Authors' Notes: Thank you, everyone, for your enlightening reviews!
ToA. Nonymous: Goombella is one of my favorite party members, too, and don't worry--she and some other party members will make an appearance in this fanfic. Regarding Super Mario Sunshine: yes, both Sonic 2 and myself have beaten it--well, we haven't gotten all the Shine Sprites, but we did get up to the final boss and viewed the ending movie-clip. So, I think you can feel free to ask your question. : ) Thanks again for your review!
To Paper Mario Rox!!1!: Glad you're enjoying the story! It took a lot of work!
To Naval Ace: Thanks for your encouragement. Sonic 2 and I love hearing from our audience! We hope to see more of your reviews in the future.
And I'm sorry, everyone, but due to complications concerning time periods, we're going to have to take out the " amount of days left until earth is destroyed...". I know it's a disappointment since you all seemed to like it a lot, but it's just gonna get so hard considering time-related things and chapter lengths... we'll have occasional references to the amount of time left to help you keep track of it, though. Once again, I apologize, and I sincerely hope this doesn't discourage any of you from reading the story... : (
Oh, and before reading this chapter, it is highly recommended that you go back and re-read the previous two chapters. I've revised them both, so there is now new content and extended scenes; including an important bit where the toads go to get Mario and Luigi. Sorry if it's annoying to have to go back and re-read--I probably won't feel the need to revise future chapters as we'll be taking more time writing them. (By the way, you can expect longer chapters in the future--and by long, I mean about the length of this chapter. There won't be as many short ones. And I hope that's a good thing!)
Anyway, Sonic 2 and I are happy to present you all with the newest chapter! From what Sonic 2 has told me (and from some concepts and ideas we discussed), this fanfic is just gonna keep getting better and better, so please keep reading and reviewing. : )
Chapter 3: Two Pairs are Formed
Peach paced worriedly in her room. I need to somehow tell Mario about Bowser's plan to destroy earth... And where I'm being held...
But how?
I'll never be able to escape alone; but if only I could send some kind of message to Mario, like I was able to do before... First, Twink helped me, but I don't know if wishes will work in a situation like this... Especially since this base seems to be so secret. And everybody thinks it's deserted from when Grodus was in charge. And what if the Star Spirits can't reach the moon?
Last time, TEC helped me send an e-mail. But Bowser said he re-programmed TEC, so TEC probably won't remember me. Besides, I can't even get out of here to see him.
Peach sighed. Oh, I wish I could do something to help Mario! He does so much for me... And I hate not being able to do anything on my end! I WILL find a way to help Mario, no matter what it takes!
Suddenly, the doors to her room slid open. Peach turned, expecting to see Bowser or one of his henchmen appear. She was surprised when there was nothing there. What? Could it be... TEC?! She hurried to the door, worried that it might close again before she had a chance to go through it. This could be my chance to help Mario!
Out in the corridor, Peach suddenly stopped when she heard the sound of an elevator. She stood there, unsure what to do. Was someone coming? She couldn't go back into her room now; the doors might close, preventing her chance to help Mario! But what if she was caught and thrown back into her room again, anyway? Her heart raced. Then, she realized that the elevator was going up, and whoever was in it wasn't going to get out and catch her.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she continued walking down the corridor until she came to the door that led to where TEC was. She walked up to it, and was delighted when it opened. She stepped inside the room.
"Princess Peach?" a familiar computer voice asked. "Is that you?"
The doors slid shut again.
"TEC!" Peach was overjoyed. Now I can send Mario an e-mail! "It was you that opened the doors for me, wasn't it? But I thought Bowser said he re-programmed you!"
"...I possess no data related to your question and statement. I did not open the doors for you--they seemed to have been accidentally activated by someone else from a different control panel. Bowser came in here, but he never re-programmed me. He only threatened me. He said that if I didn't give energy to the Orb, then he would erase my entire memory banks... and would then re-program me to do it anyway, after my acquired knowledge was deleted."
"Oh, TEC, that's awful. But, what about all the innocent citizens on earth? They'll be destroyed by Bowser's scheme! My kingdom, the Mushroom Kingdom, and all of my loyal subjects will die... and so will Mario."
"I'm sorry, Princess Peach... There is nothing I can do about it. It would only be a waste to have my memory banks deleted. I would be like a puppet for Bowser; he could use me for all his purposes."
"But, why didn't Bowser just delete your memory banks in the first place instead of threatening you?"
"I do not think Bowser knows much about technological things. By threatening me, he could save himself some work, and wouldn't have to re-program me if I went along with it... which was the only sensible choice."
Peach decided it was time to get down to business. Before she could ask about sending a message to Mario, however, TEC spoke again. "You want to send a message to Mario, don't you?"
Peach was surprised. Well, he is a very advanced and intelligent computer... "Yes, as soon as possible."
"Very well. You must do it quickly before you are caught. I will load up my e-mail program."
Peach walked over to TEC's computer screen. After the e-mail program was activated, she quickly began typing a message to Mario. The keyboard keys made clicking noises as TEC watched the Princess type an e-mail to her rescuer.
"...Okay, TEC, I'm done," she said after a few minutes.
"...Sending e-mail..." Three icons of small e-mail letters appeared on the screen. They lit up as the e-mail was being sent. After the the third one was lit, indicating the e-mail had succesfully been sent, TEC said, "I've sent your e-mail. But before you go back to your room, I want to ask you a question."
"Go ahead."
"I feel different now that I've gotten a chance to see you again... I think it is what you previously referred to as 'happiness.' But I do not understand the fact that I don't feel 'happy' around Bowser. I only feel that way around you. I do not fully comprehend this feeling, but I do not understand that--I am a perfect computer. Is this perhaps related to love?"
"Love is a complex thing, TEC. When you're around the person you're in love with, you feel happy and content, and you want to always be with that person... You admire that person. But... I can't describe all the different points that love can have. Like I said before, it's something you feel, not something you understand."
"Princess Peach, I really do love you. And I will do everything to help you."
"I know, TEC... And I truly do appreciate your help... But you must be careful. If you're caught helping me, there's no telling what Bowser will do, but you can expect it to be nothing good. And speaking of carefulness, I think I better return to my room now. Bowser might come down to see me again, and I don't want him to find my room empty."
Peach turned to the door, and was relieved when it opened. She turned back to TEC to say a final parting. "Perhaps we'll meet again soon."
"Good night, Princess Peach," the computer replied with his usual farewell.
The doors slid shut behind Peach after she left the room. It became dark as TEC shut off the lights, and put himself in sleep mode, anxious for his next meeting with the Princess prisoner.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mario was walking around town, asking all the Toad Town residents if they had seen anything suspicious around the time Princess Peach had left the castle. After meeting and promising the toads at the castle that he would do all he could to find Peach, he had spent the whole rest of the time investigating her mysterious disappearance...
...And for once, Mario didn't know what to do. There seemed to be absolutely no clues or anything else helpful concerning the missing Princess. But, he kept his spirits up and made sure not to lose hope, knowing that there was some logical explanation behind everything, and that sooner or later, it would turn up. He just hoped it would be sooner.
"Hey, Goombario, look! It's Mario!" Mario recognized the somewhat scratchy voice of Goombaria. He turned in the direction it was coming from to see her and her older brother Goombario running towards him from the entrance of Toad Town.
"Hey, Mario!" greeted Mario's old-time partner Goombario. "I came here with Goombaria to go get some items for Gooma. She's baking some kind of food, and needed us to get a Fire Flower and a Mushroom. Didn't expect to see you, though. Anything goin' on?"
Mario nodded. "Great seeing you again... but there's some bad news. Peach is missing. The last time she was seen was when she supposedly was planning to take a little outing, and since then, nobody has seen her."
The playful and excited grins on the two young Goombas' faces were replaced by serious expressions. Goombario understood the serious aspect of the situation, but tried to appear optimistic. "Do ya need some help with anything, Mario? I mean, I'm sure my parents won't mind if I'm home late for a good cause. And I'd say helping you rescue the Princess is a good cause, wouldn't you?"
Goombaria couldn't help but giggle. "You should've seen the last time Goombario got home late. He was grounded for a whoooole week!"
The older Goomba blushed slightly at his sister's comment. "Oh, c'mon, Goombaria, that was months ago! You're always saying embarrassing things..." He decided to shift the conversation back to the more urgent affair. "So, anyway, what do you say about me helping you, Mario? You don't mind, do you?"
"Actually, I could use the help. Thanks for your offer, Goombario! It's always good to have a willing Goomba around." He grinned optimistically.
Goombaria felt a little disappointed. "Awwww, c'mon, Goombario! Last time, you got to save the world. What about me? I wanna help, too, y'know!"
Goombario sighed. "Look, Goombaria, I need you to complete Gooma's errand for me. I may be Mario's sidekick, but... I need someone to tell everyone where I am and not to worry about me. And what about the latest news on the Princess?"
Goombaria gave in, although a little hesitantly. "Fiiiine. But... you be careful, ok? Remember what Goompa said about not getting enough sleep! And Gooma said that she thought not taking baths often was unhealthy. And..."
Goombario looked annoyed. "Ok, I got it! Sheesh, you're sounding just like Mom..."
Goombaria turned to Mario, ignoring her brother for the moment. "Here, Mario. This is a little something that fell from the tree next to our house. I was planning to eat it as a snack, but I want you to have it." She held out a Goomnut.
Mario accepted it. "Thanks, Goombaria! I appreciate the thought, and I promise I'll look after your brother. You better hurry now--Gooma probably is expecting those ingredients soon. And don't worry about the Princess--Goombario and I will have here back before you know it!"
Goombaria smiled. "I know you will! Well, good luck!" She gave a rather comical wink, then skipped off to the Item Shop.
"Finally," said Goombario, "she's gone!" Anxious and excited to be with Mario, he added, "So, what do we do now? Just say the word, and I'm your Goomba!"
Duhn-a-linnle, duhn-a-linnle, duhn-a-linnle.
Goombario looked at Mario quzzically. "Uhhh... Mario? Do you hear something?"
Mario flipped out a handy-sized laptop computer. "That's the sound my e-mail makes when I've received a new message."
"Ohhhh, right. So, who's it from?"
Mario gave a gasp of surprise. "It says it's from the Princess!" He quickly opened the message, scanning over it briefly, anxious for news. This is what he read:
Dear Mario,
This is Princess Peach. I don't have much time, but I have some important information for you. I'm being held captive in the base Grodus and the X-Nauts imprisoned me in before... Only this time, Bowser is the one behind this.
I was able to find out about a disturbing plot of his. According to what I've heard, he's planning to destroy the entire earth! I'm not sure about all the exact details, but I know that TEC is being forced to power some kind of Orb that supposedly will possess enough power after thirty days to blow up earth and everything on it. So, since the process has already begun, that leaves you with less than thirty days to stop Bowser's scheme!
I have not yet found out why Bowser wants to do this, but this is a very urgent situation. Mario, I know you will do whatever you can to stop it. I will find out as much information as I possibly can over here. And please don't worry about me--I was able to meet with TEC, and he says he will do anything he can to help me. Please inform the toads at my castle that I'm safe, and that they shouldn't worry about me, ok?
Oh, and I almost forgot to mention that there appears to be no way to get to this now-repaired base. Bowser has somehow re-programmed the warping system you'd normally use so that it can only be activated from this end. As for the cannon that you seemed to have used last time, I've been told that it was destroyed. So, I don't know how you will get here... But I would suggest you go to Rogueport.
Time is short, so I must close now. Please stay safe and be careful, Mario. I will try to contact you if I find out anymore information.
-Peach
Mario was filled with relief after finding that Peach was safe. The red-clad plumber read it out loud a second time to Goombario.
After Mario had finished, the Goomba said, "Wow... this is really serious... Not only is the Princess in danger, but the entire world, too!"
Mario nodded slowly. "It's going to be a tough challenge... we don't have any time to waste! Let's head to the docks and take the boat to Rogueport just as the Princess suggested. Once we arrive, we can come up with a plan to get to the moon. But for now, we just have to get to Rogueport--it might have another way to get to Grodus's base, and maybe Bowser overlooked something. Are you willing, Goombario?"
"I'm with you all the way, Mario!" replied the Goomba enthusiastically.
"All right! Let's get a move on!"
The duo headed to the port without delay. They were oblivious to the beautiful sunny day around them--the only thing on their minds was the fate of not just the Princess, but the entire world.
To be continued...