The various intel Gallileo had amassed revealed one thing to Diabella. That while the Mushroom Kingdom held potential for extremely powerful magic from the Star Road, they were either too scared or stupid to utilise it properly. However there appeared to be many notes of supposed villains this Mario had faced, yet they all still lived to an extent. The fool was not smart enough to take their lives and be done with them. Then again, his enemies did not seem to make attempt on his life either. It was a perplexing circumstance that made her question the nature of villainy and heroism in this era. She knew times had changed and she had to adapt to those changes, so it didn't make sense to her as to why Shalazia would suddenly rip open old wounds by involving the Mushroom Kingdom.
For now Diabella remained in her darkened laboratory. Minimal natural light filtered in from windows far too high to look out from. It was a Frankenstein of brass and steel machinations fused to the sturdier ruins in this section of the mires. The distillery was busy fermenting and brewing a foul concoction that permeated the air with acrid fumes. A few finer mechanical implements rested to the side; modifications to be added to a larger machine. She sat at her workbench, tinkering with metal pieces to reconstruct the broken prongs of her trident. With a final check of the repaired segments, she held it up, whirling the prongs around and twitching them like a claw. She smiled, satisfied with the level of repairs and placed it back down on the bench.
"Whoa! That looks awesome, you could've fixed that with your eyes closed!"
Turning on her seat, she instinctively leapt back onto the table and was poised to strike. Her hands were already wrapped around her remade trident. The menacing claw rotated and clicked like a serpent eying up its prey. Iggy trembled, eyes not leaving the weapon that loomed before his snout, and shyly waved to her "Hey… uh… Ms or Dr… Diabella?"
Looking up she noticed an open window and relaxed her stance, placing the trident back on the workbench "How did you get up there anyway? That's pretty impressive. It's just Diabella by the way."
"With difficulty… Really clever design here, mixing in the old ruins with new pieces while not compromising the surrounding environment, genius, really." Iggy adjusted his glasses "Besides, I was wondering if we could talk now that you're not distracted by Ludwig dying."
She kicked a stool over to him as she took a seat "Sure kid, what's up?"
"Well, you see, I want to know how to make giant organic monstrosities like you can, back at the Mushroom Kingdom when you unleashed that blinding storm I saw something in the cloud line."
Diabella froze with surprise "Go on?"
"It was huge… like an armoured worm with moth wings, the clouds, the lightning, everything to account for the abnormal weather was coming from that thing! And you're the only one I know who can control giant monster bugs, so… I'm assuming you made that thing."
Her brow furrowed as she growled "Yes, I did. You've got a keen eye. Most people think magic makes those storms."
He let out a gleeful squeal at this admission "How did you do that? That's amazing! The only method I can consider plausible is reanimating the remains of those creatures."
"So… what's the deal? Why do you think I should tell you such things?"
"Well, I'm just so curious about how it all works. I mean, it sounds amazing. The fact that you could actually build creatures like that, it's like something from a story. I just want to know how it works so can you please show me. I'll be happy to be your assistant for a while."
Diabella smirked "An assistant, huh?"
"Yes! I'll do whatever you want." Iggy then remembered Ludwig's warning "Except donate my body to science or kill anyone or be the test subject or eat meat."
"Fair enough, but as my assistant you'll also be running errands in Rhapsody. I help keep it running and maintain it so you need to work for those bohemians out there in the swamp."
"I will do it with pride, so long as you show me your way of working."
"Alright, but I'm not teaching you anything. You need to make your own notes. You're just going to be allowed to shadow me for a while." Diabella then blinked "Wait a minute, you're a Koopa, how can you not eat meat? I've seen Bowser's kitchen, it's just meat everywhere."
"I have a genetic disorder that stops the body producing certain enzymes that helps digest the protein found in meat. I identified it a few years back after I continuously had stomach problems." Iggy then remarked "Wait, how do you know what the castle is like?"
"I've looted it a few times. You've got a really nice lab by the way, much better than how it used to be decades ago. Oh and I fed your octo-chicken when I last passed through."
"Oh that explains where those went… um… well… thanks for feeding Jeffrey too, people don't seem to like him very much." Nervously, he adjusted his glasses again "I trade my meat portion for other people's side dishes. Ludwig and Morton were more than happy to help me out… sometimes Roy, but he's more picky when it comes to food. Something about a diet regime to build muscle… or something, I don't know."
Diabella raised an eyebrow, surprised at how easy it was to distract him. "So they still fed you meat?"
"Bowser thinks it's something I can overcome by exposing myself to it… He doesn't quite understand biology and physiology." Iggy tapped his talons on his knees "So… am I your assistant? I can't tell."
"Yeah, I saw you back at the Mushroom Kingdom. Takes a real animal person to control a chain chomp that's been fed a power star, an important part of building monsters is being able to control them. So I reckon you have a chance of succeeding… like a sixty seven percent survival rate."
"That's a great odd, I'll take it!"
The door of the laboratory then creaked open, unlocked deadbolts rattling as Scaramouch wandered in. Her arms were nearly overflowing with books and papers. "Wow! People are really psyched about this possible raid on Port Prisma. Gallileo has a lot of logistics to work through. People are still adding notes our suggestion box downtown and there are so many volunteers this time around." She walked past Iggy to say "Hey Diabella? You done with those new engine parts yet? I want to test drive my hovercraft again."
Diabella walked ahead of Scaramouch, opening a side door to reveal a study and library away from the laboratory. Iggy followed after the pair as they went in to set the books down; a small step connected the doorway to the floor of the sunken chamber which was lined with books. It reminded him of King Boo's library at the Twisted Manor. Curiously he noted the abundance of swords embedded or displayed on the few bare patches of walls. There were also pictures of Diabella, Fandango and that Boo, Gallileo, the three of them were in all kinds of pictures from old time themed wanted posters to vintage and period pictures. They looked pretty authentic which made Iggy sigh "You guys really take costume parties seriously, huh? Nice wiggly, wiggly blades too."
Diabella replied politely "Thanks, I like collecting swords, sort of an old habit of mine. Yeah, Fandango, Gallileo and I go back a very long way so these are just more quaint memories."
Scaramouch interrupted "So, you mentioned a test drive? How quickly can we get started?"
"I'll hook it up in a bit. Probably give it a spin around the swamp today and go annoy Shalazia tomorrow or the next day?" Diabella turned to Iggy "You should go wandering, familiarise yourself with the swamplands and the town. If you don't, I can't guarantee your survival. I expect you to learn everything you can through your observations and I want you to create a journal of your findings… then maybe I'll let you work with me on some of my experiments."
Iggy found himself distracted again when an acrid scent burned his nostrils, glancing to the side he identified the source from a small distillery in the corner of the laboratory. He followed the scent out into the laboratory with Diabella and Scaramouch following. Preoccupied by the scent, he began sniffing it a little, his forked tongue poked in and out of his mouth as he thought aloud "Formaldehyde, propylene glycol… bit of gunpowder and something else… can't quite pick it."
"That's a good nose you got there," Diabella was equally distracted by his rambling "That'd be the alkaline, not telling you which one it is though."
"Wait a minute, why are you distilling an embalming fluid and mixing it with gunpowder?"
She shrugged back "Coz I feel like it. Now get going. I'll call you when I need you."
"Thankyou so much!" Iggy practically bounded out the door.
Scaramouch sighed "So is he gonna be dead by the end of the week like the last one who agreed to be your assistant?"
"I hope not." Diabella remarked while she collected the new engine pieces and her toolkit. They both descended into the lower catacombs to modify the hovercraft in question.
Scaramouch carefully descended at a slower pace; her stubby legs were far too short for the large steps. "You wouldn't have happened to have seen Fandango around here? I know he hangs out in your ceiling and the Gallileo's apartment is empty."
"It's not a movie night so of course the apartment is empty. Actually, Gallileo has floated off as well..." Diabella paused, allowing her to catch up "Nah, haven't seen Fandango today. Why?"
"Magnifico wanted to know, apparently he dumped some koopa named Lemmy on her while he ran off somewhere."
"Probably went off to annoy Shalazia. You know what he's like."
The main plaza of the Canal City thrived with life. Mario and Peach sat outside a small café, enjoying each other's company as the citizens of the Arcane Kingdom wandered past. There were quite a few watery guards in the mix. Although they were too preoccupied with their discussion to notice that the guards were removing Koopas from the main street and shoving them into the alleyways. Peach poured him another cup of tea, a gentle and relaxed expression on her face. She seemed to have calmed down over the past few carefree days in Shalazia's kingdom. Mario was also glad that Luigi and Daisy understood and kept their distance frequently, allowing them to have to have time together. He never really had a chance to be with Peach, she always seemed to be either busy with running her kingdom or the key part of a villain's plot.
His brow furrowed at the thought, Peach was without a doubt the most compassionate and kind hearted person he had ever met. Yet she seemed to be cursed with always being the victim of a plot far greater than her. How these mysterious relics of ultimate power kept appearing was a mystery he did not want answered. Although, he did want to know how malicious people kept discovering their existence. In light of it all, it almost compelled him to defend Peach, after all, she was just a princess, trained in the ways of governance and matters of royalty. She was not a warrior in any sense and while the Star Spirits favoured her, she appeared to have too weak of an ability to properly wield them.
"Mario, Mario?" Her voice chimed, a smile was on her face "Why do you look so worried?"
"It's nothing, just thinking about how to find these pieces of the Prism Star."
"Do you have any ideas?"
"Well, princess, I don't want you or Daisy to accompany us for this. I just have a bad feeling. I mean, you know what happened with Count Bleck, Cackletta, the Shroob invasion and the Shadow Queen… I don't want you to go through all that again."
"I was about to suggest the same thing," Peach laughed at Mario's surprised face. She elaborated "Shalazia and I spoke a few nights ago. She told me that the Lightning Queen and her steampunks are trying to destroy every aspect of this kingdom. Her people are really suffering…"
Mario looked around at the happy crowds "That seems hard to believe."
"There are people, they are known as the Lightning Queen's steampunks… they're trying to convince everyone that they don't need Shalazia anymore. It's more subtle and completely despicable to spread such horrible ideas." Peach nodded, clasping her hands together "Perhaps if I stay, I could help the citizens of this kingdom trust Shalazia again."
As always, Mario was not surprised by her kindness and utter belief that truth would prevail. Her optimism was enviable. The crowds were disrupted by screams as someone barged through the swath of people and ducked into an alleyway. Peach knowingly nodded to him as Mario tipped his cap back at her and pursued the source of the problem.
The navy and black alleyway had small gutters of water lining the pathway. Three water guards encased in icy armour had a Koopa Troopa struggling in their grips. Before them defiantly stood a familiar, horned Shy-Guy; Mario sighed "That guy again?"
A knight answered robotically "Halt! You are a trespasser! Enemy of Shalazia."
He let out a sigh, knowing it would be a waste of breath trying to talk with them "Like my mother always said, when all else fails, just blow it up. Oh wait, I'm a Shy-Guy now, I don't have a mother."
Fandango reached into his coat, taking a few steps back as the guards advanced. He retrieved three large orbs from the folds of fabric, he moved swiftly as he ducked and dodged their swipes at him. Within seconds she had slipped an orb into each of the guards. They frantically pawed at their aqueous bodies as the orbs glowed bright red. Without warning each of them exploded into shards of ice and a watery vapour. Fandango laughed at the mist as he performed a victory dance.
When Mario finally caught up after the sneak attack, he was faced with the remains of Shalazia's guards. Even though they were magical constructs, the sight of their mangled forms and splatters of glistening water upon the walls disturbed him. Amidst it was Fandango, his mask was unreadable yet his voice sounded curious and coy "What's with that weird hat anyway? Can I try it on?"
"I'm Mario, there's nothing wrong with my hat and you can't try it on," He took a fighting stance, remaining on the edge of his toes "What have you done?"
Fandango stated in a calm, collected way "Why does it even matter to you?"
Mario faltered for a second, unsure of how to respond. He then noticed the crest beneath Fandango's hood, his eyes narrowed "So you're one of those monsters who work for the Lightning Queen."
He cackled and tried to mimic snapping one's fingers through his robe "Now I remember, you're some wannabe hero from the Mushroom Kingdom, trying to act out the tale of a knight saving the fair maiden from the dragon in a modern age." Fandango rocked on his heels "You blindly help anyone with a pretty face begging for your assistance. Have you ever thought that maybe you're putting yourself in danger by being here? Like there are more villains out there aside from King Bowser… and they don't all play a fair game like he does."
Mario did not mean to lose his composure, his anger took control of his body as he watched his fist clench and lunge forward. Fandango tossed another orb at the ground, choking Mario's senses with thick smog. When it cleared, he had disappeared from the alleyway. He heard him laugh overhead, directing his gaze upwards to where he was standing on top of a nearby building.
"Come down here! Everything you're doing just shows that Shalazia's right about you!"
"Look, have I directly attacked you? NO! We've just had chats. You'd also want to stay away from Shalazia, she was driven insane by a king she loved who treated her like dirt. Sad really." Fandango sighed "By the way, you wouldn't happen to know a kid called Lemmy? I've trusted him with an important task."
"You're cooperating with Bowser!?"
"Nah, just know him. Anyway, I've asked him to order me a latte and I'm very particular about my lattes so… is it right of me to trust him with this task?"
Mario bluntly said "No."
"So serious… oh no! MY LATTE IS IN PERIL! MIA! COME TO ME!" Fandango shouted as a giant chain chomp tore through the city towards him. Mario narrowly jumped out of the way as buildings tumbled overhead.
By the time Mario looked up again, Fandango was gone. When he returned to same street once more he was relieved to see Peach unharmed. That could not be said for the town as the trail of destruction tore a gash through the peaceful settlement. He could already see smoke and flames rise from the distance. Shalazia's guards and various citizens scattered to control the situation. The various screams from the people around him informed him that an abandoned set of buildings had been targeted and while the structures were ablaze, miraculously no one was harmed. Mario strained to listen to what was destroyed, only hearing that it was the guard barracks which was puzzling on all levels to him. Before he could question anyone, he was promptly escorted alongside Peach back to the castle.
