"Momma?!" Rosalina cried out of fear and confusion.
"Get down!" Mario yelled, as he took my wife and daughter, darting right down the hill. My family and I did the same.
The Bullet Bill flew past us, nearly hitting the hill, sending a shockwave that shook the tree. Did it miss its target? It didn't. The Bullet Bill did hit its target, the Mushroom castle. All I could hear was blazing fire, crumbling stone, and citizens screaming in terror.
I turned around, trying to find the source of this missile, and there it was. Out in the distance, airships, dozens of them. They were all heading towards the castle. I already knew who was behind all this: King Koopa. He was at it once again to conquer the mushroom kingdom. My brother and I have battled this ruthless tyrant before, each time with victory. This tactic he was using now was unusual. He would try to kidnap the princess, but now he was trying to lay waste to the land. But why?
I knew this was no time for questions. I had to make sure that my family and all the toads in the kingdom were safe. "Quick!" Mario said, already thinking of a plan. "We need to get everyone to the castle safe room."
"But aren't the airships trying to destroy the castle?" I asked.
Suddenly, I heard a loud boom. The cannons fired more Bullet Bills towards the castle and the town nearby.
"There's no time! It's the only place to keep everyone safe."
I looked at my daughter and my wife's worried faces. Should I take them to where the enemy is trying to go? Should I try taking them to my house? No, I can't! I would have to run towards the airships, and I can't let Mario handle the fight by himself. I had no other choice. We had to go to the safe room, even if I didn't like it.
"Okay! Let's go!" I said to Mario. I picked up Rosalina and grabbed Roseanne's hand. Mario did the same with his own. Then we ran. My heart raced, filled with fear and worry. I wanted to keep my family safe, but now, I was ducking cover while running towards a castle now in flames.
We finally made it. The safe room was under the castle. We had to go to the front hall, then take the door that lead to the staircase downstairs.
When we arrived, there was someone waiting for us, at a state of panic.
"Toadsworth!"
"Ah! Master Mario, Luigi, Princess! Thank goodness you are alright! Oh, this is disastrous indeed! Oh, Master Mario, what are we going to do!?"
"Stop worrying, Toadsworth." Mario said. "We just need to bring all the citizens to the saferoom. Luigi and I will use the cannons on the roof to blast ourselves onto the airships and destroy them before they can reach us."
"Ah, right then, but how does that take care of the soldiers?"
"Soldiers?"
Toadsworth pointed outside the airships. They were dropping of King Koopa's henchmen with the help of paratroopas. He sent goombas, hammer koopas, fire koopas, and sledgehammer koopas. They charged right toward us, destroying and setting ablaze everything in their sight, including the mushroom town.
Mario quickly sprung into action, "Get Captain Toad! Tell him to get as much toad warriors he can find and attack those soldiers. They are not going to destroy us."
"Alright, then!" Toadsworth replied, now calmed down. "Let's get to it!"
Mario then turned to his frightened family. Even Toadstool was scared. She had survived multiple kidnappings, but not a full assault.
"You three stay safe, okay. I'll be right back." With that, he embraced them, then started running upstairs.
I really envied my brother's ability to act quickly, without much fear. I was never like that, and I wasn't acting fearless now. I turned to my family. They were just as scared as me. I didn't know what would happen. Would this be the last time I see my only wife and child? I couldn't bear to let that happen.
"Promise me," Roseanne said, holding my hand, both of them trembling, "that you would come back."
"I will." I replied. I wasn't sure I was honest with myself, but I knew I had to keep this promise. I kissed her, then looked at Rosalina, bursting in tears.
"I don't want you to go, daddy! Please don't go! I don't want you to go!"
How could I leave her even though she wants me to stay? I knelt down to her, and looked straight in her eye, "Don't worry, everything's going to be okay." I gave one final hug and made my way to the castle top. It was time to fight.
I could see everything on the castle rooftop: the airships, the advancing koopas, the buildings and homes ablaze, and the toad warriors defending their kingdom. On the top were two cannons ready for Mario and me to jump into. Mario and Toadsworth were already there, waiting for me.
"Master Luigi," Toadsworth said, "the cannons are ready for launch… I wish you best of luck."
"Thank you," I replied.
"Here is a fire flower for each of you."
"Thanks," Mario turned to me. "You ready?"
I didn't know what to say. I just gave a slight nod. Then we both jumped into the cannons. They quickly took aim at the airships.
Toadsworth shouted, "Ready?!"
My heart pounded faster. I didn't know if it was because I was getting shot out of a cannon, or because I was about to enter the heart of the storm.
"AIM!"
I could only think of my promise. I will come back. I will come back.
"FIRE!"