5
"So you two have been travelling around the world for four days in search of the Seven Crystal Stars?" Mark asked.
"That's right." Mario said. "So far, we've found two of them. Here, have a look."
Mario pulled out the stars from the rucksack and handed them over to Mark, who was sitting on the opposite couch. He starred at the two artifacts in awe.
"I thought these were just legends!" Mark said. "So, it's true that the Shadow Queen ruled over the entire world almost a thousand years ago. How could I be such a fool for not recognizing this?"
"What do you mean?" Luigi asked.
"Well, I always had my suspicions that Bowser was up to a much grander evil plot, but I never thought that he would attempt anything like this. In all the years I've spent in this frozen wasteland, I never thought that Bowser would go to such extremes to take over the entire world."
Mark paused.
"I heard you guys crash land one of Bowser's airships just over half an hour ago. At first, I thought you two were Koopas from the army. That's why I was so afraid to be seen earlier. I assume you two stole the airship?"
"That's correct." Mario said. "We had no idea how to drive that thing, but it didn't take us that long to figure it out though."
"That's remarkable!" Mark replied. "I just hope that Bowser doesn't know where you guys are. Otherwise, he'll kill you guys for sure!"
"Well, all I can say about Bowser is that you always have to expect the unexpected." Luigi said. "Me and Mario figured that out the hard way growing up. But that's another story which we don't like to talk about very much. Too much tragedy and suffering..."
"I won't ask you about it then." Mark replied. "Where did you say the third star was located again?"
"According to the coordinates that we were provided with," Mario said, "the next star is located in the general direction of Bowser's outpost, the one you mentioned not too long ago."
"The only advice that I can really give to you guys is to head straight toward the outpost." Mark said. "But beware of the surveillance. Bowser has the whole place wired up. I'm sure you two will find a way past it though."
The brothers looked at each other with disgusted expressions. Surveillance?! There's no way in hell we're going to be left unseen!
"However, you may want to avoid that area, because I've heard rumors based on Bowser's broadcasts that they have recently a secret underground passage that leads somewhere strange." Mark said.
"You don't suppose that passageway could lead to the third star, do you?" Mario asked.
"For all I know, it could lead to the center of the Earth!" Mark said.
"Now let's be serious here!" Luigi said. "Do you know if Bowser has an archeological dig at this outpost?"
"From what I've heard, I believe he does." Mark said. "Why do you ask?"
"Well so far, it seems like everywhere we look for a crystal star there's always a dig site." Luigi said. "And when there's a dig site, there's a star."
Suddenly, a roaring sonic boom was heard soaring over the cabin. It was another one of Bowser's airships, and based on the changing location of the sound, the brothers could tell that it was heading in the direction of the outpost. After another minute or so, the sonic boom had disappeared and the whistling of the wind outside returned.
"I'm beginning to think that something big is about to happen at the outpost." Mark said. "You two should probably leave shortly if you want to find the third star, but importantly save the princesses of Sarasaland and the Mushroom Kingdom. I hate to rush you guys out the door so soon, but if the troops are currently after you, I don't want to get caught in the middle of a conflict."
"Do you possibly have anything else that could help us on our way?" Mario asked. "Anything at all?"
"Oh, that's right! I have something that you two might find very useful!" Mark said. "Follow me to the kitchen. Don't worry; I'll be sure you two leave with full stomachs!"
The brothers followed the penguin into the small, yet functional kitchen area and watched as he opened the door of his refrigerator. He pulled out a plastic bag which contained something the brothers had been longing more of.
"Red and green mushrooms!" Luigi said.
"Oh, so you already know about their hidden powers?" Mark asked.
"Yes!" Mario said. "These will definitely help us a lot!"
"Under the Mushroom Kingdom code, the mushrooms are forbidden to be picked, because they say it's an insult to their heritage." Mark said. "However, the real reason is because they are saving them for use in their military in order to defeat Bowser more easily. They've been researching the chemical properties of these mushrooms for a number of years and have yet to find a way to use them in a practical manner. So far, the only thing they've been able to do with them is use them for medicinal purposes, and I'm sure you already know how they work, am I right?"
"That's right." Luigi said. "Thank you, so much."
"It's my pleasure to help the two future heroes of our world!" Mark said. "Here, let me fix you guys something to eat. Do either of you like spaghetti?"
"Of course!" Luigi said, his face lighting up from its previous exhausted state. "That's my favorite dish!"
"Oh boy..." Mario said. At the same time, he could not help but laugh at his brother's strange addiction.
After the brothers satisfied their hungry appetites, they started heading for the front door.
"Are you sure you two don't want to get some rest before you leave?" Mark asked. "You're more than welcome to do that, you know."
"Thank you so much, Mark." Mario said. "But I'm afraid me and my brother have to leave. We don't have very much time to get any rest. We have less than two weeks to settle this chaotic mess and to save the princesses."
"Well, I certainly wish both of you the best of luck on your travels." Mark said. "You will need every bit of luck you can possibly get."
"Thanks again for everything!" Luigi said.
"You're welcome!" Mark said.
After saying their goodbyes, Mario and Luigi stepped out into the bitter cold and starting heading towards the mountains. The wind was much colder than it was before the sun disappeared below the horizon, so cold that the brothers could feel their hair freeze in place. However, the good thing was that they were off to a fresh start and were ready for whatever came their way...or so they thought.
The brothers are now on their way to Bowser's secret outpost located in the heart of the cold and snowy mountains. Mark, the penguin, has just supplied them with a fresh supply of red and green mushrooms and their first meal in two days, which turned out to be spaghetti. With their appetites satisfied, the brothers are able to concentrate on what they have to do next, and that is to find a recently uncovered secret passage just outside of the outpost building, which to their knowledge will lead to the third star. This may sound much easier than their previous conquest back in Sarasaland, but it may prove to be otherwise...we'll see what happens later on in future chapters. Once again, I apologize for such a long waiting period...the weather been just too nice. However, as I always say, I will catch up with you guys in the next chapter, and I will try my hardest to get more done this week :)
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