Chapter Four: Back from the Dead
Mushroom Village, The Mushroom Kingdom
The Princess Toadstool was bored. Mind-numbingly, bone-burningly bored. Ever since the defeat of Doomstar and Morton, Jr, each day had been an unchanging line of predictable duties. Wake up at dawn, undergo the ridiculously excessive morning ceremonies of her station, meet with the Mushroom Council, take requests from citizens, attend dinner, and then back to bed.
To top it all off, there hadn’t been any news of Bowser in months. Normally that would be a blessing, but the fact that he was stronger than ever meant for certain he was planning something. The unbearable silence could only imply his most daring bid for power yet. And still, no matter how much she begged the Council to take defensive actions, they refused to cause the Mushroomers any more fear after the disaster of the flood.
“You’ve got too much to worry about, Princess,” a familiar voice called from behind her.
She turned around, grinning at Mario as he leaned clumsily against a statue. “Good to see you in one piece for a change. But I’m surprised the lack of worlds to save hasn’t gotten you in a rut either.”
He tossed the concern off with one hand. “I manage to keep myself busy enough, between cooking pasta and seeing to the city’s long overdue plumbing problems. It’s the important stuff that gets neglected when I’m out fighting Bowser.”
“Still, I can’t help getting the feeling we haven’t won yet, as if there remains something horrible beyond all the foes we’ve already faced,” Peach said, steadying herself on the arm of her throne.
Mario walked carefully over and put his hand on her shoulder. “More terrible than Doomstar himself? After him, I think any plot Bowser can muster will be a piece of cake.”
“Of course you’re right,” she said, vaguely smiling, and put her hand on his. “It’s only the aftershock, I suppose.”
Upon her words, the massive doors to the main hall groaned open, and the diminutive figure of Toad waddled up to them. “Princess! Princess Toadstool! There’s some really short guy and a Goomba here to see you. He looked like trouble, so I told him to wait outside— eeek! There he is!”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” said the intruder from behind them, standing just inside of a second-story window with his comrade. “But we must see you immediately. In fact, I’m surprised to see you alive at all. Pleasantly, to be sure.”
“Jinx!” Mario exclaimed and rushed with Peach to greet him. “I haven’t seen you in forever. Where have you been? And who’s this? You’ve missed everything, pal!”
“Perhaps we’re speaking at cross-purposes, then,” Jinx replied thoughtfully. “This is Keb, by the way, but I propose we begin by going over exactly what has happened in the past year.”
“You mean you know nothing of the great struggle at Star Hill?” the princess asked. “Of the Koopa family’s alliance?”
Jinx looked at his companion briefly before speaking. “You must tell us everything.”
~*~*~*~
The great blue torches of the Main Hall flickered dimly on into the night as the princess and Mario finished their stories, including everything as precisely as they could remember it.
“The flood, then, was caused by the massive Blooper. Doomstar’s control over it must not have been complete when it encountered us south of Ocean Side,” Jinx said. “That explains more than you could know.”
“But you haven’t told us how you got out of the cave yet,” Mario interrupted. “Croco left you, Shogun and Mouser went into the Breaking Shrine, and at last mention, you and Keb were down for the count.”
“Ah, yes, but it appears the pilot who was kind enough to fly us up there didn’t have much faith in our survival skills.”
Keb smirked. “Thankfully!”
“The entrance to the cave was made exceedingly visible by the avalanche Shogun caused,” Jinx continued, “and so he was able to find us easily enough. I knew the Fates had something else in store for us than a freezing death.”
“Nice to know,” the princess said, and gave an involuntary shudder. “But now that we’re all caught up, I suppose it’s time we return to why you came here in the first place. What’s so important?”
“While recuperating in one of the remote villages of Iced Land, we witnessed a horrible sight.”
The Goomba nodded. “Thousands of soldiers were marching towards Crystal City, where Prince Lemmy supposedly keeps his armada. We asked one of the locals, and they said a call had gone out all over Kooparian. They’re gathering troops for war.”
Mario steadied Peach as she sunk back into her throne. “My worst fears are confirmed. Bowser’s allegiance with his children is solidified in blood, and they have no problem following his orders. With all the might of Kooparian directed against our weakened army, we’ll be overwhelmed and crushed.”
“Never, I’ll never let that happen,” said the other human, clinching his fist. “There has to be a way we can fight them.”
“I have given it much thought,” Jinx said calmly. “The princess is right. Alone, the Mushroom Kingdom’s army is in no condition to put even a minor struggle up against the combined forces of the Koopa Empire. That is why we must seek outside help. It will be difficult, but if we can enlist the aid of Dinosaur Land, Salinia, the Tropacine Isles, and Sarasaland, we just might have a chance.”
“Of course, such an alliance would have to include the very one of those countries which is least likely to help us,” Peach said grimly. “Sarasaland hasn’t been on good terms with us since Princess Daisy stepped down from the throne. And we’re still not certain how the government changeover happened, or even if it’s been successful.”
“Then I’ll just have to go make sure they cooperate,” said Mario, and spun a fire orb in his hand. “A few aggressive negotiations is just what this situation calls for, I think.”
“Oh, dear,” Toad cut in, “but won’t that be dangerous, sir?”
“And foolhardy,” added Jinx. “Mario, the Mushroom Kingdom cannot afford you off island hopping. It is my personal opinion that you should stay here and wait for the appropriate task to come along. Besides, diplomacy is precisely what the princess is best at.”
“But who will protect you, Peach?” Mario asked, clearly worried.
“Keb and I will be more than suitable as her bodyguards, and as a former world traveler, I know a considerable amount about Sarasalian culture. We’ll be fine, I assure you.”
“Oh, Princess, at least let me come!” Toad begged. “You’ll need someone to carry your things and... and... well, I don’t want to leave you behind!”
“If you promise not to cause any trouble,” Jinx said sternly. “The last thing we can afford is an international crisis. Just stay close to Peach and only do what she tells you.”
“Y-yes, sir,” said Toad, looking comical beside the much shorter dojo master.
“I’m still not happy about all this,” said Mario, his arms crossed. “I can’t stand the thought of you halfway across the globe in a country that probably hates us.”
“It’s our only hope,” the princess said simply. “I’m not thrilled about it either, believe me. I have to try, though. I have to at least see if they can be reasoned with.”
“And if not the current administration, perhaps the leaders of the military will see the urgency of our predicament,” Jinx said. “Our success does not hinge on one person’s mindset. We should have several opportunities for reaching an agreement.”
“I’ll pack our things, Your Highness,” Toad said, and scurried out of the room.
“Now hold on just a moment, Princess!” a new voice came from the door where Toad had left.
Peach groaned and lifted one hand. “Meet Senator Breckinridge, the Chairman of Foreign Relations.”
“Newly elected,” the fit, heavily robed Mushroomer added. He was young for a government official, but had an imposing mustache and sharp, defined glasses. “And as suits my position, I hold the right to accompany you on your journey overseas.”
“Funny,” Peach said. “The last I looked, this was a private conversation.”
“Nothing outside your personal quarters is beyond the legality of a little eavesdropping,” the Senator said, and revealed a small, mechanical instrument. “The arrival of our diminutive friend here led me to think this secret conference call of yours might be the business of the Senate, but if you agree to take me with you, I might just forget this happened.”
“No problem,” said Peach, much to the surprise of everyone else, including Breckinridge.
“But Princess,” Mario protested
“That anxious to avoid publicity, are we?” the Senator chuckled.
“You know as well as I do that the Senate will refuse any action that implies a state of war, even if it’s only preparatory in nature.”
“Fair enough,” said the Mushroomer, smirking. “When do we leave?”
“As soon as possible,” Jinx answered for her. “But you must gather your traveling things quickly. We haven’t a moment to lose.”
Without speaking another word to each other, the princess and Senator Breckinridge left in opposite directions. Keb whistled lowly and shook his head.
“I haven’t seen a pair of folks that angry at each other since Sam Thwomp caused a dent in my dad’s store back in Monstro Town.”
Jinx glared at the Goomba and turned back to Mario. “Excuse my Apprentice. He hasn’t quite learned yet when to keep his tongue. Truly, though, the inclusion of the good senator only makes this mission more difficult. I should’ve sensed his presence behind the door.”
“Perhaps he wasn’t as close as you think,” Mario said. “Remember that tiny device he showed us? It looked like a receiver or something, not a volume amplifier.”
“Which means there would have to be a partner device in this room somewhere!” Keb shouted.
“Good work,” Jinx said, grinning. “As part of your training, find it for us before we have to leave. Remember, assume the identity of your opposition. Where would you hide such a mechanism?”
Mario watched the young Goomba clamber about the room, sniffing every corner. “That green bandanna around his head—what’s it for?”
“Some sort of heirloom from his mother, given to him before she died in lieu of a daughter,” Jinx explained. “The boy’s had a rough life, but he has tremendous skill. I’ve never had a Goomba talented enough for me to take as an apprentice. In fact, the only student better might have been... Jagger.”
Mario growled. “I had a run-in with him outside the Breaking Shrine. He’s gotten stronger, a powerful warrior. I’ll give him a punch for you when I see him again.”
“Vengeance is never the solution,” Jinx said, though he sounded distant. “After all, it was I who failed him.”
“Found it, Sensei!” Keb called out. “Under the throne. I thought he would be cleverer about it.”
“Sometimes the cleverest answer is the most obvious one,” Jinx said, and took the device. A glowing light on the top turned off when he thumbed a switch. “You were correct, Mario. A radio transmitter. The technology doesn’t look like anything I’ve seen in the Mushroom Kingdom, though... curious. Do you recognize it?”
Mario took the transmitter and looked it over. “Nothing seems familiar— uh oh.”
“What is it?” Keb asked, almost bouncing on the tips of his feet.
“This marking, it symbolizes Gadd Industries, the company Professor E. Gadd heads up. It’s worldwide, but almost everyone in the Mushroom Kingdom buys through Booster’s factories. Whoever he got this from isn’t a native.”
“Our dear Senator Breckinridge stinks of treachery,” said Jinx, narrowing his eyes.
Mario pounded one fist into the other. “Good! There’s our excuse to kick his tail and make sure he doesn’t come with us or report back to the Senate.”
“No,” Jinx said firmly. “Now we have more reason to take him with us than ever. His eagerness to come along bespeaks a possible connection with Sarasaland. If we let him keep up this ruse of loyalty, then we may be able to discover the exact nature of his involvement. It could help us root out any enemies we have in Chai before they cause trouble.”
“And you still won’t let me come?” Mario asked. “It seems to me you’ll need more than two people onboard with a conspiracy brewing.”
“Again, all the more grounds for keeping the diplomatic party small. They’ll have less to suspect us of. Also, it’s probably best not to tell Princess Toadstool of this just yet. We’re still not certain, and she doesn’t need any further reason to hate the senator.”
“Of course, but at least let me do some snooping in Breckinridge’s suite at the Mushroom Hotel,” Mario said. “Something important might turn up.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Jinx nodded. “Just meet us at the airport in two hours. It’ll look like a farewell.”
Mario nodded and turned to leave. It will be, and I still don’t like it.
~*~*~*~
When Mario walked casually into the hotel lobby, it looked as busy as always. The rich politicians and shop owners mingled freely with the simpler folk of Mushroom Village, bustling around, indifferent to everyone around them. He waved to a few who were nosy enough to stare at him and made his way slowly to the help desk.
“Mario, sir!” the clerk said cheerfully. “Looking to spend the night? Is the Pipe House undergoing repairs?”
“No, thank you. I’m looking for Senator Breckinridge. Doesn’t he stay here?”
“Yes, sir, but I’m afraid he left with several bags just a few minutes ago. He seemed to be in a hurry and even told me to hold all his mail. I’m not sure he’ll be back any time soon.”
“That’s fine, but I need to deliver a message. It’s not time-sensitive, so if I just leave it under his door, that would work.”
The clerk grimaced, and looked around nervously. “Uh, sir, I mean, Mario, I’m not allowed to give out our clientele’s room numbers. I mean, if you had a warrant or something... Perhaps I could take it myself!”
The human groaned, exaggerating his disappointment. “That’s unfortunate. You see, it’s confidential, and the princess herself asked me to deliver it.”
“The princess, eh?” said the clerk. “Well, I suppose this one time won’t hurt. Just please don’t make me do this again, sir.”
“No problem.” Mario grinned and grabbed the master access keycard off the clerk’s desk when he turned around.
Less than five minutes later, the heroic plumber was free of the clerk and inside Breckinridge’s room. It was lavishly decorated, with ivory fountains and exotic plants that looked imported from as far away as Lavalava Island. An ornate roll-top desk in the far corner seemed to hold all sorts of documents, so he headed over and leafed through them carefully.
“A bill for one year’s subscription to Naughty Mushroomers Weekly? Uggh!”
He flipped through a few more, still getting the picture of Toad posing seductively out of his mind. Finally, one caught his interest.
Expect to see you soon. Report to Intelligence Authority immediately upon arrival. Within the next week. We’re growing impatient.
The Sarasalian F.C.
“Sarasalian!” Mario barely kept his voice down. “But what’s the F.C.? Doesn’t ring a bell.”
He stuffed the note in his pocket, replaced all the others under the desk, and headed out into the hallway.
Jinx was right, he thought as he walked the streets of Mushroom Village, the airport already coming into view. But if there’s a whole organization whose cause includes a spy in our capital city, then what are the chances any negotiations will actually work?
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, high above the skyline and leaning idly against the rooftop of the Mushroom Hotel, a familiar, black-clothed ninja looked down on Mario as he vanished over a rise in the road.
“I knew Breckinridge couldn’t be trusted,” he sneered, placing his hand to a long, curved knife that hung from his belt. “Oh well, if they’re already at the airport, there’s no way to warn him. That doesn’t mean I can’t make it to Sarasaland before them, though. And won’t they be in for a dreadful surprise when they arrive?”
He jumped easily from the back ledge of the roof and landed without a scratch ten stories down. His cloak-ship was hidden in the Mushroom forest. It would only be another hour before he reached it.