"I…did tell you two all the sordid tales about Rogueport on our way here, did I not?"

Luigi stammered, "Y - yeah you have… But our girlfriends are waiting for us here…"

"Your girlfriends are waiting for you here? Is that so?"

Mario stated, "Yeah and we would like to look for this treasure with them."

"Er…of course, sirs. Well, if that's what you think, then I won't stop you two. But, uh… You'd be better careful, sirs. Don't say that I didn't warn you both."

Luigi stammered, "M - maybe we should go back, Malleo."

Mario shot him a look, "C'mon, Weegie. Maybe this place isn't as bad it seems."

Mario and Luigi got off the boat. The boat then turned around and went back to the Mushroom Kingdom, rather quickly.

Luigi frowned, "I - I don't get it, I thought Peach and Violet would be here waiting for us…"

Mario replied, "I thought so too. Let's look around."

To that, the man in green nodded. As they walked forward, they heard a voice.

"Hey! What do you want?! Get away from me, you freak!"

The brothers turned and saw that a pink Goomba was surrounded by some unknown people.

The leader threatened, "Oh, come off it, you airhead! I know it's tough for you, but don't play dumb with me! I've seen you walking around town asking for information about the Crystal Stars. Well, now I'm doing the asking, so be a good girl and tell us what you know! Right. NOW!"

The pink Goomba bravely told him, "Never! I don't have anything to say to you creeps! Eww!"

The leader stated, "I suppose it wouldn't be right if a sassy little lass like you met with an untimely demise… Buh! Buh! Buh huh huh! Boys, we're taking this firebrand to our fortress!"

One of the minions commented, "As you command, Lord Crump! We're on it!"

Lord Crump and his minions took another step towards the pink Goomba.

She stammered, "N - no! Stop right there, you weirdos! I'll scream! Really!"

Mario and Luigi ran over to them. Mario had his Firebrand activated and Luigi had his Thunderhand activated, shaking a bit.

Mario snapped, "Leave her alone!"

Luigi added, "Y - yeah!"

The pink Goomba hid behind the brothers and replied, "Like I'd go anywhere with smelly lunatics like you! Hmph! Not likely!"

Lord Crump chuckled, "Whut? What do you think you two are doing? Chumps! You two think you can screw up my plans?!"

Mario smirked, "Doesn't seem like you have any plans or any brains."

Lord Crump did a double take, "Seems like someone is a bit full of themselves!"

Luigi stammered, "S - speak for yourself!"

Lord Crump told them, "Looks like I'm going to have to give you two a little taste of the old CRUMP-A-BOMB!"

That's when Lord Crump attacked the brothers. Mario used his fire and Luigi used his thunder. They had defeated Lord Crump rather quickly. The pink Goomba was impressed by their strength.

Lord Crump got to his feet, "Buh! Buh! Buh huh huh! Ok, you two got a couple decent shots in, I'll give you that. But…unfortunately for you two, that means…" He shouted, "IT'S GO TIME!"

That's when more minions came in, surrounding the brothers and the pink Goomba.

Lord Crump ordered, "PUNISH THEM!"

The minions jumped on them and continued to jump on them.

The pink Goomba stated, "Quick! This way!" The brothers followed her quickly, getting themselves out of the danger rather quickly. She added, "Phew! What a bunch of loons! Let's just sneak out of here!"

The brothers nodded in agreement as they followed the pink Goomba out of there.

"Buh - HUH?! STOP!"

The minions stopped jumping and Lord Crump noticed that Mario, Luigi, and the pink Goomba were gone.

Lord Crump demanded, "Where'd they go?! Huh? You! Johnson! Did you see them? Did anyone?" The minions were just as confused as their leader. He stated, "Uh… Crud! They bolted!"

…

The pink Goomba gushed, "Wow, you two totally saved me! Thanks!"

Mario stated, "Happy to help."

Luigi asked, "Are you okay now?"

The pink Goomba confirmed, "Yes, I'm okay. Thanks! I've just got to give you two a little reward." That's when she gave them both a quick peck on the cheek. They both blushed modestly. She introduced, "My name's Goombella. I'm a student at the University of Goom. Nice to meet ya both!"

Mario told her, "I'm Mario Manfredi and this is my brother, Luigi."

Luigi waved, "Ciao, nice to meet you!"

Goombella regarded, "Nice to meet you as well!" She then realized, "Wait…Mario and Luigi Manfredi?" To that, Mario nodded. She added, "Oh wow, I was expecting to be rescued by real heroes! But it looks like you two just rolled into town yourselves."

Mario said, "Yes, we have."

Goombella commented, "Me, I already hate it here! There are freaks and weirdos everywhere! It's nasty!"

Luigi stammered, "O - on that we agree."

Goombella nodded, "I mean, I know the place is called Rogueport, so I should've expected it, but sheesh! I'd never come to a place like this if there weren't some legendary treasure here."

Mario pointed out, "That's what we're looking for too."

Goombella perked up, "Wait seriously?"

Luigi confirmed, "Yeah, we got a map too."

Mario brought out the map to show it to Goombella.

Goombella gushed, "Omigosh! Is…isn't that a treasure map?! You two have to tell me where you got that!"

Mario explained, "Well, Princess Peach, my girlfriend mailed it to my brother and I."

Luigi added, "We were hoping to meet up with her and my girlfriend, Violet Calico but we haven't seen them since we got here."

"Great hoogly-boogly! If it isn't Master Mario and Master Luigi!"

Toadsworth came up to them, "Bit of a coincidence, bumping into one another in this sort of place, hm? Ho ho! So tell me, Master Mario and Master Luigi, what in the world brings you two to this wretched burg?"

Mario explained, "Well, Peach and Violet sent Luigi and I a letter and a treasure map!"

Luigi commented, "They said they were meeting us here in Rogueport. Have you seen them?"

Toadsworth answered, "Interesting erm… I was going to ask you two about that. We stopped in this town to acquire a spot of fuel for our ship, don't you know… I only took my eye off her for a moment, but as soon as I did, she vanished. I think Violet must've gone after her cause I haven't seen her either."

Both of the brothers moaned, "Oh no…"

...

Wishmaker1028: Chapter 2 is done! Hope you all enjoying this New Year fanfiction! Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!