The air had a slight chill to it, but Mario and Luigi ignored it as they led Andrew and Lily down through the site that had been abandoned after Scapelli had been turned into a chimpanzee by Koopa's de-evolution gun. Deeply grateful that their 'combat' suits provided warmth, Mario and Luigi helped Andrew and Lily through the cavern and stood where they had once come to rescue Daisy.

"Everyone hold hands and jump into the rock," Luigi said anxiously, relieved he had hidden the rock under his shirt so it wouldn't be stolen. "We'll land where the meteor is, or at least we should."

Mario, Luigi, Andrew, and Lily all quickly joined hands and jumped across the gap into the portal that led to the Mushroom Kingdom. Within minutes, they were in the tunnel that held the meteorite and also led to the Mushroom Kingdom's former Koopa Station, "This is it?" Andrew asked in a shocked voice.

"This is the tunnel that leads to Koopa Station," Luigi replied anxiously. "This isn't it by any means."

Lily and Andrew looked around in shock as they followed Mario and Luigi down the tunnel towards a metal door, "Just be quiet and stay close," Mario hissed as he wrenched the door open. "Come on."

As the four of them entered Koopa Station and saw a mess of homeless people and garbage everywhere, Andrew turned very pale, "This is where Mattie is?" he asked in a shocked voice.

"This is Koopa Station," Luigi explained in a terse voice. "There's a lot more than just this place."

Lily frowned as she suddenly had a small flashback of the station and screams that sounded very familiar, "Have I been here before?" she asked in a confused voice that reminded Luigi of Daisy.

Mario froze and looked at Luigi, "You have to tell them both," he said in a grave voice. "Now."

"Tell us what?" Andrew asked in a confused voice, confused as to why they were acting so funny.

Suddenly, a figure in a cloak shot out of the darkness and rammed into Mario and Luigi, sending all three of them to the floor, "This is a forbidden zone!" an angry voice shouted. "You must leave here!"

Mario, however, knocked the figure to the floor and Luigi pulled its cloak off, revealing a very pale and shaken Spike, whose suit was ragged and his hair was greying, "Spike?" Luigi asked in shocked voice.

"Prince Luigi!" Spike whispered in an anxious voice, recognizing Luigi. "You have finally returned."

Lily frowned and took a step back from Spike, "My father, a prince?" she asked in a cynical voice. "He..."

"Has been hiding since you were a baby," Mario finished softly, gazing at Luigi, who looked very pale.

Lily's eyes narrowed and Spike's eyes went wide, "Princess Lily," he said anxiously, bowing a bit.

"Um, is this some sort of sick joke?" Andrew asked cynically. "I just came to find my brother..."

Spike nodded as he looked at Andrew, "He's in the desert at the Toad camp," he replied grimly.

"Where is it?" Andrew asked in a confused voice, wondering why Matthew would be here.

Spike cringed, "We have to go through the city, but we won't make it through the city as a group without being noticed," he explained anxiously. "The Koopa Troops are everywhere and they tell anything out of the ordinary to Bowser and his mother. We'd better separate or get disguises."

"Who's Bowser?" Luigi asked in a concerned voice. "Last time we were here, Koopa had died..."

Spike nodded, "Koopa's secret consort had access to magic and she created an uprising of unruly citizens to destroy the Chancellor," he explained anxiously. "Bowser is the son of Koopa and his secret consort."

"I just want to find my brother," Andrew replied anxiously. "Some shrew with magic took him."

Spike groaned, "That would be Bowser's minion, Kammy Koopa," he explained anxiously. "Your brother wasn't who she was looking for, though, so she dumped him in the road and we found him."

"How do we get to this desert?" Andrew asked anxiously. "I know it might be dangerous."

Spike nodded, "We'll all go," he said, knowing that he had to deliver hope to the desert refugees by showing them that royals of the old kingdom were alive and prepared to rebel against Bowser. "We'll just have to do our best not to be seen while we walk through the city. Just don't talk to anyone."

As the four of them moved towards the exit, Kammy emerged from behind the pillar where she had taken to hiding ever since she had gotten rid of Matthew, as she knew that someone would come to eventually rescue him, "The only one who can get through the portal are members of the Royal Family," she hissed, her anger growing at the realization that Luigi and Lily were back. "Bowser must know."

Intense pain shot through Matthew's body as he slowly came back to awareness, "Uncle Toad, I think he's waking up," he suddenly heard a concerned voice say. "Do you think he's friendly or not?"

Matthew groaned softly as he opened his eyes and looked at a ceiling of burlap. Ignoring the pain he felt, he slowly sat up and frowned at the fact he seemed to be in a tent made entirely of burlap.

"Try not to move around too quickly," Matthew suddenly heard a soft voice say. "Just hang on."

Matthew frowned when a woman with endless blonde hair came into view wearing khakis, boots, and a white t-shirt with red polka dots on it that hid a half-star necklace while a mushroom charm sat next to it, "Lily?" he asked in a confused voice, frowning at the girl he had last seen in Brooklyn. "Lily Mario?"

"No, my name is Rose and I live with my Uncle Toad and Aunt Toadette," Rose replied in a confused voice, wondering if the man was seriously injured. "You were attacked by Kammy Koopa in the city."

Matthew frowned, "I was on my way home from work," he replied softly. "This old lady..."

"Kammy's got a talent for disguises," Rose replied shortly. "How are you feeling? Can you walk?"

Matthew shrugged and slowly stood up, wincing as he did, "Well enough," he replied shakily.

"I should introduce you to the leader of the refugees, then," Rose replied in a kind voice. "Come."

Nodding, Matthew shakily followed Rose out of the tent and nearly collapsed as he followed her past the many rows of burlap tents where various people in polka-dot clothes lived and worked around, "I know it's not a very pretty sight," Rose explained softly. "After the uprising, it's all that could be done."

Matthew swallowed hard as they approached a larger tent near the edge of the tent city, "The leader of the refugees is a man named Iggy and my aunt and uncle help him," Rose explained. "Iggy, it's Rose!"

There was silence and then Iggy came out of the tent, "Sir, my name's Matthew Martin," Matthew spoke nervously as Iggy stared at him curiously. "Rose said some crazy broad named Kammy Koopa..."

"You were found injured in the city and brought here so you wouldn't be killed," Iggy explained calmly.

Matthew frowned, "Rose...she reminds me of a friend of my brother's named Lily," he said, still very suspicious of how identical Lily and Rose seemed to be. "Can you tell me a possible reason for that?"

"Lily?" Iggy asked in a confused voice, giving Rose a look. "Rose, go find your aunt and uncle."

Nodding, Rose hurried off and Iggy looked at Matthew, who was feeling dizzy and nauseous, "Rest in my tent for a while, Matthew," Iggy said calmly, taking Matthew's arm. "Rest is the only cure for this."

Matthew silently allowed Iggy to lead him into the tent and help him lie down on a cot, "You look so much like your mother, Matthew," Iggy whispered softly as Matthew fell asleep. "I miss her so much."

"WHAT?!" Bowser shouted in an angry voice, his suit wrinkling briefly as he shot out of his throne over to where Kammy was standing. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT LUIGI AND PRINCESS LILY ARE HERE?!"

Kammy nodded anxiously, "I saw them with Mario and someone identical to that boy I kidnapped at Koopa Station," she explained in a shaking voice. "They were talking about going to the desert."

"HAH!" Bowser roared anxiously. "Those Mushroom scum have been hiding as refugees there. Do they honestly think that they're going to take back the kingdom? They have no weapons or military!"

Kammy flinched, "Lord Bowser, I am sorry to bother you," a large sentry who was dressed in dark green suit with a shell like backpack on his back, said as he came into the throne room. "It's your mother..."

Bowser frowned and the sentry trembled, "She is ill," the sentry spoke anxiously. "I don't know what she is ill with, but your mother keeps talking about how the power of the royal flowers is making her ill."

"The royal flowers?" Bowser asked in a confused voice. "Did you get a medic to see to her?"

Kammy gave Bowser a look, "Majesty, I believe the royal flowers were born not long after you were," she replied in an amused voice. "The flowers of which your mother speaks are the Princesses of the Mushroom Kingdom that disappeared shortly after the siege. Their names were Lily and Rose."

"Were you at their coronation?" Bowser asked suspiciously. "How do you know all of this?"

Kammy smirked, "I was a friend to Daisy's handmaiden, Peach," she replied smugly. "I lied my way into the royal court by saying that Koopa had brainwashed me. Prince Luigi took pity on my situation."

"Lily's one of the royal flowers," Bowser reasoned softly. "Where is this other royal flower?"

Smirking, Kammy opened her hands and a small image of a blonde girl wearing khakis, boots, and a white t-shirt with red polka dots on it that hid a half-star necklace while a mushroom charm appeared, "This is Rose," she explained coldly. "That ignoramus Toad found her at Koopa Station years ago, but since Prince Luigi and Lily went to the other side, there was no danger in letting Rose live quietly."

"And there was no danger in letting Daisy live on the streets, but sooner or later things come to a head!" Bowser snapped, obviously upset with Kammy's ignorance. "Please tell me at least Peach didn't survive."

Kammy shrugged and swearing loudly, Bowser marched back to his throne, "I want you to take some Koopa Troopers to the desert settlement and see what you can find," Bowser spoke sternly. "Go."

Trembling anxiously, Kammy bowed and left the room without a word. Bowser waited a moment and then silently left his throne, not stopping his feet until he reached his mother's chambers. Elisa was laying in bed with her eyes closed and her body trembling as she gripped the nearby blanket.

Swallowing hard, Bowser grabbed the blanket and quickly covered his mother's body so that she wouldn't get too cold in her sickness. Elisa groaned softly, but didn't wake up or even speak.

"I promise you will get through this, Mother," Bowser whispered as he sat on the edge of her bed.

"Password?" a rough voice hidden by a hooded, full-length cloak asked as Lily, Luigi, Mario, Andrew, and Spike approached a tunnel that sat at the edge of the city. "Only those who know it may pass."

Spike stepped forward, "Toadette, it's me, Spike," he replied. "I found the King and Princess Lily."

The hood lowered, revealing a pale-faced woman with pink hair that cascaded down her arms in tight, circle-shaped braids, "Your Highnesses," the woman spoke, bowing to Luigi and Lily before gazing wide-eyed at Mario. "The legendary Mario who helped destroy Koopa; you've returned at long last."

Andrew said nothing as the woman suddenly looked at him and gingerly touched his face, "You look like the queen's handmaiden, young one," she said calmly. "You have the same eyes and determination."

"This is one of Peach's sons, Toadette," Spike replied anxiously. "His brother was kidnapped by Kammy."

Toadette frowned and nodded, "We must get to the camp," she replied, turning around. "Come."

Shuddering anxiously, Matthew groaned and slowly opened his eyes to find that he was alone and that he felt stronger. As he sat up, he suddenly noticed Iggy sitting in a chair in the corner of the tent.

"Are you feeling any better?" Iggy asked quietly, suddenly making Matthew feel as if he knew him.

Matthew's eyes narrowed as he suddenly felt himself reading Iggy's thoughts, "Why can I hear your thoughts in my head?" he asked shakily. "I've never been able to hear anyone's thoughts before."

Iggy eyed Matthew carefully, "Certain members of the kingdom have magic abilities that developed as a result of Koopa's demise," he explained calmly. "You obviously inherited the magic from your parents."

For a moment, Matthew was silent and then his eyes widened, "You're my father," he replied softly.

Iggy sighed heavily and nodded, "Yes," he replied quietly as he rose and approached the bed. "I am."

"Why did you send me and my brother away?" Matthew asked softly. "Did you not want us?"

Iggy sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, "You both were born just days before the Revolution and our chance to be together was lost after that happened," he explained somberly. "Are you hungry at all?"

Nodding, Matthew slowly rose and followed Iggy from the tent, remaining quiet as they walked past many other tents where various people with mushroom patterned clothes were making food, doing laundry, or socializing in small groups, "This is the Toad Refugee camp," Iggy explained as they approached an area where a fire was being stoked. "Toad, it seems my eldest son is awake."

"You know who I am?" Matthew asked, giving Iggy an astonished look. "Why didn't you say anything?"

Iggy sighed, "Because I didn't want to frighten you," he replied softly. "I wanted you to be able to come to that knowledge by yourself. You obviously have the gifts of magic that your mother had."

"Where is my mother?" Matthew asked softly, feeling an ache in his heart. "Is she with you?"

Toad suddenly looked very sad and focused on dishing out rations for Iggy and Matthew, "Your mother managed to smuggle you and your brother to the other side and died from exposure to overwhelming elements," Iggy explained in a pained voice. "She…she escaped with you two during the riots."

Matthew closed his eyes, absorbed in grief over the mother who he would never get to know. He suddenly felt a pair of arms embrace him and he knew that his father was helping him grieve.

The tunnels were cold, but Lily clung to Luigi's hand as they followed Mario and Andrew through the tunnel towards the Koophari Rebel Camp with Toadette leading the way, "…You, Miss Lily Mario, are a Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom by birth and your father, Luigi Mario, is now our King," Toadette explained in a steady voice. "Our Chancellor was killed in the uprising and Luigi was the heir…"

"Is that so?" a dark voice said in an amused tone as a young man, who sported a Koopa military uniform, suddenly stepped out of the shadows sporting a gun in one hand and a wand in the other. "Hello."

Toadette swore and stepped in front of Luigi and Lily, "I am sworn to protect the Royal Family, Lemmy Koopa," she spoke in a stern voice, flashing her staff. "You are merely a weakling of the Koopas."

Lemmy cackled and pointed his wand at Luigi, "Bowser would very much be honored by your company, your Highness," he said in a dark voice as he waved his wand and forcefully slammed Luigi into the hard wall of the tunnel, cackling as Luigi crumpled to the ground in a heap. "Let me prepare you!"

Luigi screamed in agony, the volume being drowned out by a deafening crack as he felt his left leg being broken by Lemmy's wand, "As much fun as this is, I must be going and taking the King with me," Lemmy said in an anxious voice, surprised that Lily didn't say anything in protest. "Coming, dear flower child?"

"She is not," Toadette said firmly, knowing that Lily was afraid for her father. "Leave now, Lemmy."

Lemmy cackled and disappeared with Luigi in tow, "Dad!" Lily cried out. "I…I don't understand…"

"We must get to the refugee camp," Toadette said in an anxious voice. "We need reinforcements!"

Lily scowled, "Why did I just let my father get taken by some creep?" she asked in an angry voice.

"I promise I will explain when we get to the camp," Toadette replied softly. "We must leave."

Lily gazed at the spot where her father had been and then nodded, allowing herself to be led away.

Please read and review!