So, as of posting, it's summer time! That means more time for longer chapters, right? Haha…yeah. Sorry, but I couldn't stop.
Anyway, behold, the new mighty chapter! This monster is the longest piece that I've written for this story, as well as for any multi-chapter story on the archive. And it's competition loses by a few thousand words, so…it's very, very long. And no, I very much was not trying to break a record; I just wrote a lot.
Set aside a whopping amount of time for this chapter, you will seriously need it. Do not, I repeat, do not try to read this like a few minutes before you need to go somewhere; you have a high chance of failure or being late if you do. Just wait until you're free, and then read. Take breaks in between reading this chapter, even; it's pretty formulaic, so you can find good stopping points to put down and pick this back up.
Ok, that's enough ranting…oh wait! It's the 30th chapter! Woooow! We actually made it that far?! So amazing!
Um, sorry. That's all now, haha! Anyway, here's the latest, whenever you're ready. Enjoy it!
...
[Mario]
The xebec sailed across the waters, slowly making its way onward to Star Hill, still some distance away from us. Gazing at the glittering stars across the nearly blackened sky, a short gust of wind rushed by. Waves splashed as the boat surged ahead, though I could only take in the faintest whiff of salty scents at the moment.
Though my eyes and body weighed heavily upon me, the ship's bobbing rhythm had kept me awake for an additional hour. Glancing back across the deck, I noticed that only Kamek and Bowser were present this late. The Magikoopa whipped his wand around, casting hexes and spells that flowed around the masts. Nodding, Bowser watched them bounce and spin around the sails.
Turning back, I stared at the wheel, lit up by a few hex shapes that softly steered us. Examining them, I fixated on the red triangle first, which appeared to point and pull the wheel in the directions we sailed. Several yellow shapes were wrapped around it as they steered the vessel. Blue diamond hexes encased the wheel, keeping the others in place.
Shaking my head, I pushed up my cap and brushed my hand through my hair. Several strands cascaded through my fingers, slipping as I pushed my hand across. Even a little bit of air pushing against it was soothing, just to have it blow a little life back into me.
Perhaps it was too relaxing, as the breeze swept my hat from my other hand. It floated down to the deck and rolled across, tumbling along and bound to go overboard. I dashed from the railing and for the stairs, watching as my hat hit a yellow scaled foot.
Bowser scooped up the cap and strolled over with it as I sat down on the top of steps. He leaned over near the bottom, head close to my legs, as he handed the cap back over.
"Lose something?" He toothily grinned, propping his face up with his left hand. I nodded and took the cap back, tucking it tightly back onto my head. "Maybe you should do something about keeping it on."
"It's a fitted hat," I explained. "It'll be fine so long as I don't take it off during the windy ride."
"Is that how it stays on your head whenever you do those ridiculous jumps?"
"Those jumps tend to help me across any terrain with ease, thank you very much."
"Sure, right. It's a fun workout, huh?" He lowered his eyes and his smile broadened as he slid his right arm through the steps, closer to my leg.
"Would you like a demonstration?" I lifted my leg and rested it on his horn.
"…Depends, will I like where this is going?"
"What do you think?"
"Judging by your annoyed expression and tone, I'm pretty sure that I'm good for now."
"Smart."
Grabbing the railings, I lifted myself back up and climbed to the helm. Unsurprisingly, Bowser followed, untangling himself from the stairs and quickly over to my side. He leaned onto his right hand and smirked while I rested on my folded arms. Quietly, I watched Kamek's spells dance about the sails, steadily in rhythm with his wand's motions.
"He's crazy for trying to run the whole ship on his own." Tilting my head, I glanced at Bowser, who watched Kamek with a glint of worry. "Old coot tells me that he'll rest while the rest of the crew works through the morning and noon, but he'll tire himself out before then."
"Kamek's a master Magikoopa," I offered. "I'm certain he'll be fine."
"Sure, but he doesn't have to overtax himself. Not on his own."
"…Is this about Kamek still?" Bowser returned his attention to me. "It's not, is it?"
"It is, but you're right, the same can be applied to you." He wrapped his left arm around my waist and pulled me closer. "It's late. You should rest."
"I'm fine."
"You can barely keep your eyes open."
"Well, it's not like I'm the only one." Behind his big grins, I noticed his lowered eyes, though he tried to cover it up with well-propositioned flirts. "Shouldn't you rest too?"
"Someone has to stay up with him." He gestured Kamek with his head. "Might as well be me."
"Am I interrupting father-son bonding?"
"Oh please." Bowser lightly snorted and gazed at Kamek. A smile crept onto his face and betrayed his external rebuffs. "Besides, he keeps bringing you up."
"Just him?" I grinned as Bowser turned to me with a huff.
"Quit being smart."
"Hey, if I don't get on your nerves, who will?"
"Believe me, you're not the only one." He leaned his head closer to mine, and his warm breath melted through the cold air around us. "You're just the best at it."
"Thought so."
Untwisting my left arm, I raised my hand to stroke his cheek. Bowser moved into it, emitting a light groan as I softly caressed him.
Unexpectedly, he covered my hand with his right hand, holding it in place. His shoulders dropped as his bright red eyes locked onto mine.
"Can you tell me what's really keeping you up?"
"What?" His smiled dropped at my response.
"Mario, I know you love me, but I don't keep you up at night." He sucked in his cheek and thought for a moment. "Well, not always."
"Sure you do. I think about you a lot."
"Well, I don't doubt that. In fact, I like to hear that." He playfully winked and lightly squeezed my hand. "But you're not smiling enough to be thinking just about me."
"You've gotten a little too good at reading me."
"That's what lovers learn to do."
"Yes, I'm learning that myself." He faintly smiled again. "Honestly, it's nothing new. I'm just worrying about the usual problems, about the usual people."
"Your brother, the princess, and your friends?"
"And you." That brought his grin right back, though I couldn't return it. "It's just…I'm worried about whatever's coming. We need to do something to…I don't know, call off all the fighting."
"That doesn't exactly work when your princess is on a rampage."
"We haven't tried yet." I sighed and he seemed to take in my breath, just like I took in his. "We should."
"Maybe." His reluctance was exhausting. "Either way, we can't do much out here." Though I disagreed, it wasn't worth arguing at the moment. The claw draped around my waist tenderly scratched me. "That's not all, is it?"
"Going to Star Hill isn't exactly a nice vacation plan."
"Normally it is." Again, Bowser tugged me closer. "From what I hear, it's filled with romantic views, and folks call it the definitive locale for lovers."
"Is that why you're in such a hurry to get me there?"
"I wish that's all we were going there for."
"Me too." I buried my head into my arm. "Sorry."
"Don't apologize." His nose pushed against my forehead and he nudged me to lift me up. "You didn't ask for this. And we'll get you through it."
"If you insist."
"Whatever it takes."
Bowser planted a big kiss against my face, a little more wet than I expected. Perhaps he tilted too far in, as he pulled back blushing.
"Sorry, that was…I, uh—"
Instead of letting him struggle, I pressed my lips against his, tasting his warmth again. Sloppy, clean, it didn't matter; I just wanted him now. He wrapped his arms around my back and shoulders, while I placed mine on his face, pulling him in closer, as if I could.
[Peach]
Screaming filled the halls as Yoshi tried to clamp Luigi's mouth shut, to no avail. The door slamming behind us had only sent him into a total panic.
"Luigi!" I shouted over his wails. "You've faced literal monsters before!"
"They're not ghosts!" He cried back to me. "Oh, I hate them! They're the worst of all!"
Birdo scratched at her head. "I thought I heard that you got over that fear."
"He can handle being around some ghosts," explained Yoshi. "Ones that are likely hostile terrify him."
"Luigi, you screaming will only attract them to us faster!" At that, he screamed louder. "Cut that out!"
"Please, Luigi." Daisy stepped in and placed her hands on his shoulders. "We know you're no fan of ghosts, but remember why we're here. We need to save the kingdoms and rescue Mario."
"Mario doesn't need…!" His mouth hung open and his wide eyes set on Daisy, but then locked onto me. I raised a brow at him, but he shuddered and shook his head. "Mario doesn't need to ever deal with this! Why is it always me?"
"Just your luck, I guess." Daisy shrugged. "It doesn't help that Mario isn't as afraid of ghosts as you are."
"No one is!"
"Lots of people are." She patted his head. "But not a lot of people have to actually go toe-to-toe with them, and not nearly as often as you have to. So, that's good on your part."
"It'd be better if I didn't have to deal with them at all!"
"But you do. So, face your fears again, like you always do. Because that's what makes you the bravest of us all." Daisy lightly smacked Luigi's face, but then caressed it lightly. "You'll be fine. And we're all here with you this time."
Slowly, he nodded and she smiled. Turning back to me, she nodded as Yoshi hugged the still shivering Luigi. Shrugging, I beckoned Birdo to follow as we turned and advanced into the mansion.
We marched inside, and I gazed around the room. Windows were boarded up, with torn curtains hanging beside them. Wallpaper was torn from the walls, revealing the wooden beams behind them. Desks were scratched or overturned, with some missing drawers completely. Vases were cracked and lamps shattered. And no haunted mansion was complete without unsettling pictures of Bowser and his family that appeared to be watching us as we ventured forth.
"Could this b-be any m-more terrifying?" Luigi shuddered as he glanced around, voicing everyone's thoughts.
"Whee hee hee! Since you asked!"
Overhead, a Boo floated around and cackled at us. Luigi quivered and leapt into Yoshi's arms, trembling at the Boo and sending the quakes through Yoshi too.
"No worries, I can take it," reassured Birdo. She aimed her snout at the ghost, who huddled its hands over its eyes and tried to disappear.
Launching her egg, Birdo's confidence quickly dissipated as she watched her egg sail straight through the intangible Boo, who remained frozen in place.
"That's…that's not ok."
"Honestly, Birdo, what did you expect?" I sighed and shook my head. "They're ghosts. This is literally their signature technique, aside from laughing, and scaring the lives out of people. Literally."
"Well gee, princess, I don't see you trying to stop the ghosts from harassing us."
"Oh, Birdo, Birdo, Birdo." I wagged my finger and smirked at her as she placed her hands on her hips. "There's only one tactic for dealing with Boos in our present state."
"And that is…?"
"Running."
And with that, I grabbed her hand and raced down the hall, shortly followed by Daisy and Yoshi, the latter still carrying Luigi. Shrilly laughter bounced around the hall as we sped through it, with more Boos appearing and floating around the room.
Rushing to a door more than halfway down, I slowed and grabbed onto it. Thinking that it would open, my mouth dropped open as two Mini-Boos floated out of it and laughed, with the door disappearing in a puff of smoke.
"Did that seriously just happen?"
"Forget it, just keep moving!"
We charged further along the hall, ducking down as several other Boos flew at us. Another door awaited us at the end and I scrambled for the door. My hand slipped a few times on the handle as I flailed to open it.
"Come on, Peach, hurry!"
"This is stressful enough, thank you very much!"
Finally turning it, I slammed the door open and we poured through it. Daisy doubled back and slammed the door shut behind us. Panting, we sank to the ground and took a minute to catch our breaths.
Picking my head up, I looked back at the door and witnessed a design on it fading. Catching the last fragments of it, I recognized that it was the symbol of Yoshi's egg. Turning to the green dinosaur, as Birdo helped him up, I shook my head, but glanced between him and the door.
Gazing into the room, I sighed at the darkened surroundings, unable to see anything ahead of us, let alone the walls nearest to us. In fact, I reached out and was unable to feel them, walking further and further from my friends.
"Peach, wait for us!"
Luigi and Daisy ran after me, but even as we traveled together, we could never reach the walls. Turning back, we noticed that Birdo and Yoshi were still not too far away from us, though we must have walked for a good five minutes.
Walking back over to them, Yoshi and Birdo exchanged confused expressions with one another, and then turned their heads at us.
"Why didn't you come with us?" I folded my arms, a bit perturbed.
"Well, we were, at first," explained Yoshi. "But then I walked into some kind of wall that Birdo stepped right past."
"So, I strolled back for Yoshi, but then watched you guys walking in place not too far from us." Birdo laughed. "You looked like you were impersonating Dry Bones."
"Wait, Yoshi, you hit a wall?" Luigi scratched his head in confusion. "How?"
"Really, I'm not sure. And Birdo went right past it, without an issue. Watch."
He stepped forward to where we stood, but then held his hands out. Then, he pushed his hands against the air, as if there were an actual barrier obstructing his path. Birdo strode beside him, walking past him, and then in front of him.
She lifted her hand out and poked his belly, getting a giggle before sliding her hand to his shoulder. Yoshi reached out to retaliate, but had his hand bounce back at him. Daisy and I gasped while Luigi's mouth fell open.
"See? It's…really weird."
Thinking for a moment, I snapped my fingers. "Yoshi, I noticed a symbol on the door, and it was of a Yoshi's egg." He turned around to gaze at the door. "No, it disappeared after we entered. But…it was there for just a few seconds. Maybe the room has a jinx placed around you."
"Why me though?"
"That does seem peculiar," noted Luigi. "Yoshi may have been helping us for a while, but I don't think Bowser has shown a particular interest in him before. Or, not that I'm aware of, anyway."
"Kamek has, repeatedly," I realized. "He must have been the one to help design the spells used against us."
"That makes sense," agreed Luigi. "Maybe if we leave and come back, the spell could be lifted from Yoshi."
"Right, let's try it!"
Returning to the door, Daisy tried her hand at opening it, but it wouldn't budge. Luigi walked over and tried to shimmy it open, but proved equally unsuccessful. Annoyed, the two started attacking the door, punching and kicking at it, trying to force it down, to no avail.
"This…doesn't…make any sense!" Daisy huffed and panted as she placed her hands on her knees, Luigi soon mimicking her motions.
"Maybe I have to do it?" Yoshi stepped forward and tried to reach for the door, only to have his hand bounce back again. "Or…not?"
"Well, the only way we haven't gone is forward," Birdo pointed out. "Might as well."
Following her lead, we marched forward into the room, struggling to see anything. Similar to Yoshi's predicament, everyone walked into a barrier straight in front of us, unable to proceed.
Suddenly, white torches lit up and bathed the center of the room ahead of us. Yoshi whirled back, unpredictably as the only one able to advance. He gave us worried glances, able to see a little back toward us.
"Now what?"
"That's a good start," I called. "Just…keep going. Carefully!"
The dinosaur nodded and took a step forward. He paused and we listened as another set of footsteps came from the other end of the room.
My eyes widened as another Yoshi stepped forward. He was red, wearing blue shoes and looked very glum compared to Yoshi's usual bright face. Stranger still, his eyes were a brighter purple color, much more noticeable than Yoshi's very dark blue eyes. What made it especially odd wasn't only that blue was the dominant eye color among the Yoshi species, but purple ones were extremely rare for them, as well as many other races.
"Mute."
Jerking back from the word, Yoshi and I shared the surprise at hearing the opposing Yoshi speak, only letting out a single word. Turning back, Yoshi appeared more worried than before, jumping again once the Red Yoshi repeated himself: "Mute."
"Who's mute?" Yoshi tilted his head in confusion at his red counterpart. He only shook his head and sadly glanced downward.
Abruptly, the red dinosaur cried out and sank to his knees, clutching his stomach.
"What's wrong?!" Yoshi shouted, trying to get an answer from him. "Please, I want to help you! Just tell me what to Yoshi!"
Confused, I turned to Luigi, who raised an eyebrow at that last part. Yoshi continued to grab and call out to his red counterpart, pleading to help it, we assumed.
But all we could hear anguished calls of: "Yoshi! Yosh Yoshi? Yo Yoshi! Yoshi!"
With a groan, the red Yoshi kicked back and rolled away from our alarmed friend. He whirled around and flailed his hands at us.
"It hurts."
Spinning back around, Yoshi gazed up to see a pink Yoshi step into the lit center next, closely followed by a light blue Yoshi.
"Please," pleaded the pink Yoshi, who yelped and grabbed at his stomach.
"Help," whined the light blue Yoshi, as he mirrored the pink and red ones' actions.
Yelling louder, Yoshi pleaded with the other two, but all any of us could hear was, "Yoshi! Yo Yosh? Yoshi! Yosh?!"
"This…doesn't make any sense," I murmured as the other two Yoshis rolled away and from the light. I turned to Daisy. "Did…did my spell wear off or…?"
"Maybe that's part of this room?" Daisy shrugged. "It could have cancelled the effects of your spell. But that…it's odd."
"Birdo, don't you understand his language?" Luigi turned to her, but she shook her head.
"Yes, but all I can understand right now is his name." She held her arms, pained at being unable to help. "Is…is that what it sounds like to the rest of you?"
"Yoshi!"
We returned our attention to the green dinosaur, who had tears in his eyes. He kept shouting at the four of us, but still we couldn't understand him. A black Yoshi stepped forward next, followed by a white one, and then a yellow one.
"Do something, someone, please," begged Birdo. "I can't stand seeing him like this, or seeing them all…they're…"
"Say something," gasped the white Yoshi.
"You have to, please, now," wailed the black one.
"Please, we need you!"
After the yellow one sobbed out to Yoshi, all three collapsed into each other. They collectively suffered a spasm and groaned as they held up their hands to Yoshi once again. He grabbed for them, but jumped back as stems poured out from the ceiling above. Yoshi's mouth fell open, watching as seeds and leaves mixed in to the mess that flooded his space.
Whirling around to us again, Yoshi opened his mouth and appeared to be screaming again. This time, however, we heard nothing at all. Tears streaming from his widened eyes, Yoshi clutched at his throat, again trying to speak. Realizing that nothing came out, he panicked, and dove at the pile of food wastes, digging to help the buried dinosaurs.
"It's too late for us," a blue Yoshi cried as it emerged. "The Happy Tree is dead. There's no fruit left."
"You need to hurry and help the others that you still can," a purple Yoshi wheezed.
"They need your help," an orange Yoshi managed. "Don't be idle, don't abandon them like…like…"
All three of them began to cough as the green stems and leaves billowed and fluttered around them. They disappeared into the vortex while Yoshi charged to help them, but sank down once he realized he was too late. We watched as the swirling plants flew off into the shadows and cleared away from the room.
Picking his head up, Yoshi watched a brown Yoshi crawl forward. He met the struggling Yoshi and tried to lift him, but failed to do so.
"Famine took us," explained the brown one. "We thought you would come back, but you never…opened…your…"
The brown Yoshi's mouth hung open as its skin suddenly blew away, like dust. All that remained was a living pile of bones, some kind of…Dry Yoshi. Its body shook as it turned to stare at Yoshi, eye sockets emptied, no skin or organs on its body.
All of a sudden, a purple light shined inside of the Dry Yoshi's eyes. It then jumped up and hissed, forcing itself away from Yoshi, before tumbling off into the shadows.
With that, the white torchlight spread, and the rest of the room was bathed in its light. Yoshi gasped and cried, sound returning to his throat.
Luigi was the first to walk to him, approaching cautiously. The dinosaur gazed up through his teary eyes and threw his arms over Luigi, sobbing into his shoulder.
"Why…why couldn't I…?" My eyes widened at his returned speech. Yoshi coughed and wailed, unable to put his sentences together. "What…what did…?"
"Yoshi," Birdo hurried over to him and put her hands on his right arm. "Was there something going on at Yoshi's Island?"
"It…it should be fine," he managed. "But…but…we were running…short on food…"
"There's a shortage? Why didn't you tell us?" I had to ask.
"They-they told me everything would be fine." Yoshi pulled away from Luigi and shook his head. "I was supposed to-to get help after I helped you guys. This doesn't make sense, but now I'm…I'm more afraid of it happening."
Birdo and Luigi tried to calm Yoshi, patting and hugging him as he choked back more tears. Daisy and I shared terrified expressions before we heard a click. Across the otherwise empty room, there was another door.
"We're getting to the bottom of this," snapped Daisy. "No one pulls this crap on my friends!"
She stormed forward and threw the door open. Helping Yoshi up, Luigi and Birdo followed her over, and I went in tow right behind them.
We stepped into the second room and the door slammed shut behind us. I jumped and whirled around.
"Everyone, the door!"
My friends spun around to watch as Daisy's flower crest vanished from the door. Turning to them, they stared at it, then to me, and finally, we all settled on Daisy.
"That's…Peach, what does that mean?"
"I don't…wait." I pivoted to the left side of the room. "Daisy, Luigi, walk forward."
They exchanged looks with one another before complying, walking left. Daisy suddenly bounced back while Luigi stopped short, a few paces ahead of her.
"Oh man, what?!" Daisy rubbed her face. "Yoshi, is this what you dealt with?"
"Looks like it," he softly confirmed.
"Great." Daisy groaned and came back to us. "So, now it's my turn to…what, 'go into the light' or whatever?"
"Unfortunately, it appears so," I deduced. "Luigi, quit trying to keep going, it'll end the same way as the other room did." He shrugged and dashed back over to us. "Daisy, you don't have to. We can try to find another way."
"How?" She glowered at the door. "That one's locked and I can't touch it." Pivoting around, she pointed ahead into the darkness. "And the only person that can walk forward to the door over there is me."
"It can't be exactly like Yoshi's room…can it?" Birdo glanced at us, hoping for someone to contend to the notion as well. None of us could.
With a heavy sigh, Daisy pounded her fists together. "Let's try this then!" Her hands began to glow in a turquoise aura as she stomped forward a bit and tried to cast it out and light the room. A flash enveloped the space around us, and we shielded our eyes.
As it faded, the room went from a bright white to the empty black that we had been in. Frustrated, Daisy threw a punch, with crystals launching from her fist. They flew off, but there was no sound for when they landed.
"When did Bowser's forces learn to counteract us?!" She grumbled and slammed her fists together, but coughed as she tried to use her rings again. "Damn it. I can't…fine, whatever! If they want to try freaking us out with crying Yoshis again, let's see them try that on me!"
Racing forward, Daisy skidded to a halt as blue torchlight lit the center of the room, with bright blue light shining around her. I tried to run forward, but bounced into the barrier, only managing to knock myself backwards.
"Peach, wait." Luigi helped me up, but then held me in place. "What is that?"
Listening carefully, there was a soft, eerie humming. Daisy staggered backwards as a small space craft floated forward. Inside of it, through the window, sat a small purple…alien. His eyes matched his body, a sharp glowing purple, fixated directly on the princess before him.
"T-Tatanga!" Daisy shouted. "What are you even doing here?! Mario got rid of you!"
His shoulders bounced from an unheard laughter. Glancing around the ship, he nodded and reached forward with his finger, presumably pushing a button.
"Coward."
The insult was directed only to Daisy as she stepped back again.
"Coward!" Tatanga repeated himself and burst into laughter. "Look at the petty Sarasaland princess! Trying to prove her worth in front of her little friends, is she? And yet, she never could handle little old me."
"Y-You little creeper!" Daisy thundered and punched her fists together. "You only got lucky the last time you came to my kingdom! I'll destroy you, once and for all!"
"Oh, how frightful." Tatanga cackled into a nasally laugh. "And what, you think your little magic rings can stop me?"
"H…How did you know…what are you?!"
"Your bane."
Letting crystals encase her hands, Daisy charged forward and punched at the small ship that Tatanga laughed within. She punched at it harder with every swing, but in spite of her efforts, not even a dent showed.
"Right, keep throwing punches, that's certainly going to work."
"Shut up!"
"Make me! Oh, right." Tatanga laughed as Daisy punched at him again. "Well, you've had your fun. Now, why don't I join in?"
Clicking another button, his ship began to transform, with it expanding in size. Several more rockets popped out from the rear and bottom of it, with two large cannons emerging in the front.
"Remember my trusty Pagosu, don't you?" He laughed again. "I've been meaning to test it out on you and your little kingdom again!"
"Daisy!" I shrieked and pounded on the barrier that waited for my fists. "Get out of there, run!"
Backing away once again, Daisy rebounded off of the barrier and fell forward.
"No!"
She quickly pushed herself up and readied her Regal Rings again. Tatanga rolled his eyes and made a clicking noise with his mouth.
"Oh, what? Are you going to punch at me again? Face it, little Daisy: you've lost."
"Not yet I haven't, you freak!"
"A wild tantrum and letting name calling mess with your head?" Tatanga shook his head. "What kind of mewling child managed to make her way before me?"
"Quit it!" She growled in aggravation. "Taunting me isn't going to do anything to me, Tatanga! You don't scare me anymore."
"Don't I?"
He laughed wickedly and punched in a few buttons. The ship then began to reform its shape, expanding again in size. Tatanga slipped down from the window as the whole Pagosu ship transformed into a type of battle armor. Unexpectedly, at the top window, or helmet, Tatanga reappeared, but seemed larger within the ship-armor. He now had more fangs protruding from his mouth, and his laugh was even deeper from before.
"Well Daisy?" Tatanga thundered. "Still think you're not afraid?"
"N-No, I'm not!"
"Right, you're just shaking from anticipation…over your death!"
She screeched and covered her eyes. Tatanga raised an arm and readied his cannon.
"Daisy! DAISY!"
We all screamed together as it fired a bright red beam, engulfing the room in a harsh light once again. When it cleared, I sank to the ground, afraid of seeing my friend.
Instead, however, the entire room was coated in the soft blue light. Daisy lifted her head and shivered, staring blankly ahead at Tatanga's absence. Birdo ran over and dropped down by Daisy.
"Are you…wait, that's dumb, of course you're not." She shook her head and hugged Daisy. "We're here. He's gone."
"H…How…?"
Luigi came over and assisted Birdo in lifting Daisy, who continued to gawk ahead at the empty room. All that waited at the other end was a door, presumably leading to another room like this one.
"Why isn't there another way?" Yoshi complained as he scanned the room, unable to find anything else within it.
"Because we're meant to go through all of this," I answered. "And we'll just have to face it head on."
"Then let's keep going." Birdo pointed to the door. "Come on."
Carrying Daisy along with Luigi, the princess shook herself free from their grip and hugged herself. She sighed heavily and waited as Luigi and Birdo shrugged to one another before moving ahead. Yoshi walked after them, but I stopped and placed my hand on Daisy's shoulder.
"That shouldn't have happened," she confessed. "I…he's never coming back. I know that."
"Even if he could, he'd have a lot more to deal with these days," I reassured.
She looked up to me, smiled, and nodded. We stepped forward and went through the door after the others.
Like before, it slammed shut after all five of us had entered. Turning back, we watched a red bow symbol disintegrate from the door. Everyone slowly reared their heads to Birdo, who folded her arms and shook her head.
"I seriously haven't been around you guys long enough to deserve this."
Yoshi stepped forward. "Birdo—"
"Don't." She backed away from him. "I know how it works now. And it's not going to be pretty for me." She sighed and focused on him. "It's nothing I can't handle."
Purple flames lit the torches in the middle of the room. Glaring at them, Birdo strode over to the room's center, pounding her fist into her open hand.
A crash sounded from above and ahead of us. From that, a heavy green figure slammed down in front of Birdo, and she fumbled around with her balance. Steadying herself, she faced down her former employer, and my adversary, the frog demon: Wart. His eyes were…also purple, as he focused on Birdo, not even noticing Luigi or I, just a few feet away.
"Pariah."
Wart rumbled off that sole word while scowling at Birdo. His claws tapped at the golden and ruby pendant that dangled around his neck.
"Excuse you," quipped Birdo.
"Wretched little pariah," boomed Wart. "Where did you think you could go?"
"I went where I wanted, Wart," she snapped. "Just like I promised you. I left you and rest of your warped world behind."
"You think yourself free?"
"Not think. Know." Birdo spat an egg at Wart, to which he caught in his hand. She huffed and flipped her bow up. "I am free, Wart. You can't take that away, and you don't scare me anymore."
"Funny, is there an echo in place?" Wart pushed back his yellow and blue cape, shrugging. "No matter. It's not me that you need to fear, Birdo."
"And you'll tell me what I do need to be afraid of?"
"No need." Wart grinned. "You already know."
"Get lost, you freak!"
Spinning to her side, Birdo watched as a Koopa stepped forward from the shadows.
"Just who do you think you're talking to?"
"The ugliest creature imaginable, that's who," answered a new voice. Pivoting on her heel, Birdo turned as a Toad walked in and folded his arms.
"What kind of a monster are you, anyway?" She spun back to the Koopa. "You don't fit in anywhere."
"Shut up."
"Why? He's right," the Toad continued. "You're too much of a terror to be around Peach's kingdom or the rest of the Toads."
"And you're too soft and stubborn to work with Bowser's legion," added the Koopa. "You just don't belong here."
"So what?!" Birdo whirled her head around, looking from the Toad to the Koopa. "I don't need to be welcomed into either kingdom with open arms. I can make a name for myself in the greater kingdom or beyond! I'm not tethered to any one place."
"But you are," cackled a little rodent with sunglasses that emerged near Wart. Mouser. "Everywhere you go, it's the same; you'll never truly be free from your history."
"No," denied Birdo. "I'm not with any of you. None of you can keep me down!"
"Yesss," hissed a three-headed red serpent that slithered from the shadows. Tryclyde. "Don't you sssee? You're convinssced that you can live without the burdensss of the passst to ssswallow you."
"You think that with the way you look, anyone would ever accept you?" The Toad's ridicules persisted.
"Too good to be bad, too bad to be good," chimed in the Koopa.
"Stop it!" Birdo clutched her head and shook it wildly.
"Now do you understand, Birdo?" Wart let out a low, heavy laugh. "I warned you that no one could ever want you, accept you. You won't survive."
"I…I already have!"
Angered, Birdo spat another egg at Wart, who smacked it aside. It collided with Mouser, who flew back as it exploded upon him.
"W-What?!"
"Surprise, surprise," taunted Birdo. "You haven't been listening. I'm not letting my past anchor me down."
Sucking in a load of air, Birdo launched another egg at Tryclyde, firing it back into the shadows. Though taken aback, Wart laughed again.
"Fair enough. I understand now that the past only bothers you, but it doesn't destroy you like it used to." Wart smirked. "No matter. What does is that you truly won't ever find yourself at peace. However hard you try, there will always been more people that don't accept you than those that do."
"Don't bet on it, Wart."
"He should," snapped the Koopa.
"Because he's right," laughed the Toad.
"S-Stop."
Unnerved, Birdo backed away as the two came closer to her. She spat an egg at the Koopa, who sidestepped it. Annoyed, she launched another at the Toad, who merely ducked.
"Always an outcast," Wart, the Koopa, and the Toad announced together.
"Fine!" Birdo thundered. "So that's what I am! That means nothing! I don't need anyone!"
"Is that what you think?"
"It's what I know."
"A bit repetitious," mocked Wart. "You want to desperately believe that you can live on your own. But your clingy attitude towards potential lovers, the desperate need to fill that gaping hole in your heart, your insatiable thirst for compassion…that will never leave you."
He snapped his fingers, to which the Toad and the Koopa slinked away and back into the darkness of the room. Wart grinned again.
"But yes, I've never grow tired of telling you: that you'll never, ever, truly be free."
"Go choke on a Vegetable."
With a rough chuckle, Wart turned and stomped off and away from Birdo, disappearing. She held her arms together as the purple torches shined the light across the rest of the room.
Quickly, Yoshi darted over to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. She tugged it away and stepped aside. He hurried in front of her, placing both of his hands on her shoulders.
"He's right," I heard her whisper. "I hate admitting it, but he's right."
"No, he's not," insisted Yoshi. "You're not alone."
Her shoulders dropped and Birdo threw her arms around Yoshi, tightly hugging him. He patted her back and held her, not letting go until she moved away first.
"Birdo, how did you handle that?" Daisy wondered. "Wasn't that…didn't it bother you?"
"Daisy, dear, I face similar problems every day." Birdo shook her head. "Just because some illusions walk in here and throw in my face doesn't mean I can't handle it."
"Illusions?" Luigi repeated. "Is…is that what they are?"
"That's what I think they are," surmised Birdo. "Unless anyone has a better explanation?"
"Seems like the best we've got," I decided. "Door's open. When you're ready, let's move on."
Nodding, Birdo stepped ahead and moved forward, with Yoshi and Daisy in tow. Her pacing was sluggish, though, and the others waited behind her as Luigi and I strolled ahead. He opened the door and turned to the rest of us.
"Well, here goes."
He stepped through, and I held the door as Birdo, Yoshi, and Daisy stepped through. Following them, I walked in, pulling the door closed behind me. We walked away from it, only to hear it fly open and slam shut again.
"Sorry, I tried." Everyone shrugged to me. "So, what's…"
An L shaped emblem faded from the door and we whirled back around. Luigi's knees began to buckle as he faced the dark room around him. His face quickly grew pale.
"M-Me? I'm n-n-next?"
"It was either you or Peach," reminded Daisy. "It shouldn't be that surprising to you."
"You can do it, Luigi!" Yoshi cheered for him, walking over and rubbing his shoulder.
"Come on, Luigi," added in Birdo. "If we could face our fears, you can too."
"Do…do I really have to?"
"Yes, you really have to."
Luigi gulped and walked forward, sighing and shaking. From the opposite end, under the green-lit torches, a single Boo flew forward. Everyone readied for it to attack, but the ghost merely floated around, eyes locked onto Luigi. It slowly glided forward and circled him, giggling as it did so.
And then the Boo floated back in front of Luigi, not too far away from him. Faintly, I could barely make it out, the Boo repeated the pattern and uttered a single word:
"Liar."
If Luigi could have gone any paler, I imagined it was right there that he would have. His entire body froze as the ghost cackled and disappeared into the shadows once more.
"Luigi?" Daisy spoke first. "What did it mean by…?"
"I-I…I don't—"
"Again?" He jumped at the familiar voice. "Luigi, how could you do this to me?"
Everyone gaped at Mario as he made his way forward. I wildly shook my head; this wasn't really him, but an illusion. Still, even an imposter of him showing up alarmed me. I could only imagine how thrown off Luigi would be.
"M-Mario?"
"Bottling it in isn't any good for you." He shook his head, purple eyes wavering. "And it's not helping me at all. Don't you understand?"
"No, Mario…I don't."
"How could you not? You're lying to me." He stepped closer to Luigi. "You're lying to them. Worst of all," he focused sharply on Luigi, "you're lying to yourself."
"…Mario—AH!"
Boos, Peepas, and other types of ghosts suddenly burst from the floor and swarmed around Mario. More flew from the walls and ceiling, buzzing around the Mario Bros. Luigi dove for the floor, trembling in fear from the overwhelming influx of ghosts.
"C-Call them off, Mario!" Luigi peeked up from the floor to his brother, who we could barely see in the midst of Boos. "P-Please!"
"There's no way for me to do that," answered Mario. "You know what you need to do."
"I…I can't."
"Then you've failed me."
"N-No!"
The ghosts laughed in shrilly cackles, growing louder as Luigi sank further to the ground. Yoshi and Daisy pounded at the barrier, not to break through, but to get Luigi's attention.
"Don't give in, Luigi!" Daisy kicked at the barrier. "That's what they want. Just hang in there! Get up!"
"The real Mario still needs you, Luigi," urged Yoshi. "Do whatever it takes, please. I know you can do this!"
Slowly, Luigi slid his hands from beneath him. Pushing himself up, still quivering, he managed to rise to his knees and tugged his cap down. Shaking his head, Luigi sprung to his legs, gazing past the ghosts that flew around him. One Peepa crashed into his face, but Luigi plucked it off and threw it away. Steadily, he stepped forward to the Illusion Mario.
"Believe me, Mario." He reached out with his hand. "I won't fail you!"
"Are you sure of that?"
The ghosts poured away from the area, no longer daunting Luigi. Mario, however, remained. Uneasy again, Luigi backed away from his brother.
"You do realize that, when it comes down to it…there's only one way to help me."
"Mario…"
"Yeah, Green. You'll have to give him everything you can!"
A thunderous laughter filled the room. Stomping forward, I grimaced as Bowser walked out. Though…he was wearing…an orange cap? It has his usual crest on it, but the way it was style…was similar to Mario and Luigi's. And…he wore red overalls too. What?
"Wow, he looks ridiculous," Birdo voiced my thoughts. "What exactly does Luigi…?"
She fell silent, and stared at me. I shot her a confused look, but she shook her head and glanced quickly at an equally unnerved Yoshi before they both returned their attention to Luigi.
He backed into the barrier and yelped as he flung himself from it. Bowser stomped forward and locked a collar around Luigi's neck. He pulled the chain from it and dragged Luigi screaming across the floor.
"This…would be more comical, if it…wasn't really happening," admitted Daisy, coughing through a giggle.
"Come on, Luigi!" Bowser laughed, but it was still that nasty one, filled with his burning hatred for everyone. "We've got the same interests in mind, don't we?"
"No, no we don't!" Luigi jumped up and pulled at the collar. He then looked to undo it, only to have Bowser pull him forward and down to the ground again. Looking up, Luigi pleaded, "Mario! You can't just let him do this. Help!"
"It's out of my control, Luigi."
"Face it, little bro," chuckled Bowser. "You get to deal with this for life!"
"Oh, please, no…no!" Luigi buried his head into his hands, only for Bowser to tug at his neck again. "Quit that!"
"Make me."
In a burst of fire, the goofy hat and overalls disappeared. The more familiar form of Bowser stood before us, and now he was back to his intimidating demeanor. His visage grew more annoyed, even enraged, and chains launched from the ground, dragging Mario down to the floor as well.
"Let him go!" Luigi yanked on his own collar, only for Bowser to whip the chain around again.
"Never. Again."
"Do something, Mario!" Luigi watched, as his brother remained mostly motionless on his knees. "He can't treat you like this!"
"And who will be there to keep him in check?" Mario lifted his head to stare at Luigi. "Who can stop him, if I'm not around?"
"Me!" Luigi latched onto the chain and tugged it from Bowser, who flailed to hold it. "I will! Mario, I've always got your back! We're brothers!"
"How touching," mocked Bowser. "But let's be honest, you can't even face reality."
"He's right, Luigi," chimed in Mario. "Can you accept this? Can you…live with it? Us?"
"…I…don't know."
"Damn it, Luigi!" Birdo pounded at the barrier this time. "Don't let it tear you apart!"
"He doesn't have to worry about just 'it,'" taunted Bowser as he grabbed the chain again. "He gets to worry about me, too! And that will last for ages to come."
"What does he mean by that?" I asked. "Birdo? Yoshi?"
The two dinosaurs exchanged fearful expressions again, but Yoshi shook his head. Birdo turned to me and shrugged. "The only one who can really explain it is Luigi."
"Somehow, I don't believe that."
"We'll leave it to him," reaffirmed Yoshi.
Glancing at Daisy, who shared my confusion, I gazed back to Luigi, still fighting Bowser for the chain.
"Is there really no other way, Mario?"
"This isn't up to me," repeated Mario. "It's your decision, Luigi."
"Not all of it is!"
"No. But that much isn't in your control." Mario dropped his head again. "This is."
Reluctantly, Luigi sighed and nodded. Dropping his arms, Luigi gave in as Bowser dragged him over to the two.
"Luigi, no!" I gasped.
"Don't worry, Peach." Luigi stared across the room at me and smiled. Then, he turned down to Mario. "We're in this together." Suddenly, he snatched the chain and thrust it away from Bowser. "All of us!"
Wrapping the chain around Bowser's neck, Luigi jumped from him and pulled the mighty Koopa down, as they crashed beside Mario.
"W-Why?!" Bowser roared. "How?!"
"Because…if you're with my brother," managed Luigi, "you get the full package."
"Yeah…but there's only one way to set yourself free!"
"If it's the truth, consider it done." Luigi grappled harder with the chain. "Now, welcome to the big, happy family."
Bowser and Mario wheezed simultaneously before being wrapped into a thick cloud of dark smoke. The room went dark completely once again, but we remained silent.
Then, everything lit up from the green light, brightening the whole room. Daisy ran forward first, sliding down and checking Luigi. His eyes slowly opened as the rest of us ran over to him. Yoshi plopped down quickly and helped Daisy carefully raise Luigi's neck and back.
"Oh, you're ok!" Daisy threw her arms around Luigi and pulled him into a hug. "Don't do that again. Ever!"
"Yeah…not my…intention." Luigi coughed. "Daisy…I still can't…"
"Ah!" She threw herself off of him, pushing him back into Yoshi. "Sorry."
"It's fine. So, not breathing…not fun, huh?" Luigi smirked at Yoshi, and then laughed. "And I thought you would have had it worse by not even talking."
"Nope, you win," lightly chuckled Yoshi, as he dropped himself onto Luigi. "If you're wondering who had it the worst, I'm not sure about that."
"Who cares?" Birdo piped up as she sat down beside Yoshi. "We're not measuring who gets torn apart the most, we're just trying to get through this."
"But…" Everyone turned and stared up at me. "Luigi, that was…I don't know where to begin."
"What do you mean?"
"The last thing you told Bowser? That family bit?" I shook my head. "What was that?"
"Hey yeah," chimed Daisy. "I was wondering that too."
Dropping his shoulders, Luigi looked to Yoshi, and then over to Birdo. Both shrugged to him, uncertain of…I wasn't sure what, exactly. Luigi sighed and looked up at me.
"Peach, it was going to come out one way or another, but…" He shook his head. "I can't keep it in anymore."
"Keep what?"
"Birdo was telling the truth." Luigi pulled his head over his face, exhaling into it. "I can't believe I'm actually admitting to this out loud."
"Admitting to what? Luigi, you're not making any—"
"Mario and Bowser are in a relationship."
My eyes shot wide open as my mouth dropped. Daisy clasped her hands across her mouth, almost mirroring my expression. Yoshi's eyes lowered as he looked to the ground. Birdo folded her arms and nodded. And Luigi…just stared back at me.
"…Please tell me this is a very cruel joke, Luigi."
"We'd be laughing if it were."
The world around me froze as I held in my breath. My arms hung in front of me and I couldn't think of anything else to do. A tear slipped from one eye, and then the other.
One of my very best friends…was truly dating my greatest enemy.
"Y…You're certain?"
"Yes, he's certain," snapped Birdo. "Breathe, Peach. It's a shocker, but the world doesn't end once you know about it."
"Luigi?"
"There's no other way for me to explain it, Peach." He sighed. "It's true."
How?
When?
For how long were they…?
How long did he bury it…or they…?
And they kept it, between Luigi, Birdo, and Yoshi…?
His whole kingdom knows?
I've told him so much, but now he gets kidnapped and…this?
"Peach? Peach!"
Questions continued to bombard my mind, even as Daisy shook me back into focus. I shook my head and stared at her.
"We need to get out of here." Daisy pointed at the door. "And there's only one way forward."
"…Right." I swallowed hard. "Ok, I'm ready. Let's go."
She helped me on, and we followed Luigi and the dinosaurs through the next door.
Silently, I watched the seal on the door fade, my royal crown sigil fizzing and dissipating into the door. I balled my hands together and gritted my teeth behind my sealed mouth. The others kept their eyes on me as I turned around and stepped forward, watching the dark room, waiting.
A pair of yellow torches lit up towards the middle of the room, with my friends and I still within the shadows on one end, and the door obscured along the opposite. Breathing out through my nose, I took another five steps forward, closer and into the light.
Out from the shadows away from me, a hatless and shirtless Mario stepped out. His eyes were lowered, but I noticed they were a purple color, not his actual blue.
Not him.
"Hubba-hubba!" Daisy whistled and laughed. "Peach, your nightmares are fantastic!"
Illusion Mario slowly slipped down his overall straps, and they slid off from his arms. He grinned at me, but not like the usual Mario smile; it was more lustful, his teeth slightly biting on bottom lip.
"Someone censor this, please," begged Luigi.
A hard stomping sounded from the shadows and I winced, knowing that the room was already reading me better than I wanted it to.
Bowser's figure slowed to a halt beside Mario, with matching lowered eyes, again purple, instead of the usual red. His fanged grin unsettled me as he undid his spiked collar and threw it to the floor.
"Wow. Peach, you're into some really freaky things, huh?" Birdo giggled, albeit more nervously than even she probably expected.
"P…Peach…?" Yoshi couldn't manage more than that.
Chuckling, Illusion Bowser lifted his claw and let it crawl along Illusion Mario's back. The monster took his shoulder and tugged him in a little closer. Smirking still, Mario rolled his head against Bowser's arm, and sauntered closer to him. The two moved in close together, but refused to take their eyes off of me.
Then, with Bowser leaning down near Mario's head, they grinned together again, and something about them together was…frightening.
"Tool."
It came from both of their mouths, and they smiled as they uttered. "Tool," they repeated it louder. "Tool." Already, my heart raced. Already, I wanted nothing more from this. Looking back, I couldn't see my friends anymore; obstructed by a shadowy veil, I was on my own.
This room was going to shake my core, or tear me apart getting to it.
Twisting around, Mario began to undo Bowser's wrist and armbands, taking his time getting them off. Roughly, Bowser rubbed his back, scratching it a little bit and eliciting a gasp from Mario, but then he clawed harder. Red claw marks were instantly visible on his back, and my eyes widened in shock. The Koopa King laughed as the wristband fell off.
"Was this what you were always afraid of, princess?" Somehow, his voice sounded more wicked and warped than Bowser's usual voice. "That you were just a pawn in my grand schemes?"
"You're nothing," I snapped.
"He's everything," moaned Mario. They let the armband fall to the floor and I jumped from its thud, louder than expected. "I can only be so grateful that you were never interested in either of us. Well…not quite…like this."
Mario slid himself around Bowser's waist, and I choked back the urge to vomit. Bowser bounced his eyebrows as Mario swung around to his other arm, unbuckling the next armband and throwing it down.
"What…what's even motivating either of you anymore?"
"Each other, of course," laughed Mario. "Seeing the fire light up in Bowser's eyes? It's to die for, really."
"Have you never really looked at Mario beyond friendship?" Bowser snorted as Mario took off his last wristband, throwing it to the floor with the others. "He's the strongest and hottest man that you've never given the time of day."
"That…doesn't really answer my question," I argued, though easily bothered by their words.
"Oh, what we're still fighting for? Control, as always." Bowser smirked as he wrapped his arms around Mario, claws digging into his overalls. "Just think, Mario: what could we do, if we controlled the entire Mushroom Kingdom?"
"Whatever we wanted, of course." Again, Mario laughed as he ran his hands over Bowser's face and hair. "It was worth the almost endless charade."
"Calm down, darling," chuckled Bowser. "It'll all be over soon."
"And just what does that mean?"
"Only that the entire Mushroom Kingdom…will come crashing down." Mario grinned darkly at me. "The best part…is that it will be because of you."
"W…What?!"
"Princess Peach," they rang out together. "You have failed this kingdom."
"No."
"It's true."
Spinning around, I watched as Luigi pushed through the shadowy barrier, stepping forward.
"Luigi?! How did you just—?!"
"You've given in to the worst side of yourself, Peach," murmured Luigi.
"We've all watched you do it." Yoshi pressed through as well. "Your capacity to kill, your endless crusade, and all for what?"
"Again and again, you've had the truth thrown in your face." Birdo broke through next. "And yet, time and time again, you only ignored it."
"Where are your closest friends now, Peachy?" Daisy forced her way forward. "Have you abandoned them all on your quest for control?"
"You…you're all wrong! All of you!" I shook my head. "I…I never…this isn't…stop!"
"Peach, your people are dying." I spun around and watched Toadette rise from one of the holes in the floor, from…Bowser's wristband?!
"We've tried our best for you, but that's never been enough." From the other one emerged…Toadsworth?!
"This kingdom is falling because of your actions, Peach." All five Toads walked from the right side of Mario.
"Your family's spiteful laws have carried over for far too long." Junior and the seven Koopalings marched out beside Bowser on the left. Kamek flew in on his broom overhead, cackling above Bowser and Mario.
"Wrong…this is all wrong, all of it!" I clawed through my hair, pulling at it. "You can't all seriously think that I—"
"Peach."
No. No!
From the armbands, they rose up. His short figure, broad shouldered, long red cape behind his decorated white uniform stood on the left, sword buckled under his rosewood belt. She came from the right, tall, in her long white dress, with vermilion designs of mushrooms woven along the base, swirling upward, past her hand that clutched the Royal Scepter. Even though the purple orbs clouded them, I could see the bright blue irises behind them, under their blonde hair and golden, toadstool shaped crowns, piercing straight through me. Clear as they day they…left.
My parents. The King and Queen of the Mushroom Kingdom.
"This…this isn't real."
"You've failed us, Peach," my father shook his head. "We're so disappointed."
"You've failed the kingdom," agreed my mother. "We expected better from you."
"N-Neither of you are here!" I shrieked and pulled harder on my hair. "You're not!"
"You failed," sang my parents along with Mario and Bowser.
"You failed," echoed my friends behind me.
"Princess Peach," everyone sounded from around me, as if the whole kingdom arrived to deliver the same message to me. "You have failed us all."
"ENOUGH!" I bellowed and threw my hair back. I glared at my parents "So what if I haven't lived up to your expectations? Fine! You left me impossible standards!" Glowering past them, I pointed to Mario and Bowser. "You two think you can get away with me being your pawn? Fine. But I refuse to let you take over this kingdom! And…and I refuse to let you break me!" Whipping around, I stared at my friends. "We…we've still got work to do. You think I've failed? That means we all failed."
Stepping forward, I held out my arms. "I'm not the perfect little princess you've all taken me for! I'm not without fault, and I've done terrible things. But I refuse to let this kingdom burn by my feet! I will continue ridding my kingdom of Bowser's forces. I will free this land, whatever it takes! And then…and then…things need to change."
Slowly, I sank to my knees as it settled in. "Because…I've…my rule hasn't been perfect. But…neither were many other things around me. And…I need to figure out just what went wrong. Because…I'm not the only one who made mistakes." I looked up and ahead, staring at my parents, Mario, and Bowser. "We…we've all made mistakes, haven't we?"
They remained motionless. I stared at the collar in the ground before me, which was empty, void of someone to rise up from it. Suddenly, shadows bubbled from inside of it, and a crown rose up, followed by blonde hair. The rest shot up in a pink blur, but I didn't need to look carefully to understand a mirror when I saw one.
Staring ahead, I locked eyes with Illusion Peach.
"Am I complete failure?" I asked myself. "Is…there no hope for me?"
"If you continue down the path you're on," the illusion explained, "then you have truly doomed the Mushroom Kingdom."
"Then…what do I do? Everything I just ranted about, was that—?"
"Weren't you watching Luigi's test? Didn't you watch any of them?" She shook her head. "You need to solve this on your own. But don't believe you're actually alone."
My heart sank as my eyes winced, tears streaming from them. In a bright yellow flash, everyone disappeared from around me and I threw my hands out to break my fall. Staring silently at the ground, I shivered.
"Peach? Peach!"
Daisy, Luigi, Birdo, and Yoshi scrambled around me, all four of them resting their arms on me, talking and trying to calm me down. They shook my body slightly, and I could tell they were speaking to me, but…I couldn't…even process…everything.
[Luigi]
Ten minutes later, with Peach still stuck on the ground, I stood up and sighed. Daisy brushed tears from her eyes and folded her arms. Birdo spat another egg at the wall, making a mess in her anger. Yoshi tugged on my arm and pointed at the door.
"We have to finish this," he quietly persisted, and he made sure that Peach, nor Daisy, could hear. "It's the only way to get Peach out and home."
"But what if it's not?" I shook my head. "I thought the magic from her scepter made her insane, but this place did a heavy number on her too."
"Maybe it was a combination of the two?" Yoshi suggested and shrugged. "After all, she still must have traces of it in her system."
"I guess." Sighing, I nodded. "You're right. The only way we can deal with this is if we get her out of here. Grab Birdo." He nodded and hurried over to Birdo as I stepped to Daisy and Peach. "We need to move on."
"Luigi, she's in no condition to fight whoever's coming up," argued Daisy. "And not for nothing, but I'm still plenty exhausted from these fear-induced landscapes."
"You're right, and I don't like it either, but we can't stay in here," I contended. "Peach will only continue to suffer if we don't get out of here soon. And we still need to free the Forests either way."
Daisy gazed up at me, and then nodded. "Fine, but we need to keep a sharp eye on her."
"We will, but I'm counting on you to take the brunt of it."
"Not a problem." She slowly helped Peach up from the ground, as she stared blankly ahead. Behind her sharp blue irises were clouds of purple in her eyes. "I won't take my eyes off of her, but I'm counting on the rest of you to end this."
"Absolutely."
"Are we ready yet?" Birdo marched over with Yoshi in tow. "I'm seriously ready to crack an egg over whoever is in the way between us and our exit."
"We're ready." I smirked and nodded. "So, let's-a go!"
"…Luigi?"
"Yeah, Daisy?"
"Don't do that."
"But…ok."
Together, we approached the door at the end of the room. Instead of the usual smaller doors, this one was a larger, studded blue door. We opened it and marched inside, with Daisy helping Peach through.
The hall didn't feel as long as the other fortress halls had, and we reached the room in little time. Perhaps it was just my sense of urgency.
Inside, a blank portrait waited at the end of the black and blue room. Something smashed down behind us and we whirled around to see a chandelier had fallen.
"Whaheheheh! So, you managed to make it this far! Impressive, I suppose!"
Shivering from the familiar voice, I swallowed hard. Appearing from thin air, a large Boo floated around. His eyes were bright fuchsia, with a purple aura glowing around his otherwise white body. The blue tongue stuck out beneath his teeth, twisted into a terrifyingly delighted grin. Atop his head was a golden crown, with small red and blue jewels inside of it, and a large violet jewel, possibly an amethyst, sat inside of the crown.
King Boo slowed to a halt and waved his tongue at us. I had a very desperate desire for my Poltergust to suddenly appear on my back.
"Well, well! So, it is Luigi and friends, here to face me directly!"
"Yeah, and we're here to…wait. D…Directly?"
"Oh, haven't you pieced it together, yet? Take a closer look at your vacant friend."
Turning back and staring at Peach, my eyes widened as I glanced over hers. All of the fear illusions' eyes, the darkness…it was so obvious, in hindsight.
"It was you!" I barked. "You set the entire mansion up yourself! You conjured those illusions, and locked doors! This was all your doing, not Kamek's!"
"Very astute, as expected," cackled King Boo. "Just one minor detail incorrect: I only cast the jinx to terrorize you and your friends with whatever you feared the most. Whatever illusions appeared before you? That was your own doing, your fears."
"You're a monster!" Daisy thundered.
"Well, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't!" King Boo let out his heavy laugh. "But come, this boss battle has dragged on long enough! Surrender now, and I might just turn you over to Bowser."
"Turn us over…aren't you working for him?"
"Eh, we kind of, sort of have a deal." King Boo shrugged with his small hands. "But, let's be honest, I want my own dose of revenge." He swirled his tongue around and nodded. "Actually, scratch the deal for you, Luigi. Your friends can go to Bowser, if they cooperate, but you? You're mine!"
"Then forget it," snapped Yoshi. "We'll take you down here and now!"
"Um…Yoshi?" Birdo whispered quietly to him. "He's a Boo. We can't hurt him like this."
"…Oh."
"Hang on a second." Daisy smashed her fists together, and turquoise lights bubbled around our hands. When they faded, each of us had our own crystal gauntlets. "The crown is probably the source of his power. Break it."
"W-What?!" King Boo hissed. "How could you possibly—?!"
"Royalty knows as royalty does," deadpanned Daisy. "Is your tongue a weakness too?"
"…N…No?"
"Guys? Wreck him."
"Gladly."
Quivering, King Boo tried to float away from us, his crown glowing as he attempted to summon our fear illusions. Birdo punched through a cloud that resembled Wart, while Yoshi zipped past the Dry Yoshi. I jumped over the Bowser illusion, and smashed down in front of King Boo.
"N-Now, wait a second!" King Boo nervously cackled. "We…we can talk this out, right?"
"Yeah…no."
Birdo hopped forward, pulling on King Boo's tongue before launching it into the ghost, who bounced around the room. Yoshi grabbed me, and then Flutter Jumped into the air as King Boo slowed to a halt, dizzy and dazed.
Tossing me over, I reached out and latched onto King Boo's crown with one hand. Raising the other, I threw down a heavy punch. It cracked, and I pounded it again, further breaking it.
"W-Wait, please! Bowser will—"
"Thank me later."
Slamming my crystallized fist over it one last time, the jewel shattered between the crown and the aura around King Boo faded. He yelped and fluttered around, wailing in agony.
"You…you fools! Do…do you have…my connection with it…?! ACK! It was latched to me! AAAHH!"
Squeezing his eyes shut, King Boo flew through the walls and away from the mansion. Several Boos and other ghosts flew away after him, with the group disappearing into the Forests.
"Ok…that's taken care of." I sighed. "How's Peach?"
"Mm…Lu…igi?"
Everyone hurried over to Daisy and Peach, as the latter shook her head.
"What…happen…?"
"Sh, rest Peach," soothed Daisy. "We'll sort everything out later."
"Is that it?" Birdo questioned. "We saved the Forests?"
"For now, yep," chirped Yoshi. "That makes our fifth fortress saved, right?"
"Yeah, it does."
I nodded and smiled, looking out the window at the end of the room. Everyone strolled over to watch the morning sun as it rose over the treetops.
[Meanwhile]
Toadette and the five Toads hurried across the Dark Lands, covered by the rocks that appeared to burst from the earth. They navigated their way across the terrain, sticking to the shadows and closer to the caves as they neared Bowser's Castle.
"Is everyone ready?" Toadette turned to the other five, who nodded back to her. "Ok, good. Peach gave us the mission to save Mario once again. And this time, we'll not only have to rescue him, but make sure that he stays safely back home." She inhaled sharply and slowly exhaled. "It's up to us now. So, let's get to it!"
Though quiet, the five Toads cheered, and they followed as Toadette carefully guided them over to Bowser's Castle.
...
Hey there. Hey buddy. You doing ok? Make it through all those words? Congrats, then, congrats!
Ooh, so…fear induced chapter for the heroes. Yeah, I…I really wanted to do that. It seemed like a way cooler boss fight than just ending bit with King Boo getting slapped around by the heroes. Instead, he one upped Mr. Blizzard with the "messing with their minds" approach, terrorizing the heroes with their darkest fears. So much fun. (And I didn't kill the boss this time! Yay! …One time, geez.)
Hmm? The beginning with Mario and Bowser? Oh what, I can't have special little bits for big chapters? I wasn't going to have the 30th chapter and not include Mario and Bowser for real. Because…their illusion versions weren't exactly…um…yeah. See? Wasn't that nice? We started off with something cute and then a little humor, and then...
Good gracious, Yoshi's fear zone. I…I went ultra dark there, for Yoshi. Famine. I couldn't think of a big enough adversary that Yoshi would really be thinking about; Baby Bowser is all grown up and he's used to dealing with Kamek. So, what would really freak Yoshi out? Depleted food sources on his island. Yeah. Whoops. Poor little guy.
Daisy's was pretty obvious, if we remember her talk back with Mario from…Chapter 18. Um…yeah, that's not at all memorable, so…she hates Tatanga. A lot. Unsurprisingly. But, she's also worried about being afraid of…well, everything, deep down. And you thought Luigi had it bad, ha! He…he still does, actually.
With Birdo, I didn't want to have her fall miserably to her fears, after traumatizing both Yoshi and Daisy pretty badly. So, Wart wasn't her true fear, but the whole "being an outcast among everyone" was. Yeah, Birdo really doesn't fit in too well with people…anywhere. And, she still has her past with the 8 bit army from her past career as a villainess. Yikes. But, she managed, as she does face the fear of it every day…which could actually make her illusion a reality, thus all the more terrifying. Oh…oh, oops. Sorry.
Luigi's…was so obvious going to use ghosts. I couldn't resist, I'm sorry. That Bowser in-law junk though? Now that, come on, that had to throw you for a loop, right? Yeah? No? …Ok, whatever, I tried. But yeah, I wanted to finally break him to the point where he'd confess about the relationship being true, validating Birdo's earlier claims and…basically breaking down Peach (and Daisy)'s earlier rebuffs to the relationship. Sorry ladies, but you were wrong! Guess they haven't seen this update on the archive enough times yet.
Speaking of Peach, oh man…hers was chaotic. Of course, I had to start it with a warped vision of Bowsario, because that's totally foreign to Peach. So, her picturing it being a thing was, well, as twisted as she thinks of it. Her overall fear is that she's afraid of being everyone's pawn and failing her kingdom. And, while not completely fulfilled, she kind of has been used by Bowser and Mario, to be their opportunity to interact with one another. And…well, since she took down Mr. Blizzard and dabbled in magic, Peach hasn't been…well, she hasn't failed her kingdom yet, but she's playing with fire. (Not literally, for once.)
But wow, Peach's parents! I actually went there! That was…that wasn't a very, I don't even know. It was fun trying to give her parents, since Peach had to come from somewhere. They're pretty much original characters, with the King being loosely inspired by the Mushroom King that Nintendo has never bothered to use since…wait, have they ever, besides comics and manuals? Huh. Well, that. Worth a shot.
As for the zonked out Peach at the end? She was the most overwhelmed by her fears, surprise. But really, you try thinking clearly with a chorus of people telling you that you failed an entire nation. Because even entertaining that idea scares me. So yes, Peach was ultimately the most susceptible to King Boo's magic. Luckily, she had her friends around to help save the day! And didn't bring her Royal Scepter, which…might have proven to be a bad mix. Hehe.
Ok, that's enough from me. If you have any more questions, send them my way, along with any comments or criticisms. (Yes, you can complain about this chapter being murderously long. But it's done, so…sorry.) Reviews and messages are the best method to share stuff with me! And I could really use them since, well, it's been pretty quiet lately. (Did the length finally scare everyone off? Yes? My bad.) But really, those are super appreciated, even if it's just a single line of commentary and you don't think that's good enough, because it actually really is.
Anyway, I say it a lot, I know, but this is the 30th chapter, and that's a big milestone for me, so thank you all very much for reading this far! Yes, 30 chapters of a gay romance story between Bowser and Mario. And astoundingly, gay marriage is now legal in the US, so, hey! Cool story, right there! Again, thank you all for following this for so long (over a year now, huh?), and I hope you'll continue to read on! Thank you all!