Power of the Stars

"Mama mia! That-a map is made out of-a crystal!" Mario shouted. He slowly placed a hand on the round crystal table, well he thought it was a table anyway. He couldn't quite figure out what it really was. "This-a wasn't what we were expecting!"

Twilight walked next to Mario, her gaze on the Crystal Map, "This isn't like any other map in Equestria, Mario. This one has certain magical properties, though I'm not sure how your world operates compared to ours. Whenever there is a friendship problem somewhere in Equestria, the map will summon any of us who can aid in the situation, which we'll go."

"That-a sounds neat." Luigi complimented. "Can we-a look at it to-a find Yoshi? Or at-a least learn where everything is-a at?" he asked the alicorn, who nodded. "This-a world is-a way different than-a the Mushroom Kingdom." he put a finger on his chin.

"Go ahead. But it probably won't help find Yoshi directly." Twilight warned.

Spike nodded, rubbing a hand on the table as well, "How can you even tell what's what on here anyway? There's no label or key or anything! Oh, I see a few towns, and mountains."

"You're right about that, Spike. We as ponies recognize these places, while you two have no idea this world even existed until recently." Twilight realized, rubbing a hoof on the back of her head upon discovering this small flaw. "Can you bring a different map to list the different regions for them?"

Saluting, Spike responded, "You got it, Twi!" he then ran off, looking for another map.

"Yoshi could be-a anywhere, Mario." Luigi reminded him. The red-clad plumber nodded, "How are-a we going to began-a looking for him, anyway?"

Mario said, "I'm aware of-a that, Luigi. But we-a have to start-a somewhere. First, we will-a look around Ponyville. Then, we will-a wander about any nearby-a cities. Yoshi can't be that-a far away if we were-a warped here." he told his brother.

"If it makes you feel any better, this world isn't that much hostile, unless it is a known monster. If your friend Yoshi is friendly then he should be safe at least." Twilight assured.

Nodding, Mario crossed his arms, "I-a had a feeling that was-a the case. No one-a in this dimension reacted aggresively toward-a us when we-a arrived."

"At this point, we are-a only known in Ponyville. Yoshi would have-a no idea where we are-a at or that we're even-a here to being with." Luigi added.

Twilight looked down, "That is true. Unless of course, he ended up neaby Ponyville."

"That seems-a too convenient." Mario pointed out.

Yoshi turned his head, seeing a small house standing at the putskirts of the nearby town. It was the only known source of shelter anywhere away from civilization at the moment. Close enough to get to the village in case of an emergency, but far enough away so that it could be considered isolated.

"Oh well." sighed the green dinosuar. So far, he had no clue as to where he was at. The only thing he did know, however, is that wherever they're at, Bowser followed them. And that meant, Mario and Luigi were close by judging by the Goombas and Koopas.

The dinosaur walked forward, taking a glance at the animals residing nearby this small house. 'Is this a farm of some kind? I hope whoever lives here is nice,' thought Yoshi.

Yoshi knocked on the door gently, seeing a cream yellow pony open it. She squeaked in fright at the sight of Yoshi, prompting him to assure her he was friendly, "W-Wait! I'm not going to hurt you, cute pony!" he nearly shouted. He placed his hands at his side, "See? I'm just a little lost, and I need directions."

Fluttershy looked at the dinosaur, "Um... What are you?"

"I'm a dinosaur." Yoshi answered.

The pegasus' eyes widened, "Wait... M-Mario mentioned that he was looking for a dinosaur earlier... I've never seen one before... So, are you Yoshi!"

The green creature cheered, "You know Mario? Great! Can you take me to him?" he wondered.

Fluttershy was taken aback by Yoshi's enthusiasm, "O-Of course. C-Can I learn more about you on the way? I-If you don't mind that is..." she suggested. "I-I've nevee talked to a dinosaur before..."

Yoshi nodded, "Yeah! I have so much to talk about."

Spike held up a rolled up scroll, "Here you go, guys! One map containing the different regions of Equestria. I think this should make detailing a lot easier."

"Thank-a you, Spike." said Luigi.

"No problem. Can I help?" the young drake asked.

Mario nodded, "Sure. You and-a Twilight know more-a about this world than we-a do. We could use your-a input."

"Cool!"

And then for the next ten minutes, Mario and Luigi learned about the strange land. Equestria was home to many different cities, Ponyville, Canterlot, Manehattan, Fillydelphia and even regions that are inhabitied by species other than ponies. The plumbers hadn't realized the world they were in was as expansive as theirs.

Luigi sighed, "It-a kinda reminds me of-a home."

"You're-a right. And due to how-a we were sent-a here. Bowser and the princess could be-a anywhere." Mario said, his gaze never leaving the paper map.

Twilight looked at the red-clad plumber, "I'm sure somepony will warn us of Bowser's presence if he ever decides to reveal himself. In the meantime, we should focus on finding these Power Stars that seem to be important."

"We already have-a three. I have no clue-a on how many Bowser has-a over here." Mario recalled.

Spike shrugged, "Why would this Bowser guy even want to come here to begin with?"

Luigi narrowed his gaze at the mention of their nemesis, "Perhaps he grew-a tired of facing us... So he wanted to-a conquer another world instead? That-a doesn't sound-a good if that is-a the case..." he realized, silently gulping in fear. "He could-a expand to different-a dimensions if we weren't here!"

"It's a good thing we're a here now, then." Mario reminded his brother. "At least it's-a only Bowser and his Koopa Troop we-a have to worry about this-a time. We can handle-a them anytime!" he boasted, easing Luigi's worries.

"Koopa Troop?" Twilight repeated the name as a question.

"Bowser's mook army. They're-a not difficult to handle. With you and your-a friends, it will be-a easier to thin their numbers so that we can-a focus on Bowser." Mario assured. "It only takes a single jump or two for them to-a surrender."

"That's good to hear." Spike replied, "So, I can just bop them on the head and they're done? Awesome!"

Twilight nodded, "You mentioned it's just his basic Koopa Troop. Are there any other threats on your world that we should be concerned about at the moment?"

"Not-a really. Well... Huge-a threats anyway." Mario corrected himself, the red plumber stroking his mustache. "Bowser usually-a works with only his troop and-a his Koopalings. Mainly his-a son, Bowser Jr." he elaborated for the two.

Luigi continued, "Usually if-a there's a bigger and scarier threat, he will-a join us to stop them. But-a everytime I'm-a afraid he will-a turn his back on us." he admitted.

"At the very least he won't get himself involved with some of our world's threats." Twilight muttered, but she cleared her throat, "If what you're saying is true then it's only him we have to worry about as well as the Power Stars missing. If only we knew how many there were and where they're at."

Mario clenched a fist, "Maybe if we can-a get information out of the next goon Bowser-a sends, we can-a figure out!"

Bowser laughed, seeing the portal open up. "Alright, gents! He should be here any minute!" time passed for the Koopa King, him tapping his foot impatiently, "Okay... Now!" he shouted, with nothing happening as a result. He walked back and forth, him and his Magikoopa minions growing bored by the second. Even Peach seemed to have fallen asleep in the lengthy wait.

"If he doesn't show up in the next five seconds, I'm dragging him here by the shell!" he threatened loudly.

A lighter laugh came from the portal as a being jumped out. It was a creature similar to Bowser, but he was smaller and ne wore a bib of sorts with drawn fangs on it, seemingly made to look threatening for his younger age. "I'm here, Pa!"

"About time, Junior!" Bowser grunted, "Your father was getting impatient at this point. What took ya so long?"

Bowser Junior lowered the bib, raising the strange paintbrush in his clawed hand. "I wanted to look for this! I wanna have some fun in this world!"

The older Koopa smirked proudly, "That's my son! If Mario and Luigi are here, you can throw off the ponies of this world and make him look like the bad guy! Perfect!"

Junior lowered the brush, "I just wanna go somewhere!"

"I have news, King Bowser!" yelled Kamek, the Magikoopa running into the room as fast he could. "O-Oh, Junior! I am surprised to see you here as well!"

Bowser stomped his foot, the sound echoing through the caves, "Alright, Kamek. What is it this time?"

The wizard koopa sighed, "I am sorry fr my intrusion. But I have found one of the last missing Power Stars. It is in a city called Manehattan. What are your orders?"

"It's simple! Junior can go there and have fun with that paintbrush of his!" Bowser declared, "Have this world mistrust Mario, and it nets us a Power Star! Nice timing, Kamek!" he complimented.

"Yay!" cheered Junior, "Can I borrow your Clown Car?"

The Koopa King raised a claw, "Even better! On my way to pick you up," he paused, grabbing something behind him, "I managed to grab yours for such an occassion! Knock yourself out, Junior."

"Thanks, Pa!" Junior cheered again, hopping into his vehicle, "Can you tell me where it's at, Kamek?"

Kamek nodded, "Of course, Lord Junior."

Bowser crossed his arms, a smile on his face, "Do me proud, son."