Well, next chapter is up now. Sorry if this seems a little dull or slow at this point, I just have to get it going.
Ah, and thanks for the tip Cascore. Will do starting...now.
Chapter 3: Koopa Bridge has fallen down
The Mario Bros. and their new friend Shelly, the Shy "Gal," set off once more, further venturing out from Toad Town to the Koopa Bros. former fortress, where the first of the Mega Stars lay. It would the first step to fixing the sky's dimness, and saving Peach. However, none of them could be even the slightest aware that they were being watched from afar. And I mean really far away.
Halfway across the world in a strange land. A new Bowser Castle lay halfway to being complete, with most of the Koopa Troop busy in its construction. Deep inside, Bowser's right-hand Koopa, Kamek, stood in his private room, carefully looking into his crystal ball.
"Well, what do we have here?" said Kamek to himself. He was looking at the Mario Bros. continue their journey to get the first Star. "Well, it appears Master Bowser was correct. They took the bait, and are walking right to their doom," He chuckled. "It'll only be a matter of time now, before those fools fail before they even begin!"
At this moment, Kammy Koopa walked into the room, looking for a moment before speaking.
"What do we have going on here? Are the Mario Brothers on their way to the first Star's guardian?" asked Kammy
"Yep. I was just about to report this back to the Master and--hey wait! What do you think you're doing?!" screamed Kamek. Kammy had taken flight down the corridor, flying a direct route to Bowser's throne room. "Don't you dare take credit for that report! I did all of the work!" With this, Kamek pulled out his wand and teleported himself to Bowser's throne, arriving just as soon as Kammy did. The traded glares, and immediately started to bicker among each other as to who would tell Bowser the news. The commotion the two made upon their arrival woke Bowser up from his scheduled rest, setting him instantly in a bad mood.
"What the?! What's going on? Are we under attack?" yelled Bowser, wide-eyed in shock as he quickly jumped up and looked around the room. Upon seeing Kamek and Kammy standing only a few feet away babbling nonsense, he dropped his eyelids in boredom and disinterest. "Oh, it's you guys. What is it? This better be important, because I'm missing my resting time. Being an evil king is a rough life you know.
"Yes, yes, we understand, Master Bowser," Kamek said. "However, it has come to my attention that-"
"The Mario Brothers are currently on their way to the first Mega Star, your Evilness!" screamed Kammy.
"WHAT?!"
"Uh, yes sir, like Kammy had said, the Mario Bros. are currently making their way to the first Mega Star. But not to worry! I have full confidence in the guy we hired for the job. Plus, we went through a very well thought out plan to impede their progress. So we have even more time to prepare, in case they start to make their way here like they do every time." said Kamek.
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"Oh man Bro, looks like the bridge is out," said Luigi, as he, Mario, and Shelly looked at the busted bridge that leaded up to the old fortress. "I guess we'll have to go to Koopa Village and see if anyone can help us out."
Mario nodded, and they turned around and headed down the steps off of the hill, continuing walking down the path. The area was still rather quiet, and only a few Koopas and Goombas dared to interfere.
One particular Koopa was rather troublesome, putting up a long fight before Shelly lost all patience and rammed him into a tree.
"That takes care of that, right guys?" she said, looking around the area before talking again. "I would suppose that we should be near Koopa Village by now."
Sure enough, they reached the village within another couple of minutes, and to much surprise, and relief, the Koopas there were quite content, instead of the frantic mob of Toads they previously had put up with. One Koopa with a red handkerchief around his neck was lying against a tree, obviously about to take a snooze.
Mario instantly recognized him as his old friend, Kooper, from the time Bowser stole the Star Rod. As the group walked over, Kooper stirred slightly, before opening one eye in annoyance at the company. He, however, quickly opened both eyes upon realizing that Mario and Luigi were there. Jumping up, he hurriedly composed himself before saying hello.
"Oh, hey Mario, what's up? The sky sure has gotten weird, huh?" asked Kooper as he looked up. "I was about to take a quick nap here, to take advantage of all of this. I mean, I know it's obviously bad but, it's a good enough reason to sleep, especially when you've been running about like I have. I would suppose you have heard the story of Professor Kolorado and my discovery just a few weeks ago! Yeah that was a fun time, real exciting at some points. But now, I was just getting used to enjoying staying home for a bit."
"Why, something up?" asked Luigi.
"Yeah, Professor Kolorado is all worked up about this whole "darkened sky" thing. He thinks that some important artifacts or something have been moved, and that the world has been cursed. He wants me and our best archeologists to help him out with this. I know it's that the Mega Stars are gone but, he just won't listen to reason. Not even his wife can convince him otherwise, and she usually gets right to him. I suppose he's really determined on this, even though I have no clue what to find," said Kooper. As he finished, he then took notice of the Shy Guy standing next to the brothers. "Ah, and I suppose you guys are off to get the Stars back, am I right? And I would bet it was Bowser who stole them, right? I mean, that would explain why you guys just randomly dropped in, and why this Shy Guy is with you."
"Shy GUY?" asked Shelly, the tension clearly in her voice. "I'm a Shy GAL. GAL! Get it right!" She screamed, as she jumped up and grabbed Kooper by his handkerchief, bringing him down to the ground.
"Wah! Sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to insult you! I didn't know there were Shy Gals!"
"Well then next time, ask before you make the assumption!"
"Okay, okay! I promise! Just, could I have my throat back?" Kooper asked, the fear evident in his voice.
"Yeah, sure." she said with contempt as she slowly let go of Kooper, allowing him to scramble back on his feet.
"So yeah, I guess I should just ask, what brings you guys into our humble little village?" asked Kooper, motioning around him as he spoke.
Mario told him their mission, about the Mega Stars, Princess Peach, and that they needed help having the bridge outside of town fixed up.
"That's it? You just need our help real quick with the bridge?" asked Kooper. "No problem, let me just rally up everyone, and we'll have it done faster than you can say "King Bowser"."
Kooper then left them where they were, and ran off to each of the houses, as well as looking around in bushes and trees for any other Koopas (or Bob-Ombs) that may have been hidden within them. When he was finished, he had gathered most of the citizens of the village, and he then explained what they were to do.
"Everyone got that? We have to rebuild that bridge so Mario and his friends can get that Mega Star back!" said Kooper. The crowd gave a quick "Yeah!" before they all ran off in a sea of shells and bombs of all types and colors. Kooper looked back, and motioned for Mario, Luigi, and Shelly to follow along.
Moments later, everyone set work on reconstructing the bridge, which somehow took only a few seconds of dust and rapidly moving Koopas and Bob-Ombs to fix up.
"Well, it seems we got it done. Good work everyone!" yelled Kooper to the crowd.
They all began walking back to town, with Mario, Luigi, and Shelly giving their "thank you's" and "goodbye's" to the people, especially Kooper for his assistance. Eventually everyone had left, once again putting the three into absolute silence, the dimmed sky holding its effect upon everyone. Finally, they set off across the bridge, and continued walking on the trail, not knowing what was in store for them.
And that's that! Next chapter, we'll finally get to the old Koopa Bros. fortress. And how about this: I'll let you guys try to guess who's guarding the Star. I mean, I probably won't have him (Note: NOT her, it, or them.) in the story till the confrontation, which will probably be another two or so chapters. So go ahead, guess.
Next chapter will probably be tomorrow or so, depends on the time I've got.