Chapter 4: The Return of Maria and Pauline
-
Mario read over the list of requirements of enlisting. All of those who wish to seek enlistment within the Koopa Troop must be of at least eighteen years and in good health, they must pass a physical examine from their doctor and a drug test.
“It looks good,” he handed the letter to the Blooper standing to wait to post the message.
“We shall be posting them important offices, courtrooms, post offices and other places,” The blooper said.
“We need to set up buildings for recruitment,” Mario added. “I’m sure many would want to ask questions.”
“I was also thinking of putting some of the adds in the phonebook and Internet.”
“Good idea,” Mario nodded. “I already have some of the new recruits doing pushups. I’m going to check in on Ludwig.”
Mario was very cautious, as he made his way to the large meeting room where Ludwig was meeting with the other ministers. He held his breath as he opened the door and stuck his head in. Nobody seemed to notice him. Everyone, and they were mostly toads like the guards were staring at Ludwig. Mario stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
“I need to address the various curriculums of the various school-boards,” Ludwig was staring at several folders. “I am concerned about the lack of various programs.”
“Which programs would that be?” A toad woman with brown hair and a yellow spotted cap asked.
“Not every school has an athletic program,” Ludwig read. “I’m talking about middle schools and high schools, elementary at least has the basic physical education, although even the elementary schools are lacking art programs and music programs.”
“We are trying to reduce cost,” the toad woman said.
“Mrs. Everett, are you trying to tell me that you can’t even afford a single teacher to teach children how to sing popular children’s songs or make pictures out of glue and macaroni?”
Mrs. Everett shrugged. “As I have said it is too costly.”
Ludwig sighed. “It is too expensive for decent programs for the children, but you still can afford uniforms, since in all schools they are mandatory?”
“That is correct,” Mrs. Everett.
“The uniforms are for the children’s safety,” Wally said. The Piranha plant was placed in a seat next to Ludwig. “No one gets into fights over what they are wearing. Not too mention the richer children can no longer make fun of the poorer children.”
“Does it stop fights in general?” Ludwig raised an eyebrow.
“No,” Mrs. Everett shook her head. “They have fought over a few other things, such as grades. The richer children still bully the poorer children even with the uniforms, and in the older students case they fight over who is dating who.” She sounded like she wasn’t happy with the uniforms either.
“We could separate the genders for middle and high school,” Wally suggested. “As for grades-“
“Wait,” Ludwig glared at the plant. “Are you suggesting we do away with grades, or that everyone gets the same grade, just to prevent fights. My dear former king, I have invited you to this meeting to see how you once ran things and make the necessary changes, not for you to continue ruining things for them.”
“I’m sorry,” Wally hung his head.
“Let me continue. I am certain you have heard several oppositions to the uniforms, including how it stifles the children’s creativity, no that doesn’t stifle their creativity. What stifles it is the lack of art and music programs.”
“The parents have to pay for the uniforms,” Mrs. Everett said. “Not the school.”
“And we still can’t afford any decent programs, without raising taxes,” Ludwig read another paper. “Several things are banned from here. No weapons, no alcohol, no tobacco, no caffeine, no red meat?”
“Weapons cause nothing but pain and destruction,” Wally raised a leaf.
“Minister of law enforcement could you tell me how many murders occurred last year?” Ludwig asked.
“There were about a hundred,” the minister was toad with a salt and pepper beard and a blue spotted cap.
“How were they killed?” Ludwig asked.
“Several were stabbed by various silverware, some were bludgeoned to death with different blunt objects, some were held underwater until they were drowned, some were poisoned some-“
“That is enough.” Ludwig waved his hand. “Why were the others banned?”
“Because they are bad for you,” Wally said.
“Even red meat?” Mario asked. It was the first time he had addressed anyone in the conference.
“I am trying to steer everyone into a nice vegetarian diet,” Wally explained. “Animals do not need to be killed for food. I thought to start with red meat and once everyone has gotten used to it then I would move on to poultry.”
“I see,” Ludwig rubbed his temple. “Just because you are king does not mean you should be everyone’s mother, and forcing everyone to give up everything does not make a good ruler.”
“I said before that its bad for them.”
“Have you ever heard of free will and choice?” Mario asked. “Your people should decide what is bad and what isn’t bad for themselves.”
“They might make the bad choices,” Wally said.
“Everyone should have the right to choose,” Ludwig motioned to two Troopas who were carrying in a cooler. “Even if they are the bad choices. How else will people learn from their mistakes?”
“Have you ever asked your people how they feel about these bans?” Mario asked.
“They have never showed any objection before.”
“Is this true?” Ludwig asked the ministers.
“We have tried to voice our disproval,” one toad said. “But he refused to listen.”
“I see,” Ludwig flipped open the cooler and removed a flat tray covered in aluminum foil. “We are going to fund the schools and not have to raise taxes, not on any school tax. We will legalize alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine products. Those will have high taxes and those taxes will bring in art and music and sporting teams.”
“My soldiers need weapons, sir,” Mario said.
“We are also bringing in weapons and building an army,” Ludwig raised a finger.
Wall whimpered and tried to scream, but the scream came out in weak coughs.
“Don’t wet your flower pot,” Mario said.
“We will also bring in red meat again,” Ludwig peeled back the foil. “In fact it is already here.” He picked up a raw steak. “Meat is a necessity for carnivores such as piranha plants.”
Wally shook his head for a few seconds. He was trying to resist but saliva like moisture leaked through his lips a few seconds before he opened his mouth and hissed. His jaw snapped at the air until Ludwig placed the steak into his jaws. Wally gobbled the steak down, licked his lips and belched.
“W-what have I done?” Wally asked.
“You are adapting to your new form,” Ludwig explained. “You are a plant now, and wouldn’t a vegetarian diet seem more like cannibalism to a plant?”
“Yes, I suppose you are right.”
-
Peach paced around in her room. So far seven kingdoms have been taken over by Bowser’s forces, every time she received another message from another ruler that they are safe she felt a little bit relieved.
“I wonder why these lands were the ones that were taken over,” Toadette said. She was standing in front of the modeling dummy working on stitching black sleeves and a skirt to Peach’s only black leotard.
“That’s easy,” Toad said as he dialed yet another number. “They are only doing it for oil.”
“Only three of those kingdoms are known for their oil,” Toadette said. “There are other lands that are rich in oil that haven’t been attacked.”
“Not yet,” Toad held the phone to his head. “Hello Lady Lima? This is Toad of the Mushroom Kingdom. You have also heard the news? You are also strengthening the borders? We haven’t been attacked yet either. We will contact you if we hear anything else. Thank you and goodbye.” Toad hung up. “No one is attacking the beans.”
“Another relief,” Peach sighed and crossed off another name on her notepad. “I just hope these are the only seven.”
“I’m still trying to find the connection,” Toadette said. “Ouch,” she placed her index finger in her mouth.
“You have said that only three have oil,” Toad stared at his list of numbers. “Grassland also has coal, and Giant Land has gold and the ground part of Sky Land has silver.”
“I thought many people in those lands complain about their leaders,” Toadette resumed stitching again. “The people in Grass Land are complaining about how their king is always making the worst decisions and the people in Sky Land say Ed is too scared to do anything.”
“He is scared of everything,” Toad held up his hand. “Hello? I like to speak to the prime minister of Kitchen Island.”
There was a knock at the door. “Hello granddaughter, may I come in?”
“Sure Grandma,” Peach smiled. She was glad it was her grandmother and not her father or Toadsworth. Her grandmother was always covering things for her in the past. If it was one of the others she would of asked them a wait for a few seconds until she and the toads have hidden the dummy.
“Thank you,” Grandma entered, followed by Toadsworth and King Toadstool. She smiled weakly at Peach and mouthed an apology.
“What is this?” Peach’s father pointed at the dummy.
“It’s a sewing project,” Toadette said. “I’m working on a costume.”
“Oh that sounds delightful,” the king smiled.
Toadsworth did not appear to be quite convinced. “May I inquire what the costume is for?”
“It’s for a play,” Toadette still had her sugary sweet smile.
“A play,” Toadsworth rubbed his moustache. “I am quite fond of theater. I have seen many plays, and those that I haven’t seen I have seen the movie versions of, or I have read about them.”
“Except for the new ones created in the past twenty years,” Toad said under breath.
“What?” Toadsworth narrowed his eyes at Toad.
“I said you haven’t seen this play because it has yet to be performed,” Toad said. “It’s a play that I’m writing.”
“Oh really?” Toadsworth studied the dummy. “What is this play about?”
“It’s about the daughter of a count,” Toad chewed his lip as he tried to continue the lie. “Who is betrothed to a handsome prince, but the prince was kidnapped by a witch and the young noblewoman takes on the role of…of the Dancing Shadow.”
“Yeah,” Toadette added. “And on her way to the witches lair she stops in towns and helps different people.”
“It sounds like a marvelous play,” the king rubbed his hands and smiled. “What is it called?”
“The Dancing Shadow,” Peach said.
“It does sound like it would be a thrilling play,” Toadsworth pursed his lips. “However this costume would not fit a toad, but rather a human.”
“I’m going to be staring in it,” Peach said. The old man was too suspicious.
“Staring in Toad’s play, or staring in a real life version in it?” Toadsworth raised his eyebrows.
“What are you indicating?” Peach’s father asked.
“I believe our dear princess plans on donning said costume and sneaking out of the castle and trying to save the seven captured lands,” Toadsworth said. “I wouldn’t be surprised that the first land she tries to free would be Pipe Land.”
“Why Pipe Land?” Both Peach and her father asked.
“Because that is where Prince Peter lives,” Toadette said in a dreamy tone and sighed.
“Ah yes Prince Peter,” the king smiled in remembrance. “A splendid fellow, and a very fine man indeed.”
“Yes he is handsome,” Grandma nodded. “and he knows it.”
“Not too mention he is a drama queen,” Toad added.
“I understand how you want to rescue him my dear,” her father brushed his fingers against her shoulder. “But as you understand it is very dangerous.”
“I am aware of that,” Peach pointed to the costume. “I will be able to sneak in. These other kingdoms also have their share of power ups.”
“It is still too dangerous,” Toadsworth banged his cane against the floor.
“We will go with her,” Toadette offered.
“I absolutely refuse,” Toadsworth argued.
“I agree,” Peach’s father nodded.
“Someone has to save these people,” Peach felt her tears form. “Everyone else is strengthening their own borders to protect themselves, no one is going out to save anyone. We don’t know where Maria or Pauline are.”
“There is that new warp pipe in Boo’s Woods,” her grandmother said. “Replaced the one that was destroyed years ago. Some of the guards have said it leads to a city that is populated by humans.”
“They may be there,” Peach gasped.
“We still don’t know where they are located,” Toadsworth said. “You could be searching for days.”
“But I have to find them,” Peach turned to her mirror. “I have to do something.” She could see the reflection of her window in that mirror. A shooting star fell out of the sky.
-
“No,” Maria flipped through the racks of skirts in the department store she was shopping at with Pauline. Her room mate dragged her to the store in hopes to convince Maria to buy a new dress. Maria hated dresses and wanted to look at the designer jeans, finally they reached an agreement to a skirt and blouse combination. “No, no, no, ugh pink, no, yes.” She found a pretty denim skirt trimmed in lace and came with a sparkly blue belt. “Lets see if they have my size.” She couldn’t find her exact size, but found one that was just a bit bigger. “This might actually work.”
“Did you find anything?” Pauline asked.
“I found a pretty skirt,” Maria held up her find.
“Uh girly?” Pauline’s smile turned weak. “That skirt is made out of denim. We said no denim right?”
“We agreed to no denim jeans,” Maria ran her fingers over the cloth. “It has pleats, and its trimmed in lace and has a pretty and sparkly belt.” She held up the black blouse she found earlier. “They go together.”
“A pretty black blouse like that goes with anything,” Pauline said. “I still wish you would at least look at the dresses. You need something fancy to wear to my opening night,” her smile faded. “At least when I get a role on Broadway.”
“At least you are an understudy,” Maria reminded her.
“An understudy to Ulla that was played by Uma in the movie,” Pauline said.
“Who was once introduced to Oprah,” Maria sought out the nearest changing room. “I’m going to see if these fit.” She skipped off to the attending lady. “I just wanna try on these two.”
“Here,” The woman handed her a number. “It’s in the back.”
“Thanks,” Maria entered the fitting room hall and made her way to the end of the hall. “These better fit.” She hung the clothes on the hanger and unzipped her pants.
“Maria?” The voice was coming from the direction of the mirror.
“What the hell?” Maria pulled up her pants and turned to the mirror.
“Maria, I can’t believe it,” Princess Peach was on the other side of the mirror.
“Um, this is a private room,” Maria felt her whole body flush. She didn’t care about the fact that the Princess was magically speaking through the mirror to her.
“I’m sorry but this is urgent,” Peach said.
“Please don’t tell me that some frog king has kidnapped several fairies and put them in a jar.
“No its Bowser,” Peach blinked. “Wait, how did you know about the dream Toad and I had?”
“Cause Pauline and I dreamed it as well.”
“Bowser has attacked seven other kingdoms,” Peach explained. “All the other kingdoms are staying on guard, but no rescue attempt has been made. I wish to go, but my father and Toadsworth has forbidden me from doing so. You and Pauline are everyone’s only hope.”
“The fate of the world rests on our shoulders?” Maria asked. She was fated to rescue the Mushroom Kingdom. It looks like she is fated to save seven more worlds. “Are you certain it has to be me and Pauline?”
“Please,” Princess Peach clasped her hands together. “There is no one else.”
“How am I supposed to go back to your world? The drain in our tub is normal again. Do we walk through the mirror?” She placed her hand against the glass and tried to push through.
“I’ll send Toad to meet with you,” Peach explained. “There is a new Warp Pipe that leads to your world.”
“Wow, what are the odds?” Maria asked. She pulled out a small notepad and a pen and wrote down the number to her cell backwards on her paper. “When Toad gets through have him call me. He does have his own phone?”
“Yes he does,” Peach wrote down the number. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it, although next time try not to call when I’m in a changing room.”
“I am very sorry about that,” Peach said as her vision faded away.
“Pauline is not going to believe this,” Maria said as she proceeded to remove her pants. She was still in the changing room she might as well as try on the outfit, then buy it before Toad calls.