Darkness soon fell upon the land, and the trio laid silently under the stars. Not even ten minutes had passed by the time Peach heard snoring. She chuckled, and continued to stare at the shining sky. A shooting star passed, and she silently made a wish.
"I wish that we will be able to defeat Bowser and bring peace back to the Mushroom Kingdom." She said to herself.
After her silent plead, sleep overtook her. Her dreams were filled with happiness, and the triumph of defeating Bowser. No sooner than that, she awoke to the rising sun. She turned to her side, only to find Wario and Waluigi sleeping soundly. She stood up and stood right in the middle of them.
"Come on you lazy bums! Get up!" She half-yelled, gaining no response. She quickly turned to Wario and softly kicked him in the belly. This time, he stirred. Peach tried kicking him again, and he sat up quicker than she had thought possible.
"What's the meaning of all this?" Wario asked gruffly, staring at her pink and white tennis shoes.
"I've just been trying to get you up." Peach responded softly.
"Well there's no need for violence little lady." A voice from behind her said.
"Oh Waluigi, just shut up!" Wario said to his brother. "Its not like that actually hurt!"
"Hey, cool it!" Waluigi retorted. "Let's just get going."
"Um, I agree." Peach whispered.
Wario grumbled, and then attempted to stand up. His large middle would not allow it. "Uh could I get a little help please?" He asked.
Waluigi jumped up before Peach could even extend her hand forward, and in no time Wario was on his feet.
Peach brushed her hands on her pants. "Alright then." She said quietly.
Wario chuckled then the trio gathered up all of their belongings and began walking down the road. Not too much farther down the road, large shrubs began to line up against the end of the road on either side. The trio thought nothing of it, until they began to rustle. This was odd, because there happened to be no wind or breeze whatsoever. Peach fearfully picked a stick up, and held it at the ready. Wario clenched his hands into fists along with Waluigi. Suddenly, a black cloaked figure jumped onto the road.
Peach yelped as Wario and Waluigi threw their fists at the unknown figure. It threw back it's hood, revealing the face of a young woman.
"Rosalina?" Peach inquired, tossing the stick to the side of the road. The woman nodded, and turned toward the other two just before their punches hit her. With a flick of her wrist, Wario and Waluigi were thrown backwards. Wario grunted and attempted to get up, however he soon asked for help once again.
They both came and stood next to Peach, and Rosalina nimbly glided over in front of her. "I hear that Mario has been harshly wounded, and that Luigi and Daisy have been taken captive and that Bowser is yet again terrorizing the Mushroom Kingdom." She said in a calm, high-pitched voice.
Peach nodded, along with Wario and Waluigi. "How'd you hear that?" Peach asked.
"Oh things like that just get around." She said, waving her hand in no particular direction.
"Oh." Peach said.
"Why hello!" Waluigi interrupted, stepping nimbly in front of Peach.
"Rosalina." She said, putting her hand out to introduce herself.
"Waluigi." He said, shaking her hand, "Pleased to meet you."
"And, you are?" Rosalina said, looking over at Wario.
"Wario." He said very plainly, not bothering to move forward to shake her hand.
"Right." She said, letting her hand fall to her side.
Peach cleared her throat, and suddenly gained the attention of the other three people around her. "I think..." She started.
"That we should get moving." Wario said for her.
Waluigi agreed, and Peach turned to Rosalina. "Are you going to come along with us?" She asked.
"I believe so," Rosalina said, "If that would be alright. I figured that you could use my help."
"Of course!" Peach said glumly, "That would be wonderful! We're always glad to welcome another friendly face, when walking proudly to our doom."
Waluigi shot Peach an angry look, while Rosalina continued to smile, and Wario said not a word.
"Sorry," Peach said, tilting her head downwards, "I was just, uh, thinking aloud I guess."
"Let's just get moving," Wario said angrily, "And for real this time."
"Yeah lets!" Peach said in her usual, peppy voice.
And so, the trio -with a new addition- began to follow the road yet again.
Meanwhile, back at the castle, things weren't going as planned. However, Mario was up and about the castle most of the day, but the Mushroom People refused to let him leave the safety of the castle.
"I'm sorry sir." a small Mushroom Person said, "But it is for your own safety."
"My safety." Mario grumbled, standing up. He then began to stomp up the stairs. He wandered around, eventually finding Peach's study. The first thing he noticed when he opened the door, was the large, round table sitting in the middle of the study. Large, leather-bound books were stacked in piles all over it. In front of an overstuffed armchair, lay the only open book on the table. There was a quill laying on it, with an inkwell and a quill stand to the side.
Mario chuckled. "She always did like old fashioned things." He whispered to himself, placing the quill into its stand. He was just about to leave when he noticed his name written on one of the pages. He ran his gloved hand over the black lettering.
Dear
Journal,
Today
was the first time I have seen Mario in a very long time. Oh how I
missed him! However, when he arrived, he was scorched terribly. I
knew Bowser had something to do with it. Poor Mario, oh I wish that
he would awake, just so that I can let him know. . .
"Know what?" Mario yelled, shuffling through the pages. Finding nothing revealing the secret Peach had planned to tell him, he banged his fists against the table. He rushed out of the study, and down to the foyer.\
"Master Mario! Where have you been?" An elderly Mushroom Person asked, receiving only a grumble from Mario.
Mario ran through the doors to Toad's room. "Oh, Master Mario! Can I be of service?" He asked
"Yes." Mario said angrily, "Let me leave."
"Well, that's one thing I just cannot do." Toad said coolly.
"Then I guess you can't be of service." Mario growled, turning on his heels and leaving the room almost as quickly as he had came in.
"Master Mario! Wait! You mustn't leave!" Toad yelled after him, leaving the room also.
"Where's he off to?" Toad's assistant inquired.
"He's leaving!" Toad exclaimed.
Mario stomped back into the foyer, and towards the front doors.
"Master Mario! You don't want to do this! Come back!" Toad cried. Mario ignored Toad's plead, and threw the front doors open. Toad ran after him, only to find that he had began to run across the main bridge. "MASTER MARIO! DON'T GO AFTER HER! SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE STATE YOU'LL BE IN WHEN YOU REACH HER!" He yelled
Peach walked behind the group, her mind racing. Was Mario okay? Would Daisy and Luigi be able to survive while the group raced to their rescue? If Mario got well, would he come after them? She hoped that he wouldn't, and hoped that he would stay so he could regain all of his strength.
"Peach, come along now!" Rosalina said from in front of her.
Peach shook her head and jogged up to the group. Wario pulled her just behind them. "What's up?" He asked, gripping her arm.
"I-its nothing." Peach stuttered.
Wario gave her the "I'm not stupid" look. "Seriously Peach, come on."
"I'm worried about Mario!" She whispered sadly, "I just hope he's okay, and I left without saying something... important." Her eyes welled up with tears.
"Oh dangit don't cry!" Wario whispered. "I'm sure Mario's okay, and that he'll be fine when we get back."
"Ifwe get back!" Waluigi snorted. Peach's tears spilled out, and she turned to hug Wario.
"Great job Mr. Smarty Pants!" Wario grumbled. Waluigi just rolled his eyes.
"Come on Peach! It's just Mario!" Waluigi scoffed.
"You don't understand!" She yelled at him, "I'm in love with him!"
Wario's eyes enlarged, Waluigi's jaw dropped, and from behind, the bushes rustled.
