While the party was walking through the forest, they couldn't help be feel watched. You couldn't blame them, the trees were clearly whispering behind their backs. Maybe all those years of thwarting Bowser's schemes was starting to catch up to Mario...
After cleaning up some more Folded Soldiers on the way, Mario discovered a strange, rope-like vine hanging from a tree. It would've been rude to just pull on a tree's branches, but the trees in this case were spreading unfounded gossip. They deserved it.
After Mario gave the vine a good yank, a wilted flower fell from the sky, landing into the lake nearby. The lake refreshed the flower, somehow, and it looked good as new. Mario gave the rope two more pulls, dropping a boombox and even Birdo into the crystal clear waters, with similar effects. There was no time to question this very random moment, because the vine dropped a log that allowed the party to climb up a ledge.
Up ahead was giant yellow fruit hanging from one of the trees. Mario used his Thousand-Fold Arms to pull it down, but the vine snapped, leaving the fruit intact. The trees certainly weren't helping with their juvenile laughter.
"Mama mia..." Mario groaned.
"That's a strange ability you have." Amiya spoke. "How did you learn such a technique?"
Mario shrugged. It was some new gimmick every adventure. Hopefully, his 3D counterpart had things better.
The plumber found a new Magic Circle to activiate his arms, this time smashing the fruit. A single, shriveled up seed came out of the fruit. Looks can be deceiving, huh?
Heading deeper into the forest, the party found a large, grey tree stump. There was also trees that had a faintly feminine feel to next to the old stump, but it was probaly just the fog. The party moved on, but somehow, they looped back to the stump and his entourage.
"We're back were we started..." Amiya started. "I have a feeling that those trees are responsible."
"Are you sure, because those trees don't look much more sentient than a rock." Olivia replied. "Maybe we should take a moment to clear our heads by sitting on that stump. It helps me when the folding gets tough!"
The group took a seat on the old tree stump, which had convenient lighting. It was surprisingly tranquil, if it wasn't for the 3 trees screaming in alarm.
"You can't just sit on ol' Grandsappy's head, mister and miss donkey!"
"That's right! He's the elder of the forest, so show some respect. He's got twigs older'n you!"
"He used to have twigs, but those nasty Toads logged him! He's still the man, honey."
The stump Mario and co. were sitting on coughed weakly. "Yes, yes... Bless your bark, darlings." Grandsappy's voice raised, but was still husky. "Go tell your paper friends what state I'm in! Hardly in the state to teach you punks some manners..." He hacked.
"Oh, but Grandsappy, we captured one of those horrid loggers!" One of the trees spoke eagerly. "She was walking around with the biggest, meanest saw we've ever seen!"
The tree lowered some vines from its "hair", revealing a captured Blaze.
"Amiya!" She struggled against the vines. "I swear I didn't go on any rampages lately! These trees just snatched me up and excused me of ridiculous crimes."
"Blaze!" Amiya sighed with relief. "Mr Grandsappy, I know that my fellow operator can be quite energetic at times, but she is good natured."t
"Yeah! We're not with those flat folk who did this. And actually, I'm not even flat paper, I am origami!" Olivia chimed in.
"Origami, you say?" The tree wheezed "Pardon, my eyes aren't what they used to be... I can't tell if the one in the blue jacket is a rabbit or a donkey."
Amiya groaned. It must've been a common mistake in her organization.
"If what you say is true, you may be of assistance to me. Find some way to restore my energy, and I just may let you leave this place."
"The tree is responsible for this trickery?" Amiya thought. "Never knew plants were caplible of using Arts. Wish I could tell Dr Kal'tsit about this..."
Grandsappy's entourage begun to act more friendly to Mario and the crew.
"I guess if you're going to help Grandsappy, we'll you wander around a bit." The fog covering the area dissipated. Mario dealt with talking trees in his long career, but magic trees was a whole different story.
"There is only one way that you can restore ol' Grandsappy's energy, the Soul Seed. Don't wonder off too far, the seed shouldn't be too hard to find!"
Wait minute, Mario swore that he found a particular seed earlier in the forest...
"I think you already have such a seed, Mario." Amiya spoke. "Why don't you give it to Mr Grandsappy?"
Mario gave the seed to the old tree. Grandsappy chewed on it a few times, then prompty spat it out.
"Nope. That ain't it." He responded flatly.
"What's wrong with that seed?" Olivia asked. "A seed is a seed, isn't it?"
"It must be too dry for Grandsappy. I remember seeing a lake that restored a flower... among other things." Amiya spoke.
The spring, of course! Mario knew it's restorative properties would put the soul back in the Soul Seed. The group made haste to the lake, and Mario doused it in the water. Sure enough, the Soul Seed came out much more attractive looking. Before they could return, Grandsappy let out a horrific shriek.
His face was completely gone.
"Oh dear..." Olivia gasped.
Amiya appeared more angry than usual, her black Arts swiveling on her fingers.
"He's now a shell of his former self." Tree #2 spoke. "Hollowed out like some sort of workshop project gone wrong..."
"Why didn't you let me at those bastards?" Blaze yelled. "That's easily one of the worst things I've saw in my career, you stumps just left me powerless..."
"We're pretty darn lucky that she's not as conscious as the Toads." Tree #1 whispered.
As horrific as the scene was, Grandsappy's face looked just like one of those Not-Bottomless Holes. Mario threw some Confetti (Which would be rather inappropriate if the old tree was actually dead) to fix Grandsappy's face.
"Huh? What happened? Felt like some rapscallion was whittling down on me again..."
"Ah, thank you, little red man!" Tree #3 cheered. "He's still a shell of himself, but it's better than being a shell of a shell."
Grandsappy wasn't going to be a shell any more, after Mario gave him the Soul Seed. He chewed down on it as usual.
"Is it working? How do you feel?" Olivia asked, concerned.
Whatever was in the Soul Seed, it made Grandsappy much more sharp. "It's doin' somethin'! Watch out, now!"
Grandsappy and his entourage suddenly broke out into song. Let's just say, there was many questions to be asked. After the spontaneous musical number, a much beefier version of Grandsappy burst out of the old stump.
"Yeah!" He spoke in a much more lively tone "Now that's what I'm takin' about! That seed was all it took. Tightened my timbers and put the funk back in my trunk. I'm young again!"
However, Amiya was somewhat confused about the events "How? All it takes is a seed to bring an organism back from the brink of death? Has the cure of Oripathy been in this forest the whole time?"
"Ori- what now?" Grandsappy responded. "Never heard of such, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Those Soul Seeds take many years to produce. Kudos to however produced the seed this time."
Amiya's ears drooped, just like a real rabbit. It was pretty uncanny from Mario's perspective, because it seemed that these animal people had animal ears and human ears at the same time.
"I see no reason to keep y'all waiting anymore, including your feline friend over here. Release our guest, girls!"
Grandsappy's entourage loosened their vines, finally releasing Blaze from captivity.
"Ah, free at last!" She cheered, noticing Mario. "And who's this dude in the overalls? He honestly looks a tad bit ridiculous."
If anything, the Feline's chainsaw was one of the most ridiculous things Mario saw. Was she some sort of horror villain?
"Shrubs! Open up for my main mustache and his ladies here." The great tree demanded.
The bushes moved out of the way, revealing a path out of the forest. Our heroes thanked their wooden friends as they proceeded into the forest, finally seeing some signs of civilization...
A/N: Sorry about the wait, real life issues didn't give me much time to write. Also the CN Aniversity distracted me a bit, but it brings new lore that I may add to the story. I won't rewrite anything if CN lore conflicts; I see it as more of a base to build off of. See you next time!