A/N: This is a couple days late, but I still wanted to do it. On the Fourth my aunt was here, and yesterday I was at the fair with a friend, so I couldn't write it. But here you are—my Fourth of July intermission chapter! Enjoy!
Boom! A flash of vibrant color lit the sky above Flipside. Sparks showered down. There was a whistle and another bang! as another firework went off.
Princess Peach lay on a blanket on the top floor of Flipside. Bowser sat next to her, pretending to be bored by the proceedings, even though really he wasn't. On her other side, Mario and Luigi were talking to each other, just like old times. Behind them was the Heart Pillar, with the red Pure Heart glowing softly within it.
"What a wonderful night," said Peach softly, watching the sky. "Aren't these fireworks great?"
"Nhh," said Bowser. "I guess they're okay."
She reached up and hit him on the nose. "Silly. You know I don't believe that."
"Mm," was his gruff reply, but he was grinning.
Mario was at ease. "You know, Luigi," he said, "next time, I'll bring you along for the adventure."
"That sounds great, bro," said Luigi. "Do I still get to lead the parade after we save the world?"
They both laughed. "I guess we'll have to see," said Mario.
On the far side of Flipside Tower, another little group was watching the display. "It's wonderful," said Timpani as she gazed up at the flashes of light in the sky. Beside her sat Blumiere, twirling a lock of her hair absently around his finger.
"It is, love," he replied, and Timpani smiled.
A little ways away, Mimi was having an animated discussion with O'Chunks. "Golly, it was super! But then, some people started talking to me. They wanted to tell me that I was talking too loudly and starting to get on everyone's nerves. But they kept mumbling about how nice my dress looked and how my hair was pretty. I was like, Gosh, if you want to say something just say it, you know!?"
"Aye, yeh're right there, lass," said O'Chunks. "But yeh should sit down a minute an' watch the show."
Mimi giggled. "That's awful silly of me. I'll do that."
She sat down and leaned against the tower, smiling up at the sky. As she was watching the fireworks, Dimentio appeared and yanked on her hair. Mimi yelped, but before she could retaliate, he was gone.
The next time it happened, though, Mimi was prepared. As the jester reached for her pigtails, she smacked his hand away without even looking.
"Ow!" yelled Dimentio, and disappeared, hopefully for a while this time. Timpani looked around in mild alarm, but all she could see was Mimi smirking as she fixed her hair.
The only person who wasn't sitting with the group was Natasia. She was at the very corner of Flipside, her feet hanging off the edge, staring off into space.
Timpani frowned, got up, and went to sit next to Natasia. "Hey, Natasia?"
"Yes?" asked Natasia quietly.
"Why are you sitting all the way over here?"
Natasia shrugged.
"Aren't you lonely?"
"A little," said Natasia. "Yeah, but I'm always lonely."
"Why don't you come sit by me over there?" Timpani sat down on the edge.
"I don't feel like it."
"I'm sure it'll be more fun to watch the fireworks with someone to keep you company."
Natasia looked away. "Well..." She turned back to Timpani, smiling slightly. "Save me a spot, 'K?"
Boom! Fireworks exploded over Flipside, and everyone cheered as the show drew to a close and the sky darkened again.
Happy belated Fourth of July, everyone!
