[Coolshaymin]

The sewers of Rogueport were as grimy and unwelcoming as they usually were. Even on the surface this place was a town riddled with crime and it was best to watch your back. That has not changed much now that the Starvia has taken over as well. Mario has gotten robbed on the streets before but he did make trips through the sewers often as it was the gateway to many other parts of the land it resided in... Well, for people that made it their duty to go down pipes on every adventure they have at the very least. Sometimes sewers were plumber's best friend in traveling.

Regardless, Mario led the two into a noticeably darker section of the sewers. It definitely had a rundown and foreboding atmosphere to it which may be why Mario requested help. He did not remember this section of the sewers either which was the strangest part but you have to be prepared for new experiences on Li. "Alrighty, here we are. This is the pipe I found. Ready to get-a down there?" Mario asked as he stopped in front of a magenta pipe as he said it was colored... Going down pipes was probably something foreign to people unfamiliar with... the ways of Mario's land. Still, it never hurts to broaden your horizons. Mario was a fan of exploring for this reason. Seeing new sights and locales was always a joy to behold.

[Deleted]

Rosalyn slid down on the nearest ladder she could find to the sewers. Once she reached the inside of the sewers she took out a red and hot seed before also taking out coal. "Well I recently rescued these packs of seeds, so lets see how well they'll do." Rosalyn thought as she rubbed the coal with the seed, causing it to quickly grow and summon a new plant which lit up the sewers.



The Fire Peashooter bowed down to Rosalyn who bowed back. "Thank you for serving me right now. Can you please lead me to him, he's the leader of your new home, for now. But you'll be living in my area." Rosalyn took out a photo of Mario to show the Fire Peashooter who nodded and moved forward down the sewers as Rosalyn followed, taking out her pea gun in the process in case the duo were attacked by the Starvia.

At least this was better then the glow sticks.

Fortunately they weren't attacked and they quickly caught up to Mario and another ladder. Once they did Rosalyn smiled and pet the Peashooters...Leaf that wasn't on fire. "Great job, now climb up that ladder and head to the Life Sphere. It's a giant bubble located near from here, if you see anyone that's glowing purple, shoot your...Fire peas at them." Rosalyn instructed the Peashooter who climbed up the ladder and left the sewers, leaving Rosalyn alone with Mario until White Mage appeared.

"Peashooters, there often regarded to be the best plant listeners according to an old neighbour of mine." Rosalyn turned to Mario and moved her hand out for the plumber to shake. "By the way i'm Rosalyn. It's nice to finally meet you Mario Mario." Rosalyn greeted Mario and moved towards the magenta looking warp pipe, supposedly taking the trio to a dream like land that was probably created by two comets colliding each other like the big bang.

Either way, Rosalyn was ready for whatever was at the other side of the pipe.

"I'm ready." She cloaked her peagun.

[PSYCH]

Out of the mass of warp pipes snaking down from the ceiling, one curved round to run parallel to the sewer floor near the two adventurers - it made a distinctive CHUG-CHUG-CHUG noise that those familiar with travel through the Mushroom Kingdom recognized as someone emerging. A pile of white and red robes shot out of the pipe in a spinning motion and hit the dirty floor like someone's dumped laundry. The laundry pile stood up and rearranged itself, pulling a cape backwards to reveal a heavily blushing face.

"Well, that is certainly one way to get around..." White Mage grumbled as she smoothed her soiled robes down and spotted her companions, "...oh, hello. I'm guessing you saw that. I'm... I'm sure it gets easier with practice." She cleared her throat and approached the group, walking with her staff once she managed to dislodge it from up her sleeve.

"Mr. Mario, it is a pleasure to be working with you. I am White Mage," She smiled at the plumber in red and nodded her head in greeting, "And you must be Rosalyn. Blessings be upon you both." White Mage recalled the names and brief detailing on her teammates coming up on the data module within Sunshine Circle. As the group moved toward the magenta pipe, she made some adjustments to her robing and cape and held her staff tightly with both hands in an attempt to get a safe landing this time.

"I'm ready too," She said, narrowing her eyes down at the dark path leading downwards. 

[Coolshaymin]

Mario noticed a light behind him becoming clearer and spun around to greet whoever was following him. Fortunately it seemed to be one of the heroes he invited to help him mark whatever location in subcon this pipe led to. She was accompanied by what appeared to be a flaming plant who she instructed to leave as she found him. "Mama mia, we have a lot of fire based plants back home but only a few were actually on fire. Brings me back to those volcano battles against Pirahna Plants..." Mario reminscined his old stories and adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom that was now a shadow of it's former self. He will bring you back to your former glory as soon as he can, just hold on, his cherished home.

Mario snapped out of his daydream as he heard the all too familiar pipe exiting and entering sound above them. Down fell a mage looking girl that was probably their other partner in this exploration quest. "The pleasure is all mine. Been a long time since I really explored with new people. This will be a lot-a fun," Mario replied to White Mage with a spin and holding his hat in his hand. "Mario," a robotic voice came from Mario's pocket and he quickly took it out and put on F.L.U.D.D. "Yes, FLUDD?" Mario asked his old companion that was given back to him by E. Gadd.

"It would appear everyone is accounted for. I must warn you though. The paranormal frequencies radiating from that pipe are unusually high. I estimate a 75% chance whatever is down there is dangerous," the water dousing device announced to the group.... Figures an invention by E. Gadd unrelated to ghosts would still have senses for ghosts and the like. "I was-a expecting that. What is the fun in an adventure if there isn't-a challenge? Alright, since everyone is ready, let's-a go!" Mario announced before jumping onto the pipe and going down...

On the other side he jumped out and looked around at the sudden change in scenery... The location appeared to be a town of some sort but it was hard to tell through the incredibly dense fog. He thinks he could make out a few buildings but making out anything else out... One thing was for certain though. It felt like Subcon but... "I don't remember any-a place like this in Subcon... It feels... more desolate and eerie than usual..." the plumber deduced as he looked out at the town and waited for the other two to come through. "It is in fact located in Subcon... I estimate however we are very deep inside the realm. I recommend caution."

[Deleted]

"This talk about heat reminds me of the time I saved a life of a dying Chomper back in a desert at my own world during summer vacation. The war that happened back home was a bit grim." Rosalyn remembered the plant and zombie war back in her own world, how she was one of the few humans that knew about it while everyone else on her version of earth remained blissfully unaware. The war and everything surrounding it changed her life, a bit for the the better and a bit for the worst. She remembered the numerous plants and zombies who died during the war, and well for the zombies died again.

She said this while taking out a device to scan the magenta pipe to see how horrific the other side of the pipe will be thanks to her "Horranner" which was off the charts as soon as Rosalyn scanned the pipe. "Your about to see some spooky stuff, if I you I would drop this device and run. Or if your one of those idiots in horror movies that die first, go into the pipe." The device advised as Rosalyn put it away and walked back to Mario, now joined by his machinery companion F.L.U.U.D and White Mage.

"FLUDD's right, were about to go on quite the journey." Rosalyn then turned towards White Mage, who Rosalyn quickly got annoyed with due to her name, it already has a magical word in it and judging by her appearance she really is a mage. "Yeah, nice to meet you too." Rosalyn was bored when she introduced herself to White Mage as she followed Mario and F.L.U.D.D into the pipe and began the mission.

At the other side Rosalyn would find herself in a dense fog, which appeared to be a unknown place in Subcon. "You said this place is the land of dreams right? What if this is the place where nightmares go?" Rosalyn looked at the buildings around the town, well barely looked at them. "We should be careful if were going in one of these buildings...Who knows what horrors might be in them that people dreamed of." Rosalyn herself advised the group as she waited to see what Mario's plan was next.

[PSYCH]

This time when White Mage traveled through the pipe she was ready at the other end and only stumbled a little on her feet when she landed. She looked round at her teammates with a triumphant little smile but the anxious expression on their faces instantly made her feel tense. She followed their eyes looking around, and could barely make out anything past the fog - just the occasional vague suggestion of tall structures but nothing was particularly clear.

"We should be careful if we're going in one of these buildings..." Said Rosalyn, "Who knows what horrors might be in them that people dreamed of."

"Agreed," said White Mage, "Whatever happens, we should stick together. This may be a scouting mission but this is unfamiliar ground and we can't afford anyone getting lost in the fog." That thought was unsettling, and the unease among her companions was palpable.

"You know... this could be a really important mission," She said with an encouraging smile to the other two, "Finding uncharted territory in the land of dreams? Who knows what we could find down here? Think of the things people dream of back at the Life Sphere - peace, salvation, a cure? Those things could have already manifested down here, just waiting to be found!" Hoping that would cheer up her colleagues, White Mage put on her bravest face and tapped her staff on the floor.

"Come on, let's look around. Mr. Mario, why don't you lead us?"

[Coolshaymin]

What Rosalyn suggested got Mario thinking as he looked up and rubbed his chin with his eyes closed in thought. Well, her suggestion this could be the area nightmares rested would seem logical at a glance. But then what was the point of Wart's Machine and why did he get this feeling that there was more to it than that? Could it really be that simple or was there more to Subcon than he realized? Well, he wasn't going to get an answer here, that was for sure.

However, breaking his train of thought, he heard a sound behind the group and swiftly turned around. He knew that sound despite it being a pretty rare one to hear in the Mushroom Kingdom. The pipe they came through went back into the ground swiftly and disappeared and even if one tried to dig a way after it, it would not be found even if they did have a way to break through the dense road. "Well, there goes the way we came in. I don't think finding it would of been easy to begin with anyway..." Mario stated as he rubbed the back of his head and laughed it off.

"White Mage has-a great point! There could be plenty of beneficial items down here to find. I think I can make out what looks like a Town Hall, we should see if there is a map there," Mario suggested as he lead the way into the fog. The town did seem completely empty and devoid of life, and getting closer the buildings had boarded up windows and doors. In the center was a large building with a domed roof and some windows weren't boarded up on the large white building. In the center was two large doors atop some stairs with a rusted plaque. The words were hard to make out and the only letters that shown plainly past the rust were "ow all".

Walking up to the two doors, Mario reached out and attempted to open them... Only for the doors to not budge. Mario looked down at the locks for a moment before realizing something. "The locks are-a busted. No use trying to open them from the outside. With or without-a key," Mario said before looking around and noticing a partially opened window. "Hey, I'll give one of you a boost up to that window. Then we can get the doors open from the other side," Mario deduced.

[Deleted]

Rosalyn scoffed at the idea that they'll find something like cures down here, that was bit of a stretch. "Yeah. By your logic, there would be a cure to every illness imaginable down here." Rosalyn replied snarky at White Mage and Mario before looking upwards in the dense fog. "And even if we did find cures to say like Starvia, were probably not allowed to take them back to the Life Sphere. It would most likely just vanish once we get out of here." Rosalyn informed the possible reality to Mario and White Mage before following the two deeper into the fog, getting ready in case any abominations attacked the trio.

Fortunately nothing happened and the trio safely made it to an abandoned building with a vague message nearby. "Out of all the buildings in this town you choose the one that was probably abandoned before the town itself was abandoned, or created." Rosalyn facepalmed but lowered her weapon to help Mario. "I'll do it." Rosalyn offered as she walked past Mario, took out her four leaf clover and proceeded to fly towards the open window.

"Wish me luck!" Rosalyn called down to Mario and White Mage before entering the building through the window. Quickly switching her clover copter with her pea gun again, prepared for the worst as she slowly walked forward.

[PSYCH]

White Mage frowned and begrudgingly nodded at Rosalyn's reasoning - it was indeed unlikely that anything made from the dream-stuff of Subcon could be taken out of the dream world back into reality, to the mage's dismay. It was a nice thought at least. She had hoped it would lift the group's spirits and it seemed to work with Mario. Rosalyn would need more work - as the two girls followed Mario, White Mage looked over at Rosalyn and made up her mind to find out more about this botanist.

The mage looked up at the run-down building they suspected to be the Town Hall. She tried to picture what this building could have appeared like once upon a time but, shrouded in the mists, it was difficult to see how this building stood as the center of bureaucracy for the town. It unnerved her how quiet it was - there were certain quiets she enjoyed: calm, serene silences made for reflection and meditation. This was just a void of sound, of life, with a distinct feeling of lingering loss. She tried not to think about it.

As Rosalyn took into the air towards the partially opened window, White Mage felt an unease at letting her go in alone. But she didn't feel comfortable leaving Mario on his own outside either. She made a decision and waved a glittering hand in the air, casting a spell of protection on Rosalyn just to keep her that little bit safer while she was separated from the group.

"Good luck!" called back White Mage.

(WHITE MAGE cast Protect on ROSALYN! +4 CON buff for two turns!)

(WHITE MAGE cannot cast Protect for another two turns)

[Coolshaymin]

"I just thought it was the most likely place to have a map..." Mario replied, a bit taken aback by Rosalyn's reaction. They didn't even know if this place was populated to begin with let alone abandoned. Still, what was the point of this place if it did not house life? Mario had to admit, despite traveling the kingdom to defeat Wart, he did not really know too much about Subcon. Considering it was a place not often accessible of one's own choice, there really wasn't anyone that did research it so it is a bit of a mystery. The other dream places he has been to have been much different in nature to Subcon which makes him wonder if there was more to it.

Still, Mario was aware that there was probably not a cure here and though it being taken from their memories seemed unlikely, even if there were, it would have a small chance of working anyway. He was just showing hope to cheer up White Mage since he knew what she was trying to do. Still, now that they were alone, he should probably talk with her some. Rosalyn seemed to be quite a harsh person, but she seemed to have some paticular resentment for White Mage for some reason.

"So, you-a said your name was White Mage, right? Sorry if this seems rude but do you know a guy in a blue robe, wizard hat and dark face named Black Mage? I have talked to him a few times since he is at the bank I am using. He likes to call-a himself evil and is easy to upset but I don't get it. He has helped the Life Sphere fight off villains on several occasions, going as far as stopping-a prison break and carrying a wolf to the hospital. An evil person would not go out of his way like that I think... I was hoping you could give me some insight on you two?" Mario requested to White Mage as he leaned against the doors. They were going to be waiting for a moment so he may as well ask while Rosalyn is busy. Though he did not notice the window shut behind Rosalyn.

---

Rosalyn

The window shut behind Rosalyn as she ended up climbing into what looked like some kind of office. There were papers all over the floor and a desk and a chair with wheels behind it. Oddly, unlike the floor there was no clutter on it, in fact it was pretty empty save for a green note, a lamp and a... purple phone. Alongside that was a row of filing cabinets and a TV on the wall opposite the desk. The door out of the office was closed. The lamp was the only source of light in the room as the fireplace was unlit... The most noticeable oddity though was a message etched into the wall "You can not save him." The message seemed oddly direct for being etched into a wall who knows how long ago.  Almost as if it was speaking straight to her.

[Deleted]

Before Rosalyn entered the building she was met by a spell from White Mage that would protect her from danger for a limited amount a time. Despite the mages kind gesture, Rosalyn seemed a bit annoyed and looked back down at Mario and White Mage before entering. "Thanks, I guess?" She sounded bored to White Mage before finally entering through the window. As she jumped in the window closed behind her, causing her to gasp. "Knew it." She said to herself before walking forward down the building, switching back to her pea gun and putting the clover back into her bag.

She soon figured out that she was in an office. She quickly saw the lamp and grabbed it, as it will be her only light source until she manages to open the door for Mario and White Mage and let those two in. "I better find that door." She thought to herself as she prepared to head forward down into the office, but stopped and noticed the green note, filing cabinet and sketch on the wall. She looked at all three of them at that order.

Before looking at the message on the wall.

"You can't sav---Does that mean..."

Rosalyn looked concerned, surely it did not mean...Him. She shook her head and looked back at the cabinet and green note, ignoring the message.

---

Protect Buff: Two Turns Remain

[PSYCH]

"Black Mage is here??" White Mage felt a sudden rush of a mixture of emotions. The description Mario gave certainly matched that of her fellow Warrior of Light, the Black Mage.  It couldn't have been anyone else - she should have felt joy to recognize someone from her hometown but...

A stormy sky above, seemingly ripped apart by strikes of jagged lightning.

Figures writhing in twisted forms of agony, either dancing in flames burning bright or frozen solid into grotesque statues.

Two yellow eyes glowing malevolently in the shadow of a wide-brimmed hat.

She didn't know to feel. She clasped her hands tightly around her staff and frowned down at her feet.

"Black Mage is... a Warrior of Light, like myself. We were chosen by destiny to bring balance back to the world... our world... and save it from the clutches of evil. Yet, his methods are as different to mine as night is to day. I study and wield the arts of White Magic - spells of healing, protection and illumination in dark places, driving back evil." She demonstrated with a liquid movement of her hand creating beads of light that fanned out from between her fingers, turning in the air before she clenched her fist and the light particles dissipated. 

"But he is a scholar of Black Magic with an aptitude for wielding its great powers for ruin. It makes use of all known destructive forces that make up this world, as well as malevolent curses intended to cause suffering and enfeeblement. The other side of the coin to my own powers, and deadly in the hands of those with hate in their hearts." She paused and took a moment to think of Black Mage - of her memories of him outside of battle. 

"What you say of Black Mage is true - his intentions are pure, and at his heart, he is still a Warrior of Light. But he takes a great burden on himself by continuing to use the full force of Black Magic. I think... he fears that it might corrupt him some day. Perhaps it already has if he calls himself evil, but that might just be his way to keep you at a distance. He walks the path of the martyr - willing to study sorcery that could obliterate his soul, as long as he can take evil down with him." She shifted uncomfortably.

"At least, that's how I choose to see him. It would be good to see him again when I return to Li - perhaps I can help him if he truly thinks himself evil. He would be a useful ally to your cause, Mario... but only if you finally decide the best course of action is to burn a path straight through the Starvia, through our former friends, to the source of the plague." By her saddened expression, it was clear that this was not the course of action that White Mage believed in. 

[Coolshaymin]

Mario listened to White Mage explain the relationship between the two politely. A lot of times in the past he fell asleep to long explanations but those were by old citizens that tended to ramble... and he was a leader now so he needed to pay more attention especially when he was the one that asked for it. Still, it was odd that the two were named after their schools of magic but who was he to judge? Maybe there was a reason behind it he just had no clue about.

After the girl mage finished, Mario nodded in understanding. "That does go with what I have seen of him. He seems a bit standoffish but he clearly is a good guy deep down. I just hope his actions towards evil does not make him do anything he would regret. He has been hanging around a fellow dark magic user with-a similar reputation and also a warrior like girl that is pretty frightening..." Mario replied with a moment of silence to let White Mage think about that and for him to ponder something.
Mario spoke up as he looked back at the seemingly abandoned town.
 "I want to end this war with as few casualties as possible. On our side and on their's. If we can stop the source that is-a controlling them maybe our friends can-a come back to us. 

---

Reading the note, Rosalyn was able to find a message that seemed to be made for people that was trapped in this room. It reads: "To escape this room you must make a great sacrifice. Burn the correct sacrifice and the way shall open. Choose wrong and you shall see how clouded your judgement truly is. You can find the potential sacrifices in the Filing Cabinet," the note appeared to be some kind of puzzle and sure enough, the filing cabinet opened and the fireplace lit up.

If Rosalyn checked what she was meant to choose from she may find a troublesome sight. Inside the cabinet was a lone folder containing a variety of photos. Not ordinary photos however as these pictures would be familiar to Rosalyn in an eerie way. They were all pictures of her family and plants, even the ones she has not seen in this world. The pictures went from Sheila, Bruno, Parker, Crazy Dave, Shizuka, Sunny, Pippi, Michael, George, and Rosalyn herself. Apparently the room wanted her to sacrifice someone close to open the way out. Though apparently there were wrong answers that may be fatal.

[Deleted]

Rosalyn led the note and snickered a bit, it was a bit weird for a note like this to be in an office. Then again people dream up of sick stuff sometimes. She threw the note away and walked towards the cabinet. "Ok mysterious note. If I do your thing, can you please show me the door so I can let my partners into the building?" Rosalyn said out loud, not caring about the mysterious note or the scary atmosphere in general, nor the fireplace that suddenly lit up.

However that soon changed when she opened up the cabinet and found the pictures.

Rosalyn's eyes widened in shock as she looked at every single picture. It was her mother, her step father and brother...Bruno before he...He...Shizuka, Pippi, Sunny, herself.

And finally her Biological father Peter. She slammed the pictures on the drawer in anger.

"Is this supposed to be a joke!?" Rosalyn called out in anger as she quickly grabbed the picture of herself. Obviously the note wants her to sacrifice herself, that's the most selfless act you could do. Rosalyn took a deep breath, and grabbed all the other pictures, she opened her brown bag and put them all in it before closing it. She then walked towards the fireplace, still holding the picture of herself and aiming it towards the fireplace.

"But I know what your trying to do...And I think this is the right choice. I know it is." Rosalyn sorrowfully threw the picture of herself in the fireplace. She then cloaked her pea gun waiting to see what hell was going to happen to her now that she's chosen her answer.

[PSYCH]

White Mage took the moment of silence to think about these companions of Black Mage's - they didn't sound like the types he should be keeping in his company if he wanted to stay on a righteous path. But maybe he couldn't help it - maybe he thought the other Warriors of Light were all gone so he spent time with these new friends in the hope that they could be replacements. They didn't sound like Warriors of Light to the White Mage but then, most people would've said the same about Black Mage when they first met him.

When Mario spoke again, White Mage thought about what he had to say.

"I hope you are right," She said pensively, "It sounds like I chose the right political party to follow. I'm glad to be following the Libertist Party with you as leader, Mario. I look forward to attending your next combat training session at the Sunshine Stadium." She paused to take another look around.

"How does it feel being back in the old Mushroom Kingdom? You must have a lot of stories from your quests here."

(OOC: Sorry about the delay guys - completely slipped my mind that it was my turn to go!)