Chapter 1:
-
Maria could not find her house shoes. It was her day off and she wanted to lounge around in a simple tank top, and a pair of shorts, and her slippers would complete that outfit. Unusually on her days off she would got play tennis or spend time at the batting cages, or even visit her brother’s in the mushroom kingdom. She even stopped by Dark Land to visit Bowser, but the past few days she had been feeling tired and weak and today she was given several dizzy spells..
The slippers were not in any of the usual places where she would leave them, under the bed, in her closet, by where they stored the umbrellas next to the entrance, and n the pile of dirty clothes in the corner of her bedroom. She couldn’t find them.
“Maybe they are in Pauline’s room?” She sat up from digging through the laundry and yawned. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt this lethargic. “Pauline, have you seen my slippers?”
“Yeah,” Pauline shouted from the kitchen from where she was cooking breakfast.. “I think they are in my closet/”
“Your closet?” Maria entered Pauline’s bedroom. “Why are they in there?”
“They were on the deck with a bunch of other stuff. I just grabbed it all and threw it in my closet before it rained yesterday.”
“Oh,” that did make sense. Maria opened the closet door and her eyes were immediately drawn to what was popped up in the back, a large vacuum cleaner back pack.
Pauline had recently gone to the Mushroom Kingdom by herself. Toad had informed her she had won a contest. The prize was a large mansion in Boo Woods. The only problem was that Pauline hadn’t entered any contests in the Mushroom Kingdom. She had gone in with caution and came across and odd little old man by the name of Elvin Gadd. The mansion was full of ghosts that have escaped from their portraits.
Professor Gadd gave Pauline the odd vacuum, called it a poltergust and instructed the actress on how to suck up the ghosts. The mansion contest was a trap by the king of boos. Pauline managed to suck him and the rest of the ghosts u and Gadd had them turned back into portraits. Pauline had given Gadd the mansion, but he wanted her to keep the money she found.
“My roommate the ghostbuster,” Maria chuckled as she fished her green fuzzy slippers out from the pile. Another dizzy wave ran through her mind when she stood up and she nearly fell against the wall.
“I think I’m coming down with something,” Maria said once she entered the dining area. “I never felt this listless, or this dizzy.”
“I have a coupon for the Tylenol cold medicine,” Pauline flipped the pancake over in the skillet. “I’ll pick up some when I go to the store.”
“Goody,” Maria pulled out a chair and sat down. “I think we are getting low on milk.”
“I’m also going to pick up some tampons.” She set the skillet down on the stove. “Are you getting low?”
“I still have a whole unopened box,” Maria yawned. It was purchased the last time she was plagued with the dreaded female disease.
“Hmmm,” Pauline chewed the bottom of her lip. “When was the last time you were cursed?”
“About a month ago,” Maria said.
Pauline placed the pancake on the plate. “You are regular as clock work and usually get yours two weeks before mine.”
“You are not implying what I think you are implying.” There was no way she could be pregnant. The only person she had spent the night with was an eight foot mutant turtle dragon hybrid. There was a possibility she could have conceived when they were the same species, but it wasn’t the Koopa breeding season.
“The way you have been feeling could be a sign.” Pauline grabbed a few eggs and broke them over the skillet. “Do you feel well enough to eat?”
“I’m famished,” Maria had felt hungry when she woke up and the scent of breakfast had made her stomach even louder.
“Another sign,” Pauline added a coupe strips of bacon with eggs.
“How’s that a sign? I’m always hungry in the morning.”
“I’m just saying that there might be the slightest possibility that you are expecting.”
“It has been well over three years since I was involved with a human man.”
“Well then maybe you are just coming down with something,” she used a spatula to turn over the eggs. “Wait you said human male?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t, when you spent a week in Dark Land you didn’t sleep with any? Tell me you didn’t.”
“I did,” Maria closed her eyes. “Once as a Koopa and once as a human.”
“My god,” Pauline stared at her for a few second before returning to the stove. “Are we even compatible?” She asked after she had emptied the constants of the skillet onto a plate?
“I don’t know,” Maria buried her head in her arms.
“Maybe I jumped the gun,” Pauline selected two more eggs and cracked them over the skillet. “although if you are not cursed in a few more weeks you should go to a doctor.”
“Okay,” Maria sat up. Maybe it was nothing.
-
“ Come on and be good,” Maria paced around in the bathroom, them empty pregnancy test box was in her hand.. It had been nearly three weeks since she and Pauline had the discussion in the kitchen and Maria agreed to the test.
“It’s been a full minute,” Pauline said from the other side of the door. “What does it say?”
Maria inhaled and grabbed the test. Her hands were shaking. She closed her eyes and counted to ten before she opened them. There was a small plus sign in the screen.
“Well?”
“It says I’m pregnant,” she wasn’t sure how she would react. Should she be pleased, scared, angry at herself for not using the proper protection?
“There is still a small percent that it’s wrong,” Pauline said.
“You want to try the test again?” Maria asked. She opened the door and held up the test.
“I want to make an appointment for you.” Pauline stared at the test and the blank expression Maria’s face. “I could also set up an appointment at a clinic for an-“
“No,” Maria shook her head. She knew what Pauline was about to suggest she didn’t want to think about it.
“I know you were raised as a strict Italian Catholic, but if you don’t want the baby, then there are other options.”
“No,” Maria placed her hands over her mid section. I want this baby. I do want to be a mama.” She imagined herself as a mother, nursing her child, changing it’s diaper, giving it a bath, teaching it to walk, and talk, tie their shoelaces, how to read, how to ride a bike, and hit a baseball. “Also my child is a sign of hope. If I have a healthy baby, then my brother and Peach could have a healthy baby if they choose so.”
“You shouldn’t be doing this just for them.”
“I’m not, I’m doing this form e and for Bowser.” She knew she said the name and realized she didn’t care if anyone or everyone heard what she said or knew how she felt about Bowser.
“Are you in love with him?”
Maria nodded. “I used to say I think so, but how I feel so.”
“Have you told him?” Pauline laced her fingers together. “I know what he has done to us in the past, but since he is the father, or possible father of the possible child you need to tell him.”
“I sent messages through the warp,” Maria said. In truth she had not mentioned the possibility she was pregnant in her letters. She herself didn’t have much time with work and finals. She had even thought the stress from the tests were why she was late. “I will even try to speak with him personally.”
-
Maria had tried to see Bowser, but some of the latest news what that Bowser was missing. He was not the only one, both her brothers were gone on some kind of quest and Peach informed her via a plastic board with dry eras markers that some lady by the name of Cackeletta had stolen her voice and it would be disastrous if she tried to speak. Maria had thanked her before she left.
Not long after returning home she had her appointment with the doctor J. Bailey and she went through the ritual of removing her clothes and putting on the paper gown and allowed him to take the basic stats to see if she was healthy before he performed the test. Maria had sat on the examine table while she waited for his return.
“Miss Segali I have the results of your test,” Dr. Bailey said once he had returned t to the room. He was a tall man in his early fifties with a head full of thick, curly graying hair. He had a bit of paunch to his body and was staring intently at the clipboard
-
Mushroom Kingdom
“What do you mean now is not a good time to see Bowser?” Maria stood in front of a confused Toad and Toadette in the main foyer. They were the only ones to greet her. Mario was still probably on his adventure with Luigi. She had no idea where Peach was or if Peach got her voice back. She had no idea where Toadsworth or the king was either.
“When is it ever a good time to see Bowser?” Toad asked and earned a small pinch on his shoulder from Toadette
“It’s quite complicated,” Toadette said.
“Is it this Cackeletta?” Maria guessed. She had no idea if the villainess had been defeated or not.
“Yes,” Toadette nodded before she took a deep breath. “Mario and Luigi defeated Cackeletta with assistance by Prince Peasley. Mario got sick with beanbean fever and Luigi went to find the cure and while he was gone Bowser and Popple came by and kidnapped the princess, except it wasn’t Bowser. He was possessed by the spirit of Cackeletta. Luigi returned and cured Mario and they went to rescue the princess.” She paused to catch her breath.
“Whoa,” Maria held up her hands in the time out position. Too many events happened at once. “My brother was sick and no one told me?”
“We tried to call earlier,” Toa said. “There was no one near any mirrors and when I tried your number I ended up contacting a dry cleaners on Delfino.”
“Did you use my area code?” Maria raised an eyebrow.
“I have it programmed right here,” Toad pointed to his phone and the number on the screen. It was the exact same number as Maria’s phone.
“Wow, uh did you climb through the warp and call?”
Toad smacked himself in the face.
“He is better now,” Toadette said. “Mario was cured over a couple of hours ago and they went to rescue Peach.
“From Bowser,” Maria nodded. She had managed to digest that part. “Except you said he wasn’t himself. He was possessed?”
Toadette nodded. “By Cackeletta. He looks even scarier than usual. His eyes are bigger and his hair is funny.”
“He also got boobs,” Toad pointed to his chest.
“Toad,” Toadette crossed herms and tapped her foot against the floor
“So let me get this straight,” Maria clenched her hands into fists.” Some evil dead lady took over the body of my Bowser, and used him to kidnap Peach and my brothers have gone after him, by themselves?”
“That is right,” Toadette said.
“Did you just say my Bowser?” Toad had a confused expression on his face.
“Enough,” a rich voice cried out and the doors behind Toad opened and a strange green man entered on a floating bean shaped cushion. “How could we sit and be idyll when the fair princess has been kidnapped by the notorious Bowser?”
“Prince Peasley wait,” Toadsworth f, f followed behind along with an elderly green woman by his side.
“Wait?” The prince turned around. His corn silk colored hair was styled into a pageboy bob. He was dressed in an odd white toga like ensemble that resembled a dress and a flowing cloak. “How can you ask me to wait when the fair princess Peach has been abducted again? We are waiting while the brave and mighty Mario and the loyal and strong Luigi are risking Their very lives to rescue her.”
I don’t know you, but I like what you said,” Maria smiled. “there are several lives at stake and all of them are those that I care about. It wasn’t just Bowser, Peach and her brothers who were in danger. Bowser’s children are in peril. Cackeletta may have brought her own minions with her, or she might have brainwashed Bowser’s troops, just like the way the Smithy gang have brainwashed them in the past.
“This young woman knows what is the best course of action,” Prince Peasely pointed at her dramatically while a holding a rose in his other hand. Where did he get that flower? “You seem to be quite familiar. Have we m perchance met somewhere?” are you and actress on TV, perhaps you read the local news. I know I have seen your face somewhere before.
“Maybe because there is a huge statue of her in the courtyard,” Toad informed him. Every time Peasley soke he would roll his eyes.
“Statue?” Peasley was starting at her as if it were for the first time. “You are the Maria? The Magnificent Maria who has saved several kingdoms in this world?”
“That would both be me and Pauline,” Maria felt her face burn up.
“I stand in great awe of you,” Peasley bowed before her making his cloak flutter.
What was it with the princes in this world? Where they all this dramatic? At least Peasley was a bit more polite than Peter.
“She is as humble as she is brave,” Peasley stood up. “and for more lovely in person.” He held out hiss hand waited for Maria to take it. “Your statue does not do you any justice.” He kissed the back of her hand and handed her the rose.
“You certainly have calmed down,” the green old woman said.
“Good work Mistress Maria,” Toadsworth gave her a small pat on the back.
“I didn’t do anything,” Maria blinked. “I still thin we should help my brothers.”
“I agree with Maria,” Peasley placed a fist against his chest. “We must take action now and help save the princess.” He pointed at some odd direction, and nothing in particular.
“Your highness I still d don’t feel this is wise,” the elderly woman said. “even with the two of you together, it still isn’t a very good idea.”
“I agree,” Toad flexed his muscles. “Two isn’t enough. That is why I’m coming.”
“Make that four,” Toadette added
“Okay folks we need to plan,” Maria said, and unlike the others she had to make plans for future at that instant as well as work on a plan to assist her brothers. “ Knowing the fighting skills my brothers have, they should have cleared a certain path about now. There won’t be much for us to fight and we will catch up to them soon.
“Yes,” Peasley agreed. His cushion seemed to have floated even higher than before. “We shall leave immediately.”
“Well after we fill some bags with power ups,” Maria said. Peasley was much more polite and sweeter than Peter, but he was just as eager as leaping into battle as well as being over dramatic. “I don’t like going into battle empty handed, and power ups have helped us out in the past.”
“Ah yes,” Peasley nodded. “We must be well equipped with special and powerful weapons and items.” He smacked his fist into his palm before he turned to the old woman. “Lady Lima, where his my sword?”
“I am not telling you where it is because I still think it is a bad idea for you to leave,” Lima folded her arms across her chest.
“I must insist that you inform me of it’s whereabouts at once,” he pointed at the ceiling. “There is a princess to rescue.”
“and I still refuse to tell you anything.” Lima shook her head.
“That’s okay,” Toadette said. “We have plenty of stuff. There is a whole garden full of fire flowers and I have several leaves in my room.”
“I know where there are some star men.”
“Great,” Maria felt another dizzy wave overtake her. She closed her eyes until it past by. At least she wasn’t throwing up.
“Mistress Maria,” Toadsworth raised his glasses. “Are you feeling all right?”
“I’ll be fine once I know everyone is safe.”
“Then were are pretty much ready,” Toad turned to the pink capped mushroom girl. “Where are the back packs?”
“They are in the storage closet by the entrance,” Peach’s voice said to them from behind. “Where we always kept them.”
“Princess?” Maria turned around to see a tired and slightly dirty Princess Peach standing behind them with a bedraggled Mario by her side. “Mario?”
“When did you get back?” toad asked..
“Just now,” Mario said. He was covered in mud splotches, soot, and other kinds of dirt and filth. His shell was ,pre reddish brown from all the dirt and there were a few visible bruises forming on his limbs. He wiped some of the sweat and grime from his forehead.
“You see?” Toadsworth raised his cane. “The two of you were about to jump into a unnecessary action.”
“Where is Luigi?” Maria and Paisley asked at the same time.
“He’s at Bowser’s,” Mario explained. “That metaphor loving minion of cackeletta had rigged up some explosives around Bowser’s keep. We diffused most of them.
“Bowser,” Maria gasped. “His children. How are they?”
“They are fine,” Peach said softly. “Cackeletta and Fawlful Brainwashed most of his children and locked up his chief wizards.”
“I ha to gift against them,” Mario hung his head. “It hurt Luigi to go after Wendy like that,” Junior managed to escape being brainwashed. He freed the Magikoopas and the five of us defeated Fawlful and Bowletta.
“How are they?” Maria did not want to hear about their adventure. “How are Bowser-“ Another dizzy spell over took her and she lost her balance and toppled backwards.
“Maria,” Mario ran towards her, but it was Peasley who caught her.”
“Miss Maria,” Toadsworth nearly dropped his cane. “Are you all right?”
“This is the second time this happened,” Toadette said.
“Not,” Maria mumbled.
“I’ll fetch her a glass of water,” Lady Lima said and ran down one of the halls towards the kitchen.
“This is the second time my little sister fainted and no one has done anything about it?”
“Not twice,” Maria stood up.
“But you almost did,” Toadette said.
“Why hasn’t anyone called a doctor?” Peach asked.
“I have seen a doctor,” Maria said. She stood back up, nothing blurred. “He said I’m healthy for my condition
“Your condition?” Mario’s face grew paler.
“Maria nodded. “Mario you are going to be an uncle. I’m pregnant.”