Hello again readers. Now before I bring out the story, I just want to mention this first. This is the first chapter with Mario having party members. So starting this chapter, I will start the story off with a support conversation between two party members that are introduced to the roster. Like the support system from Fire Emblem, the conversation will limit to 3 for each pair, and like they did for Fire Emblem Awakening there will be an S rank support for two characters of separate genders, so yes there will be pairings. But unlike they did for FEA, there's not going to be any marriage or any offspring characters resulted from S rank support. I will also mention that instead of letter, the supports will be ranked just like the level rankings done in Mario & Luigi games (for example: mushroom rank, flower rank, star rank, and finally special rank). I am going to pair each character in a pairing of my choosing, but I could add conversations resulting in different parings too if the fans desire it, all you guys have to do is ask. That'll be all, enjoy reading.
Supports
Kooven and Tarlo
Tarlo was walking in the middle of the road while carrying a bunch of firewood. He trips and the woods scatter across the ground.
Tarlo: Ow…my foot.
Kooven appears in front of him and picks up the woods Tarlo dropped.
Kooven: Need a hand?
Tarlo: Oh Kooven! Yes, I guess I did need some help.
Kooven: Why were you picking up the firewood alone in the first place? You could have asked us for help you know.
Tarlo: It's okay. I'm used to manual labors. Besides, I didn't want to bother anyone else while I'm doing the chores.
Kooven: Why do you think you would be bothering any of us? We've been friends ever since we were kids, right?
Tarlo: I wouldn't say bothering. More like I'm paying debts.
Kooven: What?
Tarlo: You guys always protected me in the past, the least I could do is to return the favor, by doing your assigned chores.
Kooven: So wait, all this time you've been doing our chores? No wonder Goombrey and I had lot of free times.
Tarlo: You guys did a lot for me, so it was least I could do.
Kooven: But aren't you tired from doing all those work? We could have at least helped you a little.
Tarlo: Sometimes I do get hurt, but I don't mind at all. If it means helping out my friend, I would face the agony any day. Thanks for picking these up for me. Now I have to take these to their assigned destination. I'll see you later Kooven.
Tarlo leaves the area.
Kooven: Man, all this time he was suffering for our sake. I better look after him and make he doesn't get himself killed. After all, he's suffering because of us.
Kooven and Tarlo support reaches Mushroom rank.
Chapter 2A
As Mario and the three kids made their way through the wood passage, they finally reach the place that looked like a hideout for the goomba gangs. The place wasn't fortified but it was full of mean goombas. Barging seemed like an unwise plan, so they decided to sneak in. They managed to infiltrate the hideout through the moat and into the sewage pipe. Goombas were everywhere and there were cage all over the place. There were four hostages, and Goombrey recognized one of them. She was an azure colored bob-omb with a wooden wind on her back and a tiny wick on her head.
Goombrey: There she is! She's being held captive on the further side of this dungeon.
Kooven: So what's the plan?
Goombrey: Isn't it obvious? We beat these guys up and rescue her!
Starlow: Okay, this is obviously your first time dealing with these situations. You'll be fighting blindly if you just go and create a mess. It might cause problem for the hostages as well. We need to think about saving the hostages first. Then get them out and then we take out the building.
Tarlo: That plan seems a bit complicated. Even if we went with it, how will we get them out of their cages without the keys to their cells? From the looks of it, those gangs have the keys. If we have to avoid problems, we need to find a way to get their prison cell open without the keys.
Kooven: Shame that none of us knows how to pick locks.
Just then, someone appeared at the further side of the dungeon. He was a grey mouser wearing black bandana mask.
The Mouser: Ha! Bet they won't see me coming. Now let's see if they got anything worth stealing.
Starlow: Looks like we aren't the only trespasser here. He sure has guts coming here to rob some criminals.
Tarlo: Hey, maybe he can pick the locks on those cages for us.
Goombrey: Seriously? Who would want to rely on a thief? I'm not going to rely on some criminal to save my friend!
Tarlo: Just because someone's a thief, doesn't necessarily mean he's insincere. If one of us go and talk to him, he just might listen.
Starlow: Not sure if it's that easy. But if he would be willing to listen, he will be useful to us. If he tries anything funny, we'll deal with him one way or the other.
Kooven: If this is the plan we are following, we won't be able to avoid fighting. So let's be on our guard.
And the party made their move. Each of them took their designate place. As they did, the goomba gangs were alerted.
Mean Goomba 2: Hey! It looks like we got some people trespassing in out turf.
Mean Goomba 3: They must be either brave or stupid to come to our hideout. Let's get the others.
Just then, bunch of goombas were coming from all over the place, blocking all exits. The party was in trouble now, but they still have chance of getting out of it. The Mouser thief made his move, and he was approaching the treasure room. Mario reached one of the goombas and hammered him, defeating him. Mario now had 40 out of 100 star points. Tarlo made his way to where the mouser was, and he was nearly at his reach. Kooven approached another goomba and attacked with shell throw. The goomba survived but he was finished off with Goombrey's headbonk attack. Goombrey now had 40 star points; he also picked up a cell key. It was now the enemies' turn, and they were gaining on the party. The mouser reached a treasure chest and stole a cake mix from it. Tarlo managed to reach the thief and reluctantly spoke to him.
Tarlo: Hold a moment please!
The grey mouser: Huh, what do you want kid? Can't you see I'm busy stealing?
Tarlo: Please listen! We were hoping that if you could help us out here.
The grey mouser: I see that I wasn't the only one snooping around here. What a strange things boys your age does. So what kind help do you expect from me?
Tarlo: Can you help us free the hostages in around here? We thought that since you are a thief, you can pick locks.
The grey mouser: Of course I can pick locks; I wouldn't be a good thief if I wasn't able to.
Tarlo: So can you help us?
The grey mouser: You are a dumb kid if you think I came all this way to help out folks who don't mean a thing to me. I came here for one reason only, to steal these gangs' treasure.
Tarlo: Are treasures that valuable to you?
The grey mouser: Of course! Why else would I steal them?
Tarlo: Well one of the hostages happens to be my friend. She's as much as valuable to us than some petty jewelry. We'll let you steal everything else, but please free our friend and the people she came to help out which she was captured for.
The grey mouser: Huh! I am at a loss for words actually. You are really dumb for asking a thief like me, but to even rely on someone like me, you must be really desperate. I like your guts kid, fine I'll get the hostages out for you.
Tarlo: Oh, thank you mister!
Tober: The names Tober, and don't get too comfortable with me. I'm doing this to put my lock picking skills to good use. I might also ask for ransom after this, so be prepared.
Tarlo: Yes sir!
The mouser named Tober now became a party member; he unlocked the second chest and obtained Parawing. Goombrey made it to one of the cage and used the cell key to open the cage with the bob-omb girl. He then approached her to speak.
Goombrey: Bitwick! Are you okay?
Bitwick: Goombrey? Is that you? I haven't been able to see the light for days so I can't really tell.
Goombrey: Yes it's me! We came to rescue you!
Bitwick: You guys are nuts, infiltrating the goomba gangs just to rescue me.
Goombrey: Hey, we didn't come here just to rescue you. We also came to do what you were captured here for.
Bitwick: Wow, you guys handled the goombas, too?
Goombrey: Not just us. We got help from someone.
Bitwick: Really? Who?
Goombrey: We'll talk about it later. For now, let's get all the hostages out and then get out of here.
Bitwick: Okay!
Bitwick now joins the party, and she moved out of the cage she was in. Mario moved to the area to block the rear, Kooven also moved and blocked the rear closer to Mario. The enemies advanced towards Mario and Kooven as they blocked all their moves. Just then few more goomba reinforcement arrived, and at the only remaining exit came out the giant goomba. Tober made it to the third and final chest and pilfered the Mushroom expert badge. Kooven attacked and took out the goomba who approached and got 20 star points. Tarlo made his way towards Mario and Kooven so that he can assist them by healing them. An enemy paragoomba moved towards Bitwick, and managed to damage her by 1HP. The only way to deal with paragoombas was to use jump based attack on them so it was logical to attack them with a jumper such as Goombrey. Goombrey knocked it down with his headbonk attack and got a lucky critical. As his opponent was defeated, he was rewarded with 30 starpoints. He only needed 30 more to level up. With her blast ability, Bitwick blasted a wall of one of the prison cell and freed the hostage there. The hostage was a grey colored shy guy and he was heading towards Mario. The giant goomba moved one space closer to the party. Tober made his way to the nearest cage and the grey shy guy continued to move towards Mario. Mario moved towards the shy guy and spoke to him.
The Shy Guy: Are you the ones who freed me?
Starlow: I suppose so, and who might you be?
Bache: My name is Bache; I'm a shy guy who owed some debts to these groups of goomba gang, which is why I was imprisoned. Anyway I wanted to thank you for freeing me.
Starlow: Uh huh, I am not too sure if we should have freed you anymore, after all, they put you in a cage for a reason.
Bache: C'mon, don't be like that. Tell you what, I'll tell you a secret for saving me. Whenever you run across a certain battlefield, there's supposed to be a black market hidden in suspicious looking area. You need a pass to get to these markets however.
Starlow: Are they legal?
Bache: Obviously, not. But even so, it would be worth checking them out. Who knows? They just might have something that can't be found anywhere else. Anyway keep your eyes peeled. And don't forget, you need the hidden pass to get in these black markets. Anyway, I'll be taking my leave now. We'll meet again, that I guarantee.
The Grey shy guy leaves the area.
Starlow: I really don't like trusting that guy, and I definitely don't like following his advice by finding these hidden market. They sound Fishy. But you know, maybe we should check them out just in case we need something they might sell. We just need a pass right? I wonder where we can get it?
There were only few more remaining goombas left. They were outnumbered at first but the recent number of party members increasing made things a lot easier. Tober unlocked one of the cages and freed a lime green Buzzy Beetle. Bitwick defeated one of the goombas. Her Body roll attack landed a lucky critical and she was awarded with 20 star points. Goombrey took out another enemy paragoomba and received another 30 star points. He was now level 2.
Hp: 8+2 FP: 2+1 Power: 4+1 Block: 0+1 Technique: 4+2 Magic: 0+0 Immunity: 0+0 Luck: 2+1
Kooven took out another goomba and received 20 star points; he needed 20 more to level up. Mario reached the buzzy beetle and Starlow spoke to him.
Starlow: Hey little guy, what's your name?
Buzztop: It's Buzztop.
Starlow: Okay Buzztop, while Mario settles a score with the mean goombas, you make a break for it and find your way out of this hideout okay?
Buzztop: Can I help out instead?
Starlow: Huh?
Buzztop: I may be little, but thanks to my shell they won't be able to hurt me much.
Starlow: Won't you have trouble dealing with the jumping enemy?
Buzztop: Not if I can grow a spike on my shell they won't be.
A spike suddenly pops out of his shell.
Starlow: Wow, I've never seen buzzy beetle grow their spike out like that before.
Buzztop: It's a special trait that only the few buzzy beetles can do.
Starlow: Okay then, welcome aboard! Let's teach these gangs a lesson shall we?
Buzztop: Alright.
The new party member Buzztop moved towards the giant goomba and used his rapid shell attack. He only took 1HP damage however. Tober unlocked the last cage, a Boo girl with a bunny ear was in it. All the party members stood in their places, besides the giant goomba no enemies were in sight. The giant goomba used his stomp attack on Buzztop, but thanks to his spike the goomba took damage instead. The giant goomba now had 18 out of 20 HP. Mario made his way to the last hostage and Starlow spoke to her.
The Boo girl: Oh my! At last someone came to rescue me.
Starlow: How long have you been here?
The Boo girl: For weeks. You are fortunate that I am a ghost, because if I wasn't I would have perished.
Starlow: Why were you imprisoned?
The Boo girl: Because those goombas fancied me. They kept me here hoping that I would enlighten them with my charming appearances. I don't blame them either, I mean look at me. I am irresistible~!
Starlow: Uh huh. Hey wait a minute. If you are a Boo, then couldn't you just go intangible and got out on your own?
The Boo girl: Aha ah ha ha! Mwa Ha Ha Ha Ha Hah Hah Hah Hah! MWA HA HA HA HA!
Starlow: What's with this girl? She gives me the creeps!
The Boo girl: Oh, I'm sorry, but yes you caught me. I was being held here on my own will.
Starlow: You serious?
The Boo girl: Why yes! I was waiting to see if someone was going to actually come to my rescue and take down the goomba brigands. To think I was to wait for seven days straight! Shame on you!
Starlow: How is it our fault?
The Boo girl: Ah but that's okay. Now that you released me from my boredom, I guess I shall grant you a reward, and that reward shall be, my body~.
Starlow: WHAAAT?!
Nautica: Oh, not in the way you think, I meant as I'll join your little fiasco and I'll make our foes scream until their lungs explode! My name is Nautica by the way, and you are free to use me as you will. Later~!
Starlow: Boy, we sure attracted a biggest weirdo, huh? I'm glad she willingly joined us, but I can't be sure if I'll be comfortable around her. Do all playboy bunny girls behave like this?
Mario brushed his mustache as he began to think.
It was Buzztop's turn to attack. He continued to use his primary attack the Rapid Shell on the giant goomba. At this rate, the battle would seem endless, so the party members began to advance towards the giant foe. Nautica approached him first and used her Lucky Slap attack on it. She dealt 6HP damage on the foe, which now had 11HP left. It was now Bitwick's turn to move and with her Explode flower power attack she dealt massive damage of 7. The Giant goomba tried to stomp on Nautica but he was unable to hit her. She retaliated with Lucky Slap, which finished it off. Nautica gained 100 star points, which meant instant level up to level 2.
Hp: 10+0 FP: 4+2 Power: 5+1 Block: 0+0 Technique: 6+1 Magic: 3+2 Immunity: 0+3 Luck: 5+1
That was the entire enemy disposed, which meant the battle has been won. As they made their way outside, the whole group began to speak.
Goombrey: We're glad to have you back Bitwick, we all missed you.
Bitwick: Yeah, it felt so long since I've seen the light outside. Now I can stretch.
Kooven: Yeah, just don't do that to us again. You got it?
Bitwick: Sorry to make you all worry. So this is the guy who helped you save me huh? Wow, I can't believe you get Mario of all to people to help you.
Starlow: Anyway, you guys are all safe and sound right? That would mean you'll be free to head home? Shouldn't your parents be worried by now?
Suddenly there was a silence.
Starlow: Did I say something offensive?
Tarlo: No, it's just that…we don't have a home to return to.
Starlow: What?
Kooven: You see, we lived in a foster home back in Toad town. We're orphans you see.
Goombrey: We lived happily there, well, until that comet incident which occurred last night.
Starlow: Oh…
Tarlo: Yes, our foster parents managed to get us out safely but they were caught in the chaos and we got separated from them.
Bitwick: As we made it to the outskirts of town, we saw that the comets were destroying the neighboring houses. It calmed down a bit later but…
Goombrey: But those black creatures came from that black comet, and we saw them destroying our foster house. We don't know what happened to our foster parents though.
Kooven: Since then, we were forced to leave the town. We got lost and ran into those goomba gangs and well, you know the rest.
Starlow: Gosh, I had no idea. And here I thought you guys were bunch of reckless little kids, but you guys have been through a lot, and at your young age, too. Now I feel bad about scolding you earlier.
Goombrey: Don't feel bad. When you lectured us earlier, it felt like being scolded by our foster mom again.
Starlow: Hahaha! I guess it was, huh?
Kooven: Anyway, we don't have anywhere else to go so; would it be okay for us to go with you?
Starlow: Huh? But you guys are still young, and where we go might be more dangerous than what you've faced so far.
Goombrey: That's partially the reason why we want to go with you. We want to be stronger, and we just might be able to by coming with you.
Bitwick: So can we?
Starlow: Well, what do you think Mario?
Mario thought about it hard. He didn't like the idea of endangering the kids into his hazardous mission. But then, Mario remembered the adventures he had with his brother Luigi when they were babies. It was thanks to those experiences that they turned out so strong. If he could experience those dangers as an infant, perhaps those kids could also follow his footstep. Finally, he responded with a nod, telling them that it was okay to come with him.
Starlow: Well, I suppose it's a best way to look after them until they can meet their foster parents again.
Goombrey: Oh thank you! We promise not to be a burden!
Starlow then looked at the groups which they freed back at the gang hideout.
Starlow: How about you guys? What will you guys do?
Buzztop: Well, I kind of don't have anywhere to go either. Maybe I could also tag along with you guys.
Nautica: I shall also follow you all. Fighting alongside you have been the most exhilarating. I've never felt so alive before. You could say that I've now become addicted to the experience~.
Starlow: Well, more the merrier I suppose.
Starlow then moved towards the one other unexpected member of the group.
Starlow: What about you? You did help us free the hostages, which we are grateful for. But now that you got what you came for will you be going back to your thieving ways?
Tober: Listen, I was just doing what you asked me to on a whim, but I've been thinking while I was doing my job. Now that I managed to loot one of the biggest strongholds, I think I just lost my business.
Starlow: So what are you saying?
Tober: I'm saying that I'm giving you a choice. You can either hire me as your personal treasure hunter or leave me. Who know, my skills may come in handy with lock picking and all. Consider this as my ransom for helping you out today.
Starlow: I guess that's true. What do you think Mario?
Mario only needed to think for a second to come up with a conclusion. At the end, He was hired.
Tober: Then it's a deal, I won't let you down.
Tarlo: That settles that, so I've been wondering miss Starlow. Where have you and Mario been trying to go before you met us?
Starlow: We were sent by the Mushroom kingdom to investigate the very thing that caused all the troubles from last night, the Black Comet which was supposed to have landed somewhere nearby.
Goombrey: Whoa, to think we'll be exploring the unknown products of extraterrestrial! It's going to be exciting!
Bitwick: Yeah, now that we know the black comet is nearby I'm a lot more curious about it now.
Tarlo: Let's try to prepare for the worst. Small part of that black rock managed to cause so much damage on our hometown. Imagine what the entire rock could do.
Starlow: I agree. When we reach the black comet, we'll approach it with precaution. Now, let's move.
And so Mario and his new found companions made their ways to the black comet crash site. What will they find when they get there? Stay tuned for more.
What do you think? Pretty long chapter, wasn't it? Anyway, I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to describe the characters which I forgot to do last chapter. Goombrey is short just like all the goombas; he wears a red and yellow striped beanie and wears a green shorts. Kooven is a koopa with a yellow-colored shell; his skin is bright yellow and wears a red ribbon on his neck. Tarlo is a Toad with green mushroom spots; he wears a beige-colored robe and wears brown shoes, and his role during battle is to heal, therefore he won't be fighting until he promotes. I already described the other party members in this chapter so I won't go over them. But I will go over everyone's current level in order to avoid confusion.
Mario=Lv. 2 Goombrey=Lv. 2 Kooven=Lv. 1 Tarlo=Lv. 1 Bitwick=Lv. 1 Tober=Lv. 1 Nautica=Lv. 2
Buzztop=Lv. 1, oh and Markay=Lv. 2
I'll go over their stats during the story. Now that Mario gained so many members, you can expect there to be more than one support conversation next chapter. And one last thing, if you have read this chapter closely, you noticed that they found some items while pilfering from the treasure chest. One of those items was called parawing. You are probably wondering what that does, right? I'll explain in the later chapters. I worked on this chapter the same day I worked on the last one, so you can imagine how much tired I'm. So I shall end this with the quote Mario has once used, "See you next time!"
