CHAPTER THREE
A MOST CURIOUS INVITATION

"It helped that the Mushroom Kingdom had a boogeyman of sorts. Some may not imagine it today, but if you asked anyone alive just a few years ago, the Koopa Empire had been that boogeyman. How many times did Emperor Bowser try to kidnap Princess Peach or conquer our land? If anyone did not fear Bowser or the Empire, then… well, they're either made of sterner stuff, or they were simply too young to understand. But… I'll admit, I don't think I could've ever predicted the flurry of events that would've arisen that day Mario showed up in New Donk City."

Pauline Verducci, Prime Minister of the Mushroom Kingdom, The Great Reconciliation 1875 AF

Mario jolted awake at the intercom announcement with a sharp snort, pushing the brim of his cap up and rubbing his eyes to clear away the cobwebs. As the familiar skyscrapers of New Donk City came into view, he smiled at the charm of his home city. He hadn't been back here in years, and it wouldn't hurt to see how the city had changed since the mishap with that giant gorilla. Mario made sure that his cap was fastened over his head and walked off the airship, breathing in the air of the city with a sense of joy.

Unlike everywhere else in the Mushroom Kingdom, there were no throngs of fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the fabled Jumpman, Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom, or the Super Mario, or whatever other titles they gave him. Here, he could be the simple former plumber who happened to do something extraordinary. He wasn't Super Mario; he was just Mario Segale.

Mario had exchanged his usual red shirt and blue overalls combo for a red button-down shirt, grey vest, and a pair of black slacks. New Donk City may not have fawned over him like the people of Portabello did, but he still preferred a change of pace. Granted, wearing his hat was a dead giveaway, but he also knew that likenesses of his cap were all the rage throughout the Mushroom Kingdom.

Fame wasn't something he necessarily hated, but trying to perpetually live up to the myths and legends? That was exhausting. Defeating Smithy alongside Peach, Bowser, Mallow, and Geno had only boosted his reputation much to his chagrin. No matter how many times he explained that the others contributed, they always insisted on trying to place him on a pedestal.

As Mario walked down the bustling streets of New Donk City, he couldn't help but notice how different everything had become. The towering skyscrapers were even taller now, and the streets were wider and more crowded than ever before. He spotted a neon sign advertising a new club that hadn't been there before and heard the blaring of car horns in the distance. Despite what he had told Luigi that night at his apartment, he had been curious as to what Pauline was doing now as Mayor of New Donk City.

He tossed a silver Florin coin to the paper boy standing on the corner and took a newspaper before a low growl from his stomach caused him to redirect his focus towards finding a place to eat. His eyes lit up at the sight of a familiar restaurant, Vesuvio. Mario entered the restaurant and took note of the patrons within. Most wore formal attire or something approaching business casual; however, two individuals stood out to him. One was a young human woman with flaming red hair that ended in golden trips. Across from her sat a dark gray scaled lizard-like being with silver hair and glowing blue eyes. Her own bright purple eyes glanced up and widened momentarily, and for a moment, Mario thought the woman was going to announce his presence rather loudly; however, she seemed to direct her focus back towards her companion.

Brushing it aside, Mario sat himself at a table and set the paper down next to him. A waiter had approached and handed him a menu. Thanking the waiter, Mario soon turned his attention to a headline that caught his attention.

'Silence from the Empire causes concerns. Well, of course… Bowser's got to be planning something.' He thought blandly, 'This is just him trying to lure us into a false sense of security…'

The waiter returned with a glass of water and took Mario's order as the plumber tried to ignore the headlines about Lord Solomon Graemon's charity dinner, which Princess Peach had attended with a young Baron of Duskhaven. Mario's mouth twitched at the picture of the man dancing with the Princess. He recalled Luigi mentioning Lord Oliver Pembrook at some point and described him as a pleasant individual. Rereading the article, Mario frowned at the mention of Lord Graemon's support for Peach's programs in the Senate.

'The old bastard is after something…' he thought irritably.

The arrival of his breakfast distracted him from thoughts of the Duke of Ironpointe and the Baron of Duskhaven. The waiter deftly carried the platter to his table, delivering a plate of crespelle filled with spinach, mushrooms, and ricotta cheese and setting down a cup of macchiato beside the plate.

"Is there anything else I can get you, sir?" the waiter asked with a warm smile.

"No, thank you. Everything looks wonderful!" Mario exclaimed as he returned the smile.

The waiter nodded as Mario placed a napkin in his lap and picked up his fork. However, a small laugh caught his attention.

"You know, I never thought I'd see the day when Super Mario graced my town," a familiar voice called out to him. "I hope this doesn't mean there's another crazy gorilla on the loose."

Mario's eyes widened as he looked up to see a slender woman grinning at him. Jumping to his feet, he exclaimed, "Madame Mayor...! I-I didn't know you were here!"

Pauline Verducci wrinkled her nose, "Oh come on Mario...! Don't be like everyone else! It's only Pauline," she exclaimed before pulling him into a hug.

Mario felt his cheeks warm as she sat down at the table opposite him. He rubbed his neck in embarrassment as he chuckled weakly, "Yeah... sorry, you spend time in the capital and you pick up some interesting habits," he said before returning to his own seat.

"And a new sense of dress," Pauline nodded with a grin. "Can't say I miss the overalls."

Mario laughed, "Hey, don't knock the classics! Besides, it's not like I dress any differently than you do."

Pauline rolled her eyes before taking a sip of her own macchiato. She put the cup down and looked at him. Mario immediately felt like she was x-raying him with the way she was staring at him. Mario brought a forkful of food to his mouth and chewed thoughtfully as he met her gaze. The aftermath of that crazy gorilla's rampage had, among other things, caused them to drift apart. Sure, they had patched things up before he moved to Portabello, but there had been a lot of things said during their falling out that neither of them could ever really take back. Besides, as he had told Luigi, whatever magic they once had was gone.

Mario shifted in his seat, feeling the awkwardness set in. "So... how have you been?" he asked instead, trying to keep the conversation light.

Pauline rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Well, if you must know... I've been trying to work out a deal with Gadd Science to improve the security of the city. Nothing too crazy, mind you, just some basic improvements to the existing infrastructure." Her shoulders slumped as she continued, "Unfortunately, the City Council has been dragging their feet, citing concerns about cost and wanting to wait and see who gets the honor of helping modernize the Royal Armed Forces first. Personally, I think the King will tap Gadd, but... I'm worried."

Mario's frown deepened as he heard her concern. He thought back to his recent conversation with Peach and the tension he had sensed between her and the King. Gadd Science Incorporated had always been a safe choice for the Kingdom's technological needs, but now Pauline, of all people, was expressing doubts. As he sipped his drink, Mario hummed thoughtfully and asked, "What's got you worried?"

Instead of answering immediately, Pauline scanned the restaurant before turning her attention back to Mario. Doing a scan of his own, Mario could not help but notice that the woman sitting across from the lizard-man was staring at him again. People staring at him wasn't unusual, he supposed. The legendary Jumpman sitting in a restaurant, talking to an important political figure? It must have been like seeing goombas walk on water. Still, something about it unnerved him.

"It's probably not a good idea to discuss this in public," Pauline muttered, her expression growing grimmer. She tapped her finger on the newspaper in front of her and added, "But it's not exactly private, either.

Mario made a mental note not to discard the paper and nodded in agreement, "Yeah, a restaurant isn't the best place for political discussions." He smiled. "So, setting the politics aside, what else has happened?"

Pauline shrugged, "Honestly, aside from dealing with the aftermath of the Smithy Gang's invasion, the city has been relatively calm. That is until recently," she replied. "But the real struggle is getting people to be honest with me. Some think I'm above reproach because of my time as a prosecutor. But, I mean... I brought Scapelli down. That doesn't mean I'm perfect, does it?"

Mario felt his jaw drop slightly before he shook his head, "Wait...you took down Anthony Scapelli? The guy who put my brother and me out of business...That Scapelli?" He asked for clarification. "You have to tell me how you did it."

Pauline laughed softly, "Well...you and Luigi were in Sarasaland at the time, so you wouldn't have heard about it. I was representing a family who had lost their daughter in what appeared to be a freak accident at an archaeological dig. The dig was sponsored by Scapelli Construction, and they provided the funding and the necessary equipment."

"What was the dig about?" Mario asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Apparently, the dig was about a fable about the legend of the Crystal Stars. I'm sure you know the story. An ancient, terrible demon created seven objects to harness the power of Star Haven, only to be destroyed by four heroes - or so the story goes." Pauline replied. "The seven that the demon created were imitations. The survivors all had excellent records. But even they couldn't put it all together," she said, shaking her head. "Sorry, I got sidetracked. Remember when Scapelli bought your plumbing business?"

Mario's expression turned sour at the memory. "Yes. What he said and what I signed were two different things. He said I'd get to retain partnership, but what I signed gave him sole ownership," he replied, frowning at Pauline. "I made a costly mistake."

The mayor closed her eyes briefly before sighing, "In any case, Scapelli lied to the university in question about the equipment being up to standard. Turns out, he imported inferior products from Rogueport to save a few extra coins."

Mario gave an undignified snort, "Typical Scapelli. But even so, that hardly qualifies as nailing him to a board."

Pauline raised a finger, "Ah, but that's where you're wrong!" she declared happily. "One of the autopsies had uncovered the son of a Duke. It drew the attention of the Internal Security Bureau, and the Duke himself had even done a little digging into Scapelli's other dealings. Apparently, he had ties to organized crime with the Pianta Syndicate."

Mario's eyebrows shot up as his eyes widened slightly, "I always thought he was a shady businessman, but...wow," he muttered.

"Exactly. Such revelations finally sealed the deal for the mogul. Right now, he's probably doing a stint at Bargate, experiencing firsthand what it's like to make big rocks into little rocks," Pauline said, pausing as if in thought. "Couldn't have happened to a nicer fellow if you ask me."

"Damn," the plumber chuckled. "Okay, you got me there."

Pauline regarded him thoughtfully, "You know, if you wanted to, you could reclaim your plumbing business now."

Mario shook his head, "Nah. I've been out of the game for too long, and honestly...these days, I focus more on improving my home," he said with a faint smile.

"Oh? You haven't been spending time with our fair princess?" Pauline asked, tilting her head.

Mario hid his discomfort as he shook his head. "Nah. Ever since His Majesty appointed her Prime Minister, the princess has been... busy." He took a deep drink from his glass, hiding his face. After exhaling quietly, he put the glass back on the table and looked up at the frowning mayor. "What?"

"Mario..." Pauline began in an almost soft tone, "...I know that look."

He snorted. Of course she did. They had been romantically involved during their high school years and even in their early twenties. Six years might have separated that bitter memory from the present, but Pauline still knew him better than many people. Mario leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly.

"So... I haven't really been to the palace much," he admitted. "Honestly, until about two weeks ago, I wasn't even sure if I was still welcome." The expectant look indicated that she obviously wanted more information before commenting. "To sum it up? I made an ass out of myself."

Pauline's lips pressed into a thin line. The look in her eyes brought back horrible memories of the things he had said to her in a fit of frustration. Mario felt uncomfortable as he tried to maintain eye contact with her, but he couldn't escape the thought that the mayor was examining him. Suddenly, Pauline leaned back with a sad smile on her face.

"I see," she said quietly. That was all she said.

"I just..." Mario started before interrupting himself. "I thought there was something." He muttered. "I felt like there was a chance that we could be together. A stupid part of me thought for a while that it was because I'm a commoner or because I'm from Crimino..."

"Then you are definitely an idiot." Pauline agreed with a nod. "I never had much to do with her, but I never got that impression from her."

Mario felt the corners of his mouth twitch. Pauline hadn't lost a step in knowing how to cut through the nonsense. He was beginning to understand how she got elected mayor. He sighed, "I know that. It still hurt like hell. I was so sure that she would return my feelings that I never thought about the possibility of being rejected." He laughed bitterly, "After we defeated Smithy... I remember talking to Peach privately. I told her how I felt, and she did her best to let me down gently. I just... I walked away thinking I had messed everything up."

Pauline frowned, "Don't tell me you were mad at her?"

"Not at her, no." Mario began. He sighed, "I was mad at myself for being mad, you know? I felt entitled or something. For a short while, I actually still went to the palace to talk to her and her father, but our interactions were never quite the same. Then... I stopped going altogether. It got so bad that Luigi moved out and got his own place. But I had stayed away mostly to sort out my own thoughts."

Pauline sighed, "You said it was like this until two weeks ago?"

"She actually summoned me to the palace." Mario chuckled. "As averse to politics as I am? I knew better than to ignore a royal summons. We talked for a while and I think we're on our way to rebuilding our friendship anyway." He frowned into his cup, "It's kind of funny, about six months ago someone irritated me when they made a snide remark about how similar I was to Bowser. But looking back? I think they had a point."

"Bollocks!" Pauline snapped. "If you believe that, you're an idiot."

Mario shrugged and started ticking off a list on his fingers, "Let's see… a bit of a temper problem, stubborn as a mule, and… on some level obsessed with a pretty blonde?"

"Oh hush and I'll explain what I mean," She groaned, "Suppose—Just… suppose, you got wind of Peach pursuing someone else. It could be that guy she's dancing with in that photo, it could be Bowser for all I care. She's with someone else of her own free will, would you—could you accept it?"

It was a challenge to hide the wince, but Mario managed it with difficulty. Leave it to Pauline to ask such a difficult question. Thinking objectively about Bowser, or even Peach, was difficult. Leaning back, he ran a thumb over his mustache and sighed thoughtfully. Pauline just stared at him expectantly as she sipped her own glass of macchiato. Mario closed his eyes and returned to the question. Could he accept that? Mario opened his eyes and popped the last bites of his meal into his mouth. He looked at Pauline, who was waiting patiently. Chewing thoughtfully, he couldn't imagine a scenario like the one she had presented, but that wasn't the question.

Swallowing, Mario sighed, "It would be... difficult." He pressed the word down like a Thwomp crushing a particularly annoying pest, "But... if she were truly happy and made that choice? I'd accept it."

The mayor nodded and smiled, "There you go." She spoke. "Oh, you'd be upset, even hurt, but you'd want the princess to be happy. You'd accept that her happiness wasn't with you." Pauline tapped the table with her index finger. "If the shoe were on the other foot, I don't think the Emperor would have been so conciliatory. I dare say... he would have killed whoever she pursued."

Mario winced at the thought. It was certainly not a thought he had considered. Would Bowser really have killed him if the plumber had pursued the princess instead? Shuddering at the thought, Mario downed the last of his drink and sighed, "You know..." He began slowly, "I should come here more often."

"The city or the restaurant?" Pauline inquired with a smile.

"Pick one." Mario grinned in reply.

They sat in companionable silence for a moment before a voice called out, "E-Excuse me… are you… the Mario Segale?" A cheerful, if nervous voice called out.

Belle's patience was wearing thin as she twirled her fork through the crespelle on her plate. While the food was certainly enjoyable, the past two days had been agonizingly slow as they played the part of vacant-headed tourists. Belle couldn't help but feel bothered by her own performance, particularly the abnormal sound of her voice.

"Sir...!" she hissed, catching Vossak's attention. "He's here!"

Vossak looked up and saw Mario walking toward an empty table, nodding in acknowledgement. His composure was unflappable, as always. Belle rolled her eyes at his lack of concern. Being in such close proximity to the Pyreburner was not something she had anticipated and it made her uneasy.

"You seem...troubled," Vossak spoke up, his voice laced with amusement.

Belle growled, her mood darkening. "Brilliant deduction, that," she muttered under her breath. "What the bloody hell are we going to do now? This wasn't where he was supposed to show up!"

Vossak smiled indulgently, as if he knew something she didn't. "Patience, Commander," he said. "Yes, this presents a new challenge. But we must wait for the opportune moment."

Belle groaned and took another bite of her food, the taste of crespelle and strawberries mingling in her mouth. The meal was good, but it couldn't distract her from Vossak's cryptic words. What were they waiting for? She looked around the restaurant, taking in the surroundings. The Ministry of Public Instruction and Enlightenment never talked about this side of military life. Long periods of routine and boredom were the frequent companions of military life. The welcoming of intermittent challenges and danger broke up the monotony, certainly.

Suddenly, Belle's attention was drawn back to Mario as a woman with brown hair approached him and embraced him as if they were old friends. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me...!" she muttered, her frustration growing. She turned to Vossak, her voice low and urgent. "What the hell do we do now? The plan was to approach Mario by himself!"

Vossak's expression remained serene as he watched the woman with Mario. "Do not worry, Commander. Our mission has not changed. We will simply have to adapt to the situation."

Belle gritted her teeth, feeling the weight of the mission pressing down on her. "And how do you propose we do that?" she asked.

Vossak leaned in close, his voice low and conspiratorial. "We wait and watch. Observe the situation and gather intelligence."

Belle nodded, begrudgingly accepting Vossak's plan. It was frustrating, but there was little else they could do at the moment. She continued to watch the interaction between Mario and the woman, noting the easy familiarity between them. Who was she, and what was her connection to Mario?

As Mario turned his gaze towards her, Belle quickly suppressed a curse. Had she given away their objective? Vossak's eyes shifted towards their table and he gave a small smile, "No need to worry, Commander. Mario has returned to his conversation." he said matter-of-factly. "Do you remember the known associates of Mario?"

Belle furrowed her brow and sifted through her memory of sleepless nights spent memorizing the names of Mario's confidants. After a moment, the realization dawned on her. "Wait a moment...Are you suggesting that's Pauline Verducci?" she hissed angrily. "You're absolutely mad, sir! She's the damn mayor!"

"Indeed, a complication," Vossak acknowledged amiably. "But not an insurmountable one." The corners of his mouth twitched. "We are unarmed tourists after all. It is unlikely she will resort to drastic measures."

"And what of Mario...?" Belle practically growled.

"I imagine he will react in much the same manner," Vossak replied as he nodded towards the table. "It's time."

Belle swallowed her doubts and, with Vossak by her side, approached the table where Mario and Pauline were sitting. The absence of plates and the presence of macchiato cups elicited a snort from Belle. It was typical of the Kremling to focus on manners above all else. As they approached, Belle moved with the air a starstruck tourist, but Vossak exuded a quiet, regal elegance that came naturally to him. With a fractional nod from him, Belle cleared her throat gently and spoke in a cheerful yet nervous tone.

"Excuse me...are you the Mario Segale?" she asked.

Belle held back any discomfort with sheer force of will, not because of her nerves, but rather because of how unnatural her voice sounded. The Pyreburner blinked up at them in confusion.

"Uh...yes, I'm so sorry, but you have me at a disadvantage, Miss...?" Mario trailed off, waiting for Belle to fill in the blank.

"Oh, right...I'm so sorry, my name is Belle Fontiere! And this is my partner, Komodo Vossak!" she supplied.

Belle was surprised that they didn't even bother coming up with pseudonyms, but it was Vossak's idea. "I'm so sorry, but I was hoping we could join you?"

Vossak spoke up, in a heavily accented Common Tongue. "Only if present company does not object. We do not wish imposition."

Belle's teeth ground together with frustration. Just wonderful. He was leaving her to handle this mess, just great. As she glanced at Mario and Pauline, their raised eyebrows revealed a silent conversation transpiring behind those glances. Both shrugged before Pauline cleared her throat and extended her hand, "Please take a seat," she cordially invited.

"Thank you kindly...!" Belle smiled as she and Vossak sat down. "I presume you are Mayor Verducci?"

Pauline smiled amiably and nodded, "Please, call me Pauline." She responded affably. "I hope your stay in our city has been pleasant so far?"

"It has been..." Vossak hesitated and furrowed his brow, "Forgive me. Your language is... arduous for me." He turned to Belle, "Gruksen...?"

Belle fought back a grin. Her mastery of Kremlok had been one of the reasons why she had been designated as his interpreter during her early years. The raised eyebrows of Mario and Pauline only contributed to the humor of the situation, "Enlightening." She translated for him. "Pardon my companion, he's not quite as adept in the common tongue." A fabrication if there ever was one. "As I'm skilled in Kremlok, the Trade Guild decided to pair us up."

Pauline's eyes widened in comprehension, "Ah, so you're from the Waffle Kingdom?" She inquired, tilting her head. "I hope King Challah is doing well?"

Vossak nodded, "His Majesty is... concerned."

Belle maintained her composure. The Waffle Kingdom wasn't a foe of the Mushroom Kingdom, but it didn't necessarily imply that they were allies. The Waffle Kingdom's inclination for non-interference and non-intervention meant that it didn't possess the reputation of a realm like the Beanbean Kingdom or the Bonneton Kingdom. Woefully inept though he was politically, this was a point that Vossak had emphasized.

Mario nodded, his eyebrows raised in polite curiosity, "So... what brings you to me?" He inquired, lifting his cup to his lips.

Belle let out a sigh, "The fact of the matter is..." She started bitterly, "...we require your assistance."

Mario glanced at Pauline, who appeared as bewildered as he was, "Don't get me wrong, Miss Fontiere. I'm more than willing to aid you if I can." He began, "However... shouldn't this be a petition to His Majesty rather than an individual citizen?"

That had not been a response that she had been expecting. Vossak spoke up instead, "Your King and ours… disagree." He stated. Belle spared a sideways glance towards him and frowned. Was he really looking intrigued by the situation?

"Unfortunately, this is true." She continued. "King Russet would not offer us so much as a copper wire, let alone the assistance of his armies. Or even just a task force to hunt down a notorious pirate queen."

Belle's eyes flicked over to Vossak, who remained politely intrigued by the plumber. That gleam in his glowing eyes brought a question to mind. Was he trying to push Mario in the direction of figuring out who they were? Belle turned her attention to Pauline. The mayor's eyes were narrowed. The gears were clearly turning in her head. Mentally steeling herself, Belle pressed on. "We've been plagued by the infamous Captain Syrup of the Black Sugar Gang. Constant raids on our merchant fleets have disrupted our economy and the navy has not been able to stop her." Belle explained, "Politically, it's a win-win for King Russet. Your aid solves a particularly nasty issue for us and King Russet is seen as having facilitated this and King Challah grants special consideration when discussing trade with the Mushroom Kingdom."

Instead of looking intrigued by the prospect, Mario's gaze had chilled. Had she made a mistake? Vossak's relaxed demeanor made her nervous. Was he aware of what hazardous tripwire they were walking on? Would Mario attack them? She inhaled slowly and exhaled silently. No… They were in a crowded restaurant. There was a danger that Pauline would get caught in the crossfire, never mind the innocent bystanders. Imperial lives may not have been a concern for the Pyreburner, but she was reasonably certain that he would not attack them. Maybe her time with the Commodore was beginning to rub off on her. Mentally, she corrected herself, she could understand the tricks that Vossak could perform, but no one expected her to perform the tricks too.

Mario reached for his macchiato and a silence fell on the table as he took a long drink. Pauline cleared her throat to break the silence, "I'm certain King Russet would be open to a dialogue with envoys of the Waffle Kingdom." Her tone was light, but the frostiness of her gaze put Belle on edge, "I'm certain that we could help present your case?"

Belle moved to answer, but a raised forefinger from Vossak stopped her. "They disagree on much. To a point, King Russet could not be seen to…" He paused, "…Give aid to us."

She raised an eyebrow at the flickering of his accent. Pauline had apparently caught it too as her eyebrows lowered. However, the surprising reaction came from Mario who snorted into his cup. "Is there… something funny?" Belle asked feigning indignation.

Mario sat his cup down and gave a smile, "No… no… you gave a good story." Mario's eyes blazed intensely, "A nice story. But… that's all it was, right?" The smile faded, "A story? I mean… let's be honest here."

"I suggest that in the future, you exercise more caution in your lies," said Pauline in a frigid tone. "Captain Syrup's Black Sugar Gang has not been sighted since the ruins of Awabō crumbled. So, who are you, truly?"

She glanced at Vossak, who still wore an amused grin on his face. "Very well..." She breathed a sigh of relief as she dropped her pretense. She sat up straight in her seat and looked at both of them. "You're correct that we deceived you about the nature of the danger and our place of origin. However, we did not lie about our leader needing assistance or our names."

Vossak tilted his head. "Indeed," he said, dropping his fake accent as he gestured to Belle. "I am a Commodore in the Koopa Empire's Imperial Navy. Lieutenant Commander Fontiere serves as my aide-de-camp."

Mario's eyes widened, and Belle cursed herself for not insisting that they carry a sidearm. However, before he could move, Pauline raised a hand. "I must confess, Commodore, that we were not expecting guests from the Empire," she began. "Had I known, I would have arranged a more appropriate welcome. But even now, you are in front of numerous witnesses, and one word from me will summon the city watch. Not favorable odds, I must say."

Vossak smiled faintly. "Certainly not," he agreed. "But would two unarmed tourists truly be worth all the trouble?"

Mario snorted in derision and crossed his arms over his chest. "Cut the act!" he snapped. "You just told us that you're high-ranking officers! Do you truly expect us to believe that?"

Belle had to side with Mario on that. If she were in his shoes, she would not have expected the people of the Mushroom Kingdom to be unarmed. Mario's skepticism did not faze Vossak, who inclined his head politely. "Would you not be more curious about why we are here?" he asked.

"We are waiting for an explanation, Commodore," Pauline said firmly. "Surely Emperor Bowser did not require our assistance!"

"Not your assistance, no," Belle interjected before turning to Mario. "He required yours."

"If you expect me to believe that… then you're even crazier than His Archmagnificency…" Mario snorted in derision, "He wouldn't send lackeys to deliver a message. He'd come himself."

Belle suppressed a reflexive sneer as she took note of the way Mario's history with the Emperor had colored his perspective on the matter. Were their positions reversed, she wondered, would Emperor Bowser have shown the same level of skepticism? Her gaze flicked to Vossak, his incandescent eyes fixed unflinchingly on Mario's own.

"Normally, yes," Vossak affirmed in a subdued tone. "However, the very reason he requires your aid has also compelled him to remain in the Capital. I cannot divulge more than that, I'm afraid. Nonetheless, I must caution you that the situation has the potential to cause catastrophic repercussions, not just for the Empire, but also for the Mushroom Kingdom and, indeed, the entire continent."

Pauline, now intrigued by the implication, reacted visibly to Vossak's statement. Mario, on the other hand, remained doubtful. Belle let out a sigh of exasperation. "Listen, Red, I understand where you're coming from," she began. "You've got two Imperial officers talking about some colossal disaster on your doorstep. I know it's not easy for His Majesty to ask for assistance, but you'd be doing the Mushroom Kingdom a huge favor."

"All I have to do is agree to help Bowser?" Mario scoffed contemptuously. "How stupid do you think I am?"

"Apparently, very stupid!" Belle snapped, her patience at last wearing thin. "Haven't you been paying attention, Meatball?" she exclaimed. "The Emperor isn't asking for your help on a whim! If the Empire crumbles, there's no shortage of ambitious buffoons who would seize the opportunity to exploit the situation, not just from within the Empire, but even that ponce Prince Haru. I'm damn sure he'd jump at the chance to invade the Empire! And let's not forget all the Imperial-"

"Peace, Commander," Vossak intervened calmly, raising a finger to silence Belle. "Ultimately, the decision rests with you, Mario. However, I implore you to contemplate the fate of the entire world, as the Commander has suggested. I do not advocate coercion, but I do urge you to reflect upon it."

Belle clenched her teeth in frustration as she witnessed the Commodore rise from his seat and turn on his heel. Suppressing the urge to snap at him, she stood up and pivoted on her heel. What was the point if they couldn't persuade the damn plumber?! The entire mission was a failure. What would occur if they returned to the capital empty-handed? She began the laborious task of organizing the information chronologically for her report. She would have ample time to mull over the predicament on the journey home...

"Wait."

A voice cut through Belle's thoughts, and she stopped just before colliding with Vossak. She turned back to face Mario, who had a look of determination on his face. His eyes were obscured by the brim of his cap, but Belle could sense a newfound resolve in him. "Alright. We're waiting, Red. What're we waiting for?" She asked, trying to remain cordial.

Mario inclined his head as he locked eyes with Belle. "If what you're saying is true, then perhaps I should consider hearing him out," he said firmly.

Belle's eyes widened in shock, and even Pauline couldn't hide her surprise. "What?" the mayor exclaimed. "Mario, I've heard a lot of bad ideas before, but that's honestly the worst one!"

"In any other circumstance, with any other officer, you may have a point, Madame Mayor," Vossak cut in softly, turning to face them. "However, my Emperor has given strict orders that Mario is to be treated as any other distinguished guest. To do anything else would earn his wrath."

Mario relaxed slightly at Vossak's words. "That's the only reason I'm agreeing to this," he said. "His Archmagnificency has never made it a point to actually ask for help. So, yeah...I'm a little curious about what's got him spooked." He turned to face Pauline. "Besides, if I buy the farm, then I'm going down swinging and taking as many to the Underwhere as I can. I'll be fine."

Belle rolled her eyes in exasperation, silently cursing the circumstances that had brought them to this point. It was clear that the plumber had his own reservations about the situation, and who could blame him? If the roles were reversed, Belle couldn't say that she wouldn't be just as cautious. A fractional nod from Vossak confirmed that the report she had been so worried about would not be a complete disaster.

Pauline embraced Mario tightly, her concern palpable. "You be safe, Mario," she pleaded.

The plumber's grin faltered, and he leaned forward to whisper something in her ear. Belle cast a questioning glance at Vossak, but the kremling remained silent, neither nodding nor shaking his head. Whatever was being discussed, it was evidently alarming, as Pauline's expression of shock and horror made clear. Mario's stern expression silenced any protests that threatened to burst forth.

"Let King Russet and Princess Peach know," he said firmly, before turning to Vossak and Belle. "Alright folks, this is your show. Lead on."

"Very well." Vossak nodded and turned on his heel. "Please, follow me."

The trio made their way forward in uneasy silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Belle could sense Vossak's mind whirring, as the kremling's natural desire for information kicked into overdrive. It would certainly be fascinating to get Mario's perspective on how things in the Empire actually ran. She had been skeptical of the plumber at first, but it was becoming increasingly clear that the propaganda about him was vastly overblown.

"Just so you two know…" Mario interrupted her thoughts, his tone light. "I'm not kidnapping anyone for you or for the Emperor."

Vossak chuckled in response. "You need not worry. His Majesty has assured us that this is not pertaining to that."

Author's Note:

This particular chapter proved to be a challenge for me. Let's start with the easy one first, Mario's outfit is actually a reference to the attire he wore in Dial L for Luigi by mashed on YouTube. The original drafts situated the story after the events of Super Mario Odyssey and even acknowledged Thousand-Year Door as canon. However, with the modifications I made, I was faced with the task of seamlessly incorporating New Donk City and touching upon Pauline's past with Mario. Moreover, I introduced a significant point of divergence with Pauline's account of the seven crystal stars. In Thousand-Year Door, the Four Heroes managed to seal the Shadow Queen away, but in this story, they managed to destroy her. Additionally, I decided to consider the Temple Ruins ending for Wario Land II as canon, and the reason behind this choice will soon become evident as the tale progresses.

The most intriguing aspect of this chapter was to craft a conversation between Mario, Pauline, Belle, and Vossak that flowed effortlessly without divulging too much too soon. I may or may not sprinkle some allusions to the Super Mario Brothers Movie that recently surfaced, but the plot will not intersect with the story. They will be minor references like the obstacle course or Bowser's musical talent. On the whole, I am quite content with how this chapter has materialized. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.