(A/N: So Mario is still proving himself to be a sweet man that Peach can trust. What's going to happen next? I'll start this chapter so your questions shall be answered quickly!)


The next day, Mario and Cappy found themselves in the Lost Kingdom.

"Okie-dokie, I think I'm going to dress like an explorer again while we're here. Might be wise." Mario said as he donned his explorer garb.

"Where do you suppose Peach and Tiara will be?" Cappy asked.

"Non ne ho idea. I have no idea. I just hope they didn't fall into the poison swamp." Mario said as he looked out the window at said area. He hoped Peach had the common sense to stay away from there.

"I'm sure she didn't go near it, Mario. Peach is a very smart cookie when it comes to playing it safe. She probably sensed that the swamp is poisonous, and therefore, a thing to avoid." Cappy said.

"And I hope Tiara's okay, too." Mario said. He remembered that this was where Klepto lived.

That's when Cappy remembered the same thing.

"Oh no! I almost forgot that that crazy bird lives here! Why didn't you talk Peach out of coming here, Mario?!" Cappy asked, scared for his life, and his sister's life, too.

"Cappy, I screwed things up really bad between us by trying to force her to accept my proposal! And besides, she wanted to come here! I have been trying to take steps in the right direction to mend what's left of what I have with Peach! If I tried to talk her out of coming here when this tour and everything she's doing on it are her choice... everything I've fixed so far would fall apart!" Mario said.

"You managed to talk her out of venturing into the Deep Woods." Cappy pointed out.

"That was part of the Wooded Kingdom, not the kingdom itself. And based on the nightmare I had, she was willing to listen to reason." Mario said.

"Right. Now you said 'everything you fixed so far'. What have you fixed?" Cappy asked.

"I found out she's blessed to have me as one of her best friends. Some might say she friend-zoned me, but I think that she still does love me, but she wants more of an apology before she admits it." Mario said.

"Wait, did you apologize to her?" Cappy asked.

"Only for forcing her, and I explained that whole thing to her while we were looking at the returned Soirée Bouquet back at the Wooded Kingdom." Mario explained.

"So, she knows that you're sorry." Cappy said.

"Lei fa. She does." Mario said.

"Did she forgive you?" Cappy asked.

"Sì. She forgave me, but she said she can't forgive Bowser." Mario said.

"Okay, I'm glad she forgave you, and I don't blame her for being unable to forgive Bowser. After everything he's done, he doesn't deserve forgiveness, even if he apologizes." said Cappy.

"Me too." Mario said, feeling good that he had been forgiven.

"Let's... go look for Peach... and Tiara..." said Cappy as he quickly turned into Mario's pith helmet. He prayed that Tiara would be with Peach when they found her. The last thing he needed was to find out that his sister got captured again. Not by Bowser, but by Klepto.


It took a while before Mario and Cappy found Peach standing by the Crazy Cap store by the Rocky Mountain Summit.

"Stai bene! Grazie a Dio! You're okay! Thank goodness!" Mario said as he ran to Peach, who was also dressed like an explorer, and gave her a big hug.

"Of course I'm okay, Mario." Peach replied as she returned the plumber's hug.

Cappy, still disguised as Mario's pith helmet, saw Tiara floating next to Peach, much to his relief.

"Tiara! Boy, am I glad to see you! Turn into a tiara, now!" Cappy hissed at her from his perch on Mario's head.

"Why?" Tiara asked.

"Because there's a big bird here (not Big Bird) that likes to snatch up tiny Bonneters in his sharp talons, and I don't want you to get grabbed and carried away like I did!" Cappy said in a loud whisper.

Tiara was frightened by that thought, but since Cappy said that he had been grabbed, she knew it was best to listen to him. He was her big brother, and he knew best. He was still looking out for her, trying to protect her in another way, since he had failed to protect her from Bowser when he attacked Bonneton and captured her.

"Okay." said Tiara. So she turned into a tiara and landed neatly on top of Peach's pith helmet.

"So, this is really where you and Cappy ended up when Bowser shot down your ship?" Peach asked.

"Yup. This was where we found ourselves, and not only had we been shot down, the Odyssey was wrecked. We had to get some Power Moons to fix it. In fact, we grabbed more than enough of those before we left here." Mario replied.


"Um... Cappy... aren't we supposed to leave when the grown-ups are talking...?" Tiara asked.

"Not this time, sis. As long as we're here, we're staying put. Remember what I told you. If we leave, one or both of us might get grabbed by that creepy bird, and if that happens, we can't get to Mario and Peach, and then they'll have a big problem." Cappy told her.

"Oh, right..." said Tiara.

"I'm glad that you were okay. Tiara believed that you and Cappy were fine. She said that she knew that you and Cappy were too strong to just give up." Peach told him.

"Tiara's a smart girl." Mario said, which almost made Tiara react with happiness, but a sharp look from Cappy told her to keep very still.

"I was so upset, Mario. When I saw that happen, I thought that was the end of you. All I could do at the moment was sit in the bride's chamber, remove my gloves, and cry into my hands. I thought I had cried my eyes dry hours ago, but I was wrong, Mario. I never knew that I had so many tears inside." Peach said.

"Mia povera, dolce principessa. My poor, sweet princess. I'm so sorry you had to see that... But I'm okay, and we're safe..." Mario said, holding Peach close to him.

The Princess returned his embrace and moved her head close to his chest, so that she could hear his heart beating. The sound calmed her down, but she couldn't help thinking that the sound was a little... faint. She voiced her concerns about that to Mario.

"It does?" Mario asked. He wasn't too surprised that his heartbeat sounded faint. His heart was on the mend, but it wasn't fixed completely. But there's no way he could tell Peach that, because telling her that his heart was broken, as well as the reason why, would ruin everything between them for good!

"Why is that?" Peach asked.

"Maybe because you might need il mio stetoscopio, my stethoscope, to hear it better." Mario said, glad he thought of something better to say. Then he added, "However, I have buone notizie e cattive notizie, good news and bad news. The good news is that I do have with it me." Mario said.

"What's the bad news?" Peach asked.

"It's in the Odyssey's wardrobe, with my doctor garb." Mario answered.

"Oh. Well, that does make a lot of sense, keeping a doctor's tool with your doctor garb." Peach said.

"If you want me to go and get the stethoscope real quick, I can. It won't take very long." Mario said.

"No, it's okay, Mario. You don't have to do that." Peach said.

"Okie-dokie." Mario replied.


Peach stood up again, and Mario asked her, "So, what is your opinion of the Forgotten Isle?"

"The plant life here is so different from anything I've seen before!" Peach replied.

"Sono d'accordo. I agree with that. This place is like nothing the world has ever seen! That may be why this was the Lost Kingdom, rediscovered by me and Cappy, and now you and Tiara are here, too!" Mario said.

"What a trip we've been on! I've seen so many wondrous creatures!" said Tiara.

"Yeah, well... there's one you don't want to see, Tiara. I don't want to see it, either, because trust me, it's bad..." Cappy said.

"The bird you told me about?" Tiara asked.

"Yeah... him..." Cappy replied.

"I picked up a Power Moon as a souvenir for you." Peach said to Mario, giving him the Power Moon.

"Grazie, Peach. Thank you." Mario replied.

"You're welcome." Peach replied.

"You didn't happen to venture near the purple goo down there, did you?" Mario asked.

"No, I avoided it. Why?" Peach asked.

"Good. It's una palude velenosa, a poison swamp. Make sure that you avoid it like the plague." Mario told her.

"I will, sweetie. Don't you worry." Peach smiled.

"Wow... I know I'm dressed like an explorer, but it's really warm out here..." Mario said, fanning himself with his hand.

"I know. I'm getting a little too warm myself. Maybe we should head into the Crazy Cap, where we can sit in air-conditioned comfort and talk?" Peach suggested.


At that moment, Cappy said, "You know what? That's a really great idea! And I think we should go ahead and do that right now! Hurry!"

Mario was startled by Cappy's words, but then he saw why Cappy was so upset. Klepto was flying around, and he must have spotted them, for he was headed their way! If Mario and Peach didn't act now, Cappy and Tiara could get snatched, and after everything they'd all been through, Mario really didn't want that to happen again!

"Move, Peach!" Mario yelled, ushering Peach into the store as fast as he could before she could even ask him what was going on.

Klepto hadn't been able to grab Tiara, but he did manage to get Cappy!

"Mario! Help!" Cappy yelled as Klepto flew away with him.

"Oh no, not again!" Mario said as he heard Cappy pleading for help!

So Mario went after Klepto and quickly retrieved Cappy.

"Mi dispiace molto. I am so sorry, Cappy. I really didn't want that to happen to you again!" Mario said, placing Cappy back on his head as he ran to the Crazy Cap.

"I-it wasn't your f-fault, Mario..." a shaken Cappy replied.

"I won't let him do that to you anymore, little buddy. You have my word." Mario promised as he made it into the store before Klepto got any ideas of trying again.

"Mario, what took you so long, and why did you push me in here so fast?" Peach asked, a little concerned as she watched Mario arrive and catch his breath.


"You'll have to forgive me for that, Peach. The reason Cappy got so scared is because of Klepto. The first time we were here, that condor snatched him off of my head, twice! I had to stop looking for Power Moons so I could rescue him! Cappy didn't want his sister to suffer the same fate as him. The reason I took so long in coming in here is because Klepto got Cappy again while I was making sure you and Tiara were safe." Mario explained.

"Thank you, Mario! My hero!" Tiara said, turning into her Bonneter self and giving Mario a big hug while nuzzling his cheek.

"Prego, Tiara. You're welcome." Mario said, returning the hug.

"Yes, Mario. Thanks for making sure she would be okay." Peach smiled.

"I'm sorry you got grabbed by that thing, Cappy." Tiara said, flying up to the top of Mario's head, where Cappy was still disguised as Mario's pith helmet.

"It's not your fault, Tiara. It wasn't the first time I was grabbed, but I'm sure hoping that this is the last time it happens!" Cappy replied.

"It's okay, Cappy. I told you that I'm going to make sure that idiot bird doesn't grab you again." Mario assured his friend as he took Cappy off of his head and set him on his lap.

"Thanks." Cappy said, relaxing a little on Mario's lap.


So Mario, Peach, Cappy, and Tiara sat there in the air-conditioned comfort of the Lost Kingdom's Crazy Cap store, just talking. And the Toads who worked there didn't complain. Having famous people like Mario and Peach in their store was a big deal to them!

Peach felt glad that she and Tiara had been standing right outside of the Crazy Cap when Klepto appeared.

"We wouldn't have been able to avoid him if we weren't." Peach said.

"Yeah, that would've been awful!" Tiara added.

"I'll have to make sure he doesn't try anything when you two are ready to leave this kingdom." Mario promised the girls.

"But enough about that big, scary bird. Now let's talk about one of the fun things in this kingdom." Cappy suggested.

"Like what?" Mario asked.

"You'll find out soon." Cappy told him, before turning back into his Bonneter self and saying, "You girls would've liked when I helped Mario capture a Tropical Wiggler. It made accordion sounds when he used it. He even sang a song about being an accordion worm, and it was so funny!"

"Maybe he can demonstrate it before we go." Peach said.

"I know I'd like to see it!" Tiara said. She could go for a laugh.

"Okie-dokie." said Mario. He cautiously made his way back out, with Cappy turning back into Mario's pith helmet, and thankfully, Klepto was nowhere to be seen.

"The coast seems to be clear." Mario said to the girls, so they came out after him.

"Mario, just because he's not seen now doesn't mean anything. I'm still keeping my eyes peeled." said Cappy, and he was keeping a sharp eye out for Klepto.


At that moment, a Tropical Wiggler passed by.

"Bingo!" Mario said, throwing Cappy at the creature.

Just like that, Mario became the Tropical Wiggler, and as he moved, making the accordion sounds, he sang his song about being an accordion worm. It made everyone laugh, but they had to keep it quiet on the off-chance Klepto might hear them, and if he did... then Mario and Peach would have to hurry up and hide Cappy and Tiara.

After finishing up with the Tropical Wiggler and its accordion sounds, Mario and Peach continued to look around the Lost Kingdom (while Cappy continued to keep a sharp eye out for Klepto), and they were amazed by everything they saw.

At one point, Mario said to Peach, "I didn't really have much time to enjoy the scenery, because when I'm on a mission to rescue you, I'm focused more on saving your life than anything."

"I'm glad you care that much, Mario. Sounds like you've got a heart full of devotion." Peach smiled.

"Yes, Princess, my heart is full of devotion. For you, and you alone." Mario thought with a sigh. He was hoping that maybe, just maybe, the love spark was still there in her heart.


Before the day was over, they went back to the Crazy Cap, and Peach said, "I think perhaps we should call it a day and get ready to visit the next kingdom."

"Which one do you want to see, principessa?" Mario asked.

Peach thought for a moment before saying, "You know, I'd like to visit the big city again—maybe get a taste of hustle and bustle!"

"So, you want to visit the Metro Kingdom, right?" Mario asked.

"Yes. I'd like to see what it's like when Bowser's not causing trouble in it. And with luck, it may not be raining this time." Peach said.

"You're right, dolcezza. It was nighttime and pouring down rain when Cappy and I arrived and saw Bowser's airship." Mario replied.

"And we won't have to worry about Bowser advertising the wedding he never should have planned all over the city." Cappy added.

"Don't remind me. I was glad I could get rid of the posters, but not everything else... I just wanted to capture him and make him claw out his own eyes." Mario said.

"That would've been great, because then he wouldn't have seen me getting away from him. But then again, he would've kept a firmer hold on me to make sure I couldn't get away." Peach said.

"He wouldn't have been able to see me coming." Mario reminded her.

"Good point. If he can't see you, he can't swat you like a fly ball." Peach realized.

"Can't swat what you can't see! Especially if the person is as quiet as a cat." Mario said.

"So, let's head on back to our respective modes of transportation." Peach said.

So they got ready to leave the Crazy Cap.

"I wonder if that shop will be able to stay in business here." Peach said.

"That probably depends on us. We rediscovered the island, so it should be charted again." Mario said.


But right before they could leave, they got a nasty shock: Klepto was flying around outside.

"Oh no! That's him, isn't it?!" Tiara cried, frightened.

"Oh yeah. That's Klepto." Mario said.

"Can't you claw out his eyes?" Tiara asked the plumber.

"I wish I could, but I'd first have to fim some way to prevent him from flying away." Mario replied.

"Hide us!" Cappy pleaded.

"Okay, Cappy. I know you may not like this idea too much, but it should spare you." Mario said, and he hid Cappy under his shirt.

"It's really warm in here. Are you sure Klepto will be fooled?" Cappy asked from inside Mario's shirt.

"Maybe. Just keep quiet and don't move." Mario whispered inside his shirt.

"Mario, you almost look pregnant." Tiara giggled.

"I'm a man. I can't get pregnant. But at least Cappy won't be found if he's hiding in there." Mario said.

"Guess I'd better hide the same way, but with Peach, huh?" Tiara asked.

"Yup." said Peach.

So Tiara hid herself under Peach's shirt.

"I'll see you in the Metro Kingdom, Peach." Mario said to the Princess.

"Looking forward to it." Peach replied.

The two gave each other a quick peck on the cheek before hurrying back to their ships, unseen by Klepto. Once inside, Cappy and Tiara were able to come out of hiding, and they helped their human companions set a course for the Metro Kingdom.


And in the next chapter, we'll find them in the Metro Kingdom. If you wish to see how things go there, then I advise you to stay tuned!