Chapter 28
The Reunion
"Land ho!" Sachiel shouted from the crow's nest. "Seaside dead ahead!"
Sailing smoothly through the calm waters, the Amphitrite steered toward its rightful dock and anchored beside the pier. Geno, Luigi, and Mallow gazed at the splendid harbor while Kai and Morwenna appeared on deck, ready to bid their passengers good-bye.
"Sorry about the Star," said Morwenna. "However, I'm sure you'll be successful next time."
"Thanks for all your help," said Luigi, shaking the sea caption's hand. "I really appreciate what you and your crew has done for us."
"No problem," he said. "If you need to take another voyage, don't hesitate to ask."
"I will," replied Luigi as Mallow and Geno waited for him on the pier.
"It's great to be back on solid ground," uttered the doll when Luigi joined them. "I thought I was going to be seasick."
"So did I," remarked Mallow as they walked along the platform. The sea breeze, quiet lapping of the waters, and the hot sun dissolved their worries about the plan they formed. Luigi started toward the shore, and noticed someone was running directly at them. When the figure became close enough to be recognizable, the plumber gasped and dashed toward her, astonished.
"Princess!" he exclaimed. "But how? I thought…"
His queries were cut off by a hug and he blushed slightly at the warming embrace. He was thrilled to see her again and he had missed her terribly. After she withdrawn, Luigi's face turned from joyous to shock.
"Peach!" he blurted out. "What happened to you?"
"Never mind my height," the Princess said clearly annoyed. "I'm just glad I caught you before you left Seaside."
"You were searching for me?"
"Of course," she replied. "I heard about your quest for the Star Pieces and I decided to join you."
Glancing at the coast she called, "Toad! Bowser! They're over here!"
"B-Bowser?" the plumber stuttered. "What are you doing with our worst enemy?"
"Long story," she responded quickly. "Did you find the Star Piece the Chancellor said you were after?"
By then, Mallow, Geno, Bowser and Toad had appeared, each behind their original partner. Luigi stared in disbelief at the oversized turtle, wondering how Peach and Bowser could be associates.
"I did find the Star, but I lost in the battle for possession."
Bewildered that a Mario Brother would be defeated, the Princess managed to force the words out of her mouth, "But… how? Who fought you?"
Luigi bit his lip; he couldn't tell her it was his brother. He just couldn't. But her large eyes begged for an answer.
"You wouldn't believe me," he said slowly. "But it was –"
"Mario?"
"How did you know?"
I know because," she paused, her eyes focused on her feet, "he attacked me, too. He seized me and locked me up in the Sky Castle. He was under Bowser's command, but he was taken by a greater foe by the name of Lord Forgeron."
"He stole my Sky Castle," grumbled Bowser, "and my troops."
"This Forgeron must be the one who was draining the Star Road's power!" said Geno excitedly. "That's it! Everything is beginning to make sense, at first I thought there were two separate incidents, but it all ties in together!"
"Are you sure, Geno?" questioned Mallow. "It sure sounds like a conjecture to me."
"Wait, um… Geno could be right," piped up Toad. "Bowser brainwashed Mario to give to Forgeron for his army, and kidnapped us for no particular reason along the way -."
"Hey, I thought since Mario was under my control until I reached Iron Mountain, I might as well steal Peach," Bowser cut in defensively, "because no clod clearing plumber would stop me from getting what I wanted."
" – So there is a big possibility that Forgeron is behind all this," finished the retainer, ignoring Bowser. "It's simple but strong evidence. Forgeron steals Mario; Mario steals Star, so that means Forgeron knows about the Star Road… And it's not Smithy, like we first assumed."
The others nodded in solemn agreement as Peach took out their only Star Piece.
"Luigi, if it makes you feel any better," she said, showing the fragment of the Star Road, "me, Bowser and Toad managed to find one of the Star Pieces. It should make up for the lost one."
"B-but how?" the plumber asked, amazed at their achievement.
"Nothing big, just sacrificing a couple of centimeters to acquire this golden beauty. It seems the Star Piece still has wishing power."
"But… Star Pieces can't do that, can they?" Geno asked, confused. "They never did before on our first adventure."
"Well, they do now," said Toad. "It appears they only have enough power to grant one wish though."
"Why would Toadstool wish to be shorter?" questioned Mallow. "It's absurd."
"I did not wish to be small," Peach said sternly. "If I knew the Star Pieces could grant wishes I would've wished for Mario to come back."
"Wonderful, you guys found a Star Piece!" a small voice cheered, and everyone jumped. Hovering above them was a shimmering star, and it quickly circled around Geno.
"Congratulations on your first Star Piece," Glitter said. "I'll give it to the Star Spirits."
"Twink?" Peach said, but she realized she had mistaken. "Oh! I'm sorry. I thought you were – "
"My brother?" responded the star. "How do you know about my – oh wait! You're the Princess he keeps talking about! He admires you a lot, Peach. Where are my manners, my name is Glitter."
What are you doing here?" Geno said crossly, folding his arms. "I thought I told you to remain in Star Haven. You could've been swept away by that storm earlier, too."
"Keep your cap on," she retorted. "I have a message from Misstar."
"What did she say?"
"She knows the location of a Star Piece. It's in the same volcano where she was held captive."
"The Star Spirits were kidnapped?" Mallow blurted out in surprise. "When?"
"Last year," explained Peach. "When Bowser here," she tilted her head in his direction- "stole the Star Rod he sealed the Star Spirits into cards and scattered them in different regions near my home, Toad Town."
"Yeah, well," the reptile, said in a gruff tone, "if they had granted my wishes before I wouldn't have done such a thing."
"Bowser" said the doll, "we only grant unselfish wishes. Trouncing Mario and getting Toadstool to li-"
"I know what I wished for!" Bowser snapped. "Geese! Don't go spreading my personal desires around, I oughta rip your stuffing out."
"I'm made of wood, "Geno pointed out," but right now we need to know exactly where this volcano Misstar was held
"Lavalava Island," acknowledged Peach. "I remember me and Twink baked a cake for Gourmand Guy to obtain information about a Star being held in the island's volcano. Twink then gave the news to Mario."
"So that's how Mario knew where all the Star Spirits were being held captive," exclaimed Bowser furiously. "Oh, if I had known that you and that meddlesome star were –"
"Now is not the time," Peach cut in. "Getting the Star Pieces are more important than listening to your bellyaching."
"Then it's settled," said Geno. "We go to Lavalava Island and find the Star Piece but we'll need to head back to Seaside Harbor."
"Right," everyone agreed and Peach handed Glitter the primrose star. She touched it and the Star Piece glowed, trailing after her as she soared back to Star Haven.
"Good luck," she called to them then disappeared.
