Last Time On When You Wish Upon A Star

"In order to take the Star Rod back from Bowser...and save Princess Peach...we need your help...Please, Mario...You are our last hope...and we will..." Eldstar began to say before he and his fellow spirits finally faded away completely..

"Mario...it looks like things are a lot more serious than I thought.." Goombario mused, wiping a stray tear.

The Star Spirits story had moved the usually tough confident Goomba kid to tears.

"Do you think the princess is going to be all right? I'm really worried about her." Goombario mused.

"I'm-a worried too, but Bowser will-a keep her safe while we journey." Mario reassured.

Bow was in tears at the Star Spirits story. She knew things were quite dire but she had no idea things were this bad..

With a heavy heart, she went to pack. She had a very difficult journey to undertake...

End Flashback

Meanwhile high in the sky, Princess Peach strolled her room within her own castle forlorn. Just days ago, she was safe in the Mushroom Kingdom with all her loving subjects. Now, she was trapped in her castle sitting atop Bowser's twisted and evil gargoyle-themed black one..

Princess Peach, who was usually so cheerful and upbeat, was staring out the window of the tower longingly for her hero, the man she loved, Mario to save the day.

"Mario, somebody, please...I wish someone could rescue me from this evil place." The fair maiden pleaded, clasping her white gloved hands together now.

Moments later, a small tapping came from the balcony window once she'd headed back inside..

Peach then opened up the window with curiousity and interest in her eyes. Anybody that was trying that to talk to her in a place this couldn't be bad.

A small yellow Star cheerfully flew in. "Hello, Princess Peach! Pleased to meet you!" He greeted happily.

"A Star Kid!" Peach exclaimed in hushed surprise, as to not alert Bowser or any of his Koopas patrolling the castle. This was a fortunate moment for her in her time of need.

"My name is Twink! I came from Star Haven to grant your wish!" He replied cheerily.

Peach's face lit up in a smile. She already knew what to wish for! "Wonderful! I have a wish for you too!" She exclaimed happily.

"What is it fair Princess?" He asked innocently.

"I wish that you'd take the Star Rod from Bowser and bring it to me." Peach wished, certain that Twink would grant it

Twink's normally cheerful expression faded to a sad frown. "Um...sorry...that's a little much for a novice Star like me...Maybe one of the honorable Star Spirits from Star Haven could grant a wish like that. I'm so sorry. Please, ask for something easy, something a small Star can do." He replied sadly, feeling awful he had to turn her down, but he simply wasn't strong enough yet.

The sweet Princess was reasonably disappointed that her wish couldn't have been granted but she understood it perfectly. She wasn't about to let this moment go to waste. "Oh...I have another wish then." she said, cheering up a bit from the thought alone.

Twink perked up a little. "Yes, sweet Princess?" He asked kindly.

"Can you get me out of the castle? Everyone's in prison, so I must rescue them as soon as possible." Peach wished with a little smile. She was sure that Twink could grant this one.

"Oh I'm sorry, I can't grant that wish either, I'm afraid. Actually, I just got called up to the sky yesterday, so I can't do big wishes yet...If I were a more splendid Star, maybe I could actually help..." Twink answered sadly.

Peach was now saddened and frustrated. She couldn't get the Star Rod, she couldn't escape this castle, there had to be one wish that Twink could grant. And then it came to her, Mario. He was probably worried sick about her right now so he deserved to know that she was safe and unharmed. "I got it!"

"Yes Princess?" Twink asked, smiling once again.

"I wish that you will find Mario to give him this." Peach said as she removed her star-shaped pendant from around her neck. "That way he'll know that I'm okay." She gently added.

Twink winked and smiled as he saw it. "This is a Lucky Star isnt it?"

"That's right." Peach smiled. "That way he'll know I'm alright and that I'm trying to help him." She said with some cheer in her voice. Her Lucky Star wasn't just some piece of jewlery, it could help Mario in his quest.

"Okay Princess Peach! I'll fly to the Mushroom Kingdom just as quick as I can!" Twink replied happily as he moved toward the balcony, ready to go.

"Wait!" Peach said quickly, she had one more thing to tell Twink.

"Yes?" He smiled.

"Also tell Mario I'm fine. He doesn't have to worry about me." Peach smiled back. She was certain that Mario was worried about her in this giant castle.

"Of course Princess! I'll tell him your exact words! Now don't despair, my sweet Princess, I'll be back soon, so stay safe until I return okay?" He asked sweetly.

"I will, thank you Twink," Peach smiled and nodded at the Star Kid.

Twink gave her an innocent peck on the cheek before he flew out the window.

Peach smiled as Twink flew off. He was a sweet Star Kid that helped her out and she was grateful that she was there to help him. Mario was going to know that she was alright and she was safe, sound, and waiting for him.

Meanwhile as Mario and Goombario were departing Shooting Star Summit..

Mario led his team down the road to Toad Town when he felt something hit him the back of his head, "Ow! what was that?"

"Oh sorry, sorry, so sorry! I'm in a huge hurry!" A cute Star Kid apologized profusely.

"It's okay," Mario said once he turned around to see a small Star Spirit, "A Star Kid, where are you going?"

"Wait...OH MY GOSH! YOU'RE MARIO AREN'T YOU?!" He squealed excitedly.

"That's right it's-a me, Mario!" Mario said cheerfully.

"Thank the Stars I found you!" Twink exclaimed gleefully.

"You were looking for me?" Mario asked in curiousity.

"Yes, you see Princess Peach asked me to bring something to you. My name's Twink by the way."

"Peach has something for me?" Mario asked. "How is she? Is she alright?" He asked in rapid succession.

"Easy man, let the little guy grab his gift." Goombario chuckled.

"Oh alright, sorry about that." Mario chuckled. "You have a gift for me?" He asked cheerily.

Twink nodded, holding out a star-shaped pendant. "Here it is! Take it Mario!" He giggled.

"Peach's Lucky Star!" Mario cheered, taking the pendant and placing it around his neck. "Thank you, Twink." He said politely.

"Now that you have it, you can use what's known as the action command. Would you like me to explain it?"

"No but thank you for..." Mario was cut off mid-sentence by the sight of a Koopa in a blue hooded cloak, riding a flying broomstick and landing right in front of them

Twink was understandably frightened. "It cant be! Were you following me?!" He yelped, horrified.

The Magikoopa gave an evil chuckle. "Foolish Star Kid. I knew that if I followed you I'd find Mario. If I defeat Mario now I'll be famous!" The airborne Koopa grinned. "I'll tell Kammy Koopa! She'll shower me with praise! She'll give me a raise! Here I come!" He taunted in expertly formed rhymes.

Mario glared, assuming a fighting stance.

"Mario, this is a Magikoopa. They attack with magic rods. Their magic attacks are strong but they have no defensive skills," Goombario explained.

"Thanks for the tip partner." Mario smiled.

Mario then quickly went to jump on it..

The Magikoopa flew out of the way of the diving stomp just in time.

Mario hit the ground with a groan of pain.

The Magikoopa laughed evilly before launching a magical blast at Goombario

Goombario quickly ducked underneath it.

"You have to use the action command, Mario! It allows you to do more damage or attack repeatedly on offense or decrease it when being attacked!" Twink said as the Magikoopa had a look of frustration on his face from the missed attack.

"So when I jump or use my hammer, it does more damage?" Mario asked.

"That's right and you can use a guard or a Super Guard you'll take no damage and sometimes give counter damage," Twink explained.

"Momma Mia, that's amazing!" Mario exclaimed.

"Here he comes, do it now!" Twink yelled as the Magikoopa was readying another attack at Goombario.

Goombario saw it coming and put his hands up to block the damage just in time.

"Drat!" the Magikoopa grumbled before turning to look at Mario.

Mario smirked a little.

"Your turn!" Magikoopa taunted with a twisted smile at the powerful plumber.

"Here we gooooo!" Mario exclaimed, charging in for a jump, this time using the effect of his Power Jump badge to inflict 4 damage to the Magikoopa, half his strength.

Magikoopa was knocked off it's broom which went sliding behind him.

"Nice goin' dude!" Goombario complimented.

Magikoopa was stunned, dazed, and weakened from Mario's last attack. Goombario could keep it up, "Thank you, your turn Goombario."

"I'm on it dude!" He exclaimed, Headbonking him twice for 2 damage.

This resulted in the Magikoopa rolling on the ground over to his broom. He soon motioned it over to him so he could ride it and get back into the air, "Take...this!" He grunted through effort, firing a magical blast at Mario.

Mario went to block, but Goombario not wanting to see his friend and idol get hurt, took the blast himself instead.

"Goombario!" Mario exclaimed as he saw the small Goomba take the blast for him. Both he and Twink were shocked at the display of bravery that Goombario showed by taking the blast for his idol and friend.

Goombario grinned back at him. "It's cool man, I've met Koopas tougher than this joker!" He laughed.

"He's almost finished." Mario grinned back, looking at the weakened Magikoopa. "I'll finish this." He said confidently.

"Go for it man!" He cheered.

Mario jumped on the weakened Magikoopa for two damage wich flattened it, knocking the broom away and defeating it.

Mario gave a thumbs-up as the Magikoopa faded into dust, defeated. "Well done, Mario! You're as strong as they say." Twink praised.

"Thank you for your help Twink, and for Peach's Lucky Star." Mario smiled, returning the praise.

"I'm going to return to Princess Peach's side. I'm not strong enough to really help her, but at least I can tell her you're okay. She says to tell you 'I'm all right, so don't worry about me...', those were her exact words. I get the feeling though that she's very lonely. Anyway, I'll do my best to help the both of you! Bye for now!" He said, cheerily flying off.

"There he goes...back to Bowser's Castle. What a brave little guy..." Goombario mused, touched.

"To travel all this way, to help Peach like that. He's very brave for a Star Kid," Mario nodded in agreement. Not many Star children would've gone that far just to help him, quest or not.

"All right man, let's head back to Toad Town, our journey's just gettin' goin!" Goombario replied excitedly.

"Lets-a Go!" Mario cheered, leading himself and Goombario back to Toad Town.

Their adventure had only just begun...

To be continued...