Chapter 3: Mysterious World
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Maria groaned as she rolled over on the wet grass. Her soaked turquoise colored shirts stuck to her skin, her jeans felt heavy from the extra moisture and she grimaced when she felt the moisture in her shoes. She hated when she had accidentally stepped into large puddles during the middle of a down pour and have her foot become completely submerged because that would mean her socks and shoes would become sopping wet and it would be a while before her shoes would be dry and if she had to be somewhere far from home she would have to endure walking around in them, listening to the squish sounds those shoes made, oh yuck.
Wait a second? She was on the grass? “Where am I?” she sat up. It was still nighttime and the only real light was from the moon and the stars. How did she get outside? Then she remembered the clogged drain and the whirlpool. “Oh God, Pauline?”
“I’m over here,” Pauline was just getting to her feet. “Are you okay?”
“Besides being wet?” Maria stood up. In front of her was a giant drainpipe. Why hadn’t she noticed that until now “I think this was where we came out.” She couldn’t remember the last time she had seen such a large pipe, the biggest ones she remembered were connected to the sewage system. “The main question is how?”
“Not too mention how one clog could have triggered such a whirlpool,” Pauline looked as soaked as Maria. Her hair that had recently been dried was heavy from moisture and dripped even more water across Pauline’s shoulders and down her back. Her mascara was running, giving her the appearance of a creepy clown.
“Of course this could be a dream,” She pinched her self. “Not a dream.”
“Only if this dream had started before tub got clogged.” Pauline grabbed the edge of her dress and rang it out.
“Pauline I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t create that sucking thing,” Pauline ran her fingers through her damp hair.
“No, your audition.”
“My audition,” her eyes widened. “What time is it?”
“I’m not certain,” Maria stared at her wrist. The glass case on her watch was cracked and the hands were not moving. “My watch is broken.” She spun around. Bushes, trees, strange trees that resembled giant mushrooms, strange floating platforms and what appeared to have been giant pipes that poked up from the ground, surrounded them. “I don’t even know where we are, it certainly isn’t Brooklyn.”
“No place in Iowa looks like this either.” Pauline’s voice became shaky.
“And I have a doubt we are in Kansas.”
“My audition,” Pauline cried out and dropped to her knees. “They won’t reschedule. That was my only chance, my only chance. I’m never going to get the role.”
“There will be other chances,” Maria set down next to her.
“Not at Beauty and the Beast.” Pauline wept.
“No, but there are others. You can audition for Rent, The Producers, Cats-“
“Cats?” Pauline gave her an odd look.
“Okay, forget Cats. There is Chicago. You would make an awesome Velma.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, and then there is West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Grease-“
“Do you see me more as a Sandra D or a Rizzo type?”
“You are talented enough to play both,” Maria tugged a one of her two braided pigtails. “I always wanted to be Frenchie. They also have these new musicals. There is Spamalot. We both love Monty Python, and how good are you with puppets?”
“Why?” Pauline raised her eyebrows.
“You could be in Avenue Q.” Maria smiled weakly and started to sing. “The Internet is for porn, The Internet is for Porn. Why do you think the web was born?.”
Pauline stared at he for the longest time before she broke down and started to giggle. “Thanks, girly. I needed that.” She stood up. “We should find some sort of shelter, like a hotel or something.”
“I don’t see any houses,” Maria turned around and sought out some form of shelter. What she found made her jaw drop. “ Am I seeing, what I think I see?” She pointed to the opulent white structure, trimmed in red with a stain-glassed figure of a woman.
“It is a start, unless we are in Wonderland. Then we have to stay away from castles. I happen to like my head still being attached to my neck.”
“I don’t see anything that resembles cards or rose bushes,” Maria stared at one of the odd trees. The longer she looked at it, the more certain she felt that it was a giant mushroom. “I see a lot of fungus.”
“So we are in some sort of a Mushroom Kingdom?”
“Maybe we can find some fresh portabellas.”
“This is not the time for it,” Pauline shuddered. “We should get to that castle. I haven’t realized it at first, but a lot of stuff around here as eyes.”
“What?”
“Look.” She pointed to the group of nearby bushes. Each one had two dark spots that resembled eyes.
“It is just a trick of moonlight plus your imagination.”
“Then how do you explain that?” Pauline pointed towards the sky.
Maria stared up. The stars and moon stared down at them. “Holy shit.”
“Exactly. The faster we get going the bet-“ a rustling from the direction of bushes cut her off. “What is that?”
“Maybe it’s a rabbit, or a raccoon?”
The creature that caused the rustling stepped out. It was about a couple of feet high and resembled a giant mushroom with definite eyes, framed by thick eyebrows. It also had a mouth with two lower fangs and moved around on a large pair of feet.
“What is that?” Pauline pointed at the creature.
“I don’t know, but it’s kinda cute.”
“Cute?” Pauline blinked and took a second look. “You are right. Hey there handsome fella.”
It was hard to tell in the dark, but it appeared that the mushroom creature had blushed for a few second before it ran off.
“He seems kinda harmless, but we better get going before something not so harmless comes our way.”
-
How long has it been since Mario came up to the tower to watch over the princess? He lost track of time and he was certain the party had started by now. He was certain there was going to be music, possibly even dancing. There would be lively discussions on the different battles that his troops have participated in and of course there would be food, drinks and woman.
The growls of his stomach were growing louder by the seconds and the scent of the food meant for the captured princess was not helping him. With that tray placed in the cell there was food and drink, and he was in the company of a woman, except it was a human woman who hated his guts, just like every bigoted member of her kingdom.
“I haven’t had this lively of a conversation since I was talking to some of the paintings,” he decided to try and start up another conversation, even though it would end up in more arguments and shouting.
“Humph,” Peach grunted. So that was how it was going to be.
“Now you refuse to talk,” Mario sighed. “Some relationship we have.”
“We don’t have any relationship you monster.”
“Well you are not the first to call me that.” The memory of the assault on him and Luigi came back to his mind.
“I doubt I will be the last.”
He was not going to let it end there. “Well not the last member of your kingdom. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of the other terms.”
“You mean like coldblood? I don’t understand how that can be offensive.”
“You just don’t get it do you?” Mario shook his head at naiveté.
“But you are cold blooded, aren’t you?”
“Yes and we also eat our own. How many of these lies do you believe?”
“I have heard a few stories about your kind being cannibals,” She placed a finger under the bottom of her lip. “I never have believed them.”
“Good, cause they aren’t true and I happen to be warm blooded.”
“But I thought all reptiles are cold blooded.”
“Think again,” he crossed his arms across his chest and turned.
“You are still awful.” She turned around back towards the window.
Mario decided to let that one roll off his shell. “You should really try and eat something. You don’t have to eat all of it, but at least try the brisket.”
“I’m not hungry,” Peach turned around to stare out the window.
“You should eat now before it gets funky,” Mario warned. “You don’t know when you will get another chance to eat again.” Great moron, now it sounds like he was threatening her with starvation. “The kitchen staff doesn’t have breakfast prepared before seven and I doubt you will get any evening snacks.”
“I’m still not hungry.” She refused to turn around.
“Don’t tell me you are one of those types of girls who think they aren’t pretty and want to starve themselves until they look like toothpicks. You have lovely figure for your species.”
“I’m immune to your flattery.”
“Fine.” He snapped his fingers. “That’s the problem. You allowed the food to grow cold. You probably can’t smell how tasty it is.” He turned to the tray and released a small flame from his mouth. The aroma of the food increased and he felt his mouth water.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I’m trying to make your dining experience better.”
“It would be better if you hadn’t transformed my people or taken me here,” Peach frowned.
“You still won’t eat it?” He could not believe how stubborn this girl was.
“I told you that I’m not hungry.”
“You probably think it’s poisoned. Let me show you.” He pulled the tray closer to him and removed the lid. Using the fork and knife he cut off a tiny piece of meat and placed it in his mouth. As soon as it had touched his tongue he was in ecstasy. The juices filled his mouth and he closed his eyes as he savored the flavor. “Damn that’s good, much better than just bread and water, or bread, broth and water.” He took small bite from the noodles and another small bite from the vegetables before he broke off a corner of the roll and ate it. “Fresh baked taste, you can’t beat that.”
“Since you enjoyed it so much then why don’t you eat it?” Peach asked.
“Because I’m free to eat whenever I feel like,” he pointed at his stomach. “As you can see.”
“I didn’t notice.” Was she being truthful? She hadn’t insulted his stomach, or even made fun of his height.
“You should at least try a bite now that you know it is safe, of course now I’ve touched it and you wouldn’t want it. Why should I be surprised that the spoiled little mushroom princess would want to touch anything that has been touched by a filthy, nasty Koopa?”
“I’m not spoiled.” She marched right up to him. “And we don’t hate Koopas.” She sat down in front of the tray and cut a piece of brisket and ate it. Her eyes widened once she had started to chew and a look of bliss crossed her face.
“It’s good isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Peach took a few more bites from the meat followed by a forkful of vegetable and a bite of the bread before she took a drink from her tall glass of water.
“Guess your stomach lost to your pride, huh?” Mario crossed his arms across his chest.
“Shut up,” she continued to eat. Only pausing after a few minutes to stare at Mario. She reached through the bars and touched his moustache.
“Hey,” Mario took a step back.
“It is real.”
“Of course it is real.”
“I never knew reptiles could grow facial hair.”
“Some of us can. I told you those hoods tried to rip it off. They managed to tear off some hairs.” He could still feel the sting on his snout.
“How bad were the bruises?” Peach asked. “You said that both you and your brother received several bruises.”
“The ones on are arms and legs were much worse than on our stomachs.” He tapped his chest. “This is our padding. They still punched hard enough to reach under the shell.”
“How did you get away?”
“We fought back before they over powered us. A cop came. He gave a lecture to those assholes and then told us to leave and never come back.” He could still picture that one overweight fungus in blue, and they called Mario fat. The second that cop stepped out of his car he had to pull up his pants and belt and he turned to spit out his tobacco juice.
“They cop said that to you?” Peach dropped her fork.
“He mentioned something about how my kind were not allowed in Sporeville.”
“I will have that order reversed once I am returned and my people are normal.”
“It’s the same in the other towns and cities,” Mario said. “Prince Ludwig wanted to see a concert in Fungitown but was refused entrance. Princess Wendy went to the grand mall in Toadstoolopolis and received horrible service and was told to never come again. We visited the other kingdoms: Desert Land, Pipe Land, Sky Land and have been treated well there.”
“I can’t believe my people would do this.”
“They have,” Mario nodded. He almost felt sorry for her. She was so sheltered she had no idea what was going on in her own kingdom.
“No body should beat up on anybody for being what they are.” She reached out and brushed his moustache again with her fingers. “I’m glad it grew back.”
“Me too, even if it does puff out. My brother’s moustache knows how to behave.”
“I like your puffy moustache. I think it’s cute.”
Mario felt his cheeks warming up. “You do?”
“Do what?” Prince Ludwig had entered the room.
“Your highness,” Mario bowed before him. “I had no idea you were here.”
“You don’t have to bow before me,” Ludwig smiled. “I’m here to relieve you.”
“Are you certain?” Mario blinked. “Don’t you want to participate in the celebration?”
“The celebration is not for me, but for you. Enjoy yourself.”
“Mario,” Peach called out to him.
“Yes?” Mario turned around.
“I’m sorry about what has happened to you.”
“Thank you for your concern.” He turned around. ‘Sorry we had to kidnap you in order to open your eyes.’
-
Maria paused in front of what looked like a graveyard. “Nice.”
“This is the royal cemetery?” Pauline asked. “We should try and not walk on any of the graves.”
“I just hope this isn’t a bad omen,” Maria tiptoed around with her. She felt a chill go up her spine as they made their way around the graves. There were several adorned with angels, although some of the angels were wearing hats that resembled mushroom caps.
“Oh no,” Pauline gasped.
“What?” She looked at what her friend was staring at. Two small headstones together with the stone image of a cherub carved above them.
“They use cherubs for children don’t they?” Pauline sounded like she was going to cry.
“Yeah,” Maria felt her heart sink.
“Oh my god, Maria, they have your last name.”
“You’re kidding,” Maria peered over her shoulder and read the names of the stones. “Mario Segali, born August 22nd, died August 26th.” She felt a sinking feeling in her body and already knew what the second stone read. “Luigi Segali, born August 23rd, died August 26th.”
“Those were your brothers?”
“Yeah,” Maria could no longer feel her legs. She was six when they told her about the twins. “But they have their own gravestones back in New York, not here.”
“Unless this is where they were actually buried.”
“No,” Maria shook her head. “That is impossible. Mom was born and raised in New York and Dad is from Italy. I have uncles, aunts and cousins in the city, and also in New Jersey.”
“On your mother’s side,” Pauline reminded her.
“Oh God,” she never met any of her family on her father’s side. “But if that is true than how did mom get here?”
Her roommate shrugged. “The same way we did?”
“Why wouldn’t they have told me the truth?” Maria asked. “They never mentioned this world before.”
“Would you have believed them?”
“No, but it still would have been nice if they told me the truth.”
“Maybe this place is too painful of a memory. How come they were born on two different days?”
“I think one was born a few minutes before midnight.” Her mother never explained that reason. “And Luigi was born after.”
“Maria, I’m sorry.”
“Lets just move on.” They continued towards the castle entrance.
The castle was deserted as the rest of the town. There was nothing guarding the entrance except for a few large rocks and small pillars made out of bricks, the same kind of bricks that had formed the strange floating platforms.
There were more bricks and rocks and even weeds inside. Maria would have thought the place would have been abandoned for years, except there were no cobwebs, no thick layers of dust. She couldn’t even find any dust. The floors looked like they were freshly waxed.
“Something’s not right,” Pauline said as they entered the throne room. There were more rocks and weeds surrounding a stone statue of what appeared to have been a king.
“Who…is there?” A deep voice projected from the statue.
“What is that?” Pauline jumped back a few feet.
“Don’t be…afraid,” the voice repeated.
“We wouldn’t be afraid if we know where you are,” Maria said.
“I’m…in front…of you.” The voice said.
“You are the statue?” Pauline pointed at the king.
“Yes.”
“What happened?” Maria asked. “Did Medusa pay you a visit?”
“Who?”
“A scary lady with snakes for hair.”
“Maria,” Pauline hissed through her teeth. “It wasn’t a gorgon. Who did this to you?”
“The…Koopa clan. They used…black magic…transformed everyone…into rocks…into bricks…and weeds.”
“You mean those used to be humans?” Maria pointed at the rocks.
“Not humans…toadish…mushroom people.”
“Mushroom people?” Maria and Pauline asked at the same time. The statues of the angels with the mushroom caps suddenly made sense.
“I’m half toad…not fully…transformed.”
“Is there a way to reverse this?” Maria asked.
“My daughter…has the power…but king Bowser…took her.”
“I think I know why we came here,” Maria said.
Pauline shook her head. “You aren’t thinking of trying to be a hero, are you?”
“Why else would a dimensional whirlpool form in our drain, we were supposed to come here.” She turned back to the statue. “We’ll find your daughter and bring her back.”
“It is…dangerous.”
“Magical dimensions don’t appear every day,” Maria said. “I am going to save this world.”
“What do you mean you?” Pauline asked.
“There is no reason for you to get hurt. You stay here.”
“No way. It sucked down both of us. I’m going to help.”
“Some blocks…will help you…look for…the question.”
“We will,” Maria wondered what the heck he meant.
“Don’t leave…not yet…warm yourselves…by fireplace…there is food…in kitchen…sleep in…any bed.”
“Thank you, your highness,” Maria and Pauline both bowed before him. “I guess we will start in the morning.”
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A/N: I can’t remember if I have ever found out what the Mario brothers official birth date, but Mario has always struck me as a Leo, and Luigi is more of a Libra, hence the two different birthdays.