Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to characters from the Mario or One Piece franchises.
Chapter 29: More Stars and More Problems
Cricket had just finished explaining the plan to reach Sky Island. He, Masira, and Shoujou would prep the Merry and the Shooting Star for the knock-up stream. While they were doing this, Mario, Peach, Luffy, and Robin were going to head into Mock Town on the other side of Jaya to get supplies. Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, and Chopper were going to head into the Southern Grave, an extensive rainforest on Jaya, to grab a South Bird. A bird that always points south and is used by sailors to navigate the seas. This bird would be crucial in helping the StrawHats, as the knock-up stream had no minerals or earthly elements for the log pose to lock on. That left Mallow, Geno, and Yoshi to watch over the ships if Marines, bounty hunters, or other pirates found them and attacked.
Cricket was okay with that. It would be nice to have strong pirates watching their backs. However, he did warn the group heading into the Southern Grave of a strange tree that had appeared a few days ago. He said the tree was ginormous and pitch black, with white leaves growing on its branches. Ever since it arrived, all the South Birds have gathered there, and it feels like he is being watched by hundreds of eyes whenever he gets near the tree.
This creeped out Nami, Chopper, and Usopp, while Zoro and Sanji were more curious about this tree. Mario thought this tree sounded familiar and had an idea. He wrote down something on a sheet of paper and handed it to Nami. He told her that if he was correct about the tree, she should show this letter to the inhabitants. Nami was about to question him, but he had already left with Luffy, Robin, and Peach. She sighed as she joined the others to get the South Bird.
Later, in Mock Town
Mario, Peach, Luffy, and Robin have just arrived to acquire supplies for their journey. Walking down the street, they notice all the pirates around town. Many are drinking, some are fighting, but all are making a ruckus.
"Hmm. We should avoid attracting unwanted attention to ourselves. It seems easy for trouble to start in this town." Robin commented.
"Well, according to Cricket, this is a pirate gathering place. It would make sense that there would be many troublemakers here." Mario said.
"Heh, sounds like my kind of town. I bet Zoro would have a good time, too." Luffy said.
Peach giggled a bit before speaking.
"I don't doubt that captain. But we're here for supplies, not a fight. So we should focus on that, okay?"
"Alright," Luffy answered.
The four continued their walk when they passed by a group of people gawking over a hole in the ground.
"Whoa. What did this?"
"It was Bellamy. Some poor sap got on his bad side."
"You mean Bellamy the Hyena? I wouldn't want to get him mad."
"I know. I'm staying clear of the bar for a while."
"Yeah, good idea."
Mario took note of their words and would steer clear of this Bellamy person. He and his friends didn't need any more trouble right now.
"So, what's the plan, captain?" Robin asked.
"Hmm. I want to get something to eat. So we're heading to a restaurant first!" Luffy declared as he proudly thrust his arms in the air.
The other three just chuckled at this before Robin spoke up.
"While food is important, we must also gather supplies for our journey."
"Oh yeah."
"Well, how about this? Luffy and Robin will go to the local pub for food and Sky Island information. Meanwhile, Peach and I will gather the supplies for our journey." Mario suggested.
"I like that plan. Alright! Me and Robin will go get some food while Mario and Peach will get the supplies." Luffy said in agreement.
"Don't forget about the information, captain," Robin said.
"Oh, and that too."
Mario and Peach chuckled before taking off while Robin and Luffy left for the pub. Mario and Peach followed the map Stuffwell had made for them towards the nearest general store. While walking, Peach noticed a beautiful sight nearby.
"Oh, look at that, Mario."
"Mamamia. What a view."
Peach and Mario said as they walked around the boardwalk. While they were doing this, a man with a turban and a small mustache approached them.
"Excuse me. Um, excuse me. But I must ask you two to leave."
This confused Mario and Peach.
"Why?" Peach asked.
"You see, Mister Bellamy has rented out the whole hotel and has asked me to turn away all other guests like yourselves. So you see, I really have no say in the matter. So please leave."
"Mamamia. One man rented out the entire hotel?" Mario asked.
"Yes, and if you don't leave soon, he'll take my head off my body. So please, for my sake, leave."
"Okay, okay, we're going."
Mario said as he and Peach turned towards the exit. But as they did, another man with an expensive-looking fur coat and a woman with a smaller but similar coat beside him walked in.
"Hey, what the hell are they doing here? Don't you know this hotel belongs to Bellamy and his crew?" The man asked.
"Yes, Sarquiss! They were just leaving!" The hotel owner said.
"Yeah, there's no need to get upset. We were leaving," Mario said, holding up his hands.
"Heh. At least trash like you knows your place. Now scram!"
Peach got upset and was about to say something, but Mario stopped her.
"No need to make a scene, Peach. Let's go. We have more important things to do."
"You're right, Mario," Peach said with a smile.
As they walked past Sarquiss and his girl, Sarquiss grabbed Peach's arm.
"You know, you're a pretty good-looking girl. Too good for trash like him. How about you come and party with us instead? You won't regret it."
Peach was insulted by Sarquiss's words and lustful look. With a huff, she pulled her arm away and left with Mario. Sarquiss frowned while his girl was angry.
"Stupid bitch. Doesn't she know who you are?"
"Eh, forget about her. Let's go join the others."
Sarquiss and his girl continued to the dining area where the rest of the crew were waiting.
"Hey, Sarquiss, you shouldn't mess with that guy," a man in a hood said.
"Yeah, he's not the trash you think he is." Another man reading the paper said.
"Huh? What are you lot talking about?" Sarquiss asked.
"Just see for yourself," the man in the hood said as he threw a poster at Sarquiss.
Sarquiss opened it and was shocked by what he saw.
"What!?"
"Yep, that was Red Cap Mario. A pirate worth fifty million belli. We should count ourselves lucky he didn't want to fight with us."
"Grrr! So what!? Bellamy is worth fifty-five million belli. We don't have to worry about some fat and short piece of trash like him!" Sarquiss yelled.
"I guess you're right. We were worried about nothing."
"Yeah, there's no way Bellamy would lose to him."
"Of course not! Now get me some beer! I need something to drink."
"Need to wash out the taste of rejection, Sarquiss?"
One of the men said as he handed a bottle of booze to Sarquiss.
"Shuddup! Stupid girl. Hmph! It doesn't matter. Once Bellamy crushes Red Cap, she'll be begging to join us. Oh, the games we'll have with her." Sarquiss said as he imagined what he would do to Peach.
The others laughed in agreement with him. Meanwhile, Mario and Peach had just exited the store, having bought the supplies they needed for their trip. Thanks to their item bags, they could store everything without being weighed down.
"Welp, that's-a everything. We should meet with Robin and Luffy now." Mario said.
"Do you think they successfully got information on Sky Island?" Peach asked.
"I'm sure Robin found something while Luffy was stuffing his face. Come on, let's-a find out."
Mario and Peach left for the pub. As they approached, they could hear a commotion coming from inside.
"Oh, mamamia. It sounds like Luffy found trouble again," Mario said, slightly annoyed.
They walked in to find Luffy and Robin sitting at the bar, not the center of attention, much to Mario's surprise. He looked at where the commotion was coming from and was shocked by what he saw. A man with short blond hair and a creepy smile harassed two people he recognized.
"Ha ha ha ha! I don't usually go for uptight girls like yourself, but that pink skin of yours is unique and alluring. I have never seen anything like it before in my life. So, in exchange for letting your friend here walk out with his life, how about you become my woman?" the grinning blond man said.
"Yuck! Forget it, you creep! I would never be with someone like you!" The pink woman dressed in explorer gear said.
"Oh? You have a fiery spirit. It makes me want you even more. So I can break it!" the man said as he approached her.
The woman's friend blocked his path.
"Huh? You got something to say, punk?"
"You best leave her alone and leave. If you don't, then I'll make you!" The dark-skinned man in blue said.
"Ha ha ha ha ha! That's a riot! Do you have any idea who I am?"
"No, should I?"
"That must be why you were so willing to stand up to me. Allow me to educate you. I am Bellamy the Hyena, a pirate worth fifty-five million belli!"
"Yeah! You tell 'em, Bellamy!" Sarquiss shouted as he and the rest of his crew entered the bar.
Mario and Peach were annoyed that he had arrived, but they focused more on saving the two from Bellamy.
"Yeah, and? Is that supposed to impress me?" The dark-skinned man said.
Bellamy glared at the man with killer intent.
"It appears you'll need a more 'physical' demonstration."
"Such a misfortune to anger a pirate like that. I feel sorry for the two."
"Yeah, it sucks. But we're not supposed to attract attention to ourselves, right?"
Robin and Luffy said as Luffy was stuffing his face with food. Bellamy grinned at the two before he jumped back into the wall behind him. As he landed on it, his legs turned into springs that launched him toward the two strangers. He then pulled his arm back, which had also transformed into a spring.
"Death Kno-"
*POW!*
Bellamy didn't finish his attack as Mario dashed forward and punched him into the bar area. Everyone stood in silence for a moment until Robin and Luffy spoke up.
"Oh my."
"Mario, what are you doing!?"
"Mario?" The two strangers said in surprise.
"Hey there, you two. It's-a been while." Mario said as he turned and smiled while fixing his cap.
"Mario!" The two said as they hugged Mario.
"I guess he knows them."
"Huh, neat."
Robin and Luffy said as they approached the group.
"Huh? What the hell? Come on, Bellamy. Get up! You can't let that punk make a fool out of you like that!" Sarquiss shouted.
Peach just chuckled as she walked toward Mario. Sarquiss noticed this and growled as he glared at her.
"Hey, Mario. Do you know those two?" Luffy asked.
"Who are you?" The pink girl asked.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become King of the Pirates!" Luffy shouted.
The entire bar was silent until the pink girl broke the silence
"Huh!? What the heck is that?"
"It's-a long story. Let's walk and talk. By the way, did you get here?"
"It's a long story." The dark-skinned man said.
The group was about to leave when,
"Hold up!"
Bellamy shouted as he picked himself up.
"Launching a sucker punch and then leaving? Such a cowardly act for a man worth fifty million bellis."
"You were bothering my friends. Of course, I would attack you to protect them." Mario responded.
"Well, you have quite the pair to stand up to me like that when your bounty is less than mine."
"Bounties don't determine how strong you are, just how much of a threat the Navy considers you to be."
"Is that so? I hope you have the spine to back up your words.
"Of course. How about we settle this with a game?"
"A game?"
"Yeah, a simple one. We take turns punching each other until one man is left standing."
"Oh? And what are the rules of this game?"
"Just three: We get one attack per turn, we can't dodge, and the last man standing wins and is declared the stronger man."
"Heh, I like those rules. Fine! We'll play your game. You don't mind letting me have the first turn since you sucker-punched me, right?"
"Of course not."
"Good. Let's head to the town square so everyone can watch your fall."
Everyone followed Mario and Bellamy to the town square. Soon, the square was filled with pirates watching to see who would win this game. Peach, Luffy, Robin, Starlow, and the two strangers were watching from the sidelines. They were confident Mario would win this, but the two strangers were staring at Bellamy.
"Is something wrong?" Peach asked.
"Yeah, it's that guy. I don't know how, but he was able to bounce off the wall earlier to increase his speed. How did he do that?" The pink girl asked.
"It's probably his devil fruit ability," Robin answered.
"Devil fruit?"
"Right, you're from Mario's world, so you don't know about devil fruits. They are magical fruits that give powers to people who eat them at the cost of that person losing their ability to swim." Robin explained.
"Whoa. That sounds so interesting. I must learn more about these devil fruits."
"I'm sure you will miss?"
"Oh, right. We skipped introductions. I'm Goombella, and this is Goombario."
Goombella said as Goombario just gave a two-fingered salute.
"Nice to meet you. So, will you also be joining my crew?" Luffy asked.
"Huh, crew?" Goombella said as she and Goombario tilted their heads in confusion.
"Mario and I are part of a pirate crew that Luffy here is the captain of," Peach answered.
"What!?" Goombella said in shock.
"I'll explain later. Now then, what happened to you two? How did you become so, human?" Peach asked.
"Oh, I'll explain after Mario beats this creep."
"Heh heh heh, it's cute to see how much confidence you have in Red Cap," Sarquiss said. Just because he got a lucky blow against Bellamy doesn't mean he's stronger. And once Bellamy is done with your friend, we'll drag you three ladies back to party with real pirates like us."
"Fat chance, creep!" Goombella shouted.
"No way Mario's losing, pal," Goombario said.
"Sure, sure. Keep that spirit up. It'll make your expressions more enjoyable once Red Cap loses."
Goombella and Goombario were about to say something, but Peach stopped them. She shook her head and looked back to Mario. The two Goombas turned human did the same and ignored Sarquiss. Back with Mario, Bellamy was grinning in anticipation while Mario just stood there with his arms crossed.
"Are you ready, Red Cap?"
"Ready whenever you are," Mario replied.
Bellamy laughed before he launched to a nearby building. Once he landed on it, he launched to another, and another, and another. He kept doing this while increasing his speed.
"Oh my," Peach said.
"What the!? I can't even keep track of him." Goombario said.
Sarquiss laughed at his expression of fear.
"Oh yeah, that's what I was waiting for. And it's only going to get worse. Hey, Bellamy! Show him what a real punch is!"
"Right! Are you ready, Red Cap!?" Bellamy shouted as he launched towards Mario with his fist pulled back. "Death Knock!" Bellamy punched Mario in the face and created a small shockwave.
Everyone stood in silence, most of them believing Mario to be dead. Bellamy was grinning ear to ear, confident in his victory. But his confidence faltered, and his grin vanished when he noticed Mario was fine.
"Hmm, not a bad punch, but there's-a lot of room for improvement," Mario said as he pulled Bellamy's fist from his face.
"What, how?" Bellamy said, fear evident in his voice.
"Now," Mario's hand was engulfed in flames as he balled it into a fist. "It's-a my turn."
Bellamy backed up as Mario approached.
"Wait, hold on now," Bellamy said as he continued to back away from Mario.
"Hey, you remember the rules. No dodging." Mario said as he continued his walk toward Bellamy.
"No! Stay back!"
"Hold still, or I'll make you."
"NO! STAY AWAY!"
Bellamy was about to run, but Mario pulled a stopwatch from his pocket that flashed and floated above Bellamy's head. Mario then jumped up and launched a flaming Meteor Fist at Bellamy. The attack landed, but Bellamy didn't move.
"Hah! Is that it? Go on, Bellamy, it's time to stop playing around with this garbage!" Sarquiss shouted, but Bellamy didn't move. "Bellamy?"
Mario held up three fingers, "Three, two, one." At the end of Mario's countdown, the watch above Bellamy vanished, and he shot into the ground with an explosion of flames engulfing him.
"WHAT!?" Everyone, besides Mario's friends, shouted.
"No way. Hey, this is a joke, right? Come on, Bellamy. Get up! There's no way you were taken down by one punch!" Sarquiss shouted in disbelief.
He was about to shout, but the newspaper fell on his face. Sarquiss shouted at the News Coo as it flew away. While he did this, some bounty posters fell out of the paper.
"Huh? What's this?" Sarquiss picked up the posters, and his expression changed to sheer terror.
"Hey, what's wrong, Sarquiss?" One of his crewmates asked.
The pirate looked over his shoulder and was also overtaken by fear. One by one, the pirates looked at the bounty poster and then at Mario in fear.
"What?" He asked.
Soon, everyone screamed and ran away from Mario. The only ones left were Bellamy's crew. Mario walked up to Sarquiss, causing him to stumble backward and drop the posters. Mario picked them up and examined them.
"Oh, that makes explains it."
"Hey, what's up, Mario?" Luffy asked as he and the others approached Mario.
"Look."
Mario handed a poster to Luffy. Luffy read it and smiled widely.
"Yeah! My bounty increased. It's now one hundred million!" Luffy said proudly.
"Is that a good thing?" Goombella asked.
"It's a mark of pride for pirates like Luffy," Peach explained. She then turned to Mario. "So? What about you? I'm sure you got an increase as well."
"Yeah, I did."
"Really? So what is it, Mario? Is it higher than mine?" Luffy asked curiously.
Mario sighed as he showed his bounty poster. Everyone was shocked by what they saw.
Red Cap Mario
Wanted
Dead or Alive
2,000,000,000
"Aw! No fair!" Luffy pouted.
"Oh dear, that rivals the emperors of the sea," Robin said.
"Emperors?" Mario said in confusion.
"The four strongest pirates in the world. From what I remember, their bounties are in the four billion range, while the strongest members of their crews only reach the one billion range." Robing explained.
"Mamamia. And the Navy thinks I'm on par with them?"
"Well, we have two Power Stars and know how to use them. And we have the Sparks, the only things that can harm Cursa. And a flying spaceship they can't possibly replicate. And the power-ups that surpass devil fruits and don't have the same restrictions as them. And we did also beat up three of their vice-admirals. And,"
"We get it, Peach!"
Starlow shouted.
"Sorry," Peach said with a giggle. But then she had a thought and turned to Mario. "And what about me and the others? Do we also have a bounty?"
"Yes. That's why we should get back to the others. We need to discuss this once Starlow connects with Starlee." Mario said.
"Right!"
Everyone took off for the pier's edge, where Mario had hidden a warp pipe back to Cricket's house.
"By the way, how did you two get here, and why are you human now?" Mario asked Goombella and Goombario.
"Well, long story short, both groups had gathered together when a giant warp pipe appeared under us and sucked everyone in. And we had gathered the Crystal Stars before we were sucked in, and they came with us." Goombella started.
"Yep, and during the travel between worlds, the Crystal Stars released a wave of power that changed everyone. Almost all of us were affected and got more human-like bodies." Goombario finished.
"I see. Wait, the Crystal Stars? They're here too!?" Mario asked in concern.
Goombella just looked away while Goombario was fidgeting with his fingers.
"Y-Yes." He stammered out.
Mario began to rub his forehead when he heard this.
"Mamamia."
"We're sorry, Mario!" Goombario and Goombella said while bowing.
"It's not your fault, but still, when it rains, it pours," Mario said as he rubbed his forehead.
"Oh my, it appears even more problems have appeared," Robin said.
"Yes, yes they have, Robin. I'll make some special tea for you when we return, Mario. Now, how about you explain why you had the Crystal Stars in the first place." Peach said
"Oh, we wanted to make a special gift for you and Mario. So, we gathered the Crystal Stars to create fakes for the gift. Once we were done, we would put them back in the vault." Goombella explained.
"Yeah, we never expected this to happen," Goombario added.
"I see. Well, I can't blame you since this was unpredictable. But why were you making a gift for us?" Peach asked.
"You know, for your wedding. It was a wedding gift for you and Mario." Goombario answered.
Mario, Luffy, Peach, and Robin were shocked to hear this.
"Oh, a wedding? You two are getting married?" Robin asked.
"Um, yes, but why were invitations sent out already? We haven't even decided on a venue yet!" Mario said.
"I mean, it's going to be at Peach's castle, right?" Goombella asked.
"Y-Yes, but still! I proposed to her a week before this adventure started. How in the stars did invitations get sent out already?"
"Toadsworth, or Granny. One of them must have sent out the invitations early." Peach surmised.
"That makes sense," Mario said.
"So, are we getting invitations as well?" Robin asked.
"Oh, yeah! There's probably going to be lots of food and meat!" Luffy said.
"Sure, after we return and Rosalina stabilizes the portal, we'll send someone to bring you my castle," Peach answered.
"Awesome!" Luffy shouted.
"Well, let's get back to Cricket's house first. We have much to discuss, such as where the others are and how to find the Crystal Stars," Mario said.
"Oh, about that, I managed to grab one of the Crystal Stars before it scattered like the others," Goombario said as he reached into his side bag.
He then pulled out the Diamond Star. Robin and Luffy stood in awe of its splendor while Mario grabbed it.
"Good work, Goombario! With this, we can locate the other Crystal Stars easily."
"Thanks, Mario," Goombario said with pride.
"Alright, you two still need to meet the rest of the crew, so let's-a go!" Mario said as he and the others set off.
Meanwhile, with the rest of the Strawhats
"AH!" Nami screamed as she ran from a boulder. The others weren't doing much better. Sanji and Usopp were dealing with giant spiders, or 'Piders,' as the creatures attacking the crew called them. Zoro was holding back two logs attached to ropes from crushing him while balancing on another to avoid falling to his death. Chopper was trapped in a cage and tied up with Pider silk.
"What the hell is up with this damn tree!?" Sanji asked as he avoided a ball of Pider silk fired at him.
He was about to counterattack but fell on his face. Looking back, he saw one of the Piders had caught his leg and was reeling him in.
"Ah! No! Stay away, you creepy bug! Ah!"
Sanji screamed as the Pider pulled him in.
"Sanji, no!" Usopp screamed.
Usopp tried to pull out his slingshot but had to jump away from a Pider lunging at him. Soon, he was surrounded and started running away as they gave chase.
"Wait! Please don't abandon me, Usopp! Mmmph!" Sanji cried as he reached out to Usopp but was silenced as the Pider wrapped him in its silk and threw him in the cage with Chopper.
Nami managed to take a sharp turn and avoid the boulder. She tried to catch her breath but heard a sound behind her. She turned to see another boulder rolling towards her.
"Ah! No! Please, I don't want to die!" She cried as she ran.
"Then you shouldn't have entered the Great Tree, you dirty pirates!" A voice called out. "We won't allow you to harm our home!"
"We don't want to harm your home; we just want the bird!" Nami shouted.
Above, a flock of South Birds watched the Strawhats suffer in glee. They uttered many cries, which Chopper translated as them laughing at the Strawhats.
"You want a South Bird?" The voice asked.
"Yes!" Nami shouted, hoping the voice saw reason.
"I knew it! You want to eat the South Bird! You're nothing but dirty, stinking, evil pirates! Well, we won't let you!"
"Don't jump to conclusions!" Nami shouted as she ran.
"Silence, pirate! You will feel the wrath of the Great Tree's protectors. You will feel the wrath of the Punis!" A small creature shouted as it perched itself on top of a branch.
"Grr, damn bug!" Zoro growled out.
"So you can still hold that trap off, pirate? Then try this! Add more weight!" The creature yelled.
Two more logs came down, slamming into the two Zoro was holding off. He grunted as the momentum of the logs almost made him lose his grip, but he gritted his teeth and held them back.
"We Punis will no longer be victims! We will defend our home from all intruders!" The creature shouted.
"Mario! Please hurry back!" Nami shouted as she continued to run from the boulder.
And that's the end of the chapter. Thank you all so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. Please feel free to leave a review, and if you wish to support me, please consider donating to my p/a*t/r*e*o/n under the Crimson Yinglet. Once again, thank you, and have a nice day.