Otto's arrival completely changed Mace's life.
No longer did the seconds drag by with nothing to grab Mace's attention or interest. Now, Mace was able to retain the social skills and friendliness that had helped Mace in the past. By now, a few months later, they had become close friends. Even though they were very different, they both agreed on one thing: they didn't like the way the Koopa Kingdom was ruled over by Bowser.
"How come Bowser's children always get the highest ranks? They haven't been around for as long as some of the older Koopas who deserve to be promoted. They haven't earned their positions," grumbled Mace. He had been slowly regaining his sanity in the months since Otto's arrival.
"Yeah. You're right about that! We normal Koopas have no say in anything at all. It's time someone stood up to those Koopalings! Even their name implies that normal Koopa Troopas should have more rights and freedoms then now. Well, if I were in charge, I would at least tell my soldiers why I'm sending them to these stupid stations for the rest of their lives!" Otto ranted angrily.
"You said it, buddy!"
Furaido took flight. The Paratroopa, part of the air force of the Koopa King's army, rose above the clouds of World Two on his patrol of the area. For most of his patrol, he saw nothing but white sand, brown sand, and golden sand in the desert.
Then, he recognized a familiar face.
"Hey Otto! It's me, Furaido!" Furaido circled his old friend. Otto looked up in confusion, but then cracked a smile when he saw his old bunk-mate.
"Furaido! Is that really you? I haven't seen you since we left that Hellhole. How did you spot me from way up there, anyway?" Otto asked.
"Oh. I have 20-20 vision. You need good eyesight to become a Paratroopa. And wings." As Furaido descended, he stopped his glide and flapped his white, feathery wings to slow down before he hit the ground.
"Really? Well that's nice, but there really isn't anything to see around here. Most of the other Troopas got positioned near to borders of World Two. There isn't anyone else for miles."
Furaido and Otto both look around at the sea of sand.
"I just came from World Seven." Furaido said. "The Bow-Wow's brat made me escort his Airship back to his castle, but didn't allow me and my gang to get to World Eight. That poor Princess..."
Otto blinked. "Princess? What do you mean? Princess Wendy?"
Furaido looked shocked. "You mean you haven't heard?! No, not Princess Wendy, she doesn't deserve pity for being Bowser's offspring. I'm talking about Princess Peach!"
Otto blinked again. Furaido couldn't have meant the Princess Peach Toadstool, right? Peach Toadstool, ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom? The peaceful Kingdom inhabited by walking toadstools that Bowser had sometimes shown signs of envy? What had happened to the Princess?
Furaido continued impatiently. "Bowser finally revealed his plan! He got all the Bosses to join together on his giant Airship... Fortress... thing and fly over to the Mushroom Kingdom to kidnap Peach! He plans to attack the Mushroom Kingdom and steal their land for himself and his children to live in! The rest of the Koopas would be forced to remain in these Eight Wastelands of Worlds!" Furaido took a breath.
Otto could hardly comprehend what was going on. He guessed that this was what Mace felt when he first came into his life. Then, he remembered Mace.
"Hey, um... Furaido, you should meet my friend Mace. He's a Troopa that has his station right next to mine." Furaido was surprised at how fast the subject changed, but he went with it. "Mace? What, is he some big tough guy, with a leather jacket and boots?"
"Well, not really." Otto chuckled at the thought. "You should see him. But be careful. He's a little... fragile in the head."
Neither Otto nor Furaido knew that Mace was listening to their conversation. Of course, Mace didn't know either.
Mace was putting all his interest into another change of his environment. He was surprised to find that what appeared to be a round, orange flower with two eyes had sprouted out of the cactus.
What was surprised him even more was that it seemed to be communicating to him.
"Listen Mace... you hate this life don't you?" the fire-flower inquired. "You know, staying in the same spot, under the same heat every day?" Mace nodded. "Then why don't you fight back?"
Mace thought about this. "But I can't. Anyone of the Bosses, and Bowser himself could kill me."
"Yeah, you can't do it by yourself, but think about all the other Troopas and Paratroopas in this World alone, who will gladly join your cause to fight back against the King. Why, right now a Paratroopa named Furaido is talking to your friend Otto about how they'd love to destroy Bowser's Kingdom." A small amount of fire seemed to spark from the fire-flower's eyes as it said this. "Well, I need to go now. Think about what I said." The fire-flower didn't actually go anywhere, but it stopped talking.
Mace pondered about what the flower just said. It was true that it was possible for them to overpower Bowser and the Bosses. All they needed was to somehow convince as many disgruntled Koopas as possible.
His train of thought was interrupted by Otto. "Hey Mace!" Otto said. "Who... who were you talking to just then? I want you to meet my friend-"
"Furaido," Mace finished. He stood up and looked at the two confused faces looking back at him. He smiled. "I have an idea."