Chapter 4: Unexpected Tourists

(Toad Town)

Charmy was flying around part of Toad Town, questioning any Toad he could see about the theft at the Origami Craftsman's shop. Eventually, Charmy was questioning Toad himself.

Toad- No, I don't really know the Origami Craftsman personally. I do know he's the best origami expert in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Charmy- But do you know who might've been willing to steal from him?

Toad- Someone stole from him? What was stolen?

Charmy- He said it was a book with instructions on something called the Fold of Life.

Toad- WHAT?! Sorry, but this is something I think would be more suited for the Super Mario Brothers' Team!

Charmy- Hey, I can handle a simple theft!

Toad- But this isn't a simple theft! The last time the Fold of Life was used, most of us Toads were folding into brainwashed slaves of used as an origami crane for Olly's 1,000 Cranes Technique. And no one who's been through that nightmare would willingly go near that book, not even Bowser! The only one I can think of who would tamper with something like that and not be afraid of what they'd be getting into is Tabuu.

Just then, one of the Toads nearly lost his grip while him and several of the other Toads were handling the life-sized origami figure of Marco Mario. Turns out Marx startled the Toad with a party popper.

Marx- You should've seen the look on your face!

Toad- Not funny, Marx! The princess doesn't want anything happening to that tribute to Marco Mario!

Charmy- Why is he here in the Mushroom Kingdom? Doesn't he work for Tabuu?

Marx- Hey, I'm reformed! I'm free from Tabuu's control ever since that incident during Kirby's birthday. Besides, Kirby invited me to this Origami Festival. Though I haven't seen him since I arrived.

Toad- But why almost wreck one of the most important origami pieces for the festival?

Marx- I'm mischievous. It's in my nature. I might not be Tabuu's slave anymore, but I can't stop being who I truly am.

Just then, Toad, Charmy, and Marx noticed that Knuckles was breathing fire over by one of the food stands.

Marx- Uh…that chilidog laced with Chef Kawasaki's super spice curry was meant for Sonic…not the echidna.

Charmy- With all the pranks you're pulling, I wonder if you were the one who stole that book from the Origami Craftsman.

Marx- I'm a jester, not a thief. I play pranks on people. How does stealing something help play a prank on someone?

Charmy- Point taken.

(Outskirts of Toad Town)

Poke'mon Hunter J and Vaati were riding on the back of J's Salamence while Dimentio was flying right next to them in the air while holding the small cage Olly was locked inside in one hand.

Poke'mon Hunter J- Oh, you have got to be kidding me?! Smash City?!

Vaati- I know…why did it have to be Mario that found her?

Olly- Suckers…(shock)…my sister's safe…(shock)…

Dimentio- Not for long. It's only a matter of time before we capture Olivia as well and revive the Empress.

Poke'mon Hunter J- Easier said than done, Dimentio. Need I remind you that Smash City is the one place Tabuu cannot get us into?

Vaati- Not to mention, if we do manage to get inside, Kyrin's power will deactivate our link to Tabuu's power, preventing us from using it to strengthen us!

Dimentio- I know! Don't need any comment from the peanut gallery! Ok, here's what we do. We know the Super Mario Brothers' Team is keeping Olivia in Smash City. But we also know the Origami Festival is happening in the Mushroom Kingdom and everyone is gathering here. Therefore, their focus outside of Smash City will be here during the festival. So this is most likely where they'll open the portals from Smash City. If something were to happen in Toad Town today, they'll instantly know and exit Smash City. Then we sneak right through the portal before it closes and snatch the origami girl. Now, the only thing we need is the right diversion that will be big enough to send the entire Super Mario Brothers' Team to action.

Poke'mon Hunter J- I could have Salamence…

Dimentio- No, it has to be big. Serious enough for the whole team to be called in. If you try and attack part of the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario would send three, maybe four, members of the team to investigate. And remember, we need all of them out of Smash City.

Vaati- Well, what do you suggest, Dimentio?

Dimentio- I'm thinking!

Vaati- Well think faster, because we have until midnight to perform this ritual. Otherwise, it will be a hundred years before we can get another chance. And…Tabuu warned us that if we fail again…the three of us will never be able to have kids again when he's done…

Poke'mon Hunter J shivered a bit while gripping between her legs.

Poke'mon Hunter J- Vaati, please! I don't think I need to be reminded of what happened the last time!

Dimentio- Don't you worry, because I'm sure that we'll think of something soon.

Olly- Mario…(shock)…I beg of you…(shock)…protect Olivia…

(Smash City)

Mario drew Marco's sword and held it in front of Olivia. Olivia nervously extended her left hand and touched the tip of the sword's blade. Olivia felt a burning sensation as if she had touched an iron that was turned on.

Olivia- This burns!

Mario- Just hold on, Olivia!

After a minute or two, Tabuu's mark burned off Olivia's hand and now she was touching Mario's sword without feeling any pain.

Olivia- It worked! I no longer have Tabuu's mark on me! And your ancestor's sword doesn't burn anymore.

Mario sheathed the sword after Olivia said that.

Mario- I did tell you that this sword was strong enough to break Tabuu's power.

Kirby- It worked for Marx, I we figured it would work for you as well.

Ty- Actually, it was less pleasant for Marx, mate.

Shantae- But still, it was interesting that it worked. Marco's sword removed Tabuu's corruption as easily as it cut through Tabuu's body.

Pit- Say, I just had an idea! Like how Marco's sword removed Tabuu's mark from Marx and Olivia, think it would work on the rest of Tabuu's followers.

Palutena (telepathically to everyone)- Actually, there are some issues with that. Yes, there are some who are not happy with Tabuu's abusive treatment, like Zero2, Poke'mon Hunter J, and Infinite. But there are also some who are following Tabuu of their own free will for personal matters such as Vaati, Fredrick, and Hades.

Viridi (telepathically to everyone)- She's right. Removing Tabuu's mark from some of them won't make them some of them stop serving Tabuu. Nor would it just make them change sides and join you against Tabuu, because let's not forget that you heroes are the reason why most of them have their souls enslaved by Tabuu.

Olivia quickly moved her head as she began to look around the room.

Olivia- Huh…? Who said that? Who's there?

Yoshi- What Olivia mean?

Olivia- I just heard two women speaking just now, yet I don't see them here?

Palutena (telepathically to Olivia)- Sorry about that. How rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Palutena, Goddess of Light.

Viridi (telepathically to Olivia)- And I'm Viridi, Goddess of Nature. And I will say, I'm a huge fan, Olivia!

Palutena- You see, Pit's not only a member of the Super Mario Brothers' Team. Pit's also the captain of Skyworld's army and my loyal servant. And speaking to Pit through telepathy is how I usually speak to Pit. And sometimes, Viridi and I also speak Mario and the others when they're all gathered for something like this.

Olivia- Well, even though you're not here personally and I can't see you both, it's very nice to…um…meet you two goddesses.

Viridi (telepathically to Ash)- By the way, I've been meaning to ask you something, Ash. Any chance you'd be willing to part ways with that Lucario of yours? Lucario's ability to see and sense the aura of all living things seems like a perfect fit for the Forces of Nature.

Ash- I'm not giving away Lucario. If you really do want one for yourself, you can find and catch a Lucario or even a Riolu in the wild. I'm sure with your resources as Goddess of Nature, finding one would be no trouble for you.

Viridi (telepathically to Ash)- Guess you do have a point there.

Goh- Hey, any chance you might know where I can find Mew?

Viridi (telepathically to Goh)- Don't push it…

Goh- Sorry!

Luigi- Still, something doesn't add up to me? Why is Tabuu so interested in this Origami Empress? Sure, you've mentioned that she's more dangerous than your brother, but Tabuu could've easily made you and Olly just as powerful as this Empress and obedient by placing a Mind Control Seed into your heads and pumping your bodies with his own power.

Mario- He's right. Tabuu can easily create something more powerful without much effort. Tabuu's just as smart as he is strong and I know he wouldn't invest his time into something like this unless it was worth his while. Clearly, this Origami Empress must offer Tabuu something more than her power. Something that he can't get anywhere else and desperately wants.

Donkey Kong- Olivia, any idea what that would be?

Olivia- No idea. All I know is Tabuu needs me and Olly to remain undamaged so he could sacrifice us. And that Tabuu needs to perform this ritual at this hidden temple where her soul is locked up while a certain constellation is in alignment. And that alignment is actually tonight at midnight. And if Tabuu doesn't perform the ritual in time, he'll have to wait a hundred years to try again.

Link- I think I'm agreeing with Mario. This seems like too much work for a minion Tabuu can clearly overpower.

Just then, Ty's phone began to vibrate. When Ty pulled it out of his pocket, he saw that one of the portal machines in Smash City had let a group into Smash City.

Ty- That's odd?

Mario- What is?

Ty- Somehow, we got visitors in Smash City.

Sonic- Intruders?

Ty- No, mate. The alarm would've gone off if it was. This apparently had access entry.

Then the door opened and everyone saw Adeleine, Ribbon, Bandana Dee, and Rick in the hallway outside the meeting room.

Ribbon- Hi Kirby!

Kirby- Ribbon?! But what are you doing in Smash City?!

Bandana Dee- Did you forget? Since we were unable to attend the tour of Smash City that took place during the season 2 finale, you agreed to give us a private tour later.

Adeleine- And you and Mario told us you were available the day before the Origami Festival in the Mushroom Kingdom since nothing was going on.

Then Mario turned to look at the calendar hanging on the wall and saw that Mario had written it down on the current date.

Mario- That was today?! Oh shit! I forgot!

Mario slapped his palm over his face while Pikachu gave Mario and awkward half smile.

Pikachu- Pikachu…