The Sister Island

[Lord of the Dance]

I beamed as Blood handed me the mace. As I grasped it in my hands, I noticed it was heavy. Almost too heavy.
I'll have to get used to this over my racquet, I thought to myself, heaving the mace over my shoulder. It actually somehow fit right next to my racquet, so I couldn't complain. It might bump against my spikes if I landed too hard from a jump, but I doubted I'd injure myself too badly.
I was pretty sure the look on my face said everything as I stepped out the door behind Henrikoshen.
A... fifth hero? This one might be a girl, too, I grinned at the thought. I might not be alone after all.
But that still left the topic of how I would present my name if anyone asked... I gave a small snort as I fell into step behind Henrikoshen. His new dagger gleamed in the sun. Heh, sure beats that other one he had.

[Not-Garr]

Lorro shook his head, walking through the area as he was, munching idly at an apple speared on his stick, "...Why did I even come here, there could be people..but...hey! New friends, right? Gah, and what was that FLYING thing?.." he shook his head, and swung the stick, sending the half-eaten apple off to the side, in the direction of a couple huts, he watched it fly, only to watch it head towards a large red Yoshi with a sword on his back, "Oh...well...that's not cool at all..."

[Chilaquiles]

The apple made oddly accurate contact with the point of the lance on Blood's shoulder, shanking itself and falling off onto the ground in two peices. Blood whirled around, his hand reflexively jolting to the hilt of his sheathed sword. He dropped it when he saw it was but a blue troopa weilding nought but a pointy stick.

"Hey there! You watch...!" He paused for a moment, the purple artifact began glowing, pulsating, as soon as Blood had looked at the koopa. "Could it be?..." He jogged closer to the koopa, and the stone beat faster and glowed even brighter as he drew near. Blood had a mind to ask the defining question, and he did.

"Have you heard the legends of the unholy worm?"

[Not-Garr]

Lorro took a quick step back, seeming intimidated, but still holding his ground, staring the Yoshi in the eyes, ~Oh man, what a drag, this guy's a lunatic.. But...the unholy worm, uh..what could that be, it sounds familiar...~

"...Rings a bell." he shrugged, trying to stay casual, staring at Blood with this 'get out of my face please' look on his face, taking another step back, stick raised in a sort of warding pose.

[Chilaquiles]

Blood tried a different approach, he lugged the lance off his shoulder and held it up for the troopa to see. "That's a pretty sorry looking stick you have there, friend. How'd you like an upgrade? If you help me out and hear my story, it's yours to keep."

Blood hoped the lance was impressive looking enough to persuade the obviously slightly intimidated koopa into listening. He looked down at it, it was indeed a very fine weapon. Polished to a clear, beautiful chrome pigment with a tip as sharp as a serrated shark tooth. The hilt sporting a tough rawhide leather grip, both classy and comfortable.

"What do you say, pal?" Blood clutched the artifact, concealing it behind his back as it pulsed wildly. This is definitely the fifth hero...

[Sky]

"Heroes of legends? What? Me? How does that work? It can't really be true, can it? I mean, I may be a decent flyer... ...what am I saying, I get stuck in trees for crying out loud. Umm, well.. I seem stuck with it now. I better tag along.. I'd hate to disappoint them, I think. ...I just wanted to read a book today..."

The paratroopa eyed the bow he was given as he tagged along in back with the group, it was sorta neat, he thought. The grip was sound, he tried holding it, pointing the quiver upwards, downwards, he looked awkward just doing so. It's like he's in his own little world now, probably needed his full attention to even grasp the concept of holding a bow right.

As for the quiver, instead of slinging that to his shell, he simply put it right in his mailbag, carried on his side. I does seem mighty convenient for him, seeing as he has some sort of item to carry things in. Having gotten used to having some sort of weight on his side like that in the past, it didn't bother him all that much, coupled with the fact that any potential arrow that could be in there would only graze his hard shell, it didn't matter.

Hearing a conversation snapped him back to reality though, noticing how silly he looks, he hastily, and clumsily, slipped the bow around his shell, pushing his glasses back up, shuffling his feet, and gave a small...

"Heh Heh." "How embarrasing... oh my..."

[Teo]

(Hey! Remember me?)

Trombador woke up roughly an hour or so later, and the sun was higher than when he had made his morning deliveries. Bleh, I've got like five hours until I have to start my second delivery job. Why is it Paratroopas are assigned delivery jobs? And on that note, he heard screaming outside. He looked out the window and saw a green yoshi who had just spilled her cans, and was looking angrily at a light blue yoshi. He looked at the commotion, but it ended with a dagger, a rock, and a magikoopa before he could utter "fight! fight! fight!" As the excitement calmed down, he watched them talk... which was not fun to watch, so Trombador decided to go out and get something to eat. Maybe a coconut could do it, or a Kola nut... whatever could be found would do, as long as it was hard, brown, and edible.

Trombador put his shoes on... a pair of red and white sneakers... and went off into the woods on foot, which were right by his house. Being a bit picky, every time he saw a fruit he believed there'd be a better one farther off, and ventured through the woods in a zig zagging line for what seemed like forever. He finally found something he wanted, black berries! But the forest animals had eaten all the reachable ones, and it would be tough to fly and hang over the thorny bushes to grab some. There was an overhanging branch though...

Trombador jumped, one foot out, towards a tree, bounded off the tree, spread his wings to give him a small jump start, enough to reach the branch just over-hanging the big bush. He clasped his knees around the branch and swung down, held only by his legs and started picking berries. He never got to eat any though, after having gotten on the branch, swung down, and almpst gotten a berry, an almost ear-piercing scream seemed to echo through the woods, shouting "TOOOAAADIIIEES!!" This distraction was enough to make him lose his delicate hold and he found himself diving headfirst into the bushes.

The paratroopa was in plenty of pain, letting out low, wincing sounds of pain. "Ow... ow... ow... stupid little... ow..." he was retreating into his shell, but he was full of cuts and leftover thorns still piercing his flesh. He managed to curl in his shell completely and started shifting his weight in a manned where he was spinning in place. After gaining enough stored up energy, he put himself on his side and wheeled out of the bushes, popping out of his shell while still spinning, landing in a stand where it was possible to see his numerous thorns still stuck in him. He wanted to take them out as fast as possible, but first he wanted to figure out who would shout "toadies!" and make him fall in a blackberry bush. It was probably not their fault, but still. Trombador opened his scratched, but functional, wings and flew off towards the sound.

He saw a gathering swarm of toadies... obviously someone had called them... obviously... and in the middle appeared a Magikoopa, one who looked similar to images of Kamek, but... different still. He waited around, hopping to get noticed...

[Not-Garr]

Lorro looked at the weapon he was offered, and stared for a moment, it was beautiful, and...he could feel something inside of him screaming for him to take it and help this group, almost like he was meant to...

He reached out and grabbed the hilt of the lance, "Let's hear it, then." he couldn't believe the confidence in his voice, he hadn't felt this sure of himself ever since...he shook his head quickly, best not to remember that, "Tell me, I'll help you, not much better I have to do.."

[Chilaquiles]

Malthos caught sight of the small paratroopa boy and took immediate and hostile action.

"You!" Malthos waved his magikoopa rod at the paratroopa and levitated him right off his feet, leaving him suspended in midair and completely immobile. "Have you seen a...", he was almost too embarassed to ask. "...a, well, to put it simply, a purple stone?" Malthos didn't expect a satisfying answer, but he was desperate enough to ask almost anyone.

-----------------------------------------------

Blood let go of the shining lance, allowing the koopa troopa to take it from him.

"Let me explain to you what you are, friend." The tall red yoshi revealed the artifact from behind his back and held it close to Lorro's heart, it pulsed and glowed more wildly than ever before. "You're a hero. One of the few who will bring about everlasting peace to this island. It may sound crazy, but...you'll understand what I mean in due time..."

Blood looked back at the idle rest of the group. "All right folks, c'mon after me!" Blood pointed to the massive volcano of the island, and walked into the forest beyond the village.

[Teo]

Trombador found his wings immobile after 'Kamek' had found him, but he was still airborne. He found his position to be rather uncomfortable, being that he was being suspended in the air unable to move. But as long as I don't take this guy seriously, everything will be fine!

"Purple stone you say? Regular or decaf?" he let out. It was one of the dumber puns, but inside, he chuckled. "Yeah I saw a few, they're all around Twilight beach. In fact, if you're looking to decorate, I recomme- ugh!" The hold on him had clearly grown more uncomfortable, and he knew he had to say something serious now. "No, if you're looking for a magic stone, I haven't seen any."

[Chilaquiles]

"I should clip your wings off, you smart mouth!" Malthos bared his teeth, and twitched angrily, but then his face relaxed, and he smiled. "You...You don't know fear do you? Hmhmhm..." Malthos released the paratroopa from his magical hold.

"Tell me...do you admire the power I hold? How would you like to have a good fraction of this magic as your own, sounds enticing, does it not?" Malthos hovered circles around him, trying to sound as confident and persuasive as possible. "Yes, a magic rod of your own. Just as fine as the one I hold in my hand. I have a plan, you see... to take this place and make it my own, as well as the vast, seemingly endless world beyond this puny island. If you help me accomplish this I will promise you half of every benefit. I am a koopa of my word, I assure you."

Malthos snapped his fingers and two Toadies appeared as if from nowhere, lugging a glimmering pure gold magikoopa rod with a clear-as-crystal, fantastic red ruby on the magic end. Malthos the magikoopa extended his hand.

"Come on then..."

[Teo]

Wow did I stumble on something big... Trombador thought. The koopa had just asked him to take up the side of evil and conquering the world. For a second, he was deep in thought. I don't care so much about ruling the world, maybe it would be a good thing... since everyone would be united, war wouldn't break out, but I still don't trust this Koopa. He IS offering me power right NOW instead of promising it until later... that's word enough for me. I don't trust him. I don't trust him... but if he's going to rule the world, someone's going to have to help him run it. Heck, if that person happens to be me, I could actually do some good for his world-dom. Maybe a united world isn't that bad... the wand... that crystal, glowiness... but wait. Trombador had a few... issues first.

"If you don't mind me asking a few questions before accepting... you know, critical decision between choosing to go to evil and all... first, where did you get such a wand to just appear? It looks fantastic... and second, what is your name?" He said, addressing the MagiKoopa.

[Chilaquiles]

"Oh, the wand...I've prepared for this day, boy. The day when a fellow like you might join me... I wanted a gift, something just as fantastic as the wand that's been passed down through my own generation... That, and my toadies are highly trained. Yes, very fast fellows, they all are...However, that is all insignificant detail. My name is Malthos Mercator, but Malthos will do just fine..."

"So, now that I've answered your questions, let us...shake hands. A gesture of trust, yes?" Malthos extended his hand again.

[Teo]

Trombador saw the Magikoopa's hand, and it struck him he had no choice in the matter. He'd be killed right there if he didn't agree. He drowned the expression with that of the wand... the thought of power and the urge to use it was... tempting in the least. He grinned... "Koopa, you've got a deal!" he said, clasping the Koopa's old hand with his, and shaking it firmly.

[Chilaquiles]

"Hahahahaha!! Gyah!" As soon as the paratroopa gripped his hand, Malthos grunted and a bolt of black lightning shot down his shoulder past his arm, reaching Trombador's hand and engulfing him in the dark electricity.

"Let this one's soul be filled with evil ambition!" He chanted. The paratroopa's eye's turned from innocent to scheming and dark, his shell, and boots turning black to match his terrifying expression. "Bwahahah, it won't hurt for too much longer, boy! Soon you'll grow to love the feeling, I quite assure you." Malthos kept a constant flow of energy flowing through his arm for a good 30 seconds before finally stopping, and letting the unsuspecting paratroopa recover.

"Hmhm, you look better this way...You may have this now." Malthos grinned, thrilled at his creation. He took the wand from his toadies and held it out in front of him, presenting it to the new Trombador.

[Teo]

Gneheheheh... I knew something like this would happen. No matter, better evil than dead. Trombador had instantly corrupted. He had seen such a move coming and prepared for it in the ways he could, knowing such evil would run through his veins. His intentions had gone from helping Malthos run the planet with unification and peace, to that of a selfish heart. Despite a small, final, instinctive resistance to the evil, he welcomed it.

"Heh heh... you're good Koopa, you're going to have to teach me that someday," Trombador said, snatching the wand without even admiring it. "So tell me, now that I've changed, what is the next step towards domination?"

[Chilaquiles]

"We find the artifact. Surely you know of it now. I passed knowledge of it during your transformation...But first you need a broom, my boy. It will be faster and much more efficient than those clumsy wings of yours." Malthos snapped his fingers and a group of five toadies carried Trombador off the ground.

"To the uh...Koopa Kave." Malthos zoomed off in the opposite direction, the toadies holding on to Trombador and flying after him.

[Not-Garr]

Lorro recoiled at the stone, marvelling as it pulsed, backing up, "... ...Okay...Now I'm a legendary hero. Right..." and started to follow Blood, tossing his old stick aside, and shoving the lance into his shell in its' place, sighing, he sure had a lot to think about.

Like this whole hero business, what was up with that? This Yoshi walks right up to him, thrusts a beautiful weapon at him, calls him a hero, and then says he'll help bring peace to an already peaceful island? Is this guy a nutcase?

He turned his gaze to look at his new companions, and immediately seperated himself from the group out of shyness, staying within speaking distance, but tending to stay a little away from the main body, closer to the 'loonie'.

[Sky]

"All this is so confusing.. I wonder how -we- were chosen to do this, and by who? I mean, if we were chosen, then someone knew it was going to happen? Does that makes sense? Umm, it seems to, but how can anyway see what'll happen ahead of time, especially on something of such a large scale as this? Umm... and why me? Looking at the others, and the new one, I can understand, but umm... me? How can a paratroopa that was chased from his mailman job for being so clumsy and that never talks be of any hero value? I.. maybe I should start talking more? I mean.. no one really asked much of me yet.. I umm.."

Walking along behind the group, bringing up the rear, he follows the lead of the red yoshi. Having fallen quiet, the group just seemed to walk along, and he finally decided to break the silence, and says something..

"Umm.. hi." "That was such a silly thing to say, especially at this point.. greetings were at least half an hour ago.. oh dear.. umm.. elaborate.. yeah... elaborate."

"I, umm.. forgot to say my name to you all.." He pushes his small, rounded glasses back towards his eyes before carrying on. "It's Skyler.. Skyler Haudvenia.. ..I used to be the mailman.." "I umm.. hope they don't remember bad mail service.."

Even with or without a positive response, he slightly lowered his gaze, trodding along behind them, keeping up but obviously not willing to go up front, certainly not the assertive type.

[Enrique]

It seemed not too long after the new band of heros had left Blood's hut that Blood had found his fifth hero, in the form of a Koopa Troopa who seemed to be in the plan for the weapon that was offered, the lance that Blood said was for the fifth hero. At this point, Henrikoshen didn't seem to care as much for the legend or the elder's request as he was for returning to normal life as he knew it.

Following the rest of group was the paratroopa, who had introduced himself as Skyler. Although he seemed to be a very timid individual by the why he stumbled as he spoke, Henrikoshen figured that he would be quite friendly. Only slightly behind Henrikoshen was the green Yoshi girl that he accidentally hit with the rock a short while ago. In front of him were Blood and the newest "hero."

After he had examined the island's new A-Team, he noticed that Blood was quickly getting started on re-writing the old legend, entering the forest en route to the volcano in the center of the island. Henrikoshen followed Blood into the forest right behind; however, he walked slightly slower than Blood did.