Chapter 6: Do the Right Thing
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“How many castles have we conquered?” Maria grumbled as they left the second castle of the day. It was the first one where they had defeated another fake and once again freed another retainer.
“I think four all together,” Pauline paused to pop her knuckles. “How are you feeling? Are you all stiff and sore still?”
“I think after running away from Mr. Lakitu and his pets my joints have woken up.” They had spent the night in the third fortress conquered. There were no actual beds and they had to sleep on the stone floor, at least the heat from the lava kept the place nice and warm. It was also nice of that toad to stay with them until the morning. He even knew where some fruit was and they dined on that for breakfast.
“This place sure keeps crazier and crazier.” Pauline said. She still had fire power as evidenced by the bottom half of her dress being all white. They needed those fireballs. There was no way either of them were going to attempt to jump on the backs of those spiked creatures.
“I know I keep asking you this, but how are you holding up?”
“I’m still good, why do you keep asking?”
“We are facing a huge beast in every castle. I’m afraid of dredging up memories of your old ape.”
“This is a big scaly monster,” Pauline gave her an assuring smile. “Donkey Kong was a huge hairy beast. We never did find out why he went nuts and abducted me like that. Stanley blamed it on that combination plant food bug repellent he created, not long after they took him away a smaller ape broke him out.”
“And they were never seen since,” Maria remembered the time when Pauline was taken and carried up a construction site. She watched helplessly from behind the borders the police had set up. “We never did have these cool powers either.”
“What was that?” Maria asked and turned around. A huge projectile was heading straight towards them. “Looks like they wheeled out the big guns, literally.”
“I got it,” Pauline shot fireballs at the bullets to no effect. They simply bounced off.
“Duck,” Maria pushed her to the ground just as the bullet sailed over them. “They seem to have gotten smarter and tougher.”
“How do we defeat these things if we can’t use fireballs?”
“I’m going to try jumping on them,” Maria said. “The fireballs didn’t effect the beetles, but we can jump and kick em.”
“True but.”
“No time for butts,” Maria turned to face the approaching bullet. She waited for just the right moment before she jumped. She didn’t try to jump over. The force of her feet knocked the artillery to the ground. “You see.”
“And you don’t have to kick them,” Pauline said.
“Maybe we will find a turtle and use it,” Maria suggested. “Or maybe I will find another star.”
“Maybe we should get moving first.”
-
Mario has wished that guard duty had lasted a little bit longer. He and Princess Peach were having several more great discussions. She wasn’t a dumb person at all, just a bit naïve.
“Watch out General,” several Troopas ran past him wheeling Bill Blasters. Several Hammer bros, and a few more Lakitu’s all were armed with their preferred arsenal followed them.
“Halt,” Mario placed his hands on his hips. “Who authorized the Bills?”
“King Bowser did,” One of the Troopas said. “Since those girls are getting closer he wanted to pull out all stops.”
“Once again I wasn’t notified,” Mario gritted his teeth. “If you excuse me, gentlemen.” He marches straight towards the throne room and kicked open the doors. “Hello King Bowser.” He kneeled before his ruler.
“You may rise.” Bowser nodded at him.
“May I inquire while you are exhausting our supplies of Bullet Bills and Blasters?” Mario rose to his feet.
“These two mysterious girls are getting dangerously close,” Bowser explained. “I can’t take any chances.”
“Our armies verse two young women seem to be a bit of an overkill, sir.” He believed in the saying of all’s fair in love and war, but this was a bit on the ridiculous side.
“Maybe if you and your brother have trained the soldiers better then I wouldn’t have to call for such extreme actions.”
“Excuse me?” Mario growled. For as long as he knew Bowser his king had never said anything critical of his military actions. “I have trained my soldiers hard to be the very best.”
“I’m sorry,” Bowser closed his eyes. “I guess it is the stress I am under. You continue your work with the soldiers and I will plan on how I rule over the Mushroom Kingdom.
“How many others have you freed?” Mario asked. He could give Peach the good news when it was his turn to guard her.
“Besides the retainers? None.”
“I thought you were going to free the king at least.” First he insulted Mario’s role as a general and now he was lying to him?
“I’m gonna wait until after we had taken care of those girls.”
“What ever happened to them being aliens that wants for sexual purposes?” Mario asked.
“Are you agreeing with Kamek?”
Mario shook his head. “No sir.”
“Of course I have to think about what might happen if the king refuses,” Bowser tapped the bottom of his chin. “So they stay like rocks.”
“Don’t you want them to bow before you?” Mario started to feel ill.
“Meh,” Bowser shrugged. “The kingdom is great real estate. We can vacation there whenever we like and not have to worry about having dirt kicked into our faces, or having our tails stomped on, or our horns broken, or in your case your moustache ripped off.”
“I was hoping that we would live together in peace,” Mario grabbed onto the end of his tail. “With you as the king. They would grow to know us and to respect us.”
“Like that will ever happen,” Bowser turned in his attention to the large map on the table. “I need to think about redecorating.”
Mario stumbled out of the throne room, using every strength to keep from vomiting. Every time he went to watch over the Princess he promised that her people would eventually be freed. They talked about the possibility of peace between the kingdoms. He can see her kneeling in her cell, praying to be rescued or possibly wishing another star. Mario closed his eyes, he had defended Bowser in front of her, and now he was living up to be the very monster that she had perceived him to be.
“General sir,” A red-shelled Troopa grabbed his attention. “We have received word that the mystery women have entered the fifth castle.”
“Do what Bowser wishes,” Mario didn’t have the heart to give the command. His stomach had started out queasy and now it was tightening up into a knot. He wasn’t too disappointed with the plan because it meant his soldiers would not receive as many injuries, but now? “This isn’t right.” Mario fought back the bile that formed in his throat. “This isn’t right.” He repeated and ran to his room.
Luigi was already there, reading another not from Wendy. “She wants to meet in the Piranha gardens.” Luigi explained.
“Not now, weege.” Mario paused in front of the door.
“Are you feeling all right?” Luigi just stared at him. “You look like you wanna throw up.”
“I do. I think I’m gonna lay down,” Mario made his way to his bed.
“I tell everyone not to bother you for the next few hours.”
“Thanks,” Mario pulled the blanket over him. He was supposed to report for guard duty within a few hours. How could he face her, knowing what he knew. He liked her. He could see the two of them as friends, and this happens?
“What can I do?” He asked as he rolled onto his back. He couldn’t just betray his kingdom and release the princess now could he? He had the key, but what would happen after? He would either be thrown into the dungeon or banished. How would he be able to face his brother, or mother? He knew what would happen if the princess returned to her castle. She would sing, her people would return to normal, and then Bowser would have to come up with a different plan, a better one.
“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” he rolled out bed and draped the blanket over himself like a robe.
-
Just as luck would have it, the Buzzy posing as guard was fast asleep. This looked like it was going to be easy. He just had to sneak up and insert the key.
“Who are you?” The Princess noticed him.
“It’s a me, Mario,” he whispered and unlocked the cell. “Don’t say a word and follow me.”
“Why are you doing this?” Peach asked once she hid herself under Mario’s blanket.
“Guilt,” Mario answered. “At first you were just a prisoner, and now you are something more.”
“Like a friend?” Peach asked.
“I would like that,” Mario smiled.
-
They had made it to the sixth castle before the two mysterious girls had, and managed to free the Retainer who was in there as well as the others.
“The girls don’t have to worry about them,” Mario said. He still kept the blanket on his body even though the Princess was now walking beside him.
“I feel bad for them in,” Peach said. “They came all this way to rescue me and you have already done so.”
“Either way you would have gotten your wish,” Mario saw two figures heading their way. “This must be them.”
The two women were beautiful, as well as dirty, sweaty and exhausted. Mario couldn’t keep his eyes off the girl in red. She was gorgeous, a real knock out. The other one was also cute, but there was something familiar about her.
“Get ready, Pauline.” The girl with the cap had her fists clenched.
“Um, Maria. I think this might be the princess we are supposed to rescue,” Pauline said to her friend. Wait, the other girl is called Maria? Not only does she seem oddly familiar but her name is the effeminate version of Mario’s
“We freed the other Retainers,” Peach informed them.
“They did say that you were not far behind,” Pauline smiled.
“Are you certain this isn’t a trick?” Maria asked.
“No trick,” Mario couldn’t remove his eyes from them.
“That creature looks like those fake Bowsers.”
“He is a Koopa, but he is a good Koopa,” Peach assured.
“I think he is better looking than the others,” Pauline said. He has a red shell; red is always a good color. He is also a bit smaller.”
“Yeah I am a bit short,” Mario braced himself for the usual insults.
“He is about short as my mother,” Maria said. “Actually I think he his taller, and his moustache is just like my uncle Tony’s.”
“I think it is a handsome moustache and those two fangs that stick out of his mouth are adorable.”
“Thanks,” Mario felt his whole face heat up. Pauline thought he was handsome, yet why was he pointing at Maria, more like reaching out to her with his claw.”
“Do you want to call home?” Maria touched her finger against his claw.
Mario felt a jolt course through his arm and he pulled back.
“What was that?” Maria asked.
“Static?” Mario suggested.
“What are you going to do now?” Peach asked him.
“I guess return home and face the music,” Mario sighed.
“You don’t have to,” Peach grabbed his hand. “You can come with us.”
“No,” he pulled away. “I have my family. I have to take responsibility.”
“But they will see you as a traitor.”
“I will have to live with that,” he turned around and wrapped the blanket around him.
“Wait,” Peach grabbed onto his shoulder. “Before you go.” She kissed him, on top of his snout.
“Thank you,” he blinked before he turned around once again and made his way back home.
-
It was a miracle no one seen him enter and make his way back to his bedroom. He wasn’t too surprised. It was in the middle of the night and nearly everyone was asleep. When he entered his room he was could hear Luigi snore in the bed next to his.
“I’m sorry bro,” Mario whispered as he laid himself down.
“Mario?” Luigi mumbled.
“Yeah?”
“Where were you? The Princess had escaped, dumb Buzzy fell asleep. She probably stole a key from him. I told Bowser you were looking for her.”
“I saw her running and chased after her.” Mario sighed. No one had seen him sneaking around with the Princess? “I would have shouted, but I wanted to maintain my stealth. I’m sorry I failed.”
“Oh, that is why,” Luigi yawned. “I guess we will explain it to Bowser in the morning.”
“Yeah,” Mario closed his eyes. He should be tired enough to fall asleep, but all he could feel was the same warm tingle through out his body from the kiss he had received from Peach.
-
Maria rubbed her hands together in front of the flames. Toad and the other retainers had a nice fire already burning when the three of them had returned to the castle.
“Father,” Peach gasped. Tears were rolling out of her eyes.
“My dear…Peach,” the stature of the king said. “You are…safe…thanks to…these young…ladies.”
“And Mario,” Peach added. “He was a kind Koopa who released me from my cell. We owe him plenty of gratitude.”
Maria closed her eyes. Peach had told her the name of the Koopa who gave her the static shock by accident. His name was the same as one of her dead brothers. What was even more eerie was the fact that Peach had mentioned that the Mario Koopa had a twin brother who was also named Luigi. What were the statistics of that?
“Nice Koopa?” Toad blinked. “Those animals don’t know how to be nice.”
“He seemed nice,” Pauline shrugged.
“So it is true,” Peach scowled at her retainers. “There going to be some changes around here.” She stepped back. “But first to free everyone.” She breathed deeply and sang.
Maria could remember the last time she had heard such a voice. She had once said that Pauline had a hauntingly beautiful voice. Peach’s voice was downright enchanting.
“She makes me sound like a duck,” Pauline gasped.
“Look,” Maria pointed at the King. A few seconds ago he looked like carved marble, now he resembled colored plaster a few seconds passed and the glowing statue took on a more wax like appearance, before he became true flesh.
The surrounding rocks, brick clusters, and weeds were also glowing and shifted shape becoming creatures similar to Toad.
Maria looked out the window, as far as she could see everyone was turning back to normal.
The song had come to an end and the soft light that glowed around Peach’s body faded away.
“Oh goodness,” an elderly toad with a brown cap adjusted his glasses, straightened his thick white mustache, and bright red bow tie before he leaned against his cane.
“Father,” Peach ran up to the king and flung her arms around him. “Everything is back to normal.”
“Toadette,” Toad ran up to a young female toad with a pink cap and what appeared to be bright pink pigtails. “How do you feel?”
“A little stiff,” Toadette popped her neck joints. “And pretty hungry.”
“Grandma,” Peach stepped away from her father and embraced an elderly female toad. “Toadsworth.” She hugged the toad with the cane.
“Disney has nothing on this,” Pauline said
“Yeah,” Maria sighed.
“Everyone this is Maria and Pauline,” Toad introduced them. “These two brave gals fought against Bowser’s forces to help save Peach.”
“Thank you,” the king nodded at them. “I don’t know how I would be able to express my full gratitude.”
Toadsworth hobbled up to them. “Everyone will know about your heroic deeds. You also deserve an award.”
“As much as I want to do the humble hero thing and say it was the right thing to do, I could use something to eat,” Maria rubbed her stomach.
“Of course,” Toadsworth chuckled. “We could all do with something to eat. We will throw a grand banquet in your honor.”
“We just need one little thing else,” Pauline held up her hand. “We are not from around her. In fact we are from another dimension-“
“And you want to return home,” Toadsworth interrupted. “Say no more. After we have eaten we will help you return home.
“Thank you,” Maria smiled. Once she returned home she was going to seek the truth about Mario and Luigi without telling her parents that she came to the Mushroom Kingdom.
-
Word traveled fast and soon everyone knew that Peach had managed to escape and undid Kamek’s magic. No one blamed Mario although Bowser had given him a disappointed look before he ordered the Buzzy who fell asleep on the job was given toilet scrubbing duty for a full week Mario was going to see that sentence will be light.
“Steady in your marches,” Mario instructed from the battlements. “If I see any of you fall out of line I will burn your hides with a fire ba-yeow.” He felt someone pulling on his horn and he turned to see it was his mother. “Hey ma, let go.”
“I know what you did,” mother scowled.
“You knew I freed her,” Mario winced. “How?”
“A mother always knows, especially one with a crystal ball. You are lucky your uncle wasn’t the one to have witnessed it. How could you?”
“It wasn’t right,” Mario closed his eyes. “Bowser wasn’t going to gradually undo Kamek’s spell. It wasn’t going to be the world we wanted, not the world you dreamed. We will attack again and do it right.”
“You wanted the perfect world for me?” his mother released her hold on him.
“Yes, and the princess knows about the racism. She is going to talk to her people about it. This dream can come true.”
“You talked to her?” She waited for Mario to nod before she sighed. “You fell in love with her, didn’t you?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Don’t fall in love with her. She will break your heart. I’m going to speak with Bowser about the next course of action.”
“I know the next plan will be better,” Mario nodded.
“Of course it will. It won’t be one of Kamek’s.” She kissed him on the forehead. “Don’t be too hard on your troops dear.”
“I just have to give them some tough love,” Mario turned back to them. They were marching in a perfect gait. They don’t need too much supervision. He stared back up to the tower where Peach was held. Was he ever going to see her again? He wished he would, and maybe Pauline and Maria too. One star seemed brighter than the others before it fell from the sky.
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A/N: This is not the end of the story, just the end of the chapter and the end of the first part.