Meanwhile, in Toad Town of the past, Mario had opened his eyes. Baby Mario was on his stomach, crawling up him. Mario smiled, hugging his baby self gently. He looked around for the others but only saw Crash. Mario went over to the island hero, nudging him carefully. Crash woke up, groaning a bit.

He commented, "I think I will need a helmet after all of this..."

Mario stated, with a chuckle, "And locators to find the others if we get separated."

Crash replied, chuckling himself, "Yeah, that would be nice right now."

Mario laughed as he responded, "Yes it would." He helped Crash to his feet and added, "C'mon, let's find the others."

Crash nodded in agreement as they headed out to find the others.

When Luigi opened his eyes, he saw that not only was Baby Luigi on his stomach but that Cortex and Violet were with him. The man in green sat up a bit, tickling the tot. The laughter got Cortex and Violet's attention. Violet turned to Luigi.

She teased, smiling, "Finally awake, Luigi?"

Luigi admitted, "Just barely." He looked around and asked, "Where are we?"

Cortex answered, "Toad Town of the past. I've already been here with Coco and Aku-Aku."

Violet noticed something as she asked, concerned, "Speaking of Aku-Aku, where are he and Spettro?"

Luigi started to panic and called, "Spettro, where are you?"

Cortex explained, "I think they got separated from us. I'm not too worried but let's find the others."

Luigi and Violet both nodded in agreement. Though Luigi was still worried about Spettro, he knew that the ghost pup would be safe with Aku-Aku.

Once they found the others, they looked around Toad Town. The Town was nearly destroyed, due to the Shroobs. They knew that there wasn't much that they could do until they got rid of the Shroobs. They had found a warp pipe, deciding to take it. They wounded up on Star Hill. The minute that they did, the Cobalt Star shards started to act up, nearly flying out of Violet's pocket. She grabbed onto them quickly, noting that they were still trying to fly away. The heroes knew that they had to find out what was causing the Cobalt Star shards agitation. At one point of their climb, they found the Commander Shroob.

The heroes all took a stance, more than ready to fight. It was the same old thing, nothing too surprising. Commander Shroob went down rather easily, our heroes feeling confident. They were able to get to the top of Star Hill. It was there that the Cobalt Star shards once again flew out of Violet's pocket. She saw them flying, wondering what was going on. They went up into the sky, forming into a whole. But that's when it started to form a little smiling face and a small cape behind it.

It spoke, "I am the Star Sprite that lives within the Cobalt Star..."

Crash asked, in awe, "Why have you appeared to us...?"

It answered, "I have tapped into the sacred power of this hill so that I might speak with you..."

Mario questioned, "Speak with us? What about?"

It explained, "Well, I think you have already figured this out but I hold the power to defeat the Shroobs."

Cortex stated, "Yes, we've seen the power you have over the aliens."

It added, "However, Princess Shroob also knew this truth. She broke me while battling Princess Peach...your sister, young one."

Violet breathed, "Yeah, we're all in agreement of that..."

It told them, "You are the last remaining hope for both the island and for the Kingdom. But please hurry. My pieces must be brought together once more. If you bring together two of my last three remaining pieces, it will lower the barrier around the castle in the past. And you will be the heroes of this land..."

Luigi replied, "We shall do our best."

With that, the Star Sprite vanished, leaving the three Cobalt Star shards behind. That's when they noticed something. Baby Luigi was crying.

Crash asked, "Wait, why is Baby Luigi crying?"

Mario answered, "Think he was scared by the sprite?"

Cortex stated, "I'm not so sure about that. That's the second time someone had a bad reaction to the shards."

Luigi picked up his baby self and added, "So what do we do? Keep going anyhow?"

Violet replied, "We have to, regardless of what we find. Peach and Coco need us. And we can't turn away now."

Everyone nodded in agreement, pressing onwards. Luigi was finally able to calm down his baby self as Mario picked up Baby Mario. Baby Mario was all happy, giggling. Mario couldn't understand it. If there was something wrong with the shards, why wouldn't he see it? Mario made a small fist as he thought, fighting back tears, 'Then again, I couldn't see that my baby brother was Mr. L. It was completely obvious. Why couldn't I see it then when he needed me the most?' Mario's thoughts were broken by them arriving at a gate of some kind. And the gate had a face on it.

It spoke, "Pilgrims and wanderers... What is it you seek in this sanctified place?"

Crash told it, "We've come here to get the next Cobalt Star shard piece so that we may defeat the Shroobs."

It stated, "Fury hero, Crash Bandicoot. Beyond me lies the sacred realm of the stars, keepers of light."

Mario breathed, "Keepers of light?"

It responded, "Correct red capped hero, Mario Gregory Manfredi Junior. Those judged unworthy or without purpose will not be allowed to enter."

Violet asked, "How are you going to do that?"

It answered, "Quite simple, heroine and Princess Violet Jasmine Toadstool. No words are needed. All I require is an appraisal of your worth. Such entry is key."

Cortex questioned, "You are doing now as we talk to you, aren't you?"

It explained, "Yes I am, villain turned hero Doctor Neo Periwinkle Cortex." It paused for a minute, looking at the only one that hadn't spoken yet. Luigi. The green clad ghost hunter was keeping his mouth shut. He knew it was coming. It asked, "Please, quiet man in green. Please speak."

Everyone looked at Luigi as he sighed and asked, "Well, what do you want me to say...? I really am starting to hate the phrase, "man in green". Yes, I was the one that decided the fate of all worlds. Yes, I was brainwashed to serve Count Bleck and his minions. Was it my fault that it happened? Maybe. Could I have fought more before I was captured? Probably. But if I am going to hold my friends and my brother back from saving the world... I rather stay here... Alone to think of my crimes against - not only the crown but my own brother too..."

Mario started to protest, "Weegie..."

Luigi looked up, the tears rolling down his face.

He added, "Yes, I am the man in green. I am Luigi James Manfredi. And I can't run from the Dark Prognosticus...no matter how hard I try."

Violet hugged Luigi as she whispered in his ear, "I don't care, I love you."

Luigi returned her hug as Mario joined the hug.

He added, "I'm your brother, I'm not leaving you."

Crash joined the hug as well and stated, "Me either."

Cortex was the last to join the hug as he replied, "Same here."

Luigi, at this point, was crying tears of joy and sadness. He held his brother, his girlfriend, and his friends close, not caring anymore. Sure, he knew that this door was going to deny him but...

"Luigi James Manfredi, great hero in green. You may pass." They all looked at the gate as it added, "You are indeed a hero."

Luigi didn't know what happened next but all he could remember was the tears that hit the ground.

Wishmaker1028: Huh. That was a better flow then I was originally going with. Yay me. Please read and review! And always think outside of the box!