Author's Note: Time to unleash that power over the Crystal Star to find the next location and actually SLEEP! Well, enjoy!

Chapter 11: Iuka and George

Enter Pax:

"So wait," I said, "you wanna come with us?"

"Well… if that's okay," Koops said. "I mean… what you guys are doing with getting these Crystal Stars and all… I'd like to be a part of it."

"Well… what do you think, Goombella?" I asked, turning to her.

"Why not?" shrugged Goombella.

"Okay," I said, turning to Koops and smiling. "You're in."

"Really?" Koops asked, grinning. "Well… thanks!"

He turned to face the few people that gathered: The Mayor, his father, and his girlfriend, Koopie Koo.

"Koopie…" Koops said, reaching a hand to her. He pulled away, shutting her eyes to prevent tears from coming out.

"Koops, you're… you big… IDIOT!" she shouted, shoving on Koops' shoulders. "How could you go out and get yourself KILLED!"

"B-but Koopie-" Koops started.

"I HATE YOU!" Koopie screamed. "I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"

She ran away from the scene, keeping her face covered. Koops had an arm reached out to her, his mouth gaping.

"…uh," I said, not really knowing what to say. "I, er… sorry, man."

"…let's go," Koops said, keeping his head down as he headed toward the exit of the town.

"Wait, Koops-" started his father, but Koops didn't seem to hear as he left. I started to follow, but his father stopped me by putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Take care of him, will you?" he asked softly.

"Of course," I nodded, managing a smile. He smiled back and let go, giving a salute. After I saluted back, I left after Koops, Goombella following.

"Mario?" Goombella asked as we caught up.

"Hm?" I turned my head to her.

"…you're a good person," she said. I blinked, having been caught off guard.

"Uh… thanks?" I said.

"So," Koops said, finally lifting his head, "where are we going?"

"Rougeport," I said. "We'll be going through a pipe to-"

Suddenly, my pocket began to vibrate, the music from Super Mario World playing.

"What in the…" I muttered, pulling an object that looked a lot like a GBA SP out of my pocket.

"Hey, that's a Mailbox SP!" Koops said. "I didn't know you had one of those!"

"Apparently I do," I said, opening the thing. I saw an email on it, though the return address was scrambled. I opened the email and read:

"Dear Mario,

You don't have to worry about me, I'm fine. These people are holding me captive, but they're not causing me any harm. Please stay safe, Mario. I will be praying to the Stars for you.

-Peach."

"Well… Peach is safe, but I'm wondering how she managed to email me when she's trapped," I said, closing and pocketing the Mailbox SP again. "C'mon, we have a giant door to go to."

With that, the three of us set off again.

A walk and a trip through a pipe later, we were in the Rougeport sewers and looking up at the Thousand Year Door.

"Wow…" gaped Koops, staring at it.

"Okay, here's the map…" I said, pulling out the map and standing on the pillar like I did last time. "Hm… maybe I have to…"

I summoned the Crystal Sword, then jammed it into the pillar. There was a flash of light, and the Crystal Star on the hilt shot a beam of light into the map. The image wavered a bit before returning to normal, the lights fading. I dispelled the sword and held the map up to examine it. There was a new picture on it: A giant, pale tree on a hill, with a green Crystal Star in it.

"Uh… where's that?" Koops asked, looking over my shoulder. The both of us looked to Goombella, showing her the map.

"Hey," she said, "I may be a smart girl, but I just got here myself! I know about as much as you guys, probably less. We should take it to the professor."

"Professor?" asked Koops.

"Professor Frankly, he's not far from here," I said, folding up the map. "Let's go."

"Hm… oh!" Frankly said, examining the map.

"Where is it?" I asked, flexing my claw under the new glove Goombella went out and bought while Frankly was examining the map.

"It's a place called Boggly Woods," Frankly explained. "It's inhabited by small creatures called Punies."

"Accurate name," I muttered. "So, which way do we go?"

"…Mario, it's almost dark out," Frankly said. "Don't you think it would be wiser to stay in town and rest for the night."

"You mean… I actually get to have moments of rest in this adventure?" I asked in a breathless whisper.

"Well of course!" Frankly said. "You can't go out exhausted and-ERT!"

"BLESS YOU!" I sobbed, picking up and hugging Frankly. "OH, BLESS YOUR SOUL!"

"Er… you're welcome?" Frankly said. "…please put me down."

Enter Iuka:

The clattering of coins woke me up from my daydream. I looked up at the pile of Coins on the table in front of me. I looked up at George's grinning face.

"Today's profit from the Shop next door," he explained. "This is your share."

"Um… thanks, but I made a decent amount of tips today," I replied softly, tapping the tip jar, which was about a fourth full of coins.

I suppose I should explain our situation quickly before I move on:

When we arrived at Rougeport, George and I had nothing but each other. That first night spent on the streets… George seemed totally comfortable, but I was scared out of my mind. Eventually, I got a job working at the Inn/Pub, and George worked as a delivery man for the Toad Shop. We both made enough money to keep food on the table, and the man working at the Inn is very nice. He even offered the both of us lodging, but George seems to prefer sleeping outside. He says it helps him learn more about where we are, but I've managed to make him come inside and sleep in a decent bed the past few days.

So, back to where I was a moment ago…

"Iuka," sighed George, shaking his head. "Oh poor, sweet, naïve Iuka. I know you're not used to the concept of money-don't get me wrong, I'm not really used to it either-but generally, you're supposed to save a little bit up for personal items. And besides, if a friend offers you a gift, it's rude not to accept it."

"Well… okay, if you say so," I sighed, taking the coins and placing them in a little box. I didn't correct George, but I actually WAS saving up for something: A little notebook to draw in. I drew on a few napkins here and there and I had a lot of fun with it, so I thought I could get a notebook and do it on paper. It was about then a group walking into the Pub, looking exhausted.

"I'll let you handle this," George nodded as he parted. Patting down my dress, I looked up at the travelers, who sat down at the table. There was a female Goomba, a make Koopa, and a man with a red hat, blue overalls, and kind eyes. When my eyes fell on his left gloved hand, my heart skipped a beat, but I wasn't sure why…

"Uh… h-hello," I said with a bow. "Welcome to the Rougeport Pub and Inn. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"Yeah," the man said, stretching his arm, "how much for dinner and a room?"

"Uh… ten coins each, sir," I said.

"Sweet, that's perfect," the man said, tossing me 40 coins. "Two rooms and three dinners, then. Keep the change."

"T-thank you sir!" I said with a bow, taking their orders. After the three had eaten, I led them up to their rooms. The Goomba went into one and the Koopa went into another.

"G'Night, Mario," the Goomba yawned, peeking her head out the door. "Night Koops. Remember to lock your windows so Ninjas don't sneak in and slit your throats in your sleep."

With that, she closed the door.

"She… she's kidding, right?" the Koopa asked nervously.

"Of course, there are no Ninjas in Rougeport!" the man replied. The Koopa let out a sigh of relief.

"However…" the man muttered. "I guess there are very stealthy Rouges…"

With that, the Koopa ran into the room to lock all the windows, I assumed. The man began to enter the room, but I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Um… excuse me?" I asked.

"Yeah?" the man asked, turning to me.

"Can I see your…?" I asked, pointing to his left hand.

"Oh!" the man appeared taken aback. "Well, uh… you might not-"

"Please," I begged. "There's… something about it."

"Well… alright," the man sighed, slipping the glove off. I gasped when I saw the claw that was under it. The man tried to pull back, but I caught the hand and began to gently stroke it, tears welling in my eyes. That hand… it was Coron, I knew it.

"Coron…" I whispered. I looked up and for a moment, I could swear it was Coron looking out at me through the man's face.

"I'm sorry," he said honestly. I smiled slightly and gently kissed his hand.

"I forgive you," I whispered. It was then the man yanked it away, looking freaked out.

"O-okay then!" he said nervously, going into his room. "Goodnight, sleep tight, please refrain from going into my room, I'll see you in the morning!"

With that, he slammed the door closed. I didn't mind though. I walked down the stairs, smiling widely now that I knew Coron was here. He might have been inside someone… but he was finally here.

"You look happy," noted George, who was leaning on a wall.

"Oh George!" I said, hugging him. "You'll never believe what happened!"

"Well, maybe you can tell me tomorrow," George said, gently pulling himself out of the hug and moving to the door.

"Oh George, can't you sleep in the room the Innkeeper set up for us?" I asked, getting in his way.

"Iuka…" started George.

"Please?" I squeaked, widening my eyes in a way I knew George couldn't resist.

"Oh, that's just not fair!" moaned George. After a moment, he buckled: "Alright, I guess I can sleep in the room tonight…"

"Horray!" I cheered, leading him by the hand. "Oh, I can't wait to tell you! Okay, you remember Coron, right? Well…"

Enter Pax:

On my side, this was a lot more strange. When Iuka took my clawed hand, I felt for a moment emotions that didn't belong to me. Mainly the usual sorrow, but also… remorse. As I looked at Iuka's face, I felt like I pulled a trick on her and now I was feeling really bad about it.

"I'm sorry," I heard myself say, but I didn't consciously form the words. When Iuka kissed my claw, part of my heart skipped, and another part-the part I knew was me-was getting REALLY freaked out by this whole experience. So, after pulling away, I locked myself in the room and flopped on the bed, tossing the glove on the nightstand.

"What did she want?" Koops asked, making sure the windows were secure.

"Just… something about an old friend," I said, though I had NO idea how I knew that. I took a look at my Nightmare hand.

Just what kind of secrets are you holding? I thought. I swear, if I didn't know any better, I would have thought I heard a chuckle in the back of my head. Nevertheless, I rolled in my bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

Author's Notes: Interpret this chapter however you please, IukaxCoron shippers. Next chapter is another "filler" then we get back to the action next week! 'Till then, this is Pax the Dreamer, signing out!