Disclaimer: I own nothing from Nintendo! This is the last time I'm saying it.
Chapter 3: Escape from horrible deeds! Mario heads to the castle!
"Heavy." the small Yoshi quietly said to no one in particular. The party was now recovering from their shock. "We've got to help him!" Flurry said with two others, Bombette and Sushi. "No!" Goombario stopped her. He made himself second in command since he was the first ever partner. "Mario should deal with his pain by himself. We may be his allies but we can't always help." "Thanks Goombario." a calm voice emerged from the hole. All the partners focused their attention to Mario who was climbing out of the hole with some effort. "I thank you all for coming." Mario started once he was out of the hole and standing. "But this is where we part ways." "What?" was just about the reaction from the whole group. "But Mario-" Goombario was cut off. "I don't want anymore deaths on my hands. This is going to get dangerous and it'll be faster if I go alone. You guys must know how I feel." Mario said. The group quietly conversed while Mario waited for a response. "Well," Goombario, the spokesperson of the group started. "We agree. You should go this alone. Just remember when you need some help, we're always your partners." Goombario smiled toward Mario who smiled back. "We've got no times for good-byes. So, I'll see you when I see you." Mario said. "Skolar, you got the machine ready?" He yelled into the hole. "Yes, Master Mario." the answer came. Out of the hole popped blue ship like the one before and Skolar was inside. Mario hopped in. "Bury the Star Spirits and please make a monument to acknowledge Vivian." Mario said to his partners. "Let them rest easy." he finished in a lower tone. "Where are you going?" Several partners asked at the same time, Goombario, Flurry, and Watt. "To Princess Peach's Castle!" Mario said as both an answer to them and a command to Skolar who then forced to ship to blast off with light speed. The partners just stared in awe at the speed of the ship as it zoomed toward Star Way. "Well, let's get started." Goombario said. "Where are we going to find a shovel?" Bow said with an attitude. "Uh-" Goombario hesitated.
Mario looked back at Star Haven with a smile. My friends, he said in his head. At least there are still people left I can rely on. A gloved hand on the edge of the ship took Mario out of his thoughts. "Bro," a voice weakly said. Skolar couldn't notice the voice in the rushing winds around the ship. "Luigi?" Mario said as he pulled his brother up on the ship with some effort. He noticed he was holding an unconscious Goombella in his right arm. "What happened to you?" Mario asked with worry. "Vivian…and You." Luigi coughed. "Forget it bro, just rest." Mario made Luigi sit down and rested Goombella beside him. "I'm okay." Luigi insisted. "I meant that Vivian did this to me and she used you to hurt Goombella." Luigi pointed toward the brutally damaged goomba girl. Mario scowled in anger at the way Vivian had acted and how Bedlam called him a murderer for killing her. "It was all we could do." Mario unconsciously whispered under his breath. "Huh?" Luigi said, hearing Mario. "What are you talking about?" "Nothing." Mario quickly said. "Please continue." "Anyway, she'll be okay. So where are we headed?" Mario smiled at his brother's new strength. Mario always thought Luigi wasn't as brave as he was and would run at the sight of danger but now he's laying his life on the line and wasn't screaming or crying. I guess people really can change Mario thought. "We're headed to Princess Peach's castle." Mario said. "Why?" Luigi asked. "To get the stars." Mario explained. Luigi nodded and looked out into space. Skolar made the ship take a sharp dive. "Whoa!" Mario and Luigi both said this as they grabbed onto an edge. Mario also grabbed Goombella before she flew out of the ship. "With that kind of driving you might be the only person who ever killed the Mario Bros." Mario joked. Skolar still couldn't hear with the immense winds. Stars sparkled around the ship and then a bright light shone, signifying the end of Star Way. "Yeah!" Mario yelled in excitement "Woohoo!" from Luigi. "Shut up!" said Goombella.
"Goombella!" Mario yelled. "You're awake!" "How could anyone not be with you guys yelling and all?" Goombella huffed and then smiled. "I'm very cranky without sleep. What are you guys yelling about?" she finished with a yawn. After filling Goombella and Luigi in at what happened in Star Haven Mario was now serious and stern. Bedlam and Marilyn were on a day's trip to Rogueport on a boat. If Mario could get there before they do, and with the power of the stars, he could ambush them and take back the Star Rod. Mario knew a wish like to bring Shadow Queen a body would take Shadow Queen's power. "Princess Peach's Castle." Skolar announced as he stopped the ship and gently landed it beside Peach's grave. Mario looked at the grave with sorrow and anger. He clenched his fist as well as his teeth. "They're going to pay!" he said. "Calm down, bro." Luigi patted his brother on the shoulder. "Yeah," Goombella hopped up and agreed. "This is no time to get angry. Not when the world is on your shoulders, again." The three stepped out of the ship with Skolar waiting in the ship to zoom off when Mario got the Power Stars. Time was of the essence. Mario walked a few steps forward and looked at the glass painting of Peach above him. From there he held out his hand. A gust of cold wind blew and Luigi, along with Goombella, looked on with anticipation. Skolar also couldn't help but be curious.
"Power Stars, come to me!" Mario yelled. Nothing happened. "I guess it needs something different this time." Mario looked back at his spectators while saying this. "Open sesame!" He yelled, raising his hands in the air. Luigi, Goombella, and Skolar practically dropped in the humiliation. "You moron! Don't you know how to release the stars?" Goombella yelled. "I've never done it before." Mario said, embarrassed. While Luigi and Goombella yelled things we shouldn't hear at Mario, Skolar came out of the ship with a suggestion. "Master Mario what do you know about these stars?" "Well," Mario remembered. "They can give a lot of power and they are the secret treasure of the castle." Luigi and Goombella stopped yelling at Mario once he stopped listening. "That must mean-" Skolar started. "Peach hid them somewhere else!" Mario finished. "But where?" Goombella asked with a huff. "Who would know? Besides Peach I mean." Luigi asked. "Toadsworth." Mario answered. He was already through the door before anyone noticed. "Wait up!" Luigi and Goombella said. "I'll stay behind to watch the ship." Skolar said as he hopped in it. The castle was dark and empty. It lacked the life it once had with Princess Peach. Luigi was a little scared and stayed close to Mario and Goombella. Mario used a "sixth sense" to find the right doors in this castle full of rooms. Finally, after moving from floor to floor he reached Princess Peach's room, where Toadsworth should be staying since he was now king. Mario slowly opened the door to see a sobbing Toadsworth in a rocking chair by Peach's bed. He had a children's book in his hand but it lay unopened. "Toadsworth." Mario wanted to say but Goombella beat him to it. He instantly came out of his trance and wiped his tears.
"Oh, Mario and Luigi!" he said surprised. He hopped out of the chair and walked toward them. "Oh, hello Goombella." Toadsworth said while noticeably looking down toward her. Oh great, she thought. Even the short guys look down on me. "Hey Toadsworth, you're not still grieving are you?" Mario asked. Toadsworth simply looked down then perked his head up. "You may not believe this," he started. "but I was the Princess' guardian from even before she was born. You see, I was a toad in the royal army and-"