The intoxicating aroma of home cooked food filled the dining room of Princess Peach's castle. It was lunchtime, and the long, wooden table had been filled with an assortment of dishes for the midday meal. Mario's mouth watered as he surveyed the table.
There were various pasta dishes; spaghetti, linguini in mushroom sauce, fried Cheep Cheep in tomato sauce, and the sweet scent of garlic filled Mario's nostrils as he scooped a dish of ravioli onto his plate. There were other foods too, a large bowl of salad with fresh tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms, a very large basket of mixed fruit of all varieties, fresh baked bread, and an assortment of different sandwiches. Mario took all of the scents in, and smiled. He loved lunchtime, and although it had been quite a stressful day, it was nice to sit down and be able to enjoy a meal.
He was dressed in his usual attire, a simple red shirt, blue overalls, his good, worn-in work boots, and he wore his white plumber's gloves. He adjusted his red cap on his head, and proceeded to scoop some spaghetti onto his plate. He looked over to Peach, sitting at the head of the table in a large, throne-like wooden chair. She looked beautiful as ever today, in a gorgeous short-sleeved pink dress that had elegant designs stitched on the cuffs. A sky blue colored brooch was pinned to her chest-a family heirloom-and she wore her golden crown on her head. The crown was also an heirloom, and had small jewels embedded into the gold. She sat up very straight, and delicately plucked an apple from the basket. She placed a folded pink napkin on her lap, and started to slice the apple very carefully. Even during meal time, she showed all the grace of a princess.
Peach looked at Mario, and gave him a small smile. He found himself staring for a few seconds, and smiled back to her. He nodded as he proceeded to scoop some fried mushrooms on his plate. Mario looked across the table, and smiled at his friend Yoshi, who was trying very hard to show proper table etiquette. Mario knew it was difficult for him. Yoshi's were a kind and gentle species, but were more free spirited. Mario knew his friend, and was sure he was resisting every urge to just lash his long tongue out at the food, and gorge himself. Mario honestly didn't blame him, and would have liked very much to do the same. He nodded to Yoshi, sympathetic.
"Hehe!" Peach giggled as she watched Yoshi attempt to spoon some fried Cheep Cheep on his plate. It looked like poor Yoshi had never used a utensil in his life, and was trying desperately to scoop some of the dish out of the bowl, only managing a very small spoonful of sauce each time. Yoshi sighed in frustration.
"It's okay Yoshi." Peach said with a smile. "You may dig in. I had Tayce T. bring out a separate helping of everything for you, so that way you didn't have to worry about using the plates and silverware. I know lunchtime is a little different at Yoshi's Island than here."
"Thank you, Princess!" Yoshi said with a relieved look. "I'm sorry, I'm trying, but I just can't see why someone would use something so terrible! This spoon barely gives me any food!"
Peach giggled again as Yoshi lashed his tongue out at a plate of the fried Cheep Cheep. In a flash the food, and the plate was gone.
"Oh… oops…. Pardon…" Yoshi said apologetically. He quickly spat the empty plate out onto the table, and burped. The plate came up completely clean, and Mario could see the reflection of the great chandelier above them on the fine glass of the plate.
"Erm… excuse me, princess." He said apologetically.
Peach giggled again, and took a small bite out of a piece of bread. She smiled at Yoshi.
"Yoshi, you have eaten with us many times, and frankly, have been our friend for years. Please, enjoy yourself. Eat your fill, we can get more if we run out." Peach said.
Yoshi nodded and proceeded to eat more. He lashed his tongue out at the salad bowl, and it was gone in a gulp. He then went for the fruit basket, and one by one ate each piece of fruit until the whole basket was gone. He went for a plate of mushrooms, and it was gone in a matter of seconds. Within minutes, half of the food on the table was gone.
Mario grinned as he rolled a helping of spaghetti on his fork. One thing he and Yoshi had always had in common was their love of food. He remembered their first adventure together, when he had discovered Yoshi trapped in an egg that Bowser had put him in. Yoshi had been very grateful to Mario for rescuing him, and they had become fast friends, and fellow adventurers. Mario witnessed first hand how big Yoshi's appetite had been, and Yoshi had used his big appetite and that crazy tongue as actual weapons on their adventure. Yoshi, and all Yoshis could literally eat anything, and would if you let them.
Mario had always loved food, and had never met someone who could out eat him, that is, until he met Yoshi. The pair had shared many meals, and Mario remembered after that first adventure together the feast that was had in Yoshi's Island after Bowser was defeated. He had never seen so much fruit, fish and other dishes as there were that day. He had eaten, danced and sang with the Yoshis, all day and night, and it had been one of the most enjoyable experiences of his life. Mario, Luigi and Peach had ended up vacationing there for close to a month afterward, living among the Yoshis, and having fun. By the end of the vacation, Mario knew that Yoshi was a friend for life.
Mario watched as Yoshi lapped up another plate of spaghetti, and paused for a moment. He thought he saw great sadness in Yoshi's eyes, and Yoshi looked down at the table. He looked over at Peach, who was taking a bite of salad, and nodded towards Yoshi.
"It's lovely to have you here with us for lunch, Yoshi." Peach said sweetly. "My guess is that you didn't just come to eat with us, though."
Yoshi looked up at Peach and nodded, Mario noticed a small tear star to trickle down Yoshi's large, green nose.
"Are you okay, buddy?" Mario asked his friend. "What's going on? How can we help?"
Yoshi had arrived not even an hour ago via warp pipe. He had said he needed to talk to Peach and him immediately, and that something big had happened. Peach had invited him to lunch, and had been helping Tayce T. with the meal. Mario had not been at the castle, and instead was at his house, trying to get Luigi to come for lunch. Luigi hadn't been home, so Mario had come back and sent Toad out to try and find him. Luigi more than likely would miss lunch, but that was not why Mario had needed him. Mario had known what happened last night was a bad omen, and needed to talk to Luigi about it.
Now Yoshi was here, with big news, and very clearly upset. What was happening?
"I… I'm… no, Mario. I'm not." Yoshi said sadly.
"What happened?" Peach asked.
"Last night…" Yoshi sniffed. "Last night me and all of the other Yoshi's were dancing for the Super Happy Tree, and something terrible happened."
Yoshi's face started to get pale, and Mario thought it looked like Yoshi was going to be sick.
"It… it died." Yoshi whispered.
"It? You mean… The Super Happy Tree?" Mario asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, the Super Happy Tree." Yoshi said.
"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry Yoshi." Peach said sympathetically. "What happened, how did it die?"
"It just… died." Yoshi said sadly. "It shouted this horrible… noise I've never heard before, and the bark just turned into the color of ashes, and it just… died. The leaves died and fell off, and all of the fruit on the tree fell, rotten."
Yoshi frowned, and his head sunk. He sighed heavily, as Peach got up from her chair to comfort him. She patted him on the head, and gave him a hug.
"It's going to be okay, Yoshi." She said softly patting his head.
Mario thought for a moment. This was a very bad sign, indeed. First the Star Road, and now the Super Happy Tree, which had been alive and healthy for generations, just suddenly withered away. Something was happening, something big, and Mario needed to get to the bottom of it.
"Yoshi." Mario said. "Did anything else happen? Did you see anything else out of the ordinary? Or someone?"
Yoshi looked over at Mario as Peach let him go. He wiped a tear from his eye, and scratched his nose.
"Yes, come to think of it." Yoshi said. "Before the Super Happy Tree wilted away, it shouted in a horrible voice, "Star" and one of my friends pointed into the sky. I saw two shooting stars, and a bunch of stars winking out. Mario, isn't that….?"
"The Star Road." Peach said with a shocked look on her face.
"We saw it too, Yoshi." Mario said. "Last night, the princess and I were on the balcony making a wish, and we watched the seven stars of the Star Road wink out, one by one."
"You saw it too?!" Yoshi exclaimed.
"Yes," Peach nodded. "We saw the shooting stars, too."
"W… What does it mean?" Yoshi asked. "It can't be a coincidence that both the Star Road faded away and the Super Happy Tree died on the same night."
"I think the tree's last word confirmed that my friend." Mario said. "The two must be linked somehow."
"What do we do?" Peach said. "If the Star Road is truly gone, then that means wishes will no longer be granted, and the Super Happy Tree is such a vital part of Yoshi's whole culture… this is a bad sign, Mario."
"I don't know what it means," Mario said. "But I'm going to find out. We need to figure out why the Star Road vanished, and how we can fix it."
"But where do we start?" Yoshi asked. "The Star Road is so far away, and we have no way of traveling there."
"We need to do something." Mario said. "The longer we take to act, the more out of control things will get."
"Oh, Mario! I worry about Bowser too!" Peach said worriedly. "My guards caught two of his minions trying to spy on the castle the other day. I'm afraid he might be planning something! If he manages to kidnap me, and wishes can't be granted… Maybe I'll never be rescued!"
"Don't worry Peach, I will not allow that to happen." Mario said, determinedly.
"We need a plan." Yoshi said.
Mario thought for a moment, trying to figure out an answer. Things were happening quickly, and Mario needed to act quickly before something else terrible happened, and it was too late. He would get to the bottom of this, and he would certainly make sure that Peach was safe. If only he had some answers. Who would know why the Star Road winked out though? It's not like someone was actually there to witness it happen. All people would hear would be gossip and… The thought came to Mario in a flash, and he knew exactly what he needed to do.
"The first thing we need to do, is gather everyone together." Mario said. "Peach, I need for you to send word to the kingdom to keep on guard twenty-four seven. We need as many eyes and ears around as we can. We also need to have a meeting. We must contact Daisy immediately, and explain to her the situation. Hopefully Toad comes back with Luigi soon."
"I'll send out a message right away." Peach said. "From Toad Town to the Donut Plains, I'll have people on guard. I'll send a messenger to Sarasaland too."
"Great, thank you, Peach." Mario said. "Yoshi, would you accompany me? There is someone I need to talk with desperately."
"Sure Mario, where are we going?" Yoshi asked.
"We need to go to Tadpole Pond. I must speak with Frogfucious." Mario said.
"I forgot about him, it's been years since we've seen him." Peach said.
"Yes, it has, but he's the only person I can think of who might actually have some idea of what's going on. Perhaps he has some answers for us." Mario said. "It's about a day's journey from here. Peach, as soon as Toad and my brother get back, have them stay close. I want you well guarded until we can get some answers."
"Okay, I will be extra careful Mario." Peach said.
"Great, now when my brother gets back, could you give him a message for me?" Mario asked.
Mario was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"You may enter." Peach said.
The large wooden door opened, and Toadsworth entered. He was an old Toad with brown spots on his head, thick white mustaches, and wore a light purple dress shirt underneath a darker purple vest. Small framed spectacles rested in front of his dark eyes, and he carried a wooden cane with a small, brown mushroom shaped handle. He wiped some sweat from his brow, and the cane shook in his fist. Toadsworth looked genuinely troubled, and breathed heavily as he greeted them.
"I'm… sorry to disturb you Princess, Master Mario, Master Yoshi." Toadsworth said as he nodded to each in turn. "There's a erm…. Visitor here to see Master Mario."
"Who is it Toadsworth?" Mario asked curiously.
"Well, um… you see, we tried to turn him away, but… he threatened the guards! The guards tried to detain him and when they did…" Toadsworth licked his lips, and grabbed a handkerchief from his shirt pocket. He wiped the sweat from his head, and took a deep breath. "He… turned the guards into Goombas! Just took his wand and…"
"A… Magikoopa?" Peach gasped. "Is that who's here? To see Mario?"
"What does he want?" Yoshi asked, standing up acknowledging Toadsworth.
"Not just any Magikoopa…" Toadsworth replied nervously. "It's Bowser's man, Kamek."
Mario quickly suppressed a look of shock as Peach, Yoshi and Toadsworth looked towards him, looking genuinely flabbergasted. Mario crossed his arms, and looked towards Toadsworth.
"What does he want?" Mario asked. "What does Bowser's right hand man want to talk to me about?"
"Pardon, Master Mario." Toadsworth said politely. "He wouldn't say. He said he wished to speak directly with Mario, and no one else."
"It has to be some kind of trick!" Peach exclaimed. "Since when has Bowser or any of his lackeys ever just showed up at the door wanting to talk?"
Mario stroked his mustache for a moment, contemplating. What was Bowser planning? He thought to himself for a moment, and nodded.
"Take me to him, Toadsworth." Mario said, crossing the room to Toadsworth. "Yoshi, please stay here with Peach, and guard her."
"Sure thing Mario." Yoshi replied, nodding. "I'll guard her with my life, you just be careful. If anything seems fishy at all, shout and I'll come running."
"No, if I shout, take the princess out of the back door, and get her out of here." Mario said. "Toadsworth, lead the way, please."
Yoshi nodded, and Mario followed Toadsworth as he exited the dining room. Mario walked towards the doorway and looked back at Peach.
"Be careful, Mario." Peach said with a worried expression on her face.
"You know I will, my love." Mario replied affectionately. "You be careful too, and if something goes wrong, run as fast as you can, and don't stay out of Yoshi's sight."
Peach shook her head, and Mario followed Toadsworth down the long hallway leading out from the dining room. A long, red velvet carpet stretched the length of the hallway, covering the hard stone floor. There were multiple doors along the chamber, as it was the main hall of the castle. Toadsworth lead Mario past a number of doors, and after a few minutes of walking, reached another large, wooden door at the end of the hallway.
"He's in the foyer at the main entrance by the doors." Toadsworth said nervously. "I kept ten of the royal guards in here to watch him, but I'm worried about them. If Kamek is that powerful in magic, they could be Goombas or something worse even if they've angered him."
"Don't worry, Toadsworth," Mario said. "I'll take care of everything. If things get bad, I have a backup plan."
Mario clutched the gold star in his back pocket. The little star, if ingested, would give him temporary invincibility. If Kamek tried to pull anything, Mario would use the power of the star, and fight him. It certainly wouldn't have been the first time he had to fight Kamek.
Toadsworth nodded to Mario as he opened the door. Mario entered the main foyer, and quickly surveyed the room. The room was huge, with multiple wooden doors leading to other rooms in the castle. The doors had small, golden stars painted on the front of them, and lined the lower floor. Mario was at the top of a staircase that led to the main entrance. At the foot of the staircase, a large circular rug with the image of Peach laid over the black and white tiled floor. The ceiling was huge, the large, stained glass windows let in the sunshine. Mario descended the stairs, and stared at the great, stone doorways at the entrance. Kamek stood in front of them, clutching his broom in his right hand, and his magic wand in the other. Ten of Peach's royal guard surrounded him, all in plate and mail, clutching spears.
As Mario reached the foot of the stairs, Kamek spoke up.
"There you are!" Kamek shouted, sounding irritated. "I have been waiting here for almost an hour! I would think that her highness would be a bit more hospitable to a guest."
"To a guest, yes." Mario replied. "A threat however, the princess does not take lightly."
"Phaw!" Kamek scowled. "Trust me, plumber. If I wanted to be a threat, I would have gotten to her highness a lot quicker, and this pathetic guard you have here on me would be nothing but dust." He grinned as he watched the guards visibly shake. Toadsworth jumped, and ran behind Mario.
"Had you busted in, you would have envied the guards your decimated you fiend!" Mario growled back.
Kamek laughed. "I would love to see you attempt that, but sadly it will have to wait for another day." He said regretfully. "For I come before you today not for a fight, but merely to talk."
"What would you possibly have to say that would interest me in the slightest bit?" Mario replied.
"My orders are to speak with you, and you alone. Get these other half-wits out of here!" Kamek said, gesturing at the guards. "Then we speak."
"Only until you turn those guards outside back into themselves." Mario said. "And only until then, will I considered your request.
"Oh, fine, then!" Kamek scowled. "Give me one minute."
Kamek opened the door behind him, and walked outside.
"I don't like this, Master Mario." Toadsworth said nervously. "He can't be trusted! He's Bowser's top advisor!"
"I know, Toadsworth, but he made a point. If he wanted to, he could have busted into the castle and really have done some damage. I would have stopped him, but it does appear that he's come in peace."
"Well, I will trust your word then." Toadsworth groaned. Mario didn't think he looked too happy about it, but he didn't say anything further. The door opened again, and Kamek entered, the two guards on his toes.
"Mario!" One of the guards shouted. "This fiend used his magic on us!"
"Please, go back outside guys, I'll take care of things from here." Mario said back to them.
The pair gave him a confused look, and reluctantly went back to their posts. The great doors slammed behind them.
"Well, plumber. Your move." Kamek said impatiently. "I don't have all day."
Mario nodded.
"Leave us, gentleman." Mario said to the guards. "You too, Toadsworth. Check on the princess, I'll be with you shortly."
Toadsworth all but ran back up the stairs, and the other guards followed. They eyed Kamek until they reached the doorway, exiting the room one by one. Mario heard the door slam shut behind them. He turned to Kamek.
"So, Bowser's right hand just shows up at the door of Princess Peach's castle, and says it's in peace. Explain to me why I shouldn't just dismiss this as some plot to steal the princess and take over the kingdom, and vanquish you." Mario said, taking a few steps toward Kamek. He crossed his arms and gave Kamek a dark look.
"You think I want to be here, plumber?" Kamek said angrily. He adjusted the large, dark blue wizard hat on his head, and pointed his broom at Mario. "I'm here on King Bowser's command. His vileness would have loved to come here in person, but is a bit preoccupied at the moment. Trust me, walking through the front door of the castle is the most foolhardy, ridiculous plan of a kidnapping I've ever heard. Quite frankly, I like to be on the sidelines, pulling the strings, not the front lines, where fools find themselves dead."
"Well then, what do you want?" Mario demanded. "Or rather, what does your bumbling idiot of a king want?
Kamek paused for a moment, and sighed. He turned back towards the door and looked over his shoulder. Mario couldn't see his eyes behind those dark framed glasses that Kamek wore, but Mario thought his body language showed a great sense of reluctance.
"His evilness has sent me here to offer a temporary truce." Kamek mumbled. "His grace has a lot on his plate right now, and quite frankly does not have the time for your meddling."
Mario again had to suppress a look of shock on his face. This had to be a trick, in all of the years Mario knew Bowser, he had never offered a truce. Except once, when he was in a very desperate situation. Mario had allied with Bowser temporarily when Smithy had stolen his castle, and destroyed the Star Road, but it had not been an easy journey. Bowser was very often obnoxious, untrustworthy, and unreliable. Mario was relieved when the two had parted company, and had once again been enemies.
"Treachery!" Mario exclaimed. "What is he planning? Tell me, or I'll end you here and now!" Mario reached for the gold star in his pocket.
Kamek quickly rounded on Mario and pointed his wand right at his face.
"This is no trick you fool plumber!" Kamek shouted angrily. "Bowser does not need your retched meddling right now! He does not want to see your ugly face, and quite frankly could care less about the princess at the moment. Trust me, this truce will not last forever, but for now we're done with you and the Mushroom Kingdom! It can all burn for all we care!"
Mario was about to respond, but really studied Kamek for a minute. He seemed genuine-well, as genuine as member of the Koopa Troop could be anyway-and looked visibly frustrated. Mario imagined Kamek was almost insulted that he had to be the one to come to Mario for peace. Could he be telling the truth? If what Kamek said was true, and Bowser didn't want temporary peace, what was he planning?
"You're serious." Mario said. "He really doesn't want to cause any trouble? And for how long?"
Kamek sighed as he pulled a rolled up piece of paper from the sleeve of his cloak. He handed it to Mario. Mario grabbed it from him, and unrolled it, and read the words.
Mario,
I, Bowser, King of the Koopas and leader of the Koopa Troop, hereby declare that there shall be a temporary truce between the Koopas and the Mushroom Kingdom. I don't want to see your fat, ugly, Koopa be damned face anywhere near my kingdom, and I and my troops will not cause trouble to you and your people. I will not attempt to kidnap Peach, and we will have peace for a time. This is not something I do without reservations, and I hate it, but we will have peace until I otherwise say so. Princess Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom will be mine, but not until I sort out other things. Just, leave me the hell alone!
-King Bowser Koopa, leader of the Koopa Troop
Mario felt an equal sense of confusion and anger as he read the letter. It was barely legible, and there were scratches and blots of ink all over the paper. Bowser seemed to have pressed a seal of some sort on it, a Koopa shell stamped in red at the bottom. Next to it, there was a space for Mario to sign.
"If Bowser is serious about this, why doesn't he have Peach sign it?" Mario asked.
"He's not worried about her, it's you he wants out of his hair. If her highness wants to come visit us at the castle, she's more than welcome." Kamek said sarcastically.
"How will I know you'll hold up your end of the bargain?" Mario said sternly. "What assurances can you give me?"
Kamek laughed.
"None." Kamek said "But what do you honestly have to lose?"
Mario thought for a moment, and reluctantly, he reached in his pocket for a pen. He signed the bottom of the paper.
"Alright, you have my word. We won't bother you, if you leave us alone." Mario said. "How am I to know when the truce is ended?"
"Oh, don't worry, you'll know plumber. You'll know." Kamek grinned.
Mario sighed as he thrust the paper into Kamek's hand.
"The truce starts now. Get out of here before I throw you out." Mario said angrily.
Kamek nodded, and walked out the door.
Mario stood there for a few minutes after Kamek left, and thought to himself.
If Bowser genuinely wants this truce, what could possibly be going on that takes precedence over taking over the Kingdom? And what if not, what's he planning? He thought. There are too many questions, and no answers. This day is just getting weirder and weirder and.
First the Star Road, then the Super Happy Tree, now this. Big things were happening, and Mario was really starting to feel uneasy about it. He felt like he was starting to lose control of the situation
"I hope Frogfucious has some answers for me." He found himself saying aloud. "We're in big trouble if he doesn't."
He sighed, and walked back up the stairs to tell the others what happened.