Chapter 47

The Two That Got Away…

Bowser growled deeply as Luigi unleashed yet another earsplitting shrill.

"Shut up," he snarled, irritated. "You're worse than Peach when I kidnap her. He's JUST a boo!"

Luigi sidled against a tree choked with moss, out of the boo's view, trembling and frightened.

Luckily, the boo didn't seem to hear, or even care, it laughed and chuckled as it held a verdant Star Piece. The ghost hovered lazily, as if dancing, turning and rotating randomly in the air.

"This is our chance," the Koopa whispered. "We have to get the Star Piece."

"But if it spots up, it can easily vanish," Luigi pointed out then paused. "No, it already knows we're here. The boo probably doesn't see us as a threat."

Inside, Luigi was terrified. Ghosts were his biggest fear, and it didn't lessen after fighting King Boo either. He wished his brother was here… Luigi had always looked up to his older, braver, brother…

"I'm going to throw you," Bowser simply stated. Luigi looked stunned.

"You're going to what?"

"Get over here."

Luigi attempted to escape but Bowser caught the back of his overalls.

"Oh, no you don't," the turtle said. "Your brother and I did this before. His fat head did a lot of damage, but I'm not sure about you, skinny. Now, try to grab the Star Piece."

Before Luigi could protest, Bowser hurled the green plumber toward the boo.

The ghost glanced up, too startled to react as Luigi ripped the Star Piece from its little flippers. Luigi flipped and nimbly landed on his feet like a cat, the piece in his possession.

Bowser charged at the boo, and it fled, knowing it was out-spooked.

"We should find the others now," said Luigi. "I –"

Something hard slammed into Luigi's back. He tumbled and rolled on the ground, losing his clutch on the Star Piece. On his stomach, Luigi started to reach for the green fragment, but a brown shoe stomped on his hands, squishing his fingers. He cringed.

"Mario!"

His older brother leaped backward, grabbing the prized item, and avoiding a blast of Bowser's flame. Out of the corner of Luigi's eye, he saw the other partners appear. Peach gasped, her hands covering her mouth, a pained and woeful expression on her pretty face.

The puppet muttered softly, and Luigi realized Mario was trying to flee using the Star Piece.

"Stop him!"

"I'm on it, Luigi," reassured Mallow, and raised his arms upward.

A yellow bolt of lightning lashed out and struck Mario's hand. The Star Piece few out of his grip and landed between Mario and Luigi. The two brothers rushed for it, but a red and white streak zipped between them and snatched the Star Piece.

"Go, Toad!" Mallow cheered. "Use your scrawny legs!"

The quick fungus spun and sprinted to Peach, but Mario landed in front of him, blocking his way. Toad skidded, and yelped as Mario approached.

"Princess, heads up!" Toad yelled, and threw the Star Piece before Mario tackled him.

Peach dropped her frying pan, her deft hands catching the air-born fragment. She picked up her trusty weapon, using it as a shield for the Star Piece. Luigi ordered her to go.

"Hide! We'll stop Mario. Mallow, protect the Princess and make sure she doesn't lose the piece."

"Please don't hurt him," she pleaded, then disappeared, the young Prince at her heels. With the Star Piece safe, Luigi turned his attention to Mario. The short plumber attempted to follow, but Luigi stepped before him, becoming an obstacle.

"Four against one," Geno said, his fingers withdrawing into his hand. "We should be able to defeat him – without inflicting much pain, Luigi."

Luigi delivered the first blow, his foot contacting Mario's chest. He fell back. Undaunted, Mario rocked onto his hands, and sprung to his feet, surprising Luigi. Mario gave a swift punch to Luigi's stomach. The younger brother leaned over, clutching the injured area automatically, dropping his defense. Mario completed the combinations with an uppercut to Luigi's chin.

Luigi thought his head would separate from the sheer force, and stumbled to the ground. Mario took the opportunity to give him multiple kicks to the torso, and Luigi winced in pain, his muscles screaming as he tried to stand up.

"Stop!" Geno commanded, and pointed his finger shot gun at Mario, who in return created a fireball from a clenched fist. The wooden doll hesitated, lowered his weapon – he knew that the borrowed form would burn in an instant if Mario attacked. Frustrated, Geno stayed where he was, feeling helpless.

Roaring, Bowser charged at the plumber for a familiar battle of claws and fangs versus acrobatics and speed. He punched his claws outward, but Mario leaped out of reach, and performed a side aerial over the reptile. The puppet gracefully landed and grabbed Bowser's tail. Grunting, he lifted up his old archenemy and, with a skilled spin, threw Bowser at Toad. The fungus yelped as he was almost crushed by the massive body.

"Mario, snap out of it!"

Luigi's fist hit Mario's cheek. Mario dodged the second punch and sprung to the tree, gaining height. He rebounded off the trunk and landed on a branch, hidden from view. Unable to copy Mario's wall kick, Luigi looked nervously around him, anticipating an unexpected assault from above.

Where is he…? It's been too long. Is he waiting for me to drop my guard?

Dread and paleness washed over Luigi and he glanced in the direction of Peach and Mallow.

Don't tell me…

"Everyone! He's after the Star Piece! Stop him!"

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"Is this far enough, Mallow?"

Panting, Peach tucked the Star Piece under her left arm, while her right hand carried the iron pan. Mallow glimpsed behind him, and figured they were safe.

"Yea, we should stop. I'm sure Luigi and the others are doing fine – it's four against one."

The two sat down and agreed to wait for their friends to find them.

"I haven't talked to you in such a long time," she said, making conversation. "Are your parents well? Are you used to being a Prince now?"

"There're great – we spend lots of time together to catch up and I don't mind being a Prince, really. But I never knew you had to learn so much on how to rule a Kingdom! You're even taught the little things like how to eat soup. Shoulders back, no slouching, don't slurp… You went through all this, too?"

Peach giggled. "Yes I have, even in my early childhood so it all comes naturally to me."

He fell silent for a moment then quietly spoke.

"Can a Prince only marry a Princess?"

"It's strongly recommended… After all, it secures relationships with other Kingdoms, increases wealth, territory, and continues the royal bloodline. Why do you ask?"

"Because," Mallow answered, "my parents are already encouraging me to court and stuff… But I'm only a kid! I can't think of marriage now. I want to marry someone I at least know, but the only Princess I know is you."

"Mallow," Peach replied cautiously. "Are you saying…?"

The Prince's cheeks turned bright scarlet and he shook his head.

"Oh, no! I'm sorry that it sounded like that. I mean, I'd love to marry a Princess that's as nice and brave as you, but not as old."

Peach's smile froze, losing all its warmth. She suspected Mallow meant to say he wanted to marry a girl the same age as him… but still…

Old? Why I'd ought to –

A rustle from above interrupted the conversation. Quick to react, Mallow grabbed Peach's wrist and dragged her out of the way just as a figure landed where they had sat.

Mario stood up, his dark eyes fixated on the Star Piece Peach held.

"Huh? But didn't…" the Prince trailed off.

The plumber rammed into Mallow, knocking the boy off balance, and turned to Peach, her eyes were wide and she stepped back, holding her frying pan tightly.

"Mario! Don't attack us! We're your friends, remember?" she begged desperately as he slowly strolled up to her.

"Oh…" she swung her frying pan, but her weapon was slapped away with a smack. He roughly seized her hair, and slammed her body against a tree trunk. Peach screamed in pain, as a crimson flower blossomed around her rib cage, and dropped the Star Piece. She gasped when she realized she was bleeding; a small broken branch had penetrated her skin. The cut was shallow, but her shirt was already drenched in blood.

Mario held the Star Piece, and muttered low, ignoring the injured Princess.

"He's using the Star Piece!"

Peach, with one hand covering her wound, ran toward Mario and grabbed his arm just as a bright light encircled them. Mallow rushed to join her, but skidded to a halt when he saw they were no longer there.

They disappeared!

Kittykatstar: Finally, we're getting to the end! Phew. v I'm guessing it'll be wrapped up in less than 10 chapters.