Disclaimer: All assets of the Mario Movie belong to Nintendo and Illumination.

Chapter 6: Hero

"So, tell me a bit more about where you're from," Toad said as he skipped along the path he and Mario were walking on, the items of his backpack clanging against each other, but Mario was pretty quick to draw out the noise. Over the past thirty minutes, the two began their way towards the princess, and as they walked, Toad went into a ramble upon where Mario was as he gave more information on the Mushroom Kingdom. He told the plumber all about the history of the monarchy to the fact that they were at war with another kingdom called the Darklands. Apparently, some turtle named Bowser was tormenting the kingdom all for the love of the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. This war had been going on for over a decade, but based on the details Toad said, Mario already got a good idea of who the princess was: some fearless warrior who fought for her people. He could see why some overgrown turtle would have some interest in someone with that personality. That also listed a place of interest for the plumber for Luigi's location. Toad also rambled upon other countries like a bean and waffle kingdoms, which were named after and based on their respective foods, and that was a mind-boggling thought. Who would've guessed such a thing could exist in this world? This world sounded a lot more exciting to Mario than he ever thought. He definitely would have to take a tour with Luigi once he rescued him. "Come on, Mario! I told you all about the Mushroom Kingdom. You have to tell me more about this Brooklyn! I need to know!"

"You're enthusiastically enthralled for a guy I met moments ago."

"Well, that's because you're different from the norm! Being in the Mushroom Kingdom all the time is boring and I've never been to the other kingdoms I talked about. It's only fair!"

Mario chuckled. "OK, OK! I'll tell you where I am, but don't be too excited because it's not as unique as this world is."

"I'll be the judge of that. Lay it on me, brother." And so Mario did, describing everything there was to know about where he lived from the city he grew up in all the way to the Earth and Solar System. As he explained more of his world, he could see the growing look of amazement and bewilderment on Toad's face that said it all about his reaction.

"And that's the gist of where I'm from," he said.

"So, let me get this straight. You actually moved to this Brooklyn from an entirely different country? What is it called? Itlay?"

"Italy."

"And you speak an entire new language?!"

Mario raised an eyebrow. "And you don't have separate languages?"

"Not really. We mainly speak what you speak. Please! I have to hear some of your second language!" Mario chuckled. Normally he would stick with the language he grew up with and didn't use a whole lot of Italian these days, but he could make exceptions with his adventurous friend.

"Ciao! Mi chiamo Mario. Piacere di conoscerti! That means 'Hello! My name is Mario. Nice to meet you!'"

Toad gasped. "Woah! That's so cool! So, what was it like growing up in this Italy?"

Mario sighed. "To be honest, growing up there wasn't the best. My family had a tough time just trying to get by. My mother had to be a stay-at-home mom for the two of us and my father struggled to find a good, steady job, and back then, Italy was switching to a new currency, so the lira we had slowly became useless. My family decided to move to the United States for new and better opportunities. I often heard how free the US was and the limitless number of opportunities there were. But after moving, my father dictated my every choice like what I could and couldn't eat, wear, or even do. After he became a doctor, he created a whole life plan that dictated things like my career, where to go to college, etc. He dictated so much of my life so I wouldn't have to go through what he did, but I had my own interests, as well, and yet every time I told them to him, he always turned a blind eye. Always." He scoffed.

"But it sounds like he truly does want what's best for you."

"There's a difference between wishing for the best and forcing your agenda on someone else. Which was why I wanted to prove him wrong, prove everyone who ever doubted me that I can make it through this world without facing the same issues Dad did. He's just stuck in the past."

"OK, so let's change the topic. I'm kinda curious about your brother."

Mario smiled. "My brother is the best anyone could ever ask for. Luigi's sweet, kind, always puts himself before others, but…" He paused as the tears came. "There are times when he's just clueless on common sense things. He doesn't know how to stand up for himself, and I have to do that for him. I'm just so afraid that he's gonna do something he's gonna regret, and I might not be there to save him! Like what if he's in the Darklands and the enemy gets a hold of him?! What then?! I can't lose him!"

"And you won't." Toad sighed. "To be honest, I have no idea what having siblings feel like. I grew up a lone child with my parents always wanting to cherish me like I was their baby because I am, but I just wanted more with my life. I always had a craving for adventure, and my imagination became my best friend. I often created many different adventures and had vivid dreams in my head. Now hearing your story, now I wonder how much my life would've been changed if I had a sibling. But I wouldn't change a thing about who I am, even if I'm a bit cray cray. My point is we're gonna save him. We have a plan. All we need to do is keep going, so enough with the crying. Let's keep moving forward!" Mario smiled. He needed to hear those words. He needed some kind of reassurance, and having it come from someone he met not too long ago showed he could trust him. Some might've probably misjudged him and didn't see his more serious side, but Toad truly had a caring heart, even if he showed it through different means because that was one of his more hidden but strong suits the organism yielded. "Look! There's Toad Town, which means we're closer than ever before! We just need to reach that hill and we're golden!"

Toad had told Mario a little bit about this Toad Town, and his description gave the plumber vibes of Brooklyn, and he wasn't lying. It was huge, sprawling with many houses that were shaped akin to the Toads' heads as they stretched for miles. The titular organisms of the town were everywhere in many different colors than Toad's red color as they intermingled with each other. Needless to say, it was like Brooklyn except not as modernized.

"Well, Mario? Impressed? Is it just like your Brooklyn?"

"I'd say," the plumber said. "It's huge!"

"Yep. Toad Town is one of the most populous cities in the Mushroom Kingdom, and it's where the princess lives, though not many people are granted access into her castle. Only ones with royal summons or invitations can enter, but don't worry pal. I've got a secret trick up my sleeve."

"Oh? What would that be?"

"I'm one of the most notorious pranksters around. I've made quite a name for myself. I can easily distract the guards while you go see the princess."

"And you're sure she won't throw me in prison for unlawful entry?"

Toad laughed. "Oh, you worry too much! Put some trust into your new best friend! My plan will work given my reputation." He growled when he saw the numerous Toads in the plaza. "This is never gonna work." He cleared his throat. "Everyone, clear the way! This guy's got a date with the princess!" To Mario's surprise, the Toads were pretty expeditious to clear a path as Toad guided him along. "This way!" After they made their way out of the plaza and into a construction zone, Mario glared intently at Toad.

"Did you really have to phrase it that way? Seriously?! Now people are gonna assume she and I are actually dating!"

Toad scoffed as the two hopped from one moving platform to another. "Like people are gonna assume that to a person they haven't even met. Plus, you know that word has more than one meaning. Come on!" He pointed to a series of pipes that zigzagged out of the hill. "Pipes in this kingdom are how people get around. They're pretty nifty."

"But what about that other one, the one I came out of?"

"I don't know. I guess not all are created equal. Into this clear pipe we go then we'll be there!" He jumped in with a squeal of glee. Mario glanced at it hesitantly, but entered as it sucked him in, banging him all around as he reached the top, collapsing from exhaustion. "Here we are!" Mario sat up and stared at the beautiful pink and white castle that stood before him. He even caught a glimpse of a glass mural of what probably was the princess.

"Wow! It's beautiful!"

"Typical first reactions. Come on! We're almost there!" He ran ahead with Mario shaking his head as he ran after him. They came to the front doors when two Guard Toads pointed their halberds at them.

"Hey!" one said. "Not one step further!"

"Hey, Bucken Berry. Ala-Gold," Toad said casually. "Long time, no see!"

Ala-Gold rolled his eyes. "Look who it is, 'Mr. Organism Named After Our Species'. You were here two days ago. Last time you were here, you pulled a dumb fart prank on us! No one loves your jokes, so go the heck away!"

"Oh, come on! Who doesn't love a little humor? We all need some with how gloomy and dark things have been with the Darklands. You know what they say: laughter is the best medicine!"

"And you're the only one not taking things seriously!" Bucken Berry hissed. "The princess's safety relies on us, and everyday, all you love is creating chaos and making our jobs harder! So, forget whatever business you and your lackey have here. Go the heck away at once!"

"Please!" Mario begged. "I have to see her! It's important business! This is no joke!"

"So is this war. The princess has her hands tied. She doesn't need to deal with a foreigner's problems. Go away at once!"

"Fine. You leave me with no choice." He jumped in the air as he traveled behind the Guard Toads' backs and quickly punched them unconscious before they could react.

"Woah! That was so cool! You gotta teach me how to do that!"

Mario sighed. "Truth be told, that was a technique I've used on many bullies of the past. I don't want to do it if I don't have to."

Toad's smile vanished. "Oh, sorry. I guess my humor gets the best of me."

"But why would they say stuff like that?"

Toad sighed. "To be honest, they're right. I haven't been taking this as seriously as I should mainly because my humor is nothing but a mask."

"A mask?"

"I saw how serious the war can be up close. There was one time when a couple of my species had caught word of Bowser's arrival, but as they and the princess had begun running away, Bowser somehow got word of her escape and sent soldiers after her. They had such ferocious vehicles and destroyed any obstacle just to get to her. M… My parents were caught in the explosions where they destroyed their house right in front of me when I was playing outside. I was lucky to escape before it exploded. I spent the next many days in hiding, hoping they wouldn't find me even though they were after the princess. I rarely was the type to cry, but I was still horrified about what happened, so I tried to distract myself with my own humor, thinking about other things rather than their deaths. And that was ten years ago, right when the conflict started."

"Have you ever openly expressed your emotions with someone?"

"No, because I hate having to deal with those emotions!" He got on his knees. "Having to deal with the repercussions of those emotions is something I hate dealing with! I just hate them!"

"But holding in these emotions does more damage and stress than letting it out. I know that holding them in might seem easier, but it's not. In order to feel true freedom from those burdens, you have to let your feelings out." He touched Toad's shoulder. "Please don't reject a side of your emotions. Sadness and anger are what make you sentiment. You need to fully embrace these emotions to feel whole again. Understand?"

"But how? All I've ever known to deal with the trauma was just laugh it off. I kept thinking, 'None of this is real. They're probably playing hide-and-seek with me! Yeah!', and I would believe it whenever the trauma would hit me. I even kept myself distracted by trying to make others laugh, and most of the time, it worked. I oddly found peace and forgot about my parents' deaths. But I guess that's not how I find true freedom, is it?"

"You're improving. Start with stating how you feel with 'I' statements. Take your time. Just state how you truly feel."

Toad nodded. He sighed. "To be honest, I often thought it was nothing but a dream. I kept making different excuses rather than acknowledging the true reason: they're truly gone, and they're never coming back." He slammed his fist into the ground. "I hate it! I hate everything about it! How nonchalant I've been. How I've acted like their deaths meant nothing to me, and I hate it! I'm so sorry, Mom and Dad! Please forgive me!" He ran into Mario's arms as he cried. The plumber rubbed his shoulders in comfort. It truly was sad that Toad didn't have anyone to help him cope with this kind of trauma, but he was glad it had been him being the one to do it even though he stumbled upon him. He was grateful for that miraculous encounter. But he couldn't help but worry. This Bowser seemed a whole lot more dangerous than he thought. If he could destroy people's lives if he wanted to, then that proved to be a much bigger threat than Luigi's life. He had to stop him at all costs. "Thank you." Toad glanced at him, still sniffling, but he wore a faint smile. "No one's ever done that to me before. Thank you so much, Mario."

"Of course. Also, I realized something. This Bowser is a bigger threat than I realized. I have a new goal: to stop him at all costs."

"But what about your brother?"

"I have a feeling that he's somewhere in this world. Call it a gut feeling, but I got one that Luigi's got himself entangled with this Bowser." He clenched his fist." I'm still gonna find him and stop Bowser, no matter what it takes."

Toad smiled. "You truly have the heart of a hero." Mario scratched his head. Hero? He never thought of his actions as such. Sure, a lot of things that he did could be classified as heroic actions in someone's eyes, but Mario did it because it had to be done. But this was the first time someone called him a hero. It had a different feeling than previous times. "Well," Toad said, "I'm done moping around. Let's go see the princess!"

"Wait! Do you truly think I'm a hero?"

"Of course! Why'd you think I even said it? Because I meant it. Now, come on, Mario!" He ran inside the castle. Mario smirked. Hero. That had a nice ring to it.

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