Part 4:
Chapter Seven: Under the Sea
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Mario did sleep well on one of the soft guest beds in the castle, and he ate well, despite having to request seconds for Bowser and himself. The toads were not used to large Koopa appetites. He had wished Peach had joined them for breakfast, but Toadsworth said that she was still pouting and refused to leave her room. He had to send Toadette up there with the princess’s breakfast and breakfast for her grandmother.
“Where are we going now?” Mallow asked as soon as they left the castle. “We could ask my grandfather on which would be the best direction. He knows all.”
“We may already know where we are going,” Mario had been thinking of their next move all through breakfast. He had even discussed it with Maria about what they had seen. “Bowser said he lost some troops while fighting a giant spear.”
“Yeah,” Bowser nodded. “He had an odd name, couldn’t tell you what it is if you asked me.”
“But you know he was working for Smithy?” Mario asked.
“He was,” Bowser rolled his eyes. “He had to blab that he was part of that gang.”
“They do seem to have big egos,” Maria said. “They like to advertise who they are working for, then again so do your troops, Bowser.”
“Who doesn’t want to be a part of my troop?” Bowser asked.
“And you said it was heading towards a town by the sea side,” Mario also had remembered that small tidbit of information.
“He was heading right for Sea Side town,” Bowser said. “Didn’t tell me that. I just saw him head down the road for that place. Why?” He smiled after a few seconds. “Of course. You want to help me be the crap out of him.”
“Not exactly,” Geno said. “It seems Smithy’s gang is also after the pieces of the star road. We have to make certain this spear like character hasn’t already gotten it.”
“Wait for me,” Princess Peach cried. Mario turned around to see the princess jump out of her window and float to the ground using her parasol. “You said we are heading for Seaside?”
“Peach?” Maria was staring at the window of Peach’s room. There was a figure wearing one of Peach’s dresses and had long blond hair, but she was an old woman. “Who is that dressed like you?”
“My grandma,” Peach smiled. “She has agreed to cover for me. Toadsworth may be clever, but my grandmother is much smarter than he is.”
“We better go before someone sees you outside,” Mario said. “Mallow, you have the map?”
“I got it,” Mallow held up his map.
“I know a short cut,” Peach said. “It’s through this place called Star Hill.”
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Star Hill was made out of several pieces of meteor rock fused together and covered with strange crystal flowers and several small stars, each one represented a wish someone had made. The best part was the fact they were able to find the fourth piece of the star road there, and they didn’t have to fight any of Smithy’s men or anyone else with delusions of grandeur.
“That was easy,” Mallow said as they entered town. He had recovered from the small embarrassment when the others had discovered his wish of not being a crybaby. “I hope we don’t have to fight anyone else.”
“I’m kind of was disappointed,” Bowser smacked his fist.
“You will get your chance,” Geno said. “If this agent of Smithy is still here then you will be able to fight against him.”
“Lets see what we can find out around here,” Mario said. He was certain he had come across a wish from Luigi. His brother wanted to be a great general, just like him. He had no idea why Luigi would make such a wish when he was already a great general.
“There is something wrong,” Peach said. “Where is everyone?”
“Maybe they are fishing?” Mario suggested.
“I don’t like this,” Peach headed towards the town hall building. “I need to speak with who is in charge.”
“That would be me,” a strange gray toad with a red spotted cap came running out. “I am the town elder.”
“Where are the rest of your townsfolk?”
“Hiding,” the elder said. His small feet never stopped moving.
“Hiding?” Maria repeated. “What could they possibly be hiding from? It seems peaceful here.”
“They are probably hiding from that spear guy,” Bowser said.
“Spear guy?” the elder chuckled. “Nope, no spear guy. We haven’t seen any spears salesman around here.”
“He looked like a giant spear,” Bowser explained.
“Didn’t see anything like,” the elder continued. “We did see something fall out of the sky. That’s what it was. We saw it land near the sunken ship. The folk around here are paranoid. They don’t want go near that, some are afraid it might be a UFO.”
“That’s the Star Piece,” Mallow said.
“It sure would be nice if you could show us what it is,” the elder said. “That way we don’t have to be afraid of it, not have to be afraid of it at all.”
“It sounds reasonable,” Mario turned to Geno. “Right?”
“It won’t hurt at all,” Geno said. “You said the star landed near a sunken ship?”
“That’s right,” the elder pointed to the sea. “Just past the caves. It is a bit of a swim.”
“Hmmm,” Mario wasn’t sure about the swimming abilities of everyone in his party. “Princess how fast and far can you swim?”
“I’m pretty good,” Peach said.
“Mallow, what about you?”
“I may not be a good jumper,” the false frog held up his thumb. “But I am one of the best when it comes to swimming.”
“Geno?”
“I’m afraid this body is not fit for swimming,” Geno held out his arms. “I can float, but that is all.”
“Either hold on to me, or Bowser then.” He didn’t need to ask about Maria. He already knew she was a good swimmer.
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The cave wasn’t too dark, it was easier to navigate than the kero sewers. It was just as damp and smelled like dead fish. Mario managed to keep from retching. Several large star fish tried to fight them, but they fought back. When they had reached the end of the cave they found a small whirlpool and jumped in.
The pool had taken them down beneath the water down next to the ship. As they sought out a place to enter, Mario felt Geno holding onto the back of his shell.
Mallow was the first one to pop into an entrance, and managed to find an air bubble. “What luck.” He coughed and spat up water. “Now we just have to find out where the star is.”
“Might have to search through this whole ship,” Mario climbed up after him. “I don’t know how many air pockets are here though.” He turned around to pull Geno aboard.
“This place seems creepy,” Peach said as she and Maria climbed onto the deck.
“I’m not too worried,” Maria said. “Ghosts hate pure water and we brought along a bunch.”
There were several ghosts and most of them were not scared off by Mario’s and Bowser’s growls. The pure water did wonders on the spooks and lucky for them when they did finish off a ghost it would drop off another bottle of pure water.
“I wonder if we are getting closer,” Peach said after several minutes. “I really don’t want to be on this ship much longer.”
“Maria doesn’t mind,” Bowser pointed at Maria who was skipping along and singing some sea jaunty. “I like this song.”
“Whoo,” Maria leaned against the wall. “And really bad eggs.” She had to catch her breath.
“I found another diary entry,” Mallow held up a piece of paper. “Whatever had attacked the ship is sealed in the treasure room.”
“Lets not go into the treasure room,” Peach said.
“Good idea,” Maria noticed several squares with different letters on it. “I think this where we put in the password.” She tapped at several of the letters. “That should do it.” She opened the door and a look of horror spread out across her face. “The Kraken.” Two long tentacles wrapped around her and pulled her in.
“Maria,” Mario stormed inside the room. The monster that held Maria was a giant blooper. Mario jumped on one of the tentacles and sank both his teeth and claws in. He cut through the chewy soft flesh until he had severed the tentacle. He hadn’t noticed another tentacle had wrapped around him and lifted him in the air.
“Hello beastie,” Maria ran up to the monster’s head and struck it in the eye with a golf club.
“Let him go,” Peach poked him in the other eye with her umbrella.
Bowser breathed more fire on two other tentacles and Geno and Mallow were smacking at the remaining tentacles with their weapon.
The monster’s grip weakened and dropped Mario. He landed on his stomach. “Time for a fish fry.” He added his own fire breath and attacked the tentacle that had held him.
“I love fried calamari,” Maria smacked her lips. “Mallow, Geno, how about some blasts?”
“We are on it,” Geno held his hands together. “Geno Whirl.”
“Shocker,” Mallow sent his electric attack along Geno’s attack straight at the squid. The combined attacks from both made the monster twist and writhe before it became unconscious.
“Next time we will have the oregano,” Maria pointed at it.
“Let’s a go,” Mario grabbed her hand and pulled.
“What did you say?” Maria asked.
“I said lets go.”
“No you didn’t. You said Lets-a go. I say that, a lot.”
“I don’t think that really matters,” Peach said as she opened to the door on the other side
“You’re right,” Mario followed after her. “Thanks for smacking that thing with your parasol.”
“You don’t have to mention it,” Peach said and lead them through another hall.
“I have a feeling the star piece is close,” Geno said and pointed to a pair of double doors. “in that room to be exact.”
“Then lets get it,” Mario pushed on the doors.
“What about the spear guy?” Mallow asked.
It was too late. Mario was already on the other side of the door. The star piece was inside and leaning against the side of the wall. He was not alone in the room. There were several upright shark like creatures wearing bandanas and wielding spears.
“Now this is rude,” one of the sharks said. He was blue in color with creepy yellow eyes. He was dressed in a captain’s jacket, a red cloak with a golden stripe and a gold medallion. He was wielding a triton. “Did yer mother not teach ye any manners? Ye don’t go bargin into captain’s cabins without a proper invite.
“Pirates,” Peach frowned. “One of the royal plumbers had problems with a pirate woman before, of course it is part of his own fault. He is one greedy man.”
“I heard stories about pirates,” Mallow was trembling.
“Feh,” Bowser snorted. “They don’t look so tough.”
“Bowser’s right,” Mario placed his hand on Mallow’s head. “That Belome guy was a lot more scary.”
“Parlay,” Maria stepped in the room. “I invoke the pirate code of parlay.”
“Do ye now?” the captain asked.
“That I do captain,” Maria nodded. “I am sorry for my friend’s rudeness. He does not know how to speak with pirates. I am Maria Segali a future business woman.”
“I be Captain Jonathan Jones. Are ye here to discuss business, Miss Segali?”
“That I am captain. The business involves the piece of the star road that is against the wall of the cabin.”
“Ah ye be admiring my latest treasure,” Jones pointed at the star piece with his fin. “I’m sorry but I cannot let it go. You see it fell in me sea, and therefore it belongs to me.”
“Price is not the issue,” Maria pointed at Peach. “That is Princess Peach-“
“Ye be willing to trade the princess for the piece of a star?” Jones asked.
“No,” Maria shook her head. “I am saying that since she is a princess then money is not an object.”
“I’m willing to give you every gold coin in my castle,” Peach said.
“That be noble, but coins are a million, and this is rare.”
“Is there anything we can do then?” Maria asked.
“I tell ye what.” Jones turned around. “If ye best me in combat then we has a deal.” He held out his fin.
“We accept,” Maria took it and shook.
“Ye heard her. Give her crew a fair fight.”
“Aye captain,” several sharks charged for them.
Mario pulled out his mallet and swung against the spear. He blocked very potential jab to his stomach and swung at the spear, hoping to break the pointed metal part off. He had to do win. He was a general after all. He would not allow himself to lose. He took a deep breath and swung again. The blunt of his mallet broke off the end.
“Good fight,” the shark said. “But it all depends on yer pretty friend.” He nodded to Maria and Jones
“Yar,” Jones shouted before his weapon flew backwards. “I admit me defeat,” he kneeled in front of Maria. “Ye must be the legendary Maria I have heard about.”
“She is,” Mario said. “Now you must honor the deal.”
“That be true,” Jones stood back up. “Ye have fought with honor. If ye are ever in trouble when at sea call me name.” He hopped back to his bar. “I know the little lad may be a bit too young for some brandy, I have some fresh juice fer him if he would like.”
“Sounds great,” Maria turned to the others. “Always accept a friendly drink from a pirate, unless you suspect poisoning.”
“Thanks for the tip,” Mario said before he raised his voice. “Thanks for the drink, captain.”
-
“Is everyone feeling all right?” Mario asked once they returned to town. “I know it was a couple of glasses.” No one said anything. They were staring past Mario. He turned around and saw the elder, along with several other town members standing together and smiling. They were all dressed in same colors as the elder and all of their feet were running in place. “Hello?”
“You brought us back the star?” The elder asked.
“Yes,” Peach pointed to the star piece they had. “As you can see it is not going to harm you.”
“Good,” the elder said. “Now give it to me. Give it to us.”
“I’m sorry,” Peach said. “This belongs to the star road.”
“No,” the elder said. “it belongs to Smithy. We are Yaridovich.”
“That’s the name,” Bowser said. “That was the name of that spear guy.”
“Yes,” elder nodded. “We have imprisoned the real townsfolk. Give us the star piece or we will cause them great harm.”
“Screw em,” Bowser said.
“No,” Peach and Mallow shouted.
Geno cringed. “We have to give them the star piece.”
“They are right,” Mario sighed. He, Geno, Bowser and Maria handed the star piece over to Yaridovitch.
“Thank you,” the fake villagers shouted as the ran off with the star piece. “Here is your key.” The dropped a key behind them.
“You guys free the villagers,” Mario ran after the fakes. He managed to track them down at the cliffs. Captain Jones and his crew was blocking their path.
“Ye try to steal and run,” Jones pointed his triton at them. “Without engaging in a fair fight? I will not stand by that.”
“Thanks for stopping them,” Mario said.
“Ye can take them,” Jones coughed. “Me gills are getting too dry.” He dove back into the sea along with his crew.
“Thanks for nothing,” Bowser raised his fist at the pirates.
“You shouldn’t be worried about them,” the elder said as he and the rest of the false villagers became illuminated and melted into each other. The glowing figure grew and reshaped into a tall spear like creature. “After all you tried to fight me before and you failed.”
“Last time I didn’t have one of my best generals with me,” Bowser said. “Nor did I have one of the heroes of the mushroom kingdom.”
“You still think you can fight me?” Yaridovitch said.
“You bet Yerdabitch,” Bowser said.
“You won’t be able to handle one of me, much less two,” he made a copy of himself. “Now try to fight us.”
“Gladly,” Peach struck the second one with her parasol.
“Time to show that we don’t play nice,” Bowser picked Mario up. “Retract General.” He threw Mario at the creature.
Mario pulled his arms and legs inside his shell and felt the impact of his body against the monster.
“Nice,” Yaridovitch struck Mario with his spear, lucky Mario’s padded abdomen blocked the blade.
“Take this,” Maria smacked it with her golf club.
“And this,” Mario threw his hammer at him. “You aint looking too good.”
“Oh, am I?” the spear sent a blast of steam at the three of them. “Too hot for ya?”
“Not hot enough,” Bowser breathed fire at the spear.
Mario roared at the top of his lungs while Maria jumped on top of it repeatedly.
“Enough,” the creature leaped at them and tried to strike them with his spear.
“Shocker,” Mallow sent his bolts at him before Geno fired his fists at his metal face.
“No,” Yaridovitch. “my promotion,” he started to shatter. “Those stupid rangers, if they were here on time…” he crumbled into metal dust.
“He wasn’t too tough,” Bowser covered his arm with his hand. Blood was leaking though his fingers.
“We need to the town doctor,” Mario said. Then they will move on.
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