Open Road
Dark skies, one moon, and five karts.
Mario puts his communicator to use, and contacts his dino friend. "Thanks again for stepping in. You're-a no stranger, you've been stepping in all the time. They oughta promote you!"
The Dino keeps his eyes on the road. "Wellll power messes with people. Just doesn't seem like it's for me."
Mario encourages him. "You can handle it. Out of all the Yoshi's you're the bravest. The others are cute, but they don't go above and beyond like you. No offense to them."
"They'll be ok."
"Cool, but if anyone can make an impact, it's you."
"Yeah...we like to play it safe." Yoshi admits. "Everytime someone makes a deal it, it doesn't go well."
"How so?"
"We've met some mean people and they took advantage of us." Unfortunately Yoshi's aren't the best at negotiation. "Chief doesn't reach out anymore unless he needs your help...but with this new star around I don't know if he'll share it. He's been um..paranoid lately."
Mario takes that story in. "I hope he snaps out of it. It blows to get screwed over, and the trust issues don't help."
"It's like you said. We do what we can."
The connection between the two runs deep. When the Mario's were just children put into this unfamiliar world, this young Yoshi was right there to help them out through thick and thin. A connection basically unbreakable.
Luigi let's out a loud yawn. "Yaaawwwww...mamamia, where's a rest stop when you need it?"
Daisy chimes in. "Well that's why we just make our own."
Yoshi's Island
After their rest the day before, it's the dawn of a new day..and a stop to a new place. The sun's shining, Yoshi's running, and nature flourishing.
There's more to take in. Clouds floating in the air with a question mark on them, Huffin Puffins running like a cute pack across the land, and of all sights: Shy Guys using stilts to move around.
"Huh?" Mario raises a brow. "Did your chief strike up a deal with Bowser?"
"Don't worry, they're friendlies!" Yoshi clarifies. "Not every Shy Guy's with him you know."
All the plumber can do is blink. "Huh..."
The crew leaves their vehicles. Yoshi steps off his bike but a blue one runs over and hugs the living daylights out of him! Yoshi's eyes are bulging. Yoshi! How have you been?!"
"H-hi..."
"We've missed you so much!"
"P-please let me go."
The blue notices his eyes. "Oh! Sorry!" He lets him go, and the Dino catches his breath. "To answer your question..I've been doing great."
That new yoshi sees all of his friends with him, and looks to make a good first impression. "Hi I'm Blue! I've been waiting forever to see you all back!"
Their Yoshi coughs. "We came to see the Chief. He available?"
"I'll take you right to him!" Blue leads them along.
It's takes a minute but they come to a wide field. The grass moves to the right with grace, and sitting alone at the center is the Yoshi's Chief. He's staring at the sunrise. He may go blind but it doesn't matter much to him. "Mario Brothers."
He turns to the crew. "You've brought company. What is your business here?"
Mario speaks up for the crew. "Bowser struck again. We've been tracking the Seven Stars to end this war. My friend said you have one here."
The Chief eyes his fellow dinosaur. "That was generous of you."
"Thanks!"
"But we won't surrender our star just yet."
There it is.
"If we are ambushed we could lose this beautiful land without a fight. Our tribe is strong but we aren't a superpower. This Star gives us hope, that one day we can defend ourselves at any time." Chief explains.
A Yoshi family's running in the fields right behind him. A pink dad, blue mom, and their little red kid. "There's too much at risk."
A more grown red one barges into Luigi from behind! He turns around and it sniffs him. "Oh.." he starts petting it. Despite the nice scene, this is still serious business and the Chief makes sure to remind them.
"You and your people always get back on your feet no matter what. We couldn't recover from the damage your kingdom has taken, we just need this era of peace to continue. If you want to aid in any other way, I am open to hearing about it." Chief's not budging on this one.
Yoshi hangs his head down. It's not the depression hitting, just disappointment. The Chief has seen this before. "May I get a moment alone with him?"
Bowser's Castle
"What do you mean I can't drive it?"
Junior's standing by his dad, with a big shadow in-front of them. It doesn't take the shape of the usual airship they sent out though.
"We need to catch that roach by surprise." Bowser explains. "He's taken down our airships before, I doubt he's seen machinery like this!"
That machine is thirty-feet long, with a black exterior, and a glowing red face with a seat inside. Kamek's actually controlling the bot for now. "Dad...it doesn't have any weapons."
"Wrong you are!" He snaps his finger as the robot's fist sinks in, and a Bullet Bill takes it's place. "How about that?"
Junior's attention is grabbed when weapons come into the picture. "That's better!" There's still something on his mind though. "Um..."
"What's wrong, Junior?"
"Why do we need these stars? You keep talking about 'em."
"A pest named Mario always stopped my plans before those stars were spotted. But now that we got a sighting? I'll make sure that stupid, stupid Mario won't get one this time!" Bowser explains.
He could still marry Peach. But if he beats Mario, it will be just as satisfying to him. IF.
Plains, Yoshi's Island
The crew respects his request, leaving the Chief alone with Yoshi.
"Yoshi have big hearts, but in situations like this it's not wise to follow it. I understand you care for your friends but war doesn't stop for anyone. You can't aid them and expect us to feel safe." The Chief says, in interest of preserving peace.
"The Mario's give so much back to us! If Bowser wins, we're gonna be next and one star's not going to stop him." Yoshi's fighting back, but it's not enough.
"We'd be vulnerable if they catch us giving the star away. They can come in and run us over solely because they know they can." The Chief explains. "In wars like this, anyone can be struck and we need this power by our side."
"But we can act! Get them before they get us!" Yoshi tries his best, but the Chief closes his eyes. "We're still keeping the star. Your bond with your friends is strong, but there are other ways to help. It's our biggest defense, we can't get rid of it."
"If we have it, they won't trace it here!"
"If we don't, they'll destroy us..."
Neither speaks for a few seconds. Seems they are at a stalemate on this debate.
"You have good intent, but your friends aren't the only group that matters. You lack the bigger picture. So much potential to rise in our ranks, but unfortunately you are too naive." That gets a glare from the yoshi. "Whether we like them or not, it's too risky to fall on the sword. There are consequences. Consequences we may never recover from."
When the talk eventually comes to an end, Yoshi leaves his chief in peace. He thinks to himself about the situation, just looking done with it all. He but doesn't get much time, cause Mario spots him, and he can't hide how he actually feels.
"Didn't go well?" he asks.
"I did what I could."
"Hm." Mario takes that in. "Your Chief is stubborn. It's-a double sword."
"He's just playing it safe again. I don't get it...if we want to protect ourselves, let's just work together! They'll be coming for the star, and if we grab and go then they'll come for us instead. Ugh...islands fun until we get into politics." Yoshi's frustration is coming out, and whether his logic is sound, is up for debate.
"I see why Luigi hates it. It's-a so depressing."
Yoshi sighs. "Yeah..but nobody needs to be sad right now, so let's find something to do. There's plenty."
The two take a stroll around town and find a crowd of Yoshi huddled up. They find an opening ink and as it turns around, it's a jousting tournament.
Mario's curious and asks his friend about this. "Last time I was here I didn't even see jousting."
"It's a trend...but you know, Mario." For the first time in a long time, Yoshi has some intent behind those eyes. "Imagine what we can do if we enter together."
The plumber gulps, and that's when it hits the Yoshi. "Oh sorry for scaring you! I just..need to get this out of my system."
When the time comes for two new teams to enter, Mario hops on Yoshi and they enter the battleground. Their opponents are both yellow...and about to have a bad time.
"Doh..why do we have to fight them?"
"Let's just get this over with...chaaaarge..."
Mario and Yoshi win easily. All it took was a big push. They had the edge in experience there, and will continue to until a well-oiled machine comes in to take them down a notch.
Mario and Yoshi high five in front of the whole crowd. "Wow..we basically cheated. That wasn't even fair."
The plumber doesn't care. "We didn't cheat, we just had a lot of practice."
Mario can ride on all the Yoshi's in the world, but he can never diss the first animal who had his back.
The others in the crew have already gotten on that. Luigi's walking around a square of the island, where a rolling egg in the distance catches his eye. He decides to ignore that whole story and moves on.
He heads to a place labeled "Dino Diner." He tilts his head. "Huh..so if Yoshi's right, I'm-a have quality."
He heads right in, and takes a look around. Surprisingly, it doesn't look much different from dinners elsewhere. The main difference has to be the patterns. White and Green couldn't be any more prominent than it already is.
He takes a seat at a stool, and a Purple Yoshi with a tie on gets to him. "I'm Indigo, and I'll be your server for the day! What can I getcha?"
"I'll have..." he looks at the sign posted right above him. Unfortunately for him there's no pizza, so he has to improvise. "Hmm...never had a banana smoothie before."
"First time for everything." She says with a smile. The positivity is overwhelming, that even customer service workers have no problems doing their job. Then again, if the customers are nice, then there's a little less stress on their shoulders.
Luigi gets a tap on the shoulder and turns to see a violet Yoshi with noticeable eyelashes. "You look just like the guy we see on TV!"
"...you have TV?"
"Mmhmm! We know all about the Mushroom Kingdom's drama..and sources say someone has the hots for you."
That gets his attention. "What? I know women with good taste like Mario, but I don't get that attention."
That Yoshi spots Luigi's tender returning. "Love works in mysterious ways. Hope you can catch them before it's too late."
All he can do is blink. Is she messing with him? Or is this legit? Romance hasn't really crossed his mind at all, but one conversation at a diner has locked it in his mind. "Huh... me too."
"Banana smoothie." She sets it down loud enough for him to hear. "Made with love."
Luigi turns to see his meal ready to go. He digs into his pocket, but the server puts a hand up. "No need! You and your brother have done so much for our Chief, that making you pay is a disgrace to the chief himself."
Luigi chuckles. "How nice.."
While he sits at the cafe, Daisy and the Doctor are on a walk across the beach. They come across the lake, with Yoshi's splashing each other inside. Others are lounging around, just enjoying the nature around them.
"This place makes me forget we're saving a whole kingdom." Daisy admits. "If we weren't here for a star I'd love to kick back."
The Doc agrees. "There's so much opportunity. With how different Yoshi's and humans are I can only imagine the breakthrough in my field."
A smile forms on the Princess' face. "Love it everytime we have to race here. There's something about it. It even calmed LUIGI down, and he can be a nervous wreck."
"From the day I met him, he's always been anxious. I haven't diagnosed him with anything yet, cause I don't need him freaking out about that either." The Doc admits. "That sounds bad, but he still tries his best. Mario has him beat everywhere, but that guy surprises me sometimes."
Daisy takes a mental note. "What about you? I always hear people talk about the brothers, but you work in the background."
"I'm in love with the work I do now."
"You are the least stressed Doctor I've ever met."
Suddenly a bang's heard, and all the Yoshi's in the area run right past the two! This can only mean one thing! The two take off back to the main area, not wanting to go at whatever the source is alone. If hundreds are running, two won't be enough.
The Yoshi's are tailing it in the main area too. The Mario Brothers and their trusty dinosaur group up.
"Where's the others?" Luigi asks.
"On their way. But we got this." Mario pumps his brother up and turns to the dinosaur. "Take all that frustration and let it out right here!"
Yoshi gets in a running stance, he's ready to rumble.
The Doctor and the Daisy get back with the group. No words are exchanged as they face the threat ahead. A twenty-foot shadow overtakes what was once healthy grass. Standing above them...
...that a thirty foot robot, with its menacing red face, and a Bowser logo slapped on the front. Inside, Junior's got his Clown Cart next to him, and a radar. That radar has a glowing light to his right.
"Hehe.."
He maneuvers the bot to the crews left, heading into the woods. The Doctor's eyes widen. "He's going for it!" The crew wastes no time following the mass of metal.
In the hot seat, Junior continues to follow the light...until he reaches what looks to be a cornfield. He scratches his own head, and sends the arm down to rummage it. So many innocent crops get ripped to the side, but there's still no results.
"Huh?"
He continues ripping the field up, but still can't find any secret entrance.
"How is anyone supposed to find this?"
He keeps scavenging..until he hears a thud. Junior doesn't hesitate as the machines hands tear through the ground, and rips out a box! Once the box crashes down, a weird sound is heard.
With how wide Junior's smile is, it'd be like if he won the jackpot. "Hehehe." It immediately disappears. "Now if Mario could just stay away for one sec—"
"JUNIOR!"
The crew arrives right on-time. "We're here!" Mario says, and he recognizes that voice from anywhere.
Junior growls. "MARIO!"
The robot spins around, the box with that first Star being blocked. "Every single time my family tries to be happy you always get in the way! You don't have to be so rude you know?"
The plumber has no regrets. "You didn't have to kill innocent plant-life, but ooooh no I'm the rude one."
That angers the koopa kid, who clenches the robots fist. "Stop...doing whatever that is!"
"Using facts?"
"Yes, it's really annoying!"
The crew's on alert, waiting for the first attack. It's time for one side to earn that first Power Star. Bowser Junior and his new toy will stop at nothing to make sure he takes it home...but Mario and his crew are in desperate need of an advantage, especially if they want to save Peach.
Who's going to strike first?
"Why can't you just go away?!" Junior shouts.
Mario pulls on his glove. "I just need a warm up."
The robot moves forward, and the doc questions his relative. "Why are you always so hard on him?"
"He needs to be humbled, or else our kingdom will never have peace." Mario seems confident in his reasoning. "Oh, and nepo-babies are annoying."
His reasoning just ticks the koopa kid off, who literally has smoke bursting from his ears. "You always think I'm a pushover, Mario!" He sends a left fist at the crew, but they hop out..his hands jammed!
"Yes!" Mario shouts, and they have a big opening. The plumber looks over the dark robot, but there's only one bright spot: the face.
"What do we do, Mario?" His brother asks.
"Can't see, can't fight."
The plumber runs up the robot's arm, and aims those fireballs right at its face! It not only rattles Junior but covers up what he can see!
"GAH!"
Some smoke clears off and he can barely make out Mario getting near his shoulder. There's another arm free, so he sends its fist straight towards him.
The Italian tries to jump over but gets smacked back onto the field! Before he can raise a foot, Luigi and the Doc rush to him. The bots left is still stuck, so he sends a right at the guys. They hop out of the way and copy their relative.
With both fists stuck in the ground, the two split up, Luigi on the left, and the Doc on the right. Green balls strike on one end, and pills strike the other. It's like an Earthquake as the kid falls from his seat!
On his way back up he sees a lever. Despite the panic, he goes right for it. "Gotcha!"
The two Italians climb over the shoulders and see a hatch on his head. They grab ahold of it, but suddenly their feet are blown out from beneath them!
"WHAT NOW, DOC?!
"AAAAAAAH!"
They get spun around like they're at the eye of a storm. The speed of the wind is too much and they go flying off! Junior gets those fists released from the ground, but he has more obstacles in the way.
"Ok, we don't need him getting that Star. Our bare hands won't do anything sooo..distraction?";
"On it."
The robot goes to kick Daisy, but the princess jumps on Yoshi and they dodge it! They run to his side, taking his focus away from the first star.
"Why are you running?!"
He heads after the two, while the brothers and Doc from another mother recover.
Another challenger enters the battle. After seeing home get ambushed, the Yoshi Chief isn't standing back anymore. He sees the scene ahead and walks towards that box. One punch breaks it, and the Chief gets another view of that star.
"Hm." He grabs the star, but nothing happens. He tries again, but it's the same result. Instead of fretting over it...he just smiles.
"So the tales are true."
Junior hears the voice, and stops his pursuit for a new one. His fist disappears, and a Bullet Bill takes it's place! He fires it, and it makes a b-line for the Chief who backs off. It closes in, but Mario tackles him out of the way, and it hits the ground instead!
A few Yoshi's hear the commotion and talk amongst themselves. In the end, another fire needs put out. Their once peaceful landscape will be a shell if this battle keeps up.
Mario and their Chief get on their feet. "Ok?"
"I'm alright. Good save."
The two turn to see that mystical star with a mind of its own. It jumps towards the plumber, who grabs ahold.
The Chief looks on in awe. "Hm. It wasn't a myth after all."
Before Mario can ask any questions, a glow covers him completely! It's so bright that everyone can't help but look...
When the light clears, Mario's glowing all types of colors!
Star Mario has arrived!
Luigi jumps to his feet. "YES! THAT'S MY BROTHER!"
Junior just gasps. "Are you kidding me?! Why does he get all the cool stuff?" He sends the robot forward regardless.
Mario charges the robot, and stares that kid in the eyes. "Hello!"
"GOODBYE."
He fires a few more Bullets...but the hero uses them like stepping stones, destroying them with one hoo! Junior desperately fires off more but the hero only gets closer.
Another Bill down!
Another Bill down!
He is on a roll, as Junior takes a look at his Clown Cart. He could give up his mission to take the Star, but he decides no getaways now, and turns around...to see Mario at his red-tinted window.
Mario delivers a big shot that breaks the glass holding him from Junior! Mario goes to crawl in, but the hands of the machine clasp him! He goes to throw him away, but Mario jumps out and lands right behind him.
He's not alone though, as the distractions arrive. "Mario?" Daisy's so confused but there's no time to explain.
Mario focuses on Yoshi. "We gotta cut him from the knees."
"I'll spit you at him."
"Let's-a go."
That tongue wraps around the plumber and sends him right in the Dino's mouth! That sparkly aura starts takes over Yoshi too, and the princess is baffled at their invincibility. "Why does it work for you two?"
She's ignored.
"Can I get some answers?"
Junior's baffled in a different way. "T-TWO of them?" He puts his game face on. "Ok, cool, I'm not scared!"
Yoshi spits his friend at the bots left leg...and he punches right through it! Junior's shout is heard as the bot hops around on a leg, causing more rattling on the island.
Junior takes to the skies and looks to crush Yoshi...
..but he lifts his foot! With the bot stationary, Mario swoops back in and kicks through the right one! The bot collapses onto it's broken legs, teetering..
"Throw me!" Yoshi's muffled voice shouts.
Mario grabs the dino, still in egg form and spins him around at fast speeds...and gets sent right through the bot's chest! The bot collapses onto it's back, signaling the defeat of the heir to a king's throne.
That head hatch opens immediately and Junior has a coughing fit. He pulls his Clown Car out. The first sight he sees isn't pleasant to him..the same crew who just beat him.
"..you're never going away are you?"
Mario scratches his moustache. "No, don't feel like it."
Junior hops in his Clown Cart and takes off, waiting to fight another day.
That machine has more to worry about. It's like a massive herd coming through as Yoshi's of all colors come running in! The crew moves out of the way, as that machine gets flattened by the horde!
Mario and Yoshi transform back to normal, as with another glow..the star reveals itself to everyone, colored Green. If one power star has temporary invincibility, imagine what a collection could do.
The Chief joins the crew once again. Yoshi's are spraying down the fire in the background, so he's monitoring two places at once. Although he wanted to keep the star here, seeing what transpired has changed his tune. "I was hesitant to let this power go...but it seems only certain people can use it."
He eyes the his fellow tribemate specifically. "After seeing how well it was used, it's clear to me: this star is better off in your hands."
Yoshi takes the star..but it doesn't go off. Seems that Star only wants to work for actual battle. "Glad you came around, my Chief."
The Chief nods. "I'm not right all the time. This is one of those moments. You are all free to go."
Mario tips his cap to the Chief as the five head off together. Yoshi can't help by smile to himself. He may not be popular when it comes to the politics, but he made a big impact out there. From getting Daisy to safety, to saving his island.
Nothing can ruin his day, it's been a great one.
As for the rest of the crew, they hop in their vehicles. Luigi's got his tracker out. "We got another star coming up. Hope this one doesn't threaten our lives."
"Come on, don't you want a little challenge?" Daisy teases.
"I want some sleep."
The Doctor snickers. "When don't you?"
"My sleep schedules messed up, leave me alone."
The crew have a pleasant evening on their journey. They'll get to that second star soon enough, but there no time like the present to enjoy the little conversations in life.
Yet something's still bothering Mario. What did the Chief mean by tales? He knows that the stars have power but to what extent? WHY wasn't the Chief allowed to use the power?
Questions to be answered another day.
Bowser's Castle
Peach is sitting in the kitchen alone, just staring at the table. Month, after month, it's the same scene. It's never going to end at this point. She has tried to escape in the past, but a whole kingdom is too much to take on alone.
"Ugh..."
She's not lonely for long, as Kamek rides in on his staph. He heads through the entrance. "Lord—Princess? What are you doing inside at this time of day?"
"We've done this a hundred times." Peach just sounds done with it all.
"You don't seem happy. What ails you?"
She gives him a dead look. "You won't do anything to change it."
"I have to update the king at all times, especially with you. Miscommunication only leads to bad relationships." Kamek floats closer. "Bowser's always honest, it's why our army trusts him so much."
"Here's some honesty: I never wanted him in the first place."
Kamek pushes his glasses up. "It doesn't matter what you want, nothing will stop him. Bowser didn't build this kingdom by quitting, he built it with blood, sweat, and fire."
Peach slams a fist on the table, causing his minion to flinch! "I don't care what he built it on, we will never work out! Your king just can't take a hint. There's a reason I keep running back to Mario every time."
"Every time you run back, he will follow." Kamek says, with this adoration in his eyes. "I aspire to have the ruthlessness my lord does one day."
"Yes...that's a great way to lead."
Kamek's adoration immediately disappears. "He's gotten everything he's wanted in life except for romance, I'd say it gets results."
"It doesn't lead to—"
A stomp rattles the kitchen!
"KAMEK!"
The two turn to see the king of the Koopas himself, but he's got a glare on. "I got news.."
His loyal wizard just takes a deep breath. "Yes, my king?"
"Those pesky plumbers got one of the seven stars!" He shouts so loud, his breath blows Kamek's hat off! He scrambles to put it back on as Bowser rants. "He keeps winning, I just don't get it, it's like the Star Spirits are protecting him!"
"Yes..."
"He gets so much credit when he's a douche around my son! Stop trying to humble him, he NEEDS confidence to lead the kingdom after I'm gone!" His glare stays on, but he turns to see the princess sitting there. "Oh...glad you can drop in on my rant, but do you mind stepping out?"
"...are you serious? After everything you've done?"
Bowser rolls his eyes. "Ok zap her away..."
At his command, he teleports her back to her room. The princess still doesn't dig him as she fades away.
"She never learns, does she?"
Kamek shakes his head. "Afraid not."
Bowser runs a hand over his face. "The market is hard these days. I've got everything a woman could want. Confidence, muscle, and a beautiful face.."
Kamek tries not to wince. "With all due respect..you only focus on one person. Have you considered pursuing someone else?"
"..."
"My fault, I didn't want to remind you that it didn't work out."
The King turns around and grabs his shoulder. "For your sake, stop talking." Kamek nods, and the koopa unhands him. "I called you because Junior's tracker caught another star on his way back."
"He didn't retrieve it?!"
"Too banged up."
Smoke comes out of the king's ears. "Well where's it at?!"
"Mushroom Plains. He said there's a lot of pipes there, and you know none of us are going down there." Bowser explains. "Dark Bones is on standby, all he needs to do is answer his damn communicator."
Kamek blinks. "Huh? He doesn't even have his army with him?"
They come to his throne, and the king takes a seat. "He Is the army."