Chapter 34
The Mourning and Plan
Luigi and the others searched desperately for any sign of the Princess among the ruins of the Ax-Blade, but there was nothing, not even a body. Only a slightly damaged golden crown remained. Bowser picked it up and stroked the crown gently with one claw. The girl he pined for… was gone.
Peach, I'm so sorry… Forgeron threatened to kill me if I didn't help him, and I stupidly obeyed… If I had known that it would've cost your life, I would've let him taken mine… I… I never got to tell you how much I loved you.
While Bowser was mourning, weeping, Luigi gazed at the Star. He turned to his companions and decided to take charge.
"We have to move one," the plumber declared. "We… we'll have time to mourn later… Right now we have to stop Forgeron and prevent him from taking another life."
The others nodded sorrowfully.
"We could wish for Peach to return to us," suggested Mallow, but Geno shook his head.
"Not even the full power of the Star Road can revive the fallen. We have to put this Star to good use. Peach could've wished to escape the Ax-Blade, but she didn't. I don't know if she did that willingly or unwillingly, but we now have another Star Piece in our possession. Let's wish on it before returning it to Star Haven. This is only a portion, so it wouldn't be powerful. We can't wish for Forgeron to be destroyed or wish for all the Star Pieces to gather."
"I wish Forgeron has a heart attack!" demanded Toad, despite Geno's warning, but the Star Piece didn't react, leaving him shocked. "Ok… I wish –"
"Don't be rash, Toad," Luigi cut in. "Maybe we could wish for Mario back?"
"Forgeron might just brainwash him again," Mallow opposed sadly, and Geno agreed. The heavy rain stopped along with Mallow's sobbing.
"We could wish to be transported to the location of another Star Piece," Bowser proposed, his scarlet orbs still gazing at the crown tearfully – it was too difficult to hide his feelings. "That way we can quickly find another Star Piece, and use that to repeat the wish…"
There was a concurring murmur through the group and Luigi stepped forward.
"Sounds like a plan," confirmed the plumber. "Everyone ready?"
"Forgeron's really gonna get it now," Toad grumbled, his face streaked with redness and tears.
Luigi cleared his throat and held the shimmering fragment.
"I wish…"
