Chapter 3: Tolstar
"This makes thirtyfive coins for me," Mario called to Luigi as he picked up the coins he knocked out of a ? Block. "How are you doing, Luigi?"
"Just a minute," Luigi called back punching another ? Block and causing the coins to pop out of the top and onto the ground around him. "I'll tell you once I've collected these coins." Once the golden block turned a brownish orange, he stopped jumping and began collecting the coins around him. "Let's see now. Forty Three... Forty Four... Forty Five... Fortysix. Yeah, I've got fortysix coins over here."
"Together that makes eighty one coins in total," counted Mario. "We need less than twenty to get Bowser out of that cannon."
"But are there any more coins left that we can collect?" asked Luigi looking around. All the blocks in sight had already been emptied and they had cleared out all the enemies they had encountered since coming back down from their training with the Starshade Bros. "Looks like this area is all cleaned out and it doesn't look like we can do anything but go back."
"I guess you are thinking the same thing as me then," replied Mario. "The only place left to get coins is from those Fighter Flies and Bill Blasters."
"We couldn't do anything before," cried Luigi. "How are we going to do anything to them this time."
"We've gained a bit of strength in the time since then," Mario encouraged his brother. "I bet we can beat them this time and we won't be caught off guard when we fight."
"I hope so," commented Luigi. "And I hope Bowser is okay. Being stuck in that cannon can't be comfortable and he's alone with that Tolstar creep. I can only imagine what he's been doing to him while we've been searching for coins. Even Bowser doesn't deserve such cruelty."
"He'll be okay," ensured Mario. "Bowser is tough even if he's stuck in a cannon and he's got his pride. No matter what kind of torture he's forced to endure, Bowser won't beg."
"I'm begging you!" cried Bowser teary-eyed. "Please have mercy on this poor Koopa.
"Nyeck nyeck nyeck," snickered Tolstar as dangled donuts in front of Bowser before eating them. "Oh, did you want one? Gee, if I had known that I would have been more than happy to share them with you."
"Liar!" snapped Bowser. "You were purposely teasing me with them the entire time!"
"I am offended by such accusations," sobbed Tolstar with crocodile tears. "And here I was going to share this last donut with you." He held out another donut perfectly glazed and half covered with chocolate and sprinkles. Bowser could also see it was cream filled. The taunting villain moved it close enough to Bowser so he could smell it, his stomach growling with hunger. Opening his maw the chomp the alluring pastry, it was pulled away so all he bit was air. With great sadistic glee, Tolstar ate the donut. "Mmm, not that was an especially tasty one."
"Your evil knows no bounds!" growled Bowser opening his maw to breath fire on his foe. Tolstar countered this by adjusting the position of the cannon so it was pointing up and Bowser's fire was sent skyward.
"Attacking me?" said Tolstar faking surprise. "I guess I have no choice now, but to defend myself." Turning the cannon once more, the had Bowser facing away from him and grinned devilishly as Bowser's feet were exposed and vulnerable.
"Wh-what are you doing back there?" asked Bowser growing increasingly worried. "What are you going to d- hahahaha!" Bowser broke into an uncontrollable fit of laughter as Tolstar began to gently stroke a feather across the soles of his feet cackling with as he heard Bowser laugh and watch his feet wiggle and squirm and his toes curl and twitch in response.
"Just enjoying myself," he answered. "I hope those two from the Mushroom Kingdom don't get back here too soon. I'm just having too much fun."
"M-M-Mario!" wailed Bowser through his laughter. "Save me!"
"We've beaten the Fighter Flies," panted Luigi after stomping the last one. "But there's still a bunch of Bill Blasters. We've got enough coins now. Should we just run for it?"
"I don't think we can," replied Mario looking around. "They got us surrounded this time. We'll have to fight. We've taken out a couple so far."
"Yeah, but my feet are getting sore," stated Luigi rubbing his shoes. "I'm not sure I have the strength to fight anymore."
"Fear not, Superstars," General Starshade announced emerging from another of his secret tunnels while standing upon Sergeant Starshade.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Luigi.
"We forgot one important thing about Bros. Moves that we needed to tell you," explained Sergeant Starshade. "You can use them for more than platforming. You can also use them in battle as well. Give it a try."
"Use them to fight," repeated Mario. "Ok, let's give it a try Luigi!"
"Ok!" cheered Luigi. "Can I go first?"
"Go right ahead," answered Mario running ahead.
After Mario got a few steps away, Luigi dug his feet into the ground and leapt into the air over Mario. Timing it, Mario leapt up, catching Luigi and boosting his jump even higher. They reached the nearest Bill Blaster and dropped down on it with their combined full force smashing it to pieces with their single combined attack.
"Excellent work!" cheered General Starshade. "You two have truly mastered our techniques and quite quickly too."
"This is proof of the strong bond you two share as both brothers and Superstars," applauded Sergeant Starshade.
"Oh, it was nothing," blushed Luigi happy at the praise.
"Yeah and now it's my turn to lead," stated Mario eager to try out his Bros. Attack in battle. But as they turned to the remaining Bill Blasters they were quickly squirming their way away, most already gone from sight. "Uh, looks like we'll have to wait on that."
"That's a much better change of pace that before," laughed Luigi. "We were the ones forced to run away before. Come on, Mario! Let's get Bowser out of that cannon!"
"Yeah, but don't get too overconfident now," warned Mario. "If we have to fight against Tolstar, I have a feeling he won't be as easy to defeat as the guys we've fought against so far."
"If you have made a deal with Tolstar it is best you'd be cautious," warned General Starshade.
"He's been no end of trouble for us and the good folk in Hoohoo Valley," added Sergeant Starshade. "So, he is causing trouble for the two of you as well. Whatever he has done, make sure he doesn't get away with it."
"Show him who he made the mistake to mess with," finished General Starshade. "And give him a few lumps for us too!"
"You don't have to worry about that," stated Luigi. "He'll be begging for mercy when he sees my improved Luigi Style. Come on, Bro!"
"You're sure booming with optimism," commented Mario. "You're a lot different than you were before."
"I am?" asked Luigi as he recalled everything that's happened. "Hey! I am!"
The Mario Bros. made their way back towards Tolstar and the trapped Bowser. Tolstar grinned delightfully as he watched the cannon twirl about with Bowser trapped inside. As it slowed down, he stopped it so he could see the look on Bowser's face. "So, ready for another ride?"
"No more," groaned Bowser looking greener than normal. "So dizzy... g-gonna blow chunks."
"Then admit that I'm the king of awesome!" ordered Tolstar.
"Never!" refused Bowser adamantly.
"Maybe another spin will help you change your mind," cackled Tolstar as he got ready to spin Bowser around once more.
"That's enough, Tolstar!" snapped Mario as he and Luigi approached.
"Oh, it's you two," groaned Tolstar, disappointed that his playtime was over.
"Wh-what took you so long?" moaned Bowser, glad that his playtime was over.
"We've got your one hundred coins," announced Luigi tossing Tolstar the coins. "Now let Bowser go!"
"Uh... nyeck," answered Tolstar as he took out a calculator and began to calculate the total number of coins they had given him. "Let's see here... This totals one hundred coins..." He put away the coins and his calculator and a nasty, smug, smirk appeared on his place. "Nyeck! It took you long enough! But well done! I'll just be taking those coins now!"
"Finally!" cried Bowser in tears that his ordeal was about to come to an end. "Let me outta here!!!"
"Huh? You want out?" asked Tolstar acting innocent and surprised. "You want me to help you? Who said I'd do that?"
Mario and Luigi clenched their fists expecting as much, but no less angry, though they were not fuming nearly as much as Bowser as he grinded his teeth and his inner fire burned so violently smoke billowed out of his nose. "GRAGH!" roared Bowser. "You welcher!"
"Nyeck nyeck nyeck!!!" laughed Tolstar so loud he was only fanning the flames of rage the others were feeling.
"We tried to settle this peacefully!" shouted Mario. "You could have just held your end of the bargain and it would have ended here!"
"But now we're going to force you get Bowser out of there!" yelled Luigi. "And I don't think that will be all that hard. What do you think, Mario? Mid Boss?"
"Doesn't look like one to me," replied Mario. "I've seen Goombas that had looked tougher than this joke, but then again calling him a joke might not be the best description of Toltar."
"Why's that?" asked Luigi. "Is it because jokes are supposed to be funny and this guy isn't?"
"Nyeck nyeck!" groaned Tolstar, his normally annoying voice now fully of anger and irritation. He glared daggers at the Bros. and clenched his teeth as he flew over to them with his tiny wings. "You're not in the Mushroom Kingdom anymore! This is my domain! Outsiders begone!"
"Looks like serious now!" cried Luigi as they dodged as he swooped down at them and landed on the ground with a powerful thud.
"Be ready!" Mario reminded Luigi. "No telling what he's capable of."
Tolstar gave an answer to Mario's statement as he pulled out some spiked balls and began to chuck them at the two of them. Some began to bounce after hitting the ground while others rolled on the ground rapidly. Jumping and ducking as they came at them, Mario and Luigi worked their way towards their attacker.
"It's like the Border Bros. all over again," commented Luigi turning to Mario. When he wasn't looking, one of the spiked balls clipped the side of his arm and cut the sleeve of his shirt. "Yeow!"
"It's a lot more dangerous too," added Mario. "Stay focused and find an opening."
"Nyeck nyeck!" growled Tolstar arms growing sore after throwing so many spiked balls and receiving very little success. "Ever after all the work you did to gather those coins and venturing through Stardust Fields, how can you still have the strength to fight against me?"
"Quite easily," answered Mario before stomping atop the fat villain's chunky face, and leaping back after doing so. "We're the Superstars of the Mushroom Kingdom."
"Also your attacks are extremely easy to read," added Luigi following up Mario's attack by stomping Tolstar on his noggin.
"Gwa ha ha!" laughed Bowser heartily, feeling much better now that Tolstar was finally getting his just desserts. "It's actually quite enjoyable to watch you work when I'm not on the receiving end, Mario and Green Stache."
"He still doesn't know my name," sighed Luigi.
"Superstars!" roared Tolstar face turning beet red as his blood pressure skyrocketed. "Superstars from the Mushroom Kingdom!" Grabbing at some of the Mushroom Kingdom coins he obtained from them earlier, he angrily tossed them on the ground and stomped them into the dusty ground. "You two should be like these coins! Worthless! How is it possible that you are beating me?"
"The Mushroom Kingdom's economy might not be the best it's ever been," admitted Mario. "But you can't measure someone just by the number of coins that line their wallet, but by their actions."
"Yeah," added Luigi. "Mario's been on tons of adventures and helped countless people and while I haven't been on as many, I still have quite a few under my belt as well. And from we've heard about you, all you have ever done is cause trouble for everyone around you. There's no way that we would ever lose to the likes of you."
"The likes of me!" snapped Tolstar taking out some more spiked balls. "No way am I going to take that! Especially not from a pair of mustachioed chumps like yourselves."
"Nobody talks bad about that staches," countered Mario running forward and Luigi followed behind. Tolstar began chucking the spiked balls even faster than before, but with far less accuracy as many didn't even cross the Mario Bros. path as they ran. Mario then leapt into the air and Luigi hustled to get underneath him and leapt up to give Mario a boost. As Mario rose higher in the air he held his arms at his sides and started to spin like a helicopter. Luigi leapt up once more and grabbed onto Mario's legs and helping boost Mario even higher again. Tolstar attempted to stop their attack on him with spiked balls, but even when they were close enough to hit, their spinning knocked them away. Once they were overtop Tolstar, Mario flipped them upside down and they dropped like a rock down on him. All Tolstar could do was watch as they smashed down on him and squash him flat on the ground before bouncing off of him.
"Had enough yet?" asked Mario watching as Tolstar achingly got back to his feet and attempted a final attempt to attack, throwing a single spiked ball at Luigi. It rolled, but it didn't even come close to him.
"Guess not," replied Luigi giving one final jump at Tolstar and left his shoe print on his his cheek, knocking him on his back. "Now he is."
The battle over, Tolstar twitched in pain from all the attacks. While most of his hadn't been scratched his fat face looked even bigger, swollen from all the attacks it took. "N-no more," Tolstar pleaded slowly flapping his wings to get away. He attempted to flee, but only made it a few feet before collapse again. "You can have your coins back. I'll help get Bowser out of my cannon. Just please, don't step on my face anymore."
"Not so smug now!" cackled Bowser. "And you call yourself a boss? Can't even handle a few attacks before you want to go running off with your tail between your legs. Well, the pain train hasn't left the station and it won't until i get a crack at you myself. Now get me out of here so I can give you a few lumps of my own."
"You, sir, have been griping far too loudly for some time!"
"Hey!" argued Bowser. "You would too if you'd been stuck in a cannon while slowly being tortured for who knows how long. Wait... who said that? Mario? Green 'Stache?"
"It wasn't us," replied Mario. "But that voice was familiar."
"Look," said Luigi pointing at one of those star-shaped doors that the Starshade Bros. used. It opened up and a disgruntled Sergeant Starshade emerged and approached Bowser.
"Oh, now what?" groaned Bowser. "What do you want?"
"This cannon is property of the Starshade Bros.," he explained. "First, we had that menace Tolstar who took it away and now we got some big whiner get his butt stuck in it."
"It's be more than happy to vacate," retorted Bowser. "If somebody would GET ME OUTTA HERE!!!"
"With pleasure," Sergeant Starshade replied turning the cannon towards Tolstar and pulling out the fuse. Taking out a match, he flicked a finger and sparked a flame and lit the fuse before leaving the way he came while Mario, Luigi, and Bowser panicked as the flame ran down the fuse into the cannon before they could do anything to stop it.
"Graaaaaaaargh!" cried Bowser as he could feel the cannon about to fire. "M-MARIO!!! Green 'Stache!!! You gotta get Princess Peach's voice back! It's all up to you!!!" The cannon fired Bowser straight into Tolstar knocking the greedy villain into Hoohoo Valley while Bowser was launched to parts unknown.
"We saved Bowser," commented Luigi. "Only to lose him in the end."
"Knowing him," replied Mario. "We'll meet up with him again before long. If there is one thing that's true about Bowser, it's that his wounds and his ego are quick to heal."
"Then I guess it's just the two of us again," stated Luigi picking up the coins that Tolstar had promised to return to them upon his defeat. "At least the way ahead is clear now. Where are we headed off to again?"
Taking out the map again, Mario looked it over. "We're going to Hoohoo Valley," he answered. "There is a cave ahead of us. Once we come out the other side we'll be there and from there we just need to go down the valley into Beanbean Fields and from there to Beanbean Castle. We should be able to find out where to find the villains who stole Princess Peach's voice."
"Then let's get going!" exclaimed Luigi running forward with much vigor. "Nothing can get in our way now!"
"Why do I get the feeling that will be far from the truth," thought Mario following after his brother and catching up to him at the entrance to the cave. Together they entered inside of it and made their way through.
