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[img]https://i.imgur.com/O6MhssR.png[/img]

[b][color=6ecff6]Level 2[/color][/b] - (8/20) EXP 
[b][color=6ecff6]Location:[/color][/b] 1-1, Castle Moat ---> Sewer Dungeon
[b][color=6ecff6]Word Count:[/color][/b] 1,083

[sub][b][color=6ecff6]Straight From the Underground[/color][/b][/sub][/center]
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Geno's plan would work as the bombfish completely decapacitated the pair of guards closest to it. It came as somewhat of a surprise to him, considering how the explosion wasn't very large. He wouldn't know much about the scientifics about how the pressure waves would've completely compress the air-pockets within their frail body and rapture their organs, not once, but multiple as they bounce back, inflicting even more damage. Even if they weren't dead, they would be seriously injured almost beyond repair. He'd glance back to see the other guards beginning to panic, but not due to the explosion. 

The wooden doll would look up to see one of the ferocious humanoid monsters swim above him, completely ignoring him as it made its way towards the nearest toad. As it sank its vicious teeth into it, it would shake it in its ravenous maw, smashing it between the castle walls and the lakebed, with silt flying everywhere. Geno could barely see what was going on, but he soon saw the other nearby toads beginning to open fire on the creature, as they harpoons attempted to latch onto it. But as they concentrated on the lakelurker, they would leave the gate unguarded - making it the perfect opportunity for the star warrior to make his way into the castle.

Quietly, Geno laid low as he carefully made his way to the barred gate. While the bars were too squeezed together for the doll to get through, he knew a way to easily break in, without alerting the other toads. He activated two of his light disks in his hands and sliced two of the bars off at just the right size for him to enter. He would look back to see if the toads were alerted to his presence one last time - still seeing them deal with the massive monster - as he then wasted little time in entering the green pipe and made his way into the castle.

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[center][sub][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMKNkR60YcQ][b]The Dark Dank Sewers[/b][/url][/sub][/center]

Geno would proceed to swim through the tight corridors within the pipe, wondering how Mario and Luigi was able to put up with these rather claustrophobic-esque pipes. Of course, vaguely remembering of there plumber-origins, he wouldn't be very surprised at this notion. But just half-a-minute in, the star warrior would find the light at the end of the tunnel. Once he emerged from the pipe, he would be greeted to a rather gloomy environment. He instantly recognized this place to be some kind of sewer system - with his adventures with Mario in the Kero Sewers confirming this. However, his mind would instantly think back to that one run in with [url=https://www.mariowiki.com/images/a/ad/Belome_SMRPG.png]the creepy dog monster, Belome,[/url] someone he really didn't want to relive that experience with right now.

But this sewer area was different compared to the one he explored with his friends. While it still sported the casual moldy stone brick passage ways, along the faint torchlight lighting the paths, and the eerie fungus that grew in the shadows, this didn't feel much like a proper sewer system. As Geno continued walking down the cold dank corridor, he can spot a number of large heavy wooden doors down the path. A good number were still in relatively good shape. Some were closed shut, but some were wide open. And a few in particular were completely demolished, as if something broke out of them. Perhaps some of these doors were supposed to represent some kind of cells for prisoners to rot in. But for these to be in Peach's Castle? Surely she wouldn't be the tye of person to do such a thing right? But he always had to remember that this isn't 100% her castle - rather it was her castle and perhaps an amalgamation of other worlds and places throughout the near infinite amount of worlds. But just the thought that they might've originally been placed by Princess Peach herself - or her ancestors - was still rather disturbing to the doll.

Geno could also hear several unidentifiable noises echoing throughout the chambers, adding to the spooky eeriness to this entire dungeon. He really shouldn't be down here, but even then he had no choice. If only he can find the staircase back up to the main castle would he feel at least a little more easy - even if more dangerous opponents await him there. And yet ironically the more he searched, the more curious he was to explore. Something about this place - despite how creepy and foreboding it looked - intrigued his interest the deeper he descended. He had no idea what vile, repulsive, creatures wait in the shadows - other than the occasional rats and minor goombas - but if worse come to worse, he'll either have to fight them head-on or flee for his life and hide within the dark corridors. 

He'll just have to be careful and not get lost in the process.

Eventually, he wooden doll would come across a barred gate that protected a staircase leading upwards. This must be the gate that leads up to the main castle floors. His way out of here is nearly assured! But then Geno noticed another door that was across from it - an ominous door that had the nearly unmistakable aura of King Bowser himself. The keyring next to the entry gate confirmed this as it held not just a regular key for the normal cells, but there was a larger key that had Bowser's face embellished on it. Geno would snatch both keys from the ring, but paused before he can put them away in his inventory. 

He looked up at the ominous Bowser gate with intrigue, wondering what horrible secrets lied behind its green-and-gold exterior. From what Mario had told him, it could range from a complicated obstacle course that lead to a bridge, or perhaps another world made entirely in the Koopa King's image to stop the plumber. Geno would be lying if he wasn't even remotely curious about what was inside. He would slowly raise its respected key towards the keyhole, almost being tempted to open pandora's box. Yet quickly he would jerk it back, pausing for another second, until quickly putting it under his cap.

No. He won't open it just yet. If anything, he's going to wait for Bowser to inspect it once he and the others arrive. After all, if there's anyone who would know, it would be him. 

Using the regular key, Geno would proceed to unlock the gate that blocked his entrance upstairs and proceeded to head up there instead.