Chapter 16 The Other Super Mario
Wendy sucked in an anxious breath as she stared at Peach's Castle, resting just at the bottom of the grassy hill they were standing on. Mario had to be there; he usually was. At least she hoped that was the case.
"Looks like we're here," Wendy said to Bowser and Larry.
"So then what are we waiting for?" Bowser said. He jumped down and started to rush toward the marvelous white structure. Wendy felt frightened as she watched her tiny father tumble through the blades of grass.
"Bowser, wait!" Wendy called.
"Yeah, we can't just go up and knock on the front door!" Larry said.
"Why not?" Bowser called back without stopping. "That is the easiest solution!"
Bowser continued to run as fast as her little legs could carry him. Wendy exchanged a look with Larry. As much as she loved Bowser, she had to admit that he was not the best at coming up with plans. Together, the two started to run after him. Wendy made sure to be careful where she stepped so she didn't accidentally squish the Koopa King.
"Mario! You hoo!" Bowser called out. Despite the fact that he was now only three inches tall, he moved with an impressive speed. Larry and Wendy had trouble catching up to him.
"Bowser!" Wendy called out in fright. "Please stop before we alert the guards!"
Unfortunately, Wendy called out her warning too late. Two toad guards approached them, brandishing their gleaming spears.
"What are you guys doing here?" one of the guards asked in a screechy, shrill voice.
"You do realize that you guys are basically wanted criminals in this kingdom, right?" the other toad asked with a similar vocal quality.
Wendy gulped. She did not want to fight. It was unnecessary, and would ultimately lead to more harm than good. On top of that, Wendy was not in any position to fight, as the journey from the Koopa Kingdom had left her winded and exhausted.
"We do," she said gently. "But don't even criminals get a break sometime?"
The two toads snickered. Then they put on their serious faces again, pointing their spears directly at Wendy's chest.
"Give me one good reason why we shouldn't lock you in the dungeon right now," one said.
Wendy exchanged a fearfully look with Larry. What should they do? Not knowing any other way around this, Wendy decided that the best thing to do would to just be honest.
"Uh, we need to see Mario," she said. "Immediately."
"And why in the Mushroom World would you want to do that?"
Larry chuckled nervously.
"Because...we're delivering an early birthday present to him?"
The toads growled and rushed at the two Koopalings. Before they could move very far, they both screamed. Wendy was confused until she saw that their shoes were on fire. She also saw Bowser laughing triumphantly, his lips decorated by orange flames.
"Ha ha!" he exclaimed. "That's what you get for messing with my kids!"
The toads ran away, trying their best to put the flame out. Wendy picked up Bowser and held him in her palm. She smiled at him.
"Thanks Bowser."
"Anytime, kiddo. Now let's go get that plumber."
Wendy nodded and started to approach the castle. Wendy looked down into the moat and could see colorful confetti floating on the crystal clear surface. She wondered if there was a celebration in the Mushroom Kingdom recently. She found it kind of ironic if there was, for she, Larry, and Bowser certainly weren't coming to the Castle to celebrate. Wendy opened the pink painted door slowly and led her brother down the silky, red carpet. As she approached the throne room, she heard hearty laughter.
"Oh, Mario," Wendy heard Luigi's voice echo, "you are absolutely hilarious!"
"Of course I am!" Mario responded in his thick Italian accent. "I grew up with you, after all!"
Wendy entered the throne room and saw the Mario Brothers, snacking on sugar cookies and lattes. Wendy was just about to speak up, but Bowser did it for her.
"Hey, Mario brothers!"
Mario and Luigi looked toward the door and gasped. Luigi looked like he would wet his pants at the sight of the Koopas. Mario, however, looked like he was ready to bash their brains into the sides of their skulls.
"What are you doing here?" Mario demanded. "How did you get passed the guards!"
Larry chuckled.
"Well, let's just say they didn't get cold feet."
Larry giggled. Wendy turned to him with a glare.
"Really? Now?" she asked.
"What? I can't lighten the mood?" Larry asked. "I think it's pretty necessary since Mario looks ready to kill us!"
Mario gritted his teeth at the Koopas, his eyes practically glimmering with anger.
"You guys have a lot of nerve showing yourselves here," he said. "Now, you have five seconds to get your tails out of here before I get my fire flower. One, two…"
"Wait!" Wendy held up her hand in defense. "We don't want any trouble."
"Yeah," said Bowser. "As much as we hate to admit it, we need your help."
Mario stared at Bowser in surprise. Luigi chuckled.
"Look at Bowser! He's so tiny!"
Bowser nodded and got to explaining the situation to the Mario Brothers. Once he was done, Mario and Luigi exchanged a look.
"Hmmm," Mario said.
"I know," Luigi said. "That sounds unbelievable even for them."
"But it's true!" said Larry. He confiscated Bowser from Wendy and approached the Mario Brothers. "You think we would do this to our own father?"
Mario eyed the tiny Koopa King with a raised eyebrow.
"I suppose that would be a little bit unlike you…"
"Please, Mario," Wendy begged. "We need your help. We can't fight these alternate Koopalings by ourselves."
"Yeah," said Larry. "We need the best Koopa crushers this side of Sarasaland; we need you guys."
Mario looked over at Luigi, whose fear hand been replaced with sympathy. He let out a sigh.
"We'll help," he said. "Just let me get my fire flowers."