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Larry was good at many things: he was a skilled tennis player and bowler. He was always able to defeat his siblings and father’s minions when it came to one on one hoops game. He had plenty of physical strength. He even almost defeated Roy in a wrestling match once. He was a skilled marksman, at least when it came to fighting the members of the undead. One thing he wasn’t good at was research. He usually left that to Iggy and Ludwig. While most of his friends engaged in the mass loads of research he decided to sit it out and brush up on his reading.
“What were people thinking back then?” He stared in disgust at a picture of a female toad model. She looked like a broomstick with even thinner sticks used as arms and legs. “They thought this was beauty?” He handed the magazine over to Squishy, who also claimed he was not good at research.
“Don’t ask me,” Squishy winced when he saw the picture. “I was only a spore when people thought this was beauty.”
“Thank you, but not thank you,” Larry placed the magazine back in the rack. “I prefer women who actually look like women.” He pulled out another magazine and flipped through some more of the pictures. These were even worse. The models in the old magazine were thin and almost flat, but that seemed to be their natural body type. The new images had women who looked like they had starved themselves to be that thin. “These look like the zombies we just whacked.”
Squishy looked over his shoulder. “Who knows what they were on?”
“I’m guessing ipecac,” Larry just stared in disgust at the picture of a Koopa woman. She was as thin as a Dry Bones. Her shoulder blades resembled wings. She had dark purple crescents under her eyes. Larry wondered if her hair had fallen out due to the lack of nutrients or if she was just naturally bald like her sister. “You know, I’m glad they kept their clothes on.” He nearly threw the magazine back and grabbed one of the porn magazines. “Nice to see there are pics of women that actually eat.”
“I don’t really see how you can call this research,” Madam S said from behind. She still had the scent of talcum and lavender, along with the aroma of tomato sauce.
“We are still listening to the radio,” Squishy tapped the small radio that was next to them. “I’ve been going through all the news channels and I have yet to find out any progress, or any new city with heightened zombie and vampire activity.”
“What have you found?” Larry set the magazine down next to him.
“The military has finished cleaning out the false leads,” Madam S said. She was holding onto a tray with two disposable and microwaveable plastic bowls filled with steaming concoctions of ground beef, tomato sauce, and macaroni noodles. “I though you would like a small snack.”
“Thanks,” Larry took one of the bowls and spoons.
“Where did you get this?” Squishy asked. “You wouldn’t let us have any canned pasta back in New Sharp.” He took the other bowl.
“They were in storage.” Madam S stood back up. It is easy for them to store and cook. I would never touch the stuff myself, but I can understand the need for them.”
“What is wrong with canned pasta?” Larry blew across the surface of his bowl.
“Nothing is wrong with it. I just grew up with a mother who would never allow it in her home and who made nearly everything from scratch.”
“I’m used to really big and elaborate meals,” Larry remembered the last great meal he had. It was the breakfast before he and Kamron had set out for Tempo Town. “But I don’t mind eating this.”
“I used to live on this stuff,” Squishy placed a spoonful in his mouth. “This and ramen and pizza was a college student’s main source of food, that and coffee.”
“I thought here was a fridge,” Larry set his bowl down. “You could store the veggies and meats in it, and make a good meal.”
“It is a small refrigerator,” Madam S said. “It is used for milk and sandwich ingredients, and my medicine.” She looked away. “Larry, I’m sorry about what had happened yesterday.”
“Don’t be,” Larry told her. “You needed your medicine. I know you are not one of them.”
“I’m almost like them,” a tear rolled down her face as she climbed down the stairs.
“But she is human,” Larry whispered. “I don’t think vampires can use fire flowers or ghost mushrooms, or anything like that.”
“They can’t,” Squishy took another bite from his bowl. “We keep telling she is human, but she still feels like a freak.” He looked at his bionic hand. “Sometimes I feel like a freak.”
“Your not.”
“People can tell you this over and over, but it does not change the fact that you sometimes feel that way,” Squishy clenched his metal hand. “We told you how we became involved in this mess. There are others who had loved ones and friends killed. Howls never mentioned how they also tortured him and his family before they killed his wife and daughter. Like Silhouette, his son was hiding, or else they would have killed him as well. I didn’t tell you I had to stake my girlfriend?”
“No.”
“I had to,” he looked at the ground. “It was right before one of those four heads ate my hand, and staking her hurt a hell a lot worse. Madam S didn’t tell you what they did to her husband?”
“She said they killed him,” Larry said.
“Killed him, but never destroyed the corpse,” Squishy shuddered. “They used the Lazarus stone to bring him back as a zombie.”
Larry had a feeling where this was going. “She had to kill her husband.”
“Destroy his body. She said it wasn’t her husband, not his spirit, but you know it still hurt her.”
Larry nodded. He didn’t want to think if his father, or his brothers or sister were killed and came back as a zombie or a vampire.
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Luigi kept his eyes on the ground from where he rode with Kammy. He was concerned for both Peach and Yoshi’s safety as they rode from high up in the sky. They haven’t come across any soldier or member of the military as they neared the Sugar Land border but they have come across several creatures that have seamed threatening. There have been sightings of sleek cougar like wild cats, but they have kept to the trees and dared not to come near Yoshi or Peach.
The other creature was the main problem. They resembled boars with long and shaggy brown fur and curved tusks in their snouts. They were larger than the boars Luigi had remembered seeing on wild life specials or in the zoo. They were crowned with thick and wild lion like manes and had two rows of spines on their backs.
Their first appearance happened a few hours ago, when one of the ugly beasts stuck their head out from the shrubs lining the road. A half hour later one appeared in front of Yoshi. Peach was ready to swat her umbrella against the beast, but Yoshi had beaten her to it and used his tongue to bring the beast into his mouth and belly. Several more attacked after that, but it was the combined effort of Peach, Yoshi, Kammy’s magic and both Mario and Luigi using fire flowers, were able to take care of those beasts.
“How are you guys holding up?” Peach shouted to Luigi when Kammy brought her broom close enough to them.
“Pretty good,” Luigi said. He hated having to waste a flower on a local animal, when there may be a real fight ahead. “What about you?”
“A little tire and hungry,” Peach answered.
“I can smell lots of fruit,” Yoshi closed his eyes and his nostrils flared. “I can smell apples, and pears, and berries, and honey and sugar and cinnamon and peppermint and licorice.”
“I can smell some of it as well,” Kammy said. “We must be getting close.” She was right. It wasn’t long after until Luigi could smell the sugary air.
Luigi kept his eyes on the helicopter. He and Kammy were not going to come into a landing until Iggy and the others have lowered themselves to the ground.
“Time to land,” Kammy said when Iggy brought the helicopter to the landing.
“Time to play politics,” Luigi added as they lowered themselves to the ground.
There were several barks and growls from dogs and the squawks and honks from birds he hadn’t seen or heard in years, Ostros. Several men and women dressed in dark uniforms rode up to them on Ostro like birds. Several more people came with Dobermans on leashes.
“I don’t like the looks of this,” Mario said.
“No kidding,” Luigi had to really look up to see into the eyes of the birds. They were larger than the Ostros had had ridden before. Their heads were devoid of any covering as were their legs and their reddish brown feathers were more like fur.
The people who rode them were all dressed in the similar uniform. Black jackets with thick cuffs and slacks. Gray double-breasted vests with brass buttons. Their feet were clothed in dark boots with silver heels and they wore berets on their heads. Several of them did look like kids.
“Hands up,” one of the men said. He had a few gold bars on his right chest and a few gold stripes on his cuffs. His beret sported a small red feather and he also wore a pair of silver reflective sunglasses.
Luigi didn’t need to be told twice. He kept his eyes on the rifles and guns the soldiers were carrying and on the dogs. They were no longer growl and their noses were working in overtime.
“No one is allowed inside Sugar Land,” The captain ordered. “Turn around and leave at once.”
“I am sorry,” Peach stared into his eyes. “But we are not going to leave. We request audience with King Nougat.”
“King Nougat is a busy man,” the captain did not flinch. Apparently there were others who had boldly approached in the recent past and tried to get by. “He will not meet with anyone.”
“We are not just anyone,” Mario stated and stepped forward. He did not lower his arms. “We are representatives of three different nations.”
“Who do you think you are?” The captain removed his musket pointed it at Mario.
“My name is Mario Mario.”
“I’m Luigi Mario,” Luigi added.
“I am Princess Peach Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom.”
“Princess Daisy of Sarasaland.”
“Prince Iggy of Dark Land.”
“Yoshi, and I am an ambassador from Dinosaur Land.”
“Kammy Koopa.”
Several of the other soldiers murmured. The captain remained undaunted. “I am sorry if you say you are who you are, but we are under strict orders to not allow anyone into the kingdom.”
“And we are sorry but we are not leaving,” Peach had lowered her arms. “We have come all this way to seek audience with your king. Not only are we ambassadors from four other lands, but we have been in close communication and relationships with at least a dozen others.”
“Failure to meet with us will make your king appear poorly to the others,” Daisy continued. “He can meet with us now or wait until the Mushroom World Conference that will happen in a few months.”
“Your King’s recent rulings have grabbed the attention of the neighboring lands,” Iggy added. He kept his posture straight and next to perfect. “Many of the others, including our own, have grown quite concerned.”
Peach nodded. “Refusing to speak with us is the same as refusing to speak with the council. I am certain that if we do leave we will notify the other nations and there will be a brief meeting.”
The captain frowned. Several other soldiers were still mumbling and a few nodded. “We kept saying someone was going to notice.”
“What will it be,” Daisy folded her arms and tapped the ground with her foot.
The captain coughed. “We are all still under orders to not allow anyone in, however ambassadors and members of royalty have yet to come across us. I can contact him, or his advisors.” He pulled out a cell phone and dialed.
“Wow,” Mario whispered and inched himself closer to Peach. “That was amazing.”
“That was using diplomacy,” Peach smiled proudly.
“Would it be diplomatic if I gave you a kiss?” Mario winked at her.
“Wait until we are inside.” Peach winked back at him.
“Yes Major,” the captain said. “I will wait.” He lowered his phone. “Major Gummy will relay the information to Colonel Sours who will inform General Taffy who will then speak with one of the King’s advisors. This will take a few minutes.”
“How long will it take us to the castle?” Daisy asked.
“The main kingdom will take about 600 miles,” the captain said. “Sugar Land is a pretty big land.”
“We are going to have to find a hotel,” Luigi said to Mario. “That is if they do let us in.”
“Hopefully we can find one that will allow Yoshis,” Mario added.
A trill sound came from the Captain. “That would be him.” He pulled out his cell. ”Hello Major, You are saying they can. Is it because of who they claim to be? I see. Of course I will take them there. Over and Out.”
“What is it going to be?” Peach asked.
“King Nougat will want to meet with you,” the captain put his phone away. “And the Major wants me to take you to the train.”
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The train resembled something that was more suited for a kid’s amusement park than an actual train. Each cart was a bright color and reflected the waning sunlight. It looked like several hard candies were strung together.
“Tickets please,” the Shyguy at the entrance said and held out his velvet-gloved hand.
“Uh-oh,” Luigi turned towards the Captain. He hadn’t mentioned anything about tickets.
“How much do they cost?” Daisy was already reaching into one of her skirt pockets.
“You can only buy them at the booth,” The Shyguy pointed to the long line waiting at the train station. “However this is the last train that will leave for the royal kingdom today.”
“You listen to me,” The captain grabbed the Shyguy by the material under his mask. “King Nougat wishes to see these folk and you know how that is a rarity these days. Now, do you want to make King Nougat angry?” He released the Shyguy.
“No,” the Shyguy turned to Luigi and his friends. “Step right up. Since you are under orders of his majesty you will be riding in the royal cart.”
“We are not kicking anyone out are we?” Peach was the first to step aboard.
The conductor shook his head. “No one bought one of those tickets, and those are pretty expensive.”
Luigi felt a twinge of guilt. “We don’t want any special treatment.”
“I’d seat you somewhere else, but these trains can get pretty booked up.”
“That’s okay,” Yoshi gave Luigi a look.
“Whoa,” the conductor grabbed the dinosaur by one of his spines. “Where do you thin you are going? There are no pets allowed, unless they are traveling in a cage, carrier, or have a leash.”
“He’s with us,” Mario said. “And he is an ambassador of dinosaur land.”
“After all you don’t want to make your king upset,” Kammy glared at the conductor as she stepped aboard.
“No I don’t,” the Shyguy released his hold on Yoshi. “Enjoy your ride.”
Iggy was the last to enter. “While protecting your borders could you keep an eye on my helicopter? I worked real hard in building it and I don’t want it to be damaged by any of those boar creatures, or have someone steal it.”
“We will keep an eye on it,” the Captain said.
“Iggy come aboard,” Daisy grabbed the Koopa genius and pulled him into the train.
The royal car was in the back of the train, just in front of the dining car. The seats were wider and upholstered in velvet.
“Oh this is sweet,” Mario jumped into one of the seats. “I never even gotten to travel first class on an airplane.”
“These do look soft,” Luigi sat down next to his brother. He sank into the cushion. “I think they stuff these seats with goose down.” He yawned. “Wake me when we get there.” He curled up in the corner and closed his eyes.
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