Like every good story, it has a start and this is no different for the legend of Rogueport is a great one.
A thousand years ago, there was a great evil that had destroy the ancient city where Rogueport now stands and ruled over the land in darkness, but in this, it had created the tools for both its control and banishment, the Crystal Stars.
Four heroes had taken these powerful tools and used them to seal the evil away before succumbing to a curse upon them, their victory coming at a bitter cost as they were left to be forgotten to the tick of time.
Now the adventure starts once more, but it goes to a new band of heroes who will change it all with a lead and a strange fragment that came with...
"...Sir..."
"...Awake..."
"Sir, wake up, we are nearly to Rogueport, sir!" A young Koopa stirred as he blinked several times before taking in the approaching town with a single ocean-green eye and misted-glass eyepatch, stretching before standing up and walking into the sunlight.
Dressed with a blue shell, decalled with hexagonal shapes, and boots and while wearing a teal windbreaker over the Koopa appearence, his right arm was mechanical as he took in the town with a slight frown, still questioning the fact of being here as he took in the ragtag look of Rogueport Harbor and its town, crossing his arms as he pondered.' Rogueport... I have never before seen a more wretched hive of scum and villainy...'
Shaking his head, he turned back to the cabin with his allies still slept, a female Toad of hot-pink, sleeping soundly in the given bed and a bright-yellow Craw, sleeping rather peacefully on his feet, halberd in hand, before looking up to the captain. "How soon will we dock, Captain?"
"We'll be at Rogueport in five minutes!" The Koopa nodded as he walked back into the cabin and gently shook the Toad.
"Get up, Anya, we're going to arrive to Rogueport." A groan for more sleep came from the Toad as the Koopa turned to the standing sleeper, gauging on how to wake him up before pulling a leg out from under with a foot, resulting in a loud thump as the Koopa spoke. "As always, Christian, sleeping on the job!"
As the two quickly roused themselves, the Koopa returned back outside, watching Rogueport while pulling out a map of the land, a hundred years old if not more, and a black fragment that came with the map, peering at both respectively before staring through the glassy texture to Rogueport, his heart beating with resolve.
'Time to unearth this mystery and lay it to rest...' But deep inside, he knew that adventure was only just beginning...
The Koopa watched as the harbor came closer, Anya bouncing on the prow and Christian watching from the side as the captain shouted. "Here's your stop, but are you sure to disembark here, there is a lot of shady characters prowling about."
Christian glancing back with a smile, pumping an arm in response. "We can handle any punks that comes our way!"
The Koopa shook his head while rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves." He walked over to the prow, gripping on the roping as workhands and sailors came into view. "Sorry, Captain, but we have business here that needs to be checked out."
"Alright, if you are sure about your option..." AS the boat settled against an open dock, the trio disembarked before heading for the stonework as the captain bided them farewell. "Still, this town is not a good place to be in."
"We will be cautious, safe travels, Sir!" Anya waved as the boat headed off and the three allies turned to Rogueport with varying expressions, the Koopa's frown as he took in the disarray of the docks, Christian's guarded stare as some of the workers saw them with dark looks, while Anya's was slightly concerned as she tapped on the blue shell. "Hey, is everything okay, Alex?"
"It is a minor thing, don't worry about it." Pulling out the map again, Alex remembered the letter that had arrived to their small home, its address meant for them as it spoke of the Mario Brothers and Alex took it to show it to get a straight answer out when Mario himself motioned for the Koopa to read it when his life turned upside down as he began to read.
'Dear Mario.'
'Usually, I'd ask for your aid in something that involves me in some way, but I wish this time that a different hero will aid me as you have my permission to rest for the time being.'
'I had recently come to possess a map from a small town called Rogueport, its details that of the town, there seems to be elements wishing to use it for their own gain, so I have passed the map and a odd fragment to the new hero for their help.'
'And do not TRY to follow, I want you to relax for now until I return and Toadsworth has been informed to keep me aware of everything that will transpire.'
'From Princess Peach of the Mushroom Kingdom.'
Despite the order, Mario still wanted to depart at once and find the princess, however, Anya convinced the legendary plumber to rest this time and watch the Toad villagers while she, Alex, and Christian headed for the seedy town.
Returning the map back to his sachet, Alex then pulled out the fragment once more and studied it, his covered eye detailing its parts as the start of something larger when a screech caught everyone's attention as a female Goomba was being cornered by a trio of what would be termed as large, covered human-like blobs on legs as the leader demanded answers.
"Oh, come off it, you airhead!" Alex rolled his eyes as he motioned the Craw and Toadette to follow as the purple blob continued. "I know it's tough for you, but don't play dumb with me! I've seen you walking around town asking for information about the Crystal Stars." The creature folded its chubby arms in victory. "Well, now I'm doing the asking, so be a good girl and tell us what you know! Right. NOW!"
"Never! I don't have anything to say to you creeps! Eww!" The thing shrugged as if seeming to be grinning.
"I suppose it wouldn't be right if a sassy little lass like you met with an untimely demise..." Then the thing started laughing in some sort of moronic questioning. "Boys, we're taking this firebrand to our fortress!"
"As you command, Lord Crump! We've on it!" The chubby soldiers drew closer and the Goomba, realizing the tables turn, backed up from the gang.
"N-No! Stop right there, you weirdos! I'll scream! Really!"
"Ma'am, are these thugs giving you trouble?" Alex said as he was standing right behind the Goomba, having made his way in the short chat, with Christian and his halberd ready for battle and Anya with a hand on her whip, the Goomba getting behind the Koopa who stared Crump down.
"Like I'd go anywhere with smelly lunatics like you! Hmph! Not likely!"
"Whuh?" Crump started to focus on the Koopa who stood in his path, a frown fixed at the large thug. "What do you think YOU'RE doing, chump? You think you can screw up my plans?!"
"Um... Plans for poorly-dressed pajama weirdos and girlish make-up?" Christian questioned and the girls chuckled at the insult as Crump was fuming.
"Gah! It's always something..." Twisting his head and wind milling his arms, the blob readied to do a performance than a battle. "Looks like I'm going to have to give you a little taste of the old CRUMP-A-BOMB!" Alex sighed as Crump charged and jumped to crush the Koopa with a ground pound.
Crump, however, was unprepared as Christian started to attacking, batting Crump into the air with a swing and stabbing him with the top of the halberd. Anya soon followed with a jump and struck the blob with her Petal Whip. Alex soon followed as he used his stronger Shell attack before landing on the ground in readiness to punch Crump back to his cohorts.
However, Crump was flipping and his position upon returning placed him in a very painful position, Alex's metal fist the given destination.
From the Rogueport Train Station, A Cheep Cheep watched for the blimp before noticing a flock of birds fly off and the sound of a high-pitched girly scream of pain came from the direction of the docks before he returned to watching for the blimp.
Crump, for his part, rolled off before holding his balls on the ground as Alex simply shook his head at the display. "That could only be called both checkmate and some busted nuts..."
"I am not surprised in the least from that combo, but you just broke his fall with that metal hand you got." Kent said as he rubbed his forehead.
Alex just smirked at the Craw before Lord Crump got up, still rubbing his injured being before talking again with an uneasy laugh to ease the mood.
"OK, you got a couple decent shots in, I'll give you that." Straightening up, Crump was steamed as he spoke the next words. "But... unfortunately for you... that means..." He then roared aloud. "IT'S GO TIME!" Suddenly, thousands upon thousands of white-garbed cronies surrounded the scene as Crump ordered the attack. "PUNISH THEM!"
They all leapt into the fray, bodies on bodies swarming and meant the sudden defeat of the party...
...If they were the target as the female Goomba ran out of the group calling out. "Quick! This way!" The gang then burst from the mob smack down as they questioned the weirdness as she continued. "Phew! What a bunch of loons! Let's just sneak out of here, what do you guys say?"
"You have got my vote, let's book it!" Alex said as the four of them left the mess behind for Crump to realize that they were long gone.
"Now that was completely strange and not the best example of town at all." They soon arrived to the town square as they panted from the escape, some of those thugs were nearly able to stop them if they were totally focused on whoever was in the center.
"Wow, you guys... totally saved me! Thanks!"
Alex shook his head as he returned. "No trouble, that guy was just asking for a beat down, though I could have dealt with him better."
"I have just GOT to give you a little reward!" But as she attempted to kiss the Koopa, he tipped the archeologist cap she was wearing as Christian spoke.
"Not to be rude, but who are you?"
The Goomba tipped the cap back up as she spoke. "My name's Goombella." She smirked like in a salute, beaming with pride. "I'm a student at the University of Goom. Nice to meet ya!" She then give a questioning look. "So, uh... Who are you guys?"
"Simple." Alex started as he gestured to the gang. "The Craw on my left is Christian, former High Guard of the Mushroom Kingdom." He waved with a smile as Alex gestured to Anya. "The Toad on my right is Anya, she wanted to join this small journey for the adventure." The Toad gleefully said 'Hi' before Alex placed his normal left arm on the windbreaker. "And I am Alex, the leader of this band." He shrugged as he continued. "I know we just meant, but is it standard for pajama guys to just mug whoever for info?"
Goombella groaned as she shouted. "I already HATE it here! There are freaks and weirdos EVERYWHERE! It's nasty!" Alex nodded as the Goomba went off on a rant. "I mean, I know the place is called Rogueport, so I should have expected it, but sheesh!"
Christian took to talking as well. "If you don't like it here, then why are you still here?"
"I'd never come to a place like this if there weren't some treasure here."
"Wait, there is a legendary treasure!? We've looking for it too!" Anya said as Alex had noticed a pair of Pinatas in suits run out the alleyway past the gallows and waited. "We actually have the map to it!" Alex pulled out the map and Goombella took a look with a amazed face.
"Omigosh! Is... Isn't that a treasure map?! You HAVE to tell me where you got that!"
Kent nodded as he explained. "We actually got it from Princess Peach."
"...Princess Peach? What?"
"Great hoogly-boogly! You must be the new heroes!" Toadsworth stepped closer to them as he continued, Alex fully turned to the Pinatas as they roughed up some Craws on patrol. "What fine young people the princess has asked for, but I suppose you will need to take Mario's place in finding her."
"Wait, what happened to Princess Peach!?" Kent and Anya asked with concern.
"Well, I only took my eyes off her for but a moment and she just up and disappeared."
"Please tell me it is not so, Toadsworth!"
"I am afraid so, miss Anya, I fear that she may not return, I am fraught with worry, but now that you are here, I believe that we will find her, but I do not belong here." The elderly Toad said as Alex watched as the Pinatas spared a glance and took off as the Craw gathered themselves up and left. "I shall recline to the inn and enjoy some tea, in fact, you best do the same in case you require some healing from battle." He then spoke that the town was rough and headed off before Goombella turned back to the party.
"Um... Princess Peach? Did he mean, like, Peach, the Mushroom Kingdom princess?!"
"One and the same." Alex said as he turned back to Goombella.
"Wait a sec'! This is crazy! Princess... PEACH sent you that treasure map?"
"Yes!" Anya shouted as Goombella fell down backwards.
"Whoa. This is really intense. Well, where could she have gone, then, do you think?"
"Believing that she is headstrong in some things, I can most likely guess that she went searching on her own, but why give us the map to start with?" Kent said and the four started to think on a plan before Goombella, having gotten back up, started to bounce with excitement.
"Oooh! Oooh! I know! Come with me!"
"Where to?"
"One of my professors is here researching that treasure. We'll show him the map!"
Anya bounced as well at the thought. "If we start searching for that treasure and it is the same, we are bound to find Peach in no time!"
"So, we are all in agreement?" A resounding 'Yeah' got Alex nodding as he exclaimed. "Alright, on to the journey, friends!" Goombella joined them as she explained that she can use a Headbonk attack and can use a Tattle ability to give hints, identify people, and find out enemy stats. Soon, they were off to find Professor Frankly who looked like a type of genius with swirled glasses. Heading for the east side, they would have suffered a robbery by a Bandit if Alex hadn't grappled the guy and pounded him into the ground, taking the coins back as they continued.
Entering the second house, they encountered the scholarly Goomba who started off confused on Goombella, but recognized her and the party started to explain the reason of why they were there and they all headed down to the Rogueport Sewers, Frankly in tow...
"Well, this isn't too terrible." Going down the pipe, the party were faced with quite the subterranean area and pressing on, they were faced with normal, Spiny, and Paragoombas as well as green spring-like creatures called Spinias. Most of the party were, however, surprised by a black chest that started speaking that only a 'legendary hero' could hear the captive voice and needed to find a black key to set them free...
...Only for Alex to strike out at the voice. "Do you think me a fool, I can recognize a curse anywhere, however, I am willing to cut a deal as long as you keep your end." Plucking a large, cubic stone from the sachet, the Koopa continued. "Enchant this stone with the curse or do we need to come to blows?"
"...How did anyone figure it out, all I wanted was some fun at the expense of others, is that so hard?"
"No, but we can not risk being cursed for our adventure, so do we have an agreement?"
"...Sure, I promise, just find that key and I will gladly aid your adventure." Alex nodded as he motioned for everyone to follow him out before they spoke amongst themselves.
"Alex, are you sure that we can just trust some voice in a box, you saw straight through it, so why give it the chance?" Christian said with concern before Anya headed over to the edge and realized the fact there was no way for reach the open way unless they knew how to fly or could jump to the top of the large block there below the ledge.
"I see the problem, guys." Goombella and Frankly headed over and nodded at the distance. "Whether we like it or not, we have to get that key for the chest if we are going to head further in."
"But where is the key, it couldn't have been thrown that far away..." Goombella asked and they all agreed to look for it when Anya, having been by the edge in the first place, spotted the key and jumped down to grab it before jumping down from the small ledge and the group returned to the chest to release the being.
"YESSSSSSSSS! Thank... Ha! Thank NOTHING!" Alex groaned aloud before ripping the halberd straight out of Christian's hands, slamming the chest hard which shook greatly from the pain. "OWWW! What the heck was that for?!"
"Because you were about to double-cross our deal, and if you think that you are spared from punishment, you have never met me before." Pressing the halberd a bit more, the chest creature quickly yielded.
"OKAY OKAY! I'll curse your stone, no more, man!" The Koopa leapt back as he pulled out the stone and tossed it, just as the creature emerged and grabbed the stone before using magic, infused its curse upon the stone to which Christian approached and took it in hand with amaze as the creature spoke. "With this, you will be able to fly across the greatest gaps as this will transform into a airplane to fly you across when you approach one of the many airplane pads." It looked at Alex and suddenly obtained a look of... fear, perhaps sheer terror before gripping the sides of the chest and disappearing into a void zone.
"So, uh... Wow. Just wow. What was THAT guy's beef?"
"No clue, Goombella..." Anya said as Alex took the now-glowing stone in hand. "...But if we have to deal with any more of those chests, I just hope we are able to deal with it with reason."
"No doubt to it..." Alex said as he lead them out and, rubbing away some dust from an extended edge and revealing an aero plane symbol, used the stone which did transform into a paper airplane which did fly them to the other side and reverted back into the stone, Alex placing it back in his sachet as the group headed through the open way to look upon something remarkable...
