power’s courtyard. In mid-leap, those claws reached out and- A strong wind screeched into being and blew the leaping demon off course into a nearby tree, breaking it in the process. It immediately stood up again and glared above with fire in his eyes.
Zelda: What’s the matter, Ugly? Wind’s a lil’ strong for ya?” (to Quickshot) Hey, cowboy... we‘re even now...
Demon: This game has gone far enough, and I am beginning to become annoyed... This game ends NOW!
Vibrations crawled up all the Yoshis’ legs from the force of the demon’s stomps. It charged at both Quickshot and Lioshi, murderous intent written on his leathery face. As it approached, Quickshot held a defensive position. Another flare of light blasted from Lioshi’s sword. The demon stopped dead in his tracks and held his clawed hands to protect his eyes. As if on cue, Tek jumped from behind and bear hugged the demons hands to his face. Its arms were trapped under Tek’s mechanical strength. Screams, hisses, curses, and demonic promises assaulted the Yoshis’ ears. Lioshi swiftly ran in to deliver the finishing blow. Her empowered sword sliced cleanly into the belly of the beast. Flames and ash spewed forth from the mortal wound. More screams and curses flowed out of the demon’s lips, but it grew weaker as more power drained out of its body in the form of ash. Lioshi pushed her sword farther into the demon. Its body began shrinking and its wailing voice more high pitched. After a minute of this, the demon was no bigger than a small doll and ash covered the floor. A deafening explosion sprayed the ash and sent all the Yoshis a step back. All was silent, and the demon was no more. All the sounds in the courtyard were only the light howling of the wind and the panting of deep breathing. If it wasn’t for the ash covering the floor, the whole experience could have passed off as nothing but a horrible dream. Tek was the first to break the silence.
Tek: Concord!
Everybody rushed to where Concord lay and Ioshi sat.
Zelda: Is he...?
Quickshot: How could he be hurt? We’ve got magic armor!
Tek: Even if you’re in a steel box, a hundred-foot drop will still hurt. The momentum-
Quickshot: Shut up! He’s not dead! I don’t want to hear your-
An unexpected voice interrupted the group.
Concord: I don't know... I usually like
Tek‘s technical insight..
.
Tek: You’re okay!
Quickshot: You’re alright!
Concord: A few broken bones never killed anybody. Well... not me anyway. I’ll be in the recovering room for quite a while, but I don’t-
Zelda fell unconscious on the floor.
Ioshi: Zelda! What happened?
Tek: I... I don’t detect anything...
Lioshi: Hmm... demon saliva... it was in her blood flow and already reached her heart. Ioshi, quick! Heal her!”
Lioshi lifted Zelda’s head off the floor. Ioshi closed her eyes and placed both hands on Zelda’s chest. Both Zelda and Ioshi started to glow light blue and Quickshot could have sworn he saw a strange triangular symbol flash on the back of Ioshi’s hand. After a long moment, the glowing stopped and Ioshi sighed.
Ioshi: I’ve cleaned out the poison, but the damage is already done. What do you know of this, Lioshi?
Quickshot: Yeah, you seem very... familiar with this demon stuff.
Lioshi: Well... I guess I owe you all an explanation-
A crackling laughter interrupted. A few yards away, a purple-robed Koopa Mage and a black Yoshi stood. A group of dark-clothed Shy Guys hovered above.
Kalcia: Sorry to interrupt your little get-together...
Sniper: But we’re here to finish what that demon started!
Chapter 5: Unknown Allies
Concord leaned his battered body against the wall and Zelda’s unconscious body was caringly placed on the ground. The remaining members of both the Yoshi Heroes and Yoshi Trio faced the two villains before them.
Sniper and Kalcia, two arch rivals of both of the hero groups, now combined to make a powerful combination. Both grinned at the same time.
Sniper: Now that you’re all weakened by that last fight, taking you out shouldn‘t be a problem.
Kalcia: But first...
Kalcia whipped out a silver wand topped with a lavender stone and shot a light purple ray at the Yoshi closest to the middle of the group: Tek. At the same time, Sniper pulled out his dark crystal sword and charged. Quickshot didn’t have time to look at what happened to Tek or the others with Sniper charging that fast, though he heard Ioshi shooting ice beams. He brought his sword up fast to deflect Sniper’s attack and lowered it to deflect another blade which mysteriously appeared in Sniper’s other hand.
Quickshot: He’s up to his old tricks... He knows he can’t beat me head to head so he must have something else planned...
Quickshot saw the purple-robed Koopa Mage dodging some ice beams from the corner of his eye, then concentrated all of his attention on avoiding the two swords held by his dark twin. Quickshot looked for openings but saw none worth the risk with Sniper darting around him. He specifically noticed when Sniper quickly hid the smaller blade behind his back.
Quickshot: Here it comes!
Just as predicted, Sniper’s left hand threw something, a small iron ball, at Quickshot. The red Yoshi easily dodged the thrown object, but immediately hated himself when he heard Ioshi yelp behind him... and even more when he heard Lioshi’s gasp right after. Sniper lowered his sword and grinned.
Kalcia: Your friends are beaten. Give up now, foolish red Yoshi.
Quickshot slowly turned around and sighed with defeat. Ioshi struggled inside three large rings of solid metal and Lioshi was grappled in the arms of Tek. Quickshot at first wondered why Tek would do such a thing until he saw a hint of light-purple swirls in his friend‘s eyes. Quickshot realized he must have been brainwashed.
~ ~ ~
The forest was empty of movement, except for the soft floating of the bubbles. The calm breeze picked up only for a second, then settled again to complete silence. Ripples slightly disturbed the pond water, but not enough so to make splashes on the thin sandy shore. Peace. Absolute peace reigned in the Forest of Illusion.
In one of the many places of the forest where the trees give way to a clearing, there was a cave in the side of a steep hill. Inside was immediately dark, but any visitors soon found out that around the first corner the tunnel was lit by wall-mounted florescent lights. Further inside led to a steel door, which led to the main room of the underground base. This base belonged to none other than the dark Yoshi, Comet.
Comet trained hard in his underground lair. The unpredictable swinging dummies flew at him from all directions as he stood in a small red circle in the center of their focal points. The martial-arts training improved dodging, blocking, and 360-awareness abilities as well as stamina. For five hours now, Comet dodged and counter-attacked each of the dummies to keep them in their momentum. His body tired and ached, but he refused to give up.
Comet’s attacks lessened in power and the swinging distance of the heavy wooden dummies also lessened, giving less time between dodges. Suddenly, all six dummies swung away at the same time, then slowly rotated and swung towards the middle. Comet had nowhere to dodge and stay in the circle at the same time. The dummies slammed into Comet’s unprotected body, making a loud crunching sound while doing so.
Comet’s body fell straight to the floor along with a good number of wood chips and splinters. He panted for breath and clutched his chest.
Comet: (It hurts... but I don’t seem to have any broken ribs...)
The training was starting to pay off. A hit like that would have killed a normal Yoshi, including the Comet from a year ago. But this was a new Comet. A better Comet. A Comet capable of finally defeating his arch rival, Concord. The pain was no longer felt. Pride gave the dark Yoshi new strength and power.
As Comet put on the suit of dull gray armor which was laying in the corner, the color immediately turned to an extremely dark blue color and sprouted black, almost bat-like wings. Comet sighed with relief as if a part of his being was brought back into place.
Comet walked towards the exit to fix himself a victory meal when the room began to fill with a black fog. The fog made Comet’s nose tingle, but his eyes were protected under his helmet. Comet suddenly turned around when a soft, strangely familiar female voice spoke from behind him.
Strange Dark Yoshi: You have been training hard, Dark One, but for the wrong reason.
Comet: What do you know of my motives, Crystal Yoshi?
Crystal: Ah, so you’ve heard of me. But how much do you know?
Comet: I’ve heard of you. You help my enemies at the most inconvenient times. What do you want?
Crystal: To change your mind. You do not want to kill Concord, do you?
Comet: What I do is my business. What can you do to possible change my mind?
Crystal Yoshi walked closer to Comet until their noses were practically touching. Comet was taller by a few inches, so he had to tilt his head down a little. Crystal Yoshi looked up at him and opened her eyes to their fullest.
Crystal: Look into my eyes, and tell me what you see.
Comet looked into Crystal Yoshi’s eyes, prepared to draw his sword and attack at the first moment of a trick. He gazed into her eyes to find any clue of what she wanted to show. Comet leaned a little bit closer, and... pulled away slowly with an astonished look crossed over his face.
Comet: That means... you‘re from...
Crystal: Yes... now you see. And I ask you to help me.
Comet looked at Crystal Yoshi’s face and wondered why he hadn't seen it before. He stared into space, thinking about what Crystal Yoshi was asking... about what all of his training was for... about everything... about the future...
Concord: ... Fine. But only after my duel with Concord. Not to the death, of course.”
Crystal: (smiling) Of course...
The dark fog thickened incredibly until Comet couldn't see anything. He felt his body lift slightly off the ground and lose all of its weight. Suddenly, he was no longer at his underground lair.
~ ~ ~
Quickshot glanced back at Ioshi, who had an apologetic look on her face.
Ioshi: (almost silently) On three...
Quickshot made a slight nod (It’s as if we can read each other’s minds!) and turned back to Sniper and the Koopa Mage.
Quickshot: Well, I guess you won this time.
Sniper: Did you expect otherwise?
Quickshot: Nope, the both of you are too strong for us.
Kalcia: No more talking! It’s time to finish you off!
Quickshot couldn’t help but grin and chuckle.
Quickshot: Is there any chance you’ll set some of us... THREE!
Lioshi grabbed Tek’s arm, ducked, and, despite Tek’s weight in metallic form, shoulder-tossed him at Kalcia. The Koopa Mage squeaked once before becoming a lot closer to the ground (and a lot flatter too). Quickshot stayed true to his name by drawing his right red pistol, aiming, and shooting Sniper’s sword out of his hand faster than a blink of an eye. Sniper cursed and shook his burnt hand while he called to his Shy Guy Spies.
The bumbling group of masked munchkins advanced towards Quickshot and Lioshi. Each of them were armed with either small daggers or their bare hands, but becoming distracted by them could leave an opening for either Kalcia or Sniper and could lead to disaster. Quickshot silently promised that wouldn't happen to him.
Lioshi: Quickshot! Take care of Ioshi!
Quickshot: Only if you take care of the kid you just tossed.
With a smirk, Quickshot walked backwards towards Ioshi, swinging his crystal sword to ward off the nearing Shy Guy Spies with one hand and searching his side pack with the other. His offhand took hold of four potions between his fingers. A quick glance down showed Quickshot that his luck was with him as he saw exactly what he hoped to fumble out: two fiery red potions with one pale green beaker. Without hesitation, he flicked the red potions generally at the crowd of oncoming Shy Guy Spies, creating a semi-circle wall of flames, and turned around to work on Ioshi’s escape of her iron bonds.
A small dap of the acidic green potion here and there, and the metal began to hiss into dark-gray vapors. As soon as one of the bands was completely broken through, the whole thing lost its hardness and reverted back into its original state before being enchanted: thin iron ribbons.
Quickshot turned around to see a large dark dragon, and then-
~ ~ ~
Tek woke up...
with the worst headache ever...
and on his head...
what a weird position
to wake up in...
Tek: Whoa... what happened?
Tek’s vision cleared up and he saw a sight even weirder than waking up on one’s head: an angry face of a smooth-skinned Koopa Mage.
Tek: Whoa! You happened!
Tek pushed the face away as hard as he could, which sent the Koopa Mage flying away far enough to where it would have been funny, if Tek wasn’t thinking how this battle was a life-or-death situation. His head still ached like there was a Hammer Brother inside of it and Tek barely heard a voice above the ringing in his ears.
Lioshi: Tek, you’re ok! Come on, let’s get that spell-wielding Koopa!
Tek: (holding his head) Oh... okay...
While Lioshi turned to face the enemy and Tek struggled to get his bearings straight, Kalcia stood straight up furiously. The Koopa Mage’s wand glowed with both the anger and dark powers brewing inside her, and she unleashed that power into a devastating spell.
Kalcia: Dark Dragon Aura!
A blackish-purple vapor began seeping out of Kalcia’s wand and started to swirl around her. The vapor hissed as if alive, then slowly took form of the upper body of a huge black dragon with Kalcia in the heart of the cloud, the lower body being below the ground. The black-vapor dragon howled with life and flashed its red eyes at its next victims: Tek and Lioshi.
One flick of the dragons’s head and a purple flame erupted from its mouth. Tek and Lioshi barely had time to dive to the side. Unlike the demon’s fire, the purple flame splashed off the stone ground, sending minor sprays to the sides. Tek protected himself with a thin wall of green plasma and Lioshi defended herself with a wall of energy of her own. The Yoshis realized that their protections would stop the minor sprays but would have little effect verses a direct blast.
Lioshi and Tek fired energy blasts, light from the first and plasma from the second. The plasma dissipated before being able to do any real harm to the encased Kalcia and the light beam seemed only to outline the creature of magic, making it look less fuzzy.
Tek: What? I hate magic!
Lioshi: My light doesn’t have any effect!
Kalcia: Do you like my new spell? This dark aura is only strengthened by the light that surrounds it. You can do nothing but lose, Lioshi!
Female Voice: But a dark aura is powerless when there is no light to shape it.
Just after that statement, the dark dragon aura faded into the dark mist suddenly surrounding it, leaving a very confused Koopa Mage in the middle. Crystal Yoshi appeared out of that mist and jump-kicked Kalcia to the ground. The dark Yoshi had her slender crystal sword to the Koopa Mage’s neck before anybody had time to react. Kalcia muttered under her breath.
Sniper launched his attack during the confusion with his sword aimed at Quickshot’s neck. That sword was instantly parried by yet another sword, which was also held by a dark Yoshi.
Sniper: Brother! What are you doing?
Comet: Taking a different road...
A quick twirling riposte sent Sniper’s sword flying across half of the courtyard and made him as helpless as Kalcia. Quickshot could only stare in disbelief.
Nobody moved for a full minute, not sure of how to move next. That problem was solved by the sound of marching. A small army of Mushroom men entered the courtyard and filled the place with activity, momentarily separating the two groups of Yoshis. They immediately took all of Sniper and Kalcia’s items along with the Shy Guy Spies’ and took them to the dungeon. They also started for Comet, but the remaining Yoshi Heroes hesitated only a moment before quickly stopping them. Just then, General Stan approached Quickshot and Tek.
Stan: Sorry we couldn’t come in before. There was nothing helpful we could do without doing damage to either you or the Palace itself. Where’s Concord?
Quickshot and Tek glanced over to where they left their leader, but there was no sign of either Concord or Zelda.
To Be Continued...
Comments,
suggestions, stories, or story ideas? Email
me!
Go back to
Lemmy's
Fun Fiction.
Go back to my
main
page.