Chapter 15 Super Mario

Roy didn't need to be told when the party entered the Mushroom Kingdom; he could tell based off of the scenery. Sure, the change from gray and gloomy to bright and grassy had been subtle at first, but when the Koopalings were actually in the Mushroom Kingdom, Roy could definitely tell. The walk through the brisk, shiny plains of the Mushroom Kingdom countryside was very refreshing when compared to Dark Land.

"So, where are the Mario brothers hanging out at?" Roy asked the twins.

"Probably…."

"...at their house! That's where…"

"...they usually hang out."

Roy was starting to feel his head spin from the twins sharing each other's sentences. Seriously, how did they do that?

"Woah, what is that?" Lemmy asked. He pointed across the way at a very tall creature with a splotchy mushroom cap. He had a long, dirty nose that was covered in the worst sort of acne, and his skin was coarse and rough.

"Oh, that's a toad," Hop said. Roy snickered back a laugh.

"That's a toad? Man, that thing is ugly!"

The toad turned toward the Koopalings. While his eyes weren't visible, Roy could see that his mood changed dramatically. He opened his mouth and yelled toward the party;

"What are you Koopa creeps doing in the Mushroom Kingdom?"

The twins stepped forward, completely unfazed by their enemy's hostility. As a matter of fact, they seemed to immensely appreciate it, as they smiled in amusement.

"We're here to see the Mario Brothers!" the twins said in unison. The toad scoffed.

"Bah! You reeking reptiles have no chance of seeing someone as important as the Mario Brothers. You might as well go back to Dark Land."

Hip's eyebrows narrowed.

"We can't," he said. "We need to see…"

"...the Mario Brothers as soon as possible! It's urgent!" said Hop.

The Toad eyed the Koopas suspiciously. Roy wondered what the World Eight was up with this guy. He was acting as if being a koopa was a crime against humanity!

"Why should the Mario Brothers help you guys?" asked the Toad.

Ludwig stepped forward, wearing the diplomatic expression that Roy absolutely loathed.

"Listen bud," he said, "we really don't want any trouble here. But if we don't see the Mario Brothers immediately, then the whole world could be at stake! Please sir, take us to the Mario Brothers!"

The toad's gaze seemed to soften. At least, Roy thought it softened; without seeing the toad's eyes, he couldn't really tell. Finally, the toad sighed.

"Alright, fine," he said grumpily. "I'll take you guys to the Mario Brothers."

Hip and Hop shared a victory high five. Ludwig and Lemmy breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you very much," Ludwig said.

"Yeah!" said Lemmy. "We appreciate it very much, kind sir!"

The toad looked surprised, and Roy had no idea why. Was it because Lemmy and Ludwig said thank you? Man, that guy must not get thanked very often!

Anyway, the toad led the six koopas to a pleasant little village. The houses were mushroom houses, and they had roofs that were orange with red splotches decorating the top. Roy did not like their designs; they reminded him of vomit. Before the koopas entered the village, there were all sorts of mushroom people populating the streets. When they actually entered, however, Roy heard someone cry out:

"Koopas!"

And that was that. All the Mushroom people on the streets completely disappeared. It was like they were squirrels who scurried into their tree homes when the dog came up to them. Roy was confused.

"Man, what's up with those guys?" he asked. "Do I have something on my face?"

The toad who was leading them rolled his eyes. But again, Roy was ignorant to the reason why.

The party walked for about ten minutes, observing the deserted streets. Finally, when they came up to one particularly big Mushroom house, the toad stopped.

"We're here," he said.

As the toad stepped onto the front stoop, Roy actually felt really excited. He wondered what the Mario Brothers looked like in this universe. Did they wear top hats and monocles? Were they superheroes who wore capes? Ooh, maybe they were bikers in a gang! That would be cool; Roy had always wanted to join a gang.

However, when Mario actually answered the door, Roy felt disappointment take hold of him. He looked exactly the same! Sure, he wore red overalls instead of blue, and he was much fatter than the actual Mario. But aside from that, he was exactly the same! Dang it, Roy was really riding on Mario being in a biker gang!

"Mario," the toad said. "You have some visitors."

"Visitors?" Mario asked.

Roy was shocked. That...that was not the voice he expected to come out of Mario's mouth. It was much deeper, and more...Brooklyny. Despite himself, Roy fell into giggles. Morton looked toward him in curiosity.

"What's so funny?" he asked. Mario looked toward them and gawked.

"Hey! What are you Koopa creeps doing on my doorstep?"

Roy couldn't take it anymore. He burst like a bubble into laugher, falling to the ground in the process.

"Oh man, Mario, you sound hilarious!" he said in between giggles. Mario eyed him with both incredulity and suspicion.

"Well, you don't sound one hundred percent on the mark either, Bully," he said.

"Oh, he's not Bully," Hop spoke up. "His name is…"

"...Roy!" said Hip. He smiled at Mario like one would smile at someone they looked up to. "He's from another dimension!"

Mario snickered.

"Yeah, that sounds likely," he said sarcastically.

"But it's true," Lemmy said as he stepped forward. "We really are from another dimension!"

"Yeah," said Morton with worry in his eyes. "And we really need your help!"

Mario raised an eyebrow.

"You guys need my help?" he asked, his voice supersaturated with skepticism.

"Yes," said Ludwig in desperation. "King Koopa has our brother under his control, and his rotten kids are trying to take over our universe! Please Mario, please help!"

Mario's eyes softened noticeably in surprise.

"Wow," he said quietly as he looked down at the floor. "That's the first time a koopa has ever said please to me."

Roy watched Mario as he considered his options. Roy was really growing impatient waiting for him to make up his mind. He really wanted to shout "come on, help us already!," but one look at the worry in his brother's eyes told him that probably wouldn't be a good idea. Finally, Mario let out a teensy smile.

"Alright," he said with determination. "I'll help you!"

AN: Happy Mar10 Day everybody :)