AUTHOR'S NOTE: You heard Mario in the last subchapter! Just one more Star Spirit to rescue before Mario and friends go up to Peach and Bowser's castles in the stratosphere! The question now is: how are Peach and the Mario Bros.'s longtime friend Jim holding up? Let's see now.
13B - Entering Shiver City
It's 10:10 AM, about a couple hours into Mario and Luigi's trek through Flower Fields. Back up in Peach's castle's master bedroom, she exited her closet wearing a pink dress similar to her original one; the exception being a dark pink section just below her sapphire brooch, a yellow crown-like pattern in the form of an upside-down triangle surrounding the brooch, and a yellow crown-like line extending from her stomach to a ring of the same pattern at the bottom, which has a red band behind some lace fabric.
"Wow, Princess Peach. Your new dress looks prettier than your other pink dress," Twink complimented Peach.
"Thank you, Twink. I usually wear this at formal events if I wanted to stay with the pink color," Peach replied. She took half a minute to come up with a new idea. "You know, I haven't explored the upstairs part of the castle just yet, which I should be able to do now that I have that umbrella."
"Good thinking. Just use it on one of the guards like you did yesterday."
Peach went back to her closet to get her umbrella. "All right. Let's go."
Without hesitation, Peach and Twink went through the secret path and out the office study into the second floor. To their surprise, only three Koopatrols were present: one guarding Peach's bedroom door, one guarding the third-floor door, and one pacing aimlessly in the middle.
"Thanks for helping me sneak around, Bowser," Peach giggled quietly. She assumed that Bowser found out about the Koopatrols keeping up their laziness and expelled most of them over the course of Mario and Luigi's adventure. She snuck up on the one in front of her bedroom door and used it to become a Koopatrol. Peach proceeded to walk up the staircase to the third-floor door and approached the Koopatrol next to it.
"Hello. If you'd please move out of the way, I'd like to take a walk down there," Peach asked in her Koopatrol voice.
"Sorry. Not yet, dude," the Koopatrol replied. "I need my relief now. My shift has been over for ages already! Could you go find that slacker and get him up here? Please! I'm so exhausted I might nod off in three minutes! He's probably outside next to the castle's front door."
"I'm on it." Peach and Twink headed down to the first floor before going out the front door. To their right was a sleeping white Clubba. In quick succession, Peach approached the Clubba, snapped her fingers to turn back to normal, and used her umbrella on the Clubba to become another white Clubba.
"That was fast," Twink remarked quietly. They hurried back into the castle and made their way to the third-floor door again.
"Ah! Finally! About time! You're so late! Again! Don't you know how to read the shift schedule?" the Koopatrol retorted Peach.
"I'm sorry, dude. I have a bad memory like King Bowser," Peach answered in her Clubba voice.
"That's no excuse and you know it!" The Koopatrol stopped for a couple seconds to think it over. "You know what? I guess I'll let it go this time, but watch it, okay? You have a good shift. I'm shovin' off. Don't goof off, either! You're on thin ice, buddy!"
"Gotcha," Peach replied as the Koopatrol headed downstairs to the first floor. "I can't wait to see what they have upstairs."
Peach went through the door into the long hallway that Mario and Bowser fought three days ago. She stopped just short of the broken window and visualized the battle briefly.
"I'll never forget that day. I can still hear Bowser hurting Mario's jaw."
"I could imagine," Twink agreed. He and Peach resumed walking down the hall and went up two flights of stairs at the end before arriving on an outdoor bridge. There were two Koopatrols standing next to the door on the other side. Before Peach could ask them for permission to go through the door, Kammy walked out the door in front of them.
"Okay. All right. Everything's finally ready," Kammy stated. "Even if Mario and Luigi show up with all the Star Spirits, we'll still be all right! It pays to expect the worst." Peach stood behind the second Koopatrol.
"Absolutely! Affirmative! You're right, Kammy!" the first Koopatrol responded. Kammy proceeded to walk in the opposite direction of where Peach came from before she spotted Peach in her white Clubba disguise.
"Hmm! You there!" Kammy said.
"Yes, ma'am?" Peach replied.
"You're doing a fine job. Keep up the good..." Suddenly, Kammy sniffed the air for a moment and felt suspicious. "Wait... Something's weird about you..."
"I don't know what you're talking about, ma'am," Peach said.
"You... You smell too nice..."
"Oh no..." Twink whispered from behind the bridge. Kammy used her wand to turn Peach back to normal.
"DANG IT! I WAS SO CLOSE!" Peach yelled with anger.
"Princess Peach! Unbelievable!" Kammy scolded Peach. "Out again!" She turned to the Koopatrols. "Guards! Both of you! Take this royal runaway back to her room!"
This time, Peach wasn't scared that she was being taken back. She sighed while the Koopatrols picked her up.
"That's right. Carry me to my bed. I need a nap anyway," Peach said with sarcasm. "Thank you."
Twink waited for everyone to leave the bridge before sneaking through the broken window back to Peach's bedroom.
"Don't be so difficult, Jim! You've been going on about wanting to stay in this cell for days now!" Jim exclaimed in his Mij voice; he was talking to himself in the sink mirror on the top-right corner of the cell.
"Because I like to repeat this stuff again and again!" Jim screamed in his regular voice. "I'll keep saying it until everyone finally agrees with me! You know they want Mario and Luigi to rescue them including me! Well, guess what?! There's no way in hell they'll reach Bowser's castle!"
"How long have I been listening to Jim for?" Toadsworth asked one of the five Toads next to him.
"I've lost track of time," the Toad answered. "I was gonna exaggerate and say, 'two years already'."
"Once again, you're doubting yourself!" Jim said in his Mij voice. "Act like Mario and Luigi's number-one buddy! It's the only way!"
"I'm NOT a damsel-in-distress, Mij! That's something a girl would say! Who are you to think a boy would act like Princess Peach?!"
"I never said that, Jim! You need to listen carefully to my advice!" Jim suddenly lunged for the mirror and grabbed both sides.
"What are you doing?!" Jim's Mij voice demanded. "Don't pull my mirror off the wall!"
"Or else what?!" Jim began to tug the mirror off the wall, but it appeared to be hammered into the bricks.
"What am I watching?" the second Toad giggled with disbelief. "Is this a paranormal movie in real life?"
"IT'S NOT YOUR MIRROR!" Jim screamed while pulling harder and harder. "THIS IS MY MIRROR! I WAS THE ONE TALKING INTO IT! YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A-" Finally, Jim ripped the mirror off cleanly, but he fell back and hit his head on the floor, knocking himself out.
"Ooh... That's got to hurt," the third Toad said. "I'd help Jim, but I don't want him to jump me."
"Don't worry, my friend. I got this," Toadsworth answered before slowly approaching Jim, who woke up crying from his head hurting badly. "Are you okay, Jim? What did you hit?"
Suddenly, Jim started talking in his Mij voice again, "Stop that crying, Jimmy-baby! You're-"
"STOP CALLING ME 'JIMMY-BABY'!" Jim's outburst caused Toadsworth to hurry back to his bench. To everyone's surprise, Jim suddenly started speaking in a high-pitched voice reminiscent to that of his seven-year-old self.
"That's so impolite of you, Frank! How dare you and Greg laugh at me when I broke my foot?!"
"He broke his foot?" the second Toad whispered to Toadsworth.
"I guess so."
"You better apologize to me and Mom after I wake up in the hospital!" Jim's voice changed again; this time, he started imitating Mario's voice.
"Apologize? But I thought Luigi's face looked funny! Look at the soot on him."
"Oh no... He's regressed horribly..." Toadsworth muttered.
"His face is covered in soot because he almost died in that explosion!" Jim yelled in his seven-year-old voice.
"Oh, he's fine. Can't he take a little joke?" Jim asked in his Mario voice.
"It's not a joke! He's run away because he's hurt physically and mentally! You even said, 'Who cares about Luigi anyway'!"
"Everyone loves Luigi, Jim," Jim said in his Mij voice. "You said he was as equal as Mario is."
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!" Jim shouted in his regular voice. "MARIO AND LUIGI ARE IRRELEVANT NOW!"
"Lower your voice, Jim. The more you scream, the more you-" Jim immediately picked the mirror up and started smashing it on the ground.
"SHUT UP! I'M NOT SAYING IT AGAIN, MIJ! SHUT! THE! FLIP! UP!" On the word "up", the mirror shattered into hundreds of glass fragments and Jim stumbled forward toward the left wall. He hit his head on the wall and slumped face-down before closing his eyes.
"You are all lucky you didn't lose your minds," Toadsworth said to the other Toads. "I've been fine from Day 1."
"Me too." "Yeah. Nothing wrong with me." "I'm good." "Don't worry about me." "I feel for Jim," all five Toads answered, respectively.
"What's gonna happen next? Is Jim gonna start cackling like a maniac?" Toadsworth asked himself while looking at Jim slowly nodding off.
Fast forwarding three hours later, Mario, Luigi, and Spike reappeared through another light beam and landed just in front of Wise Wisterwood; the Star Power Band appeared on Mario's wrist during the short trip from Cloudy Climb. Klevar was hovering next to the beanstalk and floated toward the group.
"What a pleasure meeting you. My name is Klevar. Thank you for saving me," Klevar thanked the group. "Huff N. Puff is gone, so the flowers in Flower Fields can live peacefully once more. I feel that if you hadn't come, Flower Fields would never have seen the light again. Now there is only one of us Star Spirits still trapped. Just one more, Mario and Luigi! Here. Please use my power as you continue your fight."
Klevar raised his arms up, causing Mario and Luigi to sparkle for a few seconds. Then, the Star Power Band's Star Energy was refilled completely before being increased by another unit and reached as far as the second white button from the left of the band's center.
"This power is called 'Time Out'," Klevar explained. "It costs two Star Energy units to use, and what it does is freeze your enemies in place for exactly one minute, allowing you the opportunity to attack them as much as possible."
"That sounds useful," Mario said.
"It is indeed. My power should prove to be extremely helpful in battle," Klevar went on. "Don't become overconfident, though. You must be careful. Bowser has power, as well. Remember that even stronger enemies await you... I hope our powers will help you so that you may help us... We're all depending on you! I'll go back to the Star Road now. I can't wait to get there! I've been terribly worried about everyone..."
Klevar then rose toward the Star Road, leaving Mario and friends to continue with their adventure.
"Congratulations, young Mario and Luigi! And a wonderful job to you too, Spike! You saved the Star Spirit!" Wise Wisterwood congratulated the group. "Because of your efforts, Flower Fields is beautiful again."
"It sure is," Mario responded. "You should've seen the look on my face, Mr. Wisterwood. I was crying so hard, especially after the rainbow appeared. I don't know why that is."
"Maybe it's because you're so sensitive, Mario," Wise Wisterwood said. "But you proved yourself worthy along with your companions. Thank you again. It was worth living so long to meet some people of your stature. Please come and see me again. I'll be looking forward to it."
"All right-y!" Mario declared before he, Luigi, and Spike turned to the Bub-ulbs and waved goodbye.
"Until next time!" "See ya!" "Bye now," Mario, Luigi, and Spike said before going through the door inside Wise Wisterwood's trunk and reentering Mindy T.'s garden in Toad Town.
"Mamma mia. All of this beautiful nature is making me hungry," Luigi remarked, having felt his stomach growl.
"Me too. I know just the place to have lunch," Mario said before leading Luigi and Spike to the restaurant of his choice.
Twenty minutes later, Mario and friends were sitting at a booth inside Toad Town Deli, which was stationed just across from Toad Town Port.
"All right. One Reuben sandwich with salt and vinegar chips for Mario, a loaded baked potato for Luigi, and a meatball grinder with a dill pickle for Spike," a waiter said while delivering the group's respective lunches to them.
"Thank you so much," Mario thanked the waiter.
"No problem. Have a nice afternoon," the waiter said before walking off. Mario immediately took a bite of his sandwich.
"Wow. I haven't had a Reuben in forever," Mario stated with his mouth full. "The sauerkraut really hits the spot."
"So, did you actually call yourself 'Lakilester' when we first met you?" Luigi asked Spike.
"That's my real name, but it embarrassed me so much. My school friends made fun of me and called me, 'Lakiless Fortunate'," Spike explained. "I felt like I had to change my name. I convinced my mom to get my birth certificate rewritten, and that's what made me 'Spike'. I liked that name better."
"Did your parents sometimes forget your new name?" Mario asked.
"Sometimes, they did. But out of all people, my girlfriend Lakilulu called me 'Lakilester' on and on no matter how many times I tried to tell her I'm 'Spike'." Spike ate some of his grinder.
"Did she think it was adorable?" Luigi questioned before digging into his baked potato.
"She claims it sounded adorable, but I was under the assumption that she hated 'Spike' and decided to test me by calling me 'Lakilester'. I want to break up with Lakilulu, but I love her at the same time."
"I feel you. It's hard to make a decision when you're stuck in the middle like that," Mario said. "I can't think of when I was in the same place, but I understand how you feel."
"Thank you, Mario. I'm glad you and Luigi respect my wishes," Spike thanked Mario.
After Mario and friends finished their lunches 15 minutes later, Mario's cell phone rang.
"Hello?" Mario said after answering the call.
"Hi, Mario! How's your afternoon?" Jeffrey T. asked over the line.
"Not much, Jeffrey. Me, Luigi, and a new friend of ours just finished eating at the deli. What is it?"
"Merlon wants you over at his house," Jeffrey said. "He has an important task for you."
"Thanks, Jeffrey. We'll be there in a moment. Buh-bye." Mario hung up the phone before beckoning Luigi and Spike to follow him to Merlon's house, which took 8 minutes to walk to. Mario approached the front door and knocked on it three times.
"Coming!" Merlon called out from inside. He opened the door seconds later. "Well, good afternoon, my friends. You came at such a good time. There's a guest waiting for you."
"Is he nice?" Luigi asked.
"Very nice, Luigi," Merlon replied. "Come on in, please." Merlon led the group into his living room, where a Ninji was standing next to the crystal ball. Mario and Luigi sat on the couch while Spike hovered above the cushions.
"Hello, Mario and Luigi. Nice to meet you," the Ninji introduced himself. "I come from Starborn Valley. Starborn Valley is in the Shiver region, a chill place far to the north, at the very end of the Earth. Merle, who hails from there, said that he had something important to tell you."
"Merle of Starborn Valley is my son, Mario and Luigi," Merlon added in. "It seems he's calling for you. If he is searching for you, you can be sure something important is afoot."
"Such as the last Star Spirit being held somewhere nearby?" Mario asked.
"That's possible. Speaking of which, very well done to you, your brother, and your new friend on getting six of seven thus far. I've been watching your progress for the last few days," Merlon said. "Now, you must go to Starborn Valley. Do not delay."
"Yes, please hurry!" the Ninji agreed. "I will run ahead and take tidings of you to Merle." The Ninji hurried out of Merlon's house to where the entrance to the Shiver region is located.
"I think somewhere in Kero Sewers beneath Toad Town is a pipe connected to Shiver City. Starborn Valley is located quite near Shiver City," Merlon instructed the group. "My friends, please hurry to meet my son. He waits in Starborn Valley."
"Thank you, Merlon. We'll tell Merle you said hello," Mario thanked Merlon before leading Luigi and Spike out of the house.
"Where's Kero Sewers?" Spike asked.
"Follow me," Mario said. He walked ahead and came across a green Warp Pipe just across from the entrance to Forever Forest. "This is the entrance to Kero Sewers."
"I hope it's not too dark down there," Spike said with concern.
"It will be dark, but not too much." Mario went down the Warp Pipe before Luigi and Spike followed him into Kero Sewers. The sewers were made up of brown bricked walls and gray stoned floors with long green Warp Pipes that comprised the ceilings. It was quiet inside apart from water droplets falling from different parts of the Warp Pipe ceiling.
"This is where we'd sometimes take shortcuts to different parts of the world if they're unreachable by normal means," Mario said. "In this case, it's Shiver City." Without further ado, Mario led Luigi and Spike through the sewers by first going left through two rooms before entering a side-mounted Warp Pipe. Once in the next room, they found themselves next to a rectangular pool in the middle, which they swam through to get to the other side.
They then fought several Gloombas and Dark Koopas that blocked their path; the Dark Koopas were a bit of a challenge because their main attack was spinning fast like a tornado and dizzying Mario and friends briefly. They eventually reached a green Warp Pipe with an ice layer surrounding the sides.
"This must be it," Luigi said before jumping into the Warp Pipe. But the pipe didn't lead them directly to Shiver City. Instead, they ended up in an elongated hall with frozen water and ice-layered Warp Pipes on the walls. There were large icicles hanging from the ceiling too.
"Are you feeling cold?" Spike asked while holding his arms together; he was shivering slightly. "I'm shivering right now."
"It's okay, Spike. I'll go and warm you up," Mario reassured Spike. He proceeded to switch Spike with Goombario using his Partner Companion Band.
"Hey hey! Nice to see you two again!" Goombario greeted the Mario Bros. "Where are we going to?"
"Shiver City," Mario answered. "I'm guessing you know something about that place?"
"I think so. How about I tell you when we arrive?" Goombario offered. Without further ado, Mario and friends made their way to a frozen Warp Pipe mounted on the wall ahead and entered it for the short ride to Shiver City.
