Toadette returned to Luigi's Chamber with a glass, corked vial of blue potion firmly grasped between her hands. As she walked into the dimly lit room her eye was drawn to the bed where Luigi was laying, his pallor deathly pale. Peach was still holding his hand in a comforting manner as she watched the injured hero breath rapidly and painfully in his much needed slumber.

"Your Highness," Toadette handed the requested item to the Princess. "I found this in the infirmary. It'll reduce his fever and help him sleep."

"Thank you Toadette! This is perfect!" She took the vial and uncorked it, a fine mist exited the bottle and dissipated in the air. "I'll give this to Luigi. I need you to check in with Toadsworth."

"Yes, right away!" Toadette gracefully walked out of the room and shut the door behind her.

Peach ran her hand through Luigi's sweat drenched brown locks of hair. "Luigi? Can you hear me?"

Luigi's fever strained eyes slowly opened. The red flush of the fever made his light blue eyes stand out brightly. "P... Princess?"

Peach nodded with a slight smile. "That's right. Can you sit up? I need you to drink this."

It took Luigi a few seconds to process her request, but he slowly nodded and tried to prop himself upright on his elbows. His weakened body, however, protested the simple action and refused to support his weight. Falling back against the pillow and mattress Luigi sighed feeling absolutely helpless.

"Here, I'll help you." Peach put her arm under his shoulders and slowly lifted him upright, her hand supporting the back of his head. She gently pressed the vial to Luigi's lips. "Drink this."

Slowly Luigi drank the blue elixir, unsure of what the potion actually was but even in his feverish delirium he still trusted Peach without question.

"That's good." Peach pulled the vial away and helped Luigi to lay flat down. "Rest."

"Thank you..." Luigi weakly responded as his eyes shut again. His face turning away from hers and into the cool, soothing comfort of the pillow.

With his head on a swivel Mario navigating the ominous tower of Tatanga's Castle. The stone staircase spiraled upward in a seemingly eternal twist. Torches lit the narrow entryway with an ominous orange glow that was intensified by the lack of natural light against the cold stone walls. The muffled growls and snarls of Tatanga's patrolling minions kept him on his toes as he patiently, carefully continued the dangerous ascension.

Reaching the top of the stone stairwell Mario found himself at the entrance to lengthy, cold corridor. Only two torches were lit, both on opposite sides of a single metallic door in the center of the corridor.

"That must be the dungeon!" Mario commented quietly as he crept toward the door. "Daisy MUST be here."

Approaching the door Mario peeked through the narrow bars of the only window near the top of the door. Inside the lonesome chamber he spied Princess Daisy sitting on the floor, huddling beneath the tiny window to her cell.

"Psst! Daisy!" Mario whispered her name discreetly.

Hearing a familiar and kind voice calling her name Daisy turned to the cell door and wiped a rouge tear from her face. "Mario...?"

"I'm here, Daisy!"

"Mario!" Daisy got to her feet and jogged to the door, her hands meeting Mario's on the narrow bars. "You came for me!"

"Of course!" Mario blushed as he locked eyes with Daisy and relished in the warm touch of her soft hands. "I'm going to get you out of here!"

"How? Tatanga will be back soon! He keeps stopping by..." Daisy grimaced at the thought of seeing his hideous face again.

"That's why we're going to run! Yoshi is waiting for us at the front gate."

Daisy nodded and smiled a little. "Okay! With Yoshi on our side we can out run that slobbering fool!"

"Stand back from the door," Mario instructed as he himself took a few steps back, his hands reluctantly letting go of the bars and Daisy's touch. "I'm going to blast it open!" A bright orange Fireball formed in the palm of his hand.

Daisy stepped away from the door and pressed herself into the nearby corner. Placing her hands over her ears and shutting her eyes, she gave Mario the signal. "I'm clear, go!"

Unleashing the full power of the conjured Fireball from his hand, orange flames engulfed the metal door as incredible heat and pressure blasted the door from its hinges. The door slammed hard against the far wall of the cell with and ear splitting metal crash against the stone surface. The incredible impact shook the entire Castle while sending an impressive sound wave throughout the entire structure.

The thin, grey smoke cleared from the doorway and Daisy ran through, wrapping her arms around Mario's neck and shoulders as her happiness overwhelmed her. "I'm so happy to see you!" She kissed his cheek affectionately as she continued to embrace her heroic friend. "Thank you!"

Mario blushed again as he felt her gentle kiss but quickly regained his composure. Clearing his throat he unwrapped her arms from around his neck and took her shaking hand in his. "C'mon, we need to MOVE!"

...to be continued...