FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Cappy asked while floating nervously next to Mario.

"Of course! She's on our side you know?" Cappy said nothing, only watched as Harriet continued tossing bomb after bomb inside the odyssey.

"I wouldn't say_ on our side . . ._ Mario this is a terrible idea. She's your arch enemy!" The plumber waved off the hat shaped spirit and replied.

"She's most certainly not my arch enemy. I've only fought her like what? Twice? Besides she was lonely all up on that pyramid by herself. She fell out with her family Cappy."

"That's sad and all, but you have to consider the repercussions Mario! What if this is a trap?!" Mario chuckled then patted Cappy saying. "You worry too much. Everything's going to be just fine . . . Say how was the visit back home?"

Cappy immediately perked up saying. "Oh it was wonderful! My sister was worried about us, but she's doing great herself. Oh and Peach also asked about you. She said you haven't been returning her letters."

Mario chuckled then nervously rubbed the back of his neck saying. "Oh I haven't? Well we've been so busy that it must've slipped my mind!" Cappy shook his himself replying. "You can't hide away from her forever Mario. Eventually you have to talk to her. She's your friend Mario, she cares about you . . ."

The plucky plumber crossed his arms and and turned away clearly flustered. "Yea she really does care." Cappy opened his mouth to retort, but was stopped by a very excited Harriet. She hopped and bounced around the plumber, like a child at a candy store.

"Are you ready yet?! I can't believe I'm finally leaving this place!" Mario chuckled and patted her saying. "Well I can't say I'm excited, but I am ready for a change of scenery. I love Tostarena but Cappy's right, I've been here to long . . ."

"Well let's not waste any more time alright?! Get this thing moving!" Mario nodded then tossed Cappy perfectly atop the Odyssey's globe. Harriet watched with intrigue as the globe began spinning 'round and 'round. It suddenly stopped leaving Cappy to ask. "Where to Mario?"

I think I'll leave that to you Harriet . . . Where do you want to go?" The rabbit said nothing only walked p to the globe, clearly awestruck. "I-I d-don't know. No one's ever asked me before . . ." Mario and Cappy exchanged awkward glances before the plumber said.

"Hey don't worry about it! How about we start small? You like flowers right? The Steam Gardens are beautiful this time of year!" Harriet instantly perked up then replied. "The Steam Gardens huh? I heard this rumor that there's this gigantic creature that lives in the Deep Woods. Can we go visit it!?"

Mario quickly shook his head and arms. Memories of getting lost in the dark coupled with the T-rex were more than the plumber could handle right now.

"Uhh maybe some other time?"

"Aww you're no fun! Don't worry though . . . I'll fix that." And with that Harriet sauntered past Mario, winking suggestively as she went inside. Cappy looked towards Mario and shook his head saying. "Bad idea Mario . . . Bad idea." The little ghost floated away, refusing to give Mario a chance to reply.

"Yea well we'll see . . ."

SKIES ABOVE THE SAND KINGDOM

Cappy floated nervously by Mario's ear whispering. "Mario. Don't do this to yourself . . ." The plumber locked eyes with Harriet and smirked, whispering. "Don't worry Cappy, I got this! She's got nothing on me!"

Harriet smiled deviously and said. 'So dough boy, have you made up your mind?"

"As a matter of fact? Yes I have and I accept." Harriet let out a small chuckle and rolled up her sleeve saying. "Well I will say this . . . Never took you for the betting type." The rabbit placed her elbow on the coffee table and waited. Mario followed suit and held her paw saying.

"Now I have to warn you, I've been doing a lot of throwing in the past months so you might not be ready for this . . ."

"We'll see . . . Start the countdown hat." Cappy huffed indignantly, but started counting anyway. "5 . . 4 . . 3 . . 2 . . 1 . . Go!" Mario smiled and clutched her paw with all his might. Even though it had been quite some time since he'd arm wrestled anyone, he had thrashed Luigi time and time again. So why would now be any different? Mario felt a thud and smiled, looking up he saw Harriet's iconic frown, and felt good. He knew he had nothing to worry about, but something was off.

The more and more he looked, the more Harriet's face bothered him. Something was out of place,, but he couldn't quite figure out what. The plumber squinted his eyes then reeled back once he realized something . . . She was upside down. Or rather he was on the ground.

Mario shook his head and shakily stood asking. "W-What happened?" Cappy looked off at the smug rabbit and said. "Well as soon as I said go, she flipped you onto the ground. I tried to warn you, but you wouldn't listen!" Mario rubbed his back and asked.

"What was that for?"

"Hmm I don't know . . . I guess for all those bombs you threw in my face, or those times you stomped on my head." The color completely drained from his face at those words. Mario completely disregarded the notion of Harriet wanting revenge, and now if she wanted it he couldn't stop her. Mario considered himself pretty decent at his Smash outings, but she'd completely demolish him in these tight quarters.

"H-Hey a-about that . . . I-I uhh." Harriet laughed and slapped the plumber's back saying.

"Hey forget about it alright? I was just teasing ya! I couldn't get revenge even if I wanted to. Someone has to fly this thing, besides I'd go crazy not having someone to talk to." She plopped down on one of the chairs and patted the one next to her saying. "Well come on now! Do you need an invitation?"

Mario smiled then sat down next to her asking.

"Care for a cup of tea?"

"Nah I'm good. That stuff's practically colored water." Mario shrugged his shoulders and silently sipped his tea, taking note of Harriet's behavior. She was incredibly jittery, never sitting still for one moment. The plumber couldn't tell if it was agitation or sheer excitement.

"Say are you okay Harriet?"

"Huh? Oh yea, just a little restless I guess . . ." She took one glance around the room then asked. "So why'd you do it?"

Mario gingerly set his cup of tea down and asked. "Why'd I do what?" Harriet waved her arms around saying. "This! Why'd you hide out here all this time? You're like the Super hero Guy! Am I right?!" Mario sighed and stood saying.

"It still hurts . . ." The plumber moseyed over to the odyssey's window and continued saying. "Even after weeks and weeks, it still feels like it was yesterday . . . I know I need to move on, but it just felt easier to hide away."

"And here I thought you were blank slate, following up behind the princess like some dog. Who knew plumbers had feelings? Say you want my opinion?" Mario said nothing only stared out the window in response.

"Well I'm gonna give it to ya anyway. Forget the princess, keep this up and you'll spend the rest of your life wanting what you can't have."

"Yea . . . Thanks Harriet. You're really good at counseling." The former wedding planner chuckled and replied.

"Yea well when you're a wedding planner, you also kinda have to account for divorces. I've sat through a many breakups you know? So don't worry I've got you!" Mario smiled and walked over to his wardrobe saying.

"We're about to land soon, so I'm going to get changed . . ." Harriet hopped over towards Mario and leaned over his shoulder, watching as he sifted through his clothes. She raised her eyebrow at one particular outfit and asked.

"Is that my dress!?" The plumber's face flushed bright red before he quickly tossed it behind the others saying.

"O-Of c-course not! I-It-t's . . ." Harriet playfully shoved him out the way and began raiding his closet.

"Oh my God! It's an exact replica of my dress! Hey what's this tagline say?" Mario covered his face in embarrassment as the rabbit read on, clearly paying him no mind.

""An outwardly lovely gown, the interior structure has . . . rotted away? And is only holding on by a thread!?" Harriet peeked down inside the dress and shook her head.

"Well they ain't lying. This thing is barely holding on! You actually wear this!?"

"Wha!? Of course not! I bought it as . . . keepsake." The rabbit's brow furrowed in suspicion before she asked.

"A keepsake huh?"

" . . . yea."

"Well then why don't you model it for me?" Mario's cheeks flushed bright red at the suggestion, causing him to bury his face in his hands.

"Aw don't be so shy! I wanna see it on you! Who knows? You might actually look good in it."

"Okay I'll try it on, but turn around first!" Harriet rolled her eyes, but turned around anyway saying.

"Well why you're ditching your duds, mind telling me what there's to do in the Wooded Kingdom?" Mario tossed his overalls over the closet divider saying. "Well the Wooded Kingdom is less about doing and more about seeing you know? It's a good unwind spot, you'll love it."

"I'm sure I will, and speaking of loving it . . . Come on out. I'm dying to see that cheap knock off on you." Mario poked his head from the divider and sighed. The plumber picked up the dresses hanging curtails and walked out. Harriet tilted her head and circled the plumber, clearly in awe by the costume's faithfulness.

"Well blow me up with six tons of dynamite . . . You look incredible!" The plumber reeled back from the compliment and asked.

"I-I do?!"

"Well of course! You look just like me so by default you look amazing. I'm actually just blown away with the attention to detail. It's even got the same char and burn marks from our last fight!" Mario took note of the black marks streaking across the dress and chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"Well I was just thinking about our last fight, and that's the funny thing . . . It wasn't much of one." Harriet raised her eyebrow and smiled replying. "Well I guess we'll have to fix that then won't we? I've been itching to blow something up, and it looks like I'll get that chance after all . . . Cappy flew off Mario's head and watched from a safe distance.

Mario opened his mouth to retort, but was stopped by the shaking of the Odyssey. The plumber moved over to the window saying. "Well it looks like we've landed. You'll wanna check this out too, the view is amazing!" Harriet rushed over to the door and stepped outside exclaiming. "I-It's . . . beautiful."

"Mario waltzed out behind her saying "Yea that's what I said my first time too. There's something special about this kingdom, don't know what it is, but it's something!"

Mario grabbed Harriet's paw and pulled her along saying. "Come on I'll show you my favorite spot!" The rabbit wordlessly followed along, to engrossed in the majestic forest around her. The duo strolled down the dirt path talking and joking like long time friends.

From first glance one would never suspect, but it turned out Harriet was highly knowledgeable about plants and their various uses. Every shrub, flower, and 'shroom was easily classified by the rabbit along with a long drawn out explanation of what they did.

"That's incredible!" Mario exclaimed. The plumber couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this good with someone. Though as soon as the good feeling had come it left. The plumber looked away from Harriet and scowled at the figure across the flower field. Harriet looked up at Mario and tilted her head asking. "Hey what's wrong with you? Something on my face?"

Mario's gaze never left the figure when he replied. "Not you . . . Him." Harriet looked across the field and scratched her head asking. "Who's got you bent outta shape? That green guy over there? Looks like kinda like you too." Mario's grip on Harriet tightened when he said.

"Come on let's get out of here. We'll check this kingdom out later . . ."

"What!? Why!? That guy over there giving you trouble? I'll rough him up for you!"

"Don't waste your time Harriet. That's my brother over there and the last thing I want right now is to deal with him." Harriet looked up at Mario then back over at Luigi and said. "You're never gonna get closure if you keep running from your problems. Here I'll go settle this right now!" The headstrong rabbit broke form Mario's grip and stomped over towards the younger brother. Dead set on resolving the conflict between the two.

"And another one for you . . .Alright who's next?" The large crowd of tourists clamored and hollered for Luigi's attention. "Me next!" No Me!" "I'm your biggest fan!" "Love me instead!" All could be heard as the plumber signed autograph after autograph.

Luigi signed another photo and smiled . . . He loved this. The fame, the spotlight, the notoriety. It was everything Mario had and more, the older brother always stole the show and now Luigi finally understood why he did. After all these years, it finally felt like he was getting his proper recognition.

Luigi smiled and said. "Alright guys who's next? I've got a few more photos and then I'm all kaput!" The crowd kept pushing and shoving hoping to get one of those precious stills, until someone shouted.

"EVERYONE OUT OF THE WAY NOW!" The crowd looked amongst themselves in confusion, but confusion quickly turned into fear once the source was identified. There with her arms folded stood Harriet Broodal, somehow looking even more menacing than the day she first appeared in Tostarena.

"I won't say it again . . ." Taking the hint the crowd quickly dispersed, leaving Luigi all by himself.

"I-I . .U-Uh . ." Luigi turned to leave, but was started by a blast in front of him. The plumber quickly turned around and found Harriet holding a trio of bombs.

"Now you and I are gonna have a talk alright? Now while I'd appreciate your full cooperation, I know you might be thinking of cutting up. Well let me just remind you what'll happen if you do . . ." Harriet casually tossed a bomb in front of Luigi, creating a sizeable crater in front of him.

The green groom jumped back and fell on his backside saying. "Okay! Okay! I'll tell you whatever you want to know, just don't hurt me!"

"Now why can't all men be so docile? So riddle me this green man, what's going on between you and your brother?"

"You mean Mario? I haven't seen or heard form him in months! I've been sending him letter after letter, but he hasn't been answering them! You're not gonna hurt him are you? Because if you are I-ll . . ."

"You'll what? You spineless punk! I outta end you right here and right now! You think you scare me? I've seen moon rocks deadlier than you." Harriet took a menacing step forward with her little fists balled and looked ready to pounce, but a calm hand on her should er stopped her.

"That's enough Harriet! Leave him alone."

"Aww, but I was really intimidating!" Mario cracked a little smile and ruffled the top of her head saying. "Let's get out of here . . ."

"Wait! Mario!! Bro I haven't seen you in ages! Nice . . . dress?" Luigi leapt up to hug his brother but stopped short at the scowling face of Harriet. "Bro it's been too long! You've been ignoring our letters, why!? The wedding's soon and we really want you to be there."

Mario groaned a little, but swallowed his pride saying. "Look I'll think about showing okay? I haven't decided."

"You haven't decided? How can you say that! I'm your brother man! If it was your wedding, I'd be there no questions asked and you know this! I've always been in your corner and now when things don't go you way, you just give up on everyone who loves you!?"

"Give up?! I didn't give up on us, you and Peach did! Why didn't you tell em sooner!? You two had been seeing each other long before this and you didn't bother to tell me!? You both lied to me and you want me to just . . . Take that sitting!?"

Luigi sighed and absentmindedly kicked a pebble saying. "Yea I know it was the wrong thing to do bro, but what was I supposed to say?! Hey Bro, by the way I'm seeing your girl behind your back . . ." Mario exhaled sharply saying. "Anything would've been better than what she told me . . . two years really? All those times I asked for your advice on what to do and you just lied through your teeth! But I should just be happy for you right? I have nothing to be angry about!?"

Luigi just shook his head saying. "You know what your problem is Mario? You're just jealous of me. I'm finally getting what I deserve and you can't handle it. I mean it's about time right? You've gotten what? A land, world, TWO galaxies, a starship, an airship, and now what? A hat that possess things?! And what do I have? A modest house and well now. . . A loving fiance."

"Mario's fists balled in anger, but he made sure to keep them at his sides. He was much stronger than Luigi and he'd rather not deal with the aftermath of a fight. The two brothers continued their stare down until Luigi smirked and tossed a letter at Mario.

"Here's an invitation . . . Personally I don't care if you show or not, but I know it'd hurt the princess if you weren't there . . . See ya around Mario . ." Luigi tipped his respectfully and turned heel, leaving Harriet and Mario alone.

"Well good riddance! You know I was like 3 seconds from socking that guy in his mustached lip?" Mario said nothing, only walked back towards the Odyssey fuming. Harriet watched him go and turned to Cappy asking. "Is he gonna be alright?"

"He'll be fine. He just needs some space . . . I think it'd be best if we just left him alone." Harriet nodded and sat on a nearby stump, content on waiting. She didn't know a whole lot about the plumber, but she knew one thing . . . She wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. She'd help him through this, even if it killed her.