Chapter 4: Along Came a Yoshi
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Maria stared at the odd dinosaur for several minutes. She never removed her gaze from his large dark eyes. “You are two babies? You ate two human babies?” It was hard for her to believe that this creature who had recently saved her from a trio of moles could do something so awful.
“I didn’t eat them,” the dinosaur said softly. “I killed them. It’s my fault they are dead.”
Maria wondered how could this creature be responsible for the deaths of those babies. It didn’t have any sharp claws on its hands. She wasn’t sure it had any teeth. It ate the enemies in such a rapid matter that she couldn’t see the inside of its mouth.
“Maria,” Pauline called out. “Help.”
“Pauline,” Maria leaped out of the bushes. Pauline was on the ground, surrounded by several of the caped Troopas, moles, football players, and Rexes. Even if she spun around as fast as she could she wouldn’t be able to take them all on. “I’m a coming, girly.” She ran up to the group and jumped on the heads of three of the creatures in a leap frog matter. “Lets se you try and catch me.”
“Thanks,” Pauline used her cape to spin around and knock out about five more.
“Lets play a game.” Maria jumped up on a hill and turned around. Only two Rexes and a football player was after her. She jumped down and landed on their heads. “That was too easy. Where are the rest of them?”
The answer to her question came in the form of the green dinosaur. Maria watched as the odd creature swallow one last Super Troopa.
“I didn’t know you were bring a secret weapon, Maria,” Pauline said when the last of the creatures was swallowed.
“I didn’t know he was going to follow me.”
“Can we take him home with us?” Pauline asked. “He’s so cute and we never have to worry about rats or roaches, or even pigeons on the deck.”
“Did you just see how much he ate?” Maria pointed at the beast. “There won’t be enough vermin to satisfy him.”
“We do live in New York City,” Pauline crossed her arms.
“Where are the others?” The dinosaur looked around. “Did they leave the island? Or maybe the have been killed while I was trapped. I don’t even know how long I’ve been trapped.”
“What do you mean by the others?” Maria asked. This dinosaur was a complete enigma. First it claimed it killed two babies, but never explained why and now it seemed to be the only one of its kind.
“The other Yoshis. When I sealed myself in that egg there were several of them. The whole island had hundreds. I’m surprised they didn’t come out to help you.” He rubbed the top of his head. “Or why are the Rexes here? They usually never stray past the plains this time of year. Is it Spring?”
“Autumn had just started,” Pauline said.
“You are a Yoshi?” Maria asked. “The princess mentioned your species was very friendly. All three of us were going to look for them, before she was kidnapped by Bowser’s forces.”
“Bowser?” the Yoshi furrowed his brow. “I’ve heard that name before.”
“He’s the king of the Koopas,” Pauline added.
“Koopas,” the Yoshi frowned. “They were the ones.”
“They were the ones?” Maria blinked. “That doesn’t really make a lot of sense. They were the ones who did what?”
“Don’t be hard on him,” Pauline held up her hand. “He seems kind of depressed.”
“I know,” Maria pet the Yoshi on the back of his head. “I’m sorry if I seem to harsh.”
“You don’t,” the Yoshi gave her a weak smile. “I remember the name of the troop. They were sent by the wizard, Kamek, to retrieve the babies from the stork.”
“Huh?” Pauline asked. “Storks deliver babies?”
“I met that stork in the dungeon. He was sent to take the babies to a place called Brooklyn.” The Yoshi didn’t notice how the girls shivered. “He managed to get the one named Luigi but me and the others found the one named Mario.”
“My brothers,” Maria gasped.
“What?” the dinosaur blinked.
“Nothing,” she shook her head. “Please continue.”
“We think that since they were twins hat there may have been a link between them. We carried the older brother through the lands, using our abilities, we even made it to the castle where Luigi was, but during a battle I tripped and the enemy overtook me. I woke up in the dungeon with the stork. We were talking about a plan to rescue them, but Kamek told us he slit their throats and released us.”
“You lied,” Maria was shaking. She knew that any second and she was going to start crying. “You told me that you were responsible for their deaths.”
“I am. I failed,” the Yoshi closed his eyes. “One clumsy maneuver and I caused their deaths.”
“You didn’t kill them,” Maria felt the warm tears travel down her cheeks. “You didn’t kill them. You tried to save my brothers.”
“They were your brothers?”
“It happened before I was born,” Maria closed her eyes. “I had no idea my parents once lived in this world. When I asked about them they would always mention that they just died. I once asked my aunt Sophia and she said that it that some horrible beast killed them at least that was what my mother told them years ago not long after it happened.”
“Maria,” Pauline placed her hand on the back of Maria’s shoulder.
“Don’t blame yourself, you did everything you could” she wiped away her tears. “At least you didn’t have to bring the bodies back, unless you went with the stork.”
“There were no bodies,” the dinosaur said. “He just told us and several of his soldiers threw us out of the castle. The others told the stork how to get home and I sealed myself in an egg as punishment.”
“You shouldn’t keep blaming yourself,” Pauline gave it a pat on the head. “We are going to find out what happened to the others.”
“I wish you luck.”
“You wish us luck?” Pauline widened her eyes.
“You shouldn’t be surprised,” Maria said. “When we have arrived we planned on finding out where the Yoshi’s were and rescue the princess ourselves.”
“Yeah we don’t need you,” Pauline poked the dinosaur in the chest. “We can do it just fine on our own, we are going to find the rest of your kind and save the princess all by our own selves. If you actually cared about the rest of your species you would come and help us, but since you rather be all emo about something that wasn’t your fault then you can go and reseal yourself in that egg.”
“Pauline,” Maria had never seen her friend act this bitchy before.
“Forget him,” Pauline grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her along.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Maria said after a few minutes. “What were you trying to prove?”
“You saw what he could do?” Pauline said. “It would make things easier if we got this guy to come with us, and the old reverse psychology usually works.”
“You didn’t have to be so mean to him.”
“Sometimes that is all that will work,” Pauline said. “I’m sorry that he had opened old wounds but it had to be said.”
“Old wounds weren’t just opened. He gave me this little spark of hope when he said that he didn’t see the bodies.”
“You cant think that they are possibly still alive?”
“Like I said, the tiniest little spark of hope.”
“Hey,” the dinosaur shouted. He was running towards them. “Wait for me.”
“You see,” Pauline winked.
“I still think that was horrible,” Maria whispered to her.
“I know I failed before,” the dinosaur said. “You can tell me that it wasn’t my fault, but I know that I have failed, but I will not allow the same thing to happen to their little sister.” He curtsied before Maria. “I Yoshi, will protect you with my life.”
“Thank you,” Maria hugged him.
“Thank you Pauline for giving me that kick to the head that I deserve,” Yoshi hugged Pauline.
“Thanks,” Pauline said. “Wait, your name is Yoshi?”
“That is right,” Yoshi nodded.
Maria shrugged. “We know a toad named Toad.” She gave Yoshi a pat on the head. “Thanks for helping.”
“No problemo and while Pauline can fly you can ride my back.”
“Give it a try,” Pauline said.
“Okay,” Maria climbed onto the dinosaur and fit on his back.
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Mario had guard duty for that evening and knew that Peach would try to reach him, try to talk to him and convince him to let her go, but he was prepared. He brought with him a folding chair, a book, and a bottle of a beer. He didn’t so much as look as Peach when he arrived and propped up his chair and prepared himself for a long and relaxing evening.
“Mario,” Peach greeted after a few minutes.
“I’m not listening,” Mario settled back into the plot. Molly Toadson had just found a vital clue in the office of the Tad Tuna, the media mogul, and someone was about to walk in on her.
“What are you reading?”
“Nothing you would be interested in,” he already knew what kind of books she enjoyed. Sugary romance novels that pictures of handsome strong men with their shirts open to reveal their chests, and long flowing hair.
“You think only like to read romance novels do you?” Peach asked. “I only read romance if it is involved in adventure or fantasy. Why won’t you talk to me?”
“Because I am not going to let my guard down and allow you to trick me.” He took another sip of beer.
“I didn’t trick you, you tricked yourself. You listened to your heart.”
“Not listening,” Mario continued to read. “Don’t hide there. That is the first place they always look.”
“Is it a thriller or a suspense novel?” She was not about to give up.
“It can be,” Mario said.
“It’s not a psychological horror novel is it?”
“No. I prefer the horror novels that have actual monsters and ghosts. Luigi can’t stand them.”
“I have a friend who loves them, the more detailed in the blood letting the better.”
“That’s nice.”
“Is it a mystery novel?”
“Maybe?” What was it going to take for him to tell her to shut her yap and mind her own business?
“I don’t really read those much, unless it involves my favorite detective, Molly Toadson.”
Mario placed his thumb inside to hold his place and closed the book. “You saw the cover didn’t you?”
“Not true,” Peach shook her head. “I’m a big fan. You can quiz me.”
“Who’s her boyfriend?” Mario decided to start with something light.
“Chester Chisto,” Peach answered. “That one is too easy.”
“Molly’s father nearly died in which one?”
“The Flower Shop secret. I almost cried in that one.”
“Okay,” Mario thought hard. Peach did know her stuff. “What is Molly’s greatest fear?”
“The deep sea, and she had to face it in On the S.S. Coffeepot.”
“You do know your stuff.”
“Which one is that one?” Peach pointed at the book.
“The Message from Twilight Town,” Mario glanced at the cover. “Have you read it?”
“I finished it a couple of weeks ago,” Peach held up a finger to her lips. “Don’t worry I won’t tell you how it ends, but I would like to know how you like it so far.”
“It’s pretty good,” Mario said. “It won’t edge out The Glowing Ring as my favorite but still far better than Artic Beast Cometh.”
“What was she thinking when she wrote that one?” Peach asked. “Having the crook dress up as a monster to scare people away is something out of a cartoon series.”
“Tell me about it.”
“You see,” Peach reached through the bars and grabbed his hand. “We are talking.”
“I admit it is nice to talk with someone about the books, besides Iggy,” Mario said. “He’s the only other person in the castle who likes the series.”
“Maybe this why I keep insisting on you to come back with me,” Peach said. “My grandmother and I are the only ones who love the series and it’s not just that. I want you to come, so we can get to know each other better, and to become friends.”
“I’m flattered,” Mario stepped back away from the cell. “But I can’t.”
“General, Mario sir,” One of the chucks had run down the steps to greet him. “King Bowser wishes to see you.”
“Watch her until I return,” Mario instructed as he headed for the steps. “And don’t touch my beer.”
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Bowser had his teeth clenched and a part of his throne in his claws. “Those bitches.”
“What happened?” Mario asked when he had arrived.
“I’ll show you what happened, but Iggy why don’t you tell them what had happened first?” He held up a large phone in his other hand.
“I was attacked by Maria and Pauline,” Iggy’s voice came through amongst a sea of static.
“There,” Bowser clicked off the phone. “But you get to see this.” He set the piece of throne down and picked up the remote. “Now watch this.” He turned on the screen. The image on the screen was of a distant castle. The sound of an explosion rumbled through and the castle crumbled down into rubble.
“Looks like they are up to their old tricks,” Mario held out his hand. “May I speak with Iggy?”
“Here.”
Mario clicked on the button. “Hey Iggy, it’s a me, Mario.”
“Hello Mario,” Iggy greeted on the other end.
“Can you tell me how you were defeated?”
“They shoved me off my wobbling island. They were not alone. One of the Yoshis had evaded us and joined up with them.”
“I’m going to hand the phone back to your father. I have to go back to guarding Peach.”
“You mean Princess Peach?” Iggy asked. “Father had decided to kidnap her again?”
“That would be her.” He handed the phone back to Bowser. He knew Iggy would figure out the reason why he was attacked was because of Bowser’s idea to kidnap Peach. “I will increase the amount of soldiers being sent out.”
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“I wonder if that was overkill,” Maria stared at the rubble. The clouds of dust had just finished settling down.
“We want to tell Bowser that his kind isn’t welcome here” Pauline said. “Am I right Yoshi?”
“Right as rain,” Yoshi carried the last of the five Yoshi eggs and place it with the others. “You guys can come out now.”
The five eggs hatched and five more baby dinosaurs in several different colors crawled out before they grew to the size of Yoshi. They all looked around before they cheered and kept repeating the name of their species.
“They are thanking you for rescuing them,” Yoshi said. “Not all Yoshi’s can speak your language.”
“Oh,” Maria blinked. “That does make sense, I guess.”
“Now what is the next place we are going to?” Pauline asked.
“The next piece of land is the donut plains” Yoshi pointed to the land ahead.
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