Chapter 18

The Paranormal Forces of Weather

Geno and Mallow found the downcast plumber sitting slouched in the Nimbus Bus, head low, frustrated at himself.

"I should've gone with him," he mumbled. "If I did, I could have prevented this from happening."

"Luigi," Mallow said gently. "It's not your fault. The hesternal events were unexpected. No one anticipated that anything this horrific would occur."

"Mallow's right," said Geno. "Yesterday was a big blow to us all. Don't be so hard on yourself." Mallow sat between the plumber and the wooden doll and ordered the bus driver to take them to the Mushroom Kingdom.

"We need to tell the Chancellor what happened at Koopa Keep," explained Mallow. "Hopefully it'll raise awareness in the Mushroom Kingdom."

From the corner of the Prince's eye, he noticed Geno sigh deeply with his wooden hand to his forehead. He looked more tired than ever before and Mallow wondered if he would be all right. A gentle breeze played with the loose hair and hats of the passengers, and Luigi had to readjust his cap to keep it from flying off. Abruptly, the inviting wind changed into a gale, and the Royal Bus swayed violently.

"Hey, I didn't see this in the weather forecast!" shouted Mallow over the bluster. "They didn't even mention any chance of gale warning!"

"I don't think this is normal!" yelled Geno, his voice barely audible over the sudden claps of thunder and the whistling of an oncoming blizzard. "We better land soon or it'll be a long way down!"

The bus driver didn't have to hear them to know what was going on. He quickly rotated the wheel and steered toward the ground of the Mushroom Kingdom. The impact was rough but controlled and the bus skidded along the earth near the castle before coming to a complete stop. They were shaken but were left unharmed.

"It's a good thing we landed when we did," said Mallow, gazing at the tempestuous sky. "Another second in the air could have finished us off."

The storm attacked the Kingdom with rain and hail, and the festival transformed from laughter to screams. Stalls and tents bowed to the wind and many Mushrooms scrambled indoors for safety. The trio shielded themselves from the falling frozen vapors and hurried toward the castle.

"Great, we got another thing to tell the Chancellor," said Luigi as they closed the entrance doors, feeling the safety of the stable castle walls. The storm was muffled, but the windows didn't conceal the destruction it was causing upon the little town. The plumber looked outside in terror, he could see the rivers already overflowing from the sudden rainfall.

"The whole Kingdom will be inundated!" he exclaimed as the other two rushed to the window.

"But what is causing this?" asked Mallow anxiously. "Weather doesn't abruptly change like that here. Someone must be affecting it, but who can be powerful enough to create a tempest?"

A hard tapping on the glass diverted their attention to another window. A small yellow Star was outside, repeating hitting the barrier that protected them from the storm. Luigi and Mallow were surprised, but they were not even close to the dumbfounded expression Geno had. He rushed to the window and managed to open it against the strong wind. The soaked Star flew in, relieved to be in the warmth and dryness of the castle.

"Geno!" she gasped, "I've an important message from the Star Spirits!"

She turned toward the window before adding, "And what's with the weather? It's extremely unpleasant today."

"Glitter," said Geno loudly, supplying her name to Luigi and Mallow. "What do the Star Spirits say?"

Pausing briefly to peer at Geno's new companions, she said, "Many of the Stars are suddenly weak and exhausted! Also the draining of the power from the Star Road is increasing greatly!"

"Eureka!" Luigi yelped, startling the Prince beside him. "That's it!"

"What's it?" asked Mallow, annoying, his ears ringing from the surprising noise.

"Glitter," said the plumber," do you think – oh, my name is Luigi by the way – that the stolen power from the Star Road and the Stars could be converted for a different purpose?"

"What do you mean?" Glitter asked bewilderedly.

"I am saying the energy could be used to fuel another source of power," Luigi said and Geno instantly realized what he was talking about.

"I get it now, and whoever is draining the Star Road is using its power to create such awesome and terrible weather."

"Makes sense," said Mallow. "Do you think it could be tied in with Bowser somehow?"

"It's possible," Luigi pondered thoughtful, "but one can not be too sure."

"We have to stop the person responsible for this," stated Geno, but Glitter shook her head.

"We have no idea who it is," she pointed out, and Geno sighed.

"I know, but there is a way we can cut him of her off from sapping the energy," he said slowly. He took a deep breath before continuing, he was going to regret what he was about to say next and Mallow would probably hate him forever because of it.

"We need to destroy the Star Road."

"What!?" everyone chorused, but it dawned on them that Geno was right, however, they weren't exactly happy about it.

"You're a crazy fool," Glitter said. "I better tell Eldstar your idea then."

The messenger left, Geno had opened the window for her, and Mallow gazed at the firmament, which was concealed by the grey clouds.

"The Star Spirits won't shatter the Star Road," Mallow said certainly. "No matter what the cause…"

His unbelieving voice trailed off as they saw seven different colourful streaks penetrate the overcast and spread apart, shooting haphazardly to various locations.

"Geno."

"Yes, Mallow?"

"I hate you."

"You'll forgive me once we gather all the Stars," said Geno. Mallow and Luigi stared at him a puzzled expression.

"We have to get them?" groaned Luigi, and Geno nodded.

"Destroying the Star Road prevented the parasite from draining it completely, but the problem is that anyone, including our new enemy, could obtain them."

"Why am I getting a strong sense of déjà vu," muttered Mallow. "What next? The Axem Rangers?"

"Mallow," Geno assured, "we rid the world of the Axem Rangers and Smithy. There is no possible way that any of them will return."

While the two were talking, Luigi paid attention to the view outside the window, watching the clouds break apart, letting the faint starlight and moon shine visibly again. It was probably close to midnight. The sudden realization of how late it was made Luigi tired, and he stiffened a yawn. He rubbed his eyes and turned toward his new companions.

"We better see if the Chancellor is in the throne room before I hit some shut-eye," said Luigi, exhaustedly. "I had enough adventure for one day."

"I agree," said Mallow, but Geno was confused.

"But what about the Star Road?" he inquired.

"Don't worry," said Mallow, certain. "We'll start first thing in the morning and find those Star Pieces but I STILL can't believe this is happening…"

The official secretary was in the throne room, as the others anticipated, even though it was late. Pacing nervously, he glanced toward the entrance and was thrilled at the sight of the plumber.

"Luigi," said the Chancellor hopefully, "did you rescue the Princess?"

Ashamed, the plumber shook his head before replying.

"No, she wasn't at the Koopa Keep. Bowser is holding her captive in the Sky Castle."

Stunned, the Chancellor made gasping noises, as if he had many things to say at once but could not decide what to speak aloud. He breathed deeply, his lips pulsed together, holding back any acrimonious words on his tongue. Maybe there was a good reason why Luigi did not rescue the Princess yet. The Chancellor was often worried about her.

"Luigi, you have to save the Princess," he said. "You will succeed. I know it."

The blue-caped fellow stepped forward and bowed politely.

"Chancellor, I'm Geno, but I'm sure you remember me," he said. The Chancellor nodded the wooden doll continued," I'm here since an awful thing has happened to the Star Road –"

"No thanks to you," Mallow muttered but the plumber made a gesture to silence the Prince.

"- kidnapping seems to be only the tip of the iceberg," finished Geno. The chief official nodded again, this time more solemn.

"Now that you mentioned it," he acknowledged. "I remember seeing a flash of light shoot toward the ocean. Could that be a Star Piece?"

"Yes," said Geno. "Thank you for the information."

"I know how momentous the Star Road is to us," said the Chancellor. "You may rest in the guest room for tonight and I encourage you to find the Star Piece as soon as possible."

"But what about the Princess?" protested Luigi. "Isn't she important too?"

"I understand your concern for her, Luigi," said the Chancellor, "but Bowser won't harm her, and the Star Road can't wait. Oh… this is such a terrible dilemma, but I'm sure you can solve both problems. The Princess can take care of herself, she had a few adventures, too, you know, even if she was succored greatly."

The three bowed which ended their discussion and they started to leave.

"Oh, Luigi!"

The Italian stumbled at the sudden shout and slipped down the stairs. The Chancellor walked up to the plumber.

"I forgot to say that if the Star Piece sank in the ocean, I suggest you rent a boat at the new shipyard in Seaside Town. I hope this is helpful."

The 'helpful' comment was something obvious to consider if that did happen and it did not please Luigi.

"Thank you," Luigi replied, this teeth clutched to prevent an impolite remark from being spoken and he left hurryingly before anyone could startle him again.