CHAPTER TEN

The Gathering

"Captain, are you sure?" the fluffy prince asked while doing well to hide his excitement.

It's been a couple of days since Mario vanished and Mallow could only guess here his overzealous and heroic friend would have gone. Already preparations were in order by both Nimbians and Mushrooms to protect the town from the north and east while Jonathan Jones's creatures kept them safe from the sea, south and west. But even the impending danger from an army north didn't bother the prince. What startled him was Mario may not have been able to stop them!

"Ar, keep yer shirt on. Er… wait," Jonathan paused to see that the prince wasn't even wearing a shirt. "Never ye mind. But I be sure what I've told ye."

Mallow nodded and turned to the north. His pirate shark friend's informants told the captain the army was not even an army but a bunch of refugees from Monstro Town. Their leader, Monster Mama, was ahead of the large group, so said the reports with a gurney that held a wounded plumber.

The prince wanted to be the first one to meet up with those refugees, to immediately heal the plumber with his magic but his attention kept drifting to the other direction, east. A larger group of two villages were on the move to Seaside Town and according to his bus driver Lakitu, Princess Peach was leading them. She would arrive first and by royal decree, his obligations were to his people and not just one wounded outsider, even if that outsider was his friend.

With a nod, Mallow dismissed the captain, who was very glad to jump into the water to wet up his skin. The prince desperately wanted to know what in the skies were going on? Two great kingdoms were in retreat and it was a far too easy of a defeat. With the appearance of Geno, the questions and mysteries continued to compound. How he wished that at least Princess Peach could've held out against this army of darkness.

With a heavy heart the prince did decide to head to the secured eastern gate. The hearty folks of Seaside worked daily to create a huge canal that was a semicircle from the north to the east, making the town more of an island. The huge canal was covered by mist, thanks to the skills of many Nimbians, to keep those outside guessing where the land ended and the water began. There were two bridges but they, too, were well concealed by the mist.

Using his innate powers, the Nimbian prince waved his hand up and down, gently pushing the mist away, revealing a long bridge and a huge number of Mushrooms from Rose Town and dark brown bird people, from Moleville into sight. The dazed expression from the two communities turned into cheers as they picked up their belongings and ran across the bridge. Last across was the princess and surprisingly enough to the young Nimbian, a familiar thief.

"It is great to see you again princess," Mallow happily said before gently hugging her. Pulling her to arms length, the prince glared to the crocodile. "And in… interesting company."

"Ya got a problem marshmeller boy?" Croco snapped.

"Enough, both of you," the princess gently commanded. She was not an imposing creature but in those sweet and peaceful words, perhaps even magical, put the two old enemies at peace. With a nod from one to the other, both Mallow and Croco entered the town together.

"Why are all the Nimbians here?" Peach asked.

"Why are you and those two communities here?" Mallow countered while answering her question.

"Darn, dis place ere is packed," Crono stated, taking a look around at the now overly populated town.

"Indeed. We Nimbians were forced from the clouds by Bowser and Geno instructed us to come here, though I think we could've found more security in Moleville and their hills," Mallow said, guiding the two to the northern end of town.

"You've seen Geno too?" Peach said. Mallow nodded. "He instructed us as well to come here."

"Perhaps our friend from the stars also had a hand gathering the monsters from Monstro Town here. Unfortunately, Mario thought them enemies and ended up attacking them, only to be beaten up."

Peach tilted her head at that but a moment later it sank in. Her hero was defeated! Such a notion had he jaw slacked but no words would come. It was preposterous, she couldn't believe it.

"Whoa, wait a tick. More!? Dis place be packed! Dar be no more room," Croco paused while waving a claw to the town.

Mallow knew he couldn't turn anyone away. The prince knew the mayor wouldn't either. They would figure something out. Right now though, all that mattered was the safety of the people. Like the east, Mallow waved his hand and easily dismissed the mist. Out in the distance, the large group of monsters moved steadily towards the town filled with mist. In front was an elderly Mushroom lady holding one end of a gurney while behind her a shelled warrior carried the other end. Within the gurney rested a very hurt plumber.

--

"WHAT!?" spat the black ninja, kicking a loose rock from the ground.

His army, well more of Bowser's army, finally found their way down Land's End, only to get a report from the flying troopas that Monstro Town was deserted. It was a ghost town but strangely enough, not even a Boo was in sight. That changed everything.

"Head back to Bowser's Keep and inform the king of this development. We'll keep marching and occupy the town until further instructions," the ninja, Karma, coolly explained. With a nod, the flying troopa's took to the skies, getting over Land's End in minutes.

Karma wasn't thrilled, not at all. If not for the briefest of time wasted with the Jinx, he might've had the town at his mercy. Perhaps it didn't matter either way. The Jinx most likely warned the town somehow of their progress but that didn't matter.

A grin spread underneath the ninja's mask as he thought of his army and Kamek's forces joining up. The pierce attack was flawless. There was nowhere for the running monsters to hide. And a particular monster Karma was truly interested in. A Jinx came and challenged him and that meant one thing.

The master had a pupil.

--

"So there ya have it," Mario finished his long winded speech.

It was difficult to tell that a moment ago the plumber was out, but back he was thanks to the blessing healing rain along with a gentle hug. The plumber soon became active. He was excited that all were safe, especially the princess. So much so that he and Jagger completely forgotten their misunderstanding fight earlier. His part of the story was finished.

Around the hero, his audience consisted of the mayor of Rose Town, the mayor of Moleville, the mayor of Seaside Town, Monster Mama, Jagger, Croco, Prince Mallow and Princess Peach. It was indeed strange to have most of the leader's of the kingdom in such tight and improper quarters as the small town hall couldn't really fit them all but none would complain… except for Croco and all knew he didn't count.

A holler from outside drew all in attendance to the small window. A large group of Mushrooms, Birdpeople, Koopa and Nimbians circling around a magikoopa and a very familiar life sized doll on a broom that landed lightly on the ground. With a snap of Kamek's fingers, the broom vanished before everyone's eyes, which had all watching saying, "ooooo."

Soon the pair was guided into the already cramped town hall. The group's expressions changed as if someone kept flicking a switch on and off as they looked from the distrustful Kamek to the wonders of Geno. The doll nodded to them all and completely ignored any signs the group was giving to Kamek.

"It is good we all are here. I'm guessing an explanation is long overdo," Geno gently said, getting nods, some not-too-kind nods from Kamek and Croco.

"It all began many cycles… er… decades ago. You all know of the Star Road with the adventures we were on but I bet none of you knew there are many, many more worlds and many, many more roads?" the wizard asked and as if on cue, all shook their heads.

"Well, amongst these worlds there is a connection point, a road, called Rainbow Road. Here, promises of people from your world can come to pass. A rainbow is formed by a desire and a strong promise and like a bridge; the arch will head to what you desire. To some, it is a happier life, to others, a simple pot of gold. Many circumstances have to be met however. An individual must truly desire something in their heart, so much so that the heavens would weep, a sign the heavens themselves are making a promise that the desire could come to pass. The promise would bend as the heavens would part, shining a golden ray of the sun upon the land. And thus, a rainbow is born," Geno paused and saw every single face being quite confused. He knew explaining the Rainbow Road would be far beyond those who had much trouble figuring out the Star Road. With a sigh, he continued.

"But decades past and a guardian of the Rainbow Road became obsessed with the magic behind the rainbows. His sole ambition was to control the Rainbow Road, which no one guardian could ever do. He tried many decades ago, to warp the road with his powers but his fellow guardians managed to stop him and trap him away. However, a few days ago, he escaped and fled to this world in hopes to build his power so he could return to Rainbow Road and rule it. And if he can't rule it, he'll simply crush it."

"Who is he? And if I'm missing my guess, he has possessed Bowser, hasn't he?" Kamek sharply asked one question after another.

"His name is #/#?!, but in your tongue I would say it would be pronounced, Ragenbow. And yes, what I have seen, Ragenbow has… influenced the Koopa King. No other guardian dared to break taboo and follow the traitor to this world so they asked me to come back on their behalf to stop him and return him to Rainbow Road," Geno said, taking a look at all.

"How will you bring him back?" Mallow asked.

"That'll be difficult now. Ragenbow had a head start on me. Rainbows, the only gates and bridges to the Rainbow Road, have been all but sealed. Nimbus Land, the City of Clouds could easily make it rain, but that city is no more. The mighty Nimbus King, who could make it rain even without clouds, is indisposed. And what I seen—" Geno paused and gave Kamek a sideways glance. "—someone took out the waterfall which continuously gave us a rainbow."

Kamek wanted to desperately bite his lower lip but he kept his composure well. Not even a drop of sweat would bead down his proud brow. He had orders and if anyone would question his actions, all they would have to do was put themselves into his hat. Would any of these people go against the Koopa King, especially with this new revelation?

"So what should we do?" Peach gently asked, drawing all stares away from her secret rescuer. Geno released his glare and drew his attention to the princess.

"In this world, Ragenbow's powers are limited when near a rainbow and if we can push him through one, we could separate him from Bowser. With the help of my magic, we could even force him back to Rainbow Road. However, Ragenbow's steps to keep rainbows away from him until he wants to return were executed to perfection. It may be a long time before we see another rainbow and even then, the chances of luring him to the rainbow is close to zero."

"Den what do we do?" the croc snarled.

Geno shrugged.

"Simple. We got to find the Seven Prisms."