Here is chapter four, my longest chappie yet! It's over 5000 words! I hope you like it! Oh, and I don't own the mushroom kingdom, toads, koopas, Peach, Mario, etc.
"Welcome to our inn, we hope you enjoy your stay," a toad told the girls after they had paid him for a room. "Thanks," April said quickly and left the desk. Cora gave him a bright smile and followed April up the stairs who seemed in a rush to get to a room and sleep.
When they reached a door that matched the number on the tag the innkeeper had gave them, April quickly opened the door and walked in. Cora watched as April flung herself onto a bed with a sigh of content, "At last!" The girl cried. Cora just sat on the other bed her bag on her lap.
The room they were in was very beautifully decorated. The walls were painted a soft rose color and the floor was covered in soft puffs of white carpet. The wood ceiling above them was a deep shining ebony. A pretty red tinted glass light hung from the ceiling giving off a warm glow.
"Geez Cora, did you get the fanciest room they had?" April murmured as she stared up at the ceiling, back sinking into her bed's soft mattress.
"Well, " Cora said sheepishly, "I didn't really ask what the difference was between the "Sunflower" and the "Lily Pad" rooms."
April rolled onto her side and hugged a pillow to her chest. Everything was so soft and she felt herself getting drowsier by the second. Cora noticed April fight to keep her eyes open, "April go to sleep, we had a long day today and another ahead of us."
"Kay." April yawned, "See ya in the morning."
"Night." Cora flipped off the lights.
The next morning Cora was the first to rise, her eyes opening quickly to welcome the light of a new day. The rays of sunshine coming in from the large window seemed far more beautiful than the light on Earth and made her feel even more excited.
"April." Cora poked her friend on the shoulder who was snoring lightly and snuggling a pillow.
Poke. "April!"
"Wha-?"
"Its morning," Cora told her, "Lets go eat breakfast and begin this quest already."
"How about one more hour?"
"April!"
"Fine, fine I'm up." April sat up on her bed, yawning loudly.
When April was awake enough to leave the room, both girls went down stairs to the café that was part of the hotel. Cora sighed happily when she stepped through the doorway. The coffee smell was lovely and oh so enticing. April on the other hand wrinkled her nose. She hated coffee with a passion.
Cora stepped up to the counter where a smiling toad girl wearing a cute pink spotted dress told her good morning.
"Morning. " Cora replied warmly and glanced up at the menu above the counter, " I will have the Mocha latte and a berry Danish." She glanced at April who was blinking sleepily her head bowed slightly, "April?"
"What?" She raised her head quickly eyes alert. She looked at Cora and realized she had dozed off. "Oh…my bad, I will have the…" April glanced up at the menu, "Koopa leaf tea with extra sugar on the side and a cinnamon roll."
Their food came fast and the two went outside to eat at the bench in front of the hotel. As they sipped their drinks they gazed around at the busy toads and the other creatures (but mostly toads).
"I wonder what will happen today." Cora wondered aloud.
April took a drink of her tea and shrugged, "Dunno, maybe we'll get attacked by bomb toting shy guys."
"The thought is more scary than amusing."
April grinned, "I know."
"Today though, since we have no idea where to look for this necklace thing, we should ask around like we planned before." Cora said, "I don't like the idea of stumbling around blindly hoping to find something and running out of time."
"Well," April said, "In video games the heroes usually run into stuff on their own anyways, maybe this world runs the same way."
"Maybe, but I wouldn't bet on it. Plus, any risk of our world being endangered is nothing to take a chance on."
They finished the rest of their breakfast and decided to head to a populated place in town where they could chat up the locals and find out some information. After walking for a while the two decided to enter what looked like a casino.
The place was packed to the floor with toads and even several goombas and boos. The casino was brightly lit and was full of machines and card tables. There was also a lot of noise. Everyone was talking and there seemed to be a mixture of moods in the place: excitement for a game, disappointment in a loss, and a sigh of sadness from a player who had used their last coin. "This place, " April commented, "Looks like fun."
Cora rolled her eyes, "Don't waste our cash on a silly bet or something."
The two walked around the casino's loud flashing machines and talkative players, only negative thing: it was hard to hear what they were saying.
"How are we supposed to ask people questions if I cant even hear myself breathe?" April asked suddenly noticing she had to practically yell for Cora to hear her speak.
Cora looked around and frowned, "You're right. It's too noisy here."
"Well that was a fun short trip." April said when they were on the street again.
"Should we just ask random people questions on the street?" Cora said, "Maybe that would be rude though, to just bother someone like that, I'm also kind of shy so this is going to stink anyways."
April stopped all a sudden her eyes wide, "Light bulb." She said.
"…What?"
"I have an idea, duh," April laughed, "Lets go this way." The girl began running down the street. Cora quickly followed after wondering what was going on in April's head. Her question was answered quickly when they stopped minutes later in front of a huge structure.
"Yes, "April said before Cora could open her mouth, "Were going to Peach with our issue. It concerns her anyways, it's her kingdom for the most part."
"Why didn't I think of this?" Cora followed her friend through the gates towards Peach's castle. Neither one of the girls noticed the eyes watching them from above.
Bowser was bored. It had been a full month since he had last pulled off a kidnap attempt on Peach (Shocking huh) and he had run out of ideas since the last attack gone wrong. Who's idea had it been to take the roof off the castle anyways? That had accomplished nothing but more security. It was time to think of a new plan now, something that was so awesome it was unreal how awesome it was.
The koopa king sat at his throne for a long time trying to think of something great. Quickly though he was receiving nothing for it but a headache. The noise in the hallway did nothing to ease the pain.
"WILL YOU GUYS SHUT IT?" He roared.
There was a short silence in the hall then the door flew opened and a very irritated looking Wendy stood there, "Daddy! They stole my new ribbon!" She whined.
Bowser grumbled something under his breath and glared at her, "If you kids don't settle down I'm going to pound you guys! Take it up stairs!"
Wendy made a pouty face then slammed the door. He heard screams of rage outside the door and the stomping of many feet heading up stairs. Soon the noise was dulled greatly and he sighed in relief. His headache had been getting bad but the diminishing of noise seemed to help a lot. Stupid kids…always making a racket…
"King Bowser?" Kamek stood in the doorway.
"Yes, what is it?" He growled still in his grouchy mood.
Kamek straightens his glasses and stepped into the room, "We have received a message from a Lakitu who was watching over the castle. He was to report of any interesting visitors."
"Get on with it." Bowser growled impatiently.
"He saw two girls enter the castle court yard this morning. Two human girls."
"Human?" Bowser sat up straight in his throne, "Is he absolutely sure?"
"That's what he reported seeing, that and hearing that they had something important to discuss with the Princess."
Hmm this is interesting, Bowser thought, there weren't many humans in the world to start with…I wonder what they're bothering Peach about.
The Koopa King stood up from his throne, "Well!" He roared, "Get some spies out there quick. I want to know every detail!" Kamek jumped a bit at his lord's loud voice and gained controlled of himself quickly, it was not unnatural for Bowser to growl or roar. He had been under Bowser's service long enough to know this and grow quickly used to it.
"Yes, right away your furiousness," Kamek said and left the room.
Bowser grinned and leaned back onto his throne. Hopefully he would gain some valuable information that would give him a fail proof way to get Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom. He felt content for the time being and relaxed in his seat, tapping a claw against the arm of his chair and day dreamed of the day when he finally had everything he had ever wanted, when the world was in the palm of his hands. He was more than happy when he realized his headache was fading away.
There was a sudden crash from the hallway and the shattering of glass. "WILL YOU CUT IT OUT!" He roared. Bowser was not surprised to find that his headache was back stronger than ever. He seriously needed a vacation…that or therapy.
"Please," Cora said, "May we speak with the Princess?"
The toad guard gave her a nervous look, "Well, Miss. We have been told to up security since our last attack and well…"
April glared at the toad, "This is important and we really need to talk to her now."
"Please, " Cora added. April just rolled her eyes.
The second guard toad glanced at the other, "Should we try and ask a guard inside?"
The first toad hesitated then said," No, we can't leave our post."
"Ugh!" April groaned, "What's the point? You guys don't ever help out, Bowser knocks you guys aside like bowling pins."
The second toad looked insulted, "Well for your information this is my first week working as a guard for Princess Toadstool."
April just glared at the door in front of them. Cora persisted, "But this is quite urgent, we have to speak with her as soon as possible."
"Well," The first toad paused and glanced at toad two who was watching April burn holes into the wall, "I guess I can hop inside and ask someone for you, because you seem like such a polite girl and all."
Cora blushed and gave him a large smile, "Thank you sir, very much. I truly do appreciate it."
The toad bowed, "Sure thing miss."
April just rolled her eyes again and made a face at toad two who didn't know how to react to that.
The three waited patiently for the toad to return and he eventually did with a taller toad at his side. The toad looked from Cora to April, "What is your business with Princess Peach?"
"We have something important to speak to her about," Cora explained, "It's a dire situation really, one that effects your kingdom."
"Ok, follow me," The toad led the way into the castle, the two girls followed after Cora whispered thanks to the first toad.
The inside of the castle looked exactly like it did in every Mario game minus the Nintendo 64 game where there were paintings that came to life. Here there were just a few floral paintings and bouquets of roses everywhere.
The Toad led the way upstairs and past many other guard toads who looked very dedicated to their jobs, some absolutely silent.
"I Wonder why they're so serious looking," April whispered to Cora.
"I don't know." Cora said, "There are also way more guards than I've ever seen before in this castle."
April gave her a warning look and Cora realized what she said. She looked to see if anyone heard her and was relieved to find that no one was looking their way. Cora didn't want to be the one to explain how she knew of the inside of Peach's castle. All they needed was to be thought of as spies or something.
The toad guard stops suddenly after reaching the top of a staircase startling the girls who almost ran into each other. He nodded at them and motioned at the double doors in front of them, "Go on through these doors. Head down the hall; her majesty should be waiting for you on the balcony."
"Thank you, " Cora said and followed April through the doors.
The hallway was not as bright as the rooms before but was filled with a sort of calming light that came from the large windows lining the hall. The floor they walked on was a smooth apricot colored stone with a large red carpet that reached all the way to the end of the hall. They walked until they came to a window that opened and found that it led to a balcony where a young woman wearing a pink dress stood, her back to them.
The girls glanced at each other nervously. They were about to meet the famous Princess Peach; even April was feeling shaky about it. Peach was a huge part of all the Mario games. Meeting her was definitely a big deal.
"Umm…your majesty?" Cora started taking a deep breath.
The women on the balcony turned gracefully her long pink dress sweeping gently across the stone floor. She looked just like the Peach in the games with large bright blue eyes, a small crown on her head, and blue earrings. Her blond hair was layered in soft puffs that fell around her shoulders and down her back. April had a huge weird urge to touch it and see if it was real.
"You must be the girls who wished to speak with me?" Peach said softly, "What is this important matter we must discuss?"
"We are on a quest," April said tired of being the quiet one, "Cora and I are looking for an object that if found by the wrong people can cause a lot of issues for your world and ours."
"Your World?" Princess Peach looked confused, "Do you speak of Mario's world?"
Cora looked at April who nodded, "Yes," Cora replied. It was a lot easier to just say that they were from Mario's Earth than their Earth. The mention of the other would probably be too long of a topic and confusing for everybody.
"I see," Peach said looking very thoughtful," So what does this object look like?"
Cora tried to remember exactly what it looked like, "A necklace on a silver cord…with a dark blue stone? Sort of oval shaped," She said.
Peach frowned, "Well…that doesn't sound very easy to find, I was hoping it would be something of a larger size."
April sighed, "Sadly no, when we looked at the picture we were disappointed too, and the worst part is we have no idea where it could be."
The Princess looked out across the balcony at the sky looking very worried. After a moment of silence she turned to look at the girls, "This sounds like a job for the Mario brothers."
"Princess Peach," Cora said quickly, "This is our mission and ours alone, and we shouldn't drag other people into it." April looked at her like she was crazy. Cora gave her an apologetic look; she knew how much April had wanted to hang out with Mario and Luigi. It was better if it was just the two of them though, she didn't know if enlisting help on this venture would cause more bad than good.
Princess Peach shook her head, "This concerns all of us from what you've said, and these brothers never fail a mission, especially ones of such vital importance. And…" Peach paused and closed her eyes, "Mario…he never fails me."
"We may need the help too." April said. Cora glared at her and shook her head.
Peach looked from the two of them with a small smile, "May I suggest an idea? You two can do your part in this and I will send the Mario brothers out on their own, to gather information for example. They will head in their own direction and you yours. Working as two teams and covering more ground on the side. Maybe by fate's hand you will run into each other a few times as well."
Cora looked pleased with this and glanced at April to see what she thought. April looked a bit down about it but kind of excited about the chance of running into them as they journeyed across the land.
"Sure," April said after a second, "That will work."
Peach nodded, "Ok, now you two wait here ill go contact the Mario brothers."
After the princess had left April narrowed her eyes at Cora, "You know, we could have just grouped up with Mario and Luigi, that would have been a lot of fun."
"I just don't like the idea, that's all." Cora said, "Fila said nothing about adding to our group."
"Why don't you just pull out the marble thingee and ask her opinion?" April suggested.
Cora looked alarmed and reached into her pockets, "Oh no! I dropped it at that underground room!"
April grinned and pulled out it out of her jean's pocket and handed it to her friend, "I forgot to tell you I found it."
"Oh thank goodness!" Cora sighed in relief, "I thought it was gone forever."
"So, are you going to contact Fila now?"
"She said to only call her for important things, we should only contact her if we really need help. We shouldn't abuse this."
April opened her mouth to say something but heard the tapping of shoes behind her and turned to see Peach enter the hall.
"I have sent a messenger to their home, they should receive word of this issue soon, in the mean time what do you need me to do for you?"
Cora was about to speak when the ground beneath them began to shake. The girls fell to the floor, April landing hard on her knee. There were screams and shouts outside the room and a crash against the door.
It seemed to never end but eventually the quake stopped and the girls helped a shaken Peach to her feet. The Princess was terrified as was Cora, but April just looked very curious to what the heck just happened.
"That," Cora said after taking some deep breaths to calm herself, "Was weird."
"W-what was that?" Peach stammered.
"Maybe someone's uprooting your castle?" April suggested innocently.
Cora glared at her friend. April most likely was referring to the Paper Mario game where Bowser placed his castle under Peach's and took the two castles into the air along with most of the Princess's staff. That likely wasn't a good memory for Peach whatsoever.
Cora was correct, when her majesty turned ghostly pale. Cora quickly pointed out that if they were up in the air they would see stars or at least a different view outside the balcony. That seemed to make the princess feel better. April hid a smile after receiving another glare from Cora.
The doors at the end of the halls burst open all a sudden and groups of toad guards rushed in.
"P-princess!" they cried, "Were under attack!"
Cora, April, and the princess with an entourage of guards ran outside. They watched with wide eyes as literarily about a hundred piranha plants, big and small, attacked guards and citizens alike.
"They just came out of nowhere your majesty!" A toad guard explained holding an injured arm, "They erupted out of the ground and just started attacking anyone nearby!"
"April," Cora said quickly, "Remember the pack of piranha plants in the forest? Do you think they have been gathering others to attack the castle?"
"I didn't think they were that smart but now I'm not so sure, "April said watching a large piranha plant tear into the gate leading to Toad Town.
"Princess, go inside, "A toad guard said, "We will take care of things out here, just go find a safe place to hide."
"Come on April, "Cora said after Peach ran inside, "Lets join the fight, we have to help these toads."
April nodded in agreement and ran onto the grass a strong breeze already whipping around her body. Cora grabbed a broken off piece of an iron fence nearby and ran into battle holding the post like a spear.
Two piranha plants shredded the ground as they raced towards April. She was ready though and with a battle cry motioned with her arms sending a whirlwind their way. The plants were tossed round and round until the force of the wind uprooted them from the ground where they lay on their sides unable to continue the fight.
Cora, with the spike tipped black post in her hand raced towards a small but aggressive piranha plant that was towering over a small toad, preparing to feast on its victim. She aimed for its face and it swiftly ducked but could not avoid getting a small scratch across the top of its head. It screamed in rage and reared up its head at her, its large lips peeled back revealing shark like teeth. Cora stepped back just as it knocked into the ground in front of her, taking a huge bite out of the earth. She watched as it lifted its bulbous head and shook the dirt clods and grass out of its teeth. Cora was ready when it thrust its head at her again. Her weapon slid clean between its jaws through the back of its head killing it instantly. It slid to the ground with a loud thud; its body crumbling like a decaying rose.
April had her hands full with five of the beasts and was working side by side with a toad guard who was fighting with a broken spear. She had sent one of the plants flying backwards into the stone wall of the castle but another had taken its place.
"There are so many of them!" The toad fighting alongside April cried, "I don't know how long we can last."
April worked up another gale trying to center her emotions on a feeling of rage. Get angry…get angry...soon a razor sharp gale tore into two piranha plants ripping off several leafs from their bodies and casting one into a nearby pond. April had felt invincible with her power but was starting to feel drained. She gasped as a plant rammed her hard, sending her flying into some shrubbery. April leaped up just as a monster moved to attack again. She ran a couple feet then turned to launch another missile of air at it with a sharp movement of her arms her mouth open in a cry of desperate rage.
Cora was up against two piranha plants, one that appeared to be a very young plant with curly leaf tips, the other a bulky headed monster with jagged teeth. She moved aside as the larger of the two ran towards her. The smaller one kept snapping its jaws at her, circling around her menacingly. Cora took several steps back and felt her heel catch on something, and with a cry of fear, felt herself fall backwards.
"Cora!" April shouted, seeing her friend on the ground, a piranha plant towering over her. April knocked one aside with a well-placed shot of wind and ran to protect Cora who was looking up at a monstrous plant, frozen in fear.
The huge piranha plant snapped its jaws and wiggled its head side to side staring down with no eyes on its head, almost as if it could catch her scent in its mouth. With a fierce cry of triumph it plunged its head down towards Cora who's eyes were slipped shut, waiting for the end.
There was a screech of pain and Cora felt her hair sweep around her in a tug of wind, she opened her eyes quickly to see April standing over her protectively, her red hair flaring up around her. The plant that had almost taken Cora out was laying several feet away its broken body near a group of cowering toads.
The girls stood back to back each facing a large group of plants, and more on the way. There were screams as several piranha plants burst through the ground near some toads.
"It's a good time to use your power Cora!" April yelled as the piranha plants moved closer.
"Maybe, "But Cora looked uncertain and instead readied her weapon. April pulled out the energy deep inside herself and glared at the surrounding enemies. Once more the ferocious plants assaulted them and just when all seemed lost they heard a very familiar voice.
"It's a me, Mario!"
"He talks, "April said aloud receiving a strange look from Cora.
Mario himself was at the gate with his brother close behind. The plants paused then dipped into the ground appearing near the brothers, their nostrils flaring. Cora and April, no longer surrounded, watched in fascination as the Mario brothers began to hammer the plants.
After taking a beating from the brothers for several minutes the plants retreated knocking down several rows of fence as they went, almost hitting a toad that was fortunately swift on his feet. In the middle of the courtyard Luigi and Mario nodded at one another and tucked away their weapons into their overalls. April stared as they walked towards her. Cora was nervous and dry swallowed; they were about to meet the Mario brothers, the Mario brothers!
"Are you girls ok?" Luigi asked them, pulling off his hat and scratching his head.
"W-we're…umm fine," Cora stuttered, "Hi."
"Oh, umm…hello." Luigi replied. He blinked as he watched Cora turn bright pink and start saying something unintelligible.
April gave her friend an amused smile, "This is Cora," She said, "My name is April."
"I'm Mario and this is my brother Weegee."
"Oh my gosh!" Cora squeaked, "Don't you love how he says that?"
April palm slapped and the Mario brothers gazed on in confusion. Cora seemed to realize how she was acting and blushed deeper, staring down at her feet. Oh my gosh…oh my gosh…oh my gosh…she thought, this is the greatest day of my life!
April remained calm unlike her red-faced friend and grinned at the brothers, "You guys are the greatest! I'm like, your biggest fan…well besides Cora of course."
Luigi gave her a small smile and Mario looked past her shoulder at the castle, "Is the Princess alright?"
"Yep, " April said.
"Mario!" A group of toads ran up to the brothers almost knocking over April who stepped aside just in time.
The girls watched as all the toads began talking at once… "They attacked out of nowhere" and "It was terrible!" "You arrived just in time" was all Cora and April could catch.
The brothers seemed used to this and followed the toads into the castle with the girls bringing up the rear of the group. April looked annoyed when she realized she could no longer glimpse Mario's hat up ahead of them cause of the over crowding of toads. Eventually they made it into the hall where Peach was.
"Mario!" She said happily, "Thank you so much for your help."
"We kicked some tail too, " April mumbled under her breath as Peach beamed at the brothers. Cora gave her an understanding smile and they watched as Peach dismissed the over excited Toads. Soon it was just them, the Mario brothers, and the princess.
"Are you two alright?" Peach asked Cora and April. Cora nodded and April grinned, "We took a lot out ourselves." She said proudly.
Peach looked surprised, "Really? How did you fight them?"
April spoke before Cora could say anything, "I have power over the element of air, and I sent them flying."
"That's very interesting, " Luigi commented. Mario just gave April a curious look.
"Oh," Peach said, "Mario, Luigi…I have sent a messenger to your home, but I suppose you left before he arrived at your door."
The brothers nodded and Peach continued, "I have something important to ask of you, your services are needed once more."
The girls waited while Princess Peach explained the situation to Mario and his brother. It was decided afterwards that the Mario brothers will travel across the land, looking for clues about this strange necklace and the girl's will go their own way doing the same, just as Peach suggested before. The princess gave each adventurer a pack with supplies and soon they stood outside the castle, preparing to go off and start the search.
"I wish you all luck on your travels," Peach told them and watched as they left the gate each starting their own way.
Cora and April knew that with the Mario brother's help, they were one step closer to completing their quest and recovering the necklace. Working together as friends they continue their quest, not realizing that there was much more work to be done to keep their world and the other's safe from evil.
Fila sat alone, floating in a white expanse of air her body now visible. She had hidden herself before only because of her weakness. Summoning Cora into the inbetween had almost drained her completely of power and it had taken awhile to finally appear again. Now a woman could be seen with eyes the color of deep water and snow-white skin, long strands of silver hair falling still past her shoulders. She wore no clothes but was clothed in a white mist her body appearing distorted with each movement of the air.
"Where are you?" She whispered, "I thought I found you but it was only a whisper of my own power." Ever since she had recovered full use of her energy, Fila had been trying to locate her sister Areola, with no success.
This is all her fault, and I am very angry with her, Fila thought, but she is my sister and it is important for her to be here with me. I cannot do this on my own…
Once more Fila concentrated her power, feeling cold but also hot waves rush through her body. Her aura appeared violet, reflecting brilliantly against her hair. She felt the powers inside her enter a far away place to search for any energy there. Fila felt nothing… and then for a moment she touched something bright and chilled. Her chest burned and the thread connecting her to the dimension snapped, and she opened her eyes. For one moment she had felt her sister and then…nothing. She was still much too weak to find her, much less to contact her.
"Why?" Fila whispered to the air around her taking comfort in the sound of her own voice, "Why did you do this to me sister? You have endangered us all." No one answered her and she sat in silence for a long while. All she could do was hope that the human's she sent to the dimension where the key was located would not fail. If they did…and the key was used for other means, it could spell disaster for more than one innocent world. The necklace was no mere piece of jewelry; it was only cast into that form by its wearer, Areola, who had behaved foolishly. Her sister was a creature who reveled in games and nonsense. She had played with the key, arrogantly assuming it was safe around her neck and that none could touch it. But, somehow she had teleported back to the inbetween and it was gone. Fila at that time, had stared at her sister in horror at what she had done. Areola had just smiled, "Calm yourself sister, I will find it. Nothing can hide from me, especially not some trinket." She had been so relaxed and certain of herself that Fila had felt the huge urge to scream at her sister for her foolishness. That girl's mistake could very well doom the universe. She had no idea of the key's power…it was but only a fraction of Fila's.
"I will find you," Fila said to the air around her, "I just only hope you have found something as well."
I hope you liked this chapter, and I also hope it made sense. ^^ I had to put the last part in, because it is important to the future of this story. This quest is much more complex then you think…
I heart reviews! Please review! They really truly make a difference! If I don't get any I just think that I'm wasting my time and it will take me forever to update this plus my confidence meter will go down. So once more: Please review! It's very nice to receive them, think of other authors as well! If you liked a story or your sticking to one, be sure to go back when you finished reading and leave feed back. They will appreciate it, as will I.