12--RMWVL, Part 1, Ch.4

July 18.

Throne Room, Palace of Power, VideoLand.

aptain N smiled to himself as the villains’ hologram disappeared. “Well, thanks for the hint, Bowser Koopa.”

“What hint?” asked Mario.

“You must be talking about the Sacred Square of Tetris,” MegaMan said.

“Sacred Square,” exclaimed Simon. “Do you not remember what happened when MotherBrain tried to remove it from its spot in Tetris? The whole world started coming apart as if grease had been substituted for mortar.”

“You’re forgetting, Simon‑ious, that one controls the blocks with the Sacred Square,” Kid Icarus said. “One can thus keep Tetris from falling apart.”

“Yes,” said MegaMan.

“Looks like big bad Bowser has just sprung a leak,” Kevin said.

“Nothing new there,” Mario said, pointing at his head.

“With the Sacred Square, we could rip apart the Koopas’ Tetrad-castles,” Dr. Wright said.

“Right, Wright,” said Kevin. “Just what I was thinking.”

“Yeah,” said Luigi. “Let’s get to Tetris World and get that square.”

“Wait a minute, Luigi,” said Kevin. “That isn’t all we have to do.”

“Yes,” Samus said. “Some of us will have to go to the Mushroom World and hold back Bowser.”

Captain N took an American coin from his pocket. “Half of us should go to the Mushroom World, and half to Tetris World. I’ll toss a coin. Everyone get a close look, now. This is neither a two-headed or two-tailed coin.” Everyone looked as he turned his coin around to prove that fact. “I’ll lead one group while Samus leads the other. I shall try to practice good sportsmanship, Samus, so you go first.”

“Okay; I’ll take Mario,” Samus said.

“I’ll take Simon.”

“I’ll take Kid Icarus.”

“I’ll have Luigi.”

“I’ll have Yoshi,” Samus said.

“I’ll have MegaMan.”

“I’ll have Link.”

“I’ll have Toad,” said Kevin.

“I’ll have Dr. Wright.”

“I’ll have the dogs. You call the coin-end and location, Samus.”

“I’ll take tails. Winner goes to the Mushroom World.”

“Okay, so I have heads.” Captain N flipped the coin into the air. When it landed on the floor, the tails end was shown. “Well, Samus, you’ve won the toss.”

“Come on, team. Let’s leave through the Metroid Warp Loop.”

“I’ve made a warp potion which will take us to the Metroid Warp Loop and, thus, to the Mushroom World,” said Dr. Wright. “This potion will remain active until we all pass through it to come back here.” He tossed the warp potion onto the floor. When they passed through the warp, Samus, Mario, Kid Icarus, Yoshi, Link, and Dr. Wright were automatically passed through the Metroid Warp Loop to the Mushroom Kingdom on the Mushroom World.

“Let’s go, gang,” Kevin said. “The sooner we ask Prince Lyle to let us have the Sacred Square to rescue VideoLand, the better.” He went to a passageway in the middle of the wall. “This door is a warp zone to Tetris World.” He pressed a button on the doorway. The door opened, and he hopped through, followed by Simon, Luigi, MegaMan, Toad, Duke, and Rush. They were transported to Prince Lyle’s place on Tetris World.

* * *

Prince Lyle’s Apartment, Tetris World, VideoLand.

As he arrived home, Lyle looked at a picture of Princess Lana. “Lana, my sister, whatever is happening, I hope you’re well.” A person of average height, he had blonde hair and blue eyes. Like other humans but unlike the other inhabitants of Tetris, he was curved rather than polygonal. However, he wore square clothing like others on Tetris. As he had just gotten home, he was still wearing his security officer clothing. He helped defend the Sacred Square, one of the most powerful objects in VideoLand and the most powerful object on Tetris. He heard the warp door opening. “What’s that? The warp door from the palace is opening.” Out of the warp door came Captain N, Simon, Luigi, MegaMan, Toad, Duke, and Rush. “Kevin! Long time, no see.”

“Hello, Prince Lyle. Allow me to introduce a couple of my new friends.” He indicated Luigi. “This is Luigi.” He indicated Toad. “And this is Toad. Guys, this is Prince Lyle, Princess Lana’s brother.”

“Nice to meet you two,” Lyle said.

“Likewise, I’m sure, Prince Lyle,” said Luigi.

“Now, as to the nature of our visit,” Kevin said. “We haven’t much time before MotherBrain gains control of all VideoLand.”

“Not good. Luigi and Toad, I thought you were from the Mushroom World.”

“That is very true,” Luigi said.

“Yeah, and those cruddy Koopas and MotherBrain have captured Princess Peach, Princess Zelda, and Princess Lana, and all six of the Koopalings’ castles are made out of Tetrads,” Toad said.

“So, my sister is in the hands of MotherBrain and Bowser Koopa,” Lyle said.

“I’m afraid so, Your Highness. Believe it or not, Bowser and MotherBrain have tied the knot and are now in cahoots.”

“I saw the news about their noxious nuptials. Captain N, where are the others?”

“They went off to the Mushroom World to try to make a little progress there,” Kevin said.

“I see. You said the castles were made of Tetris blocks, right? I gather that’s why you came here.”

“Right,” said MegaMan.

“Well, if Mayor Squaresly approves, you can borrow the Sacred Square, which will allow you to crumble their castles.”

Ludwig warped into the room with several minions. “That is where you are wrong, my friend.”

“As if we didn’t have enough troubles,” Luigi said.

“I think it safe to say that you have too many troubles. I, Prince Baron Ludwig von(Bowser)Koopa, am taking possession of the key that leads to the Sacred Square, so I can make my castle even stronger. MotherBrain has informed me about the Sacred Square, and I told my father, King Bowser to you, about the secret when he had so thoughtlessly told you about that of which our six castles are made. And you thought he had helped you. Ha! By the way, I have over two million villainous minions working for me and ready to pass through that warp, so do not even think about resisting me. I suggest you hand the key over now so that I shall not have to send in the Bob‑omb brigade.” He snapped his fingers, and several Bob‑ombs trotted in front of him.

“Let’s see how good they are when I give them a RollingCutter,” MegaMan said. MegaMan produced a RollingCutter with his MegaBuster, then grabbed the RollingCutter. He tossed the RollingCutter at the Bob‑ombs and neatly de‑fused them. “Now see what you think of your idiotic minions.”

Ludwig laughed. “In the words of the great John Paul Jones, I have not yet begun to fight. Try‑Clyde, give them a warm welcome.”

“Yes, Prince L.,” said each of Try‑Clyde’s heads in turn. He spat a pillar of flames from the mouths of all three heads to keep the heroes back.

“Okay, Try‑Clyde. Stop. Now, my friends, either I shall get the key, or you will get a hot seat.”

“I’ll fix these guys,” Simon said. “Come, whip.” The end of Simon’s whip left Simon’s backpack and looked at him. “All right, whippie. Lasso Ludwig’s wild animals and toss them back to his castle.” The end of the whip nodded, then wrapped up all Ludwig’s minions and tossed them into the warp.

Ludwig, however, remained, and he looked most displeased. “You think that you’re so bright, do you not, vampire hunter? Well, your skills stink. Your whip is probably computerized. I shall take my leave. I will be waiting for you.” Laughing, he exited through his warp zone.

“Really,” said Simon. “That von Koopa fellow can be most offensive. Computerized whip, my foot.” His whip suddenly smacked his left foot. “Ow! That is not what I meant.”

“Well, there is no time to lose,” Lyle said. “Let’s visit Mayor Squaresly and see if he approves of lending you the Sacred Square.”

* * *

Mayor Squaresly’s Office, Tetris World, VideoLand.

In Squaresly’s office, Captain N and company presented their reasons for having to borrow the Sacred Square. “So, Mayor Squaresly, we wish to borrow the Sacred Square in order to save VideoLand by destroying the Six Tetrad Castles of Koopa. May we use it?”

“Well, under these circumstances, I believe I should trust my square judgment,” Squaresly said. “Yes, you may borrow the Sacred Square. Remember, though, that, once you remove the Sacred Square, you must order it either by thoughts or by vocal expressions to keep all the blocks in Tetris World from falling apart. Once you do that, Tetris World will remain standing. Go, my friends. Borrow the Sacred Square.” Mayor Squaresly was short and overweight, though like the others of Tetris he appeared to be made of squares rather than curved. He wore a long red tie, a sharp blue suit, a white shirt, black shoes, and a short, squarish blue hat with a red feather on the right side.

“Thank you, Mayor Squaresly,” said Lyle. “I am glad that you have seen their side of the case.”

“Don’t mention it, Lyle.”

Captain N and company went to the Chamber of Tetris, the building where the Sacred Square was. Lyle used the square key to open the guard door to let them in.

* * *

Control Room, Ludwig Castle, Valley of Koopa, Mushroom World.

MotherBrain was somewhat befuddled as she and Ludwig watched the N‑Team retrieve the square. “I still don’t follow why you let them get the Sacred Square, Ludwig.”

“My castle is weaker than my Clowncar,” Ludwig said. “I can overpower their puny weapons with that. Then, I can squash them flat as a pancake.”

“I see. So that’s why. N‑Team, you may not know it, but you have just been swindled. When do the six other Koopalings get here, Ludwig?”

Ludwig looked at his watch. “Just about now.” He then heard the distinct sound of five Doomships coming. The ominous sound of the engines cut through the air with clarity.

Bowser Koopa entered. “Howdy, partners.”

“Hello, Father. The other Koopalings are arriving.”

“So they are.”

All the six other Koopalings entered minutes later. “We’re here, big brother,” Larry said. “What’s up?”

“Elementary, my dear Larry. Observe.” He activated the monitor to show the Chamber of Tetris, where the Sacred Square was kept. “Those goody-goods are removing the Sacred Square of Tetris. That will allow them to demolish our castles, but I have more than one trick up my sleeve to skin those cats.”

Captain N removed the Sacred Square. He ordered it audibly to keep any blocks from Tetris World from falling out. The square was a large, golden, glowing block shaped something like a key, with an L-block connected to a four-square.

Ludwig laughed. “They are being lured into my devious trap. Everyone, get outside. We should be safe from Tetris blocks on the grounds of Chocolate Island.” They exited the castle through the back and traveled out of the Valley of Koopa on Ludwig’s Doomship.

* * *

Chocolate Island, Dinosaur Land, Mushroom World.

Chocolate Island was just south of the entrance to the Valley of Koopa. There, the Doomship landed, and everyone disembarked. Ludwig’s Doomship was the largest and most ominous of them all. Yet, as the flagship of the Koopa Fleet, it was also the most majestic. Made of iron with about half a forest of wood covering most of the exterior, it was about half the size of the RMS Titanic that sank during its maiden voyage on 15 April 1912 on Earth. Projected from the stern of the ship was a long, steel spike, underneath which was a carving of Bowser’s ugly head. “Well, we’re there,” Ludwig said. “I brought my equipment in my Doomship.” He went into the cargo hold. What everyone heard from him came from inside. As he said the name of the item, he tossed it out. “Let’s see. Larry’s trick fishing line. My instant fold-up lab. Wily’s Robot Masters. My Clowncar. Box of instant Metroids—just add water, of course. That should be it.” He emerged. “Did you grab my things, Roy?”

Roy poked his head out from under the pile. “Yes, but they squashed me.”

“King Hippo, get the stuff off him.”

“Okay.” King Hippo got the stuff off Roy.

Roy got up. “Why didn’t you help me, boxing-glove-breath?”

“Sorry, Prince Roy.”

“You will be sorry if you don’t help me in that kind of situation again. You are incorrigible.”

“Yeah, and nothing will sink in, either,” Eggplant Wizard said. King Hippo placed his fist threateningly in front of Eggplant’s face.

“Enough,” MotherBrain said. “Quit squabbling, Eggplant Wizard and King Hippo.”

“What about Prince Roy?” asked King Hippo.

“He has a reason to be fighting with you two lame brains.”

“Why?” Eggplant Wizard asked.

“Because he’s smarter than you two put together. Why do you do nothing correctly?”

“Me? I’m just an incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial vegetable.”

“We have too much work to do to be standing around here,” Ludwig said. “MotherBrain, are the princesses still tied up in the bottom of my Clowncar?”

MotherBrain looked into the Clowncar. “They sure are, dear.”

“Good. Let’s hide behind the Mountain of Milk Chocolate and wait to give the N‑Team its just desserts.”

“Sounds like a delicious idea. Hee, hee, hee!” All of them moved behind the Mountain of Milk Chocolate to the east. Ludwig had hopped into his Clowncar and was flying to that location. King Bowser had hopped into the Doomship’s control room and was using the Doomship as a means of transportation.

Ludwig felt one of the princesses scrambling around. “Oh, cut it out. This is no way to treat the future ruler of VideoLand.”

* * *

Section 2, Grass Land, Mushroom World.

Captain N, Simon, Luigi, MegaMan, Toad, Duke, and Rush arrived at a battle between Mario and a Chargin’ Chuck. Mario stomped the Chargin’ Chuck once on the head. “Take that, you overgrown Troopa.” He turned around. “Luigi. Everyone. Am I glad to see you.”

“Need some help, big brother?” asked Luigi.

“Yes, Luigi. See if you can bash that question-block. It might have a Cape Feather or a Super Leaf.” He continued his battle with the Chargin’ Chuck.

“Okay. Here I go.” Luigi leapt up and hit the block in question. Out came a Cape Feather; Mario promptly leapt to it and took it. In a puff of smoke, a bright yellow cape appeared on his back. He hovered over the Chargin’ Chuck until it moved out of his way, and then he landed.

“Okay, Chargin’ Chuck. See how you like being spun out.” As Mario started spinning, Chargin’ Chuck closed in for the kill. Mario charged toward Chargin’ Chuck and hit him with the Cape, knocking him out. “See how you like those apples, Chargin’ Chuck. That’ll teach you to tackle the N‑Team.”

“We got the Sacred Square,” Kevin said.

“Good,” Dr. Wright said. “We are in Grass Land.”

“Where is the first castle?”

“According to my map, it’s in Water Land,” said Mario. “That is two worlds away. Beating Chargin’ Chuck allowed us to leave Section 2 of Grass Land. There is a Warp Whistle in Section 3. Blowing it will allow us to escape to the Desert Land. There is another Warp Whistle hidden in Boom-Boom Koopa’s Fortress to the southwest. Section 3 is to the east. Come on. There is no time to lose.” They went east to a sign that showed a large numeral ‘3.’ “This is a warp to Section 3. See that sign to the west? That has an ‘M’ on it. That means we can pass by the Section without entering it. We can’t pass through numbered Sections without entering them. Let’s go.” All of them entered the sign. This brought them to Section 3, where a Green Koopa-Troopa saw them.

“Uh, oh,” the Koopa-Troopa said. “It’s that meddling Mario. I’d better finish him and earn some plumber-points with Prince Ludwig.” The Koopa-Troopa charged for them.

“A Green Koopa-Troopa,” Mario said. “My patent-pending spin-jump will fix him.” Mario spun and then jumped while spinning. He went over the Koopa-Troopa, landed on him, and destroyed him.

“Nice going, Mario,” Luigi said. “You blasted him into video dust.”

“Thanks, but there is no time for compliments now. A Boomerang Brother draws near.”

Along came the Boomerang Brother. “Hey, Mario,” he said in an Australian accent. “Stand still so I can knock you out with my super boomerangs.”

“No way, you pest from Down-Under Land.”

“Not to worry, Mario,” MegaMan said. “He’s no match for my PlasmaBlast.” MegaMan fired a small, powerful ball of plasma from his MegaBuster toward the Boomerang Brother. The Boomerang Brother disintegrated into video dust when the plasma hit him.

“Nice going, MegaMan. Now, let’s move it.”

As they progressed, they destroyed each Koopaling’s castle with the Sacred Square. They advanced through each like a hot knife through butter until they arrived at last in the Valley of Koopa.

* * *

In front of Ludwig Castle, Valley of Koopa, Mushroom World.

“Well, this must be it,” Luigi said. “Ludwig’s Castle.”

“Well, it will not be a castle much longer, eh, Captain N?” said Mario.

Captain N ordered the Sacred Square to demolish Ludwig’s Castle. With much noise, the Tetrads came apart, and the castle came tumbling down. “I don’t know, gang. Ludwig let us get away too easily. I smell a rat.”

“You worry too much, Captain N,” said Simon.

“No, Simon,” Link said. “Kevin is right. There could be anything in that castle, and what’s the guarantee that Ludwig’s in there?”

“Right,” MegaMan said.

Captain N looked upon the Tetris blocks that fell to the ground. “What a big castle. Only MotherBrain’s Metroid maze could possibly be bigger.”

MotherBrain appeared in a hologram. “That is doubtful. I believe it possible that not even mine is bigger than Ludwig’s.”

“MotherBrain.”

“I only have a song to sing to you guys, which is the following: ‘You’d better not pout, you’d better not cry, you’d better not shout, and I’m telling you why: some Metroids are coming to town.’ ” As the hologram disappeared, her laughter echoed through the air.

“ ‘Some Metroids are coming to town’?” Kevin asked. “I wonder what she means by that.”

MegaMan looked in the castle with his infrared vision. “I’m afraid that I know.” He switched back to the visible light spectrum. “There must be at least a hundred Metroid creatures swarming around in there.”

“You have an ice ray, do you not, MegaMan?” Samus asked.

“I sure do, Samus. I have the IceSlasher. Why?”

“The only way to destroy Metroids is to freeze them and hit them with missiles.”

“Great. I’ll have my IceSlasher ready in three mega-short jiffs.” The Metroids began pushing up through what remained of the castle. The Metroid-pit had been deep in the ground below the castle. The falling debris had not harmed them, but it had certainly agitated them.

Kid Icarus readied his bow. “Here come the Metroids.”

“Those guys are swarming,” said Mario. He donned a Hammer Brother Suit. “They look just like huge jellyfish, except that they have four claws instead of tentacles.”

“No one let a Metroid cling to you,” Samus said. “If it does, it will drain all of your life force.”

“Thanks for the comforting thought, Samus,” Simon said. Everyone had weapons ready for the kill. Just then, the Metroids blew the hatch.

“Heads up, everyone,” Kevin said. “Metroid-stomping time.” The Metroids moved aggressively towards the N‑Team.

“Uh, oh,” Luigi said. “I’m cornered by a Metroid. See how you like fireballs, you crazo.” He destroyed the Metroid with ten fireballs. “What a snap.”

“It would not be so easy on Alpha, Gamma, Zeta, or Omega Metroids,” Samus said. “They are much tougher. However, they cannot cling to your body.”

“This Omega Metroid is looking for trouble,” said Mario. “Let’s see how you like hammers, sucker.” Mario destroyed the Omega Metroid with fifteen precise hammers. “Boy, am I glad that that worked.”

* * *

Within Ludwig’s Doomship, Chocolate Island, Dino Land, Mushroom World.

MotherBrain was watching on the monitor in Ludwig’s Doomship. She suffered great pain with each Metroid’s death. “Ow! Those guys are giving me a pain in the brain.”

“Me too, MotherBrain. Ow! MotherBrain, order the Metroids to stop attacking. We’ll take it from here.”

“With pleasure.”

Eggplant Wizard came in. “Oh! I didn’t know you Koopas could do the hokie-pokie.” He started to dance.

MotherBrain telepathically called the Metroids that were attacking—or being attacked by—the good guys. “Metroids, retreat. You will all just be destroyed. Go to the warp zone to the planet Metroid and stay there.” MotherBrain and Ludwig, in all their pain, could barely see the Metroids entering the warp zone to the planet Metroid.

* * *

Within the Valley of Koopa, Dino Land, Mushroom World.

Back in the Valley of Koopa, the N‑Team marveled at the Metroids’ retreat. “I wonder why those Metroids retreated so hastily,” Kevin said.

“Maybe we were whipping their butts too easily,” MegaMan said.

* * *

Within the Doomship, Chocolate Island, Mushroom World.

MotherBrain was still in pain, but fortunately it was subsiding. “That and because you were causing my son and me great pain.”

“Aw, come on,” Eggplant Wizard whined. “I was having a great time dancing with you.” He swung his arms in time to an imaginary rhythm. “Do the rutabaga! Cha-cha-cha!”

“Shut up, you worm-eaten vegetable.” She fired a lightning blast at Eggplant Wizard from one electric output device on top of her jar.

Eggplant Wizard just missed the electric bolt. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry.”

“Just shut up, fool. Say nothing. Ludwig, are you sure this will work?”

“Sure. Just because the Metroids failed does not mean I shall. The Metroids are semi-intelligent beings, while you and I, MotherBrain, are very intelligent beings. . . no, the adverb ‘very’ is too common. The adverb ‘ultra’ should be used in front of ‘intelligent’ instead of ‘very.’ ”

“You’re right. There was too much space inside the Valley of Koopa, anyway.”

“Right. There would not have been much space, had those goody-goods not stopped me from getting the Sacred Square. Oh, well. Just a minor technicality.”

“Well, I’d say it’s time to get Wily’s Robot Masters ready.”

“Ah, yes, MotherBrain.”

* * *

In the Valley of Koopa.

“Why hasn’t Ludwig attacked yet?” asked Samus.

“He must be on vacation,” Mario said. “Come on. The sooner we exit this valley, the safer I’ll feel.” They all swam ashore to the shore of Chocolate Island, except MegaMan, who used Rush’s Submarine.

* * *

Upon the shore of Chocolate Island.

Upon their arrival on the Chocolate Island, they saw a group of androids approaching in the distance. “Oh, my gosh,” Kevin said. “Thirty Robot Masters.”

“All are Wily’s creations, I’ll bet,” MegaMan said. “Let’s see. CutMan, ElecMan, IceMan, FireMan, BombMan, GutsMan, AirMan, CrashMan, MetalMan, BubbleMan, HeatMan, WoodMan, FlashMan, QuickMan, MagnetMan, HardMan, TopMan, ShadowMan, SparkMan, SnakeMan, GeminiMan, NeedleMan, DustMan, SkullMan, DiveMan, DrillMan, ToadMan, BrightMan, PharaohMan, and RingMan. Yes, they are all Wily’s creations.”

“I have been studying, and I believe that I’ve finished a weapon that will be able to beat them each with a single shot,” Dr. Wright said. “I have had time to create it, but it is still experimental. I have the adapter for it.” He handed the adapter to MegaMan, who plugged it into his MegaBuster’s CPU.

“What is the name of this device?” asked MegaMan.

“MasterRay is what I call it.”

“All right. I’ll wipe you robots all out. No Robot Master is a match for me.”

“It also has unlimited energy.”

“Say good-bye, robots.” He fired thirty blasts and destroyed all the Robot Masters before they came into range. Dr. Wily and ProtoMan had been behind the Robot Masters.

“Great, Wily,” said ProtoMan. “My mega-bro whacked your robots.”

“No,” Wily cried. “You will pay for this, Dr. Left and MegaMuffinhead.” He ran to the Doomship, which was still behind the mountain. “Only Ludwig can stop you now. And he will!”

“The only disadvantage to that ray, MegaMan, is that it will only work on Robot Masters,” said Dr. Wright. “You will need to use other weapons on other robots.”

Captain N felt several small quakes, indicating stomps. “Uh, oh. I do not like the way those quakes feel.”

Ludwig came along, stomping the ground and approaching in the Clowncar. He stopped in a hover. “Greetings, N‑Team. Look at my Clowncar. Just in case you do beat me, I have the three princesses here for you, but I doubt that you’ll beat my 50th attack. It is quite literally murder.” He laughed.

“What do you mean just in case we beat you, Ludwig von Koopa?” Mario asked. “We’ll beat you.”

“I should be amazed if you did. If you do, my main MotherBrain will have a special attack just waiting for you pain-in-the-drain good guys.”

Bowser came out from behind the mountain. “Yes. You have no hope of beating us this time. I know that I must have said this ten zillion times before, but, this time for sure, you will be flat, and the princesses’ kingdoms will belong to MotherBrain, Ludwig, and me.”

“You’ve said it, Dad.”

“None of you will have access to Ludwig’s main weakness.”

“That is right. You cannot stomp me. Not even the Mechakoopas will beat me in the final round. So, let’s play.”

Bowser held up a green flag. “Get your weapons ready—” Everyone readied their weapons. “—get yourselves ready—” Everyone got into a ready position. “—go!” Bowser Koopa brought down the green flag.

Ludwig began flying around in an erratic evasion pattern. “My Clowncar can withstand two hits per attack, and I have 50 attacks. I’m ready for action.” He ducked down into the Clowncar, grabbed two scepters, and emerged. “My only question is whether you are ready for action.” Laughing, he fired both scepters at the ground in front of the good guys. One Mechakoopa popped up for each scepter.

Captain N aimed his Zapper at one Mechakoopa. “Let’s make short work of these robots.”

Just before Captain N fired, Mario pushed his hand down. “Wait, Kevin. We need to stomp them, grab them, and throw them up at that mad Koopaling.” Suddenly, his eyes widened. “Uh, oh. I just said the M‑word.”

“Oh, there’s that word again,” Ludwig said. He switched the Clowncar to Attack #50, oblivious to the fact that it would mean defeat if the good guys did have the needed weapon and if they used it on him twice. “Never call me mad! I shall exact dire vengeance for this insult!”

“Now you’ve done it, putrid plumbers,” Bowser said. “Ludwig von Koopa hates being called ‘mad.’ Come on, Koopalings. Let’s fix these rotten good guys.”

“Dr. Wily, pull the lever on my tank,” said MotherBrain.

“Yes, MotherBrain,” Dr. Wily said. He pulled a lever on MotherBrain’s tank. Army tank treads formed under the tank, huge guns formed on the side, and a bulls-eye-glass popped up in front of her eyes.

“Let me at those good guys. Five-Star-General MotherBrain is taking command.”

Eggplant Wizard pressed a button on his Veggie-wand. “My Broccoli-Bazooka is ready for action.” He pulled what appeared to be a rocket launcher out of his cape and loaded potatoes into the ammunition compartment. “And my Atomic Spud Gun will knock them out.”

“My mega-punch is ready,” King Hippo said.

Dr. Wily installed a chip in ProtoMan’s cannon. “This adaptor has the same powers as my devious Robot Masters that MegaMan has defeated. ProtoMan can use them to our advantage.”

“My fiery attack is forthcoming,” Ridley said.

Mouser snapped his fingers to make a Bob‑omb appear. “I shall really give them an explosive situation.”

“I shall really heat things up,” said Try‑Clyde.

“And I shall rock them to sleep,” Clawgrip said.

“Wow,” Kevin said. “I have never seen so many villains together in my life.”

“Let’s neutralize this menace,” said Mario.

Captain N aimed his Zapper at Ludwig’s Clowncar. “I’ll fix him.”

“No way, Captain N. I’ll fix you,” Ludwig said.

“Captain N, aim for Ludwig himself.”

Captain N fired. “You are toast, von Koopa!” The shot bounced off without any effect, even though he had aimed precisely. “What!”

Ludwig laughed. “Why did you think that I was so confident? I have starship-class shields up here.”

Still in his Hammer Brothers Suit, Mario tossed hammers at Ludwig’s Clowncar. “Oh, yeah? See how you like being hammered, Ludwig.” The hammers bounced off without making any effect, and Mario, too, had tossed the hammers accurately. “Mama mia.”

Ludwig laughed. “I’m sorry to say that your hammers have no effect on me, Mario.”

“Hey,” Luigi said. “Maybe you will like getting fried by my super fireballs, you vile Koopaling.” Luigi fired a couple of fireballs at the weak spot, and they burned out. “Maybe not.”

“I told you, N‑Team. I am invincible. Ha, ha, ha! The only thing to which I am vulnerable is back in the third section of Sky World.”

“Yeah,” Morton said. “And you probably will not get there before Ludwig squashes you.”

Dr. Wright reached into his pocket. “Oh, no?” He pulled out a treasure chest.

“Uh, oh. I recognize that treasure chest.”

The good scientist opened the chest. “Hmm. Let me see if this is what you mean, Ludwig.” He pulled out a Kuribo’s Shoe. “Is this what you were referencing, Ludwig?”

Upon seeing the Kurobo’s Shoe, Ludwig was dumbfounded. “But that’s impossible. You cannot carry Kuribo’s Shoes out of Section 3 of the Sky World.”

Morton was beginning to look a little guilty around the edges. “Uh, oh. I’d better make a break for it.”

MotherBrain grabbed Morton’s left leg with a tentacle. “Settle down. Tell me what the problem is, Morton.”

“I have the feeling that my allowance is about to be reduced severely.”

“Morton, if you do not tell us right here and now what you are talking about, you will not get your allowance for a whole year. And that will be the least of your problems.”

Morton gulped. “I put that treasure chest in a hidden room on Sky World Island.”

“You did what? You put the Kuribo’s Shoes in a secret chamber on Sky World Island? In a blasted chest that could be carried away?”

“Yes. But I thought my brother’s fiftieth attack was totally invulnerable. And besides, I did not think that the Marios would find the secret chamber with the Kuribo’s Shoes.”

“Oh, yeah?” said Mario. “Well, we found it.”

“You may have found the Kuribo’s Shoes, N‑Team, but you will never defeat me,” Ludwig said.

“Oh, yeah? Talk!” Mario, Luigi, and Captain N each put on a Kuribo’s Shoe.

“Let’s give that Ludwig von Koopa a real headache,” Luigi said.

“Let me see how well this will work with my Power Pad,” Kevin said. He pressed ‘Up’ on the Power Pad, and he, in the Kuribo’s Shoe, leapt up high. Then, while coming back down, he bashed Ludwig in the head but touched the propellers accidentally, so he lost the Kuribo’s Shoe. MegaMan caught him. “Whoa. That was quite a ride.”

Ludwig was dizzy from the great impact. “Uh, you catch this ride, Dad. I’ll get him in the second round. Uh—” He shook his head, and then recovered. “Very well. If that is the manner in which you would like to play, I have a nasty surprise.”

“Uh, oh,” Kevin said. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Don’t worry,” Mario said. “I’ll bash him!” He leapt up. Coming down, he smashed Ludwig in the head and leapt away in time to avoid losing the Kuribo’s Shoe. “What do you think of that, von Koopa?”

Ludwig was dazed. “Oh. Come back, you rotten puncher. I shall—” He recovered. “Curse you, Mario. You have ruined everything.” The Clowncar blinked, getting ready to explode. “Uh, oh.” The Clowncar turned upside-down, letting the three princesses out. Then, Ludwig fell out and rolled on the ground briefly. The Clowncar drifted over the sea and then exploded. “My Clowncar. You have ruined it.”

“I hope you do not mind, my fellow Koopas, but I think we ought to effect a strategic withdrawal,” MotherBrain said.

Bowser agreed. “Right. As I always say—”

“—he who Koops and runs away—” Ludwig said.

“—lives to Koop another day,” said Larry.

“Uh, oh. I remember that phrase all too well,” Mario said.

“Yeah,” said Bowser. “It’s when I warp out of here.” He pulled out a vial of potion. “This warp potion will take my marvelous MotherBrain, my wonderful Koopalings, MotherBrain’s two devious right-hand-men, a super-intelligent android of one of them, these stupid idiots who are our minions, and me all the way back to Metroid.” Laughing, he threw the vial on the ground and then ran into the warp zone that formed. “So long, plumb-dumbs!”

“Good-bye,” said Ludwig. “I’d like to say that it’s been a pleasure, but unfortunately that would be a blatant lie.” He entered the warp.

Larry ran into the warp. “Bye-bye, drain brains.”

Roy entered the warp. “See ya later, faucet freaks.”

“Farewell, you dumber-plumbers,” Wendy said, entering the warp.

Morton ran to the warp and stopped. “Bye-bye, so long, farewell, adiós, good-bye! Next time, I’ll just make you kiss my—”

MotherBrain zapped him with a mild shock. “If that last word is what I think it is, you loudmouth, you will lose your hide in addition to your allowance. Now, into the warp.”

“Oh, yeah. Bye, bye, N‑Team.” He ran into the warp.

Lemmy balanced on his ball in front of the warp zone. “Bye, bye, Marios. See you later, Captain Numbskull and the Numbskull-Team. See you soon, chain-Link. So long, Dr. Type. Good-bye—”

“Lemmy, I just want you to know that I am getting rather impatient,” MotherBrain said. “Wrap it up.”

“Oh, yeah. Bye!” He went into the warp.

Iggy went in front of the warp. “Bye-bye, good guys.” He ran into the warp.

Dr. Wily wheezed. “See you later, good guys. Bye, bye, MegaMutton-head, and thank you dearly for destroying my androids. See you later, Dr. Wrong.” He ran into the warp.

“Destroy you later, brother,” said ProtoMan, running into the warp.

“Bye, bye, goody-two-shoeses,” King Hippo said. “Next time I see you, I’ll punch you out.” He jumped into the warp.

“See you later, Kid Icky and the Nice-guy-Team.” Eggplant Wizard ran into the warp.

“Bye, bye, plumber freaks,” Mouser said. “When I see you again, I’ll bomb you out.” He ran into the warp with Try‑Clyde and Clawgrip behind him.

Ridley went over next to MotherBrain. “Farewell, N‑Team. Be warned that it is inevitable that the Brain-Team vanquish the N‑Team and conquer the galaxy.” He then entered the warp.

“Good-bye, good guys,” MotherBrain said. “You may have won today, but there will be another, and, when that day comes, I shall grind you all into an N‑shaped pizza.”

“With or without pepperoni?” Mario asked jokingly.

“It doesn’t matter. You won’t be able to eat it anyway.” She rolled into the warp with a hideous laugh. When she had gotten through, the warp closed.

“Well, we did it,” Mario said.

“Yes,” said Kevin.

“Let’s go home,” Lana said.

Dr. Wright pulled a vial of warp potion out of his coat and threw it on the ground, producing a warp. “I could not agree more, Your Highness.” They all went into the warp and emerged at the Palace of Power.