Author's note, First of all, I would like to apologize for the fact you guys had to wait for over a month for this chapter to come out. I've been busy with my activities along with my family planning on how to rearrange everything in our original house once the renovations are complete. There was also the fact I got caught up in preparation for a family reunion which lasted longer then I thought it would.
Thank you to everyone for being patient with the long delay. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.
Anyway, special thanks as always go to Drones of Intelligence, Red. Rosessss, TGN, s3731997 and animegamefanatic for leaving a review. Your support and feedback is always appreciated, and thank you to everyone who took the time to read the last chapter.
A special shoutout and thank you goes to ElectricBlaster for leaving a favorite on this story. I'm glad you're enjoying the fic and thank you for the support.
Italics are for Peach's letter along with Luigi's thoughts later on in the chapter.
Disclaimer: Its the same as the previous chapters. I don't own anything, which I don't own the characters, locations or anything in general since they're copyrighted to Nintendo.
Kamek soared through the chilly night skies shivering from the cold. Stifling a yawn Kamek knew if he fell asleep, he would fall off his broom to his death. It had taken all night for the Magikoopa to catch up to Bowser's airship. The skies around the Magikoopa began to turn a light pink hue and the last traces of the moon began to dip below the horizon. Much to Kamek's relief, he spotted the airship making its way through the skies still on its course towards the Metro Kingdom.
"Lord Bowser's not going to like what I'm going to tell him" Kamek muttered to himself. "Because of this wedding, his temper's become even worse than usual. I don't want to become a charbroiled Magikoopa. I can only hope his children will be able to take care of the Mario brothers."
Silently hoping Bowser would be in a good mood, Kamek continued to head towards his master's ship.
Meanwhile on the deck of his ship Bowser paced back and forth along the floorboards which creaked underneath his weight. To Bowser's left, both his and Bowser Jr's Koopa Clown Cars were parked on the deck.
Not too far away from where his father was pacing, Bowser Jr waited patiently while Larry and Lemmy, on the other hand, were making faces at each other while their father wasn't looking. Topper was writing something down on a piece of paper in his hands.
"So, what's the total cost for this wedding so far, Topper?" Bowser impatiently asked. "I'm not made of coins you know!"
Topper paused in his calculations, making sure to look up at Bowser. "Let's see here, we've got ya a dress, a ring, and a bouquet of flowers. So far, all together ya bill adds up to let's see three thousand, five hundred and eighty coins as the total cost."
"WHHHHAAAAATTTT?!" Bowser bellowed in disbelief upon hearing the total cost. "That's not possible! The Soiree Bouquet are a bunch of dumb flowers, the Lochlady Dress and the Binding Band are just tourist attractions! How in the world can they cost so much?"
Topper swallowed nervously backing away from the now angry Koopa King. "Ya see boss, that may be true for the Soiree Bouquet, but the Binding Band and the Lochlady Dress are priceless treasures of both the Sand and Lake Kingdoms. Be thankful we're only chargin' ya this much. Had it been any other wedding planning business, it would've cost ya an even bigger fortune!"
Bowser huffed in annoyance turning his attention towards his children finally noticing Larry and Lemmy making faces at each other.
"Larry, Lemmy, stop making faces at each other right now!" Bowser snarled in frustration. "I've already got enough problems on my plate."
Upon hearing their father's angry shout both Larry and Lemmy ceased making faces, both of them quickly apologizing silently standing to attention.
"Why did you summon us in this early in the morning, Papa?" Bowser Jr asked yawning sleepily. "Couldn't Ludwig, Iggy, or Roy help us out when it comes to killing the Mario Brothers?"
"No, I couldn't. Ludwig informed me he's not to be disturbed while he, Iggy, and Hariet are working on a 'present' we're going to give to the citizens of the Metro Kingdom," Bowser replied.
At that moment Kamek appeared panting for breath, looking exhausted somehow still remaining on his broom. Bowser shifted his attention from his children to his most loyal servant.
"It's about time, Kamek," Bowser said. "I trust that you have some good news for me."
"Lord Bowser, I've returned from the Lost Kingdom," Kamek replied. "Well, I do bring news about Mario he's-"
"Spit it out Kamek! I don't have all day!" Bowser interrupted Kamek. "Is Mario dead or is he still alive?"
"I have some bad news for your sire," Kamek said. "Mario is still alive in the Lost Kingdom. Even as we speak, he's resuming his search for more Power Moons. To make matters worse, his twin brother who I kidnapped all those years ago is with him as well."
Bowser groaned resisting the urge to facepalm. He roared unleashing a stream of fire up to the heavens nearly burning one of the wooden masts to cinders. Everyone took several steps back waiting for Bowser's tantrum to end, until at last Bowser stopped his flame breath, his chest rising and falling from the effort.
"Kids, head to the Lost Kingdom now!" Bowser spoke to Lemmy, Bowser Jr, and Larry. "When you find those pesky plumbers, make sure they never leave the Lost Kingdom! You can take the Koopa Clown Car and Junior, take your own Koopa Clown Car. However, kids, don't scratch the paintwork on the Koopa Clown Car. It cost me two thousand and two hundred coins for the paint job!"
"So, when can we have breakfast Papa?" Bowser Jr asked. "We didn't even get a chance to eat yet."
"Ugh fine, stop at a cafe on the way there, but no more delays!" Bowser growled. "Kamek, I want you to head back to the Lost Kingdom to make sure my kids get the job done!"
"Your wish is my command, Lord Bowser!" Kamek said. "I'll make sure we'll properly deal with Mario and Luigi once and for all!"
The three Koopalings raced towards the Koopa Clown Cars parked on the deck of the ship. Bowser Jr climbed into his personal Koopa Clown Car, as Larry and Lemmy climbed into the Koopa Clown Car taking off into the skies with Kamek following them. Bowser sighed again resting a pair of massive claws against his forehead, rubbing them to calm himself before he lost his temper again.
"I'm here for anything ya need, boss!" Topper exclaimed eagerly in an attempt to please Bowser. "Why don't ya head below deck and check on the wedding preparations? I can handle anything ya ask of me."
Bowser shook his head red eyes narrowing before heaving a tired sigh stomping away. "I'm counting on you to take the Princess's breakfast to her. Don't mess this up, or I won't be paying that bill!"
Topper ran across the deck opening the door to the ship's interior. He was greeted by the warm odor of cooking food drifting down the hallway. Topper followed the warm smell of cooking food until he came to a pair of white doors with the word kitchen on a placard above the door frame.
Topper entered the kitchen to find a Shy Guy was already waiting for him holding a small tray with a selection of fresh fruit, a blueberry muffin with a tall glass of orange juice which was hastily pressed into Topper's hands.
"When you exit the kitchen, the Princess' room is the second doorway on the right," The Shy Guy said impatiently. "Now then, I've got a wedding banquet to prepare for and Lord Bowser's not giving us much time to prepare for it, so scram!"
"Thanks for da tip," Topper said exiting the kitchen walking down the corridor arriving at the ornate white door only to bump into Roy standing at the door with a fierce glare aimed in Topper's direction.
"I can't believe you're in charge of Princess' Peach's breakfast," Roy sneered unafraid to voice his displeasure at the current events. "Anyway, I should've been part of the attack too. Dad knows I'm more than capable of pounding those loser plumbers into the dust!"
"Ssssh! Not in front of the princess's room ya dolt!" Topper said. "We don't want to let her know Mario's alive!"
"Now who's a dolt?" Roy sneered. "What if the princess overheard what you've just blabbed?"
"Yeah, like ya Koopalings have a far better track record of defeating Mario," Topper muttered under his breath. "He's not even going to catch up with us. After the Metro Kingdom, we're going to be heading to the Snow Kingdom, then onto the Luncheon and Seaside Kingdoms to gather even more things for this wedding."
"You idiot! Can't you even keep a secret?!" Roy bellowed in pure frustration taking a step towards Topper who shrank back against the door in fear.
Unbeknownst to Roy and Topper, on the other side of the bedroom door, Peach sat on the floor her ear pressed against the white door listening to the conversation a small smile forming on her face along with tears of relief slipping down her face.
"Mario's alive," Peach said shakily. "I assumed the worst had happened when his ship was shot down. Oh, thank heavens he's okay."
"Then that must mean Cappy's okay too," Tiara chimed in relief evident in her voice.
Peach and Tiara saw the handle on the door beginning to turn as they hurried towards the middle of the room. To Peach's right, an ornate cage stood in the middle of the room containing several white doves, who perched looking miserable on the wooden pegs, their food and water dishes being only half refilled. Next, to the birdcage, a four-poster bed took up most of the room along with a small table with a pen and paper along with a medium-sized wardrobe.
Topper entered the room, his ears stained with the orange juice trickling down his ears, the small scowl never left his face, silently making his way to the small table setting Peach's breakfast on it.
"Let me tell ya, dat Roy's a charming fellow," Topper grumbled turning to face Peach. "You didn't hear any of what we discussed outside ya door did ya?"
"No, I didn't," Peach lied keeping her tone neutral.
"Good, ya breakfast is on this tray and da boss wants you to try on the Binding Band in a practice run tomorrow evening in preparation for this wedding. Ya need to be on yer best behavior for this rehearsal, is dat understood?"
"Yes, I do," Peach replied meekly. "You wouldn't happen to know where the wedding is taking place do you?"
"Nope, sorry can't tell ya," Topper replied. "Da boss wants it to be a surprise. The rehearsal will be at six p.m. tomorrow evening, so don't even think about being late. Da King of the Koopas is already in a bad mood already."
Topper left the room closing the door behind him. Peach hastily made her way back to the simple wooden desk pulling open the drawer, grabbing a small piece of paper and a pen sitting down at the desk beginning to write her letter.
To Mario, wherever you are.
I'm doing well, please don't give up no matter what happens. I know we'll meet again soon. Also, Bowser's planning to target the Metro Kingdom next. All I know is that after the Metro Kingdom we're heading to the Snow Kingdom, Luncheon and the Seaside Kingdoms to retrieve even more things for this awful wedding. Mario, I will never agree to be Bowser's wife. It should be my own choice who I choose to fall in love with, and eventually marry. You can't force someone to marry you if you don't love them.
Please, don't do anything rash. I will send you more letters in the meantime please be careful. I've got a plan to escape Bowser's clutches. I've been the damsel in distress for too long, it's my turn to rescue you.
Until then, please be careful.
Sincerely, Peach.
Having finished her letter, Peach rose from the desk and made her way towards the cage with the doves opening the cage door. She took out one of the birds whispering reassuring words to it before tying the note to one of the bird's legs and she walked to the open porthole releasing the dove allowing the bird to fly into the endless skies.
Peach silently watched the dove flying away into the distance until she could no longer see it. Tiara hovered next to her in silence before she turned to face Peach.
"We're going to put our plan into action soon right?" Tiara asked.
"We're going to put our plan into action tomorrow before the wedding rehearsal," Peach said. "I know there's a chance we could be caught, but it's a risk we'll have to take. I'm tired of being the damsel in distress, who always has to rely on Mario to save me. That's why I'm going to gather as much information as I can about this wedding so I can tell Mario where to find me. It's my turn to save him."
Peach walked back to the desk, reaching into one of the drawers and pulling out a fresh piece of paper beginning to write a new letter to Mario. Her resolve was clear. She wasn't going to allow Bowser to intimidate her into becoming his bride.
Meanwhile within the walls of the Lost Kingdom's clinic, Luigi sat up on the table with the doctor carefully examining his hand, a frown on his face turning it from side to side "While it appears to be nothing more than a minor first degree burn, I would still take it easy, and not overdo it. My, my you Mario brothers sure have a penchant for getting into trouble."
"Thank you so much Doctor," Luigi said sliding off the table standing upright shaking the doctor's hand with his uninjured hand. Mario heaved a sigh of relief. Thankfully Luigi's burn hadn't been as severe he'd assumed it was.
Mario felt his fist clench upon recalling the memory of Kamek harming his brother made Mario's blood boil how he longed to punch the arrogant Magikoopa in the face.
"Thank you again, Doctor," Mario said gratefully. "We're so sorry to trouble you like this, but you wouldn't have happened to see any Power Moons appearing in the Lost Kingdom haven't you?"
"Hmm, now that you mention it, a few nights ago before your arrival in the Lost Kingdom, several purple moon shaped objects appeared in the depths of the jungle," The doctor replied. "I took a team consisting of my bravest staff members with me when I went to investigate, but we were set upon by several Trapeetles which forced us to retreat."
"Mario, those could be the Power Moons we're looking for," Cappy said. "We only need three more Power Moons if we're going to have a chance of leaving this Kingdom."
"Thank you for the information, Doctor," Mario said."Cappy, Luigi and I will be able to retrieve the Power Moons. We'll be careful, you have nothing to worry about."
"Alright then, just to let you know if anyone in your group gets hurt, we'll always be able to treat your injuries." The doctor said warmly.
Mario and Luigi thanked the doctor before exiting, the clinic feeling the warm morning sun on their skin. Cappy hovered near Mario unfolding a small brochure. "Okay, according to the map, if we take a left around five hundred meters we'll reach the Lost Kingdom Depths. The only creatures that are known to reside there are the Tropical Wigglers. Unless you bump into them, they're completely harmless."
Mario, Luigi, and Cappy thanked the doctor again exiting the clinic heading down the long winding pathway towards the jungle's depths. The air grew hot humid causing both Mario and Luigi to sweat, as they arrived at their destination a small section of land with vast purple water stretched as far as the eye could see surrounded by the Poison Bog. Mario tensed when he saw the crudely put together ebony sign with a skull and crossbones painted on the wooden sign, the wet paint still fresh dripping down the sign.
"Hmmm, is the doctor sure he saw Power Moons down here?" Cappy asked nervously. "This appears to be a dangerous place."
Mario frowned looking around the area until he spotted the telltale glow of two Power Moons not hovering above a pair of stumps close to each other- thankfully not too far away from where a lone Tropical Wiggler was walking past Mario and Luigi minding its own business.
"There are a couple of Power Moons right there on those stumps," Mario said. "Hey, Cappy do you think possessing that Tropical Wiggler will be possible?"
Luigi stiffened, facing Mario with a quizzical expression on his face. "Wait what do you mean by possessing the Tropical Wiggler?" Luigi asked nervously.
"Well you see, Weegie, when I throw Cappy at enemies or objects, I'm able to possess them and use them to reach Power Moons. It doesn't hurt the enemy. Here Cappy, and I will show you how we do it."
Mario turned to face the Tropical Wiggler, a pair of fingers resting on Cappy.
"Are you ready Cappy?"
"Of course I am Mario, let's do this!"
Mario gently gripped Cappy throwing him at the Tropical Wiggler knocking the hat off the top of its head, catching it off guard. Cappy returned to Mario's hand being flung at the Tropical Wiggler again landing on top of the Tropical Wiggler's head.
This time Mario levitated off the ground being sucked in a shower of multicolored dots before being sucked into the Tropical Wiggler. Luigi watched the whole scene his jaw slack in shock seeing the Tropical Wiggler turning to face him with a pair of blue eyes.
"M- Mario?" Luigi stammered trembling all over. "Are you really inside that thing?"
Mario Wiggler nodded turning his attention towards the stump before stretching his body towards the stump, his front half grabbing onto the stump before pulling the rest of his body across the pool of purple Poison Bog bubbling ominously beneath him.
In an instant, Mario leaped out of the Tropical Wiggler before re-entering the Tropical Wiggler again making his way back across the swamp jumping out of the Wiggler's body landing on his feet.
"Wait, do you want me to try it out?" Luigi asked nervously glancing over at the dazed Tropical Wiggler sitting on the ground. He hesitantly removed the cap from atop his head feeling Cappy settling on the top of his head.
"Everything will be okay, Luigi," Cappy said reassuringly. "Just fling me once at the Tropical Wiggler to knock its hat off and when I come back toss me again at the Tropical Wiggler so we can possess it."
"You can do it, Luigi!" Mario called out hoping to boost Luigi's confidence.
Luigi swallowed nervously before throwing Cappy at the Tropical Wiggler knocking its hat off. In an instant Cappy returned to Luigi's fingers, Luigi threw Cappy again, the Bonneton landed squarely on the Tropical Wiggler's head.
In an instant, Luigi levitated into the air his feet leaving the ground. Much to the plumber's horror, his left hand began to dissolve in a shower of sparkles before he was yanked towards the stunned Tropical Wiggler.
A low moan escaped the Wiggler's lips Luigi's eyes slowly fluttered open glancing around at his surroundings. Moving felt awkward he'd never had to control so many legs before.
Holy spaghetti, I really did possess the Tropical Wiggler, Luigi thought to himself trying to control his pounding heart along with the rising fear creeping up all over his body.
Mario stood off to the side anxiously watching the Luigi Wiggler blinking it's now blue eyes gazing around in confusion. "Luigi, can you hear me?"
The Luigi Wiggler turned to face Mario shaking its head from side to side. Even moving in his new body felt awkward. Seeing a look of relief appear on Mario's face the Wiggler trundled off near the edge of the swamp, extending his long body, towards the half-submerged tree stump where the Power Moon resided.
Well, here I go then. Don't focus on the poisonous Poison Bog below me. I can do this, anything to help my bro out. Luigi allowed his ruminations to give him the boost of confidence he needed.
Instantly the Luigi Wiggler stretched out its body, the front half resting on the stump allowing the rest of his body to catch up with him as Luigi glanced up the bright purple glow of the Moon hovering above him.
Mario saw the Luigi Wiggler turning to face him with a confused expression on its face unsure how to acquire the Power Moon.
"Just jump out of the Wiggler bro!" Mario called out
Luigi took a breath before jumping out of the Wiggler grabbing the Power Moon before being pulled back into the Wiggler, the Power Moon nestled in his hands. Luigi Wiggler turned around stretching across the surface of the Poison Bog feeling the pull of his body stretching accompanied by a musical note the rest of his body catching up with him
"Alright Luigi, I take it you want to get out of the Wiggler then?" Cappy asked.
"Yes, I do," Luigi answered Cappy's question. "Although I have no idea, how to do that."
"It's simple, all you have to is jump out of the Wiggler."
In an instant, Luigi felt himself being sucked out of the dazed Tropical Wiggler, sitting on its behind before it shakily got up grabbing its hat before slowly walking away and casting a frantic look back at Luigi before it hurried away into the undergrowth.
Luigi paused staring at the purple glow of the Power Moon in the palm of his hands, pulsing with a warm light. He looked up feeling Cappy's hand resting on his shoulder.
"Well done, Luigi that's how Mario and I've been obtaining Power Moons," Cappy said warmly. "For your first time, you did a great job."
Mario approached Luigi patting him on the shoulder beaming widely. "That's my bro. You can always count on him to get the job done."
The warm praise coming from Mario brought a smile to Luigi's face. "Thanks, Mario. I'll always have your back no matter what happens from now on."
"Right then I think we should resume the hunt for more Power Moons then," Cappy said pointing to the east. "There should be some down there if I'm not mistaken."
The brothers nodded to each other before following Cappy heading deeper into the depths of the Lost Kingdom. Mario turned to face Luigi, a warm smile on his face. Deep down inside he was proud of Luigi of how far he'd come. He was glad to have his brother at his side, but still he couldn't shake the unease sooner or later they would have to face Bowser's forces again, and this time Mario vowed to do everything he could to protect Luigi.
Author's note Well, I know not a lot happened in this chapter. The original plan for this chapter was to have the Koopa Kids along with Kamek confronting Mario, Luigi and Cappy in the depths of the Lost Kingdom after the former group retrieved some of the Power Moons, but I didn't go with the idea, because it would've dragged out the chapter longer then I wanted it to be.
You guys will see the Koopalings confronting Mario and Luigi within the next chapter where things will be picking up again. As for Bowser's plans for the Metro Kingdom, well things will be escalating within the penultimate chapter.
Also, if there's another thing I wished we got in Odyssey, it was more interactions with Peach and Tiara. It's a missed opportunity that we only really get to interact with them post-game where I wish we could've seen more of their interactions which we will be seeing more of when Peach will be putting her plan into action within the next couple of chapters.
There were a couple of references in the chapter. One of them is a nod towards the Mecha Wiggler which you fight in the Metro Kingdom, which is one of my favorite boss fights in the game. There's also another reference to the year when Super Mario Sunshine was released in when Bowser told the Koopalings not to scratch the paintwork on his Koopa Clown Car.
As per usual, constructive criticism/ any accidental errors I need to go back and fix/reviews are always welcomed and appreciated. I hope you guys take care of yourselves, thank you for taking the time to read this new chapter and I'll see you guys next time with the next chapter hopefully soon.