Chapter 1 - Soil (TBtG)

-2 YEARS LATER-

The first sensation Sarge felt was the earthy soil draped around his body as his bones quickly reconnected themselves. His hand instinctively shot up as he felt himself being dragged to the surface, the dirt scrapping his rib cage. He could feel the cold crisp air mingle with his hand as he quickly surfaced from his resting place. His last few bones snapped into place as he fell to his knees, violently coughing. The dryness in Sarge’s mouth was unbearable as the last of the dirt fell out of his jaw bone. As vision returned to the bony skellobit, he looked down at his new form. Dread washed over Sarge as he comprehended what he had become.

“Welcome back.”

Sarge turned his head to the voice, discovering a black magikoopa looming over him. The menacing figure was wearing rose tinted glasses and wielded a golden wand. Sarge struggled to find a way to produce words from what was left of his mouth.

“W-W-What… did… y-you..” was all that Sarge could sputter in his new, dryer voice.

“Congratulations Mr. Sarge, you’ve been recruited to join my army of undead minions. I am Nedd the Necromancer, and I’ve been searching for a worthy soul to become captain of my guard. Your obscurity and previous occupation have made you a prime candidate to lead these fine soldiers.” said Nedd as he gestured behind him.

Sarge noticed three figures standing awkwardly a few paces behind the necromancer. One was a nervous looking dry bones, another was a wizened looking bony beetle, finally an angry looking bone goomba stood glaring at the confused skellobit.

“I-I just want to g-go home.” pleaded Sarge.

“I don’t think society would accept a mangled pile of bones into their lives.” said Nedd coldly “You could either live out your life alone in solitude for all eternity, or you could come with me and I’ll eventually restore you back to a toad.”

“You can make me a toad again?” Sarge asked, getting used to his new voice.

“Not yet” said Nedd, “but if you help me amass enough power I can control the forces of life and death. If I can’t turn you back to a toad, I’ll at least be able to remove your immortality.”

Sarge once again took a long look at this new bony body, he was disgusted by the sight of the dirt covered bones and the dryness that enveloped all his senses. He didn’t trust the Necromancer at all, but he couldn’t stand the thought of living alone forever, unable to die. It would drive him to insanity.

“Heh” Ned said “your eyes have told me your answer. “Let us make for the hideout, the five of us have much to discuss.”