Hello again. This is the forth instalment of the story. Unfortunately I still don't own any of the characters. Ho hum. Any way, on with the story.

Chapter 4: Mixed Feelings.

As he left the party behind Luigi strolled home in solitude. Being alone gave him time to mull over the nights events. No matter how hard he tried to think of something else the moment when Daisy was swept of her feet kept creeping back into his mind. Watching as she gracefully danced in his arms sent a wave a feeling all over Luigi's body. It was a feeling of mixed pain, anguish and torment. If only he was like his older brother Mario who was brave, strong and stood up for himself. But then Mario didn't have to fight for Peach. She admired him any way.

As Luigi walked on in the world of his own some one else was also alone. This lone person was never one to wallow in self-pity. He watched as Luigi muttered to himself. The person followed Luigi, until Luigi jumped down the warp pipe leading to the Pipe House. Waiting a few minutes before jumping down after him, the person gave a low cackle to himself, Knowing that Luigi had no idea of his fate.

After Luigi's swift departure Mario and Peach tried to find Daisy. They searched in vain for half an hour before coming up with no results. No body else had seen them. Feeling that Daisy perhaps did not want to be found the happy couple returned to the dance floor.

As Peach was lead around the floor by Mario, she felt something. It wasn't a good feeling either. Some people would dismiss these feelings as pure nonsense, others would ignore them but the odd few like Peach believed in them. She always thought it was nature's way of telling her something was up. However she couldn't just tell Mario of her feelings, he would dismiss them. Before she started to panic she took the calm and sensible approach of thinking about what her gut feeling could mean. Nothing random had happened to day that she knew about, this lead her to wonder if anything had happened that she didn't know about. She dismissed this thought straight away, if anything happened some one would tell her. She after all did rule the kingdom.

Then it hit her. Something did happen and she did know about it. Gasping in slow realisation she jerked away from Mario without meaning to. This reaction from Peach caused Mario to jump in shock. Looking into her frightful eyes he asked her what was wrong. She shook her head and pulled him off into a nearby balcony. Mario looking bewildered waited patiently for Peach to speak.

'Mario something's wrong. I think Daisy's in trouble' She panted. Mario raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

''What makes you say that Peach?' He asked.

'That guy she was with! I've never seen him before' She replied, realising how daft that must sound. Mario shook his head.

'Peach, just because you don't know him doesn't mean he's bad. Just relax' Mario said dismissively. Peach didn't know what to say to make him understand. She was saved the bother of saying anything when Toad and Toadette came running up to them franticly. Peach gave Mario a stern look. Mario shrugged and still didn't think any thing had happened to Daisy.

Peach asked Toad to tell her what all the fuss was about. Peach and Mario listened as he retold the events that had caused him to franticly find them dragged Toadette behind him.

'Well I took Toadette outside for some privacy-'

Mario smirked, Toadette blushed and Peach ignored them letting Toad carry on.

'And we were out there for some time when a stone hit me on the back of the head-'

'Who threw it?' Mario interrupted. Toad glared and answered his question.

'We don't know. We went to find them but all we found was this' He handed Peach a tatty old piece of paper. Toad was about to speak again when Mario interrupted for the third time.

'And why were you in a rush?'

'Because Mario its a letter and we read what it had to say-' this time Peach stared at him with a stern expression. Told jumped and hastily continued with the story.

'We only read it because it was addressed to no one and it wasn't posted properly, we thought it might have been something you dropped Princess'

Peach's stern look warmed up after that last comment. She then asked him what the letter said. Toad pushed the letter into her hand and told her to read it for herself. Peach gazed at his tattered appearance and started to read.

'Dear Princess Toadstool,

Forgive me for writing to you out of the blue but my Kingdom is in grave peril at the hands of a reptile known as Bowser. I heard that you and your new partner Mario have dealt with him on many occasion and was hoping you could help me.

With regards at this sad time.

King Osbrew of the Soulbridge Kingdom'

Peach gasped at the mention of Bowser. Mario grabbed the letter out of his hand and shook his head.

'Mario we should go and help!' Said Peach at once. Mario looked at her like she was mad.

'Why? We've had our fair share of that monster!' Peach gawped at him like she had never seen him before.

'But Mario it's my duty!' Mario crossed his arms and said nothing more. Peach wanted to slap him for being so self centred.

'Fine! I'll go by myself if you wont help Mario' Peach snapped. Mario sighed and complied. Finally he agreed to accompany her on her mission.

'But Peach, it's so far!' Toad said. Peach shook her head and declared that it was her duty. Mario rolled his eyes at her stubbornness.

Thank you to the people who take the time out to review my story. Your reviews mean a lot to me and I hope you'll continue to read the story.