Sorry for posting this chapter kinda late (if anyone is even reading this yet), I've been quite busy with homework and all. Anyway, on with the story!
Chapter 3: Spying
Having arrived at Peach's Castle, Pinto was surprised that it didn't have guards like Beanbean Castle did. This will be easier than I thought, Pinto thought with a smile, now I just need to stick to my plan. Pinto's plan was basically: a) tell anyone who asked that he was a tourist and b) listen to various conversations around the castle. So on Pinto walked, right through the gates, thinking perhaps it was too easy. But that thought went away as soon as he saw that almost everyone was still helping rebuild the castle. Huh, thought Pinto, it looked fine on the outside. Most the toads were too busy to notice him, but the ones who did simply shrugged and went back to work. "I wonder if it's a good idea for the princess to go to Sarasaland while the castle is still being rebuilt..." said a working toad. "Maybe, but what's the worst that could happen? I mean, Bowser's still rebuilding his castle and apparently the Fawful guy is dead. Who would attack us now?" replied another. The first one thought and said, "true, but Mario is gonna be her bodyguard, so he won't be here." The second one contemplated this and, with a shrug, replied, "let's hope we can count on Luigi."
I have to find out if this is true, Pinto thought, they might know I'm working for Fawful, and if so, this could be a trap. After asking for directions, he headed up to Princess Peach's room (apparently most tourists wanted to meet the princess, so this question was not regarded suspiciously). Pinto checked to make sure noone was looking, and put his ear to the door. Toadsworth's voice was heard first. "But princess, must we leave the castle unguarded? What is the point in leaving, anyway?" The princess's voice was next. "Don't worry, Toadsworth, Luigi will protect the castle. But Daisy said she had to meet with me for some reason before, and our leaving was postponed due to my kidnapping." With how many times she's been kidnapped, she must be late for everything, thought Pinto. Toadsworth sighed, realizing he couldn't argue with the princess, and gave in. "We will leave in a week." well I guess it's true then... I should report to Fawful before anyone sees me, Pinto thought.
When Pinto finally entered Fawful's lair (he got lost in the sewers), Fawful seemed to be over with his rant about Mario and Luigi, and was working on the blueprints for a complicated machine. The only thing Pinto could make out was 'cloaking device.' "Fawful? I have news." Pinto said. The next thing he knew, a laser gun was pointed at his head and he faced the glaring face of Fawful. Fawful, recognizing Pinto's face, relaxed and said, "oh. It has being you. What is this 'news' having being of?" Pinto, still somewhat shocked at having a laser gun pointed at his head, reported, "Mar- I mean, uh, 'the brother of Red,' and the princess are going to Sarasaland to see Daisy in about a week." Fawful grinned, grabbed the blueprints, and ran into a nearby room. He reappeared, said, "way of the by, work of goodness!" and ducked behind a door. Pinto was about to ask what he was doing when a black gloved hand came out from behind the door and put a post-it on the door which read: 'DO NOT HAVE THE DISTURBINGNESS!' Pinto sighed and left for Toad Town to get something to eat, hoping someplace sold food for under seven coins, which was how much he had.