The Skies, Princess Peach's Private Jet

Toadsworth sighed, before he made his way to his seat. Mario rolled his eyes at the old vassal, and often wondered what he was expecting to be able to do should the Princess be unexpectedly attacked yet again. But Mario really couldn't complain; after all, he had finally gotten his wish and was now going to be able to spend some alone time with Princess. As the in-flight commercial started, Mario couldn't help but let his mind drift to all of the things that he'd finally be able to do with Peach now that his twin brother wasn't around to sabotage his chances with his mere existence.

"Oh, look at that." Peach said as a Shine Sprite was displayed on screen. Toadsworth and Mario both seemed to completely relax at her cue, and as the advert for Delfino Isle played.

"Welcome!" A group of Piantas said all said in unison. It wasn't lost on anyone present that the Piantas all had small palm trees on their heads, and everyone onscreen seemed to all have builds that suggested some form of a very active lifestyle. Fitting, given this was supposed to be a tourist attraction first and foremost. "-To the sundrenched, tropical paradise of Isle Delfino. We are so pleased to welcome you to our beautiful home. And, have we got something for you! Come and enjoy our natural wonderland, to which we've added the finest resort facilities, a spectacular amusement part and succulent seafood." As the ad showed the resort facilities, Mario's mind immediately placed Peach directly on the scene.

He involuntarily moaned as he fell into a trance just as soon as Peach's bikini-clad butt went through his mind. "All of this and more, await you at Isle Delfino. Come relax, and let us refresh your body and spirit." The piantas had began what was perhaps a tribal dance as the ad continued to play, but Peach was able to notice a shadowing figure jumping around in the background. It looked conspicuously and undeniably like…

"Mario?" Peach said aloud, as the screen seemed to freeze frame due to her focus on it. She looked to Luigi's older, shorter twin brother beside her. She didn't need to see what he was thinking as he seemed to stare in an orgasmic trance, but Peach knew Mario anywhere she'd see him. And there he sat beside her in her private jet, meaning the shadowy figure really shouldn't be Mario. She then turned to Toadsworth.

"Toadsworth did you see…" The old, harried vassal was already fast asleep. It was probably only because it was the Princess's voice that sounded that he unconsciously responded. "What?" He asked groggily, clearly still asleep. Peach sighed in worry; she'd have really liked for Luigi to have accompanied them as well, but she could at least look forward to spending this vacation with Torrence and the rest of his squad. She could only hope Mario would be on his best behavior, but she also knew she couldn't be everywhere at once.

As the plane neared their destination, Peach did her best to manifest only happy thoughts and optimism. However, she didn't have long to think of this, as 15 minutes later the plane hit some turbulence and began to screech to an unexpected halt. Everyone was mentally jarred out of their thoughts, while physically being shunted out of their seats. Mario and Toadsworth were given rude awakenings, but nobody moved until the plane stopped moving.

"What happened?" Peach asked. "Mama Mia..." Mario said dreamily, as Peach realized she had landed on him. Even at a time like this, Mario seemed only concerned about the fact that the Princess was sitting on his back. Peach considered making a snarky remark and chastisement of Mario's priorities, but then she also remembered Torrence and the rest of the Toad Brigade.

Outside, 5 minutes Later

The sun was definitely bearing down on the airstrip, and the heat was most certainly something the Mushroom Kingdom visitors would have to get used to. However, what was really, really odd was the kaleidoscopic goop emanating from an equally rainbow-pulsating geyser. It was safe to say that this was definitely the reason the plane abruptly halted; no one was really sure what would have happened had the plane made contact with this anomalous structure.

"Wow, not even 5 minutes here, and already someone is trying to ruin my fun with the Princess." Mario said angrily, his fists clenching and muscles tensing at the thought of someone coming between him and time alone with Peach. "Mario, shouldn't we be a little more concerned with the situation at hand? I'm pretty sure whatever this mess is, it will do much more than just interfere with your vacation plans." He said, as he chooses not to incense Mario more than he'd already be. The truth of Peach's feelings could wait. "To hell with everything else, old man. If this causes the beaches to close and my date with Peach to be ruined…" Mario seethed, summoning some Star Energy to his hand as he did. Toadsworth just glowered down at Mario and his one-track concern over having Peach to himself.

"What's this icky paint-like goop?!" The second in command of the Toad Brigade and Torrence's younger brother asked. "It's moving!" Another Toad with yellow spots and a matching tank top asked. Toadsworth looked up to see they were a bit too close for comfort. "No, no. Rosso. Wolley. All of you boys. Don't touch that stuff!" He warned. It wasn't that he was worried about Rosso and Wolley being dumb enough to touch the goop, so much as the goop unpredictably touching them. Peach herself felt a little relieved when she saw Rosso and Wolley stand up and bring their faces out of splash range, but when they stood up the Princess noticed something in the distance.

And that 'something' was the same shadowy figure that she had seen on the Isle Delfino welcome ad and now there was no mistaking it anymore. This being was a shadowy version of Mario Mario if ever Peach had seen it. Just like the actual Mario, the only thing less than impressive about this man's physique was his height of 5'5". Otherwise, the Shadow Mario staring back at her from his vantage point in the distance was no less than 200 pounds of stacked, sculpted, mass muscle and he even carried himself with an overconfident, if somewhat justified cockiness that suggested he was not afraid to use his considerable power.

"Umm… Excuse me but…" Peach started, until she looked back. "Huh?" Shadow Mario was no longer visible in the distance, even though Peach only took her eyes off of him for a split second.

"-I am most concerned with the well-being of the Princess in this dreadful heat." Toadsworth had finally switched tactics, and the fact that Mario immediately stopped arguing made Toadsworth wonder why he bothered trying any other avenue to get through to Mario. "Master Mario, if you would, cross over the airstrip and find some assistance?" He asked politely.

And since it was for Peach, Mario did not hesitate for a single moment.