Chapter 2: Embark on Mushroom Kingdom, The great hero Mario

" My companions! I am proud of our work. "

Standing on top of a ship's railing, a goomba gesticulated with joy, while he was wearing an eye patch and a pirate hat. On the pontoon of the pirate ship, several goombas, koopa and boos could be seen applauding their new captain.

" Thanks to our intelligence, we managed to leave the kingdom of this stupid tyrant of Bowser! Now that we are independent, we will sail with the help of this boat and conquer the oceans, while becoming the kingdom's greatest pirates. "

" YEAH ! "

" We will no longer be afraid of anything or anyone. "

" YEAH ! "

" We will fight valiantly and we will defeat all our enemies. "

" YEAH ! "

At that moment, a fragment of stone fell on the captain's hat.

" Huh ? " The goompa wondered, raising his head.

Letting their eyes slide out of their sockets, as their mouths dropped to the ground, the pirates saw countless debris fall from the sky and crash into the water.

" What is that ? "

" The sky is falling on our heads. "

" It is God who punishes us because we have become pirates. "

Seeing blocks of stone and plaster, as well as furniture falling all around them, the pirates began to pray, hoping that nothing crashed on their ship.

Falling into the water, the debris created large waves that rocked the boat, causing the crew to scream.

" I don't want die. "

"I don't want to be a pirate anymore. "

"Mom! Help!"

Finally, the falling objects stopped.

" It's finish ? "

To answer this question, two bodies fell on the pontoon of the ship, crushing several koopa.

" What…? " The captain wondered, seeing the bodies of Stylish and Kurome fell on his men.

Hearing screams, the pirates saw Bols, Wave, Seryu and Run fall towards them. Flapping his wings, Run grabbed Seryu's scarf in time, managing to slow her fall. Unfortunately, unable to fly like his comrade, Bols hit the floor of the boat and walked across the floor to find himself in the ship's hold. Wave, meanwhile, saw himself fall a few meters from the boat and crashed violently against the surface of the ocean, while performing a splendid belly flop, which seemed to tear the skin of his stomach.

" What is happening ? " Wanted to know the captain pirate.

Placing a foot on the boat, Seryu rushing towards Stylish.

" Stylish-san, are you okay ? "

Having spirals in place of his eyes, the scientist was unconscious, unlike Kurome, who rose to her feet.

" I'm fine, Seryu. " She whispered.

" Huh ... sorry, Kurome-chan. "

Having his head over the hole Bols had made in the floor, Run asked.

" Bols? Are you still alive? "

" Yeah ... but I don't feel my back anymore. " The man said at the back of the hold.

" Good. " Run said, turning his face to the pirates.

Unable to hide his surprise, Run saw a group of humanoid animals made up of moles, turtles and ghosts, dressed as pirates.

" Who are you ? "

" Run away. " Suddenly ordered the captain.

Ditching his hat and eye patch, the goomba jumped into the water, as did the rest of his crew.

" What ? " Seryu wondered, seeing them flee. " Why are they running away? "

Looking up, the girl saw the pirate flag at the top of the pole with a jolly roger representing a dry bones. However, no matter how much she looked at the flag, she didn't really understand what she was seeing.

" Is that a pirate flag ? "

" There is more important. " Affirmed Run. " Where's Wave, Tatsumi and the General? "

Suddenly performing multiple pirouettes, Esdeath descended from the sky, before landing gracefully in front of her team. Hugged in her arms, Tatsumi was completely pale. With his face against Esdeath's breasts, he didn't try to struggle. In fact, he felt like if he moved he would vomit.

No sooner had he put his feet on the boat than he began to walk zigzagging. Finally, leaning back against the mast, he wanted to know.

"Can any of you tell me what just happened ? "

" Unfortunately, I have no hypothesis to make. " Confessed Run.

" We are on the ocean. " Seryu marveled, running over to one of the ship's railings.

At that moment, a hand gripped the railing, and Wave lifted his trembling body onto the boat.

" Wave? " Seryu wondered. " You are here too ? "

" Of course, I'm here. " Roared the boy. " Thanks for coming to my help! I really thought I was going to die. "

" I didn't even see you fall. "

Falling onto the ship's pontoon, Wave rested his hands on his aching stomach.

" My belly hit the water! I feel like someone put a hot steak on my stomach. "

" Where is Bols ? " Wanted to know Esdeath.

" I'm still there. " A voice said in the hole in the floor. " Can someone come and help me? "

Letting Seryu and Run jump into the hole and end up in the hold, Esdeath proceeded to inspect the ship. Picking up the old captain's pirate hat, she asked.

" Where are the occupants of this boat? "

" They have fled. " Kurome said.

" You didn't try to stop them? "

" We were still a little stunned because of our fall! They fled as soon as they saw us. "

Saying nothing, Esdeath hesitated between berating her men and asking about their geolocation. Preferring the second option, Esdeath asked.

" Wave, do you think you can allow us to return to the Empire? "

" Huh ... I ... " The boy started, looking at the blue sky. " I think ! But if we don't find any maritime charts on this boat, I would have to wait until nightfall to locate myself with the stars. "

" Can't you use the sun ? " Tatsumi asked him.

" The sun can simply show us the cardinal points according to its position in relation to the hour. " Said the boy. " What good is it for us to know where the south is if we don't even know our position in relation to the Empire? Nevertheless, the constellations allow you to know precisely in which hemisphere you are located which could help us more! However, … "

Looking around, he cried out.

" I remind you all the same that we found ourselves here because of a huge and mysterious door! Seriously, does anyone have any idea what just happened ? "

The trio around him said nothing. Truth be told, who could be smart enough to understand this fairytale situation ? Ending up doing a shrug, Tatsumi simply said.

" A teigu's power."

" A teigu is not able to do that. " Wave retorted.

Suddenly uttering a strange cry, Kurome began to look around her.

" What's up ? " Wave questioned.

Rifling her belt, the young girl began to inspect the entire ship.

" My teigu…? Where is Yatsufusa ? "

At that moment, Esdeath and Wave noticed the absence of Kurome's teigu that the girl usually had from her belt. Leaning over one of the ship's railings to see a few pieces of wood floating on the surface, Kurome tried to find her weapon. However, if her teigu had fallen into the water, it was evident that he had already sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

" NATALA ! " She cried, pretending to go for a dive.

" Stay there. " Wave ordered her, circling her.

" Let go of me! I must find my sword! It is it who allows me to control Natala. "

" Stop you ! It's too late. "

" Let go of me. " Kurome ordered him, trying to nudge him. " Natala! NATALAAA! "

At that moment, a strong grip gripped the back of her collar and threw her back, along with Wave. Positioning herself in front of Kurome, Esdeath cried out.

" Kurome ! Don't do anything. "

" But ... my teigu ...? "

" You just had to hold it better. " Esdeath retorted, coldly. " You can only blame yourself! Unfortunately, it's too late to find your weapon! Unless, of course, your weapon remained in the palace. "

" At the Palace ? " Kurome wondered.

" Yes ! If you dropped it, your teigu might still be there. "

" But ... what if it fell into the water? "

" Free to you to go and find it by diving into the ocean! But don't count on us to stay here for nothing! We are leaving. "

Surprised, Kurome only stared at Esdeath, before turning her gaze to the ocean. Clenching her fists, she did the same with her teeth. Then, finally, she stood up, before asking.

" What are your orders, general ? "

" That … ? " Tatsumi wondered.

" I am a soldier of the empire. " Kurome asserted, in a cold tone. " I must obey orders and forget my own feelings. "

As surprised as Tatsumi was, Wave saw his friend quickly forget about her weapon, as if the loss of her beloved dolls had no impact on her.

That was how Kurome's life was summed up. She had been brought up as a mere weapon. She was not allowed to show her feelings or emotions. Having now made her sadness go away, she thought Esdeath was right. It was her fault. She should have been more careful with her weapon.

Nodding, Esdeath gave her orders.

" First of all, you and Wave are going to inspect this boat and find me anything that could be of use to us. "

" Okay. "

Seeing the duo leave, while the others were still in the hold, Tatsumi pretended to follow Kurome and Wave. Unfortunately, Esdeath's arm wrapped around his shoulder and forced him to stay with her.

" Tatsumi! We are so lucky! We barely have the chance to meet, when we find ourselves lost in the middle of the ocean, surrounded, perhaps, by thousands of dangers! It's almost like a romantic first date. "

"There is nothing romantic about it. "

" Huh… Esdeath! I think we should take this situation more seriously. "

" Don't worry, Tatsumi! I'll be there to protect you. "

Not feeling reassured in any way, the boy put his hand on his teigu, making sure he could grab it, in case of danger.

"As soon as I will see an island or whatever, I would use Incursio to make myself invisible and leave this ship."

At that moment, a hand took hold of his weapon.

" What ? " The boy wondered.

Taking hold of Incursio, Esdeath stared at it before declaring.

" I was sure I recognized your weapon! So, Tatsumi, are you the owner of Incursio? Amazing, I always believed it was Bulat! But this therefore means… "

Turning her face to Tatsumi, she stopped smiling, as seriousness appeared in her eyes.

" ... that you are a member of Night Raid. "

Immediately pulling away from Esdeath, Tatsumi jumped back. Unable to grab a weapon in defense, however, the boy could only growl. Continuing to stare at him, Esdeath suddenly ends up storing Tatsumi's weapon at her belt, before declaring.

" For the moment, I keep this. "

" What ? "

Then going off to stare at the ocean, Esdeath just stared at the waves on the surface, while Tatsumi stayed behind her, expecting to be killed. Yet nothing happened.

" You ... You don't intend to kill me ? "

" No why ? "

" I'm a member of Night Raid. "

" Yes ! But you are also my new husband. "

" I can kill you very well. " Tatsumi assured.

" Without your teigu? Now you have no chance of winning against a member of my team! Tatsumi, with or without your teigu, you are unable to kill me. "

" I can run away. "

" No ! You will not be able. "

Turning to the boy, Esdeath said.

" Tatsumi, listen to me carefully! You are my husband ! It doesn't matter if you're a member of Night Raid, as long as you swear loyalty to me, I'll forget your past. "

" Don't make me laugh. " Roared the boy. " I am a member of Night Raid and I…"

Esdeath suddenly clapped her hands to the boy's cheeks before screaming.

" Tatsumi, shut up. "

Fixing her gaze, Tatsumi found himself frozen, as he couldn't take his eyes off her beautiful face. Seeing this, Esdeath gently brought her lips to Tatsumi's, who couldn't find the strength to move. Yet before she could kiss him, Esdeath suddenly saw Stylish straighten up, as he rubbed the back of his head.

" My head … "

Opening his eyes, he noticed that he was only three feet away from the couple, who had stopped because of him.

" Did I just ruin an intimate moment ? "

A moment later, the scientist was thrown into the hole in the floor and also found himself in the hold.

" Huh... what are you doing here? " Run's voice wondered, seeing the scientist fallen in front of him.

" Came you to help us ? " Seryu asked him.

" No ! I got my ass kicked by Esdeath-san. "

" Tsss. " Esdeath growled, before turning to Tatsumi.

Having managed to pull back, Tatsumi cried out.

" I am not your husband! You and I are enemies! If you want to make me your slave, you will have to break my will. "

Hearing it, Esdeath smirked again, as she said.

" I accept your challenge. "

" What ? " The boy wondered, trying to understand the words he had just spoken.

Feeling a gust of wind swelling the sails of the ship, Esdeath saw the ship begin to move forward with no one showing it a direction. Seeming satisfied with this, the general resumed examining the oceans, before declaring.

" I can't wait to know what we'll find out. "


Meanwhile ...

It was a peaceful day at the Mushroom Kingdom, place where no one seemed to have any worries. The residents are always friendly with each other making it one of the peaceful kingdoms that has ever existed. But it wasn't always peaceful.

There are times when the Mushroom Kingdom would face great terror from the evil King Koopa : Bowser. Almost every day, he would try to kidnap the Princess of Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach in order to gain her love. Fortunately, there will always be someone out there who would stop Bowser's evil ambitions. This someone is Mario, a great hero who always defeats Bowser no matter what evil he'll do.

Today, Mario was in his house with his brother Luigi, a fellow that is not really into saving or adventures due to his fear of almost ... well ... everything for that matter. They are having a peaceful day just like everyone else. Mario and Luigi are chatting around the dinner table doing nothing, but chatting about their previous adventures since they have nothing else to do. Ever since the Prognasticus incident (SUPER PAPER MARIO) nothing else happened, that was four month ago.

"Hey Mario, Its been very peaceful since that day four months ago, huh?" Luigi asked.

"Why yez it haz been very a-quiet lately" Mario said in his usual Italian accent.

"It's a good thing too. Another thing like that would make me pee my pants." Luigi said.

"Luigi, don't-a be exaggerating." Said Mario.

Mario thinks that since he hasn't done anything adventurous lately, he might lose his touch sooner or later. Who knows, maybe this is the day he would go back doing adventurous stuff again.


Meanwhile ...

Peach's castle is the landmark of Mushroom Kingdom. Within lies Princess Peach herself. She is on the balcony of her castle looking at her peaceful town.

"Hm ... I wonder what Mario has been up to lately." Peach asked herself.

An elderly Toad then comes with a cane that has a mushroom on top.

"Princess Peach, what are you doing up here? You should be downstairs practicing your piano lessons." The elderly toad said.

"I'm sorry, Toadsworth. I was just taking break" Peach said.

"Honestly, young lady. How will you be a fine Queen someday if you are going to slack off to every simple task you are obligated to take ? " Toadsworth said.

"Oh Toadsworth, you always exaggerate over everything." Peach said.

"Well yes, but ..."

"PRINCESS PEACH!" Screamed a toad soldier who rushed in to the balcony.

"What is the meaning of this !?" Toadsworth asked.

"I am sorry sir, but I think you should know that there is an unidentified ship heading towards the Mushroom Kingdom." The soldier said.

"Is it Bowser?" Peach asked.

"I don't think so, but it kinda looks like a pirate ship if you ask me." said the soldier.

"A pirate ship !? Soldier, tell every other soldiers in the castle to head to the docks immediately" Toadsworth said. "Princess Peach, do you want me to call Mario?"

"No, I don't want to bother Mario for something we can handle." Peach said.

"Well as you wish Princess. Anyway, these pirates must be taken care of immediately. We don't know what kind of disaster they would unleash in our beloved Mushroom Kingdom."


Back to the Jaegers ...

Rummaging through the ship's cabins, Wave ends up throwing sea charts ashore.

" What is this madness ? "

Seeing a map fall at her feet, Kurome picked it up, before trying to figure out what it was showing.

"Mushroom Kingdom? Where is it ? "

" No idea. " Wave confessed, searching the rest of the items in the room.

Grabbing a star-shaped object, then what looked like an egg, he growled.

" I recognize nothing at all. "

" There is no weapon either. " The young girl noticed. " We better go back and see the others. "

Having no better ideas, Wave picked up the rest of the cards. Then getting ready to leave, he stopped, seeing a green mushroom on the ground.

" Hum ? " He wondered, picking it up.

Watching it, he finally shrugged, before putting it in his jacket pocket.


" Mushroom Kingdom? " Esdeath repeated, looking at the map. " Anyone know where this kingdom is? "

" No idea. " Run and Stylish confessed.

" Wave-kun, do you think we can get there? " Bols asked him. " Even though we don't know anything about this kingdom, we may be able to have some interesting information to be able to return home. "

" I have already steered the rudder to this kingdom. " The boy assured, while he held the bar.

Then falling silent, the boy cried out.

" General, I might say something stupid but… "

Falling silent, the boy finally preferred to remain silent.

" Wave, tell me what are you thinking. " Esdeath ordered him, while continuing to look at the cards he and Kurome had given her.

" I ..., we all agree that we ended up here because of a mysterious door? "

" Difficult to deny it. " Stylish asserted, putting his glasses back on his nose correctly. " And even my formidable brain is incapable of understanding what had just happened. "

" Wave, do you know where are we ? " Seryu asked him.

" Not really ! But I think… I think we ended up in another dimension. "

Staring at the boy, Tatsumi and the Jaegers, except Esdeath, wondered if he was serious or just stupid.

" Don't look at me like that ! It's just that as a sailor, I've often heard strange tales of people mysteriously missing at sea or suddenly finding themselves in a world that no one has yet visited. "

" Wave, these are just legends. " Run retorted.

" I know ! But… you agree that this situation is not normal! Even a teigu couldn't do that. "

" I think that if. " Esdeath retorted, not taking her eyes off the maps. " There is a teigu that has this power! Nevertheless, there is no question of the appearance of such a gigantic door! Truth be told, I don't understand the situation at all and I could almost say Wave might be right. "

" What ? " The other Jaegers were surprised.

" For the moment, there is no point to do hypotheses. " The general asserted, finally giving her cards to Run. " Let's go to this realm and try to find some information. "

" Okay, and let's say Wave is right. " Said Tatsumi suddenly, as he isolated himself from the rest of the team.

" Hum? " Bols wondered. " What are you saying ? "

" If Wave is right and we have been dispatched to an unknown world, I'm guessing we won't be able to return home without the help of this mysterious gate. "

" Oh no. " Seryu frightened, hugging Koro against her. " Esdeath-sama, what are we going to do in this case? "

" As I said, let's stop making assumptions! There is no point in worrying! We will investigate before we say a conclusion! For now, let's find the Mushroom Kingdom. "

" Okay . "Approved Run, before flying up the mast. " I will inspect the surroundings. "

" I hope there won't be many dangers. " Affirmed Stylish. " Without my soldiers and my laboratory, my teigu is useless. "

" He has more useful than mine. " Murmured Kurome, while the loss of his teigu still grieved her a little.

"I too am without a weapon. " Tatsumi thought, starting to think. " Now what should I do? I would like to take advantage of the situation! However, I'm not even sure I'm going home ! Should I be inactive or should I start reducing the number of Jaegers ? "

"Tatsumi-san? Are you OK ? "

Startled, Tatsumi saw Seryu's face right in front of his.

" It's okay ? " Repeated the young woman, putting her hand on his forehead. " I called you but you didn't answer me! Are you sick ? "

Shivering as he felt Seryu touch him, Tatsumi found it hard to hold back his anger. Finally, leaving, he cried.

" I'm fine. "

" Tatsumi… Despite the situation, know that you can count on us to protect you! We are members of justice and… "

" SHUT UP WITH YOUR STUPID JUSTICE ! "

" Huh? "

Turning his gaze to Seryu, Tatsumi stared at her with hateful eyes, before finally preferring to walk over to Wave. Tatsumi hated this girl so much that he almost preferred Esdeath's company.

" Tatsumi…? " Seryu wondered, while Koro began to growl a little in her arms.

"Land." Run shouted as he sees land straight ahead of him.

"Good, time to get our questions answered." Esdeath noticed, looking straight ahead. " Everyone, get ready! We have no idea what dangers can be found on his island. ''

"AYE ! " Said the rest of her team.

Keeping silent, Tatsumi ends up feeling Esdeath's arms grabbing him before sticking him against her.

"And you, Tatsumi! Don't get away from me. ''

"Help me! I was kidnapped. "


That ends Chapter 2.