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00:00Bosette's Princess Lessons, Part Two and a Half. Partners for Life. By Yu Mei.
00:05Christine Goombella chewed the rubber eraser of her pencil, straining her eyes against the dim
00:11light to make out her chicken scratch in her tattle-journal. She was a bright-eyed,
00:16rosy-cheeked Goomba girl. But unlike the hordes of overworked, underpaid Goomba mooks that served
00:22as Bowser's cannon fodder, Goombella had a fair complexion and fair hair, which she usually kept
00:27tied up in a practical ponytail. Dear tattle-log, well, I shouldn't have worried about today's party
00:33being boring. No sooner did we all sit down to reminisce about our old adventuring days with
00:39Mario, when someone unexpected showed up behind us. You can imagine my surprise when Goombella
00:45felt a breath of cold air tickle her, as a faltering voice whispered behind her ear,
00:50Christine, are you okay, honey? Goombella's blonde ponytail stood on end. Whoa, whoa, whoa! As Goombella
00:58hopped into the air, ready to dive-bomb the assassin who had snuck up on her, she flicked
01:03on her archaeologist helmet lamp and turned to face her attacker. Just in time, Goombella
01:09recognized Vivian, who shielded her eyes from the bright light. Don't hurt me, Goombella! At the
01:16sight of the shadowy figure, Goombella fumbled to dim the blinding light. Vivian? Phew! Sorry, but I
01:23thought you were, like, a ninja assassin or something. Vivian tossed her pink hair lightly and giggled,
01:30as her shadowy form took on a more solid shape. With a snap of her fingers, Vivian produced a
01:36flickering candle flame at the end of her index finger. Easy mistake to make. I'm sorry, too.
01:43The light was so dim in here, I must have blended into the shadows. The old gang from Ropeward are
01:48all pitching in to get a room at the inn for tonight, and we found out Mario's friends from
01:53the Star Rod affair are staying next door. We're thinking of having a boys and girls night so we
01:58can swap stories. Would you mind? Goombella's eyes went wide. Oh? That sounds rad! Count me in!
02:06Uh, you're part of the girls' night, right? You know you're welcome with us! Vivian pretended to
02:11pout. Oh, and miss all the boys' juicy gossip? And what if the boys have a pillow fight without me?
02:19As a living shadow, Vivian's physical features were rather ambiguous,
02:23making it hard for people trying to identify Vivian as a man or woman at first glance.
02:29When Goombella had first met Vivian, she'd assumed Vivian was a woman based on
02:34her feminine mannerisms, and that first impression had stuck with Goombella ever since.
02:40But anytime Vivian was questioned on whether he or she was indeed a he or a she,
02:45Vivian would only giggle, give the questioner a peck on the cheek,
02:49and tell them not to worry about it, man or woman.
02:53Goombella cocked her head, unsure if Vivian was being sarcastic.
02:57Uh, your call? Vivian blushed and dropped the teasing hint to her voice.
03:02Don't worry about it, Goombella. I prefer to sleep in the shadows anyway,
03:06but we're missing our best storyteller. You're not planning to hole up in the
03:11reading room all night, I hope? Goombella glanced at her makeshift
03:15office in the Mushroom Inn's communal lobby. The bookshelves were mostly stuffed with generic
03:20books on Mushroom Kingdom tourism. The most interesting one she'd found was titled The
03:26Art of Cooking Delicious Home-Baked Goodies for War, by Tasty Toad.
03:31No. Just want to get my facts straight on everything that happened today.
03:36What a ride, right? I was expecting a total snoozefest, but no sooner did we all sit down
03:41and start to talk about the old days when we were all adventuring with Mario.
03:45Then a whole, brand new adventure with Mario jumped out at us.
03:49Vivian and Goombella both bobbed their heads along with one another,
03:53their mutual excitement building. Goombella forgot to use her inside voice.
03:58I know. It was just like when Mario came to my rescue in Roadport, he hasn't changed a bit.
04:04Only, we didn't exactly have an adventure with Mario, did we? He was kind of running all over
04:10the place fighting on his own, without us. Sensing the melancholy in Goombella's voice,
04:15Vivian held back her girlish excitement.
04:18But, Goombella, you can't blame him for that. It was a surprise attack after all,
04:24and we had enemies on all sides. He didn't have time to reach us with all that was going on.
04:29Goombella shook her head, embarrassed to realize that Vivian had read her like an open book.
04:34Oh, I'm not blaming Mario. It's just, too bad. We were, like, so close to getting to
04:41fight alongside him again, but, like, it's like… Goombella trailed off, feeling a lump in her
04:46throat. She had a bad habit of repeating the word like, when she got flustered. Vivian nodded.
04:53It's as though, if only we were a few seats closer, he'd have seen us in the melee and
04:58asked us to join him again. If only things could have played out differently.
05:02Yeah. You get it. It's like fate was playing a little joke on us.
05:07Vivian held up another finger, using her power to create a shifting flame in the
05:11shape of Mario and Peach with one hand. Contrasting it against two flames in the
05:17shape of Goombella and Vivian with her other hand.
05:20Well, that's one way to look at it. But that's not the only way to look at it. In a way, we did
05:26get to help Mario and Peach again. We fought as best we could, in the time and place we found
05:31ourselves in. The fact that Mario was on the opposite side of the collapsed pillar from us
05:36for most of the fight doesn't change the fact that we were all on the same side.
05:41Goombella sighed.
05:42I know that. It's just easy to forget sometimes.
05:46Thanks, Vivian. You always know just what to say.
05:49Vivian bowed her head.
05:51Well, I had a good teacher. Blonde bombshell. Big, goofy smile. Has a way with words.
05:59Practically a walking thesaurus. Maybe you know her?
06:03Goombella bit her upper lip as she searched her memory.
06:06Your sister, Marilyn?
06:08Marilyn was blonde and had a goofy smile, though Goombella had only ever heard her say the word
06:14guh. Vivian surprised Goombella with a peck on the cheek.
06:18I meant you, silly.
06:20Goombella glanced at her own ponytail.
06:23Oh? Well, I feel totally, completely blonde at the moment. Uh, I'll join you guys in a bit.
06:30I really have to get my thoughts down before I lose them.
06:33No rush. I know you writers need your me time. But if you need a break, come find us.
06:39And don't stay up too late straining your eyes.
06:42Goombella blinked as she examined her dimly lit surroundings.
06:46Yeah, the sun's starting to set. Think we could find a lamp if I set it right?
06:51Vivian flipped a switch on Goombella's hat, turning her helmet flashlight back on.
06:56Goombella looked up, suddenly remembering its existence.
07:00Here? Huh, another blonde moment. I'm on a roll today, aren't I?
07:05Vivian sank back into the shadows away from the blaring light and glided toward the door.
07:10I wouldn't change one hair on your head for the entire world, Chrissy. Have fun journaling, dear.
07:17Thanks, Vivi.
07:18Goombella felt much better as she turned back to her journaling, and the words seemed to flow.
07:24She recorded everything that had happened from the morning she'd arrived in Toad Town.
07:30Goombella was mostly interested in recording any relevant details about their attackers,
07:35planning to write up a report for the Rogueport News Bulletin.
07:38Moonlighting as a journalist had proven to be a profitable side hustle,
07:42while she was completing her graduate degree in archaeology at Ugoom.
07:47However, Goombella had learned to always tell a story from the beginning,
07:51and found herself writing down all sorts of details about her friends,
07:55her tattle log functioning as much as a personal diary as a professional journal.
08:00The party had started out awkwardly when I found myself seated across from Goombario,
08:05who was quick to introduce himself as the first Goomba who ever helped Mario on an adventure.
08:10Whoever planned the party must have seated all of Mario's old adventure partners together,
08:15and I do mean all of them. I actually met Prince Mallow of Nimbus and Geno of Star Road.
08:21No one's seen them in Mushroom Kingdom in years. Anyway, I think Goombario is still a bit salty
08:27about Mario not inviting him to Rogueport after their first adventure together.
08:32As Goombella's pencil flew,
08:33it was as though the whole party was being reenacted on a little stage in her mind's eye.
08:39Goombella was seated across from Goombario, who was regaling the table with a thrilling
08:44account of how Mario had barely survived a thousand foot drop from a flying castle,
08:49crash landing in the backyard of his childhood home in Goomba Village.
08:53So, the point of a good tattle log is to keep a record of all your enemy strategies and weaknesses,
08:58right? And you know Mario is a hopeless bookkeeper. It was destiny. My parents named
09:04me after Mario after he liberated Goomba Village from King Koopa, and now it was my turn to help
09:09him. It was the moment I'd prepared for my whole life. Goombario's little sister, Goombaria,
09:15rolled her eyes before flashing a wink at Goombella. By being a tattletale, Goombario flushed
09:21before fixing his blue cap in a huff. By informing him of what we needed to know about the enemy.
09:27There's no shame in being a good tattler. Tattler was originally a slang expression
09:32for the few Goombas who had sided with Mushroom Kingdom, against the overwhelming army of Goombas
09:37loyal to the Koopa King. Over time it had taken on new meanings, with Mushroom Kingdom Goombas
09:44taking pride in their role as informants and record keepers in the war against the tyrannical
09:49Koopa King and his minions. Tattle logs were anonymously published records detailing a Goomba's
09:55adventures, as well as crucial intelligence on their opponents. Tattle logs were widely circulated
10:02and discussed by Goombas, eager to advance the cause of the Mushroom Kingdom, and pick up some
10:07juicy gossip while they were at it. Ooh, just like a spy behind enemy lines. Such a dangerous young
10:14man, cooed Miss Mose, batting her eyelashes at the young Goomba. Goombella hid her annoyance at
10:20Miss Mose's shameless flirting. Her relationship with the masked mouse thief had been hostile at
10:25first. Things had slightly smoothed out between the two after Mose had agreed to become Mario's
10:31ally. Over time, Goombella had learned to ignore Miss Mose's seduction act, so long as she wasn't
10:38using it on Mario. And Miss Mose had learned to not use her seductive femme fatale act on Mario,
10:44at least not in Goombella's presence. If Goombario had known Miss Mose a little better,
10:51he would have known she flirted with every man she met. As it was, her compliments gave him
10:56the confidence boost he needed to continue his tale. Precisely, ma'am. Inaccuracy is everything.
11:03I've kept up with some of the Tattle logs published after my adventure with Mario,
11:07and they're just not up to scratch. I've heard someone claim that Locketoo's through pipes.
11:13Isn't that hilarious? Goombella sipped on a chocolacola to hide her nerves.
11:18She had made that blunder in her early adventuring days,
11:21only for her embarrassing typo to spread like wildfire.
11:26Fortunately, she'd written it anonymously. But Locketoo's armed with pipes had become a Goomba
11:32in joke that haunted her to this day. Does he know I'm the one who wrote that?
11:37Is this his way of torturing me? Or is it just a coincidence?
11:41Goombario spun in his chair, his blue cap almost flying off his head as he spotted an
11:46old friend enter the dining hall. A Koopa with a blue shell and red scarf.
11:51Koopa? Over here. I saved you a spot. As Goombario ran off, Goombaria sighed
11:57knowingly, her red ribbon bobbing back and forth as she shook her head.
12:02You'll have to excuse my brother. Once he gets started telling his old Mario adventure stories,
12:07he forgets to stop long enough to take a breath.
12:10He seems nice, added Goombella. Oh, he's great once you get to know him.
12:16And he's the best big brother in the whole world. Just wink at me if he's being too much and I'll
12:21tell him to shut up. Goombario rushed back to the table,
12:25practically dragging Koopa in tow. After making introductions to everyone else at the table,
12:31Goombario froze when he turned to Goombella. And this is a Goombette?
12:36Koopa beamed and offered Goombella a fist bump.
12:39Goombella! Haven't seen you since Koopa Tech school you Goombette basketball.
12:44You guys have no hands. Goombella returned his fist
12:47bump with one of her invisible hands. We'll get you back in track and field.
12:51When you knock a Goomba down, we get back on our feet. Go Goombas!
12:56Somewhat deflated, Goombario looked back and forth from Koopa to Goombella.
13:00You know each other? But how? Koopa gestured to his scarf,
13:04which had a stitched patch for the Koopa Tech archaeology department.
13:08We're both students of Professor Frankly. He was a guest lecturer at Koopa Tech to discuss
13:13his work on the Thousand Year Door archaeological dig.
13:16Goombario pounced on this. Oh. I'm going to be a freshman
13:20at UGoom next year, majoring in archaeology. Maybe we'll get to have Professor Colorado
13:25as a guest lecturer. Koopa shrugged.
13:28Not likely. After his misadventure at the Dry Dry Desert Pyramids he doesn't want to do any
13:33archaeological work that involves leaving his office at Koopa Tech. I think the loss of his
13:38father hit him hard. Though you'll probably have some classes with Goombella here.
13:42Goombario gave Goombella a second look, noticing her university asket for the first time.
13:48Oh? Let me guess, are you a sophomore? Well, I'm actually not.
13:54Goombella fought to find a moment to interject,
13:56but Goombario kept right on talking without coming up for air.
14:00I got an academic scholarship on the advanced track so I'm planning to take the upper level
14:05courses right away. Koopa tapped Goombario on the back.
14:08Uh, dude? Goombario's chest swelled.
14:11So, even if you're taking two O-1 level courses, I'll probably see you in class next semester.
14:18I can help you out on your homework, if you want. Yowch.
14:21Goombario hopped on one foot as his little sister stepped on his toes.
14:26Goombella shuffled her own feet.
14:28Well, I'm in the graduate program at Ugoom. But I'm Professor Frankly's teaching assistant,
14:34so I'll definitely see you in his classes. Um, I'd be happy to help you with your homework, too.
14:39She winced as she heard herself utter the last words,
14:43realizing too late that it sounded like a retort.
14:47At long last, Goombario was at a loss for words.
14:51They were rescued from the awkward pause when more of their old friends arrived.
14:55Goombella felt immense relief when she saw her old travel companion Koops arrive with his fiancé,
15:01Koopy-Koo, and she was pleased to discover they knew Kooper from Koopatech.
15:06It's a small world, after all, she thought.
15:09Miss Mose flirted with all the men as they arrived. Every. Single. One.
15:15Though she spent most of her time on a stoic, silent young man with wooden features.
15:20Goombella had to strain her memory before recalling his name.
15:23Geno, the puppet warrior of Star Road.
15:27A cute bob-omb girl with blonde hair approached Goombella,
15:31gesturing to the two empty seats to Goombella's left.
15:34Pardon me, do you mind if I save this seat? I'm expecting a date.
15:39Goombella beamed as she recognized Bomet.
15:41I don't mind!
15:43Mario had introduced them once, briefly. And told Goombella the story of how he'd
15:47rescued Bomet when she was being held prisoner by the Koopa brothers,
15:51a team of four teenage ninja Koopa Troopas.
15:54Yet another girl Mario has rescued, without asking for a reward, mused Goombella.
16:01Goombario's friend, Spike the Lakitu, bonded with Goombella's friend,
16:05Gonzales Jr. the Yoshi Kid, over their shared interest in Mohawks.
16:10Spike's cloud companion struck up a conversation with Prince Mallow of Nimbus
16:15and the matronly cloud spirit, Madam Flurry, about the politics of meteorology.
16:21Three of Mario's older partners arrived together. Goombella didn't know them intimately,
16:26but she recognized Parakarry the Parakoopa, Watt the Sparkle, and Sushi the Cheep Cheep.
16:33Goombella could have sworn she heard Madam Flurry talking to the empty seat resting between them,
16:38before a female Boo appeared out of nowhere,
16:41cackling deviously and nearly scaring Goombella out of her socks.
16:45Madam Flurry bellowed with laughter at the sight, and quickly introduced Goombella to Lady Bo the
16:51Boo, a sensationally spirited spirit, who shared Madam Flurry's love of dramatic entrances, on and
16:57off the stage. With a sigh of relief, Goombella spun in her chair, only for Vivian to appear out
17:04of nowhere on her other side, scaring Goombella half to death for the second time in a row that
17:10afternoon. With a squeal of terror, Bomette lit her fuse by mistake, and the explosion launched
17:16her thirty feet into the air, before she landed right back on her seat. The tablecloth was singed,
17:23and Vivian was safely hidden in the shadows. But Goombella was knocked senseless.
17:29Lady Bo had to slap Goombella a couple times to wake her up.
17:33Do not worry, she's not dead yet. I would know if she was, giggled the ghost.
17:39Bomette offered a flood of apologies. I'm so sorry. I can get a bit jumpy.
17:44Vivian was close to tears. No, I'm sorry for not announcing myself earlier.
17:50Um, are you saving this seat for someone? I can move to another seat.
17:55Not to worry. There's another empty seat right here I can save for my date.
18:00You and Goombella are old friends. Please don't move on my account.
18:04Vivian bit her fingers. Well, you should know that I am a fire spirit.
18:09Bomette glanced nervously at her ponytail, which doubled as an explosive fuse.
18:14Oh, well, what if you and Goombella just switched seats? Would that be okay?
18:19Lady Bo and Madame Flurry chortled with delight, before Madame Flurry engulfed Vivian in a hug.
18:26Excellent. Get over here, Vivian. We'll make for quite a trio. Three-spirited ladies, oui.
18:33Bomette bounced in place as she embraced Goombella.
18:36Ha! Well, Goombella and I will be the blonde bombshell duo.
18:41Goombella felt some relief as she switched seats,
18:43no longer sitting right next to a slap-happy ghost.
18:47Though also aware she was now sitting right next to a walking, talking, kiloton blast.
18:53Having finally shaken off his embarrassment, Goombario caught Bomette's eye.
18:57Say, Bomette, who was your date anyway?
19:00Goombella wiped the last remains of ashy debris from her face from the earlier explosion.
19:05Yeah, we're short a seat. We need a spot for Admiral Bobbery, squealed Bomette.
19:12The whole table went silent as Bomette dove to plant a kiss on the face of a salty old sailor.
19:18Like Bomette, Bobbery was also a bob-omb, but his weather-beaten hat and thick silver mustache
19:24could not have provided a sharper contrast. Both were probably older than Bomette.
19:30Miss Mose broke the silence.
19:32Why, Admiral Bobbery? You naughty cradle-robber, you!
19:37If I'd known you were lonely, I'd have happily volunteered to be your date.
19:41Bomette's ponytail-slash-fuse started to smoke, dangerously close to lighting.
19:46Hey, back off, sister. And what are you implying?
19:50I'm an adult, and for your information, I asked him out.
19:54Miss Mose curled her tail into a heart shape.
19:57Oh, I would too. But then again, I am a shameless gold-digger.
20:01Bomette's fuse sparked a light.
20:04Gold-digger.
20:05Bobbery's mustache trembled as he scoffed.
20:08Bah! Never mind her, Bomette. Miss Mose is that way with everyone.
20:14It's part of her charm.
20:16Bomette flashed Bobbery a look.
20:19Her charm? And what about my charm? Ooh, that does it.
20:24Now I'm putting you on the spot, Admiral. Name one thing you find charming about me.
20:29Bobbery didn't hesitate for a moment.
20:32Your temperament.
20:33With a soft fits, the spark went out of Bomette's fuse.
20:37Oh, I can't be cross with you, Admiral.
20:40The whole table erupted in cheers for the happy couple.
20:44Goombella couldn't stop smiling, even when she felt her cheeks hurt.
20:48Everyone who met Admiral Bobbery knew he was a gentle, kindly old soul.
20:54But only his closest friends knew he was a widower of many years,
20:57and still felt the loss of his wife and true love, Scarlet.
21:02There were days when Goombella thought of Admiral Bobbery,
21:05living alone in his old house with his memories, and worried for him.
21:09The thought of him having someone special to share that old house with,
21:13and make the house into a home again, was a great comfort.
21:18The sound of the laughter caught Goombella's attention.
21:21Mario dropped by their table, clapping them each on the back and talking about the old days
21:26as if they'd never left one another. It was infectious.
21:30No one could be around Mario and not respect him.
21:34Whenever Mario was nearby, Goombella had a sense that an adventure was waiting
21:38right around the corner. He made everyone feel special when he was around them.
21:44He always seemed to remember your bravest moments, even when you'd forgotten them,
21:48or hadn't even realized that bravery was something you were capable of.
21:53Goombella always felt stupid when she thought about the time she'd picked a fight with a group
21:57of roughneck Goombas who were catcalling her. But when Mario told the story to raucous cheers,
22:02she heard the story in a new light.
22:05An elderly toad on the Council of Elders, who Goombella recognized as Toadsworth,
22:10cleared his throat and began addressing the Assembly.
22:14Realizing he had lost track of time, Mario casually excused himself and made his way to
22:19the head table. But as she looked at the faces around her, Goombella felt a sudden melancholy
22:26fall upon her. She saw the faces of hundreds of people Mario had risked his life to help
22:31before he'd even met her, and hundreds more he'd gone on to help after saying goodbye.
22:37For her, the adventure in Rogueport had been a life-changing experience.
22:42But for Mario, it was just one adventure among many.
22:46To her, Mario was the man who had stood between her and dangerous thugs who had meant her harm,
22:51when she was nothing more than a stranger to him.
22:55Sure, she'd hidden behind him and roughly demanded his help,
22:58but he had still offered his help valiantly.
23:01She wondered if Mario even remembered that was how they met.
23:06To him it must have been a completely normal day.
23:09Goombella snapped out of her reverie to find Vivian giving her a knowing look.
23:14It was hard, saying goodbye, wasn't it?
23:17Goombella caught sight of Mario settling his seat beside Princess Peach and King Toadstool.
23:22I miss those days, Vivian. I miss him.
23:26Vivian adjusted her hair, which usually covered her shining yellow eyes,
23:30so that she could meet Goombella's gaze.
23:32I miss him, too.
23:34Goombella reflected about how she'd had a girlish crush on Mario from the moment she'd met him.
23:39How that crush had deepened to a love.
23:42And the more she understood the man, the more she loved him.
23:45Do you ever wish we could go back and say something different?
23:49When we said our final goodbyes?
23:51Vivian giggled.
23:52Sometimes, I think about what I'd do if I could go back,
23:55but you know, Mario always pushed us to go forward.
23:59And who says that was our final goodbye? We just saw him.
24:03You know what I mean, Vivi.
24:05When the adventure ended, we all had to go home.
24:09Sure, we see him again from time to time, but it's not like before.
24:13I know that you can't turn back the clock, it's just strange, seeing him.
24:17Took me right back to Rogueport.
24:19Are you happy, Goombella, with your life as an archaeologist?
24:23Goombella felt as though she was suddenly awake after dozing off.
24:27Oh. Of course.
24:29I love my work, and the students are great.
24:32I'm sorry, Vivi, this is supposed to be a party, and I'm totally killing the vibe.
24:37Vivian shook her head.
24:39Don't be sorry. You felt a longing. It can be a sweet feeling, or it can gnaw you up.
24:45You can't choose your feelings, but you can choose what you do with those feelings. I should know.
24:51A thought suddenly occurred to Goombella,
24:53and she felt like a heel for not asking sooner.
24:56Say, Vivian, are you doing okay with your sisters?
24:59They're not mistreating you again, are they?
25:02Is Beldam keeping her promise to never hurt you again?
25:05Vivian stiffened, then smiled.
25:08Thank you for asking. Things are much better now. Marilyn and I have really bonded.
25:14Beldam is still her cranky old self, but she can't hurt me anymore.
25:18Of course, it doesn't hurt that I'm stronger than her now, and we both know it.
25:23But in her own way, she's become a kinder person.
25:26I think getting free of the Shadow Queen's influence helped us all see how our lives
25:30could be different, especially Beldam.
25:33Remembering the horror stories Vivian had told about her previous life with her sisters,
25:38Goombella wasn't sure she was ready to forgive them, even if Vivian already had.
25:43But the grace and confidence in Vivian's voice set Goombella's mind at ease.
25:48That's good to hear. But if anything changes, you call me.
25:52Remember, you always have a home if you need it.
25:55I will never forget.
25:56After sharing a meaningful look with one another, Goombella and Vivian's eyes both
26:01turned to find Mario. Peach was offering him a small bite of the cake she had baked for him.
26:08Vivian raised her voice just enough so the rest of their friends sitting next to them could hear.
26:13They look so happy together, don't you think?
26:16Goombella nodded.
26:17They do, don't they? Makes me feel happy just watching them.
26:21Goombella felt the pang again, but this time she didn't find herself wallowing
26:25in the thought of what could have been. The past did not exist. She had had an adventure.
26:31It had all turned out well. And who knows,
26:34maybe there was another adventure right around the corner.
26:39A terrific explosion ripped through the stone wall behind the royal table.
26:44As the tall stone pillar began to collapse, Goombella saw it hurtling towards Mario and Peach.
26:50Pointlessly, they all shouted out warnings, but Mario had already sprung into action.
26:57As Mario scooped up Princess Peach and dove to safety with her in his arms,
27:01Goombella saw the pillar slam into the ground, separating them from her sight.
27:06An army of Bowser's minions charged through the hole in the wall,
27:10and over the sound and fury of battle, they could make out Bowser himself flying high into view,
27:15bellowing orders.
27:17We've got to help. Those guys will mop the floor with the Toads,
27:21barked Goombella.
27:22Four enemy Koopas leapt dramatically from the smoke and debris on their side of the pillar,
27:27each a different color and wearing ninja bandanas. The Koopa Brothers!
27:33Slamming a boombox on the ground to play their kickass theme song,
27:37the eldest of the brothers launched into his carefully rehearsed monologue.
27:41Mario, come out and fight, dude! We the Koopa Brothers have returned! We have trained day and
27:48night, night and day, preparing for the moment we would meet again and exact our spectacular
27:54and long overdue revenge!
27:56The other three Koopa Brothers took up the cry of,
27:59Revenge!
28:01before catching sight of Mario's old adventure partners charging toward them.
28:05Oh, man!
28:06whined the eldest Koopa Brother,
28:08before Goombella's head-bonk attack came smashing down onto his skull.
28:14Goombella made a couple final marginal notes before closing her tatalog.
28:19She was sure some of the information could come in handy later.
28:23So what if she missed her chance to fight side-by-side with Mario at the party?
28:27There were still plenty of ways she could help her old friends right here and now.
28:32Sure enough, Goombella had lost track of time,
28:34but she hadn't missed the start of the girls' slumber party.
28:38So, what do you think, girls? Shall we have Vivian and Lady Bo be our spies on the boys?
28:44teased Ms. Mose, kicking her feet behind her. Lady Bo laughed wildly.
28:49Wee-ah, ee-ah! I bet those boys are having a merry pillow fight in their pajamas even as we speak.
28:56Bomet's fuse started to smolder.
28:58Mm, I wish Admiral Bummery would smack me around with a pillow.
29:02Watt, who was still at the age where she believed boys had cooties, was the most vocal objector.
29:08Yuck. I don't want to hear about their silly pillow fights, or their silly pajamas.
29:13Goomberia chimed in.
29:14Yeah, anyway, the ones Goombario always wears just have little pictures of Mario all over them.
29:21That's it? There's nothing special about them?
29:24Vivian blushed madly at the thought.
29:27Oh, it wouldn't be right. I couldn't invade their privacy like that.
29:31Sushi, who was a mother herself, shushed the younger girls calling for a spy operation.
29:37Now, now, how would you girls feel if the boys sent a spy over to watch us?
29:42Don't you dare make Vivian do your dirty work.
29:45Madam Flurry was torn by her memory of her wild younger days.
29:49Oh? You wouldn't mind being spy on again, Justance?
29:54Yes, during my long career on the stage, many a time did I catch the wandering eye
29:59of a voyeur following me to my dressing room. Ah, I would be cross with the lad who had such pluck.
30:07But, in my younger days, it was a simple matter to have my revenge, and spy upon my spy in turn.
30:14But Sushi is right. I can't condone making Vivian do it for us.
30:19The will did, if it is to be done, must fall to a woman of more experience.
30:25Miss Mose interrupted Madam Flurry's monologue with a cold chuckle.
30:28Faye, if you're planning to squeeze through the air conditioning vents,
30:32I already tried that. You wouldn't fit, even in your younger days.
30:37Coopie-coo, Coop's bride-to-be, put a supporting arm around Vivian's shoulder,
30:42before whispering conspiratorially.
30:44Don't let them peer pressure you, Vivian. Though, I am dead curious what my future
30:50husband is getting up to right about now. You know, I am Coop's fiancé.
30:55Suppose I gave you permission to spy just on Coop's, and just for me?
31:00Goombella sensed that the crowd was close to turning in favor of sending a spy.
31:05Goombella wouldn't have minded the silly idea so much if it was anyone other than
31:09Vivian being drafted as the spy. But Goombella could tell Vivian was strongly opposed to it.
31:15Vivian, don't listen to anyone else. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do.
31:20Vivian held both her cheeks.
31:22Thank you, Goombella. Though to be honest,
31:25I was a little tempted to try, before any of you said anything.
31:29Goombella's eyes went wide.
31:31Really?
31:32As Vivian silently nodded, all the girls started giggling madly,
31:36even Sushi, who was still struggling valiantly to be the voice of reason in the room.
31:41Now, now, if I was you girls' mother, I'd spank the whole lot of you.
31:46Ha ha.
31:47Miss Mose cackled mischievously.
31:49I knew it. We're corrupting her. Soon she'll be one of us bad girls.
31:55Lady Bow, who had teasingly suggested the idea of spying on the boys in the first place,
32:00hit her face as she blushed mad red.
32:02Oh, my. I was only joking about spying. I never thought anyone would actually take me seriously.
32:09Goombella was laughing too hard to argue. This was just what she needed.
32:14A silly little adventure to take her mind off the crazy day she had just survived.
32:19Goombella was half tempted to volunteer herself for the spy mission,
32:23but Goombella's better nature won out.
32:25All right. That does it. If any of you spy on the boys, I'm tattling on you. So there.
32:32Miss Mose cracked her tail like a whip.
32:34Goombella. You spoil sport. You stall pigeon. You, right fink.
32:40Goombella stuck out her tongue.
32:42So what if I am? Can you imagine how horrible it would be if one of the boys tried to get in here
32:48while…
32:48There was a ferocious banging at the door before it burst open.
32:52They'd forgotten to lock it. A shadowy form charged into their room. A man.
32:57The ladies all squealed and covered themselves, momentarily forgetting that they were all dressed
33:02in tasteful and modest sleepwear, all appropriate for a game-rated E for everyone.
33:08Goombella nearly jumped out of her pajamas as the strange man lunged for her, shouting.
33:14Quick! There's no time! Come with me! Right away!
33:18She reached for her helmet and shone her flashlight at the intruder,
33:21blinding him momentarily and halting his charge.
33:24It was Mario! Happy to see him alive and unharmed,
33:28the women immediately forgot their fury and swamped him with hugs and kisses.
33:33Mario spluttered as every inch of his face was smooched.
33:37Mamma mia! No, not now! Where's Goombella?
33:41Goombella's jaw went slack before Mario gently pressed her cheeks between his hands.
33:46Thank goodness you're still here! I need you, Goombella!
33:50It all happened so fast. Before she knew it, Goombella was being swept off toward Castle
33:55Toadstool, Mario hurriedly explaining something about needing an archaeologist,
34:00about the fate of the entire Mushroom Kingdom being at stake, and about ancient scrolls.
34:06Goombella dimly registered the world around her as Cooper rushed out of the boy's bedroom,
34:11followed by Goombario, eager to help, and then the whole crew.
34:16Mario waved for them all to follow. But as he carried Goombella in his arms,
34:21she knew that adventure had come calling for her again.
34:25End of chapter 2.5