Lucina couldn't keep her eyes open any longer once the clock hit three in the morning. She had moved away from the dumpster and laid against a tree. The girl kept looking for any sign of her friend Pit. He claimed he was just going to get Mario's autograph. But Lucina knew better…
She didn't really know Pit… and yet she was confident that she knew enough that he would try and take matters into his own hands. But her parents raised her to see the best in people. So, Lucina decided to wait and see if he would return.
It didn't bother her sleeping beneath this surprisingly comfortably tree. She had a legendary weapon to protect her if she was going to be in any danger… yet Lucina doubted anything would happen. So far, she wasn't threatened by anything in the Mushroom Kingdom.
But the question rang in her sleeping mind… why was Altea so ready for conflict with this nation? Or the other two for that matter. If Corneria and Hyrule were anything like the Mushroom Kingdom, then there shouldn't be any reason for conflict.
"Well, you're certainly quick to judge."
A distorted voice spoke to Lucina. Lucina lunged upward, drawing the Falchion in the process. She scanned the area, but she couldn't find the person who spoke.
Then, Lucina realized that she was no longer at the edge of the forest. She was standing on top of an ancient castle. The light radiating from the Falchion landed on a torn flag and Lucina gasped as she recognized Altea's symbol on it.
How could she be back at Altea? Did Palutena or someone else warp her? Or…
"Quick to judge… slow to process…"
Lucina spun around, trying to locate the mysterious figure. "This is nothing more than a dream…"
A dark form started to rise from the building cracks. Lucina took a step back as the shadows clung together, forming a humanoid shape. Any distinguishable features were lost. It was like staring into an abyss. "So, this is just a dream?" Lucina responded, keeping her weapon steady, in case she needed to make a quick draw.
"Correct," the twisted voice came from the shadow abomination. "Glad you could accept that."
Lucina wasn't sure what was up with this creature. If this was truly just a dream, then she couldn't be hurt. But for now, she decided to play along. "What did you mean by I'm quick to judge?"
Cold laughter dripped throughout the area, echoing as though they were inside a tunnel. "You've only been in one town in this region, and you think you know everything? You think this place is innocent?"
"What?"
"Maybe the Mushroom Kingdom has a cruel monarchy that controls the populace? You've seen how gullible the folks here are! Practically worshiping a false hero! Maybe this Koopa King isn't a threat in this region… but could be a real terror to Altea! But you don't really care about that do you?"
Lucina was taken aback by the sudden change in topic. She tried to respond, but the dark creature was on a roll.
"Why pretend that you care about the goddess's mission or your friend for that matter. There nothing more than an excuse for you to leave your cage and explore the world!"
Lucina froze. To hear that she cared about putting herself before her friend or the world… There was no way that she… felt like that… right?
"You… SHUT UP!" Lucina angrily raced forward and swung the Falchion horizontally through the monster. The weapon simply passed right through, and the thing chuckled.
"Did I strike a nerve?" It cruelly teased. "It's hard to accept the truth after all."
"You don't know anything about me," Lucina snapped. "This isn't some trip for me! I will complete about Palutena's mission… and I care about Corrin! I will find her!"
The thing shrugged its shoulders. "Oh, but I know everything about you Lucina… For I am…"
Lucina felt a tug on her shoulder, and she could feel herself being awoken.
She opened her eyes, squinting hard in the morning sunlight. She was back beneath the comfortable tree. "Pit?" She groggily said, looking up at the person near her.
Standing next to her, looking frightfully at her, was not Pit, but Luigi. "You were shaking badly," Luigi gingerly said. "Were you having a bad dream?"
Lucina looked down at her right hand, which was indeed shaking. "Something like that," she muttered, clenching her hand into a fist. So that really was just a dream… but it felt so real.
This was the second dream that she had that seemed too real. The first was when she was following those violet butterflies to the sea… and then she was attacked by something large and white. She shook as she recalled that maniacal laughter. Now the second was this dream… with that shadow creature…
Lucina wanted so hard to forget the words that monster uttered. Yet she couldn't as those words hurt her. Those words were obviously not how she felt… but she couldn't help but feel curious about the identity of that monster.
A finger snapped in front of her, jolting her back to the present. "Sorry Lucina," Luigi quickly said. "But we have an emergency! There has been a kidnapping!"
That last word caught Lucina's full attention. "A kidnapping! Who was kidnapped?"
Luigi fidgeted on the spot. "Well… it's hard to say… there was a note… but…"
"Luigi just say it," Lucina insisted.
The green man took a deep breath, "The person who was kidnapped was…"
A droplet of water landed smack dabbed on the bump on Pit's face. The angel stirred, laying up gingerly. He tried to feel his injuries, but he couldn't move his hands. Pit looked down and saw that his hands were tied together with a thick rope.
He looked up and to his horror, he appeared to be locked in a cell. There was a dimly lit light hanging above in the cell. In the corner, was a grimy toilet. Flies were floating all around it. Just looking at it was nearly enough for Pit to feel sick.
Pit turned away from the sickening sight and walked up to the bars. They didn't appear to be too strong, but he couldn't summon his blades while his hands were tied together. He turned his focus away from the bars, and at what was beyond them.
It looked like he was in some sort of underground tunnel. There was a steel door blocking the far end of the hall. The area appeared to have quickly turned into a makeshift holding cell. Across from Pit's cell, was another cell. The difference was there was a large soft looking purple bed that dominated most of the space. That cell had its own occupant, who was sleeping on the bed.
Pit felt a twinge of jealousy. Why wasn't he given the same treatment? Then, beneath that cell's dim light, Pit recognized the figure sleeping on the bed. "Hey Princess Peach," Pit whispered, trying to get her attention.
The girl stirred a little on the bed. Pit said again, this time a little louder, "Princess Peach! Wake up!"
This time he was successful as the Princess stirred. She sat up and groggily said, "Wuz dat dow?"
Pit blinked. There was something off about Princess Peach. Perhaps those thugs did something to her when they captured her. "Um… Princess. Are you okay?"
The Princess rubbed the drowsiness out of her eyes and turned to face Pit. Pit gasped as the weak light shown something startling in the opposite cell. "Princess Peach! I though you just had blonde hair?"
"That's because I'm not the Princess you dolt!" The girl snapped, removing the blonde wig that was tangled with her maple hair. "I'm Daisy. The actress who plays Princess Peach in the Toad Town performances!"
Pit lowered his head. Lucina had mentioned something last night about a Daisy. Now here she was revealed to be the Princess he was trying to reach. "So, the real Princess wasn't at the play last night?" Pit whispered.
Daisy shook her head. "As far as I know she wasn't. Good thing to since it would have been horrific if Peach was kidnapped instead. It's a shame you got captured too kid."
Pit didn't like being called a kid, despite how foolish he acted yesterday. "The only reason I'm here is because I tried to save you!" He barked, which resulted in Daisy waving her hands frantically.
"Quiet down! I thank you for… trying to save me. But it looks like the kidnappers made the same mistake of mistaking me as the Princess. Do you remember what the kidnappers looked like? I was tossed into that sack before I got a good look at them."
Resting his hand on his cheek, Pit thought hard. "There were two of them. One was short and wearing yellow. The other was tall and lanky and…"
Daisy moaned. "Wario and Waluigi," She muttered. "Those two troublemakers…"
"Yeah them," Pit exclaimed. "Who are Wario and Waluigi?" He added sheepishly. There were no cards in Myths and Monsters about either of them, so Pit had no knowledge about the duo.
"They are self-proclaimed treasure hunters but honestly… those two are nothing more than little pranksters. They're annoying to deal with, but their harmless. I'm surprised that they would do something as bold as kidnapping Peach."
Pit asked, "Then why would they try to do something like that?"
"Wah ha ha!" Came a hearty laugh that echoed off the walls. The steel door groaned as it opened. Walking insider were the kidnappers, Wario and Waluigi. Daisy quickly stuffed the blonde wig on her head. Pit understood why. If they thought they had the real Princess, then they might not harm Daisy… or Pit for that matter.
The devious duo walked forward and stopped in front of the two cells. Wario facing Pit's while Waluigi faced Daisy's. "I think it's fairly obvious why we're doing this," Waluigi said, twirling his moustache as his narrow eyes stared at Daisy.
"Were getting a buttload of treasure," Wario excitedly blurted out before anyone else could say anything. "A nice simple job from our employer. We were told to get into the castle and…"
Waluigi bonked his partner on the head. "Shut it!" He snapped as Wario glared at him. "They don't need all the details."
Wario straightened his hat and rambled on, "We were going to get the Princess to let us in the castle… but then we overheard that she was going out last night with that fool Mario. We snatched her right as she was leaving a trailer."
"Now that we have you," Waluigi interrupted. "You will let us into the castle and then we will let you go?"
Daisy remained silent, staring at Pit determinedly. Pit understood Daisy's problem. She couldn't talk without giving away the ruse, so it was up to Pit to get them to expose more of their plan. Or at the very least stall for time until Mario would save them. He always saved the Princess in the end.
"Got nothing to say Princess?" Waluigi suspiciously asked.
"So that's it… just going to let us go just like that?" Pit quickly asked, hoping to get the focus back on him.
Wario laughed again. "Who said anything about letting you go kid? The boss said his acquaintance might have some use experimenting on you."
Pit gulped. "Well, that's sounds fun… but I'm sure the Princess wouldn't agree to your terms if you give me away."
Daisy quickly shook her head to agree, with Waluigi watching her carefully, an eyebrow raised. "I think the Princess would be more worried about herself that some pipsqueak. She's just lucky that we aren't giving her to that oaf Bowser once were done with the job."
Both Pit and Daisy were confused by this statement. "Wait," Pit slowly said. "Bowser… isn't your boss?"
Wario and Waluigi both started laughing merrily. The tunnel was filled with the sounds of WAH! "Us working for that buffoon king," Waluigi looked insulted at the mere thought. "No, our boss said that he wants the Princess safe and sound as he has bigger plans for her."
"Well, who is your boss then?"
Wario simply said, "We don't know. We only talked to him through the phone. His voice was all muffled and he promised us treasure if we pulled off this job."
"Seriously," Daisy blurted out, before covering up her mouth. This time it was her voice that echoed around the tunnel with all set of eyes focused on her.
Waluigi sneered triumphantly. "I knew it." He reached his long, lanky arm through the bars and snatched at Daisy's hair. Daisy struggled to hold onto the wig, but Waluigi was stronger. He gave a hard yank and ripped the wig off her head. He fell backwards onto Wario, leaving them both in a groaning mess, with Waluigi holding the wig up like a trophy. "I thought something was fishy about you!"
"That's great," Wario moaned from beneath Waluigi. "Now… how about getting off!"
He kicked Waluigi away who went flying into some crates. Wario got back to his short feet and stormed up to Daisy's cell. He grabbed the bars and started to shake them in frustration. "How could be we be so stupid and grab the wrong person!"
"It was dark Wario," Waluigi said, gingerly sitting up from the crushed crates. "We saw someone in a pink dress and assumed it the Princess."
"Well, what do we do now," Wario demanded, turning away from Daisy. "We already called the boss and said that we had the Princess and would be in the castle by this afternoon?"
Now it was Pit's turn to laugh. "Losers! Now you're going to disappoint your boss and Mario's going to come and kick your butts!"
Wario marched over to Pit's cell and punched the bars. "Shut up! Why I ought to…"
"Wait," Waluigi quickly said with a smile. Wario turned to his partner, confusion etched on his face as he scratched his butt. "I have an idea how we can still turn this into a win," Waluigi said confidently, his arm resting on a raised leg.
"Oh," Wario asked intrigued. "And how do we do that?"
Waluigi got to his feet and to Pit's disappointment, started to whisper into Wario's ear. A moment later, Waluigi pulled back from Wario, and they both had huge grins on their faces. "Now that sounds like a good plan."
The devious pair broke out into laughter once again. The tunnel was quickly filled with the joyful sounds of Wah!
"Are you sure that it was Daisy who was kidnapped instead of the Princess?" Lucina asked Luigi as the two raced towards the park.
"I'm sure of it," Luigi huffed. "The kidnappers left a note near her trailer. I went to check on Daisy and she wasn't there. Her costume and wig also weren't put away, so I think a…"
"That the kidnappers mistook Daisy for Peach," Lucina filled in, as they entered the park.
Luigi nodded. "I want to let Mario know right away since he was with the Princess last night."
"She was here? I thought you said…"
"I know," Luigi muttered. "I thought she was going to appear tonight. I learned last night that she had a date with my brother. And I didn't know where you were to let you know."
"It's okay. I understand."
Luigi smiled weakly. "Now I think my brother is just up ahead. He will know what to do…"
Lucina didn't fully agree with Luigi's optimism. Based on everything she heard about Mario, she was sure that Mario would probably fold and not try to rescue Daisy. Unless something was in it for him. But Lucina liked Daisy and she wanted to do whatever she could to help.
She was also bothered that Pit was also missing. He too was looking for the Princess last night and if he stumbled across the kidnappers, he would have tried to stop them. From there, Lucina wasn't sure if Pit would have been successful or not. If he failed, it would explain why he has gone missing.
The pair reached the center of the park and like Luigi said, Mario was standing plain as day in the center of the park. Mario was standing cheerfully amidst a pack of Toads. Seriously, Lucina thought as she and Luigi slowed down. Don't these people ever get tired of Mario?
"Hey bro," Luigi called out over the moving sea of mushroom heads.
Mario didn't even glance in Luigi's direction and said, "Sorry Luigi. I'm a little busy now."
"But it's important," Luigi exclaimed, as he was pushed to the side by a Toad. He fell backwards, but Lucina was able to catch him.
Again, Mario ignored him and picked up a pencil to autograph a paper for a young fan. Now feeling frustrated, Lucina yelled, "There's been a kidnapping!"
Shocked, Mario dropped the pencil that bounced off the Toad's head. He hesitantly turned around to face Lucina and Luigi. "What was that?" he asked, his voice filled with shaking bravado.
The crowd also silent as Luigi navigated his way through the Toads. He stopped before Mario and said, "The kidnappers left this note!"
He handed his brother the note. Mario snatched it out of the air and quickly read through it. Once he finished reading it, he shoved the paper back into Luigi's hands. "The Princess hasn't been kidnapped. And I would know," Mario boldly said. "False alarm," he directed to the crowd. "My brother's terrible idea of a joke… just like his attempts at making a fireball!"
The crowd roared with laughter. Luigi turned red in embarrassment, and he looked like he wanted to melt away. Seeing her friend being treated like this forced Lucina to act without thinking. "The kidnappers took Daisy instead," Lucina declared which wiped the smirk of Mario's face. "So now she needs a Superstar to save her."
Mario narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who are you? And why would someone want to kidnap Daisy?"
"My name is Lucina. A friend of Luigi's. And were telling the truth."
"I believe them Mario," a different voice emerged.
The Toads gasped and this time Lucina joined them as well. Approaching the crowd was Princess Peach. Lucina was sure that she was the real deal. She had that natural royal feel flowing from her. Lucina was used to that feeling, as it was the same feeling she got standing in her parent's presence. That and she was surrounded by Toad's wielding spears and one older grumpy looking Toad.
"I wanted to see my friend Daisy and she wasn't at her trailer," the Princess explained, gracefully walking towards Mario, the crowd clearing a path for her. "I asked around and no one had seen her since last night. I believe the kidnappers grabbed her by mistake, especially if she was still dressed as me."
The Princess stopped right in front of Mario, reaching out a hand. "May I see that letter?"
Mario quickly placed the letter into the Princess's hand. She skimmed through the note, taking in every word. As she read it, a thought came to Lucina. The Princess was right in front of her, and she could hand over the invitation for Palutena's Peace Summit. She reached for her pocket and felt around. There was nothing but empty space inside the pocket. Lucina cursed under her breath. Pit was the one with the scroll, not her.
Peach finished reading the letter and noted, "Don't you think there's something familiar about this handwriting Toadsworth?"
The older Toad snatched the letter and read through it. "Your quite right Princess," he mumbled. "I have no doubt that this is the handwriting of that scoundrel Wario!"
His exclamation caused the crowed to groan. "Wario?" Lucina questioned.
"He claims to be a treasure hunter but in reality, he's a troublemaker," Luigi quickly explained. "He usually just pull pranks and minor stuff. Nothing every as serious as this."
"Well, we know where they hang out," Peach continued. "At that abandoned gold mine…"
"Where you certainly will not be," Toadsworth stuttered. "Those two were trying to get you Princess. If they realize that got the wrong person, they will surely come for you." He shivered at the thought before turning to Mario. "Thankfully, we have Master Mario here who can rescue Daisy!"
Every pair of eyes fell upon Mario. A single bead of sweat rolled down the side of the plumber's face. He quickly took his glove and wiped the sweat away. Lucina was wondering if he was going to break under the pressure.
Mario gulped and gave another fake bravado grin. "Of… course I will go rescue Daisy! Watch out Wario and Waluigi… Mario's a coming!" He did a little jump in the air and the crowd roared its approval.
Peach beamed at Mario while Mario soaked in the crowd's cheers. Lucina had her doubts that Mario would be successful. She didn't want anything bad to happen to Daisy and she didn't trust Mario. That and if Pit was also in danger, then it made the most sense that…
"May I tag along," Lucina interrupted Mario's basking. "My friend might also there, and I need to find him. I can hold my own in a fight." The plumber faced Lucina and eyed her from head to toe. His eyes lingered on the Falchion, which was safely stored in its scabbard.
He nodded. "You may. I could always use a player two to tag along."
Not exactly understanding Mario's lingo, Lucina turned to Luigi and asked, "You are coming too Luigi? To save Daisy?"
Luigi opened his mouth, but Mario answered for him, "Sorry bro but you know you would just get in the way." He walked up to his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You can stay here and help guard the Princess… and practice summon fireballs in the meantime."
The green plumber's face fell, and Lucina wanted to say something… but she couldn't find the right words.
Mario turned his back on Luigi and said to Lucina, "We have a rescue to do! let's a go!"
While the crowd roared its approval, Lucina looked back at Luigi. "Don't worry Luigi," Lucina said confidently. "I'll make sure to bring Daisy back safely."
Luigi smiled. "I trust you will Lucina!"
Lucina returned the smile, but Mario interrupted them. "Let's a go! We are burning daylight."
Left with no choice, Lucina followed Mario as he waved to the crowd. He led the way to the edge of the park, where a green pipe laid. "Have you ever used a warp pipe before?"
"A warp what?" Lucina looked at the pipe confused.
"Amateur?" Mario whispered under his breath, shaking his head.
"What was that?" Lucina asked, trying hard to keep her disapproval out of her voice.
"Nothing," He quicky replied. Mario clasped his hands together and added, "Now all you have to do is stand on top of the warp pipe with a clear destination in mind. And it will take you there."
Lucina climbed on top of the green warp pipe, standing awkwardly on top. "So, I just think about the gold mine and…"
The moment she said the gold mine, it crossed her thoughts. Beneath her, the wipe shook for one second. They next thing Lucina knew; she was being lowered into the pipe. The bright world of the Mushroom Kingdom vanished from view as all she could see was the darkness.
She was feeling nervous as her body wasn't enjoying this sinking sensation. Lucina just kept descending into the ground. There was a whistle-like tune blowing in her ear. Just as she was wondering if it was ever going to end, she was unexpectedly thrusted upwards.
Lucina burst out the top of the warp pipe. She wasn't prepared for her exit and ended up tripping on the edge of the pipe. The poor girl landed face first on the rough dirt. She groaned as she shook the dirt of her head. As she got to her feet, she looked at her surroundings.
The gold mine really did look abandoned. There were minecarts just lying about and cobwebs hanging between rock crevices. Above the mine entrance, was a wooden sign, loosely hanging on. It read 'Wario's Gold Mine! STAY OUT!'.
So, Daisy must be inside the mine, Lucina thought. Just as she took a step forward, an ominous chuckle came from above the mine. "Wah ha Wah! Looks like you feel for our trap stupid Mari… wait a sec…"
Lucina jumped backwards, pulling out the Falchion in one swift move. She gazed upwards at the owner of the voice. There was a plump man dressed in yellow, holding something round and black in his right hand. "Are you Wario?" Lucina questioned, holding her blade firmly in her hand.
The man tilted his head. "Um… yeah. You aren't Mario? Who are you?"
"My name's Lucina and you kidnapped my friend," Lucina firmly declared, pointing her weapon at Wario.
"Oh Daisy? Or the angel kid?"
Lucina scowled. So, Pit really was captured too. "Both of them are my friends! I'm freeing them both and taking you down!"
Wario let out another booming laugh. Lucina could hear the echoing Wahs coming from within the cave. "That's all I needed to hear. Sorry but you won't be saving anyone."
Then with all his might, Wario threw the object he was holding towards Lucina. She jumped to the side as it soared toward her. She looked at it as it flew by her. There was a pair of eyes staring back at her. The moment their eyes met; the thing's expression turned sour. Then it began to violently flash red. Feeling that that couldn't be a good sign, Lucina moved backwards away from the object. Then without warning, the thing exploded.
