Part 4:
Chapter 3: What Lies Beneath
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Mario sat down on the grass outside of the shop while waiting for Maria and Mallow. “I’m wondering if this is all a dream.” He ran his claws over one of the clumps of crab grass.
“More like a nightmare,” Toad sat next to him. “What a time for King Toadstool to be out of town at Delfino.”
“I’m not just talking about this whole Smithy Gang situation,” he sank his claws into the soil surrounding the crab grass. “I have lost some of my memories, and they seem very specific in spots. I remember leading my soldiers in taking over this land over a year ago, and I think there were times when I was sent to guard the princess, but I don’t remember guarding her. I remember taking over Pipe Land, but I don’t remember how Ludwig and I were defeated, and I remember living on Dinosaur Island, and that was the last I remembered before waking up in the dungeon.” He grabbed his head. “Why can’t I remember?”
“Maria and I think that you received an odd drug in your tranquilizer along with the regular stuff,” Toad said. “That or they did something to you in Dark Land.”
“But they said you were the ones who damaged my memory,” Mario stood up. “They are my family, my kind. The toads in this kingdom have always been cruel towards my species.” He pointed to a few toads that were pointing at him and whispering. “Just like that.”
“I would say that you are paranoid, but then you did mention that you and Luigi were attacked when you came to vacation in the kingdom once before, and the local authorities did practically nothing to help you.”
“How did you know about that?” Mario remembered the tearing of his moustache and the beatings he took.
“The Princess did after she freed everyone from the spell, she told us about how you did the right thing and released her from her cell and you took her to Maria and Pauline and you and Luigi brought it up several times during our battle in the dream world.”
“This doesn’t make sense,” Mario shook his head.
“What doesn’t make sense?” Maria asked. She and Mallow had left the store. The small puffball was carefully placing a box in his back pack.
“His memories,” Toad said. “Or his lack there of, what did you get?”
“A cricket pie,” Mallow said. “My grandfather loves them and he said the shopkeeper sells the best in the whole land.”
“Do you think he might be able to figure out what that star thing is?” Maria asked.
“He should,” Mallow nodded. “My grandfather is the smartest frog in the world.”
“His grandfather is a frog?” Mario asked.
“Of course,” Mallow gave him an odd look. “I’m also a frog. I know I don’t look like one, but I am a frog.”
“Oh,” Mario turned to Toad who just merely shrugged.
“I would take the way I used to get here, but considering what happened I think we should take Kero Sewers,” Mallow pointed to a warp pipe.
“Once we figure out what this star thing is we will look for Peach,” Maria said. “And also figure out what to do with this Smithy Gang, and help you remember, Mario.”
“I’m coming with you,” Mario said. “You saved me before. I owe you one at least and I heard those sewers can be haunted.”
“Haunted?” Mallow swallowed.
“Those are just rumors,” Maria flipped one of her braids. “Right Mario?”
He shrugged. “I’m only going by what I’ve been told, not to mention those rumors were great fuel for ghost stories.”
“Okay, we will all be on our guard,” Maria fumbled around in her pack. “Toad, are you coming?”
“I would, but I promised Toadsworth that I would help clean up the mess Mack and the Shysters caused.”
“We’ll keep you notified,” Maria said.
“Follow me,” Mario headed straight for the pipe.
“Who put you in charge?” Maria asked.
“I did,” Mario did not want to waste time an argue with her. “Don’t have time for disagreements. I don’t want to hear you whine about you being the hired hero and that is the reason you should be the leader.”
“I’m not going to whine, just want to know why you are in charg.”
“Because while you may be the hired hero you are still a novice when it comes to fighting and I’m more skilled. I am a general of the Koopa Troop. I’m also older than you.” How many times had he used that against Luigi?
“The only argument you will get from me is me telling you that I’m not a hired hero.”
“Real heroes do it for free,” Mallow said.
“Whatever,” Mario rolled his eyes.
-
The sewers were dark and if they didn’t have the torches Mario had made and lit with his fire, as well as Mallow’s flashlight they would be stumbling around in the dark. They would have also been lost if Mallow hadn’t brought along a map with him.
“My grandfather told me to always be prepared,” Mallow explained.
“You are a regular boy scout,” Maria said as she walked under some drippy pipes. “Ugh.”
“Yeah,” Mario scowled. He hated leaky pipes. He hated getting dripped and dribbled on by strange water. “It reeks down here.”
“Are you insulting my home?” A large rat ran out of shadows. “Are you looking for a fight?”
“Are you looking to be burnt to a crisp?” Mario snarled.
The rat gulped. “No.” He turned around and skittered away.
“Can you picture that guy to be a little bit bigger, wearing sunglasses and throwing bombs?” Maria asked.
“Not really,” Mario tilted his head. “Lets keep going. Mallow let me know if we need to make any turns.” A new stench entered his nose, one that reminded him of Cheeps. “There is fish down here. I have heard about a species of fish that live in the sewers.”
“Those are gobies,” Mallow explained. “I have seen them swimming, but the tide seems low and that means they are going to be extra angry and aggressive.”
“Great,” Mario said. “Let’s avoid them.” He tripped over something. “Why didn’t I see that?”
“See what?” Mallow pointed the beam of his flashlight on the ground. “Looks like a few bottles of something.”
“Hmm,” Mario picked up one of the bottles. It was filled with a clear liquid and sealed with a cork. It had a picture of a Boo inside a red crossed circle. “Pure water for all your ghost ridding needs. I wonder who dropped this?” He stared at the others. They were staring past him with wide eyes. Mallow was shaking. “What is wrong?”
“Boos,” Maria explained.
“I can take care of them,” Mario turned around. There were three boos glowering down on him. “Scram, unless you want to face King Bowser’s wrath.” The Boos closed their mouths and flew away. “You just have to know how to talk to these guys.”
“Great,” Maria held out her hand. “Give me the water and lead on.”
“Here,” Mario handed her the waters. He didn’t need them.
“We turn left up ahead,” Mallow explained.
They made it through the various twists and turns, only coming across Boos and Rats and even the goby fish that Mallow had mentioned. There wasn’t any real haunting, nothing that could scare Mario by any chance.
“I used to be scared of this place,” Mallow said. “I have heard stories about ghosts, but those ghosts don’t seem to be very scary.”
“I work with Boos,” Mario explained.
“You used too,” Maria corrected. “Or maybe you do. I guess that now that they brainwashed you, you are back with them.”
“I’m not sure,” Mario said. “I don’t know who to believe anymore. I just wish that I can get my memories back, then I will know who is telling the truth.”
“Didn’t Luigi tell you?”
“No,” Mario chewed on his bottom lip. “After Kamek rescued me and explained what happened I was given the order to kidnap the princess. I haven’t seen Luigi, not since he came back from Chocolate Island, and he tried to tell me something.” He could clearly see his brother in his mind. Luigi was depressed and was trying to tell him something, but no words were coming out. “I can’t remember what he said.” Another droplet of water fell from the ceiling and landed on his torch. “Damn it.”
A deep laugh echoed.
“That isn’t funny,” Mario rubbed the top of his torch against his stomach until he was certain it was dry enough. Just what he wanted, sewer water and someone laughing, and what’s worse, there was the stench of rotted meat in the air.
“That wasn’t me,” Maria said.
“Wasn’t me either,” Mallow said and swallowed. The laugh was heard again. “I hope that’s not the monster.”
“What monster?” Maria asked.
“There were also stories about monsters,” Mallow said.
“Probably just a really big rat,” Mario breathed more fire on his torch. “There is nothing to be afraid of.” He stared at the ground. Up ahead someone had put out the red carpet, except it was wet and that was where the stench was coming from.
“What is that?” Mallow asked. “Did someone leave out a fire hose?”
The laughter came from the fire hose, or rather the large dark gap the hose was connected to. “Finally, I’m starving.”
The three them directed their fires and light towards the creature. It was large and yellow with four eyes and large mouth filled with sharp teeth. With its ears and nose it looked like a dog possibly a cat or a lion. Mario thought it resembled some kind of animal.
“Who are you?” Maria asked. “Do you work for Smithy?”
“I work for no one,” the monster said. “I am Belome and you have entered my home, and just in time for lunch.”
“Actually it is kind of early for lunch,” Maria checked her watch.
“Then you shall be my brunch,” Belome said. “You smell so good. I don’t know which would be tastier, you or the puffball.”
“No one is eating no one,” Mario said. He wondered if he should be insulted.
“You don’t look tasty at all.” Belome shuddered. “You probably taste awful.”
Mario growled and breathed a fiery blast at the monster. His flames were accompanied by a barrage of fire balls.
“I brought a few flowers with me,” Maria explained.
“I have a few tricks of my own,” Belome sprayed saliva at Mario.
“Ugh,” Mario shuddered. “What are you trying to do? Gross me out?” He was feeling itchy and lighter. “If that is the best that you can do then you are going to be one toasted critter.” For some reason he couldn’t smell the stench from Belome. He couldn’t smell anything.
“Mario,” Maria pointed at him. “You’re a scarecrow.”
“What?” Mario looked down. Instead of his segmented belly he saw rags filled with straw. Instead of legs there was a wooden stand. He stared at his arms. They were made out of wooden sticks, rags and straw. “What the hell?”
“You monster,” Maria threw more fireballs at Belome while Mallow smacked him with his wooden cane.
“So hungry” Belome smacked both Maria and Mallow with his tongue before using it to pull Mallow into his mouth.
“Mallow,” Maria screamed and jumped on Belome’s head repeatedly.
“I don’t need a headache,” he shook her off and sprayed her with more saliva.
“No,” Mario grabbed her. “You are not going to turn into a scarecrow too.”
“Scary show?” Maria yawned. “You can tell me in the morning.” She curled up on the floor and went to sleep.
“You” Mario growled, except his growl sounded more like wind blowing through grass. He inhaled and roared.
“Uh,” Belome shook and his mouth fell open. Mallow fell out and rolled next to Maria. “You made me lose my lunch.”
“Grandpa,” Mallow whimpered and trembled.
“You have to be brave,” Mario told him. “I can’t jump or scratch or bite. I don’t think I can breath any fire.”
“My stick won’t work,” Mallow said.
“You have to fight or a least try and wake up Maria so she can fight.”
“Maria,” Mallow nudged her. “Come on and wake up.”
“I wonder if Maria would fill me up,” Belome licked his lips. “You are tasty, little puffball, but not filling.” He lashed his tongue out.
Mallow stood in front of her. “Leave her alone.” Sparks flashed across his hands before a bolt of lighting struck down on Belome. The attack lit up the whole room and blinded Mario.
“Wha?” Maria grumbled. “Who turned on the light?”
“Mallow did,” Mario rubbed his eyes. He paused when he felt his real hands. He didn’t feel as light or as scratchy as before. He could also smell again and he felt his tail flicking. “I’m back to normal.”
“What did I miss?” Maria stood up.
“You missed Mallow conjuring up a bolt of lightening,” Mario turned to the odd looking frog. “You never told me you could do that.”
“I’m the only one from my pond who could,” Mallow said. “I think I might have scared him away.”
“You may have,” Mario pointed to the wall where Belome once was. “But he left something behind.” There was some odd writing on the wall.
IF YOU DEFEAT ME, YOU STILL WON’T BEAT ME. BEWARE THE FLOOD
“Beware the flood?” Mario asked. “What flood?” He heard a rush of water heading their way. “I spoke too soon.” He turned as a tidal wave overtook them.
-
Being washed out wasn’t all that bad. Mario was an expert swimmer and Maria held her breath for a while until they surfaced in the river. Mallow didn’t seem to be having any trouble. Once they were in the river, Mario was content to just travel while floating on his back, but they came across several barrels and they each climbed on one.
“Now I know how Bilboe Baggins felt,” Maria said. “Except he traveled inside the barrel.”
“Who?” Mario had never heard of someone with such a ridiculous name.
“It’s a character in a book.” Maria explained. “How close are we to your pond, Mallow?”
“Almost there,” Mallow said. “We are about to come up onto the path that will lead us to Tadpole Pond.”
Mario expected the place to be a swamp and he was right. There were several marsh pines and mangrove trees as well as several bodies of water all filled with large tadpoles. There were even a few frogs around.
“My grandfather’s pad is over there,” Mallow explained.
Mario nodded, but he was distracted by several tadpoles leaping in the air from a pond that was hidden by several bushes. He couldn’t see the water, just the tadpoles when they leapt, performed several somersaults and other flips. After three tadpoles had jumped another figure leapt into the air. He was a small Koopa with a green head and shell. There were bright red stripes on the sides of his head and he was crowned with a Mohawk of bright streaks.
“Lemmy,” Mario shouted and ran through the brushes. “Lemmy, you are safe.”
“Of course I’m safe,” Lemmy stood on a rock in the middle of the pond.” Mario, what are you doing here?”
“Long story,” Mario couldn’t believe his luck. He had come across one of Bowser’s children. “More importantly, where are the others. Where is my brother and mother?”
“Luigi and Wendy are over there,” Lemmy pointed to a large tree. Luigi and Wendy were seated underneath it.
“Luigi,” Mario smiled. His brother was safe. “Wendy.
“Mario,” they said his name at the same time.
“Luigi,” Mario ran up to him. “I was so worried.”
“What has gotten into you?” Luigi asked as soon as Mario had embraced him. “Mom said you were back with us and that you went to kidnap the princess and watch over her incase Maria or Pauline shown up.”
“Back with you?” Mario stared at him. “What do you mean?
“Don’t you remember?” Luigi asked. “You told me how you let Peach out of her cage and defied Bowser.” He tapped the healing scars on Mario’s arm. “This was where Bowser tagged you.”
“He scratched me?” Mario stared at his arm. “Maria and Toad were telling the truth?”
“What’s wrong with you?” Wendy asked. “Did you hit your head?”
“That’s the thing,” Mario sighed. “I lost a lot of my memories. Kamek said it was because of the mushroom people.”
“Kamek?” Luigi frowned. “I thought we were avoiding him until he was truthful about what he had done with Maria’s brothers.”
“The brothers that had our names?”
“The ones the Yoshi claimed he was trying to protect. He said that Kamek had killed the infants.”
“No,” the image of Luigi and Wendy returning from chocolate land returned to his mind. The empty words from Luigi’s mouth were replaced by what he had just learned. “Could Kamek be the one who took my memories?”
“He might have,” Wendy nodded. “That creepy old wizard.”
Mario could no longer feel his legs. “Luigi.”
“I got you bro,” Luigi caught him.
“Thanks, how did you get out of the castle?”
“We all ran,” Luigi said. “Once these metal monsters appeared we evacuated. Some of us rode out in the air ships, some of us ran to other parts of Dark Land. Wendy, Lemmy and I were carried out by Lakitus.”
“Frogfucis gave them jobs,” Wendy explained. “We are not sure what to do, except to lie low for a while. This place is great, and there is a composer here. Ludwig would love to meet him.”
“Great,” Mario felt relieved. “Luigi you have to stay here and watch over Wendy and Lemmy. I’m going to find out what happened to Bowser.” First what he had to do was find Maria and Mallow.
“Mario?” Maria had found him first. “What’s going on?”
“I found Luigi” Mario beamed. “Wendy and Luigi are also here, everyone made it out.”
“That’s great,” Maria grinned. “Mallow just found out a lot, about the star pieces and where we should head to next.”
“Grandpa is inviting us to lunch,” Mallow seemed a bit depressed.
“Good,” Mario felt his stomach rumbling. He was starving.
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