Chapter 3: A New Friend x2 on Cloud Avenue
Mario and Bobby arrive on Cloud Avenue.
Bobby: ... This place... It’s amazing. I can’t believe we’re up in the clouds like this. Oh, wow... Mario, look at all the passageways in the clouds. Which one is Airway 87?
Mario: Hmmmm...
Mario and Bobby look around, and then Bobby notices something.
Bobby: ... Look! There are numbers in the clouds. This one says 42, this one say 97... OH! Look Mario, this one says 87! I think this is our passageway... oh, I guess I mean airway. Ha ha!
Mario and Bobby go down the passageway, encountering enemies like Dark Puffs and other cloud creatures. They reach a small town. There are many Goonies, Puffs, and Boos, and there’s also a Duplighost. The Duplighost comes over to them.
Doop: Hewwo! Wecome to Aiwway 87! My name is Doop! Wet’s pway sometime!
Bobby: ... Thanks! Umm... We’re actually looking for something called a Shadow Star... Do you know anybody who knows about that sort of thing, Doop?
Doop: UHHH... Wet me tink... Maybe Porty knows someting... Or not... I’d ask the mayor... His name is Gooner... I tink... Or not... That’s all I know... Come pway with me sometime!
Doop leaves.
Bobby: Well... we should see Mayor Gooner... Let’s go...
Mario and Bobby find the mayor’s house, which is made out of clouds.
Bobby: Umm... hello???... No one’s here...
Mario: Hmm...
Bobby: Maybe we should just go ask people around town...
Mario and Bobby go around town and ask many of the civilians. They all tell them to talk to the mayor. They then come across a green Goonie with wings and a pink Goonie without.
Goonay: C’mon, Porty! It’s not fair! Teach me how to fly!!!
Porty: I wish I could, Sis. I can still barely fly myself. I only got my wings last week. You’ll get yours when you’re older.
Goonay: PORTY!!!
Porty: *sigh*
Mario asks Porty.
Porty: A Shadow Star? Well... it sounds familiar... Someone’s told me about something that could possibly be it... I’d talk to the mayor. I’m very busy right now. My little sister is causing trouble. Please just go talk to him.
Mario and Bobby walk away.
Bobby: Well that wasn’t much help... I wonder where the mayor is.
Mario: Hmm...
Bobby: ... I guess it won’t help if we just stand around... Let’s go!
Doop runs into Mario and Bobby.
Doop: OH! Umm, sowwy! I’m just in a big wush wight now. I have to go somewhere important! BYE BYE! Wet’s pway sometime!
Doop runs off.
Bobby: ... Hmm... Wonder what’s up?!
Mario and Bobby travel through the town. They go to the Airway 87 shop and buy some supplies. The mayor is nowhere to be found. They then hear a ruckus outside of the mayor’s house.
Dark Puff Civilian: WHAT?! First Mayor Gooner, now your sister?!
Porty: She might have run away... She was really mad at me for the... the whole flying thing...
Boo Civilian: Goonay wouldn’t run away for something like that.
Porty: ... Hold on! Doop is gone too!
Bobby: ... Umm... Mario and I saw Doop earlier... He was in a bit of a rush...
Porty: This has never happened before...
A Dark Puff flies over to everyone.
Porty: Did you check all the airways?
Dark Puff: I couldn’t find anyone. I asked every single entrance keeper. They see everyone. They said none of them ever came by.
Porty: ... I’m going to find them all. I’ll look everywhere.
Boo Civilian: Porty, what if you should so happen to disappear as well?
Porty: I... *sigh* You’re right... Hey you!
Mario: HMM!
Porty: You’re Mario? Hey, you told me that you’re looking for a Shadow something! Let’s team up! We’ll look together! I’m sure I could help you. You could probably help me too! C’mon, be a pal! Please?
Mario: OK!
Porty joins Mario’s party! Bobby goes to the place where Shurry, Koopo, and Goomaya are.
Porty: I can help you get to places that are too far for you to jump to! But, since I can barely fly, I can only go a short distance. Okay, time to find Gooner, Goonay, Doop, and the Shadow Star.
Mario and Porty exit Airway 87’s town and travel to the outskirts. Porty helps Mario get across to the other side.
Porty: I never like going out here. The outskirts can get dangerous.
Mario and Porty encounter many different enemies and travel through a difficult labyrinth of clouds. They then arrive at a cloud cliff and see Gooner and Goonay behind cloud bars.
Porty: Goonay!
Goonay: Porty!
Gooner: Porty, what are you doing here?
Porty: Me and Mario are here to rescue you guys. The town’s worried sick! Who did this to you two?
Gooner: It was a Dark Puff... He told me to stop looking into business involving the Shadow Star. He brought me here.
Goonay: Well... the mayor was out cold when you put me in here, Porty... I thought you were punishing me. Y’know, for causing trouble...
Porty: I didn’t bring you here!!!
Goonay: You also told me to stop sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong... I didn’t get it.
Porty: Goonay, you know me, I wouldn’t do this!
Goonay: It sure looked like you! Except your hair was kinda different.
Porty: What’s going on? Wait! Where’s Doop?
Goonay: I don’t know.
Gooner: Has he gone missing as well?
Porty: Something’s wrong... Mario, look! Is that the Shadow Star?!
Mario and Porty look at the top of Cloud Cliff. The Shadow Star is there.
Mario: OH!
Porty: The sky looks darker. Let’s go get it! At first, I just wanted to find everybody, I could’ve cared less about the Shadow Star; but Mario, we’re friends now. Friends will always help friends. We trust each other.
Mario: Mmmhmm!
Doop: Hewwo, Mawio! Hewwo, Porty! Are you here to pway?
Porty: Doop! There you are! Are you ok?
Doop: Heehee! Wet’s pway!
Porty: C’mon, Doop! Help us! Mario needs to get that Shadow Star! Get down here!
Doop: Mawio wants that? Heehee! I don’t tink so!
Porty: Doop?
Doop jumps over to Mario and Porty.
Doop: I know a fun game! It’s called guess who! Ok! Who should pway? How about you, Porty? Ok ok! Wet’s pway!
Doop grabs Porty with the hair things he has on his head. Doop spins around and releases Porty. BUT NOW THERE ARE TWO OF PORTY!
Gooner: AAH!
Goonay: Porty!!!
?Porty?: Mario, you know I’m Porty! I don’t know what’s gotten into him!
?Porty?: No! Don’t listen to him. C’mon! We’re good pals now! You know I wouldn’t dupe you like this jerk would!
?Porty?: Mario! Go get the Shadow Star!
?Porty?: DON’T! How do you know he isn’t going to use it himself!?
Gooner: I can’t tell which is which!
?Porty?: Goonay! You know it’s me, right?
?Porty?: Sis! C’mon! You can tell which of us is, uhh... you know! You have to know that I’m Porty!
Goonay: ... Stop. I... I think it’s... Oh...
?Porty?: Mario! Can’t you see something’s strange? How come he’s keeping you here? He won’t even call you Mario!
?Porty?: That’s not tw- I mean, that’s a big lie! You know I’m Porty! Mawio! AAH!
Porty: Aha!
Doop: Ok, you got me!
Doop transforms back
Goonay: Doop! Why did you lock me up?
Doop: ‘Cause you saw me with the Shadow Star! I couldn’t let anyone get suspicious. Misstwess would get so angwy!
Mario: Oh!
Mario explains to Porty.
Porty: What? Ok, now I get it! You’ve been tricking us this whole time! So what are you going to do? Your secret’s out, Doop! Game over! Give us that Star!
Doop: Do you weally tink that I’m just going to let you have this? I’m alweady using it better than Misstwess. Have you noticed the darkening sky? Cwoud Avenue will soon turn to dust! I’m just getting started! Ok, Mawio. Wet’s Pway!
(CAN’T FLEE THIS FIGHT!) Mario and Porty get into a fight with Doop. Doop uses many sneaky attacks. Mario jumps. Porty uses his divebomb move. Doop duplicates himself into Porty. He can now use Porty’s attacks. Porty can still cause damage though. Mario has to jump on Doop now since he’s in the air. Porty uses his divebomb move again. Mario uses a special move, which ends the fight for Doop. Mario and Porty win.
Doop: Oww... That hurt. That was weally mean.
Porty: Nice try, Doop! Your plan failed! That Shadow Star is ours!
Doop: Fine! Take it! But one ting before I tell Misstwess I failed and everyting. Are you sure you aren’t just pwaying into her hands? You should tink about tat before you head back to Shadow Town! Oopsie! I shouldn’t have said tat! Oh well! Bye bye, Mawio!
Doop throws the Shadow Star to Mario and Porty, then leaves.
Noble Star Spirit: Mario, I thank you. It is time for you to free me. You need to get the power from the Noble Guardian, Bobby.
Bobby: I... I’m a Noble Guardian... But... that’s impossible...
Noble Star Spirit: Bobby, you hid among the crowd, so shy and unsure. But when you realized the world needed you, you showed no hesitation in using your power. You have been named the Guardian of Courage. Now, use your power once more.
Bobby: ... Here you go, Mario...
Mario receives Bobby’s power. Bobby returns to the “partner place”. Mario frees the Noble Star Spirit. Mario can now use the special move Courage Blast. MARIO SAVED A NOBLE STAR!
End of Chapter
After freeing the third Noble Star, our hero has made some new friends. Mario is starting to get on top of his game. But one question still hurts our heroes: What is Misstress really planning? Mario might need to watch out for Misstress, because Doop has also brought up some important questions about her true plan.
Peach’s Event
Misstress: DOOP! HOW DARE YOU?! IT’S BAD ENOUGH THAT YOU FAILED ME, BUT THEN YOU STARTED TO SPILL OUT INFORMATION! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!
Doop: Hee Hee Hee! You sound so sure and in contwol. My question is, why in the world would you twust someone who has doublecwossed you before? It weally doesn’t make sense to me, Misstwess. The funniest thing about this conversation is that you know I’m wight. Don’t you?
Misstress: …
Doop: HEE HEE! I knew it!
Misstress: That’s enough, Doop.
Doop: I’m going, I’m going.
Boogly: How did Doop find out?
Misstress: I don’t know, but that’s not important. Instead of finding people we know to help me, let’s use someone we don’t. The key will be the Shadow Star. Go!
Boogly: Yes, Misstress.
In the shadow scepter…
Flick: All right, I helped your little friend out. Now it’s time for us to begin your training.
Peach: Training?
Flick: You have no idea how to takeover the shadow scepter, ‘member? I’m going to teach you!
Peach: Oh, ok!
Flick: First, I have to give you a dream.
Peach: I’m going to fall asleep?
Flick: Yes. Did I not just basically say that?
Peach: Well ok… But first… make sure Mario’s doing well will you?
Flick: Fine... Don’t let the bed bugs bite, or whatever...
Flick flies around Peach. She falls asleep. Flick shoots out of the scepter to find Mario. The scene changes to Peach’s dream.
Peach: Where am I? It’s so dark in here. HELLO?!
Peach begins to wander around the darkness she’s in. She notices a candle on a wall.
Peach: Well, I’m inside a room. Maybe this candle will make things a bit easier to see.
Peach grabs the candle. She comes to a door in the room, and opens it. She is outside now. Peach sees that she has exited some kind of shrine.
Peach: Wha? Is this that Shadow Shrine? Oh my!
Peach notices many dark civilians staring at her. They’re smiling. Their smiles are a little sad.
Peach: ... Is this hope?
The scene fades to black…
End of Peach’s Event
Bowser’s Event
Kamek: Ugh... We’ve been looking for hours... What do these Shadow things or Noble things look like?!
Kammy: Hush! I’m sure we can find one! AHA! LOOK OVER THERE!!! Lord Bowser, that must be a Shadow Star!
She points at a stone star statue.
Bowser: SCORE!
Bowser tries to move it.
Bowser: Hey! This thing isn’t moving!!!
Kamek: Maybe it’s not a Shadow thing…..
Kammy: OF COURSE IT IS, YOU DOLT! Try pulling harder, Your Repulsiveness.
Bowser tries… The statue breaks.
Bowser: O_O
Kamek: I think someone owes me an apology…..
Kammy: Silence!
Bowser: Let’s keep moving… RAHHHHH!
Kammy: ACK!
Kamek: Argh!
End of Bowser’s
Event
Interlude
Mario and Porty head back into the town of Airway 87.
Boo Civilian: Mayor, Goonay, Porty, Mario! You’re all ok!
Dark Puff: Where’s Doop?
Porty: Ummm... Let’s just say Doop had to leave, and he’s never coming back!
Civilians of Airway 87: ???
Porty: So Mario, how do we get back to Ladow Town?
Goonay: PORTY, YOU’RE GOING?!
Gooner: Goonay, I think it’s good for Porty to help Mario along his journey.
Porty: I’ll teach you how to fly as soon as I get back. I promise!
Goonay: ... Ok... Good luck, you two!!! Bye!!
Mario: Mmmhmm!
Mario and Porty head back to Cloud Avenue.
Porty: So... how do we get back to the town?
Mario: OH NO!
Porty: Hmmmmm... Actually, I’m pretty sure Airway 21 has a cannon... Maybe that will send us back to Ladow Town. Let‘s go!
Mario: Ok!
Mario and Porty travel over to Airway 21. A Boo meets them.
Boo-boo: Hi! Welcome to Airway 21 I’m Boo- Oh, hey Porty! What are you doing here all the way from Airway 87?
Porty: Boo-boo, me and my buddy Mario need to head to Ladow Town. Do you think we could use the cannon?
Boo-boo: Sure! Follow me.
Boo-boo takes Mario and Porty over to the center of the town in Airway 21.
Boo-boo: I’ll be right back!
Boo-boo enters a small shack and comes out with a small cannon.
Boo-boo: Here you go!
Porty: Thanks, Boo-boo! C’mon, Mario!
Mario: Let’s-a go!
Mario and Porty jump into the cannon.
Boo-boo: OK! HERE WE GO! NEXT STOP, LADOW TOWN! LANDING AREA: uhhhhhhhhhh... SOMETHING SOFT!!! FIRE!
Mario and Porty get shot through the cannon and bounce off of Merlon’s roof, which is surprisingly like a trampoline.
Porty: OW! Sorry, that wasn’t a bad landing, I was just preparing to land with a big crash, that’s all.
Merlon runs out of his house.
Merlon: AAAH!!! WHAT THE KUMQUATS WAS THAT?! Oh, Mario! Was that you bouncing off my roof? Oh... Ok, that’s good! Did you save the Noble Star?
Mario: Mmhmm!
Merlon: Good! So Bobby was a Noble Guardian, hmm? I’m not surprised. He has a lot of potential! Very smart... Oh yes! Who’s your new friend?
Porty: I’m Porty! I’m gonna help Mario save the Noble Stars!
Merlon: Great! Toronto went off to the Squid Islands to search for treasure! I’m really not sure where you’ll find the next Shadow Star, unfortunately...
Flick: I’ll give you a hint! It’s in Lakitu Valley!
Merlon: Flick! What in the world are you doing here?
Flick: Little miss Princess Helpless likes to give Plumber Boy power, ‘member?
Flick levels Mario up.
Mario: Oh!
Flick: Anyway, I must be off! I have a princess to wake up! ‘Til we meet again!
Flick flies off.
Merlon: He’s certainly odd... Well, you should probably go to Lakitu Valley. To get there from here you should go through the Forest Path. It’s on the south side of town. Run along! You have a world to save, after all!
Mario and Porty head off to the Forest Path.
Luigi: Hey Bro! What’s up? While you were gone, Toad and I were taking care of all the townspeople.
Toad: Don’t listen to anything he says!
Mario, Porty, and Luigi: O_O
Luigi: Anyway, we just made these peoples’ lives a bazillion times better! We’re like heroes, man!
Toad: Oh no! Don’t tell them what happened!
Luigi: C’mon, Bro! Wanna here the story? It’s pretty dang awesome!
Mario: OK!
Toad: Oh no!
Semi-Toad’s & Luigi’s Event!!!
Luigi: Ok! So there we were, just standing around Ladow Town while you were up in the clouds...
(Flashback!)
Toad: Man! What’re we supposed to do while Mario saves the world?
Luigi: Ummmm... I don’t know... Meet some cute Ladow Town girls, run errands for Merlon... get to know the people around town... HUH?
Luigi (thinks he) hears an old lady crying for help.
Luigi: That’s it! We’ll become heroes! We’ll save the citizens of Ladow Town! I’ll be... The Green Thunder! ... Yeah... that’s good... I feel like I’ve used that name before... Whatever! Oh! Toad, you can be my sidekick, Mush Boy! What thinks?
Toad: No way, Luigi! I’m not getting involved in this!
Luigi: Please?!
Toad: Fine! But don’t call me Mush Boy! That’s lame! Let’s go!
“The Green Thunder” and “Mush Boy” race over to the cry for help! It’s an old lady Koopa with a purse and a little boy Koopa.
Luigi: What’s the problem, Madame?
Old Lady Koopa: Huh? Who are you? What do you want? Are you a purse-snatcher?
Luigi: No worries, ma’am! The Green Thunder and Mush Boy are here to help!
Toad: UGH!
Luigi sees the little boy.
Luigi: AHA! This boy was trying to steal your purse! No worries, ma’am! I’m on the case!
Little Koopa Boy: Huh? Why would I take Grandma’s purse?
Luigi jumps on the little boy.
Toad: AHHH!!! LUIGI! YOU CAN’T GO JUMPING ON INNOCENT CHILDREN!!!
Old Lady Koopa: POLICE! A psychopath just attacked my grandson!!!
The Ladow Town police run over.
Police Officer: All right, you two, come with me!
Toad: This day just gets better and better.
(Flashback over)
End of Semi-Toad’s & Luigi’sEvent
Luigi: I guess the police were so grateful that we saved the old lady, they wanted to make us official heroes, right Toad?
Toad: NO! They nearly arrested us because you assaulted a little boy! What’s wrong with you?!
By this point Mario and Porty are both asleep.
Luigi: Bro?
Mario and Porty wake up.
Luigi: Awesome story, right?
Toad: Just go save the Shadow Star.
Mario and Porty exit Ladow Town and start walking down the Forest Path.