A/N: Alright, another update! This story will definitely test your knowledge of the Mushroom Kingdom... it isn't necessary to have any, but it will be much more fun if you do :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Goomba

Prologue

His eyes slowly fluttered open, revealing a world much different than the one he'd left in his sleep.

In short, everything was much more… pixelated.

And Bowser was standing over him, his claw resting on Chuck's forehead. Bowser. As in the most evil being in the grand Mario-verse.

What had happened during his nap that the CIA had just allowed this to happen?

"Well, your temp's down. I guess we just have to wait for you to stop hallucinating."

Chuck laughed. Bowser would sound exactly like Casey.

Bowser released a Bowser like roar and stomped out of Chuck's humble abode. Chuck examined his surroundings and realized that he was lying in a rather stiff bed. He was wearing white boxers and undershirt. He spotted his (his?) red overalls hanging off the bedpost. He quickly put them on, and suddenly felt rejuvenated.

"Marrrioo!" He shouted, pumping his fist as he jumped into the air.

"Luigi!" Shouted his best friend, in response. Chuck turned around and saw Morgan climbing in through the window.

"Hey buddy, sweet overalls!" Chuck said. He patted his friend on the back and realized that his hands felt naked.

As Chuck searched his room for his gloves, Morgan looked down at his "overalls".

"You know, Casey told me they hit you with some hardcore stuff. It might be in your system for a couple days…"

"Aha! There they are!" Chuck smiled manically as he tried to slip his fingers into two rolls of toilet paper.

"Dear God," Morgan whispered, "Where is my video camera when I need it?"

Chuck, now dressed and ready for the day, could not figure out what was missing. He was ready to go out… and… there was no mission. He had nothing to do. Luigi was saying something. Chuck snapped out of his own thoughts and listened to his brother.

"So I guess I'll just order us a pizza or something. We have to try and keep this away from Ellie. Sarah said she'd be over later… I guess Casey is keeping her in Castle."

"Princess Sarah is being held by Bowser?"

"Um… sure buddy. I think they had some paperwork to do or something. Beckman was kinda pissed that they'd let you get shot. I mean it was just a dart… but… Chuck? Where are you going?"

"Let's a' go!"

World 1-1, The Courtyard

Chuck recognized the droning in his head as the familiar dull tones of the Mario theme song. He gave a little bounce at the revelation and began to dash across the courtyard. He couldn't leave Princess Sarah waiting.

He jumped over a frog-like Koopa-Troopa, not bothering to send it into its shell. He didn't have time to deal with a fidgety baddie.

He jumped across a bottomless pit and easily defeated a couple Goombas. Three in a row! Pop pop pop!

He carefully leaped on the moving platform, careful not to slip off the edge. He waited patiently for the platform to reach its full height before jumping off and submerging himself into the green pipe.

…

The underground cavern had a large lake in the middle. Chuck immediately dove in, avoiding the dangerous Bloopers. He collected a few coins he found on the bottom of the lake and resurfaced quickly.

The next green pipe brought him to the end of the level. He did a jig and watched a few fireworks explode in the sky.

But there was no time to dilly-dally! He had to find Princess Sarah!

"Chuck, Buddy, wait up! Why are you all wet? Oh! Sweet moons of Endor, you didn't swim in the fountain, did you? Chuck! You shouldn't be driving!"

World 3-4, The Highway

He was finally beginning to struggle a bit. The first two worlds had been a piece of cake. He'd seen entire firework displays, and earned so many 1-Up Mushrooms he wasn't quite sure what to do with them.

Sell them, maybe. Those funny toads a few levels ago looked like they wanted some.

But the mission was finally starting to test him where he's most vulnerable. Patience.

He waited patiently as a surge of Spinies rushed beneath him. He couldn't jump down from the platform until he could merge himself into their train, hoping that they wouldn't pierce his body with one of their spikes.

Once he found his way through their unstopping forces he was met with gigantic Boos around every corner. He had to stop and watch them – patiently.

Admittedly, he wasn't perfect. There were moments where he didn't wait long enough or didn't look long enough and almost found himself losing a life. But the thought of the beautiful Princess Sarah held captive by the growly Bowser kept him strong.

He would be patient for her, if not for his own life.

World 5-9, Big Mike

After evading the Boos, Shy Guys, and Dry Bones haunting the halls of BuyMoria, the home to the second to last Boss, Chuck found himself face to face with Big Mike.

He didn't hesitate. Princess Sarah was waiting, after all. Chuck quickly jumped down the aisle, trying to anticipate Big Mike's next move. As the squat man charged, Chuck easily jumped over him. He waited until Big Mike finished his attack to form an attack of his own.

Chuck easily pounced on Big Mike's head, injuring him. Big Mike spun around the store uncontrollably. This movement caused Big Mikes minions to attack Chuck. They tried to lure him in with friendly faces and worried smiles, but Chuck knew better. They were nothing but a bunch of mindless employees.

Chuck easily sidestepped the minions and focused on Big Mike again. He waited out Big Mike's attack to simply attack him right back. Then repeat.

As the big man fell for the last time Chuck felt his heart race. It may have just been the adrenaline of defeating another computer-generated boss, it may have been the panic associated with the realization that he had been playing this game non-stop since he got it…

Or he was about to see Princess Sarah again.

And he really just can't wait.

World 6-11, The Holding Cell

The green pipe released him with a wooshing noise, and Chuck found himself in Bowser's castle. Bowser's Castle.

Bowser must have released a special gas to hinder our hero. Chuck felt dizzy and tired, as if his powers were fading. His vision was blurring, but his purpose remained clear.

He dashed down the hallway, eager to meet his opponent. In the back of his mind he knew that all that separated him from burning lava was this thin floor, but these trivial dangers of environment were nothing compared to the dangers of losing Princess Sarah forever.

And then there was Bowser, already waiting.

"Ah… uh, Mario… I've been waiting for you."

"Where is she Bowser? Where is Princess Sarah!"

"Princess…?" Bowser growled, "You've got to be kidding me.. uh… Princess Sarah is hidden! You'll never find her, you moron!"

Chuck tried not to let Bowser's cruel words affect him, but the mere suggestion of never seeing the beautiful princess again sent his mind into a frenzy. Who would he be without the princess at his side?

But then, as Bowser let out a low rumbling roar, Chuck saw beyond the master of evil and into the holding cell, where his Princess was waiting.

"Chuck!" He heard her muffled shout through the glass, " I need your help."

"Alright, Bartowski," Bowser roared, drowning out the Princess's pleas, "Let's get this over with."

Bowser came in swinging, his mighty fists directed at Chucks head. Chuck easily ducked. As Bowser charged past Chuck, Chuck pounced onto Bowser's back. Bowser let out a roar and tried to fling the smaller man onto the floor, but Chuck held tight.

Bowser spun Chuck around, he clawed at him with his sharp, angry claws, he crushed him up against the wall, but Chuck held on tight, and despite all of Bowser's efforts, Chuck could see Bowser's life force draining from his eyes.

With one final roar of "Barrrtooowwwskiii" Bowser collapsed and the door to the holding cell slid open.

The black clouds around his vision began to grow darker, and Chuck knew that his adventure was coming to an end. He heard the beginning notes of the final song and saw Princess Sarah embrace him, thanking him for his heroics.

And then the final scene flashed before his eyes. The fireworks exploded, mushrooms covered the skies. Everyone is cheering his name! Chuck! Chuck! Chuck! Those little mushroom people look very happy for him. Very… happy…

Epilogue

"Chuck? Chuck can you hear me?"

"What happened?"

"Well after he 'beat you' he kind of just passed out."

"About time."

"Casey! Come on, help me move him to the infirmary."

Casey and Sarah lifted the unconscious Chuck up underneath his arms. The toilet paper rolls fell off his limp hands.

"Ugh, your 'hero' is pretty damn heavy."

"He's had a rough day, can't you cut him some slack?"

"Listen Walker, I played the angry growling monster thing like the bearded gnome asked. That wasn't in my job description."

"Would you have rather been the damsel in distress?"

"Anything over having to take a beating by a delusional Bartowski… if 'beating' is the right term."

"I thought he had some pretty good moves."

Casey let out a grunt and walked away, choosing not to dignify Sarah's opinion with a response.

Sarah dismissed her partner with a laugh and turned her attention to Chuck. She gently rolled her fingers through his hair and pressed a cool kiss to his forehead. Yes, sure, it had been a rough day, but since when were their days easy? If anything, a hallucinating agent just made things more interesting.

Chuck smiled in his dreams and Sarah sighed because he was kind of adorable. Especially when he thought he was trying to save her.

Especially when he really was.

"Alright, my hero, rest well," she whispered, her lips pressed against his ear, "Tomorrow's going to be a whole new adventure."

Review, let me know what you didn't/did like.