Act Two

Chapter 7

Walking into his home after a long trip, Luigi immediately found that things were not where he'd left them. Someone had been here, maybe Mario- but why? There was certainly no trace of the red-hatted plumber, not even in his home, which was a disaster zone. Dead toads were strewn around the domicile along with a thin layer of blood and goomba juice. Mario had recently asked for his brother's help in a letter but now he was gone - Luigi imagined the worst. Just going off of news he'd heard from his neighbors, he'd found out that there was some horrible new minion creeping around and toads were being slaughtered left and right. It explained the state of Mario's home, but didn't really give Luigi much more than that. He didn't know where Mario could be or whether he was even still alive, though Luigi knew able to handle himself in a fight. But whatever fight it was, he'd need his brother.

No one seemed to know much but the toads were definitely in a state of panic. Bowser's minions had never reached so far into the Mushroom Kingdom, neighborhoods that used to be safe were now plunged into a paralyzing fear. Luigi visited all his toad friends, trying to figure out whatever he could about Mario's whereabouts and piece together the violent recent events. However, it wasn't until he arrived at Toadsworth's house that he found what he was looking for.

"So you're looking for Mario?" asked Toadsworth, sitting in his warmly lit living room across from Luigi. The fire crackled next to them and made both of their faces dance with a soft light. "Yes, I have it on good authority that he's gone east to Grass Land, and then north from there. At least that's what my scouts said in their ToadsGuard report." ToadsGuard, if you didn't know, is a common brand of high-strength, no-streak stick deodorant, one of the most popular in the Mushroom Kingdom. It was named after the ToadsGuard, an elite group of toads commanded by Toadsworth and tasked with protecting the kingdom from both internal and external threats. The ToadsGuard worked closely with the Toad Army, although the two were separate forces, with the Army being commanded by Peach.

"Koopa Kingdom? Why would he go there? That's-a dangerous territory." said Luigi, sipping on some mushroom tea that Toadsworth had offered him previously.

"Yes, yes. He's trying to stop this group, LTM I think, and he believes the answer lies somewhere in the Koopa Kingdom. Based on some interesting reports I received from Morton's castle, it might be worth checking there." and Toadsworth ended with a fit of elderly coughing.

"So he was in Desert Land? I doubt he's-a still there, but either way it seems like Morton would know something." Luigi wondered if following his brother's footsteps right into Morton's castle was a good idea.

"Well, I suppose there's only one way to check. But you'll never catch Mario in a normal kart."

"What do you suggest then?" asked Luigi. Planes existed, but they were small, slow and never flew between the kingdoms. That would be a guarenteed suicide.

"I have an old friend who owes me a favor. Maybe it's time to take advantage of it." and Toadsworth then waddled over to his phone. Luigi couldn't tell who he was calling.

o-o-o

"Cliff Koopa, the Freerunning Paratroopa, at your service! I've got the fastest wings in the Kingdom and I can get anything to any place in less than 24 hours. Most people call me Cliff, some know me as The Kid but no one has ever been able to catch up to me! No one!" Cliff spoke so quickly it was almost hard to understand, and his demeanor reminded Luigi of a child who'd just tried coffee for the first time.

"It's-a me, Luigi, and I need-a you to take me to Morton's castle. But-"

"Morton's Castle?" Cliff interrupted him, and suddenly Luigi couldn't compete with the massive flow of words coming out of his mouth. "So I haven't flown to Desert Land in a while, but it wouldn't be too too difficult. Basically we just need to plan our rest stops, be careful when we stop in the Koopa Kingdom, bring a gift for Morton, then we-

"But-a, what is-" Luigi tried to speak again, unsuccessful.

"..and hats. I think the only way to travel the desert is with a good hat. I guess you already have a hat but I still need one and I could always get you a better one. I know a good hat shop that's only a few-"

"Cliff," said Toadsworth, but Cliff ignored them.

"...Now you might think Paratroopas don't need a compass, but we actually have no natural sense of direction. It's a real mess and the compass business is huge in the Koopa Kingdom. Obviously we can get one here but-"

"CLIFF!" shouted Toadsworth, surprising everyone with the volume he could still produce at his old age. The sound echoed off the walls of Toadsworth's living room and caused Cliff to finally stop talking. Toadsworth continued, "I think Mr. Luigi has something to say."

"Oh yes," said Luigi, finally able to speak. "I was just-a wanting to know what a Paratroopa is doing here. In-a the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Right," began Cliff. "Well I'm not a big fan of fighting, I'll just say that right now. Not good at, not interested in it. But to be one of Bowser's minions, especially in the Koopa Troop, you gotta do a whole lot of fighting. So I left - just flew away - and never went back. The first toad that saw me brought me to Toadsworth, where he decided I wasn't a threat and could maybe even be useful to him. Now I fly important stuff around and I never have to fight anyone, ever. It's great!"

"Ok," said Luigi, trying to stop Cliff before the koopa started up again. "So you-a going to take me to Morton's Castle, but what-a do we do about Morton when we get there? He isn't gonna be happy to see us."

"Well as Cliff said before," Toadsworth reached into his pocket as he spoke "Morton will only respond if you bring a gift. Rubies." And with that he pulled out a plump, leather sack that was tied tightly at the neck and barely fit into Luigi's hand as it was passed to him. "That's 45 rubies, enough to get every Koopaling talking and maybe Bowser himself," Toadsworth chuckled at his own joke. "Don't waste it, it was difficult to accumulate that many."

"Don't-a worry, I probably won't even need-a most of them." responded Luigi. It was a lot of rubies to be carrying in the Koopa Kingdom, but Luigi could hold his own. Besides, he thought, I can just fly away from trouble.

"And one more thing," Toadsworth began, "I know you didn't know, but green toad was my son. He was killed 3 days ago by one of those LTM monstrosities."

"Oh, no!" said Luigi, shocked by the news.

"It still hurts, but I need to figure out who or what killed him and keep it from happening to any other toad. Please, if you have the chance Luigi, stop this creature."

"Okie-dokie. I will help you Toadsworth," said Luigi to his old friend.

o-o-o

Driving to Giant Land meant going through Water Land. There was no way around it, not unless you flew but even then you'd simply be flying over the water. Karts were fortunately able to drive underwater, and even more bizarrely were able to provide their occupants with breathable oxygen through a mysterious force that can not and will not be explained here. This meant that their journey took them across the seabed of Water Land, an often dangerous road that was rarely used by even Bowser's minions. Cheep cheeps and bloopers were bad enough, but many suspected there were even worse things waiting in the sea, the kind of things no one ever reports because they're no longer alive to report it. Mario was worried about what waited for them beneath the waves.

"Well, I'd say we could just use paratroopas but they ain't gonna carry no toads. I 'spose we'll be taking the long road." Gomar had warmed up to his odd travel buddies, now appreciating their company almost as much as their coin. The toads were fond of travelling games- that is, games which could be played on a road trip. Roadside bingo was especially popular once Gomar taught the toads how to bet. Gomar had been ahead for a while until losing most of his coin in a risky play to Captain Toad. Captain didn't hold on to his winnings for long though. Gomar was an aggressive bettor and had won it back in only a few games. Mario insisted that they only bet small amounts so no one lost too much but a couple small arguments did flare up.

Driving across the seabed was a serene affair, with only the occasional interruption from a cheep cheep or blooper. These were easily scared off or defeated, allowing the very capable group to continue on their trip. When they weren't gambling, they discussed the plan they'd been slowly forming. Water Town was hostile to anyone from the Mushroom Kingdom and they definitely hated toads, usually trying to kill them on sight. In order to get food and supplies, they would have to drive around Water Town, park on the outskirts and send in Mario (in disguise) and Gomar to get what they needed. The plan seemed simple enough, but there were many debates over whether Mario should stay with the toads or go into town with Gomar. The toads and Gomar wanted him to stay with the kart, but Mario insisted on going into town, mostly because he didn't trust Gomar to take the money and actually return. He ended up going, wearing a scarf wrapped around his head and blanket as a sort of robe to disguise himself.

Water Town wasn't like other towns in the Koopa Kingdom. It was built on the seabed under a massive see-through dome, nearly 5 miles in diameter and about 2 miles high. The dome was so big that the top of it broke through the ocean to create a sort of artificial island, an island which was almost a town in its own right. A long, thin elevator connected top to bottom, allowing the transportation of goods and koopas between them. Luckily, they wouldn't have to brave that multi-hour ascent on a rickety elevator just to get basic supplies- those could be found almost anywhere. The buildings in Water Town were generally several stories high and very basic in their design, with various shades of coral coloring most surfaces. The only thing accenting these basic dwellings were blood-red Koopa Troop banners and various propaganda posters put out by Bowser and his minions. The streets were lit with gas lamps that gave everything in Water Town a hazy, warm glow in the near-twilight of the ocean floor.

Walking down these streets, Mario prepared himself to face anything. Gomar, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned. Why would he be? A goomba belonged in Water Town; Mario didn't. He felt the piercing stares of koopas and goombas as he passed them, seemingly trying to look through his disguise and figure out what he was. Fortunately, most of Bowser's minions were not very intelligent and ignored things they didn't understand. It was really a matter of survival, and in this instance that was quite literally true. Mario knew that if he was found out, he could take out many goombas before they got to him. He hoped it wouldn't come to that though.

Suddenly a very official looking goomba with a large badge and cap approached Gomar.

"Oi! Gomar Goomba!" said the capped goomba, startling both the travelers. "The Magistrate herself requests your presence, and she says you can bring the plumber but no toads."

"The fuck makes you think I'm traveling with toads?" Gomar got heated, but Mario could tell it was just an act.

"I'm just a messenger, I don't think anything sir. You'll have to go see her on The Island, it's very important." And with that the capped goomba ran away, likely intimidated by Gomar's outburst. Mario and Gomar looked at each other, and then over to the 2 mile high elevator they would have to ascend.

"Do-a we have to go up there?" asked Mario. He didn't trust koopa engineering.

"If The Magistrate requested me, then this must be important. Usually when someone asks for Gomar they're a criminal, not a damn town magistrate."

"Then we-a go. Maybe he can help us with LTM." Mario had never heard of The Magistrate but they seemed like an important figure in the town.

"I kinda get the feeling we'll be helping her," said Gomar. And then the pair headed in the direction of the elevator.