The next day, the oddly-mixed team set out in a convey. Mario drove in front, in the 4-seater kart and two trucks full of Gomar's goons rode behind them. Mario and the toads were outnumbered by goombas 6 to 1, but unlike with William Wiggler, Mario was well prepared to fight them if needed. Gomar seemed to only be motivated by greed, claiming to be one of Bowser's minions but in reality doing only whatever benefited him. Mario figured that as long as Gomar knew he'd be paid, the goomba could be trusted. He just hoped that no one had offered more money than he had. That would undoubtedly shift the goomba's loyalty.

Upon reaching the border, there was a simple checkpoint with Gomar paying the guards money Mario had previously given him. Once 50 gold coins had changed hands, they passed without issue. The land which had previously been grassy and only sparsely populated with trees soon gave way to sandier soil littered with scattered clumps of grass . Eventually there wasn't a tree for miles, and the grass patches were so rare you could easily count them. It was also hotter, though riding in the moving, open-air kart made the desert heat somewhat tolerable.

After a few hours they reached Desert Town, about halfway between the border and Morton's castle- their destination. So far the trip had gone smoothly, but truth be told there wasn't much to stop them in the empty desert. Now, in Desert Town, their progress was immediately blocked by a large group of well-armed, mean-looking goombas. About 40 halberds and spears were pointed at the lead kart, which had stopped less than a block into town. Gomar hopped out of the second truck, walked over to what Mario assumed was the leader of the desert goombas, and they began talking. He couldn't overhear what they were saying, but he prepared himself to turn the kart around and break for Grass Land if needed. There was no possible way to fight this many goombas if they all turned on him. He darted his head around, seeing the right side of the street had just enough room to turn around, then he could drive about halfway off the road to get around the trucks and go back the way he came. Mario suddenly realized he felt much safer being in the driver's seat. None of this turned out to be necessary, because the conversation ended and the convoy was allowed through. Gomar insisted on stopping at the local watering hole, 'Gulper's Tavern', despite Mario's repeated protests. Desert Town didn't feel safe, not for 3 toads and a human, and spending any amount of time there felt like a risk. Still, they drank at Gulper's for several hours, until all 24 of the goombas had their fill of liquor. Mario worried about their effectiveness. In fact, he and the toads drank only the water they brought to avoid poisoning themselves, intentionally or not. Water seemed like the only cure for desert heat- even inside the dim bar Mario couldn't help but sweat profusely.

Departing from Gulper's late in the afternoon, they carried on through Desert Town, past squared, sandy buildings that all shared the style of the region. This gave way into desert again, though a few buildings could still be seen dotted around the outskirts of town. As they passed one of these buildings, a handful of goombas walked out and stopped their progress. They were armed in a similar way to the town guard, but wore different colors and most had strange helmets that Mario had never seen before. Gomar hopped out, seemingly to talk to them, but then Mario noticed the rest of the goombas began hopping out of the trucks too. Gomar yelled, "LTM! Get ready!" and so Mario got ready to hop out of the kart. That's when he noticed goombas coming from other nearby buildings, dressed the same way. There had to be at least 50, maybe more. He jumped out of the kart, trying to stop Gomar but the big goomba was only a few feet away from the LTM goombas now. Gomar's goombas swung swords and jabbed pikes and their opponents did the same.

"Ah, Fuck!" yelled Gomar. Mario saw that Gomar had been stabbed, along with many of his goons. Thinking on his feet, he hopped back in the kart, told the toads to hold on and took off. Passing by Gomar, he reached down and picked up the goomba with one arm, tossing him in the back between the Brigade toads.

"You-a gotta help him!" cried Mario, speeding away from the bloody battle behind them. The toads got to work trying to save Gomar, ironically having been trained for years to kill goombas. It was an odd sight to see, but they needed Gomar alive. Mario couldn't just show up at Morton's Castle with three members of the toad brigade, there would be immediate conflict.

Soon they were out in the open desert again with only the dry, hot wind opposing them on their journey. Gomar had been stabilized by the toads and was currently unconscious, or sleeping, Mario wasn't really sure which. Morton's Castle was a tiny dot on the horizon. Mario estimated they would reach it before sunset, if they were lucky. Fortunately, the kart had been packed full of supplies. Even if it didn't hold as much as the trucks they had enough to survive in the desert for a couple days. Mario had anticipated a quick exit, and was glad he'd prepared for it. Riding towards the castle, he thought about what exactly he was going to ask Morton.

o-o-o

Morton's castle was a massive sandstone structure, built on the highest section of a rocky outcropping that jutted out awkwardly from the sand, continuing off west for what seemed like miles. The fort itself was pentagonal with a tower on each corner, all being identical to each other except for one that was much taller and wider than the others- the keep. The road led to the south side of the castle, where there was a large valley in the rock that formed a natural moat, though there wasn't a single drop of water anywhere. Despite the drawbridge being down, a huge, iron portcullis could be seen- they'd have to negotiate their way inside. A few hundred feet from the gate, they woke up Gomar, who was relieved to be alive and didn't seem to care much about his fallen goons.

"Ya gonna have to let me do all the talking. This'll take more than just gold though." Gomar seemed confident, although Mario wondered if he'd ever actually been to Morton's Castle.

"What-a do we have to do?" asked Mario.

"You're gonna need… rubies. One might be enough, five would be better."

"Where-a am I gonna get-a rubies?" Mario did have some rubies in his chest but hadn't brought any with him. That's when Captain Toad reached into his vest and produced five small, shiny red jewels.

"I've just been saving these, I guess I have a use for them now." said Captain as he handed the rubies to Gomar. Stopping in front of the gigantic portcullis, Gomar hopped out of the kart and approached the two guards standing outside. Mario was close enough to hear their conversation:

"'Ey there. This ain't gonna make a lot of sense, but my good friend Mario here and those toads need to talk to Morton, and it's very important. Mario has 5 rubies to offer Morton as a gift and I got gold for all the guards that don't try to poke us."

"Mario and toads? Allow them in the castle?! Have you lost your mind brother?" the goomba guard seemed completely shocked by what he was hearing.

"Told ya it would sound crazy. But Mario only wants to know about LTM, he ain't after us Bowser minions. Do I look smashed or crushed?" Gomar had confused the guards, who looked at each other and then back to Gomar with puzzled expressions.

"I suppose… we should ask Morton. But no funny business!" and with that, one of the guards disappeared into a very small, goomba-sized door next to the portcullis. Gomar looked back to Mario with a very satisfied smile. The goomba had a natural talent for manipulating his brethren, which was probably why he had so much success in the criminal underworld. He was definitely a useful ally while traveling the Koopa Kingdom.

It was maybe ten minutes later when they heard the grinding of chains and gears- the portcullis was opening. The other guard came back out, with a surprised look on his face.

"M-Morton actually wants to see you. Go to the keep." said the guard, who watched in disbelief as toads entered the Koopa castle. The courtyard was barren, with roughly built shacks clinging to most of the interior walls. A few were also freestanding, though it was hard to determine the true purpose of any of them. Driving up to the entrance of the keep, they saw maybe a dozen goomba guards scattered around the large wooden doors that led inside.

"Morton requests your presence. You may speak to him, but should you try anything you will be killed. Enter!" and the guard that was speaking opened the right door. The strange ensemble hopped out of the kart and walked into the dimly lit keep, wondering what waited for them inside.

o-o-o

Morton's Castle wasn't particularly lavish, but the sheer scale of the construction made it extremely impressive. The ceiling was nearly 100 feet high in some places and about half that height in the halls. Walking through a central corridor, Mario saw dozens of side halls branching off to an uncountable number of chambers and side-rooms. Eventually they reached the massive Main Hall, with stairs on each side leading to the upper levels. They had been following one of the guards, who now split off right to go up one of the staircases. They stayed close to him, not wanting to get lost in the expansive castle. Morton's throne room was on the second level, torch-lit like everywhere else, creating strange shadows that bounced off the walls and pillars lining the room. At the end, maybe 50 feet away, they saw Morton himself sitting in a large, padded throne. The group approached him cautiously, even Gomar.

"Mario! And a couple of toads! I'd ask you what you were doing here if my guards hadn't told me already. But why did you come to me?" Morton, unlike Larry, was serious ruler with actual power. Mario had faced him before and it wasn't an easy fight. He'd have to be careful about what he said, if he wanted Morton's help.

"You-a do not seem to be a big fan of LTM. I'm-a trying to stop them, but there's still things I need-a to know." Mario hoped Morton would understand they were fighting the same enemy.

"Yes, that's true. And you may have a chance of stopping them- just maybe. But why are you here? Why are you asking me questions, isn't there a toad somewhere that knows something useful?"

"We-a were attacked by LTM on the way here, a big organized group. We-a barely escaped alive. They are here in-a force, so I figured you might-a know something we didn't."

"Even if I did, I think I'd have more fun not telling you." Morton clearly had no respect for Mario or the toads.

Gomar suddenly pulled out the five rubies, and hobbled up to Morton.

"You should answer his questions. He brought ya a gift." said Gomar, and Morton's expression changed to one of mild excitement.

"Rubies?! Well you shoulda led with that. I'll answer, hmm, three questions." said Morton as he scooped up the rubies. Mario thought about what he should ask, wondering if Morton even knew the answer to some of the questions he had. He began with an obvious one.

"Who-a is LTM? What-a does that mean?"

"Ouch, that's not worth 5 rubies but I'll answer it anyways. LTM means Lakithunder's Minions. Lakithunder broke off from the rest of Bowser's minions long ago but didn't start recruiting minions himself until recently. Next question?"

"Where-a are they located? Where-a can I find Lakithunder?"

"That's two questions, but whatever. Giving you their location is pointless, LTM operate everywhere. And the most I can tell you about Lakithunder is that he used to train his minions in Water Land before Wendy kicked him out. Now, I don't know where he is, but I do know that my brother Iggy has been trying to track him for a while. If you go to Giant Land, he may help you out… assuming you have more rubies. Next question!"

"What-a is LTM's plan? What-a are they-" but before Mario could finish, he was interrupted.

"Hello there!" The voice was William Wiggler, standing at the entrance of the throne room. Two dead goombas lay next to him, knives sticking out of their heads.

"William Wiggler!" said Mario, "You are a bold one."

"I had to kill so many goombas to get here, it was honestly very inconvenient. Please don't run away this time." and he followed this with a flurry of knives. Mario and the toads jumped away, Gomar was nowhere to be seen. Morton began screaming at the top of his voice.

"GUARDS! GUARDS! WE HAVE AN INTRUDER!" shrieked Morton, as he got up to engage the wiggler. Mario used this chance to grab the toads and run for a side door.

"Oh, not again!" yelled William but as he ran to catch up with Mario, a wand smashed into the side of his head, flinging him 10 feet into a wall.

"This is my castle! I'll crush you! Crush you like the bug you are!" Morton was furious and goombas began pouring into the throne room. Running down the side passage, Mario looked back and saw Gomar jogging behind them, maybe 50 feet away. The goomba had seen their escape and followed them.

It took them a while to find their way through the complex series of halls, but eventually they were back out in the open desert air. They rushed over to the kart, still hearing the sounds of fighting and an angry, screaming Morton inside the keep. There were no guards to stop them, since all of the goombas outside had recently died from fatal knife wounds. Mario drove in the direction of Giant Land, hoping Iggy Koopa could give him Lakithunder's location.