Once they had made it to the village, Goombaria ran on up to greet them at the gate. "Never worry, Goombaria, here I am. Thanks to young Mario here, I made it back all right." Mario gave a light push to the gate, but upon seeing that it didn't open, he started pushing it a bit more forcefully with each attempt. Goompa soon noticed this, "Oh, is that thing locked? Let me open it up for you." An old, rusted key was pulled out and viola! The gate was open and the two made it to the closed off area. Once Goompa was inside, he was greeted with a tight hug from the little girl while Mario closed the gate behind them. "Goompa! Where've you been? I looked outside and...wow! Both you and the veranda were just plain gone! I was very, very worried about you! Really worried!" The way she had said 'really' made it sound as if it had a million letters in it. There was a weak, sheepish chuckle in reponse as he gave a gentle hug back, "Sorry, I apologize. I didn't mean to make you fret. You just take it easy now. I'm back safe and sound. Now! Before I forget, I've decided to give you something, Mario. Wait here a minute." Letting go, he jogged into the house, disappearing once the door shut with a loud slam behind him. A few moments passed as the two waited. "Hey hey! Mario, what'cha got there in your pocket?" she leaned over to get a better look. Making her job easier, the male took out the doll and held it out to her. Her eyes widened at this, "It's my dolly! Dolly, dolly! You're back! Thank you so much! I'm so happy..." She snatched away the doll, then hugging and cradling it. "My sweet dolly! Don't you ever get lost again!" She mimicked a scolding, nagging finger and all. Once she was finished, she walked over the Mario. He kneeled down while she rummaged around in the pocket of her apron. "Here's a present from me! Look at the pretty glitter!" A star piece plopped onto his hands. Staring at it, he then put it away. "And take this, too!" Mario raised an eyebrow at this, not sure what else to expect before he felt a small and rather quick peck on his cheek. Backing away, she paced in a small circle reminiscent of the same action her father did not too long ago. She then stopped dead in her tracks and ran up to the other. "Hey, Mario! I just got an idea! You're going to Shooting Star Summit, right? How about you keep something to remember me along the way? Y' know, other than a sparkly gem! Just wait here, okay? If Goompa or Goompapa try to shoo you away early, don't listen to them!" He nodded to reassure her before she ran into the house shouting "Gooma! Gooma! GoooooMA!" With her leave, Mario sat down on the grass, looking up into the sky. His peace was broken when both Goompa and Goombaria came out together and walked up to him.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Mario. Anyway, I wanted to give you something." Holding out a badge, Mario examined it before taking it himself and looking at it closer. "This is called a Badge. If you wear this, you'll be able to do a Power Jump, which means you'll be able to do a lot more damage with your Jump attack. But listen here, and listen well. You'll only be able to do it if you're wearing the Badge. You'd better try it first. Putting Badges on and taking them off is a vital skill. Would you like a quick lesson in how to use the Badges you collect during your travels?" Mario nodded. Goompa then went on with his explanation. It was almost as if he had remembered this speech by heart, waiting to say it to someone with how perfectly it was spoken. "Now remember, you need FP to use this Power Jump technique. Your flower points are basically how you're able to do any special techniques, so use them wisely!" Mario stared at the meter in his pocket, seeing the spoken FP along with the star points and some other things. "Do you remember that we saw a block like this on the way back to the village?" the old man continued, taking a very brief pause. "Well, these blocks will restore not only HP but also FP. They're lifesavers, Mario! Use them whenever your HP and FP reserves are getting low. By the by, Mario, I heard from Gooma... You're taking it upon yourself to try to rescue the princess from Bowser's clutches. Mario, please take this Hammer. It should serve you well. If I were just a bit younger, I'd accompany you on your trip. I'd have done some damage! The years have started to weigh on me, though. I tell you, this lower back pain..."

Mario put on the badge while Goombaria walked up clutching a blue cap in her hands. It was mostly clean, but it did show signs that indicated it had been worn. "If you see my big brother along the way, I want you to give him this! You should be able to find out who he is easily! You know how most goombas have two fangs, right? Well, he has two round teeth sticking out instead and his cheeks are reeeaal rosy like Santa Claus! He's also extremely smart! Like, he'll tell something about anything he sees if you let him! Do you promise you'll give it to him? Like, reeeaally promise that you'll cross your heart? Or even pinky promise?" The plumber nodded, taking the hat in one hand and holding out a pinky in the other. Locking it with her own, the two shook it a bit before they let go. "Alright then! Be safe, got it? The princess sure must be counting on you!"

"...Well, I think it's about time for my nap. I'll be in the house. Good-byes have a way of making this old Goomba get weepy." Goompa said, shaking Mario's hand one last time before entering the house. Mario walked over to the broken gate with the block over it and swung his hammer at it, smashing it into significantly smaller pieces.

"There we go! Problem solved. I have a feeling your road will be lined with difficulties, so try not to overdo it. Be watchful, yet stay cool. A calm mind is the wisest," Goompa advised and then Mario was on his way, gripping the blue cap tightly.

A/N: I know this is an extremely short chapter, but I think it serves its purpose here. If things goes my way, the next chapter should be longer. I apologize if you believe my portrayals are a bit out of character, but I'm going to try my absolute best here! Yes, so far it's just a retelling of the game but soon it'll be different hopefully. I don't think I'd be able to do just a pure retelling of the game as much as I like it. Anyway, I hope you guys are enjoying this fanfic! I'll be giving you guys where to find what each partner looks like when each one is introduced.