INTERLUDE 1
Meanwhile, somewhere far from Petal Meadows inside some kind of secret base, a door opened and princess Peach entered with two soldiers like the ones who tried to kidnap Goombela earlier. Lord Crump is standing by and a monitor is recording the scene. Suddenly, the monitor glitched and closed. Meanwhile, the soldiers together with Peach arrived in front of a big guy who had his back turned to them. They stopped and the one soldier said:
"O great, exalted Grodus. We brought princess Peach as you commanded sir."
The big guy, who was seemingly the leader of this organization, turned around. He had a robotic head as if he were an android and was holding a staff. He had x marks, probably the main symbol of this clan, all over his body. He looked at Peach and said:
'Well, well, well. Don't you think it's about time you told us where the map is?"
Peach didn't reply
"When I ask you a question, I demand an answer." said Grodus who quickly got mad at Peach's silence. Finally Peach decided to reply.
"I'm telling you, I don't know." she said.
"There no point in trying to hide it silly girl." Said Grodus. "We know you had the map. We know it. Believe me it's for your own good to be honest with us. We x-nauts aren't all lollipops and daisies you know. We're quite nasty. So, tell us everything. Now!"
Again, Peach remained silent. Suddenly, an x-naut appeared on a monitor.
"Sir Grodus. I have a report." He said
'What is it?" asked Grodus
"Well," said the x-naut. "you know that crystal star we thought Hooktail had? Well, someone took it."
'What?" said Grodus in shock. "Is this true? Is someone else after the crystal stars? And he managed to defeat that monster Hooktail? Speak!"
'Unfortunately, you're correct sir." Said the soldier. "There's more to it. According to the report it was a mustachioed guy with a red cap and blue overalls who pulled the job."
"Mario." Peach shouted accidentally.
"What did you say? Mario?" asked Grodus
"Oh, no" said Peach who realized her mistake, but it was too late to do anything.
"Interesting. So, you know this Mario." Said Grodus. "Don't worry. He's not a problem. I'll know everything about him before long, that is a guarantee. For now, guards. Take princess Peach το her room."
"Yes sir." Said the soldiers and were about to grab Peach when Grodus said:
"And take good care of princess Peach. She is not to be harmed."
"Understood sir." Said the soldiers and kindly took princess Peach and left the room. Grodus after thinking for a while turned to lord Crump and said:
"Lord Crump."
"What? Where? When?" shouted lord Crump who was a little abstract and probably didn't take any notice of what had just happened.
"If this Mario has the map." began Grodus. "He'll probably go to Boggly woods to find the crystal star we're hunting there. So, you must go there and hasten the excavation. It must not fail."
"Roger that Grodus. And with that pow. I'm gone."
And so, lord Crump left. After he had left Grodus said to himself:
"I wonder if sending lord Crump alone is wise. He's pretty much a bonehead out there." And after thinking for a while he shouted:
"X-naut. I summon you."
Immediately, an x-naut appeared before Grodus.
"You called me dude? I mean sir. Sir Grodus dude. Grodus dude sir. Sir dude. Sir Grodus sir."
"Shut up!" shouted Grodus. "Go and bring me the shadow sirens."
"The shadow sirens?" asked the x-naut in surprise "But sir, they..."
"I don't care how you were planning to end that sentence fool. Go and get them."
"Yes, sir." Said the x-naut. He then made an x with his arms and left the room. Soon a voice was heard.
"The great Grodus is in need of us. Then we arrive without delay."
Soon three strange shadow figures appeared. The first was small, had a hunchback and was wearing a blue hat with white stripes. The second was bigger and obese and was wearing a yellow hat with white stripes. The third was of normal height and weight and she was wearing a red hat with white stripes.
"Pray tell." Said the hunchback. "Did the princess tell you where the map is?"
"No Beldam. And you know this is all your fault." Said Grodus. "We'd already have it if you had snatched her earlier, but you missed your chance and now some fool named Mario has the map."
"It wasn't my fault truly. "said Beldam." There were too many witnesses. And then an annoying old man showed up and we had to retreat. But there's no need to worry. All we need to do is find that Mario and take back our map, yes?"
"Exactly. That is your duty. Must I remind you that the map is vital to the x-naut plan?" Said Grodus
"Don't worry. Soon the map and the power of the crystal stars will be ours." Said Beldam. "She then turned to her sisters and said. "Now let's go my lovelies, Marilyn, Vivian. We've got a job to do."
With these words Beldam disappeared in the shadows.
"Guhhh" said the fat one- Marilyn- and disappeared
"Mhhhh." Said Vivian and disappeared
"The treasure of Rogueport will be mine." Said Grodus. "And no one shall stand in my way."
Meanwhile, Peach was inside her room and was really worried.
"Here we go again." She said to herself. "I've been kidnapped again. Mario and Toadsworth must be worried sick. Again."
She then looked around her room and said:
"But where am I anyway? It doesn't look familiar."
Suddenly the door of the cell opened
"What the...?" said Peach in confusion. She couldn't understand how the door opened by itself.
"Who cares?" she said. "Now I can get out."
As she got out, she saw another door opening and after she entered it, another one opened.
"Strange." Thought Peach. "It is like I can somehow make these doors open."
When she entered the last door, she ended up in a room. As she entered, she heard a voice.
"Welcome princess Peach."
"What?" said Peach who couldn't see anyone in the room. "Show yourself. Where are you?"
"How funny." Said the voice. "I'm right here before you."
Peach looked and saw the camera of a computer looking at her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I'm this base's main computer. "replied the computer. "I'm Tec- xx. Many call me Tec. You may as well."
"You're a computer." Said Peach
" Wrong. I'm the world's best computer." replied Tec. "Sir Grodus designed me to be a perfect and flawless computer."
"Sir Grodus? You mean that awful and creepy guy who interrogated me?" asked Peach
"Sir Grodus is not awful." said Tec. "He is the best and nicest person in the world."
"I suppose I won't be able to change your mind." said Peach. "Anyway, why have you brought me here?"
"I don't know." replied Tec. "When I saw you, my system overloaded and I felt the need to bring you here. I need to get to know you better."
"Get to know me better?" said Peach. "Could it be... No. It's impossible."
"What?" asked Tec. "You know what my problem is? Then you must tell me."
"I can't" said Peach. "It's too weird. You're just a computer."
"Princess Peach. Tell me. Please" begged Tec. "I'm the perfect computer. There mustn't be anything I don't know."
"Fine." Said Peach. "Could it be that... you're in love... with me?"
"Love?" asked Tec in confusion. "What is love? I cannot comprehend this."
'What is love? You don't know? Well, how do I explain?" said Peach." Love is when you want to be with someone forever. When it makes you happy just to see this person having fun. When you always want to be with that person to protect it. When you love someone, you do everything you can to help when he or she is in trouble."
"Happiness? Fun?" said Tec. "I have definitions for these words, but... I still cannot understand the meaning of love. There should be nothing I cannot comprehend. I am the perfect computer."
"Comprehend? Love is not something you comprehend. You feel it." Said Peach.
Tec remained silent for a while and then said:
"Princess Peach. Please teach me how to feel this thing you call love."
"What?" asked Peach in shock. "You're a computer. What would you want to know about love?"
"I'm the perfect computer." said Tec. "there must be nothing I cannot understand. Nothing. So please help me learn about love. In exchange I'll grant your wishes."
Peach suddenly liked the idea. It might have been her chance to escape.
"But of course," added Tec. "I'm prohibited from granting a wish such as letting you escape."
Immediately, Peach was disappointed. She realized her hopes were in vain. Suddenly she shouted:
"Are you insane? You jerks kidnapped me like common koopas and now you call me here to teach you the meaning of love? I spit on your screen. You say you'll grant my wishes? Ha! Why should I believe you? I don't have any reason to trust you.
"I can understand you're angry." Replied Tec. "That is an emotion I can comprehend. You don't need to teach me now. But I must learn about this love. I must know everything. I am the perfect computer. So, please promise me to teach me sometime and in exchange I'll grant your wishes. Now tell me your wish.
"O… okay." Said Peach. "Can I contact someone? To let them know I'm fine? The sooner the better."
"Well, I suppose I can allow that. Use my communicator to send a message anywhere you want. Use my keyboard to type the message and the address and I'll sent it."
"Oh, alright." Said Peach. She then used the keyboard wrote a message and an address.
"I'm done." she said after she had finished writing the message. "Could you send it?"
A sound was heard and then Tec said:
"The message has been sent. This is it for now. Please go back to your room. I'll call you again when I want to ask you something."
"Uh... okay. Good night." said Peach and left the room
"Goodnight princess Peach." replied Tec. He then turned off the lights and fell asleep.
…
Meanwhile, we arrive at a castle in the middle of a land full of lava. That's right. It's Bowser's castle. In the throne room many koppatrols and boomerang brothers are gathered. Suddenly, one of the koppatrols guarding the entrance said:
"And now his dishonor, the one and only, the absolutely perfect King Bowser."
Then the doors opened and king Bowser himself entered the room.
"Grrrraa." He shouted. "It's me. Hold your applause minions. And now Kammy Koopa you crusty old hag. Why have you summoned me?"
"Um… king Bowser. This crusty old hag Kammy Koopa hasn't arrived yet. Please wait at your throne." said the one guard
Bowser started walking towards his throne. It wasn't easy. He had only recently recovered from his last encounter with Mario which resulted in him and Kammy Koopa getting blown away. He eventually reached his throne and sat on it. Soon Kammy Koopa entered the room.
"Ah, lord Bowser." She said. She was really puffed. She must have travelled a long distance. "I'm so sorry to keep you waiting."
"I'm sure you are Kammy Koopa. Now tell me. Why have you called me here?"
"My king." Said Kammy Koopa. "I recently received word that that meddling Mario is off to a town called Rogueport."
Immediately Bowser got up and shouted:
"Why should I care? Am I Mario's babysitter? Are you going to call me every time this guy blows his nose?"
Bowser was really mad. Even the very mention of Mario's name made his blood boil.
"Well, you see my lord," said Kammy Koopa. "Apparently Mario is hunting for a legendary treasure."
"Tr... Treasure?" asked Bowser in surprise
"Exactly. Mario is looking for the fabled treasure of Rogueport." said Kammy Koopa. "He's looking for objects known as the crystal stars. We're still researching what they are, but there is no question of their high value.
"Crystal stars? They sound valuable. And powerful. I want them. This may be our ticket to world domination. Find out all you can Kammy Koopa." said Bowser
"Yes, my lord." replied Kammy Koopa and she turned around to leave when she suddenly stopped and said:
"By the way lord Bowser, do you like fried eggs?"
Bowser stared at her confused and thought of what to answer. He eventually said:
"I love fried eggs. Love them." He then looked at Kammy Koopa and said:
"But that's a really weird question. Why do you ask?"
"You know," Kammy Koopa replied. "During my Mario research I came across a place called Petal Meadows. It is lovely. I was thinking about taking everyone there for a picnic having fired eggs and toast. Of course, I wouldn't think of sending out invitations without asking you first."
"Airhead!" shouted Bowser "I'm about to start a search for some world- conquering tools and you want to organize a picnic? That's why my plans always fail. Because you idiots always goof off." Bowser then started stomping angrily his foot on the ground.
"Please lord Bowser calm down. Think of your blood pressure." Said Kammy Koopa, but Bowser was so absorbed in his outbreak that he didn't hear her. Suddenly, kamek the magikoopa entered the room and whispered something in Kammy Koopa's ear.
"What?" she said. "Is it true? That's horrible."
Immediately, kamek left the room and Kammy Koopa said to Bowser:
"My lord, terrible news. Someone abducted princess Peach in Rogueport."
Bowser immediately stopped and said: What? Tell me that you're lying. How? Where? When? Who'd do such a thing? Besides me."
"I'm afraid we don't know yet." Said Kammy Koopa. "The investigation is ongoing. However, one thing is for certain. The princess has been kidnapped."
"Under NO circumstances is anyone allowed to kidnap her without my say-so. I'll go and kidnap her back now."
With these words Bowser left the room.
"King Bowser. Wait." shouted Kammy Koopa and followed him
"You think they'll return?" asked one of the entrance guards
" Who knows?" said another entrance guard
Soon a loud noise was heard and suddenly the door burst open crashing the two guards and Bowser entered with his clown car.
"I'll take princess Peach for myself and no one will stand in my way."
Then Bowser burst through the wall and left.
"Wait for me." shouted Kammy Koopa who was riding on her flying broom. She then went through the hole bowser had opened and followed him.
…
Meanwhile, in petal Meadows Mario Goombela and Koops were greeting the others.
"So, Koops you'll go with Mario?" asked his dad
"Yes dad. He's my friend and he helped me defeat Hooktail and rescue you. So now I'll help him on his quest."
"Good luck Koops." said Koopie Koo. "And return to me okay?"
"Of course." Replied Koops
"Don't worry." said Mario. "Together we can handle anything."
"Indeed." said Goombela. "Now come on. We've got six more crystal stars to find."
And so, the three friends left Petalburg. As they were looking for the pipe to Rogueport, Mario started shaking and a weird noise was heard.
"What is that Mario?" asked Goombela
"It is my brand-new e-mail device." Replied Mario and took out his mailbox SP.
"This is neat." Said Koops. "Do you have an e-mail?"
"Yes." Said Mario and opened the mailbox. He opened the mail and read:
Dearest Mario,
I'm writing this mail in hope that it reaches you safely. I'm being held against my will in a strange place. I don't know where I am, but I am unharmed and in comfort. Those who kidnapped me are after the same map I sent you earlier. They want it to find some objects called the crystal stars. They know you have the map so be careful and don't worry about me.
Princess Peach
"I'm glad to learn that Peach is safe and unharmed." said Mario
"Yeah, but I didn't like that thing about her kidnappers looking for the crystal stars too." Said Goombela
"Yes. I think we might have trouble in the future." Said Koops
"Anyway, let's just go on." replied Mario
Soon they reached the pipe and returned to Rogueport sewers. Eventually they reached the thousand-year door.
"Come on Mario." Said Goombela. "Hold aloft the first crystal star."
Mario did so and suddenly the same light as the last time started shining. Soon a giant tree appeared on a forest on the map and on it appeared a green crystal star. When it was over, Mario and the others looked at the map.
"What is this?" asked Koops
"I have no idea." Replied Goombela
"But maybe professor Frankly does" said Mario "Let's take the map to him."
Later, after our heroes had returned to professor Frankly's house, he looked at the map for a while and then said:
"I see. It's crystal clear."
"So, can you tell us where the next crystal star is?" asked Koops
"Of course. It is Boggly woods. The second crystal star is in the great tree there." Said professor Frankly
"The great tree in Boggly woods?" asked Goombela
"Yes." replied professor Frankly. 'I don't know much about that place. I just know that some odd little insect-like creatures called punies live there. And if I remember correctly somewhere beneath the town is a pipe leading there."
"Um, you know professor there is something you need to know." said Koops. "Mario got an e-mail from princess Peach. She said that she's been kidnapped and her captors are also looking for the crystal stars. She also said that she doesn't know where she's being held."
"Hmmm." Said professor Frankly. 'If her captors also want the crystal stars what do they hope to achieve? Could the treasure be... Uhg. Too many unknowns. Unfortunately, the only reliable clues we have are the crystal stars and the map.
"So, I guess all we can do is go to Boggly woods and find the second crystal star, right?" said Koops
"Exactly." said professor Frankly. "You must find it before Peach's captors do. I'll find out whatever I can about the crystal stars and the map."
Mario and his friends left professor Frankly's house and returned to Rogueport sewers. There they started looking for the pipe to Boggly woods when they saw a small little insect which run away when it saw them.
"What was that?" asked Goombela
"It looked like one of those punies professor Frankly was talking about." Said Mario. "Let's follow it. It might know here the pipe is.
So, they followed the puni and soon cornered it
"No. St…stay away from me. Don't eat me." Shouted the puni
"Relax." Said Koops. "We're not here to eat you."
"Really?" asked the puni. "You're not bullies?
"Of course not. "said Mario. 'Even if we were, we don't eat insects."
"Phew. For a minute I feared I might have an accident." Said the puni
"You're a puni right? "said Goombela. 'What are you doing here?"
"How do you know about me?" asked then puni and then said: No! You're working for the x-nauts, aren't you? You chased me here. It's the end."
"X-nauts? What are these?" asked Mario
"No idea. "replied Goombela
"Me neither." replied Koops and then added. "Listen. We are not here to do ANYTHING to you so calm down and tell us what's going on."
"Oh, alright." Said the puni. "The other day, those bad guys who call themselves x-nauts came to the great tree where we punies live and started tearing everything apart. The situation is grave so I came here to find help."
"Wait." said Koops. He then turned to the others and said: "Guys. If these x-nauts are the fiends who kidnapped the princess then they must be looking for the crystal star.
"Now that you mention it," said the puni. "they did say something about a crystal star, but we don't know anything about it. Listen, could you help us kick the x-nauts out of our house. If you do so, we'll tell the puni elder to give you that crystal star. Alright?"
"Sure." Said Mario
"You got." Said Goombela.
"Yeah. I would feel really bad if we didn't do anything." Said Koops.
"Thank you. My name is Punio. come on. Follow me."
Our heroes followed Punio and soon reached a pipe
"You can get to Boggly woods where we live through that pipe. Hurry" Said Punio and entered the pipe shortly followed by Mario and his friends.
So, I'm done with interlude 1. Next will be chapter 2. Please write reviews to let me know what you think of my work.