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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ikUnIyS.png[/img]

[b][u]Levels:[/u][/b] [color=ed1c24][b]2 (1/20)[/b][/color] | [color=6ecff6][b]3 (26/30)[/b][/color]
[b][u]Location:[/u][/b] Peach’s Castle
[b][u]Word Count:[/u][/b] 1,050

[color=6ecff6][b][i]Boost Cool-Down Time (T-3 Posts)[/i][/b][/color]

[color=ed1c24][b][i]Level 2! New Ability Unlocked! - F . L . U . D . D[/i][/b][/color]

[sub][b]Direct Mentions:[/b] [@DracoLunaris], [@Lugubrious][/sub]
[sub][b]Passing Mentions:[/b] [@CAWs For Alarm][/sub]

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With their current enemies defeated and now amongst their ranks, both Mario and Geno turned their attention towards the castle at large. The former was still battered from the initial fight against the robot Poppi, however he was far from being out of the battle entirely. As Mario watched both her and Tora follow King Koopa's thunderous stomps towards the castle, he quickly shook out his tiredness as he followed in pursuit. Meanwhile, from a distance, Geno beckoned the newly-released Henry to come forth as he witnessed the group beginning to advance from the chaos. The climax of their battle seemed imminent as they proceeded to enter winged Bowser's domain.

Once inside, they were greeted to a swarm of very frightened toads that were running in absolute panic. Yet as Bowser and the Master of Masters proceeded to joke on the cowardliness of the inhabitants, Mario attempted to calm them down the only way he knew how.

[color=ed1c24][b]"Wait-a-guys!"[/b][/color] he called out, unaware of their possession, [color=ed1c24][b]"Calm-a-down! We aren't here to cause-a-harm! Look! It's-a-me! Mario! You know-a-me, yeah?"[/b][/color]

But the mushroom people continued to run around frantically as if they hadn't heard Mario's voice at all. The plumber seemed puzzled by this notion before Geno placed a hand on his shoulder.

[color=6ecff6][b]"They can't hear you."[/b][/color] he bluntly said, [color=6ecff6][b]"Look at their eyes. They're also possessed by Galeem's influence - just like the fighters we've fought outside. Everyone else is essentially this way at this point. I doubt they'd be useful for the fight ahead anyways, so no use trying to free them right now, I'm afraid."[/b][/color]

Mario seemed mildly disappointed at the situation, but he also wasn't surprised by this either. The toads were valiant to a fault in protecting the Princess, however they are utterly useless against the mighty fire-breathing demon koopa - let alone two of them at once. With only a slight reluctance, the plumber nodded as he left the toads to their own devices.

But before he could reach the main hallway, Mario's gazed suddenly shifted to a [url=https://www.mariowiki.com/images/3/30/FLUDD_SMS.png]strange item[/url] lying in a corner. Yet upon giving it a closer inspection, a wave of nostalgia washed over him as he quickly realized what the object was. It was none-other than the Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device - otherwise known as F.L.U.D.D!

[color=ed1c24][b]"Well what-a-do we have here?"[/b][/color] Mario asked with a smile as he approached the water jetback, [color=ed1c24][b]"I thought I left-a-you back home..."[/b][/color

Once he got close enough to it, FLUDD began to activate as it stood up on both wooden nozzles to take a better look at the plumber.

[i]"Power-up complete."[/i] it spoke in a robotic tone, [i]"Thank you for purchasing this item from Gadd Science, Incorporated. Preparing to register customer informa~"[/i]

[color=ed1c24][b]"Yeah, yeah you-a-know me."[/b][/color] Mario hastily interrupted as he took no time to quickly put him on his shoulders. 

Once the plumber returned, Geno gave a puzzled look at the object that Mario had on his back.

[color=6ecff6][b]"What's that thing on your back?"[/b][/color] he asked curiously.

[color=ed1c24][b]"FLUDD."[/b][/color] he replied back, [color=ed1c24][b]"Essentially a water-spouting machine. Not-a-sure what it was doing here, but I ought-a take it anyways."[/b][/color]

After all, he had a [i]weird[/i] feeling that he's going to need it really soon.

And as soon as they entered Megadragonbowser's make-shift throne room, the mustached man's blood began to boil furiously as he once again set eyes on that cowardly winged beast. Yet as the rival king revealed several cages of imprisoned fighters, both Mario and Geno were quick to recognize two respective fighters - with each badly injured and knocked-out. 

[color=ed1c24][b]"DK?"[/b][/color] the former asked as his eyes blazed into a fit of kept-up rage as he silently glared over at Megadragonbowser.

Meanwhile, Geno looked upon the cage containing the purple dragon he encountered not too long ago. Guilt overflew his entire frame, along with the memories of what he had done to him. It would be utterly cruel of the puppet to leave him here without taking the dragon with him. 

[center][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2DNbYdydik]"Second Encounter Against Megadragonbowser!"[/url][/center]

Suddenly, their Bowser bellowed as he called out to his hammer bro and rabbid healer strikers as they attempted to free DK and the others from their cages. This enraged the flying Bowser as he spewed a large fireball into the air, which exploded once hitting the ceiling as molten rain began to descend down upon them. Amongst the rug and curtains feeling the burn, the cages were also covered a massive amount of flame that blocked easy access in freeing the captives. 

Mario was quick to dodge the incoming flaming projectiles, along with Geno respectively, but the latter felt like an unlit match surrounded by candles on all sides. He had to be careful to not be set ablaze by the massive amounts of fire that surrounded him. He'd love it if he can fly again...

So it was much of a surprise to him once he realized that his thrusters were finally back online! 

While they weren't 100% full just yet, it ought to be just enough for him to engage the boss from the air. But before he could engage, Mario approached to him with a plan in mind.

[color=ed1c24][b]"Geno,"[/b][/color] the plumber told him, [color=ed1c24][b]"I have-a-plan to free the captives!"[/b][/color]

[color=6ecff6][b]"Let me guess,"[/b][/color] the puppet replied, [color=6ecff6][b]"You're going to use that water-pack of yours to douse the flames surrounding them."[/b][/color]

[color=ed1c24][b]"Mhm,"[/b][/color] Mario nodded, [color=ed1c24][b]"Help distract winged Bowser and cover me as I make my way over there."[/b][/color]

[color=6ecff6][b]"Will do - oh and I have one request to ask of you."[/b][/color]

The plumber turned to him wonderingly.

[color=6ecff6][b]"If you see a small purple dragon,"[/b][/color] the puppet said carefully, [color=6ecff6][b]"Make sure you keep him alive and let me know - I have plans involved with him."[/b][/color]

[color=ed1c24][b]"You-a-know him?"[/b][/color] Mario asked.

[color=6ecff6][b]"It's a long story - I'll tell you later. Now go!"[/b][/color]

The plumber tipped his cap before finally making his way towards the cage. He proceeded to stay out of Megadragonbowser's sight, using the fire to aid in cover and used FLUDD to extinguish any flames that blocked his path. But he must use this sparingly, for he only has a limited amount before it runs dry.

Meanwhile, Geno launched himself into the sky as he open fired on the flying koopa's position,  using his speed to dodge any incoming projectile attacks if they so happened to approach him.