Chapter 45

Big Boo's Woods

"Good luck, everyone," Glitter said, then soared toward the morning sky, with three powerless Star Pieces trailing behind her. The messenger had found Geno via the Star Spirits' help and took the fragments once Luigi wished upon one.

The group found themselves in a new unfamiliar forest. Instead of cheerful sunlight, lush vegetation and chirping birds, they were greeted with darkness and gnarly dead trees with branches that resembled claws. They heard a rustle in the bushes and Toad clung to Peach's bare leg nervously, scared by the surroundings. The woods gave a spooky and eerie presence. Luigi trembled violently; the place reminded him of the mansion he had 'won' in his last adventure. Were these woods haunted too?

"Shall we split up like before?" Geno asked Luigi, who shook his head.

"I-I don't think it's a good idea t-this time," the leader stuttered. "W-who knows what l-lurks in these woods."

"Sorry, but I agree with Geno here," pointed out Mallow. "It'd be faster that way. Maybe we can go in pairs?"

"Well, I guess my partner is Toad then," said Peach, shaking the leg the fungus grabbed tightly,

"And I'll pair up with Geno," responded Mallow. Luigi tried to hide the fact he was relieved to be accompanied, even if it was Bowser, although he was concerned about Peach and Toad being together.

"Are you sure you two will be fine?" he inquired. Peach frowned while Bowser silently agreed with Luigi.

"Are you saying we're weak?" she shot back, feeling insulted. "The two of us can handle ourselves, right Toad?"

"S-sure," the retainer mumbled, still hugging her limb. "We're cool with it."

They split up in the according pairs and spread out in different directions. Peach veered to the right, pushing branches and leaves out of the way with her free hand, while the other held the picnic basket.

"Toad, you can let go now," she said, irritated. "I can't keep walking with you connected to my leg."

Reluctantly, he released her and glanced around uneasily. He had seen something in those bushes and it terrified him.

"I think we should turn back," suggested Toad, caught in a twisted shrub, and struggled to get free. He pushed the twigs aside, and sprung out of the bush. Peach sighed, Toad was right and she wasn't sure how far they traveled. The others probably found the Star Piece.

Peach's foot struck a root and she tripped, landing hard on her stomach as the items in the picnic basket spilt out and scattered on the ground. She groaned and sat up. She heard a high-pitched laugh behind her, and she whipped around, her eyes glaring at her friend.

"That wasn't funny, Toad," she scowled. "I could've seriously injured myself! Oh, now I have to clean all this up."

"I didn't find it funny, Princess," Toad gaped, eyes wide, his trembling hand pointing. "But he sure did."