17C - Deja Vu

It's now 8:07 PM, over a half-hour since Mario and friends began marching through Bowser's Castle to reach Peach's castle. The elevator that was located beyond the third Guard Door stopped in Peach's castle's yard; the door slid open, allowing Mario, Luigi, and Goombario to exit.

Mario and Luigi gazed up the front of the castle and harked back three and a half days ago when Peach's party was just beginning before Bowser ruined everything.

"What's weird is I feel like we rewound back to the party, except it's night outside," Mario said.

"Me too," Luigi agreed. He went to the castle's front door and opened it before allowing Mario and Goombario to go in first. Most of the party tables and chairs were knocked over and there were shattered drink glasses and tablecloths on the floor, which was covered with muddy footprints from the Koopatrols' boots.

"Whoa," Mario said while looking around the whole foyer. "There must've been a huge ruckus while the ground was shaking."

"How much higher until we find Bowser?" Goombario asked.

"I don't know. He might be on the roof," Luigi replied. The group continued upstairs through the second floor and up the staircases leading to the third floor. Mario stopped Luigi and Goombario before checking his Star Power Band.

"Should I pump my fist forward during the Star Beam, or are the Star Spirits gonna hover over Bowser?" Mario asked.

"I don't the answer to that one either," Luigi answered. "I would say try the 'fist' method first, but if it's not it, Bowser'll win easily."

Mario opened the door, letting Luigi and Goombario go first before he took the lead again. Mario spotted the broken glass that spread everywhere during the ill-fated battle and even visualized himself being seriously injured before Bowser threw him out the window.

"It'll be fine, Mario," Luigi reassured Mario. "He won't kill you this time." Suddenly, Mario and friends heard a distant evil laugh from outside the window.

"Get ready, guys," Mario told Luigi and Goombario. Within seconds, Bowser flew in front with his Koopa Clown Car and jumped to the floor; the Koopa Clown Car hovered outside for the time being.

"Gwahahahaha!" Bowser laughed. "If it isn't my old pals, Mario and Luigi! I've been waiting patiently for you two..."

"Where's Princess Peach?" Mario demanded calmly.

"She's okay, Mario. Don't fret about her," Bowser lied. "I'm truly amazed that you managed to come this far. How lucky...for me." Bowser took out the Star Rod and pointed it to the ceiling.

"You've been a distraction for far too long, Mario Bros!" Bowser went on. "It'll be a pleasure to squash you personally! Again!"

Without further ado, Bowser casted his invincibility spell, creating a bright shield around his body. Luigi and Goombario covered their eyes while Mario looked down to check his Star Power Band.

"You fools! You can't beat me!" Bowser declared. "You know why? BECAUSE I AM INVINCIBLE! BWAHAHA!"

"Not for long!" Mario retorted before he pushed the band's teal circle and thrusted his fist forward. A bright bluish-white beam shot directly at Bowser's chest, shattering his shield within two seconds.

Bowser was blinded by the beam, so he couldn't see his shield being broken until the beam disappeared.

"Huh? What did you hit me with?" Bowser asked before looking at his body, which was turned back to normal. "Holy criminy! What happened to the power of that stupid Star Rod?!"

"It's gone! That's what happened!" Mario exclaimed before Luigi handed him the Super Mushroom that was kept away earlier. He grew a foot taller and a white glow surrounded his body.

"All right! You want to play this your way?" Bowser asked. "Sure thing!" Bowser breathed a stream of fire at Mario while Luigi took Mario's hammer. The fire breath was ineffective because Mario's Super form extinguished it upon contact.

"Urgh! I should've known that powerup-" Bowser started to say before Luigi jumped toward him and smacked his face with the hammer three times, pummeling him to the ground. Before Goombario could make his move, Bowser quickly used the Star Rod to make himself invincible and jumped back on his feet.

"I don't care if you destroy my shield! I'm gonna win regardless!" Bowser roared. He ran up to claw Mario, but Luigi acted quick and jumped onto Mario's head before Mario grabbed Luigi's legs and both divebombed to the ground. Luckily, Bowser didn't claw Goombario as he was already out of reach.

Next, Mario fired the Star Beam again while Bowser had his back turned, destroying his invincibility once more.

"How much more are you gonna fire that light at me?!" Bowser shouted while turning to Mario.

"Until you give up!" Mario answered in a deep voice, which was due to the effect of his Super form. Meanwhile, Goombario jumped forward and headbonked the back of Bowser's head, knocking him to the floor.

"Oh my God..." Bowser groaned while standing back up. "How did you all get so strong?"

"Do you even know who we are?" Mario asked before his Super form wore off. "I don't need to tell you."

"Yeah, you don't need to tell me!" Bowser responded with sarcasm. "This battle was just a warm-up for me! How about following me to where we'll settle it all?" Bowser took out a keypad and pushed its single orange button to summon his Koopa Clown Car before flying out the window.

"He's heading to the roof, bro!" Mario said. "We have to hurry!" He led Luigi and Goombario down the rest of the hall before climbing two flights of stairs and arriving on the outdoor bridge Peach traversed before she was spotted and taken back to her room. Through the next door was a spiral staircase that took the group to the top of its tower. What will Mario and friends find upon reaching the top? How will Bowser fight them next?