Chapter 8: Into the Darkness
-
“Welcome to Mordor,” Maria said as soon as they had climbed the first dark hillside. She had kept her tongue still when they had crossed the official Dark Land borders, and didn’t say anything, even has the grass and most of the other green had waned into nothing but dark and hard Earth.
“What do you mean?” Pauline climbed up next to her.
“That,” she pointed to the dark expanses of land before her. There were dark splotches in the sky, made from various volcanoes. “And that.” She pointed to the creepy tanks rolling on the ground, flanked by various Koopa Troops.
“This dark and barren void is not the proper place for fair and noble maidens,” the third member of their team stared down at the soldiers.
“Now we are fair and noble maidens?” Maria rolled her eyes. “I thought we were just mere common women.”
“I have said such as whilst it is true that you two are of common blood compared to my status there is nothing common about you. You have proven such facts by bravely gallivanting across the kingdoms, overthrowing the beasts that have attacked without warning and defeated them, with the simple help from magical flowers, mushrooms, stars and suits.”
“What is your point?” Pauline asked. She was as tired as Maria was of the Prince’s long winded way of speaking.
“My point as you clearly can see is that while you have come quite far, there is still a great distance to go of rough obstacles that even brave and skilled champions of justices as yourself would not be able to overcome.”
“I think he is saying this place is too tough for a girl,” Maria scowled. She had dealt with that attitude back home. She was not about to deal with it while here. “I believe that is what you are saying?”
“If we can get across these other lands then we can take on Dark Land,” Pauline cracked her knuckles.
“For give me,” Prince Peter performed a sweeping bow before them. “I know it is wrong for me to judge you, after all that you have done for my father, for my kingdom and for myself, but those lands were occupied by the evil soldiers this is the dark abyss from which they have spawned. This is their home, thus means it is ten times more dangerous than the other lands.” He paused to catch his breath and sigh. “This is why I must do this alone, the great responsibility shall be my burden to weigh down on my shoulders. It is for me to over come. Noble and beautiful heroines you shall wait here for my return.”
“Hold it,” Pauline held up her hand. “If you think that we are just going to stand aside while you go charging off into danger because you don’t think we can handle the terrain, then you got another think coming.”
“Pauline chill,” Maria sat down. “Prince Peter believes he can do it all by himself then we let him.”
“Wha?” Pauline just pointed at her. “Are you serious?”
“Perfectly,” Maria yawned. “The Prince wants us to stay here in case something does go wrong.”
“So were back up?” Pauline blinked. “I see.” She also sat down. “Very smart thinking your majesty.”
“You understand my true intentions for this grand mission.” Prince Peter pointed his sword at the volcanoes and mountains up ahead. “Do not worry for long fair Princess Peach. You loving Prince shall triumph over these creatures and bring you back to your home in the mushroom kingdom, with out a single golden hair on your elegant head being harmed.” He sheathed the blade and turned back to the girls. “Wish me well pretty and powerful Pauline and magnificent Maria. The task ahead of me will not be quick, nor shall it be simple.”
“Good luck,” Maria said. She knew he was going to need it.
“Ditto,” Pauline added.
Peter bent down on his kneed, gave them each a kiss on the back of their hands and climbed over the side of the hill. Maria peered over and watched as the prince slid down towards the bottom and run off towards the soldiers.
“You think he is going to make it far?” Pauline asked as she picked up a pebble.
“I doubt it,” Maria answered. “I have a good feeling he was the one who went gallivanting up to Mario and Ludwig and tried to bore them with his big and fancy words.”
“They did imprison him.” Pauline threw the pebble down the side of the hill. “So what is your plan for getting past all the guards?”
“The same as always. We use the goodies we have to fight them in our own way.”
A distant clang was heard on the ground. Maria peered over the side to see what is going on.
Prince Peter was leaping over the heads of the enemy forces and used his sword to block several boomerangs. His steel deflected every weapon that was fired at him.
“He’s actually kind of good,” Pauline sat back. “But then again Mario was a general.”
“Give them time,” Maria wondered if they should start a bet on how long it will take when they heard a scream. “Crap. I didn’t count on him getting hurt.” She looked over the edge again.
Several Troopas were carrying a bound and tied Prince Peter to the nearest air ship.
“You were right,” Pauline nodded.
“Damn, I could have won some money.”
-
Mario sighed. “It feels like déjà vu.” He glanced over his shoulder at the cage placed behind him. “Sorry about meeting like this.”
“If you are sorry then let me go,” Princess Peach said from the cage. “I had thought you really were different. I thought you were good and noble.”
“I am good,” Mario inhaled. “I keep wondering if letting you go the last time really was a good idea.”
“Did your heart answer the question last time?” Peach asked
Mario brushed his tail against the floor. “Yes.”
“Then it was the right thing, and releasing me again will be the right thing.”
“I can’t,” he refused to look at her. “I will not turn my back on my home, my king, my family again.”
“Mario, please look at me,” Peach asked. Mario turned to her. She was reaching through the bars. “Nobody knew the last time.”
“My mother did. I cannot disappoint her again.”
“Was it right the last time? Was kidnapping me the right thing to do?”
“The take over was wrong,” Mario nodded. “But at least you now know how your people treat my people. I am not saying the ends justified the means in that sense.”
“I have made new laws. Friendly Koopas are allowed to visit my world. I still don’t know how this hate was generated. Toadsworth remembers his grandfather also hated them.” She pulled her arm back. “Was taking over those seven lands and transforming the kings the right thing to do?”
“You would be surprised if I said yes?” Mario asked. Her shocked expression answered for her. “Lets see we have two kings who were about to go to war with each other, one who intimidated the other kingdoms and was about to take over himself, one who was too cowardly, one who wasn’t the brightest, one who bullied his own staff and people, and another who while was pacifist ran his kingdom in a fascist way.”
“There were other ways?”
“Like that council?” Mario raised his eyebrows? “Sorry dear, but that council wasn’t changing anything.”
“You wouldn’t know,” she crossed her arms.
“Then how were things changing?” Mario asked. Peach refused to answer. “Very well.”
“I hope I’m not intruding on any conversation,” Bowser entered the room. “I received a fun bit of news, guess who is coming and guess who we just captured.”
“No,” Peach gasped.
“That is right Princess,” Bowser chuckled. “We captured your boyfriend, Prince Peter.”
“Prince Peter?” Mario gagged. “You have got to be joking.”
“He isn’t my boyfriend,” Peach said.
“I say we send that pretty boy packing right to daddy,” Mario suggested.
“Not this time. I put him in a different cell,” Bowser’s smile faded. “The reason why I’m here is Pauline and Maria are about to enter.” He clenched his fists. “Sneaky girls disguising themselves as hammer brothers. New order is that if they don’t have tails then arrest them.” He smacked one fist against his palm.
“So those humans are on their way,” Mario cracked his knuckles. “Any idea on when they will get here?”
“No,” Bowser stared at the doors. “But they are the reason why I kidnapped Peach. Time to defeat them for once and for all.
-
Maria ran as fast as she could. She did not focus on the thwomp sounds caused by the large block things behind her. She saw how two the ones ahead of her were and she ducked to the ground and rolled across until she had reached the wall.
“Ya missed,” She smiled at the scowling and grumbling rocks. She would have done the whole mantra of “Missed me, missed me,” but she had no idea if it would have caused such creatures to blush or pucker up in the hopes that would make good on that promised.
The strange rocks were rising and Pauline was rolling underneath.
“Behind these doors is the big bad Bowser,” Maria opened her pack and started to rummage around. “Lets see what I got. I have leaf and that is it.”
“The leaves are good,” Pauline pulled out another. “Okay leaf you are our last hope.” The leaf exploded in a small cloud of smoke, leaving her with the fuzzy ears and tail of a raccoon. “I do have one question.”
“What is that?” Maria asked as the leaf transformed her.
“I wonder what friends are going to say when they see the pictures?” She pulled out the camera.
“They will probably think it has been photoshoped,” Maria could not believe her roommate had pulled out that camera again. “That were sized just right and printed on glossy paper. Now lets save the Princess.” She pushed the doors opened.
Princess Peach was being held in a cage guarded by Mario who did not appear fierce at all. His expression was a mixture of shock, confused and that pained expression Luigi had when he found out he was going to have to fight them.
“Look out,” Peach shouted. “And look up.”
Maria stared up to see something large was about to land on them. She ran to the side of the room and jumped. Using her raccoon tail, she was able to hover a few feet in the air.
“Naughty Princess,” Bowser snarled. “Keep your lips sealed.”
“Oh King Bowser,” Pauline held up her camera. “Say cheese.” She pressed the flash.
“What the?” Bowser blinked repeatedly after the flash.
Pauline put the camera away and jumped on the Koopa King’s head.
“Mario,” Bowser cried out. “Help.”
Maria sighed and turned to face the general. “You know I have to do this.”
“Same for me,” Mario said before he shot out hot flames from his moth.
Maria jumped when she realized Mario was shooting to miss without trying to look like he was trying to miss. Maria landed next to him and tried to trip him with her tail.
“The keys are with Bowser,” Mario whispered into her ear. “Now tackle me.”
Maria pounced on him, forcing him down on his spiked shell. “Now for those keys.” She launched herself towards Bowser’s head, using her tail to give her extra lift. “Hello.” She draped her legs over his shoulders and covered his eyes with her hands. “Guess who?”
“Game time is over.” Bowser reached for her.
“Pauline,” Maria nodded towards the keys hanging from Bowser’s spikes.
Pauline nodded and swiped the keys. Just as Bowser had grabbed onto Maria and threw her down.
“Crap,” Maria heard the familiar bloops of her loosing her abilities. She watched as Pauline and Mario continued to pretend fight each other.
“Now what do you have in store?” Bowser grinned at her. “You were cuter when you were a Koopa.”
“Heh heh,” Maria stood back up. “Are you planning on changing me again?”
“I might,” Bowser’s grin grew larger.
Pauline fell on her butt, her raccoon transformation faded from her. The keys that were in her hand flew straight up into the air. On their decent, Mario swung his tail and sent the key’s towards the Princess.
“So that is your plan?” Maria smiled weakly. “You used Peach as bait to lure me here so you can defeat me. Turn me into a Koopa, and then make me your queen?”
“Hmmm,” Bowser tilted his head. “Now that I think about it, it does sound like a great idea. Too bad I’m not exactly interested.” He opened his mouth wide and a huge flame shot out.
Maria jumped to dodge the flames. “Good, cause there is another world that I am apart of. Where I have dreams and you being a dick kinda puts them in the salad shooter.” She jumped again and landed on top of his head. She jumped repeatedly on top of Bowser’s head until the mutant turtle passed out.
“I think you over did it,” Mario said. He was lying on his stomach with his arms and legs spread out.
“He did it again,” Pauline pointed to the Princess. Peach was standing next to her. “He freed her again.”
“It didn’t feel right,” Mario said.
“You can still come with us,” Peach kneeled by his side. “You don’t have to pretend to be knocked out.”
“A part of me wants to go with you.”
“Whenever you decide,” Peach kissed the side of his face. She stood back up. “We have to save Prince Peter.”
“We’ve already rescued him,” Maria said. “Now lets just hope he remembers to stay in his hidey hole and not get captured again.” She glanced down at Bowser. The Koopa king’s chest was slowly rising and falling with each breath. He still appeared as buff as he had through the screen.
“Maria?” Pauline called to her.
“I’m coming,” She gave Bowser one last look before she joined the others.
-
As soon as Maria stepped inside the castle Toad pulled her into an embrace. “I wasn’t quite expecting that.” Maria said once the hug had ended.
“What were you expecting?” Toad asked. “A kiss?” He blushed as soon as he had said that. “That isn’t what I mean.”
“It’s okay,” Maria felt herself blushing. “The feeling is mutual.”
The rest of the castle denizens were hugging the others. Both Peach’s father and grandmother were hugging her. Toadsworth was hugging Pauline and Toadette was hugging Prince Peter
“You should have seen her,” Pauline pointed to her. “She jumped on Bowser’s head over and over until he fell.”
“Mario freed me again,” Peach sighed. “I wish he would come with me.”
“We will take note of his deeds once again,” Toadsworth nodded. “But we need to move on to more pressing issues. It is a bit late-“
“The sun is only starting to set.“ Toad protested.
“Please do not interrupt me again.” Toadsworth raised his cane. “Seeing how it is a bit late I believe it would be best for Pauline, Maria and Prince Peter to spend the night here.”
“Yay!” Toadette squealed.
“Since it is hours until average and decent bed times I believe it we can arrange a nice little festivities.”
“Another banquet?” Maria asked. She was feeling a little hungry.
“More than just a banquet. There will be a little bit of music and dancing.”
“Oh splendid,” King Toadstool clapped. “I will have the herald announce to everyone who wishes to attend.”
“There is only one problem,” Maria raised a hand. “I don’t have anything to wear.”
“Actually you do,” Pauline smiled. “Toadette can I see our bags?”
“I’ll be right back,” the pink mushroom girl left.
“What did you do?” Maria crossed her arms.
“You will see,” Pauline smiled.
Toadette returned carrying the plastic bags. “Here you go.” She handed them to Pauline.
“And of course for my friend and roommate,” Pauline rummaged through the bag and pulled out a turquoise colored sleeveless dress. “It is your favorite color.”
“You bought me a dress,” Maria gasped.
“It’s pretty.”
“I guess it’s nice to have,” Maria swallowed. “And for events like tonight.
-
Mario grumbled as he waited for his mother to check him out before he could put his shell back on. “Ma, I’m fine really. Can I put my shell back on?”
“One last check,” his mother gave him one last look over.
“I still think you should remain focused on Bowser.”
“Your uncle Kamek is checking him out,” she clucked her tongue. “There I’m done.”
“I’m going to get them,” Bowser growled as Kamek finished bandaging up his head. “I am going to get those bitches.”
“They are at the castle sire,” Kamek said.
“I know that.”
“And we can see what they are doing,” Iggy entered the room with a remote in his hands. “Bring it in here guys.” Two Spikes brought in a large TV. “Hook it up.”
“What are you showing me?” Bowser asked.
“I have set up some cameras out in the peach trees surrounding the castle,” Iggy explained. “Well I had some swoopers and pidgets set them up. No one will notice them because they look like peach blossoms and during the fall they petals will close up around and form a peach shape.”
“What about winter?” Bowser asked.
“By then the cameras would have expired and I would have thought of something else.” He pointed the remote at the TV. “Now lets see. I must remind you sound doesn’t work.”
The first image on the television was of Peach’s castle. The second shot showed some windows and people walking around, a third looked through the windows and revealed the people were dressed up and dancing, even Maria and Pauline.
“Wow,” Mario gasped at the images of Peach and Pauline as the twirled around with their toadish dance partners.
“They certainly cleaned up well,” Bowser said. His eyes widened as Maria twirled into view. “She looks very different in a dress.”
“Yeah they do,” Mario couldn’t remove his eyes from Peach, and wished he was the one dancing in her arms.
-