Yoshi Legacy: Heroes of the Mushroom Continent - Chapter 4

I swung the door open. Before me lay a long hallway, completely dark. The candle I was holding was blown out by a draft in the room, much to my irritation. Yet, due to the urgency of my haste, I was compelled to continue forward, rather than to retreat to find a new source of illumination.

The clop of my boots on the cold, stone ground made a clatter reverbate throughout the hall. The silence that accompanied my plod would have unnerved most others, especially if they knew of the place I was in. My gaze peered around the walls, and my eyes admired the unnatural purple flame dimly emitting light from the walls. With a slight grin, I continued my trek until I reached a door. My arms quickly pushed them asunder, and I stepped inside.

What was inside was very hard to see. However, I knew it was the throne room of this castle. I threw down my candle, and proceeded to straighten my tattered clothing up. Out loud, I let my presence be known.

"I am present."

An aura was created from the opposite end of the room. The emanation itself distorted light, making everything seem like it was not only monochrome, but inverted in color. And in the middle of that aura was the one I had been called for by. He stared at me, perhaps with a look of slight irritation.

"Well, met... Clay.", he responded.

"Your majesty, why have you called me here?", I demanded.

He placed one arm on his side, and stood up off of his throne. "You recall all of the recent events that have taken place, am I not correct, Clay?"

"Hmph. Of course. A small revolt was issued recently by the people.", I responded.

"It wasn't just a small revolt! It was nearly a full-blown revolution! Their leader, she... she was standing before me in this very room! I had to destroy her myself! She almost succeeded in slaying me, if not for this crown you gifted to me.", he angrily responded.

"Shadow Yoshi, please. I had no idea that such a girl would show her face. Yoshi's Island is foreign land to me. Had I known, I would have quelled it much more quickly.", I replied.

Shadow Yoshi took a seat once again on his throne. His fury was far from quenched, and he followed up with a reminder that the incident also claimed the life of the Captain of his Guard.

I placed my arms behind myself, and let out a small sigh. "He died with honor, fighting for your life, my liege. His sacrifice shall not go in vain, my liege."

His hands formed fists, and he slammed them upon the finely crafted chair he was seated upon. He lashed out at me, "How could you just ignore his death, or brush it off as a small matter? And how dare you act condescending towards me? I am by far your superior, and you should know your place, lest you perish to my power.", he threatened.

"Apologies, my lord. I did not mean to upset you. Please, surrender upon me your request, and I shall be off after fulfilling it.", I said, hoping for some peace from him.

Thankfully, he complied. "Rrgh. Very well. I request a Call to Arms. Bring to me the remaining able soldiers as well as the Elemental Masters. All four of them.", he ordered.

"But of course. I am off, my liege.", I said with grace.

I left, and many minutes later, returned with the requested subjects. I stepped aside, and watched as they all poured into the room. Soldiers of many kinds, all wearing the royal uniform of Yoshius, stepped in uniform motion. They spread into two different groups on the left and right sides of the room, and after the last soldiers entered, three other figures followed. The first was a female Yoshi, with arms on katanas. Her hair was messy, but her expression was very, very proud. Following her was a red male Yoshi, whom gave me a hoodlum-like look to me upon passing me. He was dressed in strange garb, presumably made from animal hide. On his waist was some kind of bow with flame details on it. The final of the three was robed, and held a staff. It was also worth mentioning that his eyes were closed, and he moved forward without emotion.

The three passed by the small crowd of guards and kneeled before Shadow Yoshi in front of him. The girl began to speak first after they all finished paying respects. "What have you called us here for, my leader?", she inquired.

Shadow Yoshi stood from his throne, and his face became solemn. "It's been ten long years since I've come here and conquered this castle. We all recently heard of the uprising that nearly overthrew my hard-earned rule here, am I not correct?

"Well, it's kinda hard NOT to hear about it. All the dudes that live here can't stop talking about it and stuff, Shadow.", the red Yoshi replied.

"Burnie, you pest. I thought we had it clear that I would do all the talking.", the woman said whilst giving him a mean look.

"Well, EXCUUUUUUSE me, Gale.", Burnie responded with a cross look on his face.

"Shadow Yoshi, my apologies. I hope you can forgive this lout for his insolence.", Gale said.

"I honestly care not about it. What I called you here for is to remind you that in order to keep my rule in place, you must hold the people in my rule's grasp more tightly. I am the head that controls you, my arms. Fasten them to my rule, and quench any possible outrages that may come in the future. That is all.", Shadow Yoshi said.

"Now, now, wait a gosh durn minute, Shadow. I almost forgot to mention something I heard from someone today, thanks to SOMEONE here.", Burnie piped up, glaring at Gale, who rolled her eyes.

"Anyways, lemme go on, Shadow. I heard that YOSHIUS was still ALIVE! Yeah, get THAT!", Burnie yelled.

I literally almost had a heart attack when I heard him say that. Sure, the King and his son were still alive, but I was trying to handle that on my own. I didn't need Shadow Yoshi to know, else he'd be thrown into a panic.

"It's a lie! He's lying! Yoshius is-", I tried to blurt out.

"Silence, Clay!", Shadow Yoshi roared. He created a congregation of dark energy in his hand, and pointed it at Gale. "Tell me now, Gale. Is this true or not?" 

Threatened, Gale was forced to let the secret be known. "Yes, yes it is, my master.", she said while taking a knee and lowering her head. "In fact, it's been a problem for a while now."

"Oh, is that so? Why have I been left oblivious to this?", Shadow Yoshi asked.

"It was for your own good, my liege. It was so you wouldn't worry. Yoshius is hardly a threat anyways. He's just a normal Yoshi, while you are practically a god.", I blurted out.

"It was a secret between Clay and I. We were handling it on our own terms.", Gale added.

"And what made you think you could take him down with just your own selves? He could have amassed an army by now!"

"It's hardly possible that he'd be able to drag an army down to the bottom of the ocean. Remember that you live so far below sea.", I replied.

Shadow Yoshi hesitated for a moment, and calmed down. "I suppose you ARE right. I mean, if there's no way for him to get to us, then what fear should we have of him?"

"I heard that he's grabbin' the Elements! These gems are gonna give him ultimate power, and tear us from the ocean floor. He's comin' for ya, I've heard!", Burnie yelled before we could quiet him.

Shadow Yoshi took a quick step back, and his relieved expression turned into one of reeling anger. His reaction was swift.

"I don't want to hear any more of this matter. My orders are clear, my masters. Bring me the elements! Take them, and bring me them! And don't request to be called back here until you have done so!" He then enveloped his commanders in an energy and teleported them away. "As for you soldiers, I hereby order you all to seek out Yoshius and kill him, as well as any who affiliate themselves with him!", he added. The guards were subsequently teleported by Shadow Yoshi as well.

After they had all been whisked away, it was just Shadow Yoshi and I left in the room. His gaze met mine, and he gave me a mean look. "Until further notice...", he said whilst panting in anger, "you are dismissed, Clay."

I picked up my candle off of the floor, and left the room.