-o-
Geno, Legend of the Solo Star
Location: Star Road, the day Parakarry and the others were captured,Geno's point of view…
…
Yes, as of right now, I am the only star spirit remaining that can do anything about the world's current state of affairs. The 7 Honorable Star Spirits from the Haven below were also defeated… I digress. Let me start from the beginning of this ordeal.
The event that unleashed this catastrophe, the butterfly that beat its wings, the apple of discord… The Star Gala Ball…
Not that the event itself was evil. On the contrary, many alliances were forged, and the weaker ones strengthened. Even the Koopa Troop was at ease… At least temporarily. That night, as the celebrations were still in full force, Princess Toadstool was captured silently, and customary to many of Mario's adventures, she made a wish to be rescued.
I must remind you that, for a wish to be granted, it must first be filtered in Star Haven, where the 7 Star Spirits, with the power of the Star Rod, sift through the many wishes, sending us at Star Road the wishes that passed their assessment in the shape of a tiny star. Each is coded to be released depending on the priority of the wish, and when it is ready to be granted, we toss it toward the Mushroom World, and it falls as a shooting star. It may take years even for a wish to be granted. But we at Star Road pride ourselves in always granting wishes in a timely manner, following the instructions of the 7 Star Spirits and our higher authority to the letter. Only twice have we been unable to fulfill any wish: the time Smithy destroyed Star Road, and when Bowser stole the Star Rod.
Continuing the previous matter, her distress call was heard by the Star Spirits, and even if it was a common petition, they sent us the star wish. When it reached us though, even when it was given the highest priority, it had a gloomy glisten to it, like if it knew it would never be answered. I was on duty for throwing these star wishes that day. That wish made me feel depressed with a mere touch, but I tossed it anyway.
The next day we get three more star wishes from Star Haven, and they were the same as the Princess' request. And soon after, for the first time that I can remember, a wish that was granted (according to us) flew back up and landed with the other three; it was hers.
I, along with my fellow star peers, couldn't believe it, so I had someone take over for me, while I took matters to my higher authority. My authority couldn't do anything about it either, and decided to convene with the other Honorable Star Spirits to see what they could do. Maybe they had taken the Mushroom heroes for granted themselves, my authority reasoned, but that wishes would return to us was indeed ominous. But that occurrence led to an even stranger happening…
A few days later, we receive a wish from none other than Bowser himself, something I couldn't believe either. The 7 Star Spirits wanting to grant a wish from the Koopa King himself! We've fought together before, but I know how ambition fuels his will to pursue his fantasies, and doesn't always think things through. But there it was; Bowser's wish in our hands, gloomy like the other four. And no matter how many time we all tried to grant them, they would always fly back up.
Then for the next few days, thousands upon thousands of wishes came in from all over the Mushroom World. Snifits, Birdos, Shy Guys, Bob-ombs, Flurries, amongst other creatures… The star crystal that was their wish had the same depressing glow. As our superior along with the 7 Star Spirits tried to figure out how to solve this ordeal, it soon became too late for them to do anything…
The darkest day of our known history… Both Star Haven and Star Road were assaulted. Star Haven was attacked first, as a distress call from them akin to when Bowser invaded the first time, got sent to us, yet before we could do much, the Star Rod got destroyed by a large, black Ztar. And we lost all contact with them.
But the worst was to befall us. Although Star Haven was left in ruins, it still stands. Star Road, however… it was invaded by four henchmen riding the Star Cruiser up to our doorstep. Lemmy Koopa tossed his disguise aside and was open about his motives.
"No time for pretty talk. Surrender now and this will be less painful for everyone."
I could never recall his voice being that diabolically low. But as guardians of the Mushroom World's wishes, we star spirits were not about to let some outsider tell us what to do. I lead the attacks, but somehow, I was attacked from all sides with an ice ray, a fire breath, a Ztar, and black ooze. With no real body, I was out cold for most of the assault. But I would soon wake to find Star Road destroyed, and the last star piece about to be taken.
Just then, my higher authority, who seems hurt, grabs and takes me over to the edge of Star Road. He fills me in as fast as he could, since he was being chased by the three cloaked henchmen.
"Young one, these creatures are currently being protected by an evil fiend they call the Master. I doubt that's his real name, but you won't get much more than that. He plans to conquer the world it seems, and a world without wishes will only solidify his absolute reign."
"Let me fight these guys! I didn't have a plan before, but…"
"Young one," ordered my higher authority, "If we all fall, it is over. Flee and get your old body back. Find the Star Pieces and the fragments of the Star Rod. You helped us last time, and only you can help us again. We the Star Spirits will watch over you from beyond."
Before I could respond, my higher authority casts me down from the heavens, and as of now, I do not know of the fate of anyone from Star Road, but I doubt it is good.
…
Back to the present…
"Wait, wait, wait," interrupts Daisy. "I get that you escaped and all, but how did you find us? I mean, Yosh was sent by Toadsworth to start this trip, and…"
The wooden doll cuts in. "Funny you should mention that. I actually didn't know you all were on a mission at first."
"So, then?" Yoshi asks.
"The short answer is the Star Rod."
"But you just told us it got destroyed," says Tanuki, feeding Johnny another piece of meat.
"Let me explain. The Rod didn't exactly get completely destroyed, but rather, it shattered into five pieces. The thing about the Rod is that, when it was created eons ago, if it was ever destroyed, to safeguard the pieces from being found by the wrong person, they would turn invisible to everyone but the star spirits.
"The explosion that shattered it was so great, that two pieces flew to distant places in the southern hemisphere. The rest landed in places we know: one landed in Bowser's Castle, one landed amongst the pyramids near the king's palace, and one landed in Rose Town, the same place where my last journey started. But I couldn't do much without a physical body, and I knew I eventually had to go the Mushroom Kingdom, but I wanted to collect the remaining Star Rod pieces first."
"And how many pieces do you have?" asks Yoshi while his mouth is full of fruit.
"Two, but jerk in your chain chomp. I don't want to get ahead of myself yet… Anyway, I needed the body I borrowed beforehand again, so I returned to Rose Town first…"
Johnny devours a new steak as Geno continues…
…
Geno's flashback in Rose Town…
It took me a while to recognize the town at first… If it wasn't for the wooden rose at the entrance, I don't think I would have found it. Of course, Gaz' mom's new lavish hotel is the first building you see as you go into Rose Town, so I wasted no time looking for an open window to sneak into.
Gaz and his mother were talking outside as they each enjoyed a Chuckola Cola. There was a car outside, loaded with a few suitcases. I think nothing of it as I found a window opened just a hair, but it was enough for me. I found myself alone inside the refurbished lobby; I didn't pay too much attention to details as I found what I was looking for: my former Geno body inside an air tight glass case. As I figured out how to get inside, Gaz had already walked inside, while his mother turned on the car.
"Is that you, Geno?"
I must admit, I was so focused that he actually startled me. "Ah! Oh, it's only you Gaz."
"Are you here to play with me again?"
I can feel the same emotions like when he first asked me that slowly taking over. "I'm sorry, Gaz. You can't make wishes anymore, but I came back to help you get your wishes back."
"Oh, I see! Like last time, right? Then you'll need all the help you can get!" Gaz opens the glass case, and soon after, Geno goes inside the doll and slowly takes its form.
As Geno assumes his old self, Gaz grabs his dusty Bowser doll. "I wanted to take you to camp with me, but I guess I'll just bring my Bowser doll so my mom thinks I brought you." Gaz gets a little teary eyed. "I'll be lonely without you, but I can wait."
Geno steps down and pats him on the head. "There's a good sport. You'll see; we'll have our wishes back in no time."
Geno walks toward the window he came in through and opens it. As soon as he is halfway outside, he accidentally knocks over a lamp, which shatters on the ground. Gaz' mother hears that and barges in, but Geno is already gone. She only sees Gaz hiding something behind his back and pointing at the window with his left hand.
"Geno did it! I saw him!"
His mom lets out a frustrated sigh. "You're just too much sometimes, and right before you leave for camp. Hurry up and let's go!"
As much as I wanted to see him off, I had my mission to recover the pieces of the Star Rod and Road, and the fate of the world rested on an ultimatum: either I found the pieces fast or the entire world was doomed, and I had little time.
Once over the emotional reunion, I found the first piece of the rod, which wasn't all that difficult, as it was in the same part of the forest maze I knew like the back of my hand. Although Bowser's keep was closer, I didn't have a plan for when I got there, and I expected the worst if I decided to go alone and knock at its gates. So I opted to come here to Desert Hill to get the second piece of the rod, and come up with a plan.
As fast as I could, I arrive at Desert Hill at night near an underground inn. It was quite late at night when I landed, and hoped no one noticed the orange and blue light that came from my rocket fire when I was flying.
"Hey chump," interrupts Morton, "I did saw you. Remember Yosh? I asked you if you sawed it too, like when I sawed it."
"Shh!" scolds Yoshi, "Don't interrupt his backstory. We'll get to yours in a bit."
"Oops…" whispers the dark skinned Kooplaling.
"No worries Yosh. I'll continue…"
Anyway, there I was beside the entrance to the underground inn, and I saw the piece mingled amongst piled up dry brush. But before I got to it, a mysterious voice called out for me.
"A flying stranger in a wooden form, huh? Do you happen to know Mario?"
I look around. "Who's there? Show yourself."
"No need. My job here is a simple one. But I'm intrigued to see such a fragile personage such as yourself in a harsh environment that is this desert."
Geno still looks around. "I must be dreaming."
"I can assure you this isn't a dream, but I guess you probably won't answer my questions, so, I'll reply for you, eh, Geno?"
"How do you…?"
"Easy. I've known Mario since he first set foot inside Dry Dry Outpost. And I have ways of getting information. As someone who knows things, here's a little secret you might want to consider."
Geno is still wary about this stranger, but decides to trust him. "Before you tell me, tell me your name."
"I won't waste your time on trivialities, but you can call me the Sandstorm. Inside this inn, there are three… persons, on a quest to save this world: a Yoshi, a Koopaling, and the princess of Sarasaland. I don't know what kind of journey you are partaking, but I suspect that the stars above have led you here."
Geno saddens when he hears about the stars.
"They are weak as they are now, but with you around, they may just be able to release a shark named Jonathan Jones from prison. I'm sure you're already acquainted."
"Wait, what? Break into a prison and free a… PRISONER?"
"You're choice, Geno. But I'd warn you, that it's either that or you screw over the world. And who knows, they may even be able to help you on your quest. There's no need to tell me; I'll know what it is eventually."
I hear the sound of a bag of coins dropping.
"The desert heat will damage your body, so here are some coins so you can spend the day here. Tomorrow, they'll be arriving at the costume festival at the pyramid town, at sunset, probably. Make haste; Jonathan has little time left."
…
"And after resting in that inn, you all know what happens next. Well, except for Tanuki here, but I'm sure you'll agree that it's inconsequential if you know or not."
"I have ways of getting information, so no worries, Geno," interjects the doogan.
"Wow," replies Yoshi, "I didn't think it would be this deep or serious."
"Hmm, so now that the celestial havens of the star spirits are destroyed, we are wishless," ponders Tanuki, "But wait, you did get that Star Rod fragment, right?"
Geno takes out part of the shaft from inside his hat. "Here are the two pieces combined." He stashes them away soon after.
"I see," replies Tanuki the doogan. "Now that you explained yourself…" He points at Morton Jr. "You! Why are you not with your kindred? How did you convene under this cause? I doubt this is small ordeal."
Morton Jr.'s eyes begin to water as he musters up the courage to say his side of the story. Despite the tangents he took, and how painfully redundant he sometimes was, he eventually got everything out of his chest, and as soon as he finished talking, he fell asleep. Yoshi didn't wait very long to voice his opinion.
"We've already heard this before, so…"
"Don't worry," replies Tanuki the doogan. "I've dealt with interrogations far more difficult to piece together. I do need to process this information, however. But first, I'm thirsty, so I'll just get some water. You all should probably do something about the fire. It's almost daytime."
…
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Well, this certainly explains what Geno says in chapters 18 and 20! Not only do they have to rescue Mario and the others, but now they need the seven pieces of Star Road, and the 5 fragments of the Star Rod. Next chapter: we return to the antics happening at Peach's castle.