Paper Mario: A New Era - Era 1 - Jollymuch Plains

Era 1 - 3 : The Toxicated Meal

Mario and co. were wandering around the house that they had just arrived at, and they had no idea what was coming to them. They all pondered as to what to do.

"Maybe we should rest?" Luigi suggested, yawning.

"Good idea, bro!" Mario nodded with enthusiasm. And finally, a break.

"No! You guys can't afford to be lazy!" Yasie exclaimed, blushing as she approached the two. "U-um, we don't have m-much time until Mamusha a-and her crew find us."

"Maybe they already have." Umucha told them, in much wisdom.

"Maybe they have not, though..." Rodrica told them. "But we do need to hurry. We do not have much time."

"She's right. Let's go." Toadsten remarked, exploring the house.

They had been called to the house for a reason, not just because they found it.

"There must be something here..." Luigi then noticed a girl standing behind her, she wasn't in their group.

It was Sashi.

"Hi! Welcome to Jollymuch Hotel! I'm your host of the house, Sashi. Please enjoy your stay, and have a wonderful time here!"

"GAH!" Luigi fell over as she noticed her. "Don't do that!"

"Aww, did I scare you?" She giggled. "I'm sorry." She helped him up.

"If there is anything I can make comfortable for you, please let me know."

Umucha had an unusual feeling about her. Something she could see through her senses made her clear that Sashi wasn't very trustworthy.

"We might want to leave." Umucha raised her voice so that the others could hear her.

"But why? You just got here! I want to make this the most relaxing and comfortable stay in your entire life. It won't even seem like you've been away from home!" Sashi told them, convincing them to stay.

"Alright, I guess we could stay." Yasie sighed.

Sashi cheered. "Aaaye! You won't regret your stay here!" She giggled and ran out of the room.

"My senses tell me that this girl is...odd. Untrustworthy." Umucha told the gang quietly.

"What are you so worried about? She seemed very excited for us to stay!" Luigi smiled.

"You guys don't have very good qualities of a hero. You should be alert at all times."

"Whatever." Luigi huffed. "Besides, we need a break..."

"You're right." Toadsten told them. "We do need a break."

That night they all stayed in one of the hotel rooms inside, in total luxury.

"Wow, I could even fall asleep on the counter..." Mario mumbled.

Umucha growled. No one was listening to her, and she was absolutely right all this time.

For dinner, they met up Sashi again, this time with a course of their choice. The food was excellent, and it was by far the best meals they've ever tasted. But Umucha only ate a bite, she said she wasn't that hungry.

"Great stuff!" Rodrica said with her mouth full.

"Oh, why, thank you." Sashi said with a smile.

"Yeah, this is the best spaghetti I've ever had!" Mario shouted.

The side effects rolled in, just as Sashi had intended. Mamusha would've been proud of her.

It started with the hero himself, who appeared to grow very weary this night.

"Ohh... I'm gonna have to hit the sack..." Mario groaned, collapsing onto the table.

"Me too.."

The others then began struggling to stay awake, except Umucha, who was just pretending. It was very obvious why.

"I can't stay awake..."

"Who are you again?"

"Mama mia, what's wrong with-a you guys..?" Luigi asked, a little tired as well.

"Mweh heh heh!! You fools~! You fell for it! Nya, nya!" Sashi then blew them a kiss mockingly.

"The meals were intoxicated with a poison gas that would make you too tired to fight me, one of Mamusha's trusted minions, even if you tried! Which, we all know, you wouldn't~! Mweh heh heh~!"

This was a trap the whole time...

End of Chapter!

(COMING UP: ACTION SCENE WARNING!)