Daisy slid the manhole cover out of the way and climbed up out of the Warp Zone tunnel and onto the city streets of New Donk City. Waluigi and Wanda clambered out after her, and the three of them gaped at the state of downtown.
Upended taxi cabs and rubble littered the roads. The bodies of comatose humans were strewn across the pavement, park grass, and park benches. Packs of shy guys and tweeters roamed the alleyways and a few puttered around on motor scooters. The pulsing bass of Wart's garage band rumbled in the distance.
"Yep. Looks like they're still here," Daisy said.
"This is TERRIBLE!" Wanda was frantic. "They've turning everything into concrete!"
"No, that part's normal," Waluigi said. "Big cities are like this."
"Oh."
Daisy took point, sneaking through the streets and drop kicking the occasional minion on her way in the direction of the music. She gestured for the others to follow as she cleared a path. It only took a couple blocks before they stumbled onto something – a massive tour bus, built like a tank, was parked on the sidewalk on top of at least three crushed parking meters, thumping with music. Wart's face was painted on the side of the bus along with the band's logo rendered in comic sans. Not far off, Mouser and a pack of snifits were in the process of cornering a few of the locals. Daisy crept into earshot.
"Hold up gents!" Mouser said. "What's the rush? I've got an amazing offer you won't want to miss out on."
The New Donkers, an identical pair of frightened men in pinstripe suits, were surrounded with their backs up against the wall.
"Now see here!" one of them said, chest-puffed, "I've see what kind of trouble you and this gang of churlish trick or treaters is makin'! Whatever you're sellin', I ain't buyin'!"
"Oh, well, that's just unfortunate." Mouser raised a magic wand with the red dream gem wedged onto the tip. "And here I wanted to be reasonable."
He zapped the brave New Donker with a tie-dye-colored laser beam and the guy keeled over onto the ground. Wanda gasped. Waluigi hushed her. After a moment, the victim started to snore.
"Wha-wha-what'd you do to him!?" the other guy said.
"Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about," Mouser said. "That guy wouldn't know an opportunity if it shot him in the face. Now you, you look like a guy who knows better. A cultured guy. A guy who appreciates music."
"Y-yeah?"
"Yeeaah! So, here's the thing. I'm selling these tickets. The 8-bits are performing real soon. They're this great new band, all the rage I hear. …I can get you a front row seat to the live show if you're interested."
The New Donker emptied his pockets, dumping purple coins onto the ground in front of Mouser. "I'll buy it! Whatever you want! Just don't hurt me!"
The snifits collected the coins off the ground. Mouser produced a golden ticket and tucked it into the breast pocket of the relieved New Donker.
"You've made a wise decision my friend!" Mouser said, before zapping him too. The New Donker slumped to the ground on top of the first guy and Mouser laughed. "Enjoy the show! You're gonna love it! Nyahahaha!"
"Nngh," Wanda said as they watched Mouser and his pack of hooligans board the tour bus. "This is awful! They're kidnapping people!"
"Would it really be called kidnapping if it's their dream self?" Waluigi said. "Maybe sleep-napping would be better."
"Or nap-napping?" Wanda said.
"No, that's stupid!" Daisy said. "It should be dream-napping. That sounds WAY better."
Waluigi waved the question away. "We can find out how they brand their villainous deeds later. He's got the last dream gem! You saw that right?"
"Yeah!" Daisy said. "Let's go give him a good pounding and complete our set!"
"But if he zaps you, you won't be able to wake up!" Wanda said.
Daisy looked at the dozen or so snoozing pedestrians draping the concrete nearby. She gave one a couple test kicks to check how permanent the effects were. The guy rolled over and smacked his lips but did not wake up. She thought about how last time she fought Mouser, she got hit by a stray soundwave and embarrassed herself dancing.
"Alright, fine. We need a plan."
"Is it time for a scheme?" Waluigi said, wringing his hands. "Oh, I think it's time for a scheme!"
"Alright, keep your shirt on, creepy," Daisy said. "We can clown these punks but we gotta be careful. I don't want to get stuck in a coma just because we're in a rush to beat Mario."
"True," he said. "It shouldn't be too hard to trick these punks. What do we know about them?"
Daisy turned toward the tour bus. The 8-bits had a whole music theme going on. They seemed REAL eager to make a name for themselves by any means necessary. She might even describe them as desperate.
"I know what to do," she said.
"Music to my ears!" Waluigi said before leaning in close. "What've you got in mind?"