Avatar: The Almostar

Book 1: Mario Sunshine Chapter 2

"Okey dokey let's-a go!", Mario shouted to Soteph.

The two newly-partnered were all packed up and ready to embark on their journey to stop the Fire Nation.

"Mama mia, what's-a taking so long?!"

"Hold on Mario, I just want one last goodbye to this place before we leave."

Soteph and Caela stood side by side gazing around their little patch of open forest they called home. Soteph got a bit teary-eyed.

"Well girl this is it. We'll come back one day.", she said as she wiped a tear from her face.

Mario saw this and sympathized, "Anytime you're ready."

With one last deep sigh Soteph turned around, "Okay let's do this!"

She hopped up on Caela and Mario sat behind her. Off they were to the Fire Nation capital.

As the two navigated through a few miles Mario's tummy began to growl.

"Mama mia, I'm-a hungry."

Soteph concurred, "Yeah me too, and Caela can't run forever."

Caela was already showing signs of fatigue.

"Don't worry girl we'll find food."

Mario asked, "But where?"

"Well we'll just stop at the first town we see."

Fortunately about 15 minutes later their first town was in sight.

It is here the two learned that they were in the southwest region of the Earth Kingdom. Mario was a bit confused as to why Soteph didn't know that.

"I'm a bit confused as to why you didn't know that Soteph?"

Soteph rolled her eyes, "I was living in a forest for a few years and never bothered to care where it was, there you happy!?"

Mario with a scared tone, "Y-yes maam."

The town seemed peaceful. It was a typical somewhat rural Earth kingdom town. Children were playing in the streets and men were building new structures. Mario and Soteph spotted a small food stand and the 3 raced on over there.

An old woman minding the stand asked with a smile, "What would you folks like today?"

Mario and Soteph gazed at the steaming smorgasbord that sat in front of them.

"Oh it all looks soooo good!" Soteph said in excitement.

"What's-a this?" Mario pointed to a sandwich/taco-like fod.

"Oh that's an arepa, it's really quite a delectable treat."

Mario licked his lips and Soteph suddenly shouted, "We'll take 6!"

Mario went, "Six?!"

Soteph explained, "2 for me, 2 for you, and 2 for Caela."

Mario nodded, "I like the way you think. Six please."

The woman smiled, "That's 12 copper pieces please."

Suddenly the dream was over. Mario and Soteph realized that neither of them had any money. Mario looked through his pockets for a gold coin but came up with lint.

"Darn it! What's the point of making all those-a Mini-Marios if I forget to carry some-a profit!"

The old ladies smile turned to a frown and she simply said, "Next!"

The two were pushed aside by the people behind them. They began walking around the town. Caela whimpered with hunger.

"Don't worry girl we'll find food. Mario we have to find a way to make money fast unless you wanna go out hunting?"

Mario shunned at the fact of eating a forest creature, "Let's-a not do that. I'm-a sure somebody around here needs an odd job done."

Just then a burly guy with a deep voice said, "Say you two need to make some money?"

The two of them yelled out, "Yes."

"Well I got this here tavern I own, I could sure use some help bringing in customers."

Mario, "You want us to put on a show or something?"

"Nah, not you as much as her.", He pointed at Soteph.

Soteph with an alarmed look, "Huh?! why me only?!"

"Listen girl you got it going on, that definitely does bring in customers."

Mario looked at Soteph, "He's-a got a point."

Soteph turned to Mario and yelled, "What!? Ugh! You gotta be kidding me Mario! Don't you know how to treat a female with respect!?"

Mario pointed at her in anger, "Don't talk to me about respecting a woman. I've saved my girlfriend from a giant fire-breathing turtle on numerous occasions, his son, an evil adviser, aliens, some guy called Tabuu, and even Kobe Bryant! So don't you even a start!"

Soteph wasn't going to let this go, "Well I ain't gonna prance around in some sleazy bar in front of a bunch of sick, dirty, ho-" "Home run contest!", Mario interrupted.

Soteph, "What?" She saw Mario point to a sign that lead to an empty patch of grass.

The guy, "Oh yeah, it's just a little challenge I put up there. Hit a rock with a stick Get it into the forest at the edge of the grass and win 50 copper pieces."

Mario was intrigued, "I'll-a do it!"

"There's an entry fee bud. But tell you what I'll give you a shot at it if you make a deal with me."

Mario twirled his mustache, "Go on."

"You hit out I'll give you you're money. You don't, you 2 work for me for 2 nights."

Soteph, "Mario are you sure you know what you're doing?"

Mario negotiated, "How about she works 2 nights and I work just 1?" Soteph screamed, "Hey wait a m-" "Deal!" the tavern owner said.

The guy led Mario to the field and began preparation for the challenge. Soteph was steaming and Caela licked her face to make her feel better.

The tavern owner got on his workers out to pitch to Mario. "This guy's the hardest thrower we got."

Mario grabbed the club that was provided for him when Soteph came up to him with words of encouragement. "Mario I just wanna say good luck out there."

Mario smiled, "Thanks Soteph."

Soteph added, "Cause if you don't hit that darn rock out there, I'm gonna take that hat of yours and shove it up your throat."

Mario didn't answer back and walked up to where he was supposed to stand. From the side the tavern owner said, "You got 3 chances bub."

Mario got his grip and batting stance going. The pitcher looked to the side and the tavern owner gave him a wink. He threw a speeding rock right at Mario's head.

"Whoa!" Mario yelled when he ducked down.

The tavern owner said, "That's one." Soteph screamed at him, "What!? No way, that's cheating!"

Mario got up and was fuming. The next pitch came and Mario swung with a mighty stroke! Other people had gathered to see him and were ooing at the ball as it cleared a tree and made it into the forest.

"Hah! Now pay up!" Soteph told the guy.

He only smiled and said, "No I think I won't. Now boys!"

Some guys grabbed Soteph and began dragging her away.

"Hey! Let go of me!" she struggled and screamed and fire shot out from her mouth.

One of the guys said, "Whoa she's a firebender boss!" The owner said. "Then stick her in the metal cage she won't burn that down."

Caela began biting some of the men. One of them came up from behind her and shot a tranquilizer dart into her. Caela kept fighting trying to reach her master. But she began fading out of consciousness and went down into the ground.

"No! Caela!, "Soteph screamed with tears in her eyes as she had rope tied to her hands and legs.

Mario went to her rescue when the pitcher threw a ball at him. Mario turned and used the cape to reflect it back at him and it hit him square in the stomach knocking him down. 4 more guys began trying to stop Mario. They jabbed and tried to tackle him down. Mario spun around and got them into the Mario Tornado. They were twisted and shot out to the side. Mario dropped the club and made a giant leap with his fist ready to strike the tavern owner. The guy turned around and his eyes widened to see Mario about to unleash a big fist when Phooom!

Mario was hit right in the head by the pitcher who recovered enough for one more throw. The tavern owner laughed as one of his men came up to him. "What should I do with him boss?"

"Just toss him out somewhere in the forest and let him rot."

Hours passed by and Mario finally awoke. He found his hat tossed to the side and felt a sharp pain on the right side of his head. He dusted himself off and had to go back and rescue his friends.