Chapter Fifteen:
In Fuji City
Even with its resemblance to the Japanese capital of Tokyo, Fuji City was unmistakably distinct from the Asian city that had inspired its appearance, and it was a very, lovely place. Human tourists photographed the city tower, and the many buildings that adorned Fuji City's skyline as peoples of species and cultures, citizens and visitors, wandered around the polished Japanese-like city.
Friendly, civilized Koopas chatted with Toads in the streets, a couple Shy Guys bought stylized masks from the nearest Asian mask vendor, and a Spike looked through the window of the local anime store, fascinated by all of the products that were on sale.
The sound of bell chiming echoed through the streets as a pair of trolleys rolled by a couple avenues, and a bullet train horn blared in the distance before pulling out of a station with its passengers on board.
"...and just within the past week, Fuji City has received more visitors than New Donk City has received." A brown-haired news reporter said as the cameraman followed with the camera, "Today, Fuji City is the most-visited city in the Mushroom Kingdom, nearly surpassing New Donk City in terms of the number of visitors, showing that it is becoming increasingly popular with each passing day."
On '85 Star Diamond Road, a couple of Yoshis ran as a fat man with a long swiggly mustache in yellow-purple overalls walked by a diner with a lanky mustached man in purple-dark overalls; Wario and Waluigi, the mischievous troublemaking duo calling themselves the Wario Brothers.
"Those Fuji City suckers have so much to offer tonight..." Wario said with glee, "...and that free spaghetti tasted delish."
"Yeah." Waluigi sneered, "Who needs to pay with money when you can rob it for free?"
"Hey, would ya look at that?" Wario quipped as he looked through the window of a jewelry store.
Waluigi stopped, and took in what had caught his associate's eye. They were right by the Fuji City Jewelry Store, and there were so many diamonds on display along with many pretty necklaces, which the two troublemaking "brothers" couldn't stop looking at. All of that jewelry in there was theirs for the taking, and the store manager didn't seem to notice.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Wario asked.
"Oh ho, yeah!" Waluigi grinned.
"Let's-a rob it!"
Just before the two troublemakers could make their move, Wario and Waluigi heard a stern "hey", and they turned to spot their old friends Mario and Luigi. The Mario Brothers were accompanied by Princess Peach, Yoshi, Toadsworth, and Toadbert, Mario was staring at the two troublesome crooks with a disapproving look in contrast to how Toadsworth was shocked by their presence.
Realizing they had no chance, Wario and Waluigi ran for it, deciding they would rob another store. Perhaps robbing a toy store would be easier. Wario led Waluigi down a few streets until they saw the nearest toy store that could be found in Fuji City.
"And there are no cops around!" Wario remarked.
"Plus, Mario ain't after us." Waluigi commented, "It's like he was only worried about us mugging that jewelry store. LET'S-A GO!"
SMASH! The two greedy thieves smashed open the window with Wario being the weight they needed, and the Wario Brothers began collecting as much as they could, even as the alarm went off. Wario shoved several toy robot boxes into his bag while Waluigi helped himself to some dinosaurs, then they made a break for it before the cops could come running.
A few streets over, Mario and the others took their time to explore Fuji City, and enjoy the sights. Without having to worry about the Wario Brothers or a Bowser attack, the gang felt free to savor the scenery as if nothing had happened.
It would be some time before they met with Professor E. Gadd, and it was easier to take in the urban scenery, and whatever else that the city had in store. Mario and Luigi were happy to see some friendly Koopas, as well as a couple Goombas who didn't bother them. And the others were unaware that a Koopa and a Goomba in Bowser's employ were watching them from a distance.
Hal and Jeff made an effort to blend in amongst the town's visitors, and a few Koopas greeted the former as if he was a fellow peaceful turtle. And every time they bumped into someone who was of Hal's species, the Koopa became more irked at the sight of a Koopa who'd defected from Bowser's ranks.
Jeff didn't seem to care, Bowser had plenty of soldiers, and the loss of one minion wasn't much of a concern to him. Their main concern was Mario and the others, and they could not fail their boss' mission. Getting more info on the secret weapon, and destroying it, was extremely important…