Jimmy and Parakarry went to the main gates and Jimmy turned to Parakarry and asked him. "So Mario is a pretty famous guy huh?"

"Oh Yeah! Mario saved the kingdom from Bowser tons of times." Parakerry replied to him with pride. "I helped him on his last adventure."

"Wow that's so cool!" Jimmy exclaimed and looked to the right and saw the hill. "That's Shooting Star hill huh? Let's go!" Jimmy ran to where the hill began and noticed that the stars glittered here brighter than ever. "Wow..."

"Shooting star hill is a very nice place don't you think?" Parakarry commented as they began the assention up the steps to some sort of star shrine with seven little grooves where there was a small carving on the the floor for each grooves. The grooves resembled stars of a kind. "This is where one would go to make a wish."

"Hey! There's some sort of castle thing way in the sky over there." Jimmy pointed to an ugly ominous castle in the sky. "Is that the castle I'm supposed to storm?"

"That's Bowser's castle and he's got Peach, Mario and Luigi. Last time I was here, there was some sort of portal thing that could transport us to Star Haven but how come there isn't?" Parakarry wondered and suddenly there was a bright flash.

The flash was a star descending from Star Haven of the tiny variety. It appeared to be a cute and tiny star. "Oh no! Oh no!"

"It's Twink!" Parakarry exclaimed. "How come you're not in star haven with the rest of the star spirits?"

"They've been sealed! Star Haven itself has been sealed by Kammy Koopa!" Twink cried. "Where's Mario and Luigi?"

"They've been kidnapped by Bowser." Parakarry replied grimly.

"Did you say Kammy Koopa?!" Jimmy asked loudly. "Does this Kammy person look like a geeky turtle witch with a purplish robe and she rides on a broom?"

"Yes! You described her perfectly!" Twink sparkled. "Why?"

"She attacked me in my dream!" Jimmy said. "How come?"

"You! You! You! You!" Twink freaked out. "You're the one!!"

"I'm the...what?" Jimmy asked.

"You're the one the star spirits sent for! They don't have Mario so they summoned you!" Twink smiled brightly. "You're the one who's destined to save this world from Bowser! Since you're here, I'm going to give you a message. The star spirits have chosen you because you have what it takes to be the next hero. Sorry but you may be stuck here so you'd better make as many friends as you can."

"Not a big problem." Jimmy shrugged unemotionally.

"You however are vital to the mission so you must be protected at all cost. Parakarry, you need to protect him and you need to find the others."

"I'll do whatever I can." Parakerry nodded bravely. "What do we do now?"

"You need to find your friends first. One in particular, Goombario." Twink said. "I don't know why but they want Goombario to be Vex's guardian."

"Well, we'll do it! He's the closest anyway." Parakarry said and turned to Jimmy. "Let's go!"

"Right." Jimmy nodded and they both waved a farewell to Twink who headed towards Bowser's castle.

"Thank the stars that he actually wants to do this...because he has to whether he wants to or not. I only hope he'll be safe in their hands." Twink sighed with a bit of relief.

Parakarry and Jimmy walked back to Toad town and they finally walked to the gates to Goomba Village and suddenly the Mail Master opened the window and yelled. "Parakarry! I have some mail for you to deliver in the Gusty Gulch. It's priority mail!"

"Oh no! Priority mail!" Parakarry gasped.

"I'll be fine, it's just a couple of blocks." Jimmy said and then he ran out of town.

"Please be okay..." Parakarry hushed as he flew into the building.

Jimmy walked out of the city and looked around ad saw some item boxes around and a couple of goombas. Jimmy walked walked over to the item boxes and jumped and jumped but couldn't reach them. "Man! What's up with these boxes? I can't reach them!!" Some goombas approached him and he jumped. "Excuse me, how do you reach this block?"

"Normally, one would jump." The first goomba said. "You don't look like a Mario relative..."

"I'm not! I'm just a nobody." Jimmy shrugged.

"Good! Then this job isn't going to be hard." The Goomba smirked and lunged at Jimmy but he jumped back and and picked up a rock.

"Don't come near me!" Jimmy menaced. "I've got a rock!" He threw it at them and they dodged it easily.

"That was it?! Ha ha ha!" They all laughed and then one jumped and knocked him down.

"Agh! Someone help me!" Jimmy cried as he landed on his back. "Aagh!"

"Ha! This is too easy!" The Goomba cheered. "We WIN! Finally, we WIN!"

"No you don't!" A voice shouted from somewhere and from out of nowhere, another goomba with a blue hat headbutted one off of Jimmy and Jimmy got up. The new Goomba shouted. "Leave him alone!"

"No! Orders are orders and I'm not going to be the one who lets the chosen child get away!" The larger goomba sneered and headbutted the capped Goomba and he tumbled to the ground. "HA!"

Jimmy looked up at the block and took a rock and hit it. To his surprise, it burst open and a badge popped out. The badge looked like a scribbly cartoonlike tornado. "Hey cool! A badge!"

"Wear it!" The capped goomba shouted and then headbutted the larger one and knocked it back. "Badges can give you special abilities."

Jimmy nodded and pinned it to his shoulder. He then spun around and chanted. "Gusty Blast!" He slammed his hand in the sand and a spiral wind formed, picking up the sand and it flew in the face of the larger goomba. He stumbled around grumbling. The capped goomba took the opportunity to attack with another headbutt and the larger goomba ran away in terror.

"You saved me!" Jimmy smiled at the capped Goomba. "What's your name?"

"My name's Goombario!" Goombario said proudly. "I was named sort of after Mario."

"You're Goombario! Thank goodness! I need your help!" Jimmy cried almost melodramatically. "I was sent here to help you all get Mario, Luigi and Peach back thanks to your star spirits but apparently they want everyone who helped last time to help me now. Anyway, they want you to be my guardian or something."

"I can't turn down a request from the star spirits...besides, you'll need all the help you can get." Goombario proudly remarked.

"Don't rub it in!" Jimmy smiled. "Once I get more badges, I'll get more power! Other than this gusty blast attack I just got."

"Got a gusty blast badge, huh? It doesn't do any serious damage but the wind can keep an enemy occupied for a little bit...it's a pretty small attack but hey, it's better than nothing." Goombario remarked as he examined the badge. "It's almost useless umless you're some sore of master wizard."

"Well it's all I got besides you. Well, now what?" Jimmy asked.

"Let's go see Kooper. Hopefully he'll be home." Goombario said but then looked him over. "Um...why are you wearing pajamas?"

"Oh right! I was wearing these when I got sent here." Jimmy smiled, embarrassed. "I probably look pretty dumb wearing these in the afternoon."

They ran back to Toad town and Jimmy ran into Jackie Tackie's boutique. Jimmy looked in the store and found a huge short sleeved t-shirt and a pair of shorts and smiled when he saw they were only 9 coins for both. "I think I'll buy these."

Jackie saw him and came over to him. "Hello sweetie, how can I help you."

"I wanna buy these. Here's the coins." Jimmy handed her nine coins and she rung it in the cash box. "I'm going on an adventure to save the world."

"Hee hee! You want to become the next Mario huh?" Jackie asked.

"No, I just want to save him and Peach." Jimmy said as he ran into a changing room and changed into his new clothes. "They've all been kidnapped."

"WHAT?! She's been kidnapped by Bowser again?!"

"Whoops..." Jimmy sighed as he got out of the changing room, fully dressed in his new clothes. "People here scare so easily, I wonder why?"

"You'd probably get scared if you saw Bowser too." Goombario commented. "On to Koopa village!"

"Right behind you!" Jimmy cheerily called.

They go into another part of Toad town and eventually leave it to the east and they enter the pleasant path. It was true to its name with a bridge and lots of nice plants. The only thing that wasn't pleasant on it was the enemies.

"What are they doing patrolling?" Goombario asked Jimmy and he just shrugged and Goombario continued. "Those over there are Koopas, their shell is hard and they have a defense but if you can knock them on their backs, they're pussycats. The goombas are well...basic. Any attack will work well on them."

"I don't think your basic. You're great!" Jimmy complimented. "You're much stronger than the normal goombas."

"Thanks!" Goombario smiled.

Jimmy and Goombario froze when the Koopa saw them. It popped into its shell and flew at them with blinding speed. Goombario dodged out of the way but Jimmy was hit although he blocked himself. He tumbled to the ground. "Ow! Ow! Fine! You asked for it! Gusty Blast!!" He made a swishing motion with his hands and a powerful blast of wind knocked the troopa on its back. Goombario jumped up and came down on it twice and it ran into the bushes, leaving behind a couple of coins. Jimmy jumped up in victory. "That wasn't too hard."

"It wasn't but let's see if you can take those goombas on!" Goombario challenged as three goombas approached menacingly. "Why don't you use that gusty blast attack again?"

"Nope! Let's see how tough they are now?" Jimmy said, smirking and ready to attack. He jumped up and came down on one Goomba in a body slam attack and the other two jumped on him. One was headbutted by Goombario and the other received a sharp kick from Jimmy. The goombas ran away in terror, leaving coins behind. Jimmy scooped up the coins. "Thanks guys!"

"Looks like clear sailing from here." Goombario said as they sauntered along the path. They walked until they hit a river without a bridge. "Well...here's a problem..."

"How do we get across?" Jimmy asked. "Isn't there supposed to be a bridge?"

"The troopas must've reset the switch. It's in that tree." Goombario looked up there and sure enough, there it was.

"Wait! I've got a great idea." Jimmy mumbled as he jumped up and gripped a branch. He pulled himself up onto it and climbed up to the canopy of the tree and dropped the switch. "There!"

Goombario jumped onto it and a huge plank slid up from the ground and fell over the gap. From its sides fell 2 support beams. Jimmy raised his eyebrows, impressed. Goombario turned to him and nodded and they continued onto the next area and Jimmy espied something in the water. "Look at that!"

Goombario looked over the water's edge and saw it two. It reflected the light from the sun and shone brightly. "Looks like a badge...how do you suppose we get it?"

"Like this!" Jimmy gleefully leapt into the water and took out the badge. He jumped out and shook the water off of him, splattering everything. I'll equip it, it looks like a badge with a fireball design on it.

"The fire orb badge!" Goombario knowledgeably said. "It'll allow you to do a small fire attack on a foe. It's weird though how you found it in the water."

"I'm sure THIS will help me! Let's go to Koopa Village!" Jimmy nodded and they found some goombas waiting around for them, the only thing is that they had hats with spikes on them. They hid out of sight and Jimmy turned to Goombario. "Okay...what were those?"

"Those are just spike goombas, goombas with well...spikes on their head. Don't jump on them or else you'll get hurt. No body slams either." Goombario said. "Watch out too, those spikes can cut you!"

"I've got an idea..." Jimmy said and walked out in front of them.

"No! Don't!" Goombario shouted after them.

"Hi ya!! Gusty Blast!!" Jimmy chanted and summoned a blast of wind which knocked them onto their spikes. They were floored and couldn't move. That's how we could get rid of them. "Now Fire Orb!!" He put his hands in front of them and summoned an orb of flame that flew up and came down on a goomba, charring it to a blackness. The goomba coughed and ran off and it scared the other goombas into fleeing. "Ugh..."

"What's wrong?" Goombario asked intently.

"Ugh, I feel kinda sick..." Jimmy groaned. "I think I'm out of juice..."

"You must have used up your energy during that attack..." Goombario replied. "Don't worry about it, You could probably rest up at a Toad house."

"What's a Toad house?" Jimmy asked.

"A house designated for the traveler and people can spend the night there or just take little naps." Goombario said. "Let's get you over there..."

They walked over to the Koopa Village and suddenly a net opened from above and dropped on them. They both cried out and fell to the ground. "What is this?! A net?!"

"You bet it is..." A voice said.

"Who is it?" Jimmy asked Goombario.

"I dunno!" He replied.

Suddenly there was a bright flash and a circular rainbow of of squares, triangles and circles appeared and circled around and eventually formed into a Magikoopa. "Your journey ends here..."

"Kammy Koopa...wait, you're not Kammy!" Goombario shouted.

"Right...I'm known as Pare Ill and you're my prisoners... This town is mine." Pare Ill scoffed proudly. "You are trespassing, and since I have orders, it's time for your life to end."

"We'll see about that!" Jimmy scowled. "FIRE ORB!!" He chucked several fireballs and they burned the net and set them free. "Now let's see who...ugh..." He fell to his knees.

"No! He's still out of it!" Goombario said with worry. "I'd better hold this guy off."

"I see you've got a couple of badges...well that won't help you!" Pare Ill smugly sneered and waved his wand to summon a blast of Koopa magic at Jimmy. Goombario jumped in its path and was knocked into him.

"Goombario! You didn't..." Jimmy groaned.

"I had to..." Goombario replied weakly. "I'm your guardian..."

"Oh! I'm choked up...have another one!!" The sorcerer waved his wand and summoned another blast of magic at them. Jimmy summoned the strength to move and picked Goombario up and ran.

"Is there...some sort of Item I could use to help get my strength up?" Jimmy asked Goombario. "I crave something sugary..."

"Well, check out a guy's house for food!" Goombario replied.

"You won't escape me!!" Pare Ill yelled and summoned more blasts of magic which hit things just behind Jimmy as he ran with Goombario.

Jimmy ran into a house and searched the cupboards and found a chocolate bars. In them. He shrugged and ate it. "Well...it'll do. Want some?"

"Thanks!" Goombario ate a piece and suddenly there was an explosion from outside.

"I'll get you!!!" The wizard screeched from outside.

"Whoa he needs to take a pill..." Jimmy said to Goombario as he ran out the house again, pretty well energized. "You want me? Come and get me!" He then ran like the wind into the woods, jumping over rocks and other trippables.

"You won't escape, tot!" Pare Ill summoned his broomstick and hopped on and entered hot pursuit.

"I'm not a tot! Is he blind?" Jimmy griped.

Goombario looked over Jimmy's shoulder and cried out. "Agh! He's gaining! He's gaining! Run FASTER!!"

Jimmy looked up and saw a lot of branches overhead. "Wait! Jimmy's got a plan!" Jimmy smirked at Goombario. Goombario jumped off and Jimmy jumped into a branch and whirled around, holding it and having it in place. When Pere Ill approached, Jimmy launched the branch into him, effectively knocking him clear off of his broomstick.

"AAGHH!!" Pere Ill screamed in anger as he rubbed his bottom and glared at the two making a split and went out of sight. "Where did that stuck up little..." He walked through the forest and charmingly called. "Yoo hoo...Come out kid...I won't hurt you...(much)" Suddenly he was assaulted from above by both Goombario and Jimmy and Pare Ill fell to the ground growling and cursing.

Jimmy picked up Goombario and dashed back the way he came. "I've MUST have weakened him, maybe in the town I can finish him off!"

"Wow!" Goombario commented.

He jumped back into the village which by now was pretty much trashed and turned in the direction of the forest. Jimmy turned to him and smiled nervously. "Your heart pumping like a brass band?"

"Umm...yeah..." Goombario mumbled nervously.

"Good...we're gonna need the adrenaline for the fight!" Jimmy replied, brave but timid. "Here he comes!!"

The Magikoopa had his robes somewhat torn from the forest resistance and he was growling like a ferocious beast. "Stupid kid!! I'm going to give you the new meaning of the words "SLOW AND PAINFUL!!"

"Whatever." Jimmy scorned. "Feel the BURN! Fire Orb!!" Jimmy threw his hands towards Pare Ill and launched a barrage of flames at the raging Magikoopa. The Magikoopa summoned a shield at the last minute to block the fireballs and Jimmy took the opportunity. "NOW!!"

Goombario launched a headbutt attack and flanked Pare Ill and knocked him into a house. Jimmy rushed at him and punched and kicked and did a foot sweep and knocked the wizard to the floor. Jimmy jumped back and summoned another blast of fireballs which all connected. He continued the blasts until the Wizard was charred. Pare Ill groaned and then disintegrated into the air and a bag of coins appeared in his place.

"Ohh...Wow!" Jimmy moaned and fell to his butt on the grass. "Thatz it!"

"Wow that was cool...I mean hot!" Goombario complimented.

Jimmy checked the coin sack and looked at what the loot was. "Wow! 50 Coins and a Power Jump Badge! I wonder if it'll make me a good jumper?"

A Koopa nervously walked out of his house and approached them. "W-What are you doing h-here?"

"What's up with you? You look like a nervous wreck!" Jimmy commented. "What happened?"

"I-It was awful..." The Koopa murmured feeling aggrieved. "T-They've...taken everyone from the village and t-they've become forced into s-slavory... I'm the only one left because I hid..."

"That's terrible!" Goombario shouted.

"W-where's Mario? H-he always saves us from the Koopa troopas...why has Bowser become so powerful...?" The Koopa asked sharply.

Jimmy sighed and looked up at the sky. "So where have they been taken?"

"They were taken to the Koopa Bros. fortress...to work in the crystal mines below it." The koopa said. "And there's nothing anyone can do about it."

"...Let's go to the Koopa Fortress, Goombario." Jimmy said.

"What are you? NUTS?! They'll capture you for sure...hey...where's that creepy Magikoopa sent here?"

"Gone." Jimmy smiled. "You'll be safe so long as you stay here. Where's Kooper?"

"Kooper tried to fight them off but there were too many of them." The koopa sniveled. "He's probably in jail along with that Bombette girl.

"Let's go!" Jimmy said to Goombario as they ran with their sights set on the Koopa bros. fortress.
 

That's the end of Chapter 2: I really got into writing this part. How did you like it?