The air was crisp and clean and not a single worry seemed to bother anyone on the airship. Today was relaxation day.
Normally, the Koopa King would be against any notion of relaxation, but the Mario Bros had a way of convincing him, for both personal and external reasons. They themselves needed it, and the crew needed it.
After obtaining three of the seven Crystal Stars in a matter of only four weeks, it seemed best that the crew earn a little rest before going off onto the next objective.
"E. GADD!" Jr. yelled.
"I told you already, the paintbrush was meant to be a tool of creation not evil. The fact a youngster like you managed to steal it still bewilders me." The professor responded.
"I stole that thing fair-and-sqaure! And I haven't been using it for totally evil purposes." Jr. replied.
"Oh yes, you've been also using it as sports equipment." E. Gadd exclaimed.
"Well...uh...you...
...
WAAAAH!" Jr. cried.
"Oh for Pete's sake FINE! Take the brush back." E. Gadd said defeated.
"Thanks gramps!" Jr. responded.
then stormed away from where they were conversing.
"Sucker!" Jr. snickered.
"So you really had to save him twice?" Peach asked.
"Well to-a be honest the second time was just-a very good timing." Luigi answered.
"So 'King Boo' was his name correct?" Peach asked.
"Yeah." Luigi reaffirmed.
"It still doesn't seem right Mario would just be taken like that." Peach stated.
"Well honestly the first-a time wasn't under normal circumstances. I mean sure it's-a strange you receive a letter saying that-a you won a mansion in a contest you didn't even enter in, but Mario's always-a been the adventurous type. It may have even ended up being-a him who had to save me." Luigi admitted.
"I think the difference is that while Mario would've probably easily gone through and defeated the ghosts, you had to face something he still hasn't." Peach said.
"And that-a is?" Luigi asked.
"True fear. Not only did you have to go into a big mansion filled with the things you fear the most, but you also had the risk of losing Mario forever. It's kinda sweet." Peach stated.
"Y'know, I never really thought of it that-a way." Luigi replied.
"Don't always beat yourself up on things. Even though others may not see it or know it. Mario AND you have done a lot for my kingdom." Peach comforted.
"Thanks-a Peach, you always know how to turn a situation of any kind into a good-a one. You're a great friend." Luigi thanked. Peach just nodded and smiled in the friendly manor she was known for.
"So, how's the space lady doing? Can we throw her off the ship now?" Bowser asked the medical Koopa.
"She's still deep in a coma, she won't be waking up for awhile so unfortunately for you, you can't throw her off the ship." The Koopa answered.
"Hmmm..." Bowser thought aloud.
"Forgive me for asking King Bowser, but why exactly do you want to throw her off the ship? You didn't throw off the old man so it's obvious you're not against having some of the Plumber's comrades joining the ship and in this situation we need all the help we can get. So why her specifically?" The Koopa asked.
Bowser rose an angry fist at the medical Koopa who flinched at the sight. Bowser then appeared to have a second thought before sitting down on a large bench nearby.
"You want to know why I despise her so much? Fine I'll tell you."
"She represents the start of my biggest failures against the Mushroom Kingdom. I mean sure, Mario has been the source of my troubles since the beginning and I hate him to the core for it but SHE represents everything I hate about failing. Six years ago I amassed a huge and powerful army against the Mushroom Kingdom. I was absolutely SURE that I would succeed." Bowser explained.
"What happened?" The Koopa inquired.
"That space woman decided to help the plumber by giving him the ability to use some kind of space power. Naturally he used it and destroyed everything I had set up. Coincidentally ever since my defeat that day my biggest plans are thwarted by the plumbers and that woman! IT MAKES ME FILLED WITH RAGE JUST THINKING ABOUT IT! RAAAAHH!" Bowser roared.
"Lord Bowser calm yourself! You'll strain your vocal cords! And I don't think we need a repeat of the time you couldn't breath fire!" The medical Koopa warned.
Bowser calmed down heaving from the intense yelling. Eventually he sat down sweating heavily.
"She just gets me so worked up. Do you have any idea what it is like to develop something for years, think it reached the point of perfection, and then out of nowhere something comes in and ruins it?" Bowser stated.
The medical Koopa was silent.
"Thanks for the chat doc, I think I needed to release some stress." Bowser sat up and left the medical room.
In the lower area of the airship a small lounge area was located there. Here it allowed anyone of high importance to relax or work in a calm environment.
Also located here was a quiet library filled with books about history, poetry, romance, war, and several other luxurious genres. Also located here was the person least expected to ever be found in a library.
"Ba da, da, dadada, da, da! Hmm hmm hmm hmmm hmmm hmmhmm, do do do de da do da da dada..." Mario sand aloud as he was searching for a book detailing shadow myths.
"Shhhhh! Quiet!" A familiar voice responded.
Mario instantly turned to see who had quieted him, only to see the last person he'd ever to expect be reading a book, much less in a library.
"I didn't-a think you read books Princess Daisy." Mario stated.
"What on earth ever gave you that idea?" Daisy replied quietly.
"Well from the short amount of time you-a come visit us you've always given off a very... independent atmosphere." Mario answered.
"Just because I don't usually act like a 'proper lady' doesn't mean I can't enjoy a good book." Daisy said with a hint of teasing hurt.
"So, what-a book are you reading?" Mario asked.
"It's called 'How to take a plumber's job forever in 3 easy steps'." Daisy teased.
"Very funny, now seriously, what are you-a reading?" Mario asked again.
"I'm reading 'Ferrum Amicus'." Daisy responded.
"Sounds-a interesting, what's it about?" Mario asked.
"It's about a creature who is a copy of a real man and how he comes to terms with feeling. I'm nearly at the end where it begins to create a friend. Mostly sappy stuff honestly." Daisy replied.
Mario just stared silently.
"What?" Daisy inquired.
"... I didn't think you'd-a be the kind of person who would read something like-a that. I'd honestly was expecting the name of some kind of adventure fantasy book or a war book. Coming from a tomboy like yourself, saying that-a you like sappy books is kinda... mind-a blowing." Mario explained.
"Do I need to repeat myself to you? Just because I don't act like a princess doesn't mean I'm just a guy trapped in a woman's body. Sure I find things like tennis and kart racing more enjoyable than things like dances and parties, but I also like the simple things such as music and books. A person doesn't have to define themselves by their gender, they can choose what they like and don't like and luckily for us our world doesn't judge people like that." Daisy elaborated.
"...So you seriously arrive to all of my sport tournaments because you find them more enjoyable than royal activities?" Mario obliviously stated.
"Mario... I'm really glad you and your brother don't have to suffer politics." Daisy replied shortly.
The day had almost come to a close with night readily approaching. Today a feast would be held to end off the relaxing day they all had in preparation for the upcoming endeavors. Sitting inside a special room was the group of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and Bowser. Outside contained all the other residents of the last airship at their own respective tables.
"So-a Bowser, what are your cooks-a cooking?" Mario asked.
"You'll see plumber." Bowser quickly replied.
The group waited awkwardly in silence as nobody dared to start an argument after Bowser's apparent snappiness. Eventually a group of Koopa's brought in several platters of steak and...more steak. Cautious of the food, nobody besides Bowser dared to eat the entrees in front of them. Then a green plumber decided to take the risk.
Luigi took the cutting knife on his left and began to divide the steak into edible portions. After only a minute or two of cutting, Luigi took a bite. Everyone besides Bowser gasped.
Luigi swallowed the meat and looked at the group.
"This is-a one of the best steaks I've ever eaten!" Luigi exclaimed before voraciously devouring his food. Noting Luigi's sign of approval the rest of the group began to eat.
"Y'know, it's-a kinda funny what's going on right now." Mario commented.
"And what would be so funny about right now plumber?" Bowser responded.
"Just-a the fact me, Luigi, Peach and Daisy are all eating food on your airship. Willingly I might-a add."
Mario replied.
"Well it certainly beats having to face the things down there." Daisy added.
"ANYTHING, is-a better than having to deal with those-a things." Luigi stated.
"Worse than having to go through a mansion full of ghosts?" Daisy asked.
"Much." Luigi replied.
"Worse than having to go through multiple planets filled with hazardous environments?" Peach asked.
"Definitely." Mario replied.
"Worse than getting hit by a blue shell in your Kart tournaments?" Bowser asked.
"You've got me there-a Bowser." Mario replied.
The group of unlikely companions all continued to spin tales and stories. Some were shocking, sad, hateful, and happy. Sometimes it was all the above. As the night progressed everyone began to feel the effects of a long day and many went to sleep as the clock ticked on. Eventually all was silent aboard the airship.
The area was cold and misty as it had always been. Ominous sounds of nearly forgotten memories and subconscious ideals played in the air.
Luigi found himself sitting down, waiting to see what this dream had in store for him. What horrors awaited him.
...
...
...
...
...Nothing
Something was wrong Luigi thought. At this point he would receive a realistic vision of something horrible happening to either himself or something he cared about. Perhaps maybe something very horrifying was going to appear especially for this night. Perhaps his subconscious wanted to torment him for not having to face any sort of malcontent feelings during the day.
...
...
...
Still nothing.
"Ok dream! You can get the show started! I'm right here!" Luigi called out. He got no response
"Hello! Is my mind working today? I have to wake up eventually!" Luigi called out once again. Like before, he got no response. After waiting for, what felt to him, twenty minutes he decided to walk around to try and find something.
Eventually, Luigi gave up on walking as the scenery of gray and fog had not changed in the slightest.
"WILL SOMETHING HAPPEN ALREADY!" Luigi cried out.
Someone then tapped his shoulder.
"Finally." Luigi mumbled as he turned to face then figure behind him.
Luigi gasped at who he saw. The person was a women dressed in a beautiful cyan blue dress decorated with shimmering stars.
"R-Rosanlina?!" Luigi asked.
