Hey guys! I've been checking the traffic graph for this story, so many people are reading it! I'm so happy! But it is too big to ask that you guys review? I appreciate that people are actually liking this story! It makes me so happy that I'm determined to keep pumping out Chapters! Also, thanks to Guest, Pika-Puppetmon and JustinThePokemonMaster for reviewing!
Serena found herself in the now familiar grey room, as Bowser and Kamek appeared to her once more.
"So," Bowser said in a gruff voice, "I hear you got beat by Ludwig."
"So?" Serena asked, mocking Bowser, "Did you see what I did to his nose? Did you notice he failed his mission?"
"I did." Bowser said. "Kamek had to fix his nose. And later he'll be given a chance to turn things around later."
"Oh really?" Serena asked. "Where do you plan on going next?"
"Tch, like we'd tell you." Kamek intervened. "You're not on our side yet. We don't fraternize with the enemy."
"By the way…Have you guys finished with your business at Yoshi's Island?" Serena questioned.
"Those resilient dinos don't know when to give up!" Bowser growled.
"Oh, I thought you guys were the winners, you're not helping me choose my side." Serena sang.
Bowser roared with anger. Kamek calmed him down. "Now Serena," Kamek scolded, "You'll do well to remember not to scold His Quick-to-anger-ness"
Serena rolled her eyes. "Whatever, can I go now?"
"Fine!" Bowser huffed, "You can go, but you have two days to decide!"
After that, Serena's dream went dark, and she fell into a peaceful sleep once more.
Daisy had cleaned Serena up, her face no longer covered in blood. Bandages were around her head, covering the visible scars from Ludwig's attack. Daisy made sure that they were disinfected, just in case. The brave toads that had stayed by her side during the battle had gathered the evacuated members of her castle. The Flower Princess had told her civilians that they were at peace now, so the toads were celebrating the victory with Serena's friends in the main room. Daisy didn't mind missing out. Luigi had insisted that he kept Daisy company in the infirmary, but she made him party.
While Daisy had been watching Serena, the toadette had mumbled something about Bowser, but Daisy didn't quite hear what she had said. She had to wonder why Ludwig turned up and targeted Serena specifically. Was it because she came from another world? How did she know Ludwig?
Toadette finally got her chance to escape the party. She was a genius, not a socialist. Besides, Toadette was getting rather tired of all the questions about Serena. Rumours managed to spread through the toads like wildfire about her injuries and some of the things they had been whispering had frustratingly intrigued Toadette. Some of the toads had come to a conclusion that Serena might have already known Ludwig and she was passing information to him about their group. One toad managed to watch the entire scene from a window, and could see Serena talking quietly to the koopa. Part of Toadette wanted to track down this toad and find out everything he saw, and the other part wanted to get to the bottom of these rumours and create her own assumption. In the end, she decided to confront Serena directly about it and put a stop to these rumours. Toadette managed to find her way to the infirmary where Daisy was keeping an eye on the still resting Serena. As she walked in the door, Daisy looked up at Toadette with a smile.
"Shouldn't you be partying?" Daisy asked.
"I'm not one for parties," Toadette explained.
"Didn't think you were, that's unfortunate."
"Why don't you go with the others? I'll stay here. You are the Princess after all."
"Thank you Toadette, I guess I shall leave you to it." Daisy thanked Toadette and left the room. She couldn't contain her excitement and Toadette heard Daisy cheer. Toadette rolled her eyes with a smile.
After a while, Serena groaned and opened her eyes. Her head felt like it was in a large amount of pain. Serena moaned in agony and put her hands to her head.
"Finally, we were starting to think you wouldn't wake up." Toadette said.
Serena slowly sat up, resting her back on the pillow behind her. She finally noticed Toadette, sitting on a chair, arms crossed as if she had been waiting a long time. Serena grinned at seeing the pink toadette. "So, we meet like this again, huh?" Serena said.
"So it seems." Toadette replied with a small smile.
Serena chuckled before holding her head in her hands, moaning in pain. "Urgh, my head hurts."
"That's bound to happen. 1-Ups don't cure everything to its entirety. They can't cure sickness or disease, only injuries—to an extent." Toadette said, matter-of-factly.
"Is there any medicine I can take for this pain?" Serena groaned.
Toadette pointed to a glass of water with a tablet beside it. Serena sighed and picked both up, putting the tablet in her mouth and downing it with water. Serena gagged at the taste before looking up to Toadette. "I guess I should be thanking someone?" Serena asked, trying to remember what transpired earlier.
"After Ludwig struck you, you were rendered unconscious and you fell from the clown car. Mario made an attempt to catch you, but he only softened your fall, injuring his arm in the process. Toad gave you the 1-Up and Daisy took you back here, treated your injuries and cleaned you up. Everyone was worried. Especially Toad." Toadette said, her voice wavering when she spoke of Toad. Was her little brother becoming close with this mysterious toadette? She didn't want to dwell on that.
Serena sighed. "I guess I should thank everybody, probably apologise."
"Apologise?" Toadette was taken aback.
"I'll explain when everybody else comes."
Toadette nodded and left to get the others without a word.
Serena put a hand to her head and felt the bandages. Serena realised she wasn't wearing her hat and found it at the end of the bed. She crawled over to it and Serena put the hat back on, covering the bandages. Serena sighed and went back to her original position on the bed as the infirmary door opened and all her friends (including Daisy) walked in, each taking a seat around the bed.
"Hey guys!" Serena said excitedly, "Look who's finally awakened!"
Toad, Daisy and Luigi cheered while Mario and Toadette simply smiled.
"Are you alright?" Daisy asked.
Serena nodded. "Thanks to you I am. Thanks for bringing me here and treating my injuries, the medicine is helping."
"No problem. Anything for the one who returned my crown to me." Daisy smiled.
Serena returned the smile, before noticing the grim looks on the other's faces. "Everything okay guys?" Serena asked, beginning to worry.
"We're glad you're okay…" Mario started
"But what you did was reckless!" Toad finished. Luigi nodded in agreement. Toadette had no reaction, remaining straight-faced.
Serena hummed in agreement. "I know guys, and I'm sorry for worrying you—"
"Worried?!" Toad couldn't stand it anymore. "You jumped from a balcony, tried to have a fist fight with a koopa and you were rendered unconscious!" Toad was trembling, it looked like he was beginning to cry.
"Toad…" Serena was at a loss for words. "I'm sorry…"
"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it!" Shouted Toad, tears streaming down his face. "You almost died from blood loss! If I hadn't gotten to you in time, you'd be dead!"
Serena was shocked. Was she really that close to dying, just like that?
"It scared me." Toad said, beginning to calm down, noticing Serena's surprised look. "You had blood, all over your face. I almost puked at the sight!" Luigi was trembling at the mental image.
Toadette, Mario, Daisy and Luigi were all surprised at Toad's outburst. What he said made perfect sense. Serena had gone too far. But they each had a feeling that there was more to Toad's outburst than that.
Serena sighed, looking at Toad. "Thank you Toad, for worrying. I know I was too reckless, I should think before I act and keep my feelings in check. Can you forgive me?"
Toad hesitated before nodding. "Just…just don't do that again."
"I won't. I promise." This made Toad sigh in relief.
"Now that's out of the way…" Mario said.
"Where next?" Serena asked, already thinking of Yoshi's Island.
"Yoshi's Island" Luigi said. "We were going to head there as soon as you're able to walk." Serena nodded.
"Wait." Toadette said, everybody turned to her. "I wanna know something first. It's been bothering me for a while."
Serena had a feeling she knew what the genius wanted to talk about. "Is it my conversation with Ludwig?"
Everybody nodded.
"He just wanted to see me. Bowser had told him that a hero had emerged from another world, and he eagerly wanted to see what I was like."
"Really now?" Toadette asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.
"That's all Toadette. I swear" Serena said.
"Then just how did you know about Ludwig?" Toadette badgered Serena, "He isn't from your world! And how did you know Peach and I when you first met us?"
Luigi, Toad and Mario gasped at this revelation. Serena knew who they were? Just who is she?
Serena strained, holding her head in pain. She did not like where this conversation was going at all. "I can't tell you. It's way too complicated to explain" she moaned, obviously in pain.
"Nothing is too complicated for me!" Toadette retorted.
"Toadette!" Daisy scolded, "You're making Serena stress, leave her be, I'm sure she has her reasons!"
"Come on, Sis! Leave her be!" Toad said, taking Daisy's side.
"Now that you think about it…that quiet conversation Serena and Ludwig had was very suspicious." Mario thought aloud. Luigi was looking between everybody, trying to pick a side.
Now Serena was scared, what would happen if they found out that Bowser wants her to betray them?
"Calm down." Daisy scolded. Everyone stopped to look at her. "I will not have you all arguing and fighting like this when there are worlds to save. You five need to trust each other and work together. Serena will give her reasons when she's ready. Understand?"
One by one, everyone calmed down and nodded. Serena was relieved that she didn't have to explain the concept of video games. That would have….screwed her friends mentally. She shuddered at the idea.
Toadette reluctantly stopped. "Fine. You'll tell us when you're ready. I'll trust that you make the right decisions." She said with her arms crossed.
Serena inwardly sighed with relief. "I-I will. Thanks."
"Alright." Daisy said. "Now that's outta the way, I want you all to go right now."
"Now?" Mario asked, bewildered.
"Now." Daisy said sternly. "Yoshi's island was in more danger than we were."
"I guess we should go then." Luigi said. The others nodded and got up, leaving the room one by one. As Serena tried to leave, she was stopped by Daisy.
"Hold on." Daisy said, taking off Serena's hat.
"H-Hey!" Serena protested.
"I'll give it back." Daisy huffed, looping a chord through a small part of the hat. She then tied the chord around Serena's waist like a belt. "There!" She said with satisfaction.
Serena looked and noticed that she no longer had to wear her hat! "Thanks Daisy, I like it better off." She said in awe.
Daisy smiled, "Think of it as one last gift from me. Now go, the others are waiting." Daisy picked up Serena and walked out of the infirmary, taking Serena down the corridor and up the stairs, back into the main room before putting Serena down. Serena walked up to her waiting friends. Mario handed Serena back her bag.
Daisy smiled at the group. "Make sure you five stop Bowser, remember; you're friends first, then teammates second. Got it?" Everybody nodded. "Alright, goodbye now!"
The five said their goodbyes to Daisy, then they headed through the sandy desert and back up the hill and back to the pipe leading to Toad Town. They all jumped in, one by one. When they all exited the pipe, the group walked back into the lively town filled with toads. "I'm never going to get used to all these toads…" Serena mumbled.
Toad got a mischievous glint in his eyes and moved closer to Serena. "But you got used to us!" Toad whispered creepily.
Serena jolted and moved away from Toad in surprise, who began laughing. "That's great! Your reaction was priceless!"
Mario and Luigi smiled at Toad's playfulness. Seeing him happy like that during these dire times made the Bros. happy too. They both hoped that Bowser's plan this time didn't interfere with that happiness.
"Come on," Toadette said. "We have restocking to do!"
The others nodded and they returned to the supply store to get more mushrooms.
"I'm hungry!" Serena complained. They had been walking for ages and Serena hadn't eaten since yesterday!
"Alright" Mario said softly, sounding a bit tired himself. "We'll stop here for a few minutes. We're making good progress anyways."
"Yes!" Serena cheered, immediately plopping down on the grass and taking some biscuits and dried fruit out of her bag. The others sat down around her and followed her example. It wasn't the best food in the world, but Serena could deal with it.
When the group was done, they talked quietly amongst themselves, each member silently worrying about their dino friends. Once they were fully rested, the heroes continued on their journey, trying to find the warp pipe that will take them to their destination.
Once night had fallen, Mario had ordered everybody to stop for the night. "I know it's not very comfortable." Mario said, "But travelling by day is much easier."
The others nodded. As Luigi set up a campfire, he thought of the times he and his brother had to camp out during their mix-up with the Paper World. Paper Mario had stayed far away from the fire, in fear of being burnt. He'd sleep right next to Mario and it was during these times, Luigi wished a paper version of himself was travelling with them. He wondered if his paper counterpart went on adventures with Mario's counterpart, and if so, was he thinking of an otherworldly Luigi? Luigi sighed. There was definitely a reason as to why he and his paper self weren't united. Was there an event that Luigi shouldn't know about? The green-clad hero was jerked out of his musings as he burnt his finger and the sticks collected had caught fire. Luigi scrambled away from the fire as it blazed to life.
Mario chuckled. "Shouldn't space out while you're lighting a fire, Weegui." He said to his brother with a smile. Luigi bashfully rubbed the back of his neck with a small smile.
"So," Everybody turned to Serena, "When are we getting to Yoshi's Island?"
Mario rubbed his chin in thought. He didn't have the sling on anymore, he insisted that his arm was fine and wouldn't take no for an answer. Toadette pulled a map out of her bag and opened it near the fire to use it for light. "We're not too far from the warp pipe that'll lead us there. Another day's walk should do it." Toadette said.
"We're making good progress." Toad commented.
Mario gave them a grim smile. "The longer it takes us to get there, the worse it'll be. If Ludwig turned up the first time, what's to stop Bowser's new minion from appearing next? We'll be in trouble if Ludwig comes back with his dark star points."
Serena shuddered. She remembered that boss battle with Ludwig and Larry, she despised fighting those two with their version of battle cards.
"If that's the case, what's to stop Roy and Morton from working together?!" Luigi trembled in fear. Mario comforted his brother.
"It'll be okay. We'll get through this." Mario said. "We'll pull through, just like we always do."
"Hold on." Toad said, "We're forgetting something."
Everybody looked at Toad with quizzical looks. "Forgetting…what?" Toadette asked her brother.
"Why did Ludwig try and take Daisy's crown?" Toad asked. Everybody looked up in thought before Serena jumped up with a shout. Everybody turned to her with a start.
"I-I know! Ludwig said something to me before he knocked me out!" Serena said, aghast.
"What?" Mario, Luigi, Toad and Toadette asked, eager to hear the answer.
"It's…hazy…" Serena said, trying to remember the details. The other four sighed. "But! I remember what he wanted!"
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Toadette huffed.
"Alright! Just gimme a sec!" Serena said. "I'm pretty sure Ludwig wanted Daisy's crown…because it would help Bowser rule the universe…? I think Bowser needed particular items…"
"What items or objects are we talking about?" Luigi asked. "If Daisy's crown is one, what about Peach's crown?"
Serena face palmed. The others gave her quizzical looks. "What's your issue?" Toadette asked.
"If Bowser wants items that potentially control different lands, then the items he could be after are a bit obvious…" Serena stated. Mario groaned.
"The Beanstar, Peach's and Daisy's crowns…the Chaos Heart…" Mario sighed. "These are some of the things Bowser would definitely be after then."
"Then why attack Yoshi's Island?" Toad asked, "Last I remember, there weren't any items there of significance…" There were collective sighs amongst the group.
"Well." Mario said. "All this worrying and theorising isn't going to get us anywhere. Get some rest, I'll take first watch."
"We need to take turns watching?" Serena questioned.
Mario nodded. "In case Bowser's forces turn up, or something attacks us. We'll take turns. Luigi is next." Everybody nodded and got as comfortable as they could on the ground.
Serena sighed, she wished she could be in a bed again! This ground was so uncomfortable! If what she thought was true, then she and her friends would have to travel through the many lands of this universe. 'If that's the case, then do I get to meet Rosalina?' Serena thought excitedly. Her mind was whirling with all the possibilities, all the characters she could meet! It didn't take long for Serena to fall asleep, the ground may have been uncomfortable, but it was better than lying on a rock.
After a while, Mario swapped with Luigi, who swapped with Toadette after a while, then Toad took the last watch. But the two things nobody noticed was Serena shifting around in her dreams, with another nightmare, and a mysterious person, watching the heroes from afar.
"Hmph! They don't look like much to me." The mysterious figure said, and they walked off towards Yoshi's Island.
Mario, Luigi, Toad, Toadette and Serena were well on their way to Yoshi's Island. It was safe to say that they would reach the warp pipe before sun down. Serena had taken more medicine that morning to get rid of a pounding headache. But not only that, Bowser seems to like invading her dreams to persuade Serena into joining him. But this time, their conversation was very confusing.
"So, what now?" Serena asked.
"Join us!" Bowser demanded.
"Hmm…Nah."
Bowser roared in anger. Kamek calmed him down.
"Say, Kamek, how do you read my mind?" Serena asked.
"I hath telekinesis!" Kamek exclaimed quietly.
"What?!" Serena asked, astounded
"N-Nothing!" Kamek said. "I just can."
Serena gave the magikoopa a strange look.
"You'll join us eventually." Bowser said, "There is someone here that you know. Perhaps they'll sway your resolve!" the Koopa King laughed.
Now Serena was curious. "Who?" She asked.
"You'll know in good time." Bowser said. And the dream vanished as someone walked into the room, shouting "King Dad!" with gusto.
Serena sighed, there was no way she could work this out on her own. Just who was this person that was added to the ranks of Bowser's forces? She didn't want to know, and Serena had a feeling she didn't want to find out.
References:
"I hath telekinesis!" Kamek's awkard line here is a reference to the infamous fanfiction 'My Immortal', I'm you've all heard of it-or at least most of you. If you haven't, be glad you know nothing about it... *shudders*
And there we have it! Exams are coming up in a month, so I'll try to get in a few more chapters before then!
Questions: Do you guys like the way I described the use of the mushrooms? What about the portrayal of characters, who liked Ludwig? I wanted him in first to have a rivalry/arch enemy for Serena, and why not mix the order up? If you guys want to see certain koopalings together as a duo or trio, feel free to let me know!